Slobberknocker Central Monday Night Recap #125 April 6th, 1998 WCW Monday Nitro: Live/Taped: Live. Length: Three Hours. Location: Miami, Florida. HOUR ONE Hosted By: Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay and Larry Zbyszko. - More pre-broadcast shenanigans are evident this week as the show opens with an ambulance pulling into the parking area behind the arena. The "Macho Man" Randy Savage is down on the ground, while Elizabeth stands by looking concerned (a move she perfected ten years ago in the WWF). Savage has been attacked by an unknown perpetrator. (I guess they couldn't find a dumpster.) Savage, though they never really come out and say it, will miss next Sunday's PPV match for the World Title against Sting. Savage actually suffered an ACL tear last Tuesday at the WCW Saturday Night tapings. This is their on-camera explanation for why he will miss the PPV. Not the most original angle, but a necessary one. - PSYCHOSIS/LA PARKA/EL DANDY vs. TOKYO MAGNUM/SOME GUY/SOME OTHER GUY A match that seemed so much like a "dark match" that it was actually reported as such by a few of the wrestling websites out there (in relating live arena reports). The match actually started off looking very good, but ended far too quickly to really amount to much. A very typical Mexican style match with a lot of over-exaggerated reactions and tightly choreographed spots. They set up a typical "car wreck" spot on the floor, but Psychosis and one of the Japanese guys stays in the ring. A few moves back-and-forth and Psychosis hits a legdrop off the top for the win. La Parka then whacks Psychosis with a chair, in retaliation for accidentally kicking him in the nuts earlier in the match. The three losers in this one are Japanese wrestlers training at Ultimo Dragon's school in Mexico. Other than Tokyo Magnum's name, the announcers only say the other guys' names once or twice (which is why I wasn't able to get them-even though I have it on tape). - The intro plays and the fireworks go off, signaling to the crowd that the TV cameras are now on (even though they had been on for nearly ten minutes). The crowd, perhaps not realizing that they were on TV, was fairly quiet during the above match. - BOOKER T. vs. DISCO INFERNO Solid match, with Disco being heavily teased as perhaps pulling off an upset win. The usual lapse of concentration on his part, though, costs him the match. Booker T. nails three finisher caliber moves before covering for the pin (guillotine leg lariat, powerbomb and missile drop- kick off the top). - The Nitro Girls come out. Kimberly shakes her maracas right in the camera. (Please marry me. I can give you so much more than that scraggly DDP guy!) - A video package highlights the tensions between "Hollywood" Hogan, Randy Savage and Kevin Nash. - LENNY LANE vs. BILLY KIDMAN It's matches like this which keep me from watching WCW Saturday Night. It wasn't bad, per se, I just had little interest in seeing it. Don't take my word for it, though, as some fans, even though the match was fast paced non-stop action, were yelling "bo-ring!" Kidman wins with the Shooting Star Press, which gets the first real reaction of the match. - Mean Gene Okerlund, after planting the horrible image of him on the beach in a loincloth in my mind, hypes the hotline. He then brings out WCW figurehead J.J. Dillon, who gives several non-responsive answers to Okerlund's softball questions. The only thing of substance announced is that there may be some footage which reveals who attacked Randy Savage, but that WCW was holding off in airing that footage so as to make sure nobody tunes in to RAW is WAR on the USA Network. (No, he didn't really say that, but we all know that's what he meant.) - KONAN (w/ Vincent) vs. NORMAN SMILEY I thought Smiley was a Power Plant jobber the last time he appeared, but several folks E-Mailed me to say he was an established wrestler in Mexico. Who cares-he still sucks! You ever see footage of guys doing matches in wrestling schools, where everything is half speed, there's no selling and everyone looks less than thrilled to be there? That pretty much describes this match. Smiley wrestles half of it with an ass cheek hanging out of his shorts. Konan wins with the Tequila Sunrise submission. It's during this match that I realize just how huge Konan's ass really is. During the match they announce that Sting will defend his title against Kevin Nash later in the show. Insert your own "Greatest Nitro Ever!" comment here. - More Nitro Girls. WCW seems to have hired a new tall, gangly Nitro Girl to even out Kimberly in the back row. I'd tell you what she looks