Monday
Nitro #194
Nitro #194
Date:
June 28, 1999
June 28, 1999
Location:
United Center, Chicago, Illinois
United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Attendance:
16,210
16,210
Commentators:
Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan
Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan
Reviewed by Tommy Hall
We’ve
got two shows left before Bash at the Beach and the big story tonight
is Ric Flair having some sort of a big surprise for World Champion
Kevin Nash. The last week of shows was better than the stuff they’ve
been putting on lately, although that really doesn’t cover much. You
never can tell what sort of nonsense you’re going to get on here so
let’s get to it.
got two shows left before Bash at the Beach and the big story tonight
is Ric Flair having some sort of a big surprise for World Champion
Kevin Nash. The last week of shows was better than the stuff they’ve
been putting on lately, although that really doesn’t cover much. You
never can tell what sort of nonsense you’re going to get on here so
let’s get to it.
The
Flairs arrive with the owner of the United CenterBruce McArthur. He
offers to build a statue of David Flair bigger than the one of
Michael Jordan.
Flairs arrive with the owner of the United CenterBruce McArthur. He
offers to build a statue of David Flair bigger than the one of
Michael Jordan.
Nitro
Girls.
Girls.
It’s
Nash vs. Flair tonight. David Flair that is.
Nash vs. Flair tonight. David Flair that is.
Chris
Benoit/Perry Saturn vs. Fit Finlay/Steven Regal
Benoit/Perry Saturn vs. Fit Finlay/Steven Regal
Fallout
from Thunder where Regal returned and yelled at Finlay and Dave
Taylor, who is on the floor for this one. Regal rips on America
before the match starts like a good villain should. Finlay cranks on
the arm to start but Benoit takes his head off with a clothesline as
we take a quick break. Back with Finlay sending Regal to the floor
before dropping him throat first over the top rope.
from Thunder where Regal returned and yelled at Finlay and Dave
Taylor, who is on the floor for this one. Regal rips on America
before the match starts like a good villain should. Finlay cranks on
the arm to start but Benoit takes his head off with a clothesline as
we take a quick break. Back with Finlay sending Regal to the floor
before dropping him throat first over the top rope.
Off
to Regal as we hear about a dance off later in the show. He works on
Saturn’s arm for a bit but walks into a belly to belly. Regal tags
in Finlay for a sleeper, only to have Saturn counter into one of his
own. Regal draws in Benoit like the old villain he is, allowing him
to hit Saturn in the back with the British flag pole. We get a
double tag and Benoit runs Regal over with clotheslines and a suplex
sets up the Swan Dive. Finlay makes a save and Regal puts Saturn in
the Regal Stretch, only to have Benoit make the save, setting up a
Death Valley Driver for the pin on Regal.
to Regal as we hear about a dance off later in the show. He works on
Saturn’s arm for a bit but walks into a belly to belly. Regal tags
in Finlay for a sleeper, only to have Saturn counter into one of his
own. Regal draws in Benoit like the old villain he is, allowing him
to hit Saturn in the back with the British flag pole. We get a
double tag and Benoit runs Regal over with clotheslines and a suplex
sets up the Swan Dive. Finlay makes a save and Regal puts Saturn in
the Regal Stretch, only to have Benoit make the save, setting up a
Death Valley Driver for the pin on Regal.
Rating:
C+. Would you expect these four
to have anything bad? Regal is every bit as awesome as he used to be
with the little heel mannerisms that you only get from a veteran.
It’s nice to see Benoit and Saturn get a win to help set up their
match at the Bash because they probably don’t have much of a chance
there.
C+. Would you expect these four
to have anything bad? Regal is every bit as awesome as he used to be
with the little heel mannerisms that you only get from a veteran.
It’s nice to see Benoit and Saturn get a win to help set up their
match at the Bash because they probably don’t have much of a chance
there.
DJ
Ran.
Ran.
Van
Hammer comes in to see the bosses and would like a title shot. His
reward: a TV Title shot against Rick Steiner at the PPV.
Hammer comes in to see the bosses and would like a title shot. His
reward: a TV Title shot against Rick Steiner at the PPV.
