WCW Week of June 26, 2000

Nitro

We get a recap of what happened on Thunder. Then we go outside where Cat has apparently gotten an idea for the night's main event from his limo driver. Cat says they'll be rich if he keeps coming up with good ideas like that, saying the guy's got a head for business. Cat leaves and heads into the arena.

Live from the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines, Iowa for this episode of Nitro. Schiavone welcomes us to the show and out comes Cat right away to start the show. Bash at the Beach is right around the corner, and he starts to hype up the announced matches. He says he knows Jarrett is gonna kick old man Hogan's ass (ha!), that Goldberg is gonna wipe the floor with Nash when he gets his hands on him, and bring Hall's contract to Cat so he can wipe something else with it. He announces that there's going to be a Four Corners World Title match tonight, with Jarrett defending 3 of the people's greatest heroes, but they'll have to qualify to get to that title match. He announces Nash vs Awesome, Steiner vs Douglas, but gives Goldberg a by as the fourth man. He says he wouldn't be surprised of none of their heroes made it to the title match.

Well  out comes Jim Duggan of all fucking people, we haven't seen him since that clusterfuck battle royal before Slamboree. He leads a USA chant with 2x4 in hand, and says he's been sitting in the back with his hands in his pockets long enough, watching what Cat, Bischoff and Russo have done to WCW and the sport he loves. He says they can't play with people's lives like they're pawns, like they don't matter, and enough is enough. (Hoooooooooooo!) He concedes that the chips are down for the heroes, with Hogan and Sting hurt, Flair retired, but other people will stand forward, much like himself. (Hoooo!) He says he once admired Goldberg when he came into WCW, someone he thought would be a true star, a true hero, and now he's just a soul of a man.... I assume he meant to say shell, half the man that he used to be. 

Cat says that he hates rednecks and that Duggan has to be the biggest redneck in the world. Another USA chant is led by Duggan, and Cat says Duggan wrote a check that he's going to make him cash tonight, announcing Goldberg vs Duggan for tonight. Duggan says that everyone in the wrestling world knows about his health problems, but sometimes a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do and takes the challenge. He wishes luck to Cat in explaining to R&B why the WCW Heavyweight Title is around Hacksaw's waist. (Hoooooooooo!) More USA chants as Duggan heads to the back. That was actually a fairly good segment.

Over to commentary who recap what happened and joke that Jarrett is probably hiding in a corner somewhere.

Cut to Vamp  who makes it clear he's not done with Dale or Demon or whatever, and says it will never end unless Dale embraces the Demon within, but if he wants to put that side of him to rest, Vamp wants him to meet him... well, wherever he is right now, and only one of them walks out. He tells him not to keep him waiting as we see Dale and Asya watching on backstage, and Dale says he's going to end this tonight. He says he got rid of one nightmare, and he's going to make that freak sorry he ever tried to bring Demon back. He leaves into commercial.

Douglas arrives and ref Slick Johnson is there looking over the rundown for the show, informing Douglas of what he's got in store tonight. He gets pissed at the idea of facing Steiner and storms off. 

We cut to earlier in the day to Kanyon who's doing a book signing for his fake book and he's got no one there to get a book, he's embarrassed. He wonders if he should put on the wig and asks one of the security guys if he wants a book, but he declines, even though it's free. Kanyon's all dejected and embarrassed.

Back to the ring, Mark Jindrak and Sean O'Haire, out of the Power Plant, are in the ring for our first match of the night. Filthy Animals come out next with mics in hand, not entirely clear who's in this match yet. Konnan says Mark and Sean aren't on their level as he calls them cranberries, and he knows they've been practicing hoping to get mic time, and hoping to get power moves on Juvie and Rey, but they should be practicing how to bow down.

Mark Jindrak & Sean O'Haire vs Juventud Guerrera & Rey Mysterio Jr. (w/ Konnan, Disco Inferno & Tygress)

Juvie tries to get a cheap shot in but Jindrak and O'Haire trade shots instead, who retreats to the corner. Rey is whipped into him and take each other out as Juvie comes running. Rey and Juvie regroup at ringside before Juvie joins Sean to properly start this thing. Juvie with cheap shots, off the ropes into a shoulder block, some ducks and Juvie goes for a leapfrog but he's pressed in midair over Sean's head before being thrown across his ring nearly on his head. Jindrak in, Juvie sent off the ropes, double leapfrog, Jindrak misses a clothesline but Juvie runs right into one from O'Haire. Jindrak covers but Rey breaks it up.

Scoop slam by Jindrak, then misses a springboard moonsault. Juvie with mounted punches in the corner now but he's picked up. Juvie tries for a sunset flip but Jindrak stays upright, until Rey nails a running clothesline to complete the flip for a two count. Juvie up top with a missile dropkick and a cover for two. Juvie holds up Jindrak's legs as Rey goes up top with the leg drop downtown. Jindrak reverses a whip chest first into the corner and goes for a back suplex but Juvie kicks out the knee. Double teaming Jindrak now and they knock O'Haire off the apron, then go for a sandwiching double dropkick on Jindrak but he moves out the way and they low blow each other midair. 

O'Haire gets the tag and he goes up top with a double clothesline, then rights and clotheslines. Rey leapfrogs onto Juvie's shoulders, but Jindrak cuts them off and picks Rey up into a suplex position, then O'Haire with one on Juvie for a pair of stalling suplexes. Rey slid under the ropes to the floor and Rey goes for something on Jindrak but he's countered with a tilt-a-whirl sidewalk slam. O'Haire up top with the Seanton Bomb for the win in 4:49. Well I'll be damned, we actually go a good match without any dumb bullshit.

Konnan and Disco rush the ring to attack, and Rey and Juvie join in. Lance hits the ring and lays out the Animals, still apparently not working for WCW, then leaves through the crowd again. 

Goldberg is seen arriving at the arena into commercial.

