A new generation.....a new attitude?

crackerjack · December 31, 2018

Very nice Mayhem. Everything feels a little clearer heading to Starcade. And Sid!

Preview for WWF Raw is War, Week 1, December 1997

The Undertaker & Steve Austin vs. Brian Pillman & Kane

Comments: Do Taker and Austin get along? I have my doubts

WWF European Championship Match

Jeff Jarrett © vs. Sean Waltman

Comments:

WWF Tag Team Championship Match

Harlem Heat © vs. Al Snow & Chris Candido

Comments:

Dean Malenko vs. Chris Jericho

Comments:

Ken Shamrock vs. Rich Steiner

Comments:

Nine Circles of Hell Match: Anger

Jake Roberts vs. ???

Comments:

Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 1, December 1997

Jean Paul Levesque vs. Randy Savage

Comments:

The Rock vs. Big Van Vader

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Jeff Hardy vs. Jinsei Shinzaki

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Kid Kash vs. Alex Wright

Comments:

WCW Tag Team Championship

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage © vs. The Pitbulls

Comments:

The Nasty Boys vs. The Amazing French Canadians

Comments:

lieon02 · December 31, 2018

Great Mayhem match and event.

Preview for WWF Raw is War, Week 1, December 1997

The Undertaker & Steve Austin vs. Brian Pillman & Kane

Comments:Neither as i can see double count out or double dq

WWF European Championship Match

Jeff Jarrett © vs. Sean Waltman

Comments:

WWF Tag Team Championship Match

Harlem Heat © vs. Al Snow & Chris Candido

Comments: As much as i love Snow and Candido pairing don't seem them holding the titles again.

Dean Malenko vs. Chris Jericho

Comments: My favorite ever feud in WCW.

Ken Shamrock vs. Rich Steiner

Comments:

Nine Circles of Hell Match: Anger

Jake Roberts vs. ???

Comments:Keeps the story going.

Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 1, December 1997

Jean Paul Levesque vs. Randy Savage

Comments: By DQ as rest of TOW save Savage

The Rock vs. Big Van Vader

Comments: Eddie makes another statement

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Jeff Hardy vs. Jinsei Shinzaki

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Kid Kash vs. Alex Wright

Comments:

WCW Tag Team Championship

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage © vs. The Pitbulls

Comments:

The Nasty Boys vs. The Amazing French Canadians

Comments:

Satyr24 · December 31, 2018

Preview for WWF Raw is War, Week 1, December 1997

The Undertaker & Steve Austin vs. Brian Pillman & Kane

Comments:

WWF European Championship Match

Jeff Jarrett © vs. Sean Waltman

Comments:

WWF Tag Team Championship Match

Harlem Heat © vs. Al Snow & Chris Candido

Comments:

Dean Malenko vs. Chris Jericho

Comments:

Ken Shamrock vs. Rich Steiner

Comments:

Nine Circles of Hell Match: Anger

Jake Roberts vs. ???

Comments:

Quote:

Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 1, December 1997

Jean Paul Levesque vs. Randy Savage

Comments:

The Rock vs. Big Van Vader

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Jeff Hardy vs. Jinsei Shinzaki

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Kid Kash vs. Alex Wright

Comments:

WCW Tag Team Championship

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage © vs. The Pitbulls

Comments:

The Nasty Boys vs. The Amazing French Canadians

Comments:

James Casey · December 31, 2018

Obviously you made the wrong choice in the battle royal, but otherwise a great Mayhem <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Love Papi's victory, loved Rock making him jump, loved Eddy's retaliation. Luger looked like a beast in surviving so long in the main event, too. That DDP/Hogan match, though... <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

I hope you have time for Sting to work off his ring rust; If I recall correctly, his being out of the ring for so long is one of the reasons given for why the real SC97 main event failed to meet expectations.

Preview for WWF Raw is War, Week 1, December 1997

The Undertaker & Steve Austin vs. Brian Pillman & Kane

Comments: The semi-coherent (in more than one way) team trumps the direct rivals

WWF European Championship Match

Jeff Jarrett © vs. Sean Waltman

Comments: This seems like an eternal feud of the 1990s; I swear they fought practically every month between WWF, WCW and back to the WWF from 1995-1999.

WWF Tag Team Championship Match

Harlem Heat © vs. Al Snow & Chris Candido

Comments: The shame of it is, Snow and Candido deserve the belts again, but they won't win them here. I don't see it being a clean finish, so let's say Heat retains rather than necessarily Heat wins.

Dean Malenko vs. Chris Jericho

Comments: Oh, for a trip to Washington...

Ken Shamrock vs. Rich Steiner

Comments: Strike while the iron is hot with Rich

Nine Circles of Hell Match: Anger

Jake Roberts vs. ???

Comments: Who's going to be angry... Dogs of War for a handicap match?

Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 1, December 1997

Jean Paul Levesque vs. Randy Savage

Comments: Non-finish. I would have expected this to be saved for Starrcade - maybe JBL/HBK vs. Savage/Warrior at the big show?

The Rock vs. Big Van Vader

Comments: Oh, Vader...

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Jeff Hardy vs. Jinsei Shinzaki

Comments: One of these guys is over, albeit that the same guy got put through the wringer at Mayhem, so this isn't quite the gimme that it appears.

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Kid Kash vs. Alex Wright

Comments: I was a big Kash fan back in the day, but it's Das Wunderkind!

WCW Tag Team Championship

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage © vs. The Pitbulls

Comments: I don't think the Pitbulls can go over without serious damage to morale on the TAT's side... but as a lead-in to a third match where Luger or someone gets involved, that could definitely work.

The Nasty Boys vs. The Amazing French Canadians

Comments: Hoo boy, how many of these guys will Goldberg spear? I'm going to go for three and one Jackhammer for variety.

bonnie · December 31, 2018

Preview for WWF Raw is War, Week 1, December 1997

The Undertaker & Steve Austin

Comments:

WWF European Championship Match

Jeff Jarrett ©

Comments:

WWF Tag Team Championship Match

Harlem Heat ©

Comments:

Chris Jericho

Comments:

Ken Shamrock

Comments:

Nine Circles of Hell Match: Anger

Jake Roberts

Comments:

Quote:

Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 1, December 1997

Jean Paul Levesque

Comments:

The Rock

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Jeff Hardy

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Alex Wright

Comments:

WCW Tag Team Championship

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage ©

Comments:

The Amazing French Canadians

Nobby_McDonald · January 3, 2019

The Undertaker & Steve Austin vs. Brian Pillman & Kane

Comments:

WWF European Championship Match

Jeff Jarrett © vs. Sean Waltman

Comments:

WWF Tag Team Championship Match

Harlem Heat © vs. Al Snow & Chris Candido

Comments:

Dean Malenko vs. Chris Jericho

Comments:

Ken Shamrock vs. Rich Steiner

Comments:

Nine Circles of Hell Match: Anger

Jake Roberts vs. ???

Comments:

Quote:

Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 1, December 1997

Jean Paul Levesque vs. Randy Savage

Comments:

The Rock vs. Big Van Vader

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Jeff Hardy vs. Jinsei Shinzaki

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Kid Kash vs. Alex Wright

Comments:

WCW Tag Team Championship

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage © vs. The Pitbulls

Comments:

The Nasty Boys vs. The Amazing French Canadians

cbacon87 · January 4, 2019

The Undertaker & Steve Austin vs. Brian Pillman & Kane

Comments: Something's up with Kane...

WWF European Championship Match

Jeff Jarrett © vs. Sean Waltman

Comments:

WWF Tag Team Championship Match

Harlem Heat © vs. Al Snow & Chris Candido

Comments:

Dean Malenko vs. Chris Jericho

Comments:

Ken Shamrock vs. Rich Steiner

Comments:

Nine Circles of Hell Match: Anger

Jake Roberts vs. ???

Comments:

Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 1, December 1997

Jean Paul Levesque vs. Randy Savage

Comments: Probably some kind of DQ here

The Rock vs. Big Van Vader

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Jeff Hardy vs. Jinsei Shinzaki

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Kid Kash vs. Alex Wright

Comments:

WCW Tag Team Championship

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage © vs. The Pitbulls

Comments:

The Nasty Boys vs. The Amazing French Canadians

Comments: Tempted to go straight up no contest, but failing that it'd be the Nastys

to4sty · January 4, 2019

Week 1, December 1997

Breslin Center (East Lansing, Michigan)

ATT: 15,000

TV: 36.97

We open up the first Raw of December with the screeching guitar that signals the arrival of the Hart Foundation.....Jim Ross says that Bret Hart is never short of something to say (or something to complain about) as of late, so it's no surprise to see them making their way out now.....

....Rick Rude disagrees, saying it's very much a surprise (considering that even though they were victorious at the Survivor Series, they weren't even scheduled to be on the show last week) citing that while Ravishing Rick is as American as Apple Pie (a dish invented in the U.K. by the way, go figure) HE can see the Canadian bias around here, even if JR can't.....

....The Hitman grabs a microphone and waits for the boo's to die down a little before telling the crowd that just when they thought the disrespect couldn't get any worse, the good old red, white and blue powers that be go and turn it up a notch....he says that if it wasn't bad enough last week that The Hart Foundation wasn't even featured on the show (just one night removed from defeating the Wolfpac may he add) but tonight....when they ARE featured on the show....it's Chris Jericho having to lower himself to the level of a Dean Malenko.....it's the Ayatollah of Rock'n'Rolla....a man who should at LEAST be getting an Intercontinental Shot considering he defeated Scott Hall at Survivor Series just over a week ago....facing off against a NOBODY, for NOTHING......

....that's fine, Bret says that Dean Malenko is an excellent wrestler, no doubt about it, but Chris will do what Chris does best....show the world that even on their best day, no American can outwrestle a Canadian Hero.....and then, maybe Chris Jericho will get the respect he deserves....and the shot he deserves...because he's been carrying around this dead light-heavyweight title for too long now (and yes, Jericho STILL has the belt around his waist) it's time he replaced it with some REAL gold....

....speaking of which, the reason they're out right now....Bret Hart said last week that he wanted a shot at the WWF Title....Bret Hart DESERVES a shot at the WWF Title (after being on the winning team at Survivor Series) but apparently, McMahon must have not heard his words last week, so he's here tonight to repeat that sentiment in person....

"....I am, the best there is....the best there was....the best there ever will be....and all I want, is a shot....see McMahon, The Wolfpac, The WWF, everyone has been screwing me out of what's rightfully mine for almost two years now....now I could come out here and complain, but being the true Canadian hero that I am, I'm not going to do that (yeah, ok Bret...whatever you say) all I'm going to do is politely request an opportunity, against WHOEVER is the World Wrestling Federation Champion at the time....at the Royal Rumble...."

....that brings out Kevin Nash (without the rest of the Wolfpac) who tells Bret that if he wants a shot at the strap, then he's going to have to get in line....and that line starts behind Big Sexy....

....Bret tells Nash that he's GOT to be kidding....he says that the Harts drew a line under all this Wolfpac crap when they beat them at Survivor Series....he says that if there's one person that DOESN'T deserve an opportunity around here, it's Big Lazy.....

....it would appear that one Big Poppa Pump Scott Steiner also has title aspirations....because he too makes his way out from the back, telling Hart to shut his damn mouth, and Nash that he's delusional.....he says that the ONLY one around here that deserves to be next in line for a shot at the title, is the man that lost the title back in August, and NEVER got his rematch....and that man, is the Genetic Freak Scott Steiner.....

...:::!!!GLASS SHATTERS!!!:::...

....hoo boy, talk about a combustible element.....it's Stone Cold Steve Austin, and he doesn't look like he gives a damn WHO'S in the ring as he marches down the aisle....

....he completely blanks the group of wrestlers as he climbs between the ropes to march to each corner of the ring, saluting the crowd with that now famous middle finger, before grabbing a microphone of his own....he says that he doesn't give a damn about who wants what and why they want it, Steve Austin is getting the next shot at the WWF Title, and that's the bottom line.....

".....see at Survivor Series, Brian Pillman might have won the match, but he didn't prove squat....yeah I lost the match....yeah I took one hell of a beating....but it took five people to do it, and I still got my ass up.....at Survivor Series, Brian Pillman became the number one contender and Stone Cold didn't, but unlike some people around here, I ain't gonna cry and bitch and moan about it, it is what it is and that's that....."

....but Austin says that Pillman is getting his shot at In Your House (currently subtitled "Dead Man Walking") and that's exactly what Brian Pillman is....a dead man....because even if he scrapes his scrawny little ass past the Undertaker, and walks into the Royal Rumble as champion, Steve Austin is going to be there waiting.....

....and the people keep on coming....as the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Vincent Kennedy McMahon makes his way out, along with his Big Red Problem Solver Kane, and the Corporate Cannon Brian Pillman.....

.....he asks all the gentlemen currently in the ring just who in the hell they think they are to be coming out here demanding anything? Vince says that he SHOULD fine the lot of them for their disrespect, but since it is the Holiday Season he's feeling rather more generous.....

.....he says that he's going to give Bret Hart, Steve Austin, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall......and even Chris Jericho what they want.....Championship opportunities.....

.....he says that at In Your House: Dead Man Walking, Chris Jericho will challenge Scott Hall for the WWF Intercontinental Championship (The Hart Foundation are happy with that) Bret Hart will face Stone Cold Steve, with the winner meeting the WWF Champion at the Royal Rumble (The Hart Foundation are happy with that too....as is Steve Austin).....

".....which just leaves Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner....and since quite frankly, your little bickering as of late has amused me no end, you too will be competing for the World Title at In Your House.......the World TAG TEAM Titles.....that's IF you can get along....."

.....Nash and Steiner are happy with....oh wait, no...they're not happy at all....in fact Scott Steiner can be heard proclaiming that this is all bullish!t....

.....Vince isn't done though, he's the gift that keeps on giving, telling Steve Austin that since he was so intent on sticking his nose in Corporate business last week and helping out The Undertaker, he can help him out tonight too.....by teaming up with the Deadman to face Brian Pillman.....and Kane.....and THIS time, Kane will make sure to do as he's told.....if he knows what's good for him.

Rating: A*

VS. <img style="max-width:10%;
"src="https://i.imgur.com/GFiBCDF.jpg">

The Hart Foundation weren't the only faction to pick up a big victory over their rivals at the Survivor Series.....perhaps sick of not being taken seriously around here, The Million Dollar Corporation upped their game and were victorious over the team of Ken Shamrock, Matt Hardy, Billy Kidman and Psycho Sid.....and Rich Steiner followed that up just twenty four hours later with ANOTHER victory over Sid, before the Corporation utterly annihilated the seven footer, putting him through a table and out of the WWF.....

.....tonight Rich will be looking to continue those winning ways against Ken Shamrock.....a man who has been lobbying for a one on one shot at Jeff Jarrett and the European Title for quite some time now.....unfortunately for Steiner, he lost.....

.....but the Corporation won....

.....because before the match could conclude cleanly, DiBiase decided to sacrifice the victory, calling in Jeff Jarrett and Southern Justice to join Steiner in an all out assault, giving Shamrock the disqualification victory....but at what cost?....

Winner: Ken Shamrock (via disqualification)
Rating: B+

.....because even as the official calls for the bell to signal the end of this match, the violence continues, as all five Corporation members (with even DiBiase granting himself a few kicks) take great delight in punishing the former MMA fighter....

.....Deebs pauses his own assault to grab a microphone (leaving his men to keep up the offence) telling the crowd that they thought hey had made themselves clear last week....if you want to come and step up to Jeff Jarrett and the European Championship, you can expect to be taken out, with a VERY hostile takeover....

.....Southern Justice drag Shamrock to his feet, holding him in position (while Steiner slips to the outside to collect that Acoustic Equaliser) as Jarrett grabs Shammy by the hair, telling him that this is just a taste of what's in store for him at In Your House.....because Double J is going to grant Ken that title shot he wants......IF......he can make it to Dead Man Walking in one piece.....

.....with that Jarrett collects the guitar from Steiner.....winds back.....and smashes it straight over Ken Shamrocks head......

.....I guess it's official, Jeff Jarrett vs Ken Shamrock at In Your House.....that's if Shamrock is in any condition to compete, as the Million Dollar Corporation continue to make an impression.

Rating: B+

.....and just like that, we go over to some pre-recorded comments from Raven, who is still walking through that old church....he says that the four circles Jake Roberts have passed through have bought him directly to the centre of his trials.....the faith circle of hell in Raven's Divine Comedy.....Anger......

".....a home for those who have let anger prevail....cast into the River Styx to drown eternally in the waters of anger and rage.....

.....Jake Roberts, as you descend deeper into the depths of my hell, you loose a little bit of your moral highground.....the religious man on a road of vengeance....the man of god filled with anger about the very thing he himself created.....'blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of god'.....Jake, are you a peacemaker? Or simply an angry man cloaked in the facade of hypocrisy....

......anger is destined to be your downfall Jake....are you angry at me for who I am?....for what I do?......or are you angry at yourself....because you can't be the man you were born to be anymore?......are you angry at me for my actions?....or angry at yourself for your lack of action?.......will your anger define you, as it has defined your opponent tonight?......"

......Raven says that The Nation of Domination is a faction built on rage, with its founder trapped in an eternal loop of anger and fear in equal parts.....

......anger at the quote/unquote "Man".....fear at the prospect of forever being an afterthought....anger at the lack of opportunity through no fault of his own.....fear at the prospect of receiving that opportunity, and just not being good enough....Raven says that Faarooq has spent the better part of two years lamenting the fact that he has not been presented with the opportunities that he was too afraid to demand.....and even now, anger and fear consumes him.....anger at the fact that he has fear.....fear of his In Your House opponent Nelson.....

".....Faarooq has built a career on foundations of anger....now those foundations are crumbling.....what will he do when all that remains is a broken mess of fear and regret?.....

.....use your anger Jake.....use it to unleash the rage that your god forces you to keep inside.....unleash your fury.....unleash your anger.....on me.....for I can set you free.....Quote the Raven......Nevermore....."

Rating: A

VS.

Nine Circles of Hell Match: Anger

So it's back to Raven's Divine Comedy once more....this fifth circle of his hell....anger....

....so far Jakes Journey has seen him meet with the misfits and the afterthoughts of the World Wrestling Federation....even Goldust, while still a credible threat to most anyone around here is hardly what you could call your "normal" athlete....tonight's opponent is different....tonight's opponent has been front and centre for the best part of two years....not a misfit, and with two Intercontinental Title reigns under his belt, certainly not an afterthought.....but make no mistake, Faarooq is a very angry man....and that anger HAS cost him here in the WWF.....but has that anger recently been replaced by fear?.....

.....well, I'll let you be the judge of that....but while Faarooq is solidly in control of this one (and obviously confident, because he's left the rest of the Nation in the back) the man he will be facing at In Your House comes walking out from the back.....and as Faarooq spots Nelson, he wastes no time in bailing from the ring and over the crowd rail before the big man makes it to the ring.....which means he gets to stand and watch as the official registers a ten count, and awards this match to Jake Roberts.

Winner: Jake Roberts (via deliberate count-out)
Rating: B

Faarooq doesn't look as though that loss bothered him in the slightest, so long as it keeps him out of the reach of Big Nelson.....there won't be anywhere to run at In Your House however, because at the request of Faarooq, these two men will finally meet after months of running scared on the part of Faarooq.....

.....now I know what you're thinking....if Faarooq is so scared of Nelson, then why is he challenging him to a match?.....that's a good question, I'm glad you asked.....and the answer lies with a group of men who we now cut to standing backstage, watching Faarooq beat a hasty retreat on a monitor.....

