Typical Phenom
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Nitro 3- Monday, Third Week of September, 1995
An Attack, But Why- 1 Minute, C Rating
Schiavone threw the show to the backstage area where Alex Wright was being tossed to the ground. Big Bubba Rogers followed up and started stomping Alex Wright in the back of the neck, then picked him up again and this time ran him face first into the wall. Rogers left Wright laying on the floor and walked away satisfied.
Steven Regal vs. Steve Austin- 11 Minutes, B Rating
Regal stepped in the ring slowly, looking across the ring at Austin with cautious eyes. The bell rings and Austin stepped towards Regal, who looked him up and down but slowly stepped forward. They went for a lock up but instead Regal raised the side of his knee into Austin's midsection. Regal repeated the knee, then drove Austin's face down while raising his own knee up until the two met, Austin's head snapping back as he fell into the ropes. Regal leaned Austin over the rope, then hit him with a forearm to the chest a couple of times before sending Austin across the ring. Regal picked Austin up with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, putting Austin down on the mat. Regal went for a cover but his overconfidence let Austin kick out. Both men got back to their feet and it was Regal who put Austin in a front facelock. Before he could lift him up, Austin reversed it and ended up hanging Regal over the top rope with a reverse suplex! Austin caught his breath, then ran and kicked Regal in the upper chest, knocking the rest of him over the top rope and to the mat. Austin then pulled the ropes, in effect flipping Regal over the top and into the ring. Austin dropped an elbow to the chest of Regal, then went for a pin only to have Regal kick out at two. Austin waited for Regal to get to his feet, then bodyslammed him to the mat and went up to the second turnbuckle. Johnny B. Badd was still standing on the outside, just watching. Austin had some words for Badd, then he lined up an elbow but Regal was able to move out of the way. Austin got back up and Regal planted him with another backbreaker that left Austin laying in the ring. Regal locked in the Regal Stretch and got the win.
Winner: Steven Regal
After the match, Johnny B. Badd stared at Austin laying on the mat, then shook his head, laughed, and walked back up the aisle.
Commercial Break
Hollywood Blondes Talk- 2 Minutes, C+ Rating
Backstage, Steve Austin bursts into the Hollywood Blondes locker room, finding his partner Brian Pillman. Pillman stood up and Austin punched the wall, upset.
Steve Austin: What the hell was that?
Pillman looked at Austin, unsure of what he was talking about.
Brian Pillman: What are you talkin about?
Steve Austin: I thought you said you had my back. Where were you?
Pillman tried to calm Austin down.
Brian Pillman: What are you talkin about Steve? Nobody attacked you, you just got distracted.
Austin started to respond, then stopped. He looked at Pillman, then turned and walked off.
Banned- 2 Minutes, C+ Rating
Backstage, Kevin Sullivan and Meng are entering the building when they're stopped by security. After throwing a fit and threatening Doug Dillinger, Sullivan stops and looks to his left. WCW President Terry Taylor stepped onto the scene and looked at the duo.
Terry Taylor: Gentlemen.
Sullivan just stared at Taylor.
Terry Taylor: That's alright, no response necessary. I'm just here to let you know that neither you, nor Meng, are allowed at ringside for Avalanche's match against Ron Simmons tonight.
Sullivan stepped towards Taylor, looking at him in the face.
Kevin Sullivan: That's alright Taylor...we don't need to be at ringside. But if you think that's going to keep your boy Simmons safe, you're dead wrong.
Sullivan spoke with a deep, slow tone. Sullivan stepped around Taylor and led Meng down the hall.
Brian Pillman vs. Dave Taylor- 10 Minutes, C+ Rating
Taylor attacked Pillman as soon as he stepped into the ring. Within seconds, he had Pillman down on the ground stretched out and drove his knee into Pillman's ribs. Taylor repeated that, then sat Pillman up and put his knee right into the small of Pillman's back, then pulled back on both of his shoulder blades, trying to get Pillman to give up. Pillman fought through the pain and finally Taylor released the hold, stood up, and kicked Pillman in the back, knocking him back to the mat. Taylor yelled out at the fans, then helped Pillman to his feet, picking him up and dropping him with a side suplex, then rolled over for a pin, only getting the two count. Taylor delivered a well executed backbreaker, then went for a pin again, but again only got a two count. His slow, methodical style was getting the best of Pillman and he knew it, so when he sent Pillman into the corner, he never expected Pillman to come charging out with a clothesline. Pillman then caught Taylor with two straight dropkicks and went for the pin. Despite the momentum, Pillman only got a two count and had to pull Taylor back up to his feet. Pillman grabbed Taylor by the head, then ran to the corner, up the turnbuckles, spun and drove Taylor face first into the mat, again going for the pin and only getting a two count. Pillman pulled Taylor up but Taylor caught him with a kick to the midsection. Taylor lifted Pillman into the air but Pillman floated over the top of Taylor and pushed him into the ropes. Pillman kicked Taylor in the midsection, or tried to. Taylor caught Pillman's foot, but then Pillman used the other one to catch him with an insiguri. That put Taylor down and Pillman stepped through the ropes to the apron. Pillman waited for Taylor to get to his feet, then springboarded off the top rope and nailed Taylor with the Air Pillman clothesline! Pillman made the cover and picked up the win.
Winner: Brian Pillman
Commercial Break
Dustin Rhodes Interview- 2 Minutes, A* Rating
The cameras went backstage where "Mean" Gene Okerlund is standing with United States champion Dustin Rhodes.
Gene Okerlund: Dustin Rhodes, last Saturday, it was decided that you would be taking part in the War Games match for the third straight year. Are you considered Mr. War Games at this point?
Dustin Rhodes: I don't know about all that, but I at least know my way around the double cage. It's a brutal contest and nothing can really prepare you for it except being in a War Games match. I guarantee I'll be prepared.
Gene Okerlund: What about tonight? You have to step in one on one against Vader, what do you do against a beast like that?
Dustin Rhodes: There's not a lot you can do against a man like Vader. Obviously, you're not going to beat him in a strength contest, so you have to use whatever advantage you have. For me, I'll have to use my agility and speed to try and overcome his raw power.
Gene Okerlund: Surely a win here, plus having the United States title, puts you in the number one contendership spot. What would that mean to you?
Dustin Rhodes: I don't even want to start talking about that. I just need to focus on the present and that means getting past Vader tonight, then winning War Games next Sunday.
Rhodes had a very serious look as he answered the last question, then patted Gene on the shoulder and walked off.
Well Spent- 1 Minute, C+ Rating
Big Bubba Rogers is seen walking down the hallway, then opening a door. Inside, Rick Martel is standing and applauds Rogers when he sees him. Rogers doesn't smile, just looks at Martel.
Rick Martel: I knew you'd come through, I knew it.
Big Bubba Rogers: Yea, whatever. Just give me my money...
Martel reaches into his gym bag and pulls out a small wad of money, handing it over to Rogers.
Rick Martel: Worth every penny.
Martel laughs to himself as Rogers snatches the money and heads out of the room.
Ron Simmons vs. Avalanche- 11 Minutes, B Rating
Once Sullivan and Meng were forced to the back, Avalanche didn't look quite as confident, though he still had the size advantage. The two locked up and Avalanche showed his size, forcing Simmons back into the corner. Avalanche breaks clean, but then put his forearm into Simmons head repeatedly, then sent Simmons into the opposite corner and followed it up with a huge splash. He stepped back and watched Simmons fall out of the corner. Avalanche saw the opportunity, bounced off the ropes, and connected with a big splash. Avalanche made the cover and to everyone's surprise, Simmons was able to kick out at two and even Avalanche had a look of shock on his face. Avalanche pulled Simmons up and placed him in the corner, then went for another charging sandwich. This time, Simmons moved out of the way and Avalanche hit the corner hard. Simmons then clotheslined him but couldn't knock him down. Simmons bounced off the ropes with another clothesline but still couldn't knock him down. Finally, on the third clothesline, Simmons was able to knock Avalanche down. Simmons took a second to catch his breath, then motioned that he was going to lift him up. He waited as Avalanche slowly made it back to his feet, then Simmons went to lift him into the air, but couldn't do it. Avalanche took advantage with a couple hard blows, then sent Simmons into the ropes. Simmons ducked a clothesline, bounced off the ropes, and delivered a flying shoulderblock to Avalanche that had the big man stumbling! Simmons got back to his feet and this time was able to lift Avalanche up onto his shoulder, then quickly drove/dropped him to the mat with a running powerslam. The crowd didn't seem to mind the struggle and went nuts for the move anyway. Simmons made the cover and Nick Patrick counted the three.
Winner: Ron Simmons
Commercial Break
Vader Interview- 2 Minutes, A* Rating
Gene Okerlund has Vader and Harley Race backstage.
Gene Okerlund: Harley Race, coming up in just six days, your team steps in against Sting, the Nasty Boys, and Dustin Rhodes in the War Games match. How prepared will you be?
Harley smiles a confident smile.
Harley Race: Look at this man.
Race looks over at Vader while Vader pats the belt.
Harley Race: This is the World Champion Gene Okerlund. That's not a fluke, that's a monster. How much preparation do you really think we need?
Okerlund cocks his head, understanding what Race is saying, but still questions the preparation.
Gene Okerlund: But still, this is the War Games match. Earlier, Dustin Rhodes told us you can't prepare for it without being it...
Harley Race: Dustin Rhodes? Dustin Rhodes needs to focus on tonight when he faces the champ or else Dustin Rhodes might not even make it to War Games at Fall Brawl.
Race pats the belt of Vader. Vader flinches towards Okerlund, causing him to flinch and jump back, then Vader follows Race out of the area.
Not Waiting For Sunday- 4 Minutes, C Rating
The cameras show Ron Simmons stepping out of a room and almost bumping right into Kevin Sullivan. Simmons tried to grab him, but Sullivan took off. Simmons gave chase, but as expected, when he rounded the corner, Meng was right there with a barefoot crescent kick to the chest that knocked Simmons back. Meng chopped Simmons in the chest, then whipped him backfirst into a wall. Meng approached Simmons but Simmons grabbed Meng and turned it around, putting Meng backfirst into the concrete wall. Simmons reached down and grabbed a piece of wood from the floor, then swung for Meng's head, barely missing and broke the wood against the wall. Sullivan helped Meng out, hammering Simmons in the back with a double fist, then tried to run Simmons head into the wall, but Simmons fought out of that only to take a blow with one of the pieces of wood from Meng, who hit him in the back, then busted him over the head. Meng grabbed Simmons and ran him face first into the wall, then left him laying in the back.
Commercial Break
Dustin Rhodes vs. Vader- 12 Minutes, A Rating
Dustin stood on one side of the ring with the United States title while Vader stood on the other side of the ring with the World Title. Neither belt was on the line, but it was a good image. The bell rang and Rhodes avoided the lock up, trying to go around Vader. Harley reached up under the bottom rope and grabbed Rhodes' ankle, causing him to turn around, which allowed Vader to nail him from behind. Vader hammered as Rhodes tried to escape, but everytime he took a step, he took another blow from Vader until finally he was on the mat, trying to grasp the rope and pull himself up. Vader straddled Rhodes' back and dropped all his weight down on it. He stood up and Rhodes rolled to the outside, trying to gather his thoughts but instead finding himself in a scuffle with Harley Race. Randy Anderson came outside to seperate the two and tell Race to back off, but that let Vader reach down and pull Rhodes up to the apron, then bend him backwards over the top rope and drive a thunderous forearm into his chest. He did it again, then backed up and nailed Rhodes with a shoulderblock that sent him flying off the apron into the guardrail. Anderson warned Vader, but that let Race grab Rhodes and roll him into the ring. Vader picked Rhodes up and heaved him into the corner. Vader took his time walking over to Rhodes and ended up getting blasted in the face with right hands as Rhodes fought his way out of the corner. Rhodes bounced off the ropes and took to the air with a flying clothesline that barely phased Vader. Rhodes bounced off the opposite rope and drove his shoulder into the knees of Vader, knocking him down, then dropkicked him and put him on his back. Rhodes went for the pin, but Vader bench pressed Rhodes off into the air. Rhodes didn't let Vader get up to his feet, staying on him with right hands as soon as he started getting to his knees. Vader still gets up to his feet, but Rhodes uses all his strength to send Vader into the corner. Rhodes tries to hit a huge avalanche but Vader catches him in a bearhug, then steps out of the corner and powerslams him to the mat, shaking the ring. Vader stands and watches as Rhodes tries to peel himself off the canvas, gasping for breath. He finally makes it to his feet only to have Vader lift him up into the air and drive him back first to the mat with a powerbomb. Vader makes the cover and picks up a dominant victory.
Winner: Vader
Kidnapped- 1 Minute, A Rating
In the back, the Nasty Boys are running down the hallway, giving chase. They round the corner and run into the parking lot. In the near distance, you can see Roma and Orndorff closing the trunk, then Arn Anderson jumps into the drivers seat of a Lincoln Continental. Orndorff and Roma jump in just as the Nasty Boys get to the vehicle and Arn guns the engine, peeling out of the parking lot. Saggs and Knobbs look at each other, then Saggs pounds the hood of another car and Knobbs looks Saggs in the face with a serious look.
Brian Knobbs: They got Sting...
Saggs and Knobbs look at each other in disbelief as Nitro fades out.
Overall Rating of a B
Attendance of 15,000 w/1,242,325 Viewers
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Saturday Night 2- Saturday, Second Week of September, 1995
The Opening- 1 Minute
Schiavone reminded us that Fall Brawl was just over one week away and talked about how President Terry Taylor was going to announce the participants for War Games live tonight! Schiavone hyped the Dustin Rhodes-Big Bubba Rogers main event, then threw it to the first match.
Stars & Stripes vs. Kenny Kendall/Mark Starr- 9 Minutes, C Rating
Little to no reaction for Kendall and Starr, but a nice pop for Bagwell and the Patriot. It was Bagwell who started things off against a taller Kenny Kendall. Kendall took an advantage, pushing Bagwell back into the corner and driving forearms into his chest. Kendall sent Bagwell into the ropes and went for a big boot, but Bagwell fired back off the ropes and knocked Kendall back with a clothesline. Bagwell stayed on the offensive, using his speed advantage to keep Kendall grounded, then brought in Patriot. Patriot allowed Kendall to make the tag, but owned Mark Starr with a series of dropkicks followed up with a high back body drop. Patriot hung Starr up on the top rope, then tagged in Bagwell. Both Patriot and Bagwell went up to the top turnbuckles and together connected with a double dropkick that led to Bagwell getting the pin on Mark Starr.
Winners: Stars & Stripes
Finally- 1 Minutes, C- Rating
A clip rolls, showing the Genetic Genius, Marty Jannetty. It shows the clip of him playing golf, then basketball, then finally text rolls across the screen saying that he'll make his official debut next week on WCW Saturday Night!
Commercial Break
Tex Slazenger vs. Ron Simmons- 11 Minutes, B+ Rating
Tex comes out with his cowboy hat and boots on, getting a slight reaction from the crowd. Simmons stormed his way to the ring and right away, the two hosses started slugging it out, trading furious fists until Tex finally got the advantage. Tex slammed Simmons to the mat, but missed an elbow drop. Once back on their feet, Simmons got sent into the ropes and came off with a shoulderblock that budged neither man. Simmons with a forearm to the head that caught Tex off guard, then bodyslammed him. Simmons didn't miss his elbow drop and then pulled Tex up to his feet. Tex shrugged it off, then ran Simmons head first into the turnbuckle. Tex used a knee to the ribs, then hiptossed Simmons out of the corner. He got up and Tex sent him back into the corner, but when he charged in, Simmons caught him with a boot to the stomach. Simmons sent Tex into the ropes and Tex got driven to the mat with a sidewalk slam. Simmons stayed in control of the match, finally ending it with a running powerslam.
Winner: Ron Simmons
And The Challenge- 1 Minute, B Rating
After the match, Simmons took a second to gather himself, then asked for a mic and delivered a stirring challenge.
Ron Simmons: Kevin Sullivan, I bet you thought that was real cool what you did last Monday, don't you? Real manly of you, right? Did you expect me to just cower away in fear and never be heard from again? That's not happenin'. Nah, where I'm from, we don't hide, we tackle our problems head on so that's exactly what I'm gonna do. This Monday Night, I want that so called monster who couldn't keep hisself out of my bi'ness. I want Meng. And if I don't get him in the ring, then I'll just have to go get him on my own.
Simmons dropped the mic and left the ring.
Martel Not Worried- 1 Minute, C+ Rating
The cameras went backstage where Rick Martel was standing by with Gene Okerlund.
Gene Okerlund: Rick Martel, it's been officially announced that you will face Alex Wright a little over one week from tonight at Fall Brawl. What are your thoughts?
Rick Martel: So the little europunk accepted? Good, now I'll get my chance to show the World that what happened when I debuted was the single greatest fluke in wrestling history. Imagine, me...losing to him?
Gene Okerlund: I don't have to imagine, I saw it.
Martel puts his hand up like he might smack Okerlund, but stops himself.
Rick Martel: Anyway. All that matters is that at Fall Brawl, I'll be looking modelesque when I avenge the fluke and beat Alex Wright. And that's ALL that matters.
Martel gives Okerlund a look then walks off.
Commercial Break
Dean Malenko vs. Rick Martel- 9 Minutes, C+ Rating
Malenko locked up with Martel and took him down with an armdrag into an armbar. Martel got back to his feet and pulled Malenko into a shoulderblock, then used a go behind and german suplexed Malenko. Malenko rolled through and got back on his feet, then dropkicked Martel in the knee when he charged. Malenko pulled Martel to his feet, hooked him in a front facelock, then snap suplexed him. Malenko waited for Martel to get back to his feet, then delivered another snap suplex. Malenko pulled Martel to his feet, but Martel kicked him in the midsection, then returned the favor and snap suplexed Malenko! The two chain wrestled on the mat, exchanging two counts a couple of times, then Martel managed to get in a dropkick that sent Malenko falling back into the corner. Martel drilled Malenko with a charging clothesline, then pushed him face first to the mat. Martel managed to lock on the boston crab and within seconds, Malenko had no other choice but to tap out. The crowd applauded the effort by Malenko and the overall feel of the match.
Winner: Rick Martel
Arn interview- 2 Minutes, A Rating
Again, Gene Okerlund is backstage. This time, it's with Arn Anderson, the former United States champion.
Gene Okerlund: Double A, last week you asked for a shot at the United States title and were told that you'd get some sort of answer tonight. Have you heard anything yet?
Arn Anderson: Ya know Gene Okerlund, it's a funny thing how quick Dustin Rhodes was able to get shot after shot, yet when I want my chance at a re-match, I play the waiting game. I held the United States title for six months. The least I deserve is a chance to win it back.
Gene Okerlund: Is it just about the belt or is it about facing Dustin Rhodes?
Arn Anderson: I'm not gonna lie, I want to beat Dustin Rhodes just to show I can, but it's more about the belt. It's about knowing how good I am and having the proof, the proof that I'm among the elite in WCW. The only belt more prestigious than the United States championship is the World Title and as long as Big Vader's got that, I'm not in the picture. So Dustin, unfortunately for you, my sights are set on you.
Commercial Break
Julio Sanchez vs. Arn Anderson- 8 Minutes, C Rating
Arn put Sanchez in a side headlock, but Sanchez pushed Arn off into the ropes and laid down, letting Anderson step over him. Anderson came back off the ropes and Sanchez hip tossed him. Arn got back to his feet and Sanchez missed a dropkick. At that point, the match was over. Anderson took complete control of the match, wearing Sanchez down with some common holds, then delivered the huge spinebuster. Arn followed that up with a DDT and made the pin for the win.
