Live from Auburn Hills, Michigan
Full Credit - ProWrestle.com
Tonight...Hart's reign begins, New Cruiserweight champ, Disco meets some muscle, and Bill Goldberg hurts lesser skilled people very badly. All that and Spice!
Show opens with Double J storming into the Palace with his trusty tag team partner, the balsawood gee-tar, claiming he's the chosen one, tonight's his time, he's taking matters into his own hands.
WCW Champion Bret Hart comes out to ringside with his new favorite 10 pounds over his shoulder. He said it took long enough to get the belt, and not long ago he thought about retiring, but that now he's going to be the best world champ WCW ever had. He thanks his fans for backing him up through his recent troubles, and dedicates last night's victory to his father. He says that he's going to do things right for once, and says that he's going to give Goldberg a title shot if he wants one at Starrcade, which cues the Outsider's music, bringing out Detroit native Nash and good buddy Hall. Hall says he's heard all of Hart's talk so far, and that him and Kev don't care, and that if Bret wants to be the best around here, he needs to take some lessons from the ones who took WCW from the outhouse to the penthouse. Hall says that they do whatever they want, whenever they want, to whomever they want. Nash says that the Outsiders run things around here, and calls out Hart and Goldberg for a tag match against the Outsiders. Hart happily agrees. While Hart works the crowd, Double J hits the ring and smashes Hart with his guitar...Jarrett says "Hey slapnuts, I'm the chosen one, and whether you like it or not, the belt belongs to me." So he takes the belt and goes home. Wow...in the first few minutes we get the Outsiders and "slapnuts."
Tony says tonight that the tag belts will be up for grabs tonight between the Filthy Animals and Creative Control, Vampiro takes on The Wall, Booker T faces Buff Bagwell, and the Nitro Girl match, between Spice and Tygress, plus Benoit faces Malenko in a "Capture the flag" match, where the goal is to capture the flag of the other's country...a grudge match following last nights happenings at Mayhem. Backstage, Hennig is with Tenay, and Hennig says that while he may not wrestle tonight, WCW can't stop him from seeing his fans...in the distance, the Maestro is playing piano. Konnan and Kidman are shown entering the building discussing the situation with Eddy Guerrero, and Oklahoma and Steve Williams are in the house as well...
After commercial, Tony Marinara is shown with "the boys" telling them what he wants them to do to Disco Inferno tonight, and in the back room, Luger is with Chief Power telling him he has the authority to book a match between Liz and Meng for tonight. Luger says that Liz is under contract to him and that he can do what he wants with her. In her dressing room, Liz sees this on the monitor and becomes a little upset.
Match 1: Creative Control vs. Filthy Animals (Kidman/Konnan)
WCW Tag Team Title Match
Tony says he can't figure out which one is Patrick, and that from what he heard, neither one wants to be Patrick. If you don't know why that's funny, think about which Patrick and Gerald these guys are named for, and see if that helps. If not, it's because neither one of these guys wants to be named Lenny or Lodi either. The match is going along good for the Animals until the TurnerTron fires up with some backstage footage of Torrie being a little too friendly with Eddy Guerrero, prompting Kidman to run to the back, allowing Creative Control to double team Konnan into a pin.
Winners and new Tag Champs: Creative Control
Kidman runs to the back and starts beating the hell out of Eddy Guerrero until security breaks it up. Cut to Tenay who is with Bret Hart and Goldberg. Tenay says that Hart is in everyone's crosshairs, and to make it worse, Double J has stolen the gold. Hart says that he's gonna give Jarrett a title shot tonight just so he can excellently execute him, and Goldberg tells Hart to go focus on Jarrett, he'll take on the Outsiders in a handicap match.
After commercial, Spice is in the locker room getting ready for her match when the new Nitro Girl, Sky, asks her not to do it. Spice says she has no choice in it. Hennig is shown talking to Bagwell, and tells Buff he did what he had to do, and that there are no hard feelings. Hennig says that the future of the business is on Buff's shoulders, and that Hennig thinks he's the right man for it.
