WCW SuperBrawl VIII

Hosted by Tony Schiavone, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, and “Iron” Mike Tenay

Who will win the vacant World title? Can the Outsiders recapture tag team gold? Will Jericho lose the Cruiserweight title, or Guerrera lose his mask? Who emerges as the victor in the TV title scene? And how is Savage involved with Luger, Hogan, and Sting? Let’s find out!

Winner will face Saturn later tonight.
When Booker T backdropped him, he clotheslined Martel over the top rope to the floor.
He then countered a hip toss with another clothesline.
As he delivered a back elbow, Booker T got 2.
He then scored with a leg lariat and followed with a knee drop for another 2.
After Booker T reversed an Irish whip, he leapfrogged Martel, landed a superkick, but couldn’t get 3.
He then gave Martel a cross corner whip and hip-tossed him back to the original corner. Martel’s right leg landed on the ropes tearing the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

While Martel vaulted Booker T down to the floor, referee Mickey Jay didn’t disqualify him.
With Booker T on the apron, Martel nailed him causing Booker T to taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Nadler at 21st Amendment.
Martel joined Booker T on the floor and rammed him back-first into the apron.
When he gave Booker T a cross corner whip, Martel came up empty on his follow-through.
Booker T then hit a sidewalk slam, missed an elbow drop, but responded with a spinaroonie. Woohoo!
As Booker T bashed him with a forearm smash, Martel reversed a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
Booker T charged, but Martel powerslammed him for 2.
After Martel reversed an Irish whip, he delivered a spinebuster.
Martel then hooked a Quebec crab, but Booker T made the ropes.
While Booker T reversed a cross corner whip, Martel leaped to the second turnbuckle and launched a cross body block.
On the other hand, Booker T used momentum to land on top and got 2.
Booker T secured an O’Connor roll and got another 2.
When Martel rebounded with a clothesline for 2, Booker T supplied him with a flying forearm and followed with a scissors kick.
He then provided Martel with his own spinebuster, mounted the top turnbuckle, but missed a cross body block.
As Martel mounted the second turnbuckle, he leaped but ate a Harlem sidekick.
1-2-3.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Booker T won in 10:32.

Summary: Good chemistry between these guys, but when Martel got hurt, they changed the finish to have Booker T regain the title. Hopefully, Martel won’t be out too long.

Before Booker T could celebrate his becoming champion for the second time, Saturn stormed the ring and sent Martel to the floor.
He then hooked Booker T in a Rings of Saturn.
Do we have a new champion again?

No, Booker T made the ropes.
As Saturn secured an inside cradle, he got 2.
He then trapped Booker T with a backslide for another 2.
When Saturn attempted an Oklahoma roll, Booker T was in the ropes.
Give Saturn credit for ambushing a tired wrestler and trying to pin him early.
After Saturn gave him a cross corner whip, Booker T evaded and sunset-flipped him for 2.
Saturn joined Booker T on the floor and rammed him ribs-first into the steel railing.
While he guillotined Booker T with the steel railing, Saturn rammed him shoulder-first into the ring post twice.
Booker T then reversed an Irish whip, he sent Saturn back-first into the steel railing.
As he reversed a cross corner whip, Booker T ate boot on his follow-through.
Saturn charged, but Booker T powerslammed him.
When Saturn nailed him, he sent Booker T over the top rope to the floor.
He then launched a plancha upon Booker T. Woohoo!
After he returned to the apron, Saturn scored with a springboard splash to Booker T on the floor. Innovative!
Back in the ring, Booker T rebounded with a flying forearm.
He then gave Saturn a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
While Saturn placed him atop the top turnbuckle, he delivered a belly-to-back superplex. Stupendous!
Saturn then placed him atop the opposite top turnbuckle, but Booker T blocked a superplex and hit a front suplex down to the mat.
As he mounted the top turnbuckle, Booker T landed a missile dropkick.
Booker T then unleashed a leg lariat, but Saturn rebounded with a T-bone suplex for 2.
When he hooked an overhead belly-to-belly suplex, Saturn got another 2.
Booker T then reversed an Irish whip, but Saturn uncorked an Asai moonsault.
After Saturn gave him a cross corner whip, Booker T leaped to the second turnbuckle but mistimed a cross body block.
Tenay then relayed that Martel tore his MCL in the previous match despite the fact a mid-ring collision occurred.
While Saturn powerslammed him, he gave Booker T a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Booker T responded with a spinebuster and followed with a scissors kick.
As he hit a sidewalk slam, Booker T mounted the top turnbuckle but missed a Harlem Hangover.
Saturn then secured a Northern Lights suplex for 2.
When he followed with a German suplex with a bridge, Saturn got another 2.
Booker T then escaped a belly-to-back suplex and destroyed Saturn with a Harlem side kick.
1-2-3.
Booker T retained at 14:23.

