WCW Monday Nitro 05-11-98

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

Who’s the latest defection within the nWo? With Nitro up against RAW this week, what will be the blockbuster main event? What’s the latest between Booker T and Benoit? How will Jericho entertain us? And what on God’s green Earth is Bischoff up to?

We revisit last week when the nWo Wolfpack demolished Luger until Sting and Giant saved his bacon. In the meantime, nWo Hollywood stood back to admire the carnage.

Following a commercial break, Okerlund introduces the Nitro Girls who dance in t-shirts with bare midriffs. Yummy! Surprisingly, Alex Wright did not involve himself.

Holy former UWF employees, Batman! It’s Horowitz!
Speaking of Horowitz, he fed Disco a jawbreaker followed by a Stroke.
He dealt Disco an inverted face lock neckbreaker for 2.
When he landed a knee drop, Horowitz got another 2.
Horowitz missed a second knee drop, so Disco hit an atomic drop.
As he scored with a swinging neckbreaker, Disco pinned Horowitz at 1:38.

Savage emerges through the entrance and stalls for a boatload of time. After he climbs in the ring, Savage cuts a promo on Bret and challenges Hogan TONIGHT. The KC faithful chants “Hogan sucks,” and Savage agrees. While he referred to Hogan as a “bald-headed reject from the glue factory,” Savage wants to regain the World title.

Kidman leapfrogged Guerrera but succumbed to a flying headscissors.
As Kidman sought refuge on the floor, Guerrera caught him with a springboard tope. Woohoo!
Back in the ring, Guerrera landed a springboard leg drop for 2.
When Kidman reversed an Irish whip, he put a boot into Guerrera’s midsection.
Guerrera countered a powerbomb into a face plant that Kidman didn’t sell.
After he mounted the top turnbuckle, Kidman leaped but ate a dropkick from Guerrera.
Kidman reversed another Irish whip but fell victim to a spinning heel kick.
While he shifted to the apron, Guerrera scored with a springboard cross body block for 2.
Kidman reversed a cross corner whip, but Guerrera floated over him.
As Guerrera attempted a huracanrana, Kidman countered with a sunset flip.
Kidman attempted a powerbomb, but Guerrera escaped and delivered a Juvi Driver for 2.
When Kidman distracted referee Mickey Jay, Reese entered the ring and fed Guerrera a chokebomb.
Kidman mounted the top turnbuckle and launched a Seven Year Itch (shooting star press).
1-2-3.
Kidman won at 3:50.

Summary: A tad better than their encounter a couple of weeks ago, but I sense there’s even more in store for this matchup.

After the match, Reese carries a comatose Guerrera back to the locker room. Will Guerrera convert to the Flock?

Riding a Harley, Eric Bischoff comes to the ring to a chorus of boos. He namedrops Vince McMahon and subtly describes DX’s mission to confront him. Next, he namedrops and advises Sean Waltman (XPac) to “bite (him).” HA! He mentions that WCW will be in Worcester, MA for Slamboree this Sunday and invites McMahon to a fight. Smartly, Bischoff instructs us not to buy the PPV just to see Vince McMahon because he won’t appear.

HOT TAKE: As a matter of business strategy, #1 never acknowledges #2. Case in point, Coca-Cola ads do not seek out to name Pepsi as its primary competition. By putting McMahon’s name on Nitro, Bischoff violated this working principle. In fact, he’s reducing WCW back to #2 status purposefully to try to embarrass McMahon. What an egomaniacal move that has every chance to blow up in Bischoff’s face.

At the entrance, the Nitro Girls dance in silver and white. As if on cue, Wright makes his presence felt albeit negatively by gyrating among them. WCW Security removes him instantly while Schiavone shills the Nitro Party contest.

Norton gave Nagata a cross corner whip followed by an avalanche.
When he powerslammed Nagata, Norton received praise from an appreciative Onoo.
Odd, no? The answer lies within.
He gave Nagata another cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
As Nagata hooked an overhead belly-to-belly suplex, Norton landed on his head. OUCH!
Nagata unleashed a series of kicks including an enziguri.
After Norton reversed an Irish whip, he demolished Nagata with a flying shoulder block.
Norton missed a short-arm clothesline, so Nagata fed him a belly-to-back suplex.
While Norton no-sold that, the camera focused on Onoo’s praise of both wrestlers.
Norton dealt Nagata a reverse shoulder breaker and pinned him at 1:45.

Summary: Stiff strong-style match with Onoo playing both sides. Why? It’s due to his role as the NJPW liaison for WCW.

