WCW Uncensored '97

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

Match 1 for the WCW US title (no-DQ): Eddie Guerrero (champion) versus Dean Malenko

A shoulder block by Malenko OBLITERATED Guerrero who sought refuge outside the ring.
Upon Guerrero’s return, Malenko put the boots to him which riled up the Charleston faithful.
He then gave Malenko a vertical suplex, but Guerrero came back and put the boots to Malenko.
After a cross corner whip, Guerrero ate the top turnbuckle on his follow-through.
Malenko then hit a belly-to-back suplex and applied a single-leg crab.
In the meantime, Hall, Nash, and Syxx stood next to a fallen Rick Steiner and mockingly called for the trainer.

Shortly after, Malenko tossed Guerrero over the top rope to the floor to emphasize the no-DQ stipulation.
He then grabbed the US title belt and nailed Guerrero repeatedly with it.
After a clothesline, Malenko got 2.
Guerrero came back with a uranage and trash-talked Malenko.

Next, Guerrero dropkicked Malenko’s knee, mounted the top turnbuckle, and hit a double axe handle.
He then delivered a slingshot senton to Malenko’s knee.
Shortly after, a split-screen view showed EMTs providing medical assistance to Rick Steiner backstage.

Malenko then sought refuge outside the ring, but Guerrero leaped from the apron and gave him another double axe handle.
He then shoved Malenko back-first into the steel railing and rammed him face-first into the cameraman stand.
Upon reversing an Irish whip, Malenko sent Guerrero back-first into the steel railing.
Guerrero then placed Malenko’s leg against the ring post and dropkicked it. Nifty!

While the ambulance carrying Rick left the arena, Guerrero applied a rope-assisted figure-four leg lock. SNEAKY!
He then attempted another springboard senton, but Malenko again sought refuge outside the ring.
Not to be outdone, Guerrero gave him a baseball slide.
As Malenko used the steel railing to brace himself, Guerrero mounted the top turnbuckle, dove, but ate the steel railing when Malenko evaded him. It must have tasted like the lowcountry sandwich at Tbonz.

Malenko then guillotined him using the steel railing.
Back in the ring, Guerrero lowered his straps and gave Malenko a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
He then powerbombed Malenko for 2.
When Guerrero countered a standing switch, Malenko used his trick knee. OUCH!
Conversely, Guerrero fought through the pain, hooked an inside cradle, and got 2.
When Guerrero charged, Malenko gave him a powerslam.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle, hit the frog splash, but pulled him up at 2.

As Malenko attempted a powerbomb, Guerrero countered with a flying headscissors.
Malenko then delivered a tilt-a-whirl slam for 2.
While hooking an Oklahoma roll, Guerrero got 2.
Malenko came back with a release German suplex for 2.
After a cross corner whip, Malenko ate knee on his follow-through.
Guerrero then mounted the second turnbuckle and delivered a tornado DDT.
Next, he hooked the Texas Cloverleaf.
Will Malenko submit to his own finisher?
Suddenly, Syxx, holding a handheld video camera, came to the ring.
Guerrero then grabbed Syxx who had taken the US title belt.
After Syxx tossed his video camera into the ring, Guerrero tried to nail Malenko with the belt but missed.

Malenko then WALLOPED Guerrero with the video camera.
1-2-3.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Summary: You’d think that after numerous matches in both ECW and WCW that you’ve seen every Guerrero-Malenko match possible. Think again. This one’s phenomenal with a unique yet unremarkable finish. Check this one out.

After the match, Malenko looks down at the video camera in disbelief that he actually used it.

In the locker room, “Mean” Gene Okerlund shills the hotline and mentions someone has left WCW (**cough**Disco Inferno**cough**). He then interviews Piper who’s crazier than Randle McMurphy here. Immediately, the Horsemen join him, but Piper makes fun of them for their recent storylines. While Jarrett has Piper’s back, Mongo cuts a promo on Luger, the Outsiders, and Rodman (“a basketball player?”). The good news is that Debra stays quiet.

