WCW Week of August 21, 2000

Nitro

We open with a graphic in memory of Peter Seligman, who as far as I can tell was a PR guy, died in a subway accident two weeks before we was to be wed, so that was a really nice touch.

We get to the recap of last week, specifically about what Goldberg did to Tank and Midajah and telling Russo he's next.

Russo is seen on the phone with Steiner and tells him to relax, says that "it" is happening tonight. In walks Jarrett who wants Goldberg tonight for costing him the title last week. Russo says everyone wants Goldberg, Nash is on his way, Steiner's on standby and tells Jarrett to go wait. Jarrett leaves.

We're live from the Kansas Coliseum in Wichita, Kansas for this episode of Nitro. We're reminded of what happened between Team Canada and MIA on last week's Thunder which leads us to our first match.

WCW 100kg & Under Championship: "Prime Time" Elix Skipper (c) (w/ WCW Canadian Heavyweight Champion Lance Storm) vs Lt. Loco (w/ Gen. Rection)

Elix gets some shots in before being sent off the ropes into a clothesline, then a scoop slam and a dropkick from Loco. Chops in the corner to Elix before he's sent across the ring, goes up and over, but caught with a headscissor by Loco, who follows with a back suplex. Loco goes up top as the ref for some reason checks on Elix, and Storm nails Loco in the back with the Canadian flag. He's nailed by Rection, Elix covers Loco but it only gets two. Rection and Lance fight through the crowd as Elix goes out and grabs a chair, swings and misses and caught with a dropkick. Loco gets the chair but the ref takes it away. Elix nails Loco with his ring as the ref tosses the chair out to retain in 2:09.

Goldberg arrives and he approaches... some guy backstage wondering if Steiner's there yet. He hasn't seen him. Goldberg keeps walking. Then we see Russo asking if Steiner's ready over the phone, then cut to Steiner who says he's ready and that he owes Russo for whatever's about to happen. Then commercial.

Macho Man Slim Jim commercial. Then a plug for the WCW Trading Card Game.

Oh joy, 7 and a half minutes into the show and here comes Russo already, along with security. He says that maybe if he stands there and clicks his boots together, one of those Kansas fairies will save him from that hole. He reminds us of his promise to never be on television again but says that every time he leaves they pull him back in. He's got a big problem in Goldberg...

Oh speak of the devil, out he comes from behind to lay out security, leaving himself and Russo alone in the ring. Russo says if Goldberg lays a hand on him he'll breach his contract, he's getting in Goldberg's face and taunting him. He says Goldberg's got a guaranteed contract that's preventing Russo from firing him, so he doesn't want any more problems, wants to end this here and now, and wants to make Goldberg an offer he can't refuse. Russo pulls out a release form, he promises there won't be any problems, he'll see to it that Goldberg's paid in full and he can show up wherever he wants next Monday if he signs it. 

Of course Goldberg rips it up. Goldberg's ready to make his life a living hell, but Russo's got Jarrett ready to get a piece of Goldberg in the back, Nash will be a terrible mood when he arrives, plus there's Steiner after what Goldberg did to Midajah Russo brings up Goldberg's girlfriend Beth which immediately sets him off and grabs Russo by the neck, shoving him into the corner. Steiner appears on the NitroVision and he's outside a hotel room it seems, I assume Goldberg's since he asks him if it looks familiar, and he makes it clear he's there for payback. He says he's going to show Beth what it's like to be with a real man......... I don't even have the words to describe how uncomfortable this feels. Steiner kidnaps her as Goldberg runs from the ring, and Russo starts laughing.

Russo starts to leave but he's interrupted by Booker. Russo thinks Booker should thank him, but Booker's here to give Russo a message to deliver to his boy Nash. He says as soon as Nash arrives, Booker's going to be so far up his ass it'll be hard for him to breathe. Russo of course takes offense to Booker telling him what to do and says he made Booker. He says Booker was at the bottom of WCW for eight years, where he thinks Booker deserves to be. He tells Booker to get to stepping, so Booker lays him out with a scissor kick instead. Booker stands tall as his music plays. So Russo is now just contradicting himself, or is this not shoot Russo talking? This whole shit is convoluted.

Goldberg is seen leaving the arena on his motorcycle after the break.

They screw up the replay of Booker's scissor kick, barely just catching the kick connecting.

Russo is helped to the back and he gives Palumbo a shot at Booker tonight assuming Nash is late tonight.

Kwee-Wee & Paisley vs Cpl. Cajun & Major Guns

Paisley shoves Guns a few times before Kwee-Wee attacks Cajun from behind, gets sent off the ropes into a back body drop, then a dropkick and a hip toss. Rights and a clothesline, then a cover by Cajun and Paisley pulls him off. Kwee-Wee sent off the ropes into a body shot and now Guns tags in, to the middle ropes with a sunset flip for one, and Cajun tags back in. Cajun yanked down by the hair and Kwee-Wee mounts for rights, then a scoop slam and a cover for two. Cajun counters an Irish whip and hits a t-bone suplex, covers but he's interrupted by Paisley. Kwee-Wee tries to attack but he's tripped up and catapulted into Paisley in the corner, then clotheslined out to the floor. Guns tags in and slams her ass into Paisley's face, then covers but Kwee-Wee pulls her off. Cajun pulls him off the apron, then Paisley goes for a scoop slam but Guns counters with one of her own. Guns to the middle rope, launched off by Cajun for a crossbody and the win in 3 minutes. I mean Paisley and Guns were fine in this match, which is really the only thing to note here.

Paisley and Kwee-Wee attack from behind and lay out Guns and Cajun after the match.

Russo is back on the phone with Steiner and tells him to be ready for Goldberg since he's on his way. Then commercial.

