WCW Week of May 29, 2000 - The 16th Time

Nitro
We get a recap of the World Title shit that happened on Thunder, then we cut outside to Ric arriving in a limo, and he tells I think his wife to stay there as he leaves. Reid is there too trying to tell her Ric knows what he's doing. Then R&B Security rush the limo and pull the wife and Reid out led by Russo as they take them into the arena. Then we get to the opening video and pyro.

We're live from the E Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Schiavone welcomes us to the show and Nash's music hits, coming out to the ring with World Title in hand to start the show. Then Steiner makes his way out before Nash can say anything, along with his ladies and the US Title. Nash starts off thanking Steiner for helping him on Thunder, then remind us of R&B's mission to eliminate the millionaires, and looking at things, Luger's got a broken face, Page's personal and professional life is being controlled by Bischoff, Hulk's got a retirement match at the Bash...? Did I miss a week of shows? Plus Vampiro wanting to set Sting on fire. The one outlier is himself and Steiner though. He says he'd love to get his hands around Russo's neck, as would Steiner, then he brings up Scott Hall who's getting healthier and wants a piece of Russo real bad. He says the reason these guys are legends is because they've seen it all, heard it all, and dealt with it all before, and as proof of how hard it is to kill a legend, he brings out Ric Flair. 
Ric says this must have Russo thinking overtime, with the three of them in one ring together. He says two weeks ago his career was sky high, he went down, medical reasons unknown, it doesn't matter, and says what's transpired won't keep happening. He talks to David and says he's got nobody behind him, and at the Bash David's wrestling career will come to a quiet end. He says Russo tried to bury him last week, and goes on about how when he dies he doesn't want to be buried quick and wants a bucket of honey spread around him. He says that someway, somehow he's going to find Russo and drag his skinny little New York ass out to the ring and stomp it through the mat. Nash is back on the mic because he has a present for Ric. He says he's thought about it long and hard, that Ric never lost the World Title, and he doesn't feel right being a champion, and until Ric loses it it's his. So yeah, Ric is handed his 16th World Title on a silver platter. 
The good times don't last long because Jarrett's music and out he comes. He jokes about being on the wrong set, the View, because all he sees is a bunch of self-serving women. He says it's the three of them against the world, and doesn't like their odds one bit. He starts with Nash with a message from Russo, announcing that Nash will face Tank and Rick tonight, and if Steiner comes within 5 ft. of the ring, him and Nash will be cleaning Russo's toilets next week, because Russo owns his ass. Steiner says that talking problems out is way overrated, he admits he has to slap his freaks when they're out of line, and suggests Jarrett and Russo come down, bend over, and kiss his ass. Jarrett says he's the one with all the stroke around there, then moves onto Flair, announcing it'll be the two of them going at it, and he vows to get the gold back around the Chosen One's waist. Flair though says that seeing as he is the champion and is standing there with Steiner and Nash, he doesn't have to wrestle anyone. 
Of course, out comes Russo next. He says that he warned Ric if he stepped one foot in his house tonight, he was going to wish he had a brain aneurysm. He says that he will always be one step ahead, then he calls on David, who brings out Ric's wife along with Reid with security in tow. Flair, Steiner and Nash rush down the ramp and right through security as Russo and co. run to the back. 

There's a gas truck pulling up outside the arena and Vamp is driving as it goes to commercial.

Back from break, Russo is yelling at Beth and Reid that they're doing things his way, then we see Ric elsewhere looking around for his family.

Over to commentary, Tony tells us that Ric has accepted Jarrett's challenge, then we go to the ring for a match. We also learn that Steiner will defend the US Title in the Asylum against Shane Douglas. Disco tries to sound like the Filthy Animals but he keeps getting corrected by Rey and Konnan, and make a challenge for a Lumberjack Match. Konnan calls out GI Bro (sigh) and his friends to come out, and so they do. We also learn that we'll hear from Vamp right after this match. 

Lumberjack Match: Disco Inferno vs Lt. Loco 
Lumberjacks: Konnan, Rey Mysterio Jr., Juventud Guerrera, Major Stash, Cpt. Rection, Cpl. Cajun & Major Guns
Loco dives over the ropes right into Disco, sends him off the ropes into a suplex. Disco sent off the ropes but he slips to the outside, only for Loco to dive off the top onto them. Disco is tossed back in but catches Loco, dropping him throat first. Cobra clutch leg sweep on Loco before tossing him out to the Animals, who are on the attack before tossing him back in. Scoop slam on Loco, Disco to the middle rope but misses a forearm. Thesz Press by Loco, followed by a dropkick sends Disco onto the ramp, and MIA are on the attack. 
Rey hops into the ring and shoves Loco into the corner, goes for a Bronco Buster, but Guns comes in and distracts Rey. Rey starts to undo his pants and climbs onto the bottom rope, only to get a low blow instead. Disco gets tossed back in, Loco hits the tornado DDT from the middle rope for the win in 2:47.

Tygress, one of the Nitro girls and Rey's girlfriend, comes out to check on him, then takes down Guns in the ring, as MIA and the Animals and referees try to break it up. Then Tony sends it to the back.

Pamela is standing by with Vamp and she asks why he has the gas truck outside. He asks if she can smell what he smells, but she can't, and he smells gas, but reassures her that only the sinners will burn in Hell. He says tonight it doesn't matter when, or how, or why, but there's gonna be a fire, and says it'll be on Sting's head.
The interview is interrupted as Kronic comes into shot beating up Horace, then Palumbo comes in with the Lex Flexer and takes them out, alongside Stasiak. They take Horace away.

We see Ms. Hancock walking backstage into commercial.

We get an ad for the Bash, hyping the Kidman/Hogan match. Then Ms. Hancock comes out to the ring, and says that everyone probably thinks she's just a stick in the mud, but she's there to tell every guy in the building that she knows how to let her hair down and have a good time. She calls for her music as she starts a strip tease, but she's soon interrupted by Candido. Then for some reason we cut to the back to see David having to go for... some reason. Russo wonders what his deal is, and Reid tells him it's none of his damn business, so Russo chastises Beth for letting him talk like that and tells them to keep their mouths shut.
Back to the ring, Candido says there's 10-15 girls in the back, including her, who know nothing about the business, and the only one who does tried to make the best of a bad situation last week and make a deal with Ms. Hancock. He tells her not to stick her ass in his spotlight, because next time she does he might not be so nice. He grabs her by the hair as he says this and threatens to hit her, then all of a sudden David comes through the crowd and jumps on Candido. They start trading shots and Ms. Hancock leaves. Ric rushes down and goes after David, then security rush down. David escapes and takes Hancock with her, Ric takes out security and he gives chase into commercial.

