Nitro Episode 12:
Wednesday 18 July 2001
Live late-night on FX
7,837 crowd from Albuquerque, New Mexico
Announcers: Tony Schiavone, Scott Hudson & Arn Anderson
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Show opens up with Linkin Park's 'Runaway'
Tony Schiavone on comms, says it's Wednesday night folks and you know what that means! We're here for Nitro live in New Mexico!
We're starting off hot tonight as we have the WCW United States Champion, Rob Van Dam, in tag team action alongside the young 'Fallen Angel' Christopher Daniels as they take on Team Canada!
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Match 1:
Rob Van Dam (with Bill Alfonso) & 'The Fallen Angel' Christopher Daniels (with Terry Funk) vs Team Canada (Lance Storm & Mike Awesome) (with Carl Ouellet)
The announcers hype up that RVD and Lance Storm will go 1 on 1 for RVD's WCW United States Championship this Sunday at Bash at the Beach live from California
This match gets a decent amount of time with all 4 guys getting some time to shine.
Terry Funk and the animated Bill Alfonso clash at ringside with Carl Ouellet the new addition to Team Canada.
The match ends when RVD who is the legal man gets distracted by Bill Alfonso who gets taken out by Carl Ouellet who is annoyed by his constant whistling and shouting at ringside. RVD runs and jumps from the ring to the outside clearing out Carl Ouellet. However after taking out Daniels and Funk, Mike Awesome manages to hit an Awesome Bomb on Rob Van Dam through the timekeeper's table at ringside. Awesome then pulls RVD up and gets him into the ring.
RVD eventually stumbles to his feet, Awesome neutralises Daniels and then Lance Storm hits a massive Super-Kick on RVD before getting the 1-2-3!!
Team Canada wins via pinfall - (9.52) - (75 rated)
Oh my! says Tony. A huge win for Team Canada and what momentum Lance Storm has going into Bash at the Beach with a pinfall victory over Rob Van Dam his opponent for the WCW United States Championship. That's the first time anyone has pinned or submitted Rob Van Dam himself since he joined WCW.
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Bill Alfonso manages to get into the ring and is looking very worried as RVD doesn't look in a good way.
Meanwhile, Terry Funk has grabbed a mic. Funk says Awesome thinks he's smart trying to take out Rob Van Dam before the PPV for his buddy, or "boss" who knows what your relationship is... well me and Daniels here aren't gonna let you pull any funny business at Bash at the Beach!
Awesome shrugs as if to say are you going to stop me?!
Terry Funk then puts out the challenge to Mike Awesome and Carl Ouellet at Bash at the Beach... Funk says if Awesome and Ouellet are man enough... let it be... Mike Awesome and Carl Ouellet vs Terry Funk and Christopher Daniels in a TABLES ELIMINATION MATCH!!!
Oh brother! says Tony. You can't fault Terry Funk for his bravery says Arn Anderson. Is it bravery or stupid asks Scott Hudson?!
Awesome and Ouellet gesture to accept!
Tony adds on commentary, well I'm getting word from Shane McMahon that he's happy with that too... it's official... at Bash at the Beach it will be Awesome & Ouellet vs Funk and Daniels in a Tables Elimination match!
Freestyle segment with Terry Funk and Mike Awesome (51 rated)
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Shane McMahon, Fit Finlay, Eric Bischoff and Johnny Ace in Shane McMahon's office
We come in mid-conversation. Finlay looks hot and agitated.
"Shane, son, when have I ever let ya down? I don't care what some quack doctor says... I'm fine to compete tonight and I'll beat Tommy Dreamer no questions asked"
Eric Bischoff butts in and tells Finlay this is more important than his pride. 4 WCW stars have lost to Extreme Alliance members already. We need some WCW guys in that match at Bash at the Beach to make sure none of them get a contract or WCW championship belt!
Johnny Ace suggests that 'Dr Death' Steve Williams is on a hell of a run... they could swap Finlay out for him...
Finlay goes bezerk and says no way! You trusted me Shane, you still trust me right, son?
Shane agrees he does, but this is an important problem and he says he didn't exactly think every WCW guy would lose... our problem is we're fighting among ourselves when they're the real enemy, Shane adds. I shouldn't reward 'Dr Death' with a spot in the match for taking out Finlay last week. Shane says if Fit thinks he's okay to fight then he'll let him fight... but he could always talk to Nick Patrick and-
Fit Finlay gets even more annoyed!
