• Since The Cubs Fan is not available to do a report this week, I will be pulling double duty, doing the Worldwide report for this week then Thunder on Thursday. I hope that everyone has had a fun and safe Thanksgiving holiday. In the meantime, allow me to whip through some mail that I have accumulated over the past week and a half.

  • Neill Burkett has the scoop on the Hoganesque fan from Thunder:

    You were talking about that guy dressed up as Hogan on Thunder. That guy has been seen at other events. I have seen a picture of Hogan at KotR 96 and that guy was in the background, dressed up as Hogan. I've also seen that guy on Nitro before, dressed up as Hogan.

    The point is: This guy needs a steady 12a-7a job at a 7-11 somewhere

    Be it wrong for me to say anything, allow me to joke around by doing my "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn impersonation:

    • And if you ain't down with Hollywood Hogan and my outfit tonight, then I got just six words for you:
    • WOULD YOU LIKE FRIES WITH THAT?!! [gives the crotch chop]

  • From the "Oops, I must have missed that!" department, Tom Bernard has this to say:

    I think you might have missed the gag in Kaz's segment with Scott Hall. Kaz was saying something to the effect of "I've got to get (Ernest) Miller." Hall says "I prefer Miller Lite, but only after the match, etc." Good thing Kaz didn't say he had to get that "pussy cat."

    BTW, the Carnac segment in your report was excellent! Nice change of pace.

    I actually got quite a few mails about this. I apologize for the slip-up, but in my defense I say that since it involved The Cat, it doesn't count. :) Seriously, I should have caught that better.

    Speaking of which, did anyone else think that Kaz was going to turn heel on Saturn after he got pinned by Sonny Onoo? Or am I crazy?

  • Linda Blau is wondering:

    I didn't even see Thunder this week, but after reading your review I was suprised you hated it so much. Its rare for WCW to actually have a show where they finish two matches, but on Thursday they got through about eight. Maybe the clips were crappy, but at least there were matches and the Saturn v. Wrath match actually got finished. The worst thing was Stevie Ray break up Konnan v Hart, which isn't terrible.

    I dunno, lately it seems like WCW isn't trying as hard as they should be. It's like they are just throwing matches together for no reason whatsoever. I'll probably get evil looks for saying this, but World War 3 looked decent, even though the battle royale seemed a bit short. (It lasted about 21 minutes.) If WCW can follow off this pay-per-view with some strong shows and some good angle development, (What the HELL was the rationale behind Juvy going LWO?!?) then things might be looking up in Turner-Land.

  • Mel has this to say about The Paragon of Virtue:

    Unsure as to how many people missed this Chris Jericho gem, but during his Bobby Duncum ragging on last week's edition of The Aldo Show, the Lionheart referred to Stu Hart as "that crazy old wizard".

    We already know that Jericho is the unparalleled master of cutting early 80's pop culture reference. Uncle Owen Lars referred to Obi-Won Kenobi as "that crazy old wizard" in the original Star Wars.

    Avid readers of Jericho's web page will also know that he is a huge self- professed Star Warsaholic, and has made entries concerning the upcoming prequel in the past weeks in his letter to the fans. Another couple weeks, and Chris should be ready to meet Lodi in a battle of the non-cheap heat.

    The Aldo Show... it has a nice ring to it. HIYOOOOOOOOO!!!

  • Here's Dave Rindone with a story of mistaken identities:

    Hey Chief,

    Just thought I drop along a Bobby Duncam Jr story for you...

    Back last year or so ECW came to the IBEW Hall in Waltham, MA. My buddies were all watching the show when Tommy Dreamer comes out to face Bobby. About 1/2 way through the fight, I turned to my friend and asked if Duncam looked kinda familar. He said "Yeah, he sort of looks like that huge guy from the gym we go to." I didn't think much of it until the next day when I was at the bench press area. I looked over and saw the same guy doing some massive set of reps like he was eating peanuts. I sat there for a minute or two, trying to find a good way to ask the dude if it was really him, then guessing what my response would be if it was him afterall. So I wandered over to where the blond giant was, and said "Say, uh, sorry to bother you, but, uh, are you a wrestler?" The guy nods and smiles. "Yeah." I go (nodding like a dork) "Duncam, right? Bobby Duncam Jr?"

