WCW Thunder - Thursday, December 17, 1998

• Hey there. No opening comments from me this week.

• Looks like we have another good-sized mailbag this week. I really appreciate the feedback. However if you just want to get to the report, click here.

  • Michael Demko, Commissioner of the Inter Federational Wrestling Fantasy League, does his take on David Letterman's Top Ten Lists:

    Top Ten surprises that will be revealed this year at Starrcade:

    10. The lWo will attack Rey Misterio Jr. and he will be utterly defeated simply because he was fooled by Silver King's 'stocky physique'.

    9. Nash will destroy Goldberg, only to unmask after the match revealing that he's really... GOLDBERG'S MOM!

    8. Disco Inferno will not be allowed to join the WolfPac because of the Red and Black's new 'Fashion Sense clause'.

    7. Schiavone will officially announce that this is NOT 'the biggest night in the history of our sport', but actually only the fourth biggest.

    6. Big Poppa Pump will reveal that his biceps are actually just basketballs implanted in his arms. Scott Hall will deflate said basketballs.

    5. Kanyon will finally get the correct answer to his question... the Armstrongs!

    4. Ric Flair's head will explode in an interview before his match with Eric Bischoff, giving Easy-E the win by default.

    3. Konnan will come out in a full 3-piece suit and reveal that he's truly a Polish insurance salesman from Jersey.

    2. Bret Hart will turn heel, then face, then heel, then face, then heel again before the PPV is over.

    1. 'Hollywood' Hogan will be elected President... of the Hair Club for Men!

  • Dancy Mathis "raza's" the roof with this encounter:

    I thought i'd share this with someone at the DDT Digest (the BEST place for news about WCW). You wanna hear about life imitating wrestling? We're going through finals right now at my school, and people look like absolute hell walking around in the library at night. However, I almost died laughing when I saw this short (around 5'2"), pudgy, bald-headed guy wearing a wife beater's shirt with black pants, boots, and a plaid shirt around his waist. I almost yelled out "Konnan!" but I was afraid he's start grabbing his crotch and saying how "raza" he was.

  • What was the last thing Danny Weatherly saw on his TV?

    On the subject of Hogan retiring, I was watching the Tonight Show when he announced his retirement. Right after he said that he was retiring, the TV I was watching cut out. I thought that I had lost my cable connection, but no, the last thing that 11 year old big screen ever showed was Hogan's face......

    I'm sorry... that's just brutal.

  • Fellow Norman Smiley fan K² speaks out:

    I was very amused at the way the announcers tried to cover up the "boring" chant (a big ol' "Suck it!" to the lowlifes doing that, BTW) by saying "what are they saying? Sounds like 'Norman, Norman...'" Almost a nice save, guys. So, were they calling out Smiley during Kanyon/Benoit like they usually call out Goldberg during NWO beatdowns? I'd back that, actually. Norman needs to come out and bust some heads; in fact, I think that whenever the crowd starts chanting "boring," Smiley should do a run-in.

  • Kyle R. Avery makes a note:

    Here's some meaningless information for you. Back when Goldberg made his debut in September of 1997, he was at the brand new E Center in Salt Lake City. He came out and nobody knew who he was; we assumed he was a new jobber. He started wrestling his match (I can't remember who he beat), but he totally kicked the crap out of the guy and then put him in the Jackhammer (no spear). After he won, the referee tried to raise his hand, but Goldberg wouldn't let him. The crowd starting to heavily boo and mock Goldberg. How times have changed in a year. The point to this, if there is one, is that Bill Goldberg was once a heel, which may utterly rupture the concept of space and time to his fans.

    P.S. Why the hell is there always a Goldberg chant for no reason? You don't hear an "Austin" chant ever do you?

    Goldberg did something similar in a pre-Nitro match in Jacksonville, FL during the summer of 1997. Goldberg came out for his squash against Chip Minton as a heel and even slapped Minton's face upon a handshake request. Ironically, the crowd cheered after Goldberg delivered the Jackhammer and the pin.

    You are right in that Goldberg was initially cast as a heel. However, the fans started to dig him when he was beating the hell out of all of those jobbers, so WCW had no choice but to cast him as a face. Anyone who has watched WWF programming has seen similar turns in D-X and the pre-Corporate Rocky Maivia in that they were heels, but were turned face because everyone cheered for them regardless.

