WCW Monday Nitro - 11/30/98

• No mailbag this week. I'm way too exhausted from driving up and down three states over the holiday weekend to think.

• In case you missed it, Brad Armstrong actually won a match on WCW Worldwide this week. For the brazillion of ArmstrongManiacs out there, it was truly a reason to give thanks.

• Well, it appears that the teased Chris Jericho/Bill Goldberg match won't be going down. If you can believe the Internet RumorBoards, Goldberg was either convinced by the "big boys" not to sell cruiserweight Jericho's offense, on the grounds that it would make it look that much more impressive when he sold theirs, or Goldberg himself decided that he didn't want to face Jericho. Or, maybe there were other factors. Any way you slice it, I think it's a bad idea.

  Of course, nobody's expecting Jericho to win the World gold at this stage in the game. But he managed to turn a rinky-dink little angle with Goldberg into something very interesting all by himself. And the Jericho/Goldberg match would have been a good way to get another younger star into the spotlight as a legitimate title contender, in a federation that is still suffering from age stagnation. Now, Goldberg is actually starting to get in gear, while Jericho is moved into a low-level feud with the unspectacular Bobby Duncum Jr. I guess we'll just have to see.

• For both of the fans of my Nitro reports out there, you'll be seeing less of me over the next month. Next week, I'll be indulging my dorky, Unix-centric, day-job side at the 1998 Usenix LISA conference in Boston. I'll be back the following week (Monday, the 14^th), then I go into the hospital for neck surgery. I should HOPEFULLY be back for good on the 28^th of December.

• And we're LIVE from Chattanooga, TN, with WCW Monday Nitro!
  • Tony's reeling over the Hogan retirement announcement.

• Tony and Larry are in the booth
  • Mike Tenay is out sick tonight.
  • Tonight, the contract signing between Goldberg and Kevin Nash.
  • Also, DDP vs. Hart for the US Title.
  • We see clips from Leno, with Hogan playing the face.
  • Hogan gets some shots in on Ventura, saying he was a little fish in a big pond and won the Governor's race, so what could the "Big Dog" do? Run for President.
  • Hogan is in favor of the Flat Tax.

• We cut to the back, waiting for the nWo limo to show up.
  • As we come back from commercial, the limos are pulling in.
  • Giant is the first out of the limo. Adams and Horace are next.
  • The terror of DOT workers everywehere - Scott Steiner, Vincent, nWo referee, Stevie Ray, and Eric Bischoff are out, too. No Bagwell.
  • The nWo folk are on their way directly to the ring.
  • Scott is leading the way to the ring, if that matters.
  • In the ring, Steiner grabs a mic.
  • Bischoff has one too, and gets to talk first.
  • Bischoff introduces the "heir apparent" of nWo Hollywood, Big Poppa Pump, Scott Steiner.
  • Steiner wants everyone to observe a moment of silence for Hogan.
  • Giant crosses himself.
  • Steiner says he just flew in from LA, and said that Hogan made him the new leader of the nWo.
  • Steiner praises Hogan.
  • Steiner also praises his 'roids, er, body.
  • Apparently, he is the nWo's hookup.
  • The crowd is going mild over Steiner.
  • Steiner says the first order of business is to take care of someone who left the nWo (which is apparently 4-life), so Scott Hall is the first order of business.
  • Steiner, along with Horace, challenges Hall and a mystery partner to a tag match tonight.

• I just noticed that in the "Club" commercial where a guy is stealing a car, you can see someone in the window of the house watching him. You'd think they'd stop the thief or something.

• Mmmm.....Spice.....

