WCW Week of July 24, 2000

Nitro

No recap video this week as we go right to the arena, live from the Convocation Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Tony welcomes us to the show and Storm is out immediately with a mic in hand. He says that now that he's the Canadian Heavyweight Champion, he thinks it appropriate that everyone rises for his national anthem. He gets it played in full this week and a flag drops down from the rafters. He continues, saying he's upset at the lack of respect the fans have been showing him, and would have thought that with no recognizable heroes of their own anymore, they'd support a role model like him. Meanwhile Hudson on commentary suggest Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong as better role models, which is fucking funny in hindsight. Storm says its not his fault that the moral standards in the country are at an all-time low. Just wait another 20 years, Lance. He says it's not his fault that all great champions come from Canada, and tells them to blame themselves. Apparently Storm is defending against Awesome at the PPV, because he says Awesome will find out how great he is at the PPV. To stay at his best, he wants a warmip match, and is ready to put on a clinic as he issues an open challenge.

Out comes Vito who calls Lance a Canadian piece of shit and says he's got the biggest grapefruits in the back, and everyone knows Lance can't kick his ass. Lance wants a double title match now instead, so I guess we're getting a hardcore match. Vito agrees to put his on the line because Lance's don't mean shit.

WCW Canadian Heavyweight & Hardcore Championship: Lance Storm vs Big Vito

Lance clocks him with a right, then sent off the ropes into an overhead throw, then Vito with a scoop slam and a clothesline. Chops in the corner, then Vito sent across the ring, up and over but caught with a dropkick. Vito sent into the corner and pops Lance up, landing face first in the corner. Vito with more boots in the corner before he leaves the ring to grab a traffic cone and a lead pipe. Cone between the legs and the pipe is swung into it. Vito goes back out and pulls a table out.... or tries to and fails. Vito is sent back over the ropes to the floor. Vito face first into the guard rail, then is taken up top by Lance who nails a low blow and hits a superplex, covering for two.

Vito off the ropes, Lance ducks a clothesline and slips around into a roll up with a bridge for two. Inside cradle by Lance for two. Lance sent off the ropes into a hip toss, lands on his feet but gets caught with a belly to belly. Vito goes back up top and hits the elbow, then covers but Lance kicks out. Lance sent off the ropes and caught with the impaler DDT, then Vito covers but Lance kicks out again.

Vito leaves the ring to grab his kendo stick but he's tripped up, only to nail Lance in the head with the stick. He tries to use it again but he's caught with a standing side kick, then Vito connects with a Mafia Kick. Lance counters a German into his Candian Maple Leaf, and Vito taps out in 4:35. This was a surprisingly good match considering it was hardcore rules.

Storm takes his belts as his arms are raised, then leaves.

Booker has arrived into commercial.

Slim Jim commercial with Macho Man.

Booker makes his way out now as we see what happened at the end of Thunder the week prior. Ever since he won the title, he says each and every fan have supported him and he thanks them, and unlike the guys who came before him, he realized that he wouldn't be champion without them. That out of the way he gets to business, mainly Jarrett, the Chosen Scum, #1 player hater running around back  talking about him, and tells Jarrett to save the drama for his mama. Between now and the PPV, he says Jarrett can do whatever he wants to do, run around crying like a baby, but nothing's going to change, and he's gonna take Jarrett to school. 

Now out comes Goldberg. He says he never really had a problem with Booker, at least until last week's Nitro when Booker stuck his nose in his business and had the nerve to put his hands on him. He reminds us and Booker of the promise he made to the fans, that every Monday he'd put his title on the line, and seeing as it's Monday, Goldberg wants his shot, proclaiming that Booker's next and there's not a damn thing he can do about it. Booker gives him his match. 

Or at least so we think, because now out comes Cat to remind us he's in charge, and that Goldberg works for him, and though Booker agreed to defend the title every Monday, Goldberg doesn't get to make that decision. He says since Booker calls himself the people's champion (since when?) Cat's going to let the fans decide... even though they just did. For the next hour, Cat says they can vote on the WCW website. Oh that's the catch. Their choices are Goldberg, Sting and eight other unnamed guys. Cat says he's going to turn his back and give Goldberg 5 seconds to leave the ring, and if he's still in the ring when he turns around, he might fire him, suspend or kick his ass himself.

Goldberg gets his hands on Cat but Booker's makes the save, and they go at it until security rush the ring. Goldberg eyes Cat who makes a quick escape and says he owes Goldberg one, that payback is a mother. Goldberg's music hits and he leaves as security hold back Booker in the corner. Then commercial.

Replays of what just happened, and now Kidman is at commentary. Also the name graphic that comes up for commentary has Madden billed as "TV's Best Looking Big Man" so that's a thing. We see the rest of the voting list also includes Kidman, Storm, Awesome, Kanyon, Buff, Douglas, Stevie Ray and Vampiro. 

Kidman informs us that it's Torrie's birthday and he has a special gift for her, which is a sex tape they made before we get to the next match.

David Flair & Miss Hancock vs Lt. Loco (WCW Cruiserweight Champion) & Major Guns

Loco is attacked from behind as he backs Guns to the corner, then sent off the ropes into a back elbow. Scoop slam by David, then sent off the ropes into a dropkick. We're also told that the ROTC Match is now a Boot Camp Match that'll happen in a mud pit, so that's something. David sent off the ropes into a flapjack, then covers and Hancock pulls him off by the hair. David attacks Loco and in comes Guns with a slap. She goes after Hancock who slides a chair into the ring and they run around ringside. Loco with chops in the corner and boots, then brings in Guns. Hancock steps in and charges but lands head first between David's legs. Guns has Hancock by the hair as David nails Loco with a chair, then Hancock to the middle rope as David holds up Guns but nails David with a crossbody instead. Guns gets Hancock with a roll up for the win in 2:37.

