WCW Week of July 10, 2000 - Bash at the Beach Aftermath

Nitro

We get some stills from the PPV, plus a recap of Booker's career as Tenay voices over it, leading to his title win at the PPV. Then we go live to the Jacksonville Coliseum in Jacksonville, Floria for this episode of Nitro, welcomed by Schiavone, and he and his partners put over the World Title situation at the PPV, and speaking of which, out comes Booker T. Tony mentions that there's a lot they legally can't talk about from the PPV, because I think Hogan sued Russo for that promo.

Booker's got a mic and says he doesn't have a script and that this isn't a promo, he came out to speak from the heart. The only regret he has is that his mother wasn't there to see it. He credits the fans for his success, and talks about giving 110% every night, and the fans have accepted him for doing just that. He thanks all his friends for supporting him the last eight years, specifically the ones in Daytona who raised the roof and partied for him. He says not to hate the player, to hate the game, and talks specifically about Goldberg, and his injury, and starts to mock him and his whining, and he calls Goldberg a mark for himself and the business. He asks for security to help his wife over the guard rail to join him in the ring.

He's about to close things out but he's interrupted by his brother Stevie Ray, who hasn't been seen for months. Booker has some words for him, but Stevie wants to get some words in. He says the people don't know Booker like he does, remembers when he was born, pushing him around in a tricycle, sleeping in the same bed with him for 14 years, letting him use his '79 z28 to take his first date out, Booker wearing his clothes because he didn't have any that were hip and funky enough, getting into the business with him because he got Booker in, Scott Casey telling Booker one day that he's got what it takes to go to the top. he remembers coming into WCW with Booker, climbing the ladder with him, but never in his wildest dreams did he think Booker would be World Champion one day. Stevie's here to say he's proud of Booker.

Their reunion is cut rather short as out comes.... Midajah instead of Steiner and she has a mic. She turns to Booker's says she doesn't know who he thinks he is or what he's doing here celebrating, but there's only one real man in WCW, that being Scott Steiner. She says that tonight Steiner is going to make Booker his personal bitch, just as Steiner comes in from behind with a bat, nailing Stevie in the back, then Booker. He sets his eyes on Booker's wife and scares her into the corner before continuing to attack Booker. More trash talking before his music hits, and more attacking into commercial.

Replays of what just happened and we cut backstage to Booker talking to Stevie, with his wife beside them. Booker says he's going to straighten this out himself, and asks him to take his wife out of there, then they all leave.

Pamela is backstage with Jarrett to talk about his match the night before, and he calls her a blonde slap nut. He says Cat threw him a hell of a curveball at the PPV, Booker's the champion, and says everyone knows he had no time to prepare for Booker. He says he's the #1 contender though and tonight he wants his rematch. Pamela informs him though he's too late, because Cat's already given Awesome a shot at the title tonight. Jarrett calls it a conspiracy and asks where Cat is, but he's attacked from behind by Steiner, who throws him into the interview set, which Steiner then takes it apart.

We see stills from Douglas' match with Bagwell at the PPV as Douglas and Torrie make their way out for a match. Douglas says that we all saw what it means to be franchised at the PPV, then has the fans compare the fat chicks they brought with them tonight to Torrie. He says the seeds were planted back in the days of the revolution, but they decided to hold it off until a later date, and last night was that date. Torrie apologizes to Buff insincerely and says wrong place, wrong time. Then she moves onto her ex, "Little Billy Kidman", she says there was something about him that didn't quite please her, and says she's finally been franchised and he's more of a man than Kidman will ever be.

"The Franchise" Shane Douglas (w/ Torrie Wilson) vs Crowbar (w/ Daffney)

Douglas with rights, Crowbar sent off the ropes and gets a sunset flip, and some back and forth pin attempts before Douglas hits a lariat. Crowbar is tossed over the ropes but he skins the cat and sends Douglas to the floor, before a crossbody. Crowbar grabs a chair but Torrie gets in the way, so Crowbar tosses the chair away and pushes her aside to lay into Douglas with some rights. Crowbar is hung up on the top rope and Crowbar hits his inverted snapmare, then a pair of suplexes. He goes for a third but Crowbar counters with a bridging Northern Lights for two. Crowbar set off the ropes and tripped up by Torrie, then Douglas is sent over the ropes and nearly on top of Torrie, followed by a dropkick through the ropes by Crowbar. Douglas sent into the guard rail and crotches Douglas on top of it. Torrie gets a handful of his hair, then Daffney with some of hers and slaps Douglas. Back in the ring, Crowbar with a slingshot leg drop and a cover for two.

Springboard moonsault and a cover for two for Crowbar. Douglass sent off the ropes and hits a Russian leg sweep, floats over for two. Crowbar goes for a backslide but he's caught with Douglas' new jawbreaker, apparently he calls it the Franchiser, for the win in 3:38. It was fine.

Torrie joins him to celebrate and out runs Buff, laying in with rights and an atomic drop, off the ropes with a clothesline. Douglas rolls out as Buff struts his stuff.

Pamela is backstage with Kidman, with a makeshift set behind them, to talk about what Torrie said earlier. Kidman says that skanks like Torrie don't realize they're a dime a dozen, and Franchise will find out she's nothing but a money hungry gold digger. He says if Douglas wants his sloppy seconds, he can have them, because Kidman's worried about his career right now, moving on to things bigger and better...

