WCW Monday Nitro August 10, 1998 -

Live from Rapid City, SD

Airdate: August 10, 1998

Attendance: 5,197 (sold out)

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

Who will challenge Goldberg for the World title? How will Bret fare in his US title match? Can Sting and Nash regain the World tag team titles? Who’s the real World TV champion? Jump inside this truly action-packed episode right now!

Opening montage.

Nitro Girls, minus Kimberly, dance in the ring in neon halter tops. Meanwhile, the broadcast team CAN NOT discuss the PPV main event.

Match 1: “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan versus Barbarian (w/ Jimmy Hart)

Highlights:

Duggan gave Barbarian a cross corner whip followed by a clothesline.
When he clotheslined Barbarian over the top rope to the floor, Duggan got distracted by Hart.
In the midst of the loudest “U-S-A” chants ever on this show, Barbarian distracted referee Scott Dickinson.
That enabled Hart to give Duggan the business. SNEAKY!
As Duggan attempted a head butt, he got THE ABSOLUTE WORST of it.
Another loud “U-S-A” chant erupted, and Barbarian fed Duggan a pair of elbow drops.
After Duggan no-sold them, he dealt Barbarian the ten-punch count-along.
Barbarian reversed a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
While Duggan quickly rolled him up, he pinned Barbarian at 3:42.

Rating: *

Summary: HUGE crowd support for Duggan both during and following his victory.

After the match, Duggan yanks Hart in, but Hugh Morrus sprints to the ring to save his manager. He clobbers Duggan who gets triple-teamed. As Meng storms the ring, he unloads a thrust kick to Morrus. He locks both Barbarian and Hart in a Tongan death grip. When Morrus gains his attention, Meng traps him in a Tongan death grip.

WCW Security Director Doug Dellinger enters the ring but suffers the same fate. While Duggan gives it a try, Meng decimates him with a Tongan death grip. Another member of security personnel eats a thrust kick, yet one more succumbs to Meng’s clutches. After Meng chases away Dickinson, the ring is cluttered with Meng’s destruction. He will face Goldberg later tonight. Do you think they built him up enough?

Nitro is sponsored by Valvoline.

We revisit Nitro from last week when Sting discovered the fallen Luger backstage and bailed. Next, we head to Thunder when Luger alongside Sting and Konnan called out Hall.

In the ring, “Mean” Gene Okerlund interviews Luger who “wants retribution” against Bret. He challenges Bret who immediately joins them. As Bret refers to Luger as a “liar,” he details his “respect” for Sting. Luger demands that Bret defend the title against him TONIGHT or get pummeled. Of course, Bret accepts.

We see stills from the PPV about the Stevie Ray-Chavo match and its aftermath.

Prior to the next match, Wright grabs the microphone and chastises Magnum in German. He and Disco threaten him to improve, or they’ll leave him in the lurch.

Match 2: Eddie Guerrero versus Tokyo Magnum (w/o the Dancing Fools)

Highlights:

Magnum scored with a spin kick, whipped Eddie into the corner, but came up empty.
As Eddie gave Magnum a cross corner whip, he came up empty as well.
Magnum rammed him face-first into the mat, but Eddie reversed an Irish whip and fed him a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
When he dealt Magnum a brainbuster, Eddie mounted the top turnbuckle and uncorked a frog splash.
1-2-3.
Eddie won at 2:16.

Rating: ½*

Summary: Showcase match for Eddie as Magnum failed again.

We see more stills from the PPV with the triangle match between Raven, Saturn, and Kanyon.

Prior to the next match, Saturn calls out Kanyon for not having his back. Knowing Kanyon, he probably…

Match 3: Saturn versus Kanyon

Highlights:

Saturn fed Kanyon an overhead belly-to-belly suplex and followed with knee strikes.
When he dealt Kanyon a series of kicks in the corner, Saturn gave him a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
Kanyon mounted the second turnbuckle and delivered a top rope Rocker Dropper for 2.
As he plowed Saturn head-first into the mat, Kanyon got another 2.
He flapjacked Saturn but couldn’t get 3.
After Saturn countered with an inside cradle, he got 2.
Kanyon rebounded with a back elbow and a sleeper.
While Saturn sandwiched him in the corner to escape, Kanyon reapplied the hold.
Saturn escaped again and applied one of his own.
Countering with a belly-to-back suplex, Kanyon lost momentum and Saturn landed on top for 2.
Kanyon reapplied the sleeper, but Saturn countered with a jawbreaker.
Guillotining Kanyon with the top rope, Saturn exploded with a T-bone suplex for 2.
Kanyon devastated Saturn with a side-Russian leg sweep and hoisted him atop the top turnbuckle.
Planting Saturn with a hangman’s neckbreaker, Kanyon pulled Saturn closer to the middle for 2.
Kanyon mounted the top turnbuckle, but Saturn crotched him.
Joining Kanyon atop the top turnbuckle, Saturn almost slipped but hit a top rope overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Alright!
Lodi sprinted to ringside to distract referee Mickey Jay.
In the meantime, Raven entered the ring and spiked Saturn with an Evenflow DDT.
Kanyon made a lackadaisical cover and won at 6:13.

Rating: **

Summary: All workrate and two top rope maneuvers get overruled by Raven interference.

Backstage, Meng destroys more members of WCW Security.

At the entrance, the Nitro Girls dance in their same outfits. Schiavone announces that Scott Wilson from Wapakoneta, OH is the grand prize winner of the Nitro Party contest, and his video airs. For those unaware, Wapakoneta is about an hour north of Dayton.

Match 4: Steve “Mongo” McMichael versus Sick Boy (w/ Lodi)

Highlights:

Lodi’s signs improved as he displayed “Sick Boy ain’t any better.” HA!
As Mongo entered the ring, Sick Boy spat at him. Yuck!
Mongo tried to destroy him in the corner, but Lodi belted him in the kidneys before scampering down to the floor. Devious!
When the Rapid City faithful ridiculed Lodi with a “Lodi sucks” chant, Sick Boy slammed Mongo.
He migrated to the apron and launched a springboard dropkick for 2.
After he scored with a springboard back elbow, Sick Boy got another 2.
Sick Boy pounded him with a fist drop, but Mongo reversed an Irish whip and clotheslined him.
While he fed Sick Boy a boot to the midsection, Mongo dealt him a tilt-a-whirl slam.
He delivered a pair of three-point stance tackles but must have eaten one of Sick Boy’s knees.
Attempting a Cure, Sick Boy got countered with a back drop.
Mongo tombstoned and pinned Sick Boy at 3:13.

Rating: **

Summary: Showcase match for Mongo.

HOUR #2!

Eric Bischoff leads “Hollywood” Hogan along with Disciple to the ring. When Hogan states that Jay Leno’s “on the shelf,” he wants to put DDP out to pasture. Ultimately, he wants another shot at the World title and calls attention to Goldberg. Since Meng has obliterated WCW Security, nWo Hollywood “will provide security for the title match” according to Bischoff.

The broadcast team wastes some time until Schiavone finds out that nWo Wolfpack will also be at ringside during the main event.

TV Rating: 4.1

While Chavo makes his entrance, he calls out for his hobby horse Pepe. I’m not making this up. He queries the Rapid City faithful until Jericho interrupts him from the entrance. As Jericho holds up the hobby horse, he baits Chavo backstage and destroys him as well as Pepe. He enters the ring, grabs the microphone, and requests a title shot. In response, Stevie Ray accepts.

Match 5 for the WCW World TV title: Stevie Ray (champion) versus Chavo Guerrero, Jr. Chris Jericho

Highlights:

The Rapid City faithful showered Jericho with a “Jericho sucks” chant, and Stevie Ray shoved their nemesis through the ropes to the floor.
When Stevie Ray flapjacked him, Jericho rebounded with a dropkick to the knee.
Stevie Ray reversed an Irish whip, but Jericho used momentum to cradle him for 2.
As Stevie Ray plastered him with a big boot, he hung Jericho out to dry on the top rope.
Jericho backdropped Stevie Ray over the top rope to the floor, mounted the top turnbuckle, and fed him a flying fist drop on the floor.
After they returned to the ring, Jericho mounted the adjacent top turnbuckle, leaped, but ate a powerslam.
Stevie Ray backdropped Jericho who countered a second flapjack with a dropkick.
While he dropkicked Stevie Ray again, Jericho’s trick knee acted up at the expense of referee Mark Curtis.
Stevie Ray clotheslined Jericho, yet Giant meandered to ringside.
Entering the ring, Giant headbutted Stevie Ray.
He chokeslammed Stevie Ray while Jericho arose Curtis.
Trapping the unconscious Stevie Ray in a LionTamer, Jericho won at 4:55.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Rating: ***