David and Hancock argue and Guns goes to give Lock mouth to mouth but she's pulled off by Hancock, and David grabs her so Hancock can rip off her shirt. Loco makes the save as he delivers some rights to David and Hancock runs off, David clotheslined out to the floor. MIA's music hits as Loco and Hancock stand tall.

Jarrett is in Cat's office for his weekly meltdown and wants his title shot tonight, he doesn't want to wait until the PPV since Cat's handing them out. Cat reiterates it's up to the fans, even though Jarrett isn't even on the list, and if Jarrett doesn't like it, Cat says he can pack his bags, take his banjo and get the hell out of there. Jarrett starts trashing his office, and Cat tries to appease him with a tag title shot instead. Jarrett grabs him and Cat threatens to suspend him for 30 days without pay, and Jarrett leaves.

Pamela is backstage with the presumed Sting, who's covered head to toe in black, I suppose to sell being burned alive at GAB,  to ask about his potential World Title shot tonight. Sting says that the whole world's wondering if it's really him under there, and he says he's the real Sting. He hopes the fans vote him in because he's going to take the World Title away from Booker. He also tells the booking committee (his words) that his ridiculous mask is coming off tonight, before leaving into commercial.

Tenay is backstage with Goldberg to ask about the vote on the website. Goldberg says it's a damn good thing the fans are choosing because he's assured to be it now, but if something happens and it isn't him he guarantees whoever does win the vote is leaving in a body bag. Then he leaves.

Adams opens the Kronic locker room to tell Clark it's time for a match, and there's a sound heard inside, and we go in to see Clark laid out with a guitar. And yet somehow, as Madden points out, Jarrett sure made his way out fast if that was him who did it, and he has another guitar.

WCW World Tag Team Championship: Jeff Jarrett vs Kronic(?0 (c)

Pre-Match: So somehow Jarrett is challenging for the tag titles by himself, and now the titles are being defended by half of the champions. Sigh.

Jarrett gets the jump with rights, Adams face first in the corner and more rights, then Adams ducks a clothesline and hits a nice tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, then covers for two. Adams sent off the ropes but hits Jarrett with a nasty looking piledriver, then covers Jarrett who gets his foot on the bottom rope and rolls to the floor. Adams with more rights, then is sent face first into the ring post then ring steps. Jarrett with a piledriver of his own to the floor before returning to the ring, covering for two.

Jarrett to the middle rope with an elbow to the back, then back to the middle rope but he's caught. Jarrett thumbs the eye and comes off the ropes to hit a DDT, then covers for two. Jarrett sent into the corner, tries to go up and over but he's caught with the full nelson slam. Jarrett sent off the ropes into a big boot and a leg drop for a cover and a near fall. Jarrett sent into the corner for more boots and rights, and Jarrett grabs the guitar, jabs it into Adams' throat before covering for a near fall. Jarrett is press slammed into a gutbuster and Adams covers for two.

Adams goes to the middle rope and misses a splash, then Clark comes out with the broken guitar to nail Jarrett in the throat. Pumphandle powerslam to Jarrett, then Adams wants to go for High Time, but Clark sets his sights on the announce table. Commentary get the hell out of doge and try to put Jarrett through the table, but the ref gets in their way, so they put him through it instead, while Jarrett escapes through the crowd. I guess this is a no contest and Kronic retain in about 5:51.

Kronic leave as commentary call for medics.

Cat is trying to put something back together in his office and while the camera zooms in on him, it zooms back out and Vamp has appeared in his office without making a sound. Vamp says he can take care of Muta for Cat. Cat wants to take care of Muta himself after he was misted last week. Vamp suggest that Cat let him do it and he can be the ref instead. Cat pulls out a ref shirt and agrees and leaves.

Pamela is backstage with Torrie and Douglas concerning the sex tape. Douglas rips the mic out of her hand and wants an explanation but she claims to have no idea what Kidman's talking about. Then some prodding and admits there was one time... And she leaves it at that before walking away. Douglas goes after her.

Sting is currently leading with 35% in the poll, and Goldberg's right behind with 30%. Out comes Cat though for the next match.

Vampiro (w/ Insane Clown Posse & The Demon) vs The Great Muta 

Special Guest Referee: The Cat

Pre-Match: We see what happened last week with Muta, Cat and Vamp to lead to this next match.

Muta and Vamp start teasing going at it, then Cat gets in Muta's face for some reason, and Vamp kicks him in the back. Vamp and ICP start attacking Cat, until Cat blocks Vamp's shots and gets a low blow. Muta with a spin kick to the midsection of Cat, and it seems Muta and Vamp and ICP are together as they gang up on Cat. Alright I guess this match is also a no contest in... I mean there was no action between Muta and Vamp so I'm not gonna count it.

Demon comes in now to pull them off Cat, helping Cat to his feet only to hit him with the Love Gun. ICP are left in the ring with Cat who are then laid out with some kicks and tossed out of the ring. Vamp holds back ICP who try to get their hands on Cat. Vamp and co. head to the back.

Pamela is backstage with Booker. Booker says Goldberg can cry all he wants, but tonight isn't about Goldberg it's about the fans. He says there are ten guys in the back getting ready to get a shot at his belt, but there's only one person leaving, and still the World Champion.

Goldberg is pacing in his locker room as we go to break, the World Title on the line next.

Sting makes his way out following Booker, so it appears he won the vote, but he's attacked by Goldberg as he makes his way out. Sting is whipped into the guard rail and hit with a standing side kick. Security rushes out and Booker goes after Goldberg, separated by security. Booker checks on Sting as paramedics load him onto a stretcher. 