    As for the Goldberg chants, your guess is as good as mine. Maybe if we don't chant Goldberg, WCW thinks we'll want guys like Benoit or Jericho to be #1. Perish the thought!

  • More about the Tiger Mask legend, courtesy of Onetshirt:

    For the record, the Tiger Mask fake out was invented by the first Tiger Mask, Sayama. And there's only been four Tiger Masks. Of course, all of them unmasked, unlike the Blue Blazer, who happens to be everybody in the WWF and their mother...

  • Phillip Rhodes corrects me about my favorite wrestler:

    In "Judo" Gene Lebell's "Pro Wrestling Finishing Holds" he calls the move that Norman Smiley beat Kaz Hayashi with, a "Turkey Wing."

    At least I'm pretty sure it's the same move, looking at the picture on the Thunder report. Unfortunately, I missed Thunder, so I can only go by the picture.

    I believe, but may be mistaken, that the difference between a "Chicken Wing", and a "Turkey Wing" is whether or not the other arm is up around the throat of the "wingee." That may be an oversimplification, and I can't find my copy of Lebell's book...

    According to Jesse's WCW Saturday Night report, Norman Smiley's new finisher is called the Norman Conquest. As for me, I'm just in shock that they are giving Smiley a push! Go Norman!

  • Martin makes a finding on last week's Thunder:

    I was watching last weeks Thunder on tape and I noticed that at the end of the Juvi - Mysterio match, I saw a security guard run in the ring. I rewound the tape and discovered he was chasing some fat guy with big hair. I think he went for Eddy or Juvi and a bunch of the LWO guys were actually trying to pull him off. Just thought I'd mention it.

  • Finally, Clayton Lewis closes this mailbag out with the following:

    Thought I'd fill in the blanks on the red nWo logo on Scott Hall's "Outsiders" shirt on the Nov. 30th Nitro. If you watch Starrcade '97 again (I still want my $30 back) you'll notice that when Hall came out to inform "Frankengoof" that Nash wasn't going to show (Will we see a repeat this year?) he had an "Outsiders" shirt on with a red nWo logo on the sleeve.

    There goes that theory, eh?

• The show starts off on a sad note showing a picture of referee Brady Boone and the caption "Brady Boone 1958-1998." Two bells then sound.
  • According to Bill, Brady Boone was killed in a car accident. Myself and the rest of the DDT Digest Staff offer our condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Boone.

• Opening montage.

• We are LIVE from the Independence Arena in Charlotte, NC for two hours of Thunder!

• We cut to the three-shot.
  • They talk about Flair's heart attack.
  • Chants of "Weasel" and "We Want Flair" erupt.
  • Tonight's main event will be Lex Luger and Scott Hall, which will no doubt be a match high in workrate and action.^*
  • We go to a clip from last Monday's Nitro in which Scott Steiner offered a spot in the Black-And-White to Luger.
    • The audio in this clip was REALLY poor.

    ^* denotes sarcasm.

• Match #1: WCW World TV Champion Konnan vs. Kenny Kaos
  • The hell? Why does Thunder start with Gonnad?
  • Konnan does the bunny ears upon entering the ring.
  • The white boy from New Jersey then does his catchphrases.
  • Danger! High Voltage!
  • Kenny Kaos shows off a rare artifact by carrying his half of the WCW Tag Team Belts to the ring.
  • Man, Konnan's gonna kill Kenny. You bastard!
  • Kaos' mouth is red. Funny, I thought blading wasn't allowed.
  • Bell rings, and Konnan crotch chops at Kaos to start.
  • Scott Steiner and Buff Bagwell invade the announcing booth as Konnan hits the rolling clothesline.
  • Seated dropkick.
  • Konnan unloads in the corner.
  • Konnan does an armdrag into a nice rollup for two.
  • Kaos takes control with a forearm to the back.
  • Kaos grabs Konnan in what looks like a scoop slam then runs him into the turnbuckle.
  • Kaos then slams Konnan to the mat and goes to the turnbuckle.
  • Kaos drops a leg for two.
  • Kaos with a left fist and a whip.
  • Konnan reverses the whip, but Kaos does a sunset flip near the ropes.
  • After a whip, Konnan does the mule kick followed by the carpetmuncher.
  • Seeing that Konnan did the four moves in his arsenal, he applies the Tequila Sunrise.
  • As Kaos submits, his tag team partner Rage comes to ringside wearing an elbow brace!
  • Post-match, Rage bitches to Kaos about winning the tag team belt with a different partner.
  • Hmm, you think they will break up Disorderly Conduct next? You think we actually care?
  • YOUR WINNER: Konnan via Tequila Sunrise in 2:52.

