Monday Night War week 54

Hosted by Tony Schiavone, Larry Zbyszko, Eric Bischoff, Bobby �The Brain� Heenan, and �Iron� Mike Tenay

Prior to the first match, we revisit last week when the nWo NASCAR Chevy was revealed.

From the broadcast table, Executive Vice-President Eric Bischoff addresses the nWo situation. He calls the biggest mistake he made in WCW--bringing in Hogan. Wow! He then says their shenanigans are going to stop.

Match 1 for the WCW World tag team titles: Public Enemy (champions) versus Juventud Guerrera & El Technico

For those unaware, El Technico was portrayed by Billy Kidman. I guess Jack Victory wasn�t available.
According to Tony, Public Enemy will defend the tag titles against the Outsiders at Halloween Havoc. That doesn�t sound quite right.
After giving Rock a forearm, Guerrera took him down with a flying headscissors.
Rock exited the ring to regroup, but as Guerrera slid out to join him, Rock rammed him back-first into the steel railing.
Back in the ring, Rock gave Guererra a cross-corner whip that forced Guerrera to take a sternum-first bump.
El Technico tagged in, but Rock put him in position for a Public Enemy double-team with Grunge coming off the second turnbuckle.
All four men were in the ring.
Guerrera tried to piledrive Grunge, but received a back drop over the top rope to the floor instead.
After Rock turned El Technico�s mask around, Grunge hammered him with a clothesline. That�s quite the Three Stooges tactic.
Upon slamming El Technico, Grunge assisted Rock with a somersault senton.
1-2-3.
Public Enemy retained.

Summary: Very quick match where the champs didn�t allow either Guerrera or El Technico much offense.

After the match, Rock tosses El Technico outside the ring. As Grunge places him on the table, Rock delivers a somersault senton through him and the table. They then leave through the crowd.

After the commercial break, in the locker room, Tenay interviews Benoit, Mongo, and Debra.

�Not anymore� states Hogan as the nWo celebrates at the Marriott with six-year-old Nick Bollea. Judging by Nash�s antics, the drinks are definitely flowing.

As Malenko came to the ring, he held Mysterio�s mask in his hands and will challenge for Mysterio�s Cruiserweight title at Halloween Havoc.
After some mat wrestling, Malenko countered a side headlock with a belly-to-back suplex for 2.
A subsequent leap frog by Wright was followed by an arm drag.
As they fought over an abdominal stretch, Malenko leveraged Wright out of the ring.
Malenko then joined him and rammed Wright back-first into the steel railing.
Wright attempted to re-enter the ring via sunset flip but ate a knuckle sandwich instead.
After giving Malenko some European uppercuts, Wright delivered a back drop.
He then reversed a cross-corner whip and hit Malenko with a leg lariat.
Next, he gave Malenko another cross-corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Malenko then mounted the top turnbuckle but missed a flying body press.
Wright then hooked the dazed Malenko in an Oklahoma roll.
1-2-3.
Wright won.
Upset city!

Summary: Clever and shocking finish considering Malenko has the upcoming PPV date with Mysterio.

We revisit the previous WCW Saturday Night when Elizabeth watched Savage beat up Mark Curtis and Nick Patrick during his match against Big Bubba Rogers (aired 9/28, taped 9/25).

Tenay then attempts to interview Savage by the entrance, but Savage no-shows. The Cleveland faithful are not pleased.

In an ad for Slim Jim, Savage shills the Slim Jim sweepstakes. Flair, standing with two women, tries to enter the sweepstakes, but Savage rebuffs him. If the Cleveland faithful is able to see this, they won�t feel cheated.

