WCW Road Wild '97

Hosted by Tony Schiavone, the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, & Bobby “The Brain” Heenan

Will Hogan regain the World title he lost just five days earlier? Can the Steiners recapture tag team gold against the Outsiders? What else can happen during a bike rally? Let's find out!

Graphics in the form of license plates were a neat touch to the show.
According to Schiavone, Harlem Heat has an upcoming surprise. Cheesecake, perhaps?

Bagwell gave Booker T a pair of hip tosses followed by a dropkick.
When Stevie Ray came in, he also received a dropkick.
Bagwell then clotheslined Booker T and tagged in Norton.
As Norton gave Booker T a cross corner whip, he came up empty on his follow-through.
Stevie Ray tagged in, but Norton reversed a cross corner whip and delivered a sidewalk slam.
After Booker T put a knee into Norton's back, Stevie Ray hit a Mafia kick.
He then slammed Norton and tagged in Booker T.
When Booker T gave Norton a vertical suplex, he hit a flying forearm for 2.
Referee Nick Patrick didn't notice Harlem Heat's illegal switch, but Booker T tagged in regardless.
As Booker T attempted a Harlem side kick, Norton caught and slammed him.
Hot tag Bagwell?

After Booker T reversed an Irish whip, Stevie Ray low-bridged Bagwell.
He then rammed Bagwell face-first into the steps.
When he tagged in, Stevie Ray shoulder-blocked Bagwell for 2.
Booker T tagged in and delivered a scissors kick to Bagwell for another 2.
As an aerial shot from a helicopter practically gave me vertigo, Booker T gave Bagwell a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.

Bagwell then clotheslined him resulting in a 360° sell by Booker T. Woohoo!
After Stevie Ray tagged in, he suplexed Bagwell but couldn't get 3.
Suddenly, Jacqueline came to ringside. Is she joining the nWo?
Booker T tagged in while Jacqueline stood in Harlem Heat's corner. Surprise! Unfortunately, the smarks knew about this "surprise" WAY ahead of time.
When Bagwell hit a cross body block, he got 2.
Booker T then attempted to powerbomb him, but Bagwell escaped and powerbombed Booker T.
Hot tag Norton? Why is the nWo being treated like babyfaces?

Nonetheless, Norton gave Stevie Ray a cross corner whip followed by a corner clothesline.
As he gave Booker T a flying shoulder block, Norton couldn't get a count thanks to Stevie Ray's interference.
All four wrestlers were in the ring while Stevie Ray slammed Bagwell.
After Vincent distracted Stevie Ray, Bagwell knocked Stevie Ray out of the ring.
Bagwell then leaped from the apron and gave Stevie Ray a double axe handle.
Meanwhile, Norton gave Booker T a shoulder breaker in the ring, and Jacqueline jumped on his back.
Booker T then CREAMED Norton with a Harlem sidekick, but Patrick was distracted by Bagwell and Stevie Ray.
Since Jacqueline held Norton by the boot, Booker T pinned him. SNEAKY!
Harlem Heat won.

Summary: Tag formula was reversed as Harlem Heat "stole" a victory from the "babyface" nWo. In other words, Jacqueline's "surprise" appearance paid dividends.

Earlier today, Ted DiBiase sitting alongside the Steiners chatted with fans on the WCW web site. Buy the book!

"Iron" Mike Tenay joined the broadcast table for this match. According to Tenay, there MUST be a winner.
At the onset, Mysterio hit a springboard dropkick.
K-Dogg then reversed a cross corner whip but ate a flying headscissors.

When Mysterio attempted another flying maneuver, K-Dogg vaulted him face-first into the top turnbuckle.
He then clotheslined Mysterio and exclaimed "Where are Jax and Gemma?" Oh, wait, it was "Arriba la raza." My bad.

As K-Dogg gave Mysterio a somersault clothesline, he hooked a modified Indian death lock while using the ropes. Nefarious!
Mysterio then sought refuge outside the ring, climbed to the apron, and delivered another flying headscissors to K-Dogg.
After a leap frog caused Mysterio's knee to buckle, K-Dogg supplied a chop block.
Mysterio then hit a clothesline but couldn't capitalize.
When K-Dogg tried but failed to remove the mask, he powerbombed Mysterio for 2.
K-Dogg then almost got it, but Mysterio held on to maintain his Mexican persona.
When he dropkicked K-Dogg, Mysterio gave him a leg drop for a 1-count.
He then delivered another leg drop, attempted a double springboard moonsault, but further injured his left knee. Please note that Mysterio hadn't completed rehabilitation on his knee prior to this match.
As K-Dogg dropkicked him in the knee, he hooked Mysterio in a Stump Puller.
He then gave Mysterio an overhead belly-to-belly suplex, but Mysterio rebounded with a victory roll for 2.
Upon dropkicking K-Dogg in the knee twice, Mysterio mounted the top turnbuckle and leaped.
K-Dogg then caught and delivered the 187.
When he hooked the Tequila Sunrise, Mysterio tapped.
K-Dogg won.

