Nitro Episode 30 of the Shane McMahon Era (Episode 318 including pre-Shane)
Wednesday 21 November 2001
Live late-night on FX
8,926 crowd from Columbus, Ohio
Announcers: Tony Schiavone, Jerry 'The King' Lawler & Arn Anderson
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Tony Schiavone on commentary says it's Wednesday night folks and you know what that means! It's WCW Nitro, LIVE from OHIO!
Jerry Lawler excitedly says that's right Tony, we're here in the Buckeye State and this is our last Nitro before the inaugural House of Cards this Sunday live in Las Vegas, Nevada!
Tony Schiavone says that's right folks and boy do we have a show for you tonight! In our main event tonight, we think it will be the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, Scott Hall & his former driver, The Sandman vs Scott Hall's opponent for his title this Sunday, Diamond Dallas Page teaming with our CEO and Chairman, Shane McMahon. But The Sandman has made some demands of Shane McMahon that we're not sure he's going to want to meet!
Arn Anderson says and that's not all we've got for you tonight! We've got 3 of the final 4 House of Cards Qualifying matches coming up for you tonight, plus we've got a block-buster 5 on 5 match later tonight featuring 10 House of Cards Qualifiers as the team of Rob Van Dam, Billy Kidman, Curt Hennig, 'The Natural' Dustin Rhodes & 'Dr Death' Steve Williams will be taking on Team Canada, Shawn Stasiak and Tommy Dreamer & Sabu of The Extreme Alliance.
Jerry Lawler then says but starting off our show tonight we've got a huge 6-Team Sudden Death match to determine who will challenge for Team Canada's WCW World Tag Team Championship in the main event of Friday Night Panic!
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Match 1:
6-Team Sudden Death Match to determine the #1 Contenders for the WCW World Tag Team Championship - Expressly American (Barry Windham & Mike Rotunda) vs Harlem Heat (Booker T & Stevie Ray vs Latino Inferno (Chavo Guerrero Jr & Disco Inferno) vs Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo vs The MexiCruisers (Super Crazy & Psychosis) vs The Nu Road Warriors (Road Warrior Animal & Road Warrior Dog)
The announcers confirm that the rules of this match are that everyone is legal the entire time and that the first team to get a pinfall or submission will be the winners
The announcers hype up Booker T and their broadcast colleague Stevie Ray, as Booker T looks to try and win the WCW World Tag Team Championship before heading into the House of Cards Match in Vegas
Windham & Rotunda come out to a decent pop as they look to get a shot at the WCW World Tag Team Champions who they have never lost to in WCW!
Road Warrior Animal & Dog come out looking up for the match
Super Crazy and Psychosis are out next looking pumped up to try and get a shot at the titles
Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo come out looking confident. Not too long after they come out we see Stacy Keibler sat on ringside taking great interest in the match with these 2 guys involved.
The final entrants and one of our newest tag teams in WCW come out next as Chavo Guerrero Jr and Disco Inferno come out dancing to a decent pop. They start heading their way to the ring when OHH!!
Hugh Morrus comes from behind at the top of the entrance ramp and absolutely clatters into both of them! Guerrero Jr and Disco Inferno get hit from behind by him and are caught off guard. Morrus hits a suplex to both men on the entrance ramp leaving them both in a real bad way.
Expressly American and Harlem Heat go down to see off Hugh Morrus but it looks like both Disco and Chavo may well be out of action.
Tony Schiavone on commentary says we haven't seen Hugh Morrus since Disco Inferno cost him a chance at the WCW United States Championship after he took out Chavo Guerrero Jr for declining to team with him. It looks like Morrus is back with a vengeance tonight!
The referee speaks to a ring announcer and it is confirmed that this match will begin whether Chavo or Disco or able to compete or not!
As soon as that gets announced there is pure mayhem as the 5 remaining teams go to work trying to win their shot at Team Canada's titles on Friday Night Panic!
This match goes just under 10 minutes.
The end of the match comes when The Nu Road Warriors manage to hit a Doomsday Device on Chuck Palumbo and look set to get the win, when Stacy Keibler gets up from her chair at ringside and starts shouting at the referee to distract him. The crowd chant 1-2-3 as Road Warrior Dog has Palumbo down. By the time the referee makes the count Palumbo kicks out at 2.
Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Dog start angry protesting to the referee when Sean O'Haire comes in the ring and Super Kicks Road Warrior Dog out of the ring. O'Haire then tries to start fighting Animal, but both men get clotheslined out of the ring by Stevie Ray.
Psychosis hurricanrana's Palumbo out of the ring, before Super Crazy moonsaults out of the ring onto O'Haire, The Nu Road Warriors and Expressly American.
Harlem Heat then hits a Heat Seeker on Psychosis and Booker T gets the pinfall to secure Harlem Heat a shot at the WCW World Tag Team Championship belts this Friday Night!
Harlem Heat wins via pinfall - (9.42) - (74 rated)
After the match we see The Nu Road Warriors and Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo arguing about what happened in the match.
