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

to4sty · February 22, 2019

Week 4, December 1997

The Pit (Albuquerque, New Mexico)

ATT: 15,886

TV: 38.04

The show opens with a bang.....or rather a gong, THEN a bang.....as the bells toll, the lights go out, and a huge explosion of fire signals the arrival of the WWF Champion The Undertaker, and his baby brother Kane, as the reunited siblings make their way down the aisle.....

.....the Deadman grabs a microphone, telling the crowd that he'll must have indeed frozen over, because after two decades, The Undertaker and Kane are once again standing side by side.....

.....he tells Brian Pillman that after spending weeks spitting on the memory of the Undertakers parents, last night he Danced with the Deadman without even realising that it was Kane that was playing the song, and now (just like his dreams of becoming the WWF Champion) Brian Pillman can.....

".....Rest.....in.....Peace....."

.....don't you just hate it when you get rudely interrupted?.....but that's exactly what happens here, as the screeching guitar of The Hitman announces the presence of the Hart Foundation, who make their way down the aisle to a chorus of boos.....

.....Bret Hart won the opportunity to challenge for the WWF Championship last night, when he defeated the firm favourite Stone Cold Steve Austin (although not without a huge assist from Ric Flair and Arn Anderson) and is quick to remind the Deadman of exactly that.....he tells Taker that he needs to stop dwelling on his past opponents and start looking to the future, because his NEXT opponent is standing right across the ring from him.....

.....or so you would think.....

.....because no sooner have those words left the Hitman's mouth, than the boss himself, (Mr. Vincent Kennedy McMahon) makes his way out, along with the Nature Boy Ric Flair and The Enforcer Arn Anderson.....

.....Vince tells Bret that ACTUALLY, while he DID become the number one contender last night (and while he WILL get his title shot in the coming weeks) it won't be until last night's injustice is undone, because Brian Pillman will be facing The Undertaker one more time at the Royal Rumble.....

".....and this time Deadman, not even your baby brother will be able to save you.....because you see, while I have curbed MOST of Mr. Pillman's untoward behaviour, you can never fully tame a wild animal.....and when cornered, those same wild animals will go to extraordinary lengths to survive, and at the Royal Rumble that's exactly what you will have to do....survive.....when you defend that World Wrestling Federation Championship..........in a Casket Match....."

.....Bret Hart is (perhaps rightly) livid at this, telling McMahon that if anyone should be facing the Undertaker at the Royal Rumble then it should be him, not Brian Pillman....after all, HE is the number one contender to the WWF Title.....is he being screwed again (he wonders out loud).....McMahon tells Bret to calm down however, stating that he will still get his Title Opportunity, it just won't be at the Royal Rumble....however....he IS free to be the first challenger for Brian Pillman's newly won World Title.....

.....the Undertaker scoffs at that, asking McMahon just how he expects Brian Pillman to defeat him in a Casket Match of all things, after all, he couldn't even defeat the Deadman in a standard match.....but if McMahon really wants to sacrifice his Crowned Prince of Chaos to the reaper, then the Undertaker will happily lock him inside a casket for all of eternity.....IN FACT, they don't even have to wait for the Royal Rumble....the Undertaker can finish the Corporate Cannon off tonight.....

.....Vince says no.....Brian Pillman is "otherwise occupied" this evening (where the hell is the Corporate Cannon anyway?).....besides, the Undertaker will be too busy cheering on his baby brother tonight, because the ONLY reason that Brian Pillman was defeated last night, was because Kane cost him the match.....well tonight, Kane will pay the price for that decision, when he faces a TRUE Enforcer.....Arn Anderson.....as for Mr. Hart and his associates, their services aren't required this evening, so McMahon would suggest that they might want to exit his ring so that they can get on with the show.

Rating: A*

VS.

You've got to hand it to Harlem Heat, they're certainly not shy about defending those WWF Tag Team Titles....fresh off a successful outing last night against Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner, its Rage and Kaos, the team of High Voltage that get the opportunity this evening.....

.....Kenny Kaos is highly thought of by some pundits out there, who believe he may be one of the next big things in wrestling.....and while Robbie Rage isn't thought of quite so highly, he is still considered something of a hot prospect as well.....with that being said, they have zero personality at the moment (and not much more in terms of in ring ability) but then they are both only 27 years of age, and have less than two years in the business. With a little bit of guidance (and the right programs to work with) they may well live up to their potential....of course, much like with the Headbangers, they're going to have to prove that they are worth that investment first.....

.....they did ok here in all fairness.....they didn't win obviously.....they didn't do badly either, the match was pretty good for what it was, but in the end it was Booker T that claimed the victory, after finishing off Robbie Rage with the Heat Seeker.....

Winner(s): ....and Still WWF Tag Team Champions.......Harlem Heat
Rating: B-

.....Harlem Heat (mainly Booker T actually) helps Rage to his feet and congratulate High Voltage on a match well fought, before celebrating their victory with the WWF Tag Team Titles held high.....not for long though, because they're rudely interrupted by the arrival of Al Snow, Chris Candido and Head.....

.....Snow and ("don't call me") Skippy climb into the ring along with a microphone, where rather than attacking or insulting the champions, they're actually quite respectful.....Candido tells them that while he and Snow are glad to see that they have some fighting champions holding the Tag Titles (and while Harlem Heat ARE impressively defeating all challengers) the fact that Booker T and Stevie Ray have been taking on all comers means that they must know why he and Al are out here right now......and if they didn't know, Al Snow grabs the microphone to make SURE they know.....

".....because we want the next shot at those titles.....and I don't care what anyone else tells you, WE asked first.....and don't listen to what the Road Dogg says.....we've got dibs and you can't argue dibs....."

.....well I was expecting SOMEONE to dispute that fact, but I kinda thought it would be the New Age Outlaws.....it wasn't......I'm mean Dustin Rhodes, Marc Mero and Terri are somewhat similar to the Outlaws I guess, you've got the blonde guy, the dark haired guy and the hot blonde valet, but that's about where the similarities end.....

.....Rhodes and Mero are fresh off a victory over the Headbangers last night, and since Snow and Candido didn't even compete last night, as far as they are concerned that means that THEY should get the next opportunity.....and anyway, he believes that Vince McMahon has made it clear that he doesn't want the freaks and the geeks of the World Wrestling Federation holding the gold.....

".....HEY!....no one speaks about my partner that way.....Chris Candido might not be as hip or as cool as the Snow Man, but he's no geek....."

.....Candido has to (quietly) break it to his partner that he's fairly sure that Rhodes was talking about HIM.....a fact which Snow finds highly insulting.....

".....you listen to me GolDustin, I'm no freak.....I just have layers......lots and lots and lots of (admittedly) sometimes confused layers.....I'm more of a bewildered onion than anything else, so you take that back....."

.....Dustin doesn't take it back (although he probably should, insulting poor Al Snow is kinda like kicking a puppy) but he does say that if Candido and his reject partner want to EARN a shot at the tag titles, then he and Mero will gladly face them tonight for that privilege.....

.....Snow is adamant that they shouldn't have to (they called dibs after all) but Candido has no problem with facing the duo, while Harlem Heat say that they don't care WHO they face, because they will meet any and all challengers head on.....so I guess that's set then......Al Snow and Chris Candido will face Dustin Rhodes and Marc Mero tonight.....presumably with a shot at the WWF Tag Team Titles on the line.......

.....although just as we are about to go to commercial, we cut away to a shot of the back, where Billy Gunn, Jesse James and Sunny are watching the events unfold on a monitor.....but then it's not like they would be the type to stick their collective noses into this little arrangement.....

.....right?.....

Rating: A

We are back, and we are on location with Raven, who after spending the last few weeks lurking about in a (seemingly) abandoned old church, has another message for Jake Roberts.....and it's a message about fraud.....

.....he says that Jakes journey is almost at an end (one way or another) and his path is littered with the victims of his so called holy war.....innocent bystanders on his fraudulent road to paradise.....fraudulent, because this whole vendetta was based on a lie.....

".....for make no mistake, the eighth circle of hell is reserved for those who use lies and deception for their own personal gain.....the panderers and seducers, the flatterers and thieves, the falsifiers and the hypocrites, and YOU Jake, you are the biggest hypocrite of them all.....

.....now me, I'm a lot of things Jake, but one thing I'm not is a hypocrite.....everything I do.....EVERYTHING.....is for the greater good of the downtrodden.....I am the light in their darkest days, the Deity of the Damned, but YOU.....you are nothing more than a fraud.....

.....I admit that I may have stoked the flames of your anger a little bit, but an eye for an eye notwithstanding, you started this journey on the back of a fraudulent claim.....the claim that you just wanted to free my Flock.....that you just wanted to free ME......that all of this would be for the better good as you attempted to undo that which you cast into play many years ago.....and THAT Jake Roberts, was untrue.....

.....take a look around you at the carnage you've left in your wake and tell me.....who did you free?.....the Flock? The Flock to a man have floundered without my guidance, lost in a sea of mediocrity.....me? Jake I have to admit, the Flock kept me grounded.....I was still a Deity but I was less, heh, unhinged.....you? Jake, you are the least free of all of us, bound by the shackles of your own doing, believing that you march towards the gates of paradise, when in reality you simply descend deeper into the depths of MY personal hell....."

.....Raven tells Jake that he can free himself of his fraudulent existence right here right now.....or he can prove himself to be a liar.....a falsifier......a hypocrite.....he says that his opponent tonight was one of the first victims of his fraud.....Bill DeMott.....a man who has been so lost since the absolving of the Flock, that he retreated deeper into the fractures of his broken mind than ever before.....a man who's career has plummeted to new lows, just as Jake has plummeted into the depths of hell.....but all of that can change tonight......

.....Raven says that Jake wishes to "free" the Flock......Jake wishes to be a better man.....to make others lives better.....to give rather than destroy.....he can do that tonight.....he can give a man a fresh start.....he can give a man an opportunity.....or......he can destroy that man's soul, prove himself a fraud.....and take one final step on his road to vengeance......

".....you see Jake, I'm a simple man, with little need for the material things in life.....money means very little to me, but it means EVERYTHING to others....."

.....Raven says that he has brokered a deal with the Million Dollar Corporation.....a financially agreeable fee that guarantees Bill DeMott a shot at redemption.....a shot at success.....a shot.....at the WWF European Championship......IF......he defeats Jake Roberts tonight.....no win, no shot, it's that simple.....all Jake has to do to make a real difference to a man's life, is lay down, accept the loss.....and end his journey......his path to Raven, his path to vengeance will end tonight, but Bill DeMott's path to redemption can begin......

"......are you really a righteous man Jake?.....a man of god?......a man to put his own desires second to the betterment of others?......or are you simply a fraud?.....tonight, we find out......Quote the Raven......Nevermore....."

Rating: A*

VS.

Nine Circles of Hell Match: Fraud

.....so what is Jake to do? Raven (as he often does) kinda has a point.....his logic is usually somewhat twisted, but there IS logic to it, just ask Goldust.....oh wait, you can't, because Raven's words were arguably the Big Bang that sparked Dustin Rhodes rebirth.....

.....Bill DeMott really has floundered here in the WWF since the Flock were disbanded, and you've got to question exactly how much his so called "freedom" really cost him.....and since Jake was the one to put DeMott in this situation, it's ironic that Jake can also be the one to kickstart his career once more.....all he has to do is lay down, and DeMott gets himself a shot at the European Championship.....

.....except Jake doesn't lay down.....

.....The Snake has complete tunnel vision right now, and the only thing he sees is a match with Raven on the horizon, so when Bill finds himself down on his knees Jake just looks at him, tells him that he's sorry.....he loves him.....and hits him right in the jaw with some Sweet Chin Music.....

.....no wait, that's not right.....wrong decade.....sorry......

.....Jake does apologise to DeMott however, just before he drives his skull into the mat with a DDT, and from there the three count is just a formality.....and with the eighth circle of hell successfully journeyed to, Jakes quest is almost to an end, while Raven may well have just proved the Snake to be a fraud.....

Winner(s): Jake Roberts
Rating: B

.....at least Jake has the decency not to celebrate right in DeMott's face.....instead he helps his defeated opponent to his feet, telling him that he may be lost right now, but if he accepts the lord as his saviour then he may find that his path becomes oh so clearer.....

.....that's when a grungy looking shaggy haired man rolls into the ring behind Roberts, spins him around.....and plants HIM to the mat with the Evenflow DDT.....

.....Raven grabs a microphone and stands over Jake (as DeMott comes scurrying over to his former master, kneeling at his feet and wrapping his arms around Raven's waist.....clearly someone is pleased to see the Deity of the Damned).....

.....Raven shoves him away though, telling DeMott that while he COULD take him back, unlike The Snake here, Raven is a man of his word.....not a falsifier or a fraud like Jake Roberts.....

.....granted Jake can't really hear him right now, but Raven tells him that unlike his previous trials, he is here to give him the final opponent of his Divine Comedy.....and that final opponent......is Raven.....

.....The Master of the Macabre tells Jake that there is only one circle of hell remaining.....

".....Treachery.....the lowest circle of hell.....the blackest.....the furthest from heaven.....the circle dedicated to those who betrayed their loved ones.....their friends.....their prodigies.....and who could be a more fitting opponent, than the one man you betrayed above all others....."

.....Raven tells Jake that his journey for vengeance draws to an end, just as his path to redemption comes to a screeching halt.....Jake will pay for his treachery.....and he'll pay.....at the Royal Rumble.....

".....and when all is said and done Jake, it shan't be you who frees me......it will be I that casts off your false veil of faith and virtue, to reveal the Treacherous Snake that resides within your soul.....come to me.....for I will set you free.....Quote the Raven.....Nevermore....."

Rating: A

We come back from commercial to the sounds of the Wolves howling, as Scott Hall and Sean Waltman make their way out from the back.....it's two thirds of the Wolfpac, but there is one Big Sexy member missing.....Kevin Nash.....

.....Hall takes a microphone, and tells the crowd that they might not have noticed, but the big man(g), he ain't here tonight Chico.....he says that Big Kev is back home resting up that big throat of his after Scott Steiner damn near broke his neck with that lead pipe last night.....

.....Hall tells Scotty that Big Kev might not be here, but Scott Hall is.....and he's got something to say about your girl going "down there" last night (down where?) and he's most definitely got something to say about Steiner bouncing that big lead pipe across the back of the Bad Guy.....

".....yeah I got plenty to talk about.....but then it's like the Wolfpac always says, don't sing it, bring it......so instead of us talking, how about you come down here right now, and I promise I'll just slap you around for a little bit....."

.....is that the sound of the sirens blaring that usually signals the arrival of Scott Steiner?.....

.....well, no......because Scotty doesn't show.....

.....that's ok though, we still have another Wolfpac member here to state his case, and while he's not quite the talker that Scott Hall is, that doesn't stop Sean Waltman calling out Big Poppa Pump too.....

.....he tells Steiner that he knows that he always thought of Waltman as the "runt of the litter".....maybe the big bad wolf Scott Hall is a little too much for Steiner to handle, so instead, why doesn't he come on out here and get a piece of Sean Waltman instead?.....

.....nope....still nothing.....

.....you'd have thought that the Wolfpac would have learnt by now that no one tells Scott Steiner where to be, or when to be there (he's made it perfectly clear in recent weeks) because apparently he doesn't want to be here......

.....Chris Jericho on the other hand is clearly right where he wants to be, as he makes his out from the back with bodyguard Test.....

.....he stops on the ramp (microphone in hand) and tells Hall that instead of worrying about Big Poppa Pump, he should be apologising to these fans (these.....Jericoholics) for blatantly cheating his way to victory last night, not only costing Jericho the match, but robbing the millions of little Chris Jericho fans around the world the chance to witness their hero become the Intercontinental Champion.....

.....Hall tells Jericho that the only thing that happened last night, was Chris Jericho got a taste of his own brass knuckles, and the Bad Guy walked out as champion.....

".....an' if you got a problem with the way that went down, well me and the Kid we got some pent up aggression down here (down where?) so why don' you and your little blonde girlfriend walk down that aisle and do something about it....."

.....Test goes to walk off in the direction of the ring, but Jericho stops him, telling Hall that it's not going to go down like that.....he says that Mr. McMahon has already told the Hart Foundation that their services are not required tonight, which means he has the night off.....BUT.....he IS here to put Scott Hall on notice.....Chris Jericho wants another shot at the WWF Intercontinental Championship.....he wants it at the Royal Rumble.....and this time, all the hair grease in the world won't help Hall to slither away with the title.....

.....Hall says that's fine....."you wan' another shot Chico, you got one.....but the way we see it, you won' come to me and Kid, then I guess we'll come to you".....

.....and with that (a highly frustrated) Hall and Waltman throw down the microphone and climb out of the ring and up the aisle, towards a rapidly retreating Jericho and Test, as we go to commercial.....

Rating: A*

......we're back, but we're not live.....because instead we are treated to "during the commercial break" footage, which saw Hall and Waltman chasing Jericho and Test through the backstage area.....Test wants to fight, that much is clear, but Jericho simply won't let him.....although, as they pass a row of tables and come face to face with a dead end, they may well have no choice but to fight......

.....or it DID look like that.....

.....until the blonde streak that is Scott Steiner (along with Sable) comes flying into shot behind the Wolfpac men, nailing Waltman in the ribs with that Lead Pipe......

.....Hall takes his eyes off the two Hart Foundation members just long enough for Jericho to scream at Test to "GET HIM, NOW, NOW, NOW" and he soon finds himself on the receiving end of a two on one attack.....

.....Steiner drags Waltman to his feet, telling him that he's not running that big mouth now is he, before launching him skull first into a concrete wall.....

.....that's Hall and Waltman both down, with Kevin Nash not even in the arena.....not a good night for the Wolfpac, but a great night for Chris Jericho, who tries to high five Scott Steiner.....

".....GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME YOU MAPLE SYRUP SUCKING SON OF A B!TCH....."

.....yeah, Scotty doesn't play so well with others.....and Jericho decides to take his win and split, slapping Test on the back and telling him that it's time they got out of here, while a frankly scary looking Scott Steiner stands over Hall and Waltman.....

.....he hands his lead pipe to Sable (who fondles it in a very un-PG way with her hands) before telling the Wolfpac that there's only one Big Bad Booty Daddy Wolf in the WWF, and he just huffed and puffed and blew them both down.....the next time they call him out, he'll finish the job.....permanently.....

".....PLEASANT DREAMS BOYS.....C'MON SABLE, LETS GO.....ITS TIME FOR YOU TO MAKE LIKE MY BIG BAD WOLFETTE.....YOU CAN HUFF AND PUFF.......AND BLOW ME.....DOWN....."

.....Sable just giggles like a schoolgirl as Scotty takes her by the hand and walks her out of shot.....the Wolfpac might be down on the ground groaning in pain, but it sounds like Sable is going to be groaning Scott Steiner's name in about five minutes from now......

Rating: A

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

We go back live to the arena, and we are back just in time for a Championship match, as (much like Harlem Heat earlier) Jeff Jarrett puts HIS title on the line for the second time in 24 hours, and while we know that he WON'T be defending against Bill DeMott anytime soon, tonight it's (surprisingly) Chavo Guerrero that gets the nod.....

.....back when the (now retired) WWF Light Heavyweight title was a thing around here, a lot of smaller guys got snapped up on Pay Per Appearance deals (Chavo being one of them) mainly because it was cheaper when I knew they weren't ALL going to be showcased every week, but it had its downsides too....the first of which being that they were free to work elsewhere, and pick up injuries for someone else (like Psychosis, who picked up an injury working for someone, I forget who, and was quietly released a few months back) while the second downside was that I had no real reason to push them since they were on PPA's and once the Light Heavyweight division was finished, so we're most of their appearances.....

.....which is exactly why Chavo Guerrero has barely been seen on TV since I don't know when.....

.....it was also why he got squashed in very short order, as the Million Dollar European Champion continued his winning ways, submitting the lesser known Guerrero right in the middle of the ring with the Figure Four Leg Lock.....

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

.....oh dear.....Chavo Guerrero might be in a whole heap of trouble here.....because much as we have seen in recent weeks, the rest of the Million Dollar Corporation soon make their way out, and much as we have seen in recent weeks, they absolutely destroy young Guerrero.....

.....Rick Rude says that Bill DeMott should probably thank Jake Roberts.....not only for showing the world what a fraud he really is, but because he saved him from this Million Dollar beatdown that we're watching right now.....

.....DiBiase is cackling over the microphone as his men put the finishing touches on their destruction of Chavo, before saying that the fun isn't over yet, because this Corporation brings a lot more to the table than just business savvy.....

.....table?.....

.....ah yeah, that table.....the wooden table that Southern Justice are currently bringing into the ring and setting up.....

.....if Chavo wasn't finished already, he would be before long.....because as Dennis Knight and Jeff Jarrett finish setting up the wood, Rich Steiner climbs to the second rope, where he sits on the top turnbuckle......Mark Canterbury shows his (deceptive) strength as he military presses the (much) smaller Guerrero and plonks him down on Rich's shoulders.....and as the rest of the Corporation cheers him on, Rich drives Guerrero straight through that wood with the Steiner (Death Valley) Driver.....

.....and NOW young Chavo is done......

.....the Million Dollar Man shoves a hundred dollar bill into the mouth of their victim as Jeff Jarrett hoists the European Championship high, as we go to commercial.....

.....but not before the camera catches shot of Rich Steiner pilfering away that hundred dollar bill, wiping the saliva off it......and shoving it quickly into his singlet.....

.....we will see you after this brief word from our sponsors.....

Rating: B

We're back, and it's straight back down to ringside where the Nation of Domination are making their way out, fronted by not only their newest member, but their brand new leader, The Walking Armageddon, Ahmed Johnson.....

.....the group enter the ring and give us a big Nation salute, before Ahmed grabs a microphone and welcomes us to the Birth of a New Nation.....a stronger Nation.....a united Nation.....a Nation not built on one man's agenda and paranoia, but a Nation that is set to do exactly what their names says.....Dominate.....

.....talking was never one of Ahmed Johnson's strong suits, but he's improved a little after spending almost nine months learning under the Mouth of the Mid-South (and a man conspicuous by his absence) Jim Cornette, and this was a perfectly acceptable promo.....