Well he's interrupted by Jarrett who shoves him away wanting mic time again. He has a message for Cat, he wants a title shot tonight, and if Cat can't handle Steiner he will. He's then attacked by Kidman from behind and they go at it.

Smooth steps out of the limo with a gold record, and in the limo is Tank and 3 Count in tuxedos. Smooth hands him the gold record, and they head into the arena into commercial.

Cat's in his office on the phone and Jarrett comes in and hangs it up, demanding a title shot at #1 contender. Cat though, seeing what just happened between him and Kidman, and books a match between them instead. 

Out come Tank and 3 Count, and for some reason there's a ladder in the ring. Tank gets a mic and touts them as the greatest band in rock and roll history, and tonight they'll celebrate. He told them their single would go gold and it did, and his gift to everyone is to hang the gold record up so they can cherish it all night long. Evan climbs up the ladder to hang the record, and in come the Jung Dragons to ruin the party. The ladder is pushed over and Evan tumbles over the ropes to the floor as the Dragons attack, Shannon is thrown into the ladder, as is Helms, and Tank finally re-enters the ring. Right hands to Jamie and Kaz (I think), then he goes to hit the other one and all of a sudden Great Muta runs in to spray mist in Tank's face. Huh? Muta with a spin kick to Tank and Yang pulls down the gold record, then the Dragons and Muta leave

Pamela is backstage with Kanyon. He's ticked off, because an hour and a half before Booker became the 1x World Champion, he pinned him in the middle of the ring 1-2-3, and he's upset he's not #1 contender. So he's going to go find Cat and make him feel the BANG!

Goldberg has arrived into commercial.

Jeff Jarrett vs Billy Kidman

Jarrett gets some shots in, but gets caught with a headscissor as he sends Kidman off the ropes. Kidman is sent over the ropes but catches himself on the apron, then flips himself over Jarrett's back, off the ropes, blocks a hip toss, then his is blocked and he's hip tossed over the ropes to the floor. Kidman whipped into the guard rail, then dropped ribs first on top of it. Kidman face first off the steps before they return to the ring.

Kidman sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a couple of clothesline. Jarrett pulls back on an Irish whip, goes for a suplex, but Kidman hops onto his shoulders into a victory roll for two. Kidman sent into the corner and catches Jarrett with a back elbow, then goes up top  with a crossbody, but Jarrett rolls over for a cover and a near fall. Kidman pulls back on an Irish whip and hits a Baldo Bomb into a pin for two. Kidman sent off the ropes, but sends Jarrett to the floor with a clothesline over the ropes.

Out comes Torrie and she and Kidman have words, and he tries to get in the ring but she keeps getting in his way. Her slap is blocked and now here's Douglas but he's also caught with a right. Low blow by Torrie and a DDT by Douglas onto the floor before Kidman is tossed back in the ring. Jarrett covers but Kidman kicks out. Jarrett tries a suplex but it's countered with a roll up for two. Jarrett goes for a powerbomb but it's countered with a facebuster and Kidman covers for two. Kidman sent into the corner and tries for a bulldog, but it's countered with the Stroke for the win in 3:38. Also fine.

Jarrett celebrates before heading to the back.

Steiner attacks Kanyon backstage, slamming a locker door into his face.

Oh boy, they really are starting this. Awesome is talking with another big woman backstage and up walks Cat, holding the US Title, and says he's giving it to Awesome. Awesome turns it down though because he wants to earn the belt if he's going to be champion, nobody's going to give it to him. He goes back to walking to the woman and Cat leaves. Is Awesome suddenly a babyface?

Booker is seen walking backstage into commercial.

WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Mike Awesome vs Booker T (c)

Pre-Match: We see stills of the US Title Match from the PPV as Awesome makes his  way out. Commentary continue to take shots at Hogan without mentioning his name.

After a bit of back and forth, Awesome gets some body shots in before being sent off the ropes into some more back forth and Awesome runs into a spin kick, Awesome rolling out to regroup. Back in the ring, another lock up and Awesome sent off the ropes again, misses a clothesline and Booker hits a Harlem Side Kick. Booker with mounted rights in the corner, only to be sent across the ring, Awesome misses a splash, Booker misses a second side kick and turns around into a clothesline turning him inside out. Short-arm clothesline and a cover by Awesome for two.

Booker is tossed to the floor and Awesome grabs a chair, Booker nailed across the back Another chair jabbed into the ribs, then Booker is whipped into the guard rail before having a chair slammed into his shoulder. Back in the ring,  Awesome with a slingshot splash to the back and a cover for a near fall. Awesome jawjacks with the crowd a bit before some shots to the back, then an Alabama Slam. Awesome goes up top with the frog splash and a cover, but Booker kicks out at two.

Awesome leaves the ring and pulls out a table, setting it up parallel to the ring apron and nails Booker with a clothesline. He calls for an Awesome Bomb through the table but Booker slips out, Awesome off the ropes, sent over to the apron and Booker with a forearm sends Awesome through the table. Awesome makes it back in the ring and hit with the scissor kick and Booker with the spinaroonie. Harlem Side Kick by Booker, then Awesome sent into the corner, catches Booker with his boot but runs into a spinebuster, Booker covers for a near fall. Booker goes up top with a missile dropkick, covers for another near fall. Booker ducks a clothesline and hits the Book End to retain in 8:08. I was sure Steiner or Jarrett would interfere here, but was pleasantly surprised this was a mostly clean win for Booker, and a and a damn good match too.

