WCW Souled Out, 1/16/00
WCW Souled Out - Sunday, 1/16/00
- Howdy once again, everyone. I'm Big Mike, and it's time for Souled Out.
- Let's see, no Hart + no Jarrett = Bad PPV? We'll see. I was really looking forward to the Jarrett-Benoit series. Benoit gets a shot at the belt though! Can't be all that bad. We'll see how they end it. Better not be a screw job. Also, it looks like Vince Russo has lost creative control of WCW to a booking committee, i.e., Kevin Sullivan/JJ Dillon/Mike Graham who apparently have promised a return to "real" wrestling. At least maybe that IGNORANT Ferrara/Oklahoma angle will be gone.
- Good choice for new commissioner, in my opinion. Total surprise to me. I LOVED it when Funk and Double A were introduced. I didn't understand why Funk didn't get more of a pop. However, it is totally unforgivable that Nitro ended with a painfully typical nWo beatdown. Watching the end of that Nitro was like watching Swingers when Mikey is trying to talk to that girl's answering machine. I couldn't watch it. It was too painful. However, I think they made up for it this last week. I don't care if they are old and can't wrestle: George "the Animal" Steele, Tito Santana AND Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka! I know, I know, I know. These guys are old and can't wrestle. Santana ain't thirty and IC champ anymore, Steele is about sixty, and Snuka looked about half dead. But it was just awesome to see some of the most legendary wrestlers of all time: Funk, Anderson, Zbysko, Orndorff, Steele, Santana and Snuka. It's like a who's who of my all-time favorites. The "Old Age Outlaws." Nice. And the nWo finally got it. Damn fine double from the top of the cage by Snuka and Benoit. Brought back memories. So did Orndorff's sweet piledriver. Mr. Wonderful looked like he could still get it on in the ring. I was marking out for WCW for the first time in a while. That was also pretty funny watching Nash comically sell that flaming branding iron to the gut.
- Now, some of you might think when reading those above comments, "What an idiot!" He should have just killed WCW for running out these old dudes on Nitro. I know it's the "in" thing on the Internet to run smack on the organization and to trash anything and everything, but that's not me. I consider myself an old school wrestling fan. I just watch it for entertainment, because that's what it is. Entertainment. I watch wrestling (and sometimes I forget this when I write), so that for a couple of hours each week I can enter into a little alternate reality and cheer and laugh at something I know is a put-on. I was laughing my ass off when George "the Animal" Steele was biting the turnbuckle off once again. It was entertaining to me. I think the fans (myself included), the Internet "smarts", and the organizations themselves forget all too often that that's what wrestling is all about to most people: mindless entertainment. That's what I try to show in my writing style anyway, the fan's view. I'm not trying to be the end-all, be-all Internet smart. I'm a fan of stuff that entertains me, and wrestling (old school especially) seems to entertain me for some weird reason.
- A few other random thoughts about Nitro and Thunder this week: I was waiting for the Body to come on and call Santana "Chico" Santana when he came out. Also, when Double A raised Sid's hand on Nitro, did he look to see if there were scissors in it first? And on Thunder, did anyone else catch Tenay referring to Funk and Co. as the "New Age Outlaws" instead of the "Old Age Outlaws?" Also on Thunder, VERY nice twist for the faces to actually see a swerve coming for once. THAT hasn't happened in a while.
- One more thought about when Funk and Double A were first out there together: we heard a LOUD "We want Flair!" chant. Why are there ever no "We want Hogan!" chants. Because Hogan sucks. Hogan got heat because everyone hated to see him, not because they hated the ludicrous "Hollywood Hogan" character. Scott Steiner is in the same boat right now by the way. I thought it was all about watching and enjoying watching the wrestlers wrestle and talk trash. I hate watching Scott Steiner wrestle and interview. At least it is entertaining to listen to Nash and Jarrett, and Jarrett is a pretty damn good wrestler. Flair and Double A are a pure treat to hear on the mic, and amazing to see wrestling. Get rid of Scott Steiner, or make him the "ignorant but lovable" face once again. Don't try to make him into the "intelligent, smart-ass" heel. He's just not. Neither is or was Hogan. Hogan and Steiner are nothing like those guys mentioned above, guys who can play any part (except for Steele, who is just a damn lunatic).
