WCW Great American Bash 2000
We start the show recapping Goldberg's big return two weeks ago where he saved Nash, followed by his win over Tank and saving Nash again again in the main event, plus his appearance on Thunder all narrated by Schiavone. Then we see outside the arena police are waiting outside. Now we get to our video package, recapping the card for tonight with accompanying footage before we go to the arena for the show.
We're live from the Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. Schiavone welcomes us to the show as we get right to the first match. MIA make their way out first and Rection gets the mic, telling Loco that his mission tonight is to defend the Cruiserweight Title, and tells him to show like he's got a pair. Loco takes the mic and says he's got a little surprise for Disco, and he pulls out I guess it's a toy grenade, and Rection takes it away. Then Loco tells the Animals if they mess with him or the match he'll kill them.
WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Lt. Loco (c) (w/ Capt. Rection, Major Stash, Cpl. Cajun & Major Guns) vs Disco Inferno (w/ Juventud Guerrera, Konnan, Rey Mysterio Jr. & Tygress)
Disco starts with a slap before boasting to his Animal buddies, then turns around into some rights from Loco, Disco sent off the ropes into a clothesline. Disco reverses a whip off the ropes and Loco hits a crossbody, then follows up by bouncing Disco's head off the mat a few times. Disco sent off the ropes again but hangs on, then Loco slips around with a waist lock, Disco tries to elbow himself free so Loco tries to push him off the ropes into a roll up but Disco hangs on again, Loco off the ropes only to be launched up and throat first into the top rope. Crotch chops to MIA, then Loco face first in the corner for boots, then whips Loco across the ring who leaps up and catches Disco with a headscissor, sending him through the ropes to the floor in front of MIA. They attack Disco before tossing him back in, then Loco with a pumphandle suplex, cover and a kick out.
Disco face first in the corner for some chops and rights, then whips Loco across the ring, who slips free from a back suplex attempt and hits one of his own, then a cover and a kick out. Disco sent off the ropes, catches Loco with a kick but gets sent over the ropes in front of the Animals, Loco to the top rope and dives out onto Disco before tossing him back in. Juvie holds onto Loco as he tries to climb back in, which allows Disco to knock him down for the Animals to attack, until MIA chase them off. Loco back in for a scoop slam, then Disco to the middle rope for an ax handle, cover and a kick out.
So now that old man from... I don't remember if it was Thunder or Nitro, the one who was in the crowd and cost MIA the tag titles anyways, comes out from the back this time as Disco hits an inverted atomic drop, then off the ropes with a clothesline, cover and a kick out. Scott Hudson explains that the old man Pops, is the grandfather of Capt. Rection, who is now talking with Tygress at ringside. Cobra clutch leg sweep by Disco, then the Animals bully the grandfather and MIA come to his rescue. The ref gets distracted by this, so Juvie comes in with an inverted DDT on Loco, followed by a People's Elbow attempt, but Loco sits up to avoid the elbow, then hits Juvie with a dropkick, sending him out. Disco with a Stunner, then Cajun in with a leg sweep, pulls Loco on top to retain in 4:59. This match started out decently enough until it basically became a Lumberjack Match, plus all the other bullshit.
Animals rush into the ring to jump Loco and Disco is immediately up no selling, and MIA are in there to try and save but they'retaken out. Pops is still out cold on the outside and Guns looks on in distress... or she's trying to but she's not great at acting. MIA leave the ring to check on Pops and Rection talks to Guns, who is reluctant but rips off her top to do some mouth-to-mouth and he jolts back to life.... briefly then goes back down, then tries to get some of Guns but he's pulled off. MIA's music hits and they head to the back, as Tony sends it to the back.
Bischoff and Cat are in their office flanked by police officers, and one of them assures the two they have nothing to worry about, and Eric asks if they're sure, while another assures him they've walked the perimeter and have everything under control. Bischoff says that no one is going to ruin his surprise for Nash tonight.
Then we cut to Okerlund who's with the Mamalukes, and Vito gets mad at him for calling them that for some reason, who are set to face Kronic to determine the #1 contenders for the tag titles. Johnny wants Gene to clarify which of them he's talking to and tells him to make up his mind. Vito takes the mic and says they've been beating up... something, then mentions a county jail, and says they don't have time for this kind of interview, they've got things to do, and he doesn't sweat nobody because he's the Hardcore Champion. Gene wants clarification on his claim to being Hardcore Champion, and not Johnny the Bull. Vito dodges the question even though Johnny thinks it's a good question, pulling him away because they have a match. Gene tries to get them back with I think an Italian accent as best he can.
#1 Contenders' Match for the WCW Tag Team Championship: The Mamalukes (WCW Hardcore Champions) vs Kronic
They start fighting right away as Mamalukes are kicked out of the ring, they regroup and polish the Hardcore Title belt. Commentary are still confused to who's the Hardcore Champion. Johnny and Clark start the match properly, Clark with a boot and throws Johnny into the corner for knees to the midsection, then some chops across the chest. Johnny fights back with rights, until Clark ducks and hits a Uranagi. Johnny whipped into the corner into a shoulder block sends him out of the ring. Chop by Clark, then a Russian leg sweep into the guard rail before returning the ring.
Johnny with a club to the back as Clark climbs in, only to be sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a roundhouse kick. Vito gets the tag, sends Clark off the ropes into a double ax handle, then both stomp away. Vito's still wearing the title around his waist as Clark is sent face first in the corner for chops and forearms to the chest. Clark reverses things and sends Vito into the corner for rights, sends Vito across the ring who gets an elbow up, then clubs to the back of Clark. Johnny back in, then sent off the ropes into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Adams gets the tag now with boots and rights in the corner on Johnny, then off the ropes with another right. Johnny reverses a whip off the ropes but Adams catches him with a full nelson slam, covers and Vito breaks it up.
Clark back in with boots in the corner, then in the adjacent corner, whips him across the ring, Johnny tries to go up and over but he's caught on Clark's shoulder for a running powerslam, cover and Vito breaks it up again. Adams back in, Johnny sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits one of his own. Johnny tries for a suplex but Adams fights out and gorilla presses Johnny, into a gutbuster, cover and Vito saves again. Johnny reverses a whip off the ropes, Vito knees Adams in the back as he comes off the ropes and Johnny hits a DDT. Vito back in and stomps away, Adams sent off the ropes and sent back to the mat. Adams whipped into the corner for a splash by Vito, then whips him across the ring and misses a second splash. Clark in for a double back drop on Vito. Oh I guess that wasn't a tag, and Adams takes the belt off Vito, tosses it to Clark who tosses it out of the ring, and Adams hits something like an Impaler F5 on Vito, covers and Vito kicks out.
Vito sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a Mafia Kick. Johnny in, ducks a clothesline, kick to the midsection, then a dropkick to Adams knocks him out of the ring, as Vito goes to grab the Hardcore Title from ringside. Clark runs into a powerslam by Johnny, who takes several seconds to position Clark, then he tries to leap straight to the top rope but botches that. Then he does the second time, and despite looking behind him and Clark being on his feet and being nowhere near where Johnny will land, still goes for a crossbody and misses. Adams rolls in, Johnny sent off the ropes, ducks a double clothesline but they hit a double shoulder block. Vito is still more focused on his title as Johnny is sent off the ropes... for some reason, because they have to reposition themselves for High Time to win in 9:20. This wasn't a terrible match, and they're actually telling a competent story with the Mamalukes, but they screwed it up with the botches and the needless setup for High Time.
Kronic pose around the ring a bit and talk some trash to Vito.
Cut to Pamela who's with DDP, who's set to face Awesome, who's out to end his career like he did Kanyon. DDP brings up his "Career Killer" nickname and takes offense to it, much like Tenay called him that and says that ain't happening. He tells Bischoff and that "super bitch, soon to be ex-wife of his" if they think they've got him beat down, he doesn't think so. Then he tells Awesome that he's got some motivation, inspiration, and good god stimulation, something special for him. Then he walks off.
We cut to an ambulance being backed into the arena for the next match.
Ambulance Match: "Career Killer" Mike Awesome vs Diamond Dallas Page (w/ Chris "Champagne" Kanyon)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: I say "with" but Kanyon is still confined to a wheel chair with a halo, and DDP keeps him sat on the side of the stage.
Right away they go at it, trading shots after Page ducks a clothesline, then Page blatantly nails the ref for some reason. Awesome catches a kick and Page is spun around to hit a clothesline, then clotheslines he and Awesome to the outside. Awesome reverses a whip over the guard rail, then taunts the crowd a bit before Page pops back up for some shots. Awesome grabs a chair, and so does Page, who swings and hits the ring post as Awesome retreats to the ring. Awesome swings, Page ducks as he slides in and they start dueling chair shots. Awesome's is knocked away and Page tosses his to him to punch it back to his face. Awesome reverses a whip off the ropes but gets caught with a leg sweep.
Awesome whipped into the corner, but leaps to the middle rope and hits a back elbow. Awesome ducks a shot and hits a back suplex, then off the ropes with a splash. For some reason, the EMTs are standing on the ramp with the stretcher, as Page's face is raked over the top rope. Page sent off the ropes into a clothesline, then dropped throat first onto the top rope which is nearly botched. Awesome leaves the ring and pulls out a table, setting it up. Page misses a baseball slide, then sent face first off the apron, before getting an Awesome Bomb through the table. Awesome calls for the EMTs to bring the stretcher down and they lift Page onto it, and they roll it up the aisle, but he slides off to the floor.
Awesome grabs one of the chairs and cracks it over Page's back before tossing him back in the ring. Chair to the ribs, then again, and again in the corner, then runs and rams it into Page's face. Awesome to the top rope for a frog splash, then goes up top in the opposite corner for another frog splash. Awesome sandwiches Page between two chair now before going back up top, but wastes time taunting the crowd, so his third misses as Page rolls out of the way, Awesome landing on the chairs. Kimberly out now with a lead pipe over the back of Page, then she leaves the ring. Ms. Hancock is out and gets handfuls of Kimberly's hair, and drags her to the back. Page face first in the corner, then Awesome goes up top, pulling Page up with him, but Page nails a low blow before he can hit anything, allowing Page to hit a Diamond Cutter.