Summary: Incredible match especially considering Booker T’s having to wrestle two opponents consecutively. This was a major moment in Booker T’s career as both Martel and Saturn made him into a bona fide superstar. Great work, guys!

Backstage, Jericho joins Mark Madden and Lee Marshall at the internet desk. Kids, don’t put wcwwrestling.com into your browser. It’s not safe! I’m actually dead serious, hence, no hyperlink.

Before the bell, La Parka LAUNCHED his steel chair yet missed Disco by an EYELASH.
La Parka reversed a cross corner whip and knocked Disco down awkwardly.
When he powerslammed Disco, La Parka blocked an O’Connor roll.
Disco rebounded with his own powerslam and got 2.
As he gave La Parka a pair of cross corner whips, Disco followed with corner clotheslines.
He then got another 2.
After La Parka reversed an Irish whip, he delivered a short-arm clothesline.
He then scored with a spinning heel kick sending Disco to the floor.
While La Parka hit an awesome corkscrew tope con hilo, he sent Disco back-first into the steel railing.
He then clotheslined Disco on the floor and guillotined him with the steel railing.
Back in the ring, La Parka slammed him, mounted the top turnbuckle, but missed a splash.
Disco then shot La Parka down to the floor and rammed him back-first into the steel railing.
When he clotheslined La Parka on the floor, Disco guillotined HIM with the steel railing.
Seriously, Disco just provided La Parka with the SAME offense he just received.

La Parka rebounded by guillotining Disco with the top rope and got 2.
As he hooked la magistral cradle, La Parka got another 2.
He then gave Disco a HARD cross corner whip to injure the back.
After he gave Disco another cross corner whip, La Parka dropkicked him but couldn’t get 3.
La Parka then reversed a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
With the San Francisco faithful losing patience with this match, Disco unleashed a back elbow for 2.
La Parka then countered a back drop with a punt to the mush.
While Disco vaulted him to the apron, La Parka delivered a flying headscissors sending Disco over the top rope to the floor.
He then connected with a tope suicida. Arriba!
Back in the ring, La Parka got 2.
He then gave Disco another cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
When he charged a second time, La Parka ate another boot.
He charged a third time LIKE A MORON, came up empty, and HIT THE POLE.
As Disco rebounded with an inverted atomic drop, he launched a lariat for 2.
La Parka then reversed an Irish whip, but Disco hit a swinging neckbreaker for another 2.
After Disco inadvertently creamed referee Scott Dickinson, La Parka sought his chair from ringside.
He then rammed Disco face-first into the chair and mounted the top turnbuckle.
While Disco caught him, he joined La Parka and attempted a superplex.
La Parka blocked it, but Disco launched him face-first into the chair.
When Disco unleashed a Chartbuster, he pinned La Parka at 11:40.

Summary: Popcorn, anyone? Honestly, this was wo comedy wrestlers trying to have a serious match where no one either expected it or cared.

At the entrance, “Mean” Gene Okerlund interviews Chairman of the WCW Executive Committee JJ Dillon. Upon requesting referee Nick Patrick’s presence, Dillon reinstates him without any restrictions. Patrick rejoices with a hug for Dillon and a kiss for Okerlund. HA! To celebrate, Patrick wants to “vindicate” himself by calling the main event. Unfortunately for him, Dillon disagrees. When Patrick argues the decision, he realizes that he forgot about back pay.

This was an unadvertised BONUS match. I can tell you’re excited.
As Armstrong made his entrance, he wore an “Armstrong Curse” t-shirt.

The San Francisco faithful chanted “Gold-berg,” and their hero rolled Armstrong into an ankle lock.
Since Goldberg’s not Ken Shamrock, Armstrong made the ropes.
Goldberg then gorilla-pressed Armstrong into a powerslam.

When he gave Armstrong a cross corner whip, Goldberg followed with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. That’s a new wrinkle for him.
Armstrong rebounded with a side-Russian leg sweep, but Goldberg no-sold it.
After he delivered a pumphandle suplex, Goldberg speared Armstrong.
He then unleashed a Jackhammer and pinned Armstrong at 2:24.

Summary: For a short match, Goldberg unloaded some high-impact workrate. More of this please, Mr. Goldberg.

