***BTB OF THE MONTH**** WCW 1999: No Finger Poking Here Brother

[DGenerationMC]

Thundercage match, losing faction must disband: nWo Wolfpac (Kevin Nash, Lex Luger, Konnan and Scott Hall) vs nWo Hollywood (Hollywood Hogan, Scott Steiner, Buff Bagwell and The Great Muta)

WCW US Championship: Bret Hart (c) vs DDP

Finals of the WCW Tag Team Championship Tournament: The Dynasty (Curt Hennig and Barry Windham) vs The Horsemen (Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko)

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Billy Kidman (c) vs Psicosis

Mysterio's mask vs future of the LWO: Rey Mysterio Jr. vs Eddie Guerrero

Goldberg vs Bam Bam Bigelow

Special Guest Referee Arn Anderson: Chris Jericho vs Booker T

And Ric Flair has an announcement for SuperBrawl IX - He will be challenging for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in the main event

 

[Mach]

WCW/nWo Souled Out - January 17th 1999

From Charleston Civic Centre in Charleston, West Virginia ​

The first WCW PPV of 1999 kicks off with a look at the key matches taking place here at Souled Out tonight. They highlight of course the deadly thundercage as the two nWo factions come to ahead with finally one of the groups being disbanded here tonight. We also see Goldberg’s quest for revenge which started with Disco Inferno and then moves onto Bam Bam Bigelow here tonight. The lengthy feud between US Champion Bret Hart and DDP is also covered as we will finally have a winner between the two men after they first squared off back in July. The video package also touches on the personal rivalry between Rey Mysterio Jr. and Eddie Guerrero which dates back to Halloween Havoc 1997 and that either the LWO or Mysterio’s mask will be going here tonight. Finally the package rounds off with the tag team championship tournament that comes to a head here tonight.

We then cut to the arena and pyro and ballyhoo ensue as over 10,000 rabid WCW fans are packed into the Charleston Civic Centre this evening. We have a three man commentary booth here tonight as from Nitro its Tony Schiavone and Bobby Heenan while Thunder’s Mike Tenay also joins the lads. Schiavone marks this as the most important night in the history of the nWo as one half of the faction will be disbanded here tonight. There are also shots of the Thundercage looming large above the ring as Tenay notes that there’s no escaping from the huge cage structure tonight for either Hollywood or the Wolfpac. Now with introductions out of the way its time for the first WCW PPV match of 1999!

WCW CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: BILLY KIDMAN © vs PSYCHOSIS

We are starting with the match that you’d expect in this slot as Latino World Order member Psychosis makes his way down to the ring to some heat from the crowd. Tenay notes that nobody from Eddie Guerrero’s faction is popular with the WCW audience right now. Out next comes the champion Billy Kidman to a solid ovation. Kidman reluctantly hands over the Cruiserweight Championship belt to the referee who raises it above his head and now this match is underway! The pair circle each other in the ring to start this content off before locking up. This quickly turns into an exchange of holds which seems to culminate with Psychosis performing a side headlock takedown on Kidman and working on his neck down on the mat. Kidman however manages to power out of it and send the luchador into the ropes. He goes for a drop kick on the rebound but nobody’s home as Psychosis manages to grab onto the ropes and halt his momentum. Kidman recovers and is immediately met by a drop kick from Psychosis himself before the masked man poses and admires his handiwork. Psychosis then goes for a hurricanrana but Kidman catches him and bounces his foe off the ropes straight into a brutal sit out power bomb! Psychosis quickly rolls to the outside to recover but is met with a suicide dive from Kidman that takes both men out on the floor!

Billy manages to get to his feet first and sees that Psychosis is still down. Kidman gets on the apron and goes to dive off it with his signature shooting star press but Psychosis rolls out of the way and Billy crashes and burns to the floor. The ball is in Psychosis’ court now as the luchador rolls the champ back into the ring. Psychosis follows up with a running elbow to Billy and then covers looking to get a relatively early win here! One…two…NO! Kidman kicks out but the champ looks like he’s in trouble already. Psychosis Irish whips his foe into the corner and hits him with a couple of knife edge chops and then some stiff kicks. He then charges at Billy with a splash but Kidman moves out of the way so Psychosis goes body first into the corner. As the LWO member staggers out of the corner Kidman nails him with a running drop kick. The crowd are behind Billy as he gathers momentum but going for a BK bomber spinebuster turns into a huge error as Psychosis counters and plants the cruiserweight champion with a DDT! Psychosis covers: One…two…NO!

Kidman gets the shoulder up as Psychosis was less than a second away from becoming the cruiserweight champ. Psychosis then locks in some body scissors on Billy to slow this one down a bit however Billy manages to fight his way out of them with a number of stiff elbows to the gut. Kidman then gras his foe and lifts him into the fireman’s carry position but Psychosis drops behind and grabs a waist lock. Kidman then elbows his way out of that hold and locks in a dragon sleeper! Psychosis is still on his feet as the hold is locked in and he manages to uses the ropes to bounce off the ropes and break free. He then executes a fine looking tilt-a-whirl backbreaker which forces Billy to crumple to the canvas. Psychosis then heads up top and goes for a moonsualt! He flips over but is met by the knees of Billy Kidman. He then grabs his challenger and delivers a BK bomber spine buster! Cover: one…two…three?

NO! Some fans in the arena may have thought it was it but Psychosis just about gets the shoulder up. Kidman cannot believe it but he goes to capitalise straight away and heads to the ropes. As he perches on the top rope Psychosis springs back to life and charges up the ropes and hits a hugely impressive hurricanrana to the champ that sends him crashing and burning. Psychosis then gets on top and this time hits the moonsault! Cover: one…two…three? NO! Kidman again manages to get his shoulder up! Psychosis then goes to hit his opponent with a power bomb - but you never power bomb Kidman - and it gets countered with a signature face buster that leaves both men laying! Champion and challenger then stagger to their feet as Psychosis delivers a brutal Billy Kidman - that only staggers the champ. Kidman then replies with a brutal looking super kick of his own that only manages to stagger the challenger! Psychosis goes for another super kick but Kidman catches his leg and and then follows up with another super kick of his own that floors the challenger! The fans explode as Kidman heads up top! The cruiserweight champ dives off the top rope with a shooting star press! He hits it and covers: one…two…three!!!

WINNER IN 12 MINUTES AND STILL WCW CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION BILLY KIDMAN

Billy Kidman does it - another successful defence of his championship. Not the start the LWO were looking for tonight at Souled Out as Kidman lifts his WCW Cruiserweight Championship over his head. The commentators say there is plenty more high octane action to come as we cut to the back.

The nWo is here

Backstage and we are shown clips from earlier in the evening. The nWo Wolfpac arriving is shown first as World Champ Kevin Nash, TV Champ Konnan, Scott Hall and Lex Luger all arrive as one united unit. Its been a good week for the boys in red and black with Nash delivering a power bomb to Hogan while Luger and Hall seem to have put their differences aside. We then cut to a black limousine rolling in as nWo Hollywood have arrived. Hollywood Hogan emerges out of the limo alongside Scott Steiner, Buff Bagwell and in full face paint The Great Muta - who Hogan brought in to join the faction on Nitro. The four men make their way into the arena as Hogan spots the camera and approaches it and simply says: “Wolfpac you aint ready for tonight - at Souled Out everything changes!”

After that ominous warning from Hogan we cut straight into the hype package for our next match - Booker T vs Chris Jericho. We go over Jericho’s initial promo about his WCW contract expiring in six months and the lack of respect he’s received during his time here. We then recap the prior two matches the competitors have had - first where Booker T pinned Jericho despite his foot being under the rope, an error on the behalf of Charles Robinson. Next we had the match where Ralphus was the special guest referee, where Booker T got screwed over. Now finally we come to Ric Flair’s announcement where we see the appointment of Arn Anderson as special guest referee for tonight’s rubber match at Souled Out!

SPECIAL GUEST REFEREE ARN ANDERSON: CHRIS JERICHO vs BOOKER T

The iconic guitar riff of The Horsemen’s theme gets a big pop here in West Virginia as ‘The Enforcer’ Arn Anderson makes his way down the aisle wearing jeans and a black and white striped referee’s shirt. Heenan notes that there’s a lot of pressure on Double A to make sure that this match is called right down the middle here tonight. Out next to a chorus of boos is Chris Jericho who is already jaw jacking with the fans as he makes his way from the stage to the ring. Finally the music of Booker T hits and the popular superstar gets into the ring looking like he’s ready to kicks some ass. Anderson has a word with both men to keep this a fair fight before he signals for the bell to ring - this match is underway! Jericho arrogantly starts mouthing off at Anderson but this nearly costs him as he turns around and is hit with a Harlem side kick! Jericho crashes to the mat and Booker T covers: one…two…NO! Double A spots this time that Jericho did have his foot on the ropes and the Canadian competitor just saved himself from being beaten in record time! Jericho rolls to the outside to recover but Booker isn’t letting up and he gives chase. Jericho is on the floor on his knees begging Booker not to attack him but the former tag champ isn’t interested and grabs Jericho and whips him into the steel steps! He then rolls Chris back into the ring and executes a sidewalk slam. Another cover: one…two…NO!

Jericho manages to kick out this time as the commentators note Arn’s count has been consistent so far. Booker still looks like he’s trying to finish this match up early as he heads to the top but Jericho whacks the ropes causing Booker to lose his balance and land awkwardly on the top turnbuckle. Chris doesn’t waste a moment however as joins Booker T on the top rope and executes a picture perfect superplex! Chris covers: one…two…NO! Another fair count from Arn as Jericho still finds the time to mouth off at the guest referee. After the explosive start to the contest Jericho slows the pace down as he hits the downed Booker with a few kicks before doing his ‘come on baby’ pose to the crowd to a lot of heat. Jericho then locks in the dreaded chin lock on his opponent and wrenches back on the neck of Booker. He soon changes tact however and reverts back to striking. In particular with some hard kicks to the back of a seated Booker. Jericho then whips his foe into the corner and hits some very loud knife edge chops as he grins into the camera: “They were for you Mr President.” He doesn’t try and steal any more of Ric Flair’s offence however as instead he hits a one-handed bulldog out of the corner to Booker, face planting him in the middle of the ring. Jericho remarks to Double A that he better count quick enough as he nails Booker with a double underhook power bomb! Jericho covers: one…two…three?

NO! Booker manages to power out. Jericho then looks for the liontamer and grabs both Booker’s legs but the former tag champ has enough strength to push him away. Jericho then scales the ropes as Booker gets to his feet and he goes for a diving crossbody but Booker T counters and catches him with a spine buster! A move Arn Anderson nods in approval at as Booker then follows up with a running knee drop. He makes the cover: one…two…NO! Jericho kicks out of it. Booker then hits a few knees to the gut of Jericho and goes for the axe kick but Jericho counters into a back drop that sends Booker flying into the corner. Booker is propped up in the corner and Jericho charges but his attack is countered straight into a sunset flip! One…two…NO! Jericho gets out of the pinning predicament and grabs Booker straight away and nails him with a back breaker! Jericho then grabs his foe by the legs and drags him back into the middle of the ring and locks in the liontamer! He’s screaming for Booker to tap out and he’s even yelling at Double A to call for the bell. Anderson repeatedly asks Booker if he wants to continue but he is met with an emphatic answer of yes! Using every ounce of strength he’s got Booker makes it to the ropes!

Jericho however does not want to break the hold and Anderson doesn’t want this match going to a DQ and he pulls Jericho off Booker! This sees Jericho go nose to nose with Anderson and then the cocky Jericho pushes Double A! It takes all the restraint in Anderson’s body not to slap Jericho however the Canadian soon gets his comeuppance because he turns around and is met by a spinning heel kick from the recovered Booker T! Booker then calls for the scissors kick but again Jericho gets out of dodge and then springboards off the ropes, flattening Booker T with a clothesline. He’s wasting no time here and spring boards again with a lionsault but Booker T gets the knees up! This doubles over Jericho and finally Booker T hits the scissors kick! Cover: one…two…three? YE-NO! At 2.9 Jericho has got his finger on the bottom rope as Booker didn’t hook the arm properly - great spot by Anderson. Booker can’t believe it but he’s not letting this one slip and as a woozy Jericho gets to his feet he is nailed with another Harlem side kick. Booker positions Jericho right in the middle of the ring, heads up top and hits a spectacular Harlem hangover leg drop! Cover: one…two…three?....YES!

WINNER IN 14 MINUTES BOOKER T

It was one hell of an effort by Chris Jericho but Booker T has bested him here tonight to win their series 2-1! Arn Anderson raises the hand of Booker as Schiavone proclaims that competitors like Booker T are the future of WCW! An irate Jericho rolls out of the ring to the floor to recover as we throw to our next video package.

A storied history

Our next video recaps the long history between Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio Jr. We first get clips of their previous in ring encounters - including most famously at Halloween Havoc 97, when Eddie first tried to take the mask of Mysterio. Then we see their more recent angles including Rey being forced to join the LWO before finally rebelling against Guerrero and challenging him to this match. We then get a talking head from Mysterio about how much the mask means to him and his family before Eddie has a talking head gloating about how the LWO is the best group in WCW and that he will be taking what matters most from Mysterio tonight. The video ends and we cut back to the arena.

MASK vs LWO: REY MYSTERIO JR. vs EDDIE GUERRERO

Eddie Guerrero is out first and he is accompanied by the entire LWO - from the more prominent members such as La Parka, Psychosis and Juventud Guerrera to even the likes of El Dandy. Eddie is looking supremely confident as struts his way to the ring as his huge numbers advantage makes this match feel like a lumberjack match. Next out is Rey Mysterio Jr. who is all alone and looking pretty nervous as he makes his way to the ring. The LWO members on the outside part and Rey makes his way into the ring. The bell sounds and here we go! Eddie taunts Rey saying he doesn’t stand a chance and just give up his mask now. Guerrero then shoves Mysterio back but Rey counters with a running hurricanrana and Eddie bails to the outside. The LWO are now all gathered on one side of the ring and you know what this means - Mysterio soars over the ropes with a dive and takes out as many members as possible. The match looks like it may quickly degenerate into a gang beat down by the LWO but here comes the babyface backup! Cruiserweight champ Kidman, Eddie’s nephew Chavo, Horsemen members Benoit, Malenko and Mongo plus even Rey’s personal friend from the Wolfpac Konnan all hit the ringside area to a huge pop! A massive brawl breaks out and the various wrestlers brawl their way to the back meaning finally this match is one on one! Eddie then grabs Rey and throws him back in the ring and quickly follows up with a brainbuster! He covers: one…two…NO!

