WCW World War III '97 - Sunday, 11/23/97

By Lee Canfield

The show opens live from The Palace in Auburn Hills, MI.
As we watch the show begin, we all give thanks that Dusty isn't there. But wait.....there is "Iron" Mike Tenay.
Before the night even begins, I am going to pick Kevin Nash as the winner.
Match 1
- We are all ready for a great night but out comes Glacier and Ernest Miller.
- Maybe not bad, here comes the Faces of Fear.
- A nice move by Miller by springboarding off of the top rope to the outside.
- We see the double-team backdrop into a power bomb...I love that move.
- A lot of pretty kicks and punches but the Faces of Fear win with the Tongan Death Grip on Miller
- I don't know if it is me or did anyone else see some arguing between Miller and Sub-Zero er....Glacier
Match 2
- Disco Inferno comes out to a decent pop but is soon over heard by the sirens of Saturn
- There is a new guy in the Ravens Nest....looks like the old Billy Idol if you ask me
- Disco gets in some great moves that rattle Saturn a little
- At one point, Disco and Saturn are both out of the ring and Disco attacks the Nest but it all stops at Hammer then he is blindsided by Saturn
- Disco with a body press from the top rope that is reversed into the Rings of Saturn and Saturn wins
Match 3
- Ultimo Dragon vs. Yuji Nagata....if Dragon wins, he gets 5 minutes alone with Sony Ono
- This match was a real bore to me and the rest of the room. I think the only good thing about the whole match was a sign in the third row.. "Steal Cable" - A great sign
- Nagata wins after both men go down....a strange ending
- Thank God this match is over
Match 4
- The Steiners going up against Steven Regal and Dave Taylor for the world tag belts
- We see Scott "the poster child for steroid abuse" Steiner
- A few nice suplexes but Regal and Taylor control most of the match
- Steiners win with the top rope bulldog
Match 5
- Before the match begins...JJ Dillion comes out and states that this will be Raven's last match unless he signs a contract within 24 hours
- Kidman, Saturn, and Raven are walking to the crowd with Kidman telling everyone the same old thing about this being a no-DQ match
- Riggs jumps over the top rope taking everyone out
- Riggs does the trip into a chair for some revenge
- Even a bulldog onto the chair ala ECW
- Finally Raven wins with the DDT
- Raven keeps asking why didn't Riggs join then another DDT
- Finally another DDT and Raven wins with a 10 count
- Hammer carries Riggs away into the crowd
Match 6
- Steve McMichael vs the HUGE Bill Goldberg
- Mongo comes out with a steel bar and says that Goldberg will not be making it tonight
- Camera turns to the back to see Bill laying on the floor
- Here comes Alex Wright being dragged to the ring by Debra
- Now that Goldberg is not wrestling, I am not interested
- Mongo wins with the Tombstone piledriver
Match 7
- Rey Mysterio, Jr. vs Eddie Guerrero for the Cruiserwhieght title
- Eddie with a German suplex that folds Rey in half...Rey looks hurt
- A nice springboard splash to the floor by Rey
- Rey with the Hunna Conradda (sp) but Eddie grabs the ropes
- A frog splash and Eddie holds onto the title
- A few blown spots but over all a good match though not as good as the Havoc match
Match 8
- Curt Hennig vs Ric Flair for the US title
- Both men start at it into the crowd
- Flair off of the top rope to the outside....he looks like he hurt that ankle
- Flair does all of the classic moves.....eye rake, the flip after being thrown into the ropes, and the great fall to the mat face first
- Flair has a chair and folds it on Hennig's leg
- Flair with the figure four but Curt hits him with the belt and gets the pin
- This match showed just how good both men are
- So far, the best match of the night
BATTLE ROYAL
- Lets get ready to rumble!!!!!!!!!
- All of the WCW wrestlers come out and of course the nWo comes out to different music......everyone except Kevin Nash
- Within the first 10 seconds the Giant throws out 5 people
- A lot of people being thrown out
- Giant and Meng go at it in ring 3 and the Giant with a drop kick sending Meng out
- It came down to the last ten people in the ring:
  Hall, Savage, Buff, Hennig, and Vincent???
  vs.
  Giant, Luger, Booker T, Rick Steiner, and DDP
- DDP diamond cutters Vincent and the Giant rolls him out
- Booker T goes out by someone as does Steiner
- Hennig and Luger battle in the corner and Buff comes over to help
- All three men go out of the ring after Giant comes over and pushes
- DDP diamond cuts Savage and he gets chokeslammed and rolled out
- Giant and DDP vs Hall
- nWo music plays...here comes Nash...NO!!!!! It's Hogan
- Big body slam by Hogan on the Giant
- Sting comes down
- Hogan jumps ship and DDP is diamond cut by Hogan and out
- Sting hits the Giant with the bat and he goes out of the ring
- It's Kevin Nash dressed like Sting
- Hall is your winner
Overall a good show. There were some blown spots but the Flair and Hennig match was a great one.

