to4sty

From Thunder to the Extreme: Week 3, January 1998 <img style="max-width:15%; "src="https://i.imgur.com/2Tb7b5r.jpg"> Preview for WCW Thunder: Week 3, January 1998 Sting, Lex Luger, Shawn Michaels & Jean Paul Levesque vs. The Freaking Awesome Foursome (Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, Ray Traylor & Buff Bagwell) Comments: Jim Duggan vs. Lance Storm Comments: Blitzkrieg vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr. Comments: Psycho Sid vs. Chase Tatum Comments: The Samoan SWAT Team vs. Disorderly Conduct Comments: WCW Television Championship Match Bill Goldberg © vs. Joey Maggs Comments: Scott Taylor vs. Hayabusa Comments: Scotty Riggs vs. Konnan Comments: <img style="max-width:15%; "src="https://i.imgur.com/9CadHVo.jpg"> Preview for ECW Hardcore TV: Week 3, January 1998 Matches From ECW Cyberslam 1998 Fan Cam Footage from Non-Cyberslam event Balls Mahoney vs. Justin Credible Comments: ??? vs. Little Guido Comments: Taz vs. Super Nova Comments:

<img style="max-width:60%; "src="https://i.imgur.com/hzf7tIZ.jpg"> Week 3, January 1998 Pittsburgh Civic Arena (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) ATT: 16,000 TV: 29.63 Announce Team: Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan and Mike Tenay

<img style="max-width:60%; "src="https://i.imgur.com/BC8Hy9X.jpg"> Week 3, January 1998 Orlando Arena (Orlando, Florida) ATT: 15,556 TV: 38.52

<p><strong>Chris Walker</strong> vs Reno Riggins</p><p> Comments: </p><p> </p><p> <strong>The Hardy Boyz</strong> vs The Executioners</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> Ahmed Johnson vs <strong>The Rock</strong></p><p> Comments: </p><p> </p><p> WWF Intercontinental Championship Match</p><p> <strong>William Regal </strong>© vs ???</p><p> Who is ???</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Chris Benoit</strong> vs The British Bulldog</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> WWF Global Championship Tournament Quarterfinals Match</p><p> <strong>Randy Savage</strong> vs Scott Hall</p><p> Comments:</p>

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>".....wait, hold on bro.....wait a minute.....you give ME sh!t for spending Turners money, but YOU just went and made Chris Jericho.....the little guy right? The Cruiserweight guy.....you just made him one of your top six earners?....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....yeah....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....and his contract wasn't up?....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....no....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....so I couldn't have stolen him?....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....no....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....so you just GAVE him free money?....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....no, I rewarded his hard work and dedication in getting to the position that he's currently in....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....the position where people just give you free money?....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....no, the position where he's NOT just a Cruiserweight guy.....Vince, Chris Jericho is absolutely going to be a top guy for this company, have you seen how those people react to him? Boo him or cheer him, that guy is over....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....yeah, over-rated.....I got six Cruiserweight's working Saturday Nights that can do the same as him, you want I should send them up your way so you can give them all a pay bump too? Because at the minute they're working for 50 bucks a night and a box of pop tarts between them....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....believe it or not, I like Vince Russo.....I really do.....but sometimes he just doesn't get it.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Chris Jericho has been working for me for two years now, and in those two years he's gone from virtual unknown to one of my top five performers.....in fact (and don't tell Vinnie this because his head will explode) he's more over than a good portion of WCW's main event scene.....sure, he's not on the level of a Hogan or a Savage, but a Triple H? A Lex Luger? He's absolutely up there (and beyond)......this "little cruiserweight guy" is quite simply standing on the shoulders of giants, and he was doing it all for probably half of what he was worth.....</p><p> </p><p> .....so when he (rather meekly considering his on stage persona) approached me to say that he though he was perhaps due a pay bump, I didn't think twice about it.....now sure, I still only gave him 75% of what he was asking, but when an extra 75% means an extra 20 grand in your bank account every month, you're not going to complain are you.....</p><p> </p><p> .....now hopefully he goes out there and shows me that he's worth that extra 20k.....because he's got an Intercontinental Title match coming up at the Royal Rumble with Scott Hall.....and while Scott still has a great mind for the business, his body is slowing down.....maybe it's time for Chris to stop letting his opponents lead the match, and show us what HE can do.....</p><p> </p><p> .....although we still have the small matter of Monday Night to get past before we reach the Rumble.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> </p><p> <strong>The Monday Night Wars: Week 3, January 1998</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img alt="wtGb8ca.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wtGb8ca.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Preview for WWF Raw is War: Week 3, January 1998</strong> </p><p> </p><p> Steve Austin & The Undertaker vs. The Hart Foundation (Bret & Owen Hart)</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> Booker T vs. Arn Anderson</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> The Headbangers vs. The Nation of Domination (Mark Henry & D'Lo Brown)</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> Dean Malenko, Rey Mysterio, Billy Kidman & Matt Hardy vs. The Million Dollar Corporation</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> Jake Roberts vs. Wrath</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> Nelson vs. Ahmed Johnson</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img alt="cMgP5Z2.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cMgP5Z2.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Preview for WCW Monday Nitro: Week 3, January 1998</strong></p><p> </p><p> Lex Luger & Sting vs. Shawn Michaels & Jean Paul Levesque</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> Diamond Dallas Page vs. Kevin Sullivan</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> Sgt. Craig Pittman vs. Ray Traylor </p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> <strong>WCW Television Championship Match</strong></p><p> Bill Goldberg © vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr. </p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> Jim Duggan vs. Lord Steven Regal</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> Randy Savage vs. Jeff Hardy</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p></div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><div></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p></div><p></p>

<img style="max-width:60%; "src="https://i.imgur.com/KHIBBqF.jpg"> Week 2, January 1998 Highlights from ECW Cyberslam 1998

Good NBR show followed by a good Nitro.....although I gotta tell ya Togg, I hate the Chyner spelling I’d have been ok with China....Joanne....hell, even Asia, but that Chyner makes my eyeballs itch:D I was pleased to see Planet Stasiak get his head kicked off though.....that and WCW standing united at the end of the show

WWF RAW is WAR, April 1997, Week Two Prediction Key Etsuko Mita vs Luna Vachon Comments: Rey Mysterio vs George South Comments: Diamond Dallas Page vs Farooq Comments: Scott Steiner vs Jim Neidhart Comments: Love me some Scotty Steiner Brian Pillman vs Eddie Guerrero Comments: Guessing there’s some interference from Harlem Heat, possibly leading to a post match brawl Owen Hart & ??? vs Vader & Shawn Michaels Who is ???: I’ll go with Undertaker too.....Whoever it is, Owen should be getting the win after losing last week. You don’t want your champ losing too often.....probably a DQ/Schmozz kinda win.....that or at a push a no contest Comments: I missed the Smackdown picks but I like the concept of using the Super Asto’s Show for the Cruiserweights

