WCW Monday Nitro - Monday, 02/23/98

By Chan and Charlie and Matt

Sorry for the excessive length, but this is the return of Chan. He did so well on the SuperBrawl predictions...
To show that we lead productive lives, Chan spent the week attempting to market a t-shirt that says, "All the Spanish I know, I learned from watching pro wrestling." Meanwhile, Charlie perfected forging a Ric Flair autograph by looking at his and duplicating it repeatedly.
Trivia Question: When was the last WCW pay-per-view World title match that did not involved Hulk Hogan?
Last week's poll produced the resounding result that Ric Flair did indeed win more championships than Syxx has had pieces of @$$. I can't believe I just typed that sentence. Our own Bill, gave the most reasonable answer theorizing that since Syxx was married extremely young he did not have the time to attain the proper number of samples. Doesn't that sound like a science experiment?
E-mail of the week also concerned this: "Actually, I think Disco has won more title than Syxx has had pieces of @$$." Thank you, rboyd@neocomm.net.
This week's poll concerns who has the best tattoo in wrestling?
DFC would like to thank his girl Amanda for sending fifteen people to the DDT Digest site on Sunday alone. It's nice to know that friends are leading friends on a path of righteousness. Note from Chan: Sorry, I'm a religious studies major.
Before going to our e-mail, Jeff F. Let us know that a Memorial Fund has been set up for Louie Spicolli to help his mom pay for funeral costs and to also help her in an ongoing fight against cancer. The address is:
Louis Mucciolo Fund c/o Frontier State Bank
PO Box 1130
Redondo Beach, CA 90278
We will now catch up on some mail that Chan has received the past several weeks...
Chris Benoit's championship bouts prior to receiving U.S. Title shot 2/5 at Thunder:
- 11/26/95 U.S. champion Kensuke Saski pinned Chris Benoit at World War III.
- 2/5/96 WCW World champion Randy Savage pinned Chris Benoit at Nitro.
- 7/22/97 WCW World tag team champions the Outsiders defeated Chris Benoit/Ric Flair at Nitro.
- 10/6/97 Chris Benoit defeated U.S. champion Curt Hennig by disqualification on Nitro.
- 10/20/97: Cruiserweight champion Eddie Guerrero defeated Chris Benoit.
Note: Benoit also advanced to the finals of the Cruiserwieght title tournament, losing to Shijiro Otani in Nagoya, Japan (3/20/96)
Thanks to BFPisBuff, James Lawson (jdlawson@cybrtyme.com), MALER 409 and John Stokes (jestokes@arches.uga.edu).
January 20: Dave (rindoned@cayesnnesoft.com)
- Here's a nitpickers guide to who really runs the nWo:
  - Look at when B-Team Buff came out a couple of months ago with the cup of coffee. His saucer was just normal sized. Last night, A-Team Big kev comes out sipping from a larger Captain-sized mug.
  - Now it's plain to see who really runs the show!
January 21: "Reno" Shannon (unknownsender@unknown.domain)
- You guys mentioned last week that John Nord's boots were a tribute to Bruiser Brody. If you should do an in-depth study about him, Brody trained Nord along with Jake Roberts in the early 80's in the Texas/Oklahoma/Louisiana area. Brody and Nord often teamed in the old AWA under the guidance of Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissee.
January 28: Mike Goldberg (Bill's brother)
- Just to set the record straight, Flair and I went to school together at the University of Minnesota and in fact rented a house together for awhile with Patera as the third. Small world, given my (much) younger brother's current employer! (Chan's Note: For more information on Patera check out his official home page at http://tcguide.com/kenpatera)
January 28: Brian St. Clair (ecco@goldengate.net)
- The electric slide is unfortunately still popular in the hick bars in Minnesota. The music comes on and all these cheesy farm broads run out to do it, and they don't even do it right! I don't know why the announcers would compare DDP to these type of women. He has a Nitro Babe and they certainly perform better routines than the electric slide...
January 29: Ben Miller (miller@scf-fs.usc.edu)
- I loved your profile of Bill Goldberg. I hope you do more of them in the future.
- I did notice two omissions to your profile, though.
- His WCW debut was as the second jobber brought out by Rowdy Roddy Piper during the infamous "Piper's Team" Angle on Nitro on March 3, 1997 from Atlanta leading up to uncensored '97. He aggressively attacked Piper to zero crowd before swiftly being dispatched via sleeper hold.
- Also, you could have listed his entire wrestling repertoire. Heck, it only would have taken four words. (Editor's note: For the full repertoire and other additions, check out our friend's Unofficial Bill Goldberg site at http://members.aol.com/toothpick/)
February 3: John Sturtevant (jsturtevant@adrian.adrian.edu)
- I think I know who invented the powerbomb. Well at least this is the first person I saw use the move. Way back when, in the NWA the Road Warriors were feuding with a team called the Skyscrapers. On the Skyscrapers was Sid Vicious He was the first person I saw use the powerbomb. So I say it's him. (Chan's Note: Check out members.aol.com/bruiserbon/bruiser.htm)
February 3: Mike Gernand (tis@soltec.net)
- I'm not sure who invented the powerbomb, but I can tell you the first person I saw use it. Believe it or not, I saw Wendi Richter use it for the first time. I think I even read an article where she claimed to invent the move (she called it the brain splatter or something like that).
February 3: Walter B. Hollman, Jr. (Wibby@email.msn.com)
- Juice is also an urban way of saying you got much respect or fear from people in your neighborhood. (Ex. "Joe got serious juice after he capped Ronnie.) C'mon guts, don't sound so suburban!!!!!
February 4: Dario Landazuri (oirad1@juno.com)
- 'Bout the thing with Raven's right leg being shorter...it's not an angle. It's true. He had some sort of surgery while back in ECW. I've got video tape of him "wrestling" with a cast on, not 2 days after the surgery. Just thought you would like to know.
