WCW Thunder - Thursday, December 3, 1998

• Stephen J. Miles has a comment about Chris Jericho's use of Star Wars quotes:

  Just a little more follow-up to the letter you got about Chris Jericho's use of Star Wars quotes. I think he has done one better. If you watch Return of the Jedi, there is a scene where Luke Skywalker kills the creature in the Jabba the Hut's palace. When they open the door to get to him, the creatures caretaker comes in sobbing. He looks exactly like Ralphus, Jericho's "security" guard. I was watching the movie this weekend and started laughing when I saw him.

• Draw your own conclusions to this, but Hollywood Hogan is still featured twice in the intro.

• Tony talks about Hogan retiring and Scott Steiner taking the helm of nWo black/white.
• A "Weasel" chant erupts.
• Tony talks about Dusty "More Chins than a Chinese Phone Book" Rhodes pulling off one of the biggest swerves ever.
• For Starrcade, Ric Flair will battle against Eric Bischoff.

• Well, the WCW portion, at least.
• For the first part of this segment they used Hogan's old "He's American Made" theme.
• This segment had clips covering the following:
  • Hogan's 1994 arrival and victory over Ric Flair for the World Title.
  • Hogan's crap movies.
  • Hogan's heel turn and formation of the nWo.
  • Hogan retiring on Tonight Show.
  • Hogan announcing his bid for the Presidency.
• Gee, no Warrior-related clips?

• Steiner is accompanied out by WCW's answer to ECW's Bill Alfonzo, the nWo referee.
• Steiner says to cut the music and talks about Graceland.
• Steiner says he is the king of the world and the new leader of the nWo.
• Steiner claims to have put more hoochies down than Elvis Presley himself.
• Steiner offers a tribute to Elvis by circling Graceland on a private jet and getting down with some hoochies.
• Steiner calls the crowd a bunch of rednecks with rotten teeth.
• Steiner says that Hogan passed the torch to him.
• Steiner and Hogan are supposedly intertwined together.
• Steiner talks about his roided-up arms.
• Steiner says he learned in life not to give a damn about anyone and this includes Scott Hall.
• Steiner has Hall in his sights.
• Steiner tells Hall to be afraid and guarantees to hurt him.
• I'm sure the crowd loves these back-to-back nonwrestling segments.

• We get our first bout of the evening at 8:28 P.M. EDT.
• Ciclope is graced with new music.
• He will be facing the leader of the LWO, Eddie Guerrero.
• While mentioning who is here tonight, the announcers mention Chip Minton's name.
  • If Mr. World Class is reading, I have a question. How does it feel to eat a Russian Legsweep? Hahahahaha!
  • Sorry, something got over me. I promise it will never, EVER happen again.
• An "Eddie Sucks" chant erupts as the bell sounds.
• An enraged Eddie unloads on Ciclope in the corner and hits a dropkick.
• Eddie with a body slam and goes onto the apron.
• Eddie somersaults over the ropes onto Ciclope.
• Eddie with some chops in the corner.
• Ciclope reverses a corner whip but misses a double-leg as Eddie moves out of the way.
• Ciclope ducks Eddie and goes outside the ring.
• Ciclope trips Eddie on the ring apron.
• Ciclope then goes up top and lands a missile dropkick for two.
• Ciclope whips Eddie and picks him up for a slam.
• Eddie slips out of it and headbutts him near the groin.
• Eddie administers a brain buster and heads up top.
• Eddie gets off the top turnbuckle and consults the ref.
• The referee rings the bell before any type of pinfall can be made.
• The LWO comes out to the ring.
• Eddie instructs Psychosis to tell Ciclope what the LWO has to say.
• Psychosis speaks to Ciclope in Spanish.
• Eddie offers a position in the LWO to Ciclope and gives him a T-Shirt.
• Ciclope wears the shirt and all is right in LWO-land.
• THE RESULT: Match is ruled a No-Contest at the 2:41 mark.

• Featured talent: Booker T, Chip Minton, and Scott Hall.

• Speak to me, Warrior! Oh, excuse me, it's only Renegade.
• Giant is on hand to make sure Renegade gets his daily allowance of squash.
• I predict a short, amusing match.
• At the bell, Renegade tries to get some initial offense but Giant has none of it.
• Giant kicks and forearms Renegade to the mat.
• Renegade rakes the eyes of Giant and goes for some throat shots.
• Giant grabs Renegade by the neck and sets him on the top turnbuckle.
• Giant then hits the Super Chokeslam for the victory!
• So much for the man who will lead Hulkamania into the 21st century.
• YOUR WINNER: Giant via Super Chokeslam in 1:01.
• Giant gets a mic.
• Giant says that Renegade is the second imposter he's killed this week.
• Giant talks about the chokeslam he delivered on Diamond Dallas Page.
• Giant refers to the crowd as trailer trash.
• While Giant is on the mic, we see DDP enter the ring with a chair.
• Giant takes a swing but DDP ducks.
• Giant swings again and punches the chair then gets levelled by it.
• DDP calls Giant a "fat headed scum."
• DDP tells Giant-Scum to get some.
• A short DDP chant erupts.
• I guess we are setting up a PPV match.

