WCW Monday Nitro November 23, 1998

Live from Grand Rapids, MI

Airdate: November 23, 1998

Attendance: 10,248 (sold out)

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

Can Goldberg topple Giant? Does Wrath remain unstoppable? What’s the latest with Mysterio? What happens between Flair and Bischoff? Speaking of Horsemen, how does Malenko fare against Bret?

In the cold open, the Nitro Girls dance in the ring wearing black and red. Go Wolfpack!

According to Schiavone, “Hollywood” Hogan will appear on The Tonight Show on Thursday, but no specifics are detailed.

POINT OF ORDER: On The Tonight Show, Hogan announces his “retirement” from pro wrestling. We’ll see how long that lasts. Yes, folks, Hogan used THANKSGIVING NIGHT for his own self-interests.

We revisit stills of the 60-man battle royal from last night.

Match 1: The “Total Package” Lex Luger versus Mike Enos

Highlights:

Before the match got started, the Grand Rapids faithful was rabid for WCW.
Luger blocked a hip toss and dealt Enos one of his own.
When he slammed Enos, Luger unfurled a back elbow.
Enos blocked a suplex back into the ring and guillotined Luger with the top rope.
As he guillotined Luger with the opposite top rope, Enos clotheslined him for 2.
He fed Luger a kick to the midsection and followed with a piledriver.
Do we have a major upset?
1-2-NO!
The Grand Rapids faithful rang out a “Lu-ger” chant, but their hero got powerslammed for another 2.
After Luger gave Enos a cross corner whip, he ate a back elbow.
Enos hoisted Luger atop the top turnbuckle, joined, but Luger blocked a superplex.
While Luger mounted the top turnbuckle, he launched a flying clothesline. Wow!
He unloaded another pair of clotheslines and hoisted Enos atop the top turnbuckle.
Joining Enos, Luger superplexed him for 2. Amazing!
Enos rebounded with a jawbreaker followed by another clothesline.
Not to be outdone, Luger powerslammed Enos.
He hooked a Torture Rack and won by submission at 6:05.

Rating: ***

Summary: Showcase match for Luger who showed some moxie. A flying clothesline and a superplex from Luger?

10-10-321 sponsors the replay.

Outside the arena, a white limousine arrives, and Goldberg emerges. A black limousine pulls up behind it, and both Nash and Konnan appear. They joke with one another about being “next.”

Opening montage.

At the entrance, “Mean” Gene Okerlund interviews the NEW Cruiserweight champion—Kidman. Without further ado, Kidman requests Mysterio’s presence alongside him. Sans lWo t-shirt, Mysterio joins them, and Kidman offers him a title shot. Mysterio accepts the challenge and shakes hands with Kidman.

Before Okerlund can finish his segment, Eddie Guerrero alongside Art Flores confronts Mysterio. Eddie produces a contract that states that Mysterio remains a member of the lWo. Subsequently, he gives Mysterio a XXXXXXL lWo t-shirt to wear. Mysterio refuses, but Eddie gets his way. In the end, Mysterio adorns the huge t-shirt.

Match 2: The “Crippler” Chris Benoit versus Norman Smiley

Highlights:

Smiley fed Benoit a snap mare followed by a kick to the back.
In response, Benoit slapped the BEJEEZUS out of him.
Smiley delivered an arm drag and performed the Big Wiggle.
As Benoit responded by kicking Smiley’s ass, he added a pair of snot rockets. Ew.
Smiley reversed an Irish whip and connected with a knee to the midsection.
When he gave Benoit a cross corner whip, Smiley slammed him.
Benoit reversed a cross corner whip and blasted a trio of German suplexes.
After he mounted the top turnbuckle, Benoit launched a diving head butt.
He trapped Smiley in a Crippler Crossface and won by submission at 3:11.

Rating: *

Summary: Showcase match for Benoit.

A Nitro Party video courtesy of Ed Bigal of Highland, IN airs.

We revisit more stills from last night when nWo Hollywood excommunicated Hall. Although Hall and Nash did not reform the Outsiders, Nash eliminated both Luger and Hall to win the battle royal.

nWo Wolfpack approach the ring, and the Grand Rapids faithful remains rabid. As Konnan recites his catchphrase, Luger concedes victory to Nash for last night and deems him the “next World heavyweight champion.” When Nash regains control of the microphone, he declares “(he’s) next!” A smattering of Goldberg chants arise, but Nash believes he’ll be the one to beat Goldberg’s undefeated streak.