February 4: David Tabor (rabbit46@hotmail.com)
- I never really followed him in ECW, but in a copy of PWI (and a few matchers in WCW) he used to wear a Dino Jr. band t-shirt for the song "Feel the Pain." As a Dino Jr. fan I was happy when he popped up in WCW because he liked the band too. (Also that and my brother looks just like Stevie Richards)
- I think now he just wears shirts for body piercing and tattoo shops. Although, Dino Jr. is part of the Time/Warner/Turner family. It would be funny if Billionaire Ted made him wear T-shirts for bands of the Time/Warner/Turner family that need more promotion.
February 5: Ed Bethel (fasteddie@wesnet.com)
- Chris Benoit lost his tooth during a tag match on one of the first Monday Nitros back in late '95. He was wrestling with Malenko against Mr. JL (who was subbing for an injured Alex Wright) and Eddy Guerrero. Benoit got dumped outside and JL and Eddy sent Malenko flying through the ropes and he ran his head right into Benoit's mouth and on the replay you could see his tooth go flying out. Benoit bled for the rest of that match, and it was a kick ass match at that!
February 6: Ryan D. McCrea (rmccrea@usibr01.usi.edu)
- The first person to ever effectively use the jack knife as a finishing move would have to be Sid Vicious (Justice, Psycho Sid) whatever the hell you want to call him. It was called the jacknife power bombs. Months after, everyone and their grandma started using the move. Now there are so many different variations and everyone uses the move. But if I'm correct, I believe it was Sid.
February 10: Peter P (ppp200@is6.nyu.edu)
- Just wanted to let you know that McMichael's Tombstone piledriver was originally called the Mongo Spike way back in 96. So I guess they're calling it the Spike "again." Just thought you would find that interesting.
February 10: Joel Snider (quaderrik@usit.et)
- There is only one reason why Nitro does not come to Thompson-Boling. No beer. I think this would significantly reduce the crowd at it.
As you can see, there was a great deal of interest in Bill Goldeberg. An article appeared in yesterday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution. We accessed it off of K-Rock and Too Sweet's Wrestling headlines (http://virtual-mktg.com/kpowell/headlines/wwwboard.html)
Once a terror on the gridiron, Bill Goldberg takes his schtick to the WCW
By Jack Wilkinson, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Birmingham -- A warlord. A gun-totin', knife-totin' bad guy. A decade ago, when Billy Brewer was still the football coach at Ole Miss, that's how he characterized Georgia's undersized, outspoken, head-slappin', trash-talkin' nose tackle. In complimenting Bill Goldberg, Brewer also forecast his true calling in life.
Now, as a lifelong Oakland Raiders fan who idolized the late, crazed John Matuszak and played with the Tooz's outlaw abandon at Georgia and later with the Atlanta Falcons, Goldberg lives by a new credo: Just pin, baby.
"We got some Bill Goldberg fans!" the ring announcer screamed, and the sold-out Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center roared in reply. They're here for "Thunder," Turner Sports' wildly successful professional wrestling show that airs each Thursday night on TBS and packs arenas nationwide. They're here to see the luminaries of WCW Wrestling. Sting. Lex Luger. Hulk Hogan. And the newest rising star in the WCW galaxy. The unbeaten, the Chosen Person -- Bill Goldberg?
Oy. What's a nice Jewish boy doing in a menagerie inhabited by The Macho Man, Nature Boy, Sickboy and Mongo? Doing quite well, actually, as a burgeoning WCW icon wrestling under the unlikeliest of names. His own. Bill Goldberg? Sounds like an accountant. Looks like an accountant on human growth hormones, with a shaved head, goatee, tattoo and tiny black trunks the size of underwear. Somewhere, Mel Brooks is smiling.
"Goldberg rules!" a kid shouted as Goldberg appeared out of a cloud of smoke, posed beneath a waterfall of fireworks, slapped his face twice, snarled and stalked toward the ring. Homemade signs sprouted like dandelions:
Goldberg 4 President. Goldberg Ate My Wheaties. Give Goldberg a Title Shot. Saddam Hussein Fears Goldberg. Goldberg Never Beat Bama. Goldberg -- Enough Said. Five months since making his TV wrestling debut, Goldberg is undefeated and undeniably on the WCW fast track. This night, the designated Goldberg whup-ee is Fit Finley, a professional opponent who'll enhance what WCW TV commentator Bobby "The Brain" Heenan calls "Another chapter in the legend that grows in our sport. This monster, this killer, this . . . Mr. Goldberg!"
Fit Finley lasted five minutes, no match for Mr. Goldberg's strength, speed and athleticism. And the script. After shrugging off assorted forearm smashes and escaping takedowns, after performing a spinning neckbreaker of his own, Goldberg played to the crowd: Arms wide, eyes bulging, a roaring "Aaaarrgghh!" seeking approval.
Then he returned to his football roots, bouncing off the ropes and slamming down Finley with a charging tackle. Goldberg always uses the tackle as a prelude to The Jackhammer, in which he holds an opponent straight overhead, feet pointed to the ceiling.
"Nobody's ever done the Jackhammer," Goldberg said later. "I like to say I'm an innovator, with my instructor Dwayne Bruce. It's a pretty scary move. I wouldn't let anyone try it on me."
Fit Finley had no choice. Goldberg fell straight back but flipped Finley over, courteously not breaking Fit's neck. One, two, three, pin. Goldberg leaped up and roared. The crowd roared back. And as Mr. Goldberg marched off, Bobby the Brain saw greatness: "Is this man a monster? The only thing missing is the bolts in his neck. `Fire good.' Wow!"
The second coming
He is not Frankenstein, or even Peter Boyle. But Bill Goldberg does undergo a transformation in the ring, as he did on the gridiron. "After matches, I'm physically and emotionally spent," he said. "It really is like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."
More like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Goldberg. "To be totally honest, I'm just being myself," he said. "You remember me from Georgia. I'd rather fight than play. That's why it's so easy for me to portray the character. It's me."
A doctor's son from Tulsa, Okla., Goldberg grew up in a family with a tradition of "living on the edge." He flew gliders and acrobatic planes with two older brothers, once piloted the Goodyear Blimp, first broke up fights as a bouncer at age 17, started tons of fights in football and played ball with a joyful fury. At Georgia, he was hilarious, relentless and the best quote ever to blow through Athens. He talked an even better game than he played, and played well enough to make All-SEC as a junior in 1988 and again in '89.