Animals are all yelling at Cat in his office, and he's upset Lance has messed up his show for the third time now. He wants the Animals to find him and bring him to Cat. Disco asks for a reward but Cat won't be giving them anything and sends them on their way.

Duggan is in his locker room and in walks... well I assume its his wife, who's insisting he can't wrestle Goldberg, and he insists he can. She brings up their kids, but he says he's never backed down to a fight as long she's known him, and a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. They exchange "I love yous" and he says he loves the kids more than life itself, but this is something he has to do. He also thinks he can win which makes her laugh a little.

We see a replay of Vito and Johnny's match from last week's Nitro, plus Vito's match with Wall on Thunder before we get to our next match. Out comes Vito with a kendo stick and a stickball bat. He's been hearing the people call him the best WCW Hardcore Champion that ever lived. He calls himself the Pavarotti of hard shots to the body, and he's deadlier than a Mike Tyson right hand, before making an open challenge.

Well out comes Jamie-San of the Jung Dragons and he's immediately cracked in the ribs and back with the kendo stick repeatedly. There's no ref and now out comes Yang, and he's nailed right in the face with the kendo stick. Now out comes Kaz Hayashi as Vito breaks the stick, and Kaz with a springboard dropkick takes out Vito plus a spinning heel kick. Another in the corner, then a dropkick by Yang, and Vito sent face first into the opposite corner by Jamie. All three go up top, Yang with a moonsault takes down Vito, then Jamie with a missile dropkick takes him down again and a crossbody b Kaz. All three up top the same corner with two leg drops and a splash. Jamie and Kaz cover, Yang makes the count and... I guess win? Or not... Vito's still champion either way and the Dragons' music hits.

Cut to some kind of DIY mannequin with Vito's face on it in the locker room and Funk tells Johnny to go get him. So Johnny grabs a chair and goes to hit "Vito," only for Funk to nail him with a chair from behind. Funk reminds him there's no DQ in a hardcore match and that Johnny needs to watch his back. Funk helps him back up.

Cut to production and in walks Perfect Event, and Woody the production guy is wearing a hat to cover his slightly shaved head... Oh it's fully shaved now as Palumbo takes the hat off. Woody leaves them. 

Cut to Douglas talking to Cat's limo driver with the great ideas and he's trying to get out of facing Steiner, convinced he has plenty of title shots coming his way and he doesn't need this. The limo driver points out he'll get fired if he just up and leaves, and Franchise agrees and needs a plan. I guess this guy's name is Smoove or Smooth and it seems like he has another great idea for Douglas, whispering something in his ear. Douglas loves it and heads back inside.

Back to the Animals putting together a game plan to get Lance, Disco calling him stupid because he's Canadian and they go off to find him into commercial.

I guess  Smooth's plan was for Douglas to fake an injury, because we see him having his ankle checked by the trainer in the back, and Smooth leads Cat right to him. Douglas makes up this story about twisting his ankle on some spilled water in the bathroom but Cat is having none of it, he needs a match tonight. Douglas suggests Buff to take his place, saying he and Steiner would be great ratings. Cat pretends to come up with that idea on his own and Douglas has no problem with him taking credit. Cat leaves and Douglas pays Smooth for his idea, Douglas laughing his ass off.

Tank is backstage and he takes a seat in front of a monitor as 3 Count come out for their routine. Tank is dancing to this backstage as this pops up on screen.

The music starts to get distorted which pissed off Tank and up walks Woody to show him to the production truck. Was a short walk because we cut back to production and in walks tank as Perfect Event are laughing away. Tank grabs Palumbo by the hair and takes Stasiak's title as he drags Palumbo out of the truck, Stasiak close behind. 3 Count are back on their routine and their music is still screwing up and out come Tank and the champions. Tank can apparently make title matches now as he offers 3 Count a tag title shot as a gift.

WCW World Tag Team Championship: Perfect Event (c) vs Shane Helms & Shannon Moore (w/ Evan Karagias)

Shannon and Shane sent off the ropes, pressed over Event's heads but they slip free and dropkick them out of the ring. Shane and Shannon up top as Event embrace and hit a pair of swantons. Palumbo tossed into the ring and sent off the ropes into a Samoan drop/swinging neckbreaker combo. Stasiak comes in with a gutwrench sitout powerbomb on Shane. Shane into the corner and Stasiak tags in with a spinning back elbow and a cover but Shannon breaks it up. Helms face first in the corner for boots from Stasiak, and Palumbo tags, up top with a flying shoulder block, cover and a two count. Stasiak in again , Helms whipped into a big boot from Stasiak then a clothesline by Palumbo.Stasiak stomping away, vicious rights, goes for a powerbomb but Shane counters into a DDT.

Shannon gets the hot tag and Palumbo's in, Shannon with dropkicks and heel kicks on Event, then up top for a crossbody but he's caught for a fallaway slam. Palumbo tags in Stasiak as he picks up Shannon for a suplex, Stasiak goes up top but Shannon slips free and sends Palumbo into the corner, then whips Palumbo into a standing side kick from Shane. Shannon with a springboard hurricanrana from the top, and Shane with a frog splash and makes the cover. Ref is busy trying to get Shannon back on the apron which allows Palumbo to nail Shane with the Lex Flexer.Stasiak and Palumbo with a double team flapjack and a cover for the win in 5:24. It was an OK match that the crowd didn't care about. 

Out come Kronic and a fight breaks out, Adams gets Stasiak with the full nelson slam, and Clark gets Palumbo with the pumphandle powerslam. High Time on Palumbo, then on Stasiak. Kronic set for a title match at the PPV. Helms gets a mic and wants the music cut and calls for 3 Count's music, but Kronic aren't happy, but Tank is back out to make the save, sending Clark into the steps before knocking out Adams, 3 Count stomping away at Adams. Tank and 3 Count leave with their music playing.

Juvie is seen looking for Lance backstage and he's nailed in the head by something. Then we see Duggan talking to his wife ahead of his match, pumped for his match up next. 