Tenay mentions that this is going to be an incredibly hard match for either man to win because of how well they know each other. Guerrero has the advantage here following that brainbuster and he has Rey in the corner and is delivering chops followed by some kicks as he taunts Rey saying its the last time he’ll ever wear his mask. Guerrero then hits his signature monkey flip out of the corner into the middle of the ring before slapping on an STF submission hold. Rey is in great pain here as he tries to counter his way out of the move. Eventually he manages to crawl his way to the ropes and the referee counts Guerrero down until he breaks the hold at about 4.9. Eddie then drags the downed Mysterio back into the ring and hits him with stomps to the gut before whipping his opponent into the ropes and delivering a stiff looking tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! Eddie then poses again before looking to go for a Gory special. As he hoists up Rey the masked man manages to drop behind Eddie and as Guerrero turns around he hits his opponent with an arm drag. Mysterio then runs the ropes and as Guerrero gets to his feet Rey hits a tilt-a-whirl headscissors and follows this up by springing off the ropes with a crossbody straight into a cover: one…two…NO!

Mysterio now looks like he’s finally got some momentum going in this matchup as he heads to the top rope and looks to go for a diving seated senton. He leaps off but Eddie counters it and hits a brutal sitout powerbomb right into a pinning predicament! One…two…NO! Mysterio gets the shoulder up. Eddie then retakes control of the bout after Mysterio’s offensive burst and hits his foe with a number of European uppercuts before looking to hit a vertical suplex. Mysterio however drops behind Guerrero again and hits a few strikes to the legs before looking for a poisonrana - however Eddie counters this move into an electric chair drop! Eddie then goes up top and hits a senton to Mysterio and follows up with a cover: one…two…NO! Again Mysterio manages to get the shoulder up. As a staggering Rey Jr. returns to his feet he is planted with a diving DDT from Eddie that could’ve knocked the masked man out cold. Eddie elects not to go for the cover however and instead goes for the Gory special. He has Rey hooked as he wrenches on his rival’s neck and he screams at him to tap. But Mysterio has too much pride and courage for that and he manages to elbow Eddie in the ribs enough times for the hold to be broken! He then charges at Eddie and hits an aggressive Thesz press and then as Eddie gets to his feet Rey hits a deadly spinning heel kick! One…two…three?

NO! Guerrero was a hair’s breath away from the LWO being disbanded but he kicks out. Eddie then rolls to the outside to catch his breath but Rey isn’t wasting anytime and he dives with a crossbody to the outside - but Eddie catches his foe. With Mysterio trapped in a power slam position Eddie slams his enemy spine first right into the steps. Eddie then hauls Rey back in the ring and locks in the Lasso from El Paso. Guerrero’s knee is firmly planted in Rey Jr.’s back and he is now practically begging Mysterio to tap as this match wears on. Mysterio raises his hand, looks like he’s going to tap but somehow he uses his last ounce of strength to make it to the ropes. Eddie cannot believe what’s happening as he grabs Rey and starts pulling at his mask! He goes to rip it off but Rey kicks Eddie in the knee which forces Guerrero to stagger back. Rey spends a second readjusting his mask so he can see again but this costs him as he is decked by a running European uppercut from Eddie. Guerrero then positions Mysterio in the middle of the ring and heads to the top rope. From here he hits the frog splash! Surely its over: one…two…three!

NO! MYSTERIO KICKS OUT AT 2.9! Guerrero is beyond pissed as a look of disbelief turns into pure rage as he shakes Mysterio aggressively on the mat and yells: “Why won’t you stay down!” He then kicks Rey a few more times and once again heads up top to deliver another frog splash. He leaps but Mysterio rolls out of the way! Eddie crashes and burns as a rejuvenated Mysterio heads to the apron. He springs up to the top rope and hits his signature West Coast Pop hurricanrana and transitions straight into a pin! One…Two…Three!!...NO! Guerrero again manages to kick out! Mysterio however unlike his foe doesn’t take time to complain and he heads up top and he goes for another diving seated senton but again Eddie catches him. Guerrero goes for the powerbomb but this time Mysterio counters into a frankensteiner straight into a pinning combo - he has both legs hooked!!! One…Two…THREE!

WINNER IN 17 MINUTES REY MYSTERIO JR.

Rey does it! The commentators all hail another instant classic between the two as Tenay notes that Mysterio’s counter to the counter from earlier in the match is what ultimately won him this contest. Guerrero is just crumpled in the corner, practically crying as the LWO is officially no more. Mysterio sees the distraught Guerrero, and being the babyface he is he offers Eddie a hand. Guerrero thinks briefly about taking it before he rolls out of the ring expressionless and heads to the back as Mysterio celebrates.

The LWO implodes

We cut backstage to the first of two scenes. We are first in the LWO locker room where all the other members of the now-former faction have assembled and those whose faces aren’t obscured by masks are looking pretty glum. Juventud Guerrera takes off his LWO t-shirt and throws it on the ground before walking out of the locker room. One by one the other LWO members throw their shirts away until we are left with just Hector Garza and Damian, who started the group with Eddie a few month ago. They defeatedly too throw their shirts down and with that the LWO is no more.

Elsewhere in the back Eddie Guerrero is trudging through the backstage area and he bumps into WCW TV Champion Konnan, who of course helped Mysterio tonight. Eddie glares at the Wolfpac member but Konnan replies: “Hey man that was one hell of a match. I know what you wanted to happen didn’t but I think in the long run dawg you’re gonna be a better wrestler without the LWO.” Konnan then walks off as Guerrero ponders everything that has gone on tonight.

We then cut back to the arena where at ringside there is a plinth proudly displaying the vacant WCW Tag Team Championships which are about to be decided. Schiavone goes over the two teams path to the finals. The Horsemen duo of Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko bested the hard-hitting tandem of Fit Finlay and Dave Taylor in the first round, followed by the LWO pair of Eddie Guerrero and Psychosis in the semi-finals. The newly formed Dynasty team of Curt Hennig and Barry Windham defeated Raven and Kanyon in the first round before receiving a bye straight to the final.

WCW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT FINAL: THE HORSEMEN (CHRIS BENOIT AND DEAN MALENKO) vs THE DYNASTY (CURT HENNIG AND BARRY WINDHAM)

The Dynasty is out first. The always cocky Curt Hennig and the gruff Barry Windham came together after their firing from the nWo because they believe that they’re heritage in great wrestling families make them a cut above the competition. The iconic Horseman riff hits once again and her comes Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko - who do look a little beat up after their run in with the LWO earlier. Both teams stared at the tag tag belts as they made their way to the ring and now this contest is underway. Curt Hennig and Dean Malenko are starting this encounter in the ring and the pair exchange some holds before Dean gets the advantage in a wrist lock and Hennig has to break it with a punch to the gut. Curt then cockily ruffles Malenko’s hair before bouncing off the ropes but is met with a back drop from the Horseman. Malenko then tags in Benoit and the pair hit a drop toe hold elbow drop combo to Hennig but big Barry is in here and he takes both Horsemen out with a pair of headbutts. Hennig has now recovered and takes down Benoit with a side headlock takeover and really starts wrenching the neck of the Canadian. Benoit however manages to power up and counter the manoeuvre into a nice back suplex that bridges! One…two…NO!

Hennig gets the shoulder up to prevent any early embarrassment there. Chris then hooks Curt for a German suplex but the veteran manages to elbow his way out of it and then grabs a front face lock and drives Benoit into The Dynasty’s corner. Windham is tagged in now and he tees off on the Canadian competitor with some stiff shots before a hip toss sends the Horseman halfway across the ring. Barry gears up for a big lariat and charges at Benoit but he ducks and nails Windham with a flying forearm on the rebound. Chris then executes a number of knife edge chops in tribute to his mentor Flair before Windham turns the tide and hits a number of his own to Benoit, which backs him right into The Dynasty’s corner once again. Windham tags in Hennig and the pair go for a double vertical suplex but Malenko comes in grabs Hennig to break it up. The Horsemen then hit a pair of sick stereo German suplexes as the referee threatens the illegal men with disqualification if they don’t get out. Benoit then tags in Malenko and he goes to the second rope. He jumps for an axe handle but he is met with a drop kick by Hennig! Curt follows up with a neck breaker and covers: one…two…NO!

Malenko kicks out but he is really hurting from that neck breaker. Curt sees this and goes to work on the neck of Dean, locking in a deadly chin lock to continue the punishment. Dean manages to break out of it but as he goes to tag Benoit in, Hennig yanks him back and this time locks in a sleeper hold. Curt has it synched in pretty good but again Dean uses his fortitude to counter it with a jaw breaker. Malenko then followers up with a bridging Northern Lights suplex! One…two…NO! Hennig gets the shoulder up and as Dean goes to tag in Benoit Curt has just enough energy again to grab him and send the Horsemen neck first into the Dynasty corner. Windham is now tagged in and he hits a series of clubbing blows to the neck of Malenko before planting him with a bulldog. Windham then again winds up for his signature lariat but Malenko ducks and wipes out Barry with a leg lariat! Dean then crawls to his own corner, desperate to make the tag but Curt Hennig yanks Benoit off the apron so there’s nowhere for him to go. He then turns around and is wiped out by a lariat from Windham! Cover: one…two…three?

NO! Malenko gets the shoulder up! Windham cannot believe it as he angrily tags Hennig back and the two attempt the double suplex they were going for earlier, but Dean counters and using all the strength he has, suplexes the pair and leaves them laying. Benoit has managed to get his way back to the apron and finally Malenko makes the tag. Chris comes in like a house of fire levelling both opponents with big shots before grabbing Hennig and planting him with an enziguri. Hennig then stumbles back into his own corner and tags in the weary Windham who comes in and is immediately on the end of an impressive belly to belly suplex. Chris then goes a running drop kick but Windham moves out of the way and BENOIT ACCIDENTALLY DECKS REFEREE RANDY ANDERSON! Benoit continues his offence regardless and plants big Barry with a tiger suplex. Meanwhile on the outside Hennig makes a dash for the plinth and to grab one of the tag titles. He gets one but so does Malenko! The two face off as Benoit hits a gutwrench suplex in the ring and Windham looks done for! Hennig low blows Malenko on the outside ad Benoit heads to the top rope to deliver a diving head butt. Curt cuts it off however and nails Chris in the skull with the title belt. This leaves Benoit in a world of pain perched on the top rope as Windham gets to his feet and scales the ropes himself. He delivers his signature superplex as Malenko remains in pain on the outside! Hennig then shakes the referee awake as Windham covers: one…two…THREE!

WINNERS IN 14 MINUTES AND NEW WCW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, THE DYNASTY

Boos fill the arena as Hennig grabs both tag belts from the floor and goes to the ring and hands one to his partner. The veteran duo pull off a controversial win here and after a couple of months in the wilderness the tag titles are back on an actual tag team. Hennig and Windham celebrate up the ramp as Tenay notes that this is definitely not the last we’ve heard of the rivalry between The Dynasty and The Horsemen. Schiavone then gets a message that there is an urgent situation going down in the back - so the cameras are heading there now.

Don’t turn your back if you are in the Wolfpac?

We cut back to a corridor somewhere in the depths of the Charleston Civic Centre where LEX LUGER is laid out face down in the corridor. ‘The Total Package’ looks in a bad way as fellow Wolfpac members Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Konnan are checking on him. Medics are on the scene as well. Nash asks his comrades what the hell happened and neither have a good answer, Luger went to go get something but he never came back and now here he is taken out. The commentators speculate just what has gone on here and if nWo Wolfpac will have to go into tonight’s Thundercage match four on three.

After this we cut to a video package for our next match of the evening as Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart takes on Diamond Dallas Page. Hart’s US Championship is on the line and we recap the extensive history these two have had over the last few months. This includes their PPV main event at World War Three 1998 and their more recent exchanges of words as Bret has accused DDP of not having the wrestling business ‘running through his veins’ like he has. The package finishes and emphasises this will be the final encounter between the two competitors.

WCW UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP: BRET HART © vs DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE

Page makes his way down the aisle first as the self-proclaimed people’s champ is still one of the most popular wrestlers here in WCW. Page is coming off a loss to Bam Bam Bigelow, although Bret Hart had a lot to do with that particular defeat. Next out it’s ‘The Hitman’ to a chorus of boos as the fans are not a fan of the bitter veteran. The pissed off Hart, who is becoming glummer by the day holds his US belt in Page’s face before he hands it over to referee Nick Patrick. The official hoists it above his head and with that this contest is underway. Hart sarcastically extends his hand to Page at the start of this one but Page slaps it away, there’s too much bad blood here for pleasantries. DDP offers a test of strength to Hart but Bret scoffs and kicks his opponent right in the knee! Page then strikes back with a punch and the pair just start hockey fighting right in the middle of the ring. Both men are so caught up fighting that they end up near the ropes, so ever the opportunist Hart kicks Page again in the knee before tossing him to the outside! Bret Irish whips Page knee first right into the steel steps and its clearly no secret what Bret’s strategy in this one is as Page clutches the injured knee.

Bret then gets back into the ring and invites the referee to start counting, he has no problem retaining his championship via countout. The ref begins the count and gets up to seven before DDP limps his way back into the squared circle. As soon as Page gets back in Bret right away starts working on the knee again with more stomps before picking up Dallas’ leg and slamming it knee first right into the canvas. Bret then drops an elbow on DDP’s knee as he screams in pain as Heenan praises this sadistic side of ‘The Hitman.’ Bret then grabs both legs and looks like he’s going for a submission here but Page kicks him away with such force he ends up in the corner. Dallas hits his foe with a running big boot before performing a ten punch in the corner as the fans enthusiastically chant along. As Hart staggers out of the corner DDP executes a painful looking inverted atomic drop and looks to follow with a running clothesline but Bret counters by sticking his boot out which trips Page up and he lands awkwardly on his knee! Hart admires his handiwork before hitting a running knee drop right to the back of Page’s knee! He covers: one…two…NO!

DDP kicks out with authority but that doesn’t stop Hart sticking to his game plan. Bret props Page.s leg up on the bottom rope and he gets on the second before delivering a nasty looking stomp that causes DDP to writhe around in pain. Bret smiles sadistically before grabbing the injured leg and twisting it quickly a number of times, to really stretch those joints. Hart tries for a figure four but DDP counters into a small package! One…two…NO! Bret manages to kick out as the fans bought for a second there that DDP could really win out of nowhere. Hart is pissed off now by that near miss though and he grabs Page and delivers his signature Russian leg sweep. Hart then drags Dallas over to the corner before he himself heads to the outside. Page is in position so Hart grabs his legs and locks in the figure four around the ring post! The ref is counting as Hart wrenches down on Page’s knee, with the challenger screaming in pain. Nick Patrick is counting Bret out here so eventually he has no choice but to release the hold and head back inside, but the damage may be done in this one.