Norman Smiley comes out in Lions gear and proclaims himself the king of hardcore. He says he's so hardcore, that he drank milk that was 2 days past the expiration date this morning, and that if anyone thinks they can take him, to come on out. Fit Finlay comes running out to the ring, leg brace and all, and takes it to Norman, pulling off some wrestling moves as well, looks like he'll be okay. Tony announces that Bret Hart will fight Jeff Jarrett at the top of the hour. Tony and Bobby crack on the WCW cologne, saying that it's the cologne with "No Limits." Backstage, Liz is begging Luger not to make her wrestle, and in the dressing room, Tenay is talking to the Outsiders, who promise to be victorious in their handicap match against Bill Goldberg.
After commercial, Chavo is trying to sell some jewelry to Marinara's musclemen (weird note...every time a backstage shot is shown, the Maestro's elegant piano stylings can be heard.), and Tenay is backstage with Jeff Jarrett, who promises to be the WCW champ tonight.
Match 2: Evan Karagias w/Madusa vs. Saturn w/Asya
Saturn hits a quick suplex to start the match, then starts hitting on Madusa. Evan tries for a roll- up but only gets two. Then Saturn squashes Karagias and wins with the Rings of Saturn. Post- match, Asya and Madusa get into a physical disagreement. During the match, a hippie makes his way down to the broadcast booth, calls himself Buzzkill, and does a little commentary. I missed his face while I was typing, but the voice sounded pretty familiar..
Winner: Saturn
Backstage, Kidman is interviewed by Tenay, and he runs some smack about Eddy Guerrero, challenging him to a match. Vampiro and the Misfits are making their way to ringside, and so are Oklahoma and Dr. Death.
Wow...a commercial for the Nitro Girls calendar is shown. Wow. Daaaaaaaamn, I just want the commercial...Backstage, Tenay asks Eddy if he accepts Kidman's challenge, and he does.
Match 3: Vampiro w/Misfits vs. The Wall w/Berlyn
With all the fuss about Hart and Benoit last night, everyone forgot about Vampiro, the other Canadian to get over in his home country. Before the match can start, out comes Oklahoma and Steve Williams. Looks like a pretty favorable crowd reaction, actually. Wall beats Vampiro up and down outside the ring, only to get jumped by the Misfits. Wall fights them all off, and the match goes back inside. Wall has Vamp in a chokehold, readying for the chokeslam, when Berlyn runs in and nails Vamp in the back with a chair. Ref calls for the bell, and a stand off occurs between Berlyn and Wall, resulting in Berlyn running to the back with the Wall in pursuit. Dr. Death hits the ring and lays out the Misfits, who can't sell a punch to save their lives. Death nails Vamp, but he recovers and knocks Williams out of the ring. Doc tries to jump back in but is held back by Oklahoma.
Winner by Disqualification: Vampiro
Backstage, Jarrett is making his way to the ring for his title match with Hart, and Liz locks herself in a cage to escape the cowardly lion...err...the Total Package.
Outside the arena, a limo arrives and we are left wondering who the passenger might could be?
Tony and Bobby speculate that it might be a mystery partner for Goldberg's match w/The Outsiders, and Heenan calls it "spooky."
Match 4: Bret "The Hitman" Hart vs. "Double J" Jeff Jarrett w/Creative Control
WCW World Championship Match
Jeff Jarrett's new music sounds like Kid Rock's "Cowboy." Just wanted to fit that in...
Pretty good match, Hart is definitely over with the fans, and Grant Hill of the Detroit Pistons is shown in the front row. Jarrett takes the momentum early on and hammers Hart, until Hart makes a small comeback. Jarrett lands a few two counts and puts on the sleeper hold...didn't we see enough of these last night? Hart takes the momentum, but loses it again once after a failed superplex. The men trade two counts, Bret ducks a dropkick and attempts the sharpshooter, but JJ kicks him to the outside of the ring. Creative Control swarms on Hart and the ref breaks it up, allowing Dustin Rhodes to hit the ring and lay Jarrett out with a shot from the Title Belt. Creative Control chases Rhodes to the back, and Hart covers up JJ for the win.
