WCW Thursday Night Thunder, 05.10.2001 (ESPN2)
Civic Center in Amarillo, Texas, USA
1.
WCW Cruiserweight Title: Shane Helms[c] pinned Kaz Hayashi (05:29) with the Vertebreaker.
2.
WCW Television Title Tournament ~ Round 1: Ultimo Dragon pinned Chavo Guerrero (06:42) with the Dragon Sleeper.
3.
WCW World Tag Team Titles: Sean O’Haire & Chuck Palumbo[c] pinned Lex Luger & Buff Bagwell (10:34) when O’Haire used the Sean-ton Bomb on Bagwell.
4.
WCW Television Title Tournament ~ Round 1: Lance Storm pinned Crowbar [w/ Daffney] (00:05) with the Calgary Kick.
5.
WCW United States Title: Booker T[c] pinned Scott Steiner (05:21) with the Book End.
6.
Non-Title Bout: Curt Hennig[c] pinned Diamond Dallas Page (15:01) with the Picture Perfect Plex.
FULL DETAILS BELOW
Welcome back to Thursday Night Thunder
Thursday Night Thunder starts with an extremely loud fireworks display to the tunes of Linkin Park’s “Crawling” (hey, it’s 2001, Linkin Park was in and super popular - of course WCW would strike a deal with them to use the song for Thunder). The video compiled shows amazing stunts from the WCW alumni, major moments, and top stars. When we are taken to the live arena - fireworks blare loudly and proudly. A cascade of shooting stars with bomb-like sound effects explode over the crowd of Amarillo, Texas - who are on their feet.
Tony Schiavone, joined by his Thursday Night Thunder crew of Scott Hudson and none other than the living legend Larry Zybsyko - who gets a ROAR of cheers from the crowd, so much so that Larry must get up for a moment to address the crowd with his signature hand bow. They introduced the card of the evening, including two titles on the line -
1. the WCW Cruiserweight Title would be on the line as Shane Helms defends his title against Kaz Hayashi. Helms just got off an impressive win of former champion Chavo Guerrero on Nitro, whereas Kaz is looking to redeem himself after he and Yang lost their shot at the WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Titles.
2. the WCW World Tag Team Titles will be decided as the champions O’Haire and Palumbo defend against Luger and Bagwell
They also hype the big return of DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE (whose graphic on the Turner-tron gets BIG round of cheers from the Texas crowd), but Larry cuts him off and says they are ignoring potentially the biggest name that is scheduled to appear tonight…their NEW WCW World Champion…CURT HENNIG (who gets a loud mixed reaction from the crowd).
Tony Schiavone: Folks, last Monday was shocking to say the least. Curt Hennig’s return to WCW is not etched without controversy, and he didn’t come alone. With Hennig came the return of Bobby ‘the Brain’ Heenan, who played a role through his bout against former champion Booker T - and it was after the interference of two, yet to be named, men that Hennig would secure the win and his place in history as WCW Champion.
Larry: Let me just say that I don’t think Curt Hennig had any idea who those men were.
Tony: (Pausing) Are you serious?
Larry: Dead serious. Did you see the look on Bobby Heenan’s face? He said, plain as day, he had no idea who they were.
Tony: Oh, and Bobby’s NEVER been known to lie.
(Suddenly…no music played…but the proud figure of Bobby ‘the Brain’ Heenan appeared at the stage - getting a resounding mixed reaction and a chant of “WEASEL”)
Larry: Well, looks like we’ll get our answers sooner than we thought…
Bobby Heenan: Ladies and gentlemen, and I use that term loosely, my name is Bobby ‘the Brain’ Heenan (roar from the crowd). And you people, as undeserving as you are, are about to be apart of history — but, believe me, if I had it my way, it’d be ANYWHERE but in Amarillo, Texas.
Tony Schiavone: (noticing the quick jeers of the crowd) Well, that didn’t take long…real easy guy to hate.
Bobby Heenan: I’m glad that I’ve aroused your attention. The last thing to rise around here was your obesity rate. (More jeers, which Bobby ignores) But I digress, you humanoids are baring witness to an event unlike any other witnessed in WCW - even the WORLD. You get the opportunity to BASK in excellence. You get to witness the very first day of the AGE OF PERFECTION.
(Heenan makes his way to the ring)
Heenan: I’ve heard a lot of questions from people in my career in this business — Who is the best wrestler in the world? Who is the best athlete in the world? Who is the biggest and best man to ever grace God’s green Earth? For the first time in my career, I can answer all of those questions with one answer.
Heenan: I introduce to you, YOUR reigning World Heavyweight Champion…THE SELECTION OF PERFECTION…CURT HENNIG!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YAzkR-VZ6g
(The crowd ROARS in mixed reactions as fireworks rain down beautifully from the ceiling onto the stage. Overly gaudy fireworks blare across the stage as female models grace the stage. Each carrying an end of a very large banner that reads “The Perfect Champion”. Curt Hennig BURSTS through the banner emphatically with arms raised high - like a football player would burst through the banner at the start of a game.
Lyrics of “I…AM…THE..CHAMPION” echo across the arena. Heenan emphatically applauds as glitter, confetti and more dance across the skies before Curt Hennig. Suddenly, Heenan orders two ringside staff photographers to get on all fours - enabling Henning to use their bodies’ as steps to the apron. Heenan than orders a nearby staff member to get on the apron and hold it open for Hennig - which they do, as Hennig emphatically enters the ring.)
Tony Schiavone: Are you kidding me?
Larry Z: This is befitting of a true champion, Tony. I’ve never, in my life, felt that someone was so deserving of this championship. Curt Hennig represents what we all want in a leader. We should’ve had a golden carpet out here to guide him through the plebeians.
Curt Hennig: (Looks down at the large golden strap around his waist and looks up sharply at the camera) It’s about damn time (LOUD pop from the more internet-savvy crowd, as they begin to chant “YOU DESERVE IT! *clap clap clapclapclap*). You’re damn right I deserve it. Think for a minute, what life must be like when you’re born perfect. When you have no flaws, no blemishes on your perfect record in life. Think for a minute how that life must be. All of your life, everyone around you knows just how perfect you are - and do you know what they do?
Curt Hennig: One of three things. ONE: They align with you, hoping and praying to God that some sort of what you have in life rubs off on them and helps guide them to becoming even HALF of what you are.
Curt Hennig: TWO: They help guide your path. A man like Bobby ‘the Brain’ Heenan, who has managed great men in our sport and drove them to success, saw an opportunity like he never has before. When I came back, he knew this was the time to drive - it’s about time Curt Hennig gets his shot. So he pulled that old manager’s jacket off the wall, lobbied for my shot, and now we’re back in business! (ROAR from the crowd)
Curt Hennig: OR THREE: they run and hide - because they know they can’t match up to what you are. You want to know why it took me this long to get a World Championship around my waist? When you’re as perfect as me - all the big champions run and hide, and hope that I don’t catch them. You name them - they ran from me.
Curt Hennig: Ultimate Warrior, Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Randy Savage, Scott Steiner, Booker T — anytime a World Title happened to find itself in their hands, they suddenly stopped accepting my challenges. I’ve beaten every one of those men before and they KNEW that if I had the chance at the big time, I’d beat them so bad they’d be lucky to curtain jerk an event that had MY name on it. (BIG mixed reaction from the crowd)
Curt Hennig: I said it last week, and I’ll say it again - now that I’m back, the so-called “Main Event Players”, who’ve been boring you people to death for the past year, are gonna quickly realize that they just aren’t in MY Main Event league!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cdWNzrwqT0 - CAN YOU DIG IT, SUCKAAA?!
The crowd went UP to the feet in excitement as the former World Champion and current United States Champion BOOKER T made his way towards the ring - looking none too happy about the situation at hand. Hennig, who seemed to be disinterested tossed the microphone to Bobby Heenan and leaned back nonchalantly in the corner as Booker T entered the ring. Heenan stood between the two men cautiously as Booker T paced back and forth.
Booker T: You gotta big mouth for such small man. (Pauses as the crowd pops) You know, man, I knew you was no good - but I had hope you’d be different this time ‘round. But you the same damn, old punk ass that you were the last time you was here.
Booker T: (Noticing Hennig ignoring him, he begins to pull off his belt and look ready to whip Hennig - who quickly retreats to the outside) You best listen to me, sucka, because the next thing outta mouth is gonna change yo’ damn world. TONIGHT, right here in Amarillo (Cheap pop) I’m cashing in my rematch, SUCKA!