- OK, enough pre-show comments. I'm done. Now, with a cold Coors Light (and a tequila shot after those tirades to calm me down) in hand, on to the FIRST PAY PER VIEW OF THE NEW Century!!!! Damn, I'm tired of that phrase. Tony uses it anyway.
- We are live from the Cincinnati, Ohio.
- Tony Schiavone, Bobby "the Brain" Heenan, and "Iron" Mike Tenay commentating.
- Schiavone talks about the injuries to Hart and Jarrett. They also talk about Benoit vs. Sid. Man, if the bookers screw this one up, I will be pissed. They also talk about the Triple Threat Theater match that was supposed to take place. I didn't watch the pre-game, but there was some friction between the Revolution and the Filthy Animals. The Revolution attacked Gonad, and now the Triple Threat Theater match will be between 1) Kidman and Malenko, 2) Kidman and Saturn, and 3) Kidman and the Revolution's mystery partner. Could be worse. Apparently, also during the pre-game (should have watched it), David Flair and Crowbar attacked Vampiro, and now we will have a three-way dance between these three guys. They then review all of the matches. Damn, I really don't want to see Madusa vs. Oklahoma. They have also added Big Vito and Johnny "the Bull" vs. "Don't call us Creative Control" The Harris Boys. I guess Russo really is out of power. Heenan says he saw Pete Rose and Pete said, "What a great PPV this is going to be!" Heenan says he replied, "Wanna' bet?"
- Kidman vs. Dean Malenko in the first match of the Triple Threat Theater.
- Tony says it is a "Catch As Catch Can" match. At least I think that's what Tony says. If anyone falls to the floor, is pinned, or submits, it's over. There are going to be ring ropes, unlike the first match between Jarrett and Benoit was supposed to be.
- Both men are very good technical wrestlers, this one may be OK.
- Kidman gets the early advantage and is pounding on Malenko.
- Malenko rolls out to the floor. The match is over, right?
- The match is over! What? Charles Robinson says it's all over. That kind of sucked. That was a storyline builder, I guess. Next up for Kidman, later on, is a Bunkhouse Brawl between Kidman and Saturn.
- Montage of the Vampiro-Little Flair-Crowbar-Daffney situation. Hudson is interviewing Vampiro and some Asian dude comes out and starts yelling into the mic. Who the hell is that guy? Scheme Gene then goes to interview the Weirdo Posse. Tenay says the Asian guy was Masa Chono of New Japan wrestling.
- Vampiro vs. David Flair vs. Crowbar in a Triple Threat Match.
- Here they are, "the World Tag Team Champs". Oh, well.
- Flair and The Bar both attack Vampiro. Vampiro double face plants them and then dances.
- Vampiro is working on 'Bar as Flair lays outside the ring.
- Crowbar reverses a suplex attempt into his own bridge suplex. Nice. Flair is back in, but he's just watching. Vampiro throws both men out, and suicide dives onto Crowbar.
- Flair tries to sneak up on Vampiro but he doesn't make it. Dave's BVDs are hanging out. Tenay and Schiavone talk about the Nature Boy. Sounds like a comeback.
- AHHHH! Vampiro strips Dave's shirt off. Put it back on! Put it back on! He throws Dave out of the ring.
- Crowbar and Dave are fighting over who is going back in, and Vampiro baseball slides into both of them.
- Vampiro has Flair outside, but Crowbar comes off the ropes onto Vampiro with a moonsault. Crowbar is now working on Vampiro outside the ring. Crowbar pushes David Flair off, and does a splash off the apron on Vampiro!
- Vampiro tosses Dave to the floor. Crowbar catches Vampiro with a belly to back suplex and a slinghshot off the ropes. Now Vampiro catches Crowbar on the ropes and hits a HUGE release superplex. Pin attempt, but David Flair breaks it up.
