Thunder
Date: February 19, 1998
Location:
Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center, Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center, Birmingham, Alabama
Commentators: Lee
Marshall, Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan
Marshall, Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan
Reviewed by Tommy Hall
It’s the go home show
for SuperBrawl and things are really taking shape around here. We
have the NWO falling apart and Sting vs. Hogan on a collision course
for the world title. The midcard is on fire as well with a three way
feud for the TV Title between Martel, Saturn and Booker T and Page
and Benoit feuding with each other over the US Title as well as with
Raven and the Flock. Let’s get to it.
for SuperBrawl and things are really taking shape around here. We
have the NWO falling apart and Sting vs. Hogan on a collision course
for the world title. The midcard is on fire as well with a three way
feud for the TV Title between Martel, Saturn and Booker T and Page
and Benoit feuding with each other over the US Title as well as with
Raven and the Flock. Let’s get to it.
We open with a clip of
the end of Nitro with WCW clearing the ring of the NWO.
the end of Nitro with WCW clearing the ring of the NWO.
Sting vs. Savage is the
main event.
main event.
Earlier today we were
about to hear from Chris Jericho but instead the NWO runs by and
jumps Savage who was talking to Luger. Don’t they hate each other?
Both guys are beaten down and Randy is dragged away while Luger is
left on the curb.
about to hear from Chris Jericho but instead the NWO runs by and
jumps Savage who was talking to Luger. Don’t they hate each other?
Both guys are beaten down and Randy is dragged away while Luger is
left on the curb.
Goldberg vs. Fit
Finley
Finley
The announcers think
Savage isn’t into the NWO at the moment. You can’t buy crack
reporting like that. Finley jumps him with that metal shoulder pad
of his but Goldberg kicks him in the chest and hits a gorilla press
slam like Finley isn’t even there. The rolling leg lock takes Finley
down again and the Irishman backs into the corner. Goldberg easily
breaks a sleeper with something resembling a snapmare and it’s the
spear and Jackhammer for another win. He has to be pushing 40 now.
Savage isn’t into the NWO at the moment. You can’t buy crack
reporting like that. Finley jumps him with that metal shoulder pad
of his but Goldberg kicks him in the chest and hits a gorilla press
slam like Finley isn’t even there. The rolling leg lock takes Finley
down again and the Irishman backs into the corner. Goldberg easily
breaks a sleeper with something resembling a snapmare and it’s the
spear and Jackhammer for another win. He has to be pushing 40 now.
Psychosis vs. Chavo
Guerrero Jr.
Guerrero Jr.
Feeling out process to
start as the announcers talk about the Savage/Luger segment. Chavo
hits a flying forearm to take over and avoids a hard charge, sending
Psychosis into the post and out to the floor. Guerrero hits a big
flip dive over the top to take him out again and pop the crowd.
start as the announcers talk about the Savage/Luger segment. Chavo
hits a flying forearm to take over and avoids a hard charge, sending
Psychosis into the post and out to the floor. Guerrero hits a big
flip dive over the top to take him out again and pop the crowd.
Back in and Psychosis
takes Chavo’s head off with a lariat before dropkicking Chavo to the
floor. Psychosis dives into a dropkick to the chest and Chavo starts
his comeback with chops and a springboard bulldog for two. A missile
dropkick to the back puts Psychosis down but Guerrero charges into a
knee, setting up the guillotine legdrop for the pin.
takes Chavo’s head off with a lariat before dropkicking Chavo to the
floor. Psychosis dives into a dropkick to the chest and Chavo starts
his comeback with chops and a springboard bulldog for two. A missile
dropkick to the back puts Psychosis down but Guerrero charges into a
knee, setting up the guillotine legdrop for the pin.
Rating: C-.
Pretty basic cruiserweight match here with both guys looking fine.
Psychosis wasn’t a guy who got the spotlight all that often but he
could shine rather well when he had the chance. Chavo was rising up
the card but was still several months away from reaching his
potential. This was fine for a quick match.
Pretty basic cruiserweight match here with both guys looking fine.
Psychosis wasn’t a guy who got the spotlight all that often but he
could shine rather well when he had the chance. Chavo was rising up
the card but was still several months away from reaching his
potential. This was fine for a quick match.
