WCW in 1998

[Guest Marcus_BAS7]

The following is a diary created by myself and DigificWriter which begins with the January 5th edition of WCW Monday Nitro, providing a different take on the events following the famous Starrcade '97 PPV that featured the Sting vs. "Hollywood" Hogan World Title main event, and continuing on from there. WCW Thunder, the promotion's Thursday telecast, will be noticeably absent because it is our feeling that WCW was stronger without it.

******************************************************

Promotional information concerning WCW's roster for 1998 will be soon to come.

[DigificWriter]

Courtesy of WCW.Com

It was announced on WCW.Com today that in an effort to downsize its massively bloated roster, WCW has parted ways with the following superstars:

Barry Darsow

Barry Horowitz

Big Titan

Bobby Blaze

Bobby Eaton

Brad Armstrong

Chris Adams

Damien

Dusty Rhodes

El Dandy

Greg Valentine

Hardwork Bobby Walker

Jerry Flynn

Jim Duggan

Jim Powers

Jimmy Hart

Joey Maggs

Johnny Swinger

Kendall Windham

Kenny Kaos

Lanny Poffo

Lenny Lane

Louie Spicolli

Madusa

Mark Starr

Marty Jannetty

Michael Wallstreet

Mike Enos

nWo Sting

Ray Traylor

Roadblock

Robbie Rage

Scott Armstrong

Sick Boy

Silver King

The Disciple

The Renegade

Villano IV

Villano V

Wayne Bloom

WCW would like to thank these individuals for the time they spent with the company and wishes them the very best of luck in the future.

Main Eventers

Bret 'The Hitman' Hart

'Hollywood' Hogan

Kevin Nash

'Macho Man' Randy Savage

'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair

'Rowdy' Roddy Piper

Scott Hall

Sting

Upper Midcarders

Booker T

Curt Hennig

'The British Bulldog' Davey Boy Smith

Diamond Dallas Page

'The Total Package' Lex Luger

Raven

'The Dog-Faced Gremlin' Rick Steiner

Scott Steiner

The Giant

The Great Muta

Midcarders

'Das Wunderkind' Alex Wright

Bill Goldberg

'Delicious' Buff Bagwell

'The Canadian Crippler' Chris Benoit

'The Lionheart' Chris Jericho

'The Iceman' Dean Malenko

Disco Inferno

Eddie Guerrero

Ernest 'The Cat' Miller

Fit Finlay

Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart

Johnny Grunge

Konnan

Mortis

Rey Mysterio Jr.

Riggs

Rocco Rock

Saturn

Steve 'Mongo' McMichael

'Lord' Steven Regal

Ultimo Dragon

Vincent

Wrath

Lower Midcarders

Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Glacier

Hugh Morrus

Juventud Guerrera

Lizmark Jr.

Kidman

Lodi

Masahiro Chono

Meng

Psychosis

'Vicious' Scott Norton

Stevie Ray

The Barbarian

Van Hammer

Openers

La Parka

Prince Iaukea

Super Calo

Yuji Nagata

Managers

Arn Anderson (Manages 'The Canadian Crippler' Chris Benoit)

Elizabeth (Manages 'Macho Man' Randy Savage)

Eric Bischoff (Manages 'Hollywood' Hogan)

James Vandenberg (Manages Mortis and Wrath)

Kimberly

Miss Jacqueline (Manages Booker T and Stevie Ray)

Rick Rude (Manages Curt Hennig)

Sonny Oono (Manages Yuji Nagata)

Ted DiBiase (Manages The Steiner Brothers)

Champions

WCW (nWo) World Heavyweight Champion: Sting (as of 12/28/1997)

WCW (nWo) United States Champion: Diamond Dallas Page (as of 12/28/1997)

WCW (nWo) Television Champion: Booker T (as of 12/29/1997)

WCW (nWo) Cruiserweight Champion: Ultimo Dragon (as of 12/29/1997)

WCW (nWo) World Tag Team Champions: The Steiner Brothers (since 10/13/1997)

Stables

nWo ('Hollywood' Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, 'Macho Man' Randy Savage, 'Delicious' Buff Bagwell, 'Vicious' Scott Norton, Konnan, Curt Hennig, Vincent, Masahiro Chono, The Great Muta, Eric Bischoff, Elizabeth, Rick Rude)

The Flock (Raven, Lodi, Kidman, Saturn, Riggs, Van Hammer)

*******

Key:

Blue = Face

Red = Heel

Purple = Tweener

Italics = Stable Leader

Edited August 5, 2004 by DigificWriter

[Guest Marcus_BAS7]

NITRO Preview

January 5, 1998

Fans have been scratching their heads ever since we went off the air last week right in the middle of the big Sting-Hogan Starrcade return bout on Nitro last week? What happened? Is Sting still the champ? Did Hogan regain the title after losing it just 24 hours earlier? Exactly why did the show go off the air in the middle of such an important battle? What will be the fallout? All these questions and more will be answered this Monday Night on Nitro.

In addition to solving the mystery surrounding the Sting-Hogan rematch, Nitro brings you two championship matches as 'Lionheart' Chris Jericho takes on the United States Heavyweight Champion, Diamond Dallas Page, and Booker T. defends his WCW World Television Title against Prince Iaukea. Also in action will be the Steiner Brothers as they take on members of the nWo in tag-team action, and the 'Macho Man' Randy Savage will square off with Lex Luger in the main event.

Confirmed Matches

Chris Jericho vs. Diamond Dallas Page (WCW United States Heavyweight Championship Match)

Booker T vs. Prince Iaukea (WCW World Television Championship Match)

The Steiner Brothers vs. the nWo

Lex Luger vs. 'Macho Man' Randy Savage

Edited July 23, 2004 by Marcus_BAS7

[Guest Marcus_BAS7]

NITRO Results

January 5, 1998

WCW Monday Nitro fans around the world finally got an answer to their questions concerning the ending to the Sting-Hogan match last week when it was revealed that not only had Sting successfully defended the title, but that Eric Bischoff and a few of the nWo's finest had taken over the production truck backstage and put the show to a premature end, not wanting the world to bare witness to Hollywood Hogan's defeat. Bischoff and Hogan attempted to come out and make excuses, not realizing that there had been cameras in the arena that night that were still operational. When the evidence was presented, the nWo had nothing left to say in their defense.