Back to Kanyon's book signing and there's actually some people there for copies of his book.Turns out they're only there now that drink vouchers are being offered though.

We get a package for Duggan, we see him getting emotional over his cancer, then his big return, and his promise to have a bigger impact on wrestling.

Four Corners Qualifying Match: "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan vs Goldberg

Pre-Match: Cat comes out after Duggan comes out, and reminds us there's no interference in any of the matches he make, but he's also banning Duggan's 2x4. He threatens to shove it up Duggan's ass if he doesn't give it to the referee, so he gives in. 

They get right in each other's faces before trading shots, Duggan getting the btter until he's pulled off by the ref and nailed with a clothesline. Goldberg shoves Duggan out of the ring  after a few more shots, and Duggan with more shots, but he's shoved face first into the ring post. Back in the ring, Goldberg with kidney shots, commentary pointing out Duggan only has one, before a toss to the mat into a chinlock. Duggan wills his way back to his feet and elbows himself free, until he's clubbed in the back. Duggan face first in the corner after another kidney shot. Duggan reverses a whip into the corner and catches Goldberg with a scoop slam. Goldberg's up immediately though and nails a spear going right for the kidney again  Goldberg with a jackhammer for the win in 3:16. That was far better than I had expected it to be, though the fans still refuse to boo Goldberg, so this failed in its goal.

Goldberg goes after the kidney with more shots until the ref pulls him off and checks on Duggan. Duggan's bleeding from the mouth as the ref calls for doctors and Goldberg looks on proud of his work. Stretcher is brought out as does Duggan's wife.

Nash is seen on his way to the ring and we see a reaction shot in the locker room of what just happened into commercial.

We see Duggan getting loaded into the ambulance, Nash is there along with several wrestlers, then Duggan leaves.

Four Corners Qualifying Match: Mike Awesome vs Kevin Nash

Lock up and a side headlock by Awesome, countered with a back suplex and a cover for two. Rights by Nash into the corner, then his knees and back elbows to the side of the head. Awesome whipped across the ring but catches Nash with an elbow, ducks a clothesline, tries for a German suplex but Nash fights out with an elbow. Awesome reverses a whip into the corner and hits a clothesline before going up top for a clothesline and a cover for two. Awesome back up top and hits a frog splash and a cover for a near fall. Awesome calls for a powerbomb but Nash back drops him off before clotheslining Awesome to the outside.

More elbows from Nash to the back of the head and neck, then to the back, then some shots by Awesome to the ribs before tossing Nash back in. Awesome grabs a chair from ringside, throws it at Nash and tries to punch it back in his face, but Nash ducks and tosses it back for a big boot into the chair and face for the win in 3:29. I mean it was every Nash match ever, so.

Tygress is backstage looking around for Rey, who's also been attacked much like Juvie, who helps him off. Up next, it's Bagwell vs Steiner.

Konnan is now seen in catering looking for Storm and he's nailed from behind much like Juvie.

We see Buff  being laid out by Douglas on last week's Nitro following their match, and again on Thunder to cost Buff his handicap match, which leads to our next match.

Four Corners Qualifying Match: Buff Bagwell vs Scott Steiner (WCW U.S. Heavyweight Champion) (w/ Midajah)

Buff does his little dance and flex, but all he gets is a middle finger from Steiner. Buff is shoved into the corner in a lock up and Steiner hammers away with rights and chops. Buff sent off the ropes into a clothesline and an elbow drop. Buff face first in the corner whopped across the ring but goes up and over and hip tosses Steiner, followed by a clothesline and a spinning neckbreaker. Steiner face first in the corner and Buff with more rights, but gets sent across the ring. Buff catches Steiner with am elbow followed by a splash from the middle rope and a cover for two. 

Steiner sent off the ropes but catches Buff with a slam into the corner into a tree of woe. Steiner pulling and cranking back on the neck from ringside until Buff drops to the mat. Steiner with an exploder suplex and goes for the Recliner, but Buff pops back up with Steiner on his shoulders and drops him throat first on the top rope, then a double-arm DDT. Buff to the middle rope and hits a Blockbuster but Steiner kicks out at 2. Steiner nails Buff from behind as he's arguing with the ref and hits his spinning belly-to-belly for the win in 3:29. That was rather anti-climactic.

Midajah holds up the title as Buff pulls himself up and he and Steiner shake hands before Steiner leaves with Midajah. Douglas comes in fro behind with a cheap shot but Steiner quickly chases him off and Douglas leaves through the crowd. Steiner checks on Buff and helps him back up and they pose in the corners.

Pamela is backstage with Jarrett on his thoughts on his title defense. He calls her a blonde slapnuts before calling this a conspiracy to knock him off the mountain top. He says he's a fighting champion and it'll take more than an army to take his title, because somehow he's gonna walk out not only as the Chosen One, but still World Champion. He has a message he wants her to take to Terry, or Hollywood, or Hulkster, says he knows he's at home filling up his drool cup, and Jarrett wants him out of his wheelchair, grab his walker and head to the PPV, because he'll be waiting. Then commercial.

Cut to Hancock leaving David's locker room, and Daffney is watching from nearby. Hancock makes her way out to the ring with mic in hand and says its hard to be a bad girl trapped in a good girl's body, and sometimes she can't keep things straight, or on. She calls for her music and she does her strip tease routine but she's attacked by Daffney. Hancock kicks her in the face and they have their catfight. Daffney slaps her, then Hancock slaps back and a spear by Daffney. Hancock tears at her hair before she leaves the ring mocking Daffney.

Daffney gets the mic and makes it clear she knows what's going on, that she's not blind or stupid, that Hancock's trying to steal her fiancee, and vows to ruin her life. She says that after she finishes whipping her "bean pole butt" at the PPV, Hancock will be begging for her old job slinging chicken wings at the Hooters joint they found her in. Daffney's music hits as Hancock continues to the back, and Daffney not far behind.