Winner: Bret Hart
Backstage, the Wise Guys are talking to Maestro, who is accompanied by the former Ryan Shamrock, and asking him to play some Sinatra. They start singing along when Marinara interrupts and tells them to get to work on Disco. Luger is outside Liz's cage apologizing for losing his temper and promises to get the match with Meng cancelled, then goes back on it and tells her she will fight Meng tonight, and he will tear open the cage himself if he has to. Another quick shot of the mystery limo and speculation as to what this has to do with Nitro later on tonight...
After commercial, Liz tries to get Sting to talk to Luger and help her out. Sting refuses and leaves her in the cage.
Match 5: Kidman w/Wow...Torrie vs. Eddy Guerrero
Before the match starts, Tony gives us a "medical update" on Arn Anderson, who he says is in the hospital with some cracked ribs, and even worse, when the Powers That Be found out from the commentators that Arn was a WCW agent, they had him fired today. Bobby has the line of the night, saying that if this match means the end of the Filthy Animals, that Torrie will need a ride home tonight, and for Tony to go warm up the car. Eddy refuses to fight early on, despite the barrage from Kidman, but after enough provocation, Eddy tears into the former Cruiserweight champ. Kidman tries to leapfrog Eddy but doesn't get high enough and catches a head in the package. Charles Robinson tries to stop the match, but Eddy keeps beating on Kidman. Konnan is at ringside, which prompts an attack by the Revolution. Torrie tries to get the guys to help Konnan, but they're too involved in the match, which Guerrero wins after a frogsplash
Winner: Eddy Guerrero
Backstage, Creative Control are talking to the higher power, he asks them which one is Patrick, and they both point to each other. HP tells them to go find Jim Duggan, and to find out who is in the limo outside, since he doesn't want any surprises tonight. Jeff Jarrett bursts in and confronts Creative Control about abandoning him during his match with Hart. Elsewhere, Luger brings a forklift in to carry Liz in the cage to the ring for her destined-to-be-epic battle with Meng.
Creative Control finds Duggan and tells him that the boss is looking for him...Tenay is with prowrestle.com's favorite Nitro Girl herself...Spice, and is interviewing her about her match tonight with Tygress. To check out Spice's official homepage, check out www.prowrestle.com/spice. Sky shows up again and tries to persuade Spice not to go through with the match, but Spice says that it's the only thing that can resolve this situation.
Match 6: Liz vs. Meng
Talk about beauty and the beast...Ref calls for the bell to start the match, and Meng tries to bend the bars on the cage. Luger hops in the ring and offers the keys to Meng, but gets the Tongan Death Grip instead. Meng has one of the bars bent and is reaching in for Liz, when Sting runs out and cracks the Tongan Terror with the big black bat, and then unlocks the cage for Liz. This of course, is a clear violation of WCW rules and a slap in the face of the integrity of professional wrestling and Liz is, rightfully, disqualified.
Winner by DQ: Meng
Backstage, Goldberg is seen through a cracked door talking to a mystery person, the person is hidden by the door. Out back, the mystery limo is still a riddle wrapped in a question surrounded by an enigma, and the suspense mounts...
Following the required sponsor breaks, The Outsiders are chillin in their locker room...somewhere else, Duggan comes upon the Maestro and his piano, flips out about the beauty of the instrument, and starts to pound on the keys.
Match 7: Lash LeRoux vs. Disco Inferno
I still can't figure Karagias getting the cruiser strap before Lash, but then again it took Bret Hart two years to become the world champ. The match is barely underway when Tony Marinara and the Wise Guys come to ringside and begin heckling Disco. The men trade two counts, but Lash gets the victory folowing the nice looking Whiplash. After the match, the Meatballs hit the ring, take out Lash and the ref, and start working over Disco. Lash gets back in the ring with a steel chair, takes out the hitmen, then pulls Marinara off of Disco and puts him out with a sleeper hold. Disco and Lash put Tony into a body bag and hightail it to the back
Winner: Lash LeRoux.
Backstage, Creative Control are investigating the loitering limo...still no answer...after commercial, the tall bald guys are outside being confronted by security about the limo, who's alarm is now going off. They deny any responsibility. In the Power's office, Duggan is being berated for leaving a little present in the personal bathroom of the boss. Boss says he's been eating prunes all week and has a surprise in the bathroom for Duggan tonight. He hands him a toothbrush and tells him to clean it out with it.