Goldberg has a mic as Booker leaves with Sting and the paramedics. Goldberg quotes Ric Flair and even though Booker has the belt, he's still the man, and tells Booker to come back so he can beat his ass. Booker somehow got a mic and Booker accepts the challenge.

WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Booker T (c) vs Goldberg

Booker runs in and ducks a clothesline, Goldberg sent off the ropes and he hits a lariat. Booker sent of the ropes into a gorilla press slam, and Booker rolls out to the floor. Booker is sent into the ring steps as he tries to fight back, then Goldberg with rights, and Booker's been busted open after hitting the steps. Fireman's carry into a cross armbreaker from Goldberg, and Booker makes it to the ropes, Goldberg making full use of the five count.

Stevie comes out and throws in the towel but it's behind the ref's back, but then Cat comes out with a mic and says it's over. He declares Goldberg the winner but won't give him the title because Booker didn't quit nor was he pinned. So Goldberg wins in 3:03, and Booker retains.

Security have surrounded Booker and Goldberg lays them out as Stevie checks on Booker. Goldberg poses in the corner and leaves into commercial.

Replay of what just happened who recap the result of the match. Then to the back, where Booker is demanding the match with Goldberg get restarted, threatening to walk out of the company if he doesn't get it, despite protests from Cat and Stevie. Cat gives in and Booker and Stevie leaves.

Out comes Buff with his mother, still in a neckbrace. Kanyon's music hits seemingly for a match but he's nowhere to be seen. Also Madden keeps saying sex tape. Kanyon's music hits again and again he's nowhere. Buff takes the mic and knows Cleveland's here to see him no matter what, and as long as he's got his mother by his side, Kanyon's ass is his. Judy takes the mic and tells Kanyon to get his chicken shit ass out there. Buff says she can't say that on TNT, but she insists she says what she wants, calling Kanyon a son of a bitch and to get his ass out there. Buff claims himself the winner and calls for his music before strutting, and Judy struts as best she can. 

OK this was actually kind of clever. So as this is going on from the view of one camera, the camera noticeably starts to shift a bit oddly, and it's set down on the apron, so obviously Kanyon's been out here the whole time disguised as a cameraman. Kanyon attacks Buff and Judy slaps at him and he tears off his disguise. Kanyon sent off the ropes into a back body drop, then clotheslined out to the floor. Buff checks on Judy but Kanyon slips in to nail a Kanyon Cutter on Buff. Kanyon eyes Judy and starts following her to the back.

Cut to backstage to follow this chase and Judy's calling for help and she isn't running and he could easily catch her but he has to walk so slow and pretend he can't, until he eventually shoves her into the trunk of his car and drives off into commercial.

Buff drives off to save his mother.

Pamela is backstage with Kanyon, who's set to face Douglas at the PPV. Kidman isn't worried about that right now, says it's on the back burner, After weeks of hearing Torrie talk about his penis, he went and did a little digging, then brings up Pam Anderson and Tommy Lee, and everyone will get to see the tape live. He says she wasn't screaming Franchise's name that night before leaving.

"The Franchise" Shane Douglas (w/ Torrie Wilson) vs Mike Awesome

Pre-Match: Douglas gets the mic and says he and Torrie are used to the finer things in life, and since they don't count Cleveland as one of them, they're taking this match, finishing early, Awesome's going down, and they're out of this godforsaken town. Mike Awesome is now officially being billed as the "Fat Chick Thriller," oh joy, and he brings three ladies out with him.

Series of lock ups and Douglas is overpowered each time, then face first repeatedly in the corner into each turnbuckle, then the mat. Awesome is sent across the ring, leaps to the middle rope for a back elbow, then a clothesline to the mat, and one to the outside. Awesome does a springboard and manages to somehow nail Douglas even though he's way out of position, that's damn impressive. Douglas into the guard rail in the aisle, then across the aisle. Douglas is tossed in the ring and Torrie leaps onto his back, then grabs hold of his leg. Douglas hangs him up on the top rope thanks to the distraction. Awesome is sent into the guard rail now and Douglas delivers rights before returning to the ring.

Douglas with a front suplex and his inverted snapmare, then a proper snapmare before he starts cranking the neck. Awesome fights his way back up with elbows, then off the ropes into a knee to the ribs. Douglas goes up top but he's tossed back to the mat by Awesome, who follows with a series of clotheslines, then a splash off the ropes into a cover for two. Belly to belly by Awesome and a cover for two. Alabama Slam by Awesome before going up top but Torrie grabs hold of his leg again. Douglas grabs a chain from his trunks and wraps it around his wrist, deliver wrist shots, before joining him up top.

Up on the NitroVision, the sex tape begins to play, and the distraction allows Awesome to throw Douglas to the mat, followed by a double ax handle to the back. Awesome covers for the win in 5:20.

Also a dumbbell has appeared in the ring out of nowhere and Torrie looks on in shock. Kidman's out with a pair of panties and Torrie goes up to him. Meanwhile Lance has appeared out of nowhere and Awesome gets him with the Awesome Bomb. Then commercial.

Shane attacks a production guy for playing the sex tape.

Now out comes Kidman once more with a mic and the panties and tape. He says Douglas is doing a good job beating up technicians, but says he was smart enough to make extra copies, enough for everyone in the crowd and the boys in the back, plus a special copy for Madden. We several reactions in the back, from Jung Dragons, Kwee Wee, and Douglas is trying to get them to stop it.He says Kidman's a dead man.