- Flair is watching as Crowbar gets the upper hand and works on Vampiro. Crowbar body slams David Flair onto Vampiro for the pin attempt, but only a two count.
- Flair hits a suplex, and another two count, and tells Crowbar to get Vampiro.
- Nasty looking belly to back suplex on Flair by Vampiro. Flair hit hard.
- Chokeslam by Vampiro on Crowbar. Flair breaks it up.
- Crowbar with a HUGE splash onto Vampiro off the top. Here comes David, he puts on the figure four leglock. Crowbar splashes Vampiro and goes for the pin! David pulls him off and suplexes Crowbar. Daffney comes in and kisses David. Meanwhile, Crowbar tries to roll Flair for the pin, Daffney breaks it up.
- Powerbomb by Vampiro on Crowbar….Vampiro is talking to Daffney. Flair comes over and tries to Stinger Splash Vampiro but hits Daffney. Vampiro hits the "Nail in the Coffin" (Death Valley Driver) for the pin on Flair. It's over.
- Vampiro vs. Crowbar would have been a better match. The whole three-way dance thing kind of sucked.
- Scheme Gene is with the Marinara Boys and Disco. Oh, goodie.
- The Harris Boys vs. Big Vito and Johnny the Bull with Disco Inferno
- One of Creative Control, I mean the Harris Boys, is wearing a "Titan" T-shirt.
- The mob goons are flippin' everyone off in Italian. I think Big Vito said, "That's a spicy meatball!"
- Tenay bills the Ron and Don Harris as "the former tag team champs." I guess they are acknowledging that they were Creative Control. This must be their audition to stay in WCW.
- Nice karate kick by Johnny the Bull on Ron Harris.
- Should I even care about this match?
- The goons are trying to get Disco involved, but he acts like he can't hear them.
- Big Vito is working over Ron Harris. You know, Big Vito is not a bad wrestler. If these guys would get rid of that horrible gimmick, they might be OK.
- Johnny the Bull now in. Ron Harris hits Johnny with a big side suplex. Don Harris comes in. I don't guess this is the same Don Harris that was a DJ on WBAP in Dallas is it? Never mind.
- Tony says you can tell them apart by the tattoos. I'm just looking at the fact that they have different t-shirts on.
- Pickup slam by Don Harris on Johnny the Bull. Two count only.
- I need a beer.
- Still Johnny the Bull and Don Harris in the ring. Don knocks Big Vito off the apron for good measure.
- The Harrises are working over Johnny the Bull outside the ring. Disco refuses to get involved.
- Ron Harris now in, working over Johnny the Bull. Now Don Harris is in. More of the same. DDT by Don Harris. Big Vito comes in to break up the pin attempt, and Ron Harris comes in and knocks him out of the ring and then into the ring post.
- Big Vito is going off the turnbuckle onto Don Harris, who has Johnny the Bull into a piledriver attempt. Disco shoves Big Vito off the ropes, but he shoves him right into Don Harris for a splash and a pin. The Goons win!
- A montage of the Madusa-Oklahoma situation.
- Oklahoma w/ the BBQ sauce vs. Madusa w/ Spice for the World Cruiserweight Championship
- Bill, Do I have to watch this?
- Ferrara gives his best Bobby Riggs speech. How is fat a$$ Ferrara considered a cruiserweight?
- Ferrara says he wants to prove to all those Gloria Steinem worshippin', Ally McBeal tapin' Cincinnati housewives what a real man is like.
- HA! Ferrara tells Madusa to "bounce those silicone hoots down here, so I can bounce 'em back to the kitchen!" That was actually kind of funny.
- Hey, Ferrara's wearing a wool sweater under his singlet! Oh wait, no he's not.
- Madusa with a couple of drop kicks off the ropes. No offense by Ferrara, as expected.
- Wait, Madusa misses a drop kick and Ferrara hits a DDT. Ferrara goes for the BBQ sauce, but Spice takes it away. Here comes Asya out, and Spice and Asya attack Oklahoma and throw him back into the ring.