The nWo's problems only grew from there. Having begun the night by arriving at the arena in two separate limos, the nWo would be represented by Randy Savage against Lex Luger in the main event. When the Macho Man fell victim to a small package pinfall, the Madness was unleashed. First, Savage shoved the referee out of the ring, and then he went on to deliver the Elbow Drop on Luger, who was already worn out from the physicality of the match. Savage wasn't through yet, but when he grabbed a steel chair and prepared to smash Luger's head with it, Eric Bischoff came out to stop him. Savage responded by knocking out Bischoff! Hogan came out to try to reason with Savage, but Savage would not relent and was decked from behind by Kevin Nash. Could this be the beginning of the end for the nWo?

In other action, Booker T. successfully defended his World Television Title against Prince Iaukea. Also defending a title on Nitro was Diamond Dallas Page, retaining his United States Heavyweight Championship after defeating Chris Jericho, who seems to be sporting a change in attitude in recent weeks, throwing tantrums after every loss. Speaking of behavioral changes, Scott Steiner, who along with his brother Rick defeated Buff Bagwell and Konnan in a non-title bout, has been approaching his matches with a much more aggressive attitude than we've seen in the past.

Match Results

U.S. Heavyweight Champion Diamond Dallas Page d. Chris Jericho

Goldberg d. Stevie Ray

Wrath d. The Barbarian

Juventud Guerrera d. Psychosis

World Television Champion Booker T. d. Prince Iaukea

World Tag-Team Champions The Steiner Brothers d. Buff Bagwell & Konnan (non-title match)

Chris Benoit & Steve McMichael d. Riggs & Saturn

Lex Luger d. 'Macho Man' Randy Savage

Edited July 23, 2004 by Marcus_BAS7

[Eric]

I like the way you made the results, similar to the way the WWE recaps their shows online. I don't like reading really long TV show diaries, because they're basically buildup for the long PPVs, so nice work.

It should be interesting to see what you do with the World Title and this diary, because 1998 was the year WCW really went in the crapper. Let's not all reject this because it's not a novel every show.

[Guest Marcus_BAS7]

Thanks for the feedback. I also prefer the WWE online recap style, and I agree that it's much easier to read. I also agree that this was the year that WCW started going downhill. That was one of the main reasons I wanted to do this diary, although I conceed that it was quite a daunting task for them to try and follow up the 18-month long arc involving Sting and the New World Order.

[DigificWriter]

NITRO Preview

January 12, 1998

For the second straight week in a row, Nitro went off the air in the midst of controversy and drama concerning the nWo. After losing to Lex Luger, Randy Savage went beserk, attacking both Eric Bischoff and Hollywood Hogan after they inexplicably tried to prevent him from destroying Luger with a steel chair. What does this mean for the nWo? Tune into Nitro this Monday night to find out.

And if the developing situation with the nWo weren't exciting and intriguing enough, there's the situation that seems to be developing between WCW's newest superstar Bret Hart and the 13-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair. Last week on Nitro, Flair verbally assaulted Hart, showing a side of his personality that we haven't seen for some time. Speaking of the Nature Boy, he will be in action this Monday when he faces off with Hart's brother-in-law Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart.

Also last week, Scott Steiner exhibited a new-found aggression during his and Rick's non-title match with the nWo's Buff Bagwell and Konnan. This week, the Steiners could stand to put some of that new aggression to work when they face off with their #1 enemies The Outsiders.

In other action, Lizmark Jr. takes on the new WCW Cruiserweight Champion, Ultimo Dragon, in a non-title match, Booker T defends the WCW Television Championship against Flock member Saturn, and Chris Jericho takes on Steve McMichael.

Confirmed Matches

Ric Flair vs. Jim Neidhart

Lizmark Jr. vs. Ultimo Dragon

Booker T vs. Saturn (WCW Television Championship Match)

The Steiner Brothers vs. The Outsiders

Chris Jericho vs. Steve McMichael

Edited July 25, 2004 by DigificWriter

[DigificWriter]

NITRO Results

January 12, 1998

When Nitro went off the air last week with Randy Savage down in the ring after having been taken down by his fellow nWo members Hollywood Hogan, Eric Bischoff, and Kevin Nash, the world was left with more questions than answers as to what was going on with the 'Macho Man', and, even after this week's Nitro, we still have very little answers and even more questions. After arriving at the arena separately, 'Macho Man' Randy Savage confronted the rest of the nWo and angrily challenged Hollywood Hogan and Eric Bischoff Kevin Nash to a tag team match in retaliation for what they had done the week before. However, when he attempted to find partners among the other members of the nWo, Savage was unsuccessful. However, his inability to find partners ultimately didn't matter, as Hogan refused to actively abuse Savage, trying to convince the 'Macho Man' that the whole thing was a misunderstanding. Savage, though, would have nothing of Hogan's talking and blasted the nWo leader with a steel chair, which led to him being ambushed by Bischoff and beaten down. Then, in an act that surprised everyone, including some of the other members of the nWo, Hogan called the rest of the nWo down to the ring and ordered them to hold Savage down while he [Hogan] spraypainted the 'Macho Man' with the nWo's colors.

In other nWo-related action, the Outsiders picked up a victory over the WCW Tag Team Champions, The Steiner Brothers, in a non-title match after Scott's new agressive attitude caused him to inadvertantly clothesline Rick while the two were attempting to double-team Hall. However, the victory did come with its own consequences, as Nash was almost immediately assaulted by an angry Giant, who was looking to resolve issues with Nash that had gone unresolved since Starrcade when Nash failed to show for his scheduled match that evening (which was against The Giant).

