Mike Reviews Shows Considered To Be Stinkers: WCW Thunder 14/10/99 (Nash on commentary)

Happy Stinky Saturday Everyone!

Back again with another Stinker Review, as we take a look at an episode of Thunder from 1999. This episode of Thunder happened just before Vince Russo and Ed Ferrara came in as writers, so former booker Kevin Nash decided to sit in on commentary and just make the entire show a giant joke where he amused himself. Some liked this, some hated it, and most were just bemused by it. Let’s see just how bad this episode of Thunder is, if at all.

You can view the card for this episode of Thunder by clicking below;

Thunder card

This episode of Thunder is emanating from Baton Rouge, Louisiana on the 14th of October 1999

Calling the action are Mike Tenay, Larry Z and Kevin Nash

The announce team jabber on to start, and Kevin Nash starts us out by saying that everyone thought he was a bad booker, but he’s booked himself into a retirement angle and now he gets paid to sit at the desk and commentate.

Match 1
Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker Vs “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan

Parker’s claim to fame was that he trained Bill Goldberg. Duggan was a big star in Bill Watt’s Mid-South Wrestling before jumping to both the WWF and then WCW. Arguably Duggan had more success in WCW than the WWF, as he was both US and TV Champ in WCW and never won a singles belt in the WWF (although he did win the inaugural Royal Rumble). Parker’s theme doesn’t suit him whatsoever, and sounds like something that would play during the “stay tuned for x” bits on a channel like Nickelodeon. Nash talks about Duggan being “over” as he’s apparently going to make inside terms that a lot of the viewers wouldn’t understand just to amuse himself tonight. Parker tries jumping Duggan to start, but Duggan fires back with clotheslines and the crowd loves it.

Louisiana was a big part of the Mid-South territory, so Duggan’s overness makes sense. Parker gets the occasional cheap shot in, but he struggles to get much in the way of offence until Duggan misses a charge in the corner, giving us a chinlock. Duggan fights out of that and makes the comeback with a 10 punch in the corner, as they are hitting every opening match trope here and doing it well. Duggan gets a slam, clothesline and the Old Glory Knee Drop for the three count following that, with Nash of course finding the finisher name ridiculous. I mean, Duggan literally chants “USA” during his matches, so the name at least makes sense. It’s not like he called it the “Hong Kong Knee Drop” or something like that.

WINNER: JIM DUGGAN
RATING: *1/2

Thoughts: This had ridiculous crowd heat for a match involving Buddy Parker and a past his best Jim Duggan, so it was entertaining to watch for that alone. In all fairness to Duggan; if I’d been booking WCW at the time I would have probably used Duggan in an opening match role as well, as his act almost always elicited a reaction from the crowd and he’d warm them up without amping them up too much

Match 2
“Mean” Al Green Vs “The Rajun Cajun” Lash LeRoux

Green was previously Kevin Nash’s partner as one half of The Master Blasters, and he must have been popular in the WCW locker room as they kept him around for years after that as an under card guy. LeRoux was a graduate of WCW’s Power Plant wrestling school and didn’t really do much once WCW closed. As his nickname suggests, LeRoux is the home state hero on Thunder tonight. Nash of course gets Green confused with the reverend Al Green. LeRoux was getting a shot at the WCW Cruiserweight Title at Halloween Havoc, so of course he’s wrestling a heavyweight here on Thunder, because WCW. I mean, they couldn’t book him against one of the hundreds of luchadores they had on the roster so that LeRoux could actually wrestle someone from the right division? LeRoux actually makes reasonably easy work of Green, catching him with a fireman’s carry into a Michinoku Driver called the “Whiplash” for the three count.

WINNER: LASH LEROUX
RATING: SQUASH

Thoughts: They at least knew to put Lash over in his hometown in order to build him for a Title shot, but it would have been nice to see him wrestle an actual cruiserweight

We get clips from Nitro, as The First Family battled with The Harlem Heat, leading to Brian Knobbs pinning Stevie Ray after interference from Jimmy Hart.