• The opening bar of Enos' music vaguely resembles Queen's "We Will Rock You."
  • As an aside, the team of Rick Rude and "Ragin' Bull" Manny Fernandez, former NWA World Tag Team Champions, used the actual song back in the days when actual music was used in the main promotions.
• Enos will be facing "The Lone Deranger" tonight.
• Someone in the crowd has his own Pepe.
• Chavo talks to Pepe as the bell sounds.
• Chavo ducks and dropkicks Enos.
• Enos throws Chavo to the turbuckle and picks him up for a gorilla-press slam.
• Chavo slips out and gets a sunset flip for two.
• Chavo dropkicks Enos out of the ring and hits him with a running baseball slide.
• Chavo with a plancha over the top rope.
• Enos slams Chavo to the railing and beats on him.
• Enos (to a fan): "Goldberg's nothing, kid!"
• Fan: "You (bleep)!"
  • Throughout the show, quite a few fan comments were bleeped out of the audio.
• Enos throws Chavo into the ring.
• Enos with a full armdrag and twist.
• Enos follows up with a short-arm clothesline.
• Enos makes a cover but pulls Chavo up at the count of one.
• Chavo comes back with a dropkick.
• Chavo goes to the ropes and hits a springboard bulldog.
• Chavo sets up Enos on the top turnbuckle and tries for a frankensteiner.
• Enos blocks and lands a super powerbomb!
• Enos sets up Chavo on the top turnbuckle as the announcers say he's going for a super fall-away slam.
• Said move by Enos looked more like a super powerslam.
• In any case, Enos makes the cover and again pulls Chavo up.
• Enos tries a powerslam but Chavo reverses and gets two.
• Enos grabs Pepe, which allows Chavo to surprise roll-up Enos for two.
• Enos plays with Pepe in the ring.
• Enos sets up Chavo for a powerbomb on top of Pepe.
• Chavo gets out of the powerbomb attempt and rolls up Enos for the win!
• Post-match, Enos gets pissed and chokes out Chavo on the mat until security arrives.
• YOUR WINNER: Chavo Guerrero, Jr. via roll-up in 4:53.

• Rey comes out in LWO garb and music.
• He'll be going up against Villano V tonight.
• Lockup and Rey goes behind.
• Villano whips Rey into the corner but misses after Rey dodges him.
• Villano slaps Rey.
• Rey with a springboard dropkick and Villano goes outside.
• Rey does the "spin-between-the ropes" maneuver and lands a somersault plancha.
• Rey tries another plancha but is driven down by Villano.
• Villano hot-shots Rey on the ropes.
• Villano knees Rey in the head.
• Villano whips Rey into a backbreaker.
• With Rey's head on the ropes, Villano goes to the apron and delivers a legdrop.
• Villano then gives Rey the Bitchslap of Doom.
• Villano slams Rey after a whip.
• Villano puts Rey into a reverse surfboard hold.
• Rey reverses a whip to the corner.
• Rey tries for a frankensteiner but ends up getting posted.
• Villano with a gullotine legdrop.
• Villano goes up top but misses.
• Villano reverses a whip into the corner but runs into the turnbuckle.
• Rey then runs toward the turnbuckle and delivers the Bronco Buster to Villano.
• Villano reverses a whip and lands a bulldog from a backdoy position.
• Rey goes to the apron and connects with a top rope frankensteiner for the win!
  • The announcers called this a "top rope flying headscissors." After viewing the tape, it looked more like a frankensteiner to me.
• YOUR WINNER: Rey Mysterio, Jr. via top-rope frankensteiner in 4:38.

• As Tony speaks, we see the LWO come out.
• Eddie chides Rey saying that he is too focused on the Cruiserweight belt.
• Eddie says that he is in charge and wants Juventud Guerrera to be the one to contend for the title.
• Tony tells Eddie that next week Rey and Juvy will lock up to decide who will challenge for the belt at Starrcade.
• Upon hearing this Eddie goes nuts.

• During this segment, Nash and his Wolfpac cronies do the extremely intimidating "bunny-ears" signal. I think I'm going to cower under my futon now.