Summary: Solid big man-little man matchup until Giant determined the winner. Unfathomably, Jericho was without a title for a mere 24 hours. Keep this match in mind when Booker T makes his return.

RUMOR MILL: According to some, this was the point Jericho was recruited to be in the nWo but refused. Bischoff denies this due to Jericho’s lack of creative control.

TV Rating: 4.5

Bischoff joins us again alongside Elizabeth at the entrance. As Bischoff touts himself, he offers some stills from the PPV that favor him and Hogan. He advises everyone NOT to watch The Tonight Show as any stills from Leno “will be doctored.” Yep. Another bait-and-switch from WCW, but can they redeem themselves?

Match 6 (triple threat): Rey Mysterio, Jr. versus Psicosis versus Lizmark, Jr.

Highlights:

Psicosis fed Mysterio a front suplex, escaped a tilt-a-whirl maneuver from Lizmark, Jr., and clotheslined the latter.
As he slammed Lizmark, Jr, Psicosis mounted the top turnbuckle, missile-dropkicked Mysterio, and dealt Lizmark, Jr. a senton splash. Impressive!
He delivered a spinebuster to Mysterio and gave him an Irish whip.
When Lizmark, Jr. backdropped Mysterio over the top rope to the floor, Psicosis whiffed on a dropkick.
Lizmark, Jr. blasted Psicosis with a ten-punch count-along, but Psicosis maneuvered him onto the top turnbuckle.
After he devastated Psicosis with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, Lizmark, Jr. clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor.
Lizmark, Jr. scored with a tope con hilo, but Mysterio flummoxed him with a springboard plancha.
While Lizmark, Jr. reversed an Irish whip, he held Psicosis so that Mysterio could flatten him with a springboard senton. Innovative!
Lizmark, Jr. connected with a springboard moonsault, and a collective pin got 2.
Following a Mysterio leap frog, Lizmark, Jr. guillotined Psicosis with the top rope.
Mysterio hit a leg drop for 2, and so did Lizmark, Jr.
With Psicosis atop Lizmark, Jr.’s shoulders, Mysterio mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, but came up empty.
In the meantime, Psicosis hooked a victory roll on Lizmark, Jr. for 2.
Lizmark, Jr. slammed Psicosis, gave Mysterio a cross corner whip, but came up empty on his follow-through.
Flattening Lizmark, Jr. with a spinning heel kick, Mysterio climbed the turnbuckles and connected with a split-legged moonsault for 2.
Psicosis gave Mysterio a cross corner whip followed by a corner clothesline.
Whipping Mysterio into the corner, Psicosis ate boot on his follow-through.
Mysterio landed a corkscrew Rocker Dropper, yet Lizmark, Jr. mounted the top turnbuckle.
Leaping, Lizmark, Jr. ate a mule kick from Psicosis.
Mysterio used Psicosis as a fulcrum and decimated Lizmark, Jr. with a West Coast Pop.
1-2-3.
Mysterio won at 7:04.

Rating: ****

Summary: Fantastic action as all three luchadores emptied their arsenals to pop the Rapid City faithful.

Master Lock sponsors the replay.

Closed captioning is sponsored by The Money Store.

TV Rating: 4.7

At the entrance, the Nitro Girls dance in jeans while Schiavone shills the Nitro Party contest.

