WCW Monday Nitro - Monday, 06/01/98

• Chan and Charlie are busy this week (check out their fantastic Lodi Guide if you haven't yet), Bill's at the arena, so I get the Nitro duties this week.

• The show opens with a Sting montage, beginning with Surfer Sting images and ending with the Sad Mime images.
• Nitro's opener airs
• We are live from the MCI Center in Washington, DC.
• Tony, Mike, and Larry talking about Sting
  • There's a loud Larry chant, which he turns around to acknowledge.
  • Tony says Sting will make his decision tonight for sure.
• A white limo is shown arriving to the arena, with a WCW sign on its hood.
  • Dillion pops out first, to the crowd's displeasure
  • Then Diamond Dallas Page, Booker T, and Goldberg, donned in his new t-shirt and sunglasses, step out of the car.
• Luger's speech to Sting from Thunder re-airs.
• Back from a break, we get treated to a fireworks display.
• The Nitro girls come out, each wearing a different outfit.
• Sign: "Look, We're Drunk on Nitro"
• Man, the crowd sounds loud tonight.
• Jerry Flynn vs. The Cat
  • As soon as I mention the vitality of the crowd, we get this match.
  • Flynn attacks to begin the match.
  • The Cat lands a backbody, followed a slam and rapid kicks.
  • Flynn counters with a shot to the gut, some slaps, and a clothesline.
  • The crowd is dead.
  • The Cat blocks a kick by Flynn, tackles Jerry, and punches him on the mat.
  • Flynn applies an armbar, and follows with kicks and punches.
  • Sunset flip by the Cat, but they roll into the ropes.
  • A "boring" chant can be heard.
  • Flynn nails a leg drop and attempts a pin
  • The Cat lands some chops to the throat, and following with a Fireman's Carry and a slam
  • The Cat gets the pin after nails Flynn with a spinwheel kick.
• A black limo arrives, this time with Liz, Rude, Hennig, Nash, Luger, Konnan, and Savage, who gets a big pop from the crowd
• Ad for the Sting movie on PPV June 5th.
• Wolfpac interview time
  • The Wolfpac enters to their new rap theme.
  • Hennig is on crutches.
  • Sign: "More Nitro Girls, Less Mean Gene"
  • Nash grabs the mic and does a new survey, nWo Hollywood vs. nWo Wolfpac
  • The crowd strongly favors the Wolfpac.
  • Luger grabs the mic and pleads for Sting to join.
  • In case loyalty isn't a good enough incentive, Luger adds the Wolfpac has lots of fun in the back of limos.
  • Luger challenges Hogan and the Giant to a match between Nash and himself.
  • Nash grabs the mic once more and lets everyone know the Wolfpac in DC is just too sweet.
• Bret Hart's comments on Thunder are re-aired.
• Raven and Saturn (w/riot guards) vs. Public Enemy (w/table)
  • Raven and Saturn enter first, followed by PE.
  • Johnny Grunge talks right in the front of the camera, leaving his drool on our TV screen.
  • It's Raven's Rules, and Nick Patrick is the ref.
  • Saturn starts against Grunge.
  • Saturn follows a series of kicks with a suplex.
  • Raven is tagged in, but quickly tags out.
  • The announcers note the Raven is ordering Saturn around.
  • Back inside, Saturn is elbowed by Grunge.
  • Tag to Rocco Rock, allowing PE to doubleteam on Saturn.
  • Saturn tries some gut shots, but Rock no-sells.
  • Saturn gets nailed with a leg drop, but kicks out of a pin attempt.
  • PE continues the assault as Raven looks on.
  • Rocco Rock misses a springboard move, allowing Saturn to get near Raven's corner.
  • Raven tags himself in, but accidentally nails Saturn.
  • Saturn and Raven argue, allowing Rocco Rock to nail them both.
  • PE nails Saturn and Raven on the outside.
  • PE does the Drive By on Saturn back in the ring.
  • Rocco Rock squashed Raven on the table twice.
