20th Anniversary of Russo taking over WCW

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With October 2019 being exactly 20 years since Russo went to WCW in October 1999 I figured I’d rewatch that and leave my thoughts here.I’ll start with the 1st week of October 99 to see how much the product changed.I can only assume this will be a highly enjoyable experience.
 

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Oh this should be fun, I hope you're watching Thunder too
 
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Please tell me he took over on Halloween that would sort of be fitting :D
 

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Figured. I remember it was after the Rebellion UK show I attended :)
 
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I’m gonna post week 1 later today.I just finished watching Russo’s 1st nitro and so much happens on that show its like a totally new company like they flipped a switch and became WCW Nitro is War.
 
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I for one am hyped to see someone reviewing a Russo era show. I've had plans for a while of doing a moratorium on every show Russo booked from WWF to TNA lol.
 
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I for one am hyped to see someone reviewing a Russo era show. I've had plans for a while of doing a moratorium on every show Russo booked from WWF to TNA lol.
Watching those 2 weeks before he showed up was making me excited for him to show up cause its some lame duck programming.I’ll be interested to see how long that excitement lasts.
 
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Sounds really fun.
 
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10/4/99
Nitro
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-In the parking lot goldberg arrives in his shitty car.He grabs his luggage before heading into the building.Sid appears hiding behind a pillar waving goodbye to Goldberg before walking over to his car and saying his spot over and over.It’s spot 22 for those interested.
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Thoughts-What a way to kickoff the show my balls are tingling with excitement!

-A video package on what happened last week on Nitro.
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Hulk Hogan pictured with his good friend Michael Tenay while getting his knee examined last week.


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Tony talks about death with great excitement.Also that kid really loves Surge and displays that love in T-Shirt form.

-Tony welcomes us to the show and plugs the main event of Sting & TP vs Hogan & Flair,plus DDP vs Buff.He then talks about how Owen Hart died in this very building.He says Bret Hart vs Chris Benoit will take place tonight as a tribute to Owen.
Thoughts:They start the show on a total bummer but somewhat save it by announcing the tribute match.Sandwiching match announcements between death was an odd choice and Tony’s demeanor didn’t change at all during the whole deal he was unrealistically excited throughout.

Mysterio vs Malenko
-Tony mentions that Psychosis is the new cruiserweight champ and he will defend it tonight against Disco.
-I just checked and they just gave Psychosis the belt without a match because Turner Execs didn’t want Lenny & Lodi(who were doing a gay gimmick) on tv anymore.
-Back to the match.Shane Douglas comes out with a chain.He goes to hit Mysterio but Saturn runs out and steals the chain and acts like he’s gonna hit Douglas but hit Mysterio.
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Saturn turns out to be a real dick.Shocker.

Saturn & Shane have a good chuckle.The ref comes to with Malenko having Rey in the cloverleaf so he rings the bell.
Winner-Malenko by submission
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In a very meta moment Malenko on nitro watches himself on nitro watching himself on nitro.Say that 12 times fast.

Post match Malenko sees the replay and is not pleased that Shane and Saturn helped him win.Dean raises Rey hand.
Thoughts-Okay match but it was just there to be the background player to a swerve angle.

-A plug for WCW New Year’s Evil PPV on December 27.
Thoughts-I don’t remember this ppv ever happening.

Psychosis(c) vs Disco-Cruiserweight Title Match
-We are informed that this is The Mayhem Match of The Week.
-The announcers ignore the match and instead welcome Vince Russo & Ed Ferrera to WCW.Then plug you can chat with Vince & Ed later this week on the wcw website.
-Back to the match.Psychosis misses top rope leg drop.Disco hits a stunner for the pin.
Winner and new cruiserweight champ-Disco
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Such a huge moment for Disco.

Thoughts-Post match the announcers put this over as a huge deal but it doesn’t feel that way with it being so rushed and the announcers focusing on the new writers instead of the match.Plus they never show Disco with the title instead they immediately take a wide shot pan the crowd and cut to commercial.

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-Backstage Sid makes a phone call on a pay phone.
Thoughts-This was riveting stuff.I hope he used 1-800-Collect.

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That’s not soda.Also you’d think Norman Smiley could get his son better tickets.

