WCW Thunder - Wednesday, 07/08/98

By Bill

Still The Enforcer

Trivia Question: Who was Ric Flair's roommate, not-so-coincidentally the man who convinced Ric Flair to get into professional wrestling? Answer at the end of the report.
As for Nitro, all I've got to say is that within the span of an hour, we saw Jim Neidhart, Hacksaw Duggan and Hulk Hogan cleanly pinned. Quite probably the greatest single hour of WCW programming in the last eighteen months.
- Well, maybe except for the hour containing the five seconds where Chae popped out of her top. ;-)
As for my prediction for how long Goldberg will hold on to the title, I'm not even going to try to guess. As Wade will confirm for you, every single one of my predictions for Nitro on Monday was 100% wrong, so I'm not going to embarass myself any further, especially in front of a larger crowd.
I find the whole Goldberg thing interesting...they're making a big deal out of the fact that he's the first undefeated World Heavyweight Champion in history. Anybody else notice how hard it has gotten for anybody to be part of a select group, have the most, or much less a "first" in anything in professional wrestling? Think about it. It all started with Harley Race being pushed to more championships than Lou Thesz. Then, Hogan defeating the "previously undefeated" Andre the Giant (followed by Ultimate Warrior and others) and eventually eclipsing Bruno's two reigns. Then, Ric Flair overtaking Harley Race. Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard being the first team to hold both the NWA/WCW and WWF World Tag Team Titles (followed by Road Warriors, Steiner Brothers, and Nasty Boys). Ric Flair being only the second man to hold both the NWA and WWF World Heavyweight Titles (followed by Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage). For years, Pedro Morales was the only Triple Crown winner in the WWF. Then, in rapid succession, Kevin Nash, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels joined the club. To top that, the European Title allowed Shawn Michaels to be the first, and thus far only man to hold all four WWF titles. Then the Steiner Brothers overtaking the NWA/WCW tag team belt record from the Rock 'n Roll Express, and then Harlem Heat taking over that distinction. Then, the Giant winning the World Heavyweight Title faster than any other rookie. Then, Booker T racking up the numerous Television Title reigns, eclipsing Arn Anderson. Now, Bill Goldberg as the first undefeated World Heavyweight Champion in history.
Note that one distinction the Road Warriors have that no other team will is that they are the only team to hold the NWA/WCW, WWF, and the AWA Tag Team Championships.
Rather than "Who's next?", maybe we should ask "What's left?" Certainly, someday the records of number of title wins for the WWF and WCW titles may eventually be broken, especially with the now frequent title changes. But, other than being the man to deflower Goldberg, what's left to make headlines?
The Diamond Cutter mail from DDP kills me. Man, he has to set the world record for using the words "shoot" and "work" in one e-mail. Enough, already. The real pip in his e-mail was him saying the Erik Watts is about to make a comeback in WCW. Ugh!!!
Did anyone else see Howard Stern's appearance on The Magic Hour? Did you, like me, think that the big, black guy in the crowd that threatened Howard Stern was Tiny Lister / aka Zeus / aka Ze Gangsta? He had the look, and he had a weird eye. However, I replayed the sequence a couple of times, and I convinced it wasn't.
Then, today, in the car on the way back from lunch, I was talking about the show with someone I work with, and he thought it was Zeus. Any comments?
Now, on to the show...

