WCW Week of October 2, 2000
Nitro
Booker smashes the picture over Jarrett's head and knocks him out of the ring. Booker goes after box #3 but Jarrett cuts him off. Booker is tossed out to the floor and Jarrett hits Booker in the head with one of the boxes. Booker dropped onto the guard rail and gets another box smashed over his head. Booker face first off the announce table and he stomps away at Booker. Jarrett tries for a piledriver, then Booker spikes him with one onto the announce table.
WCW World Tag Team Championships: "That 70s Guy" Mike Awesome & Crowbar vs Mark Jindrak & Sean O'Haire (c)
Recap video of what happened last week with the World Title. Then Goldberg arrives on his motorcycle.
We're live from the Cow Palace in San Francisco, CA for this edition of Nitro. Welcomed to the show by Schiavone as the Filthy Animals minus Juvie come out with a ladder and the duck. Konan is tired of hearing about the buck and makes a joke about Disqo fucking the duck, then suggest they have a ladder match for the duck.
Ladder Match for the Disqo Duck: Rey Mysterio Jr. & Konnan (w/ Tygress) vs Boogie Knights
Pre-Match: I don't know why they're called Boogie Knights, but OK.
Alex with a missile dropkick to Konnan, then Rey is tossed out by Disco. Disco with boots to Konnan in the corner and Alex with a ladder to the ribs. Alex sets it up, then Rey goes for a springboard senton but caught with a powerbomb instead. Konnan sandwiched in the corner by a ladder, then Alex dropkicks it into Konnan's face. Konnan sandwiched again, but then Rey goes up top behind the ladder, does a seated senton onto the ladder and down onto Disqo. Alex misses a spin kick and clotheslined by Konnan. Konnan grabs a chair as Rey hits a Bronco Buster on Alex, and Konnan wails on the ladder that's on top of Disqo with the chair. Alex is then sandwiched in the ladder on top of Disqo, Rey goes up top with the chair and hits an Arabian facebuster onto the ladder.
Konnan sets up the ladder and Rey climbs as Konan sets up Knights for a double low blow leg drop. Rey with a somersault senton onto Alex on the floor, then Disqo catches Konnan with the Last Dance stunner back in the ring. Disqo sets up the ladder now and starts to climb, Rey climbs up the other side and they start fighting. Rey with the sunset flip plants Disqo on the mat, then Alex comes in. Clothesline to Konnan then yanks Rey down. Alex climbs but Konann gets him on his shoulders and drops him on Disqo. Rey takes Alex to the floor with a headscissor over the ropes while Konnan takes down the duck for the win in 4:31. OK despite how dumb the stakes were and how short it was, this was fun.
Alex comes in with a chair and nails Konnan in the back repeatedly and Disqo grabs the ducks. Alex wails on Rey and Disqo wails on Konnan with the duck. Boogie Knights leave with the duck.
David Flair arrives and has taken... well someone hostage, they're in cuffs and have a bag over their head, and David says they're going to confess, so I guess this is who he thinks is the father.
Commercial
Commentary sends it live to Russo in his office with Borash, and he has some papers in his hands. He says he proved to the whole world last week that at any time he could become WCW Champion, but the fact is he's not an athlete nor did he claim to be, and many say he has no business being in the ring and they're probably right. Being the man he is, he relinquishes the WCW Title, and announces a title match for tonight between the top two contenders: Jeff Jarrett and Scott Steiner. As far as Goldberg goes, he proved to the world what a coward he was, after he was beaten down for 30 minutes Goldberg walks in and takes advantage of an innocent, fallen, helpless victim, and is lucky Russo didn't file for assault. The fact is Goldberg can learn something from him, how to be a man, because if Russo weren't above him he'd have kicked Goldberg's ass himself.
Cue Goldberg who makes his way out to the arena with a mic. He agrees with Russo that he's beneath him, because every morning he reads the newspaper he sees Russo in the toilet. Russo's still up on the NitroVision and says Goldberg doesn't sweat him, says his future is in his hands, and he's got big plans for Goldberg, nad has no problem coming out to say it to his face, leaving his office with Borash. Goldberg calls Russo a woman as he waits.
Russo does come out but he's driven out in something resembling the Popemobile, along with the returning R&B Security, though I have to assume the B stands for Borash now. Russo leaves the ring and lays out security. Russo gets on the mic and Goldberg says his life is in his hands. Russo says he could fire Goldberg and make it easy, but it's too easy, Russo wants him to make him feel his pain. Goldberg doesn't sweat his goofy little body, says Russo can do whatever he wants and he'll still be there, and Russo's ass is his. Russo brings up Goldberg's streak, 176-0, and announces that the streak begins again tonight. He explains that if Goldberg loses once along the way, he'll be out of WCW, but if somehow he breaks the streak it's the only way he ever gets a shot at the WCW Title. He says Goldberg's no longer a main eventer in his mind.
