WCW Week of July 17, 2000 - Nash is Going Over

Nitro

Video package recapping Steiner's rampage since Bash at the beach, voiced over by Scott Hudson. Then the show opens with Steiner destroyer Booker T's car in the parking lot with a lead pipe and swearing his ass off, Rick trying to talk sense into him.

Then to the Palace of Auburn Hills from Auburn Hills, Michigan for this episode of Nitro, welcomed by Schiavone while the Nitro Girls dance atop the stage. Stevie Ray has taken Hudson's place on commentary tonight and out comes Cat. He announces a one-night tournament to crown a new US Champion, going through the first round matches: Kanyon vs Awesome, Storm vs Bagwell, Vamp vs Muta and Douglas vs Kidman. He sets some rules for the fans for... reasons, saying they can't make too much noise, he wants the fat asses in the front row to stay in their seat, don't want them blocking others' views, and will have security toss them out if not. 

Steiner sees this going down and throws a monitor backstage before coming out and the Nitro Girls get out of dodge. Cat has one man on security and wants him to stop Steiner, but the guy immediately leaves the ring as Steiner enters. Steiner grabs Cat by the throat and takes him to the mat as he gets the mic and bullies him into getting a title shot in his town, threatening to break his neck if not. Booker makes his way to make the save, Booker sent off the ropes and hits some rights takes down Steiner. Out comes Rick now though and the double team starts, then Stevie leaves commentary to even it out, while Cat looks on at ringside. Security eventually rush down to break things out. Cat refuses Steiner's title match after putting his hands on him, and says the only thing he'll give Steiner is his ass to kiss, but does give him Goldberg instead. Cat leaves as Steiner tries to get his hands on him.

Buff is backstage with his mother, then there's a random plug for The Sixth Sense into commercial.

We learn from commentary that Cat will now act as referee for Steiner vs Goldberg. While Stevie goes on to talk about Steiner, Jarrett is seen coming through the crowd behind them with guitar in hand, smashing it over Stevie's head. Jarrett takes his headset and says that was a warning shot, and it's exactly what'll happen to Booker at the PPV. He says Booker might be champion right now, but the Chosen One has all the stroke and on August 13, he's gonna prove to Booker just how much stroke he has. Then he leaves. There's a lot of time stalling for some reason before we see the brackets for the tournament.

US Title Tournament First Round Match: Positively Kanyon vs Mike Awesome

Buff & Judy Bagwell on commentary.

Pre-Match: So we learn from Madden that Awesome is no longer the Career Killer, they are officially starting his Fat Chick Thriller gimmick. Fucking hell. 

Kanyon with a boot and rights drive Awesome into the corner, then sent across the ring, Awesome leaps to the middle rope for a back elbow. Awesome goes up top  but he's cut off by Kanyon, then he's pushed away and Awesome hits a flying clothesline, then off the ropes with a splash and a cover for two. Kanyon with a swinging neckbreaker and a cover for two.

Awesome sent off the ropes into a flapjack Kanyon covers for two. Kanyon with rights, then off the ropes and back dropped to the apron before being knocked to the floor. Awesome dives over the ropes, his feet nearly catch the top rope but manages to fly over and hit Kanyon without killing himself. Awesome pulls out a table and sets it up parallel to the apron before pulling Kanyon up with him, but Kanyon gets a low blow, and hits a Kanyon Cutter off the apron through the table. 

Kanyon makes his way toward the Bagwells but Buff is caught with a low blow. Judy leaps from her chair and attacks Kanyon but... I think Kanyon was supposed to do a Kanyon Cutter but she kinda just falls to the floor before he can even lock his hands together. Buff is back up and Kanyon is sent into the guard rail. Back in the ring, Buff hits the Blockbuster and Judy's back up, she and Buff head to the back. Awesome back in the ring for the cover but Kanyon kicks out. Awesome goes for the Awesome Bomb but Kanyon counters with a backslide for two. German suplex by Awesome, then the Awesome Bomb for the win in 4:47. It was a fine match that was given enough time, though I'm dreading the eventual payoff at the PPV for this Kanyon/Bagwell thing.

Ladies throw bloomers into the ring from the crowd then Awesome leaves with one.

Pamela is backstage with Storm, and she says he's pretty cute, but he just stands there stonefaced. Storm says this is serious business, it's not the Dating Game, it's wrestling. He doesn't sing or dance, when he's in his gear he doesn't smile and joke. He says he's winning the US Title tonight, and in a tournament where you wrestle three matches in a night, all that sports entertainment crap goes out the window, and says it's time to shut up and wrestle, and that's what he does best, because he's from Calgary. He says that tomorrow morning when he takes the title home with him, they'll have to rename it the Canadian Heavyweight Title. Then he leaves into commercial.

Buff is talking to... someone backstage, and wants the guy to get Judy in the car and out of the arena, since he has a match up next. Oh it's his brother John apparently. John and Judy leave. We see Kanyon talking to Smooth backstage about something, but we don't hear any of it.

US Title Tournament First Round Match: Buff Bagwell vs Lance Storm

Pre-Match: Lance gets the mic as he comes out and says he's gotten a lot of flack for his newfound attitude, but it was the fans who turned on him, disrespected his national anthem. He says it's not his fault Canadians have a better standard of living than them, or a lower crime rate, and tells them to blame themselves instead of Canada. He asks them to show a little bit of class for the playing of the Canadian national anthem, but he's clotheslined from behind by Buff before it can really get going to start this match.

Buff with rights on a grounded Lance before choking him with his boot, then Lance sent off the ropes for a swinging neckbreaker. Lance sent off the ropes into a back elbow. Lance catches him with a jawbreaker, then is sent off the ropes into a back body drop. Mounted rights in the corner by Buff, then tosses him to the mat for a cover and a kick out. Lance sends him face first in the corner for some chops, then gets put in the corner for chops by Buff, Lance sent off the ropes, ducking each other's clothesline before Buff hits a double-arm DDT. 