“Iron” Mike Tenay joined the broadcast table for this match.
Dragon unleashed a series of kicks to Psicosis as Tenay shilled the WCW web site.
After Psicosis delivered a dropkick, he got 2.
He then gave Dragon a cross corner whip followed by a corner clothesline.
As Psicosis gave him another cross corner whip, Dragon performed a head stand on the top turnbuckle. What a showoff!
He then delivered an enziguri as Onoo applauded his charge.
For some reason, Heenan mentioned that Dragon traveled by rickshaw rather than flying. While I compliment him for thinking outside the box, the absurdity of the comment cannot be overstated.

After a slam, Psicosis mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a guillotine leg drop for 2.
Dragon then reversed a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
Upon mounting the second turnbuckle, Psicosis delivered an elbow drop for 2.
Dragon then reversed an Irish whip and gave Psicosis a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
Next, he hooked a sleeper, but Psicosis used a jawbreaker to counter.
Psicosis then tried a side head lock, but Dragon countered with a belly-to-back suplex.
When Dragon gave Psicosis another cross corner whip, he ate boot again on his follow-through. Where’s the horseradish?
Psicosis then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a corkscrew spinning heel kick.
With Dragon on the floor, Psicosis delivered a tope con hilo. Woohoo!

He then re-entered the ring and hit a springboard leg drop to Dragon on the floor. Wow!

As Dragon stood on the apron, Psicosis clotheslined him.
Dragon then whipped Psicosis back-first into the steel railing and delivered a handspring elbow on the floor.
climbing to the apron, Dragon hit an Asai moonsault.
While Dragon distracted referee Mark Curtis, Onoo performed a Tae Kwon Do exhibition using Psicosis as his victim.
Back in the ring, Dragon slammed Psicosis, mounted the second turnbuckle, and hit a moonsault for 2.
When Psicosis attempted a powerbomb, he countered a victory roll with a sunset flip for 2.
Dragon then hooked la magistral cradle for 2.
With Dragon in the corner, Psicosis charged but came up empty.
Dragon then placed him atop the top turnbuckle, but Psicosis blocked his huracanrana.
While Psicosis attempted a superplex, Dragon countered as they front-suplexed each other down to the mat.
Dragon then slammed him, mounted the top turnbuckle, but got caught.
As Psicosis joined him, he delivered a super huracanrana for 2.
He then attempted a flying headscissors, but Dragon countered with a Liger bomb.
Following that, he placed Psicosis atop the top turnbuckle and attempted his own huracanrana. However, something went awry, and he hit a modified tornado DDT instead.

Dragon then delivered the tiger suplex and pinned Psicosis.

Summary: While the Charleston faithful sat on their hands, these guys put on quite a high-flying display.

At the entrance, Okerlund again shills the hotline and interviews DDP. As the Charleston faithful chant his name, DDP reminds Savage who he is. Suddenly, Savage and Elizabeth interrupt him from the broadcast location. While he respects DDP, Savage and Elizabeth provide us with a copy of Playboy’s Nude Celebrities.

While they show us the centerfold, Savage informs us that DDP is her husband. Kimberly then emerges having been spray-painted nWo. When DDP checks on her, Savage blindsides him. Kimberly tries to stop him to no avail as Savage spray-paints nWo on DDP’s back. Just as Savage wants to “piledrive” him, Kimberly protects her husband. He then spray-paints her back, but Elizabeth stops him. She then spray-paints and taunts her. How dastardly of her!

For those unaware, Mortis was portrayed by Chris Kanyon.