Goldberg says he'll think about it and kicks in the driver's side window, Borash making a quick exit from the passenger side. Goldberg gets the keys and Russo screams for security. Goldberg is about to get in the car and it's obvious he's stalling for time because someone misses their cue, and suddenly Meng appears out of nowhere and attacks from behind. Goldberg face first into Russo's box, then a low blow and a tongan death grip. Russo announces Goldberg vs Meng for later.
Commercial
Replay of what just happened.
Russo is backstage with Meng, Borash and Sanders, Russo hyping up Meng for tonight. Meng leaves. Russo says Sanders reminds him of himself, and puts Sanders in charge for tonight because he needs to leave the building. Sanders leaves, but Russo tells Borash to keep Sanders in line.
Commercial
Somebody named Chuck Zito has joined commentary, apparently he's the star of some HBO show at this time called Oz. He was also apparently the president of the New York chapter of Hells Angels at one point.
Tournament Finals for the Vacated WCW World Hardcore Championship: Sgt. A-Wall vs Reno
Reno comes out with a trash can full of weapons as he goes right after A-Wall with boots and rights, then A-Wall botches a stun gun. Reno up top and gets a trash can thrown at him mid air. Trash can put over his head, then a side kick to the face, and another. A-Wall leaves the ring and slides in a table he brought out, setting it up near the corner. Reno grabs a kendo stick and nails him in the ribs and back, before tossing A-Wall out to the floor.
Reno gets distracted getting in Zito's face, attacked by A-Wall and returns to the ring. Kendo stick to the ribs, head, knee, head and head again by Reno. Reno for some reason goes all the way across the ring, up top where the table is and Vito comes out and nails him in the back with a stick ball bat. A-Wall with a chokeslam through the table to win the title in 2:34.
Vito and MIA celebrate, but then Sanders and the Thrillers come out. Due to Vito's interference he reverses the decision and awards the title to Reno. Schiavone points out how dumb this is as the match is No DQ and interference is allowed. Thrillers pull Reno out of harm's way and escape to the back.
Pamela is backstage, who just got news from Cat. It's his opinion that Booker was first to leave the cage last week, not Russo, so he announced that Sting and Booker will fight for the title instead tonight.
Commercial
David's captive has been handcuffed to lockers in the locker room and tries to get free. David makes sure he goes nowhere.
We learn that WCW will be in Australia for two weeks starting next week, as Franchise and Torrie come out. As always, Douglas has a mic and says the fans can applaud now because with them in the ring, their tickets just paid for themselves. He says he and Torrie are still the first couple in sports entertainment, not Kidman and Medusa, or Paisley and Kwee-Wee. He then mocks Konnan and calls him a jackass, because he stuck his nose in his business. He and Torrie challenge Konnan and Tygress to a match at Halloween Havoc, but tonight they want a warm-up with Mike Awesome tonight. She takes the mic and says not to hate her because she's beautiful, and not to hate her because she's better than the hoochie pigs in the back, it's taken a lot of work to look like her. She says she loves to see him in action.
The Franchise (w/ Torrie Wilson) vs "That 70's Guy" Mike Awesome
Douglas jumps Awesome right at the start. Awesome sent to the corner then hits a pair of clotheslines and Douglas rolls out. Douglas sent into the guard rail, then dropped throat first onto it. Luger is seen sitting in the crowd. Awesome pulls out a table for some reason even though this isn't a no DQ match and tosses it into the ring. Table is set up against the corner, as we learn that Reno vs A-Wall for the title has been made for the PPV. Torrie gets on the apron and flashes Awesome, saving Douglas from going through the table from an Awesome Bomb, then the Franchiser for the win in 1:37.
Tygress comes out and attacks Torrie then Douglas pulls her off. Konann makes the save and hits his rolling thunder clothesline.
Jarrett and Steiner confront Sanders backstage, tells him to fix the mess Cat has made. Nash walks up to play peacemaker and Steiner and Jarrett leave.
Goldberg is getting ready in his locker room.
Commercial
Nash and Sanders are outside Cat's office. Nash gives Sanders a pep talk and Sanders goes in.
Hype package for Meng. It does a good job of making him look dangerous but you can't hear any of the audio.
Pamela is backstage with Meng. This is apparently his last chance, he says he has to destroy Goldberg in order to keep his job. He says this is his life and Goldberg must die.
Commercial
Sanders is seen leaving Cat's office and the Thrillers are waiting for him along with Nash. He's made a deal with Cat but he doesn't say what it is yet.
Meng is already in the ring for our next match.
Streak vs Career Match: Meng vs Goldberg (0-0)
Meng wastes no time and nails Goldberg from behind. They excahnge blows, then Meng choked in the corner. Clubbing blows and chops by Meng, then Goldberg sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and delivers a spear. Jackhammer for the win in 42 seconds. Goldberg is 1-0. That actually kinda rules.
Suddenly Kronic come in from behind and attack with vicious rights, then deliver High Time before leaving.
