WCW '96: After the Bash...

[Steve Corino]

Either I just think you're a totally awesome writer, or else I'm still happy that back in the day of your WWF 93 diary, you put my "Jonnism Version 2" in your sig

Or maybe a little bit of both.

[EZE]

Note to All:

I started a new job on monday - working at my former school and college as an Engineering Technician and a History/Media/Electronics Teaching Assistant. Im trying to settle in and get used to the workload and hours again so im not sure when the next show will be up but im sure you understand. I got this job spur of the moment and things are very good, but im very tired and burnt out when I get back from work at the moment and im just enjoying every spare moment I have to relax so both this diary and other writing are slowing down till im settled. Im abouit 2/3 through the next show so that may be up this coming week but the show after it will be a wee while.

[EndOfAnEra]

I don't get why you wouldn't just call the stable the Triple Threat. You've got Bam Bam and Franchise, DDP would just be the new member. Tirumvirate sounds like an STD.

[EZE]

Monday Night Nitro

August 12th 1996

Live from Des Moines, Iowa

True to their word…

WCW Monday Nitro, who perhaps suffered a backlash from offended fans in a down turn in ratings last week was back on the air with all the fiery pyrotechnics and flashing lights they could muster. Truly, Bash at the Beach was a public relations disaster. But we’re back and the three man band known as Schivone, Heenan and the “Living Legend” and at this moment hand shaking Larry Zbysko were centre stage in the announcers booth.

Tony Schivone “And we are on the air for another twist filled night of Monday Night Nitro!”

Bobby Heenan “The US Title Tournament Qualifiers continue tonight! And I got big news Schivone! Big news! Because it is the US Title, because it is the land of opportunity the WCW Executives have decided to make the ten man “Last Chance” Battle Royal… a twenty man battle royal! That’s an opportunity for ten more lucky people”

“Well we know one man already in that ‘Last Chance’ Battle Royal, and that is Curt Hennig who failed to get past Big Bubba Rogers in last weeks surprise main event. We’ll know two more people who will be participating in the ‘Last Chance’ Battle Royal by the end of next weeks Shane Douglas and Arn Anderson match. But the other seventeen competitors will be drawn in a lottery. Every superstar who was available have put their name in the hat and WCW Vice President Eric Bischof will draw the names next week, here on Nitro!”

Larry Zbysko “Well that sure is huge news, I can’t wait. I’ve heard rumours that wrestlers both present and past are trying their luck at this. We’ll find out next week!”

We cut from that camera perspective to a ringside look over the shoulder of the time keeper to see two figures emerge from a mass in the crowd. The two figures of Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. The crowd around them boo and jeer and Hall throws away a toothpick in a random direction. Nash waves what appears to be a ticket at the camera and sits down in his front row seat with a grin on his face. Hall lifts a cup of beer to his mouth as he sits down drinking merrily.

Your eyes do not deceive you, Misters Hall and Nash attempted to get in the building today but after event security were alerted by WCW that they may attempt to sabotage tonights show, they were stopped and prevented from entering…”

“Until of course they came back with tickets! They must have got them from a scalper..

“Somebody certainly gave them the tickets. And it was a stupid and reckless thing to do… but they have a right to be here like every other ticket buying fan. I just hope they follow the example of the thousands of WCW fans who attend our shows and do not cross that barrier.”

“Right about now we got more important matters. A rematch from last weeks show, Brutus Beefcake is ready and waiting in the ring.. here comes his opponent. Here comes WCW Champion, The Giant!”

Same old story... With a Twist!