-In the crowd Hall & Nash arrive and their drunk.They sit in the front row with random women.Heenan interviews them.Nash says he’s retired.Hall says that’s just an angle.Their gonna come back when WCW becomes fun again.

Thoughts-I guess their never coming back.They made a total farce of everything but the crowd loved them.They would be super over in AEW.


Sid vs Brian Adams
-Sid is undefeated and US Champ.
-Rick Steiner runs in so he and Sid can double team Adams.The ref just lets them.
-Sid and Rick double team powerbomb Adams for the pin.The ref does a fast count.
Winner and now 120-0 Sid
Thoughts-This was stupid why does Sid need a 2 on 1 advantage and a fast count from the ref to beat Brian Adams?

Jerry Flynn w/ Jimmy Hart vs Goldberg
-Shockingly Goldberg dominates early until he doesn’t.
-Flynn’s stablemates Hugh Morrus & Brian Knobbs come out and attack Goldberg.
-The ref sends Morrus & Knobbs to the back.
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-Goldberg hits the spear and Jackhammer on Flynn for the pin.
Winner-Goldberg
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Nash and Hall react to Goldberg’s huge victory

-Post match Goldberg challenges Sid to a match at Halloween Havoc.
Thoughts-This match wasn’t very effective Goldberg gave too much to these geeks IMO.

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-Backstage Brad Armstrong is mad at Berlyn for not speaking English seeing he’s in America.
Thoughts-This wasn’t very tolerant of Bradley let the man speak his German if he wants to.

-Mean Gene chats with Harlem Heat.
-Gene tells us Harlem Heat vs Morrus & Knobbs for the tag titles is signed for Halloween Havoc.
-Stevie calls Knobbs a big fat,out of shape,milk drinking fruit booty.
-Booker talks about Neckbone before mentioning Hall & Nash.
-Morrus & Knobbs attack The Heat with chairs.
-No laughing matter on Stevie.
-Second rope splash by Knobbs on Booker.
-Hart holds the tag titles aloft.
Thoughts-This segment would have been effective if was almost anyone but Morrus & Knobbs but I made myself a vow when I came out of the womb I would never be interested in anything either man does and I’m not starting now.What a crappy tag title match for Havoc.

-A video plugging Sting vs Hogan at Halloween Havoc.

-A video package on the search for a new nitro girl.
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In the arena Gene welcomes Kimberly & Spice.Gene says this is the greatest part of his night so Kim rubs her boobs on him.Kim says last weeks finalist is a hip hopper.
They introduce this weeks finalists and then Kim struggles to explain how voting works on the wcw website.You have till 2 am to vote.
Thoughts-Kim looked great and Spice is a cutie.Very thirsty crowd lots of whistling and cat calls throughout the entire segment.

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Goldberg can’t handle these 3 hour Nitro’s so he leaves.

-In the parking lot Goldberg gets in his car and leaves the arena.
Thoughts-Totally unprofessional of Bill I hope he is fined for leaving mid-way through the show.

-Tenay chats with Benoit about the tribute match.

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The West Texas Rednecks make their way to the ring for another exciting bout.The Chyron guy doesn’t deem Kendall Windham worthy of a mention...He’s correct.

Curt Hennig w/ Kendall Windham & Curly Bill vs Brad Armstrong
-Berlyn & his bodyguard come out and get on the apron.Brad slugs Berlyn but the bodyguard punches Brad allowing Curt to get the Henning Plex for the pin.
Winner-Henning
Post match Berlyn puts Brad in a modified camel clutch.
The announcers say Brad vs Berlyn will take place at Havoc.
Thoughts-Nothing segment and a totally uninspired show so far.

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-Backstage Mysterio tells Kidman to get out of the shower cause his match is next.Kidman gets out and we see Torrie Wilson is with him.
Thoughts-Kidman was remarkably dry and also fully clothed for someone who was taking a shower while Torrie was dripping wet.

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-Backstage a random man and Doug Dillinger inform Sid he needs to move his car.Sid gives them the keys and then points at them in a fashion that tells them move my car so they leave to go do just that.

