WCW in 1998

[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.

[DigificWriter]

Thanks for the feedback, kaplanir. To add to my co-poster's thoughts, the main reason I came up with the idea of doing WarGames on Nitro is because it's something that I feel can be used in a way similar to the WWE's TLC match: a gimmick that, when the situation warrants it, can be utilized on free television. Like Marcus already said, I felt that WarGames was the best way to follow up the previous week's Nitro and also felt that it worked in the context of J.J. Dillon deciding to take a stand. It was, I believe, one of WCW's most brutal matches at this point in time, and would have, in my mind, been perfect punishment for the Outsiders (who weaseled their way out of their tag team title defense because of how bad they got beaten by The Giant the previous week).

[Guest Marcus_BAS7]

Preview

Courtesy of 1Wrestling.com

This Sunday, live on pay-per-view, WCW and the nWo bring you SuperBrawl VIII. Once again, 1Wrestling.com is here to run down the night's card and to submit our thoughts on the matches being presented.

'Macho Man' Randy Savage vs. Hollywood Hogan

In light of his loss to Sting at Starrcade in December, Hogan had lost all respect from one of his nWo cohorts, namely Randy Savage. Hogan's solution was simple: solve the problem by ousting Savage from the nWo completely. Rather than seeing his problem disappear, Hogan's decision caused him more grief that he could have dared imagine. Savage became enraged, attacking Hogan at the most inopportune moments, including during Hogan's return bout with Sting at Souled Out. Before Hogan could fully grasp the idea of no further title shots while Sting is the champion, his two enemies had formed an alliance, and soon added Sting's friends Lex Luger and the Giant to the mix. With nothing but bragging rights to fight for this time around, Hogan will have to devise an ingenious game plan in order to combat his list of enemies that continues to grow each week.

WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Taz vs. Sting ©

The introduction of a new nWo member is always shocking, but the nWo debut of Taz has to go down as one of the most shocking since the organization's inception. Prior to his debut at Souled Out during the Hogan-Sting World Title match, Taz was thought to be a full-fledged member of Extreme Championship Wrestling. Although Taz's interference did not prevent Sting from retaining the title, it did serve to make Taz #1 on the Stinger's hit list. In the War Games match on NITRO last Monday night, Sting scored a victory for his team by forcing Taz into submission. If Sting can do it again this Sunday, he will crush Taz's bid to return the WCW title back to Hollywood Hogan and the nWo.

WCW World Tag-Team Championship

Steiner Brothers vs. The Outsiders ©

Ever since the beginning of the year, fans have seen a meaner, somewhat cockier attitude coming from Scott Steiner. That attitude was the root cause of their defeat at the hands of Scott Hall and Kevin Nash at Souled Out, and is the reason why, since that time, each brother has worked in singles matches only. Shrugging off their ring rust in the tag-team division and rebuilding trust will be two key factors in the Steiners' bid to take back the World Tag-Team titles from the very men whom they lost the belts to one month ago.

Rey Mysterio, Jr. vs. The Great Muta

In one of two matches at SuperBrawl pitting a WCW Luchador against a member of nWo Japan, this match came about after Mysterio came to the aid of WCW Cruiserweight Champion Lizmark, Jr., who was being taunted by both Masahiro Chono and the Great Muta.  Last Monday, when the two Luchadors faced the nWo Japan members in a tag-team contest, Muta was the victim of a stunning upset loss to Lizmark. Still reeling from that defeat, Muta has vowed to redeem himself in the eyes of the nWo at SuperBrawl.

WCW United States Heavyweight Championship

Dean Malenko vs. Chris Jericho ©

If anyone in WCW could be singled out as possessing a cocky attitude rivaling that of Scott Steiner's, it would be U.S. Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho. Since defeating Diamond Dallas Page for the belt at Souled Out, Jericho has carried his title with a swagger that almost no one could hope to match. One man who has made it clear he doesn't appreciate Jericho's self-declaration as the first-ever cruiserweight to hold the U.S. title is Dean Malenko (a former U.S. champ himself). Jericho has done much to try and discourage Malenko from challenging for the U.S. title, but referring to himself as "the man of 1004 holds" has only angered Malenko further. On Sunday, the Iceman will either suffer a meltdown, or he will capture the WCW United States Heavyweight title for the second time.