WCW World Champion The Giant w/Jimmy Hart vs Brutus Beefcake in a Non-Title Bout

The Giant was vilified by the crowd as he came out and there wasn’t much that the squeaking Jimmy Hart needed to do as his charge was more than over with this crowd. The Giant went to the ring and when the bell went goaded Beefcake to attack him. It was a case of Fe Fi Fo Fum… I smell the blood. Of a Dead Barber-man. Beefcake tried a couple of running shoulder blocks and clotheslines. Tried trading blows with the Giant. But none of it was to much avail and we saw a repeat of last weeks demolition. The Giant scoop slammed Beefcake in the ring and dropped a massive tree trunk leg across his throat, covering for what he expected to be the three count, but Beefcake got his shoulder up. His fists clenched, his face one of righteous fury as he tried to get back up on his feet. I timed his fight back. It lasted all of forty five seconds before he was thrown shoulder first into the turnbuckle and fell through the ropes to the outside. The Giant stepped over the ropes and followed him out.

The referee tried to get them back but the only person that can control the Giant appears to be Jimmy Hart and he wasn’t about to stop his charge from ending another wrestlers career. The giant whipped Beefcake from one set of railings to the next. Picked him up and slammed his back into the ring post. The referee retreated in the ring and proceeded to count them both out. It didn’t matter, it became evident the Giant was sending a message when Schivone reminded us that tonight the #1 contender will be announced. Almost on cue, with the Giant ready to chokeslam Brutus Beefcake through the time keeper and ring announcers table, Hulk Hogan came barrelling out from the back, down to ringside. One punch! Two punch! Three punch! The Giant let Brutus fall limp on the floor as he took a step back before driving a knee in Hogans gut and clobbering him with massive forearms to the back. He threw the Hulkster under the bottom rope at Jimmy Harts beckoning and followed him in. Hart screamed through the microphone to chokeslam Hogan. So the Giant obliged grabbing Hogan by the throat and chokeslamming him in the centre of the ring to the boos and consternation of the live crowd. The Giant stepped to the ropes and roared at the crowd as Hart posed with the WCW Title beside him. Uh-oh, you took your eyes off him! Behind the Giant suddenly rose a force urged on by all the Hulkamaniacs. Hulk Hogan was about to run wild in Des Moines! Having no-sold the Giants finisher he now stood behind him both fists up waiting on the Giant to turn. It was the Mouth of the South who turned first and squealed, diving out of the ring in a hurry. He didn’t get hold of the Giant in time though, because the champion turned right into a series of punches from Hogan before being whipped across the ring and hit with a Big Boot. (76/70/83)

He’s rocking! He’s rocking!

Give him another!

Hogan bounced off the ropes himself and clipped the Giants chin with a second big boot. And the Giant fell backwards over the top rope. Ever so slowly, but he hit with an almighty thud that sent Des Moines into ecstasy. Eric Bischof and security finally turned up on the scene to prevent any more fighting, as EMT’s checked on Brutus Beefcake who was in serious pain and being raised onto a stretcher. Bischof had a microphone as he joined Hogan in the ring.

Bischof: “What just happened… was not the actions of a traitor! Rather, as the WCW Championship Committee have empowered me to declare… the actions of the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship! You two want to fight, you can do it in the ring. August 25th, Sturgis Rally and Race… Hog Wild!" (86)

“That’s huge news Larry!”

“If theres one man that can topple the Giant, its Hulk Hogan backed by these fans.”

**********Theres nothing like experiencing… WCW.. Live!***********

Lord of the BANG!

Diamond Dallas Page w/Bigelow & Douglas vs Hacksaw Jim Duggan

The Triumvirate were out in force tonight. Really… you can tell that was Douglas thinking up the name. He has a tendency to over think matters. A great mind for the business, but sometimes too great… got to remember that most Americans are not that worldly! DDP, Bam Bam and the self-proclaimed ‘Franchise’ of World Championship Wrestling Shane Douglas emerged to a low-key booing reception, though it got louder when Bigelow kicked the railings against the front row fans. Scared the kids who were sat next to their parents witless. Great television to have a crying five year old being held in his parents arms as Bigelow walked on.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan, the man with a move set that includes a punch, a HOOO! And a shoulder tackle. Yet still one incredibly popular wrestler who has competed against some of the best in the business over the years. Not the most entertaining of spectacles but evidence of the continuing advancement of the Triumvirate as a unit. Bigelow and Douglas interfered and distracted like nobodies business. The referee would stop one man from interfering, then the other guy would get in and help DDP out of a sticky situation and vice-versa. Duggan missed his football tackle at 7 minutes 12 and DDP caught him with the Diamond Cutter as he bounced out of the corner and covered for the victory. (71/74/67)