Match 5 for the WCW Cruiserweight title: “Lionheart” Chris Jericho (champion) versus Juventud Guerrera

Should Juventud lose, he must unmask.
Jericho wore the belt until Guerrera struck him with a jumping back kick.

When Guerrera delivered a spinning heel kick, Jericho responded with a knee lift.
Guerrera supplied him with a flying headscissors, yet Jericho vaulted him to the apron.
As Guerrera scored with a springboard spinning heel kick, he followed with a springboard flying headscissors.
Jericho laid flat on the floor to milk the count yet took a peek or two to let us know how crafty he is.

After referee Mickey Jay got up to 7, Guerrera joined Jericho on the floor and unloaded an elbow drop.
Back in the ring, Jericho attempted a release German suplex, but Guerrera landed on his feet.
Guerrera then attempted a huracanrana, but Jericho countered with a stun gun.
With Guerrera on the apron, Jericho dropkicked him down to the floor.
He then joined and slammed Guerrera on the floor.
While he positioned the steps, Jericho used them as a launching pad.

On the other hand, Guerrera caught and guillotined him with the steel railing.
Guerrera attempted a springboard cross body block, but Jericho caught and tombstone-piledrove him for 2.
When he landed a back elbow, Jericho used the arrogant cover for another 2.
Guerrera rebounded with a victory roll and got 2.
As Jericho suplexed him, he followed with a senton splash for 2.
He then delivered a backbreaker, believed Guerrera submitted, and threw a hissy when Jay said otherwise.
After Jericho clotheslined him, he placed Guerrera atop the top turnbuckle, but Guerrera shoved him down to the mat.
Guerrera then attempted another flying headscissors, but Jericho countered with an electric chair.
While Jericho mounted an adjacent top turnbuckle, Guerrera dropkicked him down to the floor.
With Jericho in the aisle, Guerrera hit Air Juvi, a.k.a. a springboard dive.
Guerrera gave him a cross corner whip, but Jericho attempted to float over.
When Guerrera caught him, he uncorked a Juvi driver.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle and unleashed a 450°. Yowza!
Do we have a new champion?
1-2-NO!
Jericho grabbed the bottom rope.
As the bell rang, Jay waved off the pinfall.
Jericho then chop-blocked him, but Guerrera hooked a sunset flip for 2.
After Jericho clotheslined him, he got 2.
Jericho attempted a powerbomb, but Guerrera countered with a DDT for 2.
While he hoisted Jericho to the top turnbuckle, Guerrera joined and attempted a super huracanrana.
Jericho blocked it, leaped, but Guerrera supplied him with an inverted atomic drop.
With Jericho on the top rope, Guerrera provided him with a springboard huracanrana for 2.
Jericho then hooked an inverted suplex but missed a Lionsault.
When Jericho tried to hook a Liontamer, Guerrera countered with a cradle for another 2.
Jericho reversed an Irish whip, and Guerrera attempted a huracanrana.
Instead, Jericho locked him in a Liontamer, and Guerrera submitted at 13:28.
Guerrera must unmask!

Summary: Near falls, counters, workrate, and the San Francisco treat of despising Jericho encompass tis beauty of a match. Excellent job, gentleman.

After the match, Jericho grabs the microphone and thanks the Jericholics. Guerrera unties his mask, but Jericho impatiently steals it away from him. Guerrera then shows his face to the PPV audience.

Match 6: Steve “Mongo” McMichael versus the “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith

Mongo reversed an Irish whip and delivered a tilt-a-whirl slam.
As he slammed Smith, Mongo missed a leg drop.
Smith then hooked a Sharpshooter, but Mongo made the ropes.
When Mongo rubbed Smith’s face into the mat, he tossed Smith down to the floor.
He then leaped from the apron and delivered a double axe handle.
After he made Smith taste the steel railing twice, Mongo rammed him shoulder-first into the steps. It must have tasted like the Abe Froman at Hogwash.
He then propped Smith up against the ring post, attempted a haymaker, but HIT THE POLE. According to Meltzer, the arm injury happened previously, and this was a means to explain it.
While Smith took advantage by ramming Mongo’s injured arm into the steps twice, he jammed it on the steel railing.
Mongo then reversed a cross corner whip sending Smith flying head over heels into the corner.
As he attempted a three-point stance, Mongo’s wrist buckled. USE THE OTHER HAND!

Nonetheless, his two-point tackle took down Smith, and, while using the other hand, successfully bowled over Smith with a three-point stance tackle.
He then attempted a tombstone piledriver, but his arm was too injured.
When Smith applied a single-arm takedown, Mongo wouldn’t submit.
Seeing the anguish on Mongo’s face, referee Scott Dickinson called for the bell.
Smith won at 6:09.