Back in the ring Bret looks to replicate what he’s done on the outside and he locks in the figure four leglock! He’s yelling at Page to tap who is also caught up in a pin attempt with his shoulder on the mat! One…two…NO! Dallas gets the shoulder up and the revitalises DDP who pounds both fists on the mat as the crowd roar for him to turn this one around! Somehow, someway he manages to flip the figure four over and reverse the pressure! Now Bret is the one who is in trouble and eventually ‘The Hitman’ is the one who crawls to the ropes and is now also favouring his knee after all that punishment. As Hart staggers to his feet he is decked with a flying clothesline as DDP springs off his non-injured leg and he follows that up with a swinging neck breaker! Page is motoring now as he continues to nail Hart with some serious strikes before capping it off with a jumping DDT! Page then sees Hart favouring his knee and drags Bret into position before heading to the outside himself. Just as Bret has done to him DDP locks Hart in a figure four leglock around the ringpost! The Hitman screams in pain as eventually Dallas relents and returns to the inside. Page hauls Hart up and hits the Diamond Clash slam and covers! One…Two…Three?

NO! Hart gets the shoulder up! Page is feeling it now! He goes to hoist Hart up for a power bomb but his injured knee gives out and the pair crumble to the mat in an awkward mess. Hart senses the opportunity and hits a string of moves on Page to try and secure the win. First he hits a bulldog and follows this up with a DDT! Then he gets Dallas in position for the piledriver but Bret is too struggling with his knee and he pulls out of the move! Page uses this opportunity to go for the Diamond Cutter but Bret pushes him away! Dallas nearly collides with Nick Patrick but Page stops his momentum to avoid the ref bump. This split second pause however allows Page to turn around and be nailed by Hart with a kick to the gut and the Canadian then hits a piledriver! Bret covers: one…two…three?...NO! Page gets the shoulder up. Bret is not wasting anytime here though as he grabs both of Dallas’ legs and locks in the sharpshooter. While in the hold he uses his free hand to batter Page’s knee a few times as DDP answers back defiantly to Nick Patrick that he does not want to give up. Using maybe everything he has left DDP manages to crawl to the ropes and break the hold much to Bret’s chagrin. Hart has pretty much exhausted his arsenal here so he drags Dallas into the middle of the ring. Reluctantly Bret heads to the top rope and dives off with a splash however in mid-air DDP CATCHES BRET HART WITH A DIAMOND CUTTER! HOLY S***! Page manages to drape one arm over Hart as the referee counts: one…two…THREE!

WINNER IN 18 MINUTES AND NEW WCW UNITED STATES CHAMPION, DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE

Out of nowhere! The crowd are popping huge because DDP just caught Bret Hart and pinned him. The ref hands Dallas the belt and for the third time Page is the US Champ! Tenay notes that Bret going out of his comfort zone and up to the very top rope has cost him here. Page dives into the crowd and celebrates with the fans as Bret now comes too and realises what has happened. Hart rolls out of the ring looking defeated while Page, who is still favouring his knee, is in amongst it with the fans, proudly holding aloft his WCW US Championship. The announces praise the match before we cut to our next video package, which advertises that WCW SuperBrawl IX is live on February 21st from the Oakland Arena in Oakland, California and is available exclusively on pay per view.

Bam Bam Bigelow talks his next two opponents

We cut backstage where ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund is standing by with Bam Bam Bigelow. Gene first announces that due to his victory over the new US Champion DDP on Thunder on Thursday, this Monday on Nitro Bam Bam Bigelow has a shot against him for the US Championship. Moving onto tonight Bigelow faces off with Goldberg. Gene asks him for his thoughts and Bigelow replies: “Gene its real simple that the next 24 hours are all about me! Page I’m taking your title on Nitro but Goldberg tonight I’m completely focused on you. I’m the new man in WCW and your second loss comes from me tonight! So enjoy these last few moments as the top dog in WCW because it ends tonight!” Bigelow storms out as we then cut back to ringside.

The President addresses SuperBrawl IX

The iconic music of ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair hits and out comes the president himself! Ric Flair is of course looking as sharp as he ever has as he has an announcement in regards to SuperBrawl next month. Flair is dressed sharply in a suit as ever and he slaps hands with the fans as the leader of WCW into the new millennium makes his way into the ring. Flair has a mic and goes to address the fans. “Now I know that West Virginia is Horseman country so its great to be right here in Charleston! Woo!” The fans appreciate Flair’s successful attempt at a cheap pop. “Now its been a great show tonight but there’s been one black mark against it - Hennig, Windham I saw the BS you pulled and let me tell ya when The Horseman get their hands on The Dynasty again then there’s gonna be hell to pay - and that’s a promise straight from the president!” The fans pop after they were left unhappy with that match result earlier in the evening.

“Now what I’m here to talk about is SuperBrawl IX! Now firstly I know that weasel Bischoff has branded our pay per view events WCW and nWo but let me tell you right now that from SuperBrawl onwards the only promotion’s name on the banner will be Dubya Cee Dubya dammit!” The fans pop for this as Flair’s really getting the energy going now. “Now onto SuperBrawl itself I’m out here to announce the first match for that event. For too long here in WCW its been the same guys competing for the World Championship - but that changed last year when Goldberg broke onto the scene and shocked the world!” The fans chant the big man’s name as Flair continues. “So I want to crown a #1 contender with a twist. You see at Superbrawl on February 21st I am announcing the first ever SuperBrawl Showdown!” The commentators then speculate on what this match is as Flair pauses for dramatic effect.

“Now the SuperBrawl showdown will be a match to determine a #1 contender for the WCW World Championship between men who have never held that title before. And not only will they be the top contender they will get to chose any pay per view in 1999 to challenge for the gold! And as its the ninth edition of SuperBrawl there’s gonna be nine men in this match!” The announcers then speculate as to who these nine men could be as Flair continues. “Now two men drawn at random will start, wrestle for five minutes and then every two minutes a new competitor will enter. You can eliminate your foe by pinfall, submission or throwing them over the top rope. The last man standing gets that world title shot. But to get into this match you’ll have to qualify which is why I’m excited to announce that on Nitro tomorrow the first qualifying match will be between two men who have a score to settle - Bret Hart and Booker T!”

At that precise moment the music of Chris Jericho hits and the man who lost to Booker T storms down to the ring looking furious. He grabs the mic “BOOKER T you’ve got to be kidding me Flair. Your boy Anderson put his hands on me tonight when he was meant to be a referee and I want that match result overturned goddamit!” Flair looks pissed off at this interruption. “Jericho I don’t appreciate being interrupted but I’m willing to throw you a bone - tomorrow on Nitro you’ll have a SuperBrawl Showdown qualifying match - but you’ll have to beat a Horseman to win because you’re facing Steve McMichael pal - now get the hell out of my ring!” Jericho looks ok with the outcome as Flair’s music plays as the announcers hype the nine-man SuperBrawl Showdown and the two qualifying matches tomorrow night on Nitro.

We then cut to a video package detailing our next bout - Bam Bam Bigelow vs Goldberg. We see highlights of Goldberg’s streak followed by his shocking loss as Starrcade, thanks in part to interference by Bam Bam. We also see the angle from Nitro where the two went off the ramp through the table before recapping their respective sit down interviews on Thunder. With that we cut back to the arena.

BAM BAM BIGELOW vs GOLDBERG

The iconic music of Goldberg plays next through the arena as we see backstage where security knock on his door. There’s a huge pop when he appears on screen originally and then we cut back to the arena. Through the sea of pyro Goldberg emerges as the crowd chant his name. But as he continues down the ramp BAM BAM BIGELOW emerges through the pyro and attacks Goldberg from behind! He grabs the stunned big man and whips him right into the guard rail. BIgelow then throws Bill in the ring and gets in the squared circle himself. He then yells at the referee to ring the bell and this match is underway! Bigelow grabs Goldberg and hits an impressive powerslam to the former champ before he poses to the fans mocking Goldberg. He then hits a running splash to Goldberg and completely flattens him! Cover: one…NO! Goldberg powers out at one but Bigelow isn’t done yet as he grabs Goldberg and headbutts him a few times before turning him inside out with a lariat. Next Bigelow climbs up the ropes and goes for his signature rounding moonsault but Goldberg manages to get out of the way!

The momentum has shifted in this one as Goldberg gets to his feet and starts snarling at Bigelow and he looks like he’s teeing up the spear. Bam Bam sees this and heads to the outside but Goldberg gives chase and whips Bam Bam into the guard rail. Goldberg then lines it up and SPEARS BIGELOW THROUGH THE GUARD RAIL! The fans explode as Bigelow goes crashing through into a conveniently cleared section of the audience. The moves has clearly taken a lot out of Goldberg too however and he sluggishly drags Bigelow back into the ring. He then calls for the jackhammer but Bam Bam counters and picks Goldberg up and delivers his signature Greetings from Asbury Park! Bigelow then heads to the top rope and delivers a successful diving splash! The cover: one…two…three? NO! Goldberg kicks out! Bigelow is in disbelief. He takes a minute to compose himself and then charges straight Goldberg but is met with a spear! Its academic at this point as the fans chant Goldberg’s name as he impressively gets Bigelow up and then down with the jackhammer! Cover: one…two…three!

WINNER IN 6 MINUTES GOLDBERG

It's another win for Goldberg on his road to redemption! Goldberg poses in the ring as Bigelow rolls to the outside - he threw everything he had at Goldberg tonight but ultimately it wasn’t enough. Bam Bam does however have a chance at redemption tomorrow night on Nitro as he takes on DDP for his newly won US Championship. Schiavone also plugs the other two matches confirmed for Nitro tomorrow night as Bret Hart takes on Booker T and Chris Jericho vs Steve McMichael, both in SuperBrawl Showdown qualifiers. Before we cut to our final video package of the night the announcers tell us that we’ve heard that Lex Luger has been taken to a local medical facility and will not be part of tonight’s main event!

The video package itself is a detailed one that tries to recap the entire saga of the New World Order in one go. From the original trio’s arrival in WCW, to their dominance and the faction’s expansion right the way through to Hogan losing the title to Sting at Starrcade 97. Then we cut to the formation of the Wolfpac in April of 98 before we then recap all the wars the two factions have taken part in with each other over the last 9 months. Finally we focus in on the events of the last few weeks including Hall joining the black and red, Hogan returning to the company and Great Muta joining the Hollywood faction properly. Our final portion of the package hypes up the deadliness of the Thundercage and the fact that tonight one faction will leave the definitive nWo and one will be broken up for ever.

THUNDERCAGE, LOSING FACTION MUST DISBAND: nWo HOLLYWOOD (HOLLYWOOD HOGAN, SCOTT STEINER, BUFF BAGWELL AND THE GREAT MUTA) vs nWo WOLFPAC (KEVIN NASH, SCOTT HALL AND KONNAN)

The Thundercage first lowers over the ring and it surrounds the ringside area like Hell in a Cell but also with its curved roof makes it impossible to escape. Then we hear the music of the classic nWo and here comes Hogan and his squad making their way down to the ring. The quartet are looking incredibly cocky as Schiavone notes that we can only assume that Hogan and co are responsible for the attack on Lex Luger that has taken him out of this matchup. There is a door in the cage on the side of the ramp which Tenay notes will be padlocked shut for the duration of the contest. The only way to win this match is via pinfall or submission in the ring, with the contest being one fall to a finish. Out next are the depleted Wolfpac. Nash, Hall and Konnan don’t look happy as they charge their way down the aisle. They go through the cage door, which is padlocked shut and now this contest is underway! The Wolfpac get into the ring and Hogan laughs saying they’re outnumbered brother. Nash smirks and the produces some brass knucks from his trunks! He then decks Bagwell with them and the fight is on! Hall and Steiner, Konnan and Muta pair off while the knocked out Bagwell rolls to the floor. Hogan then tries to flee from Nash but gets a huge boot to the face as Nash poses in defiance! Big Sexy goes to set up the jackknife but Steiner, having beaten down Hall in the corner, comes in and low blows Nash to break it up.

Hogan then grabs the brass knucks that Nash has now dropped and puts them in his tights, saving them for later. Konnan and Great Muta continue to brawl at the ringside area of the cage while Buff is knocked out cold on the outside. As Hall is also recovering in the corner we have a two on one situation as Steiner and Hogan beat down Big Sexy. Scott looks to hit a belly to belly suplex but Nash counters and headbutts his opponent before Hogan cuts the big man off with a big boot of his own. Hollywood looks for an early leg drop but in the run up to the move Hall flattens him with a shoulder block. Hall then Thesz presses Hogan and reigns down punches on the nWo leader’s head - there’s a lot of bad blood there. Meanwhile Konnan and Muta seem to be taking turns ramming each other’s skulls into the thundercage, which is making a sick noise. Steiner back in the ring again tries to hit a German suplex on Nash but the big man counters with some back elbows and follows up with a sidewalk slam. Big Sexy then again goes for a power bomb but get whacked in the back with a steel chair from Great Muta, who has taken out Konnan on the floor. Hollywood manages to turn the tide on Hall too and throws the bad guy to the floor. Muta, Hogan and Steiner then put the boots too Nash as Hogan retrieves the brass knucks from his trunks. Hogan goes to punch Nash as Muta and Steiner hold the WCW Champion back but Kev counters with a boot to the face of Hulk as the brass knucks go flying to the outside. Konnan and Hall then get back in the ring and once again the six men start brawling in the ring!

As the six men go back and forth the crowd are riled up here as they’re desperate for the Wolfpac to get the upper hand. They boo loudly however when Buff Bagwell returns to the ring armed with a crowbar and wreaks havoc on the Wolfpac nailing them all with the weapon! Nash and Konnan get thrown from the ring and Hollywood zero in on Hall. They stomp away at their former member before Steiner grabs him and locks in the Steiner Recliner! Steiner wrenches back at the neck of Hall as Hogan yells at him to quit but Scott shakes his head, he’s not giving up! Bagwell then cracks him again over the head with the crowbar Steiner slams him into the mat. Hall is busted wide open from the crowbar shot and Bagwell then heads up top to finish this content. Scott staggers to his feet as Bagwell nails the blockbuster! Hollywood guard the side of the ring as Buff covers: one…two…three? NO! Hall manages to kick out and keep the Wolfpac alive. Hogan can’t believe it and he slams Hall down to the canvas again. He bounces off the ropes but Nash recovers from the outside and clips his leg! Konnan too has also recovered and now gets back in the ring armed with a table! He hits Steiner and Bagwell in the gut with the weapon as Nash drives Hogan spine first into the steel on the outside. Konnan then sets up the table but is nailed with a shinning wizard by Muta! Cover: one…two…three?