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Shane McMahon promo
As we come back from the commercial break we see Shane McMahon at the top of the entrance ramp with a microphone
Shane McMahon cuts a promo on The Sandman. Shane McMahon says The Sandman thinks he should be worth Rob Van Dam money when Rob Van Dam has more talent in his little finger than The Sandman has in his own body!
Shane McMahon said anybody in wrestling who didn't make it in WWF or WCW could have had The Sandman's gimmick and done what he did in ECW. Shane McMahon says he didn't want to give The Sandman a contract when he first took over the company because he thought he was a joke and couldn't wrestle. He'd already failed once in WCW and Shane didn't want to see that happen again.
But The Sandman thinks he can beat me, huh? In an Unsanctioned match at House of Cards? Do fans really want to see that (decent pop to this)
If the chance of The Sandman getting a WCW contract is the price I have to pay to prove once and for all that he's the biggest fraud in wrestling and that he can't, if you'll pardon the pun, hack it, at the top level... then so be it!
Wow! says Tony Schiavone. Shane McMahon vs The Sandman in an Unsanctioned Match at House of Cards?! Jerry Lawler says he thinks Shane McMahon might have bitten off more than he can chew!
Freestyle segment with Shane McMahon - (90 rated)
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JJ Dillon with Scott Hall
We see JJ Dillon standing by outside of Scott Hall's locker-room
JJ Dillon knocks and Scott Hall answers the door with the WCW World Heavyweight Championship
JJ Dillon says Scott, Breaking News as you might have seen, Shane McMahon has accepted The Sandman's condition for taking part in the main-event tonight. Those two will go head to head in an Unsanctioned match at-
Scott Hall says "Hey yo, JJ... the only thing Unsanctioned that I care about round here is this interview with me. What, you think you can just knock on my dressing-room with a camera crew and get an interview whenever you want? I have a life you know, JJ. Look, I think it's great if Jimmy can get a job so he can pay back my insurance costs on that Bentley that I'm suing him for... if Shane McMahon wants to get in the ring again and pretend he's one of the boys to make up for having a Father who doesn't love him and a micropenis that doesn't work then look JJ, that's Shane's business. But in the main-event tonight if I get the chance to I will show Shane McMahon what happens when he gets in MY business and I don't think he'll be doing that again!
JJ Dillon responds saying "this past Friday Night on Panic! we see Roddy Piper interview your opponent at House of Cards, DDP. DDP said everything you have done since returning to WCW has been for 1 man... yourself. DDP also suggested that he "cares" more about his legacy and the legacy of that WCW World Heavyweight Championship and Starrcade... so he believes you have less to lose on Sunday than he does... what's your response to that?"
Scott Hall smirks and says "Well to answer the first question JJ, yeah, course, I came back to WCW for me. I didn't come here to make friends, JJ. I came here for the money and the Big Gold Belt. I got both of those things so I don't really know what Page's point is on that front... his whole "I care so much more" stuff? It's a load of B.S to me JJ. I think DDP is a bit of a narcissist, JJ. He thinks he cares more about his own legacy in the business, or this WCW World Heavyweight Championship or being able to say you walked into Starrcade as a WCW World Heavyweight Champion... (Hall gets angry)…
YOU THINK PAGE, THAT I CAME BACK TO WCW BECAUSE I DIDN'T CARE ABOUT MY LEGACY?! THAT I DIDN'T CARE ABOUT WINNING THIS TITLE?! THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO WALK INTO STARRCADE AS A CHAMPION?! LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING PAGE. IF I JUST WANTED THE MONEY... IF I DIDN'T CARE ABOUT ANY OF THIS STUFF... I COULD HAVE JUST GONE TO NEW YORK or JAPAN AND HID BEHIND OTHER GUYS JUST TAKING MY PAY CHECK... BUT I CAME TO WCW DESPITE MY PROBLEMS AND PUT MYSELF AT THE TOP OF THIS COMPANY RESPONSIBILE FOR MAKING SURE WE SOLD OUT BUILDINGS AND PPVS AND I MADE AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE FOR GUYS LIKE YOU!"
Hall calms down and lowers his voice...
"Do you know how stressful that is? You think it's easy being on the top? Why don't you ask Steve Austin how easy it is being on the top! (mixed pop from fans at the dig at Austin/WWF) The fact is DDP... you ain't got what it takes to walk in my shoes!
Scott Hall calms down and ends the interview with JJ Dillon who looks a bit taken aback - Freestyle segment with JJ Dillon and Scott Hall - (90 rated)
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Match 2:
House of Cards Qualifying Match 15 of 18: Johnny Stamboli (with Little Guido & Tony Mamaluke) vs Vampiro (with lYnCh!, rAgE? yEs! & mOrE-bId!)
We see Johnny Stamboli come out first and the announcers mention how he's got Guido and Tony with him as back-up! He knows that Vampiro can get up to some tricks and he wants some guys watching his back in case they try it!