Summary: When one wrestler has a legitimate injury, a good story can be told by revealing and exploiting it.

After the match, a furious Mongo yells at Dickinson that he didn’t quit and shoves him down.

Match 7 for the WCW US title: Diamond Dallas Page (champion) versus the “Crippler” Chris Benoit

DDP delivered a gutbuster and attempted a vertical suplex.
When Benoit blocked it, he hung DDP out to dry on the top rope.
Benoit then attempted his own vertical suplex, but DDP blocked it.
As Benoit tried a Crippler Crossface, DDP made the ropes.
A test-of-strength led to a pinfall reversal sequence, and DDP hit a belly-to-back suplex.
After DDP attempted a Diamond Cutter, Benoit escaped down to the floor.
A brawl ensued, and DDP reversed an Irish whip.
While DDP leapfrogged him, Benoit countered a monkey flip with a 2-count.
DDP then hooked a wheelbarrow suplex for 2.
When Benoit dropkicked the knee, he followed with a short-arm clothesline.
DDP then countered a head-and-arm lock with a jawbreaker.
As Benoit supplied DDP with a snap suplex, he got 2.
Benoit then applied a sleeper, but DDP tossed him over his head.
After Benoit landed on his feet, he applied a sleeper.
DDP escaped by backing Benoit into the corner and dumping him over the top rope to the floor.
Isn’t that a DQ?

Referee Charles Robinson didn’t call it, so Benoit mounted the top turnbuckle.
While DDP crotched him, he joined and superplexed Benoit. Wow!
DDP then provided Benoit with a discus punch for 2.
When Benoit escaped another Diamond Cutter attempt by shoving him to the floor, DDP mounted the top turnbuckle and launched a lariat for another 2.
DDP attempted a vertical suplex, but Benoit countered with a Crippler Crossface.
As DDP’s feet met the bottom rope, the hold was broken.
Benoit attempted his own vertical suplex, but DDP countered with an inside cradle for 2.
After DDP reversed a cross corner whip, Benoit took a sternum-first bump in the corner.
DDP then secured a belly-to-belly suplex for 2.
While Benoit executed three consecutive German suplexes, he got 2.
The San Francisco faithful believed that was the finish.

When Benoit went for a hip toss, DDP delivered a DDT for 2.
He made another attempt at a Diamond Cutter, but Benoit countered with an attempted backslide.
As DDP flipped him over his head, he scored with a Diamond Cutter.
1-2-3.
DDP retained at 15:48.

Summary: Benoit had his chances, but DDP found a way to win to retain the US title. Solid work by both wrestlers. Good job!

Unfortunately, the Giant is unavailable tonight but will be at Nitro in Sacramento tomorrow night. Hmmm…Giant’s wandering around San Francisco? What could possibly happen?

Match 8 (no-DQ): The “Total Package” Lex Luger versus “Macho Man” Randy Savage (w/ Elizabeth)

Luger approached the ring with taped ribs.
As Luger attempted a gorilla press slam, his ribs prevented him from executing it.
Shockingly, the San Francisco faithful LOUDLY chanted “Luger sucks,” but their nemesis gave Savage a cross corner whip. They must think he’s from Dallas.

During his follow-through, Luger ate boot.
Savage then tossed Luger over the top rope to the floor and guillotined him with the steel railing.
When Savage implemented a double axe handle to Luger’s ribs, he got 2.
Savage then attempted a slam, but Luger countered with an inside cradle for 2.
After he used momentum to send Luger to the floor, Savage made him taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Dirty Dog at Comstock Saloon.
Savage then tossed Luger into the front row and WHACKED him with a steel chair.
While he made Luger taste the steel railing again, Savage rammed him face-first into the steps.
A third taste of the steel railing by Luger from Savage occurred, but Luger blocked a fourth attempt.
Instead, he made Savage taste the steel railing. Five-spiced churros for everyone!
Back in the ring, Savage suplexed him, but Luger no-sold it.
Luger then reversed an Irish whip and powerslammed Savage.
As he applied a Torture Rack, Elizabeth entered the ring and made the save.

Suddenly, the nWo stormed the ring, but both Luger and Savage fought them off.
Luger reapplied a Torture Rack, and Hogan came to ringside.
When Hogan called off the dogs, Savage submitted.
Luger won at 7:33.

Summary: More storyline than match as Savage’s separation from the nWo festers.

Prior to the next match, Hall conducts his survey, and San Francisco is DEFINITELY nWo country.