Gene
brings out the bosses minus Piper for some reason. Why
Anderson has changed his clothes since the last segment isn’t really
clear. Flair rips on the
crowd with the old standard sports lines before Piper comes out and
does exactly the same. Piper
rips on Howard Stern in his weekly story that most people don’t care
about. Apparently the power
structure around here won’t let Ric be the World Champion again so
David is going to do it in his place. The
title match is happening tonight and it’s going to be a lumberjack
match.
brings out the bosses minus Piper for some reason. Why
Anderson has changed his clothes since the last segment isn’t really
clear. Flair rips on the
crowd with the old standard sports lines before Piper comes out and
does exactly the same. Piper
rips on Howard Stern in his weekly story that most people don’t care
about. Apparently the power
structure around here won’t let Ric be the World Champion again so
David is going to do it in his place. The
title match is happening tonight and it’s going to be a lumberjack
match.
This
brings Flair to Randy Savage, who he’d like to see out here right
now. Savage, Sid and the
girls come out and Flair wants them all to be lumberjacks. Ric
sweetens the pot a bit by offering to reinstate the elbow. Little
Naitch protests and is basically told to shut up. Savage rambles a
lot before accepting.
brings Flair to Randy Savage, who he’d like to see out here right
now. Savage, Sid and the
girls come out and Flair wants them all to be lumberjacks. Ric
sweetens the pot a bit by offering to reinstate the elbow. Little
Naitch protests and is basically told to shut up. Savage rambles a
lot before accepting.
Lodi
teaches Lenny Lane to paint his nails. Lenny asks when WCW is going
to find out about them but Lodi says they’re not the only ones.
Lodi: “You got me babe and I got you.”
teaches Lenny Lane to paint his nails. Lenny asks when WCW is going
to find out about them but Lodi says they’re not the only ones.
Lodi: “You got me babe and I got you.”
Lodi
vs. Eddie Guerrero
vs. Eddie Guerrero
Eddie
pounds away to start but Lodi sends him into the referee in less than
thirty seconds. Lenny comes in and gets dropkicked down as Eddie
armdrags Lodi at the same time. A brainbuster plants Lodi and Eddie
loads up the Frog Splash, only to have Lenny crawl on top of Lodi.
That’s fine with Eddie who splashes Lenny’s back and pins Lodi.
Uh….comedy?
pounds away to start but Lodi sends him into the referee in less than
thirty seconds. Lenny comes in and gets dropkicked down as Eddie
armdrags Lodi at the same time. A brainbuster plants Lodi and Eddie
loads up the Frog Splash, only to have Lenny crawl on top of Lodi.
That’s fine with Eddie who splashes Lenny’s back and pins Lodi.
Uh….comedy?
Torrie,
David and Piper are in the back and recruit the Triad to be
lumberjacks.
David and Piper are in the back and recruit the Triad to be
lumberjacks.
DJ
Ran.
Ran.
Nitro
Girls.
Girls.
Here’s
Hak to ask if fans want to see him get extreme. Remember that Flair
banned hardcore matches on Thunder a few weeks back. Hak
wants Flair out here now but gets Bigelow instead.
Hak to ask if fans want to see him get extreme. Remember that Flair
banned hardcore matches on Thunder a few weeks back. Hak
wants Flair out here now but gets Bigelow instead.
Bam
Bam Bigelow vs. Hak
Bam Bigelow vs. Hak
Bigelow
jumps Hak to start and splashes him in the corner, only to run into a
boot. Hak clotheslines him out to the floor but his plancha is
easily caught, allowing Bigelow to ram him into the post. Back
in and Bigelow keeps using the fat man offense, only to miss the top
rope headbutt. Not that it matters as Hak misses the swanton but
comes back with a swinging DDT. Cue the rest of the Triad but Hak
nails them with the stick and gives Bigelow the White Russian
legsweep. Page comes in for the Diamond Cutter to give Bigelow the
pin.
jumps Hak to start and splashes him in the corner, only to run into a
boot. Hak clotheslines him out to the floor but his plancha is
easily caught, allowing Bigelow to ram him into the post. Back
in and Bigelow keeps using the fat man offense, only to miss the top
rope headbutt. Not that it matters as Hak misses the swanton but
comes back with a swinging DDT. Cue the rest of the Triad but Hak
nails them with the stick and gives Bigelow the White Russian
legsweep. Page comes in for the Diamond Cutter to give Bigelow the
pin.
Rating:
D. So now it takes three people
to beat HAK? I’m not sure
why they bothered to get rid of the hardcore matches as it leaves
guys like him to try and work a regular match which just isn’t going
to happen. He hit a nice DDT and that’s about the extent of
wrestling Hak seems capable of doing. Why sign him if you’re going
to take away the only thing people like seeing him do?
D. So now it takes three people
to beat HAK? I’m not sure
why they bothered to get rid of the hardcore matches as it leaves
guys like him to try and work a regular match which just isn’t going
to happen. He hit a nice DDT and that’s about the extent of
wrestling Hak seems capable of doing. Why sign him if you’re going
to take away the only thing people like seeing him do?