WCW World Television Championship

Booker T. vs. Eddie Guerrero ©

Even though Eddie Guerrero won his match with Booker T. at Souled Out, in the back of his mind he had to believe that Booker would opt for a rematch, as is the former champion's right. Guerrero won the title with skill, but also with a little bit of luck and a fair amount of cheating. Booker T. had brought Stevie Ray and Jacqueline with him to the ring to serve as a distraction for Guerrero, but it was his own lapse of concentration that prevented him from retaining the TV title. If Booker T. is to retrieve his championship, two things must be avoided: 1) distratctions outside the ring and 2) giving Eddie the chance to use the ring ropes for leverage in a pinfall.

Buff Bagwell and Scott Norton vs. Wrath and Mortis

With just one match, the team of Wrath and Mortis became fan favorites overnight. After defeating the Faces of Fear in one of the more memorable matches from Souled Out, James Vandenberg's deadly duo next set their sights on becoming the World Tag Team champions. Their plans have been derailed for the time being by the Outsiders' allies in the nWo, with Bagwell and Norton leading the troops in a beatdown of Wrath and Mortis. Getting over this hurdle will be tricky. The nWo has shown in the past that they will do anything to protect their championships from those they perceive as very real threats. If Wrath and Mortis can successfully steamroll past Bagwell and Norton, the World Tag-Team title match they seek could become a reality.

Chris Benoit vs. Raven

For months now, Chris Benoit has been seeking a match with Raven. Every time the subject would come up, however, Raven would send a member of the Flock in to do his dirty work for him. Finally, at Souled Out, Benoit was able to have a stipulation added to his match with Saturn that said if Benoit won, Raven would be obligated to wrestle him at SuperBrawl. Flash forward to one month later, and the Rabid Wolverine has the match he's been waiting for. However, it hasn't come without a price. On three separate occasions on NITRO, Raven made sure that Benoit lost matches he normally should have won. Last Monday, Benoit got a measure of revenge, ruining Raven's bid for the U.S. Championship. This Sunday, the two finally have a chance to settle their scores once and for all.

Lizmark, Jr. vs. Masahiro Chono

Lizmark, Jr. has been riding high ever since he won the WCW Cruiserweight Championship at Souled Out. Now he faces what may be the biggest challenge of his career in Masahiro Chono, a member of nWo Japan and one seriously mean individual. Lizmark has already stunned the world by pinning both Chono and his partner the Great Muta, but it is rare for lightning to strike twice for anyone against the nWo. Fortunately for Lizmark, this match will not be for his World Crusierweight Championship, but after the match the rest of the cruiserweight division may have Chono to thank for whatever may be left of Lizmark after the match is over.

[Guest Marcus_BAS7]

Results

The PPV opened with a double video package detailing the events behind the night’s two main events. When the video packages ended, the pyro went off and the usual announce team of Larry Zybysko, Bobby Heenan, and Tony Shiavonne bid the fans welcome. Lizmark Jr.’s music hit and the reigning Cruiserweight champ made his way down to the ring to a sizable amount of cheers, which turned into boos when the nWo’s music hit and Masahiro Chono made his way out.

Lizmark, Jr. vs. Masahiro Chono

This match didn’t last very long, which is either fortunate or unfortunate for Lizmark, Jr., depending on your point of view. Masahiro Chono took charge of this match from the moment the opening bell rang. Lizmark got off a few high-risk moves here and there, but Chono stayed in control. He kept Lizmark off his feet for much of the match’s last few minutes, leveling Lizmark with thunderous punches and kicks. Chono had apparently learned from his mistakes in their previous 1-on-1 contest on NITRO, catching Lizmark in the midst of an attempted Hurricanrana, countering it with an STF. Lizmark had no choice but to tap after that, although the courageous Luchador held on for what seemed like several minutes before finally tapping out.  Masahiro Chono defeated Lizmark Jr. via submission

The announcers talked about the match, with Zybysko and Shiavonne putting Lizmark over for his courage and heart and Heenan putting over Chono because of his viciousness, but were cut off by the music of Chris Benoit. They showed a video package detailing Benoit’s feud with the Flock, including his match with Saturn at Souled Out, as the group’s leader, Raven, made his way to the ring by himself.