After a back drop, Glacier gave Mortis a superkick for 2.
With Mortis on the apron, a kick by Glacier made Mortis taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Jimmy Serrano veggie burger at Closed for Business.
Glacier then gave Mortis a plancha and suplexed him on the floor.
Back in the ring, Glacier only got 2 thanks to Vandenberg’s pulling Glacier out of the ring.
As Glacier chased and caught Vandenberg, Mortis delivered a baseball slide.
Mortis then made him taste the steel railing. Waiter, could you please give the extremely cold wrestler a business burger?
While Mortis placed Glacier in a fireman’s carry, he dropped him face-first on the apron. OUCH!
He then somersaulted over the top rope and clotheslined Glacier for 2.
When he attempted a springboard leg drop, Mortis missed.
Glacier then attempted a back drop, but Mortis countered with a Rocker Dropper for another 2.
After Mortis gave Glacier a big boot, he attempted another Rocker Dropper.

On the other hand, Glacier countered with a powerbomb.
He then delivered a somersault back elbow followed by a tilt-a-whirl pancake.
After a leap frog, Glacier booted Mortis in the face for 2.
Glacier then gave Mortis an Irish whip but ate a kick to the mush for 2.
As Mortis mounted the top turnbuckle, Glacier crotched him.
He then joined and gave him a superplex for 2.
After Glacier mounted the top turnbuckle, he leaped but Mortis countered with a Northern-lights suplex for 2. Wow!
Glacier came back with a jawbreaker, mounted the top turnbuckle again, leaped, but Mortis evaded him.
Quickly, Glacier mounted the second turnbuckle, hit a cross body block, and got 2.

When Glacier attempted the Cryonic kick, Mortis pulled referee Mickey Jay in front of him.
Glacier then maneuvered Jay out of harm’s way but ate a superkick for 2.
While Vandenberg got up on the apron and held Glacier, Mortis almost beheaded Vandenberg with a superkick.
Glacier then hit the Cryonic kick.
1-2-3.
Glacier won.

Summary: As you know, I gave Glacier all the hate in the world for being the greenest of all rookies while showcasing himself on Nitro. But this match stood as an exception. According to Meltzer, these two practiced this match constantly at the WCW Power Plant, so they certainly ironed any kinks out whatsoever. Kudos to you, gentlemen.

After the match, Vandenberg distracts Glacier so that Mortis can nail him from behind with his staph. Suddenly, the former Adam Bomb hits the ring as he and Mortis double-team Glacier. The former Adam Bomb then delivers a uranage to Glacier.

We then revisit the automobile “accident” perpetrated by Hall, Nash, and Syxx.

Riggs sprinted to the ring with the strap, but Bagwell sought refuge outside the ring.
After whipping Riggs with the strap, Bagwell clotheslined him with it.
He then slammed Riggs and mounted the top turnbuckle, but Riggs crotched him.
As Riggs joined him, he gave Bagwell a top rope superplex.
He then followed him around the ring and made Bagwell HIT THE POLE.
Upon giving Bagwell a back elbow, Bagwell came back and made Riggs eat knee.
While Riggs crotched Bagwell with the strap, he followed with a dropkick.
Riggs then touched two corners before Bagwell stopped him.
When Riggs gave him the ten-punch count-along, Bagwell countered with a stungun.
Bagwell then touched two corners before Riggs stopped him.
He then gave Riggs an inverted atomic drop and clotheslined him.
While the broadcast team bickered over cement, Bagwell made Riggs perform the American Males’ clap. Riggs responded with his trick knee.

After Bagwell unsuccessfully tried to pin Riggs, he shoved referee Randy Anderson.
Anderson shoved him back while asserting his authority.

Upon slamming Riggs, Bagwell mounted the second turnbuckle, leaped, but came up empty.
Bagwell then charged Riggs in the corner but ate boot on his follow-through.
After a series of clotheslines, Riggs hit a powerbomb, mounted the top turnbuckle, and hit a missile dropkick.
He then hog-tied Bagwell, dragged Bagwell to three corners, but Bagwell stopped him again.
When Riggs attempted another clothesline, Bagwell backdropped him over the top rope and hanged him with the strap. On a second viewing, I noticed that Riggs’ back SQUARELY hit the apron. YEE-OUCH!
Bagwell then touched all four corners using his tuchus with the last one.

A seemingly pre-recorded black-and-white nWo interview airs as they predict victory for themselves. To say their commentary is uncensored is putting it mildly.