You think I don't get enough heat from the boys in the back already, son? I'm a road agent and one of the boys? And now you're talking about some kind of screw job, huh? No, I'd never live it down, I don't care if Dreamer is one of the boys or not, I'll beat him my way, you'll see.
Freestyle segment with Shane McMahon, Fit Finlay, Eric Bischoff and Johnny Ace - (69 rated)
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Harlem Heat Segment (with Sharmell)
Booker T and Stevie Ray, with Sharmell, in the back talking over the match tonight. Stevie Ray says Scott Hall is everything wrong with WCW... he's part of the reason why it went down the toilet to start with I can't stand that he's in the title picture... but tonight... I'mma help you put him out of that title picture... by the time we're finished with him tonight Book, he ain't gonna be a factor at Bash at the Beach this Sunday!
Booker T says he don't care if he shows up tonight or at the PPV or not, there ain't nobody on this WCW roster, hell in this business, who is gonna take the WCW World Heavyweight Championship off my waist! Now can you dig that sucka?!?!?
Freestyle segment with Harlem Heat & Sharmell (82 rated)
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Match 2:
Chavo Guerrero Jr vs Psychosis (with Super Crazy)
The WCW World Tag Team Champions, Road Warrior Animal and Dog come out to be on commentary for this match scouting one of their opponents for the PPV match at the weekend.
Psychosis comes out with Super Crazy and Juvi alongside him.
Quick Psychosis pre recorded promo before the match where he says he is going to teach Chavo a lesson after him and Buff Enuff took liberties with the MexiCruisers 2 weeks ago on Nitro. Psychosis says he's going to beat him up real and and hopes that puts him in bad shape for Bash at the Beach for Juvi's match with him!
WCW Chavo Guerrero Last Theme (youtube.com)
Chavo comes out and smiles at Juvi at the outside. Juvi cussing him out.
The match itself is a high-flying match with both guys looking quite good. For the first 4-5 minutes it's a fairly even contest without anything too dodgy, but then Chavo gets out the ring and starts arguing with Super Crazy. Juventud rushes over from the other side of the ring to try and get involved, the ref immediately starts shouting at Juvi to not get involved in the match, he's not looking at Super Crazy or Chavo when Chavo throws the steel steps aside from the ring post and pretends like Super Crazy has thrown him into them.
The ref has a look after hearing the noise, seeing Chavo pretend to be in agony and he decides to eject Super Crazy from the match. Super Crazy is not happy, Juvi is not happy, the ref tells them both to get out of there. They reluctantly leave. Psychosis starts arguing with the ref too when Chavo miraculously recovers, slides into the ring and catches Psychosis by surprise with a few strikes before hitting the Gory Bomb for the win.
Chavo Guerrero wins via pinfall - (6.51) - (63 rated)
After the match we see Super Crazy and Juventud at the entrance way looking on not happy at all with what has happened. Juvi gestures as if to say I'll see you on Sunday at the PPV! Chavo gestures with his waist as if to say your title is mine!
The Road Warriors come off commentary and stare down the MexiCruisers holding up their belts as if to say "are you ready for us??"
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DDP and Kanyon promo
Kanyon rants about how last week Shawn Stasiak screwed him out of his big moment in the sun as at Bash at the Beach he would've won his first ever WCW championship belt, but Stasiak out of pure jealously decided to screw him over! He stuck to his word with Stasiak that he wouldn't get involved in Stasiak's match, but Stasiak lost all by himself because of his girl!
Kanyon says last week you stole from me the opportunity to make a name for myself on the big stage... well tonight I'll make a name for myself by the mess I leave you in the middle of the ring!
DDP says he's also looking to make a statement to the boys at the back ahead of Bash at the Beach. He's got a big title match with Booker T and Scott Hall.. it's his chance to be a 4 time champion and it's not one he intends to let slip up!
DDP and Kanyon promo - (73 rated)
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Real Talk with Roddy interview backstage with Shane Helms
Piper is asking Shane Helms what his plans for the future are now. He's lost the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship and fallen down the pecking order there, obviously he's put 3 Count behind him after the match a few weeks ago where he beat them teaming with Billy Kidman. Unfortunately for Shane it seems that Kidman wasn't interested in going into the tag team division. What's next for Shane Helms?
