by Christopher Robin Zimmerman
WrestleLine/WrestleManiacs
QUICK QUOTES: TWX 79.86 (- .26), AOL 55.25 (- .81), SPLN 13 7/8 (- 1/4,
last year this time 29 5/16)
Thanks to WCW, I got a pair of media credentials to the show - I invited
Joe along. He got free parking, I didn't. Boooo! Parking lot attendants
are always confused by media credentials...
Kronik were signing autographs in the main lobby - for $10, you could have
bought a lovely glossy photo of them and their logo, but the autographs
were free!
The merchandise table was pretty devoid of actual things worth buying.
Booker T FINALLY has a T-shirt, but in my opinion it kinda sucks. You'll
see him come out in it later tonight.
I met up with JP, who emailed me beforehand asking me to find him. He
told me that Hank, the Angry Drunken Dwarf was rumoured to be in the house
- then he went on to assume that that meant he'd be winning the
Cruiserweight championship tonight. I told him he was a sick, sick man -
and then started to worry that just MAYBE he'd be right. I asked him to
drop me an email before I sent in the report and you'll find it below.
The "WCW Mayhem" CD was playing when I came in - they were on Hulk Hogan's
track (oy). I tried to figure out which volume of "WWF: The Music" they'd
have to play at a RAW taping to be as out of date - I settled on "between
Vol. 2 and Vol. 3." Possibly out of respect for the dead, they skipped
over "I Hate Rap."
A guy named Mike somehow recognised me, and we had a pretty nice chat
about WCW in general, and how we were suckers to be there. He also writes
below.
So much time was eaten up that by the time the music stopped playing and
DAVID PENZER came out, it was already ten to five, and by the time HE had
finished up his "don't throw stuff" spiel, you could pretty much count on
us *not* getting a dark match. This essentially meant that anybody who
actually plunked down their $25 or $35 was paying to watch TV, 'cause you
KNOW they didn't do anything *after* the show ended.
We walked over to the section opposite the cameras and saw the third and
fourth row floor seats empty. Flashed the pass and asked, "Hey, can we sit
there until the ticketholders show up?" "Yeah, go ahead." Well, THAT was
easy. I later found out why...as they filled these rows with people moved
down from the upper section. They'd never even sold these seats!
The place was MAYBE a third full - all the people were bunched in camera
range, all around the ring (only about five rows back on the side WITH the
cameras, though) - and, opposite the camera, up to the top of the lower
deck. The lights were NEVER up into the upper section, and with good
reason - there were way too many empty seats for comfort.
Introduction to DJ RAN, who welcomed out THREE OF THE NITRO GRRLS,
Chiquita, Syren, and .... another one. Sorry, I didn't recognise them.
They did a nice TV-14 routine. Ran continued his hunt for the rowdiest
section in the building for most of the night.
Our broadcast team was introduced. SCOTT HUDSON had a pretty funny bit
where he stood up when TONY SCHIAVONE's name was called. Penzer called
MARK MADDEN "the best looking fat man on TV" - he must not watch Spanish
television or he'd know that honour *clearly* goes to Jorge Porcel.
And with that...we began
WCW logo
TV-14-DL - highlight package of last week's main event - close captioned logo
Backstage, Goldberg drove up on his chopper, got off, and started WALKING!
Opening Credits
NO PYRO BECAUSE IT IS EXPENSIVE - LIVE from the Cow Palace in San
Francisco, CA 2.10.2K it's Monday Nitro!
Immediately, KONNAN, RAYMOND STEREO & TYGRYSS are out with a ladder - and
Disqo's duck. After asking where his dogs are at, Konnan says "I'm tired
about hearing about this damn duck," and who can blame him? It's been A
WHOLE TWO WEEKS!! So it looks like our Rey/Juvi matchup has been changed to
RAYMOND STEREO & KONNAN (with Tygryss) v. BOOGIE KNIGHTS in a ladder match
- Oh, you didn't know Alex Wright was back? Joe didn't. "Hey, is that
Alex Wright?" Wright, of course, returned last week on Thunder with a
shaved head, so don't feel too bad if you missed it too. It's safe to say
this isn't one of the most exciting ladder matches we've ever seen. In
fact, they end up beating on *the ladder* so much that referee "Blind"
Billy Silverman and Konnan have to help stand it up while Disco and Rey
climb up and brawl on it. Rey has two pretty good moves in this match - a
somersault over the ropes onto Wright on the floor, and a sweet sunset flip
OVER the ladder, taking Disqo (or is he Disco again?) off the ladder to the
mat. Wright takes Rey's feet out from under him and he drops his face on
the ladder. Wright climbs up - Konnan gets under him and, with him on his
shoulders, dumps him face-first onto Wright. Konnan up - and he's got it,
as Mysterio headscissors Wright out of the ring. (4:30) Post-match,
Wright takes a chair to both of the Animals as Disco retakes the duck -
then waffles Konnan with it. Since, I was hoping for Rey/Juvi, I pretty
much knew we'd just set the tone for the rest of the night...
David Flair brings a hooded figure out of his car - and they're WALKING!
During the Break, DJ Ran played...oh boy! "Party Up!" THE GREATEST SONG EVER!
Here's a look at our hosts. What'll happen to the title tonight?
Backstage, Russo reads a statement. Behind him, Jeremy Borash nods.
Tonight, Russo will relinquish his WCW title, and tonight there'll be a
match between the two top contenders for the title - Jarrett and Steiner.
As for Goldberg, he proved his cowardice by taking advantage of an innocent
victim. He's lucky assault charges weren't filed! "Goldberg, you
can learn something from Vince Russo. You can learn how to be a man." If
he wasn't the bigger man that he is, he would have kicked his ass himself!