As Public Enemy made their entrance, they brought not only a table but also a metal trash can.
After Grunge dumped plunder into the ring from the trash can, Booker T nailed Rocco with the can.
Rocco then sought refuge outside the ring, but Booker T leaped from the apron to hammer him.
As Booker T and Rocco brawled on the floor, Rocco nailed Booker T with a frying pan.
Sherri then hit Rocco from behind as Rhodes freaked out about Grunge holding a toilet seat.
While Booker T held him, Sherri hit Rocco again.
After Sherri nailed Rocco one more time, Booker T gave him a Harlem sidekick.
Rocco then hit Booker T with a trash can lid as Grunge nailed Stevie Ray with a cookie sheet.
All four wrestlers were in the ring while Booker T gave Grunge a scissors kick for 2.
Meanwhile, Stevie Ray backdropped Rocco outside the ring, joined him, and held Rocco so that Sherri could wallop him.
After Booker T gave Grunge a leg lariat, he got 2.
Stevie Ray then whipped Rocco shoulder-first into the steps.
With all four wrestlers in the ring again, Grunge gave Booker T a swinging neckbreaker.
Booker T then blocked a trash can lid shot from Rocco but couldn’t block a trash can shot from Grunge. TIMBER!

When Sherri tried to hit Grunge with the trash can, she mistakenly hit Stevie Ray. Oops.
then tossed Stevie Ray into the front row, but Booker T leaped from the apron and took him out.
At some point, Grunge became BUSTED OPEN.
Public Enemy then placed the trash can on Booker T and took turns hammering him.
While Harlem Heat held Rocco, Sherri nailed Rocco with a trash can lid.
Stevie Ray then placed the trash can atop Grunge and hit a leg drop on it.
Upon tossing Rocco back into the ring, Booker T mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, but ate a shot to the midsection.
Rocco then nailed Booker T with a pizza pan. Quick survey: pepperoni or sausage?
That got 2 for Rocco.
While Rocco tried to walk the ropes, Booker T crotched him.
Outside the ring, Booker T then made Grunge taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Earth Ultra at HoM.
When Booker T tried to pin Grunge, Rocco made the save with a pizza pan.
As Booker T got 2 on Grunge, Rocco nailed Stevie Ray down near Hilton Head.
Grunge then reversed an Irish whip sending Booker T back-first into the steel railing.
Back in the ring, Stevie Ray gave Rocco a sidewalk slam as Booker T mounted the top turnbuckle.
Harlem Heat then hit the Rocket Launcher for only 2 thanks to a save by Grunge.
After Sherri mistakenly nailed Stevie Ray with the trash can again, she jumped on Grunge’s back only to get SQUISHED against the steel railing.
Grunge then placed Stevie Ray on the table as Public Enemy hit the Drive-By.

Suddenly, Jarrett and Mongo hit the ring as Mongo came in and CLOBBERED Rocco in the back with the Haliburton.
Booker T then mounted the top turnbuckle, hit the Harlem Hangover, and pinned Rocco.

Summary: Elongated hardcore match with some decent high spots and a screwy finish. Sounds like ECW to me.

Match 6 for the WCW World TV title: Prince Iaukea (champion) versus Rey Mysterio, Jr.

Tenay also joined the broadcast table for this match.
As Iaukea caught him, he gave Mysterio a Samoan drop.
When he attempted a springboard splash, Iaukea ate knees.
Iaukea then reversed an Irish whip, but Mysterio guillotined him using the top rope.
Upon reaching the apron, Mysterio hit a springboard somersault senton for 2.

Iaukea then attempted a crucifix bomb, but Mysterio countered with a huracanrana for another 2.
As Mysterio took Iaukea over the top rope with a flying headscissors, he delivered a somersault plancha. Woohoo!
Iaukea then gave Mysterio a slingshot powerbomb in the ring as well as a baseball slide to the floor.
Next, Iaukea hit a springboard cross body block to Mysterio on the floor.
He then whipped Mysterio back-first into the steel railing.
Upon mounting the steel railing, Iaukea missed a cross body block on the floor.
Mysterio then hit a springboard moonsault for 2.
While he gave Iaukea a cross corner whip, Mysterio mounted the second turnbuckle and hit a bulldog for another 2.
He then followed with a Lionsault but couldn’t get 3.

