WCW Monday Nitro 06-09-97

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

Wait a minute! The WWF held a PPV fifty miles from Boston last night. What does WCW do? Hold Nitro in Beantown, baby! Fire up the beans and franks!

A black limousine arrives backstage, but DDP intercepts it when Savage attempts to disembark. He then KICKS IN THE WINDOW! That'll cost 'im! As he opens the door to get to Savage, Elizabeth SQUISHES him between the door and the limousine. OUCH! The limousine then hightails the scene.

Match 1 (lucha libre): Juventud Guerrera, Ultimo Dragon, y Super Calo contra Psicosis, La Parka, y Silver King

Poor Silver King. He's the only luchador in this match without a mask, but it's his WCW debut.
After Psicosis clotheslined him, he gave Dragon a cross corner whip.
Dragon then tried an acrobatic move in the corner and BOTCHED it badly.
As Psicosis gave him another cross corner whip, he came up empty on his follow-through. In fact, he flew over the top rope to the floor.
La Parka and Calo came in, and Calo delivered a back drop.
When La Parka vaulted him to the apron, Calo mounted the top rope and gave La Parka a flying headscissors.
He then delivered a second back drop, leap-frogged La Parka, and then sent him flying between the ropes to the floor. Is it daredevil week on Nitro?

After a baseball slide, Calo hit a springboard plancha to La Parka on the floor. Woohoo!
Silver King and Guerrera came in, but Guerrera shot an air ball trying to charge him in the corner.

Upon delivering a superkick, Silver King gave Guerrera a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
He then vaulted Guerrera to the apron, but Guerrera mounted the top turnbuckle and gave Silver King a flying headscissors.
Next, Silver King attempted a flapjack, but Guerrera countered with a dropkick in mid-air. Sweet!
Psicosis and Dragon came in, and Dragon unleashed a series of kicks.
As Guerrera tagged in, he hit a springboard elbow drop for 2.
La Parka came in but ate a thrust kick from Guerrera.
When Calo tagged in, La Parka delivered a belly-to-belly suplex.
In lieu of a cover, Psicosis hit a springboard leg drop on Calo for 2.
Calo then attempted to powerbomb La Parka, but Psicosis mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a double axe handle.
Afterward, he vaulted Guerrera into Silver King, but Guerrera gave Silver King another flying headscissors.
La Parka then gave Calo a spinning heel kick but received a series of kicks from Dragon.
As Psicosis came in, he hooked a victory roll on Dragon for 2.
He then countered a huracanrana with a sunset flip for another 2. Wow!
With Dragon on the mat, Psicosis charged but got vaulted over the top rope to the floor.
La Parka then gave Dragon a flying headscissors sending him to the floor.
When Silver King attempted a La Parka-assisted moonsault, he hit Psicosis instead of Dragon. Oops.
Calo then hit a plancha on Silver King, but La Parka located a balsa wood chair from under the ring.
As he set it up, La Parka hit Air Sabu on Calo.

Guerrera then gave La Parka a baseball slide while using the chair.
Upon leaping to the top rope, Guerrera hit a double springboard cross body block on La Parka. Wow!
Back in the ring, Dragon placed Psicosis atop the top turnbuckle, joined, and delivered a super huracanrana.
He then hooked the Dragon sleeper, and Psicosis submitted.
Dragon, Calo, and Guerrera ganan.

Summary: Although a bit sloppy at times, this match built to a great finish and thrilled the Boston faithful.

After the match, La Parka enters the ring and throws the chair at Calo. He then dropkicks the chair into Calo's face before HAMMERING him with it.

At the entrance, "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Luger. He reminds us that Hogan and Dennis Rodman have signed for a tag match in the main event of Bash at the Beach on 7/13. To fulfill the components of the match, Luger and Giant will face them. According to Luger, Hogan hasn't defended the WCW World title since February. The WCW Executive Committee then pits Hogan versus Luger TONIGHT.

Earlier today, Tenay interviews Flair and Piper who emerge from a white limousine. They then cut a promo on the Outsiders and Syxx while Piper denies dissension.

Match 2: “Lionheart” Chris Jericho versus “Das Wunderkind” Alex Wright

Wright must be a Yankees fan because when he made his entrance, he stated that "Boston stinks."
When Wright showboated, Jericho clotheslined him.
Wright then sought refuge on the apron, but Jericho delivered a springboard dropkick to send him reeling to the floor.
After Wright returned to the apron, he guillotined Jericho using the top rope.
Wright then gave Jericho a vertical suplex, mounted the top turnbuckle, but missed a knee drop.
As he gave Jericho a cross corner whip, Wright followed with a back elbow.
He then slammed Jericho and hit a springboard splash for 2.
When Jericho came back with a sunset flip, he got 2.
He then countered a side headlock with a belly-to-back suplex.
After Wright hooked a sleeper, he converted it to a rear chinlock while using the ropes. SNEAKY!
He then exploded with a lariat for 2.

Not quite like that, but close.
As Wright complained to referee Randy Anderson, Jericho rolled up Wright for 2.
Unfortunately for Jericho and Wright, they're only up-and-comers so a portion of the Boston faithful grew restless with the match.