This brings out COLD BEER to the ring. "Russo! I'm here, and I'm waitin',
Vince. Y'know, you say that if you were a man, you were a bigger man,
you'd come out here and kick me ass, and that you're beneath me. Fact is,
you are beneath me, Vince, 'cause every morning when I read the paper, I
see you in the damn toilet!" Did you see DJ Ran's setup before they
remembered to dim the lights? Vince tells Goldberg he doesn't sweat him,
and he's ready to go out there and tell him face-to-face what his plans are
for him. I was wondering if he was just on tape this whole time. A long,
long time passes...but the music *does* start up and out is VIC VENOM...in
a "popemobile" - a low-rider truck with a plexiglas-enclosed setup in the
bed (not airtight, unfortunately). The truck was set extra low so Goldberg
can look much taller than it. Goldberg quickly demolishes the four R&B
SECURITY men who came out with it - hmm, haven't seen THEM in a while -
either the "B" now stands for "Borash," or they're trying to tell us
something... Anyway, Russo tells him that his fate is in his hands.
Goldberg says his *life* is in *his* hands. Russo says firing him is the
easy way out. Goldberg says "you think I sweat you" a few times - he must
have picked that up from Russo. Russo says that tonight, his streak begins
again...if he gets one loss before racking up another 176-0 record, he's
out of WCW. If he gets to 177, he'll get another WCW title shot. Russo
tells Goldberg he doesn't consider him a main eventer anymore. Goldberg
says he needs to think about that offer - then kicks in the (plastic - we
noticed ahead of time) driver's seat window and grabs the keys. Jeremy
Borash (who was driving) sprints away. Before Goldberg can do anything
more menacing than wriggling the keys in his face, THEMONSTERMENG runs
RIGHT BY ME - then gets pulled back - then runs RIGHT BY ME a second time,
and punks out Goldberg from behind. Kick in the nads - Tongan Death Grip!
Russo says he's the first opponent.
During the Break, they drive the truck away. Goldberg's theme plays again
as he shakes it off. The Security guys FINALLY stir and help each other
backstage. *And*, CHUCK ZITO comes out and joins the commentators. For
some reason, he's lookin' *a lot* like Disco Inferno.
Moments Ago, Meng returned and did some stuff. Here's another angle.
Backstage, Russo tells Meng to go get 'im. Turning to Mike Sanders, he
tells him that he reminds him "of a young me," and puts him in charge for
the rest of the night as he takes off. Then, after HE leaves, Russo tells
Borash to watch everything he does...and keep him in line.
WCW Magazine ad
Chuck Zito is introduced to the television audience - *not* as Mr. Mariana,
unfortunately.
WCW WORLD HARDCORE TITLE - SGT. A-WALL with Let Us Take You Back to
Thunder) v. RENO - This is the final match of the mini-tourney set up on
Thunder. Zito adds nothing. BIG VITO provides the run-in, whacking Reno
and allowing A-Wall to put him through a table for the pin, (2:30) but
the rest of the THRYLLRZ are out - Mike Sanders reverses the
decision due to outside interference, and Reno is declared the Hardcore
champion. Because outside interference is something you just can't have in
a no-DQ match!
PAMELA PAULSHOCK reveals that the Cat just told her that HE thought Booker
T exited the cage first, so tonight it'll be Booker T and Sting in the big
title match. We didn't actually SEE Cat, mind you. Just...that's what
Pamela said. Apparently, Cat didn't just see the hardcore title match...
During the break, DJ Ran welcomes out the three Nitro Grrls they could
afford to fly out, and plays "Music." After their routine is over, he
plays "California," becuase 2Pac will never die. LEX LUGER is escorted out
to a seat in the lower section opposite the cameras, prompting a quick
chant from the crowd - excited to see ANYBODY at this point.
Promotional consideration (not seen in the arena) paid for by Slim Jim (no
Savage), Tootsie candies, America (ha!) Online, Geico, Geico (again), and
the WCW Nitro trading card game
Backstage, Flair's prisoner tries to escape, but he's handcuffed to a coat
rack. Flair promises that tonight he'll make a confession.
Next week, Nitro takes place from Australia! Feel it!
FRANCHISE (with Torrie Samuda) v. THAT 70'S MULLET - "Cut the music! Hey
San Francisco, you can applaud now, because your ticket just paid for
itself - you see, Torrie Wilson and the Franchise are still the first
couple in sports entertainment today - not Kidman and Madusa, not Paisley
and that Kwee-Wee, but Konnan - yo yo yo dog, let me speak on this!
Odelay! Arrebalaraza! You jackass! You stuck your nose where it doesn't
belong, big man. So at Halloween Havoc, if you want to spin with some
twisted steel and sex appeal, well we're game! To tell you the truth,
Torrie Wilson can't wait to show the world what she's got, hahaha! But you
know something, tonight, we want a warmup on Nitro by going straight to the
top! We want...Mike Awesome." Wilson takes the mic. We couldn't hear her
at all in the building, but on TV she says "First of all...don't hate me
because I'm beautiful. It's not my fault I'm just a better woman than all
of you hoochie pigs in the back. You konw, it's taken a lot of work to
look like this. But enough about me. Franchise, you know I love to see
you in action. Let me have it." Awesome has a new entrance video, whee!
Joe: "When's she taking that jacket off?" It's at this point that the
camera finds Lex Luger in the crowd. Right after they take that shot,
security escorts Luger backstage - you can watch the crowd watch him all
the way back. Just as Awesome is ready to hit an Awesomebomb through a
table, Torrie gets up on the apron - and unzips her jacket to reveal a
flesh coloured bikini top. At least WE got a great view, since her back
was to the camera. Awesome is distracted enough to fall into a Franchiser
and get pinned. (1:36) There's a great shot of me here, but I'm busy
trying to take pictures, so you can't see my face. TYGRYSS comes out
post-match to semi-catfight, Franchise pulls her off, KONNAN comes out, and
there we go. Look, there's Joe! And there's some guy trying to take a
picture - and failing to get a good shot since the guy in front of him
REALLY wants to be on TV!