With both wrestlers on the top turnbuckle, Mysterio hooked a sunset flip and almost won the title.
He then hit a dropkick, mounted the top turnbuckle, but missed a senton splash.
After a leg drop, Iaukea delivered a Northern-lights suplex for 2.
Mysterio then attempted a leap frog, but Iaukea caught and powerbombed him for another 2 as the Charleston faithful chanted “bor-ing.”

When Iaukea attempted another springboard maneuver, Mysterio dropkicked him in mid-air.
Iaukea then hit an accidental low blow causing Mysterio to seek refuge outside the ring.
From the apron, Iaukea leaped and hit a double axe handle.
Iaukea then hit another leg drop for 2.
As Mysterio reversed an Irish whip, both wrestlers attempted a dropkick but missed.

Mysterio then reversed a cross corner whip and gave Iaukea a flying headscissors.
After a victory roll, he only got 2.
Iaukea then rolled up Mysterio for 2.
While Mysterio received another cross corner whip, he climbed the turnbuckles and delivered a corkscrew senton for 2.
Suddenly, the bell rang as the time limit expired.
Mysterio then got on the microphone and asked for more time to a mixed reaction. In response, Prince granted it to him.
After a leap frog, Mysterio gave Iaukea a hip toss.
He then delivered a springboard dropkick followed by a springboard leg drop for 2.
With Iaukea atop the top turnbuckle, Mysterio gave him a super huracanrana.
He then attempted the West Coast Pop, but Iaukea countered with a sunset flip.
1-2-3.
Iaukea retained.

Summary: While I understand that Iaukea is a rookie, he HAS to have some type of personality for the WCW fans to grasp. He is absolutely FLOUNDERING as champion.

Team nWo: Hollywood Hogan, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash

Team Piper: “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Jeff Jarrett, Steve “Mongo” McMichael, & the “Crippler” Chris Benoit

If WCW wins, nWo is stripped of their titles and banned for three years. If nWo wins, they can get title shots at any time. If Piper’s team wins, Piper will get a cage match against Hogan at a future date.
Buffer rumbled.
begin the match, Benoit, Hall, and Giant came to the ring for a five-minute period.
Hall then reversed an Irish whip and gave Benoit a fallaway slam.
As Giant entered the ring, he gave Benoit and Hall a double clothesline followed by a double noggin knocker.
He then tossed Benoit ¾ of the way across the ring, gave Hall a cross corner whip, and delivered a corner clothesline.
When Hall attempted the ten-punch count-along, Giant tossed him halfway across the ring.
He then slammed Hall, gave Benoit a cross corner whip, and followed with another corner clothesline.
Next, Giant hit an elbow drop on Hall.
As Benoit chopped him, Giant gave him a standing boot choke.
Hall then attempted a hip toss, but Giant countered with one of his own.
When Hall jumped on Giant’s back, he applied a sleeper, but Giant pulled him over his head to escape.
He then chokeslammed Benoit, but Hall made the save.
With Hall in the corner, Giant charged, came up empty, and spilled over the top rope to the floor eliminating himself.
At the five-minute mark, Jarrett, Savage, and Luger came to the ring.
Jarrett then gave Hall a swinging neckbreaker followed by a running guillotine.
Upon reversing an Irish whip, Jarrett gave Savage a dropkick.
Luger then entered the ring and gave Jarrett a gorilla press slam.
After Savage attacked him, Luger military-pressed him until Hall kicked him.
As two minutes expired, Mongo, Steiner, and Nash came to the ring.
Nash then entered the ring and gave Jarrett Snake Eyes.
As Steiner entered, he military-press-dropped Benoit.
He then gave Jarrett a tilt-a-whirl slam and Hall a butterfly powerbomb.
When Nash whipped Scott into a corner, he ate boot on his follow-through.
Scott then gave him a belly-to-belly suplex as Hall failed with an Outsider Edge to Jarrett thanks to Benoit.
While Scott gave Hall the ten-punch count-along, Nash delivered the big boot to Jarrett.
He then clotheslined Jarrett over the top rope to the floor eliminating him.
Currently, Team nWo has three wrestlers in the ring, team Piper has two, and team WCW has one.
After Nash gave Scott a sidewalk slam, Hall countered a piledriver with a back drop sending Mongo over the top rope to the floor.
While another two minutes supposedly expired, Piper came to the ring. Where’s Hogan?
Nash then delivered a big boot to Scott sending him over the top rope to the floor and eliminating him.
The tally became: team nWo with four wrestlers, team Piper with two, and team WCW with one.
Oh, Piper jumped the gun as the clock showed less than a minute until he was supposed to enter.