Drafted by the Rams, Goldberg eventually played for the Falcons from 1992-94 before injuries, surgery and a lack of notoriety conspired to end his football career. Then what? By early '96, Goldberg was restless and so bored he even considered becoming a personal trainer.
"Nothing caught my eye," he said. "My money wasn't coming in like it used to, and football was a no-go. I wanted to do something to carry over the skills I'd learned in football. It'd be a waste to throw them away."
For years, people had urged Goldberg to wrestle, the perfect outlet for his gregariousness and athleticism. "I said, `There's no way I'm wrestling. No way I'm gonna shave my body and go out there in my underwear in front of millions of people,"' he said. He smiled. "And look at me now."
His parents were appalled. His girlfriend Lisa Shekter -- once a Diamond Doll who escorted WCW kahuna Diamond Dallas Page to and from the ring -- was delighted. Goldberg was already friendly with Sting and Lex Luger; he'd met them while working out at Main Event Fitness, the Doraville health club the wrestlers own. In September of '96, he signed a developmental contract with WCW.
"I honest-to-God figured I could bring something different to wrestling," said Goldberg. "I can bring the explosiveness and speed and power from football with, hopefully, the showmanship I learned from football. They didn't call me `The Mouth of the South' for nothing. I have a totally different style. With my size [6-foot-4, 285], I try to do things powerfully, but explosively."
First, Goldberg had to learn the wrestling basics from the mat up. For six months, five days a week, he worked with Bruce and other instructors and wrestlers at the Power Plant, WCW's wrestling academy in Atlanta. He also had to find a stage name, and shtick. Goldberg's first choice: "The Hybrid."
"My wrestling style is to combine power and finesse, a little bit of freestyle and a lot of submission style," he said. "What better name than `The Hybrid Fighter?"'
But there was a trademark problem with a company called Hybrid Clothes. Goldberg also considered "The Warlord" and "Junkyard Dog." Both were taken. "Then someone said, `Why not call yourself Bill Goldberg?"' he recalled. "I said, `Bill Goldberg? What an intimidating name."'
Low-profile, too. "Eric [Bishoff, WCW Wrestling's president] wasn't too enthused about the whole country not knowing me," Goldberg said. "I agreed. But they do now."
Now that Goldberg has learned the wrestling basics and psychological ropes. "The psychology of a match," he calls it. "You have your heel and you have your baby face. You want to keep a good story line throughout a match. The match has to be realistically sensible to a crowd. It can't be just give-and-take, with no peaks and valleys. You have to be the crowd, take 'em on a roller-coaster ride.
"If it wasn't for that, I'd win all my matches in 10 seconds. I'd just go out and tackle somebody. But the people aren't here to see 10 seconds of the back of my head."
They're here to see Sting and Lex and now Goldberg, who enjoys the camaraderie, notoriety and, yes, competition in a sport that is as fixed as a gelding. "If somebody walks up to me and asks if the business is fake," said Goldberg, "I ask if they want me to give them that tackle and then try to get up in the ring. I present them with an open invitation."
There have been no RSVPs. Yet Goldberg knows something remarkable is afoot, and what's behind it. A month after making his TV debut last September, he was told by management he'd become "the project." They saw Goldberg's potential and the crowd's response.
"Something right is happening," said Goldberg, who credits his good fortune to Page, Luger, Sting, management, his instructors and girlfriend. "This doesn't come along in a blue moon where they push somebody to the sky like this. The last time they did something like this it was with the Ultimate Warrior, about 10 years ago. Or Magnum T.A. It's a very enviable position."
It's seemingly inevitable that Goldberg will wrestle for the title. And become . . . Mr. Goldberg, WCW Champion.
"I think it's perfect for Bill," said Matt McCormick, once Goldberg's Georgia teammate, still his good friend and now a fan. "It's a good cross of showing his athletic skill and his affinity for the spotlight."
"I want him to be the champ," said Falcons defensive end Chuck Smith. "I think he's great. He liked to knock guys out, kick people. Now he can do it every day."
Do it each Monday on TNT's "Monday Nitro." Do it tonight in "Super Brawl VIII," WCW's pay-per-view cablecast from San Francisco. Do it as he used to in the Falcons' Glanville-era, post-practice wrestling cards in the locker room.
"We'd set up the coaches as our ring," Smith recalled. "Deion [Sanders] was our Don King. Guys would wrestle and Goldie was always his ace-in-the- hole. He would walk in the ring and Deion would ask, `Anybody wanna mess with Goldberg?' Everybody goes, `Nah, the mother's crazy."'
Even then they knew. Just like Billy Brewer.
We also thought that most of you would not have access to the IRC chat last night involving WCW wrestlers. We edited the chats involving Bill Goldberg, Rey Mysterio Jr and Bret Hart from 7pac's Inside Update (http://www.wrestleboard.com/7pac/News)
Bill Goldberg
- Question: Did you train at the Power Plant with Mike Winner?
- Bill Goldberg: No...With Dwayne Bruce.
- Question: Goldberg. . . Who are you going to destroy next?
- Bill Goldberg: Whoever's man enough to get in the ring with me.
- Question: Do you think you'll lock up with Mongo again?
- Bill Goldberg: I'm sure I will...And I'm looking forward to it.
- Question: Where do you come up with all these moves?
- Bill: Study...and ingenuity...I try to be totally different.
- Question: What were the names of those new moves you pulled out tonight - the gorilla press into a sidewalk slam?
- Question: What do you think about the comparisons people make with you to Steve Austin?
- Bill: He's bald and so am I .... Other than that, nothing.
- Question: Who do you think is going to win-Sting or Hogan?
- Bill Goldberg: Sting.
- Question: What do you think of Bret Hart?
- Bill Goldberg: Very experienced wrestler with a lot to offer me.
- Question: Would you join the Horsemen?
- Bill Goldberg: Yes.
- Question: What about the nWo?
- Bill: Better pay me a lot.
Rey Mysterio, Jr.