The Total Package and Elizabeth join us for some promo time, and next week it will be Package taking on Buff Bagwell. Larry Z is more interested in challenging Michael Jordan to a golfing match though. To be fair though, that would probably be more interesting than Thunder was most weeks during this time period. Package insults Baton Rouge, although he sounds more bored than angry. Package does eventually find some fire when talking about how successful he is and how the folks in the crowd don’t appreciate him. Someone in the crowd actually puts one of their mates in a Torture Wrack, which leads to Nash calling it the “Old Glory” Torture Wrack, as that seems to be a running gag for him tonight. Package’s big complaint is that none of his friends tried to call him when he was out injured. Buff Bagwell eventually joins us, which is good because Package’s promo is quickly running out of steam. Bagwell says that he DID try to call on Package, but Package wasn’t interested, and asks Package what is going on with Package and Sting being Heels these days. The fans at least seem interested in the idea of Package and Bagwell wrestling next week, so that’s something. Rick Steiner then joins us, which leads to Package and Steiner beating up Bagwell. La Parka (“of all people” as Tenay says on commentary) makes the save with a chair, and the Heels bail. Nash attributes that down to Package being scared of skeletons, in what is possibly his first funny line of the night.

On Nitro, it’s revealed that Billy Kidman and Torrie Wilson are now dating, much to David Flair’s chagrin. David Flair then gets into a fight with Curt Hennig, which goes badly for Flair.

Match 3
The New First Family (Brian Knobbs and Hugh Morrus) w/ Jimmy “Mouth of the South” Hart Vs The Armstrong’s (Scott and Steve)

Knobbs, Morrus and Jerry Flynn were a pretty bog standard lower mid-card card act who were given wins here and there due to Kevin Sullivan liking them. This was during a period where The First Family were getting semi-pushed, and they’d get a Tag Title shot at the Halloween Havoc pay per view. The Armstrong’s are the sons of Bob Armstrong and the brothers of Brad and Brian Armstrong. Brian probably enjoyed the most success of the four sons, as he was Road Dogg in the WWF. All four of these wrestlers know how to work the tag formula, so this is a passable tag team match, with The Armstrong’s getting to shine on The First Family to start. Nash mentions that Morrus looks like Bull Nakano with his hairdo, which impresses Tenay. Eventually Morrus cheap shots Steve when the ref isn’t looking, and that gives us our cut off and heat segment. Steve sells that well, whilst The First Family look okay on offence. Morrus misses an elbow off the top and that gives us the Scott hot tag. Scott is quickly foiled though and Morrus ends up coming off the top with a Moonsault in order to give The First Family the win.

WINNERS: THE FIRST FAMILY
RATING: *3/4

Thoughts: Passable prelim tag action there. It might have been higher rated if The Armstrong’s had actually been allowed to do a bit more in the closing stages. As it was, they got their shine but the hot tag was pretty much shrugged off and it gave the match a rather flat ending

The Harlem Heat run down to chase The First Family off following that in order to try and heat up (no pun intended) the issue between the two teams. Stevie Ray wants to fight right now, but the Heels of course don’t want to do that and this feud will continue. This was one of those segments where it made sense and they executed the angle correctly, but it’s for a feud that nobody really cares about, which is very WCW.

On Nitro; Perry Saturn and Rey Mysterio Jr had a match that ended in a DQ due to people running in, so we’re running it back tonight.

Also on Nitro; Sid Vicious and Goldberg had a backstage altercation. Kevin Nash undercuts it all by narrating it in a comedy voice and talking about Goldberg milking the hardcam though. We wouldn’t want people to care about the match with the most storyline build for Halloween Havoc though would we? I mean, do we want people to actually be excited in watching that match so they’ll pay money for the privilege or do we want them to think that Kevin Nash is funny? Anyway, one of Sid’s conditions for the match at Havoc was that there could be no contact between the two wrestlers prior to the event, but Goldberg ended up Spearing Sid at the end of Nitro, so we’ll have to tune in next week in order to see if the match is still going to happen or not. Fair enough, that’s at least a semi-interesting hook for Nitro, so I’ll let WCW have that one, although I have no memory as to whether they delivered a satisfactory pay off or not. It’s WCW, so I’m guessing no, but maybe I shouldn’t be so pessimistic?

Match 4
Horace Hogan Vs Brian Adams

As the name suggests; Horace is the nephew of Hulk Hogan, whilst Adams is a big bloke from Hawaii who likes wrecking folk and formerly wrestled as Crush in the WWF. Both of these two wrestlers were members of the nWo at previous points in their WCW careers. Adams might honestly be in the best condition of his career here, as he looks lean, muscular and, yes, his hair looks positively sumptuous. Adams takes most of the match here, with Horace catching Adams with a mule kick (in FULL view of the ref FFS) for the cut off. That made the ref look like such a goof that he let the match keep going. Adams sells for a bit, and actually doesn’t do too bad at it, but he’s soon making the comeback with a press slam and a back breaker for two. Horace replies with a running splash for a two of his own, but Adams catches Horace with the worlds sloppiest Piledriver and that’s enough for three.

