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Beejus

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  1. <p>Yup, it is that time.</p><p> </p><p> Hello all, or at least however few “all” of you who would even still check this thread after it’s been inactive for six months. As most of you likely know, I have basically left GDS, and this post is not changing that. Instead, I’ve just stepped in to let those who may not have known that this diary actually <em>does</em> continue, because I have way too many good ideas left in my works to let it die just because I feel a “difference of opinion” with a few people who run this forum. So if you would be so kind, please continue following my exploits over on <a href="https://beejusdynasty.wordpress.com/" rel="external nofollow">https://beejusdynasty.wordpress.com/</a> , where I am recapping everything up to WCW Wrath in a month-to-month format and am about to begin posting new content. And if you would like to find me personally, I am almost always found at both the Home of Pro Wrestling and Mod Squad discord channels. On WordPress, you can follow the game so that you will be notified when I post new content, or I tend to post it in both of those discord channels when I do as well. </p><p> </p><p> I would hope that everyone who has not done so already would come and join me there for any future projects that I become involved in. I also would hope that all my content stays on this forum for if anyone wants to see a show-by-show mega read of all the work I’ve done both here and on the TEW13 sections (WWF: Glass Shatters remains one of my favorite things I have ever written!). But other than that, in a decision that I honestly can say is easier than I figured it would be, I bid GDS itself a farewell.</p>
  2. <p>Forgive my lack of comments in the past, but I have really been enjoying this in the shadows since day one. You have a really nice style that's easy to read over, and I love the graphics you do for it.</p><p> </p><p> Shawn Michaels - <em>Vince was on the way to kicking Savage out of the limelight at this time, so this match would effectively seal the deal on it, and he'll be in the unemployment line by the end of the year.</em></p><p> Bret Hart - <em>Can't see a title change coming here, but this being 2 out of 3 falls is a nice deviation from real life.</em></p><p> The Undertaker - <em>Close this feud with a nice match and continue Taker vs. M$C with some bigger names.</em></p><p> Razor Ramon - <em>Diesel drops this title so he can move on to others.</em></p><p> Lex Luger - <em>I'm not sure if you would feel like giving Luger the turn, but either way you go with it, I would like to see him get a nice push.</em></p><p> Headshrinkers - <em>I always thought these two were a nice team. Like a bright spot in a blank galaxy, as tag teams were so heavily de-emphasized after about 1993.</em></p><p> Jeff Jarrett - <em>Jeff will make a good contender when Razor wins the IC belt.</em></p>
  3. <p>Guess I should've seen the writing on the wall for Jeff Hardy to win it, but I was really pulling for O'Haire there! Well, so the storyline <em>does</em> fit better for Hardy, but it does feel a little weird that technical extraordinaire Bret Hart keeps putting over these high flying risk takers for every SHC <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> I do look forward to the Dangerous Alliance rising up the ranks though, even if it isn't quite as immediate as I felt they were.</p><p> </p><p> I do love the stipulations added to Austin vs. Goldberg too. Corino is gonna make some serious bank! But also, I wonder if Goldberg is about to leave, or if you're just planning on giving Austin a "face has to join heel faction" story. As entertaining as Austin is, he would definitely make that work, but at this point, I think I feel a safe bet in Goldberg being out of WCW after Starrcade.</p><p> </p><p> It looks like Starrcade is really shaping up, as you have the match for the sports entertainment crowd (Austin vs. Goldberg), the match for the title (Unnatural vs. Hardy), and the match for the workrate crowd in Rey vs. Eddie. With the added popularity that they have, the match they have could potentially outshine their Havoc 97 one.</p><p> </p><p> Great stuff all around, man.</p>
  4. <p>Hollywood Hogan</p><p> Eddie Guerrero - <em>Thing is, I can't see where the title goes from here if Curt wins it. However with Eddie keeping it, I have a feeling that The Rock is coming for him at Starrcade. So I'll go with Eddie here because things feel foreshadowed.</em></p><p> C&C - <em>This has been a fun mini-feud, which can be turned into a major feud if the Pitbulls get cheated or blatantly disqualified to prove their point.</em></p><p> Goldberg - <em>Lance picked the wrong fight.</em></p><p> The Giant - <em>Big man toward the end is a staple for battle royals, Lex can fight from the start for a better story.</em></p><p> JPL</p><p> Lex Luger</p><p> </p><p> ???: Jim Duggan, the Rock 'n Roll Express, Sting, Terry Funk, and Steven Regal</p><p> Lex: 4</p><p> Giant: 29</p>
  5. <p>Apologies for not posting about it earlier, but Superbrawl was done really well. Adding Raven to your mix, and right off the bat as a huge main event feud with Sting, is a great move, and Abyss makes a great monster roadblock to stand at his side.</p><p> </p><p> ???</p><p> Lance Storm</p><p> Hugh Morrus - <em>Not all the big time heels need make it in, giving Hugh some love in this case will not hurt as it gives him something to do.</em></p><p> O'Haire and Palumbo</p><p> Monty Brown</p><p> </p><p> Bonus: Jeff Jarrett</p>
  6. <p>The Week that Was: August 2001, Week 2</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="mMuyMIf.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mMuyMIf.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="N5QIZGQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/N5QIZGQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <hr><details><summary><strong>WWF RAW is WAR</strong></summary></p><p> <iframe width="220" height="180" src="<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tVIDkgTw4FE?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/tVIDkgTw4FE?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0"</a> frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><p> </p><p> The Arrowhead Pond is heating up as it gets invaded by RAW is WAR!</p><p> </p><p> RAW opened with Triple H talking about how Summerslam will be the night he takes home the WWF championship. Mr. McMahon interrupts him, practically pleading with him to give him an answer about working with “Stone Cold” during the Elimination Chamber, and wanting him to rejoin the Power Trip. But Triple H doesn’t reveal any strategy for during the match, saying that whatever happens in the Chamber happens; but as for the Power Trip, he hopes Vince is ready because he has just two words for McMahon; suck it! Mr. McMahon doesn’t take this disrespect lightly, saying that if Triple H wants it to be like that, then he can take on all three members of X-Factor in a three on one handicap match, tonight! In an interview later, Triple H says that he has had X-Pac following him around for the better part of his career, even taking some of the credit in creating X-Factor, and if he wants to just follow Vince like a stooge tonight, then he’ll have to play The Game! “The Cerebral Assassin” used that familiarity and those words against his former DX brother, causing X-Pac and Justin to pause a few times during the bout, and that is what “The Game” needed to put away the monstrous Albert with a Pedigree and win the bout.</p><p> </p><p> We then see backstage where Shane McMahon is at a dressing room labeled with The Rock’s name! He apparently has paid out for the best in security, as the Acolytes are standing guard! He says that he doesn’t want anything to happen to The Rock tonight, as he will be appearing later tonight to give his answer if he will join Shane at Summerslam! Throughout the night, we cut back to the room, seeing Faarooq and Bradshaw keeping a solid vigil; apparently they were paid a lot!</p><p> </p><p> Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley has been conflicted as of late in regards to her husband’s actions, but here her focus was entirely on Trish Stratus, sending out a hired gun to take out the blonde bombshell in the massive Nicole Bass! Bass proved to be all Trish could handle and more, but when Stephanie gave the word, she locked in a chokehold and refused to release it, causing her a disqualification. Bass then held Stratus in place while Stephanie berated her, before finally slapping Trish across the face so hard that her hand was visibly sore!</p><p> </p><p> The Dudley Boyz were tired of waiting for Spike to reveal his partner, so they called he and Molly out for answers. When the two of them played coy, Bubba Ray lost his temper and went after them! He had D-Von hold Spike back and set Molly up for a powerbomb, trying to force the name out of Spike – but he didn’t have to, as “The One” Billy Gunn rushed the ring and sent the Dudleyz packing! D-Von then got a match against Gunn for later in the evening, but Billy was able to use The One And Only to score a big win! Dudley and Holly found a great tag team specialist, will they walk out of Summerslam’s Tag Team Turmoil as the champions?</p><p> </p><p> Mr. McMahon, flustered after what happened with Triple H, decided to give some extra incentive to Chris Jericho and The Big Show – or, as Jim Ross called it, he sees them as threats to get rid of, as he set up a ruling that if either of the two lost their matches tonight, they would be replaced in the Elimination Chamber. However, Jericho was able to hold Haku down with the Lionsault to keep his place, and The Big Show decimated a game Eddie Guerrero to keep his position in the bout.</p><p> </p><p> Edge was all set to make a European title defense, and in one of the wildest, most entertaining triple threat matches you’ll see all month, it was William Regal utilizing his “Power of the Punch” that took Edge out and led to Hardcore Holly pinning Raven with the Alabama Slam to become the new European champion! Later in the evening, Regal was asked about his actions, with the “WWF’s Goodwill Ambassador” stating that Edge can’t be a better champion than he is when he doesn’t have a championship!</p><p> </p><p> The main event match of the show featured a tag team match that was made on WWF SmackDown! last week. Kurt Angle and Rob Van Dam took turns mocking their opponents, but Chris Benoit and Jeff Hardy were all business as they took the fight to their enemies! The end of the bout saw Benoit holding Angle in the Crossface, but Van Dam broke free and hit a low dropkick to Benoit’s temple to break it up, before flying through the air with the Five Star Frog Splash – and scoring a huge victory over “The Crippler”!</p><p> </p><p> It was finally time for what we were all waiting for. “Stone Cold” earlier in the night had been heard saying that he sent The Rock out of the WWF, so no one should give a crap about him or his dumb movie, but then we saw faces such as Austin, Mr. McMahon, The Undertaker, Shane, and Chris Jericho all watching the monitor intently as The Rock made his way back in front of the millions and millions of his fans. The Rock held the microphone and announced the finally, The Rock has come back …… home. He then went into a diatribe about how he was wrongfully suspended by Mr. McMahon, so he went and made a little movie, and that’s when Linda and Shane McMahon called him up, made The Rock an offer of a lifetime, and The Rock said… yes! It looks as though this huge tag team match for Summerslam is set in stone!</p><p> </p><p> Also on the show: Diamond Dallas Page called out Rhyno, saying that he wants to help him get past his violence fetish. He set the two of them up for a tag team match on SmackDown! this week, and he plans to lead by example on how to win a match without destroying anything; because that’s a good thing!</p><p> </p><p> <em>Show Rating: B+</em><hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="wDSynh8.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wDSynh8.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <hr><details><summary><strong>WWF SmackDown!</strong></summary></p><p> <iframe width="220" height="180" src="<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/isyWQtWn_T4?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/isyWQtWn_T4?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0"</a> frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><p> </p><p> The Staples Center played host to some of the hottest action in pro wrestling, WWF SmackDown!</p><p> </p><p> The show opened even before the opening video in the backstage area, where William Regal was shown laid out! A pair of boots walk up and a bent steel chair is dropped near him, as it appears to have been Edge who took him out! Edge picks up Regal’s Intercontinental championship and holds it over him, telling him that this is a five second pose that could last a lifetime!</p><p> </p><p> After the show started properly, Shane McMahon came out to talk about Summerslam and how with The Rock on his side, they will start Shane’s brand dominance early. But The Undertaker hits the ring, telling the young McMahon that he better not be out here thinking he can disrespect him by looking over him. Undertaker says that he doesn’t give a damn about their family squabble, but he will not stand for Shane walking into his yard and thinking he can tell him what to do. Shane, to his credit, stands his ground, saying that Undertaker may scare the crap out of him, but that fear will push him to greater heights than ever – and with Shane’s past, that could be a much more literal statement than figurative! The Undertaker and Mr. McMahon took to the ring later to talk about the return of The Rock. The two talk about how they may not have always seen eye to eye, but he could always count on Undertaker to do what’s best for the WWF, something that he can’t trust to Shane or The Rock anymore. Vince states that in that case, Undertaker is more of a son to him than Shane ever has been! They say that the brand they choose to be a part of will always be better than what Shane can put together.</p><p> </p><p> “Stone Cold”, Kurt Angle, and Debra are backstage when they find Triple H. The current Power Trip members get into an argument with their former member about how he needs to let Austin and Angle know if he’s in with their plan or not, but Hunter is steadfast in refusing to give away his hand. Debra tries to solve this with cookies, but only Angle accepts them, stating they’ll go great with his milk later. Austin works things into a frenzy then, whipping Angle and Triple H nearly into blows, before saying that if “The Game” wants a fight, he’ll get one tonight – against Angle! Triple H accepts, telling Angle he’ll see him in the ring, but Kurt isn’t so sure of himself now! Later in the show, Austin then is shown giving Angle some training in what ends up being a series of comedy segments that puts Angle probably at more of a disadvantage than if he’d been training on his own! The cap off is when Austin sets Angle up at a doorway and tells him to attack whoever comes in next … but the person who walks in is Mr. McMahon, who gets caught in an amateur style double leg takedown from the Olympic gold medalist! Meanwhile, Triple H has been watching and he says in an interview that he doesn’t care how hard Angle trains, neither he or Austin will ever be ready to play The Game!</p><p> </p><p> Continuing the trend of sending people Mr. McMahon doesn’t want to see at 100% into tough matches ahead of the Elimination Chamber, The Dudley Boyz teamed with Albert to take on The Big Show, Chris Benoit, and Chris Jericho in a table match. Everyone fought their hardest in a wild bout that went all around the arena, but in the end The Big Show was able to put D-Von through a table following Spike Dudley blasting his half-brother with a steel chair! However the celebration was short lived, as Big Show made sure to put the exclamation on everything by putting both Jericho and Benoit through tables of their own with chokeslams!</p><p> </p><p> Before the main event, Steve Austin psyches Kurt Angle up by saying that Chris Benoit is probably watching from home, and that since Triple H beat Benoit at Fully Loaded then if Angle beats Triple H, he has beaten Chris Benoit. In the match itself, Triple H and Kurt Angle put on a classic match that features an ending that we all could have seen coming as “Stone Cold” attacks Triple H for the disqualification. The surprising part came after the bell, as Austin and Angle were about to lay waste to “The Game” and the person who came out to put a stop to it was Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley! She stood between them as the show came to a close, but who’s side is she on? Hopefully we can get some answers on RAW is WAR!</p><p> </p><p> Also on the show: Billy Gunn and Spike Dudley defeated The Island Tribe; Rob Van Dam defeated Test; X-Factor give an interview where X-Pac and Justin say that what happened on RAW was a fluke and that X-Factor are back and ready to take home the WWF Tag Team titles at Summerslam; X-Factor defeated Godfather and Val Venis with X-Pac pinning Godfather after a low blow; The Big Boss Man makes his return, announcing that he has a new protege coming in and he will reveal him after the draft has concluded; DDP and Rhyno defeat The Radicalz, after the match Rhyno tries to go after Jack Doan again but Page is able to stop him; The Undertaker overhears Funaki talking in Japanese and thinks that he was mocking him, and he punishes Funaki by forcing him to the ring and defeating him in what amounts to a squash match; Jeff Hardy comes out of the dark of night to attack Rob Van Dam with a ladder!</p><p> </p><p> <em>Show Rating: A</em><hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="39JOWqL.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/39JOWqL.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> The next World Wrestling Federation PPV Extravaganza will be WWF SummerSlam 2001!</p><p> Held on August 19th, 2001 at The Compaq Center in San Jose, California!</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Announced So Far</span></p><p> WWF Championship – Elimination Chamber: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin © vs. “The Game” Triple H vs. “Y2J” Chris Jericho vs. “Olympic Hero” Kurt Angle vs. “Rabid Wolverine” Chris Benoit vs. The Big Show</p><p> Winning Team Choose Their Brand: Mr. McMahon and The Undertaker vs. Shane McMahon and The Rock</p><p> Trish Stratus vs. Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley</p><p> WWF Intercontinental Championship – William Regal © vs. Edge</p><p> WWF Hardcore Championship – Ladder Match: Jeff Hardy © vs. Rob Van Dam</p><p> Tag Team Turmoil for the WWF Tag Team Championships: The Dudley Boyz © vs. Too Cool vs. The Island Tribe vs. Val Venis and The Godfather vs. The Acolytes vs. X-Factor vs. Spike Dudley and Billy Gunn</p><p> </p><p> --------------------</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">From the desk of Eric Bischoff:</span></span></p><p> What a big week this has been! Nitro and Wrath both came off very successful to our fans, and judging by what I saw on the sheet sites, there were some pretty nice developments in the rest of the wrestling world as well.</p><p> </p><p> I caught some of the segments that the WWF put on this past week, and I will give them credit; the storyline where The Rock has come back to team with Shane against Vince and a newly heel Undertaker is practically printing money. Somehow, even though this is stuff we’ve all seen before, it appears they have been reinvigorated as characters and are putting on some of the best wrestling promos people have seen in years. Something tells me that the match at Summerslam won’t live up to them, but maybe I can be pleasantly surprised. They also finally pulled the trigger on Edge’s face turn. People have felt that people like he and Jeff Hardy are going to be carrying the company once your Austins and ‘Takers are too old to do so, and while Christian is still out, this is a sign that they’re pushing toward that. Plus, Edge and Christian’s antics have generally been some of the most popular in years, so it makes sense that when fans were already cheering Edge to laugh with him, may as well turn him face so their cheers come off correctly. The fan reaction has led everyone to call the turn a complete success, and they can’t wait to see what they do with him from here.</p><p> </p><p> During Nitro, apparently Chuck Palumbo was backstage whining and complaining. But I didn’t have to step in, as “Handsome” Harley did it for me. He told Chuck to either shut up or cheer up, and ordered him to buy a round of drinks for everyone after the show to make up for how he was bringing everyone down. To his credit, Chuck did just that, and he seemed to really improve his personality because of it.</p><p> </p><p> There were a lot of people who were showing some new skills off during Nitro. The performances of Simon Diamond (on the pre-show), Low Ki, Norman Smiley, Sean O’Haire, Scott Steiner, and Chris Lovey all seemed to have improved; Ernest Miller showed off some technical skills, and Jeremy Borash looked like he’d gotten a little better at his acting. Also Simon showed he is getting better nuances with his gimmick. On the pre-show, I tried out some new announcing pairings, and it seems Scott Hudson and Chris Lovey have pretty good announcing chemistry. I had thought that Gabe could make an alright commentator one of these days, but was just using him so far for ideas on younger guys to sign and an occasional face to pop up on TV, but this could net him a larger role in the future.</p><p> </p><p> I set Konnan to start playing up more of a Gangsta gimmick. He had been using a rather generic “man on a mission” schtick, but he has shown in the past to do well with the fast talking rapper stuff, so moving him toward that felt like a good idea. And it was, as he immediately nailed it, some reviewers calling him Great at it.</p><p> </p><p> Finally, Goldberg said to me that he doesn’t think Disqo can connect with the fans, so maybe it’s about time to cut Glenn loose. I don’t really feel he’s correct here; Glenn got Disco Inferno over, so while he may not have the overwhelming presence of Goldberg or Scott Steiner, he has his place on the show. However, his contract being up soon makes me wonder just how long for WCW he is… we will see how he fares with the changes I have planned for him on Nitro.</p><p> </p><p> Wrath had some more skills improvements shown. Chris Lovey was showing improved acting, and showed he was getting better at his generic gimmick. Big Bill, Curt Hennig, Simon Diamond, and Stevie Ray showed that they had gotten better at their performances, and Rey Mysterio showed some good brawling during his match. I had told Rey and Vampiro to put on a high spot based match, and Vampiro said after that he didn’t feel like high spots suited him. I will keep that in mind for his future.</p><p> </p><p> During the show, C.W. lifted everyone’s mood by showing off a silly game that they used to play in the last year of ECW and had even some of our veterans chuckling at it as guys like he, Simon, Lance, Kid Kash, Tajiri, Awesome, and Saplosky were showing it to the younger guys like Knoble, Styles, and Skipper. Alex Wright brought in free drinks for everyone.