Buff calls for the Blockbuster but security camera footage appears on the NitroVision of John and Judy in the parking lot. Smooth is there and convinces them to back in the arena. All this distracts Buff, which allows Lance to attack him from behind, send him off the ropes into the rolling half crab and.... I don't even think Buff tapped, he was crawling frantically for the ropes and the ref calls for the bell, so Lance win in 2:12. There were a few seconds where the camera was look on from behind, so maybe Buff tapped then?

Buff limps to the back and we can hear cries coming from the back, but we don't see anything. 

Cat is with one of the Nitro Girls in his office, and the Dragons' music hits, and despite the fact that we can hear it and Cat can hear it, the Girl can't. Cat asks her to leave and the Dragons appear to attack, but Stevie Ray comes in for the save, choking two of them but Cat pulls him off. Stevie wants a match with Jarrett tonight, and Cat agrees if Stevie leaves the Dragons be. Stevie leaves, then has the Dragons finish what they were doing into commercial.

So we go back to that security footage from earlier with better audio. Smooth had told John that Buff needed help, and would watch over Judy in his absence, so John left the parking lot. Smooth would leave and then Kanyon ran over, pulled her neckbrace off, and ran off camera to presumably hit a Kanyon Cutter. Now we see Buff and John beside a laid out Judy, as John explains what happened and Buff goes off to find a doctor.

Steiner is sitting backstage, and Midajah tries to pull him away, but Steiner says he's lying in wait for Goldberg, because when he comes through the nearby door he's gonna wish he never came to Detroit, then tells her to leave because it's not safe. She complies.

US Title Tournament First Round Match: The Great Muta vs Vampiro (w/ Insane Clown Posse & The Demon)

Pre-Match: We get some classic footage of Muta vs Sting, plus Muta and Sting vs The Steiners. Vamp is out now with ICP-ish facepaint.

Muta with a club from behind to Vamp, then kicks to ICP and sprays mist in the air, allowing Vamp to attack from behind. Rights by Vamp, then he goes up top with a spin kick, cover and two. Headbutt to Muta, then back up top and misses a corkscrew. Muta with a snapmare and an elbow drop coming off the ropes. Shot to the back of the neck of Vamp, then shoulders to the ribs, an armbar takedown as Muta works the arm. Vamp's arm twisted around the top rope, then rakes the eyes. Kick to the back of the leg by Muta, then Vamp with a roll up for two. Vamp sent into the corner and Muta misses a cartwheel elbow, then Vamp with a Uranagi and a cover for two.

Muta ducks a heel kick and hits a dragon screw leg whip after blocking a pump kick, then goes for a figure four but Vamp counters into a small package for two, and meanwhile Demon is on the apron for some reason. Muta gets distracted but gets Vamp with a hurricanrana into a pin for two after knocking Demon off the apron. Muta with a backbreaker, then up top with the moonsault for the win in 4 minutes flat. It was an OK match, started out alright, bit of nothing in the middle, and the ending was alright. Muta got the clean win at least.

Demon gets in the ring and Vamp shoves him, then a spin kick to the chest. Mounted rights by Vammp, then some trash talk by ICP before they head to the back.

Cut back to Steiner, who sees the door open, and in walks Ralphus, followed by Norman. Steiner nails Ralphus in the ribs with the pipe thinking it was Goldberg, then the back and Norman is begging for his life practically as Steiner sets his eyes on him. Norman gets the pipe to the ribs, then the back of the head as Steiner leaves into commercial.

We see what happened with Douglas and Kidman on last week's Nitro which leads to our next match.

US Title Tournament First Round Match: "The Franchise" Shane Douglas (w/ Torrie Wilson) vs Billy Kidman

Pre-Match: Douglas gets a mic to state some facts, starting by saying that he doesn't suck. He asks for Kidman to go easy on him because he's worn out, after he and Torrie spent the last week getting to know each other. More facts: Billy Kidman lost a woman like Torrie because he wasn't man enough to hold onto her, and Douglas wonders if it's worse to be one of the morons in the crowd and never have a woman like Torrie, or to have had a woman like Torrie and lose her to a franchise. He says Kidman is not and never will be a franchise, and tonight he will become US Champion, and there's nothing anyone can do about it. Torrie takes the mic to relay a tidbit to Kidman, says Kidman's whole life has been about passion, for the business, for wrestling, for her, though she says she had to fake it every single night. Kidman doesn't realize though that she played him for everything he had, and then moved on, says Franchise is more of a man than he'll ever be, and the whole time she was with Kidman, all she could think about was getting her ass Franchised. I hope that wasn't a euphemism...

Douglas beats and stomps Kidman down immediately, then a front suplex by Douglas before his inverted snapmare. Kidman choked over the middle rope, then Torrie gets a turn as Douglas distracts the ref. Back drop sends Douglas to the floor, followed by a baseball slide sending him into the guard rail, and Kidman goes after Torrie, before sending Douglas into the ring steps. Forearms by Kidman until he's sent crotch first into the ring post, followed by an atomic drop. Kidman face first off the apron as he's rolled into the ring, Douglas goes up top but gets crotched. Torrie gets a chair as Kidman hits a Frankensteiner. Kimdan sent off the ropes, through the leg with a headscissor. Douglas sent off the ropes into a dropkick, then a clothesline and a back elbow by Kidman. Kidman comes off the ropes but he's tripped up by Torrie, and Douglas hits the Pittsburgh Plunge, hooks the leg but Kidman kicks out.

Suplex by Douglas is countered, and shoved into Torrie who's on the apron, Kidman with a roll up, and as Douglas kicks out, Kidman goes face first into a chair as Torrie holds it up, Douglas covers but Kidman kicks out again. Kidman sent off the ropes into a gorilla press and is supposed to counter with a facebuster but it's botched, Kidman covers for two. Kidman sent off the ropes and after exchanging counters, Douglas hits the Franchiser, covers and... The ref just stops counting before the three? And then the ref calls for the bell? What the hell happened? Anyways, Douglas moves on in 3:58. It was another OK match.

