WCW 1998: Empire Falls

[RKOwnage]

WCW Monthly Recap: December 1997

 

World Championship Wrestling Monthly Recap: December 1997

 

Size: National

Prestige: 92

Momentum: 85

Finances: $27,735,478 ($709,108)

 

Pay-Per-View: WCW Starrcade

Main Event: Sting defeated "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship (80; B)

Match of the Night/Month: Diamond Dallas Page defeated Konnan to retain the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (82; B)

Event Grade: 82 (B)

 

Movement:

Signings/Re-Signings: Chris Parks, Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson, Lizmark Jr.

Departures: Johnny Grunge (fired), Rocco Rock (fired)

 

WCW Champions

(as of Week 1, January 1998)

 

WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Current Champion: Sting (3)

Held Since: WCW Starrcade; Week 4, December 1997

Previous Champion: "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan (3)

 

WCW United States Heavyweight Championship

Current Champion: Diamond Dallas Page

Held Since: WCW Monday Nitro; Week 1, December 1997

Previous Champion: Curt Hennig

 

WCW World Tag Team Championship

Current Champions: The Steiner Brothers (6)?

Held Since: WCW Monday Nitro; October 13, 1997

Previous Champion: The Outsiders (3)

 

WCW World Television Championship

Current Champion: Saturn

Held Since: WCW Monday Nitro; November 3, 1997

Previous Champion: Disco Inferno

 

WCW World Cruiserweight Championship

Current Champion: Eddy Guerrero

Held Since: WCW Fall Brawl; September 14, 1997

Previous Champion: Chris Jericho (2)

____________________________________

 

WCW Roster

(as of Week 1, January 1998)

Face, Heel

 

Main Event

Bret Hart

Diamond Dallas Page

"Hollywood" Hulk Hogan

Kevin Nash

Lex Luger

Randy Savage

Rick Steiner

Scott Hall

Scott Steiner

Sting

The Giant

 

Upper Midcard

Booker T

Buff Bagwell

Chris Benoit

Curt Hennig

Eddie Guerrero

Konnan

Meng

Raven

Ray Traylor

Ric Flair

Stevie Ray

 

Midcard

Alex Wright

Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Chris Jericho

Dean Malenko

Disco Inferno

Ernest Miller

Goldberg

Hammer

Hugh Morrus

Juventud Guerrera

Mortis

Rey Mysterio Jr.

Rick Martel

Riggs

Saturn

Scott Norton

Steve "Mongo" McMichael

Steven Regal

The Barbarian

Wrath

 

Lower Midcard

Glacier

Kidman

La Parka

Lizmark Jr.

Lodi

Prince Iaukea

Psychosis

Ricky Morton

Robert Gibson

Sick Boy

Ultimo Dragon

 

Opener

Lenny Lane

 

Enhancement Talent

Evan Karagias

Louie Spicolli

 

Occasional Wrestlers

Barry Darsow

Brad Armstrong

Chris Adams

Dave Taylor

Ice Train

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan

John Nord

Lanny Poffo

 

Managers

Debra McMichael

Elizabeth (Randy Savage)

Jacqueline Moore (Harlem Heat)

James Vandenberg (Mortis & Wrath)

Jimmy Hart (The Faces of Fear)

Kimberly Page

Rick Rude (Curt Hennig)

Sonny Onoo

Ted DiBiase (Rick Steiner)

Vincent (Buff Bagwell, Konnan, & Scott Norton)

 

Other On-Air Personalities

Arn Anderson (Personality)

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan (Commentator)

Dusty Rhodes (Commentator)

"Mean" Gene Okerlund (Interviewer)

JJ Dillon (Commissioner)

Madusa (Personality)

Mike Tenay (Commentator/Interviewer)

Tony Schiavone (Commentator)

 

Tag Teams

The Blue Bloods ("Lord" Steven Regal & "Squire" Dave Taylor)

The Faces of Fear (Meng & The Barbarian)

Glacier & Ernest Miller

Harlem Heat (Booker T & Stevie Ray)

Mortis & Wrath

Lex Luger & The Giant

The Outsiders (Scott Hall & Kevin Nash)

The Rock 'n' Roll Express (Robert Gibson & Ricky Morton)

Vicious & Delicious (Buff Bagwell & Scott Norton)

 

Stables

New World Order ("Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Eric Bischoff, Randy Savage, Curt Hennig, Buff Bagwell, Konnan, Scott Steiner, Scott Norton, Syxx, Rick Rude, Vincent)

Raven's Flock (Raven, Saturn, Riggs, Kidman, Hammer, Sick Boy, Lodi)

 

Injured/Unavailable

Brian Adams

Rick Rude

Syxx

The Booty Man

 

Almost forgot about the recap!

[Trevor Belmont]

Lex Luger vs. Konnan w/the nWo

 

Mortis and Wrath w/James Vandenberg vs. The Rock 'n' Roll Express

I'll never pick against Mortis and Wrath w/Vandenberg.

 

The Giant vs. Alex Wright

 

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Chris Jericho

 

Ric Flair vs. Curt Hennig w/Rick Rude

Henning > Flair. Idc what no one says.

[Texasrangers13]

Lex Luger vs. Konnan w/the nWo

 

Mortis and Wrath w/James Vandenberg vs. The Rock 'n' Roll Express

WHO BETTA THAN MORTIS!

 

The Giant vs. Alex Wright

Alex Wright should win, to start his push to the moon, but alas, good hand here.

 

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Chris Jericho

 

Ric Flair vs. Curt Hennig w/Rick Rude

[RKOwnage]

<p>WCW Monday Nitro: Week 1, January 1998</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><img alt="sxWjZ5C.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sxWjZ5C.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">WCW Monday Nitro</span></strong></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">

</span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>Monday, Week 1, January 1998</em></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>

National Car Rental Center; Sunrise, FL</em></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

The typical firework show welcomes us to the show as </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Tony Schiavone</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> introduces the commentary team of </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>"Iron" Mike Tenay</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> and </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Bobby "The Brain" Heenan</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">. The team is upbeat and borderline giddy tonight as they describe the colossal victory by </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Sting</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> over </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>"Hollywood" Hogan</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> at Starrcade! Tonight, JJ Dillon has announced that the WCW Championship Committee will allow Sting to choose his opponent for three Sundays at Souled Out! The team bounces around ideas but remain unsure as to who Sting's choice will be. Also, they hype the shocking appearance of </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Bret "The Hitman" Hart</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> at Starrcade and tonight's main event, where </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Curt Hennig</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> will renew his feud with </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">!</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 87 (B+)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