Shane says it's been a rough few weeks for him. Losing the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship at The Great American Bash was a big blow for him, he's pleased to put the silly 3 Count stuff behind him, but it was a real blow that Kidman didn't want to team with him.
Roddy says, hey, I've heard it was to do with his girl. Something like he thought you were trying to team with him to get closer to Torrie? Is that the truth of it, kid?
Shane says he doesn't know where those rumours came from. He said that must be Billy's own insecurities but he doesn't hold anything against the guy, Torrie is a beautiful woman and hell, if she was my fiancée you can bet your ass I'd be paranoid too having her in the locker-room with all the boys around all the time.
Roddy says so just to clarify you weren't tryin to hit on Torrie, no? You didn't want a little tag team action with Billy and her at all?
Shane says of course not no... no I wasn't looking for anything like that with Torrie at all-
Suddenly from off camera Kidman comes charging in and starts beating up on Helms. He throws Helms into a set wall where the interview was taking place.
"KEEP MY FIANCEE'S NAME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!!"
Torrie Wilson comes running into set pleading with Kidman to stop this and he's being crazy.
Roddy Piper says, well Billy boy, looks to me like you're a bit jealous of Shane Helms here... I reckon you've got yourself a bit of an inferiorty complex going on.
Billy looks massively taken aback.
Shane Helms still recovering on the floor.
Kidman says... I can beat this punk b**** any night of the week! You put as in a 1-on-1 match and I will win every time!
Piper laughs mockingly and says is that so?
Piper says to Shane Helms on the ground who still looks in a bad way, how about it kid... at Bash at the Beach... you get yourselves a chance to prove this guy wrong.
Helms mumbles to say he agrees.
Kidman says alright, fine then.
Tony on commentary says well we've heard from Shane McMahon that's official now... at Bash at the Beach it will be Billy Kidman vs Shane Helms!
Freestyle segment with Roddy Piper, Shane Helms, Billy Kidman and Torrie Wilson - (63 rated)
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Match 3:
Fit Finlay (with Dave Taylor & Tajiri) vs Tommy Dreamer - WCW FXtreme Television Championship qualifying match for Bash at the Beach
Dave Taylor comes out with Finlay and sits at the announce desk to be on commentary for the match whilst Tajiri who also comes out with Finlay stands at ringside.
The announcers mention how Finlay doesn't look 100 percent after taking a massive clothesline from 'Dr Death' Steve Williams last week but he insisted on coming out to compete in this match. Tony mentions how he thinks 'Dr Death' may well have been a better pick in this match from a WCW perspective at The Great American Bash, but Arn Anderson says he's sure either way Tommy Dreamer won't go into this match expecting an easy match with Fit.
Tommy Dreamer comes out through the crowd and stares down Tajiri before entering the ring with Finlay.
This match is more of a brawl than a wrestling match with both guys hitting and striking each other hard throughout. Dave Taylor defends Finlay, but Arn Anderson points out that whilst he admires Finlay's fighting spirit there is a fine line between brave and stupid and he thinks Finlay's strategy of getting into a slogging match when he was clearly carrying a neck injury is pretty stupid.
Tajiri tries to interfere at one point but Dreamer manages to nail him before he can get to him. Finlay tries to get a sly roll-up and despite it looking like the ref is counting quicker than usual, Dreamer manages to kick out and then hits a Dreamer Driver. It looks like the ref counts slower than normal but Dreamer still gets the 1-2-3.
Tommy Dreamer wins via pinfall - (6.10) - (55 rated)
Tommy Dreamer celebrates after the win, with Tajiri and Dave Taylor coming to help Finlay out of the ring.
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Updated qualifying brackets for the WCW FXtreme Television Championship match at Bash at the Beach
Steve Corino defeated Stevie Ray
Axl Rotten defeated Tajiri
Balls Mahoney defeated Shawn Stasiak
Sabu defeated Kanyon
Tommy Dreamer defeated Fit Finlay
Buff Bagwell vs The Sandman (later tonight on Nitro!)
The announcers mention that it's now somehow 5-1 to the Extreme Alliance and WCW just has Buff Bagwell left who they're relying on to even get a participant in the match for the championship and to prevent an Extreme Alliance member from getting a WCW contract.
