WCW Week of September 11, 2000 - Go-Home to Fall Brawl

Nitro

We start by seeing footage from earlier in the day, where David arrived by limo and Crowbar was there to wish him luck, as was Daffney and Ozzy. He asks if she saw Ric but she hasn't.

Then cut to Jarrett watching this on a monitor and calls it outlandish vaudeville, then alludes that he'll make an appearance at the wedding before leaving.

We're live from the Independence Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina for this edition of Nitro. Scott Hudson is still away after the birth of his child so Borash is filling in again. Then out come the Filthy Animals. I tend to skip Konnan and Disco's shtick before the match, but Disco takes the mic away, because he's upset he was jumped by Kronic on Thunder last week, says they made the biggest mistake of their life because they made him mad. He says that since he and the Animals play and fight together, so he's decided Rey and Juvie will beat the hell out of them. He tells Kronic to get their fat asses down there and they waste no time coming out.

WCW World Tag Team Championship: Rey Mysterio Jr. & Juventud Guerrera (c) (w/ Filthy Animals) vs Kroniꓘ

Pre-Match: I don't know why their name is spelled with a ꓘ now but it is.

Adams press slams Rey from the floor into the ring to start this match. Adams goes after Juvie while Clark hits Rey with a backbreaker. Juvie pressed into the ring too, then he tries to dropkick Adams when he's on the apron, shoved into the corner and eats a right on the rebound. Juvie sent into the corner, gets the boots up, goes to the middle rope but caught with an F5. Adams covers but Rey makes the save.

Juvie sent off the ropes, ducks a big boot, Rey tags in and kicks the legs, then delivers a double suplex. Rey with a sliding leg drop, then Juvie with an elbow. Adams sent off the ropes and delivers a double clothesline. Clark with a shoulder block to Rey as he tags in, then Juvie sent off the ropes into a wheelbarrow spinebuster. Rey goes for a springboard but he's caught with the full nelson slam. Juvie is tossed out and one of the Harrises come out with a camcorder, then Rey is tossed out to the floor. Tygress distracts the ref as the Harris nails Adams with a TV camera. Disco with a chair to Clark and the Last Dance (stunner). Rey with a leg drop to Clark and Juvie goes up top for the 450 but Clark kicks out. Sandwich dropkick to Clark, but he fights them off. Double dropkick to the back of the knees then Rey goes up top with the low blow leg drop to retain in 4:18. Another case of too much going on at once.

Filthy Animals celebrate.

Another limo arrives and it's Stacey and family.

Commercial

For some reason we have to see another recap of WarGames.

Over to commentary, they remind us of the wedding tonight, but also apparently Russo suffered his third concussion within the last few months in that WarGames match, so we'll have an update on him later. Madden claims Russo underwent brain surgery, and Russo's semi-stable and nearly critical condition. They also claim to have exclusive footage of this surgery.

Out comes Cat and Ms. Jones sans neck brace. Cat says Russo's laid up in the hospital taking care of his little pea brain, and the injunction against Cat has been thrown out, and since Russo's gone he's back in charge. He makes Nash vs Booker at the PPV a Steel Cage Match, then makes Nash defend the title tonight against "Big Poppa Dump", and hopes the beat the hell out of each other. Cat goes to make a match against Jarrett, but Ms. Jones takes the mic and she wants Jarrett tonight. She says she's going to put her foot all up in Jarrett's ass since he loves to beat up on a lady.

This brings out the man himself. Jarrett accepts the challenge and because he's a gentleman he'll do it with his wrists cuffed together, and prove that men are superior to women. As far as Cat goes, when Steiner and Nash get their they'll show him that they're running the show tonight. Ms. Jones leaves. Cat says that since Jarrett's already here with his miniature slap nuts, he challenges him to try and take over himself. Jarrett tries a cheap shot but Cat catches and lays into him, driving Jarrett into the corner and hits a side kick. Steiner runs down and allows Jarrett to hit the Stroke. Steiner applies the Recliner.

Commercial

Terry Taylor asks some guy backstage if someone is there yet and they don't know, then Terry notices them nearby, they being Sting and Booker. He tells them the beating that Cat just took. They go off to find Cat.

Vito comes out as we see the replay of his "Gauntlet" Match last week. He and Reno have a match right now, a Stick Ball Bat on a Pole Match, first to get the bat gets to use it. He says he's going to crack Reno's head open and calls him out. We also learn from commentary that Booker will be the guest referee, and Goldberg will be the special enforcer for the World Title match tonight

Stick Ball Bat on a Pole Match: Big Vito vs Reno (w/ Chuck Palumbo)

Reno gets in the first shot, then sent off the ropes into an overhead throw. Vito with a leg drop and some mounted rights. Vito with a scoop slam as we learn that Mike Sanders has been suspended for a week without pay for what he and the Thrillers did at the Power Plant last week. Vito up top with the elbow drop. Chuck gets on the apron and distracts the ref and Vito, then Vito sidesteps Reno who bumps into the ref and Chuck and knocking him off the apron.

Suplex by Vito, then he climbs and takes down the bat. Reno catches him on the way down though with a t-bone suplex. Roll the dice. Reno grabs the bat, then Johnny the Bull makes his return with a kendo stick, seemingly to make the save only to crack Vito over the head Reno cover for the win in 2:12. Same as the first match, too much going on. Not to mention this is no DQ, why is there a ref bump? At least there's some consistency with this Vito/Johnny thing, Vito did turn on him months ago.

Vito spoils the celebration as he picks up the kendo stick, wailing away until the rest of the Thrillers come out and the numbers game get to him. Johnny lays into him with the stick while the Thrillers hold him down, then lift and drop him to the mat.