A shrill guitar note blares through the arena as </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>"The Hitman"</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> makes his way down to the ring to an electric crowd reaction! Clad in a leather jacket, jeans, and his trademark sunglasses, Bret gets into the ring, grabs a mic, and soaks in the adoration of the audience. He says that for the last 24 hours, he's gotten calls from old buddies asking why he decided to come to WCW. Bret explains that when you get screwed one too many times like he has, sometimes you just have to come to a place that appreciates the wrestling business and a place that is "the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be," and that's World Championship Wrestling. He says he's been watching while on the road and while he was in Calgary for the last five or six weeks, and he knew that when push came to shove, after he got the call from Ted Turner, he was going to be at Starrcade, and he was going to get back at the man who has screwed him more than anyone besides "Scott and Kevin's buddy" and the suits up north: Hulk Hogan. Bret remarks that "Hollywood" Hogan is a shell of a man who hides behind a massive ego, as he has stolen world championships from Bret and he refused to step in the ring with him going back to the summer of 1993 because he knows that "The Hitman" is the superior wrestler. Bret continues to take shots at Hogan, even declaring that he is here to bury the nWo, until he's interrupted.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>HEY, HITMAN!</strong></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Appearing at the top of the aisle way is </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>"Hollywood" Hogan</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">, flanked by </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Eric Bischoff</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> and </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>"Macho Man" Randy Savage</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">, as well as </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Buff Bagwell</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> and </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Scott Norton</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">. Heenan remarks that he's surprised Hogan would show his face here tonight. To his point, Hogan's scowl indicates he's extremely angry. He says that Bret came up from the minor leagues just in time for Hogan and the new World order to complete the hostile takeover of WCW and prove that the reason Hogan never wrestled Bret is because Bret never drew a dime as world champion, brother! Bret fires back by challenging Hogan, right here, right now! He takes his leather jacket off and flings it into the crowd, while Hulk explains that he just went through a grueling steel cage match. Instead, he says he knows someone else who wants to get his hands on "The Hitman," and slaps Savage on the back, telling him to "go get 'em, Mach!" Savage beckons Buff and Norton and they follow him down to the ring. As they get closer, Bret picks up a mic and says "I know how you work, Hulkster. Like I said, I've seen you come out here week after week and jump people like a pack of wild dogs. You didn't think I came alone, did you?"</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

All of a sudden, out from the crowd come </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Jim Neidhart</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> and </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Davey Boy Smith</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">, also in street clothes, to Bret's side! "The Macho Man" doesn't care as he runs headlong into Bret and Neidhart, and Buff and Norton attack as well! Jim throws Norton through the ropes and Davey Boy lifts Bagwell into a military press and tosses him out onto Norton! Bret clotheslines Savage over the top rope and the crowd explodes! Bret stands aside his brothers-in-law calling for Hogan to face him, while Hulk, Bischoff, and the rest retreat to the back!</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 100 (A*)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><img alt="u0rh16Us.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/u0rh16Us.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><img alt="XFvuT9Bs.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/XFvuT9Bs.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Lex Luger</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Konnan</strong></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

In yet another WCW vs. nWo matchup, Konnan looked to score a huge upset over one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling. Despite Konnan's superior technical ability, Luger was able to rely on his power in this one, finishing the former United States Champion off with the Torture Rack!</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 76 (B-)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

After a commercial break, Schiavone relays a huge announcement from Commissioner JJ Dillon: for the first time in history, </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Bret "The Hitman" Hart</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> will step into a WCW ring, and he will go one-on-one with </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>"The Macho Man" Randy Savage</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>right here tonight</em></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">!</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

The commentary team transitions to the despicable act committed by </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Scott Steiner</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> last night as he turned his back on his brother </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rick</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> and joined the new World order. Tenay explains that we have video footage from the parking lot earlier tonight, and it's not good for Rick Steiner. We go to the footage and a limousine arrives carrying various members of the nWo, including </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Buff Bagwell</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">, </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Curt Hennig</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">, </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Scott Norton</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">, and Scott Steiner, accompanied by women. </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

As they walk into the arena, one of the women lets out a piercing scream when none other than "The Dog-Faced Gremlin" comes screaming out of the shadows to lay into his brother! Rick lands right hand after right hand to his younger brother but is instantly stopped by a knee to the head from Hennig. Scott rises to his feet, enraged, screaming at Rick, as the assault begins. Norton and Hennig grab Rick's arms and Bagwell grabs his head for Scott to face him and insult him. He slaps Rick repeatedly and tells him he's been holding Scott down forever and that time's up! Rick, grunting, spits at Scott, and Scott doesn't react kindly, smashing him with right hands of his own. Scott tosses Rick into the limousine window and cracks the glass! Rick ricochets off of the car and collapses to the ground unconscious.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 78 (B; announcement); 71 (B-; Steiners)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><img alt="aq50JMCs.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/aq50JMCs.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="bAdXyx5s.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bAdXyx5s.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><img alt="xjjtQi8s.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/xjjtQi8s.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="rdHJO3gs.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rdHJO3gs.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Mortis and Wrath w/James Vandenberg</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>The Rock 'n' Roll Express</strong></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Making their Nitro debut, Ricky and Robert had some old school tag team wrestling on display, and for a while it kept the larger competitors off balance. Eventually, however, the macabre duo of Mortis and Wrath picked up the win when Mortis landed a second rope Samoan Drop to Gibson.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 58 (C-)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Next, the commentary team runs down the aid that </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Diamond Dallas Page</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> and </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>"The Total Package" Lex Luger</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> provided to one another in defense against the nWo at Starrcade, and Schiavone announces that Page will defend his United States Heavyweight Championship at Souled Out…against Lex Luger!</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

At the aisleway is </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>"Mean" Gene Okerlund</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">, who welcomes a man who was unsuccessful in his championship pursuit at Starrcade, </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Dean Malenko</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">. Malenko confides that he was disappointed that he didn't pick up the Cruiserweight Title at Starrcade, but calls Eddy Guerrero a poor excuse for a champion by needing the ropes to beat him. He wants him man-to-man, one more time, but Malenko is interrupted by </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Chavo Guerrero Jr.</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">! Chavo comes out and tells Dean that since they face each other later tonight, that Chavo is going to beat Malenko and then it's his turn to take on Eddie for the title!</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 76 (B-; announcement); 47 (D; Dean/Chavo)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><img alt="MggPB7qs.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/MggPB7qs.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><img alt="nWEFKous.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nWEFKous.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>The Giant</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Alex Wright</strong></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

"Das Wunderkind" may be a special young athlete, but that doesn't really matter when you step into the ring with a 500-pound Giant. Wright tried, but he caught a Chokeslam and the crowd ate it up.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 65 ©</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Next up, </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Raven</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> slides into the ring with The Flock, seating himself in the corner. Hammer snatches a microphone from ringside and hands it to him. Raven talks about what it's like to grow up on the streets having to fend for yourself. He says that society was designed to keep out those who don't fit in. At Starrcade, Raven says, he began to strike back at the system by taking out one of WCW's anointed golden boys, Chris Benoit. Interrupting Raven, </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Benoit</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> himself limps out to the ring, heavily bandaged on his head and abdomen. Raven has The Flock stand aside as Benoit tells him that he wants Raven man-to-man at Souled Out. Raven turns his back and leaves the ring as The Flock jumps "The Crippler" again. Out from the back runs fellow Horseman </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Steve "Mongo" McMichael</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> for the save, but the numbers game is too steep, as he gets beat down as well. The Flock stands tall over Benoit and Mongo!</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 75 (B-)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><img alt="s1rnB8Us.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/s1rnB8Us.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><img alt="lHJ2DWAs.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/lHJ2DWAs.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Chavo Guerrero Jr.</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Dean Malenko</strong></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Malenko tried to put down the upstart Chavo and earn another Cruiserweight title shot. Despite several near falls by Guerrero, Malenko ended up catching a dropkick and locking in the Texas Cloverleaf for a hard fought victory.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 63 ©</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