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JJ Dillon interview with Buff Bagwell (with Buffy Daddy V)
JJ Dillon says well Buff after that match it seems all of WCW's hopes are left with you tonight and potentially at Bash at the Beach, what do you think-
Buff Bagwell says well first of all JJ I don't like your tone. Potentially at Bash at the Beach? Potentially? You're looking at the Buffest man in the business today... Buff Bagwell vs The Sandman from Extremely Crappy Wrestling?! There ain't no potentially about it! To the WCW locker-room and fans I guarantee victory not only tonight but at Bash at the Beach too!
JJ Dillon says many fans will be questioning your confidence after your loss to The FBI in tag team competition last week on Nitro, do you have-
Buff Bagwell says there are a few people in the back who will get their comeuppance sooner rather than later. Johnny Stamboli thinks he can smash Buff Daddy V with a chair several times and live to tell the tale?? Viscera looks menacingly at the camera.
And Curt Hennig... Curt the way I see it... this was all your fault. You want to start something with me? You want to start something with Buff Daddy V??
You don't know who you're messing with Curt! And I spoke to Shane McMahon earlier tonight... you know what he said Curt? If you or the FBI or anyone else decide to interfere with my match tonight with Sandman then you'll all be FIRED!!!!
Freestyle segment with JJ Dillon, Buff Bagwell and Buff Daddy V - (61 rated)
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We are at ringside for a contract signing for the WCW World Women's Championship match at Bash at the Beach.
Sable in the ring on the mic.
Sable says ahead of the first WCW Women's World Championship match under her reign as WCW Women's General Manager it is time for the contract signing...
Meiko comes out with Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat
Akira comes out with 'Sinister' James Mitchell
Sable says at Bash at the Beach we will see 2 of the most talented Japanese wrestlers today go 1-on-1 for the biggest prize in Women's wrestling in the USA today... the WCW World Women's Championship!
'Sinister' James Mitchell says Akira Hokuto is more than happy to treat the young Meiko a lesson at Bash at the Beach
Meiko gets annoyed at this and on the mic she says "At Bash at the Beach... I WILL BEAT YOU...BITCH!!!"
James Mitchell and Ricky Steamboat have to get in the middle of them to prevent them from fighting before the contract is signed.
Eric Bischoff comes out. Sable is furious. Bischoff says this is the go home show to Bash at the Beach... they've got more matches planned tonight... Sable needs to hurry things up!
Sable starts arguing with Bischoff before Shane McMahon comes out without any music and pulls Bischoff back after a brief argument.
Akira and Meiko then sign the contract and Sable says she's excited for the big match at Bash at the Beach!
Akira and Meiko stare each other down
Freestyle segment with Sable, Akira Hokuto, Meiko Satomura and Eric Bischoff - (60 rated)
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Match 4:
Air Raid (AJ Styles & Air Paris) vs Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo (with 'Sinister' James Mitchell)
The announcers mention last week the challenge was put to AJ Styles to find a partner to team up with against Sean O'Haire and Chuck Palumbo and it seems he's found one in Air Paris. Paris and Styles have teamed a bit before in WCW and NWA Wildside so we have a return to competition on national television for Air Raid tonight and a match in which they are huge underdogs against the former WCW World Tag Team Champions in Sean O'Haire and Chuck Palumbo.
O'Haire and Palumbo come out for the first time with Mitchell. O'Haire looks up for the match, Palumbo does too but he looks wary of Mitchell.
The match starts off well for them with O'Haire dominating Paris. Once AJ Styles comes into the match his aerial ability and speed causes O'Haire some problems but he tags in Palumbo. Palumbo's power and tenacity means he makes light work of AJ Styles, however just as he's dominating Mitchell shouts something to him at ringside. Palumbo is asking what he's on about, he's doing fine, when out of nowhere Styles hits a drop-kick on O'Haire and then after a quick strike on Palumbo he gets a roll-up on Palumbo and out of nowhere scores a shock 1-2-3!!!
Air Raid win via pinfall - (3.43) - (49 rated)
The announcers hype up this huge upset victory with AJ Styles and Air Raid celebrating.
O'Haire and Mitchell are furious at ringside. Chuck Palumbo looks more shocked than anything else.
O'Haire looks to take his frustration out on Air Raid but they've got out of there before gets the chance.
