WCW Thunder - Thursday, December 10, 1998

• We are bombarded with hype for the Mysterio/Guerrera match to determine who goes on to Starrcade to face Kidman for the Cruiserweight Title.
• We're also promised of a six-man tag team match between the Wolfpac and the Black-And-White.

• We kick things off with another chapter in the Duncum/Jericho series.
• The WCW Music Recycling Department strikes again, as Duncum comes out to Hector Garza's pre-LWO theme.
• Sign: "Keep Ralphus Off The Street -- Resign Jericho."
• Jericho takes a "Thursday Night Ralphus" sign from a fan and rips it up.
• Ralphus really needs dentures, by the way.
• Lock-up to start.
• Jericho backs up to the ropes but Duncum gets control.
• Duncum with a shoulderblock and a big boot.
• Duncum applies a rear chinlock.
• Jericho gets out of it with a jawbreaker.
• Jericho to the ropes and a dropkick as we go to commercial.
• Before going back to the match we see an ad for the Jericholics Anonymous T-Shirt.
  • As great as these skits are, it's quite tacky to show them during matches.
• Back to the match, Jericho pounds on Duncum in the corner.
• Jericho whips Duncum to the other corner and eats a lariat on the rebound.
• Jericho goes outside to collect his thoughts.
• Duncum follows with a kick and a suplex on the safety mat.
• Both men go back in the ring.
• Jericho reverses a whip and drop toe-holds Duncum onto the ropes.
• Jericho snapmares Duncum.
• Jericho off the ropes and somersault splashes Duncum for two.
• The "C'mon Baby" cover gets one.
• Jericho applies a rear chinlock, then turns it into a standing surfboard.
• Duncum gets to a vertical base and reverses the hold.
• Jericho lands a somersault mule kick to break the hold.
• Jericho goes for the cover but gets only two.
• Jericho lands a backbreaker and tries for a submission.
• Jericho then throws a tantrum when that doesn't work.
• Jericho scoop slams Duncum.
• Jericho goes up top but leaps onto a boot.
• Duncum gets in a kneelift and a big boot.
• Duncum whips Jericho into the corner and goes to the ropes himself.
• Off the ropes, Duncum bulldogs a rebounding Jericho for two!
• Duncum tries for a powerbomb but Jericho flips out of it.
• Jericho then rolls up Duncum with his feet on the top rope for leverage.
• Three-count, the bell sounds, and Jericho wins! Or so we think...
• Konnan comes in to spoil the party and plays the stool pigeon by telling the ref what happened.
• The ref restarts the match. Bitch.
• Jericho hot-shots Duncum on the ropes.
• Duncum tries a sunset flip but Jericho reverses.
• While Jericho tries for the pin, Konnan hits him with the Television Belt.
• This allows Duncum to roll up Jericho for the pin.
• F*** you, Konnan.
• YOUR WINNER: Bobby Duncum, Jr. via roll-up in ~5:56.

• Note I listed the real man first.

• Featured: Chavo Guerrero, Jr., Wrath, Konnan, Eddie Guerrero/Juventud Guerrera in a tag team match-up, and Scott Hall vs. Stevie Ray in the main event.