(HUGE Pop from the crowd, as Hennig feigns fear, only to start chuckling and points to Heenan - who also begins chuckling).
Bobby Heenan: Oh, Booker, you’re a funny man. I knew you were a lot of things, dumb, pathetic, naive, but funny - never saw it coming.
Booker T: Best watch your mouth.
Bobby Heenan: Watch MY mouth? Oh no, Book, if anything YOU should watch MY mouth - because what I’m about to say is about to change YOUR world.
Bobby Heenan: I’m not sure what about this situation you don’t understand - so I’ll say it slowly for you. YOU…are NOT…main event caliber. Therefore, YOUR Picture Perfect champion does not waste his time with people like you. (Pauses as Booker begins to clench his fist) HEY! You hit me, I’l sue! You don’t want to get locked up again, do ya? I heard about your past, after all.
Booker T: You pressin yo luck, fool.
Heenan: (Gulps a bit) Okay, let me get to the point. Do you have a rematch clause? Yes, you do. Unfortunately for you, you don’t get to cash in that rematch clause. You see, as Mr. Hennig’s manager, it is my duty to research any and all people that may effect him. And in my research of YOU, it’s come to my attention that YOU hold another title (Points at the United States title) — and YOU haven’t defended it in 30 days.
Heenan: Granted, WCW wasn’t exactly running for about 90 days, so WCW has offered a 1 week extension for all champions to defend their titles. Now - Mr. Hennig just won his title, so he doesn’t NEED to defend it up until 30 days. However, YOU, as Untied States Champion, MUST defend your title tonight — or you forfeit the championship.
Heenan: WITH that knowledge, I’ve reached out to WCW Management and notified them of this very important matter - and my people have reported that you already have a match tonight, defending the United States title.
(Crowd jeers, as Booker T angrily runs his hand over his face)
Booker T: You know what? I’m not even mad. (Looks over at Curt Hennig) All your damn life, all you been doin’ is running’. You tellin’ everyone that people RAN from YOU? Sucka, you RAN from THEM. You RAN from Hulk Hogan, you RAN from Randy Savage, you RAN from Sting, you RAN from me. All your damn life you been hidin’ behind other people - this punk ass here (points at Heenan) and your two boys that jumped me from behind.
Heenan: Hey, we have NO idea who those men were…
Booker T: SHUT YO DAMN MOUTH! (Heenan retracts and backs into the corner in shock) But just know - you ain’t got a choice but to fight me. It might not be tonight, but it’ll be soon. And I promise you — when it happens, Imma beat yo ass and take back my title. (Drops the microphone and looks to leave the ring when…)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTqwnMWiH1I — HOLLA IF YA HEAR ME!
Fans ROAR In a mixed reaction as red lights cascade the crowd as “BIG POPPA PUMP” SCOTT STEINER, accompanied by MIDAJAH, comes angrily stomping towards the ring. Undoubtedly frustrated. He jumps onto the apron and leans forward towards Booker T.
Scott Steiner: YOU SUM-BITCH, because YOUR dumb ass lost the belt, I never got MY damn rematch! So, you know what’s gonna happen now, boy? You wanna know who your fighting tonight? YOU’RE LOOKIN’ AT ‘EM! (crowd POPS in excitement, as Booker T lowers his belt and looks ready to go to blows).
Scott Steiner: TONIGHT…I’m taking YOUR title…then, because you F**KED me outta MY rematch…I’m taking YOUR rematch. HOLLER…IF YA HEAR ME…BITCH!
(Steiner angrily throws the microphone as Booker’s chest - who angrily swats it away and looks to attack, but Steiner jumps off the apron and flip off Booker - then proceeds to flip off Hennig and shouts, “AND YOU’RE NEXT!”)
Tony Schiavone: This is unbelievable, ladies and gentlemen, tonight - on a night where we thought we’d see a World Title match - Booker T will have to defend his United States title against the man he beat for the World Title - Scott Steiner. And what did he mean by take his rematch from Booker?
Larry: Well, ya gotta think that if Scott Steiner beats the number one contender tonight, that he’s gotta be the new number contender.
Tony: But, Booker has his rematch clause, Larry.
Larry: So did Scott Steiner, but instead of getting his rematch, Curt Hennig got the title shot - and now we have situation on our hand. Turnabout is fair play, Tony. Tit for tat. Hennig took Steiner’s rematch, so Steiner’s taking Booker’s rematch. Easy as that.
Tony: Well, ladies and gentlemen, coming up next, the WCW Cruiserweight Championship is on the line as champion Shane Helms takes on the Jung Dragon’s Kaz Hayashi in 1-on-1 action. And later tonight, we begin the WCW TV Title Tournament - as we have TWO 1st round bouts tonight - and from WCW.com, we’ve learned that Chavo Guerrero is in one of the matches, and Lance Storm is in the other. We don’t know who the other two competitors are yet - but undoubtedly, it’ll be a sight to be seen.
Larry: And don’t forget, Tony, on top of a United States Title match just made, AND a Cruiserweight Title match, we also have the WCW World Tag Team Titles on the line - as O’Haire and Jindrak face Luger and Bagwell in what was supposed to happen on Nitro.
Tony: Yes, and this all came about after an unfortunate accident in the ring that occurred during the return of the Road Warriors - injuring the young star Mark Jindrak. And later tonight, Mean Gene Okerlund will have a sit-down interview with Hawk and Animal regarding that incident and their futures in WCW.
*COMMERCIAL BREAK*
WCW Cruiserweight Championship
Shane Helms[c] vs. Kaz Hayashi [w/ Leia Meow & Yang]
Before the bout, we see clips from Monday Nitro - where Shane Helms successfully defended his title against Chavo Guerrero after a surprise Vertebreaker gave Helms another successful title defense victory. The bout began with Yang jumping on the apron and providing a quick distraction that enabled Kaz to charge from behind. However, Helms, privy to the attack, side stepped and forced Kaz to collide head-to-head with Yang and stumbled into a school boy roll-up for a 2 count.
Kaz angrily kicked out and attacked, but Helms ducked the shot, bounced off the second rope and NAILED a springboard cross body pin for another 2 count. Kaz angrily shot up and charged, but ate drop toe hold. As Kaz lay on his belly, Helms shot off the ropes for a low dropkick to the side of the head - but Kaz narrowly dodged and quickly rolled out of the ring to safety. Helms was held back by the official as Kaz angrily stomped around the ringside area - joined by Yang and Leia to re-group.
As the trio grouped outside, Helms shot off the ropes and flipped OVER the top and crash landed onto…the hard thin mat below. Yang and Kaz, seeing the attack attempt, pushed one another away and forced Helms to crash hard on the outside of his own accord. With Leia Meow distracting the official, Yang and Kaz stomped upon Helms on the outside and proceeding the double toss him into the ring apron back-first (his back was apparently hurt on the landing).
After some 2-on-1, they rolled Helms back in the ring and Kaz quickly covered for a 2-count. Kaz quickly applied a knee to the lower back of Helms and pushed is knee down as he grabbed Helms’ jaw and pulled his head backwards - applying a knee-assisted camel clutch. Helms was able to pry the hands of Kaz free quickly, but Kaz quickly dropped an elbow across the back and quickly followed up with a running flipping senton across the back for another 2-count. Again, Kaz locked a standard camel clutch and bent as far back as possible (bending Helms horribly backwards and getting a groan of despair from the audience looking on).
Helms eventually made it to the ropes to break the hold. As Kaz was pulled away, and Helms hung his head on the lower rope - Yang suddenly ran and jumped and hit a low apron-assisted dropkick across Helms’ face! The crowd jeered, as Kaz emphatically pulled Helms to the center of the ring and covered - only to get a 2-count. Kaz began shouting angrily in Japanese as he yanked Helms up and sent forearms into his back before whipping him to the corner. Kaz charged but ate a boot to the face. Kaz charged again and ate another big to the face. Kaz angrily charged a 3rd time, but Helms rolled to the side, and caught Kaz with the SUGARSMACK (Super Kick) out of desperation! Helms collapsed to the canvas, clutching his back all the while.
