The "Season Finale" of WCW Thunder - Wednesday, 3/21/2001

By Big Mike

Is this it???? The last charge? The last Thunder?
A great report by Aldo on Monday, but I'm going to do something Aldo didn't, and that is, I'm going to comment on the current situation. You know me; I have to say my peace.
Well, it's been a busy, busy week since the last Thunder. This much we know for sure: There will be a "season finale" this Monday, and then WCW is going on hiatus after Nitro. The question is, for how long? Will they even come back? It looks like the WWF is the leader in the race (?) to purchase WCW. That would be sad. Vince McMahon controls all of wrestling.
You know, when everyone thought this whole "sale falling apart" thing could possibly be a huge work (until this week), all of the "wrestling writers" were saying how horrible of a thing this would be if this was all a big work. That, it would hurt everyone involved. I thought, why? Just because they would have looked dumb. It's a moot point now, I guess, but that would have been the best angle of all time, working everyone in the world. In the day of "total access" and "dirt sheets," you don't see everyone getting worked any more. The fact that everyone thought it could be a work, and that nobody knew (and maybe still no one knows what's going on), was funny as hell in itself. The fact that the think Bischoff is capable of that should be a compliment to Bischoff.
If this is truly the last ride for WCW; it would be the end of an era. For those of us who don't think of Vince McMahon as our personal hero and the savior of wrestling (see other web sites), WCW is the link to the way it used to be, when wrestling was more like rasslin', and when it wasn't about T&A, which we could pay $5.95 to watch on the Spice Channel anyway, but that's another story. WCW may not resemble the old NWA all that much, but the link is solidly there. And with that gone, and ECW gone, what would be left? A McMahon monopoly? A rock n' roll meets T&A 2000 version of "sports entertainment?" F*** you, Vince. It ain't sports entertainment; it's supposed to be WRESTLING. Granted, there are some great, great matches in the WWF, but that's not the focus of the show. The focus of their shows is the interviews and all the other incidental crap. No matter how bad it was sometimes, the focus of WCW has always been wrestling, save for the Russo era. That is what I will miss the most.
As for this, DDT Digest, that's up to Bill. I do know that I've had a lot of fun doing this. After reading some of the "dirt sheets" when I first got on the Internet, I thought, man, these dudes take wrestling way too seriously. Then I found DDT Digest, which took it for what it is, entertainment. Bill wasn't trying to find out what was going on behind the scenes, or get the backstage "scoops" (pardon the pun). It was just some regular guys, who don't live and die based on what happens in wrestling, watching the show and making comments on it. The writers on DDT Digest may not know all the backstage gossip (I certainly don't, nor do I claim to), but we think it's fun to watch. In other words, I'd like to think we look at wrestling as entertainment rather than as a business. Maybe that's a naïve outlook on things, but what the hell. It's nice to take a break sometimes in a "fantasy world," where there are still "good guys" and "bad guys." It's a nice outlet after all the things we have to put up with in the real world. I couldn't give a crap less who doesn't like who backstage, or what goes on in the booking committee meetings. Anyway, I'm glad to have been able to be just a small part of it, and I hope DDT Digest continues in some form. Hell, I hope WCW continues.
Some mail now, clarifying some stuff I had wondered about last week.
- Mike T. writes:
  
  Hey, I just thought that I'd let you know (in case you haven't figured out yet) that Tony Schiavone has no idea what he is talking about. Big surprise, eh? Don't be frightened by it, it's only World Championship Wrestling.
  The reason Jason Jett has "SKYFIRE" on his tights is because that was the name he went by in NWA Wildside. They are the little indy (NWA = Indy nowadays, Nikita Koloff where are you?) in Georgia that WCW talent was working with for a while. Since WCW cancelled that deal, of course they can't mention Wildside on WCW TV. When Jett signed with Dubbya-C-Dubbya, I guess they just didn't tell Fat Tony where he was from, so he'd have no inclination of mentioning Wildside.
