WCW Week of August 7, 2000 - Go-Home to New Blood Rising

Nitro

We start with footage from earlier in the day, Steiner arrives and attacks a cameraman when he doesn't get out of his face. Nash also arrives, as does Goldberg. Dillinger informs him Nash has already arrived.

We're live from the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado for this edition of Nitro, welcomed by Schiavone. There's a mud pit set up by the stage, oh joy. But first a match.

The Jung Dragons vs Vampiro, The Great Muta & The Demon

Tank Abbott on commentary.

Pre-Match: For reasons unknown there's also a ladder set up at ringside. 

Jamie-San and Vamp start things out, Vamp with a kick to the chest, then a running powerbomb. Jamie clotheslined out to the floor. Jamie rolls back in as Vamp slides out, then his legs are kicked out from under him as he climbs the apron. Yang leaps off the apron onto Vamp... I don't know what he was going for, he kinda lands legs first on Vamp's head and then lands on his feet. Demon gets Yang from behind, then Jamie leaps over the ring post from the top rope taking out Vamp and Demon.

Kaz dropkicks Muta off the apron, and now he and Yang for... reasons, set the ladder up near the corner. Kaz climbs the ladder, loses his footing as he leaps off and completely botches the splash. Demon prss slams Yang out to the floor. Muta tags in as Demon gets rid of the ladder. Kaz sent into the corner and Muta misses a handspring elbow, dropkicked by Kaz, then an enziguri. Yang back in, sent off the ropes, through the legs and gets a sunset flip for two. Muta sent of rhe ropes, dropkicks the legs and gets a dragon screw, into the heel hook but Dragons breaks it up.

Vamp and Demon come in. Nail in the Coffin to Jamie, Love Gun to Kaz. Yang's surrounded now, gets misted by Muta, then Muta with a backbreaker and a moonsault from up top for the win in 4:05. It was... a match that happened.

Sting's lighting and music goes off and he runs down to lay them out with a bat, Sting now standing tall. He gets a mic and says that was three out of four, and came to Nitro looking for a fight. He wants Goldberg and says he's not leaving the ring until he comes out. Then Schivaone says there's something going down backstage with Nash and Goldberg, but it goes to commercial.

Macho Man Slim Jim commercial.

Back from break and we see security and police having to separate Nash and Goldberg during the break backstage, and Steiner too. Sting leaves the ring now  and out comes Steiner with lead pipe and mic in hand. He says that while Sting wants Goldberg, he wants Nash, but right now Sting's in the wrong place at the wrong time. He says Sting has to figure out a way to get the pipe out of his ass because he's about to shove it up there.Steiner with a ribs and back shot, then swings for his head but connects with the ring post instead. Sting is rolled into the ring and Steiner gets the bat to continue the attack. Steiner looks about ready to snap and finally leaves Sting laying into commercial.

Cat makes his way out next. He's here to take control of the show since he's commissioner. He says if Nash or Goldberg do anything to mess up his show, he's not going to send them home because someone in the office might pay them, but instead will send them straight to jail. As for "Big Pappa Dump," he announces him and Sting in a Pipe on a Pole Match for tonight. He calls for his music because he feels like dancing.

Instead Storm's music hits and out he comes. Since Cat is out booking matches, he wants the match that he deserves, the match Canadian fans want to see, the match the American fans are afraid of, he wants a World Title match so he can become the first Grand Slam Champion. Cat wants him to tell his Canadian fans to kiss his American ass. He lets the American fans decide, but he wants to see Booker kick his Canadian ass, which gets the fans wanting it. So I guess that match is official.

Kidman is at commentary for reasons unknown. Commentary hype the two new matches signed for tonight first and speculate if Sting will be able to wrestle after the attack earlier before getting to Kidman. He admits that his actions of late haven't been very nice towards Torrie, he went too far, yada yada yada, so he's making it Torrie Wilson Appreciation Night as an apology. Kidman leaves to get things ready.

WCW World Tag Team Championship: Kronic (c) vs Mark Jindrak & Sean O'Haire

All four go at it to start until O'Haire is sent into the corner, gets a boot up, goes up top with a 450 and lands on his feet as Adams moves out of the way, then caught with a side kick to the chest. O'Haire sent off the ropes into a backbreaker as Jindrak and Clark fight on the outside. Perfect Event make their way out with Lex Flexers and Clark takes out the challenger with a somersault off the apron. Jindrak sent off the ropes and misses a crossbody on Clark, then hits a springboard clothesline, covers for two.

O'Haire back in, Jindrak wheelbarrows him into a splash onto Clark into a cover and Adams breaks it up. O'Haire is caught with a back suplex after delivering some rights. Jindrak and Adams back in, then O'Haire comes in and gets caught with the full nelson slam. Double shoulder block to Jindrak, then High Time. Clark covers Jindrak but O'Haire makes the save. Adams tosses O'Haire out to the floor, then Clark hits Jindrak with a pumphandle powerslam, then covers but O'Haire saves again. Double team suplex to Clark, then O'Haire goes up top and hits the Seanton Bomb, covers but Clark kicks out. Jindrak is pulled out of the ring by Adams and taken out with a clothesline. Clark is set on the top rope and O'Haire goes for a superplex but Adams gets him on his shoulders. Stasiak nails Clark in the leg with the Lex Flexer for the DQ in 4:21. I don't know why they're already having kick outs for O'Haire finisher, especially when they've only been on TV a month and they did a DQ finish. 

.Jindrak and O'Haire join in on the beatodown of Kronic. Then Filthy Animals run down to join in on the beatdown for eight on two. Then MIA run down to try and even things out and sends the eight retreating, but the Animals steal the tag belts as we go to commercial.

Catch up with MIA backstage. Rection calls what just happened a travesty, and though they don't like Kronic they respect them. Their mission tonight is get the tag titles back from the Animals, so he and AWOL split off from the other three to go in search. Hancock's mission though is to take Hancock to the mudpit and strip her naked. She leaves them.

Buff and Judy make their way out as we see Kanyon's attack on Okerlund, plus the Bagwell's issues on Thunder. Before that though Douglas is voicing his concern to Torrie about what Kidman has planned tonight, but Torrie doesn't want him to ruin this for her, she's completely convinced it's her day and the people want to see her. Kanyon comes in because he needs a partner for a mixed tag and wants Torrie. Torrie says she isn't just another bimbo in a D-cup bra and isn't getting sweaty on her day, and tells Kanyon to find another bimbo. Kanyon leaves and finds Pamela nearby and drags her out to the ring.