Backstage, Jarrett and Steiner encourage Sanders to go straighten this main
event situation out with the Cat. Nash walks into the picture and tells
them "Sanders is with me - if he says it's under control, it's under
control!" Jarrett: "Kevin, this coach thing...I dunno." Oh, and Borash is
taking notes in the background.
Seeing this "Bull" ad reminds me that I've failed to note the "Watch Bull
and win $100,000" logo a few times, and I've also missed the "27 Days Until
Halloween Havoc" logo as well. Obviously, I'm half-assing it, as I've
already SEEN this show.
DJ Ran plays "Bawitdaba" (or however you spell it) During the Break
Nash gives Sanders a pep talk. I think it was supposed to be funny.
Sanders goes behind Cat's door - and Borash is dismayed to find out that
it's locked, and he can't get in after him.
Thunder starts a half hour late this week, thanks to NASCAR! (And probably
later than that - those things take FOREVER)
Another look at our hosts. Tonight, Goldberg vs. Meng - once again, for
the first time!
Let Us Take a Special Video Look at Meng - wow, look at all these people
that aren't in WCW anymore. Hey, remember when they were gonna make this
guy David Flair's bodyguard?
Pamela Paulshock stands with Meng. "Pam, downsizing and cutback is part of
business. And now, they bring me here to wrestle Goldberg. I have no
choice, this is my last chance. In order for me to stay with WCW, in order
for me to keep my career here, is to destroy Goldberg. This is my life.
Goldberg....you must die....so I may live."
During the Break, DJ Ran plays a song I should probably have recognised but
didn't, and then plays "The Real Slim Shady." Somewhere in here, as well,
Meng sneaks into the ring. It may have been while we were all watching
Nitrovision for...
Promotional consideration paid for by Tootsie candies (again), Corn Nuts,
America (again!) Online, Motel 6 7/8, and Tootsie candies (again again!)
Next Monday, Nitro from Australia! Hey Russo, remember when RAW was coming
from three continents?
Backstage, Sanders exits the Cat's office. (WHERE IS CAT?) Nash and the
Thrillers meet up with him. Sanders says he just negotiated a match
that'll send ratings through the roof. Before telling us what it is,
Sanders says that Goldberg's match is coming up, and he'll be SOL - "and
here's a dumb catchphrase!"
THEMONSTERMENG (already in the ring) v. COLD BEER (entrance 1:34) - First
pyro of the night goes to Goldberg. Let me do a quick check and figure out
how many times Meng has beaten Goldberg...oh. None. Hey, look! I'm right
there on the left, behind the big fat guy who keeps standing up! Thing is,
Joe actually said "hey, let's move over four more seats and sit in the
centre," but I told him I wanted to be on the aisle. Still, I *did* get to
have Meng brush right by me, so I regret nothing. I WOULD like this guy to
sit down, though. Oh, the match is over? Damn. (Jackhammer -> pin 0:42)
Post-match, KRONI>| appear for no apparent reason and beat up Goldberg,
culminating in High Times.
Backstage, Sanders tells Jarrett and Steiner that he's set up a tag match -
Jarrett and Booker against Sting and Steiner - the winning team will fight
for the title later tonight.
During the Break, Goldberg leaves to his music. Penzer tells us what
Sanders just said, since we didn't really hear it, what with the excitement
of having Kronik and Goldberg in the ring and all. DJ Ran cuts him off
with "You Gotta Fight For Your Right to Party," kinda pissing him off in
the process, as he apparently had something else vitally important to say.
We never figured out what that was. Also, it was around this point that
the "QUICK! TURN IT TO RAW" sign in the front row was confiscated and the
bearers were accused of "making trouble." Oh, but their Jeff Jarrett sign
was okay, though.
Thunder ad
When we come back (catching the end of DJ Ran's plea for us to "make some
noise"), Flair is backstage with his gimp and the TV-14-DL ratings box. He
offers him a glass of water, but changes his mind and dumps a bucket of
water on him. If only this guy would speak up, we'd know who he was!
WCW Magazine ad #2
JEDOUBLEF JADOUBLEREDOUBLET and BOOKA T. v. WHITE THUNDER (with
Midajah) and (THIS IS) STING en parejas increible - winners will battle for
the title - Steiner: "Now I've said it, I've proven it, there's only one
genetic freak here. There's only one physical phenomena. And I am the
supernatual. So Booker T, Jeff Jarrett, tonight, I'm gonna kick BOTH your
asses." Saw the "QUICK TURN IT TO RAW" sign again, so it must have been
pulled just after the start of the match...and in fact, you can see them
pass it over to a waiting member of WCW Security next time we take the long
shot. Jarrett and Sting will start. Jarrett poses, boo! Sting shouts,
yay! Lockup, side headlock by Sting. It's already been a minute!
Powering out, shoulderblock by Sting. Off the ropes, leapfrog, fistdrop by
Sting. Right hand. Gutshot, off the ropes, face jam. Into the corner -
Stinger splash! Going for the Scorpion Deathlock, but Jarrett pokes the
eye. Thunder hype - *in the middle of a match??* Jarrett with a right,
into the ropes, duck, double clothesline. Both men tag. Steiner with a
point - and probably a racist comment. Steiner turns to our section and we
duly razz him. We start up a "Booker T" chant, and (off-camera) T kinda
eggs us on to continue it. Steiner leaves the ring and heads for Joe - I
hold him back. Steiner back in the ring. Stall, stall, stall. Lockup, to
the corner. Referee "Blind" Billy Silverman wants the clean break, but he
doesn't get it as Steiner throws three elbows, three gutshots, chop, chop,
forearm in the back, side headlock, T powers out, shoulderblock by Steiner.