Wright then gave Jericho a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
After Jericho leaped to the second turnbuckle, he hit a missile dropkick.
He then delivered a superkick followed by a butterfly bomb for 2.
Next, he whipped Wright into the corner and followed with a corner clothesline.
He then tied Wright to the Tree of Woe and delivered a dropkick.
When Wright gave him a cross corner whip, Jericho leaped to the second turnbuckle and hit a cross body block.
Wright then used momentum (and the ropes) to land on top.
1-2-3.
Wright won.

Summary: Nifty little match of midcarders. If the Bostonians had watched more WCWSN, then they would have appreciated this match more.

Speaking of WCW Saturday Night, another return title match occurs, but I won't spoil the details.

Match 3 (non-title): WCW Women’s champion Akira Hokuto (w/ Sonny Onoo) versus Malia Hosaka

Upon whipping Hosaka into the corner, Hokuto followed with a corner clothesline.
She then delivered a vertical suplex, but Hosaka came back with a leg lariat.
After taking down Hokuto twice, Hosaka mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a cross body block for 2.
Onoo then got up on the apron, and his distraction allowed Hokuto to nail Hosaka from behind. How dastardly!
When Hokuto hit the Northern Lights bomb, she pinned Hosaka.

After the match, Hokuto gives Hosaka another Northern Lights bomb, and Madusa storms the ring to rescue Hosaka. Madusa then gives Hokuto three German suplexes with a bridge.

At the entrance, Okerlund interviews the Steiners.Suddenly, Harlem Heat and Sister Sherri interrupt them. Words are barely exchanged when they begin to brawl. Scott then makes Stevie Ray taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Mexican meatball at Parish Café.

As Mongo made his entrance, Kevin Greene put a knee into his back.
Mongo came back and guillotined Greene using the steel railing.
While officials restored order from the Greene-Mongo melee, Konnan laid OUT COLD with a broken broomstick in the ring. Nice TV trick, but did it fool the Boston faithful?
No match.

Hogan and Bischoff come to the ring as Hogan runs down Luger. He then poses for his nWo-ites. When Luger comes out, Hogan tries to intimidate him. Luger then pie-faces Bischoff, and the match is on.

Match 5 (non-title): WCW World champion Hollywood Hogan versus the “Total Package” Lex Luger

Luger nailed Hogan with a forearm smash, and Hogan sought refuge outside the ring.
Suddenly, the nWo hit the ring in support of Hogan.
Hogan returned to the ring and delivered a clothesline.
As Luger delivered his own clothesline, Nitro took a commercial break.
Afterward, Hogan gave Luger a cross corner whip followed by a corner clothesline.
He then delivered a belly-to-back suplex for 2.
Upon slamming Luger, Hogan missed an elbow drop.
Luger then slammed Hogan, and the nWo entered the ring.
When Luger dispatched them, he hooked the Torture Rack.
Hogan submitted.

Summary: While this was a ratings ploy, the Boston faithful ate it up with a spoon. Meanwhile, Luger may have Hogan's number.

As the fireworks explode, Hogan gives Luger a series of leg drops as the Boston faithful LOUDLY chants "We Want Sting." Bischoff and Hogan lounge on the mat and cut a promo about Rodman. To close out the segment, Hogan poses again.

After a commercial break, Okerlund interviews WCW Executive Committee chairman JJ Dillon. To punish Savage for his actions from last week, Dillon sanctions him a fine of $50,000. Since Savage is scheduled to face DDP at the Great American Bash, Dillon refuses to suspend him. Instead, he changes the stipulations of that match to "lights out" (non-sanctioned), no-DQ, no countout, and falls count anywhere. What? No kitchen sink?

Suddenly, Savage along with Elizabeth emerge among the Boston faithful and don't mind spending $100,000 to punk Dillon. DDP and Kimberly join Dillon in the ring to protect him, and DDP wants Savage to "snap into this." An infuriated Savage shreds his path through the Boston faithful, and a brawl erupts. Hopelessly, WCW Security tries to pull them apart as the segment ends.

Lee Marshall then delivers the 1-800-COLLECT road report from “Chicago, IL." Methinks Marshall would go to Navy Pier to either find an Old Navy store or enlist.

Match 6 for the WCW US title: Dean Malenko (champion) versus Jeff Jarrett (w/ Debra)

To avoid a leap frog, Jarrett applied the brakes and strutted.