Chris Benoit vs. Raven

Raven never truly wanted this match to happen, but he played by the rules (for once) and showed up for his contest with Chris Benoit. The Crippler went to work on Raven early, backing him into a corner at one point with furious backhand chops to the chest. Benoit tried to end the match quickly with the Crippler Crossface, but Raven got to the rope easily to break the hold. Raven also attempted to put an early halt to the proceedings by undoing the top turnbuckle pad in the upper left corner of the ring, but that plan backfired when his own head hit the exposed turnbuckle. Benoit went for the pin, but somehow Raven was able to kick out. Benoit next hit Raven with several consecutive German Suplexes, but may have done more damage to himself than to Raven, who actually made it to his feet first. Raven went for the Even Flow DDT, and Benoit was leveled. The fans erupted when Benoit kicked out after a two-count. Raven sat up in frustration, not sure what to do to put Benoit away. Benoit countered a second attempt at an Even Flow DDT, applying the Crippler Crossface for the second time. Raven again reached the ropes, this time with his foot. Benoit picked Raven up and hit him with a DDT of his own, and signaled that Raven was ready to be put away. Going up top, Benoit connected with the Diving Headbutt. Again, Raven kicked out, and it started to become clear at this time that Raven actually seemed to be enjoying the pain that Benoit was dishing out. This was confirmed once Benoit got the Crippler Crossface on Raven for the third time, as Raven chose not to tap out. Instead Raven simply smiled, and then passed out. Chris Benoit defeated Raven via KO

Heenan,  Zybysko, and Shiavonne tossed things backstage to Gene Okerlund, who was standing by with James Vandenberg and his clients, Wrath and Mortis. Okerlund asked Vandenberg about his client’s issues with the nWo, and what he thought their chances were of winning that evening. Vandenberg smiled enigmatically and asked Okerlund where he got the gall to ask such a question. Okerlund apologized, but Vandenberg laughed and said that he was only giving Okerlund a hard time. He and his clients then headed towards the ringside area. Back in the ringside area, Zybysko, Heenan, and Shiavonne showed footage of Mortis and Wrath's victory over The Faces of Fear at Souled Out as the duo and Vandenberg made their way out and posed in the ring while they awaited the arrival of Bagwell and Norton. The nWo's music hit, but instead of Bagwell and Norton, Curt Hennig came out. Zybysko and Shiavonne questioned what he was doing, and Heenan responded by saying that he could do whatever he wanted since he was nWo. Hennig got on the mic and told Vandenberg, Mortis, and Wrath that they had to wait while he attended to some ‘business’, and began to run down Ric Flair, again claiming that the ‘Nature Boy’ was afraid of him. He also took the opportunity to again berate Bret Hart, claiming that the ‘Hitman’ only came to WCW because he couldn’t face the WWF fans after shamelessly losing the WWF title. Hennig then dropped the mic and walked down towards the ring, followed by Bagwell and Norton, who came down sans music. The so-called ‘Vicious and Delicous’ duo (Bagwell and Norton) slid under the ropes and immediately went after Mortis and Wrath.

Wrath and Mortis w/James Vandenberg vs. Buff Bagwell and Scott Norton w/Curt Hennig