Animals have regrouped backstage as Disco finds them, himself completely unharmed.  Disco leaves with a plan.

Back to the book signing and up walks Booker. Booker with rights and Kanyon face first into a set of doors, then a chair to the head and scoop slam through the table and books.

Back to Pamela who's with Hancock backstage to recap what went down. Hancock wonders who could blame David, implying Daffney doesn't even compare to her and it isn't a hard decision for David. Hancock accepts Daffeny's challenge, but wants to make it a Wedding Gown Match, much like an Evening Gown Match. She says this will Daffney's last chance to wear her $3 Salvation Army gown and she'll be wearing something much sexier. Then she leaves.

Disco comes out with a referee and a mic. He doesn't know whether its because Storm is stupid or Canadian or both, but says he can't just come on the show whenever he wants. He challenges Lance to a match. Lance comes out from the crowd and springboard over Disco to start this match.

Lance Storm vs Disco Inferno

Lance ducks a clothesline and nails a super kick right away, then some rights in the corner, Disco reverses a whip across the ring, Lance leaps to the top rope and hits a back elbow. Lance goes for a powerbomb or something of the sort, gets back dropped but lands on his feet and hits a dropkick into a cover for two. Lance with a suplex before going up top but he's crotched. Disco goes after the leg and hits a swinging neck breaker into a cover and a kick out. Cobra clutch leg sweep by Disco, then Lance sent off the ropes and.... No idea what the hell they were going for, Disco drops to his ass and Lance does... something. Disco sent off the ropes but stops himself for a dropkick. Disco to the middle rope but misses an elbow. More rights by Lance, sent off the ropes, through the legs, a European uppercut and a hurricanrana on Disco, then a cover for two.

Disco sent into the corner for a handspring clothesline and a bridging Northern Lights for two. Disco sent into the corner but catches Lance with an elbow then an atomic drop,goes for a stunner but he's sent off the ropes into a rolling single-leg crab. Disco taps for the win in 3:02. Well aside from that fuck up, this wasn't too bad.

Animals rush the ring, Disco with a stunner and Rey with a Bronco Buster. Out rushes Kidman with a pipe, so I guess it was him who attacked the Animals earlier. He lays them out with the pipe to make the save. 

We see Dale heading through a door into commercial.

Looks like Dale went into the boiler room looking for Vamp, who dives onto him from up above. Vamp with boots and tries to hang Dale with some chains until Dale fights back and sends Vamp into some pipes. Dale with more rights now and a clothesline.Vamp face first off a table. Dale is sent into some barrels, then face first off some barrels. Vamp chucks one aat him but he moves out of the way. Dale with a shovel misses and hits some pipes. Vamp with a spin kick to the chest into a boiler, then Dale is whipped into another barrel. More shots by Vamp and kicks him into a coffin. Someone in Sting's face paint nails Vamp in the back of the head with a shovel knocking him out cold, laying the plastic mask on Vamp's face.

Over to commentary to speculate what's going on before sending it to Pamela.

She's with the Animals to recap what's been going on. Konnan calls her Ms. Murder, She Wrote and mocks her for figuring it out. He challenges Lance's Forest Gump looking ass and Billy the Kidman to a match on Thunder into commercial.

Four Corners Match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Jeff Jarrett (c) vs Goldberg vs Kevin Nash(?) vs Scott Steiner (WCW U.S. Heavyweight Champion) (w/ Midajah)

Pre-Match: As Nash's music hits, we cut to backstage where Goldberg has laid him out, unconscious in his locker room. I guess Steiner tried to go back there but he's attacked from behind by Jarrett to start this match.

Jarrett with boots in the aisle before Steiner is sent into the guard rail, then into the other before returning to the ring. Jarrett with more boots, then Steiner sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a press slam. Steiner with a powerslam into the corner and drops Jarrett into a tree of woe, then more boots drops him to the mat. Jarrett sent off the ropes into a tilt-a-whirl sidewalk slam, then a cover for two. Goldberg rushes down and Jarrett is tossed out of the ring. Goldberg with a vicious right and a gorilla press into a powerslam. Goldberg stomping away, then goes for a spear but hits the corner shoulder first instead. Steiner with a spinning belly to belly and a cover but Jarrett pulls the ref out. Double underhook powerbomb on Jarrett by Steiner into a roll up, but Goldberg breaks it up. Goldberg with more rights and stomps by Jarrett, both stomping away. Fireman's carry into a cross armbreaker by Goldberg, and Jarrett stomping away. Jarrett spends most of this match posing in the corner.

Awesome comes out for some reason as Goldberg chokes Steiner, Awesome steals the US Title from Midajah. Steiner with a low blow on Jarrett and clotheslines Goldberg to the floor. Jarrett attacks from behind, sends Steiner off the ropes, goes for a hurricanrana but gets powerbombed and rolled up for two. Powerslam by Steiner, covers but Awesome pulls him out of the ring, clobbering him in the head with the title belt. Awesome and Goldberg attack him and now out comes Nash. Nash with rights on Jarrett, sent off the ropes, ducks a big boot into a sidewalk slam. Snake eyes on Jarrett, then whipped into the corner but gets the boots up, off the middle rope into a chokeslam. Jackknife on Awesome. Goldberg comes into a big boot, then goes for the jackknife but Jarrett nails him from behind. Jarrett sent off the ropes into a big boot. Nash goes for the jackknife on Jarrett but Goldberg gets him with a standing side kick, Jarrett falls on top to retain in 6:04. Well I guess they had to get one bullshit match in on this show.

Fans are pelting the ring with trash again. Goldberg takes the contract out of his tights and holds it up in Nash's face before his music hits and the show fades out.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

I was thoroughly entertained by most of this show. Minimal bullshit, some good action for the most part, and once again no Bischoff or Russo. Main event was an absolutely shit show though, the Hardcore Title thing was confusing as hell, and I just want this Dale/Vamp thing to end. With a run time of 1:33:16, there was a total 29:33 of wrestling.

