WCW Nitro 6/5/2000

Written By: Bob Colling

World Championship Wrestling presents Nitro
Date: 6/5/2000
From: Atlanta, GA

Nitro opens up with a video package hyping up Goldberg vs. Tank Abbott.

Earlier today, Tank Abbott and Rick Steiner arrived to the building. They are walking and they look determined (maybe not).

Nitro opening video

Tony Schiavone, Scott Hudson and Mark Madden welcome everyone to Nitro!

Eric Bischoff, Vince Russo and security guards slowly make their way down to the ring. Bischoff says he has nothing but love in his heart for all the people in attendance. Bischoff considers WCW to be a “wrestling empire” that he built. Bischoff considers Russo to be his sidekick, pretty much. Bischoff pokes fun at Lex Luger, who is busted up from a fractured face. Bischoff talks about WCW United States Champion Scott Steiner defending against Vampiro. Kevin Nash will be running the New Blood gauntlet later on tonight. However, there is a catch for the gauntlet. If Nash loses the match he loses his championship match against Jarrett in six days. Bischoff makes sure that any of Nash’s friends are barred from ringside. Bischoff also announces that WCW World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett competes against Sting! Vince Russo chimes in and talks about being forced to move to Atlanta to work for WCW, which has been the worst eight months of his life. Russo issues a challenge himself for Atlanta Braves closer, John Rocker for bashing New York. Russo turns his attention to Ric Flair and their steel cage match scheduled to take place later tonight. Russo is going to beat Ric Flair and give Flair brain damage. Bischoff tells Russo that he is a genius and that Russo inspires him. Bischoff is going to find a way to get the WCW Hardcore Championship off of Terry Funk and is going to do it himself. Bischoff mentions Goldberg and tries to say that he doesn’t have any issues with Goldberg personally. Bischoff is willing to forgive and forget regarding Goldberg screwing up their plans last week. Bischoff threatens to suspend Goldberg id he gets involved with Nash’s match. Russo grabs the microphone and says Goldberg doesn’t want to know what he is all about. Russo calls Goldberg a “punk” as Goldberg has been watching on a television backstage. Goldberg makes his way down to the ring after Russo does a crotch chop. Bischoff and Russo bail to the floor as Goldberg attacks the security guys with clotheslines and sidekicks. Goldberg hits his spear and jackhammer as well. A bunch more security guys run down but stop at the ringside area and help their buddies to the backstage area.

Backstage, Eric Bischoff is flipping out on Vince Russo. Jeff Jarrett enters the room and briefly complains about having to wrestle Sting. Billy Kidman comes into the room and wants a match with Horace and Hulk Hogan. Torrie Wilson leaves the room disgusted with Kidman’s statements.

Footage from Thunder where Shawn Stasiak and Chuck Palumbo won the WCW World Tag Team Championships by beating Kronik.

Opening Contest: WCW World Tag Team Champion Shawn Stasiak/Chuck Palumbo defeated Kronik by count-out to retain the titles: All four men brawl in and out of the ring. Adams works on Stasiak on the ramp way with right hands and a head butt. Clarke leaps off the middle rope nailing Palumbo with a clothesline for a near fall. Stasiak returns to the ring to double team Clarke but Adams takes Stasiak out with a slingshot shoulder block. Stasiak is sent to the floor as Clarke plants Palumbo with the Meltdown! Palumbo is also sent to the floor where Clarke leaps off the apron connecting with a somersault dive, which the camera guy misses to see Ernest Miller walking to the ringside area. Adams full nelson slams Stasiak for a two count. Adams blocks a backdrop and attempts a pile driver but is met with a super kick from Palumbo. Stasiak drops Adams with a swinging neck breaker and Palumbo leaps off the top nailing Adams with a shoulder block for a two count. Leaping back elbow by Stasiak on Adams and heads to the top rope. Stasiak connects with a cross body but only gets a two count. Adams catches Stasiak coming off the ropes and hits Stasiak with a backbreaker. Clarke gets the hot tag and cleans house. The champs are sent to the floor and all four men are brawling. Ernest Miller comes into the ring and argues with the referee for some reason. Adams press slams Stasiak face first into a chair. Miller is forcing the referee to count out both teams. Adams rolls Stasiak into the ring and Miller announcers that Kronik has lost by count-out. *¼
After the match, Miller tells Kronik to not even think about hitting him. Kronik go for the High Times but are attacked by Palumbo and Stasiak. Adams F-5’s Stasiak to close out the segment.

Backstage, Billy Kidman is yelling at Torrie Wilson until Major Gunns comes over and defends Wilson. Kidman calls Gunns a “dumb bitch” and Gunns leaves crying.

Backstage, Pamela interviews Kevin Nash about his upcoming gauntlet match. Nash doesn’t care as he is only worried about being the last guy to show up to the arena.

Backstage, Hugh Morrus asks his troops where Major Gunns is. Gunns comes into the room crying over what Kidman said. Booker T comes in and says their mission is to kick Kidman’s ass.