Page barely rolls Awesome to the apron as he calls for the stretcher, and the EMTs load Awesome onto it. They roll him up the aisle and ramp with Page following, but now Bischoff's music hits and out he comes with a chair. Page jumps him, then Kanyon leaps out of his wheelchair and takes the halo off, nailing a Diamond Cutter of his own off the stage. He rips off his Page shirt to reveal a New Blood shirt, then pushes Awesome off the stretcher and loads Page onto it. Awesome rolls the stretcher himself to the ambulance, tosses him in, the EMTs close the doors and the match ends in 9:45. Another fairly good match, and I kinda like the swerve for once with Kanyon, even though I saw it coming.
We see the ambulance driving off as Awesome walks to the back.
Over to commentary who recap what we just saw and can't believe what they saw, but of course Madden is on Kanyon's side. They speculate if this was the plan from the beginning or in the hospital was when this happened, and why Kanyon did it.
Boot Camp Match: G.I. Bro vs Shawn Stasiak (WCW Tag Team Champion)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Something I wasn't expecting to see was Booker using a zip-line to get to the ring ala HBK at Mania 12. This is basically a Last Man Standing match, with the match ending when someone can't answer the 10 count. Stasiak comes out with the camo face paint and pants, so I guess I can appreciate the commitment to this gimmick. He has a mic and tells Booker to take a good look at what a real, or perfect, soldier of fortune should look like, and tonight he's taking the war to him. Booker doesn't bother waiting as he leaves the ring and meets Stasiak in the aisle to start this match.
They start trading shots back to the ring, until Stasiak hits a knee to the midsection and Booker goes face first off the guard rail, but he reverses a whip into the steps. Stasiak face first off the guard rail then back in the ring. Stasiak catches him with clubs to the back and stomps before delivering a scoop slam. More shots by Stasiak, Booker sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a forearm, then a scoop slam of his own before sending him over the ropes to the outside. Booker with an ax handle off the apron to the back, then Stasiak face first off the guard rail, then tossed over the rail on the adjacent side. Stasiak takes advantage of Booker playing to the crowd to deliver shots, but Booker blocks and sends Stasiak face first into the rail again, then clotheslines him in the back of the head to send him back to ringside.
Booker gets a chair and cracks him in the head, then tosses him back in the ring. Booker goes up top with an ax handle, and the ref starts a count, which is more akin to a boxing count for a knockout with how fast it is. Stasiak is back up at 8 and Booker sends him face first in the corner, then delivers some corner punches until Stasiak counters with an inverted atomic drop, then Booker is sent up and over face first into the corner. Stasiak stomps and chokes away now, then chokes Booker over the middle rope. More clubs to the back of the head, Booker sent off the ropes into a back elbow. Ref starts the count and Booker is back up at 8 in the corner. but Stasiak with a club to the back immediately. Shots by Stasiak, Booker whipped across the ring but gets a boot up and hits a spinning kick. Another count from the ref and they're both up at 5, then Stasiak pulls on Booker's vest and sends him through the ropes to the floor.
Booker face first into the guard rail, then again as they make their way up the aisle, then a suplex on the steel ramp. Ref starts his count but Booker is up at 8. Stasiak with more clubs to the back and make their way back to ringside, where Booker goes face first into the steps. Booker is tossed back in and Stasiak goes up top with a flying clothesline. Ref starts his count again, but Booker is up just barely at 9. Stasiak with an ax handle to the back, then goes for a suplex, but Booker reverses with one of his own, only to be hit with a clothesline. Another count starts, and Booker is back at 8. Stasiak tosses Booker out of the ring again.
Booker tosses into the crowd and Stasiak follows with stomps, then tosses Booker back over. Stasiak with a chair to Booker's back, and the ref starts his count again, but Booker's up at 9. Stasiak with more shots to the back before tossing Booker back in. Gutwrench powerbomb on Booker, and we have another count, with both down. Stasiak is up at 5, Booker up barely at 9. Booker sent off the ropes and is caught with a sleeper and he wears Booker down, and for some reason the ref raises Booker's arm up once, twice, but Booker comes to and fights to his feet, elbows out, and Stasiak tries to send him off the ropes but he's pulled back into a back suplex. Booker ducks a clothesline but walks into a back elbow. Stasiak tries to send him off the ropes again but gets pulled back into a Harlem Side Kick. Stasiak reverses a whip off the ropes but he's caught with the Book End. Ref starts his count, Booker goes up top and Stasiak's up at 9, Booker hits a missile dropkick.
Another count starts and Palumbo rushes down with the Lex Flexer, but Booker ducks the shot and hits a scissor kick. Stasiak takes the Flexer and hits a low blow, and the ref starts his count, but Booker is up at 9. Lex Flexer to the back and back of the head, both stomping away now, then send Booker off the ropes, ducks a Flexer assisted double clothesline and hits one of his own, though Palumbo nearly screws it up. Spinaroonie, Harlem Side Kick on both of them, then clothesline on Palumbo and a right on Stasiak. Booker takes the Flexer and nails Palumbo in the head with it, then the head of Stasiak. Stasiak can't make the 10 count and Booker wins in 14 minutes flat. Again, not a bad match, though I don't think it did much for the tag champions when they couldn't finish Booker 2 on 1.
Booker poses and celebrates in the corner before leaving.
Cut to Kanyon going through or packing a bag in the locker room and in comes Okerlund wanting answers. Kanyon says that no one came to visit him in the hospital more than Bischoff, who told him that all he had to do to become a star, to get Page's spot, was to put him out, and that's exactly what he did tonight with Page's own finishing move. Okerlund though has some footage that contradicts Kanyon's claim, from moments ago where Page leaves the ambulance on his own. We also see Goldberg's monster truck in the background behind some cruisers. Kanyon though despite this is still sure he put Page out, in fact he's positive, Positively Kanyon, which is a play on Page's book.
So now Douglas comes out with a mic for his match next, and he tells the Baltimore pieces of shit to sit down, and to pay attention while the real star tells them a little lesson. So he's Dean Douglas again? He says they put a Wall in front of him tonight, and tonight can be a very historic night, saying the people in Baltimore might finally have the pleasure of seeing not one, but two great careers come to a close. He says while the New Blood is disposing of Hogan and Flair, he's going to define his own career tonight at Wall's expense. He says he likes to make guarantees, and he guarantees that tonight he's going to chop Wall down to size, which is why he has a plan. He calls out to Wall and has a challenge, and wants to make this a Best of 5 Tables Match, and wants to give the people of Baltimore a knockdown, kick ass, Baltimore drag ass fight with five tables broken, not one. Wait, so is it Best of 5, or five tables broken to win? Oh good, Madden is there to voice my confusion. Douglas acts like a babyface asks the crowd if they want five tables, and they do, and he says they just signed Wall's death warrant, then calls out the big piece of crap. Schiavone then says it's the first to go through 5 tables.
Best of 5 Tables Match?: "The Franchise" Shane Douglas vs The Wall
Douglas is on the attack right away with rights, then Wall with some, Douglas sent off the ropes into a big boot. Douglas sent off the ropes again into a gorilla press slam. Wall talks some trash, then kicks him in the midsection to send him into the corner. Wall with shots to the midsection, then sent off the ropes, kick to the midsection, Douglas comes off the ropes for a swinging neckbreaker but Wall shrugs him off and hits a clothesline. Douglas thrown into the corner for more shots to the ribs and head, then Wall chokes him. Douglas reverses a whip off the ropes and hits a high knee into the chest, only to be lifted up for a two-handed choke, but Douglas rakes the eyes and hits a front suplex. Inverted snapmare, then clotheslines Wall to the outsode, then a dropkick through the ropes sends Wall tumbling over a table. Wall face first off the apron, then the guard rail then a second time. Thumb to the eye of Wall, then sends him back first into the guard rail. More rights on Wall, then goes for a suplex through a table but Wall blocks and chokeslams Douglas through it.
Wall 1, Douglas 0
Douglas whipped into the guard rail, then a right by Wall. Douglas fights back with some rights, then tries to send Wall into the ring post but he blocks, then lifts Douglas up and drops him through another table.
Wall 2, Douglas 0
Oh now Hudson says it IS best of 5, not first through 5. Fucking hell, make up your minds. Douglas is sent back into the ring, and tries to beg Wall off, then reverses a whip off the ropes, pops up Wall into a low blow, then another.Douglas leaves the ring and calls Wall out to follow him, and he does up the aisle and beside the stage. There's a huge ladder set up and stacked tables conveniently set up in front of it, as Douglas is sent into the guard rail. Douglas comes as Wall goes to the ladder, and sends him face first off it. Douglas climbs up the ladder, then Wall climbs up the other side. Douglas with rights, then Wall with some and they trade shots. Wall grabs him by the throat though with the tables stacked behind him and Douglas fights free of his grip, and we see after he knocks Wall off through the tables that he had pulled out some brass knuckles. I only see two tables he went through, but the ref calls for the bell and Douglas' music hits in 8:12. Well... it was a match that happened.
Wall hasn't moved as Douglas climbs back down the ladder and has his arm raised. The ref goes to check on Wall as Douglas talks trash into the camera, then to the fans. A doctor is out to check on Wall too as Douglas kicks him, and Wall is already back up with a hand on the ref's throat. There's another conveniently placed table on the side and Wall chokeslams the ref through it, and Wall is at least selling the spot as we go to replays of the end of the match.
Cut outside to a car arriving outside and it's Hogan, and out he steps still decked out in his Hollywood gear. Then back to the arena for the next match.
Asylum Match for the WCW U.S. Heavyweight Championship: Scott Steiner (c) vs Tank Abbott
So despite the fact this match is supposed to happen in the birdcage, the bell rings and Scott and Tank start to go at it. As this is going on, Penzer gets on the mic and says he's been handed an announcement by Russo and Bischoff, that since the Asylum is Scott's signature match as Scott hits a side suplex and the cage hasn't even been lowered down yet, in an effort to establish an even playing field, Rick Steiner has been added to the match for a handicap match.