Back and forth, leapfrog, T with a Harlem sidekick! We chant for Booker T
again. Steiner tags Sting. T wants to tag but Jarrett moves away and
tells him to lock it up. And here they go. Sting wants the knuckle lock,
but T slaps his hand away. Collar and elbow tieup now, side headlock by T,
chain wrestling to...a side headlock. Hum. Sting powers out -
shoulderblock by T. Off the ropes, up and over, going for a hiptoss, but T
didn't see it and goes into the ropes instead, gutshot by Sting, right
hand, hiptoss for real. Steiner, mouthing off on the apron, has some more
heated words for Booker T - and then spits on him. T is ready to go for
him, but Silverman (ha) holds him back. T takes a swipe, but Steiner hits
the floor. Back to Sting, slapping away the knucklelock again, collar and
elbow, Sting with a side headlock. To the corner. No clean break as
Booker throws the right - that's a switch. Another right. Into the corner
is reversed, but Booker puts up the back elbow. Big lariat. Right hand.
Into the ropes, reversed, Steiner lowers the bridge and T goes out. Sting
takes umbrage and decks his own partner. Sting outside and throating
Booker on the safety rail. Meanwhile, Jarrett comes into the ring and
starts stomping away on Steiner! Booker's head hits the commentary table.
Steiner on Jarrett. T on the table. Jarrett pressed - and dropped. Shot
for T as he comes back in as well. Scoop...and a backbreaker across the
knee. Steiner isn't legal, yo. Into the ropes, Steinerline. Kiss the
bicep, drop the elbow. 1...no, Steiner isn't covering, he's doing pushups.
Blockbuster suplex. Off the ropes...stomp. Off the ropes, another stomp.
Steiner chops Booker T in the corner. Into the opposite corner, T up...and
on the shoulder. Steiner rams his back into the turnbuckle. T breaks free
before he can do it again, runs Steiner into the opposite turnbuckle, ducks
a clothesline and throws a back elbow. Spinebuster! Tag to Jarrett!
Uppercut, right, right, right, into the opposite corner, but Steiner puts
up the boot. Belly-to-belly suplex. Steiner with a full nelson, but
Jarrett's trick knee acts up. Tag to Sting! Clothesline! Clothesline!
Clothesline takes him outside! Sting follows, gutshot, right, chop, right,
Steiner over with a shot for Sting (huh?) and one for Jarrett. Booker with
a shot for Steiner. Whip into the rail is reversed and Sting hits the
rail. Inside the ring, Booker T hits a flying jalapeno on Steiner. Block,
forearm by Steiner, forearm. Pickup, but T breaks free - gutshot, off the
ropes, axe kick, breakdancing up, Harlem sidekick...hits Silverman AND
Steiner. Meanwhile, Jarrett has the gee-tar and he's back in the ring.
He's ready to clock Sting, but T stops him. Gutshot by Jarrett - swinging
for *T*, but he ducks and Sting eats it instead. Steiner bowls over Booker
T at the point that Silverman manages to shake it off JUST enough to count
- 1, 2, 3. It's Booker T and Jeff Jarrett for the title. (10:43) This
would turn out to be the best match of the night.
NEXT: Kevin Nash and the Natural Born Thrillers are WALKING!
Halloween Havoc ad - it's brought to you by EA's "WCW Backstage Assault,"
ya know
During the Break, DJ Ran played a little Prodigy, brought out the
three Nitro Grrls, played something else I didn't recognise, and then
played "I Love Rock and Roll." Must have been a long break! Also, Lex
Luger was brought back to his camera-ready seat.
Moments Ago, Sting took El Kabong. Commentators want us to believe Steiner
was trying to cover T at the same time. Hmmm.
WCW in Australia for the next two weeks! Then, the UK. Then...things
should get VERY interesting...know what I mean?
WCW CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE: "PRIME TIME" ELIX SKIPPER v. MIKE SANDERS (with
Kevin Nash & Natyryl Born Thryllyrz) - "That's right, baby, this is MY
house! And I built this house! And I'm ticked off about two things. One,
that so-called commissioner booked a match against me - Prime Time! The
hundred and under kilo Canadian champion (huh?) and I hope he's ready to
get his ass kicked tonight! And two, the thing that's pissed me off the
most this week is that (shit that) happened last week, it's been under my
skin, and for all you dumb Americans that don't know what I'm taking about,
hit the B-roll!" Let Us Take You Back to Nitro where Nash shook
Beetlejuice's hand and called him Elix. "Now I know all you dumb Americans
are all about the jokes, but tonight is my turn, so Mike Sanders, on your
way out here, bring that jolly green giant out witchoo, so I can kick both
your asses at the same time!" Nash: "First off, if you think you had a bad
week, I just spent 45 minutes in the back telling Beetlejuice how sorry I
was for calling him YOU." Sanders: "Let me break it down like this. We're
gonna have a match tonight - first stipulation, 'cause I am in charge, and
since they're not at ringside - Team Canada, not at ringside, cannot
interfere in this match. Second all, second of all, you have the powebomb
before you get the pinfall. And third, since you want a handicap match, it
will be me and Kevin against you, and believe me, we're mad as hell, and
we're not gonna take this anymore." Hudson: "A great Peter Finch
impersonation!" Sanders asks him to let him tie his boot, and while
Skipper fixates on Sanders' shoe-tying ability, Nash pops him with the mic.
"Start the match!"
WCW CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE: ELIX SKIPPER v. KEVIN NASH & MIKE SNDERS (with the
rest of the Natyryl Born Thryllyrz) in a handicap powerbomb match - Now,
just answer me this ONE question: WHO exactly are we supposed to root for
in this match? Right. So, the crowd - at least, the section I'm in -
concerns themselves with getting under the skin of the rest of the
Thrillers. Somebody actually wings Johnny "the Bull" with a foam Goldberg
- Johnny tries to get the guy thrown out, but is unsuccessful. We take
another look at Lex Luger - but a guy with a sign quickly gets in front of
him. Skipper works a comeback (I guess), but Nash clubs him from behind
off a whip reversal. Sanders with a clothesline. Nash is in with the mic.