In the back, </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>"Mean" Gene</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> is standing by with </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Diamond Dallas Page</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">, the United States Champion. He asks about Page's upcoming title defense against "The Total Package" Lex Luger when </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Lex</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> himself arrives onscreen. The two express that they've got each other's backs against the new World order, but "The Total Package" makes it very clear that he wants the US belt and that he'll "see ya around, champ," tapping the belt on DDP's shoulder.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 87 (B+)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><img alt="8nM0yBds.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/8nM0yBds.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><img alt="ZI6EbG9s.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZI6EbG9s.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rey Mysterio Jr.</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Chris Jericho</strong></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Two young superstars went at it in this one, with Jericho trying to get off of his recent losing streak. Just when Jericho was in control and playing to the crowd, however, Mysterio turned a Powerbomb attempt into a Hurricanrana and held Jericho's shoulders down for the win!</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

After the match, Jericho's frustration boils over as he attacks Mysterio from behind! He yells at Rey and slams him into the ground with a knee to the head. He grabs Rey by the legs and locks in a deep Lion Tamer, causing Mysterio to try and flail out. Jericho is finally removed by various WCW officials and brought to the back.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 68 (C+; match); 71 (B-; attack)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

A quick recap video airs recapping </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Curt Hennig’s</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> turn on </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Ric Flair</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> and the ensuing rivalry, culminating in Hennig’s recent victory over Flair at World War 3 and Flair costing him the United States belt to DDP on Nitro.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><img alt="HEadJi8s.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/HEadJi8s.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><img alt="5TpzTghs.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/5TpzTghs.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Ric Flair</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Curt Hennig</strong></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Hennig spent much of the match deliberately trying to slow the pace and not letting Flair get any momentum rolling. He did so with many classic Flair tactics, including eye pokes, grabbing the ropes, and using referee Billy Silverman as a shield. Before we could get a conclusive finish, however, Raven and The Flock rushed the ring and attacked "The Nature Boy!"</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

With no Horsemen available due to the attack on Benoit and Mongo earlier in the night, Flair is easy pickings for the band of misfits. A vicious beating ensues as Raven sits in the corner. Hammer, Kidman, and Sick Boy hold Ric down as Riggs and Saturn lash him with belts to the back. Flair yells "oh god!" after another belt whip, reaching toward Hennig, who is walking toward the back. Raven rises and drops Flair with a DDT before slithering back out of the ring.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 76 (B-; recap); 78 (B; match); 80 (B; attack)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><img alt="1mR9zO5s.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/1mR9zO5s.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><img alt="VWbxrKNs.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/VWbxrKNs.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Bret Hart</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Randy Savage</strong></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

While these two hadn't stepped in the ring against one another in over a decade, you would have thought they were longtime rivals. They showed some pretty good in-ring chemistry in a brief but intense contest until, of course, the new World order hit the ring and attacked Bret, causing a disqualification.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

While </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Davey Boy Smith</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> and </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Jim Neidhart</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> try their best, they are quickly overwhelmed by the sheer power in numbers of the nWo. Just in the nick of time, </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Sting</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> rappels down from the rafters with the WCW World Heavyweight Title belt! Bat in hand, he hands Norton a sternum full of wood and swings wildly at Scott Steiner, who ducks out of the way and out of the ring. Eventually, with Bret and his brothers-in-law safely heading to the back, Sting ends up in the ring surrounded only by "Hollywood" Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Randy Savage. Hogan yells "who's it gonna be, huh Sting? You coward!" Tony reminds the audience that Sting is set to announce his Souled Out opponent here tonight – who is it?! Sting stares at the three of them and looks into the crowd. He raises the bat and points it…at "The Macho Man!" Hogan is livid as Savage ponders the opportunity to become WCW World Heavyweight Champion! Sting rolls out of the ring, leaving the nWo in disarray and Bischoff trying to calm things down. It's Sting versus Randy Savage at Souled Out!</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 76 (B-; match); 88 (B+; brawl)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Overall Show Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 84 (B+). This show increased our popularity in 22 regions.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Backstage Notes</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: Prior to the show, Debra McMichael brought one of her old friends from the Miss USA pageant into the backstage area. While the locker room wasn't mad about it, Bischoff informed Debra that she had to pay a fine for violating WCW policy on guests backstage. Debra understood and said it wouldn't happen again, though her husband Steve McMichael was a bit annoyed. Also, wrestling legend Verne Gagne died at the age of 71.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><img alt="F3EPDO3.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/F3EPDO3.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">WCW Monday Nitro Quick Results</span></strong></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>Lex Luger</em></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. Konnan w/the nWo</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

The Rock 'n' Roll Express vs. </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>Mortis and Wrath w/James Vandenberg</em></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>The Giant</em></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. Alex Wright</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>Dean Malenko</em></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>Rey Mysterio Jr.</em></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. Chris Jericho</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>Ric Flair (DQ)</em></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. Curt Hennig</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>Bret Hart (DQ)</em></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. Randy Savage w/Elizabeth</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p>

[RKOwnage]

The new focus on Chris Jericho is very cool. Hopefully he'll be able to quickly leave the Cruiserweight division and be challenging Goldberg by the end of the year. But I must say, the DQs for big matches on Nitro seem wasteful. TEW only lets you run a certain singles match three times before penalties come into play. If you want to do long term feuds between two guys who wrestled on a random Nitro episode in January, that one extra match could really trip you up. I also hope the nWo is done admitting people and will disband by the end of Bash at the Beach this year.

 

Appreciate the feedback! Obviously I have a lot in store for Jericho as he's one of the biggest misses WCW had from this time period - out of many, many misses.

 

Oh I'm aware of the penalties. This is kind of what Nitro was though. I'm trying to keep it relatively on track with the time period, but those huge singles matches won't be happening every single week. Flair/Hennig is pretty much done as you might be able to tell, and while I likely will have a Hart/Savage program down the line, both men are moving on to other things before that happens. I just thought it was an appropriately awesome matchup to bring Bret in on for his first Nitro event.

 

And don't worry, I have a way that I think will successfully bring the nWo to a logical conclusion. I recently was watching WCW in the '96-'98 era and man, the nWo was already long stale by this point. The Wolfpac story should have started like 6 months earlier. But I'm trying not to go 100% by the book of what WCW did, so my ideas should look a little different from what happened IRL.

 

Saturday Night should be up sometime in the next day or two.

