Monday Nitro #110
Date: October 20, 1997
Location: Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi
Attendance: 5,950
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Larry Zbyszko, Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan
Date: October 20, 1997
Location: Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi
Attendance: 5,950
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Larry Zbyszko, Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan
Reviewed by Tommy Hall
We’re
finally at the go home show for Halloween Havoc and the show is on the
hottest streak it’s been on since it first started. We’ve had three
weeks straight of good to excellent show and hopefully things continue
in that direction from here. After last week it’s very clear that Sting
vs. Hogan is coming in the very near future but tonight it’s the final
push towards Hogan vs. Piper in the cage. Let’s get to it.
finally at the go home show for Halloween Havoc and the show is on the
hottest streak it’s been on since it first started. We’ve had three
weeks straight of good to excellent show and hopefully things continue
in that direction from here. After last week it’s very clear that Sting
vs. Hogan is coming in the very near future but tonight it’s the final
push towards Hogan vs. Piper in the cage. Let’s get to it.
We
open with the NWO b-team laid out in the back. We see the letters DDP
spray painted on various things along with Piper t-shirts and ball bats
on the ground.
open with the NWO b-team laid out in the back. We see the letters DDP
spray painted on various things along with Piper t-shirts and ball bats
on the ground.
In
the arena Hogan and Bischoff storm the ring, yelling about improper
leadership from Piper and various other things in general. Hogan calls
it a bunch of crap and Savage joins in for more yelling. The announcers
of course laugh.
the arena Hogan and Bischoff storm the ring, yelling about improper
leadership from Piper and various other things in general. Hogan calls
it a bunch of crap and Savage joins in for more yelling. The announcers
of course laugh.
There’s a cage above the ring.
Cruiserweight Title: Chris Benoit vs. Eddie Guerrero
Eddie
is defending in match #4857 of about 58379 between these two. Eddie
shoves him to start so Benoit runs him over with a shoulder block. They
chop it out before Benoit launches him into the air in a release
flapjack. Benoit stomps away in the corner but Eddie comes back with
strikes of his own. Very fast paced stuff so far. A dropkick puts Benoit
back into the corner but Eddie misses a charge and is launched face
first into the buckle. The Canadian chops away in the corner and knocks
Eddie out to the floor.
is defending in match #4857 of about 58379 between these two. Eddie
shoves him to start so Benoit runs him over with a shoulder block. They
chop it out before Benoit launches him into the air in a release
flapjack. Benoit stomps away in the corner but Eddie comes back with
strikes of his own. Very fast paced stuff so far. A dropkick puts Benoit
back into the corner but Eddie misses a charge and is launched face
first into the buckle. The Canadian chops away in the corner and knocks
Eddie out to the floor.
Back
in and Guerrero snap mares Benoit down before taking some skin off with
a chop. Benoit will have none of that though and puts Eddie on the
apron before chopping him into the barricade. A suicide dive takes
Guerrero out and we take a break back with the champion holding an
abdominal stretch but Benoit arm drags out of it.
in and Guerrero snap mares Benoit down before taking some skin off with
a chop. Benoit will have none of that though and puts Eddie on the
apron before chopping him into the barricade. A suicide dive takes
Guerrero out and we take a break back with the champion holding an
abdominal stretch but Benoit arm drags out of it.
Eddie
comes back with a headscissors and more chops in the corner. We’re told
that Hennig is still US Champion after last week’s messy ending which
is the wrong call but whatever. Benoit tries a tornado DDT out of the
corner but gets sent into the middle buckle for his efforts. The Frog
Splash retains the title clean.
comes back with a headscissors and more chops in the corner. We’re told
that Hennig is still US Champion after last week’s messy ending which
is the wrong call but whatever. Benoit tries a tornado DDT out of the
corner but gets sent into the middle buckle for his efforts. The Frog
Splash retains the title clean.
Rating: B-.