Meanwhile, Leia Meow got on the apron again to distract the referee, enabling Yang got back on the apron. Helms swung a haymaker, but Yang dodged and locked Helms up by the arms. Kaz saw this and charged with a running super kick, but Helms stomped on Yang’s foot to release the hold and force Kaz to super kick his own partner off the apron. Kaz sharply turned around, only to be met with a knife edge chop, followed by another, and another, and another. Helms for the whip, but Kaz reverses. Kaz for a back body drop, but Helms holds onto the rope. Kaz charges, but Helms back body drops him over the top - but Kaz lands on the apron. Helms sees this and BELTS Kaz with the jumping enzugiri! Kaz holds onto the rope for dear life as his body staggers dangerously on the apron. Helms, seeing his opportunity, charges full force into the ropes and SPEARS Kaz THROUGH the ropes and onto the outside!
Fans: HOLY SH*T! HOLY SH*T!
Tony Schiavone: OH MY GOD! DID YOU SEE THAT?
Larry: The kid just launched himself through Kaz Hayashi!
Kaz looked out of it, as Helms rose up and let out a ROAR of enthusiasm as the crowd JUMPED in cheers. Helms pulled a near lifeless Kaz up and rolled him into the ring, Helms ascended the top rope as Kaz forced himself up by the ropes - only to become victim to a BIG Frog Splash into a Diving Crossbody! Helms went to cover, but he saw Yang charging the ring. He ducked a lariat attempt and NAILED Yang with a Double Knee Facebreaker that left Yang out on one knee, enabling Helms to hit a SMACKING Shining Wizard (BIG pop from the crowd). Kaz groggily rose to his feet and tried for a sneaky super kick, but Helms grabbed the leg and spun Kaz around, rear waist locked him and DROVE him into the corner, then converted the waist lock into the gory lock and CRASHED Kaz into the canvas with the Vertebreaker for the full 3-count fall and a standing ovation from the crowd.
However, after the bout - as Helms celebrated is victory and began heading backstage…The Mamalukes suddenly appeared on stage - seemingly blocking Helms from going backstage.
Helms stood ready to fight, until Johnny the Bull and Big Vito spread apart and dauntingly called Helms to walk past them. Helms cautiously did so, but not before Big Vito grabbed him by the shoulder and told him, “Heads up, little man…you got some dangerous eyes on you.” Helms pushed Vito’s hand off his shoulder and backed up cautiously backstage - all the while Johnny and Vito stared a whole through the Cruiserweight Champion.
WINNER: Shane Helms via pin fall (3rd Title Defense)
Imperfect Circumstances
When we return from commercial break, we are greeted by Mean Gene Okerlund who introduces his guest at this time - acting WCW Owner and President - the Nature Boy Ric Flair! Flair comes out to the loudest ovation of the evening, as he struts his way towards the ring. Okerlund welcomes the legendary competitor, but has to get down to brass tax.
Mean Gene Okerlund: Ric Flair, undoubtedly, the return of WCW Monday Night Nitro was one of the ages. It was full of surprises, amazing action, but also - controversy, namely with the WCW World Championship. Last week, as you know, Curt Hennig defeated Booker T to become World Champion - but not without some help from Bobby Heenan and two yet-to-be-named individuals who Heenan claims he has no affiliation with.
Mean Gene: Being that Curt Hennig was hand-chosen by you as the first man to receive a World Title shot - you must be feeling extremely frustrated with how things turned out.
Ric Flair: Mean WHOOO By God Gene (crowd lets out a WHOO) Now, before I go off on a tangent, I’m gonna let this one build (holds his hand out for some quiet). I’ve been sitting at home for the past 3 days trying to put together a proper reaction to what happened with Curt Hennig and Booker T — because, Gene, I’m a President, I’m an Owner, I’m a boss. I’ve got to think these things through, right?
Ric Flair: For 3 days - I sat at home listening to my people in Charlotte ask me, “Ric - why did you put Curt in the main event? Ric, did you plan this with Curt? Ric - did Curt Hennig pull one over on the dirtiest player in the game?”
Ric Flair: Gene, I’ve known Curt Hennig for over 10 years. We’ve been to war together - either at each other’s side or at each other’s throats. I’ve seen the best of that man and the worst of that man. But through it all - I saw a guy who never got his shot. All the years I’ve known Curt Hennig, he’s been sheltered away in the mid-card. It’s just like he said - all the big time players cast him aside, and he dominated the mid-card ranks for years. So, after all the years I put into Curt Hennig, I thought it was his time to get his rightful shot.
Ric Flair: A NEW BEGINNING in WCW - 1 on 1. One of the most talented legendary figures in our industry facing off against the top dog of the new generation in WCW. (Pauses) Ya know, Gene, I’m a President now - I can’t just fly off the handle, right? I mean, I’m the big man on campus now - I’ve got an example to set.
Ric Flair: TO HELL WITH THAT! (Crowd pops as Flair rips off his coat and slams it to the ground) I OWN THIS PLACE, I’M THE BOSS, AND I’LL ACT HOWEVER I DAMN WELL PLEASE! AND CURT HENNIG, you son of a [BLEEP!], you screwed over ME, you screwed over the fans, and you screwed over Booker T. And I stand here, with cake on my face, because I trusted that after all these years - you finally grew a set, pal! But, boy was I wrong! I’d kick ya in the groin - but I don’t think it’d hurt ya, much!
RIc Flair: Curt Hennig, I know you’re still back there, and I saw ya packing your bags - thinkin’ ya got the rest of the night off - well, guess again! I’m the boss and I say you’re in action TONIGHT, RIGHT HERE, IN AMARILLO, TEXAS! (HUGE Pop from the Texas crowd).
Ric Flair: You wanna be a champion?! You wanna be the MAN?! Than you gotta beat the REAL men of this company. Every night you come into WCW arenas, Curt Hennig, you’re gonna have to PROVE to me and PROVE to the world that you deserve to be World Champion. And since Booker T’s already got a match tonight, I gotta guy back there who has been itching to get back in this ring. He’s a REAL man, he’s been World Champion (crowd begins to stir and chant various names) and he’s been our franchise player since Day Freakin’ One!
Fans: YEAHHH!!!!!
Ric Flair: Curt Hennig, get your gear ready, because tonight you go ONE ON ONE…WITH DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE!!!
Fans: YEAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
Tony Schiavone: OH MY GOD! DDP and Curt Hennig LIVE tonight on Thunder?!
Larry Z: This isn’t fair, the champ isn’t ready for this!
Ric Flair: WHOOO!!!!
(The crowd ROARS in cheers as Ric Flair leaves the ring with a toss of the microphone, visibly infuriated that he has been one-upped by his former partner-in-crime. Backstage, cameras catch Curt Hennig and Bobby Heenan standing, mouth agape, as they watch the TV in their private locker room. Curt Hennig slams his bag down angrily, as Heenan tells Curt, “Don’t worry, we got this! You’re perfection, you’re the man, you’re the champ — and you’ve got the support of the smartest man in the industry. Diamond Dallas Page is a joke, he’s a chump - we’ve got this, don’t worry!”)
WCW Television Title Tournament ~ Bracket A, Round 1
Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. X
The match begins with Chavo Guerrero taking to the microphone and asking for silence. He tells the crowd his new mission in WCW is to spread his horizons.
Chavo Guerrero: Last Monday Night, you all cheered because Shane Helms pinned me 1-2-3. What you didn’t know is that on Monday morning, I woke up with the flu. (Fans jeer) That’s right, I had a temperature, I had the chills, I had a headache, and I STILL competed and I STILL beat Shane Helms all over this ring. And the only reason he pinned me was because I wasn’t 100%!
Chavo: But, that’s okay - you know why? It’s a blessing in disguise. It made me realize that I don’t NEED to win the Cruiserweight Championship - because I already dominated that division MORE than once. That division is behind me now, and it’s time to dominate a new division - the Television Title division. It’s a perfect fit - after all, I AM the best thing on WCW Television.
Tony Schiavone: Oh, god…
Larry Z: 2nd best - but the 1st best already has the World Title, so Chavo’s in-line for this one.
Tony Schiavone: Are you serious?
Chavo: So, bring out my “mystery” opponent (wiggles his fingers, deliberately feigning fear) and let’s start my road to the WCW Television Championship and my road of dominance!