</p><p> </p><p> The problem backstage at Wrath was our new debutante (in every sense of the word) as Jenna Jameson took it upon herself to offer an “acting role” (to put it into tasteful terms) in her next ClubJenna movie to anyone who “impressed her” so to speak, saying that she had to go in the men’s dressing room to scout for “talents.” The whole thing was just a rib, and nobody but her found it funny. I talked to her afterwards, giving her a stern warning about it and saying that this isn’t the WCW she may have heard about back when she dabbled in ECW, where it was just a party place run by the guys like Hogan and Nash. This WCW is young guys and veterans making a real living, and while we aren’t above some jokes, we need to have some class. She understood, saying that she knows what it means to have to rebrand yourself. She seemed happy to apologize after I made her realize her error. She has been doing what she can to turn herself into a producer and director instead of just an actress, and that’s kinda how her joining WCW started; she wants a serious platform to help launch her ClubJenna studio (even though they are still making porn) and we want the news media attention that she may help us gain. I know it’s more “Eric Bischoff bringing in so-called celebrities” but trust me, I’ve learned from the good and the bad times that WCW has used celebrities in the past, and this should work out well for all involved.</p><p> </p><p> I protected Rey Mysterio and Lance Storm in their losses at Wrath, because I wanted to make sure that even though I felt the story fit better with them getting an “L” in the column, they are still rising stars who only lost by outside forces. I feel like Madusa joining with Shane Douglas should make for a good pairing, reminiscent of he and Francine were in ECW but without bringing anyone new into the company; though I do feel I could have foreshadowed them coming together a little better. Even I would admit that it felt like it just “happened” instead of being built up toward. Ric Flair was a little unhappy about being the one to drop the Wrath match, notably asking why guys like Bagwell, Animal, and Awesome were even in there if not to lose the match, but I went ahead with it anyways. He’s been happy enough with booking other than this that he’s still happy overall, even despite him still holding what happened with Tully against me. I pointed Ric out as a good example of a veteran helping the future stars out during a post-show speech and he was pleased with that; I also complimented Scott Steiner for carrying the WCW championship so well, making him very happy, and called Sting awesome for wrestling almost a full hour over the course of the evening at his age. He seemed pleased getting that shout out. He quipped that he definitely needs a little time to rest after that; I hadn’t figured on him wrestling on the next Nitro anyway.</p><p> </p><p> So around the rest of the wrestling world, Don Muraco, Butch Miller, Jimmy Golden (Bunkhouse Buck), Jimmy Valiant, Bob Backlund, and Terry Gordy have all officially hung up their boots. They are all sticking around the wrestling business, but in non-wrestling roles. Killer Kowalski left the business entirely. Female referee that I sent down to NWA: Wildside, Laura Mattano, has started dating young Bobby Roode. And there was an article uploaded from a Texas newspaper that talked about “Wrestling Legend Terry Funk Heads Home” where he moved back to Texas from Japan.</p><p> [Writer’s Note: I actually did that in the editor; Funker starts the mod based in Kanto region, and he hasn’t gotten any work since leaving WCW. So hopefully now he can start appearing on some indy shows at least]</p><p> </p><p> The fourth annual Brian Pillman Memorial Show was held in Illinois. One of the more notable moments of the show was the team of Road Warrior Hawk and the returning Warlord, who called themselves The Road of Pain. No idea if this team will be continuing to appear on indy shows or getting picked up by any promotions or not. They defeated the oddball team of former football player Monty Brown and and the former Gangrel in what was the best match of the night, in the semi main event; the main event saw Marc Mero go to a time limit draw against Chaz Warrington. I’m glad that they’re honoring Brian’s memory, but I somewhat doubt the show will continue as now it just felt like another random indy show, as people who never had any interaction with Brian showed up and wrestled in his memory.</p><p> </p><p> The last thing I have to note upon is that New-Japan Pro Wrestling held their annual G1 Climax. They jumped back to a standard tournament instead of the round robin (make up your mind already, Inoki!) and it was won by Osamu Nishimura, who defeated some of the biggest names in puroresu by overcoming Hiroshi Hase, Kensuke Sasaki, and Keiji Mutoh en route to winning. </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>--------------------</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Another big event in the books! I have tallied everyone's prediction choices up, and there was nearly a three way tie!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> TheBigBad1013: 8</p><p> bonnie: 6</p><p> cbacon87: 8</p><p> crackerjack: 6</p><p> Destiny: 6</p><p> DGenerationMC: 7</p><p> The Final Countdown: 8</p><p> James The Animator: 7</p><p> Satyr24: 5</p><p> to4sty: 6</p><p> Warhawk8492: 7</p><p> </p><p> By getting the tiebreaker the closest (actually in this case it was all down to who bet the highest number, as nobody picked it going above 30 minutes!) BigBad picks up the win for Wrath! I will send him his prize soon. And now, to get into some comments. Thank you all who left them, and to all who predicted as well!</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="to4sty" data-cite="to4sty" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I’m glad to see Awesome get some love here....he should have been massive in the dying days of WCW, instead they just gave him a fetish for massive women...and the 70’s.....what the hell were they thinking with Mike Awesome</div></blockquote><p> Full agreement there, man. I think one of the problems with him may have been that he isn't the safest of workers, though. He got over by just throwing people, and when you're dealing with a main event scene of guys over 40, not a lot of them would be willing to take bumps like that, brother. But this WCW is younger and a lot of them would likely want to work with him, so hopefully I can get him over realistically on that basis. Full transparency, I've thought about turning Awesome face, as his offense is very high impact and built to pop crowds; but I haven't decided on that yet, as he really does make a great nasty monster heel too.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="to4sty" data-cite="to4sty" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>While I’d like to see Douglas get a run, it never happens...in any diary....ever</div></blockquote><p> I just thought about that, how I don't think Shane has really made a huge impact in most WCW diaries... and it made me a little sad. I love "The Franchise" but other than making sure he's definitely had something to do month to month, I really haven't given him a whole lot of big success like title wins. He's almost just best used as a "solid hand" instead of a champion at this time, but hey; maybe this realization will help me to see the error of my ways and start putting him in some better positions.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="to4sty" data-cite="to4sty" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I’m probably one of the few guys that didn’t mind Jarrett’s Chosen One run....I didn’t even have a problem with him being the Champion.....and while I love Hennig, Jarrett probably has more left in the tank at this stage of their careers</div></blockquote><p> As it stands, the two are pretty evenly matched in popularity, in-ring skills, entertainment skills, and neither are in time decline. The only place they differ is that Hennig is 43 and Jarrett is 34. So yeah, chances are high that Curt would hit time decline before Jeff does... but with the random nature of the game, it could go the other way. After all, Bryan Clark is already in light time decline already at only 37.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="to4sty" data-cite="to4sty" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>who comes into save Old Glory?.....Hooooooooo......seriously, I’ll stop reading if you wheel Hacksaw out <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> Damn, that was my second possibility <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="to4sty" data-cite="to4sty" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>This is my p!ss break right here, can’t stand either guy.....although I do find the name “Big Bill” oddly satisfying </div></blockquote><p> "Satisfying" is probably the first time Bill DeMott has been given such a compliment <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Not gonna lie that I am taking from the real life transition that Bubba Ray Dudley took to become Bully Ray with Big Bill, hopefully with similar results.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="to4sty" data-cite="to4sty" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I guess I’ll go with Snuka’s team here.....although I’d prefer to see Low Ki and AJ on his team after that match on Nitro, they pulled out a hell of a grade against The Future for a quick match......where are those guys? Pre-Show? Or night off?</div></blockquote><p> I gave them the night off. I almost expected a bunch of people being upset at not being on the show, but thankfully I seem to have used people well enough lately that no one was upset at being left off.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="The Final Countdown" data-cite="The Final Countdown" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Finally caught back up. Just in time!</div></blockquote><p> Glad to have you caught back up! Hope you liked it!</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="crackerjack" data-cite="crackerjack" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Very solid Wrath Beejus. Nice to see you enjoy the Gene/JB pairing as much as I do (huge JB fan myself).<p> </p><p> As far as the main event goes - if it wasn't obvious that WCW didn't have to deal with Standards and Practices anymore, now it <em>really</em> is obvious!</p></div></blockquote><p> <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> You can actually blame to4sty for me finding this pairing. A few months ago I decided that I wanted to bring in someone else to join up with Steiner in segments, and was going to use Sable. But right about the same time I thought of it, to4sty made the same pairing over in ANGANA. So now Sable is still unemployed in my universe all because she was given a big role over in someone else's universe. <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="to4sty" data-cite="to4sty" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>The only thing that niggled me slightly was the Shane/Madusa reveal....not the pairing, I actually like the idea of the two together, and Shane has always had someone on his arm, but once the reveal <em>was</em> made I fully expected Shane to take the match from there....for Shane to still lose despite his new manager(?) it doesn't make the pair look particularly strong going forward, but then I assume you're going in a Chuck/Stacy/Shane/Madusa direction now so there is plenty of time to get that momentum going</div></blockquote><p> Yeah, I realized that partway through the booking of it, I actually think I booked Shane a little TOO strong in the build up to this feud as it looks like he and Booker could and should have a huge epic storyline now, but I really only meant it to be a quick title defense for Booker before they both move into something different. But, Shane being a sneaky, conniving, old school bastard heel is one of my favorite things to write. So yeah, he and Madusa together I hope will grow well from this shoddy start. As I said as Eric up there, I already felt like I didn't foreshadow it at all like I had been hoping to (leave that to how forgetful I can get from coming up with ideas while driving to actually putting them on paper when I get home!) so it appears there is plenty to grow on.</p><p> Thanks for the compliment on the two big matches! I made sure to write those first so that they would be the best, and then I only had to fill out all the rest.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="TheBigBad1013" data-cite="TheBigBad1013" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'm always impressed by how you are able to get the absolute most out of what you've got to work with. You have this way of writing, I can't quite put my finger on what it is exactly, but you're great at making everything seem believable, like I could totally see it happening in real life. It's one of the many reasons why this is my favorite diary on these boards.<p> </p><p> Wrath was a great event. There were certainly some surprises along the way, but I think we've all come to expect that by now. As always, you've got me excited for whatever comes next!</p></div></blockquote><p> Damn, man, that is some high praise from someone who I think does an incredible job of writing his own shows! Thank you!</p>
  7. <p>World Championship Wrestling presents WCW Wrath</p><p> </p><p> The voice of Vampiro speaks out over a black screen, but as he speaks, the competitors in the Wrath match can be seen, as well as World Heavyweight champion Scott Steiner, Goldberg, and Bam Bam Bigelow.</p><p> “Wrath is one of the most pure of the sins. Anger is an emotion that all men feel, everyone can get mad so easily. But it’s rare that a full on rage can take over one’s life; a burning desire for revenge that you can feed off of for years. Maybe it’s the neighbor who drives a better car or has a better job than you; maybe the woman who eats anything she wants and wears skimpy clothing while you have to watch every calorie and yet can’t get rid of those love handles. The man who cuts you off in traffic when you had the right-of-way; the woman who sleeps with everyone but you. Everyone has someone that makes them angry, and if you dwell in that, you can burn a hole through your heart. Wrath can be sought out, and carried out in violent ways. Who tonight in World Championship Wrestling will let their Wrath carry them to the top? Tonight, fires will burn and men will get closer to Hell as they release that Wrath upon their fellow man. Will the price be worth the cost? Or will all such sinners find themselves… burned out?” </p><p> With a blast of fire, the video ends, and the flames burn away to show the inside of The MARK of the Quad Cities, where booming, flaming fireworks fire off to a cheering sold out crowd! (Rating: B-)</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="124" src="</p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H5Jt6uttea8?controls=0" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/H5Jt6uttea8?controls=0"</a> frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><p> <img alt="h14QYGZ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/h14QYGZ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <strong>WCW Wrath</strong></p><p> <em><span style="font-size:8px;">Shown Live on August 12, 2001 (Week 2)</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Held at: The MARK of the Quad Cities in Moline, Illinois (Great Lakes)</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Announcers: Mike Tenay, Scott Hudson, and Arn Anderson</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Attendance: 12,000 people (sold out!)</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> PPV Rating: 0.10</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> TV Rating: 0.78</span></em></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="O8DMSDO.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/O8DMSDO.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/Uk8UtOC.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/7f8ztT6.jpg</span><p> <hr><details><summary><strong>Curt Hennig vs. “The Chosen One” Jeff Jarrett</strong></summary> </p><p> <em><span style="font-size:8px;">Announced Time Limit: 30:00</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Official: Mark Johnson</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Ringside: None</span></em></p><p> </p><p> The show opens with this technical display between two second generation veterans to warm up the crowd for the rest of the show. Jarrett tries to stall to start before trying to use some underhanded tactics. But Hennig shows that he hasn’t lost a step when he shows up those tactics with some of his own, pulling Jeff’s hair to take him down to the mat and before he can complain about it, Curt slaps him in the face! Jarrett takes over with a thumb to the eye, controlling the match for several minutes with some neck-based offense including a swinging neckbreaker, jumping DDT, and a guillotine while Hennig was catching his breath on the ropes. Jeff finds himself unable to put Curt away with any of those moves, and Hennig starts making a comeback by getting out of a headlock and hitting a series of knife-edge chops, before hitting a hiptoss and big dropkick! Curt is just getting warmed up, punishing Jarrett with an atomic drop and starting to get him set up for the Hennig Plex. Jarrett, however, seems to know that the momentum is completely against him, and after escaping from the hold, he gets out of the ring and bails on the entire match, walking up the aisle and taking a count out loss. The fans or Curt may not have gotten a conclusion here, but as Scott Hudson points out, Jarrett may be a coward but he isn’t one to just give up very often; so this issue can’t be over.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Match Time: 9:27</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Notes: Tenay and Hudson’s good chemistry was on display here. The match was capped by being too short, but it gave the show a strong start.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Rating: B</em></span></p></div><p></p><p><hr></details></p></div><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/1D13aft.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/QDX2HET.jpg?1</span></div><p></p><p></p><p> We go from there backstage to a room with a computer motif, where “Mean” Gene Okerlund is standing by alongside Jeremy Borash. Borash appears to be working at a computer, while Gene talks about the Wrath match. He goes over the rules of the match while Jeremy types frantically. We finally find what he was working on as Gene says that the six men in the Wrath match are world class athletes and details the “Tale of the Tape” for the six of them. He also then gives the details for Scott Steiner, saying that there is a mountain to climb even after everyone leaves the cage. Who will win? Gene nudges Jeremy, asking him who will win, with Borash shrugging his shoulders. Okerlund replies with how that kind of nonchalance is why he hasn’t introduced Jeremy to his bookie.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Notes: Gene and Jeremy are such a good pair as client/manager, which still just tickles me. It’s too bad I can’t get this note and still get JB over, which means I use him pretty often in a microphone role, but I didn’t here.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Rating: B-</em></span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/SDaEctv.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/9Bo1juQ.jpg</span></div><p></p><p></p><p> We head backstage to a sight that we saw last week, where Lex Luger is talking to Midajah near a soda machine. The two seem to be getting along, laughing and joking that we can’t pick up on the camera. Just as the cameraman starts to get closer that we could hear them a little better, the conversation gets cut off by… </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="UDcdLVe.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/UDcdLVe.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> Buff Bagwell comes in and breaks up the fun, pulling “The Total Package” aside and shooing Midajah away. Bagwell asks Luger what he thinks he’s been doing? Lex has no idea what Buff is talking about, saying he was just talking. Buff responds <em>“Yeah, sure, Lex; all of us backstage have seen you ‘just talking’ with Midajah over the past few months. Cameras are starting to catch it now. You know who you DON’T want to catch it? Scott Steiner. You don’t want Poppa on your bad side, and you’re getting pretty close to it. Let me give you advice that I learned traveling with Steiner a few years ago: stay away from Scott’s girl. It does not end well.”</em> Luger shrugs this advice off, saying that Buff is paranoid and afraid of Scott Steiner, but Bagwell says that yeah, of course he’s a little afraid of Scott – and Lex should be too. He reiterates; stay away from Scott’s girl, for Luger’s own good.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Rating: B</em></span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/P8aeNAJ.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/Uk8UtOC.jpg</span><img alt="2BlnRJf.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2BlnRJf.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <hr><details><summary><strong>“K-Dawg” Konnan vs. Big Bill</strong></summary> </p><p> <em><span style="font-size:8px;">Announced Time Limit: 30:00</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Official: Rudy Charles</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Ringside: None</span></em></p><p> </p><p> This one is a very short match that Bill uses to show his newfound mean streak. He outright bullies the more laid back “K-Dawg” with big power moves. Konnan uses his typical offense to come back including the rolling clothesline and the Facejam, but Bill ducked out of the ring before he can get locked into the Tequila Sunrise. Konnan tries to go pull him back into the ring, as he leaned out between the ropes, Bill thrusts a foreign object into Konnan’s throat! Rudy Charles couldn’t see it, and Bill quickly drops it before sliding into the ring and taking advantage of the wounded Konnan with a big powerbomb. He could easily make the cover now, but instead he goes to the top rope and delivers a moonsault that scores him the victory. Replays of the end of the match show that Bill went under the ring when he was briefly outside the ring and had found a large wrench, which he used to jab into Konnan’s throat. Mike Tenay says that for all the brute strength and big talk from Big Bill as of late, it seems he had no problem winning in an underhanded way.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Match Time: 4:19</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Notes: The match was capped for being short, but the announcing lifted the match.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Rating: C-</em></span></p></div><p></p><p><hr></details></p></div><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/PLFbwG7.jpg</span></div><p></p><p></p><p> The crowd pop as we see Sting appear on the screen! He is gearing up, strapping his gloves on and twirling his baseball bat. Sting will be in the Wrath match later, and it looks like he’s ready for war!</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Notes: A short segment to just pop the crowd a little.