WCW Monday Nitro - Monday, 08/02/99

• Let's take a dip into the mailbag, shall we?

  • Toad (though not Lodi's tag-team partner) writes:

    I was watching Nitro with a couple of friends who, coincidentally enough, also read DDT Digest, and when Stevie Ray came out and puckered up for the camera, we all knew that was a priceless lead-in shot.

    Also, did you notice during the David Flair / Chris Benoit match (Give Benoit the damn title! Please!) you could clearly see DDP stretching by the WCW set waiting for his run-in. Oops.

    Finally, Heenan's great comment "I don't think Goldberg does jobs". Slick.

  • Mark calls me on my opinion of last week's show:

    Nitro was good??? Maybe I missed something. Seeing the old fogies like Hogan and Savage spoiled the show. Cruiserweights should not be putting over Savage, and Hogan should just drop dead. That isn't a nice thing, but his crap is getting old. Chris Benoit should destroy Flair at the PPV. Having Sid as the "surprise" partner really destroyed all the hype. Like we haven't seen Sid with Nash the past few weeks? Nitro was by-god awful last night. Only 2 things made it better.

    1-Vamp's super Liger bomb

    2-Being lucky enough to miss Buff.

    Upon further review, I've come to the conclusion that last week's show was far worse than I initially thought. I guess having more than 10 matches on the show clouded my judgement.

  • From the "Don't turn away from the TV for an instant!" department, Jason notes:

    You write "Psychosis hits a type of urinage, I believe." Actually, that was Psych getting DDTed by Kendall, he just fell on his knees.

    I wasn't watching RAW!!! I promise!!! Uh....

  • Duane joins the Scott Hudson fan club:

    One thing that _I_ really like about Scott Hudson doing commentary on Nitro is that he actually makes comments about the match going on in front of him. He's not rambling on or ranting about some other subject like Tony does during a match. Makes a match seem "more important" if you weel if the commentary guys are actually "play-by-playing" the moves given. Tony just goes berzerk over things that I could care less about (IT'S HOGAN!! IT'S HOGAN!!). Just my $.02 worth...

  • Buddy K. has an insight:

    Everyone's wondering WHY Uncle Eric let Jason Hervey do commentary on Nitro this week, and I think I have it figured...

    He has to know how much the Internet community despises Tony Schiavone. So, he's giving Tony a little break, but he will return.

    In the meantime, Bischoff is putting on someone who will make even Schiavone look good.

    I'm just thankful he didn't give Susan "Uh-oh, Uh-oh" St. James a tryout.

  • And finally. I get some weird spam at this address, some wrestling related, some not. But I got one today that was just weird.

    My name is (name deleted) and I am the content manager for (named deleted), a new portal dedicated to the trucking industry launching on September 7, 1999. This website will become the site for the industry.

    I have done extensive research on the web as it relates to wrestling and have reviewed your website and others. I was very impressed with what I saw. I am interested to learn if you would be interested in forming a strategic partnership in which you would provide editorials, content or information on a regular basis to our site in return for cash (we are not interested in developing a relationship just based on linking out).

    (name deleted) is a new media, telecommunications and entertainment services company, which provides the trucking industry with Cable TV, Telephony (local and long distance) and Internet access exclusively. In addition to providing these services we have recently launched an ISP that is dedicated to the industry,, the only one of its kind.

    I look forward to hearing from you in an effort to develop a unique strategic relationship.

    Trucking, wrestling....I can see how that follows! Uh.....sure.

• We look back at last week.

• Sign: "I want DJ Ran out of my area"

• A look back at the Hogan/Nash/Goldberg feud.

• Hudson & The Brain are in the broadcast booth.

• A look back at Harlem Heat re-forming on Thunder.

• And we're LIVE from Sioux Falls, SD.