Summary: Part of the rating goes to K-Dogg for displaying irregular moves. Otherwise, this was an excuse for him to beat an already injured luchador on PPV.

After the match, K-Dogg continues to abuse Mysterio and relishes in his devilishness. The trainer and officials arrive to carry Mysterio backstage.

From a podium, 'Mean" Gene Okerlund reveals a fake tattoo while shilling the hotline.

Match 3 (elimination): The “Crippler” Chris Benoit & Steve “Mongo” McMichael versus WCW US champion Jeff Jarrett & Dean Malenko (w/ Debra)

Because the previous match went short due to injury, this match became an elimination match.
For what should be at least the first time tonight, Rhodes was "flubbergasted" when a hot biker chick was caught on camera. Take a shot.

Malenko tagged in, danced a stalemate tango, and hooked an inside cradle on Benoit for 2.
As Mongo tagged in, Benoit put a boot in Malenko's back. Crafty!
Mongo then delivered a tilt-a-whirl slam to Malenko and tagged in Benoit.
Shortly after, the Sturgis faithful expressed their distaste for Jarrett while Mongo slammed Malenko.
Next, he clotheslined Malenko and tagged in Benoit.
Benoit then hit a back elbow and got 2.
When Mongo tagged in, he gave Malenko a sidewalk slam.
Benoit tagged in and delivered a snap suplex for 2.
As Mongo tagged in, he gave Malenko a cross corner whip followed by a powerslam.
Malenko then evaded a three-point stance tackle and tagged in a reluctant Jarrett.
After Jarrett delivered a jawbreaker, he pulled Mongo atop him.
1-2-3.
Jarrett was eliminated. Kayfabe, what's that?

When Benoit gave Malenko a cross corner whip, he came up empty.
Malenko then dropkicked Mongo and backdropped Benoit.
As Benoit tagged in, Malenko hooked a backslide for 2.
He then reversed a cross corner whip and delivered a belly-to-back suplex.
After Malenko hooked a Texas cloverleaf, Benoit immediately made the ropes.
He then attempted a tombstone, but Benoit reversed and hit it. Steve who?

When he mounted the top turnbuckle, Benoit gave Malenko the diving head butt.
Mongo tagged in and PLANTED Malenko.
1-2-3.
The Horsemen won in two straight falls.

We then see the motorcycle madness of WCW bikers trekking from Detroit to Sturgis.

Prior to the next match, Tenay updates Mysterio's condition. It ain't broke, doc!

Match 4 for the WCW Cruiserweight title: “Das Wunderkind” Alex Wright (champion) versus “Lionheart” Chris Jericho

While the Sturgis faithful questioned Wright's bedroom habits, Jericho leap-frogged Wright and delivered a spinning heel kick.
Each wrestler then escaped a suplex attempt, and Jericho crotched Wright on the top rope. OUCH!
As Jericho leaped to the second turnbuckle, he hit a springboard dropkick sending Wright down to the platform.
He then leaped to the second turnbuckle and hit a cross body block.
After Jericho slammed him on the platform, Wright came back by ramming Jericho shoulder-first into the steps.
He then suplexed Jericho on the platform while I'm wondering why referee Mark Curtis hadn't reached ten yet.

When Wright mounted the top turnbuckle, Jericho caught and slammed him down to the mat.
He then leap-frogged Wright but ate a spinning heel kick on a second attempt.
As Wright slammed him, he mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a flying stomp.
He then gave Jericho a belly-to-back suplex, mounted the top turnbuckle, but missed a moonsault.
After Jericho delivered a jawbreaker, he gave Wright a series of cross corner whips and clotheslines.
He then hit the Lionsault followed by a senton splash for 2.
When Wright reversed an Irish whip, Jericho delivered a double powerbomb for another 2.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle, but Wright upset his balance crotching him on the top turnbuckle.
As Wright joined him, he gave Jericho a superplex for 2.
Jericho then countered a German suplex attempt with a victory roll for 2.
Upon delivering a belly-to-back suplex, Jericho got another 2.
Wright then reversed a cross corner whip, but Jericho floated over.
When Jericho hooked a roll-up, Wright used momentum while grabbing Jericho's tights.
1-2-3.
Wright retained.

Summary: According to Meltzer, this was supposed to be a title change. More on that later. Really good counter-wrestling, but the Sturgis faithful didn't get behind Jericho.