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Rating: B-</em></span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/0fodKnR.jpg</span></div><p></p><p></p><p> “The Franchise” Shane Douglas comes to the ring and takes a microphone. He tells the production team to cut his music, before saying that finally, he has gotten what he has deserved for months: another shot at the United States title. He said it took going undercover, digging dirt, and uncovering truths that Booker T doesn’t want known – but Shane knows it, and as long as he knows, he has Booker’s balls in a sling! He also talks about Chuck Palumbo, saying that what Shane did to Stacy Kiebler is something that he does feel bad about… bad that he didn’t put that little skank out of wrestling altogether! He tells Chuck to dump the girl before she drags him down, but for now, just get out here and get your ass Franchised!</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Notes: Shane struggled off script here, continuing how spotty he can be; when he’s good, he’s really good at it, but when he’s bad, it’s just okay.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Rating: B-</em></span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/JBl4mtV.jpg?1</span><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/8msICNG.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/Uk8UtOC.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/eg47FwE.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/Uk8UtOC.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/0fodKnR.jpg</span></p><p> <hr><details><summary><strong>WCW United States Heavyweight – Triple Threat Match</strong></p><p><strong> Booker T vs. Chuck Palumbo vs. “The Franchise” Shane Douglas</strong></summary> </p><p> <em><span style="font-size:8px;">Announced Time Limit: 60:00</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Official: Charles Robinson</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Ringside: Stacy Kiebler (Chuck Palumbo)</span></em></p><p> </p><p> The linchpin of this match is Shane Douglas, and “The Franchise” knows it; having brought this all together, he tries to escape the wrath of his opponents at every chance he gets. But it doesn’t happen at the beginning of the match, as he tries to run but gets caught by both of them and double teamed. At times when Shane does manage to slip away, Booker and Palumbo have a nice, respectful match over the United States championship, as the young Thriller is also hungry for getting some gold back around his waist. Chuck even nearly scores himself a three count over the champion when he ducks a scissor kick and blasts Booker with the Jungle Kick, but Shane breaks it up.</p><p> </p><p> About halfway through the match, Douglas gets in the face of Stacy Kiebler, as she was trying to give Palumbo some information that she must have noticed from ringside. “The Franchise” starts telling her to either <em>“mind your own damn business or head back to the kitchen!”</em> which gets her attention in a hurry. She wheels around and the two begin to argue, but we don’t get to see any altercation between the two of them as Stacy is suddenly grabbed and shoved into the barricade! The camera wheels up to reveal… </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img alt="cc0ez2l.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cc0ez2l.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p></p><p></p><p> Madusa?! She taps Shane on the shoulder and he heads into the ring, and he pulls Booker away from where he was about to cover Palumbo to hit the Franchiser on Booker! Chuck breaks it up before the three, and then notices Madusa standing over Kiebler. He heads outside the ring to confront her and check on Stacy, as Shane looks set to deliver another Franchiser. But Booker elbows out of it, crosses the placement of their arms, and is able to land the Book End! By the time Palumbo even notices that there’s something going on, he’s too late to stop the three count, and Booker T retains the US championship – but while he has gotten past the challenge of Douglas, the look on Palumbo’s face as he goes back to checking on Stacy appears like some of the issues that brought about this match aren’t all solved yet.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Match Time: 13:30</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Notes: Stacy did some good work at ringside, but it deserved better color commentary. This match got the crowd hotter, but the pacing of the bout seemed a little rushed.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Rating: B-</em></span></p></div><p></p><p><hr></details></p></div><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="jsLWvDR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jsLWvDR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> After that match, just as a reminder of what is coming later tonight, we go backstage to see Ric Flair in his dressing room. His robe is glittering in the light as he is lacing up his boots. “The Nature Boy” competes later tonight in Wrath!</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Notes: Another short segment for popping the crowd.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Rating: B-</em></span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="j9Ncc2a.jpg?1" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/j9Ncc2a.jpg?1" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/Uk8UtOC.jpg</span><img alt="BrQnKun.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BrQnKun.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <hr><details><summary><strong>Mexican Deathmatch</strong></p><p><strong> Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Vampiro</strong></summary> </p><p> <em><span style="font-size:8px;">Announced Time Limit: No Time Limit</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Official: Mark Johnson</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Ringside: Daffney (Vampiro)</span></em></p><p> </p><p> “Up in the Club” brings out a very focused Rey Mysterio Jr. for this match, but Vampiro is as blank a slate as usual. Daffney, for her part, bounces around and crows that “little Rey is done now!”</p><p> </p><p> This match spills all around the arena, providing the fans with plenty of hard hitting, high impact action. Vampiro uses the stipulation to bring some weapons into the fight. He utilizes a kendo stick to really punish Mysterio, caning him repeatedly across the back and shoulders. “Rey-Rey” never backs down in this however, and he leaps from the turnbuckle into the front row to deliver a big plancha! Mysterio is clearly seen as having more of a mean streak after having been hounded by Dark Eden for the past few months. Rey looks as though he is planning a big killing blow, as he begins to climb up the NitroVision screen, which begins bringing the crowd to their feet, but they boo just as quickly when… </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/8CcQwCr.jpg</span><img alt="43rFfe0.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/43rFfe0.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/AMpr25U.jpg</span></p><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p></p><p></p><p> The rest of Dark Eden storm the set, and it becomes a four on one assault! With no disqualifications, Mark Johnson’s hands are completely tied, as Arn Anderson says make no mistake about it, he knows all about gang warfare (Scott Hudson chimes in saying that Arn practically helped invent gang warfare in pro wrestling) that this was all Rey’s idea; he told Vampiro he wanted the Mexican Deathmatch, seeming to either disregard or not even think of the ramifications of challenging a cult leader to a one on one match without any repercussions for interference. As much as everyone cheers Mysterio on to fight back, those odds are way too much to overcome, and following Kidman drilling Rey with the Kid Krusher, Dark Eden all symbolically kneel around Rey’s fallen body as Vampiro places a foot on his chest, with Mark Johnson only able to count the three.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Match Time: 13:08</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Notes: Both men were really off their game, must have been trying a little too hard. Daffney did good work at ringside. They got the live crowd buzzing, and the home audience had some very good announcing to listen to.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Rating: C</em></span></p></div><p></p><p><hr></details></p></div><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="LQ6dU8Y.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LQ6dU8Y.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/C4RidzV.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/3Iw81k1.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/9Bo1juQ.jpg</span></div><p></p><p></p><p> Back in the dressing room, Chris Lovey introduces our World Heavyweight champion, “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner, alongside his brother, Rick, and manager, Midajah; Scott chimes in saying that she ain’t no manager! <em>“She only manages one thing, carrying my stuff by day and being my head freak by night!”</em> Lovey asks Scott for some words regarding his potential opponent for later tonight, saying that there are some definite legends in there as well as some very up-and-coming stars who might take him to the limit. Steiner laughs at this though, saying that it don’t matter who wins the Wrath; <em>“It’s like this, fat boy. I’m about ta’ sit back here and watch all them kill one another, and then I kill whoever’s left!”</em> Steiner tells Chris to get out of here, and let him enjoy the show, or else he’ll feed him to Rick. “The DFG” snarls at Lovey, who throws us back to the arena before running out of the room.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Notes: Much like I said earlier about Douglas, Scott Steiner when he doesn’t do well at improv is still very “okay” but in comparison when he does well, it’s very good. He came across well here though, and despite Lovey being completely out of his element in this big interview, he worked the crowd well.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Rating: B</em></span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="ypXJAeb.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ypXJAeb.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <hr><details><summary><strong>Wrath</strong></summary> </p><p> <em><span style="font-size:8px;">Announced Time Limit: No Time Limit</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Official: Nick Patrick</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Ringside: None</span></em></p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="185" src="<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-eD68J7kK0Y" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/-eD68J7kK0Y"</a> frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/PLFbwG7.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> As per the pre-match stipulations, “The Stinger” enters the Caged Heat cell first. Commentary discuss how this will be a huge obstacle for Sting to overcome if he is to face Scott Steiner later tonight, though Arn does point out that Sting isn’t the only one at a disadvantage; the man who comes to the ring next is just as bad off, as he will also have to go from bell to bell. And that man turns out to be… </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="185" src="<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Spl1Prm2jE" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Spl1Prm2jE"</a> frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/UDcdLVe.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> It’s “Buff Daddy”! Buff Bagwell poses at the ramp for a moment, flexing his muscles, as he heads toward the ring. Scott Hudson points out that Nick Patrick will remain outside the cage until all six men have entered, and only then can someone win the bout, much like WarGames. The bell sounds, and the match begins! The two start with a little bit of a feeling-out process, with Arn pointing out that beginning slowly is to their advantage as since they are the first two men in the match, they will compete the longest. Buff wins a test of strength, pushing Sting back against the ropes out of a lock up, and takes time to flex his muscles. Bagwell takes over with a headlock, but Sting fights it and shoves him off into the ropes, flexing his own muscles while screaming to his fans! Mike Tenay talks about how Sting has been one of the fans’ favorite athletes for years, no matter who he was in there against; let alone someone the fans aren’t very fond of like Buff! Sting begins laying into Buff with some big punches, sending him to the ropes and showing his own strength by lifting Buff into a gorilla press! Sting slams Bagwell down to the mat and follows up by looking like he wants to lock Buff into the Scorpion Deathlock, but Bagwell wriggles away and escapes to the outside of the ring. The initial five minute period stays fairly competitive between the two (but without doing anything too risky so that neither man can get gassed by the end of the match) until the timer kicks in on the NitroVision and we begin the countdown from 10 to 1… </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="185" src="<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y9AHejQQjSE" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/y9AHejQQjSE"</a> frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/o9HKxZh.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> Sting’s night doesn’t look to be getting any easier as “The Road Warrior” jogs down the aisle! He enters the cell and immediately begins pounding on Sting with clubbing forearms that look to be thrown with pure hatred! Animal and Bagwell may not be friends, but they do have a common enemy right now in “The Stinger” and they proceed with dissecting him one brutal power move at a time. The fans begin alternating chants of “We want Sting!” and “We want Flair!” knowing that maybe “The Nature Boy” could help even the odds here, but Tenay points out that this next person could be Mike Awesome and who knows what would happen in that case. Three minutes is absolutely agonizing to watch here as Sting tries to fight back to no avail, as his opponents are just too much for him to bear. But finally, potential relief kicks in as the NitroVision begins to count… 10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1…</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="185" src="<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q-BkQS8eYec" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q-BkQS8eYec"</a> frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><p> <img alt="jsLWvDR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jsLWvDR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> The entire MARK of the Quad Cities erupts with a loud cheer as Ric Flair begins racing down to the ring! It looks like Sting is about to have some backup – but just as Ric starts to approach the massive cage, his stride begins to slow. He starts to just strut around the ring, and the loud fanfare that he emerged to begins to dwindle as fans see that this isn’t just “The Nature Boy,” it’s “The Dirtiest Player in the Game” coming to the ring, and he’s not entering the cage until he’s damn good and ready to! Arn Anderson points out that Flair and Sting agreed that there were no friends in this match, so Ric looks like he’s going to let Sting suffer that decision just a little bit longer! Flair does finally enter the cage (at Nick Patrick’s urging, especially when Nick points out that the three minute period doesn’t begin until he gets in there) and he begins laying into the chest of Buff Bagwell with knife-edge chops. That gets the crowd back into Flair’s favor, and they release a loud “Oooooo!” as Ric drops to a knee and delivers a big low blow! There are no disqualifications, Scott Hudson points out, so these tactics are completely legal. Animal rakes Sting’s face across the steel mesh cage wall on the outside of the ring, and it isn’t long until it’s clear that Sting is bleeding. Sting is hurled into the side of the cage as Animal is looking dominant – over someone who has been in the ring for nearly eleven minutes of being decimated. Three minutes has passed yet again, and since we know Lex Luger is the final participant, this time it definitely…</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="185" src="<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lgu8TG8Cvt4" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/lgu8TG8Cvt4"</a> frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/D5yqUxE.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> “The Career Killer” wastes no time in entering the cage, showing no fear to any of the esteemed veterans whom he is facing off with. Awesome starts pinballing around the ring, hitting anyone who moves, and he isn’t limiting it to anyone in particular; just as he clubs Flair with a forearm, he also clotheslines Animal out of the ring, and unleashes a suicide dive onto Sting and Bagwell! The fans are giving some applause to Awesome in appreciation of his moves, but when he starts attacking Flair again, the jeers rain down upon him. A crash is heard as Animal takes a Stinger Splash up against the cage wall, putting him out of action for a breather as Sting looks to be getting a second wind after the beating he took earlier. Sting starts slamming his fists down onto Animal’s back and shoulders, their recent feud hitting an all-time high during Wrath! Bagwell goes after Flair, hitting a swinging neckbreaker on the sixteen time World champion. The action is only intensifying, and that’s when the NitroVision comes to life with the final ten count. The crowd are excited for the last participant to enter the match, as it means we can start to see everyone go all out trying to win!</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="185" src="<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jsszagC0GdI" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/jsszagC0GdI"</a> frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/SDaEctv.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> “The Total Package” joins us – walking slowly toward the ring, flexing and posing all the way – and Nick Patrick enters the cage as well, and he immediately has to start counting Flair down, as Bagwell tries to get the win, but “The Nature Boy” kicks out at 2. Luger goes after Flair as well, teaming up with his Totally Buff partner to double team Flair. Scott Hudson notes that it looks like maybe the dissension between the two may be a thing of the past, but Arn tells him to just wait until there are a few more pinfall attempts in this match and we’ll see who is on who’s side. Mike Awesome is working on Sting, showering him with kicks and punches on the outside of the ring. Animal catches his breath for a moment before going in and hammering on Sting himself. With Sting occupied, Awesome goes looking under the ring and starts pulling out a table! As he’s setting it up, Luger and Bagwell have Flair in the corner and they are laying into him. Sting suddenly comes into the fray and pulls Luger away, kicking him and trying to mount offense, but Luger is much fresher and he takes over with a knee to Sting’s midsection. He chucks Sting back out to the floor, as Animal enters the ring. Despite their teaming earlier this year, it appears he has no love for Totally Buff and only wanting to win the match, “The Road Warrior” goes after Bagwell. But Luger is right there to protect Buff’s back, hitting Animal with a double axe handle and sending him out of the ring as well. Totally Buff are the only ones left in the ring, and they are holding the line well by keeping everyone out. Mike Tenay talks about how Luger and Bagwell’s partnership is holding up pretty well so far.</p><p> </p><p> However, it doesn’t take long until the duo start looking to end this match. With everyone else on the outside of the ring, Luger sends Flair against the cage wall. Proud of his work, Luger starts taunting Flair as he crumples onto the floor, now bleeding. That is when Bagwell comes up behind him and rolls him up with a schoolboy!</p><p> </p><p> 1!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 2!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> No, but we nearly saw the end right there!</p><p> Luger is incensed, questioning his partner at what he’s doing! Buff holds up his hands, feigning innocence, but it’s pretty obvious what happened. Sting starts climbing back up onto the apron, and as Luger knocks him back down, this time Bagwell hits him in the back! He starts laying into his own partner, sending Luger to the mat with a fisherman suplex. He goes for the pin, but Awesome is able to break it up. The match starts to come back into the ring, but this time there are no teammates as Luger and Bagwell are fighting one another!</p><p> </p><p> The battle rages as all six men punch, kick, bite, claw, and low blow (well, the last one is mostly Flair) their way toward a hopeful victory. Animal and Awesome are throwing bombs at one another, a brawl that could have no end in sight. Flair and Bagwell are fighting over throwing one another into the steel steps, while Luger and Sting brawl near Awesome’s table. When everyone trades off again, Animal gets Luger with a ring shaking powerslam! He goes for the pin – but Awesome comes in and breaks it up with a steel chair to the back! He keeps swinging the chair, hitting Bagwell, Sting, and Flair with it as well, laying waste to everyone before throwing the chair to the outside. Awesome follows Bagwell to the outside of the ring, and he delivers an Awesome Bomb through the table! It looks like he will be out of this one!</p><p> </p><p> Everyone is very clearly worn out and practically falling over one another as the match is reaching the half hour mark. Luger, feeling that the end is here, charges in and hits Animal with the running forearm before lifting Sting into the Torture Rack! It could potentially end the bout, but “The Nature Boy” comes in off the top rope with a flying crossbody! It takes both of them down, and Flair goes for the cover on Luger!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 1!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 2!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 3-No! So close!</p><p> He tries to pin Sting, but Awesome comes in with an Awesome Splash! He covers Flair, this could be the end!</p><p> </p><p> 1!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 2!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 3!</p><p> No! Flair just got saved by Animal! Animal sends Awesome for a ride to the turnbuckle and drills him with a running lariat, knocking Awesome for a loop. He is ready to put the finishing touches on, but out of nowhere comes a Buff Blockbuster! Buff goes for the cover!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 1!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 2!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 3!</p><p> </p><p> NO! Sting breaks it up! “The Stinger” sends Bagwell out of the ring with a clothesline, before getting Luger with an atomic drop and sending him out to the floor also. Animal comes after him, but Flair chopblocks him! Flair hits a series of knife-edge chops on Animal, finally putting him on the mat. Flair lets out a loud “Woooooo!” to the fans, who return it – but silence comes over the arena as Sting grabs Flair and hits the Scorpion Deathdrop! He quickly goes for the cover!</p><p> </p><p> 1!