Post by damnediarist on Sept 13, 2010 2:31:45 GMT -5
April 20th, 1998: WCW MOnday Nitro
Tony Schiavone is excited for tonight's Nitro, with the Outsider's Order seeming to be back, a tag match between the Steiners and Vicious and Delicious, a four way cruiserweight battle to name the number one contender at Slamboree, Chris Benoit vs Eddy Guerrero, and all the fallout from last night's explosive Spring Stampede PPV, he feels he has cause to be. This episode of Nitro, he tells us, may just be the most important night in the history of our sport.
The show itself opens with Bret Hart coming to the ring with a microphone and an angry demeanour. "So, when I came here, I immediately faced challenges to my status as the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be, from Ric Flair. I beat Flair. He cost me a title match. AFter he snuck a win on me, I beat him again, and last night, he costs me the title again. Flair, if you're really that desperate for a beating, come on down to the ring now, and I'll beat you so hard you can't stick your nose in my business no more!"
'Also Sprach Zarathustra' blares across the speakers, and out comes the man himself, with a microphone of his own. "Now, Bret, what I did, I did out of respect. I wasn't out there looking to cost you the belt. I was out there looking to win you the belt."
"I can beat that idiot mime any day! I would have beaten him that night, if you hadn't been where you weren't wanted, yet again!"
"Now, Bret, I'm not disputing that you're the better wrestler. But what you have to understand is the fire that Sting feels right now about that belt. Look at the man. What's he got left? Turned his back on his friends, beat his nemesis, and the army he waged war with of old has taken to a new battlefield. He's a proud man, alone with the spoils of a fogotten war, and you try to take those spoils from him? I know about being a broken man, I know about losing everything that matters, and when there's one thing left, you fight with your dying breath to keep it. If Sting had something else right now, sure, you'd have beaten him. But he doesn't. So if I wanted one last battle with the last real challenge to my skills, and the title on the line, I had to help you out."
"Flair, when I need your help, I'll hang my boots up first. I don't care that Sting's not got this, not got that, that he never got enough hugs as a kid, blah blah blah. What he doesn't have is the integrity to wear that belt, and neither do you. The only way we can restore some honour is for me to take that title. But I'm guessing you'll just stand in the way. So here it is, you get your rematch with me. Tonight."
Flair heads backstage to warm up, and Bret heads up the ramp himself. Sting is seen in the rafters, watching all this unfold.
85%
Cruiserweight title no. 1 contendership battle: Alex Wright vs Dean Malenko vs Ultimo Dragon vs Rey Misterio Jr.
Fast paced from the start, this match is an exciting flurry of action, warming the crowd up for the rest of the show. Rey picks up the win with a top rope rana on Alex Wright.
Winner: Rey Misterio Jr.
Crowd: 68% Quality: 85% Overall: 76%
Out onto the stage after the match comes Larry Zybysko, who is met with boos, and surrounded by security. He talks in an angry voice.
"I fought my way to get to this job! No rat race metaphor there, I literally had to fight at Starrcade for this. I'm retired. I've got kids. Why did I do it then? Because I was tired of seeing the company I love be run by someone just doing favours for his friends and allies. I wanted to run an honest company, and I did, and I will continue doing it, and I will not be told what to do, not by Goldberg, not by anyone! So let Goldberg be a warning to anyone else out there with any big ideas! Right now, Goldberg is sitting at home, suspended with no pay, and that's where he's staying, until I get a formal apology!"
The crowd jeer him, but he ignores them, and heads back to his office.
71%
Vicious and Delicious vs Steiners
A back and forth battle between two big guy tag teams, during which the announce team mention that the Flair/Hart match in the main event has been made a number one contendership battle. The Steiners have the advantage in terms of experience, but this is equalised by their opponent's dirty tricks, and the presence of Vincent at ringside. The match comes to a close when Vincent interrupts a Steinerline attempt on Bagwell, provoking the Steiners to perform it on him instead. Bagwell uses this time to recover, and low blows Scott while the ref gets Vincent out of the ring. Norton grabs at Rick as Bagwell rolls Scott up, and gets a three.
Winners: Vicious and Delicious
Crowd: 75% Quality: 72% Overall: 74%
Their celebration is short lived however, as Nash, Hall and Konnan hit the ring. The Outsider's Order makes quick work of everyone in the ring, Konnan using a chair to work Norton over, while Hall and Nash give powerbombs to both Steiners, Buff Bagwell and Vincent.