Someone's cut off Madden's mic, thank fuck, as Tony and Scott keep talking, but right now they're lowering the Caged Hear (or Hell in a Cell) cage. It's explained we're have a a 4-way tag team match, where the object is to escape. The last team, or last member of a team, remaining in the cage will be left out of the tag title match at the PPV along with their partner. Apparently this was made so the Animals had a chance to get into the match.

Caged Heat Match: Juventud Guerrera & Rey Mysterio Jr. (w/ Konnan & Tygress) vs The Perfect Event vs Gen. Rection and Cpl. Cajun vs Mark Jindrak & Sean O'Haire

Pre-Match: Konnan is in a sling for some reason.

Stasiak sent face first into the cage by Rection, then again Palumbo goes after Jindrak. Rey and Juvie corner Cajun but Rection gets them with a double clothesline. Stasiak and Jindra go at it and Sean hits a Seanton Bomb and a heel kick on Cajun. Palumbo is whipped into the cage, then clotheslined into it. Jindrak tries to launch off O'Haire into Palumbo but he hits the cage instead. Stasiak gets his shots. It's hard to follow any of this.

Rection sent off the ropes into a spinning back elbow from Stasiak, and Jindrak has rolled out of the cage door. and Palumbo sends O'Haire out, so they're spot is safe at the PPV. Rey takes down Palumbo, then Juvie with a headscissor on Stasiak. Perfect Event walk out of the cage and leave. Rection goes up top but Juvie cuts him off and he's in the tree of woe for a Bronco Buster by Rey. Perfect Event are back out and it looks like they're padlocked the cage door shut, but Konnan somehow had the foresight to bring bolt cutters, or maybe they're colluding with Perfect Event. Disco has appeared on the roof of the cage and tears a hole in it as Rey and Juvie pull out a ladder, so despite the fact Konnan has bolt cutters, they're going to go out through the top? They position the ladder and make the climb but dive onto MIA instead of escaping. Then they reposition the ladder and Rey starts to climb but MIA are back up, Rey press slammed into Juvie. Rection begins to climb and is on the roof and he fights with Disco. Now Rey is out. Juvie goes for the door and Rey almost falls off the cage into the crowd. Noggin knocker on Disco and Rey. Meanwhile on the floor Cajun and Juvie have both flown out the door and no one has any idea who's won. 

Rey tries to throw Rection off the roof but Rection fights off. Cajun is thrown into the cage and Konnan brings out a table, setting it up on the floor. Cajun is back and lays Juvie onto the table and calls for Rection to fly off, but he's taken down by Rey. Disco and Rey continue fighting. The table's been leaned up against the cage and Cajun is thrown through it. Rection climbs back into the cage as does Rey, who drops into a powerbomb from Rection. Rection escapes the cage, so MIA are still not in the title match at the PPV in 9:41. What an absolute clusterfuck of a mess.

MIA's music hits for some reason.

Booker and Stevie are talking backstage, and Stevie's still trying to talk him out of it into commercial.

OK so commentary send us to what they say is a replay of what happened in the last segment, even though none of this just happened. Stevie was attacked by Goldberg and thrown through a glass window backstage. Did they mean to say this was during the break, or did production fuck up? Stevie's loaded into an ambulance as Goldberg's music is heard, so off we go to the main event.

WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Goldberg vs Booker T (c)

Pre-Match: By the time Goldberg's long ass entrance is over, plus Booker's entrance finishes, we'll be lucky to have 2 minutes left in this show. So this should be good. Oh never mind Booker attacks him from behind mid-entrance to start this match.

Booker with rights only to be sent into the guard rail in the aisle. Goldberg with body shots before tossing Booker into the ring. Booker catches him with a scissor kick as Goldberg's stepping through the ropes, then Goldberg's sent into the corner, gets a boot up and turns Booker inside out with a shoulder block. Booker sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, caught in a crossbody and taken down with a front slam. Goldberg tries opening up Booker's cut and out comes Jarrett with a chair, nailing Goldberg in the back, but he eats a spear anyways. Cat is in now to hit a spin kick right to the face of Goldberg. Goldberg clocks him with a right, then Goldberg's caught with the Harlem Side Kick. Booker hits the Book End and covers for the win, though Goldberg kicks out right after the three in 2:28 to retain.

Goldberg up immediate and hits a spear, then the jackhammer. Security rush the ring to hold Goldberg off but he lays them all out and that's how the show ends.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Man this show sure went downhill fast. Opening match was good and even the Booker/Goldberg/Cat segment was good, but you had matches that weren't given much time, or fuck finishes, or that clusterfuck cage match, not to mention the main event that was filled with as much shenanigans as they could pack into a two and a half minute match. Sigh. With a run time of 1:33:37, this show had a total 33:35 of wrestling.

Thunder

Start with Cat is talking to someone on the phone in his limo, and decides to let Kronic do his dirty work, and pits them against Muta and Vampiro for tonight. He's also got a big main event planned for Nitro, but he's attacked by the Jung Dragons, who are quickly dispatched. and laid out, though one of them des smash in the window with a sledgehammer. Smooth wants to get his hands on them and Smooth wants them in the ring tonight for that.

Broadcasting from the Wheeling Civic Center in Wheeling, West Virginia for this episode of Thunder, as Schiavone welcomes us to the show. Filthy Animals come out with a stepladder and we see a footage from the ladder match from two weeks ago, and Evan's out with an injury after Tank failed to catch him. We get some "wassups" among the Animals, and Konnan's arm injury has somehow miraculously healed because he has no sling. Then they mock Evan and suggest he come out to climb the training ladder.

Well out comes Tank and Evan, the ladder on crutches. Tank has a mic and says everyone knows he's the real tough guy around there, and wants to issue a challenge, saying tough guys aren't afraid to dance, and wants a dance contest, which is just a distraction so Shane and Shannon can attack Disco and Konnan from behind, and we have a match apparently.