Powers attacked Morrus before the bell, got reversed on a cross corner whip, yet ate a powerslam.
As Morrus mounted the top turnbuckle, he uncorked a No Laughing Matter (moonsault).
1-2-3.
Morrus won at 0:27.

Prior to a commercial break, Kevin Nash and Konnan meander through the KC faithful to the ring. Nash mentions Scott Hall while referring to Hogan as a bandwagon jumper. After he teases Hogan and Bischoff about Viagra, Nash runs down Hogan before comparing himself to Godzilla. Lastly, they mock Hogan for mishandling the nWo catchphrases before being cut off by their music.

When Dragon leaped to the second turnbuckle, he flattened Swinger with a cross body block. It resembled more of a tackle.
A series of kicks by Dragon preceded a pancake by Swinger for 2.
As he fed Dragon a belly-to-back suplex, Swinger got another 2.
Dragon reversed a cross corner whip, but Swinger floated over him.
After Swinger dealt Dragon a sidewalk slam, Chavo Guerrero, Jr. approached the ring.
Swinger mounted the top turnbuckle, but Dragon crotched him.
While Dragon joined him, he delivered a sloppy huracanrana. I’m betting Swinger didn’t take it properly.
Dragon hooked a Dragon sleeper, and Swinger submitted at 2:02.

Chavo joins Dragon in the ring, and Eddie storms the ring. As he shoves Dragon, Eddie slaps Chavo. A shoving contest ensues, and Chavo gets the better of Eddie. While Eddie dares Chavo to hit him, Dragon locks the Dragon Sleeper on him. Chavo stops him after a brief pause, and Eddie attacks Dragon from behind. Chavo stops him, so Eddie walks away to a “Eddie sucks” serenade by the KC faithful.

Dusty Rhodes emerges through the entrance and cuts a promo for Hall. When he reminds Hogan of his place in history, Rhodes details his history with Scott Hall. Rhodes states that Hall has some “personal problems” but will be at the PPV. Afterward, he gripes about Savage. Although there might be a minority of hardcore fans among the KC faithful, the majority remained silent because they didn’t know how to react to Rhodes.

For those unaware, Denton performed under a mask as the Grappler in the 70s and 80s. His days in WCCW don’t go unnoticed by your favorite Rock Star.
Tenay reminded us that Goldberg’s record was 82-0.
As Denton ambushed him before the bell, he fed Goldberg a jawbreaker.
Goldberg no-sold it and clotheslined Denton.
When he dealt Denton a ten-punch count-along, Goldberg speared him.
A jackhammer later, and Goldberg retained at 0:53.

Summary: Showcase match for the unstoppable machine (83-0) who’s over more than Rover.

In the ring, a slovenly Okerlund interviews JJ Dillon along with Raven. Did he dabble with some spice backstage? In any case, Dillon describes a pattern of violent acts perpetuated against Raven. Next, he mentions “an unsafe working environment” and a possible “breach of contract.” Raven requests protection from WCW, and Dillon promises “four riot control officers to protect him.”

As Raven expresses pleasure over the announcement, said four officers make their way to the ring. He cuts a promo on his “assailant” and DDP while the Flock approaches the ring. Included in his promo is a challenge to DDP at the PPV to a “bowery death match.” WTF? Oh, it’s a Texas death match in a cage.

Raven requests Saturn speak about his loss and subsequent removal from the Flock. When Kidman eggs him on, Saturn comes to the ring. In lieu of restraining Hammer, the Flock knocks him down. Saturn deals Hammer a Death Valley Driver, and Raven excommunicates Hammer and reinstates Saturn as his “enforcer.”

Without warning, Flynn stormed the ring to barrage Saturn.
He clotheslined Saturn who sold it with a 360° flip. Woohoo!
As referee Mickey Jay finished escorting everyone from the ring, Flynn got a delayed 2-count.
Saturn rebounded with a head-and-arm suplex and followed with a clothesline.
When Flynn reversed a cross corner whip, he fed Saturn a spinning heel kick.
Kidman got up on the apron, but Flynn kicked him back down to the floor.
After Saturn scored with a superkick, he dumped Flynn with a Death Valley Driver.
1-2-3.
Saturn won.

Match 8 for the WCW World TV title: Fit Finlay (champion) versus Rage (w/ Kaos)

Man, is this an electric matchup or what?
As Rage fed him a big boot, he gave Finlay a cross corner whip followed by a corner clothesline.
Finlay rebounded by beating up Rage on the apron and clotheslined an incoming Kaos.
Back in the ring, he dealt Rage a fireman’s carry somersault slam.
Kaos grabbed Finlay’s leg, so Rage powerslammed Finlay.
When he slammed Finlay, Rage mounted the top turnbuckle and launched a flying splash.
Do we have a new champion?
1-2-NO!
Rage distracted referee Charles Robinson; thus, Kaos mounted the opposite top turnbuckle.
Abruptly, Booker T hightailed it to the ring and crotched Kaos on the top rope.
Finlay took advantage of the distracted Rage by tombstoning him.
1-2-3.
Finlay retained at 3:20.