70%
Konnan takes up a microphone. "We back, yo! Y'all didn't really think a little beatdown was keeping us out for long, did ya? Hogan, Savage, anyone stands with 'em, we the new power in town, and y'all best be getting used to it!"
Nash is passed the microphone and speaks in a soft, dangerous growl "We going to make what we did two years ago look like nothing. That was just business. This time, we've been betrayed by the very system we helped to form, seen it turned to other uses. This time, it couldn't get more personal."
Hall is passed the microphone "Hey yo! This ain't just about Hogan and his cronies though. This about anyone wants to stand between us, and our rightful place at the top of the world. Right now, that's Hogan, so he got to be got. But he can be an example to any of you giving any thought to being the next in the way!"
92%
A trendy, modern talk show set is set up in the ring. Jericho comes out, wearing a casually unbuttoned shirt, and lounges in one of the seats, holding a microphone. "Jerichoholics of the world, rejoice, for I, Chris Jericho, am here to save Nitro. Here to save Nitro from luchadores, hardcore brawls, Ric Flair, Hollywood Hogan, Bret Hart, Sting. Here to give the fans what they really want - me. And I know, because of the thousands of fan letters I get hourly, that my fans want to hear what I think on various things, want to see me lend my considerable talent and charisma to the less fortunate. Well, Jericho is ever a man of charity. Let's see who my first unfortunate, charisma-less guest is, shall we?"
Davey Boy Smith's music hits the speakers, and out the United States champion comes with Rowdy Roddy Piper at his side, and his belt over his shoulder.
"Ah, Davey Boy! I didn't recognise you without Sid beating you down! So, I guess the question is, how do you feel about your upcming match with Sid Punishment? The match that, according to my own personal research, every fan, his mother, his sister, his pet dog, his pet dog's fleas, know you'll lose?"
Smith grabs Jericho by the shirt. "Words never were a strong suit, like you said. How about I show you what I'm gonna do?" With this, he hurls across the ring into the turnbuckle, goes charging into it with a clothesline, then hits his running powerslam.
78%
Sid Punishment has been making his way down the ramp as Smith beats on Jericho, but Smith grabs a chair from the set, and brandishes it. Sid backs off, and the announcers wonder whether Sid has actually met his match in Davey Boy Smith.
79%
The ring is cleared and returned to being an ordinary ring, ready for an extraordinary match: Eddy Guerrero vs Chris Benoit
Eddy Guerrero vs Chris Benoit
This one starts out with a tie up that quickly goes to the mat, where the two trade holds. Eddy is in a front facelock when he slowly powers to his feet, and starts throwing shots at Benoit's gut. These shots are answered by chops from Benoit, and the two being trading chops on their feet, the arena echoing with the sound of the chops and the "woo" that accompanies each one. Eddy ends the chop battle with an enzuiguri, and goes up top, only to be dropkicked to the outside. Benoit follows Eddy outside, taking a running dive through the middle and top rope to smash into Eddy.
Benoit takes charge outside, beating Eddy down on the ringpost, apron and guardrail, before rolling him back in. Benoit goes for the triple germans, and gets one, two, but Eddy floats over on the third one, and is able to counter into a neckbreaker. From here, Eddy works over Benoit on the ground with boots and simple submissions. Benoit slowly powers out, however, and forces Eddy back into a turnbuckle, where he lays waste to Eddy's chest with chops. Benoit pulls Eddy out, hits a DDT, and follows it up with the diving headbutt and a pin for three.
Winner: Chris Benoit
Crowd: 82% Quality: 99% Overall: 90%
Benoit takes up the microphone, and pants out a promo.
"Rude. You and me aren't done. There's two ways this can go, Rude. Either you can give me my rematch, or I can start beating on you and all your friends, until you give me my rematch. Choice is yours, Rude. I don't hear an answer by end of next week, I'm crippling someone." His point made, and never one for words, he drops the microphone and leaves.
74%
The stage is now set for our main event, and the crowd are red hot as Flair and then Hart make their ways to the ring.