Here’s
Nash with something to say. WCW still doesn’t want him as champion
and his only friend is at home in Orlando. However, he’ll put up the
title tonight with the stipulation that if he wins, he gets Torrie
for 72 hours. He doesn’t need a week you see because after 72 hours
with him, Torrie will be ruined.
Nash with something to say. WCW still doesn’t want him as champion
and his only friend is at home in Orlando. However, he’ll put up the
title tonight with the stipulation that if he wins, he gets Torrie
for 72 hours. He doesn’t need a week you see because after 72 hours
with him, Torrie will be ruined.
DJ
Ran again.
Ran again.
NWO
vs. West Texas Rednecks
vs. West Texas Rednecks
Sure
why not. That would be Stevie/Vincent/Brian Adams/Horace. It’s
Barry vs. Adams to start with Windham slapping him in the face. An
armdrag sets up a DDT from Barry but Adams presses him into the air,
only to have Barry slip out and roll him up for two. Off
to Hennig vs. Stevie with the big man running over Curt and stomping
away in the corner.
why not. That would be Stevie/Vincent/Brian Adams/Horace. It’s
Barry vs. Adams to start with Windham slapping him in the face. An
armdrag sets up a DDT from Barry but Adams presses him into the air,
only to have Barry slip out and roll him up for two. Off
to Hennig vs. Stevie with the big man running over Curt and stomping
away in the corner.
Kendall
comes in and takes a clothesline before it’s off to Vincent for a
stomping of his own. Off to
Horace who is quickly caught in the Redneck corner. Hennig comes in
for his running kneelift before Barry nails a top rope clothesline.
Bobby kicks Horace in the face but Adams trips him up, allowing for
the hot tag (?) to Vincent. Everything breaks down and a double
bulldog to Vincent is enough for the pin.
comes in and takes a clothesline before it’s off to Vincent for a
stomping of his own. Off to
Horace who is quickly caught in the Redneck corner. Hennig comes in
for his running kneelift before Barry nails a top rope clothesline.
Bobby kicks Horace in the face but Adams trips him up, allowing for
the hot tag (?) to Vincent. Everything breaks down and a double
bulldog to Vincent is enough for the pin.
Rating:
D. Who books an eight man all
heel tag match? The NWO
hasn’t wrestled together in months and I have no idea why they’re
even a thing anymore. The Rednecks are an interesting idea and the
song is incredibly catchy, even though booking them as heels isn’t a
good idea. It helps that we didn’t have to hear Master P. shouting
like an idiot this week though.
D. Who books an eight man all
heel tag match? The NWO
hasn’t wrestled together in months and I have no idea why they’re
even a thing anymore. The Rednecks are an interesting idea and the
song is incredibly catchy, even though booking them as heels isn’t a
good idea. It helps that we didn’t have to hear Master P. shouting
like an idiot this week though.
Time
for a dance contest between Disco Inferno and Ernest Miller. The
Nitro Girls are the judges to try and make this not horrible.
Scratch that as we’re going by fan applause, making the Girls pure
eye candy. Miller says he could beat Jerry Flynn too, likely setting
up a run in. Ernest does his usual routine, Disco does his usual
routine, Miller jumps Disco and we’ve got a match.
for a dance contest between Disco Inferno and Ernest Miller. The
Nitro Girls are the judges to try and make this not horrible.
Scratch that as we’re going by fan applause, making the Girls pure
eye candy. Miller says he could beat Jerry Flynn too, likely setting
up a run in. Ernest does his usual routine, Disco does his usual
routine, Miller jumps Disco and we’ve got a match.
The
Cat vs. Disco Inferno
Cat vs. Disco Inferno
Disco
is in trouble to start but makes a quick comeback with an atomic drop
and dancing middle rope elbow. Cat comes back with chops and kicks
before sending Disco outside for kicks from Sonny. Back in and Disco
hits a Chartbuster out of nowhere but takes forever to cover,
allowing Sonny to come in. That goes badly for Cat too as Sonny hits
his man but slips him the red shoe. Miller knocks Disco sillier but
Jerry Flynn runs out for the no contest.
is in trouble to start but makes a quick comeback with an atomic drop
and dancing middle rope elbow. Cat comes back with chops and kicks
before sending Disco outside for kicks from Sonny. Back in and Disco
hits a Chartbuster out of nowhere but takes forever to cover,
allowing Sonny to come in. That goes badly for Cat too as Sonny hits
his man but slips him the red shoe. Miller knocks Disco sillier but
Jerry Flynn runs out for the no contest.