Nick Patrick was the referee for this match and wore a neck brace due to Savage�s beating �two� nights ago.
After a slam, Guerrero gave Powers a slingshot senton for 2.
Shortly after, he reversed a cross-corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Powers then gave him an overhead belly-to-belly suplex for 2.
Following that, he gave Guerrero a pair of cross-corner whips then a clothesline for another 2.
After a shot to the midsection, Powers gave Guerrero a knee lift followed by a vertical suplex for 1.
The Cleveland faithful provided a healthy �nWo� chant as Guerrero ate another shot to the midsection for 2.
Powers then gave Guerrero another cross-corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
Next, Guerrero hit a belly-to-back suplex, mounted the top turnbuckle, but got caught.
Powers joined him and delivered a superplex but only got 2.
He then hooked an inside cradle for another 2.
Guerrero then hooked a German suplex with a bridge, and Patrick counted to 3.
Who won?

After arguing with Long, Patrick raises Guerrero�s arm. Subsequently, Patrick challenges Long to don the referee outfit again.

�Not anymore� states Hogan who greets the Nasty Boys who join the party. After Nash quotes some Warren Zevon lyrics with Nick Bollea in a werewolf mask, Sags mocks Bischoff by literally talking out of his ass. Uh oh�I�m thinking that�s not in the script.

On the upcoming WCW Saturday Night, Benoit and Mongo will face the Rock�n�Roll Express while Harlem Heat gets their rematch against Public Enemy (aired 10/5, taped 10/1). Also, Disco Inferno wrestles Jim Powers.

Back in the locker room, Tenay interviews Arn Anderson with Woman and Elizabeth. Arn and Woman take Elizabeth to task about her recent behavior, and Elizabeth says �it�s complicated.� Sternly, Arn gives her the �you�re in or you�re out� ultimatum.

This was a return match that I wasn�t looking forward to.
Morrus gave Armstrong a cross-corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Armstrong then delivered a hip toss and a dropkick; however, he missed a second dropkick.
Hour #2 began and fireworks exploded mid-match.
He hit a third dropkick but got caught and powerslammed.
After Morrus split the uprights, he delivered a head butt to the abdomen.
Pardon me, but is this match supposed to keep me from changing the channel? Seriously?
Nonetheless, Armstrong delivered an enziguri, hooked a backslide, and got 2.
Morrus came back with a clothesline then blocked a side Russian leg sweep. Gee, now you know Armstrong�s not winning.
After a slam, Morrus mounted the top turnbuckle and hit the No Laughing Matter.
He then mounted the opposite top turnbuckle and hit another one.
1-2-3.

Summary: WCW had a not-so-clever reason for Armstrong to wrestle here. I�ll reveal it later.

Backstage, Arn and Woman are still arguing with Elizabeth. It must have been the great Miller Lite debate.

Match 5: �The Enforcer� Arn Anderson (w/ Woman) versus �Lionheart� Chris Jericho

Schiavone joined the broadcast team going forward.
Backstage, Elizabeth watched the match on a monitor.
Meanwhile, Jericho reversed an Irish whip and gave Arn an inverted atomic drop followed by a superkick.
With Arn outside the ring, Jericho gave him a flying shoulder block from the apron.
Woman then got in Jericho�s face and slapped him.
Arn then rammed Jericho face-first into the steps.
Elizabeth then stopped watching and left.
After a slam, Arn mounted the second turnbuckle, leaped, but ate a dropkick.
A subsequent spinning heel kick from Jericho got 2.
He then gave Arn a back drop.
As Arn exited to the apron, Jericho delivered a springboard dropkick.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a spinning back elbow for 2.
But, after Jericho missed a Lionsault, Arn hit a DDT.
1-2-3.

Summary: Jericho�s offense was better in this match than it was against Enos last week. Unfortunately, he lost to the guy with the match against Luger at Halloween Havoc.

Backstage, Elizabeth leaves the arena with something in hand. According to Tony, Bischoff has also left the arena. Perhaps he�s going to fire Sags?

