WCW Spring Stampede '97

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

Does DDP truly belong in the main event? How will the World tag team titles match work? Read on!

“Iron” Mike Tenay joined the broadcast table for this match.
As the announcers publicized Mysterio’s appearance in The National Enquirer, the false rumor being that Mysterio and Jennifer Aniston were “friends,” Dragon slammed Mysterio. Please forgive their subtle humor.

Dragon then hooked a crucifix for 2.
After a series of kicks, Dragon delivered a dropkick and slammed Mysterio for a 1-count.
Next, he gave Mysterio a spinning backbreaker followed by a powerbomb.
Following that, he catapulted him into a stungun. Innovative!
He then hooked a sleeper, and as Mysterio escaped, he delivered a back elbow.
While Dragon hit a Liger bomb, he followed with a tombstone piledriver for 2.
He then applied another sleeper, but Mysterio escaped and hit a spinning heel kick.
After a clothesline, Dragon delivered a gourdbuster then tied up Mysterio like a pretzel. Pass the mustard!

He then hooked Mysterio in a surfboard for 2.
When Mysterio sought refuge outside the ring, he whipped Dragon back-first into the steel raililng.
Yet another sleeper by Dragon, but Mysterio hooked his own.
When Dragon attempted a belly-to-back suplex, Mysterio escaped and delivered a dropkick.
He then gave Dragon another spinning heel kick sending him to the floor.
After a fake-out, Mysterio delivered a springboard somersault plancha. Woohoo!
In split-screen, Lee Marshall knocked on Nash’s door, but Syxx answered.
Meanwhile, Mysterio hit a springboard somersault senton on Dragon for 2.
He then returned to the apron and delivered a springboard leg drop for another 2.
When Mysterio climbed the turnbuckles, Dragon dropkicked him sending him all the way down to the floor.
Dragon then hit a plancha.
As they returned to the ring, Mysterio attempted an Asai moonsault, but Dragon dropkicked him.
He then gave Mysterio a giant swing, and both men collapsed on the mat.
Upon giving Dragon a victory roll for 2, Dragon executed a sunset flip for 2.
Mysterio then gave Dragon a back drop, but Dragon landed on his feet and delivered an enziguri for 2.
After a cross corner whip, Dragon followed with a corner clothesline, placed Mysterio atop the top turnbuckle, and hit a super huracanrana for another 2.
Mysterio then countered a full nelson with a cradle for 2, but Dragon reversed it for 2.
Finally, Mysterio hit a modified West Coast Pop and pinned Dragon.

Summary: Spectacular opener that showcased more counter-wrestling than expected. Bravo, gentlemen!

Backstage, Marshall tries again to interview Nash, but Scott Steiner interrupts everything. When Nash requests Nick Patrick for referee and spits on him, Scott nails a member of WCW Security. To control him, Doug Dillinger maces Scott. Tupelo’s finest then handcuff him.

Match 2 for the WCW Women’s title: Akira Hokuto (w Sonny Onoo) versus Madusa

Marshall joined the broadcast table for this match.
As Hokuto whipped Madusa into the corner, she came up empty on her follow-through.
Hokuto then delivered a clothesline, mounted the second turnbuckle, and choked Madusa.
Upon slamming Madusa, Hokuto only got a 1-count because Madusa bridged out.
Madusa then hit some hair slams and removed her blue vest revealing a red top. She then got 2.
When Hokuto mounted the second turnbuckle, Madusa took her down with a flying headscissors.
Hokuto then distracted referee Mickey Jay so that Onoo could ruin Madusa’s weekend.

After Hokuto attempted a Samoan drop, Madusa countered with a crucifix for 2.
She then mounted the second turnbuckle and hit a missile dropkick.
Next, she mounted the adjacent second turnbuckle and hit another missile dropkick.
She then hooked a German suplex with a bridge but only got 2.
When Onoo got up on the apron, Madusa kicked him back down to the floor.
Onoo then distracted Jay while Madusa attempted a powerbomb.
Suddenly, Luna Vachon hit the ring and kicked Madusa in the leg.
Hokuto then pinned Madusa to retain.