After the match Bam Bam got out of the ring and took a microphone. Zbyzko wondered what kind of self-gratifying spiel Bigelow was going to give tonight. Bigelow walked around the ring, feinging kicking the railings again before laughing at the fans who had pushed their chairs back so the railings wouldn’t hit their knees. He stopped infront of one particular family with a recognisable face sat in the middle.

“Well what do we have here. I’ll tell you what we have. We have a washed up ex-nobody! The fearsome Shark Attack! The mighty Canadian Earthquake! Consigned to looking after the kids. You fans have before you a failure. This man never could make it in professional wrestling. One time, he could have been the best super heavyweight in this business. Now hes nothing.”

“Earthquake” John Tenta doesn’t look happy and stands up, but a few security guards are standing nearby to prevent any fight. Bigelow shakes his head and looks up to Shane Douglas and DDP who snigger. Bigelow looks back to Tenta and spits in his face – right in front of his children!! Tenta reacts in a rage but security stops him going over the railings and Bigelow walks up the steps onto the apron. Douglas and DDP walk up behind him and point and laugh at the former Shark Attack. Bigelow… now looking down on the man he spat at finishes what he was saying.

“You disgust me. You relied on other people to give you your chance at the big time. That’s where we differ. I’m not trying to be the best super heavyweight… I AM the BEST. We are the best wrestling has to offer. And we are not waiting for our chance. We’re taking it!” (55%, Bigelow -2)

Hog Wild Preparation

Nasty Boys vs Road Warriors w/Paul Ellering

Two weeks away from Hog Wild and the Road Warriors shot at World Tag Champions Harlem Heat, the challengers arrived to the arena on choppers to a pop from the crowd. The Nasty Boys were already waiting for them in the ring and eyed those cool looking bikes and made a challenge that if they won they got to leave with the choppers. Certainly a bizarre match stipulation but Paul Ellering took charge of the situation and said they had a deal – if the match became a No Disqualification bout. It was agreed and we got underway.

Knobbs and Saggs took the fight with the #1 contenders to the outside and brawled about ringside using the railings, the unforgiving floor and ring post as weapons. Hawk was even catapulted, upside down from an irish whip into one of the choppers and he cried out in agony on the floor, the chopper falling over. Saggs pulled him into the ring and dropped him with a DDT and went to the top rope signalling for the flying elbow. But just as he left the turnbuckle Hawk moved. Animal powerslamed knobs on the hard floor and climbed into the ring nailing Saggs from behind with a running clothesline before setting him up on his shoulders. Paul Ellering gave the command – Doomsday Device!. Hawk obliged and came off the top rope dropping sags painfully to the mat allowing the Road Warriors to get the victory in an entertaining brawl. The match won, the Road Warriors were then able to hop on the three choppers and ride on out of the arena. (82/71/93)

“The Road Warriors look to be a formidable force. Paul Ellering has them working as a tight unit and there are few teams with the experience of the multiple time World Tag Champions. But the reigning champions may feel that they hold the advantage, because the only way the Road Warriors can win the belts at Hog Wild is to pin or make one of Harlem Heat submit”

“Never gonna happen Schivone! And Don’t you forget, we won’t be seeing a No Disqualification match when the belts are on the line!”

“Right now, let us take you to the back where Sister Sherri is standing with her charges, the WCW Tag Champions Harlem Heat”

In the backstage area, Sister Sherri is standing beside Booker T and Stevie Ray, the World Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. Behind her is a large wall decorated with Hog Wild posters, and bits of motorcycles stuck to it to give it a ‘gritty’ feel. She has a scowl on her face.