[RKOwnage]

<p>WCW Saturday Night: Saturday, Week 1, January 1998</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><img alt="UM1H8eJ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/UM1H8eJ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:14px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">WCW Saturday Night</span></strong></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">

</span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>Saturday, Week 1, January 1998</em></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>

Pontchartrain Center; Kenner, LA</em></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Our announce team of </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>"Iron" Mike Tenay</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> and </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Tony Schiavone</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> welcomes us to a one-hour edition of WCW Saturday Night and they kick off with the chaotic ending to Nitro this past Monday night. </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Bret “The Hitman” Hart’s</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> first ever match in WCW against </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>”The Macho Man” Randy Savage</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> unfortunately (and predictably) ended with an attack by </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>”Hollywood” Hogan</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> and the nWo. After </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Sting</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> made the save, he chose Savage as his Souled Out opponent, leaving the nWo in disarray.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 85 (B+)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

___________</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Bill Goldberg</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Perry Jackson</strong></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

This one wasn’t much of a contest. Goldberg has stepped into the ring with some tough men in his short WCW tenure, but Perry Jackson wasn’t quite up to snuff. He caught a Spear and a Jackhammer, keeping Goldberg undefeated.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 46 (D)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

___________</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

A recap airs chronicling the recent history between </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>The Steiner Brothers</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">, including the nWo beatdown of Rick in the parking lot this past Monday night.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

A pre-taped interview airs. In it, </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Ted DiBiase</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> tells </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Mike Tenay</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> that Scott Steiner is despicable and that he will pay the price for his actions against his brother Rick.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 70 (C+; recap); 66 (C+; DiBiase)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

___________</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Disco Inferno</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Brad Armstrong</strong></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Armstrong looked to show that he was a more serious competitor than the Disco Inferno, but the fan favorite former Television Champion dropped him with a Piledriver.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 48 (D+)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

___________</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

A video airs recapping the feud between </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Raven</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> and </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>The Four Horsemen</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">, including this week’s escalation with the attacks on Benoit, Mongo, and Ric Flair.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Mongo</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> has had enough of “that ripped jean, pretty perm-haired mo-ron” Raven – he says “when ya mess with the Horsemen, ya mess with Mongo, baby!”</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 65 (C; recap); 74 (B-; Mongo)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

___________</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Evan Karagias and Scott Putski</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Mortis and Wrath w/James Vandenberg</strong></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Mortis and Wrath actually got a surprising amount of resistance here from the young guns. Karagias and Putski showed some good tag team chemistry despite being first time partners. It still wasn’t enough to overcome the power and ability of the larger team, however, and Wrath won this one with a Chokeslam to Putski.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 52 (D+)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

___________</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

One more recap video plays, this one depicts </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Chris Jericho’s</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> assault on </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rey Mysterio Jr.</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> this past week on Nitro. </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Mike Tenay</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> tried to get a word out of Jericho backstage earlier tonight to ask him why he would do such a thing, but “Lionheart” pushed past him and continued walking.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 70 (C+)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

___________</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Davey Boy Smith w/Jim Neidhart</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Dave Taylor</strong></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Davey’s first match in WCW was against his countryman, another hard-hitting technician. Unfortunately for Taylor, though, Smith was a harder hitter and after a signature stalling vertical suplex, Davey finished him with a running Powerslam.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

After the match, Tenay interviews Davey and Neidhart about their goals in WCW. Smith says he and Jim are sick of the business they love being run by narcissistic egomaniacs and they, along with Bret, are here to send each and every one of them packing!</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 56 (C-; match); 73 (B-; promo)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

___________</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Tenay and Schiavone let us know that this Monday night on Nitro will feature two blockbuster segments that you won’t want to miss – first, </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Lex Luger</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> and </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Diamond Dallas Page</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> will team up to take on two members of the </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>new World Order</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">. And then, </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Scott Steiner</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> has promised to explain his betrayal of his brother Rick! You have to tune in this Monday!</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 75 (B-)</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

___________</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Overall Show Rating</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: 63 ©</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Backstage Notes</strong></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">: The chemistry between Evan Karagias and Scott Putski as tag team partners was so apparent that Eric Bischoff offered Putski a contract after his match, which Scott accepted.</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

______________________________________</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>WCW Saturday Night Quick Results</strong></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>Bill Goldberg</em></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. Perry Jackson</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>Disco Inferno</em></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. Brad Armstrong</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Evan Karagias and Scott Putski vs. </span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>Mortis and Wrath w/James Vandenberg</em></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>Davey Boy Smith w/Jim Neidhart</em></span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> vs. Dave Taylor</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p>

[RKOwnage]

<p>WCW Monday Nitro Preview: Week 2, January 1998</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><img alt="sxWjZ5C.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sxWjZ5C.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">WCW Monday Nitro</span></strong></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">

</span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>Monday, Week 2, January 1998</em></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>

Cole Field House; College Park, MD</em></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

With only two Monday Nitros to go until Souled Out, things are heating up quickly! We’ll see yet another WCW vs. nWo clash, as Diamond Dallas Page and “The Total Package” Lex Luger will unite to take on Konnan and Buff Bagwell! But there’s a wrinkle to this one – in just thirteen nights, Luger will challenge Page for the United States Heavyweight Title. How will that tension affect the goal in this match, which is simply to hand the nWo a defeat?</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

And, as announced on Saturday Night, Scott Steiner will be in the arena to discuss his reasoning for hitting his brother Rick with the title belt at Starrcade! Not only that, but he’ll be in action against former nWo member Ray Traylor. We’ll also hear from the likes of Rey Mysterio Jr. and Bret “The Hitman” Hart! In terms of in-ring action, JJ Dillon has announced that he felt Chavo Guerrero Jr. deserved a rematch against Dean Malenko, so he gets it this week! And finally, we have a title match as Steve “Mongo” McMichael goes one-on-one with Saturn for the TV belt!</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>The card announced thus far is as follows:</em></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Bill Goldberg vs. Chris Hamrick</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Ray Traylor vs. Scott Steiner</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

</span></span></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><em>WCW Television Championship</em></span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Steve “Mongo” McMichael vs. Saturn © w/The Flock</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Dean Malenko</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Glacier w/Ernest Miller vs. Dave Taylor</span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;"> </span></span></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:12px;">

Diamond Dallas Page and Lex Luger vs. Buff Bagwell and Konnan w/the nWo</span></span></div></div></div></div><p></p>

[Dawn]

<p>Goldberg</p><p>

Scott Steiner</p><p>

Saturn</p><p>

Dean Malenko</p><p>

Glacier</p><p>

DDP & Luger</p>

[RKOwnage]

Goldberg

Scott Steiner

Saturn

Dean Malenko

Glacier

DDP & Luger

 

Hey Smasher good to see you around!

[Jaysin]

Bill Goldberg

 

Scott Steiner

 

WCW Television Championship

Saturn © w/The Flock

 

Dean Malenko

 

Glacier w/Ernest Miller

 

Diamond Dallas Page and Lex Luger

[Dawn]

Hey Smasher good to see you around!