• We cut to a shot of a black limo pulling up and unloading passengers.
  • Out comes Beth, David, and Reid Flair!

• Promo for the nWo Red Wolf T-Shirt.

• From last Monday Nitro: Flair goes psycho in the ring.
  • The audio keeps cutting out of these clips.
  • For those of you who still think this was a shoot -- if it was real, would you think WCW would show this segment again?
    • Well, they did do an angle with Disco losing weight to make the big match and Hall's alcoholism. Scratch that.
  • As for me, what I found tasteless was that they did this three days after Florida Governor Lawton Chiles died of heart disease. Living in Orlando, this hits close to home. May God bless the Chiles family.

• Match #2: Mike Enos vs. Fit Finlay
  • Enos slaps a hand on the way out. The coin flip makes him a face today, I guess.
  • Damn, the video's starting to go, too. As Finlay comes out, we get a three-second delay then a jump in feed.
  • Finlay starts with some punches, a snapmare, and an elbow.
  • European Uppercuts by The Stiff One. (Fit Finlay...not Val Venis)
  • Snapmare into a splash for two.
  • Punch, whip, lariat, chinlock, face rake, elbow into face.
  • Finlay tosses Enos outside.
  • Finlay charges Enos into the apron.
  • Finlay yanks Enos down on the ropes, sending him back to the concrete.
  • Finlay whips Enos inside into a sleeper.
  • Enos gets out with a throw.
  • Enos lariats and throws Finlay, then lariats him again.
  • The crowd begins their "Boring" chants. This time, I'm not complaining.
  • Enos hooks Finlay's leg as if he were doing the fisherman's suplex, brings him up, and drops him into a shoulderbreaker! Nice!
  • Finlay regains control.
  • Enos sidesteps a Finlay corner charge.
  • Enos plops Finlay on the turnbuckle, back-first, and hits his super powerslam!
  • Enos goes for the pin but brings Finlay up.
  • Finlay gets a short-lived advantage.
  • Before Enos can capitalize on Finlay, he is rolled up for the three-count!
  • Post-match, Enos snaps and beats the hell out of Finlay.
    • Not a bad mini-angle we have here with Enos playing the role of the over-confident wrestler. At least they are doing something with him.
  • YOUR WINNER:Fit Finlay via roll-up in 3:53.

• We go to a pre-recorded clip from earlier in which Bischoff speaks about Ric Flair.

• Hey, it's Kuma from Tekken 2!
  • Wait, my bad. It's only those damn Coca-Cola Polar Bears.

• Scott Hall makes his way out in street clothes.
  • Hall takes the mic from Penzer and yells out "Hey, yo!"
  • Hall talks about his match with Luger.
  • Hall calls Luger The Total Package and a phenomenal athlete.
  • Hall has nothing but respect for Luger.
    • Well, someone has to.
  • Hall mentions that he has no friends, ring music, or family.
  • Hall says that all he has is wrestling.
  • Hall says he has nothing to lose and nowhere to go.
  • Hall wants what he's got coming, which is the world and everything in it.
  • Hall is willing to go through Luger to get it.
  • O-kay...

• Back to the announcing team...
  • They talk about the Flair family.
  • Announced for Starrcade: Kidman, Rey Mysterio, Jr., and Juventud Guerrea in a three-way match for the Cruiserweight Belt! Oh, yes!
  • Another "We Want Flair" chant.
  • The Brain begins laughing as he thinks about Mysterio in a 6XL T-Shirt.
  • Clip from the November 23^rd Nitro: Juvy interferes with a Rey/Kidman match.
  • Clip from the November 30^th Nitro: Rey interferes with a Kidman/Eddie Guerrero match.
  • Clip from last Monday's Nitro: Kidman and Rey clean house of the LWO but get served afterward.