“Road Warriors you think you have it all sorted don’t you? You think your just going to ride on in to that Rally on those choppers of yours and ride on out with the belts? Our Belts?! Never going to happen!!! You don’t have a chance in hell, and will learn first hand what happens when you mess with… black magic.” (62%)

These last two word sparks a small reaction from the surprised fans who cannot believe she chose those particular words as she draped her hands along the chests of her charges who glared menacingly at the camera. Certainly an edgy new catchphrase if that’s what its meant to be, with a double connotation. Tony Schivone doesn’t quite seem to know how to follow that.

“Well.. there you see the Tag Champions… you can’t deny they have a certain magic, something special. Its what all champions need but I often think its got more to do with Sherri’s assistance from the outside than there own undoubted athletic ability”

“I don’t know what you mean Toni!”

A Badd US Champion?

US Title Qualifier: Johnny B Badd d. Lord Steven Regal

That eccentric Bad Man, Johnny B Badd scored a huge victory tonight with his win over Lord Steven Regal that set him up a place in the Semi-Final’s of the United States Tournament at Hog Wild, joining Big Bubba in the hat. Steven Regal, who was joined by Squire David Taylor at ringside almost could have won at the very start when he delivered a low blow to Badd as David Taylor was conversing with the official. Regal covered the pained Badd and had his feet on the middle ropes as the referee made the count but Johnny managed to kick out. Regal attempted stretching him out on the mat with a keylock submission and then a cross-arm submission. However Badd was able to get to his feet then roll under the legs of Regal as he still had hold of his arm therefore setting him up for a pumphandle slam. The Squire tried to help his Lord again but was pulled in over the top rope by Badd and hit with a sweet left hook that knocked him out where he had stood. Badd stood over his body and reached into his tights pulling out a glittery red pair of lips and stuck them on the cheek of Taylor. He turned round and ducked a round house of Regals own, jabbed him in the gut a few times then gave him the knockout punch right on the jaw. Regal collapsed like a sack of spuds and Badd covered for the three count after a brief telling off by the official. The punch is after all technically banned. Some good comedy here between three of the most offbeat gimmicked wrestlers in the promotion. (75/64/86, Regal +2)

*****Commercial for Hog Wild: WCW World Title Match, The Giant defends versus Hulk Hogan.. Live on PPV!****

When we return from commercial break the music for Sting is playing and the fan favourite comes out to an enormous ovation from the live crowd. He poses on the stage as the fans take photographs and then reveals a microphone tucked in to his wrestling tights. He lifts it to his lips as a “sting” chant breaks out spontaneously. He grins and gives a long ‘WoooOO!’ and claims that everybody knows that when the Stinger is around, you know it’s Show Time! He then declares his intention to win the Last Chance Battle Royal at Hog Wild and become the next United States Champion as a stepping stone to regaining the WCW World Title which got a good reaction. He left gesturing with his hands around his waist as huge news was broke by Schivone (90%)

“This is huge! Fans, we’ve just been passed a note saying that WCW Vice President Eric Bischof has made a tag team main event match. It will be World Champion, The Giant teaming with one of his managers other charges Hugh Morrus to take on Hulk Hogan and a partner of his choice ”

“The Giant and Hugh Morrus? That’s a lot of beef in that ring!”

Discretion, the better part of valor – this time.

Lex Luger © d. Konnan

The Total Package Lex Luger and Konnan were quite nicely matched for this one as it allowed Konnan to emphasize his luchadore past by being the quicker of the two. There was one particular nice spot where he dropped into a forward roll after whipping reversing a whip by Luger and delivered a clothesline for a 2 count. Luger fought back though by working over the back of Konnan, a back breaker was followed by a modified bow and arrow which got a surprised pop from the crowd as Luger showed some technical proficiency with it. He soon abandoned this though and went back to his usual brawling power game and put Konnan away comfortably by following up a back toss – hurting Konnans back as he landed – with the Torture Rack for a submission victory to retain his title. During the match we were told that Luger would be part of the Last Chance Battle Royal at Hog Wild and could potentially become a double champion. (69/66/73, Title +)