Torrie joins Douglas for post-match celebrating, then Torrie slaps Kidman before she and Douglas leave.

Up next, 3 Count are on their way to the ring with a ladder, but Goldberg has just arrived.

Goldberg greets a couple of guys, I assume crew members, as he's walking into the arena, and Steiner is seen still sitting in wait for Goldberg. 

Tank is in the ring with a mic, and he says NSYNC is playing to an empty crowd at the Silverdome down the road, because the real deal is here. He brings out the greatest band in rock and roll history and out they come with a ladder, because it appears we're about to have a ladder match, the gold record is currently being hung above the ring... even though we also learn that this very match is happening at the PPV? 3 Count set the ladder up beneath the record and they start to dance with Tank, meanwhile Jamie-San sneaks in the ring from behind to climb the ladder, 3 Count stop their performance and attack to get this match started.

Ladder Match for 3 Count's Gold Record: 3 Count (w/ Tank Abott) vs Jung Dragons

Evam meets Jamie atop the ladder and they trade shots, and for some reason commentary went silent for a bit. Ladder is pushed over and Shannon kicks Jamie out of the ring, before setting the ladder across the top rope in the corner. Shannon is popped up and lands legs first on the ladder, then the ladder falls off the rope and lands on the back of his head. Yang puts the ladder back in position and Shannon is set on top, Jamie joins him and hits a superplex to the mat. Yang up top with a splash onto Shannon, then Helms with a leg drop to the back of Yang's neck, then Kaz misses a twisting moonsault. Evan does the Funk spot with the ladder, taking out his own partners and the Dragons before setting the ladder back up. Evan starts the climb, but Jamie follows, only to be kicked off. Evan reaches for the record, but the ladder's pushed over, and he's supposed to land on/ be caught by Tank at ringside but he's slightly out of position. Jamie makes the climb and takes down the record for the win in 3:20.

Dragons leave the ring with the record.

Back to Steiner lying in wait, Goldberg opens the door, but Steiner misses the pipe shot and ends up smashing the door window. Steiner into a steel shutter and they go at it, then clear out security and continue to fight. More security and some of the locker room rush in to break it up. Steiner's screaming something into commercial.

Replay of what just happened, now we see Steiner having a fit backstage as Rick and Midajah walk up. They're yelling over each other, Scott is censored, Rick is basically trying to talk some sense into him but Scott's having none of it.

Then the updated tournament brackets, which leads to the next match.

US Title Tournament Semifinal Match: Mike Awesome vs The Great Muta

Lock up to begin into some quick back and forth, Muta tries to leapfrog but he's caught with a spinning belly to belly throw. Rights in the corner, then Muta sent across the ring but Awesome misses a splash. Muta with rights, then Muta sent off the ropes, rolls under a clothesline and sends Awesome to the floor with a dropkick. Muta whipped into the guard rail, then face first into the ring post. Awesome wants to put Muta through the announce table but gets sent face first off it instead. Muta goes to mist Awesome but he ducks and gets Madden... who's wearing sunglasses. Awesome gets Muta with a clothesline. Back in the ring, Muta up top with a missile dropkick. Awesome set on the top rope and hits a Frankensteiner. Awesome sent into the corner and gets a boot up and hits a running clothesline. Awesome Bomb for the win in 3:37. It was good for how short it was, even if that Madden spot was so stupid.

Awesome celebrates and Madden leaves commentary to change his shirt after the mist.

Buff is attacking Smooth in the back, but then he's attacked from behind by Kanyon, and Smooth joins in, and it's cut off by commercial.

Madden finds Kwee Wee backstage for help getting the mist stain off his shirt. Kwee Wee says he's a very busy man, then Paisley comes up and shoves Madden away, who thinks she has a tear in her skirt. He tells her the same thing, then Artist pulls her away.

US Title Tournament Semifinal Match: "The Franchise" Shane Douglas (w/ Torrie Wilson) vs Lance Storm

They get in each other's face, Lance piefaces Douglas, then he responds with a right hand, then some more, Lance sent off the ropes, through the legs with an uppercut, then back body dropped to the floor. Douglas is pulled out under the ropes and sent into the guard rail, then face first off the apron. Torrie jumps on Lance's back, which allows Douglas to attack from behind. Lance into the guard rail, then a second time into an inverted atomic drop. Lance into the guard rail a third time before he's tossed back in, Douglas up top with a crossbody and a cover for two.

Snapmare by Douglas as Madden rejoins commentary, Douglas with boots to the bead. Lance with body shots and a dropkick, then sent off the ropes into an atomic drop and a clothesline by Douglas. A pair of snap suplexes followed by a Falcon Arrow and a cover for two. Lance sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and back elbow but runs into a powerslam and a cover for two. Kidman has brought a chair out to take a seat on the stage, eating popcorn and waving to Douglas. Lance clips the leg off the distracted then a shin breaker. Superkick by Lance into a cover and a near fall.

Heel kick misses by Lance and Douglas tries for the Pittsburgh Plunge but Lance escapes, but catches Lance with a snap belly to belly coming off the ropes, then covers for a near fall. Suplex countered by Lance into a small package, then Douglas reverses the pin for a near fall. Lance pokes the eyes, then Douglas sent into the corner, tries to flip over Lance into a roll up but he's caught in the half crab for the win in 4:31. Well it was one of the better matches of the night.

Kidman has come down to the ring and grabs hold of Torrie, sits in the chair and I think was about to give her a spanking but Lance comes in, only to have the chair dropkicked in his face as Torrie escapes with Douglas. Storm heads to the back.

Rick is talking with Midajah backstage, but up next Stevie Ray faces Jarrett.

We see Jarrett's attack from earlier in the night to lead to this next match.