We cut outside to Kimberly arriving at the arena with press and photographers, then we go to footage that happened on Friday, where she's throwing out a bunch of DDP's stuff. Then we see Donny Osmond and Carl Malone sitting front row with their  families before we get to another match.

GI Bro (sigh) comes out and takes the mic, wanting to clear some things up. H says people have been asking why he went back to being GI Bro, saying this is who he was when he first got in the business and it's who he is now. Secondly, Stasiak got a beating last week but still wanted more, so he challenges him to a Boot Camp Match at the Bash. Third, he moves onto Mike Awesome, who's not happy unless he's putting someone in a wheelchair or the ER, then has footage played of Awesome delivering an Awesome Bomb to him a few weeks back. He says Awesome tried to put him out, but didn't get the job done, so calls him out.

Ambulance Match: G.I. Bro vs Mike Awesome
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Awesome comes out driving an ambulance, halo in hand. 
Booker meets Awesome on the ramp with right hands and a side kick, but gets back dropped back in the ring, landing on his feet. Booker off the ropes on the opposite side but Awesome comes in with a slingshot shoulder block from the ramp. Awesome with a powerbomb, then goes up top, goes for a crossbody but Booker hits a dropkick midair. Booker reverses a whip off the ropes, goes for some leap frogs but the last one gets screwed up, then Awesome drops him with a right hand, followed by an elbow. Booker sent off the ropes catches Mike with a clothesline. Booker with the scissors kick, then Awesome tossed onto the ramp.
They fight up the ramp until Awesome nails him in the head with the halo, then they keep fighting toward the ambulance. He goes for a powerbomb on the ramp but Page comes out and nails Awesome in the back with a chair, then again. They just barely slam Awesome through a table that's been set up beside the ramp. Booker and Page toss him into the ambulance, close the doors and Booker wins in 2:44.

Not much time for celebrating as we cut to the back, where Stasiak and Palumbo are making fun of Booker, while watching over Liz. Someone's knocking on their door and in comes Kronic, they start tossing them around again, and Liz gets a shot in with the Lex Flexer before leaving. 

Then we see Bischoff, Kimberly, Kidman, Cat. Torrie and Horace walking backstage. Eric jokes that they should beat up Donny Osmond and they love the idea. Then Hogan pulls up outside the arena, and says its gonna take more than Bischoff to rip the red and yellow off his back. The Goldberg monster truck pulls up behind as Hogan goes into the arena, then another car pulls up and... Oh Goldberg's actually here this week. 

Back from break, Ric is still looking for his family. Then we cut to see David with Ms. Hancock leading her somewhere.

Now out comes Eric and co. and starts with his usual "he missed the fans" shtick, and for some reason Cat is his parrot until Eric tells him to stop. He says he heard what Hogan said when he arrived, but that he doesn't have the guts to wear his red and yellow in that or any other ring, because if he did Eric would tear it off himself. He says Hogan's painted himself into a corner and nothing he can do about it, but Eric has some news, a parting gift for Hogan. He reminds us of the special ref he mentioned, wanting to add insult to injury in Hogan's final match, but he doesn't want the blood to be on his own hands, but on his nephew's hands, naming Horace as the referee for the Bash. 
Out comes Hogan and says the red and yellow will never die, and it's gonna take more than a piece of shit like Eric to get rid of it. He says the way things are, not only is he going to kick Kidman's ass at the Bash, now he's going to kick Horace's also, and when July comes around Eric's worst nightmare will come true when he becomes the WCW Champion. Eric says it'll never happen, Kidman and Horace will never let it happen and there's nothing Hogan can do to stop it. Hogan's had enough and makes his way to the ring, but then we cut outside and Goldberg's headed inside now... Into commercial?

We see Hogan laying out Eric's crew during the break, then out comes Nash for his match... who's attacked immediately by Tank and Rick before he can even get on the ramp. Rick comes from behind with a pipe wrench and nails Nash in the back of the head, dragging Nash into the ring to start the match officially.

Kevin Nash vs Tank Abbott & Rick Steiner
A whole lot of stomping and shots on Nash. Like a lot. Goldberg's music finally hits and out he comes. Well that got this crowd loud.  And the ref calls for the bell before he can hit anybody in 1:26.

Spear and a Jackhammer on Steiner, and Tank leaves while this all goes down. Goldberg helps Nash up and embraces him, then gets a mic. He says he's been sitting at home listening to Tank run his filthy mouth week after week, but tonight things are different, because he's back. He says the slaughter begins tonight and escape is no option, and if Tank has the balls to show up next week in Atlanta, his ass is next. Goldberg's music hits as Tank continues to the back. We get a replay of the spear as Goldberg and Nash head to the back into commercial.

Back from break, Goldberg is walking outside and Pamela's trying to get a word but he just walks past, gets in his car and drives off. Commentary recap what happened and plug something called Reload on the website.

Now out comes Funk to defend his title with mic in hand. We see footage of Funk getting the title back on Thunder, and says Bischoff has a big surprise is, specifically who his challenger is. He doesn't care, and he has a surprise too, and decides he's going to the back and put his foot up Bischoff's ass. 

