WCW Thunder December 3, 1998

by

Live from Memphis, TN

Airdate: December 3, 1998

Attendance: 8,978 (8,358 paid, sold out)

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

Can Hall overtake the “Big Bad Booty Daddy” in the main event? How will the Horsemen fare against Raven and Kanyon? Will Konnan retain the World TV title? What’s the latest on Giant? With thunder imminent, be sure to stay dry.

Opening montage.

Video featuring “Hollywood” Hogan airs.

We revisit Nitro when Big Poppa Pump challenged Scott Hall. Later, Hall accepted while Nash informed him that he’ll “be (his) huckleberry.” Aw. During the match, the nWo referee wouldn’t count a pinfall for Hall, so Nash powerbombed the BEJEEZUS out of him. Referee Billy Silverman subsequently counted the pin for the reunited Outsiders. Well, maybe not, as Nash walked away immediately thereafter.

In the ring, BPP along with the nWo referee approaches the ring. Upon name-dropping Elvis Presley, BPP crowns himself the NEW leader of nWo Hollywood. He’s ready for some Memphis hoochies and rattles off his catchphrase. Next, he punts Hall from nWo Hollywood and challenges him TONIGHT.

Match 1: Eddie Guerrero (w/ Art Flores) versus Ciclope

Highlights:

  • Before the match began, the Memphis faithful informed Eddie that he indeed “sucks.”
  • Eddie slammed Ciclope, meandered to the apron, and dealt him a somersault senton splash.
  • When Ciclope reversed a cross corner whip, he came up empty on his follow-through.
  • Ciclope vaulted Eddie to the apron, tried to trip him with a baseball slide, missed, and smashed Eddie’s face on the apron. OUCH!
  • As he mounted the top turnbuckle, Ciclope launched a missile dropkick for 2.
  • Eddie rebounded with a brainbuster, mounted the top turnbuckle, and signaled for the rest of the lWo.
  • After Eddie jumped down, he requested that referee Billy Silverman call for the bell.
  • What’s the decision?
  • None, apparently.

 Rating: ½*

Summary: Will another luchador join the lWo or suffer the consequences?

Following the match, the lWo approaches the ring, and Eddie grabs the microphone. Upon being handed the microphone, Psicosis tells Ciclope about the lWo and what it stands for en español. Eddie offers Ciclope an lWo t-shirt to join, and Ciclope accepts by wearing it.

On WCW Saturday Night, Hall faces Booker T! Dig it, sucka!

We revisit Nitro for a second time when Giant assisted Bret in regaining the US title from DDP.

Match 2: Giant versus Renegade

Highlights:

  • For more on Giant, see the end of this article.
  • Renegade ambushed him before the bell, but Giant reversed an Irish whip and fed him a boot to the midsection.
  • As Renegade made a valiant effort on offense, Giant stopped him in his tracks with a CHOKESLAM from the top turnbuckle!
  • Giant won at 1:02.

Rating: *

Summary: Showcase match for Giant.

After the match, Giant grabs the microphone and runs down DDP. Speaking of DDP, he jumps the railing wielding a chair. Entering the ring, DDP ducks a haymaker. Giant hits the chair with his fist, so DDP CROWNS him sending him over the top rope to the floor. Grabbing the microphone, DDP challenges him. I smell an upcoming match at the PPV.

Match 3: Chavo Guerrero, Jr. (w/ Pepe) versus Mike Enos

Highlights:

  • Following a dropkick by Chavo, Enos reversed a whip back into the original corner WITH FORCE.
  • He gorilla-pressed Chavo and held him for a few seconds until Chavo escaped.
  • When Chavo hooked a sunset flip, he got 2.
  • He dropkicked Enos between the ropes to the floor and connected with a baseball slide.
  • As Chavo attempted a plancha, Enos caught and guillotined him with the steel railing.
  • He gorilla-pressed Chavo on the floor and tossed him over the top rope back into the ring. Impressive!
  • After he dealt Chavo a short-arm clothesline, Enos ate a third dropkick.
  • Chavo unloaded a springboard bulldog, hoisted Enos atop the top turnbuckle, joined, and attempted a super huracanrana.
  • Instead, Enos blocked it and uncorked a SUPER BOMB!
  • In lieu of pinning him, Enos lifted Chavo atop the top turnbuckle and delivered a leaping powerslam.
  • Since he’s obviously not winning this match, he refused to pin Chavo.
  • Chavo reversed momentum and landed on top for 2 during an Enos powerslam attempt.
  • While Enos grabbed Pepe, Chavo snuck up from behind and rolled him up for another 2.
  • Enos, still holding Pepe, clotheslined Chavo and attempted to piledrive him atop his hobby horse.
  • Escaping, Chavo hooked another sunset flip and pinned Enos.
  • Chavo won at 4:53.

 Rating: **

Summary: If only Enos could talk. What a showcase by Enos only to fall prey to his own ego.