Summary: Showcase match for Finlay while Rage showed off both his skills and inexperience.

After the match, Benoit arrives to join the melee. WCW Security separates them, and Dillon grabs the microphone. As he yells at both wrestlers, Dillon schedules a match between Booker T and Benoit TONIGHT. Also, there must be a winner. Methinks they won’t enforce a time limit.

Nitro Girls dance at the entrance yet didn’t change clothes. I feel ripped off. Schiavone reveals this week’s Nitro party pack winner to be—Ricky Scott from Dyersburg, TN. His video follows.

Before the two combatants locked up, Tenay set Heenan up with a chipped beef joke: “Yeah, Schiavone on a shingle.” HA!
DDP fed Lane a tilt-a-whirl sidewalk slam to a tremendous pop. Innovative!
When Lane rebounded by guillotining him with the top rope, the KC faithful rang out a “D-D-P” chant.
Their hero responded quickly but Lane bulldogged him.
As DDP rolled up Lane, he got 2.
He delivered a discus clothesline, got reversed on a cross corner whip, and put a knee into Lane’s midsection.
After he hoisted Lane atop the top turnbuckle, DDP scored with a Diamond Cutter off the top rope. Nifty!
1-2-3.
DDP won in fewer than 3 minutes.

After the match, DDP grabs the microphone and challenges Raven RIGHT NOW. Raven and his riot squad stand at the entrance yet retreat.

nWo music plays, and Hollywood Hogan along with Bischoff emerge through the entrance alongside Disciple, Vincent, and Brian Adams. As Hogan sets “the record straight,” he shills 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain where he portrays the character Dave Dragon. He also shills his upcoming project, Assault on Death Mountain, but butchers the title.

Nevertheless, he tells HIS side of the story of the creation of the nWo. He addresses Savage and accepts his challenge for the main event tonight. Afterward, Hogan calls out Nash RIGHT NOW, and Nash strides toward the ring seeking his prey. Where’s the rest of the Wolfpack? Hogan gives Nash ONE CHANCE to rectify his position.

While the KC faithful chants “Hogan sucks,” Nash won’t apologize for changing his stripes. Hogan promises “a real big gun,” and…Giant emerges wearing nWo Hollywood colors. WE HAVE A HEEL TURN! As Nash fights off Hogan’s goons, Giant clotheslines him. Giant spray-paints Nash’s back, and nWo Hollywood celebrates. Konnan, Savage, and Rhodes hit the ring to protect their leader. More on this later.

We revisit last week when “Lionheart” Chris Jericho ran down Malenko before defeating “Bore-Us” Malenko.

In the ring, Okerlund interviews Jericho who has an easel behind him. He rattles off his nicknames (“Lionheart, Man of 1004 holds, Ayatollah of Rock’n’Rolla, and Paragon of Virtue) as well as his trophies including a mannequin leg with a knee brace in honor of Rey Mysterio, Jr. HA! Overconfidently, he promises to retire since nobody can beat him.

Dillon interrupts and refutes Jericho’s apparent retirement. For the PPV, Dillon has sanctioned a 15-cruiserweight battle royal, and the winner will also face Jericho. Prior to his departure, Jericho unveils the Malenko poster which has been defaced with Jericho propaganda.

Jericho feigns disgust while Joe Malenko stands in the aisle. After Joe enters the ring, he cuts a promo on Jericho. When Jericho backtracks his earlier comments on the Malenkos, Joe grabs the poster. Jericho immediately clobbers him with the mannequin leg, easel, and poster.

Earlier today, Glacier hyped his Cryonic kick and promised to extinguish those who imitate it.

Popcorn, anyone?

Glacier ambushed him prior to the bell, but Sick Boy rebounded with a springboard back elbow.
As Sick Boy gave Glacier a cross corner whip, he came up empty on his follow-through.
Glacier attempted a Cryonic kick but only succeeded in knocking referee Nick Patrick OUT COLD.
When Glacier successfully delivered a Cryonic kick, he could only earn a false pin.
Immediately, Saturn jumped into the ring and laid Glacier out with a superkick.
He placed Sick Boy atop Glacier.
1-2-3.
Sick Boy won at 1:45.

Summary: What in the blue hell is WCW thinking? Glacier is a ratings killer. I wouldn’t be surprised if this quarter hour affects WCW poorly in the ratings.

