WCW Monday Nitro 03-09-98

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

What will happen when a huge six-man main event occurs? Can Flair get revenge for what Hennig did to him the last time they were in Winston-Salem? Let’s find out!

For the very first time, during the rundown for the episode, Zbyszko recognizes the king’s welcome from the Winston-Salem faithful and absorbs it like a sponge.

OK, this is some serious WCW Worldwide material.
Miller unloaded a thrust kick and got 2.
When Damien reversed a cross corner whip, he followed with a corner clothesline.
Miller reversed a cross corner whip and unleashed a spin kick.
As Damien gave Miller another cross corner whip, he scored with a leg lariat.
With Miler atop the top turnbuckle, Damien joined and launched a super huracanrana.
Damien then SLOWLY mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, but ate another thrust kick.
After Miller slammed him, he leaped to the top turnbuckle and delivered a flying thrust kick.
1-2-3.
Miller won in 1:58.

Hogan and Bischoff approach the ring and cut a scathing promo on Savage as well as Elizabeth.

“Mean” Gene Okerlund is at Duke University with the Nitro Girls, and a coed rubs his bald head. HA! Regardless, the Nitro Girls dance in red and silver.

Seriously? Must I watch this?

Lane hip-tossed Sick Boy and followed with a slam.
As Sick Boy charged, Lane avoided him causing Sick Boy to fly over the top rope to the floor.
In case you truly wanted to hate Lodi, he had “Go Heels” spray-painted on his back.

Lane then went to the apron and launched a somersault plancha over the turnbuckle onto both Sick Boy and Lodi. Innovative!
When Lane tossed him back into the ring, he mounted the top turnbuckle and launched a missile dropkick for 2. Woohoo!
Sick Boy then delivered a TKO and followed with a pair of elbow drops.
After he suplexed Lane, Sick Boy got 2.
He then gave Lane a cross corner whip followed by a running elbow smash.
While he slammed Lane, Sick Boy mounted the second turnbuckle but missed a flying elbow drop.
Lane then hooked a rollup and got 2.
As he scored with a Stroke, Lane ANNIHILATED Sick Boy with a springboard reverse clothesline for 2. That did NOT look crisp.
Sick Boy then PLANTED Lane with a Cure (double underhook facebuster a.k.a. Pedigree).
1-2-3.
Sick Boy won in 4:25.

Summary: Showcase match for Sick Boy as Lane desperately needs more seasoning.

In the ring, Tenay interviews Giant who promises a six-man tag match tonight which includes Sting and Savage. To rebut Hogan, Savage doesn’t “feel alone.” Meanwhile, Sting removes the World title belt and coat and batters the top turnbuckle with his bat. Someone cue Mrs. Borden as I believe Sting is “frustrated.” Savage prods Hogan to find two nWo members to face them.

For those unaware, Darsow was “infamous” for his roles as Krusher Khrushchev, Demolition Smash, and Repo Man.
Goldberg unleashed a gutwrench suplex, gave Darsow a cross corner whip, and backdropped him.
When he blocked a hip toss, Goldberg clotheslined the bejeezus out of Darsow.
The match moved to the floor, and Goldberg sent Darsow shoulder-first into the steel railing.
As he rammed Darsow back-first into the ring post, Goldberg tried to nail him but HIT THE POLE instead.
The Winston-Salem faithful began to chant “Gold-berg,” and Darsow rammed Goldberg shoulder-first into the top turnbuckle.
After Goldberg no-sold it, he ran over Darsow like he would a speed bump.

He then hoisted Darsow up and planted him with a Jackhammer.
1-2-3.
Goldberg won in 2:36.

Summary: Good showcase match for Goldberg as Darsow probably gave him some (golf) tips prior to their match.

Back at Duke, Okerlund shills the hotline, and Kimberly promotes the Nitro Girls’ bikini breakout on WCW’s web site. Yowza!

In a Hogan t-shirt, Hall refers to Hogan as “da man” and offers his services for tonight’s main event. Next, he cuts a promo on Sting.

Nash, also wearing a Hogan t-shirt, offers his services to Hogan to face WCW’s big three. He then cuts a promo on Giant. (more on the Outsiders’ no longer wearing Syxx t-shirts later)

Someone get this kid some powder!