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:60%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/yBV7cXp.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/yBV7cXp.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Week 2, January 1998</strong></p><p><strong> Hilton Coliseum (Ames, Iowa)</strong></p><p><strong> ATT: 12,080</strong></p><p><strong> TV: 27.89</strong></p><p><strong> Announce Team: Tony Schiavone, Dusty Rhodes and Larry Zbyszko</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/99nujXC.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/99nujXC.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> It's Thursday Night.....it's time for the new tradition on TBS.....it's time.....for WCW Thunder.....and we are opening at the announce table, where Tony Schiavone, Dusty Rhodes and Larry Zbyszko welcome us to the show and begin to run down our main event, telling us that The Rock and Curt Hennig have challenged (and had that challenge accepted) Eddie and Chavo Guerrero, when they get rudely interrupted by one very annoyed looking Jean Paul Levesque marching down the aisle.....</p><p> </p><p> .....JPL climbs into the ring with a microphone in hand and pauses for a second to gather his composure, before offering two simple words.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....I'm sorry....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....the commentators are somewhat surprised by that statement (considering the look of fury on his face) questioning what exactly Levesque could be apologising for. They don't have to wonder for long however, because the man himself lets them know.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Levesque says that he's never had to apologise so often, to so many people as he has since Shawn Michaels arrived in World Championship Wrestling.....from the boys in the back, to fans in the airports, even nice guy Tony Schiavone, every single person he comes into contact with has taken exception to Shawn Michaels actions and Shawn Michaels comments about WCW.....Levesque says that ever since his separation from the Titans of Wrestling he has been trying to make amends for his actions....his OWN comments about WCW.....his actions towards the boy's.....for months now he's been apologising.....so here it is one more time.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....I'm sorry.....</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> .....except now I'm not sorry for what Shawn Michaels has said......I'm not sorry for what I've done.....I'm not even sorry for what Shawn Michaels has done.....</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> .....I'm sorry for what we're GOING to do....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Levesque says that if someone has a problem with what Shawn Michaels says, all they had to do was step into the ring with him and try to shut him up.....if someone had a problem with something Shawn Michaels did, then All they had to do was face him one on one and try and do something about it.....INSTEAD they all stood around and watched with a smile on their faces as Shawn Michaels got taken down by the Titans of Wrestling.....</p><p> </p><p> .....JPL says that regardless of what little marital spats Randy Savage and Hollywood Hogan are currently having, at Souled Out, the Macho Man and The Warrior are going to pay for EVERYTHING they have done to him AND to Shawn Michaels.....and then.....when the Titans of Wrestling have been taken out, everyone that stood back and watched....the Chris Benoit's....Diamond Dallas Pages.....the Lex Lugers.....the Sting's.....it doesn't matter WHO you are.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....EVERYBODY is going on notice.....so get your laughs in now boys.....get your kicks and giggles while you can.....because believe me, when you stood back and watched Shawn Michaels get taken down and taken out, the only thing you were watching, is a little GLIMPSE of what's waiting for each and every one of you....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....with that Levesque throws the microphone down in disgust before storming to the back, leaving the announcers stunned, and crowd unsure HOW to react.....</p><p> </p><p> .....maybe a match will sort everybody out.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A*</p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p></div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><div></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/3SRpn1p.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/3SRpn1p.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/BvNoI3F.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/BvNoI3F.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....I mean, not a GREAT match, but a match none the less.....</p><p> </p><p> .....last week established that while you're still going to get all the action you're used to on Nitro, Thunder is the home of some of our lesser featured stars, with Rick Martel and Konnan both being great examples of that.....both men are decent enough in the ring to keep around, but neither man has really had a great deal to do as of late.....both could do with a win.....</p><p> </p><p> .....only one is going to get it.....</p><p> </p><p> ....unfortunately for him, at 41 years of age Rick Martel is most definitely at the tail end of his career, while the 34 year old Konnan obviously still has a lot of gas left in the tank....which is why the man billed from Mexico City, Mexico is the one to take home the victory here tonight, and relatively cleanly too, forcing Martel to submit to the Tequila Sunrise.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner:</strong> Konnan</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> C</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/BvNoI3F.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/BvNoI3F.jpg"></a><img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Z25KcCK.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Z25KcCK.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/LDNBnWK.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/LDNBnWK.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/6Ta6Awn.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/6Ta6Awn.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> Konnan celebrates a rare televised victory, when he's interrupted by Jimmy Hart of all people (along with the Faces of Fear, Meng and The Barbarian) who climbs into the ring, microphone in hand......</p><p> </p><p> .....he tells Konnan not to worry, they're not here to start a fight, <em>"I'm here to build a family baby"</em> his First Family to be precise.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Jimmy tells Konnan that while his Faces of Fear have their hands full with Mike Awesome and Gideon Cain at the moment, Jimmy knows it won't take them long to finish off that pair of wannabe's, and when they do, it's on to bigger and better things for Jimmy Hart and his newly formed First Family.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....and I want you to be part of the family baby....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....if I'm honest, Konnan doesn't look particularly excited at the proposition, but he doesn't turn the offer down either (perhaps something to do with the two large Islanders standing beside Hart) telling him that he needs some time to think about it before making a commitment one way or another.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Hart looks surprised that Konnan would need to think about it, after all, his career has hardly been flourishing as of late and he's quick to tell Konnan to make his decision sooner rather than later, because once word gets out that he's taking on clients the spots are going to fill up quickly.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....and when the spots are gone, they're gone.....and at that point baby, if you're not WITH the First Family, then you're AGAINST the First Family....and TRUST me, you do NOT want to be against us....."</em></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/bnX093W.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/bnX093W.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> Young Jeff Hardy is out next, and (as seems to be the trend tonight) he TOO has a microphone in hand.....</p><p> </p><p> .....now Jeff isn't what you would call a great talker (he gets by more on his natural charisma than his promo skills) but he's going to have to learn to cut SOMEWHAT of a promo if he ever wants to progress any further up the card, and Thunder is a great place to do that.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Jeff says that he's been stuck going round in circles with one form of James Vandenberg's twisted ministry or another for months now.....first Mortis, then Tajiri.....now Jinsei Shinzaki.....Vandenberg has thrown everything he has at Hardy, and Jeff Hardy is still standing, and Jeff Hardy is still the WCW Cruiserweight Champion.....and since he IS the WCW Cruiserweight Champion, it's time that he gave some opportunities to people outside of Vandenberg's little twisted family.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Hardy says that this past Monday night, Super Crazy and Kid Kash were supposed to face each other, Hardy WAS going to offer the winner of that match a shot at the Cruiserweight Title, but since Randy Savage took it upon himself to assault Crazy before that match even took place, there WAS no winner.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....Randy Savage, you'll get yours soon enough.....but since no one won that match on Nitro, I'm offering Super Crazy AND Kid Kash a shot at this Cruiserweight right NOW....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....an impromptu three way Cruiserweight title match? Are Super Crazy and Kid Kash going to accept?.....</p><p> </p><p> .....of course they are.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> C+</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/rqfXlN8.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/rqfXlN8.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/OylBAgj.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/OylBAgj.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/CvdbkUI.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/CvdbkUI.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/OylBAgj.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/OylBAgj.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/27KEe2J.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/27KEe2J.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> So here we are with a little impromptu title match.....and a three way impromptu title match at that.....Tony and Dusty spend a few moments talking about the integrity of Jeff Hardy, putting the Cruiserweight Title on the line here when he really didn't have to, and against two opponents none the less.....Larry isn't quite so complimentary, saying that Hardy's actions are admirable.....but stupid.....he says that Hardy could lose his title here tonight without even being involved in the finish, before lamenting about the naivety of youth..... </p><p> </p><p> .....naive or not, Hardy is clearly planning on being a fighting champion, but he has his work cut out for him here tonight.....Crazy and Kash may not be on quite the same level (popularity wise) as Hardy, but they're very capable in that ring and there is some great Cruiserweight action on display here, before Jeff Hardy ultimately finishes off Kid Kash with the Swanson Bomb for the one, two, three.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner:</strong> ....and <strong>Still</strong> WCW Cruiserweight Champion.....Jeff Hardy</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B-</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/ClbEoLB.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/ClbEoLB.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/8El8DGj.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/8El8DGj.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Qy7A7qD.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Qy7A7qD.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/0V7cJLX.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/0V7cJLX.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> Jeff Hardy raises his championship in celebration, but he doesn't get to celebrate for long.....his music soon cuts out as James Vendenberg makes his way out from the back (and yes, he has a microphone too) flanked by his dastardly disciples, Mortis and Shinzaki.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Hardy looks rather frustrated to say the least at the interruption.....he tells Vandenberg that he's done with this.....he said that he defeated Tajiri to win this Cruiserweight Championship, he defeated Shinzaki on route to winning the Cruiserweight Championship, he beat Shinzaki again last Monday to RETAIN the WCW Cruiserweight Championship.....he's done.....he's done with Mortis, done with Tajiri, he's done with Shinzaki.....and he's done with him.....it's over.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....on the contrary Mr. Hardy.....it is only just beginning....."</em></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 style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Xt1F5zG.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Xt1F5zG.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....as a masked gentleman springboards into the ring behind Hardy, knocking him senseless with a flying forearm to the back of the head.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Mortis and Shinzaki join the masked attacker in the ring, and as the trio proceed to beat the Cruiserweight Champion down, Vandenberg takes the opportunity to run his mouth.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he tells Hardy that his word has spread, and followers are coming to the world over for an opportunity to worship at the alter of his dark ministry.....he says that this man right here, Hayabusa, he's a prime example of that, and Jeff Hardy is going to find himself as nothing more than the sacrifice that continues the cleansing.....</p><p> </p><p> .....with that, Hayabusa drives Hardy hard into the mat with a Falcon Arrow that finishes the Champion off, as all three of Vandenberg's followers bow their heads at their pastor.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B+</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/phb9Ny4.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/phb9Ny4.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/JVuKUWE.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/JVuKUWE.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> There has been plenty of talk from the opposition about a new attitude in New York.....well there is attitude down south as well.....Johnny Attitude!!!.....and he's in action here against one of WCW's big boys, Lex Luger.....</p><p> </p><p> .....can World Championship Wrestling compete with this Attitude?.....</p><p> </p><p> .....yes.....</p><p> </p><p> .....The Total Package squashes him in about 3 minutes, finishing him off with the Torture Rack.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner:</strong> Lex Luger</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> C-</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/8jhvXnL.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/8jhvXnL.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/RSPIUo7.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/RSPIUo7.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....Luger barely broke a sweat in that last match, so Mike Tenay makes his way out for an interview which lasted longer than our last bout, entrances included.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Tenay says that the current mood in World Championship Wrestling could be described as tumultuous at best.....just when WCW should be on top of the world, with Sting holding the Big Gold Belt, with DDP and Chris Benoit taking the Tag Titles away from the Totally Awesome Trinity, with the Titans of Wrestling seemingly in some form of disarray, the stars of World Championship Wrestling should be as united as united can be.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....and then.....enter Shawn Michaels....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Tenay says that so focused as Shawn Michaels been on taking out the Titans singlehandedly, he's managed to alienate himself from practically the entire locker room.....and rub most of the roster up the wrong way at the same time.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Luger disagrees.....he tells Tenay that it's not Michaels intent to destroy the Titans of Wrestling that's the problem.....it's Shawn Michaels condescending and frankly insulting words about WCW.....it's Shawn Michaels higher than thou attitude.....and it's Shawn Michaels going around kicking people in the face that's rubbing people up the wrong way.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....me included.....and after taking that kick to the mouth on Nitro, I'm giving Shawn Michaels four days notice.....because on Monday Night, I want him in this ring.....and I'm going to shut his mouth once and for all....."</em></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 style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/99nujXC.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/99nujXC.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....hold that thought.....because JPL is here.....and he doesn't look to be in much of a better mood than he was earlier this evening.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he marches down the aisle and snatches the microphone away from Mike Tenay (shoving the petrified looking announcer to one side in the process) and gets right in Luger's face.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he tells Lex that after the six on one beating that Michaels took on Monday, he's in no state to be facing ANYONE in four days time.....he'll be there.....and he'll fight.....because that's what Shawn Michaels does.....but he shouldn't.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....so I'm going to be there.....like I SHOULD have been there last week....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Luger tells Levesque that HE wasn't the one that kicked him in the face last week, so regardless of what JPL thinks, Lex Luger is getting in this ring with Shawn Michaels....NOT with Jean Paul Levesque.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Levesque says that's fine, Luger can have Michaels on Monday, before stepping back and squinting up at the rafters.....he asks Luger if his little buddy is hiding out in the shadows? Or is he still in the back putting on his mascara?.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....either way, call him.....send out the bat signal, the crow signal, whatever the hell signal you have to light up to get Mr. Two-Matches-a-Year out of hiding, and tell him that YOUR mouth just wrote a cheque that HIS ass is going to have to cash.....Monday Night.....Lex Luger and Sting.....against Jean Paul Levesque and Shawn Michaels.....and Lex, for what it's worth....I don't think your "Package" is big enough to handle that....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....with that Levesque shoves the microphone into the chest of Luger, before giving a good old trusty "Suck It" Crotch Chop, as he heads to the back.....I guess we have our main event for Nitro sorted.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/H0Owyem.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/H0Owyem.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/5Plx1m4.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/5Plx1m4.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/rlXf3rD.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/rlXf3rD.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/iAQ78sG.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/iAQ78sG.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> Hey, the Nasty Boys are still employed.....go figure.....</p><p> </p><p> .....why?.....</p><p> </p><p> .....well actually, they're still surprisingly over following their stint as members of the Titans of Wrestling that only ended a few months back.....I mean, they're not "Totally Awesome Trinity" over, but they're still pretty popular.....popular enough that they'll be able to give a decent rub to an up coming young team.....</p><p> </p><p> .....when I find one.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the Samoan SWAT Team are NOT a young up and coming team.....I really need some new teams.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the Nasty Boys win.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner(s):</strong> The Nasty Boys</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/xuWPZBn.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/xuWPZBn.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/rlXf3rD.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/rlXf3rD.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/iAQ78sG.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/iAQ78sG.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....not much of a write up in that last match huh.....wasn't a great match to be fair.....but I did neglect to point out that the finish came about as a result of Samu being distracted by that same mystery masked man (that attacked him last week) stalking Gary Hart on the outside, leading to Fatu eating the pinfall.....</p><p> </p><p> .....when I say masked, I don't mean Hayabusa masked either, I mean "this is a stick up" black ski-mask, and Samu is clearly torn between checking on his partner and going to the aid of his manager.....</p><p> </p><p> .....fortunately the decision is made for him.....when a SECOND masked man jumps him from behind.