Jeff Jarrett vs Stevie Ray

Jarrett immediately on the attack but sent off the ropes into a pump kick, then off the ropes again into a powerslam. Rights in the corner by Ray, Jarrett sent across the ring and gets Ray with an elbow, walks into one of his own before Jarrett's clotheslined to the floor. Jarrett face first off the announce table and more rights and choking Jarrett before returning to the ring. Jarrett gets the jump though with stomps and rights, then to the middle rope with an ax handle to the back. Jarrett sent off the ropes into a spinebuster. Rick comesdown to distract the ref as Ray hits something, covers but the ref is busy with Rick. Midajah comes off the top with a double ax handle to Ray's back and Jarrett hits the Stroke for the win in 2:26.

Rick attacks Ray and Jarrett soon joins in. Booker appears out of nowhere to even the odds and Rick and Jarrett are sent packing.

Steiner throws a chair across his locker room and leaves, swearing to get Goldberg into commercial.

Goldberg is seen getting ready, but before that, it's time for a title match.

Tournament Finals for the Vacated WCW U.S. Heavyweight Championship: Lance Storm vs Mike Awesome

Pre-Match: Lance has a mic again and gives the fans one more chance to jump on his bandwagon before he becomes the Canadian Heavyweight Champion. He calls for them to stand and respect the Canadian anthem as it plays a second time tonight, but it's cut off by Awesome, who calls for the music to be turned off or he's going to go to the tech area and do it himself. Lance rushes out of the ring but he's caught with a boot and some rights as the bell is rung. 

Press slam onto the guard rail, then Lance whipped into the rails back and forth in the aisle. More rights by Awesome and Lance is sent into the rail again back at ringside, and Awesome nails him in the back with a chair. Back in the ring, Awesome slides the chair in and Storm nails him in the side of the head with the edge of the chair, then a second time before setting it on the mat. Awesome laid face down on the chair as Lance hits a leg drop out of the corner, then covers for two. 

Lance with boots and Awesome face first in the corner, then chops by Lance, and it just angers Awesome before a poke to the eye. Snapmare and a series of elbows into a cover for two by Lance. Awesome blocks a corner shot, then Lance sent off the ropes into a popup sitout powerbomb. Running clothelsine and a cover by Awesome for a near fall. Lace sent into the corner and hit with a splash and another clothesline, then Awesome goes up top but Lance gets the knees up as he goes for a frog splash. Lance goes for a tornado DDT out of the corner, but it looks like his leg gets caught on the rope on the way down so it gets botched. 

Lance face first into the corner and Awesome goes up top, seemingly for a powerbomb but Lance delivers a superplex, rolls over into a cover for a near fall. Lance with a springboard and caught with a belly to belly suplex. Awesome goes for the Awesome Bomb, but Lance flips backward and rolls into the half crab to win the title in 5:06. Wasn't given nearly enough time, because despite the unneeded chair stuff this was a fairly good match.

Lance celebrates with the title briefly before leaving, and the big women from the crowd enter the ring to console and help Awesome back to his feet. Awesome feigns injury to be carried out of the ring by them.

Cat knocks on Booker's door with ref shirt in hand, and Cat says something that's not picked up, and he enters the locker room into commercial.

Scott Steiner vs Goldberg

Special Guest Referee: The Cat. Booker T on commentary.

Lock up and Goldberg's shoved into the corner for forearms, sent off the ropes into a clothesline and an elbow. Goldberg sent off the ropes but clubs the back of Steiner, followed by a butterfly suplex. Steiner thrown into the corner,, then Goldberg goes for the spear and nearly hits the corner instead but stops himself, only to be kneed in the ribs by Steiner as he turns around. Exploder suplex by Steiner and some push-ups, then Goldberg sent off the ropes into a shoulder tackle. Rights by Goldberg, then a military press into a powerslam. Boots to Steiner in the corner, then sent across the ring and gets a boot up, then follows with his spinning belly to belly. Steiner goes for the Recliner but Cat  is telling him to break it, so he does before knocking Cat out of the ring.

Booker leaves commentary to check on Cat and Steiner flips him off, goading him into the ring. Steiner sent off the ropes, catches himself, then Booker turns around as Goldberg's going for the spear, leapfrogs over and Goldberg nails Steiner. Booker with the Harlem Side Kick to Goldberg. Now out comes Nash drinking a beer and goes right after Goldberg, delivering a jackknife. Then he delivers one to Steiner. Nash's music hits as he stands tall and Booker looks on, Nash leaving. I guess this is a no contest in about 4:46. This was actually another good match until the bullshit started as usual.

And then the show fades out as Nash's music hits and he leaves, with Booker looking on.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Well the tournament had some good action, though matches either weren't given enough time or were bogged down by interference, but that's become the norm. Lance was the right choice for US Champion though and the main event as pretty good. I think I'm just numb to the usual bullshit at this point, so this show was OK, nothing too bad on it. With a run time of 1:33:00, this show had a total 38:43 of wrestling.

Thunder

Recap of what happened on Nitro, surrounding the World and US Titles. Then Booker and Stevie arrives, as we hear Harlem Heat faces Rick Steiner and Jarrett in the main event, broadcasting from the Breslin Area in East Lansing, Michigan for this episode of Thunder, as Tony welcomes us to the show with Tenay back at the booth. 

Jarrett makes his way out and joins commentary as we have a match to start the show, completely unrelated to Jarrett or Booker, which is all he's here to talk about.

Crowbar (w/ Daffney) vs "Above Average" Mike Sanders

The debuting Sanders attacks from behind, Crowbar sent of the ropes into a hip toss and a cover for two. Chops in the corner by Sanders, then Crowbar with rights into the opposite corner for chops of his own. Crowbar sent across the ring, up and over with a German suplex and a pair of clotheslines. Lenny Lane is holding up the "Use Me" sign in the background as Sanders counters an Irish whip with a pumphandle suplex, sending Crowbar rolling out to the floor.