Oh there's Steiner. Recliner applied on Booker, but Awesome attacks, sends Steiner off the ropes but he makes a quick exit. Booker's music hits as Steiner retreats to the back, Booker and Awesome stare down and nod to each other as Booker poses with his title. Awesome heads to the back.

Cat is seen backstage, presumably leaving his office and he's upset about Steiner as it goes to commercial.

Cat is already in the ring as we return from break and he's sick and tired of Steiner running his crazy ass around doing what he wants, he's the commissioner and Steiner needs to stop disrespecting him, then calls him out to the ring. Steiner calls him a sorry son of a bitch and gives Cat 3 seconds to give him a World Title shot or he's going to stick his mic up Cat's ass. He calls Steiner a stupid bitch and says he called him out to do what no one else has done, and beat Steiner's ass himself. 

So Cat gets in a cheap shot, but then Steiner nails a clothesline. Steiner stomps and chokes Cat and out runs Booker to make the save. Steiner sent off the ropes into a side kick, then Kanyon runs down to attack Booker. Steiner attacks him,, now Jarrett is in and they attack Steiner. Booker sent into the corner by Kanyon, but Kanyon's caught with a Harlem Side Kick. Jarrett misses a clothesline and eats a superkick. Cat gets back on the mic and announces that Jarrett, Steiner and Kanyon will have a #1 contenders match later tonight, the winner getting a title shot at New Blood Rising.

He's interrupted by Goldberg who comes out with a mic of his own and suggest a 4 way dance, wanting in on this contenders match, so Cat obliges. Goldberg heads to the back and Cat follows, as does Steiner, with Booker looking on into commercial.

Goldberg is seen getting ready backstage, then some stills of the Hardcore Title match from the PPV. Then cut to Norman coaching Ralphus on a workout  from earlier in the day.

Now it's time for a rematch I guess. Norman and Ralphus come out and Norman gets a mic, says they took it upon themselves to answer Vito's challenge, and got this close to taking the Hardcore Title. After a vigorous day of training,  where Ralphus did one pushup after 23 years, they're ready. They call out Vito for a match.

WCW Hardcore Championship: Screamin' Norman Smiley & Ralphus vs Big Vito (c)

Norman tries to attack but he's whacked with a kendo stick immediately, then over the back repeatedly. Norman into the guard rail and they fight their way to the back, because of the assbackward rules of these matches. Norman thrown onto a table, then a laptop slammed over his back. Norman gets a chair and cracks it over Vito's back before throwing him into a steel door twice. Fire extinguisher blinds Vito, then to the back and they fight their way back to the arena.Vito back first into the side of the stage, and Ralphus is hiding behind a table set up in the ring corner. Vito gets the upperhand and Norman is whipped into the guard rail, then Vito with a Mafia Kick.

Vito finds Ralphus and grabs a crutch, nailing Ralphus in the back, then the ass and a second time. Ralphus sat in the corner and a traffic cone is set on his crotch, and Vito swings his stick ball bat into it. Vito sets the table up in the middle, setting Ralphus on top as Vito goes up top and hits the splash through the table.Vito talks some trash which allows Norman to hit him over the back with a chair, but he falls on top of Ralphus, and while Norman celebrates prematurely, Vito retains in 4:01.

Vito tries to crack Norman with his kendo stick but Norman escapes, and Vito celebrates with his title.

Cat is backstage and the Dragons' music hits, but he quickly dispatches all three of them before continuing on his way.

Paisley is complaining about wardrobe because Artist's match is up next and she meets Kwee Wee, who sasses her into commercial, Paisley seems to be smitten by him.

Plug of the Bash at the Beach replay, then Lenny Lane is holding up a cardboard "Use Me" sign in the crowd. Then the next match. 

Lance Storm vs The Artist (w/ Paisley)

Pre-Match: Lance has a mic and says for those who came to the show to see the sideshow antics of sports entertainment, they'll be disappointed. He does not dance or sing, he just wrestles. He says he does it the best because he's Canadian.... well at least that what he's supposed to say but he jumbles it up a bit. He asks everyone to rise for the Canadian national anthem, and it plays in full. So Lance is a heel now?

Lance doesn't wait for Artist to finish his entrance as he pulls him into the ring, Lance sent off the ropes but catches Artist with a jawbreaker. Lance sent off the ropes, Artist drops down but Lance hits him with a leg drop instead of leaping over, followed by a leg drop and a cover for two. Lance sent off the ropes, through the ropes into an atomic drop, then Artist with a knee lift and a cover for two. Back suplex by Artist, then a cover for two. Lance sent off the ropes and goes for a sunset flip but Artist holds his ground and cuts him off with a right hand, then a couple more. Artist with a standing side kick, then covers for one, then again for one.

Trading shots now until Artist pokes the eye, then a snapmare and a kick to the back. Belly to belly suplex by Artist, then goes to the middle rope for his jumping DDT, but he's caught with a bridging Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Artist sent off the ropes into a dropkick. Artist misses a clothesline and Lance hits a superkick and covers for two. Lance with a sitout powerbomb for two. Lance with a springboard dropkick into a cover for two. Artist catches him with an Angle Slam and a cover for two. Lance pulls back on an Irish whip out of the corner and gets him in the rolling half crab for the win in 3:51. It's nice to have matches without interference on these damn shows.