Backstage, Okerlund interviews Nash and asks about Hall. Nash wants Hall to prove himself before any sort of realignment can happen. As Okerlund probes further, Goldberg briefly interrupts.

Prior to the next match, Kanyon berates Raven while asking him to be his second. Raven refuses. While Kanyon makes his entrance, he grabs the microphone, attempts to solicit the Grand Rapids faithful, but reconsiders due to his frustration with Raven.

Match 3: Kanyon (w/o Raven) versus Tokyo Magnum

Highlights:

The bell never rang, but Magnum rolled up Kanyon and got 2.
When he dropkicked Kanyon, Magnum got reversed on a cross corner whip.
Kanyon charged but ate boot on his follow-through.
As Magnum bulldogged him, he dealt Kanyon a ten-punch count-along.
Kanyon rebounded by stymying Magnum with a second rope side-Russian leg sweep for 2. Innovative!
After he hooked a pumphandle cradle, Kanyon got another 2.
Magnum secured a sunset flip and got 2.
While he trapped Kanyon with an inside cradle, Magnum got another 2.
Kanyon blocked a hip toss and decimated Magnum with a Flatliner.
1-2-3.
Kanyon won at 2:03.

Rating: *

Summary: Showcase match for Kanyon.

Nitro Girls dance at the entrance wearing silver while Schiavone shills the Nitro Party contest.

Match 4: Bobby Duncum, Jr. versus Glacier

Highlights:

Duncum steamrolled Glacier completely knocking him out of the ring.
As referee Billy Silverman prevented Duncum from using the bull rope, Duncum leaped from the apron and wiped-out Glacier with a clothesline.
He rammed Glacier back-first into the steel railing, returned him to the ring, mounted the top turnbuckle, and connected with a lariat for 2.
When he gave Glacier a whip into the corner, Duncum ate boot.
Glacier rammed him face-first into the mat and got 2.
After Duncum reversed an Irish whip, he unloaded a big boot.
He demolished Glacier with another lariat, slammed him, and crushed him with a pump splash elbow drop for 2.
While Glacier reversed a cross corner whip, he ate boot on his follow-through.
He powerslammed Duncum and got 2.
Planting Glacier with a DDT, Duncum got 2.
He annihilated Glacier with a Stroke and pinned him at 4:32.

Rating: **

Summary: Duncum definitely has style in the ring. With a little charisma, he could become a star.

In the ring, Okerlund interviews a rather grumpy Giant who begrudgingly congratulates Nash for last night. He refers to Nash as a “coward” and calls out Goldberg for TONIGHT.

HOUR #2!

Prior to the next match, Saturn grabs the microphone and cuts a promo on Ernest Miller.

Match 5: Saturn versus Silver King

Highlights:

Wait a minute! WCW booked THIS to counter the beginning of RAW?
Silver King leapfrogged Saturn, gave him a cross corner whip, and followed with a corner clothesline.
When he gave Saturn another cross corner whip, Silver King followed with a leg lariat.
He connected with a somersault leg drop and got 2.
As Silver King WHIFFED on a moonsault, Saturn clotheslined him.
He slammed Silver King and scored with a springboard leg drop.
After he uncorked a series of kicks in the corner, Saturn hung Silver King out to dry on the top rope.
The match segued to the floor, but Onoo and Miller emerged at the entrance.
While Miller ran his mouth, Onoo censored him.
Saturn fed Silver King a head-and-arm suplex followed by two snap suplexes.
Dumping Silver King with a Death Valley Driver, Saturn won at 3:42.

Rating: *

Summary: Showcase match for Saturn with a brief distraction by Miller.

For the third time, we revisit stills from last night when Giant got eliminated.

Match 6 for the WCW Cruiserweight title: Kidman (champion) versus Rey Mysterio, Jr.