Sanders is one again confronted by Steiner and Jarrett. He announces that Jarrett will team with Booker to take on Steiner and Sting, and the winning team will battle for the World Title later.
Commercial
David toys with his captive and pretends to offer him water only to dump a bucket of water on him.
Jeff Jarrett & Booker T vs Scott Steiner (w/ Midajah) & Sting
Winning team face each other for the vacant WCW Title later on in the show.
Pre-Match: Steiner gets a mic. He's said and proven that there's only one genetic freak in WCW, only one physical phenomenon and calls himself the supernatural. He's going to kick both Jarrett and Booker's asses tonight.
Jarrett and Sting start this out. Jarrett poses in the corner like he always does. Then Sting in the opposite corner. Some quick back and forth to start and Sting gets Jarrett with a fist drop to the chest. Bulldog off the ropes by Sting, then Jarrett sent to the corner for a Stinger Splash. Sting goes to apply the Deathlock but Jarrett thumbs the eye. Sting sent off the ropes, ducks one clothesline then they take each other out with a double clothesline.
Booker and Steiner tag in. Steiner taunts the fans a bit. Then there's a Booker T chant which sets off Steiner. Booker is backed into the corner off a lock up, then Steiner with vicious forearms and boots and chops. Club to the back, then some back and forth and Booker hits a side kick, sending Steiner out to the floor. Steiner tags in Sting. More back and forth to start and they botch a hip toss, then Sting with a right and does one successfully. Steiner spits on Booker. Booker tries to deck him but he hops to the floor. Sting is backed into the corner then delivers some rights, then sent into the corner and catches Sting with an elbow and a clothesline. Booker sent off the ropes and Steiner low bridges him, then Sting decks Steiner.
Jarrett attacks Steiner as Booker is dropped on the guard rail. Booker face first off the announce table and a clothesline by Steiner, then a military press to Jarrett. Booker tries to get back in but he's cut off, then Steiner with a backbreaker. Booker sent off the ropes into a clothesline and an elbow, then some push-ups. Exploder suplex by Steiner, then some boots to the midsection. Booker sent to the corner, tries to go up and over but he's caught, then sends Steiner into the corner and hits a back elbow. Spinebuster by Booker.
Jarrett gets the tag. Rights to Steiner in the corner, then Steiner sent to the corner, gets a boot up and hits his spinning belly to belly. Low blow by Jarrett and Steiner tags in Sting. Clotheslines and one sends Jarrett out to the floor. More shots by Sting, then Steiner and Booker get in on it. Sting sent into the guard rail and Booker with a forearm to Steiner back in the ring. Booker with an ax kick and a spinaroonie then nails the ref and Steiner with a Harlem Side Kick. Jarrett gets his guitar and Booker tries to stop him, then Jarrett tries to nail Booker in retaliation but he ducks and nails Sting instead. Jarrett makes the pin in 10:44. I was enjoying this until the typical WCW finish.
Up next, Thrillers and Nash are on their way to the ring.
Commercial
A hype package for the PPV which promises to shock us and is the selling point basically.
Replay of the end of that last match.
Elix makes his way out to defend his title and he has a mic.He says he's pissed off about two thing, that Sanders booked himself a match against him, and the shit that happened last week., referencing what happened when Nash called Beetlejuice Elix. He says it's his turn to make jokes and tells Sanders to bring "that jolly green giant" with him to kick both their asses.
Nash has a mic as he comes out with the Thrillers. Nash says he just spent 45 min in the back telling Beetlejuice how sorry he was for calling him Elix. Sanders adds stipulations: Team Canada are banned from ringside, you have to powerbomb before getting the win, and this is now a handicap match with Nash as his partner. Sanders bends over to tie his shoe so Nash can nail Elix in the head with the mic.
WCW 100kg & Under Championship: Mike Sanders & Kevin Nash (w/ Natural Born Thrillers) vs "Primetime" Elix Skipper (c)
Team Canada banned from ringside. Have to deliver a powerbomb before pinning.
Sanders goes for a powerbomb and Elix delivers two back body drops, then a spinning heel kick. Sanders sent off the ropes into a clothesline, then a hurricanrana. Elix tries to cover but he hasn't hit a powerbomb so the ref doesn't count it. Elix sent off the ropes, clubbed by Nash and clotheslined by Sanders. Nash comes in and gets on the mic. He says he watches the Thrillers, try to take spots from veterans, but one thing they do is do all this top rope stuff. He doesn't remember last time he was in a barfight where he knocked a guy down, jumped on the bar, and decided to jump off.
While he's doing this, Elix has gone up top and takes down Nash with a missile dropkick, thena regular dropkick. Elix with shots in the corner and mounted rights until Sanders gets him from behind. Elix decks him and then Nash attacks. Clothesline by Nash. Nash gets the mic again and says he doesn't like that Elix claims he's a Canadian, but he thinks the only reason he moved to Canada is it makes him a millionaire off his $30k/year contract. Nash hits the jackknife, Sanders covers to win the title in 3:11.