Vampiro comes out next with fReEk-sHoW! with him
We haven't seen Vampiro in action since he and lYnCh! lost to The Hurricane & The Gale at Halloween Havoc, but Vampiro has come back tonight and he wants a spot in that House of Cards match!
This match goes just over 4 minutes. There's a fair bit of interference and action on the outside. The FBI try and prevent it from happening and end up getting in fist fights with Vampiro's Juggalo followers.
The end of the match comes when Vampiro uses the referee having a go at lYnCh! to low-blow Stamboli before hitting a Nail in the Coffin to get a cheap win.
Vampiro wins via pinfall - (4.31) - (46 rated)
After the match Vampiro celebrates with fReEk-sHoW! On the outside none of The FBI look happy and it seems like they may have unfinished business with Vampiro and co
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House of Cards Match Qualifiers:
1. Wildcard 1
2. Wildcard 2
3. Billy Kidman
4. Booker T
5. Curt Hennig
6. 'The Natural' Dustin Rhodes
7. Lance Storm
8. Mike Awesome
9. Mike Rotunda
10. Rob Van Dam
11. Sabu
12. Shawn Stasiak
13. Steve Corino
14. 'Dr Death' Steve Williams
15. Terry Funk
16. Tommy Dreamer
17. Vampiro
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April Hunter with Harlem Heat
We see Booker T and Stevie Ray with Sharmell after their big win to open the show and get a shot against Team Canada for the WCW World Tag Team Championship belts on Panic!
April Hunter congratulates them both and then asks Booker T how he's looking to prepare for House of Cards on Sunday given he's got the WCW World Tag Team Championship match on Friday.
Booker T says "April! If you ask me there's no better way to prepare for that match on Sunday then to walk out of Panic on Friday as an 11th time WCW World Tag Team Champion with my brother Stevie! Lance Storm! Mike Awesome! We want those titles! We're going to take those titles and then in House of Cards this Sunday I'll eliminate both of you Canadian asses on my way to Starrcade... NOW CAN YOU DIG THAT SUCKAS?!??!
April Hunter laughs and then says to Stevie Ray "Stevie, you've been winding down your in-ring career, is this perhaps the last chance you'll get to win Championship gold in WCW?"
Stevie Ray says "maybe it is April, maybe, I don't know... I take every show as it goes... when Shane took over I was working still, I said I wanted to retire and do more out the ring stuff... since we got Panic! I've been doing that and I love it... it feels like Panic! is my show so to win gold on there on Friday that would be the dream... I ain't thinking about retiring much... all I'm thinking about is how good that gold is gonna look on my waist while I'm calling matches next week, baby!"
Freestyle segment with April Hunter and Harlem Heat - (75 rated)
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Match 3:
House of Cards Qualifying Match 16 of 18: Fit Finlay (with Dave Taylor & Tajiri) vs Mark Jindrak (with Shawn Stasiak)
Fit Finlay comes out with Dave Taylor and Tajiri following behind him as he looks to book his spot in the House of Cards match
Jindrak comes out next with his tag-team partner and the already qualified Shawn Stasiak
This match goes just under 4 minutes and is more of a brawl than a wrestling match. Jindrak struggles to deal with the experienced Fit Finlay and after Shawn Stasiak tries to interfere on his behalf, Dave Taylor then stops him and Tajiri spits Green Mist at Jindrak as pay-back for Stasiak trying to cheat. This allows Finlay to get the upper hand where he hits a Celtic Cross to get the win.
Fit Finlay wins via pinfall - (4.32) - (42 rated)
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House of Cards Match Qualifiers:
1. Wildcard 1
2. Wildcard 2
3. Billy Kidman
4. Booker T
5. Curt Hennig
6. 'The Natural' Dustin Rhodes
7. Fit Finlay
8. Lance Storm
9. Mike Awesome
10. Mike Rotunda
11. Rob Van Dam
12. Sabu
13. Shawn Stasiak
14. Steve Corino
15. 'Dr Death' Steve Williams
16. Terry Funk
17. Tommy Dreamer
18. Vampiro
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Fit Finlay interview with JJ Dillon
After the break we see Fit Finlay getting interviewed post-match after his win with Dave Taylor an Tajiri
JJ Dillon asks Fit Finlay what's next for Fit Finlay and Fit's Fight Club
Finlay says the sky is the limit, JJ! I'm 43 years old but I've been fighting all my life and I'm fighting fit if you'll pardon the pun ehh lad. Tonight was about putting my name in the hat at House of Cards, you know what I mean? You've got to be in it to win it and in Vegas I got every chance of winning that match as I thrive in fights under chaos.
But I formed Fit's Fight Club to try and help build the future of this company, the future of this sport. Right here, that man, Tajiri, he's the future of this company, the future of this sport. At House of Cards he WILL take that WCW World Crusierweight title from Juventud Guerrera and finally people will start putting respect on his name!
Juventud Guerrera strolls into set with the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship on his shoulder and La Diabolica by his side.