"Nice shot, kid - ya know, week in week out I watch these young guys, they
come out here trying to take a spot from an aged veteran like myself. One
these kids do week in week out is they do all this top-rope stuff. Y'know,
I don't know the last time I was in a bar fight, I don't know the last time
I was in a bar fight, I knocked a guy down and then I jumped on the bar,
and I decided to jump off and do something..." Of course, Skipper has
climbed to the top during this speech - and there's a missile dropkick to
Nash. Unfortunately, he's still a Canadian heel, so the crod goes mild.
Another dropkick for Nash. Skipper works on Nash until Sanders hits him
from behind. Skipper goes to town on *Sanders* until Nash hits him from
behind. One more look at Luger before Security carts him backstage again.
"The only other thing I don't like...is the fact that this guy claims he's
a Canadian - the only thing about him, he decided to go to Canada because
he makes about thirty grand a year, which makes him a millionaire in
Canada!" What the hell kinda segment IS this? Mercifully, there's a
truckstop powerbomb by Nash - and a cover by Sanders. Ladies and
gentlemen, we have a new Cruiserweight champion. (3:10) I think I liked
the old NBT music better than tonight's theme. Maybe the Prodigy sued them
or something. So now the Thrillers have three titles. I expect this will
work as well as it did for, say, *Lance Storm*. Speaking of which, Sanders
fails to remove the Canada decal from the belt.
Backstage, Terry Taylor tells Goldberg he's booked for another match...next
In the local spot, the WWF San Jose house show (Saturday!) gets hyped.
During the Break, the Thrillers' music kept playing for a while....then the
HARRYS BROTHYRZ came out.
Close captioning sponsored by MEINEKE!
Backstage, Nash congratulates the Thryllyrz, then says he's going to take a
quick shower. No sooner is he behind the door than Storm and Duggan try to
take them all out. Refs and road agents work on breaking up the
fracas...but the Thryllyrz are left laying.
HARRYS BROTHYRZ (already in the ring) v. COLD BEER - no pyro this time as
Goldberg comes out in street clothes, removing his jacket on the way down.
Abbreviated entrance only gets (:43) Pounding by the Harrisses as
he enters the ring, off the ropes, double clothesline by Goldberg. Big Ron
speared - Big Ron pinned. Oy. (0:14) Heavy D is stupid enough to try a
whip, gets speared, awkward jackhammer, pin. (0:37) Whew, this match was
STILL has shorter than his entrance! Did you see Goldberg wince when
referee "Blind" Mickie Jay tried to raise his right arm? You don't think
he just hurt it AGAIN, do ya? That'd really put a spanner into this angle,
as Goldberg's only 3-0. By the way, does anybody see Russo actually
lasting for another 174 Goldberg matches? Well, yeah - as long as they get
it done before they come back to the US!
Backstage, Sanders and the Thrillers try to talk to Kevin Nash - did they
not want us to know there's a staircase behind that door? Why? Oh yeah,
Borash is taking notes. God forbid I fail to notice THAT, right?
Meanwhile, Flair and his gimp are WALKING! We just may see them next!
Hey, look! TWO Sacramento Kings in this NBA on TBS and TNT promo!
During the Break, DJ Ran asks us "Who let the dogs out?" Repeatedly!
Thunder will start right after NASCAR - our commentators start to talk
about David Flair, but David Penzer hands them a note from Mike Sanders -
tonight's title match has now been deemed a "49ers match" - a box will hang
from a pole in each corner - with weapons in three, and the title in the
fourth.
Halloween Havoc ad
DAVID FLAIR brings out HIS GIMP. Flair does a bit of ranting and raving
(watch "Bull" and win $100,000 - Tuesdays!) and then tells him that he'll
remove his handcuffs if he tells everybody that he's the father of Stacey's
child. The guy nods his head. Flair removes the handcuffs - idiot - and
the guy pops up and removes his hood to reveal he's BUFF DADDY BAGWELL.
Punch, punch, punch. Buff Blockbuster. Tony: "If you think this story is
done, you're sadly mistaken!" If you thought this segment would prove
ANYTHING, you were sadly mistaken!
During the Break, the poles are set up. Penzer tells the crowd what was on
Mike Sander's note - crowd boos when the 49ers are mentioned - ha! It's
more a Raiders/Giants/A's crowd that watches wrestling, you know. The
Demons are NOT mentioned.
The Valvoline Max-Life Replay is of Buff Who's the Daddy.
Backstage, Buff Bagwell is WALKING! "I guess Buff does have the stuff -
huh huh huh."
Here's a look at the ring and the boxes. We're just killing time here, I
guess.
Next Monday, Nitro emanates plausibly live from Brisbane, Australia! And
by "plausibly live," I mean "they're taping it Saturday, which is Friday
here. Watch for spoilers!"
WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE: "THE CHOSEN ONE" JEDOUBLEF JADOUBLEREDOUBLET
(with Let Us Take You Back One Week) v. BOOKA T. in a 49'ers match -
Jarrett's pyro is set up...and doesn't go off. Last week, Jarrett Kabong'd
Beetlejuice. Hmm, why'd they show that? The Mark confuses Robin Givens
with Robin Quivers...then goes on to intimate that all them black chicks
look alike. Gosh, I think I'm offended! (Of course, I'm white...and a
dude, so I have no right.) T is wearing his new shirt...climbs a
corner to pose, but fails to grab a box while he's up there. D'oh! T give
his shirt to an old lady in the front row, and Jarrett goes outside to
attack him. The old lady swats Jarrett with the shirt...or tries to,
anyway. A suggestion that Jarrett beat down the old woman is muted out.
Brawling around the ring we go...T into the rail. Jarrett's got a chair -
chair in the gut. Now, WHY Jarrett puts T back in the ring instead of
going for a box, I'll never know, but that's just what he does. Head to a
buckle, whip into the opposite corner is reversed...and the box falls off
the pole. Typical WCW. Jarrett clotheslines T following the reverse elbow
and goes out for the box. Guess that's not the one with the title in it.