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the original masked cohort abandons his pursuit of Gary Hart to climb into the ring, where Samu is beaten down to the mat beside his partner, until security finally comes rushing down the aisle.....it's too little too late though, and by the time they've got their our mystery assailants have disappeared back into the crowd.....</p><p> </p><p> .....someone clearly has it in for the SST though..... </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B-</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/WI3BQ7F.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/WI3BQ7F.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/w96EUju.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/w96EUju.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/gC3ccn7.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/gC3ccn7.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/izACez5.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/izACez5.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/mlsgR16.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/mlsgR16.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/1TMb3lf.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/1TMb3lf.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> Hoooooooooooo-ly sh!t, it's Jim Duggan.....as if the Nasty Boys weren't bad enough, we also have Hacksaw here, strutting around like it's 1990.....he's joined up tonight with the Soul Train (that's Ernest Miller and Ice Train) to take on the Canadian trio of Lance Storm and The Amazing French Canadians.....</p><p> </p><p> .....predictably (seeing that we're in the good old US of A) Hacksaw leads the crowd in a loud USA chant against the Great White North's imports.....it doesn't help much.....Lance Storm is still able to put the big man Ice Train away with the Canadian Maple Leaf.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner(s):</strong> Lance Storm & The Amazing French Canadians</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Otmasnl.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Otmasnl.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/sQ4Rwnh.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/sQ4Rwnh.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/OjWU4th.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/OjWU4th.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> Storm is pretty pleased with himself after that victory.....but then Lance Storm is always pretty pleased with himself.....it's one of the reasons he makes such an effective heel.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he grabs a microphone to declare that this result was never in question.....saying that three superior Canadian athletes were always going to triumph over these sub par (because they're American obviously) opponents, before saying that this was the first step on his road back to Championship Glory.....</p><p> </p><p> .....and what better way to mark this monumental victory, than win the greatest National Anthem of all time.....So Jacques.....Carl.....if you'll do the honours.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>"O Ca-na-da.....Our home and native land.....true patriot love.....in all thy sons command....."</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/HhRsCY1.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/HhRsCY1.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....nah, Hacksaw's not having that.....The Soul Train might have headed to the back, but old goggle eye is still here, and he slides into the ring (2x4 in hand) and wallops poor Jacques right in the back of the head with the lumber.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Oulette is next to eat the wood, landing right down beside his partner, and Storm presumably WOULD have been next in line, but he's not standing about, deciding instead that retreat is perhaps the best option against the board wielding Duggan.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Rougeau and Oulette quickly join him in the aisle, as our Canadian Hero's quickly make their exit to the back, leaving Hacksaw to rile up the crowd with an impassioned chant of USA.....</p><p> </p><p> .....something tells me that Lance Storm isn't going to stand for this.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Qo6tkaQ.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Qo6tkaQ.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/IE8aIxg.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/IE8aIxg.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/5UBKXIf.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/5UBKXIf.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> We've had the Nasty Boys.....Hacksaw Jim Duggan.....Rick Martel has had a run out.....what is this, WWF Summerslam 1992?.....may as well send out The Berzerker as well I guess.....</p><p> </p><p> .....ok, he's John Nord here, but hey, he's still got the furry boots.....</p><p> </p><p> .....at least his opponent is a WCW true blue original.....it's the WCW Television Champion Bill Goldberg.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Spear.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Jackhammer.....</p><p> </p><p> .....60-0.....</p><p> </p><p> .....that is all.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner:</strong> ....and <strong>Still</strong> WCW Television Champion.....Bill Goldberg.</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> C-</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/1xwvCQh.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/1xwvCQh.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/7Yb8Gwz.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/7Yb8Gwz.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....the champion collects his championship after another dominating victory, and is soon joined by Mike Tenay who makes his way out from the back.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Bill Goldberg hasn't conducted a single interview since his arrival here in WCW.....in fact, he's only said a handful of words (to Bobby Heenan some months back now) but apparently Mike Tenay is feeling lucky.....he congratulates the Television Champion on yet another decisive victory, telling him that he is now at sixty wins, with zero losses.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....and despite what our United States Champion Eddie Guerrero might think, that is without a doubt the greatest streak alive in professional wrestling today....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....to be honest, Goldberg looked about ready to leave until Tenay mentioned the US Champion, but at the sound of Eddie Guerrero's name his head snaps around with a snarl.....Tenay takes this as an invitation, asking Goldberg how he feels about Mr. Guerrero's recent comments surrounding our TV Champions undefeated streak, but apparently that snarl is all he's getting for now, as the undefeated rookie turns and marches to the back.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Tenay tells the crowd that sometimes less is more, and while Bill Goldberg has nothing to say, clearly the words of Eddie Guerrero are starting to get under the skin of this rookie sensation.....</p><p> </p><p> .....job done, Tenay tries to send us back to the announce table in anticipation for our next match.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>".....hold on there Tenay....."</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/aQrP0BT.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/aQrP0BT.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....it would seem that Buff Bagwell has something to say, as the Titan of Wrestling comes strutting and posing down the aisle.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Buff is an annoying little sh!t to say the least, and he's on full form here as he prances around the ring before ruffling Tenay's hair and pulling him in close, wrapping an arm over the shoulders of the interviewer.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he tells Tenay that his last interview bombed, but that's ok <em>"because unlike that wannabe, Larry Zbyszko up there on the headset, you've got a REAL Living Legend in the ring with you right here, right now"</em>.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Buff says that if you want to talk about streaks and wins around here, look no further than Buff Daddy himself, who's picking up victories like Dusty Rhodes picks up Hot Pockets.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....you line 'em up, and Buff Daddy knocks them down.....from Lex Luger, Rowdy Roddy Piper.....even one half of the current tag team champions Diamond Dallas Page is finding out what his old lady already knows, and that's that Buff.....is the Stuff....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Bagwell lets out an irritating cackle at that statement, and Mike Tenay tries to ask him exactly why he's here (and more importantly) where are the rest of the Titans of Wrestling.....</p><p> </p><p> .....but he doesn't really have chance.....</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 style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/v3sCcg8.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/v3sCcg8.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Gzaa5xR.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Gzaa5xR.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....because DDP obviously didn't take to kindly to those comments, and he makes his way out with the beautiful Kimberly on his arm.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Buff continues to brag about his victory over Page, but as Dallas climbs into the ring he's quick to inform Bagwell that he <em>"didn't win squat"</em>. He tells Buff that he got a fluke rollup after the Forgotten stuck their nose into DDP's business, but if he wants to try and pick up a REAL win, then Diamond Dallas Page is right here, right now.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Bagwell suddenly isn't quite so cocky as he holds his hands up in surrender.....he tells Page that he's not out here to fight....he hasn't stretched or warmed up, so if it's all the same to him, Bagwell is going to decline.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Buff turns to leave, and Page turns to Tenay, clearly looking to discuss any number of things (from Shawn Michaels to the Forgotten) but he probably should have kept his attention on Bagwell.....because Buff turns right back around and nails Page in the back of the head, before calling an official quickly out from the back.....</p><p> </p><p> .....looks like this match is happening after all.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B+</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/C5x2bXa.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/C5x2bXa.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/jbKPHuH.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/jbKPHuH.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....Buff goes for the pinfall the second the referee signals for the start of the match, but he's not getting a win that easily.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Bagwell may have picked up the victory on Nitro, but (as Page pointed out) it was hardly a decisive win....a second consecutive win though and Bagwell may never shut up about it.....</p><p> </p><p> .....fortunately for Page that victory wasn't coming.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Buff may have had the upper hand from the second the bell rang, but he couldn't keep Page down and he certainly couldn't put him out.....eventually Dallas managed to fight back into this one, before finally finishing his opponent off with the Diamond Cutter right in the middle of the ring.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner:</strong> Diamond Dallas Page</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/MmC4oea.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/MmC4oea.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/RSPIUo7.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/RSPIUo7.jpg"></a><img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/isSRl4K.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/isSRl4K.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/OhfpTxu.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/OhfpTxu.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> A smiling Mike Tenay re-joins DDP in the ring (clearly glad to have seen the defeat of Buff Bagwell) and the hulking figure that is Sid Vicious soon makes his way out to join them.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Tenay turns his line of questioning away from the Titans of Wrestling and onto the Forgotten.....Tenay says that it would appear as though we had a WCW Tag Team Title encounter planned for Souled Out between the reigning Champions DDP and Chris Benoit and their challengers Big Van Vader and Bam Bam Bigelow.....but after the events of this past Monday Night (which saw The Canadian Crippler Powerbombed on the steel ramp) is Chris Benoit physically able to compete?.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Page tells Tenay not to worry about Chris Benoit.....if Monday night proved one thing, it's that DDP's tag team partner isn't one to back down from a fight, and just to make sure that Kevin Sullivan doesn't stick his ugly face into the title match, big Sid Vicious is going to be right there at ringside.....</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 style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/99nujXC.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/99nujXC.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....god damn it Levesque.....didn't we do this twice already?.....apparently the third time is the charm, because after coming out to speak his mind to open the show, and coming out to challenge Lex Luger midway through the show, JPL is out again, this time to confront Diamond Dallas Page.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he tells Page that it must be nice to know that he's going to have someone there to watch his back.....someone who's going to be there if things go bad.....someone to even up the numbers.....someone that Shawn Michaels could have done with on Monday Night.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Page isn't buying what Levesque is selling.....he tells him that his boy got what was coming to him.....he says that ever since Shawn Michaels arrived he's been dragging his massive ego along for the ride, putting down WCW, putting down the WCW roster.....kicking people in the face when they DID try to help him.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....and walking by without so much as raising a hand to help as Chris Benoit was Powerbombed onto solid steel on Monday night.....the way I see it, Mr. Icon deserved every bit of that beating he got on Nitro.....my only regret.....</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> .....was that I didn't give it to him myself....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Levesque looks about ready to lay Page out, but the hulking figure of Sid takes one step to the side, positioning himself between the two men.....Levesque stares at the big man, JT he does back down.....he might be p!ssed, but he's not stupid.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he's not intimidated either.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he tells Sid that anytime his big ass wants to go, JPL will be there ready and waiting.....and as far as Page goes, if he really wants to step into the ring with Shawn Michaels, he's probably going to find out the same thing that Chris Benoit found out on Nitro.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....and that's the fact that when it comes to performing in this ring, you're good.....you're very good.....but compared to a JPL.....to a Shawn Michaels.....you're just second best....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Page tells Levesque that he and Benoit have a match at Souled Out.....Michaels and Levesque have a match at Souled Out too.....but once the Forgotten have been dealt with, Page would like nothing more than for Shawn Michaels and Jean Paul Levesque to.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>"......Feel.....The.....Bang!....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....things are a little bit tense right about now.....let's go to a commercial.....</p><p> </p><p> .....because our main event is next.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A*</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/NDHKuSs.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/NDHKuSs.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/UciOlUG.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/UciOlUG.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/QPEZk7O.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/QPEZk7O.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/O69T1oO.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/O69T1oO.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....and that main event? Well much as it was last week it's The Rock facing off against Eddie Guerrero.....except this time they're not alone, because Curt Hennig is joining forces with the Rock, while Eddies nephew Chavo Guerrero Jr. is his partner in this tag team encounter.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Rocky has openly said that he wants to make WCW Thunder HIS show, and he started out strong in the debut edition, winning the opportunity to once again challenge Eddie Guerrero at Souled Out for the WCW United States Championship.....Curt Hennig was on hand last week to make sure that Chavo Guerrero wasn't a factor in that match (in the way that he was very much a factor in Eddie's Starrcade victory) as well as picking up a win over the younger Guerrero this past Monday on Nitro......with all that being said, the Guerrero's must be keen to pick up the victory tonight.....</p><p> </p><p> .....or maybe not.....</p><p> </p><p> .....because after a pretty good back and forth battle, The Rock dropped The People's Elbow onto the chest of Chavo and positioned himself ready to strike with the Rock Bottom.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the strike didn't come.....</p><p> </p><p> .....because instead, Eddie reached under the bottom rope and dragged his nephew to safety, before completely waving off the match and heading to the back, choosing to take a count-out loss but live to fight another day.....</p><p> </p><p> .....although as Hennig and Rocky celebrate another victory, the commentators are quick to point out that "another day" is only two weeks away, and Eddie Guerrero's "streak" may well be about to come to an abrupt end at the hands of the Rock.....</p><p> </p><p> .....we'll see you Monday night fans.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner(s):</strong> The Rock & Curt Hennig (via Count-Out)</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Final Rating:</strong> B+</p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p></div><p></p>

The Young Pistols vs. Rick Rude and Shawn Michaels Not in this lifetime, the next lifetime, any other lifetime, nor any alternate reality in any of the multiverse are the Young Pistols wining this Beat The Champ: Firebreaker Chip © vs. Don Harris – WCW Television Title Come on Chip, you can do it Lethal Lottery preview: Marcus Bagwell and Steve Austin vs. Owen Hart and Chris Jericho This was actually a surprisingly difficult pick.....I’m going for Austin’s team solely because he’s the US Champ Lance Storm vs. Brian Pillman Less of a difficult pick, but should still be good Now can we hurry up and get to Starrcade please

”.....bro, screw you....screw Meltzer.....and screw those stupid snowflake ratings of his.....'book Benoit and Michaels' you said, 'it'll be a five star match' you said.....instead, what I got was a five star hissy fit from Shawn fricking Michaels after he and Benoit put on that clusterf### of a match....." ".....I don't know what to tell you Vince, they SHOULD have had a great match....." ".....yeah, yeah.....would'a, could'a, should'a.....you know what, I SHOULD'A put Hogan and Beefcake in the main event, they WOULD'A had a better match, then you COULD'A kissed my New York Ass.....how about that....." ".....they really wouldn't have had a better match Vince.....did you see Starrcade 94?....." ".....no I didn't see fricking Starrcade 94, but I DID see Shawn Michaels hopping up and down backstage, getting his little panties all in a bunch because his match was the sh!t's.....and THAT, I do not need bro.....I've got the Mega Powers exploding backstage, with Hogan and Savage at each other's throats.....I still got a miserable fricking Giant because he's a no friend loser.....and NOW, now I got Shawn Michaels ego to massage......I don't need this bro....." ".....I don't know what he's getting so p!ssy for, I mean, the match wasn't actually THAT bad.....sure, you wouldn't want it main eventing Starrcade, but for Nitro it was fine.....they just didn't click a opponents, it happens sometimes...... ".....yeah well, Benoit wants to be careful, we've seen what happens when you don't click with the clique.....he'll be getting the Dean Douglas treatment if Shawn decides it was his fault....." ".....maybe try the team approach.....you've got Thunder coming up, have Shawn and Hunter going against Benoit and Page, see if you can't put that smile back on Michaels face....." ".....no fricking chance bro.....you and your 'good matches' can kiss my ass.....you know who I'm booking on Thunder? Just as a big F-You to you? The fricking Nasty Boys.....howd'ya like that? Tell Meltzer to get his fricking shovel ready, because he's about to be knee deep in snowflakes bro....." ".....yeah, that'll teach us Vince.....good one....." ".....you know what, f##k you, now you get to watch Jim Duggan too.....(inaudible clattering).....god damn it, I gotta go.....Shawn Michaels has entered the building, and he's not fricking happy......” .....:::::CLICK:::::.....