Back to Cat calling for security and Goldberg. Sting and Booker come in. Cat says they need to take the show back or they'll lose it forever. They leave together.

Torrie is walking backstage, she faces Medusa next.

Jarrett and Steiner are telling Nash about what they did to Cat, then in comes Booker with a crowbar, Cat takes a bat from Sting as they walk in too and get ready to nail all three, cowering in the corner. Cat threatens to rip up their contracts and they all relent.

Pamela is backstage with Medusa and she asks what her problem is with Torrie. She makes fun of how short Pamela is, even though she's not that much shorter than Medusa. Then she says Torrie has an inability to retain information, says she's flighty, she barfs any time she does a front row, so Russo took it upon her to train these girls who were hired on looks alone, so she's going to show Torrie what it's all about to be a woman in WCW instead of just eye candy.

Torrie Wilson vs Madusa

Torrie is pulled into the ring from the apron, then Madusa slaps her and kicks her, before delivering a suplex.Now in rushes Douglas, but Madusa nails some rights, goes to the middle rope and misses a dropkick. Ref calls for the bell in 38 seconds.

Douglas gets the ref with a Franchiser, then a belly to belly to Madusa and traps her in an STF. Torrie gets on a mic and she and Douglas trash talk her and out runs Kidman finally. Douglas sent off the ropes into a dropkick, then he clotheslines Douglas out to the floor. Kidman and Torrie start to leave. Madusa gets back on the mic basically no selling the hold and calls Torrie a punk ass bitch, and proposes they make the Scaffold Match at the PPV a tag match. Douglas accepts the challenge and Torrie is reluctant at first but Douglas talks her into it.

Crowbar is helping David get ready backstage. Stacey is getting ready and in walks Jimmy Hart with a letter for her, but she doesn't open it.

Another limo arrives as does a bus, driven by Mike Awesome.

Commercial

Steiner is pissed. He's talking to Nash and says he came to fight Goldberg and now that dumbass Cat is making them fight each other, and it pisses him off that Nash is so relaxed sitting there looking Jimmy Buffet. Nash tells him to calm down but Steiner's having none of it. Nash suggest they do the Fingerpoke of Doom again and Steiner can lay down and take the pin. Steiner keeps clarifying that Nash wants him to lay down.

Jeff Jarrett vs Ms. Jones (w/ The Cat)

Jeff Jarrett will be handcuffed.

Pre-Match: Jarrett has a question for the slap nuts and asks what makes these "broads" think they can compete with men n the ring, especially Ms. Jones. He says he's not a chauvinistic pig, he just enjoys embarrassing the opposite sex,, even when he's handcuffed, and calls out Ms. Jones. Cat takes the key and cuffs Jarrett's wrists together, then Cat lays in some shots. Ms. Jones wants to take care of this herself though.

Jones with slaps and kicks in the corner, then a snapmare. More kicks and Jarrett rolls out. Jarrett into the guard rail, then again then back to the ring. Jones goes for a low blow and Jarrett pulls the ref in the way, then she low blows Jarrett. Jones gets the guitar but he boots her and still manages to smash it over her head, since he was cuffed from the front, covers and wins in 1:17.

Jarrett slides in with a chair but in comes Awesome to make the save, clotheslines Jarrett after sending him off the ropes. Shoulder block off the ropes and Awesome goes up top with a flying clothesline. Jarrett rolls out and runs to the back.

Nash is now drawing pictures to explain to Steiner what the plan is. The Nash drawing has three legs and they insinuate it's his dick. Steiner's drawing is incredibly short until he points it out, and Nash corrects it, then draws it like some kind of alien. Now Steiner takes the marker and suggest he touch Nash, he lays down and he wins the belt. Nash insists Steiner lay down and Steiner leaves pissed. OK this actually made me laugh a bit, I can't do it enough justice.

Commercial

Jarrett walks in asking where Nash was at. Nash tells him his problems with Steiner. Jarrett points out that Nash should have learned by now and that Steiner will never get it. Nash tells Jarrett to "go talk to his retarded friend" so Jarrett leaves.

Out comes Jim Duggan with an American flag and his trademark 2x4. He thanks everyone for the years of support and appreciates it. Then gives us a "Hoooooo!" He reminds us of his battle with cancer and with the help of his friends, family and the great fans he was able to beat it and came back to the business he loves. Hoooooo! He says the last few weeks sitting home watching Nitro, he realized there's one opponent no man can beat, Father Time. He says after 20 years in the business he felt it was passing him by, and unlike many others in his situation, he's not afraid to step aside and let the young talent make a future for themselves, and for wrestling that we'd all be proud of. He gets all emotional as he announces his retirement from WCW and pro wrestling. He says that 20 years the only things he's ever carried were his 2x4 and the flag of the USA, so now when he looks through the roster, all the talent, he needed someone to carry the torch, carry the flag, someone young, strong, tough, that loves the country as much as he does, and that man will do him a great honor, Gen. Rection. Out comes Rection. They shake hands and Duggan hands over the flag, before they salute and embrace.

Out comes Storm and Guns now. He tells Duggan that he's not passing nobody nothing, says no one gives about him or his country. He says Rection has a title match at the PPV, but it doesn't mean Storm can't kick his ass tonight for fun in front of his has-been hero.

Lance Storm (WCW Canadian Heavyweight Champion) (w/ Major Guns) vs Gen. Rection

Hacksaw Jim Duggan on commentary.

Storm nails Rection from behind, boots in the corner before Rection is sent across the ring for a clothesline. Storm lays in some boots before tossing Rection out to the floor. Rection sent into the guard rail, then Storm goes into it. Rection with boots and chops against the rail before returning to the ring. Storm tries to suplex Rection from inside the ring to the floor, but Rection blocks and goes for a suplex of his own, but Storm counters it with a swinging neckbreaker and a cover for two. OK that was a cool counter. Inside cradle by Rection for two.

