LIVE from the Rexmoore (?) Plaza Civic Centre in Rapid City, South Dakota,
10.8.98, it's Monday Nitro!  It's rated TV-PG-DV and Tony doesn't last a
minute before he misidentifies the city of origin as "Sioux City - err,
Rapid City, Iowa!"

Hey look, it's the Nitro Girls! sans Kimberly - apparently Diamond Dallas
Page won't be around tonight, so neither will Kim.

Did I mention your hosts are Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay and
theLivingLegend Larry "please cheer, I'm dying to get up out of my
seat" Zbyszko, wearing a damn ugly jacket.  Tony announces that the
Treacherous Three CANNOT discuss last night's superspectacular tag team
main event, but somebody will be out to do that later in the show (stay
tuned!) and a double main event tonight will have Goldberg defending his
World Heavyweight Championship against #1 Contender Meng (that's right)
and an NWO affair with Giant and Hall defending against Nash and Sting.

BARBARIAN (with James Hart) v. HACKSAW JIM DUGGAN (with his 2x4 and his
American flag) - did you know that on the WCW Theme Music CD, the Faces of
Fear theme actually DOES segue into "Stars & Stripes Forever?"  If this
match seems familiar, it's probably because you read THIS match
description two weeks ago: 

<I> BARBARIAN (with James Hart) v. HACKSAW JIM DUGGAN (with 2x4 and
American flag) - wow, a MATCH!  And only twenty minutes into the show!  A
match that could probably be a main event anywhere in the country.  After
the obligatory Jimmy Hart interference gone awry, Duggan gets the win with
a rollup - and the fans are cheated out of the extremely lame Duggan
kneedrop (2:40).  HUGH MORRUS puts in an appearance to even the score, but
before we can get anywhere with *that*, out comes MENG, who applies ye
olde Tongane deathe gripe.  When Barbarian tries to hit Meng from behind
to break that hold, Duggan takes his 2x4 and whacks Barbarian.  Now
Duggan's offering a handshake and a trip to the Iron Shiek's house for
some refreshments.  Now Meng's politely declining with ANOTHER Tongan neck
pinch.  Who will save Duggan?  Apparently no one... </I>

What was different this time?  Well, the show is only five minutes old
this time, so that's a plus.  This match has some better Jimmy Hart cheap
shots (like they actually WORK this time).  This match has a funny Duggan
headbutt that actually hurts DUGGAN instead of the Barbarian.  This match
has Schiavone misidentifying referee "Blind" Scott Dickinson as referee
"Blind" Mickey Jay.  This match also has a brand new ring with a *massive*
"WCW Monday Nitro" logo on it.  This match has the ten punch count along
to thrill the fans.  This match goes on forever, at least compared to the
last one.  Duggan wins with a schoolboy (3:43), which means we're spared
the Old Glory kneedrop o' doom.  And of course, we are greeted with
post-match appearances by HUGH MORRUS and MENG - you can probably figure
out who does what.  As an added bonus, ubersecurity chief DOUG DELLINGER
gets a Tongan death grip.  Then Duggan.  Then two more unnamed security
guys.  So now Meng's taken out, what, six men - you know, I STILL don't
think he has a snowball's chance in hell of winning the Heavyweight title
from Goldberg tonight.  All in all, I NEVER WANT TO SEE THIS MATCH AGAIN.
And I bet they give us ANOTHER Duggan/Meng match on THUNDER!

Let Us Take You Back to last week's Nitro, where Luger is down and Sting
is walking away.  Let Us Take You Back to THUNDER! where Luger tells us
that Scott Hall contributed to his beatdown and he wants a match.  Take a
drink when he says "in the house."  Sting & Konnan join Luger to end this
"why'd they show that?" clip without mentioning that there was a six-man
tag to close out THUNDER! last week, but I can't for the life of me
remember who was in it, or who won.  Eh.