    He looks at me and says "No. I go by the name of Big Jed."

    I really didn't know what to say. I felt like an ass for getting the wrong guy (plus he was towering over my 5' 7'' frame like a monolith). I broke into my story about the night before and he said he gets noticed a lot (not surprising, he's build like a freakin ' Greek statue) and we talked for a while. I guess Jed came from the Killer Kowalski school, and only fights every now and then. I see him every now and then during a workout, and we usually shoot the breeze like a couple of pros after a match.

  • Edward Schreiner gives the shout-out, or shall I say, chant-out:

    Before you go off on the fans, I'm guessing the Goldberg chant started because it was annouced that Goldberg would be wrestling so and so tonight (in a dark match). At least, this is how it was at the Thunder in Roanoke, VA. Now why the chant for a boring, one-dimensional wrestler with no personality, well, that's a horse of a different color...

    You know, if I were running WCW, the PA would be piping out chants of "Smi-ley! Smi-ley!" Sigh, a fan can dream.

  • Mad Dog Norris shows up "Ix Nay" Tenay with this comment:

    The claim of Scott Norton bench pressing 641 pounds is actually incorrect. His best bench press is 670 pounds. He once defeated Cleve Dean, the 6 foot 7 inch 465 pound world arm wrestling champion in an arm wrestling match. Just thought you might be interested.

    Don't be fooled by his stocky physique!! Wait, that's someone else's tagline.

• I have one note about this edition of Worldwide before we get to the boredom, err, action. All of the clips shown are taken from the November 16th Nitro.

• In the booth today is "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko and "Fat Boy" Tony Schiavone.

• They talk about Bam Bam Bigelow making an appearance on Monday Nitro.
  • Clip #1: Bigelow goes on a rampage backstage in search of Goldberg.
  • Clip #2: Bigelow is in the ring calling for aforementioned Goldberg.
  • Clip #3: Eric Bischoff is forced to accept a match between Goldberg and Bigelow while talking near Goldberg's locker room.
  • Clip #4: The "match" between Goldberg and Bigelow.

• Gene Okerlund interviews Eddie Guerrero and the LWO.
  • Eddie says that the LWO is finally getting united.
  • Eddie says that Bischoff will have to take note and give each member of the LWO pay increases.
  • An "Eddie" chant starts amongst the Latinos.
  • Upon the mention of Konnan by Gene-O, Eddie goes nuts and says that Konnan is not La Raza.
  • Various LWO members grab the mic and speak Spanish.
  • Eddie tells Konnan to stop accusing him of things he doesn't know about.

• Next week we are promised a run-down of World War 3.

• They talk about Barry Windham returning to the Four Horsemen.
  • Clip: Ric Flair calls out Windham during an interview segment.
  • Ahh, the joys of a week-delayed show.

• We go to the cursed floating camera as Schiavone mentions Arn Anderson being thrown out of the arena on Nitro for attacking with a tire iron.

• Promo for Starrcade '98.
  • This is not to be confused with Starcade, which was a Geoff Edwards-hosted game show from the early '80s that was broadcast on TBS. In this game show, the contestants (primarily children) would show their prowess in arcade games and their knowledge of them.

• Snickers Road Report: This week's Nitro will be in Chattanooga, TN.

• They talk about Rey Mysterio, Jr. being forced to join the LWO.
  • From Nitro: Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio, Jr.

• Back to the @%$#&! floating camera, Schiavone mentions that Juventud Guerrera [at the time] was one of the few Luchadores to not be a member of the LWO.

• This week in WCW Motorsports.

• They talk about Hollywood Hogan running for President in the year 2000.
  • We go to a clip of Hogan and his nWo buddies on the Don Imus show at the Fox Theater in Atlanta.
  • Hogan is handing a check to Imus for his work in helping children. Nice way to break kayfabe there, eh?

• Our double "main event" is next.

• Promo for Starrcade '98.