Here are Hogan and
Bischoff with something to say. Hogan says that Savage has seen the
NWO light and is for life again, everything is cool once again. He
just hopes that Savage doesn’t destroy Sting tonight because he wants
a little piece of Sting at SuperBrawl. There won’t be any
controversy on Sunday because Hogan will defeat Sting once and for
all. He still wants Nick Patrick to be the referee and prays to God
that it will happen.
Bischoff with something to say. Hogan says that Savage has seen the
NWO light and is for life again, everything is cool once again. He
just hopes that Savage doesn’t destroy Sting tonight because he wants
a little piece of Sting at SuperBrawl. There won’t be any
controversy on Sunday because Hogan will defeat Sting once and for
all. He still wants Nick Patrick to be the referee and prays to God
that it will happen.
Riggs vs. Booker T
Booker is debuting a
new move tonight called the 110th Street Slam. That’s
likely the only good reporting Lee Marshall will do tonight. Riggs
jumps Booker which is Tony’s cue to talk about Savage and Luger some
more. Booker kicks Riggs in the face and hits a big spinebuster for
no cover.
new move tonight called the 110th Street Slam. That’s
likely the only good reporting Lee Marshall will do tonight. Riggs
jumps Booker which is Tony’s cue to talk about Savage and Luger some
more. Booker kicks Riggs in the face and hits a big spinebuster for
no cover.
They head to the floor
where Riggs is sent into the barricade and Lodi gets dropped with a
clothesline. The distraction lets Riggs hit a plancha to take T out
and we head back inside. A running knee to the chest takes Booker
down again but Riggs misses a middle rope elbow. Booker hits his
kicks….and gets the win with an ax kick, thereby making Marshall
look like an idiot again.
where Riggs is sent into the barricade and Lodi gets dropped with a
clothesline. The distraction lets Riggs hit a plancha to take T out
and we head back inside. A running knee to the chest takes Booker
down again but Riggs misses a middle rope elbow. Booker hits his
kicks….and gets the win with an ax kick, thereby making Marshall
look like an idiot again.
Rating: D+.
Not much to see here but it keeps Booker looking strong going into
the title match on Sunday. Booker looks so smooth in the ring and is
getting better every time he’s out there. Riggs wasn’t much to see
but he was far better in this role than he was as the American Male.
Not much to see here but it keeps Booker looking strong going into
the title match on Sunday. Booker looks so smooth in the ring and is
getting better every time he’s out there. Riggs wasn’t much to see
but he was far better in this role than he was as the American Male.
Mike Teny tries to talk
to Luger as his ribs are being taped but Mike gets run off. Tony and
Heenan think Luger is hiding something.
to Luger as his ribs are being taped but Mike gets run off. Tony and
Heenan think Luger is hiding something.
Kidman vs. Juventud
Guerrera
Guerrera
These two had a great
match a few weeks ago so there’s good potential here. Kidman charges
into two boots in the corner and Juvy hooks a headscissors to take
over. Guerrera hits a top rope hurricanrana for two but his victory
roll is countered into a wheelbarrow suplex to change control.
Heenan wants Juvy to lose his mask on Sunday to see his ugly mug.
Heenan the insensitive jerk is always great stuff. Juvy sends him to
the floor but Lodi breaks up a dive attempt, only to be taken out by
a missed Kidman dive. Guerrera escapes a German suplex and hits the
Juvy Driver followed by the 450 for the pin.
match a few weeks ago so there’s good potential here. Kidman charges
into two boots in the corner and Juvy hooks a headscissors to take
over. Guerrera hits a top rope hurricanrana for two but his victory
roll is countered into a wheelbarrow suplex to change control.
Heenan wants Juvy to lose his mask on Sunday to see his ugly mug.
Heenan the insensitive jerk is always great stuff. Juvy sends him to
the floor but Lodi breaks up a dive attempt, only to be taken out by
a missed Kidman dive. Guerrera escapes a German suplex and hits the
Juvy Driver followed by the 450 for the pin.
Rating: C+.
This was the cruiserweight version of Booker T vs. Riggs with the
Flock member being the jobber in both instances. Juvy was one of the
better cruiserweights around and Kidman was no slouch either so this
was quite an action packed three minute match. The 450 was a great
finisher with the high impact and the fans always went nuts for it.
