WCW Monday Nitro November 16, 1998

Live from Wichita, KS

Airdate: November 16, 1998

Attendance: 8,908 (sold out)

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

Who’s the newcomer and who’s #1 on his hit list? Can Benoit get comeuppance against Bret? How will Guerrera fare against Kidman? What’s up with El Gringo? What’s new with BPP? Hogan? Hall? If you’re ready for a STACKED show, come on in!

To begin the show, the Nitro Girls dance in the ring wearing black and silver.

If you care, a motorcade arrives outside the arena, but security prevents any further access.

Match 1 for the WCW Cruiserweight title: Kidman (champion) versus Juventud Guerrera

Highlights:

Kidman leapfrogged him, but Guerrera rolled him up for 2.
When Kidman dealt him a sit-out powerbomb, Guerrera slithered to the floor.
He returned to the apron, but Kidman suplexed him back into the ring.
As he slammed Guerrera, Kidman migrated to the apron and scored with a springboard leg drop for 2.
He gave Guerrera a cross corner whip and followed with a kick to the midsection.
After Kidman gave him another cross corner whip, Guerrera caught him with a flying headscissors.
Kidman reversed a cross corner whip, but Guerrera floated over.
While Kidman reversed an Irish whip, Guerrera fed him another flying headscissors.
He unloaded a ten-punch count-along, gave Kidman a cross corner whip, but got vaulted to the apron.
Guillotining Kidman with the top rope, Guerrera mounted the top turnbuckle and launched a cross body block for 2.
Kidman reversed another Irish whip, vaulted Guerrera to the apron again, and dropkicked him to the floor.
Demolishing Guerrera with a plancha, Kidman rolled him into the ring for 2.
He positioned Guerrera against the ropes, charged, missed, and soared over the top rope to the floor.
Mounting the top turnbuckle again, Guerrera delivered a tope. Woohoo!
He rammed Kidman face-first against the apron before they returned to the ring.
Slamming Kidman, Guerrera migrated to the apron and flew with his own springboard leg drop for 2.
He reversed another cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Catching Kidman mid-charge, Guerrera unleashed a spinebuster.
He bulldogged Kidman for another 2.
Attempting to powerbomb him, Guerrera instead got a face full of mat.
Kidman got 2.
Trying another bulldog attempt, Guerrera fell victim to a wheelbarrow suplex.
Kidman got another 2.
Escaping a German suplex, Guerrera destroyed Kidman with a Juvi Driver for 2.
Guerrera hoisted him atop the top turnbuckle, and joined, but Kidman countered with a sit-out superbomb for 2. Amazing!
Positioning Guerrera close to the corner, Kidman mounted the top turnbuckle.
Guerrera upended him, mounted the same top turnbuckle, and unfurled a 450°.
Do we have a new champion!
1-2-3!
Guerrera won at 12:09.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Rating: *****

Summary: Superb match with both wrestlers going balls to the wall trying to beat one another with Guerrera getting both the last laugh and the belt. Well done, gentlemen!

After the match, Kidman takes the belt from referee Billy Silverman, hands it to Guerrera, and shakes his hand. Sportsmanship!

Hasbro Interactive sponsors the replay.

Opening montage.

We revisit last week when Big Poppa Pump annihilated “Gentleman” Chris Adams due to the lack of any officiating. Rick Steiner sprinted to the ring, so BPP and Bagwell scattered like flies. He challenged them for a World tag team title match, and Judy Bagwell joined him as his partner. As they got the upper hand, Judy grabbed the microphone and challenged them for a match at the PPV.

Match 2: Wrath versus Raven (w/ Kanyon)

Highlights:

Before the match, Raven slumped in the corner holding a microphone.
He complained about his childhood and refused to wrestle.
As Kanyon questioned him, he told Raven to “snap out of it.”
Kanyon stepped into the ring, yet Raven wandered back to the locker room.
When he called the Wichita faithful “wussies,” Kanyon polled them but yet again received the incorrect response.
Wrath flattened Kanyon from behind much to the delight of the Wichita faithful.
After he obliterated Kanyon with a Meltdown, Wrath exited the ring.

Rating: NONE

Prior to the next match, Glacier makes his entrance, but Wrath turns him into goo with a Meltdown. During the commercial break, he further liquifies Glacier and breaks Kanyon into tiny pebbles.