Chavo drops the microphone and leans over the ropes, displaying to the crowd his over-confidence and lackadaisical approach towards the match. However, with just a mere 2 seconds of music, the face of arrogance changed to that of concern…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h5mU34L-wk
Tony Schiavone: WAIT A MINUTE…
Fans: YEAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
Tony Schiavone: COULD IT BE?!
“And his opponent, from Nagoya, Japan, he weighed in at 185 pounds…the ULTIMO DRAGON!!!!!!”
The arena ROSE in unison as the return of former WCW TV, and WCW Cruiserweight -
ULTIMO DRAGON burst through the curtain to a HUGE ovation. Dragon flips over the top rope and into the ring and removes his cape. As Dragon and Chavo stare at one another across the ring, the bell rings and we are underway.
Before the two can engage in a lock-up, fans roar in chants of “WELCOME BACK! WELCOME BACK!” Chavo reacts to this by charging at Dragon, only for Dragon to drop toe hold him. Chavo gets up, but Dragon flips him with an arm drag, followed up by a hip toss and ending with a flipping dropkick that forces Chavo to retreat to the outside. Dragon looks poised to hit a suicide dive, but Chavo runs away and hides behind the steel steps. Dragon uses his momentum to flip over the rope and onto the apron. Chavo attempts to lariat Dragon’s legs, but Dragon leaps over and hits a rolling senton off the apron onto Chavo.
Dragon amps the crowd up and rolls Chavo back to the ring. As Chavo rises, Dragon gets on the apron and looks for a springboard attack, but Chavo charges forward and trips Dragon - forcing his abdomen crashing across the hard top steel cable rope. Chavo covers quickly, but only gets a 1 count. A furious Chavo stomps wildly into Dragon’s chest and pushes him into the corner, where he continues a stomping attack. He whips Dragon into the corner and NAILS a running corner dropkick that knocks Dragon to the canvas. Chavo covers again, but only gets a 2 count. Chavo proceeds to roll Dragon to a seated position and locks a rear chin lock - even tearing at Dragon’s mask’s eye holes - in an attempt to unmask the luchador.
Chavo continues to hold the chin, until Dragon pries his hands free - only for Chavo to drop a knee between the shoulder blades and NAIL Dragon with a running low dropkick to the side of the head. Chavo begins mouthing off to Dragon, shouting, “This is MY time, not YOUR time! MY TIME! Do you know who I am? I’m a GUERRERO!” Chavo runs the sole of his boot across the eyes of Dragon and yanks Dragon in the center of the ring and locks on a camel clutch. Dragon manages to pull himself free by lifting Chavo in an Electric Chair Drop - but instead of falling backward…
Fans: OOOOOOOOHHHH!!!
Electric Chair Drop Double Knee Gutbuster! Dragon pulled Chavo forward as crashed Chavo’s stomach and chest into two knees from Dragon. Dragon musters the strength to pull himself up and clips Chavo with a series of swift kicks, ending with a spinning heel kick to the chest that knocks Chavo back into the corner. Dragon connects with a Handspring Elbow and hits Chavo with a North Lights Suplex for a close 2 count!
Chavo rolls out of the ring to safety…or so he thought. Dragon hits the ropes and looks for a baseball slide, but Chavo dodges and looks for a clothesline. Dragon ducks, kicks Chavo in the gut - POWERBOMB ONTO THE APRON! Chavo collapses hard - enabling Dragon to get on the apron - ASAI MOONSAULT! Dragon rolls Chavo into the ring and finishes him off with the Cancun Tornado (Corkscrew Moonsault) for the 1-2-3 and a HUGE ovation from the crowd.
WINNER: Ultimo Dragon via pin fall (moves onto 2nd round)
You Don’t Snub a Total Package
Backstage, Mean Gene Okerlund is standing by with the No.1 Contenders for the WCW World Tag Team Champions - the veteran team of Buff Bagwell & Lex Luger - collectively known as Totally Buff.
Mean Gene Okerlund: Gentlemen, last Monday Night, we were scheduled to see you two gentlemen take on the young stars of Sean O’Haire and Chuck Palumbo for the WCW World Tag Team Championship - a title that neither of you are strangers to, but due to a travesty, that match was postponed until tonight. Now, just seconds away from your title bout, what are your thoughts?
Lex Luger: (Flexes his arm, as Buff flexes his bicep as well) Do you see this, Gene? You know what this is? THIS (flexes his chest out) is the Total Package. And I don’t care WHAT happened last Monday, when you look at THIS, you don’t snub the Total Package. If anything - they should’ve cancelled the World Title match - because it’s not HALF as important as Totally Buff getting tag team gold.
Mean Gene: Come now! A young man’s career could’ve been ended last Monday Night!
Buff Bagwell: You wanna know a travesty, Gene? A REAL travesty was that the fine ladies of Monday Night Nitro didn’t get their promised opportunity to take a glance at these pretty faces, and these gorgeous bodies (smiles and cackles like a hyena).
Lex Luger: Who cares about some young punk? I don’t. I care about one thing and one thing only - that Totally Buff went 3 days without a championship that they would’ve had. This waist is beautiful as is, but it’s even more beautiful when it has gold around it.
Buff Bagwell: O’Haire, Palumbo - consider your little buddy’s injury a blessing. You boys got 3 extra days with a pair of golden straps that you didn’t deserve. But now, time’s up, boys. Time to give us what belongs to us. Time to let some REAL men run this division. Men who are BUFF…and have ALL the STU…
Abruptly, Sean O’Haire and Chuck Palumbo burst into the scene and goes nose to nose with the veterans in a very violent manner, throwing Bagwell and Luger off a bit. O’Haire is shaking with rage, as Gene thrusts a microphone towards Palumbo - who mutters lowly to the veteran team.
Chuck Palumbo: Mark Jindrak is laid up in a hospital. I watched his mother cry in my arms. And you have the audacity to make light of his situation? (Pauses and presses his head forward into Bagwell’s - who stumbles back a bit) You’re going to both wish that you hadn’t done that…
The two young men, who typically adorn smiles on their faces, adorn dangerous stares of evil intent as they back-track and walk off-screen - leaving the veterans speechless.
In a beautiful colorized bedroom, sat a bed adorned with silky blue sheets and dressed with delicate rose petals. One would normally avert their eyes to such beauty - but those sheets were holding something far more elegant and gorgeous — behold the beauty that is…Kwee Wee. His body promiscuously dressed by the silky sheets, Kwee Wee softly pet his delicate white long haired cat “Mr. Pickles” as giggled at the camera.
Kwee Wee: Hello, friends! (wiggles his fingers excitedly) OOH, how I’ve missed you so. Oh? Are there some of you who don’t remember me? (purses his lips and clicks his teeth) For shame on you, you naughty things you! (Giggles) Oh, it’s quite alright — normally, I’d be a bit…frustrated…that you’d lack the knowledge of such a beauty as Kwee Wee - but I’m a changed being now.
Kwee Wee: Isn’t that right, Mr. Pickles? (rubs Mr. Pickles’ head - the cat responds with a dead-pan expression and an annoyed lapping of his lips). I’m calmer, sweeter, gentler. My inner beauty now matches my outer beauty. No more of this angry Alan creature - no no, Mr. Pickles has talked me back into what truly made Kwee Wee Kwee Wee - inner peace and beauty.
Kwee Wee: And I want to share my epiphany of life with ALL of you in WCW. Which is why I’ve entered myself into the WCW Television Title Tournament. When I win the Television Title - I will have the platform to spread my word of love, peace and beauty to you all…(his eyes widen with a certain psychotic nature, as he tilts his head to the camera) for your own good. (smiles widely and pets Mr. Pickles).
WCW World Tag Team Championship
Totally Buff vs. Sean O’Haire & Chuck Palumbo[c]
Luger and Bagwell come out with a look of concern on their faces, but quickly return to their arrogant selves and pose for the cameras - as fireworks blast off behind them. O’Haire and Palumbo enter the ring with absolutely zero flare, they lob the belts to the official and look absolutely ready for business. O’Haire paces and demands to be entered first - and the moment the bell rings, he takes Bagwell down with a double leg and begins hammering elbows - as the crowd ROARS in cheers.
Tony Schiavone: I have NEVER seen this fire from O’Haire and Palumbo - these are not happy young men.
Larry Z: The veterans made a rookie mistake - they went personal before this match, and these young men have a lot more on the line and a lot more to lose now. BIG mistake.