Shannon Moore & Shane Helms (w/ Tank Abbott & Evan Karagias) vs Juventud Guerrera & Rey Mysterio Jr. (w/ Disco Inferno, Konnan & Tygress)

3 Count are sent into opposite corners, then Juvie and Rey are whipped toward each other, Rey is popped up and hits Shane with a facebuster. Juvie gets Shannon with a wheelbarrow suplex, then Shannon gets Rey with a crossbody and a cover for two. Tank chases someone to the back and the Jung Dragons rush into the ring to lay out 3 Count. Juvie with a springboard leg drop to Shane in the ring. Juvie caught with a German suplex from Shane, then a bridging one and Rey breaks up the pin. Juvie sent into the corner and gets Shane with an elbow before tagging in Rey. Shane sent off the ropes and caught with a springboard clothesline and a cover for two, Rey sent off the ropes into a sitout powerbomb for two. Shane with a backbreaker as he tags in Shannon who hits a slingshot senton. Rey sent off the ropes, knocks Shane from the apron but gets hit with a sleeper slam and covers but Juvie breaks it up. Juvie tags in and hits an inverted powerslam, then sets Shannon up for Rey to deliver a leg drop low blow. Juvie goes for the Juvie Elbow but misses, then Shannon misses a springboard dropkick. Superkick by Shane on Juvie into a cover for two. Rey with a sunset flip on Shane and Shannon makes the save. Rey sent off the ropes and he and Shane hit their Samoan drop/swinging neckbreaker combo, Shane covers and Juvie breaks it up.Shane is tossed to the floor and Rey takes him out with a headscissor, then a Juvie Driver to Shannon. Juvie goes up top to hit a 450 splash for the win in 5:27. I don't know what that crap was with Tank and the Jung Dragons, but this match was a bit of a fun, fast mess. It was fine.

Up next, Booker is on his way out to the ring, as we see what happened with him, Goldberg and Stevie on Nitro. Booker says after Monday, he can honestly say he feels like he's been to hell and back, but he survived. He makes it clear he doesn't like Goldberg, but does respect him, and says he doesn't have to run around whining and groaning and moaning that he was beat 1-2-3, promising that it'll happen again one day, and until then, Goldberg can save the dramas for his mama. He turns his focus on Jarrett, who he says is probably in the back tuning his guitar, because he wants to take Booker out, but it won't be that easy, and before he loses the title, he will die in the middle of the ring.He says when it's all said and done at the PPV, don't hate the player, hate the game.

Speaking of Jarrett, out he comes. He promises that Booker's days are numbered as champion, because the title's going back around the waist of the Chosen One at the PPV. He doesn't want a shot at the gold tonight though, he just wants a piece of Booker's ass. He's not going to bother asking Cat because all he wants is to protect the PPV main event, but Booker is also dead set on defending the title every week, and knows there won't be anything left of Booker by the PPV. Jarrett challenges him to a warm up tonight, non-title, a Bunkhouse Brawl. He says in case Cat wants to flip his blond wig, he also wants to make it a Lights Out Match, no DQ, no rules, must be a winner, unsanctioned. 

Booker doesn't want to wait until the end of the night, and Jarrett wastes no time rushing down to the ring. He and Jarrett go at it in the aisle but security have rushed in immediately to pull them apart, or at least try to.

Still to come, a pre-taped sitdown interview with Goldberg apparently.

After commercial, security is still trying to keep Booker and Jarrett apart, now backstage, and up walks Cat. Cat agrees to give them the match, that all I got out of that because everyone was yelling over everybody.

Okerlund is elsewhere with David and Hancock. Gene gets all excited talking about the ROTC Match and she tells him to save the hormone outbreak for the PPV, because she's going to give the guys plenty of what they want. Tonight though she wants that floozy Guns in an arm wrestling match. She has one stipulation though, wanting Rection, Cajun, Loco and even Stash barred from ringside, and if any of those losers make it out there, the ROTC Match is off. Then they leave.

The Artist (w/ Paisley) vs Skip Over

Pre-Match: Skip Over is the future Elix Skipper making his debut tonight.

Artist immediately with a standing side kick, then Skip sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, catches Artist with a Thesz Press followed by mounted rights. Artist sent off the ropes, ducks a spin kick but catches him with a second one. Mounted rights in the corner by Skip, then he's sent out to the apron, the top rope for a missile dropkick. Artist trips him up and nails a low blow elbow. Knee lift and a cover for two by Artist. 

Skip sent off the ropes into a back elbow and a cover for two. Skip with more shots, then Artist with some shots, then a bridging Northern Lights for two. Angle Slam by Artist, then goes out and grabs a chair, only to get it dropkicked back in his face, Artist is tossed back in and Skip goes for a springboard but Artist ducks under him. Bridging German by Artist for two. Paisley starts to give Artist the chair but then she's distracted by Kwee Wee, who's come out on the stage. Paisley runs after him. Camera misses something where Skip took Artist to the outside, then Skip is caught with a forearm, then ducks a clothesline, then a springboard spinning heel kick. Skip with... I don't know the technical name, it's MVP's Playmaker, or the Overdrive for Skip, for the win in 3:59. It was fine match until the nonsense with Kwee Wee.

Okerlund is backstage with MIA, more specifically Major Guns though, and informs her of the challenge laid out by Hancock. She calls her Little Miss Twiggy and accepts the challenge into commercial.

Buff has arrived with Judy, so I guess Buff rescued her from Kanyon. She wants a word with Cat despite Buff's protests and she's still in a neckbrace, pulling Buff along by the ear.