  • Rocco Rock accidentally nails Grunge with a chair on the ring apron.
  • Saturn does the Spicolli Driver.
  • Raven jumps in to get the pin, which upsets Saturn.
  • Raven says that because Canyon has been rehired, Raven has rehired the Flock to protect he and Saturn.
  • Raven also announces the Saturn will face Canyon at the PPV.
  • The crowd is pretty quiet.
• More Thunder highligts.
• WCW Road Report
• Nitro Girls
• The Party Pack winners are the La Parka Chair Club for Men
• Alex Wright vs. Chavo Guerrero, Jr.
  • Alex is wrestling on TV for the first time since November.
  • Close up of a Flair shirt - wake up cameraman!
  • Chavo is without his uncle.
  • Wright controls early, dancing after a successful slam.
  • More dancing following a backbreaker.
  • Chavo's had enough, and tackles Wright, nailing him on the mat until Charles Robinson pulls him off.
  • Wright goes to the outside, where Chavo nails him with a suicide dive.
  • Both men throw each other into the security rail.
  • Chavo continues the aggressive attack inside.
  • Wright manages to apply the STF, which Chavo quickly taps out to.
  • Eddie enters, trying to maintain the peace.
  • Eddie tells Chavo that his family is now proud of him, and he doesn't have to fight his uncle at the PPV?
  • Chavo insists on fighting Eddie.
• It's 8:55, so it's time for a big interview to keep us from turning to RAW.
  • Tony welcomes Randy Savage.
  • Piper's music blares - wake up, sound guy!
  • nWo Wolfpac music soons goes on.
  • Savage enters, and calls out Piper.
  • Now Roddy Piper enters
    • The sound guy really blew that one.
  • Piper says Savage needs a shriek.
  • Savage wants a match with Piper following the tag match.
  • Piper accepts
  • Piper points out that Hart has never worn an nWo T-Shirt, and until he does, he's not part of the team.
• Thunder highlights.
• J.J. Dillion enters, and says that Sting should remain loyal to WCW, plus he'll help Sting regain the world title if he remains WCW.
• A third limo arrives, carrying most of nWo Hollywood
  • Tony mentions Dusty Rhodes, and Larry remarks, "How'd he get in there?"
  • The whole gang comes out to the ring
  • Bischoff does the usual, followed by Hollywood
  • Hart unbuttons his shirt, revealing a Hogan shirt.
  • Hart says Hogan is the greatest ever
  • Hogan says a shirt is worth a thousand words.
• We are joined by Bobby Heenan and the Nitro Girls
• Konnan vs. Lenny Lane
  • Konnan gets a loud pop
  • Lane carries Ab solution with him.
  • Konnan controls early, but Lane takes over with a bulldog.
  • Konnan recovers with a Sidewalk Slam.
  • Konnan then lands a cradle DDT (187) and wins with the Tequila Sunrise.
• Goldberg T-Shirt ad
• Rude/Hennig interview time
  • Rude tells Tony to get lost
  • Rude says he just wants everything to be absolutely "p..."
  • Hennig says "don't use the p-word or we'll get a lawsuit" [perfect]
  • Hennig tells Konnan to take his matches against Goldberg at house shows so he can be ready at the PPV
  • Hennig says Goldberg will soon be known as Goldturd because he's a piece of... [Rude takes the microphone away]
• TV Champ Fit Finley vs. Eddie Guerrero
  • The match begins with lots of grappling
  • Finley takes down Guerrero, who counters with a wristlock.
  • Finley nails a nice slam, but Eddie manages to take him down.
  • Finley nails Eddie on the ring apron.
  • Finley throws Eddie across the top rope.
  • Finley charges into the turnbuckles, but misses.
  • Eddie takes control
  • Chavo enters, and the match is thrown out.
  • Chavo stalks Eddie.