Sanders misses a baseball slide and gets some clubs and rights, but Crowbar runs into a standing side kick. Crowbar whips Sanders toward the apron but he leaps up and hits a moonsault. Back in the ring, snapmare by Sanders and a kick to the chest, then a knee drop after a bit of dancing, followed by a wrist lock. Crowbar fights free and delivers a death valley driver. Sanders sent off the ropes into a back drop, then another, then a bridging Northern Lights for two.

Crowbar sent off the ropes but sends Sanders back down, then a slingshot splash from the apron, then a springboard moonsault into a pin for two. Crowbar sent into the corner, then Sanders sent over to the apron, slingshots in with a headscissor sending Crowbar across the ring. Sanders tries a monkey flip but he's set on the top rope instead for some chops, only for Crowbar to be shoved off. Daffney comes in to hit a Frankenscreamer before Sanders is clotheslined to the floor. Crowbar with a chair to the back, then sets Sanders down on the chair before returning to the ring for a slingshot crossbody, though I think he nails Sanders in the head with his knee. Crowbar returns to the ring as Daffney's just standing there for some reason, and Sanders grabs Jarrett's guitar off camera, smashing it over Crowbar's head to get the win in 5:11. It was a fine debut and an alright match, but between Daffney screaming and Jarrett yapping on commentary, just to have that finish... well typical WCW, so...

Jarrett: "[Sanders] didn't win the thing, Slapnuts won the thing." I guess Slapnuts is his guitar. Sanders celebrates and leaves as Daffney goes to check on Crowbar, who eventually comes to. Schiavone tries to talk about something involving Nash but Jarrett cuts him off to make it all about himself and Booker. Lenny Lane is getting escorted out as Jarrett decides to leave, picking up what' left of his guitar. Tony gets back to what he was saying, announcing Nash vs Steiner vs Goldberg for the PPV, winner getting a World Title shot at Fall Brawl the following month. 

Out comes Booker as Jarrett starts his way to the back, Jarrett trying to call him down tot he match, and Booker starts to walk down. Out comes Rick right behind him and Booker meets him with rights, only to be attacked by Jarrett, and Ray's out to even things up. Rick and Stevie fighting in the aisle, Booker and Jarrett in the ring, Booker with rights in the corner until security rush out to break things up into commercial.

Replay of the chaos that just happened, and some of the action during the break.

Crowbar is talking to Daffney backstage and Daffney wants to get Sanders, and he tries to calm her down but she's having none of it, grabbing a nearby chair and running off screaming. 

Catch up to Lenny and security trying to toss him out, but Cat walks up and have them let him go. Cat wants an explanation, and Lenny says he's here for the Laniacs that watch WCW, who want their fearless leader back in action. Cat calls him a jobber. Cat pulls a pebble out of his pocket and says if Lane can take it from him, he can have his job back. Lane snatches it in seconds. Then does it again. Cat changes his mind and says if Lane can beat Wall in a Tables Match, then he'll get his job back. '

Out comes Storm now with a mic as we see replays of his tournament run on Nitro. He wants everyone to stand for the playing of the Canadian anthem before he starts, and this time around we get it in full. Lance is wearing a "Canada Kicks Ass" shirt. He wants to talk about the history of the title, bringing up Funk, Rhodes, Sting, Flair, Jarrett and Goldberg as great names who've held it, and as he looks at the list, he can't help but think he deserves better, so he is now declaring the US Title dead and buried, and proclaims and renames it the WCW Canadian Heavweight Title, slapping on a big Canadian flag sticker on the belt.

Because he's a wrestler, he respects everyone as wrestling fans, and asks for security to bring a fan in to show them his respect and appreciation. 

So they bring in some woman from the crowd, or a plant I guess, and he says she's a wrestling fan, and respects her, she paid her well-earned money to see Thunder in person, and deserves respect because of that. He says it's not her fault that due to a poor educational system and low minimum wage, she can't afford to join a health club or a gym. Heenan starts giggling on commentary from that.

Awesome comes out before he can say any more, Storm sent off the ropes, through the legs but caught with a butterfly suplex. More rights in the corner, then Kanyon appears out of nowhere, set to hit her with a Kanyon Cutter presumably but Awesome takes him down, then a clothesline. Awesome Bomb is cut off by Storm and the double team ensues until out comes Buff  to even the odds, Storm and Kanyon clotheslined out to the floor. Buff's music hits and they pose in the corners as Storm and Kanyon leave.

Jarrett walks up to Sanders backstage and gives him props for his guitar swing earlier, then feigns offering a lesson only to smash a guitar over his head. Jarrett calls him a slap ass and tells him not to touch something that doesn't belong to him again, before leaving into commercial.

David and Hancock are walking backstage, David wanting to be somewhere alone with her, but she pulls him back, wanting something of her own before David gets what he wants. She's somehow gotten him a shot at the Cruiserweight Title against Loco, and if David wins the title, then she'll help him celebrate. They keep walking as David complains about how he'll be too tired after the match.

Lane is already in the ring as we go back to the arena for this next match.

Tables Match: Lenny Lane vs The Wall

Lane's job is on the line.

Wall immediately with rights drives Lane into the corner, then boots and Lane pokes the eye, only to run into a powerslam. More boots by Wall before tossing Lane across the ring, then a scoop slam. Lane set on the top rope but he delivers clubs to the back and a headbutt, then an elbow from the middle rope. Lane with shots in the corner only to be popped up, and he's supposed to hit the turnbuckle but he kinda misses and hits the top rope instead. Wall goes out to get a table but Lane gets him with a baseball slide, then launches off the apron but he's press slammed onto the guard rail. Lane is tossed back in the ring and Wall pulls out a table this time, setting it up parallel to the apron, but as he climbs onto the apron, Lane knocks him off through the table to win in 2:31.

Lane celebrates as Wall comes to.

Rection is with MIA backstage, minus Stash, the punchline being that he's MIA. He informs Loco of his title defense and to be wary of Hancock, and Guns says she'll be all over her if she lays a hand on Loco, who says he'll kill anyone who touches his belt. Rection tells him to lighten up, then they leave.

