WCW Thunder November 5, 1998

by

Live from Roanoke, VA

Airdate: November 5, 1998

Attendance: 8,470 (7,750 paid, sold out)

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

What’s the biggest news in pro wrestling? Can Luger conquer BPP? Being in Horsemen country, what’s on their minds tonight? What happens when Eddie and Mysterio square off? Will Raven defeat Wright? How will Booker T fare against Finlay? Get your rain gear ready, ‘cuz thunder’s approachin’!

Opening montage.

Prior to the opening match, Schiavone announces that the NEW governor-elect of Minnesota is…

Yes, folks, in 1998, the state of Minnesota elected Jesse Ventura as its governor. How will WCW run with news like that?

Also, Schiavone announces that “Hollywood” Hogan will declare his candidacy to become President of the United States and announce his running mate on Nitro. With CNN in their back pocket, there’s no way WCW loses the ratings war this week, right?

Promo airs for WCW World War III ’98 which will be LIVE on PPV on 11/22. Order NOW!

Kanyon grabs the microphone and polls the Roanoke faithful. Of course, he doesn’t get the proper response and attacks Horowitz out of frustration.

Match 1: Kanyon (w/ Raven) versus Barry Horowitz

Highlights:

  • Kanyon landed a series of elbow drops, but Horowitz attempted a sunset flip.
  • When Kanyon answered with a knuckle sandwich, he missed an elbow drop.
  • Meanwhile, the smoke from the pyro at the beginning of the show lingered throughout the match.
  • Horowitz slammed Kanyon and followed with a hip toss.
  • As he backdropped Kanyon, Horowitz fed him a ten-top-turnbuckle count-along.
  • Kanyon blocked a ten-punch count-along and dealt Horowitz an inverted F5 for 2.
  • After he delivered a Rocker Dropper, Kanyon got another 2.
  • Kanyon argued with referee Mickey Jay, so Horowitz rolled him up for 2.
  • While he hoisted Horowitz in a fireman’s carry, Kanyon mounted the second turnbuckle.
  • Horowitz escaped and powerbombed Kanyon.
  • Do we have an upset?
  • 1-2-NO!
  • Horowitz clotheslined him twice, but Kanyon blocked a third try with a Flatliner.
  • 1-2-3.
  • Kanyon won at 4:04.

 

Rating: **

Summary: Showcase match for Kanyon.

1-800-COLLECT sponsors the replay.

Big Poppa Pump along with Buff Bagwell enters the ring and rattles off his catchphrase. As he touts nWo Hollywood and runs down the Wolfpack, BPP cuts a promo on Luger.

On WCW Saturday Night, we get Giant versus Luger part VII.

Prior to the next match, Wright grabs the microphone and speaks in German. As he switches to English, Wright runs down Raven.

Match 2: Raven (w/o Kanyon) versus Alex Wright

Highlights:

  • Raven, with a NASTY bump on his head, crawled on his knees and headbutted Wright right in his doppleganger if you catch my drift.
  • As Wright rightfully took a powder outside the ring, he dragged Raven to the floor.
  • They quickly returned to the ring, and Wright gave Raven a cross corner whip.
  • When Wright ate a back elbow on his follow-through, Raven gave him a cross corner whip.
  • Raven ate a back elbow on his follow-through, so Wright connected with a spinning heel kick.
  • After Raven evaded Wright, Lodi approached ringside to rally behind Raven.
  • Disco Inferno summoned him backstage, but Lodi brushed him off.
  • While Disco pounded on Lodi, Kanyon became the calvary and knocked Disco’s lights out.
  • Kanyon tried to suplex him on the floor, but Wright blocked it and fed Kanyon one of his own.
  • Stymying Wright with a baseball slide, Raven joined Wright on the floor.
  • Wright blocked a face full of apron and rammed Raven back-first into the steel railing.
  • Blocking a face full of apron himself, Raven bounced Wright off it like a basketball.
  • Raven mounted the top turnbuckle, but Wright caught him.
  • Shoving Wright down to the mat, Raven exited stage right.
  • Wright won by countout at 4:59.

 

Rating: *

Summary: Whole lotta crap with a bullshit finish. It’s obvious when Raven doesn’t give a FUCK.

Promotional consideration paid for by the following: Slim Jim.

At the entrance, Schiavone interviews Jericho who gives Ralphus his official character name and cuts a promo on Goldberg.