When Syxx gave Flair a cross corner whip, he came up empty on his follow-through. In fact, he soared over the top turnbuckle to the platform.
He then flipped out of a wrist lock but ate a chop. Flair then returned an earlier crotch chop by Syxx with one of his own.
As Syxx came back with a standing spinning heel kick, he delivered a leg drop.
He then unleashed a series of kicks to Flair in the corner while the Sturgis faithful chanted "Nat-ure Boy."
After Syxx gave Flair a Bronco buster, he actually kicked Flair in the mouth. OUCH!
He then slammed Flair, mounted the top turnbuckle, and hit a guillotine leg drop for 2.
When Syxx gave Flair a cross corner whip, he ate a boot to the midsection on his follow-through.
He then reversed an Irish whip and delivered a spinning heel kick for another 2.
As he gave Flair another cross corner whip, a Flair flip occurred.
Flair then delivered a knee crusher, but Syxx rebounded with an enziguri.
After Syxx mounted the top turnbuckle, he missed a 540° senton splash.
Flair then hooked the figure-four leg lock, but Syxx immediately made the ropes.
When Flair gave Syxx a cross corner whip, a sternum-first bump ensued.
Syxx then attempted the Buzzkiller, but Flair backed him into the corner to escape.
As Syxx attempted another Bronco buster, Flair NAILED HIM IN THE JIMMY!

You could put Syxx alongside James Gandolfini after that shot.

Flair then pinned Syxx with his feet on the ropes.

Summary: For the most part, Flair wrestled Syxx's match, and it suffered greatly. The shot to Syxx's five-hole was a great highlight however.

While DDP made his entrance, Kimberly escorted him to the ring.
DDP bealed Hennig across the ring, and Hennig inadvertently crotched himself on the ring post. OUCH!
As DDP exposed Hennig's boxers, he mounted the top turnbuckle. Well, the announcers referred to this show as "adult-themed."
Hennig then shook the ropes crotching DDP. Double OUCH!
When he gave DDP the Axe, Hennig followed with a knee lift.
He then delivered a neck snap while the Sturgis faithful chanted "D-D-P."
After Hennig reversed a cross corner whip, he followed with a back elbow for 2.
He then gave DDP a knee breaker and a spinning toe hold.
As Hennig hooked a sleeper, DDP countered with a jawbreaker.
He then hooked a sunset flip for 2.
When Hennig clotheslined DDP, he got 2.
He then nailed DDP, secured a somersault roll-up, and got another 2.
Afterward, DDP delivered a discus clothesline for 2. Hennig's kick-out sent DDP atop referee Mark Curtis.
Hennig then removed the top turnbuckle pad and rammed DDP into it. Triple OUCH!
DDP was BUSTED OPEN.
As he gave DDP a fisherman's suplex, Hennig only got 2.
DDP came back and rammed Hennig face-first into the exposed turnbuckle while the show went to a wide-angle.
When DDP attempted a pancake, Hennig's legs CLOBBERED Curtis.
DDP then hit said pancake, but Curtis was OUT COLD and unable to count.
After Flair came to the ring, he mounted the top turnbuckle and leaped.
DDP then nailed him in the midsection and gave Flair the Diamond Cutter.
As Hennig hooked another fisherman's suplex, he pinned DDP.

Summary: The Flair-Hennig bond was the factor that led to the decision. In the meantime, Hennig's ring rust has almost disappeared.

Savage tried to slam him, but Giant fell atop him.
As he bealed Savage across the ring, Giant rang his bell.
Giant then followed Savage to the platform, removed Elizabeth from the equation, pressed Savage overhead, and tossed him over the top rope back into the ring. Impressive!
When Giant missed the big boot, Savage delivered a chop block.
He then rammed Giant's left leg into the ring post.
After Savage hit a series of clotheslines, Giant still stood tall.
Savage then mounted the top turnbuckle, gave Giant a cross body block, and got 2.
As Savage mounted the opposite top turnbuckle, he leaped but Giant caught him.
Giant then delivered the chokeslam.
1-2-3.
Giant won.

Summary: Despite Savage's attempt at psychology, Giant shrugged and finished him off. Credit Savage for putting himi over strong.

Match 8 for the WCW World tag team titles: The Outsiders (champions) versus the Steiners (w/ Ted DiBiase)

While the Steiners made their entrance, they rode choppers to the ring.
Hall tossed his toothpick at Scott and got the taste slapped out of his mouth.
When Hall paint-brushed him, Scott delivered a Steinerline.
He then gave Hall a T-bone suplex followed by a double underhook powerbomb.
As Nash came in, Rick cut him off at the pass and sent him down to the platform.
Tags were exchanged on both sides while Nash gave Rick a cross corner whip followed by a corner clothesline.
After Rick escaped a Snake Eyes attempt, he delivered a belly-to-back suplex to Nash. Wow!
Scott tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and lowered the boom on Nash.
When Nash reversed an Irish whip, Hall nailed Scott from behind.
Scott then hammered Hall on the apron but ate a big boot from Nash.
As Hall tagged in, Scott reversed an Irish whip but ate a chokeslam.
Nash tagged in and distracted referee Nick Patrick. Meanwhile, Hall gave Scott the business. How dastardly!
Afterward, Nash hit a running guillotine on Scott.
Hall tagged in and delivered a fallaway slam to Scott for 2.
When Nash tagged in, he gave Scott a sidewalk slam for another 2.
A boot choke by Nash in the corner was followed by a clothesline by Hall.
As Rick distracted Patrick, the Outsiders illegally switched.
Hall then hooked a Nash-assisted abdominal stretch until Patrick caught him.
After Nash tagged in, he delivered Snake Eyes to Scott.

