WCW Nitro 4/17/2000

Written By: Bob Colling

World Championship Wrestling presents Nitro
Date: 4/17/2000
From: Rockford, Illinois

A video highlighting what happened last night at Spring Stampede is aired. The New Blood have all the major titles, except for the WCW Hardcore Championship.

Backstage, security guards are talking about how no one can enter the building. They are referring to the Millionaires Club.

Tony Schiavone, Scott Hudson and Mark Madden are the announcers for the show. They talk about Spring Stampede while the strings of “New York, New York” plays for the New Blood. The New Blood makes their way down to the ring with confetti coming down from the rafters. Balloons also fall from the rafters and pretty much cover the ring area. Russo tells the fans that they can boo all they want but it doesn’t change the fact that he is better than them. Russo tells the fans to look at all the gold standing in the ring. Russo introduces the champions by his side. WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chris Candido, WCW World Tag Team Champions Buff Bagwell and Shane Douglas, and WCW United States Champion, Scott Steiner. Russo mentions the one title that got away from the New Blood and tells WCW Hardcore Champion Terry Funk that he is just to damn old! Russo mentions the WWF and talks about a old man who wore a black cowboy hat. Russo tells Jim Ross that he can kiss his ass! Russo introduces the man who was held down by Jim Ross, the new WCW World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett! Jarrett tells the fans to never doubt him ever again. Jarrett says this is the second best day in his life, next to the birth of his child. Jarrett also tells JR to kiss his ass. Jarrett turns his attention to Diamond Dallas Page and hands DDP a opportunity. Jarrett admits that he was upset that he wasn’t asked to be in Ready to Rumble. Jarrett challenges Diamond Dallas to a triple tier cage match at Slamboree next month. Russo chimes in and mentions prizes. Russo believes that the man he is going to introduce may have gotten the biggest prize of them all. Russo introduces Eric Bischoff and has Kimberly by his side. The New Blood has brought the Riot Squad to ringside as well. Bischoff talks about loving seeing Jarrett defeat Diamond Dallas Page last night. Bischoff loves to torture Diamond Dallas Page and says that Kimberly is whipped cream on his cake. Kimberly says that she is really upset about having to hit DDP with a guitar. Kimberly is clearly not happy with the needs that DDP’s career needed throughout the years. Kimberly believes that DDP knows deep down inside that Kimberly was the star of the relationship. Kimberly reveals that Bischoff has been trying to give her a lot of opportunities but had to say no because of Page. Kimberly is going to be focusing on her needs and opportunities. DDP shows up the arena and is told that he can’t come into the building. DDP knocks out all the security guys outside. Bischoff and Russo are still talking in the ring and do not know about Page being the arena. Page’s music hits and DDP makes his way down to the ring. Page walks right by the Riot Squad, as they just moved. DDP brawls with the New Blood and it is revealed that the Riot Squad was the Millionaires Club undercover! DDP, Ric Flair, Sting, and Lex Luger stand tall in the ring!

Backstage, Eric Bischoff wants to know where the rest of the New Blood was at. Bischoff singles out Booker T and wants Booker to take off his fancy sunglasses. Bischoff tells Booker that he has a very short amount of time to get on his good side. Security comes in and tells Bischoff that they thought the night was going to be easy and not get beaten up. They leave and tell him to keep the money. Bischoff gets a phone call and it is Hulk Hogan. Hogan tells Bischoff that he is going to kick Bischoff’s ass in five minutes.

Tony Schiavone, Scott Hudson and Mark Madden talk about what we just witnessed.

Opening Contest: Shawn Stasiak defeated Curt Hennig: Stacy Keibler makes her way down to the ring before the bell. Hennig arm drags Stasiak to start off the match but doesn’t follow up. Hennig with a hip toss out of a lock up and Stasiak complains to the referee. Stasiak with a knee to Hennig’s midsection and takes Hennig down with a hip toss and a scoop slam. Hennig rolls to the floor to regroup. Hennig drags Stasiak to the floor and chops Stasiak a few times. Hennig sends Stasiak into the guard railing and chops Stasiak onto the announcers table. Stasiak works on Hennig back in the ring with a clothesline after Hennig did a cartwheel. Stasiak with a vertical suplex and gets a near fall. Hennig comes off the ropes and connects with a knee lift followed by a clothesline. Stasiak knocks out the referee as he goes down to the canvas. Hennig connects with the Hennig’s Plex but the referee is out. Stasiak gets brass knuckles out of his knee pad and hits Hennig. Stasiak plants Hennig with the Perfect Plant and picks up the win. ¼*
After the match, Stasiak beats down Henning.