• Lee Marshall is in the "locker room" talking about Wrestler of the Year candidates but is interrupted by Disco Inferno.
  • Disco says he is a favorite for "Wrestler of the Year."
  • The premise: Every time Disco says something, Lee would use his words to talk about another wrestler, such as Rowdy Roddy Piper.
  • Disco calls himself "The Teflon Don."
  • Lee says that Disco will get one vote.
  • Disco says he'll use his vote for the "Worst Announcer of the Year" category.
  • I, on the other hand, will use my vote to cast this segment as "Sorriest Interview Segment of the Year."

• More talk about the Hogan 2000 campaign.

• Match #1: Lizmark Jr, vs. Emilio Charles, Jr.
  • Mike Tenay and Lee Marshall are doing play-by-play.
  • They talk about the two combatants in this match as prospects for the LWO.
  • Charles has no entrance.
  • Bell rings, and the two wrestlers trade holds to start.
  • Lizmark with a leaping armdrag takedown.
  • Charles sends Lizmark to the mat with an arm.
  • Charles with a headlock.
  • Lizmark with an armdrag takedown.
  • Lizmark flips a running Charles with his legs.
  • Lizmark hits a crossbody for two.
  • Lizmark tries a roll-up but Charles gets out of it.
  • Charles reverses an attempted hurricarana by Lizmark and takes control.
  • Charles with a leg drop on a downed Lizmark.
  • Zzzzzz...
  • Charles rams Lizmark's head on the turnbuckle and lands a right.
  • Lizmark starts his comeback as he gets a leg scissors and drops his body on Charles' leg.
  • Lizmark with a reverse neckbreaker.
  • Charles gets a scoop slam.
  • Charles goes to the top turnbuckle but is dropkicked out of the ring.
  • Lizmark goes to the top rope and planchas himself onto Charles.
  • Back in the ring, Charles reverses a whip.
  • Charles sets up for a back-body drop, but Lizmark cradles him for the three-count.
  • YOUR WINNER: Lizmark, Jr. via cradle roll-up in 3:30.

• Match #2: Chip Minton vs. Brad Armstrong
  • "Mr. World Class" makes an appearance.
  • Holy s**t! It's Brad Armstrong!!
  • I hope Brad is allowed to win this one.
  • Lockup to start and Chip gets a side headlock.
  • Chip continues the headlock as he gets Brad down to the mat.
  • Brad gets out of the headlock and applies a leg scissors.
  • Brad and Chip trade arm holds, and Brad goes to the ropes.
  • Brad gets Chip to the ropes and doesn't break clean.
  • Chip with a dropkick that sends Brad out of the ring.
  • The announcers mention Brad holding the precursor to the Cruiserweight Title, the Light Heavyweight Championship.
  • Chip gets a clothesline and a splash for two.
  • Brad gets control in the corner.
  • Brad whips Chip into the other corner but meets an elbow.
  • Chip goes up top but is punched in the midsection as he flies down.
  • Side Russian Legsweep! FLOATOVER!! 1-2-3!!!
  • Brad wins! Brad wins! Holy Cow!
  • I'm sure that if Wade watched Worldwide, there would be a party somewhere in Delaware.
  • YOUR WINNER: Brad Armstrong via Side Russian Legsweep in 3:14.

• And that's the show! See you on Thursday!

Note from Bill: I forgot to tell Cubs Fan I found someone to cover for him, so he sent in a report, too. Double your pleasure, double your fun!

WCW Worldwide - Saturday, 11/28/98

By The Cubs Fan

• Hey. While I'm at home, like I was this weekend, I ususally don't have net access. Of course, I forget to mention that to Bill till Tuesday :(. However, I managed to rig up a computer at home to get to my e-mail, and I noticed that Bill never wrote me back, saying that he found someone. It occured to me that it might be a good idea to watch Worldwide, if I could, just to be sure. Guess that was a good decision. Too bad I forget about it until 15 minutes into the show.

• This report isn't too detailed, but hey, it's here.

