WCW Thunder October 22, 1998

by

Live from Albuquerque, NM

Airdate: October 22, 1998

Attendance:  6,163 (sold out)

Hosted by Tony Schiavone, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, & Lee Marshall

Can Sting defeat Giant? Will Kanyon beat Jericho to become TV champion? What happens when Guerrera and Iaukea collide? This looks to be a stormy Halloween episode. Stay safe out there!

Opening montage.

We revisit Nitro when Goldberg interrupted a match between DDP and Jericho. DDP stopped Goldberg from Jackhammering Jericho and planted the “Ayatollah of Rock’n’Rollah” with a Diamond Cutter. Officials separated Goldberg and DDP to save the PPV main event.

Match 1: Rey Mysterio, Jr. versus Super Calo

Highlights:

  • Calo fed Mysterio a back elbow, gave him a cross corner whip, and followed with an avalanche for 2.
  • When he gave Mysterio another cross corner whip, Calo ate boot on his follow-through.
  • Mysterio whipped him into the corner, but Calo leaped to the top turnbuckle and scored with a missile dropkick for 2.
  • As he slammed Mysterio, Calo vaulted him to the apron.
  • He dropkicked Mysterio to the floor, dealt him a baseball slide, and flattened him with a somersault plancha.
  • After he rolled Mysterio back into the ring, Calo got another 2.
  • Mysterio rebounded with a flying headscissors, got reversed on an Irish whip, but peeled out in the ropes.
  • While Calo charged, he came up empty and got tangled in the ropes.
  • Mysterio backdropped him, mounted the top turnbuckle, and launched a guillotine leg drop for 2.
  • Scampering to the top turnbuckle again, Calo got upended.
  • Mysterio joined and scrambled Calo with a super huracanrana.
  • 1-2-3.
  • Mysterio won at 4:17.

 

Rating: ***

Summary:  Calo came ready to win, but Mysterio’s fire couldn’t be extinguished.

Wendy’s sponsors the replay.

After the match, the lWo infiltrates the ring to corner Mysterio. Eddie Guerrero wants to recruit Mysterio while Chavo stands in the aisle along with Pepe. As he’s handed an lWo t-shirt, Mysterio tells Eddie that he “run(s) on (his) own.” Schiavone rightfully points out that Mysterio is the first to turn down the newly formed faction. While members of the lWo restrain La Parka, Eddie stares down Mysterio through his sunglasses.

Promo airs for Goldberg-DDP at the PPV this Sunday. Order NOW!

In the ring, Schiavone interviews DDP who sells the World title match like a million bucks. In a fascinating twist, the Albuquerque faithful boos him for cutting a promo on Goldberg.

Promotional consideration paid for by the following: Slim Jim.

Match 2: Alex Wright versus Johnny Swinger

Highlights:

  • Swinger fed Wright a hybrid neckbreaker/side-Russian leg sweep combo and followed with a belly-to-back suplex for 2.
  • As he gave Wright a cross corner whip, Swinger ate boot on his follow-through.
  • Wright dealt Swinger a standing spinning heel kick and hung him out to dry on the top rope.
  • When Wright gave Swinger a cross corner whip, the Albuquerque faithful erupted in a “U-S-A” chant. Methinks they didn’t realize that Swinger’s Canadian.
  • Wright split him in two with a backbreaker, but Swinger rebounded with a facebuster.
  • After Wright reversed an Irish whip, he missed a dropkick.
  • Swinger mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, but got dropkicked in mid-air.
  • While Wright decimated him with a hangman’s neckbreaker, he pinned Swinger at 3:24.

 

Rating: **

Summary:  Showcase match for Wright who received foreign heel heat for his efforts.

We revisit Nitro again when the Steiners went head-to-head briefly to give us an appetizer for the PPV.

On WCW Saturday Night, Meng battles a mangy mutt! Oh, wait, that’s Davey Boy Smith. Also, Jericho, should he survive tonight, defends the TV title against Psicosis. How will the lWo be involved?

For a third time, we revisit Nitro when Sting battled Bret albeit in an abbreviated encounter.

Prior to the next match, Kanyon grabs the microphone but receives another “everybody” instead of “nobody.” Jericho steals the microphone, heists Kanyon’s poll, but receives the same response. HA!