M.I. Smooth vs Jung Dragons

Kaz ducks a shot from Smooth, who then gets Yang by the throat and misses another shot. Double dropkicks to the legs of Smooth, then triple dropkicks take him back down. Three covers and kicks outs before one. Dogpile cover for two. Jamie with boots, then Yang is tossed out to the floor onto Kaz, then Jamie off the ropes into a powerslam. Smooth hits a full nelson bomb for the win in 1:28. 

Smooth poses as he brushes himself off.

Kanon arrives and he's got a black eye, and still to come, that interview with Goldberg.

Cat is on the phone, with who I presume to be James Brown, and in walks Buff and Judy. She hangs up the phone and she wants a match with Kanyon tonight, saying his ratings are down and she's good and since Buff has done anything she will. Cat gives her the match.

Arm Wrestling Match: Major Guns vs Ms. Hancock

David Flair is the referee.

Lot of stalling and teasing, and Hancock tries to leave but David pulls her back in, and tries to get a kiss in but she pulls away. David pulls the hands and gives Hancock the win.

Gunns argues with David and she slaps him, then she tries to rip off Hancock's top, but she gets out some kind of spray and sprays Guns in the face before ripping off her top. The Wall has appeared in camo behind David as Hancock retreats and he makes the save, chokeslamming David. Wall consoles Guns and MIA's music hits, taking her to the back.

Okerlund is backstage with a bruised Kanyon to ask what the hell Kanyon's thinking. He's thinking he's got the book, the hair, the music, the entrance, and only thing he's missing is a Kimberly, and won't rest until he gets one. I guess that explains his actions, and Okerlund brings up the challenge Judy made earlier, bringing up the bruise on his face. He doesn't understand why everyone's upset because bags get thrown in trunks all the time and that's all he did. OK that made me chuckle. He calls Buff a mama's boy to wrestle him until the PPV, and he'll be more than happy to Kanyon Cut Judy tonight, and apparently Cat has barred Buff from ringside. 

Cut to Wall and Guns who walk back to MIA backstage. Guns thanks Wall, but Rection says Wall was fired, and he's now Sgt. AWOL. Cajun rightfully points out they were all fired, but Loco explains that that's why they're misfits. Then she shave AWOL.

Somewhere backstage Muta and Vamp have laid out Kronic into commercial.

Booker is getting ready in his locker room, as is Jarrett who has a bullrope around his neck. and a variety of other weapons.

Vamp and Muta come out as we see what they did to Cat on Nitro. Vamp gets a mic and says Cat's plan backfired, that for 16 years he's been waiting for this moment. He says the Juggalo army is one million and now has two more in himself and Muta. They don't care about winning, and are there to kick everyone's ass. He issues a challenge to anyone who's brave enough to walk on the dark side and play with the Dark Carnival.

Vampiro & The Great Muta vs Mark Jindrak & Sean O'Haire

Vamp is clotheslined to the floor and Jindrak hits a clothesline on Muta, then a springboard clothesline, Muta rolling out to the floor. Vamp and O'Haire start the match properly, Sean sent into the corner, up and over and hits a spinning heel kick on Vamp. Jindrak tags in, Vamp sent off the ropes into a clothesline. Mta with a kick to the back of O'Haire though. Vamp with a chop to Sean before tagging in Muta. Snapmare and an elbow, and Muta starts working the leg as Vamp tags in. Leg splitter on Sean, Vamp with rights and a headbutt. Vamp sent into the corner and Sean hits a powerslam.  Jindrak and Muta tag in, Muta sent off the ropes into a clothesline, Jindrak covers for two. Muta sent off the ropes, dropkicks the knee and delivers a dragon screw, followed  by a heel hook, Jindrak taps in 3:03.

Vamp hits the Nail in the Coffin on O'Haire as he tried to make the save and Muta refuses to break the hold. Then Demon's music hits and out he comes. He brings tosses Jindrak and O'Haire back in and hits O'Haire with the Love Gun, then Jindrak. Now out comes Kronic and they go at it with Vamp and Muta. Press slam drops Vamp throat first in the top rope, then High Time is cut off by a spin kick from Muta to the back. Clark hits the pumphandle powerslam on Vamp as Muta takes it to Adams in the corner, but he's caught with the full nelson slam. 

Kanyon is walking backstage and Judy pulls Buff into a room by the ear. Still to come, the Goldberg interview.

Okerlund is with Vito backstage and brings up his loss to Storm on Nitro. Vito wants a rematch tonight against Storm with no rules. He rambles and talks way too fast to get all of it, but that's the gist of it.

Positively Kanyon vs Judy Bagwell

Buff Bagwell is banned from ringside.

Pre-Match: Kanyon has a mic as Judy comes out. Lots of time stalling. He reminds Judy he's Kanyon Cut her twice, but says he was being easy on her when he did it. He says if he Kanyon Cuts her tonight she's going to get hurt real bad. Being a positive guy, he gives her a chance to leave without getting injured. Judy won't back down. He gives her one more chance but she low blows him and the bell is rung.

Judy with a slap and attempts at punches in the corner until she's shoved down. Kanyon says he's going to cut her right here and now, but out comes Buff. Kanyon gets Judy in position and tells Buff to back off, threatening to break her neck as he gets on the apron, dropping back to the floor. He agrees to let Judy go, if Buff agrees to a stip at the PPV, where if he beats Buff he gets Judy, and becomes his valet. Buff gives him the match. Kanyon stiill hits the Kanyon Cutter and escapes as Buff checks on Judy. From opening bell to Kanyon Cutter, this went 1:30. Bell never rang to end the match, so I guess this is a no contest.