I guess they showed that clip so MEAN GENE OKERLUND can bring out THE
TOTAL WOLFPACKAGE for an interview.  Luger says that he found out who the
OTHER guy was who punked him, and it was Bret Hart.  He lays down the "I'm
not leaving this building" challenge, and out comes BRET HART.  What
everyone seems to have forgotten is that these two are supposed to fight
in this week's THUNDER! main event for the US Title, in a rare display of
WCW announcing a match a week ahead of time.  "First of all, you are a
damn liar - I was nowhere around last week when you got your butt kicked. 
You know, to me I think it just sounds a lot better that two guys did it,
you know you should change your stories to four guys did it, six guys did
it, but you and I know you got your butt kicked by one of the vendors back
there, becuase you're not GOOD enough to be the United States Champion!
You think you can just walk up and challenge me, why don't you [Gene]
challenge me?"  Funny line.  Hart goes on to pronounce Luger jealous - of
his championship, of his buddy-buddyness with Hogan, of Sting being "like
a brother to me" - Gene is experiencing sinus pains now - Luger says he
isn't jealous, nah nah.  "Either you put the belt up tonight, or I can
knock your teeth down your throat right now."  "You want a title match?
You got a title match."  Gene's so excited I can't believe he's daring to
wear light coloured pants.

Promotional consideration paid for by Slim Jim, Motel 6 7/8, America (ha!)
Online, and Hot Pockets.  Hey baby, wanna check out my hot pockets?  Also
David sunflower seeds.  Damn that's a lot of promotional consideration.

Let Us Take You Back to still photos from Road Wild.  One of the things
they CAN show you is the "match" between Chavo Guerrero, Jr and Stevie
Ray.  Stevie won, and whether you like it or not, that was the right call.
Unbelievably, Eddie Guerrero came out to make the save when Stevie
continued to give it to him like a man.

TOKYO MAGNUM (with Disco Inferno & Alex Wright) v. EDDIE GUERRERO -
Tokyo's feeling a little despondent as he walks to the ring - he's not
even dancing.  Wright and Inferno give a verbal thrashing to Magnum
(Disco: "Hey, speak to him in English so he can understand it!") -
essentially, he's screwed up one time too many and he's on his own now.
They leave the ring before Eddie enters.  Tokyo gets a few shots in at the
start but it's basically a Guerrero squash - tiltawhirl backbreaker, 
snap suplex, frogsplash, pin.  (1:15)  Replay shows those three moves -
well what else are you gonna show?  Ha!  Eddie points to the camera and
says "I'm back!" and I'm happy about that.

Lee Marshall narrates the Starburst Pin on a Map Road Report.  The
Fargodome hosts THUNDER! Thursday and you will give it some juice!

Fall Brawl WarGames ad.  It's Sunday, 13 September!

Let Us Take you back to more stills from Road Wild.  In the "three man
triangle match," Saturn pinned Raven after a Spicolli Driver (Kanyon was
outside the ring recovering from some innovation).

(perry) SATURN v. (khris) KANYON in a "Winner gets their first name back"
match - Saturn brings kicks and punches to the table, while Kanyon brings
innovation.  I might care about this match but I feel like I've seen it
about a DOZEN times this year.  Kanyon pulls out a Rocker dropper from the
top rope.  Kanyon does another move no one has a name for.  Kanyon with a
flapjack.  Crowd goes mild!  1, 2, no.  Kanyon seems too worried about
getting the fans pumped (and it isn't working) and Saturn gets a small
package for 2.  Kanyon with a whip and a sleeper - Saturn drives him into
the corner.  Kanyon reapplies.  Whip, SATURN applies the sleeper.  Kanyon
picks him up, Saturn falls on him for 2.  Back to the sleeper for Kanyon.
Somebody needs to send Piper a royalty cheque.  Arm falls once, arm falls
twice, no.  Jawbreaker by Saturn.  Hot shot by Saturn followed by a
throw/suplex.  1, 2, no.  Side Russian leg sweep by Kanyon (damn, that's
innovative!)  Both men slow in getting up.  Saturn with a swing and a miss
and Kanyon's put him on the top turnbuckle.  Diamond Cutter!  (Oh, you
can't call it that.)  1, 2, no - somehow Saturn kicks out.  Kanyon to the
top - no he's looking at the fans again, so Saturn gets up and crotches
him.  Saturn to the top - battling for position (or is Kanyon just
slipping) and Saturn hits a superplex - here's LODI to provide the angle
development.  RAVEN is in - Evenflow DDT on Saturn!  Kanyon rolls over -
1, 2, 3.  (call it 6:15)