Afterward, Enos demolishes Chavo until WCW Security restrains him.

Hasbro Interactive sponsors the replay.

Match 4: Rey Mysterio, Jr. versus Villano V

Highlights:

  • Mysterio leapfrogged V before monkey-flipping him.
  • As he fed V a springboard dropkick, Mysterio spun out and flew with a somersault plancha.
  • Mysterio attempted a springboard cross body block, but V countered with a powerslam.
  • When he dealt Mysterio a knee drop, V followed with a stungun.
  • He split Mysterio in two with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and a guillotine across the bottom rope.
  • After he slammed Mysterio, V tied up like a pretzel.
  • Mysterio reversed a cross corner whip but ultimately got SQUISHED in the corner.
  • While he landed a leg drop, V flattened Mysterio with a senton splash.
  • He mounted the second turnbuckle, leaped, but missed a senton bomb.
  • Reversing a cross corner whip, V came up empty on his follow-through.
  • Mysterio unloaded a Bronco buster to wake up the Memphis faithful.
  • Countering a wheelbarrow slam, Mysterio dumped V with a bulldog.
  • He migrated to the apron and stymied V with a springboard flying headscissors.
  • 1-2-3.
  • Mysterio won at 4:40.

Rating: **

Summary: Not only was there solid high-flying from Mysterio but also innovative counters. Solid job, Rey!

At ringside, Schiavone interviews Mysterio, but the lWo interrupts. Eddie berates Mysterio and pilfers his title shot by handing it to Juventud Guerrera; however, Schiavone informs him that Mysterio and Guerrera will battle in a #1 contender’s match next week. Irate, Eddie verbally assaults Schiavone who hightails it back to the broadcast table.

We revisit Nitro for a third time when Goldberg and Nash signed a contract for the World title match at the PPV.

Match 5: Wrath versus Chip Minton

Highlights:

  • For those unaware, Minton was an Olympic bobsledder for the US in both ’94 and ’98.
  • Minton reversed an Irish whip, leapfrogged Wrath, and followed with a dropkick.
  • When a second dropkick failed, Minton attempted a cross body block.
  • Wrath caught and carved him in two with a backbreaker.
  • As the match segued to the floor, Wrath fed Minton a pair of knees to the midsection.
  • He snap-suplexed Minton on the floor and tossed him back into the ring.
  • From the apron, Wrath connected with a springboard back elbow for 1.
  • Minton hooked a sunset flip for 1, so Wrath responded with a belly-to-back suplex.
  • After he gave Minton a pair of cross corner whips, Wrath unfurled a forearm shiver.
  • He planted Minton with a Meltdown for the pin at 3:58.

Rating: *

Summary: Despite the loss to Nash, Wrath continues to get pops for his finisher.

We revisit Nitro for a fourth time when Ric Flair cut a promo on both Eric Bischoff and Barry Windham. During the Malenko-Windham match, Dusty Rhodes swerved Bischoff and awarded the match to Malenko. Therefore, Bischoff must face Flair at the PPV. Bischoff fired Rhodes, but the Horsemen took care of nWo Hollywood.

Prior to the next match, Kanyon grabs the microphone and questions Raven about his behavior. Kanyon finally corrects the poll to “Who’s not better than Kanyon?” and the Memphis faithful reply: “Everybody.” Crowing over his wise tactic, Kanyon takes them to task for it.

Match 6: The “Crippler” Chris Benoit & Steve “Mongo” McMichael (w/ Arn Anderson) versus Raven & Kanyon

Highlights:

  • Kanyon hooked Benoit in a reverse cradle and got 2.
  • As Raven slumped in the corner, Kanyon attempted to tag him to no avail.
  • Benoit gave Kanyon a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
  • When Kanyon spilled him with a side-Russian leg sweep, Raven refused to tag in again.
  • Mongo tagged in and steamrolled Kanyon with three-point stance tackles.
  • After he gave Kanyon a cross corner whip, he also came up empty.
  • Kanyon dumped Mongo with a slam and got 2.
  • While Kanyon paid more attention to Raven than the match, Mongo rolled him up for 2.
  • He slammed Kanyon and trash-talked Raven.
  • Tagging in, Benoit beat Kanyon down before unloading the dreaded snot rockets. Ew.
  • He clotheslined Kanyon and chastised Raven.
  • Devastating Kanyon with a snap suplex, Benoit got 2.
  • Mongo tagged in while Arn remained baffled at Raven’s demeanor.
  • Giving Kanyon another cross corner whip, Mongo hip-tossed him.
  • Benoit tagged in and punished Kanyon with a backbreaker for 2.
  • Feeding Kanyon yet another cross corner whip, Benoit ate boot on his follow-through.
  • Benoit secured a dragon screw leg whip, mounted the top turnbuckle, but missed a flying head butt.
  • Destroying Benoit with a flapjack slam, Kanyon forcibly tagged Raven.
  • In lieu of participating, Raven walked out to a chorus of boos.
  • Benoit and Mongo won by countout at 9:13.