Asylum Match for the WCW U.S. Heavyweight Championship: Scott Steiner (c) vs Tank Abbott & Rick Steiner
Steiner hits his spinning belly to belly slam on Tank and rains down blows on Tank as Rick makes his way out. How the hell are the three of them going to fight in this cage? There's barely enough room for two people. Rick rains down blows as the cage is finally lowered, Scott is whipped into the cage and Rick and Tank stomp away. Clubbing blow by Tank, then Scott face first into the cage, then again. Low blow by Rick, then more stomps. Rick picks Scott up as Tank takes his gloves off and takes out a chain, but Rick says he doesn't need it. Rick holds up Scott, then Tank goes to use the chain and Rick tries to block it with his arm but gets nailed with the chain instead. Scott with a low blow on Tank, then takes the chain to the head of Tank. Scott gets Tank in the Recliner for the win in 3:49. So Rick is suddenly a babyface now? This match was a dud.
Scott spits on Tank and the cage is raised, as his freaks join him while he poses in the corner, then they leave.
Cut outside to a limo pulling up to the arena, and out steps Ric, along with his family. Goldberg's monster truck is seen in the background.
Video package for Hogan and Kidman, which started with Hogan making a challenge and wanting a World Title shot if he wins, and Bischoff vowing this to be Hogan's last match. Of course Horace turned on him in the middle of all this and he was made the special guest referee in the process.
Now we cut to Okerlund as Hogan walks into frame. Gene says he's been down the road many a year with Hogan, they started a couple decades ago, and tonight may be the final time we ever see him in WCW, or in professional wrestling, and the man that wants to do it is the young upstart Kidman. Hogan says maybe not, and he and Gene can stay around as long as they want, because they're etched in stone. He says he's been branded as "Mean" Gene, the "mean" means something (brother) and as far as Hollywood goes, he says when they branded "Hollywood" they were talking about the good, the bad and the real damn ugly (brother). He says tonight when he gets in the ring with that flea market champion, it's gonna get real damn ugly.
Gene brings up Horace, and Hogan says to remember that blood is thicker than New Blood, and Gene says he'll remember that. He brings up Hogan's outfit and Hogan says you have to change with the times, reinvent yourself, and as of late he says we've got Goldberg back in the house, Big Sexy has taken control, and he figured to take this Hogan thing to a whole new level, it would be the good, the bad, and like he said the real damn ugly of Hollywood, and there's nothing they can do, then says to watch what he does to Kidman before walking off.
Billy Kidman vs Hollywood Hogan
If Hogan wins, he gets a World Title shot at Bash at the Beach next month. If Kidman wins, Hogan has to retire.
Special Guest Referee: Horace Hogan
Lock up to start until Hogan easily shoves Kidman down, then again followed by right hands, then off the ropes before delivering another right sending Kidman out of the ring. Back in the ring, Kidman tries to beg him off, but Hogan boots him and drops him with another right, then sends Kidman off the ropes into a big boot, and Kidman rolls out. Kidman face first into the guard rail, then ribs first, then a headbutt. Kidman whipped into the guard rail, then another right and another. Back in the ring, Hogan chokes Kidman, then again forced to break due to a 5 count from Horace. Kidman takes advantage to rake the eyes and starts attacking the back, then boots in the corner before choking Kidman, and Horace does a 5 count for him too, as Kidman argues with him over it. Hogan retreats to the corner and Kidman chokes, another 5 count and as Madden points out, Horace acting like a regular ref makes no sense. Hogan nails a low blow as Kidman gets distracted arguing with Horace. Hogan takes off the weight belt and plays to the crowd some before he starts whipping Kidman across the back, more playing to the crowd then another whip before Kidman rolls out.
Hogan with another right drops Kidman to the floor, then he grabs a chair only to have it dropkicked back in his face and it nearly hits the fans. Kidman cracks the chair over Hogan's back, then again before rolling Hogan back in, covers, Horace makes a fair count and Hogan kicks out then rolls out. He pulls Kidman out and delivers rights, then Kidman into the guard rail ribs first, then a second time. Kidman into the guard rail back first. Hogan grabs a chair and cracks Kidman over the back before sliding the chair into the ring, then Kidman and himself. Scoop slam is countered by Kidman into a DDT onto the chair, cover, fair count and a kick out. Kidman with an elbow before going up top with a frog splash, cover, fair count and a kick out.
Kidman gets mad with Horace getting in his face, then Hogan face first in the corner, then the adjacent corner. Kidman clubs the back and Hogan starts to hulk up little by little, points the finger at Kidman, blocks a right and delivers some of his own. Hogan with corner punches, then Kidman whipped across the ring for a clothesline in the corner and Kidman rolls out. Hogan lifts up Kidman on his shoulder but gets sent shoulder first into the ring post, only to hip toss Kidman through the flimsy announce table. Torrie comes out now as Hogan levels Kidman with right hands, then back in the ring. Torrie gets on the apron and Hogan drops Kidman with another right, then turns his attention to Torrie. She hands Hogan a pair of brass knuckles, and Kidman nails Hogan in the back with a knee, in the process knocking Torrie off the apron and hurting her ankle. Kidman takes the brass knuckles and nails Hogan with them, covers, fair count and Hogan kicks out.
Kidman with more shots on Hogan down in the corner, choking him and Horace tears him off. Kidman takes the brass knuckles back out and nails Horace with them, then prepares to hit Hogan but Torrie low blows Kidman. Hogan takes the brass knuckles and nails Kidman with a windup. Hogan covers, Horace comes to, makes the count and Hogan wins in 11:44. Well, this was basically every Hogan match ever, and knowing what happens at the next PPV I knew this was coming anyways, so it was just kinda there.
Torrie continues onto the back as Horace recovers in the corner, and raises Hogan's arm in victory, then shake hands. So I guess they were in cahoots the whole time? Or is this just reuniting in the moment? I don't know, I don't care.
Cut to Bischoff on the phone with someone in Montana calling the Hogans cockroaches, saying you just can't get rid of them. One of the officers comes in and asks Eric if everything is OK, and Eric freaks out on him and brings up the monster truck that's been seen throughout the night. The officer reiterates that the area is secure and has dozens of officers outside, but Bischoff is having none of it, but the officer keeps saying they have it under control. Eric is goes back to his phone call and the officer leaves.
We have a plug for Bash at the Beach in Daytona Beach in a month. Now to commentary who tell us definitively that the Horace thing was a swerve all along, and as Madden points out, Kidman was right the whole time not to trust him, and Scott wonders about Torrie's role in this. Plus Hogan is now set for Bash at the Beach. Up next though, father vs son.
We get our video package for this match, of course this all started at Slamboree when David cost Ric his match with Shane Douglas and officially aligned with Russo, his reasoning that Ric was never there for him, and seemingly because he was brainwashed by Russo. Of course Ric won the World Title twice, there was the funeral for his career, his wife and son kidnapped so Jarrett could get his title back, and Russo beat Flair in the cage on the go-home Nitro. Ric has vowed to retire if David can somehow beat him.
Before that though, Pamela is standing by with David and Russo backstage, and she wishes him luck tonight because he's going to need it, then does a pretty terrible "Woo". David gets mad at her and tells her to get out of his face, but Russo gets between them to calm him down. He calls her Rapunzel and asks if this is a fairy tale, if there are any little pigs running around and says this is a serious matter. He takes the mic and says that tonight David is about to end a man's career, a legend's career, his father's, 21 years of torture, and says it's all gonna come out in a wash tonight. He tells her to go find a big bad wolf before shoving the mic into her shoulder and the two walk off.
Cut to Okerlund who's standing by with Ric, who believes Russo has poisoned the well and turned Ric's own son against him. Ric starts by confirming that they're in Baltimore and that this is the Bash, and that he is the Nature Boy. Then he tells Russo and David that he's going to style and profile and walk the aisle tonight (Woo!) one more time (Woo!) and go Hulkster go (Woo!). Then he walks off. Okerlund reiterates that Hogan is not retiring and has a shot at the World Title next month.
We see Ric's family walking into the arena, led to their seats at ringside by security.
David Flair (w/ Vince Russo) vs Ric Flair
If David wins, Ric will retire.
Feeling out process to start, then Ric with the strut, then a lock up, David with a side headlock and quickly escapes, bringing David down to the mat. Another lock up, Ric gets David into the corner and slaps him. Another lock up and David shoved into the corner again, then he reverses and backs away. Another lock up, Ric shoved into the corner and David with rights and chops, then Ric is whipped across the ring and turns upside down before rolling out. David with chops against the guard rail and forearms shots to the face, before whipping Ric into the guard rail, then back in the ring. David with a suplex, then Ric sent off the ropes into a sleeper, but Ric soon counters it with a back suplex.
Ric rips open David's shirt to chop his bare chest, along with some rights to the jaw, then pulls David out of the corner into a chop, followed by more strutting. Kick to the ribs, David sent off the ropes into another chop. More rights in the corner on David, then pulls him to the outside. More chops by Ric, then back in the ring. David sent off the ropes, ducks a chop and clotheslines Ric over the ropes to the outside. For some reason the ref holds David back as he tries to go after Ric, which allows Russo to nail him in the ribs with a bat a couple times, then cuffs Ric's wrists together and tosses him back in the ring. David stomping away and Russo jabs Ric with the bat. David with chops in the corner then mocks the strut, before David puts Ric in the figure 4, Russo grabbing and pulling David for the extra leverage. Ric goes down for a pin but pops back up at 2. David uses the ropes for more leverage, Ric down again and pops up at 2. The ref kicks David's hands away when he tries to use the ropes again, and Ric manages to reverse the pressure but David releases the hold.
David mounts now with right hands and dragging him toward Russo, and the ref pulls him off. Russo attacks Ric, and Reid hops the guard rail to stop him, but gets shoved down, only to nail Russo with a low blow. Reid takes the key for the handcuffs and gets in the ring, but he drops it as David shoves him into the corner. The ref grabs the key and frees Ric as David tosses Reid down and he rolls out. Ric is back up and chops David, while Ashley Flair... er, Charlotte has the cuffs now and puts them on Russo. Ric with a backdrop on David as Russo calls her a bitch, and Ric with a low blow on David. David whipped into the corner and turns inside out onto the apron, then clotheslined by Ric. Ric with a stalling suplex, then another strut, and Russo tries to get in but he's still cuffed. David with a thumb to the eye as Ric gets distracted, then goes up top but he's thrown off much like Ric usually is, then a knee drop by Ric. Ric with rapid rights, then works the leg, dropping down on it as it's draped on the bottom rope, now the figure 4 on David. David taps in 10:19. I was actually expecting David to win this somehow. I did enjoy the Flairs getting involved and this was a fairly good match all things considering.