Lance poses a bit.

We see a hearse pull up to the arena and out steps Vamp, and there's a coffin as we go to commercial.

Juvie, Tygress and Rey make their way out before the next match for some reason.

WCW World Tag Team Championship: General Rection & Cpl, Cajun (w/ WCW Cruiserweight Champion Lt. Loco, Major Guns & Major Stash) vs Kronic (c)

Pre-Match:We get stills from the tag title match the night before and Rey and Juvie join commentary.

Adams and Rection start the match with some back and forth, Rection caught with a full nelson slam coming off the ropes, Adams covers but Cajun breaks it up. Dropkick by Cajun and a double DDT on Adams, then a cover by Rection for two Cajun tags in, Adams reverses a whip off the ropes but caught with a swinging neckbreaker and pinned for two. Rection back in, Adams sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline but they take each other out with clotheslines.

Rey and Juvie leave commentary but out come Jindrak and O'Haire to cut them off, and they fight into the crowd. Cajun tags in, up top with a missile dropkick to Adams and covers for a near fall. Rection back in, Adams sent into the corner, Rection with a splash, and Cajun leaps off his back with a splash, and Rection with a scoop slam. Rection goes up top but misses an elbow drop. Clark tags in with a big boot, then a Uranagi on Cajun. Shoulder block on Rection. Boots in the corner by Clark, but caught with a leg lariat coming off the ropes. Rection goes back up top and hits the moonsault, covers but Adams breaks it up.

Rection with an atomic drop and a clothesline and Cajun back in with a pair of dropkicks and some rights, but Clark gets him with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Adams tags in and he takes out Rection, gorilla press into a gutbuster on Cajun into a cover for two. High Time on Cajun, Adams covers but Rection breaks it up. Rection sent off the ropes into double shoulder blocks, and Kronic... Well they go for that Doomsday Device but Adams ends up falling backwards and Cajun goes face first into the top turnbuckle, and Clark hits no one. Cajun is still pinned and Kronic retain in 5:13. It was an OK match until the botched finish.

Perfect Event are seen running through the crowd in the background and they come in with Lex Flexers, attacking Kronic. They stand tall as Kronic regroup as ringside. Rection attacks them though as Kronic join them in the ring, and Rection checks on Cajun.

We see Vamp with his casket backstage, we hear from him next

Vamp is out now and we hear from Schiavone that Bigelow saved some children from a house fire over the weekend, but received 2nd degree burns over 40% of his body. Tony says he'll be OK though, so that's a nice heartwarming story to hear. Vamp says he's taken, will take and survived everything that's been thrown at him. He says he makes no excuses for who he is, and has no remorse for anything he's ever done, because like a black lotus, he'll thrive and survive in the darkness where everyone in the building fails. The casket he brought opens and out pops Demon, and Vamp says he invited Demon to join the dark carnival, but Demon thought he knew everything, thought he was so smart, just like that other idiot Sting. He says that what Demon thought was the end is just the beginning, because his soul belongs to Vamp.

Asya steps into the ring to try and pull Demon away, but Vamp says she's just like every other moron in the building that doesn't see there's good in evil. Vamp calls for Demon to beat her down like a dog, choke her, be a man. Demon starts to go for her but the lights go out and start to flash, and Sting's music hits. Out comes.... someone with his face bandaged up, and he attacks Demon and Vamp with bats. Stinger Splashes, more bat shots and the Scorpion Deathdrop on Vamp. Vamp and Demon leave and Sting soon follows into commercial.

Looks like it's time for the main event.

Four Corners #1 Contenders Match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Jeff Jarrett vs Scott Steiner (w/ Midajah) vs Positively Kanyon vs Goldberg

Title match to take place at New Blood Rising.

Steiner and Kanyon start things out. Steiner flips off the fans, then leaves the ring to tell them off. Then a lock up and some knees by Steiner, boots in the corner and some chops. Kanyon sent off the ropes into a clothesline and an elbow drop. Gorilla press by Steiner, then Kanyon tossed out of the ring. Kanyon whipped into the guard rail, then Steiner with a chair to Kanyon's back. Back in the ring, Steiner with his spinning belly to belly, then he calls for the Recliner but Goldberg breaks it up with a boot to the head. Kanyon covers and Goldberg breaks that up too.

Kanyon with a low blow leg drop, then a sitout Alabama Slam and Goldberg breaks up the pin again. Kanyon calls for the end but Jarrett tags himself in and begins stomping away at Steiner. He flips off Goldberg and Jarrett is sent off the ropes into a tilt-a-whirl slam, Steiner covers and Goldberg breaks it up yet again. Kanyon caught with a catch suplex as he tags himself in, and Jarrett covers but Goldberg breaks it up once more. Kanyon sent off the ropes and hits Jarrett with a swinging neckbreaker. Kanyon tries for the Kanyon Cutter but he's shoved off, then Jarrett off the ropes and Goldberg tags himself in. Jarrett caught with the Kanyon Cutter, then Goldberg hits Kanyon with the spear, god damn that was a hell of a spear. Goldberg hits the jackhammer for the cover but Steiner breaks it up.

Steiner and Goldberg nose to nose and they start fighting, taking it to the outside. Jarrett sneaks in, covers Kanyon for the win in 5:34. A bit chaotic, was kinda fun to watch. Makes sense for Jarrett to win this one.