O’Haire eventually moves off Bagwell and knocks Luger CLEAR off the apron with a BIG running sole kick to the face. Luger crashes to the ringside area. Bagwell attempts to sneak a lariat, but O’Haire dodges, hits off the ropes and NAILS another violent double leg takedown, followed by some trapping elbows. Bagwell eventually gets him off and stumbles to the corner. O’Haire looks for a running attack, but Bagwell lifts a boot and connects it with Sean’s face. Sean stumbles back and Bagwell quickly gets to the 2nd rope, but O’Haire charges in and…
*CLAP!!!*
Fans: OOOOHHH!!!
O’Haire with a leaping enzugiri that catches Bagwell across the side of the head. Bagwell’s arms go limp as he flops to the canvas and O’Haire quickly ascends the top rope for the Sean-ton Bomb, but Luger rushes in and pulls Bagwell out to safety…or so he thought. O’Haire went to all fours, as the very large Palumbo launched OFF O’Haire’s back and onto Totally Buff with a rolling sen-ton over the top rope and to the outside! Palumbo rolls Bagwell back into the ring and hurls Luger into nearby steel steps.
Bagwell stumbles to his feet and walks into a Rolling Fireman’s Carry from O’Haire. O’Haire, again, hits the top for the Sean-Ton Bomb, but Bagwell wisely pushed the official into the ropes and crotched O’Haire hard. Bagwell quickly capitalized and yanked O’Haire into a reverse tree of woe and started slamming shoulder blocks into the lower back of the upside down O’Haire. After repeated frustrated blows, Bagwell violently threw O’Haire off the ropes with a snap suplex and covered for a 2 count. Bagwell hurled O’Haire into the corner, but ate a boot from O’Haire as he tried a corner lariat. O’Haire looked poised to charge, but was yanked HARD down to the canvas as Luger grabbed a handful of his hair as he ran forward. Fans jeered as O’Haire clutched the back of his head in pain.
Palumbo charged to attack Luger, but the official stopped him, enabling Luger to yank O’Haire up and violently down with a sickening back suplex that slammed O’Haire on the back of his head. Bagwell started to blatantly choke O’Haire - but stopped when the ref turned around. Bagwell centered his attack to the head of O’Haire for a bit - weakening him enough for the Total Package - who took to a submission game to keep O’Haire grounded - also targeting the head. Luger looked to have a win close when he locked a deep sleeper - but O’Haire battled free and got to the ropes. Luger and Bagwell started to attack with frequent tags and attacks - but it was during an attempted double flapjack, that O’Haire reversed into a Diving Double DDT to both Luger and Bagwell!
Luger got up and charged with a forearm smash, but O’Haire ducked and connected with a jumping enzugiri. Bagwell attempted to attack with an axe handle, but O’Haire kicked the arm of Bagwell away and hit Bagwell with a super kick and a HOT TAG TO PALUMBO!
Palumbo was a ball of fire as he entered and took both Totally Buff members down with running lariats, dropkicks, and any charging maneuver you can think of. He eventually tossed Bagwell clear over the top rope, enabling Luger to charge, but Palumbo ducked the shot and hit Luger with a SICKENING Chuck Deluxe (overhead Belly to Belly). Luger stumbled to the corner, where Palumbo landed a corner running big boot and followed up with a Fireman’s Carry Sitout Spinebuster for a 2-count fall. Palumbo readied a running attack, but Bagwell tripped the young star, enabling Luger to collide with a running forearm smash that knocked Palumbo into the ropes and into a PILEDRIVER from Luger. Luger, hurt from the attack earlier, tagged in Bagwell, who charged in and covered - but only got a 2.
Bagwell lifted Palumbo up to his feet, but Palumbo slapped his hands away and aimed for a super kick, but Bagwell caught and pulled him in with an uncharacteristic capture suplex! Bagwell covered, but again got a 2-count. Bagwell angrily lifted Palumbo up and looked for a Tornado DDT - but Palumbo threw him off. Bagwell landed on his feet, charged at Palumbo…
*CLAP*
Fans: OOOOOHHH!!
Running Big Boot across the face to Bagwell! Bagwell stumbles backwards, Palumbo for the super kick - Bagwell ducks and lifts Palumbo across the top rope with a flapjack. Bagwell readies for the Blockbuster and launches…
PALUMBO CATCHES BAGWELL IN MID AIR - JUST AS BAGWELL GOT INTO THE FRONT FACE LOCK…RUNNING SPINEBUSTER!!!!! Crowd went nuts, Palumbo tags in O’Haire. O’Haire rushes in and CLOCKS Luger with a running super kick and ascends the top rope - SEAN-TON BOMB! MISSES! Bagwell rolls out of the way, kicks O’Haire in the gut and readies a piledriver…
*CLAP~!!!*
JUNGLE KICK FROM PALUMBO! Bagwell crashes to the canvas, O’Haire re-ascends the top rope - SEAN-TON BOMB! ONE…TWO…EMPHATIC THREE!!!!
The crowd ROARS as the champions retain the gold to a standing ovation, and chants of “THAT WAS AWESOME!”
WINNERS: Palumbo & O’Haire via pin fall (Title Defense!)
Road Warriors Speak Out
Tony Schiavone: Well, folks, last Monday - as was well documented earlier this evening - we witnessed a horrific event. During the return of Road Warrior Hawk and Road Warrior Animal - Mark Jindrak was given the Doomsday Device, but landed horribly wrong.
Larry Z: He landed directly on the back of his neck, Tony. That’s something that no wrestler wants to happen to them. It’s one of the most sensitive and unprotected areas of our bodies when it comes to taking a bump.
Tony Schiavone: Right you are. As a result, Mark Jindrak was motionless on the canvas for about 4 minutes. A lot of us feared the worst - but thankfully, Jindrak recovered and regained feeling in his limbs. After a few days of tests - it was revealed that Mark Jindrak suffered a severe cervical fracture that will require surgery.
Larry Z: An injury like that doesn’t heal itself, so we’re happy to see that Jindrak will recover from this, but it’s a long road ahead.
Tony Schiavone: It’s estimated that Mark Jindrak will miss anywhere from 6-18 months of in-ring time, depending on the success of the surgery and the turnaround in rehabilitation. We, at WCW, wish Mark Jindrak a speedy recovery. You’ll have a place with WCW when this is all said and done.
Tony Schiavone: Unfortunately, Larry, it seems not everyone feels the same. Earlier this week, Mean Gene Okerlund had a sit down interview with the Road Warriors - to get their take on the situation from Nitro. Keep in mind when you watch this - we, at WCW, had no idea the responses we would hear. The wrestling business is built on respect and trust — and there’s no excuse for what you are going to hear from these two men. I’d call them legends, but after I heard this…I’m not so sure anymore…
(Camera cuts to a sit-down interview room with the Road Warriors - who are dressed in street clothes - sitting across from Mean Gene Okerlund).
Mean Gene: Ladies and gentlemen, last Monday Night Nitro - we faced devastation. A young star here in WCW Mark Jindrak suffered a career crippling injury that will result in him not competing in WCW for about one full year. As you know, while we support a competitive edge in WCW, we never want to see a competitor suffer such an injury.
Mean Gene: And if people like me, people who aren’t involved in the incident, feel so deeply about the situation - I can only imagine what you, Animal and Hawk, must be thinking. This is your opportunity, gentlemen, any words you’d like to share regarding this horrendous situation?
(Animal and Hawk look towards one another for a moment. Hawk leans back a bit and crosses his arms, as Animal leans forward).
Animal: Yeah, Gene…we’ve got a few words. [CENSORED] ‘em!
Mean Gene: Excuse me?!
Animal: You heard me. [CENSORED] ‘em! You think we care about some young punk who can’t hack it in our ring? You know how many bumps we’ve taken? Do you know how many times we’ve been dumped on our heads? A LOT! And you know how much time we lost? NONE! You know why? Because WE come from the old school, WE come from a time when wrestlers were REAL MEN. We weren’t fragile, we could take a cannon to the face and go to work the next day. That’s what REAL MEN do. That young punk we blasted away in that ring — he’s a perfect example of what’s wrong with wrestling today.
Hawk: He’s ALL fluff! (shouting and emphatically leaning forward) All the squats, all the bench presses in the world — and all that kid got was a good pair of pecs and hard ass. But just because you gotta hard ass, doesn’t MAKE you a hard ass. Little pansy took one bump from us - and now he’s laid up in the hospital. Yeah, we’re sorry - sorry we didn’t get here SOONER.