NO! Scott Hall is back in to break the pin fall up! Nash gets back in the ring with Hogan laying on the outside as Konnan and Muta continue their scrap and go over the top rope to the floor. Hall and Nash look at each other before looking at the table and decide what to do. Nash grabs Steiner and Hall sets up Bagwell and in tandem they hit a jackknife powerbomb and a razor’s edge respectively to their opponents! The Wolfpac have it won and the both go for the pin! One…two…three?.....NO! HULK HOGAN PULLS THE REF OUT OF THE RING! The fans can’t believe it but they are popping again soon because now Konnan has taken out Muta on the outside! Steiner and Bagwell slump to the outside as Konnan grabs Hogan and throws him back into the ring. Now Hollywood is all alone in the ring surrounded by Nash, Hall and Konnan. Hogan is on his knees begging when from the back emerges LEX LUGER WITH SOME BOLT CUTTERS! He made it back from the hospital Schiavone screams! Luger cuts his way through the padlock and comes into the Thundercage, and now it's four on one! Hollywood is on his knees basically crying as he is surrounded by the quartet.

Hollywood’s misery ends however when LEX LUGER NAILS KONNAN RIGHT IN THE FACE WITH THE BOLT CUTTERS! WHAT THE HELL? Konnan crashes down as Nash is shellshocked - Luger just turned on his own team! The other nWo Hollywood members then rush the ring and deliver a beating to Hall and Nash as the fans boo furiously, they cannot believe this! Konnan is now busted open too as Luger picks up him up and gives him the torture rack! Hall is thrown to the outside and as Nash tries to get at Luger he is held back by Bagwell, Steiner and Muta. Luger drops Konnan to the mat as Hogan bounces off the ropes and delivers the big leg! Luger then nails Nash with a forearm for good measure as Hogan covers with the referee now recovered. One…two…THREE!

WINNERS IN 18 MINUTES nWo HOLLYWOOD

They’ve done it nWo Hollywood are now the only nWo faction left - its over for the Wolfpac! Luger and Hogan hug in the ring after the bell as the fans boo some more as they are not happy with this outcome. Luger throws Konnan to the outside where he joins Hall - both men are completely out for the count. Nash is still struggling though but Luger sees to that as he decks him with a running forearm. Hollywood then adds insult to injury by putting his foot on Nash’s chest and poses. The announcers urge us to tune into Nitro as we fade to black.

Card for WCW Nitro, January 18th @ Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio

WCW US Championship: DDP © vs Bam Bam Bigelow

SuperBrawl Showdown qualifier: Booker T vs Bret Hart

SuperBrawl Showdown qualifier: Chris Jericho vs Steve McMichael

Thanks for everyone's predictions - but before Nitro there is a special news and notes post looking into what's going on backstage in WCW at the moment.

 

[Mach]

Backstage news and notes post Souled Out ‘99

Change at the top of WCW

While on-screen there has been a big change in WCW in the last few weeks, with President Ric Flair taking power behind the scenes there have been some big shifts too. Eric Bischoff is still very much the head honcho of WCW however from a creative point of view he’s taken a back seat to a new booking committee that’s been formed. Kevin Nash had been booking the promotion for the last couple of months of 1998 however following the decision to put the world title on himself and ending Goldberg’s streak at Starrcade the higher ups at Turner intervened and asked Bischoff to assemble a committee to book the shows going forward.

The committee is a group of WCW veterans including Kevin Sullivan, Arn Anderson and Tony Schiavone. Turner however also put one of their top creative minds on the team to have an outside perspective and try and turn the flagging WCW around after the company had a poor end to 1998. All we know about this person is his name is ‘Mach.’

Souled Out was viewed as a reset show for the promotion. It established the nWo as a heel stable once again with Luger joining the group. The committee have realised that the nWo has been stale for a while now so there is going to be one final concerted push to finish the faction’s story off properly after multiple botched decisions ranging back to Starrcade 97. The decision to disband the LWO was also made to streamline the nWo brand. The committee also thought it was not productive to have the vast majority of all the luchadors in the company under one banner.

WWF continues to win the ratings war

The WWF has continued to edge the ratings war vs Nitro. The December 28th post Starrcade episode received a 4.6 to Raw’s 4.9, the Georgia Dome Nitro narrowly lost to Mick Foley winning the title with Raw getting a 5.5 and Nitro a 5.2. The January 11th Nitro also lost by the same margin with a 5.1 to 5.4. PPV buys continue to be strong however as Starrcade received 460k buys while Souled Out got a very health 390k buys up on last year’s event. Many are attributing the big Thundercage main event for this.

Nitro moves back to two hours starting January 18th. Not only does this mean that the programme gets one hour unopposed to Raw as Nitro runs 8-10 while Raw airs 9-11 but its hoped the quality of the shows will go up because of this. Also Thunder’s ratings on TBS have been stagnating so it’s thought that brining Nitro down to two hours will mean more notable things can now occur on the company’s second show.

Relationship with New Japan continues

The last few weeks since the new booking committee came in has seen WCW renew its relationship with NJPW. Jushin Liger appeared on Thunder while Great Muta joined Hogan’s nWo.Neither will be a permanent fixture on TV but will pop in for occasional matches when allowed. WCW will also send more stars over to the company for one off shows, although there has been talk of sending a major star over there for the majority of the Spring.

Randy Savage’s future in doubt

The legendary Macho Man has not been seen since the summer of 98 due to the two knee surgeries he had to undergo. There has been some talk that he may never wrestle again due to the extent of these injuries but either way it appears we will not be hearing from Randy Savage for some time.

PPV Schedule Changes

After three years at the world famous motorcycle rally WCW will not be returning to Sturgis for Road Wild this August. The decision has been made due to the lack of ticket sales the venue has generated in previous years. The cancellation of this event will see Great American Bash move to July and Bash at the Beach moved to August. This leaves the June PPV slot vacant but there are rumours that WCW could be running a huge PPV event at The Georgia Dome on June 13th.

Bret Hart to take time off

The Hitman has been working through injuries since November and it is believed he will be taking time off in the coming weeks to heal up. Hart is only expected to be out for a couple of months.

New matches added to Nitro

We can exclusively reveal more of Nitro’s lineup for tomorrow night. Alongside the three announced matches Goldberg will take on The Barbarian, after defeating his partner Meng last week on Nitro. There will also be some six man cruiserweight action taking place as Rey Mysterio Jr., Chavo Guerrero Jr., and Cruiserweight Champ Billy Kidman will face Juventud Guerrera, Psicosis and La Parka. Plus the new nWo and Kevin Nash will be in the building.

Card for WCW Nitro, January 18th @ Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio

WCW US Championship: DDP (c) vs Bam Bam Bigelow

SuperBrawl Showdown qualifier: Booker T vs Bret Hart

SuperBrawl Showdown qualifier: Chris Jericho vs Steve McMichael

Goldberg vs The Barbarian

Billy Kidman, Rey Mysterio Jr. and Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs Juventud Guerrera, Psicosis and La Parka

Plus the nWo and Kevin Nash will be in the building

 

[Stojy]

I like the idea of trying to finish off the NWO story once and for all, it needs to happen. In most of these stories, it makes sense for things to get the darkest before good triumphs, so I'm assuming NWO will have a really strong few months from now.

2 hour Nitro's is just a good move. Save yourself from burnout and tbh, sometimes a three hour show becomes a bit much to read for every weekly as well.

New Japan relationship is a positive. Card with US Title match, Bret/Booker and the Cruiserweight tag makes Nitro look like a good show incoming. Although I guess Bret will be losing for sure, unless you're swerving us with the time off thing.

In regards to Souled Out, don't really have anything to provide feedback on. Booking was logical throughout and made sense for this reset of sorts. Was a well booked show. I've always been a fan of your stuff, thinking back to WWF 1997 once upon a time, and you're off to a solid start here as well. Keep it up.

 

[Mach]

WCW Nitro - January 18th 1999

From the Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio ​

Before the usual Nitro opening we get a recap of the key events of Souled Out including the the LWO being dissolved, The Dynasty and DDP winning the tag titles and US titles respectively and of course the dramatic events of the main event Thundercage which saw the seemingly injured Lex Luger emerge from the back only to turn on his Wolfpac stablemates and join the nWo Hollywood. This means that now the Wolfpac is no more. We then cut to the usual pyro and Nitro Girls display as Tony Schiavone welcomes us to the hottest two hours of pro wrestling in the world, live on TNT. He’s joined at the desk by Bobby Heenan as they preview tonight’s show which includes Goldberg in action, two SuperBrawl Showdown qualifying matches and DDP defending his newly won US Championship against Bam Bam Bigelow.

Being the nWo Elite

The sound of Jimi Henrix’s ‘Voodoo Child’ fills the Value City Arena and here comes nWo Hollywood. The trio of Hogan, Scott Steiner and Buff Bagwell make their way to the stage before all three point to the entranceway and Lex Luger emerges to some huge heat. The quartet have some new merch on as they are wearing t-shirts with a black nWo logo on a red and white background. The group strut their way down to ring as Schiavone recaps Luger’s betrayal from Souled Out. The faction are in the ring with a mic and Luger is going to kick things off. “All day I’ve had people come up to me and ask why Lex why? Well firstly I don’t owe you people anything!” Lots of boos for this, “But I want Kevin Nash to know that by bringing a bum like Scott Hall into the group he betrayed me a lot worse than I betrayed him last night. You know for too long I’ve been standing by and trying to do the right thing but its about time I started putting myself first! I’ve been on the losing team for so long so when Hogan approached me we hatched our plan last night and Nash, Hall and that jackass Konnan bought it hook, line and sinker! I’m nWo for life and you three will never be nWo again!”

Steiner and Bagwell pat Luger on the back as now Hogan grabs the mic. “Firstly I wanna say thanks to my brother from Tokyo The Great Muta who is now flying the nWo flag back in Japan - but he’ll be back when we need him.” The boos continue to be pretty loud here. “But what you see before you right now are the four most elite professional wrestlers in the world! You have the four most jacked, most charismatic and most ruthless dudes in this business. And you know that word elite is important because from now on there’s no Hollywood, there’s certainly no Wolfpac - we are the nWo Elite brother!” The fans continue to pelt Hogan with boos as Hogan flexes arrogantly in the ring as Heenan expresses his disgust with the group. “Now in terms of what’s next for nWo Elite well its time to get some gold around our waists again! So DDP and Konnan have a good look at those championships brother because your days are numbered holding those belts! Now as for that big loser, big ugly Kevin Nash - I’m laying down the gauntlet right now Jack at SuperBrawl IX on February 21st I’m coming for your WCW World Heavyweight Championship!”

Say his name and he appears, Kevin Nash then appears on the ramp with his WCW Championship over his shoulder. Big Sexy is all alone and has a mic in his hand. “Hey Hogan you wanna fight me at SuperBrawl - guess what dumbass - you’re on!” Big pop for this as a huge main event is set for WCW’s next PPV. “But I’m telling you now I’m making it my personal mission to take each and every one of you out and that especially goes for you Lex you turncoat son of a bitch!” Luger looks irate at this accusation as Nash continues. “In fact I’m gonna start tonight because I talked to Ric Flair before the show and he’s given me an open contract to face whoever I want in tonight’s main event - so which one of you has the balls to face me right here in Columbus!” The fans pop for this announcement as Scott Steiner grabs the mic: “Hey Nash I know you call yourself Big Sexy but you ask any of the hooches in the arena tonight who the biggest of them all is they’ll tell ya its Big Poppa Pump Scott Steiner. So I’m more than happy to kick your ass tonight!” Nash tells Scott that he’s on and there we have it tonight’s main event is set! The nWo Elite’s music hits and we head to commercial.

BILLY KIDMAN, REY MYSTERIO JR., and CHAVO GUERRERO JR. vs PSICOSIS, JUVENTUD GUERRERA AND LA PARKA

As we return from break we have some cruiserweight action as the former LWO members of Psicosis, Juvy and La Parka are already making their way down the aisle. Their opponents are the Cruiserweight Champ Billy Kidman, who defeated Psicosis last night, Rey Mysterio Jr., who defeated Eddie Guerrero and the former LWO leader’s nephew Chavo. The match gets underway with the legal men being Mysterio and Guerrera. The two lock up and exchange some quick holds before Mysterio breaks out of a side head lock and whips Guerrera into the ropes and goes for a running hurricanrana but Juventud counters trying for a power bomb but Rey punches him in the head and being off balance the two tumble over the ropes to the outside. The two fight on the floor but are soon joined by Psicosis and La Parka - its a three on one beatdown! Not for long however as Chavo Guerrero dives to the outside but La Parka catches him and scoop slams him on the floor. However Kidman is scaling the ropes and he delivers a spectacular shooting star press to the outside that wipes everyone out!

Mysterio recovers first and grabs Juventud and gets him back in the ring. He tags in Chavo and the two perform a double dropkick to Guerrera. Chavo covers: one…two…NO! Juvy gets the shoulder up. Guerrero goes to the top rope and goes for a splash but Juvy gets the knees up! He then executes a vicious snap suplex and drags the young Guerrero over to his corner and tags in La Parka. The chairman of WCW hits a few more scoop slams to his young opponent before he tags in Psicosis and the two execute a double flapjack into the ropes followed by Psicosis delivering a spinning heel kick to Chavo. He covers: one…two…NO! Guerrero manages to get the shoulder up. Psicosis then tries for a power bomb but Chavo counters with a backdrop and desperately crawls for a tag but he gets grabbed by the ankle and placed in the wrong corner. The former LWO members take turns kicking him before Psicosis punctuates the offense with a tornado DDT! He covers: one…two…NO! Chavo kicks out. Psicosis then goes up top and goes for a diving leg drop but Chavo moves out of the way. This opportunity is just what Chavo needs and he crawls to his own corner and makes the tag to Billy Kidman!

The cruiserweight champ slingshots himself over the ropes with a cross body that wipes out Psicosis as La Parka comes in and he gets wiped out by a drop kick from Kidman. Juvy then surprises Billy and hooks him for a Juvy driver but Mysterio is in here with a springboard crossbody of his own that breaks the hold up. Psicosis tags in La Parka and the chairman gets nailed with a BK bomber! Cover: one…two…NO! Juvy comes back in to break the cover up! Chavo then remerges and tackles Guerrera to the mat and the two start throwing shots and roll to the outside. Psychosis then gets back in the ring but Kidman nails him with a BK bomber and the former #1 contender rolls to the outside. Billy then springs off the ropes but he gets blind tagged by Rey Mysterio as La Parka nails him with a big boot. La Parka then hooks Kidman for a piledriver but Mysterio dives off the ropes and nails La Parka with a West Coast Pop, straight into a pinning predicament! Cover: one…two…THREE!

WINNERS IN 9 MINUTES BILLY KIDMAN, REY MYSTERIO JR. AND CHAVO GUERRERO

A big win for the popular trio although as Kidman is passed his cruiserweight championship by the referee he does look a little perturbed by Rey Mysterio’s blind tag that ultimately won his side the match.