Malenko then rolled him up for 2.
Next, he faked out Jarrett with a right and hooked an inside cradle for another 2.
Jarrett then attempted a sunset flip, but Malenko hooked the legs yet couldn't get 3.
While Malenko slammed Jarrett, Debra finally came to ringside with a bouquet of roses.
After a commercial break, Jarrett reversed an Irish whip and hooked a sleeper.
Malenko escaped and applied his own sleeper.
To counter, Jarrett used a belly-to-back suplex.
Malenko then reversed an Irish whip but fell prey to a DDT for 2.
When Malenko came back with a clothesline, he followed with a vertical suplex for 2.
He then slammed Jarrett and hooked a single-leg crab.
After a leg lariat, Malenko got another 2.
Jarrett then reversed an Irish whip and hit a tombstone piledriver.
Afterward, he hooked the figure-four leg lock, but Malenko reversed it.
Jarrett then hit a discus clothesline, but Malenko came back with a tiger driver.
As Malenko attempted the Texas Cloverleaf, Jarrett hooked an inside cradle for 2.
When Jarrett attempted another clothesline, Malenko hooked a backslide for 2.
Jarrett then gave Malenko a back elbow followed by a swinging neckbreaker for 2.
After Jarrett gave Malenko a cross corner whip, he came up empty on his follow-through.
Malenko then mounted the top turnbuckle, but Jarrett blocked a double axe handle.
Upon placing Malenko atop the top turnbuckle, Jarrett hit a top rope superplex. Wow!
Suddenly, Eddie Guerrero, wearing a sling on his left arm, jumped the steel railing.
While Debra distracted referee Scott Dickinson, Eddie mounted the top turnbuckle, removed the sling, and hit a frog splash on Malenko.
Eddie then left the ring after he laid his sling atop Malenko.
As Debra gave him a drink of water, Jarrett hooked the figure-four leg lock on Malenko who was OUT COLD.
Despite the pain waking Malenko up, he submitted.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

At the entrance, Okerlund interviews Jimmy Hart with the Faces of Fear. Hart then introduces the "third and final step" for Benoit. As Kevin Sullivan and Jacqueline emerge, Sullivan gets a cordial hometown response and calls Benoit out. As you would expect, Benoit answers, and a melee erupts. After Meng removes Jacqueline from the scene, he applies the Tongan death grip on Benoit. Sullivan calls him off, and the Dungeon of Doom gang up on Benoit.

Match 7 (non-title): WCW World tag team champions the Outsiders (w/ Syxx) versus “Nature Boy” Ric Flair & “Rowdy” Roddy Piper

A four-way fight ensued to begin the match.
After a commercial break, Nash manhandled Piper in the corner.
He then nailed Flair, so Flair came in to retaliate.
As Hall came in illegally, an idiotic fan parades a "What's on RAW?" sign. Go to Hartford, you imbecile!
Flair came in again so the Outsiders double-teamed Piper.
To counter the nefariousness thrust upon him, Piper took Nash on a trip down to New Bedford.

Hall tagged in and hooked a sleeper on Piper.
In case you couldn't guess, Piper's trick knee acted up as a counter. Perhaps Piper wanted Hall to see Mattapoisett.
Before Piper could make the hot tag to Flair, Syxx pulled Flair from the apron to fight with him.
Syxx then entered the ring only for Piper to nail him.
With all the wrestlers in the ring, referee Mark Curtis called for the bell. That was abrupt.
Flair and Piper won by disqualification.

After the match, while the Outsiders and Syxx destroy Flair and Piper, another unintelligent fan reveals a "RAW is WAR" banner. I'm sorry you didn't think you got your money's worth at a WCW show, but if you like the competition so much, STAY HOME or go to Hartford. Better yet, va fa Napoli!

Nevertheless, the Horsemen hit the ring to rescue Flair and Piper. A minute later, other members of the nWo also enter the ring. Kevin Greene joins the fray, fights off both Nash and Norton, but then goes after Mongo. As Booker T comes out, Scott Steiner hammers him from behind. He then makes Booker T eat the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Fenway Special at the Bull and Finch Pub.

Next, Wrath and Mortis double-team Glacier in the aisle, but Glacier reverses an Irish whip sending Mortis back-first into the steel railing. Chaos continues as the Boston faithful chants "We Want Sting" again. Glacier then makes Mortis taste the steel railing. Waiter, could you give the wrestler with the green mask a Burger Meister?

The pier-sixer continues while Flair prepares Hall and Bagwell for the Boston Choir Ensemble. When the DoD hits the ring to get Benoit, the chant for Sting grows louder. Sullivan then rams Benoit face-first into the steps. After Savage enters the ring, DDP follows closely behind. DDP then pancakes Savage, but Hogan WAFFLES him with the World title belt.

Holy flying superheroes, Batman! Sting repels from the ceiling to the arena floor. With the nWo in the ring, Sting wields his belt with DDP laid out at his feet. While the Boston faithful chants his name, Sting WHACKS Nash and Norton with the bat. He then hooks DDP into the harness and hits Bagwell with the bat simultaneously. To close out the show, Sting and DDP repel back to the ceiling. Amazing!

Conclusion: MOLTEN hot episode with a title change, a HUGE hot crowd, and a riot to end the program. The only downside to it was the length of the riot prior to Sting's arrival. More on that in a bit.

In addition to the title change, the two opening matches along with the Hogan loss to Luger were extremely entertaining. I fully endorse this episode, but there's more to this story.

**BREAKING NEWS** According to Meltzer, after the show went off the air, Nash tried to get to Piper backstage about not cooperating or following what was pre-planned. He pie-faced Piper who retaliated against Nash's bad knee. Flair and Craig Malley (Piper's bodyguard) and Flair broke it up. Apparently, Piper also called for the finish too quickly elongating the brawl. I wonder how their match at the PPV will fare. What’s on RAW is WAR?