- Question: How's the knee?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: Good. It's doing good. Working hard on therapy.
- Question: When will you be back?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: I'd say about. . .June
- Question: Do you plan to stay in WCW for the rest of your career?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: I don't know.
- Question: Can you see a Rey-Giant match?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: Why not? Nothing is impossible.
- Question: What was your favorite match of 1997-98?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: I just saw a match recently with Chris (Jericho) and Eddie (Guerrero) against Dean (Malenko) and (Chris) Benoit. It was awesome.
- Question) Who's your favorite Nitro Girl?
- Rey: I'd say they all dance great. I've got no favorites.
- Question: How do you feel about Nick Patrick?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: No feelings.
- Question: Revenge tactics for Jericho?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: I'd say there is, but they will be proven not said. I'm going to do, not say.
- Question: What do you think of Kevin Nash?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: A Big man.
- Question: Why don't you go to the nWo?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: Maybe it's politics.
- Question: Any new moves upcoming?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: Oh definitely. Rocking. You will see a new Rey Mysterio when he comes back.
- Question: Have you talked to Vince McMahon?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: No. (on Vince McMahon)
- (Question) Japanese promotions?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: Japanese promotions. . . .
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: Very good. It's definite that they like the Mexican style because they do that.
- Question: What do you think of Shawn Michaels?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: Very good. Motivation for me.
- Question: Do you like the WWF?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: It's a good company. Good competition.
- Question: Outlawing the power bomb?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: I think it should be left legal. It's just part of wrestling.
- Question: Thoughts on Steve Austin?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.:He's a tough s.o.b.
- Question: Would you ever go for a tag team?
- Question: Partner?
- Rey Mysertio, Jr.: yes. With Kevin Nash, if I could. . .
- Question: On the Flock?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: A bunch of punks.
- Question: Who do you want to win, Hulk-Sting?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: I'd say sting.
- Question: What do you think of DX?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: I think it's good. I like watchin it.
- Question: thoughts on TAKA?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: I think he's great. Great respect.
- Question: Do you like the Quebecers?
- Rey Mysterio, Jr.: Eh. they're okay for their size.
- Question: What do you think of Mike Tyson?
- Rey: I'd say it's just good business to bring Tyson in.
Bret Hart
- Question: What did you think of your brother in law's win tonight?
- Bret Hart: I think it was an easier win than he expected because of the injury to Mongo. Mongo might have bit off more than he could chew. One thing about the bulldog: once he sinks his teeth in you, there is no letting go.
- Question: Is there legit heat between the clique and you, specifically Hall and Nash?
- Bret Hart: I don't necessarily believe in the so-called 'clique.' I'm more inclined to fear the nWo as far as the nWo goes, it's my mission to single-handedly break them down one right after another and destroy each and every one of them. That includes Nash and Hall anytime either of them want to step in the ring with me.
- Question: Will you get a title shot before '99?
- Bret Hart: Ask the WCW.
- Question: What do you think of Stone Cold Steve Austin?
- Bret Hart: I think he's a pretty good wrestler. And he's a pretty tough guy. And if he had any brains he'd leave that two bit federation and come here where the big boys play.
- Question: Why weren't you on tonight's card?
- Bret Hart: Good question.
- Question: Did the arrival and subsequent turn of Brian Adams disappoint you?
- Bret Hart: I've come to understand that everybody wants a piece of me and that I really have no friends except for a very close handful. I think what Brian Adams did was an attempt to put himself in the spotlight against me.
- Question: Are you going to go back to your old 'heel' ring persona?
- Bret Hart: I'm just going to be me. I never felt and still don't that I was ever too good or too bad. I feel that I'm in the middle of the road. Somewhere in that gray area. When I wrestle, I dish it out in line with what they deserve.
- Question: What do you think of Mike Tyson and the WWF?
- Bret Hart: Well, I'll be curious to see Mike Tyson wrestle and I hope he has fun with his experience in wrestling. But I wouldn't pay five cents to see Mike Tyson or anybody else stand out on the ring floor and do hardly anything for 20 minutes.
- Question: Is there any chance of the Hart Foundation coming back?
- Bret Hart: In one version or another, it's quite conceivable.
- Question: How is Owen doing? Is he happy?
- Bret Hart: I don't really talk much to him anymore. He's on a much more grueling circuit working for those lousy **&^%
- Question: Do you still miss Brian Pillman?
- Bret Hart: Yeah.
- Question: Is a match with Sting in the making?
- Bret Hart: I would have to think so. So far, with Sting, I think we've both gone through a period where we're both sizing each other up. We're not sure whether we're friends or foes but sooner or later the SHARPSHOOTER vs. the scorpion will have to be decided. And for me, anytime, anywhere works fine.
- Question: Are you going to be tag-teaming with Ric Flair?
- Bret Hart: No plans.
- Question: How did you feel about Canada losing to the Czechs in the Olympics (hockey)?
- Bret Hart: Well first, I was in shock. I went up to my room stared at the ceiling for awhile debated on going to the balcony and taking a big giant swan dive off . . . . but then I realized that if the Canadian hockey team didn't show the world once again that there is no stopping truth and justice.
- Question: Do you have any hard feelings towards Owen for staying in the WWF?
- Bret Hart: Absolutely none at all. And it's my understanding that Owen is only there because his boss will not let him out of his contract forever.
- Question: I'm 14 years old and want to become a wrestler. Any advice?
- Bret Hart: Get a good amateur background.
- Question: When will you actually wrestle again?
- Bret Hart: I have no bookings as of present. But I think I'm on the launch pad for some serious wrestling.
- Moderator: We'll take about two more questions.
- Question: Bret I'm from Calgary and 15. Where can I find training for wrestling?
- Bret Hart: I don't know.
- Question: When is WCW going to tour Canada?
- Bret Hart: I think some time before summer.
Moderator: Thanks for joining us Bret.
Other recent online interviews:
- February 18: Booker T. at http://www.ebworld.com/
- February 20: Ted DiBiase at http://canoe4.canoe.ca/SlamWrestling/dibiase_interview.html
- Scoop's with Bret Hart at http://www.scoopscentral.com/pages/The_Scoop/Powerslam/Bret/index.html (Chan's Note: The Link at Scoops directs you to the Buff Bagwell profile. This is the correct URL.