Kidman vs Juvi
-Tony informs us that Brad Armstrong will be the guest this thursday on wcw live.
Thoughts-Oh God are we getting Brad Armstrong overkill on this show.
-Tony and Bobby are very envious of Kidman banging Torrie in the shower.
-Lots of action and moves.
-Psychosis comes down.
-Kidman goes up for a shooting star press but Psychosis distracts him allowing Juvi to hit Kidman with a top rope Juvi Driver for the pin.
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Winner-Juvi
Post match Rey & Kidman send Juvi & Psychosis packing.
Thoughts-Fun match but I’m getting tried of every match having interference.

-In the parking lot the random man moves Sid’s car to spot 22.Seconds later the car is towed.
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Thoughts-Its nice they did a show long storyline but parking spot intrigue isn’t very captivating IMO.

Bret Hart vs Chris Beniot
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-Harley Race does intros
-Benoit wears an Owen shirt to the ring.
-Tenay joins the commentary team.
-Both wrestlers hug before the bell.
-Loud Owen Chants.
Winner-Bret with the sharpshooter
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Post match Bret and Benoit hug then they leave with Harley.
Thoughts-Too much to recap.This match went nearly 30 minutes and was fantastic.Easily the best thing on the show.Just tremendous stuff.

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-In the parking lot Sid sees spot 22 is empty and is extremely pleased with himself.
“I got him now!” he proudly exclaims.

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-Gene interviews Flair & Hogan about the main event.
Thoughts-Their both crazy men who went spastic while Hulk’s music played after the promo.It was fun and the crowd ate it up.

DDP vs Buff
-Backstage DDP is shown kissing Kimberly before he makes his entrance.
-Finish is Buff goes for the blockbuster but DDP holds onto the ropes and then hits a diamond cutter for the pin.
Winner-DDP
Thoughts-Relatively short all action match.It was fine but nothing special.


-A plug for WCW Mayhem on PS1 & N64.Tony claims its the greatest pro wrestling wrestling video games ever made.
Thoughts-Tony lost all credibility with me here cause WCW/NWO Revenge is so much better than Mayhem.

-Heenan plugs his appearance with the nitro girls later this week in Indianapolis at a Kroger’s.He invites Tony to come but Tony says he’ll only come if Spice is there.
Thoughts-Tony is a pervert if you didn’t know.

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Total Package and Liz make their entrance for the main event.

Thoughts-Liz looked tremendous.That is all.
-Tony asks Heenan about the mysterious voice and window that had been appearing on recent weeks.Heenan blows it off and instead talks about how beautiful Liz is.
-Total Package and Liz do their posing routine.
-Tony marvels at TP’s body while Heenan marvels at Liz’s body saying “Wow she’s really built!!!”.
-Heenan calls TP Luger and Tony corrects him saying he’s The Total Package and if you don’t call him that he’ll send Liz down here to take care of them.Heenan likes that idea and starts repeatedly saying Luger which gets a chuckle out of Tony.
-Their really trying to get Liz over as an extremely vicious & dangerous person.

Main Event-Sting & TP w/ Liz vs Hogan & Flair
-Tony tells us to tune into thunder for a Bret Hart interview conducted by Tenay.
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-DDP runs in to Diamond Cutter Flair but Ric shoves him off into TP who’s back is turned.TP kicks DDP low and accidentally puts him in the rack.
-Hogan then just hits the Big Boot and Legdrop on Sting to pin him.
Winners-Hogan & Flair
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Thoughts-Fine main event.4 big stars and the crowd enjoyed it.Plus Hogan has pinned the World Champ clean before their title match at Havoc.Hogan & Flair being partners just seems wrong though.

-Backstage Sid asks where his car is parked.He’s told space 22.He freaks out screaming “SPACE 22?.....OH NO!!!” then he runs to the parking lot to see his car is now a cube.He screams “WHY ME?”

Thoughts-Okay that finish made the 3 hours of parking space BS worth it.Why do bad things happen to good people and fine automobiles?
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RIP Sid’s Car October 4,1999 to October 4,1999.While your flame burnt briefly it burnt brightly.Your life wasn’t in vain I will never forget you thanks for the memories.

Top 3 Sid’s car moments
1)Becoming a Cube
2)Being Towed
3)That time that random guy moved you to Spot 22

Final thoughts-This show only had 2 saving graces
1)The Owen tribute match which had a presentation unlike anything seen during this period it was classy & very well done.
2)The final scene with Sid.If you want a study of various emotions for one character in a single broadcast this was a masterclass.Sid went from devious to cunning to joyous to concerned to overflowing with a unique combination of rage,woe and befuddlement.
The rest was pretty dull with alot of boring matches.Way too much interference every match but the Owen tribute and the DDP match had some heck even the Harlem Heat interview segment had interference.Plus way too much Brad Armstrong.
 