Storm to the middle rope with a dropkick countered with a sitout powerbomb for two. Rection goes up top as he salutes Duggan and Rection misses the moonsault. Stormapplies the Maple Leaf but Rection's arm is under the bottom rope, and Duggan point it out to force a break. Storm decks Duggan, then hangs up Rection on the top rope. Storm goes up top, Rection nails him from behind with the 2x4, which sends him flying into Rection with a powerslam for the win in 2:44.

Out come the rest of MIA to join the celebration and Guns leaves with Storm.

Stacey opens up her registered letter. She says "Oh my god."

Commercial

Crowbar and Daffney are already in the ring as David and one of the Nitro Girls come out. Then Stacy and her parents. David takes one of the mics set up at the podium. He knows he's made plenty of mistakes the last couple months but it wouldn't be right to stand there and not get some things off his chest. He says he's let down his friends and family, and one in particular that he wants there tonight, so he asks Arn to come out.

Out comes Arn and compliments everyone on being all dressed up. Arn has a few words of wisdom. He says that it may not be a week or a month from now or even a year, but there will be times when David's buddies will call him for a party going down, or ask to go to the strip club, and says it's easier to get forgiveness than permission, tells him to go and just grovel the next day. Next he says that David will get lots of cash for wedding gifts and tells him to put it in his pocket and hide it. Finally, he says that some of those parties David will go to he'll come home looking like hell the next morning and Stacy will be meeting him at the door, and it's gonna get heated, maybe even a little domestic, she'll blow her cool, may get a little wild, but then she'll just stop, get that glazed over look in her eyes and forgive him. He says David's got a beautiful bride and tells him to go get her. 

Now out comes the Nature Boy to join in to a standing ovation. He takes the mic and says the irony is that three months ago he thought he heard his music for the last time after what happened between him and David, but tonight it's not about his theme music, it's not about being in the greatest city in the world, it's about the fact that a father, son and family have put their life back together. He's a proud father tonight, proud of a young man who has a beautiful fiancee with a great family. He thanks everyone for coming and hands the mic back over.

So the minister starts to get things rolling, but suddenly we have officers and men in a suit walking down the aisle. One of the men enter and take the mic, he's from the Charlotte PD, and he informs Ric that Russo took out a restraining order against him, and it stipulates that Ric will be arrested if he comes within 100ft of the arena... even though Russo's not even there. Ric tries to talk his way out of this but they arrest him and take him out. There's a very loud bullshit chant going. Stacy just leaves behind them.

Commercial

We get a replay of Ric being escorted out in cuffs, then Stacy leaving. We go outside to Ric being put in a car and taken away. Arn is there to promise he'll take care of this.

You know I always wondered where the "Vince Russo has struck again" gif came from, and it's this moment here that Schiavone utters those words.

Then we go to some replays of the concussions Russo got. His first was in that Cage Match he had with Ric back in June, the one where there was a bloodbath and Russo won, I guess he got it off of a knee drop from Flair or when he was thrown into the cage. The second came two weeks ago when Vito was wailing away at him with the stick ball bat on Nitro, and then there's last week during WarGames when Cat ran in and nailed him with that roundhouse.

So now we go to the footage of the brain surgery. First we have a doctor talking, he says Russo came to the hospital complaining about severe headaches, nausea and blackouts, and upon entry they did a battery of tests and they were conclusive that he had a blood clot in the lower portion of his brain. He says Russo experienced severe visual problems, so on Saturday they had to do emergency surgery to relieve the clot. He says the head trauma that brought Russo to them was sustained over three months, says it was severe, and Russo not being an athlete was unable to recuperate from the blows, and that's why he came to them. The surgery was successful and recovery will take 2-5 months, they'll have to run more tests to make sure things are going well. He says Russo will have nausea and dizziness afterwards, possibly visual obscurity that'll go away in time. Russo is resting and doing wonderfully in recovery. During all this, there were brief glimpses of some brain surgery.

Schiavone is not buying this one bit and says Russo's just trying to get sympathy. Madden insists it was real and Borash seems to think it was real too.

Sting vs The Harris Brothers

Pre-Match: Harrises are out with chains.

Sting gets the first shots in on one brother, then the other and hits them both with a dropkick. Stiner Splash on one brother, then low blows the other. Another Sting Splash on the first and he goes for the Deathlock but the other brother chokes him with the chain. Chain shot tot he back of the head of Sting, then another. Sting choked more with a chain.

Kronic come out with chains and take control. Harrises are choked with the chains and Sting is out cold. One Harris is hit with a chain clothesline. They roll Sting on top for the win in 2:32.

Jarrett is trying to talk Steiner down in the back but Steiner's having none of it still and refuses to just lay down. He elaves.

Stacy is backstage stressed about something. In walks David to apologize what happened, and says he doesn't care about Russo or Vince and wants to go back out. Stacy suggest they wait another day, postpone it, but David insists on it, so they leave.

Commercial

Most of the setup has been reset and David and Arn are already out. Stacy comes out with her parents once again. The minister starts to go through his speech again and he goes on and on about trust and dedication and faith and it's visibly starting to bother Stacy. When he gets to the "speak now" part, Stacy's the one to object. She takes the mic and says something's been eating at her all day, and she can't ignore it. She says that though she's pregnant, David's not the father. Stacy leaves David at the altar again and runs off to the back.