Outside the building, Hulk Hogan has arrived but the police stop him and tell him he can not enter the building. Hogan just stares at the officers with a fierce look and they let Hogan in. Hogan is clearly heard asking someone to take off the microphone. Hogan eventually comes out and tosses Stasiak to the floor. Hogan helps Hennig up and they stand tall as the fans chant for Hogan.

Hulk Hogan remains in the ring as WCW comes back from commercial. Hogan has to get something off his chest and says that he has had a lot of time to hear what the fans have to say about him. Hogan admits to getting older along with everyone else in the back. Hogan hasn’t lost a step, only half a step. Hogan is here to lead by example. Hogan challenges anyone to come out and try to take his spot. Hogan goes by his real name Terry Bollea and says that Bischoff and Russo turned this personal when they took money away from his kids. Hogan turns his attention to Billy Kidman and says that he has heard Kidman crying. Hogan calls out Kidman to take his spot. Kidman and Torrie Wilson are in the parking lot and appear on the big screen. Kidman wants Hogan to come out to the parking lot and tells Hogan that he is going to kick Hogan’s ass. Kidman continues to talk as Hogan makes his way out to the parking lot. Eric Bischoff was standing next to a white limo.

Outside, Hulk Hogan is looking for Billy Kidman.

Backstage, Mean Gene is standing with WCW World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett tells Gene that he has a open contract for anyone in the New Blood to compete against him later on in the show.

Second Contest: WCW Hardcore Champion Terry Funk defeated The Wall to retain the title: Funk has a chair with him as he makes his way down to the ring. Wall spits at Funk and is met with a few chair shots. Wall with a couple of punches and sends Funk to the floor. Wall has the chair now and drops to the floor but is low blowed by Funk. Funk with several more chair shots across Wall’s back. Funk goes to the top and leaps off connecting with a moonsault to the floor! Funk begins to slam his head on the mat and is shaking. Wall knocks Funk back down with a running big boot and whacks Funk across the back with a chair a couple of times. Wall pile drives Funk on the announcers table, but the table doesn’t break! Wall sends Funk into the guard railing a few times. Wall grabs a piece of the guard railing and begins to slam the railing into Funk’s face. Funk tries to fight back with a few left hands but to no avail. Wall slams Funk’s head into the dancers cage by the entrance ramp. Randomly, two tables fall onto Wall and Funk double stomps the table on Wall and is able to pick up the three count. *

Backstage, Vince Russo walks into Brian Adams and Bryan Clarke. Adams brings up a tag team title match and Russo says that he doesn’t think tonight is a good night for a title match. Clarke shuts the door and Russo tells them they need to be patient.

Someone has signed the open contract to wrestle Jeff Jarrett later tonight. Who signed it? After the commercial, Jeff Jarrett sees who signed it and isn’t happy.

Backstage, Mean Gene is with Diamond Dallas Page. Page is not happy about what happened at Spring Stampede. DDP tells Bischoff that he is leaving Awesome laying in the ring and will be tearing Bischoff a new ass!

Backstage, Adams and Clarke have beaten down the Harris Brothers and have inserted themselves into a number one contenders match.

Third Contest: Brian Adams/Bryan Clarke defeated the Mamalukes: All four men brawl in the ring with Adams taking Vito down with a full nelson slam. Bull misses a double axe handle and is driven down with a full nelson slam of his own. Adams with a F5 type move on Vito. Clarke sets Bull up and plants Bull with the Meltdown. Vito is driven down with the High Times and Bull suffers the same move. NR
After the beating, Adams cuts a promo saying that Russo doesn’t want them working against him. Adams uses the word chronic a lot throughout the promo, as it was mentioned previously that was their team name.

The announcers talk about who signed the open contract.

Vampiro’s music hit’s and Vampiro slowly makes his way down to the ring. Vampiro has come to send a message to his brother in pain. Vampiro tells Sting that he knows nothing about pain. Vampiro mentions that Sting is the only person who knows what happened last night at the pay per view. Vampiro heard Sting’s screams and tasted Sting’s blood. Vampiro also smelled all of Sting’s fear. Vamprio proclaims that tonight is only the beginning and wanted to save the rest for Slamboree in three weeks. Vampiro is cut off as the lights go off and Sting’s music hits. Sting comes down from the rafters and starts hitting Vampiro with a baseball bat. Sting grabs a microphone and says that Vampiro looks like someone just walked over his grave. Sting hits Vampiro a few more times with the baseball bat. Sting names a few people he has learned pain from and hits Vampiro several more times. Sting with a atomic drop and tells Vampiro that he is going to grow up real quick. Sting plants Vampiro with the Scorpion Death Drop. Sting tells Vampiro that this is his turf to close out the segment.