Jarrett stomps on the box and pulls out...a blow-up doll. T right, right,
right, right, right, right, right, off the ropes, back elbow. Uuuuuuuuh!
Sidewalk slam. Hudson: "I didn't know Kimberly had an action figure!"
Scoop...and a slam. T goes up for the second box, punches it open...and
pulls out...a portrait of Scott Hall. T leaps off the second rope and
breaks it over Jarrett. Kick, kick, Jarrett falls outside the ring. Go
for the third box! And shockingly, he does. But Jarrett gets to T and
brings him back down before he can grab it. Jarrett tosses T outside the
ring, follows - and breaks one of the boxes over T's head. Throat-first on
the rail. Another box broken. To the commentary table we go. Stomp,
stomp, commentators suggest he go and get the box instead of fighting T on
the table - trying to piledrive T, but he blocks it, throws an elbow, got
HIM in position (Tony: "Somebody gonna die.") - and PILEDRIVES HIM ON THE
TABLE! (Tony: "Holy Christmas!") Back in the ring, T goes up for the third
box after consulting with the crowd. This box contains...one of Barry
Windham's kitchen gloves! Oh, no, it's a *Coal Miner's Glove.* Jarrett
trips up T and crotches him on a post - and one more, why not. Jarrett
removes the glove from Booker's hand and puts it on. "Oh ho ho! Now *I*
have the glove!" Off the ropes, loaded glove in the gut. Jarrett poses,
because he's an idiot. Even the *commentators* are telling him to grab the
box. Off the ropes, loaded glove to the gut, once again. Jarrett breaks
the third box. I could have SWORN I saw a "SCAIA RULES" sign on the left
of my screen while Jarrett was perched on the corner - was I just imaging
that? Jarrett with the box - and breaks it over T's head. At this point,
the security guards in front of me were very concerned with a guy with a
"Mix 106.5" sign - I thought they were planning for another run-in, but no,
it was just a sign police gig. Jarrett FINALLY goes for the box...but
Booker manages to get behind him and wail away - head to the buckle. Into
the ropes, dropkick MISSES as Jarrett holds on. Jarrett goes back to the
glove - loaded uppercut. WHY is referee "Blind" Mark Johnson counting to
ten? If there's a double countout, THE BOX IS STILL THERE!! Jarrett up at
eight. Into the ropes, duck, duck, Jarrett with a sleeper. T reaches for
the rope as Johnson checks. Johnson is ready to drop the arm three times.
WHY? THE BOX IS STILL THERE!! IT MAKES NO SENSE!!!!!!! Of course, this
being WCW and all, I'm wasting my time as it is. Go figure, the arm
doesn't fall three times. Holy cats, The Mark actually asks why Johnson is
checking on him! 27 Days until Halloween Havoc. T gets up, elbows out,
off the ropes, sleeper by T! Jarrett quickly counters with a death suplex
and they're both down again. Johnson starts counting to ten. I am BEGGING
for a double countout here just to see what they DO about it. But
Jarrett's up at eight - and he's got the glove on again. Climbing up to
the corner without the box - but T catches him and delivers the Book End!
Both men are down again. WHY IS JOHNSON COUNTING? Why am I the ONLY
person bothered by this? T climbs up for the box - Jarrett is over to stop
him. Gutshot, another kick, hooked for the Stroke, but T shoves him into
the ropes, gutshot, off the ropes with the axe kick! T breakdances back up
and nails the Harlem sidekick! T going for the box...and Jarrett makes it
over AGAIN - and there's an uppernut. Off the ropes, reversal, Harlem
sidekick is ducked and T crotches the top rope. Jarrett falls outside and
looks for a weapon - but the gee-tar appears to be stuck - or moving?
Jarrett goes back inside, just before Johnson counts him out (WHY??) -
Jarrett puts T on his shoulders as he tries to climb the corner - and drops
him with an electric chair. Jarrett decides to forget the guitar and just
go get the box instead - well, it's about TIME. But, from under the ring
emerges BEETLEJUICE, and he walks over to Jarrett and grabs his nuts! Oh,
no, it's just a slow motion uppernut. There's another uppernut, and
another, and another. Woo hoo hoo, crotch shots are FUNNY! STERN RULZ! T
knocks Jarrett off the ropes with a superkick - and Beetlejuice flies off
the apron with a clothesline to the floor. Guess them brothas gots ta
stick togetha! T pulls off the box - and the belt falls to the floor.
Oops. Penzer goes over and hands it to him and it's FINALLY over. Ladies
and gentleman, we've just hit the reset button. (13:01) After the match,
WHITE THUNDER comes out and gives T the lead pipe to the back - guess his
white baseball bat wasn't available. Jarrett tosses Beetlejuice into the
ring...and Steiner stretches him with the Recliner. Credits are up and
we're out.
"You're watching BULL!"
After the match, Steiner dropped Beetlejuice and took off with Midajah,
Jarrett took off, and Booker, after recovering, took a victory lap to slap
hands on his way out. Penzer thanked us for attending, and we were out at
7.
Was it worth it? Hey, it's ALWAYS more fun live - and the crowd was happy
with lots of Goldberg - but it sure looks like resetting all the belts is a
sign of things to come...right after the international trip. Stay tuned.
AFTER THE FACT: Hey, if you don't want to take MY word for it, how about
some impartial third parties?
First an on-site from Mark Halling, who I DIDN'T meet:
yeah, I know you were there but I like seeing my name "in print"
There was a huge line outside of the arena, but nowhere near a huge crowd.
The Cow Palace, which is already a small arena, was less than half-full;
5,000 people max. It was good that so little people were there, though,
because it allowed me to move up into row four right in line with the ring
and the entryway. If you look, I'm on TV waving my JJ foam guitar quite a
few times. Towards the end of the show a cameraman zoomed in on me with
guitar and two fingers in the air but some drunk guy hoped in front of me
and the cameraman moved on. Eh, what can ya do? The crowd was VERY dead
all night. Only Steiner, Pamela, Nash and the little guy in the Superman
suit garnished any heat.