- Back in the ring. What? Ferrara rolls up Madusa for the 1-2-3. Oklahoma is the new cruiserweight champ. Where did that come from?
- The other two girls hold Ferrara down as Madusa pours the BBQ sauce all over him and they whip him.
- I'm about to puke. That was the worst piece of s-t excuse for a match I have ever seen. That didn't even belong on WorldWide.
- Brian Knobbs vs. "Screamin' Norman Smiley" vs. Fit Finlay vs. Meng for the newly billed "World Hardcore Title."
- Smiley arrives in full police riot gear with the shield. Nice.
- Meng's hair looks like he put his finger in an electric socket.
- Knobbs comes out with two trash cans. Knobbs and Finlay are wearing identical clothes.
- Finlay and Knobbs are attacking Meng, but Meng is winning. Smiley hits Meng with a trash can, but Meng just stands there. He grabs the trash can and brains Smiley.
- Now everyone's outside.
- Finlay and Knobbs are working together on Meng. Now Smiley is working on Knobbs with the trashcans and Meng is working on everyone.
- Ooooh. Nice shot by Finlay, who runs Smiley into the trash can lid.
- Damn! Knobbs bends the chair onto Meng's head and Meng just stands there. The chair bent!
- Uh-oh, here comes a table. Knobbs and Finlay crotch Smiley on the ring post
- Well, everyone's beating the crap out of everyone else. How's that? Can't keep up with it!
- Finlay and Smiley are fighting outside. Meanwhile, Meng is going for the pin on Knobbs, but Finlay sees it and pulls him off. Meng and Finlay go outside, and Smiley goes up top as Knobbs lays there. Knobbs grabs the police shield and brains Smiley coming off the ropes. 1-2-3. It 's over. Knobbs retains the belt.
- That was pretty uneventful for a hardcore match. Well, boys and girls, not one good match yet.
- Kidman vs. Saturn in the second match of Triple Threat Theater.
- This will be a Bunkhouse Brawl match.
- Kidman has Saturn in the corner, working him over.
- Saturn gains the upper hand and crotches Kidman on the rope and then comes off the rope and clotheslines Kidman onto the floor. Two count.
- Tony brings up a good point. If this is a Bunkhouse Brawl, why did these two come out only in regular wrestling gear?
- What does Triple Threat Theater matter now? No belts on the line. Guess they had to do something.
- Saturn tries the ol' Eddie Gilbert Hotshot, but only gets a two count on the pin attempt.
- Alright, some weapons. Saturn pulls a table out from under the ring. Kidman comes over the ropes with a flying legdrop. Kidman sets up the table, but we're not going to use it, Both men go back into the ring.
- Body slam by Saturn. Saturn goes on the top rope. Flying elbow! Kidman kicks out at two.
- Suplex by Saturn. Two count only. Saturn catches Kidman in a powerbomb. Kidman again kicks out at two.
- Saturn goes up for a moonsault, but Kidman moves. Kidman nails a bulldog off the ropes and then a short powerbomb. Two count by Kidman.
- Oh! Saturn executed a release belly to belly suplex and throws Kidman onto the table outside the ring!!!! Kidman damn near hit his head on the apron and broke his neck. Two count only!
- Saturn pulls Kidman back into the ring and goes up top. Kidman gets up and throws Saturn over with a back body drop onto the floor. Powerbomb attempt by Saturn, but Kidman reverses into a bulldog and a pin. 1-2-3. Kidman wins.
- That one was a little better, but not what you'd expect in a Bunkhouse Brawl.
- Film of Stevie Ray "back in the 'hood." He says Booker T needs to remember where he's from, as he talks to a bunch of Booker T's boys.
- Stevie Ray vs. Booker T w/ Midnight.
- Booker T is on the mic. He says he hasn't forgotten where he comes from. Yadda, yadda. Booker T tells Stevie Ray to come out and "get your ass whupped like it's supposed to be done."