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 2!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 3!</p><p> </p><p> Yes! That’s the pin, and it’s all over! Sting rolls off of Flair, as the camera shows the carnage and fallen bodies all around the ring! Mike Awesome looks on from the outside in anger, kicking the ring steps out of frustration.</p><p> </p><p> As “Seek and Destroy” blares over the arena, the match is over and the Caged Heat is raising to the ceiling again, and the participants are starting to filter back the aisle. Sting remains in the ring though, seeming like he’s waiting for something. It appears what he is waiting on is for Ric Flair to get his wits again, and Sting offers him a hand off the mat. Flair knocks the hand away, clearly upset at how this match played out. The loud rock music fades out as Flair gets to his feet using the ropes, with Sting urging him to stay in the ring for a moment. He again offers his hand, and Flair looks around the audience. Tenay begins to question if respect will win out here or if “The Dirtiest Player in the Game” will rear his head, with Arn saying that neither will surprise him. Finally, “The Nature Boy” reaches out…… and he accepts! The two share a respectful handshake, before leaving the ring together, the two talking about something that the cameras can’t pick up on. Hudson calls them class acts, saying that these two legends of our sport have spirits that can never be broken. But as Arn Anderson points out, while their spirits can’t be broken, Sting just wrestled over thirty minutes… and doesn’t have a lot of time until coming back out here to face Scott Steiner; and he is fully able to break someone’s physical body if he is so inclined.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Match Time: 35:07</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Notes: Buff was really off his game in this match. The crowd are hotter, but the match really deserved some better color commentary.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Rating: B / B-</em></span></p></div><p></p><p><hr></details></p></div><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="180" src="</p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/242aiSKmG1Q?rel=0" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/242aiSKmG1Q?rel=0"</a> frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><p> <hr><details><summary><strong>The Worldwide Live Post Show</strong></summary></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/J0zzIdm.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/1D13aft.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/QDX2HET.jpg?1</span><img alt="LQ6dU8Y.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LQ6dU8Y.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/4Xrf1GV.jpg</span></p><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p></p><p></p><p> Try to curb your enthusiasm, it’s time for one of our favorite parts of the show: The WCW Worldwide Panel! Tony Schiavone talks about how that may have been one of the best matches he’s seen in all his years in wrestling, but most importantly we now know that it will be Sting competing for the World Heavyweight title later tonight against Scott Steiner. Everyone wonders just how he will be able to take on the champion after that grueling battle, with Stevie Ray saying that Sting’s a competitor, dawg; <em>“If he gotta cut off an arm to go out there and compete for the belt, he gonna do it.”</em> With that nugget of wisdom poured upon us, Tony sends us back out to the ring, where we can hear Lance Storm’s music bringing him to the ring for the flag match!</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Notes: Tony and Chris performed poorly here and Gene was very underwhelming.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Rating: C+</em></span></p></div><p></p><p><hr></details></p></div><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/Ab5gddQ.jpg</span></div><p></p><p></p><p> Lance Storm takes the microphone from David Penzer when he gets into the ring. Storm says that he would like to be serious for a moment; tonight will be the night to right wrongs. After he was coerced forcibly by Booker T and lost a match that left him censored by WCW, and that censorship will no longer stand after he defeats Dustin Rhodes. Storm laughs at how easy it was to get Rhodes to agree to this match tonight, all he had to do was tell the truth about he and his father, and once this is over, he will take a blowtorch to Nitro on Friday and show the world what he thinks of the American Dream!</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Notes: Lance surprises by working the crowd well. I’m always a little surprised when he does well with a live microphone. One would think that after six months, I would eventually not be so shocked by this.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Rating: C+</em></span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/q9Frvho.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/Uk8UtOC.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/Ab5gddQ.jpg</span><p> <hr><details><summary><strong>Flag Match</strong></p><p><strong> “The Prodigal Son” Dustin Rhodes vs. Lance Storm</strong></summary> </p><p> <em><span style="font-size:8px;">Announced Time Limit: No Time Limit</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Official: Rudy Charles</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Ringside: None</span></em></p><p> </p><p> This match may not have had the longest build-up (it mainly served to get the two guys on the card, the story has been fun but it is completely a one note storyline that I set up back at Envy just to use in the future if I felt like I needed to get these two on a card) but it has a lot of emotion riding on it due to what Lance Storm has threatened to do on the next Nitro if he were to win this match. This brings the crowd into loud “USA!” chants repeatedly throughout the match, spurring Dustin into offense that nearly wins his boots back numerous times. Storm, for his part, is arguably the best wrestler in WCW, and can practically do no wrong in the ring. He and Dustin tear into one another tooth and nail, Rhodes nearly winning after catching Storm on the middle rope and giving him a bulldog off the ropes! But Lance is able to block him from getting the prize, all due to how much work he puts in on Dustin’s knees. An extended Canadian Maple Leaf really punishes Dustin, and it all seems lost for him when Storm hooks Dustin with a hard superkick. He is all ready to go up and get the Canadian flag, when… </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img alt="h8JooQF.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/h8JooQF.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p></p><p></p><p> “The American Dream” steps up into the ring! He stands between Storm and the flag, untucking his shirt like he’s ready to go toe to toe, like it’s 1985 all over again! Lance and Dusty start throwing punches, with Storm able to get the better of it due to his speed, but when he tries to back up and hit a superkick, Dusty catches his foot, spins him around, and lands a Bionic Elbow right onto Storm’s forehead! Dustin comes back into the ring, and he hits another one! The Rhodes father and son bring the crowd to their feet by ping-ponging Storm back and forth between them, until they both wind up and deliver one big stereo simultaneous Bionic Elbow that puts Storm in the turnbuckle. Dusty lifts the legs of the dazed Storm up and places them over the ropes, and then clears the runway, so to speak, as Dustin steps back… and charges in with the Dust Buster! Scott Hudson screams out “Good night!” as Storm slumps down to the mat, sliding out of the ring with his jimmies thoroughly rustled. With his dad watching on, Dustin climbs the ropes and pulls down the old cowboy boots, winning the match and protecting Old Glory!</p><p> </p><p> Dusty even brings in an American flag, waving it around with his son as they celebrate in the ring. Storm leaves the ringside area with a scowl on his face, with Mike Tenay saying that he should “Take that censorship talk up with Mr. Richards from Philadelphia!” as the Rhodes Family celebrate this win.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Match Time: 10:34</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Notes: This one really got the crowd buzzing with some great action, big emotion, and an always welcome legend showing up at just the right moment.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Rating: B- / C+</em></span></p></div><p></p><p><hr></details></p></div><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/PLFbwG7.jpg</span></div><p></p><p></p><p> Backstage in the trainer’s room, we see Sting being checked out. He’s clearly in some pain following the Wrath match and his cut is being sealed up, but it appears he fully plans on competing later tonight!</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Notes: This was another short segment just to drive home the Sledgehammer Of Plot… oh wait, that’s Triple H’s gimmick. Please don’t try to sue us, we can’t afford the lawsuit.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Rating: B</em></span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/ZUzW6fC.jpg?1</span><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/1pL4QTx.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/0p3vm5y.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/Uk8UtOC.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/UJcxP85.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/p0fsy4K.jpg</span></p><p> <hr><details><summary><strong>WCW World Tag Team Championships</strong></p><p><strong> Mark Jindrak & Sean O’Haire © vs. Kronik</strong></summary> </p><p> <em><span style="font-size:8px;">Announced Time Limit: </span></em></p><p> </p><p> Before we can even get announcements for the match, Mike Tenay says that we have some commotion going on in the back that we need to check out. The camera switches to backstage, where… </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img alt="BrQnKun.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BrQnKun.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/8CcQwCr.jpg</span><img alt="43rFfe0.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/43rFfe0.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/AMpr25U.jpg</span></p><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Dark Eden have struck! All four of the men who should be competing in this Tag Team title match are laid out, with Vampiro evilly smiling from ear to ear. Doug Dillinger and The WCW Security Team rush into frame, getting Vampiro and his followers to leave the scene, but it appears that they have ruined this match!</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Rating: C+</em></span></p></div><p></p><p><hr></details></p></div><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/EVSpvhk.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/Uk8UtOC.jpg</span><img alt="uj1O87W.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/uj1O87W.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <hr><details><summary><strong>“Da Man” Goldberg vs. “Beast from the East” Bam Bam Bigelow</strong></summary> </p><p> <em><span style="font-size:8px;">Announced Time Limit: 30:00</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Official: Charles Robinson</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Ringside: None</span></em></p><p> </p><p> David Penzer barely has the introductions finished before this match begins, as these two big bulls rush one another and start pounding away with heavy fists. Commentary talk about how Goldberg has had a lot of big and powerful foes, but few can match Bigelow, who really can back up his claims as one of the best big men in the business. “Bammer” takes Goldberg to the limit more than most have, even getting a close near fall off a powerbomb and falling headbutt. Goldberg doesn’t allow himself to be lifted into the Greetings From Asbury Park, falling over Bigelow’s back and landing on his feet before delivering a hard savage kick, right on Bigelow’s chin! It looks to be time for the Spear; Goldberg charges in – but Bigelow pulled a chair from ringside and smashes Goldberg in the head with it! Charles Robinson calls for the bell, disqualifying Bam Bam; Goldberg gets his win, but this isn’t how he wanted it!</p><p> </p><p> Goldberg’s head is bleeding after the hard hit with the chair, and Bigelow isn’t finished yet. He throws Charles Robinson away (Arn Anderson saying that he will likely get quite the fine for that, as if Bigelow cares) and continues assaulting Goldberg with the steel chair. Scott Hudson wonders where security are to come stop this, but Mike Tenay says that they are still back trying to break up the fight with Dark Eden! No one can help here! Bigelow throws the chair down and ascends the turnbuckles, coming off with a big diving headbutt! He starts lifting him up to hit Greetings from Asbury Park, aiming right for the chair, but… </p><p> </p><p> <img alt="0vFTjBQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/0vFTjBQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p></p><p></p><p> “The Cat” rushes out to the ring, and the camera can hear him yelling at Bigelow to stop, or else he’ll get him fired on the spot! The commissioner starts waving his hands, and some of the security team have finally broken away and rush to the ring, doing what they can to separate Bigelow from Goldberg. Goldberg can clearly be seen trying to valiantly get back to his feet to keep fighting, but he keeps falling back to his knees. Hudson says that he may have a concussion after that horrific chairshot that started this attack. Bigelow, with a smile on his face, leaves the ring, and he says to the cameraman leading him up the aisle that <em>“I’ll see Bill again soon, and next time he’ll take me seriously.”</em> Back in the ring, Ernest Miller and security are trying to help Goldberg to his feet, the victor of the match but definitely looking like a winner tonight.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Match Time: 7:11</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Notes: There was a noted lack of selling in this short match. During the post-match attack, Goldberg came off like a real star.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Rating: B / B+</em></span></p></div><p></p><p><hr></details></p></div><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="RZtHyG7.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/RZtHyG7.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/XcJl8aZ.jpg</span><img alt="nfmnnsl.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nfmnnsl.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/Uk8UtOC.jpg</span><img alt="uhGNkrD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/uhGNkrD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/wZZb3Lb.jpg</span><img alt="MQ8Bgio.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/MQ8Bgio.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <hr><details><summary><strong>Jimmy Snuka Jr. and Rebel Pride vs. The Problem Solvers</strong></summary> </p><p> <em><span style="font-size:8px;">Announced Time Limit: 30:00</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Official: Jamie Tucker</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Ringside: Jimmy Snuka (Jimmy Snuka Jr.)</span></em></p><p> </p><p> It is time for six man tag team action, which sees a brawl at ringside starting things off, until Kid Kash comes off the top rope to plancha on top of everyone! The match gets back inside the ring with Disqo being taken over on in the corner of Snuka and the Rebels, but a cheap knee to the back of Jamie Knoble puts the Problem Solvers in charge of the match. While the crowd don’t mind how short this match is, it definitely feels like they are wrestling a match on fast forward, as it isn’t long until it becomes another pier six brawl with everyone in the ring. While the inexperienced Jamie Tucker is busy trying to get people out of the ring, he completely misses a low blow delivered from Simon to Jimmy Snuka Jr.! Just as everyone is leaving the ring, Diamond lifts him up and hits the Simonizer, and he covers for the 1…. the 2…. Knoble tries to get back in to break it up, but he can’t… and with one final slap of the mat, Simon Diamond has broken up Jimmy Snuka Jr.’s undefeated record!</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Match Time: 5:59</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Notes: Jimmy Sr. did good work at ringside during this match that was meant to calm the crowd.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Rating: C-</em></span></p></div><p></p><p><hr></details></p></div><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/vVQclRt.jpg?1</span><p> <hr><details><summary><strong>WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match</strong></p><p><strong> “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner vs. Winner of the Wrath Match</strong></summary> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="185" src="<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uZITiFfFlPM" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/uZITiFfFlPM"</a> frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/C4RidzV.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/3Iw81k1.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/9Bo1juQ.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> The sirens bring out our World Heavyweight champion, “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner, but he isn’t alone. Midajah follows closely behind, but also “The DFG” Rick Steiner comes through the curtain after his brother! Mike Tenay cries foul, saying that Sting already had to best five other men tonight, and now it looks as though this may be a handicap match if Rick and Midajah are able to get involved! Scott climbs onto the second turnbuckle and flexes his massive biceps, yelling at the crowd, until the sound of thunder stops the sirens.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="185" src="<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-eD68J7kK0Y" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/-eD68J7kK0Y"</a> frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/PLFbwG7.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> The fans come to their feet as Metallica screams out over the PA system, and out of the back once again comes Sting! “The Stinger” is clearly not at his best, having already wrestled 35 minutes non-stop earlier this evening. He has a mischievous smile on his face though, and Scott Hudson wonders what he is smiling about when the odds are clearly stacked up against him. He slaps the hands of some fans who are leaning over the railing toward him, and just as he gets to the ringside area, he starts pointing back up the aisle… </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="185" src="<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q-BkQS8eYec" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q-BkQS8eYec"</a> frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><p> <img alt="0f6jrZ3.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/0f6jrZ3.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> “Oh my goodness!” screams Scott Hudson, as “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair comes from behind the curtain! Flair struts down to the ring, and Scott Steiner begins telling Nick Patrick that he shouldn’t be allowed out here! Patrick motions that if Flair goes, so does Rick Steiner, and it looks like the decision will stand! Sting and Flair high five when Ric gets to the ring, and the two share a friendly hug before rushing into the ring, Sting swinging his baseball bat wildly and chasing the Steiner Brothers out of the ring! He and Flair share the ring, until Ric steps down from the apron, carrying the bat. Nick Patrick tells Scott that he has to enter the ring, and the bell sounds; our main event is underway!</p><p> </p><p> <strong>WCW World Heavyweight Championship</strong></p><p><strong> “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner vs. Sting</strong></p><p> <em><span style="font-size:8px;">Announced Time Limit: TV Time Remaining</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Official: Nick Patrick</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Ringside: Midajah, Rick Steiner (Scott Steiner), Ric Flair (Sting)</span></em></p><p> </p><p> Steiner wastes no time in entering the ring, and he locks up with Sting in a collar-and-elbow-tie-up. Scott moves Sting all around the ring, overpowering him much like Buff Bagwell did earlier, but instead of shoving him away, he backs Sting into the ropes. When Nick calls for a break, Steiner drives a knee into Sting’s midsection, slamming a few quick punches into the ribs for good measure. The champion sets about this strategy of attacking the ribs of his challenger, and it doesn’t take long for color analyst Arn Anderson to report on what’s happening. He says that while Steiner would normally focus his offense on the neck and back in order to set his foe up for the Steiner Recliner, this offense is centered on Sting’s ribs and thus also his lungs; making Sting gasp for every breath he takes (see what I did there?) and when you’ve already wrestled once, that will take his wind away in no time.</p><p> </p><p> “The Stinger” is no wet-behind-the-ears rookie though; he knows what Steiner is doing, and he blocks it by starting some explosive offense of his own! Sting runs the ropes and comes off with a big leaping clothesline, and some big punches put Steiner down on the mat. Sting goes right after the legs and looks like he wants to put on the Scorpion Deathlock, but at the five minute mark, it’s way too early for that, and Steiner wriggles to the ropes to cause a break. “The Stinger” keeps up the offense, hitting the champion with a big bodyslam and going for a quick cover, but it only gets a very short two count. He follows it up with a series of dropkicks that put Steiner on the ropes, but Scott Hudson wonders if this level of big offense isn’t going to wear Sting out faster. “Double A” points out that it most certainly will, but he has little choice; the longer this match goes, the more it favors Steiner, so Sting has to hit all the big moves in his arsenal to try and close this bout sooner rather than later. Ric Flair pounds his hands on the mat, getting the crowd to start clapping and stomping for Sting, who comes off the ropes and hits a one handed bulldog! Sting goes for the cover!</p><p> </p><p> 1!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 2!</p><p> </p><p> No, way too soon in the match for Scott to be put away by that. </p><p> Sting is relentless, as he tries hooking in a headlock. Mike Tenay mentions how this move should give Sting a breather, but Steiner’s massive arms are able to shove him away. Sting goes off the ropes, but wait – he falls out of the ring, as Rick Steiner pulled down the top rope! Midajah had taken Nick’s attention away for that split second, and despite asking what happened, Nick didn’t see it and therefore can’t do anything about it. Ric Flair saw it all though, and he starts yelling at Patrick that something needs done. However, this is just what the Steiners were hoping for, as Rick grabs Sting in a bearhug type grip and smashes his lower back into the ring apron! Scott motions to him as Nick Patrick is turning around and then the champion goes out of the ring himself, confidently flexing over Sting’s sore body before pulling him up and also smashing him into the ring apron! He repeatedly smashes his lower back, continuing the ribs assault just as he was earlier. Rick Steiner gets up on the ring apron to distract Nick again, and this time Scott pulls out a steel chair. He uses the point of the chair and begins driving it into Sting’s ribs, and this time Flair has had enough! He goes over and pulls Rick down off the apron and begins lighting his chest up with knife-edge chops! But this actually gave Scott more time to drive the chair into Sting’s ribs a few more times, before throwing the chair aside and shoving “The Stinger” under the bottom rope and into the ring. He drops an elbow on Sting’s midsection, going for a pin, but time is wasted as Nick is still yelling at the commotion outside the ring; finally he gets his attention back on the match, and counts!