Ric Flair vs Bret Hart
Duelling chants for both men sound across the arena, and the camera catches Sting watch with interest from the rafters. The two waste no time going at it, throwing forearms and chops with wild abandon in the middle. Bret pushes Flair back, and starts to unload fast, hard suplexes on Flair. Flair goes for a breather outside, and Bret follows him out, only to get raked in the eyes as he steps between the ropes. Flair grabs Bret's hair and pulls him to the ground. Flair lets go of Bret's hair, and lays boots into Bret, rolling in as the ref's coutn reaches six. Bret is up and in the ring for eight, but takes boots to the ribs as soon as he rolls in. The referee pushes Flair away, forcing him to let Bret get up.
The two pace each other carefully, and Bret lunges as if to go for a double leg takedown. Flair takes a small leap back, but has fallen for what was only a feint. With Flair slightly off balance, Bret catches him with a brutal lariat. Bret drags Flair up by the head, and hits a swinging neckbreaker, before dragging him to the middle and hitting a backbreaker. Elbows are dropped on the back, and submissions work the back. Flair crawls away to the corner, but Bret just uses this chance to prop him up for a superplex.
The two struggle on the top turnbuckle, before Flair rakes Bret's eyes, and throws punches until Bret falls from the top. Flair climbs down, and starts putting the boots to Bret's legs. When ordered to stop booting a downed opponent, Flair backs off just enough to line up a knee clip. A single leg lock follows, but Bret is able to turn it around, reversing the pressure. Flair gets his arms on the ropes luckily. Flair pulls himself up by the ropes as Bret likewise finds his feet, and the two once again begin exchanging chops and forearms in the middle of the ring, oblivious to The Giant, who is making his way down to the ring. He steps over the top rope, and both men finally notice him, and both turn towards him. The Giant hits both men with a clothesline, causing the referee to call this match as a no contest.
No Contest
The Giant scoops Flair up by the neck, and chokeslams him down, before doing the same to Bret. Once again, as with last night, The Giant is left standing tall amongst the beaten bodies of other wrestlers.
Crowd: 97% Quality: 88% Overall: 94%
Tony Schiavone is excited for tonight's Nitro, with the Outsider's Order seeming to be back, a tag match between the Steiners and Vicious and Delicious, a four way cruiserweight battle to name the number one contender at Slamboree, Chris Benoit vs Eddy Guerrero, and all the fallout from last night's explosive Spring Stampede PPV, he feels he has cause to be. This episode of Nitro, he tells us, may just be the most important night in the history of our sport.
The show itself opens with Bret Hart coming to the ring with a microphone and an angry demeanour. "So, when I came here, I immediately faced challenges to my status as the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be, from Ric Flair. I beat Flair. He cost me a title match. AFter he snuck a win on me, I beat him again, and last night, he costs me the title again. Flair, if you're really that desperate for a beating, come on down to the ring now, and I'll beat you so hard you can't stick your nose in my business no more!"
'Also Sprach Zarathustra' blares across the speakers, and out comes the man himself, with a microphone of his own. "Now, Bret, what I did, I did out of respect. I wasn't out there looking to cost you the belt. I was out there looking to win you the belt."
"I can beat that idiot mime any day! I would have beaten him that night, if you hadn't been where you weren't wanted, yet again!"
"Now, Bret, I'm not disputing that you're the better wrestler. But what you have to understand is the fire that Sting feels right now about that belt. Look at the man. What's he got left? Turned his back on his friends, beat his nemesis, and the army he waged war with of old has taken to a new battlefield. He's a proud man, alone with the spoils of a fogotten war, and you try to take those spoils from him? I know about being a broken man, I know about losing everything that matters, and when there's one thing left, you fight with your dying breath to keep it. If Sting had something else right now, sure, you'd have beaten him. But he doesn't. So if I wanted one last battle with the last real challenge to my skills, and the title on the line, I had to help you out."
"Flair, when I need your help, I'll hang my boots up first. I don't care that Sting's not got this, not got that, that he never got enough hugs as a kid, blah blah blah. What he doesn't have is the integrity to wear that belt, and neither do you. The only way we can restore some honour is for me to take that title. But I'm guessing you'll just stand in the way. So here it is, you get your rematch with me. Tonight."
Flair heads backstage to warm up, and Bret heads up the ramp himself. Sting is seen in the rafters, watching all this unfold.