Goldberg is about to leave but Terry Taylor informs him Sanders has put him in another match next.
Commercial
Thrillers are congratulating Sanders and Nash leaves to shower. Team Canada attac and officials come to pull them all apart.
Streak vs Career Match: Harris Brothers vs Goldberg (1-0)
Harris Brothers get the jump. Goldberg sent off the ropes and hits a double clothesline. Spear for the win in... oh it's not over even though the bell rings. The other attacks but also eats a spear. Jackhammer for the win in 37 seconds.
Sanders tries to get an idea from Nash for the main event.
David is dragging his captive out to the ring.
Commercial
Commentary recap what's gone on with David and Stacey. Then they receive a note from Penzer, apparently from Sanders, and in honor of San Francisco, Booker and Jarrett will be... oh god, it's the 49ers Match, and they explain how the match works.
Then the same hype package for Halloween Havoc.
David makes his way out with his captive. David has a mic and berates his captive for ruining his life. The captive negotiates to get the handcuffs off in exchange for admitting to everyone he's the father, so David removes the cuffs. Buff Bagwell removes his hood and attacks David, laying into David, then delivers the Blockbuster. Buff leaves.
Commercial
Replay of what just happened.
Buff is seen leaving the arena.
49ers Match for the Vacated WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Jeff Jarrett vs Booker T
Pre-Match: So if you're not familiar with this infamous match, it's basically a Pole Match on crack. Four boxes hung from poles in each corner of the ring. Three of them have unknown weapons, and the fourth has the WCW Title. First to find the title is crowned the new champion.
Booker leaves the ring to give his shirt to a fan and Jarrett takes advantage attacking from behind to start this match. Rights by Jarrett and Booker sent into the guard rail. Chair to the ribs of Booker before returning to the ring. Jarrett sent to he corner and the box falls to the floor as Jarrett catches Booker with an elbow. Booker turned inside out with a clothesline and Jarrett opens up the box, and inside it's a blowup doll. Booker with rights now, and Jarrett sent off the ropes into a back elbow. Sidewalk slam by Booker, then a scoop slam. Booker goes after another box and inside he finds...
Booker returns to the ring and goes for box #3 again and inside he finds a coal miner's glove. Jarrett trips him up before he can use it and crotches him into the ring post, then again. Jarrett takes the glove away and puts it on now, decking Booker with it in the chest. Another rib shot. Jarrett takes the remains of box 3 and smashes it over Booker's head. Jarrett goes for the last box but he's cut off by booker and goes face first in the corner. Jarrett sent off the ropes and avoids a dropkick. Jarrett gets the glove again and decks Booker right in the jaw.
Booker sent off the ropes, ducks an elbow and a clothesline but caught with a sleeper. Booker seems to pass out, and for some reason the ref raises his arm three times, and even Madden points this out. Booker comes back to life, Jarrett sent off the ropes into a sleeper, but counters with a back suplex. Jarrett goes up top, the wrong corner of the box, but he's caught with the Book End.
Booker tries to go for the box but Jarrett stops him and goes for the Stroke, but Booker blocks and hits the ax kick, then a spinaroonie and a Harlem Side Kick. Booker tries for the box again but Jarrett nails a low blow. Jarrett sent of the ropes and avoids a Harlem Side Kick, Booker hung up on the top rope. Jarrett is trying to take a guitar out from under the ring but he's having trouble for some reason. Jarrett back in the ring with an electric chair, then tries for the guitar again but he still can't get it out. Jarrett tries to climb for the box and Beetlejuice comes out to deliver a bunch of low blows. Superkick by Booker and a splash by Beetlejuice, Booker gets the belt and wins the title in 13:04.
Booker celebrates until Steiner attacks with a pipe from behind. Beetlejuice is tossed in by Jarrett and Steiner puts him in the Recliner and that's how the show ends.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Well... Alright I didn't hate this show. It had a few good matches between the tag and the ladder match and the Goldberg squashes. It had shit like the David/Buff thing and the Cruiserweight Title match. The main event though? I don't think it's nearly as awful as it's reputation makes it out to be. Sure, it's a dumb stipulation, and yes Russo continues to be a moron, but the action was at least competent. I've seen plenty worse, particularly the cage match on the last Nitro. With a run time of 1:30:21, this show had a total 39 minutes of wrestling.
Thunder
Thrillers are seen arriving. They're intercepted by Douglas and Torrie, with Douglas taking Sanders aside to suck up a bit, he wants something done about Konnan after what happened on Nitro.