Winner: Arn Anderson
Commercial Break
Your War Games Lineup- 4 Minutes, B+ Rating
The scene switched to Terry Taylor sitting at the end of a long conference table in what was announced as the WCW Corporate Offices. He's the only one in the room and after looking through some papers, he addressed the camera.
Terry Taylor: War Games has long been a staple in World Championship Wrestling, a way for teams to settle their scores once and for all, and a highlight in the eyes of every fan we have. Every year, it's hard to pick the participants, but that seems to have changed this year. Taking over as President during this time of the year may have been a risk by some, but I think you'll like what I've come up with for War Games. On one team, there will be the World Champion, Big Van Vader teaming up with Paul Orndorff, Paul Roma, and a man who was in the War Games match just last year, Arn Anderson! And on the other side will be the man who's wanted another piece of Vader, the man known as Sting. Joining him will be three more guys who were in the War Games match last year, three guys who also hold titles within World Championship Wrestling. His partners are the tag team champions, the Nasty Boys, and the United States Champion Dustin Rhodes! Those eight men will compete in the most brutal, violent, masochistic match in WCW. Fall Brawl, one week from tomorrow night, don't miss this one.
Rhodes Interview- 2 Minutes, A Rating
Taylor went back to his paperwork as the scene faded to Mean Gene standing backstage with Dustin Rhodes, who had a huge smile on his face.
Gene Okerlund: You heard it right here with me champ, you're in War Games for the third straight year, what's your take on it?
Dustin Rhodes: Oh boy, I can't wait! I guess y'all might as well start calling me Mr. War Games, huh Okerlund? It's only fitting. My daddy invented War Games and I've been leaving my mark ever since. Arn Anderson, you want another piece of me? There's no better place to do it than inside of War Games. The title might not be on the line, but I guarantee we'll settle the score and finish things between us.
Gene Okerlund: What about your partners?
Dustin Rhodes: I went to war with the Nasty Boys last year and will be honored to do so again. Then you have Sting. What can you say about Sting? The man is amazing and knowing that he'll be there, watching my back, words can't describe.
Gene Okerlund: Tonight, you defend the title against Big Bubba Rogers. Are you able to focus on him or are you looking past him and right to War Games?
Dustin Rhodes: I'm definately looking forward to War Games, but trust me Gene, I'm not overlooking Big Bubba Rogers. I know what he can do and overlooking him will cost me the belt. I'm ready for him, trust that.
Okerlund shakes the hand of Rhodes as the scene fades to commercial.
Commercial Break
Nasty Boys vs. Buck and Slater for the Tag Team Titles- 11 Minutes, B Rating
Slater and Knobbs tied up, then continued to switch places, rotating until they finally broke the lock up and went to blows instead, neither man really getting an advantage. Randy Anderson stepped in and broke the two up, but then Slater started yelling at Anderson and that was enough of a distraction to allow Bunkhouse Buck to hit Knobbs in the back of the head. Slater tagged Buck in and the two worked Knobbs over in the corner, putting boots to his midsection until Knobbs was on the mat. Saggs tried to come to his partners rescue but that just allowed the two to continue the dual assault. Buck had control over Saggs, bodyslamming him to the mat. Buck stayed in control until he missed a legdrop. That allowed Knobbs to make the hot tag to Saggs, who knocked Slater off the apron, then cleaned up on Buck inside the ring. He hit an elbow drop from the second turnbuckle to pick up the win.
Winner: Nasty Boys
Sullivan hypes up Meng- 1 Minute, C+ Rating
Backstage, Kevin Sullivan slapped the chest of Meng, then did it again. He grabbed Meng by his bushy hair and pulled his face down, putting his own face right in front of Meng's.
Kevin Sullivan: I don't want you to beat this poor bastard, I want you to destroy him, hurt him, I want to see his body mangled, do you understand me?
Sullivan slaps Meng in the face and Meng grunts his approval of sorts.
Kevin Sullivan: And after you take care of him, then at Fall Brawl, we'll take care of Ron Simmons once and for all.
Sullivan lets Meng go and smiles his sadistic smile while Meng clenches his teeth like a wild animal and the scene fades.
Commercial Break
Mark Davis vs. Meng- 7 Minutes, C Rating
Mark Davis never stood a chance. He tried to get in some cheap shots against Meng early, but Meng shrugged those off and shoved Davis to the ground. Meng picked him up and tossed him into the corner. Davis bounced off and Meng took him down with a martial arts kick. It was complete annhilation and Meng thankfully ended it with the tongan death grip.
Winner: Meng
Commercial Break
Page interview- 2 Minutes, B Rating
Coming back from commercial break, Diamond Dallas Page is standing in the ring with a mic.
Diamond Dallas Page: Last week, I did what I had to do to prove myself to the beautiful Kimberly, I made an open challenge. All of you losers in the back are able to accept, but who will it be? Which one of you chumps wants to add another loss to their record? Huh? Who's it gonna be?
Page went to continue, but before he could, a train whistle was heard throughout the arena and Ice Train came out of the back to a surprising pop from the Atlanta crowd. Ice Train slides into the ring, but Page shows no fear and strikes the first blow.
Diamond Dallas Page vs. Ice Train, who responds to the open challenge- 12 Minutes, C+ Rating
Page lands a solid right hand followed by two more, but Ice Train shows his strength advantage and knocks Page to the ground. Page gets up and Train runs him over with a clothesline. Page back to his feet but stumbles into the corner. Ice Train starts landing body blows, but Page drops down to the mat and lowblows Ice Train, then reverses the situation, putting the big man in the corner. Page rocked him with more right hands, then tried a veal out of the corner, but couldn't get Train up. Train instead lifted Page up and bodyslammed him to the mat, bouncing off the ropes but missed a big splash. Page waited for Train to get to his feet and kicked him in the midsection, following that up with a DDT. Page went for the pin but couldn't keep Ice Train down. Page with more right hands to the head of Ice Train, then went up to the second turnbuckle. Ice Train got up to his feet and Page took him down with a flying clothesline! Page followed that up with the diamond cutter and finally got the win.
Winner: Diamond Dallas Page
Replay from Nitro- 6 minutes, B- Rating
An Interruption.- 3 Minutes, B- RatingBefore Taylor can step out of the ring though, he's stopped by the music of Steven Regal, who comes out from the back in a suit of his own. He stopped on the rampway and looked towards the new President.
Steven Regal: Since you're the new man with power around this miserable place, allow me to come to you with a request. Ever since I came to WCW, I've been treated as a joke, put into tag matches, not given any credible opponents. I know you pathetic Americans fear what will happen if I get a chance, but dammit sunshine, I want some respect.
Taylor shrugged his shoulders and grabbed the mic again.
Terry Taylor: What do you want me to do?
Steven Regal: Fall Brawl is coming up and all I want is a respectable opponent, someone who's actually done something. I'm tired of beating up nineteen year old punks who're more focused on the blonde piece of tail at ringside than the guy trying to break their body.
Terry Taylor: Like say, a former Television and Tag Team champion?
Steven Regal: Precisely.
Terry Taylor: Then it's settled. At Fall Brawl, Steven Regal, you will take on Brian Pillman. Make the most of it.
Regal nodded his head, seemingly satisfied, then walked off to the back while Taylor finally left the ring and started making his way up the aisle as well.
Good Decision?.- 3 Minutes, C+ Rating
Backstage, Brian Pillman and Steve Austin both walked up to President Terry Taylor. Neither one seemed to happy.
Terry Taylor: Ah, I figured I'd be seeing you guys sometime tonight.
Brian Pillman: What's the deal with putting me against Regal? I don't mind, but I figured me and Steve would be in a tag match, maybe even for the titles.
Taylor nodded his head and looked at Austin.
Terry Taylor: I understand that...
Steve Austin: Then what happened?
Terry Taylor: After what happened last Monday Night, I just thought that you deserved another shot at the Television Title and Johnny B. Badd.
Austin seemed surprised by the decision and Pillman seemed upset.
Steve Austin: So I get Badd? For the title?
Terry Taylor: That's right.
Austin smiled and nodded his head, grabbing Pillman and started to lead him off down the hall.
Steve Austin: Alright then, works for me. Let's go Bri.
Pillman doesn't seem quite as happy, but lets Steve lead him off anyway as Taylor smiled, happy with his decision.
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Nitro 2- Monday, Second Week of September, 1995
The New President- 3 Minutes, C- Rating
"Mean" Gene Okerlund is standing in the middle of the ring by himself, mic in hand. He looks around the crowd before addressing them.
Gene Okerlund: Nick Kingsbury has asked me to come out here and make an announcement that will forever change the face of World Championship Wrestling.
The crowd started to chant "We Want Flair, We Want Flair", but Okerlund just looked and smiled.
Gene Okerlund: I now present to you, the brand new World Championship Wrestling President....ladies and gentlemen....Terry....Taylor!
The crowd pops a little bit, but not the huge ovation that would normally be expected for a new President. Terry Taylor stepped out from behind the curtain and made his way down to the ring, shaking hands with some of the fans, taking in whatever adulation there was from the crowd. He stepped into the ring, straightening out his suit, then shook the hand of Gene Okerlund and took the mic.
Terry Taylor: Gene, if ya don't mind, I'd just like to address the people real quick.
Gene Okerlund: By all means Mr. President, go right ahead.
Okerlund stepped aside and let Taylor have the floor.
Terry Taylor: I know I'm not exactly who you expected...or even wanted.
Again, the Ric Flair chants start up and Taylor acknowledges him.
Terry Taylor: Oh trust me, I don't blame you at all. If I had it my way, he'd be here but unfortunately, it's just not going to happen. And I'm not going to come out here and tell you that I'm going to be the greatest President of all time, or that I'm going to make every right decision, or have the personality of Flair. All I can do is be me. To the boys in the back who don't know about me, it's simple. I'm always real with what I say. If I say something's going to happen, then dammit, it's going to happen. I'm not going to get bullied by anyone. If you think you can intimidate me into making a decision in your favor, think again. And if you try? I guarantee it'll backfire on you. All I'm asking for is a shot. Give me a chance to get WCW to where it needs to be. That's all I need...one chance. Just give me that.
Taylor dropped the mic and got more claps than he did when he was first introduced, the fans impressed with the honesty in his statement, the real emotion behind it.
An Interruption.- 3 Minutes, B- Rating
Before Taylor can step out of the ring though, he's stopped by the music of Steven Regal, who comes out from the back in a suit of his own. He stopped on the rampway and looked towards the new President.
Steven Regal: Since you're the new man with power around this miserable place, allow me to come to you with a request. Ever since I came to WCW, I've been treated as a joke, put into tag matches, not given any credible opponents. I know you pathetic Americans fear what will happen if I get a chance, but dammit sunshine, I want some respect.
Taylor shrugged his shoulders and grabbed the mic again.
Terry Taylor: What do you want me to do?
Steven Regal: Fall Brawl is coming up and all I want is a respectable opponent, someone who's actually done something. I'm tired of beating up nineteen year old punks who're more focused on the blonde piece of tail at ringside than the guy trying to break their body.
Terry Taylor: Like say, a former Television and Tag Team champion?
Steven Regal: Precisely.
Terry Taylor: Then it's settled. At Fall Brawl, Steven Regal, you will take on Brian Pillman. Make the most of it.
Regal nodded his head, seemingly satisfied, then walked off to the back while Taylor finally left the ring and started making his way up the aisle as well.
Commercial Break
Rick Martel vs. Brad Armstrong- 8 Minutes, C+ Rating
Martel stepped into the ring and ran his hand down his chest, then flicked the sweat towards the audience in disgust. The bell rang and the two locked up with Armstrong getting the advantage, taking Martel down with an armdrag. He went to lock an armbar submission in, but Martel flipped his way out of it and twisted Armstrong into an armbar of his own. Martel held the armbar and managed to dropkick Armstrong in the side, still holding onto the arm, trying to seperate his shoulder. Martel repeated the same move, then used the armbar to irish whip Armstrong into the ropes. Martel tried for a hiptoss, but Armstrong reversed it and hip tossed Martel, who got back up only to get taken down with another one. Armstrong dropkicked Martel into the corner, but when he approached to follow up, Martel kneed him in the midsection, then delivered a facebuster in the middle of the ring. Martel went for the pin but only got a two count. He pulled Armstrong back to his feet, talked some trash to him, then took a right hand to the jaw for mouthing off. Martel responded with another knee to the midsection, then snap suplexed Armstrong back to the mat. Martel got up in a rage of fury and stomped Armstrong repeatedly. Martel took some time to argue with the fans while Armstrong tried to get to his feet. Once he did, Martel snap suplexed him again and this time rolled him over, putting on the boston crab. Within seconds, Armstrong was tapping out and Martel was awarded the match.
Winner: Rick Martel
And A Challenge- 1 Minute, C Rating
Martel rolled out of the ring, walked over to the timekeeper and demanded a microphone. Once he got what he wanted, Martel rolled back into the ring and put mic to mouth.
Rick Martel: What happened last week was a travesty, a fluke, something that never should have happened and will never happen again. Alex Wright isn't half the man that I am. He's a skinny, ugly, untalented waste of a contract and for it to be in the records that he beat me, well, I just can't have that. Afterall, I do have a reputation to uphold. So at Fall Brawl, I want a re-match Alex. When I beat you, and I will beat you, I want that loss taken off the records. C'mon Alex, you don't have anything to lose...except the biggest win of your career.
Martel smirked, then dropped the mic and rolled out of the ring.
Another Request.- 1 Minute, B Rating
Backstage, Terry Taylor is playing the new role, shaking hands and taking his congratulations. He shakes the hand of Jimmy Hart, then is approached by Arn Anderson, who doesn't put his hand out, instead crossing his arms and standing in front of Taylor.
Arn Anderson: Congratulations and all that, but that's not what I'm here for. I just want to know one thing...when are you putting me back in the ring with Dustin Rhodes so I can take the United States title back?
Taylor nodded his head and put his hand on Arn's shoulder.
Terry Taylor: Back in the ring with Rhodes, huh? How about this...on WCW Saturday Night, I'll have an answer for that.
Arn Anderson: Saturday Night?
Terry Taylor: Saturday Night.
Arn nodded his head and said alright, then removed Taylor's hand from his shoulder and walked off.
Commercial Break
Johnny B. Badd vs. The Patriot for the Television Title- 10 Minutes, B Rating
Patriot came into a real nice pop and used that to start off on fire, rocking Badd with a series of left hands to the forehead followed by an irish whip that lifted Badd up into the air when he hit the corner. The clothesline that followed did the same and Badd ended up on his back. Patriot pulled Badd up, but Badd waved him off and dropped him with a jawbreaker, then stood up with an uppercut and followed that with a thesz press followed by right hands to the side of Patriot's head. Badd stood up, pulling Patriot with him, and send Patriot to the corner. As he walked over to follow up, Badd kept pointing to his chest and saying he's a bad man, just in case someone doubted him. He lifted Patriot up to the top turnbuckle, then climbed up to the second turnbuckle himself, connecting with more right hands to the side of Patriots head, then hooked him in a front facelock for a superplex. Patriot fought out of it with left punches to the ribs of Badd and eventually, Badd fell off the turnbuckle, still landing on his feet. Patriot grabbed his head and delivered a tornado DDT, going for the pin but only getting a two count. Badd got up slowly and walked into a scoop slam by Patriot, who then bounced off the ropes for momentum and delivered a nice jumping elbow, getting good elevation on the jump. Patriot tried another pin attempt but again only got a two count. He pulled Badd up, then backed him into the ropes. Patriot delivered a forearm shot to his chest, then sent Badd across the ring, looking for a back body drop. Badd stopped and dropped Patriot with a stiff DDT but he couldn't get a three count either. Badd stood up, staring at Patriot, who was trying to do the same. With Patriot on one knee, Badd kneed him in the side of the head, then reached down and pulled him up to his feet. Badd lifted Patriot into the air, then brought him down with a gutbuster before letting Patriot fall to the mat. Badd then stepped up the turnbuckles, all the way to the top. Again, he shouted out to the crowd that he was a bad man, then delivered a moonsault, coming down hard on the midsection of Patriot. Badd made the cover and successfully defended the TV Title.
Winner: Marc Mero
Good Decision?.- 3 Minutes, C+ Rating
Backstage, Brian Pillman and Steve Austin both walked up to President Terry Taylor. Neither one seemed to happy.
Terry Taylor: Ah, I figured I'd be seeing you guys sometime tonight.
Brian Pillman: What's the deal with putting me against Regal? I don't mind, but I figured me and Steve would be in a tag match, maybe even for the titles.
Taylor nodded his head and looked at Austin.
Terry Taylor: I understand that...
Steve Austin: Then what happened?
Terry Taylor: After what happened last Monday Night, I just thought that you deserved another shot at the Television Title and Johnny B. Badd.
Austin seemed surprised by the decision and Pillman seemed upset.
Steve Austin: So I get Badd? For the title?
Terry Taylor: That's right.
Austin smiled and nodded his head, grabbing Pillman and started to lead him off down the hall.
Steve Austin: Alright then, works for me. Let's go Bri.
Pillman doesn't seem quite as happy, but lets Steve lead him off anyway as Taylor smiled, happy with his decision.
Commercial Break
Ron Simmons vs. Kevin Sullivan- Meng helps Sullivan- 12 Minutes, B Rating
Kevin Sullivan stepped into the ring surprisingly confident, causing even Simmons to look around questioningly. The two locked up and Simmons easily powered Sullivan to the mat. Sullivan went to lock up again, but instead kicked Simmons in the midsection, then came down with a double axe handle to his back twice. Sullivan hooked Simmons and drove the back of his head into the ground with a russian leg sweep. Sullivan went for a quick pin, but didn't even get a two. Simmons got back to his feet and Sullivan ran into him with a clothesline that barely phased him. Sullivan tried again, but was met with the same result. Sullivan tried a third time, but Simmons grabbed him and drove him into the mat with a sidewalk slam. Simmons picked Sullivan up off the mat and bodyslammed him back down, then landed a legdrop across Sullivan's throat. Simmons went for the pin, but Sullivan was able to kick out. Simmons pulled Sullivan to his feet, then sent him back first into the corner, following him in with a stiff clothesline. Simmons whipped Sullivan to the opposite corner and again followed up with a stiff clothesline. Sullivan took the blow and then fell out of the corner, landing in the middle of the ring while Simmons played to the crowd, motioning that the match was about to be over. Simmons stood by, waiting for Sullivan to get to his feet. Sullivan was getting up slowly but when he finally did, Simmons went to lift him up but before he could, he was attacked from behind. As the camera panned out, it was Meng who had hit Simmons in the back, knocking him into the corner. Meng pounded away at Simmons with right and left hands, boots, even a headbutt. Meng sent Simmons into the ropes, then connected with a barefoot crescent kick to the jaw of Simmons that knocked him to the ground! Sullivan was laughing, all smiles as he watched Simmons struggle to get to his feet. Simmons finally did get to his feet and Meng locked in the tongan death grip! Within seconds, Simmons gave up the struggle and fell to the ground, out cold. The referee had already called for the bell, disqualifying Kevin Sullivan.
Winner by DQ: Ron Simmons
Takeover- 2 Minutes, B- Rating
Sullivan picked up a microphone that was left in the ring and, with a sadistic smile, addressed the crowd.
Kevin Sullivan: What you all just witnessed was the beginning of the takeover. Led by this man...no, this monster...and joined by The Faces of Fear, Avalanche and Butcher, the Dungeon of Doom is taking over World Championship Wrestling.
Sullivan walked over to Simmons, put his foot on his chest, then spoke again.
Kevin Sullivan: And you...you come back to WCW and walk around like you're the man, but now look at yourself. Who the hell are you?
Sullivan kicked Simmons in the head and continued.