New merchandise was a sweet looking Kronik shirt and a new Booker T-shirt.
Both sold pretty poorly. The biggest merchandise seller was the JJ guitar.
I wandered backstage towards catering (there was a window looking in) and
saw some interesting stuff. I saw Major Gunns (even though she wasn't on
TV). I ran into Disco who ignored me. Tony Shivane walked by and told us
he hoped we would enjoy the show. I saw Meng (kinda ruined that surprise),
Fit Finaly, and Norman Smiley as well.
Kronik signed autographs (it was announced to be Rey Mysterio and Konnan)
Commercial breaks were long and plentiful. DJ Ran (to the joy of all I'm
sure) played some "jams" during the breaks and three (the blonde, the =
red head, and the black girl) Nitro Girls danced every now and then.
This was my first TV taping and the commercial breaks get SOOOOO boring.
The ladder match got no heat (like all matches). I think it was very
underdeveloped and could have been good if given time. Nothing special in
the arena; the live show started with the TV one.
Everyone around me bet that the masked man was Buff just from looking at
his arms. Another great swerve by Russo.
The Goldberg Russo segment was long and boring. Though it didn't seem like
it (cause of all the breaks), it was the only real meaty interview segment
of the night (which is good). G-berg was pretty hard to understand. Not
like much was missed. Goldberg taunted on the entry way after his sports
entertaining for the first of three times tonight. Russo said something
about how the Mets were gonna kill the Giants (whatever) in a few days
while they were trying to drive the truck backstage.
Chuck Zito came out to do commentary and probably would have been booed
execpet that there were at least 25 Hell's Angels there so everyone
thought it wise to keep quite.
Vito vs. Reno was confusing and got no heat. I had to get up (I was
sitting in someone else's seat) and practically missed the whole match.
The cane shots looked mighty stiff.
Pamela Paulshook was over, even before she made her announcement.
Douglas talked about Konnan or something and then went to work on Awesome.
I tried an E-C-dub chant; nothing doing. Another dull match in the first
hour. People were pretty pissed that the table wasn't used. Torrie wasn't
over and, boy, how bad is she on the mic? Stick to an Elizabethan role.
Meng didn't get an intro. After he lodt he looked pretty pissed (like
frustrated pissed) and then hoped the railing and walked out through the
crowd. Whatever. Nobody understood what Kronik was doing and why.
They screwed up the audio so we didn't hear the above average top of the
hour match. Penzer had to relate it to us. Only in WCW...
Sting's intro is tremendous live. The tag match was ok; a little slow.
Midajah looks a lot older in person.
Elix Skipper was relatively ignored 'till he let a "shiznit" slip. Charles
Robinson and Penzer both made a look like, what the hell did that rookie
just say on live TV? Nash was over like rover. I thought the match was as
good as could have been expected and Nash keeping with the interview was
hilarious. I was the only one in the arena who cared that Sanders won the
Cruiser strap. Well, me and Sanders I guess. The guy next to me threw
something that hit Johnny the Bull at ringside; Johnny told security who
then escorted them out. Good thing, they were booing JJ.
Ron and Don Harris came out without music. I called Don an overrated
jobber and recieved some SCSA sign language. ). Both Harris Boys looked
pissed about jobbing as well.
Like I said earlier, everyone knew it was Buff. No heat, no cry.
Penzer announced that the title match would be a 49er match to a chorus of
boos. He then tried each Bay Area sports team to see which would get the
best cheap heat. Giants won, follwed by the A's, and then the
Forty-Whiners.
Booker giving the shirt to the old lady (who was not a plant, she was with
her grandkids) was over huge. The main event was very good and got the
best heat of the night. People went crazy for the Scott Hall pic and the
table spot. A very loud Booker T chant was started. The only thing that
sucked was the finish (a midget?) but the (probably drunk) crowd seemed to
enjoy it. Like I said earlier, Scott Steiner is over big in the Bay Area
(remember when he stretched DDP at a couple SuperBrawl's ago and got the
big chant?). After the show, Booker slapped some hands and that was it.
Overall, the show wasn't great but I thought the main event was good
enough to bring it to an average rating. Little heat and little
attendance. Now is that SF's fault or WCW's? Me thinks Russo. Alright,
later.
From JP: CRZ,
First of all let me apologize if I was a little abrupt after meeting
you in the lobby, I thought that it would be great to talk wrestling with
the funniest wrestling reporter on the internet, and regret I didn't have
the chance to speak longer. You met my date and the more I spoke to you the
idea of Nitro being completely horrible seemed more and more likely and I
couldn't think of a worse way to start the evening than ignoring her. I was
hoping that you would stop by later in the show, but no such luck. Anyway
you mentioned something about an in-house report. I figured I would just
send you some random thoughts about the show.
Ray and Konnan v. The Boogie Knights
I thought Ray carried the match...there really wasn't anything special
shown by the other three in the ring. Alex Wright's style seems a little
too plain to be an effective tag team wrestler. I always thought he was a
decent singles wrestler though. My date asked me why they were fighting
over a duck. Ithougth about explaining everything about the FA and Disquo's
adoption of the duck but I thought wiser, feigned ignorance and replied "I
dunno".
My main gripe about this match is that the "prize" hanging above the
ladder is supposed to be just that. Whether its money or a title there
should be some meaning behind the climb up the ladder. How much drama and
suspense can there be when the combatants are fighting over a duck.
Especially when the duck has been around for about a month, belongs to a
wrestler that isn't over, and is spotlighted mainly on an internet talk
show that nobody really listens to.
Ray was fun to watch though, even though he is nowhere near 100%
healthy.
Russo/Goldberg promo
Was it just me or was the latter half of Russo's promo word for word
Vince McMahon's vacating of the title speech? Russo seems like he's tanking
it.