Buff & Judy Bagwell vs Positively Kanyon & Pamela Paulshock

Buff gets the jump from behind on Kanyon before catching him with a back elbow as he's sent off the ropes, then a clothesline and a swinging neckbreaker. Buff struts and poses a bit, and Kanyon wants a tag but Pamela doesn't want in. Kanyon sent off the ropes but catches Buff with a swinging neckbreaker, then chokes Buff. Suplex by Kanyon. He gets distracted by Judy but he still clotheslines Buff to the floor. Kanyon clocks Judy in the side of the neck and she drops to the floor. Pamela still wants none of this and slaps Kanyon, so he pulls her into the ring. 

Again, of all people, fucking Okerlund is out to make the save. He low blows Kanyon and Buff hits the Blockbuster for the win in 2:44.

Okerlund takes Pamela to the back as Buff checks on Judy, helping her up and heading to the back with her, Kanyon laid out into commercial.

We're explained by commentary that WCW executive management pulled the Russo interview from Thunder at the last minute, so now we're getting a different one that Schiavone conducted with Russo earlier that day. It was pointed out to me that is was pulled because it mentioned Hogan and Bash at the Beach, and he and Russo were in the middle of a lawsuit over that, so I assume this new interview has no mention of Hogan or that PPV. Madden calls Russo the voice of reason and commentary for the most part kiss Russo's ass.

Oh never mind. Schiavone's first question is about Hogan and Jarrett at Bash at the Beach, and asks if that was part of the script. Russo reminds us that this interviews being redone because he said things that he can't say on Thunder, and can't say them again, but he likes to be honest with the fans, he always speaks his mind, but this is an instance where he can't. He says there will come a time and place where he'll tell the whole story.

Tony moves on. He says that when he found out Russo was coming over from WWF in September, his first thought was why Russo would want to leave WWF and go there seeing as he had a lot of success there, so Tony asks the man himself. Russo says the main reason is it was a great challenge, brings up the ratings he brought WWF and felt they had pretty much peaked, and WWF in the last ten months they're exactly where they were when he left. What he saw in WCW was a whole breed of new blood, stuck somewhere in the middle because they couldn't break that "establishment" for whatever reason. He strongly felt that if he could help them get through and break through the politics, that they could give WWF a run, and to that day he believes it.

Tony knows the "some reason" Russo's talking about and says it's the same reason that, after three months of Russo taking their television and turning it in a direction he wanted to see it that Russo was on the outside once again. Russo says it's all about politics, blames it on the establishment, the guard that didn't want to let the hungry lions through, and it wasn't benefiting the company, instead benefiting the individuals. He thinks they've eliminated a lot of those individuals and now we're starting to see the new blood come through, working their asses off in the ring, and finally the company's getting to a place it needs to be.

Tony asks if he thought it would be this tough to break through the establishment Russo says he didn't, talks about how he took the ratings from a 2.8 to a 3.4 in his first three months, which actually seems to check out, but as a bit of irony, this very episode drew a 2.5. Next thing he knows he's watching Sigmund and the Sea Monsters with his daughter, it blew his mind, but that's the business, it's politics. For that new blood and the hungry lions though, he says he made a promise to them, that he'd see through it, that the right thing was done. He talks about how the joke in WWF was that WCW was an ATM machine, there were high-priced players who didn't perform in the ring, went through the motions and collecting paychecks laughing all the way to the bank. He says that wasn't going to get WCW anywhere and it didn't, instead getting it deeper and deeper into a hole. He says that now with Booker as champion and guys like him leading the way, WCW after ten months of Russo being there is finally in a place that it needs to be.

Tony says it wasn't easy for Russo though, he's been involved both behind the scenes and physically in many angles on-screen since April 10. He says he was bitter after sitting home for three months, and he came back with a vengeance, willing to do anything he could possibly do to help the company, and if it meant climbing to the top of a cage with Flair then so be it. He says he did what he had to do, it's not about him, it's about "we" and if him being in front of the camera was going to help the company he had no problem with it.

Russo apparently told Tony after he had his match with Flair that he'd never be in front of the camera again and asks if Russo still feels that way. As has been pointed out in years after the fact, Russo says he doesn't want to be on TV, he's not one of the boys though he likes working with them and making them the best they can be, but he knows Flair has a receipt with his name on it. He brings up Starrcade coming up in December at the Nassau Coliseum in his backyard, and mentions how his radio show started there 10 years ago, and he'd love nothing better than to get John Rocker for Starrcade, and whether the guy wants to work or shoot, Russo doesn't care, but for every New Yorker he'd love to kick his ass.

Tony moves onto New Blood Rising and asks if this is the pinnacle for WCW. Russo says that WCW is in a place where it needs to be after ten months, he doesn't care what the ratings are (even though he was just talking about them). He says it's up to the new blood, that WCW's future is in their hands, he's handed them the opportunity that they wanted on a silver platter, from Kidman to Douglas to everyone in the locker room, he has the confidence that WCW will be back on top again with them leading the way.

Tony moves specifically to the three-way dance between Nash, Goldberg and Steiner set to take place at the PPV and all the talk from the fans and everyone backstage and wants to know what's going to happen, because reading between the lines all three are saying that regardless of what Russo wants they're just going to do what they want to do. Russo repeats the "not me, it's we" thing and best for the company, and how someone came out and said they don't like the guys they worked with or for (Goldberg I think?). Russo doesn't like some of the people who work for him, and says two of those guys he likes, one he's not crazy about, but knows the end result is what's best for WCW. Well that interview was a complete waste of time, we learned nothing new, and it was mostly for Russo to put himself over, which is funny when he spent the whole time trying to tell us it's not about him.

Pipe on a Pole Match: Sting vs Scott Steiner

Pre-Match: Sting attacks Steiner on the ramp and sends him into the guard rail before the bell even rings, then across the floor into the next guard rail. Sting nails Steiner in the shoulder with a chair and the bell finally rings. It's also explained that the first to get the pipe wins the match, so it's not a case where you can use it and then win by pin or submission.