Kevin Sullivan: You're nothing but a piece of crap on the bottom of my boot.
Sullivan stomped Simmons again and dropped the mic, leading Meng out of the ring.
Commercial Break
Sting/Nasty Boys vs. Vader/Pretty Wonderful- 17 Minutes, A Rating
Vader, Orndorff, and Roma stood in the ring while Harley Race looked on from the outside. They watched as Sting emerged from the back to a huge ovation, then motioned for his partners and was joined by the Nasty Boys and Nasty Girl Sherri! Sting stood with the Nasty Boys for a hot second, then the three charged the ring and slid in, starting a six man brawl and causing the bell to ring. It only took a minute for them to clean house and then it was Sting starting things off against Paul Roma. Sting pushed him down after the lock up, then flexed his muscles in front of himself and yelled out, getting a huge reaction. Roma tagged in Orndorff. Sting sent Orndorff into the ropes, taking Orndorff down with a hip toss, but Orndorff reversed the second one and ran Sting's head into Orndorff's knee. Orndorff bodyslammed Sting, then dropped a knee into the middle of his back. Orndorff put on a bow and arrow submission, trying to force Sting into submission but failing. Orndorff sent Sting into the corner, but Sting bounced out and ran Orndorff over with a clothesline. Sting tagged in Saggs, who bodyslammed Orndorff and planted an elbow into his chest. Saggs went for the pin, but Roma was there to break it up. That brought Knobbs in, but only momentarily before Randy Anderson intervened and focused on getting Knobbs out of the ring. That allowed Roma and Orndorff to double team Saggs, taking control of the match and bringing Saggs into their corner. Knobbs finally left the ring and Anderson turned his attention back to the ring. Orndorff stepped out and left Roma in there to stomp away at Saggs, then he tagged in Vader, who slowly stepped into the ring and sized up Saggs before delivering his near lethal bodyblow combination. Vader sent Saggs into the ropes, colliding into him and knocking Saggs down with the double forearm clap. Vader bounced off the ropes himself, looking for a big splash, but Saggs managed to get his knees up. The weight effected Saggs knees, but it still caused enough damage that allowed Saggs to roll over and bring in Knobbs.
Knobbs with solid right hands to Vader, backing him into the corner where Knobbs drilled him with elbows to the top of his head. Knobbs then called for a trip to nastyville and raised his arm. Before he could rub Vader's face in it, Harley Race got up on the apron. Knobbs went over towards him, but that provided enough of a distraction that Vader got out of the corner and nailed Knobbs. Vader whipped Knobbs into the ropes, then powerslammed him in the middle of the ring before walking over and tagging in Roma, who went up to the top turnbuckle. Roma lined up a big elbow drop and connected. He still only got two on the pin and Knobbs was back on his feet. Roma stood Knobbs up and went for a dropkick, but he didn't take Knobbs off his feet. Knobbs just stumbled back into the ropes. Roma charged and Knobbs lifted him up and over the top to the outside, then reached over and tagged in Sting. Roma climbed back up to the apron and Sting grabbed him, hooking him in a front facelock and suplexed him back into the ring. Sting waited until Roma got back up, then ran him over with a clothesline. He waited again and this time drove Roma into the mat with a facebuster! Sting went up to the top turnbuckle and stood perched, waiting. As soon as Roma got to his feet, Sting stood like he was ready to jump, but Harley Race pulled on the top turnbuckle and Sting crotched himself on the top. Knobbs came around the outside of the ring and grabbed Race, but Orndorff stepped down and started fighting him. Saggs came to his rescue but Vader was there as well. While those four went at it on the outside, Roma climbed up to the top turnbuckle with Sting, hooked him, then superplexed him off the top! Roma made the cover and was able to come away with the cheap win. Race hurried him out of the ring and quickly gathered his troops while the Nasty Boys slid into check on Sting.
Winner: Paul Roma/Paul Orndorff/Vader
Scene fades out.
Overall Rating of B
Attendance of 10,000 w/1,322,410 viewers
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Saturday Night 1- Saturday, First Week of September, 1995
The Opening- 3 minutes
WCW Saturday Night opened up with a big announcement about Fall Brawl/War Games being just over two weeks away. It's scheduled to take place on the third Sunday in September. They talked about how no official matches have been announced, but there has been speculation. Schiavone also announces that next week on Saturday Night, there will be an official announcement from the new WCW President about the annual War Games match and who the participants will be. A lot of big stuff coming very soon for WCW.
Chris Kanyon vs. Blacktop Bully- 11 minutes, C- Rating
Blacktop Bully with the attack just before the bell, taking Kanyon and running him through the ropes to the outside. Bully started laughing until Kanyon reached through the ropes and drug him outside too. It didn't take long for Bully to re-compose himself, running Kanyon's head into anything metal that he could find before rolling him back into the ring. In the ring, Kanyon reversed an irish whip and dropped Bully with a samoan drop. After a failed pin attempt, Kanyon remained in control, using various takedowns into submissions, like his firemans carry into an armbar. Kanyon didn't do anything to get the crowd into it, so his offense wasn't met with a ton of reaction. In the end, it was Kanyon with a facebuster that he calls the Cave In for the win.
Winner: Chris Kanyon
Commercial Break- 1 Minute
Bagwell prematch interview- 2 minutes, C Rating
Backstage, Gene Okerlund is standing by with Marcus Bagwell. His partner, The Patriot, is in the background but it's just Bagwell standing next to Okerlund.
Gene Okerlund: I'm here with one half of Stars & Stripes, Marcus Bagwell. Marcus, tonight you face Jean Paul-Levesque, a young energetic up and comer. How will you keep him from pulling off the upset?
Marcus Bagwell: There's no question he's got ability and he's got a lot of desire, but I'm not exactly a slouch, now am I? All I can do is go out there and wrestle my kind of match and hope things work out alright.
Gene Okerlund: Should anything happen, can we expect Patriot to become involved?
Marcus Bagwell: Patriot will only show up if he needs to. As long as things stay one on one, I'll win, you can count on that. Now if you excuse me, I've gotta get to the ring.
Bagwell walks off, getting a pat on the back from Patriot as he leaves. Patriot then turns to the camera with an odd look on his face. Okerlund doesn't notice.
Gene Okerlund: And there you have it. Marcus Bagwell all set to take on Jean Paul Levesque in our first match. Two of the young stars in WCW, it should be a good one. Let's go to the ring!
Scene fades from Okerlund to the ring where Jean Paul-Levesque is making his way down the aisle.
Marcus Bagwell vs. Jean Paul-Levesque- 11 minutes, C+ Rating
Jean Paul-Levesque did a great job of playing the snob role to the crowd, even pulling his body back from a young female wanting to touch him. Once in the ring, he took all of the fast paced Marcus Bagwell offense and slowed it down to his slower, methodical tempo. Levesque executed an armdrag takedown, followed it up with a legdrop onto the arm of Bagwell. Levesque didn't go for the pin, instead he pulled Bagwell to his feet and sent him into the ropes, but when Levesque leaped, Bagwell overturned him and dumped him on his head. Bagwell ran Levesque over with two clotheslines, then delivered a gutbuster that had Levesque coughing. That was all the set up that Bagwell needed. He went up to the second turnbuckle, played to the crowd, then finished Levesque off with the Blockbuster.
Winner: Marcus Bagwell
Nitro Replay- 4 minutes, A- Rating
A clip from Nitro, showing Ron Simmons return to the company, played next.
Back Home- 4 minutes, B RatingThen a fast, hard rock beat played over the PA system and everyone again turned towards the curtains, not sure who they were going to see. Within seconds, Ron Simmons crashed through and stepped out onto the rampway, getting a huge ovation from the WCW loyalists who remember him as a World Champion. Simmons stormed his way to the ring and slid in, playing to the crowd a bit before picking up the microphone that was left for him.
Ron Simmons: So World Championship Wrestling has gone and gotten them a TV show on Monday Nights. What a World. It was just a couple weeks ago, I was wrestling in bingo halls and answering phone calls from somewhere in Connecticut. I'll be honest, the phone calls were nice but I've never been a big fan of the cold and I heard there aren't too many black folk in Connecticut. So I figured I'd come back home to the south, back to World Championship Wrestling, back where I belong. But things aren't how I left them. Harley Race is running roughshed over the place. He's got the World Champion, the US Champion, and the former Tag Champions. Supposedly, they're an unstoppable force. I've never been one to back down from a challenge and shutting down an unstoppable force, well that seems like one hell of a challenge if you ask me.
The crowd popped at that statement, picturing a Ron Simmons-Vader matchup in their minds.
Ron Simmons: But first things first. First, I've got to make my return to this ring and I've most definately gotta whoop someone's ass. This is primetime cable, right? I can say that. So here's what I'm going to do. Since I haven't been around and really don't have anyone to single out, I'm issuing an open challenge. Any of you girl scouts in the back want a chance to step in against a real World Champion, here's your chance. Next week, on Nitro, I'm going to come out and there better be someone ready to take me on. If not, I'll pick someone. But next week, someone's ass is gettin whooped.
Simmons dropped the mic and left to a huge ovation, a combination of old school WCW fans who remember him and new school fans who like the attitude he just brought to the product.
-
Nitro 1- Monday, First Week of September, 1995
The Opening- 1 minute
The Nitro logo appears on the screen, then breaks into pieces as the pyro hits, sparks shooting off everywhere, lasers flying around the arena, the crowd trying their best to see through the light layer of smoke, then the cameras settle in on Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan, and Larry Zbysko sitting at the announce table. Schiavone welcomed everyone to the first ever Monday Nitro, being held in WCW's hometown, Atlanta GA. Alex Wright's music hit and he started making his way down to the ring while Schiavone informed us that we didn't know who his opponent was and that it's just one of many surprises expected tonight.
I Gotta Face Who?- 3 minutes, C+ Rating
Wright stood in the ring, looking up the aisle way. Three solid drum beats followed by a classical, majestic beat. The curtains spread themselves and out stepped "The Model" Rick Martel to a surprised crowd, who initially popped for him. Martel had a smile on his face and looked in great condition. He had a mic in his hand and looked towards the ring.
"The Model" Rick Martel: So this is what passes for a wrestler around here? Looks to me like you need to eat a sandwich and go back to being a ballerina.
Weak reaction from the crowd, but they're not popping for him anymore.
"The Model" Rick Martel: Oh oh, excuse me...not a sandwich...you need some bratwurst. It's ok though, not everyone can have the picture perfect physique that I possess. I mean, you ugly people serve a purpose too. Without you to compare myself to, the World may never know my true perfection.
That one got the boos he was looking for and Martel just cheesed it up even more.
"The Model" Rick Martel: Enough talk. Let me go ahead and show you that my perfection goes far beyond looks, I'm just as good in the ring as I am out of it.
Martel dropped the mic and got ready for the match.
Alex Wright vs. Rick Martel- 8 minutes, 6 of action, C Rating
Martel stepped into the ring, looking Wright up and down with a smirk. The bell rang and the two locked up, Martel raised a knee and shoved Wright into the corner with a laugh. Wright came back out but ducked the lock up, going under Martel and kicking him in the midsection upon the turnaround. Wright with a standing swinging neckbreaker, then dropped an elbow to the chest of Martel. He sent Martel into the ropes and attempted a dropkick, but Martel hung onto the ropes with his arms and Wright dropped hard to the mat. Martel grabbed Wright's feet and turned him over for the boston crab but Wright was ready for that and straightened his legs. As soon as Wright got to his feet, Martel kneed him in the midsection, then hammered him in the back before lifting him for a vertical suplex. Martel stood up after the move and brushed his chest off, again looking far too confident. Wright got up and Martel connected with an inverted atomic drop, then an inverted russian leg sweep, driving Wright head first into the mat. Martel tried to whip Wright into the corner, but Alex reversed it. Wright came walking up to the corner and Martel stopped him with a thumb to the eye. Martel hopped up to the second turnbuckle and delivered an elbow to the top of Wright's head followed by a DDT. Martel stood up and told referee Charles Robinson to get ready because it was about to be over. Martel took his time walking over to the legs of Alex Wright and went for the boston crab but before he could put it on, Wright sat up, grabbed Martel, and rolled him up in a small package. Charles Robinson was there like Martel wanted him to be, but he counted the three for Wright and the young german quickly rolled out of the ring with a victory.
Winner: Alex Wright
Commercial Break
Be Careful What You Ask For- 5 minutes, A- Rating
The cameras went backstage where Gene Okerlund was standing by with Sting.
Gene Okerlund: Stinger, at Bash at the Beach, you came up just short against Vader in your hunt for the World Title. But right now, there's no clear cut number one contender...where do you feel you stand?
Sting: Where do I stand? Let me tell you where I stand Gene Okerlund. There's not one person, not one, who can say they deserve a shot more than the Stinger. Randy Savage, hurt. Hulk Hogan, missing in action. Ric Flair, retired. You tell me one other person who has a chance in hell of beating Vader and getting the World TItle off of him.
Gene Okerlund: No arguing that. So what's holding you back from getting what you want?
Sting: That's simple. Vader and Harley Race. Vader knows how close I was at Bash at the Beach and he knows giving me one more chance will be career suicide. He knows it and Harley Race knows it. They don't want part of the Stinger Gene-O and I don't blame em, not one bit-
Sting's stopped right there by the presence of Vader and Harley Race stepping into the interview area. Sting immediately points to the World Title.
Gene Okerlund: Harley Race, you know this isn't your time, what are you doing here?
Harley Race: Okerlund, I'm just here to spread the truth, to clear the people's minds of these vicious lies being spewed out of this man's mouth. Imagine, Big Van Vader...scared?
Sting reached over and grabbed the mic.
Sting: Then give me what I want Harley, give me Vader!
Harley smiled with his response.
Harley Race: You want some of this man right here? Are you sure about that?
Sting went to respond, but before he could, he was knocked to the ground by Paul Orndorff from behind. Paul Roma entered the picture too and together, they stomped away at Sting on the concrete floor. Vader and Race just stood there, watching and laughing. Finally, Roma and Orndorff finished and Race grabbed the mic.
Harley Race: Remember. You want one of us, you get all of us.
Race laughs to himself as he leads the trio off.
Commercial Break
Good Genes- 2 minutes, C- Rating
A video rolled footage of a golf course, showing the plush green with a closeup on the flag stick. Within seconds, a ball rolls into the cup and the camera pans out, but finds nobody on the green. It continues to pan around until you see a man, roughly 150 yards away. He started making his way forward, the camera seemingly meeting him halfway and you recognize him as Marty Jannetty of Rockers fame. He's in full golf attire, the khaki pants and a polo shirt, his long black hair in a pony tail. He smiled to the camera as it approached.
Marty Jannetty: Oh, you saw that? What can I say, I got lucky. But that's not what you're here for. You're here because you know it's only a short matter of time before I step into a WCW ring. And when I do, I guarantee I won't need any luck. Afterall, I am the Genetic Godsend.
Jannetty winked to the camera and pulled a putter out of the bag as the footage stopped and the cameras went to the ring.
Harlem Heat vs. Stars & Stripes- 10 minutes. 8 minutes of action, C+ Rating
Booker T started things off against Bagwell and took the initial advantage. After a couple of forearm shivers and a bodyslam, Booker missed an elbow drop and Bagwell was able to whip him into the corner and follow up with a clothesline. Bagwell used another irish whip but Booker charged out of the corner with a clothesline before Bagwell could follow up. That led to a tag to Stevie Ray who stomped Bagwell in the midsection while Booker held him in an abdominal stretch. Stevie used his power, drilling Bagwell in the back with powerful double axe handle blows, then finally lifting him up into a bearhug, keeping the focus on the back. Stevie kept yelling for Bagwell to give up, but Patriot in the corner got the crowd into it by slapping the turnbuckle and Bagwell started to revive himself. He double earclapped Stevie twice, then used a headbutt to finally break the hold. While he was rubbing his head, Stevie took him down with a hard clothesline and made the tag to Booker T. Booker charged at Bagwell, who lifted him straight up and dropped him throat first on the top rope, which gave Marcus enough time to make the hot tag to Patriot. Patriot came in with a fury of right and left punches to Booker T. Patriot whipped Booker into the ropes and delivered a sidewalk slam, getting a two count from Slick Johnson. Stevie came in after the pin attempt, but Patriot saw him coming and turned, stopping him with a boot to the abs, followed by a bodyslam. Patriot sent Booker into one corner, then sent Stevie to the other. He hit a big splash on Stevie in the corner, but when he tried the same against Booker T, Booker managed to spin out of the corner with a spin kick and caught Patriot in the gut. Booker delivered an axe kick to the back of Patriot's neck, then went for the pin. Bagwell made the save, but Stevie Ray came and fought him off, throwing him over the top rope to the outside. Stevie Ray delivered a sidewalk slam of his own to Patriot, then pointed to the top rope. Booker T went up and delivered the Harlem Hangover. Stevie threw Slick Johnson to the mat and demanded he make the count, which he did.
Winner: Harlem Heat
Commercial Break
"Stunning" Steve Austin vs. Johnny B. Badd for TV Title- 10 minutes, 8 minutes of action, B Rating
Steve Austin came out to real nice pop, but Johnny just waved the crowd off and motioned for him to get in the ring. As soon as he did, Badd slid outside. Austin followed and the chase began. Badd slid back into the ring, prompting the bell, and when Austin followed, Badd stomped him down to the mat and told the fans he's a baaaaad man. Badd lifted Austin to his feet, connecting with a quick left jab, then another, then rolled his fists before delivering the big right that knocked Austin down. Badd went for the cover, but barely got two. He backed Austin into the ropes, getting into his face with a verbal assault, then drove a forearm into his chest. Badd whipped Austin into the opposite ropes, but Austin ducked a clothesline, hit the ropes, and took Badd down with a flying clothesline. Badd got back up and Austin went for another clothesline, instead wrapping Badd up in a sleeper like move and falling forward, dropping him on the back of his head. Austin slipped to the outside, pulling Badd with him to the edge of the ring so that Badd's head hung over the side. Austin drove an elbow into his throat twice and rolled him back in. Badd backed himself into the corner while seated and begged off of Austin. As Austin came closer, Badd pulled Nick Patrick in between him and Austin, then popped out from behind Patrick with a cheap shot on Austin. Badd pulled Austin down by his hair and dropped a legdrop into Austin's upper body. Badd went for the pin but only got a two count. Badd grabbed Austin, kicking him in the midsection, then ran him face first into the corner. Austin with a back elbow turned the momentum into his favor and put Badd against the turnbuckles. Austin with right hands, then hooked Badd in a front face lock, holding him high in the air with a vertical suplex before dropping him in the middle of the ring. Austin pulled Badd up to his feet and this time delivered a snap suplex, Badd hitting the mat hard and rolling to the outside of the ring towards the ring announcer's chair. Austin again gave chase, but when he approached Badd, Badd turned around and drove the Television title into his face. Austin stumbled back and managed to roll into the ring, but Badd followed and again drove the belt into the face of Austin, this time on the mat. Nick Patrick had no chance but to disqualify Badd, but Badd still walked back up the aisle holding the Television title.
Winner by Disqualification: Steve Austin
Commercial Break
Betrayal? By Who?- 2 minutes, B- Rating
A door burst open and Steve Austin stormed into the locker room, physically turning Brian Pillman around, who was going through a bag. Austin quickly got in his face.
"Stunning" Steve Austin: What was that? Where the hell were you?
Pillman looked genuinely confused.
Brian Pillman: Whoa! What are you talkin about?
"Stunning" Steve Austin: You just stood back here while I got blasted with the damn Television title twice?
Brian Pillman: Look, Steve, I don't know anything about that. I've been sick to my stomach in the bathroom for the last thirty minutes. You know I would have been out there if I'd known, you know that.