Commercial

Stacy gets into her limo and leaves the arena. David yells after them but it's too late. Awesome comes out with Pamela to show her his bus only for Jarrett to nail him from behind. They start going at it, then Jarrett is whipped into some crates. Thrillers come out to join in on the beat down. They send him face first into a truch, then nail him with a case. Now they drag him to the bus and intend to put him on top.

Commercial

Replay of what just happened. No follow up.

Okerlund is backstage with Steiner. Steiner gets all intense and says he doesn't lay down for anybody, and whether he leaves World Champion tonight it won't matter, because his focus is getting even with Goldberg for fracturing his face, and at the PPV he's going to prove he's the man with the largest arms in the world, the genetic freak, and size does matter. He says his freaks appreciate size and size matters and they don't have to wait for the Earth to rotate on a 47 degree axis so the stars can touch the sky and see the Big Dipper. All they gotta do is call Big Poppa because he's the man with the Big Dipper and satisfaction's coming when he goes behind and do the bump and grind and it's only a matter of time before they call him the Big Bad Booty Daddy. He tells Goldberg that he only cares about two things, his freaks and his peaks (muscles) and when he beats his bald ass down at the PPV, and he's about to put him in the Recliner, he's going to whisper in Goldberg's ear size does matter, bitch. Fucking Steiner, never a dull promo.

WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Scott Steiner vs Kevin Nash (c)

Booker T as special guest referee. Goldberg as special guest enforcer. The Cat on commentary.

Pre-Match: Booker gets the mic. He just says he and Nash will be locked in a cage at the PPV, and he will get his title back.

Nash and Steiner stare down. Nash tries the fingerpoke, then Steiner tries it. Neither go down. They try to talk it out and Nash tries to leave, Steiner pulls him back in. Knee and a right to the face of Steiner, who's sent off the ropes into a sidewalk slam, Booker takes his time to count two. Nash sent off the ropes into a clothesline and an elbow, covers, Booker with a fast count, but then stops at two and pretends Nash's shoulder was up. Steiner gets pissed and shoves Booker into the corner, so Steiner attacks him. Steiner lays in with boots and kicks him out of the ring. He and Nash send him off the ropes into a double clothesline.

Cat leaves commentary. Charles Robinson runs down. Goldberg is in and clotheslines Steiner, then Nash. Big boot to Steiner, standing side kick to Nash. Steiner with a low blow to Goldberg, then he tosses Booker out to the floor. Chair to the back of Booker  and Nash goes after Goldberg with rights in the corner. Booker sent into the guard rail, then Robinson is tossed out. Steiner with an exploder suplex on Goldberg. Goldberg sent off the ropes into a double clothesline. Steiner pulls Booker back in, Nash with a right. Goldberg tossed out to the floor by Steiner. Goldberg sent into the guard rail and Steiner looks for something. Goldberg face first into the ring post. Steiner gets a chair and nails Goldberg in the back before tossing him back in, and Nash rolls Booker out. 

Goldberg is whipped into Steiner on the apron, Cat takes the chair from Steiner and Goldberg forearms Steiner to the floor and into Cat. Goldberg goes after Steiner with boots, then back in the ring Booker delivers the ax kick to Nash that isn't caught on camera, neither is the spinaroonie. Goldberg with boots to Nash, then Goldberg sends Steiner off the ropes, pops him up and delivers a powerslam. Spear to Steiner, Book End to Nash.

Now Awesome's bus drives into the arena and the Thrillers rush out of it to attack. Jarrett is there too and tosses a pipe to Steiner who lays out Booker. Cat tries to help but he's nailed with the pipe. Nash with the jackknife to Booker. Steiner with the Recliner on Goldberg. Thrillers lift Booker onto the hood of the bus and Nash goes up top and smashes the back of Booker's head through the windshield. Goldberg is tossed out and they cuff him to the grill of the bus. Steiner wails away at the ribs with the pipe. Jarrett gets into the bus seemingly ready to drive the bus forward into the ring, but the final shot is Goldberg ripping the grill off and getting free, and that's the end. There was never a bell to finish this match, so from the starting bell to the end of the show, this thing went 7:43 and it's obviously a no contest, so Nash retains.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

I mean what can I say except what a shit show this was. The action was pretty nonexistent, matches went too short and had too much shit going on, that main event was an absolute clusterfuck, this was an absolute mess. The only good parts were Arn's advice to David and Nash/Steiner's strategy meeting. With a run time of 1:29:35, this show had a total 13:41 of wrestling, plus the bullshit that was the main event which I can hardly call a match. 

Thunder

Ms. Jones arrives at the arena and she's on the phone with Cat, assuring him she's got things taken care of, until Jarrett interrupts and takes the phone away and hangs it up. Then he drags her inside.

David is walking backstage and starts accuses a random staff member of being the father.

Broadcasting from the Civic Center in Roanoke, Virginia for the final show before Fall Brawl. Out come Nash, Steiner and Jarrett still dragging Ms. Jones along. We see the chaos that ended Nitro, plus Jarrett attacking Cat and Ms. Jones. Nash gets the mic and says he's trying to figure out who's more gullible, Booker, Goldberg, Cat or the stupid people out in the crowd, they suck people in to their ploys week after week and play them all like proverbial fiddles. With the PPV in 4 days, Booker beaten to a pulp, demoralized, it'll be easy pickings for Big Sexy. He says the match is in a cage to make it fair, so Booker's friends can't interfere. Nash would like to go home.

Steiner takes the mic. He says no woman in the world can deny the pleasure of Stein, and he doesn't care what country or position he's in, his freaks always tell him size does matter. He says there's only one person who can say he's a genetic freak in WCW, that can say he's got the largest arms in the world, and it's not Goldberg. He says Goldberg has 4 days before he proves to him and the white trash that he's a boy and Steiner's the man. Tenay also casually mentions this match will be No DQ and there must be a winner.