We quickly cut backstage to see MENG with a double Tongan Death Grip on
two more Security staffers.  Hey, guess what, I STILL don't think he'll
win the title from Goldberg! 

NWO Wolfpack shirt ad features even Randy Savage!

Hey, look, it's the Nitro Girls!  We are reminded that Kimberly isn't here
because Diamond Dallas Page isn't here.  Tony (YEAH!) correctly gets the
Mug root beer slogan.  A grand prize winner is announced in the Nitro
Party Tape contest - the students at Wapakaneta (I'm sure I'm spelling
that wrong) High in W, Ohio.  Ever notice how really LARGE groups of
people win these contests?  I wonder if school is even in on the 31st...
I like that "Nitro Girls 3:16" sign - reminds me of a wrestler who isn't
in WCW.

SICK BOY (with Lodi) v. STEVE "MONGO" McMICHAEL - Lodi provides
distraction and Sick Boy gets the first few moves in.  Sick Boy can't do a
move unless a springboard is involved, by the way.  But of course,
McMichael has the fire burning inside him (and YOU thought it was a beer
belly) and with the passion of the group that always knew what THE Symbol
of Excellence was, tombstones Sick Boy for the pin. (no opening bell,
oh let's call it 3:07)

Buy a Big Sexy T-shirt!  

It's 56 after and RAW is about to start, so it's time for the SECOND
TV-PG-DV HOUR!  Tony promises five title matches (assuming Stevie Ray is
the TV Champ) tonight, so please, for the love of God, PLEASE don't change
channels in the next four minutes!

YOU KNOW WHO comes out with a plate of Voodoo Chili.  THIS is how they
keep people from changing the channel?  Why not just bring back "NWO
Nightcap" for cryin' out loud?  Hogan is accompanied by CRACKA EAZY-E and
BOOTY DISCIPLE as Tony reminds his colleagues that they can't talk about
Leno and Page beating Hogan and Bischoff - oops, I've said too much.
Here's an interesting exchange:

Zbyszko: Let's see how they try to cry their way out of this one.
Schiavone: Can't say anything about it, okay?
Zbyszko: I didn't say anything that happened - I'm just wondering how
they're going to cry out of this one.
Schiavone: You can't say - Larry!  There's going to be some - a gag order
again, okay?  And it's going to be directed at ME this time!
Zbyszko: I don't think we're that lucky.

Meanwhile the camera's found a "Leno 1-0: Who's next" sign so anybody who
DIDN'T know who won should have figured it out by now.

Bischoff says "warms the cockles of my heart."  Hogan of course is
ignoring Saturday's match, choosing instead to put the bad mouth on
Goldberg.  He wants his title shot, and so on.  Bischoff says that since
Meng has decimated security, NWO Hollywood will provide the security for
tonight's Goldberg/Meng heavyweight title match.  Oh good - I was WORRIED
that somehow we'd get through a main event without NWO involvement.  I
guess I have to dust off this little gem - I CAN ALMOST *SMELL* THE
SCREWJOB!

The Treacherous Three are ALSO smelling something.  Then Tony hypes
upcoming action.  If they'd stop yammering, we could HAVE some of that
upcoming action...finally somebody talks in Tony's ear and now the
*Wolfpack* will also be out for tonight's title match.  Tenay gets really
weird on me and I now WELCOME an ad break.