Goldberg didn't get the pop I thought he would get. The whole idea of
Goldberg having to match the 176-0 streak is lame. But if Russo is on the
way out it's pretty clever to set up a long range plan like that. I'm sure
Goldberg likes this idea and would probably against changing it.
The Popemoblie was pretty funny but I thougth it was going to topple on
the way into the ring.
AWOL v Reno
Yawn. Hardcore Title change on a DQ...R.I.P.
Franchise v. That 70's Guy
Torrie Wilson doesn't look all that great in person. Wow a match
featuring two former ECW champions. Awesome actually throws himself into
the turbuckles to gain momentum for his clotheslines. What? What a waste.
I can't wait to hear Franchise's promos after he leaves WCW. And to think
he was pissed at Flair for holding him back. Mike didn't do any of the
things that make him "Awesome".
Meng v Goldberg
Wow Meng learned English just so the crowd could laugh at his surreal
promo I actually couldn't hear the "...so I can live" because of the
laughter in my section. 1st of 176 squashes. Magnum T.A. is booking
Goldberg's matches now.
Booker-Jarrett/Steiner-Sting
Match was actually pretty god at points. First signs of life in my
section. Crowd actually wanted to cheer Steiner at first, but he took care
of that. Reaction to Booker was pretty lukewarm which surprised me (hey, he
didn't design that shirt, did he? If he did-BOO!!!) Long match for a
Nitro...will this keep the viewers? I think to myself it wouldn't matter
anyway since ATT still doesn't carry TNN in the city. Clever ending. Good
psychology during the match...sorta. Not bad. I never studied star rating
in mark school so I won't even try.
Skipper v. Nash/Sanders
Thanks to your recaps I actually refer to Nash as Big Poochie in public.
Nash has to bring up those bar fights again. Does that mean he's shooting
now? I swore I heard TV's switching channels in the middle of Nash's
standup routine. I think this is supposed to elevate Skipper somehow? Maybe
I just can't see it. The crowd was the type that would have allowed Lance
Storm to get over. He never shows. I hate Big Poochie.
After the match a fan in the aisle is outraged that Scott Hall didn't show.
HE was just standing there screaming that he wanted to see Hall. The
Harrises enter the ring and are on the recieving end of the fan's ire for
not being Scott Hall. Fan is dragged away by security.
Harrises v. Goldberg
Two wins notched up. I guess they realized that 176 is a really big
number. Tommorrow at the Thunder Tapings Goldberg takes on the R and B
Black Ninjas so he can be 103-0 by the time they hit Sidney. I don't think
the crowd pop was quite what they wanted. The more I think about it this
angle becomes interstring at around 170ish-0 and there's no reason to watch
before then. My date asked if any of those three was that "Stone Cold"
guy. I said no and she thought it was weird that they would have so many
guys that look like him.
Note to David Flair: If you are going to humilate someone on national TV
don't take the handcuffs off of him. The price of the ticket was worth not
having to hear Tony Schiavone explain the logic behind that one. I guess
Buff is the father. Uh-huh. Whatever.
The 49er match.
No pickaxes, no shovels, no celebrity athletes at ringside (which is
strange now that I think about it) Booker wore his ugly-ass shirt to the
ring. Man, that shirt sucks. Blue on blue? I was praying that the box
thaty fell from the pole had the belt in it. I would have loved to see them
work around that one. The Scott Hall bit was the most creative thing I've
seen is on Nitro in a long long time. I wonder if Russo thought of that
one? I wonder if that was enought for that Fan's Scott Hall jones. The OJ
chant that started when Booker had the glove on was shameless and yes, I
participated in it. I couldn't actually tell if the belt was actually in
the last box. It looked like someone just threw Booker the belt. They
should have Steiner as the absolute #1 heel and run with it. After the heat
he drew all night he shouldn't be bunched up with Jarret and Nash or even
try to get the anti-heel face pops. Just 100% ruthless heel. Didn't need
Beetlejuice involved. Will this lead to Howard Stern on Nitro? I doubt it.
I never realized how much the commentators hurt Nitro. I didn't miss them a
bit. The crowd wanted to get into it more than they actually did. Still a
pretty raucous crowd at points. Not bad, not great, which is pretty good
for a Nitro. Booker and Jarret were head and shoulders above anyone else on
the card as far as effort and quality work is concerned. I liked the longer
matches and I shudder to think what it was like attending a taping full of
Franchise-Awesome type for three hours.
CRZ how the hell do you do comprehensive recaps three/four times a week?
Hats off to ya.
And finally, from Mike Watts: Chris,
First off, thanks for taking the time to chat with me before the show about
random stuff. Appreciate it, and appreciate the work (and obvious pain) it
takes for you to do these reports (especially Nitro). Anyways, you asked me
to send you an email with my thoughts about the recent Nitro at the Cow
Palace. Here are some random points:
1. Get rid of the friggin' DJ. If I hear the phrase "If you want a camera in
your area, MAKE SOME NOISE!!!!!!!" one more time, I may shoot someone.
2. More Nitro Girl Baby. Yowza!!!!!
3. I had told you that they had bumped my seats up to the second row in
front of the camera. All that means is that I was able to see the blown
spots much better. Oy, I must have counted four or so...yikes!!
4. So how long before the announcers tell us that Goldberg's NEW 176 winning
streak is growing rapidly. You'll see the number jump by the 20's and 30's
in the next few weeks. Just like that stupid Sid count. Who was the brain
child behind this?
5. So Buff Bagwell's the father? Anyone want to tell me why? How does that
relate to ANY story continuation? Wait, I'm asking logical
questions...there's NO SUCH THING as logic in the WCW.
As usual, I'm disappointed once again by WCW. The pain has to end soon,
doesn't it....doesn't it? Sigh...
Thanks again for chatting with me briefly at the site.
Keep up the excellent work.
Thanks to all of you! See ya at THUNDER!
Christopher Robin Zimmerman
www.CRZ.net