like, but I never notice their faces. More footage is shown of Savage being loaded into the ambulance (several clips having been shown throughout the show up to this point). Good thing it wasn't a real injury, otherwise Savage would be dead by this point. - DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE vs. BUFF BAGWELL (w/ Scott Norton) Bagwell should be U.S. Champion. Late in this match he has Page down for a cover. The ref counts two, but pulls back on what should have been a three count when Page is slow to get his shoulder up. Bagwell thinks quick and plays it up, shoving the ref and giving him an earful. The crowd, noticing the flub, raises the noise level a bit. Even the announcers are forced to admit that Bagwell may have a case. This is all quickly forgotten, though, as Page gets the crowd worked up behind him with a mini rally. The match then grinds to a halt as Raven appears in the stands and starts complaining "what about me?!" Page hops the rail and chases him away, earning Bagwell a countout win for the second week. Bagwell demands that the ref get him the U.S. belt. DDP returns to the ring to give Bagwell a Diamond Cutter as a going away present. You know, if I had to guess, I'd bet Page successfully defends his title against Raven at Spring Stampede, only to lose it to Bagwell at the next PPV. Bagwell has supposedly been promised a title for a long time. HOUR TWO Hosted By: Schiavone, Tenay and Zbyszko. - The footage J.J. Dillon alluded to earlier in the show is aired. A red and yellow Dodge Viper peels out of the lot as Savage is seen laid out on the ground. Vincent and the Disciple approach the cameraman, warning that "this is NWO business!" Gee, I wonder who did it. The announcers play dumb over what all these "clues" mean. - "Hollywood" Hogan and crew come out to deliver comments, again denying any tensions in the NWO. He also says Nash will beat Sting and bring the title back to the NWO. - A video package hyping Bill Goldberg is shown. - HAMMER vs. BILL GOLDBERG Goldberg just manhandles Hammer, not really doing any wrestling moves. Hammer then gets in a jawbreaker, which makes the crowd go deathly silent. He then comes off the top, but Goldberg meets him with a spear to the gut, then Jackhammers for the win. The whole thing takes almost two minutes. After the match the Flock beats up on Hammer for losing. - Nitro Girls. You ever notice how much trouble Schiavone has reading his announcements when they dance? - "Mean" Gene brings out "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Much like Hogan above, Piper talks a whole lot without actually saying much of anything. He mentions beating Goldust with a baseball bat, makes a Bill Clinton joke, and says he's coming after Hogan tonight and next week in Minneapolis. - Eddie and Chavo Guerrero come to the ring. Eddie makes Chavo apologize to his grandma and uncle for being such a loser. Eddie then makes Chavo take his place in a match against Ultimo Dragon. Chavo's appeals that he didn't come to the arena tonight dressed to wrestle fall on deaf ears. - ULTIMO DRAGON vs. CHAVO GUERRERO, JR. Ultimo wins with the Dragon Sleeper. Neither a good match nor bad, just less interesting than the angle which set it up (and that's not really all that interesting to begin with). Eddie slaps Chavo around after the match. - Nitro Girls. - The embarrassing segment from Uncensored where Dean Malenko tells "Mean" Gene that he's going "home" is shown. - LEX LUGER vs. BARRY DARSOW "Just Shoot Me": my new favorite show on Thursdays, as well as my sentiment for this match. Prior to the match Schiavone announces that Ric Flair will be on Thunder this week to make some kind of an announcement. Torture Rack. Luger wins. HOUR THREE Hosted By: Schiavone, Tenay and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. - CURT HENNIG/BRIAN ADAMS (w/ Rick Rude) vs. DAVEY BOY SMITH/JIM NEIDHART Rude bumps Tenay from the desk again. This is, what, three ... four ... five weeks in a row these guys have fought either singly or in tag matches? This one looks pretty much like all their previous encounters, except even less exciting due to a commercial break in the middle (causing a lengthy resthold to be applied). After they've returned Hennig goes to work on the Bulldog's left leg. Suddenly it becomes apparent that Davey Boy has perhaps blown out his knee, re-aggravating the injury which led to his leaving the WWF. Adams tries to pick the Bulldog up, but Davey Boy won't come up off the mat. Adams then drops down for an awkward headlock so that he can confer with the Bulldog (the ref even sticking his head into