Rating: **

Summary: Strong wrestling by Kanyon and Benoit with a sufficient dose of Mongo to be entertaining before the storyline finish that NOBODY wanted.

We revisit Nitro for the fifth time when Konnan defeated Chris Jericho to win the TV title. Jericho’s days in WCW were numbered.

Konnan’s music video plays. I hit the MUTE button.

Prior to the next match, Disco grabs the microphone and plugs a MAJOR announcement on Nitro. What, in God’s name, could HE have to bring to the table? Nevertheless, he describes Konnan’s video as “pretty good” and wants to collaborate with him on one together. Of course, Konnan’s music cuts him off. Konnan grabs the microphone, rattles off his catchphrases, and makes fun of Disco’s attire quite derogatorily.

Match 7 for the WCW World TV title: Konnan (champion) versus Disco Inferno

Highlights:

  • Konnan clotheslined Disco, hooked a bridging cradle, and got 2.
  • When Konnan dealt him a seated dropkick, Disco rebounded with an elbow drop.
  • Disco mounted the top turnbuckle, but Konnan stood up and challenged his manhood.
  • As Konnan unleashed a DDT, Disco sought refuge on the floor before guillotining him with the top rope.
  • He clotheslined Konnan and got 2.
  • After Konnan countered a piledriver with a back drop, Disco reversed an Irish whip and unloaded a back elbow.
  • He mounted the second turnbuckle and landed a double axe handle for another 2.
  • While he countered a back drop attempt with an elbow smash, Disco remounted the second turnbuckle, leaped, but there wasn’t any water in the pool.
  • Konnan delivered a somersault clothesline and annihilated Disco with a 187 for 2.
  • Stymying Konnan with a pair of swinging neckbreakers, Disco got 2.
  • Konnan blocked a Chartbuster, leapfrogged Disco, and scored with a thrust kick.
  • Planting Disco face-first into the mat, Konnan secured a Tequila Sunrise.
  • Disco tapped out; thus, Konnan retained at 5:23.

Rating: ***

Summary: Disco wore his working boots instead of his dancing shoes, but Konnan didn’t yield to the Chartbuster and retained.

Cinnaburst sponsors the replay.

Match 8: Scott Hall versus Big Poppa Pump (w/ nWo referee)

Highlights:

  • Hall blasted BPP before the bell and hit an inverted atomic drop. The “Big Bad Booty Daddy” might need a night off from this hoochies after that one.
  • As Hall clotheslined BPP, the nWo referee trapped his legs. SNEAKY!
  • BPP easily clotheslined Hall and got a quick 2-count.
  • When the match segued to the floor, BPP made Hall taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the smokey melt burger at Huey’s.
  • Back in the ring, BPP tied Hall to the Tree of Woe, punished him, and earned another quick 2-count.
  • He fed Hall a pumphandle slam for yet another quick 2.
  • After he delivered a double underhook slam, BPP couldn’t get 3.
  • BPP trapped him in a sleeper until Hall escaped to secure one of his own.
  • While BPP countered with a belly-to-back suplex, he slowly covered Hall for a quick 2.
  • Hall rebounded with a discus punch, blocked a hip toss, and chokeslammed BPP for an extremely slow 2. How dastardly!
  • Reversing a cross corner whip, BPP ate boot on his follow-through.
  • Hall mounted the second turnbuckle and scored with a flying bulldog.
  • Once again, the nWo referee slowly counted to 2.
  • Hall attempted an Outsider Edge, but the nWo referee pulled BPP down to the mat. Nefarious!
  • Having had enough of this guy’s bullshit, Hall decimated the nWo referee with an Outsider Edge.
  • BPP clotheslined Hall and applied a Steiner Recliner.
  • As the episode left the air, no winner was declared at 7:25.

Rating: **

Summary: Regrettably, the bogus referee component to the match allowed the match to bail itself out of a finish. Unquestionably, making Hall a de facto babyface was accomplished here.

Conclusion: With BPP at the top of the heap of nWo Hollywood, there was NO WAY he was losing in the main event so soon. The Konnan-Disco match was much more enthralling than it had any right to be. In fact, the Chavo-Enos match also overperformed as Enos shined.

Although it became a handicap match, Kanyon held his own against the Horsemen while Raven’s character influenced the outcome. To promote next week’s show, Schiavone plugged Mysterio versus Guerrera for the #1 contender spot to the Cruiserweight title. That did NOT make Eddie happy whatsoever. What made Eddie happy was that Ciclope joined the ranks of the lWo. Lastly, Giant disintegrated Renegade before DDP gave him comeuppance for Monday.

IN OTHER NEWS THIS WEEK: Speaking of Giant, Paul Wight was arrested after the show on sexual battery charges. Ultimately, those charges were dropped. It would appear that Wight’s already got one foot out the door.

Stay tuned for WWF Capital Carnage ‘98!

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