Chair to the back of Steiner, then Steiner into the guard rail, and a chair into the ribs, then to the ring. Sting goes up top with a flying clothesline, then a dropkick. Sting back up top but he's caught with a belly to belly suplex on the way down. Sting sent off the ropes into a clothesline, then an elbow, and despite the ref telling him he can't win by a pin, Steiner covers, the ref counts and Sting kicks out. Sting sent to the corner for boots and rights, then he flips off the fans. Steiner with knees to the face, then a t-bone suplex and some push-ups. Sting sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits one of his own, then goes for another and the ref is nailed as well. Sting with a bulldog and out comes Rick Steiner, Stiner Splash to Scott, then Rick, who off camera had gotten the pipe from the pol. Sting attacks Rick in the corner, Steiner picks up the pipe as the ref comes to and wins the match in 3:28.

Steiner clotheslines Sting with the pipe, then uses the pipe to apply a Recliner. Nash comes out with a chair, uses it to block pipe shots. Then he drops it and he and Sting fight with the Steiners until security rush in to break it up. Then commercial.

Replays of what just happened. Awesome and Heidi have joined commentary, and we learn through Schiavone that Cat has made Sting & Nash vs The Steiners for tonight.

WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Lance Storm (WCW Canadian Heavweight, SHIT & 100kg and Under Champion) vs Booker T (c)

Mike Awesome and Heidi on commentary.

Pre-Match: Storm wants to be serious for a minute as always. He says that tonight he fulfills his destiny as an all-time Canadian great, he'll follow in the footsteps of other great Canadians, like Wayne Gretzky, Donovan Bailey, Doug Flutie, because tonight he'll make Booker submit and becomes World Heavyweight Champion. He says it's not his fault he'll be the first Grand Slam Champion in WCW, or that he goes to the PPV with all the gold, or that he's that damn good. Then he calls for everyone to stand for the anthem but Booker interrupts before it can even start.

Bit of back and forth to start and out comes some guy with a tray of donuts, Booker with a forearm to take advantage. Storm sent off the ropes, they exchange some counters until Lance dropkicks the leg and sends Booker to the floor. Springboard crossbody onto Booker before returning to the ring. Storm with some rights and boots before Booker is taken tot he corner for slaps. Booker gets some elbows in but he's caught with a shot to the knee. Northern Lights is countered into a vertical suplex by Booker. Storm sent of the ropes, Booker ducks low, Storm rolls over into a sunset flip only to try to go for the Maple Leaf but he's quickly booted off.  Lance with a jawbreaker, then goes for a superkick, Booker ducks and delivers a scissor kick, followed by a spinaroonie. Harlem Side Kick and a cover for two.

Side kick to the cbest sends Storm into the corner, he gets the boots up, goes up top, tries for a crossbody but he's caught with a powerslam and a cover for a near fall. Storm goes for a German, then Booker, but Storm rolls out of it and gets Booker in the Maple Leaf. Booker is pulled back to the middle as he tries to make it to the ropes but eventually makes it back and forces a break. Storm caught with a back elbow, but gets Booker with a sidekick, off the ropes into a spinerbuster, Booker covers for a near fall. 

Booker goes up top for a missile dropkick and a cover and another near fall. Booker tries for the Book End but Storm fights out of it, then sent off the ropes into a successful Book End to retain in 5:37. Man this match felt longer, and I mean that in a good way, this is probably going to be the high point of this show.

Booker celebrates with the title but Jarrett appears out of nowhere to attack the bad leg again. Belt shot to the knee, then he lays out the ref. Jarrett grabs the Canadian flag Storm brought out and breaks the stick over Booker's knee. Storm lays him out and they fights, Storm sent into the guard rail, then Jarrett tries to nail him with the guitar, Storm ducks and he nails Heidi instead as she and Awesome are trying to leave. Jarrett retreats back into the ring and gets a Book End.  Awesome goes to check on Heidi as Booker stands tall, leaving into commercial.

Jarrett is backstage with Pamela and asks if what he just did makes him feel like a man and says he got what he deserved. He calls her a blond slap nut, and says the only reason he smacked that big fat blob out there upside her huge melon (his words) is because he didn't have an hour to walk around her. He wants a match with Awesome tonight and tells her to choke on it.

Rection and AWOL split up in search of the Animals but AWOL finds himself in the ladies' dressing room instead.

Now out comes Kidman with a bouqyet and heart shaped box, plus some champagne as we see what happened to him and Reno on Thunder. Kidman knows Torrie's in the back watching and has a few things he wants to say to her. He apologizes for everything he's ever done to her, he realizes he shouldn't have shown the sex tape to everyone, because no one like him knows the love they shared. He admits he acted like an idiot, immature, and that's why he made tonight Torrie Wilson Appreciation Night, because deep down she still means the world to him.  Douglas is backstagetrying to tell her that this is all a trap but Torrie is absolutely determined, and Kidman just wants Torrie to forgive him. He calls Torrie out for her party.

Out comes Torrie right on cue and Kidman even holds the rope up for her. He hands her the bouquet and he reminisces about the good times they shared, how he got to see her baby pictures, and got to see a side of her no one got to see, until tonight. He brings up her sweet 16 party, and says he wants to air another tape to show his appreciation. It's not a sex tape, but it is Torrie in action from her party. She was a little on the heavy side in this footage, so more fat jokes, oh joy. And she's eating handfuls of cake and chips as people are singing. Worst part is Tony and Hudson, the babyface commentators, are putting Kidman over as a heel, rightfully so, even though he's once again supposed to be the babyface in all this.

Kidman says that as another souvenir, he has flyers dropped from the rafters of her high school photos, and claims Torrie will be signing them after the show. Kidman tries to feed her chocolates and Douglas finally comes out. She tries to hit Kidman with the champagne but he shoves her down. In runs Reno to hit Kidman with Roll of the Dice and gets in Kidman's face. Christ the ring and ringside are covered in these flyers. Douglas takes off his belt and starts whipping Kidman as Reno holds him down. Referees rush in to make the save, helping Kidman out of the ring into commercial, as Torrie tries to gather as many flyers as possible.