- Sign in the crowd: "Stevie Ray is a Fruit-Booty." Nice.
- Booker T sends Midnight to the back.
- Booker T is in an ugly red vinyl-like singlet.
- Both men outside the ring now. Booker T beats on Stevie Ray and now throws him back in the ring.
- Powerslam by Stevie Ray.
- Slow, slow match.
- Booker T reverses a powerbomb attempt by Stevie Ray into a back body drop.
- Axe kick by Booker T into a breakdance. A big black dude runs (Ahmed Johnson plus 100 lb.s of fat) and attacks Booker T! The match is thrown out. Both men attack Booker T. Here comes Midnight. Stevie Ray hits the Slapjack on Booker T and the big man hits a powerbomb, as Midnight looks on.
- Tenay claims to know who the guy is, but he won't (well, due to copyright laws, can't) say.
- Stevie Ray calls the guy Big T. The crowd is chanting "Ah-med". Stevie Ray says we have a new Harlem Heat. Midnight comes in to help Booker T.
- Another bad match.
- Scheme Gene interviews Big Sid. He didn't say anything important.
- Tank Abbott vs. Jerry Flynn in a "shoot fighting rules" match.
- Tank Abbott goes for his "tackle the guy and beat the crap out of him" move.
- Abbott with a release slam and hits it. Flynn gets up and is karate kicking Abbott.
- Flynn goes for a cross arm breaker submission move, but Abbott picks him up into a powerslam.
- What? Abbott hits Flynn behind the ear. Flynn's out, baby. It's over!?!?!?
- What the f-k? That was HORRIBLE! Even if that was a true shoot-fighting match, that still sucked.
- Montage of the Buff-DDP-Kimberly situation
- Diamond Dallas Page vs. Buff Bagwell in a no-rules, no referee, last man standing match.
- DDP hits the ring first.
- Sign in the crowd: "I've seen Kimberly's birthmark." Yeah, you and I both wish, pal.
- Slick Johnson is the referee on the floor only to call the winner. If one man cannot answer a ten count, he loses.
- They're already outside the ring and over the guard rail into the crowd.
- They're brawling in the Cincinnati Cyclones penalty box. The floor is really slippery and it takes them like a minute get their footing again after both falling. Back toward the ring, DDP throws Buff over the guardrail and onto the floor around the ring. Buff then reverses DDP into the guardrail, and they're back in the ring.
- Swinging neckbreaker by Buff after DDP goes for the Diamond Cutter.
- Clothesline by DDP and both men go over the ropes and onto the floor.
- Now they're fighting up the ramp and over to the WCW.com location. Buff tosses Chad Damiani his chain.
- They both grab the computer monitors and crash them. DDP hits Buff with a keyboard! The Internet followers are freakin' right now Buff climbs on the WCW.com set and elbows DDP on the table!!!! Awesome! Sayonara, Internet location. I think Mark Madden has soiled himself.
- Buff heads back to the ring, and DDP chases him and puts Buff into the guardrail.
- Buff is posing and DDP grabs him and crotches him in the ring post. Sorry, Kimberly.
- DDP has a nasty cut on his back from that table shot.
- Buff reverses DDP into the ropes and comes off with a splash. Slick Johnson starts the count. Both men get up at eight.
- Elbow by Buff and both men are down again. They're up and Buff hits a DDT. Another count. Both men are up.
- Belly to belly suplex by Buff. Buff goes up for the Blockbuster and hits it solid. The ten count starts again. DDP is just laying there. Finally, he gets up at nine. Buff is now pounding DDP with the riot baton. DDP gets up and hits the Diamond Cutter as Buff turns his back on DDP! I think Buff blocked it though.
- Uh-oh. Here comes Kimberly. Meanwhile, DDP gets counted out!
- As Buff is looking at Kimberly on the apron, trying to have nothing to do with her, DDP brains Buff with the riot baton as Kim looks on.
- DDP and Kimberly leave together as Kim looks unhappy.
- What a crappy ending to a great match.