This was the cruiserweight version of Booker T vs. Riggs with the
Flock member being the jobber in both instances. Juvy was one of the
better cruiserweights around and Kidman was no slouch either so this
was quite an action packed three minute match. The 450 was a great
finisher with the high impact and the fans always went nuts for it.
Post match Jericho
comes in to beat up Juvy and actually gets the mask off…..revealing
another mask underneath. Smart man that Guerrera, who comes back
with a missile dropkick to send Jericho running.
comes in to beat up Juvy and actually gets the mask off…..revealing
another mask underneath. Smart man that Guerrera, who comes back
with a missile dropkick to send Jericho running.
WCW/NASCAR stuff.
Outsiders vs. Mike
Enos/Wayne Bloom
Enos/Wayne Bloom
WCW wins the survey in
a landslide. Nash says Giant needs to be at the PPV and does a shout
out to Syxx about being some rubber thing. Hall pounds on Enos to
start and hits a quick chokeslam to work in his Giant pose. Enos
comes back with a powerslam for two and it’s off to Bloom but Nash
gets in a cheap shot to take over. Nash comes in and destroys Wayne,
decks the referee and powerbombs Bloom for a $50,000 fine and a DQ
loss.
a landslide. Nash says Giant needs to be at the PPV and does a shout
out to Syxx about being some rubber thing. Hall pounds on Enos to
start and hits a quick chokeslam to work in his Giant pose. Enos
comes back with a powerslam for two and it’s off to Bloom but Nash
gets in a cheap shot to take over. Nash comes in and destroys Wayne,
decks the referee and powerbombs Bloom for a $50,000 fine and a DQ
loss.
Nash is arrested again.
We see the Bret Hart
attack from Nitro.
attack from Nitro.
Here are Hennig, Brian
Adams and Rick Rude with something to say. Rude makes fun of Bret’s
catchphrase and says Hennig proved that wrong on Nitro. Hart is a
quitter and Hennig is the best, but here are Neidhart and Bulldog to
argue. Anvil yells a lot and we get a bell.
Adams and Rick Rude with something to say. Rude makes fun of Bret’s
catchphrase and says Hennig proved that wrong on Nitro. Hart is a
quitter and Hennig is the best, but here are Neidhart and Bulldog to
argue. Anvil yells a lot and we get a bell.
Jim Neidhart/British
Bulldog vs. Curt Hennig/Brian Adams
Bulldog vs. Curt Hennig/Brian Adams
This is a wild brawl
and has no semblance of rules at all. Rude interferes early to give
the NWO the advantage but Bulldog hits an atomic drop to send Hennig
into the corner. Adams clotheslines Smith to the floor where Rude
can send him into the steps. Anvil gets double teamed for a few
moments and Rude throws in some choking as the referee throws the
match out. It was entertaining while it lasted.
and has no semblance of rules at all. Rude interferes early to give
the NWO the advantage but Bulldog hits an atomic drop to send Hennig
into the corner. Adams clotheslines Smith to the floor where Rude
can send him into the steps. Anvil gets double teamed for a few
moments and Rude throws in some choking as the referee throws the
match out. It was entertaining while it lasted.
Back from a break and
the fight is just now being broken up.
the fight is just now being broken up.
The Steiners say
they’ll keep the titles on Sunday. Heenan yells at Tenay for
interviewing them instead of finding out what’s going on with Savage
and Luger.
they’ll keep the titles on Sunday. Heenan yells at Tenay for
interviewing them instead of finding out what’s going on with Savage
and Luger.
Super Calo vs. La
Parka
Parka
They shove each other
around to start until Calo hits a quick backbreaker and a slam to
send La Parka into the corner. La Parka misses a charge into the
other corner but comes back with a clothesline to take over. Calo is
put in the Tree of Woe for a spin kick to the chest but eventually
gets a boot up to stop a charging skeleton man. Calo lifts him into
a powerbomb position but sits him on the top for the ankle scissors
back to the mat. La Parka rolls to the floor and gets caught by a
dive as Disco Inferno comes out. He crotches Calo for no apparent
reason before running across the ring. La Parka hits a corkscrew
splash for the pin.
around to start until Calo hits a quick backbreaker and a slam to
send La Parka into the corner. La Parka misses a charge into the
other corner but comes back with a clothesline to take over. Calo is
put in the Tree of Woe for a spin kick to the chest but eventually
gets a boot up to stop a charging skeleton man. Calo lifts him into
a powerbomb position but sits him on the top for the ankle scissors
back to the mat. La Parka rolls to the floor and gets caught by a
dive as Disco Inferno comes out. He crotches Calo for no apparent
reason before running across the ring. La Parka hits a corkscrew
splash for the pin.