<p>God damn, what's a real world diary got to do to get some love around here <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> in that vein I shall nominate (without any links because I can't remember how to do it)</p><p> </p><p> Togg's New Blood Rising event for event and James Casey's WCW Dangerous Territory for legendary(?) diary of the month.</p><p> </p><p> Togg came back with a bang with a tremendous event, while James continues to put on the best (and most consistent) diary on here that perhaps flys under the radar a little. I wasn't around much when the Diary of the Year was up and running, but this has been my diary of the year for some time now</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="crackerjack" data-cite="crackerjack" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><strong>Chris Benoit vs </strong><strong><strong>Shawn Michaels</strong></strong><p><strong> Comments: </strong><strong><em>This will be fun - I want to say the KOW come in to destroy both men, but I don't think Shawn will be happy getting a draw with Benoit </em></strong></p></div></blockquote><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> He won't be happy with their match either.....in fact I'd wager that he threw quite the hissy fit backstage after they got dinged with the bad chemistry note.....Michaels and Benoit in bad match shocker </strong><img alt=":rolleyes:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/rolleyes.png.4b097f4fbbe99ce5bcd5efbc1b773ed6.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Blodyxe" data-cite="Blodyxe" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><strong>Woo, my fav diary is back... and better than ever! Nice to see ECW here too, good luck!</strong></div></blockquote><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> Thank you brutha, good to be back and good to have you back on board</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Blodyxe" data-cite="Blodyxe" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><strong><strong>The Pitbulls</strong></strong><strong> vs. Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom</strong><p><strong> Comments: Don't know much about the second team</strong></p></div></blockquote><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> You don't know the Beverly Brothers? </strong><img alt=":eek:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><strong> I suppose they were a bit forgettable in their WWF run, but I always had a soft spot for Beau and Blake, plus they were great in the AWA. Certainly head and shoulders above the Pitbulls in terms on in ring ability.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Blodyxe" data-cite="Blodyxe" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><strong>Great show! Was surprised to see the images actually being so big (which is great) on desktop, great work there.</strong><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> Interesting that Stevie Ray is the one bending the values, and not Booker, who certainly has a checkered past.</strong></p></div></blockquote><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> Are the images that big? I know they're a little bigger than the usual but I've never viewed them on a desktop, all the images were created on my iPad, just like all the shows are written and posted on there too.....I know they say that size isn't everything but I think Scott Steiner might disagree with that saying </strong><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><div style="text-align:center;"><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:60%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/hzf7tIZ.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/hzf7tIZ.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Week 2, January 1998</strong></p><p><strong> New Haven Coliseum (New Haven, Connecticut)</strong></p><p><strong> ATT: 11,000</strong></p><p><strong> TV: 28.99</strong></p><p><strong> Announce Team: Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan and Mike Tenay </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/cvLMGWh.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/cvLMGWh.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> As we creep ever closer to Souled Out, we open tonight (as we often do) with a promo.....not surprising in itself.....what IS surprising however is the fact that it's NOT the Titans of Wrestling out here (as they do like to monopolise these opening segments) and what's doubly surprising, is that after saying nary a word for close to five month, the WCW Champion, Sting is out here again, microphone in hand, for the second week in a row.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the Stinger says that while he's been somewhat quiet in recent months (understatement and a half there) there is something that he needs to get off his chest and it partakes to tonight's main event.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Sting says that he came out here last week to let out a rallying cry.....a cry to unity.....a cry to ultimately put an end to the Titans of Wrestling once and for all.....he says that the Titans are already imploding under the pressure, they're in the casket.....all it takes now is for WCW to finally drive a steak into their black heart.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....all of WCW.....together.....because no one man, no matter how big his ego is, is enough to kill this disease off.....</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> .....Shawn Michaels, you might think yourself the Icon of professional wrestling because you had a little bit of success elsewhere, but you can take it from me, this is WCW, and no matter how good you THINK you are, until you've proved it in front of these WCW fans, you're nothing more than a big mouth with a lot to say....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Sting says that he's seen (and heard) Shawn Michaels' disparaging remarks about World Championship Wrestling since his arrival back in the tail end of October, and every word out of his mouth is an insult, not only to every single wrestler in the back there, not only to every man that's worn (or competed for) this title around his waist, but to every single fan that pays their hard earned money to watch WCW.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the Stinger tells Michaels that he may well have not wanted to sign for WCW <em>("but ya did")</em> and the WCW roster might not be too happy that you're here either <em>("but you are")</em> so instead of badmouthing World Championship Wrestling.....instead of trying to big league everyone else.....instead of kicking people in the face when they're out there helping you.....instead of working AGAINST people......try working WITH people, and you might find your stay here in WCW that little bit more tolerable.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....then again, you can keep running that mouth of yours.....and sooner rather than later, someone's going to shut you up....permanently......"</em></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 style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/ngncMpn.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/ngncMpn.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....you'd think perhaps that those words would bring out Shawn Michaels himself to deliver a retort of sorts.....</p><p> </p><p> .....you would be wrong.....</p><p> </p><p> .....who it DID bring out however, is the man who's set to challenge Sting for the WCW World Title at Souled Out......The Giant.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the big man walks down the aisle and confidently climbs into the ring, where he tells Sting that he doesn't want to concern himself with Shawn Michaels, the Titans of Wrestling, or anyone else.....all he needs to be concerned about is the fact that in a few weeks time, he's got to step into the ring with the Giant, with the WCW Title on the line.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Giant says that the Titans of Wrestling will be the least of his concerns come Souled Out, because the Giant has been wanting TWO things these last six months.....taking the World Title from whoever has it at the time.....and wrapping his big hands around Stings throat.....and at Souled Out, he gets to do BOTH.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....so the Titans don't matter.....Shawn Michaels is insignificant.....the only thing you need to worry about, is what I'm going to do to you when that bell rings....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....insignificant?....."</em></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 style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/oh84X3L.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/oh84X3L.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> <em>".....the only thing that's insignificant around here is this god damn company and their second rate 'Rassler's....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....apparently Mr. Ego, Shawn Michaels didn't like being referred to as 'insignificant' by the Giant, as he too now comes marching out from the back.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he climbs into the ring and gets right in the Giants face, telling him that the only reason he has that World Title shot at Souled Out, is because Shawn Michaels is allowing it.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....but if you refer to ME as insignificant again.....well, let's just say that you wouldn't be the first giant I've kicked in the mouth.....big man....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Giant smirks at that, clearly far from intimidated, as Michaels turns his attention to Sting.....he tells the WCW Champion that he thought he'd been pretty clear about things.....HE is going to tear down the Titans of Wrestling.....HE is going to break them down one by one.....and HE does NOT need any help from WCW and their second rate 'stars'.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....so what I suggest you do Crow Boy, is take your second rate ass back up to the rafters, take your second rate title with you.....and get ready to face this second rate Andre the Giant wannabe at Souled Out.....because I gotta be honest, you're really starting to p!ss me off about now....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Sting cracks a rare smile at that comment, before unhooking his title belt, placing it on the mat and telling Michaels to <em>"make me"</em>, before shoving him right in the chest.....</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 style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/OvbHblE.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/OvbHblE.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/99nujXC.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/99nujXC.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....it looks as though these two are about to get into it.....or it DID.....until Lex Luger and Jean Paul Levesque come rushing out from the back to get between them.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Luger tells Sting he has bigger things to worry about.....quite literally.....because the Giant is 100% focused on the WCW Champion, while Sting is focused on anything but the (very real) threat that waits for him at Souled Out.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Levesque tells Michaels much the same thing.....they have an anything goes war lined up with Randy Savage and The Warrior to worry about, without adding any more adversary's to the equation.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Michaels is a little bit of a hothead, but if anyone can talk him down in tends to be Levesque, which is exactly what he does here.....Shawn finally relents and begins to exit the ring, just as Lex Luger tells JPL that he might want to put a leash on his boy before his mouth gets him in even more trouble.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....and Shawn Michaels doesn't even miss a beat, turning straight back around and clocking Luger straight in the mouth with some Sweet Chin Music.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....Lex drops like a sack of sh!t as Michaels tells Sting loudly to <em>"Suck It"</em> followed by an obligatory crotch chop, as a clearly frustrated Jean Paul Levesque physically removes his friend from the ring and shoves him up the aisle to the back, telling him that he needs to <em>"stop this sh!t"</em> as they go.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Sting watches them leave, his usually blank expression clearly one of anger as he crouches down to check on his friend.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....which is when The Giant grabs him by the back of his head by the hair, dragging him back to his feet.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....Giant warned Sting to concentrate on him and him alone.....Luger warned Sting that the Giant was focused on him and only him.....he perhaps should have listened.....because the big man wraps one huge hand around the neck of his Souled Out opponent, hoists him high in the air.....and then Chokeslam's him right back down to the mat beside Luger.....</p><p> </p><p> .....damage done, The Giant picks up the WCW Title from the mat and holds onto it for a beat, before finally dropping it down onto the prone body of the Champion, telling him that next time, maybe he'll take the Giant more seriously.....</p><p> </p><p> .....let's go to a promo package advertising Souled Out, while we sort this mess out.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A*</p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p></div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><div></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Qo6tkaQ.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Qo6tkaQ.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/IE8aIxg.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/IE8aIxg.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/48xRpDs.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/48xRpDs.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> Our first match this evening is a championship encounter, and one that comes with a big question mark.....can the undefeated rookie sensation Bill Goldberg, get the 400lb Rikishi Fatu up in the Jackhammer?.....</p><p> </p><p> .....this was a pretty good match up to be fair.....these two men might both be fan favourites, but they do like to fight.....neither man is exactly known for their finesse or technical prowess.....what they ARE known for, is power and high impact, which is exactly what we get.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Bill Goldberg's matches are getting that little bit longer the higher he moves up the card, and Rikishi isn't exactly an opponent that is going to be squashed without getting some offence in, so the Television Champion does have a fight on his hands here.....</p><p> </p><p> .....at least until he almost Spears Rikishi back to Samoa.....</p><p> </p><p> .....from there the crowd erupts in anticipation.....and (in an incredibly display of strength) when Goldberg DOES get the huge man up for the Jackhammer, the place absolutely erupts.....as he drives him back down to the mat for the one, two, three.....and to take his undefeated streak to 59-0.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner:</strong> .....and <strong>Still</strong> WCW Television Champion.....Bill Goldberg</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/r1dvVYA.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/r1dvVYA.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/SeialaI.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/SeialaI.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/2EPs81y.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/2EPs81y.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/aQrP0BT.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/aQrP0BT.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/5XrTwCg.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/5XrTwCg.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/DJt4Wpa.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/DJt4Wpa.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/aNE9X2Q.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/aNE9X2Q.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> From there we go down to the parking lot, where the Titans of Wrestling are making a later than usual entrance.....interestingly enough, there are two separate limousines arriving, each one more than large enough to accommodate the entire Titan group twice over.....so why are Randy Savage and The Warrior travelling and arriving in their own vehicle, while Vince Russo, Buff Bagwell and the Totally Awesome Trinity arrive in another? And perhaps more importantly than that, where is Hollywood Hogan?.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the commentators are wondering the exact same things, and take great pleasure in speculating that all does not appear to rosy in the Titan of Wrestling camp.....will we get some answers tonight? I guess time will tell.....but as Savage and Warrior join up with their stable mates, the atmosphere is decisively icy.....let's go back down to ringside. </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B+</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:12%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/bwTVwuF.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/bwTVwuF.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/wP6uiXI.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/wP6uiXI.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/yy2nKvJ.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/yy2nKvJ.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:12%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/rUvhNkl.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/rUvhNkl.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> Last Monday Night, Meng defeated Mike Awesome (albeit with a little help from the Barbarian) and the Faces of Fear proceeded to continue the assault after the bell.....</p><p> </p><p> .....at least until Gideon Cain made his return.....</p><p> </p><p> .....this past Thursday Night, on the debut edition of Thunder, Missy Hyatt officially challenged the Faces of Fear to meet her men at Souled Out in a tag team encounter, as well as challenging The Barbarian to face Gideon Cain here tonight in singles action.....and, as the commentators inform us, BOTH challenges have been accepted, which is why we have this match right now.....</p><p> </p><p> .....for the record, this one was bowling shoe ugly.....and I knew it would be.....</p><p> </p><p> .....to be fair, Gideon Cain is still pretty green out there (although he is vastly improving under the guidance of Bobby Eaton) and really relies on his opponent to lead the match.....</p><p> </p><p> .....his opponent tonight was The Barbarian, so I guess you can figure out how well that went.....</p><p> </p><p> .....don't get me wrong, Barb' is a veteran and an utmost professional, but while his work is solid enough, he's no psychology major himself, so the match did drift in places.....</p><p> </p><p> .....fortunately there was enough of a dog and pony show going on right now at ringside to compensate for any snafu's, because not only were Missy Hyatt and Jimmy Hart out there, so were each man's respective partners, as Meng and Mike Awesome lurk about on the outside.....</p><p> </p><p> .....there was interference on both ends, but in the end it was Gideon Cain who came out on top, after Awesome tripped Barb from the outside, causing him to stumble straight into the East of Eden for the one, two, three.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner:</strong> Gideon Cain</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> C+</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/CvdbkUI.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/CvdbkUI.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> We come back from commercial break and we air a quick vignette highlighting the newly minted WCW Cruiserweight Championship.....our newly minted WCW Cruiserweight Champion Jeff Hardy.....and a quick overview of the difficulties Young Jeff has been having with one James Vandenberg and his twisted ministry.....from Mortis' initial attempt to purge WCW of Hardy, to Tajiri turning on him....we see Jeff winning the Cruiserweight Championship at Starrcade (without showing Tajiri breaking his neck) as well as the reveal of the newest member of Vandenberg's parish, Jinsei Shinzaki.....</p><p> </p><p> .....following that, we head up to the announce desk as they inform us that our Cruiserweights are coming up next, and with no formal #1 contender yet being announced, the winner of this next match between the Mexican Madman Super Crazy and young Kid Kash, could well give the victor a strong argument as to why THEY should be facing Jeff Hardy.....</p><p> </p><p> .....it's Super Crazy that makes his way out first, coming bursting out of the back like a man possessed as he poses on the entrance way......</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> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/kK69YMX.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/kK69YMX.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....which is when Randy Savage parts the curtains, steel chair in hand.....and absolutely waffles the loopy luchador with a hard shot across the back.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Savage is wild eyed and exactly that.....savage.....as he lays into poor Super Crazy, nailing a further two times with the chair before diving on top of him and unloading with a series of rapid fire right hands, before dragging him to his feet by his hair and slamming his head into the safety rail.....</p><p> </p><p> .....I don't think this Cruiserweight contest is going to be happening.....Super Crazy is in no condition to complete right now, while Kid Kash would have to be pretty stupid to come out here with the mood Randy Savage is in.....and anyway, it doesn't look like Savage is going anywhere anytime soon, as he grabs a microphone and climbs into the ring.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he says that last week, he rounded up the troops in a show of unity, to take WCW and all the naysayers apart.....to silence all the suggestions that the Titans of Wrestling were in trouble.....to show that the Titans of Wrestling were still the dominant force in WCW and the world, and every single Titan showed up to fight.....</p><p> </p><p> .....except one.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the same one that doesn't seem to be here tonight actually.....the FORMER world champion, Hollywood Hogan.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....you weren't there brother.....you ain't here now neither.....so what I really, really, really, really, really want, yeah....is for Vince Russo to come out here, and tell the Macho Man exactly why that it.....</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/nb8tiZ0.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/nb8tiZ0.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....he doesn't have to wait for long (which is probably a good thing given Savage's mood) before a rather uncomfortable looking Vince Russo comes walking out from the back.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Russo instantly attempts to placate the crazed Savage, but Macho isn't interested in anything the boss is saying, the only thing that he wants to know, is where is Hogan?.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Vinnie Ru (rather sheepishly) tells Macho that after finding out that he wouldn't be getting his WCW Title rematch at Souled Out, he left to do the one thing he had been putting off as World Champion.....Hollywood, has GONE to Hollywood.....he's filming a brand new blockbuster movie.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....gone to Hollywood? Or just gone full stop, yeah.....see maybe Mr. Hollywood thought that when the going gets tough, the not so tough go to Hollywood....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Macho says that maybe the Titans need to stop worshipping the ground that Hogan walks on, and start taking matters into their own hands.....starting tonight.....the Two Totally Awesome Titans of Wrestling got off to a good start last week, but they didn't finish the job and The Pitbulls were left standing.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Savage says that it's time the Titans started finishing the job....no more Mr. Nice Titan.....maybe it's time the Titans showed Shawn Michaels.....Jean Paul Levesque.....Sting.....Lex Luger......showed the world.....maybe it's time the Titans showed Mr. Hollywood, Hollywood, exactly who the true force around here is.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....and maybe it's time that YOU, Mr. Russo bossman, maybe it's time you closed your eyes.....because you don't want to be accountable for what WE do......tonight......"</em></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A*</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/nIAz8RC.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/nIAz8RC.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Xg0pwPN.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Xg0pwPN.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> While Randy Savage attempts to fire up the Titans of Wrestling in the ring, we head backstage, where Shawn Michaels is preparing himself for his upcoming match with Chris Benoit....and while Jean Paul Levesque is right there with him, the former Titan isn't particularly enamoured with his friend right now.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Michaels is still b!tching and moaning about the roster interfering with his plans to destroy the Titans of Wrestling, and the company as a whole, citing that this second rate promotion should be thanking him for raising their prestige simply by being here, before asking just who the hell Chris Benoit thinks he is thinking he can hang with Shawn Michaels in the first place, telling Levesque that he should stick to hanging around in the middle of the card defending his tag team titles like the good little tag team wrestler he is.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Levesque listens.....and listens.....and listens some more.....and finally he's heard enough, loudly telling (a shocked looking) Michaels to <em>"SHUT UP!"</em>.....</p><p> </p><p> .....JPL asks Michaels if he knows who he sounds like right now?.....<em>"just a tag team wrestler brother.....not good enough to be in the ring with me.....he should stay down in the midcard dude"</em>.....Levesque tells Shawn that this is the exact same conversation that the Hulk Hogans and The Warrior's of the world had about Shawn Michaels ten years ago.....he says that this is the exact thing Shawn heard about himself for years, the exact reason he's had that chip on his shoulder, and the exact thing he spent a decade proving wrong.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he tells Michaels that he needs to cut the high and mighty, better than anyone else crap, because honestly, JPL is sick of apologising for his actions, his comments and his god damn presence in the company.....</p><p> </p><p> .....running down WCW might be amusing to Michaels, but it's not funny to the people that work here.....that CHOOSE to be here.....that WANT to be here.....people that bleed WCW like Sting.....people that CHOSE to jump over to WCW from the "so-called bigger company" like Lex Luger.....people that are grateful to finally get a chance to showcase their talent on a big stage like Chris Benoit.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....people that have made WCW their home.....like ME....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Levesque tells Shawn that he's so determined to put an end to the Titans, that he can't see that he's no better than them.....kicking Chris Benoit in the face last week.....Lex Luger tonight.....Shawn Michaels doesn't have many friends in the business as it is, and the way he's going, soon he won't have any at all.....</p><p> </p><p> .....JPL tells Michaels to get his ego in check, because there's a roster full of talent here.....talent that he should be helping to build, not bury.....and as for tonight.....as for his match with Chris Benoit.....Shawn Michaels is on his own, because Jean Paul Levesque is leaving.....</p><p> </p><p> .....with that Levesque snatches up his bag and storms out of the room (presumably heading for his car) leaving a rather shell shocked (and p!ssed off) looking Shawn Michaels speechless for once.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B+</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/nriUVsq.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/nriUVsq.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/FQLifWf.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/FQLifWf.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/bkSzDav.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/bkSzDav.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Kwl7nyo.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Kwl7nyo.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> Back to the action now, and it's tag team action as Madusa's Mutts, The Pitbulls face the former Brothers Beverly, Mike Enos and Wayne Bloom.....</p><p> </p><p> .....I know most people will probably remember Enos and Bloom predominantly from their WWF run (and perhaps perceive them as somewhat of a jobber team because of that) which is a shame.....I personally enjoyed the Beverly Brothers, but regardless of that one gimmick, Enos and Bloom were/are a really good team.....decent look, really solid in the ring, had enough charisma to get by and could (somewhat) cut a promo.....they could have been a real plus to WCW's questionable tag team division.....unfortunately that didn't happen.....</p><p> </p><p> .....could it happen here?.....</p><p> </p><p> .....no.....</p><p> </p><p> .....probably not.....</p><p> </p><p> .....they did put on a decent showing here against the Pitbulls though.....just not good enough.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the Pitbulls still have some unfinished business with the Two Totally Awesome Titans to attend to (and have challenged the pair to a match at Souled Out) so with Copeland and Cage looming on the horizon, this duo can't be losing to a couple of ham 'n' eggers like Enos and Bloom.....which is why they pick up the victory here, after taking out Mike Enos with that Superbomb from the second rope.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner(s):</strong> The Pitbulls</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B-</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/KvDgZcZ.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/KvDgZcZ.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/X6g6a8K.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/X6g6a8K.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/RmsrPVV.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/RmsrPVV.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/n7GFEsO.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/n7GFEsO.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> Mean Gene makes his way out next for his first assignment of the evening, and he's looking to get word from Madusa and The Pitbulls.....he spends a few minutes plugging the hotline (1-900-909-9900.....that's 1-900-909-9900 and for just $1.49 a minute you can hear all the news and rumours from around the wrestling world) before turning his attention to Madusa.....</p><p> </p><p> .....in between not-so subtle glances at the leather clad Madusa's ample chest (you dirty old man Gene) he tells Madusa that twice the Pitbulls have faced the Totally Awesome Trinity, and twice they have fallen to the Totally Awesome Trinity.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....so with all due respect to you Madusa, why will this time be any different?....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Madusa says that whether her Pitbulls win, lose or draw this match, it doesn't matter.....Copeland and Cage have nothing to offer but their suffering now that they no longer hold the Tag Team Titles.....the Pitbulls are going into this match with only one mission.....take the Titan Twosome out.....permanently......</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> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/wYulN53.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/wYulN53.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Jg2T62p.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Jg2T62p.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/CXQGLDZ.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/CXQGLDZ.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....hold that thought.....because this Totally Awesome Twosome are actually a Totally Awesome Trinity, and all three men dive into the ring from behind right now, crashing into the pair of Pitbulls.....</p><p> </p><p> .....both Pitbulls have felt the force of Ray Traylor's nightstick in the past.....and they both feel it now too, as Gary Wolfe takes a shot in the back of the head, while Copeland and Cage work over Anthony Durante, before the Trinity swap places, so that Durante can taste the nightstick while Copeland and Cage give a beating to Wolfe.