• Seeing Glacier come out isn't helping anything.
• Oh, if Bill Goldberg is reading, your future was the first man to walk out for this contest. Enjoy the ride down. :)
• The sirens bring out Saturn, who looks like he's been hanging out with Too Much, if you get my drift.
• The announcers hype Goldberg as the bell rings.
• Glacier starts with the advantage and a side kick.
• Glacier poses to a round of boos.
• Saturn goes behind and drops Glacier.
• Glacier and Saturn trade holds.
• Saturn dives into Glacier's leg and applies an ankle lock.
• Glacier gets to the ropes but is thrown by Saturn.
• Saturn applies a spinning toehold on the left leg.
• Glacier uses his right leg to kick Saturn out.
• Saturn applies another leg-hold but is broken as Glacier reaches the ropes.
• Saturn unloads with chops and side kicks in the corner.
• Glacier goes outside to chill out.
• Saturn follows and runs Glacier into the rail.
• Saturn rolls into the ring to break the count and rolls out.
• Glacier starts backing away from an advancing Saturn and re-enters the ring.
• Saturn tries to get in but Sonny Onoo comes out to interfere.
• As Onoo holds the leg, Glacier takes control of Saturn.
• Glacier sends Saturn back in with a vertical suplex.
• Glacier drops a right hand and gets a two-count.
• Glacier hits a rolling back elbow.
• We go to a shot of Onoo cheering at ringside. Onoo has a neck brace on.
• Glacier in command of this bout now.
• Saturn tries an inside cradle but only gets two.
• Glacier whips Saturn into the corner and hits a "back-leg front kick" that misses him completely but is sold anyway.
• Glacier applies a chinlock and lands a fist.
• Glacier whips Saturn but misses the running kick.
• Saturn takes Glacier down by the leg and hits a front kick.
• Saturn takes Glacier over for a two-count.
• Saturn applies a T-Bone suplex.
• Saturn goes up top and hits the diving knee for two.
• Saturn whips Glacier but telegraphs a backbody drop, allowing Glacier momentarily control.
• A series of reversals by both men culminates into the Rings of Saturn being applied by Saturn!
• Onoo comes in and attacks Saturn, sounding the bell.
• YOUR WINNER: Saturn via DQ in 6:38.
• Saturn starts no-selling Onoo's blows.
• Onoo starts backing away and offers money to Saturn.
• Saturn brushes the money aside and applies the Saturn Bomb on Onoo!
• Saturn puts Onoo in the Rings of Saturn!
• Glacier comes in and drops an elbow, but hits Onoo as Saturn rolls out of the way!
• Saturn then belly-to-belly suplexes Glacier out of the ring!

• The former "Shiryu" makes a Thunder appearance.
• YES! SMILEY!!
• Smiley bows on the entryway and slaps hands on the way down. I guess he's playing the face today.
• Smiley jiggles his pecs as the bell rings.
• Lock-up after some stalling.
• Smiley takes Hayashi down and starts dancing.
• Lock-up #2 and Smiley misses a punch.
• Hayashi chops Smiley and applies a headscissors.
• Smiley reverses a whip and launches Hayashi skyward.
• Smiley stomps on the leg in the corner.
• Smiley whips Hayashi into the corner and does his spinning bodyslam.
• The announcers talk about Smiley's changed attitude.
• As if on cue, Smiley jaws at a fan. I understand that a lot of WCW's undercard guys are chameleons, but to change during the match?
• The crowd starts chanting "Boring." Hey, f*** you.
• Smiley screws up an attempted bodyslam and decks Hayashi.
• Smiley applies a double underhook slam for two.
• Smiley stands above a downed Hayashi.
• Smiley does a full armdrag and twist into a belly-to-back suplex.
• Smiley applies a kneeling surfboard, then turns it into a standing one.
• Smiley sits down on Hayashi and yanks the arm.
• Smiley tosses Hayashi out of the ring.
• Smiley shoves Hayashi into the apron.
• Smiley gets back into the ring and taunts the crowd with some type of crotch-chop style dance.
• Smiley tries a slam but is rolled up for two.
• Smiley hits a loud chop.
• Smiley crotch thrusts at a fan...
  
• ...and the ladies obviously enjoy it.
  
• Hayashi reverses a corner whip and hits a leg.
• A series of corner runs ends with a drop toehold by Hayashi.
• Hayashi hits a top-rope plancha.
• Hayashi tries a sunset flip but Smiley blocks.
• As Smiley lifts Hayashi up, Hayashi reverses and rolls up for two.
• Hayashi dropkicks Smiley in the midsection but Smiley quickly regains control.
• Smiley applies a chicken-wing type submission hold...
  
• Hayashi submits! Smiley wins! Smiley wins!!
  
• Sometimes I love my job... :)
• YOUR WINNER: Norman Smiley via a chicken-wing type submission in 6:03.