......Faarooq has always claimed to lead the Nation of Domination by example.....and if the faces and gestures of his Nation brothers recently have been anything to go by, he ain't setting a good example.....even now the four men shake their heads and share a knowing look as their leader disappears from sight.....they're not happy.....and why would you be, after all, a Nation is only as strong as its leader after all.

Rating: B+

Well, we're in the back, so we may as well stay there....going to (presumably) the locker room of MGM Productions....and I say presumably because it's an awfully odd shot.....

.....the camera is zoomed in so close that all we can really see is one half of Goldust's face on one side of the screen, the top of Marcus' head (from his *ahem* beautifully made-up eyes to the top of his thick hair) at the bottom of the screen, and Marlene's slender arm on the other....like I say, an awfully odd shot....

.....Goldust speaks non the less, saying that sometimes, the worst thing that can happen to a thespian, is to become typecast....be it say Cary Grant as the smooth charmer, Christopher Lee as the evil villain, Christopher Lloyd as the madcap loon....more recently we've seen Jim Carrey as the zany goofball, Gary Oldman as the sadistic nutcase....or Samuel L. Jackson as the Badass Muthaf.....well, you know what I mean......

.....Goldust says that if you play a role for long enough, it is eventually going to define YOU, rather that you defining IT.....he says make no mistake, Goldust is just that.....a role.....a part....another example of Vince McMahon's insistence of making a mockery of the Rhodes name........well no more.....he has played the part for too long, and it's gotten him nowhere.....

......as Goldust continues to speak there is suddenly a strange sound that forces him to raise his voice slightly.....he says that for two years now he has been the punchline to one big joke.....and starting tonight, the joke is over.....

......the camera slowly pans out to reveal the source of that random noise.....hairclippers......and that's not all it reveals, because as Goldust rubs a hand through the thick hair of Marcus, the camera has zoomed out far enough to fully show his face.....and while one half of his face is painted in the usual gold and black, the other half is completely paint free.....

......Goldust snarls at the camera, exhaling deeply before telling the viewing audience that they can forget the name.......Goldusssstttttt.....before clutching hold of Marcus' hair and lowering the clippers, as the screen abruptly cuts to black......

....I think we need a commercial break after that.....

Rating: B+

VS. <img style="max-width:10%;
"src="https://i.imgur.com/28EcnwT.jpg">

....and we're back.....and it's time to rekindle a somewhat old feud.....although it was a feud that never really got started.....

....Dean Malenko came into the WWF, looking to prove himself against the best light-heavyweight athletes in the world today.....and the name at the top of his list? Rey Mysterio.....a fact that Chris Jericho didn't take too kindly too, deciding that HE was the greatest light-heavyweight of all time, and to prove it, he put his WWF Career on the line against the Light Heavyweight Title.....lose and he's gone, win and he takes the WWF Light Heavyweight Title away from the entire division, retiring it permanently.....Jericho won, and the Title that Dean Malenko had is sights set on was suddenly no more.....what a petty little s.o.b.....

.....to be fair to Malenko, while he IS smaller in stature (there is no arguing that) he is so much more than just some faceless light heavyweight....the man can wrestle with the best of them, and while he may have only really been in the spotlight a short time, he's a true veteran of the sport.....

.....obviously this match was good.....both guys know how to work a clinic in there, with Jericho adding the flare that Malenko perhaps misses.....this was an important match too what with Jericho being named the number one contender to the Intercontinental Championship earlier this evening....Jericho couldn't afford a loss this close to his match with Scott Hall, while Malenko would have a pretty good argument as to why he should be next in line for a shot here, ESPECIALLY if Jericho wins the gold at In Your House.....

.....in the end though, that point was moot....because while Malenko came out of this looking strong (and almost with the victory on a number of occasions) it was Jericho that picked up the victory......but not without assistance from his bodyguard Test, who (while the official was concentrating on Chris Jericho and his potential for submission) climbed up onto the apron and socked Dean-o Machine-o right in the jaw while Jericho scrambled free of the Cloverleaf.......

.....Malenko goes down......Lionsault......Cover......one, two, three......it's just that simple.

Winner: Chris Jericho
Rating: B-

Malenko rolls out of the ring as Test joins Jericho (clearly anticipating a two on one assault) and heads to the back.....but not before telling Jericho that he knows damn well that he couldn't beat him without the help of Test.....

.....Jericho takes offence to that, taking a microphone to tell Malenko (and the crowd) that he doesn't like these aspersions that Deano is throwing his way.......he says that Chris Jericho is the very definition of a true sports man.....a Canadian purist.....an honest man......and he would never (eeeeever) cheat.......

".....clearly Mr. Personality, Dean Malenko has been overwhelmed by my Canadian Charisma.....because honestly Deano, I don't think I've ever met a duller man than you.....they should have named you after your Daddy, Boris Malenko, they'd have just had to spell it a little bit differently......Bore-is......Bore-is Malenko Jr.......it has a ring to it don't you think?....."

......Jericho says that now he's shown Bore-is exactly who the greatest light heavyweight in the world is, its onward and upward to bigger and better things....namely, Scott Hall and the Intercontinental Championship......

......In Your House: Dead Man Walking is only a few weeks away, and while Jericho wasn't expecting to receive a title match, it shouldn't come as any surprise that McMahon has finally seen sense.....after all, if you had to pick between "The Old Guy" Scott Hall and "The Ayatollah of Rock'n'Rolla" Chris Jericho as your Intercontinental Champion, well....that's a no brainier....after all, Chris Jericho is younger, (true) stronger, (probably not) bigger, (definitely not) and a whole lot more sexier (erm....no comment) than Scott Hall will ever be......

......and BECAUSE he is an Honest Canadian, all these Chris Jericho fans....these....these.....Jerichoholics.....they can believe him when he says that at In Your House, Scott Hall is going to find out the same thing that Bore-is Jr. just found out.....and that's the fact that whether you're lightweight, heavyweight, overweight, or waiting for a bus....you are NOT.....Chris Jericho.....and at In Your House, you will NOT....be the Intercontinental Champion anymore......

".....thank you!.....thank you all!....."

Rating: A

Oh You Didn't Know?....we're back from commercial just in time for the New Age Outlaws to make their way down to the ring.....

......The Road Dogg and The Bad Ass look to be in a particularly sour mood this evening, and Sunny is pouting up a storm as the trio enter the ring, where Jesse James grabs a microphone.....

......he says that he's not exactly sure what's going on here, but him and Billy, they are about to change their last names to Hart, because he's fairly sure they're getting screwed here.....

".....see we lost those WWF Tag Team Titles on a fluke because of a team that don't even work here.....screwed!.....then last week (instead of getting our contracted rematch) we had to fight Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner.....screwed!.....now it ain't our fault that the Genetic Jackass couldn't be bothered to show up (and we beat Big Daddy Dumbass anyway) but tonight, it's Pinky and the Lamebrain getting OUR title shot.....screwed!......but we figured that's ok, because they're just saving our title match for a bigger stage.....for Pay Per View.....for In Your House.....but no, instead that shot goes to two idiots we already beat, who aren't even a team to begin with.....screwed again!....."

......James says that Harlem Heat can duck them and duck them and duck them some more....but duck, duck, duck, because one day soon there are going to be a New Age Goose knocking at their door.....and tonight, the Outlaws are going to sit right down there on commentary, to find out exactly who they're going to have to beat to become the THREE time Tag Team Champions of the Worlddddddd......and if anyone's got a problem with that, then they can Suck It!......

Rating: A

VS.

We have a bit of an odd one here....and not just because Al Snow is in the match....but because we have an awkward pairing of face vs. face teams.....when current Tag Champs Harlem Heat put the titles on the line against former (1 day) champions Al Snow and Chris Candido.....

.....say what you want about the odd pairing of Snow and "Don't Call Me" Skippy, but these two have gotten incredibly over as a result of it.....Candido has recently joined his partner in the Upper Midcard, while Al Snow is unbelievably knocking on the door of the Main Event, and is really only one big win away from crashing through that glass ceiling....Snow could probably comfortably have a quick World Title programme right now (he wouldn't win obviously) without embarrassing himself, and BOTH men could easily carry the Intercontinental Championship.....quite a step up from the Avatar and Body Donna gimmicks that were stuck with when I took the book here.....

.....tonight isn't about singles titles though, it's about tag titles.....tag team titles that Al Snow and Chris Candido want (and undoubtedly deserve) back....Harlem Heat aren't about to give them back without a fight however, not after finally stepping into the Tag team "main event" after months of spinning their wheels.....of course, there's a third element at play here.....a third team who believe that they deserve those titles back....a third team who REALLY don't like Snow and Candido.....a third team that's sitting right there at ringside.....and a third team that frankly ruined what was a very good, hard fought, and even contest......

......because as Sunny uses her womanly charms to distract the official, and while Booker T and Snow are brawling on the outside, they knock Booker to one side and nail Snow in the back of the head with the ring bell, before tossing him back into the ring and bailing to the back with Booker T and Chris Candido in hot persuit.....

......Stevie Ray on the other hand stays right here he is....after all, why waste a perfectly good opportunity.....and as Snow struggles back to his feet and nails him with a Double Leg Slam Spinebuster (or Alabama Slam to me and you) for the one, two, three.

Winner(s): ....and Still WWF Tag Tram Champions.....Harlem Heat
Rating: B+

We leave Harlem Heat to celebrate (or rather Stevie Ray to celebrate, Booker T doesn't look particularly excited about the way they won the match) and head backstage, where Dok Hendrix is standing by with the Wolfpac, as well as Scott Steiner and Sable.....and Hendrix wants to know how Nash and Steiner feel to be challenging for the tag titles at In Your House, against presumably Harlem Heat given the result of the previous match?.....

.....truthfully, they don't seem to be overly excited, but as Nash points out, gold is gold, and gold means bank.....that's more money in Kevin Nash's pocket, and as far as Big Sexy is concerned that's never a bad thing.....Hendrix asks Steiner if he feels the same, and more importantly, can Kevin Nash expect his partner to show up....a fact that Kevin Nash obviously hadn't considered, but now the issues been raised, he's also curious as to the answer.....

......Sable asks Dok what he's trying to do? Is he trying to cast aspersions on Scott Steiner's good name?.....

".....YEAH HENDRIX, STOP TRYING TO CAST ASTERSONS......APPERSI......STOP TRYING TO DO WHAT SHE SAID....."

......Steiner says that while he wasn't looking for a shot at the tag titles, there's no one in the WWF that knows how to win tag titles like Scott Steiner, he's been winning tag titles his whole career.....in fact, the only thing he's collected more of than tag titles, is notches in bed post....so if McMahon wants to hand him the tag titles (because by giving Scott Steiner a shot at the gold that's essentially what he's doing) then that's fine with him......because he'll take that tag team title and shove it right up the ass of anyone.....ANYONE....that gets in his way of becoming the WWF Champion a second time.....

......Scotty and Nash share a look there....I think it's safe to say that this is a very uneasy alliance......

......Hendrix tries to alleviate the tension in the room by switching his focus to two other upcoming title matches.....Scott Hall defending the Intercontinental Title against Chris Jericho at In Your House, and Sean Waltman getting a shot at a rejuvenated Million Dollar Corporation's European Title, when he faces Jeff Jarrett next......

......Hall says that Chris Jericho is just a little man(g) with a big mouth....now Scott Hall, he's a big man(g) with a big mouth Chico, and he's always been able to back it up....if Chris Jericho wanted a shot at the Bad Guy, then (just like he told Goldust last week) all he had to do was ask....."Jericho, you can sing it chico....but at In Your House, you gonna have to bring it".....

......as for Waltman, he says that he's been waiting for another shot at the European Title for a while now....yeah, the Million Dollar Corporation are on a roll....yeah they got the numbers.....but so does Sean Waltman.....and he's not going out there alone tonight....so let's see how well the Corporation does when the Wolves are at their door.

Rating: A

VS.

Earlier tonight Jeff Jarrett informed Ken Shamrock that he was finally going to grant him his one on one match for the WWF European Championship at In Your House....I think he might have been overlooking the fact that he might not even BE the WWF European Champion by the time IYH: Dead Man Walking rolls around, because tonight, not only is he up against a member of the Wolfpac, he's up against a member of the Wolfpac who has already held the European Title once......Sean Waltman.......

.....the entire Million Dollar Corporation have decided to come out with Jarrett for this one, and true to their word, the Wolfpac accompany Waltman to the ring....as does Big Poppa Pump and Sable, which makes for an interesting dynamic, because Scott Steiner and Rich Steiner haven't shared a screen in quite some time (although while they do share a tense moment when they come face to face, they generally stay out of each other's way here).....

......the match itself is good, if not somewhat chaotic with the sheer number of bodies at ringside.....the ending was chaotic too, but that was more down to Scott Steiner and Kevin Nash....because after bickering on and off through the course of the match, a shoving match breaks out after Nash gets shoved into the back of Scotty by Rich Steiner, and while the Corporation looks on in amusement, Big Poppa Pump finally gives Nash a big "Up Your, before storming to the back along with Sable.....

......during that Waltman took his eye off the match, turning his attention to the bickering Nash and Steiner just long enough for Jarrett to catch him with a Schoolboy....and one handful of tights later, Double J retains the European Championship.

Winner: ....and Still WWF European Champion......Jeff Jarrett
Rating: B

From there we go backstage, where Vince McMahon is watching a replay of Steiner and Nash's "altercation" and chuckling in that distinctive Vince laugh, before turning to Brian Pillman, telling him that this is exactly why he's got these two teaming up at In Your House, it's going to be a hoot to watch them explode live on Pay Per View.....

.....Pillman doesn't really seem interested in that.....he's more interested in tonight's match....the match that's coming up next in fact....and curious as to whether Kane is going to do his job tonight, or is Pillman going to be fighting three men out there? Vince tells Brian not to worry....he says that Kane will do exactly what he's told to do out there.....because if he doesn't, well, let's just say that he won't like the outcome that follows....

.....Anderson and Flair join McMahon and Pillman in staring a hole through the Big Red Machine, who stands motionless in the corner, before Flair finally lets out a big "Wooooooo", telling Pillman not to worry about tonight, because in a few short weeks time he's going to be standing there with the World Wrestling Federation Championship around his waist, finally "the man" just like Ric Flair always told him he would be.....

......Flair says that if there's one thing he knows, it's what greatness looks like (because he sees it every morning when he looks in the mirror) and he saw greatness in Brian Pillman from the day he first cast eyes on him....all he was missing was that mean streak.....and he can tell by that wild look in his eyes, that the Deadman has more than met his match with the Madman....the uncrowned prince of chaos will take the throne at In Your House....and tonight, The Undertaker is going to get a little taste of that.....

".....isn't that right Kane?....."

......the room turns to look at Kane, who was obviously never going to answer.....but what the Big Red Monster does do, is crack his neck, adjust his black glove......and walk out of the room.....

.....our main event.....is next.....

Rating: B+

VS.

So here is that main event.....and it's a match filled with plenty of history....in fact, if you go back to Wrestlemania XIII, Steve Austin faced off with Brian Pillman, while Kane ended his brothers Wrestlemania Undefeated streak.....although while The Deadman and the Big Red Machine were deep into a blood feud back in March, the pair seem less inclined to attempt to destroy each other as of late....with Kane in particular looking to almost want to mend fences......

.....the fact is evident here as well, because when the two men come face to face in the ring, it is only Brian Pillman's constant manic screaming that causes Kane to finally take the offence to his brother.....

.....there was obviously some question as to whether Steve Austin and The Undertaker could operate on the same page, after all The Rattlesnake is hardly known for his ability to play well with others....that and there is the little fact that the Deadman has the one thing in the WWF that Stone Cold actually desires....the World Wrestling Federation Title......

.....so, could they co-exist?.....

.....well in all honesty we'll never know.....

.....because before the match can reach a full conclusion, The Hart Foundation comes running down the aisle, and begins putting the boots to all four men.....leaving the official little choice but to throw this one out.....

Winner(s): No Contest
Rating: B

.....and they continue to beat down on Austin and The Undertaker as the bell sounds.....

.....Pillman clearly sees an opportunity here, retreating from the ring and ordering Kane to return to the back with him....after all, if the Hart Foundation want to soften his In Your House opponent up for him then who is he to stop them.....

.....the pair slowly walk up the aisle, leaving Bret to lock the Sharpshooter on HIS opponent for In Your House, while the rest of the Foundation beat down the Deadman, before Owen Hart finally locks his own Sharpshooter on the WWF Champion, while Test and Jericho lay boots to the defenceless babyfaces.....

......Pillman cackles at this, but his laughter stops when The Big Red Machine shrugs off his orders to return to the back.....and marches right back down to the ring.....

.....clearly Kane has seen enough.....Test sees him coming and goes to meet him in the aisle, but he runs right into a big boot.....Jericho attempts to stop the Monster, but an open handed throat thrust soon puts a stop to that, before Kane boots Bret Hart in the face and drags Owen Hart off his brother by the hair, before positioning him for a Chokeslam......

.....before he can deliver the killing blow however, the rest of the Hart Foundation jump him, laying into him with kicks and punches.....

......the flurry doesn't last long however, because Austin and The Undertaker get back into the fray, and the trio finally fight the crafty Canadians off, sending the scurrying out of the ring, up the aisle (where they pass Brian Pillman) and to the back.....leaving the show to close with Kane and The Undertaker standing face to face, while a p!ssed off looking Brian Pillman stares on from the aisleway......we'll see you next week folks.