Match 7 for the WCW US title: Bret “Hitman” Hart (champion) versus the “Total Package” Lex Luger

Highlights:

Unlike his previous appearance, Bret emerged to the nWo theme.
Bret trapped him in a hammerlock, but Luger threw a back elbow to escape.
When Luger clotheslined him, Bret took his belt and threatened to take a hike.
Luger met him in the aisle and returned him to the ring.
As he gave Bret a cross corner whip, Luger hip-tossed him.
Nitro took a commercial break, but afterward Bret slammed Luger on the floor.
Back in the ring, Luger made a brief comeback until Bret kicked him in the jimmy.
He fed Luger a backbreaker and got 2.
After he headbutted Luger, Bret dealt him a forearm smash.
Members of the Rapid City faithful chanted “nug-get” at Bret.
While Bret delivered a side-Russian leg sweep, he landed a leg drop.
He hit a DDT and got another 2.
Suplexing Luger, Bret couldn’t get 3.
He continued to work on Luger’s back and gave him a HARD cross corner whip.
Cracking Luger in two, Bret applied another backbreaker.
He mounted the second turnbuckle, leaped, but ate boot.
Planting Bret with an atomic drop, Luger followed with an inverted one.
He clotheslined Bret twice and launched a flying forearm for 2.
Getting trapped in a sleeper, Bret escaped by sandwiching both Luger and referee Charles Robinson in the corner.
Bret procured a foreign object but missed.
Hooking a Torture Rack, Luger won at 13:34 shown.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Rating: ***

Summary: Per usual, Luger works well with ring technicians, and Bret is no exception. The Rapid City faithful remains excited throughout the match.

Following the match, nWo Wolfpack joins Luger in the ring while Konnan wears an NC State hat. Woohoo! They exuberantly spank Luger on the butt, and the Rapid City faithful rejoices.

TV Rating: 5.1

HOUR #3!

We revisit more stills from the PPV where Guerrera captured the Cruiserweight title from Jericho with some assistance from Malenko.

Match 8 for the WCW Cruiserweight title: Juventud Guerrera (champion) versus Billy Kidman

Highlights:

Kidman walked into a flying headscissors, reversed an Irish whip, leapfrogged Guerrera, but ate a spinning heel kick.
As Kidman reversed a cross corner whip, Guerrera got vaulted to the apron.
He guillotined Kidman with the top rope and scored with a springboard dropkick.
When he ducked a baseball slide, Kidman dropkicked Guerrera on the floor.
Next, he made Guerrera taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Lucky Luciano at Independent Ale House.
He fed Guerrera a springboard leg drop and got 2.
After Guerrera reversed a cross corner whip, he came up empty on his follow-through.
He mule-kicked Kidman and followed with a clothesline.
While Kidman reversed an Irish whip, he powerslammed Guerrera for 2.
Kidman delivered a release German suplex, but Guerrera landed on his feet.
Cradling Kidman, Guerrera got 2.
Kidman rebounded with a sit-out powerbomb for 2.
Reversing another cross corner whip, Guerrera crotched Kidman on the top rope.
He dealt Kidman a springboard huracanrana as Schiavone shilled Bret-Luger II on Thunder.
Mounting the top turnbuckle, Guerrera hit a 450°.
1-2-3.
Guerrera retained at 3:45.

Rating: ***

Summary: Once again, great chemistry between these two, but when will they get MORE TIME?

TV Rating: 4.6

We revisit more stills from the PPV of the main event where Leno pinned Bischoff thanks to Kevin Eubanks.

Prior to the next match, Raven grabs the microphone and is disappointed in the Flock. He “punishes” Riggs with an EvenFlow DDT, shoves down Lodi, and slaps Horace twice. Although Horace prevents a third slap, Raven creams him.

Match 9: Raven (w/ the Flock) versus Horace

Highlights:

Raven gave Horace a cross corner whip and followed with a standing senton.
When he tossed Horace over the top rope to the floor, Raven joined and fed him a side-Russian leg sweep into the steel railing.
From the apron, Raven grabbed Horace but got annihilated by the STOP sign.
Horace scored with a tope suicida, placed the STOP sign in the corner, and whipped Raven into it.
As he slammed Raven onto the STOP sign, Horace mounted the top turnbuckle but missed a flying splash.
Lodi handed him a chair, and Raven dealt Horace a drop toe hold onto it.
After Kanyon emerged, the Flock prevented him from entering the ring.
Saturn came through the Rapid City faithful and splattered Raven from behind with a Death Valley Driver.
While Saturn placed him atop Raven, Horace won at 3:57.