• Match 1: Konnan vs. WCW World Television Champion Chris Jericho (w/Ralphus)
  • Gonnad makes his way out at 8:20pm for our first match.
  • Blah blah blah catchphrases blah blah blah. Hey Gonnad - get a REAL job.
  • Hm - The aforementioned Chris Jericho is led out by Ralphus.
  • This is a TV Title match.
  • Zbyszko: "Ralphus doesn't have any teethus!"
  • Jericho sends Ralphus back to the locker room.
  • Jericho shows the belt off.
  • Konnan does a front flip for no apparent reason, and armdrags him.
  • Jericho kips up, but gets clotheslined.
  • Konnan scratches himself in Jericho's face.
  • Looks like a blown spot, and Konnan slaps Jericho.
  • Konnan puts a whuppin' on Jericho in the corner.
  • Konnan dropkicks a seated Jericho to stop a Jericho comeback.
  • Jericho vaults off a turnbuckle to dropkick Konnan off the apron.
  • Jericho goes over the top to land on Konnan.
  • Jericho moves the ringsteps in to position, and whips Konnan into the steps.
  • Jericho rolls Konnan back into the ring.
  • The "C'mon Baby" pin only gets one.
  • Jericho slams Konnan, and asks if the crowd is ready.
  • Jericho slowly goes up top, takes some time, but gets a boot to the face as he comes off.
  • Konnan with the rolling clothesline.
  • Konnan blocks a suplex with a Fisherman Suplex for two.
  • Jericho lariats Konnan, and actually hits the Lionsault for two.
  • Tony: "You are watching two of the young stars, two of the veterans..."
  • Konnan delivers a spinebuster for two.
  • Konnan with a waistlock, but Jericho rolls through and tries the Liontamer.
  • Jericho applies a Boston Crab, but Konnan gets to the ropes.
  • Jericho thinks he's won, and celebrates with the belt.
  • The ref informs him of the real deal, and Jericho tries to bean Konnan with the belt.
  • Konnan ducks, kicks Jericho in the gut, and hits a carpetmuncher on the belt!
  • One....two.....three! Konnan wins! Konnan wins the belt!
    
  • Luger and Nash come out to celebrate.
  • Unfortunately, they ruin the moment by playing Konnan's rap video. Bleah. He's certainly no "3^rd Bass."
  • Comments from Dumpster: "They wait 30 minutes for a match, and job Jericho to Gonnad. Thank you, Kevin Nash. After 15 years I can finally declare myself free of wrestling."

• Mean Gene is in the ring, and calls out Ric Flair.
  • Flair doesn't look happy at all, but warms up a bit when he hears the crowd.
  • Flair doesn't give a big MEEEEAN WHOO GENE!
  • Flair says there has come a time in his life where he has to walk down the aisle and has to focus, because he wants Bischoff to hear it.
  • Flair says he's old, but getting old is one thing, getting great is another.
  • Flair lists guys like Wahoo McDaniel, Ole Anderson, Road Warriors, Hogan, Arn & Ole, Barry Windham, Johnny Valentine, and more made Bischoff what he is.
  • Flair says he's disappointed in Barry Windham, but is mad as hell at Bischoff.
    
  • Flair: "You can bleep it, you're an assh[bleep]"
  • Flair says that if Bischoff fires him, everyone will know that an old man called him out.
  • Flair wants to wrestle Bischoff anytime, and challenges Bischoff to come jump on THIS old man! Whoo!!

• This week's Nitro Party winner - some guy from North Dakota.

• We take a look back at the Wolfpac celebrating with Konnan and the TV belt.

• Scott Hall makes his way out with no music and an Outsiders shirt
  • Hall grabs the mic. Hey yo.
  • Hall says he heard about the nWo wanting to beat Hall up. But getting beat up is what Hall does.
  • Hall says he doesn't have many friends, so he'll fight them one-on-one.
  • Hall says he's doing everything alone.
  • Hall accepts the challenge.
  • Kevin Nash comes down the aisle with a mic, and waves at Hall in the ring.
  • Nash: "Hey yo."
  • Nash says that if Hall needs a tag partner, he'll be Hall's "Huckleberry."
  • Hall does the Elvis-point at Nash.

