WCW: Reboot Funded by Dirty Money
Aug 26, 2024 6:21:46 GMT 1
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Post by Dimos on Aug 26, 2024 6:21:46 GMT 1
WCW Monday Nitro
Episode #103
American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Announcers: Mike Tenay, Tony Schiavone and Larry Zbyszko
Overall: 85
We have a photo recap from the Great American Bash last night: Goldberg is still WCW World Heavyweight Champion, but his victory was full of controversy. (74)
WCW Monday Nitro starts!
TONIGHT: Three teams will determine the next contenders for WCW Nitro Tag Team Championship. Who will challenge for the titles? Homicide and Low Ki? Jamie Noble and Kaz Hayashi? Or maybe Ric Flair and Dustin Rhodes? (60)
TONIGHT: Fit Finlay vs Abyss in Belfast Brawl! (67)
TONIGHT: WCW Commissioner Dusty Rhodes with a BIG announcement! (60)
WCW World Heavyweight Champion Goldberg opens the show. He couldn't get past the gossip that his victory last night was unfair. That there were shenanigans. That Lance Storm was much closer to victory and maybe he even deserved it more. But Goldberg doesn't care. He did what he promised - he walked away from the PPV as WCW World Heavyweight Champion. And will continue to do it: week after week, show after show, month after month…
… Chris Hero interrupts! He congratulates Goldberg, but indeed there is talking backstage about unfair victory. But the past is the past. “Look, maybe you need another opponent. I won the WCW SuperBrawl Classic. I beated every single one of the Horsemen. I beated every one of my opponents in the last months. And I definitely deserve a chance for a big prize, WCW World Heavyweight Championship!”... But before Goldberg could answer…
… Steve Corino is here! “Your victory last night, Hero, was a complete accident. And if not you, I would already be a WCW World champion a month ago, if you remember. So I need another title shot.”... (83)
… WCW Commissioner Dusty Rhodes is here. “Look, guys… Later tonight I will have a big announcement regarding the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and about something that will change this company, I think… But now we have a little argument here, aren’t we? Your match yesterday was great, Steve and Chris. You both have your points… So why don’t we do this… Tonight, one more time, Steve Corino vs Chris Hero! The winner will be the next #1 contender for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship!” (78)
TONIGHT: Steve Corino vs Chris Hero for #1 Contendership for WCW World Heavyweight Championship! (72)
Backstage, Chavo Guerrero arrives! He’s happy. Gene Okerlund is here. Chavo is happy that we’ll never see Rey Mysterio at Nitro again. And to celebrate it he has an idea. Last week he and Rey were at “Piper’s Pit”. Everyone saw that Roddy and his show sucked. Tonight we’ll see a premiere of the new talk show: “Chavo’s Cheat Sheet” with a very special guest. Matt Sydal laughs hearing that. Chavo challenges him to a match. (65)
Match 1: ‘Gorgeous’ Bobby Roode vs Tajiri. Last week Tajiri won over Roode by count out thanks to green mist spit. We have a rematch. Roode demands from the referee to check Tajiri’s mouth for a mist. Tajiri was better. He didn’t need a green mist tonight. This time Roode throwed some white powder into his eyes and quickly rolled his opponent up. 1…2…3. (5:05, 57)
WCW US Champion AJ Styles is here for an in-ring interview. “I feel bad about the way in which I finished the match against Samoa Joe last night. Joe was too serious an opponent for me. Probably the most serious I've ever fought. And when I had the opportunity to cut the corner, I couldn't turn it down. And I'm ashamed of that. I don't want to be that kind of champion. I'm sorry. If Samoa Joe wants another match, I'm willing to give him a shot anytime, anywhere.” (84)
After a commercial break, Dusty Rhodes meets AJ Styles backstage. Dusty likes what he heard from AJ and promises to sort out the formalities for a new match between him and Joe. And after the next match, Dusty will make his announcement. (80)
Match 2: Chavo Guerrero vs Matt Sydal. Chavo dodges 450 Splash from Sydal and hits Matt with a Gory Bomb. 1….2…NO! Frog Splash by Chavo! 1…2…3. (5:06, 78)
WCW Commissioner Dusty Rhodes is here for his announcement. He talks about how hard it is for a lot of guys backstage to break through the glass ceiling and earn for themselves the first chance, the first shot at the title. Guys like AJ Styles, like Chris Hero, like Rob Van Dam… They busting their a**es, but sometimes they need a little help. We in WCW are all for equal chances. So Dusty announces a new tournament that will be an annual event. It's called WCW Path to Glory. Its rules are:
* There are two paths: Path of Legacy (4 wrestlers from each brand who have been world champions in the past), Path of Ambition (4 wrestlers from each brand who have never been world champions before).