.....Ahmed says that Faarooq took the Nation for granted, using their strength in numbers to bolster HIS win/loss record, while giving nothing back to the group.....that all changes from here.....this Nation isn't about race, it isn't about prejudice, it isn't about excuses.....it's about Domination, and that's exactly what they are going to do.....starting TONIGHT.

Rating: B+

VS.

This is Ahmed Johnson's first match back since dropping the WWF Championship to The Undertaker back at Survivor Series.....and yes, he's still carrying an injury.....and no, he's not likely to be carrying the WWF Championship again any time soon (because I don't want an injured Champion, not because he did a bad job with the strap).....but Ahmed is one of the higher paid stars around here, so he needs to something to earn his money, and as a part of the Nation, he doesn't have to do QUITE as much as he would solo.....

.....his opponent this evening is a gentleman who has actually had his fair share of battles with the Nation, even finding himself on the winning side against them at the Survivor Series.....granted Bradshaw himself didn't actually survive, but his team won so that's got to count for something right?.....

.....well whether it does or not, it doesn't really matter tonight, because THAT incarnation of the Nation didn't include the former World Wrestling Federation Champion Ahmed Johnson....a man who holds victories over the likes of Scott Steiner, Kevin Nash, Bret Hart, and even Stone Cold Steve Austin......and while Bradshaw is good, he's certainly nowhere near the level of those gentlemen, which is why Ahmed was able to put him away.....although he didn't do it alone.....

.....because after a very hard hitting (hoss) match, it was Scorpio distracting the official so that Kama could interject himself into the match, leaving Bradshaw to fall victim to a (very unsteady looking....Bradshaw is a big lad) Pearl River Plunge for the one, two, three.

Winner: Ahmed Johnson
Rating: B

We leave the Nation celebrating the first victory of the new regime, as Jim Ross sends us to the back, where he tells us that there is some sort of situation developing.....

.....he's not wrong either.....because that situation is Stone Cold Steve Austin being physically restrained from entering the building by a slew of security personnel, while Vince McMahon stands (safely out of arms reach) barking orders at them not to allow Austin into HIS arena.....

.....Austin is adamant that he's coming in, telling McMahon that "hell son, I got a personal invite from you yourself last night, I'm just here to see Brian Pillman's damn coronation".....

.....Stone Cold said he missed the end of the show last night because he had a spot of bother with he law, but he's guessing Brian Pillman won the WWF Title right? After all they were all so damn confident.....oh and while he's here, he's got something for Ric Flair too....

".....an Austin 3:16 rated family sized can of whoop ass....."

.....McMahon tells Austin to shut up, he knows damn well that Pillman didn't bring home the WWF Title last night, but he will do at the Royal Rumble, which is more than Steve Austin can say after his loss last night.....but as for tonight, just like he told the Hart Foundation, Steve Austin's services are not required.....so he can leave.....

.....it takes some doing, but the security team finally manages to remove the Rattlesnake, and they do indeed remove him from the building, before McMahon orders that extra personnel are put on every entrance, exit, skylight and god damn window in the place.....he does NOT want Steve Austin stepping foot in this building again tonight.....

.....let's go back down to ringside.....

Rating: A

VS. <img style="max-width:10%;
"src="https://i.imgur.com/R3s1i5D.jpg">

Where it's time for (I guess) a number one contenders match for the WWF Tag Team Titles.....I mean, we've had no OFFICIAL word that this is the case (and Vince McMahon has been quite vocal about not wanting Al Snow and Chris Candido representing the tag team division) but it seems like Harlem Heat are willing to face any and all comers, so it wouldn't be a stretch to see the winners of this one challenging Booker T and Stevie Ray.....

.....this was a really good match too.....both Al Snow and Chris Candido are (shockingly) only a hairs width away from the main event thanks to this unlikely team they have formed (did you ever think you'd hear that about Avatar and Skip?) while Dustin Rhodes is the most solid and consistent performer on the WWF roster, and that was WITH the restraints that performing as the Bizarre One Goldust put upon him.....as plain old Dustin he's free to wrestle without the distracting theatricals, and he does exactly that, as he, Mero, Snow and Candido work a hard fought back and forth battle that could have seen EITHER team pick up the victory on a number of occasions.....

"......Oh You Didn't Know?....."

.....well, as they say, your ass better call someone.....because the New Age Outlaws are in the house, and the Road Dogg is throwing out insults over the house mic his whole way down the aisle.....

.....once he's finished with the insults he tells both teams that there is only ONE team worthy of becoming the WWF Tag Team Champions around here, and that's the two time, two time former, and soon to be three time tag team champions of the worlddddd.....the New Age Outlaws.....

.....not that Snow, Candido, Rhodes or Mero are listening.....in fact, they completely ignore Gunn and James and simply continue with their match, a fact that the Outlaws obviously find highly insulting, because when their words have no effect, they decide to storm the ring instead, attacking both Mero and Candido (while Rhodes and Snow duke it out) at the same time, leaving the official little choice but to throw this one out.....

Winner: No Contest
Rating: B+

.....not that the end of the match means the end of the action.....because these three teams continue to battle long after the bell rings, and tensions are obviously at an all time high, because while Sunny and Terri initially stand on the outside cheering their respective men on, those cheers soon turn into insults directed at each other.....which turn into threats.....until finally both women climb into the ring to scream at each other.....

.....and finally fly at each other.....we've got a catfight ladies and gentlemen.....

.....these two blonds scratch and claw, pull each other's hair, and generally roll about on the mat much to the delight of this crowd, with each of their (rather short) attires "accidentally" riding up and exposing the (rather skimpy) panties below.....again, much to the delight of this crowd.....

.....Snow and Candido stand back and enjoy the show as Dustin, Mero and the Outlaws attempt to separate these two screeching ladies.....they're not having much luck though.....Jim Ross comments that this would be a good time to send out some security to attempt to diffuse the situation, unfortunately all of the security this evening has been positioned at the entrances of the arena, in an effort to keep Steve Austin OUT of the building, so that's unlikely to be happening.....

.....finally Sunny and Terri are eventually separated, with Billy Gunn and Dustin Rhodes throwing their respective managers over their shoulders, as Jim Ross sends us to a commercial break.....it's time to calm things down a little bit in here.....

Rating: A

<img style="max-width:10%;
"src="https://i.imgur.com/veY8OIO.jpg"> VS. <img style="max-width:10%;
"src="https://i.imgur.com/WEU6DMb.jpg">

We're back, and it's main event time.....I was a little bit concerned last week with how well a Undertaker/Anderson main event would do just a few weeks away from 1998.....turns out it went pretty well.....I was originally planning to do Kane/Flair here (again because I was worried about how well a Kane/Anderson main event would go) but in the end I figured Arn deserved the main event shot after his performance last week, and once again the match delivered.....in fact it was excellent.....

.....neither Kane nor Arn are coming out alone for this.....with The Enforcer accompanied by his best friend Ric Flair, while the Big Red Monster has the WWF Champion (and his big brother) the Undertaker in his corner.....

.....I'm sure Anderson thought that the Dirtiest Player in the Game would be there to help him pick up the victory in this one.....unfortunately for him, with The Deadman on the outside, Flair wasn't even able to interject himself into the match.....plus.....he was kinda distracted.....

.....because we cut away about half way through this one to a shot of the parking lot, where a line of security personnel are standing their ground at the entrance to the parking facilities, but a loud honking of a horn followed by the revving of an engine sees the sea of security suddenly scatter, as a black pick-up truck with Austin 3:16 emblazoned along the side of it comes roaring at speed into the parking lot.....

.....Austin hops out of the truck and makes his way towards the entrance of the building, as a number of those same security guards rush over.....Austin is in no mood to play games however, and he opens up a can of whoop ass on each and every one of them (putting a few dents into the sides of parked vehicles as he sends body after body crashing into the stationary steel).....

.....level one dealt with Austin continues to the entrance, where it's time for level two, as a second wave of security rushes out to meet him.....new bodies to pound on, same result.....and as Stone Cold steps over the fallen body of the final security guard, he swings open the door and enters the arena.....

.....and despite Vince McMahons instructions, Stone Cold Steve Austin is in the building.....

.....back in the ring Anderson has resorted to that old family trait of isolating a limb and wearing it down, choosing to focus his attack this match on the leg of the big man (after all, Kane is only seven foot tall when he's standing) and it was working well, he had the man in trouble, even dropping the Big Red Monster with that patented DDT......

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

.....when all hell breaks loose, as the Rattlesnake makes his way onto the entrance ramp (tossing another security guard down the ramp by the scruff of his neck) before making his way down the aisle with his eyes locked on Ric Flair......

.....the Nature Boy doesn't look thrilled at the sight of a p!ssed off looking Steve Austin marching down the ramp towards him either, and he backs off around to the opposite side of the ring begging off like only Ric Flair can.....Austin promised Flair a beating though, and it looks like he's here to make good on that promise, because as Flair continues to back up, he backs right into the Undertaker.....talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place.....

.....Flair lets out a gulp that even Vince McMahon would be proud of, just as Steve Austin arrives to begin laying into the Nature Boy with right hands.....and as The Deadman watches on with a look of almost amusement, Austin hammers Flair all the way back up the ramp and to the back, as Arn Anderson watches his best friend get battered out of sight.....

.....although to be fair, he doesn't have to watch it for long.....

.....because as he turns back around he turns right into the waiting hands of Kane, who Chokeslam's him straight to hell, for the one, two, three.....

Winner: Kane
Rating: A

.....to top of a very successful 24 hours for these brothers of destruction.....

.....Dead Man Walking closed out last night to the sight of Kane and The Undertaker celebrating The Deadman's victory, tonight we close out Raw is War with the duo celebrating The Big Red Monsters victory.....and as the brothers each drop down to one knee, Jim Ross questions just how in the hell Vince McMahon believes that Brian Pillman can defeat the WWF Champion in a Casket Match of all things......

.....speaking of the Corporate Cannon, Vince McMahon told us that Brian Pillman wasn't here this evening, stating that he was off somewhere doing his own thing.....and that much is obviously true, because the Titantron suddenly flickers to life, with an extreme close up of Pillman's maniacal grinning face.....and while it's unclear as to where he is, where he clearly ISN'T is in this arena tonight.....

.....Pillman cackles that while he's always been somewhat of an anarchist, revelling in the chaos of an unbound world, even he knows that there must be a balance in all things.....a dark to the light.....the hot to the cold.....the yin to the yang.....the Joker to the Batman.....every action needs that equal and opposite reaction.....and boy, what a reaction this is going to get.....

.....he says that just as every protagonist needs an antagonist, every unstoppable machine needs that kink in his armour.....his weakness.....his.....kryptonite......

.....Pillman says that The Undertaker may think himself the Dark Knight.....and Kane his Boy Wonder.....

".....but if that's the case, then I got your Alfred AND your weakness right here.....

.....with that the camera pans out from Pillman's grinning face, to reveal a battered and bloodied looking Paul Bearer almost cowering on the floor behind the Corporate Cannon.....

.....Bearer hasn't been seen in the WWF in quite some time, but he's here, and as Pillman cackles again, the shot changes to show The Undertaker looking both furious AND distraught at the same time, before flicking back to the Titantron shot, where Pillman unleashes a few stinging leather belt lashes to Bearer (who squeals like a pig) then cackles that maniacal laugh again.....

.....Pillman says that when Kane burned his parents alive.....when the Deadman's own brother stole his childhood away from him.....The Undertaker took Paul Bearer as his surrogate father, much as Paul Bearer took the Undertaker as a surrogate son, taking all that pent up repressed anger and frustration, pointing it (and the Deadman) square at the World Wrestling Federation and releasing the Phenom that the world knows today.....

".....except you're NOT a Phenom.....you're just a scared little boy playing dress up for the approval of his father figure.....I am the Phenom.....I am the Crowned Prince of Chaos and at the Royal Rumble, the Ascension of the Anarchist will begin with the Destruction of the Deadman.....as I take the final thing that you hold dear, the World Wrestling Federation Title, and prise it from your cold dead hands.....I'm going to take EVERYTHING that moulded Little Teenie Tiny Taker into the man he is today, and I'm going to tear it all down......and since your little story of desolation began with the destruction of dear old ma and pa, lets see what happens when we destroy daddy number two....."

.....Pillman turns and dives onto the pleading Bearer, unleashing vicious blows in an animalistic attack, before finally pausing and turning to the camera, breathlessly telling the Deadman to watch this......

.....Pillman walks out of shot briefly, only to return with a steel chair in hand.....he tells the Deadman that while he can't be in the arena tonight, he bought a little bit of the arena with him (waving the chair at the camera with a sick smile) before opening the folded steel up and sliding it onto Paul Bearers leg.....

.....the Corporate Cannon says that the Undertaker may have defeated him at Dead Man Walking.....but by the time Brian Pillman has finished here, Paul Bearer will never be walking again.....

.....and with that, Pillman turns and viciously stomps on the chair.....

.....and stomps.....

.....and stomps.....

.....and stomps again.....

.....in fact, he doesn't stop stomping until Paul Bearers screams have stopped (because he's passed out from the pain) and he's too exhausted to continue.....

.....Pillman finally sits down beside (the unconscious) Paul Bearer with a sick satisfied smile on his face, before developing a very serious expression.....he looks straight into the camera, telling the Undertaker that by the time he's finished with him, both Kane and the Undertaker are going to wish that they'd just handed him the WWF Championship at In Your House.....

".....because now, you're not getting the Corporate Cannon.....now you're getting the Loose Cannon, Brian "F'n" Pillman.....and at the Royal Rumble, I'm going to lock you inside one of your own caskets, and bury the legacy of the Undertaker once and for all.....the revolution WILL be televised.....and the revolution begins.....with your end....."

.....Pillman looks down at (the still unconscious) Paul Bearer with a smile, before telling him that he'll see him at the Royal Rumble as the Titantron fades to black and the show comes to a close on a shot of the World Wrestling Federation Champion standing in the middle of the ring with a look on his face that says that somewhere down the line, there's going to be hell to pay for Brian "F'n" Pillman.....

.....see you next week folks.....

Rating: A*

Final Rating: A

James Casey · February 23, 2019

Damn, you can always count on Brian Pillman...