Thunder

Start with a recap of Nitro. then cut to Jarrett arriving along with Smooth, and Jarrett insists there's a conspiracy and is upset about what Cat did to him Monday, but Smooth points out he's still the champion, and still the Chosen One and still has all the stroke. He also has a guitar wrapped in a Hogan shirt. Jarrett heads into the arena.

Broadcasting from the Pershing Auditorium in Lincoln, Nebraska for this episode of Thunder, as Schiavone welcomes us to the show. Out comes Jarrett with his Hoganized guitar. He starts bragging about still being WCW Champion, and how he's pinned Steiner, defeated Nash, and defined his reign as the greatest in WCW history in the last 7 days. He says it's a gimme that no one's knocked him of the mountaintop when you remember he's the Chosen One and has all the stroke. He's here to give the people an update, because he's been interviewing the biggest, fattest, most disgusting women this side of a Denny's buffet to be in his corner at the PPV, and whoever he picks will have the privilege of singing Hogan out of the ring and straight into oblivion where he belongs. He says the fat lady's gonna sing when he gets the 1-2-3. As he looks around the arena, he thinks he has a few more auditions left in him, says he's never seen more disgusting, fatter women assembled in one place than he has in Lincoln. He starts picking out fans and firing off insults and names, and says that at the PPV Hogan is finished, Terry Bollea is done...

Well he's interrupted by Horace who slips in from behind with some clotheslines and rights. Jarrett face first in the corner and Horace with more rights until he's jumped by R&B Security to pull him off of Jarrett, who retreats up the ramp. Cat makes his way out and didn't know Horace had that fire in him, and says Horace wants to rip someone apart and eat someone's kids. He announces Jarrett vs Horace for the title tonight. Horace starts laying out security and more come down  and get laid out as Cat screams about ratings and being the greatest as they head to the back.

Commentary recaps what's gone on and Jarrett's issues with the Hogans, plus they announce Artist/Paisley vs Disco/Tygress and Storm/Kidman vs two members of the Filthy Animals. Then we see what happened to Duggan on Nitro as commentary hype Goldberg/Nash at the PPV. Tony gets a correction on the previous announced match, that it will actually just be Tygress vs Paisley tonight.

Over to MIA where we learn of a few more matches: Stash/Rection vs Perfect Event in a non-title match, and Loco and Cajun for the Cruiserweight Title. Cajun says that no matter what happens the title will stay with MIA at least but Loco threatens to kill him if he touches him or the title again. Rection tells Chavo (yes he says Chavo and not Loco) to settle down, and Chavo threatens to kill them if they call him Chavo again into commercial.

Okerlund is backstage with Kanyon and his fake book where we learn Kanyon will face Booker at the PPV, and Okerlund quips that he hopes Kanyon's book tells him how to win. Kanyon says that if there's one thing DD-Me taught the world, it's that nothing gets more heat, gets under people's skin more than self-promotion, and that's what Kanyon's gonna do tonight, by Diamond Cu.... Kanyon Cutting everyone he sees. Kanyon gets the crazy eyes as he locks onto Okerlund and he tries to run off, Kanyon stalking toward him.

Footage from Nitro of Loco retaining the Cruiserweight Title which leads into our next match.

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Lt. Loco (c) vs Cpl. Cajun

Capt. Rection on commentary. Major Stash at ringside.

Some quick chain wrestling to start this match and some roll ups and small packages that break into a stare down. Loco counters a hammerlock with a headlock take down, then leap frogs, they trade hip toss blocks before Loco hit a hurricanrana and hooks the legs for a two count. Roll up by Cajun for two. Chavo with cbops, Cajun sent off the ropes into a clothesline. Cajun face first in the corner for more chops and a European uppercut before being hipped across the ring but catches Loco with a headscissor and a tilt-a-whirl sidewalk slam into a cover and a near fall. Loco sent off the ropes, through the legs but caught with a powerslam and a cover for two. 

Loco sent off the ropes again, flips over Cajun and hits a pumphandle suplex for a cover and a kick out. Cajun sent over the ropes to the floor and Loco with a front flip over the ropes... And Cajun is completely out of place, Loco landing on his ass and Cajun sells anyways. Back in the ring, looks like they both got a bit cut open off that landing as Loco is sent off the ropes into some kind of fireman's carry move but Loco lands on his feet, launched up and nails a DDT midair for the win in 4:32. Alright not a bad start to the action.

Stash and Rection check on Cajun as Loco celebrates.

Johnny is seen backstage looking for Funk and he asks what's presumed to be a janitor if he's seen him, but you can tell by the voice it's Funk, who then nails Johnny in the back with his mop while his back is turned. Funk calls him a fool and reminds him to never let his guard down. Then they move on into commercial.

Steiner is in Cat's face and gives him two choices, either Steiner shoves Cat's nameplate up his ass, or Cat gives him a match tonight with Awesome, he doesn't want to wait until the PPV. Steiner leaves.

3 Count's in the ring, Helms has a mic to address a situation, that some copies of their new single have been showing up in trash cans and dumpsters. He calls it a diabolical plot by some 3 Count wannabes, but assures the fans there are still copies for their listening pleasure. Shannon takes the mic to address the punks in the press and their accusations of lip syncing and tell them to read their lips. Evan has a mic and says that all the ladies go down for the 3 Count eventually before calling for their music. They're eventually interrupted by Jindrak and O'Haire to start a match.

Evan Kuragias & Shannon Moore (w/ Shane Helms) vs Mark Jindrak & Sean O'Haire

Evan and Shannon sent off the ropes, through the legs, kicks blocked and both hit with wheelbarrow facebusters. Evan sent off the ropes into double leafrogs and a clothesline by Mark for a cover and two. Evan sent into the corner but ducks a splash, Mark going over the ropes to the apron and dropkicked to the floor by Shannon. Evan with a springboard crossbody, and we see Tank walking into his locker room, pissed he missed 3 Count's performance.