• Match 1: WCW World Tag Team Champions Kanyon and Bam Bam Bigelow (w/Diamond Dallas Page) vs. Harlem Heat
  • Kanyon's mic doesn't work, but he still hits The Question.
  • DDP delivers his usual canned interview.
  • Crowd: "You suck you suck you suck"
  • Kanyon has a news flash: Harlem Heat is back together, and nobody cares. Kanyon says that they're going to beat those "fruit booties" in the center of the ring.
  • DDP: "As far as Chris Benoit is concerned...."
  • They do a Yo Momma joke about Benoit's mom.
  • Page continues to challenge Benoit.
  • Page says that David Flair defends the US title better than Benoit ever could.
  • DDP: "Benoit - you ain't got it, you never will have it. A guy like David Flair has it way more than you ever will."
  • Harlem Heat's music comes on.
  • Booker T is in silver and black, while Stevie Ray is back to the red.
  • The crowd pops for the Heat.
  • DDP heads to the back.
  • This will be a non-title match.
  • Kanyon mocks raising the roof.
  • Booker shows 'em how to do it.
  • Booker with some serious arm-wringing.
  • Big dropkick from Booker.
  • Booker asks the crowd if they want Stevie. They get him.
  • Weak superkick from Stevie. Kanyon hits the floor.
  • Kanyon tags Bigelow.
  • Bigelow goes to the eyes, and opens up on Stevie.
  • Stevie comes out the corner with a clothesline, and works Bigelow over in the corner.
  • Stevie blocks a suplex and reverses.
  • Kanyon back in.
  • Kanyon eats boot, and a clothesline, and Booker tags in.
  • Kanyon gets the boot up in the corner.
  • Kanyon nearly slips between the ropes, but Bigelow distracts Booker.
  • Kanyon with a slingshot elbow for two.
  • Kanyon slams Booker, and Bigelow hits the Swan Dive Headbutt.
  • Stevie makes the save.
  • Double-clothesline spot.
  • Tags are exchanged.
  • Stevie's a Fruit Booty-a-fire.
  • Big Boots for everyone.
  • Standing powerslam from Stevie on Kanyon.
  • Bigelow catches Booker for the Greetings, but Stevie makes the save.
  • Booker hits the Harlem Sidekick on Kanyon,
  • Booker goes up top, and DDP runs out to hit Booker with the tag belt.
  • Chris Benoit stops DDP from interfering, allowing Booker T to hit the Missile Dropkick on Kanyon for the win!!
  • Post-match, Benoit gives a great mic spot challenging Page. Click here to hear it (356K).

• Lenny and Lodi talk about pajamas and bunny slippers
  • They want to find out where The Cat shops.

• We now get the normal Nitro opener.

• Next week! Chad Brock!!

• Tonight - DDP vs. Benoit.

• Sting makes his way out
  • Sting: "Back in black in da house."
  • Sting says there are wrestlers in the back he wants to see out there tonight.
  • Sid and Rick Steiner.
  • Sting says he needs a partner.
  • Sting wants the crowd to tell him the name of a partner.
  • Crowd: "Golllldberg! Gollldberg!"
  • Sting asks Goldberg to be his partner.
  • Sting says he'll be back at 9:00 to get Goldberg's answer.

• Match 2: Earnest Miller (w/Sonny Oono) vs. Lenny Lane (w/Lodi)
  • Kitty B. Badd and Oono come out.
  • We look back at the Bunny Slippers incident last week.
  • Kitty talks about Buff coming out in blackface.
  • Kitty talks smack to Buff.
  • He says he's going to whoop somebody without his red shoes.
  • Kitty calls out Lenny & Lodi.
  • Lodi sign: "When Lenny and Lodi are in town, somebody's going down."
    
  • Kitty says that if Lenny and Lodi come in the ring, he'll tell them where he gets his pink slippers.
  • Kitty delivers a double-noggin-knocker.
  • Kitty dumps Lodi, and beats on Lenny.
  • Kitty dumps Lenny, too.
  • Lodi chases Oono, goes into the ring, and gets leveled by a Kitty Kick.
  • Lenny tries to turn Kitty around, but gets clotheslined.
  • A standing Feliner finishes Lenny.