Animals are walking backstage and Loco dives onto them from some equipment. Cajun is there too and Guns gets a hairful of Tygress' hair, pulling her away. Animals lay out Cajun and Loco try to leave the arena but Kronic are standing outside the shutter door with sledgehammers and take it to the Animals' car. Disco gives them the belts and begs not to be hurt, but they deliver High Time onto the hood of the car. Kronic leave with their titles.

Guns is dragging Tygress out to the arena and throws her into the mud pit, and Guns dives onto her and they start going at it. Hancock comes out and joins in, double teaming Guns, dunking her face in the mud repeatedly. Hancock and Tygress leave Guns in the pit into commercial.

Jeff Jarrett vs Mike Awesome

Jarrett gets the jump on Awesome with boots and rights, then Awesome with rights, sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline. Jarrett tries for a Thesz Press but he's caught with a belly to belly overhead. Awesome with a splash in the corner, then some mounted rights, then a leg drop and a cover for two. Awesome sent off the ropes into a back elbow sends him out to the floor. Awesome into the guard rail, then a chair to his back, then face first off the guard rail. Awesome across the floor into another guard rail, then Jarrett's sent into the guard rail. Awesome with a chair to the back of Jarret. Now he pulls out a table but Jarrett gets him with a chair before he can set it up. Jarrett back into the guard rail before Awesomse goes back and sets up the table. Chair to the ribs and back of Jarrett before the return to the ring.

Jarrett gets in a low blow and knocks Awesome back out, before dropping him onto the guard rail, then back to the ring. Jarrett with boots, then posing in the corner for some reason. More rights , then Awesome sent to the corner, only to leap to the middle rope and hit a back elbow. Awesome goes up top but he's cut off, then Jarrett joins him. Storm has come out and Awesome knocks Jarrett to the mat, followed by a flying clothesline. Alabama Slam and a cover by Awesome, but Jarrett gets his foot on the bottom rope. Awesome sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits one of his own.

Storm is on the apron and Jarrett takes a chain that Awesome had around his neck, nails Awesome with it, then covers but Awesome kicks out. Awesome sent off the ropes, catches Jarrett in a powerbomb position, set on putting Jarrett through the table he set up at ringside. Lance comes around to block it so he's knocked off the apron and through the table... or he was supposed to go through it but it didn't break and now Storm's lying under it. Jarrett hits the Stroke for the win in 5:42. I mean it was a fine match, and seeing as they're both going for titles at the PPV, the finish makes some sense.

Jarrett is celebrating as Storm recovers on the floor. Fans are already throwing trash in the ring as we go to commercial.

Pamela is backstage with Kwee-Wee and... some woman. He says Pamela dresses like a street prostitute, but will hook her up with good clothing. He says he's not one to be pushed around and tells the boys in the back to be scared of him, then goes into angry form and warns them not to make him angry. The unknown woman tries to calm him down. Oh it's his wife Papaya, and he yells at her to shut up. Then he leaves.

Rick & Scott Steiner vs Kevin Nash & Sting

Pre-Match: Rick has a mic and says that when you're a Steiner Brother you fear no one, that they're here to promote violence,. Scott takes the mic and says he doesn't know which one of them will have the pleasure, but he's going to stick his size 12 so far up their ass they'll be flossing with his shoe laces.

Steiners get the jump on Nash and Sting as the enter the ring, then they're sent of the ropes into a big boot and a clothesline. Steiners regroup at ringside, lots of time wasting. Rick and Nash start this properly with a lock up, Rick backed into the corner for knees, rights and elbows. Ricks sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits one of his own, then an elbow into a cover for two. Rick with rights in the corner, then sent across the ring for a clothesline by Nash. Nash with an eblow to the back and Sting tags in, Nash with a scoop slam on Rick, and Sting with a splash and a cover for two.

Sting with rights, then knocks Scott off the apron. Boots and rights to Rick until the eyes are raked, Scott in now. Sting sent off the ropes into a clothesline and an elbow, covers for two, then nearly mauls the referee. Steiner with boots in the Steiner corner, then Rick chokes Sting a bit. Powerslam into the corner by Scott, then Rick torques the nexk back in a tree of woe. Nash attacks Rick to make the save. Rick tags in, belly to belly suplex on Sting and a cover but Sting kicks out. Scott back in and the fans want Goldberg. Sting sent off the ropes into a bearhug. Sting fights out, trading rights, then makes the tag. 

Nash with clotheslines and rights, sidewalk slam to Rick. Nash goes for the jackknife but it's broken up with a clothesline by Scott. Stinger Splash to Scott, but misses another. While Scott delivers his spinning belly to belly, Nash tries to put Rick through the announce table with a jackknife but it doesn't break. Scott applies the Recliner and the ref is busy trying to restore order with Nash and Rick. Goldberg runs down to attack Scott, then Sting just pins him and wins in 6:43. Pretty meh match with an on-par finish.

Goldberg with a spin kick takes out Sting, then Nash enters the ring and the tease going at it, then Steiner attacks Goldberg from behind and that's how the show ends.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Well this show was a mess, both figuratively and literally. Between the mudpit shit, the Torrie/Kidman shit, the Russo interview that was full of bullshit, and just about everything in between. Booker and Storm at least put on an excellent match, but besides that and what I mentioned before that, the rest was meh and/or unnecessary. With a run time of 1:29:37, this show had a total 32:40 of wrestling.

Thunder

We don't get an opening video package or pyro, we go right to the World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado for this edition of Thunder, where Kronic is making their entrance and Schiavone welcomes us to the show. We see Kronic being laid out on Nitro. Adams gets the mic and says a little birdy told him that Colorado Springs was down with Kronic, and everyone in WCW knows they do all the ass kicking around there. He says that Perfect Event, Jindrak and O'Haire decided they had a death wish on Nitro, so tonight Kronic's going to make their wish come true, agreeing to put their titles on the line tonight instead of Sunday and calls them all out.

Handicap Match for the WCW World Tag Team Championship: Kronic (c) vs The Perfect Event, Mark Jindrak & Sean O'Haire

Pre-Match: It's explained by Tenay, per word from the back, that if Kronic get pinned, whoever pins them wins the title with their respective partner, which somehow goes right over Stevie Ray's head because he still wonders how four guys can wear two belts.