Rating: D.
The ending was a mess and I have no idea why Disco was running across
the ring after the interference or why he helped Calo. Either it was
botched or it’s going to be explained later, but everyone seemed a
bit confused and the match ended abruptly. Again, at least the crowd
favorite is getting some featured time.
The ending was a mess and I have no idea why Disco was running across
the ring after the interference or why he helped Calo. Either it was
botched or it’s going to be explained later, but everyone seemed a
bit confused and the match ended abruptly. Again, at least the crowd
favorite is getting some featured time.
Cruiserweight Title:
Chris Jericho vs. Dean Malenko
Chris Jericho vs. Dean Malenko
Jericho quotes Cheap
Trick before the match (“I want you to want me”) before talking
about how ugly Juventud Guerrera is, claiming he looks like
Quasimodo. He might even let Juvy keep the mask after the match to
save us from his ugliness. The champion refuses to take the belt off
so Malenko attacks him in the corner. He whips Jericho across the
ring and stomps away in the corner with the belt falling off in the
process. A Jericho monkey flip is blocked and Dean goes to town on
him even more with Jericho barely covering up.
Trick before the match (“I want you to want me”) before talking
about how ugly Juventud Guerrera is, claiming he looks like
Quasimodo. He might even let Juvy keep the mask after the match to
save us from his ugliness. The champion refuses to take the belt off
so Malenko attacks him in the corner. He whips Jericho across the
ring and stomps away in the corner with the belt falling off in the
process. A Jericho monkey flip is blocked and Dean goes to town on
him even more with Jericho barely covering up.
Dean tries a suplex but
gets countered into a reverse suplex followed by a regular suplex for
two. After a quick chinlock, Jericho clotheslines Dean down for the
arrogant cover. The fans get on Jericho and he’s nearly hopping mad
in shock. Jericho fires off chops in the corner and hooks a
backbreaker, bending Dean’s back over his knee for a few seconds.
The Lionsault misses and Dean sends him out to the floor.
gets countered into a reverse suplex followed by a regular suplex for
two. After a quick chinlock, Jericho clotheslines Dean down for the
arrogant cover. The fans get on Jericho and he’s nearly hopping mad
in shock. Jericho fires off chops in the corner and hooks a
backbreaker, bending Dean’s back over his knee for a few seconds.
The Lionsault misses and Dean sends him out to the floor.
Back in and Malenko
fires off forearms to the head before going for the Cloverleaf but
Jericho is right next to the ropes. A rollup gets two for Dean and
he loads up the tiger bomb, only to have Jericho backdrop him out.
The Liontamer goes on and Malenko taps out in a completely clean
submission.
fires off forearms to the head before going for the Cloverleaf but
Jericho is right next to the ropes. A rollup gets two for Dean and
he loads up the tiger bomb, only to have Jericho backdrop him out.
The Liontamer goes on and Malenko taps out in a completely clean
submission.
Rating: C+.
This was your usual good match between these two and it was
interesting to see Jericho get the clean win. The overall story is
rather interesting as Malenko would seem to be the big fish for
Jericho but the PPV match is against Juventud Guerrera instead of
Dean. Still though, nice match here as you would expect from these
two.
This was your usual good match between these two and it was
interesting to see Jericho get the clean win. The overall story is
rather interesting as Malenko would seem to be the big fish for
Jericho but the PPV match is against Juventud Guerrera instead of
Dean. Still though, nice match here as you would expect from these
two.
Chris Benoit/Diamond
Dallas Page vs. Perry Saturn/Raven
Dallas Page vs. Perry Saturn/Raven
Raven starts with Page
but it’s off to Saturn before any contact is made. Page takes him
down with a quick belly to belly as everything breaks down with
Benoit and Page clearing the ring. We settle down with Benoit
clotheslining Raven down but walking into a superkick from Saturn as
we take a break. Back with Saturn ramming forearms into Benoit’s
head before getting two off an overhead belly to belly.
but it’s off to Saturn before any contact is made. Page takes him
down with a quick belly to belly as everything breaks down with
Benoit and Page clearing the ring. We settle down with Benoit
clotheslining Raven down but walking into a superkick from Saturn as
we take a break. Back with Saturn ramming forearms into Benoit’s
head before getting two off an overhead belly to belly.