• Mean Gene calls out Hogan
  • Gene builds up Hogan. I heave up my dinner.
  • Hogan has shaved off his black "bad guy" stubble.
  • Hogan goes into Hulkamania mode.
  • Hogan talks about his crappy bladejob last week, building it up in epic terms.
  • Hogan is wearing a necklace made out of paper clips. I kid you not.
    
  • Hogan offers Nash a World Title shot tonight.
  • Hogan seems to think the way to be a clever heel is to refer to Nash as "Mrs. Kevina."

• Sting comes out to get his answer from Goldberg
  • We see Goldberg making his way through the back.
  • Rick Steiner distracts him, and Sid Vicious clocks Goldberg with a big coal shovel.
  • The heels put Goldberg out.
  • Sting runs to the back to help, and gets intercepted.
  • The heels beat on Sting, and bring him back into the ring.
  • Sting with the instant Hulk-up.
  • Sting with a pair of Stinger Splashes.
  • Sid catches Sting on an attempted third splash with a chokeslam.
  • Goldberg breaks out of a locked room, and heads to the ring.
  • The heels hit the road as Goldberg hits the ring.
  • Goldberg wants Sid & Steiner to come back, but they leave.
  • But, we've got our tag match set up.

• We look back "moments ago"

• Match 3: Evan Karagias vs. Disco Inferno
  • Evan sends a shout out to his grandfather in North Carolina.
  • Disco makes his way out.
  • Disco takes Evan down.
  • Evan with a hiptoss and a pair of high dropkicks.
  • The announcers are building up Evan.
  • Disco with an inverted atomic drop and running lariat.
  • Disco stomps Evan down in the corner.
  • Disco with the second-rope forearm drop for two.
  • Disco goes up for it again, and Evan moves.
  • Evan with some kind of flying clothesline.
  • Evan powerslams Disco for two.
  • Disco ducks a clothesline and hits a swinging neckbreaker.
  • Evan with a back-elbow, and hits a crisp snap-suplex.
  • Disco hangs on to the ropes to avoid a dropkick.
  • Disco gets into position, and lands the Last Dance for the win.
  • Good match!

• Torrie and David Flair are in the back
  • Torrie says that David is the greatest, so he shouldn't be defending his belt so often.
  • David says that he talked to Ric, and Ric said that David didn't have to defend his belt unless he wanted to.
  • David says he's already beaten everyone.

• We see a retrospective of the US title, with a special look at David Flair.

• Kiss - killing ratings on August 23rd.

• Nitro Girls.

• Sid rants incoherently.

• Promo for a Saturn shirt.
  • What're you looking at?

• Match 4: Hugh Morrus and Jerry Flynn (w/Jimmy Hart and Hardcore Trophy) vs. Shane Douglas and Dean Malenko
  • The First Family makes their way out.
  • Dean Malenko's music brings out Malenko and Shane Douglas.
  • The Malenko/Douglas/Benoit/Saturn stable is apparently now known as "The Revolution."
  • Flynn and Malenko start off.
  • Malenko goes for an early Cloverleaf, but Morrus runs in.
  • Douglas and Malenko clear the ring.
  • Douglas and Morrus in after things settle down.
  • Douglas gets out of a gorilla press, and lands a dropkick.
  • Malenko tags in.
  • Malenko gets away from Morrus and schoolboys him for two.
  • Morrus gets a gorilla press on Douglas, and clotheslines him.
  • Morrus goes up for the No Laughing matter, but Douglas catches him and slams him off the top.
  • Tags exchanged, and Malenko opens up on Flynn.
  • Flynn clotheslines Malenko.
  • Flynn takes over.
  • Malenko tries to fight out of the First Family corner, but Hart trips him.
  • Morrus tags in to drop some elbows and a leg.
  • Flynn tags in with a spin kick.
  • Malenko tries a sunset flip, and gets it for two.
  • Morrus distracts Mickey Jay, so Malenko's tag doesn't count.
  • Malenko avoids a running kick from Flynn, and makes the tag.
  • Douglas backdrops Flynn, and hits an inverted atomic drop.
  • Douglas with a powerslam. Morrus makes the save.
  • It's a melee in the ring as lots of people run into each other.
  • Douglas hits the Pittsburgh Plunge on Flynn for the pin.
  • Malenko takes the Hardcore Trophy.
  • Malenko: "The revolution has arrived. Fit Finlay, this trophy is going right back where it belongs."