Adams and Palumbo start... or are supposed to bu Jindrak and O'Haire jump in the ring to tripe team and the ref decides to hold Clark back instead of sending them out. Now Palumbo starts with a kick to the ribs, boot to the back and some rights. Adams face first in the corner then some mores right and Stasiak tags in. Adams with a headbutt, then sent off the ropes into a back elbow. Stasiak sent off the ropes into a gorilla press into a gutbuster. Claek and Jindrak tag in, chops by Clark, Jindrak sent off the ropes and connects with a dropkick, then covers for one. 

Clark into the corner gets a boot up, then hits a shoulder block. Rake of the eyes and O'Haire tags in, Clarke sent off the ropes into a clothesline and a cover for two. Jindrak back in with a Russian leg sweep, and O'Haire back in. Rights on Clark, misses a spin kick and hit with a DDT. Adams back in as is Stasiak. Full nelson slam to Jindrak as he runs in, then goes for  a gorilla press on Stasiak but he slips out and they botch a hangman's neckbreaker. Adams sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a piledriver.

Clark back in and O'Haire does too, caught with a tilt-a-whirl powerslam, Clark covers and Jindrak saves. Adams goes for a clothesline, Jindrak ducks, Palumbo pulls down the top rope and Adams tumbles to the outside. Adams set on the top rope, Jinndrak goes for a Frankensteiner and Clark kinda botches it, then Sean hits the Seanton Bomb. Stasiak slides in to steal the win but O'Haire pulls him off. Jindrak covers and Stasiak breaks it up. They all argue as Adams sends Jindrak and O'Haire to the outside with a double clothesline. Pumphandle powerslam to Stasiak by Clark, followed by High Time to retain in 6:24. Yeah this match wasn't all that good, bit of a trainwreck to be honest.

Kronic celebrate. Muta and Vamp come out very slowly. Kronic eye them in the aisle and want them to enter the ring, and while they're distracted Juvie runs into the ring and steals the belts, and Palumbo does absolutely nothing about it even though he's standing right there as Juvie hops the guard rail in escape. Kronic give chase and Vamp and Muta leave to the back.

Over to commentary to speculate on what the Animals are thinking. Cat has given Booker the night off and apparently we're going to see an interview Tony did with him later in the show. Then they hype up the PPV a bit before commercial.

Awesome and Heidi walk into Cat's office, and Jung Dragons are poking out behind some curtains in the background. Cat wants to book him in a match with Storm tonight in a Flag Match and wants Awesome to represent America. Awesome promises to break the Canadian flag over Storm's neck. They leave. Jung Dragon's music plays and they appear and Cat wants none of it right now, only to knock their heads together and slap them.

Crowbar and Daffney backstage and she has a shirt that says "Watch Crowbar Wrestle" which he thinks is cool, apparently he or they have a match up next. Crowbar wants to tell her something but hesitates and pretends to forget what it was and Daffney buys it.

Jarrett arrives and promises Booker won't make it to the PPV.

Crowbar (w/ Daffney) vs "Primetime Player" Elix Skipper

Pre-Match: Skipper comes out with a mic and says this is his house, wants everyone to sit and put their seatbelts on because he's about to show the fans something they've never seen before, a taste of primetime.

Crowbar offers a handshake, only to pull Elix into a German suplex. Crossbody takes them both over the ropes to the floor. Elix sent into the guard rail, then Crowbar with a running splash off the apron. Back in the ring, Crowbar with a slingshot splash. Out comes MI Smooth with flowers for Daffney and he whispers something. Crowbar goes for a springboard moonsault but Elix ducks into a crab walk and Crowbar hits the mat. Elix with a victory roll for two. Elix with rights in the corner and some chops, then Crowbar with some, Elix sent across the ring and caught with a death valley driver. 

Crowbar finally notices the flowers and gets distracted, so Elix get him with a slingshot corkscrew. Daffney hits Elix over the head with her flowers which sets him off and sends her running. Back in the ring, Crowbar crotches Elix as he goes up top, some chops by Crowbar before failing a Frankensteiner. Elix with a sunset flip is blocked, only for Crowbar to be caught with the Overdrive for the win in 3:54.

Elix barely gets time to celebrate before commercial.

Jarrett finds Jimmy Hart backstage who confirms that Booker isn't there tonight, and has a taped interview later. Jimmy tells him he'll have to wait for the PPV but Jarrett's having none of it and smashes his guitar over his head. Jarrett says everyone's going to be sorry that Booker's not there before leaving.

Okerlund is backstage with Buff, without his neckbrace tonight. Buff corrects Gene on calling Kanyon by his new name, says he's Chris Kanyon, and basically says Kanyon stands no chance at the PPV. Buff then decides to take over for the interview and we see Okerlund kicking Kanyon below the belt, and Buff asks what's going through Gene's head at this stage. He said one thing on his mind was Kanyon, and says he had a ball. 

Kanyon interrupts and challenges them both to a tag match tonight, Kanyon has some mystery partner. Okerlund is oddly up for it but Kanyon won't give up who his partner is, but says he's wanted a piece of Okerlund for a long time. Kanyon leave.s

Tank and 3 Count are in the ring and there's a ladder leaned against the apron at ringside. Tank says his new hit single isn't completed and won't give it to us until it's ready, comparing it to fine wine. He assures us though he'll lead 3 Count to a hit single, and says the fans need to participate until then, before calling for 3 Count's music and now Tank is singing. MIA finally interrupt for this next match.

Misfits in Action (w/ Major Guns) vs 3 Count & Tank Abbott

Cajun and Helms start things off with some quick  back and forth, Cajun with a Russian leg sweep for the advantage. Rection tags in, Shane sent off the ropes into a powerslam, then Rection with an elbow and a leg drop. Shane sent off the ropes, Rection goes for a popup powebomb but he's countered with a hurricanrana. Shannon and Loco tag in, Loco misses a clothesline, but catches Shannon in a wheelbarrow position, dropping him throat first on the top rope. Shannon sent off the ropes into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, but Loco's caught with a clothesline by Shane. Loco sent into 3 Count's corner for triple teaming until MIA make the save. Shane sent into the corner for splashes from all but AWOL, who then delivers a big boot. 