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Its a fun idea! OSW should do something similar for their PPV arcs.
 
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10/7/99
Thunder
Malenko beats Blitzkrieg by submission with the texas cloverleaf
Larry says there’s something going on with the revolution.
Thoughts:Really fun match.I had completely forgotten Blitzkrieg was still around.This was a tale of 2 shows as this was 2 talented guys having an action packed opener when on Nitro Malenko & Rey opened the show and were background players to inference and multiple swerves.A good start to the show.

-Clips from Nitro of Disco winning the cruiserweight title

Disco vs Evan Karagias
No entrance for Disco cause this was taped before monday so he hadn’t won the title yet.
Disco hits the stunner for the pin
Winner-Disco
Thoughts:This title reign isn’t getting off to a strong start seeing they didn’t focus on the title match on nitro and didn’t show his celebration now he gets a jobber entrance.Atleast he got a dominant win I guess.

-A brief clip teasing the Bret interview later tonight

-They re-air the backstage segment from nitro where Brad Armstrong was demanding Berlyn speak english.

Brad Armstrong beat Chis Adams with a float over russian legsweep.
Thoughts:Not good but atleast they gave Armstrong a win going into the ppv

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Brad is way too excited about beating Chris Adams.



Benoit(c) vs Knobbs w/ Jimmy Hart-TV Title Match
Benoit moved out of the way when Hart tried to hit him with the megaphone so he hit Knobbs.
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Benoit hit the top rope headbutt for the pin.
Winner-Benoit
Thoughts:Better than I expected but it went too long at over 10 minutes and Knobbs dominated too much.

Lash Leroux beats Silver King with The WhipLash.
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Thoughts:Nothing match about 5 minutes.The announcers keep telling us that Lash has his initials craved in his sideburns which I guess I’m supposed to be excited about?.....I’m not.Everyone knows I hate sideburns that are initials its one of my biggest pet peeves along with illegal underground squirrel fight clubs.

-A brief clip to tease the Bret interview that’s still to come.

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Disorderly Conduct is here to up the sexy quota.


Rey & Kidman beat Disorderly Count
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Thoughts:Nice Showcase for Rey & Kidman the crowd likes them and their a fun team.DC are a perfectly acceptable jobber team.

-A video package with a blur effect from 2 weeks ago on the Lex Luger death,Funeral and rebirth of The Total Package with the returning Miss Elizabeth.
Thoughts:This was odd.They probably spent a ton of money on this for him to be exactly the same and call himself a name he’s been going by for more than a decade.
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Dale Torborg vs The Maestro
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Dale is dressed as a baseball catcher with facepaint and MVP on his Jersey.
Tenay says Dale used to play baseball and the MVP stands for Most Violent Player.
Torborg hits a rockbottom for the pin.
Winner-Torborg in about 3 minutes
Thoughts:Short,Pointless but inoffensive if you can tolerate Dale Torborg which I can’t.He knows why.


Bret Hart Interview.
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He says Benoit was the perfect opponent to honor Owen and it was hard going to the arena Owen had died at.
Thoughts:Really short seeing this was the only thing for thunder that they promoted on Nitro.They promoted this as a Tenay interview but instead it was just Bret talking with clips of the tribute match.

Main Event:Sid vs Stevie Ray
The ref pretends to tie his shoe allowing Rick Steiner to run in and assist Sid in a stuff powerbomb.
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Fast count from the ref.
Winner-Sid
Thoughts:Not good at all.Sid’s is supposedly in a huge match against goldberg at the ppv that the announcers are selling as a big deal yet he’s doing tons of comedy and he needs a crooked ref,a 2 on 1 advantage to get wins against the likes of Brian Adams & Stevie Ray.

Thoughts:Nothing much in the way of storyline developments just some matches and the Bret interview.Really low effort show that probably shouldn’t have existed.I hope they start trying when Russo shows
 
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Chris

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Thunder really sucked before Russo bc it was just a bunch of random matches that didn't have anything going for them...it sucked after Russo too bc his angles were trash but at least it had angles
 
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