WCW Hardcore Championship: Terry Funk (c) vs Vampiro
Vamp meets him on the ramp as Funk walks up and Funk immediately hits a low blow, followed by a piledriver. Funk makes the cover but it's only a one count. Vamp with a low blow now, then the Nail in the Coffin on the ramp. Vamp attacks the referee and delivers a Nail in the Coffin on him too for some reason. Vamp now keeps attacking, Funk face first into a light as they head to the back.
Scoop slam on Funk through a table, then Vamp takes out one of the tech guys, then another one. Funk gets a trash can and slams it over Vamp's head three times, then a metal pole over the back. We have a second ref now as Vamp is thrown across another table, then tries to throw a coffee machine at him. Another scoop slam on Funk through a table and they fight to the outside now. Trash can to the head of Funk now, then a headbutt by Funk, Vamp head first into the door of a production truck and Vamp falls through another table off the stairs to the trailer. Vamp sends Funk face first into the grill of his gas truck, then face first into the side of it, then a second time. Vamp hits Funk with the hose, then a second time and starts to spray Funk, but then Sting appears from behind and makes the save. Vamp into the gas tank, Sting with boots to the midsection. Vamp grabs a blow torch from inside the truck but officials stop him and says he'll see Sting later. Sting helps Funk away and the match just kind of ends in about 5:21.

We cut to Ric still looking, then back to Russo and the Flairs. Reid tells of Russo and then David sits him back down. Douglas comes in and Russo informs him of his Asylum Match with Steiner tonight. He's against it until Russo tells him it's for the US Title, then he walks off into commercial.

We get a hype package for Steiner vs Tank in the Asylum in the Bash, then we get footage of Page driving up to his home, with his stuff boxed up on the lawn and he thinks it's a rib until he realizes it isn't and gets pissed. The locks have been changed and is greeted by Kimberly and they argue about who's home it is and she has police here ready to get him to leave and now she has a restraining order on him.

Then we cut to Awesome talking to Kimberly backstage because she knows Page better than anyone, but she's upset because he's sweating on her. Then Palumbo walks up because he can't find Liz, and thinks if Kimberly calls her out to the ring she's bound to come out, and Kimberly can have her face on TV. She agrees to and Awesome goes out with them. We then see what Liz did to Kimberly on Thunder, plus Page's spanking on Kimberly.

So out comes Kimberly, Palumbo with Lex Flexer in hand and Mike Awesome. She says all the injustice and drama in her life has not left her worse for wear but she has a big problem, Liz having gotten on her last nerve, so she calls Liz out. She's over Liz taking up her time. Kimberly for... some reason, actually comes out to the ring alone with a mic. She says everyone's sick of Kimberly, sick of her lowlife friends, especially R&B. 
So Kimberly orders Awesome and Palumbo to grab Liz and grabs her by the hair, pissed that Liz took a bat to her the week before, asking what would have happened if she ruined her face, and her adoring public would have hated Liz even more, and is going to show Liz who's in charge.
Now Page comes out and takes out Awesome and Palumbo, a Diamond Cutter on Awesome. Now Bischoff comes out with a couple of officers, calling him DDPuke, because Page has violated the restraining order. Page gives himself up willingly. Then Palumbo attacks the officers and Page with the Lex Flexer and out comes Luger with a face mask, attacking Palumbo in the corner. Luger and Liz head to the back.
Awesome is back up though and attacks Page, but Carl Malone enters the ring and nails a Diamond Cutter on Awesome. He helps Page to his feet and out of the ring to the back. 

We see Steiner and his girls headed to the ring into commercial.

We get a hype video for Sting vs Vampiro at the Bash. Then Ric is backstage and runs into Pamela and she asks if he's going to give Jarrett his title match. Ric says he's got his title shot, but when's done with Jarrett he's going to find Russo and he and David belong to Ric.

So now out comes Steiner with his ladies and takes the mic. He says every week he comes out with his two favorite freaks, because it's no secret he's a genetic freak in heat. He says when he comes out and flaunts it, all his freaks nationwide watching dream about getting up on it, but he's going to do something special for all the ladies in Salt Lake City. He says after the show, he's going to give them a chance to ride his Freakshow and all they gotta do is separate their hips and put their ass out, and the daddy will make them pass out. 
Then he calls out to Tank, and says at the Bash in the Asylum he's gonna kick his ass. Then he says Russo, the New York son of a bitch, can put the Franchise out there against him because he's going to kick his ass too and calls Douglas out.

Asylum Cage Match for the WCW U.S. Heavyweight Championship: Scott Steiner (c) vs "The Franchise" Shane Douglas
So despite the fact that the cage hasn't been lowered the bell is rung as Steiner attacks, sending Douglas off the ropes into a clothesline, then an elbow drop. Press slam by Steiner as the cage is lowered down. Low blow by Douglas, then a front suplex into a reverse snapmare. Douglas stomping away, but Steiner whips him into the cage, only to be caught with a neckbreaker. Steiner catches Douglas in a bearhug but Douglas nails him with something wrapped around his fist.
Elbow to the head of Steiner, then a clothesline by Douglas and another, but then caught and slammed back first into the cage, followed by a backbreaker. Douglas face first into the cage, then a spinning belly to belly slam by Steiner. Steiner locks in the Recliner and Douglas taps in 2:30.

Steiner celebrates as the cage is raised, posing in the corner. 

Then we see Sting walking toward the ring, with Hogan watching on a monitor decked out in red and yellow into commercial.

We get a hype video for the Bash before we go to the next match.

Billy Kidman (w/ Torrie Wilson) vs Sting
Lock up to start but Kidman is pushed into the corner, whipped across the ring, but catches Sting with the corner bulldog. Sting reverses a whip off the ropes and hip tosses Kidman over the ropes onto the ramp. Sting with right hands and tosses Kidman over the ropes to the other side, then Sting dives over the ropes with a clothesline with a running start. Kidman reverses a suplex attempt and hits a DDT, then goes up top but misses a splash. Sting whips him into the corner for a Stinger Splash, then goes for the Scorpion Deathlock but Torrie has the ref distracted. Vamp runs down and nails Sting in the back of the head with the blowtorch. Kidman is pulled on top and gets the win in 2:26.

Vamp also has a gas can with him as he delivers rights and Kidman joins in, but Hogan runs down in red and yellow. Hogan with rights on Vamp and Kidman. Then Bischoff comes down and hits him in the back with a chair but Hogan no sells, then goes to hit Bischoff over the back with it but Cat is in and kicks it back in his face. Horaace is here too now and they're all ganging up on him and Sting. They have a trash can and rip off the red shirt, toss it in the trash can and set it on fire. Vamp tries to drag Sting to the fire, but now Kronic comes out and clear the ring making the save. Hogan's music hits as the New Blood run to the back. 

Up next, the World Title is on the line. Ric is seen walking, then Jarrett into commercial.