WINNER: BRIAN ADAMS
RATING: *1/2

Thoughts: Just two fellers having a match. I would have totally taken a chance on Adams watching this though, as he had a great look and the fans popped for his win

Mean Gene Okerlund is in the ring and brings out Lash LeRoux for some promo time (Nash: “who booked this?”). LeRoux cuts a promo to hype up his match with The Disco Inferno at Hallowen Havoc, and the easy hometown crowd makes it bearable. It’s nice that they let him both win a match and cut a promo without getting battered at least.

On Nitro; Berlyn and Brad Armstrong have an argument backstage, leading to Berlyn and The Wall costing Brad a match. However, next week they accidentally help him win a match. Anyway, Berlyn and Brad will do battle at Halloween Havoc, in a match that’s already being described as “happening at Halloween Havoc”.

Match 5
Berlyn w/ The Wall Vs Prince Iaukea

Berlyn had previously been techno dancer Alex Wright, but that was old hat in 1999, so they’ve made him a generic stern German with a big lackey to help him out. Iaukea had runs with both the TV and Cruiserweight Title’s, despite being a rather dull wrestler for the most part. Sadly they dub out Berlyn’s theme, which was the best part of his act. Tenay reveals that Package and Steiner Vs Bagwell and La Parka will be the Main Event later. Nash notes that it’s a thrown together match because half of the roster didn’t bother showing up for Thunder this week. That’s okay, probably half the crowd didn’t show up for it either. Iaukea gets a brief flurry to start, but Berlyn then takes over, whilst the announce team would rather talk about Nash’s plans for Saturday Night instead. Berlyn looks good on offence, and Iaukea takes some nice bumps, whilst the crowd chants “USA” in order to annoy Berlyn. Iaukea gets the briefest of comebacks, and even gets a modified Olympic Slam at one stage. However, Berlyn counters a cross body into a powerslam and then toys with Iaukea a bit before Wall gets a cheap shot and the Rude Awakening gives Berlyn three.

WINNER: BERLYN
RATING: SQUASH

Thoughts: This wasn’t a bad showcase for Berlyn from an in-ring perspective, although the comedy announcing undercut it a bit, which has kind of been the theme of this episode of Thunder

We get a video package for THE MONSTER MENG, as “The Meng Cycle” was seemingly beginning again, wherein WCW would decide they were going to try and push Meng as an unstoppable beast before just forgetting about it and having him do a job for an actual star until starting the cycle again in 3-6 months time.

Match 6
THE MONSTER MENG Vs Luther Biggs w/ Coach Buzz Stern

Meng would also be known as Haku, and I’m sure he’s related to The Bloodline in some form or another, be it by blood or through just being a family friend and that kind of counting anyway because apparently that’s how that works sometimes. Biggs was another Power Plant graduate, whilst Stern would probably be better known as the Mortal Kombat inspired character Glacier. Meng makes easy work of Biggs here, no selling everything and then picking up the win with The Tongan Deathgrip.

WINNER: MENG
RATING: SQUASH

Thoughts: As Nash said on commentary, Meng wasn’t doing a job after getting such a cool video package. Some of Nash’s lines have been good tonight, and that was one of them

Coach Stern gets attacked post-match by Meng as well.

Match 7
Perry Saturn Vs Rey Mysterio Jr.

Saturn was a member of the The Revolution, whilst Rey was in The Filthy Animals, and none of those folks like one another, hence a match here on Thunder. The action is good here in the early going, with Rey using his quickness to believably put Saturn on the backfoot during the babyface shine, including springboard moves and a dive to the floor. Saturn eventually catches Rey with a suplex though and that’s the cut off, with Saturn working some heat. Rey sells the heat well (I know, Rey Mysterio Jr being good at selling, I’ll notify the press) and Saturn puts Rey in a few cruel looking holds. Rey gets the odd hope spot to show that he’s still alive in the match, and the crowd gets into it whenever it looks Rey will fight back. Rey tries a rana off the top at one stage, but Saturn brings him down with a sloppy looking Powerbomb for two. Rey catches Saturn with a cool looking pinning hold following that though, and that’s three.