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Gene is long gone (as is often the case during moments of conflict like this) but Madusa is still there, shrieking at the Totally Awesome Trinity, although as Copeland and Cage each drop to the outside to collect a steel chair a piece, it looks as though her shrieks are falling on deaf ears.....</p><p> </p><p> ......the former tag team champions each position themselves on either side of Gary Wolfe, raising those steel chairs in anticipation of what looks to be another one of those devastating Con-Chair-To's that put the Pitbull on the shelf once before.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Wolfe is in no position to defend himself, while Durante is in no condition to help.....looks like game over for Gary Wolfe as Copeland and Cage draw back those chairs.....</p><p> </p><p> .....only to pause.....</p><p> </p><p> .....because Madusa is screaming at them at the top of her lungs not to do it, and as Cage drops his chair to pick up Mean Gene's discarded microphone, it looks as though her shouts are really putting him off.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....you know what Madusa, you're totally hot (in a weird 'your neighbour's hot mom' kinda way) but your voice is totally annoying....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Copeland agree's, saying that he wished they had a way to do something about that.....before he and Cage both smile and each slap themselves on the forehead in a eureka moment.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....the thing....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....the thing....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....we've got the thing....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....we've totally got the thing....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....Ray-Ray, we've totally got the thing, right?....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Traylor nods his head once, before reaching inside his flack jacket, while Copeland continues to talk.....he tells Madusa that she comes out here screeching and totally ruining their mojo, she comes out here making disparaging remarks about the Trinity.....she comes out here making threats.....making challenges.....she really needs to totally shut up.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....you totally need.....</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> .....a muzzle....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....which is exactly what Ray Traylor pulls out of his jacket.....a muzzle fit for a Pitbull.....</p><p> </p><p> .....or in this case, a Pitbulls manager, as a laughing Cage and Copeland tell Madusa to turn around so that The Enforcer can shut her mouth once and for all.....</p><p> </p><p> .....obviously Madusa is reluctant.....after all, who wants to be muzzled? Talk about degrading.....Copeland tells her that's fine, she doesn't want to wear the muzzle then he and Cage can always make a little music with these steel chairs to drown her noise out, as the two Canadians again position themselves over Gary Wolfe, poised to strike with a Con-Chair-To, which is when Madusa finally relents.....</p><p> </p><p> .....she turns around and faces away from the Trinity so that Ray Traylor can strap that muzzle right around her mouth.....and if that wasn't bad enough, when he is finished, he shoves the young lady right down on the mat beside her clients.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Randy Savage put the order out earlier.....he wanted the Titans of Wrestling to make an impact tonight, and with The Pitbulls down and out, Madusa completely humiliated, and Copeland, Cage and Traylor standing tall, the Totally Awesome Trinity have certainly done that.....</p><p> </p><p> .....and on that note, a completely disgusted Tony Schiavone sends us to commercial.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A*</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/dICBV2c.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/dICBV2c.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/gaVTlU8.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/gaVTlU8.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/6UuMoAM.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/6UuMoAM.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....we're back, and we go TO the back.....Mean Gene has obviously decided that the ring isn't a particularly safe place to be, choosing to conduct his next interview in the locker room.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he's with the United States Champion Eddie Guerrero and his nephew Chavo Guerrero Jr.....Gene wants to get word with the younger Guerrero and his thoughts on his upcoming debut match with Curt Hennig.....</p><p> </p><p> .....unfortunately, Eddie Guerrero has other idea's and every time Gene turns his attention to Chavo, Eddie diverts the conversation back onto the subject of HIM and HIS "streak" of championship defences, until Gene has finally had enough.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he can get a bit salty at times our Mean Gene, and after having his interview constantly disrupted he eventually snaps at Eddie that the only streak worth anything around here, is Bill Goldberg's UNDEFEATED streak.....he tells Eddie that he may have held on to the belt every time, but he did NOT win every match.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....in fact, Chavo Guerrero's opponent tonight, Curt Hennig, holds TWO victories over you alone....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....yeah, but who's the Champion esè?....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....but it can hardly be considered a streak when you didn't win all the matches....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....who's got the US Title holmes?....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....well I for one don't think th....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU THINK VÀTO....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Eddie chuckles at his blatant theft of The Rock's catchphrase there, before telling Gene that the ONLY thing that matters, is who HAS the gold and who DOESN'T have the gold.....and Eddie Guerrero for six months now, has had the gold.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....well by my reckoning, Bill Goldberg has an undefeated win streak AND he has the gold, so make of that what you will....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Eddie is clearly frustrated now, asking Gene who he beat.....who has Goldberg defeated that's worth a damn?.....Gene fires straight back that he defeated Rikishi Fatu just tonight.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....pfttt, Rikishi, big deal esè, I beat him.....beat him so bad that little Rocky had to come to his defence.....and then I beat him too holmes....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Eddie says that until Bill Goldberg has beat a man of Eddie Guerrero's standard.....until he's defeated a Papi of Perfection....he ain't defeated nobody esè.....just like Curt Hennig ain't defeating nobody tonight.....just like Rocky ain't defeating nobody at Souled Out.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....because Chavo Guerrero's streak, that starts tonight.....and my streak.....THE streak.....that keeps on keeping on at Souled Out esè.....c'mon Chavo....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....I guess that means that it's Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Curt Hennig.....next.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/CFs0lWM.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/CFs0lWM.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/O69T1oO.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/O69T1oO.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> This is Chavo Guerrero Jr's debut match here in WCW since making the switch from the WWF.....obviously family ties had some sway on Chavo's defection, but you've got to believe that the World Wrestling Federations decision to abandon their light heavyweight devision must have been a big part of that jump too.....</p><p> </p><p> .....similarly, while this is Chavo Guerrero's first match in WCW, it's Curt Hennig's first match back in quite some time too, his last outing being in a losing effort to Eddie Guerrero back in November of last year.....</p><p> </p><p> .....in fairness to Curt, he did defeat Guerrero in two of their three meetings.....unfortunately those were Count-Out and Disqualification victories, which meant the US Title didn't change hands either time.....speaking of hands, Curt actually had the United States Championship in his hands at the culmination of their US Title Ladder Match, retrieving the Championship from the top of the Ladder meaning he SHOULD have left WCW Mayhem as the new US Champ.....it wasn't to be though, because the referee was incapacitated when Hennig retrieved the title, and when he DID regain his senses, it was Eddie Guerrero that he saw holding onto the gold.....</p><p> </p><p> .....with that being said, who do you chose to lose a match like this.....the returning star?.....the debuting worker?.....obviously the fact that Eddie Guerrero has accompanied his nephew to the ring puts the debuting Guerrero at a big advantage, after all, Eddie isn't averse to bending the rules.....and he interferes in the match.....</p><p> </p><p> .....a LOT.....</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 style="max-width:12%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/JmRqRET.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/JmRqRET.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:12%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/RCIaRiK.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/RCIaRiK.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....or he DID.....</p><p> </p><p> .....until The Rock came out from the back to even up the odds on the outside.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he heads over to physically stop Eddies constant interference, but the Papi of Perfection hightails it before Rocky can place so much as a finger on him, disappearing to the back and leaving Chavo Guerrero high and dry and all alone.....</p><p> </p><p> .....after that it really didn't take long for Curt to do his thing and he quickly finished off the youngster with the Hennig-Plex right there in the middle of the ring.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner:</strong> Curt Hennig</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/sAPvGCk.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/sAPvGCk.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/3wzmidb.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/3wzmidb.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/GAv0MvB.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/GAv0MvB.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> Next up we should be seeing Diamond Dallas Page facing off against Buff Bagwell.....before we get to that however, we have the arrival of The Forgotten to contend with.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Kevin Sullivan leads his two beasts of bedlam out from the back and grabs a microphone from ringside as the trio climb into the ring....Tony Schiavone informs us that this was SUPPOSED to be an interview segment scheduled with Mean Gene, but following the Mayhem in his earlier in ring interview, coupled with the bloodlust of Kevin Sullivan and The Forgotten in recent months, apparently Gene has declined to come out.....</p><p> </p><p> .....it doesn't really matter, this wasn't an especially long segment, and it was really only to make things official.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Sullivan says that the Forgotten assaulted WCW Tag Team Champions Diamond Dallas Page and Chris Benoit at Starrcade.....they assaulted them last week on Nitro.....they assaulted them on the debut edition of Thunder.....obviously they want the Tag Team Champions attention.....but more specifically, they want Diamond Dallas Page and Chris Benoit's ChampionSHIPS.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Sully says that you would think the match would have already been booked.....it hasn't.....so consider this an official challenge.....Souled Out, the Forgotten want Diamond Dallas Page.....the Forgotten want Chris Benoit.....and most importantly, the Forgotten want a WCW Tag Team Championship match.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Sully says that DDP and Chris Benoit are the very epitome of what the Forgotten despise.....two men that claim to have been "Forgotten".....overlooked.....held down.....held back.....and yet in six short months, they have BOTH had World Championship opportunities.....they have BOTH had United States Championship opportunities.....and they have obviously had World Tag Team Championship opportunities.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....not bad for two guys that are supposed to be "Forgotten".....not bad for two men being held back.....held down.....you know how many Championship opportunities WE have had in that same time?.....Zero.....None.....Nothing.....so go ahead and bleat about just how forgotten you two boys really are....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Sully says that at Souled Out, Dallas Page and Chris Benoit are going to find out first hand, that he.....that Bam Bam Bigelow and Big Van Vader.....they're not going to be forgotten anymore.....and anything they want.....they're just going to take.....and they're starting with the WCW Tag Team Titles.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/wPKvc9U.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/wPKvc9U.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/o5VxOZB.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/o5VxOZB.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....I guess we'd better get on with the show now that the challenge has been made, although I don't know if the Forgotten are waiting for an answer or scouting one of their possible opponents, but they're still out here as Bagwell and Page make their entrances, and they don't seem to be in any rush to leave either, remaining right there on the outside even after the official rings the bell.....</p><p> </p><p> .....don't worry about them though.....I'm sure they won't play a part in the finish of the match at all......</p><p> </p><p> .....Tony Schiavone does question just why the official is allowing The Forgotten to remain at ringside, but Bobby Heenan has the answer to that.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....do you want to go down there and tell Big Van Vader to go to the back?....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....no I do not Brain....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....and neither does the humanoid in the ring....."</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....good point well made Brain.....anyway, the match.....interestingly enough, both this match AND our next match came about following the conclusion of last weeks Buff Bagwell/Shawn Michaels main event.....this match, because DDP was one of the men to come out and stick their nose in Titan business, while our main event came about because Shawn Michaels apparently took offence to the help offered to during that "Titan Business".....kicking Chris Benoit in the face with some Sweet Chin Music.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Diamond Dallas Page has progressed a hell of a long way in the last six months in terms of popularity.....back when he began his war with the Titans of Wrestling, Hollywood Hogan kinda had a point, that being that midcarder Dallas Page perhaps DIDN'T deserve to share a ring with Hollywood.....six months down the line though and midcarder Dallas Page is long gone, replaced with Main Event Dallas Page, who is more than worthy of sharing a ring with most anyone.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Buff Bagwell hasn't done too badly for himself either since joining up with the Titans.....sure he's eaten a loss here and there.....sure, if the Titans need to put someone over brother it's probably going to be Buff doing the honours, but he's also had victories over former World Champions like Lex Luger and genuine icons like Rowdy Roddy Piper, so I don't think he minds the occasional loss.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he'll be happy tonight too.....</p><p> </p><p> .....because while no member of the Forgotten actually physically interferes in this match up, their mere presence is a constant distraction to Page, who completely takes his eye off the ball (and off his opponent) long enough to jaw jack with Sullivan and long enough find himself rolled up from behind for a surprise one, two, three.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner:</strong> Buff Bagwell</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/MmC4oea.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/MmC4oea.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/1MgoOOh.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/1MgoOOh.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/XMjklgs.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/XMjklgs.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....Buff is delighted with that victory, and he struts and poses all the way to the back as DDP looks on frustrated.....the Forgotten briefly surround the ring and it looks like Dallas is going to have another fight on his hands, but instead of stepping between the ropes, Sullivan withdraws his troops, telling Page to accept their challenge.....accept his fate.....before disappearing to the back.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Kimberly joins her man in the ring and hands him a microphone, with which he first of all tells Buff Bagwell that he better go buy a lottery ticket, because his luck is clearly in, before calling out the face of the Championship Committee, Eric Bischoff.....</p><p> </p><p> .....it doesn't take long for Mr. Bischoff to make his appearance and Page gets straight to the point.....he says that Bischoff has seen the Forgotten's actions as of late, he's heard the Forgotten's words tonight.....at Souled Out, he's going to make the Forgotten feel the bang.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....so go ahead and make the match Mr. Championship Committee....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Bischoff doesn't really have to think twice about it, telling Dallas that it would make for a fantastic match.....if he's sure that he wants to face The Forgotten that is.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....you bet your ass I'm sure....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....then we have it.....Souled Out.....Diamond Dallas Page and Chris Benoit vs. Bam Bam Bigelow and Big Van Vader.....for the WCW World Tag Team Titles.....that's assuming Chris Benoit has no problems with that?.....</p><p> </p><p> .....DDP says that Chris Benoit never backed down from a challenge in his life, but why don't you go ahead and ask him yourself, since he's in action next anyway.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/AgqzH0I.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/AgqzH0I.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....and the Crippler's music begins to play, as the other half of the World Tag Team Champions makes his way out, fully dressed to compete, because his match with Shawn Michaels is coming up next.....</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 style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/3HJxDov.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/3HJxDov.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Ys3fjU3.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Ys3fjU3.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/1hv1duI.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/1hv1duI.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....not that he gets far.....</p><p> </p><p> .....because The Forgotten come rushing out from the back to ambush the man, sending him crashing into the steel WCW letters positioned on the entrance way.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Dallas Page dives out of the ring and rushes up the aisle, but with Benoit already down, this is basically a three on one affair, and Dallas has already competed once this evening.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Page suffers the same fate as his partner, getting launched into the steel WCW letterings, before Vader drags Chris Benoit back to his feet, walks him to the middle of the entrance way.....</p><p> </p><p> .....and positions him for a Powerbomb.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the announcers are horrified at this (well, Tony and Mike anyway) screaming from their position that someone needs to stop this before the Forgotten inflict permanent damage.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....and that's right when Shawn Michaels music begins to play.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/QG3WGUy.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/QG3WGUy.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....and as Tony Schiavone exclaims that he has finally seen the error of his ways, the former WWF Champion comes walking out from the back......</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....straight past Vader and Benoit.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....and marches cockily down the aisle and to the ring.....clearly he's just making his big entrance for his main event match.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....the Forgotten (warily) watch Michaels pass, until he is in the ring and it's clear that he's not here to stop their fun.....at which point Vader goes right ahead and lifts Benoit up.....</p><p> </p><p> .....and Powerbombs him right there on the entrance way.....</p><p> </p><p> .....as Doug Dillinger and his crack security team FINALLY make an appearance, putting a stop to the carnage.....and we go to commercial, because our main event is next.....although judging by the look of Chris Benoit.....</p><p> </p><p> ....maybe not.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A*</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Xrtjhm2.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Xrtjhm2.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/oHOea7H.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/oHOea7H.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/h0Ujs4a.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/h0Ujs4a.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....well we're back.....and while Shawn Michaels is still in the ring, Chris Benoit is not.....because the Crippler is still flat on his back on the entrance way, getting checked over by medical personnel, while DDP hovers over him with a concerned look on his face.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Dallas abruptly stands up and marches over to the commentary position where he picks up a microphone, angrily asking Shawn Michaels just what the hell that was?.....Shawn being Shawn, is at his annoyingly arrogant best, telling Page that he's <em>"not 100% sure.....but I think......THINK.....it was called.....a Powerbomb"</em> before breaking out in an obnoxious laugh.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Page says that he knows damn well what he means.....has Michaels got no balls? He's just gonna walk by the Forgotten and do nothing as a man gets Powerbombed out here on the steel?.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....balls?.....BALLS?.....it ain't about balls little man......I told everyone, a thousand times over, I'm here in this godforsaken company for one reason and one reason only.....I'm not here to make friends.....I'm not here to kiss babies.....and I'm sure as hell not here to hold your hand when you're getting your asses kicked.....I'm here because I'm going to singlehandedly tear Randy Savage, The Warrior, and all the rest of the so called Titans of Wrestling apart.....so send your little buddy down here, let's get this match over with, so I can get back to doing what's important around here jack....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Page asks Michaels if he's a dumb as he is annoying?.....he says that there's no way that match is happening, Chris Benoit just got Powerbombed onto a goddamn steel entrance way.....although this doesn't seem to bother Shawn, who simply shrugs his shoulders, tells the official to ring the bell, count Benoit out, and they can all get out of this dump of a town.....</p><p> </p><p> .....that probably would be the smart thing to do.....but despite his partners pleas, Chris Benoit is dragging himself to his feet and staggering towards the ring....I guess this match is about to take place after all.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B+</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Yu6aDXE.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Yu6aDXE.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/TFVQgbO.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/h0Ujs4a.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/h0Ujs4a.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....although it really shouldn't.....Chris Benoit is really, REALLY in no condition to perform.....he's going to though, and Shawn Michaels has no problem in taking advantage of his opponents weakened state.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Chris Benoit sells like his life depends on it here, and Michaels is on the offence from the get go, focusing on the back area of the Tag Team Champion, but god damn, nothing that the former Heartbreak Kid does will keep the Crippler down.....and Shawn Michaels is getting incredibly frustrated by that.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Page hasn't gone anywhere, and he's come right down to ringside to cheer his partner on, obviously keen for someone to knock Mr. Ego down a peg or two, and honestly, the longer this match goes and the more frustrated Shawn Michaels gets, the more chance we have of that happening, because despite Chris Benoit being on the defence for practically all of the match, Shawn Michaels begins to make little mistakes......and slowly but surely, Chris Benoit begins to pull himself back into this one.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Michaels might think that he's bigger and better than WCW and bigger and better than the WCW stars, but Chris Benoit might be about to change his mind with his never say die attitude.....especially when he begins to light his chest up with a series of blistering knife edge chops.....</p><p> </p><p> .....and from there, it's Shawn Michaels time to sell.....and he does.....tremendously.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he bounces around the ring from pillar to post.....he gets suplexed out of his boots.....he hits the Ric Flair up and over in the corner off an Irish Whip, gets propelled from the apron to the guard rail on the outside with a running charge, then eats the guard rail again when Benoit comes sailing through the ropes with a spectacular (considering his current physical condition) running dive, before getting tossed back into the ring as Chris Benoit goes up top, looking for that Diving Headbutt.....</p><p> </p><p> .....which he unfortunately doesn't connect with.....</p><p> </p><p> .....and as he groggily pulls himself back to his feet, he gets his head knocked off with some Sweet Chin Music.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he's taken a Powerbomb from Big Van Vader on the steel entrance way, kicked out of everything that Shawn Michaels could dish out, and STILL taken the former WWF Champion to his very limit.....but that final Sweet Chin Music was one hit too many, as Chris Benoit FINALLY goes down for the one, two, three.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner:</strong> Shawn Michaels</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/wpn2fWf.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/wpn2fWf.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/fRtDgY7.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/fRtDgY7.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/h0Ujs4a.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/h0Ujs4a.jpg"></a></p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/qQQiQxd.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/qQQiQxd.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/jzD3Ttz.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/jzD3Ttz.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/aQrP0BT.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/aQrP0BT.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/zbUtanX.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/zbUtanX.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/psEGFc8.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/psEGFc8.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/dfHWDxP.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/dfHWDxP.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....oh dear.....Shawn Michaels may have just won that match, but it looks as though he, Page and Benoit might still have their work cut out for them this evening.....because after putting out the rally cry earlier this evening, Randy Savage is leading out the Titans of Wrestling, for what may well be a big six on three beatdown.....</p><p> </p><p> .....or rather six on one.....</p><p> </p><p> .....because as the Titans reach the ring, Dallas Page reaches under the bottom rope and pulls Chris Benoit to the outside, giving Shawn Michaels the universal "up yours" arm gesture, telling him (and pretty much echoing Michaels own words from earlier) that this ain't their fight, as they walk right back up he aisle way, coming to a halt on the entrance way, where they stop to watch the action.....</p><p> </p><p> .....it's about this time that Shawn Michaels could have used the help of Jean Paul Levesque, it might have helped a LITTLE bit.....but as the six Titans climb between the ropes, the announcers remind us that (in a little jab at the early HBK character) JPL has left the building.....and Shawn Michaels is all alone.....</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 style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/OvbHblE.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/OvbHblE.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....oh hey, it's Lex Luger.....maybe he's here to help.....</p><p> </p><p> .....oh.....no, apparently not.....because he too comes to a halt on the entrance ramp right next to Benoit and Page.....he's here to watch too.....but then, after Shawn Michaels kicked him in the face earlier, why WOULD he help him out here?.....</p><p> </p><p> .....there's plenty to watch as well, because once they've established that no one is making the save, the Titans pounce on Shawn Michaels as one, punching, kicking and stomping Michaels to the mat.....</p><p> </p><p> .....one by one (as the assault continues in the ring) members of the WCW roster walk out on the entrance ramp to join the trio already there.....WCW wrestlers who have no doubt also had just about enough of Shawn Michaels running their promotion down.....from a Disco Inferno and an Alex Wright, to The Road Warriors, Mike Awesome and Gideon Cain.....there are old faithfuls like Brad Armstrong.....trio's such as The Blue Bloods.....and even more recent arrivals like Jeff Hardy and Lance Storm.....</p><p> </p><p> .....and they're all standing by and watching as the Titans of Wrestling beat down the loud mouthed Shawn Michaels.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/fQ6nEEh.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/fQ6nEEh.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....until the large group on the entrance way suddenly part like the Red Sea, as the WCW wrestlers clear a path.....for the WCW Champion himself to make his way out.....</p><p> </p><p> .....and much like the rest of the WCW crew, Sting comes to a halt up there.....and he too stands by and watches as the Macho Man scales the turnbuckles, before placing the final blow on a very prolonged beat down by hitting that patented Flying Elbow, right to the heart of the completely finished Shawn Michaels.....</p><p> </p><p> .....which is exactly how this weeks edition of WCW Monday Nitro comes to an end.....with To y Schiavone telling us that after weeks and weeks of subtle (which turned into not so subtle) jabs from the former Heartbreak Kid, WCW has just delivered some "tough love" of its own, standing by and doing nothing to halt the attack of the Titans of Wrestling.....</p><p> </p><p> .....maybe that elbow drove some humility into the arrogant Shawn Michaels.....</p><p> </p><p> .....then again, maybe it didn't.....</p><p> </p><p> .....I guess we'll find out in coming weeks.....</p><p> </p><p> .....goodnight fans.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A*</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Final Rating:</strong> B+</p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p></div><p></p>