• Match 2: Raven and Kanyon vs. The Armstrong Brothers
  • Raven sulks out with Kanyon at his side.
  • The camera goes on a quick acid trip.
  • This'll be a tag match, actually.
  • Raven is lagging behind Kanyon.
  • Kid with a sign: "I'm Better Than Kanyon."
  • Raven slumps in the corner.
  • Their opponents, Scott and Steve Armstrong! Whoop Ass!
  • Of course, they're going to lose, but hey, any exposure is better than no exposure.
  • Zbyszko mentions the Armstrong Curse.
  • Steve is wearing his "Young Pistols" outfit again.
  • Scott starts off, the bell rings, but Raven just sits there.
  • Kanyon tries to talk to Raven, referring to him as "Scott", who is motioning for something.
  • Raven gets a mic, and asks what about him?
  • Raven starts to whine about his mother, but Kanyon takes the mic.
  • Kanyon berates Raven, and tells Raven to get over it.
  • Scott Armstrong interrupts THAT by beating on Kanyon.
  • The Armstrongs with a doubleteam, and Steve hits a Gourdbuster for two.
  • Kanyon catches Steve, and hits a facebuster from a Canadian backbreaker position.
  • Kanyon manages to bring Raven to his feet, and they go face to face.
  • Raven leaves the ring.
  • Steve tries to take advantage, but Kanyon applies the hurt by himself.
  • Kanyon yells for Raven while Steve recovers.
  • Kanyon blocks an Irish whip, and hits the Flatliner on Steve!
  • Kanyon goes to the ropes to yell for Raven some more, but Scott Armstrong runs in and rolls Kanyon up!
    
  • One....two....three!!!! ARMSTRONGS WIN! ARMSTRONGS WIN!!!!
  • The Armstrongs hit the high road as Kanyon goes berzerk.

• And we're back with Hour Number Two!

• Mean Gene is in the ring, and calls out Bret Hart
  • Gene reminds Hart that it has been a year since he arrived in WCW.
  • Hart says he's been hurt, real bad.
  • Hart says DDP has put him on a hit list, and says that Dean Malenko tried to rupture Hart's groin.
  • Hart: "You people don't understand, because none of you people got groins."
  • Hart says that he wants to wrestle DDP, but the doctors say he can't.
  • DDP starts coming through the crowd to get his requisite "Scum" quota in.
  • DDP enters the ring.
  • Page gets his "Hitscum" in.
  • DDP reminds Hart that it was Hart who was challenging Page.
  • DDP calls Hart a "damn liar."
  • DDP says that if it WAS true, Hart was "excellently executed."
  • Hart says he doesn't have his gear.
  • Hart says he's been an underdog his whole life, so if DDP wants to put the title up against a cripple, but it has to be no-DQ.
  • Page agrees to the no-DQ match.

• We take a look at DDP making the save for an injured Dean Malenko last week.

• Match 3: Eddy Guerrero vs. WCW World Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman
  • Eddy Guerrero comes out sans Art Flores.
  • Eddy is making "belt" motions around his waist.
  • It's because he's facing Cruiserweight champ Billy Kidman.
  • Eddy talks some smack to Kidman, and shoves him.
  • Eddy slaps Kidman, but Kidman dropkicks him in the back and beats on him.
  • Tony actually uses the phrase "Get his dander up."
  • Kidman flips Eddy.
  • Kidman hits a slingshot headscissors.
  • Eddy tosses Kidman, but Kidman connects with a dropkick.
  • On the outside, though, Eddy introduces Kidman to the steps.
  • Eddy wedges Kidman between the apron and the steps, then dropkicks the steps!
  • Eddy with his slingshot somersault senton.
  • Eddy hits a shoulderbreaker on Kidman, and applies an armlock.
  • Commercial.
  • As we come back, Eddy is still working the arm.
  • Eddy wraps the arm around the corner post.
  • Eddy plants Kidman, and goes up top.
  • Kidman catches him on the top, though.
  • Kidman tries a SuperFrankenstiner, but Eddy holds on.
  • Eddy tries a powerbomb, but Kidman turns it into a facebuster.
  • Kidman blocks a corner throw and turns it into his rope-spring bulldog.
  • Kidman then applies a hurting to Eddy.
  • Kidman with his Spine Bomb off the ropes for two.
  • Kidman tries it again, but Eddy turns it into headscissors.
  • Eddy hits a tornado DDT, and goes up top again.
  • Kidman catches Eddy AGAIN.
  • Kidman hits a top-rope superplex.
  • Kidman bumps the ref (Charles Robinson) with Eddy's legs.
  • Kidman connects with the SuperFrankensteiner, and drags Eddy to the corner.
  • Kidman goes up top, and Juventud comes to the apron.
  • Kidman kicks Juvi off the apron.
  • Rey Mysterio Jr. comes out, and delivers a springboard dropkick to Eddy's back!
  • Kidman goes up top, and delivers the Shooting Star Press to Eddy!
  • Rey rolls the ref back in the ring, and he counts the pin! Kidman wins!
  • Post match, Kidman and Rey shake hands, and both hit the road as the LWO gives chase.