3 Count and Tank were apparently performing during the break as we come back to Tank berating them for not being perfect and screwing up their routine, so Tank leaves. He continues talking down to them in the aisle before he's attacked by Vampiro and ICP, then Muta joins in. They lay out 3 Count too. Vamp calls out to the Juggalos and says they're there for two reasons, re-introducing us to the Dark Carnival. He says that thanks to his friend Evil Dead who can't be there because... well he's dead (OK that actually made me laugh a bit), he introduces us to the sickest, most twisted, darkest, evilest form of arena combat in the world. He says Juggalo Championship Wrestling is taking over this piece of shit company, as he holds up what Madden explains to be the JCW Heavyweight Title. Vamp says it's the only title that means anything to him, it's from the streets of Detroit, for Juggalos, by Juggalos. He says that WCW has held him back for too long, and the politics has never let him unleash true violence in the ring, but they can't handle the domination of the Juggalo nation. He calls out to Sting by his real name, knowing he's on vacation, saying this isn't business it's personal, what he does best. He says this is the dawn of the psycopathic rule and JCW has taken over, and Sting can't do anything about it.

Tank is back out and says Vamp knows nothing about the street, he dresses up like a silly clown and challenges Vamp for his JCW Title. Vamp seemingly accepts.

Also still to come, Palumbo set to challenge Booker if Nash doesn't show.

Out come Jindrak, O'Haire, Sanders, Reno and Stasiak, who along with Palumbo are now known as the Natural Born Thrillers. We see the chaos they caused last week. Sanders takes the mic and says that they've been watching the so-called superstars draw above average paychecks with below average ratings, while the 6 of them have been abused day in and out by a pitiful and bitter individual at the Power Plant. He says they're a group of genetically jacked athletes: Reno, 6' 250lbs, judge, jury and executioner; Stasiak, 6'5", 265lbs, 2nd generation wrestle; O'Haire, 4% body fat, 6'5" 275lbs; Jindrak, 6'6" 265lbs; for stylin and profilin, himself, 6'1" and a sweet 250lbs; and Palumbo, 6'5" 270lbs, who he predicts will be World Champion tonight. He says they're bigger, stronger, faster and a lot better looking then the rest in the back. He says thanks to Russo, opportunity has knocked but not fast enough so they're kicking the door in, and they're gonna give the children a hero to look up, the boyfriends and husbands an excuse to get in the gym, and the ladies a fantasy to go home to every Monday night. 

Out come the Filthy Animals. Konnan says Sanders' promo was worse than any of Tank's, says the Thrillers just stunk up the joint. He says they haven't paid their dues and are straight out of the Power Plant wet behind the ears, never held titles (even though Palumbo and Stasiak were tag champions), never been on the road (even though they've been on TV a good month or so now) and never done nothing. He says the Animals have won the Tag, US, TV, and says the Thrillers ain't got it. They head to the ring into commercial.

Rey Mysterio Jr., Juventud Guerrera (WCW World Tag Team Champions) & Disco Inferno (w/ Konnan & Tygress) vs Sean O'Haire, Mark Jindrak & "Above Average" Mike Sanders (w/ Shawn Stasiak & Reno)

Come back to I think match in progress, or maybe it just started, with Sean and Juvie starting things off. Juvie comes off the ropes into a shoulder block. Juvie regroups in his corner, then catches O'Haire with a suplex. Springboard crossbody is caught midair, into a Falcon Arrow into a pin for two. Jindrak in, Juvie sent off the ropes into a clothesline. Juvie ducks a clothesline as he's sent off the ropes and hits a wheelbarrow facebuster. Rey tags in, springboard leg drop to the back of the neck, then covers for two.

Rey gets his shots in, but gets sent off the ropes, tries a springboard but he's caught with a tilt-a-whirl slam. Rey sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and dropkicks the knee, then Disco's in. Jindrak sent off the ropes, Disco with a drop toe hold and Rey with the running leg drop. Disco with an elbow and a swinging clothesline. Cheap shot to Sanders before Disco's sent off the ropes, caught with a kick by Sanders and Jindrak with a clothesline. Sanders in with boots, then counters an Irish whip with a pumphandle suplex. O'Haire back in, he and Sanders with sandwiching kicks, O'Haire covers for two. 

O'Haire catches Disco with an elbow in the corner and clocks him, covers and Rey breaks it up. Jindrak tags in, springboard clothesline to Disco, sends him into the corner but misses a splash. Disco with the Russian leg sweet before tagging in Juvie, Disco with an inverted atomic drop and a springboard heel kick from Juvie. Juvie with boots and mounted rights in the corner. Jindrak's set on the top rope for a Frankensteiner, then Juvie covers for a near fall. Rey back in and goes up top  but he's crotched by O'Haire, then Jindrak grabs him for a suplex. Sanders tags in with a running leg drop, then another leg drop and O'Haire tags in. Sanders pops up Rey into a powerslam for O'Haire, who covers for two.

Rey sent off the ropes and caught with a sitout powerbomb, O'Haire covers but Disco breaks it up. Jindrak tags in, Rey sent off the ropes, caught with a tilt-a-whirl but counters  with a headscissor into the corner. Rey sidesteps a splash by O'Haire who nails Jindrak instead and Juvie gets the tag. Headscissor and a heel kick to Saners, then another headscissor. Disco back in, whipped into Sanders int he corner and Juvie off his back into Sanders. Rey tags in and gets Sanders with the Bronco Buster. Disco with a DDT to O'Haire,then drags him to the corner for a Bronco Buster. Reno is knocked off the apron and Tygress comes in for a Bronco Buster to Jindrak. Everyone but Disco and Sanders take each other to the outside. Sanders hits Disco with Orton's backbreaker to get the win in 8:20. A match that actually gets some fucking time and was good. Hell Konnan and Stasiak on commentary were good too.

Tygress tries to attack Sanders but she's snapmared, then O'Haire gets her with the Seanton Bomb. Rey rushes in to check on her.