Mortis and Bagwell started the match off. Mortis dazzled with some really exciting innovations, including a modified Russian Leg Sweep and a Fireman’s carry which was turned into a version of the Diamond Cutter. An already physically spent Bagwell managed to tag in Norton, who quickly used his size to his advantage in overpowering Mortis. Distracting the referee, Bagwell and Norton were able to double-team Mortis and keep him from tagging in his partner. Unfortunately for Mortis, when he did finally tag out to Wrath, the referee was unable to see it and forced Wrath back to the ropes. Norton thought he had the match won when he hit Mortis with a devastating shoulder breaker, and became furious when the referee informed him that Mortis had kicked out just before a 3-count could be delivered. This distraction almost cost Norton the match, as Mortis caught him in a roll-up pin for a two count. Curt Hennig, who was still at ringside, was the only reason Mortis didn’t get the three. Hennig caused another distraction for the referee by jumping up on the apron, allowing Bagwell and Norton to double-team Mortis again. Wrath put a stop to it, however, with a devastating clothesline that nearly took Hennig’s head off and sent him crashing to the floor below. Out of nowhere, Mortis hit Norton with a DDT, which gave him enough time to tag in Wrath. Bagwell had made the mistake of trying to enter the ring to stop the tag, and he and Norton both got clotheslines for their troubles. Wrath took down Norton again and tried to make a cover for the pin, but once again, Hennig got in the way. Fed up, Wrath brought Hennig into the ring and put the Meltdown on him, knocking Hennig out of the match. Norton was able to sneak in a low blow and tagged in Bagwell. After successfully taking the big man off his feet, Bagwell looked poised to set up Wrath for the Buff Blockbuster. However, Wrath countered with a Meltdown on Bagwell, and collected the 1-2-3. Wrath and Mortis can now set their sights on the World Tag-Team titles.

Wrath and Mortis defeated Buff Bagwell and Scott Norton via pinfall

The announcers showed a recap of the Booker T/Eddie Guerrero TV title match from Souled Out, with Zybysko and Shiavonne putting emphasis on the controversiality of Guerrero’s victory. Harlem Heat’s music hit and Booker T made his way out flanked by Miss Jacqueline and Stevie Ray (like he had at Souled Out). Jacqueline took her customary place outside the ring, but Stevie Ray joined Zybysko, Heenan, and Shiavonne at the announce table. As Eddie made his way out to a chorus of boos, Zybysko talked to Stevie about his and Booker’s return to the tag team ranks, but Heenan tried to stir the pot so to speak by insinuating that he and Booker were only back together because he (Stevie) was trying to ride his brother’s coattails. Stevie took exception to this and started arguing with Heenan, but Shiavonne cut things off by steering their attention back to the ring and the match at hand.

WCW World Television Championship

Eddie Guerrero © vs. Booker T.

The two men started off with a test of strength that Eddie escaped from when he grabbed Booker’s hair and used it to throw him to the mat. After Booker T. recovered, he knocked Eddie off his feet with a punishing kick to the chin. With Booker T. coming in for the knockout shot, Eddie dropped to his knees in an attempt to beg Booker T. off. Standing back up but placing one hand behind his back, Eddie extended the other hand as a peace offering, but Booker T. would have none of it. He had come for the World Television title. Eddie tried to sucker punch Booker T., but the former TV champ blocked the punch and countered with one of his own. This made Eddie mad, and he tackled Booker T. to the mat. Stevie Ray then got up on the apron to try and distract Eddie, but instead attracted the attention of the referee. Booker T. also became distracted, allowing for Eddie to roll Booker T. up just as he had done at Souled Out when he won the TV title, but Booker T. was able to kick out after a two-count. Booker took Eddie down again, and then stopped to have a few words with his brother, which again allowed for an attack from behind by Eddie. Eddie, sensing that the end was near, went up to the top rope for the Frog Splash, but Stevie Ray tugged on Eddie’s leg, sending the champ crashing to the mat. The referee’s attention had been focused on Booker T, still lying on the mat after Eddie’s attack, and so he did not witness Stevie Ray’s interference. This was fortunate for Booker T., who waited for Eddie to stagger to his feet before grabbing hold of him and slamming him into the canvas with a new move the announcers later learned was called the Harlem Heatseeker. Booker T. covered Eddie for the three-count and recaptured the WCW World Television title. Booker T. wins via pinfall.