* So we have 4 groups of participants. There will be matches with each other in a league format.
* There will be 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss.
* Two competitors emerge from each group and will face two competitors from a different brand in a Fatal 4-Way match at WCW Slamboree in August. These will be the semifinals.
* At the same Slamboree, the final will take place: the winner of Path of Legacy will face the winner of Path of Ambition.
* The winner of Path of Glory will receive a unique prize: an open contract for a WCW World Heavyweight Championship match. He will be able to use it any time he sees fit for the next year.
So now Dusty announces participants from Nitro. Path of Legacy group: Ric Flair, Steve Corino (as a former ECW champion), Raven (as a former ECW champion) and wildcard. Path of Ambition group: Chavo Guerrero… Dustin Rhodes… Chris Hero… and Rob Van Dam! (66)
Backstage, Steve Corino wants help tonight from his Horsemen pals, CW Anderson and Claudio Castagnoli. But they aren’t happy with the recent ‘success’ of their leader. They told him to take care of the things himself, as they have their own goal - WCW Nitro Tag Team Championship. (75)
Match 3, Belfast Brawl: Fit Finlay vs Abyss (w/ James Mitchell). During the match Raven came to the ringside to watch. It was a real mayhem. Full blown hardcore chaos. Finlay was a real brawler here, but it’s not an easy task to put Abyss down. Finlay tried a devastating shot with a shillelagh. Only for two. Abyss is going for a Black Hole Slam on thumbtacks, Finlay hits him with a shillelagh one more time. But Abyss hits a Black Hole Slam out of nowhere anyway. 1…2…3. (9:25, 76)
Post match Raven comes to the ring to look into the face of unconscious Finlay. Then he looks in the eyes of Abyss and leaves the ring without any word. (64)
Match 4, #1 Contendership for WCW Nitro Tag Team Championship: Ric Flair and Dustin Rhodes vs Homicide and Low Ki vs Jamie Noble and Kaz Hayashi: Flair and Rhodes have a fantastic chemistry. But it was former Jung Dragons who won this time after Hayashi Cutter on Low Ki. (10:09, 77)
“Chavo’s Cheat Sheet”:
Chavo Guerrero welcomes us to the premiere episode of his own talk-show. And his first guest is the man, who is the wildcard in the Path of Legacy, who helped to end Rey Mysterio’s career on Nitro and who is his own uncle… EDDIE GUERRERO! Eddie: “I’m back home, in WCW. And home is where the family is. Chavo Guerrero is my family. I’m here to get the success that I always wanted. To be on the top of WCW. And you, Chavo, will help me, as I helped you yesterday”. Anyway, Eddie is going to run right to the top of the company and Chavo would be his sidekick… but Chavo isn’t very happy with that information. But before he could say anything… Perry Saturn is here! “Hi, Eddie! Not long ago we shared the road. We went from WCW together, because there was nothing more for us. And we’re back, because now we can have our chance. But you changed, man. Rey was a good guy. Nitro needed Rey. What you did was wrong.” Eddie taunts Saturn for being the worst of Radicalz and the only one who couldn’t succeed in WWE. “And I’m gonna tell you the truth. Without us… without me… nobody needed you! You were a little font in contract for me, Chris and Dean. We asked them to add you. Without us and without me - you are nothing, vato!”. Perry Saturn challenges Eddie to a match tonight! (80)
Match 5: Eddie Guerrero (w/ Chavo Guerrero) vs Perry Saturn. Chavo interfered a lot, Eddie cheated a lot. Perry Saturn was great, but in the end Chavo grabs his leg during Rings of Saturn attempt. Eddie hits with a low blow and finishes the match with a Frog Splash. (10:11, 84)
Wait, who’s that in the crowd in the first row?... Is it really?... It can’t be. It’s PAUL HEYMAN! (77)
Match 6: Chris Hero vs Steve Corino. Great match, similar to their PPV bout last night. But this time we had no winner, as CHRIS KANYON made his way to the ring and knocked out both of them with a chair. (14:17, 89)
Post match Chris Kanyon is standing in the middle of the ring. The announcers wonder what he’s doing here. But we're gonna find out next week.