We get a hype video for the Flairs match at the Bash. Then it's time for the main event, as Jarrett makes his way out and it looks like David will be the referee for this match.

WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Jeff Jarrett vs Ric Flair (c) 
Special Guest Referee: David Flair
Jarrett tries to get the jump as Ric tries to get his hands on David, but Ric turns around to deliver some chops. Rights by Flair and more chops in the corner, Jarrett whipped into the corner into an elbow. Jarrett with rights now in the corner after a cheap shot, then Russo comes out with Beth and Reid dragged out by security, and Flair rushes down and jumps on Russo, with Jarrett right behind. Rights by Jarrett and tosses Ric off the ramp to the floor. Flair face first into the guard rail, then chairs to the gut of Ric, followed by a chair shot to the head of Flair. Chair to the throat of a downed Flair and now Ric is of course busted open.
Jarrett dropping fists on Ric's head back in the ring, more rights by Jarrett opening the wound. Chops by Ric fighting back takes down Jarret, in the corner now, then a snapmare and Flair with right hands. David tries to use the Statue of Liberty on Flair but Flair nails David with it instead. Jarrett whips Flair into the corner and he flips upside down and over the ropes to the floor. Russo takes a bat to the back of Flair before tossing him back in, then Jarrett locks in the figure 4. Flair's seemingly passed out and we have another referee in, makes the count but Flair pops back up. Flair tries to roll over but Russo's back on the apron, Flair clocks him and Flair grabs the rope.
Flair sent off the ropes, but catches Jarrett with an inside cradle but this time it's only a two count. Corner punches by Jarrett but Flair with an inverted atomic drop and a low blow, now some right hands into the corner. Jarrett whips him into the corner, Flair upside down and out to the apron, ducks a clothesline from Jarrett and lands one of his own. Flair goes up top with an ax handle to the head, and Flair knocks Russo off the apron again. Flair goes for the figure 4 but Jarrett shoves him off into the referee. Security jump the apron and Flair knocks them off. Russo puts on a ref shirt now as Ric delivers a knee drop. Chop on Russo takes him down, goes for the figure 4 as David hands Jarrett the guitar, smashes it over Flair's head, covers and wins the title in 7:56. The only match on the show given any real time and it was riddled with constant bullshit.

Trash is being thrown in the ring as Russo and David embrace, and Jarrett's arm is raised. Wow this crowd is pissed, the mat is covered with garbage. More trash thrown at them as they leave up the ramp and Flair's family is still captive. This goes on a good 3 or 4 minutes. Charles Robinson is in the ring helping out Flair and they drag out Beth and Reid again but they just run off again, and that's how it ends.

OVERALL THOUGHTS
Hoo boy. Well I can't say much about the action because only two went past 3 minutes, and both were riddled with bullshit. Ironically the best match on the show was Steiner/Douglas which really isn't saying much. Best part of the show was Goldberg's return and it's not even close. That said, with a run time of 1:39:53, there was a total 25:10 of wrestling.

Thunder
We get a recap video for Nitro, then out to the arena for the opening pyro, broadcasting from the Idaho Center in Boise, Idaho, and we waste no time getting to a match. 

WCW Hardcore Championship: Chris Candido vs Terry Funk (c) 
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Candido comes out holding a chair and, for no apparent reason, dressed like Funk. He takes the mic and says he's out here alone because he was finally given something to do, then talks about how he left the WWF and ECW because he wasn't good at taking direction, but he finally found a boss that has some smarts, because he's been given the chance to take out Funk and bring the Hardcore Title to Bischoff. He says like an old horse, when it's taken to the back and put one in its head, telling Funk to get his wrinkled ass out there so he can kick it. So Funk comes out with a chair of his own.
Candido charges up the ramp only to be taken down with a back drop, then a chair to the head, and another and another. Candido falls off the ramp to the floor and Funk hops down, taking the fight to the back. Candido thrown into some crates and a box of tools into Candido's head. Chair to his head again and again and Candido is thrown into the bead of a truck, then a chair to his head again. Funk climbs into the truck and drives off as the ref runs after them.
So we go to commentary as the cameras catch back up with them not far from the arena and they arrive at what appears to be a ranch. Candido grabs a trash can that was in the bed of the truck and throws it down onto Funk's head as he hops out, then another can shot to Funk's head. There's a table set up there for some reason as they fight down in front of the stables and Funk is thrown over the table. Funk thrown into some hay bales, then into a water trough before having a can thrown into his head. Some kind of pipe to Funk's head, then Funk's head dunked into manure. Funk clubbed with something in the head and back, then they take it into one of the stables. Candido goes head first into the wall of the stable repeatedly. Funk with right hands, then a piledriver into the ground, then the horse starts kicking Candido. Trash can to the head of Funk, then he's set down on a table and Cadido chokes him with a rope. Candido tries to climb the stables, but Funk yanks him down and he goes through the table. I think Funk is bleeding and he hits the ref with the trash can as he arrives. Funk goes to cover but the ref is out., so he grabs a bucket of water nearby to wake the ref, then covers and retains in 5:47. Listen I can appreciate the fact they tried to do something different here, but this was still WCW trying and failing to book a hardcore match.

Oh Funk is definitely bleeding and he leaves with the title.

Back at the arena, Russo is on the phone with someone and in walks Cat. He gives Cat his seat, and says Bischoff's away doing business and he's got his own hands full with the Flairs, so he puts Cat in charge of the show tonight as per Bischoff's request, with all the rights and privileges of R&B. 

We go outside the arena to a limo pulling up and out steps Ric, Reid and Beth into commercial as they head inside.

Back outside, a car pulls up and out steps Kimberly to a red carpet and paparazzi. 