Match 3: Booker T versus Fit Finlay

Highlights:

  • Booker T reversed an Irish whip and fed Finlay a flying forearm for 2.
  • When he dealt Finlay a standing leg lariat, Booker T got another 2.
  • He gave Finlay a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
  • As Finlay clotheslined Booker T, he got 2.
  • Booker T rebounded with a knee to the midsection followed by another leg lariat.
  • After he delivered a belly-to-back suplex, Booker T performed a Spinaroonie.
  • Booker T flattened him with a third leg lariat, but Finlay steamrolled him.
  • While Finlay hit a somersault slam and gave Booker T a cross corner whip.
  • Booker T flipped out of the corner and hooked a sunset flip.
  • 1-2-3.
  • Booker T won at 4:13.

 

Rating: *

Summary: Have to admit that Booker T looks a bit rusty.

Konnan’s music video plays, and I fast-forward.

Prior to the next match, Miller yaks and challenges ANYBODY. Sorry, folks, but Warrior ain’t comin’ back.

Match 4: Ernest “The Cat” Miller (w/ Sonny Onoo) versus Kaz Hayashi Glacier

Highlights:

  • Despite Hayashi’s storming the ring to get his meat hooks on Onoo, Glacier made his triumphant return by answering Miller’s challenge.
  • As the lights returned, it continued to snow, and Hayashi was OUT COLD.
  • Glacier grabbed the microphone and stated he had Miller’s back.
  • No match.

 

Rating: NONE

REAL Match 4: Horace (w/ Vincent, Stevie Ray, & Scott Norton) versus Norman Smiley

Highlights:

  • Horace gave Smiley a cross corner whip followed by a corner clothesline.
  • As he landed an elbow drop, Horace clotheslined Smiley over the top rope to the floor.
  • Horace distracted referee Scott Dickinson, so Vincent and Norton gave Smiley the business on the floor. SNEAKY!
  • When he fed Smiley a release German suplex, Horace suplexed him.
  • 1-2-3.
  • Horace won at 1:40.

 

Rating: DUD

Summary: Showcase match for Horace.

Prior to the next match, Eddie grabs the microphone and chastises Mysterio about turning down the lWo twice. Should Eddie win, Mysterio MUST join. Eddie offers him membership, but Mysterio refuses. At the very least, you must admire Mysterio’s convictions.

Match 5: Eddie Guerrero versus Rey Mysterio, Jr.

Highlights:

  • Eddie leapfrogged him, but Mysterio responded with a flying headscissors.
  • When Mysterio skinned the cat, he took Eddie down with another flying headscissors.
  • Eddie suckered Mysterio into a handshake and short-arm-clotheslined him.
  • As Mysterio reversed a cross corner whip, he fed Eddie a ten-top-turnbuckle count-along.
  • He followed with a Bronco buster as well as a ten-punch count-along.
  • After Eddie countered with an inverted atomic drop, he dropkicked Mysterio’s knee.
  • He dealt Mysterio a springboard somersault senton to the knee, and the Roanoke faithful informed Eddie that he indeed “sucks.”
  • While Thunder returned after a commercial break, Eddie delivered a pumphandle backbreaker.
  • He tied Mysterio to the Tree of Woe and dropkicked the knee again.
  • Charging Mysterio, Eddie came up empty and crotched himself with the ring post. OUCH!
  • Eddie took respite on the floor until Mysterio mounted the top turnbuckle and flattened him.
  • Back in the ring, Mysterio caught Eddie with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, mounted the top turnbuckle, and connected with flying headscissors #3.
  • Eddie dropkicked the injured knee again and removed the knee brace.
  • Trapping Mysterio in a Lasso from El Paso, Eddie welcomed his lWo brethren at ringside.
  • The bell rang, and referee Billy Silverman ruled the bout a time-limit draw at 6:21 shown.

Rating: ***

Summary: Solid match with excellent psychology. I just wish WCW would make the lWo look stronger with definitive victories.

Following the match, Eddie waves the lWo t-shirt to Mysterio and holds off the lWo from beating him senseless.

Match 6 for the WCW World TV title: Chris Jericho (champion) versus Prince Iaukea

Highlights:

  • Iaukea leapfrogged Jericho and followed with a hip toss.
  • As Jericho guillotined him with the top rope, he suplexed Iaukea.
  • He performed the Arrogant Cover and got 2.
  • When he fed Iaukea a seated dropkick, Jericho gave him a cross corner whip.
  • Jericho came up empty on his follow-through, but Iaukea couldn’t truly capitalize.
  • After he gave Iaukea another cross corner whip, Jericho ate foot on his follow-through.
  • Iaukea landed a thrust kick, leapfrogged Jericho, but ate a clothesline.
  • While Jericho attempted a Lionsault, he ate knees.
  • He rolled through a rollup attempt and attempted a LionTamer.
  • Successfully countering with a rollup, Iaukea got 2.
  • He dealt Jericho a Samoan drop, migrated to the apron, and scored with a springboard somersault senton.
  • Do we have a new champion?
  • 1-2-NO!
  • Jericho blocked a victory roll attempt and trapped Iaukea in a LionTamer.
  • Due to Iaukea’s submission, Jericho retained at 5:25.