REAL Match 2: Kanyon versus Glacier

Highlights:

When referee Mickey Jay called for the bell, both wrestlers were laid out on the mat.
Kanyon rolled over and got 2.
As Kanyon tossed him over the top rope to the floor, Glacier yanked him down with him and dealt him a face crusher.
He suplexed Kanyon on the floor, positioned the steps, but Kanyon blocked and sent him face-first into them.
After he bounced Glacier’s skull off the steps, Kanyon rolled him into the ring for 2.
He mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, but ate a thrust kick.
While Glacier got 2, he unloaded a somersault back elbow.
Kanyon rebounded with a leg lariat for 2.
Mounting the top turnbuckle again, Kanyon leaped.
Glacier caught and trapped him with a Northern Lights suplex for 2.
Decimating Glacier with a Flatliner, Kanyon pinned him at 3:18.

Rating: *

Summary: ZERO heat as both guys looked like losers having been manhandled by Wrath.

Schiavone announces that Apollo Russell from somewhere in Oklahoma is this week’s Nitro Party pack winner. His video follows.

We revisit last week when “Hollywood” Hogan announced his candidacy for the Presidency of the United States. It’s as unfathomable as you think it was.

Match 3: Sonny Onoo versus El Gringo

Highlights:

I smell something fishy here.
When Onoo attempted a kick, Gringo caught and took him down.
They shoved one another, and Gringo got the better of it.
As Gringo unmasked, he revealed himself to be…Kaz Hayashi.
A scared Onoo tried to flee, but Hayashi caught him by the belt.
Suddenly, Ernest “The Cat” Miller jumped into the ring and leveled Hayashi with a spin kick.
Miller advised him to return to the ring, so Onoo did.
After he placed one foot atop Hayashi, Onoo pinned him at 1:31.

Rating: DUD

Summary: Do you smell it too? Heel shenanigans at its finest from Onoo and Miller.

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

Match 4: Dean Malenko & Steve “Mongo” McMichael (w/ the “Enforcer” Arn Anderson) versus Stevie Ray & Horace (w/ Vincent)

Highlights:

Horace gave him a cross corner whip, but Malenko floated over and dealt him a belly-to-back suplex.
As tags were exchanged on both sides, Stevie Ray distracted referee Scott Dickinson.
That allowed Horace to give Mongo the business in the nWo corner. SNEAKY!
When Stevie Ray gave him a cross corner whip, Mongo pounded him with a back elbow.
Mongo delivered a sidewalk slam and tagged out.
After Stevie Ray blocked a Texas Cloverleaf attempt, Horace tagged in and suplexed Malenko.
Speaking of Malenko, he rebounded with a spinning heel kick and tagged out.
While Horace reversed an Irish whip, Vincent tripped Mongo coming off the ropes. How dastardly!
All four wrestlers were in the ring, yet Arn blasted Vincent at ringside to a big pop.
Nevertheless, Dickinson was occupied with that, so Stevie Ray CLOCKED Mongo with his slapjack.
Arn was so fed up that he brought a tire iron into the ring and nailed Stevie Ray with it.
Now THAT’S one pissed off Horseman!
As a result, Dickinson called for the bell, and nWo Hollywood prevailed by DQ at 3:41.

Rating: **

Summary: More angle than match as the Horsemen have pending business with nWo Hollywood.

Following the match, Arn destroys all three nWo members with the tire iron to clear the ring.

HOUR #2!

According to Schiavone, WCW Security Director Doug Dellinger escorted Arn out of the building due to his use of the tire iron. In addition, Mongo was taken to a local hospital for observation.

In the ring, “Mean” Gene Okerlund interviews “Nature Boy” Ric Flair who uncorks a “Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeean” Gene for YOUR pleasure. He proclaims his own nickname onto Bischoff—“no guts, no gonads.” HA! Next, he warns Bischoff that he’ll chop him so hard that Bischoff will have four nipples instead of two. He introduces a former Horseman making his return to WCW—Barry Windham.

As Windham joins him, he shares both a handshake and a hug with Flair. Windham offers some words about tradition which brings out Bischoff himself. While Bischoff reminds Windham that he fired him years ago, Flair tells him that Windham will “tear up your girlfriend tonight.” Bischoff leaves, so Flair struts out of joy to have Windham back in his corner.