Highlights:

As Mysterio emerged, he wore the XXXXXXXL t-shirt. He truly looked like a little kid.
He reversed a cross corner whip, caught Kidman mid-float-over, and planted him face-first into the mat.
When Mysterio dealt him a bronco buster, Kidman migrated to the apron and unleashed a flying headscissors.
Mysterio countered a powerbomb with his own flying headscissors that sent both wrestlers over the top rope to the floor.
After Kidman gave him an Irish whip, Mysterio floated into another flying headscissors on the floor.
Mysterio rammed him back-first into the apron, but Kidman countered another flying headscissors by smashing Mysterio face-first into the apron.
From the apron, Kidman unfurled a springboard leg drop for 2.
Mysterio dropkicked the knee, mounted the second rope, and launched his own springboard leg drop for 2.
While Kidman reversed a cross corner whip, he got vaulted to the apron.
He mounted the top turnbuckle and scored with a cross body block for 2.
Charging Mysterio, Kidman missed yet soared over the top rope to the floor.
Mysterio flew with a somersault plancha and tossed Kidman back into the ring.
Attempting another springboard maneuver, Mysterio got caught in mid-air by a Kidman dropkick. Incredible!
Kidman got 2.
Applying a seated abdominal stretch, Kidman gave Mysterio a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
Mysterio charged, but Kidman powerslammed him for 2.
Reversing another cross corner whip, Mysterio got vaulted to the apron.
He leaped to the second turnbuckle, attempted a moonsault, but got caught.
Escaping, Mysterio devastated Kidman with a DDT for 2. Impressive!
Kidman reversed yet another cross corner whip and destroyed Mysterio with a lariat for 2.
Face-planting Kidman, Mysterio got 2.
Mysterio mounted the top turnbuckle, but Kidman caught him, joined, but fell victim to a sunset flip.
Do we have a new champion?
1-2-NO!
Kidman escaped a German suplex attempt and demolished Mysterio with an Acid Drop.
Mounting the top turnbuckle, Kidman got caught.
Mysterio joined and superplexed him. Wow!
Migrating to the apron, Mysterio attempted a 619; however, Kidman countered with a powerbomb.
The lWo crept toward the ring, and Eddie jumped onto the apron.
Dropkicking Eddie back to the floor, Kidman knocked him silly with a plancha.
Guerrera, wearing khakis, snuck into the ring and obliterated Mysterio with a Juvi Driver.
Mounting the top turnbuckle, Kidman decimated Mysterio with a Shooting Star Press.
1-2-3.
Kidman retained at 9:48.

Rating: ****

Summary: With innovative flying maneuvers and a series of back-and-forth action, they guys rocked the house until the storyline ending.

In the ring, Okerlund interviews Eric Bischoff who exerts his authority. He wants to settle business with Ric Flair and requests his presence. As Flair enters the ring, he takes a subtle potshot at Bischoff’s tenure as President of WCW. Bischoff disputes Flair’s ability to bring new people into WCW and requests Barry Windham join them.

Windham enters the ring and shares a high-five with Flair, When Bischoff describes Windham, he informs Flair that Windham will knock him out. Flair stands up for Windham and tradition, but Bischoff nails him. Following that, Flair attacks Bischoff to the delight of the Grand Rapids faithful. On the other hand, Windham hammers Flair just like Bischoff said he would.

Flair brawls with Windham but gets taken down. While Windham blasts Flair WAY DOWNTOWN, he restrains Flair so that Bischoff can get his licks in. They leave Flair laying until the rest of the Four Horsemen rushes to Flair’s aid. Contrarily, nWo Hollywood meets them in the aisle to destroy them. Malenko gets “injured” in the process.

POINT OF ORDER: Bischoff has once again cancelled the Four Horsemen.

TV Rating: 4.60

For the fourth time, we revisit stills from last night when heel miscommunication should have led to a Konnan victory, but instead Konnan got disqualified. Also, Stevie Ray figuratively divorced himself from his brother Booker T.

Prior to the next match, Konnan grabs the microphone and recites his catchphrases.

Match 7: Booker T versus Konnan

Highlights:

According to Schiavone, Flair, Benoit, and Mongo left the area to regroup, but Malenko must remain at the arena for his scheduled match later.
Konnan connected with a somersault clothesline, but Booker T responded with a clothesline of his own.
When he dealt Konnan a back elbow, Booker T got 2.
He gave Konnan a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
Wait a minute! Schiavone just said that Nash will face Wrath TONIGHT. Shouldn’t that be either a PPV or Nitro main event match and not some throwaway match?
Regardless, Konnan ducked a clothesline and rammed Booker T face-first into the mat for 2.
He leapfrogged Booker T and followed with a thrust kick.
As he face-planted Booker T again, Konnan ate a knee to the midsection.
Booker T uncorked a standing leg lariat followed by an axe kick.
After Stevie Ray approached ringside, Booker T missed an elbow drop but performed a spinaroonie. Yipee!
Stevie Ray jumped onto the apron and WHACKED Konnan with a slap jack.
As a result, referee Billy Silverman called for the bell, and Konnan won by DQ at 3:47.