 

Rating: **

Summary: The Roanoke faithful had ZERO faith in Iaukea’s ability to upset Jericho and remained silent. While there was good psychology, Jericho dominated the match.

Prior to the next match, Disco knows he’s outnumbered 5-on-1 and tries to walk away. Suddenly, the Giant stands in his path. Giant headbutts Disco and gorilla-presses him over the top rope into the ring.

Match 7: Scott Hall (w/ Horace, Scott Norton, Stevie Ray, & Vincent) versus Disco Inferno

Highlights:

  • Hall gave Disco a cross corner whip followed by a corner clothesline.
  • When he fed Disco a fallaway slam, Hall applied an abdominal stretch.
  • Disco rebounded with a swinging neckbreaker and got 2.
  • As Norton tripped Disco, Hall dispensed the 70s dancer with an Outsider Edge.
  • 1-2-3.
  • Hall won at 2:28.

 

Rating: DUD

Summary: Showcase match for Hall.

In the ring, Schiavone interviews the Four Horsemen to a raucous ovation. Arn jokingly states that “unless 12,000 people are missing a thumb, this is Horseman country.” HA! Mockingly, he applauds nWo Hollywood for beating Disco six-on-one and demands a Horsemen-nWo Hollywood encounter from Eric Bischoff. When Malenko gets his turn, he reminisces about watching his father wrestle in this arena. He’s helping to rehab Benoit to return to the ring. Benoit takes his turn and cuts a brief promo on Bischoff. Where’s Mongo?

Oh…he’s probably wondering why his now ex-wife is making more money than he is.

Now it’s Flair’s turn, and the Roanoke faithful LOSES ITS DAMN MINDS. Flair gives props to Jesse Ventura and hopes to follow in his path. “Before (he) takes (the Oval Office), (Flair) will take (Bischoff’s) office.” He wants Bischoff’s job and throws respect in Bischoff’s face. In true Flair form, he “thrusts” his hips while insulting Bischoff. Classic segment!

Prior to the main event, BPP destroys referee Nick Patrick by sandwiching him in the corner and tying him to the Tree of Woe. With Bagwell’s encouragement, BPP tries to injure Patrick’s left knee. Luger sprints to the ring to save Patrick’s bacon.

Match 8: The “Total Package” Lex Luger versus Big Poppa Pump (w/ Buff Bagwell)

Highlights:

  • The match began without a referee.
  • As Luger unleashed a ten-punch count-along, BPP countered with an inverted atomic drop.
  • Luger blocked it and clotheslined BPP.
  • When Bagwell jumped onto the apron, Luger nailed him.
  • BPP blasted Luger from behind while EMTs rescued Patrick from the ring.
  • After the EMTs wheeled Patrick toward the aisle, BPP leaped from the apron and further attacked Patrick’s left knee. How dastardly!
  • BPP fed Luger a double underhook slam, ripped off Luger’s Wolfpack t-shirt, and used it as a weapon.
  • While Bagwell joined in the chicanery, BPP sent Luger reeling between the ropes to the floor.
  • He joined Luger and rammed him back-first into the steel railing.
  • To a chorus of “Wolf-pack” from the Roanoke faithful, BPP clotheslined Luger.
  • Bagwell grabbed the microphone and tried to bully him, but Luger shut him up real quick.
  • Rebounding with an inverted atomic drop, Luger plowed over BPP with a pair of clotheslines.
  • BPP reversed a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
  • Stymying BPP with a flying forearm, Luger hooked him in a Torture Rack.
  • Referee Mickey Jay entered the ring, but Bagwell followed and clobbered him.
  • Releasing BPP, Luger blasted Bagwell again.
  • BPP recovered to attack Luger before annihilating Jay.
  • Finally, Rick stormed the ring and chased off BPP and Bagwell at 6:03.

 

Rating: NONE

Summary: More of an exhibition due to BPP’s complete disdain for authority.

Afterward, Rick releases Jay from the Tree of Woe and checks on Luger.

Conclusion: The rage of BPP infiltrates this episode taking Patrick out in the process. How can Luger and/or Rick curtail it? The Horsemen throws an impromptu party, and the Roanoke faithful are more than happy to join them. While Jericho retains, Eddie still can’t get Mysterio to join the lWo. Booker T triumphs as Raven becomes completely apathetic.

With the Ventura announcement, Horsemen segment, and Glacier return, this episode might be worth your while.

Stay tuned for WWF Sunday Night HeAT 11-08-98!

Comments? Suggestions? Send them to me at rsg@rockstargary.com and follow me on Twitter (@rockstargary202).