Vader vs Barry Horowitz Comments: Gimme Steve Austin & Brian Pillman vs Local Talents Comments: Gimme Ken Shamrock vs Tatanka Comments: Gimme a man after midnight....wait, that’s an ABBA song. These first three picks are pretty much squashes though WWF European Championship Match: Rey Mysterio © vs Bam Bam Bigelow Comments: This could actually be a hell of a feud if you wanted to carry on past the one match Eddie Guerrero vs Chris Jericho Comments: Coin flip between them, but should be a fantastic match Non-Title Match: Owen Hart vs Shawn Michaels Comments: Shawn would be a given to win this in most diary’s, you’ve built Owen up huge though. Probably won’t be a clean cut win, smelling a DQ It’ll take a few shows to refresh where we were when you left off, but this seems like a solid start

Super hyped to see you back working on this one. Didn’t follow any of your other work as it wasn’t really in my wheelhouse so it’s good to have you back in my comfort zone

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:60%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/BC8Hy9X.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/BC8Hy9X.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Week 2, January 1998</strong></p><p><strong> Hilton Coliseum (Ames, Iowa)</strong></p><p><strong> ATT: 13,442</strong></p><p><strong> TV: 38.02</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/cPEc52K.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/cPEc52K.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>.....:::::!!!!!GONG!!!!!:::::.....</strong></p><p> </p><p> .....well it's Monday Night.....we're 13 days away from the 1998 Royal Rumble.....and the World Wrestling Federation is currently in a mood that's as black as his heart.....because as the arena descends into darkness, the gong sounds and the lights flash, The Undertaker stalks his way down the aisle with a look of unbridled fury on his face.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he climbs into the ring (microphone in hand) and cuts right to the chase.....he says that for two weeks now Brian Pillman has been "unavailable" and for two weeks now, Brian Pillman has committed unspeakable atrocities upon men who's only crimes have been their association with the Deadman.....well tonight, he's going to make it simple.....the Reaper has a long list of souls to take (a list that's growing bigger by the week) and Brian Pillman is number one with a bullet, followed closely by Bret Hart and his Hart Foundation, but Hart can wait, because it's Pillman that the Undertaker wants.....and he wants him here tonight.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....not in a match.....not in a debate.....not even in a fight.....Brian Pillman.....for what you did to Paul Bearer.....for what you did to Kane.....tonight.....it's going to be a massacre.....and you will NOT....Rest.....in......"</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>.....:::::!!!!!GLASS SHATTERS!!!!!:::::.....</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/13so4TK.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/13so4TK.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....not many people would have the guts to interrupt the Undertaker.....Steve Austin however is most definitely not like most people, and as the glass shatters (and the crowd erupts) he marches down the aisle and climbs into the ring without so much as a moments hesitation.....and when he IS in the ring, he doesn't even do the Undertaker the honour of acknowledging his presence until he has saluted the fans (middle fingers raised) on all four corners of the ring.....</p><p> </p><p> .....finally he grabs a microphone from ringside and marches right up to the Undertaker, telling him that this is a complete and utter waste of time.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....hell son, they might call you the Deadman but you must be brain dead too if you think for one second that Vince McMahon is going to serve Brian Pillman's ass up to you on a silver platter....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Austin says that since everybody knows that Brian Pillman ain't gonna be coming out here any time soon, how about we get down to some important business, the business of Vince McMahon officially entering Stone Cold Steve Austin into the 1998 Royal Rumble match.....</p><p> </p><p> .....The Undertaker is far from pleased at the intuition here, questioning Stone Cold's intelligence as he states that Austin has about as much chance of being entered into the Royal Rumble match as Taker has of Brian Pillman walking down that aisle right now.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the two men almost come to blows, with Austin telling the Deadman that he probably doesn't want Steve Austin being entered into the Rumble, because he knows that Austin will win and he damn sure knows that Austin would whip his ass at Wrestlemania.....</p><p> </p><p> .....fortunately, Vince McMahon makes his way out to act as the voice of reason.....</p><p> </p><p> .....I guess.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/mTL46g9.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/mTL46g9.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....telling the duo that actually, they're BOTH right.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he says that Steve Austin is correct, Brian Pillman will NOT be coming out here any time soon.....because much as he has been in recent weeks, Brian Pillman is otherwise occupied (a fact which Jim Ross calls very convenient) and The Undertaker is correct too, because there is no chance in hell that Vince McMahon will willing just enter Steve Austin into the Royal Rumble match.....</p><p> </p><p> .....BUT.....</p><p> </p><p> .....since both parties have had their differences with the Hart Foundation, McMahon will offer an alternative.....</p><p> </p><p> .....tonight, the Undertaker WILL get to take his frustrations out on somebody.....when he faces off against Owen Hart.....</p><p> </p><p> .....and if Steve Austin wants to earn entry into the Royal Rumble match, well then he's going to have to earn it.....and all he has to do is win ONE match.....unfortunately, that will be a HANDICAP match.....against Chris Jericho....and Test.....</p><p> </p><p> .....obviously neither man has a problem with that.....The Undertaker just wants to punish someone, and Steve Austin has never backed down from a fight in his life.....so even though the tension remains between the two top fan favourites in the company right now, they do at least he'd to the back without coming to blows.....</p><p> </p><p> .....because they have matches to prepare for.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A*</p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p></div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><div></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:12%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/nVvvpcN.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/nVvvpcN.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/D8hQDAy.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/D8hQDAy.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/xV2Bmd9.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/xV2Bmd9.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/1jS5dtd.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/1jS5dtd.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:12%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/tLEmvSS.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/tLEmvSS.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> Our opening contest is a bit of a strange one....because not only is it two heels facing off, but I'm not even sure it's two heels that are feuding.....ARE the New Age Outlaws really feuding with Dustin Rhodes and Marc Mero? Or is it actually Sunny and Terri that are at odds?.....</p><p> </p><p> .....well actually, the answer is both.....</p><p> </p><p> .....and neither.....</p><p> </p><p> .....because if you want to get technical about it, the New Age Outlaws are feuding with Dustin Rhodes and Marc Mero.....AND with Al Snow and Chris Candido.....over which pairing should be the next to challenge Harlem Heat for the WWF Tag Team Titles.....</p><p> </p><p> .....so anyway, with that (somewhat) cleared up, it does explain why Al Snow and Chris Candido make their way out to join the commentary table.....why Dustin Rhodes and The Road Dogg are in their respective partners corner.....and why Sunny and Terri spend a good portion of the match hurling catty insults at each other.....</p><p> </p><p> .....considering this IS a heel vs. heel match, the match itself isn't half bad, but the finish is a bit of a dog and pony show that sees Billy Gunn take advantage of the fact that Sunny and Terri break out in a cat fight on the outside, drawing the referees attention away from the fact that he nails Mero between the legs with a low blow, before finishing him off with the Famouser for the one, two, three.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner:</strong> Billy Gunn</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B+</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/D8hQDAy.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/D8hQDAy.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/d6MhRqp.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/d6MhRqp.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/CPbOhme.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/CPbOhme.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/IZLQEZt.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/IZLQEZt.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/LsqvFhh.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/LsqvFhh.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/7TVDrCJ.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/7TVDrCJ.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....but you know full well that with so many bodies out there, the action wasn't going to end just because the match has.....</p><p> </p><p> .....right?.....</p><p> </p><p> .....because the bell rings but Sunny and Terri show little interest in that, and more interest in attempting to tear each other's hair out right there on the floor in front of the announce table.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Road Dogg and Rhodes attempt to break it up, but they just get in each other's way until finally tempers flare and Dustin Rhodes launches the Road Dogg over the table, where he lands right in the lap of Chris Candido.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Candido goes down.....Road Dogg goes down.....but both men quickly get back up.....and begin hurling punches at each other.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Snow doesn't like feeling left out, so he climbs the announce table and throws himself off (in the direction of Dustin Rhodes, taking him out with a flying clothesline) before proceeding to trade blows with the son of a son of a plumber on the outside.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Mero was knocked silly by the Famouser (and is still selling the previous low blow) but he and Gunn soon get in on the action too, as the inevitable three team mayhem breaks out on the floor, while Sunny and Terri continue to attempt to scalp one another (and flash quite the bit of flesh at the same time) much to the delight of the crowd.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>"......STOP IT, STOP IT.....STOP THIS RIGHT NOW....."</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/mTL46g9.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/mTL46g9.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....apparently the chairman has seen just about enough of this, as he makes his way out from the back with a small army of security following quickly behind him that rushes down the aisle to try and separate the three warring teams (and two rolling diva's) while McMahon remains on the entrance way.....</p><p> </p><p> .....finally with order somewhat restored, McMahon tells the six men that he doesn't know who in the hell they think they are, but he's seen just about enough from all of them.....he tells them that they can come out here all they want and each declare themselves the number one contenders to the tag team titles.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....but unfortunately for you, I'M the boss around here.....and it's ME that decides who gets the shots around here....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....and he says that to prove that point, he's going to make TWO title matches right now.....one for right here tonight and one for the Royal Rumble.....because TONIGHT.....the WWF Tag Team Titles will be on the line, when Harlem Heat defend the gold against.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>".....the Nation of Domination....."</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....the three teams are clearly deflated by that announcement, obviously (wrongly) assuming that one of them was going to get that shot, a fact which McMahon clearly realises.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....oh I'm sorry.....did you think that I was going to REWARD this behaviour tonight? Because if you did, you were very much mistaken......but don't worry, I still have another title match to announce......</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> .....and at the Royal Rumble event.....all SIX of you individuals will be competing for the opportunity to call yourself champion.....in a match where there can be only be one winner.....</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> .....the Royal Rumble match itself....."</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....ok, he did it again.....because again, all six men clearly thought that they were getting a shot (if not tonight, then at the Royal Rumble at least) at the WWF Tag Team Titles.....and again, they clearly thought wrong, with Billy Gunn even wondering out loud just who Vince is giving the Championship opportunity to.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Vince obviously must have noticed the question, because he's very quick to answer it.....telling Gunn that there is really only ONE team worthy of challenging for the gold.....only one team.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....that's endorsed by Corporate....."</em></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 style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/UuHvEV1.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/UuHvEV1.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/NX2vOWD.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/NX2vOWD.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....as The Nature Boy and The Enforcer come walking out from the back.....a huge smile on the face of Ric Flair as the due flank McMahon.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Jim Ross isn't happy about this, stating that while he can't say he's a fan of either the New Age Outlaws or the pairing of Dustin Rhodes and Marc Mero (he does like Snow and Skippy though) but this is a blatant abuse of power by the chairman of the World Wrestling Federation (<em>"first Brian Pillman gets ANOTHER World Title opportunity, now Flair and Anderson get a shot at the tag titles.....what's next? Does Vince have any kids we don't know about? Maybe his wife would like a shot at the Intercontinental Title too"</em>).....</p><p> </p><p> .....obviously Rick Rude would beg to differ, telling Ross that Vince McMahon just handed all six of these men a shot at the main event of Wrestlemania XIV....but more importantly, a shot at the World Wrestling Federation World Title.....they should be thanking him.....</p><p> </p><p> .....they're not thanking him.....</p><p> </p><p> .....in fact, they're currently being escorted from the arena.....</p><p> </p><p> .....as we go to a commercial for the Royal Rumble.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/fpnOx00.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/fpnOx00.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/f0WG1yC.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/f0WG1yC.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/2hWsrQN.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/2hWsrQN.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/xGyfYpZ.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/xGyfYpZ.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/QTC0OZH.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/QTC0OZH.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> I don't know if Harlem Heat were prepared to put their titles on the line tonight, but they haven't turned down a challenge yet and it doesn't look as though they're about to start now.....</p><p> </p><p> .....their opponents tonight are (as we have just found out) the Nation of Domination, namely Mark Henry and D'Lo Brown, two of the newer (and least experienced) members.....</p><p> </p><p> .....you would have thought if given the choice that Ahmed Johnson (the new leader of the Nation) would perhaps have chosen himself and maybe Kama to participate in this title match.....unfortunately both men are already scheduled to compete later this evening against the big Texan Bradshaw and his mystery partner, so it's Henry and D'Lo that get the nod.....</p><p> </p><p> .....surprisingly the Nation pair come out alone.....possibly a mistake given their relative inexperience in high profile matches. The pair could definitely have benefited from some council (and quite honestly, some interference) at ringside too, because Booker T and Stevie Ray have title match experience up the wazoo.....a fact that they convert to victory here, finishing off D'Lo Brown with a Powerbomb/top rope elbow combination.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner(s):</strong> .....and <strong>Still</strong> WWF Tag Team Champions.....Harlem Heat</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/fpnOx00.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/fpnOx00.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/f0WG1yC.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/f0WG1yC.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/o8o6ZHo.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/o8o6ZHo.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> The Heat are handed their Championship belts, as Michael Cole joins them in the ring.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Cole congratulates them on their victory, before asking how they feel about their upcoming title defence at the Royal Rumble? Cole says that while Booker and Stevie must have suspected that they would be defending the titles on the first event of the new year, they surely had either the New Age Outlaws, Dustin Rhodes and Marc Mero, or Al Snow and Chris Candido in mind as their opponents, only for Vince McMahon to drop the bombshell that it will ACTUALLY be the multi-time World Champion Ric Flair and his best friend Arn Anderson standing across the ring from them.....and with little under two weeks to prepare, are they at all worried?.....</p><p> </p><p> .....they don't appear worried.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Booker says that he and his brother have been taking on any and all comers since the day they won these belts, and they've been doing so sometimes (like tonight) on a few minutes notice.....they don't need two weeks, two days, or even two hours to prepare.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Stevie says that growing up on 110th street in Harlem meant that if you weren't prepared to fight 24/7 then you weren't going to last very long.....Stevie says that they don't need two weeks to prepare for a couple of fruit booties like Flair and Anderson.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Booker says that Ric Flair might be one of (if not THE) greatest wrestler in history, but all those World Titles are SINGLES titles.....these are the World TAG TEAM titles, and Harlem Heat are THE GREATEST tag team alive today.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/MFXEPSv.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/MFXEPSv.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/SIIte9A.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/SIIte9A.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/EbKLwhg.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/EbKLwhg.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/oaoTLfs.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/oaoTLfs.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/lbl7Cno.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/lbl7Cno.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....D'Lo and Henry HAD made their way to the back during this brief promo.....but they're out again and they're not alone.....they have the rest of the Nation of Domination by their side.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Booker and Stevie ready themselves for what surely will be a vicious gang style beatdown as these five men climb into the ring.....but Ahmed holds his hands up, letting them know that they're not here to fight.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....we're here with an offer.....</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Ahmed says that he knows Harlem Heat have had their differences with the Nation in the past, but that was the OLD Nation.....the Nation that existed to only enhance the career of ONE man.....this is a new Nation.....a Nation that believes in working together for the greater good of ALL members.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Ahmed says that the Nation COULD have come out here tonight and TAKEN those tag team titles by pure force of numbers.....they didn't.....quite simply because if Harlem Heat accept their offer, the tag team titles will be within the ranks of the Nation of Domination anyway.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....join us.....join the Nation.....and it won't matter WHO gets put in front of you.....Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Kane, The Undertaker, Steve Austin.....because the NATION will make sure that those titles stay around your waist permanently.....by any means necessary....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....the Nation have made their pitch.....Booker T to be fair doesn't look too impressed with the suggestion that the Nation could have just taken the titles tonight had they so wished, and begins to tell Ahmed that.....but Stevie cuts him off, telling him that they need to talk about this.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Ahmed tells the Heat to think about it, before leading the Nation to the back again, as Booker T and Stevie Ray look to be locked in a heated debate, and we go to the back.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B+</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/GZUV6Ix.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/GZUV6Ix.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/btVcwTQ.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/btVcwTQ.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/UmjkjmT.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/UmjkjmT.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Go8E4u6.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Go8E4u6.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/PnBM24f.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/PnBM24f.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/18hyaeF.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/18hyaeF.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/cnmHWkU.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/cnmHWkU.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....where Vince McMahon (and the apparent new #1 contenders to the tag titles, Ric Flair and Arn Anderson) is in the locker room of the Hart Foundation.....and Bret (as usual) does not look happy.....</p><p> </p><p> .....The Hitman tells McMahon that they did his dirty work for him last week.....they took out Austin, they helped to take out Kane and The Undertaker.....so why (especially after what happened to the Deadman's brother last week) is HIS brother having to step in there with the Undertaker tonight?.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Bret says that the Deadman is unhinged tonight.....the Undertaker is out for blood and Vince McMahon is deliberately putting Owen Hart in harms way.....why?.....is he looking to screw over the Hart Foundation again?.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Vince tells Bret not to be so melodramatic.....he says that he has already shown the Hart Foundation that their "assistance" would be rewarded.....Chris Jericho has another shot at Scott Hall's Intercontinental Championship at the Royal Rumble.....Bret Hart has a WWF Championship opportunity that he can take any time AFTER the Royal Rumble.....what does Owen want? A shot at the European Championship?......</p><p> </p><p> .....Owen contemplates that for a moment, before shaking his head and telling Vince no.....he wants in the Royal Rumble match.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....that's it? Ok, done.....never let it be said that Vince Mcm....."</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> ".....and I want the number 30 spot....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Vince stumbles over his words a little there, but Bret is quick to interrupt him, telling him that those are Owen's terms for facing the Undertaker tonight.....Vince begins to go a little red in the face at that comment, telling Hart that NO ONE dictates terms to Vincent Kennedy McMahon.....HE sets the terms around here.....</p><p> </p><p> .....again Bret butts in, telling Vince not to worry, because the Hitman can't think of a bigger honour than to face his baby brother Owen at the main event of Wrestlemania, for the World Wrestling Federation title.....with Bret's guaranteed title opportunity, and Owen winning the Royal Rumble (by virtue of coming in at number 30) that's a match that they can make a reality.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....so how about this.....we'll take care of Austin tonight.....we'll soften up the Undertaker.....and as an added bonus, in that little no disqualification Casket Match at the Royal Rumble, well lets just say that we could practically guarantee that Brian Pillman walks out of that event with the WWF Title around his waist....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Vince still looks furious at having "terms" dictated to him, but as Ric Flair leans forward and whispers something in his ear, a small smile breaks out on his face.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....ok.....ok, I accept your 'terms'.....but here are mine.....Owen Hart, you will enter the Royal Rumble match in two weeks time.....and should Brian Pillman walk out of that very event with the World Wrestling Federation Title around his waist, you will enter that Royal Rumble match at number 30.....</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> .....however.....</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> .....should Brian Pillman fail to defeat the Undertaker at that very event.....should The Undertaker walk out of the Royal Rumble with the WWF Title still around HIS waist.....then you Owen Hart.....you will enter that Royal Rumble match as number ONE....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....hmm, it's a bit of a gamble that one.....although apparently not for the Harts, because Bret instantly accepts on his brothers behalf, as the Hitman and the Chairman cautiously shake hands, as we go back down to ringside.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A*</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/PiAX9tC.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/PiAX9tC.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/xV2Bmd9.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/xV2Bmd9.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/lbl7Cno.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/lbl7Cno.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....where the Nation of Domination are having a busy evening.....because after D'Lo Brown and Mark Henry failed in their bid to become tag team champions earlier this evening, it's former (two time) Light Heavyweight Champion Scorpio that's stepping up to the plate now, against a man that DID have light heavyweight aspirations at one point, but now has his sights set on the European Title.....Dean Malenko.....</p><p> </p><p> .....these two actually had a great little match.....Malenko attempted to ground the more aerial inclined offence of Scorpio, and it worked for the most part.....unfortunately, where Ahmed opted to keep the Nation in the back earlier in the evening (as some kind of message to Harlem Heat) he did NOT chose that same option here, sending D'Lo and Henry out there with Scorp.....</p><p> </p><p> .....which would have been enough for Malenko to deal with in itself.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....without the added addition of Jeff Jarrett and Rich Steiner.....</p><p> </p><p> .....who ALSO made their way out for this one, causing enough of a distraction that D'Lo and Henry were able to make their presence felt.....and after Henry crushed the life out of Malenko with a World's Strongest Slam, D'Lo Brown came off top with a Frogsplash, leaving Scorpio to finish off his opponent with a 450 splash, and a huge win for the Nation.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner:</strong> Scorpio</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/PiAX9tC.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/PiAX9tC.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/4qNSkmS.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/4qNSkmS.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/itnCILT.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/itnCILT.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/EaR1PGI.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/EaR1PGI.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/RmpGMkn.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/RmpGMkn.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/RmVQirk.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/RmVQirk.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> The victory was enough for Scorpio, who takes D'Lo and Henry and heads to the back, gesturing towards the ring to Jarrett as they pass the Corporation men, almost inviting them to go and get their hands on Malenko.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the Million Dollar Corporation have been on somewhat of a resurgence as of late, with Jeff Jarrett's capturing of the European Championship back in October of last year reigniting the ruthless streak in Ted DiBiase that saw him amass his vast fortune to begin with.....the Corporation has never been a joke per say, but apart from a (short) solitary Intercontinental title reign from Rich Steiner, they've never been especially successful either.....but now they have the European Title, they don't plan on losing it any time soon.....</p><p> </p><p> .....and if you want to know just how ruthless they can be, just ask Psycho Sid.....ask Chavo Guerrero.....because both men got taken out of the equation (and taken out of the WWF) at the hands of DiBiase's men.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Deebs joins his men at ringside, and he has Southern Justice with him too.....and as Canterbury and Knight collect a wooden table from underneath the ring, Jarrett and Steiner climb through the ropes, and it looks like Malenko might be in for a long night.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Southern Justice (and the wooden table) soon join them, as does DiBiase (microphone and all) as the group surrounds the Man of 1000 Holds.....the Million Dollar Man tells Malenko that they left him standing last week, so that he had seven days to reconsider his rather foolish proposal that he face Jeff Jarrett for the European Championship at the Royal Rumble, off the back of one fluke victory.....but since he doesn't appear to have changed his mind, how about they change his mind for him.....</p><p> </p><p> .....by leaving him laying.....</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 style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/vN0BOgM.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/vN0BOgM.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/rceAVfq.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/rceAVfq.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/WblclPH.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/WblclPH.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....or not.....</p><p> </p><p> .....not if these gentlemen have anything to say about it anyway.....</p><p> </p><p> .....these gentlemen being Rey Mysterio, former Light Heavyweight Champion Billy Kidman, and former European Champion Matt Hardy.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the trio hit the ring and (with Malenko back on his feet) they clear house on the Million Dollar Corporation, who all quickly bail from the ring....well, with the exception of Dennis Knight, who doesn't manage to escape before the group grab him back and place him on the very table that he and his partner introduced into the ring.