 

Likewise buddy! The forum is just so much better when there's a diary of yours going on

[Trevor Belmont]

<p><strong>Bill Goldberg</strong> vs. Chris Hamrick</p><p> </p><p>

Ray Traylor vs. <strong>Scott Steiner</strong></p><p> </p><p>

WCW Television Championship</p><p>

<strong>Steve “Mongo” McMichael</strong> vs. Saturn © w/The Flock</p><p> </p><p>

Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. <strong>Dean Malenko</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Glacier</strong> w/Ernest Miller vs. Dave Taylor</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Diamond Dallas Page and Lex Luger</strong> vs. Buff Bagwell and Konnan w/the nWo</p>

[tobin834]

<p><strong>Bill Goldberg </strong>vs. Chris Hamrick</p><p> </p><p>

Ray Traylor vs. <strong>Scott Steiner</strong></p><p> </p><p>

WCW Television Championship</p><p>

Steve “Mongo” McMichael vs. <strong>Saturn © w/The Flock</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs.<strong> Dean Malenko</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Glacier w/Ernest Mille</strong>r vs. Dave Taylor</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Diamond Dallas Page and Lex Luger </strong>vs. Buff Bagwell and Konnan w/the nWo</p><p> </p><p>

Like the looks of this, just started reading this to be honest, so these picks of mine are just who I want to win. Will start following now (slowed my stuff down a bit so I could read more and comment as well. Looking forward to following along)</p>

[The Lloyd]

<p><p><strong>Bill Goldberg</strong> vs. Chris Hamrick</p><p> </p><p></p><p>

Ray Traylor vs. <strong>Scott Steiner</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><p>

WCW Television Championship</p><p></p><p>

Steve “Mongo” McMichael vs. <strong>Saturn © w/The Flock</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><p>

Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. <strong>Dean Malenko</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong></p><p>

Glacier w/Ernest Miller</strong> vs. Dave Taylor</p><p> </p><p></p><p>

<strong>Diamond Dallas Page and Lex Luger</strong> vs. Buff Bagwell and Konnan w/the nWo</p></p>

[The Lloyd]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Smasher1311" data-cite="Smasher1311" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="51706" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Likewise buddy! The forum is just so much better when there's a diary of yours going on <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Agree with this 100% as you probably already know <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[RKOwnage]

WCW Monday Nitro: Monday, Week 2, January 1998

 

WCW Monday Nitro

Monday, Week 2, January 1998

Cole Field House; College Park, MD

 

After welcoming us to the show alongside a fireworks display,

Tony Schiavone

introduces his broadcast partners

"Iron" Mike Tenay

and

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan

. He runs down the agenda for the show tonight, including a major tag team match featuring

Diamond Dallas Page

and

Lex Luger

taking on

Buff Bagwell

and

Konnan

! Not only that, but

Saturn

will defend his Television Title against

Steve “Mongo” McMichael

, and Mean “Gene” Okerlund speaks with

Bret “The Hitman” Hart

!

 

Rating

: 76 (B-)

 

But first, we start with a groan from the commentary table and the music of

the new World order

. Down to the ring walk

The Outsiders

,

Eric Bischoff

,

Konnan

,

Bagwell

, and, in an nWo shirt and sporting a new look with short, blonde hair –

Scott Steiner

. Steiner carries the WCW World Tag Team Titles to the ring as well. Bischoff takes the microphone and, “now that his wacko brother is handled," officially welcomes Scott Steiner to the nWo, prompting a mixed reaction – some cheers, some empty soda cups and popcorn bags thrown toward the ring. Steiner takes the microphone and excoriates his brother, calling him dead weight that’s been holding Scott back for a decade. Scott says he’s always been bigger and stronger than Rick, but more importantly he’s a bigger star and he always will be. He proclaims that there is a new Scott Steiner and that any punk that wants to cross him is gonna get their ass kicked! The Outsiders and Bischoff grin and clap as Scott continues, explaining that on behalf of The Steiner Brothers (he spits as the words leave his mouth), he hands the WCW Tag Team Title belts over to The Outsiders! Hall and Nash fake surprise and thank Scott “from the bottom of our hearts,” accepting the championships.

 

A group hug is interrupted by the bellowing voice of

Stevie Ray

, who hits the top of the aisle along with

Booker T

and

Jacqueline Moore

. Stevie says they respected Scott and gave it 110% when they were in the ring with The Steiners, but that it made him and Book sick that Scott would do what he did to his brother. Booker calls it a real “sucka” move to sell out like that, but what’s done is done – Booker says we beat The Steiners before, and The Outsiders have been ducking us for over a year, so what's

next

is The Outsiders putting those titles up against Harlem Heat! When Hall and Nash balk (Nash pretends to have hurt his knee and limps around the ring), Booker clarifies: that wasn't a challenge – JJ Dillon already booked the match…for right here tonight!

 

Rating

: 78 (B)

 

vs.

Bill Goldberg

vs.

Chris Hamrick

 

Poor Hamrick. He didn't have a shot. Goldberg ended this one quickly with a Jackhammer.

 

But after the match,

Meng

and

The Barbarian

slide into the ring and knock the former defensive tackle to the mat!

Jimmy Hart

follows with his trademark megaphone as the savages pick Goldberg apart like vultures. A running big boot to the head from The Barbarian leaves Goldberg in a heap!

 

Rating

: 41 (D; match); 64 (C; attack)

 

Somewhere in the bowels of the building,

Raven

and his Flock have apparently abducted a camera crew member, and Raven has words regarding The Flock's attacks on Benoit, McMichael, and Ric Flair last week. He says you people haven't been listening…Raven is here to turn everything upside down. After years of being cast aside and abandoned by society's norms, Raven and his Flock are striking back at the establishment. The Four Horsemen are

the

staple of WCW. The embodiment of WCW. The Horsemen and WCW are synonymous. But, Raven says, he and his Flock are going to change that. Tonight, after Saturn finishes off McMichael, Raven gets one step closer to ending The Horsemen…for good.

 

Rating

: 84 (B)

 

The camera is backstage when various production items and equipment are thrown to the ground by an irate

Rick Steiner

. He's ripping through the backstage area screaming for Scott as officials and

Ted DiBiase

try to calm him down. Schiavone lets us know that Scott Steiner is in action next!

 

Rating

: 70 (C+)

 

vs.

Ray Traylor

vs.

Scott Steiner w/the nWo

 

Clubbing blows abounded in this one, and the commentary team made the point that Traylor had been a buddy of The Steiners for years, but that didn't matter here. While both men displayed impressive power, Steiner was able to use his superior quickness and finesse against the clumsier Traylor and lock in a Camel Clutch for a submission victory.

 

With Scott in the ring stomping on Traylor,

Rick Steiner

comes flying through the crowd and into the ring!

Ted DiBiase

continues to follow him as Scott is caught off guard by his older brother!