Security are trying to pull Steiner and Goldberg apart as Jarrett celebrates, as we have the main event for the PPV set, and the show fades out..

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Well this was certainly one of the better episodes of Nitro. Had an excellent opening promo and a great World Title match. Main event was alright. Most of the other matches had alright action, and were either dragged down by other BS or just didn't get enough time. Then there's this Vamp/Demon/Sting crap, and a random appearing of Great Muta, so we'll see how all this goes. With a run time of 1:35:46, this show had a total 34:03 of wrestling.

Thunder

Recap of Nitro to start the show. Then we go to Smooth talking to Kanyon, who says he got robbed on Nitro by Jarrett, and Smooth agrees, and whispers something to him. Kanyon likes it, and he leaves.

Broadcasting from North Charleston Coliseum in North Charleston, South Carolina for this episode of Thunder, as Schiavone welcomes us to the show, joined solely by Heenan tonight, as Tony explains that was Tenay as brutally injured doing an interview with Steiner the day before, stating Tenay has vocal cord damage. They talk about Steiner's out of control behavior with his eye set on Booker, and we'll see that interview later in the show.

Out come Tank and 3 Count, and says that during his boys' proudest moment, they were jumped from behind, and worse they robbed 3 Count of performing, but that's not gonna happen again. He's going to have his own square and face the stage to ensure it doesn't happen again and he issues a warning to Muta and the Dragons, he says that he and 3 Count own them, and they'll decide when and where they'll get to them. So they start their routine and their dancing, and of course the Dragons and slip in through the crowd to attack 3 Count, Tank completely oblivious to what's going on until it's too late. This allows Muta to come out from the back and attack Tank from behind, and now we have a match.

3 Count & Tank Abbott vs Jung Dragons & The Great Muta

Tank and Muta start this, Muta with stomps before tagging in Yang, only to be thrown to his back. Evan in now, Yang sent off the ropes, caught for a triple team wheelbarrow facebuster. Shannon in for the pin and Jamie-San breaks it up. Jamie sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline but gets kneed in the back, Evan gets him up on his shoulders, as Shane comes in with a swinging neckbreaker. Shane covers and Kaz breaks it up. Kaz sent off the ropes, ducks a kick, leaps onto Shane's shoulders, but he's caught with a sitout powerbomb, with help from Shannon and Evan. Muta with a kick to the back of Shane, spin kick to Shannon, dragon screw on Evan then Shane. Muta goes to spray mist in Tank's face but he holds up one of those circles 3 Count uses to block it, then smacks it into Muta's back. Dropkick to Tank by Yang sends him into the corner, only to be knocked out with a right hand. Shane covers for the win in 2:13.

Tank leaves dancing with his square as 3 Count celebrate in the ring, Jamie-San trying to wake up Yang and we get a replay of the failed mist. 

Cat is in his office and in walks Kanyon as he's on the phone. Kanyon gives him a copy of his book and wants a match with Jarrett tonight. Cat says he's got Jarrett booked against Buff already, but seeing as Buff probably isn't here yet, if Kanyon signs the book for him, he'll give him Jarrett tonight. Then commercial.

MIA are going over their game plan. Stash is set to face Demon, Loco is on standby, and he goes to talk about Guns but they're attacked by Perfect Event with Lex Flexers, then stupidly give one to Guns who low blows Palumbo with it, then one for Stasiak too. They leave.

Stevie Ray has joined commentary now and he puts over Booker and his title win, before moving onto the next match.

The Demon (w/ Vampiro) vs Pvt. Stash

Pre-Match: We see what happened on Nitro with Demon and Asya as he makes his entrance.

Lock up to begin until Demon's sent off the ropes into a big boot. Stash with clubs to the back then chop in the corner, Demon sent across the ring but gets a boot up. Demon to the middle rope but he's cut off, then tossed back to the mat, Stash covers for two. Demon catches him with a clothesline and a cover for two. Stash sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, and hits a spinebuster. Stash to the middle rope with a double ax handle, but he's caught with the Love Gun for the win in 1:45.

Vamp joins Demon post-match, and soon Sting's lights and music start up, Sting seen in the rafters pointing his bat toward the two. 

We see Kidman and Lace walking backstage and there's a staffer standing by, and Kanyon hits a Kanyon Cutter out of nowhere into commercial. BANG!

David and Hancock are backstage all suited up.

Kidman and Storm make their way out now, and Jindrak and O'Haire are already in the ring waiting for them. Penzer asks for the crowd to rise for the Canadian anthem. Kidman meanwhile pulls out a newspaper and mocks Storm, even gets a USA chant going. I'm confused, who's the heel here again? 

Lance Storm & Billy Kidman vs Mark Jindrak & Sean O'Haire

Storm knocks Jindrak and O'Haire off the apron, before he and Kidman go for baseball slides but get sidestepped, then gorilla pressed over the ropes back into the ring, then popped up and back to the mat. O'Haire clotheslines Kidman to the floor as Lance is sent off the ropes, double leapfrogs into a dropkick by Jindrak, then covers for two. Lance sent off the ropes and Kidman tags himself in, Lance through the legs and Kidman with a bulldog out of the corner, then covers for two.