"Stunning" Steve Austin: What I know is that I got blasted in the head and you didn't do a damn thing about it. That's what I know.
Austin slammed the door shut on the cameraman as their argument continued.
Hail to the Chief-. 1 minute
From the turmoil in the locker room to the peace and quiet outside the WCW Executive office. Gene Okerlund was once again standing by, this time with Nick Kingsbury, at least that's what the name on the screen said.
Gene Okerlund: I'm here with Nick Kingsbury, here to make an announcement on behalf of Ted Turner. Mr. Kingsbury?
Nick Kingsbury: Thank you Gene. Yes, it was agreed upon today that WCW needs some order and that's why next week, right here on WCW Monday Nitro on TNT, I will personally introduce the brand new WCW President!
Gene Okerlund: Oh my! Who is it going to be?
Nick Kingsbury: It's someone you'll all recognize and someone who we can trust to run WCW on a day to day basis. This man will have control over everything WCW related.
Gene Okerlund: What an announcement from Nick Kingsbury, speaking on behalf of Ted Turner himself. Next week, ladies and gentlemen, a new WCW President! What a night!
Okerlund's enthusiasm is great and the announce crew really played it up well also. They helped smooth an otherwise awkward transition while nothing was going on in the ring.
Back Home- 4 minutes, B Rating
Then a fast, hard rock beat played over the PA system and everyone again turned towards the curtains, not sure who they were going to see. Within seconds, Ron Simmons crashed through and stepped out onto the rampway, getting a huge ovation from the WCW loyalists who remember him as a World Champion. Simmons stormed his way to the ring and slid in, playing to the crowd a bit before picking up the microphone that was left for him.
Ron Simmons: So World Championship Wrestling has gone and gotten them a TV show on Monday Nights. What a World. It was just a couple weeks ago, I was wrestling in bingo halls and answering phone calls from somewhere in Connecticut. I'll be honest, the phone calls were nice but I've never been a big fan of the cold and I heard there aren't too many black folk in Connecticut. So I figured I'd come back home to the south, back to World Championship Wrestling, back where I belong. But things aren't how I left them. Harley Race is running roughshed over the place. He's got the World Champion, the US Champion, and the former Tag Champions. Supposedly, they're an unstoppable force. I've never been one to back down from a challenge and shutting down an unstoppable force, well that seems like one hell of a challenge if you ask me.
The crowd popped at that statement, picturing a Ron Simmons-Vader matchup in their minds.
Ron Simmons: But first things first. First, I've got to make my return to this ring and I've most definately gotta whoop someone's ass. This is primetime cable, right? I can say that. So here's what I'm going to do. Since I haven't been around and really don't have anyone to single out, I'm issuing an open challenge. Any of you girl scouts in the back want a chance to step in against a real World Champion, here's your chance. Next week, on Nitro, I'm going to come out and there better be someone ready to take me on. If not, I'll pick someone. But next week, someone's ass is gettin whooped.
Simmons dropped the mic and left to a huge ovation, a combination of old school WCW fans who remember him and new school fans who like the attitude he just brought to the product.
Commercial Break
Dustin Rhodes vs. Arn Anderson for US Title- 14 mins, 12 of action, A Rating
Dustin Rhodes had the crowd behind him and was ready to go. He stared Arn Anderson all the way down the aisle and into the ring. The only time he took his eyes off of him was the exact time that Arn struck, demonstrating why he's the US Champ and prompting the bell to ring. Arn quickly ran Dustin's face into the top turnbuckle four or five times before lifting him with a side suplex and dropping him neck first in the middle of the ring. Arn went for the quick pin, but Randy Anderson couldn't even get to two. Arn kept Dustin on the mat, connecting with solid left hands to the head before standing up and pulling Rhodes with him. Arn walked Rhodes over to the corner, again ramming his head into the turnbuckle, then putting him backfirst in the corner and delivering solid body blows with his left fist. Arn went for an irish whip but held onto Dustin and pulled him into a knee. He repeated it, again doubling Rhodes over with a knee. Arn drove his elbow into the back of Rhodes neck and again went for the pin, getting a two count. Arn pulled Rhodes up, going for an irish whip but Rhodes reversed it, sending Arn into the ropes. Rhodes quickly locked in a sleeper hold, exciting the crowd and giving himself a chance to catch his breath and maybe stand a chance. Arn initially tried to fight it off, but soon found himself falling victim to it's effects, even going as far as to drop to one knee. That was when he mustered up enough guts to stand up and back Rhodes into the corner, breaking the hold. But when Arn turned around, Rhodes got the punch in first and then put Arn back first in the corner and went to town with a series of punches. Rhodes lifted Arn up to the top turnbuckle and climbed up with him, rocking Arn with two more solid right hands, then hooked him and delivered a killer superplex, Arn bouncing off the mat on impact. Rhodes went for the cover, but Arn kicked out at two, showing the courage of a champion. Rhodes with a couple more punches to soften Arm up, then an irish whip followed by a back body drop. Rhodes with another pin attempt that didn't get the three count. He sent Arn into the corner and followed him in with a stiff clothesline that took Arn off his feet and dropped him to the seat of his tights. Randy Anderson stepped in, checking on Arn and that allowed Arn to pull Rhodes by his tights face first into the top turnbuckle. Arn slid to the outside, taking a second to catch his breath, then pulled Rhodes by his feet and drove Rhodes' left knee into the ring post. Arn rolled back in, pulling Rhodes to his feet and gave him a kneebreaker for his trouble. Arn was in total control, stomping away at the back of Rhodes' knee and looked like he was ready to end it. He sent Rhodes into the ropes, looking for the spinebuster but when Arn lifted him up, Dustin grabbed Arn's head and came down with a DDT that put Arn out instantly. Rhodes managed to drape his arm over Arn's shoulder and Randy Anderson made the three count, giving Dustin the huge upset.
Winner and NEW United States Champion: Dustin Rhodes
Scene faded to black with Rhodes celebrating.
Overall Rating of B
Attendance of 15,000 w/ 1,325,124 viewers
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Note- To avoid confusion, let me state this now. The diary begins when my character takes the job 2 days after Halloween Havoc in 1994. The events are similar with a few minor changes based on events that happened throughout the end of 1994 and into 1995. We are now picking up on September 4th, 1995, at the first WCW Monday Nitro. Below is what happened in those 10 months.
September 4th, 1995- 12:00 PM
Eight hours. Just eight hours away from history. If they had told me that this would be happening when I took this job, I never would have believed it. The last ten months of bickering, putting in long hours, and dealing with the headaches is finally about to pay off. Eight hours away from the debut of WCW Monday Nitro. Wow. We've come along way since I took over last November....
October 25th, 1994
I had my meeting with Ted Turner today and officially accepted the job as supervisor of World Championship Wrestling. Eric Bischoff was still in charge of the wrestling aspect, but I had the power to veto any idea that I felt was too much. I was also in charge of maintaining the finances and making sure everything ran smooth. Nobody denied Eric's creative genius, Ted just felt he needed a little help business wise and that help was me. I had worked for Ted in a few different capacities over the years, helping some of his smaller ventures get off the ground and built a name for myself, but this was definately my big break. WCW was his pride and joy.
While my hiring seemed to come almost out of nowhere to most people, Ted had been talking to me about it for quite some time. Bischoff's obsession with bringing in WWF creations was the start, then he started noticing how a lot of friends of WWF stars were getting contracts too. That's when he began questioning whether Bischoff was more of a fan than a boss. Still, business had been decent and nothing had happened to cause Ted to pull the trigger. Not until yesterday. The night before, on Sunday, Hulk Hogan had defeated Ric Flair in a retirement match for the World Title. That, in itself, was fine because everyone knew it was just a storyline and that Flair would be back in the spring. Unfortunately, Flair had other ideas and yesterday, delivered his notice of resignation to Ted Turner's offices. Ted checked into the whole ordeal and the concensus seemed to be that Flair didn't like the direction the company was headed under Bischoff and would rather just walk away now. Fast forward twenty-four hours and here I am, accepting my new position. My official start date isn't until Monday of the first week in November and I can't wait.
September 4th, 1995- 1:00 PM
Looking back, I wish I had waited. The locker room was a mess and it was clear that Hogan had complete control. He even had his best friend, known now as The Butcher, scheduled to face him at Starrcade. This was worse than nepitism. The rest of Starrcade seemed pretty weak as well, including Sting taking on Avalanche and Vader against Jim Duggan. Almost every match conveniently featured a friend of Hogan's and therefore, a significant part of Bischoff's WCW. Still, Starrcade didn't turn out as bad as we had all figured. Unfortunately, the buyrate didn't agree and Turner let us know about it.
January 3rd, 1995
Ted called the whole staff into a meeting today, upset about the initial numbers for Starrcade. While most of the room wanted to publicly call out Bischoff and his handling of Hulk Hogan's friends, we kept our mouth shut, figuring that things would pick up and we'd rather be on good terms with the man who was dubbed the future of WCW management. Bischoff had a grin on his face the whole time, even telling Turner to relax. His confidence is incredible, I wish I had it. He said that there was nothing to worry about, it's just people getting used to the change. Hogan's a proven draw and he'll work for us. When asked about the next pay per view, another big one throughout WCW history, Bischoff guaranteed that Superbrawl would run much smoother. I don't know what he has planned, but if Butcher's main eventing, there's a problem.
September 4th, 1995- 2:00 PM
After Clash of the Champions, me and Bischoff had a sit down where I expressed my concern over who was getting the pushes. He reminded me that I wasn't a wrestling guy and that I needed to focus on the numbers. I reminded him that pay per view buyrates are part of the numbers and who he pushes is what gets us those numbers. Me and Eric never did really see eye to eye but our relationship was managable, we never got into any major arguments and never took it public. Really, it was a smooth few months and Eric had turned WCW into a well oiled machine for the most part. He'd started developing young talent and had the main event scene smoothed out. There weren't any problems until the day after Slamboree.
May 22nd, 1995
When I arrived to the booking meeting today, I was surprised that Bischoff wore a scowl on his face. I knew the show last night had been a huge success in everyone's eyes and anytime there's a new champion, there's excitement in the air. But not today. I asked him what was up and he pulled me aside, telling me I might finally get my wish. I didn't know what he was referring to, but he told me that Hulk Hogan had confided in him that he may just retire from wrestling and focus on his movie career. I explained that I didn't like the way Hogan got his friends to be in key matches, but I had no problems with Hogan himself and as a businessman, I'd be a fool to not want Hogan in the company. He's a huge draw, probably the biggest draw in wrestling right now. This was definately a huge and I know I'll have to work with Bischoff to get this one fixed.
September 4th, 1995- 4:00 PM
Unfortunately, there was no fixing it, not fully anyway. Hogan agreed not to retire, but did want some time off. In order to make this happen, he had to agree to lose a number one contenders match to Sting, which he did at Great American Bash. That put Sting in the main event and let Hogan fade away for as long as he needed to. There was only one other condition that I threw in there...he had to work Starrcade 95'. This was also about the same time that Bischoff finally convinced Ted Turner to let him go head to head with WWF on Monday Nights. Turner granted Eric a one hour show on TNT called Monday Nitro and the whole locker room was buzzed about it. Again, I expected Eric to be jumping for joy, but he seemed sort of lost in his own thoughts.
June 15th, 1995
I talked to Eric today, asking him why he wasn't happy. He had Hogan agreeing to come back for Starrcade and lose a match to Sting in three days. He had a brand new TV show about to kick off and he was going head to head with WWF. I figured he had nothing to be upset about. He told me that he had a decision to make it and it might be the toughest of his career. After further prying, he informed me that Vince McMahon had made him an offer and with Hogan talking about retirement, he thinks he should take it. He's worried that WCW will fail without Hogan and he'll miss out on his one opportunity to make it to the WWF. I have to tell Turner, but Bischoff swore me to secrecy and I don't want to become the locker room snitch. Still, I wonder who could take his place if he does leave....
September 4th, 1995- 6:00 PM
That somebody...was me. When Bischoff finally did hand in his resignation after Great American Bash, Turner approached me and asked me if I'd be comfortable enough to give it a shot. He said I could put together a committee for help on decisions related to wrestling, but he wanted me in charge of the product. I had to agree, I'd be a fool not to. And now, here we are. The first Monday of the first week of September, 1995. And in less than two hours, I'm competing directly with the WWF. Boy, it's been a wild year....
The Major Events
StarrcadeVader d. "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan for the US Title
Alex Wright d. Jean Paul Levesque
Johnny B. Badd d. Arn Anderson
Nasty Boys d. Harlem Heat by DQ
Mr. T d. Kevin Sullivan
Sting d. Avalanche
Hulk Hogan d. The Butcher
Clash of the ChampionsHarlem Heat d. Stars and Stripes to retain tag titles
Alex Wright d. Bobby Eaton
Johnny B. Badd d. Steven Regal to retain the TV Title
Sting/Randy Savage d. The Butcher/Avalanche w/Kevin Sullivan
Hulk Hogan d. Vader by DQ
SuperbrawlBrian Pillman d. Johnny B. Badd for TV Title
Faces of Fear (Avalanche/Butcher w/Kevin Sullivan) d. Stars & Stripes
Nasty Boys d. Harlem Heat to win tag titles
Dustin Rhodes d. Big Bubba Rogers
Arn Anderson d. Sting for vacant US Title
Vader d. Hulk Hogan by DQ
UncensoredArn Anderson d. Randy Savage to retain US TItle
Pretty Wonderful d. Nasty Boys to win tag titles
Brian Pillman d. Johnny B. Badd to retain TV Title
Meng d. The Patriot
Sting d. Dick Slater
Vader d. Jim Duggan in a cage
SlamboreeJohnny B. Badd d. Chris Kanyon
Pretty Wonderful d. Harlem Heat and Nasty Boys to retain tag team titles
Brian Pillman d. Alex Wright to retain TV Title
Meng d. Marcus Alexander Bagwell
Arn Anderson d. Diamond Dallas Page to retain US Title
Sting d. Lord Steven Regal
Vader d. Hulk Hogan for World Title
Great American BashJohnny B. Badd d. Alex Wright
Brian Pillman d. Bobby Eaton to retain TV Title
Pretty Wonderful d. Stars & Stripes to retain Tag Team Titles
Arn Anderson d. Jim Duggan to retain US Title
Dustin Rhodes d. Meng to stop Meng's streak of terrorizing victories
Sting d. Hulk Hogan for number one contendership
Vader d. Randy Savage to retain World Title
Bash at the BeachMeng d. Jim Duggan
Johnny B. Badd d. Brian Pillman to win TV Title
Nasty Boys d. Stars & Stripes, Harlem Heat, and Pretty Wonderful to win Tag Titles
Dustin Rhodes d. Arn Anderson by DQ, Arn retains US Title
Randy Savage d. Harley Race
Vader d. Sting to retain World Title
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Having the ESPN show starting now is a big opportunity. I'd still focus on hyping up Rope Wars and making it something that draws in a fan base. For me, the Tommy Rich-Buzz Sawyer is the most anticipated match-up.
The format's easy to read, but a little more detail witht he interviews would be nice. Find a way to show more of the wrestler's individual personalities while still keeping it short and easy for you to write and maintain interest.
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I love the research and attention to details, although you could have mentioned that Patterson not only took part in the Cow Palace Battle Royal, but won the last one in 1981. Great way to incorporate the idea in and I can only assume you're going to beat the WWF to the "Royal Rumble" concept? The matches don't really draw me in, but as usual with your stuff, I can tell the booking is going to be the strong point. With a potentially loaded roster, I wonder who will get pushes similar to those they had in real life and who may get overlooked.
I understand the reasoning for Heenan being the mouthpiece for Arn, but don't like it. I love Arn's promo's and hopefully, in the future of course, he can break out from Heenan and show that he can carry himself on the mic.
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First off, Mooch deserved the axe and as a Detroit native, I'm glad he finally got it. With three recievers who were top ten picks, the running back he wanted, a top tight end, and plenty of money spent on defense, he has no excuses left. Harrington's not a bad quarterback, he just never had the confidence of his coach and therefore never played with any confidence. Even when Mooch put his own QB, Garcia, in, the results were less than satisfactory.
As far as the Colts, I don't think the Steelers stand a chance at all. They can match-up defensively against Indy's offense, but Indy will still get their points and Pittsburgh doesn't have the firepower to match points against the Colts defense. If Indy loses this year, it'll be to the Seahawks. Hasselbeck can strike quickly, plus Alexander will grind out the clock. Not to mention, that Seattle defense has played great.
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I'm probably getting this for Christmas now but since my family is poor this is all I'd get. I need an idea of a game to get with it too, maybe NFS:MW.
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TheWire.com
Sunday Catch Up With Damian Rolls
-Breaking news involving Slamboree. Originally, DDP was scheduled to take on Wall in a re-match from Thunder. However, Wall is sidelined with a blown eardrum, suffered on Thunder and will be out at least another week.
-The reason there was no actual finish on Thunder is because DDP refused to lose to Wall. Not very characteristic of Dallas, but it happened.
-I’m also hearing that there is a returning superstar in the building. While not the most popular backstage presence, he only has four months left on his contract and WCW wants to get the most out of him while they can. There’s no telling if he’ll be in action tonight or not.
-A poll on WCW.com says that Shane Helms vs. Ric Flair is the most anticipated match on the Slamboree card tonight.
-Ratings news for last Monday
-WWF Raw is War with Triple H beating Steve Austin drew 957,741viewers
-WCW Monday Nitro with Sid/Booker T beating Kidman/Awesome drew 524,733 viewers
-WCW Saturday Night Results
-Buff Bagwell d. Andy Anderson
-Elix Skipper/Kid Romeo d. La Parka/Sharkboy
-The Cat d. Johnny Devine
-Jamie Knoble d. Shannon Moore
-As we approach the final hours before Slamboree, the final card is as follows:
World Title MatchBooker T vs. Billy Kidman w/Hulk Hogan as Referee
United States Title Match
Shane Helms vs. Ric Flair
No DQ, Falls Count Anywhere Match
Jeff Jarrett vs. Scott Steiner
TV Title Match
Shawn Stasiak vs. Chris Kanyon
Mike Awesome vs. Sid
Tag Team Title Match
Chris Candido/Jamie Knoble vs. Jung Dragons vs. Three Count
Hardcore Title Match
Crowbar vs. Meng
Cruiserweight Title Match
Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.
Sting vs. Curt Hennig
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5/17 Edition of Thunder from Omaha, NE
Backstage, the camera focuses in on the calf of Stacy Keibler, slowly moving up her leg to the black skirt she wears, then zooms out to show her talking with Elix Skipper and Kid Romeo.
Stacy Keibler: Alright boys, it's been a few weeks that you've been working together, now it's time to show the World that it's paid off.
Skipper and Romeo look at each other.
Stacey Keibler: I know what you can do, but they don't.
They still don't look like they're buying into it.
Stacey Keibler: Plus, if you win...I'll have a....special....surprise..
Keibler licks her lips and gives a wink and that does it. Skipper and Romeo both stand up, highfiving each other, the motivation suddenly there as Thunder opens up to Mike Tenay and Bobby Heenan at the announce booth.
Mike Tenay: 4 days away from Slamboree and what an event it’s shaping up to be.
Bobby Heenan: You got that right Tenay. Titles on the line, scores to settle…
Mike Tenay: Plus, we’ve got some announcements to make right now. For the WCW Tag Team championship, it will be Chris Candido and Jamie Knoble defending against the Jung Dragons and Three Count in a triple threat match!
Bobby Heenan: That team with Yang and Hayoshi looks hard to beat.
Mike Tenay: That’s Hayashi Brain.
Bobby Heenan: Yashi, Yoshi, all the same to me.
Mike Tenay: And the major announcement. When Booker T defends his World Title against Billy Kidman, Hulk Hogan will be the special guest referee!