Hogan then came to the ring with Dennis Rodman sporting a Hollywood top hat and carrying the WCW World title belt and a can of spray paint.

While Hogan posed with Rodman for pictures from cameramen at ringside, Piper choked Savage with a chain.
The Charleston faithful then chanted “We Want Sting,” as Hogan finally entered the ring.
After Hogan tossed Piper between the ropes to the floor, Piper dragged Hogan out and brawled with him.
He then made Hogan taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Barnyard at Smoky Oak Taproom.
When Piper prevented Hogan from escaping, Savage almost annihilated poor Bill Apter.
Nash then gave Benoit a sidewalk slam in the ring.
As Piper came off the ropes, Rodman low-bridged him causing Piper’s elimination.
Nash then gave Benoit a running guillotine.
While Rodman held Piper with a chain around the throat, Hall delivered the Outsider Edge to Benoit.
The Outsiders then eliminated Benoit.
The tally became: Team nWo 4, team WCW 1, and team Piper 0.
Can Luger overcome the odds?
Rodman then got up on the apron and gave the nWo handshake to Savage.
When Nash attempted the jackknife powerbomb, Luger countered with a back drop.
He then clotheslined all four nWo members and hooked Savage in the Torture Rack.
As Savage submitted, team nWo was down to three.
Luger then clotheslined Nash over the top rope to the floor narrowing it to a 1-on-2 disadvantage.
Next, Luger gave Hall an inverted atomic drop and hooked the Torture Rack on him.
Hall submitted to make it a one-on-one encounter—Hogan versus Luger.
While referee Randy Anderson restrained Nash, Luger clotheslined Hogan.
Luger then hooked the Torture Rack on Hogan as Rodman handed Savage the can of spray paint.
After Savage nailed Luger with the can, Hogan pinned Luger.
Team nWo won.

Summary: While the excitement of Dennis Rodman brought the Charleston faithful to their feet, this match wasn’t very good.

After the match, Rodman spray-paints Luger’s back and paintbrushes him. As the nWo exits the ring, Sting rappels from the ceiling to a HUGE pop. As Hall and Nash enter the ring, Sting nails each of them with a baseball bat. Savage then leaps from the top turnbuckle but eats a bat shot as well. After whispering something in Savage’s ear, Sting gives him the Scorpion death drop.

Hall comes in and receives one too. Unbelievably, Nash also got one. Sting then points his bat at Hogan. When Hogan yells to “put the bat down,” Sting obliges and turns around. Hogan then enters, tries to nail Sting, but gets hammered instead. Sting then gives him a Scorpion death drop as the PPV goes off the air.

Conclusion: Wow! What an exclamation mark on a show. While the main event didn’t deliver, its aftermath was historic. Sting chose to fight against the nWo. If you’ve never seen that moment, you’re missing wrestling history.

As far as the rest of the show is concerned, the opener is a must-see, and the Glacier-Mortis match exceeded any and all expectations. Grab some popcorn, gather your friends, and enjoy this show!