Jarrett takes the mic. He has one piece of business to take care of before knocking Awesome back to the 70s at the PPV, involving Ms. Jones. Jarrett has a bit of "instant replay" of what he did and has Ms. Jones lay down, but then we suddenly cut outside to a car driving into the arena, and Cat and Booker step out of it. Back in the ring, Jarrett covers Jones and Nash makes the three count for our instant replay. Then Jarrett has him do a five count and Jarrett raises his own hand in victory. Jarrett lied when he said she was going to leave in one piece though, and next time she gets in his face she'll face the consequences. 

Jarrett prepares to smash a guitar over her head but out come Booker and Cat. Booker takes the mic first. Booker credits them for their swerve on Nitro, but says it wasn't good enough because he's still standing. He says that at the PPV he's going to get in the ring and take the title back for all the people, then tells them to save the drama for their mama.

Cat takes the mic and says he can show Jarrett how to use some slap nuts if his mother were here. He's got a big surprise for Nash and Steiner, he books them in a tag match against himself and Booker with the World Title on the line, with whoever takes the fall winning the title. For Jarrett, well the man himself, Sting appears in the crowd to announce himself as Jarrett's opponent tonight. Ms. Jones takes this opportunity to leave, so they pull in Penzer instead to take the guitar shot. 

Filthy Animals are backstage. Disco (or I guess Disqo as they're spelling it now) has gotten a 3-Way Dance booked for Rey and Juvie, against the Harris Brothers and Kronic in a non-title match. They all call Disqo an idiot and leave him.

Later, we get a sitdown interview Tenay did with Ric.

Commercial

Pamela will fill in for Penzer tonight.

Another commercial for some reason

Mike Awesome arrives in his bus, the windshield's been repaired but the grill is still ripped off. He comes out and is pissed about his bus being destroyed and he heads into the arena.

Gene is with the Filthy Animals. They're booked in a 10-man elimination tag at the PPV against the Thrillers (even though there's 6 of them). Disqo knows Rey and Juvie are mad at him for getting that 3-Way booked, but to show he's a team player and that he's "got it like that," he's also booked himself and Konnan in a match with Jindrak & O'Haire. Konnan takes offense because Disqo isn't about to tell him what to do, who to wrestle and he's not even medically cleared from his tricep operation to compete. Disco is about to have Rey or Juvie wrestle twice but they won't. He asks Gene and he tells him to blow it out his ass, he just plays golf. So Disqo drags off Tygress to be his partner, and the Animals try to stop this from happening.

Mark Jindrak & Sean O'Haire (w/ Natural Born Thrillers) vs Disqo & Tygress

Pre-Match: Well Pamela isn't all that great. Also how is it that they fix the audio so we can hear her, yet we can never hear a damn thing Penzer says? Anyways, Sanders takes the mic, even though I could have sworn he was suspended a week without pay, so why is he even here? Sanders confirms as much that he was suspended as of Monday for leading the beat down of the bitter, pitiful, not-so-wonderful Orndorff. He says the Thrillers weren't mad because they knew that back at the hotel he had the ladies warmed up, champagne chilled. He introduces Johnny the Bull as the newest member and he tells Johnny they know what it feels like to beat down Vito, but wants to hear from Johnny how it feels. Johnny says it felt good and can't wait to do it again. Disqo sends the Animals to the back when they try to come out with them.

Disqo and Jindrak start this one. Disqo sent off the ropes after getting some shots in, into a tilt-a-whirl side slam. Sean tags in. Disco sent into the corner, then a double hip toss across the ring. Standing side kick and a cover for two. Jawbreaker from Sean after Jindrak tags in, he goes for a springboard clothesline but Disqo ducks, inverted atomic drop and a clothesline. Sean misses a spin kick and gets a spinning neckbreaker. Disqo tags out and Tygress delivers some slaps and forearms to both until Sean catches one. Disco comes in and basically throw Tygress back and forth, then an atomic drop. Disqo just bails to the back and Jindrak misses a Bronco Buster. Jindrak willingly takes a Facefull of Stuff, only to then stand up for the sitout powerbomb, then the Seanton Bomb for the win in 2:11.

Animals rush out to make the save and the rest of the Thrillers are right behind for the ambush. Thrillers decimate the Animals.

Still to come, the Ric sitdown interview.

Commercial

David accuses Slick Johnson of being the father. Slick denies it and says if it were he'd be telling everyone. So David breaks a mop over his back as he leaves.

Team Canada are backstage. Storm asks Elix where he was on Monday and he was training apparently. Guns walks up and wants to go out there with them for whatever match they have. Storm chastises her for how she asks, so she adds a please, an eh, and says "oot" instead of out, and Storm says she can. 

Up next, Mike Awesome with another edition of the Lava Lamp Lounge.

Commercial

Over to Cat's office for a strategy meeting with himself, Booker and Sting, along with Ms. Jones. Cat once again insists on taking the show back, Booker's upset about nearly being taken out, and Sting's ready to take people out himself. He hasn't been in any main event stuff in a long time, so Sting wants a title shot if Booker beats Nash. Booker says he can have it but gets focus back on tonight.

More fighting with the Animals and Disqo backstage. 

Time for the Lava Lamp Lounge. Awesome says the love doctor is in, and he's ready to cure our romantic blues with a shot of Vitamin A, and the A stands for Awesome, then the whole big or tall, yada yada yada thing. Tonight he has a very special guest, one he's sure we'll love, and though she's had problems with Storm, she's very hot and she'll rock our world, the lovely Major Guns.