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Shawn Stasiak (with Stacy Keibler) and Mark Jindrak promo
Stasiak and Jindrak cut a promo on DDP and Kanyon ahead of their match later tonight
Stasiak said he doesn't understand why Kanyon is so wound up about him interferring in his match with Sabu last week. Sure, he agreed with Kanyon not to interfere in their matches last week... and if he'd made it to Bash at the Beach for the match for the WCW FXtreme Television Championship then he wouldn't have got involved... but Stasiak says he didn't make it, so the way he saw it if he can't have it then neither can Kanyon!
Jindrak says Kanyon shouldn't be winning a WCW championship singles title before Stasiak and Stasiak agrees.
Stasiak says he lost his match due to a bit of miscommunication with Stacy, but they've sorted that out. Stacy pipes in that it wasn't her fault. This seems to wind Stasiak up a bit but he channels that anger to DDP and Kanyon.
Stasiak says people call him a hypocrite for getting involved in the match after saying that he wouldn't, but Kanyon and DDP are a bunch of hypocrites too. Oh yeah, in the last few months, DDP & Kanyon have been the best of friends. You see, the way I remember it, for the last year or so before Shane McMahon bought WCW you weren't friends at all, in-fact you were pretending to be DDP. You copied his gimmick, copied his finisher... so it all seems real convenient you're suddenly best buds when Nitro comes back on air.
You see DDP... the way I see it... Kanyon knows by himself he is nothing. By himself Shane McMahon, Eric Bischoff, ain't nobody in the back in a position of authority who is going to back for Kanyon as the future of this company... but by latching onto DDP suddenly Kanyon propels himself into main events and top level feuds... well DDP... I think you should watch out for Kanyon... if you can't see that he's using you then that's a you problem... but tonight I'll show you that either way it's Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak that are the future of this company and not DDP and Kanyon!
Freestyle segment with Shawn Stasiak, Mark Jindrak and Stacy Keibler - (62 rated)
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Match 5:
Reno vs 'Dr Death' Steve Williams (with Jimmy Hart)
Barry Windham & Mike Rotunda come out to be on commentary for this match. On commentary they also state they're out here to make sure Fit's Fight Club don't interfere in the match of their friend Steve Williams.
Reno comes out fighting but 'Dr Death' is in fine form and gets another decisive victory with a powerbomb following a lethal looking clothesline to make it 3-0 for him since joining Shane McMahon's WCW.
'Dr Death' Steve Williams wins via pinfall - (4.21) - (55 rated)
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After the match Fit Finlay, Dave Taylor and Tajiri come out
Barry Windham & Mike Rotunda immediately jump off commentary to ensure they can't run in on 'Dr Death'
Finlay has a mic and he says he thinks 'Dr Death' and Windham & Rotunda will probably say no as they look like a bunch of no good cowards... but Finlay says since the traitor 'Dr Death' has ensured neither he or Tajiri will fight for the WCW FXtreme Television Championship at Bash at the Beach... Finlay would still like a fight... and the way he sees it... there's 3 of us and there's 3 of you... what do you say?!
'Dr Death' gets a mic of his own and angrily proclaims that at Bash at the Beach he'll make Finlay hate to fight!!
Freestyle angle with 'Dr Death' Steve Williams, Jimmy Hart, Fit's Fight Club & Windham & Rotunda - (42 rated)
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JJ Dillon interview with Scott Hall
JJ Dillon interviews Scott Hall ahead of the main event, he asks him how he felt to lose his appearance fee for Nitro last week for his actions in the main event?
Scott Hall says Hey yo JJ I'm already guaranteed so much money that the appearance fee is just chicken feed anyway... I'm not bothered, it happens.
JJ looks annoyed but then says well surely you're concerned as Shane has said if you don't take part in the main event tonight you're out of the match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Bash at the Beach?
Scott Hall says he's not concerned... does he want to win the title, sure? But Shane has spent weeks advertising a triple threat featuring him for the title at the PPV... given how much the PPV buys seemed to drop off last time it would be pretty dumb to take the biggest star in the roster out of the main event for the next one.
JJ asks who he will team with from the b.w.o tonight?
Scott Hall says look I won't lie to you JJ I don't think it really matters, whether it's that fat midget gem, vanilla midget or midget Goldberg... but that Nora
JJ Dillon corrects him saying Nova
Thanks JJ, yeah that Nova, says Scott, he ain't so bad for one of those outlaw mudshow wrestlers so he's my pick yo... see you in the main event... and yo Shawn Stasiak, Mark Jindrak, I'm sure you won't need any extra motivation... but if you can do The Bad Guy a favour and give DDP a nasty injury in the match tonight... I'll make it financially very worth your while...