- Kidman vs. ???? in the final match of Triple Threat Theater.
- This will be a cage match. Kidman comes out as the cage lowers.
- The Revolution music plays as Shane Douglas comes out with a mic. Douglas tells Kidman he's going out tonight. He calls Kidman a "cock...roach." Douglas introduces the mystery partner, and it's...the Wall. Oh, goodie. I thought it was going to be someone good. Bill, this really sucks.
- The Wall comes in and Kidman immediately drop kicks him into the cage. This cage is the kind that actually has room on the floor. Both men are fighting on the floor. Kidman brains the Wall with a chair, which has no effect on the Wall.
- It really is an awesome cage. It's huge! It has a top on it too. The match on the other hand...well, let me just say about the match that the cage sure is nice.
- The Wall gorilla press slams Kidman into the cage.
- The Wall has the upper hand until Kidman hits the release powerbomb off the ropes.
- Samoan drop now by the Wall. Chokeslam attempt by the Wall, but Kidman blocks it into a hurricanrana. Kidman jumps off the ropes, right into a chokeslam by the Wall. The Wall cover for the 1-2-3. Mercifully, it's over.
- Bill told me today that I was always one of the more upbeat writers (i.e., always found good points in matches). I can't tonight. Even the good match (DDP/Buff) had a terrible ending.
- Montage of Nash-Funk.
- Terry Funk vs. Kevin Nash for the control of WCW.
- I watched one of Terry Funk's last championship matches in ECW a couple of years ago on their first PPV. I have a new found respect for Funk after that. The guy's just an incredible wrestler (or incredibly crazy bastard). You gotta respect that.
- The fight starts as soon as Funk comes out in the aisle.
- This is a hardcore match, Funk's specialty.
- Nash brains Funk with a chair twice. Funk yells "mother f----n' chump!" into the mic. Nash powerbombs Funk into the announcer's table. Wow.
- Nash is on the mic now and says Funk has a lot of heart, but no common sense. Nash says if Funk crawls back in the ring, he can keep his commissionership. Funk, of course, tries to crawl back in the ring. Funk crawls back in and Nash says, "I'm a lyin' son of a bitch."
- Funk is busted open very, very badly, but that's no surprise. That also means no more close up camera angles.
- We've lost Heenan and Tenay's headsets as a result of the powerbomb! Oh no!!! I think Tony just unplugged them. Oh wait, Tony's back, but no Heenan.
- Nash is working on Funk, who's a bloody mess outside the ring. Funk throws a chair in the ring.
- Nash hits Funk over the back twice with the chair.
- Funk gets to his feet and brains Nash with the chair! We know Nash won't blade. DDT by Funk on Nash. Two count by Funk. If Funk wins, the nWo will be disbanded.
- Nash brains Funk, once, twice. Now Nash hits Funk in the gut with it. Funk brains Nash now. Funk sets two chairs up in the ring facing each other. Funk sets a third chair flat in between the first two and tries to DDT Nash into it, but Nash blocks and powerbombs Funk into the chair! 1-2-3. It's over! Kevin Nash is the new commissioner of WCW.
- As expected, Terry Funk carried that match, and then some, in my opinion. Not the same as Funk and Raven or Funk and Sandman. Nash just can't wrestle one of these matches. He won't take any shots. This is one time I do care about backstage politics. When it ruins what's going on in the ring.
- Scott Hudson is with Arn Anderson. Arn appears broken up...he says he's lived this nightmare before. Arn is great to listen to on the mic. I could listen to him all night.
- Sid Vicious vs. Chris Benoit for the vacant WCW World Heavyweight Championship.
- Double A comes out with the belt to...Horsemen music!
- Fifteen minutes after the hour. This is going to have to be about twenty-five minutes longer that any of Sid's other matches.
- I actually think Sid has done much better as a face than as a heel. Hard to do any worse, I guess.