• Match #3: Rey Mysterio, Jr. via Juventud Guerrera
  • Rey comes out with LWO music and an oversized T-Shirt.
  • His scheduled opponent is TV Champ-turned-JTTS Prince Iaukea.
  • Eddie comes out and gets Iaukea's attention.
  • The LWO surrounds Iaukea on the entryway.
  • Eddie tells Iaukea that he is not going to the ring tonight.
  • Eddie offers a choice: The easy way, or the hard way.
  • Iaukea, knowing that he is nothing more than a jobber nowadays, decides to cut his losses and head to the back.
  • Juventud Guerrera takes this match in Iaukea's place!
  • Rey gets a shot in as Juvy enters.
  • Juvy gets the short advantage.
  • Juvy with two chops.
  • Juvy whips Rey but gets headscissored.
  • Juvy goes outside to regroup.
  • The humanoids begin touching Juvy.
    • If that were me being touched, fingers would be severed.
  • Inside the ring, Rey slips out of a scoop slam.
  • Rey attempts to flip Juvy and he slips out of that.
  • Juvy then gets Rey in a fireman's carry and drops the Juvydriver! The announcers, showing why they have these high-paying jobs and we don't, call this simply a great move.
  • Juvy whips Rey, who baseball slides under Juvy's legs.
  • Juvy gets a tilt-a-whirl slam for two.
  • While Rey is vegitating on the mat, Juvy stalls.
  • Juvy whips Rey, whom applies a sunset flip for two.
  • Juvy counters with a roll-up of his own for two.
  • Rey gets on Juvy's shoulders but is caught.
  • As Rey pounds on Juvy he is carried to the turnbuckle and dropped face-first.
  • Juvy goes to the apron to play to the fans and gets back into the ring.
  • We see Eddie come out as we go to commercial...
  • ... And back from the back, Juvy has Rey on the mat.
  • Rey elbows out.
  • Rey is whipped but applies a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
  • Juvy tosses Rey in the air and is kicked on the way down.
  • Juvy gets a crossbody from the apron for two.
  • Rey reverses a corner whip but misses the big splash.
    • Well, as big as you can get with 5'3" ~140 lbs.
  • Juvy does a bulldog-type move to Rey on the ropes.
  • Juvy tries a top turnbuckle dropkick, but Rey counters with one of his own.
  • Rey somersaults onto Juvy, whom counters with a Liger bomb!
  • With Rey lying in the corner, Juvy goes up top.
  • Rey hits Juvy, knocking him off the turnbuckle.
  • With Rey down on the mat, Eddie goes to the opposite turnbuckle and lands a frog splash!
  • Juvy then crawls on Rey for the pin!
  • Prince Jobber-kea then comes out to dispute the finish to the ref.
  • The referee reverses the decision. Rey Mysterio, Jr wins by DQ!
  • Post-match, Iaukea and Rey clean house of LWO members, then retreat when the forces get too big.
  • YOUR WINNER: Rey Mysterio, Jr. via DQ in 9:23.

• We cut to backstage:
  • Scott Steiner and Buff Bagwell find Lex Luger in a dressing room.
  • Steiner and Bagwell confront Luger about Hall and joining the Black-and-White.
  • Konnan comes in to break up the conversation.
  • Konnan tells the heels that Luger is Wolfpac forever.
  • Konnan talks to Lex then leaves.
  • A sound similar to that of one getting his ass kicked is heard and Luger runs outside.
  • Konnan is down and Scott Hall stands next to him.
  • Luger jaws at Hall and tends to Konnan as we go to break.

• Ad for the WCW/nWo Bruise Cruise '99.

• Clips of DDP and Kimberly at the American Pie in Atlanta telling stories to kids.