• Upon hearing the trumpets, one would think that Chris Adams would come out. Nope, seems like this music was given to Minton. Why this happened is a mystery to me.
• Minton is going to be a two-sport loser thanks to Wrath.
• Upon talking about Hollywood Hogan, Bobby Heenan comes up with an amusing comment: "If Hogan becomes President, I'm going to Bagdhad!"
• Wrath gains the opening advantage.
• Wrath no-sells a Minton dropkick.
  • More pointless trivia: In my old stomping grounds of Palm Bay, FL, County Road 509 is dubbed Minton Road.
• Wrath sends Minton outside.
• Wrath no-sells a kneelift and delivers one of his own.
• Wrath suplexes Minton onto the carpet.
• Wrath chops Minton on the rail.
• With Minton inside the ring Wrath goes to the apron and delivers a flying elbow for two.
• At the turnbuckle Wrath puts his leg around Minton's body and applies a rear chinlock.
• The ref makes Wrath break the hold and he puts it on again.
• Minton gets a sunset flip for one.
• Wrath administers a belly-to-back suplex.
• Wrath chokes Minton on the mat and breaks at the count of three.
• Wrath whips Minton into the corner and kicks him in the midsection.
• Minton tries to land some elbows, but Wrath again no-sells.
• This has been a one-sided match, in case you haven't guessed.
• Wrath kicks Minton in the gut and sets him up for the Meltdown.
• By the time I am a wrinkled invalid getting spoon-fed in a nursery home, Wrath plants Minton down for the squash victory.
• YOUR WINNER: Wrath via Meltdown in 3:57.

• We are treated to a new concept, a tag team match.
• In the ring Kanyon gets a mic and asks Raven why he put his head through a window.
• Kanyon tells him he's got something that will turn his frown upside down.
• Kanyon asks, "Who's NOT better than Kanyon?"
• The crowd, not thinking tonight, answers, "Everybody!
• Dumbasses. Kanyon celebrates and says that he fooled the crowd.
• The announcers make reference to the late Andy Kaufmann after this spot.
• Benoit and Mongo are representing the Horsemen tonight.
• Whoop-ass! Double A leads the two charges to ringside!
• Benoit and Kanyon will start this off.
• Benoit with a headlock and a shoulderblock.
• Kanyon trips Benoit after an attempted German suplex.
• Kanyon with an unusual roll-up for two.
• Benoit with some chops.
• We go to a shot of Raven sulking.
• Benoit applies an armbar, then turns it into a hammerlock and top wristlock.
• Kanyon tries to tag out to Raven but doesn't respond.
• Kanyon with some punches in the corner.
• Benoit chops away and whips Kanyon into the corner.
• Benoit whips Kanyon into the other corner, but misses the charge.
• Kanyon salutes Brad Armstrong's recent victory on Worldwide by delivering a Russian Legsweep.
• Raven ignores another tag request.
• In response, Kanyon goes to take out his anger on Benoit.
• Meanwhile, Mongo gets the tag and delivers some running tackles.
• Schiavone says that Mongo is doing what he does best.
  • This is the sad truth. Benoit will carry this stiff through the entire match.
• Mongo misses a corner charge and is backdropped by Kanyon for two.
• Kanyon bitches at Raven some more.
• Mongo rolls him up for two.
• Mongo applies a reverse facelock.
• Mongo brings Kanyon to the corner and tags in Benoit.
• DAMN! What a loud chop that was.
• Benoit stomps a mudhole in Kanyon and blows a snot at him!
• Benoit whips Kanyon into a lariat.
• Benoit goes toward Raven and pushes him.
• Benoit with his snap suplex for two.
• Benoit brings Kanyon to the corner and tags in Mongo.
• Mongo stomps on Kanyon.
• Mongo whips Kanyon into the corner and slams him down.
• A tag is made to Benoit.
• Kanyon tries to make the tag to Raven but is pulled away by Benoit.
• Benoit delivers a backbreaker for two.
• Benoit gazes at Raven, then goes back to kicking Kanyon in the corner.
• Benoit pulls Kanyon up and punches him back down.
• Benoit whips Kanyon into a corner but runs into a raised boot.
• Benoit grabs Kanyon's leg after an attempted kick and applies a dragonscrew legwhip.
• THUMB ACROSS THE THROAT!
  
• Benoit goes up top but misses the diving headbutt.
• Both men are lying down on the mat.
• Kanyon tries to tag but no response.
• Kanyon then applies a reverse powerbomb on Benoit.
• Kanyon goes to Raven and forcefully slaps his hand, requiring Raven to enter the ring.
• Raven walks out instead!
• As Raven gets counted out, Benoit applies the Crippler Crossface on Kanyon!
  
• Benoit kicks away Kanyon in disgust as Mongo mugs the camera.
• A great match, despite Benoit and Kanyon having to carry their respective partners.
• YOUR WINNERS: Chris Benoit and Steve "Mongo" McMichael via countout in 9:13.