Broadcasting from the Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, CA for this edition of Thunder. We're welcomed by Schiavone and we're already off to a terrible start with Jarrett coming out. We learn from Tenay that we'll get the announcement for the PPV main event at some point during this show. Jarrett's got some words for Sting, he calls him a mime wannabe and says Sting doesn't have what it takes anymore, he's finished, done, washed up. He brings up surfer Sting and says that was before he lost his love for the business, when he gave a damn, and now he's a mere ghost of who he once was. As proof, he points to Nitro, that even with Steiner he couldn't beat Jarrett, and thinks the time has come for Sting to step aside. He knows Sting's been the man for 40 years, but in 2000 Sting can't carry his jockstrap. Jarrett is going to expose him for the fraud he is at the PPV.
And now out comes Beetlejuice. I don't know if I should be happy or not that he's interrupting Jarrett. He dares Jarrett to come get him and claims to be the Chosen One. He says he's gonna smoke Jarrett. We actually get a Beetlejuice chant. Jarrett wants him to take a shot but easily holds him back. Then some kicks to the shin. Then Jarrett seen getting ready to apply the figure 4. Booker is seeing this and tries to make the save but he's attacked by Steiner and his pipe from behind before he can get out there. Sting eventually makes the save for Beetlejuice and they fight in the aisle, while Stevie Ray leaves commentary to go check on Booker. Some "fan" with a bat attacks Sting with a bat from the crowd and it turns out to be Douglas. Then Jarrett gets Beetlejuice in the figure 4. We're not 10 minutes into the show and it's already a clusterfuck.
Commercial
Stevie is with Booker backstage as he's loaded into an ambulance.
Steiner is destroying things in a room backstage with his pipe. Midajah walks in to calm him down then has some idea and she leaves.
Out comes Duggan with a mic and 2x4. Replay of what happened with A-Wall and Duggan on last week's Thunder. He's here to show the fans Canadian superiority, that he's found a better way of life since joining Team Canada. He says the fans should stop fighting it and join them for a simpler way of life. He insults the design of the American flag and puts over that of the Canadian flag. He didn't come for a fight but he's interrupted by A-Wall, who is here for a fight, coming out with a table and mic. He says he's going to take the maple leaf and shove it up Duggan's ass. Duggan tries to run away as the bell rings.
Sgt. A-Wall vs Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Duggan gets him with rights on the floor, then sends him spine first into the ring post. More rights by Duggan and he's sent into the guard rail. A-Wall with a clothesline to the floor, then he's sent face first into the post. Duggan takes things back to the ring and they exchange blows, A-Wall driven to the corner, then sent across the ring until A-Wall gets a boot up. Mounted rights , then Duggan with a series of low blows. A-Wall no sells and tosses Duggan out to the floor.
A-Wall grabs his table and slips it into the ring, setting it up near the corner. Duggan sent face first off the announce table then they return to the ring. Duggan sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, then caught by the throat. Duggan avoids a chokeslam, then A-Wall sent off the ropes, catches Duggan with a kick, then off the ropes only to be hit with a kendo stick from behind by Reno who's appeared out of nowhere. Duggan covers but it's only two.
A-Wall's shirt is torn off and Duggan delivers rights, then A-Wall sent to the corner, gets Duggan with a boot. Reno climbs the apron with a chair but gets it punched back into his face.Dugan catches A-Wall with a powerslam through the table for the win in 4:14.
Commecial
Sanders is talking with Midajah backstage. She talks him into giving Steiner fresh meat tonight of some kind.
Pamela is backstage with Sting to respond to Jarrett's comments from earlier. Sting says he's wrong and not to question his commitment before accepting his challenge for the PPV. Tonight though he's going to hurt someone, starting with Douglas. It's showtime.
Sanders makes his way out. Replay of Sanders winning the CW Title. He says things are shaping up since he's been put in charge, with Nitro and Thunder going through the roof now that the Thrillers have the tag team, hardcore, and cruiserweight titles. He takes credit for beating Elix on his own and calls Russo a god for coming up with Goldberg's streak idea. Luger is in the crowd again. Sanders has found a way to one up Russo and end Goldberg's streak, having signed a match for Goldberg at the PPV. Somewhere in here,commentary also said Goldberg is 3-0, are they counting the Harris Brothers match as two wins on Nitro? Now out come Kronic and they go to deliver High Time, only to set him back down, so now they're working for Sanders and Russo. Sanders says that Goldberg may be a monster, he isn't two of them like Kronic are. I guess they're Goldberg's opponents for the PPV.
Commercial
Pamela is backstage with Team Canada, who've asked for this interview time. Elix says this is his house he's built and had the belt stolen on Nitro, but isn't sweating it because he gets first shot at the belt as per Canadian rules... or not. Because now Lance is taking the title shot, claiming Elix decided to step aside and let him have it.
David is walking backstage with... some guy in a suit.