Juvi says Finlay, you wanna talk about putting respect on names, ehh, esse? I've been the WCW World Cruiserweight champion now for 150 days... 150 days... do you know how many other guys have held this title that long?
Nobody, esse!
I am the RECORD HOLDER! Where's my party, huh? Where's my big celebration? I am the GREATEST Cruiserweight that division... this company.. this WORLD has ever seen! La Diabolica says something flirty in Spanish in agreement. Juvi laughs.
Tajiri gets in Juvi's face and says "Juvi! You have been great champion... you have beat a lot of people... but you have never beaten TAJIRI! That WCW Cruiserweight title... in Vegas... will be MINE!"
La Diabolica says something in Spanish at Tajiri and Juvi laughs. Tajiri starts speaking angry in Japanese.
Juvi says "Hey, Tajiri, ese, tranquilo. Look. If you can't wait until Sunday... how about later tonight... we have a little mixed tag-team action... me and my amiga La Diabolica… versus you and... oh... oh I guess you don't have much luck with the ladies, ese. So maybe we won't have that match... let me know man, if you find a girl who will talk to you, let alone tag with you... I'll see you in the ring later!"
Juvi and La Diabolica laugh as they walk off.
Tajiri looks a bit annoyed. Fit Finlay says don't worry Tajiri, son, we will find a woman to partner with you. Dave Taylor says "I know just the girl!"
Freestyle segment with Fit's Fight Club, JJ Dillon, Juventud Guerrera & La Diabolica - (54 rated)
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Buff Bagwell calls out Kanyon
When we come back from break we see Buff Bagwell and Buff Daddy V in the ring.
Buff Bagwell cuts a promo where he explains that last week he got revenge for the actions of Kanyon. Bagwell says that Kanyon cost him his spot in the House of Cards match this Sunday. He says that Kanyon was so scared of failure that he didn't even try to enter that match to become a double champion. That's the difference between you and me, Chris! You don't have the minerals to be a top guy!
We see Kanyon come out with the WCW United States Championship.
He has a mic of his own at the top of the entrance ramp
Kanyon says "Look Buff, I know where this is going! If you wanted a shot at my United States Championship you could have just come out for the Open Challenge last week like I invited you too... but instead you decide to jump me from behind like a coward!"
Buff Bagwell says "The only coward here is you, Chris! If you're so tough, if you're so brave, how about it... right here, right now... Buff Enuff in a 2 on 1 handicap match! And when we beat your ass once again just like last week... at House of Cards... you put that WCW United States Championship on the line against me and the whole world can see your House of Cards fall down!"
Kanyon smirks. "You see you'd like that, wouldn't you Bagwell? The thing is I am stupid enough to take you boys in a handicap match and I'd back myself to win that... but I'm not here alone tonight... if it's a tag-team match you want then I've got a partner!"
Buff Bagwell gets angry at this. "Who the hell in the back wants to team with you, Chris?! Your boy DDP is already busy in the main-event and seems like every other friend or ally you got round here is booked for a match tonight... who you got, Chris? Who is brave enough to take on the Buffest Team in all of wrestling?!"
Wait a minute! exclaims Tony Schiavone. It's Tatanka! He answered Kanyon's challenge last week and gave a decent account of himself, it looks like Kanyon's invited him to tonight's show to have his back just in-case!
Tatanka comes out and joins Kanyon as a furious looking Buff Bagwell gets ready for the match
Freestyle segment with Buff Enuff, Kanyon & Tatanka - (53 rated)
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Match 4:
Buff Enuff (Buff Bagwell & Buff Daddy V) vs Kanyon & Tatanka - If Buff Enuff wins, then Buff Bagwell will challenge Kanyon for the WCW United States Championship at House of Cards
This match goes just over 5 minutes. Bagwell's strategy in the match seems to be to avoid Kanyon at all costs, with Buff regularly tagging in Buff Daddy V when Kanyon is the legal man.
The end of the match comes when Buff tags out once again with Kanyon as the legal man and jumps to the outside. Kanyon angrily tags in Tatanka, as Kanyon then goes down and chases after Bagwell on the outside.
Bagwell has a trick up his sleeve though as he plays possum for a little while as Kanyon tries to spear him through a crowd barrier on the outside. Kanyon ends up spearing the crowd barrier and going through it himself as Bagwell laughs, strolls back to the ring and tags himself back in.
Bagwell then hits a Buff Blockbuster on Tatanka to get the win.
Buff Enuff win via pinfall - (5.04) - (53 rated)
After the match Buff Bagwell gets a mic, holds up Kanyon's WCW United States Championship and he says "At House of Cards... WHO BETTER THAN BAGWELL to show the world what a fraud Chris Kanyon is!
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JJ Dillon interview with Team Canada, The Extreme Alliance & Shawn Stasiak
We see JJ Dillon with the WCW World Tag Team Champions, Lance Storm & Mike Awesome, with Sabu, Tommy Dreamer and Shawn Stasiak. Bill Alfonso is also there.