Really solid opening match here with both guys chopping the tar out of
each other every time they were in the corner. Benoit knocked himself
silly by hitting that buckle so the Frog Splash was academic. Good match
here but that goes without saying when it’s these two. Their chemistry
is some of the best of all time and this was no exception. Somehow, this
was Eddie’s worst match of the week by miles and miles.
Really solid opening match here with both guys chopping the tar out of
each other every time they were in the corner. Benoit knocked himself
silly by hitting that buckle so the Frog Splash was academic. Good match
here but that goes without saying when it’s these two. Their chemistry
is some of the best of all time and this was no exception. Somehow, this
was Eddie’s worst match of the week by miles and miles.
We get the ending of the US Title match last week which somehow keeps the title on Hennig. That was a pretty bad screwup.
Bill Goldberg vs. Wrath
Wrath’s
entrance takes about two minutes to get through. The match: spear,
Jackhammer, pin in 20 seconds. Wrath didn’t even get his helmet and coat
off. We also get an error from Tenay who calls the Jackhammer a
combination suplex and powerbomb instead of a powerslam. This would be
back in the day when Tenay was the smartest guy in wrestling and might
have made one error a month if he was having a bad night.
entrance takes about two minutes to get through. The match: spear,
Jackhammer, pin in 20 seconds. Wrath didn’t even get his helmet and coat
off. We also get an error from Tenay who calls the Jackhammer a
combination suplex and powerbomb instead of a powerslam. This would be
back in the day when Tenay was the smartest guy in wrestling and might
have made one error a month if he was having a bad night.
Goldberg
shouts WHO’S NEXT in the aisle before getting in a staredown with Mongo
who is coming out for his match. Sounds like Goldie has a feud coming.
shouts WHO’S NEXT in the aisle before getting in a staredown with Mongo
who is coming out for his match. Sounds like Goldie has a feud coming.
Steve McMichael vs. Mortis
Mongo
jumps Mortis to start and Vandenberg is freaking out on the floor over
possibly losing two matches in a row that fast. Mongo pounds away in the
corner but Vandenberg protects his investment by tripping up Mongo,
allowing Mortis to hit a quick Flatliner (Samoan Drop off the middle
rope) to get control. A Death Valley drier gets the same and McMichael
is thrown to the floor. The suplex from the middle rope (just the rope,
not in the corner) brings Mongo back in for two but Mongo shrugs it off.
He hits a few three point shoulders and the tombstone for the pin on
Mortis out of almost nowhere.
jumps Mortis to start and Vandenberg is freaking out on the floor over
possibly losing two matches in a row that fast. Mongo pounds away in the
corner but Vandenberg protects his investment by tripping up Mongo,
allowing Mortis to hit a quick Flatliner (Samoan Drop off the middle
rope) to get control. A Death Valley drier gets the same and McMichael
is thrown to the floor. The suplex from the middle rope (just the rope,
not in the corner) brings Mongo back in for two but Mongo shrugs it off.
He hits a few three point shoulders and the tombstone for the pin on
Mortis out of almost nowhere.
Rating: D+.
This was on the higher end for Mongo although I’m not sure this was the
best way in the world to set him up for a match against a machine like
Goldberg. Somehow Mongo would be around until 1999 and would still get
to hang out with Ric Flair until the very end. I’m not sure what the
appeal was of the guy other than his football stuff, because it
certainly wasn’t anything of note between the ropes. This wasn’t awful
though.
This was on the higher end for Mongo although I’m not sure this was the
best way in the world to set him up for a match against a machine like
Goldberg. Somehow Mongo would be around until 1999 and would still get
to hang out with Ric Flair until the very end. I’m not sure what the
appeal was of the guy other than his football stuff, because it
certainly wasn’t anything of note between the ropes. This wasn’t awful
though.