Goldberg is seen arriving at the hotel into commercial.

We see Tygress was helped to the back during the commercial.

Pamela is backstage with Palumbo. He calls himself the future of the business and the next WCW Champion thanks to Russo. He says the Thrillers have come a long way since the Power Plant and tonight it ends with Booker, they aren't going to wait for opportunity to knock anymore, they're going to knock the door down and take what's theirs. Then he leaves.

Speaking of which, it's time for that match. Madden calls Pamela a tramp because he thinks she tried to pick up Palumbo before his title match, and Tony thanks him for adding nothing to that. I love Schiavone sometimes. There's no referee in sight and Penzer tries to call for a referee, so...

WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Booker T (c) vs Chuck Palumbo

Special guest referee: Vince Russo

We get a bit of time wasting before a lock up before a bit of back and forth, Booker with a spinning heel kick. Palumbo sent off the ropes into a back elbow. Booker goes for a suplex but it's blocked, then Booker counters a slam and they nearly botch a suplex and nearly drops Palumbo on his head. Palumbo gets some shots in, then sent off the ropes into a spinebuster right into a jackknife pin, but Russo doesn't bother making the count. Booker gets his hands on Russo in the corner which allows Palumbo to knee him in the back, followed by a standing side kick. Palumbo covers, fast count for two.

Palumbo with a stalling suplex and a cover, fast count for one. Kicks to the ribs by Palumbo, then Booker sent into the corner, goes up and over into a roll up, Russo takes his sweet ass time to make a count and Palumbo kicks out before he even gets one. Clothesline by Palumbo, then Booker sent off the ropes into a powerslam into a cover, fast count and two. Surfboard by Palumbo and Russo slaps Booker, taunts him. Booker powers out, only to get a knee to the ribs. Booker counters an Irish whip and hits a forearm. Booker counters another Irish whip to deliver a back suplex. Booker gets his shots in only to get his eyes raked, then sends Palumbo off the ropes into a flapjack followed by a spinaroonie. 

Booker nails a Harlem Side Kick as Russo calls for help, and out come the rest of the Thrillers. Reno gets him by surprise to connect with Roll the Dice. Vito rushes out with a stickball bat to lay them all out. Now here's Nash with a chair and nails Booker in the head. Palumbo makes the cover but Russo's busy with Vito... oh then he makes the fast count and... Palumbo wins in 6:05? Huh?

Nash walks to the back as Palumbo and co celebrate, albeit briefly because out comes Cat and Ms. Jones. He reminds Russo that Bischoff made him commissioner, Russo is the writer, so he and Russo have the same stroke. He declares that that wasn't the official ending of the match, then calls the Thrillers stooges and kicks them out of the ring. He also calls Reno Igor. He then declares that Booker is still champion.Booker gets the mic and says he doesn't want the title that way, he didn't pin Palumbo in the middle of the ring. So Cat has the match restarted. Palumbo immediately lays into Booker in the corner until Cat intervenes and tells Russo to write his ass out of the ring, tells him to sit next to the big ol fat ass Madden. Palumbo meanwhile starts laying into Booker again and has the bell rung.

WCW World Heavyweight Title Match restart

New special guest referee: The Cat

I swear the bell gets rung like three times to restart this match, once when Cat says the match is restarting, one when he tells them to ring the bell, and once when he reveals his ref shirt. Does anyone know what the fuck they're doing? Booker sent into the corner, rolls up Palumbo for two. Irish whip reversed for a scissor kick and a spinarooni and a Harlem Side Kick. Russo leaves commentary, Booker sent off the ropes and hits the Book End, Cat makes a fast count and Booker retains in a combined 7:01. I mean what more can I say except overbooked bullshit. And now we have a convoluted power struggle which really doesn't make any fucking sense.

Russo loses his shit as Booker celebrates.

We cut to Goldberg rushing to his hotel room into commercial.

Goldberg barges in but it's empty. A message has been left on the mirror that says they're at the building and Beth is OK for now. Goldberg gets more pissed and leaves.

JCW Heavyweight Championship: Vampiro (c) vs Tank Abbott

ICP take over commentary.

Tank easily tosses down Vamp. Spin kick to Tank then a judo throw to Vamp. Vamp kicks out the legs. More kicks to the legs , then a front facelock by Tank. Tank goes to clock Vamp, he ducks, Tank decks the referee instead, ICP declare they don't like this and leave commentary after Vamp is decked. They try to jump Tank but get their asses kicked as Tony and co. rejoin commentary. Muta runs out and mists Tank. Triple teaming to Tank and Vamp rolls out of the ring. So this match just ends in about 2:12. Honestly ICP on commentary were the best part of this match.

Vamp is stumbling around ringside and out rush 3 Count to help Tank clean the mist from his face. Tank leaves on his own.

Steiner is seen dragging Beth into the arena into commercial.

Russo confronts Vito backstage. Vito says he was protecting Booker who never did nothing to Russo. Russo says Vito's only there because of him, Vito failed up north. He books Vito vs Nash for later. 

WCW Hardcore Championship: Bryan Clark (w/ Bryan Adams) vs Screamin' Norman Smiley (c)

Pre-Match: Apparently Norman asked for this match, commentary calls it suicide.

Lock up and Norman is overpowered. Norman nails Clark with a kendo stick, then Clark is sent off the ropes, ducks another stick shot and starts wailing on Norman with it. Boots in the corner by Clark, then Norman sent across the ring, goes up and over, wiggles with a trash can but gets it booted back into his face. Clark sends him to the floor with a shoulder block. Norman wants Clark so he slaps him when Adams wants nothing to do with this. Norman gets sandwiched in the ring and shoved into a full nelson slam by Adams. Clark with the pumphandle powerslam.