Summary: Awful women’s match, but I appreciated Madusa’s high-flying efforts.

Match 3 for the WCW World TV title: Prince Iaukea (champion) versus Lord Steven Regal

Let’s hope Regal can take the rookie to school.

As Schiavone shilled the WCW web site, the Tupelo faithful besmirched his Lordship.
After Regal tossed him out of the ring, Iaukea hit a springboard cross body block for a 1-count.
Shortly after, Iaukea botched a sunset flip attempt but ate a knuckle sandwich upon his second opportunity. I hope it tasted like liverwurst.
Regal then gave him a cross corner whip, but Iaukea leaped to the second turnbuckle and WHIFFED on another cross body block.

When Iaukea reversed another cross corner whip, he gave Regal a back drop.
He then delivered a superkick and gave Regal a cross corner whip.
As Regal applied the brakes, he tried to rollup Iaukea.
However, Iaukea cradled him for the pin.

Summary: Why on God’s green Earth would WCW keep the title on this jabroni? Regal tried his best here but didn’t have much in return.

After the match, Regal attacks Iaukea and hooks him in the Regal stretch. Upon arguing with referee Mark Curtis, Regal WALLOPS Iaukea with the belt.

At the entrance, “Mean” Gene Okerlund shills the hotline while hyping a “new clique.” Unfortunately, due to WCW politics, that “clique” would not surface. He then interviews “Nature Boy” Ric Flair who states his return date is May 1. As he touts each member of the Horsemen, Flair mentions Arn’s surgery details and promises his return.

When Okerlund brings up Piper, Flair announces that Carolina Panther linebacker Kevin Greene is eligible to wrestle for WCW. Next, Flair asserts that Greene will wrestle WITH him on 5/18 at Slamboree. As Flair discusses the nWo, he’s ready to take them on at Slamboree. He then adds a “no pencil” challenge to Bischoff. For those unaware, that means he wants to shoot-fight him.

Match 4: Jeff Jarrett & Steve “Mongo” McMichael (w/ Debra) versus Public Enemy

Mongo reversed a cross corner whip from Rocco but came up empty on his follow-through.
Next, he tackled both members of Public Enemy as they sought refuge outside the ring.
The Horsemen then strutted side-by-side. The kamikazes will be flowing tonight.

When Grunge reversed an Irish whip, Jarrett face-planted him.
He then hooked a rope- and Mongo-assisted abdominal stretch until referee Mickey Jay stopped the Horsemen shenanigans.
As Mongo tagged in, the Horsemen gave Rocco a double back elbow.
Mongo then gave Rocco a cross corner whip followed by a sidewalk slam.
While Grunge distracted Jay, Mongo earned a false pin on Rocco.
He then delivered a tilt-a-whirl slam to Rocco and got 2.
While fighting Jarrett outside the ring, Grunge reversed an Irish whip sending him into the steel railing.
Grunge then made Jarrett HIT THE POLE.
As Grunge made Jarrett taste the steel railing, Mongo rammed Rocco into the covered wagon by the entrance.
Debra then slapped Grunge so Jarrett CREAMED him with a chair to the back.
While Grunge rammed Jarrett face-first into the steps, Mongo made Rocco eat steer. It must have tasted like the Down Home burger at Harvey’s.
Grunge then mounted the top turnbuckle and went through the table as Jarrett evaded him.
When Jarrett mounted the top turnbuckle, he hit a cross body block for only 2. Rocco made the save.
Debra then tripped Rocco so that Mongo could slam Grunge.
After Public Enemy blocked a double noggin knocker attempt, they clotheslined Mongo over the top rope to the floor.
In the meantime, Mongo tagged in Jarrett.
When Grunge attempted a piledriver on Jarrett, Mongo clotheslined him.
Jarrett then hooked the figure-four leg lock, but Rocco HAMMERED Jarrett in the back with the Haliburton.
1-2-3.
Public Enemy won.