Awesome wants to get right to the chase, get serious. He says she looks finer then Farah Fawcett and he feels like the Six Million Dollar Man. She thanks him, but she's here right now is because Storm is driving her crazy, she has to ask him to do anything. Awesome knows what she needs. says she's heard Canadian chicks are hard to trot, even though as Tenay points out she's from California, and Awesome wants to show her some American-style love. She doesn't want to be a Canadian. So Awesome offers to give her a massage and she takes the offer.

Out come Team Canada thank god to shut this down. He sicks Elix on Awesome but he gets press slammed through the back of the set. Out come MIA to block Storm's escape. Rection gets a mic and says the POW crap has gone on long enough, says Guns isn't Canadian, never was and never will be, she's an American, a Misfit. Storm says he has to win her back in a tag match, he and Elix against Rection and Duggan, with MIA banned from ringside. Rection accepts the challenge. MIA head to the back. Jarrett comes out disguised to deliver a Stroke through the set table. Jarrett tells us to stay tuned for Slap Nuts Theater next week. 

Commercial

Duggan is backstage reading a newspaper when MIA approach. Rection informs him of the challenge that was just made. Duggan at first insists he's retired until Rection tells him Storm called him an old man. That sets him off and Duggan says he's in.

Nash and Steiner leave a room and there's a boy and his father waiting outside, wanting to get a photograph of Nash and his son. Nash charges them $60 for it. Steiner covers the kid's face with his bicep.

As Torrie and Douglas come out, we learn that Sting vs Jarrett will now be a 2 out of 3 Falls Match. Douglas gets the mic. He says they're 4 days from Kidman's destiny at the PPV in a Scaffold Match. He says the people are o fond of booing him and Torrie, but he guarantees that Kidman or Madusa will take a plunge, and if not he'll personally refund everyone's money. He challenges Kidman and Madusa to a mixed tag right now.

The Franchise & Torrie Wilson vs Billy Kidman & Madusa

Kidman and Madusa get their shots in on Douglas in the corner, then Douglas sent across the ring and Madusa delivers kicks, then a bulldog out of the corner by Kidman. Inverted atomic drop by Douglas, then a Baldo Bomb by Kidman. Kidman goes up top with a spinning back elbow, then Madusa up top. Torries tries to leave and Kidman chases. Madusa with a crossbody but Douglas rolls through and slams Madusa into the mat face first. Torrie leads Kidman through the crowd. Douglas has the STF applied back in the ring and she won't give up, Douglas releases as he realizes Kidman and Torrie are in the stands. Douglas chases after them too. Torrie slaps Kidman. They're up in a balcony and Torrie nearly falls over, then she slaps him again. Douglas misses a clothesline, Kidman nails him and he bumps him into Torrie, which sends her over the railing and now she's dangling from it. Douglas pulls her up and finally the ref calls for the bell in 2:10. I guess this is a double countout?

Torrie and Douglas leave.

Up next, the sitdown interview with Ric.

Commercial

First though, Gene is backstage with Kidman and Madusa. Kidman says there's a reason there hasn't been a Scaffold Match in WCW in nine years because it's too dangerous, but he's willing to climb 20ft in the air and risk his career just so he can end Douglas's. He says he saved Torrie's ass tonight but come Sunday he's got somebody on his side that won't be so nice, and they'll need two spatulas to scrape them off the concrete. Madusa says that Douglas and Torrie will find out what gravity is all about and it's gonna be a bitch like she is.

Commercial

Time for the sitdown interview. Tenay says that Nitro had to be the biggest emotional roller coaster ride for Flair and his family, he buried the hatch earlier in the night, then later Stacy announced the baby wasn't David's, and says it must have been a night of mixed emotions for Ric. Ric says the last 5 years has been one night of mixed emotions after another, says he and the company have been upside-down with each other, with his problems with Russo he actually fell apart at the seams with his family. Last night he had the opportunity to come back together with David, even though he was getting married in a ring, it was still a great moment for their family.

Tenay brings it back to Ric's problems with Russo over the last few months, but Ric is retired from WCW and he asks what Ric is doing there. Ric being the smartass says he's there because Tenay asked him to come down and talk to him, and chastises him for how he treated Midajah in their interview. Tenay says he has a lot of respect for Ric, has seen him in a lot of legendary battles over the years, and thinking of Ric in the ring with the Harley Races, the Dusty Rhodeses, the Ricky Steamboats. Ric adds to the list and puts over Sting, Luger, Nash, Hogan, Taker, he's wrestled everyone in the business. Tenay says he can go on and on and continue to add the biggest names in the sport. 

But now back to Russo, we're talking about someone who's not a wrestler, in WCW for just a couple months and Russo allowed him to get under his skin to the point that he caused Ric that much of a problem, like being out of the business among other things. Ric says he's only out of the business because of a match contract he signed that stipulated as such if he lost, and though he's not crazy about it, there's nothing he can do about it.

With all the trials and tribulations that Russo put him through, problems with his wife Beth, his other son Reid, and we all saw it on television, and says it must have gotten under Ric's skin. Ric admits as much but he also admits he made the mistake of bringing these problems to the table, of bringing his family for 25 years down the highway, having the time of his life, with a holier than thou feeling, but Russo is still a snake. He's taking credit for putting him out of the business, for making WCW go, for making McMahon's company go, and Tenay adds he also took credit for shaving Ric's head. Ric says that promoters have been trying for 28 years to cut his hair and Russo talked him into it, but he's not going to sit and cry on national TV, no excuses.