Backstage, Hulk Hogan is still searching for Billy Kidman and people point him in the right direction.

Backstage, Jeff Jarrett is talking to Vince Russo and he isn’t happy with the current situation Russo has put him in.

Fourth Contest: Mike Awesome defeated Diamond Dallas Page via disqualification: Page misses a clothesline but delivers a few jabs and a discus clothesline early on. Page with a flurry of right hands in the corner but is met with a springboard back elbow from Awesome. Awesome with a big splash and gets a near fall. Page plants Awesome with a float over DDT and gets a two count. Awesome ducks a clothesline and nails Page with a clothesline of his own for a two count. Page with a spinning rock bottom but only gets a two count. Awesome knee lifts Page to the floor and leaps off the top rope taking Page out with a clothesline. Awesome tosses Page into the guard railing but misses a splash and hits the railing. Page grabs a chair and hits Awesome across the back a few times. Awesome kicks a chair into Page’s face and follows up with a punch sending the chair into Page’s face. Chris Kanyon comes running down but is taken down with a German suplex from Awesome. Awesome goes to the floor and sets up a table in the ring as the bell sounds. *¼
After the match, Awesome clotheslines Kanyon back in the ring. Awesome hooks Kanyon up for a power bomb but is stopped as Kevin Nash’s music hits. Nash comes in from behind and clotheslines Awesome. Nash hooks Awesome up and power bombs Awesome through the table! Nash, Page and Kanyon celebrate getting the upper hand.

Backstage, Vince Russo is trying to tell the mystery man to reconsider.

Backstage, Mean Gene is with the WCW World Tag Team Champions Buff Bagwell and Shane Douglas. Bagwell is sick and tired of Flair and Luger. Bagwell says Luger will be going down at Slamboree. Douglas will be taking on Ric Flair at Slamboree as he has been waiting seven years for that match. Douglas hasn’t been able to get his mind off of what Lex Luger did on the previous Thunder. Luger tells Douglas to not have Russo get involved and if Russo does they get the tag titles.

Tank Abbott makes his way down to the ring and Mark Madden flips out. Abbott quickly mentions Goldberg and talks about fighting his whole life. Abbott believes that Goldberg is ducking him. Abbott is going to beat up innocent idiots until Goldberg fights him. Abbott leaves the ring and grabs a member of the Chicago Blackhawks front office. Abbott dangerously puts the man into the ring until the enforcer for the Blackhawks comes into the ring and saves his boss.

Backstage, Hogan runs into Terry Taylor who tells Taylor that Kidman and Bischoff are on the other side of the building getting tired of waiting for Hogan. Hogan leaves the arena.

Backstage, Jeff Jarrett is talking to Vince Russo. Russo tells Jarrett that the man still wants his title shot. Russo needs some time to get Jarrett out of the title match later on.

Fifth Contest: Shane Douglas fought Lex Luger to a no contest: Luger works on Douglas in the corner with a right hand and sends Douglas head first into the top turnbuckle. Luger continues to hammer away on Douglas in the corner for a few moments. Luger runs into a big boot but ducks a clothesline. Douglas is able to take Luger down with a side Russian leg sweep and begins to choke Luger with a wrist tape. Luger with a big boot and several running clotheslines. Buff Bagwell’s music hits and Bagwell comes down to the ring to distract Luger. Douglas is able get the upper hand for a moment but misses a clothesline. Luger is tripped by Bagwell and is low blowed by Douglas. Douglas tosses Luger to the floor and Bagwell stalks Elizabeth on the floor. Douglas sends Luger into the guard railing and tells a masked Sting fan to hit Luger with a bat. However, the masked man hits Douglas and it is revealed to be Ric Flair. DUD
After the match, Vince Russo runs down and pulls Douglas out of the ring. Russo explains to the champions that he couldn’t be there or they would lose the belts.

Hulk Hogan has arrived to the parking lot and walks over to the white limo. Back from commercial, Hogan is hammering away on Kidman and Wilson tries to hit Hogan with a 2×4 but that doesn’t hurt Hogan. Kidman tries to get the upper hand but Hogan tosses Kidman into the wall. Hogan throws Kidman into a trash can and starts choking Kidman with his own shirt! Bischoff is just looking on as Hogan continues to beat down Kidman. Hogan lifts Kidman over his head and puts him the dumpster! Bischoff tries to start the white hummer but it wouldn’t start. Bischoff runs away. Hogan goes into the hummer and the hummer starts for Hogan. Hogan drives the hummer into the dumpster a few times which Kidman is in! Hogan drives towards the direction that Bischoff ran away.

