Monday Night War week 52

Hosted by Tony Schiavone, Larry Zbyszko, Eric Bischoff, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, and “Iron” Mike Tenay

As Zbyszko laments WCW’s mistrust of Sting, we revisit stills from the WarGames match at Fall Brawl. Tony then apologizes to Sting who was in Japan last week instead of in the limo in Columbus, GA. Earlier tonight, nWo minions passed out flyers as the Asheville faithful entered the arena.

Match 1 for the WCW Cruiserweight title: Rey Mysterio, Jr. (champion) versus Juventud Guerrera

Right off the bat, Mysterio tied Guerrera up like a pretzel. Could someone please pass the mustard?
Guerrera then countered with a DDT as Tony notified us that the nWo wanted their own TV show since they won WarGames.
Regardless, a fallaway slam by Guerrera got 2.
Oh no! Tony informed us that Glacier will be making his Nitro debut later in hour #2.
Meanwhile, Guerrera reversed an Irish whip and delivered a back elbow.
Mysterio came back with a spinning heel kick as Tony pointed out Mysterio’s taped abs.
After a leapfrog, Mysterio vaulted Guerrera to the apron then dropkicked him in mid-air as Guerrera attempted a springboard maneuver.
Prior to the commercial break, Mysterio delivered a springboard huracanrana on the floor.
Afterward, Guerrera delivered a dropkick followed by a springboard spinning heel kick that sent Mysterio to the floor.
After a baseball slide, Guerrera then hit an Asai moonsault from the apron to the floor.
Upon tossing Mysterio back in, Guerrera hit a springboard 450 splash.
Do we have a new champion?
1-2-NO!
After putting Mysterio on the top turnbuckle, Guerrera hit a huracanrana for 2.
In the meantime, the nWo minions chanted “nWo” from what looks like the exterior of the arena. What’s the purpose of this stuff?
Nonetheless, back in the ring, Mysterio countered a top rope powerbomb with a huracanrana in mid-air for the pin.
Mysterio retained.

Summary: Lots of fast high-flying action, but some psychology between the maneuvers would have enhanced the match tremendously.

Substituting for a contract-seeking “Mean” Gene Okerlund, Tenay interviews Benoit and Mongo with Debra. They cut a promo on Luger as Mongo screams in anger.

We then get a “special look” at Glacier. You would think after weeks of promoting this guy, WCW would just put him in the ring rather than waste our time with this drivel.

Shoulder block by Ice Train sent DDP backwards through the ropes to the floor.
When DDP got up on the apron, he guillotined Ice Train using the top rope.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a flying clothesline.
A subsequent swinging neckbreaker by DDP was followed by a HUGE kick-out by Ice Train.
After a discus clothesline, DDP tried the Diamond Cutter, but Ice Train shoved him sternum-first into the corner.
He then gave DDP a belly-to-belly suplex.
Next, he delivered a Dominator followed by a powerslam for 2.
After a splash, Ice Train got another 2 as Long got up on the apron.
Meanwhile, as the bell rang, the nWo minions roped off the WCW merchandise stand.
What happened?
Oh, Tony and Zbyszko informed us that Ice Train had DDP in a full nelson, but Long’s towel somehow made it into the ring. Lest I neglect to mention, Nick Patrick was the referee for this match.
Thus, DDP won by submission.

Summary: I wanted to rate this as a DUD as WCW didn’t seem to care about this match as much as their nWo stuff during it.

The replay must have been sponsored by either Simon & Garfunkel or Depeche Mode due to the silence during it. We actually get to see Ice Train’s full nelson as DDP grabs Long’s towel when he gets up on the apron again. That wasn’t a bad trick by DDP, but it was bad timing by WCW.

In the meantime, the nWo minions carry signs stating “Who wants this crap?” in front of the merchandise stand. That’s bad advertising, in my opinion.

According to Tony, formerly the 1-2-3 Kid in the WWF, Sean Waltman sits at ringside wearing a Jim Morrison t-shirt. So THAT’S what happened to him.