Raven
is at a playground and talks about his bad childhood. He sits on a
slide as he talks about this, which prompts a quick sidebar: why do we
not get promos on location anymore? Taking people outside of the arena
can add a lot to the promos, if nothing else just for a change of
scenery. Look at HELL NO having their segments in a meeting room. It
worked far better than it would have in the back and got funnier results
when we put these guys in the real world. Why don’t we see more of
that?
is at a playground and talks about his bad childhood. He sits on a
slide as he talks about this, which prompts a quick sidebar: why do we
not get promos on location anymore? Taking people outside of the arena
can add a lot to the promos, if nothing else just for a change of
scenery. Look at HELL NO having their segments in a meeting room. It
worked far better than it would have in the back and got funnier results
when we put these guys in the real world. Why don’t we see more of
that?
Time
for Lucha Libre and the Mexican Luchadores. This time we focus on Rey
Mysterio who talks about how he used wrestling to get out of a barrio in
Mexico City. He got his name from his uncle but has surpassed his
uncle’s success. Rey talks about how important the mask is to him but
isn’t sure what would happen without being able to wear it. Nice way to
tie this into the match on Sunday.
for Lucha Libre and the Mexican Luchadores. This time we focus on Rey
Mysterio who talks about how he used wrestling to get out of a barrio in
Mexico City. He got his name from his uncle but has surpassed his
uncle’s success. Rey talks about how important the mask is to him but
isn’t sure what would happen without being able to wear it. Nice way to
tie this into the match on Sunday.
Juventud Guerrera vs. Yuji Nagata
Nagata
pounds away to start and the kicks start ripping into Juvy seconds
after the bell. A big boot to the face misses though as Raven and the
Flock arrives. Juvy charges into a powerbomb but elbows out of a German
suplex grip. A quick rana puts Nagata down for two and Juvy chops away.
Nagata misses a charge in the corner and gets caught in the back with a
missile dropkick. I might as well watch this match on mute as the
announcers are talking about the NWO non-stop. Onoo crotches Juvy as
Dragon comes out to take care of Sonny. The Nagata Lock ends Juvy in a
short match.
pounds away to start and the kicks start ripping into Juvy seconds
after the bell. A big boot to the face misses though as Raven and the
Flock arrives. Juvy charges into a powerbomb but elbows out of a German
suplex grip. A quick rana puts Nagata down for two and Juvy chops away.
Nagata misses a charge in the corner and gets caught in the back with a
missile dropkick. I might as well watch this match on mute as the
announcers are talking about the NWO non-stop. Onoo crotches Juvy as
Dragon comes out to take care of Sonny. The Nagata Lock ends Juvy in a
short match.
Dragon goes after Onoo but runs into Nagata for some double teaming by the evil ones.
Los Villano vs. Damian/???
We
don’t find out the partner as Giant comes out and destroys everyone in
sight. Giant talks about Kevin Nash lying about being the true giant of
wrestling. The luchadores try to fight the Giant and get powerbombed for
their efforts. The build for one of Starrcade’s big matches begins.
don’t find out the partner as Giant comes out and destroys everyone in
sight. Giant talks about Kevin Nash lying about being the true giant of
wrestling. The luchadores try to fight the Giant and get powerbombed for
their efforts. The build for one of Starrcade’s big matches begins.
Savage talks about Page and the PPV. Short and nothing out of the ordinary here.
TV Title: Disco Inferno vs. Rey Mysterio
Mysterio
speeds things up to start and gets a fast rana for two. Rey charges in
again but gets caught in a powerbomb for no cover by the champion. Disco
heads to the floor for no apparent reason and allows Rey to hit a
baseball slide. Back inside and a sunset flip gets two on Disco so Rey
goes to the apron. He hits a kind of messed up cross body and loads up
the West Coast Pop but Eddie comes out for the DQ.
speeds things up to start and gets a fast rana for two. Rey charges in
again but gets caught in a powerbomb for no cover by the champion. Disco
heads to the floor for no apparent reason and allows Rey to hit a
baseball slide. Back inside and a sunset flip gets two on Disco so Rey
goes to the apron. He hits a kind of messed up cross body and loads up
the West Coast Pop but Eddie comes out for the DQ.
Eddie
goes for the mask, but who cares about that because IT’S JACKIE TIME!!!
She comes out to beat up Disco and the champion runs. Please get to
Sunday so we can move on to ANYONE but Jackie.
goes for the mask, but who cares about that because IT’S JACKIE TIME!!!