to4sty · February 26, 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 4, December 1997 North Charleston Coliseum (North Charleston, South Carolina) ATT: 14,000 TV: 21.90 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 six days away from the biggest event of the calendar year.....we are just six days away from the granddaddy of them all.....ladies and gentlemen, we are live, it's Monday Night, and we are just six days away....from WCW Starrcade..... .....the Titans of Wrestling have a big night ahead of them on Sunday Night, so you would think that they would be busy preparing, but they look like they have been partying for about a week straight as they strut their way into the arena without a care in the world..... .....Hogan lets his brothers speak first, and it's the Macho Man that takes the mic (talking too for his mute partner, The Warrior) as he reminds the crowd and Jean Paul Levesque that while JPL may not have a partner, he doesn't currently have a match for Starrcade either..... ".....not till you sign on the line, yeah.....but don't worry Mr. Three H, the man with a plan Vince Russo has the contract ready, because whether you DO got a partner or whether you DON'T got a partner, The Macho Man and The Warrior Man are taking you OUT, dig it?....." .....Savage tosses the microphone to Christian Cage.....who fumbles and drops it, clearly unprepared.....fortunately The Enforcer was on hand to pick it up and dust it off, before carefully passing it back to Cage..... .....Cage and Copeland will be putting their WCW Tag Team Titles on the line against the pairing of Chris Benoit and Diamond Dallas Page at Starrcade, while Ray Traylor has the pleasure of meeting Sid Vicious is his first singles encounter since his return to World Championship Wrestling....however, while The Enforcer lived up to his name, embarking in a wild brawl with the big man, Copeland and Cage opted to fight another day, gifting Benoit and DDP a count out victory.....and as Cage begins to speak here, something clearly ain't right..... .....it's usually charisma overload when Copeland and Cage are on the mic, but Christian is decisively "off" tonight.....there's a stutter, a stammer, he's tripping over his words....the delivery is almost robotic as if he's reading from a script.....and after he drops the microphone a second time, Copeland and Traylor go over to their Totally Awesome Partner in concern..... .....the three men share a brief huddle and whispered conversation, before Copeland places his hand on the brow of his tag team partner with a worried look on his face, before taking the microphone and telling The Enforcer that "he's got it.....feel him, he's burning up".....Traylor is usually the straight man of the Trinity, and as he places a hand on the brow of Cage, his serious expression gets even more concerned..... ......Copeland says that he's heard of this before, but he NEVER thought it would happen to Cage.....he turns to Russo and says that they're going to have to cancel the Starrcade match.....Christian is sick.....he obviously got to close to Chris Benoit last week..... ".....he's caught.....the mumble-mouths....." ......Copeland says that Chris Benoit is so bland.....so dull.....so totally mind numbingly uninteresting, that the lack of charisma has rubbed off on Christian..... ".....between the Baron of Boredom Chris Benoit, and Christians case of the Mumble-mouths, this match is going to be totally lame.....you gotta cancel it Vinny, you just gotta......" ......before Russo can answer, Traylor taps Copeland on the shoulder and whispers something in his ear.....Copeland looks at Ray for a moment, before asking him if he thinks that would work? Traylor shrugs his shoulders, but Copeland says they've got to try.....they need to give Cage a Charisma injection...... ".....Ray.....hand me the Kazoo....." .....Traylor does indeed reach into his pocket and pulls out a kazoo that he hands to Copeland, who tells the rest of the Titans that this is a long shot, but he's going to have to try.....he's going to have to draw inspiration from the biggest source of charisma known to man, and maybe.....just maybe.....they can save Christian..... .....he tells Traylor to hold the microphone, before placing the kazoo to his lips and beginning to play what sounds suspiciously like "Real American", the Hulkster's old WWF theme music.....the announcers even state that the tune sounds familiar (without mentioning any names obviously) and suddenly something happens to Christian..... .....it begins with a subtle twitch, that soon turns into more animated movements as Cage begins to pace around the ring.....is he Hulking Up?.....he certainly appears to be, and he comes to an abrupt halt in front of Traylor, puffing his cheeks out and pointing at him, before wagging his finger right in the Enforcers face and snatching the microphone away..... ".....WELL LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING RUDE RAY.....YOU DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THE CAGE-STER STINKING UP THE MATCH ON SUNDAY DUDE, NOT WHEN YOU'VE GOT THE MILLIONS OF LITTLE CAGE-A-MANIACS AROUND THE WORLD CHEERING THEIR HERO ON BROTHER......SEE THE POWER OF CAGE-A-MANIA, IT PUMPS THROUGH MY VEINS DUDE, IT'S THE LIFE FORCE THAT BEATS MY HEART AND THERES NOTHING I CAN'T OVERCOME......DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE'S OLD MAN MUSK? I CAN WAFT THAT STINK AWAY WITH ONE FLEX OF MY PYTHON DUDE.....CHRIS BENOIT'S DEADLY FINISHING MOVE, 'THE BOREDOM BUSTER'? ITS NO MATCH FOR THE POWER OF CAGE-A-MANIA JACK..... .....SO DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE.....CHRIS BENOIT......STARRCADE IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER DUDES......AND WHAT YOU GONNA DO BROTHER, WHEN CAGE-A-MANIA AND THE COPE-STER TOTALLY RUN WILD ON YOUUUUU....." .....there's somewhat of a stunned silence from the Titans, before Copeland tells Russo that he guess that worked, looks like the tag title match can take place after all, before handing the microphone to a smiling Hollywood Hogan.....who clearly enjoyed that..... .....he says that while the WCW World TAG TEAM Title match is set to happen as scheduled, the WCW World HEAVYWEIGHT Title match may not.....because after the Big Bad Giant sent Sting on a ride with a seven foot Chokeslam to the ramp a few weeks back, the "Stinker" hasn't been seen since..... .....he looks up to the rafters with a smile and squints as he exaggeratedly searches for signs of Sting, but he says as far as he can tell, he doesn't have an opponent for Starrcade.....in fact, Hollywood might just have to take the night off....sit back, relax, and watch the rest of the Titans do their thing, because Sting is obviously too much of a coward to face Hollywood Hogan..... <img alt="PCYwyIS.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/PCYwyIS.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....a comment that surprisingly brings out The Giant..... .....the Titans look somewhat surprised to see the big man, especially since they have been openly campaigning for him to become a member of their ranks.....is he here to finally accept that offer?...... .....no.....no he's not..... .....what he is here to do, is state that since it was HIM that took Sting out of commission, then the way he sees it, it should be HIM that gets that Championship opportunity at Starrcade..... .....Hollywood doesn't like the sound of that.....he's obviously been too close to Chris Benoit too, because he gets a case of the mumble-mouths as he trips and stumble over his words trying to back out of that match..... .....fortunately it's Vince Russo to the rescue, telling Giant that as much as he would love to make that match, he can't......Giant already has a match on Sunday scheduled against Lex Luger, and while he's sure that the big man will easily dispose of the Total Package, he can't risk scheduling him in two matches in case he gets injured in the first..... ".....but bro.....since Flexy Lexy has a match with our man Buff tonight, should anything happen to him, maybe he has a little accident, re-injures those ribs, can't compete at Starrcade.....then MAYBE.....maybe that frees you up to face someone else....." .....the Giant ain't the sharpest tool in the box, but even he can read between the lines there.....you scratch our back, we'll scratch yours.....telling Russo that it's a good job that these cards are subject to change.....because Lex Luger, he ain't making it to Starrcade.....before (rather forcefully) slapping Hollywood on the back, telling him that he'll see him Sunday brother..... .....with that the Giant heads to the back, leaving a very worried looking Hogan questioning Russo's decision, as we go to commercial on the back of a very lengthy opening segment. 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 style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/RGEXjJe.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/RGEXjJe.jpg"></a><img alt="KAHvZfy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KAHvZfy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="AP82L8L.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AP82L8L.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/tohRSbg.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/tohRSbg.jpg"></a> Our opening match this evening features two men that have PLENTY of history between them.....in fact, it was against Bam Bam Bigelow that Mike Awesome cut his teeth here in WCW, as the two men embarked on a bitter war over who the best big man in the business really was..... .....of course, back then Mike Awesome was a mere lower midcard heel, while Bam Bam was a babyface main eventer fresh off a WCW World Title run.....now Mike Awesome is a solid upper midcard babyface, while it's Bigelow that finds himself playing the heel.....and if it wasn't already obvious that he was a rule breaker, then the fact that he has Kevin Sullivan in his corner here leaves you with little doubt..... .....Awesome is out for revenge here from the brutal assault they received last week, that the announcers inform us left his partner Gideon Cain injured and unable to compete for a few weeks, which has left Awesome with no partner and no match just six days ahead of Starrcade..... .....the last time these two met in singles action they actually had an incredible match (despite Awesome's then much lower position on the card) thanks in part to some pretty good chemistry......that chemistry is still there, even if this match isn't quite as good, but then the finish didn't help the match either.....because after the two men beat on each other for some time, it became apparent that Awesome was getting the upper hand here, and after hitting an impressive Powerslam he headed to the top rope.....which is when Kevin Sullivan hopped up onto the apron and shoved him off, sending him crashing to the mat and causing his man to lose via disqualification..... Winner: Mike Awesome (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="KAHvZfy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KAHvZfy.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="tohRSbg.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tohRSbg.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" /> .....although it would appear that Bam Bam cares very little about winning or losing here, as he immediately joins Sully in a two on one assault of Awesome.....a two on one assault that soon changes into a three on one assault when Big Van Vader makes his way out from the back to join his Forgotten team mates..... .....Awesome might not have to worry about the fact that he has no match on the Starrcade card before long, because it looks as though he's going to be joining Gideon Cain on the injured list by the time these three gentlemen have finished with him..... .....Vader is fresh, and has more than enough gas in the tank to get Awesome up, driving him into the mat with a Powerbomb that Sullivan instantly follows up on with that Double Stomp, before ordering Bigelow up to the top rope for what looks to be that moonsault that would surely finish big Mike off..... <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" /> .....until the Road Warriors come rushing out from the back to make the save.....and just as Bigelow leaps Hawk reaches under the bottom rope and drags Awesome out of harms way, leaving Bam Bam to connect hard with nothing but canvas..... .....that takes Bigelow out of commission as Hawk and Animal slide into the ring and send Vader tumbling over the top rope with a running double clothesline, and since that leaves Kevin Sullivan all alone, he decides that retreat is the best option, quickly exiting the ring as Hawk grabs a microphone and Animal helps Mike Awesome to his feet..... ".....WELLLLLLL, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE FORGOTTEN LIKE TO PLAY THE NUMBERS ADVANTAGE.....WELL I'VE GOT SOME NUMBERS OF MY OWN THAT I PARTICULARLY LIKE.....THIRTY THREE.....TWENTY TWO..........ZERO..........AND TWENTY SIX..... .....THATS THIRTY THREE BONES IN YOUR SPINE THAT WE'RE GOING TO FLOSS OUR TEETH WITH.....TWENTY TWO BONES IN YOUR SKULL THAT WE'RE GOING TO CRUSH TO DUST SO BADLY THAT EVEN YOUR STINKING MOTHER WONT RECOGNISE YOU.....ZERO BONES IN YOUR SPHINCTER, AT LEAST THAT IS UNTIL WE TEAR YOUR FEET OFF YOUR BODY AND SHOVE 'EM WHERE THE SUN DON'T SHINE.....BECAUSE THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TWENTY SIX BONES STRAIGHT UP YOUR ASS....." .....Hawk says that at Starrcade, they don't care about the odds.....they want the Forgotten and they're going to get them.....ALL of the Forgotten.....Bam Bam, Vader, "AND YOUR LITTLE DOG TOO"...... .....Mike Awesome suddenly snatches the microphone from Hawk, telling the Road Warriors not to worry about the odds, because since the Forgotten took out his partner, why don't they make this a six man......a Starrcade Streetfight six man to be precise.....a suggestion that the Road Warriors like, and The Forgotten accept.....so it looks like the match is set...... .....The Road Warriors and Mike Awesome vs. Big Van Vader, Bam Bam Bigelow and Kevin Sullivan, in a Six-Man Starrcade Streetfight...... ".......UUHHHHHHHH.....WHAT A RUSHHHHH......." 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="aCi5Zkl.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/aCi5Zkl.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="KNeainM.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KNeainM.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/ikXidwr.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/ikXidwr.jpg"></a> WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Semi-Final Match Speaking of Starrcade, we air a quick commercial for the show itself, before returning to the live action with a match that has immediate ramifications to the Starrcade match-card, because depending on who wins this match, either Juventud Guerrera or Yoshihiro Tajiri will be competing to become the new Cruiserweight Champion at that very event, advancing to the finals with a victory tonight...... .....the fledgling Cruiserweight division is slowly picking up steam as this tournament goes on (although it could do with a few fresh faces to bolster its numbers a little bit) and this is a great match to showcase it.....both guys can take to the air and both guys are pretty solid workers overall (in fact Juventud is somewhat of a hot prospect to some people in the business, the only thing that perhaps holds him back is his somewhat questionable personality) and they go all out in an effort to claim that spot in the finals..... .....in the end there's only one spot available, and it goes to Tajiri.....but it didn't come easily, in fact Guerrera nearly picks up the win on a number of occasions, but it was perhaps youthful enthusiasm that got the better of the "Youth Warrior", who tried to finish off Tajiri with a 450 splash, only for James Vandenberg's man to move out of the way at the last second, leaving Juvi to crash to the mat......Guerrera drags himself up to a kneeling position, but he leaves himself wide open for a hard kick to the side of the head, which is enough to give Tajiri the one, the two, the three, and a spot in the finals of the Cruiserweight Championship tournament..... Winner: Yoshihiro Tajiri 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="33FsrDO.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/33FsrDO.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: Semi-Final Match .....and there's no messing about tonight.....after an already lengthy opening segment, coupled with the fact that we have a contract signing still to come, this weeks episode of Nitro is all killer, no filler.....in fact, the winner of our previous semi-final match hasn't even had time to conclude his celebration before the contestants in our second semi-final match are making their way out.....and since Vandenberg and Tajiri are already there, they decide to stick around at ringside to see exactly who Tajiri will be facing in six days time..... .....it's Jeff Hardy against Alex Wright here, and while our last match was more of your traditional "Cruiserweight" style match, with high flying galore, this one was more of your standard match.....it just so happened to include two Cruiserweight..... .....and that's not a knock on either Hardy or Wright, both men (especially Hardy) CAN fly, but there are far less aerial manoeuvres in this one than in our previous match as the two competitors duke it out for a shot in the finals....Wright is a very capable wrestler, with perhaps only his promo ability holding him back from a successful push, and he controls a good portion of this match too.....Tajiri and Vandenberg are true to their word (after promising to not lay so much as a finger on Hardy until they meet in this tournament) but their mere presence is obviously distracting the youngster..... .....with that being said, after unsuccessfully challenging for both the United States and Television Titles since his arrival in WCW, Jeff Hardy is determined to capture his first major championship, and after putting Wright down with a Twist of Fate, he's finally able to pick up the win following a Senton Bomb that gives him the victory and books him a match with Tajiri at Starrcade, for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship. 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="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" /> With the match over (and their opponent now known) Vandenberg and his client enter the ring with a microphone in hand.....again Hardy is wary of their presence, but again Tajiri makes no move to attack his Starrcade opponent..... .....Vandenberg tells Hardy to stop worrying about a possible assault and to conserve his energy for Starrcade, because while Tajiri will not lay one finger on him before then, once that bell rings it will signal the beginning of the end for Mr. Hardy's championship aspirations..... ".....you see Jeffery, the cleansing rains are coming.....the winds of change that signal your destruction are coming.....pain is coming.....in short, the end of Jeff Hardy is nigh and there are only two things you can do.....accept it and seal your fate.....or join us.....and save your soul....." .....Vandenberg says that Hardy may not approve of their methods, but he can't deny their intentions, nor their integrity.....they set out on this path to purge the impure....the "Ultimate" pretender The Renegade was stricken from the ranks of World Championship Wrestling.....and then it was the turn of the young pretender.....the boy masquerading as a man in a world of monsters..... <img alt="4o0AVtU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/4o0AVtU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....with that Mortis makes his way out from the back.....and if Hardy was wary before he's even more so now, but Vandenberg tells him to save his concern.....their agreement still stands.....before asking Jeff how many times has he faced Mortis.....and how many times has he failed to defeat him?..... .....Vandenberg says that with each loss.....with each betrayal.....with each hurdle overcome, they stripped away a part of the young pretender.....and in its wake they left a man.....their mission was a success, and while Jeff Hardy may not appreciate the fact, the fact remains..... ".....that everything we did TO you, we did FOR you....." .....he says that Jeff is no longer a pretender to the throne.....twice he has competed for championship glory and twice he has failed.....but now, with the lessons they have bestowed up on him, it's conceivable that Hardy COULD defeat Tajiri.....it's POSSIBLE that Hardy could become the inaugural WCW Cruiserweight Champion.....but why settle for that when he could achieve so much more under Vandenberg's guidance..... .....he tells Hardy that he has six days.....six days to ponder a decision that could shape his entire career.....face Tajiri, MAYBE win, but more likely lose.....and prove to the world that he was a pretender all along.....or join the mission.....join Vandenberg.....willingly take one small loss to guarantee a lifetime of success..... ".....the choice is yours.....but choose wisely.....because whatever your decision, we WILL see you at Starrcade....." .....and with that, Vandenberg and his minions turn and leave, as we go to commercial with Jeff Hardy standing in the middle of the ring with the weight of the world on his shoulders. 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="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 come back from that brief word from our sponsors, and we are treated to an open door shot of the Titan's of Wrestling's locker room.....clearly we have a sneaky little camera man here, because the Titan's apparently are unaware they are being filmed, and the shot keeps disappearing any time a Titan member looks in the direction of the camera, as the man behind the lens ducks out of sight..... .....it would seem as though our WCW Champion Hollywood Hogan is anything but happy about Vince Russo's less than subtle agreement with the Giant earlier in the evening.....take Luger out of the equation, and MAYBE it will be HIM facing Hogan at Starrcade......Hollywood is ranting and raving, as Russo does his best to calm him down..... ".....bro.....bro.....you gotta trust me.....have I ever let you down?....." .....Russo says that the Giant is useful right now.....he might not be a Titan member, but he's doing Titan business without even realising it..... .....he says that he got into the Giants ear enough to ensure that he kept Luger occupied and away from Hollywood.....he got into the Giant's ear and had him take out Sting, keeping HIM away from Hollywood.....tonight, he's got into the Giant's ear again, and the big man is going to ensure Buff Bagwell gets the biggest win of his career, while taking out Luger again permanently.....and then at Starrcade, IF by some miracle Eric Bischoff agrees to the Giant facing Hogan, the big seven foot goof has still got to make it down to ringside..... ".....and we have a LOT of men right here that say he won't get anywhere near that ring....." .....just then our sneaky camera man turns into a clumsy camera man, as he manages to knock something over causing a loud crash.....Russo turns and sees that they are being filmed, and he's not happy at all, slamming the door to abruptly as we go to a different part of the backstage area...... 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" /><img alt="HVWeS4h.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/HVWeS4h.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....where Jeff Hardy sits deep in thought..... .....clearly James Vandenberg's words have struck a chord in the (usually carefree) young man.....but while he clearly wants to be alone with his thoughts, he's not alone for long.....as the most electrifying man in all of sports entertainment makes his way into the shot..... .....if there's one thing you can say about The Rock, it's the fact that he is one larger than life personality.....and as he stands there now in his silk shirt and sunglasses, he looks every bit of the star.....albeit a somewhat oblivious star, because he over enthusiastically slaps Hardy on the back (who clearly wants to be left alone) telling him that it's a good week to be in WCW.....Christmas is here baby, it's the most wonderful time of the year and the fat man is going to be loading up The Rock's gifts, because The Rock has been a VERY good boy........"and when The Rock says the fat man he's not talking about Vader, that fat sack of crap".....he's talking about Jolly Old Saint Nick...... .....but The Rock tells Hardy that while he's sure Santa will try his best, NOTHING is going to top the gift that The Rock is getting himself.....a shiny new WCW United States Championship belt, courtesy of Eddie Guerrero..... .....only now does The Rock realise that Jeff Hardy isn't really paying him any attention, and he looks down at the youngster with a shake of the head, asking him if he's really buying into that bull that James Vandenberg was spouting?..... ".....a used car salesman looking midget that spends all his free time hanging out with a guy so ugly that he has to wear a mask in the shower, and a guy with such poor dental hygiene that he sprays green mist like a dragon with halitosis..... .....Rocky says that we are just six days away from Starrcade, and instead of letting James Vandenberg get inside his head, he SHOULD be getting ready for his first taste of gold, when he defeats Tajiri to become the WCW Cruiserweight Champion..... ".....oralè vato, hey.....don' listen to him holmes, James Vandenberg was right, you just a two time loser esè....." <img alt="xFXHFjY.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/xFXHFjY.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....if Jeff Hardy was looking for solitude, he's obviously chosen the wrong location.....it's like Grand Central Station around here, because now the Papi of Perfection (and current US Champion) Eddie Guerrero has turned up too..... .....he tells Hardy that if he's looking for some REAL advice, take it from the champ, not the chump esè.....take Vandenberg's offer.....after all, he's already lost in his effort to become the Television Champion.....and he DEFINITELY lost in his effort to become the United States Champion..... ".....although don't feel so bad about that one holmes, you WERE facing the Papi of Perfection after all......EVERYONE has lost to me esè....." .....he tells Hardy that if he was to go out and try and win the Cruiserweight Title at Starrcade, he'd probably end up a THREE time loser, so why bother.....take Vandenberg's offer, go join his little twisted ministry, and maybe the United States of Eddie Guerrero will give him another shot at the gold somewhere down the line..... ".....woah, woah, woah....slow down there Tex-Mex.....you won't be giving Jeff Hardy a shot at anything.....The Rock says that if ANYONE is going to give Jeff Hardy a shot at the United States Championship around here, then it's going to be The Rock......Jeff Hardy, when The Rock wins the US Title on Sunday, you can have a shot....." ".....no vato, I'll give him the shot....." ".....wait a minute, wait a minute, wait one minute.....do you actually think that you're going to beat The Rock at Starrcade?....." ".....I don't th....." ".....IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU THINK.....all that matters is that in six days time, at the granddaddy of them all, the Rock is going to walk into Starrcade and entertain the millions and millions of The Rock's fans as only The Rock can, he's going to slap you up and down that ring until all you are is the Papi of P!ssing your Pants, and he's going to walk out again the NEW United States Champion......Eddie Guerrero, The Rock says this, you've been the US Champion for five months now, and yeah, you beat a lot of people.....you're good, The Rock is a big enough man to say it, you're very good.....but you're not great.....and at Starrcade, being good just won't be good enough when you go one on one with the great one...... .....IF YOU SMELLLLLLL....WH....." ".....IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU SMELL ESÈ....." .....oh The Rock doesn't like that, he's not used to being the one interrupted.....but Eddie cares little.....he says that all he can smell whenever The Rock is around, whenever Jeff Hardy is around, is the smell of second best.....because for five months now, Eddie Guerrero has been the best thing in WCW....period.....he says that he's had more successful Title defences here in WCW than The Rock has had matches..... ".....you come out here holmes and you talk about all these new faces and names....names you've never faced before.....well guess what esè, Eddie Guerrero has faced them all before, and Eddie Guerrero has DEFEATED them all before.....Jeff Hardy, your fat uncle cousin twice removed Rikishi, Diamond Dallas Page, Chris Benoit, Curt Hennig, the list goes on and on holmes, and at Starrcade, The Rock.....the Great One.....he's just another name on the list of people that couldn't take this title from me.....he's just another name on the list of people who know first hand, that Eddie Guerrero is exactly what he says he is.....the Papi of Perfection esè....." .....Eddie says that he will lie, he will cheat, he will steal, he will do WHATEVER it takes to keep this title around his waist.....and the only thing that The Rock will be smelling at Starrcade will be the sour smell of failure..... .....before shoving The Rock right in the chest..... .....and that doesn't go down well.....The Rock shoves Eddie back and soon the two men begin trading blows as they brawl right there in the back, until Doug Dillinger's crack team finally storm the room, and security separates these two men..... .....leaving just Jeff Hardy..... .....who is still sat in the same position.....unmoved.....head down.....deep in thought.....in fact, I don't think he's noticed a damn thing that's just happened right here in front of him.....time to air a Starrcade commercial. 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="cl2u3NN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cl2u3NN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="3uyI4Pv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3uyI4Pv.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Ok.....let me preface this match by making two points.....actually, make that three points.....point number one, The Warlord is only still employed by WCW because he was already here when I took over and I hate taking over a company and firing a load of people, so he's still here.....point number two, The Warlord is a TERRIBLE babyface, but I have zero intention of using him for anything so I have zero interest in turning him heel.....and finally, point number three.....Lance Storm is delusional..... ....because despite the fact that Lance Storm is most definitely NOT the Television Champion (that would be Bill Goldberg) he IS in possession of the TV title belt, and as such, demands that the ring announcer declare this match a Title Defence.....now had it just been Lance Storm, maybe he wouldn't have made that announcement, but the Amazing French Canadians are right there by Storm's side, so as Oulette roughly grabs him by the lapels of his jacket, we do indeed receive the announcement that "this match is for the WCW Television Title"......go figure..... .....as for the match itself, it wasn't great.....it had The Warlord in it after all.....but the commentators inform us that (remarkably) Lance Storm actually requested this opponent, stating that he wanted to show the world (just like he's going to show Goldberg at Starrcade) that all the muscles and power in the world are no good against a great WRESTLER in a WRESTLING match.....and it's a point that almost sees him defeated on a number of occasions as the power man tosses him around the ring..... .....in the end though, The Amazing French Canadians prove their worth, because after Oulette successfully distracts the official, Jacques rolls into the ring and takes out Warlord with a nasty looking chop-block.....and as Storm locks on the Canadian Maple Leaf, Warlord has little option but to submit.....a big win over a big man..... Winner: Lance Storm 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="NLnyB4b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NLnyB4b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="3uyI4Pv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3uyI4Pv.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="XUB4Xst.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/XUB4Xst.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="IAFCBBL.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IAFCBBL.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....Rougeau and Oulette join Storm in the ring, handing him "his" Television Title which he raises in victory.....before the trio can leave however, Mean Gene makes his way out....he's got a few questions for these three gentlemen, the first being which one of them was driving the car that nearly took out Bill Goldberg last week?..... .....Lance Storm is appalled by this accusation, asking Gene just what exactly he is suggesting?....he says that he doesn't know who was driving that car last week, but it certainly wasn't one of them....for two reasons, the first being that Canadians are the safest drivers in the world, they would never do something so reckless.....and secondly, Canadians don't "try" to do anything, Canadians succeed.....if they had wanted to take Goldberg out last week then he would have been taken out..... .....Gene isn't having that though, stating that those Canadian plates on the car are too much of a coincidence, but again Storm is aghast, telling Gene that NO Canadian would do such a thing, and for all he knows (and the more likely scenario) it was some American drunk driver out joyriding in a stolen car......but enough of that, now that Gene has tried to disparage Storm's good name, it's time for him to get down to business.....he says that he's just proved right here and right now that muscles don't make the man.....ability make the man, and there's no one more able in that ring than Lance Storm..... .....he tells Gene that if Bill Goldberg wants another shot at the Television Title, then he's going to have to do it the old fashioned way, he's going to have to WRESTLE for it..... .....Gene is confused here, telling Storm that HE is the challenger on Sunday, not Goldberg.....he has quite literally stolen the man's property.....Storm doesn't even hear this however as he continues on his tirade, he tells Goldberg that his muscle and strength aren't going to be a factor, because if he wants a shot at THIS Television Title, then he's going to have to agree to a Submission match.....no fluke pinfalls, no fluke count-outs.....no getting himself disqualified.....if he wants this Television Title then he's going to have to learn a wrestling move and make Lance Storm submit..... ".....and William, I don't think you can do that....." <img alt="U38VMbl.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/U38VMbl.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....that brings out the man himself, who strides purposefully down the aisle.....obviously he wants his Championship belt back (a championship that he hasn't even touched since he won it) but Storm and the Amazing French Canadians bail quicker than you can say "hockey fight"..... .....Goldberg looks as though he's considering giving chase, but in the end obviously decides that he can wait till Sunday when Storm will have nowhere to run.....for now though he's run all the way back to the top of the entrance ramp, where he asks Goldberg if he accepts the conditions......after all, no submission match, no title shot..... .....Gene puts Goldberg on the spot, saying that while clearly Lance Storm is delusional to say the least, a challenge is a challenge.....will Goldberg put the title on the line in a submission match? Does Goldberg even know any submission holds?...... .....the usually mute Goldberg scowls at Gene for a moment with an intense look on his face, before snatching the microphone......he says if Storm wants a submission match...... "......then he's got it......Lance Storm......YOU'RE NEXT....." .....I guess that's challenge accepted.....Bill Goldberg vs. Lance Storm.....a Submission Match for the WCW Television Title.....does Goldberg actually KNOW any Submission holds? I guess we'll find out in six days time.....lets go to commercial..... 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/J2Rypjz.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/J2Rypjz.jpg"></a><img alt="Jpio0Nw.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Jpio0Nw.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" /> VS. <img alt="ysNJtLm.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ysNJtLm.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="9PoMqtn.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/9PoMqtn.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/a5je8NY.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/a5je8NY.jpg"></a> And when we come back, it's just in time for our semi-main event, which sees the two men challenging for the WCW Tag Team Titles at Starrcade (Chris Benoit & Diamond Dallas Page) facing off against arguably two of the toughest men in WCW (and possibly the wrestling business as a whole) The Faces of Fear, Meng and The Barbarian..... .....these are VERY different opponents than Benoit and Page will be facing on Sunday night, and they are in the fight of their lives here as they attempt to find a counter to put these two huge men away......speaking of countering, that's exactly how The Crippler and DDP did manage to win this one......TWO counters actually....... .....because as The Barbarian headed up to the top rope, Meng attempted to hook on the Tonga Death Grip to Chris Benoit.....before he is able to fully get his grip however Benoit is able to trap the arm and take the man to the mat, locking on the Crippler Crossface...... .....in the meantime the Barbarian leaps and attempts to take out Page with a top rope rope shoulder block.....unfortunately for him he leaps straight into a Diamond Cutter that drives that (notoriously hard) Tongan Skull into the mat with enough force that DDP was able to get the 123, in what was an admittedly pretty poor match. Winner(s): Chris Benoit & 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="NLnyB4b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NLnyB4b.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" /><img alt="dupGZMe.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dupGZMe.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 to join Page and Benoit inside the ring.....he's looking for a little bit more though, inviting the man who will be facing the Totally Awesome Trinity's Ray Traylor at Starrcade out......Sid Vicious..... .....Sid makes his way out to his usual monster pop (Sid is never not over) and Gene wants to know if these three gentlemen are going to be able to do what no one else has managed to do.....shut up the Totally Awesome Trinity?.... .....the Baron of Boredom.....sorry, I mean Chris Benoit is the first to answer that one.....he says that when it comes to stepping between these ropes (and unlike Copeland and Cage) he prefers to let his actions to the talking for him......he says that the tag team Champions might think that Chris Benoit is boring, but the Crippler can't think of anything more entertaining, than the screams of agony at are going to leave either Copeland or Cages mouths, when he takes them down with the Crippler Crossface..... .....sterling work there Mr. Benoit.....a promo masterclass..... .....thankfully DDP has some insight of his own, telling "Gene-o" that the last time he checked, the name on the marquee was World Championship WRESTLING....it don't say Comedy Central up there..... ".....now me, I got a mouth on me Gene-o, but at Starrcade, I ain't going in there to talk.....see me and Chris, we've had about as much "comedy" for one year to last us a lifetime.....for the past six months we've been nothing but a punchline to the Jack-off's of Wrestling.....second rate, not fit to share a ring, not good enough, we should be kissing the ground that Hogan walks on.....you name it, we've heard it.....but you know what Gene, for a couple of midcard jabronies, it's taken just about every one of those "Titans" to beat us each and every time..... .....Copeland.....Cage.....we're done playing around.....we're done talking.....and we're done being the butt of everyone's jokes......you can call this man boring, I call him a machine.....and at Starrcade, we're coming for a fight and I can't think of anyone I'd rather have in my corner in a fight than the Canadian Crippler Chris Benoit......and the joke will be on you two jackasses......when you feel.....the......BANG....." .....Sid hasn't said much, he's just done what he does best (stood around in the background looking menacing) but Gene wants to know how he thinks he will fare against the third member of the so called Totally Awesome Trinity, Ray Traylor.....Gene says that Copeland and Cage have had great success here in WCW, thanks in no small part to their Enforcer, but this match will be one on one, and Traylor isn't a man to be taken lightly..... .....Sid just laughs his muttley laugh at that, before screaming that Ray Traylor is just a little man stepping into the ring with a monster.....Sid says that he came to WCW to show the world that he's the man, by winning the WCW Title.....at Mayhem he was well on his way to doing that, before Traylor and Warrior eliminated him by almost garrotting him with Traylor's nightstick..... ".....WELL AT STARRCADE LITTLE MAN, YOU'RE GOING TO FIND OUT THAT ENFORCER IS JUST ANOTHER NAME FOR VICTIM, WHEN YOU'RE IN THE RING WITH THE MASTER....AND RULER.....OF THE WORLD....." .....yeah, Sid's not a great promo either.....but the message is clear, the Totally Awesome Trinity are going to have their hands full with these three men at Starrcade.....now lets go to the back..... 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="ZBHF30U.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZBHF30U.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="TR1N0TN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/TR1N0TN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....where Lex Luger is warming up ahead of his first match back since his monumental display in the Mayhem match, where he lasted a few minutes short of one hour..... .....his ribs are still taped following the abuse he has taken recently at the hands of the Giant, and he's clearly not quite 100%, but he's stretching through the pain and while his body might not be 100% his mind clearly is, because he looks deathly focused..... .....that's when Jean Paul Levesque enters the room, looking over at Luger and shaking his head.....he tells Lex that he's got a match with the Giant in just six days time, he shouldn't be taking this match tonight, especially when Luger is front and centre on the Titans hit list (and Levesque should know) he says that Hogan is desperate to take all the major players out of the equation, and Russo has the Giant riled up enough that he might just finish the job before Lex even makes it to Starrcade..... .....Luger thanks JPL for the concern, but tells him that he has to do this.....he says that he needs to know if his body is ready to face the Giant on Sunday, and he won't know that without stepping in the ring..... .....Levesque tries to talk Luger out of it, but the Total Package isn't listening, telling Levesque to worry about his own problems (mainly the contract signing that he still has to do).....JPL says that he's got that under control, and if he has to face The Warrior and Macho Man alone then that's what he'll do, but Luger won't be alone tonight.....he says that he will make sure that the Titans don't try anything after the bell.....and he's not coming alone.....because he has someone with him that has quite the score to settle with one Buff Bagwell...... <img alt="GDU0Yfw.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GDU0Yfw.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....as Rowdy Roddy Piper comes walking into shot..... .....well, limping into shot actually.....on a pair of crutches..... .....Luger tells Piper that it's good to see him up and moving, but no disrespect, in that condition he's going to wind up getting seriously hurt if he tries to get into it with the Titans.....Roddy tells Luger that he's been seriously hurt all his life, one more night ain't gonna make a difference.....he might only have one working leg, but he's still ready to use that one leg to kick Buff right in the Stuff..... .....Levesque tells Luger that they have his back tonight.....so go out there and show Buff Bagwell just who the Total Package really is..... 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="ZBHF30U.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZBHF30U.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="598dEVe.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/598dEVe.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....and that match is right now.....it's been quite the promo/angle heavy show tonight.....and most of those angles have been received very well.....good job really, because the In ring action hasn't been particularly great..... .....take this match for example, this was the main event of the show and I could have probably got a better grade with two midcarders facing off in the WWF.....of course, this isn't the WWF, this is WCW, and this match sucked..... .....Buff Bagwell is another tipped to be somewhat of a next big thing.....if he's ever going to realise that potential then he's going to have to seriously step up his game, because Gideon Cain is improving quicker in the ring than Mr. Bagwell (thanks to the mentoring of Bobby Eaton) and even Hollywood Hogan himself has said on a number of occasions to me that Cain is a star in the making.....makes me wonder if maybe it should have been Gideon taking Bagwell's spot in the Titans all those months ago..... .....that being said, Bagwell has benefitted from his run as a member of the Titans of Wrestling.....for example, Lex Luger would have walked a victory here a few months ago and not even CONSIDERED putting the youngster over and since he (rather inexplicably) has creative control, a fact that I didn't realise until I tried to have him cut a scripted promo on day and he point blank refused, he wouldn't have HAD to put Bagwell over either..... .....he put Bagwell over here..... .....not clean, oh no, no, no, no.....in fact the ending of the match saw the Giant make his presence felt, distracting Luger long enough for Buff to roll him up, hook a handful of tights.....and after working over the ribs all match, Luger simply didn't have the power in his core to kick out.....but it was a win non the less for Bagwell.....and the biggest of his career to date..... Winner: Buff Bagwell 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="ZBHF30U.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZBHF30U.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="TR1N0TN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/TR1N0TN.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="nG5SAtv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nG5SAtv.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 true to their word, Jean Paul Levesque and Roddy Piper are quickly out from the back (with Levesque admittedly being the MUCH faster of the two) with JPL dragging the Giant off the apron before he can step over that top rope, and Piper crashing a crutch across the back of Buff Bagwell, before the two men roll into the ring and help Luger to his feet..... <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" /> .....before anything else can happen however, the Holy Trinity of Professional Wrestling (Hollywood Hogan, Randy Savage and The Warrior) make their way out.....along with Vince Russo, who has what looks to be a contract in his hand..... .....Russo tells everyone to calm down.....because before anyone gets too carried away, there is a small piece of business that they need to take care of......mainly a contract that needs signing to make Randy Savage and The Warriors destruction of Jean Paul Levesque at Starrcade official..... ".....now bro, I've done you a huge favour.....even though you don't have a partner......I'm assuming that you still don't have a partner anyway, because judging by Mr. Piper's crutches there I'm guessing that you don't have medical clearance to compete?...." .....Piper says no, but no doctor has ever stopped him from fighting before, he'll sign that contract....put him in the match..... .....Russo just laughs and says no.....he says there is no way that the executives at Turner will sign off on putting an already injured wrestler in a sanctioned WCW match....the law suits alone would be astronomical..... .....Buff Bagwell (still selling the effects of the crutch shot from Piper) walks over to Russo and whispers something in his ear.....something that Russo obviously likes the sound of, because he breaks out in a huge grin..... ".....I like it....that's why they call you The Stuff......I tell you what Piper, since you want a fight so badly, you can have a fight....." ".....oh now you're giving me a match? Well I want in the tag match, so bring that contract down here so we can sign it, make it official.....and then maybe I'll shove this other crutch right up the Macho Man's ass....." ".....hold on there bro.....I said a fight, I didn't say anything about a match.....you wanna fight? You wanna be a one legged man in an ass kicking contest? You got it.....an UNSANCTIONED fight, completely free of litigation, liabilities and lawsuits, against the man that gave you those crutches in the first place......Buff Bagwell....." .....Russo says that so long as he signs a waiver the day of Starrcade, a waiver that says that if Piper gets seriously injured during his "fight" that he will not hold either WCW or Buff Bagwell responsible, then he can have Buff in a totally unsanctioned fight..... ....obviously they don't call Piper the Hot Rod for nothing, and despite Levesques attempt to convince him otherwise, he quickly accepts those conditions..... .....Russo calls him a stupid son of a b!tch, but says that suits him fine, because Bagwell is going to retire him on Sunday night, before getting back to the original order of business.....he tells Levesque that as he WAS saying, despite the fact that JPL doesn't have a partner, he's left space at the bottom for four signatures.....now Warrior and Savage have already signed, so if he has got a partner hiding in the back, all they have to do is walk out, sign on the dotted line, and they're in the match..... .....Levesque says that Russo knows damn well that he doesn't have a partner, so just hand him the contract and lets get this over with..... .....grinning like a Cheshire Cat that's exactly what Russo does.....Levesque signs the legally binding contract, and just like that the match is set.....Jean Paul Levesque vs. Randy Savage and The Warrior at Starrcade.....in a two on one handicap match..... .....with that business concluded Russo thanks everyone for attending, telling them to be sure to contact their local cable operators, because Starrcade is going to be unmissable..... "......goodnight folks......" "......oh, one more thing.....I'm such a doofus......there's still the small matter of finding a replacement for Sting...... .....well Giant, Lex Luger is still standing.....he looks ready to compete Sunday to me......maybe you should do something about that....." 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="ZBHF30U.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZBHF30U.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="TR1N0TN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/TR1N0TN.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="nG5SAtv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nG5SAtv.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="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" /> .....and with that The Giant heads back towards the ring.....and hell, since the Titans are here anyway, they decide to have a little fun too.....looks like we are going to have a big five on three beat down before we even get to Starrcade..... <img alt="Fe0oJG1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Fe0oJG1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....or make that a five on FOUR beatdown.....because as the crowd absolutely erupts, the number one contender Sting descends from the rafters and lands right in the middle of the ring..... .....Tony Schiavone has a one man orgasm on commentary, stating that Sting IS here.....that Sting WILL be at Starrcade.....and Hollywood Hogan HAS got a World Title opponent..... .....obviously Hollywood isn't happy about this.....and neither is the Giant, who had one eye on a World Title opportunity.....but since the Titans (and Giant) do still have the man advantage, they decide to attack anyway, in an effort to soften up their respective Starrcade opponents..... .....Bagwell charges at Piper (and receives a crutch to the guts for his troubles) before getting tackled to the mat by the Hot Scot, who proceeds to hammer away at him with right hands.....Bagwell manages to scurry to freedom however and cuts Piper's offence short with a kick to the hip, before delivering a number of blows of his own..... .....Giant advances towards Luger as the two men begin to exchange blows, but the Giant soon gets the advantage as he drives Lex back into the corner where he delivers a series of shoulder thrusts to the already weakened midsection of the Total Package..... .....Savage and Warrior both run at Levesque, who (despite an initial period of offence) is soon overwhelmed, and Savage tosses him to the outside where the Warrior holds JPL in place for Savage to deliver a series of hard right hand blows..... .....WCW is in real trouble here.....and the only two men not to have moved are Sting and Hogan, who stand (Sting in the ring, Hogan on the floor) staring each other down.....and when it's clear that Hollywood isn't going to come to Sting, Sting decides to go to Hollywood, climbing through the ropes and heading up the aisle towards the (rapidly backing off) WCW Champion..... .....Russo tries to put himself between Hogan and Sting, but Sting cracks him right between the eyes with that black bat, knocking Vince Russo out cold.....Hogan holds his hands up now, telling Sting to "lose the bat brother" saying only a coward would need a weapon.....to which Sting tosses the bat into the hands of Hogan, who quickly throws it down in an effort to placate his Starrcade opponent..... .....back down at ringside Lex Luger is still being overwhelmed by The Giant.....Piper is somewhat fighting back against Bagwell, but Buff clearly still has the advantage.....and Levesque......well, Levesque is getting absolutely battered on the outside.....Warrior has stopped holding JPL back now.....mainly because he doesn't need to anymore, Levesque isn't even fighting back as Savage and Warrior beat on him...... .....that is until a steel chair swings wildly at Randy Savages head from the crowd..... <img alt="OB79Kqj.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/OB79Kqj.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....as Shawn Michaels comes flying over the guard rail..... .....Tony Schiavone is obviously a more virile man than me.....because just a few minutes after his last one man orgasm, he has another at the sight of Shawn Michaels (me, I need at least 20 minutes -_-) and practically explodes when Michaels crashes that steel chair across the back of the Warrior, before diving on top of Randy Savage, and absolutely letting loose with stiff right hand shots..... .....Hogan has just about seen enough now, he's having none of this and he quickly turns and bolts to the back, leaving Sting alone in the aisle.....so what is a man to do? Sting simply picks up the discarded black bat, heads back down to the ring......the sight of which sends Bagwell running for the hills..... .....Sting helps Piper back to his feet (foot) and then cracks the Giant right across the back with the weapon..... .....it doesn't put the big man down though..... .....and Giant turns to stare down Sting with a look of fury on his face.....but Luger (determined to prove himself) rushes at the huge man and hits him with a series of running forearms that back him all the way up to the ropes, before he and Sting join hands to topple the mammoth man over the top with a double running clothesline..... .....Michaels is still hammering down blows on top of Savage.....and after Savage left Michaels a bloody mess at Mayhem, Shawn Michaels has absolutely retuned the favour here, because Randy Savage is busted WIDE open, and the assault only stops when Warrior literally drags the half unconscious Savage out of harms way, as the two Titans beat a hast retreat up the aisle, leaving WCW standing tall in the middle of the ring..... .....Jean Paul Levesque looks to be giving chase as he follows the pair up the aisle, but it soon becomes apparent that he's not, as he stops beside the still unconscious Vince Russo..... .....and fishes that contract and a pen out of his pocket..... .....Levesque heads back down to the ring where (a still p!ssed off) Shawn Michaels is standing, and hands him the pen and contract.....Michaels has been reluctant to put pen to ANYTHING since his appearance here in WCW, refusing offers to join the ranks of both WCW and the Titans of Wrestling, but he doesn't take long to make a decision here.....he snatches the pen from Levesque....drops to the outside.....dips the end of the pen into the puddle of viscera that Randy Savage has left behind.....and signs his name on the dotted line, quite literally in the Macho Man's blood..... .....Sting is back and ready to face Hollywood Hogan..... .....we have our final match for Starrcade..... .....Jean Paul Levesque has a tag team partner..... .....and we have one blood soaked contract..... .....Merry frigging Christmas indeed..... .....we'll see you at Starrcade fans..... Rating: A* Final Rating: B+ </div></blockquote> </div>