The show opens with Tony talking about Goldberg, and some pre-recorded Goldberg chants.
We are live from Birmingham, Alabama.
More about Goldberg from the announcers.
Some big announcement from J.J. Dillon. Goldberg winning the title affects Bash at the Beach. I'm not sure how, since Hogan didn't plan on defending it.
- Dillon comes out of a conference room, and says that Hennig has challenged Goldberg for the title at Bash at the Beach.
- Goldberg is not obligated to defend, but he has agreed to, anyway.
- Thus, at Bash at the Beach, Goldberg defends against Hennig, and Giant and Kevin Greene will face each other in a singles match.
- The Executive Committee will have an announcement as to the status of the U.S. Title sometime in the near future.
Tony reiterates Dillon's announcement. Also, he says Dallas Page will face Hennig one-on-one tonight. He pushes the PPV.
Curt Hennig w/Vincent comes out to be interviewed by Tony.
- Hennig says he can't wrestle Page tonight because it interferes with his game plan for Goldberg.
- Crowd (or the P.A. system) starts chanting "Goldberg".
- Hennig starts to ramble. He must be drunk again.
- Hennig yells into the camera for Rude to get with the lawyers to get him out of the match with Page tonight.
- Hennig says he'll win the title for Hogan.
- You know, about nine months or so ago, I was in Arizona at my client's house for dinner. I was there with a female coworker who had never watched wrestling. (Coincidentally, it was the night Chae popped out of her top, but we weren't watching then.) We watched for a about fifteen minutes while we were waiting for dinner to get ready. We saw an interview, the Nitro Girls, and some other promo. After fifteen minutes, with no touch of irony or sarcasm, she said, "I thought you said this was a wrestling show."
Public Enemy vs. Tokyo Magnum and Shuba Nabunaga
- The Japanese duo attack before the bell, but Public Enemy turn the tables quickly.
- Tokyo Magnum dances like Alex Wright outside the ring.
- Grunge pulls Magnum back into the ring, and Grunge and Magnum go at it one-on-one.
- Shuba is tagged in, and Rocco is tagged in and Public Enemy get in a quick doubleteam.
- Chaos ensues quickly, and Public Enemy pitch Magnum from the ring.
- Shuba (still the legal man) eats a drive-by on the double-stacked tables.
- Shuda is rolled back into the ring and Grunge pins Shuda.
- Tokyo Magnum comes in to dance, and Public Enemy beat him up.
- The Dancing Fools (Disco/Wright) run in and stomp a mudhole in Public Enemy.
- The Dancing Fools are dancing as we go to commercial.
Villano IV vs. The Cat
- No longer Ernest Miller, no longer Ernest "The Cat" Miller. Now, it's just "The Cat".
- Villano IV was already in the ring and doesn't get introduced.
- Villano IV goes to work early. He doesn't even let Kitty Be Badd take his goofy robe off.
- The Cat attempts to turn the tables with a Sunset Flip.
- Villano IV comes right back and continues to systematically take The Cat apart.
- The Cat with a back kick and a back body drop.
- The Cat rips off his robe and hulks up.
- Villano IV rolls out and Villano V jumps in, unbeknownst to the referee and The Cat.
- Villano V almost wins it with a small package, but the Cat comes back with a Feliner and pins Villano V.
Tony Schiavone brings out Eddie Guerrero to promote the hair vs. hair match at the PPV.
- Eddie congratulates Goldberg on his victory.
- On to the business at hand, Eddie says Chavo has some loose screws.
- Eddie says he's going to straighten Chavo out.
- Not only is Eddie going to cut Chavo's hair, but Eddie's going to shave Chavo bald, because "no one likes bald people".
  - That line only works if Okerlund is doing the interview.
- Sign: "Chavo, You Need A Bigger Box".
Tony Schiavone brings out "Diamond" Dallas Page for yet another interview.
- Dallas Page, taking a page out of Roddy Piper's cheap heat handbook, says "What's up, Birmingham?"
- Dallas Page says to Goldberg, "I'm proud of you...and that's a shoot, and you know that!"
  - Man, did I ever call that one.
  - It's not a shoot if you call it a shoot. Sort of like calling yourself modest.
- Dallas Page says Malone's been working hard.
- Page says Hogan's going to have a bad day on Sunday.
- Page says Hennig will not weasel out of the match tonight.
- Page leaves through the stands.
- Wade: Shouldn't Malone's finisher be called something like 'Goin' Postal'?"
Juventud Guerrera vs. Judo Suwa
- Sign: "Hey, you, wash the hair!"
- Judo with the early advantage with, well, judo.
- Big boots by Juvi to turn the tide.
- Big backhands by Juvi, not much "Whoo"ing by the crowd anymore.
- Flying headscissors by Juvi, Judo rolls out, and Juvi hits a plancha.
- Back in the ring, Judo regains the advantage.
- The crowd is distracted by Kidman's arrival.
- Juvi hits two Juvi Drivers, and gets the pin.
- Kidman gets in Juvi's face, and the Flock attacks Juvi from behind.
- The Flock holds Juvi down as Kidman hits the shooting star press.
- Lodi's sign: "No Hablo Español"
Aldo D: "The new gimmick for Starcade 98 - nWo Hollywood will sell being scared of a guy in a Small Soldier outfit. A week later, Hogan brings out Robocop and he/Small Soldier will headline Souled Out 99."
Tony Schiavone brings out Mongo for an interview.
- Cool, another interview...and with one of their best interviewees. ^*
- Mongo wants to talk about Horsemen business, and specifically Arn Anderson.
- They play Arn's interview which he gave right before his match with Ric Flair.
- Interestingly, they let the interview go through Arn saying Ric Flair's name.
- Come back to Mongo, and he talks about Arn and mentions Ric Flair's name. As Mongo says Flair's name, Tony acts like his earpiece gave him a 220 volt shock. It was probably Bischoff screaming his head off in the production room.