STEVIE RAY v. CHAVO GUERRERO, JR. (without Pepe) - Stevie's graphic says
"WCW World Television Champion."  CHRIS MONDAY JERICHO appears with Pepe
in hand and Chavo goes back to meet him.  Next thing we know, there's the
sounds of a scuffle, and Jericho comes out with a broken stick horse.
"Listen here, Stevie Ray - since Chavo's busy in the back with Pepe, you
seem to be looking for somebody to challenge you for this belt - well let
me tell you this, you're not the only guy from the streets, BROTHA - I
grew up on the mean streets of Calgary, Alberta, Canada!  I am one BAD
mammajamma!"  Jericho offers to take him on.  "Hey sucka!  I didn't come
all the way to Rapid City to hear somebody run their mouth.  So if you
wanna shot at this, sucka let's get it on!"  Is Stevie a face now?

STEVIE RAY v. CHRIS MONDAY JERICHO for the WCW World Television title -
Lockup, Jericho shoved away with authority.  Lockup, Stevie with some
shots.  Jericho up, Jericho down.  To the ropes, Stevie with chops.  Whip,
Jericho shoots under and dropkicks the knees.  Kick to the back of the
knee.  Chop, chop, whip, reversal, Stevie with a crucifix - no, Jericho
rolls through for 2.  Jericho runs into a big boot.  Stevie Ray hits a
front suplex that turns into a drop on the ropes.  Jericho ducks a running
Stevie Ray and he goes outside.  Jericho with a top-rope-to-the-floor dive
the doesn't hit all the way.  Both men slow to get up and back in.
Jericho to the top - Stevie Ray catches him in a powerslam.  MASSIVE back
body drop from Stevie Ray.  Coming up, a WCW official talks about the Road
Wild main event - hey, there's a MATCH going on.  Jericho comes back -
dropkick in the corner.  Repeated rights - whoa, Jericho's trick knee acts
up and referee Mark "Shooter" Curtis gets a Golotta.  Big lariat from
Stevie Ray - here's GIANT for no good reason.  Headbutt for Stevie Ray as
he's setting up Jericho for the Slapjack.  Chokeslam!  Jericho's waking up
Curtis (all that groin pain makes you pass out, see) - Liontamer is
academic and Curtis calls for the bell (4:54) and apparently, ladies and
gentlemen, we have a new TV Champion.  Replay shows the great Mark Curtis
writhing in pain.  So why did the Giant help out Jericho?  And where
exactly does Booker T. fit into ANY of this?  Tune in next week, 'cause
you probably won't hear any more about it tonight!

WCW hits Sioux Falls, Fargo for THUNDER!, Providence, and Hartford for
Nitro.  I forget, is that Ultimate Warrior guy supposed to show up in
Hartford?

RAW is WAR ad inserted locally by my cable company.  San Jose - 14
September!  Hey, that's the night after FALL BRAWL!

Bobby Heenan is out and Eric Bischoff's music ("NWO Nitro") is playing.
And there's E himself, along with LIZ.  I hope this means we get another
interview!  Yeah!  Apparently, it's BISCHOFF who is the "WCW Official" to
break the gag order regarding the Road Wild main event.  Selected still
shots paint a one-sided picture - and, go figure - it's Bischoff and
Hogan's side.  Bischoff tells us to NOT watch the Tonight Show, because if
he shows any footage, it'll be doctored.  Schiavone promises that we'll
get to the bottom of this later in the show (stay tuned!  PLEASE!)