She comes out to beat up Disco and the champion runs. Please get to
Sunday so we can move on to ANYONE but Jackie.
Hour #2 begins.
Here’s
the NWO again with Hogan going on a RANT about how Page, Piper and
Sting are cowards for what they did earlier tonight. Bischoff says no
one is leaving the arena tonight until those three get out here. Trash
is thrown and Eric says that Vince is afraid of him. I have no idea what
that has to do with anything but it’s the end of a short appearance
from the bad guys.
the NWO again with Hogan going on a RANT about how Page, Piper and
Sting are cowards for what they did earlier tonight. Bischoff says no
one is leaving the arena tonight until those three get out here. Trash
is thrown and Eric says that Vince is afraid of him. I have no idea what
that has to do with anything but it’s the end of a short appearance
from the bad guys.
US Title: Curt Hennig vs. Dean Malenko
Hennig
is still champion coming into this. Curt is a big banged up from being
attacked earlier so he’s in slow motion tonight. They both grab a fast
hammerlock but Dean is in better condition so he rolls the champ up for
two. Hennig bails to the floor for a bit to clear his head before
getting droppkicked down back inside. After that gets two we take a
quick break.
is still champion coming into this. Curt is a big banged up from being
attacked earlier so he’s in slow motion tonight. They both grab a fast
hammerlock but Dean is in better condition so he rolls the champ up for
two. Hennig bails to the floor for a bit to clear his head before
getting droppkicked down back inside. After that gets two we take a
quick break.
Back
with Hennig suplexing Dean down for a quick two. Dean fights up and
hooks a chinlock which isn’t exactly something you would expect from a
good guy. Back up and Hennig tries to fight back, only to get caught in a
belly to back suplex. Thankfully the NWO is involved in this match so
the announcers actually give it some attention. Dean goes up top and
hits a cross body for a VERY close two, only to walk into the HennigPlex
for the pin a few seconds later. Oddly abrupt ending.
with Hennig suplexing Dean down for a quick two. Dean fights up and
hooks a chinlock which isn’t exactly something you would expect from a
good guy. Back up and Hennig tries to fight back, only to get caught in a
belly to back suplex. Thankfully the NWO is involved in this match so
the announcers actually give it some attention. Dean goes up top and
hits a cross body for a VERY close two, only to walk into the HennigPlex
for the pin a few seconds later. Oddly abrupt ending.
Rating: C.
Not either guy’s best work here as the match never really got going.
They were going through the motions pretty bad here which is really
surprising given how awesome Malenko was back in 1997. Hennig would be
facing Flair in the future to get him back to matches that actually
mattered. At least Dean got to hang in here with someone on a higher
level.
Not either guy’s best work here as the match never really got going.
They were going through the motions pretty bad here which is really
surprising given how awesome Malenko was back in 1997. Hennig would be
facing Flair in the future to get him back to matches that actually
mattered. At least Dean got to hang in here with someone on a higher
level.
Nitro Girl time.
Scott Norton vs. Ray Traylor
Oh
come on. Did THIS match really need a rematch? Seriously? As the match
starts, Traylor has to scare off Vincent, allowing Norton to his a fast
(kind of?) powerslam for two. We get the slow offense that you would
expect from Norton: knees in the corner, clothesline, clubs to the back,
all in slow motion. Ray comes back with a splash in the corner and a
spinebuster, followed by a fat man enziguri of all things. He hits his
sliding uppercut before going up (?) and hitting a fat man cross body,
only to get painted in the eyes by Vincent. A clothesline ends Traylor.
come on. Did THIS match really need a rematch? Seriously? As the match
starts, Traylor has to scare off Vincent, allowing Norton to his a fast
(kind of?) powerslam for two. We get the slow offense that you would
expect from Norton: knees in the corner, clothesline, clubs to the back,
all in slow motion. Ray comes back with a splash in the corner and a
spinebuster, followed by a fat man enziguri of all things. He hits his
sliding uppercut before going up (?) and hitting a fat man cross body,
only to get painted in the eyes by Vincent. A clothesline ends Traylor.