• Match #4: Shiima Nobumunga vs. Disco Inferno
  • Upon hearing Shiima's music you would think that some monster like Wrath would come out. Nope, it's only Shiima.
  • Disco comes out with a Red Wolf T-Shirt.
  • Bell sounds and Disco does the bunny-ears and a wolf call.
  • Lock-up to start.
  • Shiima gets out of an armbar and applies one of his own.
  • Disco with an armdrag takedown.
  • Shiima lands two dropkicks and goes to an armbar.
  • Disco hits an elbow.
  • Disco lands an atomic drop.
  • Disco lariats Shiima and tosses him out of the ring.
  • Disco does the bunny ears again.
  • Disco grabs Shiima on the apron and eats a jawbreaker on the ropes.
  • Shiima whips Disco to the corner.
  • Shiima meets an elbow when he charges in.
  • Disco with a scoop slam.
  • Disco goes to the second turnbuckle, busts a move, and lands an axehandle for two.
  • Disco with a chinlock.
  • As usual, the announcers talk about the main event for tonight instead of the match on hand.
    • I've seen marks in chat rooms that have better announcing abilities than Schiavone and Marshall.
  • In the corner we see Disco kick Shiima to the mat.
  • Disco whips and telegraphs a back body drop.
    • If you've watched wrestling for even three weeks, I don't need to tell you what happens next.
  • Shiima hits Disco with a double-leg in the corner.
  • Shiima puts Disco on the ropes in a crucifix position, then does a reverse powerbomb for two. Nice move.
  • Shiima goes up top but misses the dive.
  • Disco gets a front atomic drop.
  • Disco then hits the Chartbuster for the win!
  • Quote from Schiavone: "I call it like I see it, right?" I kid you not.
  • YOUR WINNER: Disco Inferno via Chartbuster in 4:22.

• We go to the shot from earlier in which the Flair family arrived.

• Promo for WCWSN:
  • Featured: Wrath, Chavo Guerrero, Jr., Jericho vs. Booker T, and Benoit/Malenko vs. a pairing of the nWo.

• Match #5: Jerry Flynn vs. Norman Smiley
  • I like Flynn's music. That's about all I like about him.
  • I feel relieved, knowing that Norman Smiley is going to beat this goon's ass.
  • Sign: "Norman Smiley Fan Club." YES!!!
  • Smiley has blue tights on today.
  • Flynn starts with a few kicks.
  • Smiley grabs a leg and goes behind.
  • Smiley does his spinning bodyslam and dances for the crowd.
  • Smiley applies a headlock.
  • Flynn counters with a belly-to-back suplex.
  • Smiley reverses a whip.
  • Flynn tries a sunset flip but can't seem to get Smiley down.
  • Smiley begins dancing on top of Flynn, which gives him the momentum to roll through for the two-count.
  • Flynn kicks Smiley in the corner.
  • Flynn whips Smiley into a corner and lands a spinning heel kick.
  • Flynn misses a short-arm clothesline.
  • Smiley tries a kick, but his leg is caught.
  • Flynn applies an anklelock, and Smiley gets to the ropes.
  • Smiley with a dropkick which sends Flynn outside.
  • Smiley does his "Smack My Bitch Up" dance (coined by Wade).
  • Flynn regains control.
  • Flynn whips Smiley and chops him.
  • Flynn whips Smiley and lands a roundhouse kick.
  • Flynn whips Smiley into the corner.
  • As Flynn charges, Smiley jumps to the turnbuckle.
  • Smiley does a sunset flip for two.
  • Smiley lands an elbow and goes up top.
  • Flynn tries to throw Smiley down but is eye-raked.
  • Smiley lands an elbow to the back of Flynn and applies his Norman Conquest!
  • Flynn submits! Smiley wins again!!
  • Post-match, Smiley shrugs off the ref and dances some more.
  • Christmas must have come REAL early for me.
  • YOUR WINNER: Norman Smiley via Norman Conquest in 3:45.

• Another interview clip of Bischoff "wanting to do the right thing."