</p><p> </p><p> 1!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 2!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 3-No!</p><p> No, Sting just barely kicks out, and Scott tells Nick Patrick to start paying some attention when he goes for a pin! The two argue, with Scott backing Patrick into the turnbuckle and telling him not to waste time, get over here and count to three when there’s a pin!</p><p> </p><p> But Sting quickly rolls Scott up from behind, and Nick is right there!</p><p> 1!</p><p> 2!</p><p> No!</p><p> </p><p> Steiner quickly gets back to his feet and clubs Sting with a forearm before dropping an elbow on him again. “Big Poppa Pump” puts a finger in Nick Patrick’s face as a warning, before delivering another elbow to Sting, this time rolling off and doing some push-ups. A spinning belly-to-belly suplex follows, and Steiner gets another two count. Arn’s words are beginning to ring true about Sting wearing out the longer this match goes, as the camera catches a close-up of him gasping for breath at about the fifteen minute mark of the match.</p><p> </p><p> “The Big Bad Booty Daddy” is in charge now, and he is badmouthing Sting while wearing on him in the turnbuckle. Steiner is visibly getting more cocky as the match continues, but when he sends Sting into the opposite turnbuckle, Sting reverses it, sending Steiner into the corner instead – and he follows in quickly with a Stinger Splash! But the match was worn more on Sting than on Steiner, and he cannot follow up from that in time. After stopping to catch his breath, Sting sees Steiner getting back to his feet and runs the ropes, leaping up – but getting caught in a bearhug!</p><p> </p><p> The bearhug is vicious, with Steiner thrashing Sting around. All of the work on the ribs is paying off now as Sting gets what breath was still in him squeezed out. The champion flexes his biceps again, and Sting screams in agony. Flair again tries getting the crowd into the match by pounding on the ring apron, but each time Sting tries to fight out, Steiner is able to maintain the hold. Even when Sting does manage to escape, Steiner is inevitably able to lock it back in again, this time on the mat. Sting starts looking as though he is fading, and after taking a look, Nick Patrick begins lifting Sting’s arm… </p><p> </p><p> … and it falls once… </p><p> </p><p> … and it falls twice… </p><p> </p><p> … and it falls NO!</p><p> Sting gets his arm up, and the crowd are coming alive for him! Mike Tenay says that this is “The Franchise of WCW” and he has the lifeblood of the company coursing through his veins! But as Sting starts trying to get back to his feet, Scott Hudson says that after twenty minutes, how many more second winds can he have? Sting manages to get back to his feet, and he claps his hands across Steiner’s ears! He does it again, and it looks like the grip is weakening. One more time and the hold breaks! Sting starts throwing punches at Steiner, but Scott is able to hit a knee to the midsection. He makes a motion and looks over his shoulder to where Midajah is at, before whipping Sting toward her. But Sting reverses, and Midajah trips Steiner by accident! As Scott stumbles, Sting kicks him in the stomach and hooks him – Scorpion Deathdrop! The crowd cheer wildly as Midajah puts her hands over her mouth in shock! Sting rolls around on the mat, trying to capitalize, and he finally is able to throw an arm over Steiner!</p><p> </p><p> 1!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 2!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 3!</p><p> </p><p> NO!</p><p> Steiner just barely got his shoulder up!</p><p> </p><p> Nick’s standing count ends at seven when both men get to their feet. They throw more punches, and Sting tries to get a head of steam, but no; Scott is able to grab him and hit an exploder suplex, sending Sting careening across the ring! But in anger, Scott doesn’t capitalize on it, instead leaving the ring. He goes to Midajah and grabs her by the arm, and he’s screaming in her face! He asks her what that was all about, and he won’t accept her saying it was an accident. She keeps trying to apologize, and Rick joins Scott in reading her the riot act, as her actions nearly cost him the title. As she keeps trying to talk, Scott finally loses his cool and shoves her! He tells her to get the hell out of his face, and orders her to go to the back! He won’t relent, and she goes back up the aisle… looking back as she goes.</p><p> </p><p> Scott isn’t pleased, and he looks into the ring to see Sting starting to climb back to his feet. Steiner slides back into the ring and decides to take his anger out on him, stomping on Sting’s back. He sends Sting into the turnbuckles and clubs him with a forearm.</p><p> </p><p> But it has no effect! Sting stares at Steiner! Steiner hits Sting in the chest again, but this time Sting stands up straighter and starts walking out of the corner toward him! Another forearm and this time Sting starts pounding his own chest, and he screams to the crowd! The adrenaline is flowing, and he kicks Steiner in the stomach, pulling him into the corner, and he lays into him with punches and kicks! He sends Steiner to the opposite side of the ring and follows with a Stinger Splash! He gets up on the second rope, and he begins punching Steiner as the crowd counts along!</p><p> </p><p> 1!</p><p> </p><p> 2!</p><p> </p><p> 3!</p><p> </p><p> 4!</p><p> </p><p> 5!</p><p> </p><p> 6!</p><p> </p><p> 7!</p><p> </p><p> 8!</p><p> </p><p> 9!</p><p> </p><p> <em>“OWWWWW!”</em></p><p> </p><p> 10!</p><p> </p><p> Steiner staggers out of the corner, and Sting hits the ropes before planting him with a one armed facebuster! Sting goes for the cover!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 1!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 2!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> 3!</p><p> </p><p> NO! Nick Patrick noticed just before the three that Steiner had gotten his foot on the bottom rope.</p><p> </p><p> Or did he?! Rick Steiner actually placed the foot on the rope! Ric Flair comes around the ring and starts attacking him! There is a brawl going on at ringside, and Sting is pulling Steiner back to his feet. He tries sending Steiner into the ropes, but Scott jumps over the back body drop attempt. Sting ducks under a Steinerline attempt, and on the third time past, Steiner collides with Sting, and both of them drop to the mat!</p><p> </p><p> Mike Tenay mentions that we are technically past the usual end time for the pay-per-view and thanks the cable providers for sticking with us for this historical matchup between two incredible athletes. Steiner gets to his feet first as Sting is on his knees, and Scott sets Sting up for a bodyslam. But Sting goes over his back and pulls Steiner with him, right into position – and he hits Steiner with a Tombstone piledriver! Sting drops to the mat, if he gets to cover, this match may be over! He finally is able to get there, and he pulls Scott’s leg this time… </p><p> </p><p> But Nick Patrick is out of position! Sting notices that the cover isn’t being counted, and he decides that if he can’t get the pin, then he’ll get the submission easier. Sting starts calling out to the crowd, and he touches Nick to try and get his attention for this. Sting turns back around and grabs Steiner’s legs, stepping through and hooking the hold… </p><p> </p><p> But Steiner smashes Sting in the face with the black baseball bat, so hard that it breaks into pieces! Commentary wonder aloud how he even got that, when the camera crew notices WCW Security swarming around a woman at the ringside area… </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><img alt="zMMlUPt.jpg?2" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zMMlUPt.jpg?2" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p></p><p></p><p> Scott Hudson finally recognizes her, saying that it’s famed actress and producer Jenna Jameson! Arn points out that “actress” may be a bit of a stretch for her line of work, but it appears that she jumped the railing and slid the discarded bat in to Steiner!</p><p> </p><p> But regardless of the how, the result is that Sting is down on the mat. A close-up shows his eyes are glassy and glazed over, and “Big Poppa Pump” gets to his feet and flexes. He motions that this is over, and he pulls a limp Sting into the Steiner Recliner!</p><p> </p><p> With security putting Jenna out of the way and breaking up Rick Steiner and Ric Flair, Nick Patrick is finally able to focus on the match again, and the scene he sees is very clearly that Sting is unresponsive in the Recliner. He taps Sting’s arm, before raising it… </p><p> </p><p> … and it drops once… </p><p> </p><p> … and it drops twice… </p><p> </p><p> … and it drops three times!</p><p> Yes! Nick calls for the bell, this match is over! </p><p> The fans aren’t very happy about it, but Steiner drops Sting to the mat and poses over him! He is handed his championship belt, climbing to the second turnbuckle to pose with it as Flair enters the ring and tries to help revive Sting, but the result is in: “Big Poppa Pump” has retained the title! Mike Tenay says that there will be answers to be had on Friday Nitro for sure, we can’t have heard the end of all of this! The Steiner Brothers leave the ring as Tenay says that for himself, Scott Hudson, and “Double A” Arn Anderson, tonight it looks as though we have seen Scott Steiner’s wrath! Stay tuned for the Worldwide Post-Show, and we will see you on Nitro!</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Match Time: 27:28</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Notes: Scott was really off his game here, and this match had a lack of psychology. It also deserved better color commentary, with Arn specifically being pretty weak. But the crowd were buzzing for the whole thing, and both men showed good psychology in this match that was built as an Epic.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Rating: B- / B</em></span></p></div><p></p><p><hr></details></p></div><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="180" src="</p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/242aiSKmG1Q?rel=0" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/242aiSKmG1Q?rel=0"</a> frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><p> <hr><details><summary><strong>The Worldwide Live Post Show</strong></summary></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/J0zzIdm.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/1D13aft.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/QDX2HET.jpg?1</span><img alt="LQ6dU8Y.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LQ6dU8Y.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/4Xrf1GV.jpg</span></p><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Time for The WCW Worldwide Panel, where they talk about what a great show we just witnessed. They talk about how Sting just had one of the longest nights of his career, and while “The Stinger” may have fallen short, there’s no risk of him not still being in title contention. (Rating: C+)</p><p> </p><p> From there, they also discuss Goldberg’s vicious assault at the hands of Bam Bam Bigelow. While he did get his win, Bigelow has definitely punched his ticket to continue being a thorn in Goldberg’s side. (Rating: C)</p><p> </p><p> While one undefeated streak lives on, another one ends tonight, as Jimmy Snuka Jr. was defeated by Simon Diamond tonight. Tony Schiavone felt that Jimmy could have perhaps rode that streak on for some time, but some underhanded tactics ended that. Chances are, the young Snuka will look to get some revenge before getting on with where his career goes from this first loss. (Rating: D)</p><p> </p><p> They also discuss the World Tag Team title match, which we did not get to see as Dark Eden attacked everyone before the match could begin. Chris Lovey says that it appears Vampiro’s members must be chasing some gold now, if they are targeting O’Haire and Jindrak; but perhaps Kronik will have something to say about that! (Rating: C-)</p><p> </p><p> The final discussion deals with the main event again, as we saw Midajah sent away by Scott Steiner and Jenna Jameson coming to “Big Poppa Pump’s” aid. This leads the Panel to wonder if Midajah is being replaced as Steiner’s head freak? Hopefully we will find out more on Nitro. (Rating: C-)</p><p> </p><p> With that, Tony and The Panel thank everyone for joining us for Wrath this evening. Tony says that next month we will see WCW Deceit on September 16th from Philadelphia’s Civic Center. Until then, Schiavone urges everyone to keep watching Friday Nitro or if you’re in Las Vegas, stop in at the Hard Rock Cafe Arena to see all your favorite WCW athletes! Goodnight, folks! (Rating: C-)</p><p> <hr></details></p></div><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Show Rating: B</strong></p><p> <em>This show has improved our popularity in 13 regions.</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="qJk5JLG.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/qJk5JLG.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p>
  8. Sean O'Haire - I know Jeff is the easy pick, especially with Unnatural holding the title right now. But think about this: Salvation vs. Dangerous Alliance war. While the feel-good story of Jeff taking on Unnatural to get revenge is great, I want to see that war. The Unnatural - Big up for young Harry, but the only way he wins this is if Dustin gets injured during the match and they audible it. Rey Mysterio Jr Unbound - I keep waiting for Teddy to turn on Kidman. I don't think you've given me any reason for this, it just would feel in character for him. Matt Hardy Chavo Guerrero Jr Dangerous Alliance - I would actually love to see Scott turn heel and join the Alliance. That would be a huge shot in the arm for them and really swell their ranks in the (hopefully) oncoming war with Salvation for Dominant Stable Rights. Shane Helms - The feud had a minor start, but with a cheap win, this one could go on to Starrcade. I like the idea of Buff with Helms too, it gives both of them a nice midcard role. MOTN: Rey vs. Knoble Titles: None Goldberg: Sure
  9. <p>WCW Worldwide Pre-Show: WCW Wrath</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="180" src="</p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/242aiSKmG1Q?rel=0" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/242aiSKmG1Q?rel=0"</a> frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><p> <strong>The Worldwide Live Pre-Show</strong></p><p> </p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/J0zzIdm.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/1D13aft.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/QDX2HET.jpg?1</span><img alt="LQ6dU8Y.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LQ6dU8Y.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/4Xrf1GV.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> “Welcome, fans, to what could be one of the most explosive, most incredible, most historical nights in the history of our sport; welcome to WCW Wrath!” Tony Schiavone crows, and then moves around the panel to introduce everyone for the evening. They talk about how Wrath is a great theme for the evening as everyone has scores to settle, and they can only be settled with violent discord. (Rating: D+)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><hr><details><summary><strong>Video Recap: Wrath</strong></summary> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">WCW Friday Nitro: July 20, 2001: Eric creates the Wrath match</span></p><p> The Wrath match will feature six men locked inside Caged Heat. However it will start with only two men in the ring, and every five minutes, one will be let into the cage. In a Wrath match, it will be one fall to a finish once everyone has entered the ring, meaning those who start the match are at a huge disadvantage. And the man who wins that match will go on to face the World Heavyweight champion – after only a short break! So that should get everyone out in the open and clear each of the claims to the number one contendership, as in order to win the title, a challenger will have to go through six other men in order to stand tall at the end of Wrath!</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">WCW Friday Nitro: July 27, 2001: Qualifying Round</span></p><p> In a short match, Buff Bagwell gives Ernest Miller a good bout before placing his feet on the ropes during a pinfall at 3:57 to move into the Wrath match. </p><p> -----</p><p> Animal makes his presence felt, and he charges into the ring carrying a thick chain wrapped around his fist. He nails Sting with it in the back of the head, causing him to fall against the ropes, looking unconscious! Animal gets Luger into the fight again, and “The Total Package” takes advantage by lifting Sting up into the Torture Rack! Nick Patrick comes to long before Sting does, and with no response from “The Stinger” he orders the match be stopped at 13:39. Lex Luger becomes the final entrant into the bout by winning over Sting, and “The Stinger” will have to qualify again!</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">WCW Friday Nitro: August 3, 2001: Qualifying Round</span></p><p> Kanyon’s innovative offense and [bryan] Clark’s impressive power displays lead a lot of this bout, but it’s the wily veteran [Ric Flair] who sneaks in and scores a pinfall on Bryan following a flying body press in 9:15 to advance into the Wrath match.</p><p> -----</p><p> The match over, “The Nature Boy” picks up a microphone and starts bragging about how seventeen is one of his favorite numbers, and it’ll be his best title win when he takes the title from Scott Steiner next Sunday night, Wooo! That point over though, Flair starts rambling about girls, limos, and champagne until the Steiner Brothers appear at the ramp, Scott telling Flair to shut his old trap up before they break it! They enter the ring and circle “The Nature Boy” as Scott tells him that all the people who qualify for that cage match are just lambs being led to the slaughter, because “Big Poppa Pump” will take whoever is lucky enough to win and make them unlucky that they face him! Scott enjoys his freedom to improvise here as he likens them to how all the freaks in Las Vegas have been constantly fighting for his attention ever since Nitro moved here. He says that maybe they should just send a message to everyone else right now, but out of the crowd comes Sting! He points his black baseball bat at the Steiners, causing them to back down, but when Flair makes a move toward them, Sting points the bat at him as well! It looks like with Wrath approaching, there are no friends, only enemies! </p><p> -----</p><p> [Chuck] Palumbo takes [shane Douglas] out with the Jungle Kick, but before he can make the pin, Sting grabs Chuck and plants him with the Scorpion Deathdrop! He kicks Douglas out of the ring and makes the cover, apologizing to Palumbo but scoring the three count in 10:41. Sting celebrates his win and subsequent re-entry into the Wrath match, though it will be a hard road to climb for him as he will have to enter Wrath first!</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">WCW Friday Nitro: August 10, 2001: Final Qualifying Round</span></p><p> [Animal] pulls Brian [Adams] back to his feet and hits a big powerslam in order to score the pinfall and punch his ticket to Wrath at 6:02.</p><p> -----</p><p> Sean [O’Haire] is ready to punch his card for Wrath, but Awesome Splash breaks up the pin! Mike pulls O’Haire off the mat and hits him with a running Awesome Bomb and holds down the shoulders and in what is likely a surprising result, Mike Awesome gets the pin at 14:23 and the final space in the Wrath match! </p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">WCW Friday Nitro: August 10, 2001: Sting and “The Cat” vs. Scott Steiner and Lex Luger</span></p><p> Midajah hops up on the ring apron to distract Nick Patrick while kicking the lead pipe into the ring, which Luger picks up. He swings it toward Sting – but Sting dodges, and it nails Steiner instead! Miller comes in and hits Luger with a big swinging kick, taking him out of action, and Sting grabs Steiner to drop him to the mat with the Scorpion Death Drop, going for the cover and getting a big win ahead of Wrath at 8:44! Sting just pinned the World champion, and if he can withstand five other men and do this again on Sunday, he will be the new champion!</p><p> </p><p> As Sting and “The Cat” leave, celebrating their win, Steiner starts coming to again, and – as per his usual – he is very hot under the collar! He holds up the pipe that was his downfall, but his rage doesn’t seem directed solely at Luger, it’s toward Midajah! He is an incoherent, spitting, drooling mess as he starts chewing her out with obscenities that I can’t share here! It’s a good thing he isn’t on the microphone! It must be said though that as a fountain of rage, he definitely comes across well. As Midajah cowers from this verbal assault, it nearly becomes a physical assault, until “The Total Package” steps in! He tells Scott to cool down, but when has that ever worked with Scott Steiner? But size-wise, Luger more than can match up to him, so this is a standoff, all over Midajah! As a shoving match begins to break out, commentary wonder if it will be these two who face off for the World title at Wrath? Or will it be any of the other world class competitors? The only way to find out is to order WCW Wrath!<hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> We go back to the Worldwide Panel where they discuss the Wrath match. Tony Schiavone notes the small rule change that was made since Eric Bischoff first announced the match, namely that after the initial five minute period, each new participant will enter after only three minutes. Stevie Ray talks about how dangerous a match like this will be, citing his experiences in WarGames. Everyone is divided on who might win the match and go on to face Scott Steiner, but one thing they can all agree upon is that it may be the most brutal, vicious match you’ll see all year! (Rating: C)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><hr><details><summary><strong>Video Recap: Goldberg vs. Bam Bam Bigelow</strong></summary> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">WCW Friday Nitro: August 3, 2001: Bam Bam’s Return</span></p><p> We head backstage, and Bam Bam Bigelow is standing over Goldberg holding a steel chair! Bigelow lays into “Da Man” as he says that he’ll see him at Wrath! Goldberg looked excellent here, staggering back up to his feet once Bigelow was gone and telling him that he’s next!</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">WCW Friday Nitro: August 10, 2001: The Reason</span></p><p> “The Beast From The East” comes to the aisle to a chorus of boos as Gene asks him the big question; what is he doing by targeting Goldberg now, when any other time he’s done so in the past has been met with failure? Bigelow responds that yeah, he might have not beaten Goldberg in the past, but those times didn’t have such high stakes. “Goldberg’s career wasn’t on the line the last times I fought him, but it is now. That means everything is different. I don’t care what I have to do to the man – and that’s all he is compared to me, is a regular man – but whether I have to do it by defeating him or hurting him, I will be the man who puts Goldberg out of pro wrestling!”</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">WCW Friday Nitro: August 10, 2001: Held Apart</span></p><p> As Bam Bam is leaving the ring, a figure comes out and meets him in the aisle – it’s Goldberg! “Da Man” rushes in and starts throwing punches! He is visibly still sore after last week, but he’s here and he is trading blows with his attacker! Finally, Doug Dillinger and The WCW Security Team rush the area to try pulling them apart. Bigelow comes off as very underwhelming here, but Goldberg looks like a real star as the two try to get to one another. These two men may very well rip one another apart at Wrath!</p><p> (Rating: B)<hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> The Worldwide Panel talk about how Bam Bam Bigelow made a huge splash on his return, going after Goldberg. Goldberg, meanwhile, is out for victory number 120, and if he gets that he is only 56 wins until being able to go for a WCW World Heavyweight championship match. But with “The Beast From The East” looking to prove that he is and has always been the best big man in the business, who will come out the victor when these two monsters go at it? (Rating: C)</p><p> </p><p> In a nicely contested bout, Billy Kidman defeated Kwee Wee in 8:05 with the Kid Krusher to retain the WCW X-Division championship. (Rating: C+)</p><p> </p><p> The Worldwide Panel apologize for the pre-show being shorter than normal, but hope that nobody minds because it means we are getting right to the action. So hopefully you have already ordered the show, and if not then call your cable company or use your remote now to order WCW Wrath! (Rating: C-)</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>----------</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> I have the Wrath and main event matches all written up already, so I'm honestly on the down side of the show now! So here's the pre-show, thanks for all the predictions so far! There is still some time if anyone else wants to get some picks in. It's hard not to reply to everyone, but I love seeing how and why you all think the matches will go! Trust me, sometimes it really does influence some of my future plans!</p><p> </p><p> This is who all have made predictions:</p><p> TheBigBad1013</p><p> bonnie</p><p> cbacon87</p><p> crackerjack</p><p> Destiny</p><p> DGenerationMC</p><p> The Final Countdown (welcome back!)</p><p> James The Animator</p><p> Satyr24</p><p> to4sty</p><p> Warhawk8492</p><p> </p><p> Thank you all so far, and hopefully timing is with me and (as long as I don't spend all my time playing Smash after tomorrow) Wrath will not be far away!</p>