Mike Austin at the University of Michigan sends in this arena report:

I was in line for pizza when the show started. We had the slowest line in the place. The lady took about 5 minutes to count change and another 3 to hand us napkins. A guy passed out behind us too, then got up and walked away. But I digress...
First of all, not much was missed off camera. After matches, wrestlers either left orderly or pretended to be knocked out and left after a while. Now to the matches...
Glacier and Ernest Miller vs. Faces of Fear: my basic sentiment towards this was "good thing I'm not missing much in this pizza line". The crowd got into the power moves a little, although nothing was being sold too well. The fight started out with chants of "Glacier Sucks" which then ran into "Boring!" From my seat, the ending seemed a little confusing, since nobody was sure to watch in or outside the ring.
Yugi Nagata vs. Ultimo Dragon: was the Disco match before this? I don't remember. LOTS of people got up to get food and/or t-shirts. Not too great of a match, and the crowd was asleep. My girlfriend put it best when she asked me what was happening "He's got him in a sleeper hold," I said. "He's about to be put asleep," was the oh-so-true reply. I thought for sure Ultimo would get those 5 minutes with Sonny, but I guess not.
Disco Inferno vs. Saturn: Both these guys got a decent pop when they came out. Disco was cool by sulking in the corner a-la Raven. Huge pops when Disco took out "the Flock". Other than that, not much. I was doing pretty bad with predictions, since Disco lost.
Raven vs. Riggs: I actually like this one. Raven got some pretty big pops. The crowd loved it when Riggs dove onto Raven. Kinda' like Steve Austin: he's such a heel that he's a face. Anyways, a pretty good match with Riggs getting retribution by slamming Raven's eye into the chair. Raven sold it pretty well. They hooked up a mic for when people crashed into stairs and such, which totally sold the crowd. When Raven got on the mic he was totally breathing heavy. Everyone laughed at the "I feel your pain" line, too. My opinion was that Riggs dominated but it was well booked so Raven wouldn't lose. It was cool when Raven carried Riggs out, Nitro should be interesting.
Steiners vs. the Bluebloods: This was a joke. Nobody took Regal and Taylor seriously for this fight just because the Steiners are from Detroit. Also, the fire from the ring posts got a bigger pop (almost) that Rick and Scott. The place was totally filled with marks. Another solid showing though, but I was really dissapointed in the crowd reaction since it should have been huge.
Mongo McMichael vs. Das Wunderwhatsbeingstuffedinthepants Alex Wright: Mongo got booed! All the people on the floor flashed the Four Horsemen signal to him. Once everyone realized Mongo was fighting Wright, the crowd went with Mongo. Debra didn't distract him too much. It was a good Nitro match, but not too cool for a PPV. I think everyone wanted Goldberg, but it looks like this fued will be painfully drawn out forever.
Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero: Again, if anyone in the place knew anything about wrestling, this match should have gotten the biggest cheers in the world. Response was mediocre. Big "Eddie Sucks!" chant. The match was great, although Eddie's submission holds in the middle tended to drag. Also they totally flubbed a move at the end when Rey was on Eddie's shoulders but made up for it when Rey did a running moonsault. The end was good, but I was just pissed cause Rey lost. The crowd totally cheered when Rey almost won but stopped when they realized the fight kept going.
At this point a guy behind me pondered the question "I wonder what's worse, getting ripped off to see it live, or getting ripped off buying the PPV?" Now came the really pathetic part:
Fliar vs. Hennig: Hennig got a bigger pop than Flair! I like Hennig and all, but he's not Ric Flair. Everyone in the lower half of the arena stood up for the nWo music. I liked the match, but not too many other people seemed too. The fight in the crowd and when Flair closed the chair on Hennig's knee were the highlights. The slaps were so loud you could hear them up where I was, row N, lower bowl. Thankfully, everyone cheered when Flair had the figure-four, but then also cheered when Hennig won. Again, my pick lost.
The Main Event Battle Royal: Everyone got up for this, especially the announcer. Also, when the fireworks went off they mometarily turned off the lights that were shining out into the crowd, so I could actually see the ring, but then the went back on. Big cheer for DDP. Again, HUGE pops for the nWo. What's wrong with my state? The Giant was in the ring closest to me, and everyone was going nuts for him. Nobody was fooled by the broken thumb; "Use the other hand" was a common thought.
Everyone loved Hacksaw Jim Duggan. The entire crowd gave a thumbs up and "Hooooo!" about 10 times. Also huge pops whenever Scott Hall was in danger of getting thrown out. Also good when Rey threw out Eddie. Also one of Harlem Heat was laying into one of the Steiner's pretty good. Can you say Starrcade? When it was down to 5 men in ring 3 and the Giant took out Psychosis and Wright, the crowd went nuts. Not too many big events unitl DDP hit the Diamond cutter on Savage, then everyone went crazy. They loved it when the Giant chokeslammed him, too. The ending was cool too. Again, Hogan and nWo got huge pops, and when fake Sting came down everyone went crazy. Hall's victory was met with a few boos, but Nash taking off the mask was a crowd favorite. Although I hate nWo, the ending was pretty cool with the whole angle of it being planned.
I don't care what anyone says about the Battle Royal being bad, it was the best part of the whole night from being in the crowd. The crowd got into it too, but I can see how it would suck on television. Don't pass it up for a live show though. It ended with the nWo partying in the ring, I left when the credits started rolling cause nothing was really going on.
Look for Nitro on Monday from Saginaw to be "nWo country" if it's anything like Detroit. With Raven signing a contract, the Giant talking some crap to Nash, and probably something with Goldberg too, it should be pretty good. All in all, a good night, but that's only because I had so much fun yelling "Hoooo!" I have to get better seats next time.

Lawrence Jones at the University of Michigan sends in this arena report:

I can't add too much to what Mike Austin (any relation to Steve?) said about the show, but here's a little.
Before the PPV went on the air, the entire Raven's Flock made a point of walking around the arena floor to get their seats. Subtle!
After it went off the air, the nWo spent several minutes embarrassing the "unconscious" Giant & DDP, mostly with Bishcoff mocking them on the mic. However, Hogan did nail Page with a Diamond Cutter! Page & the Giant continued to lay in the ring for several minutes after the nWo left the ring.
Oh yeah, Bischoff's parting words to the crowd: "Drive safely out there...ahh, heck, do whatever you want!"
Like Austin, I walked out on the "Martial Arts" match. I felt bad that I missed Glacier getting power-bombed but, on the other hand, I didn't have to watch Glacier & Ernie at all!
I also walked out on the Mongo/Wright match. Perfect timing, too--left my seat as Alex was coming down the aisle, took a leak, and returned to my seat in time to watch Alex walking back to the dressing room.
Flair's slaps really were THAT loud. Flair's limp sure looked legit, in case you didn't notice. I figure he twisted a knee or an ankle when he hit Hennig with the double axehandle smash from the top rope. Really lame ending to what had been a good match, by the way.
Based on crowd response, T-shirts and such, I'd say that most people were there to see "the N!...Dubbaya!...O!" (Especially the Syxx look-alike seated right behind me, who was yelling "Get that trash out of the ring!" when the Giant & DDP were still sprawled out.)