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WCW RAGE
Episode #24
SBC Center, San Antonio, TX
Announcers: Joey Styles and Jerry Lawler
Overall: 84
The new RAGE General Manager Randy Savage opens the show. “OOOOOOOOHHHHH YEAAAAAH! It’s great to be with you and to be the general manager of RAGE.” He announces participants for WCW Path to Glory. The Path of Legacy: Jeff Jarrett… Sting… Booker T… and Shawn Michaels. The Path of Ambition: Sean O’Haire… CM Punk… American Dragon… and the newest acquisition for RAGE… REY MYSTERIO! And the first match of Path of Ambition starts now! (81)
Match 1, The Path of Ambition: Sean O’Haire (w/ Mike Sanders) vs CM Punk. There wasn’t much heat as both participants were 100% heels. Punk was injured after Shooting Star Press from Kidman at PPV. So he couldn’t lift O’Haire. Sean used it and counters with a Widow Maker. 1…2…3. (8:34, 75)
TONIGHT: Jeff Jarrett vs Sting, and Booker T vs Shawn Michaels in The Path of Legacy! (77)
WCW RAGE Tag Team Champions, Booker T and Sting, arrive separately. (75)
Match 2: Hugh Morrus vs Ken Anderson. Morrus gets a victory after Moonsault. (4:18, 64)
Post match, Hugh Morrus grabs a mic. “I’m sick of seeing how John Cena shits on his own career, despite having talent. I’m gonna teach him some respect.” Morrus challenges Cena to a match. (42)
Backstage, Sting talks to Booker T. “I saw what you did last night. And I didn’t like it a bit”. Booker T offers his help in the Path of Legacy tonight, but Sting doesn’t need any help from him.
Lance Storm in-ring promo. He talks about how unfair was his match vs Goldberg at Great American Bash. He wants a rematch as soon as possible. Ken Shamrock responds! “I was in the ring with Goldberg, twice. There also was a controversy, but you know what I did? I worked hard to get my rematch, not whined as little b*tch.” Lance Storm cheap attacks Shamrock and puts him into a Maple Leaf. (86)
Match 3: Elix Skipper vs Yun Yang. Former WCW Cruiserweight Champions showed everyone why he was a champ and won over young after Play of the Day. (5:19, 81)
Post match, Elix Skipper: “I wasn’t pinned nor did I tap out at Great American Bash, but lost the title anyway.” Skipper wants a rematch against Shane Helms. (70)
Backstage, Francine is looking for John Cena, but his locker room is empty. And some girl tells that Cena went to the club again where they are supposed to meet. (48)
RAGE GM Randy Savage meets Mike Awesome backstage. “We're gonna need someone like you here, pal. Former ECW Champion? Former IWGP Champion? OOOOHHH YEEEEEAAAH!” Randy cancels his suspension and reinstates in the roster, but Mike’s behavior would be watched by Savage personally. Oh, and Awesome will have a match tonight. (69)
Bret Hart in-ring promo. He brags about winning over Shawn Michaels at Great American Bash and tells ‘these stupid fans’ that it was the last time they ever see him competing in the ring. Then he introduces a man who ‘saved his body’ on Sunday… Andrew Martin! Martin: “Test was a stupid name, isn’t it? But that’s a creative genius of some old man from Stanford who’s heard I was a bodyguard once and was doing soundchecks. Test, test, test… Damn, it’s stupid. My name is Andrew Martin. I’m from Canada. And this man, Bret Hart, is THE legend for every Canadian.” Andrew Martin talks about how much he respects Bret and how much he hates all this Kliq that HBK was part of and that holded his career in the other company. Shawn Michaels heard enough - he’s here to brawl, but Bret Hart and Tes… Andrew Martin… outnumbers him and beat HBK down. (74)
Match 4, The Path of Legacy: Jeff Jarrett vs Sting. Booker T came to the ringside during the match. Jarrett was gonna use a guitar after the ref bump. But Sting dodged and hit Jeff with a Scorpion Death Drop. Booker tries to give Sting a guitar. Sting rejects. Tag champs argue. In the meantime, Jarrett is back to live. JJ hits Sting with a low blow and rolls him up with his feet on the rope. 1…2…3. (8:18, 75)
Pre-taped interview from Rey Mysterio’s home. “I feel betrayed. Eddie Guerrero was a family for me. I… I… I have no words.” Rey is devastated. But he’s happy he can continue his career on RAGE. And he will be here next week. (82)