• Another damn Kiss promo.

• Goldberg promo.

• Nitro Girls.

• Rick Steiner makes his way down
  • He comes out to the announce booth, grabs Hudson, and throws him into the ring.
  • Rick slaps Hudson around, and belly-to-bellies him.
  • Security comes out to get Steiner away.
  • From the sounds of things, the crowd could care less.
  • And we go to commercial. Random.

• Scott Hudson gets stretchered out as we come back
  • Eric Bischoff is in the broadcast booth as we come back.
  • Bobby Heenan rejoins the announce booth.
  • I wonder if this is paving the way for Tony Schiavone to come back.
  • We see Hudson getting loaded into the ambulance.

• Match 5: Bobby Duncum Jr. vs. Perry Saturn
  • Bobby Duncum Jr. makes his way out, without the rest of the Rednecks.
  • His opponent - Perry Saturn.
  • It's rather sickening to listen to Bischoff talking about how Benoit & Co. will carry WCW into the millennium, while he's going to be force-feeding us Hogan and Savage for the next five years.
  • Curt Hennig's voice comes over the mic.
  • Hennig says that for the last ten years, people have been trying to act like Curt Hennig.
  • Hennig talks about Chad Brock.
  • Hennig with some uninspired mic work about Brock.
  • Hennig says that Saturn is from Uranus.
  • Duncum attacks.
  • Saturn lands an IMMEDIATE DVD.
  • Saturn calls Hennig a stupid redneck.
  • Saturn challenges Hennig.
  • Hennig slowly comes to the ring.
  • Hennig hits the ring.
  • Saturn with a back-elbow and clothesline.
  • Saturn with ten punches in the corner.
  • Hennig no-sells, and hits Saturn in the back of the head.
  • Hennig with the somersault neck snap.
  • Duncum is still hanging around ringside to help Hennig.
  • Hennig slaps Saturn around.
  • Kneelift from Hennig.
  • Bischoff slips up and talks about Hennig being in the WWF.
  • Saturn starts the comeback.
  • Hennig gets out with a low-blow.
  • Hennig with the twisting earringer.
  • Saturn starts another comeback.
  • Saturn rips the "Rap Is Crap" shirt off of Hennig.
  • Saturn lands a spin kick.
  • Atomic drop from Saturn, and a belly-to-belly.
  • Duncum gets knocked off the apron, and Hennig eats a DVD.
  • The Windhams run in for the DQ.
  • The Rednecks go to hog-tie Saturn with Duncum's bullrope.
  • The crowd gets a big "Rednecks Suck" chant going.
  • Malenko and Douglas make the belated save.

• We take a look back last week at Benoit destroying David Flair.