• Match #6: Chris Jericho (w/ Ralphus) vs. Perry Saturn
  • WCW's "cutest couple" comes out.
  • Sign: "Ralphus is My Dad." That's, uhh, nice.
  • Y'know, seeing that Jericho gets a knock-off of Evenflow and Raven has one of Come As Your Are, Saturn should get a theme sounding like YMCA.
  • Jericho yells at the crowd as the bell sounds.
  • Lock-up, Jericho tries an unclean break in the corner and gets slapped for it.
  • Lock-up numero dos, Jericho and Saturn trade holds.
  • Jericho gets a cover for one and yells, "C'mon, baby!"
  • Chant of "Jericho Sucks" sounds. Saturn waves the crowd to continue and Jericho tries to get the ref to cover his ears. Great stuff.
  • After a series of reversals, Jericho hits a lariat.
  • As Jericho celebrates, Saturn lands a side kick.
    • If this were a Glacier match, it would be a Cryonic Kick.
    • Also, if this were a Glacier match, I wouldn't be reporting this because I'd be sound asleep from the long entrance.
  • Saturn slams Jericho, then springboards to the middle rope and drops a leg for two.
  • Jericho picks up Saturn, waits a bit, and slams him down.
  • Jericho has Saturn in the corner.
  • Jericho tries a corner whip and charge but eats a boot.
  • Saturn gets out of a suplex attempt and applies a swinging neckbreaker.
  • Saturn atomic drops Jericho.
  • Saturn levels Jericho in the corner with kicks.
  • Saturn whips Jericho, whom misses a kick.
  • Saturn applies a belly-to-belly suplex for two.
  • Saturn hits a top rope forearm, which sends Jericho into the referee knocking him out cold.
  • I smell a screwjob...
  • Jericho goes for the Liontamer, but Saturn turns it into the Rings of Saturn!
  • The Cat comes in and Saturn breaks the hold to deal with him.
  • Saturn gives The Cat a belly-to-belly suplex and does the same to Jericho!
  • As Saturn tends to Jericho, The Cat hits a spinning kick, knocking Saturn out cold.
  • Jericho locks on the Liontamer. The ref drops Saturn's hand three times. The bell sounds.
  • Jericho is the winner.
  • Post-match we get a shot of Jericho, who is bleeding around the left eye. I'm guessing the forearm before the ref bump caused this.
    
  • YOUR WINNER: Chris Jericho via Liontamer in 5:02.

• Another clip of Bischoff speaking.

• Ad for WCW Superstar Series videos, featuring Sting and Randy Savage.

• Tony Schiavone is in the ring and calls the Flair family to ringside!
  • The crowd is told by Schiavone to stand as they await the Flair family.
  • After teasing a no-show, Beth, David, and Reid finally come out with Doug Dillinger.
  • Beth hugs Schiavone as we go to commercial.

• Ad for WCW/nWo Revenge.

• A Starrcade promo masquerading as clips of DDP/Bret Hart/Giant.

• Clip from Nitro: Giant chokeslams DDP through the Nitro set.

• Promo for Goldberg vs. Nash at Starrcade '98.

• ANOTHER Starrcade promo. We get the picture, alright?

• Match #7: Scott Hall vs. Lex Luger
  • Michael Buffer is in the ring to make a simple introduction seem as complicated as Advanced Calculus.
  • Scott Hall comes out and is listed at 6'7" and 274 pounds.
  • Buffer needs to shut up and just announce who is fighting.
  • The Three-Move Package comes out solo and is listed at 6'4" and 264½ pounds.
  • Buffer hints at a Luger turn.
  • Disco appears on the entryway and waves to Luger. Luger shrugs him off.
  • Lock-up to start.
  • After what seems like forever, Luger pushes Hall down and does his FLEX OF DOOM.
  • Hall gets a headlock.
  • Scott Steiner and Buff Bagwell come out to lend their support to Luger.
  • Luger fights out of the headlock and takes him down.
  • Luger goes for a test of strength and gets slapped.
    • A slap wouldn't faze most men, but remember this is LUGER.
  • Hall with a running lariat in the corner.
  • Hall locks on a standing surfboard.
  • Luger tries to turn it around but gets kicked.
  • Steiner and Buff get on the apron to distract the ref as the surfboard is re-applied.
  • I'll bet I can drive from here to Miami and be back just in time to see Luger power out and do his clotheslines.
  • Luger turns it around but gets mule-kicked in the groin. Man, that's nuts!
  • Luger blocks Hall's punches and fires back.
  • Luger does his clotheslines, signaling that the end is near.
  • Forearm. Bird-like motion.
  • Steiner and Buff enter the ring to beat on Hall, and the bell sounds.
  • Konnan comes in and tells Luger about who attacked him earlier.
  • Luger pounds on Steiner!
  • Hall gets his second wind and helps Luger clean the ring of the nWo.
  • Token nWo members help Steiner to safety.
  • YOUR WINNER: Scott Hall via DQ in 4:01.