It's been about 5 minutes and Sanders is only just now regaining consciousness backstage, only to be knocked out again by Daffney and a chair, screaming at him into commercial. OK that actually made me laugh a bit, damn it.

Wall finds Lane in the locker room. Lane asks if everything is alright, Wall shakes his hand and says buddy system, then leaves. Huh?

Kronic are having a photoshoot and the Filthy Animals sneak into Kronic's locker room.

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: David Flair (w/ Ms. Hancock) vs Lt. Loco (c) (w/ Gen. Rection, Major Guns & Cpl. Cajun)

David is wrestling in a suit, minus the jacket, as Loco delivers chops and boots into the corner, then a back suplex into a cover for two. Hancock grabs a hold of Loco's leg and allows David to nail him from behind, clubs to the back of the neck, stomps on the mat. Loco fights back until he's thumbed in the eye and David hits a suplex into a cover for two. Loco sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits one of his own, then an inverted atomic drop and a dropkick. David face first in the corner, then the adjacent one before his shirt is opened up for more chops.David whipped into the corner, then Loco's popped up and hits the turnbuckle face first. David with more boots and stomps and gets a chair from Hancock. Loco's rolled out to the apron and goes for a sunset flip, but Hancock grabs David's hands to hold him upright. Guns jumps into the ring to break their grip and Loco completes the flip for two, as Guns chases Hancock up the ramp. David gets distracted watching this go down and it allows Loco to hit his tornado DDT onto the chair to retain in 3 minutes flat.

Hancock looks on disappointed as Loco and MIA celebrates. Guns gets a mic and thinks David is cute and takes a shot at Hancock, preparing to give mouth-to-mouth until Hancock runs down to pull her off, then Guns on top and MIA try to break it up...

Sudden cut to Cat getting in Lane's face in the locker room, kicking him out of the locker room before turning to Wall. Cat is upset that Wall took a dive for Lane, which is what went over my head earlier, and fires Wall. Wall starts choking him until security rush in to pry him off. I think Chris Harris was one of them. 

Sanders has woken back up again and he's hit with a Kanyon Cutter out of nowhere. BANG! Then commercial. God damn it they made me laugh again.

Cat is walking backstage coughing and holding his throat and the Dragons' music hits again, much to his dismay. One of them comes down from the ceiling and the other two pop up and easily lay out Cat for once.

The Great Muta vs Tank Abbott

Muta backed into the corner and Tank hits some knees and elbows before getting cocky, then Muta with a spin kick and a quick elbow. Side headlock is countered into a side suplex from Tank. Then the Dragons rush into the ring and Tank easily knocks them down. Muta attacks from behind and Dragons proceed to triple team, then out comes Cat to dispatch of the Dragons. Muta sprays red mist in Cat's face, then Tank decks Muta with a right for the win in 1:34.

Muta immediately rolls out of the ring and Tank leaves.

Okerlund is backstage with MIA, specifically Guns though who's demanded this interview time. She wants Hancock at the PPV in an ROTC, or Rip Off the Camoflage Match. Oh boy, she cannot cut a promo to save her life.

Kronic have finished their photoshoot and go back to their locker room, which has been trashed by the Animals. Some guy stooges them and Kronic leave. The guy gets a Kanyon Cutter into commercial. BANG!

Rick and Jarrett are... somewhere, and apparently Scott has given them a care package for tonight. Jarrett just wants Booker, as Midajah comes in and says she'll do anything to help Jarrett out. Rick has some kind of plan.

Out come the Filthy Animals, with Rey and Juvie coming out in Kronic's gear, and Disco parrots Konnan before Kronic come out.for a match.

Kronic (WCW World Tag Team Champions) vs Disco Inferno, Juventud Guerrera & Rey Mysterio Jr. (w/ Konnan & Tygress)

Juvie attacks Clark from behind but he's taken down with chops immediately, then sent off the ropes, through the legs, then sent off the ropes again, ducks a clothesline, goes for some kind of wheelbarrow move but Clark counters it with a chokeslam, then counters but Disco and Rey break it up. Adams and Rey tag in, Rey sent off the ropes but slide sunder the ropes on the other side. Adams hops over the ropes and Rey slides back in. Adams back in and Rey on the attack, sent off the ropes, through the legs, caught midair off a springboard and hit with a full nelson slam. Disco comes in and gets press slammed onto Rey. 

Clark tags in, Rey sent off the ropes into a double shoulder block, then Clark is sent into the Animal corner with a drop toe hold, Disco chokes him over the middle rope and Juvie hits a leg drop. Disco goads Adams and the Animals triple team Clark, Rey hitting a Bronco Buster, then Juvie launches off his back, caught midair by Clark and slammed down Adams tags in, clothesline to Disco, tilt-a-whirl backbreaker on Rey, clothesline to Juvie, another backbreaker to Rey. High Time is interrupted by Disco, then Clark hits Juvie with a pumphandle powerslam. Disco caught coming off the top with High Time, Adams covers but Rey breaks it up.

Juvie and Rey are slid under the ropes to the floor as Kronic deliver their Doomsday Device for the win in 4:19. It was an alright match.

Kronic celebrate.

Douglas informs Torrie they're up and he compliments her, and he has something in a bag that Torrie will love into commercial.

Douglas and Torrie make their way out, Douglas with mic in hand. He wants to talk facts again: WCW made it's finest acquisition in laying its hands on him, and says he stands intellectually, physically and morally above everyone who's stepped foot in a WCW ring. That's why he knew it was a fact that when there was a sweepstakes for Torrie, he'd end up with her on his arm. He goes over to his bag and pulls out and pulls out the month's issue of Stuff Magazine, and brings up a question Torrie was asked: What puts her in the mood for love? She says when she works out with her man, she swears she cannot keep her hands off him, she wants to rip his clothes off. He pulls out a dumbbell and starts to work it, and tells Kidman that the fling she had with him couldn't possibly have meant anything, because she loves men who work out, and Kidman wouldn't know the business end of a dumbbell if he sat his pansy ass on it. He says Kidman wasn't man enough, boy enough, Franchise enough to take care of her needs. They start making out. Kidman runs out and gets Douglas with a dropkick, then a hurricanrana. Kidman gets hold of Torrie as Douglas nails him in the back of the neck with the dumbell. Kidman's out cold and Torrie's about to slap Kidman like on Nitro, but just brushes it off and they leave into commercial.