In addition to the drama unfolding within the ranks of the nWo, Nitro saw further developments in the feud that seems to be building between the 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair and Bret 'The Hitman' Hart. Following a backstage altercation with Hart, the British Bulldog, and Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart, Flair took on Neidhart in singles action. However, the match broke down into a 3-on-1 assault on Flair courtesy of Hart, Neidhart, and the Bulldog before it could even officially get underway. The brawl was touched off when Flair, showing further aspects of his old heelish Nature Boy personality, verbally assaulted Neidhart's wife, who was in the front row of the audience.

In other action, obscure Cruiserweight performer Lizmark Jr. scored a huge upset over the WCW Cruiserweight champion, Ultimo Dragon, in a non-title match, Chris Jericho tried and failed to turn around his recent losing streak when he took on Steve McMichael, and Booker T successfully defended his Television title against Flock member Saturn, although he did it in controversial fashion after taking advantage of interference from Chris Benoit. Speaking of Benoit, the 'Canadian Crippler' became the first person to announce his official participation in a match at Souled Out when he challenged Saturn to face him at the upcoming PPV.

Match Results

Steve McMichael d. Chris Jericho

Goldberg d. Glacier

World Television Champion Booker T d. Saturn

Lizmark Jr. d. Cruiserweight Champion Ultimo Dragon (non-title match)

Ric Flair and Jim Neidhart wrestled to a No Contest

Randy Savage, Eric Bischoff, and Hollywood Hogan wrestled to a No Contest

The Outsiders d. World Tag-Team Champions The Steiner Brothers (non-title match)

Edited July 26, 2004 by DigificWriter

[Guest Marcus_BAS7]

NITRO Preview

January 19, 1998

Six days away from the Souled Out pay-per-view, the nWo appears to have kicked the 'Macho Man' Randy Savage out of its ranks. As Nitro left the air, Savage had been beaten and spray-painted by his nWo comrades. The nWo seems to have escaped the controversy of the last few weeks by solidifying their position behind Hollywood Hogan. Now that Hogan has the nWo back to full strength, he can concentrate once again on his ultimate goal: regaining the Heavyweight Championship of the World.

The Steiners suffered a major setback last week when, due to Scott's new attitude, they lost to the Outsiders in a non-title bout. Six days from now, they'll have to face the Outsiders again, and this time for the titles. Can Scott keep his ego in check long enough so that he and Rick can win one for WCW? Speaking of Hall and Nash, Big Sexy's got the 7'4, 480 pound Giant stalking after him, and Scott Hall has had Larry Zbysko to deal with since last fall. With both Hall and Nash booked for the Tag-Team title match on Sunday, Hall has been ordered to finally live up to his end of the bargain that he made at Starrcade and face Larry Zbysko on Nitro.

There is also the issue of the main event for Souled Out, as in we don't yet have one. James J. Dillon will therefore make an appearance on Nitro to clear up the situation with what should be a bombshell. Tune in for a WCW Monday Nitro you won't wanna miss!

Confirmed Matches

Lizmark, Jr. & Juventud Guerrera vs Pyschosis & Ultimo Dragon

Chris Jericho & Saturn vs. Diamond Dallas Page & Chris Benoit

Scott Hall vs. Larry Zbysko

Edited July 30, 2004 by Marcus_BAS7

[Guest Marcus_BAS7]

NITRO Results

January 19, 1998

James J. Dillon said we'd be in for a bombshell on Nitro, and he wasn't joking! Dillon opened the show by coming out and announcing a mini-tournament that would decide who would go on to Souled Out to face Sting for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. He explained that Hollywood Hogan would indeed be one of the four competitors, and that a couple of feuds would be decided before the night was over, as Hogan would have to face the 'Macho Man' Randy Savage, and the Giant would get the match he'd been looking for against Kevin Nash. After the Giant got his revenge over Kevin Nash, it was time for Hogan vs. Savage, but the 'Macho Man' had been laid out by "persons unknown" (namely Hollywood Hogan). Hogan went on to face the Giant by default, and managed to get the rematch he so desperately desired against Sting by defeating the Giant in typical nWo fashion. Then, the shocker of all shockers came when Sting, silent for over 18 months, finally spoke up loud and clear when he got right up in Hollywood Hogan's face as Nitro came to a close.

This was a night for many feuds to find a reasonable conclusion. In addition to the mini-tournament, Dillon also confirmed that Scott Hall was still contractually obligated to face Larry Zbysko, and that since it could not be done at Souled Out it would have to take place on Nitro. It was everything that Zbysko had said it would be back when the match was made via his win over Eric Bischoff at Starrcade. Zbysko pounded on Hall unmercifully for fifteen excruciating minutes before forcing Hall to tap out only six days before he and Nash compete for the World Tag Team Titles.

In other pre-Souled Out action, the four men involved in the World Cruiserweight Title match on Sunday competed in a tag-team contest, and it was the team of Lizmark, Jr. and Juventud Guerrera scoring a hard-fought pinfall decision over the team of Ultimo Dragon and Psychosis. Also in tag team action, teams featuring WCW competitors who have singles matches coming up at the pay-per-view squared off when the team of DDP & Chris Benoit defeated Chris Jericho & Saturn. Be sure to catch Souled Out live on Sunday, Jan. 25th, and don't miss the fallout here on WCW Monday Nitro.

Match Results

Lizmark, Jr. and Juventud Guerrera d. Pyschosis and Ultimo Dragon

Mortis d. The Barbarian by disqualification

Goldberg d. Ernest ‘The Cat’ Miller

Diamond Dallas Page & Chris Benoit d. Chris Jericho & Saturn

MINI-TOURNAMENT FIRST MATCH: The Giant d. Kevin Nash

MINI-TOURNAMENT SECOND MATCH: 'Macho Man' Randy Savage vs. Hollywood Hogan (match never took place)

Larry Zbysko d. Scott Hall

MINI-TOURNAMENT FINAL: Hollywood Hogan d. The Giant

Edited July 30, 2004 by Marcus_BAS7

[DigificWriter]

Preview

Courtesy of 1Wrestling.Com

Thursday, January 22

This Sunday, WCW presents the nWo-sponsored Souled Out PPV. Coming off of a hugely successful 1997, WCW is looking to continue its success into the new year with Souled Out. With the PPV just days away, we here at 1Wrestling.Com are here to run down the card and give our thoughts on each match.

WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Hollywood Hogan vs. Sting ©

Sting spent most of the year 1997 feuding with the nWo, who tried to sully his name by making WCW fans believe that he'd joined their ranks. This culminated in an epic match at Starrcade '97 that saw Sting dethrone Hollywood Hogan and become the WCW World Heavyweight Champion. Now, heading into Souled OUt, the two men will once again collide. This match was set up on the January 19th edition Nitro as the result of a one-night tournament put together by J.J. Dillon, but if the past two encounters between these two men are any indication of what we're going to be treated to at Souled Out, this could be one hell of a match, especially if you factor in the issues Hogan's been having recently with the 'Macho Man' Randy Savage, whom he unceremoniously kicked out of the nWo a couple of weeks ago.

'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair vs. Bret 'The Hitman' Hart

After being screwed over by Vince McMahon and Shawn Michaels at Survivor Series '97 in the infamous 'Montreal Screwjob', Bret Hart came to WCW looking for a fresh start. When he expressed a desire to test himself against some of WCW (and the nWo)'s biggest names, but failed to mention Ric Flair as one of those names, the 'Nature Boy' took this to mean that Hart believed he was better than him and challenged 'The Hitman' to face him in the ring.

WCW World Tag Team Championship

The Outsiders vs. The Steiner Brothers ©

Since defeating their arch-nemeses The Outsiders for the WCW World Tag-Team titles, the Steiner Brothers have been like a thorn in the side of the nWo. Hall and Nash have since acquired phony tag-team title belts and have proclaimed themselves the true World Tag-Team Champions. However, the Outsiders’ inability to accept the fact that their title reign ended over five months ago pales in comparison to the Steiner Brothers’ own inner turmoil. Since the beginning of the year, Scott Steiner has been displaying a meaner attitude and a darker side to himself than we have ever witnessed before.

'Macho Man' Randy Savage vs. The Giant

The purpose of this match can be summed up in one word: revenge. On the January 19th edition of Nitro, J.J. Dillon set up a one-night tournament to determine who would face Sting for the WCW World Heavyweight title. After being rendered unable to compete in the tournament courtesy of an attack by Hogan, Savage came to the ring during the finals of the tournament (in which Hogan faced off with The Giant) to get his revenge on the nWo leader. However, his eagerness to get at Hogan ultimately cost The Giant his shot at winning the tournament, a fact that the 7'4" 480-pound big man didn't like in the least. Incensed at Savage because of his interference, The Giant challenged the 'Macho Man' to a match.

WCW United States Championship

'The Lionheart' Chris Jericho vs. Diamond Dallas Page ©

Chris Jericho, one of the best young talents on WCW's roster, is finally back on the winning track after suffering a string of embarrassing losses, and, this Sunday, has an opportunity to pick up his first WCW title since losing the Cruiserweight Championship when he goes one-on-one with Diamond Dallas Page for the WCW United States Championship. This match came about after Page tried to give Jericho a pep talk after one of Jericho's losses. After beating Page in a non-title match to end his losing streak on WCW Saturday Night this past week, Jericho declared that it was time to get some gold around his waist and challenged Page to defend the US title against him, a challenge that the ever-ready-for-a-fight Page accepted without hesitation.

'The Canadian Crippler' Chris Benoit vs. Saturn

Chris Benoit has had an ongoing feud with Raven and his Flock over the past couple of months. Raven continuously has refused to face Benoit and has sent his minions in to challenge the Canadian Crippler instead. One after another, Benoit met each challenge with swift victory after swift victory until Raven called upon his #1 agent, Saturn. Benoit has asked for one stipulation in addition to Raven’s preference of no DQ: If he (Benoit) wins, Raven MUST face him at SuperBrawl.

Mortis and Wrath vs. The Faces of Fear

What began as a simple one-on-one match between Wrath and the Barbarian has escalated into an all-out war during the month of January between two of the top tag-teams in all of WCW. Both are teams that the WCW fans have loved to hate in the past. Since the winner surely will be a top contender for the World Tag Team titles, will the fans be able to force themselves to get behind the lesser of the two evils?

WCW Television Championship

Booker T © vs. Eddie Guerrero

Since winning the WCW Television title at the end of 1997, Booker T has been a fighting champion, accepting any and all challenges to his title, the latest of which is Eddie Guerrero. A former WCW Cruiserweight and United States Champion, Guerrero is looking to regain some of his former glory, and a win over Booker T could be just the thing he needs to get noticed again.

WCW Cruiserweight Championship

Juventud Guerrera vs. Lizmark Jr. vs. Psychosis vs. Ultimo Dragon ©

Cruiserweight wrestling, which has long been a staple of Japanese and Mexican wrestling programming, is slowly beginning to gain prominence here in the United States. And nowhere is Cruiserweight wrestling hotter than in WCW, with the company boasting some of the world's best cruiserweight competitors. This Sunday, 3 of WCW's brightest Cruiserweight stars (Juventud Guerrera, Psychosis, and WCW Cruiserweight Champion Ultimo Dragon) will step into the ring with one of its lesser-known Cruiserweight competitors (Lizmark Jr.) in a 4-way Dance for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship. All four men in this match are capable of coming away with the title, which means that the chances of Dragon retaining the belt are much less than they would be were he defending it in a traditional one-on-one match. Add in the fact that all four men have vastly different styles of wreslting and you have all the ingredients for an incredibly exciting match that has the potential to be a contender for Match of the Year.