Tank comes in and nails AWOL from behind, and at this point Hancock and David have grabbed hold of Guns on the apron, Tank is sent off the ropes by Cajun into a drop toe hold, then a leg drop by Loco. AWOL catches Guns as Cajun climbs up the ladder, leaps off but Tank knocks him out. Shane pulls the ladder and lays it over the top rope in the corner, he and Shannon with a leg drop and a splash onto Cajun from the ladder for the win in 3:27.

3 Count leave  as MIA check on Cajun, then commercial.

Pamela is backstage with MIA. Rection takes the mic from her though and says that what just happened won't be tolerated. Guns apologizes that Hancock and David interrupted, and if Hancock wants a war she'll get one. She repeats herself as she calls out to Hancock and says she can bring her little boyfriend and challenges them to a Mixed Tables Match, teaming herself with AWOL.

Crowbar finds Smooth elsewhere backstage and Smooth tells him he needs to worry about whoever gave Daffney the flowers, he's just the deliveryman. 

Dragons are lurking outside Cat's office, but they're attacked by Vamp and Muta from behind instead. Cat comes out and makes a tag match between them, with Cat having a currently unknown partner.

We get a hype package for Goldberg/Nash/Steiner into commercial.

Buff is with Okerlund backstage and Okerlund says he hates Kanyon, only wishing he knew who his partner was. Buff assures that no matter who it is, Gene's gonna kick his ass. Okerlund is sure it's not Pamela because she's nuts about him.

Back to Cat in his office on the phone with someone he needs, and he brings up Muta and Vamp, whoever it he wants them as his partner. They seem to agree to do it and Cat is pleased.

Mike Sanders is now "Above Average" and has... I wanna say it's surfer music but that doesn't sound quite right, it's one of those generic yet very recognizable songs, maybe in action flicks? He's also carrying a trash can with some weapons as he comes down to the ring, and we see what happened the last time we saw him where he was laid out three times backstage.

Sanders has a mic as Norman comes out. He says most don't know who he is, especially Norman, and though he's not a big WCW superstar, he's been told he's the #1 guy on the B-roster, top 49%. He thinks a victory tonight in a Hardcore Match is what he needs to let the people and Norman know that he's way above average. Norman agrees that he doesn't know Mike, but he doesn't want to. He claims to be done with hardcore matches but he's nailed with a chair by Sanders, so...

Hardcore Match: Screamin' Norman Smiley vs "Above Average" Mike Sanders

Despite Norman's refusal, we're told that this is a hardcore match, as Sanders and Norman immediately head to the back, Mike clubbing on the back. Mike is whipped over some spare guard rails, then they're kicked into him before Sanders is thrown towad the back. Norman is nailed from behind a curtain with a ladder and they continue on backstage. Norman has a trash can put over his head and Sanders nails him with a brook a few times before they keep moving through the backstage area, more broom shots and Norman is sent into a wall. Sanders wastes time talking to the camera which allows Norman to get out of the can and nail Sanders with it. Sanders is thrown into a wall and lands on a stretcher, then Norman slams the back board onto him. More trash can shots before Sanders is thrown into a door. Broom shots by Norman and for some reason Jarrett is there arguing with some guy about something. Sanders ducks a clothesline and slips through the legs, catching the arm as he does and does like a pumphandle slam through a nearby table. Sanders is whipped into a wall and Sanders gets scoop slammed through another table. The guy arguing with Jarrett goes to leave but he's pulled back and Jarrett smashes a guitar over his head. Norman with a chair to the back of Sanders and Jarrett walks off. Big Wiggle by Norman and Jarrett comes back with another guitar to nail Norman. Sanders tries to cover but the referee reminds him this needs to end in the ring. So Sanders gets a convenient wheelbarrow and dumps Norman in it and wheels him back out to the arena.

Sanders covers but it's only two. Snapmare by Sanders then a kick tot he chest. Sanders goes to the middle rope with a chair but he sends himself into the chair just under the chin as Norman rolls out of the way, who then rolls over to get his head and arm over to get the win in 4:38. Why?

Norman stumbles to his feet to celebrate into commercial.

We cut to Vamp and Demon in a dark place. Vamp hypes up Sting's match with Demon at the PPV, says he's turned Demon into a sick, rabid gargoyle and he's coming to get Sting. He says Cat thinks it's all a joke, then says Muta's the original man to walk on the dark side and Cat's bit off more than he can chew and a bunch of other things. He's talking like a million miles a minute.

Flag Match: Lance Storm (WCW Canadian Heavyweight, SHIT & 100kg and Under Champion) vs Mike Awesome (w/ Heidi)

Pre-Match: Storm (of course) wants to be serious for a minute, and he's sporting a black eye. He hopes Awesome's one hell of a fat chick thriller because he's a damn poor career killer. He makes a very valid point. He says that every time he beats Awesome it makes him a bigger star, and reminds us this is a non-title match because he refuses to defend his title on US soil. He calls for everyone to rise for the Canadian anthem, but it's interrupted by Awesome of course. To win the match they have to claim the flag of their own country placed above one of the ring posts.

Storm is hung up on the top rope, but he sends Awesome into the guard rail, then tries to hit him with a chair but it's forearmed back into his face. Back in the ring, Lance with a jawbreaker, then chops in the corner are no-sold. Awesome with chops, Lance sent across the ring for a clothesline. Mounted rights by Awesome as Heidi goes up and tries to get the American flag, Awesome up top with a frog splash.

Heidi takes the flag down and as Awesome goes to take it she hits him over the head with it and throws the flag out to the floor, then a flying clothesline. Storm gets Awesome in the Maple Leaf as Heidi goes and grabs the Canadian flag, hands it to Lnace for the win in 2:03.

Lance refuses to break the hold as Heidi rips open her shirt to show her Canadian support, then Lance goes out and grabs the American flag, breaking its stick over Awesome's back into commercial.

Pamela is backstage with Kidman. We learn he's facing Douglas at the PPV, but tonight Reno wants a piece of him. Kidman isn't worried about Reno or whether or not Torrie will be with Douglas at the PPV, because that's when it all comes to an end, no more photos, or videos. He does want to make this a Strap Match though after what happened to him on Nitro, joking that Douglas won't like it the way Torrie used to. Kidman doesn't know much about Reno except he has some goofy stripper name, but he knows someone who does know about him.