Rating: *

Summary: More storyline than match as dissension between brothers escalates.

After the match, Stevie Ray grabs the microphone and questions Booker T’s intentions. Booker T separates himself from any nWo business, but Stevie Ray proclaims loyalty within nWo Hollywood.

In the ring, Okerlund interviews Bret who dismisses DDP’s victory from last night. He runs down DDP and wants a rematch. Next, he cuts a promo on Malenko daring DDP to watch his chaos for another title shot.

Nitro Girls dance in the aisle wearing magenta.

HOUR #3!

Match 8: Kevin Nash versus Wrath

Highlights:

Wrath gave Nash a cross corner whip but ate a back elbow on his follow-through.
As he reversed an Irish whip, Wrath unloaded a bicycle kick.
He dropkicked Nash sending him over the top rope to the floor.
When Nash returned, he beat up Wrath in the corner culminating with a framed elbow.
Wrath escaped a slam attempt and dealt Nash a belly-to-back suplex.
After he mounted the top turnbuckle, Wrath connected with a flying clothesline for 2.
He landed a series of elbow drops and got another 2.
While he gave Nash another cross corner whip, Wrath ate boot on his follow-through.
Nash planted Wrath with a sidewalk slam and got 2.
Flooring Nash with a flying shoulder block, Wrath got 2.
Nash reversed a cross corner whip and followed with a corner clothesline.
He flattened Wrath with a big boot followed by a Jackknife powerbomb.
1-2-3.
Nash won at 4:46.

Rating: ***

Summary: Solid HOSS match, but this was NOT how Wrath’s winning streak should have been curtailed.

POINT OF ORDER: Nash, you selfish prick. You get the book and ruin a push for one of the young up-and-comers in WCW. Bryan Clark was only 34 years old at this point and could have been an even bigger steppingstone if he wasn’t neutered the minute you became bookerman. As far as I know, Clark’s singles career never recovered either.

TV Rating: 4.16

In the ring, Okerlund interviews Chris Jericho whose hairstyle is ATROCIOUS. Jericho intentionally mispronounces Duncum’s name and runs down being a cowboy. Suddenly, Duncum emerges having kidnapped Ralphus. Speaking of mispronouncing names, Okerlund refers to Ralphus as “Rufus.” HA!

Nevertheless, Duncum hogties Ralphus, and an irate Jericho leaves the ring to tend to his security detail. He removes the tape from Ralphus’ mouth, and Ralphus is SCREAMING. Following a commercial break, Jericho continues to try to free Ralphus while the broadcast team is CACKLING.

TV Rating: 3.9

Prior to the next match, Hall makes his entrance and playfully kicks Ralphus. He grabs the microphone and conducts his final survey to a horrible response. As he enjoys being both the creator of the nWo and a lone wolf, Hall doesn’t want to prove things to anyone but himself. Wright makes his entrance and demands respect from the Grand Rapids faithful.

Match 9: Scott Hall versus Alex Wright

Highlights:

Wright got cocky so Hall pounded him before clotheslining him over the top rope to the floor.
When Wright dragged him to the floor, he rammed Hall back-first into the apron.
The Grand Rapids faithful chanted “U-S-A,” and for a second, I thought I was watching a match with “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan.
Nonetheless, Wright mounted the top turnbuckle and launched a missile dropkick.
He connected with a spinning heel kick and got 2.
As Hall laid out Wright with a discus punch, Wright attempted a cross body block.
Hall caught and dumped him with a fallaway slam.
After he dealt Wright an Outsider Edge, Hall pinned him at 3:23.

Rating: **

Summary: Wright had no chance in this match as after Hall was finished selling, Wright was CURTAINS.

At the entrance, Nitro Girls dance in shiny violet.