Match 3 for the WCW World TV title: Chris Jericho (champion) versus Kanyon (w/ Raven)

Highlights:

  • Kanyon attacked Jericho from behind and backdropped him.
  • When he fed Kanyon a stungun, Jericho leaped to the second turnbuckle and shoulder-blocked him off the apron to the floor.
  • Following a commercial break, Kanyon missed a dropkick.
  • Jericho delivered a Lionsault and got 2.
  • As he suplexed Kanyon, Jericho displayed the arrogant cover for another 2.
  • He gave Kanyon a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
  • After he straddled the second rope, Kanyon suplexed Jericho from the apron into the ring for 2. Innovative!
  • Jericho reversed an Irish whip, escaped a suplex attempt, and dealt Kanyon a reverse suplex.
  • While he cradled Kanyon, Jericho got 2.
  • Kanyon reversed a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
  • Mounting the second turnbuckle, Jericho leaped but fell victim to a bridging suplex.
  • Do we have a new champion?
  • 1-2-NO!
  • Kanyon hit a swinging neckbreaker for another 2.
  • Scoring with a double underhook backbreaker, Jericho attempted a LionTamer, but Kanyon escaped.
  • Jericho hopped on Kanyon’s shoulder in anticipation of a victory roll, but Kanyon pancaked him. Please pass the syrup!
  • Nevertheless, Kanyon got 2.
  • He hoisted Jericho atop the top turnbuckle, joined, but Jericho sent him packing down to the mat.
  • Climbing to the top turnbuckle, Jericho launched a missile dropkick that laid out not only Kanyon but also referee Billy Silverman.
  • Cue Raven who attempted to DDT Jericho.
  • Instead, Jericho locked him in a LionTamer.
  • Silverman called for the bell, and Jericho won by DQ at 6:05.
  • It’s a Superstation spectacular!

 

Rating: ***

Summary:  Good match with workrate, psychology, and a finish where heel chicanery backfired.

For the fourth time, we revisit Nitro when Hogan introduced Horace as his nephew. He pummeled Horace, grabbed a chair, and WAFFLED him. In response, Warrior approached the ring with a bat, but Giant chokeslammed him. Hogan spray-painted Warrior to claim moral victory.

Match 4: Saturn versus Norman Smiley

Highlights:

  • Following a brief stalemate, Saturn fed Smiley a Northern Lights suplex for 2.
  • Smiley quickly hooked an ankle lock, but Saturn made the ropes to escape.
  • As Saturn applied a Fujiwara arm bar, Smiley grabbed the bottom rope to break the hold.
  • Saturn dealt him a facebuster and followed with a swinging neckbreaker.
  • When Smiley migrated to the apron, he re-entered the ring via sunset flip for 2.
  • Saturn responded with a back elbow, slammed Smiley, mounted the second turnbuckle, but missed a moonsault.
  • After Smiley clotheslined him, he slammed Saturn.
  • He teased the Big Wiggle and delivered a double underhook slam.
  • While Saturn gave Smiley a cross corner whip, he hit a thrust kick.
  • He stymied Smiley with a T-bone suplex and clothesline.
  • Pulverizing Smiley with a Falcon Arrow, Saturn finished him off with a Death Valley Driver.
  • 1-2-3.
  • Saturn won at 4:21.

 

Rating: **½

Summary:  Showcase match for Saturn as he worked Smiley’s style before conquering him.

Following the match, Saturn tousles referee Charles Robinson’s hair to be funny.

Cinnaburst sponsors the replay.

Match 5: The “Total Package” Lex Luger versus Riggs

Highlights:

  • Luger blocked a hip toss and fed Riggs one of his own.
  • When he slammed Riggs, Luger clotheslined him.
  • Riggs sought refuge on the floor, but when Luger grabbed him, Riggs guillotined him with the top rope.
  • As he returned to the ring, Riggs guillotined Luger on the opposite side.
  • The Albuquerque faithful rang out a “Lu-ger” chant, but their hero ate a dropkick.
  • After Riggs reversed a cross corner whip, he followed with a knee to the midsection.
  • He put a knee into Luger’s back and got 2.
  • While he gave Luger a cross corner whip, Riggs came up empty on his follow-through.
  • Luger suplexed Riggs and followed with a pair of clotheslines.
  • Knocking Riggs silly with a running forearm smash, Luger got caught with a jawbreaker.
  • Riggs mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, but there wasn’t any water in the pool.
  • Powerslamming him, Luger hooked a Torture Rack, and Riggs submitted.
  • Luger won at 4:46.

 

Rating: **

Summary:  Showcase match for Luger.

Video airs featuring the Bischoff-Flair feud.

Match 6: Juventud Guerrera versus Prince Iaukea

Highlights:

  • Iaukea leapfrogged Guerrera but ate a clothesline.
  • As Iaukea reversed an Irish whip, Guerrera dealt him a flying headscissors.
  • Guerrera gave Iaukea a cross corner whip but ate foot on his follow-through.
  • When he snap-suplexed Guerrera, Iaukea got 2.
  • Guerrera attempted a sunset flip, but Iaukea fed him a knuckle sandwich.
  • After he delivered a leg drop, Iaukea got another 2.
  • He hit a modified suplex but couldn’t get 3.
  • While he gave Guerrera a cross corner whip, Iaukea followed with a corner clothesline.
  • Guerrera blocked a hip toss and unfurled a Rocker Dropper.
  • Bulldogging Iaukea, Guerrera got 2.
  • He mounted the top turnbuckle and scored with a corkscrew heel kick.
  • Disrupting the match, Disco Inferno upset Guerrera’s balance on the top turnbuckle.
  • Meanwhile, referee Nick Patrick ordered some Frito pie Christmas style. Mmm…
  • It didn’t matter as Guerrera somewhat landed on Iaukea.
  • 1-2-3.
  • Guerrera won at 4:04.

