WCW Monday Nitro 08-18-97

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

Who will win the rematch between Flair and Syxx? What other matches will be booked for the upcoming Clash? Will Sting appear? Let's find out!

Match 1: Harlem Heat (w/ Jacqueline) versus Vicious & Delicious (w/ Vincent)

Stevie Ray hip-tossed Bagwell much to Jacqueline's delight.
As Bagwell returned the favor, Stevie Ray reversed an Irish whip.
He then caught Bagwell during a cross body block attempt and powerslammed him.
When tags were exchanged on both sides, Norton delivered a flying shoulder block to Booker T.
He then gave Booker T a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
After Booker T delivered a leg lariat, he tagged in Stevie Ray.
Norton then reversed an Irish whip and tripped Stevie Ray. SNEAKY!
As Norton clotheslined Stevie Ray, Bagwell tagged in.
Vicious & Delicious then gave Stevie Ray a double back elbow, and Bagwell slammed him.
When Bagwell mounted the second turnbuckle, he leaped but missed an elbow drop.
Booker T tagged in and dropkicked Bagwell.
After Norton came in, Booker T dropkicked him too.
Booker T then gave Bagwell a Death Valley Driver for a 1-count.
With all four men in the ring, Bagwell reversed an Irish whip sending Booker T into an awaiting Vincent.
Referee Scott Dickinson called for the bell disqualifying Vicious & Delicious.

Summary: Good tag match with a bogus finish. At times, the Birmingham faithful really got behind Harlem Heat. According to Meltzer, this was an impromptu match due to many of the luchadors' travel issues.

After the match, Booker T gives both Vincent and Bagwell consecutive Harlem Sidekicks.

According to Tenay, Chris Jericho regained the Cruiserweight title from Alex Wright on WCW Saturday Night (aired 8/16, taped 8/12).

Barbarian reversed a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
When Mortis mounted the second turnbuckle, he gave Barbarian a super Rocker Dropper for 2. Innovative!
Barbarian then reversed an Irish whip, but Mortis hit a cross body block for another 2.
As Barbarian delivered the Stroke, he got 2.
He then gave Mortis a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
After Mortis mounted the top turnbuckle, he attempted another cross body block but got powerslammed instead for another 2.
He then delivered a Mafia kick.
1-2-3.
Barbarian won.

After the match, Wrath hits the ring and gives Barbarian the Death Penalty. Meng then enters the ring and applies the Tongan death grip to Wrath. When Mortis tries to stop him, Meng wouldn't release the hold.

The nWo music hits, and Eric Bischoff emerges through the entrance. As he invites everyone to "(his) party, (a.k.a. Clash XXXV)," he mentions the restraining order against both Giant and Zbyszko. He then demands that the nWo gets its own show. Can you hear the Thunder?

On WCW Saturday Night, Faces of Fear wrestle against Wrath and Mortis. In addition, Eddie Guerrero tussles with Dean Malenko. Last but not least, Syxx and K-Dogg face Harlem Heat! Check it out!

At the entrance, "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Flair and Hennig. For the first time in Nitro history, Flair uncorks "Meeeeeaaaaaaaaan WOOOOO Gene." All is right with the world. He informs us that Hennig is "soon to be a Horseman." While Hennig reclarifies that he's not a Horseman, he "wants the competition." Flair then cuts a quick promo on K-Dogg, and Hennig is "too good to be true."

Richards was making his Nitro wrestling debut.
After Riggs reversed a cross corner whip, he gave Richards a corner clothesline.
He then gave Richards a cross corner whip followed by a monkey flip.
As Riggs dropkicked him twice, Richards sought refuge outside the ring.
Riggs then joined and rammed Richards face-first into the apron.
When Richards reversed an Irish whip, Riggs HIT THE POLE.
Richards then delivered a Steviebomb for 2.
After Riggs missed a dropkick, Richards got another 2.
Riggs rebounded with a back elbow and a vertical suplex.
As he ripped the half-shirt off Richards, Riggs hit a sidewalk slam for 2.
Riggs then gave Richards a cross corner whip but fell victim to a Steviekick.
1-2-3.
Richards won.