  As for his naming all of his moves, I'd rather Tony learn all of those names, than hear him blubbering out every 30 seconds "That's his move!" like he does for everyone else.
  Thanks for listening.
  
  Good e-mail. The only thing I'm not sure is true is WCW has cancelled the development deal with Wildside. I think that was a rumor, because David Flair and guys like that are still wrestling Wildside shows. Probably a moot point now, anyway.
Let's go to the show tonight. Is Thunder going to go on "hiatus" with a whimper or with a bang?

We start the last Thunder with the regular old montage of Nitro. Part of Eric Bischoff's speech from Monday is replayed. If Fusient is out, why replay the speech? I swear we've got another new opening montage to Thunder. What is that all about? They also show the highlights of Flair "kissing Dusty's ass." Priceless.
We are TAPED from Gainesville, Florida.
Tony Schiavone and Mike Tenay commentating.
We start with a match.
Air Raid (the new name for Air Paris and "Air" Styles) vs. the Jung Dragons
- This certainly doesn't look like a dead promotion. New gimmicks for Paris and Styles.
- Styles with a nice takeover on Yang. Yang suplexes Styles in the corner. Paris comes in with the super kick!!!!
- Kaz drops both opponents off the top rope. Ouch!!! Kaz comes off the top rope with a springboard super kick.
- Paris with a twisting cross body on Kaz.
- Oooh! Flying huricanrana by Kaz.
- Yang is back in the ring. DDT by Paris on Yang.
- Tony says this is the season finale of Thunder and plugs the show on Monday.
- Do they tape the voiceovers on Monday night? If Fusient is out as of Tuesday, why do they keep mentioning Bischoff?
- Tenay wonders aloud who will show up. No names are mentioned.
- Running powerbomb by Yang out of the corner.
- Hot tags to both men. Kaz kicks Paris in the corner and Styles comes up behind him.
- Paris with a nice move out of the torture rack. Yang breaks it up.
- Sort of a version of a tombstone by Yang by Styles.
- Styles drops Yang with a nice body drop. He goes up top, but Yang meets him with a drop kick.
- Yang goes up but Styles drops him to the floor.
- Double power bomb by Air Raid on Kaz. Yang pulls him off though.
- Yang with a running side body drop and the three count on Styles!!
- YOUR WINNERS: The Jung Dragons via a running side body drop by Yang.
- Wow! I couldn't even call that one fast enough. Great match.
- Tony mentioned that the Jung Dragons were trying to impress "WCW personnel." He didn't say anything about the new owners. Hmmm.
We come back with a montage from Greed, and the match between the Rhodes boys and Flair and Jarrett.
Dustin Rhodes comes to the ring with a duffle bag. Dustin introduces a clip from Nitro of Flair and Jarrett kissing "Dusty's ass." Dustin says he almost feels a little bit bad for the Nature Boy, but he feels good because he shoved Jarrett's face in it, too. Dustin says he has something for Flair and pulls something out of the duffle bag. Ha!! It's a box game that says "Pin the Naitch on the Jackass." It's got a picture of a jackass with Ric Flair's picture superimposed on it. He also pulls out some Chapstick, some mouthwash, and a hotel room key. Dustin says it's for Flair in case he wants to have some fun with the jackass.
Flair comes on the Jumbotron. He asks Dustin if he thinks what he did on Monday made people around the world laugh. Flair says Dustin is his employee. Flair says he is going to make life miserable for Dustin. Flair says it's not funny. He says people were laughing at him. Flair compares himself to Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Johnny Unitas and Wilt Chamberlain. He says he's those guys rolled into one. Flair says Dustin will be in the main event against Jeff Jarrett and Scott Steiner. Flair says Steiner is going to hurt Dustin Rhodes. Dustin holds up four fingers and asks Flair if he knows what that means. Flair, of course, says the Four Horsemen. Dustin says it means four words: "Kiss my Daddy's ass."
Jason Jett vs. Cash
- This is Kid Kash from ECW for those of you who don't know.