 

Rating: **

Summary:  Showcase match for Guerrera with some help (?) from Disco.

Afterward, Disco slides into the ring and ambushes Guerrera. He attempts a piledriver, but Kidman mounts the top turnbuckle and blasts Disco with a flying clothesline. Thinking Kidman was the perpetrator, Guerrera unleashes a flying headscissors to him. Disco ruins Guerrera’s night with an inverted atomic drop, and Kidman follows with a dropkick. Dumping Disco over the top rope to the floor, Kidman uncorks a plancha. Woohoo! Guerrera tops that with a springboard tope taking out both wrestlers. This was much better than the match!

For the fifth time, we revisit Nitro for the Minneapolis spectacular with the mayor, Puckett, and Randle. They’re all Flair fans, so they send Bischoff packing.

Prior to the next match, Konnan runs through his catchphrases.

Match 7: Konnan versus Scott Armstrong

Highlights:

  • Konnan fed Scott a somersault clothesline followed by a seated dropkick.
  • When Scott leapfrogged him, he dropkicked Konnan to a round of jeers.
  • He clotheslined Konnan but fell victim to a bulldog.
  • As he hooked a backslide, Scott got 2.
  • Konnan countered a gutwrench suplex attempt with a rolling cradle for 2.
  • After he clotheslined Scott, Konnan leapfrogged him and landed a back kick.
  • He planted Scott with an X-Factor and tied him up with a Tequila Sunrise.
  • While Scott submitted, Konnan won at 3:12.

 

Rating: **

Summary:  Oh, you didn’t know? It’s a showcase match for Konnan.

Video airs featuring the Sting-Bret feud.

Video airs featuring the Four Horsemen.

Prior to the next match, Windham grabs the microphone and mentions his familiarity with the Four Horsemen. He runs down Malenko for not measuring up.

Match 8: Dean Malenko versus Kendall Windham

Highlights:

  • For those who may recall, Windham is the brother of a former Horseman.
  • He fed Malenko a big boot and followed with an elbow drop.
  • As he dealt Malenko a lariat, Windham came close to getting sunset flipped.
  • Malenko evaded the knuckle sandwich like a crazed vegan and hooked an inside cradle for 2.
  • When he blocked a second big boot, Malenko caught Windham with a spinning heel kick.
  • Malenko hooked a Texas Cloverleaf, and Windham submitted.
  • Therefore, Malenko won at 1:29.

 

Rating: DUD

Summary:  Showcase match for Malenko although I enjoyed the Windham-Horseman tie-in.

After the match, Malenko grabs the microphone and tells Windham off. He turns his attention to Eric Bischoff and introduces the rest of the Four Horsemen. While Arn discusses Bischoff’s insults about his family, he emphatically dismisses them and threatens Bischoff with bodily harm in front of his own family.

Flair takes the microphone and informs Bischoff that “the party has just begun.” Upon detailing his well-known catchphrases, he vows that someday Bischoff will work for him.

Match 8: Sting versus Giant

Highlights:

  • Sting entered the ring, but Giant ambushed him.
  • As Sting removed his long jacket, he attempted a Stinger splash.
  • On the other hand, Giant caught him in mid-air and planted him with a spinebuster.
  • The Albuquerque faithful informed Giant that he indeed “sucks,” but their nemesis fed Sting a side-Russian leg sweep.
  • When Giant missed an elbow drop, Sting connected with a series of Stinger splashes.
  • He slammed Giant and attempted a Scorpion death lock.
  • Suddenly, Big Poppa Pump emerged and blasted Sting in the knee with a chair.
  • Referee Mickey Jay called for the bell, and Sting won by DQ at 2:39.

 

Rating: *

Summary:  The Albuquerque faithful were into it, but the nWo spoils the fun again.

Following the match, nWo Hollywood joins the party, and BPP continues to destroy Sting with a chair. Storming to the ring, Rick brings a bat and knocks the chair out of BPP’s hands. He drops the bat and goes after his brother while Sting whacks Giant, Hall, and Vincent with it. As Sting torments him, Stevie Ray seeks refuge immediately. The rest of the Wolfpack joins Sting to blow the roof off the arena and end the show.

Conclusion:  The last two segments combined with the energy from the cruiserweights make this episode a must-see. WCW needs all the momentum going into a stacked PPV, and they brought it with gusto. I’m not saying anything else other than…

Stay tuned for WWF Sunday Night HeAT 10-25-98!