• Not even The Cat can break my mood now.
• Ernie jaws with fans on the entryway.
• Sonny Onoo gets in the ring and kicks Penzer out.
• Oh, Lord. Ernie's gonna speak.
• Ernie calls the crowd stupid-looking.
• Ernie dares a fan to jump the rail.
  • Please. That's all we need from the humanoids out there.
• Ernie does his "three-time karate champion" crap.
• Ernie is tired of people booing him.
  • Simple solution. Shut up and go home.
• Ernie says he will beat up the fat pigs in the house.
• Onoo holds his neck and, in a breaking voice, asks Ernie where he was when he was getting beat down.
• Ernie and Onoo are teasing dissention. Heavens, no! I won't be able to live happily anymore!
• Ernie tells Onoo he could beat Saturn.
• Onoo goes into a fighting stance and throws some punches into the air.
• Ernie yells at Onoo to go to the back and fight Saturn.
• Ernie pushes Onoo away as we go to a commercial.
• And the point of this was...?

• Mike Tenay joins the booth.
• Rey comes out first.
• He'll face Juvy for a title shot at Starrcade.
• Juvy slaps some hands on the way down.
• Stalling to start by Juvy.
• Lock-up and a series of takedowns and shoves.
• Juvy kicks Rey and applies a side headlock.
• Whip and a shoulderblock by Juvy.
• Juvy lands a Rocker Dropper.
• Juvy kicks a downed Rey in the head.
• Juvy bashes Rey in the turnbuckle and follows up with a chop.
• Juvy holds Rey on the ropes.
• Rey reverses a corner whip but misses a charge.
• Rey gets a headscissors and celebrates on the second rope.
• Juvy goes outside and we stop for a commercial break at the 2:33 mark.
• We come back to seeing both men in the ring.
• Rey splashes Juvy in the turnbuckle and mudhole stomps him.
• Rey runs to the other corner and does the Bronco Buster.
• Rey then goes on the turnbuckle and lands punches on Juvy.
• Juvy counters after the eighth punch with a Running Liger Bomb!
• We see Eddie Guerrero come out from the back.
• Juvy gets a two-count as the LWO surround the ring.
• Juvy goes up top but leaps into a raised boot.
• Rey scoop slams Juvy and does a springboard moonsault for two.
• Juvy reverses a whip.
• Rey does his Tiger Mask Fake Out but is crossbodied from the top rope for two.
• Juvy has Rey grounded.
• Juvy goes for the whip and gets dropkicked in the knee.
• Rey goes to the second rope and hits a STIFF gullotine legdrop for two. That looked like it hurt!
• Rey with a scoop slam into a leg scissors on Juvy's head.
• As Rey as control we go to a shot of Eddie screaming.
• Rey whips Juvy into the corner but runs into the turnbuckles as Juvy moves out the way.
• After a series of counters, Juvy reverse suplexes Rey on the ropes.
• With Rey on the apron, Juvy tries for a suplex which is countered.
• Some more reversals and Rey tries a roll-up for two.
• Juvy whips Rey and launches him but gets kicked in the face.
• Rey tries for a pin but gets two.
• Juvy lands a mid-air bulldog for two.
• Rey tries a moonsault but Juvy catches him!
• More switches and Juvy hits his JuvyDriver!
• Juvy stalls quite a bit before going up top.
• Rey grabs Juvy's leg to stop the momentum.
• Rey pulls off the top rope frankensteiner!
• As Rey goes for the pin the LWO rushes the ring. This sounds the bell. Sigh.
• Rey holds his own for a while but the numbers become too great and is overcome by the LWO.
• Kidman runs out and delivers a crossbody on three LWO members!
• Kidman retreats and Rey follows for consolation.
• I'm getting tired of these screwjob endings.
• YOUR WINNER: Rey Mysterio, Jr. via DQ in ~9:41.