Match 8: Spice vs. Tygress
Spice tries to talk to Tygress early on, but Ty doesn't want to hear any of it...the two girls trade chokeouts and then Spice hits a snapmare, and Tygress accidentally nails Spice with a fingernail to the eye. Sky comes into the ring and tends to Spice. Robinson calls for the bell since Spice in unable to continue. Just when you thought it was over, Sky nails Spice with her little makeup kit, and her and Tygress go to work on Spice with the makeup..Horrible! What a miscarriage of justice...just horrible..
Winner: No Contest
Backstage, MENG SPEAKS!! Tenay interviews him about his encounter with Sting, and Meng challenges Sting to a no DQ match later on tonight, and says that Sting is welcome to bring the bat.
Curt Hennig makes his way to the broadcast position to a nice crowd response. Hennig gets into the ring and thanks the fans for their support throughout the years. Crowd starts a big "PERFECT" chant, and Hennig gets so choked up he has to leave the ring...outside, the door of the limo is opening up and...commercial break.
In the bathroom, Duggan is getting ready to clean out the toilet, when he finds Mr. Power's fancy schmancy toothbrush and scrubs it out with it instead of the cruddy one he was given...
Inside the arena...the familiar sounds of drums and bagpipes kicks in and out comes the Rowdy One...Hot Rod Piper in the flesh. Roddy hits the ring, says that Detroit doesn't need Barry Sanders and that WCW doesn't need writers, and says the only reason they write about T&A is that they can't get any. Piper starts to run down the powers some more when his mic gets killed. Piper makes his way backstage, but not before kidnapping the producer and demanding to be taken to the Powers that be, kicks in the door and backs down Creative Control. Piper confronts the boss and explodes in a classic monologue about how the boss's are ruining wrestling and ruining people's lives, and claims that he's the person that can take down the powers. Boss says that the way he sees it, Piper only has one hip left, is pushing 50, and has a couple b movies to his credit, and that he should go join Hogan and Flair down at the retirement home in Boca Raton (hey..I used to live near there..). Piper says he has a two year contract that says he gets paid and he can appear and he'll sue if he's denied his rights. Power backs down and says Piper will get paid and will appear, but his new role is that of a referee, and if he refuses to do it, he will be the one sued. Piper accepts the job and walks out of the office plotting his plans in his new job. Excellent segment, looks like it could be interesting...
After the break, Piper makes his way back to the limo seeming very enthusiastic about his new role..
Match 9: Buff Bagwell vs. Booker T
Typical back and forth match...Booker gets set up for the axe kick when he's distracted by Creative Control, allowing Buff to hit the Blockbuster, but before he can pin Booker T, Creative Control gets back in the ring and attacks Buff. Hennig runs down to the ring and appears to save Bagwell, but instead hits him with a Hennigplex while one of the bald guys counts three for Hennig. Curt then shakes hands with his new friends, who probably envy his curly blond locks. Booker T tries to retaliate but is triple teamed, until Midnight strikes again and makes the save.
Winner: No Contest
Backstage, Nash and Hall are getting warmed up for the match, with Nash using my favorite workout, the beer can curl.
In the office of power...Hennig is being welcomed to the power family by the head honcho. Hennig is told that he's going to be the man, the boss, the a-#1 guy. Boss sends Creative Control to find Juventud Guerrera, saying they have a little problem they need to talk about.
Tenay is with Sting talking about his match with Meng tonight, when Liz shows up and thanks Sting for saving her before, and if there's anything she can do to help Sting, to let her know. Sting says he's not buying any of it.
Match 10: Asya w/Saturn vs. Madusa w/Evan Karagias
Asya takes control early...she kinda looks like the Ultimate Warrior only with longer hair. Toss on some bad face paint, arm bands and let her shake the ropes, and I'm flashing back to the 80's! Madusa hits a nice missile dropkick which Asya sells pretty damn good. Asya gets Madusa in a submission hold, and when Evan tries to interfere, he gets nailed by Saturn, and Madusa submits.
Winner: Asya
Backstage, Malenko is running down Benoit and Canada in general, and promises to take Benoit's Canadian Flag, douse it in gasoline, and set it ablaze...in the locker room, Goldberg is shown getting ready for his match.