Tenay joined the broadcast team for this match.
After a clothesline, Konnan tried a somersault clothesline, but Calo countered with a crucifix for 2.
A leap frog by Calo was followed by an arm drag that sent Konnan to the floor.
He then delivered a tope suicida. Wow!
After tossing Konnan back in, Calo mounted the top turnbuckle, got caught, and received an overhead belly-to-belly suplex for 2.
Konnan then followed with a powerbomb for 1.
After Calo countered a Splash Mountain attempt with a headscissors, another arm drag sent Konnan to the floor again.
Calo then delivered a springboard plancha on the floor.
Upon tossing Konnan back in, Calo got a 2 count.
After coming back with a dropkick to the knee, Konnan gave Calo the Scorpion death drop but only got 2.
Somersault clothesline by Konnan resulted in a 360° sell by Calo. Woohoo!
After a slam, Konnan mounted the second turnbuckle, but Calo gave him a dropkick.
Calo then followed with a huracanrana that made Konnan land on him. Yikes!
He came back with a dropkick as Konnan exited the ring to regroup.
Next, he delivered a somersault senton to Konnan on the floor. SPLAT!
Afterward, he mounted the top turnbuckle and gave Konnan a missile dropkick.
Upon tossing Konnan back in, Calo gave him a cross-corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Konnan came back with a 187 for 2.
He then gave Calo a cross-corner whip. When Calo tried to float over him, Konnan grabbed his legs and Alabama-slammed him.
A subsequent somersault rollup for Konnan only got 2.
He then hooked Calo into position for Splash Mountain, hit it, and got the pin.

At ringside, Tenay interviews Waltman who plays it way too cool for school here.

On WCW Saturday Night, the Amazing French Canadians face the Armstrongs while Disco Inferno squares off against Jim Powers. Also, a rematch for the WCW Cruiserweight title occurs as Mysterio wrestles Guerrera.

After a dropkick by Brad, Morrus exited the ring to regroup.
A subsequent cross-corner whip by Morrus was followed by an avalanche.
After another cross-corner whip by Morrus, he came up empty on his follow-through.
He then gave Brad a clothesline but fell victim to an inside cradle for 2.
Powerslam by Morrus preceded the No Laughing Matter.
Lackadaisical cover by Morrus resulted in a crucifix by Brad.
1-2-3.
UPSET CITY!

Summary: Too short to be worth much, but it’s great to see Brad win once in a while.

After a commercial break, Tenay interviews Savage by the entrance. We then revisit stills from his match against Giant. Savage then cuts a wacky promo on Hogan.

Out in the parking lot, the nWo celebrates with red Solo cups. Included is the Sting imposter.

Before Norton completed his entrance, Savage attacked him in the aisle.
In the ring, Savage reversed an Irish whip then gave Norton a back drop.
A knee to the back sent Norton between the ropes to the floor.
Savage then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit the double axe handle.
Next, he made Norton taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Mighty Meaty meatloaf at the Sunny Point Café.
Back in the ring, Norton came back with a Samoan drop for 2.
After a backbreaker, Norton got another 2.
He then gave Savage a powerbomb for yet another 2.
Short-arm clothesline by Norton was followed by a powerslam for almost 3.
After a cross-corner whip, Norton came up empty on his follow-through.
Savage tried to come back with the ten-punch count-along, but Norton delivered an inverted atomic drop to thwart his rally.
Shortly after, Savage clotheslined Norton then tossed him outside the ring.
Savage joined him and made him taste the steel railing again. Waiter, could you please bring the man with Flash on his tights the white chocolate peanut butter tart?
Meanwhile, Savage rammed Norton sternum-first into the steel railing.
After Savage tossed Norton out of the other side of the ring, he slammed Norton on the floor.
Back in the ring, Norton countered a cross-corner whip with a single-arm DDT for 2.
After a shoulderbreaker by Norton, Savage rolled out to the floor.
Norton joined him, adjusted the steel steps, tried to ram Savage shoulder-first into the ring post, but ate it himself.
Savage then tossed ring announcer David Penzer off his chair so he could grab it and WALLOP Norton in the head with it. OUCH!
After two more chair shots, referee Randy Anderson called for the bell.
When referee Nick Patrick got in Savage’s face, Savage tossed him aside like yesterday’s newspaper.
Norton won by DQ.