Rating: A*

Final Rating: B+

to4sty · January 8, 2019

<div style="text-align:center;"> <img alt="oyFIziv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/oyFIziv.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Week 1, December 1997 Birmingham-Jefferson Arena (Birmingham, Alabama) ATT: 15,619 TV: 21.18 Announce Team: Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan and Mike Tenay <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> <img alt="7Kekdfg.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7Kekdfg.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="HA44Uyp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/HA44Uyp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zJWRW9s.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zJWRW9s.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="msdGaJy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/msdGaJy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="6PMfEkU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6PMfEkU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="De9q5V9.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/De9q5V9.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="JM0zCR1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JM0zCR1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="598dEVe.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/598dEVe.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> We are just 24 hours removed from a monumental Mayhem event, and if the still images from last night that open the show weren't enough to tell you, the announcers soon inform everyone that yes, Sting returned from being fired....yes, Sting signed a new contract....yes, Sting won the Mayhem match......and perhaps most importantly of all, yes, Sting will be competing against Hollywood Hogan at Starrcade, for the WCW Championship..... .....speaking of Hollywood, he's out immediately following our opening monologue (along with the rest of the Titans of Wrestling) and none of them looks to be in a particularly good mood..... .....Hollywood Hogan takes the microphone first, ranting about Sting and the decision to allow him into the Mayhem match, before finally handing the mic to a ticked off Vince Russo....Russo says that he doesn't know exactly who Eric Bischoff thinks he is, but he wants to make one thing clear....HE calls the shots around here, and the whole world saw him fire "that Brandon Lee wannabe" Sting last week.....Sting shouldn't have been in that match to begin with, and he will NOT be getting a shot at the WCW Title at Starrcade.....in fact, the way Russo sees it, tonight they should take everyone that Sting illegally (since he was fired) eliminated from Mayhem, put them all in a match, with the winner getting the privilege of facing Hollywood at Starrcade..... <img alt="O22kAAc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/O22kAAc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....predictably that brings out the public face of the WCW Championship Committee, Eric Bischoff, who tells Russo and Hollywood that unfortunately for them, when they DID fire Sting last week they presented him with a unique opportunity.....an opportunity to frankly right a wrong..... ......Bischoff said that he already announced weeks ago that the Mayhem match would be open to ANYONE (WCW employee's or not) so long as competitors signed a contract with World Championship Wrestling....Russo fired Sting, Bischoff handed Sting a contract....like it or not, Sting IS a WCW employee.....and Sting IS going to be facing Hollywood Hogan at Starrcade for the World Title...... ......Hogan balks at that, saying that Sting can't fight for the WCW Title as long as Hollywood is Champion, thanks to the match stipulation dating back to their Road Wild tag team bout (which saw The Warrior turn his back on Sting and cost him the match)....Bischoff shakes his head however, stating that all stipulations relating to Sting's previous contract were terminated along with him the moment Russo fired him.....new contract, no stipulations, and like it or not, this TITLE match WILL take place............and speaking of title matches, since Bischoff is here he may as well let the Totally Awesome Trinity know that due to their VERY busy evening last night (cheating their way to a title defence and interfering in the World Title Match) Bischoff has arranged a match for them tonight.....Copeland and Cage don't like that, telling him that he totally can't do that....he's not the boss of them..... ".....actually gentlemen, as long as you hold on to those WCW Tag Team Titles, I totally AM the boss of you.....because the Championship Committee has decided that the Pitbulls deserve a rematch.....and the Pitbulls are totally going to have a rematch.....right now.....so send a referee out here....." Rating: A* </div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><div></div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="98fv6En.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/98fv6En.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <img style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/JM0zCR1.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/JM0zCR1.jpg"></a><img alt="6PMfEkU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6PMfEkU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="De9q5V9.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/De9q5V9.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="igd9lzk.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/igd9lzk.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="HKPx3Pl.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/HKPx3Pl.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/9A3yGU6.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/9A3yGU6.jpg"></a> ....so here comes a referee.....and here come The Pitbulls..... .....I think it's safe to say that while Copeland and Cage didn't take these two men particularly seriously in the weeks leading up to their title bout last night, they're taking them VERY seriously tonight, because Missy's Mutt's took the Tag Champs to the very limit....so much so that this "30 second victory" that the Trinity were promising was almost a victory for the challengers as they beat and battered the two younger men around the ring....and had it not been for the interjection of the Enforcer, the Pitbulls could very well be out here DEFENDING the gold tonight instead of challenging for it...... ......this match tonight went very much the same way.....Pitbulls 1&2 have both Copeland and Cage seriously outmuscled, and they use every bit of that strength to punish the Tag Champions with big power moves..... ......the titles look to be in serious jeopardy here, and The Enforcer obviously knows it.....interjecting himself again on the outside, nailing Pitbull #1 in the head with his night stick (before choking Pitbull #2 out on the floor with the same weapon that he used to help eliminate Sid Vicious last night at Mayhem) leaving Cage to finish off a half out of it Pitbull #1 with the Downward Spiral......the Champions retain again.....but not without a LOT of help..... Winner(s): ....and still WCW Tag Team Champion's.....Adam Copeland & Christian Cage Rating: B </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="JM0zCR1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JM0zCR1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="6PMfEkU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6PMfEkU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="De9q5V9.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/De9q5V9.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="igd9lzk.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/igd9lzk.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="HKPx3Pl.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/HKPx3Pl.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....speaking of that help.....The Enforcer has obviously had just about enough of the Pitbulls, and he tosses a half choked out Pitbull #2 into the ring, followed by a pair of steel chairs..... ......Copeland and Cage collect a chair each, and much as they did last night to Chris Benoit, absolutely destroy Pitbull #2 with a hard Con-Chair-To..... ......with one half of the team down and out it's time to move on to the second member, and it looks as though they're going for the ultimate insult....because as Cage brings a table into the ring (setting it up along with his partner) The Enforcer mounts the second rope, before sitting down on the top turnbuckle and calling for Pitbull #1..... ......Schiavone questions what they're planning here, but Mike Tenay (being the professor) knows exactly what they have planned, telling his colleagues that it looks as though they are about to replicate that Pitbull Superbomb....straight through the table..... <img alt="dupGZMe.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dupGZMe.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="bo6DRNg.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bo6DRNg.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="cxh6grX.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cxh6grX.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....although not if these men have anything to say about it....as Chris Benoit, Diamond Dallas Page, and Sid Vicious come running out from the back..... .....all three of these men have issues with one or all of the Trinity.....Chris Benoit was the victim of a Con-Chair-To last night, Sid Vicious was eliminated from the Mayhem Match courtesy of Ray Traylor's nightstick, while Diamond Dallas Page arguably had the WCW Title won last night, had the Trinity not made their presence felt...... .....the three men hit the ring, and the Totally Awesome Trinity hit the bricks, bailing quickly from the ring and retreating up the aisle to the back as Benoit, Page and Vicious check on the Pitbulls, and Mean Gene makes his way out from the back..... Rating: A </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="NLnyB4b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NLnyB4b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="dupGZMe.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dupGZMe.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="bo6DRNg.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bo6DRNg.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="cxh6grX.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cxh6grX.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....Mean Gene climbs into the ring, stopping the trio of Benoit, Page and Vicious before they can leave, because he has some questions for these three men.... .....first and foremost, "Sid Vicious, what in the world are you doing here in WCW?" Gene says that the last time he checked, Sid was still "up north".....Sid says that he WAS, but he isn't anymore.....he says that when Eric Bischoff opened the door for anyone to enter Mayhem (whether they worked here or not) he knew that there was only one place he wanted to be and that's where the big boys play, because there's none bigger than Sid Vicious..... ......Gene turns to Page next, who while clearly fired up, certainly looks a little despondent at his failure to capture the WCW Title last night....Gene wants to know what's next for DDP following his failed bid at dethroning Hollywood Hogan, but Page says that he honestly doesn't know....he says that for months now he's been lobbying for a shot....a shot to prove that he deserves to be in there with the Hollywood Hogans, the Warrior's, the Randy Savage's....but now?.....now he just just doesn't know..... ......Benoit interrupts Page there....he's not much of a talker but he's got something to say here, telling Dallas to stop....he says that Page had that title won last night, he had Hollywood flat on his back in the middle of the ring, and had it not been for the Copeland, Cage and Traylor then he would be standing here as the Champion of the world..... ".....so what now? I'll tell you what now Dallas.....this so called Trinity took from you....they took from me too.....took away my chance of winning Mayhem, and then smashed two steel chairs across my head.....they took from you....they took from me.....it's time we took from them....." ......Benoit suggests that he and Dallas team up and challenge the Totally Awful Twosome to a match at Starrcade for the WCW Tag Team Titles, and hit the Titans where it hurts them most, by taking the Championships away from them..... ......Page hesitates for a second (but it is only a second) before agreeing.....I guess the challenge is on the table.....Adam Copeland and Christian Cage vs. Diamond Dallas Page and Chris Benoit, for the WCW Tag Team Titles at Starrcade...... ......not to be outdone, Sid says that he has some unfinished business of his own with this Trinity....with Ray Traylor to be precise, before saying that if Page and Benoit are gonna come out here making challenges, then he has one of his own.....he wants the Enforcer.....and he wants him at Starrcade too...... Rating: A </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="InWNpvZ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/InWNpvZ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="bGSacqF.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bGSacqF.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match Last week, Yoshihiro Tajiri was the first man to qualify for the WCW Cruiserweight Title tournament semi-finals, tonight two more men will be joining him (with the fourth to be determined next week) beginning with the winner of this next match between Kid Kash and Alex Wright..... .....this was really was a good match, the only thing that really let it down was the crowd reaction due to neither competitor exactly being high in the pecking order (although Wright is comfortably more over than Kash) but then there has never been a real reason to showcase these smaller athletes.....hopefully the new Cruiserweight division will give some of these guys more exposure, for the time being however it's Alex Wright that advances to the Semi-Finals with a German Suplex. Winner: Alex Wright Rating: C </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="MgboLk0.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/MgboLk0.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> We go to a commercial for the upcoming Starrcade event and when we come back it's straight back down to ringside.....no match, no interviewer.....just a p!ssed off looking Jean Paul Levesque marching towards the ring..... .....he snatches a microphone from ringside and steps between the ropes, getting right down to business.... ......Levesque says that last night, the Titans of Wrestling crossed a line that they shouldn't have crossed.....Randy Savage crossed a line he shouldn't have crossed.....and The Warrior crossed a line he shouldn't have crossed.....he says that by subjecting Shawn Michaels to a beating so severe that hey left him a bleeding and unconscious mess in the back "you may as well have taken that blood and used it to sign their own death warrant".....Savage for doing the majority of the damage, Warrior for holding him back and forcing him to watch...... .....Levesque says that ever since leaving the Titans he has been doing everything he can to make up for his past transgressions....he's fought the fight for WCW.....he says that he knows that Michaels has hardly been showering the company with praise, but after a rocky start JPL can honestly say that there is nowhere he would rather be than right here, and he knows Shawn would feel the same way if he just gave it a chance.....he apologises for the wrongdoings he has done in the past, "but I make no apologies for what I'm going to do to Randy Savage, The Warrior.....and the rest of the Titans of Wrestling....." .....JPL doesn't know when (or if) Shawn Michaels will return after he spent last night getting stitched up and treated for concussion, but he hopes that while he is recuperating that he's sat at home back in San Antonio.....and he hopes he's watching his television..... ".....because Shawn.....you can look into my eyes right now and you can take it from me, Savage, Warrior, they're going to regret the day that you walked through the door.....I know how you feel about this company, but watch Starrcade.....watch the BIGGEST event of the year.....and watch me, make Savage pay for every drop of blood that he cost you last night.....you came here to WCW to have my back, now I'm going to have yours.....I'm going to tear Savage apart tonight, and then at Starrcade, I don't care if it's two on one....I want Savage again......I want the Warrior......I want pain......I want blood......I want the Titans of Wrestling down on their knees praying to their god to take them back to a time before they knew who Shawn Michaels was.....because Shawn, I'm going to tear them apart......and I'm not going to do it for WCW.....I'm not even going to do it for me.......I'm going to do it, for YOU....." <img alt="GDU0Yfw.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GDU0Yfw.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....suddenly the bagpipes begin to wail, and this crowd erupts, as Rowdy Roddy Piper makes his way out from the back and walks slowly to the ring (taking in the reception from the crowd as he goes) before stepping between the ropes and standing in front of Levesque...... ......the two men stare each other down for a moment, after all, they share quite a lot of history after Pipers war with the Titans six months or so back, but in the end Roddy offers his hand, which Levesque takes, before handing the microphone to The Hot Scot...... .....Piper says that first of all, he's got something that he wants to get off his chest, and that's the dismissive (and frankly disrespectful) way that Shawn Michaels has been talking about WCW.....Roddy says that he's been where Shawn has been.....he's worked the same towns, dealt with the same politics, and raised the same hell.....he says that he's worked for the WWF and he's worked for WCW, and there is NO company he would rather work for that this one..... .....Piper says that he's left a lifetimes worth of blood, sweat and tears on these mats, and if could, he'd do it all over again.....the money, the fame, the ego that comes with working up north, it's NOTHING compared to the respect that these fans give you.....and if Shawn just embraced them.....AND WCW.....then he'd see that these fans take Uncle Vince's "stars" and turn them into Icons..... ".....second of all, I've got something to say to YOU Mr. Jean Paul.....and that's the fact that if you think for one second that you're going to be able to take on the Titans single handedly, then that tight shirt must be cutting off the blood to your brain as well as your biceps, because that just ain't gonna happen pal....." .....Piper says that Levesque should know better than most that beating ONE Titan is hard enough, let alone two....if he's really looking to take on Savage and Warrior at Starrcade then he's going to need a partner.....someone crazy enough to step into the ring with Warrior and Savage for a fight.....someone with an ax to grind, and an ax to bury right in the skull of the Titans...... ".....someone.....like me......" .....apparently Piper is offering up his services to Jean Paul Levesque.....and to be fair, JPL doesn't exactly have many choices when it comes to backup.....Shawn Michaels is in no condition to fight (and even if he was, he doesn't even work here) and while Chris Benoit has been somewhat of an ally as of late, it would seem that the Canadian Crippler has plans for the Totally Awesome Trinity come Starrcade night....so really, what choice does Levesque have?.... .....none, clearly.....and as he accepts Pipers offer, it looks like we have another potential match for Starrcade set.....Jean Paul Levesque and Rowdy Roddy Piper, against The Mega Maniacs....Randy Savage, and The Warrior. Rating: A* </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="mqWl7Ti.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mqWl7Ti.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="INZhq2F.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/INZhq2F.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="wASYapy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wASYapy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="k7DyUpq.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/k7DyUpq.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Since Mean Gene wasn't needed for that last segment, we go to a segment where we DO need him, as we go backstage, where Lance Storm is standing ready to be questioned, along with Jacques Rougeau and Carl Oulette, The Amazing French Canadians..... .....Storm is still wearing the WCW Television Title around his waist, despite the fact that he lost that very title last night at Mayhem, and Gene is feeling particularly testy tonight, asking Storm "just what in the world do you think you are doing?" telling him that Bill Goldberg won that title fair and square last night, and Lance Storm has stolen it...... .....there is quite a rabble here as The French Canadians rally to Storms defence, shouting down Gene's accusations, but Storm holds a hand up to quieten them down.... .....he tells Gene that he hasn't stolen anything.....Canadians don't steal.....what Lance Storm HAS done, is make an executive decision.....he begins reeling off a long list of names, from Ricky Steamboat, Tully Blanchard, and Arn Anderson, all the way up to Lord Steven Regal and Lance Storm....he says that since it's inception, the Television Title has been a Championship for some of the best technical wrestlers that the sport has to offer....he said he wore this title proudly and upheld those same standards and he will NOT see that record tarnished by a Neanderthal like Bill Goldberg.....so as far as Lance Storm is concerned, he is STILL the WCW Television Title.....and he has the belt to prove it..... .....Gene disagrees, saying what he is carrying right there is nothing more than a target, but none the less he turns his attention to the Jacques and Oulette, asking them exactly what their interest in this situation is?....Jacques does the talking, telling Gene that they may be the Amazing French Canadians, but the key part of that title is CANADIANS.....and as proud Canadians, they couldn't stand by and watch a Crime against Canada go down without intervening (after all, they're former lawmen don't you know) and Bill Goldberg taking that title from Lance Storm is most certainly a Crime against Canada.....just like the fact that he and his partner have yet to receive a shot at those WCW Tag Team Titles is a Crime against Canada.....but tonight, they look to right that wrong, by defeating the Nasty Boys and moving one step closer to a shot at the gold. Rating: B </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="3t5Mcpd.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3t5Mcpd.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="btMTTG9.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/btMTTG9.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="wASYapy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wASYapy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="k7DyUpq.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/k7DyUpq.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/INZhq2F.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/INZhq2F.jpg"></a> Sigh, the WCW Tag Team division really needs a shot in the arm.....actually, I'll rephrase that (because the heel side isn't all that bad) the Babyface side of our WCW Tag Team division really needs a shot in the arm, because as far as actual face teams go, we have the Road Warriors, The Pitbulls......and The Nasty Boys.....sheesh...... .....to be fair, this match wasn't all that bad, but considering the fact that we are a month away from 1998, this had WCW Saturday Night written all over it....instead here we are, live on TNT....with The Nasty Boys facing off against The Amazing French Canadians..... .....we didn't even get a clean finish either......and you can thank Lance Storm for that..... <img alt="ENgzrOM.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ENgzrOM.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....and Bill Goldberg I suppose.....but mainly Lance Storm...... .....because as the FORMER Television Champion walks around there at ringside (interfering at various points throughout the match) the CURRENT Television Champion comes running out from the back, looking to formally claim his title..... .....Storm runs like hell, diving into the ring with Goldberg in hot pursuit, and bailing out he other side of the ring, up the aisle....and to the back..... .....Goldberg slides into the ring right behind him, but that's as far as he gets.....because as Storm makes like a tree (and leaves) Jacques and Oulette jump the undefeated rookie, attempting to beat him to the mat..... .....it doesn't work..... .....and as they go for a double clothesline attempt Goldberg ducks under, runs the ropes, and mows both men down with a double clothesline of his own..... .....and that folks, will be a disqualification..... Winner(s): The Amazing French Canadians (via disqualification) Rating: B- </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="ENgzrOM.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ENgzrOM.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="3t5Mcpd.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3t5Mcpd.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="btMTTG9.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/btMTTG9.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="wASYapy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wASYapy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="k7DyUpq.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/k7DyUpq.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....the Amazing French Canadians have won.....go figure.....someone had better let them know though, because they have NO idea whatsoever..... .....Goldberg knocked them silly with that double clothesline, and he follows that up with a Spear for Jacques.....a Spear for Carl Oulette.....and a roar to the approving crowd..... .....do you know who's not so approving though? The Nasty Boys.....who quite frankly looked to be on their way to winning this one before Mr. Goldberg entered the fray.....Knobbs spins the Television Champion around, and Saggs joins his partner in hurling abuse at the rookie, until Knobbs makes the mistake of shoving Goldberg back hard....so hard in fact that Goldberg uses the momentum to spring back off the ropes and Spear Knobbs right out of his boots..... .....Saggs springs to his partners defence but he runs straight into a kick to the head, which Goldberg follows up with a Jackhammer that shakes the ring..... .....the crowd continues to voice their support, as Goldberg screams at the camera that he's coming for his belt....before heading to the back....whaddya know, a bald guy with a goatee and black trunks beating up faces and heels alike to the delight of the crowd....wonder where we've seen that before. Rating: B+ </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="NLnyB4b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NLnyB4b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="tduHZc9.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tduHZc9.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> We come back from commercial break and Mean Gene is in the ring once more....he gives a huge introduction for his next guest, stating that despite already wrestling once that night, AND going into the match hurt, Lex Luger was STILL able to last for an unbelievable 57 minutes and 33 seconds, even eliminating five competitors along the way..... ".....ladies and gentlemen please welcome my guest at this time....The Total Package, Lex Luger....." .....and welcome him this crowd does.....Luger gets a fantastic ovation following his performance last night, as he gingerly makes his way out from the back (still selling the ribs) and he joins Gene in the ring, thanking the fans for the support..... .....Gene says this must be a bittersweet moment for him.....coming so close to winning the Mayhem Match.....coming so close to winning the shot to face Hollywood Hogan at Starrcade.....only to fall at the last hurdle, and have to watch Sting take that which he so deeply desired..... .....bittersweet.....that's certainly one way to describe it says Luger.....but if him not getting that shot means that Sting is finally going to come down from the rafters and join the war on the Titans of Wrestling.....if him not getting that shot means that he finally gets his friend back.....then he's ok with it..... ".....but I gotta tell you Gene....going out there for almost sixty minutes last night, it sparked something in me.....something I haven't felt in nearly a decade.....see when I was busting my ass to make a name for myself in this business, going sixty minutes wasn't anything new.....going sixty minutes was a cornerstone for your development, and I learned more in one hour with...well, I won't mention any names, but you know who Gene....I learnt more in that one hour about this business than I did years of my training....." .....Luger says that almost hitting that hour mark last night, it sparked that same hunger he had a decade ago.....a hunger to be noticed.....to be recognised.....a hunger to prove that he still belongs in there with the biggest, the baddest, and the best.....which brings him onto what HE wants at Starrcade (now that a World Title opportunity is out of the window)..... ".....you see Gene, The Giant might not be the BEST between these ropes, but he's certainly the biggest, and if my ribs are any indication, he may well be the baddest.....which is why I want him one more time....." .....Lex says that Sting (rightly or wrongly) was a factor in their first match.....the Titans of Wrestling were a factor in their second.....how about The Giant proves that he can live up to his potential, and face the Total Package one more time.....at Starrcade.....no Sting, no Titans, just Lex Luger and The Giant.... <img alt="PCYwyIS.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/PCYwyIS.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....well, I guess the Giant's got nothing better to do tonight, because here he comes too..... .....Mean Gene gets instantly nervous the second that the Seven Footer steps over the top rope, but Giant tells him not to worry himself.....and Lex doesn't need to worry either.....not tonight anyway..... .....he mocks the Total Package a little bit, saying that he can barely stand and he's out here issuing challenges? Well that's fine with the Giant.....Giant says he could break Luger in half right here, right now, and there is NOTHING that anyone could do about it.....not Luger.....not Page.....not Levesque.....and certainly not STING.....but he's not going to, not when Lex is anything but The Total Package, because he doesn't want any excuses when the Giant finally takes him out for good......and he has a message for Lex's little buddy too..... ".....you can tell Sting from me, this ain't over.....and when I'm done breaking you in half at Starrcade, I'm coming for him next....." .....Giant looks at Luger (who is struggling to stand upright) and just smirks, shaking his head as he walks to the back without so much as a second glance....challenge accepted I guess, hopefully Luger is in better condition by the time Starrcade rolls around. Rating: A </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="33FsrDO.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/33FsrDO.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="mtbL68r.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mtbL68r.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match So far we have seen Yoshihiro Tajiri and Alex Wright advance to the next round of the WCW Cruiserweight Title Tournament, and we're about to find out who's going to join them, when Jeff Hardy faces off with Jinsei Shinzaki.... .....Shinzaki has done little of note here in WCW since his arrival, but he's no stranger to competing for Cruiserweight Gold, being an active part of the WWF's Light Heavyweight division back in its infancy (as Hakushi) and if he was looking for the perfect time to take out a big name opponent, then tonight was that night.....because much like Lex Luger, Jeff Hardy was put through the ringers last night, coming in at number one in the Mayhem match and lasting close to fifty minutes himself before being abruptly tossed by Big Van Vader..... .....Hardy was certainly not in top condition here, and Jinsei looked to capitalise on it.....and things looked to be about to go from bad to worse for young Jeff, as James Vandenberg, Tajiri, and (the man who orchestrated his elimination also night) Mortis make their way out..... .....it certainly throws Hardy off his game, but true to his word (after promising that his men wouldn't touch Hardy as long as he was alive in this tournament) the trio simply stand back and watch as Jeff sidesteps a hamspring elbow attempt and counters it with a Twist of Fate for the one, two, three......no Swanton Bombs tonight thank you, not after last nights gruelling match. Winner: Jeff Hardy Rating: B- </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="33FsrDO.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/33FsrDO.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="y3FR6T0.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/y3FR6T0.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="ikXidwr.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ikXidwr.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="KNeainM.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KNeainM.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Interestingly enough, last night Jeff Hardy and Mortis shared the ring for around ten minutes, and despite their rather colourful history, Mortis didn't lay so much as one finger on Jeff Hardy (not u too he tossed him to Vader that is, who promptly eliminated him) which is good enough for Bobby Heenan, who says that Vandenberg is clearly a man of his word..... .....Schiavone isn't quite so brainwashed, telling Bobby that he could trust Vandenberg about as far as he could throw him (which isn't far) before stating that this could get very ugly for one Jeff Hardy..... .....Vandenberg just cackles though, and repeats his promise of last week....not one hair on Jeff Hardy's head will these two men place their hands on, before turning and walking to the back (along with Mortis and Tajiri) as Jeff Hardy cautiously watches them leave.....is James Vandenberg trustworthy? Well that remains to be seen folks, but we may well find out sooner rather than later. Rating: B </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="a9Qu87X.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/a9Qu87X.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="HVWeS4h.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/HVWeS4h.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> We go to the back from there, and Mean Gene is standing by with THE most electrifying man in all of sports entertainment......the self proclaimed people's champ, The Rock..... .....Gene says that The Rock had some mighty strong words going into Mayhem.....words that suggested that he truly believed that he was going to win the match last night AND the WCW Title at Starrcade.....well now that's not happening....Plan A didn't work, what's Plan B?..... ".....Plan B?.....Plan B?.....why don't you tell me Gene, what do you think Plan B is?....." ".....well I wo....." ".....IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU THINK PLAN B IS OKERLUND!..... .....all that matters is that in one night The Rock went out there and electrified.....The Rock was tossing people left and right, The Rock was facing people he had NEVER faced, The Rock was slapping the ugly off Big Van Vader's face....and that's no small feat since Vader looks like the result of a Warthog having sex with a Blob Fish....but The Rock was doing it....and Vader was rocking, and Vader was reeling, and Vader was moaning like he'd just heard that Chuck E Cheese was going out of business, and then poof.....The Rock's dream of headlining Starrcade went "Up in Smoke".....now The Rock doesn't know who it was.....was it Cheech, or was it Chong, it really doesn't matter....but SOMEBODY hit The Rock in the back with a steel chair, and faster than you can say Chimichanga, The Rock was out of the match....." .....The Rock says that things get a little hazy after that, but fortunately for him Eric Bischoff decided that he wants Starrcade to be the most Electrifying show of the year.....Eric Bischoff wants The Rock to continue facing people that he has NEVER faced....and Eric Bischoff, the smiling face of the Championship Committee, he wants The Rock to fight for titles that he's NEVER held..... .....which is why at Starrcade, The Rock will be facing Eddie Guerrero.....and he'll be facing him for the WCW United States Championship..... ..... it that's at Starrcade....TONIGHT it's going to be Vader getting electrified....it's going to be Vader that finds out exactly how it feels to have the People's Boot shoved straight up your candy ass, and it's going to be Vader that's "Forgotten" once and for all.... "...........IF YA SMELLLLLLLLLLLALALAOW........what The Rock....is.....cooking.........." Rating: B+ </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="HVWeS4h.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/HVWeS4h.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="SrYqADI.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/SrYqADI.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> This match has been brewing for quite some time now, and it's finally here.....after dispatching of Kevin Sullivan and Bam Bam Bigelow, it's finally Big Van Vader's turn to go "one on one with the Great One"......as he faces The Rock...... .....this was never going to be an easy match for Rocky.....sure he's defeated Bam Bam Bigelow, but Vader is a different animal.....he's a few years past his prime, a few steps slower and a few pounds heavier, but he's still as mean as a grizzly bear that's been poked with a stick, and he's been waiting to get his hands on The Rock for months now..... .....the match perhaps wasn't as long as it could have been (but that's more down to Vader's stamina than anything else) but they crammed a whole lot of action in this 12 minute match, including a whole hell of a lot of offence for the Forgotten member, who attempted to simply out muscle and power Rocky to the mat..... .....he did it as well, for a while anyway.....he knocked his opponent silly with clubbing blows and power moves, but eventually The Rock rally's back....... <img alt="6I7db7l.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6I7db7l.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="AP82L8L.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AP82L8L.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....to the point that finally Bam Bam Bigelow and Kevin Sullivan (who has his arm in a sling) make their way out from the back, looking to turn the tide back into the favour of their man..... ......luckily the official doesn't even entertain the notion, hopping out of the ring and stopping the pair in the aisle..... <img alt="eJzhsrp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/eJzhsrp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....which is perhaps why he missed this man (WCW US Champion Eddie Guerrero) climbing over the guard rails out of the crowd with a steel chair in hand....and in a repeat performance of last night, he crashes the steel against the back of The Rock during a rope running sequence, leaving Rocky wide open to a Powerbomb from Vader, and the one, two, three-once the referee has turned around..... .....your winner.....Big Van Vader..... Winner: Big Van Vader Rating: B+ </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="HVWeS4h.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/HVWeS4h.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="SrYqADI.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/SrYqADI.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="6I7db7l.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6I7db7l.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="AP82L8L.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AP82L8L.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Guerrero goes rushing out of the ringside area (job done on his part) and up the ramp, where he passes Sullivan and Bigelow.....Eddie fuels the fires a little bit, pointing out to the Forgotten pair that The Rock has been taunting, insulting, and belittling them for months now, before walking to the back with a sly grin on his face..... .....his plan worked too.....because Sully and Bammers head to the ring to join Vader.....and the trio begin putting the boots to a helpless Rock..... .....if Guerrero was looking for someone to soften up his Starrcade opponent, he perhaps couldn't have picked a better three than this...and while Sullivan is hindered slightly by that shoulder strain, Bam Bam and Vader have no such limitations, and as Bammers whips Rocky hard into the turnbuckles, they crush the life out him with a corner splash/avalanche each, before Bigelow heads up top looking for that diving headbutt..... <img alt="UCxr2JW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/UCxr2JW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="B5irQZV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/B5irQZV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....when the most unlikely of help arrives.....as The Road Warriors come rushing out from the back..... .....unlikely because it was actually The Rock that eliminated both Hawk and Animal from last nights Mayhem Match, but perhaps not totally unexpected when you consider the brawl that the Warriors had with the Forgotten in the immediate aftermath of their simultaneous eliminations..... .....the pair quickly send Sullivan and Bigelow to the outside, before turning their attention to Vader..... .....it takes some work, but there is a lot of power behind those Road Warrior blows, and they finally back the big man up against the ropes, when the Rock comes FLYING across the ring out of nowhere with a brutal clothesline that sends Vader over the top and down to the floor, right beside his Forgotten Brothers.....and as we go to our main event, it's The Rock and The Road Warriors standing tall, while The Forgotten are gathering their composure on the outside. Rating: A </div></blockquote> <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> <img style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/GDU0Yfw.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/GDU0Yfw.jpg"></a><img alt="MgboLk0.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/MgboLk0.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="X4ZcsNj.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/X4ZcsNj.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/zJWRW9s.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/zJWRW9s.jpg"></a> Randy Savage makes his way out first for this one, and he's not alone.....his Titan Teammate and fellow Mega Maniac The Warrior is right there by his side.....the two men stand in the ring (Warrior stoic, Savage anything but) as Levesque makes his way out second....alone....and they look to be ready to forego this match before it even begins with a two on one assault.....Levesque pauses for a moment in the aisle however, before turning to look at the entrance way, just as the Bagpipes begin to blare, and Rowdy Roddy Piper makes his way out (to a massive ovation).....looks like Levesque has some back-up after all...... .....with the sides now equal The Warrior decides to take up position on the outside (as does Piper) as Levesque and Savage come face to face in the middle of the ring..... .....considering the fact that these two spent a good portion of last nights Mayhem match attempting to tear each other apart (as well as a good portion of the match brawling on the outside) it was perhaps a bit of a fools errand to put them in the ring tonight and expect a standard wrestling match to take place..... .....a standard wrestling match did NOT take place..... ......in fact this was little more than a continuation of last nights brawl, with the added unpredictable element that is Roddy Piper to contend with....I mean, the crowd ate it up don't get me wrong, but it was basically organised carnage.....Levesque and Savage tore into each other from the opening bell, brawling in the ring, on the floor, in the aisle, back in the ring....and it was only a matter of time until Piper and Warrior got involved, as these two joined in the fun, throwing punches at each other on the outside that finally spilled into the ring.....and as all four men went at it, the official did the only thing he could....throw this one out..... Winner: No Contest Rating: A </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="GDU0Yfw.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GDU0Yfw.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="MgboLk0.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/MgboLk0.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="X4ZcsNj.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/X4ZcsNj.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zJWRW9s.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zJWRW9s.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....of course, a little thing like the match ending was never going to calm this situation down, and these four men continue to do battle despite the constant ringing of the bell....Piper has tackled Savage (and I'm fairly sure he's trying to bite a chunk out of his forehead) while Levesque has turned his attention to The Warrior (the man that held him back and forced him to watch the destruction of Shawn Michaels) as he and the musclebound mute exchange blows in the corner....... <img alt="HA44Uyp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/HA44Uyp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="6PMfEkU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6PMfEkU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="De9q5V9.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/De9q5V9.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="JM0zCR1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JM0zCR1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="598dEVe.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/598dEVe.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....of course, this being WCW, did you really think we weren't going to get a Titans run in?.....especially with Rowdy Roddy Piper in the ring, a man with whom Hollywood Hogan has a great deal of history with..... .....the Titans rush out from the back in force just as Levesque and Piper send Savage and Warrior crashing to the outside with duel clotheslines.....Hollywood helps the other two thirds of the Holy Trinity of Professional Wrestling to their feet, and the seven Titans begin to circle the ring.....it looks as though JPL and RRP are severely outnumbered here..... <img alt="Fe0oJG1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Fe0oJG1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....at least until the crowd erupts, as the winner of the inaugural WCW Mayhem Match descends from the rafters, landing smack bang in the middle of the ring.....Sting is here, and he has his trusty black bat in hand..... .....the Titans come to a stop at the arrival of Sting.....he's only one man, but he's one man that's been basically beating their asses for the last few months no matter the odds, and he's staring straight at Hollywood, pointing his bat straight towards the WCW Champion..... .....all the Titans have tasted that bat at one time or another, and they appear pretty reluctant to taste it again.....Sting clearly knows that too, but he's here to fight.....and he takes the bat, holds it out at arms length at his side..... .....and drops it on the mat.....before extending his arms in an open invitation for the Titans to get into the ring..... .....Tony Schiavone is on the verge of a meltdown at the bravado of the man who will be challenging Hollywood Hogan at Starrcade, while Bobby Heenan thinks that was a pretty stupid thing to do..... .....who was right?..... .....I guess you'll have to tune in next week..... .....because as the Titans slowly but surely advance upon the ring..... .....while Sting stands there emotionless..... .....and Levesque and Piper ready themselves for attack.... .....the crowd erupts..... .....and the show fades to black, just as the Titans climb onto the ring apron as one..... .....we're out of time fans..... Rating: A* Final Rating: A </div></blockquote> </div>