The theme to the WWF Superstar Line brought out Luger.
Luger reversed an Irish whip and gave Wallstreet a hip toss.
After a slam, Luger delivered an elbow drop for 2.
Wallstreet then used momentum to toss Luger outside the ring.
Upon following him, Wallstreet made Luger taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Commodore at the Blue Point Grille.
Back in the ring, Wallstreet applied his patented rope-assisted abdominal stretch.
Afterward, Luger delivered a sunset flip for 2.
Wallstreet came back with a slam and elbow drop for 2.
A subsequent leg drop got another 2 for Wallstreet.
While Wallstreet held a reverse chin lock, Tony finally acknowledged Lord Steven Regal as the World TV champion. All is right with the world now.
Regardless, Wallstreet then gave Luger a cross-corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Immediately, Luger rolled him up and got 2.
He then countered a slam with an inside cradle and got another 2 on Wallstreet.
After Wallstreet ate boot, Luger demolished him with a flying forearm for 2.
Wallstreet came back with a clothesline as the crowd remained comatose.
Luger then countered a vertical suplex with the Torture Rack.
Luger won.

After the commercial break, Tony introduces the Sting Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the Busch Grand Nationals as an apology to the franchise of WCW.

As much as I enjoy Nitro, this match-up is extremely dated.
Early on, Morton hooked a sleeper on Meng, but Meng tossed him over his shoulder like a rag doll.
Morton tried again, but Meng escaped.
Sleeper attempt #3 was made by Morton, but Meng backed him into the corner to break the hold.
Barbarian tagged in, caught Morton when he tried a cross body block, but succumbed to a Gibson dropkick for 2.
Barbarian then gave Gibson a cross-corner whip followed by an avalanche.
Another cross-corner whip by Barbarian was countered by a sunset flip by Gibson for 2.
After a commercial break, Morton re-entered the ring via sunset flip. Barbarian tried to grab the top rope then referee Mark Curtis, but finally was taken down for 2.
Another roll-up got another 2 for Morton.
Barbarian came back with a clothesline and tagged in Meng.
Meng then gave Morton a piledriver but only got 2 thanks to a save by Gibson.
After Meng gave Morton an inverted atomic drop, Barbarian delivered the Mafia kick for 2.
He then gave Morton a powerbomb but only got 2.
Upon giving Morton a backbreaker, Barbarian got another 2.
Meng came in and applied a camel clutch.
He then gave Morton a cross-corner whip, but Morton hit a cross body block for 2.
Barbarian came in, gave Morton an elbow drop, and got 2.
After a slam by Barbarian, Faces of Fear delivered a double diving head butt to Morton.
That only got 2 thanks to another save by Gibson.
Barbarian then mounted the top turnbuckle but missed a diving head butt.
Hot tag Gibson who gave Barbarian a knee lift followed by an enziguri.
Afterward, he gave Barbarian the ten-punch count-along.
Next, the Rock�n�Roll Express gave Meng a double dropkick.
As Hart got up on the apron, Gibson grabbed him.
That allowed Barbarian to kick Gibson in the back of the head and get the pin.

Summary: Elongated squash for the members of the Dungeon of Doom. While I was a fan of the Rock�n�Roll Express in 1986, seeing them in 1996 wasn�t a good thing. Their act was beyond stale.

After the match, Faces of Fear put the boots to Gibson until Public Enemy runs in. After Barbarian dispatches Rock over the top rope, they destroy Grunge�s left knee. I hope they�re OK for their match against Harlem Heat on Saturday.

�Not anymore� states Hogan who eats food with NASCAR driver Kyle Petty. In the meantime, DiBiase requests Dom Perignon from room service.

During the commercial break, we get a promo for Halloween Havoc. Here�s a portion of the card:

Hogan versus Savage for the WCW title
Flair versus Giant
Outsiders battle whom? The ad said Harlem Heat. Perhaps I should watch the video link I posted earlier.

Match 8: The �Crippler� Chris Benoit (w/ Mongo & Debra) versus Rick Steiner

This was the main event? It�s no wonder the Cleveland faithful were not happy.
After Benoit gave Steiner a cross-corner whip, Steiner gave him a back elbow.
He then folded Benoit up like an accordion with a release German suplex. Wow!
After delivering a clothesline, Benoit got 2.
Shortly after, Benoit gave him a snap suplex followed by a cross-corner whip; however, Benoit ate boot on his follow-through.
Steiner then gave him a Steinerline followed by a powerslam for 2.
As Debra got up on the apron to distract referee Nick Patrick, Mongo came in and WALLOPED Steiner in the back as he was attempting a belly-to-belly superplex.
1-2-3.