to4sty · February 26, 2019

<div style="text-align:center;"> <img style="max-width:50%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/jOco5vB.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/jOco5vB.jpg"></a> WCW Championship Match Hollywood Hogan © vs. Sting Comments: WCW United States Championship Eddie Guerrero © vs. The Rock Comments: WCW Tag Team Championship Adam Copeland & Christian Cage © vs. Diamond Dallas Page & Chris Benoit Comments: WWF Television Championship: Submission Match Bill Goldberg © vs. Lance Storm Comments: WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Tournament Final Match Jeff Hardy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri Comments: Unsanctioned Fight Roddy Piper vs. Buff Bagwell Comments: Six-Man Starrcade Street-Fight The Road Warriors & Mike Awesome vs. The Forgotten Comments: Jean Paul Levesque & Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Savage & The Warrior Comments: Lex Luger vs. The Giant Comments: Sid Vicious vs. Ray Traylor Comments: <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>OOC: Just as a quick FYI, after two years I feel like this diary has possibly just about run its course now, and was considering making Starrcade the last show since it is quite literally the last show of the year. I might still go through to the Royal Rumble yet though, since this was originally a WWF diary, and as it began one night after the 1996 Royal Rumble it's perhaps fitting that it ends one night after the 1998 Royal Rumble..... .....of course I may completely change my mind and continue, but at the moment that's unlikely. I'm not enjoying the boards as much as I once was, a lot of the diarys i was following have stopped and with the exception of one or two, the boards seem to have turned into a gulf of C-Verse/Japanese/modern day diaries which (with no disrespect to anyone, because I'm sure they are excellent diaries) I have very little interest in...... ......but I'm rambling now, long story short, consider this diary WCW circa January 2001.....on its last legs <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote> </div>

The Lloyd · February 26, 2019

I'm sorry to hear that. This diary has been a wild ride (so far), and I personally hope it continues. We need more historical diaries, as you say, so I hope you don't end this GREAT one!!

WCW Championship Match

Hollywood Hogan © vs. Sting

Comments:

WCW United States Championship

Eddie Guerrero © vs. The Rock

Comments:

WCW Tag Team Championship

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage © vs. Diamond Dallas Page & Chris Benoit

Comments:

WWF Television Championship: Submission Match

Bill Goldberg © vs. Lance Storm

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Tournament Final Match

Jeff Hardy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri

Comments:

Unsanctioned Fight

Roddy Piper vs. Buff Bagwell

Comments:

Six-Man Starrcade Street-Fight

The Road Warriors & Mike Awesome vs. The Forgotten

Comments:

Jean Paul Levesque & Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Savage & The Warrior

Comments:

Lex Luger vs. The Giant

Comments:

Sid Vicious vs. Ray Traylor

Comments:

STACKED card!!

MisterRomanini · February 27, 2019

I dreaded this dday would happen and I selfishly hope you can keep on doing this. But if it is time to end, then let it end on a high note, baby.

WCW Championship Match

Hollywood Hogan © vs. Sting

Comments:

WCW United States Championship

Eddie Guerrero © vs. The Rock

Comments:

WCW Tag Team Championship

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage © vs. Diamond Dallas Page & Chris Benoit

Comments:

WWF Television Championship: Submission Match

Bill Goldberg © vs. Lance Storm

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Tournament Final Match

Jeff Hardy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri

Comments:

Unsanctioned Fight

Roddy Piper vs. Buff Bagwell

Comments:

Six-Man Starrcade Street-Fight

The Road Warriors & Mike Awesome vs. The Forgotten

Comments:

Jean Paul Levesque & Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Savage & The Warrior

Comments:

Lex Luger vs. The Giant

Comments:

Sid Vicious vs. Ray Traylor

Comments:

crackerjack · February 27, 2019

If this is it, then it's a been a heck of a ride! Really enjoyed this project from start to finish. Here's to hoping this is it for the WCW side of things - and we keep on rolling til Mania for the WWF. (a tall task, I know)

WCW Championship Match

Hollywood Hogan © vs. Sting

Comments: Fingers crossed we don't get a creative control issue here.

WCW United States Championship

Eddie Guerrero © vs. The Rock

Comments: The stinger will need heel challengers eventually, and Eddie deserves it.

WCW Tag Team Championship

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage © vs. Diamond Dallas Page & Chris Benoit

Comments: If this baby moves forward after starcade, it seems the KOW with a losing hogan is a ticking time bomb, but honestly, I don't the C&C need em. The real tag team beats the makeshift one

WWF Television Championship: Submission Match

Bill Goldberg © vs. Lance Storm

Comments: The Streak continues

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Tournament Final Match

Jeff Hardy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri

Comments: Paging one Matt Hardy to help his brother out.

Unsanctioned Fight

Roddy Piper vs. Buff Bagwell

Comments:

Six-Man Starrcade Street-Fight

The Road Warriors & Mike Awesome vs. The Forgotten

Comments: I may be one of the few that actually really likes the forgotten, so I think there's more value in them going over compared to putting over the Road Warriors

Jean Paul Levesque & Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Savage & The Warrior

Comments: break it downs

Lex Luger vs. The Giant

Comments:

Sid Vicious vs. Ray Traylor

Comments:

ElectricX · February 27, 2019

If this is the end, it has been a great run. It has truly been one of my favorite diaries on the forums.

WCW Championship Match

Hollywood Hogan © vs. Sting

Comments:

WCW United States Championship

Eddie Guerrero © vs. The Rock

Comments:

WCW Tag Team Championship

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage © vs. Diamond Dallas Page & Chris Benoit

Comments:

WWF Television Championship: Submission Match

Bill Goldberg © vs. Lance Storm

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Tournament Final Match

Jeff Hardy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri

Comments:

Unsanctioned Fight

Roddy Piper vs. Buff Bagwell

Comments:

Six-Man Starrcade Street-Fight

The Road Warriors & Mike Awesome vs. The Forgotten

Comments:

Jean Paul Levesque & Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Savage & The Warrior

Comments:

Lex Luger vs. The Giant

Comments:

Sid Vicious vs. Ray Traylor

Comments:

SomeLazyMagic · February 27, 2019

Been one of my top five favorite diaries ever, and while I'm sad it'll come to an end, I am so excited to see what it is you pull out for the respective finales.