Flynn
wants a kickboxing match with Miller next week. We just spent five
minutes setting up kickboxing with Jerry Flynn. This show is done.
wants a kickboxing match with Miller next week. We just spent five
minutes setting up kickboxing with Jerry Flynn. This show is done.
DJ
Ran.
Ran.
Tag
Team Titles: Buff Bagwell/Dean Malenko vs. Jersey Triad
Team Titles: Buff Bagwell/Dean Malenko vs. Jersey Triad
Flair
and company come out to the announcers’ table and announce Anderson
as referee for the main event tonight because he’s still not over the
NWO parody of his retirement. Bigelow starts on the floor as Malenko
rolls up Page for some fast two counts. Off to Bagwell vs. Kanyon
with Kanyon mocking Buff’s dance in a funny bit. Buff nails a quick
atomic drop and a swinging neckbreaker before it’s back to Dean.
Malenko sunset flips Kanyon but Page gets a blind tag and nails Dean
to take over.
and company come out to the announcers’ table and announce Anderson
as referee for the main event tonight because he’s still not over the
NWO parody of his retirement. Bigelow starts on the floor as Malenko
rolls up Page for some fast two counts. Off to Bagwell vs. Kanyon
with Kanyon mocking Buff’s dance in a funny bit. Buff nails a quick
atomic drop and a swinging neckbreaker before it’s back to Dean.
Malenko sunset flips Kanyon but Page gets a blind tag and nails Dean
to take over.
Bigelow
comes in for a 3-1 beatdown with Kanyon hitting a middle rope legdrop
for two. Page gets the same off a tilt-a-whirl slam and we take a
break. Back with Page clotheslining Malenko for two, only to have
Dean escape a tilt-a-whirl slam and make the hot tag to Buff.
Bagwell cleans house on the legal Kanyon but Bigelow grabs his leg to
break up the Blockbuster.
comes in for a 3-1 beatdown with Kanyon hitting a middle rope legdrop
for two. Page gets the same off a tilt-a-whirl slam and we take a
break. Back with Page clotheslining Malenko for two, only to have
Dean escape a tilt-a-whirl slam and make the hot tag to Buff.
Bagwell cleans house on the legal Kanyon but Bigelow grabs his leg to
break up the Blockbuster.
Bigelow
and Kanyon take turns on Buff before it’s off to Page for an elbow
drop. Buff crawls around the ring but finally grabs a sunset flip
for two. Malenko tags himself in but the referee goes down quickly.
Everything breaks down and Buff Blockbusters Kanyon, only to have
Bigelow come in for the double Diamond Cutter to pin Dean.
and Kanyon take turns on Buff before it’s off to Page for an elbow
drop. Buff crawls around the ring but finally grabs a sunset flip
for two. Malenko tags himself in but the referee goes down quickly.
Everything breaks down and Buff Blockbusters Kanyon, only to have
Bigelow come in for the double Diamond Cutter to pin Dean.
Rating:
C-. Take pretty much every
Triad match so far and you have the same thing here. The young team
gets beaten down again, the old guys rule the day and the fans are
punched in the ribs again. That’s basically WCW in a nutshell at
this point, as the young guys continue to look like nothing next to
the veterans.
C-. Take pretty much every
Triad match so far and you have the same thing here. The young team
gets beaten down again, the old guys rule the day and the fans are
punched in the ribs again. That’s basically WCW in a nutshell at
this point, as the young guys continue to look like nothing next to
the veterans.
We
get the world premiere of the I Hate Rap video. This is still
awesome and Curt Hennig is still the only West Texas Redneck from
Minnesota.
get the world premiere of the I Hate Rap video. This is still
awesome and Curt Hennig is still the only West Texas Redneck from
Minnesota.
Sid
Vicious vs. Scott Putski
Vicious vs. Scott Putski
I
really don’t see this going well. Sid has Savage and all three girls
with him and takes nearly two minutes to get to the ring. The bell
rings and there’s no contact for over a minute. The girls get on the
apron and the guys haven’t touched each other in the first ninety
seconds. The girls keep rubbing Scott’s back from the apron until
Sid FINALLY hits him after nearly two minutes.
really don’t see this going well. Sid has Savage and all three girls
with him and takes nearly two minutes to get to the ring. The bell
rings and there’s no contact for over a minute. The girls get on the
apron and the guys haven’t touched each other in the first ninety
seconds. The girls keep rubbing Scott’s back from the apron until
Sid FINALLY hits him after nearly two minutes.