  10. <p>Good Survivor Series, and so my idea for what I could have seen happen tied into it being Survivor Series 97. So I thought we could have been in for a screwjob, and the only one I could think of was between Austin and Pillman; with Vince screwing Pillman, turning Austin heel. Why would someone do this? Well, with how "The Loose Cannon" has gotten so over and had some of the best matches in the company in the past year, I could see him becoming the face of the feud, actually the face of the company, much like Austin did in real life following Pillman's death. With that dynamic, we set up for Pillman vs. Austin with McMahon at WrestleMania. But I'm not displeased with how the actual result came out, and I'm all in for Scott Steiner as a heel "Big Poppa Pump" so at least someone got the screwing for the show. I'm also interested to see what made the M$C win their bout.</p><p> </p><p> Undertaker</p><p> Scott Hall</p><p> Nation</p><p> New Age Outlaws</p><p> Psycho Sid</p><p> Jake Roberts</p><p> </p><p> DDP/JPL/Benoit</p><p> The Rock</p><p> Goldberg</p><p> Tajiri</p><p> Pitbulls</p><p> Curt Hennig</p>
  11. <p>After spending a little time writing one of my own the past few days, I'm pretty excited to see your Elimination Chamber!</p><p> </p><p> Chavo Guerrero Jr</p><p> Jazz</p><p> Finlay</p><p> Raven</p><p> LAX</p><p> 3H</p><p> Outsiders</p><p> Bonus: Norman Smiley; he held the Hardcore title back on the first show!</p>
  12. <p>Kevin Nash - <em>Sting's "secret admirer" storyline is starting up, and that can cost him the title here without making him look weak.</em></p><p> Steiner Brothers - <em>Both Rick and Dustin come off as the "weak link" of the teams, but I feel like Dustin is just a little bit below par.</em></p><p> Palumbo and O'Haire - <em>The teammate change costs them the titles as Lex and Jarrett can't gel together.</em></p><p> Rey, Konnan, BG - <em>3 Live Kru remaster?</em></p><p> Shane Helms - <em>A big title win will put Helms on the map and make for a great opener.</em></p><p> Kanyon and Awesome</p><p> The Cat - <em>By DQ as he goads Sandman into using the cane.</em></p><p> Juventud - <em>Billy already will come out of it looking strong by fighting under possible injury, so losing the match will be fine.</em></p><p> </p><p> MOTN: Sting/Nash</p><p> Titles: 2</p><p> Opener: Helms vs. Chavo</p><p> Messages: Vampiro is a good nod for someone trying to play mind games with Sting</p>
  13. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="crackerjack" data-cite="crackerjack" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Like seeing Awesome hang with this bunch though<p> <em>Simon and C-dub are soft spot guys for me.</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Yeah I have felt kinda bad about leaving Awesome to rot over the past month or so. I had always been a huge fan of him, but I just haven't found a way to fit him into any current plans until now when Crossface decided for me that the Wrath match would be an Elimination Chamber. This felt like a great chance to elevate him to see what he can do with the big names, and I hope to find him some better forward traction with a feud that doesn't involve Lance Storm.</p><p> </p><p> Simon and CW were also big favorites of mine who I sadly didn't find until after ECW had already gone under. Always felt like they were incredible midcard comedy acts who, if turned serious, could make a nice run toward the top as sneaky, obnoxious heels. So I'm glad nobody minds if I give them a slow burning mega push, right? <img alt=";)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/wink.png.686f06e511ee1fbf6bdc7d82f6831e53.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> But of course, first they have to get past the undefeated Jimmy Snuka Jr! As of yet, I haven't decided if I plan on bringing in Swinger to complete the trio or not; I've honestly been having enough fun writing them alongside Disqo to not really have worried about him. He also is still holding a title in BCW, and as a rule I generally opt against signing away champions unless it becomes an absolute certainty that I need this person right away.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="James The Animator" data-cite="James The Animator" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Rey loses due to interference from Billy Kidman, who is not booked despite being the X-Division Champ.)[/i]</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> In fairness, Kidman <em>is</em> booked; on the pre-show. I have him defending the title against Kwee Wee. Given the match up itself (read: very easy to predict the winner of) and also how I post the pre-show a few days prior to the main show, I left it off the prediction sheet.</p>
  14. <p>WCW Wrath prediction card</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="h14QYGZ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/h14QYGZ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;">World Championship Wrestling presents:</span></p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>Wrath</strong></span></span></p><p> <em>Three hours of action held Live, only on Pay-Per-View on August 12th, 2001, emanating from The MARK of the Quad Cities in Moline, Illinois!</em></p><p><em> </em><em><span style="font-size:8px;">Card subject to change</span></em></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Faces Listed First (when applicable)</em></span><p> <strong>WCW World Heavyweight Championship</strong></p><p> “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner © vs. Winner of the Wrath match!</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Wrath</strong></p><p> Sting vs. “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair vs. Buff “The Stuff” Bagwell vs. “The Road Warrior” Animal vs. Mike Awesome vs. “The Total Package” Lex Luger</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em>A Caged Heat match which opens with two competitors in the ring, with another joining after five minutes. Every three minutes, another joins at random. Once all six men are in the ring, it’s one fall to a finish! </em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:8px;"><em> Due to pre-match stipulations, Sting will be the first man in the ring and Lex Luger the last.</em></span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Goldberg’s Streak #120</strong></p><p> “Da Man” Goldberg vs. “Beast from the East” Bam Bam Bigelow</p><p> </p><p> <strong>WCW United States Heavyweight Championship – Triple Threat match</strong></p><p> Booker T © vs. Shane Douglas vs. Chuck Palumbo</p><p> </p><p> <strong>WCW World Tag Team Championships</strong></p><p> Sean O’Haire and Mark Jindrak © vs. Kronik</p><p> </p><p> Curt Hennig vs. “The Chosen One” Jeff Jarrett</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Flag Match</strong></p><p> “The Prodigal Son” Dustin Rhodes vs. Lance Storm</p><p> <span style="font-size:8px;"><em>If Dustin Rhodes wins, he gets back his father’s prized boots; if Lance Storm wins, he can badmouth America again!</em></span></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Mexican Deathmatch</strong></p><p> Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Vampiro</p><p> </p><p> Konnan vs. Big Bill</p><p> </p><p> Jimmy Snuka Jr. and Rebel Pride vs. The Problem Solvers</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Bonus Question:</span> Who will Madusa reveal as her new client?</p><p> <em><span style="font-size:8px;">Said client is already a member of the main roster.</span></em></p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Bonus Question:</span> Who takes the fall in the Wrath match? </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Bonus Question:</span> One match does NOT take place as advertised. Which match is it?</p><p> <em><span style="font-size:8px;">This match will not count in the prediction card, but this question does.</span></em></p><p> </p><p> Tiebreaker Question: How long does the Wrath match last?</p><p> <em><span style="font-size:8px;">Price is Right rules apply, closest to the right answer without going over! </span></em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>Twelve points are up for grabs! Who will win this month?!</p></div><p></p><p></p>
  15. <p>WCW Friday Nitro: August 10, 2001</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="124" src="</p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HT89yLl-cOA?rel=0" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/HT89yLl-cOA?rel=0"</a> frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><p> <img alt="RmYgPt1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/RmYgPt1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <strong>WCW Friday Nitro</strong></p><p> <em><span style="font-size:8px;">Shown Live on August 10, 2001 (Week 2)</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Held at: The Hard Rock Cafe Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada (South West)</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Announcers: Mike Tenay, Scott Hudson, and Arn Anderson</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Attendance: 2,000 people (sold out!)</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> PPV Rating: 0.02</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> TV Rating: 2.38</span></em></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> The show opens in the aisleway as “Mean” Gene and Jeremy Borash stand by. The two talk about how there are a lot of things going on ahead of WCW Wrath this Sunday, but one of the newest big developments has been what happened last week between Goldberg and their guest at this time, Bam Bam Bigelow! They compare watching Bigelow assault Goldberg to the Planet of the Apes when one violent ape goes after another; which, admittedly, isn’t in that film, but Scott Hudson says that Gene hasn’t seen an ape since the last time he looked in the mirror. “The Beast From The East” comes to the aisle to a chorus of boos as Gene asks him the big question; what is he doing by targeting Goldberg now, when any other time he’s done so in the past has been met with failure? Bigelow responds that yeah, he might have not beaten Goldberg in the past, but those times didn’t have such high stakes. <em>“Goldberg’s career wasn’t on the line the last times I fought him, but it is now. That means everything is different. I don’t care what I have to do to the man – and that’s all he is compared to me, is a regular man – but whether I have to do it by defeating him or hurting him, I will be the man who puts Goldberg out of pro wrestling!”</em> Bigelow isn’t the greatest interview, but this still got the crowd hotter and started the show off strong, despite Gene and Jeremy not really holding up their end of the segment. (Rating: C+)</p><p> </p><p> Mike, Scott, and Arn talk about the show that we have lined up tonight which will feature the final two qualifying matches for the Wrath match as well as another mystery opponent for Curt Hennig lined up by Jeff Jarrett. Mike says that he has word that “The Franchise” Shane Douglas has commandeered a cameraman and is demanding a feed, and apparently the production truck is going to give him a few moments. We cut backstage to Douglas as he says that the eyes of the world are on “The Franchise” as they always should be, but somehow he’s the villain of the story. He says that Booker T is a true villain, because at least when “The Franchise” does horrible things and ruins people’s lives, he does it out in the open and not in private. But Shane has discovered Booker’s private evils, and he will reveal them to the public live in the ring tonight unless certain demands of his are met! We cut back to commentary, who don’t know what that is all about, but we will find out later tonight just what this information may be! (Rating: B-)</p><p> </p><p> “Also Sprach Zarathrusta” brings the fans to their feet as “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair power walks down to the ring, clearly with something on his mind. Still frames are shown from last week where Sting turned his bat toward “The Nature Boy” and Scott Hudson wonders if that may be what’s weighing heavily on his mind. Husdon remarks that it was as surprising an ending to a show as the end of The Princess Diaries, which hit cinemas last Friday; when Mike asks him what was so surprising, Scott answers that the surprise was when he found out he was at Princess Diaries instead of Rush Hour 2. Flair takes some time to talk about how grateful he is to be in the only wrestling company that matters enough to be only on pay-per-view, World Championship Wrestling! And he can’t wait to be a part of the original, the originator, the Wrath match, where he will win and go on to take the World’s Heavyweight championship from Scott Steiner! <em>“The only chamber that matters is ‘The Nature Boy’s’ bed chamber, where he will eliminate everyone until getting the perfect ten! Woooo!”</em> As Flair starts to turn his attention toward Sting and how he certainly doesn’t appreciate a bat pointed in his face, the promo goes awry as The Steiner Brothers come to the ring. As Scott bluntly says, <em>“Cut the crap Flair, nobody wants to hear you flippin’ yer gums about beds, chambers, or how the WWF announced a match three days before Eric Bitchoff did!”</em></p><p> </p><p> “Big Poppa Pump” enters the ring and tells Flair that it doesn’t matter who wins on any Sunday, the headline at the end of the night is gonna read that “Freakzilla” walked into town, showed off his peaks, beat the hell out of everyone in his way, slept with all the best freaks, and left town still as the WCW champion. <em>“You think it can be your night, because you beat me what, by disqualification? Like that means you can get my shoulders to the mat? ‘Big Poppa Pump’s’ got shoulder bigger’n your scrawny waist, and that’s nothin’ compared to my-”</em> Rick cuts him off, but Flair uses that time to point out that Steiner can talk all he wants, but that disqualification win means that Scott hasn’t defeated “The Nature Boy,” <em>“and that means for all your talk and bragging, you ain’t beat The Man yet, brother!”</em> Steiner snarls, and with a cry of <em>“I ain’t beat the man? Well how about I just beat yer wrinkled old ass right now?!”</em> he and Rick start circling Flair! Ric, to his credit, doesn’t back down an inch, putting up his fists and telling them to come on!</p><p> </p><p> But they don’t have to, as the thunder and lightning breaks out over the arena and Sting marches down the aisle! Tenay questions who’s side Sting may be on here, with Anderson answering that if this goes anything like last week, it’s his own. “The Stinger” enters the ring and stands between Flair and the Steiners, keeping an eye on everyone and keeping his black baseball bat at the ready. He gets a microphone and says <em>“Riddle me this, riddle me that, it looks like everyone is afraid of the big black bat!”</em> Scott, of course, screams that he ain’t afraid, he’ll shove that bat up his ass and break it off! But Sting is vigilant, saying that last week was a warning, that once they enter Wrath, there will be no friends; only men standing between Sting and the World title. All the moments he and Flair, he and Lex have shared over the years, they won’t matter anymore, because it will be all about Sting trying to win his eighth World title, just like it’ll be all about Flair winning his seventeenth, all about Luger winning his third, or Buff or whoever else trying to win their first. He calls Wrath an appropriate name, because by the end of the night, they’re all going to sin, and it’ll all be about who can still look in the mirror the next morning. The Steiners butt in, Scott telling Sting that nobody cares about him waxing poetic out here, <em>“like yer’ some kinda Sigmund Fraud,”</em> he tells Sting that he gave up his chance to walk away last week when he took advantage of Midajah giving Scott a love tap, so now he’s gonna be forced away again, because Scott wants him in the ring, tonight!</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="180" src="</p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X11bUBv3JKU" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/X11bUBv3JKU"</a> frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><p></p><p></p><p> “The Cat” comes to the stage, telling everybody to just shut the hell up already! He says that when Eric isn’t in, he’s the man making matches; <em>“That even means you, Big Stupid Poppa Dump! Y’all need ta’ lighten up around here, and I think I know just what everyone likes. We’ll have a tag match!”</em> Scott is quick to point out that he can’t have a tag team match, as Rick is in his qualifying match for Wrath tonight. <em>“Don’t you think I didn’t know that, big booty dummy? Keep yer head chain on, I was just gettin’ to that. Since y’all got started cause Sting got screwed over against Lame-o Lex Luger the other night, then you gonna team up with him. Rub you two together and ya both got about ten percent of body fat and just as much brain juice between ya, so that should be good. And since Sting out here wavin’ his black thing around, he ain’t got nobody to call partner. Well, I know something about wavin’ a big black thing around, it’s my black belts cause I’m the three time karate worl’ champion! I ain’t scared’a y’all, so I’ll be Sting’s partner tonight!”</em> “Whoa!” screams Scott Hudson, as Scott Steiner smiles, saying that sounds good; he’s gonna beat Sting’s ass so bad he gets put out of Wrath, and beat Miller’s ass so bad that he gets put out of being commissioner, all in one match!</p><p> </p><p> Everyone improvised in this (except Rick, who wasn’t given speaking lines) and while Flair, Steiner, and Miller all did exceptionally well on the live mic, Sting didn’t fare as well. But Ernest performed poorly (I guess people would have preferred Eric separating them?) while Flair’s performance was fantastic and Scott came out of this looking excellent. The crowd are definitely hotter after the announcement of our main event! (Rating: A* /97)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><hr><details><summary><strong>The Future vs. Low Ki and AJ Styles</strong></summary> </p><p> After The Future’s antics last week, Low Ki apparently requested this bout against them. Being forced to have a partner for the bout, young AJ Styles volunteered for the match, still looking for that big victory that will put him over the top in the fans’ eyes.</p><p> </p><p> The match was full of high flying, hard hitting action as all four men laid it all on the line to pick up the victory. Guerrero gloated just a few seconds too long after hitting his Brainbuster on Low Ki, and when he went for the pin, Ki delivered a hard kick to Chavo’s face, dazing him long enough to wrap him up in the Dragon Clutch and score a submission victory at 5:50. (Rating: B-) <hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> After we cut to the commentators, Lance Storm’s theme brings the competitor to the ring. He doesn’t have a match tonight, as Mike Tenay points out, so they aren’t sure why he decided to come to the ring, but he takes a microphone from David Penzer and tells everyone that he would like to be serious for a few minutes. Storm says that after this Sunday at Wrath, the American fans had better prepare their nerves because he is going to start telling them the truth about them again. <em>“Dustin and Dusty Rhodes are the best fit to extract this prize from, because as the so-called ‘Common Man’ they are the perfect vessel for you people for me to defeat. And when I pull that flag down, I will prove that the American dream, both the one you people all clamor to and the legacy of the Rhodes family, is dead! And when I step foot in this ring next week on Nitro, I will have four things with me. One; an American flag. Two; the prized cowboy boots of Dusty Rhodes. Three; gasoline. And four; a lighter, which I will use to make all your hopes and dreams go up in flames!”