• He's so funky. He's so cool. He's just a disco dancin' fool.
• Disco gets a mic and has two things to say.
• First, he has a major announcement on next Monday's Nitro.
• Second, he thinks Konnan's music video is good, but he wishes WCW would allow him to have one.
• Disco offers Konnan to make a video together but instead of rap music, Disco wants to use disco in the video.
• Disco shows us some dance moves as the new TV Champ, "Thank You, Mr. Nash" Konnan makes his way to the ring.
• Catchphrases.
• Konnan tells Disco that he will make another video.
• Konnan says that the only thing Disco will do is bow down to him.
• Konnan makes another comment about "tossing salad" to Disco.
• Disco and Konnan trade holds to start.
• Konnan with a lariat.
• Konnan somersaults into a leg-hold.
• Konnan goes into a bridge cradle for two.
• Konnan lands the seated dropkick.
• Konnan in control so far and Orale's for the crowd.
• Disco gains control and drops an elbow.
• Disco goes up to the top turnbuckle.
• Disco jumps off the turnbuckle as Konnan crotch chops him.
• Konnan executes a DDT which prompts Disco to go outside the ring and stall.
• Konnan grabs Disco by the hair and pulls him to the apron.
• Disco applies a jawbreaker on the ropes.
• Disco with a clothesline for two.
• Disco sets up for a piledriver but eats a backbody drop.
• Disco with a back elbow.
• Disco goes up top and nails Konnan for two.
• Disco with a chinlock.
• Konnan elbows his way back to a vertical base.
• Konnan whips Disco but meets an elbow.
• Disco goes up top again but misses.
• Konnan with the rolling clothesline.
• Konnan whips Disco and lands the 1-8-7 for two.
• Konnan whips Disco again but gets kicked in the gut.
• Disco lands back-to-back swinging neckbreakers.
• Disco whips Konnan and goes for the Chartbuster!
  • The announcers actually called it the Chartbuster. Looks like Disco might get his move back! Yes!
• Konnan blocks the Chartbuster and hits his carpetmuncher.
• Konnan then locks on the Tequila Sunrise for the submission win. Bah.
• YOUR WINNER: Konnan via Tequila Sunrise in 5:22.

• Once again, words get bleeped out as the fans chide Big Poppa Roid.
• Chuluota, FL's favorite son will take on the new leader of the nWo.
• The nWo ref will officiate this bout.
  • You can throw away a clean victory result for Scott Hall knowing this. Of course, do any TV main events end clean anymore?
• The nWo ref checks Scott Hall for illegal objects.
• Hall tells the ref to check Steiner, which he obliges.
• As the ref checks Steiner, Hall attacks, and the bell rings.
• Steiner retreats to the outside.
• Hall kicks Steiner as he comes in.
• The ref holds Hall's leg as Steiner takes him down.
• The ref makes an obvious fast count in Steiner's favor for two.
• All of Steiner's pinfall attempts will have fast counts.
• Steiner places Hall on the turnbuckle upside down and pulls his leg on the rope.
• Another two-count, in which Hall gets to the ropes.
• Steiner holds Hall on the ropes.
• Kick in the midsection by Roids.
• Steiner works on Hall in the corner.
• Steiner with a pumphandle slam for two.
• Steiner with a double-underhook slam for two.
• Steiner then makes a one-foot cover for two.
• Steiner kicks Hall and rams him into the turnbuckle.
• Steiner locks on a sleeperhold.
• Hall gets out of it and whips Steiner.
• Hall gets a sleeperhold of his own.
• Steiner turns it around and delivers a belly-to-back suplex.
• With both men down the ref counts to ten.
• At the count of six Steiner makes a cover for two.
• Hall mounts a comeback.
• Hall slams Steiner after a whip.
• Hall covers Steiner but the ref counts VERY SLOW for two.
• Hall with a top-rope bulldog for another slow two-count.
• Hall makes the "That's It" signal and sets Steiner up for the Edge.
• The ref pulls Steiner out of the move.
• Hall grabs the ref and Edges him!
• Steiner blindsides Hall with a lariat.
• With no conscious official in the ring, Steiner locks on the Steiner Recliner.
• Steiner breaks the hold as "we run out of time." Oh, don't give me that crap, Schiavone. This match went past the 10:05 PM limit to begin with.
• THE RESULT: At the 7:28 mark the show went off the air without a decided winner.

The Good: Overall a solid card, highlighted by the Raven/Kanyon vs. Benoit/McMichael match.

The Bad: I don't think it was necessary to see clips from Nitro and Konnan winning the TV Belt every few minutes. The abrupt non-finish of the main event also didn't help matters.

The Ugly: Seeing Chris Benoit carry Steve "Mongo" McMichael as a tag team partner.