Match 10: Bret Hart versus Dean Malenko

Highlights:

Immediately, Bret attacked Malenko’s injured left knee.
Following a commercial break, Malenko dealt Bret a ten-punch count-along.
Schiavone shilled Nitro Extra, but these special episodes were not available ANYWHERE.
As Malenko reversed a cross corner whip back to the original corner, he followed with a corner clothesline.
He suplexed Bret further injuring his own left knee but got 2.
When Bret attempted to slam him, Malenko fell atop him for another 2.
He countered a suplex attempt with an inside cradle but couldn’t get 3.
After he hooked a somersault rollup, Malenko earned yet another 2-count.
Bret rebounded with a backbreaker, mounted the second turnbuckle, but missed a flying elbow drop.
While Malenko trapped him in a sleeper, Bret countered with a belly-to-back suplex.
Methinks a hottie with plenty of liquid courage decided to flash the Grand Rapids faithful, so a smattering of “show your tits” could be overhead. Perverts!
Malenko maintained the sleeper until Bret ultimately escaped.
Disrupting Bret’s tenacity toward his injured leg, Malenko uncorked an enziguri.
Malenko hoisted him atop the top turnbuckle, but Bret fell to the apron.
Delivering a knee drop, Malenko flummoxed him with a spinning heel kick.
Malenko hooked a Texas Cloverleaf, but Bret grabbed the bottom rope to escape.
Although Bret thwarted a second attempt, both wrestlers spilled between the ropes to the floor.
Bret grabbed a chair, but Malenko nailed him before he could use it.
Tossing Bret back into the ring, Malenko took the chair with him.
Both Bret and referee Charles Robinson grabbed the chair, yet Malenko floored Bret with a missile dropkick for 2.
Trying to leapfrog Bret, Malenko’s knee collapsed as did he.
Bret rammed the knee against the ring post twice, placed the chair into the middle of the ring, and destroyed Malenko with a Diamond Cutter onto it.
With Robinson calling for the bell, Malenko won by DQ at 13:41 shown.

Rating: **½

Summary: The story was simple, but Bret didn’t just want to beat Malenko. He wants to put him on the shelf.

Following the match, Bret tries to Pillmanize Malenko, but DDP enters through the Grand Rapids faithful and jumps into the ring. Bret blasts him in the ribs with the chair and WHACKS his leg. Evading a second attempt, DDP creams Bret into Canadian goo. The Grand Rapids faithful chants “D-D-P” for their hero while DDP calls Bret “Hitscum” again. Despite Bret’s return to the locker room, DDP challenges him to a title match NEXT WEEK.

TV Rating: 4.30

Match 11 for the WCW World title: Goldberg (champion) versus Giant

Highlights:

Since the match was announced, the stipulation “there must be a winner” was attached.
Buffer rambled and rumbled.
When Giant reversed a cross corner whip, he followed with a corner clothesline.
The Grand Rapids faithful chanted “Gold-berg,” but Giant chokeslammed their hero halfway to Toledo.
Do we have a new champion?
1-2-NO!
Wow! Nobody kicked out of the chokeslam before, had they?
Goldberg rebounded with knees to the midsection, gave Giant a cross corner whip, and speared him.
OK, there’s NO WAY he could jackhammer him, right?
As Goldberg dealt him an unfathomable Jackhammer, he pinned Giant and retained at 1:34.

Rating: *

Summary: In case you wondered if Giant was renegotiating his contract with WCW, he first had Goldberg kick out of his finisher, next lost the match in an unbelievable hurry, and lastly did NOT receive a proper entrance.

Afterward, Bam Bam Bigelow storms the ring to attack Goldberg. WCW Security rushes the ring to separate them. For no reason whatsoever, Mr. Bookerman, er, Nash steps into the ring and goes after Goldberg. WCW Security separates them too. As the episode ends, the Grand Rapids faithful chants “Gold-berg.”

TV Rating: 4.32

Conclusion: That jackhammer was truly impressive. With no Thunder this week, WCW smartly announced a match for the following week. The hogtying of Ralphus was innovative booking to add another element to the story between Duncum and Jericho. Conversely, the neutering of Wrath at the hands of Nash was truly unnecessary.

Speaking of unnecessary, the destruction of the Four Horsemen was incredibly toxic on Bischoff’s part. Although a Flair-Bischoff match was being built, transforming the Horsemen into geldings seemed rather cruel. The Mysterio-lWo saga continued, yet he and Kidman did much more than just entertain both the Grand Rapids faithful and TV audience.

My sympathy goes out for Saturn as he doesn’t deserve to be the guy to get Miller over. However, I do not feel sorry one single bit for Raven or Kanyon. There’s a long story arc to this, and it needs to be flushed out before passing judgment.

What’s on RAW is WAR?

Overall TV Rating: 4.50

Stay tuned for RAW Is WAR 11-23-98!

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