• Hilarious Chris Jericho segment, showing him taking his protest to the Capitol Building, the Supreme Court, the White House, and the Library of Congress.
• Chris Jericho vs. Juventud Guerrera
  Jericho calls out Dillion, but he doesn't show.
  • Jericho controls early
  • Juvy takes over after yanking Chris's hair.
  • Juvy misses a turnbuckle move, allowing Jericho to nail Juvy with a backbreaker.
  • Juvy again takes control with a DDT and Juvy Driver
  • Juvy then tries for the 450, but Jericho stops him
  • Instead he does a crossbody, which Jericho reverses into the Liontamer, but Juvy gets to the ropes.
  • Juvy nails a huricanrana on Jericho outside
  • Reese enters, slams Juvy, allowing Jericho to get the easy pin.
• Booker T vs. Chris Benoit.
  • A review of the series begins the match.
  • Controls alternates.
  • Fit Finley observes from ringside.
  • "Whoos" accompany Benoit's chops.
  • Eventually Booker T gets a near pinfall after a crossbody.
  • Benoit nails a German Suplex, but both are tired.
  • Finally Booker T gets in an Ax Kick.
  • Benoit reverses a suplex attempt into the Crossface for a 3-1 lead in the series.
• The Sting video package re-airs.
• DDP vs. Scotty Riggs (w/Sick Boy)
  • Riggs mocks Page to begin.
  • Page knocks him down and takes controls.
  • Sick Boy interferes, but Page nails him.
  • Page puts Riggs into the Diamond Cutter from a Fireman's Carry.
  • Sick Boy then attacks, but DDP reverses a full nelson into a cutter as well.
• La Parka vs. US Champ Goldberg
  • All right! La Parka!
  • Tony wants to see La Parka nail Goldberg with a chair
  • Loud "Goldberg" chant, plus tons of Goldberg signs.
  • Only Glacier's entrance is as long as Goldberg's.
  • La Parka nails Goldberg with a chair, but he no-sells.
  • Speak, Jackhammer, Win. 94-0.
  • Sign: "Goldberg vs. Godzilla"
• Lex Luger and Kevin Nash vs. Hollywood Hogan and Giant
  • Buffer does intros
  • Giant is now listed at 513 lbs.
  • Luger wipes his armpits with Hogan's ripped shirt, then Nash wipes his rear with it.
  • Lex Luger controls Hogan until Hogan gets in an eye gouge.
  • Nash and the Giant eventually go at it, Nash getting the upper edge.
  • Tag to Luger, who controls until the typical tag team mayhem occurs.
  • Hogan nails Nash with a chair or a belt and the ref calls for the bell.
  • The crowd's eye on the ceiling, so here comes Sting.
  • Sting comes down from the ceiling and steps into the ring.
  • Sting reveals a black-and-white nWo shirt and hugs Hogan.
  • Sting then nails Hogan.
  • Sting rips off his shirt to reveal a red-and-black shirt.
  • Sting then bodyslams the Giant.
  • The Wolfpac celebrates and nWo Hollywood stares in disgust for a few minutes to close the show.

Bill's Arena Report:

• Dark match before the show: Yuji Nagata over Silver King with the Nagata Lock
  
• Three hours plus a dark match is a long time...and there didn't seem to be a whole lot of wrestling. There just seemed to be a whole lot of talking. One guy in my group actually fell asleep.
• After the Raven/Saturn match, Saturn and Reese got in each others' face and Saturn laid in the ropes in the corner, ala Jeff Jarrett, daring Reese to come after him. Reese left.
• Alex Wright didn't get that big a pop. I was disappointed in the response he got, given such a major injury.
• I was absolutely hysterical at the Jericho in DC thing. I do a lot of work with the Federal Goverment, so I recognized all the places he went to.
• We saw two guys in DX shirts thrown out, but I didn't see why
• The chair shot La Parka gave Goldberg was really loud.
• Sign: "Scott Hall Fears Betty Ford"
• After the show ended, the Wolfpac spent quite a while out there soaking up the cheers.