As Booker, Stevie, and Jacqueline celebrated in the ring, Ric Flair’s music hit and the ‘Nature Boy’ made his way out dressed in street clothes. He walked down to the ring, all business, and grabbed a mic.  After congratulating Booker on his victory, Flair turned his attention to Curt Hennig, asking the so-called ‘Perfect One’ if he was stupid. Flair said that he had been wrestling for longer than Hennig had been alive, and that he was still as spry as he’d always been, reminding Hennig that he still had yet to answer his challenge from the previous week’s Nitro, but then said that whether or not Hennig answered the challenge was inconsequential because their match had already been made official by J.J. Dillon and he WCW Executive Committee. Flair was about to leave the ring when Bret Hart’s music hit and the ‘Hitman’ came out. Hart got into the ring and asked Flair for the mic. The ‘Nature Boy’ looked like he was going to refuse Hart’s request, but then graciously handed the mic to Hart and left the ring. As Flair made his way up the ramp, Hart got on the mic and said that Curt Hennig obviously had a death-wish, as he’d made the mistake of pissing him (Hart) off twice in a row, first by calling him a whiner for his inability to forgive Vince McMahon for the ‘Montreal Screwjob’ and then by insinuating that he’d fled to WCW in shame because of the aforementioned ‘Screwjob’. Hart then said that he wanted a piece of Hennig, provided that there was anything left of the so-called ‘Perfect One’ when Flair was finished with him.

Back at ringside, the announcers speculated about what Hogan and Bischoff were discussing as Dean Malenko’s music hit and he made his way down to the ring. The normally composed ‘Iceman’ looked even more intense than usual, and was, surprisingly, wearing one of Jericho’s Monday Night Jericho T-shirts. He got into the ring and did his normal pose as Heenan shilled about how Jericho wasn’t going to be happy about Malenko having stolen one of his shirts. Jericho’s music hit and the US champ made his way out, again wearing his ‘Man of 1004 Holds’ T-shirt. He was also wearing a jacket that had the words ‘First-Ever Cruiserweight United States Champion’ on the back.

WCW United States Heavyweight Championship

Dean Malenko vs. Chris Jericho ©

Malenko started the match by pulling Jericho by the hair and smashing his head into the turnbuckle. Jericho turned him around and delivered a few kicks to the midsection before Malenko deflected him and connected with a few backhand chops that had Jericho reeling. Jericho came back with an Insuguri kick that almost knocked Malenko out. Jericho got the cover for a 2-count. After a series of back-and-forth exchanges, Malenko got Jericho off his feet and attempted the Texas Cloverleaf. Jericho had the presence of mind to stretch out his arms and managed to grab onto the ropes. Malenko wouldn’t break the hold until the referee had almost made the full count of five. Malenko then proceeded to stomp Jericho in the back and in the head while he was struggling to get to his feet. Jericho tripped Malenko, whose head collided with the middle turnbuckle, and then kicked Malenko repeatedly in the back of the leg to soften him up. Jericho then turned Malenko over and connected with the Lionsault, again only resulting in a 2-count. Going to work again on the legs, Jericho looked ready for the Liontamer, but Malenko countered with a small package, resulting in only a 1-count. Jericho recovered, and went back to work on Malenko’s legs. Malenko put a stop to it, got to his feet, and stood ready to clothesline Jericho. However, Jericho positioned the referee in front of him just in time. With the referee KO’d, Jericho went outside the ring and found a steel chair. As the sickening thud of steel against skull echoed throughout the arena, Jericho revived the referee as he put the incapacitated Malenko into the Liontamer. The referee noticed that Malenko was out and called for the bell. Chris Jericho wins via KO.

Shiavonne and Zybysko acted like they were appalled at Jericho’s actions, but Heenan applauded the ‘Lionheart’ for his win. The three men then tossed things backstage to Gene Okerlund, who was standing by with the nWo Black and Red. Okerlund asked Sting and Savage for their thoughts on their forthcoming matches, and Sting all but guaranteed that he was going to walk out of SuperBrawl still champ. Savage then stepped forward and told Hogan that he would be finding out just what a big mistake he made in kicking him (Savage) out of the nWo. He then said that Hogan was fond of saying that when you’re nWo, you’re nWo 4 Life, and said that he was right. He then said that he was ready, willing, and able to kick Hogan’s ass later, and all but dared the nWo Black and White leader to bring his dirty tricks and his underhanded tactics, saying that he would overcome anything Hogan could throw at him because he would have a ‘great equalizer’ on his side in the form of his fellow Black and Red nWo-ites. Okerlund looked like he was about to leave when Lex Luger stopped him. He got on the mic and said that he wished his friends The Steiner Brothers luck in their match with the Outsiders, and said that he’d be ready and willing to come back them up if other members of the nWo got involved.