Now we get another recap video of what happened with the Flairs on Nitro and out they come to the ring. He gets a cheap pop mentioning Boise, then he says he drove in a half-beaten man ready to tell a sad story, but then he got all jacked up and realized he can't cry and has to tell it like it is. He says it took a great wrestler in Jarrett, a baseball bat, a snake like Russo and his son to beat him for the title, he ain't crying, it happens, it's business. He says he has to make Russo understand that no matter what happens, this is the first time in 20 years he's ever had his family in the ring in the business. He says they're there because Russo embarrassed him in front of Reid and Beth and that's hard to do, he says she's been around the world with the Nature Boy, she's seen it all. He says she looked at him and asked how a punk like that could get on top of him and he said he can't, that they've only just started, and at the Bash David had the chance to be something in the business, not because of Russo but because his name is Flair, he could have been something with the god-given ability, a lot of hard work, he could have bled, sweat, paid the price and been a great wrestler, but now he's gotta wrestle Ric. He says he's going to kick his 21 year old ass like he should have 10 years ago. He says that because Russo is such a man, he asked his family to come out tonight, because he wants Russo's skinny New York ass to wrestle him.
Russo comes out with David and security. Security enter the ring first, with David and Russo behind them. Russo has some things he wants to say, first that he has sunglasses on because god forbid his boys in the Bronx knew he was in Boise tonight. Second, he accepts a thanks that Ric never gave him for giving back Champ and The Witch. Ric tries to get his hands on Russo but security hold him back. Ric tells him to kiss his ass. Third of all, he's got a cold and he's still here, unlike Ric, who had a brain aneurysm and missed a whole week of work. 
Ric calls Russo a mark for him and tells Russo to leave him alone, and says Russo can never be Ric Flair. He calls Russo a chickenshit with no balls from New York, then says David's worse than that, and says he's going to bitch slap him in Baltimore at the Bash. Russo says Flair's drooling and tells him not to embarrass himself and that's the reason he's here, he's here to talk to Beth, not Ric. Russo points to his John Lennon shirt, and makes a point to mention he lived in New York, and says Lennon once wrote a great song, "Imagine," and wants her to imagine this: Great American Bash, David beats Ric, and due to his own words, Ric is forced to retire, which means no more gravy train, no more checks, limos, cars, expensive jewelry, and the fact is that's the reason Beth married the slug in the first place. He says she didn't marry Ric for his looks, she married him for the money and asks how she'll live on his social security. Russo tries to get at Russo again. Russo finishes off saying she certainly didn't marry him for Space Mountain because the rumor is that that rocket hasn't been out of the launching pad in years, then hands the floor to Ric.
Ric says Russo came out, hopefully in the eyes of everyone there, in his eyes, in Reid's eyes, in Beth's eyes to wrestle him. He says he's come out and dicked around, and that Little Italy can't tell Space Mountain nothing, and challenges him some more, trying to get his hands on Russo again. Russo calls the fans jackoffs asking if they want to see them wrestle, so Russo agrees on his condition. He says he and David are a family, father and son, they do everything together, so challenges to a tag match: David and Russo vs Ric and Reid. Ric asks Reid and he's fired up, then dives at security who hold him up for Russo to attack and slap. David attacks too with a bat to the ribs then rights and forearms as security hold back Reid and Beth. They all leave as Beth and Reid check on Ric. This went on way too long.

We cut back to Cat getting off the phone with someone as Mike Awesome walks in. Cat is surprised after the ass kicking he took on Nitro and then Kimberly walks in wondering where Eric is, saying the catering company didn't prepare her special meal for tonight. Cat informs her he's away on business and that he's in charge. She doesn't like it, because Eric's the one who makes sure all her needs are attended to, and she's got a lot of issues today, specifically the paparazzi from earlier, she needs camera time to address her public. Cat says they'll take care of that. She also wants personal security, but she doesn't want the R&B Security baffoons, saying they're inadequate, so he puts Mike Awesome in charge of that, and she's happy with that, so they leave into commercial.

Back from break we see Kidman telling Torrie "it" is going to end tonight and in walks Cat, Kidman's sitting in his chair and tells him to get out of it. Kidman criticizes Torrie's outfit, then recaps how Horace was made the ref for his PPV match and he doesn't trust him as far as he can throw him. There's an argument and Kidman says Cat got there by kissing, not kicking ass, and he wants a match with Sting and Horace and Cat gives him the match, he leaves with Torrie.

Back to the arena, out comes Kimberly and Awesome, who's out with a table for some reason. Mike leans his table up in the corner before getting on the mic. He recaps what GI Bro (sigh) and Page did to him on Nitro, and says that Page won't have any friends or basketball players at the Bash, in fact the only friend he has left is laid up in the hospital with a broken back. He says he's not going to take it easy on Page like he did the chump Kanyon, because he plans on breaking every bone in his miserable old ass. 
Kimberly says the fans may now welcome her with their applause, and when she barely gets any, she says it could have been much louder. She says she gets a lot of fan mail, people write her in droves asking things like who does her hair, what kind of perfume she uses, her favorite restaurants, but also if people in Boise are really that ugly. She says that she used to say she didn't know because she's never been to Boise, but now she'll say yes, they really are that ugly. She calls them gauche, pointing to a particular fan and asking if they got their outfit at TJ Maxx, then another if they have Wrangler jeans, and says another looks like her ex.
Which brings her to Page, she says he'd probably be out there trying to steal her spotlight, but he's in jail where he belongs. She understands fans reactions as there's a slut chant starting, and she knows the girls are jealous, but they must be really excited about the split because they've always wanted to be near her, to touch her, smell her neck, and says that "they" aren't real, but they're fabulous. Then an obviously plant fan rushes the ring and Awesome sends him through the table with an Awesome Bomb. She says it's obvious she's wasted too much of her valuable time on these people, calling them heathens, and says she's going to her trailer. Her and Awesome leave as officials help the "fan" to the back.

We cut to Ric and Reid in the locker room, and they're talking but they're mumbling, all I can make out is Ric asking if he's afraid to get in the ring and Reid says no. Then it goes to commercial.

We cut to Douglas who's in Cat's office and says he's going to reward Douglas, that there's been too much pressure on him lately, that R&B have been working him too hard, and it's no way to treat an employee. So he's giving Douglas a shot at the World Title, telling him he can rip Jarrett apart if he wants. Douglas makes sure that Cat is actually in charge as he's skeptical and Cat reassures him and Douglas is pleased and leaves.


As Kidman, Horace and Kidman come out for their match, we see what happened on Nitro with Kidman and Sting, then the following aftermath with Hogan.