Sorry, Chester.
Malenko reversed a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
As Kidman charged, Malenko powerslammed him.
He then reversed an Irish whip, attempted a flapjack, but ate a dropkick instead.
When Kidman suplexed him, Malenko missed a dropkick.
He then countered a rear chin lock with a belly-to-back suplex for 2.
After Kidman rebounded with a slam, he delivered a springboard leg drop for 1.
Malenko then reversed a cross corner whip and followed with a corner clothesline.
While Kidman hit an Acid Drop, he only got 2.
Suddenly, Jericho approached the ring to observe Malenko.
Kidman then gave Malenko a cross corner whip and clothesline for another 2.
As he supplied Malenko with a Michinoku driver, Kidman couldn’t get 3.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle, but Malenko stopped and joined him.
When Malenko unloaded a flying gutbuster, he secured a Texas Cloverleaf.
Kidman tapped, so Malenko won at 5:00.

After the match, Jericho petitions the Flock to join him in the ring. Once they’re in the ring, he begs them to ambush Malenko but gets pummeled instead. HA!

To oppose the beginning of RAW is WAR, Hogan and Bischoff return to the ring to gloat about having the Outsiders as his partners tonight. I’m betting it outscores the NoD/Shamrock match.

Carl Torbush, head coach of the UNC football team, was shown in attendance. He took an 11-1 team from Mack Brown and went 3-8 in 1999.

We return to Duke where Goldberg and Disco Inferno beat up some coeds, and Okerlund gets his head rubbed again. Schiavone then shills the Nitro Party contest.

Can this god-awful match defeat RAW in the ratings?

Kaos reversed an Irish whip, but Adams caught him with a quick piledriver.
When Adams delivered a belly-to-belly suplex, he followed with a military-press gutbuster for 2.
Kaos rebounded with a jawbreaker and distracted referee Charles Robinson.
With Robinson occupied, Rage guillotined Adams with the top rope. SNEAKY!
Kaos then launched a lariat for 2.
As he booted Adams in the midsection, Kaos followed with a belly-to-back suplex for another 2.
Kaos then summoned Rage to the top turnbuckle, but Adams crotched him. OUCH!
After he slammed Rage all the way down to the mat, Adams scored with a tilt-a-whirl slam to Kaos.
1-2-3.
Adams won in 4:20.

After the match, Adams hits a tilt-a-whirl slam on Rage, and Robinson counts the pin. Nevertheless, the Winston-Salem faithful couldn’t care less.

Methinks Guerrera’s chances are NOT good.

Norton flapjacked Guerrera for 2.
As Guerrera dropkicked him twice, he launched a springboard dropkick from the apron.
Norton did not leave his feet, so Guerrera tried a springboard spinning heel kick.
Instead, Norton caught and DEMOLISHED him with a backbreaker.
He then gave Guerrera a cross corner whip followed by a bear hug.
When he sandwiched Guerrera in the corner, Norton hooked a full nelson.
Guerrera still wouldn’t submit, so Konnan supplied some trash-talking to him.

After Guerrera rebounded with dropkicks to Norton’s legs, he failed at a slam attempt.
Norton then unleashed an inverted shoulder breaker and pinned Guerrera at 3:38.

Match 7: Raven & Saturn (w/ the Flock) versus Diamond Dallas Page & the “Crippler” Chris Benoit

Saturn countered a front face lock with a Northern Lights suplex to Benoit for 2.
When Benoit clotheslined Saturn, DDP tagged in and provided Saturn with a swinging neckbreaker.
Tags were exchanged on both sides, and Benoit reversed a cross corner whip before clotheslining Raven.
Following a commercial break, Saturn tagged in, and double boots by the heels put DDP down for 2.
Saturn then distracted referee Nick Patrick so that Raven could guillotine DDP with the top rope. Nefarious!
As Raven tagged in, DDP hooked a sunset flip, but Saturn and Benoit were in the ring. That prevented Patrick from counting the false pin for DDP.
A false tag prevented Benoit from entering the ring thanks to Saturn.
After an illegal switch by Saturn, DDP trapped him in an inside cradle for another false pin.
Saturn then applied a bear hug, but DDP rang his bell to escape.
While Raven tagged in, he dropped an elbow for 2.
Saturn tagged in, slammed DDP, mounted the top turnbuckle, and launched a guillotine leg drop for another 2 thanks to Benoit.
When Saturn mounted the second turnbuckle, he missed a moonsault.
Hot tag Benoit.
As he snap-suplexed Raven, Benoit supplied him with a pair of German suplexes.
Before Benoit could reel off a third one, Raven’s trick knee acted up. Clever!
Raven then attempted a DDT, but Benoit countered with a Crippler Crossface.
After Saturn mounted the top turnbuckle, DDP nailed him down SOUTH I-285.
He then scored with a Diamond Cutter from the top rope, and the Winston-Salem faithful became APOPLEPTIC.