Prior to the next match, Eddie grabs the microphone and offers a stipulation—Eddie wins, and Rey joins the lWo, but if Mysterio wins, Eddie will “let (him) be.” Mysterio accepts. I had no idea Mysterio’s a Beatles fan.

Match 5: Eddie Guerrero (w/ Art Flores) versus Rey Mysterio, Jr.

Highlights:

Mysterio leapfrogged Eddie and followed with a monkey flip.
When he unfurled a huracanrana, Mysterio dealt Eddie a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
He planted Eddie with a springboard DDT and got 2.
As he gave Eddie a cross corner whip, Mysterio got vaulted to the top turnbuckle.
He leaped, but there wasn’t any water in the pool.
After Eddie rebounded with a flapjack, he charged, but Mysterio backdropped him over the top rope to the floor.
Mysterio uncorked an Asai moonsault, tossed Eddie back into the ring, and unleashed a springboard dropkick.
Due to momentum, Eddie fell out of the ring on the other side.
Flores tripped Mysterio coming off the ropes, so Eddie delivered a seated dropkick.
While Flores jumped onto the apron to distract referee Mickey Jay, Eddie powerbombed Mysterio.
Abruptly, Guerrera stormed the ring but inadvertently flattened Mysterio with a springboard leg drop.
Eddie disposed of Guerrera, mounted the top turnbuckle, and scored with a frog splash.
1-2-3.
Eddie won at 4:54.

Rating: **

Summary: Heel chicanery combined with mistimed interference enabled Eddie to successfully recruit Mysterio into the lWo.

Afterward, the lWo fills the ring in celebration. They adorn an lWo t-shirt upon Mysterio and parade him around the ring.

Video airs from Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, GA where Judy Bagwell, courtesy of BPP, sits in a hospital bed, cuts a promo on Buff, and pleads for the return of Marcus. According to Meltzer, she suffered appendicitis which completely nixes the PPV match.

Match 6: Chavo Guerrero, Jr. (w/ Pepe) versus Scott Putski

Highlights:

Putski slammed Chavo, reversed an Irish whip, and flapjacked him.
As he clotheslined Chavo, Putski ate a forearm shiver.
Chavo gave Putski a cross corner whip and followed with an avalanche.
When Putski dealt him a lariat, he snap-suplexed Chavo.
In split-screen, Okerlund witnessed the arrival of Bam Bam Bigelow who demolished Dellinger on his way into the arena.
Maniacally, Bigelow searched the bowels of the building in pursuit of none other than Goldberg.
WTF? What has Bigelow achieved to warrant a feud with Goldberg?
Bigelow approached the ring and annihilated Putski.
After referee Scott Dickinson called for the bell, Putski won by DQ at 3:21.

Rating: NONE

Summary: Mere backdrop for the return of Bigelow to WCW.

After the match, Bigelow destroys Chavo and powerbombs Putski. He delivers Snake Eyes to Chavo and grabs the microphone. As Bigelow demands a shot at Goldberg, Bischoff, JJ Dillon, and members of Wichita’s finest head toward the ring. Dillon enters the ring, grabs the microphone, and informs Bigelow that he “doesn’t work for WCW” and “can’t barge in here.”

Before security can remove Bigelow, Goldberg with his entourage proceeds to the ring. Between the two factions, numerous men restrain both Goldberg and Bigelow. With the Wichita faithful allegedly chanting “Gold-berg,” Bischoff demands Dillon join him backstage.

Following a commercial break, Bischoff fires Dillon who retorts vehemently that he quits. This marks the end of Dillon’s full-time on-screen role.

Prior to the next match, Saturn grabs the microphone and runs down Konnan. We revisit two weeks ago when Konnan told Saturn he’d take care of Eddie. As Konnan enters the ring, he gets his turn and recites his catchphrases.