85%
Cruiserweight title no. 1 contendership battle: Alex Wright vs Dean Malenko vs Ultimo Dragon vs Rey Misterio Jr.
Fast paced from the start, this match is an exciting flurry of action, warming the crowd up for the rest of the show. Rey picks up the win with a top rope rana on Alex Wright.
Winner: Rey Misterio Jr.
Crowd: 68% Quality: 85% Overall: 76%
Out onto the stage after the match comes Larry Zybysko, who is met with boos, and surrounded by security. He talks in an angry voice.
"I fought my way to get to this job! No rat race metaphor there, I literally had to fight at Starrcade for this. I'm retired. I've got kids. Why did I do it then? Because I was tired of seeing the company I love be run by someone just doing favours for his friends and allies. I wanted to run an honest company, and I did, and I will continue doing it, and I will not be told what to do, not by Goldberg, not by anyone! So let Goldberg be a warning to anyone else out there with any big ideas! Right now, Goldberg is sitting at home, suspended with no pay, and that's where he's staying, until I get a formal apology!"
The crowd jeer him, but he ignores them, and heads back to his office.
71%
Vicious and Delicious vs Steiners
A back and forth battle between two big guy tag teams, during which the announce team mention that the Flair/Hart match in the main event has been made a number one contendership battle. The Steiners have the advantage in terms of experience, but this is equalised by their opponent's dirty tricks, and the presence of Vincent at ringside. The match comes to a close when Vincent interrupts a Steinerline attempt on Bagwell, provoking the Steiners to perform it on him instead. Bagwell uses this time to recover, and low blows Scott while the ref gets Vincent out of the ring. Norton grabs at Rick as Bagwell rolls Scott up, and gets a three.
Winners: Vicious and Delicious
Crowd: 75% Quality: 72% Overall: 74%
Their celebration is short lived however, as Nash, Hall and Konnan hit the ring. The Outsider's Order makes quick work of everyone in the ring, Konnan using a chair to work Norton over, while Hall and Nash give powerbombs to both Steiners, Buff Bagwell and Vincent.
70%
Konnan takes up a microphone. "We back, yo! Y'all didn't really think a little beatdown was keeping us out for long, did ya? Hogan, Savage, anyone stands with 'em, we the new power in town, and y'all best be getting used to it!"
Nash is passed the microphone and speaks in a soft, dangerous growl "We going to make what we did two years ago look like nothing. That was just business. This time, we've been betrayed by the very system we helped to form, seen it turned to other uses. This time, it couldn't get more personal."
Hall is passed the microphone "Hey yo! This ain't just about Hogan and his cronies though. This about anyone wants to stand between us, and our rightful place at the top of the world. Right now, that's Hogan, so he got to be got. But he can be an example to any of you giving any thought to being the next in the way!"
92%
A trendy, modern talk show set is set up in the ring. Jericho comes out, wearing a casually unbuttoned shirt, and lounges in one of the seats, holding a microphone. "Jerichoholics of the world, rejoice, for I, Chris Jericho, am here to save Nitro. Here to save Nitro from luchadores, hardcore brawls, Ric Flair, Hollywood Hogan, Bret Hart, Sting. Here to give the fans what they really want - me. And I know, because of the thousands of fan letters I get hourly, that my fans want to hear what I think on various things, want to see me lend my considerable talent and charisma to the less fortunate. Well, Jericho is ever a man of charity. Let's see who my first unfortunate, charisma-less guest is, shall we?"
Davey Boy Smith's music hits the speakers, and out the United States champion comes with Rowdy Roddy Piper at his side, and his belt over his shoulder.
"Ah, Davey Boy! I didn't recognise you without Sid beating you down! So, I guess the question is, how do you feel about your upcming match with Sid Punishment? The match that, according to my own personal research, every fan, his mother, his sister, his pet dog, his pet dog's fleas, know you'll lose?"
Smith grabs Jericho by the shirt. "Words never were a strong suit, like you said. How about I show you what I'm gonna do?" With this, he hurls across the ring into the turnbuckle, goes charging into it with a clothesline, then hits his running powerslam.
78%
Sid Punishment has been making his way down the ramp as Smith beats on Jericho, but Smith grabs a chair from the set, and brandishes it. Sid backs off, and the announcers wonder whether Sid has actually met his match in Davey Boy Smith.