Jordan Duncan from Garden City, MI sends in this arena report:

I was personally screwed over before ANYONE else in the arena, along with all the others who won a "Contest". We bought group tickets, and since we were the first 200, we got to go early and meet WCW's "TOP STARS"
OK, cool. Well, we get there at 5 o'clock, and wait in line until someone brings out.......Ray Traylor and Chris Jericho. Hmmm, top stars.
One thing though, as we walked in "Iron" Mike Tenay passed us and I yelled out his name. He asked how it was going, then I ruined any chance of him liking me by yelling out Senton Backsplash, Corkscrew Plancha and various other Lucha Terms which I've learned on his MARVELOUS Lucha Libre Report!
OK, we meet Ray, and he wasn't attacked and spray painted, so we go and get some food, then wait for the show to begin. All the entrance music being played over the loudspeakers. Finally, the countdown starts on the big screen.
When the Horsemen music would come on, crowd chants of "WHOOOO" would erupt.
Ten minutes or so before the show starts, out comes Raven's group. New guy with them, but I can't tell who from far away. My friend insists that it is Chris Candido. I doubt it.
Bobby Heenan makes his way to the booth, and everyone cheers when they announce his name. Yet, when he stands the "weasel" chants start. Okie dokie.
Match #1- Faces of Fear defeat Glacier and Ernest Miller via the Tongan Dumb Move.
- Hey, at least it's better than the CHRONIC KICK! Heee-yah!
- OK, I know it seems weird, but Ernest Miller with a COOL move. One of the FOF (Meng if I remember) in the corner and he springboards off their chest onto the other FOF outside. Cool!
- I smell a Glacier/Ernest breakup! DEAR HEAVENS NO! Ernest was not pleased with Glacier a few times. What will we do if this dynamic duo call it quits?
- Meng goozles Ernest for the pin, and Glacier leaves without checking on his buddy.
Match #2- Saturn retains the TV Title over Disco Inferno with the Rings Of Saturn.
- Disco comes out with one of the biggest pops of the evening! We all danced along to the Disco beats!
- Disco starts the match ala Raven, slumped in a corner. Haha.
- Much different from the match that Saturn won the belt on, Disco put up a fight this time.
- Outside the ring, Kidman starts talking trash, and is dealt a nice Chartbuster. Same with the new guy. Uh-oh, Disco pressed his luck, and goes for one on Hammer, but no avail!
- Match ends when Saturn turns a flying bodyblock by Disco into the Rings of Saturn. Good match.
Match #3- Yuji Nagata over Ultimo Dragon, somehow.
- I say somehow because this was my get food/go to bathroom match. Would have been Glacier's but that one opened the show.
- My friend summed it up good when he said, "Anyone who wears an old car tire to the ring doesn't deserve to be watched."
- Did anyone think Dragon would win? He hasn't even FOUGHT since the last match, and Nagata has been pushed. Duh.
- This match, I figured out that the "live" interviews conducted online by Madden aren't real.....since they showed on the big screen him interviewing Saturn, but I could see him from my seat with Lee Marshall.
Match #4- Mongo over Alex Wright by the Tombstone Piledriver.
- Mongo comes out with a large metal pipe. The crowd gives the Horsemen sign, and moderate reaction, boos and cheers.
- Cut to Goldberg lying out cold in the back, then Mongo challenges anyone to come face him. I hope for Nash. Oh, Alex Wright. What a shock!
- Alex was not pleased with Debra, yet he still managed to get some good dance moves in before the match.
- Debra's butt is getting big. As Alex was walking back he gave our crowd the finger thanks to the Faggot chants.
Match #5- Raven over Scotty "It's not a nicotine Patch" Riggs, by countout, I think.
- Oh no! Before the match, J.J. Dillon tells us if Raven doesn't sign a contract tomorrow, he won't be able to wrestle in WCW anymore! Gee, what will happen?
- I wish I could wrestle without a contract in WCW, too.
- Riggs dives onto Raven's pals beforehand. Turns into a good match, Raven taking bumps on the chair.
- Raven knocks out Riggs with 3 DDTs. In between he was yelling "This hurts me more than it hurts you!! and "I feel your pain!!" Haha!
- Here comes the stretcher....but oops! No Riggs. Hammer carried him off in the crowd, I guess to have his way with the poor guy.
Match #6- Steiners over Regal and Taylor by top rope Bulldog.
- Nothing out of the usual here. Typical Steiner match.
- Regal and Taylor are funny heels, I think.
Match #7- Eddie Guerrero over Rey Misterio Jr. by the Frog Splash
- Could have been the match of the night, but I don't even remember them using more than one ring.
- Rey missed a spot pretty bad near the end.
- Once Rey hit the hurricanrana(sp?) but Eddie kicked out, I knew Eddie would win.
- I thought I was wrong and Rey got the win, but Eddie got the ropes after Hurricanrana number 2.
- Um, what makes the Frog Splash more effective than a regular splash? Is Eddie "parting the wind"?
Match #8- Curt Hennig over Ric Flair by pinfall.
First nWo music of the night met with big pop.
Flair gets a big pop too. Bad thing.....neither was as big as Disco Inferno's!
Hennig with some LOUD chops.
I really had to pee and had to leave part of this match. My friend said Flair had Hennig in the Figure-4, but Hennig broke it by using the belt, and knocked Flair silly.