Rating: D.
Again, did ANYONE think we needed to see this match? Also, Traylor gets
to lose again, making sure that he gets no momentum behind him and
making sure that the NWO D team is made to look strong, because we
certainly can’t have Scott freaking Norton do a job on Nitro right?
Again, did ANYONE think we needed to see this match? Also, Traylor gets
to lose again, making sure that he gets no momentum behind him and
making sure that the NWO D team is made to look strong, because we
certainly can’t have Scott freaking Norton do a job on Nitro right?
Traylor gets beaten down by Hall, Konnan, Norton and Vincent post match.
We get an ad for Assault on Devil’s Island. Oh that’s going to be bad.
Booker T. vs. Lex Luger
We’re
still months if not years away from Booker meaning anything. Lex throws
Booker around to start and poses a lot to start things off. T. comes
back with a forearm to surprise Luger but Luger comes back with a
powerslam. The jumping elbow misses Booker of course (did that thing
EVER hit?) but Booker’s elbow misses too. He Spinaroonis up though and
kicks Lex down before hooking a chinlock.
still months if not years away from Booker meaning anything. Lex throws
Booker around to start and poses a lot to start things off. T. comes
back with a forearm to surprise Luger but Luger comes back with a
powerslam. The jumping elbow misses Booker of course (did that thing
EVER hit?) but Booker’s elbow misses too. He Spinaroonis up though and
kicks Lex down before hooking a chinlock.
That
goes about as far as a chinlock can go as Lex fights up and ducks a
side kick, sending Booker into the ropes. The forearm puts Booker down
but he manages to block the Torture Rack. A spin kick puts Luger down
but the Harlem Hangover (top rope flipping legdrop) only hits mat. The
Torture Rack is enough for the tap out a few seconds later.
goes about as far as a chinlock can go as Lex fights up and ducks a
side kick, sending Booker into the ropes. The forearm puts Booker down
but he manages to block the Torture Rack. A spin kick puts Luger down
but the Harlem Hangover (top rope flipping legdrop) only hits mat. The
Torture Rack is enough for the tap out a few seconds later.
Rating: C.
Much better than I was expecting here as Booker showed some of the
skills that he would get to really put on display months later. Luger
continues to have very little to do going into the PPV as we’re getting
closer to the match with Hall. No Larry or Hall here which is kind of
surprising.
Much better than I was expecting here as Booker showed some of the
skills that he would get to really put on display months later. Luger
continues to have very little to do going into the PPV as we’re getting
closer to the match with Hall. No Larry or Hall here which is kind of
surprising.
Luger has nothing of note to say post match but Larry comes out and says he’ll be an impartial referee on Sunday.
Here’s Hall for the Survey. You know the drill I’m sure.
Scott Hall vs. Scott Steiner
Hall
is Hall and Scott is Steiner here for the sake of simplicity. This is a
return match from last week with the Steiners winning the titles. Hall
hits the driving shoulders to start things off but Steiner runs him
over. Hall comes back with a kind of suplex/backdrop to set up an
armbar. Steiner won’t have any of this being suplexed stuff so he throws
Hall down as well before clotheslining him out to the floor.
is Hall and Scott is Steiner here for the sake of simplicity. This is a
return match from last week with the Steiners winning the titles. Hall
hits the driving shoulders to start things off but Steiner runs him
over. Hall comes back with a kind of suplex/backdrop to set up an
armbar. Steiner won’t have any of this being suplexed stuff so he throws
Hall down as well before clotheslining him out to the floor.
We
take a break and come back with Steiner messing with Hall’s hair.
There’s a full nelson and Hall looks drunk. Odds are he is so I’m
guessing the hold is working fine. Hall breaks it up by ramming Scott
into the corner and clotheslining him down. The fallaway slam gets two
on Scott and he makes fun of Giant with a chokeslam. Hall walks around
like Frankenstein’s Monster before hooking an abdominal stretch. After
over a minute of the hold, Hall gets caught holding the rope and the
referee breaks things up.
take a break and come back with Steiner messing with Hall’s hair.