• We see Bam Bam Bigelow in the crowd, sitting in a seat.
  

• Eric Bischoff and Barry Windham make their way out
  • Bischoff says he went out to Cody, WY, for the holidays.
  • Bischoff says his neighbors say we need another hero.
  • Bischoff shills for Hogan's lame-ass campaign with some public policy.
  • Bischoff instead calls out Dean Malenko?
  • This is odd.
  • Malenko, Benoit, Arn, and Mongo come to the top of the ramp.
  • Bischoff wants them in the ring.
  • Malenko goes it alone to the ring.
  • Bischoff says he respects Malenko.
  • Bischoff says that Malenko will have his opportunity to be a hero.
  • Malenko will wrestle Barry Windham. If Malenko can win, then Ric Flair will get the opporunity to wrestle Bischoff.
  • Malenko accepts the challenge.
  • Bischoff calls down the special guest referee - Dusty Rhodes.
  • Big Dust comes down with an nWo shirt on.
  • Dust shakes hands with Bischoff and Windham, and offers a handshake to Malenko, who refuses.
  • Dusty says something in DustyBonics.

• The Nitro Girls do their thing, and Bobby Heenan joins the booth.

• Match 4: Wrath vs. Bobby Blaze
  • The Man With One Loss, Wrath, comes out.
  • Bobby Blaze is the opposition.
  • Wrath opens up on Blaze.
  • Meltdown. Splat. Win.
  • That was quick.

• More shots of Bigelow in the crowd.

• Match 5: Sonny Oono (w/The Cat) vs. Perry Saturn
  • Kitty B. Badd and Sonny Oono make their way down.
  • Kitty does his usual Muhammad Ali ripoff, and says he's here to whup somebody.
  • Kitty makes a challenge to the crowd.
  • Since nobody jumps the rail, and makes a call to the back.
  • It's Ambiguously Gay Saturn!
  • Saturn comes to the ring.
  • Kitty says he was taught to protect the weak, and Saturn's weak, since Oono beat him.
  • Kitty says he's going to leave, instead of taking Saturn apart.
  • Saturn: "Earnest, that sounds like an excuse. If you're scared, say you're scared."
  • Kitty calls Saturn: "Beetlejuice."
  • Kitty says that if Saturn beats Oono, he'll get a match with Kitty.
  • Oono doesn't look happy, but takes his jacket off.
  • The bell rings, Oono does some karate poses, but Saturn hits him with the Saturn Bomb.
  • Saturn makes the cover, but the Kitty pulls the ref out of the ring.
  • Glacier runs in and gives a Cryonic Kick to Saturn.
  • Glacier puts Oono on top of Saturn.
  • Saturn kicks out at two!
  • Kitty throws a chain to Oono, but Saturn ducks a chain-punch and delivers a Spicolli Driver to Oono! Saturn makes the pin.
  • Kitty points to Saturn's trunks, where Oono has stuck the chain.
  • The ref sees the chain and DQ's Saturn. Oono wins by DQ.
  • Oono is still out in the ring as we go to commercial.

• In the parking lot, a security escort is walking Goldberg and his fanny pack in from his limo
  • The chants start as Goldberg is entering the building.
  • Goldberg makes his way down the aisle.
  • Gene Okerlund and Terry Taylor are at the table for the contract signing.
  • Taylor still looks to be in good shape.
  • Bigelow isn't happy in the crowd.
  • Wolfpac music brings out Nash.
  • Konnan and Luger escort Nash to the ring.
  • Nash and Goldberg sit at the table.
  • Nash stares at Goldberg.
  • Nash signs the contract.
  • Then the second copy, too.
  • Apparently, Goldberg is going for the "Ron Garvin Maneuver" by guaranteeing that he will not defend the belt before Starrcade.
  • Goldberg signs the contract, too.
  • Bigelow jumps the rail, but a mass of security catches him and takes him out of the arena.