After the bell, Glacier demolishes Sick Boy with another Cryonic kick and pins him. What a waste of time. Saturn scoots back into the ring and deals Glacier a head-and-arm suplex. After he feeds Glacier a Death Valley Driver, Saturn leaves Glacier laying. Well, good, ‘cuz he sucks. Next!

We revisit last week when Big Poppa Pump duped his brother Rick and knocked him out of action thanks in part to Adams.

At the entrance, Okerlund interviews the “Total Package” Lex Luger. Wait a minute! Before we continue, a member of the KC faithful has his “friend” in the Torture Rack. HA! Regardless, Luger describes the effects of Rick Steiner’s injury and demands a match against either BPP or Adams at the PPV.

Winner becomes #1 contender and gets a title shot at the PPV.
When Booker T entered the ring, the battle was ON.
Benoit attempted a Crippler Crossface, but Booker T countered with a Harlem side kick.
As he backdropped Benoit, Booker T gorilla-press-slammed him.
The match migrated to the floor, and Booker T leaped from the steps and landed an axe handle.
Back in the ring, Benoit hooked a release German suplex.
He delivered a snap suplex for 2.
After Booker T reversed a cross corner whip, he ate a mule kick on his follow-through.
Benoit charged, but Booker T powerslammed him.
While he scored with a back elbow, Booker T got 1.
Booker T attempted another Harlem side kick, but Benoit evaded him causing Booker T to crotch himself on the top rope.
When Benoit dealt Booker T a backbreaker, he got 2.
Benoit fed him a belly-to-back suplex, mounted the top turnbuckle, and connected with a diving head butt for another 2.
As Booker T landed an Axe kick, he obliterated Benoit with a ~~sidewalk slam~~ spinebuster.
Booker T pancaked Benoit and performed a Spinaroonie.
After Booker T missed a leg lariat, Benoit applied a Crippler Crossface.
Will Booker T submit?
YES!
Booker T submitted; therefore, Benoit won at 6:40.

Summary: Familiarity breeds chemistry as these two combatants put on quite a show. The KC faithful didn’t know what to expect at first yet got a treat when it was finished. Bravo! Benoit will challenge Finlay at the PPV.

Match 12 for the WCW World title: Hollywood Hogan (champion w/ Disciple) versus “Macho Man” Randy Savage (w/o Elizabeth)

Buffer rambled and rumbled again. Someone needs to learn the definition of brevity.
In the meantime, Austin was on the other channel.
As Savage attacked him before the bell, he tossed his doo-rag at Hogan who SOLD it.
Hogan gave Savage a cross corner whip followed by a corner clothesline.
When the match moved to the floor, Hogan made Savage taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Hogtied at Beer Kitchen.
He made Savage HIT THE POLE and fed him another helping of the steel railing. Waiter, could you give the rather hyper guy in red a Smokestack as well please?
Back in the ring, Hogan clotheslined Savage and dropped an elbow.
Hogan guillotined him with the bottom rope, but Savage rebounded with his trick knee. Clever!
After Hogan scored with a big boot, he slammed Savage but missed a leg drop.
Savage slammed Hogan, mounted the top turnbuckle, but Disciple shoved him down to the mat.
While Savage pleaded with referee Charles Robinson not to call for the DQ, Bret sprinted to the ring.
Disciple jumped on the apron to distract Robinson, so Bret snuck into the ring and decimated Savage with the World title belt. How dastardly!
1-2-3.
Hogan retained at 6:07.

Summary: Nothing fancy, but you knew Bret would get involved in a match involving Savage.

After the match, Nash storms the ring to chase Hogan and Disciple from the ring. Out of nowhere, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper climbs into the ring and grabs a microphone. Instead of fighting Nash, Piper invokes his “commissioner” role and rules Savage a winner by DQ.

Nonetheless, he volunteers to be the special guest referee for the Savage-Bret match at the PPV and mimics Bret while exercising his authority.

Meanwhile, Piper drops a Viagra joke into his promo, yet Giant stomps his way toward the ring.

Giant stares down Nash who drops the straps in response. Somehow Robinson falls out of the ring, and Sting glares with indignity from the rafters to end the show.

Conclusion: Timing is everything. First, the Giant’s return to the now should have been part of the main event. I realize it’s cliché but placing it in a forgettable spot hurts Giant’s character. Second, the Bischoff promo was wisely placed in the first hour to “get the first word in” about the ratings war. Neither strategy was smart, but the Giant heel turn only affects WCW from a storyline perspective. Catch this episode for the Booker T-Benoit match but skip the rest. What’s on RAW is WAR?