to4sty · January 9, 2019

<div style="text-align:center;"> The Monday Night Wars: Week 2, December 1997 <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> <img alt="wtGb8ca.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wtGb8ca.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Preview for WWF Raw is War, Week 2, December 1997 The Undertaker & Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart & Owen Hart Comments: Kevin Nash & Scott Steiner vs. Chris Jericho & Test Comments: Billy Gunn vs. Chris Candido Comments: Booker T vs. The Road Dogg Comments: British Bulldog vs. Rich Steiner Comments: Matt Hardy vs. Faarooq Comments: </div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><div></div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="cMgP5Z2.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cMgP5Z2.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 2, December 1997 Roddy Piper vs. Randy Savage Comments: Diamond Dallas Page vs. Christian Cage Comments: Sid Vicious vs. Scott Norton Comments: WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match Juventud Guerrera vs. The Duke, Douglas Williams Comments: The Road Warriors vs. Mike Awesome & Gideon Cain Comments: WCW Television Championship Match Bill Goldberg © vs. Jerry Saggs Comments: </div></blockquote> </div>

bonnie · January 9, 2019

Preview for WWF Raw is War, Week 2, December 1997

Bret Hart & Owen Hart

Comments: this could go either way with certain corporation involvement!

Chris Jericho & Test

Comments: Steiner and Nash are just gonna keep screwing each other over until a blow off

Billy Gunn

Comments: two 0 personality wrestlers who can go, what is this NJPW?

Booker T

Comments: Bookers more of the future than Road Dogg, and Harlem should have a good run before splitting

British Bulldog

Comments: PUSH BULLDOG

Matt Hardy

Comments: Farooq keeps runnin

Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 2, December 1997

Randy Savage

Comments: Piper ain’t winning squat solo

Diamond Dallas Page

Comments: get momentum up for the challengers

Sid Vicious

Comments: duh

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Juventud Guerrera

Comments: better wrestler

The Road Warriors

Comments: eh unsure about this one

WCW Television Championship Match

Bill Goldberg ©

Comments: duhhhhhh

ElectricX · January 9, 2019

Preview for WWF Raw is War, Week 2, December 1997

The Undertaker & Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart & Owen Hart

Comments:

Kevin Nash & Scott Steiner vs. Chris Jericho & Test

Comments:

Billy Gunn vs. Chris Candido

Comments:

Booker T vs. The Road Dogg

Comments:

British Bulldog vs. Rich Steiner

Comments:

Matt Hardy vs. Faarooq

Comments:

Quote:

Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 2, December 1997

Roddy Piper vs. Randy Savage

Comments:

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Christian Cage

Comments:

Sid Vicious vs. Scott Norton

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Juventud Guerrera vs. The Duke, Douglas Williams

Comments:

The Road Warriors vs. Mike Awesome & Gideon Cain

Comments:

WCW Television Championship Match

Bill Goldberg © vs. Jerry Saggs

Comments:

Nobby_McDonald · January 10, 2019

Preview for WWF Raw is War, Week 2, December 1997

The Undertaker & Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart & Owen Hart

Comments:

Kevin Nash & Scott Steiner vs. Chris Jericho & Test

Comments:

Billy Gunn vs. Chris Candido

Comments:

Booker T vs. The Road Dogg

Comments:

British Bulldog vs. Rich Steiner

Comments:

Matt Hardy vs. Faarooq

Comments:

Quote:

Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 2, December 1997

Roddy Piper vs. Randy Savage

Comments:

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Christian Cage

Comments:

Sid Vicious vs. Scott Norton

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Juventud Guerrera vs. The Duke, Douglas Williams

Comments:

The Road Warriors vs. Mike Awesome & Gideon Cain

Comments:

WCW Television Championship Match

Bill Goldberg © vs. Jerry Saggs

crackerjack · January 10, 2019

The Undertaker & Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart & Owen Hart

Comments: DQ?

Kevin Nash & Scott Steiner vs. Chris Jericho & Test

Comments:

Billy Gunn vs. Chris Candido

Comments:

Booker T vs. The Road Dogg

Comments:

British Bulldog vs. Rich Steiner

Comments:

Matt Hardy vs. Faarooq

Comments:

Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 2, December 1997

Roddy Piper vs. Randy Savage

Comments: Piper coming back now is interesting... but feels like a bait and switch. Maybe he's part of the Titans already?

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Christian Cage

Comments: As does the loose alliance between DDP and Benoit for tag team gold. I can't see anybody turning though...

Sid Vicious vs. Scott Norton

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Juventud Guerrera vs. The Duke, Douglas Williams

Comments: PINATA

The Road Warriors vs. Mike Awesome & Gideon Cain

Comments: Sullivan/Bam Bam/Vader distraction?

WCW Television Championship Match

Bill Goldberg © vs. Jerry Saggs

Comments: lol

James Casey · January 11, 2019

Preview for WWF Raw is War, Week 2, December 1997

The Undertaker & Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart & Owen Hart

Comments: Everyone loves Owen, everyone knows he's here to take the fall.

Kevin Nash & Scott Steiner vs. Chris Jericho & Test

Comments: Maybe the junior Harts will make it a three-way for the tag titles?

Billy Gunn vs. Chris Candido

Comments: It's the bash of the bleach!

Booker T vs. The Road Dogg

Comments: I demand Al Snow vs. Stevie Ray to complete the set!

Wait... forget I said that.

British Bulldog vs. Rich Steiner

Comments: Bulldog is still about?

Matt Hardy vs. Faarooq

Comments: Warming up for a 500 pound guy, Farooq takes on a guy who probably doesn't even make up the difference between Farooq and Nelson... Probably gets the win, though, to silence dissension in the ranks. For now.

Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 2, December 1997

Roddy Piper vs. Randy Savage

Comments: Did this match ever really happen in WWF or WCW?

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Christian Cage

Comments: A modicum of revenge

Sid Vicious vs. Scott Norton

Comments: In a tag match, this would presumably be Vicious & Vicious?

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Juventud Guerrera vs. The Duke, Douglas Williams

Comments: Juice vs. Duke

The Road Warriors vs. Mike Awesome & Gideon Cain

Comments: Here a hoss, there a hoss, everywhere a hoss hoss!