• Match 6: Diamond Dallas Page vs. Chris Benoit
  • DDP makes his way out.
  • We don't get to hear Benoit's music real often, but we do as da man makes his way down.
  • Staredown to start.
  • They trade spit and slaps.
  • Backdrop suplex from DDP.
  • Benoit with a comeback, and gets some offense on the floor.
  • Back in the ring, DDP hits a swinging neckbreaker.
  • Benoit flips out of a backdrop suplex, and shoves out of a Diamond Cutter.
  • DDP with an inverted atomic drop.
  • Benoit unloads with chops and a snap-suplex.
  • Quick elbowdrop by Benoit.
  • DDP with a short-arm back-elbow.
  • DDP with a nice spinning ligerbomb.
  • DDP drops an elbow to the nuts.
  • Benoit starts a comeback, but gets met with a NICE spinebuster.
  • Page slams Benoit, and drops an elbow.
  • Benoit catches Page up top, and crotches him.
  • Benoit superplexes Page.
  • They trade punches.
  • Benoit unloads with huge chops, and hits a German suplex for two.
  • Benoit hits the suplex again for two.
  • He tries a third one, but Page hits a low blow.
  • DDP with a Rock Bottom for two.
  • Benoit with a floatover DDT.
  • The thumb goes across the throat.
  • Benoit lands the headbutt, and knocks David Flair off the apron.
  • Page tries to roll Benoit up from behind, but Benoit reverses it for the PIN!!!!
  • Benoit knocks Kanyon and Bigelow off the apron, but Page delivers a HUGE Diamond Cutter.
  • Page does it again, and then delivers one off the top rope.
  • David Flair taunts Benoit with the US title, as Page whips Benoit with a belt.

• Gene calls out Randy Savage
  • George isn't with him.
  • Gene says that he is only the messenger.
  • Savage says his campaign for President is on hold.
  • Savage threatens Hogan, Nash, Rodman.
  • Savage talks about his match with Rodman at Road Wild.
  • Savage calls out Dennis Rodman right now.
  • Miss Madness comes out.
  • Mona asks Savage if she can be on his team again.
  • Savage said that would show his kind side.
  • Miss Madness is adorable.
  • Savage pushes Mona to her knees, and tells her to beg for her job back.
    
  • Savage says he's reconsidered, and she's still fired.
  • Dennis Rodman comes out with Swoll and 4X4 of the No Limit Soldiers.
  • Rodman insinuates that he had sex with George.
  • Smack-talk is exchanged back and forth.
  • Rodman: "Once you've had black, you never go back."
  • Mona low-blows Savage.
  • Rodman slides into the ring, and clotheslines Savage in the back of the head.
  • Rodman drops a pair of elbows.
  • The crowd chants for Rodman, and we go to commercial.

• Match 7: Vampiro (w/Raven and Insane Clown Posse) vs. Eddy Guerrero
  • Vampiro mugs with the fans.
  • Vampiro wanders around the ring for a while.
  • EDDY!!!
  • Oh yeah. Eddy's ripped.
  • Eddy takes issue with Vampiro's posse.
  • Eddy with a dragonscrew legwhip.
  • Eddy works on Vampiro in the corner.
  • Vampiro tosses Eddy into the air, but Eddy comes down with a dropkick.
  • One of the ICP trips Eddy at the ropes, and Eddy turns around into a spin kick.
  • Vampiro with a suplex.
  • Eddy gets tossed into a cameraman on the floor.
  • The fat ICP puts the boots to Eddy until Raven pulls them back.
  • Vampiro continues the punishment on the floor.
  • Avalanche clothesline from Vampiro, followed by a release belly-to-belly.
  • Eddy starts a comeback, but gets met with a chokeslam.
  • Eddy catches Vampiro up top, and armdrags him from the top.
  • Eddy crotches Vampiro, and dropkicks him to the floor.
  • He deals with the ICP on the apron, and delivers a slingshot to the outside.
  • Eddy goes up top, but Raven pushes him off.
  • Vampiro delivers the Vampiro Spike for the pin.
  • ICP stomps on Eddy post-match until Rey Jr. and Gonnad make the save.

• Promo for "Berlyn"

• Bischoff wants Hogan to come out for color commentary. Joy.