• Lodi comes out with signs saying he saw Elvis working on a UFO.
• Lodi will meet his doom thanks to the man wearing the red Breathe-Right strips.
• It's funny to see this crowd raise the roof.
• Bell rings and we start with a lock-up.
• Booker with a kneelift and some fists.
• Booker lands a flying forearm.
• Booker lands an axe kick to the back of Lodi's head.
• We see Stevie Ray enter the ring and ask Booker what the hell he is doing.
• Aww, man, not AGAIN.
• Stevie berates Booker for taking a match with a sign-guy and yells at Lodi.
• While Lodi fixes his gloves, Stevie beans him with the blackjack.
• Surprise, surprise, we have another DQ.
• Stevie tells Booker to hurry up and join the nWo.
• Stevie reminds Booker that he is the bigger brother and walks off.
• What is this, RAW?
• YOUR WINNER: Lodi via DQ in 1:44. DQ or not, I'd never think I'd write this.

• Kanyon makes his way out solo, if this comes into play later.
• Kanyon gets the mic and only needs to know one thing from his homies.
• That thing is, who's better than Kanyon? Well, according to this crowd, everyone is.
• Kanyon speculates that the crowd intentionally says that to make him mad.
• Kanyon says that it's not the crowd that gets him mad, it's Raven.
• Kanyon is tired of Raven's whining.
• Kanyon says that Raven's depression is bringing him down, as well.
• Kanyon then does some whining of his own, asking, "What about me?!? What about Kanyon?!?!?"
• Well, what about Kanyon? He'll be facing Benoit.
• Sign: "Miracles Can Happen."
  • It will be a miracle if we get another clean finish tonight.
• The crowd is giving it to Kanyon as the bell rings.
• Kanyon takes down Benoit with an armdrag and celebrates.
• Kanyon applies a roll-up for two.
• Benoit goes behind and does a headlock.
• Full arm drag and twist by both combatants.
• Kanyon gets a swinging neckbreaker for two.
• Kanyon rakes the eyes.
• Benoit lands a German Suplex, but a second one is blocked.
• LOUD chop by Benoit.
• Benoit is taking it to Kanyon in the corners.
• Benoit puts Kanyon on the turnbuckle and applies a superplex!
• Kanyon rolls out of the ring to regroup.
• Benoit chops Kanyon outside.
• A second chop floors Kanyon.
• Benoit stands over Kanyon, picks him up, and runs him into the post.
• Benoit rolls Kanyon into the ring.
• Back inside, Benoit pulls Kanyon up and lands a right.
• Benoit whips Kanyon into a back elbow.
• Benoit with one of his snap suplexes for two.
• Benoit whips Kanyon into the corner.
• Benoit tries another corner whip, but Kanyon reverses and Benoit runs into the turnbuckle.
• Kanyon does a Russian Legsweep for two.
• Kanyon applies a vertical suplex and goes to the apron.
• Kanyon flies over the ropes and drops an elbow for two.
• Kanyon rams Benoit into the turnbuckle.
• Benoit blocks a punch, turns around, and mudholes Kanyon!
• Benoit then blows snots at Kanyon!
• Benoit applies a backbreaker for two.
• Benoit lands some kneelifts to Kanyon's forehead.
• Kanyon rakes the face of Benoit.
• Am I hearing "Boring" chants?!? What a fickle crowd.
• Kanyon goes to the middle turnbuckle, wraps his leg around Benoit, and hits a Rocker Dropper for two!
• Reverse chinlock by Kanyon.
• Kanyon does a fireman's carry faceslam for two.
• Kanyon argues with referee Mickey Jay about the count.
• Kanyon tries another fireman's carry.
• Benoit rolls this into a sunset flip.
• Benoit with a lariat and the THUMB ACROSS THE THROAT!
• Benoit goes to the top turnbuckle but Kanyon backs into the turnbuckle, dropping Benoit.
• Raven comes to ringside with a bucket of paint. Oh no.
• Raven hits Benoit with the bucket causing the DQ. S**t!
• YOUR WINNER: Chris Benoit via DQ in 10:14.
• Post-match, Kanyon jaws at Raven, who leaves.
• Benoit then puts Kanyon into the Crippler Crossface! Too little, too late.
• These DQ's are ruining an otherwise great show.