Billy Kidman &(or vs?) Horace Hogan (w/ Torrie Wilson) vs Sting
Sting takes a running start as he makes his entrance, dives over the ropes and delivers a double clothesline to Kidman and Horace to start the match. Dropkick on Horace and Kidman clotheslined to the outside. Kidman face first into the guard rail, but then Horace clubs him from behind and the double team starts. Sting back first into the guard rail then a right from Horace before going back in the ring. Horace and Kidman stomp away, scoop slam by Horace, then a leg drop from Kidman off the ropes, cover and a kick out at one by Sting.
Double team suplex on Sting. Sting sent off the ropes but catches him with a bulldog. Horace is pulling out a table as Sting goes for the Deathlock but Horace attacks from behind before he can lock it in. Clothesline by Horace, then more stomps by Horace and Kidman. Sting sent off the ropes into back elbows, Horace covers but Kidman pulls him off. More stomps, then a death valley driver by Horace, cover and Kidman pulls him off again. Inverted atomic drop by Sting on Kidman, only to be pulled face first into the middle turnbuckle. Horace slides the table into the ring as Kidman attacks Sting in the corner. Horace leans the table up against the ropes, then Kidman holds up Sting only for Sting to move and Kidman gets hit with a clothesline. 
Stinger Splashes on Kidman and Horace in opposite corners. Kidman press slammed through the table onto the ramp over the ropes. Horace is thrown onto the ramp as Kidman hits the floor. Sting backs up the ramp for a running start and crossbodies into Kidman and Horace. Back in the ring, Sting pulls in Kidman and applies the Deathlock for the win in 5:06. It was an OK match I suppose, though it did nothing for Horace and Kidman.

Sting celebrates and heads to the back as Horace and Kidman come to in the ring. They shove each other and blame each other for the loss and Torrie's trying to get the on the same page but it's not working. Awesome comes in to set them straight and manages it better.

We get a brief hype video for Goldberg before commercial.

Gene is with Tank and Rick, and he says that Tank vs Goldberg is signed for the next week's Nitro, but tonight, he and Rick are facing Nash and Scott. Tank is fine with Goldberg wanting him on Monday, saying he's wanted to do just that since coming to WCW, and all hell will break loose on Nitro, saying he's going to bash Goldberg's brains in, starting tonight with Scott and Nash.
Rick says they take nothing from nobody, that they're the baddest men walking the planet today, and if they wanna go down there and find out, get some, conquer it down...? That last little bit was pretty incoherent, I was going by subtitles. He says they're going to chew up Scott and Nash and spit them out, and if they want some to come get some.

Then we cut to Russo and David, with the former saying he'll take care of Reid. Jarrett walks in, and Jarrett asks if Russo's lost his mind deciding to have a match tonight, then informs him that Cat has him defending the title tonight against Douglas, and Russo doesn't see a problem. Russo says to trust him, that it's taken care of and Jarrett leaves.

Back outside, Nash and Steiner have arrived as it goes to commercial.
, 
We're catching up with Norman and Ralphus now, and it seems they're trying to offer lawn care services to a neighborhood with no success... or the dog walking service... or Ralphus babysitting children. Norman says they have to do something to get back in WCW, but Norman points across the street to a "WRESTLING TODAY!" sign, so they walk off.

Back to Cat on the phone with someone recapping things to them and enjoying himself. Not sure what the point of this was.

WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Jeff Jarrett (c) vs Shane Douglas
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: We get recaps of the several times Douglas has screwed up the last few weeks, then he tries to cut a promo but he's interrupted by Jarrett who tries to get the jump on him.
Douglas dodges though and lays in some rights, Jarrett sent off the ropes into forearms. More rights by Douglas, boots in the corner, Jarrett whipped across the ring but gets the boots up, caught with an inverted atomic drop though as he leaps off the middle rope, then clotheslined to the outside. Cat makes his way out and distracts Douglas, allowing Jarrett to knock him out onto the ramp. Jarrett takes Cat's scarf to choke Douglas before tossing him back in the ring.
More choking by Jarrett... and more, then Douglas sent off the ropes into a clothesline using the scarf. The ref takes it away, Douglas sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and catches Jarrett with a powerslam, covers for a near fall. Jarrett reverses a whip off the ropes, Douglas blocks a hip toss and gets a backslide pin for a two count. Inside cradle by Douglas for two. Cat gets shoved off the apron by the ref, which gets Cat mad, as Douglas hits the Pittsburgh Plunge for a pin, but then Cat shoves a chair into the ref which stops the count.
Douglas takes the chair only for Cat to cartwheel kick it back into his face, then Jarrett hits the Stroke for the win in 3 minutes flat. So... what, a swerve for swerve's sake? What was the point of this?

Jarrett poses with the title as Cat heads to the back. Up next, a one-on-one interview between Page and Tenay, and though Kimberly claimed Page was still in jail, this interview was done earlier in the day.