Rating: *½

Summary: The work with the STOP sign kept the attention of the Rapid City faithful, and that tope suicida by Horace was quite a spectacle. Solid revenge by Saturn after the earlier Raven interference.

TV Rating: 4.5

At the entrance, the Nitro Girls dance in red.

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

Match 10: Curt Hennig versus Konnan

Highlights:

Konnan gave Hennig a cross corner whip followed by a hip toss.
As Konnan fed Hennig a somersault clothesline, the Rapid City faithful made me proud with a “Wolf-pack” chant.
Henning rang Konnan’s bell and dealt him a belly-to-back suplex for 2.
When Konnan rolled up Hennig, he got 2.
He leapfrogged Hennig, delivered a thrust kick, and rammed him face-first into the mat.
After Hennig rebounded with a clothesline, he wrapped a chain around his fist.
Referee Billy Silverman prevented Hennig from clocking him, so Konnan choked him with it.
Immediately, Silverman called for the bell, and Hennig won by DQ at 3:31.

Rating: *

Summary: Waste of time.

TV Rating: 4.8

Prior to the next match, Hall grabs the microphone and performs his survey. Wolfpack wins!

Nitro is sponsored by Skittles.

Following a commercial break, Nash runs down its catchphrases.

Match 11 for the WCW World tag team titles: Scott Hall & Giant (champions) versus Kevin Nash & Sting

Highlights:

Sting rang Hall’s bell, and Nash attempted to jackknife powerbomb him.
As Hall escaped, he paint-brushed Nash who responded with a clothesline.
Giant tagged in, but Nash gave him a cross corner whip followed by a corner clothesline.
When Hall tagged in, Nash fed him a framed elbow and a boot choke.
Sting distracted referee Scott Dickinson, so Hall nailed Nash down in SOUTHERN Arizona.
After Giant tagged in, he clotheslined Nash.
Hall tagged in and dealt Nash a discus punch.
While Giant tagged in, Nash delivered a big boot.
Hot tag Sting.
Ramming Hall face-first into the mat, Sting scored with three Stinger splashes.
Sting applied a Scorpion death lock, but Giant stomped into the ring and chokeslammed Dickinson. How dastardly!
Before Dickinson landed, he called for the bell.
Sting and Nash won by DQ, but Hall and Giant retained at 5:21.

Rating: *

Summary: More star power than solid action.

TV Rating: 4.71

Match 12 (lumberjack for the WCW World title): Goldberg (champion) versus Meng

Highlights:

Buffer rumbled and rambled.
With members of both nWo Hollywood and nWo Wolfpack at ringside, Meng gave Goldberg a cross corner whip.
Goldberg shoulder-blocked and fed him a thrust kick.
As Meng chopped him, Goldberg connected with a spin kick.
Meng rebounded with a leg lariat, and Goldberg spilled down to the feet of nWo Hollywood.
When nWo Hollywood triple-teamed Goldberg, nWo Wolfpack saved his bacon.
Goldberg returned to the ring, but Meng applied a Tongan death grip.
Do we have a new champion?
Before Goldberg could submit, Meng celebrated prematurely.
Nevertheless, Goldberg somersaulted to his feet and speared Meng.
He dealt Meng a Jackhammer and retained at 2:07.
Goldberg was 131-0.

Rating: **

Summary: Some variation in Goldberg’s repertoire were showcased, and he remains undefeated.

Afterward, Hogan climbs into the ring with a chair and WHACKS Goldberg. Nash jumps into the ring and steals the chair away from Hogan. Not knowing who hit him, Goldberg sees Nash standing in the ring. Thinking Nash was the perpetrator, Goldberg spears him as the show leaves the air.

TV Rating: 5.89

Conclusion: History-making episode with two title changes and a whopping DOZEN matches! Whoever produced this episode deserved a raise. As Goldberg won again, nWo Hollywood retained the World tag team titles.

On the other hand, Luger regained the US title by defeating Bret, and Jericho “won” the World title from Booker’s proxy. Oh, I meant Stevie Ray. I’m not kidding when I say this: Get all this!

What’s on RAW is WAR?

Final TV Rating: 4.65

Stay tuned for RAW Is WAR 08-10-98!

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