• Match 8: Sid Vicious and Rick Steiner vs. Sting and Bill Goldberg
  • Hogan and Bischoff start a verbal circle-jerk that I fear will last the entire match.
  • Sid and Steiner come down together.
  • Sting makes his way out solo.
  • Hogan talks about wanting to pass the torch to Sting and Goldberg, not Nash & Co.
  • Goldberg comes out to "Crush 'Em"
  • The heels charge into the ring, and the match is on.
  • Goldberg leg-trips Steiner out of the ring, and Sting dropkicks Sid to the floor.
  • Sting suplexes Sid into the ring, and Goldberg takes Steiner out.
  • Goldberg works on Steiner in the ring as Sid takes care of Sting on the floor.
  • Steiner rams Sting into the turnbuckles.
  • Sid tags in.
  • Sting comes back with a hair-pull facebuster on Sid.
  • Sting continues to fight back, but Sid chokeslams him.
  • Goldberg makes the save.
  • Sting slams Sid, but Sid gets his knees up on a splash attempt.
  • Sid with a slam, but Sting avoids the legdrop.
  • Sting slaps on the Scorpion Deathlock, but Steiner makes the save.
  • Goldberg sends Steiner out of the ring.
  • Sid drapes Sting over the second rope, as Steiner goes for a chair.
  • The ref is distracted with Goldberg.
  • Hogan intercepts Steiner, takes the chair, and brains Steiner with it.
  • The ref turns around to see Hogan chair Sid, and DQ's the faces.
  • Hogan celebrates on the floor.
  • Nash runs out, and powerbombs Hogan through the announce table, as we fade to black....
    

Chad B. sends the following arena report:

It was my first live wrestling event and I thought it was a pretty good show. We showed up about an hour before the start of the show and we had decent seats. The crowd was very quiet before the start.

The first match was great, and Booker T and Stevie Ray looked huge. We didn't know that the gold wasn't on the line until after the match. Sting got a huge pop when he came out and the "Goldberg" chants were deafening. I think that I was the only one cheering for the greatest heel in the sport today, The Cat. Lenny Lane and Lodi were entertaining.

The whole first hour of the show some drunk guys behind me kept spilling beer and leaning on me. One time, the guys tried to lean on me and I moved and he hit face-first on the concrete, it was great. After that, I felt better.

Then Mean Gene came out and I seemed like the only one that was booing him. Face Hogan came out clean shaven and posed for us. Some guy had a sign that said "Beer me" and he chucked a beer into the crowd and was escorted to the exit.

Then it was time for Sting and Goldberg to clear Steiner and Sid out. We couldn't really tell what went on in back, but Goldberg came out and his back was bloody. Then Evan Courageous took on Disco. (I thought Disco couldn't dance any more???). Disco put on a pretty good show.

The Nitro Girls came out a lot and were good. DJ Ran was crappy as usual. The first family against Malenko and Douglas was not a very good match. The crowd wasn't into it at all. A Goldberg highlight show was on the big screen with Megadeth's new song. I was trying to get a Scott Hudson chant started when everyone asked me who the hell Scott Hudson was. Steiner came out and suplexed him and he was taken out on a stretcher. We all chanted "Bullsh#t".

Bobby Duncum came in and started to fight Saturn and all of a sudden it changed to Curt Hennig. The crowd booed the Rednecks heavily (except for me, of course). A few weak ECW chants started when Douglas and Malenko came out. DDP against Benoit was a good match. Torrie was soooo hot.

Mean Gene got on the stick and brought out Macho and he got a decent pop, but there was no George. When he told Miss Madness to get on her knees there was a big pop, and Rodman got a huge ovation. Except from me.

Vampiro and ICP and Raven came out to a spectacular entrance. Lots of fireworks and swearing in the music. I can't believe Eddy did the job to Vampiro. I guess someone has to put him over. Konnan and Rey made the save for Eddy and they got a lukewarm response. Hogan came out and then disappeared. Then the bad guys came out, then Sting. Then the man made his entrance. The match was terrible, the same as last week pretty much, with Hogan coming from somewhere and using a chair to get the good guys DQed. Then Nash powerbombed Hogan. Then Goldberg and Sting cleaned house and that was the show.

Biggest pops:

1. Goldberg
2. Hogan
3. Sting
4. Rodman?

Most heat:

1. The Cat
2. Triad
3. Sid and Steiner
4. Rednecks

Great show, I thought, except for the ending and the drunk fools.