JJ says "Well the 5 of you guys have all qualified for House of Cards on Sunday, you'll face off with 5 other guys who have qualified later tonight in Rob Van Dam, Billy Kidman, Curt Hennig, 'The Natural' Dustin Rhodes and 'Dr Death' Steve Williams, first of all, Team Canada, how do you feel about this match tonight given you will have to defend those Tag Team title belts of yours 2 days from now on Friday Night Panic! against Harlem Heat?
Lance Storm says "Well listen JJ, if I can be serious for a moment. I think it's completely wrong that as champions we have to compete tonight, then Friday night to defend those belts, then again on Sunday we have our chance to win the House of Cards match... this would never happen in a sane country like Canada."
Mike Awesome adds "As Freddie Mercury once said JJ... WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! That means we should get special treatment round here! We shouldn't be competing tonight... that's for damn sure!"
Tommy Dreamer butts in and he says "Listen I don't give a damn about you two bitching and complaining! Oh no, you're Tag Team champions, oh no, you're booked for 3 matches in 1 week... I'm here tonight to do as much damage to as many of my potential opponents in that House of Cards match as possible... and if you ain't on the same page as me... as Sabu... as Stasiak here... then maybe we'll kick your asses too!"
Bill Alfonso excitedly blows his whistle at that
Lance Storm and Mike Awesome then get in a confrontation with Tommy Dreamer and Sabu
Shawn Stasiak breaks it up and tries acting as the voice of reason
Stasiak says "Hey...hey... boys take it easy, take it easy... at House of Cards it's every man for himself... but tonight... it's 5 of us versus 5 of them... you think they're in the back at each other's throats? I don't think so! You're just giving them what they want... save the drama for Vegas and I ain't talking about the Strip Club, ehh, Sabu!
Sabu looks at Stasiak with a very angry expression at that suggestion.
Freestyle segment with JJ Dillon, Team Canada, The Extreme Alliance & Shawn Stasiak - (60 rated)
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We see the WCW World Cruiserweight Champion, Juventud Guerrera, come out with his title belt and La Diabolica by his side.
They get in the ring and Juvi on the mic says "Come on then Tajiri... let's see who you got, ese? You ain't got no lady friends back there my man, you ain't got-
Tajiri comes out in the middle of Juventud's promo with a smile on his face and 'Sweet' Saraya by his side!
Fit Finlay and Dave Taylor follow behind and Juvi looks a bit annoyed at having to compete tonight
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Match 5:
Juventud Guerrera & La Diabolica vs Tajiri & 'Sweet' Saraya (with Dave Taylor)
Fit Finlay joins the announce desk to be on commentary for the match
This match gets about 4 minutes of time with both the guys and girls getting a decent amount of ring-time given the length of the match.
Juvi and Tajiri look good in their display but there's not a huge amount of interaction between them to keep the fans waiting their match on Sunday.
The end of the match comes when Juvi secretly tags La Diabolica back into the match. Tajiri is ready to hit a stiff kick to Juvi but then finds La Diabolica as legal instead. Tajiri considers kicking her, but then he decides against it, instead sending Green Mist at her face which ruins Juvi/Diabolica's plan as she is blinded. Tajiri then hits a stiff elbow to knock Juvi off the apron, tags back in 'Sweet' Saraya who hits an Elbow of her own to La Diabolica to take the win.
Tajiri & 'Sweet' Saraya win via pinfall - (3.59) - (48 rated)
Fit Finlay is very happy with how the match went on commentary.
The end of the match sees Tajiri goading Juvi ahead of their match for the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship at House of Cards.
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April Hunter with Rob Van Dam, Billy Kidman, Curt Hennig, 'The Natural' Dustin Rhodes & 'Dr Death' Steve Williams
April Hunter first asks Rob Van Dam how he's feeling going into House of Cards
Van Dam says "Look April, I'm feeling fit, I'm feeling healthy... I feel like right now the end of the night in Las Vegas, I'm gonna be walking round my hotel casino with a one way ticket to Starrcade and there's gonna be a lot of ladies walking round looking for one man and one man only... ROB VAN DAM!!!
Torrie Wilson is with Billy Kidman and she says "that's gross, Rob!"
Van Dam turns to Torrie and says "Hey, no offence Kidman, but after show I put on at House of Cards... when I win that match and a shot at the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Starrcade... maybe even you'll be looking for Rob Van Dam, Torrie!"
Kidman gets up in Van Dam's face. "What, you think we team together for one match last week and again tonight and you can start making jokes about my fiancé?! What are you smoking Rob?!"
Curt Hennig and 'Dr Death' get in the middle of them
Curt Hennig says "Save your petty dramas for House of Cards boys. Last week I got pinned in tag-team action and I ain't looking to lose again tonight! Get your act together... we beat them tonight, hopefully hurt a few of those boys and put ourselves in the position to go to Starrcade!"
'The Natural' Dustin Rhodes then laughs and gets in Curt Hennig's face.