Bobby Heenan: See, now why does Hogan have to put his nose in everyone else’s business? He can’t stand the fact that Kidman got a title shot, so he has to horn in and make himself a part of it.
Mike Tenay: I think he’s just there to ensure the match stays fair.
Bobby Heenan: Isn’t that what regular refs are for?
Mike Tenay: Whatever the case may be, Hogan’s the referee and that’s all there is to it.
Bobby Heenan: I just want to see the Nature Boy destroy that punk Helms.
Mike Tenay: You may get that chance. Tonight though, they pick each other’s opponents. I know Helms has picked Hugh Morrus to face Flair, but we don’t yet know who Flair has picked.
Bobby Heenan: It could be anyone, it could be Arn Anderson, it could be Tully Blanchard, it could be….
Mike Tenay: Now Brain, there’s no time for debate, we’ve got Meng and Brian Knobbs with the winner moving onto face Crowbar at Slamboree!
Meng vs. Brian Knobbs
Meng was in the ring when Brian Knobbs came down the aisle, stop sign and what appears to be half a pool cue in hand. Knobbs slides in the ring and Meng attacks, punching and hitting the stop sign. Knobbs then hits him in the knee with the pool stick, drops the stop sign, hits him in the head, and DDTs Meng onto the stop sign. Knobbs stands Meng up and Meng jabs him in the throat. Meng stands up and picks up the stop sign, bringing it down hard at first, but slowing before making contact with Knobbs. It was obvious enough to get some boos from the crowd. Meng sent Knobbs into the ropes, then delivered a kick to the midsection of Knobbs and bodyslammed him onto the stop sign. Knobbs kicked out at two and rolled to the outside. He grabbed a chair and slid back in. He swung at Meng, but missed and hit the turnbuckle. Meng ran Knobbs head into the chair four times in a row, then when Knobbs turned, he applied the tongan death grip and ended the match.
Winner: Meng
Again, the scene is the lair belonging to Vampiro, who's standing, staring at something in the distance when North walks in, Sting walking right behind him, almost zombie-like. Vampiro turns and looks at Sting, then at North.
Vampiro: How's he been?
North nods his head.
North: Perfect.
Vampiro lets North step aside and steps forward to Sting. He grabs him by the chin, lifting his head up but Sting's eyes still fall to the ground, not able to look Vampiro in the eye.
Vampiro: You've given up control of yourself, that's good. But now you must be tested. At Slamboree, you will face Curt Hennig and you will do as I say.
No reaction from Sting.
Vampiro: Curt Hennig is not to walk out under his own power, do you understand me?
Still no reaction from Sting, but a smile from Vampiro.
Vampiro: I know you do. Now get out of here, you need to get ready for Sunday.
Vampiro shoves Sting away and North walks him out while the scene fades.
Elix Skipper/Kid Romeo w/Stacey vs. La Parka/Sharkboy
Fans weren't quite sure if they were supposed to take La Parka and Sharkboy seriously and they weren't quite ready to buy Skipper and Romeo as a credible team. Despite that, both teams put on a good performance with La Parka using his size to try and dominate physically but having troubles dealing with Skipper's athleticism. On a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker attempt, Skipper kept spinning and spun out of it, then managed to hit La Parka with an insiguri. Skipper jumped up to the top turnbuckle and instead of going for La Parka, he turned and dropkicked Sharkboy off the apron. He carried the match since Romeo seemed limited on offense, unable to really draw the crowd in. Sharkboy tried a hurricanrana, but Skipper just dropped him to the mat with a powerbomb. He tagged in Kid Romeo and together, they put Sharkboy in a front facelock and lifted him into the air, then pulled his head in and drove him face first into the mat, a move they call the Total Eclipse. Romeo made the pin for three.
Winner: Skipper/Romeo
Gene Okerlund, keeping himself busy, is now backstage with one of the two contenders for the WCW Television Title, Shawn Stasiak.
Gene Okerlund: Shawn Stasiak, first of all allow me to congratulate you on making it to the finals of the TV Title round robin tournament.
Shawn Stasiak: No congratulations necessary. After all, it was pretty much a lock that I'd make it.
Gene Okerlund: A second generation superstar, how does being the son of Stan Stasiak help you?
Shawn Stasiak: What my father did in the ring has nothing to do with me. By the time I'm finished, it'll be nothing by comparison anyway.
Gene Okerlund: The wrestler formerly known as Disco Inferno claims that he should be in the TV Title match and has even gone as far as to challenge you tonight, what do you say?
Shawn Stasiak: Did I already beat Disco?
Gene Okerlund: Yes, I believe you did.
Shawn Stasiak: Then why would I waste my time and energy to risk my title shot when there's simply nothing in it for me?
Okerlund has no response for that.
Shawn Stasiak: Exactly. Sorry Disco, but it looks like you're going to have to take out your newfound aggression on someone else.
Okerlund thanks Stasiak for the time and sends the action back to the ring.
Former Disco Inferno vs. Andy Anderson
Andy Anderson’s made his WCW debut in this one and you could tell he was nervous. He locked up with Disco, who backed him into the ropes, then delivered forearm shots to Andy’s chest. Andy oversold all of them and the crowd seemed to notice. Disco with a vertical suplex rolled over into a pin, but Anderson kicked out. Anderson fought back with right hands followed up by an interted atomic drop and then a Russian leg sweep, driving Disco face first into the mat. Anderson put on a boston crab, but Disco was close enough to the ropes that he was able to break the hold. Disco again locked up with Anderson, this time sending him into the ropes and taking him down with a lou thesz press, followed by right hands to the side of his head. Disco was in complete control and knew it. He kicked Anderson in the midsection, then delivered the chartbuster for the win.
Winner: Former Disco Inferno
Tenay says that they have special footage from Rey Mysterio’s final rehab session before he makes his comeback at Slamboree. Rolls the clip and sure enough, there’s Mysterio in the ring with a sparring partner going through his normal moves, the hurricanrana, the head scissors takedown, the springboard. Rey’s looking pretty good when the guy in charge blows a whistle to end it. He says something briefly to Rey, checks his knee real quick, and shakes his hand. Rey slides out of the ring and goes to the water fountain, getting a quick drink of water, but when he puts his head down to sip, someone from behind rams his face into the fountain! The camera pans back and Chavo Guerrero Jr. is there, now pummeling Rey in the back of the head and he ran him face first into the concrete wall! The trainer and the sparring partner come out of the ring, but Chavo takes care of them with right hands and throws the trainer into the wall as well. Chavo grabs Rey and pulls his leg out straight, then starts stomping away at it, over and over and over. Chavo looks around and finds a steel folding chair, set up so people can watch the ring. He folds it up, walks over to Rey and jabs it into the side of his knee. Chavo drops the chair and is laughing to himself while Rey writhes in pain on the floor. Chavo stands over Rey and says one thing….”See you Sunday Mysterio.” The clip ends and the scene fades to commercial.
Chris Candido vs. Kaz Hayashi vs. Evan Karagias
Candido takes Karagias down with a headlock, but Hayashi connects with a running knee to the face of Candido, then puts Karagias down with a Michinoku driver. Kaz turns back to Candido, who puts him in a front facelock, then vertical suplexes Kaz gutfirst onto the top rope. Karagias sees the predicament and slides under the bottom rope, looking to suplex Kaz onto the floor. Kaz reverses it and brings Karagias back in the hard way. Candido goes for a dropkick on Kaz, but Kaz backsteps and he misses. Kaz with a quick sliding elbow to the gut of Karagias, then goes for the pin, barely getting a two. Candido charges Kaz, who takes him down and locks in a side headlock on the mat. Karagias pulls Kaz up and sends him into the ropes, connecting with a high knee. Karagias with a dropkick and Kaz falls to the outside. From behind, Candido with a german suplex on Karagias but Kaz slides back into break up the three count. Kaz and Candido send Karagias into the ropes, both men lifting him up into the air and letting him fall face first to the mat. Kaz with a kick to Candido’s midsection, then drills a snap suplex, Candido’s back hitting hard. Candido back to his feet and Kaz puts him down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, then lets Candido fall to the mat. Karagias is up and Kaz plants him with a DDT. Hayashi heads up to the top turnbuckle. Hayashi with a back senton splash onto Karagias! Hayashi with the cover and gets the three.
Winner: Kaz Hayashi
Chris Kanyon’s standing backstage with “Mean” Gene Okerlund.
Gene Okerlund: Alright Chris, earlier we heard from Shawn Stasiak, who says he was the odds on favorite to win the TV title and all he’s doing is fulfilling his destiny, what do you have to say?
Chris Kanyon: Well, I’m not a man who believes in fate, so I don’t know about all that destiny crap. All I know is that I’m the most talented wrestler in WCW today and that alone is why I’m on my way to becoming the next Television champion.
Gene Okerlund: The most talented wrestler in WCW today? That’s a bold statement.
Chris Kanyon: Bold, but true. It’s all about versatility Okerlund. Nobody combines strength, agility, technical prowess, and speed like I do. Nobody has ever been as innovative as I am. There’s never been anyone like me and I doubt there will ever be again.
Gene Okerlund: With you and Stasiak, this could become a battle of the egos…
Chris Kanyon: With me involved, there is no battle. This match at Slamboree Gene, it’s nothing more than a cakewalk.
Kanyon smirks and walks off as the scene fades.
Jamie Knoble vs. Jimmy Yang vs. Shannon Moore
Knoble locks up with Yang, pushing him back into the ropes. Moore attacks Knoble from behind, forearming him in the back of his head. Moore tosses Knoble through the ropes, then gets chopped in the chest by Yang. Yang sends Moore into the ropes, stopping him with a back elbow, then spinning around Moore and putting a full nelson on him. Yang trips Moore and drives him face first into the mat with the full nelson still on. Yang with a cover, but Knoble slides back into the ring and pulls Yang off, lifting him into the air and dropping him face first on the top turnbuckle. Knoble follows that up by grabbing Yang and german suplexing him to the middle of the ring. Knoble stands and gets dropkicked by Moore into the corner. Moore follows that up by charging, but Knoble just lifts him straight up into the air and brings him down with an inverted atomic drop. Yang with a yakuza kick to the back of Moore’s head. Moore falls towards Knoble, who DDTs him as he’s falling. Knoble stands back up and catches a kick from Yang. Yang changes up and drills Knoble with an insiguri. Yang goes for the cover, but Knoble kicks out at two. Yang sends Knoble into the ropes, connecting with a back elbow, then spinning around and delivering the same full nelson/trip that he did to Moore. He goes for the pin again, but Moore breaks it up with an elbow drop. Moore grabs Yang, hitting him with two forearms and backing him into the corner. Moore grabs Yang and climbs up to the top turnbuckle, ready for a tornado DDT. Yang fights him off. Knoble runs into the back of Yang and Yang goes head first and accidentally lowblows Moore. Knoble spins Yang around, connecting with a right hand, but Yang responds with a chop, then tries to DDT Knoble. Instead, Knoble holds his position, lifts Yang, and plants him with a northern lights suplex, unable to bridge out for the pin. Knoble stands up and Moore leaps off the top rope, turning it into a super-rana! Moore hooks the legs of Knoble and gets the three count before Yang can break it up.
Winner: Shannon Moore
Gene Okerlund's standing backstage with Jeff Jarrett, who has his guitar with him and a smile on his face.
Gene Okerlund: And what are you so happy about?
Jeff Jarrett: Don't you see Okerlund? That dumb genetic freak Scott Steiner walked right into my plan.
Gene Okerlund: And how'd he do that?
Jeff taps his guitar.
Jeff Jarrett: He made this completely legal. Think about it Okerlund, now when I shatter this guitar over his head, it'll be legal. There's no way I can lose.
Gene Okerlund: You realize Steiner can use weapons too, right?
Jeff Jarrett: It doesn't matter what Steiner can and can't do. You don't understand, Scott Steiner cannot compete with me on an even playing field Okerlund. No disqualification, falls count anywhere, it doesn't....matter. Look at what I did to Midajah. If I'm willing to do that to her, just imagine...imagine Okerlund...what I'll do to Scott Steiner.
Jarrett smirks at Okerlund, pats his guitar, and walked off while the scene fades.
DDP vs. The Wall
The crowd is so insanely behind DDP, it’s…well…insane. Due to that, Wall instantly drew heat when he attacked DDP from behind as he was coming down the aisle, running him face first into the steel pole, then whipping him back first into the steel guardrail. The assault continued with Wall lifting DDP into the air and dropping him throat first across the top of the guardrail. Wall picks Page up again for a slam, but Page manages to get himself turned over and ends up behind Wall, shoving him midsection first into the guardrail. Page with an elbow to the back of Wall, driving that midsection down onto the guardrail more. Page grabbed Wall’s head and bounced it off the guardrail, then spun around and took him down with a driving clothesline. Page gets back up, breathing heavily and clutching at his ribs. He gets up to the apron but not much further before Wall grabs him and brings him back down to the concrete the hardway. Wall picks Page up and bodyslams him on the steel rampway, Page bridging up out of pain instantly. Wall walks past Page up to the stage area and disappears behind the curtain. He re-emerged with a 2x4. Page is on his feet and making his way up the ramp when he sees Wall swinging the 2x4. He steps aside and Wall slams the wood into the stage. Page kicks him in the midsection from the side, then bulldogs him headfirst into the stage. Page grabs the 2x4 and when Wall gets to his feet, jabs it into his midsection. Page looks like he may go for a homerun, but Wall reacts before Page can swing and puts his hand around DDP’s throat! Wall looks like he might chokeslam Page off the stage, but Dallas thinks quickly and kicks Wall right where no man should ever be kicked. Wall’s eyes bug out and he releases Page. Page puts up the diamond sign and breaks it, then quickly delivers the Diamond Cutter to Wall on stage! Page rolls away and gets back to his feet, giving the diamond sign again as he makes his way to the back. Referee Charles Robinson just looks at both men and throws the match out.
Winner: Nobody
Backstage, Shane Helms is standing alone, the WCW United States title in his hand. He’s got a serious look on his face and the crowd has gone quiet in anticipation.
Shane Helms: Back when I was a kid growing up in North Carolina, I was the biggest Ric Flair around. I loved the stylin’, the profilin’, the way he walked, and the way he talked. I didn’t care about what happened in the ring so much, it was just the whole persona of “The Nature Boy” that drew me in. To me, he could do no wrong. Even when I was supposed to hate him, I still cheered and I still strutted and oh yea, I even “Wooooooo”ed just like him.
The crowd responds with a woooo of their own and Helms can’t help but smile.
Shane Helms: Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly be more of a fan, I saw one match that changed my perspective. April 2nd, 1989, Clash of the Champions, Ric Flair against Ricky Steamboat. Anyone who claims to be a wrestling fan and hasn’t seen that match, hasn’t seen what wrestling’s all about. Before that match, wrestling was a show, it was entertainment, it was the glamour of Ric Flair, but after that match, I knew it was more than that. I watched how much each man put into that match, I watched the sweat drip out of their bodies, and I knew, to be a wrestler, it took passion, it took guts, and it took a love for the sport. I had been helping a local promotion, setting up rings, doing odd jobs, whatever. But after that match, I went in and I said I wanted to learn, I wanted to start training. I didn’t want to watch anymore, I wanted to be in the ring.
Helms pauses, swallowing and clearing his throat.
Shane Helms: So yea, you could say I owe my career to you Ric. I became what I became because of Ric Flair. Whether that means something to you or not, it means something to me. So when you came in the ring and told me I wasn’t worthy of being the United States champion, that I wasn’t on that level, I’m not gonna lie Ric, it hurt. It hurt. Then you attack me? Imagine being attacked by your hero, your idol…it made me re-think what I was doing. Made me wonder if I was pursuing the right path. And I came to a conclusion. Maybe I don’t belong here Ric, maybe I’m not good enough, but I know three things. I have the passion, I have the guts, and I have the love for the sport.
Helms lifts up the US title and shows it to the camera.
Shane Helms: I know the history behind this belt Ric and I respect it tremendously. And despite how it may seem, I respect you more than anyone else in this business. After Slamboree Ric…
Helms drops the title out of view and looks into the camera.
Shane Helms: You’ll respect me.
Helms stares as the scene fades to commercial.
Flair vs. Hugh Morrus
Flair gives a loud wooooo right in the face of Morrus, who responds with a right and the match is on. Morrus with the obvious strength advantage slams Flair to the mat, then bounces off the ropes, looking for a splash. Flair gets his knees up and Morrus rolls away clutching his ribs. Flair and Morrus to their feet and woooo, a chop by Flair. Two more follow that and Morrus is holding his chest and ribs now. Flair pulls Morrus head down to his side just so Flair can drive repeated fists into Morrus’ forehead. Flair then runs Morrus’s face along the top rope, trying to give him a ropeburn. Flair follows it with a side suplex and thus far, he’s all vintage Ric Flair. Morrus gets back up and Flair hooks him in a front facelock, but he can’t get him up for a vertical suplex. Instead, Morrus reverses and lifts Flair into the air, letting him fall forward with a reverse suplex!
Morrus sends Flair hard into the corner. Flair flips over the turnbuckle as usual, but runs to the other side and climbs up top. This time, he even gets as far as to jump off, but Morrus catches him and drives him into the mat with a falling powerslam. Morrus goes for two but Flair gets up. Morrus stomps him a few times in the midsection, then goes up top, signaling for it. He stands there, looking out at the fans, then leaps with the No Laughing Matter moonsault. Flair barely had time to move out of the way, but once he got to his feet, Flair looked down at Morrus. Flair went for the figure and locked it in. Morrus was close to the ropes but couldn’t reach and had no choice but to tap out.
Winner: Ric Flair
Flair stands in the ring, breathing heavy from the match, but demands a mic anyway. He doesn’t even wait for the crowd to quiet.
Ric Flair: Shane Helms! You want me to respect you? Where I come from, you earn respect, it’s not given to you. I went ahead and beat Hugh Morrus, now it’s your turn to face an opponent of my choosing. And I made sure to pick the meanest son of a bitch I know. He doesn’t care about winning Helms, he’s just here to hurt you. He’s “The Taskmaster” Kevin Sullivan!
On cue, the old music hits and out comes Kevin Sullivan, looking pretty out of shape considering the years without ringwork. The crowd’s surprised, but the scene fades to commercial before the main event.
Shane Helms vs. Kevin Sullivan
Helms came out during the break and now stands face to face with Sullivan. This may be the only time Helms is taller than his opponent. Sullivan shows he still has his aggressiveness by attacking Helms and just firing wild right hands into his head. Helms tries to hold him off, but Sullivan uses his knee and more right hands to get the advantage. Sullivan has Helms down on the mat and is using both hands to choke him out. Patrick has to pull Sullivan off and Sullivan shoves Patrick back. Sullivan turns back to Helms and puts the boots to him, stomping away. Sullivan picks Helms off the mat, whipping him into the corner, then charges. Helms lifts himself up and kicks Sullivan in the face. Helms lifts himself up to the second turnbuckle and hits Sullivan with a double axe handle. Helms with an atomic drop, then bounces off the ropes and puts Sullivan face first into the mat with a facebuster. Helms goes for the pin, but Sullivan kicks out. Helms gets sent into the ropes, Sullivan drops down and Helms steps over him. Sullivan up to his feet and grabs Helms, running him over the top rope. Helms lands on the apron though and when Sullivan turns, Helms drives his shoulder into Sullivan’s midsection, then flips over for a sunset flip. Sullivan drops down first though and hits Helms in the head with more right hands before standing up. Helms is up slowly and Sullivan turns him upside down, piledriving him into the mat. Sullivan doesn’t even go for the pin, instead just picked Helms up off the mat and hung him upside down in the corner. Sullivan charged with a knee and rams it straight into Helms’ gut. Helms falls to the mat and Sullivan goes for the pin, only getting two. Sullivan sends Shane into the ropes. Shane ducks under a clothesline, stops on a dime, waits for Sullivan to turn, then delivers a sidekick straight to Sullivan’s jaw. Helms picks Sullivan off the mat and hooks his arms, turns him over, and drops him with the Vertebreaker! Helms falls on top of Sullivan and gets the three count.