Match #9- Scott Hall wins the 60-man battle royal.

No Flair. And some people were picking him to win!
If you read the WCW website's "official" predictions, they pick Raven to win.....he's not in the match either.
Hard match to watch....Giant cleaning house in one ring, while the nWo takes care of bizz in another.
THERE HE IS!! SILVER KING!!! I hoist up my Silver King 3:16 sign with pride!
Buff got great crowd reaction, along with Duggan, and Misterio! Great sequence where Buff tosses Rey, who climbs back underneath, and this happens 3 times.
John Nord eliminated by the Steiners who pick him up by the legs and throw him out. It looked cool.
Final 10 are Buff (yeah!) Vincent, Savage, Hall and Hennig for nWo. DDP, Luger, Giant, Rick Steiner, and one of Harlem Heat.
Gets down to Giant and DDP against Hall. Big pop when DDP gave Savage a diamond cutter before he was tossed.
Hall motions to the entrance for a surprise, and nWo music starts up. Big pop since we all thought it would be hometown boy, Kevin Nash. Instead, Hogan. Joy.
Hogan looks like a REAL wrestler, and slams Giant. Diamond Cutter on Page, and he's history. Uh-oh, here's Sting! Only he's grown a foot and his hair has gray streaks just like Nash's!!
- I'm sure Tony Schiavone was convinced of Nash being Sting at least.
A bat shot to the Giant and he's outta there. Nash steps over the top and leaves, and the ref raises Hall's hand as the winner. Honestly, I was surprised! First time I didn't predict the winner of a main event in a WCW PPV in a while.
I see the credits rolling on the Palace screen, and the whole nWo is out. Norton must be hurt because he wasn't in the 60-man. Hogan with more diamond cutters, and gets on the mic saying "This is for my man 6-pac!" All the nWo members wore Syxx shirts.

Good PPV. At least it was good live. I dunno about getting it though. After all, two matches with Glacier???

WCW World War III '97 - Sunday, 11/23/97

By Lee Canfield

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