WCW Championship Match

Hollywood Hogan © vs. Sting

Comments:

WCW United States Championship

Eddie Guerrero © vs. The Rock

Comments:

WCW Tag Team Championship

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage © vs. Diamond Dallas Page & Chris Benoit

Comments:

WWF Television Championship: Submission Match

Bill Goldberg © vs. Lance Storm

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Tournament Final Match

Jeff Hardy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri

Comments:

Unsanctioned Fight

Roddy Piper vs. Buff Bagwell

Comments:

Six-Man Starrcade Street-Fight

The Road Warriors & Mike Awesome vs. The Forgotten

Comments:

Jean Paul Levesque & Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Savage & The Warrior

Comments:

Lex Luger vs. The Giant

Comments:

Sid Vicious vs. Ray Traylor

Comments:

Satyr24 · February 27, 2019

WCW Championship Match

Hollywood Hogan © vs. Sting

Comments:

WCW United States Championship

Eddie Guerrero © vs. The Rock

Comments:

WCW Tag Team Championship

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage © vs. Diamond Dallas Page & Chris Benoit

Comments:

WWF Television Championship: Submission Match

Bill Goldberg © vs. Lance Storm

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Tournament Final Match

Jeff Hardy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri

Comments:

Unsanctioned Fight

Roddy Piper vs. Buff Bagwell

Comments:

Six-Man Starrcade Street-Fight

The Road Warriors & Mike Awesome vs. The Forgotten

Comments:

Jean Paul Levesque & Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Savage & The Warrior

Comments:

Lex Luger vs. The Giant

Comments:

Sid Vicious vs. Ray Traylor

Comments:

lieon02 · February 27, 2019

This is the 1st Diary I read, I have been hooked on it. If this is where you feel it needs to end it has been a great ride. Although i would love if it finished at Mania. But that is me only be selfish.

WCW Championship Match

Hollywood Hogan © vs. Sting

Comments:

WCW United States Championship

Eddie Guerrero © vs. The Rock

Comments:

WCW Tag Team Championship

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage © vs. Diamond Dallas Page & Chris Benoit

Comments:

WWF Television Championship: Submission Match

Bill Goldberg © vs. Lance Storm

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Tournament Final Match

Jeff Hardy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri

Comments:

Unsanctioned Fight

Roddy Piper vs. Buff Bagwell

Comments:

Six-Man Starrcade Street-Fight

The Road Warriors & Mike Awesome vs. The Forgotten

Comments:

Jean Paul Levesque & Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Savage & The Warrior

Comments:

Lex Luger vs. The Giant

Comments:

Sid Vicious vs. Ray Traylor

Comments:

James Casey · February 27, 2019

Noooo!

I get it, I do. Selfishly, can I suggest you step out of WCW after Starrcade and take the WWF through to WrestleMania? It seems appropriate to tie them both up at their biggest shows - or at least provide an epilogue to say where you were thinking of going.

It's been a remarkable ride, whatever happens, so thanks for sharing!

*

WCW Championship Match

Hollywood Hogan © vs. Sting

Comments: No screwjob, no crooked referee, no need for this to be anything but kosher.

WCW United States Championship

Eddie Guerrero © vs. The Rock

Comments: Let the Papi be Perfect once more. (Or Curt Hennig costs him the belt, either way...)

WCW Tag Team Championship

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage © vs. Diamond Dallas Page & Chris Benoit

Comments: I suspect the WCW duo will get some measure of revenge, but it would make sense for the Titans to retain here somehow

WWF Television Championship: Submission Match

Bill Goldberg © vs. Lance Storm

Comments: Tapping out counts if your opponent just bludgeons you into insensibility, right?

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Tournament Final Match

Jeff Hardy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri

Comments: Like the Titans, this seems like a heel win to further the storyline

Unsanctioned Fight

Roddy Piper vs. Buff Bagwell

Comments: Imagine how insufferable Buff would be with a win here. Glorious!

Six-Man Starrcade Street-Fight

The Road Warriors & Mike Awesome vs. The Forgotten

Comments: The Roadies don't do jobs

Jean Paul Levesque & Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Savage & The Warrior

Comments: Bloody, violent, may not even actually start - schmozz.

Lex Luger vs. The Giant

Comments: A man with injured ribs fighting an actual giant. Sorry, Lex, but if you lost to Bagwell you'll lose here.

Sid Vicious vs. Ray Traylor

Comments: Even with a stab vest, nightstick, handcuffs and pepper spray I don't think Traylor can win here.

Nobby_McDonald · February 28, 2019

WCW Championship Match

Hollywood Hogan © vs. Sting

Comments:

WCW United States Championship

Eddie Guerrero © vs. The Rock

Comments:

WCW Tag Team Championship

Adam Copeland & Christian Cage © vs. Diamond Dallas Page & Chris Benoit

Comments:

WWF Television Championship: Submission Match

Bill Goldberg © vs. Lance Storm

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Tournament Final Match

Jeff Hardy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri

Comments:

Unsanctioned Fight

Roddy Piper vs. Buff Bagwell

Comments:

Six-Man Starrcade Street-Fight

The Road Warriors & Mike Awesome vs. The Forgotten

Comments:

Jean Paul Levesque & Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Savage & The Warrior

Comments:

Lex Luger vs. The Giant

Comments:

Sid Vicious vs. Ray Traylor

It will be sad if this is the end.

Heretoshaveyou · March 2, 2019

WCW Championship Match

Comments:

WCW United States Championship

Comments:

WCW Tag Team Championship

Comments:

WWF Television Championship: Submission Match

Comments:What happens in a submission match if one man is unconscious? No finish?

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Tournament Final Match

Jeff Hardy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri

Comments:

Unsanctioned Fight

Roddy Piper vs. Buff Bagwell

Comments:

Six-Man Starrcade Street-Fight

The Road Warriors & Mike Awesome vs. The Forgotten

Comments:

Jean Paul Levesque & Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Savage & The Warrior

Comments:

Lex Luger vs. The Giant

Comments:

Sid Vicious vs. Ray Traylor

Comments:

I finally catch up to see this could be ending!. Still, it's given me the nudge I needed to start my own, so thank you for the effort you've put in.

Kijar · March 3, 2019

WCW Championship Match

Comments:

WCW United States Championship

Comments:

WCW Tag Team Championship

Comments:

WWF Television Championship: Submission Match

Comments:

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Tournament Final Match

Jeff Hardy vs. Yoshihiro Tajiri

Comments:

Unsanctioned Fight

Roddy Piper vs. Buff Bagwell

Comments:

Six-Man Starrcade Street-Fight

The Road Warriors & Mike Awesome vs. The Forgotten

Comments:

Jean Paul Levesque & Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Savage & The Warrior

Comments:

Lex Luger vs. The Giant

Comments:

Sid Vicious vs. Ray Traylor

Comments:

to4sty · March 11, 2019

<div style="text-align:center;"> <img style="max-width:50%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/jOco5vB.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/jOco5vB.jpg"></a> Week 4, December 1997 Washington RFK Stadium (Washington DC) ATT: 40,917 PPV BUY: 2.24 Announce Team: Tony Schiavone, Dusty Rhodes & Bobby "The Brain" Heenan <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="2mEaiRa.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2mEaiRa.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the biggest and the most prestigious show of the calendar year.....welcome to the event that set the stage for 'the big stage'.....welcome to the originator.....the spectacle.....the trailblazer.....welcome to the granddaddy of them all...... ......ladies and gentlemen, welcome......to the fifteenth annual Starrcade...... ......the show opens to an explosion of pyro, before we head to the announce desk, where Tony Schiavone welcomes us to the show, along with Dusty Rhodes and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, and Schiavone tells us that tonight, almost twelve months to the day of their original formation, Sting can finally drive a steak into the heart of the Titans of Wrestling, when he faces Hollywood Hogan in our main event of the evening, with the WCW Title on the line..... .....but Hollywood isn't the only Titan in action tonight.....in fact, ALL the Titans will be in action tonight, because Ray Traylor will be facing off against the mammoth Sid Vicious, the other two thirds of the Totally Awesome Trinity (Adam Copeland and Christian Cage) will be putting the WCW Tag Team Titles up for grabs, when they defend against Chris Benoit and Diamond Dallas Page.....Buff Bagwell is facing a true Icon of the sport, when he squares off against Rowdy Roddy Piper in an "unsanctioned fight", and then there's the powder keg.....a match that wasn't signed until this past Monday night, but was sealed in blood.....The Macho Man's blood.....as Jean Paul Levesque has finally found a partner to join him in his fight with Randy Savage and The Warrior, none other than his best friend (and one time free agent)......Shawn Michaels..... .....and if that wasn't enough, we have three other huge title matches.....a huge six man Starrcade Street-Fight.....and then there's the match built on a friendship lost, as former friends turned bitter enemies clash, when Lex Luger faces the Giant.....and that match ladies and gentlemen......is next..... 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="ZBHF30U.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZBHF30U.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="Iq7SH3m.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Iq7SH3m.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....talk about a huge match to open the biggest event of the year, and they don't get huger than the Giant, who parts the curtain first for this one......Luger makes his way out second (and gets a great reception as he makes his way down the aisle) but Bobby Heenan's attention is instantly drawn to the thick white tape wrapped around the midsection of the Total Package.....Bobby says that while most bullseyes are red, he can't think of a more obvious bullseye for the Giant than that big while patch right in the middle of Lex Luger..... ".....and if I was managing the Giant Tony, that's exactly what I'd be telling him to do....." ".....oh I know you would Bobby....." ".....I know you know, I just told you....." ".....because you're The Brian right?....." ".....no, because it's obvious.....a moron could figure that out....." .....obvious indeed.....the Giant figured it out too and it didn't take him long.....Luger tried his best to out manoeuvre the larger man in the opening moments of this bout, after all, it's not often that the Total Package has the speed advantage in a match (and it's even LESS often that he has the power disadvantage as well, but even fully fit I'm not sure that Luger could outmuscle The Giant) and he does land a few opening blows on his opponent.....but all it takes is one big knee to the midsection to cut him off in his tracks, and from there the Giant goes to work..... .....there was a time that these two men were united in their efforts to thwart the reign of terror of the Titans of Wrestling, and had they worked together then they MAY have got the job done.....unfortunately ego got in the way for both men, as each wanted to be the man to topple Hollywood Hogan.....Lex Luger was quick to realise that personal gain was perhaps not worth losing a friend over, unfortunately the Giant didn't agree, and he's been seemingly hellbent on two things ever since......1) ridding WCW of the Total Package Lex Luger, and 2) finally getting the shot at Hollywood Hogan (and the World Title) that he's been waiting for..... .....a victory here could perhaps put Giant one step closer to BOTH goals, and he's certainly playing for the victory, Irish whipping Luger hard into the turnbuckles, before clutching onto the middle ropes for momentum as he drives his shoulder hard into the midsection of his opponent.....there's no reprieve either, because no sooner has Luger dropped to the mat in pain that the Giant is straight over, where he places one foot on the centre of Lex's torso, and steps over, forcing all of his considerable weight down on his opponent..... .....Bobby Heenan says that Luger should just give up already and live to fight another day (before the Giant leaves a big Lex Luger shaped stain in the middle of the mat).....Tony says that there's no quit in the Total Package though, and as Lex gets Irish Whipped again into the corner he proves that to be true, sidestepping a running splash attempt and (in a remarkable display of strength) he picks up and body slams the staggered Giant..... .....that takes a LOT out of Luger though, and since it was such a strain on the ribs of the Total Package, Giant is actually back on his feet before his opponent.....he drags Luger off the mat by his hair and screams in his face that he shouldn't have done that, before throwing his hand in the air as a signal that it's time to hit the Chokeslam..... .....before he can wrap that massive hand around the throats of the Total Package though, Luger unloads with a series of right hands of his own, finally putting some space between he and his opponent.....again Giant cuts him off with a knee to the midsection though, and sends Lex into the ropes with an Irish Whip.....Luger ducks a clothesline attempt though, and nails Giant right between the eyes with that running forearm that staggers the big man.....Luger keeps his momentum going to come off the ropes with a second forearm.....and a third....and a fourth that finally knocks Giant back into the ropes, where he falls back and gets himself wrapped up Andre style..... .....Luger doesn't hesitate to advance on the now defenceless Giant, and he hammers the big man right in that exposed head with right hand after right hand.....the official finally backs Lex off, but Luger is determined to pick up the victory here, and with his opponent still wrapped up in the ropes, Luger charges across the ring, looking to connect with what would surely be the final forearm shot..... .....or it would have been.....had Giant got his big boot up in time, and that size 18 hits Luger right in the jaw..... .....finally the official manages to break Giant free of the ropes, and Dusty Rhodes remarks that he does NOT look happy..... ".....fe, fi, fo, fum.....that's one angry looking Giant Tony.....he look like he about to give Luger the clubberin' of his life daddy....." .....it does indeed look like that, but Luger, he's not going down without a fight, and a brawl breaks out between the two men......it's turned into a pure slugfest now as these two men punch and kick at each other, and remarkably, it's Luger that gets the upper hand, finally managing to knock the Giant down to one knee, before signalling for it......he's going to try and get the big man up in the Torture Rack..... .....Schiavone says that had Luger come into this match fully fit, then perhaps this one would already be over......and Tony believes that a healthy Total Package would have little problem getting Giant up in the Rack, but in this condition, Luger could be making a very big mistake..... .....he is going for it though, and he gets Giant into position, before lifting with all he has.....you can see the pain etched on his face as he tries to get the big man up.....and he does get him up (much to the delight of the crowd) but he doesn't have him up for long, because those ribs just won't take it, and as he drops Giant back to the mat (clutching at his midsection) Giant doesn't bother with the theatrics, he simply wraps a hand around the throats of his opponent, and Chokeslams him right to the mat for the one.....the two......and the three.....Lex Luger is done. Winner: The Giant 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="3uyI4Pv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3uyI4Pv.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" /> From there we go backstage, where Mean Gene is standing by with the (ahem) "Television Champion" Lance Storm and his new found allies, The Amazing French Canadians..... .....Gene says that Lance Storm has done some pretty questionable things these last few weeks and months.....and made some "in my opinion, very unwise decisions".....Gene says that choosing to antagonise the undefeated rookie Goldberg to begin with was an unwise decision....a decision that cost him the Television Championship.....but then to take that one step further, steal the belt.....attempt vehicular homicide.....and THEN challenge Goldberg to a submission match?.....a match that Goldberg can inflict as much punishment as he wants without fear of reprisal or disqualification?..... ".....you'll pardon me for saying so Lance Storm, but that's just stupid....." .....there are loud "Woah's" and "Hey's" from the Amazing French Canadians at this remark, with Oulette even grabbing Gene by the scruff of the neck.....Storm calms them down though, telling them not to blame Gene, he says that it's not Gene's fault, he's simply a product of his environment.....American..... .....Storm pats Mean Gene down and straightens out his jacket, before responding to Gene's statement.....he says that first of all, he doesn't know what match HE watched, but Lance Storm never lost the Television Title....it's right here.....second of all, that "vehicular homicide" accusation, he's already addressed that, it wasn't him.....Canadians are the safest drivers in the world.....and thirdly, choosing a submission match was the wisest thing that Lance Storm could have done.....he says that Goldberg doesn't know a wrist lock from a wrist watch, and he DAMN sure doesn't know any submission holds..... ".....and as for Goldberg being able to do as he pleases within the confines of the match, without fear of reprisal or disqualification?....." .....Storm pauses for a moment there to look at his two countrymen, before breaking out in a smile..... ".....so can we.....after you gentlemen....." .....with that Storm and the AFC walk off.....with Lance Storm's Television Title....defence?.....challenge?.....what ever it is, it's next..... 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="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="3uyI4Pv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3uyI4Pv.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> WCW Television Championship: Submission Match As the competitors make their way out for our first title match of the evening, Lance Storm's game plan in demanding this match be a submission match becomes that much clearer....because as Mean Gene pointed out, there are NO disqualifications in this submission match.....and Lance Storm isn't coming out alone, he has Jacques Rougeau and Carl Oulette with him.....not only that, but Dusty Rhodes believes that this stipulation only benefits the challenger..... ".....tell me Tony, do Goldberg even KNOW a submission hold baby?.....all we seen him do is come out here and smash through people....." ".....well that's a good point Dusty, and I don't believe I've ever seen Bill Goldberg utilise a submission hold, have you Brain?....." ".....he'd only have to look at me and I'd submit.....that's a scary man Tony....." .....so apparently the commentators don't think this rookie is going to know a great number of submission holds, but as they discuss the match, they clearly don't think Bill Goldberg would ever submit either, so it's a catch 22..... .....the match goes much as you would expect in the opening minutes, with Goldberg completely dominating Storm.....he quite literally throws him from pillar to post and back again.....Storm tries to grab hold of a submission hold.....ANY submission hold, but Goldberg simply powers him off every time..... .....the action spills out to the floor as Storm looks to beat a hasty retreat from the Champions offence, but it's here that the 'no disqualification' rule really comes into effect.....because as Goldberg stalks Storm, Rougeau comes running up from behind and clips the knee with a chop block, before he and Oulette both drive the Television Champion knee first into the steel ring steps, before rolling him back into the ring....they do this right in front of the official too....they don't even try and hide the fact..... .....back inside the ring, and with Goldberg down Lance Storm looks to keep him down, as he focuses his attack on the lower limbs of his opponent.....a sound strategy remarks the Brain, who says that Lance Storm's Canadian Maple Leaf becomes that much more effective when you have a bum wheel..... .....speaking of that Maple Leaf, Storm does go for it on a number of occasions, but Goldberg is able to power him away before he can fully lock it on at each occasion, and on the third attempt he switches it up to wrap the champion up in a figure four leg lock (which obviously receives a loud 'Wooooooo' from this WCW faithful in attendance) and as he reaches back, each of the French Canadians take one of his hands, pulling back to put extra leverage on the hold..... .....does Goldberg know any submission holds? Perhaps not, but he does know one thing.....you flip that figure four over and (for some unknown reason) all that pain and pressure transfers to your opponent.....of course, that's nigh on impossible with the Canadians holding onto Storm.....but then fortunately for Goldberg the official has had enough of their constant interference, and he kicks both men's hands free, leaving Goldberg to flip Storm over and now it's the challenger crying out in pain..... .....Rougeau and Oulette are quickly in the ring to break that up before Storm submits, and the two men proceed to deliver a two on one beating to the champion.....but after Irish Whipping Goldberg hard into the turnbuckles, Goldberg fires straight back out of the corner, taking out both men with a double clothesline, before catching the oncoming Storm right in the chin with a (non-concussion causing) superkick variation..... .....Oulette is back to his feet.....briefly.....before he gets Speared halfway across the ring.....and Jacques finds himself lifted high overhead with a Military Press that Goldberg transitions into a Powerslam, before rolling Rougeau to the outside.....turning.....and spearing Lance Storm right out of his boots..... .....Goldberg roars for the approving crowd, before snatching Storm up from the mat and hoisting him up in that vertical suplex position, it must be time for the Jackhammer..... .....it doesn't come though.....because instead of driving his opponent into the canvas, Goldberg simply holds him up there in the air for so long that even the British Bulldog would be impressed.....Storm is wriggling and kicking his legs, but Goldberg isn't releasing him, telling Storm that the only way he's getting down is to submit..... .....and as the blood continues to rush to the challengers head, he's obviously had enough, because that's exactly what he does, desperately telling the official that he submits, before telling Goldberg to put him down.....which (as the bell rings) is exactly what the Champion does.....finally finishing that Jackhammer off as he drives Lance Storm straight into the mat..... .....that's 56-0 for Mr. Goldberg.....but his first "submission" victory.....and finally, a month after winning it officially, the Television Title is handed to the rightful champion, who raises it high in the air as we go to the back..... Winner: ...and Still WCW Television Champion.....Bill Goldberg 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="p7XY18k.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/p7XY18k.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....where Mike Tenay is standing by with the man who will be challenging for the WCW United States Championship next.....The Rock..... .....Tenay says that when the Rock first came to World Championship Wrestling several months back, he seemed to have his sights dead set on Eddie Guerrero and the United States Championship.....between then and now however he got sidetracked in a war with The Forgotten, but now with all that behind him, and some three months later, he finally gets to step into the ring with Eddie Guerrero.....and he gets to do it on the grandest stage of them all..... ".....Mike Tenay, The Rock wants to make one thing perfectly clear.....and that is the fact that The Rock is FAR from done with The Forgotten......yeah The Rock defeated Father Time Kevin Sullivan......he beat that walking doodle pad Bam Bam Bigelow.....but there's a 900lb walking sack of monkey crap by the name of Big Van Vader that The Rock has NOT defeated, and that is SOLELY because of Eddie Guerrero....." .....Rocky tells Vader that he will get to him again sometime soon, but tonight....tonight it's all about Eddie Guerrero..... .....Rock says that he came to WCW with one agenda.....not to be treated like some mega star....not to be handed opportunity on a plate.....but to EARN those opportunities, and to prove himself against the best in the world..... ".....and Eddie Guerrero, as much as it pains The Rock to admit it, for the last five months you have been one of the very best in the world.....you've turned away any and all comers.....now granted, you've done that by being a snivelling little piss weasel, but against all the odds you are still the WCW United States Champion....." .....Rock says that tonight, if Eddie Guerrero really has a set of maracas between his legs instead of an empty taco shell, then he'll fight the Rock man to man.....no lying, no cheating.....just two men stepping into the ring to prove who is the best..... ".....and The Rock says that he's going to walk out there tonight and entertain the millions (and millions) of The Rock's fans like only he can.....he's going to walk into Starrcade as the Champion of the people.....and he's going to walk out of Starrcade as the champion of the good old US of A..... .....IF YA SMELLLLLLLLLLLALALAOW........what The Rock....is.....cooking.........." Rating: </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="ZaXIx4W.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZaXIx4W.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <img alt="xFXHFjY.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/xFXHFjY.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="UztRWoQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/UztRWoQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> So it's finally time for the Great One to go one on one with the Papi of Perfection.....as after three months of waiting, baiting and anticipating, it's time for Eddie Guerrero to put the United States Championship on the line against The Rock..... .....say what you will about Eddie Guerrero's methods, but he has been one of (if not THE) hardest working Champions here in WCW.....he has in one way or another defeated every challenger that has come his way.....from way on down the pecking order with the Bob and Brad Armstrongs, to wayyyyyy up the pecking order with the likes of Diamond Dallas Page, Chris Benoit and Curt Hennig.....one by one they have come, and one by one Eddie Guerrero has lied, cheated and stolen his way to a successful title defence.....but after Curt Hennig pushed him to the very limit, is his luck running out?.....Tony Schiavone certainly thinks so..... ".....Eddie Guerrero could defeat 99% of opponents Brain, without having to resort to cheating....he can lie, he can cheat and he can steal, but sooner or later it's going to come back to bite him in the behind....." ".....cheat? Who's cheated?....." ".....Eddie Guerrero Bobby....." ".....against who?....." ".....well, practically everybody....." ".....no he didn't....." ".....yes he did....." ".....who won the matches?....." ".....Eddie Guerrero won the matches Brain.....but he did it by ch....." ".....then he didn't cheat.....if he'd cheated then he'd have been disqualified and lost the matches.....it's only cheating if you get caught....." .....can't argue with that logic I guess.....either way, if Eddie Guerrero does decide to try and cheat tonight, then he may wind up with The Rock's boot shoved straight up his ass.....and judging by the opening minutes of this contest, Guerrero is going to need his wrestling boots on, because The Rock is fired up.....there is no doubt that fundamentally, Eddie Guerrero is the better pound for pound wrestler of these two men, but the Rock has the people in his corner, and with that comes an adrenaline burst that sees Rock's send the Champion bailing to the floor (indicating that he wants a time-out) to slow down the pace of the match..... .....Rocky isn't here to go slow however, he's here to win, and after Eddie Guerrero cost him the opportunity to be challenging for the WCW World Title tonight (by nailing him with a steel chair during the Mayhem Match that saw Vader eliminate him) before costing him a victory a few nights later (again against Vader) The Rock is taking out weeks and months of pent up aggression on his opponent.... .....he follows the Champion to the outside (probably a wise idea since Guerrero isn't averse to taking a deliberate count-out loss to retain his title) and he introduces Eddie's head to the steel post, before whipping him in to he crowd rail.....with Eddie slumped up against the steel, Rocky takes a drink out of the hands of a fan on the front row, and smashes it over his opponents head (a move which looks fantastic as the liquid explodes everywhere, but is more cosmetic than offensive, because lets face it, it looks great but it's a plastic cup.....it's hardly going to leave a mark now is it)..... .....the two men head back inside the ring, and Eddie Guerrero shows that side of him that isn't afraid to stretch the rules as he goes right to the eyes of The Rock, before snatching up the US Title from ringside.....he measures up the Rock and it looks like he's about to drive the gold right into the skull of the challenger, but the official snatches the Championship from his grip and returns it to the timekeeper..... .....the moment the referee turns his back however, a huge grin breaks out on the face of the champion, as he turns at swings a kick, doubling the Rock over with a huge low blow..... .....Eddie quickly rolls the incapacitated Rock up, and might have got the three count, but the official is still out of position and The Rock is able to kick out in the nick of time.....from there however, Guerrero is in complete control and he goes on the offence, clearly eager to put his opponent away sooner rather than later.....he's not shy to go for the cover either, drawing a large number of near falls in a very short space of time, all of which Bobby Heenan approves of, telling Schiavone and Dusty that every time the Rock is forced to kick out, it takes that little bit more gas out of the tank of the challenger..... .....you can see the cockiness and the swagger growing in Guerrero the longer he's in control of the match, and the chants of "Rocky" from the crowd only seem to fire him up more (as he tells the "people" that he'd rather be the United States Champion than THEIR Champion anyway esè) and he begins to chip away at the Rock with quick series of moves.....an Irish Whip into the corner followed by a Monkey Flip, followed by a Dropkick to the knee that drops Rocky to a kneeling position, immediately followed with a DDT and a cover for a near fall......a series of European Uppercuts that drive The Rock back into the ropes, followed by an Irish Whip with a Huracanrana on the return, that is immediately followed up with a Slingshot Somersault Senton from the apron for another (very) near fall.....Eddie is on fire, and looks to be dead set on his way to retaining his Championship.....and as he drives the Rock into the mat with a Brainbuster and heads up top, he looks to be about one Frog Splash away from doing just that..... .....but his overconfidence gets the better of him..... .....and after spending far too long taunting both the Rock AND the crowd from up their on the top turnbuckle, he leaps and flys.....but it's not a good landing.....because The Rock gets his knees up, driving all the wind out of Eddies body (and his sails)..... .....the echoing chant of "Rocky" gets even louder as the People's Champion looks to get himself back into the match..... .....the two men pull their way back to their feet, and Guerrero looks to unload with a series of right hands as he tries to regain the advantage, but each one is blocked as The Rock fires back with right's of his own, and this time it's Guerrero that finds himself backed up to the ropes......Irish Whip from the Rock but Guerrero ducks a clothesline attempt and runs the ropes a second time, only to run straight into a Samoan Drop from the Challenger for a near fall of his own.....a second Irish Whip attempt from the Rock is reversed and it's the challenger who runs the ropes, but it doesn't stop his offence, as he floats over a clothesline attempt to drop the Champion with a DDT, before kipping up to his feet and positioning himself..... .....he's waiting for Guerrero to stand..... .....and he's looking for that Rock Bottom..... .....Guerrero groggily pulls himself to his feet, but he's going to wish he stayed down, because Rocky hooks him straight away and drives him into the mat..... .....Rock Bottom..... .....before making the cover for the..... .....one..... .....two..... .....three..... .....no wait, it's not a three.....why?..... <img alt="figWRJc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/figWRJc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....because this man hooks the official's leg at the last second.....and drags the referee out to the floor..... .....Tony Schiavone tells us that this is Chavo Guerrero Jr.....and as you can perhaps tell by the name, he's the nephew of Eddie Guerrero..... ".....but the last I heard this young gentleman was working for a certain organisation up North, what's he doing here Dusty?....." ".....well Tony, this is WCW.....it's where the big boys play daddy.....but it's also where the Cruiserweights play, and since they don't seem to appreciate the flippy flopping up there, maybe they want to come down here and see who wins our Cruiserweight title later....." .....that's some surprisingly good insight from the Dream.....after all, the Light Heavyweight division in the WWF has been retired for some time now, leaving a lot of the Cruiserweight talent with not a lot to do, and since a lot of the Light Heavyweight division were working under Pay Per Appearance deals, they can switch their allegiances pretty easily, which is why we saw Chavo buried on Raw by the Million Dollar Corporation just a few days before his WCW debut here tonight..... .....to say that the Rock is furious would be an understatement.....and it's a good job that Chavo is an agile little fella, because Rocky is out of the ring like a shot to chase him..... .....he's not going to catch Chavo though, the younger Guerrero is too quick.....so quick in fact, that as he dives into the ring to escape the irate challenger, before diving out again on the opposite side, The Rock doesn't notice him dropping something into the hand of his uncle.... .....the camera catches it though..... .....it catches Eddie Guerrero placing those brass knuckles on his fist too..... .....and as the official does his best to order Chavo Guerrero away from ringside, it catches Eddie Guerrero nailing the Rock right in the jaw with that foreign object..... .....the official doesn't catch that though.....all the official sees is the Papi of Perfection covering his challenger.....for the..... .....one..... .....two..... .....and the three..... .....and by hook or by crook, Eddie Guerrero has done it again..... Winner: ...and Still WCW United States Champion.....Eddie Guerrero 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="xFXHFjY.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/xFXHFjY.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="figWRJc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/figWRJc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....and he doesn't waste any time in collecting his United States Championship and heading up the ramp (which is probably a good idea, because when The Rock wakes up he's probably not going to be a happy Rock) where Mean Gene is waiting to cut off his exit..... .....Gene isn't about to let the pair get away with getting a word from them, he wants to know just what that was from Eddie Guerrero, and exactly who this young gentleman here is..... ".....because Eddie Guerrero, I think it's safe to say that without this young man's help, you would NOT be leaving Starrcade tonight with that US Title around your waist....." .....Eddie looks dumbfounded by that remark, telling Gene that he doesn't know what match HE was watching, but in THIS match, what happened was that the Papi of Perfection proved again that he is without a doubt the best wrestler in all of WCW...... ".....in fact, after that hard fought win, Eddie Guerrero might just be the best wrestler in the world esè.....and this, this is mi familia holmes.....this is my blood.....my nephew, Chavo Guerrero Jr.....and all he was doing was coming out to watch his idol....his hero.....his favourite Uncle Eddie, retain the United States Championship one more time....." .....Eddie says that family is very important to the Guerrero's, because they are all a part of the greatest wrestling family EVER.....not those stupid Samoan's, the Guerrero's.....and after Chavo was inspired by Eddie, he's going to watching VERY closely to see who walks out tonight the Cruiserweight Champion..... .....Chavo agree's, saying that watching the performance of his uncle tonight has inspired him to go for some gold of his own.....Cruiserweight gold.....so whoever the first champion is it doesn't matter.....because they won't be champion for long.....Chavo Guerrero Jr. will be..... ".....and I'm going to be the greatest champion ever Gene....." ".....HEY!.....second greatest esè....." ".....and I'm going to be the SECOND greatest champion ever Gene....." .....Gene goes to ask another question, but The Rock is stirring, so the Guerrero's decide to cut this short and head to the back.....but the message is clear, the Guerrero family want to add some more gold to their lineage..... .....let's 'do a Guerrero' as well shall we, and go to the back too..... 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="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="p7XY18k.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/p7XY18k.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....where Mike Tenay is standing by with the Road Warriors..... .....he looks a little bit distracted initially, staring at something just out of shot, but he soon regains his composure as he asks the Road Warriors how they feel about their upcoming match with The Forgotten?..... .....Animal fields that question first, screaming at the top of his lungs that if Mike Tenay is expecting this to be a "match" then he's going to be disappointed, because this is going to be nothing more than a fight.....a street-fight......and when it comes to fighting, no one fights like the Road Warriors..... ".....TELL 'EM HAWK....." ".....WELLLLLL!!!.....YOU KNOW WHAT MIKE TENAY?......THE ROAD WARRIOR'S, WE LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN A GOOD FIGHT.....WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING OUR WHOLE STINKING LIVES AND IT ALWAYS GOES THE SAME WAY....UP FOR US...DOWN FOR YOU...AND A HARD DAYS WORK FOR THE CLEAN UP CREW..... .....THE FORGOTTEN MIGHT THINK THEY'RE TOUGH GUYS, BUT ME AND ANIMAL, WE CAME PUNCHING AND KICKING OUT OF THE BIRTH CANAL....." .....Hawk says that since the dawn of time, men have been settling their differences with violence, and tonight will be no different..... ".....FROM THE TIME THAT FIRST CAVE MAN TOOK HIS CLUB, AND USED TO LOBOTOMISE THAT DIRTY NEANDERTHAL THAT WAS EYEING UP HIS OLD CAVE LADY, TO THE DAYS OF THE GLADIATORS AT THE COLISEUM..... .....AND SPEAKING OF GLADIATORS.....LOOK WHAT WE HAVE....." <img alt="rn8nPKN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rn8nPKN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="yumpLer.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yumpLer.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....I guess that thing that had Mike Tenay so distracted at the start of that promo was this man.....this man being Mike Awesome.....although he appears to have decided to join his team mates for the evening in donning the face paint.....because we have Hawk.....Animal.....and The Gladiator..... .....it was as The Gladiator that Mike Awesome found his first taste of success way back in the early 90's, competing in the hardcore Japanese promotion Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW).....and it looks like that for THIS street-fight tonight, he's going back to his roots..... .....Awesome isn't a great promo (that's what Missy is for) but tonight, after The Forgotten took his partner out, this one is personal, and he joins Hawk and Animal in unleashing a shouty promise of revenge..... .....he tells the trio that he hasn't "Forgotten" what they did to Gideon Cain.....he hasn't "Forgotten" what they tried to do to him......and (as he picks up a trash can filled with all manner of weird and unusual weapons) he hasn't "Forgotten" to bring his own supplies..... ".....because Kevin Sullivan, Bam Bam Bigelow.....Vader.....by the time I'm done with you three tonight, I'll have beat you so bad that you'll have "Forgotten" your own names....." ".....UUHHHHHH!!!......WHAT A RUSHHHHHHH!!!!....." 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="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="rn8nPKN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rn8nPKN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <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" /> Six-Man Starrcade Street-Fight .....oh this is going to be a messy one.....know how we know? Because while Missy Hyatt DOES accompany Mike Awesome (or rather "The Gladiator" for one night I guess) out from the back, he stops her on the entrance ramp, staring down at the Forgotten trio who are already in the ring, before sending her right back to the safety of the locker room..... .....the Road Warriors make their way out last (and get that HUGE Road Warrior pop) and they join Awesome on the entrance way, before stripping off those spiked shoulder pads as the three men charge down the aisle.....just as The Forgotten charge UP the aisle.....and these six men crash into each other like a herd of stampeding bulls clashing heads..... .....there are some big, big men in this one.....and Kevin Sullivan.....but credit where it's due, because what Sully lacks in size he makes up for in sheer brutality.....the action is wild from the get go, as all six men look to tear their opponents apart.....Animal and Bigelow soon pair off, as do Hawk and Sullivan.....which just leaves Awesome and Vader to duke it out.....and now that he's officially a face, Mike Awesome can showcase that agility without fear of losing his heel reaction.....and that agility comes into play early on, as he comes off the corner of the crowd rail with a flying shoulder block to the big Mastodon Vader..... .....Animal and Bigelow have brawled their way up the ramp, while Sullivan has decided to make use of that trash can full of weapons that Awesome bought to the fight with him, as he cracks a broom across the back of Hawk, before using the broken handle to choke the man.....fortunately for Hawk, his partner makes his way over to break up the choke, and soon the two Road Warriors are ducking it out with Sullivan and Bigelow, while Vader and Awesome continue their own personal war, which see's Mike Awesome backdrop the huge frame of Vader over the guard rail and right into the crowd..... .....Dusty Rhodes is having a whale of a time with this one, fawning over all the "plunder daddy" that's scattered in and around the ring.....there's maybe been one actual wrestling hold this whole match, as Hawk and Animal trade weapon shots with Sullivan and Bigelow, that eventually sees Animal get knocked silly with a chair shot to the skull.....that's when the Forgotten show just how far they are prepared to go......because Bigelow sets up a wooden table from underneath the ring on the floor.....rolls Hawk on top.....holds him in place.....and leaves him absolutely helpless as Sullivan comes off the apron with that Double Foot Stomp, straight through Hawk and the table, down to the floor...... .....Mike Awesome may be the most impressive big man in the sport, but there are few who can match power with Big Van Vader....and the former WCW Champion is more than happy to display that power, pressing Awesome overhead in the crowd and dropping his opponent back over the guard rail to ringside...... .....Hawk is still down from that Double Foot Stomp through the table, and to be fair Sullivan hasn't moved much since either, as the two men lay in a crumpled mess amongst the wreckage of the broken wood.....that leaves Animal and Bigelow briefly, until Vader makes his way over to join his partner in double teaming the lone Road Warrior, although again....only briefly.....because while Hawk may be down, this IS a six-man street-fight, and while Mike Awesome has had his fair share of battles with the Road Warriors, they're united tonight in their mutual hatred of The Forgotten, and between the two of them they (Animal) plant Bigelow to the mat with a Powerslam, before sending Vader flying to the outside with a Double Clothesline..... .....these car crash type of matches rarely go long, and it looks as though the babyface team is looking to finish this one off right here and now.....and it looks like we are going to see a Doomsday Device from Animal and Mike Awesome, because as the latter scales to the top rope, Animal is trying to get Bigelow up on his shoulders..... .....I say trying.....because Bam Bam Bigelow is no small man.....and the extra time that it takes attempting to life the big, tattooed, 390lb frame of the Beast from the East is all that Vader needs to recover, and he blindsides Animal before Bammers can go for the ride..... .....big Irish Whip into the corner sends Animal crashing into Awesome, who drops and crotches himself on the top rope, as Animal staggers backwards..... .....where Vader is waiting..... .....and he drives the Road Warrior down with a huge Powerbomb, right onto a discarded trash can that gets flattened beneath the massive back of Animal..... .....Bigelow makes the cover.....and despite the fact that Animal STILL kicked out 0.2 of a second after the official strikes a mat for a third time, strike it for a third time it does, and this one is mercifully over, with the Forgotten going one step closer to NEVER being Forgotten again. Winner(s): The Forgotten 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="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" /> Lets calm things down a little bit now, and after that rather chaotic showing we head to the back, where Mean Gene is standing by with the Totally Awesome Trinity, ahead of Ray Traylor's upcoming match with Sid Vicious, and the WCW Tag Team Champions impending defence against Diamond Dallas Page and Chris Benoit..... .....if there is any trepidation on the part of the Trinity, there's no sign of it.....Copeland and Cage are in fine form as usual (with Cage firmly over the case of the mumble-mouths that he suffered on this past weeks Nitro) and even Traylor looks to be in a rare good mood..... .....Gene tells the trio that while they look calm and collected on the outside, there must be some concern going on inside, after all, Copeland and Cage are up against two men in Diamond Dallas Page and Chris Benoit who have everything to prove tonight, while The Enforcer is up against a seven foot mad man by the name of Sid Vicious..... ".....oh yeah, we're totally nervous Gene.....nervous that Chris Benoit's crippling dullness is going to put the crowd to sleep before we can Totally wow them with our awesome moves....." ".....yeah Gene, nervous that old man river Diamond Dallas Aged is going to fall over and break a hip, meaning his totally hot wife will have to take care of washing down his liver spots for him....." ".....yeah Gene-o.....we're nervous that we're going to put our backs out when we have to carry on holding on to these Totally Awesome Tag Titles when we beat Team M&M later......" ".....that's 'Mothballs' and 'Monotony' Gene....." ".....and even MORE worried that we're going to put our backs out trying to carry those two dork's to a good match....." .....to say that he Champions are being somewhat dismissive of their challengers would be an understatement.....and they don't seem any less confident in Traylor's chances either, saying that Sid might be big, but The Enforcer, he carries a big stick..... ".....and a totally awesome ball and chain too....." .....and Sid, he's going to find out the same thing that everyone else finds out when they step in the ring with the Titans of Wrestling......the same thing Luger found out.....Piper.....Levesque....Benoit, Page, the Totally Heinous Nasty Boys, the little puppy dog Pitbulls.....and that's the fact that when you mess with the Titans, you totally lose.....so they're going to find a chair, put their feet up, and watch The Enforcer chop the big doofus down to size in about five minutes, and then the THREE of them will take care of the WCW B-Team (Page and Benoit) together. 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="cxh6grX.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cxh6grX.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="JM0zCR1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JM0zCR1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> That brief promo from the Totally Awesome Trinity gave the ring crew time to clear away all the debris from our Starrcade Six-Man Street-Fight, and if the men were big in that match, they're not about to get any smaller in our next, as the massive Sid Vicious takes on the Titans of Wrestling's (and third member of the Totally Awesome Trinity) Ray Traylor..... .....funnily enough, if you were to ask any wrestling fan to tell you which promotion they first thought of when hearing these two men's names, Sid would more than likely be synonymous with WCW, while Traylor would be thought of as more of a WWF guy.....with that being said though, Traylor has actually competed in more Starrcade events than his WCW opponent tonight, wrestling in 93, 96 and now 97, while Sid's lone Starrcade performance (to date) happened way back in 1990.....incidentally, Sid WAS scheduled to headline Starrcade 93 and (judging by the Worldwide taping's that featured Sid sporting the WCW Title) defeat Big Van Vader for the big one......of course a certain "scissor" incident with Arn Anderson put a stop to that, so here we are at only his second (in ring) appearance at the granddaddy of them all..... .....why did I tell you all that? Just to fill some space really.....because while this was a decent match considering the competitors, do you really want a blow by blow account of Sid vs. The Boss Man? No, I didn't think so..... .....it was one big brawl from start to finish, with Traylor getting a surprising amount of offence in considering his size disadvantage....his alliance with the Titans of Wrestling may have rejuvenated (and saved) his career here in WCW, but his unlikely union with Copeland and Cage has really seen the career of a guy I had no interest in pushing come to life, and because of that he is made out to be a credible challenge to Sid here tonight..... .....not enough of a challenge though..... .....Sid came to WCW because he was unhappy with his career path in the WWF (coupled with the fact that his "scissor" buddy Arn Anderson joined) and made his way to WCW with the goal of getting back into he main event.....to do that you need to win matches..... .....he won this match..... .....and he won it decisively with a Powerbomb.....who's the man? Well in this match at least, the man is 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="a9Qu87X.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/a9Qu87X.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Jpio0Nw.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Jpio0Nw.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="J2Rypjz.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/J2Rypjz.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> From there we go backstage, where Mean Gene is standing by with Diamond Dallas Page, Kimberly and Chris Benoit.....the foursome are standing beside a monitor (where a replay of Sid's victory is being aired) and Gene says that seeing one third of the Trinity fall just moments before they face the other two thirds for the WCW Tag Team Titles must have given them a little confidence booster..... .....Page goes to talk, saying that they knew Big Sid would pick up the win tonight, before beginning to say that they are going to carry that momentum into their own match.....before he can continue however Gene cuts him off, motioning towards the monitor beside them...... .....it seems as though Sid isn't finished, because even though he HAS finished celebrating to the crowd, he drags The Enforcer back to his feet and (as the shot on the monitor quickly switches to a full screen shot of what's happening inside the ring) kicks him in the gut, before getting him into position..... .....and slamming him down a second time with another Powerbomb..... .....Sid lets out another loud "Who's the man?" before grabbing hold of a nearby camera and screaming down the lens directly at Page and Benoit, telling them that he doesn't think that The Enforcer will be a factor in their match, before the shot returns to the back, where the tag team title challengers are smiling at the monitor...... .....Page resumes what he was saying originally, but prefixes it by saying that now that Sid has taken out the third wheel, he and Benoit can finally shut those two blonde haired big mouths up once and for all..... .....Benoit speaks next, saying that Copeland and Cage think that they're pretty funny guys, always running their mouths.....but Chris Benoit, he prefers to do his talking in the ring, and we'll see how funny....how 'totally awesome' they find it, when Chris Benoit makes them submit to the Crippler Crossface..... .....Page wraps the segment up, saying that he and Benoit have been coming out here for months now trying to put a chink in the armour of the Titans of Wrestling..... ".....but the Titans of Wrestling, they're like that devil dog Gene....Cerberus....just when you think you've cut one head off, another one appears.....Hollywood 'Scum' Hogan, yeah he might still have that WCW Title around his waist, but that's only because the rest of his dog's helped him.....but tonight, there ain't gonna be no one left to help Copeland and Cage.....Hogan, Savage, The Ultimate Jack-off.....even little Buffy has got his hands full.....and I don't think Ray Traylor's gonna be in any condition to do ANYTHING, do you?..... .....Copeland, Cage.....the only thing that's going to be 'totally awesome" tonight, will be when Diamond Dallas Page and Chris Benoit walk out of here the NEW....WCW Tag Team Champions.....because one way or another.....you will....Feel....The....BANG!....." 