Official Wrestler Home Pages Opened Recently:
- Bobby Duncum, Jr. (http://www.bobbyduncumjr.com/)
- Terry Funk (http://www.doublecrossranch.com/)
- Bret Hart (http://www.brethart.com/)
- Other wrestler site news of note: http://www.shawnmichaels.com opened on February 19th, but is not an official home page for Shawn. Also, www.ricflair.com is for sale, thus is not associated with the WCW wrestler at this time.
Articles of interest:
Ted DiBiase's book reviewed at http://canoe4.canoe.ca/SlamWrestling/feb12_dibiase.html.
Bret Hart's latest column in the Calgary sun: "Ric's my man" is at http://canoe4.canoe.ca/SlamWrestling/hitman_home.
We highly recommend Mike Mooneyham's latest column in the Charleston Post and Courier which discusses among other things the death of Louie Spiccoli and the ironies in it. It can be accessed at http://charleston.net/pub/sports/wrestle/spicolli222.htm.
It mentions that he took his ring name from Sean Penn's character in "Fast times at Ridgemont High." It also discusses how he patterned his latest character after the late Chris Farley. We watched Farley's movie Tommy Boy and if you watch closely during the dance routine where Farley (Tommy Callahan, Jr's) father (Brian Dennehy) dies, you will notice that Farley does the Scott Hall finger point. This movie was released on March 31, 1995, long before Hall started doing this, so this maybe the origins.
This week's birthdays:
- February 25: Ric Flair
- February 26: Verne Gagne; Charlie and Sean's first Nitro (1996)
- February 27: Kevin Casey
- February 28: Eric Embry, Dewey Robertson (The Missing Link), Rick Steamboat, Masato Tanaka
Matt has theorized that WCW is putting on all rematches on their pay-per-views so they can present their nifty promos. Last night's pay-per-view had 9 out of 10 matches shown on free TV withing two months prior to the pay-per-view. Six of those matches were shown twice before the pay-per-view on either another pay-per-view or free television. Here is the breakdown:
Booker-Martel (1/24 Souled Out II and 2/16 Nitro); Booker-Saturn (1/12 Nitro, 1/26 Nitro and 1/29 Thunder); Armstrong-Goldberg (1/26 Nitro); Guerrera-Jericho (1/19 Nitro); McMichael-Smith (1/26 Nitro and 2/2 Thunder); Benoit-Page (2/5 thunder): Luger-Savage (1/5 Nitro and 1/24 Souled Out II); Outsiders-Steiners (1/12 Nitro and 2/9 Nitro); and Hogan-Sting (12/28 Starrcade and 12/29 Nitro. The only original match was Disco Inferno-La Parka bout.
The house show from Las Vegas, Navada, on Friday (2/20) appeared to be a better show than the pay-per-view. Results are as follows:
1. Lizmark, Jr./Juventud Guerrera over La Parka/Psicosis when Juventud pinned Psicois with a top rope hurricanrana.
2. Ultimo Dragon over Chavo Guerrero, Jr. with a Dragon Sleeper.
3. Chris Benoit over Raven with a Crossface.
4. Curt Hennig over Steve McMichael with a Hennigplex.
5. Lex Luger/Diamond Dallas Page over Scott Hall/Randy Savage via the rack on Savage.
6. Bret Hart over Ric Flair with the Sharpshooter.
7. Sting over Hogan when Hogan submitted to the Scorpion Deathlock.

DDP talking about the low from Superbrawl---Scott Steiner's turn to the nWo
- Same from Booker T, "Nature Boy", and Bret Hart
- Bret says he can relate better than anyone to Rick Steiner. This in reference to Owen turning on him and eventually defeating him at WrestleMani X in MSG (3/20/94).
We are live from Sacramento, California for California Dreams, uh, I mean Nitro
- Arco Arena says Chan
Tony is bringing us the biggest news that Sting defeated Hogan for the title.
- I bet you don't have footage, but only stills, huh, Tony
- I have a feeling we'll hear this 2 million times before the night is over
Mean Gene stops Rick Steiner who seems disturbed about the situation
- That's the most insensitive thing Gene has done since he asked Madusa how she felt after losing a career vs career match against Akira Hokuto (6/15/97 at Bash at the Beach). Macho Man was recently selected by Harvard as man of the year for possessing extreme masculine qualities. Gene's insensitivity may make him a frontrunner for the award next year.
Lex Luger vs Curt Hennig w/Rick Rude
- Odd, Luger is in an undercarder tonight
- Odd, Lex was booed out of the arena in San Fran last night, but now he is cheered in Sacramento
  - He was nice enough to spit on a fan last night
- Oh no, Lex is going to talk
  - He congratulates Sting
  - He mentions a dark cloud--is he referring to being booed out of the building last night?
  - I guess he's sick of being carried by Savage, so he challenges Scott Steiner
    - I hope this doesn't lead to another "Body on Body" match
    - WCW Hotline recently reported that Luger helped Steiner get his body back to where he wanted it. Scotty has shown some semblance of a neck lately...
- Scott Dickinson is the ref
- Scott Steiner pearl harbors Luger and gives him a belly-to-back suplex
  - Scott dyed his hair and goatee blonde.
    - Strongly resembles Lodi and John Nord
- Um, ok, this is now a match
- Luger takes control until Buff runs in
- Rick Steiner runs out and is face-to-face with Scott until Adams and the rest of the nWo hold Rick for Scott
- Sting has dropped out of the ceiling
  - Maybe they forgot that this was the beginning and not the end of the show
- Benoit, Barbarian, Renegade, Lizmark, Booker T, Jimmy Hart, and a crap-load of jobbers came out to help Rick
Nitro Girls in street clothes
- Larry: "....dancing their pretty little hearts out"
- I could have thought of a better noun than heart
Hammer vs DDP
- The Flock is trailing behind
  - Lodi Sign: "Hug Your Intern"
- "DDP" chants are ringing loud
- Lodi Sign: "Enjoy the Break!"