Back at ringside, Rey Mysterio’s music hit and he made his way out as Zybysko and Shiavonne verbally recapped his issues with The Great Muta and Masahiro Chono. Heenan got involved by saying that Mysterio shouldn’t have stuck his nose in the nWo Japan’s business, and that The Great Muta was going to make an example out of him. The nWo’s music hit and Muta came out looking confident and focused and waving a Japanese flag. He got into the ring, waved the flag about, and then hit Mysterio with it. The ref took the flag away, checked on Mysterio, and signaled for the start of the match after it become clear that the Mexican Luchador was okay.

Rey Mysterio, Jr. vs. The Great Muta

Muta followed his pre-match attack on Mysterio up with furious martial arts kicks to the midsection, leaving Mysterio to double over in pain. Muta connected with a DDT and covered Mysterio for a quick 1-count. Muta gained a distinct advantage when he spewed the green mist into Mysterio’s face while the referee was down. Miraculously, Mysterio was able to kick out after two. His vision temporarily impaired, Mysterio was able to take time-out outside the ring long enough to grab a water bottle from ring announcer David Penser and wash some of the mist out of his eyes. No sooner had he done this than Muta appeared behind him and tossed him face first into the ringpost. Muta then threw Mysterio back inside the ring, and it appeared that the Luchadors were about to go 0 for 2 against nWo Japan. However, Mysterio had a game plan. Muta readied himself to spew more mist in Mysterio’s face, but Mysterio countered with the Hurricanrana, and the referee administered the 3-count. Rey Mysterio, Jr. wins via pinfall.

Backstage, Rick Steiner was questioning whether or not Scott was ready to go, claiming that his brother’s stubborn insistence that they not compete as a tag team until their match was going to cost them their chance at regaining the titles. He also questioned whether or not Scott could keep his aggression under control. Scott ensured his brother that things were going to be fine and then headed towards the ring area, leaving Ted DiBiase and a somewhat doubtful Rick to follow. Back at ringside, the announcers recapped the situation between the Steiners and questioned whether or not they could work together and regain the tag titles. Their ruminations were cut off by the music of the nWo Black and White as the Outsiders made their way out surprisingly alone.

WCW World Tag-Team Championship

Steiner Brothers vs. The Outsiders ©

Scott Steiner and Scott Hall got the start, and Steiner immediately went to work on Hall, locking him into a devastating abdominal stretch. Steiner used a trick out of Hall’s playbook, grabbing his brother’s hand for leverage. The referee finally caught on and demanded that Steiner break the hold, which he at first refused to do, and wouldn’t have had Kevin Nash not entered the ring. Hall appeared ready to do battle again, but backed off and tagged in Nash. Steiner was overpowered this time, taking several knees to the gut from Nash. Rick Steiner got the crowd into the match by pounding on the turnbuckle to encourage his brother to make his way to their corner to make the tag. The crowd cheered when Scott made the tag, and Rick went to work on Nash, pounding him in the side of the head with his fist. Nash’s size and strength soon took over, however, and the Outsiders’ infamous double-teaming efforts took the Dog-Faced Gremlin off his feet. After being held back in the Outsiders’ corner for a few minutes, Rick finally made the tag to his brother, but to the shock and dismay of everyone, Scott immediately turned around and whacked Rick with his enormous bicep. With both DiBiase and the referee confused, Scott Hall set Rick up in the Outsider Edge and pinned him for the 1-2-3 to retain the Tag-Team titles, which Scott Steiner presented to the Outsiders at the end of the match. The Outsiders win via pinfall