Russo is in the ring now and Ric puts him in the corner, rips open his shirt for a chop across the chest. The Flairs enter the ring to join in the celebration as David pulls Russo out, and he noticeably has a mic as the Flairs start to leave. Russo has the mic and tells Ric to hold up while calling him a piece of shit. He says that Ric and his little bitch son and his little bitch daughter have chopped him for the last time. Ric and Reid are seen giving crotch chops on the stage, and Russo vows to retire Ric's ass on Nitro the next night himself. The Flairs continue on their way and Russo and David follow close behind.
We get to our next video package, which starts with painting Vampiro as a troubled man behind the face paint, who has promised to take Sting to hell, calling himself Sting's anti-hero, and decided that Sting's destiny has sealed his fate. Of course, Vamp spent the last few weeks trying to set Sting and others on fire.
Human Torch Match: Vampiro vs Sting
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: So the rules of this match are to set your opponent on fire just like an Inferno Match, but instead of the ring being surrounded by fire, there's a torch currently set by the stage to set your opponent on fire. The torch is quickly pulled up to the top of the TurnerTron by Sting though after Vamp makes his entrance and he puts it in place, and he has a mic. He asks Vamp if he's afraid of heights because he isn't, and says if Vamp wants to torch him he has to join him up there. Vamp is arguing with the ref and wants no part of this, then he gets mad at Madden for not telling him but Madden denies knowing about this, since this wasn't part of the rules originally. Sting rappels back down though so I suppose they have to eventually make their way up there rather than start up there.
Vamp goes after Sting as he enters the ring with rights and stomps, Sting reverses a whip off the ropes, misses a clothesline and nailed with a spinning heel kick. Vamp with rights drives Sting into the corner, but whipped across the ring into a powerslam, then a clothesline off the ropes and another. Bulldog by Sting, then boots in the corner. Vamp whipped across the ring and Sting goes for the Stinger Splash, but Vamp gets the boot up, only to be launched up and over face first into the corner as he charges Sting, which sets him up again for a Stinger Splash but Vamp sidesteps this time. Vamp has grabbed a gas can that he brought with him and douses Sting with it, and Sting rolls out of the ring. Sting's been blinded and Vamp douses him some more and they start to make their way up the aisle. Sting whipped into the guard rail, and Sting delivers more rights and kicks and ax handles to the back and midsection. Sting hits a low blow before they head up to the stage.
Vamp goes face first into the steel girders of the setup, then again on the side of it. Vamp fights back and sends Sting into it now, and Vamp starts to climb and Sting follows right behind him, and Vamp kicks Sting and he drops down onto some padding, and though it was a short drop, commentary act like he fall from 50 feet. Vamp keeps climbing and Sting gets up, and soon climbs up after him. So now the lights go down and we have Sting's lighting effects that they use for his entrance, as Vamp is on the attack, Sting face first into the top of the set. Vamp tries to pull Sting to the flame but he blocks, and they drop down.Vamp goes face first into the top of the set, then again, then Vamp with shots, then drops him down. They go out of view then pop up, Vamp goes for the torch but Sting hits a low blow. Vamp hits a DDT. Fucking hell you can't see fuck all. They pop back up and Vamp grabs the torch as the lights basically go out, seemingly so the stuntman can get into position, then Vamp eventually lights "Sting" on fire, who then dives off the set to some padding below. Vamp wins in 7:26. I mean this match was basically just a stunt show. Not much of a match before they got to the entrance, then for at least 3 or 4 minutes, it was flashing lights barely able to see anything for this big payoff. Another dud.
Vamp poses atop with the torch in hand as the crew spray extinguishers, and commentary suddenly start calling Sting by his real name and treating this seriously. "Sting" is flailing around as the paramedics tend to him and commentary are speechless, treating this like it's a shoot. "Sting" is carted out as commentary keep up the seriousness and we get replays, and even an overhead shot of the fall.
Cut to Bischoff still on the phone and in comes Pamela and asks him about his big surprise that he hyped up the last two weeks, but he says this isn't the right time or the right place, says that Goldberg's moving around, who knows where, and he says there's no big surprise now, screw it, then kicks her out before going back on the phone.
Back to the ring, we have Michael Buffer in the ring for introductions in our main event, and somehow there's still 27 minutes left in this show. How the fuck is a Kevin Nash match going to go 20+ minutes? Tonight, two of the greatest names in sports entertainment are about to face each other for the undisputed WCW Heavyweight Championship of the World. Gotta say as bullshit as this show is, I love having Buffer do the introductions.
First out, he is regarded as one of the greatest big men in wrestling history, his Jackknife Powerbomb has destroyed opponents all over the globe, the 4x World Champion, "Big Sexy" Kevin Nash. His opponent of course, a man whose total disregard for the rules and his opponents have earned him worldwide recognition, the man capable of doing anything to win, the man with the stroke, the 3x World Champion, reigning, defending, undisputed, WCW Heavyweight Champion of the World, "The Chosen One" Jeff Jarrett.
First though, Cat's music hits and out he comes with a mic. He pulls out a crumpled piece of paper and asks for everyone's attention, then tells them to shut the hell up when they don't. He says that since this is a really big show, he and Bischoff and the New Blood have some very important celebrity guests to introduce tonight: The special guest bell ringer, Konnan, special timekeeper Rey Mysterio, special belt keeper Disco Inferno, special ring announcer Juvie, and special ring enforcer referee... well, himself. There's still 20 minutes left in the show when the bell finally rings for this match.
WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Jeff Jarrett (c) vs Kevin Nash
Special Guest Enforcer: The Cat. Filthy Animals with assorted ringside roles.
Lock up to start and Jarrett is shoved into the corner. Another lock up, Jarrett shoved into the corner again. Another lock up, Jarrett shoved down again. Cat gets on the apron to distract and Jarrett corners Nash with rights, then the corner punches another drops Nash down. More rights by Jarrett, then some knees before he throws Jarrett across the ring. Knees to the midsection of Jarrett in the corner, then some elbows to the side of the head. There's supposed to be some sound that startles Cat but I didn't hear anything, though commentary point it out, and Nash has heard it too it seems. More elbows in the corner by Nash, drops Jarrett over the middle rope and drops a leg over Jarrett's back, before sending him to the outside.
Nash picks Jarrett up but gets sent face first into the ring post. Jarrett gets whipped into the guard rail, then picked up again and dropped face first on the announce table. Jarrett gets tossed into the crowd behind commentary and they fight their way through, with Nash on the offense with rights and knees. Nash grabs a chair from the crowd and hits Jarrett over the back before tossing him back to ringside. Mysterio gets Nash in the knee with a chair as he hops back over the rail, then a second time, then the Animals toss him back in the ring. Jarrett grabs a chair and rams it into Nash's knee before the ref takes it away, then Jarrett poses in the corner. Working the knee some more over the bottom rope. Jarrett takes forever to try and put on the figure 4 until Nash shoves him away, and Jarrett stomps away some more, then works the knee some more, opting for a half crab instead. Nash gets to the rope and Jarrett slams his knee into the mat, then poses in the corner again. Jarrett keeps stomping the knee, then the figure 4, Nash goes down for a two count. Nash tries to reverse the pressure but can't do it, manages to reach and grab the rope, the ref has to pry Jarrett off. Konnan nails Nash with the ring bell as Jarrett distracts the ref, covers but Nash kicks out.
Nash blocks rights and delivers some of his own, Jarrett ducks a clothesline but runs into a sidewalk slam, cover and a kick out. Juvie knocked off the apron, Rey crotched on the top rope and elbowed off to the floor. Jarrett goes for a belt shot but Nash ducks and nails one of his own, Nash covers and Disco nails the ref at two. Nash goes after Disco and nails him with a right, then Juvie nails him in the back with a chair before tossing him back in. Cat gets in the ring to act as ref and starts a standing 10 count, Jarrett rolls over, drapes an arm over Nash, Cat with a fast count but Nash kicks out. Disco leaps on Nash with a sleeper but countered with a sidewalk slam. Rey off the ropes into a big boot. Juvie runs into a big boot. Jarrett hits The Stroke, Jarrett covers after a few moments and Nash kicks out.
Jarrett grabs his guitar and goes to the middle rope, caught by Nash for a chokeslam, cover, and right before the three Cat pretends to have something in his eye. Nash hits him with the jackknife. Jarrett sent off the ropes into a big boot. Nash pulls down the straps and hits the jackknife, covers, another ref is down to count and he's immediately pulled out by Rick Steiner. Rick in with rights, then Tank comes out and the Animals are in. Scott is down and he fights with Tank to the back instead. Juvie off the ropes for a popup dropkick on Nash, then set up for the Bronco Buster by Mysterio.
Now we hear the engine revving and in drives Goldberg in his monster truck, and the beat down on Nash stops. Goldberg's music hits and out he steps from the truck and down to the ring. The Animals clear the ring, Goldberg in position as Nash and Jarrett get back to their feet and Goldberg nails Nash with the spear. He tells Jarrett to cover Nash, Goldberg pulls and throws the original ref down to make the count and Jarrett retains in 17:23. Hoo boy, nearly 20 minutes of bullshit, and Goldberg turns heel because we gotta have a swerve I guess.
Out come Bischoff and Russo as Jarrett celebrates and Goldberg looks down at his handiwork. A "Goldberg sucks" chant starts up as he gets in Nash's face, then R&B get in the ring, then embrace. Goldberg's music hits again and fans start throwing trash into the ring and surrounding area. Animals join the celebration as we go to the replay of Goldberg's spear and the embrace. More trash and more celebrating as the show fades out.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I mean this show was generally littered with bullshit, and then the fans trashed the ring, what else can I say? What little good this show did have was fucked over by the bullshit. And now we're on the build to Bash at the Beach,which is probably one of the more infamous PPVs in WCW's dying months. That said, with a run time of 2:43:46, this show had a total 1:36:57.