• Match 6: Mike Enos vs. Booker T
  • Yes yes yes! No no no!
  • Booker T makes his way down.
  • Mike Enos is already in the ring.
  • Booker with the early advantage, enjoying himself.
  • Booker has a big knee brace.
  • Booker hits a forearm, followed by a kick.
  • Enos hotshots Booker, then clotheslines him over the top.
  • Enos delivers a lariat from the apron.
  • Enos drops Booker throat-first over the guardrail.
  • Enos with an avalanche clothesline.
  • Booker hits a spinning kick off of a reversed whip.
  • Booker escapes a powerslam and hits the ax kick.
  • Belly-to-back suplex, breakdance, and Harlem Sidekick.
  • Enos gets up, but Booker ducks his clothesline and plants him with a standing spinebuster for the pin. The move was most recently Van Hammer's finisher, the Flashback.

• Out in the arena's parking lot, Bigelow is calling for Goldberg.

• Promo for the TNT "Houdini" special.

• Match 7: Brian Adams (w/Vincent) vs. Lex Luger
  • Brian Adams and Vincent come out.
  • His opponent - Lex Luger.
  • Tony talks about the Mark Curtis tribute show in Knoxville, TN, last night.
  • Get well soon, Mark Curtis!
  • Luger runs over Adams with a shoulderblock, then floors him with a back-elbow.
  • Luger kicks Adams down in the corner.
  • Adams comes back with a back elbow, then snaps Luger's head over the top.
  • Adams with an inverted atomic drop, followed by a clothesline.
  • On the outside, Vincent gets his licks in.
  • Adams whips Luger into the corner.
  • Adams eats elbow on a corner charge, and Luger starts to fire back.
  • Luger with two clotheslines, and hits the loaded forearm.
  • Adams takes the ref with him too, though.
  • Luger signals for the rack.
  • Vincent comes in, and Luger quickly applies the hurt.
  • Adams hits Luger with a chair, and he and Vincent deliver a spike-piledriver on Luger on the chair.
  • Adams revives the ref, but Luger kicks out at two.
  • Luger rolls Adams up for one, but Adams clotheslines him.
  • Adams goes to pick Luger up, but Luger inverted-atomic-drops him.
  • Adams chokes Luger, and signals for Vincent to get the chair ready.
  • Adams tries to whip Luger into the chair, but Luger reverses.
  • Adams puts on the brakes before he hits the chair, but Luger knocks him into the chair from behind.
  • Luger then racks Adams for the win.

• More Nitro Girls.

• Match 8: Dean Malenko vs. Barry Windham (Special Referee: Dusty Rhodes)
  • nWo music brings out Big Dust.
  • Malenko gets the first entrance, and comes out solo.
  • Brain notes that Bischoff called out the Horseman with a bad leg.
  • Windham comes out to Eric Bischoff's music.
  • Windham attacks early, but Malenko gets the advantage.
  • Malenko ducks a clothesline, and takes Windham down.
  • Windham quickly hits the floor, and Malenko gives chase.
  • Dusty admonishes Malenko, allowing Windham to go to the eyes.
  • Windham gutwrenches Malenko.
  • Malenko fights back in the corner, but eats elbow.
  • Dusty asks if Malenko wants to give up as Windham chops him.
  • Windham catches Malenko up top, and Malenko lands on the bad leg.
  • Windham goes to work on the bad leg.
  • Windham drops elbows on the knee.
  • Windham kicks Malenko in the 'nads.
  • Malenko is still draped in the corner, but Dusty's not making Windham break.
  • Windham kicks Malenko in the thigh repeatedly.
  • Dusty pulls Windham off and calls for the bell.
  • Dust raises Dean Malenko's hand????
    