Mean Gene: Gentlemen, I’m appalled, how could you take joy in this?
Animal: It’s evolution, Gene. The strong kill off the weak — and that makes the future better. Consider what we did a favor - we’re taking out all the weak players in WCW, so that only the strong survive. You used to have a tagline around here - This is where the big boys place. WELL WE AIN’T BOYS! WE’RE MEN! And the BOYS you had around here are in deep [CENSORED] now!
Hawk: We don’t shed a tear for what we do - we shed a tear because we didn’t get to do it sooner. If the young BOYS can’t handle what we throw at ‘em…then LEAVE. Run and hide, and stay the hell out of our way. We didn’t come here to play nice-nice. We came here to dominate. Bodies WILL fall, people WILL get hurt…that’s how the business SHOULD be.
Animal: You gotta problem with that, Gene? HUH? (stands up with Hawk and pushes Gene off his chair) You wanna do something’ about it?! HUH?! Go ahead, tough guy, do something! DO SOMETHING!
Mean Gene: Wait a damn minute (stands up and walks off camera), I’m not going to stand here and take this - here, conduct your own damn interview! (Rips off his mic and throws it to the ground, muttering ‘to hell with this’).
Animal: That’s right, RUN AND HIDE! That’s what I thought! (looks towards the camera) Let us make this clear for you — we don’t give a damn that we put a kid up in the hospital, in fact - we liked it. We liked it so damn much — that maybe, we’ll do it again.
Hawk: AAAAAH! WHAT A RUSH!!!!!
(The Road Warriors rip off their mics and storm off-camera, as we head to commercial).
WCW Television Title Tournament ~ Bracket A, Round 1
Crowbar [w/ Daffney] vs. Lance Storm
This bout saw the return of Crowbar and Daffney - who got a decent pop from the crowd. Crowbar came out with his lead pipe and seemed very passionate about not giving it up to the official. Lance Storm, who came out with arms behind his back, stopped mid-way towards the ring and lifted a microphone to his lips.
Lance Storm: Excuse me, if I could be serious for a moment…
Fans: BOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Lance Storm: I must remind everyone here in attendance that I, Lance Storm, am a professional athlete. (Pauses and points towards Crowbar) And as an athlete, I don’t compete with weaponry. This is a WRESTLING match, not a street fight, and I DEMAND that the weaponry in that man’s hand be removed promptly - or I refuse to enter that ring.
Larry Z: He has a point, Schiavone. Lance Storm is a WRESTLER…the best kind of wrestler. He plays by the rules - he’s not some scumbag from the crap-fest that was ECW - he’s one of the few that actually prides himself on being a pure athlete.
Tony Schiavone: Be that as it may, Crowbar doesn’t seem to be happy with giving up his precious lead pipe.
Lance Storm continues to stay put in the entrance way and even tells the official, “Do your job and ensure that this ring is safe for competition - remove the weaponry or I will go to the back and lobby for your license to be revoked.”
The official eventually gets Crowbar to give up the lead pipe. Lance Storm mutters, “That’s better.” and starts to march towards the ring. However, as he enters the ring, he lifts the microphone again.
Lance Storm: Excuse me, but there is one other matter that must be addressed before this match begins. (Fans: BOOOOO!!!!, Storm points towards Daffney, who stands near the apron) That young lady has had a history of interferences in the past, and has most notably cost many wrestlers a fair chance at a competitive and fair bout against this man. Her track record speaks for itself — I demand that she be removed from the ringside area immediately…
Tony Schiavone: Oh, please. Is he serious?
Larry Z: Of course he is. Daffney’s a troublemaker. Lance Storm is not about unfair situations - he wants a true 1-on-1 bout.
Crowbar and Daffney visibly seem annoyed and argue with the official - who argues with Storm that he can’t do that, as Daffney has done nothing wrong.
Lance Storm: Crowbar - if you had any decency in your entire body - you’d have Daffney leave the premises. (Pauses) Or do you NEED her to win?
Fans: OOOOOOHH!!!!
(Crowbar, gritting his teeth, looks towards Daffney and asks her to leave. Daffney tries to protest, but Crowbar tells her, “I got this!” Daffney unhappily leaves with a pouty face. The bell rings and Crowbar turns to begin the bout when…)
*CLAP~!!!!!!!*
Fans: OOOOOOHHHH!!!!
Tony Schiavone: THE CALGARY KICK! WAIT A SECOND…
As Crowbar was distracted, Storm PELTED Crowbar in the jaw with the Calgary Kick and quickly covered the hardcore high flyer. 1…2…3. Just as soon as the bell rang to start things, it rang again to end things. The fans jeered heavily as Storm stood up strong and had the official raise his hand in victory.
Tony Schiavone: What in heck was that?!
Larry Z: THAT was a win!
Tony: THAT was a cheap shot!
Larry Z: It’s not Storm’s fault that Crowbar wasn’t ready when the bell rang. Storm did NOTHING wrong. The bell rang and he attacked as any wrestler would. Maybe Crowbar needs to stop paying attention to other things and start paying attention to his opponent.
Lance Storm emphatically marched away with his arms raised. He passed Daffney and nonchalantly nodded as he briskly walked past her and motioned around his waist that a title would soon adorn it.
WINNER: Lance Storm via pin fall (moves onto 2nd round)
Don’t Make Him Angry
Backstage, we see Booker T readying himself for his United States title defense. Pamela Paulshock enters his locker room for a brief interview and asks him his thoughts on matters as of late. With his loss of the World Title and now having to defend his United States Title tonight.
Booker T: Pamela - let me make something clear to you and everybody else — I ain’t afraid of a fight. Defending my United States title ain’t nothing I’m afraid to do. I’ve already faced Scott Steiner more times than any man in this company. For years, me and my brother were beatin’ down Scotty and his brother Rick - and for years, I’ve been beatin’ Scotty one on one. It’s the same game, just a different ballpark.
Booker T: You see, Scott Steiner’s been running’ around here acting like he’s something big and dangerous. He THINKS he scares people - but he’s done nothing but LOSE since we came back. He talks big, but when it comes to walking - his punk ass can’t hang. I beat ‘em for the World Title 3 months ago and Imma beat him tonight.
Pamela Paulshock: There’s no question that you and Scott Steiner have animosity towards one another. Part of why Scott Steiner is angry is that he never received his World Title rematch - and says he’s taking yours from you. Any thoughts to that?
Booker T: He thinks he’s taking what belongs to me - he also thinks he’s a big man. The only damn thing big on Scott Steiner is his damn head - and I’m only talkin’ bout the one y’all can see on TV. Believe me, the other one can’t claim the same thing, ya dig?
???: You wish that were true…
(Midajah appears on camera)
Midajah: The Big Bad Booty Daddy is more man than you’ll EVER be. He’s the biggest man in this company - inside and outside the ring. And if I were you, I’d be careful what I said - I wouldn’t want to be on Big Poppa Pump’s bad side…
(Suddenly, Booker T crashes to the ground hard as a lead pipe is smashed over his back. He clutches his back in pain as Scott Steiner begins pummeling him with stomps and HURLS him harshly into his locker. Booker T rolls around in pain as Steiner grabs him by the throat and shouts…)
Scott Steiner: You wanna talk smack?! GO AHEAD! TALK! C’MON, BOOKER! TALK! (continues choking Booker T) That’s what I thought, bitch! This is just a taste of what you’re in for. I’m gonna take everything you got - your title, your rematch, and your LIFE!
(Steiner is eventually pulled off by officials as we head to commercial break).
WCW Worldwide Returns
When we return, we see a video package presented that hypes up the return of WCW Worldwide. In it, it’s revealed that we will see TWO WCW TV Title Round 1 bouts, one of which is seeing the WCW return of KANYON.
WCW TV Title Tournament ~ Round 1: Jason Jett vs. Kid Kash
WCW TV Title Tournament ~ Round 1: Kanyon vs. Lash LeRoux
Also, the Alpha Males, Elix Skipper and Kid Romeo will be getting ready for their bout against Rey Mysterio & Kidman, as they face the high flying team of Air Paris & AJ Styles. The event also hypes that the Road Warriors will be in attendance, as will the Macho Man Randy Savage!