In the process, DDP accidentally saved Raven by bumping into Benoit.
DDP and Benoit brawled, and their fight spilled out to the floor.
While they brawled in the aisle, Patrick counted them out at 8:00.

Summary: Great match with an obnoxious finish to tempt us for the upcoming PPV. Excellent work, gentlemen!

Back at Duke, Goldberg and Disco Inferno are at Duke’s Children’s Hospital, and Okerlund shills Domino’s Pizza. Hopefully, the Nitro Girls refrained from that facsimile of a good product prior to doing a number for us.

Match 8: The “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith versus Konnan (w/ Vincent)

Smith clotheslined Konnan who rebounded with a somersault clothesline for 2.
As he delivered a seated dropkick, Konnan got another 2.
He then locked Smith in a rollup but couldn’t get 3.
When Konnan reversed an Irish whip, he leapfrogged Smith.
Speaking of Smith, he leapfrogged Konnan prior to powerslamming him.
1-2-3.
Smith won at 2:45.

In the ring, Tenay interviews Flair who’s ready to whip some Hennig ass later tonight. Afterward, they’ll go out for tacos.

Match 9 for the WCW Cruiserweight title: “Lionheart” Chris Jericho (champion) versus Disco Inferno

In addition to wearing the Cruiserweight belt, Jericho wore Guerrera’s mask to the ring. HA!

Disco leapfrogged Jericho and followed with a hip toss.
When he landed a back elbow, Disco reversed an Irish whip and sent Jericho flying over the top rope to the floor.
Disco then attempted a double axe handle from the apron, but Jericho caught him in mid-air with a dropkick. Sweet!
As the Winston-Salem faithful notified Jericho that he “sucks,” Disco hooked a sunset flip for 2.
Jericho responded by guillotining Disco with the top rope.
After Disco gave Jericho a cross corner whip, he ate boot on his follow-through.
Jericho charged, but Disco caught him with a spinebuster.
While Disco delivered an atomic drop, he followed with a swinging neckbreaker for 2.
Jericho rebounded with a double underhook backbreaker and secured a LionTamer.
When Disco tapped out, Jericho won in 3:33.

Match 10 for the WCW World TV title: Booker T (champion) versus Chavo Guerrero, Jr.

As Chavo made his entrance, Eddie joined him to request a shot at the winner.
Chavo nailed Booker T from behind and dropkicked him twice.
When referee Nick Patrick ejected Eddie, Booker T reversed an Irish whip and uncorked a side kick.
He then connected with a scissors kick followed by a 110th Street slam.
After he mounted the top turnbuckle, Booker T scored with a missile dropkick.
1-2-3.
Booker T retained at 1:45.

Prior to the next match, Flair dedicates the match to Winston-Salem, WCW, and “every Horseman that ever walked the aisle.”

Match 11: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair versus Curt Hennig (w/ “Ravishing” Rick Rude)

Flair hip-tossed Hennig causing him to seek refuge outside the ring.
When Flair grabbed him by the hair to return him to the ring, he hip-tossed Hennig again.
Hennig reversed a cross corner whip and backdropped Flair.
As Hennig gave Flair a cross corner whip, a Flair flip ensued.
Hennig then distracted referee Mark Curtis so that Rude could make Flair HIT THE POLE. How dastardly!
After Flair won a battle of fisticuffs, Hennig missed a dropkick.
Flair then lined up and kicked a 60-yard FIELD GOAL after asking Curtis to check on Rude. Classic!
While he hip-tossed Hennig a third time, Flair grabbed a steel chair from ringside.
He then tied Hennig to the Tree of Woe and positioned the chair against Hennig’s face.

As if you could see where this was headed, Konnan and Vincent slid into the ring to nail Flair.

Curtis called for the bell to disqualify Hennig at 4:00.

Summary: Can’t Flair get his revenge on Hennig BEFORE the nWo has to maul him?