We're live from the Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. Schiavone welcomes us to the show as we get right to the first match. MIA make their way out first and Rection gets the mic, telling Loco that his mission tonight is to defend the Cruiserweight Title, and tells him to show like he's got a pair. Loco takes the mic and says he's got a little surprise for Disco, and he pulls out I guess it's a toy grenade, and Rection takes it away. Then Loco tells the Animals if they mess with him or the match he'll kill them.
WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Lt. Loco (c) (w/ Capt. Rection, Major Stash, Cpl. Cajun & Major Guns) vs Disco Inferno (w/ Juventud Guerrera, Konnan, Rey Mysterio Jr. & Tygress)
Disco starts with a slap before boasting to his Animal buddies, then turns around into some rights from Loco, Disco sent off the ropes into a clothesline. Disco reverses a whip off the ropes and Loco hits a crossbody, then follows up by bouncing Disco's head off the mat a few times. Disco sent off the ropes again but hangs on, then Loco slips around with a waist lock, Disco tries to elbow himself free so Loco tries to push him off the ropes into a roll up but Disco hangs on again, Loco off the ropes only to be launched up and throat first into the top rope. Crotch chops to MIA, then Loco face first in the corner for boots, then whips Loco across the ring who leaps up and catches Disco with a headscissor, sending him through the ropes to the floor in front of MIA. They attack Disco before tossing him back in, then Loco with a pumphandle suplex, cover and a kick out.
Disco face first in the corner for some chops and rights, then whips Loco across the ring, who slips free from a back suplex attempt and hits one of his own, then a cover and a kick out. Disco sent off the ropes, catches Loco with a kick but gets sent over the ropes in front of the Animals, Loco to the top rope and dives out onto Disco before tossing him back in. Juvie holds onto Loco as he tries to climb back in, which allows Disco to knock him down for the Animals to attack, until MIA chase them off. Loco back in for a scoop slam, then Disco to the middle rope for an ax handle, cover and a kick out.
So now that old man from... I don't remember if it was Thunder or Nitro, the one who was in the crowd and cost MIA the tag titles anyways, comes out from the back this time as Disco hits an inverted atomic drop, then off the ropes with a clothesline, cover and a kick out. Scott Hudson explains that the old man Pops, is the grandfather of Capt. Rection, who is now talking with Tygress at ringside. Cobra clutch leg sweep by Disco, then the Animals bully the grandfather and MIA come to his rescue. The ref gets distracted by this, so Juvie comes in with an inverted DDT on Loco, followed by a People's Elbow attempt, but Loco sits up to avoid the elbow, then hits Juvie with a dropkick, sending him out. Disco with a Stunner, then Cajun in with a leg sweep, pulls Loco on top to retain in 4:59. This match started out decently enough until it basically became a Lumberjack Match, plus all the other bullshit.
Animals rush into the ring to jump Loco and Disco is immediately up no selling, and MIA are in there to try and save but they'retaken out. Pops is still out cold on the outside and Guns looks on in distress... or she's trying to but she's not great at acting. MIA leave the ring to check on Pops and Rection talks to Guns, who is reluctant but rips off her top to do some mouth-to-mouth and he jolts back to life.... briefly then goes back down, then tries to get some of Guns but he's pulled off. MIA's music hits and they head to the back, as Tony sends it to the back.
Bischoff and Cat are in their office flanked by police officers, and one of them assures the two they have nothing to worry about, and Eric asks if they're sure, while another assures him they've walked the perimeter and have everything under control. Bischoff says that no one is going to ruin his surprise for Nash tonight.
Then we cut to Okerlund who's with the Mamalukes, and Vito gets mad at him for calling them that for some reason, who are set to face Kronic to determine the #1 contenders for the tag titles. Johnny wants Gene to clarify which of them he's talking to and tells him to make up his mind. Vito takes the mic and says they've been beating up... something, then mentions a county jail, and says they don't have time for this kind of interview, they've got things to do, and he doesn't sweat nobody because he's the Hardcore Champion. Gene wants clarification on his claim to being Hardcore Champion, and not Johnny the Bull. Vito dodges the question even though Johnny thinks it's a good question, pulling him away because they have a match. Gene tries to get them back with I think an Italian accent as best he can.
#1 Contenders' Match for the WCW Tag Team Championship: The Mamalukes (WCW Hardcore Champions) vs Kronic
They start fighting right away as Mamalukes are kicked out of the ring, they regroup and polish the Hardcore Title belt. Commentary are still confused to who's the Hardcore Champion. Johnny and Clark start the match properly, Clark with a boot and throws Johnny into the corner for knees to the midsection, then some chops across the chest. Johnny fights back with rights, until Clark ducks and hits a Uranagi. Johnny whipped into the corner into a shoulder block sends him out of the ring. Chop by Clark, then a Russian leg sweep into the guard rail before returning the ring.
Johnny with a club to the back as Clark climbs in, only to be sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a roundhouse kick. Vito gets the tag, sends Clark off the ropes into a double ax handle, then both stomp away. Vito's still wearing the title around his waist as Clark is sent face first in the corner for chops and forearms to the chest. Clark reverses things and sends Vito into the corner for rights, sends Vito across the ring who gets an elbow up, then clubs to the back of Clark. Johnny back in, then sent off the ropes into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Adams gets the tag now with boots and rights in the corner on Johnny, then off the ropes with another right. Johnny reverses a whip off the ropes but Adams catches him with a full nelson slam, covers and Vito breaks it up.
Clark back in with boots in the corner, then in the adjacent corner, whips him across the ring, Johnny tries to go up and over but he's caught on Clark's shoulder for a running powerslam, cover and Vito breaks it up again. Adams back in, Johnny sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits one of his own. Johnny tries for a suplex but Adams fights out and gorilla presses Johnny, into a gutbuster, cover and Vito saves again. Johnny reverses a whip off the ropes, Vito knees Adams in the back as he comes off the ropes and Johnny hits a DDT. Vito back in and stomps away, Adams sent off the ropes and sent back to the mat. Adams whipped into the corner for a splash by Vito, then whips him across the ring and misses a second splash. Clark in for a double back drop on Vito. Oh I guess that wasn't a tag, and Adams takes the belt off Vito, tosses it to Clark who tosses it out of the ring, and Adams hits something like an Impaler F5 on Vito, covers and Vito kicks out.
Vito sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a Mafia Kick. Johnny in, ducks a clothesline, kick to the midsection, then a dropkick to Adams knocks him out of the ring, as Vito goes to grab the Hardcore Title from ringside. Clark runs into a powerslam by Johnny, who takes several seconds to position Clark, then he tries to leap straight to the top rope but botches that. Then he does the second time, and despite looking behind him and Clark being on his feet and being nowhere near where Johnny will land, still goes for a crossbody and misses. Adams rolls in, Johnny sent off the ropes, ducks a double clothesline but they hit a double shoulder block. Vito is still more focused on his title as Johnny is sent off the ropes... for some reason, because they have to reposition themselves for High Time to win in 9:20. This wasn't a terrible match, and they're actually telling a competent story with the Mamalukes, but they screwed it up with the botches and the needless setup for High Time.
Kronic pose around the ring a bit and talk some trash to Vito.
Cut to Pamela who's with DDP, who's set to face Awesome, who's out to end his career like he did Kanyon. DDP brings up his "Career Killer" nickname and takes offense to it, much like Tenay called him that and says that ain't happening. He tells Bischoff and that "super bitch, soon to be ex-wife of his" if they think they've got him beat down, he doesn't think so. Then he tells Awesome that he's got some motivation, inspiration, and good god stimulation, something special for him. Then he walks off.
We cut to an ambulance being backed into the arena for the next match.
Ambulance Match: "Career Killer" Mike Awesome vs Diamond Dallas Page (w/ Chris "Champagne" Kanyon)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: I say "with" but Kanyon is still confined to a wheel chair with a halo, and DDP keeps him sat on the side of the stage.
Right away they go at it, trading shots after Page ducks a clothesline, then Page blatantly nails the ref for some reason. Awesome catches a kick and Page is spun around to hit a clothesline, then clotheslines he and Awesome to the outside. Awesome reverses a whip over the guard rail, then taunts the crowd a bit before Page pops back up for some shots. Awesome grabs a chair, and so does Page, who swings and hits the ring post as Awesome retreats to the ring. Awesome swings, Page ducks as he slides in and they start dueling chair shots. Awesome's is knocked away and Page tosses his to him to punch it back to his face. Awesome reverses a whip off the ropes but gets caught with a leg sweep.
Awesome whipped into the corner, but leaps to the middle rope and hits a back elbow. Awesome ducks a shot and hits a back suplex, then off the ropes with a splash. For some reason, the EMTs are standing on the ramp with the stretcher, as Page's face is raked over the top rope. Page sent off the ropes into a clothesline, then dropped throat first onto the top rope which is nearly botched. Awesome leaves the ring and pulls out a table, setting it up. Page misses a baseball slide, then sent face first off the apron, before getting an Awesome Bomb through the table. Awesome calls for the EMTs to bring the stretcher down and they lift Page onto it, and they roll it up the aisle, but he slides off to the floor.
Awesome grabs one of the chairs and cracks it over Page's back before tossing him back in the ring. Chair to the ribs, then again, and again in the corner, then runs and rams it into Page's face. Awesome to the top rope for a frog splash, then goes up top in the opposite corner for another frog splash. Awesome sandwiches Page between two chair now before going back up top, but wastes time taunting the crowd, so his third misses as Page rolls out of the way, Awesome landing on the chairs. Kimberly out now with a lead pipe over the back of Page, then she leaves the ring. Ms. Hancock is out and gets handfuls of Kimberly's hair, and drags her to the back. Page face first in the corner, then Awesome goes up top, pulling Page up with him, but Page nails a low blow before he can hit anything, allowing Page to hit a Diamond Cutter.