WCW United States Championship
Booker T [c] vs. Scott Steiner [w/ Midajah]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTqwnMWiH1I - Sirens blare and the fans immediately rise to their feet in a LOUD mixture of cheers and jeers. Red lights dance across the arena as the bell sounds for the 1st of the 2 Main events of the evening. Through red flashing lights, Steiner and Midajah appear on the stage. Steiner seems overly confident entering the match - knowing he’s weakened his opponent prior to the contest. Steiner enters the ring and flexes his gigantic muscles for the crowd - screaming over at Schiavone and Larry that he’s going to KILL Booker T tonight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsTV_CG0fT4 - the crowd uniformly ROARS in cheers as the theme of the former Harlem Heat member Booker T hits the PA system. Steiner leans towards the ropes and awaits to meet Booker head-on. However, a few minutes pass and no Booker T. Schiavone speculates that Booker may not be able to compete after the attack…
…when suddenly…
*CRACK~!!!!!!*
Booker T leaps over the guard rail from the crowd, equipped with a steel chair, and SLAMS the chair across Steiner’s back before the bell rings. Steiner arches his back in pain and turns into a STIFF chair shot to the head that knocks Big Poppa Pump out of the ring. The official frantically tries to get control - as Booker throws the chair aside and exits the ring, shouting, “You wanna street fight, BITCH, you got one!” Booker T rolls out of the ring and sends Steiner CRASHING into the steel steps, the bell still having not been rung.
Steiner struggles to break free, but manages to belt Booker in the gut with a stomp and attempts an irish whip, but Booker reverses and hurls Steiner HARD into the steel guard rail and clotheslines him clear into the crowd.
The fans go NUTS as Booker T and Steiner trade blows amidst the crowd. Steiner manages to push Booker away and tackle him into a sea of chairs! The bell STILL hasn’t been rung!
Eventually, the two men brawl back to the ringside area. Midajah distracts Booker T enough to enable Steiner to belt him from behind and send him crashing across the announcer’s table. The brawl continues with Steiner choking Booker T with some nearby cords before eventually throwing him into the ring. Booker stumbles a bit in the ring, as Steiner pummels the man in the corner and viciously starts to choke him with his boot. Eventually, Steiner released the illegal choke after the official broke it up. Steiner chased the referee out of the ring and turned into the outside crescent kick!
Booker T eventually got to the top rope and readied the Heat Seeker, but Steiner crotched him and launched him with an avalanche overhead belly to belly suplex that got a 2.999999! Steiner argued with the official, but returned to Steiner by ducking a lariat and connecting with a release german suplex to Booker. Steiner continued to focus on the back and readied to hit the Steiner Recline, but Booker slipped behind Steiner and nailed the 110th Street Slam for a 2.999999! Steiner rolled out of the ring for a chair. Midajah distracted the ref as Steiner went for a chair shot - but Booker T dodged and Steiner hit the top rope - repelling the chair into his own face and walking him into the Book End -for the BIG 3-count fall!
WINNER: Booker T via pin fall (1st Title Defense!)
During Commercial Break…
When we return to Thunder - we see Steiner getting handcuffed by police officers and forced away backstage. Ric Flair screaming his head off that Steiner needs to be in jail to straighten his head out. We see what happened when Booker T left the area — Steiner, who was being helped up by Midajah, starts to yell at the official for not seeing the chair shot (the one HE did to himself) and proceed to BASH the official in the face and pummel him with forearms. More officials ran in and Steiner decked them viciously, until some road agents (such as Jim Duggan, Alex Wright, etc.) tackled Steiner as police officers cuffed Steiner. Flair came out, furious, and the two men got into each others face before Steiner was eventually removed.
Main Event Introductions
When we return to Thunder - we see Steiner getting handcuffed by police officers and forced away backstage. Meanwhile, back to the ring, Michael Buffer is in-ring for the main event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YAzkR-VZ6g - “Champion” hits the PA System and the house lights go out. Just then, a lone spotlight appears on stage - where “the Selection of Perfection” Curt Hennig stands with arms rested at hips and championship glinting brightly. Hennig raises his hands up as fireworks cascade at his sides. Behind the World Champion, Bobby Heenan applauds and tells nearby cameras how great Curt Hennig is and that, tonight, DDP’s going to wish he debuted on WCW Worldwide against some loser.
Hennig throws his towel at a ringside fans’ face and nearly insights an incident - until the fan is carried away. Hennig smiles wickedly as he enters the ring and holds the WCW World Title high above his head. Meanwhile, Heenan heads to the announcer’s table and begins debating the situation with Tony Schiavone.
Tony Schiavone: Well, Bobby, what do we owe the honor? (Sarcastically)
Bobby Heenan: Save it, Schiavone. The only reason I can stomach sitting next to you again is for reason - to address your accusations. YOU, sir, are hired to be objective, yet you sit here and talk poorly of YOUR World Champion. Do you know who that is? That is the “Selection of Perfection”, a man who has captured gold in EVERY promotion he’s ever wrestled in. He’s defeated legends time and time again and never got his due. Last Monday, he beat Booker T fair and square in that ring…
Tony Schiavone: Are you kidding me, Brain? You mean to tell me you didn’t see those two men come out there and attack Booker T? You mean to tell me you weren’t the one behind that?
Bobby Heenan: I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about! Those men are not affiliated with me or the World Champion - and those men did MINIMAL damage to Booker T. it was the power, the strength of THAT man in THAT ring that put away Booker T - and you know it!
Tony Schiavone: HA! Is that so?
Bobby Heenan: That’s so! I was a broadcast journalist, you know. A better one than you. I actually see the facts, not the fiction. And I’m reporting 100% fact. Curt Hennig is the World Champion and he deserves to be - and THIS match right here shouldn’t even be happening. It’s not even for the title, so why should the champion be bothered with a scrub like Page?
The music dies down, and fans begin to rise with HUGE chants of “D-D-P!” over and over. Heenan angrily shouts at a few ringside fans to shut their mouthes, but the chants only get louder. The only thing that stops them is the sound of a very familiar theme…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YsUEFf521I - SELF HIGH FIVE!
Fans: YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
In moments,
DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE bursts through the curtain and begins to pump the crowd up! DDP points towards the fans, holds up the diamond sign and emphatically stomps downward - as a parade of fireworks BLARES across the arena. DDP storms towards the ring and slides right in. Hennig quickly retreats as DDP points towards the crowd once more and gives the sign for more fireworks to blare above the ring.
This match was ON…
MAIN EVENT
Non-Title Bout
Diamond Dallas Page vs. Curt Hennig[c] [w/ Bobby Heenan]
Michael Buffer delivers the official introductions and we are underway. The two men circle one another, but pause as further chants of DDP reign through the arena. DDP smiles wickedly as Hennig protests and shouts insults towards Page to discourage him. The two men circle for a bit more before the lock horns and begin violently pushing one another into the ropes until the official is forced to break it up as DDP pushed Hennig into the corner. Hennig angrily rolled out of the ring and re-collected himself, as DDP egged him back into the squared circle.
After Hennig forced the official to back DDP up, Hennig charged in for a cheap shot, but DDP pushed the official aside, ducked the attempted haymaker and BELTED Hennig with a right hand. Hennig hit the ground, but shot back up into ANOTHER right hand. Hennig stumbled into the ropes and DDP landed a FIERY right fist into the jaw that sent Hennig over the top rope and to the outside! DDP pumped the crowd up, as Hennig stumbled towards the guard rail and angrily stomped around the ringside area - demanding the official get DDP under control.
Meanwhile, Heenan screamed that the official was blind and he should DQ him for the closed fist.
Hennig took his time to re-enter the ring as fans chanted “D-D-P” again. Hennig and Page circled one another and went for a tie-up. Hennig applied a go-behind and held on for dear life, but Page elbowed the grip and reversed with a wrist lock. Hennig rolled through and locked on his own wrist lock, and pulled it into a headlock. DDP went for the push off the ropes - but Hennig grabbed a HANDFUL of Page’s hair and pulled him back into the headlock - as the crowd jeered heavily!
As Schiavone protested the hair pull - Heenan quipped, “What hair pull? I didn’t see a hair pull. Your screen must be busted.” Schiavone responded, “I saw it right in front of me.” Heenan responded, “Then your brain must be busted - I’ve been telling you for years to get that thing replaced.”