Douglas and Torrie arrives, and he says they're going to fight fire with fire tonight, and show Kidman what a real man is like, uncensored. Torrie says she dropped off a tape moments ago with a specific instructions and Douglas laughs.

Kidman is watching backstage and laughs into commercial.

Kanyon drives off in his car in a hurry. He's stopped by security so Kanyon gets him with a Cutter.

Booker is still getting ready in his locker room.

Douglas and Torrie make their way out. Torrie has the mic and has no idea where Kidman got his tape, but says it goes to show what a lowlife piece of scum he truly is. There's a position joke. Douglas takes the mic and since Kidman wants to play superstar, tarnish the image of a beautiful woman like Torrie, he's going to show, with a little movie the two of them put together the night before,  what a franchise is all about, something Kidman will never be, a little boy in a franchise's game. So a video starts to play on the screen and the punchline is Douglas can't perform in bed, which is obviously not the tape they wanted to play. Douglas and Torrie head to the back.

Okerlund is with Storm backstage about the challenge laid out by Vito. Storm says Vito's gonna have to earn his shot. He wants to have a match with Canadian rules, which I guess means wrestling holds in a ring and not weapons and backstage. Then commercial as he leaves.

Torrie is trying to explain herself to Douglas but he's not hearing it, because she was supposed to have destroyed that tape. She claims she had no idea where that came from but Douglas needs some air, so he leaves the arena. Kidman walks up with the tape Torrie wanted, and says she should have taken the keys back when they broke up. He says he had a great time going through her whole video collection. She tries to snatch it away but he pulls it back, only to be attacked by Douglas from behind. Kidman is thrown into a metal shutter twice and Douglas mounts with right hands.

Canadian Rules Match for the WCW Hardcore Championship: Lance Storm (WCW Canadian Heavyweight & Hardcore Champion) vs Big Vito

Pre-Match: We see replays of Storm winning the Hardcore Title as Lance calls for everyone to stand for the anthem, but he's nailed from behind with a kendo stick by Vito midway through to start this match.

Storm sent off the ropes into a back drop, then clotheslined to the floor and into the guard rail. Storm leads Vito back into the ring, then sent off the ropes, popped up into an atomic drop, then a side kick by Vito. Storm sent off the ropes again into an overhead throw, followed by a leg drop and a cover for two. Vito with a suplex before going up top, hitting the elbow and covers for two. Chops in the corner by Vito, then Storm sent across the ring, goes up and over, ducks a clothesline and hits a superkick, but in the process the ref is bumped into. Storm goes out and gets a chair and nails Vito in the head, covers but Vito kicks out at two. 

Storm goes for the Maple Leaf but he counters with a small package for two. Storm back on the attack, then Vito with an elbow and a forearm.but he's caught with a jawbreaker. Storm goes shoulder first into the ring post, then caught with a German suplex and a clothesline, Vito covers for a near fall. Vito goes for impaler DDT but it's countered with a bridging Northern Lights for two. Storm sent off the ropes, catches Vito's leg into a roll up at first, but transitions into the Maple Leaf. Vito tries to make it to the ropes but he taps in 3:37. They put on another fairly good, albeit short match.

Storm refuses to break the hold and out runs Awesome for the save, Storm sent off the ropes into a belly to belly and he rolls out. Storm escapes with his titles to the back. Awesome checks on Vito and helps him up.

Up next, the Goldberg interview.

Jarrett is in his locker room filling a wheelbarrow with weapons in preparation for his match.

Hudson held a sitdown interview with Goldberg the week prior, much like e did with Nash the week before that. He starts by bringing up the Nash interview, specifically his claim that Scott Hall sacrificed for Goldberg early in his career, and that Goldberg isn't showing appropriate appreciation. Goldberg says Nash thinks he has the answers for life for everybody, but all they were doing was baiting him for the future. He says they realized he was going to have a pretty profitable future in the business, and how better to get him on their side than to pull him under their wing, ulterior motives. 

Scott brings up how Nash said Hall wasn't the cancer everyone makes him out to be. Goldberg explains it's because he has no appreciation for the fans, that he himself only does what he does for the fans, even with the money and the fanfare, and attention and endorsements and publicity, but the fans are the only thing that mean anything to him. He says Hall is a jerk in the ring and outside the ring, end of story.

Hudson brings up the new Goldberg, the heel Goldberg, and asks if he's comfortable with this new role. He says that anyone who knows him knows he's not comfortable, from the beginning he's done everything he's been asked to do, able to do to hep the company, and has been very appreciate of what everyone's done for him, and tries to return the favor. Unfortunately, he says someone thought that turning him heel would be a good idea, bump ratings, get interest back, and whether it was a good idea or not he doesn't feel at one with it, it's totally against Goldberg. He says he'll go out and kick ass with anyone on the planet, be as mean and nasty as anybody, but when he turns his back on the fans, on the kids, it makes him feel very uneasy, it's made him very somber, and doesn't know how to think anymore when he shows up at Nitro.

Scott brings the conversation back to Nash, someone he knows Goldberg doesn't care a lot for. Goldberg is glad Nash touched on a lot of things the week prior because it gives him a chance to refute every single one of them. He brings up Nash's claims of him not paying his dues, and fact is he never aspired to be a wrestler and wanted to play football, but he got hurt and had to figure something else, and has turned into a fan of wrestling because of what it gives him, which is the ability to give back, an opportunity he never had with football because he was never anybody in football. He says he can make a difference here, like shake a kid's hand who has cancer and hopefully bring a smile to their face, and says that's priceless, worth more amount of money in the world or anything you could give him. 