Summary: Savage treated Norton as if he were Hogan’s brother. Hopefully Norton didn’t suffer a concussion; otherwise, his trip to Japan would be cancelled.

Oh, crap…the elongated Glacier entrance. Let me see what I can do during it…my taxes, the laundry, the grocery list…

WCW kept the ring lights blue as the “snow” continued to fall.
After Glacier missed a bunch of kicks, Rogers came back with some punches.
He then gave Glacier the Bubba Slam, but Glacier took him down with a leg sweep.
Cryonic kick got the pin for Glacier.

Sting then comes to the ring and grabs the microphone. With his back to the hard camera, he states that last Monday night he was flying from Los Angeles to Atlanta then turned on Nitro when he got home. What he saw from WCW was doubt. He then states that he’ll stand by those who don’t doubt him if they’ll stand by him. But, for all the doubters, they can “stick it.” He considers himself a “free agent” and will “pop in when you least expect it.” What about tonight’s match?

Before the Horsemen make their entrance, they have to leave Elizabeth behind due to what happened last night.

Prior to the next match, Waltman stood on his chair and pushed a button. More nWo propaganda fell from the ceiling. I guess the nWo has yet another member. After a commercial break, Bischoff read one stating “We beat you, now you’re paying all the bills.” Another reads “We’ll do TV our way.”

Match 7: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair & the “Enforcer” Arn Anderson (w/ Woman) versus “Lionheart” Chris Jericho & Marcus Bagwell

Sporting a bandage on his left eye, Arn tore up some of the nWo propaganda.
Jericho reversed a cross-corner whip by Arn, mounted the top turnbuckle, and hit a missile dropkick.
Following that, he hit a spinning heel kick.
Arn then exited the ring to regroup.
Shortly after, Bagwell gave Flair a cross-corner whip followed by a back drop and dropkick.
After Flair tossed Bagwell outside the ring, he distracted referee Nick Patrick so that Arn could give Bagwell the business.
Bagwell re-entered the ring via sunset flip but only got 1 on Flair.
He then countered a hip toss with a backslide for 2.
Afterward, he countered a slam with an inside cradle for another 2.
Next, he clotheslined Flair over the top rope to the floor as Flair was pissed off about the nWo propaganda.
After Arn reversed an Irish whip from Jericho, Woman distracted Patrick so that Flair could nail Jericho from behind.
Arn then gave Jericho a SPINEBUSTER.
Shortly after, Arn guillotined Jericho using a catapult and the bottom rope.
While Bagwell distracted Patrick, Flair abused Jericho on the apron.
Arn then hooked a Flair-assisted abdominal stretch.
As Arn worked on Jericho’s leg, we went split-screen as Waltman hung out with his former Kliq buddies. Giant then plays a tape of Sting that WCW fell for.
Back in the ring, Arn tried to hook a spinning toe hold, but Jericho kicked him into the top turnbuckle.
While Flair and Bagwell fought in the ring, Arn gave Jericho a DDT on the floor. GET OUT THE SPATULA!
After giving Flair a back drop, Bagwell brought Arn in the hard way.
Upon giving the Horsemen clotheslines, Bagwell hooked a fisherman’s suplex on Arn.
However, Flair made the save.
As Arn occupied Patrick’s attention, Bagwell rolled Flair up, but Woman raked his eyes.
Arn then gave Bagwell a DDT.
Afterward, Flair applied the Woman-assisted figure-four leg lock and pinned Bagwell.

Summary: Good match that the Asheville faithful thoroughly enjoyed. I’m glad Jericho didn’t do the job as Bischoff mentioned that he’s an “up-and-comer” in WCW.