Tenay repeats that he has the utmost respect for Ric, has followed him throughout his career, respected him in and out of the ring, but he has to ask the question on the minds and lips of everyone associated with WCW, and apparently the rumors are that Ric is the father. Ric heard that rumor a week ago, last night, today, he came and said that he wouldn't let Russo, Tenay, WCW or the state of the business crack him again, but a statement like Tenay's just now, made because Ric had a persona that he ran wild with for 25 years, the limousine riding, jet flying, you know the drill, and he says Tenay is a product of Russo, and that kind of comment gets a guy hurt, causes families to get hurt, that really is one of the reasons he's out of the business. He just flat out calls it bullshit, and says he and Tenay were friends, but now Tenay's just like Russo, a guy trying to make a buck and walk where Ric's already been.

Commercial

David accuses Fit Finlay of being the father. Finlay tells him to take his hands off, says he has a beautiful wife at home, he doesn't need David's beanpole bride, and says David better calm down before he gets hurt. David leaves.

Sting and Jarrett make their way out for their match. Jarrett gets a mic before the match begins. He say Sting's conversation with Booker earlier, and it seems he's so sure that Monday he'll get the title shot, but Jarrett says it's not happening. Jarrett had his own conversation with Nash and he was assured Nash would walk away the champion, and that Jarrett would get a title shot on Monday, Sting gets a mic of his own, and he suggests they make this a #1 contender's match, that the winner gets the title shot no matter who leaves the PPV as champion. Jarrett hesitates to answer so Sting gets a Slappy chant going, so Jarrett accepts the proposal and says it's showtime.

#1 Contender's 2 Out of Three Falls Match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Jeff Jarrett vs Sting

1st Fall

It's explained by commentary that there will be 10s breaks between falls. Jarrett already retreats to the apron and forces Sting to separate. Sting takes him down with a shoulder block after sending him off the ropes. Another shoulder block this time as Sting is sent off the ropes. Now we get some back and forth and Jarrett goes down a third time off a shoulder block. Jarrett gets in a cheap shot and corners Sting with some rights, then sent off the ropes into a hip toss, then clotheslined out to the floor into the guard rail. Jarrett face first off the announce table, then Sting takes a water bottle to douse Jarrett. Jarrett into the guard rail again, then they go up the aisle up the ramp, Sting with a suplex onto the stage. Sting with rights take things back to the ring, only to be caught with rights and boots. Sting face first in the corner a few times, then Jarrett sent across the ring, avoids a Stinger Splash, but eats a couple of clotheslines. Sting up top with a flying clothesline. Sting back up top and hits a splash, covers but it only gets two. Sting goes for the Deathdrop, but Jarrett grabs hold of the ref, and as Sting tries to pull him away, Jarrett pulls the ref with him, he bumps into Sting. Jarrett takes advantage with a low blow and the Stroke for the first fall in 5:17.

2nd Fall

Jarrett boots Sting out of the ring after the 10 seconds. Sting sent into the guard rail, then face first off the announce table. Jarrett climbs on top with a pair of fist drops, then rolls back in and tries for a countout. Sting with a sunset flip from the apron, Jarrett tries to stop him with a right but Sting pops back up to complete the flip for the second fall in 6:45.

3rd Fall

Jarrett back on the attack again after the 10 seconds. Sting sent off the ropes, ducks a back elbow, bit of counters and Sting has a sleeper until Jarrett fights free, sending Sting off the ropes and applies a sleeper of his own. Sting drops to the mat and  starts to pass out, ref raises the arm twice, and Sting comes back on the third time. Sting fights out with elbows, Jarrett off the ropes and caught with another sleeper, only to deliver a back suplex to counter. Standing 10 count and Jarrett covers but Sting kicks out.

Sting gets some shots in as they get up, Jarrett ducks a clothesline and comes off the ropes and their heads collide, Jarrett falls back and Sting inadvertently low blows him on the way down with a headbutt. Sting face first in the corner, but he starts to no sell it as Jarrett does it again. Sting with rights and lefts, Jarrett sent into the corner, Sting goes for the Stinger Splash but Jarrett pulls the ref in the way instead for another ref bump. Clothesline from Sting as Slick Johnson runs out immediately. Jarrett sent into the corner again and the Stinger Splash connects this time. Jarrett pulls the ref in front of him againway ahead of time and Sting hits the Splash anyways. Sting applies the Deahtlock  and Jarrett's tapping but there's no referee. Jarrett eventually passes out, he raises Jarrett's arm three times, he tells the timekeeper to ring the bell and he does. So Sting wins this in 11:23. I really wanted to like this match, because Sting and Jarrett had a hell of a performance here, but between the ref bumps and the finish that really shouldn't have gone through, once again they overcomplicate things. It wasn't too bad, but too much to say it was great.

Commercial

Okerlund is backstage with MIA and Duggan. Duggan says he became prepared to give up pro wrestling, was gonna hang up the boots, but Rection gave him the opportunity to get in the ring one last time. Of course his family aren't too excited, neither are the doctors, but there are just some things that a man has to do. He says when he sees that Canadian scum steal Guns, he's the man that's going to do something about it. They all do a hoooooooo!

Rey Mysterio Jr. & Juventud Guerrera (WCW World Tag Team Champions) (w/ Filthy Animals) vs Kronic vs The Harris Brothers

Pre-Match: Well they've since turned down the volume on Pamela's mic, or upped the volume on the music. Harrises come out with chains again.

Kronic and the Harrises start fighting in the aisle right away. One brother sent into the guard rail by Adams. The other and Clark fight by ringside. Adams sent into the guard rail. Clark and one Harris fight in the ring and the other misses a chain shot to Adams, then nails the second shot. Clark with boots until he's low blowed. Adams rolled in, sent off the ropes, ducks a chain clothesline and hits a double clothesline. Rey and Juvie up top with a double dropkick on one Harris, then retreat. One Harris chases them off, then High Time on the other for the win in 1:29.