- If the company is going away, why are they still bringing new talent in?
- Jett lifts Cash out of the ring. Cash gives Jett a head scissor takeover to the floor.
- Tenay says that Cash was a protégé and former tag team partner of Ricky Morton.
- Jett puts Cash in "the Pendulum," a sort of swinging surfboard submission move.
- Cash sends Jett out, and then comes down off the turnbuckle with a somersault flip. "ECW" chants break out it the crowd.
- Back in the ring, Cash goes for the pin, but Jett kicks out at two.
- Jett flips in off the apron for a body block. Now a standing moonsault by Jett.
- Cash with a kick to the head. He goes up top, but both men go down, as Cash comes off the ropes and both men hit each other with a clothesline.
- Spinning somersault body block off the top rope by Cash.
- Jett with a back piledriver as he catches Cash going for a sunset flip. Cash kicks out at two!!!!
- Cash with a powerbomb now, but a two count only on Jett.
- Jett with a springboard flip back elbow, the Afterburner! Nice move!!!!
- Cash reverses Jett's attempt at the Crash Landing into a piledriver, called the Money Maker. Cash waits and then goes for the pin. Two count only.
- Jett hits the Crash Landing, a reverse suplex for the three count!!!!!
- YOUR WINNER: Jason Jett via the "Crash Landing."
- That match was great too! Two in a row!!!!
Back to Flair's "documentary." Flair is backstage with Rick Steiner. Rick is wondering why they are doubting Steiner. Flair tells him not to get mad.
Security camera shows the Cat and Ms. Jones talking to Smooth. Cat tells Smooth to, "stay cool, let Kanyon be the fool." Cat says it's going to be Cat and Smooth vs. Animal and Kanyon tonight. Oh boy.
Kanyon and Animal vs. M.I. Smooth and the Cat w/ Ms. Jones
- It'll be Kanyon and the Cat to start.
- Cat with a nice spin kick to Kanyon. Two count only.
- Tag in to M. I. Smooth. Kanyon tags in Animal.
- Smooth is no-selling Animal's chops. Animal finally hits a clothesline.
- Smooth tags in the Cat.
- Power slam by Animal on the Cat. Spinning super kick by the Cat now. Kanyon makes the save on the pin attempt.
- Animal gives the cat a power bomb and tags in Kanyon. Two count by Kanyon.
- Kanyon goes for the suplex, but Cat reverses it into a swinging neck breaker.
- Kanyon tags in Animal.
- Elbow by Kanyon on the Cat. Kanyon is in the ring now. Kanyon with a swinging neck breaker on the Cat.
- Kanyon goes up top, but the Cat catches him and hits the power bomb.
- Animal runs in with a clothesline on the Cat. Ms. Jones taunts Animal and he goes outside. Meanwhile, the Cat tags in Smooth.
- Smooth with a powerslam on Kanyon. Animal and the Cat are going at it on the outside.
- Kanyon tries to come off the rope, but the Cat hooks his leg. Smooth hits a big standing splash for the win.
- YOUR WINNERS: The Cat and M. I. Smooth via the splash
- Pretty bad match there.
Rick Steiner vs. Hugh Morrus
- Steiner with a nice release German suplex.
- Steiner off the top with a bulldog. Morrus gets his foot on the rope to break up the pin attempt.
- For some reason, Rick Steiner now goes out of the ring to taunt the crowd. Now he's back in, and Morrus hits him with the clothesline. Now a spinning back kick by Morrus and a suplex. Two count only.
- Steiner kicks Morrus in the nads and then goes outside to get a chair and whacks Morrus with it. He puts it on the arm of Morrus and calls out Shane Douglas as he stands on the chair.
- Douglas comes out with the cast on and goes after Steiner. Steiner tosses Douglas into the ring. Morrus is down, as Steiner attacks Morrus. All of the sudden, Douglas nails Steiner with the cast. Morrus hits the German suplex for the win!!!!
- YOUR WINNER: Hugh Morrus via the German Suplex.