  • Dusty disqualifies Windham!!!
  • Dusty struts around the ring. Windham can't believe it.
  • Bischoff runs out, and asks Big Dust what he's doing.
  • Bischoff orders Dusty to get back in the ring, and when Dusty doesn't, Bischoff fires him.
  • Windham comes after Rhodes, but the Horsemen comes out and stomp an ever lovin' mudhole in Windham.
  • Flair hits the ring to take Bischoff, but Bischoff runs away.
  • Flair hollers for Bischoff, then embraces Malenko. Flair: "You are the man, brother!"
  • The Horsemen stand victorious as we go to commercial.

• Match 9: Scott Steiner and Horace Hogan vs. Scott Hall and Kevin Nash (Special referee: nWo Referee)
  • Scott Steiner and Horace come out with the nWo referee.
  • Hall makes a solo entrance with no music.
  • Nash comes out to Wolfpac music, and he and Hall walk to the ring side by side.
  • Nash looks incredulously at the nWo Referee.
  • Hall and Nash do "paper-rocks-scissors" to decide who starts. Hall wins.
  • Horace starts off.
  • Horace gets a toothpick.
  • Hall with his shoulderblock armlock, and then paintbrushes Horace's bald head.
  • Horace gets out with a short-arm clothesline.
  • Avalanche clothesline from Horace.
  • WCW legal council is forcing Eric Bischoff to wrestle Ric Flair at Starrcade.
  • Hall chokeslams Horace, and mocks FrankenGoof.
  • Hall crotch-chops Steiner, who tags in.
  • Hall mocks fear.
  • Steiner unloads in the corner.
  • Steiner clotheslines Hall, and gets a quick two from the nWo Referee.
  • Steiner with a double-underhook suplex, to another fast two.
  • Steiner puts Hall up top, but Hall blocks a belly-to-belly.
  • Hall hits a Steiner Bulldog on Steiner, but the nWo referee does a glacial two-count.
  • Steiner low-blows Hall.
  • Steiner sends Hall to the floor, where Horace chokes him with the weight belt.
  • Nash runs over to make the save.
  • Steiner beats on Hall, and taunts Nash.
  • Horace tags in to kick Hall.
  • Horace hits a pendulum backbreaker, and a big splash for two.
  • Hall fights to make the tag, but nWo Referee doesn't allow it.
  • Nash just shoves the ref out of the way.
  • Nash takes out both nWo members.
  • Horace climbs the turnbuckles to attack Nash on the outside, but Hall catches him from behind on the turnbuckles.
  • Hall applies the Outsider Edge to Horace!
  • Hall covers for the pin.
  • The nWo Referee doesn't want to count the pin, so Nash Jackknifes him!
  • Billy Silverman runs in, and makes the count! Outsiders win!
  • Nash goes to the back, while Hall celebrates in the ring.

• We see Goldberg charging out of the arena to Bigelow.
  • The two brawl on the "grassy knoll" around the parking lot.
    
  • Security separates the two men.
  • Goldberg breaks away and spears Bigelow!
  • With that, we go to commercial.

• Match 10: Bret Hart vs. WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Diamond Dallas Page
  • Bret Hart makes his way out first, dressed in street clothes.
  • The US Champ comes out next.
  • The ref calls for the bell to start.
  • Hart is hesitant on a lockup.
  • Hart covers up in the corner, and DDP breaks.
  • DDP tries it again, but Hart low-blows him.
  • Hart rakes Page's face over the top.
  • Hart chokes DDP in the corner.
  • Page fights back, and kicks Hart down in the corner.
  • Page crotches Hart around the buckles, and applies the Ringpost Figure Four!
  • Giant runs down and breaks the hold.
  • Giant press-slams Page over the top rope back into the ring.
  • Giant chokeslams Page.
  • Hart pulls Page up, and Giant delivers a chokeslam from the top rope.
  • Giant and Hart hug.
  • Hart applies a Sharpshooter.
  • Charles Robinson checks the arm. One....two....three. Robinson calls for the bell, and Bret Hart regains the US title.
  • Giant helps Hart put the belt on, while DDP is prone in the ring.
  • Hart and Giant celebrate as we see the top-rope chokeslam again.
  • With that, we fade to black.....

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