However, Scott wasn’t done, as he went outside the ring and grabbed a can of spraypaint, which he used to brand both Rick and DiBiase, who had been dragged into the ring by the Outsiders and powerbombed. As the three men stood triumphant in the ring, the nWo Black and Red’s music hit, causing them to retreat just as an enfuriated-and-shocked-looking Lex Luger charged towards the ring. Lex helped Ted and Rick to their feet, but a still-shocked Rick shoved his friend away and stumbled to the back as the announcers talked about what had just transpired. The rest of the nWo Black and Red then joined Lex in the ring as the announcers switched their focus from what had just transpired and directed it towards what was up next (the WCW World Heavyweight title match pitting Sting against Taz). They recapped the issues between the nWo Black and Red and the nWo Black and White, including Taz’ debut at Souled Out and the Black and Red’s formation a couple weeks later. They were cut off by the music of the Black and White as Taz made his way out flanked by ‘Hollywood’ Hogan and Eric Bischoff. Bischoff and Hogan made a beeline for the announce table as Taz got into the ring and stared down Sting, who was flanked by his friends. After a few seconds of intense staredown between Taz and the Black and Red, Savage, Luger, and The Giant left the ring and took up positions around it, with The Giant and a still-pissed Luger positioning themselves between the ring and the announce table. The ref signaled for the bell to ring and the match began.

WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Taz vs. Sting ©

With the numbers advantage clearly against Taz, it didn’t seem to bother the former ECW star. He hit the World Heavyweight Champion with several suplexes in a row, and even kicked Sting while he was down. But as he does so often, Sting got a second wind, stomping and kicking away at Taz, setting him up for two Stinger Splashes in the corner. Taz looked weary, but he managed to get a low blow in to slow Sting down. With both men down on the mat, the referee started his ten-count. Both men rose after five, and resumed their back and forth fisticuffs. Sting grabbed hold of Taz and applied the Scorpion Death Drop, but it was apparently too early for that maneuver as Taz was able to kick out after the count of two. Based off the fury from the result of the World Tag-Team Title match, Sting unleashed his aggression onto Taz by first going back to the Stinger Splash in the corner and then ramming Taz’s head not into the turnbuckle, but the post itself. This act got Sting a warning from the official, which Sting ignored. Sting again tried the Scorpion Death Drop, but was this time countered by Taz, who applied the Tazmission. Sting was able to break free, and proceeded to apply the Scorpion Death Drop, but was too close to the ropes. Referee Nick Patrick would get caught up in the frenzy that followed, but was quickly replaced by a referee named B.J. Black. Sting vocally expressed the fact that he had no idea who this new referee was (and neither did the announcers, for that matter). As soon as Sting turned around, he was caught in a huge belly-to-belly suplex by Taz. Although Sting appeared to have kicked out at the count of two, the referee counted his shoulders down for three and awarded Taz with the WCW championship. Taz wins via pinfall

Sting got in the new ref’s face, but was hit from behind with the title by the new champ. Hogan and Bischoff then came into the ring and hoisted Taz onto their shoulders, carrying him up the ramp while B.J. Black remained in the ring and the announcers reiterated the fact that they had no idea who he was. A revived Nick Patrick started arguing with Black, but Black sucker-punched him. By this time Hogan had returned to the ring, and he threw Patrick’s body over the top rope. Savage came into the ring and got in Hogan’s face, but the nWo Black and White leader poked him in the eye. B.J. Black, apparently the official ref for the match, signaled for the match to begin.

‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage vs. Hollywood Hogan

Still irate from the outcomes of the previous two matches, Savage wasted no time in “unleashing the Madness” on Hogan, backing him into the corner and pummeling him repeatedly on the top of his head. Savage even considered taking out the referee as once again it was the mysterious B.J. Black. Hogan tried to plead with the ‘Macho Man’, but Savage responded by stomping Hogan’s fingers. Savage wore down Hogan, and had him set up for the Elbow Drop, with which he connected, but the referee refused to make the three-count. Savage played to the crowd, as if to ask for their approval as he prepared to hit Black, but Hogan caught Savage with a Big Boot from behind. Hogan signaled that it was the end, but even after a Leg Drop, Savage still kicked out. Savage got up and returned to his punishment of Hogan in the corner, but this time, the referee stepped in the way. This made Savage even angrier than he already was. However, Hogan was ready for him. Hogan caught Savage with a steel chair twice in the head, and Savage went down. Hogan went for the Leg Drop again, and this time the referee made a fast count which allowed Hogan to win. Hollywood Hogan wins via pinfall.

Hogan motioned towards the back and the entire nWo came down to the ring led by Bischofff and Taz. The group raised Hogan and Taz onto their shoulders as the PPV went off the air with the announcers thanking the fans for tuning in and reminding them to watch Nitro.

[TGC]

Closed and moved to Archives.