LIZMARK, JR. v. PSYCHOSIS v. REY MYSTERIO, JR. in a Triple Threat Match -
Remember when they called these things "triangle matches?"  Typical "two
men fight while one man recovers from his beatings" start.  Nice spot has
Psychosis with a missile dropkick on Rey as he sentonbombs Lizmark.
Psychosis whips Rey into Lizmark, who backbodydrops him over the top rope.
Lizmark and Psychosis, left alone in the ring, have a back-and-forth,
lucha style.  Psychosis is clotheslined out.  Lizmark with the
tope suicida.  Rey with the somersault onto Lizmark.  Everybody back in
now.  Did Psychosis shout out "Go Rey Go" to get a spot started?  Both
guys cover Psychosis and he STILL kicks out.  Lizmark with a hot shot on
Psychosis.  Rey with a lightning leg drop and a cover - 1, 2, Lizmark
makes the save and tries to cover - 1, 2, no.  Lizmark and Rey argue but
there's a handshake.  Lizmark holds Psychosis for a top rope Rey dropkick,
but Psychosis rolls through - Rey misses - and gets a 2 count on Lizmark.
Lizmark with a bodyslam and Rey makes the save.  Now Rey and Lizmark are
fighting.  Lizmark misses a splash and Rey hits a spinning heel kick.
Split-legged moonsault for 2, Psychosis makes the save.  Whip into the
corner, follow lariat.  Another whip but Rey puts the boots up.  Armbar
into a slam.  Now Lizmark is up, but eats a pair of boots on the way down.
Psychosis monkeyflips Rey - into Lizmark for a huracanrana!  1, 2, 3!
(7:04)  Apparently, Rey also landed on his knee with that last move.  The
MasterLock Lock of the Night is our set of replays.

Closed Captioning where available sponsored by the Money Store - where
baseball players give out mortgages.

Hey look, it's the Nitro Girls!  And Kimberly isn't here!  Tony again
correctly calls out the Mug tagline - he's 2 for 2 and deserves a gold
star.  Nitro Party address - oops, Tony says "send the Nitro Party tapes
to you - to us" and then correctly delivers on the Mug slogan one more
time.  I've just noticed every time Tony says that Bobby goes "Huh?" which
seems funny to me for some reason.

THE NARCISSIST v. BRET HART for the WCW United States Heavyweight Title -
Hart comes out to the NWO Hollywood music this week (which,
*incidentally*, includes Nash saying "Sweeeeeeeeeet," not that I'm anal
about continuity or anything)  Hart makes a big show out of kissing the
belt before forking it over.  Pec flex!  "Feeling out process" means
nobody's moving.  Luger poses to the crowd with some hand symbols.  Lockup
(finally!) and Luger with a big shove - Hart out of the ring, then
Luger does that big "lion roaring" pose.  Hart's back in.  The pace of
this match is suited to a wrestler of Luger's repetoire.  Test of
strength?  Yeah.  For a change, they actually DO the test of strength -
and Hart's losing.  Hart to his knees.  He manages to break one knuckle
lock and step over the other one and pound away.  Luger's looking for an
escape and isn't finding one.  Big back elbow - big lariat!  Hart leaves
the ring and grabs his belt as if to leave.  Referee "Blind" Charles
Robinson puts on the count - Luger leaves the ring.  Hart turns around and
eats a big punch.  Back to the ring!  Luger with that big "lion roaring"
pose again.  Hart begs off.  Big kick to the gut.  Big whip, big hiptoss,
big armdrag into the big armbar.  That's more moves from Luger than I've
seen in a MONTH!  Luger yanks on the arm.  It's weird to have the ersatz
face be so in control.  Hart stands up and pushes Luger's face to the
corner.  Right after the break, Hart goes to the eyes and delivers a MANLY
beatdown.  Time for an ad break.  

The WCW Power Plant is the Electric Company of Wrestling!