He pulls the cameraman away to talk to said person, his own girlfriend, apparently he has a great idea and it's nothing he hasn't done before. Kidman finds the women's dressing room and asks for Siren and they kiss, she puts up no fight. Again, how is Kidman the babyface?

Commentary is joined by Tygress and Tony ask where the tag titles are. She has no idea what he's talking about, or so she claims. 

Mixed Tag Team Tables Match: David Flair & Ms. Hancock vs Sgt. AWOL & Major Guns

Tygress on commentary.

Seems we're doing tag in/out rules for this one, and the men start things out. David is backed into a corner off a lock up, then a boot and rights. Chops by David, then wastes time strutting and AWOL gets some shots in. David thumbs the eye before going up top only to be tossed off to the mat. David face first in the corner and Guns and Tygress start trading words. Hancock nails Guns from behind. Hancock jumps on her for some semblance of a catfght. Wall has leaned a table against a guard rail and David sets one up in the ring. Rights by AWOL, David sent off the ropes into a big boot More shots by AWOL in the corner until Hancock rakes the eyes, then Guns pulls her off the apron and points toward the table against the guard rail. Terrible choking by Guns, then goes to whip Hancock through the table but it's reversed and... well the table doesn't really break, it just kinda bends. Hancock still gets the win for her team in 3:13.

David celebrates but he still gets chokeslammed through the table by AWOL. MIA have rushed out to check on MIA into commercial.

Kanyon is talking with his mystery partner in a room backstage, but we can't see who it is because the camera's looking in from just outside the door, and the door is just hiding the partner. Kanyon tells this person that they finally get their shot at the evil little man in Okerlund. Whoever it is is ready.

Cat is waiting backstage and Doug Dillinger lets him know his partner's arrived. 

Reno vs Billy Kidman

Kidman ducks a clothesline right of the gate and connects with a dropkick. Kidman sent off the ropes and catches Reno with a headscissor then kips up. Reno misses a clothesline and goes tumbling to the side, Kidman gets him with a springboard crossbody. Back in the ring, Reno sent into the corner, but flapjacks Kidman face first into the top turnbuckle. Kidman sent across the ring and caught with a belly to belly overhead by Reno. Kidman sent off the ropes but catches Reno with a Thesz Press and some forearms. Reno ducks a clothesline and hits an exploder suplex. Reno stomping away, then a scoop slam before he goes to the middle rope and misses a fist drop. Kidman with a bulldog out of the corner and a cover for two.

Reno catches Kidman with a pumphandle suplex, then covers for two. Kidman sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and hits a Baldo Bomb for two. Reno counters a scoop slam into Roll the Dice, and instead of going for the pin start hammering away at Kidman with rights.

Out runs Siren to try and talk sense into Reno, who then grabs a chair. Siren is arguing with the ref and Reno sets the chair on the mat, goes for a powerbomb and of course Kidman with a facebuster onto the chair, covers but Reno kicks out. Now Torrie comes out. Reno goes for a scoop slam, then Kidman goes for an Unprettier but Douglas comes out through the crowd and nails Kidman with... I don't know, brass knuckles with a chain. Another chain shot and the ref calls for the DQ, so I guess Kidman wins in 4:37.

Double teaming ensues with Torrie egging them on. Chain choking and whipping. Out runs Vito for some reason to make the save and he and Reno stare each other down. Reno, Douglas and Torrie leave into commercial.

Artist is in street clothes backstage trying to look cool and looking for Paisley. He finds the lady's dressing room and there she is with Kwee-Wee and Papaya. Artist attacks and security rush in to break them up.

Jarrett makes his way out and hands a note to Penzer. He calls the fans slap nuts and says that Jarrett wants them all to know that he's holding everyone in the building personally responsible for the fact that Booker T is not present, and Mr. Jarrett will continue to disrupt the show and claim innocent victims for the remainder of the evening. So of course Jarrett smashes a guitar over his head. 

Jarrett picks up the mic and knows Booker is watching and tells him it's on his head, everything he does, all the guilt, the shame, all Booker's until the PPV, because that's the night he finally gets to meet Booker face to face, and when he takes his World Title and put it back around his waist. He says it's a guarantee from the Chosen One, and tells all the slap nuts to choke on that. Penzer was also helped out of the ring in the middle of this.

Tony sends it to that interview we were promised that he did with Booker earlier in the week. Tony starts by listing off his accolades, a 10x tag champion, 6x TV champion, and at Bash at the Beach his entire career changed, and asks him to take us back to that night. Booker calls it the greatest day of his life as far as being a performer and a professional wrestler, and after eight years he's made it. Tony calls it a hectic night, seeing as Booker didn't even expect to get a title shot, and asks what being the champion means to him. He says that night answered a lot of questions for himself and the company and fans across the country, that being if Booker could be in the main event, could he carry the show, could the people get into it. He says it was a great feeling because it was so unexpected, but when it finally happened and the people in Daytona Beach reacted the way they did, it said that he's a major player in WCW and he finally arrived as the #1 player in pro wrestling.

Tony wants to talk about how the business has evolved, he mentions how he's known Booker for eight years and how things have changed since then, like how there's more money in sports entertainment, bigger egos, a different ballgame than Booker was in when he first came to the company, and he asks if Booker's been able to maintain his sameness through all the egos, the money and backstabbing that have gone on in the business. He brings up the conversation brought up of paying your dues and talks about how he started up in a small territory, coming up through Dallas in the Global Wrestling Federation for two years, wrestled a lot of veterans, and credits them for preparing him for WCW, and the last eight years have prepared him for being World Champion, and working hard since day one to get there. He says it means so much more to him when the fans stand behind him because he sees guys who get it very quickly and it destroys their focus away from what it's really all about, which is pleasing the fans every week. 

Tony brings up his interview with Russo, and brings up "the establishment" conversation and the hungry lions and how Russo sees Booker as the leader of the lions, so Tony asks if he feels any pressure. Booker says he feels no pressure, it's on the rest of the guys in the locker room because they have to follow him, step up to the plate as far as performing for the people every night. He says he always test himself to see if he can be better than he was the night before, ball's in his court. He says the pressure is on the Goldbergs, the Nashs, the Steiners, says they need to pick their performance up to another level we're in a new millennium and right now it's his time. 