Vincent

and

Scott Norton

slide into the ring and start an assault on Rick, who ends up with his arms caught in the ropes. Scott begins to trash Rick and Vincent hands him his belt. As he gets ready to whip Rick with the belt, DiBiase slides into the ring and pleads with Scott to leave it be. After a moment, Scott cracks Ted in the face! DiBiase hits the ground as Vincent gets in a couple of shots. Scott picks him up and lands a belly-to-belly suplex before locking in the same Camel Clutch! Rick is tied up in the ropes growling, unable to do anything about the assault, but one man can –

The Giant

storms his way down to the ring as the new World order gets out of Dodge! Giant untangles Rick Steiner from the ropes and Rick checks on DiBiase while Scott and the nWo look on, satisfied.

 

Rating

: 72 (B-; match); 75 (B-; post-match)

 

To segue from the "despicable display" in the ring, Schiavone lets us know that WCW cameras backstage earlier caught some interesting words coming from

the nWo

dressing room. In the footage, from behind a closed door,

"Macho Man" Randy Savage

and

"Hollywood" Hulk Hogan

are going back and forth with raised voices. It's hard to hear what they're arguing about besides "Sting" and "Bret," but

The Outsiders

try to calm them down. Randy swings the door open and storms out, shoving the camera away while asking "WHAT ARE

YOU

LOOKIN' AT?!"

 

Rating

: 88 (B+)

 

vs.

Steve "Mongo" McMichael w/Ric Flair and Chris Benoit

vs.

Saturn © w/The Flock

 

As you might expect, Randy Anderson had a bit of trouble ensuring that the bandaged Horsemen stayed away from The Flock long enough for him to keep his eyes on the action going on in the ring. Eventually, the men on the outside had a full-on confrontation, with Raven sitting in the front row of the audience. As Benoit took on Hammer and Kidman, Anderson tried to eject everyone from ringside, but behind his back, "The Dirtiest Player in the Game" delivered an eye rake to the champion, who stumbled and turned around into a Mongo Spike! Mongo covers – 1, 2, 3! We have a new Television Champion!

 

Sick Boy and Riggs are just too late to break up the cover as Mongo grabs the belt and slides out of the ring! For the second time in the last few weeks, Ric Flair has cost a champion the title belt, and again, he and his team are able to escape before they succumb to the numbers game! Mongo holds the TV belt aloft as the Horsemen backtrack to the locker room, leaving Saturn defeated in the ring for the very first time in WCW.

 

Rating

: 68 (C+; match); 77 (B; post-match)

 

After a commercial break,

"Mean" Gene Okerlund

introduces

Bret "The Hitman" Hart

for an interview. Bret cuts right to the chase and says Hogan's ducked him for years and he keeps on ducking him because he and everyone else in that dressing room knows that Bret is the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be! He can attack him from behind all he wants, but that's the reason Hogan's lost the respect of the whole wrestling industry. And that's also why Bret has a challenge – man to man, face to face, at Souled Out! And he says he wants an answer right now.

Hogan

makes his way out to the aisle with

Bischoff

and essentially tells Bret that without him, Hogan would've buried Sting and all of WCW would be black and white. Hogan says he doesn't give a

crap

about what all these idiots out here and in the back think of him, but he cares about one thing, and that is kicking Bret's

ass

at Souled Out, jack! Hitman, you're on!!

 

Rating

: 91 (A)

 

vs.

Dean Malenko

vs.

Chavo Guerrero Jr.

 

Chavo looked to finish the job he wasn't able to complete last week despite his best efforts. Again, he gave Malenko all he could handle. Unfortunately for Dean (but fortunately for Chavito), the Cruiserweight Champion Eddy Guerrero made his presence known by tripping Malenko from outside the ring! Although he didn't see Eddy's cheap tactic, Chavo nevertheless took advantage with a small package for a victory!

 

Referee Nick Patrick raises Chavo's hand as he celebrates a big victory over "The Iceman"! Eddy, holding his title belt, stands outside the ring obnoxiously clapping for his nephew as Dean rises to his knees, disappointed and glaring at the champion.

 

Rating

: 57 (C-; match); 58 (C-; post-match)

 

Backstage, we've got the massive

Giant

sitting in a tiny chair, dwarfing a telephone as he takes calls on the WCW Hotline! "Mean" Gene tells us to call in to hear what he has to say!

 

Rating

: 64 ©

 

vs.

Diamond Dallas Page and Lex Luger

vs.

Konnan and Buff Bagwell w/Vincent and Scott Norton

 

At this point in their WCW tenures, DDP and Lex Luger were accustomed to taking on the new World order and the special patience it takes to deal with the constant harassment and interference. The issue was whether the men who will face off for the US Title at Souled Out could coexist with one another despite their looming showdown. The answer to that question on this night was yes, though the finish came as Page set up for the Diamond Cutter on Bagwell, but Luger slapped him on the back for the tag and locked in the Torture Rack for the win!

 

Of course, after the bell rings,

Vincent

and

Scott Norton

rush the ring, but as noted, Lex and DDP know how this works by now. Right hands abound but the nWo continues to swarm and surround the pair. As Page and Luger try to fend off the dogs, they back into one another without knowing who it was – and Page instinctively grabs Luger's neck – Diamond Cutter to "The Total Package"! DDP is shocked as Konnan and Bagwell start to laugh and the nWo slinks to the back, leaving Page to check on Lex in the ring.

 

Rating

: 76 (B-; match); 87 (B+; post-match)

 

After a commercial break,

Gene Okerlund

is standing in the aisle way ready to introduce his guest,

Rey Mysterio Jr.

He asks Rey about the actions of "Lionheart" Chris Jericho last week following the extension of his losing streak against Mysterio, when Jericho assaulted Rey from behind after the match. Rey says that he thought he knew Chris pretty well from the dressing room and that he seemed like a good, hardworking guy with a lot of respect for the business, but he doesn't know what got into Jericho last week.

Jericho

makes his way out of the backstage area looking repentant and explains that he's been frustrated with his lack of success in WCW as of late, but he never should have taken it out on Rey and he knows it was a cheap shot. He offers up a handshake and apologizes, and Rey accepts.

 

Jericho walks away as Gene calls it a class move by Mysterio to accept the apology, but he's interrupted and yelps as Jericho runs back down the aisle and slams a forearm into Mysterio's head! He hurls the former Cruiserweight Champion into the side railing and puts the boots to him! Jericho is finally torn away from Rey by WCW officials as the commentary team wonders aloud what has gotten into Chris Jericho and Okerlund yells to "get him out of here!"

 

Rating

: 66 (C+)

 

vs.

Glacier w/Ernest Miller

vs.

Dave Taylor

 

Before this match ever really began, "Macho Man" Randy Savage hit the ring and blasted Taylor and Glacier with right hands. Miller got up into the ring ready to fight but backed down in the face of Savage's bulging eyes and helped his buddy Glacier to safety.

 

Savage grabs a microphone and starts to look upward. "STING!!" he yells. He wants the WCW Champion in the ring right now to face him man to man, mano y mano. Savage says he's been up in those rafters and he knows Sting's watching, and to get down. (Tenay reminds us that indeed, there were a few weeks in 1997 where Randy Savage did hang out up in the rafters with Sting prior to joining the new World order).