Hennig kept the headlock on tight and reversed an attempted back suplex into a headlock takedown, now grounding the submission. Page managed to get to his feet again and attempted another whip, but Hennig, again, grabbed the hair and pulled him back into the headlock - but this time, Page used the momentum to lift Hennig clear up and down hard with a Saito Suplex that landed Hennig awkwardly on the back of his head. Hennig, again, rolled out of the ring to safety…but safety was temporary. Before he could react, Page LEAPT over the top rope with a springboard body splash to the outside.
Page emphatically got the crowd riled up as Hennig struggled to get to his feet. Page overheard some of the insults from Heenan and SLAMMED Hennig’s face into the announcer’s table - as Page stared a whole through Heenan.
Hennig stumbled back to the ring, as Page slid right in after him. Hennig grabbed the official and pulled him in front of him - disallowing Page an attack - which suckered him into a thumb to the eye by Hennig, followed by a QUICK running spear-like elbow into the lower back of Page. Page fell to his knees in pain, as Hennig hit the ropes and dropkicked Page dead in his lower back. With Page down, but not out, Hennig tenaciously stomped on the back as hard as he could. Page crawled to the ropes, but Hennig pulled him away and dropped a nasty looking elbow drop across the back and followed up by pressing his knee into the back and pulling up on Page’s jaw-line with a knee-assisted camel clutch.
Page seemed in trouble, but began to break free, only for Hennig to drop his rear across the back and follow up with a jumping knee drop across the back.
Larry Z: Hennig, like a true old school technician, has found a weak-point in Page’s game, and is attacking it like a shark to blood.
Heenan: Thank you, Larry, it’s nice to see someone has the brains out here to carry the show while I tend to other matters.
Schiavone: I’ve never taken away from Curt Hennig’s in-ring ability. But, the way he’s been acting in WCW is unbecoming of such a talented man.
Heenan: And how, may I ask, do you think he’s acting?
Schiavone: Like a cheater!
Heenan: I believe the term is “champion”, Schiavone. “Champion”, I know WCW hasn’t had a real one of those in a while, so I’ll let your ignorance go with a warning this time.
Hennig continued to work over the back with calculated strikes and submission, and even a STIFF whip to the corner that forced Page to his knees and onto the canvas in pain. Hennig even pulled DDP over the ring apron (stomach on the apron) and DROVE a running jumping knee across Page’s back while draped over the apron. Hennig mouthed off to a few ringside fans, shouting, “Go ahead and chant for a loser! This guy should be shining my boots!”
Hennig looked for a pin fall after hitting Page with a pendulum backbreaker, but only got a two count. Hennig responded with a chin lock - with the knee pressed firmly in the back. Fans began to stir and chant, eventually getting Page to pull apart Hennig’s grip, but Hennig blasted Page in the back with a knee lift. Page arched his back as he stayed on his feet. Hennig shot off the ropes and looked for an attack ,but Page grabbed Hennig and dropped him across the top rope with the Stun Gun (infamous from “Stunning Steve Austin” of WCW fame).
Heenan: ILLEGAL MANUEVER!
Schiavone: How do you figure that?!
Heenan: ILLEGAL ON MORAL GROUNDS!
Schiavone: MORAL GROUNDS?! Are you kidding me?!
Heenan: I can see that YOU applaud this type of degenerative attack! I’m going straight to Ric Flair’s office to have a talk about you, Schiavone!
Hennig clutched his throat in pain and flailed like a fish out of water, as chants of “D-D-P” began all over again - DDP getting a BIG ovation from the crowd. Hennig was the first up as DDP struggled against the corner. Hennig attempted a corner body splash, but Page moved out of the way and Hennig crashed into the top buckle and was left draped across the top buckle. DDP responded with a field goal kick to the ribs of Hennig that bounced him up and back down across the top rope. DDP did it again, and this time Hennig flopped back into the ring and into the waiting arms of an Atomic Drop from DDP, followed by a discus clothesline!
DDP pulled himself up via the ropes (still favoring the back) and forced Hennig back to a vertical base. He fired off a few right and lefts to corner Hennig, and proceed to hit the old-school 10-count punches in the corner. Hennig flopped forward and into a swinging neck breaker from Page for a 2-count fall.
The Champion struggles to his feet as DDP lays in wait. Hennig gets up, and as DDP approaches, he grabs hold of Page’s trunks and yanks him face-first into the middle buckle. A resounding wave of jeers explode from the crowd as a faint Hennig arrogantly points to his head and smiles wickedly, all the while Heenan applauds the maneuver.
Schiavone: Desperation out of the World Champion proves to be fruitful.
Heenan: That wasn’t desperation, that was a very technical move. It was the Euro-National Japanese Tongan face breaker, Schiavone. Do your homework. Didn’t you pay around with Tenay for years? Did you pick up nothing?!
Schiavone: (sarcastically) Boy, did I miss you, Bobby.
Heenan: Sweet talk will get you nowhere, Schiavone. The World Champion is my priority. Your Larry’s problem now.
Larry Z: Thanks a lot.
Hennig gets up and NAILS DDP with a running knee to the back and quickly rolls him up in a school boy pin, with his FEET ON THE ROPES!
1…2…DDP STILL KICKED OUT! Hennig angrily argued with the official for a bit, before pulling DDP up - and DDP LOCKED A SMALL PACKAGE!!!!
ONE….TWO…..
HENNIG KICKED OUT!
The two men shot up, Hennig fired a backhand chop, DDP fired one of his own. Hennig fired a right hand, DDP fired another one back at him. Hennig rakes the eyes of Page and belts him in the gut with a toe kick. Page bends over, enabling Hennig to shoot off the ropes with a swinging knee lift, but Page side-steps and ROCKETS Hennig down hard with a spinning spine buster!
ONE….TWO….KICKOUT BY HENNIG! The crowd rumbles in excitement!
DDP pulls himself up and yanks Hennig up along with him. Irish whip to the corner, but Hennig reverses an attempted corner attack with a boot to the face. Hennig gets on the 2nd rope and dives with a cross body, but DDP catches and POWERSLAMS Hennig down - ANOTHER COVER…ONE…TWO…KICKOUT AGAIN! Hennig crawls to the ropes and tries to escape the ring, but DDP grabs his leg and yanks him up. With leg trapped, DDP looks to attack, but Hennig jumps for an enzugiri, but DDP blocks, grabs both legs and CATAPULTS Hennig into the corner. Hennig stumbles on spaghetti legs and into the
JERSEY BOMB!!!
ONE….TWO….
Hennig grabs the lower rope to break the count! DDP can’t believe the ring positioning, but gets back up to his feet. Hennig, again, crawls to the ropes to escape. DDP grabs him him a waist lock and pulls him in. Hennig grabs the official’s shirt and refuses to release…allowing the distraction for Hennig to lift his leg upwards into DDP’s groin!
As DDP releases the hold, Hennig quickly locks DDP up for a roll-up before the official can see what happened.
ONE….TWO….KICK OUT BY PAGE! Fans ROAR in cheers and rumbles as Hennig angrily pulls DDP up and quickly looks for the Picture Perfect Plex, but DDP flails to disable the lift, spins around…
DIAMOND CUTTER!! NO!! Hennig pushes away and escapes through the ropes. Hennig, taking a moment to catch his breath - calls to Heenan - who leaves the announcer’s table with the World Title - hands it to Hennig - and the two begin to leave. But Page will have none of that. Page charges out of the ring and attacks Hennig and rolls him back into the ring. However, before Page re-enters, Heenan is barking angrily at him. Page stalks Heenan - as Hennig distracts the official.
Suddenly…
TWO MEN leap over the guard rail and BELT Page from behind, laying an old-school beat down on the former World Champion. Schiavone exclaims it’s the same two men who attacked Booker T on Monday! Heenan looks on in “shock” (note the quotes) as the two men lift DDP up and hit a Superkick/German Suplex ON THE CONCRETE! The two men proceed to roll the lifeless DDP into the ring and escape through the crowd. Meanwhile, Hennig pulls the lifeless DDP up, hooks the leg…
Picture Perfect Plex.
3 seconds later, it was all over. Hennig’s hand was raised, Heenan applauded the miraculous
efforts of the champion - and the crowd jeered in protest. Again, Hennig and Heenan put one over on the WCW.
WINNER: Curt Hennig via pin fall