Back at the parking lot, Kidman has been placed on a stretcher.

Main Event: WCW World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett defeated WCW United States Champion Scott Steiner via disqualification: Steiner with a knee lift and stomps away on Jarrett in the corner. Steiner beats down Jarrett with several right hands. Steiner with a clothesline as Jarrett comes off the ropes and drops a elbow to Jarrett’s chest. Steiner gorilla press slams Jarrett and taunts a few fans. Steiner runs into a big boot in the corner and Jarrett stomps away on the challenger. Jarrett leaps off the middle rope with a double axe handle. Jarrett with a back elbow and heads to the top rope connecting with a cross body but only gets a two count. Jarrett follows up with a standing dropkick. Jarrett is caught coming out of the corner and is placed in the tree of woe in the corner. Steiner chokes Jarrett from the floor and taunts a few more fans on the floor. Steiner works on Jarrett with a belly to belly suplex for a near fall. Jarrett low blows Steiner as he attempted a German suplex. Jarrett locks in a sleeper hold but Steiner low blows Jarrett. Steiner signals for the Steiner Recliner and has it locked in! Booker T comes in and nails Steiner with a side kick which signals for the DQ. *½
After the match, Booker T says “your welcome punk” to Jarrett.

Backstage, Hulk Hogan is still flipping out. After a commercial break, Hogan finds Bischoff and chases him back to the ring. Hogan corners Bischoff and kicks Bischoff between the legs. Vince Russo and Bret Hart come down with Hart shoving Russo aside. Hart has a chair as Hogan chokes Bischoff. Nitro comes to a close before Hart uses the chair.

End of show

My Take: Quite a few flaws with the opening promo on this show. Russo and Jarrett were really affected by the thoughts of a on-air commentator in Jim Ross. The more they mention the WWF in their promos the more it makes WCW look second rate, especially when they get dominated in the ratings. Another odd thing I thought about the promo was that the end of the segment saw the usage of Sting’s music. Why on earth would they turn the attention to Sting? The music should have been of DDP. The main feud here is between DDP and Jeff Jarrett. You make DDP look weak compared to Sting now. Not smart booking their, unless it was a production mess up which could have been the case.

Stasiak/Hennig was a pretty horrible match that lasted about three minutes or so. I can’t hate on it too much because I didn’t mind the outcome. Stasiak is obviously younger and needs to get some momentum in WCW. WCW needs its younger guys to have more respectability. This is a step in the right direction, even with the match being pretty bad.

I’m not completely sold on Billy Kidman being a upper card heel. Kidman to me is just a cruiserweight who does high spots and would fit perfectly in a midcard baby face role. Kidman should be going for the United States Championship instead of working with Hulk Hogan. Completely random as well to push Kidman so fast to the top. Before Russo/Bischoff return he was floating around doing meaningless feuds.

Kronik/Mamalukes wasn’t technically a match but it being played off as if it was one. Their wasn’t a referee or anything, Kronik just beat up the Mamalukes. I’m figuring they are the number one contenders now.

WCW did a good job of making Vampiro look pretty bad with Sting on this show. Why does he need to get completely manhandled here? Give him at least something so that he isn’t completely buried in a matter of two minutes.

Awesome/Page could have been a really good match but they weren’t given any time and they had a lame ass finish. This show has had a theme of very little in-ring action and a lot of backstage segments. It has been quite ridiculous.

Douglas/Luger was a bad, bad match as they didn’t really do anything. All the major matches had some sort of dirty finish and none of them had any clean finishes. That’s not going to want people to tune in. Viewers want winners and losers, via pin fall or submission. Not by some lame DQ, no contest or count-out bullshit.

Main event is another match where it could have been good if it was given any time to develop. Like all of WCW television main events it was given a DQ finish. Booker T coming in and helping Booker T is odd, but perhaps this means a Booker/Steiner feud, again. By the way, the ending wasn’t really a cliffhanger as it was obvious that Hart used the chair on Hulk Hogan. You could see his eyes switch to Hogan as he went to swing the chair.

Overall, the show was really angle driven and not much of the show was dedicated to in-ring wrestling. Quite a few matches for Slamboree have been set, so that’s a good thing. Not a good show though.

Thanks for reading.