We go backstage to find Shane Douglas, Bam Bam Bigelow and Diamond Dallas Page are walking backstage apparently heading out of the building when they come upon Horseman Chris Benoit and his valet, his female friend Woman. Bigelow and Page goad Benoit as Douglas tries hitting on Woman telling her to come and spend some time with a real man. Woman doesn’t seem interested but the Triumvirate surround her and harass her leading to Benoit shoving DDP out of the way and pulling the Woman with him and walking away. The Triumvirate watch Benoit go, Bigelow shouting that ‘he better run’. The threesome smugly leave via the exit door. (67%)

“That despicable trio, they think they can bully and intimidate everybody… ”

“Some one ought to put them in there place.”

“Are you going to volunteer Zbysko? They’d make a Living Punching Bag out of you if you tried.”

“Well regardless we’ve got a huge preview of Hog Wild coming your way any moment fans. Who will be Hogan’s tag team partner? ”

“Nobody! That man doesn’t have any friends backstage..”

The Bigger They Are…

Hulk Hogan & ? d. The Giant & Hugh Morrus w/Jimmy The Mouth of the South Hart

Nitro’s main event had the fans rocking the arena in Des Moines, Iowa. The Mouth of the South stoked the fires of this cauldron as he brought Hugh Morrus and the WCW World Champion from the back. He yelled over his microphone that Hulkamania was going to die at Hog Wild. Real American drowned him out however and the fans rose for the former WCW Champion Hulk Hogan as he came out wagging one finger at his opponents and in his other hand waving some of Brutus Beefcakes large scissors, obviously a talisman given the hospitalization that Beefcake received at the hands of the Giant earlier tonight. Hogan reached ringside and went no further, instead turning to the entrance way. On cue Pomp and Circumstance began to play and the Macho Man Randy Savage came out to a deafening pop.

“The Mega Powers Reunite!!”

Hogan and Savage then stormed the ring as the Giant and Hugh Morrus reluctantly withdrew to the ringside floor. The match followed the classic superfaces versus evil heels format with the faces taking a beating but the two key figures (Giant & Hogan) being kept apart, never in the ring at the same time for most of the match. This changed when The Giant allowed the Macho Man to escape a chokeslam attempt and dive towards the Hulkster tagging him in. The crowd rose spontaneously as they came face to face, a pause in the battle. Then BAM! They exploded, Hogan and the Giant rocking each other with chops and punches and Hogan getting the advantage as he did earlier in the night rocking him to the ropes. He whipped him off the ropes to the far side and caught him with the big boot. At this point Hugh Morrus came into the ring and attacked Hogan. The two fought and Savage took up fighting with the Giant who took a tumble to the ringside floor. Savage nailed a double axe handle from the top turnbuckle to the back of the largest athlete in the world as Hugh Morrus avoided a big boot in the ring by ducking through the ropes to the outside. Jimmy Hart grabbed Morrus and the Giant and ushered them towards the aisleway. The referee administered the legal 10 count and with no sign that Hart would allowed the World Champion back in the ring with Hogan – atleast tonight – the official threw the match out awarding the victory to the Mega Powers.

(81/82/79)

“The Mega Powers have run wild in Des Moines tonight! ”

“Yea, but Hogan can’t win the world title by count out or disqualification come Hog Wild – he’s going to have to go toe to toe with The Giant on his own!”

“I don’t care what you say Heenan, The Mouth just showed how much he fears for the Giants World Title reign by walking out on this tag team match. I believe Hogan has his number!”

“Were out of time folks, thankyou for being with us and don’t forget to tune in next week for the Last Chance Battle Royal Draw and the last United States Qualifier between Arn Anderson and Shane Douglas!”

Overall: 74%

Best Received Segment: Stings in the US Title Tournament (90%)

Best Match: Road Warriors gather momentum ahead of Hog Wild (93%)

Rating: 5.01 (RAW: 5.47)

Attendance: 4019 (RAW: 4012)

[TGC]

Closed and moved to Archives.