There’s a full nelson and Hall looks drunk. Odds are he is so I’m
guessing the hold is working fine. Hall breaks it up by ramming Scott
into the corner and clotheslining him down. The fallaway slam gets two
on Scott and he makes fun of Giant with a chokeslam. Hall walks around
like Frankenstein’s Monster before hooking an abdominal stretch. After
over a minute of the hold, Hall gets caught holding the rope and the
referee breaks things up.
Steiner
grabs an abdominal stretch of his own but instead uses it for a
pumphandle slam. There’s an overhead belly to belly to put Hall down
again and a Steiner Line does the same. Hall ducks a second Steiner Line
and punches the referee, wanting a DQ. Instead there’s a Tiger Bomb
from Scott but there’s no one to count. Hall comes back though and hits
the Outsider’s Edge as a hooded black referee comes in to count the pin.
It’s Vincent if you couldn’t tell.
grabs an abdominal stretch of his own but instead uses it for a
pumphandle slam. There’s an overhead belly to belly to put Hall down
again and a Steiner Line does the same. Hall ducks a second Steiner Line
and punches the referee, wanting a DQ. Instead there’s a Tiger Bomb
from Scott but there’s no one to count. Hall comes back though and hits
the Outsider’s Edge as a hooded black referee comes in to count the pin.
It’s Vincent if you couldn’t tell.
Rating: C-.
Not bad here with Steiner getting to show off some skills here. He’s
about to turn heel and become Big Papa Pump though and end one of the
best tag teams ever. Hall was in two feuds at once here which left him
kind of in the middle of nowhere, as he didn’t get to focus on one or
the other. He’s spent two weeks fighting the Steiners and now he gets to
fight Luger on Sunday. Why they didn’t do the tag title change later
(or at Road Wild when it would have made sense) is anyone’s guess but it
would have made things easier.
Not bad here with Steiner getting to show off some skills here. He’s
about to turn heel and become Big Papa Pump though and end one of the
best tag teams ever. Hall was in two feuds at once here which left him
kind of in the middle of nowhere, as he didn’t get to focus on one or
the other. He’s spent two weeks fighting the Steiners and now he gets to
fight Luger on Sunday. Why they didn’t do the tag title change later
(or at Road Wild when it would have made sense) is anyone’s guess but it
would have made things easier.
Here’s
the NWO for the third or fourth time tonight to close the show. They
want the attackers here right now and they prove it by having Bischoff
rip on McMahon some more. Hogan gets to plug his movie but here’s Sting.
By Sting I of course mean “Sting.” As he’s coming down the aisle, two
more Stings come through the crowd and jump the NWO. It’s Piper and Page
of course. The cage lowers and Sting repels from the ceiling to beat up
the NWO to end the show.
the NWO for the third or fourth time tonight to close the show. They
want the attackers here right now and they prove it by having Bischoff
rip on McMahon some more. Hogan gets to plug his movie but here’s Sting.
By Sting I of course mean “Sting.” As he’s coming down the aisle, two
more Stings come through the crowd and jump the NWO. It’s Piper and Page
of course. The cage lowers and Sting repels from the ceiling to beat up
the NWO to end the show.
Overall Rating: C-.
Well you knew the hot streak wasn’t going to last forever. We’re
limping into the show on Sunday and the cage match is going to reach
levels of bad that you didn’t think were possible before this match. As
for tonight though, the show was slow and long which aren’t two things
you want to mix together. There’s some good stuff in this but it’s
definitely an episode you could skip.
Well you knew the hot streak wasn’t going to last forever. We’re
limping into the show on Sunday and the cage match is going to reach
levels of bad that you didn’t think were possible before this match. As
for tonight though, the show was slow and long which aren’t two things
you want to mix together. There’s some good stuff in this but it’s
definitely an episode you could skip.
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and check out my website at kbwrestlingreviews.com