• I'm guessing, seeing which angles I got to see, something with DDP and Bret or Bam Bam and Goldberg, led off the show.
• So, I pick up with Ric Flair bringing Barry Windham into the ring, and Eric Bischoff complaining.
• Next was the Match of The Week, Rey vs Eddie from Nitro.
  • You can ask Aldo about this...I called that the Juvie legdrop on Rey was some booker's idea after watching Survivor Series...
• Perhaps the last Hogan bit we see for a while, Hogan appearing on the Imus show.
  • I did catch Leno.
  • It was odd to see Hogan totally out of character.
  • It was sad to see Road Wild, and Hogan taking this thing seriously.
• Moving on, Lee Marshall killed some time with Disco Inferno, under the guise of a Starrcade Promo
  • Lee is talking about who should be named wrestler of the year.
  • Disco comes in, upset that Lee didn't mention him as a possibilty. Disco thinks it a given, him.
  • Lee disagrees. And they argue some. And that's the bit.

• Our first match is Emilio Charles Jr? vs "Someone who is definetly not" Lizmark Jr.
  • Okay folks, do you remember Lizmark Jr? Skinny guy, probably in his early to mid 20s, wears a silver mask?

    Well, what if some Villano-sized and aged guy came out, with a similar mask, would you think he was the same guy?

    If you do, you could work for WCW! Yeah!

  • So, basically, this guy who looks nothing like Lizmark comes out, and Lee Marshall and Mike Tenay (and if anyone should know his Luchadors, it should be him) are totally oblivous to the fact that unless the last few months have been really bad for Lizmark Jr, that ain't him.
    • I'm not imagining this...Andy writes in with:

      I don't know if you noticed it or not, but that was definitely NOT Lizmark Jr. who wrestled against Emilio Charles Jr. in the first match tonight. The guy they called Lizmark was a lot older, flabbier, and was a lot rougher around the edges. Also, if you listen to Penzer's announcement of his victory, there's no way he said Lizmark Jr. I couldn't make it out, but it wasn't Lizmark Jr. So, why would WCW pull this one over us? It just doesn't make sense......

  • In fact, if I had to guess, I'd have to say it was that Atlantis fellow that debuted on the final "All-matches" format of Worldwide. As I remarked then, he has a very similar mask to Lizmark, and the same build as the so called Lizmark Jr. in this match.
  • The match was nothing. The fake Lizmark Jr. wins with a modified La Majistral Cradle.
• Chip Minton vs Brad Armstrong
• • Yeah, Chip Minton, wearing the World Class tights, Olympic Bobsledder. I'm sure this is going on someone's permanent tape ;)
  • Tenay doesn't think anyone has ever done two such different sports. Yea, that's because, why would anyone? Bobsledding and Wrestling?
  • Brad Armstrong...well, now, I've got to do play by play, don't I?
  • Hmm, all the fans are doing thumbs down for Brad. And he's posing and admiring his biceps. Hmm, I think he just might be a heel tonight.
  • Lockup
  • Minton gets a headlock, takedown to the mat
  • Brad uses a headscissors to get out of the headlock, but Minton just flips out, to his feet.
  • Brad backs away from Minton, then they lockup
  • Brad puts on a hammerlock, then it's reversed by Minton
  • Brad gets to the ropes and the hold is broken. After Brad stalls a little, we go to lockup #3
  • Minton ends up in the ropes, Brad breaks, then gets in a punches Minton
  • Brad whips Minton into the ropes, hiptosses Chip, but Chip lands on his feet and dropkicks Brad
  • Brad rolls out of the ring to escape and stall a little more.
  • Brad comes back in for lockup #4. Brad gets Minton in a headlock, then bounces off the ropes
  • Minton takes him down with a hiptoss, clothesline and a splash, netting a 2 count.
  • Brad gets to his feet first, pushes Minton into the corner for some shoulders to the gut, European uppercut and forearm.
  • Brad cross corner whips Minton, but Minton gets his foot up when Brad charges in
  • Minton with a second rope axe handle, but Brad avoids it
  • Brad grabs Minton, side Russian Legsweep! 3 count! Brad wins!
  • Your Winner: Brad Armstrong
• Tony and Larry finish up the last couple seconds by talking about Brad's performance