Match 8: The “Total Package” Lex Luger (w/o Sting) versus the “Crippler” Chris Benoit & Mongo (w/ Debra)

Luger came to the ring alone.
He reversed an Irish whip from Benoit, gave him a back drop, and followed with a knee lift.
Mongo tagged in, attempted a piledriver, but ate a back drop instead.
Shortly after, Luger nailed Benoit with a running forearm smash.
After Mongo nailed Luger from behind, Benoit hooked a snap suplex.
Mongo tagged in and delivered an elbow drop.
After Mongo gave Luger a cross-corner whip, he delivered a corner clothesline.
Interesting question: Why DOES Bischoff keep mentioning how many WCW wrestlers will be in Japan next week? Hmmm…
Nonetheless, Luger came back with a powerslam to Benoit then applied the Torture Rack.
Consequently, Flair and Arn ran in causing the DQ.

Summary: Mongo may be improving, but he’s not Nitro main event ready yet. This was more angle than match with the Sting no-show.

After the match, Luger gives Flair a gorilla press slam, but the three-point stance tackle by Mongo takes Luger off his feet. The Horsemen then demolish Luger including an Arn DDT. According to Bischoff, Waltman will be referred to as “Syxx.”

Outside the arena, Hall tells the cameraman to show everyone in the limo watching Nitro. They’re excited about the lack of WCW wrestlers for next week’s show.

Conclusion: The nWo angle has completely overtaken Nitro. Unless you’re a fan of the Horsemen, the rest of the program wasn’t much wrestling-wise. I fear for RAW’s rating with this show.

Match 1: Jake “The Snake” Roberts versus the Sultan (w/ Mr. Bob Backlund & the Iron Sheik)

For those unaware, the Sultan was the wrestler formerly known as Fatu.
Backlund joined the broadcast team for this match.
After giving Roberts a cross-corner whip, the Sultan came up empty on his follow-through.
Roberts then attempted the DDT, but the Sultan escaped and exited the ring to regroup.
Roberts attempted another DDT, but Lawler tossed an airplane bottle of liquor to distract him.
The Sultan then applied the Camel Clutch for the submission.

Backstage, PIllman and Owen are psyched about Bret’s announcement at Mind Games on Sunday. Austin then interrupts and is ready for Bret’s return.

Saturday at 9am ET: Blast-Off on Superstation WGN
Saturday at 10am ET: LiveWire on USA
Sat/Sun Challenge (check local listings)
Sunday at 11am ET: Superstars on USA
Monday at 8:57pm ET Monday Night RAW on USA

Match 2: WWF tag team champions the Smoking Gunns (w/ Sunny) versus “Sparkplug” Bob Holly & Alex “The Pug” Porteau

After giving Billy a hip toss, Holly delivered a clothesline.
According to Ross, Razor Ramon and Diesel will be on RAW live next week.
Meanwhile, Camp Cornette came to the ring to watch this match.
Porteau gave Bart a cross-corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
Bart then followed with a clothesline.
As Billy gave Porteau a Bart-assisted flying forearm in the corner, Cornette splashed water at Sunny.
Bart then gave Porteau a running powerslam for only 2 because he pulled Porteau up. Could that possibly be a mistake?
After Porteau missed a dropkick, Billy tagged in, tried a vertical suplex, but was countered into an inside cradle for 2.
Upon delivering a clothesline, Billy came up empty on his follow-through.
Hot tag Holly.
After giving Bart a dropkick, he delivered a huracanrana to Billy but only got 2.
Holly then mounted the top turnbuckle, but Sunny shook the top rope sending him down to the mat.
The Gunns then hit the Sidewinder on Holly, but Owen got up on the apron.
Holly used the distraction to roll up Billy and get the pin.
UPSET CITY!

Prior to the next match, WWF President Gorilla Monsoon clarifies that neither Kevin Nash nor Scott Hall will be appearing next week as Ross left the broadcast table.