- Cut to Morrus' family in the stands who are cheering wildly. That's pretty cool.
- Douglas hands David Penzer a videotape and walks out.
Douglas's tape is played as we come back from commercial. Douglas is on the camcorder. Douglas says he is going to make Steiner his pet project from now on, and that after that, he will move on to the Nature Boy. Next??? When is that? Douglas challenges Rick Steiner on Monday night in Panama City. When the f*** is he going to get to Flair???? WCW is done, according to everyone.
"Primetime" Elix Skipper, Kid Romeo, and Chavo Guerrero, Jr. vs. Rey Misterio, Jr., Kidman, and "Sugar" Shane Helms
- I think Chavo's entrance music is pretty cool. Not as cool as Mike Sanders's, but still pretty cool.
- I'll try to keep up here. We start with Chavo and Kidman. Quick head scissor takeover by Chavo. Kidman comes back with a cross face takedown. Kidman tags in Helms.
- Tilt-a-whirl backbreaker by Helms. Back into a lariat by Chavo. Chavo tags in Kid Romeo.
- That the hell is going on with my picture? It looks like a psychedelic movie. The movement is very jerky.
- Tony: "We've seen just about everybody in this match except for Primetime and Rey, Jr." What?
- Misterio is tagged in by Helms. Rey comes off the ropes into a springboard off the top rope by Elix Skipper.
- Rey ducks as he's on the ropes, and Primetime goes to the floor. Misterio follows with a flip into a Thesz press. Chavo comes out on Rey with a suicide dive. Helms follows onto Chavo with a cross body off the top. Kid Romeo hits a clothesline on Helms off the top! Here comes Kidman off the top, taking down all three heels.
- Back in the ring, it's Rey Misterio, Jr. and Primetime.
- The heels are now triple-teaming Misterio as the referee is "talking" to Kidman and Helms.
- Chavo is in now, and gets Rey into the "Gory Special" (invented by Chavo's grandfather, Gory Guerrero) into a front side drop
- Now Kid Romeo is in the ring. He hits a front face drop on Rey, but Kidman breaks up the pin attempt
- DDT by Rey on Kid Romeo. Good, the picture is back to normal. I was getting dizzy.
- Misterio gets the hot tag to Shane Helms. Helms clears the ring of the heels except for Kid Romeo. Helms hits a front face drop. He tags Kidman, and hits a suplex. Kidman comes off with a flying body press, but Chavo gets the save.
- Primetime comes off the ropes with a missile drop kick on Kidman!!!
- Now Helms and Romeo are in the ring, as everyone is fighting on the outside. Helms goes for the vertebreaker, but Chavo breaks it up.
- Kidman comes in. Romeo goes for the Last Kiss, but Kidman reverses it into the Kid Crusher for the win!!!!!
- YOUR WINNERS: Rey Misterio, Jr., Kidman, and "Sugar" Shane Helms via the Kid Crusher.
- Tremendous match!!!!! I was about two moves behind the whole time!
Replay from the camcorder of Rick Steiner tearing up the backstage area. Just because Douglas challenged him to a match????
Security camera with Palumbo talking about Team Canada. He says Palumbo will be taking on Mike Awesome tonight, and if Storm shows up, O'Haire will be right there.
Mike Awesome vs. Chuck Palumbo
- Palumbo with a release gut wrench suplex on Awesome right away.
- Awesome comes back with a great short arm clothesline.
- Awesome sends Palumbo outside and then comes out with a springboard clothesline on Palumbo.
- Awesome throws Palumbo back in and then slingshots into the splash.
- German suplex by Awesome. Two count only.
- Awesome showboats, and Palumbo tries the schoolboy pin, but only gets a two count.
- Awesome has Palumbo in a Camel Clutch.
- It's all Awesome so far in this match. Awesome throws Palumbo to the floor. He throws Palumbo into the guardrail.
- Hey, hey! Focus on that girl in the front row. Dammit, dammit, don't follow the wrestlers, dumbass!