• Tony's back in the ring and calls out David and Reid Flair!
  • As Tony calls to Reid, Bischoff comes out.
  • Tony talks to David as Bischoff enters the ring.
  • Bischoff interrupts Tony and says he doesn't want any trouble.
  • Bischoff says that he feels bad about Flair.
  • Bischoff regrets what he has said and done to Flair.
  • Bischoff apologizes to Flair's friends and family.
  • Bischoff tells David that the situation with his father might have hit him the hardest because he is the oldest son.
  • Bischoff talks about David's wish to be a wrestler.
  • Bischoff says that Flair has left big shoes to fill.
  • Bischoff tells Flair to get better.
  • Bischoff apologizes to David that his old man has such a weak heart and couldn't be here tonight. Uh oh.
  • Bischoff apologizes to David for kicking his ass, then hits a kidney shot!
  • Reid does a poor acting job and stands there with no emotion for about two seconds, then goes for Bischoff's leg.
  • Here come the troops, namely Brian Adams and Barry Windham.
  • Adams picks up Reid as Barry lays a stomping to David.
  • Windham applies a belly-to-back on David.
  • Bischoff then stands over David and slaps his face a few times.
  • Beth Flair then comes to ringside to tend to her fallen son.
  • Bischoff confronts Beth outside the ring and gets pushed.
  • Bischoff grabs Beth and kisses her lips!
  • Beth shoves Bischoff aside in disgust.
  • Bischoff lets out a WHOO! as the show ends.

• I'm gonna do something different this week. I normally close out my reports with a Good/Bad/Ugly, but instead I want to comment on that last segment.

  Many fans will probably be pissed that Bischoff had to shove his nose into this segment. Maybe he did shove his nose into it. However, to me, this is great heel work. Bischoff pulls a hoax on the fans and the family of Ric Flair and ends up laying waste to Flair's oldest son in front of his own mother, with assistance from one Barry Windham. In Charlotte, North Carolina, no less. Hell hath no fury like a mother's love for her child.

  Say what you will about Bischoff's tendency to push himself in front of his wrestlers (and doing a lousy job at it), but I'll give the nod to Easy-E and say he did a good job here. Furthermore, this leaves Starrcade with three options:

  1. Ric Flair miraculously gets better, uses this as fuel to the fire and proceeds to beat the holy hell out of Bischoff, or;
  2. Ric Flair could stay on the sidelines "healing" from his heart attack, allowing young David to achieve his dream of being a pro wrestler and fighting Bischoff in a revenge match, or;
  3. Ric Flair fights Bischoff as mentioned in Scenario #1, but David challenges Barry Windham.

  Keep in mind, none of these would be great matches. Bischoff is pretty pathetic as a wrestler and this would be David's first pro match. Likewise, I don't book WCW events, as I'm only a measley reporter. However, for purposes of storylines, these would be three paths to look for in Starrcade.

• One last thought... Who did Perry Saturn piss off to get buried? Peace!

I got to the show at 7:15, so I missed a few dark matches I believe.

Alex Wright defeated Kaz Hayashi in the first dark match I saw. Alex played the crowd very well before the match, so the crowd chanted "USA" throughout. Wright won with a reverse neckbreaker coming off the turnbuckles.

Glacier defeated Bobby Eaton. Eaton got a decent pop. I believe Glacier won with a sleeper, but I wasn't exactly concentrating on this one.

Wrath defeated Scott Putski with the Meltdown. Wrath got one of the best pops of the evening.

Wildcat Willie then came out to a disinterested audience.

The announcers were introduced. Marshall was booed, but Bobby got a nice pop.

Then the show started. They had sound problems with the video clips that aired on the monitors for most of the show.

The loudest pops of the evening went to the Wolfpac members and Scott Hall.

The best match of the night was Rey vs. Juvy, but a scuffle in the crowd during the match distracted much of the audience.

After the show went off the air, Bischoff and his cronies exited and Flair's son remained on the mat. After several minutes, he was helped up and exited. Then Penzer announced that show was over, to the crowd's displeasure.

Penzer announced throughout the show that the Giant would make an appearance, but he never did.

Flair has missed three out of the last four shows in his hometown. Two were the result of bogus injuries (Hennig's door slam and this heart attack) and the other was during the lawsuit. Oh well.