Jung Dragons (w/ Leia Meow) vs Scott Steiner (w/ Midajah)
There's an argument over who will start the match and eventually Yang is chosen to go first. Yang sent off the ropes, ducks a clothesline, delivers body shots that do nothing, then off the ropes and turned inside out with a clothesline. Military press sends Yang out to the floor. Kaz and Jamie in, Steiner sent off the ropes and hits a double clothesline. Exploder suplex to Jamie, then Kaz face first in the corner before a spinning belly to belly suplex. Yang caught midair off the top for an overhead belly to belly, then some push-ups. Steiner with a belly to belly from the top rope to Jamie, then a fallaway slam from the top to Kaz. Leia starts choking Midajah with her whip on the floor, while Steiner has a double Recliner on Jamie and Kaz for the win in 2:42. Watching Steiner destroy people never gets old.
Commercial
Konnan is brought into Sanders' office. His legal status to work in the US has come into question now and Sanders hands over the paper... but Douglas' name is on it? Konnan tries to leave but someone from border control is there and he tries to get his passport but they won't let him leave.
Pamela is elsewhere backstage with the rest of the Animals who just saw this go down on a nearby monitor. Rey says Sanders' has nothing and they have it all under control, and sends Rey to get Konnan's papers. Pamela moves on and says their third match in the Best of 5 is set for next week, even though last week's match seemingly ended in a no contest, but it looks like they awarded the match to Rey instead, so it's 1-1. Juvie starts to talk but they're attacked by Douglas with a bat. He mocks Konnan and says he'll handle him in time, but he's ready to take on Sting tonight.
Commentary confirm that match for the main event. Also still to come, a sit down interview Tenay did with MIA. Now Stevie takes the initiative to get answers from Luger who's sitting front row, he wants to know why Luger is still sitting in the crowd. We're reminded by Luger that he's not on the active roster anymore. Luger says he's been sitting at home watching a bunch of garbage with no-talent, wannabe, no-name wrestlers, and wondering why he's not wrestling anymore. He looks good, big enough, talented enough, and it hit him that backstabbing and sucking up is what gets people ahead in WCW, not talent or wrestling, and he can do it better than the best. Stevie asks what side he's on, Luger says he's on his own.
Stevie brings up Rection and wants an explanation, as Rection starts making his way through the crowd from behind. Luger says Rection's a fine grappler, but makes fun of hi sname and Rection was just a prop so he could make a statement, and Rection will never get near the level of Luger. Rection knocks him over the guard rail and they fight at ringside, Luger face first off the steps. They fight in the aisle and Luger into the guard rail, then again. Security is here to cuff him and escort Luger out.
Commercial
Konnan finds the Animals backstage nursing the attack from Douglas. Konnan has a plan.
Awesome is giving a pep talk to Crowbar who comes out of a room looking like Awesome. Oh god.
We get a video package of Goldberg's original streak, plus some more recent footage.
Commercial
Pamela is Kronik backstage to ask what their deal is with Sanders. Clark says they're done sitting back and waiting for something to happen, and their services go out to the highest bidder, that being Sanders right now. Adams says that WCW has two kinds of wrestlers: Kronik and everybody else, and says Kronik can make you feel happy, feel good, but it's also expensive. He makes it clear though that Sanders doesn't own them, no one does, but they own Goldberg at the PPV. He says after they take that last hit and the smoke's cleared, Goldberg will know why it's all about Kronik.
WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Lance Storm (WCW Canadian Heavyweight Champion) (w/ Team Canada) vs Mike Sanders (c) (w/ Shawn Stasiak, Chuck Palumbo & WCW World Hardcore Champion Reno)
Pre-Match: Lance has a mic and is in a bad mood after what happened to Elix on Nitro, so tonight he rights a wrong, brings the gold back to Canada, defeats another inept American, before calling for the anthem to be played, and it does in full.
Lance with knees right away before getting sent off the ropes, catches Sanders with an uppercut. Schiavone also mentions that Storm is tagging with Duggan to defend the Canadian Title against Rection at the PPV, which begs the question of why Rection and Luger are fighting right now. Sanders sent off the ropes into a dropkick. Sanders sent to the corner for a clothesline and some chops. Sanders with a low blow, then hits a pumphandle suplex. Snapmare and a kick to the chest from Sanders, followed by a knee drop and a cover for two.
Storm with a standing side kick. Sanders face first in the corner, then a backbreaker by Storm. Suplex by Storm. Sanders sent to the corner, gets a boot up but caught with a back elbow. Storm with boots in the corner, then Sanders sent across the ring, tries to go up and over but caught with a Northern Light suplex with a bridge, but Reno pulls his legs out from under him to break up the pin. Storm with a baseball slide takes him out, then Sanders sent out to the apron. Storm tries to suplex him back in but Sanders takes him to the apron, only for Storm to hit him with a DDT on the apron.
Palumbo with a cheap shot and Elix takes him out. Stasiak and Duggan go at it. Storm and Sanders return to the ring and Sanders returns to the ring, Storm has the Maple Leaf applied, but Sanders hasn't tapped and the bell rings suddenly. Camera pans over and Guns is ringing the bell. Storm thinks he's won but the ref points out Guns rang it prematurely. Storm and Guns back up the ramp as MIA come out. Rection attacks and tosses him back in, Sanders with a roll up to retain in 4:40. It was a fine match until the usual overbooked BS.