Page barely rolls Awesome to the apron as he calls for the stretcher, and the EMTs load Awesome onto it. They roll him up the aisle and ramp with Page following, but now Bischoff's music hits and out he comes with a chair. Page jumps him, then Kanyon leaps out of his wheelchair and takes the halo off, nailing a Diamond Cutter of his own off the stage. He rips off his Page shirt to reveal a New Blood shirt, then pushes Awesome off the stretcher and loads Page onto it. Awesome rolls the stretcher himself to the ambulance, tosses him in, the EMTs close the doors and the match ends in 9:45. Another fairly good match, and I kinda like the swerve for once with Kanyon, even though I saw it coming.
We see the ambulance driving off as Awesome walks to the back.
Over to commentary who recap what we just saw and can't believe what they saw, but of course Madden is on Kanyon's side. They speculate if this was the plan from the beginning or in the hospital was when this happened, and why Kanyon did it.
Boot Camp Match: G.I. Bro vs Shawn Stasiak (WCW Tag Team Champion)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Something I wasn't expecting to see was Booker using a zip-line to get to the ring ala HBK at Mania 12. This is basically a Last Man Standing match, with the match ending when someone can't answer the 10 count. Stasiak comes out with the camo face paint and pants, so I guess I can appreciate the commitment to this gimmick. He has a mic and tells Booker to take a good look at what a real, or perfect, soldier of fortune should look like, and tonight he's taking the war to him. Booker doesn't bother waiting as he leaves the ring and meets Stasiak in the aisle to start this match.
They start trading shots back to the ring, until Stasiak hits a knee to the midsection and Booker goes face first off the guard rail, but he reverses a whip into the steps. Stasiak face first off the guard rail then back in the ring. Stasiak catches him with clubs to the back and stomps before delivering a scoop slam. More shots by Stasiak, Booker sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a forearm, then a scoop slam of his own before sending him over the ropes to the outside. Booker with an ax handle off the apron to the back, then Stasiak face first off the guard rail, then tossed over the rail on the adjacent side. Stasiak takes advantage of Booker playing to the crowd to deliver shots, but Booker blocks and sends Stasiak face first into the rail again, then clotheslines him in the back of the head to send him back to ringside.
Booker gets a chair and cracks him in the head, then tosses him back in the ring. Booker goes up top with an ax handle, and the ref starts a count, which is more akin to a boxing count for a knockout with how fast it is. Stasiak is back up at 8 and Booker sends him face first in the corner, then delivers some corner punches until Stasiak counters with an inverted atomic drop, then Booker is sent up and over face first into the corner. Stasiak stomps and chokes away now, then chokes Booker over the middle rope. More clubs to the back of the head, Booker sent off the ropes into a back elbow. Ref starts the count and Booker is back up at 8 in the corner. but Stasiak with a club to the back immediately. Shots by Stasiak, Booker whipped across the ring but gets a boot up and hits a spinning kick. Another count from the ref and they're both up at 5, then Stasiak pulls on Booker's vest and sends him through the ropes to the floor.
Booker face first into the guard rail, then again as they make their way up the aisle, then a suplex on the steel ramp. Ref starts his count but Booker is up at 8. Stasiak with more clubs to the back and make their way back to ringside, where Booker goes face first into the steps. Booker is tossed back in and Stasiak goes up top with a flying clothesline. Ref starts his count again, but Booker is up just barely at 9. Stasiak with an ax handle to the back, then goes for a suplex, but Booker reverses with one of his own, only to be hit with a clothesline. Another count starts, and Booker is back at 8. Stasiak tosses Booker out of the ring again.
Booker tosses into the crowd and Stasiak follows with stomps, then tosses Booker back over. Stasiak with a chair to Booker's back, and the ref starts his count again, but Booker's up at 9. Stasiak with more shots to the back before tossing Booker back in. Gutwrench powerbomb on Booker, and we have another count, with both down. Stasiak is up at 5, Booker up barely at 9. Booker sent off the ropes and is caught with a sleeper and he wears Booker down, and for some reason the ref raises Booker's arm up once, twice, but Booker comes to and fights to his feet, elbows out, and Stasiak tries to send him off the ropes but he's pulled back into a back suplex. Booker ducks a clothesline but walks into a back elbow. Stasiak tries to send him off the ropes again but gets pulled back into a Harlem Side Kick. Stasiak reverses a whip off the ropes but he's caught with the Book End. Ref starts his count, Booker goes up top and Stasiak's up at 9, Booker hits a missile dropkick.
Another count starts and Palumbo rushes down with the Lex Flexer, but Booker ducks the shot and hits a scissor kick. Stasiak takes the Flexer and hits a low blow, and the ref starts his count, but Booker is up at 9. Lex Flexer to the back and back of the head, both stomping away now, then send Booker off the ropes, ducks a Flexer assisted double clothesline and hits one of his own, though Palumbo nearly screws it up. Spinaroonie, Harlem Side Kick on both of them, then clothesline on Palumbo and a right on Stasiak. Booker takes the Flexer and nails Palumbo in the head with it, then the head of Stasiak. Stasiak can't make the 10 count and Booker wins in 14 minutes flat. Again, not a bad match, though I don't think it did much for the tag champions when they couldn't finish Booker 2 on 1.
Booker poses and celebrates in the corner before leaving.
Cut to Kanyon going through or packing a bag in the locker room and in comes Okerlund wanting answers. Kanyon says that no one came to visit him in the hospital more than Bischoff, who told him that all he had to do to become a star, to get Page's spot, was to put him out, and that's exactly what he did tonight with Page's own finishing move. Okerlund though has some footage that contradicts Kanyon's claim, from moments ago where Page leaves the ambulance on his own. We also see Goldberg's monster truck in the background behind some cruisers. Kanyon though despite this is still sure he put Page out, in fact he's positive, Positively Kanyon, which is a play on Page's book.
So now Douglas comes out with a mic for his match next, and he tells the Baltimore pieces of shit to sit down, and to pay attention while the real star tells them a little lesson. So he's Dean Douglas again? He says they put a Wall in front of him tonight, and tonight can be a very historic night, saying the people in Baltimore might finally have the pleasure of seeing not one, but two great careers come to a close. He says while the New Blood is disposing of Hogan and Flair, he's going to define his own career tonight at Wall's expense. He says he likes to make guarantees, and he guarantees that tonight he's going to chop Wall down to size, which is why he has a plan. He calls out to Wall and has a challenge, and wants to make this a Best of 5 Tables Match, and wants to give the people of Baltimore a knockdown, kick ass, Baltimore drag ass fight with five tables broken, not one. Wait, so is it Best of 5, or five tables broken to win? Oh good, Madden is there to voice my confusion. Douglas acts like a babyface asks the crowd if they want five tables, and they do, and he says they just signed Wall's death warrant, then calls out the big piece of crap. Schiavone then says it's the first to go through 5 tables.
Best of 5 Tables Match?: "The Franchise" Shane Douglas vs The Wall
Douglas is on the attack right away with rights, then Wall with some, Douglas sent off the ropes into a big boot. Douglas sent off the ropes again into a gorilla press slam. Wall talks some trash, then kicks him in the midsection to send him into the corner. Wall with shots to the midsection, then sent off the ropes, kick to the midsection, Douglas comes off the ropes for a swinging neckbreaker but Wall shrugs him off and hits a clothesline. Douglas thrown into the corner for more shots to the ribs and head, then Wall chokes him. Douglas reverses a whip off the ropes and hits a high knee into the chest, only to be lifted up for a two-handed choke, but Douglas rakes the eyes and hits a front suplex. Inverted snapmare, then clotheslines Wall to the outsode, then a dropkick through the ropes sends Wall tumbling over a table. Wall face first off the apron, then the guard rail then a second time. Thumb to the eye of Wall, then sends him back first into the guard rail. More rights on Wall, then goes for a suplex through a table but Wall blocks and chokeslams Douglas through it.
Wall 1, Douglas 0
Douglas whipped into the guard rail, then a right by Wall. Douglas fights back with some rights, then tries to send Wall into the ring post but he blocks, then lifts Douglas up and drops him through another table.
Wall 2, Douglas 0
Oh now Hudson says it IS best of 5, not first through 5. Fucking hell, make up your minds. Douglas is sent back into the ring, and tries to beg Wall off, then reverses a whip off the ropes, pops up Wall into a low blow, then another.Douglas leaves the ring and calls Wall out to follow him, and he does up the aisle and beside the stage. There's a huge ladder set up and stacked tables conveniently set up in front of it, as Douglas is sent into the guard rail. Douglas comes as Wall goes to the ladder, and sends him face first off it. Douglas climbs up the ladder, then Wall climbs up the other side. Douglas with rights, then Wall with some and they trade shots. Wall grabs him by the throat though with the tables stacked behind him and Douglas fights free of his grip, and we see after he knocks Wall off through the tables that he had pulled out some brass knuckles. I only see two tables he went through, but the ref calls for the bell and Douglas' music hits in 8:12. Well... it was a match that happened.
Wall hasn't moved as Douglas climbs back down the ladder and has his arm raised. The ref goes to check on Wall as Douglas talks trash into the camera, then to the fans. A doctor is out to check on Wall too as Douglas kicks him, and Wall is already back up with a hand on the ref's throat. There's another conveniently placed table on the side and Wall chokeslams the ref through it, and Wall is at least selling the spot as we go to replays of the end of the match.
Cut outside to a car arriving outside and it's Hogan, and out he steps still decked out in his Hollywood gear. Then back to the arena for the next match.
Asylum Match for the WCW U.S. Heavyweight Championship: Scott Steiner (c) vs Tank Abbott
So despite the fact this match is supposed to happen in the birdcage, the bell rings and Scott and Tank start to go at it. As this is going on, Penzer gets on the mic and says he's been handed an announcement by Russo and Bischoff, that since the Asylum is Scott's signature match as Scott hits a side suplex and the cage hasn't even been lowered down yet, in an effort to establish an even playing field, Rick Steiner has been added to the match for a handicap match.