The president is in the building

We cut backstage where Ric Flair is standing outside his office with Mean Gene Okerlund. Flair is dressed in a sharp suit as ever as Okerlund asks him what he’s got planned for WCW over the next few shows. “Well Mean by god Gene it is great to bring WCW Nitro right here to Columbus! Now we already have two SuperBrawl Showdown qualifiers scheduled here tonight with Jericho against Mongo and Bret Hart vs Booker T but right now I’m announcing two more for Thunder - it’ll be Eddie Guerrero vs Vampiro and the WCW TV Champ Konnan fighting Buff Bagwell. Plus after that exciting cruiserweight action I’m announcing that next week here on Nitro Rey Mysterio, Chavo Guerrero, Juventud Guerrera and Psicosis will compete in a four way elimination match with the winner getting a shot at Kidman at SuperBrawl. Now I’m gonna continue to style and profile all around this arena woo!” Flair walks off as we cut to commercial.

SUPERBRAWL SHOWDOWN QUALIFIER: CHRIS JERICHO VS STEVE MCMICHAEL

As we return from the break Steve McMichael is making his way down to the ring. Schiavone goes over the nine man SuperBrawl Showdown which will take place at the PPV with the winner gaining himself a WCW Championship match at a PPV of his choosing. Out next is Chris Jericho to loud boos from the fans. Heenan says Jericho has to be on thin ice now with the president after interrupting him last night at Souled Out. Both men are in the ring and the bell sounds. Mongo invites Jericho for a lockup but Chris instead slaps McMichael right in the face! Mongo doesn’t take too kindly to that and he absolutely runs over Jericho with a shoulder tackle. The Canadian competitor then flees to the outside to recover but Mongo gives chase! He again goes for the shoulder block but Jericho darts out of the way and McMichael goes crashing into the steel steps shoulder first! Chris then grabs Mongo and throws him into the guard rail leaving him in a crumpled mess. Jericho then scoots back into the ring and does his signature ‘come on baby’ pose as the count continues to go up! McMichael manages to power through however and makes it back into the ring at 9.5!

An angry Jericho goes on offense here as he stomps away at Mongo’s injured shoulder before whipping him into the corner. He then unloads with some signature Flair chops, clearly a direct message to the president. Chris then goes for a bulldog out of the corner but McMichael counters and picks Jericho up for a running powerslam! Mongo’s shoulder gives way however and Jericho drops behind his foe before hauling him up and down for a back suplex directly on that injured shoulder. Chris briefly admires his handiwork before heading up to the top rope. He leaps off the turnbuckle with a missile drop kick again targeted right at the injured shoulder! He covers: one…two…NO! Mongo powers out! Jericho then hits a few more offensive moves to McMichael before decking the Horseman with a spinning heel kick! Jericho then bounces off the ropes, looking for a lionsault, but as he lands he is met with two knees from the NFL legend! McMichael is feeling it now as he decks Jericho with a number of quick clotheslines. He then picks Chris up for his signature tombstone but one again that shoulder is just too injured and Jericho manages to wriggle free! Chris drops behind and delivers a German suplex right onto the shoulder of Mongo! Jericho then locks in the liontamer, his knee pressing down on McMichael’s injury. Mongo has nowhere to go and is forced to tap out!

WINNER IN 6 MINUTES CHRIS JERICHO

Chris Jericho is victorious and is the first man to qualify for the SuperBrawl ShowDown! Referee Randy Anderson raises Jericho’s hand, who is back on track after losing to Booker T last night. As he is celebrating the new WCW World Tag Team Champions The Dynasty hit the ring! Curt Hennig and Barry Windham cheated to beat The Horsemen last night and now they’re beating down the already injured Mongo! Jericho shrugs and looks to be leaving the ring as Hennig and Windham put the boots to McMichael. Their opponents from last night Dean Malenko and Chris Benoit then charge down to ringside to even the odds and here we go! Malenko and Windham exchange shots while Benoit and Hennig go at it.

As the two duos are evenly matched the momentum could swing either way but then Chris Jericho gets back in the ring and nails Dean Malenko! The two longtime rivals then go at it while Hennig and Windham have a two on one advantage on Benoit as Mongo is still laid out. Business really picks up now however because here comes Ric Flair! He throws his jacket to the floor and charges down the aisle. The president is pissed off here as he comes in and nails Windham, following with a knife edge chop to Hennig. Flair and Jericho then square off to a big pop from the crowd but Jericho puts his hands up and exits the ring. Seeing their numbers disadvantage. The Dynasty also bail and Benoit, Malenko, Flair and Mongo hold up their four fingers in the ring as we cut to the back.

From the bowery

We then cut to the bowels on the building where Raven is sitting cross legged. “When I fought Wrath in a hardcore match last week on Thunder, something awoke inside of me. I finally felt free from the prison of my mind. I feel like I have found my purpose - to be the most hardcore competitor in WCW!” At that exact moment Kanyon bursts in. “Yo Raven guess what I’ve just got us the match that’s gonna blow your mind!” Raven looks unimpressed as Kanyon continues. “Now I know you’ve got all that hardcore baloney out your system this week on Thunder I’ve got us a non-title rematch against The Dynasty - and if we win that we can finally get a shot for those tag titles! Wow I’m excited lets start training right away!” Kanyon then sprints off down the hallway as Raven looks completely nonplussed. We then cut to break.

Konnan speaks on this and tempers Flair

As we come back we cut to the WCW TV Champion Konnan sitting in an undisclosed location with his title belt next to him. “Ya know the Wolfpac was the best thing that ever happened to my career. So to have it ripped away from me by some two-faced punk, that hurts me a lot man. So I’m telling Luger and all those over nWo esses you’re on notice, K-dawg is coming to put you in the ground - and that starts with you on Thunder Bagwell because I’m entering and winning that SuperBrawl Shodown and I’ll add your title to the one I already got Hogan. And while I may not be in the Wolfpac anymore I’ve always got some amigos to watch my back.”

We then cut backstage to Ric Flair’s office where he, Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko and Mongo are all celebrating getting some revenge on The Dynasty when Chris Jericho bursts in! The Horsemen go to beat down their enemy but Jericho says he’s just here to talk to Flair one on one. Ric gets the other Horsemen to leave as they reluctantly agree. Jericho then says: “I have been waiting for weeks now Flair and still no sign of my new contract. I don’t know if Double A posted it to the wrong address or it got lost in the mail, but I’m the most talented professional wrestler in your company and yet my deal expires in less than six months time. So Nature Boy where is my contract otherwise my good friends in New York will be offering me a substantial pay rise instead of you!”

Flair retorts: “Jericho you are a talented wrestler but with all your whining and complaining I’m not sure you’ve got the attitude I want in my locker room. Now earlier you interfered in Horsemen business and you need to think very carefully pal about your next move!” Jericho responds: “Listen Richard the fact is that you went out there just now and threatened one of your employees, hell you even laid hands on Hennig and Windham. I should be taking your ass straight to Human Resources! But we can avoid any of that kind of trouble if you offer pro wrestling’s hottest free agent a bumper deal here in WCW.” Jericho looks pretty smug with his negotiating tactic as Flair replies: “I’ll tell ya what Chris next week on Nitro I’ll meet ya in the middle of the ring and we’ll negotiate your contract in front of the entire world. Now get out of my office!” Jericho seems to accept these terms as we cut to the ring.

SUPERBRAWL SHOWDOWN QUALIFIER: BRET HART vs BOOKER T

As Booker T makes his entrance the announcers recap the last time Bret and Booker faced off at Bash at the Beach ‘98, where the Hitman injured the then Television Champion. Booker is coming off a big win over Chris Jericho but his foe, who makes his way to the ring lost the WCW US Championship to DDP last night. Hart looks pissed off as he gets in the ring as Schiavone reminds us that the SuperBrawl Showdown is only for competitors who have never won the WCW Championship. Both men are in the ring and here we go. Booker goes right away for the Harlem side kick but Hart catches his leg and takes him down to the canvas! Bret then goes to lock in an early sharpshooter but Booker then kicks him away and on the rebound catches hitman with a big knee. Hart is doubled over and Booker goes for an axe kick but Bret counters with a backdrop! Bret then bounces off the ropes and goes for a running knee drop but Booker rolls out of the way. T then kicks Bret in the head while kneeling and then goes to pick him up for a spinebuster. Hart counters however and small packages Booker: one..two…NO! Both men spring to their feet and stare each other down as the fans applaud to show their appreciation. Hart then arrogantly shoves Booker but the younger competitor replies by absolutely blasting Bret in the face with a Harlem sidekick! Bret then staggers and tumbles through the ropes as Booker poses in the ring. Schiavone urges the fans to stick with Nitro as we enter hour number two and cut to commercial.

As we come back Bret Hart is working over Booker T in the ring as we are shown a replay of what occurred during the break as Booker was whipped into the ringpost on the outside. Hart had Booker in a deadly chin lock but the former TV Champion manages to fight his way out of it. He goes for a spinebuster but Bret counters by grabbing his head and planting him with a DDT. Hart covers: one…two…NO! Booker kicks out. Bret continues the onslaught with an atomic drop before bouncing off the ropes and decking Booker with a running clothesline. Bret then heads to his favoured second rope and delivers a diving knee drop. Hart covers again: one…two…NO! Once again Booker gets the shoulder up. Hart then whips Booker into the corner and charges at him but Booker gets his boot up! He then places Bret into the corner and delivers ten punches as the crowd chant along with the popular star. Booker then goes for a spin kick but Bret ducks and Booker crashes and burns. Hart goes for the sharpshooter but again he gets kicked away. Booker then successfully executes a spinning heel kick before he heads to the top rope! Before he has a chance to deliver his offence Hart yanks the top rope down so Booker crotches himself on the top turnbuckle. Bret then scales the ropes and delivers a beautiful superplex! He covers his opponent! One…two…three?

NO! Booker gets the shoulder up. Bret is fuming at this but he refocuses quickly and tries to go for a pile driver but Booker T manages to counter the set up into a back drop. As Hart staggers to his feet he is nailed with a Harlem side kick! Bret staggers around from the impact but is quickly grabbed by Booker and planted with a spine buster! Booker covers: one…two…three? ...NO! Hart kicks out! The crowd are on their feet here as Booker climbs the ropes, he’s looking for the Harlem hangover! He executes the flipping leg drop perfectly - until at the last second Bret moves out of the way. As Booker crashes and burns to the canvas Hart then grabs both of his foe’s legs - and locks in the sharpshooter! Hart wrenches back in the hold as Booker T is trapped in the middle of the ring. Hart is screaming at referee Billy SIlverman to ask Booker to quit but Booker yells hell no and using maybe every ounce of strength he has left Booker manages to crawl to the ropes and break the hold! Hart holds on until the ref gets to four and eventually relents.

Booker is flat out so Bret grabs him from behind and delivers his signature Russian leg sweep before again setting up for the piledriver! This time Booker manages to punch his way out of the predicament and one kick to the gut doubles Hart over! He then bounces off the ropes and goes for the axe kick but Hart was playing possum and nails Booker with a dropkick. He then grabs T and plants him with a piledriver! Cover: one…two…three!...NO! BOOKER GETS HIS FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE! Hart is apoplectic as he drags Booker back into the middle of the ring. Bret then goes to the top rope and goes for a diving elbow drop! Booker however moves out of the way and crashes and burns from the uncharacteristic manoeuvre. T then gets Hart in position and delivers the axe kick! He’s not done yet though as Booker heads to the top rope and delivers a Harlem hangover! Cover: one…two…three!

WINNER IN 17 MINUTES (including commercials) BOOKER T

Booker T does it - he joins Chris Jericho as two of the nine men in the SuperBrawl Showdown on February 21st. As Booker celebrates Hart slinks out of the ring looking completely dejected as he walks up the ramp. We then cut to the back.

Disco lays out a challenge

Disco Inferno is backstage with Mean Gene Okerlund. Gene asks how Disco feels about his multiple attempts to join the Wolfpac being in vain as the group is now disbanded. Disco replies: “Well Gene you know I’m Wolfpac for life so even if the group is gone I’ll always be representing the red and black. And that brings me to that traitor Lex Luger. You know Luger I’ve had Scott Hall crying on the phone to me all week because of you and I think its time for the Wolfpac to get even. So on Thunder I’m challenging you to a match - because you don’t turn your back on the Wolfpac!” The surprisingly confident Disco marches off as we cut to break.

WCW UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP: DDP © vs BAM BAM BIGELOW

As we return Bam Bam Bigelow is making his entrance as clips are shown from last week’s Thunder where with the help of Bret Hart, Bigelow pinned Page and thus earned this title match. Bigelow did however lose to Goldberg last night at Souled Out. Out next is the champ DDP to a big pop as Page hoists the US belt over his head on his way to the ring. Both men are in the squared circle and here we go. Bam Bam charges at Page straight away but DDP meets him with a big boot and tries for an early Diamond Cutter but Bigelow pushes him into the corner. Bigelow then splats Page in the corner with a running splash that squashes the champion and sees him slump down to the canvas. Bigelow then follows up with a running cannon ball to the corner which again deals some hefty damage to Page. Bigelow drags DDP to the middle of the ring and goes for a running splash but Dallas counters by sticking his foot right into Bam Bam’s jaw. He then starts unloading on his foe with strikes before hitting a swinging neck beaker! Cover: one…NO!

Emphatic kick out there from Bam Bam who soon gains the advantage again in the match when DDP goes for a powerslam but can’t get the big man up so Bigelow retorts with a headbutt. Bam Bam then throws Page over the top rope and poses to heat. Bigelow heads to the outside as well and whips DDP into the guardrail before then throwing him back first into the apron. He then grabs the US Champ and scoop slams him on the outside as Dallas clutches his back. He then hauls him back in the ring and hits DDP with a running powerslam. Bigelow covers: one…two…NO! DDP gets the shoulder up but this doesn’t deter Bigelow who rolls over Page and this time he successfully executes the running splash, right to the back of Page! Bigelow covers: One…two…NO! Again DDP kicks out but its getting pretty desperate now for the the US Champ. Bigelow then goes to the ropes and looks like he’s going to attempt a moonsault but DDP is up and he then nails Bam Bam in the back of the head and delivers a back superplex from the second rope! The impact takes a lot out of Page but eventually he makes a crawl over to Bigelow and covers: one…two…three?

NO! Bam Bam kicks out! The momentum is with DDP now however as he clotheslines his large opponent a few times before he heads to the ring apron. He goes for the slingshot crossbody but Bigelow catches him and slams him to the canvas! Bam Bam then scales the ropes and delivers a diving headbutt to Page. He covers: one…two…three?...NO! Page somehow gets the shoulder up! Bigelow has had enough here and he hauls DDP up for the Asbury Park Driver! He goes for the move but Page wriggles out and drops behind Bam Bam. He flips Bigelow round and BANG the Diamond Cutter is hit! But as Bam Bam crashes to the canvas he then rolls to the floor! Page collapses to the canvas before he too rolls to the outside to try and get Bigelow back in this thing. He manages to haul him back into the ring and covers. One…two…NO! Bam Bam kicks out as there was too much time for him to recover. Page then signals for the Diamond Cutter again but when he grabs onto Bam Bam the big man punches him in the back to break it up. Bam Bam then grabs DDP and plants him with a powerbomb! Cover: one…two…three?...NO! Page kicks out again. Bigelow then heads up top and goes for his rounding moonsault but as he lands DDP moves out of the way! Then as Bam Bam staggers to his feet he is nailed with a DIAMOND CUTTER! Cover: one…two…three!