Shannon tags in, Mark sent off the ropes into a drop toe hold and a hip toss, Shannon mounts for rights. Shannon attemps a suplex but can't get him up, then tags in Evan to deliver a double team suplex. Evan with stomps and a jawbreaker and choking. Mark's neck cranked around the middle rope as Shannon tags in, goes up top but nails Evan with a corkscrew moonsault by accident. O'Haire tags in, throws Shannon across the ring and hits Evan with a superkick. Shannon off the ropes into a tilt-a-whirl side slam as O'Haire goes up top for the Seanton Bomb to get the win in 3:13. Nothing special, but it was OK.

Brief celebrating as Evan and Shane check on Shannon. Tank comes out with some kind of green square and grabs a mic. He apologizes to 3 Count for being late and he came to sing with them. Shannon is helped up as Tank starts dancing along with 3 Count. Kronic put an end to this as they attack Tank from behind, before turning to 3 Count. Shannon into a  backbreaker. Clark with knees on Evan. Shane rtreats as Evan tries a wheelbarrow on Clark but counters with a chokeslam. OK that was actually kinda cool. Shannon is on Adams's back but is slammed into the corner before getting with with the full nelson slam. Kronic stands tall into commercial

Kanyon is seen getting served in catering, but when he doesn't get sauce, he hits the guy with a Kanyon Cutter, then gets in a "BANG!" before walking off.

Vito comes out and hands Penzer a piece of paper, and announces Vito as "The Italian Grinder, Sinatra Singing, Chair Swinging, Goomba of Oo Ah, and the Pavarotti of Shots to the Body" Big Vito. Vito takes the mic to say its about time the town has an Italian hero to cheer. Some guy on Staten Island was asking him the day before how Vito could let those three "fortune cookie guys from the Hong Kong gardens" disrespect him in his neighborhood. He's here to challenge the "fortune cookie guys" to a Gauntlet Match.

Gauntlet Match: Big Vito (WCW Hardcore Champion) vs The Jung Dragons

Match 1: Yang

Vito stomping away at Yang as he slides into the ring, then chops to the chest. Yang sent into the corner, but sidesteps a splash and hits a dropkick, then covers for two. Yang with body shots in the corner bur gets turned inside out with a clothesline. Vito with a suplex before going up top with an elbow for the elimination.

Match 2: Kaz Hayashi

Vito stomping away, Kaz sent off the ropes into a clothesline. Shot to the throat, Kaz sent off the ropes, ducks clotheslines and hits a spinning heel kick. Kaz with a side kick from the top rope, then goes back up for a crossbody and a cover for two. Kaz in the corner with mounted rights on Vito's shoulders but gets hit with a running electric chair. Vito with a slam in the corner before going up top a reverse splash and an elimination.

Match 3: Jamie-San

Jamie gets Vito from behind with a dropkick and sends him face first into the corner, then forearms and stomps in the corner and a dropkick to the chest. Jamie with a springboard moonsault into a leg sweep, then a springboard leg drop. Top rope leg drop by Jamie, then back up top with a splash and a cover for two. Vito drops Jamie throat first across the top rope before a Mafia kick sends Jamie to the floor. Vito with kendo stick shots to the heads of Kaz and Yang as they get on the apron. Jamie-San... or at least it's supposed to be Jamie, because of the match, but it's quite clearly Johnny under there, up top with a missile dropkick on Vito to get the win in 4:34.

Jamie joins the ring as Johnny takes off the mask much to Vito's dismay. Funk is proud of him as he watches on backstage.

We see what happened on Nitro when Awesome stole the US Title belt and screwed Steiner out of the World Title. Then to Cat who has Awesome in his office, and Cat's upset with Awesome for interfering on Nitro, and as a result he has to book Awesome against Steiner. Awesome gives in and heads off into commercial.

Hancock is getting her hair done and up walks Daffney to take the hairdresser's place, throwing Hancock to the floor, calling her a homewrecking blondie before using lipstick all over her face. Then she throws powder all over her until security pull Daffney away.

Perfect Event are seen dragging Woody out of the production truck, and there's a random crew member standing by, as Kanyon comes out of nowhere with the Kanyon Cutter and another "BANG!" Then to some recaps of Event's problems with Woody.

To the arena where Event toss Woody into the ring. Stasiak calls him "Little Napoleon" and are here to teach him a lesson for ratting on them the last couple of weeks, give him the beating of his life, a beating him mom should have given him years ago. MIA come out before they can do anything.

The Perfect Event (WCW World Tag Team Champions) vs Major Stash & Capt. Rection

Rection with rights drives Palumbo against the ropes, then a headbutt drops him to the mat. Palumbo reverses a whip off the ropes and Stasiak trips up Rection from the floor. Stasiak gets the tag as Rection is sent off the ropes into a spinning back elbow, then Stasiak stomps away. Palumbo back in and up top as Stasiak holds Rection, Palumbo hits a flying clothesline, then covers for two. Palumbo lays in with more rights and whips Rection into Stasiak, who gets his boot up way too early and Rection walks gingerly into it, before walking into a side kick from Palumbo. Stasiak covers for two. Mounted rights from Stasiak and Palumbo tags back in with rights of his own, then Rection sent off the ropes into a clothesline. Stasiak in again, a suplex is blocked and countered as Rection hits one of his own. Stasiak halts a tag attempt by Rection and Palumbo back in with a seated ab stretch until Stash breaks it up. Stasiak with a snapmare and a surfboard until Rection fights free, only to be driven back down over the middle rope. Rection sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and he and Palumbo take each other out.