WCW Television Championship Match

Bill Goldberg © vs. Jerry Saggs

Comments: Can this be the match where Goldberg goes into business for himself? Saggs or Knobs - or both.

lieon02 · January 11, 2019

<a href="https://i.imgur.com/wtGb8ca.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/wtGb8ca.jpg</a>

Preview for WWF Raw is War, Week 2, December 1997

The Undertaker & Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart & Owen Hart

Comments:

Kevin Nash & Scott Steiner vs. Chris Jericho & Test

Comments:

Billy Gunn vs. Chris Candido

Comments:

Booker T vs. The Road Dogg

Comments:

British Bulldog vs. Rich Steiner

Comments:

Matt Hardy vs. Faarooq

Comments:

Quote:

<a href="https://i.imgur.com/cMgP5Z2.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/cMgP5Z2.jpg</a>

Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 2, December 1997

Roddy Piper vs. Randy Savage

Comments:

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Christian Cage

Comments:

Sid Vicious vs. Scott Norton

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Juventud Guerrera vs. The Duke, Douglas Williams

Comments:

The Road Warriors vs. Mike Awesome & Gideon Cain

Comments:

WCW Television Championship Match

Comments:

Satyr24 · January 12, 2019

The Undertaker & Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart & Owen Hart

Comments:

Kevin Nash & Scott Steiner vs. Chris Jericho & Test

Comments:

Billy Gunn vs. Chris Candido

Comments:

Booker T vs. The Road Dogg

Comments:

British Bulldog vs. Rich Steiner

Comments:

Matt Hardy vs. Faarooq

Comments:

Roddy Piper vs. Randy Savage

Comments:

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Christian Cage

Comments:

Sid Vicious vs. Scott Norton

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match

Juventud Guerrera vs. The Duke, Douglas Williams

Comments:

The Road Warriors vs. Mike Awesome & Gideon Cain

Comments:

WCW Television Championship Match

Comments:

to4sty · January 16, 2019

<div style="text-align:center;"> Weekly Round Up for Week 1, December 1997 <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> <img alt="w8yk3u1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/w8yk3u1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Week 1, December 1997 *(ANGLE)Recap of Raw.....The Hart Foundation ruin our main event* -Dean Malenko made Scorpio tap to the Cloverleaf- *(ANGLE)Recap of Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner's disagreements as of late* -Rey Mysterio bested Christopher Daniels- *(ANGLE)Rather strange video package, as the Bizarre One tells us to "Forever Forget The Name.......of Goldusssssssst* -Mark Henry squashed (quite literally) some no name scrub- *(ANGLE)Video Recap, What is going on with Kane?* -High Voltage were victorious against some local talent- <img alt="ZC6Wyuu.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZC6Wyuu.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Week 1, December 1997 -Chris Benoit & DDP picked up a victory over The Faces of Fear- *(ANGLE)Mean Gene makes his way out....tells Storm to give the title back to the champion....Storm says that the REAL champion already has the belt* -Lance Storm "defended" Goldberg's TV Title against Scotty Riggs- *(ANGLE)Nitro Recap.....The Totally Awesome Trinity receive a Totally Awesome Challenge from Benoit, DDP......and Sid Vicious* -The Disco Inferno defeated Kid Kash- *(ANGLE)Recap of Mayhem.....and the return of Sting* -Gideon Cain bested Rick Martel- <img alt="8wa7PZ4.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/8wa7PZ4.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Week 1, December 1997 ECW Hardcore TV Rating: D- -In a rather strange main event (considering the World Title match elsewhere on this show) Mike Whipwreck defeated Roadkill- (D) -ECW's peculiar booking continues, as the Sandman defeated Shane Douglas for ECW World Title.....in the semi main event......just a few weeks after November 2 Remember (where the title was NOT defended- © -Unlikely (or should that be, Unworthy) Television Champion, 911 retained the TV Title over Axl Rotten- (D-) -The Eliminators defeated Super Nova and The Blue Meanie.....non-title obviously, Saturn and Kronus have only defended the belts once in close to six months now- (D) </div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><div></div></blockquote> </div>

to4sty · January 17, 2019

Week 2, December 1997

Rose Garden (Portland, Oregon)

ATT: 12,790

TV: 37.52

It's Monday Night, Raw is War, and that "Gong!" can mean only one thing....World Wrestling Federation Champion The Undertaker, is about to make his way out.....

.....the lights dim as The Deadman walks the aisle with a billow of smoke at his feet, before climbing into the ring where he raises the light AND raises a microphone.....

.....he says that he's walked a bleak walk on a lonely road his entire adult life, with the darkness in his heart as his only constant companion.....but it wasn't always like that.....he says that as a child there was always someone by his side, someone that he thought would ALWAYS be by his side.....his baby brother, Kane.....but all of that went up in smoke.....literally.....

.....Undertaker says that on one fateful night he lost everything.....or at least he THOUGHT he lost everything.....until the day a little over eighteen months ago, when Kane walked back into his life.....

.....Kane has always been "troubled" he tells us....he's always had his demons....and it's because of his own brother, that his parents are dead....Kane killed their parents....Kane killed The Undertakers childhood....Kane created the Deadman some twenty years ago....

.....BUT.....

.....it wasn't intentional.....

.....he says that Kane was young, he was reckless.....he needed guidance.....he needed.....he needed his big brother.....but the Undertaker was preoccupied with his own life to worry about his baby brother.....he says that Kane DID kill their parents, but The Undertaker was as much to blame as if he had ignited that flame himself.....

.....he says that when Kane re-emerged all these years later, he bought with him decades worth of pain that the Undertaker had buried.....pain that the Deadman simply did NOT want to deal with.....what he wanted to do, was hurt Kane.....punish Kane.....destroy the baby brother that destroyed HIS life.....but he sees now, that Kane was already destroyed.....

".....my baby brother died in that fire, while Kane rose like a phoenix from the ashes.....I can't destroy you, because you already destroyed yourself....."

.....The Undertaker says he's done.....it's done.....he can't get those twenty years back.....he can't get his parents back.....he can't get his childhood back.....

".....but I want my baby brother back....."

.....Taker says that no more will he raise his hand to Kane, no more will he stand back and watch as Vince McMahon and his Stooges manipulate Kane's fractured mind.....at In Your House: Dead Man Walking, Brian Pillman will Rest in Peace, The Undertaker will STILL be the World Wrestling Federation Champion......and The Undertakers olive branch to his brother will STILL be extended......

.....that brings out Mr. McMahon, who has Brian Pillman and (judging by general body language) a reluctant Kane.....

.....McMahon says that while the World Wrestling Federation certainly embodies good old fashioned family values (pftt, yeah right) unfortunately there will be NO family reunion for the Deadman and Kane.....Vince says that whether The Undertaker likes it, or whether he doesn't, it doesn't matter.....all that matters, is that Kane does WHAT Mr. McMahon says, WHEN Mr. McMahon says to do it, and if the Deadman is going to stand by his promise NOT to raise his hand to his brother, then getting the WWF Title around the Corporate Cannon's waist will be as simple as one, two, three.....

.....Brian Pillman takes the microphone to cackle like a maniac, telling the Undertaker that he may think himself to be the darkness of the WWF.....he may believe himself to be some mythical being....some phenom.....but in reality he is little more than a lost little boy crying out for his Dear Dead Mama...and as far as Brian Pillman is concerned, if The Undertakers Mother wasn't already dead, she would have died of shame.....but since she IS dead, she's probably just rolling in her grave at the worthless offspring she spawned.....

.....even Kane snaps his head around with that comment.....he's clearly not liking hearing his mother mocked, but Brian Pillman either doesn't notice or (more likely) doesn't care, as he continues to taunt the WWF Champion, before Vince McMahon finally brings the segment to a close.....he tells The Undertaker that since he's so keen on "brotherhood's" all of a sudden, he can face a brother team.....when he and Steve Austin join forces again in our main event.....against The Hart Foundation.....and maybe Kane will be there, to snap that olive branch in two.

Rating: A*

VS. <img style="max-width:10%;
"src="https://i.imgur.com/GFiBCDF.jpg">

Our first match of the evening sees a man who's near enough done it all here in the World Wrestling Federation (two time Intercontinental Champion, former European Champion, former Tag Team Champion) other than win the Big One, The British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith, facing off against a member of Ted DiBiase's (recently rejuvenated) Million Dollar Corporation, Rich Steiner.....

.....these two men have certainly met before, in fact it was from The British Bulldog that Rich Steiner captured his first (and only) singles Title here in the World Wrestling Federation , the Intercontinental Championship, back at the tail end of October 1996.....although NEITHER man has seen much Championship action as of late.....

.....obviously with both men looking to get back into the title picture, they would need to start with a victory here, and despite the presence of Ted DiBiase at ringside, it was the Bulldog who was hungrier tonight, taking the victory after planting Rich with the Running Powerslam.

Winner: The British Bulldog
Rating: B

Michael Cole joins the Bulldog in the ring as he celebrates his victory, and he has a microphone in hand....he tells the Bulldog that he's been conspicuously absent in recent months, while his former Hart Foundation members have been front and centre week in and week out....is this a return to the spotlight for the British Bulldog?.....

".....yes, I think it is Michael....it is yes....."

.....Bulldog was never a wizard on the microphone.....he gets the gist across though, he's done being the lost puppy of the WWF, and it's time he got back to doing what he does best....taking a bite out of the competition.....and where better to start, than be recapturing the title that he held before anyone else, the WWF European Championship......

.....I don't know if anyone told the Bulldog, but the Million Dollar Corporation have a new business model as of late, and that's the fact that if somebody wants to take the European Title from around the waist of Jeff Jarrett, then they're going to have a hell of a fight on their hands.....

.....Rich Steiner and Ted DiBiase haven't actually left the ringside area yet, and Rich slides into the ring behind the Bulldog, nailing him with a cheap shot as DiBiase calls in the reinforcement.....

.....Jarrett and Southern Justice hit the ring too, and as Deebs snatches the microphone from Cole (reminding everyone exactly what happened to Psycho Sid after he messed with the Corporation) his four clients proceed to stomp the Bulldog into the mat, before Southern Justice head outside to collect a wooden table, and Rich Steiner shoves a (single) dollar bill into the mouth of Davey Boy.....it looks like the Bulldog is going to receive the full "Sid Treatment", table and all.....

.....although not on Ken Shamrock's watch apparently.....as the Worlds Most Dangerous Man (and current #1 Contender to the European Championship) comes rushing out from the back with a steel chair in hand, swinging (and missing) wildly at the Corporation Members, who quickly scatter and evacuate the danger zone.....

.....Shammy helps Davey to his feet, before turning and screaming threats to the Corporation (well, mainly Jarrett) as DiBiase leads his men to the back (much to the dismay of Rich Steiner, who wants his dollar back)....if they are going to do this then it's going to be on the Corporation's terms and on the Corporation's time, and this, is NOT that time.....Ken Shamrock will be dealt with....at Dead Man Walking.

Rating: A*(?)

Jim Ross sends us to commercial, but before we go he tells us that there is a situation developing backstage......what is that situation? Well it appears to be a little bit of dissension within the ranks of the Nation of Domination.....

.....the screen switches to a shot (filmed from distance....clearly the camera man is attempting to remain incognito) of the back, where Faarooq is dressing down the rest of the Nation for failing to come to his aid last week when Nelson made his way out during Faarooq's match with Jake Roberts.....

.....he tells the group that they are a NATION.....and a Nation should stand behind their leader, but Kama interrupts him, telling him that actually, a Nation is only as STRONG as its leader, and a leader that runs from battle is no leader at all.....

.....Faarooq is p!ssed at that statement, telling the group that if they want to start a revolution, stage a coup, start a rebellion.....whatever they want to call it.....if they want to question his ability to lead, then he's right here, and he's not going ANYWHERE.....

.....he gets in each man's face, asking them one by one if they think they could do a better job, and one by one they all say no.....to which Faarooq tells them to stop their complaining then, telling them that this is exactly what "the man" wants to see....the Nation fighting between themselves because they KNOW that the Nation won't be stopped.....

.....Faarooq says that he's the head of the Nation, and since none of them want the job then they'd better step in line....he's going to deal with Matt Hardy next, and then at In Your House he'll put Nelson down for good.....

.....with that Faarooq storms off towards the Gorilla Position, while the rest of the Nation follow (very) slowly behind him.....the camera zooms in as close as it can, and it just about catches the tail end of a comment by Scorpio, asking Kama "why didn't you tell him?".....Kama just shakes his head though, telling his team mate that "he'll find out soon enough"....and now we DO go to commercial.

Rating: B+

VS.

It takes longer than usual, but the Nation does eventually join their "leader" at ringside for this one, while young Matt Hardy is obviously out here alone.....

.....Faarooq can't be happy with the way he conducted himself last week (getting counted out against Jake "The Snake" Roberts) and he'll be looking to make sure that it's not back to back losses here.....

.....the Nation man has gone from one extreme to another here, last week he competed against one of the oldest current WWF superstars with the 42 year old ring veteran Jake Roberts, while this week he's facing one of the youngest in Matt Hardy, but while Hardy is only 23 year of age, he's no rookie either and in fact (in being a former WWF European Champion) he actually has held more titles here in the World Wrestling Federation than Jake Roberts if you can believe that.....

.....the announcers speculate exactly what it was that Scorpio wanted Kama to tell their "leader" a few moments ago, with Rude trying to downplay it as nothing, while Jim Ross isn't quite so convinced, although he does mention that Faarooq shouldn't be running anywhere this evening, because Nelson is NOT in the building.....

.....Faarooq isn't the only one with something to prove here tonight, because Matt Hardy has made no secret of the fact that he wants another bite at the European Championship that he held not so long back (and to his credit, defended virtually weekly) and a victory here would get him one step closer.....he comes damn close on occasion too.....in the end however, The Nation proves to be the difference maker.....and although seemingly reluctant, Kama is finally convinced to put a stop to Hardy's offence, hopping Upton the apron and shoving him from the top rope (while D'Lo distracts the official) leaving Faarooq to snatch him up off the mat and drive him back down to the canvas with the Dominator.

Winner: Faarooq
Rating: B-

Following his victory, Faarooq grabs a microphone and calls the rest of the Nation into the ring.....he tells them that the Nation is stronger United than it is Divided, and he's going to put an end to all this talk of him being afraid of anything or anyone right here, right now.....

.....he calls out Big Nelson, telling the former Nation member to get his "fat ass out here, and let Faarooq show you that when it comes to you, the only thing I'm running from is your body odour boy".....

.....obviously Nelson doesn't show, and Rude uses that as an excuse to point out that maybe now it's Nelson that's afraid of Faarooq....Jim Ross is quick to reiterate his earlier point, Nelson is not here this evening, to which Rude is equally quick to reply that Nelson isn't here because he's running scared of Faarooq.....

.....Faarooq says that he thinks he's proved his point.....he says that he ain't scared of a damn thing, at at In Your House, Nelson really WILL be a Dead Man Walking, when Faarooq......AND the Nation.....take the fat man out for good.....

.....he tosses the microphone down to the mat and raises his fist to the sky, staring at the rest of the Nation until they finally join him in the Nation Salute.....by any means necessary? I guess we will find out at In Your House.

Rating: A

From there we head backstage, where Dok Hendrix is standing by with the WWF Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat, and the team that challenged them for those very titles last week, Al Snow and Chris "Don't Call Me Skippy" Candido.....

.....Dok says that despite the fact that Harlem Heat retained the Championships last week, neither team can be happy with the way that match ended (with the New Age Outlaws being the deciding factor) Booker T begins to agree with Dok, saying that's not the way they wanted the match to go down, but Stevie Ray cuts him off.....he tells Dok (and his brother) that a win is a win, and Booker should know that.....he said that when you're coming up, just a young sukka on the streets of 110 Street, you take your wins however they came, or you die trying.....

".....and we here ain't we?.....so we damn sure didn't die trying.....did we win the match on our own? Maybe not....but do we still got the gold?" Stevie pauses for a second to slap the Title belt that's draped over his shoulder "You damn skippy we do hippy.....so the New Age Outlaws, they WILL get theirs Dok, because that's what the Heat do....but the way I see it, last week was nothing but another victory....."

.....Candido doesn't look particularly thrilled by those words, asking Booker if he's as happy with his tainted victory as his brother is? Reluctantly Booker agree's with Stevie, saying that a win is a win, BUT, the Harlem Heat are nothing if not fighting champions, so anytime he and Snow want another shot at the gold, that's fine by him.....

.....Candido says that they'll take that shot, don't worry about that....but first there's the little matter of the New Age Outlaws to contend with.....he says that he and Snow have been tangling with the Outlaws for months now, and it's time to take them out for good....starting tonight.....

Rating: A

<img style="max-width:10%;
"src="https://i.imgur.com/ugHPJif.jpg"> VS. <img style="max-width:10%;
"src="https://i.imgur.com/x7mr7ao.jpg">

So it would appear that the New Age Outlaws are quite in demand at the moment, with Snow, Candido AND the Harlem Heat looking to settle a score with them (although I don't think Stevie Ray really cares either way if I'm honest with you) and it begins right now, as Booker T faces off with the Road Dogg.....

.....Billy Gunn will be going one on one with Chris Candido later in the evening, but he's out here now (along with Sunny) to support his partner, as is Stevie Ray, making for quite the chaotic ringside area.....

.....Road Dogg is a decent worker, and arguably has more experience as a singles competitor, but Booker T shows that he's more than just a tag team wrestler here, dominating his opponent for a good portion of the match.....

.....in the end however, the Tag Team Titles (obviously) aren't on the line here, so the Outlaws are clearly unconcerned with victory and more concerned with causing havoc....because as Sunny uses her womanly charms to briefly distract Stevie Ray, Billy Gunn swipes a Title Belt from ringside and charges into the ring, nailing Booker right in the back of the head right in plain view of the official.....and this one is over....

Winner: Booker T (via disqualification)
Rating: B-

.....Booker is down, and it's only the sound of the bell ringing that finally takes Stevie Ray's attention off Sunny, as he rushes to the aid of his brother.....unfortunately his brother is out cold, so the rescue mission soon turns into a two on one beatdown.....

.....but only briefly.....because the Headbangers of all people come Moshing and Thrashing their way down the ramp and dive into the ring, chasing off the Outlaws who quickly retreat to the outside, where the waiting Sunny frankly looks disgusted at the sight of these two skirt wearing, painted faced oddballs.....

.....the Outlaws have had their fun, and take this cue to leave, heading to the back as The Headbangers quickly grab a microphone, stopping the Harlem Heat before they can leave.....

.....they tell Booker and Stevie that this might not be the best time (what with the two of them just getting jumped) but ever since the Heat won the tag titles they've been saying that they're fighting champions....anyone and everyone gets a shot....and they know that they have Steiner and Nash at In Your House, but that's a few weeks away....so how about NEXT week they put the titles on the line against the Headbangers?.....

.....Stevie is still checking on the condition of his brother, and frankly doesn't have time for this crap.....he tells the pair that if they want a shot they got a shot....but just because they're p!ssing him off right now, Stevie is going to give them an extra special Harlem Ass Whipping next week.....

.....the Tag Champs exit the ring and head to the back, leaving Mosh and Thrasher to Headbang in the ring, bouncing off the ropes (and each other) in celebration.....

.....which is when Goldust's music begins to play.....

.....and then abruptly stop again, before being replaced with some unfamiliar (and frankly more morbid) music.....

.....and MGM Productions make their way out.....

.....I think.....

.....because while this IS Goldust, Marcus and Marlena, they look very, very different.....

.....there isn't a spot of gold anywhere to be seen, in fact there is more black than anything else, as this much more serious threesome make their way out.....

.....they climb into the ring along with the Headbangers (who have come to a complete stop at this strange interruption) and Goldust grabs a microphone, asking Mosh and Thrasher just what they think they are doing?.....