</em> Storm really seemed to enjoy the freedom to be off-script here, getting the crowd worked into a patriotic frenzy. Will he get what he wants? You’ll have to watch WCW Wrath to find out! (Rating: C)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><hr><details><summary><strong>Wrath Qualifying Match</strong></p><p><strong> Brian Adams vs. “K-Dawg” Konnan vs. “The Road Warrior” Animal</strong></summary> </p><p> A crazy brawl breaks out in this match as they try to enter the Wrath match. Konnan nearly scores the victory over Adams with the Tequila Sunrise, but Animal breaks it up. He pulls Brian back to his feet and hits a big powerslam in order to score the pinfall and punch his ticket to Wrath at 6:02 in a match that was hampered by a lack of selling. (Rating: C+)<hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> “Mean” Gene and Jeremy are standing back in the interview area, Gene hyping that those who check out his article on WCW.com will read all about what legendary wrestler and trainer has left his career behind earlier this week. Gene then brings in their guest at this time, the son of the legendary “Superfly,” Jimmy Snuka Jr.! Gene asks him if he has found some partners to take on the Problem Solvers this Sunday at Wrath. Snuka answers that he wasn’t really sure who to choose, but last week he saw an injustice take place at the hands of Simon and his cronies, and that gave him an idea. That idea has led him to find two guys who would like to get some comeuppance, and that’s Rebel Pride! Kid Kash and Jamie Knoble step forward, with Kash saying that he’s known slimy Simon for a while now, and he isn’t about to let him get away with this. Knoble says that he’s gonna ride into Wrath and hook the Problem Solvers up to the back of his truck and show them how they get down in the trailer park! Snuka says that he may not have much personally in common with his partners, but they share one thing: they are gonna solve the Problem Solvers! (Rating: D)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><hr><details><summary><strong>Buff “The Stuff” Bagwell vs. “Sugar” Shane Helms</strong></summary> </p><p> A fun, short match that is meant to calm the rowdy crowd down which sees Buff overpower his cruiserweight opponent and score the victory with a Buff Blockbuster at 4:13. (Rating: C-) <hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> We head backstage following the match to find Rick and Scott Steiner patrolling the area. Scott is heard saying <em>“She’s around here somewhere, we gotta get our shit together”</em> when they look down the hallway and spot Midajah. Scott yells at her, telling her to get over here. She says that she was just here talking to Lex, with “The Total Package” Lex Luger coming into frame. Scott tells her that he was just about to go find Luger, all she shoulda been doing is polishing “Big Poppa Pump’s” pipe in the damn dressing room! He tells her to quit wasting time, and tells Lex that he’ll see him in the main event, and he better not blow this one! (Rating: B-)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><hr><details><summary><strong>Challenge of “The Chosen One”</strong></p><p><strong> Curt Hennig vs. ???</strong></summary> </p><p> Hennig’s opponent this week turns out to be “Primetime” Elix Skipper, who has been trying to find his footing ever since the end of The World. This match really gets the crowd buzzing with some solid action. He gives the veteran his all in this one, but Curt is able to ground Skipper’s flying game and score the pinfall with the Hennig-Plex in 5:55. </p><p> </p><p> In shades of last week, “The Chosen One” Jeff Jarrett sneaks into the ring after the match, but this time Hennig was ready for it! The two have a tense staredown as Jarrett leaves the ring, not wanting a head to head battle when all he came for was an attack from behind. Which one of these talented stars will pick up the victory at Wrath? (Rating: B-)<hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> It’s that time, when we head back to The WCW Worldwide Panel! Rather than just talking about the show, however, they have a special guest who has a few words to share: “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes! Dusty thanks them for the outlet, saying that he cannot wait for Wrath to see Dustin gettin’ funky like a monkey all up on that loudmouth Canadian, Lance Storm! When Chris asks him about what Storm threatened to do next week if he wins on Sunday, Dusty gets very serious and says that there’s no way he or Dustin will let that happen – this is America, jack, and while we’ll respect your freedom of speech, we have the freedom to punch ya in the mouth! Dusty got the crowd hotter here. (Rating: C-)</p><p> </p><p> The knockoff of “Perfect Strangers” brings out “The Franchise” Shane Douglas, who gets a microphone and tells them to cut his music. Shane struggles with the live microphone though as he starts off by repeating himself from earlier. He talks about how everyone calls him the ultimate bad guy (they actually don’t) but he has nothing on what Booker T has been doing over the past year! Booker T comes out from the back, saying that he isn’t sure what dirt Shane thinks he’s pulled up on him, but it don’t matter; if he wanted a title match, all he had to do was get a time and place and they’d throw down! But since he wants to try and make it personal, then he won’t just get a fighting champion coming after him; he’ll have a man take him on, a man who ain’t gonna let Shane run his good name through the mud! Speaking of things getting personal, the two are joined by Chuck Palumbo and Stacy Kiebler. Palumbo tells Booker that he respects him as a man and a champion, but after last week, the only one who’s gonna give Douglas some wrath this Sunday is gonna be him! He laid his hands on his girlfriend, and he’s not going to let him get away with that! Shane tells Palumbo that he has to wait in line, because if he doesn’t get a US title match, he’ll tell everyone what he knows about Booker. What can we do?</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="180" src="</p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X11bUBv3JKU" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/X11bUBv3JKU"</a> frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><p></p><p></p><p> It’s up to “The Cat” to sort this mess out, and he says it looks like we got a weird damn pickle going on here. Miller doesn’t do well with the live microphone on this one either, telling Douglas that if he don’t keep his hands off women, Ernest will personally make him a little bitch! But let’s just give everybody what they want here; “The Cat” says that at Wrath, the United States title will be on the line as Booker T defends against Shane Douglas AND Chuck Palumbo in a triple threat match! Miller underperformed again (he needs to either get more over or we will need to find a new authority figure) but Booker’s performance was good. Another big match is made for Wrath! (Rating: B)</p><p> </p><p> Jeremy Borash is on his own in the interview area, thanking “Mean” Gene for giving him this opportunity to deliver a big scoop on his own. His guest right now is Madusa, with Jeremy asking her about her search for a new client. Madusa says that she does have her eyes on someone special, but she isn’t going to reveal her cards to Borash. She tells him that he will find out who it is the same time anyone else does, this Sunday at Wrath! Jeremy is a little disappointed, but thanks her for her time and can’t wait to find out. (Rating: D)</p><p> </p><p> She leaves Jeremy’s side, but before the cameras stop rolling, Borash is pushed up against the wall by Big Bill! Bill grabs him by his lapels and says that if he wants a scoop, then how about this: Big Bill will be at Wrath, and if he doesn’t have any better opponent, then he’s gonna drag Borash’s sorry carcass to the ring and have a match with him! This gets broken up by an unlukely source, as Konnan steps in and tells Bill to step off! “K-Dawg” tells Bill that he’s been watching him spout off for the past few weeks, and he don’t care what his name is because he’s just being a <em>pandejo</em>! Bill loses his cool (what little cool he had to begin with) and tells Konnan to put his money where his mouth is and Bill will break him in half and ship him back to Mexico in a tortilla! Jeremy didn’t come out of this segment looking good, but Bill’s raging performance was fantastic. It looks like another match for Wrath! (Rating: C-)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><hr><details><summary><strong>Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Screamin’ Norman Smiley</strong></summary> </p><p> A very short match as Norman spends most of it trying to run away. Bigelow catches him handily and just decimates him with a powerbomb, before going to the top rope and coming down with a diving headbutt that scores the win in 2:07. (Rating: C-)</p><p> </p><p> As Bam Bam is leaving the ring, a figure comes out and meets him in the aisle – it’s Goldberg! “Da Man” rushes in and starts throwing punches! He is visibly still sore after last week, but he’s here and he is trading blows with his attacker! Finally, Doug Dillinger and The WCW Security Team rush the area to try pulling them apart. Bigelow comes off as very underwhelming here, but Goldberg looks like a real star as the two try to get to one another. These two men may very well rip one another apart at Wrath! (A* / 97)<hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> As things are calming down, Mike Tenay says that he hears there is also a small commotion backstage that we have a camera heading to check out. When we go to that footage, it looks like Totally Buff are in the middle of a conversation. But as the audio comes into focus, it doesn’t seem to be a good discussion as Buff proclaims <em>“This is bullcrap, Lex!”</em> Bagwell doesn’t seem to be very happy that while the two of them haven’t teamed in weeks, all of a sudden tonight he’s teaming with Scott Steiner? While Buff was stuck facing one of the little dancing boys? Luger shrugs and says he didn’t have anything in the decision, but he’s going to make the most of it. “The Total Package” says this is a big shot for both of them, but Bagwell isn’t having it. He tells Luger that he isn’t helping him tonight, and he better not count on him at Wrath either, because it’s all about the winner. As Bagwell storms off, Luger says that he wouldn’t have it any other way. (Rating: B)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><hr><details><summary><strong>Wrath Qualifying Match</strong></p><p><strong> Sean O’Haire vs. “The DFG” Rick Steiner vs. Mike Awesome</strong></summary> </p><p> The final qualifying triple threat match sees three big brawlers going at it in a crazy match that really gets the crowd buzzing. All three men want in the final slot of the bout, but only one can take it. Rick has quite a few chances to take the match home using his veteran advantages, but in the end he gets knocked down to the mat and O’Haire drills him with the Seanton Bomb! Sean is ready to punch his card for Wrath, but Awesome Splash breaks up the pin! Mike pulls O’Haire off the mat and hits him with a running Awesome Bomb and holds down the shoulders and in what is likely a surprising result, Mike Awesome gets the pin at 14:23 and the final space in the Wrath match! (Rating: B)</p><p> </p><p> After the match is over, we go backstage to the dressing room of the Natural Born Thrillers. They had clearly been ready to celebrate O’Haire’s victory when he got back, but now it’s a somber sight. Chris Lovey is in the room to get some words from them, but just as O’Haire reaches the dressing room, apologizing for failing them and not winning the match, the room gets a little more crowded as the large frames of Kronik barge in! Adams and Clark tell O’Haire not to feel too bad, because they didn’t get into the bout either; but it’s not as if they can’t get a match on the card, because with the four of them out of Wrath, it looks like they are free to defend the World Tag Team titles against Kronik! O’Haire and Jindrak agree to it, and it looks like a respectful room right now, but it definitely will not be so respectful when these two teams clash this Sunday! (Rating: C+)<hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><hr><details><summary><strong>Sting and “The Cat” Ernest Miller vs. “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner and “The Total Package” Lex Luger</strong></summary> </p><p> It’s main event time, and this blockbuster tag team match is just what you would expect from Friday Nitro! All four men are working at their best capacity, but Sting is left stranded on the ring apron when “The Cat” gets caught with one of Steiner’s patented belly to belly suplexes. Luger and Steiner’s power game is unrivaled and the two almost seem to be showing off to one another rather than trying to put the commissioner away. Steiner especially looks excellent in this match, like a true dominant champion. But “The Cat” fights back, getting out of a lax gorilla press slam attempt by Scott and hitting the champion with a jaw rattling martial arts kick! He makes his way over and gets the hot tag to “The Stinger” who cleans house on both Steiner and Luger with alternating chops and punches! Midajah hops up on the ring apron to distract Nick Patrick while kicking the lead pipe into the ring, which Luger picks up. He swings it toward Sting – but Sting dodges, and it nails Steiner instead! Miller comes in and hits Luger with a big swinging kick, taking him out of action, and Sting grabs Steiner to drop him to the mat with the Scorpion Death Drop, going for the cover and getting a big win ahead of Wrath at 8:44! Sting just pinned the World champion, and if he can withstand five other men and do this again on Sunday, he will be the new champion!</p><p> </p><p> As Sting and “The Cat” leave, celebrating their win, Steiner starts coming to again, and – as per his usual – he is very hot under the collar! He holds up the pipe that was his downfall, but his rage doesn’t seem directed solely at Luger, it’s toward Midajah! He is an incoherent, spitting, drooling mess as he starts chewing her out with obscenities that I can’t share here! It’s a good thing he isn’t on the microphone! It must be said though that as a fountain of rage, he definitely comes across well. As Midajah cowers from this verbal assault, it nearly becomes a physical assault, until “The Total Package” steps in! He tells Scott to cool down, but when has that ever worked with Scott Steiner? But size-wise, Luger more than can match up to him, so this is a standoff, all over Midajah! As a shoving match begins to break out, commentary wonder if it will be these two who face off for the World title at Wrath? Or will it be any of the other world class competitors? The only way to find out is to order WCW Wrath! (Rating: B+)<hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="180" src="</p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/242aiSKmG1Q?rel=0" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/242aiSKmG1Q?rel=0"</a> frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe><p> <hr><details><summary><strong>The Worldwide Live Post Show</strong></summary></p><p> We have a very short post show tonight as the Panel – along with a very jovial Dusty Rhodes – go over what we just saw in the main event and run down the card for WCW Wrath this Sunday. Tony says that it could very well be a night that changes the history of our sport, so be sure to call your cable providers and order now! (Rating: C+)<hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Show Rating: B+</strong></p><p> <em>This show has improved our popularity in 38 regions.</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="qJk5JLG.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/qJk5JLG.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> -----</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> It is almost time for Wrath, you guys! I will have the prediction card posted tomorrow, so enjoy this episode of Nitro and then come back and make your predictions!</p>
  16. Undertaker - Taker winning caps off his feud with Ahmed and gives you a nice transitional champion for the next few months. The Rattlesnakes - Austin is the sole survivor, I have something in mind that you might do but I won't go into it until after the show. The Hart Foundation - Bret is still a big time player and you can use him very effectively as such, and the Wolfpac can go into feuding with a heel turned Scott Steiner. Bret is the only survivor here. World's Most Danger---hahaha, I almost made it through that name without laughing - Kidding aside, the M$C haven't done a whole lot in the past few months aside from Jeff picking up the Euro title. Shamrock could make a decent upper card/main event floater (kinda like how Jericho was toward the tail end of the 2000s) and a win here can maybe elevate him in that direction. Ken and Sid are survivors here because both of them fall under that same heading. The Nation - Both the M$C and Nation have been spinning their wheels in the wake of Mr. McMahon's group taking over the WWF, but at least they hold some potential to get out of neutral. I'll go on a limb and say all of the Nation survive this one. Harlem Heat - The little aside between the Heat and the Outlaws was nice and maybe could lead to a nice change of the guard for a little while. The final competitors could easily be Dustin Rhodes and Marc Mero after their big run-in on Raw.
  17. Good Nitro, I like the games being played by everyone as they muscle toward their goals. Nash/Steiners/Jarrett/Luger - A big match like this is a good place to see the heels pick up a victory. I'm thinking Nash pins Dustin. DDP - Nice to see him get a challenger, but in 2001, Duggan is definitely a softball being lofted his way. Softball might even be too much; maybe a teeball? Lance Storm - Storm is just (rightly) on a different plane than Animal is right now. Mark Jindrak - A solid win to help ease him up from the Nash incident? Shane Douglas Shane Helms
  18. The Week That Was: August 2001, Week 1 The next World Wrestling Federation PPV Extravaganza will be WWF SummerSlam 2001! Held on August 19th, 2001 at The Compaq Center in San Jose, California! Announced So Far WWF Championship – Elimination Chamber: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin © vs. “The Game” Triple H vs. “Y2J” Chris Jericho vs. “Olympic Hero” Kurt Angle vs. “Rabid Wolverine” Chris Benoit vs. The Big Show Winning Team Choose Their Brand: Mr. McMahon and The Undertaker vs. Shane McMahon and The Rock? Trish Stratus vs. Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley WWF Hardcore Championship – Ladder Match: Jeff Hardy © vs. Rob Van Dam Tag Team Turmoil for the WWF Tag Team Championships: The Dudley Boyz © vs. Too Cool vs. The Island Tribe vs. Val Venis and The Godfather vs. The Acolytes vs. X-Factor vs. Spike Dudley and ??? -------------------- From the desk of Eric Bischoff: All due to the McMahons, I’ll be honest… an out-in-the-open brand split isn’t a horrible idea. That seems to start making some sense as for a lot of the former ECW signings that they’ve been hiding in HWA and OVW such as Nova, Little Guido, York and Matthews, Chris Chetti, and Tommy Dreamer. Guys who they can call up to the roster as soon as the split happens in order to bolster the rosters. What didn’t work out so well for them was how big Vince’s ego was on display this past week. On Raw, they went all in to make sure and tell people that ECW sucked and was second rate by having Steve Austin run roughshod over anyone who had a name there. They also tried to throw some potshots toward us, mostly through commentators who talked about how the Elimination Chamber was Vince’s biggest and best idea ever and that anything else was second class. I don’t hold a lot of ill will toward Jim Ross, Michael Cole, Paul Heyman, or Tazz – at least no more than anyone else might – as they are just doing their jobs. However, this is getting a little ridiculous to lie so much on air. Fans may be believing it, as the internet went above and beyond on calling out the WWF for a lot of their remarks. It turns out TNN also weren’t very happy with how Raw turned out as they spent so much time criticizing other companies that they forgot to put on a quality show. During SmackDown, Austin and Undertaker both coined some new catchphrases, and Michael Cole came off with a new phrase that may catch on but if he uses it too much it’ll likely become annoying. X-Pac’s return during SmackDown comes as he is now back from rehab, but the bigger problem for us is the imminent return of The Rock. While Rock was away filming Scorpion King, we probably would have started to gain our footing back once we go national again. But with The Rock back in the WWF actively, there’s no way we can hold up against them. But we aren’t about to give up just yet. I inked a deal to start showing some of our events on Sky Sports 3, working on getting WCW’s name into the British Isles on the subscription network. At Nitro, I fed Tony Schiavone a few quips about the WWF, namely that “The competition isn’t in your own backyard, it’s right here,” and fans seemed to really gravitate towards that. Backstage, Midajah and Paisley bonded over one of those generic boy bands that we based 3 Count off of. Paul Orndorff was teaching his proteges again, telling Yang some tips on being face and O’Haire and Jindrak learning to be better heels; I guess the three are working on shoring up their faults if I decide to turn them. Ernest Miller picked up a minor hip injury during his match with Goldberg, but he’ll be healed up by next week’s episode. Scott Steiner left Yang alone and instead let me know that he feels “That other yella kid (Kaz Hayashi) ain’t gettin’ no freaks, so send him back across the Specific Ocean on the tuna boat he rode in on!” Light racism aside, at least Goldberg was more cordial when he said that he wasn’t sure if C.W. was going to connect with fans and felt he doesn’t have much of an upside compared to the screen time I’ve been giving him. On the show itself, I noticed Curt Hennig has been improving his performance with a few small touches to his ring psychology, which is impressive for someone of his age to be doing. Chris Lovey also is showing more charisma during his interviews. And Low Ki and Lance Storm seem to be getting better at their gimmicks. As a last tidbit for this week, I saw on a wrestling news website that Scott Hall has started to look a little more average than toned; maybe I’m actually better off that he and Kevin screwed me over if he’s going to start going downhill? Apparently Shane Douglas’s former ECW valet Francine has started dating former WCW luchador Villano IV while the two have been working in CMLL. And Don Muraco, Butch Miller, Jimmy Golden, and Terry Gordy have all had their final dates as active workers, with Larry Hennig setting himself up to leave the business in a month’s time. We are one week closer to Wrath, which is coming up on Sunday. Our card is almost finalized, so one more Nitro should wrap things up as we move into the Wrath match! ---------- Thanks man! Yeah I'm not really huge on Miller, but he really did show up as one of the more entertaining acts of 2001 WCW, right along with Hugh Morrus, which is why I have really tried to keep the two of them relevant here while it would be really easy to just job them down the card and out of the company. Also, thanks to everyone who has put a vote in for me in LDOTM! I know I may not be the most consistent writer anymore and probably will never be again, but I am glad to know that I have some of the most consistent readers. I hope to see if the WWF developments can also grab your attentions, because even though this is first and foremost a WCW diary, I'm kinda proud of what I've done in an invasion-less WWF as well!