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Mysterio grabs a discarded microphone (as Matt Hardy ascends to the top rope) telling the Million Dollar Corporation that they are done getting taken out one by one, in fact, now it's THEM that are going to make a statement.....</p><p> </p><p> .....and they do.....as Matt Hardy comes leaping off the top rope, crashing through both Dennis Knight AND the (now destroyed) wooden table.....Malenko takes the microphone from Ray, saying that DiBiase was right about one thing.....the match at the Royal Rumble WILL be taking place......it WILL be for the WWF European Championship.....AND (as Kidman and Mysterio help Hardy back to his feet) it looks as though he may have found an equaliser for the Million Dollar Corporation.....</p><p> </p><p> .....we should really go to commercial while they sweep up broken table (and Dennis Knight) but as we do, Jim Ross comments that the Corporations gang style mentality may be coming back to bite them in the behind at the Royal Rumble.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/XqtVImh.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/XqtVImh.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> We come back from commercial and we go straight to a pre-taped segment of what is clearly Raven sitting (head bowed, hair covering his face) inside what appears to be a rather tightly confined space.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he says that history is littered with tales of the treachery of man.....a species that rewards friendship with the darkest of betrayals that most wouldn't even inflict on their worst enemies.....so many lies can hide behind smiling eyes.....and Jake Roberts truly lived up to his moniker of "Snake", nurturing Raven in the warm embrace of friendship, while his tail coiled tightly around his students throat.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....I've been betrayed by everyone in my life.....but never before has someone raised me up, with the sole purpose and intent to try and tear me back down again.....you took a broken soul and you built him up in YOUR name, only to now try and break him down in your god's name.....but even that is a fallacy.....you pray to your god and you smile through dead eyes that hide the lies within your soul.....you lie to me.....you lie to your god.....you even lie to yourself....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....Raven tells Jake that he walks a road that his god would not want him to tread.....but if he doesn't believe Raven, then he should consult his "saviour".....ask his all seeing Deity where this path leads.....salvation? Or damnation?.....is an eye for an eye in a world already blind to the hypocrisy of Jakes "noble quest" saving Jakes soul? Or is it only shedding the skin off the man, to reveal the Snake that's always laid beneath?.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the camera pans out from there, and as it pulls back we see that Raven is sat (door wide open) inside the confines of a confessional booth.....although I suppose after witnessing Raven's rants from the inside of an undisclosed church in recent weeks that shouldn't come as much of a surprise.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Raven asks Jake if he still speaks to his God? Does he still speak to his saviour? Does he still speak to his priest? <em>("or should the question be, does your priest still speak to you? Heh")</em> Raven says that the sounds of silence that wash over his soul must be deafening, before stepping out of the booth and opening up the other door.....the door which SHOULD reveal the priest taking his confession.....</p><p> </p><p> .....but Raven has nothing that he believes he needs to confess.....and the other side of the booth is empty.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Raven says that the house of God has been abandoned....derelict.....evicted from his home to make way for a new deity.....the Deity of the Damned.....and only this deity could ever save a wretch like Jake.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the Royal Rumble will be the stage for Jake Roberts final trial.....the Divine Comedy comes to an end as Jake enters the final circle of Ravens own personal hell.....the deepest circle reserved for the lowest.....the blackest.....the furthest from heaven.....the betrayers.....the liars.....the treacherous.....and it is a circle that will be the final resting place for the soul of Jake "The Snake" Roberts.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....forgive him father, for he has sinned.....</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> .....Quote the Raven.....Nevermore....."</em></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A*</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/qBeE4n3.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/qBeE4n3.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/MFXEPSv.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/MFXEPSv.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/SIIte9A.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/SIIte9A.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/EbKLwhg.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/EbKLwhg.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/oaoTLfs.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/oaoTLfs.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/lbl7Cno.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/lbl7Cno.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> From there we go back down to ringside for our next match, which is set to be Bradshaw facing off against the Nation of Domination.....again.....</p><p> </p><p> ......Bradshaw hasn't had much luck against the Nation in recent weeks, losing to both Ahmed Johnson and Kama in successive weeks, although it could be argued that these losses were more to do with the Nation's superior numbers (and interference) than it was to do with Bradshaw's ability (or perceived lack there of) because in all fairness, the big Texan is more than capable in the ring.....</p><p> </p><p> .....it was after last weeks defeat to Kama that Bradshaw made this challenge, stating that if the Nation were determined not to fight a fair one on one match, then he wanted a tag team contest tonight.....</p><p> </p><p> .....of course, he didn't disclose who his partner was going to be.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he allows the Nation to make their entrance first, before walking out from the back with a microphone in hand to tell the Nation that it wasn't too hard to find a partner this evening.....in fact, this is a man that they know very, very well.....</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 style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/rE9PbL3.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/rE9PbL3.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....as Big Nelson Knight makes his way out from the back.....</p><p> </p><p> .....I'm sure perhaps that some people had the inkling that this might be the return of Faarooq following his excommunication from the Nation back at Decembers In Your House event.....instead we get that man that FACED Faarooq at that event.....the man who defeated him too.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Faarooq might have had somewhat of a phobia about the former Man on a Mission, but Ahmed Johnson ain't Faarooq.....he's the Walking Armageddon and (even though he rest of the Nation look somewhat concerned) he doesn't even bat an eye at the near 600lb frame of Nelson marching down the aisle.....</p><p> </p><p> .....it's time to get this one underway.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B+</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/qBeE4n3.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/qBeE4n3.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/rE9PbL3.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/rE9PbL3.jpg"></a><img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/xV2Bmd9.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/xV2Bmd9.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/qzCf1GY.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/qzCf1GY.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/SIIte9A.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/SIIte9A.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> It's been a night of two halves for the Nation of Domination thus far tonight, with D'Lo Brown and Mark Henry coming out on the losing side of their WWF Tag Team Title attempt, while Scorpio was victorious against the next contender to the European Title.....although if Ahmed Johnson is to be believed, the night has been full of wins for the Nation, after declaring that Brown and Henry were left without the support that would have helped them to pick up a victory deliberately in an effort to court Harlem Heat into their ranks......</p><p> </p><p> .....whether that tactic ultimately winds up being successful is something that remains to be seen, but one things for sure, in order to pick up a win HERE, Ahmed Johnson and Kama are going to have their work cut out for them.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Bradshaw is a big, angry Texan with plenty to prove around here....mainly that the Nation can only defeat him by cheating and outmatching him in sheer numbers.....while Nelson has spent the best part of three months terrorising the Nation of Domination at any given opportunity, and has been given virtually free reign to do so thanks to their former leader Faarooq's apparent reluctance to face the mammoth man.....</p><p> </p><p> .....say what you will about Ahmed Johnson, but he is NOT a man that's reluctant to face ANYBODY.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he's deliberately antagonised (and defeated) The Undertaker.....he's defeated Kevin Nash.....he's defeated Bret Hart.....he's defeated Kevin Nash AND Bret Hart in the same match, after DELIBERATELY making his (then) WWF Championship defence a three way.....he's defeated Steve Austin.....Scott Steiner.....the list goes on and on like a who's who of professional wrestling.....there is not one man that he has backed down from.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he doesn't back down from Nelson either.....</p><p> </p><p> .....but then Nelson is a whole other type of problem.....</p><p> </p><p> .....for starters, he's huge.....and by huge I mean immense.....there is zero chance that Ahmed will get the big man up for the Pearl River Plunge.....he can brawl with him though, and that's exactly what he does on the outside, after Bradshaw finally makes the hot tag after an extended period inside the ring......</p><p> </p><p> .....again however (for the third week in a row) the Nation of Domination is the difference maker.....because as Bradshaw rally's back into the match, tearing into Kama (despite neither being the legal man) and looking like he's about to decapitate the man with a Clothesline straight from Hell, Henry and D'Lo hit ringside, with D'Lo climbing up onto the apron to assure that the official's attention is on him, as Henry charges Big Nels' from behind, driving him (and his skull) into the steel ringpost, before hitting another running splash that drives Nelson again straight into the steel.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Nelson staggers forward (obviously winded) and walks straight into a body slam (of sorts) from Ahmed, right out there on the floor.....and as Johnson rolls back into the ring, where he blindsides Bradshaw, putting an end to the Texan's assault of Kama, the official makes the mandatory ten count.....a ten count that Nelson can't answer.....and AGAIN, Bradshaw finds himself on the losing side of a match with the Nation of Domination.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner(s):</strong> The Nation of Domination (via Count-out)</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/DQNKmDA.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/DQNKmDA.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/iPXdpJb.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/iPXdpJb.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/ALDSbe5.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/ALDSbe5.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/NX2vOWD.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/NX2vOWD.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> We leave a frustrated looking Bradshaw in the ring and cut to a shot of what seems to be Harlem Heat leaving the arena.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the brothers are walking through the parking area of the arena (bags and all) and appear to be having somewhat of a difference of opinion.....Stevie Ray has always been the more willing of the two to cut corners if it means getting things done, and he's actively trying to sell his brother on the advantages of accepting Ahmed Johnson's offer to join the Nation.....</p><p> </p><p> .....unfortunately for him, Booker seems totally uninterested in entertaining the suggestion.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Booker tells Stevie that they don't NEED the Nation of Domination.....they won these titles all by themselves, and they've DEFENDED these title, week in and week out without any help from the Nation or anyone else.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Stevie doesn't disagree with that statement, but says that between the New Age Outlaws, Rhodes and Mero, Snow and Candido, and now Flair and Anderson too, they got sucka's coming from all angles after these belts....it wouldn't hurt to have a crew there to watch their backs.....</p><p> </p><p> .....speaking of watching their backs.....</p><p> </p><p> .....perhaps if they DID have a "crew" as Stevie put it, they might not have been caught off guard by the Enforcer and the Dirtiest Player in the Game.....because the new number one contenders come rushing out from behind a parked car, and as Naitch drives Booker into one of the stationary vehicles, Arn Anderson slams that trusty tyre iron of his right into the back of the knee of Stevie Ray (who drops to the concrete crying out in pain) before swinging the unforgiving weapon a series of times across the kneecap of the Harlem Heat man.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Booker T finally gets himself back to his feet, and he throws himself over the prone form of his brother, looking to shield him from any further blows.....</p><p> </p><p> .....those blows don't come though.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Arn does raise that Iron to strike, but it's Ric Flair that tells him not to bother.....he says that they need at least ONE of these little street punks to be fit for their Royal Rumble showdown, after all, they need SOMEONE to beat.....and lets face it, Harlem Heat can call themselves the greatest team in the world, but they're not (nor will the ever be) Ric Flair.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....so shine those belts up good boys, because Double A and The Nature Boy are about to take you to school.....Wooooooooo......"</em></p><p> </p><p> .....and with that the pair walk off (or strut off in Flair's case) leaving Stevie Ray writing in agony on the floor of the parking lot.....maybe the Harlem Heat should have took Ahmed Johnson up on his offer after all.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B+</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/56s2U48.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/56s2U48.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/xV2Bmd9.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/xV2Bmd9.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/fJw1L2S.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/fJw1L2S.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/1GME2FY.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/1GME2FY.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Handicap Match: Steve Austin must win to enter the Royal Rumble Match</strong></p><p> </p><p> It's back to ringside now, and time to see if Stone Cold Steve Austin is going to be an entrant in the 1998 Royal Rumble match.....he's not going to have it easy though, because he's fighting not one, but two men.....Chris Jericho and Test.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Chris Jericho alone would have been enough of a (excuse the pun) test, but to have to win a handicap match against two members of the Hart Foundation is not going to be easy, but then if Austin really HAS to defeat somebody, then I'm guessing that he's more than happy for those somebodies to be Hart Foundation members.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Austin starts out strong.....very strong actually, as he bounces both Canadians around the ring.....it's not long before Jericho and Test use their man advantage to take control of the match and wear down the Rattlesnake.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Chris Jericho has a shot at the Intercontinental Championship upcoming at the Royal Rumble, and I imagine that a victory over a star the calibre of Steve Austin would give him quite the confidence booster heading into that showdown.....even in a two on one situation though, The Rattlesnake doesn't look ready to go down without a fight, and despite the Canadians best efforts they can't keep him down, to the point that they eventually abandon all attempts at tagging in and out to simply double team their opponent......</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/ZrAHk5r.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/ZrAHk5r.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/aJx3DWx.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/aJx3DWx.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....which is about the same time that Scott Hall and Sean Waltman come walking out from the back.....</p><p> </p><p> .....they don't actually interfere in the match, but Hall does get into a shouting match with Jericho, which distracts the young Canadian long enough for Austin to drop Test with a Stunner.....pick up the one, two, three.....and book himself a spot in the 1998 Royal Rumble match.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner:</strong> Steve Austin</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> B</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/56s2U48.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/56s2U48.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/fJw1L2S.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/fJw1L2S.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/1GME2FY.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/1GME2FY.jpg"></a><img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/URlW5Ox.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/URlW5Ox.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/vk2Ghpj.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/vk2Ghpj.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....Chris Jericho might have Scott Hall's Intercontinental Championship on his mind, but right now The Bad Guy is the least of his problems, because a p!ssed off Steve Austin isn't happy about the double teaming he received in that match, and as Test staggers behind them (still groggy from that Stunner) Stone Cold hammers Jericho all the way back to the locker room with right hand after right hand.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the two Wolfpac men watch on laughing, with Hall waving goodbye to his Royal Rumble opponent, before the Bad Guy snatches up a microphone.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Hall spends a few moments letting Jericho know that he'd better get used to the feeling of losing, because at the Royal Rumble (just like at IYH: Dead Man Walking) the Bad Guy is going to do to him, what the KLiQ has been doing to Hart Foundation members for two years now.....he's gonna carve him up.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Hall then turns his attention to another gentleman.....although "gentle" might not be the best prefix for this man, because it's the man that put Kevin Nash on the shelf (choking him out with a lead pipe enhanced Steiner Recliner) as well as using that same lead pipe to lay out both Scott Hall and Sean Waltman in recent weeks.....Big Poppa Pump, Scott Steiner.....</p><p> </p><p> .....both Wolfpac men have tried calling the former WWF Champion out in the past, but Scotty, he seems to work on his own schedule.....USUALLY when a superstar gets called out around here they answer.....they come out and agree to a match, sometimes they will decline the match, often we have a brawl.....but we usually have SOMETHING.....more often than not though, when the Wolfpac call out Scott Steiner he's nowhere to be seen (only for him to pop up later in the evening with a lead pipe to the back of the head) and tonight is no different.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Scott Hall goes so far as to offer to put the Intercontinental Title on the line right here right now.....if Steiner wants some, all he has to do is come get some.....apparently though, Big Poppa Pump does NOT want some, because as usual he's not here....a fact which is starting to bug Hall and Waltman.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>".....hey yo, it's pretty simple man(g).....you been out here week after week.....you been laying people out with that lead pipe, but you ain't got enough pipe down there to face me like a man....."</em></p><p> </p><p> .....down where? Well down there of course (as Hall gives a big crotch chop) but if insulting Steiner's manhood isn't enough to get the notoriously hot headed Big Poppa Pump's attention, maybe the fact that a certain Big Sexy Kevin Nash's neck is nearly back to 100% will be.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Hall tells Steiner (well, the crowd I guess since Steiner isn't here) that the REAL big man(g) is coming back soon, and he won't be coming out here talking.....he won't be coming out here making challenges.....he's just going to find Steiner.....and take him out once and for all.....</p><p> </p><p> .....since it's obvious that Scott Steiner isn't making an appearance, we may as well go to commercial.....because our main event is next.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A*</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Am9w34A.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Am9w34A.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/xV2Bmd9.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/xV2Bmd9.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Biiyb21.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Biiyb21.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> No, the title is not on the line this evening, but the WWF Champion IS in action.....and that's probably not a bad thing, because the Undertaker has some SERIOUS pent up aggression to deal with, and without a designated opponent tonight, I'm not sure that ANYONE would have been safe.....</p><p> </p><p> .....that opponent?.....Owen Hart.....but he was hardly a willing opponent.....in fact, he wanted guaranteed entry into the Royal Rumble Match just to take this fight.....and make no mistake, win lose or draw this evening, Owen Hart WILL be a participant in the Royal Rumble, however, instead of relying on the luck of the draw, his number in that match will be anything but random.....it's all or nothing for Owen.....number one or number thirty, there's no middle ground.....if Owen (and the Hart Foundation) ensure that Brian Pillman walks out of his scheduled Casket Match with the Undertaker as the brand new WWF Champion, then Owen gets the very best number possible.....</p><p> </p><p> .....of course, should The Undertaker walk out of the Royal Rumble with the WWF Title still around HIS waist, then Owen Hart will get the worst number possible.....number one.....which means it would perhaps be in Owen Harts best interest to soften up the Deadman this evening, just 13 days before the Royal Rumble event.....</p><p> </p><p> .....of course, if beating the Undertaker was that simple, then he wouldn't be the reigning World Wrestling Federation Champion right now, and Owen Hart would perhaps have claim to demanding a title opportunity of his own.....as it went (while this was a great match) Owen just couldn't find a way to overcome the fury of the Deadman, who after watching his mentor Paul Bearer and brother Kane BOTH Pillmanised in consecutive weeks by the Loose Cannon Brian Pillman, seems virtually invulnerable this evening.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Tombstone.....</p><p> </p><p> .....one, two, three.....</p><p> </p><p> .....but the fun doesn't stop there.....</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Winner:</strong> The Undertaker</p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A</p><p> </p><p> </p><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="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Am9w34A.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Am9w34A.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/hn7GJqh.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/hn7GJqh.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/z45TeSS.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/z45TeSS.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....because if Bret Hart wants to get his "dream" Wrestlemania match (that being, defending the WWF Title against his brother Owen in the main event) then two things need to happen....he needs to become the WWF Champion, and Owen needs to win the Royal Rumble.....and Owen coming in as number thirty is a pretty good way to make sure he wins it.....</p><p> </p><p> .....because of that, it's perhaps in the Hitman's best interest to make sure that The Deadman doesn't walk out of his Casket Match with Brian Pillman as the Champion, which is why he comes rushing out from the back now, steel chair in hand.....</p><p> </p><p> .....unfortunately for him, The Undertaker is ready (and in no mood to play games) and as Bret slides into the ring, chair in hand, he runs straight into a big boot from the Deadman which drives Harts own weapon into his skull.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Owen is still down from the Tombstone, and as 'Taker drags the Hitman to his feet by his hair (and then wraps his hand around his throat) it looks as though Bret isn't going to be too far behind.....</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> </p><p> </p><p> <img style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/ldxNCBq.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/ldxNCBq.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....which is when (as to be expected) Brian Pillman comes rushing out from the crowd and into the ring, nailing the Undertaker from behind with a low blow, before picking up that discarded steel chair and crashing it across the back of the WWF Champion.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Undertaker might be the phenom of the World Wrestling Federation, but as the Hart Brothers get back to their feet, it looks as though he's about to be the victim of a three on one assault.....and we've all seen how unhinged Brian Pillman has been as of late.....</p><p> </p><p> .....the Harts stare at the Loose Cannon for a moment (after all, there's plenty of history there too) before the trio all turn their attention to the Deadman, and a vicious attack that culminates with Bret Hart dragging the WWF Champion into the corner, where he locks on that Figure Four around the ringpost......</p><p> </p><p> .....Jim Ross is appalled by the actions of the Harts, stating that Bret may well be inflicting permanent damage to the leg of the Undertaker right now.....although (as Bret finally releases the hold) judging by the look in Brian Pillman's eyes, permanent damage might be exactly what the Loose Cannon is after.....</p><p> </p><p> .....he drags the Deadman to the centre of the ring and (as Bret and Owen hold him in place) he slides that steel chair over the leg of his Royal Rumble opponent.....it looks like The Undertaker is about to be Pillmanized.....</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> <strong>....::::!!!!GLASS SHATTERS!!!!::::....</strong></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 style="max-width:15%;</p><p> "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/biFakmY.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/biFakmY.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> .....at least until Stone Cold Steve Austin comes rushing out from the back.....</p><p> </p><p> .....I don't know if The Rattlesnake is here to help the Undertaker, or (after already dispersing with Chris Jericho and Test) he's simply looking to get his hands on the remaining Hart Foundation members.....either way he's here.....and as he hits the ring, he instantly backdrops Owen Hart over the top rope and out to the floor.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Steve Austin and Bret Hart HATE each other.....this isn't a mild dislike, the pair have been feuding on and off for the best part of eighteen months, they cannot stand one another.....</p><p> </p><p> .....which probably explains why the Hitman releases his grip on the Undertaker to go straight to work brawling with Austin.....although it's only a brief brawl, before Bret gets evicted to the outside with a clothesline over the top, landing right down there next to his brother.....</p><p> </p><p> .....as Austin turns and comes face to face with a cackling Brian Pillman.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....plenty of history there too.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> .....not that Brian Pillman has any interest in revisiting that right now.....he came here with the intent on weakening the WWF Champion ahead of their Royal Rumble encounter, and while he might not have managed to go full Loose Cannon (after all, he didn't get to deliver that steel chair assault) the Undertaker is most certainly in a worse condition now than he was at the start of the night.....so Brian Pillman just gives his old partner the Hollywood Blondes "camera filming" hand motion, before dropping to the mat and rolling out of the ring beside the Harts.....</p><p> </p><p> .....Bret and Owen are back to their feet, and Austin gives all three men a little hand motion of his own (middle finger style) as a very angry looking Deadman limps to his feet behind the Rattlesnake, and tonight's show comes to a chaotic end.....</p><p> </p><p> .....we'll see you next week folks..... </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Rating:</strong> A*</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Final Rating:</strong> A*</p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p></div><p></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="James Casey" data-cite="James Casey" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="42193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>(whether this is specifically due to Ron Harris being champion I leave to the readers to speculate).</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> It is......come on Chip <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><strong>Sting, Ultimate Warrior, Dustin Rhodes, Barry Windham and Ricky Steamboat</strong> vs. The Calgary Connection, The Diamond Mine and Shawn Michaels</p><p> <em>Holy hell, that is one stacked main event </em><img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><em> with Starrcade looming though I don't want to see Sting on the losing side of a match when he creeps ever closer to the end of his redemption tale. Plus I see Windham and Rhodes dropping the straps at the Cade, so a win here should keep them looking strong until then. Should be a barnburner either way</em></p><p> </p><p> Beat The Champ: <strong>Firebreaker Chip</strong> vs. Ron Harris © – WCW Television Title</p><p> <em>In a world where Don Harris is the Television Champion, ANYONE can be a Television Champion, so you may as well give it to Chip </em><img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><em> I always had a soft spot for The Patriots for some reason, bit of a guilty pleasure of mine so I wouldn't be against the Firebreaker getting the gold</em></p><p> </p><p> Lethal Lottery preview: <strong>Bret Hart and Terence Taylor</strong> vs. Nikita Koloff and Mr Hughes</p><p> <em>The question is, can Bret Hart even function in a tag team environment now? He's not exactly the most helpful of guys right now......Koloff and Hughes though, what a powerhouse pairing</em></p><p> </p><p> Lance Storm vs.<strong> Rick Rude</strong> – non-title</p><p> <em>Sorry Lance, not in this lifetime</em></p><p> </p><p> The Young Pistols and Michael Hayes © vs. <strong>The Lightning Express and Al Snow</strong> – WCW Six Man Titles</p><p> <em>Hayes might have told the Pistols that the six man titles were safe with him, but that's only if they still have the six man titles come Starrcade.....I'm probably way off here, but I could see an upset switch</em></p><p> </p><p> The Patriot vs. <strong>Steve Austin</strong> © – WCW United States Title</p><p> I said I was a fan of the Patriots.....not THE Patriot.....Austin shouldn't have too much trouble here</p>