Okerlund catches Artist coming out of his locker room because he's requested interview time, but points out that usually Paisley does all the talking. He says she has issues, and Okerlund is surprised he can talk. Artist then makes an open challenge to any champion in WCW, calling himself a semi-main event contender, just as Vito comes up behind and nails him with a kendo stick, I guess to answer the challenge.

WCW Hardcore Championship: The Artist vs Big Vito (c)

A ref appears conveniently as Vito gets another stick shot in followed by some boots to the back, then some rights and Artist is thrown through an open doorway. Artist throws an ironing board onto him and we see Paisley and Kwee Wee behind him. Artist and Kwee Wee get into it untiL Vito gets a throat shot in, then a teash can lid to the head. Artist face first off a table and the fight makes its way out to the arena.Vito is sent into the guard rail, then into a chair before tossing Vito to ringside. Chair to the back of Vito, and again, then into the guard rail once more before they take it to the ring.

A trash can with various weapons has been provided in the ring, Artist emptying it out, Vito sent off the ropes into a dropkick, then a low blow elbow. Artist gets a wooden board and breaks it over Vito's head into a cover for two. Kendo stick to the head of Vito, then a second time, then to the chest, Artist covers for two. Vito sent off the ropes, Artist leapfrogs but turns around into a Mafia Kick. Vito with a stalling suplex before going up top and hits the elbow drop. Artist face first into the corner for body shots and boots, then Vito grabs the traffic cone to give him the same treatment as Ralphus. Vito leaves the ring and pulls out a table, sliding it into the ring and setting up. Artist tries to use the title belt but he's caught by Vito, pulling Artist onto the table for... well he tries to hit his impaler DDT but the table breaks underneath their weight. Vito grabs the trash can and nails Artist in the head, then hits his impaler DDT into the mat to retain in 4:56. Vito or WCW has an uncanny ability to fuck up table spots in these matches.

Vito poses with the title and leaves.

Awesome is feeding cake to some woman and Buff comes in to tell him they have a match. Awesome has an idea, since guys are always bringing hot, beautiful chicks to the ring, he suggest they bring the woman he was with to the ring. Buff tries to talk Awesome out of it without insulting her, saying she's too hot. Awesome agrees and they leave into commercial.

Positively Kanyon & Lance Storm (WCW Canadian Heavyweight Champion) vs Mike Awesome & Buff Bagwell

Pre-Match: Lance has to correct Penzer and has him call him the Canadian champion, then they do the Canadian anthem again, but it's quickly interrupted by Buff and Awesome. Buff goes after Kanyon to the outside and Awesome and Storm go at it to start the match.

Some quick back and forth to start until Storm is caught with a belly to belly and clotheslined to the floor, then Awesome dives over the ropes as Buff chases Kanyon around the ring, then back inside, Kanyon off the ropes into a back drop, then a swinging neckbreaker from Buff, who struts. Buff off the ropes is caught with a shot by Storm, and Kanyon follows up with a reverse STO. Kanyon with boots before tagging in Storm who drops an elbow, then a jawbreaker and a back elbow. Buff face first in the corner, sent across the ring and gets a boot up, followed by a clothesline.

Awesome and Kanyon get tags, Awesome with a slingshot shoulder block, then off the ropes  with a clothesline, then one for Storm. Belly to belly on Kanyon, then a popup sitout powerbomb on Storm, and Kanyon breaks up the pin despite the fact Storm isn't legal. Kanyon goes for the Cutter but gets a German suplex, then Awesome goes up top with the frog splash and a cover but Storm breaks it up. Buff knocks down Storm, then sends himself and Kanyon over the ropes with a crossbody to the floor. Storm sent into the corner, Awesome misses a splash and Storm locks in his Canadian Maple Leaf (half crab). Buff though slides back in, goes up top and hits the Blockbuster... or sort of hits it, because he doesn't even hook the head, Awesome covers, but Kanyon yanks the ref out of the ring.

Buff goes for a baseball slide but Kanyon puts the ref in his way, then Kanyon nails him in the head with his book. Awesome goes for the Awesome Bomb but he's nailed in the ribs with the book and the Kanyon Cutter gets the win in 3:36. This was a good match despite all the BS.

Kanyon and Storm celebrate.

Okerlund is backstage with Rick, Jarrett and Midajah. He wants to ask about Midajah's involvement but Rick tells him not to worry, says he's here to promote violence. He calls Booker and Ray rednecks who think they're legends in the business, and says that every time he and Scott wrestled them they beat them. He says he and Jeff can kill two birds with one stone tonight and retire those wannabes for good.

Jurassic Slapass gets in there and Jarrett asks about his wife and kids, then says tonight's the Harlem Heat family reunion, calls to bring out the champagne, get the streamers out... Of course he's disingenuous and asks who gives a rat's ass. As far as their backup plan Midajah goes, it's NOYFB, and tells him to choke on it before they all leave.

Cat tries to figure out what NOYFB means, and when he does it sets him off, and he leaves to deal with that into commercial.

Okerlund is with Booker and Stevie backstage and warns them of Midajah's involvement ahead of their match tonight. Stevie calls her a hoochie that got in his face, a sqwak that jumped on his back, and begs her to try it again. He says he didn't expect to get back in the thick of things this fast, but that's not his problem anymore, that's Jarrett and Rick's problem.