Summary: Public Enemy stole a victory using the Horsemen’s weapon against them. Using both the tag formula as well as the brawling style of Public Enemy enhanced this match greatly.

Back in the locker room, Okerlund again shills the hotline then interviews Harlem Heat with Sister Sherri. Booker T cuts an intense promo and accidentally calls Hogan “nigga.” While that may work in hip-hop, Booker, it doesn’t translate well in WCW. Rightfully, he’s embarrassed by his gaffe.

Match 5 for the WCW US title: Dean Malenko (champion) versus the “Crippler” Chris Benoit (w/ Woman)

Benoit’s right hand bled during the match. According to Meltzer, that was due to an earlier car accident on the way to the arena.
Upon giving Benoit a belly-to-back suplex, Malenko hooked an inside cradle for 2.
Shortly after, Benoit powered out of a short-arm scissors with a belly-to-back suplex.
He then gave Malenko a second belly-to-back suplex for 2.
As he gave Malenko a short-arm clothesline, Benoit got another 2.
He then hooked an abdominal stretch until Malenko hip-tossed out of it for a 1-count.
Shortly after, Benoit gave Malenko a hangman’s neckbreaker for only 2 because Malenko put his foot on the bottom rope.
Benoit then hit a snap suplex for another 2.
When Malenko gave Benoit a cross corner whip, he followed with a corner clothesline.
He then attempted a vertical suplex, but Benoit countered with an inverted suplex.
Suddenly, Jacqueline came to the ring and DEMOLISHED Woman.
Jimmy Hart came to the ring while Benoit hit the diving head butt.

As Hart tried to steal the US belt, Eddie Guerrero, wearing a sling, stopped him in his tracks.
Benoit then hung Malenko out to dry on the top rope.
From the apron, Malenko delivered a vertical suplex that sent both wrestlers crashing to the floor.

While referee Randy Anderson was occupied with the shenanigans involving the women, Hart, and Guerrero, Arn hit the ring and nailed Malenko.
Kevin Sullivan came to the ring and got in Arn’s face.
When Arn let him pass, Sullivan ANNIHILATED Benoit with a kendo stick.
Malenko then nailed Sullivan causing him to fall onto the already injured Guerrero.
Unfortunately, Anderson called for the bell ruling the match a double-disqualification.
Malenko retained.

Summary: Convoluted finish to a ten-minute match stretched to eighteen. These guys have so much more in them that they didn’t utilize.

After the match, Sullivan and Hart try to convince a reluctant Guerrero to take the US belt as they drag him backstage. Malenko then wakes up Benoit and tells him that “he (Guerrero) was not supposed to be here.”

Match 6 for the WCW World tag team titles: Kevin Nash (champion w/ Syxx & Ted DiBiase) versus the “Dog-faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner

Unfortunately, Scott Hall was in rehab, so this became a singles match.
Also, Schiavone mentioned earlier that Scott Steiner was arrested for “hitting a police officer.”
Nash got his wish as Patrick was the referee for this bout.
Upon giving Rick a cross corner whip, Nash delivered a corner clothesline.
He then gave Rick a second cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
After a Steinerline, Rick delivered a belly-to-belly suplex.
He then hit a powerslam for 2.
As Rick missed a clothesline, Syxx low-bridged him sending Rick to the floor.
Syxx then put the boots to Rick while Nash distracted Patrick.
When Nash delivered a sidewalk slam, he got 2.
With Rick splayed across the second rope, DiBiase nailed him. How dastardly!
Nash then hit the running guillotine and gave Rick the big boot.
Upon delivering the powerbomb, Nash only got 2.
When Nash attempted a second powerbomb, Rick took him on a trip SOUTH to Biloxi.