Stash and Palumbo tag in, Stash with clotheslines and boots to the face. Palumbo clotheslined to the outside by Rection and an Alabama Slam by Stash on Stasiak. Rection goes up top and hits the moonsault as Palumbo nails Stash in the back of the head with the Lex Flexer, and MIA get the win in 6:02. Whole lotta nothing for about 5 minutes, then the champions lose clean because... reasons.

Lex Flexer to the back of Rection and they beat down MIA until Kronic make their way out. F5 on Palumbo from Adams, then Clark with a pumphandle powerslam on Stasiak. High Time on Palumbo then Stasi... 

Well it cuts to Horace walking backstage mid-move, his match with Jarrett next.

WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Jeff Jarrett (c) vs Horace Hogan

Jarrett stomping away as Horace slides in, only to be sent off the ropes and hit with a clothesline, then another. Jarrett tossed out of the ring and Horace with more rights, face first off the apron and whipped into the guard rail. Horace with more rights and Jarrett is tossed over the rail and this goes out into the crowd, Horace laying in the whole way until Jarrett retreats back to ringside. Jarrett grabs a chair and nails Horace in the leg, then a second time. Chair across the back of Horace, then to the ribs. Horace sent into the guard rail before they return to the ring. 

Jarrett with rights and boots, then Horace sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and sends Jarrett back to the floor. Jarrett ribs first onto the guard rail, then face first off the announce table. Ax handle off the table to Jarrett's head before returning to the ring, Jarrett sent off the ropes, tries for a sunset flip but he's pulled back up for a chokeslam and a cover for two. Horace with mounted punches in the corner until Jarrett hits an inverted atomic drop, Horace nailing the referee as he swings around. Jarrett picks up the chair and nails Horace in the head, then covers for two.

Jarrett wedges the chair in the corner, but gets sent head first into it himself, rolled up by Horace for a near fall. Jarrett whipped into the corner but gets his boots up, goes to the middle rope for an ax handle but he's low blowed on the way down. Horace unwedges the chair but... the ref gets in his way and takes it? When Jarrett used it multiple times on Horace earlier? And Horace sent him into the chair earlier? Whatever, Jarrett hits the Stroke amidst the distraction to retain in 4:54.

Jarrett poses with the title before taking the Hogan shirt off his guitar, laying it over Horace and mocking Hogan. Horace comes to but he's booted in the face. He pops up and starts choking Jarrett with the shirt but gets a low blow and the guitar smashed over his head for his troubles.

We see Vamp backstage with a bat and finds a Sting match in a room on a table. He picks it up before smashing the bat and throwing things around into commercial.

Recap of the boiler room fight on Nitro and Vamp makes his way out, god I'll be glad when this feud is over. He has a mic and mocks Dale for thinking he can get an edge over Vamp, saying he beat him, and just like the actor before him (Sting?) he left Dale dead and buried in a coffin on Nitro. He says he closed the lid on Dale's life and destroyed his pain, and that that's where it should have ended. He says that the freak Dale calls his fiancee couldn't let it go though, and reminds Asya that he let her live. While this is all going down, the lights keep going in and out for... reasons, and it's never acknowledged by Vamp or commentary.

Then some kind of explosion or boom is heard as the lights go completely out, and when they come back on, two hooded figures are in the ring with Vamp. He removes one hood and it's Asya, who spits something in Vamp's face, and the other of course is Dale, who attacks Vamp with a bat. Then there's another explosion and the lights go back out, and Dale and Asya have disappeared as the lights come back on. Then the spotlights shine up to the rafters and speculation begins that it's Sting .

Awkward and sudden cut backstage, where Okerlund is with Kidman and Storm. Lance says that the Animals will realize that he's not like the rest of the guys in WCW, he doesn't scream and yell to get his point across, or pose, and sure as hell doesn't dance. He says that when you're from Calgary, all you have to do is wrestle, and tells the Animals to consider this the calm before the storm.

Kidman brings up his history with the Animals and warns them about who they make enemies with, because they found out on Nitro the same thing they're going to find out tonight, that the past is back to haunt them. They walk off, and Okerlund tries to stop something off camera, and the cameraman suddenly topples over. We see Kanyon who presumably just hit a Kanyon Cutter on the poor cameraman and mocks DDP again into commercial.

Kanyon is backstage preying on another victim and up walks Douglas with Kanyon's book, saying he sat down the night before to read it and couldn't put it down. Kanyon autographs the book and Douglas starts riling him up and goes to deal with Bagwell as a result, while Douglas sets the book down in a trash can.

Billy Kidman & Lance Storm vs Juventud Guerrera & Rey Mysterio Jr. (w/ Disco Inferno, Konnan & Tygress)

Kidman and Rey take things to the outside while Lance and Juvie start things off, Juvie reverses a whip off the ropes and follows with a drop toe hold, followed by a roll up for two. Juvie with a suplex attempt, then sent off the ropes into his rolling half crab but it's quickly broken up by Rey with a clothesline. Lance sent off the ropes and Kidman tags himself in, Lance through Juvie's legs and Kidman with a Baldo Bomb. Kidman up top but he's quickly crotched by Rey, who then tags in for a wheelbarrow facebuster from the top into a cover for two. Juvie with the tag, springboard leg drop on Kidman and a cover for two. Kidman reverses a whip off the ropes, catches Juvie with a wheelbarrow but he elbows free, Kidman ducks a clothesline and goes for a German release, but Juvie lands on his feet. Juvie goes for a powerbomb but he's back dropped. Kidman gets clotheslined before Juvie goes up top but he's dropkicked midair.

Kidman makes the hot tag and Rey is in to a snap powerslam, then one on Juvie. Cartwheel clothesline to the back of Rey in the corner followed by a Northern Lights suplex with a bridge but Juvie breaks it up. Kidman with a stepup bulldog out of the corner on Juvie and a cover but Rey breaks it up. Juvie whipped toward Lance who sends him up and over to the floor, but then misses a slingshot crossbody. Kidman sends Rey into the corner but gets the boots up. Juvie holds up Kidman's legs as Rey hits a leg drop between them, then covers for a near fall. Rey into the corner again and nails Kidman again, who gets a Juvie Driver into a pin and another near fall.