After the match, the nWo flips the script by putting Flair in Hennig’s place. Before Hennig could rearrange Flair’s facial features, Bret storms the ring and clotheslines him. He and Hennig brawl until Bret backdrops him over the top rope to the floor. I guess there’s your preview of their match for the PPV on Sunday.

For those curious, for reasons that I will explain at a later time, this was the last appearance of Flair for a LONG time.

Match 12: Scott Steiner & Scott Norton versus the “Total Package” Lex Luger & the “Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner (w/ Ted DiBiase)

Legend: Norton = Scott Norton, Scott Steiner = Scott, Rick Steiner = Rick.

During his entrance, Rick brought a Rottweiler to the ring with him. Heenan, of course, referred to the dog as Rick and Scott’s “sister” and “the lost Steiner.” HA!
Norton gave Rick a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through. Perhaps Juvi wore him out earlier tonight?
Nonetheless, Rick delivered a belly-to-belly suplex to Norton and followed with a belly-to-back suplex.
Luger tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and lowered the boom on Norton.
As Scott tagged in, Luger ducked a Steinerline and clotheslined him.
He then nailed Scott with a flying forearm and tagged in Rick.
When Scott saw his older brother was coming in, he tagged out and hightailed it back to Acworth.
Rick chased after Scott, but Norton hammered him with a double axe handle from the apron.
After Norton clotheslined him, he gave Rick a cross corner whip followed by an avalanche.
Scott tagged in, but when Rick caught his breath, Scott tagged out immediately.
While Norton clotheslined him again, Rick ducked a second one and powerslammed Norton.
He then landed a Steinerline and scored with an elbow drop.
As Rick mounted the second turnbuckle, Scott disrupted his balance sending him down to the mat.
Luger then chased after Scott and made him taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Sam I Am burger at Big Daddy’s.
When all of the wrestlers fought to the backstage area, the match was thrown out at 3:50.

Summary: Solid tag team match with a pair of storylines built in-- the Steiner breakup and upcoming Scott-Luger match at the PPV on Sunday.

Match 13 (six-man): “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Sting, & Giant (w/ Elizabeth) versus “Hollywood” Hogan, Scott Hall, & Kevin Nash (w/ Eric Bischoff)

Pardon the cliché, but a pier-six brawl erupted at the bell.
With everyone paired off with their PPV opponent, Hogan made Savage taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Bootleggers Bourbon burger at Cin Cin.
Sting, who finally had a scorpion sewn into his leotard, supplied Hall with a ten-punch count-along.
When he provided Hogan with another ten-punch count-along, Sting dealt him an inverted atomic drop. Sorry, Linda, but Hogan won’t be ready for romance tonight.

Hogan rebounded with a cross corner whip and clothesline.
As Sting rammed Hogan three times into the top turnbuckle, he got 2.
Giant tagged in, and Hogan fell backwards into a tag to Nash.
After Giant roared at Nash, Hall and Hogan tried to ambush him from behind.
Giant no-sold it and grabbed both of them simultaneously.
While both Savage and Sting distracted referee Charles Robinson, the nWo triple-teamed Giant. Evil!
Hogan tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and lowered the boom on Giant.
When Hogan removed Giant’s neck brace, Giant sprang to life knocking everyone in the ring but Robinson down.
Hot tag Savage.
Suddenly, Nash scampered backstage with Giant in tow.
Savage then gave Hogan a cross corner whip followed by a back elbow.
As Sting came in, he rammed Hall face-first into the mat.
Sting then unloaded a pair of Stinger splashes to Hall, and Savage slammed Hogan.
After Bischoff got up on the apron, Savage DECKED him.
Savage sauntered after Hogan until Disciple hit the ring to attack him.
While Disciple dropped Savage with an Ace Crusher, Hogan referred to the move as an “apocalypse.”

1-2-3.
Hogan, Hall, and Nash won in 9:40.

Summary: Blockbuster main event with a ~~clean~~ finish. If WrestleMania XIV wasn’t two weeks after Uncensored, then I bet most wrestling fans would have spent money on it.

Conclusion: Scorching hot main event for the PPV go-home show. Since RAW was taped, I felt that Nitro stepped off the gas at times during the show. They need to stop doing that to maintain viewers.

IN OTHER NEWS THIS WEEK: According to Meltzer, Sean Waltman (a.k.a. Syxx) was fired from WCW. In a subsequent interview, Eric Bischoff denied it was a power play against Hall and Nash but affirmed that Waltman’s “issues” prevented him from being professional more often than not.