Rick then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a bulldog for 2.
After a series of Steinerlines by Rick, Syxx got up on the apron only to get nailed by Rick.
Nash then clotheslined Rick while Syxx removed the top turnbuckle pad.
Since Syxx experienced difficulty, DiBiase joined him on the apron to remove it.
Meanwhile, Patrick did NOTHING to prevent them from doing so.
Nash then hit Snake Eyes on the exposed turnbuckle. OUCH!
With Syxx’s encouragement, Nash hit Snake Eyes again.
DiBiase then got up on the apron to tell Nash to call off the dogs.

After he argued with DiBiase, Nash hit Snake Eyes for a third time.
DiBiase entered the ring, but left it frustrated.
While DiBiase left ringside abandoning his charge, Nash hit Snake Eyes for a fourth time.
He then hit the Jackknife powerbomb.
1-2-3 by a reluctant Patrick.
Nash won.

Summary: Practically a SQUASH for Nash, but is there truly dissension within the nWo?

Match 7 for the #1 contender spot for the WCW World title (four-corner): The “Total Package” Lex Luger versus Giant versus Booker T versus Stevie Ray (w/ Sister Sherri)

Upon ducking a leg lariat, Luger clotheslined Booker T.
He then gorilla-press-slammed Booker T.
When he gave Luger a cross corner whip, Booker T came up empty on his follow-through.
Stevie Ray tagged in but ate a clothesline from Luger.
As Luger hit a lariat, he got 2 on Stevie Ray.
Giant tagged in, reversed a cross corner whip, and hit a corner clothesline.
After he clotheslined Stevie Ray, he military-press-slammed Booker T.
Stevie Ray tagged in Luger to face Giant.
When Luger attempted a slam, Giant fell atop him for 2.
Luger and Giant then tagged in Stevie Ray and Booker T.
After they teased dissension, they wrestled for a minute and praised one another.
Booker T then tagged in Luger as the Tupelo faithful chanted “Lu-ger.”
When Booker T tagged in, he gave Luger a sidewalk slam but missed a forearm smash.
Giant tagged in and clotheslined Booker T.
As Giant slammed Booker T, he missed an elbow drop.
Stevie Ray came in illegally but got away with it.

While Stevie Ray hit a bicycle kick, he tagged in Booker T who hit a Harlem sidekick.
Stevie Ray tagged in but missed a leg drop.
After a knee lift, Giant delivered a big boot.
Luger tagged in and slammed Stevie Ray.
Upon giving Stevie Ray a series of elbow smashes, he got 2 thanks to a save by Booker T.
Stevie Ray then used momentum to send Luger face-first into the top turnbuckle.
When Booker T tagged in, he gave Luger a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Luger then hit a belly-to-back suplex, but Stevie Ray came in and delivered a vertical suplex to Luger for 2.
Upon giving Luger a knee drop, Booker T got another 2.
Shortly after, Booker T delivered another Harlem sidekick but couldn’t get 3.
Stevie Ray tagged in and clotheslined Luger for 2.
To counter a rear chinlock, Luger hit a belly-to-back suplex.
Booker T tagged in and gave Luger a scissors kick for 2.
When Stevie Ray tagged in, he delivered a sidewalk slam.
Booker T tagged in, mounted the top turnbuckle, but Harlem Heat missed the Rocket Launcher.
Hot tag Giant.
Upon powerslamming Stevie Ray, Giant kicked Booker T over the top rope to the floor.
When Giant signaled for the chokeslam, the Tupelo faithful ERUPTED.

Not like that!
However, Giant tagged in Luger who put Stevie Ray in the Torture Rack.
Luger won.

Summary: Noble gesture on the Giant’s part. Lots of high-impact but not a lot of wrestling made this match mediocre.

Backstage, Savage and Elizabeth walk down the hall. Savage wants to invite a lot of women to the after-party, and Elizabeth doesn’t mind. He then shouts “Slim Jims for everybody!” Woohoo!