Bill Goldberg vs. Ernest 'The Cat' Miller and Glacier

Since debuting in WCW in September of 1997, the man they call Bill Goldberg has been on a roll, tearing through WCW superstars left and right. However, the former Atlanta Falcons football player faces the biggest challenge of his fledgling career at Souled Out when he takes on the experienced tag team duo of Ernest 'The Cat' Miller and Glacier. In all of his matches thus far in WCW, Goldberg has never faced more than one opponent at a time, which creates an interesting situation for him.

Edited August 6, 2004 by DigificWriter

[DigificWriter]

Sorry it took so long to get these results up, but real life (and some computer problems) got in the way.

***

SOULED OUT Results

January 25, 1998

The second-ever nWo-sponsored Souled Out PPV turned out to be a night that WCW fans might never forget. The night saw scores settled, a new superstar debut in dramatic fashion, and, in the case of one WCW superstar, what could possibly be a career-changing moment. The night also saw four of WCW's five titles change hands, with only Sting managing to retain his championship, despite the efforts of Hollywood Hogan and the appearance of a man who up until Souled Out was thought to be an employee of ECW: Taz. Hogan and Taz would have succeeded in their quest to bring the belt back to the nWo had it not been for the intervention of the ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage, still out for vengeance against Hogan. Also, in what added further salt to the wounds of the nWo, J.J. Dillon announced that Hogan cannot challenge for the World Heavyweight title again while Sting is champion.

Despite his failure to help Hogan recapture the WCW title, Taz’ arrival was a highpoint for the nWo, but it wouldn't be the only one. The Outsiders defeated The Steiner Brothers to make their claim that they were the 'real' WCW World Tag Team Champions a reality, though they did it in dubious fashion. Late in the match, Scott and Rick started arguing with each other, and the Outsiders took advantage. With the ref trying to restore order, Scott Hall hit Scott in the back of the head with an illegal object and then made the pinfall to give himself and Kevin Nash the victory and the tag titles.

For weeks, Ric Flair had been pressuring Bret Hart to prove that he really was “the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be,” and at Souled Out he may have proved exactly that with a pinfall victory over the Nature Boy. The Giant was another WCW competitor who sought to settle the score with his opponent at Souled Out, the ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage, whom the Giant blamed for missing out on the World Heavyweight Title main event. The Giant got his revenge, albeit with an unwanted assist from Hollywood Hogan.

Also victorious was Chris Jericho, who became the new United States Heavyweight Champion in an upset win over Diamond Dallas Page. Yet, as surprising as Jericho's win was, it was not the night's most shocking. The old saying goes “the third time is the charm,” and Lizmark, Jr. seems to be the living embodiment of that term, rising out of obscurity when he pinned Ultimo Dragon for the third consecutive time, this time in a four-way dance with the WCW Cruiserweight Championship on the line. Still one more title change occurred when Eddie Guerrero cheated his way to victory over WCW Television Champion Booker T.

Match Results

Bill Goldberg d. Ernest ‘The Cat’ Miller and Glacier (handicap match)

Lizmark, Jr. d. Ultimo Dragon, Juventud Guerrera and Psychosis to win the WCW Cruiserweight Championship (four-way dance)

Eddie Guerrero d. Booker T. to win the WCW Television Championship

Mortis and Wrath d. The Faces of Fear

Chris Benoit d. Saturn (Raven must face Benoit at SuperBrawl)

Chris Jericho d. Diamond Dallas Page to win the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship

The Giant d. ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage

The Outsiders d. The Steiner Brothers to win the WCW World Tag-Team Championship

Bret Hart d. Ric Flair

Sting d. Hollywood Hogan to retain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship (Hogan cannot challenge for the title again as long as Sting is the champion)

Edited August 15, 2004 by DigificWriter

[Guest Marcus_BAS7]

NITRO Preview

January 26, 1998

In the aftermath of Souled Out, no one could have more mixed feelings than Hollywood Hogan. Although the nWo did regain the World Tag Team titles from the Steiner Brothers and the group shocked the wrestling world by adding ECW's Taz to its ranks, Hogan himself was denied victory. This time the loss was a costly one, for as long as Sting remains the WCW Champion, Hogan will not be allowed to challenge for the title he so strongly covets.

Randy Savage's involvement in Hogan's defeat hasn't been overlooked, though. Hollywood has already announced plans to be on NITRO this Monday night, with the intention of calling out the 'Macho Man'. As for the winner of the main event, Sting has issues of his own. Having nearly lost the match as a result of interference from the nWo's newest member, Sting will surely come to Nitro looking to teach Taz that WCW is indeed "where the big boys play."

Sting proved to be the only champion who walked out of Souled Out with his title, and with the exception of the Outsiders, all the new champions have their first title defenses scheduled for Monday night. New U.S. Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho will defend against former champ Diamond Dallas Page in a rematch from Souled Out. Other new champs in action are World TV champ Eddie Guerrero who faces Dean Malenko and World Cruiserweight champ Lizmark, Jr. who begins his miraculous title reign against Psychosis. Tune in for what is sure to be a history-making Nitro!

Confirmed Matches

Chris Benoit vs. Glacier

Psychosis vs. World Cruiserweight Champion Lizmark Jr.

Dean Malenko vs. World Television Champion Eddie Guerrero

Diamond Dallas Page vs. U.S. Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho

Edited August 21, 2004 by Marcus_BAS7

[Guest FillerUgliest04]

I liked the WWE-Style recaps, but for PPV IMO, you should write them long style.

Glcaier d. Beniot

Lizzy d. Psychosisi

Eddie d. Dean

Page d. Jericho

[DigificWriter]

Thanks for the feedback, FillerUgliest04. Under normal circumstances, our PPV results WOULD be longer, but we had some computer problems that forced us to restor to the Nitro-style recap in order to get the results posted without a further delay.