In
the span of another minute, Sid hits him about five times while the
fans are very bored. A snapmare puts Putski down and the chant turns
to Goldberg. The chokeslam plants Scott but Sid would rather walk
around than cover. The powerbomb finally ends it after nearly five
minutes.
the span of another minute, Sid hits him about five times while the
fans are very bored. A snapmare puts Putski down and the chant turns
to Goldberg. The chokeslam plants Scott but Sid would rather walk
around than cover. The powerbomb finally ends it after nearly five
minutes.
Rating:
F. If they were going out there
and trying to tick the fans off, they’ve succeeded at something for
the first time in months. This was a match that should have lasted
thirty seconds but instead Sid stood around and yelled for minutes at
a time after having the longest entrance this side of Undertaker.
Why even bother with the match at this point?
F. If they were going out there
and trying to tick the fans off, they’ve succeeded at something for
the first time in months. This was a match that should have lasted
thirty seconds but instead Sid stood around and yelled for minutes at
a time after having the longest entrance this side of Undertaker.
Why even bother with the match at this point?
Post
match Savage and Sid say Nash is next and Randy drops an elbow on
Putski. Somehow from the
time Scott’s music hit to the time they went to a break was ten
minutes long. Does that look like a ten minute segment to you?
match Savage and Sid say Nash is next and Randy drops an elbow on
Putski. Somehow from the
time Scott’s music hit to the time they went to a break was ten
minutes long. Does that look like a ten minute segment to you?
Nitro
Girls.
Girls.
WCW
World Title: David Flair vs. Kevin Nash
World Title: David Flair vs. Kevin Nash
Lumberjack
match with Arn Anderson as referee and Savage, Sid, the girls, Ric,
Piper and the Triad around the ring. David even has one of his dad’s
robes for a nice touch. The announcers already start talking about
how Nash is up against the wall and the lumberjacks all come in to go
after him. Nash is quickly down in the corner as David bails to the
floor. Arn of course has something in his eye this whole time but
gets it clean as David puts on the Figure Four for a two count.
match with Arn Anderson as referee and Savage, Sid, the girls, Ric,
Piper and the Triad around the ring. David even has one of his dad’s
robes for a nice touch. The announcers already start talking about
how Nash is up against the wall and the lumberjacks all come in to go
after him. Nash is quickly down in the corner as David bails to the
floor. Arn of course has something in his eye this whole time but
gets it clean as David puts on the Figure Four for a two count.
Nash
wakes up and hammers away as the beating is on in a hurry. He hits
all the usual stuff as the lumberjacks come in again. Nash of course
fights off ALL OF THEM and takes a taser away from David. The
villains are shocked and Nash kidnaps Gorgeous George as Torrie
leaves willingly with Nash.
wakes up and hammers away as the beating is on in a hurry. He hits
all the usual stuff as the lumberjacks come in again. Nash of course
fights off ALL OF THEM and takes a taser away from David. The
villains are shocked and Nash kidnaps Gorgeous George as Torrie
leaves willingly with Nash.
The
three of them go to the back towards Nash’s limo but see a Hummer.
Sting’s face can be seen in the mirror and Nash sees him before
leaving in the limo with the girls to end the show.
three of them go to the back towards Nash’s limo but see a Hummer.
Sting’s face can be seen in the mirror and Nash sees him before
leaving in the limo with the girls to end the show.
Overall
Rating: D-. So let’s look at
the last half hour of this show. We have a ten minute Sid vs. Scott
Putski match and Kevin Nash fighting off eight men and getting to
leave with two gorgeous blondes. I’m sure the latter has nothing to
do with him being the booker whatsoever. Over on Raw, Steve Austin
was beating the Undertaker for the WWF Title in the highest rated
match in the history of Monday Night Raw.
This week felt like WCW was actively trying to lose and that isn’t a
good sign as we head into the second half of the year.
Rating: D-. So let’s look at
the last half hour of this show. We have a ten minute Sid vs. Scott
Putski match and Kevin Nash fighting off eight men and getting to
leave with two gorgeous blondes. I’m sure the latter has nothing to
do with him being the booker whatsoever. Over on Raw, Steve Austin
was beating the Undertaker for the WWF Title in the highest rated
match in the history of Monday Night Raw.
This week felt like WCW was actively trying to lose and that isn’t a
good sign as we head into the second half of the year.
Remember to check out my website at kbwrestlingreviews.com and head over to my Amazon author page with wrestling books for under $4 at:
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