- Mongo babbles on for a bit, and the interview ends.
- ^* = Sarcasm
Bash at the Beach promo.
Konan vs. Stevie Ray
- Booker T and Stevie Ray have angry words, and then leave.
Back from commercial, Hennig is on the phone to Rick Rude saying that he needs some fax sent to prevent the match. He gets off the phone and says he "guarantees" the match won't happen tonight.
Raven & Horace vs. Saturn and Kanyon
- Lodi's sign: "When In doubt, Just Flock It"
- Next Monday, they will replay the Goldberg/Hogan title match. Sort of takes the suspense out of the Goldberg/Hennig title match on Sunday, doesn't it.
- Saturn vs. Horace to start. Kanyon is tagged in quicky.
- Kanyon has the advantage until he is distracted by Raven outside the ring, and Horace hits a suicide dive on Kanyon.
- Raven is tagged in and administers a beating on Kanyon. Horace is tagged in.
- Horace slams Kanyon and hits a big splash.
- Crowd: "Raven sucks...Raven sucks..."
- Kanyon comes back with a flapjack out of fireman's carry.
- Hot tags in both corners. Saturn cleans house.
- Chaos ensues. Saturn gets a table from under the ring, and eventually Kanyon puts Raven on it.
- As Saturn goes to the top turnbuckle, Lodi throws powder in his eyes, temporarily blinding him.
- Horace nails Kanyon with the stop sign as Kanyon is laying Raven on the table.
- Horace replaces Raven with Kanyon on the table.
- Saturn, still blinded, launches himself at the table and winds up hitting his partner instead.
- Kanyon is rolled into the ring and Raven pins Kanyon.
Steve "Mongo" McMichael vs. "Big" Rick Fuller
- Fuller starts off early with chops. Fuller does great backhand chops.
- Mongo hits two tackles, goes for the tombstone, but Fuller blocks it.
- They start brawling, and Fuller wins that exchange.
- Fuller with a suplex, and he goes up top, but Mongo crotches him.
- Tombstone piledriver (impressive) and Mongo gets the pin.
- Mongo points into the camera and challenges Arn again..
The announcers confirm that Malenko will not be at the PPV on Sunday. Malenkos's been fined and suspended. Heenan's comments on Malenko, his brother, and his father: "You know, they don't look alike".
"Lionheart" Chris Jericho comes to the ring.
- He's got a bandage on his head.
- Jericho says he can't wrestle Dean-o at the PPV due to Malenko.
- He wants a credible opponent, and he calls Jo-Jo out to tell him who his opponent will be. Dillon doesn't appear.
- Jericho says that if he has to, he'll read poetry at the PPV, and he will be there.
WCW World Cruiserweight Champion Chris Jericho defends his belt against Ultimo Dragon
- Criss-cross, and Ultimo begins to make a monkey out of Jericho.
- Kicks, punches, etc. Finally, Jericho comes back with a suplex.
- Jericho hangs Ultimo Dragon up in the corner and dropkicks him. Backbreaker and over-the-knee attempted submission by Jericho.
- Backhand chops by Jericho.
- Flip by Jericho, by Dragon lands on his feet and hits his series of kicks.
- Jericho catches Dragon on an attempted handspring and hits a big German suplex for a two-count.
- Dragon crotches Jericho, goes up top, and hits a gourdbuster.
- Cradle by Jericho, two-count only.
- Backbreaker by Jericho.
- Dragon with the Sleeper, but Jericho goes to ropes.
- A very good, and very fast series of about ten two-counts, and Jericho finally catches Ultimo Dragon in the liontamer on a reversal of an attempted head scissors.
- Ultimo Dragon taps out. Great match.
- Outside the ring after the match, Jericho made the ref raise is arm in victory three times, then snatched the belt away from the guy and gave him a good shove. The announcers note that Jericho will be fined for referee abuse.
Tony Schiavone brings out Kevin Greene to bring the show to a screeching halt.
- Greene drops Goldberg's name in an attempt to get himself over.
- Wade: [retch retch heave]
- Greene starts talking about how great he is, and it sounds like the arena is completely empty.
- Greene says the Giant is home "burping, farting, and drinking".
- Wade: [click....BANG]
- Greene stomps off.
A special look at Dennis Rodman. 10:05, and still some PPV hype.
"The People's Champion" Diamond Dallas Page vs. Curt Hennig
- DDP comes out first. DDP's rib tape is back.
- Hennig comes out in street clothes.
- On the way to the ring, Hennig takes his shirt off.
- Somebody from WCW security comes running up with a piece of paper, and Hennig smiles.
- Hennig goes to the ring, and gives the paper to Penzer to read.
- According to the letter, Hennig is under no obligation to wrestle Page tonight.
- Vincent starts messing with Page, and Page whacks him, and Hennig attacks Page from behind, and the bell rings.
- Vincent gets diamond cuttered, and Hennig rolls out.
- Goldberg's music plays.
- The fireworks start and WCW, "who doesn't promise and not deliver like the other guys", fades to black.
- And, we're out of time, but not so out of time that we don't have time to see another Bash at the Beach promo. *sigh*
Dark Match: WCW World and U.S. Heavyweight Champion Bill Goldberg pinned Scott Hall following a spear and a jackhammer in a title defense.

Trivia Answer: Ken Patera

Brian S. from Mississippi State University sends in the following arena report:

I'm in Starkville, MS and made the trek over to Birmingham last night to see Thunder. I made a few observations that you might be interested in.
The Goldberg chants were not played over the PA. They were real.
WCW's sound system was awful. Page and Jericho were the only ones we could really hear.
You mentioned in you're report that there wasn't much "Whoo"ing going on for the backhand chops. I think they were just not picked up, because I heard a lot of them.

WCW Thunder - Wednesday, 07/08/98

By Bill

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