  - What?
- 20 years from now, DDP's ribs will still be taped.
  - To show he's not racist he is using black tape tonight
- Chan's Note: Charles Robinson is the ref
- Lodi Sign: "Toad, Clean Your Pad"
  - Toad is Lodi's partner on the independent circuit
- This match was worked very well which is expected b/c DDP and Hammer are legitimately good friends
- DDP wins via Diamond Cutter off the top rope
- Raven nails DDP from behind after the match and Benoit runs in to make a save
- Chan's Note: A Flair sign made its way into the ring after the match.
As they arrive from a commercial break you see Hogan and Uncle Eric get out of a limo but talk to someone else in the limo
- Vincent tells Hollybleach something about Sting and Hollybald is irate
- They are still showing that long walk to the set from backstage
  - We're waiting for one of them to trip
- Another Hogan interview without the cockiness and delayed entrance
- Row-long sign: "1-800-HairClub-4Life"
  - HAH!!!
- Same interview for the past year: Sting is a coward, yada, yada, yada, 1-2-3, yada, yada, yada, Nick Patrick, yada, yada, yada
- Hogan announces that "The Bad Guy" will take his well-deserved title shot tonight.
  - Kinda like DiBiase bought the belt by having Andre The Giant win it for him (2/5/88). Nearly 10 years to the day...
- Sign: "Mean Gene is my dad"
  - I wouldn't admit that if I were you
- Hogan wants to fight Savage in a steel cage at Uncensored
  - And you thought that you had seen Luger vs Savage too many times
- Savage has arrived DDP Style
  - ...in the crowd if you were wondering
- Savage says that he wasn't kicked out of the nWo, but Savage is kicking Hogan out of the nWo
- Savage says that he's ready for Uncensored
- Neither of the two can use Hall and Nash's catch phrases effectively
- Liz just looked so interested in the conversation.
  - That or she just doesn't give a damn
  - Looks like she is replaying Looney Tunes cartoons in her head
The wait is over, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit '98 is on after Nitro.
- Guys night out baby!
Roddy Piper will be in "Immortal Combat" hosted by Joe Bob Briggs this Saturday on Saturday Nitro
- TNT was doing so well with their programming: Nitro, Swimsuit, Roddy Piper movie
Kaz Hayashi vs Ultimo Dragon
- I wonder if Lily Nguyen from my Accounting class knows of him
  - I'll ask
  - Me and Mitch think she is gorgeous
- Tony mentioned Sting spraypainting WCW on Hogan's chest last night
  - Odd, I thought Uncle Eric would've banned spraypainting since the WWF successfully used racist graffitti courtesy of DX---S*CK IT!!!
- Tenay is pressed to call a move tope and Larry questions if it should be toupee.
  - Funny since Mickey J is the ref (Chan's note)
- Ultimo hits the top rope frankensteiner and Hayashi escapes the Dragon Sleeper once, but not the second time
  - The fans were into this match
- If anyone has any info on Hayashi, email Chan "The Man"
- He is not listed in any Japanese publications that Chan has checked online
Gene wants us to call the hotline
- Interview with Sting conducted by Mike
  - It's not Tenay, but who is it?
  - Now that Bret Hart is over, they have a number in Canada: 1-900-451-5344
Bruise Cruise Promo
- Subliminal Bill
- We received a hell yeah from Phil, the DDTDigest Medical Advisor
  - Don't ask me, I don't know anything about it?
Chan's Note on the Savage/Coach? Commercial: He wore a Gabrielle High School sweatshirt, but he went to Downer's Grove High School.
Nitro Party Video
- We should tape one
Raven vs Chris Benoit
- Benoit follows Raven to ringside and begins to chop him down
- I can't even call this, let's just say that Raven's got guts
- Scott Dickinson is the ref
- Benoit misses the diving headbutt
- Tenay mentions that he's surprised to see that move this early in the match
  - We're surprised to see these matches in the first hour
- Raven gives Benoit a running bulldog onto the chair
- Raven baseball slides into the chair into Benoit
- "Raven Sucks" chants
  - Raven has a new shirt: Front-"Raven" Back-"Quote the Raven Nevermore"
- Benoit takes advantage with his chops
- Benoit sets the chair in between the top and middle turnbuckles and throws Raven into it in a freaky segment
- Benoit gives Raven 3 consecutive rolling German Suplexes
- Kidman runs in to be killed, then Lodi, then Sick Boy, and Riggs nails Benoit with a forearm
- Raven sets him up for the Evenflow and DDP runs in
- Benoit nails DDP: DDP, Raven, and Benoit duke it out
- DDP and Benoit tease a fight but save each other from the flock
- DDP and Raven are good friends in real life also. I wonder what it's like to bust up your friend for a living.
- DDP and Raven were petitioning to get Jake Roberts hired
The Nitro Girls dressed all in black. Black leather that is. They are, dare I say, en fuego.
Chris Jericho vs. Lenny Lane
- Jericho comes to the ring wearing Juventud's mask.
- "What, you don't know?" was Jericho's opening remark mimicking "Road Dog" Jesse James. He didn't finish it with "You better ask somebody!"
- Claims to want to wear a mask as a tribute to "Air Quasi."
- Jericho claims that 4 million people tune into see his face so he must take the mask off.
- He claims that Dillon is 83% sure that they will change the name of the show to WCW Jericho as opposed to WCW Nitro.
- Lane was one of the jobbers who came out earlier during the Steiner melee.
  - Lane is an independent wrestler out of Minnesota who has been used as a jobber. Bill recently had an e-mail sent to him in one of his Thursday columns.
- Charles Robinson is back to refereeing the cruiserweight championship matches.
- Jericho's new goatee is cool because it goes out to points on both sides. Give me a week and I'll look like Jericho.
- Zbyszko repeatedly refers to "The Young and the Useless." Hey, we resemble that comment.
- Jericho is wearing a black bandana on his left arm in honor of Louie Spicolli. Last night he ripped it off when it got in his way during his match with Juvi. We won't begin to speculate what that signifies. He did wear it on his right bicep last night.