Benoit counters a
suplex into the Crossface but Raven makes a quick save. The hot tag
brings in Page who comes in off the top with a clothesline to Saturn.
Page cleans house but Riggs hits him in the ribs with a chair to
break up the Diamond Cutter. Saturn can only get two so he brings in
Raven who gets two more off a clothesline. Saturn comes back in with
a springboard legdrop and puts on a front facelock.
suplex into the Crossface but Raven makes a quick save. The hot tag
brings in Page who comes in off the top with a clothesline to Saturn.
Page cleans house but Riggs hits him in the ribs with a chair to
break up the Diamond Cutter. Saturn can only get two so he brings in
Raven who gets two more off a clothesline. Saturn comes back in with
a springboard legdrop and puts on a front facelock.
Kidman gets on the
apron so the referee misses the tag to Benoit and Raven comes in to
stomp on the bad ribs even more. Raven brings in a chair and hits
the drop toehold into the chair but Saturn’s top rope moonsault
misses Page completely. Now the hot tag brings in Benoit who punches
the chair into Saturn’s face. A snap suplex onto the chair gets two
on Raven and it’s time for Rolling Germans on Saturn. Everything
breaks down and Benoit is sent into Raven. Saturn kicks Page low but
Benoit’s swan dive breaks up the Rings of Saturn on Page. The
Diamond Cutter takes out Raven and Benoit Crossfaces Saturn for the
win.
apron so the referee misses the tag to Benoit and Raven comes in to
stomp on the bad ribs even more. Raven brings in a chair and hits
the drop toehold into the chair but Saturn’s top rope moonsault
misses Page completely. Now the hot tag brings in Benoit who punches
the chair into Saturn’s face. A snap suplex onto the chair gets two
on Raven and it’s time for Rolling Germans on Saturn. Everything
breaks down and Benoit is sent into Raven. Saturn kicks Page low but
Benoit’s swan dive breaks up the Rings of Saturn on Page. The
Diamond Cutter takes out Raven and Benoit Crossfaces Saturn for the
win.
Rating: B.
This was short but they all looked great out there with Benoit being
a highlight. It’s also a great example of how weapons can be used to
make a match better. This match had a chair involved but the focus
was on the action instead of the weapons. The chair enhanced the
match and made things all the more entertaining.
This was short but they all looked great out there with Benoit being
a highlight. It’s also a great example of how weapons can be used to
make a match better. This match had a chair involved but the focus
was on the action instead of the weapons. The chair enhanced the
match and made things all the more entertaining.
It’s time for Savage
vs. Sting but the NWO carries out an unconscious Savage who is
covered in spraypaint and wearing a Sting mask. Hogan says Savage is
NWO for life and since Hogan wants all of Sting on Sunday, Savage
doesn’t get to face him tonight. Hollywood knows Sting isn’t coming
out here tonight and you know what that means. Sting runs out and
fights off the NWO but they finally get the better of him. Luger
comes out to even the odds a bit and stand over the fallen Savage to
end the show.
vs. Sting but the NWO carries out an unconscious Savage who is
covered in spraypaint and wearing a Sting mask. Hogan says Savage is
NWO for life and since Hogan wants all of Sting on Sunday, Savage
doesn’t get to face him tonight. Hollywood knows Sting isn’t coming
out here tonight and you know what that means. Sting runs out and
fights off the NWO but they finally get the better of him. Luger
comes out to even the odds a bit and stand over the fallen Savage to
end the show.
Overall Rating: B.
This is probably the best show they’ve had in the series so far with
good action and a solid build towards Sunday. The main event was
great and we have a genuine mystery as to the Savage/Luger
relationship heading into their match on Sunday. WCW is rolling
right now and things should be capped off by Sting winning the world
title on Sunday and sending the NWO into their fatal tailspin.
This is probably the best show they’ve had in the series so far with
good action and a solid build towards Sunday. The main event was
great and we have a genuine mystery as to the Savage/Luger
relationship heading into their match on Sunday. WCW is rolling
right now and things should be capped off by Sting winning the world
title on Sunday and sending the NWO into their fatal tailspin.
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