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="98fv6En.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/98fv6En.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" /> VS. <img alt="Jpio0Nw.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Jpio0Nw.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 style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/M9lRpy2.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/M9lRpy2.jpg"></a> So it's time for our third title match of the evening, and so far it's not been a good night to be challenging for gold.....both the Television Champion Bill Goldberg, and the United States Champion Eddie Guerrero have walked in AND out OF Starrcade with their titles still around their waists.....now it's time to see if Copeland and Cage are going to be as successful, when they put the Tag Team Titles on the line against Diamond Dallas Page and Chris Benoit..... .....you've got to wonder exactly how many more shots Page and Benoit are going to have against the Titans of Wrestling.....they have both (unsuccessfully) faced Hollywood Hogan.....Page (unsuccessfully) faced The Warrior....Benoit (unsuccessfully) went one on one with Randy Savage.....you would have to assume that despite the fact that arguably, both men SHOULD have won each of those matches (before outside interference from the other Titan members cost them the win) another loss here would surely give weight to Hogan's claims that neither of these men are in the Titans league.....and if there was ever a night to do it, a night like tonight (when the rest of the Titans have their own agenda's) may well be the best night to do it..... .....you can see that Copeland and Cage were unprepared for the possibility that they may not have their "Enforcer" in their corner too, they look visibly unsettled as they make their way out.....briefly anyway.....because they are soon back to their annoyingly entertaining selves once the bell rings.....they actually get off to a pretty good start too.....it's Christian and Page that starts the match, and when Cage gets the better of the initial collar and elbow, taking Dallas down to the mat with an arm drag, the two Titans take great pleasure in mocking the elder wrestler, with Copeland hobbling up and down the apron like he just broke his hip.....a fact that Dusty Rhodes takes offence to..... ".....see Tony, I've known Diamond Dallas Page a long time daddy.....people have been doubting him his whole life and he's been proving them wrong his whole life too....." ".....well I can certainly vouch for that Dusty....I've known Dallas a long, long time too, and Bobby Heenan, this man will work harder than anyone to prove himself here in World Championship Wrestling....." ".....Tony, I've known Dallas Page a long, long time as well....." ".............................." ".............................." "......and your point Brain?....." ".....oh, no point.....Dallas Page is so old that EVERYONE has known him a long, long time.....I think Julius Caesar actually still owes him twenty bucks....." .....well regardless of that, Page doesn't let a little hiccup like a single armdrag get him down.....and he's straight back to his feet.....he locks up with Cage a second time, but on this occasion he blocks a second armdrag attempt and counters with one of his own, followed up immediately by a running clothesline that sends Christian bailing to the floor..... .....Copeland charges into the ring and runs at Dallas, but Page ducks the oncoming attack and as Copeland goes to run the ropes, Benoit drops down on the apron (pulling the top rope down with him) and Copeland tumbles all the way down to the outside alongside his partner..... .....the Totally Awesome Twosome aren't happy with that, and they have a mini temper tantrum on the outside.....a brief mini temper tantrum anyway.....because Benoit and Page quickly follow them out bounce them around on the floor for a moment before the action returns to the ring.... .....Page and Christian remain the legal men and Dallas keeps up the offence as he drives a knee into Cage's gut and takes him down with a Snapmare before dropping a couple of elbows.....tag to Benoit and this makeshift team show their unity as Page holds onto the arms of the Tag Team champion, leaving his chest wide open for a series of knife edge chops from the Crippler. Benoit takes control and begins unloading on the hapless Christian, clearly looking to make a statement after Cage's mocking of him on Nitro, but Christian finally breaks free with a rake of the eyes and scrambles over to Copeland to make the tag..... .....Copeland locks up with Benoit and the two jostle for position until the Titan eventually sends Benoit across the ring with an Irish Whip.....Benoit runs the ropes and Copeland attempts a leapfrog, but the Crippler stops short and as Copeland lands back on his feet Benoit hooks him and sends him flying halfway across the ring with an Overhead Belly to Belly..... .....DDP gets tagged back into the match, and hits a couple of right hands and a series of kicks.....Copeland finally catches the foot and swings Page away, but Dallas converts that into a Discus Clothesline.....it's been all Page and Benoit so far here tonight, but as Copeland reverses an Irish Whip attempt and as he whips Dallas off the ropes, Cage hits a cheap shot with a knee to the back from the apron, and finally the champions take control of the match..... .....Copeland and Cage slow the match down now and use the ring to their advantage as they keep Page near their corner.....Cage finally locks on a reverse chinlock, but Dallas fights out of that and runs the ropes only to get caught in a sleeper hold.....he's not in it for long though as he drops down and jacks the jaw of Christian to break it.....both slowly make their way over to their corners to tag out, and Chris Benoit enters like a house of fire, hitting a series of running clotheslines to Copeland, then knocking Cage flying off the apron to the floor.....it's a bit of a false hope spot though because Copeland is able to reverse an Irish Whip, and as he does Cage returns the favour from earlier, pulling down the top rope so that Benoit crashes and burns down to the concrete floor..... .....Page inadvertently distracts the attention of the official, complaining about Cage's interference, but that just allows Christian to cause even more trouble as he continues doing work on the outside, ramming Benoit back-first into the steel ring post before rolling him back in to Copeland....again the Champions slow the pace down and control the match (being sure to mock Page on the outside the whole time) as they work over Benoit..... .....the two WCW representatives aren't going to go down easily however.....not at the biggest show of the year, and not after fighting an uphill battle against the Titans of Wrestling for so long now.....Copeland and Cage came into WCW and went straight to the upper midcard of the roster, and with their affiliation with the Titans of Wrestling it was only a matter of weeks before they broke through to the main event.....Benoit and Page however have had to fight and claw and smash their way through glass ceilings for months now, and after FINALLY breaking into the main event as well (barely) they're not going to give up their spot without a fight.....which is why Benoit is finally able to take out Copeland with a German Suplex, before making the hot Tag out to DDP..... .....much like Benoit before him, Dallas also comes in like a house of fire, and he too bounces both members of the Titans of Wrestling around the ring as the crowd roars in approval.....Dallas Page might not be the youngest wrestler on the roster, but he's turned back the hands of time here as he springs back and forth between Copeland and Cage like a man ten years his junior, and he holds both Titans at bay long enough for Benoit to get back into the mix......and that's when the Tag Champions really find themselves in trouble..... .....it's about this time that Copeland and Cage would be looking to The Enforcer to get things back on track for them, but since Sid Vicious already took Traylor out of the equation earlier this evening that's not really an option.....so the Champs do the next best thing.....they bail from the ring, grab their championship belts.....and begin hightailing it up the ramp.....they're outta here..... .....or at least that's the plan..... <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" /> .....until their path is suddenly cut off by the emerging Pitbulls..... .....the Pitbulls had a real chance at becoming the WCW Tag Team Champions up until Copeland, Cage (and Traylor) put a screeching halt to that using some rather underhand tactics.....neither Pitbull #1 or #2 have been seen since then.....they're here tonight though....and they're here to stop the Titans from sneaking away with their championships cheaply again..... .....Copeland and Cage come to a dead halt at the sight of the Pitbulls, and begin begging off.....which is all the delay that Benoit and Page need as they come rushing up the aisle, grab the Champions by the hair and toss them back into the ring..... .....from there the Titans are in a complete state of disarray, as Benoit and Page unleash six months of pent up frustrations out on them.....and as Benoit takes Copeland down, locking in the Crippler Crossface, Diamond Dallas Page drops Christian with the Diamond Cutter.....and three seconds later (as Copeland furiously taps out in unison) we have brand new WCW Tag Team Champions..... Winner(s): ....and NEW WCW Tag Team Champions......Diamond Dallas Page & Chris Benoit 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="Jpio0Nw.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Jpio0Nw.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" /> .....Chris Benoit and Diamond Dallas Page have been in a real war here tonight.....the (now former) Champions may act like everything is one big joke, but when it comes to wrestling Copeland and Cage can more than hold their own, and they have taken DDP and Benoit to the limit here..... .....the official hands the weary pair their brand new Championships.....and they hoist them high in the air in celebration as Kimberly looks on proudly from the outside...... <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" /> .....which is when The Forgotten storm the ring, and completely blindside the new champions, crashing them down to the mat..... .....Benoit and Page are really in no condition to defend themselves after just competing in a long and gruelling match with Adam Copeland and Christian Cage....and that suits The Forgotten just fine.....because they're not out here looking for a fair fight, they're out here to apparently destroy the new Champions, because that's exactly what they do, with Vader planting Page with a huge Powerbomb, while Bigelow drives Benoit to the mat with a sit-out reverse piledriver dubbed the 'Greetings from Asbury Park', and that's all she wrote..... .....Bigelow and Vader snatch up the WCW Tag Team Title belts and look at them for a moment, before briefly holding them high in the air, before tossing them down onto the chest of the fallen Champions..... .....Benoit and Page may have won tonight, but they don't look like winners right now.....and while they ARE the new tag team champions of the world, it would appear as though their first challengers have already made theirselves known.....let's go to 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="a9Qu87X.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/a9Qu87X.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" /> .....where Mean Gene is once again standing by, this time with the one legged man about to try and win an ass kicking contest, Rowdy Roddy Piper..... .....Piper still has his crutches and is clearly nowhere near match fit....in fact (as Gene points out) Piper is not medically cleared to wrestle here tonight..... ".....wrestle? Who's here to wrestle?.....I'm not here to wrestle Gene, I'm here to fight.....see there's a man out there goes by the name of Buff Bagwell.....it's a stupid name I know, but stay with me here Gene.....there's a man out there by the name of Buff Bagwell, and he thinks that because he hangs around with Hollywood Hogan that he's suddenly some big shot around here.....he thinks that because he polishes the Macho Man's boots and applies the Warriors make up for him that he's suddenly something special around here....." .....Piper says that just because Bagwell hangs around with the so-called 'stars' that doesn't make him ready to swim with the sharks.....he says that Hogan and his cronies might think themselves Titans, but Rowdy Roddy Piper is a living, breathing Icon of professional wrestling, and even on one leg he's more than man enough to slap Bagwell around a bit..... ".....Bagwell, you took that steel chair like a big, bad, man....and you smashed my hip to dust....yeah you put me down, but ain't nothing in this life put me out yet and it certainly ain't gonna be you that does it.....I might only have one leg but I would crawl down that aisle on my hands and knees through broken glass just to take that same steel chair and shove it right up your big nose.....so get ready boy, because you're about to be in the fight of your life....." 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="bqAIgZT.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bqAIgZT.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="bXKnfuE.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bXKnfuE.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Unsanctioned Fight So far it's not been a very good night for the Titans of Wrestling.....Ray Traylor lost to Sid Vicious.....Adam Copeland and Christian Cage lost to Dallas Page and Chris Benoit (losing the WCW Tag Team Titles in the process).....next up its Buff Bagwell's turn to try and pick up a victory.....now ordinarily, if you told someone that Buff Bagwell was going to be facing off in a match against Rowdy Roddy Piper, you'd probably say the result was a gimmie.....Icon of Wrestling vs. well, basically a perennial tag team wrestler in Marcus Bagwell.....there's just two problems with that, this ain't a match it's an unsanctioned fight.....and Roddy Piper can barely walk, let alone swing a punch..... .....as it goes though he CAN swing a crutch.....and that's exactly what he does to open this 'fight', walloping Bagwell right between the eyes and almost winning in record time.....Bagwell just manages to get his shoulder up though and the fight continues..... .....this is sloppy, but to be honest I was expecting nothing else.....Bagwell isn't the best worker in the world, while Roddy Piper is frankly past his best.....in fact, the fact that this was SUPPOSED to be a sloppy clusterf##k (and kept quite short) probably actually improved the match..... .....Piper (one leg and all) still managed to control the opening as he brawled in and around ringside with Bagwell.....Bagwell is young, but he has plenty of experience under his belt, and he finally goes straight to the bum leg, which puts Piper flat on his back and crying out in pain..... .....the two wind up brawling on the outside and they use all the smoke and mirrors at their disposal to make this a passable match, with Piper even taking the leather belt from around the waist of the timekeeper at one point, to whip Bagwell like a government mule..... .....Piper does have a good portion of the offence, but each time Bagwell cuts it off it's by going to the leg.....it's an obvious game plan and it's one that seems to be working, because eventually Piper's periods of offence are shorter and shorter..... .....it's the leg that signals the end of the match too.....because as Piper manages to lock on the Sleeper Hold, he does so while Bagwell has that steel chair in hand again.....and since this is an unsanctioned (no disqualification) match, he kicks his leg back (going low) to break the sleeper, before turning and crashing that steel against the already injured hip..... ....Piper drops to the mat again, crying out in pain, but that's not enough for Buff......and he swings that chair again, and again, and again, before dragging the man back to his feet (foot) hooking that bad leg, and going back to his roots with the Yellow Jacket Suplex (basically the Perfect-Plex) and with that bum leg severely damaged, Roddy Piper simply doesn't have it in him to kick out, and Buff Bagwell picks up possibly the biggest win of his life. Winner: Buff Bagwell 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="O22kAAc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/O22kAAc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> As we leave Buff gloating like he just knocked out Mike Tyson in his prime, we go to the back, where ANOTHER member of the Titans of Wrestling is smack bang in the middle of a rather heated argument with the face of the Championship committee..... .....it's Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff, and they appear to be arguing about the semantics involving Shawn Michaels inclusion in tonight's semi-main event..... .....Russo seems to be stating the case that Shawn Michaels (despite repeated offers) is NOT a member of the WCW roster, and as such should NOT be allowed to compete in this match.....he says that Piper wasn't allowed to compete because he wasn't medically cleared, imagine the lawsuit when Savage and Warrior tear apart a man not even employed by World Championship Wrestling..... ".....I mean bro, seriously.....you've just seen what Buff Daddy did to Piper, can you only imagine what Randy Savage is going to do to Shawn frickin' Michaels?......" .....Russo says that in the best interest of World Championship Wrestling (and on the suggestion of the Turner legal team) he has decided to officially pull Shawn Michaels from this match and revert it to its original two on one handicap status..... .....Bischoff smiles that sh!t eating smile at this, telling Russo that he doesn't need to worry, and he can run back to the suits and tell them not to worry too.....before pulling what looks suspiciously like a contract out of his leather jacket..... .....Russo looks warily at the paper, before asking if that's what he thinks it is?..... ".....you're damn right it is.....one official, SIGNED and legal WCW talent contract, signed right down there at the bottom by one Shawn Michaels....so you, the suits, whoever else there is, none of you need to worry, because Shawn Michaels is OFFICIALLY part of the World Championship Wrestling roster....." .....Russo is not happy about this revelation, telling Bischoff that he doesn't have the authority to do this....he's the face of the CHAMPIONSHIP Committee..... ".....this ain't a championship match bro, you're outta your jurisdiction....." .....Bischoff says that while that would NORMALLY be the case, this contract was written up months ago on Shawn Michaels original arrival here in WCW.....it's official.....it's been official for months.....it's just been waiting for one final thing, Mr. Michaels signature on the bottom..... ".....and it's perhaps a signature that would never have come, but despite Mr. Michaels rather misguided opinions of this great company, it would seem as though the actions of your Titans of Wrestling, specifically Randy Savage, gave him just that little push that he needed....." .....the two men continue to bicker, but it seems like the point is redundant, because whether Vince Russo likes it or not (and he doesn't) Shawn Michaels is here.....Shawn Michaels is a part of World Championship Wrestling.....and Shawn Michaels IS going to be competing tonight.....and he's out for blood..... 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="AayK6fg.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AayK6fg.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <img alt="33FsrDO.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/33FsrDO.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="KNeainM.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KNeainM.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/ikXidwr.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/ikXidwr.jpg"></a> WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Tournament Final Match .....ok.....first, let me tell you what was SUPPOSED to happen here..... .....Jeff Hardy, plagued by self doubt after repeated attempts at winning championship gold here in WCW was supposed to suffer yet another blow, spurning the offer to join James Vandenberg's little twisted ministry as he fought bravely to become the new WCW Cruiserweight Champion, only to have his hopes and dreams shattered again as Morris's interference cost him the match, the title, and what little confidence he had left, leading to him eventually surrendering himself at the alter of James Vandenberg in an effort to be reborn..... .....got that?..... .....ok.....so here is what ACTUALLY happened here..... .....the match was going great, hot action, good pace, good crowd reaction..... .....then Tajiri SEVERELY screwed up a moonsault attempt..... .....landed on his head..... .....and suffered an upper lumbar spinal cord rupture, which is going to keep him out of action for the next fourteen to sixteen months..... .....there was little we could do but call an audible, and as Jeff Hardy made the softest cover known to man, we have a brand new WCW Cruiserweight Champion.....but not the one we had planned, and certainly not in the WAY we had planned.....and as the medical personnel rush out from the back to tend to Tajiri, we go to the back, where Mike Tenay is standing by with Jean Paul Levesque......and Shawn Michaels..... Winner: ....and NEW WCW Cruiserweight Champion......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="TR1N0TN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/TR1N0TN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="OB79Kqj.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/OB79Kqj.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="p7XY18k.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/p7XY18k.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....not that he gets much of a word in..... .....Levesque doesn't get much of a word in either..... .....because to say that Shawn Michaels is fired up would be an understatement..... .....Michaels snatches the microphone out of the hand of Tenay and stares directly into the camera.....the signs of the beating (or blade job) that he took just a month ago at the hands of Randy Savage are still obvious on his head, but to say that he returned the favour tenfold on Nitro would be an understatement.....and it's clear that he's far from finished here..... .....he tells Savage that the biggest mistake he ever made was stepping out from behind the commentary table after Vince McMahon (and yes, he says the "V" word) put him out to pasture all those years ago, but at least he had the good sense to come down south to put his wrestling boots back on, because Randy Savage knew, just like Hulk Hogan knew, just like the Warrior knew, that you could only hold Shawn Michaels down for so long before he turned around, kicked you in the face, and took that damn brass ring that they were so desperately clinging on to..... ".....I took every barb about being too small, every 'that doesn't work for me brother', every comment about being just a tag team guy....just a midcarder.....just a flash in the pan.....I took every condescending comment that the so called Titans of Wrestling made about me over the years, and when they packed up their bags and followed the money, I picked up the ball and ran..... .....Randy Savage.....you....Hogan.....Warrior.....you might think you are the Titans of Wrestling.....and you might have called me a lot of things over the years, but a LOT of other people have called me a hell of a lot more.....I've been called everything from the Heartbreak Kid to the Headliner, the Main Event to the Showstopper....I've been called the man that innovated the ladder match.....but whatever you call me, I'm Shawn Michaels and I am THE titan of wrestling.....I am THE man and I am THE icon....but unlike all of you I am the Icon that can still go....." .....Michaels says that they should have left well enough alone.....all he was here to do was watch JPL's back, but now they poked the bear, and now they're going to pay the price.....he tells Savage that the blood he spilled on Nitro was just a taster of what he's got coming to him.....he says that the Titans bought this on themselves.....they MADE him come to WCW.....they've MADE him sign for WCW.....and now, they're going to MAKE him end the Titans of Wrestling for good..... .....with that Michaels slams the microphone back into the chest of Mike Tenay, before storming off into the direction of the ring, as Levesque lets out an exaggerated deep breath..... ".....I'd say someone is ready to fight Mike, wouldn't you?....." .....and cracking a big smile as he heads off towards the ring too.....our tag team match is next..... 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="bLRV4JV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bLRV4JV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="GYpSSWW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GYpSSWW.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 alt="zJWRW9s.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zJWRW9s.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....this match has gone through quite the journey in a very short time.....in the space of a month it's gone from Jean Paul Levesque vs. Randy Savage and The Warrior, to Jean Paul Levesque and Rowdy Roddy Piper vs. Randy Savage and The Warrior......back to just Jean Paul Levesque vs. Randy Savage and The Warrior, and finally to the match that we have right now (and the match that everyone knew was coming.....right?) Jean Paul Levesque and Shawn Michaels vs. The Macho Man Randy Savage and The Warrior..... .....the biggest question going into this, was would this even be a match.....could these four men operate within the confines of the rules of a standard tag team encounter?..... .....well, yes.....and no..... .....let's just say that since Savage and Warrior are both members of the Titans of Wrestling (as is 'The Boss' i.e. Vince Russo) the rules were slightly more, let's say relaxed, than with your standard match..... .....the Titans make their way out first, both decked out in black and white (with the Warrior making his now familiar slow walk to the ring) and make their way down the aisle towards the ring, where they actually come to a halt.....they don't climb into the ring.....they just wait there at ringside..... .....Levesque is out next, followed by Shawn Michaels, who (despite his less than complimentary remarks about World Championship Wrestling) gets a HUGE response.....and rightly so, because not only is this his first match for WCW, it's his first match period since way back in August, a losing effort to Kevin Nash at the WWF's Summerslam event..... .....Michaels comes to a halt alongside Levesque, and the two stare down towards the ring, where the two Titans are still waiting on the floor.....and almost in unison, as Levesque and Michaels begin to walk down the ramp, Savage and Warrior begin to walk up.....a walk which increases to a jog, and then a full on sprint as the four men charge at each other, meeting halfway down the aisle where a wild brawl breaks out..... .....the bell hasn't sounded for this one (since no one has actually entered the ring yet) so there is no danger of disqualification.....good job too, because while Levesque and The Warrior brawl their way down the ramp to ringside, Savage and Michaels brawl their way up the aisle to the entrance way, and they are using every available surface on the way to punish each other with.....both of these men have spilled blood in recent weeks, and it looks as though they are desperate to open each other up again..... .....Levesque is a pretty powerful guy, but it's hard to match power with the Warrior, who reverses a whip to send JPL crashing into the steel steps..... .....Savage and Michaels have made their way over to where the announce table is set up and (as Bobby Heenan scatters like the weasel that he is) Savage whips Michaels back first into the desk, before climbing on top of the structure and coming off with a double ax handle.....Savage goes for a piledriver right there, but Michaels reverses it into a backdrop, before dragging Savage back to his feet and bouncing his head off the table a few times, leaving Macho groggy.....so groggy in fact that Michaels decides that it's time to tune up the band, and he lets fly with some Sweet Chin Music.....Savage wasn't THAT groggy though.....and he grabs Dusty Rhodes by the shirt, pulling him in front of him and leaving the American Dream to take the kick to the face.....Michaels pauses briefly to check on Dusty and that brief pause is all Savage needs to pick up a steel chair, and as Michaels turns around he gets absolutely obliterated with a shot straight to the head..... .....and Shawn Michaels is busted WIDE open..... .....Savage drops down to unleash a flurry of quick jabs to the open cut on the head of Michaels, before dragging him by his hair back over to the entrance way.....we resume some semblance of normality back at the announce desk, because as Dusty Rhodes is taken away by the medics, Bobby Heenan returns to his seat, while Mike Tenay makes his way out from the back to replace the incapacitated American Dream..... .....Levesque and Warrior haven't inflicted quite as much damage on one another as their tag team partners have, but they have certainly been in a war, and as Savage drags a bloody Shawn Michaels down the aisle, Warrior crashes a steel chair across the back of Levesque, putting him down, leaving Savage to toss Michaels into the ring as this one officially gets underway..... ....this match was originally set to be a handicap match, and right now it is again.....because with Levesque down on the outside, Savage and Warrior go to work dismantling the already bloody Shawn Michaels.....obviously the Warrior isn't the greatest worker in the world, but he doesn't have to be here, as Michaels bumps and sells like his life depends on it..... .....Levesque makes it back to his feet and heads over to his corner, where he implores his partner to make the tag, bit when you're in there with Randy Savage and The Warrior that's easier said than done.....Warrior punishes the former WWF Champion with power moves and punches, while Savage is exactly that.....savage.....he scratches and claws at that open cut on the head of Michaels, drives his face into the turnbuckles, stomps, punches, and even bites at one point in an attempt to keep the blood flowing.....and just when Michaels looks about done for, Savage heads to the top rope, looking for that patented double ax handle..... .....but Michaels shifts his position as Savage is mid flight, and catches him on the landing with an inverted atomic drop, before sweeping his legs out from under him and catapulting him so far into the corner that Savages head connects with the steel ring post..... .....and as the Macho Man sits up from the mat, wide eyed, he too is now busted wide open..... .....with both men now wearing the proverbial crimson mask, they slowly make their way over to their respective corners, where they tag in Levesque and Warrior.....and after standing on the sidelines for some time now, JPL is more than ready to fight.....he rushes at the Warrior, who didn't seem to be expecting the ferocity of Levesques attack, because the former Titan completely overwhelms his one time team mate, even getting him into position for the Pedigree.....fortunately for Warrior, Savage flys across the ring to break that up, followed almost immediately by Shawn Michaels, who clotheslines Macho straight over the top rope, before crashing down on top of him with a Plancha..... .....Shawn gets to his feet (with the blood still flowing down his face) and takes a few steps back, where he begins tuning up the band, looking for that Sweet Chin Music on the floor.....and you can either blame the blood in his eyes, or his tunnel vision that is only focusing on Randy Savage, but either way what he DOESN'T see, is the Warrior gorilla pressing Jean Paul Levesque inside the ring.....walking him over to the ropes.....and tossing him down right on top of the former Heartbreak Kid..... .....that might have thwarted the Sweet Chin Music attempt, but it doesn't stop the war.....and as Warrior joins in the fray on the floor, the official has lost all semblance of order here as the four men proceed to do their best to murder each other live on Pay Per View..... .....he lets as much go as he can, but as Warrior attempts to garrotte Levesque with a camera cable, and Savage picks up a steel chair (only to have it Superkicked right into his face by Michaels) he has finally seen enough, and he throws this one one.....security can deal with it now..... Winner(s): 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="bLRV4JV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bLRV4JV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="GYpSSWW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GYpSSWW.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" /> .....except security DON'T deal with it.....at all......because the moment Doug Dillinger and his crack team hit the ringside area, the four warring men turn their attention away from each other to lay out the security team, before going right back to trying to kill one another..... ....Dillinger clearly wasn't expecting that, and he calls to the back for reinforcements.....reinforcements which arrive in the form of more security guards, backstage personnel and even one or two referees.....who all receive exactly the same treatment as the original security detail, getting tossed around by the four men, who quickly resume their battle..... .....Savage and Michaels are still both a bloody mess, and Levesque is attempting to bust open The Warrior by repeatedly smashing his head into the ring post, which is when Dillinger calls in the big boys, as Washington's finest boys in blue (black? brown? I don't know what Washington cops wear) come rushing down the aisle (handcuff's and all) to put a stop to this near riot..... .....even they have a hard time stopping the violence, but eventually (and perhaps mercifully) they manage to cuff each of the four men, finally separating them long enough to drag them away from the ring area....to the back.....and presumably downtown, where logic would dictate that they're going to be spending the night in the cells..... .....and as we go to a promo package for our main event, Tony Schiavone remarks that much like with our Tag Team Title match earlier in the evening, you've got to believe that Hollywood Hogan just lost two major pieces of his game plan to retain the WCW Title next.....if he is going to defeat Sting, he's going to have to do it without the help of the Macho Man 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="qOaxgzy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/qOaxgzy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> ".....ladies and gentlemen it is now time for the Starrcade main event of the evening.....tonight, we are going to witness the most anticipated match....in the history of professional wrestling......for the heavyweight championship of the world..... .....ladies and gentlemen......are you ready?..... .....wrestling fans.....are.....you.....rrrrrrrrrready?..... .....then, for the thousands in attendance.....for the millions watching around the world.....from the captial city of the United States of America, Washington DC...... .....let's get to ready to rummmmmmmmbbbbbbleeee!....." <img alt="OvSsBUu.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/OvSsBUu.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> ".....coming down the ring at this time, coming to you by way of Hollywood, California.....he weighs in tonight at 285lbs.....he is the leader of the Titans of Wrestling, an icon to millions and a face instantly recognisable the world over..... .....he comes here tonight to face the biggest challenge of his championship reign to date.....he comes here tonight to defend his WCW Title in front of the world.....he comes here tonight....to win..... .....ladies and gentlemen, the reigning and defending WCW Champion.......Hollywood.....Hulk.....Hogannnnnnn....." .....and here he comes, playing air guitar down the aisle to the sounds of Jimi Hendrix's Voodoo Child, the WCW Champion Hollywood Hogan.....and if he IS at all concerned about that fact that most of the Titans have either lost tonight (or in Savage and Warrior's case, currently out of the equation) you wouldn't know it by the cocky look on his face..... .....Tony Schiavone remarks that usually the Champion would come out last for these title matches, but surprisingly Hogan has used his championship position to come out first.....a fact which Heenan says is pure mind games on the part of Hollywood, looking to get into the challengers head before the match even begins..... .....speaking of the challenger, it may well be him that's playing the mind games..... .....because with Hogan in the ring, the lights go out as thunder crackles through the arena....the Turnertron flickers into life and as the house lights flash giving the illusion of lightning (to accompany the thunder) a child's voice begins to speak over a highlight package of Sting..... ".....when a man's heart is full of deceit..... .....It burns up, dies..... .....and a dark shadow falls over his soul..... .....from the ashes of a once great man, has risen a curse..... .....a wrong that must be righted..... .....we look to the skies for a vindicator, someone to strike fear into the black hearts of the same man who created him..... .....the battle between good, and evil has begun..... .....against an army of shadows, lies a dark warrior..... .....the prevailer of good..... .....with a voice of silence..... .....and a mission of justice..... .....this.....is Sting....." <img alt="Fe0oJG1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Fe0oJG1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....apparently this man doesn't need Michael Buffer to announce his arrival.....and as the thunder and lighting gives way to the orchestral sound that is his new theme music, Sting descends one more time (as he has done so many times in the past) from the rafters, landing directly in the crowd..... .....a lone spotlight picks him out as he stands surrounded by a sea of fans.....expression blank, but intent obvious, because he has that black bat in hand and he's pointing it straight at Hollywood Hogan..... .....Hogan looks decisively less cocky now.....and as Sting makes his way through the crowd and into the ring, it's time to ring the bell, because our main event is happening right now..... 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="mmGHjAn.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mmGHjAn.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <img alt="OvSsBUu.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/OvSsBUu.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="Fe0oJG1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Fe0oJG1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....so this is it.....the match that we have been building to for months now, and a match that can draw its origin back twelve months, to Starrcade 1996..... .....see I booked Starrcade 1996.....I booked the months worth of storylines building up to it as well.....now this was before I took over WCW full time, I dipped in, tried to tidy the place up a little bit and then dipped back out again until June of 97, so I know the seeds of this match were planted there, because I planted them..... .....Starrcade 1996, WCW was a very different place.....a young upstart by the name of Jean Paul Levesque had just arrived in the promotion, and (much as Shawn Michaels has done in recent months) instantly set about running the company down for being second rate.....and to be fair, he wasn't wrong.....attendance was down, the Giant was Television Champion, the odd pairing of Headshrinker Samu and Buff Bagwell held the Tag Team Titles, Nitro's rating was in the toilet.....and the reigning WCW World Champion amongst a sea of stars such as Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Sting, Lex Luger, Ric Flair and The Warrior, was Bam Bam Bigelow..... .....that needed to change.....a lot needed to change.....a lot DID change.....in the space of one night..... .....see the Starrcade 96 main event was a match that underwent some significant changes in the weeks leading up to the show.....what was originally scheduled to be Sting challenging Bigelow for the WCW Title was changed to Sting and Vader challenging Bigelow in a triangle match.....a match that was changed AGAIN when Hulk Hogan was added to the match (because Vader was a regular partner and friend to Bam Bam, and essentially promised that the two of them would ensure that Bammers kept the title) to make it a fatal four way, under the assurance of Hogan that he was just there to keep Vader from becoming an issue during the match..... .....of course, this being Wrestling, things were never going to go that smoothly.....and as he had been so many times in the past, Sting was screwed over by a man he considered a friend, Hulk Hogan did the unthinkable and turned heel....and the Titans of Wrestling were born..... .....Sting changed from that point.....he became withdrawn.....jaded.....his bleach blonde hair gave way to a darker look.....his once colourful face paint became a blank white canvas.....and he stopped trusting.....ANYONE.....until he trusted someone again.....The Warrior..... ....The Warrior spent weeks and months trying to convince the Stinger to join him in the fight against the Titans.....begged him to reunite the Blade Runners one last time against the Mega Powers.....until finally Sting accepted.....but there was a stipulation.....Sting pins Hogan, he gets a shot at the WCW Title.....Hogan pins Sting, and Sting never gets a shot at the gold as long as Hollywood holds it..... .....it was at the Road Wild event back in August that the match took place.....and it was on that night that Sting was betrayed YET AGAIN.....as The Warrior turned heel to join up with the Titans, and that really sent Sting over the edge.....or rather, up into the rafters.....because that was the last time Sting competed in a WCW ring (save for last months Mayhem match) until tonight.....and here we are, four months since Sting's last official match.....and it all rests on this..... .....save for a brief time when the title was vacated back in June, Hollywood Hogan has essentially held this championship for one year straight, and try as they might, there hasn't been a single man on the WCW roster that's managed to take it away from him.....of course, in that twelve month period, he's not had to defend the title against Sting..... .....the bell finally sounds after all the theatrics have been dispensed with, and the two men come face to face in the middle of the ring.....and from the second the bell rang to signal the start of this match, to the second the bell rang to signal the end of this match, this was practically all Sting......he completely overwhelmed the champion, working four months worth of ring rust out on the face of Hollywood Hogan.....Hogan does have a few brief periods of offence, but they are very few and far between, and with no Randy Savage or Warrior there to back him up, Hogan finds himself slumped in the corner, and the recipient of a Stinger Splash..... .....and that leaves the WCW Champion in prime position for the Scorpion Deathlock..... <img alt="bXKnfuE.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bXKnfuE.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="ZBHF30U.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZBHF30U.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....there was ONE member of the Titans that was victorious tonight.....and that's Buff Bagwell..... .....he makes his way out now and comes rushing down the aisle, trying to distract the attention of the challenger before he can turn Hogan over..... .....but he's not alone out there for long.....because the man who was once considered Sting's best friend (and the man who's been lobbying to resume that friendship in recent months) Lex Luger comes rushing out behind Buff.....spins the man around.....and lays him out with a right hand..... .....Sting points down at Luger in recognition for the assist, before turning Hogan over and sitting back, locking in the Scorpion Deathlock.....and with Luger cheering in encouragement, and after shaking his head no for around ten seconds, Hogan finally lets out a big cry of pain..... .....before furiously submitting to the hold..... .....and just like that, after months and months of waiting in the rafters, we have a brand new WCW champion.....and his name.....is Sting..... Winner: ....and NEW WCW World Heavyweight Champion......Sting 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="Fe0oJG1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Fe0oJG1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....Sting is handed the Heavyweight Championship of the world, and he hoists it high overhead in celebration, as a jubilant Lex Luger enters the ring to congratulate him..... .....and he's not the only one.....because the locker room empties as WCW wrestlers, face and heel alike come rushing out to celebrate the end of Hollywood Hogan's reign of terror.....even the usually emotionless Sting looks overjoyed at the victory, and doesn't even offer any resistance as he gets lifted up onto the shoulders of The Road Warriors, as the congratulations keep on rolling in..... .....Sid Vicious, The Rock, The Nasty Boys, Rick Martel, Chris Benoit, Diamond Dallas Page, Rikishi, Jeff Hardy, The Pitbull's, Jim Duggan, Brad Armstrong.....the list goes on and on as the ring continues to fill up.....and everyone is ecstatic at the crowning of a new champion around here..... <img alt="Iq7SH3m.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Iq7SH3m.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....well, ALMOST everyone..... .....because while the Giant DOES come out, he doesn't go any further than the entrance way.....and he CERTAINLY doesn't look to happy about this latest development, as he stares a hole straight through the oblivious Sting..... .....in fact everyone appears oblivious, because even the announcers are jubilant, and as we close out 1997 with WCW riding high over the Titans of Wrestling, we close out Starrcade with a shot of Sting holding the World Title high in the air, while the words of Tony Schiavone echo in our ears..... ".....what a event.....and what a moment.....we have just witnessed possibly the most important night in all of professional wrestling....the night that the tide turned in the favour of WCW.....the night that the Titans of Wrestling and Hollywood Hogan found out that our big boys don't just play, they fight.....and the night, where after months of betrayal, obstacles and adversity, Sting became the WCW Champion of the World.....we'll see you in 1998 fans....." Rating: A* Final Rating: A </div></blockquote> </div>