- Lane had a nice somersault splash to the outside.
- Lane is written on the back of Lenny's neon green trunks.
- Lane also hit a nice forward Russian leg sweep.
- Lane reversed the lion tamer and got a two-count.
- Lane tapped out to the lion tamer seconds later.
- We feel they should rename the hold now that he is no longer "Lion Heart" and is "Lyin' Heart."
The announcers babble on about the preceding happenings.
- Have you ever noticed how Mike Tenay just nods at damn near everything.
They show footage of Scott from earlier.
- In case you didn't notice last night. Rick wore black and Scott wore white. They are almost always coordinated at least in their ring colors. Scott wore the same white outfit tonight.
- Who will Rick Steiner trade shoes with now?
Vincent vs. Rick Steiner (with Ted DiBiase)
- I will commit suicide if Vincent wins!
- Scott is now in the nWo dogpound. How ironic that Scott would be the one in the dogpound...
- "He just wants to break this guy in half and he wants to do it."-Larry Zbyszko. My grandmother's grandmother could rip Vincent in half. And she's dead! If Vincent is considered alive, we'd want to be dead to.
- Mickey Jay is the referee.
- Tenay mentions that Rick is a former television champion. This is true. He held it 12/26/88-2/20/89. He both won and lost the title to Mike Rotundo (V.K. Wall Street).
- Rick is just beating the stuffing out of Vincent. Those shots had to hurt.
- Rick won with a bulldog from the top rope and won with his knee on his chest.
- He then bit Vincent. Vincent has been known to say, "Bite me!" Hey, dogs are supposed to be able to sense things...
Bobby "The Brain" joins the broadcast team.
Yuji Nagata (with Sonny Onoo) vs. Perry Saturn
- Saturn's nipple ring has more charisma than Nagata.
- Scott Dickinson is the ref
- Where can we get some of those big hands that pop up at every arena
- This match is really dull.
- They discuss Rick Martel's torn medial collateral ligament. Is this legitimate? We can only hope...
  - We will miss Martel's ring music which sound like 1970s porn. He is old enough to have been in porn in that decade.
- They discuss the "historic" match that Booker had wrestled back-to-back championship matches on the same night. Is this a first?
  - We remember Ric Flair earning an opportunity to wrestle Savage for the World title at Starrcade 1995 by defeating Sting and Lex Luger in 28:03 (12/27/95). He then defeated Savage in 8:41 in the next match to win the championship. While the first match was not a championship bout, it seems like his ring time was greater than Booker's last night.
- Saturn blocked the Nagatalock. Nagata directed his entire focus on the legs to set up the move all for naught.
- Saturn won with the Rings of Saturn.
- Renegade vs. TV Champion Booker T.
- Renegade is trying to get HIS title back.
  - Hopefully, Arn Anderson did the job for everyone in wrestling when he laid down for Rich Williams (6/18/95).
- Charles Robinson is the referee
- We knew something was going to happen badly when the main eventers were on in the first hour. Now we're stuck with Lenny Lane and the Renegade. Maybe, the big boyz all wanted to be home to watch the SI Swimsuit edition.
- Renegade has frills on his tights.
- Bobby and Tenay agree Booker went more than 30 minutes. If Mike and Bobby agree it must be true. Maybe his ring time is close to Flair's.
- Booker hits the 110th street slam.
  - 110th street is getting popular again since it is prominently mentioned ina Puff Daddy song on the Jackie Brown soundtrack.
  - 110th street is known for its jazz as well.
  - Any other information on 110th street can be sent to chan
- They completely blow a spot where Renegade does a cartwheel and Booker missed with a spinwheel kick. At least Renegade wasn't allowed to win the match.
- Booker T won with his traditional finisher
Konan vs. Lizmark, Jr.
Lizmark wears a cape to the ring
Tenay comments:
- Lizmark's father is credited with perfecting the plancha
- Lizmark and his father come by their high flying style naturally as they were cliff divers in their native Acupulco, Mexico
Mickey Jay is the referee.
Lex Luger vs. Scott Steiner was made official for Uncensored.
Lizmark got a two-count on Konan.
Bobby claims to like Scott's new hair so Tony bashed him for liking something abou an nWo member. Personally, we agree with Bobby.
Konan won with the Tequila Sunrise
Konan gets on the mike and bashes Juventud Guerrera
- Konan spoke both Spanish and English
- He says that Juventud is just a foregone conclusion now
- He refers to Juventud under his real name of Hanibal Gonzalez
- He says that he is nothing without his mask
- Funny since Konan lost his mask in a match with Perro Aguayo (sp?). Supposedly, Konan agreed to lose his mask to help him in his activing career on soap operas to make him recognizable.
- Maybe they are trying to stress the significance of losing a mask in a match. I don't think the U.S. fans get it still.
The Nitro Girls on the set
- Bobby: "The Nitro Girls should be here every week. And they smell nice." Bobby has a way with words.
Vicious and Delicious vs. High Voltage
- The return of High Voltage. They have been appearing in Japan and have reportedly improved vastly.
- Some fan actually has his kid in the rack.
- Kaos looks like Pillman.
- For the record Kaos is the blonde and Rage is the brunette. Sorry, I just wanted to say brunette.
- Scott Dickinson is the ref. They got too close to his face on one close up.
- Buff starts off against Rage.
- We reached the 2 million mark for Tony saying that Sting is the World heavyweight champion
- Kaos hit a bulldog from halfway acroos the ring.
- Tony comments on the success of the young competitors challenging the veterans in recent matches.
- Scott Norton messed up a move and Kaos may have been legitimately hurt.
- Buff pinned Rage after a blockbuster shortly after the blown spot.
- Norton talked into the camera after the match as Buff wiped the sweat off his browl. Norton should leave the talking to Buff.
Eddie Guerrero vs Disco Inferno
- Switch to RAW
  - Golddust comes out in poka-dots with a pillow stuffed in his tights to resemble his father.
  - This was only after they did a montage of Dusty.
  - What did Dustin Runnels do to deserve this?