Edited August 19, 2004 by DigificWriter

[Guest Marcus_BAS7]

FillerUgliest04, I think it's pretty cool that you added predictions for our confirmed matches in your post. "Tune in" to find out how accurate your predictions are! Edited August 19, 2004 by Marcus_BAS7

[Guest Marcus_BAS7]

NITRO Results

January 26, 1998

Sting may be the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, but as NITRO went off the air, he was without the title belt. It began as a World Heavyweight Title match between Sting and the Giant, made by James J. Dillon in light of Hogan's cheap victory last week that led to his unsuccessful title challenge at Souled Out. It ended with a bloodbath and three of WCW's top athletes (Sting, Giant & Lex Luger) laid out inside the ring.

First, Hogan and Taz entered the ring and attacked both Sting and the Giant. Taz choked Sting out with the Tazmission, as he had done the previous night, while Hogan laid out the Giant with a steel chair. Lex Luger attempted to come to the aid of his two best friends, but got a chair shot to the back and skull for his troubles and was laid out as well. Next came the theft of the WCW World Title, as Taz ran out of the arena with it. As Hogan continued to beat up on Sting, out came the "Macho Man" Randy Savage to break it up.

Savage had already had quite a night against the nWo, embarrassing the new World Tag-Team Champions in a handicap match by pinning Scott Hall. Also having a good night were the new U.S. and TV champs, as Chris Jericho and Eddie Guerrero both emerged victorious by the skin of their teeth (and by not-so-honest means). Not having a good night was Chris Benoit, who suffered a defeat at the hands of Glacier thanks to his rival Raven, whom the Canadian Crippler will meet at SuperBrawl VIII.

Match Results

Glacier d. Chris Benoit

World Crusierweight Champion Lizmark, Jr. d. Psychosis

Scott Steiner d. Hugh Morrus

Rey Mysterio d. Masahiro Chono

U.S. Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho d. Diamond Dallas Page

World Television Champion Eddie Guerrero d. Dean Malenko

Randy Savage d. The Outsiders

World Heavyweight Champion Sting and The Giant fought to a no-contest

Edited August 21, 2004 by Marcus_BAS7

[DigificWriter]

NITRO PREVIEW

February 2, 1998

Last week, Sting suffered a hellacious beating at the hands of 'Hollywood' Hogan and the nWo's newest member, Taz, who made off with the WCW World Heavyweight Championship belt. As a result of that attack, the Stinger is not scheduled to be in attendance this week. One man who WILL be present this week, however, is J.J. Dillon, and he is scheduled to address, among other things, the nWo's theft of the World title belt and Taz' contractual status.

Also last week, the new United States Champion Chris Jericho made some controversial comments when he claimed to be the first-ever WCW Cruiserweight wrestler to win the United States championship desipte the fact that two other WCW Cruiserweights, Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko, have held the belt in the past.

Speaking of Malenko, he will be in action against 'The Dog-Faced Gremlin' Rick Steiner. Last week, the Steiners received a rematch for the WCW World Tag Team titles at SuperBrawl, but will not be competing as a tag team until that match. Scott beat Hugh Morrus easily last week, and now Rick looks to do the same against Malenko this week.

Also on Nitro, the new WCW Cruiserweight Champion Lizmark Jr. will be in action against the nWo Japan's Masahiro Chono, former Television Champion Booker T will team with his brother Stevie Ray to take on The Faces of Fear, and Eddie Guerrero will defend the WCW Television Championship against Chris Benoit.

Confirmed Matches

WCW Cruiserweight Champion Lizmark Jr. vs. Masahiro Chono (non-title match)

Dean Malenko vs. 'The Dog-Faced Gremlin' Rick Steiner

Harlem Heat vs. The Faces of Fear

Eddie Guerrero vs. Chris Benoit (WCW Television Championship Match)

Edited August 21, 2004 by DigificWriter

[DigificWriter]

NITRO RESULTS

February 2, 1998

The nWo came into Nitro riding high after 'Hollywood' Hogan and Taz beat Sting within an inch of his life and walked away with the WCW World Heavyweight title belt last week. However, by the end of the night, the group's demeanor had changed from triumphant arrogance to shock, fear, and confusion, as Sting, who was not scheduled to be in attendance, made his presence felt anyway. During a match between the 'Macho Man' Randy Savage and Taz, which had been set up by 'Hollywood' Hogan after Savage attacked him from behind with a steel chair and returned the WCW World Heavyweight title to J.J. Dillon and WCW, the nWo got involved and began beating on Savage. The attack, which evoked memories of Taz and Hogan's assault on Sting the week before, was cut off when the lights went off and Sting, who was not scheduled to be in the arena, showed up in the rafters. What made Sting's appearance shocking, aside from the fact that he was not scheduled to be in attendance, was that he appeared to have abandoned the white facepaint that has become a defining trademark of his appearance since late 1996. The Stinger grabbed a microphone and challenged Hogan and two other nWo members to face himself and Savage in the main event of next week's Nitro, and also made it known that he intends to defend the WCW World Heavyweight title against Taz at SuperBrawl.

Elsewhere on Nitro, it appears as if 'Lionheart' Chris Jericho may have touched a nerve with his comments about being the first-ever WCW Cruiserweight competitor to hold the United States championship. Just moments before facing off with Rick Steiner, Dean Malenko, the 'Man of 1000 Holds', disputed Jericho's claims by reminding the 'Lionheart' and the rest of the world of HIS reign as the US champion, which began on March 16th, 1997 with his defeat of Eddie Guerrero and ended on June 9th, 1997 when he lost the title to Jeff Jarrett.

Also, Lizmark Jr. continued his impressive winning streak when he defeated the nWo Japan's Masahiro Chono, although he paid for his victory when Chono and The Great Muta attacked him after the match was over, and Booker T, who returned to the ranks of tag team competition when he and his brother Stevie Ray defeated the Faces of Fear, made it very clear that he still has issues with Eddie Guerrero when he nearly cost Guerrero the TV title by interfering in Guerrero's scheduled title defense against Chris Benoit.