There's a good chance he's going to try.....honestly, while there is some utter dross still in WCW, the main event scene is stacked to the gills.....don't consider this a brand split as such, but there's a good chance you will see people appearing more so on one show than the other Hey, I JUST said there was a lot of dross still in WCW, what more do you want that and there are probably going to be some storylines going forward that both play out and conclude on television instead of Pay Per View......case in point, the SST Who knew? This guy knew......admittedly only because I've recently binged watched through most of the early Dudley run on the Network, before that I had no idea......I do remember those beautifully bloody pictures that adorned some of the Apter Mags when I was a young teen, featuring Ian and Axl carving each other up.......that and Reckless Youth.....lots of Reckless Youth in the mid/late 90's mags. Him and the Dirtbike Kid are two things I remember bizarrely. I like the obscure and ridiculous teams, these guys will probably get a push Anyway, thanks for the warm welcome back.....that's one week and four shows down.....guess I'd better get on with it...... The Monday Night Wars: Week 2, January 1998

<img style="max-width:60%; "src="https://i.imgur.com/KHIBBqF.jpg"> Week 1, January 1998 Highlights from ECW Cyberslam 1998

<img style="max-width:60%; "src="https://i.imgur.com/yBV7cXp.jpg"> Week 1, January 1998 Breslin Center (East Lansing, Michigan) ATT: 14,864 TV: 28.55 Announce Team: Tony Schiavone, Dusty Rhodes and Larry Zbyszko

First things first....Awesome NBR poster, far better than anything WCW would have actually put out 6 Ways to Hell WCW World Heavyweight Championship Scott Steiner © vs Booker T vs Diamond Dallas Page vs Kevin Nash vs Lance Storm vs Dustin Rhodes This match is set up to ensure we have a new champion.....the deck is so stacked against the champion it's unreal.....the champion literally just got his ass handed to him on Thunder.....but......I bloody love Scott Steiner so I'm pulling for him.....come on Scotty, you can do it Street Fight Ric Flair vs Jeff Jarrett I actually think there's a good chance that Jarrett is wining this, but I'm picking Naitch.....this may be New Blood Rising, but the oldest ride in the park still has the longest line WCW United States Heavyweight Championship Sting © vs Kanyon vs Mike Awesome Torn on this.....again, it's NEW Blood Rising, so you know, some new blood should win.....and I'd like to see Awesome win, but with that being said, Awesome and Kanyon are coexisting currently, maybe that all changes at the ppv and Sting capitalises on some in fighting WCW World Tag Team Championships Totally Buffed © vs The Natural Born Thrillers Some new blood has got to win somewhere right? Plus the EE is winning the main event, they can afford this loss WCW Television Championship Rick Steiner © vs Mark Jindrak See above WCW Cruiserweight Championship Rey Mysterio © vs Chavo Guerrero Chavo has been working towards this win Billy Kidman and Torrie Wilson vs Shawn Stasiak and Stacy Keibler Even the former Miss Hancock cant make me care about Shawn Stasiak

Beat The Champ: Marcus Bagwell © vs. Ron Harris – WCW Television Title Bagwell retains against RonDon (it wouldn't matter which) I think that Bagwell is a good choice of Champ in this current TV Title set up, plus it gives the still relatively green newcomer a little bit of time to shine alone, away from his more established "friends".....with that being said, he won't make it to the cash in, and I would be perfectly happy with Scott Steiner being the one to take the title from him Ultimate Warrior vs. Cactus Jack A rare tv match from the Warrior means he ain't losing here, although I'm still unsure where you're going with Cactus Sting vs. The Diamond Studd Sting should be winnin literally every match between now and Starrcade Michael Hayes vs. Rick Rude – non-title Ditto his opponent.....especially against an aging Hayes Bobby Eaton vs. Shawn Michaels Unless you have some big plans for Eaton, which I highly doubt you do, he's not winning this.....it's time for Bobby to accept his role as JTTS Also, on a side note.....Bret Hart what a heel

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>”.....so let me get this straight.....I’m out here, week after week putting hours and hours worth of fricking high quality first run tv on.....so fricking quality in fact bro, that Ol’ Teddy has given me a whole other fricking show to put on......for free.....did I mention I was doing Thunder for fricking free bro?.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....you might have mentioned it in passing Vince, yeah......”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....for fricking free.....while this Paul Heyman guy just takes his live shows, chops them up in itty bitty pieces, says “f##k” here and there, calls WCW and the WWF pieces of sh!t all over the place, and HE’S the creative genius?.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....so the dirt sheets say Vince.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....well f##k him, how’s about that.....he’s not the only one that knows a few swears ya know bro.....HE’S the creative genius?.....HIM?.....has he ever tried to book a Shawn Michaels loss? Or convince Hulk Hogan that maybe laying down tonight would be the best thing? Because I’m telling you now bro, you have to be a pretty creative motherf###er to create your way around THAT sh!tstorm of a conversation.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....did I ever tell you how much I missed our little chats Vince?.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....yeah? F##k you too.....how’dya like them oranges?.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....apples.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....whatever bro.....do you know what I did after Nitro went off the air Monday Night? Did I fly home? Put my feet up? Kiss the kids goodnight and then spend some quality time between the sheets with Mrs. Russo?.....No.....no what I did, was go back to my hotel, get a pen and paper, tried to write a show that would USUALLY take me a week in just three days, drank half a bottle of scotch, jerked off and then cried myself to sleep under a paper blanket of fricking notes for Thursday’s Thunder.....actually, you know what, I take it back, that Paul Heyman, he IS a creative genius, because all HE had to do Monday, was pick a couple of matches from his Cybersex show.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....Cyberslam.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....spend 10 minutes editing them, and then send them off to the Network.....you’re right, he is a fricking creative genius.....”</em></p><p> </p><p> .....it was a bit of a roundabout way of getting there, but actually Russo had a point.....it WAS kind of genius the way Paul sets up his shows.....run an event, film it, cut the matches, edit them to look as good as they possibly can, and presto, you have a show, no booking, no headaches, no last minute problems.....problem was, while it WAS kind of genius, it wasn’t without it’s problems either.....</p><p> </p><p> .....first of all, ECW have zero pay per view coverage, NONE.....sure they want some.....hell, they need some if they want to ever make money, but come on, who’s going to pay to watch a show that you’re going to get for free over the course of three/four weeks on the tv anyway? Problem two, they’re stuck for what else to actually do.....they barely have a tv deal as it is.....they’re seen in Philly and in a smattering of homes in New York but that’s about it.....it doesn’t benefit them to run a tv show along the same format of Raw or Nitro.....for one it would cost them too much money, and for two, they don’t really have the man power for that.....Paul has a couple of camera men, gets the tape traders in to film “fan cam” shows on the condition that they distribute their stuff, and does most of the editing himself.....hell, he even has the boys to go out there in their own time to promote the shows.....he really is creating TV on a dime with very little effort.....</p><p> </p><p> .....maybe he is a creative genius.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>”.....what can I tell you Vince, the man has a system.....problem is, while it IS a pretty creative system, he’s loosing a hundred grand a month, while you’re getting PAID a hundred grand a month.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....I’m not getting 100 large a month bro.....I SHOULD be, writing two fricking main shows, but I’m not.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....my point is, you’re making money hand over fist, he’s bleeding money like a sinking ship takes in water.....somethings got to change somewhere if he wants to stay in business.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....yeah well, speaking of hand over fist, I got some business of my own to take care of.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....don’t you have a show to finish writing?.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....I’ve finished that piece of sh!t.....now I’m gonna finish this bottle of scotch, rub one out and go to sleep.....Mrs. Russo ain’t gonna know what’s hit her when I get home I’m telling ya bro.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....please don’t tell me.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....she’s gonna be walking all bandy legged like one a them cowboys after a long ride down the trail, you can bet your limey ass on that.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....Vince, man.....c’mon.....”</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> “.....it’s gonna be like John Wayne just got off his horse up in Casà del Russo when I get home, home on the range bro.....”</em></p><p> </p><p> .....:::::CLICK:::::.....</p><p> </p><p> <em>”.....motherf###er.....he hung up on me.....”</em></p><p> </p><p> <strong>OOC:</strong> Since ECW have no real Pay Per View deals in place as such (they do, but only in their home region.....literally a tiny broadcaster) I’m not going to be writing up their monthly shows.....instead I’m going to be doing basically what ECW we’re doing anyway, which is cutting one event (in this case Cyberslam 98) up into matches that will air over the course of the month on the hour long Hardcore TV’s.....this also has the added bonus that I don’t actually have to plan a months worth of tv, because I already know the matches before hand.....</p><p> </p><p> .....so with that being said, on with the show.....</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> </p><p> <strong>From Thunder to the Extreme: Week 1, January 1998</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img alt="2Tb7b5r.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2Tb7b5r.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Preview for WCW Thunder: Week 1, January 1998</strong> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Non-Title, Souled Out United States Championship Oppertunity on the line</strong></p><p> The Rock vs. Eddie Guerrero</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> Sid Vicious vs. Bam Bam Bigelow</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> <strong>WCW Television Championship Match</strong></p><p> Bill Goldberg © vs. Samu</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> The Pitbulls vs. The Blue Bloods</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> Brad Armstrong vs. Lord Steven Regal</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> Rikishi Fatu vs. VK Wallstreet</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> Scotty Riggs vs. Mortis</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> Mike Awesome & Gideon Cain vs. Alex Wright & Disco Inferno</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img alt="9CadHVo.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/9CadHVo.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Preview for ECW Hardcore TV: Week 1, January 1998</strong></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Matches From ECW Cyberslam 1998</strong></p><p> </p><p> <strong>ECW Championship Match</strong></p><p> The Sandman © vs. Terry Funk</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> Axl Rotten vs. D-Von Dudley</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> Danny Doring & Amish Roadkill vs. Bad Crew</p><p> Comments:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p></div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><div></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p></div><p></p>