the conference). By now the crowd (not just one or two guys, but a great many) have begun a "bo-ring!" chant. The Bulldog manages to get to his feet so that he can be whipped across the ring (limping all the way). He catches Adams, slams his head to the mat and crawls over to tag in Neidhart. Neidhart quickly falls victim to a Hennig-Plex. The Bulldog then limps into the ring so he can receive his post-match beating. Bret "Hitman" Hart runs out to make the save and the same speech he's given for the past three weeks. In case you hadn't noticed, every concern the WWF had about Bret Hart and the Bulldog has come to pass. Not only is Hart only moderately over with the fans (and it took four months to get there), but the Bulldog has now reinjured his knee. - CHRIS JERICHO vs. JUVENTUD GUERRERA Jericho dedicates the match to Dean Malenko. Anyone think Malenko WON'T show up at the PPV next week to cost Jericho his match? An okay match. Guerrera tries a huracanrana, but Jericho halts the move and turns it into a Lion Tamer. Guerrera refuses to quit, but is saved by Prince Iaukea coming out with a towel LESS THAN FIVE SECONDS AFTER GUERRERA REFUSES TO SUBMIT!!! (Sure was a good thing that Iaukea had the presence of mind to stand by with that towel in case Guerrera wouldn't give up!) Jericho and Iaukea scrap after the match. - The footage of Savage on the ground is shown again. - SCOTT STEINER (w/ Vincent) vs. SICK BOY Vincent is carrying some kind of trophy to the ring. Schiavone says we're all supposed to call Steiner "Big Poppa Pump" from now on. No ... I refuse. There's just some things I won't do. The Steiner recliner quickly puts Sick Boy away in this nothing match. - Michael Buffer does the introductions, and actually manages to get all the way through them this time. Kevin Nash comes to the ring wearing a Randy Savage shirt. Nash, over the house mic, points out that red and yellow (as seen on the Viper) used to belong to Hogan. Nash says he won't wear Savage's shirt too long otherwise Savage will get fired (referring to Syxx). Nash says if Hogan doesn't watch it he may grab the bat at the PPV and beat up Hogan along with Piper and the Giant. After a commercial break Buffer introduces Sting. - KEVIN NASH (w/ Konan) vs. STING Nash gives the crowd a big Wolfpac/Kliq/D-X sign, which Sting answers with a crotch chop. I'm sure Eric Bischoff, whining and dining (pun intended) with New Japan over in Tokyo, will have something to say about that when he gets back. One of Nash's better matches thus far in WCW (which actually isn't saying too much). Konan adds liberal dashes of outside interference. Nash is able to power his way to the ropes to escape the Scorpion Deathlock. Sting hits three big Stinger Splashes, but Nash comes back. Nash eventually sets up the Jacknife (at which point the crowd explodes, showing Nash's tremendous popularity). His back gives out, though, so he's unable to do the move which would have disqualified him (powerbombs being illegal and all). "Hollywood" Hogan then runs in, causing a DQ win for Sting. Nash shoves Hogan around until Sting comes between the two swinging. The rest of the NWO runs in to take out Sting, but are chased off by Roddy Piper and the Giant. Hogan and Nash close out the show lunging for each other through the mass of NWO members holding the two apart. - This Thursday: Ric Flair announcement. - Next week: Nothing announced. Comments: The stuff at the end was an eyebrow raiser, but what led up to it was one of the dullest, uneventful broadcasts this year. I really don't have much of anything to say about it other than that. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- WWF RAW is WAR: Live/Taped: Taped 3/31. Length: Two Hours. Location: Syracuse, New York. WWF RAW Hosted By: Jim Ross, Michael Cole and Kevin Kelly. - Steve Austin's run-in with Vince McMahon and the law is recounted. McMahon promises a new "corporate" Austin will debut tonight. - Vince McMahon heads to the ring. He says he regrets having Austin arrested last week, and that he allowed the police to release Austin from custody. He says Austin has learned his lesson, and that tonight is his proudest moment as we'll se a "new and improved" Steve Austin, guaranteed ... or the fans get their money back! - DAN SEVERN (w/ Jim Cornette) vs. FLASH FUNK Severn comes to the ring draped in his many title belts, including his NWA Heavyweight Title and several of his UFC belts. A video package showing him in the UFC is played. He's the genuine article when it comes to real fights, but his wrestling style is very low key and old fashioned: almost collegiate. I have