Winner: Shane Helms
Helms stands in the ring with the United States title as the scene fades to black.
Quick Results
Meng d. Brian Knobbs
Match Reaction = 69.9%
Match Quality = 58.6%
Overall Rating = 70.7%
Former Disco Inferno d. Andy Anderson
Match Reaction = 56.8%
Match Quality = 77.4%
Overall Rating = 62.0%
Kaz Hayashi d. Evan Karagias/Chris Candido
Match Reaction = 73.2%
Match Quality = 80.7%
Overall Rating = 78.4%
Shannon Moore d. Jimmy Yang/Jamie Knoble
Match Reaction = 72.8%
Match Quality = 79.0%
Overall Rating = 86.5%
Ric Flair d. Hugh Morrus
Match Reaction = 80.2%
Match Quality = 80.2%
Overall Rating = 75.4%
DDP draws The Wall
Match Reaction = 78.0%
Match Quality = 76.7%
Overall Rating = 77.2%
Shane Helms d. Kevin Sullivan
Match Reaction = 76.8%
Match Quality = 76.0%
Overall Rating = 78.9%
Overall Rating of 78.9%
-
5/15 Edition of Monday Nitro from Des Moines, Iowa
The standard opening video for Monday Nitro plays, followed by an explosion of pyro, then a scan of the semi-packed arena before settling in on Mark Madden and Tony Schiavone, who get us ready for the evening.
Tony Schiavone: Welcome folks to the last edition of Monday Nitro before Slamboree. Not only will we see Billy Kidman and Mike Awesome team up to take on Booker T and Sid, but Hulk Hogan is in the building!
Mark Madden: Did he bring his oxygen tank?
Tony Schiavone: I don't know about all that, but he's here and he's got something to say to Billy Kidman.
Mark Madden: Yea well Kidman's got something to say to him too.
Tony Schiavone: Also, Jeff Jarrett's in action, Crowbar defends the Hardcore Title, and lots more!
Mark Madden: Sounds like quite a night.
Tony Schiavone: But first, we're starting things off with Scott Steiner taking on up and comer, Chuck Polumbo! Let's go to the ring!
Scott Steiner vs. Chuck Polumbo
Talk about a slugfest. Polumbo showed a lot about himself, including the fact that he has the ability to go blow for blow with Scott Steiner. He never backed down and actually had the advantage based just on the punches. Steiner took over with his technical knowledge, suplexing Polumbo and even catching him with a german suplex. Steiner then hit a powerslam, nearly driving him through the ring. Before Steiner could lock in the Steiner Recliner, Jeff Jarrett was making his way down the aisle, guitar in hand. Steiner immediately turned his attention to Jarrett and in the ring, Polumbo grabbed Steiner, turning him around. Steiner turned around and drilled Polumbo with a right hand that knocked him to the mat, then turned back to Jarrett, who shattered the guitar over Steiner's head. Mickey J saw what happened and immediately called for the bell.
Winner: Scott Steiner
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
The crowd stood on their feet and absolutely erupted when Hulk Hogan's music hit and he stepped out from behind the curtain, soaking it all in. He slapped hands and played to the crowd all the way to the ring, taking the microphone and waiting for the crowd to quiet down.
Hulk Hogan: Ya know something maniacs, there's been a lot of talk and a lot of badmouthing of Hulk Hogan lately brothers and now that I'm back, I'm putting an end to it. Billy Kidman, I never held you down brother, you just weren't good enough. You haven't earned a spot next to Hulk Hogan on the marquee. While I was beating Vader and Flair and taking down the best of the best, you were dwindling in opening matches with the other cruiserweights. Now you want to be a main eventer and blame me for not giving you the chance? Let me tell you something brother, I've earned everything I've got and you're gonna have to earn yours too brother. You may as well earn it tonight, wuddayasay brother, me and you, right here!
Kidman's music hits and he steps out onto the stage, Torrie by his side. He's got a mic of his own and waits for the crowd to quiet.
Billy Kidman: So now the great Hulk Hogan wants a match, on his time as usual.
The crowd cheers for the match possibility.
Billy Kidman: Well, it's not gonna happen...not tonight. I'm tired of doing things when you're ready Hogan, I'm doing things on BK time now. Besides, not only do I have a World Title shot this Sunday, but I have a tag match coming up in the main event. But stick around old man, you may learn something.
Hogan wastes no time with a response.
Hulk Hogan: Ya know something brother, you're a real piece of work. You trash my name for a month and now here I am, ready to go, and you're backing down?
Kidman laughs at the comments.
Billy Kidman: Backing down? You just don't get it, do you? My World doesn't revolve around you Hogan. I've got a match tonight, deal with it.
Kidman turns back around and heads to the back while Hogan's upset in the ring and the scene fades to commercial.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
Back in the lair of Vampiro, the room filled with darkness and a slight red light, Vampiro's on his feet, looking up and down at Curt Hennig, who's being held back by North. Hennig's trying to get loose, but appears to be in pretty bad condition. Vampiro stares at him some more, then slaps him across the face. Hennig instantly reacts, fighting wildly to get loose from the grasp of North, trying to get at Vampiro, who just laughs.
Vampiro: Perfect.
North smiles, but then questions Vampiro.
North: Perfect for what?
Vampiro looks up at North and answers.
Vampiro: Perfect for Sting.
North doesn't know exactly what it means, but Vampiro seems happy as he watches Hennig struggle and the scene fades to the ring.
Three Count vs. Chris Candido/Jamie Knoble
Shannon Moore and Candido started off, Candido taking the early advantage with a couple vertical suplexes and an elbow drop, then brought in Jamie Knoble, who came off the top rope with a legdrop to Moore but only got a two count before Karagias broke it up. Moore tagged out and Karagias ducked a kick from Knoble and pulled Knoble's legs out from under him, then slingshotted him into the turnbuckle. Knoble bounced off and Karagias delivered a reverse DDT to him. Karagias with some stomps to Knoble, then tagged in Shannon Moore, who came off the top turnbuckle with a senton splash. He covered Knoble, but Knoble kicked out. Knoble fought Moore off with right hands and managed to get the tag to Candido. Candido charged Moore, who took him down with a head scissors takedown, sending Candido through the ropes. Moore followed that up with a springboard plancha. Knoble looked at both of them on the outside and dove through the middle ropes with a rolling takedown. Karagias, not to be outdone, headed up to the top rope and took Candido out with a missile dropkick. All four men were out on the floor and Charles Robinson had no choice but to rule the match a double countout.
Winner: Nobody
After the match, Jimmy Yang and Kaz Hayashi made their way down to ringside. Hayashi went after Moore, Yang went after Candido, Knoble and Karagias went after each other and it erupted into a six man brawl. Referees tried to seperate the teams as the scene faded to commercial.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
Backstage, Scott Steiner bursts in the door with Vince Russo's name on it and sure enough, Vince is behind his desk, writing furiously. He looks up at Steiner, then rolls his eyes.
Vince Russo: What is it?
Steiner's less than happy and his loud voice says so.
Scott Steiner: Did you see that crap that Jarrett pulled? What the hell are you gonna do about it Russo?
Vince Russo: I don't have time for this Steiner, what do you want me to do?
Scott Steiner: I want my match with Jarrett to be no disqualification, falls count anywhere.
Vince Russo: What?
Scott Steiner: You heard me. No dq, falls count anywhere!
Russo shakes his head, going back to his paperwork.
Scott Steiner: Dammit Russo!
Vince Russo: Look fine, whatever. Make the match whatever you want, I don't have time for this Steiner!
Steiner smiles, knowing he got his way. He leaves the room and Russo doesn't even notice, he's focused on whatever he's working on while the scene fades to the ring.
Juventud Guerrera vs. The Artist
Juvi got a good reaction from the crowd, but they just don't seem into The Artist's gimmick. The ringwork was decent with Juvi using more aerial maneuvers and Artist trying to focus more on a grounded attack. Artist used a back chop on Juvi, then went for a running kick to the head on Juvi. Juvi ducked that, then kicked Artist in the midsection and drove him into the mat with the Juvi Driver. Juvi hooked the leg and got the three count.
Winner: Juventud Guerrera
After the match, the jumbotron lights up with an image of Mike Sanders. A clip is shown of someone flipping off the top rope and missing the move. Sanders then puts in a dragon sleeper and watches as they go to sleep. Sanders stands and looks back at the camera as the words "Mike Sanders: Technically, the best cruiserweight on the planet" appear and then the screen goes black. Juvi's staring at the screen, but blows it off and heads to the back while the scene fades to commercial.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
Crowbar vs. The Cat
Cat locked up with Crowbar, sent him into the ropes, then hit him with a spin kick to the midsection. Cat with a karate chop on Crowbar, then another spinkick to the midsection. Cat with a bodyslam, then follows it up with a quick legdrop but Crowbar kicks out. Cat sends Crowbar into the ropes and Crowbar hangs onto the ropes. Cat charges and Crowbar lifts him over the top to the outside. Crowbar springboards off the top rope and takes Cat down with a missile dropkick. Crowbar sends Cat into the guardrail and dropkicks him in the chest for extra impact. Under the ring, Crowbar pulls out a Crowbar, but swings and misses. Cat with a side suplex on the concrete, then grabs a chair from the front row. He swings but misses and hits concrete. Crowbar grabs the chair and throws it at Cat, who catches it in front of his face. Crowbar kicks the chair into the face of Cat, who stumbles back into the ring. Crowbar grabs the chair and heads to the top rope, jumping off with a legdrop onto the chair onto Cat's chest. Crowbar makes the cover and gets the win.
Winner: Crowbar
Backstage, Sid is with Booker T.
Booker T: You ready?
Sid kinda snarles and nods his head, standing up.
Booker T: Then let's go take care of business.
Sid stops Booker as he's walking out the door.
Sid: You know...you're holding my belt.
Booker looks at him, unsure of what to do.
Booker T: Worry about this match, then we'll worry about who's belt it is. Dig?
Sid nods his head and the two appear to be unison as the scene fades to black.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
Jeff Jarrett vs. Rick Steiner
Steiner locks up with Jarrett and right away sends Jarrett into the ropes, taking him down with a shoulderblock. Steiner bounces off the ropes and goes for a steinerline, but Jarrett ducks it, then leapfrogs Steiner and takes him down with an armdrag. Jarrett stands Steiner back up and delivers a neckbreaker. Jarrett goes for the pin, but Rick kicks out. Jarrett kept trying to wear Steiner down, but Steiner showed resiliance and kicked out of every attempt, eventually fighting back and gaining the advantage himself with some solid right hands. He dumped Jarrett with a back body drop, then clotheslined him over the top rope. When Jarrett slid back into the ring, Steiner went to whip Jarrett into the ropes, but Jarrett reversed it and sent Steiner into the corner. He hit hard and bounced off, Jarrett meeting him in the middle of the ring and bulldogging him down. Jarrett followed that with the Stroke and got the win.
Winner: Jeff Jarrett
Backstage again, and again outside the office of Vince Russo. Again it swings open, but this time it's Eric Bischoff pushing his way in. Russo, still looking very busy, looks up from the desk and at Bischoff.
Vince Russo: What?
Eric Bischoff: What? You have the nerve to ask me what?
Russo pounds his desk and stands up.
Vince Russo: What is it Bischoff? I don't have time for games.
Eric Bischoff: But you have time to change matches and give Steiner a no dq, falls count anywhere match?
Vince Russo: What are you talkin bout?
Eric Bischoff: You changed the match.
Vince Russo: Yea, Steiner came in all upset, who cares. I don't have time to deal with this.
Eric Bischoff: That's the problem. Neither one of us have time.
Vince Russo: Exactly.
Eric Bischoff: So I think we need a commissioner.
Russo sits back down, thinking about it before responding.
Vince Russo: And you have someone in mind?
Eric Bischoff: It'll be a bit of a surprise choice, but yea.
Vince Russo: You may be right Bischoff, maybe we do need some help.
Bischoff makes sure the cameraman is in the hallway, then shuts the door so him and Russo can talk. Scene fades to commercial.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
"Mean" Gene Okerlund is standing backstage with Diamond Dallas Page.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund: Dallas Page, you emerged from practically out of nowhere on Wednesday and saved me from the grasp of The Wall. Why'd you come back now?
Diamond Dallas Page: For the last month, I've sat at home nursing my ribs and watching as Wall terrorizes WCW, beating people in mere seconds, picking on defenseless staff members in the back, and being a menace. Last week, I was getting ready to make my return when I saw him put his hands around your throat. Couldn't have that, could we? So I did what I had to do.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund: Rumors in the back say that Wall is looking for you and he wants to end your career.
Diamond Dallas Page: There's been plenty of people before him and they'll be plenty of people after him that want to end my career Mean Gene. Truth is, if Wall wants a piece, all he has to do is show up on Thunder and he can have him a piece.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund: Is that a challenge?
Diamond Dallas Page: You're damn right it's a challenge. And on Thunder, Wall will.....Feel....The....Bang!
DDP breaks the diamond symbol in the air and takes off to the back, a thunderous ovation resonating throughout the arena and the scene fades to the main event.
Kidman/Awesome vs. Booker T/Sid
Kidman started off against Booker T and Booker took him down with consecutive armdrags, then planted him into the mat with a standing spinebuster. Booker sent Kidman into the ropes, looking for a back body drop but Kidman responded with a kick to Booker's chest. Kidman with a chop to Booker's chest, but Booker responds with a right hand, then another, and another. Booker sent Kidman into the ropes, looking for an axe kick, but Kidman ducked it, bounced off the ropes and took Booker down with a flying right hand before tagging in Mike Awesome. Booker stood up and Awesome bodyslammed him back down, then jumped and landed an elbow drop. Awesome picked Booker off the mat, putting him over his shoulder, but Booker slid down Awesome's back, then kneed him and sent him face first into the corner. Booker tagged in Sid, who stepped over the top rope with a huge pop from the crowd. Awesome turned around and when the two went to lock up, Awesome kicked him in the gut twice, then tossed him through the ropes to the outside. Douglas and Kidman both put the boots to Sid while Awesome kept Nick Patrick's attention, then rolled Sid back in. Sid stood up and Awesome nailed him with an inverted atomic drop, then backed into the ropes and drilled him with a clothesline. Awesome tagged in Kidman, who went to the top rope but waited for Sid to get to his feet. He came off with a crossbody that Sid caught and slammed into the mat. Kidman rolled over to Awesome and brought him back in. Sid rocked Awesome with right hands, then sent him into the ropes, stopping him with a bearhug, squeezing Awesome in the middle of the ring. Kidman came into the ring, but Booker cut him off. Nick Patrick focused on trying to get those two out of the ring and that allowed Shane Douglas to grab a chair and slide in himself. Shane got to his feet and drilled Sid in the back with the chair but before any more damage could be done, Hulk Hogan came down the aisle and slid in the ring. Douglas got the right hands first, then Hogan delivered em to Awesome. Kidman saw Hogan and immediately left Booker alone and slid under the bottom rope to the outside. Hogan sent Awesome into the ropes, then delivered the big boot, which staggered Awesome and made him stumble right into a chokeslam from Sid. Patrick was all sorts of confused but saw Sid pinning Awesome and made the three count.
Winner: Sid/Booker T
Hogan leaned over the top rope, shouting at Kidman, who kept saying "On my time old man, my time." Nitro faded to black with Awesome laid out in the middle of the ring and Kidman backing up the aisle.
Quick Results
Scott Steiner d. Chuck Polumbo
Match Reaction = 57.3%
Match Quality = 70.5%
Overall Rating = 63.9%
Three Count draws Chris Candido/Jamie Knoble
Match Reaction = 72.3%
Match Quality = 79.4%
Overall Rating = 80.4%
Juventud Guerrera d. The Artist
Match Reaction = 52.8%
Match Quality = 76.6%
Overall Rating = 68.3%
Crowbar d. The Cat
Match Reaction: 74.7%
Match Quality: 72.2%
Overall Rating: 74.6%
Jeff Jarrett d. Rick Steiner
Match Reaction = 62.5%
Match Quality = 70.4%
Overall Rating = 75.3%
Booker T/Sid d. Kidman/Mike Awesome
Match Reaction = 84.3%
Match Quality = 76.0%
Overall Rating = 90.5%
Overall Rating of 79.9%
-
TheWire.com
Sunday Catch Up With Damian Rolls
-Talk continues about what exactly Vampiro is up to. Many speculate that he's putting together a group of followers, but those who were paying attention may notice that he referred to Berlyn as "nothing but a lackey". So does this mean the others have more to offer? Is he not looking for lackeys?
-Hulk Hogan is apparently back from injury and is expected to be at Monday Nitro with a response to Billy Kidman and a comment on the World Title situation.
-Also expected on Monday Nitro is Diamond Dallas Page, who should enlighten the fans on where he's been and what brought him back exactly.
-Officials were very impressed with Johnny the Bull's performance against Booker T on Thunder. It was, more or less, an audition to see how Johnny might be as a singles star in the future.
-WCW signed a deal with AT&T to sponsor TV shows until May of 2001 and a deal with 20th Century Fox to sponsor house shows. The extra income should help with any necessary roster additions.
-WCW also came to terms on contracts with Doug Williams, Chris Grant, Tony DeVito, and Hector Garza. All are said to be very good additions to WCW in the near future.
-May 25th, Ric Flair will make an appearance on the LAW radio show.
-WCW will be getting a commissioner soon so that Bischoff and Russo can focus purely on their backstage duties. This may happen as soon as the May 22nd edition of Monday Nitro, the night after Slamboree.
-Ratings news for last Monday
-WWF Raw is War with Kurt Angle beating Chris Benoit drew 975,718 viewers
-WCW Monday Nitro with Kidman beating Sid drew 522,262 viewers
-WCW Saturday Night Results
-Jung Dragons defeated the Harris Bros.
-The Artist defeated Lash Leroux
-Meng defeated Bam Bam Bigelow
-Chuck Polumbo defeated The Demon
-That's all I got for this week, but make sure to check me out next Sunday when I preview Slamboree and bring you the latest news and rumors before the big event.
-
May 3rd Edition of Thunder from Springfield, IL
Backstage, Knoble and Candido are getting ready in their dressing room when the door burst open and Shannon Moore leads Evan Karagias in.
Chris Candido: What the hell do you think you're doing?
Shannon Moore: No, what do you think YOU'RE doing?
Chris Candido: What are you talking about?
Shannon Moore: What are you doing giving the Dragons a title shot tonight?
Jamie Knoble steps up.
Jamie Knoble: We're just defending the belts like we always do.
Shannon Moore: But me and Evan, we beat the Dragons on Monday. Ain't that right Evan?
Shannon looks at Evan, who doesn't say a word.
Shannon Moore: Exactly. So how come they're getting a shot and we're not?
Jamie Knoble: You want a shot? You name the time and place and we'll give you a shot.
Shannon Moore: Monday Night then.
Chris Candido: So you two lightweights want a tag team title shot on Nitro?
Shannon Moore: That's right.
Jamie Knoble: Then you've got it. Now get out of here so we can get ready.
Chris Candido: Yea, get the hell out of here.
Moore seems happy as he grabs Karagias and leave the champs to get ready and the cameras fade up to the announce crew of Mike Tenay and Bobby Heenan.
Mike Tenay: What a way to start Thunder. Apparently, there's some controversy in the tag division.