Commercial
Jarrett and Douglas are talking backstage.
Time for Tenay's interview with MIA. It's made clear immediately that this is supposed to be a shoot interview because Tenay calls Rection by his real name, Bill DeMott, and he runs down how he's been to Mexico and Japan, plus his time in WCW as Hugh Morrus. Bill insists Tenay call him by the name thrown upon him, Gen. Rection, and that's how he chooses to be addressed from now on.So are we supposed to believe his legal name is now Hugh G. Rection? He then starts talking about the toll the business has taken on him and how much he loves the business, without the pyro, music or attention everyone else gets.
Tenay says that Rection's been recognized as one of the most dedicated, determined in WCW. Rection cuts him off and says he's wrong, because it's not about one man, it's about four guys in front of the camera and Tenay, talks about how they stay in touch all the time, they work out together, etc, it's about Chavo Guerrero, Lash Leroux, and Jerry Tuite... again we're going into shoot, Russo can't even stay consistent in one interview.
Tenay says they've set their individual goals aside to form a bond to bring MIA to the top. Chavo speaks up and says they only got together because they had to, because this was the best thing the guys in the back could think of, or the most time they could put into the gimmick. He says there's passion for the business between them, they go to the ring every night and give 100% no matter how unhappy they might be. He says they try to have the best match or segment on the show every night, whether as individuals or a group he says we see a great segment every time, they stuck it to the guys in the back and got over, points to the ratings as proof. Lash speaks up and says this works because they all have the same mindset, heart, passion, and drive for the business, they give it all they got and more, and claims they're the workhorses.
Tenay turns back to Rection and says that many think his potential has been unrealized, that he's been haunted by the word potential. Hugh mocks the idea of potential and says his is untapped, it means nothing now, nothing in this conversation or in the back. Tenay brings up is problems with Duggan and Luger. Rection claims him and Duggan's kids grew up together, their wives are best friends, and his highlight was the passing of the flag, only to be stabbed in the back. He mocks potential again for Duggan and talks about his kids. Then he takes shots at Luger for sitting at home.
Tenay mentions his title shot at the PPV. Rection says this thing may not even go the PPV and isn't happy that Storm's getting all this attention coming from another company, when he's been there six years. He says that no matter what Team Canada do to them and how this winds up, they can't bring MIA down, even though they tried and destined MIA to fail. What a fucking mess of an interview.
Commercial
Sting is getting ready backstage.
Pre-Match: Awesome's got a mic, the love doctor and his protege are in the house, and they love them all. Then they try to do that one SNL sketch with Steve Martin and Dan Aykroyd, the "two wild and crazy guys" one, and Awesome is trying to teach Crowbar how to do it properly because he's not putting any effort into it, then Crowbar does elbow drops to the mat until Awesome cuts him off because it's too crazy before declaring they just wrestle. I hate this.
Crowbar and Jindrak start the match. Jindrak takes control with some rights before Sean tags in. Crowbar sent off the ropes, double leapfrog, then Sean is caught with a tilt-a-whirl headscissor, then Jindrak hits him with a tilt-a-whirl sidewalk slam. Crowbar fights back with chops and rights, then Sean sent off the ropes into a dropkick. Awesome tags in. He's sent off the rops and Sean shrugs off a shoulder block, then they shove each other, then chop each other repeatedly. Sean eventually sends him off the ropes, ducks a clothesline and avoids a side kick, then Awesome with a clothesline. Sean sent to the corner, Awesome caught with elbow, Sean up top and lands on his feet as Awesome avoids a 450, only to be caught with the side kick. Awesome sent off the ropes, avoids a clothesline, hits a German suplex and tries to bridge but Sean kinda screws it up.
Crowbar back in. Awesome with a scoop slam and a running splash, then Crowbar with a slingshot splash from the apron, cover and a two. Crowbar with chops and a jawbreaker into a side headlock, then Jindrak tags himself in as Crowbar's pushed off the ropes, into a springboard clothesline from Jindrak. Crowbar sent off the ropes into a back elbow, then Sean tags back in. Double atomic drop and double dropkick, then a rear chinlock by Sean. Crowbar fights out, then off the ropes into a clothesline. Jindrak back in, double suplex to Crowbar, then a cover by Jindrak for two, then again for another two.
Scoop slam by Jindrak and a series of elbows, cover again for two. Sean back in, then Crowbar sent off the ropes into a double shoulder block. Crowbar off the ropes again into an elbow and a knee lift. Jindrak in again. Crowbar fighting back in the corner, then Jindrak sent off the ropes into a back elbow, then a Northern Lights suplex with a bridge for two. Crowbar up top but Sean crotches him from the apron before tagging in. Jindrak with a Frankensteiner and the Seanton Bomb, cover but Awesome breaks it up. Jindrak in again and misses a springboard moonsault.