Booker says that the OG Harlem Heat is back together again, but tonight there won't be playin or jivin, just business. He brings up his title defense at the PPV and how Jarrett is crying about how he should be champion, and tells him not to hate the player, hate the game. Then they leave.

We cut to a pre-tape interview Hudson had with Kevin Nash earlier in the day at some restaurant. Hudson brings up how hard it's been for Nash the last few weeks, all capped off with losing Hall's contract at the PPV. Nash says it's clear there was interference, and if WCW really wanted Hall back they'd make a cage match for no interference, but they had no intention of bringing Hall back, from management, to Bob Siegel, TBS, TNT and anyone who has a say-so, including Goldberg. 

Scott says that assuming Nash is right, he must understand what's going through the minds of the higher ups, seeing that Hall is a bit of a loose cannon, and has a well-deserved reputation. Nash says so is Val Kilmer but he's a great actor, and the only time the place popped is when he and Hall came from New York and the Outsiders came on the scene. Hogan and Flair were already there, Sting and Luger, and says you have people who don't know the wrestling business running a wrestling business. 

Scott brings up a chronic injury situation with Hall, I'm not sure if this is code word for drinking/drug problems, but says Hall isn't 100%, but Nash claims he's 100% and could be on TV the following Monday. Scott says that contradicts everything heard, and Nash says that's only coming from people trying to cover their asses and don't want Hall back. Scott asks why they don't want Hall back. Nash always hears that Hall's a locker room cancer, and he sarcastically says your a cancer and tell the truth, telling people they had a terrible match. Scott asks how much longer Nash will be with WCW now that Hall's gone. Nash says he still has 17 months on his contract, which he'll honor, and after that who knows. Scott asks if it's free agency for the highest bidder, but Nash says no, it won't be for money any more at this point in his career, he has enough money to live happily ever after, and if someone else picks up Hall he'll go where he goes. 

Scott brings up his history with Goldberg and how it goes beyond what happens in the ring or in front of the camera. Nash says the situation is that WCW let Goldberg have too much power too soon, likening it to giving a 5 year old kid a Baretta automatic with no safety. The way he sees it he has to disarm Goldberg, and has to do what he has to, either politically, or in the ring, he has to make sure he's kept in check. He says Goldberg was a good guy at one time but isn't anymore. Scott asks if Goldberg's paid his dues. Nash says that in 9 years he probably won't have paid his dues, that you pay your dues when you walk in the door, and Goldberg hasn't had to pay them since day one, and asks who will hold him accountable. He says Goldberg doesn't like the business and thinks he'll be an actor or something. He says Goldberg's changed dramatically, walked in the door humble bumble, and guys like Hall who took him under their wing are guys he's now trying whatever he can politically to keep out of the company, and anyone who's a threat to him needs to be kept at arm's length. 

Scott asks what his respect level is for Booker T. Nash says he likes Booker, says he's a good guy, the real deal and has paid his dues, and says it's good to see guys like Booker get the title, and even though he himself had a bad night, when he saw Booker win at the PPV, as he reminisces to when he first got the belt, he was happy for Booker, says he earned that spot. Scott wants to ask a question, with rumors abound on the internet and the dirt sheets, but Nash cuts in first, says all the internet does for people like him is invade his privacy. Scott brings up the 3-way at the PPV and rumors are abound that there are problems about who's going to win the match, and asks if it will be Nash's last match if things don't go his way. Nash says that things will go his way, no matter how it's booked, laid out, argued, lobbied, he's not lobbying for a finish, he's just going to go out there. Scott asks what to expect at the PPV. Nash outright says he's going over because he said so, and he's not going to cry about it like the rest of them, it's his time to go over. Then commercial. What in the absolute fuck was that? Christ this PPV is gonna be a shit show isn't it?

Jarrett and Rick are out for the main event, then Cat comes out to make sure things are fair as he joins commentary.

Jeff Jarrett & Rick Steiner (w/ Midajah) vs Harlem Heat

The Cat on commentary.

Booker and Rick start things off, lock up and Booker is shoved back easily. Taunting by Rick, then another lock up into some wrestling holds by Booker, until Rick hits some elbows, Booker sent off the ropes and nails Rick with a forearm. Booker with the Harlem Side Kick and Midajah goes up top as Booker applies an arm lock. Cat gets on the mic and calls Midajah a hoochie and tells her to get down and she does. Rick sent off the ropes into back elbows as Cat handcuffs Midajah to himself. Ray choking Rick in the corner, then sent into the corner and Rick gets a boot up.

Jarrett tags in with rights, then sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and runs into a pump kick, sending him to the outside. Ray with an ax handle off the apron and Jeff sent into the guard rail twice, Ray tries to bring in a chair but it's intercepted by Cat, allowing Jarrett to hit a Russian leg sweep and deliver some stomps. Jarrett goads Booker so he and Rick can double team, Ray sent off the ropes into a clothesline, then Rick covers for two. Rear chinlock by Rick as Ray fights out, but Rick gets a cheap shot in, and Jarrett joins in to beat Ray down. Ray sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a back suplex.

Booker gets a tag, rights to Jarrett and Rick, Harlem Side Kicks to both, then the scissor kick to Jarrett and a spinaroonie. Uranagi on Rick, then spinebuster to Jarrett and a cover and Rick breaks it up. Rick sent to the floor by Ray, Booker sent into the corner, goes up top but he's crotched by Jarrett, who delivers a superplex, only for Booker to catch him with an inside cradle on the landing for the win in 5:19. Well see that was a good match without any of the usual bullshit.

Rick hands Jarrett his guitar, who smashes it over Booker's head. Jarrett and Rick attack and Ray has just disappeared. Jarrett's music hits and this is how the show ends.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Well this show was a bit of a mess. Had a few good matches and your typical BS, and got a few good laughs, but then there was that Nash interview, which I still don't know what the hell that was, but given Russo's penchant for "shoot" bullshit, it can't be good. With a run time of 1:25:57, there was a total 30:26 of wrestling.