"You think you're going to Starrcade, Curt? Really? That might me your dream. But you had your chance at the Big Gold Belt! You blew it! I had mine STOLEN from me! I'm not gonna stand here and listen to you or any of these other clowns talk about how they're winning that House of Cards match when that's MY match to lose!"
Dustin Rhodes then storms off in a huff
'Dr Death' mutters "what the hell is his problem?!"
April Hunter then says "Dr Death, you won your qualifier for the House of Cards match but that's been your only match here in WCW since your own defeat to Scott Hall. How crucial for you is it to get another win behind you to take some momentum into House of Cards?"
'Dr Death' says "Look April. I know fans haven't seen me in a while but what they gotta understand is in my excursion to All Japan it weren't some holiday to see the sights! Since I'ev been gone I've gone toe to toe with guys like Hiroshi Hase, Masanobu Fuchi and Genichiro Tenryu… those names might not mean that much to many of our viewers... but let me tell you something... I've been getting battered and bruised week in, week out by some of the heavy hitters in Japan... I've come back to House of Cards not to take part, but to take over! I hope we get the win tonight but let me remind everyone that in Vegas... 19 men stand between me and Starrcade and there ain't ANYBODY who can go toe to toe with 'Dr Death' and live to tell the tale!
Freestyle segment with April Hunter, Rob Van Dam, Billy Kidman, Curt Hennig, 'Dr' Death Steve Williams and 'The Natural' Dustin Rhodes - (71 rated)
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We see Hugh Morrus come storming to the ring looking very angry.
The announcers mention how Hugh Morrus earlier tonight took out Latino Inferno, preventing both Chavo Guerrero Jr & Disco Inferno from getting a chance at the WCW World Tag Team Championship. Their feud has been ongoing since Morrus took out Chavo last month.
Hugh Morrus on the mic says "I came back to WCW not just to settle some scores but also to qualify for the House of Cards match this Sunday... then take what's rightfully mine at Starrcade! I've been overlooked for too long so why don't you bring out my opponent for this qualifier so we can get this over with!
The fans wait to see who Hugh's opponent will be
It's Shane Helms! exclaims Tony Schiavone.
Shane Helms comes out looking fit and healthy and up for the match
Tony says that ee haven't seen Shane Helms on WCW TV for almost 2 months after Vampiro hit a Powerbomb onto the ring apron at Fall Brawl that put him on the side-lines!
Isn't that around the time we saw more of that Hurricane fellow? asks Jerry Lawler
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Match 6:
House of Cards Qualifying Match 16 of 18: Hugh Morrus vs Shane Helms
Hugh Morrus is caught off guard at having to face the returning Shane Helms who seems to have a lease of life at being back in the company.
This is a decent match with contrasting styles as Shane Helms using his high-flying, quick offence whilst Hugh Morrus is trying to use his speed and strength to hurt Helms.
Morrus cuts a frustrated figure for much of the match but eventually manages to grind down Shane Helms and take control of the match. Hugh Morrus tackles Helms in mid-air at one point which seems to hurt Helms and sees a medic at ringside checking on him. Hugh Morrus throws the medic off of Helms and the medic actually clatters into the referee, leading the referee to not see as Hugh Morrus takes off the of the turnbuckle and then not long after he clatters Helms into the exposed turnbuckle pad.
Hugh Morris then hits a big lariat to Helms who as Helms lays on the mat we see his bleeding a little from his head. Hugh Morrus smiles evilly as he goes up to the top rope facing the entrance ramp to hit a Moonsault
Wait a minute! shouts Tony Schiavone. Could it be?
We see an injured looking Chavo Guerrero Jr and Disco Inferno hobbling out at the top of the stage with steel chairs in hand.
It looks like Hugh Morrus could get a taste of karma here! says Jerry Lawler
Hugh Morrus stares down Latino Inferno daring them both to come and challenge him.
But he's caught off guard as Shane Helms rolls him up! The referee counts and it's a 1-2-3!!!
Shane Helms wins via pinfall - (3.35) - (56 rated)
A bloodied Shane Helms celebrates having qualified for House of Cards in somewhat of an underdog victory, as Hugh Morrus is fuming and angrily shouting at the referee.
Hugh Morrus then turns his attention to Helms as if he's going to attack him, but Latino Inferno manage to get into the ring with the chairs and a furious Hugh Morrus retreats!
I don't think this is over between these 3 men by a long shot! exclaims Tony Schiavone.
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House of Cards Match Qualifiers:
1. Wildcard 1
2. Wildcard 2
3. Billy Kidman
4. Booker T
5. Curt Hennig
6. 'The Natural' Dustin Rhodes
7. Fit Finlay
8. Lance Storm
9. Mike Awesome
10. Mike Rotunda
11. Rob Van Dam
12. Sabu
13. Shane Helms
14. Shawn Stasiak
15. Steve Corino
16. 'Dr Death' Steve Williams
17. Terry Funk
18. Tommy Dreamer
19. Vampiro
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JJ Dillon with DDP
JJ Dillon says "DDP, we're not sure if The Sandman is in the building tonight. In spite of that what are your hopes for the tag-team main event tonight?"