Backstage, Randy Savage meets Ken Shamrock. He knows that Ken wasn’t going to stay much longer and his return was only for a couple of appearances, but Randy offers him a contract for a few more matches. Shamrock hesitates. Savage gives him a match against Lance Storm tonight, and Ken agrees. (72)
Match 5: Mike Awesome vs Christian York. Awesome was big and bad, and he easily wins after Awesome Bomb. (4:41, 61)
Post match, Mike Awesome shows that he isn’t gonna behave nicely, so he puts York through the table. (50)
Vignette showing Billy Kidman visiting his hometown in Allentown after winning the WCW North American Championship. He has a real champion’s tour. He’s signing autographs, talking to the kids at school, spending time with neighbors etc. He’s a real hometown hero now. (69)
Match 6: Lance Storm vs Ken Shamrock. Both talents were trying to weak each other’s leg. In the end we had a couple of attempts for a submission. No luck. Finally Lance rolls Shamrock up for three counts. (12:15, 86)
Match 7, The Path of Legacy: Booker T vs Shawn Michaels. HBK was weakened after beating from Bret Hart and Andrew Martin earlier. So Booker used it to his advantage. During the match, Booker T is going to use some cheap tactics, but Sting makes his way to the ringside. Booker T is distracted. HBK capitalizes on it and hits Booker with a Sweet Chin Music! 1…2…NO! HBK is going for another one… Bret Hart is here! Sting stops him. The ref is distracted by the argument at ringside. Andrew Martin runs-in through the crowd and hits HBK with a devastating Big Boot again. Booker T has no moral objections to using it to his advantage, so he lets Martin leave the ring peacefully and then finishes Michaels with an Axe Kick. 1…2…3. (11:51, 85)
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Backstage Notes:
The Rock Announces Retirement from Wrestling to Focus on Hollywood Career: In a heartfelt and emotional announcement that has sent shockwaves through the wrestling world, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has officially retired from professional wrestling to fully commit to his flourishing Hollywood career. The decision marks the end of an era for one of the most iconic and electrifying performers in wrestling history. "Wrestling has given me everything – it was my first love and my foundation. The lessons I learned in the ring, the friendships I made, and the connection with the fans will forever be a part of who I am. But as I continue to pursue my passion in Hollywood, I know it’s time to fully commit to this next chapter of my life. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. This isn't goodbye, but it’s the start of a new journey." Althrough, there are rumors, that he might be back for one or two more storylines in 2003 or 2004.
The Rock Announces Retirement from Wrestling to Focus on Hollywood Career: In a heartfelt and emotional announcement that has sent shockwaves through the wrestling world, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has officially retired from professional wrestling to fully commit to his flourishing Hollywood career. The decision marks the end of an era for one of the most iconic and electrifying performers in wrestling history. "Wrestling has given me everything – it was my first love and my foundation. The lessons I learned in the ring, the friendships I made, and the connection with the fans will forever be a part of who I am. But as I continue to pursue my passion in Hollywood, I know it’s time to fully commit to this next chapter of my life. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. This isn't goodbye, but it’s the start of a new journey." Althrough, there are rumors, that he might be back for one or two more storylines in 2003 or 2004.
Elix Skipper Sidelined with Injury, Expected to Miss One Month. At last RAGE, Elix Skipper has suffered an injury that will keep him out of action for the next month. There was a plans for Shane Helms vs Elix Skipper for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship at next PPV, Bash at the Beach, but now these plan are needed to be revisited.
We Have a Mid-Year Awards! So far it's:
* Wrestler of the Year - Steve Austin
* Team of the Year - Hiroyushi Tenzan
* Match of the Year - Edge vs Triple H
* Show of the Year - WWE King of the Ring 2003
* Young Wrestler of the Year - Chris Hero
* Veteran Wrestler of the Year - Tatsumi Fujinami
* Indy Wrestler of the Year - Sabu