After Savage and Elizabeth make their entrance, Okerlund interviews DDP with Kimberly in the locker room. Kimberly gives a truly great promo on behalf of her husband.

Match 8 (no-DQ): Diamond Dallas Page (w/ Kimberly) versus “Macho Man” Randy Savage (w/ Elizabeth)

Buffer rumbled.
During Savage’s entrance, he gave some Japanese girls a thrill.
When Savage tried to ram him, DDP made Savage taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Brown Bag Rag Bologna Sammich at the Blue Canoe.
He then rammed Savage face-first into the apron.
In the ring, DDP gave Savage an inverted atomic drop.
When he attempted the Diamond Cutter, Savage held onto the top rope to block it.
With DDP on the apron, Savage kicked him in the midsection and guillotined him using the top rope.
Savage joined and nailed DDP on the floor.
Amongst the Tupelo faithful, Savage grabbed a metal trash can, but DDP kicked him in the midsection.
Next, he BRAINED Savage with the trash can twice.
After they fought their way back to the ring, DDP choked Savage with a camera cord.
Savage then grabbed Kimberly and placed her in front of him much like he did with Elizabeth earlier in his career.
Suddenly, Elizabeth SCRATCHED DDP on the back. YEE-OUCH!
When Savage nailed DDP, Kimberly went down as well.
Savage then made DDP taste the steel railing. Waiter, could you give the tall blond guy from Jersey the Hot Doug please?
Following that, he guillotined DDP using the steel railing.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a double axe handle to DDP on the floor.
Upon ramming DDP shoulder-first into the steps, he rammed him into the steps on the opposite side of the ring.
As the Tupelo faithful chanted “Macho sucks,” Savage attempted to pin DDP with his feet on the ropes but only got 2.
Arguing in Savage’s favor, Elizabeth asked referee Mark Curtis where his glasses were. HA!

Savage then exited the ring and grabbed Buffer’s chair.
When Savage WALLOPED DDP in the back with the chair, Curtis removed it from the ring.
Savage again exited the ring and slapped ring announcer David Penzer.
Following that, he took Penzer’s chair and stomped him.
Back in the ring, DDP took the chair, tossed it to Savage, and nailed him.
Savage then reversed an Irish whip and clotheslined DDP for 2.
On the other hand, DDP reversed an Irish whip and delivered a discus clothesline.
After a series of slams, Savage exited the ring and tossed Penzer down again. Did Penzer owe him money?
He then grabbed the bell, mounted the top turnbuckle, but Kimberly stole it from him.
When Savage leaped, he ate boot on the way down.
DDP then made Diamond Cutter attempt #2, but Savage countered with a backslide into a trick knee for 2. Clever!
Frustrated with the count, Savage slapped and piledrove Curtis.

He then removed Curtis’ belt and whipped him.
Upon disposing of Curtis, Savage mounted the top turnbuckle and hit the big elbow.
With no referee, Savage couldn’t earn a pin.
Suddenly, Patrick came to the ring and hugged Savage.
While Nash watched from the entrance, DDP countered a slam with the Diamond Cutter.
1-2-3.
DDP won.

Summary: Awesome story as DDP overcame a main event threat in Savage and beat him. In addition, Savage MADE DDP with this match.

After the match, Nash comes to the ring and gets in Patrick’s face. Abruptly, the nWo hits the ring. While the Tupelo faithful chants “We want Sting,” Nash jackknife-powerbombs Patrick. Upon dispatching DDP from the ring, Savage grabs Kimberly by the hair. Bischoff stops Savage from hitting her and gets into a shoving match with him. As Savage nails Bischoff, the rest of the nWo enters the ring to separate them.

Conclusion: With a somewhat historical main event and a great opener, this show is a hard one to pass up. If anything, check out the fear in Booker T’s face during his promo. Also, with the dissension within the nWo, the following Nitro ought to be intriguing.