DDP says "Look JJ, tonight's main event is to give the people a taster for House of Cards. Maybe I'll give Scott Hall a taster of what's to come too... as the People's Champion is coming to get that Big Gold Belt in Vegas and-
Dusty Rhodes walks into shot (crowd pops)
Dusty Rhodes says "Sorry to interrupt but I just wanna say Page... there ain't many people in this business today that I respect more than you"
DDP thanks Dusty and gives him a hug
Dusty says "I wanna wish you good luck tonight, baby, in that main event with that damn bastard Scott Hall and The Sandman... if there's any slight sign of funny business, you better believe me Page, I got you and Shane's back tonight, baby!"
DDP thanks Dusty and says that means a lot coming from you, dude.
Dusty says "Tonight... I hope Scott Hall and The Sandman get a bit of justice... and then at House of Cards, I know you got this in the bag, Page... you're gonna walk into Starrcade as the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, baby... I just know it... now let me tell you I don't think you're walking out of there with the belt... not after my boy, Dustin wins that House of Cards and challenges the Champ at Starrcade... but let me tell you something, you and Dustin, main-event of Starrcade... I think that would be a hell of a match! One that in 10 years, 15 years, 20 years time they're all still talking about baby!"
DDP says "That's what I want to create, Dusty. A real legacy in this business. In Starrcade. The way people talk about your matches with Ric Flair (some fans WOOOO)
Dusty Rhodes says "Don't your worry Page, I know you got it in your bones... this company... it runs through your blood, baby... good luck tonight and remember, any funny business... you got the Dream watching your back!
JJ Dillon then says well we have to cut now live to our parking lot where it appears that The Sandman has arrived at the building. DDP and Dusty look interested at this development.
The camera cuts live where we see a pissed off looking Sandman walk into the building and threaten to smash a camera man with his Kendo stick if he doesn't move away from him.
Freestyle segment with JJ Dillon, DDP, Dusty Rhodes & The Sandman - (87 rated)
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Match 7:
Billy Kidman (with Torrie Wilson), Curt Hennig, 'The Natural' Dustin Rhodes, Rob Van Dam & 'Dr Death' Steve Williams (with Jimmy Hart) vs Team Canada (Lance Storm & Mike Awesome, with Carl Ouellet), Shawn Stasiak (with Mark Jindrak) & The Extreme Alliance (Tommy Dreamer & Sabu, with Bill Alfonso)
Kidman comes out first with Torrie Wilson as he waits for his team-mates
Van Dam comes out to a good pop as he joins Kidman who eyes him up suspiciously after his comments earlier tonight
Curt Hennig comes out to a decent pop
Steve Williams comes out to join his team-mates to another decent pop
'The Natural' Dustin Rhodes comes out looking mightily cheesed off to perhaps the biggest pop of them all as the 5 men make their way to the ring
Lance Storm and Mike Awesome come out first with the WCW World Tag Team Championship belts. They look focused on the task ahead.
Sabu and Tommy Dreamer come out next with Bill Alfonso following them
Finally, we see Shawn Stasiak come out with Mark Jindrak accompanying him
The 5 heels on this assembled team make their way to the ring ready for the match to begin too
This match gets around 8 minutes with all 10 guys getting in and out to show case themselves a bit
Everyone gives a good account of themselves but on the night it's probably Rob Van Dam and Lance Storm who give the best performance in the ring with Shawn Stasiak especially carried by the men he's in the ring with
It's quite a chaotic match with a lot going on but the ending comes when the referee seems to lose complete control of the match and it descends into a bit of a brawl at ringside
Dustin Rhodes and Sabu are the legal men when Shawn Stasiak tags himself in against Sabu's will. This starts an argument between Sabu, Dreamer and Stasiak.
Van Dam and Kidman use this opportunity to go after Dreamer and Sabu, knocking them both off the apron. Williams and Hennig are battling Team Canada on the outside.
The man paying the most attention during all of this is Dustin Rhodes who manages to hit a perfect Canadian Destroyer on a caught off guard Shawn Stasiak for Rhodes to get the win for his side.
Dustin Rhodes wins the match for his 5 man team via pinfall - (8.03) - (70 rated)
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After the match the fighting continues until Eric Bischoff is wheeled to the outside by Ricky Steamboat. Bischoff says this fighting must stop or every man on the outside will LOSE their spot at House of Cards.
This seems to placate the guys still caught up in it on the outside and things seem to calm down as we go to commercial break
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Malia Hosaka promo
When we come back from break we see Malia Hosaka make her way to the ring
Malia gets a mic and says "Akira! I know at House of Cards you think I'm just a stepping stone on your way to Starrcade. But under-estimate me at your own risk, bitch!