Tenay starts by talking about how Page's life has been made a living hell, both professionally and personally, caused by one man who Page once considered a close friend in Eric Bischoff. Page says Tenay knows him and Bischoff, and says the first time they met he wanted to rip Eric's head off, and as time went on, they became neighbors and close friends, at least he thought they were.
Tenay mentions how Eric's gone out of his way to claim he made Page a star, and Page has heard him say it a thousand times, and says that Page Falkenburg being Eric's friend made him work 5 times harder, because he had to prove something more than anybody else. He says Bischoff never made him, he made himself in spite of Eric.
Tenay asks what it was, between the time Eric left WCW last year to his return in April that destroyed their friendship, but Page doesn't know, he says he can only speculate, possibly bitterness because he knows Eric was pretty hot leaving, they sent him out to pasture. He says he tried to stay in touch with Eric, and if they don't talk, making a point to say he returns phone calls, it's their fault not his, and he can only make so many phone calls, and he knows Eric was really bitter and maybe he was pissed off Page didn't leave with him, but he's got a contract and he says he honors his obligations.
Tenay mentions how in his book, "Positively Page," he refers to an ever present yo-yo that has represented the ups and downs of his life, the storybook romance with Kim that we've seen evolve over the last few weeks to the point where she served him divorce papers on national television and the restraining order on Nitro, and asks what on Earth she's thinking. Page doesn't know and wonders if she even is thinking. Tenay follows up asking if he saw it coming, and Page asks if he thinks any guy does, asking how many guys thinks come home and their stuff's outside and the key doesn't work on the door. He says bottom line is he didn't, but fame does funny things to people, that want, something he knows about, that desire, to wanna be in that spot, but he also knows about not stepping on people to get there. He says he never agreed with Bischoff's business, that as a friend and a family man he's a cool guy, but in the business world not so much, and he obviously changed a lot in the six months he was gone.
Tenay wants to talk about Kimberly a bit more and asks if Page still loves her. Page snickers and says "duh" and says you don't just stop loving someone like that, but he doesn't love "this" Kimberly, saying she's a different animal. He says he loves the chick he was with before.
Tenay brings up the book title again, but all of a sudden we get this negative vibe from Page. Page says if he read the book he knows that Page has to go to the bottom of that yo-yo sometimes and skim along the bottom, to be able to bounce off and get regenerated. He says right now he's getting hit with everything, and he's been there longer than he wants to be.
Tenay says there's a lot of people in the locker room that think Page may never come back. Page just chuckles at that, and he calls him Prof. Tenay and poindexter, saying his whole life people have been telling him he can't do something, he'll never do this, he'll never be that, he'll never be a main eventer. never be a World Champion, but that's what motivates him the most, and anyone who says that don't really know him, and that includes Tenay. 
Tenay says the story doesn't end with just Eric and Kimberly, bringing up what happened at Slamboree, how Arquette went out of his way to blame Page, that he got to Arquette and stopped him from pursuing his dream of wrestling career. Page says it was a fluke, it was fun, he got to beat Bischoff, he was World Champion for a day, saying he himself has been there and that's all Arquette needed to be, saying he was trying to keep Arquette from getting killed. He says just like how Bischoff twisted Kimberly against him he twisted Arquette against him, but he doesn't care, he went with the flow, saying it's not the end of the world.
Tenay brings up what happened to Kanyon at the same PPV and when Tenay calls Awesome the career killer, Page tells him not to call that jagoff that name, saying that he didn't kill anyone's career especially Kanyon's. He says he knows Kanyon and he's got heart, he loves the business and there's nothing that's gonna keep him from walking again or wrestling, and at the Bash, we'll see who ends up in the ambulance.
Tenay says that in listening to Page's responses to his questions, he asks, in thinking back to his problems with Bischoff, his wife Kimberly, his friend from the movie Arquette, he asks if Page has ever thought if he himself was the problem. Page doesn't even answer as he rips off his lapel mic, throws it at Tenay and walks off. Well that was better than most of these interviews that they do, but it went on way too long.

Gene is standing by with Cat, Palumbo and Stasiak, and says Cat has his hands full tonight, asking what Russo was thinking leaving him in charge. Cat though says he's running a hell of a show tonight and is doing a great job, but he moves onto Kronic, who he says is running around breaking all the rules, doing whatever they want to do, and as boss he's going to enforce the DQ rule, and Cat says when he gets in the ring with them, with Palumbo and Stasiak by his side, if Kronic get DQ'd then Palumbo and Stasiak take the belts home. Stasiak comes into shot and gets his hands on Cat briefly before he's grabbed by Palumbo and Stasiak, but Cat explains he was just following orders and they all walk off.

Up next, a one-on-one interview between Schiavone and Bischoff.

We see Steiner and Nash getting ready, and... Oh, I thought the interview was next as they played a snippet of it, but we have another title match.

WCW World Tag Team Championship: Shawn Stasiak & Chuck Palumbo vs Kronic (c) 
If Kronic is disqualified, the challengers win the titles.
Stasiak and Palumbo are sent to the outside right away, then Adams and Stasiak start it off officially. Stasiak with rights, Adams reverses a whip off the ropes but catches Stasiak with a right. Press slam into a gutbuster on Stasiak, cover and a kick out. Clark tag in, Stasiak sent off the ropes into shoulder blocks. Chops by Clark, Stasiak sent off the ropes but tags in Palumbo who walks into rights. Palumbo sent off the ropes into a boot and a double underhook suplex, cover and a kick out.
Boots in the corner, Palumbo whipped across the ring who goes up and over but delivers a side kick to the chest, cover for a one count. More rights by Chuck, Clark reverses a whip off the ropes and delivers a tilt-a-whirl back breaker. Adams tags in, Chuck sent off the ropes and caught for a full nelson slam, cover but Stasiak breaks it up. Chuck reverses a whip off the ropes, Stasiak knees him in the back and Palumbo hits a DDT.
Stasiak gets the tag with rights, Adams sent off the ropes into a spinning back elbow, cover and a two count. Adams sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, catches Stasiak in some version of a piledriver. Clark tags in with rights on the challengers. Palumbo tossed out onto the ramp, then High Time on Stasiak. Palumbo comes in with the Lex Flexer but Adams stops him. Clark goes for a cover, the ref starts to count, but Adams sends Palumbo off the ropes, ref stops the count and sees Adams uses the Flexer on Palumbo and calls for the DQ in 4:58. We have new champions.

They celebrate on the ramp and Kronic deliver High Time to the referee. Kronic's music hits as they look on pissed. 

We go to some backyard wrestling with a bunch of kids and a makeshift ring, and up walks Ralphus and Norman. One kid thinks Norman is Booker T, and Norman takes the time to try and tell them that they can get hurt doing this, but if they want to learn they should start with an amateur background, and he has an amateur background. He's introduced to the "champion" and Norman can't believe it, but gets the kid to enter the ring, saying he's going to teach them a clinic. Norman gets a pin on the kid and does the Big Wiggle, then tries to run off with the title.