- Eddie was laying on the ropes a la Jeff Jarrett
- "Eddie Sucks" Chants
  - Surprise, surprise
- Charles Robinson is the ref
- Disco is back to his "Samuel Jacksonesque" outfit after wearing his retro-orange last night.
- Heenan: "...if Disco goes into the ring dancing, it takes him a long time to get into the groove"
  - What does Bobby Heenan know about grooving other than when the Nitro girls are on the set?
- They said that Eddie was a human buzzsaw
  - Could Syxx be coming back?
  - I hope so
- Heenan: "Tony, just think about how stupid you sound!"
  - He read our minds
- Eddie wins with the Froggie
  - It's just not the same without Dusty yelling, "It's the froggie, the froggie!"
Nitro Girls wearing Nitro shirts
- If that's all they are wearing then I have come to the conclusion that they are teases
- Speaking of teases, they stripped the shirts off to expose their, uh, silver tops
- Tony: "Where are we?" referring to house shows and Heenan replies with "HEAVEN!"
Mean Gene interviews JJ Dillon to a round of boos
- JJ says that the decision rendered last night is official
- For the record, JJ: "Sting is the Champ!" for the 2,000,001th time
- Brings out Patrick to congratulate him and reinstates him for the next match
  - Patrick: "We're going to get along just like peanut butter and jelly from now on"
  - Hopefully this is the end of Patrick's career on the mic
Brad Armstrong vs "The Birthday Boy" Ric Flair
- Tony mentions that the governor of Minnesota has declared Friday as "Ric Flair Day"
  - That's a good enough reason for us to skip classes on Friday. The only difference between that day and every other day is now Chan has a reason. :-)
- Nick Patrick is the ref
- Random Comment/Question: I'm 6'2", Matt is 6'3". Does anyone think that me and Matt should enter Promo Azteca's midget division as the Undertaker and The Giant?
  - Why are all midgets from Mexico?
- Flair hooks the legendary Figure-4 for the Win
- WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATURE BOY
  - Bill, have Arn give Nature Boy our best birthday wishes
Video clip of the victim of "Big Sexy Giant Killer" Kevin Nash
Mean Gene interviews The Giant and his CHOKESLAM
- I've seen the guy in the Hyatt in Knoxville, he is friggin' huge
- We don't like the fact that they're using Arn's neck injury to validify this crap
- Giant sounds like he's insane
  - If they start calling him "The Loose Cannon".....
- Says that he is always thinking about Nash
  - Please, Kev is a married man..
- They act like you're not supposed to hurt anybody in wrestling
- Sign: "Jacknife Saddam"
  - I'll give that a "Oh Hell Yeah!"
Mean Gene in the ring again? To interview Brian Adams aka Crush
- Looks like Brian has been growing out his sideburns to look like his fellow nWoites
  - Man, he looks like Wrath!
- Huge pop when Adams tells Gene to shut up
- Adams: "The most asked question around the world is why is Brian Adams in the nWo?"
  - I didn't think anyone gave a damn
- Production Note coming from a Broadcasting major: Adams asks to switch cameras in the middle of his interview
- Babbles on about the Hitman and Bret interrupts
- Adams just isn't good enough to be in a program with Bret
- Bret wants the match right now as Gene skidattles
Bret Hart vs Brian Adams
- Adams hits a tilt-a-whirl
- Bret takes advantage and slaps on the sharpshooter
- Curt Hennig is tardy on his run-in
  - We hope Hennig is programmed against Hart instead of Adams
- Flair arrives to give his chest chops and thigh chops to Hennig and Adams
- Flair is pimpin in the sweatshirt just like Samuel Jackson in "The Long Kiss Goodnight"
  - Flair reminds me of my dad in this segment dancing around in his briefs
- Flair: "Breeeeeeeeet the Hitman Haaaaaaaaaaaaart, Whoooooo! Welcome to WCW 4-Life! Whoooooo!"
  - I don't think Hart knew what to say
- Flair tells Hart that "today Hart is the best there is, the best there was, and today the best there ever will be", not maybe not tomorrow.
  - Flair deserves to have that comment directed toward him just 2 days before his birthday
- Flair shakes Hart's hand for not degrading him after Hart defeated him at Souled Out II
- Flair wants to walk that aisle side by side with Hart
- Hart challenges Hennig for a match at Uncensored
- Flair points at an nWo fan and says "Hey, you, fat boy, in the nWo shirt, do you know where it's at?" then begins to gyrate and give him the thigh chop
  - Too funny, but what do you expect from THE MAN!!!
  - Hart did not seem happy with Ric's little display.
Michael Buffer is in the house so you know it's the main event
"The Bad Guy" Scott Hall vs "The Mute Guy" Sting
- The Black and White Express minus Hall is here
  - Anyone think Hall is under the ring a la Sting?
  - Anyone think Hall will turn away from the nWo tonight?
- Sting arrives one too-too short of being a ballerina
- Charles Robinson is reffing the main event once again
  - Anyone know where Pee Wee Anderson's been?
- Hall comes out dressed like Sting and nails Sting with the bat
  - Those shots with the bat must not hurt at all. Sting literally didn't even notice the first one, and totally sold the second one.
- The nWo punks Sting
- Hall gives him the over the top suplex and gives Sting the Edge
- Spraypaints nWo on Sting as Savage runs in
  - Savage is dead
- Read Sarcastic: Have they mentioned that Savage is the most dangerous man in wrestling?
- A man resembling Brutus Beefcake is in the ring but makes him Hammer and watches the beating but doesn't get involved
  - He looks like a biker with sunglasses and a beard
  - The announcers can't figure out who he is
- Luger clears the ring with a chair
- What a sucky ending
- We hope that wasn't Hall's title match
Trivia answer: The Giant successfully defended the world title Lex Luger at 1996's Great American Bash (6/16/96).
We learned during a commercial break that Monster Trucks are coming to Knoxville. Wonder if Dusty will be there...
This is Chan, Charlie, and Matt signing out until next week

WCW Monday Nitro - Monday, 02/23/98

By Chan and Charlie and Matt

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