Bobby Heenan: Three Count's just looking out for their best interests, you can't blame them for that.
Mike Tenay: Candido and Knoble aren't likely to back down from anyone. We've got a lot on the plate tonight Brain.
Bobby Heenan: You're telling me. I thought Slamboree was here early.
Mike Tenay: We may have to re-name this Wednesday Night Title shot. Chavo defends the Cruiserweight belt, Crowbar defends the Hardcore Belt, we have TV Tournament matches, and Booker T is even in the house to defend his World Title against Johnny the Bull.
Bobby Heenan: Plus, I hear the so called US Champ, Shane Helms has something to say to Ric Flair.
Mike Tenay: This could turn out to be a huge night for WCW and we're going to get right to it with another match from the round robin tournament. If Chris Kanyon picks up a win, he moves onto Slamboree!
The camera heads to the ring for the opening match.
Chris Kanyon vs. Dustin Rhodes
Kanyon, much like Hennig on Nitro, looked hard at Rhodes, even asked him if he was ok. Rhodes responded with a stiff, but weak, right hand to the jaw of Kanyon, who in turn threw Rhodes into the ropes and executed a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Kanyon deposits Rhodes on the mat,then dropped a ;eg drop across the chest of Rhodes. Kanyon didn’t go for the pin, instead opting for a scoop slam followed by an elbow drop to the chest. Kanyon did go for a pin there, but got nothing. Rhodes never tried to fight back, allowing Kanyon to dominate the entire match. Following a falcon’s arrow, Kanyon hit the Flatliner and ended it.
Winner: Chris Kanyon
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
On the jumbotron, the same video package rolls showing Rey Mysterio's career highlights, him taking Blitzkrieg down with a head scissors, him pinning Kevin Nash with a hurricanrana, all the fast paced action that Mysterio fans have become accustomed to. Words pop up on the screen and they read:
"The Mystery Returns at Slamboree"
The screen fades to black and the fans are on their feet, excited by the future return. They're also excited about the fact that Crowbar's in the ring, ready to defend the Hardcore Title.
Crowbar vs. Brian Knobbs vs. Meng
Knobbs and Meng both went right after Crowbar, pummeling him in the corner til he was in the fetal position, then Knobbs went to the outside and Meng watched with curiosity as he tossed random items such as trash can lids, trash cans, a rake, a stop sign, a chair, and a chain into the ring. Meng had picked up the stop sign and when Knobbs slid back in, the stop sign got bent in half over his head. Meng completed the folding process, then hit Knobbs on top of the head again. Crowbar, getting to his feet, saw Meng charging at him with the stop sign and kicked him in his kneecap. Meng went down headfirst into a trash can and Crowbar grabbed the chair and drove it into the back of Meng. Knobbs came at Crowbar with a trash can lid, but Crowbar moved out of the way and picked up a rake, dropping the chair. They played swordsman for a minute before Knobbs grabbed the rake out of Crowbar’s hand and nailed him with the lid. Knobbs then took the rake and broke it over the back of Meng, who was getting up. Knobbs kneeled next to Meng, but before he could do anything, Crowbar wrapped the chain around his neck and was strangling him in the ring! Knobbs tried to fight it off, but Crowbar kept it on and Knobbs’ face started changing colors. He dropped to the mat from lack of oxygen and eventually passed out, the ref awarding the match to Crowbar.
Winner: Crowbar
After the match, Meng went to attack Crowbar, but Crowbar slid under the bottom rope and was able to get away without additional harm.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
Wall vs. Lash Leroux
Lash stepped into the ring and seemingly knew it wasn't going to be pretty. With a look of fear in his eyes, Lash attacked Wall, hitting him with right hands that just bounced off. Wall shoved Lash to the ground, then ran him over with a big boot when Lash got to his feet. Lash got up a lot slower that time and walked right into the chokeslam from Wall.
Winner: Wall
On his way to the back, Wall was stopped by "Mean" Gene Okerlund and he didn't look happy about it.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund: Wall, for the last few weeks you've just destroyed everyone you've come in contact with, opponents and even people in the back. What is this destruction all about?
Wall cocks his head to the side and looks at Okerlund, then reaches out and puts his hand around Gene's throat. Okerlund's trying to get help, but things aren't looking good until "It's Me, It's Me, It's DDP" hits and Diamond Dallas Page comes rushing out from behind the curtains. Wall releases Okerlund just in time to meet Page with a right hand. Page has the momentum though and lands multiple right hands of his own, backing Wall down the aisle towards the ring. Wall and Page are trading blows and the crowd is loving it. Apparently someone in the back isn't loving it and security floods the scene, seperating both men apart. Page is smiling and telling Wall to bring it as this scene of madness fades to commercial.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
Chavo comes out much to the shagrin of the fans, who have nothing but boos for the Cruiserweight champ. He doesn't care, showing off the belt every step of the way and making sure every fan knows that they wish they were as good as him. He slides in the ring, grabbing the waiting microphone as he does. Putting the belt over the top turnbuckle, he addresses the crowd.
Chavo Guerrero Jr.: A week and a half away from Slamboree and you know what...still no Rey Mysterio Jr., no hero to come steal my title. Where are you Rey? Just as I thought, you're scared. I don't blame you. I mean, look at me, I'm easily the most intimidating cruiserweight in the World. And you Rey, you don't exactly "measure up" to the standards I've set as champion. Then again, nobody does. Don't take my word for it though, watch this...
A clip rolls on the jumbotron, showing highlights of Chavo's career, him tornado DDTing opponent after opponent after opponent. The clip ends with Chavo winning the Cruiserweight title. In the ring, Chavo's all smiles.
Chavo Guerrero Jr.: Now that's what being champion is all about.
Chavo drops the mic as La Parka's music hits for the next match.
Chavo Guerrero Jr vs. La Parka
Another great pop for La Parka, who used his size to his advantage in this one, utilizing a tilt-a-whirl sideslam and even a spinning piledriver to try and keep Chavo down. There's a reason Chavo has the belt though and his resiliance shone through in this one. No matter what La Parka threw at him, Chavo kept going and eventually, an opportunity opened up. La Parka took to the air from the top rope with a flipping legdrop attempt, but Chavo easily moved out of the way. La Parka got back up, stumbling around and ended up near the corner. Chavo lifted himself to the second turnbuckle, then delivered a tornado DDT to La Parka for the win.
Winner: Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Chavo stood over La Parka after the match and wiped his hands clean while the show faded to commercial.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
Formerly Disco Inferno vs. Buff Bagwell
Disco cut off the ring announcer as he was introducing him as Disco Inferno and told him not to call him that anymore. He also came out just in some jean shirts and no shirt. The match started off with Bagwell mocking the Disco dancing, only to get punched in the mouth, tackled, and punched some more. Disco finally let up and pulled Bagwell to his feet, sending him into the corner and following it up with a clothesline. Disco climbed up for the ten punch, but Bagwell lifted him into the air and brought him down with an inverted atomic drop, altering Disco’s original plan. Buff went on the offensive with his usual onslaught of moves, attempting a pin after each one, but failing each time. Buff finally thought he had it taken care of when he went up top for the Blockbuster, but Disco ducked underneath that and Buff landed on the seat of his pants. Disco hit the chartbuster and got the win.
Winner: Disco Inferno
Gene Okerlund, always on the grind, stops the former Disco Inferno on his way to the back, but Gene's choice of words wasn't the greatest.
Gene Okerlund: Excuse me, excuse me, yes you, I don't know what to call you anymore...
He comes over to Okerlund, still breathing slightly heavy from the match.
Former Disco Inferno: It doesn't matter right now. All that matters is I just won another match and I deserve the tv title shot.
Okerlund seems hesitant, but comments nonetheless.
Gene Okerlund: Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it seems as if Shawn Stasiak and Chris Kanyon are the two men moving onto Slamboree.
Former Disco Inferno: What? Shawn Stasiak? What the hell has he done?
Gene Okerlund: Well, he did-
Former Disco Inferno: Shut it bigmouth. If everyone's so impressed with Shawn Stasiak, then I guess what I have to do is obvious. Next week, I want Stasiak one on one in the ring. We'll see who should move onto Slamboree.
He looks at Okerlund, then storms off as the scene fades.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
Jung Dragons vs. Candido/Knoble
Candido started it off against Hayashi with some good ol fashioned chain wrestling that brought the crowd to their feet. Then Candido took Hayashi down with a clothesline and got a quick one count. Candido sent Hayashi into the ropes and Hayashi took Candido down with a head scissors takedown, sending him to the outside. Hayashi dives through the middle ropes and takes Candido down with a flying shoulderblock! Hayashi rolls back into the ring, tagging in Yang, who dropkicks Candido in the back, sending him face first into the ropes. Yang bounces off the side ropes and meets Candido with a kick in the middle, just like the Fe-Liner from Cat. Yang heads up to the top rope, but misses a flipping senton, allowing Candido to bring in Jamie Knoble. Knoble ducks a chop from Yang and ends up behind him, delivering a full nelson slam. Hayashi comes in and gets a tilt-a-whirl gutbuster for his troubles. Hayashi stays in the ring, somehow becoming the legal man again but has his hands full with Knoble, who nails a gutwrench powerbomb for two on Hayashi before tagging in Candido. Candido comes off the top rope with a missile dropkick. Yang comes in and delivers a running front kick to Candido. That brings Knoble in and both teams are going at it full strength! Yang up on the top turnbuckle and he hits a swanton on Candido! Knoble has Hayashi with a bridged german suplex and Charles Robinson is making the three count! He calls for the bell and calls this match a draw due to a double pin!
Winner: Nobody
The fans seem completely unhappy about that result and the boos fill the arena. Robinson tries explaining himself to both teams as the scene fades to commercial.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
Shane Helms makes his way out to the ring, getting a very good pop from the crowd and proudly sporting the WCW United States title around his waist. He hits the ring and grabs a microphone.
Shane Helms: Ric Flair! Last week, you took the low road and attacked me from behind. You couldn't handle a simple loss, so you attacked me. The Legendary Ric Flair, 42 time World Champion or whatever it's up to, and you have to attack me from behind? Me? Lil Shane Helms? Well thanks Ric, that makes me feel good. Like I said last week, I look forward to Slamboree. I'll put the belt on the line, you just make sure you show up.
Helms pauses and looks around the arena.
Shane Helms: But why wait? Why not settle things right here tonight? I mean the belt's here, I'm here, and somewhere back there, I know you're here. C'mon Ric, you wouldn't back down from lil ol me wouldja?
Right on cue, the horns hit and Ric Flair steps out on stage in a custom tailored suit, hair perfect, and a confident smirk upon his face. He's got a mic and the attention of the arena.
Ric Flair: Ya know kid, you're getting mighty brave out there and I'm not sure you understand what you're getting yourself into. I'm the sixteen time World Champion, wooooo! I'm the dirtiest player in the game, wooooo! And kid, I'm coming for you at Slamboree, woooooo!
The crowd can't help but wooo along everytime Flair does it.
Ric Flair: But not tonight. You want to wrestle so bad tonight, I've got someone for ya. Wooooo! I've got someone for ya.
Flair drops the mic and out walks Lex Luger, getting boos from the crowd and a shocked look from Shane Helms. Once Helms gets over the initial surprise, he motions for Luger to bring it and takes the belt off, showing he's ready to go.
Shane Helms vs. Lex Luger
Shane looks around at the crowd with a look of hesitance, then locks up with Luger, who, with one mighty shove, tosses Shane across the ring. Another lock up, same result. Finally, Shane dodged the lockup and sidestepped Lex, then hit him with a right hand to the jaw that surprised everyone. Shane reached up and connected with a couple more right hands, then kicked Luger in the back of the knee, following that with a bulldog, driving Luger’s head into the mat. Helms waits and when Luger’s up to his knees, he goes for a kick to the head, but Luger grabs his foot and stands up, then knocks Helms down, still holding the knee, driving his own knee into the upper thigh of Helms. Luger continued to work on the leg of Helms with a series of kicks and elbow drops to the knee. Luger took complete control at this point, delivering consecutive kneebreakers to Helms and even running him knee first into the corner. Luger didn’t even try to pin, it was obvious he was out there purely to set Helms up for Flair. He did eventually go for the torture rack, only to have Helms slither his way out of it and shove him face first into the turnbuckle, following that with a tornado DDT that caused more pain to the knee of Helms than anything. Helms tried to come off the top rope, but the knee gave way and he tumbled to the mat. Luger, tired of playing games, slid outside and grabbed a steel chair. As soon as the chair made contact with Helms, Billy Silverman called for the bell and it ruled a DQ.
Winner: Shane Helms
That didn’t deter Luger though, who placed the chair on Helms’ knee and continued to stomp away at it until security flooded the ring and was able to pull him off while medics looked over Shane Helms.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
Booker T vs. Johnny the Bull
Booker locked up with Johnny the Bull, instantly putting him in a side headlock. Bull tried to push Booker off into the ropes, but Booker managed to squeeze tighter and keep the headlock on. He finally freed Johnny the Bull, but only to back him into the corner and hit him with a back elbow. Booker delivered another back elbow, then pulled Bull out for an irish whip, instead holding on and pulling him back in for a clothesline. Booker followed the clothesline with an elbow drop and went for the pin, only getting two. Johnny reversed an irish whip and sent Booker in, then caught him offguard with a quick powerslam. Johnny picked Booker up, sending him back first into the corner and drilling him with a running knee to the midsection. With Booker bent over, Johnny picked him up and delivered a gut wrench powerbomb, then went for the pin. Booker got his foot on the bottom rope so Johnny dragged him to the middle of the ring. Johnny then got the bright idea to go to the second turnbuckle, where he lept off with a diving elbow attempt that caught Booker square in the chest. He went for the pin again but again was denied the three count. Johnny held Booker for a hanging vertical suplex, finally letting him fall to the mat, but still couldn’t get the three. It was obvious Johnny was getting frustrated at this point and even made some comments to Nick Patrick. He sent Booker into the ropes, picking him up with a gorilla press, but Booker kind of floated over and caught Johnny by surprise with a crescent kick to the jaw. Johnny fell straight back and Booker took advantage, going up to the top rope. He hit the Harlem Hangover and made the cover for three.
Winner: Booker T
After the match, Booker raised the World Title in the air and talked into the camera, telling Kidman he didn't want none and that Kidman wasn't on his level. Booker celebrated as Thunder went off air.
Quick Results
Chris Kanyon d. Dustin Rhodes
Match Reaction = 73.5%
Match Quality = 70.9%
Overall Rating = 86.1%
Crowbar d. Brian Knobbs & Meng
Match Reaction = 71.2%
Match Quality = 60.7%
Overall Rating = 68.4%
Wall d. Lash Leroux
Match Reaction = 64.4%
Match Quality = 70.2%
Overall Rating = 68.5%
Chavo Guerrero Jr. d. La Parka
Match Reaction = 73.4%
Match Quality = 80.2%
Overall Rating = 76.6%
Former Disco Inferno d. Buff Bagwell
Match Reaction = 72.8%
Match Quality = 80.8%
Overall Rating = 77.3%
Candido/Knoble draw Jung Dragons
Match Reaction = 67.6%
Match Quality = 81.4%
Overall Rating = 72.4%
Shane Helms d. Lex Luger
Match Reaction = 72.3%
Match Quality = 81.2%
Overall Rating = 82.0%
Booker T d. Johnny the Bull
Match Reaction = 75.4%
Match Quality = 80.0%
Overall Rating = 79.1%
Overall Rating of 75.7%
-
5/8 Edition of Monday Nitro from Transworld Arena in St. Louis, MO
The standard opening video for Monday Nitro plays, followed by an explosion of pyro, then a scan of the semi-packed arena before settling in on Mark Madden and Tony Schiavone, who get us ready for the evening.
Tony Schiavone: Hello folks and welcome to another week of Monday Nitro. We're just two weeks away from Slamboree an what an event it's shaping up to be.
Mark Madden: We already know Kidman's going to be in the main event against World Champion Booker T.
Tony Schiavone: Not to mention, Ric Flair and Shane Helms are set to go one on one for the United States championship.
Mark Madden: Talk about an un-even match up. Helms doesn't stand a chance against a legend like Flair.
Tony Schiavone: That remains to be scene. Helms' former group, Three Count, is in our opening match as we get things underway, right here on Nitro!
Three Count (Shannon Moore/Evan Karagias) vs. Jung Dragons (Jimmy Yang/Kaz Hayashi)
The fans weren't sure how to react to the Dragons, a problem they've had for a while, but the crowd was definately not behind Three Count, who tried doing a dance before the match but couldn't get past the booing. Once the match started though, these two teams did what they do best, put on a show of aerial moves. Back and forth for ten minutes, it was Moore with a top rope hurricanrana to Yang, it was Yang with a swanton onto Karagias, or Karagias's leg drop from the top rope to the back of Yang's head. The move of the match though may have been when Kaz Hayashi hit a corkscrew plancha off the top turnbuckle all the way to the outside, taking out the other three members. It was all over the place and the crowd was totally into it. With Yang down on the outside after a Karagias diving shoulderblock, Moore rolled Hayashi up from behind and held the tights, unbeknownst to Mickey Jay, who made the three count and gave the match to Three Count.
Winner: Three Count
Scene fades to commercial.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
Standing in the ring is Billy Kidman, the soon to be challenger for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Torrie, the oh so lovely Torrie, stands next to him in her skin tight latex pants and a lowcut red top. Kidman is definately more focused on the business at hand than on her as he takes the microphone from the timekeeper.
Billy Kidman: All I heard last week was how my victory over Rick Steiner was un-impressive....UN-IMPRESSIVE? Did you glorified fanboys even watch the match? Now I can't help it if the only former WCW titleholder that had enough of a set to come out and accept my challenge was Rick Steiner, that's not my fault. But what I did with Rick as my opponent was nothing sort of magical. Tonight will be no different. Except tonight, I'm not taking any chances on getting another mediocre opponent. Tonight, I'm going to prove once and for all that I deserve the World Title opportunity that Hulk Hogan has been keeping to himself. I'm going to go one on one with the former World Champion himself, Sid.
The crowd pops for Sid and Torrie looks at Kidman, concerned.
Billy Kidman: Yea, I gave up some size, but I guarantee it will...not...matter. When that final bell rings tonight, it will be my hand getting raised and Booker T, you'll know that your days as champion are numbered.
Kidman heads to the back while they play a video hyping Slamboree. After that, Nitro fades out to another quick commercial, must be a high-sell week.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
The darkness is nearly overwhelming except for the faint dark red light in the back that illuminates the room enough to let you know what you're seeing. Vampiro, laying on the table, arms crossed across his chest. Next to him stands North and as the cameras fade back, Berlyn's body hangs limp on the wall.
Vampiro: Did you think this would satisfy me? Did you think I would be pleased?
North stands there with his head hanging low.
Vampiro: I told you to stick to the list. This...this...Berlyn has nothing to offer me. He's nothing more than a common follower, a lackey, he's just...like...you.
Vampiro still hasn't moved, nor has he opened his eyes, but his tone suggests that North stay listening.
Vampiro: Tonight, you will stick to the list. You will bring me the ingredients I need so that I can begin the process of perfection. You will do this, or you're finished. Do you understand me North?
North nods his head and quietly responds that he does understand. Scene fades to the ring.
Buff Bagwell vs Shawn Stasiak
He's Buff and he's the stuff and he got a great reaction from most of the fans, especially the females in attendance. In the ring, he took it right to Stasiak with right hands, then a clothesline that knocked Stasiak to the outside. Bagwell, instead of following up, chose to pose in the middle of the ring, then went to get Stasiak and recieved a legsweep for his trouble. Stasiak stayed on the offensive, using an ankle lock to try and ground Buff, then delivered a bodyslam before trying his first pin attempt that failed. Stasiak stood Bagwell up and Bagwell managed a quick scoop slam followed by a knee to the forehead. Bagwell went for the cover but he only got two as well. Bagwell missed a clothesline and Stasiak took him down with a charging elbow. Stasiak never looked back after that, eventually ending it with the dragon suplex.