 

Showing a bit more respect than he often showed Hulk Hogan,

Sting

obliges Savage's request and lowers himself down into the ring. He gets a microphone of his own and indicates to Randy that he chose him because he knows that Hogan never would've been able to set aside his own ego for long enough to give him his rightful shot. He says that just about nobody on this planet was as in tune with Sting's thought process the last year and a half than Randy Savage was, and that despite everything, Sting thinks that Savage truly is his own man and doesn't need the new World order. Randy says that he appreciates Sting's little compliment fest, but this isn't about Hogan and it isn't about the nWo. It's about Sting and "The Macho Maaayyynnn, OOH YEAH, and it's about Souled Out, brother. There ain't gonna be no Bret Hart to save you this time, Stinger, it's just you and me in this ring for that title, and I'm gonna beat you to a pulp until that belt is MINE!" Sting says that after all he's been through mentally since Bash at the Beach '96, it's gonna take a whole lot to pry the WCW Title from his dead, lifeless fingers. "But Randy, if you want to give it a shot, at this Souled Out pay-per-view in two weeks…it's showtime!"

 

Rating

: 47 (D; "match"); 89 (A; showdown)

 

After that tense showdown, the commentators hype the World Title match, but also give us a quick preview of this upcoming WCW Saturday Night, where

the Ultimo Dragon

will go one-on-one with

Alex Wright

, and in the main event,

Curt Hennig

of the nWo takes on

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan

!

 

Rating

: 52 (D+)

 

 

vs.

Harlem Heat w/Jacqueline Moore

vs.

The Outsiders ©

 

Both sides brought it in this one, and Heenan issued (for some) a disappointing reminder that when Kevin Nash and Scott Hall are in that ring, they are two of the very best. For the most part, the nWo left the ring alone, until it looked like the champions might be in trouble. Scott Steiner, Konnan, Scott Norton, and Curt Hennig made it down to the ringside area to "supervise." As they began to try to intervene by distracting Stevie, Booker, and referee Billy Silverman, Jacqueline Moore had had enough. Never one to back down from a fight, she walked right over and slapped Scott Steiner in the face! While Silverman dealt with the fracas that ensued, Stevie tried to go make sure Jackie didn't get into too much trouble, but Konnan slid a title belt in to Hall, who nailed Booker in the head with it! He slid it out of the ring and made the cover – Silverman turned around and made the count – 1, 2, 3!

 

With the match decided, Hall and Nash try to leave the ringside area with the belts as Stevie checks on his brother, but they are stopped by none other than

JJ Dillon

! JJ says that we are

not

going to have a championship match end with blatant cheating and disregard for the rules on his watch! (Heenan notes that they just did earlier in the night with Saturn losing the TV belt, but he won't complain). Dillon explains that that's why the Championship Committee immediately sent him down here to restart this match, or else he will strip the titles from The Outsiders! The entire nWo contingent is livid! Stevie and Jackie are pumped as Booker has been able to make his way to his feet.

 

The Outsiders reenter the ring and the bell rings, though they beckon for the nWo members surrounding the ring to come in and help out (i.e., get them disqualified). As they get up on the apron, Harlem Heat squares up for a fight, but they didn't need to – all of a sudden, out of the crowd comes

Bret Hart

,

Davey Boy Smith

, and

Jim Neidhart

in street clothes with black wooden baseball bats! Taking a cue from Sting, The Hart Family clears out the nWo with Hall remaining in the ring to receive a shuffling side kick to the head from Booker! Book bounces off the ropes and hits a Scissors Kick to the doubled-over "Bad Guy" and hits the top rope. Harlem Hangover! Silverman makes the count – Nash can't make it back in time – 1, 2, 3! We've got new Tag Team Champions! The Harts join Harlem Heat in the ring with the bats as the nWo regroups to the back – Harlem Heat have become WCW Tag Team Champions for a record-breaking eighth time! Schiavone notes that the new World order now has

zero

title belts in its possession and that this war might finally be turning in favor of World Championship Wrestling thanks to Bret "The Hitman" Hart!

 

Rating

: 81 (B; match); 96 (A*; restart)

 

Overall Show Rating

: 87 (B+). This show increased our popularity in 25 regions.

Backstage Notes

: Though none were booked, Super Calo, Silver King, and Halloween were backstage and inked written deals with the company. Scott Putski also finalized the contract offered to him last week.

 

 

WCW Monday Nitro Quick Results

 

Bill Goldberg

vs. Chris Hamrick

 

Ray Traylor vs.

Scott Steiner w/the nWo

 

WCW Television Championship

Steve "Mongo" McMichael w/Ric Flair and Chris Benoit

vs. Saturn © w/The Flock

 

Dean Malenko vs.

Chavo Guerrero Jr.

 

Diamond Dallas Page and Lex Luger

vs. Konnan and Buff Bagwell

 

Glacier w/Ernest Miller

vs.

Dave Taylor

 

WCW Tag Team Championship

Harlem Heat w/Jacqueline Moore

vs. The Outsiders ©

[Jaysin]

That bastard Mongo

[Dawn]

Loved that Goldberg vs. WCW match

[Blodyxe]

Had a blast going through this diary lately! Souled Out will be huge, and it is awesome to see the stories develop.

 

One thing I wasn't a big fan of is Saturn losing the title and "streak" to Mongo, and not someone like Goldberg But I can respect the bias to one of your favorites

 

Speaking of Goldberg, are these squashes helping him get popularity in the game? I had trouble using squashes to build up pop for guys in TEW2020.

[RKOwnage]

That bastard Mongo

 

you know I had to do it to get the early stages of the IWC getting on all the message boards complaining.

 

Loved that Goldberg vs. WCW match

 

I'm far too lazy to upload all the local enhancement talent to my imgur so we get the WCW logo!

 

Had a blast going through this diary lately! Souled Out will be huge, and it is awesome to see the stories develop.

 

One thing I wasn't a big fan of is Saturn losing the title and "streak" to Mongo, and not someone like Goldberg But I can respect the bias to one of your favorites

 

Speaking of Goldberg, are these squashes helping him get popularity in the game? I had trouble using squashes to build up pop for guys in TEW2020.

 

I'm gonna be honest about Saturn. When I initially booked this a month or two ago I completely forgot that he was undefeated at the time hahaha. Had I remembered I probably would have done something different, but this is something kinda pointless and dumb WCW would have done at the time so I suppose it's not unrealistic at least.

 

The thing with Goldberg is yes, he's moving up modestly in popularity. Started at a 51 and now he's at 56. I think what's happening is (and I'm honestly not 100% on how the metrics work) his momentum is Major Positive and so I think that's contributing to it. I'm hoping that once I get him involved in main event/upper midcard storylines he'll start to see major gains. In the two most recent matches I've booked him in (not yet posted), he's drawing B ratings, so that's encouraging for the road ahead.