Tony wants an update on Booker's knee since he's recently seen a doctor. He brings up how he was run over by Goldberg some weeks back when they botched that spear spot, nailing the same knee he had surgery on, had the cartilage repaired, and Goldberg apparently ran into the muscle right above the knee and inflamed it bad. He thought he'd have to go under the knife again, but after a lot of therapy, a lot of ice it got him back on track, the swelling has gone down, admits he's not 100% but he probably never will be. He says it won't slow him down, he's going to keep performing on a weekly basis, insists he'll defend every week and give the people their money's worth, a little knee, scrape or scratch won't stop him. 

Tony asks if he thinks he's pushing it too much, even though he understand where he's coming from with the fans, they pay their hard earned money to see them perform and it's a big deal. He admits that he might be, but he won't know until he gets to the point where he breaks in the middle of the ring but if he does break that's where it'll be, he's set a new standard and says he's going to go out and push it to the limit every night because the fans pay good money to see a good show and he's not going to let them down. He promises that they're going to have to kill him before anyone takes his title. Then commercial. Alright that was good. I was expecting another dumb shoot interview, and I mean this kinda still was, but this wasn't used for some dumb angle this time, at least I hope not.

Buff and Okerlud come out, followed by Kanyon with a mic, though it's not working properly. All we can make out is that he promises his partner will tear Okerlund limb from limb. 

Buff Bagwell & "Mean" Gene Okerlund vs Positively Kanyon & Mark "Smokey" Madden

Buff and Kanyon start. Also Judy has somehow joined commentary even though she didn't come out with Buff and Okerlund. Buff and Kanyon circle, but then Madden wants a tag and so Kanyon tags him in. Buff just starts laughing his ass off. Buff poses and Madden begins to remove his shirt but stops and poses instead. Madden wants Okerlund so Buff tags him in. They circle. Gene nails Kanyon in the back and it sets him off and distracts the ref, Okerlund tags Buff back in. Madden tags back out.

Quick back and forth now and Kanyon's caught with a pair of arm drags and a clothesline. Buff struts, then gets sent off the ropes and Madden sucker punches him. Buff gives chase and walks right into a clothesline by Kanyon. Buff is sent into the guard rail, then they return to the ring. Rights by Kanyon in the corner, then gets sent across the ring, gets a boot up, ducks a right and Buff hits a double-arm DDT, covers but Madden breaks it up. Buff sends him off the ropes into a clothesline. Kanyon nails Buff from behind and delivers a snapmare, choking Buff on the mat. Kanyon with an elbow and a cover for two. Scoop slam by Kanyon then he goes up top, only to miss a splash.

Gene and Madden get the tag, Gene ducks a clothesline and nails Madden with a right. Gene plays to the crowd but then Madden low blows him. Gene though was smart enough to wear a cup, then shoves it in Madden's face. Buff hits Madden (sort of) with a Blockbuster, then Gene covers for the win in 5:20. I don't have the words to describe this. Commentary couldn't stop laughing their asses off, and the crowd really loved Gene no matter how stupid this was. At least Kanyon didn't take the pin.

Tony: "There is a God." Kanyon hits Buff with the Kanyon Cutter, then eyes Okerlund. Kanyon starts choking him down in the corner and Judy wants to make the save, but Stevie chases Kanyon off instead. Then commercial.

Cat makes his way out, then Camp and Muta. Cat cuts their music off and says they ought to think twice before getting in the ring because he's got a bad man on his side and says it's showtime.

Vampiro & The Great Muta vs The Cat & Sting

All four start fighting at ringside with Cat and Sting taking advantage immediately, taking on each other's enemies. Sting gets Vamp with a chair a few times, then face first off the announce table. Vamp set against the guard rail but misses a Stinger Splash. Muta gets Cat in the chest with a chair. Sting is tossed into the ring and he's booted by Muta. Vamp starts with Sting properly, then tags in Muta off an arm wringer. Muta with a snapmare and an elbow before he chokes Sting a bit. Boot to the head of Sting, then Vamp tags back in. Back to the arm with an arm wringer, front face lock holding Sting from his corner but manages to tag in Cat, though the ref didn't see it. Sting is sent off the ropes into a spin kick. Low blow knee drop by Vamp, then he gets sent into the corner. Sting goes for the Stinger Splash again but Vamp gets a boot up, then he misses a spinning heel kick and take each other out with clotheslines.

Cat gets the hot tag and delivers rights and thrusts. Muta walks into a standing side kick. Roundhouse to the head of Vamp, then takes down Muta and a throat shot. Vamp with a shot, then sent off the ropes into a DDT. Cat covers and Muta breaks it up, Stinger Splash connects with Muta, but at the same time he mists Sting as Demon makes his way out. Cat still gets the win with a Feliner on Vamp in 4:50. It was... a match... that happened.

Demon slides into the ring and goes after Sting, and Muta mists Cat. Demon gets Sting into the Scorpion Deathlock and fans are trashing the ring as it fades to black.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

So... Elix/Crowbar was alright. Kidman and Reno was fairly good until the BS started. Booker's interview was probably the best part of the show. Then you had the swerve (bro!) with Heidi, and the Hardcore Match BS. Then there's that thing with Jarrett that didn't go anywhere, I mean he said he was going to continue disrupting the show, and then it went nowhere. Not to mention I think Penzer continued doing ring announcing after that. Everything else was really just typical WCW stuff, either meh or pointless or whatnot. With a run time of 1:26:21, there was a total 38:26 of wrestling.

Match Card for New Blood Rising

- Double Ladder Match for 3 Count's Recording Contract and Gold Record: 3 Count vs The Jung Dragons

- The Great Muta vs The Cat

- Judy Bagwell on a Pole Match: Buff Bagwell vs Positively Kanyon

- Four Corners Match for the WCW World Tag Team Championship: Kronic (c) vs Mark Jindrak & Sean O'Haire vs The Perfect Event vs Misfits in Action (Gen. Rection & Lt. Loco)

- Strap Match: The Franchise vs Billy Kidman

- Rip Off the Camouflage Mud Match: Ms. Hancock vs Major Guns

- Sting vs The Demon

- WCW Canadian Heavyweight Championship: Lance Storm (c) vs Mike Awesome

- Kevin Nash vs Goldberg vs Scott Steiner Winner gets a World Title shot at Fall Brawl.

- WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Booker T (c) vs Jeff Jarrett