They're on the outside when we come back.  Hart with a bodyslam on the
concrete!  Robinson is outside the ring when he should be counting both
men out.  Hart returns to the ring and cups his ear to the crowd to
amplify the boos.  Something was muted out/censored here (at least on the
West Coast - I think it was a fan's "fuckyou").  Hart goes out and brings
back Luger.  Into the corner and Hart is delivering rights with impudence.
Hart with a choke.  Luger suddenly comes alive with big punches, big
kicks, big knees - and Hart hits a Golotta kick to stop that offense.
Hart with the stomp to the gut and now we're in Hart mode.  Here's the
backbreaker for 2.  Hart with a headbutt and a forearm drop.  The popular
side Russian leg sweep.  A standing legdrop.  Headbutt to the lower abs,
between the legs (Is Hart GAY or something?  Hahaha)  Hart's pretty much
picking him apart.  DDT!  1, 2, no!  I think Hart needs to hit that elbow
from the second rope and then maybe the Sharpshooter.  But no, he returns
to kicking and pounding.  Hart is censored when he calls Luger a "piece of
<silence>"  To the corner, Hart's boot meets Luger's neck.  Only Bret Hart
can make such a long Luger match interesting, I have to say.  Hart with
another stomp.  Crowd chants "Luger."  Snap suplex by Hart for 2.  Tenay
senses some frustration in Hart's inability to put Luger away.  Hart with
headbutts to the back.  Now a punch to the back.  Hard Irish whip into the
opposite corner and Luger goes down.  Another backbreaker by Hart - he's
recycling moves now.  Now he's up to the second rope for the - whoops, met
Luger's big boot.  Man, it's gonna SUCK if Luger manages to pull a win out
of this.  Hart swings and misses.  Luger with the big atomic drop.  And
now a big reverse atomic drop.  Big clothesline.  Big clothesline.  Big
Ace toolbow forearm shiver.  Luger TRIES FOR A PIN!  1, 2, no!  Even Tony
doesn't know how to call a Luger pinfall attempt.  Big sleeper by Luger!
Hart backs up and unfortunately Robinson gets sandwiched.  Hart's brought
out his international object - but Luger has Hart in the big Torture Rack!
Hart SUBMITS!  Ladies and gentlemen - shit - we have a new U.S. Champion.
(16:29)  KONNAN, KEVIN NASH, and (THIS IS) STING come out to celebrate as
the third hour FIREWORKS! go off.

Well, I hope there's a rematch on Thursday and that Hart gets the title
back.  Probably won't happen, but I can dream...on another tack, may I say
that there's probably no way anything else happening tonight TOUCHES that
last match - that's your match of the week right there.

NWO Wolfpack T-shirt ad - buy the shirt!

Let Us Take You Back to stills from Road Wild - Juventud Guerrera won the
Cruiserweight title thanks to a little help from special guest referee
Dean Malenko - fortunately for us, WCW did the right thing by not giving
us yet another loophole angle and instead giving Jericho the TV title.  Oh
oh, if I keep complimenting WCW you might not think I'm BIASED any more!

JUVENTUD GUERRERA v. (billy) KIDMAN (no entrance) for the WCW
Cruiserweight Championship - see Barbarian/Duggan.  Okay, it wasn't as bad
as Duggan/Barbarian (how could it be), but still, the point is I've seen
this match four times and I can't get worked up about it anymore.  The
first time I saw this, it was outstanding and easily the match of the
week, but they've gotten progressively less and less exciting since.  This
match is decent, yet even more squashlike than previous matches, probably
because Juvi is the champ. Juvi gets the pin after yet another botched
firebird splash. (3:44) 

The Awesome 3 talk about Luger and Hart - the match scheduled for THUNDER!
will still take place and this time it's a return bout.  Hey, maybe my
wish will come true after all!  Of course, it's equally likely that NWO
Hollywood could run in to cause a screwjob ending.  We move to stills from
that most talked about tag team main event in the history of...Tony
misidentifies Hogan as "Lex Luger."  Did I mention that Kevin Eubanks'
Diamond Cutter looked damn good?  Can I balance it by saying Leno had no
business in that ring?  Can we all agree on that?  OK.

RAVEN (with the Flock) is out.  "Once again, the Flock has let me down. 
Two nights ago at Road Wild, Riggs, you, Kidman and Sick Boy didn't even
show up and for that ya gotta be punished-"  Evenflow for Riggs.  "Lodi,
as usual," shove "you were worthless.  For you, Horace, you cost" slap "me
the match."  slap "You hit me with a stop sign, and for that, a lesson
must be learned."  The third slap is stopped by Horace.  Raven yanks his
hand back - then waffles Horace.  The bell rings - I guess this is a
match? 