Summary: While the match may not seem like it, it's a showcase match for Richards.

After the match, Raven enters through the Birmingham faithful and goes to the ring. He then PLANTS Richards with a DDT. At Clash XXXV, Raven will face Richards.

At the entrance, Okerlund interviews Jarrett and Eddie with Debra. Alex Wright interrupts them requesting to join their team. When Debra dismisses him due to lack of a championship, Wright calls her "little girl" and promises to get "a belt" at the Clash. Methinks Debra wanted to tame the wild stallion.

Match 4: The “Crippler” Chris Benoit & Steve “Mongo” McMichael versus WCW US champion Jeff Jarrett & Eddie Guerrero (w/ Debra)

According to Schiavone, Eddie will challenge Jericho for the Cruiserweight title at the Clash.
Eddie escaped a belly-to-back suplex attempt but couldn't avoid a snap suplex from Benoit.
When tags were exchanged on both sides, Jarrett distracted Mongo so that Eddie could dropkick Mongo's knee.
Shortly after, Eddie tagged in and hit a springboard somersault senton onto Mongo's injured knee.
Jarrett tagged in, and he and Eddie broke the wishbone on Mongo. OUCH!
While the Birmingham faithful chanted "Mon-go," Eddie tagged in.
Mongo then reversed an Irish whip and flapjacked Eddie.
As Mongo tackled Eddie, tags were exchanged on both sides again.
Benoit then chopped Jarrett and gave Eddie a gorilla press slam.
When he delivered a snap suplex to Jarrett, Benoit got 2.
He then reversed a cross corner whip and attempted a Crippler Crossface.
After Eddie saved him, Jarrett gave Benoit a belly-to-back suplex.
In the meantime, Mongo and Debra had a spat at ringside, and Mongo took the US belt from her. Clever!
As Eddie distracted referee Mickey Jay, Mongo CLOBBERED Jarrett with the belt.
1-2-3.
Mongo and Benoit won.

Summary: Despite the shortness of the match, each wrestler looked great. The finish fit well with the upcoming US title match at the Clash between Mongo and Jarrett as well.

We then revisit last week's episode when Dillon offered a match against Syxx to Sting who rightfully refused.

The Outsiders emerge through the entrance and head to the ring. When Hall gets the microphone, he touts the nWo while Nash dismisses their opponents as "jabrones."

K-Dogg was among the luchadores who were unavailable, so we get a return match from Road Wild '97.
Syxx backdropped him, but Flair responded with a hip toss.
As Flair hooked a ¾ nelson, he got 2.
Syxx then reversed an Irish whip and delivered an enziguri.
With Flair down in the corner, Syxx hit the Bronco buster.
When he followed with a leg drop, Syxx also gave him a cross corner whip.
That resulted in a Flair flip, and Flair fell to the floor.
Upon Flair's return, Syxx knocked him down in the corner again.
He then attempted a second Bronco buster but came up empty.
As a double shoulder block put both wrestlers down on the mat, Flair gave Syxx a cross corner whip followed by a back drop.
He then delivered a knee drop followed by a knee crusher.
Next, he attempted the figure-four leg lock, but Vicious & Delicious along with Vincent hit the ring.
Flair won by DQ.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Summary: Not even close to resembling their PPV offering, but at least Syxx wrestled Flair's match this time.

At the entrance, Okerlund interviews JJ Dillon and referee Nick Patrick. Dillon confirms Patrick's decision at the PPV during the tag title match. Afterward, Patrick claims that referee Randy Anderson cost Luger the title. Anderson then interrupts the interview to dispute Patrick's claim. Is this leading anywhere?

Match 6 for the WCW World TV title: Ultimo Dragon (champion) versus La Parka (w/ Sonny Onoo)

Dragon will defend the World TV title against Wright at Clash XXXV should he retain.
After a leap frog, Dragon monkey-flipped La Parka.
Speaking of La Parka, he gave Dragon a cross corner whip, but Dragon floated over and backdropped him.
As Dragon leap-frogged La Parka again, he performed a head stand on the top turnbuckle.
Dragon then unleashed a series of kicks, but La Parka reversed an Irish whip.
When Dragon dropkicked La Parka to the floor, he mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a cross body block. Wow!
La Parka then distracted referee Mark Curtis so that Onoo could offer Dragon a shoe discount.