Freestyle segment with JJ Dillon & Scott Hall - (87 rating)
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Match 6:
Buff Bagwell (with Buff Daddy V) vs The Sandman - WCW FXtreme Television Championship qualifying match for Bash at the Beach
The announcers mention how Buff Bagwell said earlier tonight if Curt Hennig or The FBI get involved in this match they face being sacked as Shane McMahon is seemingly desperate to get at least 1 WCW representative in that match for the WCW FXtreme Television Championship at Bash at the Beach. So far 5 out of 6 of the Extreme Alliance have gotten victories... can The Sandman make it 6 for 6?
The Sandman certainly looks up for it in the ring. Buff looks a bit intimidated by him but also confident in himself.
Sandman tries to turn the match into a brawl and Buff Bagwell is on the defensive for large chunks of the match. Buff Daddy V gets a bit involved at one point and whilst Sandman manages to clatter him off the apron, it helps Bagwell get into the match a bit more albeit The Sandman is still largely on the offense and he lines Buff up for a Russian Legsweep finish, but Buff just about manages to counter and he puts Sandman into a Chokehold sleeper.
Within 2 seconds of Sandman being in the hold the referee calls for the bell.
Buff Bagwell wins via submission - (4.51) - (52 rated)
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Alright! says Arn. Finally a win for WCW!
But wait a minute, says Tony, did Sandman tap out there?
In the ring The Sandman is arguing with the referee about what happened. He says he clearly didn't tap out or get choked out. Sandman slides out of the ring, dodges Buff Daddy V, grabs his Singapore Cane and threatens Buff Daddy V before grabbing a mic.
The Sandman on the mic calls out Shane McMahon and says it's another McMahon screwjob! Shane clearly never intended to let a member of the Extreme Alliance get a contract or win the WCW FXtreme Television Championship and so he's fixed it so that he didn't get to the PPV... well he says clearly the guys at the PPV will get screwed over too...
Shane McMahon comes out and tells Sandman all of that alcohol and drugs must be catching up with him... the referee through he submitted and the referee's decision is final... if he had been looking to screw over the Extreme Alliance he could've got the referees in all of the over matches to do the same but he clearly didn't do that so Sandman is obviously paranoid
Sandman is furious. Shane says Sandman can leave with his head held high or he can have security drag him out kicking and screaming.
Sandman tells Shane that this is not over...
Freestyle segment with The Sandman and Shane McMahon - (64 rated)
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Updated qualifying brackets for the WCW FXtreme Television Championship match at Bash at the Beach
Steve Corino defeated Stevie Ray
Axl Rotten defeated Tajiri
Balls Mahoney defeated Shawn Stasiak
Sabu defeated Kanyon
Tommy Dreamer defeated Fit Finlay
Buff Bagwell defeated The Sandman
The announcers hype up the 6 man match for the vacant title at the PPV this Sunday. Buff Bagwell the sole WCW representative will have some task on his hands to prevent a member of the Extreme Alliance from getting a WCW contract and championship belt...
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Quick pre-shot video package where Steve Corino with Don Callis, Axl Rotten & Balls Mahoney, Sabu and Tommy Dreamer all cut quick promos on how they've fought to get where they are and they will fight to get their hands on WCW gold and a WCW gold plated contract at Bash at the Beach.
Freestyle segment with The Extreme Alliance - (55 rated)
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Match 7:
DDP & Kanyon vs Shawn Stasiak (with Stacy Keibler) & Mark Jindrak
DDP and Kanyon get jumped by Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak before they even complete their way to the ring. The 4 begin brawling as the announcers wonder if Stasiak and Jindrak have been influenced by the extra motivation of Scott Hall suggesting that he'll give them a bonus from his own pocket if they can do some serious damage to DDP tonight.
The 4 brawl for a good few minutes before they even get in the ring when the referee starts the match.
It soon descends into chaos once again though with DDP even getting a Diamond Cutter on Mark Jindrak on the entrance ramp which really seems to take Jindrak out.