RAVEN (with the Flock) v. HORACE (with STOP sign) - It's all Raven - high
points in the first minute include Raven munching on Horace's skull, and,
outside the ring, Raven with a side Russian legsweep into the barricade.
Horace is thrown back in, but he's got the sign - and Raven takes a shot.
Horace with the dive through the ropes.  Both men back in, Horace sets up
the sign in the corner.  Whip into the sign which Raven sells like there's
no tomorrow.  Horace slams Raven on the sign.  To the top rope, but he
misses.  Raven motions to Lodi, who struggles with his conscience and then
hands Raven the chair anyway.  Raven's World Famous drop toehold on the
chair.  The crowd rises, which probably means that - no, actually it's
KANYON this time.  Of course, with all four flockers turned to the
entrance way, that means that SATURN *can* appear from behind.  Spicolli
driver on the stop sign and Saturn throws Horace on top, and then he's out
- referee "Blind" Billy Silverman turns around and sees Horace with the
cover - 1, 2, 3.  (3:56)  So are Kanyon and Saturn friends again?  And
can't they find anybody BETTER to feud with?

Interestingly enough, a THUNDER! ad in this block of commercials hypes
Bret Hart defending the US Title against Lex Luger, which shows you that
they only booked this title change tonight. 

Hey look, it's the Nitro Girls! but not Kimberly.  Why ISN'T DDP here
anyway?  Shouldn't be giving an interview or something?

CURTRICK HENNIGRUDE (without Rick Rude) v. KONNAN - Before the match, I
hope that Konnan speak on dis!  Did you know we had this EXACT same
matchup last week?  I'd forgotten too, but that's why I keep archives. 
THIS week's screwjob non-ending is Hennig wrapping Konnan's necklace
around his fist, referee "Suddenly not Blind" Billy Silverman preventing
Hennig from throwing the punch, Hennig losing the necklace, Konnan picking
up the necklace and then choking Hennig with it to get DQ'd.  To K-Dawg's
credit, when Hennig did the exact same choke LAST week, he didn't get
caught.  Anyway...no, I got nothing here.  Hennig's won two weeks in a
row.  (3:32) 

SCOTT HALL & NO-SMOKIN' GIANT v. KEVIN NASH & (THIS IS) STING for the WCW
World Tag Team Championship - *this* match most recently appeared THREE
weeks ago, where the NWO Hollywood contingent won the belts from those
Wolfpackers.  The hits just keep on coming.  Hall does a survey.  We are
fortunate to have an ad break before the challengers enter - hey, why DID
the Champs come out first?

This portion of Nitro brought to you by Skittles!  They're the S!  No,
wait, they're not.

Oh God, the commentators are trying to dredge up that "when Sting becomes
the old, angry Sting" crap again - just let it go, guys, just forget it
ever happened, don't try to explain it, don't bring it up, it's stupid and
lame and - ah, why do I bother.  Nash says "Wolfpack in tha house."  Funny
moment has Giant holding the tag belt just out of reach of referee "Blind"
Scott Dickinson.  Hall and Nash start out and Nash hits the big blows.
Hall staggers into the wrong corner and Sting rings his bell.  Nash tries
the "Truckstop powerbomb" (that's what wcwwrestling.com calls it - what
planet are they from?) but Hall squirts out and rolls out of the ring.
Back in, and Hall gets a few in, but paintbrushes him and makes Nash mad
enough to throw a big lariat.  Tag to the Giant.  Heenan recalls that
powerbomb of the Giant and Tony remarks "they outlawed that powerbomb for
many months."  Does that past tense mean they've FINALLY retroactively
ended THAT storyline?  Anyway, Nash isn't faring too badly with the Giant,
so Giant tags in Hall again.  Nash better tag in Sting so the Champs can
have their heat segment (ha!).  Nash is dominating both men - whoops,
Golotta by Hall and Dickinson missed it.  So did the camera.  Giant is in
and continuing the damage.  Somebody once made fun of WCW on the newsgroup
by stating that the acronym *really* stood for "World Crotchshot
Wrestling."  Nash makes the comback with a big boot to the Giant.  With
both men down, it might be time to see Sting in this match for the first
time.  Tag to Hall, hot tag to Sting.  Yes, Sting is a house afire.
Faceslam for Hall.  Lariat.  Stinger splash!  Another Stinger splash!
Third Stinger splash!  Time for the Sharpshooter!  I wonder if Bret Hart
will appear...hey, Giant is in and he's got the ref!  "DQ us!  DQ us!"
Dickinson calls for the bell (DQ 5:19) and Giant chokeslams him anyway.
Damn, those Champions are SMART.  Hey, how's it feel, Nash?  You did that
to the Steiners for a friggin' YEAR!  Oh sorry, marked out for a minute.
Ha!