Juvie goes for the Juvie Elbow (or whatever he calls it) but he's cut off with a springboard dropkick by Lance. Rey gets a sitout gutwrench powerbomb from Lance while Kidman hits a splash from the top for the win in 5:12. Bit of a mess but wasn't too bad. Lance is being made to look great too.

Of course Animals immediately attack after the match, but they're quickly dispatched, 

Paisley is seen backstage, then we see Kanyon walking into Cat's office while he's on the phone, demanding a match with Buff. Cat gives it to him no problem into commercial.

Recap from lest week's Thunder with the triple threat tag match which leads to our next "match".

Tygress (w/ Rey Mysterio Jr., Juventud Guerrera, Disco Inferno & Konnan) vs Paisley

Paisley is busy shooing the Animals out of the ring which allows Tygress to hit her from behind to start this thing. Paisley is surrounded by the Animals at ringside, and the ref ejects them before much happens. Tygress with something resembling a drop toe hold and a choke hold, then throws Paisley across the ring into a cover for two. Paisley thrown across the ring again and kicks out at one. Tygress with boots to the ribs, then misses a clothesline and Paisley with a snapmare, and a hip toss. Not a good sign when all the crowd wants is puppies. This is a mess. Scoop slam by Paisley, then covers for the win in 2:09.

Tygress nails her from behind and celebrates in the corner, then we see Buff getting ready in the back, his match next.

Buff Bagwell vs "Positively" Kanyon

Pre-Match: Kanyon rips apart a DDP book one of the fans is holding in the front row as he comes out. Buff gets a mic and says he and the fans are sick of Kanyon's crap, and it seems the only one who doesn't know he's not Page is Kanyon himself. He says Kanyon can't wrestle, that he's ugly, and has a really shitty hairdo. He says Kanyon is simply nothing happening, Plain Jane, kiss-ass Chris Kanyon. 

Kanyon of course with a cheap shot and some rights to start this match, then Buff face first in the corner for more shots, then a suplex. He wastes time mocking Page which allows Buff to deliver shots, Kanyon sent off the ropes into a back drop and a clothesline. Buff with his strut and shots in the corner, then sent across the ring and gets a boot up, ducks a clothesline and hits an inverted atomic drop, before dropping Kanyon on his ass with a right.Kanyon sent off the ropes but catches Buff with a Russian leg sweep into a cover for two.

Buff choked for a few seconds, then shots to the back and neck , more choking by Kanyon. Buff lifted to the top rope but a superplex attempt is blocked and Kanyon is shoved down. Buff to the middle rope calls for the Blockbuster, but as Kanyon gets up, he nails the referee with the Kanyon Cutter, before Buff hits a crossbody. Buff is sent off the ropes and.... the bell is rung? Buff hits an inverted DDT and we see a ref at ringside, who presumably called for the bell, so I guess Buff wins by DQ in 2:51.

Buff looks around in confusion as Kanyon grabs his book and misses Buff, who hits a double arm DDT, then covers Kanyon again and the fans make a 3 count. Kanyon pulls the brick out of his book and nails Buff in the back as he checks on the original ref, and Kanyon gets a mic. He wants to read another chapter of his boot as he boots Buff for good measure. "The problem with people who stick their nose in other people's business (boot)..."

Well that's as far he gets until Booker is out with rights, then Kanyon is set in position for the scissor kick and tossed to the floor. Booker checks on Buff and helps him up as his arms are raised and his music hits, strutting from him and Booker.

Up next, it's Awesome vs Steiner in the main event.

We see the footage of Awesome stealing the title and costing Steiner the title again on Nitro which leads to this match.

"Career Killer" Mike Awesome vs Scott Steiner (WCW U.S. Heavyweight Champion) (w/ Midajah)

Steiner immediately on the attack, Awesome sent off the ropes into an atomic drop then clotheslined to the floor. Awesome whipped into the guard rail  and tries to fight back but he's sent face first off the announce table before being tossed over the rail. Steiner throws one of the announcer chairs into Awesome's head before hopping the rail and fight their way through. Awesome face first off the stair railing before they make their way back through the crowd toward the ringside, Awesome tossed back to the floor. Steiner climbs onto the rail, walks over to the announce table with an ax handle to the back before returning things to the ring.

Awesome sent in the corner for rights and boots, then sent off the ropes into a Steinerline and an elbow drop. Awesome in the corner and Steiner with rights until he's low blows and crotched on the top rope before getting knocked back to the floor. Awesome with an ax handle to the top of the head from the apron before whipping Steiner into the guard rail. Chair to the ribs of Steiner twice before it returns to the ring again. Awesome up top with a flying clothesline, then a splash off the ropes for a cover and a kick out. Alabama Slam into a jackknife cover by Awesome for two. 

More rights by Awesome before he goes up top but he's distracted by the crowd, allowing Steiner to hit a belly to belly overhead from the top. Steiner with rights and a T-bone suplex, then he goes for the Recliner, but Cat is out immediately with a mic to call for the hold to be broken. The ref doesn't comply so Cat nails him with a standing side kick, then nails Steiner in the head with the US Title to force a break. Cat pulls off his shirt to reveal a ref shirt as Awesome makes the cover, for once a fast count from the heel ref and Awesome wins in 4:50. This was actually a fairly good match before the bullshittery.

Cat and Awesome with the beatdown and... Oh that's how the show ends.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Well this was more of a mixed bag than Nitro was. We did get a good Cruiserweight Title match, plus the Lance/Kidman match was alright and a decent enough main event, but the rest was pretty skippable and most of the matches were way too damn short or not much to them. Kanyon though is quickly becoming the highlight to these shows. With a run time of 1:28:07, there was a total 38:17 of wrestling.