I'm out here to offer a challenge to you and your girl Chigusa Nagoya before House of Cards. If you two aren't to scared to face me and Chyna... then I don't see why we can't give the people what they want... a preview of House of Cards and a bit of tag-team action
Eric Bischoff is slowly wheeled out by Ricky Steamboat to some boos
Eric Bischoff talks down to Malia Hosaka and he says "Malia! Shane McMahon is preparing for tonight's main event but I'm here trying to cover him and run this show... look I'm sure the fine people Columbus, Ohio would just love to see you girls in a tag-team match... but we just don't have any more time on this show and as I'm sure you're well aware Chyna is still banned from Nitro so I don't think this match is going to-
Sable comes out at the entrance ramp and stands over Bischoff in his wheelchair staring him down
Sable says "Malia... you got guts, kid, I like that... and I LOVE the sound of Malia Hosaka & Chyna vs Akira Hokuto & Chigusa Nagoya... if Bischoff doesn't want that to happen on Nitro... then read my lips Eric, it is now confirmed... that match will take place this Friday Night on Panic!
The fans cheer as Malia Hosaka smiles in the ring, whilst Bischoff frowns
Freestyle segment with Malia Hosaka, Eric Bischoff & Sable - (46 rated)
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April Hunter with The Nu Road Warriors
We see Road Warrior Dog and Road Warrior Animal standing by with April Hunter
April says "Well, Dog, Animal, you had yet another chance to get a shot at those WCW World Tag Team Championship belts slip away from you earlier tonight... what's next for The Nu Road Warriors?"
Road Warrior Dog grabs the mic and angrily looks at the camera
"LET ME TELL YOU WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE NU ROAD WARRIORS!! Sean O'Haire! Chuck Palumbo! And that air-head blonde-bimbo Stacy Keibler! We had that match won tonight and you stole it away from us! You think you're both such tough guys, that you deserve those titles 'cause you're the future of this company... well I call bullshit on that, boys! You wanna show the world that you're the big dogs in Tag Team wrestling, huh?! Well how about this... at House of Cards you boys put up or shut up! The Nu Road Warriors vs Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo... and if you're not down with that... well Stacy... I got 2 words for you!!"
Road Warrior Animal laughs as The Nu Road Warriors walk out of shot leaving a surprised April Hunter
Freestyle segment with April Hunter & The Nu Road Warriors - (55 rated)
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Match 8 / Main Event:
DDP & Shane McMahon vs Scott Hall & The Sandman
Tony Schiavone hypes up the main event as he questions whether WCW's Chairman and CEO being involved in this match is the best move from him.
Jerry Lawler says he's a McMahon, Schiavone! Let him do what he's gotta do!
Shane McMahon comes out to a decent pop from the crowd
DDP comes out to a much bigger one and he shakes Shane's hand before they make their way to the ring to get ready for the match
We see Scott Hall come out next as he walks calmly to the ring holding the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on his shoulder
He waits at the top of the entrance ramp to see if The Sandman will show up
We then see a commotion in the crowd!
The camera pans to see The Sandman walking in through the fans with a Kendo stick and a Beer
As he gets towards the ring The Sandman smashes his beer over his head and then jumps the barrier.
The Sandman heads immediately for the ring and Shane McMahon
Shane McMahon puts his fists up to try and fight him but DDP gets in-front of him and takes the immediate initial brunt of his Singapore Cane shot
Scott Hall rushes to the ring to get involved
The Sandman whacks DDP again before he takes a punch to the back from Shane McMahon
The Sandman goes for a wild swing at Shane McMahon, who ducks and The Sandman nails Scott Hall right in the head as he's on the apron.
Scott Hall goes flying down onto the floor and lands in a heap.
DDP manages to wrestle the Kendo stick away from The Sandman, smashes The Sandman in the back with it several times, then throws it out of the ring and the referee starts the match!
This match if you can call it that is more of a brawl
DDP and The Sandman start the match as the legal men with DDP just about getting the better of The Sandman who can't tag in Scott Hall who we see at ringside is actually busted open quite bad by the Kendo stick shot
Shane McMahon tags in and he's on top of The Sandman too, who has been overwhelmed without being able to tag his partner in.
Scott Hall eventually manages to get up and notices he's bleeding. He's not happy and he heads immediately for the ring. Shane tags in DDP and Scott Hall and DDP stare each other down.
They then start trading blows in an all out-brawl
The Sandman is still the legal man and he joins in the fight as Shane McMahon starts fighting them too.
It's not really a wrestling match at this point and at some point Shane McMahon clotheslines The Sandman over the top rope and they start fighting on the outside.
The Sandman and Shane are the legal men and their fight on the outside continues to the point that the referee counts them out and the match ends in a double count-out!
The match ends in a double count-out draw - (5.54) - (74 rated)
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Nitro goes off the air as referees, road agents and pile in to separate them. The last thing we see is DDP hit a Diamond Cutter to Scott Hall in the middle of the ring and hold up the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, whilst Shane and The Sandman are separated at ringside.
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Show Rating: 82
0.95 TV rating (713K viewers)