The referee eventually has no choice but to call it a draw via a double count-out
The match ends a draw via double count-out - (4.32) - (58 rated)
Kanyon looks frustrated as he's not really dished out as much punishment onto Stasiak as he would've liked. Kanyon grabs a mic as Shawn Stasiak looks to make a getaway with the injured looking Mark Jindrak.
Kanyon puts the challenge to Shawn Stasiak... he says at Bash at the Beach... he doesn't want a wrestling match... he wants a fight... so at Bash at the Beach... how about it... Kanyon vs Shawn Stasiak... in a California Street Fight!!!
Stasiak looks initially a bit worried but then accepts!
The match is on!
Kanyon vs Stasiak in a California Street Fight!
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Curt Hennig backstage outside the "Buff" locker-room
Curt Henning bangs on the door
Buff Bagwell opens next to Buff Daddy V
Buff looks annoyed at seeing Hennig. He tells him to go away. Hennig says whilst he congratulates Buff on the obviously above board victory against Sandman tonight... it's not Buff Bagwell who he's here to speak to. Bagwell acts surprised, why else would you be here??
Hennig says he wishes Bagwell all the best at the PPV... and since he can't face Buff himself... Hennig puts out a challenge to Buff Daddy V! Hennig says at Bash at the Beach he's got a point to prove and who better to prove it against than the biggest man on the roster?!
Buff Daddy V immediately steps forward and says he accepts and at Bash at the Beach he will crush Curt Hennig! Buff Bagwell laughs and says Hennig must be stupider than he looks.
Freestyle segment with Buff Bagwell, Curt Hennig and Buff Daddy V (51 rated)
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Tony Schiavone, Scott Hudson and Arn Anderson at the announce desk.
Schiavone reminds viewers that as part of WCW's ongoing deal with FX that Nitro will not be "live" next Monday as it is the WCW roster's summer break. So for that 1 week the show will be a special highlights replay of Bash at the Beach at the usual time instead.
Tony adds that at Bash at the Beach the WCW owner Shane McMahon has a special announcement about the future of WCW on FX that he's sure will have fans very excited.
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Main Event / Match 8:
Harlem Heat (Booker T & Stevie Ray) with Sharmell vs Scott Hall & Nova (with Blue Meanie)
DDP comes out for commentary for the match scouting ahead of the Triangle match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Bash at the Beach
Booker T and Stevie Ray come out to the ring first with Sharmell. Booker T with the Big Gold Belt sizes up DDP at commentary before heading to the ring with his brother.
Scott Hall comes out next with an excited looking Nova and Blue Meanie. Scott Hall looks fairly unimpressed to be out there with them. DDP on commentary slams Scott Hall for offering Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak money to hurt him, he thought they were friends, even if they are rivals in the ring the depths Hall has gone to is a disgrace. Tony mentions he wonders if Nova and Blue Meanie ever thought in ECW when they were parodying the NWO if one day they'd actually be coming out with him to the NWO entrance music for a main event match on Nitro.
This match gets just under 10 minutes and it's a great affair with all 4 guys involved to some extent. Nova looks a bit out of his depth in the ring with these guys but he does his best and has some good high-flying moves at various points. Scott Hall tactically tags himself out whenever it looks like Booker T might get involved but eventually Nova has to make a hot tag to Scott Hall who can't avoid getting in the ring due to the threat of being taken out of the match at Bash at the Beach.
Hall takes out Stevie Ray who is the legal man and then delivers a thunderous right hook to Booker T on the apron who crashes into Blue Meanie on the outside taking them both out. Scott Hall then manages to get Stevie Ray in the Razor's Edge. He then gets the 1-2-3.
Scott Hall & Nova win via pinfall - (9.51) - (77 rated)
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After the match Booker T grabs a mic and says Scott Hall might have got lucky tonight but at Bash at the Beach he WILL retain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.
Nova starts to celebrate with Scott Hall in the ring but Scott Hall punches him and then throws him out the ring at Booker's direction.
Hall shouts that at Bash at the Beach he'll put Booker down like this jobber!
DDP has a mic of his own at the top of the ramp and says both of you would be wise not to forget me... DDP! At Bash at the Beach I'm gonna put that Big Gold Belt back where it belongs... on MY WAIST!!!
The show ends with the 3 of them staring off.
Freestyle segment with Scott Hall, Nova, Booker T & DDP - (90 rated)
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Show rating: 82
1.02 TV rating (770K viewers)