�Not anymore� states Hogan who has Elizabeth with him. I take it that Hogan�s trying to get her movie roles since she has a contract in hand. Meanwhile, Vincent brings in a wrapped gift. She then leaves the room as Savage catches up to her and yells �son of a bitch� twice as he chastises her.

Conclusion: Without that Malenko-Wright match, this show would have been worse than last week�s show, and that�s saying something. At least, Glacier wasn�t here. Nonetheless, I hope RAW is better than this stuff.

As the show begins, we get snippets of Ross� soliloquy from last week followed by the �return� of Razor Ramon and his brief brawl with Vega.

Austin gave Roberts a cross-corner whip but ate knees on his follow-through.
Roberts then tried the DDT, but Austin escaped by exiting the ring.
Austin noticed that Roberts was distracted by Lawler but ate a right hand.
Back in the ring, Austin mounted the second turnbuckle and hit a forearm smash.
With Roberts on the apron, Austin nailed him with another forearm smash.
Ross mentioned the WWF house show at MSG where less than 4,000 paid to watch the show. Yikes!
According to Kelly, Austin will face Vega at IYH XI. Again?
Meanwhile, Austin mounted the second turnbuckle and hit yet another forearm smash for 2.
After a commercial break, Austin gave Roberts an eye poke then mounted the top turnbuckle.
Practically blind, Roberts crotched Austin sending him crashing to the mat.
He then gave Austin a short-arm clothesline.
Again, he tried the DDT, but Austin held the top rope.
Austin then tried to pin Roberts with his feet on the ropes but only got 2.
Roberts then hit the DDT, but Austin got his foot on the rope at 2.
As Lawler taunted Roberts with Jim Beam, Austin gave Roberts the Stone Cold Stunner.
1-2-3.

Summary: Terrible match. I feel bad for Austin because it wasn�t his fault.

After the match, both Lawler and Austin double-team Roberts until Vega comes to Roberts� aid with the leather strap.

Mankind and Paul Bearer cut a promo in the graveyard. Mankind actually utters: �If I build it, he will come.� Somewhere, Kevin Costner wasn�t thrilled.

Helmsley, on his third take, comes to the ring and challenges Mr. Perfect. It�s called acting lessons, Paul. Look into them.

For those unaware, the Grimm Twins were portrayed by the Harris brothers.
Do I have to watch this?
Helmsley joined the broadcast team for this match.
Jason Grimm clotheslined Phineas, but Phineas retaliated with a cross-corner whip followed by a hip toss.
After Jared Grimm missed a clothesline, Henry came off the ropes with a flying shoulder block.
He then clotheslined Jared over the top rope to the floor.
In split-screen, Mr. Perfect accepted Helmsley�s challenge then gave Helmsley �a couple of weeks to get in shape.� HA!
Meanwhile, a face plant by Jared got 2 on Henry.
Shortly after, Jason gave Phineas a sidewalk slam.
He made a second attempt, but Phineas countered with the slop drop for the pin.

Dok Hendrix narrates a segment on the exposure of Jeff Jarrett. We then get a video of Jesse James singing �With My Baby Tonight.� So THAT�S why Brad Armstrong lost on Nitro. His brother Brian was on the other channel.