.....Mosh says they thought that was obvious, they're having a good time and getting Title shots.....the real question should be what do Goldust, Marcus and....well, not Marlena because she's looking fine.....but what are Goldust and Marcus doing?.....

.....it's a fair question, because neither Goldie nor Marcus look anything close to what they looked like a few weeks back.....Goldust is completely paint free, while Marcus doesn't have any make-up on whatsoever, has shaved his long hair down to practically nothing....and appears to be wearing boxing shorts.....

.....Goldust says that what he and his esteemed partner are doing, is exactly what they have to do to succeed around here.....casting off the shackles of oppression.....throwing aside the ridiculous costumes.....and walking free of the "bizarre" world they were forced to live in to get their jobs here in the first place.....

.....he says that Vince McMahon revels in other people's misery.....he finds amusement and joy in ridiculing and embarrassing those that work for him.....but if Mosh and Thrasher truly want to make a mark in the tag team division, they need to discard this ragtag, oddball freakshow that McMahon has lumbered them with.....they need to get serious.....they need to stop being a stereotype.....they need to stop being "Headbangers" and just be themselves.....it's the only way.....

.....Mosh and Thrasher burst out laughing at that, telling Goldust that they don't know what he's been taking, but this IS the real them.....they say that they've been moshing and thrashing their whole lives and they're not about to stop now.....and next week, they're going to Headbang their way all the way to the WWF Tag Team Titles......

".....so no offence, whatever this little pity party is all about, it's not our problem.....leave us out of your midlife crisis, and you just worry about you......because next week, we've got titles to win....."

.....and with that the Headbangers music begins to play again, and they Mosh their way over the guardrail and disappear into the crowd, leaving Goldust, Marcus and Marlena standing in the ring......Jim Ross says that he doesn't know what's happening with Goldust, but clearly the Bizarre One is trying to shed his Bizarre Ways.......

.....time for a commercial.....

Rating: A

<img style="max-width:10%;
"src="https://i.imgur.com/sycUZi3.jpg"> VS. <img style="max-width:10%;
"src="https://i.imgur.com/ygBM1vV.jpg">

We've already seen Jesse James in action tonight....it's the turn of his tag team partner now, as Billy Gunn goes one on one with Chris Candido.....

.....much like in our earlier match, both men are accompanied by their partners (and in Gunn's case, Sweet Ass Sunny too) but UNLIKE earlier, Sunny's distraction techniques don't work on Snow....mainly because he's in a constant distracted state anyway.....

.....this was a good match, both these men know what they're doing in there, arguably being the "workers" to their partners "entertainers" (after all, neither man has their team mates charisma/mic skills....especially Al Snow, who's "Entertainment" skills skyrocketed after working an extended programme with Raven) so this is more of a traditional match than it perhaps would have been if it was Road Dogg vs Al Snow.....

.....that being said, the New Age Outlaws have never been afraid to stretch the rules....or out and out cheat....which is why it comes as no surprise that the Road Dogg hops up onto the apron as Candido is perched on the top rope (looking for his flying headbutt) distracting the former Tag Team Champion and preventing the attack.....

.....Snow quickly sweeps Road Dogg's legs from under him, knocking him back down to the arena floor, before laying him out with a right hand, but the distraction did it's job, and Billy Gunn was able to knock Candido off the top rope, then quickly finish him off with the Famouser for the one, two, three.

Winner: Billy Gunn
Rating: B+

The Outlaws run like thieves in the night (laughing all the way) leaving Al Snow to check on his partner, as we go to a promo for In Your House.....after which we return to the arena, where Jake Roberts is making his entrance.....

.....the ring veteran has been steadily advancing through Raven's Divine Comedy, and after seeing his descent through the Circles of Hell, he's arrived tonight at the latest one.....Heresy.....

.....except he doesn't appear to have an opponent.....

.....usually before these matches we are treated to Raven giving his own twisted reasoning for Jakes opponent that evening, but as Jake stands there waiting, no opponent seems to be forthcoming.....

.....ah here we go.....as the Titantron finally flickers into life to show the Deity of the Damned himself, still at that same undisclosed church.....

.....he tells Jake that tonight's test is not a physical challenge to overcome but a mental one.....because when the word Heretic is bought up, there is only one name that immediately springs to mind.....and that's Jake "The Snake" Roberts.....

".....for in this circle you will find the lost souls damned by their own choices.....because make no mistake, the mere word heresy originates from the Greek word for choice.....choice of lifestyle.....choice of religion.....choice of life.....choice of death.....the choice to believe, the choice not to believe.....but more importantly, the choice WHAT to believe.....

.....once you believed in ME Snake.....once you believed that I was the one to carry your name into a new age.....you placed your faith in me and I was reborn in your image, thrust upon a throne that I never wanted because you were too weak to wear the crown.....once you put your faith in me.....now you put in in another......well what about me?.....WHAT ABOUT RAVEN?....."

.....Raven says that Jakes current obsession with his false idol is the only thing standing between Jake and immortality as a Disciple of the Deity of the Damned.....Jake wants Raven.....Jake wants to hurt Raven.....to make him suffer.....Raven knows that.....Raven accepts that.....and Raven will suffer for Jake's sins with a smile on his face.....and Jake can have that.....he can have that next week.....Raven says that all these trials and tribulations can be forgotten.....the Divine Comedy can laugh it's last laugh tonight, and next week, Raven will meet Jake right there in the middle of the ring.....

".....IF......IF you renounce your false idol right here and right now.....cast your "God" out and embrace the fact that there is only ONE true deity.....the Deity of the Damned.....renounce your god, and receive THE only god that will accept you for the Snake that you truly are....."

.....obviously that's a hard no from Jake.....he tells Raven that he hasn't come this far just to fall at one of the final hurdles.....Jake says that he has spent so much of his adult life on his knee's that he will NEVER fall again....he tells Raven that he's right, there is only ONE true God, and it's certainly not Raven.....he tells Raven that he seems to be under this false assumption that Jake's faith prevents him from unleashing unmitigated horrors upon him, but that's where he's mistaken.....he says that his God is a loving God, but he's also a vengeful God.....and if it means that Jake gets to bask in the glory of paradise, he WILL be his Lords Angel of Death.....his vengeance....his fury.....his wrath will be revealed against the ungodly and the unrighteous, and that means YOU Raven.....

.....so no, Jake will not renounce his God, only embrace him tighter as he continues on his path of revenge.....he tells Raven that he will continue on this Divine Comedy, because nothing can stop him until vengeance is his.....for his god.....for his priest.....for himself.....

".....Trust Me....."

Rating: A*

We leave Jake in the ring and head to a brief cut scene in the back, where we find the Wolfpac....and just minutes away from facing off against Chris Jericho and Test, Kevin Nash seems to be down one partner, because once again Scott Steiner is nowhere to be seen.....

.....to say that Kevin Nash looks p!ssed off would be an understatement.....in fact, the former WWF Triple Crown Winner looks positively furious, and his mood doesn't improve any by the arrival of poor Michael Cole, who's obviously been sent to try and get word from Big Sexy.....

.....Cole asks Nash where his partner is, to which Nash gives a humourless laugh, saying that he was hoping that Cole could tell him, because he has no idea.....Cole stirs the pot a little, telling Nash that Scotty abandoned him at Survivor Series, left him hanging a few weeks back against the New Age Outlaws, and it looks like again tonight that Big Poppa Pump is going to be a no show.....with In Your House just two weeks away, is Kevin Nash at all concerned that his Tag Team Title match is going to end up being a Handicap Match?.....

".....you know what, Scotty, he's always been something of a free spirit, and that's fine.....up until it starts costing me money....."

.....Nash says that he's got no problems with fighting two guys on his own, hell, in some cases two guys against Big Sexy is a handicap for THEM, not him.....but In Your House is different, because it's for the straps.....not the straps he WANTS (he wants the WWF Title) but anytime you've got gold around your waist it means extra green in the bank, and Kevin Nash is all about making bank.....

.....Nash says that he'll go out there tonight, if Scotty is there then he's there, but if he's NOT....well, Big Sext has all the back up he needs right here....and he and Steiner, (Nash pauses for a moment to open and close his fist) "we're going to be having a very serious conversation....if you know what I mean Dok....."

Rating: B+

.....so we go down to ringside now, to find out will he, or won't he.....appear that is.....because while it's SUPPOSED to be Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner facing Hart Foundation members Chris Jericho and Test, it looks as though Big Poppa Pump has got better things to be doing, because he's nowhere to be seen.....

.....Chris Jericho obviously finds this highly amusing, telling Nash that if he just wants to hobble his broken down old body into the ring, then the Ayatollah of Rock'n'Rolla ("and the TRUE big Sexy of the WWF, Chris Jericho") will promise to make this quick.....

".....Hey Yo.....Chris Jericho, you real good at running your mouth Chico, you a real funny guy.....but the way I see it, Big Kev needs a partner, and I'm right here.....so let's see how funny you find it when the big man(g) and the medium sized man(g) shut your mouth for good....."

.....looks like Nash might have a partner after all.....not the one he was supposed to have, but a partner none the less.....obviously Chris Jericho is incensed by this, screaming at the official that Scott Hall isn't in the match.....the referee it would appear has heard just about enough of Jericho's whining though.....he's going to allow it.....and as Chris Jericho throws a monumental temper tantrum, it's time to get this one underway.....

Rating: A

VS.

Ok, so what WAS going to be the team of Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner has changed to the team of Kevin Nash and a different Scott, the Scott that he formerly held the WWF Tag Team Titles with....Scott Hall.....

.....it's interesting that Hall has stepped in for Steiner here, mainly because it puts him in the ring with the man that will be challenging him for the Intercontinental Championship at In Your House, Chris Jericho.....

.....Jericho isn't happy about the inclusion of The Bad Guy in this match, and he pretty much goes out of his way to avoid the Intercontinental Champion, letting Test do most of the heavy lifting....at least until Hall finds himself stuck in the face in peril role, because Jericho is happy to get his hands dirty then.....

.....Jericho and Test control a good portion of the match, working over Hall as Nash paces on the apron, at least until Hall catches a Jericho crossbody attempt, which he converts into the Sack of Sh!t (or S.o.S) Fallaway slam, giving him time to crawl his way towards the waiting Nash.....

.....before he can make the tag however, the sirens wail.....and Big Poppa Pump (along with the beautiful Sable) makes his way out from the back, and he doesn't look happy.....

.....to be fair, I don't think Scotty is ever particularly happy.....but he's REALLY not happy here, making his way down to ringside and asking Nash and Hall (and Waltman who's there at ringside) just what the hell is going on?.....first they refuse to tag him in at the Survivor Series, now they're just TAKING his matches?.....

.....a rather "spirited" debate breaks out between Nash and Steiner (with Hall and Waltman still rather halfheartedly trying to play peacemakers) and that distraction is all Jericho needs, quickly rolling Hall up from behind (hooking a BIG handful of tights) and securing the one, the two......and the three......

Winner(s): Chris Jericho & Test
Rating: A

.....and with the victory in the bag, Jericho and Test get the hell out of dodge and bail to the back, leaving a rather ugly scene to unveil in the ring.....

.....Steiner was p!ssed when he came out, but now Nash is FURIOUS, and Scott Hall doesn't look much happier after being defeated by his In Your House opponent, and the three men decide to air their differences in the ring, as Waltman does his best to defuse the situation.....

.....Steiner again repeats his earlier question, wanting to know why the hell Scott Hall was wrestling in HIS match, with Nash giving the obvious answer, Steiner was nowhere to be found come match time.....Scotty isn't buying that though.....

".....BECAUSE IF YOU'D REALLY BEEN LOOKING FOR ME, YOU WOULD HAVE FOUND ME....I'M A GODDAMN GENETIC FREAK, I'M PRETTY HARD TO MISS.....ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS FOLLOW THE SOUND OF SABLE SCREAMING MY NAME....."

.....Steiner says that they've been trying to keep him out of the spotlight since Survivor Series, and that's fine, Scotty doesn't want to be a part of their stupid little Kennel Club anyway (that's Wolfpac Scotty) all he wants is what's coming to him....his gold, his peaks.....

".....AND SABLE BETWEEN THE SHEETS........NOW THEY SAY, THAT TWO OUTTA THREE AIN'T BAD.....WELL I SAY THATS BULLSH!T.....BECAUSE AS LONG AS THERES NO GOLD AROUND MY WAIST, SABLE AIN'T HAPPY.....AND WHEN SABLE AIN'T HAPPY, SCOTT STEINER AIN'T HAPPY, AND BOYS.....YOU DON'T WANNA SEE ME WHEN I'M NOT HAPPY....."

.....Steiner says that as far as he is concerned, when In Your House rolls around, Kevin Nash can stay in the back and braid his hair for all Steiner cares, he'll go out there and whoop Harlem Heat on his own.....

.....Nash obviously isn't going for that, telling Steiner that if ANYONE is going to be the one to defeat Harlem Heat, it's going to be him, and if Scott Steiner doesn't like that, then he can just kiss his big seven foot ass.....

.....obviously Mr. Volatile, Scott Steiner isn't going to take kindly to words like that and once again a shoving match breaks out between these two former World Champions.....

.....Waltman and (surprisingly) Hall decide that this is neither the time nor the place, and attempt to separate the pair, but they don't seem to want to settle down anytime soon, and in the ensuing tussle Scotty sends Waltman flying with a huge shove, while Nash actually plants Hall on his ass with a shove of his own, but while Nash quickly realises what he's done and turns to help his Wolfpac partner up, Steiner doesn't seem to give a damn.....he tells Nash to show up at In Your House to collect his half of the tag titles, but other than that....

".....STAY OUTTA MY WAY.....ALL OF YOU....."

.....before marching to the back (with Sable in hot persuit) while Jim Ross and Rick Rude question how in the hell these pair are going to work on the same page at In Your House.....Dead Man Walking indeed.....lets go to a commercial ahead of our main event.

Rating: A*

VS.

We're back from commercial, and it's back to back tag team matches (and back to back Hart Foundation matches) here on Raw, as the WWF Champion, The Undertaker teams up once again with Stone Cold Steve Austin, to face Bret and Owen Hart.....

.....the Hart Brothers will be looking to continue the Canadians good form this evening, following Chris Jericho and Test's victory a short while ago, and they couldn't pick better opponents if they are looking to make an impact....after all, Bret will be facing Steve Austin at In Your House (with a shot at the WWF Championship on the line) beat Austin tonight and that gives Bret a major momentum booster on his way to In Your House, and should he beat Austin at In Your House too, well.....the current WWF Champion is the Undertaker, his other opponent this evening, so a victory over him tonight would make Bret pretty confident should he move on to face the Deadman.....

.....this was a great match too....while Bret and Austin were keen to resume their near two year rivalry, the Deadman and Bret certainly have their history, not to mention the fact that the Undertaker and Stone Cold are hardly the best of friends....it made for quite the explosive affair.....

.....in the end however, it seems like Bret is more interested in doing damage to his two (potentially future) opponents, because as Austin and Taker begin to take firm control of the match, Jericho and Test make their second appearance of the night.....storming the ring and drawing the disqualification from the official.....

Winner(s): The Undertaker & Steve Austin (via disqualification)
Rating: A

.....and much like last week, a four on two beatdown ensues.....if the Hitman wants to become the next World Wrestling Federation Champion, then injuring the man he has to face for the number one contendership AND injuring the current champion in the same night might not be a bad idea.....and as Owen, Jericho and Test break away to lay a three on one beating on the Undertaker, Bret drags Austin over to the corner, where he gets him (and himself) into position, wrapping Stone Colds legs around the ring post and locking in a brutal looking figure four leg lock.....

.....and that's when the pyro erupts.....

.....and Kane makes his way out from the back (with Brian Pillman snapping at his heels and yapping like a rabid coyote) and marches straight down to ringside.....

.....the Corporate Cannon remains at ringside, but Kane steps right over that top rope and begins throwing sledgehammer blows at the entire Hart Foundation.....Jericho and Owen both eat a big shot that sends them scurrying to the outside, while Test runs right into a Big Boot that wields the same result.....Kane doesn't seem overly interested in either Bret Hart or Steve Austin, but the Hitman breaks the hold he has on Stone Cold to join his fellow Foundation members, as the four men beat a hasty retreat past a cackling Brian Pillman (who is currently hopping up and down in manic glee with spittle flying everywhere) as he waves them off.....

.....The Deadman drags himself back to his feet and comes face to face with Kane, as the two brothers stare each other down for the second week running.....

.....Pillman is screaming at Kane to take his shot....do as he's told, take the Deadman out....but Kane is clearly reluctant....the Undertaker simply lowers his arms to his side, telling his brother that he won't fight him anymore.....do what ever he must, but remember who he is, and that NOBODY can make him do ANYTHING that he doesn't want to do.....

.....Kane is obviously torn, but Brian Pillman's screech is clearly becoming too much, because suddenly his arm snaps out and his hand closes around the throats of his brother.....

.....to his credit, Taker doesn't so much as flinch, staring Kane square in those dead eyes as he tells him that he won't fight back.....he won't raise a hand to his brother.....

.....and now Brian Pillman is beyond frantic, and he climbs into the ring to hurl abuse at Kane, telling him to finish the Deadman....do it now....do it like he did to his dear old mommy.....

.....not the wisest thing to say.....

.....because (with one hand still wrapped around the throat of the Undertaker) Kane's OTHER arm snaps out, and he grabs Brian Pillman right by the larynx.....and the Corporate Cannon's eyes practically bulge out of his head.....

.....until Kane suddenly gets spun around from nowhere, and dropped.....

.....with a Stone Cold Stunner.....

.....Steve Austin is back to his feet (ok, foot.....he's got a bit of a limp) and with Kane on the mat he flips (a still in shock) Brian Pillman the bird, before dropping HIM with a Stunner too.....

.....Stone Cold drops down to the mat to spit venom in the ear of his former Hollywood Blonde team mate, before getting back to his feet again and turning to leave.....only to get spun straight back around by the Deadman, who isn't happy that Austin just Stunned his brother.....

.....Austin could really care less about The Undertaker's family problems, telling him that "this ain't Jerry Springer, and I don't give a damn about your Big Red B@stard Brother either", before again turning to head to the back.....

.....before The Undertaker spins him back round AGAIN.....

.....and gets Stunned for his troubles.....

.....Stone Cold Steve Austin ain't out here to play happy families, and he's certainly not in the habit of letting ANYONE put their hands on him, even if those hands are cold and dead like our WWF Champion.....Austin may be walking out of here tonight on one leg, but at least he IS walking out of here, unlike Brian Pillman, Kane.......and The Undertaker.....all of whom are flat on their backs, and you've got to assume that there's going to be hell to pay, somewhere down the line......we'll see you next week folks.