some concerns as to whether he can get over with the average WWF fan. We'll see. Flash actually gets in a fair amount of offense, but the match is all Severn. Severn slaps Flash around the ring, keeping him off his feet for the most part. He wins with a back bodydrop into an armbar submission. Flash claws like a caged animal when Severn is slow in removing the hold. Solid match. - DeGeneration X is shown prowling the back halls for chicks and trouble. After the break they come to the ring. Helmsley, Road Dog and X-Pac all make comments (but don't really say anything of note, other than they plan on raising some hell). By the way ... Shawn Michaels has indeed been completely removed from the D-X video intro. Jim Ross mentions that Shawn Michaels, when asked, had absolutely no comment regarding the new DeGeneration X. Hmmmm ... I should also note that the Outlaws are still wearing the same old WWF Tag Title belts, which would mean they weren't replaced like the World and Intercontinental Title belts. (Or they were, but the new belts are identical to the old.) Word is that the WWF wrestlers aren't too impressed with the new title belts. I like the new World Title belt all right, but the new IC belt does indeed suck the big one. The European and Light Heavyweight belts, being relatively new, are obviously still the same. - Hunter and crew come across a WWF production guy in the back and assault him, spraying D-X graffiti all over as well. - STEVE BLACKMAN vs. BRIAN CHRISTOPHER Christopher makes fun of Blackman and his glowing sticks, which is good for a chuckle. The match itself is nothing much, with Blackman winning via submission. Tennessee Lee comes out and joins the commentary crew for part of the match. He comes back out after the match is over and gives "Double J" Jeff Jarrett a big intro. Jarrett tricks Blackman by coming in through the crowd instead and lays Blackman out with a guitar shot (the guitar filled with flour or some other visible white powder as is usually done, as well as being pre-cut to break easier). - D-X has gathered in front of the DOA's Titan motorcycles in the back. Hunter Hearst Helmsley dares the Outlaws and X-Pac to urinate on the bikes. They proceed to do so, accompanied by sound effects and the D-X "censored" logos. A look at the ground shows that they were just faking. Still pretty crude, though. (You can see one puddle of liquid on the ground by one of the bikes, though a quick check of the tape shows that was there before they showed up.) - Cactus Jack brings a chair to the ring and delivers seated comments. He displays his disgust over how no matter how much blood and sweat he's given, that the fans were chanting for Steve Austin last week when the Outlaws laid him and Terry Funk out. Cactus asks the crowd for an apology. Upon not getting one he says it's not worth it anymore, and we fans won't be seeing Cactus Jack for some time. He thanks those fans who have cheered for him, then walks out. Jim Ross offers the thanks of the fans. Gee, all that was missing was a "Cane Dewey" reference. Look for whatever this angle is to be advanced big-time next week when RAW emanates LIVE from Philadelphia. - They show a clip of what happened between Rocky Maivia and Faarooq on last week's show. They then play a video shot earlier in the day which shows Rocky and the Nation attacking Faarooq in the parking lot. Faarooq is left bloody nosed on the ground. Ross asserts that Faarooq's career may be over because of the attack. - ROCKY MAIVIA (w/ the Nation) vs. OWEN HART A good match, though Rocky's fisticuffs still look a bit weak at times. The ref kicks the NOD away from ringside, which of course makes it look like Owen has a good chance to win. A nice series of moves at the end leads into Owen applying the Sharpshooter. Before Rocky can submit, though, Chyna comes in with a baseball bat and whacks Owen in the back-a finish I could have done without. As D-X celebrates on the stage Chyna comes back up, then blows past them on her way to the back. Huh? They then immediately begin the intro for the second hour. WWF WAR ZONE Hosted By: Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler. - McMahon returns to the ring flanked by two rent-a-cops. McMahon introduces the "new and improved" "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. *KEE-waitaminute! Austin strides to the ring in a dark suit and tie, with the World Title belt draped over his shoulder. (I guess McMahon doesn't have to refund anyone's money after all.) An Austin ball cap slightly ruins the effect. McMahon points out Austin's shoes, which aren't the Gucci shoes McMahon