Match 9 for the WCW World tag team titles: The Steiners (champions w/ Ted DiBiase) versus the Outsiders (w/ the “American Nightmare” Dusty Rhodes)

Rick delivered a Steinerline to Hall and followed with a belly-to-belly suplex.
When he supplied Hall with a ten-punch count-along, Rick hit an overhead belly-to-belly suplex.
Nash came in illegally, but Rick clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor without any help from Scott.
As the Steiners stood in their familiar pose with Scott atop Rick, Scott supplied his own brother with a double axe handle to the back.

WE HAVE A HEEL TURN!
After he shot the Outsiders a Wolfpack signal, Scott provided Rick with a double underhook powerbomb. How dastardly!
He then DECIMATED DiBiase, and Rhodes made DiBiase HIT THE POLE.
While Scott celebrated his new allegiance, Hall got 2 on Rick.
The Outsiders then pummeled Rick in their corner since they knew Scott wouldn’t retaliate.
When Hall reversed an Irish whip, Nash belted Rick in the back. SNEAKY!
Hall then launched an Outsider Edge and pinned Rick at 4:17.
WE HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS!

Summary: Obviously, this was all storyline for the inevitable Scott Steiner heel turn.

After the match, Scott hands the Outsiders all four belts and yanked referee Scott Dickinson down to the floor. He then celebrated with the new champions.

Buffer rumbled.
As Sting stormed the ring, Hogan whipped him with his weight belt.
He then made Sting taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Como Se Llama tacos at Garaje.
When he supplied Sting with an atomic drop on the floor, Hogan made him HIT THE POLE.
He then rammed Sting back-first into the steel railing before tossing him back into the ring.
After he put a series of knees to the midsection, Hogan gave Sting a cross corner whip followed by a corner clothesline for 2.
He then slammed Sting and elbow-dropped him thrice.

While Sting stood up to no-sell Hogan’s offense, he provided Hogan with an inverted atomic drop.
He then removed Hogan’s weight belt and returned the favor from earlier in the match.
As Hogan tried to leave, Sting caught and made him taste the steel railing. Waiter, please give the balding egomaniac a drive-in cheeseburger.
He then tossed Hogan into the front row and handed him another helping of the steel railing. Also, add in some mordaditas.
When Sting attempted a Stinger splash, Hogan evaded him causing Sting to eat a big chunk of the steel railing. Must have tasted like the Jose Wong salad.
Hogan then procured a steel chair and SMACKED Sting with it.
After Hogan retrieved his weight belt, he whipped Sting again.
Back in the ring, Sting reversed a cross corner whip and delivered a Stinger splash.
Sting then locked on the Scorpion death lock, but Hogan made the ropes.
While Sting launched another Stinger splash, referee Charles Robinson got SQUISHED.
With Robinson down, Hogan clotheslined Sting.
Hogan then hit a leg drop, and referee Nick Patrick ran in to count 2.

As Hogan neglected to listen to his orders, Patrick pulled Hogan off Sting.
Hogan then executed a belly-to-back suplex for another 2.
When Hogan won a test-of-strength, he stomped Sting’s fingers.

He then rolled up Sting but couldn’t get 3.
After he tossed Sting to the floor, Hogan joined and administered another helping of the steel railing to him. Sorry, Sting, but the Garaje was empty by this point.
Sting then blocked yet another helping and fed Hogan instead. Take-out, anyone?

Back in the ring, Hogan presented Sting with a shot down US 101 SOUTH.
Sting stopped selling Hogan’s punches and unleashed another pair of Stinger splashes.
While Sting crushed him with a Scorpion death drop, Hogan kicked Patrick. Another ref bump?

Sting could have earned a hundred false pins, but Scott Norton stormed the ring.
As he handed Norton a path to SOUTH San Francisco, Sting dismissed the incoming Bagwell and Vincent.
Konnan made his presence felt until Sting dispatched him.
When Sting hammered Adams, Savage hit the ring and clobbered Hogan with a spray paint can.
Sting then pinned Hogan at 16:33 to win the vacant title.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Summary: As a match, this sucked. As a moment for WCW and in WCW’s history, the moment was monumental.

After the match, with Hogan OUT COLD, Sting sprays “WCW” on Hogan’s chest as retribution for the bulk of 1997. Dillon enters the ring and presents Sting with the WCW World title belt while the San Francisco faithful rejoices.

Conclusion: An historical main event coupled with three **** matches make this show a no-brainer to recommend. Honestly, Booker-Saturn, Jericho-Guerrera, and DDP-Benoit are all great matches while the main event puts WCW over strong whilst the nWo is crumbling.