Match 7: Saturn versus Konnan

Highlights:

Saturn attacked Konnan from behind before the bell, gave him a cross corner whip, and followed with a running elbow.
When Saturn dealt him a lariat, Konnan whiffed on a somersault clothesline.
He ducked a thrust kick and clotheslined Saturn.
As the lWo approached the ring, Konnan connected with a seated dropkick.
Saturn reversed an Irish whip but fell victim to a bulldog for 2.
In split-screen, Okerlund interviewed Bischoff outside Goldberg’s dressing room.
Saturn delivered a head-and-arm suplex while Bischoff crowed about firing Dillon.
After Bischoff explained that Goldberg’s too busy for Bigelow, Goldberg emerged and demanded Bigelow TONIGHT.
Meanwhile back in the ring, Saturn uncorked a thrust kick.
Konnan reversed on a cross corner whip, caught Saturn floating over, and hit a spinebuster.
Next, he hooked a somersault rollup and got 2.
While Saturn rebounded with a T-bone suplex, he got 2.
Konnan escaped a backslide attempt and planted Saturn with a crucifix powerbomb for 2. I wonder how Scott Hall felt about that.
Hooking an overhead belly-to-belly suplex with a bridge, Saturn got 2.
He clotheslined Konnan who mounted the top turnbuckle.
Leaping, Konnan ate a dropkick, yet La Parka held Saturn for him.
Konnan took a big swing but nailed La Parka instead of Saturn.
With Saturn on the floor, the lWo ambushed him.
Whoever the FUCK this referee was called for the bell, and Saturn won by DQ at 7:04.

Rating: **

Summary: I understand they only had so much time on the show, but a mid-match interview? It ruined the flow of the match despite finishing it. Obviously, this story wasn’t finished.

Following the match, Konnan rescues Saturn but gets demolished by the lWo. Saturn fights with them and makes Hector Garza HIT THE POLE. Grabbing the microphone, Konnan challenges Saturn to continue their fight. Saturn sprints toward the ring, and Konnan meets him at ringside. Before Saturn can commit felonious assault, referees and WCW Security intervene.

HOUR #3!

At the entrance, the Nitro Girls dance wearing silver and black.

Video airs featuring Scott Hall and Kevin Nash.

Big Poppa Pump, Buff Bagwell, and someone dressed like a referee approach the ring. As Bagwell touts his own referee, BPP recites his catchphrase. He tells Buff that they’re “friends for life” due to Buff’s giving him permission to slap his mother around. After they share a hug, a woman enters the ring. BPP advises Buff to slap her around to “return the favor.”

Suddenly, Rick Steiner storms the ring, and the heels flee. Rick disrobes the “woman” as a young man wearing a disguise. He runs down both heels until they return to attack with the help of Scott Norton. While Norton holds Rick, BPP strongly advises his brother not to attend the PPV or he’ll “end (Rick’s) career.”

Match 8 for the WCW World TV title: Chris Jericho (champion w/ Ralphus) versus Bobby Duncum, Jr.

Highlights:

For those unaware, Duncum began his career in GWF in ’95, but this marked his WCW debut.
Duncum reversed an Irish whip but fell victim to a clothesline.
As Jericho dealt Duncum a senton splash, he got 2.
He suplexed Duncum, tried the arrogant cover, but only got 1.
When Duncum flapjacked him, he clotheslined Jericho over the top rope to the floor.
He migrated to the apron and launched a lariat to Jericho on the floor.
After he tossed Jericho into the front row, Duncum manhandled him back into the ring.
He mounted the top turnbuckle and launched another lariat for 2.
While Jericho rebounded with a dropkick, he attempted a LionTamer.
On the other hand, Duncum used momentum to send Jericho reeling.
He dropkicked Jericho who spilled to the floor.
Having had enough, Jericho grabbed the belt and retreated down the aisle.
Referee Scott Dickinson called for the bell, and Duncum won by countout at 4:23.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Rating: **

Summary: Great debut for Duncum as both wrestlers used psychology to get the match over. Unfortunately, time was limited, so Jericho escaped with not only his belt but also his tail between his legs.

“Secret Service officers” emerge as “Hail to the Chief” plays. Wearing a white feather boa, “Hollywood” Hogan approaches the ring. The American flag drapes over the entrance, balloons fall from the ceiling, and confetti flies. As Hogan spews his nonsense, he introduces his new intern—a Monica Lewinsky impersonator. She enters the ring, pulls a cigar from her bra, and offers it to Hogan.