Adams leaves the ring and pulls out a table, sliding it to Clark who sets it up and Adams rejoins commentary. Harris Brothers come out of course. They lay out Kronic with a chain before putting Clark through the table with a double back suplex, or I guess the H Bomb, shove Norman on top and he retains in 3:39.

Norman is pissed that he's still champion and tries to refuse the title. 

Cat and Ms. Jones are with Lance backstage. Cat reminds us of his hate for Canadians, and says PCO won't be there because they revoked his work Visa. Despite that, he says Lance will put his title on the line in a tag team match against Rection and Awesome, and Cat will pick his partner. He makes it clear that whoever pins Lance, apparently it could even be his own partner, will win the title. Lance relishes in the fact that Cat can't find anyone to beat him, says there's no American good enough to do it and he leaves. 

Steiner is pacing backstage while Beth is curled up in a ball asking why he's doing this. Steiner makes it clear she's just a pawn and he wants Goldberg, then commercial.

Pamela is backstage with Vito. He says he's got the opportunity of a lifetime and is facing the biggest guy in the company. He makes it clear Russo isn't his buddy anymore, says he's been knocked down, spit on, had garbage thrown at him, but he always rises to the occasion and gets back up, you can't knock him down because he's been down his whole life. Then he says he has two words for Nash, saying the Staten Island Express is going to run over Nash's punk ass. Then he leaves.

Kevin Nash vs Big Vito

Nash with his usual elbows and knees in the corner plus chokes him with his boot. Vito avoids a slam and delivers a Mafia Kick. Nash stumbles to the corner and gets caught with a suplex, Vito does it with ease. Vito up top and hits the elbow, then covers for two. Leg drops by Vito who then goes back up top with a diving headbutt, covers for two. Forearms in the corner by Vito in the corner and some rights, Nash sent across the ring, gets Vito with an elbow and hits a clothesline. Sidewalk slam by Nash and a cover for two. Snake Eyes to Vito, then Nash delivers the chokeslam, covers but it's a near fall. Vito sent off the ropes into a big boot. Nash pulls down the straps and delivers the jackknife. Nash goes for a second but Booker runs out to attack for the DQ. Nash wins in 4:04.

Booker counters an Irish whip and hits a Harlem Side Kick, and Nash quickly retreats to the floor. Booker checks on Vito as his music hits and he and Nash stare down into commercial.

Replay of what just happened.

Trainer tries to check on Vito backstage but he's having none of it and leaves.

Storm makes his way out with a mic. He says that after the reaction he received in Canada last week, it's gone from first to worst tonight. He calls for everyone to show a little class and rise for the anthem, but he's interrupted by his surprise partner.

WCW Canadian Heavyweight Championship: Lance Storm (c) & Jeff Jarrett vs Gen. Rection & Mike Awesome

Pre-Match: They keep mentioning that Jarrett could pin Storm and win the title, how the fuck is that supposed to work exactly? I thought Cat misspoke earlier, but not they keep repeating this. Awesome and Rection don't even get an entrance, they just run down to start this match.

Jarrett sent off the ropes into a big boot from Awesome, then Lance sent off the ropes into a clothesline by Rection. Boots in the corner by Rection and some chops. Storm sent across the ring for a splash, then a gorilla press slam. Jarrett gets in a cheap shot and nails Rection with a side kick, covers for two. Jawbreaker by Storm, then Rection sent off the ropes into a shoulder tackle, cover for two. Rection sent off the ropes into a dropkick and a cover but Jarrett breaks it up. Jarrett shoves Storm into Rection who rolls him up for two, and Jarrett randomly poses in the corner like he does in every match. Rection decks Jarrett and clotheslines him out to the floor, Storm sent off the ropes into a powerslam. Awesome wants a tag but Rection goes up top instead and misses an elbow. 

Storm locks in the Maple Leaf but Awesome is just close enough to make the tag. Jarrett is knocked off the apron, clothesline to Storm. Storm sent off the ropes into a popup sitout powerbomb and Jarrett breaks up the pin. Jarrett takes Awesome to the floor as Rection goes up top and hits Storm with the moonsault. Elix comes out with a leg drop to the back of the neck from the top while the ref is preoccupied, only to be back dropped out to the floor. Awesome comes back in now and goes for the Awesome Bomb, Storm slips out, Jarrett tries to nail Storm with the guitar but he ducks and Jarrett nails Awesome in the back instead. Storm covers to retain in 3:42.

Storm and Elix make a quick escape. 

Over to commentary and speculate to who Jarrett tried to hit. Then they talk about what's been going on with Goldberg, Steiner and Beth throughout the night. Goldberg's still yet to arrive back at the arena.

Steiner is yelling at Beth to shut up and drags her out to the ring. He gets a mic and says there's only a few things in the world he cares about, that make him happy, and that's his freaks, he doesn't give a damn about anything else. He says Goldberg crossed the line when he put his hands on Midajah and jackhammered her through a table, so tonight he's crossing the line. He says he normally he wouldn't be caught dead with "a bitch this ugly" but she serves a purpose, she's bait. He tells Goldberg to come out and be a hero and save his girlfriend.

Goldberg wastes little time in coming out and Jarrett attacks from behind with a chair. Goldberg just keeps walking and gets tossed into the ring. Steiner lets go of Beth and they both attack Goldberg now. Out rushes Booker to even things up. Now Nash is out to blindside Booker. Goldberg's back up and tries to fight back, then Rick comes out with a lead pipe to lay them out. He's brought handcuffs with hi. Booker is handcuffed to the top rope in one corner, Goldberg's been double handcuffed to the ropes in the other corner. Now Steiner has a hold of Beth again and puts her in the Recliner. Goldberg tries to break free but she's passed out. Goldberg is seething. Steiner eventually lets go and attacks Goldberg. Nash attacks Booker. And this is how the show ends.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

I don't know how many more brain cells I can lose with these shows. Either matches aren't getting enough time or they're overbooked to shit, storylines don't make any fucking sense, and Russo just loves having women being helpless and attacked on his shows, it's uncanny. I feel like I need a drink after that if it weren't 4 am as I'm typing this. The Thrillers/Animals match was still pretty good all things considering but everything else was just a clusterfuck. With a run time of 1:28:10, this show had a total 34:07 of wrestling.