Now we go to the interview with Bischoff. Tony says a lot of things have happened in WCW since Bischoff returned, and since he and Russo took over creative control of television. Bischoff stops him there though and says they didn't take over creative control of the TV programs, they took over control of WCW, saying there's a big difference and tells Tony to try and get it right.
Tony continues and says the one big question they all have is the night he and Russo were not there, in Lafayette about 2 weeks ago on Thunder and they gave control to Shane Douglas, they were at a big business meeting. Bischoff cuts him off again and wants to talk first about the history between WCW and himself. He says when he took over in '94, he said he was going to make WCW the #1 wrestling company in the world, and Tony and a lot of people just like him didn't believe it would happen, but he did make it happen, and he did it by making big moves, by making big decisions and by taking big risks, saying there's a pattern here. Now he's back, he says he came back with Russo, it was a big move, a big risk, and says no one thought that was ever going to happen, and that's what he's all about.
Tony says that no one's denying that and doesn't think anyone ever has denied it, but the question still remains as to what big meeting took place in California, and what exactly is going on that we don't know about. Bischoff repeats himself about it being about big decisions, and yes they had a business meeting, there were attorneys present, notaries, attorneys for the attorneys and attorneys for the notaries, the fact is the deal is done, and at 11 o'clock that morning it was signed, sealed and delivered. He says one of the largest law firms in LA have reviewed all the documents to make absolutely certain that there can be no injunctions filed, nothing can happen that could possibly stop what's going to happen at the Bash.
Tony says that Bischoff knows sports entertainment is a lot of hype, and brings up how Russo was on WCW Live after Nitro this week and said this will be the single biggest thing to ever happen to sports entertainment, bigger than anything in WCW, WWF, bigger than even R&B's return to the company, and asks if they can live up to that hype. Bischoff says that he doesn't have to live up to Tony's expectations or anybody else's for that matter, but he can say that at the Bash, they are going to change the landscape, change the face of sports entertainment and pro wrestling as Tony and everyone else knows it, and there's not a thing that Tony, Vince McMahon, or anybody is going to be able to do to stop it, and says Tony is really boring the hell out of him, so he leaves. Guaranteed all this hype is bullshit.

Up next though, it's the Flairs vs David and Russo, as we see the respective teams heading to the ring. How in the holy hell are they going to book this match?

David Flair & Vince Russo vs Ric Flair & Reid Flair (w/ Beth Flair)
Ric and David start the match with some back and forth until Ric catches him with chops coming off the ropes. Ric rips open David's shirt and delivers chops, then whips David across the ring, tries to go after Russo but he drop off the apron before he can get to him. A chop by Ric, then he gets a mic and tells Russo to get in the ring. David rolls out to join Russo on the floor and Ric tells Russo he could never beat him, and that he couldn't even beat Reid. He says he'll stand outside the ring for three minutes and let Reid wear Russo's skinny ass out. Russo agrees.
So Reid gets in the ring with Russo, Russo slaps Ric, then Reid, toying with him until he turns his back to gloat with David, allowing Reid to get a double leg take down. Russo takes off his jacket now and gets taken down with a single leg. A spear now by Reid and Ric is back in, but David's in with chops in the corner now on Ric, followed by a right. Suplex by David, then more chops in the corner, followed by the strut. Ric drops him with a chop, then a couple more sends him to the outside.
Chops against the guard rail, but then turns around the ring post and Russo smashes a mini statue over his head, then tosses him back in. David stomps away and Reid comes in but gets tossed aside. Reid back to pull David off, Reid sent off the ropes but Russo trips him up from ringside. David with the figure 4 on Reid, Russo pins him down and gets the win in 4:42. Well that was... I don't know what to say about this. Crowd loved seeing Reid take down Russo and Ric getting the advantage but that was about it.

Beth is in to check on Ric and Reid and trash is getting thrown in the ring. Russo gets a mic and tells Beth to get up, asking her if she'll believe him now before it's too late. Him and David leave as more trash is thrown, then Beth and Reid head to the back into commercial.

Gene is with Flair in the back. He says that Russo continues to make Ric's life a living hell, and Ric responds saying it comes to an end on Monday, that he has Turner on the phone, emphasizing that he has the ability to call Turner and that he wants Russo's ass on Nitro in a Cage. He says they'll bleed and sweat, but they'll finish it Monday in Atlanta.

Now Cat makes his way back out with a mic to join commentary for the main event. Of course Tank and Rick do Goldberg's entrance, and as the bell is rung, Cat announces that the man who gets the pin or submission will get a shot at the World Title at the Bash.

Scott Steiner (WCW U.S. Heavyweight Champion) & Kevin Nash vs Rick Steiner & Tank Abbott
The man who gets the win for his team faces Jeff Jarrett for the World Title at the Great American Bash.
The Steiners start this match, with Rick sent off the ropes, Steiner leapfrogs but gets a low blow as he drops back down. Rick off the ropes with a clothesline and an elbow, cover and a two count before tossing Scott to the outside. Meanwhile we cut to Jarrett pissed at Cat in his locker room, and says there won't be a pin fall in this match, but there will be a DQ, as he grabs his guitar and leaves.
Steiner was thrown into the guard rail by Tank and now Rick is on the attack before going back inside. Rick with a rear chinlock and we learn that Russo has accepted Ric's challenge for Nitro. Belly to belly overhead by Ric, then an elbow for a cover and a kick out. Tank tags in with blows to the midsection in the corner, dropping him before tagging in Rick. Scott tries to make the tag but Rick kicks him in the ribs, then another rear chinlock. He goads Nash which allows Tank to come in to clock Scott, Rick covers but Scott kicks out. Scott manages to deliver a DDT.
Scott gets the tag and Nash comes in with rights on Rick and Tank, sidewalk slam on Tank and clotheslines Rick to the outside. Tank sent off the ropes into a big boot. Nash tries to leave but Rick nails him. Jarrett comes in as Scott applies the Recliner on Tank and smashes the guitar over Scott's back. Jarrett tells the ref to call for a DQ and the ref looks out to Cat asking what to do, but Cat says it's no DQ. Rick nails Nash with the title belt, covers but Nash kicks out.
Scott's ladies roll him out, then Rick gets tossed a chair by Jarrett only for Nash to boot it back into his face. Nash delivers the Jackknife for the win and the title shot in 5:50. Another match riddled with bullshit.

There's only about 19 seconds left in the show as the bell is rung, Jarrett takes his title as Nash looks on and the show fades out.

OVERALL THOUGHTS
Well this show had even less good stuff than Nitro did. Hardcore Title match could have been good but of course they ruined it. Reid was once again entertaining for as little he was on there. That was about it for the good stuff. And I'm certainly not looking forward to Nash v Jarrett at the PPV. That said with a run time of 1:32:37, there was a total 29:23 of wrestling.