Match Results

WCW Cruiserweight Champion Lizmark Jr. d. Masahiro Chono (non-title match)

Rick Steiner d. Dean Malenko

Eddie Guerrero d. Chris Benoit (WCW Television Championship match)

Harlem Heat d. The Faces of Fear

Raven d. Ernest 'The Cat' Miller

Scott Steiner d. Diamond Dallas Page

'Macho Man' Randy Savage and Taz wrestled to a No-Contest when the nWo attacked Savage

[Guest Marcus_BAS7]

NITRO Preview

February 9, 1998

Two weeks away from SuperBrawl VIII, Hollywood Hogan and the nWo received a shocking visit from Sting up in the rafters, one that still has them shaking in their boots. Not only must they now deal with both Sting and Savage in tonight's main-event, but Taz has now found himself to be a marked man in the eyes of the Stinger.

Returning to in-ring action for their first matches since they squared off at Souled Out will be Bret Hart and Ric Flair. Hart will be making his in-ring debut on Nitro against Fit Finlay. Meanwhile, the Nature Boy will try to shrug off the loss to the Hitman at Souled Out when he faces Flock member Kidman.

One tag team that came very close to stealing the show at Souled out was the team of Mortis & Wrath. Becoming fan favorites seemingly overnight, the dark duo exhibited high energy and raw power in their win over the Faces of Fear at the PPV. Live on Nitro one half of that team, Wrath, will do battle against the equally powerful Scott Norton.

Did Sting make a mistake in putting himself and Savage on the wrong end of a 3-on-2 situation against the nWo? Will Hogan & Co. underestimate Sting and the "Macho Man"? Tune in live on Nitro to find out!

Confirmed Matches

Wrath vs. Scott Norton

Ric Flair vs. Kidman

Fit Finlay vs. Bret Hart

Sting & "Mach Man" Randy Savage vs. Hollywood Hogan, Taz & Kevin Nash

[Guest Marcus_BAS7]

NITRO Results

February 9, 1998

As NITRO does every now and then, the February 9th edition ran for an additional hour, bringing the fans three solid hours of non-stop action and excitement. To say that this NITRO was anything bout ordinary would be putting it mildly. The nature of the main event (a 3-on-2 handicap match, featuring the duo of Sting and the 'Macho Man' Randy Savage and their shared struggle against the nWo, being represented in this match by Hollywood Hogan, Kevin Nash, and the man who will challenge Sting for the WCW World Heavyweight Title at Super Brawl VIII: Taz) should have been an indication of how the night would progress.

Things seemed to be working well for Sting and Savage in the early stages of the match. The old “enemy of my enemy is my friend” cliché was never such a proper fitting term as it was for this duo. However, despite the heroic effort on the part of Sting and the 'Macho Man,' the nWo’s strength-in-numbers tactics soon took hold. 3-on-2 began to look more like 6-on-2, and it got worse when Scott Hall, who had been at ringside, jumped into the ring to join the action. It was at this moment that out of nowhere came Lex Luger and the Giant, taking the numbers advantage away from the nWo. Luger and the Giant had come prepared, wielding steel chairs of their own. The Giant went straight for Nash, who was on the verge of putting the Jacknife Powerbomb on Savage. One chair shot and a chokeslam later and Nash was laying flat on his back. Hall soon followed, also on the receiving end of a chair shot from the Giant. Taz was next, experiencing the Torture Rack for the first time in his career. Hogan's attention was focused away from the carnage and directed towards the entrance ramp, as he was attempting to call for the troops. Hogan's distractions cost him a Scorpion Death Drop from Sting and then a pinfall by Savage.  The no-DQ nature of the match would have allowed for Hogan's troops to interfere on his behalf... but no one from the nWo came.

Backstage cameras showed that the nWo locker room had been barricaded with the very heavy WCW equipment crates. It wasn’t long before Hogan found himself surrounded by Luger and the Giant, who took turns subjecting Hogan to a post-match beating which rivaled that of the one Sting received a few weeks ago. As if that weren’t shocking enough, Luger presented a can of red spray paint to Sting, who had previously appeared to be shocked by the ferocious nature of his friends' actions. Sting went on to spray the nWo insignia both on the backs of the fallen nWo members AND onto the end of his bat.

Before this story came to a head on NITRO, there were other spectacular matches that took place. Bret Hart made a successful in-ring debut in WCW with a swift defeat of Fit Finlay, executing the Sharpshooter to perfection in a submission victory. Also returning to the ring on NITRO was Ric Flair, outwrestling the talented but far less experienced Kidman. Despite losing, Kidman showed promise, and looks to be a strong contender for the Cruiserweight Title sometime in the near future. Another former member of the Four Horsemen in action was Chris Benoit, once again experiencing problems with Raven as he did two weeks ago. This time, Benoit was in action against La Parka, who captured the upset win over Benoit after Raven hit the Even Flow DDT behind referee Charles Robinson's back.

Sting and Randy Savage were not the only tag-team to have issues with the nWo on this night. When Wrath's match with Scott Norton ended in disqualification after interference from Buff Bagwell, both Wrath and Mortis were brutalized by Bagwell, Norton, Vincent, Konnan and Curt Hennig. This beating came after Wrath and Mortis had declared their intentions of challenging whomever the Tag-Team Champions will be after SuperBrawl.

Match Results

La Parka d. Chris Benoit

World Cruiserweight Champion Lizmark, Jr. wrestled Chavo Guerrero, Jr. to a no-contest (interference from Great Muta and Masahiro Chono)

Diamond Dallas Page d. British Bulldog

Wrath d. Scott Norton by disqualification

Bill Goldberg d. Saturn

Scott Steiner d. Alex Wright

Ric Flair d. Kidman

Bret Hart d. Fit Finlay

Sting & Randy Savage d. Hollywood Hogan, Kevin Nash & Taz

Edited August 26, 2004 by Marcus_BAS7

[DigificWriter]

NITRO PREVIEW

February 16, 1998

Hot off the heels of one of the most explosive and shocking shows in recent memory, Nitro comes to  you with only six days to go before SuperBrawl. With only half of the card for the event finalized, expect this week's edition of Nitro to go a long way towards fixing that problem.