Thunder

Recap of Russo's shit from Nitro.

Cat's on the phone in his office and in walks Palumbo, he wants to be in the main event tonight. Cat wants ratings not a chump in the main event. Palumbo claims that Nash said he's ready but Cat doesn't care what Nash thinks, and tells Palumbo to get Nash to join him in the main event against Booker and a partner. Ms. Jones comes in and hands Palumbo some paperwork of some kind and kicks him out. She also assures Cat she has some other thing covered before she leaves.

Broadcasting from the Tulsa Convention Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma for this week's edition of Thunder, Tony welcomes us to the show joined by Tenay and Stevie Ray and we get right to our first match.

Kwee-Wee vs Cpl. Cajun (w/ MIA)

Paisley on commentary.

Cajun immediately on the attack, drop toe hold and a drop kick to the head before some boots in the corner. Cajun sent into the corner, leaps to the middle rope, goes for a hurricanrana but gets caught with a sitout powerbomb, Kwee-Wee covers for two. Boots to Cajun and another cover for two. Mounted rights by K-W, then he's sent off the ropes but catches Cajun with a scoop slam, then covers for two. More boots by K-W, he gets distracted by MIA and caught with a clothesline. Cajun sent hard into the corner before applying a chinlock. K-W is slammed into the corner before Cajun delivers a snapmare, but misses with an elbow. K-W up top and misses a leg drop.

Exchanging blows, then K-W misses a clothesline, catches Cajun with an inverted atomic drop but Cajun delivers a clothesline. Scoop slam and a cover by Cajun for two and Cajun gets tossed out to the floor. K-W gets a chair but Rection intercepts the swing. K-W scares them off but it allows Cajun to back drop him back out to the floor as he re-enters the ring, then a double ax handle. K-W sent into the guard rail, and Cajun gets over enthusiastic by the announce table so Paisley slaps him. Cajun with a brainbuster from the apron back into the ring into an inside cradle for two.

Cajun counters an Irish whip and hits a belly to belly into a cover for two. Scoop slam from Cajun is countered, then he counters one and hits a spinning sitout powerbomb for two. Cajun sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, goes for a headscissor but K-W hits a... I still don't know what to call this move, it's some version of a facebuster. Anyway Kwee-Wee wins with this in 5:42. It was a fine match, with very minimal BS.

MIA come in to check on Cajun as Kwee-Wee and celebrates. Guns jumps Paisley as she comes in and they get pulled apart. 

Nash arrives into commercial.

Cut to Guns and Paisley fighting backstage, Guns is sent into a steel shutter and they're pulled apart again by MIA and Kwee-Wee. Paisley challenges her and then they get at each other again.

Ms. Jones approaches Elix and Lance with paperwork for Lance's match tonight. He's defending his title against Rection and Awesome in a Three-Way Dance. Storm repeats that he doesn't defend on US soil, but she's having none of it, then she leaves.

Thrillers make their way out. Sanders has the mic and says he's not dealing with the Tulsa crowd tonight. He calls them wannabe Texans and makes fun of how small Oklahoma is, so he's dealing with the other 49 states. He relishes their debut on Nitro and says they're the genetically jacked superstars in the company. He says he asked himself last night why Palumbo isn't WCW Champion, why Jindrak and O'Haire aren't Tag Champions, and he came to the conclusion that if the inevitable almost happened the night before it would have been a way of life in WCW. He says their patience is running thin.

Now they're interrupted again by the Animals. Konnan has the mic and says they're dumber than the guys in the back, and also implies their dicks are the size of Oklahoma in reference to their shot earlier. Disco takes the mic and calls them genetic jackasses and claims he made Sanders a star when he pinned him on Nitro. He says they're facing one on one tonight and that there's no way a green bum like Sanders will last 30 seconds with a star like him because he just doesn't have it like that. 

Vito sneaks in from behind and attacks Reno with a stick ball bat, then the rest of the Thrillers. The numbers start to get the better of him until the Animals rush down to even things out and a big brawl breaks out in the ring. Thrillers eventually retreat into commercial.

Booker finds Vito backstage and calls him crazy for taking on five guys before the break, and Vito says he was just defending the neighborhood. Booker recruits him as his partner for later.

Sanders walks into Cat's office and tries to get him riled up, says Disco said that Cat couldn't kick his way out of a wet paper bag. Cat doesn't care about Disco. Sanders adds that he said Cat will never be the greatest because he ain't got it like that. He laughs it off. Sanders also adds that he said James Brown is the worst entertainer he's ever seen in his life, so of course this sets off Cat. Sanders almost convinces Cat to add a stip that if he beats Disco then he's out of the company until Cat realizes Disco was at a James Brown concert the week before, and besides Disco apparently has a no cut contract.

Cut to Crowbar in the back with some flowers and he's trying to build up the confidence to finally ask out Daffney, even practices in front of a mirror. She walks in and ends up breaking his heart unintentionally, because she went out with her secret admirer the night before, says he was perfect, she's looked for this kind of guy her whole life and is convinced he's the one, and in fact he's gonna be there tonight. Crowbar gives her the flowers but says it's from her admirer ad she leaves all excited.