WINNER IN 11 MINUTES AND STILL WCW UNITED STATES CHAMPION DDP

Page has done it! He’s done what he couldn’t do last week and slain the Beast from the East. Schiavone tells the fans to stick with us as Page celebrates as Gene Okerlund will be speaking to DDP in the ring.

DDP speaks to the people

Gene Okerlund is in the ring with DDP as we return from break. The legendary interviewer asks DDP what its like to hold the US Title for a third time. “Mean Gene first of all I wanna say thanks to all the fans who’ve supported me over the last few years because I would not be here without you guys.” Nice pop from the fans for this of course. “Now I plan to defend the US Championship as often as I can, so all comers are welcome to have a shot at the real people’s champ but I’m warning the whole locker room right now - you step in the ring with me and be prepared to feel the BANG of the Diamond Cutter.”

Okerlund then asks for Page’s thoughts on the nWo Elite who say they are coming for gold in WCW. “I’ve been fighting the nWo for nearly three years and I think the fans can all agree with me that its time to take out Hogan and his boys permanently. So it doesn’t matter if its Bagwell, Muta, Luger, Steiner or yourself Hollywood I’m gonna line all of you up and take all of you out!” Page’s music then hits as he hoists the US Championship above his head once again. We then cut to the announce desk by the stage where Schiavone and Heenan go over the two big matches we have to come tonight: Kevin Nash vs Scott Steiner and coming up right now Barbarian vs Goldberg.

THE BARBARIAN vs GOLDBERG

The Barbarian makes his way out to the ring next as footage is shown of Goldberg destroying his partner Meng last week as the other Face of Fear looks to gain a measure of revenge. As soon as his music hits the familiar chants fill the arena as Goldberg comes out to a huge ovation. The man who defeated Bam Bam Bigelow in the middle of the ring last night steps through the ropes and this match is now underway! Barbarian wastes no time and goes for some stiff knife edge chops that don’t phase Goldberg at all. Barbarian then goes for a headbutt which does stagger Goldberg back a bit but as Barbarian bounces off the ropes he gets nailed with a big kick when he returns to the centre of the squared circle. Goldberg then hoists Barbarian up for a powerslam and plants him on the canvas. Barbarian wisely rolls out of the ring at this point and goes to recover on the outside. Goldberg follows him out there and goes for a spear but Barbarian gets out of dodge and Goldberg goes shoulder first into the ring post! Barbarian then mows down Goldberg with a lariat! Barbarian then gets back into the ring and it looks like he’s going to take a countout win. Goldberg has different ideas however and makes it back into the ring only to be immediately hit with a running big boot! Barbarian covers: one…two…NO! Goldberg powers out but the former WCW Champ has not had it his own way so far. Barbarian tries to slam Goldberg but Bill counters and slams the Face of Fear to the canvas. This marks the turning point in the match because as Barbarian returns to his feet Goldberg hits a spear which causes the crowd to explode! Goldberg then signals for it - and executes the jackhammer! Cover: one…two…three!

WINNER IN 5 MINUTES GOLDBERG

Goldberg wins! The fans chant his name once again as Schiavone notes he’s now 4-0 in 1999. The big man then gets a mic from ringside as Barbarian rolls out of the ring. “At Starrcade four men wronged me. Disco Inferno - beat him, Bam Bam Bigelow - beat him last night at Souled Out. So Scott Hall - I know you’re not here tonight but next week I’m calling your ass out. Because you tasered me at Starrcade which means - YOU’RE NEXT!” Goldberg slams the mic down as he lays out his intentions for next week. Schiavone urges the fans to stick with Nitro because up next its main event time as WCW Chamo Kevin Nash takes on Scott Steiner of the nWo Elite.

KEVIN NASH vs SCOTT STEINER

As we return from commercial WCW World Champion Kevin Nash is making his way down to the ring to his old ‘Outsider’ theme song as the Wolfpac is no more. Heenan mentions this is a non-title match but as Big Sexy makes his way down the aisle SCOTT STEINER ATTACKS HIM FROM BEHIND WITH A PIPE! Loud boos in the arena for this as Steiner stomps on Nash in the aisle way as the crowd continue to pelt Scott with boos. Steiner grabs Nash and drags him to ringside as security runs down to separate the pair but here comes Hogan, Bagwell and Luger with pipes of their own to take out the security guards! Steiner then hauls the injured Nash into the ring as intimidates referee Charles Robinson into ringing the bell! Schiavone reminds the fans that Nash’s years in the nWo mean that he doesn’t have any friends at all in the WCW locker room. Steiner then grabs the battered Nash and grabs him in a belly to belly suplex hold as Robinson reluctantly rings the bell. Steiner tries to complete the suplex but Nash is desperately trying to elbow his way out of the hold. He can’t manage it though as Steiner headbutts his foe and then deliver an impressive belly to belly! Steiner covers: one…two…NO!

Nash manages to get the shoulder up to avoid an early defeat here. Steiner mocks Nash by doing push ups followed by posing and flexing his muscles. He then drops an elbow on Nash and covers again: one…two…NO! Nash again powers out but Steiner is completely dominating this match here. Scott launches the champ into the corner and starts pounding away on the champ. He then gets on the second rope and starts flexing in Nash’s face but this enrages Big Sexy who then grabs Steiner and looks to give him a power bomb! Steiner counters however as Nash stagers to the middle of the ring and pulls off a frankensteiner! Holy s**t! Nash rolls to the outside from this but Steiner gives chase and Scott tries to suplex the champ on the the outside but this time it gets successfully countered and Nash delivers a sidewalk slam on the outside! Big Sexy then grabs Steiner and throws him back in the ring and signals for the jackknife! He tries to get Scott up but Steiner counters with a backdrop. Steiner then grabs Nash and somehow hauls the seven footer up for a German suplex! He executes the move and covers: one…two…three?

NO! Kevin Nash kicks out! Steiner has had enough now and he goes to lock in his finisher the Steiner recliner! He grabs Nash and wrenches back on him but Big Sexy is finding some strength form somewhere because he powers to his feet with Scott still on his back and then drops the younger Steiner brother to the canvas! Big Kev then decks Steiner again with a running boot and once again signals for his signature power bomb but here comes the nWo Elite members Buff Bagwell and Lex Luger down the ramp! Nash still goes for the jackknife but as he gets Steiner up Luger comes in and low blows Nash - but the referee doesn’t see it because Buff Bagwell has distracted the referee! Steiner then hits another suplex to Nash and Bagwell conveniently stops distracting the ref and this allows a cover! One…two…NO! Nash just gets the shoulder up! Steiner goes for the Steiner screwdriver but Nash drops behind him and throws him onto the apron where Bagwell is standing the two collide and Buff crashes to the floor! Luger looks to get into the ring but Nash levels him on the apron with a big boot! This brings Hollywood Hogan out which divers the ref’s attention but this distraction backfires because as Steiner goes for a German suplex on Nash, Big Sexy nails his foe with a low blow of his own! Kev then grabs Steiner and delivers the jackknife powerbomb! Nash covers: one…two…three!

WINNER IN 10 MINUTES KEVIN NASH

Before Nash even gets the chance to celebrate Hogan is in the ring and he whallops Nash with the pipe from earlier! Luger and Bagwell get back in the ring and start beating down the WCW Champ as Hogan goes to ringside and retrieves the world title belt! Steiner is also now recovering in the corner and goes to join the pack of hyenas that is the nWo Elite. The trio then hold up Nash for Hogan who then nails his rival with a belt shot right to the face! Luger then gets the red spray paint can out and he spray paints the fallen Nash with the infamous three letters representing the New World Order -nWo. Schiavone ponders how Nash is going to go up against the nWo Elite with no allies as Nitro ends with Hogan posing with the championship belt.

Card for WCW Thunder, January 21st @ Market Square Arena Indianapolis, Indiana

SuperBrawl Showdown qualifier: Konnan vs Buff Bagwell

SuperBrawl Showdown qualifier: Eddie Guerrero vs Vampiro

The Dynasty (Curt Hennig and Barry Windham) vs Raven and Kanyon

Disco Inferno vs Lex Luger


Card for WCW Nitro, January 25th @ Reunion Arena Dallas, Texas

Cruiserweight Championship #1 Contenders Match: Rey Mysterio Jr. vs Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs Juventud Guerrera vs Psicosis

Plus Goldberg calls out Scott Hall

And Ric Flair negotiates Chris Jericho’s new WCW contract in the ring


Card For SuperBrawl IX, February 21st @ Oakland Arena Oakland, California

WCW World Championship: Kevin Nash © vs Hollywood Hogan

SuperBrawl Showdown, winner gets a title shot at PPV of his choosing: Chris Jericho vs Booker T vs seven more competitors TBA

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Billy Kidman © vs winner of #1 contenders match

 

[DTP]

WCW/nWo Souled Out 1999 - January 17, 1999:

I have very dodgy memories of this pay-per-view. I haven't been up to date since my last check-in, but from the offset with the major ThunderCage match in line, I've no question this will surpass those expectations. One just has to wonder who will do the job when it comes to the politics of the match. Sadly, I'd be shocked we saw any big bumps from the major power brokers.

Hot start to the show with Billy Kidman and Psychosis, and to be anticipated, Kidman retaining the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship made for the best possible decision. I would love to see Psychosis get a run in at some point, before his physical errosion he was quite the star. Sadly, Kidman offers microphone skills (albeit not much) that Psychosis does not. Still, would have been fun when you factor in possible LWO friction.

I have to wonder how you handle the conclusion of the nWo civil war saga. The nWo Wolfpac seemingly being back on the same page after a good week teases a betrayal of some degree later on. I'm glad you tied the Great Muta into the Hollywood mix. If I were to choose, I'd totally go with putting the Black & White to bed, on star power alone. It's a strange period where the nWo angle was definitely losing steam by the show, and Hollywood Hogan was as stale as ever. No wonder he went back to the red and yellow.

I must have missed something that led us to Arn Anderson in charge of Booker T and Chris Jericho's match. It's strange when you consider Arn is a Four Horsemen member, but given the screwy finishes to their past few matches, it does make sense why WCW President Ric Flair would assign his Enforcer to this. I continue to wonder if you plan on having Jericho on his way out, but I think it's clear as day that if the focus should be on any midcarder ready to make the climb in 1999, it's Booker T. I mean, if Stevie Ray can get pushed in nWo Hollywood, why not Booker?

It's a sudden end to the Latino World Order, but a welcome one. I'm glad you didn't go all the way with the tease that Rey Mysterio Jr. would lose his mask like he would at SuperBrawl IX. The loss of his mask really hurt Rey tremendously in terms of marketibility and star presence. At least with the mask, I would hope we start to see him break out from the pact, and possibly adopt that giant killer gimmick he had going for him for a while there.

Still, it's an abrupt end to the LWO, and it will benefit the bigtime Mexican players better than others. Guerrero, Psychosis, Juventud Guerrera and others I'm sure won't struggle. I just hope it gives way to upward mobility for the likes of Hector Garza, Silver King and co. La Parka obviously works best without being a background character. I'm interested to seeing how you handle all of these moving parts. The backstage aftermath was nicely done, factoring in all the other players of the faction. Konnan being personally responsible leads me to believe Eddie will either turn babyface, or has a potential WCW World Television Championship path to follow next.

Having watched every WCW Nitro up until October 1998 in the past two years, there has been no division I've seen handled worse than the WCW tag team division. The New World Order storyline really killed all hope this division had, which is mind-boggling when you consider the whole point of factions existing to begin with. I was surprised to see Curt Hennig and Barry Windham prosper, but it did come with plenty of mind games. Hennig continues his neverending story with members of the Four Horsemen, but I feel that Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko may be better off on the hunt as we move on.

It's great to see much less reliance on interference and shortcuts in matches such as the WCW US Heavyweight Championship bout. Bret Hart and Diamond Dallas Page had some bangers in 1998. That said, it's a shame to see Bret do the clean job for Page. DDP, like Booker T, is definitely someone who should be a centerpiece of the company in 1999. I see WCW World Heavyweight Championship material written all over him this year, so hopefully this run with the United States belt doesn't run on too long. You sold the win tremendously, and I did like the reliance on DDP continuing to find innovative ways of hitting the Diamond Cutter to get there.

Bam Bam Bigelow was robbed of a lot in 1999, and I've no doubt a lot of that was due to Kliq-related politics. It'll be sweet to see him in the mix with Diamond Dallas Page. I don't think we need to see the New Jersey Triad roots grow in this project.

I probably would have saved the Ric Flair promo for Monday Nitro, just to pop a number. It's a great concept to bring some new talent into the mix for a WCW World Heavyweight Championship shot, but I fear this will come with a price once the bigtime players involved in the ThunderCage match later free themselves up for new and better storylines. New blood in a top-heavy company exposes them to the idea of being overshadowed and overlooked. At least with the option of any pay-per-view match in the future it opens you up to establish these names firstly. I don't know about another multiman PPV match set up for SuperBrawl, but it could work out with the gauntlet style.

There is definitely room for a Chris Jericho storyline with Ric Flair, given the creative flavors afforded at the time. But there is also longterm room for Flair's authority as WCW President to become self-absorbed. I'm not talking running a dictatorship like he would in real life - but I can't see Flair stepping out of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship picture for too much longer...

I'm glad you gave Bam Bam Bigelow considerable offense against Goldberg, but the right man obviously had to win. I'm of the minority who believed the Streak needed to end when it did. Now, how they pulled it off with Kevin Nash ending it thanks to Scott Hall, obviously that was terrible. But I feel with the WCW World Heavyweight Championship reign over, the Streak over and the training wheels off, 1999 should not only be about Goldberg on the hunt, but about building up that single-dimensional badass character. Less squashes, stories of somewhat more substance.

Why am I not surprised at a swerve ending to kill the nWo Wolfpac? At least with Lex Luger doing it, it ends a four-year face run and sees the last possible true-and-true WCW guy make the ultimate defection to the nWo Black & White. Still, I feel the Hollywood legs were running out and they made the right call in real life to roll with the Wolfpac mantra after the Fingerpoke of Doom. Now, one has to dread what a match between Kevin Nash and Luger may look like in 1999. Nash surely won't let this one slide. I also believe Nash still needs that definitive one-on-one encounter with Hollywood Hogan at some point in the future.

This was an outstanding presentation. From an in-ring standpoint I don't know if the jury's still out on that one, with the expected bells and whistles on show in the main event. Still, it had to be done. The main thing to me is that the faction war of the New World Order is over. Now, we wait and see how long nWo Hollywood exists for, in this new era for the company.