 

I'm working on long-term booking right now and it's been busy with the holidays but I'll have Saturday Night and the Nitro preview up soon!

[Trevor Belmont]

Yes! Mongo won the belt as a tribute to Kevin Greene!!

[RKOwnage]

WCW Saturday Night: Saturday, Week 2, January 1998

 

WCW Saturday Night

Saturday, Week 2, January 1998

Payne Whitney Gymnasium; New Haven, CT

 

With Tony Schiavone and "Iron" Mike Tenay on the call, WCW welcomes us to another exciting Saturday Night! First, Tony and Tenay run down the ending to Nitro which saw Harlem Heat, with no shortage of shenanigans, capture the WCW World Tag Team Championship from The Outsiders!

 

Rating: 80 (B)

 

Ultimo Dragon vs. Alex Wright

 

In a relatively fast-paced, athletic contest, both men looked to get back on track. Oddly enough, a minute or two in, James Vandenberg walked to the top of the aisle flanked by Mortis and Wrath. They looked on as Ultimo finished off Wright with an Asai Moonsault.

 

Rating: 56 (C-)

 

In the back, Jimmy Hart cuts a promo on Bill Goldberg on behalf of The Faces of Fear. He says that Goldberg thinks he's the toughest around, but it's his boys that are even tougher! "Come get some Goldberg," he says, as he laughs and the Faces flex and grunt.

 

Rating: 60 ©

 

Next, the commentary team sends us to a recap of The Giant saving Rick Steiner and Ted DiBiase from a brutal attack by Scott Steiner.

 

The Rock 'n' Roll Express vs. Devon Storm and Xavier

 

The youngsters flashed some potential, but they were ultimately no match for the fifteen-year veterans. A big double dropkick finished off Storm.

 

Rating: 74 (B-; recap); 43 (D; match)

 

Raven enters the ring along with his Flock. Discussing Saturn's loss to Steve "Mongo" McMichael this past Monday, and the loss of the Television Title, Raven flogs Saturn with his belt and drops him with a DDT. Having made an example of the former TV Champion, Raven has his Flock carry Saturn out. But not before he pledges to step in the ring with Chris Benoit at Souled Out!

 

Rating: 92 (A)

 

A video recaps the feigned apology and ensuing beatdown by "Lionheart" Chris Jericho of Rey Mysterio Jr. In response, the commentators question what exactly has gotten into Jericho.

 

Lizmark Jr. vs. Chris Jericho

 

Jericho's mean streak continued in this one as he did his best to embarrass Lizmark, going as far as attempting to tear his mask off. Tenay reminded the audience how important masks are in lucha culture, but Jericho seemed not to care. In any event, "Lionheart" finished Lizmark off with a deep, vicious-looking Lion Tamer.

 

Rating: 57 (C-; recap); 69 (C+; match)

 

Next, Tony and Mike run down the current Souled Out card: Raven goes one-on-one with "The Crippler" Chris Benoit and Diamond Dallas Page defends the United States Championship against "The Total Package" Lex Luger! Further, we have two new match announcements: Chris Jericho takes on Rey Mysterio Jr. and Eddy Guerrero defends the Cruiserweight belt against both Chavo Guerrero and Dean Malenko! And, of course, we have a massive co-main event: Bret "The Hitman" Hart steps into the squared circle with "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan and Sting takes on "Macho Man" Randy Savage for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship!

 

Rating: 80 (B)

 

Next up is a quick backstage promo by Diamond Dallas Page in which the United States Champion expresses remorse for his purportedly accidental Diamond Cutter to Lex Luger on Monday night. He asks Lex to meet him in the ring on Monday so he can apologize in person.

 

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan vs. Curt Hennig w/Rick Rude

 

Obviously we knew that these two had been in the ring before, but their matchups were never so one-sided. Hennig was operating on a different level while Duggan wasn't quite up to his past standards. Despite some hard-hitting offense, Duggan fell to the Hennig Plex.

 

Rating: 83 (B+; DDP promo); 79 (B; match)

 

After a quick recap of the rivalry leading to the WCW World Heavyweight Championship match in just eight days between Randy Savage and Sting, Schiavone and Tenay urge the viewers to tune in this Monday – what's going to happen with just six days until the pay-per-view???

 

Rating: 78 (B)

 

Overall Show Rating: 80 (B)

Backstage Notes: None.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

WCW Saturday Night Quick Results

 

Ultimo Dragon vs. Alex Wright

 

The Rock 'n' Roll Express vs. Xavier and Devon Storm

 

Lizmark Jr. vs. Chris Jericho

 

Jim Duggan vs. Curt Hennig w/Rick Rude

[RKOwnage]

WCW Monday Nitro Preview: Week 3, January 1998

 

WCW Monday Nitro

Monday, Week 3, January 1998

Carver-Hawkeye Arena; Iowa City, IA

 

Six days remain until the sold out Souled Out pay-per-view, and we have one of the biggest main events in Nitro history: the team of Bret "The Hitman" Hart, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, and Davey Boy Smith will take on "Hollywood" Hogan and The Outsiders in a massive six-man tag affair!

 

Also, Diamond Dallas Page has stated he will come to the ring and ask Lex Luger to accept his apology for hitting a Diamond Cutter on him last week. In other action, Goldberg takes on Buff Bagwell, Eddy Guerrero defends the Cruiserweight Championship against Ultimo Dragon, and Rick Steiner teams with The Giant to take on Konnan and Scott "Flash" Norton! How will the landscape change as we head into Souled Out?

 

The card announced thus far is as follows:

 

Bill Goldberg vs. Buff Bagwell w/Vincent

 

Glacier w/Ernest Miller vs. The Barbarian w/Meng and Jimmy Hart

 

WCW Cruiserweight Championship

Ultimo Dragon vs. Eddy Guerrero ©

 

The Giant and Rick Steiner vs. Konnan and Scott Norton w/Vincent

 

Rick Martel vs. Alex Wright

 

Six-Man Tag Match

The Hart Family vs. Hulk Hogan and The Outsiders

[RKOwnage]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Trevor Belmont" data-cite="Trevor Belmont" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="51706" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Yes! Mongo won the belt as a tribute to Kevin Greene!!</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Yes lol. Even though this was booked weeks before that. But yes! And also a tribute to Reggie White.</p>

[The Lloyd]

<p><strong>Bill Goldberg</strong> vs. Buff Bagwell w/Vincent</p><p> </p><p>

Glacier w/Ernest Miller vs. <strong>The Barbarian w/Meng and Jimmy Hart</strong></p><p>

<em>Big Meng fan... even though he's not in the match </em><img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p>

WCW Cruiserweight Championship</p><p>

Ultimo Dragon vs. <strong>Eddy Guerrero ©</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>The Giant and Rick Steiner</strong> vs. Konnan and Scott Norton w/Vincent</p><p> </p><p>

Rick Martel vs. <strong>Alex Wright</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Six-Man Tag Match</p><p>

The Hart Family vs. <strong>Hulk Hogan and The Outsiders</strong></p>