Asylum Match for the WCW U.S. Heavyweight Championship: Scott Steiner (c) vs Tank Abbott & Rick Steiner
Steiner hits his spinning belly to belly slam on Tank and rains down blows on Tank as Rick makes his way out. How the hell are the three of them going to fight in this cage? There's barely enough room for two people. Rick rains down blows as the cage is finally lowered, Scott is whipped into the cage and Rick and Tank stomp away. Clubbing blow by Tank, then Scott face first into the cage, then again. Low blow by Rick, then more stomps. Rick picks Scott up as Tank takes his gloves off and takes out a chain, but Rick says he doesn't need it. Rick holds up Scott, then Tank goes to use the chain and Rick tries to block it with his arm but gets nailed with the chain instead. Scott with a low blow on Tank, then takes the chain to the head of Tank. Scott gets Tank in the Recliner for the win in 3:49. So Rick is suddenly a babyface now? This match was a dud.
Scott spits on Tank and the cage is raised, as his freaks join him while he poses in the corner, then they leave.
Cut outside to a limo pulling up to the arena, and out steps Ric, along with his family. Goldberg's monster truck is seen in the background.
Video package for Hogan and Kidman, which started with Hogan making a challenge and wanting a World Title shot if he wins, and Bischoff vowing this to be Hogan's last match. Of course Horace turned on him in the middle of all this and he was made the special guest referee in the process.
Now we cut to Okerlund as Hogan walks into frame. Gene says he's been down the road many a year with Hogan, they started a couple decades ago, and tonight may be the final time we ever see him in WCW, or in professional wrestling, and the man that wants to do it is the young upstart Kidman. Hogan says maybe not, and he and Gene can stay around as long as they want, because they're etched in stone. He says he's been branded as "Mean" Gene, the "mean" means something (brother) and as far as Hollywood goes, he says when they branded "Hollywood" they were talking about the good, the bad and the real damn ugly (brother). He says tonight when he gets in the ring with that flea market champion, it's gonna get real damn ugly.
Gene brings up Horace, and Hogan says to remember that blood is thicker than New Blood, and Gene says he'll remember that. He brings up Hogan's outfit and Hogan says you have to change with the times, reinvent yourself, and as of late he says we've got Goldberg back in the house, Big Sexy has taken control, and he figured to take this Hogan thing to a whole new level, it would be the good, the bad, and like he said the real damn ugly of Hollywood, and there's nothing they can do, then says to watch what he does to Kidman before walking off.
Billy Kidman vs Hollywood Hogan
If Hogan wins, he gets a World Title shot at Bash at the Beach next month. If Kidman wins, Hogan has to retire.
Special Guest Referee: Horace Hogan
Lock up to start until Hogan easily shoves Kidman down, then again followed by right hands, then off the ropes before delivering another right sending Kidman out of the ring. Back in the ring, Kidman tries to beg him off, but Hogan boots him and drops him with another right, then sends Kidman off the ropes into a big boot, and Kidman rolls out. Kidman face first into the guard rail, then ribs first, then a headbutt. Kidman whipped into the guard rail, then another right and another. Back in the ring, Hogan chokes Kidman, then again forced to break due to a 5 count from Horace. Kidman takes advantage to rake the eyes and starts attacking the back, then boots in the corner before choking Kidman, and Horace does a 5 count for him too, as Kidman argues with him over it. Hogan retreats to the corner and Kidman chokes, another 5 count and as Madden points out, Horace acting like a regular ref makes no sense. Hogan nails a low blow as Kidman gets distracted arguing with Horace. Hogan takes off the weight belt and plays to the crowd some before he starts whipping Kidman across the back, more playing to the crowd then another whip before Kidman rolls out.
Hogan with another right drops Kidman to the floor, then he grabs a chair only to have it dropkicked back in his face and it nearly hits the fans. Kidman cracks the chair over Hogan's back, then again before rolling Hogan back in, covers, Horace makes a fair count and Hogan kicks out then rolls out. He pulls Kidman out and delivers rights, then Kidman into the guard rail ribs first, then a second time. Kidman into the guard rail back first. Hogan grabs a chair and cracks Kidman over the back before sliding the chair into the ring, then Kidman and himself. Scoop slam is countered by Kidman into a DDT onto the chair, cover, fair count and a kick out. Kidman with an elbow before going up top with a frog splash, cover, fair count and a kick out.
Kidman gets mad with Horace getting in his face, then Hogan face first in the corner, then the adjacent corner. Kidman clubs the back and Hogan starts to hulk up little by little, points the finger at Kidman, blocks a right and delivers some of his own. Hogan with corner punches, then Kidman whipped across the ring for a clothesline in the corner and Kidman rolls out. Hogan lifts up Kidman on his shoulder but gets sent shoulder first into the ring post, only to hip toss Kidman through the flimsy announce table. Torrie comes out now as Hogan levels Kidman with right hands, then back in the ring. Torrie gets on the apron and Hogan drops Kidman with another right, then turns his attention to Torrie. She hands Hogan a pair of brass knuckles, and Kidman nails Hogan in the back with a knee, in the process knocking Torrie off the apron and hurting her ankle. Kidman takes the brass knuckles and nails Hogan with them, covers, fair count and Hogan kicks out.
Kidman with more shots on Hogan down in the corner, choking him and Horace tears him off. Kidman takes the brass knuckles back out and nails Horace with them, then prepares to hit Hogan but Torrie low blows Kidman. Hogan takes the brass knuckles and nails Kidman with a windup. Hogan covers, Horace comes to, makes the count and Hogan wins in 11:44. Well, this was basically every Hogan match ever, and knowing what happens at the next PPV I knew this was coming anyways, so it was just kinda there.
Torrie continues onto the back as Horace recovers in the corner, and raises Hogan's arm in victory, then shake hands. So I guess they were in cahoots the whole time? Or is this just reuniting in the moment? I don't know, I don't care.
Cut to Bischoff on the phone with someone in Montana calling the Hogans cockroaches, saying you just can't get rid of them. One of the officers comes in and asks Eric if everything is OK, and Eric freaks out on him and brings up the monster truck that's been seen throughout the night. The officer reiterates that the area is secure and has dozens of officers outside, but Bischoff is having none of it, but the officer keeps saying they have it under control. Eric is goes back to his phone call and the officer leaves.
We have a plug for Bash at the Beach in Daytona Beach in a month. Now to commentary who tell us definitively that the Horace thing was a swerve all along, and as Madden points out, Kidman was right the whole time not to trust him, and Scott wonders about Torrie's role in this. Plus Hogan is now set for Bash at the Beach. Up next though, father vs son.
We get our video package for this match, of course this all started at Slamboree when David cost Ric his match with Shane Douglas and officially aligned with Russo, his reasoning that Ric was never there for him, and seemingly because he was brainwashed by Russo. Of course Ric won the World Title twice, there was the funeral for his career, his wife and son kidnapped so Jarrett could get his title back, and Russo beat Flair in the cage on the go-home Nitro. Ric has vowed to retire if David can somehow beat him.
Before that though, Pamela is standing by with David and Russo backstage, and she wishes him luck tonight because he's going to need it, then does a pretty terrible "Woo". David gets mad at her and tells her to get out of his face, but Russo gets between them to calm him down. He calls her Rapunzel and asks if this is a fairy tale, if there are any little pigs running around and says this is a serious matter. He takes the mic and says that tonight David is about to end a man's career, a legend's career, his father's, 21 years of torture, and says it's all gonna come out in a wash tonight. He tells her to go find a big bad wolf before shoving the mic into her shoulder and the two walk off.
Cut to Okerlund who's standing by with Ric, who believes Russo has poisoned the well and turned Ric's own son against him. Ric starts by confirming that they're in Baltimore and that this is the Bash, and that he is the Nature Boy. Then he tells Russo and David that he's going to style and profile and walk the aisle tonight (Woo!) one more time (Woo!) and go Hulkster go (Woo!). Then he walks off. Okerlund reiterates that Hogan is not retiring and has a shot at the World Title next month.
We see Ric's family walking into the arena, led to their seats at ringside by security.
David Flair (w/ Vince Russo) vs Ric Flair
If David wins, Ric will retire.
Feeling out process to start, then Ric with the strut, then a lock up, David with a side headlock and quickly escapes, bringing David down to the mat. Another lock up, Ric gets David into the corner and slaps him. Another lock up and David shoved into the corner again, then he reverses and backs away. Another lock up, Ric shoved into the corner and David with rights and chops, then Ric is whipped across the ring and turns upside down before rolling out. David with chops against the guard rail and forearms shots to the face, before whipping Ric into the guard rail, then back in the ring. David with a suplex, then Ric sent off the ropes into a sleeper, but Ric soon counters it with a back suplex.
Ric rips open David's shirt to chop his bare chest, along with some rights to the jaw, then pulls David out of the corner into a chop, followed by more strutting. Kick to the ribs, David sent off the ropes into another chop. More rights in the corner on David, then pulls him to the outside. More chops by Ric, then back in the ring. David sent off the ropes, ducks a chop and clotheslines Ric over the ropes to the outside. For some reason the ref holds David back as he tries to go after Ric, which allows Russo to nail him in the ribs with a bat a couple times, then cuffs Ric's wrists together and tosses him back in the ring. David stomping away and Russo jabs Ric with the bat. David with chops in the corner then mocks the strut, before David puts Ric in the figure 4, Russo grabbing and pulling David for the extra leverage. Ric goes down for a pin but pops back up at 2. David uses the ropes for more leverage, Ric down again and pops up at 2. The ref kicks David's hands away when he tries to use the ropes again, and Ric manages to reverse the pressure but David releases the hold.
David mounts now with right hands and dragging him toward Russo, and the ref pulls him off. Russo attacks Ric, and Reid hops the guard rail to stop him, but gets shoved down, only to nail Russo with a low blow. Reid takes the key for the handcuffs and gets in the ring, but he drops it as David shoves him into the corner. The ref grabs the key and frees Ric as David tosses Reid down and he rolls out. Ric is back up and chops David, while Ashley Flair... er, Charlotte has the cuffs now and puts them on Russo. Ric with a backdrop on David as Russo calls her a bitch, and Ric with a low blow on David. David whipped into the corner and turns inside out onto the apron, then clotheslined by Ric. Ric with a stalling suplex, then another strut, and Russo tries to get in but he's still cuffed. David with a thumb to the eye as Ric gets distracted, then goes up top but he's thrown off much like Ric usually is, then a knee drop by Ric. Ric with rapid rights, then works the leg, dropping down on it as it's draped on the bottom rope, now the figure 4 on David. David taps in 10:19. I was actually expecting David to win this somehow. I did enjoy the Flairs getting involved and this was a fairly good match all things considering.