WINNER: REY MYSTERIO JR
RATING: **1/2

Thoughts: This was like an actual wrestling match, with a beginning, middle and end, on an episode of Thunder no less! It wasn’t a classic or anything, but it was a totally watchable bout and they did a good job of structuring it in order to make Rey look competitive against the larger man without making Saturn look weak

Speaking of not making Saturn look weak, he beats up Rey post-match in order to get his heat back and keep the faction war ongoing.

Match 8
“The Dog Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner and The Total Package w/ Miss Elizabeth Vs Buff “The Stuff” Bagwell and “The Chairman of WCW” La Parka

Steiner spent most of 1999 ruining the TV Title division, whilst Luger spent most of it hardly wrestling, and then having horrible matches when he did wrestle. Bagwell was seemingly earmarked for a push, as Vince Russo had put him over in an online interview. Parka was a popular masked luchador who was known for hitting people with chairs and doing wacky dances, so it shouldn’t have really been a surprise that folks liked him. This one is a brawl to start, with Steiner of course not selling a single thing for La Parka, whilst Package is a bit more generous with Bagwell. Steiner (named “Total Steiner” by Nash on commentary) continues clobbering poor Parka in the ring, whilst Bagwell gets on the apron in the hopes of getting a tag. Package ends up standing in the wrong corner, which means Bagwell has to move into a corner closer to the hardcam, which isn’t what you’re supposed to do. The Face should be furthest away from the hardcam because then it looks like their partner has to climb uphill to make the hot tag. Package does let Parka get a couple of roll-ups on him in the heat. The fact that Package is the most professional person on his team should really shine a light on just how unprofessional Steiner was during this time period. Bagwell eventually gets the hot tag and runs wild, but Parka runs in with his chair, so Bagwell gives him The Blockbuster and storms off. The crowd doesn’t understand what that was all about, and it seems like a Heel turn, but I don’t think it was.

NO CONTEST
RATING: DUD

Thoughts: Do you like watching La Parka get beaten up by three people and made to look like a chump? Well then this Thunder Main Event is the match for you! The finish not only made absolutely no sense, but the crowd didn’t even react to it either. They were stunned and thought it was a Bagwell Heel turn, but then he just walked away and the fans were just confused by the whole thing. An awful, yet appropriate way, to end an episode of Thunder from 1999

Is It Really A Stinker?

The ceiling for Thunder during this period was naturally so low that you’d need a special level of awfulness for an episode of the show to be a Stinker, and this edition wasn’t quite bad enough to reach full Stinker levels (although the Main Event nearly pushed it over the line). Nash had a few funny lines on commentary, and he could have possibly done it in a way that both amused himself AND also helped the show overall. However, most of the show was just Nash making insider comments and undercutting what was happening on screen, which lessened the effect of any of the positive stuff.

For instance, the Sid and Goldberg stuff was actually well done on Nitro and was a storyline the WCW fans seemed to care about, but Nash made that entire recap all about him doing wacky voices. For people who didn’t have TNT, watching Thunder on TBS was how they got their weekly WCW fix, so there was a potential section of the audience who could have viewed that package and thought “wow, this Sid and Goldberg feud seems pretty cool, maybe I should buy that pay per view?”, who were now not going to think that because Nash made the whole thing one big joke.

Lash LeRoux got a win in his hometown and was actually booked pretty effectively for a guy with his experience levels. Most of the matches weren’t that competitive, but they either advanced a storyline or gave someone who was getting pushed a clean win in an effort to heat them up a bit, so they served a purpose. Saturn Vs Rey was totally watchable, and Jim Duggan’s match was actually fun to watch just because the crowd were so into it. The Main Event was absolutely awful though, and Nash soon became tiresome on commentary once the funny lines dried up and he just started coming across as petty, although he was doing it in his trademark “too cool for school” way.

Look, I get that Thunder was almost always awful during this time period, to the point that the show’s very existence has almost become a MEME in itself, but I would have still liked WCW to at least TRY and put on a good episode. This was them basically giving up and just letting that week’s Thunder be a way for Kevin Nash to amuse himself. And if sacrificing two hours of prime time television on TBS just so the outgoing booker can spend it making shoot comments and having a laugh, whilst getting paid millions to do so, doesn’t sum WCW up perfectly, then I don’t know what does.

Final Rating – Stinky
(Scores done on a scale of Stinker/Stinky/Odourless/Pleasant/Fragrant)

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