Hall tagged in, and the Sturgis faithful chanted "Stein-er."
When Nash tagged in, he gave Rick a crotch chop.
The Outsiders illegally switched again, but Scott countered a rear chin lock with an electric chair.
As Nash delivered a short-arm clothesline, he got 2.
Another boot choke by Nash was followed by a charge.
Unfortunately for Nash, he came up empty.
After Scott reversed a cross corner whip, he ate boot on his follow-through.
Hall then mounted the second turnbuckle and hit a bulldog.
When Hall gave Rick a crotch chop, DiBiase antagonized Nash.
That caused Patrick to get involved while Hall attempted the Outsider Edge.
As Rick clotheslined Hall to thwart the attempt, he responded with a crotch chop to Hall.
Scott then delivered an overhead belly-to-belly suplex to Hall but couldn't capitalize.
Hot tag Rick.
After the Steiners hit the Steinerizer on Hall, Nash pulled Patrick out of the ring to halt the count.
Patrick then called for the lame DQ, and the Steiners won.
Conversely, the Outsiders retained.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Summary: Like the Cruiserweight match, this was also supposed to be a title change. Hall and Nash went above booker Terry Taylor's head and mentioned there had been too many title changes recently. Don't you find it awfully peculiar that they made this suggestion right before they were supposed to lose? Ponder on that. The match itself was really good until the abrupt finish.

After the match, DiBiase hands the belts to the Steiners, but Patrick retrieves them. DiBiase then reads Patrick the riot act while the Sturgis faithful rightfully chants "BULLSHIT."

Match 9 for the WCW World title: The “Total Package” Lex Luger (champion) versus “Hollywood” Hogan

Buffer, wearing a black beret, rumbled.
As Luger made his entrance, fireworks exploded.

While the Sturgis faithful chanted "Hogan sucks," Hogan slammed Luger and delivered an elbow drop for 2.
Luger then gave Hogan the ten-top-turnbuckle count-along much to the delight of the Sturgis faithful.
When Hogan dragged him to the platform, he rammed Luger face-first into the steps.
He then gave Luger an inverted atomic drop followed by a backbreaker for another 2.
After Hogan applied a bear hug, he sandwiched Luger in the corner.
Luger then tried to come back during a test-of-strength, but Hogan took him on a trip down to Keystone.

As he gave Luger a belly-to-back suplex, Hogan got 2.
He then delivered the big boot for another 2.
When the "Hogan sucks" chants continued, Hogan suplexed Luger. On the other hand, Luger no-sold it.
He then clotheslined Hogan but received a roll-up for 2.
Upon slamming Luger, Hogan missed a leg drop.
Luger then clotheslined Hogan again and delivered a forearm smash.
Suddenly, Bagwell, Syxx, Norton, and Nash ran in, but Luger clobbered them all.
He then gorilla-pressed Syxx and tossed him onto Norton.
After Luger slammed Hogan, he nailed Nash.
"Sting" then pointed his bat at ringside.
As "Sting" hit Luger coming off the ropes with the bat, Hogan leg-dropped Luger.

1-2-3.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Summary: Unlike the other two titles staying the course, both Taylor and Hogan get their wish with the title change. As a note of warning, when politics overrule your booking, the product suffers even if only a little bit. Although this is a God-awful match, Hogan becomes a 3-time WCW World champion.

Afterward, the nWo celebrates in the ring while being pelted by the Sturgis faithful. Since the crowd tosses rocks in addition to concessions, the nWo high-tails it backstage. Hennig and the Steiners then emerge to assist Luger.

Before the show leaves the air, the nWo along with the "Worm" Dennis Rodman relish in the moment. Rodman then spray-paints the letters back on the World title belt.

Conclusion: Like I said, the politics in WCW convoluted the storylines being told. The nWo continued to reign supreme over WCW due to its lock on both the World and World tag team titles. Despite the crappy finish, the tag match remains worthwhile. Let's hope Nitro answers some questions about "Sting" and Jarrett. Nevertheless, I would only recommend this show if you're a Hogan fanatic; otherwise, I'd skip it entirely.