- Michael Buffer is in the ring. He introduces Arn to a big pop. Cut to a hottie in the crowd. Buffer introduces the participants (Buffer refers to Benoit as "Master of the Crippler" and says Vicious is a former "WCW World Heavyweight Champion") and Arn gives the instructions. He says the winner will be the "flagship of WCW." Looks like they're running short and are stalling.
- This is going to have to be a hell of a match to make up for the rest of the show...don't think it will be.
- Out come Saturn and David Flair to watch the match on the ramp. Now here comes some more wrestlers and Charles Robinson. They're all out to watch the match. Almost everyone who has worked a match tonight (except Nash, of course) is watching the match.
- Sid clotheslines Benoit out to the floor.
- Benoit and Sid face off. Sid with a nasty gorilla press slam. Slow, Sid-like work rate.
- Release front suplex by Sid! Ouch! He threw Benoit across the ring!
- Benoit with a baseball slide kick to Sid's knee, and goes to work on the knee.
- Benoit has Sid outside and sets the ring steps on Sid's knee and baseball slides into them, cracking Sid's knee against the ropes...and again.
- Benoit goes for the figure four leglock back in the ring. Sid powers out, but Benoit continues working on the knee and head of Sid.
- Tony says the title has been in existence since 1905. Well, not exactly. That was the NWA title. This is the WCW title. Dragon screw leg whip by Benoit. He only gets a two count.
- Benoit with a snap suplex and an elbow. Benoit goes for the pin but only gets the two count.
- Benoit puts Sid in an Indian deathlock into a rear chinlock. Nice move. Sid doesn't tap and Benoit breaks.
- Some humanoid in the front row yells as Sid goes outside "Kick his ass!" and shakes Sid's hand.
- Sid is now coming back...he is no-selling Benoit's punches...he comes back until Benoit drop kicks the knee. Sid catches Benoit's leg, but Benoit hits a German suplex. Now a big scoop slam by Sid. Sid gets a two count.
- Benoit catches Sid in an ankle lock. Sid finally reaches the ropes. German suplex release by Benoit. Benoit is going up top! He hits the swan dive headbutt!!!! One...two...Sid powers out at two! He threw Benoit into next week.
- Sid chokeslams Benoit hard!!!! Arn counts to two, but he says Benoit's foot has "broken the plane" of the ropes, which it has...it's under the rope.
- Benoit gets up and slaps on the Crippler Crossface! Hold on...Sid's foot has "broken the plane" as well. Arn doesn't see, however. Sid taps out!!!!! Benoit is the Champ! Benoit is the Champ! Benoit is the Champ!!!! Alright!!!! Benoit is looking at the belt and crying.
- We go to Mean Gene with the new WCW Heavyweight Champion. Mean Gene talks about Benoit's long ride to the top, with Stu Hart in the Dungeon, and Benoit wrestling all over the world. Benoit gives props to Sid on the match, and says how much the title means to him. When was the last time you heard that? You mean someone actually respects the belt? Benoit talks about watching his first live match at eleven years old, and how he saw the Dynamite Kid wrestle and a fire was lit under him. Arn comes in to say that Sid worked a great match, and congratulates Benoit. Nash comes in and says the belt belongs to the nWo come tomorrow since he is the Commissioner. OK, whatever...Benoit got the friggin' belt!! All is right with the world, ladies and gentlemen. Sid Vicious actually worked a nice match and Chris Benoit is the World Heavyweight Champion! We fade to black, as Tony laments the fact that the nWo is taking over WCW.
- Benoit winning the title almost saved the PPV for me. Sid actually worked a pretty decent match. Funk worked a hell of a match...by himself. It doesn't make up for the rest of the show though. This would be a terrible Thunder! Benoit may not hold the belt for long though...until tomorrow. I hope they don't screw him out of it in 24 hours. Tony Schiavone actually mentioned a few times during the match how much everyone backstage in WCW thought Benoit deserved the title.
- Well, adios everyone, I am Big Mike, and I am out. And as the great Tom T. Hall once said, "Ain't but three things in this world that's worth a solitary dime, and it's old dogs and children and watermelon wine."