WWF President Gorilla Monsoon joined the broadcast team for this match.
After Ross questioned Monsoon�s track record while bringing up being fired, Monsoon retorts with �it looks like you�ve not missed many meals.� HA! During the argument, Monsoon kept name-dropping Hall and Nash.
In the meantime, the Hershey faithful chanted �Fake� at Ramon.
To begin the match, Ramon countered a back drop attempt with a face plant.
When he gave Vega a cross-corner whip, he came up empty on his follow-through.
Vega then attempted a cross body block, but Ramon caught him and gave him a fallaway slam.
After another cross-corner whip by Ramon, Vega leaped to the second turnbuckle but missed a flying back elbow.
Vega then successfully hit a cross body block and got 2.
After a clothesline, Ramon got 2.
In split-screen, Hendrix stood outside Ramon and Diesel�s locker room.
Meanwhile, Ross referred to Vince McMahon as an �egomaniac.� Wow!
After a slam, Ramon missed an elbow drop.
Vega then hooked an inside cradle for 2.
Prior to the commercial break, Hendrix was unable to locate Diesel.
After the break, Ramon gave Vega another cross-corner whip but fell victim to a leg lariat.
Vega then gave Ramon a clothesline and a spinning heel kick.
Suddenly, Diesel came to the ring, and Monsoon�s not satisfied with him either.
After Vega ducked a clothesline, Diesel gave him a low bridge sending Vega over the top rope to the floor.
Referee Jack Doan called for the bell disqualifying Ramon.

Summary: The bickering between Monsoon and Ross overshadowed this match; however, this version of Ramon is definitely lower quality. In case you�re wondering, yes, Diesel was portrayed by the former Isaac Yankem a.k.a. Glenn Jacobs.

After the match, Ramon gives Vega the Razor�s Edge then Diesel delivers a jackknife powerbomb. The Hershey faithful was NOT thrilled.

Prior to the next match, we revisit the ending to the Intercontinental title match. According to Kelly, Faarooq gets his rematch against Mero for the title at IYH XI.

As Michaels makes his entrance, we see his participation in a �Rock the Vote� campaign in Manhattan last Saturday.

Match 4: Vader & Jim Cornette versus the �Heartbreak Kid� Shawn Michaels & Jose Lothario

According to Ross, Diesel will face Mero next week on RAW.
According to Kelly, McMahon will be LIVE on LiveWire this coming Saturday. I wonder who calls in.
Meanwhile, Vader halted a speeding Michaels with a stationary body block.
He then gave Michaels a cross corner whip followed by an avalanche.
Afterward, he gave Michaels a short-arm clothesline.
Next, after a series of head butts, Vader attempted a powerbomb, but Michaels countered with a huracanrana.
Michaels then ducked a big boot, pulled Vader by the legs, and crotched him using the ring post. OUCH!
He then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a senton sending Vader down to the mat.
Upon trying a cross body block, Vader ducked sending Michaels over the top rope to the floor.
After another stationary body block, Vader tagged in Cornette.
Meanwhile, Michaels tagged in Lothario.
Cornette raked Lothario�s eyes then tagged in Vader.
Before Vader could become a victim of �Super Sock,� Michaels tagged back in and hit a flying forearm.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit the big elbow.
After Michaels missed Sweet Chin Music, Vader delivered a monster clothesline but only got 2.
During the commercial break, the Playstation slam of the week was Sid powerbombing Leif Cassidy on Superstars (aired 9/29, taped 9/24).
When we return, Vader took his time, mounted the second turnbuckle, but received a boot to the midsection during his Vader bomb attempt.
After a pair of clotheslines, Michaels slammed Vader.
As Cornette tried to nail Michaels with the tennis racquet, Vader attempted another splash but both he and Cornette missed.
Michaels tried another slam, but Vader fell on top of him.
Vader then gave Michaels the powerbomb.
After dragging him to his corner, Vader hit the Vader bomb.
1-2-3.
Vader and Cornette won.

Summary: Once again, Vader beats Michaels in a tag match. What will that lead to?

After the match, Vader tries to deliver another Vader bomb, but Sid runs in and gets in Vader�s face. Goldust then runs in, and all four men brawl as the show leaves the air.

Conclusion: While the main event tag match was at least exciting, this program blew chunks. Ross� bitter attitude was a nice change of pace, but it was annoying to hear him bicker with Monsoon. Constantly referring to the competition doesn�t make you better than it. I hope next week�s show is better than this.

Neither promotion tried to compete against the Monday Night Football game. It was THAT obvious.