79%
The ring is cleared and returned to being an ordinary ring, ready for an extraordinary match: Eddy Guerrero vs Chris Benoit
Eddy Guerrero vs Chris Benoit
This one starts out with a tie up that quickly goes to the mat, where the two trade holds. Eddy is in a front facelock when he slowly powers to his feet, and starts throwing shots at Benoit's gut. These shots are answered by chops from Benoit, and the two being trading chops on their feet, the arena echoing with the sound of the chops and the "woo" that accompanies each one. Eddy ends the chop battle with an enzuiguri, and goes up top, only to be dropkicked to the outside. Benoit follows Eddy outside, taking a running dive through the middle and top rope to smash into Eddy.
Benoit takes charge outside, beating Eddy down on the ringpost, apron and guardrail, before rolling him back in. Benoit goes for the triple germans, and gets one, two, but Eddy floats over on the third one, and is able to counter into a neckbreaker. From here, Eddy works over Benoit on the ground with boots and simple submissions. Benoit slowly powers out, however, and forces Eddy back into a turnbuckle, where he lays waste to Eddy's chest with chops. Benoit pulls Eddy out, hits a DDT, and follows it up with the diving headbutt and a pin for three.
Winner: Chris Benoit
Crowd: 82% Quality: 99% Overall: 90%
Benoit takes up the microphone, and pants out a promo.
"Rude. You and me aren't done. There's two ways this can go, Rude. Either you can give me my rematch, or I can start beating on you and all your friends, until you give me my rematch. Choice is yours, Rude. I don't hear an answer by end of next week, I'm crippling someone." His point made, and never one for words, he drops the microphone and leaves.
74%
The stage is now set for our main event, and the crowd are red hot as Flair and then Hart make their ways to the ring.
Ric Flair vs Bret Hart
Duelling chants for both men sound across the arena, and the camera catches Sting watch with interest from the rafters. The two waste no time going at it, throwing forearms and chops with wild abandon in the middle. Bret pushes Flair back, and starts to unload fast, hard suplexes on Flair. Flair goes for a breather outside, and Bret follows him out, only to get raked in the eyes as he steps between the ropes. Flair grabs Bret's hair and pulls him to the ground. Flair lets go of Bret's hair, and lays boots into Bret, rolling in as the ref's coutn reaches six. Bret is up and in the ring for eight, but takes boots to the ribs as soon as he rolls in. The referee pushes Flair away, forcing him to let Bret get up.
The two pace each other carefully, and Bret lunges as if to go for a double leg takedown. Flair takes a small leap back, but has fallen for what was only a feint. With Flair slightly off balance, Bret catches him with a brutal lariat. Bret drags Flair up by the head, and hits a swinging neckbreaker, before dragging him to the middle and hitting a backbreaker. Elbows are dropped on the back, and submissions work the back. Flair crawls away to the corner, but Bret just uses this chance to prop him up for a superplex.
The two struggle on the top turnbuckle, before Flair rakes Bret's eyes, and throws punches until Bret falls from the top. Flair climbs down, and starts putting the boots to Bret's legs. When ordered to stop booting a downed opponent, Flair backs off just enough to line up a knee clip. A single leg lock follows, but Bret is able to turn it around, reversing the pressure. Flair gets his arms on the ropes luckily. Flair pulls himself up by the ropes as Bret likewise finds his feet, and the two once again begin exchanging chops and forearms in the middle of the ring, oblivious to The Giant, who is making his way down to the ring. He steps over the top rope, and both men finally notice him, and both turn towards him. The Giant hits both men with a clothesline, causing the referee to call this match as a no contest.
No Contest
The Giant scoops Flair up by the neck, and chokeslams him down, before doing the same to Bret. Once again, as with last night, The Giant is left standing tall amongst the beaten bodies of other wrestlers.
Crowd: 97% Quality: 88% Overall: 94%
Overall: 81%
Show Highlight: Ric Flair vs Bret Hart (94%)
Show Lowlight: Larry Zybysko promo (71%)
WCW Slamboree, May 17th, 1998
WCW United States Title Match: Davey Boy Smith (Champion) vs Sid Punishment
WCW Cruiserweight Title Match: Billy Kidman (Champion) vs Rey Misterio Jr.