ElectricX · March 12, 2019

That was a great show of Starcade. Such a fun read with a few twists and turns.

PushBlackout · March 12, 2019

does anyone know where i can get this picture pack please

lieon02 · March 14, 2019

That was an awesome show. The entire run has been amazing

Nobby_McDonald · March 14, 2019

Super Starrcade.

James Casey · March 14, 2019

Fantastic show, to4sty! I really liked Traylor getting taken out by big Sid, meaning that the TATwosome were fighting on a level playing field for once. And the Forgotten going over the Roadies + Awesome was big, too.

Poor Tajiri; I've never had a match end like that in 2016, and so much worse for it being a really serious injury, of course.

Seems like Hogan got punked out in his match, but that's the kind of outcome that's right for the story being told after so long.

to4sty · March 14, 2019

PWI Year End Awards for 1997

<img style="max-width:20%;

"src="https://i.imgur.com/mZoxngP.jpg"><img style="max-width:20%;

"src="https://i.imgur.com/z0br0hg.jpg"><img style="max-width:20%;

"src="https://i.imgur.com/KKB823V.jpg"><img style="max-width:20%;

"src="https://i.imgur.com/trZadD6.jpg"><img style="max-width:20%;

"src="https://i.imgur.com/KijYCx2.jpg"><img style="max-width:20%;

"src="https://i.imgur.com/mQE3Ssx.jpg"><img style="max-width:20%;

"src="https://i.imgur.com/miQIma4.jpg"><img style="max-width:20%;

"src="https://i.imgur.com/ODyQ4Cd.jpg"><img style="max-width:20%;

"src="https://i.imgur.com/1fa5orY.jpg"><img style="max-width:20%;

"src="https://i.imgur.com/JPzwSpr.jpg"><img style="max-width:20%;

"src="https://i.imgur.com/qmUchQn.jpg">

We close out 1997 with a look at the year end awards, and fresh off signing a one year extension with the World Wrestling Federation it's the 40 year old Bret Hart that takes the prestigious Wrestler of the Year award.....

.....a surprise? Yes and no.....I think I've said multiple times during the course of this diary that Bret Hart could have a good match with quite literally anyone, and he has done exactly that throughout the course of the year and wrestling on eleven of the twelve pay per views.....of those eleven matches there was really only one stinker (the Badd Blood triple threat match that saw Ahmed Johnson sustain an injury) seven 'A' rated matches and three 'B+' rated matches.....the surprising part is that five of those 'A' rated matches were Tag Team bouts, seeing he and Owen facing off against Kevin Nash & Scott Hall, Scott Hall & Sean Waltman, Ric Flair & Arn Anderson, The New Age Outlaws and even (surprisingly) The British Bulldog & Jim Neidhart......Bret's other two 'A' rated PPV outings both came in the form of victories over Stone Cold Steve Austin.....

.....so yeah, not a bad portfolio of Pay Per View matches but when you consider that Shawn Michaels (2), Scott Steiner (3) and Brian Pillman (also 3) were all involved in multiple A* matches throughout the year (with Michaels even carrying Marty Jannetty to two 'A' rated matches) you've got to think that consistency was the deciding factor....after all, Shawn Michaels for example only wrestled one match between August and December.....I guess that contract extension was justified after all.....

.....Company and Tag Team of the Year both come from the land of the rising sun, where NJPW, Keiji Mutoh & Hiroshi Hase took the honours respectivly.....

.....Match of the Year was a bit of an odd one, because it's a match I don't actually remember.....an eight man tag match featuring Shawn Michaels, Brian Pillman, Arn Anderson & Ric Flair battling Scott Steiner, Steve Austin, Scott Hall and Sean Waltman on week two of June's Raw is War.....but then when you look at some of the names involved I guess that should come as too much of a shock.....

.....Event of the Year has quite literally just happened.....Decembers In Your House, entitled Dead Man Walking had some great matches topped off with the reunion of Kane and The Undertaker to close out the Year.....

.....the Titans of Wrestling were represented in both ends of the spectrum, with Christian Cage winning Young Worker of the Year, while Randy Savage won Veteran of the Year.....and it was perhaps the help of the Titans of Wrestling that garnered WCW the award of Most Improved Company of the Year as well......

.....the voices of the year went to Jim Ross and Bobby Heenan, as announcer and colour commentator respectively, while veteran official Earl Hebner rounded up the proceedings, picking up the Referee of the Year award.....

.....interestingly enough (and perhaps in an indication of the business as a whole) despite being more popular in every single region than they were this time last year, and despite having the Wrestler of the Year, Match of the Year, Event of the Year, Announcer of the Year AND the Referee of the Year all under their umberella, the World Wrestling Federation dropped from international to national on January 1st 1998.....they are still the number one company in the world, but that's certainly caused them to take a hit in both momentum and importance.....the Monday Night Wars just got that little bit more interesting as we head towards a new millennium.....

does anyone know where i can get this picture pack please

There's no picture pack to get unfortunately, I've made pretty much all the pictures myself.

Poor Tajiri; I've never had a match end like that in 2016, and so much worse for it being a really serious injury, of course.

Seems like Hogan got punked out in his match, but that's the kind of outcome that's right for the story being told after so long.

I've never had a match end like that ever, and I've played practically every incarnation of the game.....severely screwed my plans up going forward that's for sure....screwed Tajiri's push too because he was slowly getting over quite nicely.

As for Hogan, had this been out of the confines of the game (i.e I need my main event to score relatively well) I would have booked the match the way I believe that the actual Starrcade 97 match should have been booked, a literal 5 minute squash.....had Sting come in and absolutely destroy a completely unprepared and overconfident Hogan cleanly and decisively and then saved the "competitive" match for the rematch....but hey ho, we need the grades here.

OOC: Ok.....so that's 1997 in the bag.....two years, around 150(ish) shows written up (as well as countless B-Shows not written up) and I've enjoyed writing 99% of them (except one.....I'm looking at you Survivor Series 1997 -_- ) so I hope you have enjoyed reading at least 95% of them....

.....thank you to everyone for the kind comments, and thank you to anyone that has taken the time to read/comment/predict over the last few years, but for now at least this is going to be on hiatus.....

.....with that being said I'm not looking at ending the game, but I am going to take at least a few months off from the diary writing aspect of it, in the hope that it rejuvenates my interest in the boards a little bit (so if you all could start your early/mid/late 90's WCW/WWF diaries in the meantime then that would be great ) but for now I bid you a (hopefully temporary) fond farewell.

Nobby_McDonald · March 18, 2019

Enjoy your break. Hope you come back.

crackerjack · March 20, 2019

Epic conclusion for WCW here. Great stuff. I appreciated how you hinted about where things will go in a post starcade world - and how strong The Forgotten looked at the end of the day!

Blodyxe · March 23, 2019

What an absolute pleasure it was to read this diary! Long hours of commuting to work saved by this glorious story. I PMed you once telling how much I enjoyed it, back then I was on the first 10 pages or so.

So easy to follow, awesome all around. Al Snow's rise is my favorite highlight really... Once again, thank you for this, hope you'll push on after a bit of a rest <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/cool.png.f00d2562b2c1d873a09323753efdb041.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Sign In

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

Recommended Posts

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Posted Images

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Join the conversation