Russo is in the ring now and Ric puts him in the corner, rips open his shirt for a chop across the chest. The Flairs enter the ring to join in the celebration as David pulls Russo out, and he noticeably has a mic as the Flairs start to leave. Russo has the mic and tells Ric to hold up while calling him a piece of shit. He says that Ric and his little bitch son and his little bitch daughter have chopped him for the last time. Ric and Reid are seen giving crotch chops on the stage, and Russo vows to retire Ric's ass on Nitro the next night himself. The Flairs continue on their way and Russo and David follow close behind.
We get to our next video package, which starts with painting Vampiro as a troubled man behind the face paint, who has promised to take Sting to hell, calling himself Sting's anti-hero, and decided that Sting's destiny has sealed his fate. Of course, Vamp spent the last few weeks trying to set Sting and others on fire.
Human Torch Match: Vampiro vs Sting
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: So the rules of this match are to set your opponent on fire just like an Inferno Match, but instead of the ring being surrounded by fire, there's a torch currently set by the stage to set your opponent on fire. The torch is quickly pulled up to the top of the TurnerTron by Sting though after Vamp makes his entrance and he puts it in place, and he has a mic. He asks Vamp if he's afraid of heights because he isn't, and says if Vamp wants to torch him he has to join him up there. Vamp is arguing with the ref and wants no part of this, then he gets mad at Madden for not telling him but Madden denies knowing about this, since this wasn't part of the rules originally. Sting rappels back down though so I suppose they have to eventually make their way up there rather than start up there.
Vamp goes after Sting as he enters the ring with rights and stomps, Sting reverses a whip off the ropes, misses a clothesline and nailed with a spinning heel kick. Vamp with rights drives Sting into the corner, but whipped across the ring into a powerslam, then a clothesline off the ropes and another. Bulldog by Sting, then boots in the corner. Vamp whipped across the ring and Sting goes for the Stinger Splash, but Vamp gets the boot up, only to be launched up and over face first into the corner as he charges Sting, which sets him up again for a Stinger Splash but Vamp sidesteps this time. Vamp has grabbed a gas can that he brought with him and douses Sting with it, and Sting rolls out of the ring. Sting's been blinded and Vamp douses him some more and they start to make their way up the aisle. Sting whipped into the guard rail, and Sting delivers more rights and kicks and ax handles to the back and midsection. Sting hits a low blow before they head up to the stage.
Vamp goes face first into the steel girders of the setup, then again on the side of it. Vamp fights back and sends Sting into it now, and Vamp starts to climb and Sting follows right behind him, and Vamp kicks Sting and he drops down onto some padding, and though it was a short drop, commentary act like he fall from 50 feet. Vamp keeps climbing and Sting gets up, and soon climbs up after him. So now the lights go down and we have Sting's lighting effects that they use for his entrance, as Vamp is on the attack, Sting face first into the top of the set. Vamp tries to pull Sting to the flame but he blocks, and they drop down.Vamp goes face first into the top of the set, then again, then Vamp with shots, then drops him down. They go out of view then pop up, Vamp goes for the torch but Sting hits a low blow. Vamp hits a DDT. Fucking hell you can't see fuck all. They pop back up and Vamp grabs the torch as the lights basically go out, seemingly so the stuntman can get into position, then Vamp eventually lights "Sting" on fire, who then dives off the set to some padding below. Vamp wins in 7:26. I mean this match was basically just a stunt show. Not much of a match before they got to the entrance, then for at least 3 or 4 minutes, it was flashing lights barely able to see anything for this big payoff. Another dud.
Vamp poses atop with the torch in hand as the crew spray extinguishers, and commentary suddenly start calling Sting by his real name and treating this seriously. "Sting" is flailing around as the paramedics tend to him and commentary are speechless, treating this like it's a shoot. "Sting" is carted out as commentary keep up the seriousness and we get replays, and even an overhead shot of the fall.
Cut to Bischoff still on the phone and in comes Pamela and asks him about his big surprise that he hyped up the last two weeks, but he says this isn't the right time or the right place, says that Goldberg's moving around, who knows where, and he says there's no big surprise now, screw it, then kicks her out before going back on the phone.
Back to the ring, we have Michael Buffer in the ring for introductions in our main event, and somehow there's still 27 minutes left in this show. How the fuck is a Kevin Nash match going to go 20+ minutes? Tonight, two of the greatest names in sports entertainment are about to face each other for the undisputed WCW Heavyweight Championship of the World. Gotta say as bullshit as this show is, I love having Buffer do the introductions.
First out, he is regarded as one of the greatest big men in wrestling history, his Jackknife Powerbomb has destroyed opponents all over the globe, the 4x World Champion, "Big Sexy" Kevin Nash. His opponent of course, a man whose total disregard for the rules and his opponents have earned him worldwide recognition, the man capable of doing anything to win, the man with the stroke, the 3x World Champion, reigning, defending, undisputed, WCW Heavyweight Champion of the World, "The Chosen One" Jeff Jarrett.
First though, Cat's music hits and out he comes with a mic. He pulls out a crumpled piece of paper and asks for everyone's attention, then tells them to shut the hell up when they don't. He says that since this is a really big show, he and Bischoff and the New Blood have some very important celebrity guests to introduce tonight: The special guest bell ringer, Konnan, special timekeeper Rey Mysterio, special belt keeper Disco Inferno, special ring announcer Juvie, and special ring enforcer referee... well, himself. There's still 20 minutes left in the show when the bell finally rings for this match.
WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Jeff Jarrett (c) vs Kevin Nash
Special Guest Enforcer: The Cat. Filthy Animals with assorted ringside roles.
Lock up to start and Jarrett is shoved into the corner. Another lock up, Jarrett shoved into the corner again. Another lock up, Jarrett shoved down again. Cat gets on the apron to distract and Jarrett corners Nash with rights, then the corner punches another drops Nash down. More rights by Jarrett, then some knees before he throws Jarrett across the ring. Knees to the midsection of Jarrett in the corner, then some elbows to the side of the head. There's supposed to be some sound that startles Cat but I didn't hear anything, though commentary point it out, and Nash has heard it too it seems. More elbows in the corner by Nash, drops Jarrett over the middle rope and drops a leg over Jarrett's back, before sending him to the outside.
Nash picks Jarrett up but gets sent face first into the ring post. Jarrett gets whipped into the guard rail, then picked up again and dropped face first on the announce table. Jarrett gets tossed into the crowd behind commentary and they fight their way through, with Nash on the offense with rights and knees. Nash grabs a chair from the crowd and hits Jarrett over the back before tossing him back to ringside. Mysterio gets Nash in the knee with a chair as he hops back over the rail, then a second time, then the Animals toss him back in the ring. Jarrett grabs a chair and rams it into Nash's knee before the ref takes it away, then Jarrett poses in the corner. Working the knee some more over the bottom rope. Jarrett takes forever to try and put on the figure 4 until Nash shoves him away, and Jarrett stomps away some more, then works the knee some more, opting for a half crab instead. Nash gets to the rope and Jarrett slams his knee into the mat, then poses in the corner again. Jarrett keeps stomping the knee, then the figure 4, Nash goes down for a two count. Nash tries to reverse the pressure but can't do it, manages to reach and grab the rope, the ref has to pry Jarrett off. Konnan nails Nash with the ring bell as Jarrett distracts the ref, covers but Nash kicks out.
Nash blocks rights and delivers some of his own, Jarrett ducks a clothesline but runs into a sidewalk slam, cover and a kick out. Juvie knocked off the apron, Rey crotched on the top rope and elbowed off to the floor. Jarrett goes for a belt shot but Nash ducks and nails one of his own, Nash covers and Disco nails the ref at two. Nash goes after Disco and nails him with a right, then Juvie nails him in the back with a chair before tossing him back in. Cat gets in the ring to act as ref and starts a standing 10 count, Jarrett rolls over, drapes an arm over Nash, Cat with a fast count but Nash kicks out. Disco leaps on Nash with a sleeper but countered with a sidewalk slam. Rey off the ropes into a big boot. Juvie runs into a big boot. Jarrett hits The Stroke, Jarrett covers after a few moments and Nash kicks out.
Jarrett grabs his guitar and goes to the middle rope, caught by Nash for a chokeslam, cover, and right before the three Cat pretends to have something in his eye. Nash hits him with the jackknife. Jarrett sent off the ropes into a big boot. Nash pulls down the straps and hits the jackknife, covers, another ref is down to count and he's immediately pulled out by Rick Steiner. Rick in with rights, then Tank comes out and the Animals are in. Scott is down and he fights with Tank to the back instead. Juvie off the ropes for a popup dropkick on Nash, then set up for the Bronco Buster by Mysterio.
Now we hear the engine revving and in drives Goldberg in his monster truck, and the beat down on Nash stops. Goldberg's music hits and out he steps from the truck and down to the ring. The Animals clear the ring, Goldberg in position as Nash and Jarrett get back to their feet and Goldberg nails Nash with the spear. He tells Jarrett to cover Nash, Goldberg pulls and throws the original ref down to make the count and Jarrett retains in 17:23. Hoo boy, nearly 20 minutes of bullshit, and Goldberg turns heel because we gotta have a swerve I guess.
Out come Bischoff and Russo as Jarrett celebrates and Goldberg looks down at his handiwork. A "Goldberg sucks" chant starts up as he gets in Nash's face, then R&B get in the ring, then embrace. Goldberg's music hits again and fans start throwing trash into the ring and surrounding area. Animals join the celebration as we go to the replay of Goldberg's spear and the embrace. More trash and more celebrating as the show fades out.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I mean this show was generally littered with bullshit, and then the fans trashed the ring, what else can I say? What little good this show did have was fucked over by the bullshit. And now we're on the build to Bash at the Beach,which is probably one of the more infamous PPVs in WCW's dying months. That said, with a run time of 2:43:46, this show had a total 1:36:57.
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