Rating: A*

Final Rating: A*

to4sty · January 23, 2019

<div style="text-align:center;"> <img alt="oyFIziv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/oyFIziv.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Week 2, December 1997 Providence Civic Center (Providence, Rhode Island) ATT: 11,504 TV: 22.58 Announce Team: Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan and Mike Tenay <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> <img alt="bs8biUH.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bs8biUH.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="EJc04ob.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EJc04ob.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="tjKiLmd.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tjKiLmd.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> We open tonight with a replay of the events we missed last week (complete with "after the show went off the air" graphic in the corner of the screen) accompanied by the ever present tones of the Professor Mike Tenay, Bobby "The Brian" Heenan, and of course Mr. WCW himself, Tony Schiavone..... .....when we left you last week the unlikely trio of Jean Paul Levesque, Rowdy Roddy Piper and Sting were stood in the middle of the ring, surrounded on all sides by the Titans of Wrestling....a situation which you would THINK the WCW three would have been trying to avoid, but the man called Sting openly invited them into the ring, dropping his trademark baseball bat and waving them in.....so what happened after the show went dark?..... .....well, for one, the Holy Trinity of Professional Wrestling (Hogan, Savage and Warrior) stood back and let the foot soldiers do their thing, with the Totally Awesome Trinity (Copeland, Cage and Traylor) along with Buff Bagwell forming the first wave of attack.....it's only a short wave however, with Sting, JPL and Piper quickly dispatching of them....that just left three....and those three were certainly more cautious now after seeing their team mates sent packing....the trio warily climb up onto the apron, and feint climbing between the ropes, but they were obviously stalling for time.....because Vince Russo came running down the aisle to "convince" (not that they took much convincing) Hogan et al to return to the back, telling Sting that he'll "get his" next week.....and next week is now..... Rating: N/A </div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><div></div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="7Kekdfg.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7Kekdfg.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="HA44Uyp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/HA44Uyp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zJWRW9s.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zJWRW9s.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="msdGaJy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/msdGaJy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="6PMfEkU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6PMfEkU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="De9q5V9.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/De9q5V9.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="JM0zCR1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JM0zCR1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="598dEVe.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/598dEVe.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....and now the Titans of Wrestling are making their entrance once again..... .....the entire group makes its way out as one....although Hollywood Hogan hasn't got quite the usual swagger to his step, but that might have something to do with the fact that he's walking with crutches.....apparently the Champ is hurt?..... .....the men enter the ring (with Copeland and Cage assisting the "injured" Hogan) and Vince Russo has a microphone.....he says that we are just two weeks away from Starrcade.....two weeks away from the biggest event of the year, and the biggest match of the century.....two weeks away from Hollywood Hogan vs. Sting.....and frankly he's concerned..... ".....and I'm concerned, because WE.....the Titans of Wrestling.....we want you the fans to have the best Starrcade that we can offer, and honestly bro, I don't know if we can do that....." .....Russo says not to worry though, the Champ is fine (just a little mishap in the gym) he will DEFINITELY be good to go by the time Starrcade is here (although Vince is going to give him the next two weeks off active competition just to be safe......that's convenient) no, what Russo is worried about.....is Sting..... .....he says that Sting hasn't wrestled a competitive match in close to four months.....sure he was in the Mayhem match, but he came in last and didn't have to stay out there for long.....Russo says that the LAST thing he wants, is to short change all these great fans with a Sting that is nowhere near ring ready.......SOOOOOO.....he's giving Sting a match tonight..... .....Hogan takes the microphone, telling Sting that while he would love nothing more than to wipe his painted face all over the mat tonight, he's got a slight muscle strain from lifting five thousand pounds at the gym last night, but don't worry Titan Brothers, because he'll be good to go by Starrcade, and tonight, his best friend, The Macho Man Randy Savage is going to fill his boots dude, and show that no good Sting exactly WHO is the Mega Powers of Professional Wrestling are..... <img alt="O22kAAc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/O22kAAc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....that brings out Eric Bischoff.....the public face of the WCW Championship Committee.....and he's got that sh!t eating grin plastered all over his face..... .....Russo tells Bischoff to scurry back to his little corporate office, saying that this is nothing to do with him, but Eric disagrees.....saying that as the face of the Championship Committee, this is very much "to do with him"..... ".....see I know what you're doing Russo, and it's not going to happen.....we are two weeks away from the biggest event of the year, in fact, the biggest event that WCW has period....Starrcade.....and while I know that doesn't mean much to you, it means a lot to these fans and it means a lot to the Championship committee....." .....Bischoff says that if Russo thinks that he's going to allow him to wear down, wear out and/or potentially injure the number one contender to the WCW Championship two weeks before Starrcade, then Russo is even more stupid than he looks.....ESPECIALLY when he's giving Hogan time off.....Hogan argues this ("Brother, Jack, Dude") telling Bischoff that he's legitimately injured, but Eric isn't buying it, telling The Titans that if the WCW Champion is not wrestling, then neither is the number one contender...... ".....but if Mr. Savage there is so insistent in competing tonight, I bumped into a gentleman on my way out here that would be all too willing to give him a match....." <img alt="GDU0Yfw.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GDU0Yfw.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....plump up the bagpipes, baton down the haggis, and take out your best kilt.....because it's Rowdy Roddy Piper..... .....Roddy says that if there's one thing he loves doing, it's punching Hollywood Hogan right in the mouth.....but since that's not an option tonight, punching "Hollywood lite" Randy Savage would be equally as satisfying..... .....Piper says that he knows he has the Macho Man and the Space Cadet Warrior at Starrcade (where he will be teaming with Jean Paul Levesque) but something occurred to him earlier today.....and that's the fact that the Macho Man Randy Savage and Rowdy Roddy Piper have NEVER (ok, maybe one time in the mid 80's) faced each other one-on-one in a televised match..... ".....and that's bothering me a little bit.....sure we had the odd tag match here and there, the odd six man, got ANOTHER tag match at Starrcade, but when it comes to (televised) singles competition, nada, zilch, zero, nothing....and I don't know why.....because I've never liked you Savage....." .....he tells Savage that as far as he's concerned, the Macho Man is little more than Hogan's puppet....his shadow.....his little lapdog that comes running for a pet on the head anytime Hollywood clicks his fingers.....he says that if there's one thing he hates it's a hypocrite, and that's exactly what Savage is..... ".....see you and Baldylocks there, old "Hollywood" Hogan, you like each other even less than I like you....and I REALLY don't like either of you....you've fought and scratched and clawed and kissed and made up, more times than I can count....you act like best buds when in reality you're only ever a cross word away from "exploding" again.....see me, I'm no hypocrite.....me, I'm a Son of a Bitch, but I'm an honest Son of a Bitch, so when I tell you I don't like you, you can take it as gospel that I don't like you....don't like you today, didn't like you yesterday, won't like you tomorrow, but what I WILL like, is gnawing on your head again tonight, just like I did last week....Mr. Macho....." .....everyone knows that Randy Savage has a bit of a short fuse, so obviously he accepts the challenge....but he's not coming alone....he's bringing the ("Warrior, Warrior, Warrior Man, Yeah") so Piper might want to reconsider.....Roddy says that's fine, bring the Warrior ("because I don't like him either....Facepaint Frankie there has been tying those tassels a little bit too tight around his arms for too many years now, it's turned him a little cuckoo if you know what I mean") but don't think for a second that Roddy Piper isn't coming without backup of his own......he'll have someone in his corner.....JPL? Lex Luger, Chris Benoit? Diamond Dallas Page? Hell it could be Sting himself.....but for that, they're going to have to wait until later to find out.... Rating: A* </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="UCxr2JW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/UCxr2JW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="B5irQZV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/B5irQZV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="KAHvZfy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KAHvZfy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="uKPkCfR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/uKPkCfR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/yumpLer.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/yumpLer.jpg"></a> Our first match of the evening is a tag team encounter featuring two teams that have faced each other on a number of occasions (and drawn surprisingly good grades each time too) as the former WCW Tag Team Champions face off against Mike Awesome and Gideon Cain.... .....the pairing of Awesome and Cain have perhaps not gotten the recognition they have deserved around here, with Mike Awesome being somewhat of a "Goldust" in the respect that he often quietly puts on some very good performances that perhaps go unnoticed, while Gideon Cain has improved in leaps and bounds under the tutelage of Bobby Eaton, to the point that he's gone from absolutely greener than goose sh!t, to a pretty passable worker in a very short space of time.....obviously he still has a long way to go, but he's going to be a solid hand if he continues this upward trajectory..... .....that being said, this was another good meeting for these two....Awesome and Cain are two big sumbiches, so they're perfect to get in there with the Road Warriors and their smash mouth style.....the four men pound the crap out of each other, with Missy's Men eventually isolating Hawk and going to work on the smaller Road Warrior.....eventually the hot tag is made and the inevitable brawl breaks out as all four men try to pick up the victory..... .....and there was a victory..... <img alt="tohRSbg.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tohRSbg.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="AP82L8L.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AP82L8L.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="SrYqADI.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/SrYqADI.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....just not the victory that either team was looking for.....because The Forgotten trio come rushing out from the back and begin laying a beating on Hawk and Animal in retribution to the Road Warriors intervention during last weeks three on one assault of the Rock.....and obviously, that's a disqualification..... Winner(s): The Road Warriors (via Disqualification) Rating: B </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="tohRSbg.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tohRSbg.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="AP82L8L.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AP82L8L.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="SrYqADI.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/SrYqADI.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="UCxr2JW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/UCxr2JW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="B5irQZV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/B5irQZV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="KAHvZfy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KAHvZfy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="uKPkCfR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/uKPkCfR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....and obviously The Forgotten are far from done, because as the bell continues to ring they continue to put the boots to the Road Warriors.....the shoulder strain that Kevin Sullivan picked up during the Mayhem match obviously wasn't too serious, because he's back at full health here, and as Bigelow wraps Hawk up in the Tree of Woe in the corner, Sully let's loose, driving all of his weight into the former tag champion..... .....as this is going on, Awesome and Cain stand on.....obviously they're no Road Warrior fans considering the number of times the two teams have fought...BUT...they did just lose here through no fault of their own, a fact that Missy points out to her men, who eventually have either a "Eureka" or "F##k it" moment (I'm not sure which) as they drag Vader and Bigelow off the Road Warriors and begin throwing fists at the two behemoths..... .....obviously the "no sell kings" Hawk and Animal were never going to stay down for long, and soon the duo are back to their feet, and after a brief scuffle it looks as though they're going to go for that Doomsday Device on Kevin Sullivan...... .....fortunately for Sully however (and just before Animal can get him up on his shoulders) Bammers grabs hold of his Forgotten brother, and the three men scarper from the ring and out to the floor.....and they do NOT look pleased by this development.....have Mike Awesome and Gideon Cain turned face?....it's possible (after all, Bobby Eaton has been giving Cain tips on working as a Babyface for some time now) because as Vader, Sullivan and Bigelow make their way back up the aisle (shouting threats of pain, suffering, disfigurement and yes, even death) The Road Warrior's lock eyes with their former foes, before offering somewhat of a truce.....nothing as cliched as say a four man fist bump, but they're not fist bumping each other in the face either, so that's got to count for something....right?....shall we go to a commercial break?....lets calm things down a little bit here. Rating: A </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="NLnyB4b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NLnyB4b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="ZMeNF8v.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZMeNF8v.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Back from commercial and we head down to ringside, where Mean Gene is standing by.....he spends a few minutes shilling the Hotline (obviously) before calling out his guest, the WCW United States Champion (and Papi of Perfection) Eddie Guerrero..... .....Gene says that in just two weeks time, Guerrero will be putting his Championship on the line against The Rock, and in Mean Gene's opinion this is the one match that Eddie has been trying to avoid since Rocky's arrival several months back..... .....Eddie is flabbergasted by this suggestion, asking Gene what he's been smoking Holmes?..... ".....The Papi of Perfection don't avoid no-one esè.....you must not have been watching these last six months holmes, because Eddie Guerrero has been running through the competition like a hot knife through butter....." .....Eddie says that like it or not, he's the holder of the most IMPORTANT championship that WCW has to offer.....not the tag titles, not the Television Title, not even the World Title...the United States Championship is the most important title because it's the title that everybody wants, but no one is going to get..... .....Gene isn't so sure about that, stating that while holding the US Title is a huge honour and accomplishment, the title that everybody wants is the World title surely? Again Eddie disagrees, asking Gene if he thinks Hollywood Hogan is going to give a World Title shot to a Brad Armstrong?.....a BOB Armstrong even?.....because Eddie Guerrero gave them a shot at the US Title, because Eddie Guerrero ducks no one esè......the Armstrong's, Rick Martel, Jeff Hardy, Rikishi Fatu.....Curt Hennig.....you name it, Eddie Guerrero has given them a shot, and Eddie Guerrero has walked away the champion each and every time (albeit by dubious circumstances as Gene is quick to point out)..... ".....dubious? Who cares about dubious esè.....what matters is who's got the gold, and who doesn't.....Eddie Guerrero got the gold, and Rocky I don't know what you smelling holmes, but it's not victory, because you DON'T got the gold....." .....Eddie says that The Rock isn't even here tonight after getting his butt kicked by the Forgotten last week, but then that's the difference between a CHAMPION.....and a wannabe.....The Rock, he's walked in the door and he's been treated like a star from day one, but Eddie Guerrero has had to fight and claw (and cheat) his way to the top.....he quite literally climbed the ladder of success and he ain't coming down any time soon..... ".....bring that camera over here.....get a good look at my face.....Rocky, look into my eyes holmes, because this ain't about the catchphrases and the nicknames.....this isn't about the "Papi of Perfection", or cheating to win.....this is about Eddie Guerrero.....this is about the United States Championship.....this about me proving, that in a company full of Hogans, Warriors, Savage's, Pipers, Sting's.....that Eddie Guerrero is THE best wrestler alive today....." .....he says that when Starrcade is all said and done, and The Rock joins that long list of names of people that couldn't take this US Title away from him, there will be no disputing the fact that Eddie Guerrero's name belongs right up there with those so called "Titans" and Icons of Wrestling......if you smell, what Eddie Guerrero.....is cooking. Rating: A </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="yWavpO1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yWavpO1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <img alt="MLBCNMR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/MLBCNMR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="1bpfFhM.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/1bpfFhM.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Speaking of Titles, the Television Title is on the line next.....or at least the title of Television Title is on the line next because the actual Television Title is not around the waist of the Television Title Holder.....clear?..... .....what do you mean no?..... .....ok.....so Bill Goldberg defeated Lance Storm at out Mayhem event to become the new TV Champion.....Lance Storm apparently took this loss as an affront, not only to himself and Canada, but to the professional wrestling business on the whole, taking it upon himself to steal the Championship belt from ringside, run off like a thief in the night, and declare himself to STILL be the Television Champion..... .....he's not..... .....Bill Goldberg is the Television Champion.....unless that is, Jerry Saggs can defeat him here tonight, because then HE would be the new Television Champion.....don't hold your breath though..... .....this match really comes about off the back of the Amazing French Canadians helping Lance Storm to swipe the TV Title ("Can-a-da, Can-a-da, Can-a-da".....alright Jacques, probably not a chant that's going to catch on any time soon).....which resulted in Goldberg costing the Nasty's a disqualification loss last week....not that Goldberg holds any ill will towards Knobbs or Saggs, it was really just a case of wrong place, wrong time for the Nasty Boys.....much like Jerry Saggs was in the wrong place tonight (right in front of the rookie monster) at the wrong time (just as Bill Goldberg was charging forward).....Spear.....Jackhammer.....goodnight Jerry Saggs.....hello (the lower end of the) Upper Midcard for Bill Goldberg.....not bad for a guy about four months into the business...... Winner: ....and Still WCW Television Champion....Bill Goldberg Rating: C+ </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="MLBCNMR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/MLBCNMR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="INZhq2F.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/INZhq2F.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="wASYapy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wASYapy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="k7DyUpq.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/k7DyUpq.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....and Goldberg celebrates moving on up to the Upper Midcard the only way he knows how.....by snarling and snorting in victory..... .....which is about the time that Lance Storm makes his way out from the back (Television Title around his waist, the Amazing French Canadians by his side) with a microphone in hand..... .....he tells Goldberg that a gibbering neanderthal like him could never understand the pride that comes with wearing the Television Title.....the title that has been held by some of the greatest of all time, and a slobbering beast like him doesn't deserve to wear this championship....Storm says that fortunately for Goldberg, being that he IS from Calgary.....Alberta, Canada.....that means that he's a sporting man, so he's going to give Goldberg a "sporting" chance......at Starrcade...... .....Storm says that he's willing to put HIS Television Title on the line (erm, it's not your title at all Mr. Storm) just so that he can prove to the word that a good professional wrestler will ALWAYS beat a great brawler.....and he is a man of his word too, letting Goldberg know that this is a one time deal, that expires on the day of Starrcade..... .....obviously Bill is quick to accept, although let's be clear, he will NOT be challenging for the title.....regardless of who walks to the ring with that belt around their waist Bill Goldberg is the Television Champion, and if Lance Storm doesn't like that, he's going to have to do something about it.....at Starrcade. Rating: B+ </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="dj9a4UL.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dj9a4UL.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="9LSvvPw.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/9LSvvPw.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Well.....if you thought Bill Goldberg vs. Jerry Saggs was ugly, as the old saying goes, you ain't seen nothing yet.....because it's time for Sid Vicious to make his (Nitro) in ring debut, when he goes one on one with Scott "Flash" Norton..... .....let's compare the positives in this match.....Psychology? (No).....Selling? (Erm, no).....Technical excellence? (You're kidding right?).....Two big hosses beating the snot out of each other? (Bingo.....give that man a prize)..... .....these two men stiffed and kicked and punched and pounded on each other for around eight minutes (although one minute of which consisted of Sid asking the crowd who the man was....it's Sid, Sid is the Man).....the commentators spoke about Sid's challenge to Ray Traylor, questioning whether Vicious could even get the big Enforcer of the Titans up in that Powerbomb....a question which Sid answered, finishing off the equally large Norton with that very move.....your winner, Sid Vicious. Winner: Sid Vicious Rating: B- </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="NLnyB4b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NLnyB4b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="dj9a4UL.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dj9a4UL.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Mean Gene makes his way out again as Sid celebrates his first win here in World Championship Wrestling, and he wants to know exactly why Sid has chosen to challenge not only the Titans of Wrestling as a whole, but Ray Traylor in particular? Sid says (through those gritted teeth) that's a simple question, with a simple answer..... ".....you see, the Titans of Wrestling have been going around here like they rule WCW.....the Titans of Wrestling have been going around here like they rule the professional wrestling world.....but when you close your eyes and picture the Master....and the Ruler of the World, only one man comes to mind....and that man's name....is Sid Vicious...." .....Sid says that there are no "Titans" in professional wrestling.....only men....about to become boys.....when they face the monster that is Sid Vicious (hey, it's a Sid promo, it doesn't have to make sense).....why Ray Traylor in particular? Because it was Ray Traylor, locking that nightstick of his around Sid's throat at Mayhem, which lead to Sid's elimination (and cost him the main event spot at Starrcade) so if Sid doesn't get to fight Hollywood for the WCW Title, then he's going to fight Ray Traylor.....Powerbomb him through the mat.....and shove that nightstick down his throat. Rating: B+ </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="aCi5Zkl.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/aCi5Zkl.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="MZMw9JA.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/MZMw9JA.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> WCW Cruiserweight Championship: First Round Match From the Super-Heavyweights we move on now to the Light-Heavyweights.....as we showcase the Cruiserweight Division, when Juventud Guerrera faces off against the Duke, Douglas Williams, with a date in the WCW Cruiserweight Semi-Final clash with Tajiri waiting for the winner..... .....this is somewhat of a clash of styles here, with Guerrera utilising the more usually seen fast highflying antics that you would expect from a cruiserweight encounter, while Douglas attempts to wrestle his faster opponent, grinding him down to the mat.....the combination works however, giving us a pretty good match, and eventually it's the high flying ability of Juvi that turns the tide in his favour, as the Youth Warrior finishes off the Duke with a 450 Splash....Semi-Final, here he comes..... Winner: Juventud Guerrera Rating: C </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="aCi5Zkl.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/aCi5Zkl.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="ikXidwr.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ikXidwr.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="KNeainM.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KNeainM.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="y3FR6T0.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/y3FR6T0.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....and sooner than he thinks.....because his semi-final opponent (Tajiri) comes rushing down the aisle the moment the bell rings, along with Mortis and James Vandenberg..... .....the two men quickly overpower the half spent Guerrera, before Mortis renders him practically unconscious with a brutal looking Flatliner.....and you'd think that would be enough, but apparently Vandenberg is out here to make an impression, ordering Mortis to pull Juvi up to his feet and hold him in place, as Tajiri nails him right in the temple with a martial arts kick (as Tony Schiavone calls it) that leaves Juventud slumped on the mat in a heap..... <img alt="33FsrDO.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/33FsrDO.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....fortunately for Juvi, help is at hand, in the form of a gentleman who has had more than his fair share of problems with James Vandenberg's little circus of horrors, Jeff Hardy..... .....Hardy rushes down to ringside and slides under the bottom rope....he's ready to fight..... .....but apparently Vandenberg's disciples are not.....because the moment he hits the ring the two men stop their assault of Guerrera and calmly back away, before eventually completely exiting the ring and walking to the back, leaving a confused looking Jeff Hardy in their wake..... .....the announcers talk about the fact that James Vandenberg has assured Hardy that as long as he is alive within this Cruiserweight tournament, his men will not harm so much as one hair on his head, and despite Schiavone's initial scepticism, it would appear that this is very much the case.....Vandenberg, Mortis and Tajiri peacefully walk away and disappear to the back, while a still slightly confused Jeff Hardy helps Juventud back to his feet..... .....time for a Starrcade commercial as we try to calm things down around here, we'll see you in a few minutes..... Rating: B </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="mqWl7Ti.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mqWl7Ti.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="6PMfEkU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6PMfEkU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="De9q5V9.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/De9q5V9.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="JM0zCR1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JM0zCR1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....and when we do return, we are backstage.....where Mean Gene is standing by with the Totally Awesome Trinity of Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, and The Enforcer Ray Traylor..... .....Gene isn't holding back here, telling the Trinity that after spending months now mocking the competition, assaulting, interfering and generally being a menace to the WCW locker room, their big mouths might have finally written a cheque that they just can't cash..... .....The Enforcer isn't going to let some announcer badmouth the Trinity like that, and he grabs Gene by the lapels of his jacket (causing Gene to shout that he has his lawyers on speed dial) but Copeland talks Traylor down, calming the big man..... ".....see Gene, we're totally reasonable guys.....but if you think that the Totally Awesome Trinity sweat ANYONE, then you obviously haven't seen us in action.....see you have The Rock walking around here asking everyone if they can smell what he's cooking.....you know what we can smell Gene?....." .....Copeland and Cage stop for a minute to sniff the air, before slapping Traylor on the chest..... ".....you smell that Ray?.....what is that smell?.....oh wait.....it's US......because we totally reek of awesomeness....." .....the WCW Tag Champions have a good laugh at that (and even the Enforcer cracks a rare smile) before telling Gene that if he really thinks that the Trinity have anything to worry about come Starrcade then he must be going senile in his old age..... ".....what, because we've got to face the Baron of Bore-town Chris Benoit?......Old Man River Dallas Page?.....seriously?.....c'mon Gene, you know we've totally got them beat...." .....Cage says that Benoit and Page have been trying to hang with the Titans for months now, and all it's gotten them is a bunch of Totally Awesome ass kickings.....he says that they couldn't hang with Hogan.....they could hang with Savage.....they couldn't hang with Warrior.....in fact, the only "Titan" they ever beat was Jean Paul Levesque, and they totally kicked him to the curb..... .....they say that Chris Benoit has the personality of a pine cone, and as for Diamond Dallas Page, the only thing that's main event quality with him, is his old lady's rack..... ".....she's totally hot Gene....." .....Cage tells Gene to pull up a chair, take a load off, massage his liver spots and watch that monitor right there, because by the time Cage is done with DDP tonight, he's going to be sharing a room with Mean Gene in the retirement home..... Rating: B+ </div></blockquote> <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> <img style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/dupGZMe.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/dupGZMe.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/nPlVk6h.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/nPlVk6h.jpg"></a><img alt="1oTiWPy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/1oTiWPy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="6PMfEkU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6PMfEkU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/De9q5V9.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/De9q5V9.jpg"><img</a> style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/JM0zCR1.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/JM0zCR1.jpg"></a> .....and that match is right now..... .....Christian Cage doesn't find himself in singles action too often, but he's not straying too far from his support circle here, because both Adam Copeland (his usual partner) and Ray Traylor (his Amigo in Awesomeness) are accompanying him to ringside.....not to be outdone Diamond Dallas Page hasn't come out alone either, he has Chris Benoit (his partner at Starrcade) and the beautiful Kimberly (his partner in life) with him.....that's a lot of bodies at ringside..... .....considering that Cage is predominantly a tag team competitor, this match was really very good.....both Copeland and Cage are being tipped for big things in the future by the industry insiders, and it's safe to say that this is a little glimpse of what we could perhaps see some time down the road.....but not any time soon, because this Trinity are too Totally Awesome to break up..... .....there was a lot of action OUTSIDE the ring too in this one, because between Adam Copeland letting Kimberly know that she is "Totally Hot" on a number of occasions, Benoit and The Enforcer almost came to blows on a number of occasions as well.....and it was one of these occasions that bought an end to the contest.....Benoit and Traylor engage in a shoving match around the same time that Kimberly slapped Copeland right in the face after one too many unwanted advances.....that caught the attention of Christian Cage, who took his eye of Page for just a split second.....and a split second was all it took..... .....for Page to land the Diamond Cutter..... .....and that was all she wrote..... Winner: Diamond Dallas Page Rating: B+ </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="6PMfEkU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6PMfEkU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="De9q5V9.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/De9q5V9.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="JM0zCR1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JM0zCR1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="dupGZMe.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dupGZMe.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="1oTiWPy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/1oTiWPy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....and obviously the Trinity (the conscious members that is, because Christian is out) don't like that, and as Copeland blindsides Benoit from behind on the outside The Enforcer rolls into the ring with his trusty nightstick, which he wraps around the back of Page's head..... .....Copeland rolls Benoit under the bottom rope, where (with DDP down) Traylor goes to work on the Canadian Crippler, while Copeland tosses a couple of chairs into the ring and goes to work reviving his partner..... .....Cage finally comes back around, and as he groggily gets back to his feet he is handed a chair by his partner, and as the WCW Tag Team Champions surround Page, it looks as though we are about to see a Con-Chair-To to Diamond Dallas Page..... <img alt="cxh6grX.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cxh6grX.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....which is when the Master and Ruler of the World, Sid Vicious, makes his second (third I guess, if you count his post match promo) appearance of the evening..... .....he climbs into the ring behind Copeland (which Cage sees and indicates wildly to his partner) snatching the steel chair out of the (Totally Surprised) Tag Champions hands..... .....obviously, no one wants to share a ring with a chair wielding Sid Vicious, and Copeland and Cage quickly bail from the ring, screaming at The Enforcer to get the hell out of there.....Traylor doesn't hear the warnings however, he too intent on choking the life out of Benoit..... .....he feels the steel chair that gets bent over his back though..... .....and he WOULD have felt first hand what it feels like to be Powerbombed through the mat (because Sid had him in position) had it not been for Copeland and Cage each reaching under the bottom rope and grabbing an ankle each of Traylor, dragging the Enforcer to the safety of the outside, before scurrying to the safety of the back.....Randy Savage of the Titans of Wrestling is in action next, and I think it's safe to say that the Totally Awesome Trinity will NOT be a factor in that particular match. Rating: B+ </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="7Kekdfg.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7Kekdfg.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="HA44Uyp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/HA44Uyp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zJWRW9s.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zJWRW9s.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="msdGaJy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/msdGaJy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="598dEVe.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/598dEVe.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> We have a quick commercial break and then it's back to ringside.....before our main event can begin however, The Macho Man makes his entrance along with Vince Russo, Hollywood Hogan (who is still on crutches) The Warrior, and finally Buff Bagwell.....obviously the Totally Awesome Trinity are still licking their wounds in the back..... .....the group enter together, but as they reach the aisle way, Russo, Hogan, Warrior and Buff splinter off from Savage, heading over to the announce desk as the Macho Man continues towards the ring..... .....Russo orders Schiavone, Tenay and Heenan to beat it (with Heenan practically running as the Warrior approaches him) before Vinnie Ru, Hogan and Buff take up a headset each.....looks like we're going to have an all Titan announce team for this one fans.....and it's going to be a biggie.... Rating: N/A </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="GDU0Yfw.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GDU0Yfw.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="msdGaJy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/msdGaJy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....because it's the Macho Man Randy Savage facing off against Rowdy Roddy Piper.....and if you were looking for "titans of wrestling" they perhaps don't get any bigger than this..... .....these two are set to clash again in tag team action at Starrcade, when Randy Savage teams with The Warrior, and Piper teams with a p!ssed off Jean Paul Levesque.....a Jean Paul Levesque who is out for blood after watching (or rather being FORCED to watch by the Warrior) his best friend Shawn Michaels get left in a bloody pulp at the hands of Randy Savage..... .....Piper doesn't have such a blood feud going on with the Titans, but it's safe to say that any group featuring Hollywood Hogan is going to have an enemy in Roddy Piper..... .....this match really was very good (considering Pipers diminishing abilities) but then Randy Savage has been THE most consistent performer in WCW for quite some time now.....I think it's safe to say that the Macho Man had something to prove after being thought "too old" for Vince McMahon's New Generation a few years back, so much so that it completely rejuvenated the man..... .....there is plenty of brawling involved (something that both men are proficient in) and the outside of the ring sees about as much action as the inside does, and it's a pretty damn even affair.....not that you would know it by the commentary, because Russo, Bagwell and (especially) Hogan do nothing but run Piper down.....and not just Piper.....because Hollywood has plenty to say about his #1 Contender, Sting.....he says that he is out here, valiantly on one leg to ensure that all those little Hollywood-Maniacs (that worship the ground he walks on) get to see their hero.....something that Sting can't say.....because while Hollywood is rather severely injured, there is NOTHING wrong with Sting, and as per usual, he's nowhere to be seen..... ".....and brothers, since these people here tonight paid to see Hollywood, let's show them Hollywood.....Brother Buff, let's show these people how we do it.....Titan style....." .....there is a rustling of microphones being thrown down, and a moment or two of announcing silence as Bagwell, Warrior, and Hogan (still limping along with his crutches) make their way down the aisle, before Schiavone, Tenay and Heenan finally return to the announce table, where they question exactly what it is that the Titans have planned..... .....they don't have to wait for long..... .....and they're not the only ones making their way out either..... <img alt="bLRV4JV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bLRV4JV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....because JPL comes rushing out from backstage, and he goes straight for the Warrior, picking up with the brawl they were in the midst of last week.....of course, that is somewhat distracting to the official, who doesn't see Buff Bagwell climbing up onto the apron (drawing the attention of the Hot Rod) leaving Hogan free to sneak into the ring behind him....and crack that crutch straight over the back of Piper, leaving a splintered mess on the mat, before practically sprinting out of the ring, leaving the (WCW) announce team to declare that there's absolutely NOTHING wrong with the leg of Hollywood Hogan..... .....Savage climbs to the top rope, and he leaps with that patented Flying Elbow, and that was all she wrote.....your winner.....Randy Savage. Winner: Randy Savage Rating: B+ </div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="HA44Uyp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/HA44Uyp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zJWRW9s.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zJWRW9s.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="msdGaJy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/msdGaJy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="598dEVe.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/598dEVe.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="GDU0Yfw.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GDU0Yfw.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="bLRV4JV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bLRV4JV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....not that the Titans are done.....not by a long shot.....and with Piper down, Levesque might just be joining his buddy Shawn Michaels on the injured list....because it's four against one, and he's in serious trouble..... .....or not..... .....because the Titans don't actually target him..... .....well, they do.....just not for very long......and after getting destroyed for a minute by his four opponents, Levesque once again finds himself being held back by the Warrior, and forced to watch as Piper is jumped by Bagwell, Savage and Hogan (with Hogan taking great joy in whipping his Wrestlemania I opponent with his weight lifting belts.....laughing as he does so)..... .....they keep up that pace for a minute, before employing a new tactic....destroy that artificial hip of the Hot Rod, with whatever happens to be at hand..... .....Hogan wraps that weightlifting belt around his fist and lands blow after blow to the hip of Piper, as the Rookie Titan Buff Bagwell picks up a steel chair from the outside...... .....Savage delivers a stinging slap to Levesque, before clutching him by the face and forcing him to look at Piper, telling him that this is what happens to people when they get in the Titan's way..... .....Bagwell lets out an obnoxious laugh, before absolutely going to town with the steel chair, crashing it into the hip of Piper over and over and over again, until the Hot Scot is crying out in agony as Levesque is helpless to stop it....Hollywood Hogan may have been faking injury earlier tonight, and clearly didn't really need that crutch at all, but Roddy Piper is most definitely going to need some form of walking aid following this vicious attack..... <img alt="Fe0oJG1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Fe0oJG1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....fortunately help is at hand.....as the number one contender to Hollywood Hogan's World Title rappels down from the rafters, and this crowd erupts as Sting lands in the entrance way.....unhooks his harness.....and pulls that trusty black bat out from underneath his trench coat..... .....these are some mighty big odds to overcome however.....there are four Titans in the ring (well, two and a half really, since Warrior still has hold of Levesque, and Savage has to split his time between kicking Piper and helping his Starrcade team mate to restrain JPL) but Sting doesn't seem to care..... .....surprisingly Hogan doesn't seem to care either, grabbing a microphone and telling Sting that he's nothing if not predictable..... ".....see, the problem with you Sting, is that just like your face paint you think the world is nothing but black and white brother.....but you forgot about the shades of gray.....WCW's Knight in Shining Armour, always here to save the day.....but tell me something Stinger, who's going to be there.....to save YOU?....." <img alt="LLFBXTU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LLFBXTU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....suddenly The Giant comes rushing out from the back.....and with Sting's attention firmly on Hogan, he doesn't realise that the big man is there until Giant nails him in the back of the skull with a massive headbutt that drops Sting to his knee's..... .....the announcers inform us that Lex Luger is not here tonight (he's currently rehabbing and resting those ribs and that back following the abuse he's received in recent weeks) but as the commentator point out, The Giant has plenty of pent up aggression with Sting that he's looking to unleash, and unleash he does, laying into the blindsided Sting with hammering blows that leave the Stinger rocked, before sending him flying into the crowd rails..... .....Warrior (and Savage) continue to restrain Levesque, and Piper is still down at the hands (or rather, chair) of Buff Bagwell, leaving Hogan to egg the Giant on as he basically softens up his Starrcade opponent.....he reminds the Giant of all the times Sting did him wrong....the matches he cost him, the baseball bats he assaulted him with, eliminating him from Mayhem (etc, etc) and the Giant gets more irate with each word..... .....finally he drags Sting up the ramp to the entrance way, where he lifts the Stinger high up in the air by the throat, before sending him crashing down to the steel entrance stage with such force that he dents the (gimmicked) steel, leaving him a black and white broken mess, as the show comes to a close to that very image, with the sound of Hollywood Hogan laughing maniacally over the house mic, as those damned Titans of Wrestling (and the Giant) make their presence felt, just a few weeks away from Starrcade..... .....goodnight fans..... Rating: A* Final Rating: A </div></blockquote> </div>