Lance back in with rights, Jindrak sent across the ring, gets a boot up but walks into a dropkick. Kidman and O'Haire in, the latter with clotheslines and a spinning heel kick on Storm. Double hip toss on Kidman, then Storm with a dropkick to the back of Jindrak. O'Haire sent into the corner but gets Storm with a back elbow, goes up with a 450 but lands on his feet as Lance moves out of the way, then a standing side kick to the back. Kidman back in and he's sent off the ropes into Storm, who's standing on the apron, caught with a tilt-a-whirl sidewalk slam by Jindrak, and O'Haire hits the Seanton Bomb for the win in 2:03.

Jindrak and O'Haire leave as Storm re-enters the ring to help Kidman up, only to hit him with a superkick, before heading to the back. 

Vamp is talking to Demon somewhere in the back,tells Demon he has to believe and feel, take in the darkness, he's gonna grow. Then he turns to the camera to threaten Sting, saying he'll rip off his ski mask on Nitro. Then commercial.

Okerlund is with Vito backstage and gives him credit as the hardest working Hardcore Champion we've seen yet. Vito agrees with that, touting how he beat the icon of hardcore Terry Funk, and lists off everyone else he's beaten. He says he'll take on two at a time, three at a time, it doesn't matter, and while he's cutting this promo, we cut to Hancock and David talking in front of a monitor, and she says she wants some gold, specifically the Hardcore Title right now. So David removes his suit jacket to find Vito, and seeing as there's a referee, I guess we have a match.

WCW Hardcore Championship: David Flair vs Big Vito (c)

Vito face first into an equipment case, then grabs Vito's kendo stick to start whaling away. Trash can to the back of Vito, then more stick shots. Laptop to the back as they fight their way toward the stage area. Trash can lid to the back of the head of Vito, then a chop sends Vito his back. I think David's beating hi with his shoe ass he delivers more chops, but Vito sends him into the guard rail. A right by Vito, then David face first off the apron and whipped into the guard rail, before taking it to the ring.

David with a knee to the ribs and suplex Vito from the apron to the ring, David to the middle rope with a chair to the ribs of Vito. Out comes Hancock as David goes for the figure 4, but Vito whacks him with a kendo stick before he can lock it in. Side kick by Vito from the corner, then kendo stick shots to the back and a Mafia Kick. Suplex by Vito who then goes up top for the elbow drop. Hancock on the apron and gets lip locked by Vito, then stomping on David. Boots in the corner before Vito grabs a traffic cone, much like he did to Ralphu on Nitro with the stick ball bat. Vito slides a table in and sets it up as David writhes on the mat, and breaks one of the legs again. Impaler DDT through the table to retain in 4:44.

Hancock checks on David as Vito poses with the title, David out cold. 

Cat is on the phone and Jarrett walks in to hang it up again. He says that since Buff isn't there he isn't working tonight, and since he's got a title shot at the PPV he's gotta get right mentally and physically. Cat informs him he's got a match with Kanyon tonight, and he loses his title shot if Kanyon beats him. Jarrett leaves.

Footage from earlier in the day where Perfect Event were practicing some posing routine they're debuting tonight, and as they leave, as a crew member is putting the ring together, Kanyon hits a Kanyon Cutter out of nowhere. BANG!

The Perfect Event vs Gen. Rection & Cpl. Cajun (w/ Major Gunns)

Rection and Palumbo start the match trading shots, then Rection with chops in the corner, Palumbo sent across the ring for a corner splash, then across the ring for another splash, then Cajun off the back for a splash of his own. Cajun sent across the ring, tries to catch Palumbo with a headscissor but he's slammed down, and Rection gets knocked off the apron. Double teaming on Cajun who goes face first in the corner, Stasiak tags in, Cajun off the ropes into a back elbow and a cover for two.

Stasiak pulls back on an Irish whip to hit a gutwrench slam, then some mounted rights, then Palumbo off the top with a shoulder tackle, covers and Rection breaks it up. Trading shots now until Cajun goes face first in the corner and Stasiak tags in, bootsin the corner, Cajun sent off the ropes, gorilla pressed but counters with a facebuster. Rection tags in with clotheslines to Event, Palumbo sent to the outside, Rection misses a corner splash on Stasiak and Palumbo hits a side kick. Rection sent off the ropes and catches Event with a double DDT. Scoop slam on Stasiak and Rection goes up top, but he's held down by Palumbo, allowing Stasiak to hit a running sitout powerbomb for a near fall.

Palumbo back in, misses a clothesline and caught with a powerslam. Cajun gets the tag, goes up top with a missile dropkick and a clothesline, covers for two. Palumbo fights back and goes for a powerslam but he's caught with a sitout fireman's carry into a cover but Stasiak breaks it up. Cajun sent off the ropes but catches Stasiak with a headscissor, then Rection gets the tag, suplex by Cajun as Rection goes up top with an elbow, covers but Palumbo kicks out. Rection up top and hits the moonsault, but Stasiak nails the referee with the Lex Flexer. Cajun with a dropkick and picks up the Flexer, the ref comes to thinking he hit him and calls for the bell. Perfect Event with the DQ win in 6:59. It was an OK match, a meh finish.

MIA think they've won even though Event's music has hit, posing and escape before Cajun can hit them with the Flexer. Up next, Booker T is out.