In the ring, Lawler interviews Vader with Cornette. To prepare for his match against Jose Lothario on Sunday, Cornette will “work out” with Tony Williams. Who? Let’s run down what transpires:

When Cornette hooks an arm bar, Williams reverses it.
When Cornette secured a headlock, Williams counters with a hammerlock.
When Williams hooked a toe hold, Vader demolishes Williams.
After tying Williams up in the ropes, Cornette berates him. What a waste of time.

Match 3 (Intercontinental tournament semi-final): “The Rocket” Owen Hart (w/ Jim Cornette) versus “Wildman” Marc Mero (w/ Sable)

Ross returned to commentary for this match.
In the meantime, Pat Patterson joined the broadcast team for this match as he will be the referee for the final of this tournament next week on RAW.
Ross then referred to the other semifinal as a “slobberknocker.”
Meanwhile, Owen hit a spinning heel kick followed by a double underhook suplex.
Mero then hooked a crucifix followed by a rollup for 2.
A subsequent dropkick and somersault rollup got 2 for Owen as Monsoon and Ross argued back and forth.
After a hangman’s neckbreaker, Owen mounted the top turnbuckle and delivered a missile dropkick for 2.
Mero then countered a top wristlock with a belly-to-back suplex.
Afterward, Owen nailed Mero in the back of the head with a cast sending him between the ropes to the floor.
Back in the ring, Owen got 2.
During the commercial break, an ad for Mind Games aired.
When we returned, Owen gave Mero a cross-corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Mero followed up with an inverted atomic drop and back drop.
After a dropkick by Mero, Owen exited the ring to regroup.
Mero then hit a somersault plancha onto Owen.
Upon tossing Owen back in, Mero got 2 off a springboard splash.
Double shoulder block put both men down on the mat.
Owen then removed his cast and WALLOPED Mero with it.
After Owen put it back on, he only got 2.
While Owen argued with referee Jack Doan, Mero grabbed the cast and nailed Owen.
1-2-3.
Mero advanced.

Summary: Really good match that showcased both wrestlers’ talented repertoires.

Video on the WWF tour in South Africa. After the event, Bret runs down Pillman and informs us that he won’t be at the PPV this Sunday. He then runs down Owen.

During a commercial break, a promo aired for LiveWire coming this Saturday at 10am ET.

Match 4 (Intercontinental tournament semi-final): Faarooq (w/ Sunny) versus Sycho Sid

After giving Sid a knee to the midsection, Faarooq delivered a powerslam, but Sid no-sold it.
Subsequently, a big boot by Sid was followed by a clothesline.
Faarooq then reversed a cross-corner whip and gave Sid a belly-to-back suplex.
In split-screen, Ahmed Johnson cut a promo on Faarooq.
Upon slamming Sid, Faarooq mounted the top turnbuckle, but got caught and powerslammed for 2.
Next, a double clothesline put both men down on the mat.
After a commercial break, Faarooq mounted the second turnbuckle and hit a diving head butt.
He then attempted the Dominator, but Sid escaped.
Sid then gave Faarooq the chokeslam, but Sunny got up on the apron.
Outside the ring, Faarooq procured a steel chair.
He then WALLOPED Sid with it as Sunny occupied referee Mike Chioda’s attention resulting in a 2 count.
Sid then grabbed the chair and nailed Faarooq with it.
Faarooq won the match by DQ and advanced to face Mero next Monday on RAW.

Summary: Slobberknocker, my ass. This was painful compared to the previous match.

Final Curtain: Undertaker versus Goldust (w/ Marlena)
Jerry “The King” Lawler versus Mark Henry
For the WWF tag titles, the Smoking Gunns versus Owen Hart & the “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith (w/ Jim Cornette)
Speaking of Cornette, he will face Jose Lothario.
The “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels versus Mankind for the WWF title

Conclusion: As expected, the Mero-Owen match delivered while the other matches belonged in the toilet. While I understand that casual viewers would flip between programs, the incessant need to continually advertise something was awful.

Who won? Yes, Nitro won again with the nWo and Sting storylines being focused. Next week, the nWo should run roughshod all over Nitro while the Faarooq/Mero match will headline RAW. Who knows what will happen?