Winner: Shawn Stasiak
Scene fades to commercial
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
Backstage, a chair goes flying into a wall and Scott Steiner can be seen storming around, opening every door he sees, throwing things out of his way, screaming for Jeff Jarrett. What he gets is Eric Bischoff coming out of one of the rooms instead.
Eric Bischoff: Whoa whoa whoa!
Scott Steiner: Get out of my *beep*in way.
Eric Bischoff: Why don't you calm down Scotty, relax.
Scott Steiner: Where the *beep* is Jarrett?
Eric Bischoff: He should be on his way to the ring for his match...
Steiner turns, but before he walks away, the words of Bischoff stop him in his tracks.
Eric Bischoff: You interfere with that match and you can kiss your match against Jarrett goodbye.
Steiner stops and turns back towards one half of the bosses.
Scott Steiner: What'd you say?
Eric Bischoff: It's all about the investment Scotty. I can't have you jeapordizing my pay per view. But what I can do, since you have all this built up hostility, is give you a match tonight.
Scott Steiner: Who the *beep* against?
Eric Bischoff: Why don't you tryout Big Vito, the hardcore belt not on the line, and see how you do.
Scott Steiner: And I get Jarrett at Slamboree?
Eric Bischoff: As long as he makes it there one hundred percent.
Steiner looks at Bischoff. He may not like it, but he's going to deal with it. Scene fades to the ring.
Jeff Jarrett vs. La Parka
La Parka got a good pop, but what else is new. He locked up with Jarrett, but Jarrett raised a knee and took the early advantage. Jarrett runs La Parka's head into the top turnbuckle, then does it three more times before planting La Parka with a back suplex. Jarrett goes for the cover and La Parka kicks out. La Parka gets to his feet and when Jarrett tries to whip La Parka, La Parka hits the ropes, but slides between the legs of Jarrett, hooking Jarrett's ankles and causing him to fall face first into the mat. La Parka drops a legdrop to the back of Jarrett's head, then goes for a pin himself and only gets a two, barely even that. Parka sends Jarrett into the corner, then charges. Jarrett sidesteps him and Parka hits hard. Jarrett hooks his feet and drives La Parka into the mat with the Stroke. The three count was easy.
Winner: Jeff Jarrett
Scene fades to commercial.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
Scott Steiner vs. Big Vito
Vito barely has time to roll in the ring before Steiner put the boots to him on the mat, stomping him down, then rolling him under the bottom rope with his feet. Steiner steps through the ropes and joins Vito on the outside, slamming him face first into the apron. Steiner turns and tells the fans in the front row to back up, then grabs Vito and sends him back first into the guardrail, the structure moving a few inches on impact. Steiner drives two straight forearms into Vito's chest, then raises his arms to the crowd, allowing Vito to counter with a kick to the midsection. Vito hammers Steiner in the back, then puts his shoulder into Steiner's gut and drives him back first into the ring apron. Vito rolls Steiner into the ring, but celebrates with the fans before rolling into the ring himself. Steiner was able to get to his feet though and puts the boots to Vito. He stands him up, putting Vito in the bearhug that leads to a spinning belly to belly suplex. Steiner rolls Vito over and slaps in the Steiner Recliner for the win.
Winner: Scott Steiner
Backstage, Kidman with Torrie by his side, approaches Shane Douglas, who's on a payphone.
Shane Douglas: As soon as you get here, just come get me...
Douglas hangs up the phone and looks Torrie up and down with a smile. He realizes Kidman's there too and puts his eyes back in his head.
Shane Douglas: Well if it isn't our very own braveheart. Didja need somethin?
Billy Kidman: You know what I'm here about Shane, let's just figure out how to make this happen.
Shane Douglas: Alright, alright. Any thoughts on throwing Torrie in?
Douglas again looks Torrie up and down with his usual look of desire. Kidman pulls her back.
Billy Kidman: Your fee's already been discussed, now let's go talk about making this happen.
Kidman grabs Torrie and heads down the hallway, Shane following close behind, eyes on Torrie's ass the entire way as the scene fades to commercial.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
Wall vs. Van Hammer
Van Hammer was all smiles as he watched the Wall step into the ring. Van Hammer matched up with the Wall heightwise and rocked him with a few right hands. His mistake was going for the bodyslam. Wall countered it with some forearms to the shoulderblades, then Wall picked Hammer up and dropped him face first onto the top turnbuckle. Hammer stumbled around the ring and walked right into the chokeslam for the three count.
Winner: The Wall
Backstage, "Mean" Gene Okerlund is standing with the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, Booker T.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund: Booker T, in just under two weeks, you'll be defending your World Title against a bit of a surprise challenger, Billy Kidman. How do you prepare for that?
Booker T: Ya know, I hear cats talking about how Billy Kidman's not the typical challenger, how he's never been a main eventer, but neither was I. I spent years in the tag division, in the TV Title division, but I got my shot and I'm running with it. Kidman's getting his shot and I have to make sure he doesn't do the same.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund: What about the Hulk Hogan factor. There is a possibility that he'll be back before the pay per view and that he's going to demand his title shot.
Booker T: If Hulk Hogan wants a shot, that's fine by me. I'll take on Kidman, I'll take on Hogan, I'll take on any fool that wants to step in that ring and try to take my belt Okerlund. That's how we do things. Now can you dig that?
Booker heads off camera and Nitro fades to commercial.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
Curt Hennig vs. Dustin Rhodes
Rhodes again gets nearly no reaction as he slumps to the ring, looking more and more down every week. Hennig looks at the ref, then back at Rhodes, wondering if he's really in any shape to wrestle. After that, it was all Hennig as he put on a clinic of basic wrestling moves and holds, Rhodes barely even trying to fight back. A Hennig-plex ended this one after a few minutes of essential practice for Curt.
Winner: Curt Hennig
As Curt made his way to the back, the lights cut out in the arena, causing everything to go pitch black. When they came back on, North stood over a fallen Curt Hennig. He picked him up off the floor and draped him over his shoulder, turning and disappearing to the back. A video package rolls on the jumbotron. You see a good looking guy in his early twenties wearing jeans and a button up shirt. He's standing in a gymnasium watching the gymnists in action. There's a girl on the sawhorse, others doing flippy things on the mats, and some using the rings. He just watches, shaking his head in disgust. Then he turns to the camera.
Guy: Look at them, flippin around like a bunch of freakin monkeys. Remind you of anything? No? How about the WCW Cruiserweight division? Guys jumping over ropes, bouncing off turnbuckles, flipping, flying, et cetera et cetera et cetera. That may be all fine and dandy...for an average cruiserweight. But for me, "Above Average" Mike Sanders, I expect more. I expect wrestlers, no matter what division, to actually know how to wrestle, not just jump around like a twelve year old gymnist. When I make my debut in WCW, you'll see the difference between me and the other Cruiserweights. I'll be the one winning, they'll be the ones begging for mercy. I'm "Above Average" Mike Sanders....Technically, the best cruiserweight on the planet.
The scene fades to commercial.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Shark Boy
Shark Boy got a great crowd reaction, though it seemed mostly to be for his costume than anything else. Chavo wasted no time in going right at Shark Boy, sending him into the ropes, tossing him up and bringing him down with a gutbuster. Chavo followed that with a sliding legdrop across Shark Boy's throat but only managed a two count. Chavo put Shark Boy in the corner, then looked out to yell at a fan. That gave Shark Boy an opening and he connected with a couple quick right hands. Shark Boy ran Chavo's head into the turnbuckle, then climbed up the turnbuckles, going for the ten punch but before he could get through all ten, Chavo lifted him up into the air, then stepped out of the way as Shark Boy's face came smashing down into the top turnbuckle. Chavo grabbed him from there and climbed up to the second turnbuckle, delivering the tornado DDT to retain his title.
Winner: Chavo Guerrero Jr.
After the match, Chavo grabs the Cruiserweight title and holds it up to the camera closest to him. He then puts his face right into the camera and shouts to everyone at home about wanting Rey Mysterio to hurry up and come back, hurry up so Chavo can kick his ass. Chavo seemed quite angry, that's not a healthy thing.
~~~COMMERCIAL BREAK~~~
Kidman vs. Sid
Kidman kept running his mouth, taunting Sid, then when it came to lock up, Kidman ducked under Sid's arms. Sid turned and grabbed for Kidman, who again dodged the big guy. Kidman kicked Sid in the midsection, then did it again but attempted to hook Sid for a suplex and got laughed at. Two failed attempts later and Sid finally hammered Kidman, dropping him to his knees and then continued to assault BK before finally tossing him into the corner. Sid went for a clothesline but Kidman dropped down to the mat and crawled past Sid. Torrie hopped up onto the apron, pulling at Sid's hair when he turned around. He turned to smack her, but that allowed Kidman to run and knee him in the back, sending him chestfirst into the corner. Kidman kicked out the back of both his knees, then repeatedly rammed Sid's head into the second turnbuckle. He ended the tirade with a kick to the back of Sid's head, then watched as Sid's body turned itself over and he lay limp in the corner. Kidman pulled him to the middle of the ring, stomping three times at his midsection before bouncing off the ropes and connecting with another stomp. Kidman went up to the top turnbuckle, but took a tad too long in his legdrop attempt. When he finally went for it, Sid was able to sit up out of the way. Both men got to their feet and it was Sid's bodyslam that gave him the advantage. He followed that up with back to back backbreakers before going for a pin attempt and only getting two. Sid sends Kidman into the ropes, taking him down with the big boot but again Torrie's up on the apron and she's managed to get Sid's attention. He leaves Kidman laying, choosing instead to walk over to Torrie, this time grabbing her by the hair before she can leap down. He drags her through the ropes and into the ring, the crowd cheering him on. Before he can do anything to Torrie though, Kidman lowblows him from behind. Torrie escapes to the outside and Kidman gets to his feet, pulling Sid up. Sid, in what seems like a desperation move, grabs Kidman first, turns, and fires him into the corner. Only problem is Billy Silverman's in the way and Kidman sandwiches him against the turnbuckles. Sid struggles to get to his feet, still feeling the effects of the lowblow but is aware enough to see Mike Awesome coming down the aisle. Sid stares right at him, waiting, but Awesome doesn't step into the ring. On the other side, after coming through the crowd, Shane Douglas does slide into the ring and nails Sid from behind, knocking him to the mat. Awesome slides into the ring and together, him and Douglas put the boots to Sid before standing him up. Douglas helps lift Sid up into a piledriver set-up for Awesome, then Shane heads up to the second turnbuckle. He grabs Sid by the feet and drives him headfirst into the mat with a spike piledriver! Awesome and Douglas roll out of the ring while Kidman heads to the top turnbuckle. He leaps off, connecting with the shooting star press! Silverman manages to crawl over to where Kidman has Sid pinned for the three count!
Winner: Kidman
After the match, Awesome and Douglas both slide back into the ring but before anything else can transpire, "Can You Dig It?" is heard over the loud speakers, followed by the music of the WCW World Champion, Booker T. The fans explode as he hits the ring, steel chair in hand. Awesome, Douglas, and Kidman all take off, sliding out of the ring while Booker stands next to a fallen Sid and Nitro fades to black.
Quick Results
Three Count d. Jung Dragons
Match Reaction = 72.7%
Match Quality = 80.9%
Overall Rating = 79.0%
Shawn Stasiak d. Buff Bagwell
Match Reaction = 59.7%
Match Quality = 72.0%
Overall Rating = 69.6%
Jeff Jarrett d. La Parka
Match Reaction = 76.3%
Match Quality = 74.8%
Overall Rating = 85.0%
Scott Steiner d. Big Vito
Match Reaction = 70.5%
Match Quality = 77.7%
Overall Rating = 77.9%
Wall d. Van Hammer
Match Reaction = 63.2%
Match Quality = 61.8%
Overall Rating = 66.3%
Curt Hennig d. Dustin Rhodes
Match Reaction = 72.2%
Match Quality = 76.6%
Overall Rating = 74.0%
Chavo Guerrero Jr. d. Sharkboy
Match Reaction = 45.3%
Match Quality = 77.0%
Overall Rating = 55.3%
Billy Kidman d. Sid
Match Reaction = 79.6%
Match Quality = 74.8%
Overall Rating = 76.3%
Overall Rating of 75.2%
Note: Yes, North is Kevin Northcutt.
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I like both signings, especially Shyne since I'm a huge fan and now I know that nobody's going to set limitations on his album. Could this have anything to do with the fact that 50 briefly went at Shyne? So Game decided to unify troops, so to speak?
And yea, 50 threatened Dre or whatever, but nobody said Dre gave a damn.
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Definately not mad at the concert, looked to be a hot show and there's another one coming up in Philly. Diddy performing with The Lox is crazy to me. I'm glad he's trying to unify the east coast, should make for some good music and hopefully a Jay-Z/Nas collabo.
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I'm intrigued, at first I thought of D-Block, but didn't he put the beef with them to rest? I'm pretty sure he and Jada have done a song together.
Another rumor says that The Lox and Fat Joe may both be on stage with him, which supports the "50 as target" theory. There's been a lot of talk about Nas having patched up his beef with Jay and wanting to come aboard to Def Jam since he only has one album left on his Sony deal. Obviously Lil Wayne is a favorite of Jay-Z's and he's been sporting that G-Unot shirt lately.
Also, don't forget about Ja Rule and how he's supposed to be coming back as Loki, the Greek God of something or other. Even in a drop Ja cut for us over the summer, he referred to himself as Loki. He also told us that the beef with him and 50 was only going to get worse, could this be what he was talking about? Imagine Nas, Jigga, Ja as Loki, Jadakiss, Fat Joe, Game, Wayne, all on stage spitting anti G-Unit bars...that's some tough stuff.
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Imagine Nas, Jigga, Ja as Loki, Jadakiss, Fat Joe, Game, Wayne, all on stage spitting anti G-Unit bars...that's some tough stuff.
Nas vs. Lloyd Banks
Ja Rule vs. 50
Wayne vs. Youngbuck
Game vs. .. Olivia?
Eminem vs. Jay-Z
Haha.
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I'm intrigued, at first I thought of D-Block, but didn't he put the beef with them to rest? I'm pretty sure he and Jada have done a song together.
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Hasn't necessarily done anything outside of the ordinary, but here's the quote from when Jay went on one of NY's hip hop stations about a month ago, talking about the whole concert.
“I gotta put [my adversaries] in the choke hold, the Boston crab. I gotta smash a couple of people. ... Everybody better make up and be my friend."
50 and G-unit are just the top names being speculated, he could be Declaring War on anyone, that's what's got me so intrigued. If only I lived on the east coast, I'd be at the Continental Airlines Arena tonight.
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I'm surprised nobody's brought this up, but is anyone else anxious to see what actually goes down tonight?
I know there's going to be a ton of hip hop artists in the place, a lot of em will probably even be performing. If I had to take a guess, I'd go with the most popular rumor, that he's going to call out 50 and G-Unit, but nothing's ever for sure.
What do you think will happen and what do you think the repricussions will be for both Jay and whoever he calls out?
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TheWire.com
Sunday Catch Up With Damian Rolls
-The problems continue with Stevie Ray. Apparently at the Saturday Night tapings, he was venting to everyone he could find about how he's stuck on Saturdays while his ex-partner is main eventing pay per views. He feels he was just as much a part of Harlem Heat as Booker T, so he should be getting that same treatment. Kevin Sullivan, never short on words, just short in stature, spoke up and told Stevie Ray that if he spent half as much time training as Booker does, he might get that chance. The two continued to exchange words until Doug Dillinger calmed Sullivan down and convinced him to let it go.
-Also at the WCW Saturday Night tapings, Mark Jindrak was injured in his match with Lash LeRoux. The report from the doc says it's herniated discs in his back and we won't see him til at least September. What that means for his power plant tag team partner, Sean O'Haire, is unknown. As of right now, there is no intention of either going singles.
-Bret Hart appeared on the LAW Internet radio show, talking about his status and whether or not he'd ever be able to wrestle again. He says it doesn't look good, but he does plan on factoring into WCW in other ways. He also said we'll see him on television very, very soon.
-Confirmed for Monday Nitro is Chavo Guerrero Jr. defending the Cruiserweight title against Shark Boy. The Wall will be in action plus Kidman has a challenge for one special opponent tomorrow night.
-Ratings news for last Monday
-WWF Raw is War with Triple H beating The Rock drew 927,391 viewers
-WCW Monday Nitro with Mike Awesome beating The Cat drew 487,984 viewers
-WCW Saturday Night Quick Results
-Jimmy Yang beat Alan Funk
-Stevie Ray beat Jim Duggan
-Mark Jindrak beat Lash LeRoux
-Don Harris beat Big Vito
WCW 1995
in The Dome Retro Room
Posted
Saturday Night 3- Saturday, Third Week of September, 1995
Open Challenge- 1 Minute, B Rating
Diamond Dallas Page stepped out from behind the curtain with Kimberly walking behind him, looking like she'd rather be elsewhere. Page slid into the ring and Kimberly stood outside, waiting for him to hold the ropes for her. He didn't and she stepped in on her own, rolling her eyes. Page grabbed a microphone.
Diamond Dallas Page: It seems as if World Championship Wrestling and Terry Taylor have once again overlooked the star of the show. So, once again, I have to come out here and wait until one of you chumps in the back grows a set big enough to come take me on.
Page started pacing in the ring, but Kimberly was in his way. He looked at her like she should know better and she stepped back with a disgusted look as he walked to the other side of the ring.
Diamond Dallas Page: So who's it gonna be?
Page dropped the mic and looked towards the entranceway.
Closed Response- 1 Minute, C- Rating
The crowd turned to watch Dave Sullivan walk through the curtains, huge smile on his face as the crowd cheered him on. He pointed to himself, then highfived his way to the ring. Page was smiling a confident smirk while watching Sullivan slide into the ring and Kimberly step out.
Diamond Dallas Page vs. Dave Sullivan- 8 Minutes, C Rating
Page kicked Sullivan in the midsection, then ran him through the ropes to the outside right away, following him out. Page hammered Sullivan, then tried to send him into the steel pole, but Sullivan reversed it and Page hit the pole shoulder first, bouncing off into a running shoulderblock from Sullivan. Page stumbled, Sullivan tried to follow up but Page grabbed Kimberly and put him in the way. Page then drilled Sullivan with a forearm to the forehead, then sent Sullivan hard into the ringsteps. Page picked the ringsteps up and slammed it into the upper back of Sullivan, then grabbed Sullivan and whipped him into the ropes. Page stomped away at Sullivan, then stood him up. Sullivan fired three quick right hands to Page's head, but when Sullivan sent Page into the ropes, Page floated over on a hiptoss, spun Sullivan around, then ended things with a diamond cutter and the pin.
Winner: Diamond Dallas Page
Page Loves A Challenge- 1 Minute, B Rating
Page slid out of the ring and grabbed Kimberly by the arm, asking her what she thought of that. She shrugged her shoulders and started to the back. Page grabbed a microphone off the ring announcers table and spoke, ignoring the booing from the fans.
Diamond Dallas Page: What? That's not good enough for you?
More booing from the crowd.
Diamond Dallas Page: Then we'll do the same thing for Fall Brawl. Anyone in the back with enough guts to step up, you got a chance to make yourself famous tomorrow night. Anyone.
Page dropped the mic and followed Kimberly to the back.
Commercial Break
Nitro Replay- 1 Minute, A* Rating