Harris Brothers vs Jung Dragons

Yang starts with... one of them, I have no idea who's who and commentary aren't helping. Yang sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, caught with a sidewalk slam. Harris one picks up Yang but he's hit with a dropkick, which he no sells. Kaz goes for a springboard and takes him down with an enziguri. Jamie-San with a leg drop from the top and a cover but Harris 2 breaks it up. Jamie sent off the ropes into a big boot. Yang sent off the ropes into a double gorilla press, then Kaz is sent to the outside. Spinning side slam to Jamie. Kaz is sent face first into a chair from the other brother. Back in the ring, boot to Jamie from one of them. H-Bomb to Jamie, then Yang for the win in 2:08.

H-Bomb to Kaz too. Out come Kronic and they start fighting through the crowd. Kronic gets the better of the Harrises.

Out comes Leia Meow of all people. She talks down to Jung Dragons and we can't hear any of it, then they all leave together. Then commercial.

Lance and Elix are backstage. Lance says he's being sent into enemy territory in more ways than one with this match tonight. Elix says to leave it to him, he's got his back. 

Norman is looking at his title elsewhere backstage and up walks MI Smooth. Smooth suggest he just give him the belt to solve his troubles but Cat won't let him just give it away, says the commissioner thing has gone to Cat's head. Smooth's next idea is that they have a Hardcore "I Quit" Match... or just an "I Quit" Match and all Norman has to do is say the two magic words and Norman loses the belt. Norman loves it.

Crowbar (w/ Daffney) vs Reno

Pre-Match: Crowbar is visibly depressed while Daffney is as happy as can be with her flowers.

Reno gets his shots in and batters Crowbar into the corner, then Crowbar fights back, Reno sent off the ropes into a dropkick and a clothesline. Scoop slam to Reno, then a low blow leg drop. Somersault leg drop from the apron and a cover for two from Crowbar. Reno chopped in the corner, then sends Crowbar across the ring, goes up and over but he's caught with an exploder suplex. Reno stomping away, then an arm wringer take down into a cover for two. Arm wringer into a suplex by Reno. More stomps and a knee drop, then a headbutt. Reno covers while the camera's on Daffney for two. 

Crowbar with a jawbreaker and more chops and kicks in the corner. Tony randomly announces the David/Hancock wedding for Sept. 11 in Charlotte while Reno takes control, Crowbar sent across the ring and caught with a belly to belly, then a cover for a near fall. Crowbar with more chops, until Reno ducks one and... something like a dropkick uppercut, then a normal dropkick. Crowbar low bridges and sends Reno to the floor before a dropkick through the ropes and skins the cat. Slingshot crossbody to Reno on the floor. Crowbar face first off the apron, then sends Reno into the guard rail followed by a clothesline. Crowbar hops onto the corner of the guard rail for a a Vader Bomb. Reno's rolled back in and Crowbar hits a slingshot splash, then a springboard moonsault for a cover and a near fall.

Crowbar with a death valley driver and a cover for another near fall. Out comes... some guy. He has a remarkable resemblance to Crowbar, except he wears flannel and his head is partially shaved, this is Daffney's admirer. Crowbar gets distracted, Reno attacks from behind. Crowbar goes for a suplex but it's countered with Roll the Dice for the win in 6:55. OK I'll admit I wasn't expecting this twist to the Crowbar/Daffney angle. Match was fine.

Reno continues the beatdown until the admirer scares him off, and he even has a lead pipe. Daffney leaves with the look alike while Crowbar looks on in disbelief. Then commercial.

Palumbo is with Nash backstage and wants to talk about some spots he's worked out. Nash is more worried about the PPV, and wants Palumbo and the Thrillers to make sure Booker doesn't make it to the PPV.

Booker is getting ready while Vito just reads a newspaper. Eventually they decide to go play stick ball.

Loco walks into Cat's office. He's here to do the same thing Sanders did except he kisses Cat's ass. This goes nowhere.

Tank fires 3 Count. He says they've made a career out of making him look bad, claims he's the star and he's keeping the record contract. They don't like it. He says they have one more obligation to fulfill first, wrestling Dark Carnival tonight, and if they make him look bad it'll be hazardous to their health. Then he leaves.

Tenay did a sitdown interview with Midajah in her home last week, specifically in her bedroom for some reason, and in a neckbrace. Obviously he wants to get an update on her condition after Goldberg's attack but first he wants to learn more about her, after she's been on TV for a few months now and we know next to nothing about her. So she talks about her background, apparently she was involved in Latin TV and she's acted in the US as well, and she's involved in the fitness industry competing in the Natural Ironman competition in her hometown of Seattle, and she's under contract with Weider Publications and will be in a Flex issue next month. She also says it only felt natural to transition to wrestling, seeing as she loves being in front of the camera and being able to put her experience together.

Tenay brings up Goldberg's attack the week before and asks for an update on her condition. She points out she'll be out for a while seeing as she has a neckbrace but thinks she was just at the wrong place at the wrong time, but guarantees Scott will be there next time. He mentions how she's apparently been working at the Power Plant recently. She says she wants to get more involved and thinks that bringing in her femininity and with her athletic background there's nothing wrong with being more involved in the ring. She talks about being trained by Medusa and Sarge and Paul Orndorff and says she's excited.

Mike brings up though how short she is and how little she weighs, and though her background is impressive and she's beautiful and intelligent, he doesn't think she's ready to compete in the men's world of WCW. She takes a bit offense to this and says you can be competitive whether you're a man or woman, and just because she's short and light doesn't mean she can;t be more involved. She thinks women have a lot more to offer than just being eye candy and such. 

Tenay brings up how she was really just an armpiece for Steiner when she first showed up. Of course she's insulted and says she'll be working with Steiner a long time and will be a lot more involved. Mike insists on his point and she talks about women in the industry who were offered Playboy spots and it changed how they were, but that's not her. She says she's not going to just sit at home and collect paychecks, take her clothes off and take the easy way out, she wants to earn her money. He suggests that maybe if she had taken a Playboy offer that maybe she wouldn't be in the predicament she is now. She reminds him of when he interviewed Steiner a few weeks back and was choking him out, and though she admits she felt like doing the same she points out she got between them and saved Tenay. Tenay insists all she did was save Steiner from bigger fines and longer suspensions. She accuses him of being chauvinistic and kicks him out. Then commercial. What the hell was the point of this? Why is Tenay suddenly a jackass?