to4sty · January 23, 2019

<div style="text-align:center;"> The Monday Night Wars: Week 3, December 1997 <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> <img alt="wtGb8ca.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wtGb8ca.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Preview for WWF Raw is War, Week 3, December 1997 The Undertaker vs. Arn Anderson Comments: Steve Austin vs. Owen Hart Comments: Scott Hall vs. Test Comments: Ken Shamrock & The British Bulldog vs. Southern Justice Comments: WWF Tag Team Championship Match Harlem Heat © vs. The Headbangers Comments: Nine Circles of Hell Match: Violence Jake Roberts vs. ??? Comments: </div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><div></div></blockquote> <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> <img alt="cMgP5Z2.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cMgP5Z2.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 2, December 1997 Jean Paul Levesque & Roddy Piper vs. Buff Bagwell & The Giant Comments: Chris Benoit, Sid Vicious & Diamond Dallas Page vs. The Totally Awesome Trinity Comments: The Rock vs. Lord Steven Regal Comments: Juventud Guerrera & Jeff Hardy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri & Alex Wright Comments: Kid Kash vs. Disco Inferno Comments: WCW Television Championship Match Bill Goldberg © vs. Brian Knobbs Comments: </div></blockquote> </div>

crackerjack · January 24, 2019

The Undertaker vs. Arn Anderson

Comments:

Steve Austin vs. Owen Hart

Comments:

Scott Hall vs. Test

Comments:

Ken Shamrock & The British Bulldog vs. Southern Justice

Comments:

WWF Tag Team Championship Match

Comments:

Nine Circles of Hell Match: Violence

Jake Roberts vs. ???

Comments:

Jean Paul Levesque & Roddy Piper vs. Buff Bagwell & The Giant

Comments:

Chris Benoit, Sid Vicious & Diamond Dallas Page vs. The Totally Awesome Trinity

Comments:

The Rock vs. Lord Steven Regal

Comments:

Juventud Guerrera & Jeff Hardy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri & Alex Wright

Comments:

Kid Kash vs. Disco Inferno

Comments: Gut feeling says someone is destroying these two...

WCW Television Championship Match

Comments:

bonnie · January 24, 2019

Preview for WWF Raw is War, Week 3, December 1997

The Undertaker

Comments:

Steve Austin

Comments:

Scott Hall

Comments:

Ken Shamrock & The British Bulldog

Comments:

WWF Tag Team Championship Match

Comments:

Nine Circles of Hell Match: Violence

Jake Roberts

Comments:

Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 2, December 1997

Jean Paul Levesque & Roddy Piper

Comments:

Chris Benoit, Sid Vicious & Diamond Dallas Page

Comments:

The Rock

Comments:

Yoshihiro Tajiri & Alex Wright

Comments:

Disco Inferno

Comments:

WCW Television Championship Match

Comments:

ElectricX · January 24, 2019

Preview for WWF Raw is War, Week 3, December 1997

The Undertaker vs. Arn Anderson

Comments:

Steve Austin vs. Owen Hart

Comments:

Scott Hall vs. Test

Comments:

Ken Shamrock & The British Bulldog vs. Southern Justice

Comments:

WWF Tag Team Championship Match

Comments:

Nine Circles of Hell Match: Violence

Jake Roberts vs. ???

Comments:

Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 2, December 1997

Jean Paul Levesque & Roddy Piper vs. Buff Bagwell & The Giant

Comments:

Chris Benoit, Sid Vicious & Diamond Dallas Page vs. The Totally Awesome Trinity

Comments:

The Rock vs. Lord Steven Regal

Comments:

Juventud Guerrera & Jeff Hardy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri & Alex Wright

Comments:

Kid Kash vs. Disco Inferno

Comments:

WCW Television Championship Match

Comments:

Satyr24 · January 24, 2019

Preview for WWF Raw is War, Week 3, December 1997

The Undertaker vs. Arn Anderson

Comments:

Steve Austin vs. Owen Hart

Comments:

Scott Hall vs. Test

Comments:

Ken Shamrock & The British Bulldog vs. Southern Justice

Comments:

WWF Tag Team Championship Match

Comments:

Nine Circles of Hell Match: Violence

Jake Roberts vs. ???

Comments:

Quote:

Preview for WCW Monday Nitro, Week 2, December 1997

Jean Paul Levesque & Roddy Piper vs. Buff Bagwell & The Giant

Comments:

Chris Benoit, Sid Vicious & Diamond Dallas Page vs. The Totally Awesome Trinity

Comments:

The Rock vs. Lord Steven Regal

Comments:

Juventud Guerrera & Jeff Hardy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri & Alex Wright

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