 

[Mach]

WCW Thunder - January 21st 1999
From the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana


We start the night off on TBS with a recap of the closing angle on Nitro as Kevin Nash defeats Scott Steiner before being laid out by Hollywood Hogan and his nWo Elite goons. We then cut to the usual Thunder intro and Mike Tenay and Larry Zbyszko welcome us to the Superstation and WCW Thunder. They lay out tonight’s card as we have a couple of important qualifiers for the SuperBrawl Showdown Match, Lex Luger in action against Disco Inferno as well as an exclusive clip of Bret Hart from Nitro, following his loss to Booker T.

SUPERBRAWL SHOWDOWN QUALIFIER: VAMPIRO vs EDDIE GUERRERO

The mysterious Vampiro is out first as Tenay gives the audience some details about the SuperBrawl showdown match that will give nine wrestlers the chance to win a championship opportunity at a PPV of their choosing. Eddie Guerrero comes out next to a decent amount of heat and he looks pretty pissed off. The former LWO leader recently saw his faction disbanded thanks to losing to Rey Mysterio Jr. The pair are in the ring and this match is off to the races. The pair lock up to start but Guerrero uses his superior technique to gain the upper hand and starts to go to work on the arm with a hammer lock and transitions into a wrist lock and wrenches the arm a few times. He then performs a scoop slam to Vampiro with the arm tucked behind the back so the face-painted competitor lands arm first on the canvas. Guerrero continues to stomp on the arm before eventually Vamp rolls to the outside. Eddie doesn’t want to let up so he goes to dive through the ropes but he is met with a huge forearm by Vamprio who springs up onto the apron. Eddie then takes an awkward looking tumble to the floor as Vampiro scales the ropes and delivers a crossbody to the outside!

The fans pop for this as Vampiro throws Guerrero back in the ring. He then goes for a power bomb but now that arm damage is starting to show and he cannot quite haul him up quick enough so Eddie counters with a hurricanrana. Eddie again goes back to working the arm with some more stomps before he then places the arm behind Vampiro’s back and delivers his signature three amigos suplexes with Vampiro landing on his arm awkwardly. Eddie covers: one…two…NO! Vampiro kicks out. Guerrero wastes no time however and follows up with an armbar! He’s got it locked in tight and wrenches back on Vampiro as he looks like he’ll have no choice but to tap out! Thinking resourcefully however Vampiro uses his good arm and manages to haul himself over to the ropes and Eddie has no choice but to release the hold. Guerrero again is right on Vamp and he drags him to the middle of the ring. He heads up top and goes for the frog splash - but Vampiro gets his knees up!

Sensing this is his one opportunity Vampiro goes on offense and hits a series of clotheslines with his good arm before heading to the top rope. He hits a cross body straight into a cover: one…two…NO! Eddie kicks out. Vampiro tries again for a power bomb but Eddie counters with a backdrop. Guerrero tries for a tornado DDT off the turnbuckle but Vampiro whacks him with his good arm leaving Eddie stranded on the second rope. Vampiro again uses his good arm to deliver a modified one arm powerbomb! Vamp covers: one…two…three?...NO! Eddie powers out again. Vampiro then tries for the Nail in the Coffin but once again he cannot haul Eddie up properly and Guerrero whacks Vampiro with a brutal European uppercut. He then grabs Vampiro and absolutely plants him with a brain buster! Not satisfied with his work just yet Guerrero goes up to the top rope and delivers a frog splash. He covers: one…two…three!

WINNER IN 9 MINUTES EDDIE GUERRERO

The referee raises Eddie’s hand as Mike Tenay tells viewers to stick with Thunder because up next he’ll be interviewing Guerrero live in the ring.

Moving on from the LWO

As we come back from commercial Mike Tenay is in the ring with the charismatic Eddie Guerrero. Tenay congratulates Eddie on his victory but says its been a mixed week for Eddie with his faction being broken up by Rey Mysterio at Souled Out. Guerrero snatches the mic of Tenay and retorts: “Listen esse I’m not here to talk about the past. Maybe the LWO didn’t go the way it should’ve done but right now I’m focused on myself not Rey Mysterio or any other wrestler here in WCW. All I care about now is winning this SuperBrawl Showdown and becoming the first latino world champion in WCW. Now come up with a better question homes!” Guerrero then shoves the mic back into Tenay’s chest and gestures for him to continue.

Tenay continues to stir the pot though and asks Eddie about the confrontation he had backstage with the WCW TV Champion Konnan backstage at Souled Out after he lost. Again Eddie snatches the mic off him “I ain’t given you any more chances man! I’ve said it before and I’ve said it again - I’m focused on one man - Eddie Guerrero and all I hear from you is Rey Mysterio this, Konnan that - cut the crap man because you and all these fans need to take a good long look at me because I’m your next WCW Champion!” As Eddie goes to leave Konnan’s music hits and here comes the TV Champ. Eddie does not look happy as the former Wolfpac member gets in the ring.

Konnan gets in the ring and has a mic of his own as Tenay wisely decides to bail back to the commentary desk as things could get physical here. Konnan says: “Listen Eddie I get it man you only wanna focus on you but you and I - we’re a lot a like man. We traveled the roads together down in Mexico, we both came to WCW at the same time and well we both just lost groups we were a part of. We’ve also both done a lot of bad things and pissed a lot of people off.” Eddie then cuts Konnan off: “Yeah I get it esse we’ve got some stuff in common but I don’t want or need your advice!”

Konnan retorts: “If you wanna get to the top of this company Eddie you’re gonna have takedown the nWo Elite and let me tell you alone you don’t stand a chance. But I’m looking around that locker room and I see a lot of young and hungry wrestlers that I want to fight alongside - and Eddie despite everything I see your passion and you’re one of the guys that I’d want to have my back.” Eddie ponders this for a moment before he shoves past Konnan and leaves the ring, not interested in what the TV Champ has to say. As he walks down the ramp with Konnan left in the ring Lex Luger and Buff Bagwell of the nWo Elite appear from the crowd and attack Konnan! The pair are beating the TV Champ down and Eddie stops halfway up the ramp, he thinks about turning around before he continues walking to the back - to a lot of heat from the audience. Lex and Buff stand tall over Konnan as Tenay mentions that Konnan takes on Bagwell in tonight’s main event for a place in the SuperBrawl Showdown.

The following message has been paid for by the New World Order

We then cut to an nWo advert featuring Hollywood Hogan himself. He’s busy posing in the usual black and white room before he begins to talk smack about Kevin Nash and promises to take his WCW World Championship away from him at SuperBrawl. Hogan then lays out a challenge for Nash at Nitro: “Hey big loser now you’re flying solo with no Wolfpac flunkies to back you up I’ve got a challenge for you for Nitro dude. Me, Flexy Lexly and Big Poppa Pump versus you and any two partners of your choice - except of course Scott Hall or Konnan! Good luck finding anyone in that WCW locker room who doesn’t hate you!” Hogan then laughs as we cut to break.

HECTOR GARZA, DAMIAN AND CICLOPE vs SILVER KING, EL DANDY AND VILLIANO IV

As we come back from break we are treated to some action from WCW’s talented luchadores. Hector Garza, Damien, and Ciclope make their way to the ring first and get a decent reception from the fans. Next, El Dandy, Silver King, and Villano IV enter to a mixed reaction, but they’re all business as they march towards the ring, ready for battle. The match begins with Hector Garza and El Dandy starting off. They circle each other before locking up in a collar-and-elbow tie-up. Garza gains the initial advantage, pushing Dandy into the corner. The referee calls for a clean break, and Garza backs off, only for Dandy to take a cheap shot with a slap across Garza's face, which ignites the crowd. Garza retaliates with a series of arm drags, showcasing his agility. Dandy tries to counter, but Garza's speed proves too much. He tags in Damien, who continues the assault with a running dropkick that sends Dandy reeling. Dandy, shaken but not defeated, tags in Silver King. The two lock up, with Silver King using his technical prowess to take Damian down with a headlock takeover.

Damian fights his way back to his feet and sends Silver King into the ropes, hitting a spinning heel kick on the rebound. He quickly tags in Ciclope, who enters with a flurry of offense, hitting a springboard crossbody for a near fall. Silver King manages to tag in Villano IV. Ciclope and Villano IV exchange blows, with Villano IV eventually taking control with a stiff lariat. Villano IV slows the pace, working over Ciclope with methodical strikes and a series of suplexes. He tags in Dandy, who applies a chinlock, trying to wear Ciclope down. The crowd starts to rally behind Ciclope, who fights to his feet and hits a jawbreaker on Dandy, giving him the chance to tag in Garza. Garza comes in like a house on fire, taking down Dandy with a clothesline and then knocking Silver King and Villano IV off the apron. He goes for a standing moonsault on Dandy, but Dandy rolls out of the way just in time. Dandy tags in Silver King, who rushes at Garza but gets caught with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Garza tags in Damian, and they double-team Silver King with a double suplex. Damian covers: one…two…NO! Villiano IV and El Dandy enter the ring to break the pinfall up.

Ciclope and Hector Garxa join the fray and now all six men are in the ring the ring, and chaos ensues as they brawl. Garza and Dandy fight on the outside, with Garza launching Dandy into the barricade. Inside the ring, Damien and Ciclope double-team Villano IV, but he fights them off with a double clothesline. Silver King takes advantage, hitting a springboard moonsault on Damien and covers! One…two...NO! Ciclope breaks up the pin and hits a tornado DDT on Silver King. With everyone down, the legal men, Damian and Silver King, struggle to their feet. Silver King goes for his patented Silver Bomb, but Damian counters with a hurricanrana. He then tags in Garza. Garza climbs to the top rope and hits a stunning corkscrew crossbody on Silver King and covers! One..Two…NO! El Dandy breaks up the pin at the last second. Villano IV tries to sneak in a cheap shot, but Ciclope intercepts with a superkick, sending Villano IV out of the ring. Garza quickly capitalizes, hitting his signature Garza Driver on Silver King! Damian then throws El Dandy out of the ring as Garza covers: one…two…three!

WINNERS IN 10 MINUTES HECTOR GARZA, DAMIAN AND CICLOPE

Garza’s team win after a very back and forth match and he celebrates with his teammates in the ring as we head to commercial. Tenay lets us know that up next the tag team champions The Dynasty will face off with Raven and Kanyon.

Conducting Horseman Business

As we comeback we are backstage with Horsemen members Steve McMichael, Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko. Malenko says the Horsemen are far from done with The Dynasty and that they are coming for those tag team title belts at some point soon. Benoit notes that he’s still in pain from that belt shot at Souled Out but they’ve got business to take care of tonight and will be doing their talking in the ring later when they compete in front of the fans. Mongo stands there looking menacing as we cut back to the ring.

THE DYNASTY (BARRY WINDHAM AND CURT HENNIG) vs RAVEN AND KANYON

The tag champs are out first and WIndham and Hennig are looking pretty smug with themselves as they hold their title belts up as they get a lot of heat. They enter the ring to more boos before Raven and Kanyon make their way out. These two are hardly on the same page as Raven seems only interested in hardcore wrestling while Kanyon seems to want to make the team work in an overbearing way as possible. Windham and Kanyon start this one in the ring and we are underway. The two bigger men from their respective teams start this one by slugging it out with some big strikes as Larry mentions that these duos met earlier this month in the tag title tournament with The Dynasty coming out on top. Kanyon goes for a flatliner early on but Windham counters with a slam and the crafty veterans isolate Kanyon in their corner. Hennig tags in now and goes to work on Kanyon and hits the Jersey-native with a snapmere before kicking him in the back a few times. Hennig then grabs a side headlock and wrenches on Kanyon’s neck as Raven doesn’t look too interested on the apron. Eventually Kanyon manages to power out and counter the hold into a back suplex! He then hits Hennig with some big shots and goes to tag in Raven but Barry Windham is a step ahead and he yanks Raven off the apron as Kanyon goes to make the tag. He then turns around and is met with a drop kick by Hennig and its followed up with a vertical suplex! He covers: one…two…NO!

Kanyon fires his shoulder up as Hennig goes back to work stomping away at his less experienced foe. Curt then tags in Barry and the pair go for a double suplex but Kanyon reverses the momentum and suplexes both of his opponents! He then crawls to his corner and finally Raven gets in the match. Despite his unenthusiasm Raven unleashes hell here hitting big shots first to Windham and then to Hennig who tries to halt his momentum. He goes for a DDT to WIndham but Barry counters and both men go tumbling through the ropes to the outside. Kanyon and Hennig start brawling on the outside as Raven gets the advantage of Windham with a suplex on the floor. Raven then picks up a chair from ringside and throws it back into the ring as referee Billy Silverman warns Raven to be careful. He gets big Barry back in the squared circle and goes for a drop toe hold onto the chair but Kanyon pulls the chair out of the way from the outside at the last second! The crowd boo as Raven performs an ordinary drop toe hold as Kanyon starts yelling at Raven from the outside that he’ll get the pair disqualified. This distraction allows Hennig to nail Kanyon from behind on the floor while Raven turns around and is turned inside out from a lariat by Windham! Barry than tags in Curt who quickly hits the Hennigplex! Cover: one…two…three!

WINNERS IN 8 MINUTES THE DYNASTY

The referee hands The Dynasty their championship belts which they proudly hold above their heads while Raven and Kanyon are laid out. As The Dynasty go to leave the music of The Horsemen hits and here comes Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko ready to wrestle, with Steve McMichael backing them up. This causes Hennig and Windham to scarper and they leave through the crowd as The Horsemen are set to compete after this break. Tenay reminds us of all the great action we have still to come including Konnan vs Buff Bagwell, Lex Luger vs Disco Inferno and that exclusive Bret Hart footage.

THE HORSEMEN (CHRIS BENOIT AND DEAN MALENKO) vs THE ARMSTRONG BROTHERS (BRAD ARMSTRONG AND STEVE ARMSTRONG)

During the break the Armstrongs made their way down the aisle accompanied by their third brother and future crooked referee Scott Armstrong. Benoit and Brad are in the ring and this bout is underway. Chris starts by unleashing a flurry of chops to Brad which causes Armstrong to bail to the outside but the Horsemen are laser focused here tonight and Chris gives chase. He whips Brad into the barricade and proceeds to chop him some more much to the crowd's delight. Benoit then rolls Brad back into the ring and tags in Malenko and the pair hit a nice back breaker and elbow drop combo to Brad. Malenko covers: one…two…NO! Armstrong barely gets the shoulder up. Dean then looks for a power bomb but Brad manages to counter it with a back drop. Brad manages to get to his corner and tag in brother Steve who charges at Malenko with a running clothesline but is met with a stiff European uppercut. Dean then executes the power bomb he was looking for earlier on Steve and covers again! One…two…NO! Steve hasn’t been in the match long but he just kicks out of that one. Dean then tags in Benoit who grabs Steve and hits him with a pair of German suplexes before then heading up top and hitting a picture perfect diving headbutt! Scott gets on the apron to distract the ref and delay the inevitable but Mongo sweeps him down to the floor as Benoit locks in the crossface! Steve comes in to break it up but Malenko comes in and ties Steve up in his signature cloverleaf! Both Armstrong brothers tap the mat furiously as the referee ends this match.