Catching back up with Booker and Vito playing stick ball in the parking lot. Thrillers run over and attack them both but they're easily dispatched.

Norman is walking backstage and is relieved that he can drop the title tonight, but Muta slips out of a room behind him and attacks, giving him a shot to the throat. The rest of the Carnival walk by.

3 Count are in the ring and Tank makes his way out for a match set to take place. Tank has a mic as he sets down his square, telling the other three to back up so he can get rid of their circles. He kicks them out of the ring and does a solo act and he can't sing worth crap. Thank god Dark Carnival come out to end this.

3 Count & Tank Abbott vs Dark Carnival

Muta and Shane start this one. Muta with boots and rights, Shane sent off the ropes, ducks a kick but turns into a spin kick. Snapmare and an elbow from Muta. Vamp tags in and hits a running toss powerbomb, Shane lands on the back of his neck and Evan tags in. He swings and misses but hits a dropkick. Evan catches a boot but caught with a spinning heel kick for a cover, but the other two break it up. Vamp sent out to the floor with a dropkick, then a springboard crossbody. Double facebuster to ICP, then double dropkick to Muta sends him into the corner. He tries to mist them both but they duck and he gets the ref instead. Side kick by Evan takes out Muta. Nail in the Coffin to Evan. Gorilla press into a Samoan Drop by Violent J, then a top rope leg drop by Shaggy 2 Dope to Shannon. Tank comes in, takes down Vamp, knocks out Shaggy, sent off the ropes, knocks out Muta. 3 Count come in with ball bats to lay out Tank. Vamp with a knee and Muta with a top rope moonsault for the win in 3:10.

Carnival celebrate into commercial.

Skipper is on the phone with someone and it appears they struck a deal with Awesome, but this is overheard by Rection.

Booker and Vito talk about tonight.

Okerlund is backstage with Kwee-Wee and Paisley to talk about her match with Guns tonight, and has a feeling the fur is gonna fly. She does not have time for his innuendos, she says she's a real woman unlike that tramp Guns who just wants to show off her "cannonballs," says it's women like her that give women like Paisley a bad name. She says she's going to show Guns what it's like to catch a beatdown from a real woman, and dares Guns to go it alone. She and Kwee-Wee leave to prepare.

"I Quit" Match for the WCW Hardcore Championship: M.I. Smooth vs Screamin' Norman Smiley (c)

So due to the throat shot by Muta earlier, I guess Norman can't say "I Quit" because he tries to just lay down and take a pin. Smooth has the ref ask him anyways but he can't get the words out. Smooth gives him a weak trash can lid shot, the ref asks again and he can't speak. Smooth pretends to him him with a kendo stick, asks again and he can't say it. Smooth is getting pissed off  and starts to actually attack him. Norman sent off the ropes into a body block. Ref asks again and he can't speak still. Trash can lid to the back of Norman, then he's off the ropes again into a scoop slam. Norman still can't talk. Norman with boots and rights in the corner and he chokes Norman. Scoop slam to Norman. Low blow with a kendo stick to Smooth. Trash can to the head of Norman. Norman sent into the corner, dodges a splash, then trash can to the head of Smooth, and again. Norman sent off the ropes into a clothesline. Smooth slaps him and another scoop slam. Norman still can't speak. Norman sent off the ropes into a clothesline, then a suplex by Smooth and a splash. Norman still can't speak. Smooth leaps and drops his ass on Norman's ribs. Norman still can't speak. In Smooth's frustrations to get him to say the words, he just flat out says "I Quit" and the ref takes that as a submission, so Norman retains in 4:31. Why?

Smooth's eyes bug out and he tosses Norman out. Norman runs to the back into commercial.

Elix is on the phone again and apparently also paid off Rection, which Awesome overhears.

Okerlund walks into Cat's office and compliments Cat on his suit. For some reason, now he wants Disco out of WCW, and Cat sticks to the whole contract thing. So Gene tries to bribe him with a year's supply of Viagara, then tries some money but Cat won't have it. Gene gets kicked out.

Back to commentary and Tygress is there for some reason. Tony confronts Tenay about how he was a jackass during the Midajah interview. Tenay says he place is on Steiner's arm and that's all. Tygress says she's out here for her man's match but they tell her she's a segment early. She stays anyways.

Paisley vs Major Guns

Paisley attacks as Guns is stepping in, then drags her face over the top rope. Chops in the corner. Guns sent across the ring and Paisley with a nice handspring back elbow. Snapmare to Guns and hair pulling. Guns is piefaced. Paisley stomping. Guns slaps her. More misogyny by Tenay. Another slap by Guns. Scoop slam by Guns. Tygress hops the apron, clocks Guns while Paisley distracts the ref. Paisley with a roll up for three in 1:40.

Paisley and Tygress embrace and celebrate into commercial.

Cat is now telling the Animals that he can't get rid of Disco. OK that actually made me laugh a bit. As they're leaving the office Jimmy Hart asks how it went and behind him is a long line of people hoping Disco would get the boot, but Konnan gives them the bad news. 

Elix finds Lance backstage to give him the good news, says Rection and Awesome will be so busy trying to kill each other that Lance just has to sit back and pick up the pieces. Lance is pleased.

"Above Average" Mike Sanders vs Disco Inferno

Disco with clubs to the back, Sanders sent off the ropes into a back elbow, then an elbow by Disco. Sanders tossed out to the floor, then Sanders sent into the guard rail, then across the floor into the guard rail again. Back in the ring, Disco stomps away, then Mike sent off the ropes, booted and caught with a swinging neckbreaker. Disco covers for two. Disco sent off the ropes, dropped ribs first on the top rope and tumbles out to the floor. Back in the ring, Mike covers for two.