Booker makes his way out as we get stills from the PPV, and footage of his defense against Awesome on Nitro and the post-match actions of Steiner. Awesome's looking on backstage and Booker brings up his title defense coming up against Jarrett, calling him a great technical wrestler and has great skills, but he sucks as a man. Booker says he won't underestimate Jarrett and will send him straight to hell and back before he gives up the title. He knows there's people lining up like crazy for a shot at the title, and he says they'll all get their shot, that he won't be ducking anybody. He says he'll defend the title every week for all his fans. He moves onto Steiner though, saying he'll kill him for brushing up on his wife and attacking from behind. He says Steiner moans and cries about wanting a title shot and tells him to save the drama for his mama.

Now out comes Rick Steiner and Booker seems ready to fight, but Rick just wants to talk. He knows it's been a long eight years, some he's been on the same side with Booker, sometimes they had their differences, but what Scott did was wrong. He says he's had to clean up his brother's crap all his life, with his bad attitude and how he treats people, so he came down to rectify the Steiner name and elevate Booker as World Champion. Rick hopes he and Steiner will get back on the same page and wants to congratulate Booker, holding out his hand, and Booker obliges albeit a bit reluctantly. Rick holds up his arm and pretends to leave before blindsiding Booker. Belt shot by Rick as Stevie leaves commentary to lay into Rick, knocking him out of the ring and security come out to pull them apart. Rick is back in and puts the belt on backward around his waist before grabbing a chair, then out comes Awesome for the save, but goes back to Booker after ducking a clothesline. Rick leaves as he and Awesome have words. Booker pulls himself back up to his feet and he and Awesome staredown, Awesome handing the title to Booker and shaking hands.

Daffney and Crowbar are getting ready backstage, and she asks if she looks fat in her gear. Crowbar says she looks great. Then Torrie and Douglas are finished getting ready into commercial.

Cat finds Kidman backstage and warns him not to interfere, and promises him a match with Storm tonight if he stays out of the match. Kidman agrees.

"The Franchise" Shane Douglas & Torrie Wilson vs Crowbar & Daffney

Pre-Match: Douglas calls himself the greatest athlete in WCW history, and rightfully points out Torrie's not a wrestler, and guarantees the scumbag fans that nobody, not Daffney, not Crowbar, and certainly none of them will lay a hand on Torrie.

Douglas sent off the ropes into a back elbow sends Douglas to the floor, and Crowbar with a dropkick through the ropes. Douglas face first off the apron, then back in the ring, Sitout hip toss by Crowbar and a pin for two. Daffney tags herself in and calls for Torrie to come in. Daffney slaps her and Torrie removes her shoes and they start a catfight until the ref pulls them apart. Torrie tags out and Daffney scurries over to Crowbar for the tag. Douglas sent off the ropes into a suplex attempt, but he's countered with the Pittsburgh Plunge. Torrie gets a tag and splashes Crowbar for the cover but he kicks out. 

Daffney screams in her face and Torrie is caught, Daffney back in  with a snapmare, and another. Douglas tags himself in and gets Daffney by the hair, who nails a low blow and a jawbreaker. Crowbar back in with rights, Douglas sent of the ropes into a dropkick. Northern Lights with a bridge for two by Crowbar. Scoop slam and slingshot spalsh from the apron into a cover for two. Crowbar with mounted rights in the corner, plus a bit of biting, Douglas sent across the ring and catches Crowbar with an elbow. Crowbar a sitout front suplex and a cover for a near fall. Crowbar misses a springboard moonsault and Douglas hits a powerbomb, then goes for a second, dodges a clothesline and hits the Franchiser for the win in 4:41.

Daffney low blows Douglas with a lead pipe as he's posing in the corner, then hits then goes for a Frankensteiner but Douglas leaves the corner and hits her with the Franchiser. Torrie gets in her face as the ref gets in Douglas' face and kicks him and Torrie out of the ring. 

Cat is backstage and bumps into Booker, who wants Rick tonight, and Cat won't give it, only because he gave that match to Awesome, who walks by into commercial.

Camera pans outside the arena and we see Kanyon hit another Kanyon Cutter on some random guy.

Now we go to the interview mentioned earlier, where Tenay is sat with Steiner and Midajah, presumably in Steiner's home. Tenay starts to bring up Bash at the Beach but Steiner cuts him off, wanting to talk about other things, like his massive muscles and the beautiful woman by his side. Tenay continues on though and brings up the attack on Steiner's so-called friend Nash. Steiner says he has no friends though, doesn't want them, and Nash certainly isn't a so-called friend.

Tenay brings up their their alliance over the last few months and asks why Scott did it, and in the process costing Hall his contract. Steiner doesn't give a damn about Hall, he's not his friend, and what he did to Nash felt right at the time, it felt good, it made him happy. That's all we need to know. Tenay talks about how Hall has a family and now he's unemployed thanks to Steiner, who just chuckles, and says he's unemployed just like the fans, and he doesn't give a damn about them either. Tenay asks if Scott is out of control, and he admits that he might be, because he's not getting what he wants, and he's pissed off because he had to sit in the back and watch Booker win the World Title and he's not getting anything. They start yelling at each other because Tenay apparently miscalled a Frankensteiner and threatens to get Tenay if he makes the mistake again. 

Tenay tries to talk about Goldberg but Steiner's having none of it, Tenay brings up how the fans are having trouble liking him but he doesn't care. Tenay brings up his bottled up anger and Tenay wants to know where it came from, wondering if it came from his childhood. Steiner leans in and asks Tenay to repeat himself but Steiner grabs him by the throat to choke him, until Midajah pulls him off into commercial. That was a mess.