  19. Ahmed/Pillman/Bret/Jarrett/Faarooq Flair and Anderson Psycho Sid Harlem Heat Dogs of War Jake Roberts DDP Buff Bagwell Goldberg Lance Storm Awesome and Cain Vader
  20. <p>I'll have to be on point to get that lead back!</p><p> </p><p> DDP and Kanyon</p><p> Kia Stevens</p><p> Revolution</p><p> Ken Shamrock</p><p> Steiner Brothers</p><p> Goldberg</p><p> Bret Hart</p><p> </p><p> Bonus: That he will compete for the World title at the next pay period view?</p>
  21. <p>WCW Friday Nitro: August 3, 2001</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><iframe width="220" height="124" src="</p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HT89yLl-cOA?rel=0" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/HT89yLl-cOA?rel=0"</a> frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><p> <img alt="RmYgPt1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/RmYgPt1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <strong>WCW Friday Nitro</strong></p><p> <em><span style="font-size:8px;">Shown Live on August 3, 2001 (Week 1)</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Held at: The Hard Rock Cafe Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada (South West)</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Announcers: Mike Tenay, Scott Hudson, and Arn Anderson</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> Attendance: 2,000 people (sold out!)</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> PPV Rating: 0.02</span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:8px;"> TV Rating: 2.38</span></em></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> The fireworks explode as Nitro comes on the air! This week we start off with a very solemn looking “Prodigal Son” Dustin Rhodes standing in the ring, and he starts off by saying that he would indeed like to apologize for his actions as of late; it had started to feel like things were going out of control, and he had started doing anything he could to win, and that’s not the way he wants the fans to see him. And it took one thing for him to see the way back: his father showing up last week, and being disrespected by some loudmouth punk! Rhodes says that he wants Lance Storm to answer for what he said, and he wants it now! To the top of the aisle comes Storm, who says that if he can be serious for a moment, he only told Dusty Rhodes what someone has needed to tell him for the past five years; to leave, and never come back, so that he gets out of the limelight that should be given to people like Lance Storm, and maybe even to Dustin himself. He says that Dustin has lived in the shadow of his father for so long that he probably doesn’t even know what the sun feels like anymore. Dustin responds that the only shadow he cares about is kicking Storm where the sun don’t shine! Lance calls this “pedestrian threats, as expected,” claiming to have a better solution. He explains that he had a good time telling off “The American Dream” last week, and it made him realize how nice it was to tell off the stupid Americans in the audience. He tells Dustin that if he will agree to it, then he will face him in a match at Wrath that deals with both the Pride and Envy matches from earlier this year. Storm’s victory would erase the stipulation of the Pride match, while Dustin’s (very unlikely) victory would give him his father’s prized cowboy boots back! Rhodes says that he has hated every day that he lost those to an undeserving ass like Lance, and so if he gets his hands on him and gets back his heirloom all at once? That sounds like a deal to him! Both men worked the crowd well here, getting them hot for their upcoming match and starting the show off strongly. (Rating: B-)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><hr><details><summary><strong>Yoshihiro Tajiri vs. “Sugar” Shane Helms</strong></summary> </p><p> This was a mini-feud that is blown off here, as during this somewhat short bout Helms frustrates the Japanese assassin until he finally snaps, holding his illegal Tarantula submission hold over the ropes beyond the referee’s five count, getting himself intentionally disqualified at 5:29. (Rating: C-) <hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> “Mean” Gene and Jeremy are back in the interview area, with Okerlund hyping that Borash helped him use WCW.com this past weekend in order to view some really great pictures of the ladies of World Championship Wrestling, and urges everyone else to do the same; Jeremy says that he was happy to help, except they were supposed to be writing Gene’s article, not ogling the pictures they found. Gene brushes past him deftly, bringing in their guest at this time, Ernest “The Cat” Miller! Miller shakes his head, telling the duo that they shouldn’t be looking at no damn pictures like that – and shame on Jeremy for getting Gene all worked up! <em>“This man so old, you know one glance from the wrong ho gonna give him a damn heart attack!”</em> Moving on, they ask him why he chose tonight to take on the newly undefeated Goldberg, who just won victory one hundred and sixteen this past weekend. “The Cat” tells them that <em>“It’s time to show that I am the greatest all over again! You microphone stands may not know this, but one-seventeen happens to be my lucky damn number. So it’s gonna be my night, and then everyone’s gonna call me the greatest! Somebody call Goldie’s mama, cause tonight I’ma whoop me some ass!”</em> (Rating: C)</p><p> </p><p> Elsewhere backstage, Chris Lovey is standing by in the dressing room with The Future. After last week’s loss to Goldberg in a handicap match, Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Kaz Hayashi are feeling as though they need to get back some momentum. Chavo says that they don’t have a match tonight, but they need to get back on track, so tonight, they’ll find someone and beat them up! (Rating: D+)</p><p> </p><p> Elsewhere elsewhere backstage, we see Rey Mysterio Jr. prepping for tonight. Mike Tenay cues us in that Eric Bischoff chose he and Mark Jindrak as the men who will challenge Scott Steiner for the World’s Heavyweight championship, and Rey doesn’t look as though he wants to miss this opportunity. His door opens, and he tenses up, but the camera turns around to see Konnan walking over! “K-Dawg” tells Rey that he knows they may not be home boys anymore, but after they rode together for so long, he will still be pulling for him tonight. The two bump knuckles, and Konnan leaves, Mysterio going back to his stretching. What a heartwarming segment between two men who found themselves on the outs so recently! (Rating: B-)</p><p> </p><p> Elsewhere elsewhere elsewhere backstage, we rejoin The Future as it appears they have set their sights. Chavo narrates to the camera that it appears to be two easy marks that they can beat on, thus reaffirming that they are the future of wrestling and they’re unstoppable. As they draw closer, however, the two men that they were looking at stand up and turn around – it’s Kronik! Adams and Clark shout at them, asking them what the hell they think they’re doing in their dressing room?! Chavo and Kaz abort mission immediately, running away as fast as they can! Chavo is heard saying that they’ll find someone else later tonight! (Rating: C)</p><p> </p><p> And we come full circle back to the interview area, as Gene and Jeremy now bring in two guests, this time being the members of Totally Buff! Gene asks them how it feels to be the two men qualified for the Wrath match so far, with “The Total Package” saying that it is great to be back in title contention after being on the sidelines of the World title picture for so long. Buff adds that he qualified first, and that should put him in a strong position to finally get that big gold wrapped around his chiselled waist. He starts to pose, showing off that waist, but Luger cuts him off, saying that it would look better around his waist, what with his only 3% body fat. Bagwell says that it isn’t about body fat, it’s what you do with it, and the two start posing in front of one another, each one trying to get the most of the camera’s view; with Gene saying that there’s nothing that wrong with a little body fat, right? Gene really seems out of his element during this segment, but Luger and Bagwell come across well as it looks as though they remain a team… but will these two egos be able to coexist during Wrath? (Rating: C+)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><hr><details><summary><strong>Wrath Qualifying Match</strong></p><p><strong> Kanyon vs. “Nature Boy” Ric Flair vs. Bryan Clark</strong></summary> </p><p> Ric himself practically makes this the match of the night, as even in his time decline he is still one of the most popular and talented wrestlers in all of WCW. The crowd get hotter during this match as Kanyon’s innovative offense and Clark’s impressive power displays lead a lot of this bout, but it’s the wily veteran who sneaks in and scores a pinfall on Bryan following a flying body press in 9:15 to advance into the Wrath match. (Rating: B-)</p><p> </p><p> The match over, “The Nature Boy” picks up a microphone and starts bragging about how seventeen is one of his favorite numbers, and it’ll be his best title win when he takes the title from Scott Steiner next Sunday night, Wooo! That point over though, Flair starts rambling about girls, limos, and champagne until the Steiner Brothers appear at the ramp, Scott telling Flair to shut his old trap up before they break it! They enter the ring and circle “The Nature Boy” as Scott tells him that all the people who qualify for that cage match are just lambs being led to the slaughter, because “Big Poppa Pump” will take whoever is lucky enough to win and make them unlucky that they face him! Scott enjoys his freedom to improvise here as he likens them to how all the freaks in Las Vegas have been constantly fighting for his attention ever since Nitro moved here. He says that maybe they should just send a message to everyone else right now, but out of the crowd comes Sting! He points his black baseball bat at the Steiners, causing them to back down, but when Flair makes a move toward them, Sting points the bat at him as well! It looks like with Wrath approaching, there are no friends, only enemies! (Rating: A* / 99) <hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><hr><details><summary><strong>The Problem Solvers vs. Rebel Pride</strong></summary> </p><p> This match set out to calm the crowd after that segment and let the announcers talk about Wrath. But underneath that discussion, Simon, C.W., Kash, and Knoble put on a solid little match to entertain the viewers which ended with Simon coming in off a blind tag and hitting Kash with a low blow while Rudy Charles’s attention was on C.W., leading to the Simonizer at 4:18 for the one, two, three. (Rating: C-) <hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> We head backstage again to find The Future still on the hunt for someone to bounce off of for some momentum. Chavo and Kaz have someone in their sights, and they sneak up from behind on Norman Smiley. But despite that he didn’t see or hear them come in, they look at each other in bewilderment of how to attack a man who is doing a whole lot of Big Wiggle! They make several moves toward him, but he keeps wiggling out of the way. Finally they leave in embarrassment and frustration, with Smiley apparently never even having known they were there. (Rating: D+)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><hr><details><summary><strong>Challenge of “The Chosen One”</strong></p><p><strong> Curt Hennig vs. ???</strong></summary> </p><p> We may never know exactly where or how Jeff Jarrett pulled off this coup, but Curt’s opponent tonight is none other than Bam Bam Bigelow! Everyone seems taken aback, and Hennig never truly gets out of the gates in this one as he is thrown around by a very rejuvenated Bigelow after his long absence. But it appears that Bam Bam didn’t really care about how this match turned out, as he quickly goes outside and grabs a chair, slamming it over Hennig’s back! Charles Robinson calls for the disqualification, awarding the bout to Hennig at 4:45. (Rating: C)</p><p> </p><p> As Bigelow leaves, trainers start checking on Hennig. But one of the EMTs in the background is seen going under the ring, and he pulls out a guitar – he smashes it over Curt’s head! The EMT takes off his mask, and it was Jeff Jarrett! The trainers are joined by Doug Dillenger and The WCW Security Team, and they are forcing “The Chosen One” to leave, but Scott Hudson claims that perhaps the damage has been done here tonight to Curt Hennig! (Rating: B) <hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> It’s that time, fans; time to head to the greatest team in the history of this sport, The WCW Worldwide Panel! Tony Schiavone says that after our opening segment tonight, he’s found out that Dustin Rhodes and Lance Storm have signed to go one-on-one next Sunday at WCW Wrath in a version of a Flag match, where one side of the ring will stand the boots of Dusty Rhodes and the other side will be a Canadian flag, and the winner gets back the one that he pulls down! The Panel also discuss that Ric Flair has qualified for the Wrath match, joining Lex Luger and Buff Bagwell in those ranks, but it looks as though it doesn’t matter who you are, you shake in your boots when “The Stinger” comes to town with that black baseball bat! Speaking of Sting, Gene notes that he just reported on WCW.com that word has come down from Eric Bischoff; Sting is going to be in the next Wrath qualifying bout, however since he lost to Lex Luger last week, even if he wins, he will enter be forced to enter Wrath first! What a predicament for Sting! It’s time for more action, so the Panel will reconvene later tonight, folks! (Rating: C)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><hr><details><summary><strong>Disqo vs. AJ Styles</strong></summary> </p><p> Disqo is a WCW veteran at this point, and his role in the Problem Solvers as Simon’s disciple has given him new purpose in his career. On the other hand, AJ Styles is a hot young prospect who has been making his name in a big way since the start of this year. Their careers both have a lot of upward momentum they want to gain in this match, but it’s another young star in the making who factors into this match as Jimmy Snuka Jr. comes to ringside and starts telling Disqo to send word to Simon that he’s coming for him! This takes Disqo’s mind off the ball, and Styles is able to get him with a springboard forearm smash that wraps this up in 3:27. What a big win for young Styles! (Rating: C-) <hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> We go back to The Future for (see what I did there?) more of them walking backstage. They seem to have found another mark, but as they draw closer the man turns around and it’s Kwee Wee! Kwee Wee catches them in the act and starts going off on them, their attitudes, their clothing, their hair, until finally Guerrero and Hayashi can take no more and run away! It looks like they will have to try again later! (Rating: D-)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><hr><details><summary><strong>Wrath Qualifying Match</strong></p><p><strong> Chuck Palumbo vs. “The Franchise” Shane Douglas vs. Sting</strong></summary> </p><p> With the lovely Stacy Kiebler cheering Palumbo on from ringside, the crowd really come alive in this match featuring “The Franchise of WCW” and “The Franchise” along with one of the hottest prospects in wrestling today. Douglas plays the heel here perfectly, constantly meddling between Sting and Chuck before leaving the ring and letting them fight among themselves. But once he is finally caught, the two faces make him pay for his deeds. Palumbo takes him out with the Jungle Kick, but before he can make the pin, Sting grabs Chuck and plants him with the Scorpion Deathdrop! He kicks Douglas out of the ring and makes the cover, apologizing to Palumbo but scoring the three count in 10:41. (Rating: C+) </p><p> </p><p> Sting celebrates his win and subsequent re-entry into the Wrath match, though it will be a hard road to climb for him as he will have to enter Wrath first! Stacy enters the ring to tend to Palumbo, but out of the back of the camera’s view comes Shane Douglas! Shane is incensed that he will not be participating in the Wrath match, and he starts taking it out on Chuck! While he stomps on Palumbo’s prone form, Kiebler is telling him to stop it, trying to get him to just leave. But as she yells at him, Douglas turns her around and drills her with the Franchiser! Stacy is down on the mat right next to Palumbo, and Douglas laughs at them! What a heinous human being! (Rating: B-) <hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> We find Jimmy Snuka Jr. backstage, looking pretty confident in himself after his actions earlier. He finds some security standing guard at a door. He gets past them, barging into the room, and it turns out to have been the skybox, and we hear the showers running in another room and Simon is standing on his own! Snuka rushes him, attacking quickly with chops! It looks as though he may finally get his skybox back, but a commotion is heard as C.W. comes out of the showers. He is already in his street clothes and he blasts Snuka from behind with a lamp off one of the end tables of the skybox, shattering it into broken pieces! C.W. holds Snuka up for Simon to get a few shots in on him, before Diamond says that if Snuka wants to fight so bad, if the rich boy wants the skybox back so much, then he can find two partners and take on the Problem Solvers at Wrath in a six man tag! With that, he tells C.W. and the security to get him out of here, and we fade out of this segment. (Rating: C-)</p><p> </p><p> We go back to a dressing room that the Natural Born Thrillers are in. Stacy is sitting next to Chuck, both of them with their heads down as trainers are still making sure she’s alright. Mark Jindrak is on his feet, preparing for his own triple threat match later tonight. And Sean O’Haire comes into the room, telling Chuck that he did a good job out there, but it’s too bad he didn’t make it through. He says that it’s alright though, they will get some gold around all of their waists soon enough! With Mark’s match later tonight and O’Haire’s qualifying bout next week, he could very well face off with him at Wrath next Sunday! However they get some uninvited guests, as Kronik enter the room. Adams does the talking, as he lets them know that they had a meeting earlier with Commissioner Ernest Miller, and so long as the Thrillers don’t find themselves in the Wrath running, then they will have a match at Wrath: defending the WCW World Tag Team titles against Kronik! Clark assures them that they won’t interfere in their matches to steal that shot – but just know that they are the number one contenders, and the Thrillers won’t be too busy searching for singles gold for long before Kronik come after them! (Rating: B-)</p><p> </p><p> The Future are back again, and this time Chavo is looking pretty flustered about this whole thing. Hayashi has already lost interest, but Guerrero is pushing him forward with the mission. Chavo says that he did some looking around, and he thinks they’ve found someone to take down. Chavo leads Kaz along a corridor, and they find… Low-Ki! They go to attack, but Ki turns around and sees them coming. He quickly retaliates with a series of kicks to each of their midsections, and with one final blow, he knocks one into the other with a thrust kick! Chavo finally yells “Screw this, holmes!” and they run away as Low-Ki prepares with a few shadow boxing style kicks into the air. It looks like The Future aren’t getting what they were after tonight! (Rating: D)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><hr><details><summary><strong>“Da Man” Goldberg vs. Ernest “The Cat” Miller</strong></summary> </p><p> The biggest takeaway from this match is that “The Cat” needs to re-evaluate what his lucky number is, as it was most certainly not 117. The crowd are left buzzing after this high profile match. He makes a decent showing for a few moments, but Goldberg shines here, we all knew he was never in any danger as he polishes this off with the Spear and Jackhammer at 3:58. (Rating: C-)</p><p> </p><p> The night must be young however, as once Goldberg gets through the curtain, Mike Tenay says that we need a camera backstage, fast! We head backstage, and Bam Bam Bigelow is standing over Goldberg holding a steel chair! Bigelow lays into “Da Man” as he says that he’ll see him at Wrath! Goldberg looked excellent here, staggering back up to his feet once Bigelow was gone and telling him that he’s next! (Rating: B+) <hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Backstage we see “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner walking backstage with Midajah. The World’s Heavyweight championship is defended, next! (Rating: B-)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/vVQclRt.jpg?1</span><p> <hr><details><summary><strong>WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match – Triple Threat</strong></p><p><strong> “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Mark Jindrak</strong></summary></p><p> Our main event this evening saw two men start off working together to try and handle the biggest threat, that being the champion. It was apparent that Mark and Rey felt they could work together to take out Steiner before concentrating on one another, and they did so with some very remarkable displays of athleticism and lucha libre style high flying which got the crowd buzzing. “Big Poppa Pump” was definitely on the backfoot for a solid chuck of this bout, but there were a lot of times when he came back and fought off both of them simultaneously. Steiner is far bigger than Mysterio and has years of experience over Jindrak, and both of those things came to the forefront at segments. A beautiful dropkick from Jindrak looked to almost score a knockout blow on Steiner, but when Mysterio was to finish him off and write Scott out of the match, that was when the lights go out in the arena! When they come back on, Rey is laid out on the floor, bathed in “red liquid” with Vampiro standing over him! But without having seen interference, Nick Patrick cannot call for the bell; however it gives Steiner a moment to regain his bearings, and he hits a big spinning belly to belly suplex on Jindrak before locking in the Steiner Recliner to subdue this threat and retain the title at 7:22. (Rating: B) <hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><hr><details><summary><strong>The Worldwide Live Post Show</strong></summary> </p><p> <iframe width="220" height="180" src="<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/242aiSKmG1Q?rel=0" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/242aiSKmG1Q?rel=0"</a> frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><p> </p><p> Not much to hear from The WCW Worldwide Panel to close this show, as they talk about the matches that we saw which were made for Wrath and also the four men who have punched their ticket into the Wrath match: Buff Bagwell, Lex Luger, Ric Flair, and Sting! Tony urges everyone to order next week’s Friday Nitro to find out who else will qualify for Wrath and what other matches will be made to take place at The Mark of the QUAD next Sunday at WCW Wrath! Until next week, good night, folks! (Rating: C-)</p><p> <hr></details></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Show Rating: B</strong></p><p> <em>Kaz Hayashi was used too much. This show has improved our popularity in 34 regions.</em></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="qJk5JLG.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/qJk5JLG.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p>
  22. Good to see an update here, and what an update it was! Plans are really coming together toward Starrcade now, with two matches feeling pretty firmly set in stone. I look forward to your next shows!
  23. I dig the international shows, it gives your WCW a very distinct flair. It's a good diversion from the regular shows.
  24. I will echo the others in saying that I highly enjoyed the Clash. The list of "near future" World title challengers is getting pretty long. You've got Flair lined up next, Sting and Koloff are always a possibility to jump into a credible challenge, Warrior is around the corner, Vader should only need a little more build up to get into a World title run, you've got Steiner and Savage who can tear the house down, Austin hasn't totally squandered his chances, and Bret has made his intentions clear. There are a lot of elements going on that are making this a really fun read!
  25. <p>Jushin Liger</p><p> Mike Awesome</p><p> Williams and Norton</p><p> Jeff Jarrett</p><p> Great Muta</p><p> Road Warriors and TenKoji</p><p> Ken Shamrock</p><p> Goldberg, Bret, Funk, and Steiners</p><p> Bonus: Hiroyuki "Red Shoes" Unno, NJPW's classic referee!</p>
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