- Anyway, Palumbo comes back with a chair shot on Awesome.
- Back in the ring now, Palumbo hits the double underhook release suplex. Drop kick by Palumbo sends Awesome outside of the ring. Palumbo sends Awesome to the safety rail and rolls him back into the ring.
- Palumbo goes up to the top rope for the shoulder block. Two count only though.
- Running bulldog by Palumbo.
- Awesome comes back with a clothesline and a bridge suplex. Two count only by Awesome.
- Awesome goes up to the top rope and poses a while. He goes for the frog splash but misses.
- Here comes Lance Storm. He pulls Palumbo out of the ring and rams him into the guardrail. Storm throws Palumbo back into the ring. Awesome hits a release German suplex. Two count.
- In the meantime, here comes Sean O'Haire to attack Storm.
- Awesome goes up top, but Palumbo catches him with the running power slam.
- Palumbo hits the Jungle Kick and it's all over!
- YOUR WINNER: Chuck Palumbo via the Jungle Kick.
- That was a pretty decent match too.
Handicap match: Dustin Rhodes vs. Jeff Jarrett and Scott Steiner w/ Midajah
- Steiner is limping noticeably as he comes out.
- Jarrett gets on the mic and says Rhodes will be dead after this match just like his daddy's career was a long time ago.
- Steiner says Booker T doesn't learn from his mistakes. He says that when he beat Booker last time, he "beat Booker T like a bitch." He says the match Monday will be Booker T's last match in WCW. A little more than obvious symbolism there. Steiner then adds it will also be the last match in his career.
- We go backstage, and Animal is with the camcorder man. Animal says he knows Flair will want to see this last match. He goes into Ric Flair's dressing room, and Flair is down. He's been laid out. There's a broken table laying over him as we go to commercial.
- As we come back, Dustin Rhodes comes to the ring. Tenay accuses Rick Steiner of laying out Flair because he was the last person in the dressing room. I'm thinking no.
- It will be Jarrett against Rhodes to start. Rhodes goes for the Dustbuster, but Steiner comes in the ring and breaks it up.
- Steiner is in now, and hits an elbow drop on Rhodes.
- Nick Patrick is your referee.
- Steiner puts Rhodes in a Tree of Woe and nails him repeatedly.
- Now Jarrett is in the ring working over Rhodes. Rhodes goes for a small package, but Nick Patrick is tending to Scott Steiner. Steiner is outside talking to some fans.
- Now Steiner comes back in the ring, and Dustin fights off both of them.
- Midajah throws Steiner the lead pipe secretly. Steiner nails Dustin with the pipe, and goes for the Steiner Recliner.
- Rhodes is out cold, and it's over?
- YOUR WINNERS: Jeff Jarrett and Scott Steiner via the lead pipe and the Steiner Recliner.
- That sucked donkeys.
- Jarrett and Steiner continue to beat down Rhodes, but here comes Booker T!!!! He clears the ring as we fade to black. And with that, so goes the season finale (last episode?) of Thunder.
- Schiavone does close out with, "Fans, it's been a great ride on Thunder, we'll see you Monday on Nitro!" And so it goes.
The Good: The cruiserweights looked awesome once again. Pretty solid show up until the last match.
The Bad: Fusient and AOL/Time Warner giving WCW fans false hope and then yanking it away.
The Ugly: Vince McMahon will be the only major player in the wrestling game, at least for a month or so. I just hope he doesn't get his hands on WCW.
Thanks for reading, everyone. If they want to get me to watch Nitro on Monday, they've done it. I'll definitely be watching. Who's gonna be there? Well for sure, it's probably gonna be Goldberg, Sting, and Nash. I would guess we've got a chance of seeing Hogan and Savage as well. It may finally live up to Schiavone's billing. It should be a great and historic Nitro however it plays out.
And one more time, remember, the road goes on forever, and the party never ends.

The "Season Finale" of WCW Thunder - Wednesday, 3/21/2001

By Big Mike

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