Cat is ambushed by the Dragons again but he ends up letting them hit each other as he dodges their attacks. I'm just thankful Muta has no part of this. 

Lance Storm vs Billy Kidman

Well Storm starts to head to the ring for the match but he's attacked from behind by Kidman about halfway down the ramp. Storm whipped into the guard rail before taking it to the ring. Storm catches him with a dropkick to the head before sending him to the corner for a clothesline, then a dropkick to the head again. Storm grabs a chair and wedges it in the corner, allowing Kidman to fight back, only to be sent into the corner, gets a boot up, nearly caught with a powerslam but Kidman counters it into a roll up for two.

European uppercut by Storm and a snapmare, dropkick to the back of the head into a cover for two. Kidman sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a hurricanrana, then sent over the ropes to the apron. Kidman goes for a sunset flip but Storm counters with a Northern Lights with a bridge for two. Scoop slam countered into a victory roll by Kidman for two, who follows with a dropkick. Kidman goes up top but he's crotched by Storm, who followed with a superplex. Storm covers for a near fall.

Kidman is sent toward the chair, hops up and over Storm for a roll up, who kicks out and sends Kidman face first into the chair, then Storm covers for two. Storm sets the chair on the mat, then goes for a powerbomb but Kidman counters with a facebuster for the win in 2:58. Actually liked the action here and the counters, until Kidman won, feel like Storm should've had this one.

Kidman spits toward Storm after his hand is raised and he poses in the corner, before leaving.

Bagwell has arrived with his mother and Kanyon greets her, leading her into the arena, teasing a Kanyon Cutter into commercial.

Back from break, Bagwell's mother has been laid out in the parking lot, presumably by a Kanyon Cutter, doctors checking on her.

Rick Steiner vs Mike Awesome

Pre-Match: Rick gets a mic and calls himself the DFG, tells Awesome if he wants some to come get some.

Shots traded until Rick corners him, sent across the ring and  gets Rick with a back elbow from the middle rope, then a clothesline sends Rick rolling to the outside. Awesome dives over the ropes into Rick and waits for him to rejoin him in the ring. Low blow by Rick as he uses the ref as a shield, the a shot to the back of the head and mounted rights to Awesome. Boot to the head by Rick and another right. Arm hold by Rick, then Awesome's leg kicked out from under him. Rick sends Awesome chest first into the corner in a powerslam position, then covers for one.

German suplex by Rick, then covers for two. Then a German by Awesome. Rick ducks a clothesline, goes for a powerbomb but Awesome hits an Alabama Slam into a jackknife cover for two. Awesome sent into the corner, gets Rick with an elbow, goes up top but he's cut off, Rick with a belly to belly, then covers for two. Rick with a running clothelsine, cover for two. Rick scares the ref out of the ring, which allows Awesome to roll him up for the win in 4:14. Yeah not good. 

Rick attacks immediately but Booker makes the save and hits a scissor kick, then a Harlem Side Kick sending Rick out of the ring. Booker helps Awesome up and raises his arm in victory. Rick and Stevie have words and Rick leaves pissed.

Up next, Kanyon faces Jarrett.

Replay of what just happened, and Booker has joined commentary for our main event. Even Heenan gives Booker props despite being the heel commentator.

Jeff Jarrett vs Positively Kanyon

Winner gets a World Title shot at New Blood Rising.

People are already throwing trash as we get a  bit of chain wrestling, then some back and forth, Jarrett with a backslide for two. Kanyon with an inside cradle for two. Lock up and Jarrett is pushed into the ropes, then some shoulders to the ribs by Kanyon. Jarrett sent off the ropes and counters a knee with a roll up for two. Jarrett off the ropes again into a smooth fisherman suplex for two. Jarrett with rights in the corner, Kanyon into the corner gets a bootup, then to the middle rope for a leg drop across the back of the neck. Kanyon wastes time talking trash to Booker and Jarrett attack from behind, then sends Kanyon into the crowd. Suplex back to ringside by Jarrett, who then sends a chair across the back of Kanyon, before talking trash to Booker. Kanyon with a chair to the back then, then Jarrett into the steps, and into the guard rail. 

Back in the ring, Jarrett stomping away, sent off the ropes into a sleeper hold, then sent off the ropes and gets a sleeper, Jarrett off the ropes and catches Kanyon with a right. Jarrett tries a piledriver but Kanyon counters with the sitout Alabama Slam for two. Kanyon grabs his book and misses the shot, and Jarrett hits a DDT onto it, covering for two. Jarrett goes out and grabs his guitar but the ref takes it away. Kanyon nails Jarrett with the book, makes the cover but Jarrett gets his foot on the bottom rope. Kanyon sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and sends Jarrett to the outside with one. Kanyon into the guard rail and back in the ring. Jarrett gets a cheap shot in on Booker, then gets his hands on Schiavone and security rush ove to break things up. Buff is out to attack Kanyon as this is going down and security pull him off too. Jarrett is back in the ring with Kanyon and hits the Stroke to win in 7:12. I was enjoying that match until the convoluted finish. 

Booker tries to get his hands on Jarrett again as security hold him off and trash is being thrown in the ring, and this is how the show ends.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Much like Nitro, mostly good action bogged down by bullshit, though I'd argue Nitro did it better, it at least had a good World Title match. This just felt like your run of the mill show. With a run time of 1:29:58, there was a total 36:49 of wrestling.