WINNERS IN 5 MINUTES THE HORSEMEN (CHRIS BENOIT AND DEAN MALENKO)

It’s a convincing win for The Horsemen as referee Randy Anderson raises Benoit and Malenko’s hand. Mongo then gets in the ring with them to celebrate before the Indiana crowd explodes when they here the music of WCW President and Horseman leader Ric Flair hit! Flair is dressed in a sharp suit and is applauding his stablemates as he makes his way into the ring. He shakes his fellow Horsemen’s hands before he grabs a mic. “Ya know something Indianapolis - nobody kicks ass like the Four Horsemen woo! And Benoit, Malenko that was a hell of an ass kicking you just delivered boys as Dynasty that’s coming your way real soon. Ya see if you think you can get away with screwing over the Horsemen then you two are even stupider than you look! Turning your back on me and the tradition of wrestling’s greatest faction was your first mistake but screwing Benoit and Malenko out of the tag team titles is gonna be your last!”

Big pop for this passionate Ric Flair promo here as soaks in the adulation of the fans. “Now at SuperBrawl we have the nine man SuperBrawl Showdown and I created this match to give opportunities to wrestlers who had never been world champion here in WCW. Guerrero, Booker T and Jericho are already in but I don’t think we could have a match like this without a little bit of styling and profiling from The Four Horsemen!” The fans pop for this. “Now I know that you Chris in particular want to get your hands on that rat Curt Hennig after he nailed you with the tag team title belt. Well as the president I’m responsible for justice here in WCW and on Nitro this Monday you’ll have the chance to kick Hennig’s ass in the latest SuperBrawl Showdown qualifier!” Benoit likes the sound of this as he shakes hands with Flair before Ric looks to continue. “And finally let me say this about Nitro - Chris Jericho you better be ready to hear some hard truths pal because in those contract negotiations you’re gonna hear some words that you aint ready for!” With that Flair’s music plays and The Horsemen depart the ring to more cheers from the fans.

What next for Stevie Ray?

Backstage Scott Hudson is standing by and asking the important questions - what’s next for Stevie Ray. The former nWo and Harlem Heat member is standing by with Scott luckily and addresses this issue. “Ya know its been a rough couple of week for me Scott. Tonight I’ve got a match with my former stablemate Horace and let me tell ya dawg I ain’t got an alliance with anyone no more. After that my plan is real simple. I’m gonna qualify for that SuperBrawl showdown, through all the fruit booties in that match over the top rope and get myself a shot at the WCW Championship.” With that Stevie walks off as we cut to break.

Cruiserweight Elimination Preview

As we come back we cut to a Mike Tenay narrated video package which is previewing the cruiserweight #1 contenders elimination match which is scheduled to take place this Monday on Nitro. We see clips of the four competitors in the match: Rey Mysterio Jr, Chavo Guerrero, Psicosis and Juventud Guerrera. The winner of the bout gets a shot at Billy Kidman’s championship at SuperBrawl IX. Tenay explains the rules of the match - all four men are in the ring at the same time and an elimination can only take place with a pinfall or submission inside the ring. The last man standing wins the bout. We also hear a word from each of the competitors as they put over Kidman’s impressive title reign and the prestige of the Cruiserweight Championship. The package ends with Tenay reminding fans that this match takes place this Monday on Nitro.

STEVIE RAY vs HORACE HOGAN

The B-Team explode! Horace Hogan is making his way to the ring to some boos and the lesser-known Hogan has to be pissed off that his own uncle kicked him out of the nWo. After Horace Stevie is out next and he seems to be playing up to the crowd more than we’ve seen in recent months. Both men are in the ring and this match is underway. The duo lock up but Stevie manages to overpower his opponent and he shoves Horace into the corner. Stevie then charges in with a big boot but Horace ducks and then tries a clothesline of his own but this barely rocks Stevie. Horace again tries to attack his opponent with a big clothesline but he then gets met with a boot and this sends him crashing to the canvas. Stevie then whips Horace into the corner again and punches him in the face ten times as Tenay notes he’s surprised to see the former TV Champ play up to the audience so much. He then goes for his 110th street slam spinebuster but Horace elbows his way out of it. Hogan then manages to scoop slam Stevie and seems to pay tribute to his uncle by going for a leg drop but Stevie rolls out of the way. Stevie then hits an elbow drop to Hogan and covers. One…two…NO! Horace manages to get his shoulder up. Stevie again goes for a big power move but Horace fights out and heads to the top rope. He dives off the turnbuckle but Stevie catches him and nails Horace with the 110th street slam! Not done yet though Stevie grabs Horace and plants him with his slapjack finisher! He covers: one…two…three!

WINNER IN 4 MINUTES STEVIE RAY

It's a decisive win for Stevie Ray here on Thunder as Larry notes that Stevie may have impressed Ric Flair enough for him to be put into a SuperBrawl Showdown Qualifier. Tenay then hypes up the rest of the show including the main event qualifier of Buff Bagwell vs TV Champ Konnan, Lex Luger vs Disco Inferno and exclusive footage of Bret Hart from Nitro after his loss to Booker T

The Dynasty speak their mind

Backstage the WCW Tag Team Champions are with Scott Hudson. Scott congratulates The Dynasty on their win vs Raven and Kanyon earlier and invites them to respond to Ric Flair and The Horsemen earlier. Hennig retorts: “Listen nature boy I know you think that you can throw your weight around just make matches left, right and centre but frankly I don’t give a damn if you’re president of WCW or hell even of the United States because when you come from the professional wrestling heritage that we you don’t take order from anybody!” Windham then says his piece: “Benoit, Malenko we beat you once for these titles so as far as I’m concerned boys its straight to the back of the line for ya!” Windham grins saying this before Hennig takes over once again. “Speaking of Chris Benoit I’ve got the chance to kick your ass all over again this Monday on Nitro - and not only am I going to beat you again Chris I’m going to go on and win the SuperBrawl Showdown Match. The fact that I’ve never won the WCW Championship isn’t down to me - it's down to the disrespect to wrestling royalty like myself and Barry Windham that has gone on long enough in WCW. Benoit I’ll see ya on Nitro.” With that Hennig and Windham leave as we cut to commercial.

DISCO INFERNO vs LEX LUGER

As we come back Disco Inferno is dancing his way to the ring with his irritatingly catchy theme song playing throughout the arena. Disco was obsessed with trying to get into the Wolfpac so when Lex Luger turned on the group and effectively ended it at Souled Out Disco challenged the Total Package. Speaking of which the nWo music hits and here comes Lex Luger to a ton of heat from the crowd, they are still fuming from him turning his back on the Wolfpac. Luger arrogantly flexes in the ring as this match gets underway. The cocky Lex doesn’t seem to be taking his opponent very seriously as he flexes in Disco’s face but the Inferno surprises Luger with a slap to the face! Lex then charges at Disco but the dancing wrestler ducks and then school boys Luger! One..two…NO! Lex kicks out at two but Disco almost got him there! Disco then goes for the chartbuster but Lex counters with an atomic drop before flattening Disco with a forearm to the back of the head. With Inferno on the mat Luger then stomps on his opponent before posing again to a lot of heat from the audience. Luger then plants Disco with a scoop slam and follows up by looking for the torture rack but before he can apply it Disco wriggles free and grabs Luger for an impressive swinging neck breaker! Disco covers: one…two…NO!

Luger kicks out and the nWo member is pissed now as Disco has held his own so far in this match. Inferno again looks for the chartbuster but Lex pushes him into the ropes before meeting him with a shoulder block on the rebound. Luger then hauls Disco up and drops him to the canvas with a gorilla press slam. Luger then hits some forearms to the face of the downed Disco Inferno before again hauling his smaller opponent up for a vertical suplex. Inferno is in deep water now and as he staggers to his feet Disco is wiped out by a running foeream from Lex. Tenay mentions the steel plate Lex has in that arm which has likely just knocked Inferno out. Lex then hoists Disco up and locks in his signature torture rack. With no signs of life from Disco the referee has no choice but to ring the bell.

WINNER IN 6 MINUTES LEX LUGER

Post-match Luger continues to rack Disco for a few more seconds before he tosses his opponent out of the ring and sends him crashing to the floor. Luger then poses in the ring yet again before we throw to the announcers. Tenay and Larry first hype up Nitro including the nWo vs Kevin Nash and two partners of his choosing, the cruiserweight four way, Hennig vs Benoit as well as Goldberg’s promise to call out Scott Hall. Larry reminds Tenay that Ric Flair and Chris Jericho will negotiate the latter’s new contract live in the ring. Tenay then throws to our next video which is an exclusive backstage clip featuring Bret Hart on Nitro.

Hart attacks WCW

We see Bret Hart walking backstage with his suitcase as he looks to be leaving the arena. Mean Gene Okerlund has caught up with the Hitman however and he asks him about his shocking loss to Booker T in a SuperBrawl Showdown qualifier. Bret responds: “Ya know since the day I walked into this godforsaken company its been disrespect after disrespect. Whether its Eric Bischoff or Ric Flair running the show I honestly couldn’t care less Gene. When I look up and down this locker room I either see hasbeens clinging on for one last pay cheque or young guys who have no idea how to make it in this business. Where I come from in Calgary I’m wrestling royalty but here in WCW I’ve been just treated like any other guy. No title shots, no respect from the fans for the excellence of execution. So guess what Gene - I’m done. Congrats on the win Booker T tonight, congrats to DDP at Souled Out you beat a man who has fallen out of love with this sport because on my best day I’d wipe the floor with both of you. So now whats next for me - who knows but it sure as hell isn’t in WCW because I quit.” Hart then walks off into the distance as we cut to commercial.

SUPERBRAWL SHOWDOWN QUALIFIER: KONNAN vs BUFF BAGWELL

As we return to Thunder it’s main event time and Buff Bagwell of the nWo Elite is out first. He’s not flying solo however as he’s being accompanied by Lex Luger, who is fresh off that victory over Disco Inferno. The WCW TV Champion Konnan is out to the ring next and is all alone, having already been the victim of a Bagwell and Luger beat down earlier in the night. Konnan gets in the ring and grabs a mic and addresses the crowd while Buff and Luger linger on the outside. “Yo,yo,yo let me speak on dis! Orale! Arriba La Raza!” The crowd responds in kind as Konnan continues: “Now Buff you may have beaten me down once but the first you gotta know about K-Dawg is I always get back up - now lets do this!” With that Bagwell gingerly steps into the ring and our main event is underway. Konna right away does his signature forward roll clothesline which wipes Bagwell out for a big pop. Buff retreats back to the outside and Konnan gives chase but runs into Lex Luger. The two former Wolfpac members exchange some heated words before Bagwell sneaks up from behind and nails Konnan. He then goes to Irish whip him into the guardrail but Konnan reverses and sends Buff spine first into the steel Konnan then whips Buff into the steps as a pissed off Luger looks on. Konnan then rolls Bagwell back into the ring and covers: one…two…NO!

Bagwell avoids an early shower as he kicks out. Konnan then drop kicks Buff right in the face as Bagwell starts to get up before he looks to follow up with a brainbuster. Bagwell wriggles out of it however and plants K-dawg with a DDT. Buff then whips Konnan into the corner and starts mouthing off to the fans down the camera as he pounds away at his foe. He then hits a neck breaker to Konnan as the Cuban competitor stumbles out of the corner before Bagwell continues to target the neck of his opponent with a lot of stiff strikes to that area. Buff hits a few arm drags to Konnan before then flattening his opponent with a running shoulder block. Bagwell is on a roll now as he executes a running splash to his downed opponent. He goes for a double underhook DDT but Konnan reverses and catches Buff with a back slide! One…two…NO! Bagwell manages to get out of the pin but is nailed with a running clothesline from Konnan almost right away. Konnan then goes for his Tequila sunrise submission finisher but Buff kicks him away and Konnan goes crashing into referee Nick Patrick!

The official is down but the match continues as Buff charges at Konnan but is met with a swift kick to the gut followed by a brain buster! Konnan contemplates the cover, but realising Nick Patrick is down he instead locks in the Tequila Sunrise to wear down Bagwell as much as possible. Of course it doesn’t take Lex Luger too long to get involved as the Total Package hits the ring and decks Konnan with a running forearm! Luger then grabs Konnan and gets him up in the torture rack as the fans boo furiously. Luger eventually dumps Konnan down to the canvas just as Nick Patrick starts to get back to his feet. Lex bails as Bagwell is now recovered and heads up to the top rope. Konnan somehow manages to stagger to his feet however he is soon met with a picture perfect blockbuster! Bagwell covers: one…two…three!

WINNER IN 9 MINUTES BUFF BAGWELL

Bagwell wins this contest and is now qualified for the SuperBrawl Showdown. Tenay says he’s just received word in his headset that as a result of Buff’s win over the TV Champ here tonight he will get a rematch for the title this coming Monday on Nitro. Luger then joins Bagwell in the ring and the two then add insult to injury and continue to beat down Konnan as the crowd boo heavily. As the beatdown continues Eddie Guerrero wonders onto the ramp! Luger and Bagwell relent as the wait to see what Eddie does next. Guerrero looks conflicted but ultimately decides to turn around and leave again. Thunder ends with Luger and Bagwell standing tall over a fallen Konnan.

Card for WCW Nitro, January 25th @ Reunion Arena Dallas, Texas

nWo Elite (Hollywood Hogan, Lex Luger and Scott Steiner) vs Kevin Nash and two partners TBA

WCW TV Championship: Konnan © vs Buff Bagwell

SuperBrawl Showdown Qualifier: Chris Benoit vs Curt Hennig

Cruiserweight Championship #1 Contenders Match: Rey Mysterio Jr. vs Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs Juventud Guerrera vs Psicosis

Plus Goldberg calls out Scott Hall

And Ric Flair negotiates Chris Jericho’s new WCW contract in the ring


Card For SuperBrawl IX, February 21st @ Oakland Arena Oakland, California

WCW World Championship: Kevin Nash © vs Hollywood Hogan

SuperBrawl Showdown, winner gets a title shot at PPV of his choosing: Chris Jericho vs Booker T vs Eddie Guerrero vs Buff Bagwell vs five more competitors TBA

WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Billy Kidman © vs winner of #1 contenders match


Thanks everyone again who voted for me in the BTBOM really do appreciate it. June is a crazy month for me personally so don't think I'll be repeating that win unfortunately however I'd like to get Nitro up before the end of the month before getting back to full steam ahead in July.