Snapmare and a kick to the chest by Sanders, then a knee drop. Animals come out on the stage to cheer Disco, Sanders covers for two. Disco sent off the ropes, clubs Sanders' back, sends him off the ropes, Sanders slides through the legs and catches him with a pumphandle suplex. Sanders stomps and covers for two. Disco sent into the corner, gets Mike with a back elbow and a clothesline, covers for two. Sanders sen toff the ropes into an inverted atomic drop, then they somehow botch a Russian leg sweep. Disco covers for two. 

Disco goes for a stunner, sent into the corner, then connects with the stunner. Thrillers attack Animals and they go to the back, Disco covers and Sanders gets his foot on the rope. DDT by Disco and a cover, foot on the rope again. Disco stomps away, goes for a DDT but Sanders holds onto the top rope to block. Sanders with that Orton neckbreaker for the win in 4:06. It was fine.

Commercial.

Pamela is backstage with Palumbo but Nash interrupts pissed off before she can get anything out. He's pissed that the Thrillers didn't do the simple thing he asked, but should've realized he shouldn't have sent greenhorns to do his job. He feels like hell because he was up all night and he walks off.

WCW Canadian Heavyweight Championship: Lance Storm (c) vs Gen. Rection vs Mike Awesome

Pre-Match: Storm wants to be serious for a minute. He says he may have misjudged the fans, says he watched some of the political campaigning and realized that America has lofty and noble goals. He brings up Al Gore talking about safety in schools, getting guns off the streets, and universal healthcare, things Canada already has. 20 years later and nothing's changed. That's when he realized that their goal, the true American dream, was to become Canadian. He tells them to avoid the political downfalls in their country, to renounce their US citizenship and join Canada. He says Canada could use an 11th province, and as a first step he asks them to stand for the anthem. Of course it's interrupted like always. Rection and Awesome immediately get in each other's face before the bell.

They shove each other, but it was a ruse because they both clock Storm, who's sent back and forth into the corners, then sandwiching clotheslines is botched because they don't time it right. Scoop slam by Awesome, then he goes up top with a frog splash. Rection goes up top and hits an elbow. Awesome with a double underhook facebuster. They get in Storm's face. Storm sent off the ropes into a popup sitout powerbomb by Awesome. Storm sent into the corner, Rection whipped into him and Storm gets a boot up. Awesome charges but he's caught with an elbow. Storm tries to whip them both but he's whipped into the ref and caught with a double flapjack.

Elix comes out and puts on the ring. Rection holds up Storm, Awesome comes off the ropes and Rection is low blowed, and Elix low bridges Awesome. Elix tries to nail Rection, he ducks but as he's lifted with a back suplex Elix clocks him. Storm puts Rection in the Maple Leaf, Elix holds Awesome back and the ref calls for the bell, as Rection's out cold in 3:18.

Storm is carried to the back by Elix as Awesome tries to explain to the ref.

Over to commentary to talk about the main event up next. Ray leaves commentary because he's been told to not get involved and he can't do that if he stays out there. So he heads to the back into commercial.

Kevin Nash & "The Main Event" Chuck Palumbo vs Booker T (WCW World Heavyweight Champion) & Big Vito

Jeff Jarrett on commentary.

Vito attacks Nash and Chuck before Booker even comes out and he's quickly double teamed until Booker makes his way out. Rights to Nash take him down, then to Chuck before he's tossed out to the floor. Booker and Chuck start this properly after some regrouping. a bit of back and forth, Booker gets the better with a forearm, then a side kick. Vito tags in, some body shots to Chuck as Booker holds him up. Chuck sent off the ropes into an overhead hip toss, then a leg drop off the ropes. Cheap shot to Nash, then back and forth shots to him and Chuck until Nash clocks him. Boots by Chuck, then Vito off the ropes into a scoop slam for two.

Nash tags in. Typical Nash offense in the corner then Chuck tags back in. More shots in the corner, then Vito sent off the ropes into a clothesline. Chuck covers and Booker breaks it up. Front facelock by Chuck. Vito tries to make it to his corner for a tag, but Nash distracts while the tag is made. Vito gets in a dropkick and crawls back to his corner and makes the tag. Booker with rights to Chuck and Nash. Spin kick sends Palumbo over the ropes to the floor. Nash sends Booker off the ropes but he's caught with the scissor kick, then the spinaroonie. Harlem Side Kick to Nash before Booker goes up top, with a missile dropkick. Vito takes on Chuck at ringside, Nash fights off a Book End and delivers a chokeslam. 

Nash goes for the jackknife but Vito gets him with the Mafia Kick. Chuck goes up top and dives into Booker, knocking him into the ref and Vito behind him. Chuck with a clothesline to Booker and a cover, ref counts but Booker kicks out. Chuck sent off the ropes into a spinebuster. Nash with a chop block to the bad leg as Vito goes up top with the splash and a cover for two. Jarrett attacks Booker at ringside, then Chuck with a boot. Out run the Thrillers to gang up on Vito. Ref calls for the DQ in 7:29. Not sure what the point of the ref bump was because it played into nothing. Was a decent match otherwise.

Booker's leg is rested against the announce table and Nash jams a chair into it, then wedges it in the chair and Nash stomps onto it. Jarrett stomps some too into commercial.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Well... This show was left frustrating than Nitro, which really isn't saying much but still. I did enjoy some stuff on this show, like the Crowbar/Daffney/doppelganger love triangle, and the running gag with Disco was actually kinda funny. Main event was decent, as was the opener. I'm still trying to figure out why Tenay is suddenly a heel. Everything else was typical WCW shit or just nothing worth mentioning. With a run time of 1:28:31, this show had a total 38:59 of wrestling.