• This means that the intros will run long.

• Thank God, no Buffer.
• Was the nWo so pressed for talent that they had Vincent represent them? Sheesh.
• Who's better than Konnan? Everybody!
• Kevin Nash is noticably absent during the Wolfpac's introduction.
  • He must have "missed his flight." [wink wink]
• On paper, this is a 3-on-2 match. As Sportscenter's Kenny Mayne would say, these matches aren't held on paper, but in small television boxes.
• Luger salutes Norman Smiley's win earlier by jiggling his pecs.
• Luger starts off on the mic for Konnan.
• Konnan then does his catchphrases.
• We then go to a commercial break. I told ya it would take a while to get the match started.
• We get back to start the match at 9:55 P.M. EDT.
• It will be Luger and Stevie Ray to start.
• Konnan leads a loud Wolfpac chant.
• Lock-up to start but it's broken quickly.
  • I'm amazed that both men in the ring can do a lock-up to begin with.
• Side headlock by Luger, who shakes Stevie's head as if that's going to do more damage. P-uhl-ease.
• Whip and Luger gets a shoulderblock followed by the FLEX OF DOOM.
• Stevie rakes the face and gets control.
  • If this were a live show, donuts to dollars says that I'd be able to hear Luger scream from hundreds of miles away.
• Stevie kicks Luger on the mat,
• Luger comes back with some boots and rights.
• Luger flexes again. BOR-ING!
• Stevie brings Luger to the heel corner and tags in Horace.
• Luger starts taking down all three nWo members.
• Luger tosses down Horace and then Vincent.
• Luger is in control until he gets assaulted by Vincent.
  • You know you suck when Vincent turns the tide against you.
• Horace gets a scoop slam in.
• Horace puts Luger on the ropes but misses the running leg.
• Tag to Konnan who does the rolling clothesline.
• Konnan's a house o' fire and kicks on Vincent.
• Horace takes controland tags to Stevie.
• Stevie and Horace double team on the ropes.
• Stevie whips Konnan into a boot.
• Luger runs in but the ref stops him.
• This allows Vincent to help doubleteam. You'd think that with Luger's experience in wrestling that he'd know better.
• Vincent tags in and drops a fist.
• Vincent goes to the second turnbuckle, but sees Konnan crawling to the Wolfpac corner.
• Vincent gets off the corner and drags Konnan back to the heel corner.
• Vincent tags to Horace.
• Horace lands a fist and a splash.
• Luger breaks the pin count and the ref sends him back.
• This allows Stevie to come in without a tag, but he misses the leg drop.
• Stevie chokes Konnan on the mat.
• A Wolfpac chant sounds as Ricky Morton, err Konnan struggles.
• Stevie throws Konnan out of the ring.
• Vincent beats on Konnan as Luger AGAIN bitches to the ref.
• Vincent brings Konnan back into the ring.
• Stevie tags to Horace.
• Horace does his suplex, but only gets two.
• Horace applies a rear chinlock.
• Konnan escapes and hits the ropes.
• Both men lariat each other, prompting the "Both Men Down and Face Struggles to Tag" segment.
• Tags are made to Luger and Stevie Ray.
• Luger starts his clothesline spree.
• Luger clotheslines all three nWo members. BOR-ING!
• Luger does the atomic drop on Stevie and hits him with the loaded forearm.
• Luger signals for The Torture Rack but eats a jawbreaker.
• Stevie has the blackjack until Scott Hall interferes!
• Hall punches Stevie, which sends him into Luger.
• Luger then racks Stevie for the win. Well at least it wasn't a DQ.
• We fade to black as Hall heads to the back.
• YOUR WINNERS: Lex Luger and Konnan via Luger's Torture Rack in ~8:57.

The Good: Not only did Norman Smiley win, but we saw some fine wrestling on this show. However...

The Bad: ... of seven matches, only one had a truly clean finish. The DQ's and screwjobs marred what was otherwise a great show.

The Ugly: You know your stable is headed for the crapper when Vincent represents you in a main event.