Awesome tags in. Clothesline to Jindrak and Sean knocked off the apron. Jindrak sent off the ropes into a sitout spinebuster and Jindrak kicks out. Sean knocked off the apron again as Awesome goes up top with the frog splash, cover but Jindrak kicks out. Clothesline by Sean while Crowbar gives a table to Awesome, setting it up in the corner. Awesome tries for the Awesome Bomb but Sean makes the save and hits a spin kick to the head. Awesome is set up to go through it but Crowbar nails a double low blow from behind and both are sent out to the floor. Awesome back suplexes Crowbar into a moonsault over the ropes onto the champions. Crowbar and Jindrak return to the ring. Crowbar with an inverted DDT nad a cover but Sean breaks it up. Crowbar gets double hip tossed through the table to retain in 9:49. I can't complain about this stuff too much. Even setting aside the inconsistent rules, this was a fun match, probably the only bright spot on this show.
Bagwell arrives.
Commercial
And now out he comes. He brings up Stacy's pregnancy and how he was blamed, and he always wears his stuff. Tonight though he wants an apology from that lunatic David, so he calls him out. David wastes no time coming out along with that guy in a suit we saw earlier, plus a mic. I don't know if I missed it earlier or if they added it now, but the suit guy has a stethoscope around his neck, so I guess he's supposed to be a doctor. David actually does apologize for what happened on Nitro, but still thinks Buff is the father based on Smooth's tape, calling Buff a pretty boy piece of crap. He knows how Buff is.
Buff finally asks who the suit guy is, and David wants Buff to take a DNA test in the ring right now. I'm not doctor, but I'm pretty sure that's impossible, and even Tenay points this out. Buff agrees so he can get David off his back, so the doctor wants to take blood from him. But Buff is "scared of needles" so he decks the doc with his mic, then a double-arm DDT to David. The doc still tries to get blood but Buff drops him. Buff tells David to figure it out and leaves.
Up next, Douglas is on his way to the ring for the main event, as is Sting.
Commercial
"The Franchise" Shane Douglas (w/ Torrie Wilson) vs Sting
Pre-Match: Schiavone passes his condolences to the family and friends of Klondike Bill, who passed away the day before. Shane gets a mic and calls himself and Torrie a combination of twisted steel and sex appeal. He's got better things to do than talk to the "low IQ Hollywood wannabe degenerates" in the crowd, because unlike them he has a date with greatness, a job to do. He thinks Jarrett is right in that Sting isn't the legend he once was, and tonight he gets his ass franchised and won't make it to the PPV. Torrie takes the mic and asks if the fans take showers, because it stinks like hell, and she's more of a woman than any of the ladies will be. She says after they're done with Sting, she has a surprise at the hotel, which nearly gives Shane a heart attack. While Sting makes his entrance, Tenay casually announces the main event for the PPV as he gets word through his headset: Booker T defending the WCW Title against Steiner.
Douglas is jawjacking with the fans at ringside, so Sting sends him face first into the guard rail to get this started. Sting with a right hand sends him into the guard rail, then across the floor into the guard rail again Douglas is tossed over into the crowd and Sting hops over to join him. They fight their way through the crowd, Sting with control the whole time before returning to ringside. Sting grabs a chair and hits him in the ribs, then the back. Douglas is tossed into the ring and Torrie tries to hold Sting back but he kicks her off, and hurts his knee in the process. Low blow knee drop from Douglas, then a low blow stomp. "She's a crack whore" chant is going as Douglas hits a stalling suplex, then a cover for two.
Sting sent off the ropes and caught with an abdominal stretch. Torrie holds onto his hand to help but Sting hip tosses free. Another low blow from Douglas, then a boot to the midsection. Douglas pulls Sting to the ring post for yet another low blow. Douglas takes out a table now and slides it into the ring, setting it up in the corner. Sting fighting back with kicks and rights, until he's thumbed in the eye. Sting counters an Irish whip and sends Douglas crashing through the table. Bulldog and a Vader Bomb by Sting, then a Stinger Splash. Torie hands Douglas a chain and he uses it to avoid another splash. Konnan comes out of nowhere and kidnaps Torrie, and now the ref is going after them to try and make the save but it's no use. Sting sent off the ropes, ducks a right and delivers some rights and lefts, but Sting collapses to the mat. Jarrett now here out of nowhere with the guitar, hitting Sting over the back of the head from the apron, then the Franchiser for the win in 6:10. Sigh.
Show ends with Douglas getting his arm raised.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Well I was right. Aside from the Steiner squash, the tag title match was the only bright spot on this show. So much overbooked or dumb or pointless crap. And there's still 3 weeks worth of shows until the PPV, which is apparently the last show Russo books, so this is gonna be a long 6 shows to watch. With a run time of 1:26:23, this show had a total 27:35 of wrestling.
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