Also this week, the four men who were at the heart of the shocking events that ended last week's Nitro (Randy Savage, Sting, Lex Luger, and The Giant) are scheduled to be in the house, and rumor has it that they will be addressing what transpired.

We will also see three title defenses this week, as United States Champion Chris Jericho defends his title against Raven, Television Champion Eddie Guerrero defends against Diamond Dallas Page, and the WCW World Tag Team Champions, the Outsiders, prepare for their SuperBrawl match with the Steiner Brothers by defending the gold against Ernest 'The Cat' Miller and Glacier.

Speaking of the Steiners, they will both be in singles action, with Scott facing off with Chris Benoit and Rick taking on the nWo's Curt Hennig.

We'll also hear from 'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair, who is scheduled to address comments made by Hennig last week concerning events that occurred in late 1997 and that had previously been believed settled.

Confirmed Matches

Rick Steiner vs. Curt Hennig

Scott Steiner vs. Chris Benoit

The Outsiders vs. Ernest 'The Cat' Miller and Glacier (WCW World Tag Team Championship Match)

Eddie Guerrero vs. Diamond Dallas Page (WCW Television Championship Match)

Chris Jericho vs. Raven (WCW United States Championship Match)

[DigificWriter]

NITRO RESULTS

February 16, 1998

If fans were looking for a NITRO that would outdo last week’s, they weren’t disappointed. The show began with a bang, as the new foursome of Sting (now sporting red face paint), Randy Savage, Lex Luger and the Giant, dressed in black T-shirts emblazoned with a red version of the nWo logo, made their way to the ring to make it clear where they stand with WCW and the nWo. Sting took the mic and offered an explanation for their assault on the nWo the previous week, declaring that it was high time the nWo got a dose of its own medicine. Savage then took the mic and gave his alliance with Sting, Luger, and Giant an official name, calling it a 'new New World Order'. He then handed things back to Sting, who said that, while he, Savage, Luger, and The Giant hate the nWo just as much as anyone, “the cowardice of the WCW makes us ust as mad.” As the fans became unsettled, Sting went on to explain that the group’s issues with WCW extend through the locker room on up to the Executive Committee. He singled out James J. Dillon as being the antithesis of Eric Bischoff. “Where Bischoff ruled with tyranny, J.J. Dillon rules with apathy…” Sting challenged Dillon to “Do unto the nWo as they have done unto WCW.” What was supposed to follow was a World Tag-Team title match between the Outsiders and the team of Ernest Miller & Glacier.  In place of Hall and Nash, two midgets dressed in similar ring attire came to the ring. Storming back to the ring, Sting once again singled out Dillon, who this time answered the call. Sting insisted that allowoing the nWo to send midget look-alikes to the ring “is an example of the apathy we were just talking about.” Dillon, faced with the realization that maybe he really hasn’t taken his job as seriously as he should have been during such stressful times, shocked everyone in the arena by announcing that, later on in the evening,  a WarGames would be fought on a stage other than the Fall Brawl September PPV, with the participants being Sting, his comrades, and the nWo foursome of 'Hollywood' Hogan, Taz, and The Outsiders,  whose involvement in the match, he said, was punishment for their failure to perform their obligations as WCW employees by weaseling their way out of their originally scheduled Tag Team title defense. That match served as an unofficial preview of sorts for SuperBrawl, as Sting forced Taz, his SuperBrawl opponent, to tap out to the Scorpion Death Lock.

In addition to its WarGames main event, Nitro was the place where several more matches for SuperBrawl were announced. While at ringside to provide guest commentary during a match between WCW United States Champion Chris Jericho and the bizzare Raven, Dean Malenko officially challenged the 'Lionheart' to a match for the US championship at the PPV. He also ensured that Jericho would keep the title going into that match when he called his friend Chris Benoit down to to the ring to attack Raven on Jericho's behalf.

In other action on Nitro, the team of Rey Mysterio Jr. and the WCW Cruiserweight Champion, Lizmark Jr., picked up a huge victory over the nWo Japan when Lizmark pinned The Great Muta, a victory that resulted in the two Japanese superstars challenging their opponents to face them in singles competition at  SuperBrawl, the Steiner Brothers emerged victorious in their individual singles matches (Rick defeated Curt Hennig and Scott defeated Chris Benoit), Eddie Guerrero defeated Diamond Dallas Page to retain his Television title, only to be challenged to a title match at SuperBrawl by Booker T, Wrath and Mortis officially challenged the nWo's Buff Bagwell and Scott Norton to a match at SuperBrawl, and Ric Flair defeated Raven's ally Saturn, after which he addressed Curt Hennig's claim that he was a coward and a has-been by challenging the so-called 'Perfect One' to face him next week on Nitro.

Match Results

The Outsiders (midget imposters) d. Ernest 'The Cat' Miller and Glacier (WCW World Tag Team Championship Match)

Lizmark Jr. and Rey Mysterio Jr. d. nWo Japan (Lizmark pinned Muta)

Rick Steiner d. Curt Hennig

Scott Steiner d. Chris Benoit (due to interference from Raven)

Eddie Guerrero d. Diamond Dallas Page (WCW Television Championship Match)

Chris Jericho d. Raven (WCW United States Championship Match)

Ric Flair d. Saturn

Sting, 'Macho Man' Randy Savage, Lex Luger, and The Giant d. 'Hollywood' Hogan, Taz, and The Outsiders in WarGames (Sting made Taz submit)

Edited August 28, 2004 by DigificWriter

[kaplanir]

War Games on Nitro? Didn't like that, but it's about time someone said that to JJ Dillon, he annoyed me a bit back then.

[Guest Marcus_BAS7]

We considered the fact that, up until now, War Games had been exclusive to Fall Brawl, but it seemed like the right type of match to fit the 4-on-4 situation created by the previous NITRO, as well as the level of the brutality that was involved in that incident.

I was also pleased by what we came up with for Sting to say to Dillon. He always came off as something of a wuss, and I thought that the current relations between WCW and the nWo with the added element of this new splinter group should serve to motivate Dillon.