They share a hug, and “Lewinsky” leaves. Next, Hogan invites Bischoff into the ring. Bischoff joins the party, and Hogan promises to return the WCW World title back to nWo Hollywood. When Hall mysteriously shows up, he recites his catchphrase. He questions Bischoff’s loyalty, and Bischoff delicately informs him that the time is inappropriate. When Bischoff tells him to leave, Hall decks him.

Hogan hammers Hall until Nash arrives to save Hall’s bacon. After they stand face-to-face, Nash advises him that they’ll see one another at the PPV on Sunday.

In the ring, the Nitro Girls dance in black.

Match 9: Bret “Hitman” Hart versus the “Crippler” Chris Benoit

Highlights:

Benoit entered the ring, and the brawl was ON.
When he dealt Bret a back elbow, Benoit snap-suplexed him for 2.
He gave Bret a cross corner whip, chopped him down, and got another 2.
As he fed Bret a belly-to-back suplex, Benoit couldn’t get 3.
Bret rebounded with a backbreaker, mounted the second turnbuckle, and unloaded a flying forearm for 2.
After he guillotined Benoit with the bottom rope, Bret got reversed on a cross corner whip.
Benoit ate boot on his follow-through, so Bret mounted the top turnbuckle.
While Benoit caught him, he joined and superplexed him. Amazing!
Benoit mounted the top turnbuckle, connected with a diving head butt, but only got 2.
Clotheslining Bret over the top rope to the floor, Benoit missed a baseball slide.
Bret grabbed a chair, brought it in the ring, but Benoit knocked it into his face.
Draping Bret with a pair of snot rockets, Benoit tried to maim him with the chair.
Referee Mickey Jay stopped the madness allowing Bret to go WAY DOWNTOWN.
Grabbing the chair, Bret hammered a beleaguered Benoit with it.
Jay called for the bell, and Benoit won by DQ at 6:40.

Rating: ****

Summary: All this match needed was a legitimate finish, and it would have been spectacular. As it is, it’s rather good, but Bret’s reign of heel chicanery continues.

Afterward, Bret furthers his onslaught upon Benoit and shoves down Jay. Malenko arrives to rescue Benoit and pounds on Bret. When Malenko checks on Benoit, Bret returns to the ring and creams him.

Before Bret can turn Benoit and Malenko into Horseman goo, DDP returns and sends Bret packing to a monster reaction. This guy should have won the title at Halloween Havoc. As the fight continues, DDP rams Bret face-first into the steps. Bret scampers away while DDP absorbs the love from the Wichita faithful. When DDP grabs the microphone, he calls Bret out and runs down both him and Hogan. If you love his new term “Hitscum,” you’ll enjoy this interview.

Prior to the main event, Bigelow enters the ring sans music while Goldberg gets escorted to the ring by security. After he breathes in some fireworks, Goldberg gets ambushed by Bigelow. They brawl beside the entrance until security breaks it up to end the show.

Conclusion: Two things: First, WCW knew the WWF was coming off a hot PPV so WCW needed to load up to counterprogram against them. Second, this was the go-home show for the upcoming WCW PPV, so things needed to be both finalized and steaming hot.

Nonetheless, both the “main event” match and what WCW dubbed the “main event” are incredibly exciting. The opening Cruiserweight match is one for the books and must be seen to thoroughly enjoy it.

Additionally, three wrestlers either make their debut or return to WCW on this episode. Duncum looks like a million bucks, so I hope he gets to wrestle someone of equal caliber. Interestingly, Windham, whom Duncum could pass for in an instant, pairing up with Flair could be exhilarating. Bigelow, coming off a successful tenure in ECW, looks ready to main-event against Goldberg. Since he has the tools to teach Goldberg some psychology, Bigelow’s also big enough for the extremely strong Goldberg to lift and jackhammer.

Unfortunately, this episode has some hiccups. With the unfortunate hospital stay for Judy, the BPP-Buff-Rick triangle story either takes another turn or gets put on the back burner. The BPP segment is rather tasteless. Speaking of tasteless, the Hogan hoopla is channel-changing garbage, and the Lewinsky knockoff doesn’t add any spice to this crap.

Also, quite a few things were rushed. Isn’t Thunder on Thursday to handle stuff like this?

What’s on RAW is WAR?

TV Rating: 4.3

Stay tuned for RAW Is WAR 11-16-98!

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