Big Sexy T-shirt buy it ad!

It's 10:53 - just enough time for a minute long Goldberg match, wot? 
MICHAEL BUFFER is out, here's NWO HOLLYWOOD (well, Hogan, Hall and Giant
anyway) - Giant says "It's gonna be fair right down the middle, doggone
it!"  You tell 'em, Giant.  The NWO WOLFPACK contingent follows
thereafter, and since it has to be three and three, Konnan becomes
conspicuous by his absence.  Buffer does his spiel and once again, does
not get hit by any flying objects, much to my dismay.  Not that I would
wish harm on ANYBODY, mind you - I'm not really like that at all.  In
fact, let me make an offer to WCW.  I'll do what Buffer's doing, for HALF
of what you're paying him.  What a bargain!  I've got the lung power, I
can do it!  Take me, WCW!  Make me your love slave!  It's fun hearing
Buffer say "MMMMMMMMMENNNNNG!"  Whoops, Konnan IS out there now.  Meng
manages to make it to ringside before the Faces of Fear theme segues into
Hacksaw Jim Duggan's.  Hey, at Road Wild, didn't one of Barbarian and Meng
have a different theme?  Who's stealing who's theme?  And why am I so
preoccupied with wrestler's theme music anyway?  Because I'm
anal-retentive about CONTINUITY! 

(bill "130-0") GOLDBERG v. #1 CONTENDER MENG for the WCW World Heavyweight
Championship - Meng to the face, openhand thrusts, knife-edge chops, all
for nought - Goldberg with a - well, a something. And a kick.  Meng goes
outside and NWO Hollywood urges him on.  Hall makes the "Tongan death
grip" hand signal.  Goldberg with a kneelift.  Right.  Men with a right,
and a chop.  Goldberg with a kick, and a takedown/leg scissors.  Hold is
broken for no reason.  Goldberg runs into a big kick and falls out into
NWO Hollywood, who promptly triple-team him while referee "Blind" Nick
Patrick is busy with Meng.  The Wolfpack runs over and brawls with the
black'n'white and Goldberg comes back in the ring - to the Tongan Death
Grip!  His shoulders are down!  Patrick's not counting!  Meng's an IDIOT
and he's released the grip!  Now Goldberg's up and there's a spear. 
Jackhammer.  Sigh.  1, 2, 3.  (entrance 2:30, match 2:07)  Hogan's got a
chair and he's stalking outside the ring to get in behind Goldberg.  Now
he's in.  Chairshot!  Nash is in and pulls the chair away from Hogan.  Of
course, Goldberg turns around and sees Nash - whoops, he thinks Nash
waffled him.  Spear for Nash.  Whoops, it's 11:04.  Good night everybody! 

Christopher Robin Zimmerman
chris@kzim.com
Miss a week?  Check out the CRZ Archives at 
http://www.aimnet.com/~kzim/ - Just look for the WM logo!