Scott brings up Nash's claims that Goldberg doesn't love or live and breathe the sport, but Goldberg says Nash was right, he doesn't like a lot of the guys backstage and sure as hell doesn't like a lot of the people he works for, but it doesn't mean he won't give his blood, sweat and tears for the sport to get out of it the positive it gives him, being able to go to a children's hospital and have a kid stand out of bed probably four days from dying. 

Hudson says this all sounds like paying his dues, that while driving 400 miles for a $20 payoff is one way, what he's doing is another and Nash doesn't appreciate it. While he could talk about this dues stuff for about a year, Goldberg says Nash has paid his dues for 15 years and he'll never make it to the spot he himself made it to in 3 years, and tells Nash to kiss his ass. He basically says Nash is jealous and that it eats away at him every day and thinks Nash is a joke, and while he was paying his dues kicking ass on the football field, Nash was in Europe holding hands with other seven-foot guys trying to put a ball through a hoop. 

Scott brings up Nash's claim of Goldberg using political power, and uses that to transition to Starrcade '98, when Nash ended Goldberg's winning streak and took his World Title. Goldberg rightfully calls Nash out on his bullshit, and points out that two weeks after he put himself on the booking committee, he's the only guy that beat Goldberg, but now it's time to pay.

Hudson moves onto New Blood Rising, but has a feeling Goldberg cares more about getting his hands on Nash than he does about the World Title shot. While he does want the belt back around his waist, his immediate goal is to make Nash suffer, make him pay for trying to smear his name not only in the locker room but in front of the fans, but in reality the fans know the difference, that what he's doing now is something he has to do for the company, they know how uneasy he is with it.

Hudson brings up Nash's claim of him and Hall popping WCW to greater heights, and Goldberg says they didn't do it, he brings up Hogan, Flair, Double A, guys who made the business and WCW what it is. He says the only way Nash can beat him at the PPV is if he puts his ass back on the booking committee, and suggests he does just that, and says he's going to kill Nash. He doesn't care if he wins or loses, he just wants to inflict as much pain on Nash as possible. He brings up Nash's "I'm going over" claim and takes it as a challenge, takes it to mean that Nash thinks he can kick his ass, but he says Nash doesn't have a chance in hell to kick his ass, and the worst part is he can't even run away on his old, crickety knees, and will have to sit there and take it. He hopes Nash is in for a long night, that he's prepared, has a lot of ice, and a lot of Advil right by his bed, because he's gonna need it. Then commercial. Christ almighty. I will say Goldberg seemed more comfortable than ever in that interview, but what in the hell is this build? And are we gonna get one of these with Steiner next wee? Oh boy...

Cat comes out with a mic. Cat says that since this next match is a Lights Out Match, WCW and himself as commissioner cannot sanction this fight, but he wants to see a good fight, so he's going to turn the show off so they won't be liable for what Booker and Jarrett are about to do to each other. Lights go out and the ending graphic plays on screen, then the lights come back on, and calls out Booker and Jarrett to get this thing started.

Lights Out Bunkhouse Brawl: Jeff Jarrett vs Booker T (WCW World Heavyweight Championship)

Pre-Match: Jarret is out with a wheelbarrow filled with various weapons, a shovel, a chair, a broom, trash can lid, bullrope, leather straps, all tossed into the ring and the wheelbarrow left at ringside. 

Jarrett is immediately sent over the ropes to the floor with a spinning heel kick. Booker with rights and Jarrett into the guard rail, then around the ring into the guard rail again, then over into the crowd. Booker and Jarrett fight their way through the crowd and eventually back to ringside. Booker with a chair to the back of Jarrett before returning to the ring. Jarrett nails Booker in the head with a shovel, then the handle over the head. Cat also casually announces that his big main event he mentioned earlier is Sting getting his World Title shot that he was supposed to get this week.

Jarrett jabs Booker with a branding iron then a cowbell to the head sends him to the floor. Lid to the back off the apron by Jarrett, then he tips the wheelbarrow on its side before throwing Booker into it. Jarrett takes his chair to hit Booker over the head. Back to the ring, Booker gets the bullrope and chokes Jarrett until he's low blowed. Jarrett to the middle rope with the broom and breaks it over Booker's back. Jarrett with a boot, then Booker sent into the corner, Jarrett hits him with a boot as he tries to fight back. Jarrett pulls a guitar out from under the ring and goes to the middle rope, catches him midair and tries for the Book End but Jarrett fights out of it. 

Cowbell to the back of the head then Booker is sent off the ropes, caught around the throat by the bullrope. Booker is passing out, ref is raising Booker's arms  but Booker still has life, fighting to his feet. Cowbell to the head again, then Jarrett is sent off the ropes into a forearm, then a spinebuster. Knee to the gut and a scissor kick by Booker and a spinaroonie. Jarrett gets the guitar though and as Booker goes for the Harlem Side Kick, Jarrett smashes the guitar over his leg. Jarrett puts Booker in the figure 4 on the apron in the ropes with help from the bullrope, and despite the fact Booker is still conscious and didn't tap, the ref calls for the bell. Jarrett wins in 7:30. Yeah this was mostly uninteresting, it was like a WCW Hardcore Match with main event talent, who couldn't even save it, not to mention the finish that made no sense.

Booker slumps to the floor holding his knee as the ref checks on him, Jarrett posing with what remains of his guitar in the corner, then poses with the title on the apron. Show fades out with Booker writhing on the floor.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

So, the show had a fun opening match, Skip looked good in his debut, and Kanyon is still the highlight of every show, but everything else? There is a noticeable drop in quality this week. I don't know what the hell this Goldberg/Steiner/Nash thing is leading to, this whole thing is being played off like a shoot, meanwhile Booker's booking is questionable at best right now. It's just a mess. With a run time of 1:25:37, this show had a total 26:34 of wrestling.