got for him. Austin says they hurt his feet so he just wore his wrestling boot. McMahon then plucks the cap off Austin's head, says it doesn't go with the image and throws it to the crowd. Austin tells McMahon that he mulled his situation over while in jail and decided that he, the redneck from Texas, just can't compete with the millionaire Vince McMahon. He mentions all the power and control McMahon has. He then requests that one of the officers take his and McMahon's picture together. The smile on Austin's face as the picture is snapped (he and McMahon holding the belt together) is priceless. Austin then hands the camera to Vince and tells him to get the picture developed, because it'll be the last time anyone sees him in a suit and tie! He tears the suit off and throws it to the crowd, stripping all the way down to his trunks and an Austin "Hell Yeah" t-shirt. McMahon is furious, while the crowd goes nuts. Austin then pops McMahon in the gonads and takes the camera back! Vince has to be helped from the ring by the two officers, who stood by and did nothing as all the above happened. McMahon slips and gets crotched on the ropes on his way out, playing up the situation for even more laughs. - The Disciples hit the ring and challenge D-X to a match for whizzing on their bikes. - Luna's challenge to Sable is replayed. - LUNA (w/ Goldust) vs. SOME GUY Goldust beats the guy up before the bell rings, making him easy pickings for Luna to put away with a splash off the top and the pin. - The next Val Venis video plays. Jeez, does he look like Road Dog or what? - "MARVELOUS" MARC MERO (w/ Sable) vs. KEN SHAMROCK Mero kicks Sable from the ring before the match, saying she's gotten enough of the spotlight lately. The match never develops into anything, as Shamrock finds a way to escape the TKO, and is set to win the match when Rocky and the Nation run in. Shamrock holds Rocky off with a chair, but falls victim to a suplex delivered by Mark Henry. D-Lo adds a Frog Splash off the top, while Rocky prefers the traditional boots to the body. Shamrock is left splattered all over the mat. - The Undertaker is interviewed by Kevin Kelly. He promises to beat Kane again in their "Inferno Match" at the Unforgiven PPV. Kane and Paul Bearer then appear on the Titan-Tron, standing next to the tombstones of the Undertaker's parents. After comments from Bearer, Kane smashes the tombstones with a sledgehammer, pours gasoline on them and sets them on fire. - DEGENERATION X (w/ Chyna & X-Pac) vs. THE DISCIPLES OF APOCALYPSE A better match than I expected. The Outlaws start off each being dominated by DOA opponents. Helmsley the tags in and fares a bit better. X-Pac joins Ross and Lawler on commentary, briefly mentioning doing his "time down south". A commercial break kills the momentum. Once back all six men end up in the ring. In the resulting chaos Helmsley puts Chainz away with a Pedigree and gets the pin. X-Pac then joins in the post-match beating, which is ultimately broken up by the new look Legion of Doom. - Next week: Nothing announced. Comments: Not a great show, but it had enough bits and pieces to keep the action moving along for the whole show. Much of it directly built to the PPV coming up in a few weeks: a card which I'm not completely sold on yet. The Austin/ McMahon angle continues to be damn good, though. Austin won't know until the night of the PPV itself who is opponent is. (Well, he'll know, but we won't.) Marc Mero, Goldust, Owen Hart and Mankind seem to be the front runners for the match. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Bottom Line: Next week will be big for both shows. WCW will be giving their last Monday night boost for Spring Stampede, while the WWF will be live from Philly. You won't hear any ECW rumors from me (though I hear Paul Heyman was spotted wearing a D-X t-shirt recently). With Savage out of the PPV, there's a lot of talk that Ric Flair's announcement this Thursday may be that he's getting the title shot. It may also be to announce a new Four Horsemen unit, or even a Flair retirement tour. Whatever the case, this Thursday's Thunder should be notable. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- This Week's Winner: RAW. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Slobberknocker Central" and "Monday Night Recap" are copyright 1998 by John Petrie, and all opinions expressed therein are his own, and not those of "Internet Access, Inc". Check the "Slobberknocker Central" main page for info on how to receive the "Recap" free via E-Mail every week. Volume One, Number 125 of the "Monday Night Recap", April 6th, 1998.