One Harris has a chain wrapped bat and nails Adams right in the face with it. Harrises leave.

David is on his way to the ring.

Commercial

Replay of the bat shot. 

David makes his way out with a mic. He says there's been a lot of things going through his mind lately, and two things stand out. Number one, his father called him a man, and being a man, he can't deal with what happened on Monday, so he calls Stacy out to tell him in the eye who the father is, says he's not leaving until she does. 

Stacy takes her sweet time coming out and she looks guilty. David says there are of lots of things he can't change that happened in the past, but there are things he wouldn't forget for the world, she means so much to him, words don't explain how much. She can't look him in the eye. He takes charge and grabs her by the arm and says if she loves him as much as he does her, he deserves the truth.

Out comes Arn before he can get an answer. He tells David to get a hold of himself, says it's not his, and nothing can be done about it. Now David accuses him of being the father. Arn tells him to take the base out of his mouth, and says women are like buses, one comes along every 20 minutes, and tells him to get over it. So David just leaves. Arn turns to Stacy and says she can't con him or the fans because he's not in love with her, David is, says she knows who the daddy is, or at least he prays to god she does. David heads to the back and Arn leaves too. 

Duggan's been laid out backstage and an American flag is on top of him.

Commercial

Team Canada (w/ Major Guns) vs Gen. Rection & Hacksaw Jim Duggan(?)

Major Guns is free from Team Canada if Rection and Duggan win.

Pre-Match: Lance has a mic and says Guns isn't going anywhere and not to get too excited, before having the Canadian anthem played. Of course it's interrupted by Rection who comes out alone.

Elix is back dropped over the ropes but he catches himself on the apron. Lance is dropped, Elix goes for a springboard, caught by Rection in what's supposed to be a powerslam but he botches the catch, and just sorta drops Elix. Rection with boots to Elix, then a front suplex to Lance onto Elix. Lance whipped into Elix in the corner, then a splash by Rection. Lance then Elix whipped across the ring for another splash. Elix is tossed out to the floor but Rection is caught with a dropkick. 

Lance with boots now and Elix tags in, springboard spinning heel kick. More boots to Rection and a series of elbows. Lance tags back in, Rection sent off the ropes into a double clothesline. Lance with some elbows now. Rection starts to fight back until Lance rakes the eyes. Rection sent off the ropes into a dropkick, then Lance covers for a near fall. Rection sent off the ropes again, kicks Lance and delivers rights. Rection tries to come off the ropes but he's nailed by Elix in the back with the Canadian flag, walks right into a super kick from Lance. Lance with the Maple Leaf applied but Duggan's music hits, and out he crawls with his 2x4, but he's too late. Rection taps in 3:15. It was fun for how short it was.

Team Canada leave celebrating. Out come the rest of MIA as Team Canada drag off Guns.

Commercial

Replay of the finish of that last match.

Okerlund is backstage once more with MIA and Duggan, because Rection has demanded this interview time. Rection says that what just happened was so cheap. He challenges Lance to put Guns on the line in their title match at the PPV.

WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Kevin Nash (c) & Scott Steiner vs Booker T & The Cat

Whoever gets the fall leaves with the championship.

Fighting between all 4 to start. Booker with a Harlem Side Kick to Steiner right away while Cat knocks Nash out of the ring. Cat and Nash go at it at ringside. Booker with rights to Steiner, then Booker counters an Irish whip to set up the scissor kick. Nash nails him in the back of the head from the apron and Steiner delivers a t-bone suplex. Nash is in as Steiner goes after Cat, who's sent into the guard rail. Nash with his usual corner offense, the knees and the elbows. Steiner nails Cat with the belt and slides back in to join the assault on Booker. Nash nails Cat with the belt too. Booker sent off the ropes into a clothesline and an elbow, cover for two. Nash back in. Sidewalk slam and a cover for two.

Steiner sends Cat into the ring post. Booker sent off the ropes into a double clothesline. Cat tries to get in the ring but Steiner knocks him down, then tosses him over the guard rail. Nash with an elbow and a cover on Booker for two. Booker fights back, Nash sent into the corner but gets a boot up. Steiner clubs him in the back. Booker face first in the corner, then the spinning belly to belly from Steiner. Steiner puts on the Recliner and Nash nails Cat with the chair. Out comes Goldberg on a motorcycle. Steiner's hung up on the top rope and Goldberg nails a hell of a spear to Steiner. Ref calls for the bell in 4:11 so Nash retains.

Goldberg delivers the jackhammer and that's the end as Goldberg holds up four fingers for the camera.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

Well not nearly a shit show like Nitro, but it wasn't particularly good either. Aside from Sting/Jarrett and Arn's advice once again, and I guess add Goldberg's appearance at the end, this show was pretty awful. With a run time of 1:24:35, this show had a total 24:39 of wrestling.

Fall Brawl Match Card (as of Thunder)

- WCW 100kg and Under Championship: Elix Skipper (c) vs Kwee-Wee

- Chain Match: Kronic vs The Harris Brothers

- WCW Canadian Heavyweight Championship: Lance Storm (c) vs Gen. Rection Major Guns also on the line.

- 10-Man Tag Team Elimination Match: 5 members of Natural Born Thrillers vs Filthy Animals

- Pittsburgh Plunge Scaffold Match: The Franchise & Torrie Wilson vs Billy Kidman & Madusa

- The Great Muta vs Sting vs Vampiro

- Bunkhouse Brawl: Mike Awesome vs Jeff Jarrett

- No Disqualification Match: Goldberg vs Scott Steiner There must be a winner.

- Steel Cage Match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Kevin Nash (c) vs Booker T