After La Parka rammed him shoulder-first into the steps, Dragon received a powerbomb in the ring. La Parka then got 2.
He then tied Dragon to the Tree of Woe and hit a spinning heel kick in the corner for another 2.
As he gave Dragon a cross corner whip, La Parka came up empty on his follow-through.
Dragon then delivered a tilt-a-whirl slam, placed La Parka atop the top turnbuckle, and hit a super huracanrana.
When he hooked the Dragon sleeper, Onoo got up on the apron.
La Parka then gave Dragon an enziguri, but Dragon reversed an Irish whip.
Unknowingly, Onoo kicked his charge instead of Dragon in the back.
Afterward, Dragon hooked the Dragon sleeper, and La Parka submitted.
Dragon retained.

Hennig tried to give Giant a cross corner whip, but Giant wouldn't budge.
When he sandwiched Hennig in the corner, Giant delivered a thrust kick.
He then gave Hennig a vertical suplex and signaled for the chokeslam.
Suddenly, Bischoff charged through the entrance and summoned WCW Security.
The Director of WCW Security, Doug Dellinger, informed Bischoff that when Giant ACTUALLY violated the order, they'd enforce it.
As Giant stepped over the top rope toward Bischoff, Zbyszko emerged to ensure Bischoff's demise.
Bischoff then tried to escape through the Birmingham faithful, but Giant caught him.

Lee Marshall then delivers the 1-800-COLLECT road report from "Columbia, SC." Knowing Lee, he'd park his rental car next to the world's largest fire hydrant and get a ticket.

In the ring, Okerlund interviews Dillon again. This time, Dillon requests another meeting with Sting and wants to know what Sting wants. He then gives Sting a deadline (Clash XXXV) to do so. Suddenly, Sting comes through the Birmingham faithful and heads to the ring. He then enters the ring, grabs Dillon, and points at the numerous Hogan versus Sting signs. Without making a sound, Sting retrieves one of the signs and presents it to Dillon.

Match 8 for the WCW World tag team titles: The Outsiders (champions) versus the “Total Package” Lex Luger & Diamond Dallas Page (w/ Kimberly)

Although Kimberly emerged with the babyfaces, she returned backstage immediately.
By the time the bell rang, Nitro had reached overtime.
When the Outsiders tried to double-team him in the corner, Luger fought his way out.
Tags were exchanged on both sides while Nash reversed an Irish whip.
As DDP gave Nash a swinging neckbreaker, he got 2.
Nash came back with a clothesline, mocked DDP, and gave Luger a crotch chop.
After DDP escaped a Snake Eyes attempt, he delivered a side Russian leg sweep for another 2.
Nash then reversed an Irish whip and hit the big boot.
When Hall tagged in, he gave DDP a fallaway slam for 2.
Nash tagged in and nailed Luger on the apron.
As Luger distracted referee Randy Anderson, the Outsiders illegally switched.
Hall then hooked a Nash-assisted abdominal stretch until Anderson caught them.

After DDP delivered a pumphandle backbreaker, Nash tagged in and elbow-dropped him.
He then distracted Anderson so that Hall could clothesline DDP from the apron. How dastardly!
When Hall illegally switched, Nash legally tagged in and hit Snake Eyes on DDP.
Hall then clotheslined DDP from the apron again.
As the Outsiders illegally switched yet again, Hall gave Luger a discus punch for 2.
He then hooked a sleeper, but DDP countered with a belly-to-back suplex.
After Nash tagged in, DDP delivered a flying headscissors.
Hot tag Luger.
When Luger cleaned house, the nWo stormed the ring.
Anderson called for the bell disqualifying the Outsiders who retained.

After the match, the nWo manhandles Luger and DDP until Giant and Flair hit the ring. As the chaos continued, the show went off the air.

Conclusion: Is there a Clash on Thursday night? Seriously? OK, yes, and this show was the biggest plug for it non-stop. Otherwise, it was an entertaining show with recycled matches and zero angle advancement. What’s on RAW is WAR?