Match 11: Dean Malenko vs. Chris Benoit
Capture the Flag match
Benoit's new entrance is pretty sweet. Tony and Bobby pay tribute to the legendary Gordon Solie, who is having health problems. To elaborate, he has just had his vocal chords removed and is now unable to speak at all. Solie is a resident of Tampa and is supposedly recovering pretty well. If you don't know who Solie is, close this page, log off, and stick to the Cartoon Network. Tony informs us that he was mistaken, the purpose of the match is to capture your own flag to win. Benoit takes the early advantage and brings the gas can in from outside, but Malenko recovers and tries to jack the Maple Leaf Standard, only to be drug down from behind by the Crippler. Malenko lays out Benoit, goes for the Canadian flag, getting the bell. Malenko beats Benoit with the flag pole, then tosses the flag into a barrel and prepares to light it up. Saturn goes up and grabs the American flag and dumps it into the barrel as well, pours in a ton of lighter fluid and gets ready to light it when Bret Hart runs in and clears out the Revolution members and prevents the flag burning. Benoit waves the Canadian flag and Hart waves Old Glory in the center of the ring. Man, Bret is doing a lot of super great things tonight and the crowd sure loves him...I smell heel turn...
Winner: Dean Malenko
Backstage, Sting is making his way to the ring...
In the office, the boss tells Juvy that he heard his work visa is expired. Juvy denies it and tries to bribe the man with some tequila. Boss tries it, and it's the cheap stuff, so it gets spit back into the face of Juvy. Boss tells the twins to get his toothbrush for him...which is coincidentally the one that's been in the toilet...that wacky Hacksaw, what a trickster!
Match 12: Sting vs. Meng
No DQ Match
And the Meng push is back! Liz comes down early to ringside and looks like she wants to mace Meng in the face. Sting hits a few splashes on the Tongan Tower, but out comes Luger to confront Liz and Sting. Sting turns his attention back to Meng, and is met with a Tongan Deathlock, resulting in a pinfall win for Meng!
Winner: Meng
Backstage, the Outsiders are coming to the ring, and so is Goldberg, but Billy stops off on the way and has a few words with his mystery partner...Maestro and Ryan Shamrock are enjoying some light music on the piano when psycho David Flair appears screaming "Make it stop!!" and proceeds to treat the piano like it was Arn Anderson, tearing it apart with the crowbar..
Match 13: The Outsiders vs. Goldberg & Mystery Partner
Goldberg makes his way out solo...who's the partner? I got money on a man with a three letter name...and OH YEAH...it's BIG SID VICIOUS! Sid gets the first big babyface pop in a while, the crowd is loving this team...everyone's on their feet...Goldberg and Sid are getting cheered as loud as Bill got booed last night. Hall and Bill start out, Hall hits the toothpick-in-the-face move on Sid, so Bill tags him in, and Sid tosses Scott into the far corner, then again for good measure. I still have a feeling that this isn't the only surprise that will come out of this match. Sid has both Outsiders in chokeholds until Hall slaps his eyes, then Nash beats on Sid. Crowd is chanting Goldberg, so Sid tags him in and he takes down Nash with an underhook and a side kick. Nash tags in Hall who tries to whip Goldberg but is blocked, then tries to scoopslam Goldberg but it blocked and then taken down by a Goldberg slam. Sid is beating on Hall and Goldberg smacks Nash. Hall tags in Nash who has Bill in the corner dropping in some knees and elbows. Nash puts the boot to the throat and while the ref is distracted, Hall nails Goldberg, and puts him in a headlock, but Goldberg backs Hall up and tags Sid but the ref doesn't see it or allow it. Both Outsiders in the ring, and Goldberg hits the double clothesline. Goldberg gets tossed outside, and Sid comes in and lays out the Outsiders, hitting a chokeslam on Hall and knocks Nash off the apron. Goldberg gets back in and hits Hall with the spear, Sid hits the powerbomb and covers, but the ref is distracted, Nash hits an elbow drop, and Hall covers Sid for the pin. All four men start a riot in the ring, and a million WCW Security men hit the ring and break it up, there goes the show...
Winners: The Outsiders!!!