Backstage, Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner wish Goldberg luck with his match against Tank Abbott.

Before the next match, Booker T calls out Billy Kidman. Kidman comes out and says he will get a war as he has the Filthy Animals with him.

Second Contest: Booker T defeated Billy Kidman: Booker hammers away on Kidman and nails Kidman with a leaping sidekick. Kidman battles back with a springboard bulldog but is lifted up by Booker and dropped to the mat gut first. Booker comes off the ropes hitting Kidman with a scissors kick. Booker delivers several right hands in the corner and calls for Major Gunns to enter the ring. Torrie Wilson enters the ring as well and ends up low blowing Kidman! Wilson leaves as Kidman was wearing a cup. Kidman turns around and is met with the Book End. Booker gets the three count. *
After the match, the Filthy Animals enter the ring with Inferno hitting a few people with a chair. The Filthy Animals manage to stand tall to close out the segment.

Backstage, Tank Abbott is punching the air as Eric Bischoff and Ernest Miller walk to the ring for a match against Terry Funk.

Third Contest: Eric Bischoff defeated WCW Hardcore Champion Terry Funk to win the title: Miller cartwheel kicks a chair into Funk’s face. Bischoff has some karate sticks but Funk gets up and nails Miller with a trash can. Funk blocks several shots and whacks Bischoff over the head with the trash can. Miller grabs Bischoff and they run to the backstage area. Funk chases after them by tossing the trash can towards his opponents.

Ms. Hancock makes her way down to the ring for whatever reason. Hancock is cut off by Kimberly and Mike Awesome. Kimberly believes that Hancock is trying to steal her spotlight and considers that to be rude. Kimberly thinks she is a star or a real entertainer. Kimberly knows the fans came to the arena to see her and wants Hancock to leave the ring. Kimberly ends up hitting Hancock over the back with a clipboard. Hancock gets up remarkably quick and wants Kimberly in the ring. Kimberly is offended by the claim of her having a “fat ass.” Kimberly is going to give Hancock a fat lip, later.

Funk and Bischoff are brawling their way back to the ring as Funk has Bischoff in a wheelbarrow. Bischoff is busted open from the nose. Funk dumps Bischoff back into the ring and clotheslines Miller on the ramp way. Funk plants Bischoff with a DDT on the chair. Russo tells the Mamalukes to help Bischoff. Funk is going to give Bischoff a stink face. Funk pulls his pants down but the Mamalukes make their way down to the ring. Vito and Bull attack Funk for a few moments as Bischoff is sitting in the corner, knocked out. Vito elbow drops a chair onto Funk’s face! Vito smashes a broom handle onto a trash can which is on Funk’s groin! Jumping DDT by Vito plants Funk. Bischoff is helped up and placed onto Funk who manages to win the WCW Hardcore Championship. DUD

Outside, Ric Flair and his family have arrived to the building.

Before the next match, Scott Steiner delivers his usual sexual laced promo.

Fourth Contest: WCW United States Champion Scott Steiner defeated Vampiro to retain the title: Steiner knee lifts Vampiro and goes two work on Vampiro with stomps in the corner. Exploder suplex by Steiner and follows up with a military press slam. Steiner runs into a big boot in the corner and Vampiro gets a few more shots in. Vampiro knocks Steiner down with a spin kick but runs into a clothesline and is met with a standing elbow drop. Steiner dumps Vampiro to the floor and tosses Vampiro into the guard railing. Steiner also rams Vampiro face first into the ring steps and uses a chair a few times. Steiner scoop slams Vampiro through the announcers table (which was weak). Vampiro sends Steiner into the guard railing and whacks Steiner over the head with a chair. Vampiro super kicks Steiner but Steiner manages to send Vampiro into the ring post. Back in the ring, Steiner attempts a middle rope suplex but Vampiro knocks the champ off and connects with a spinning heel kick leaping off the top rope! Vampiro misses a blow torch shot and is nailed by Steiner’s freak with a cross body off the top. Vampiro stalks towards Steiner’s freak looking to set her on fire. Sting comes down and attacks Vampiro with a baseball bat. Sting knocks Vampiro into the ring where Steiner connects with a overhead belly to belly suplex. Steiner locks in the Steiner Recliner and wins the match. *½
After the match, Steiner and Sting fight off security in the ring.

Fifth Contest: Bill Goldberg defeated Tank Abbott: Goldberg avoids a right hand and nails Abbott with a sidekick. Goldberg takes Abbott over with a suplex but is attacked by Rick Steiner with a chair from behind. Goldberg is beaten down by Abbott and Rick Steiner. Abbott attempts a cocky pin but Goldberg kicks out at two. Kevin Nash makes his way down to the ring to make the save. Nash makes his way through the crowd and drags Rick Steiner to the floor. Goldberg spears Abbott and plants him with the Jackhammer for the win. DUD
After the match, Goldberg celebrates as Kevin Nash casually walks to the backstage area.

Backstage, Pamela tries to interview Kimberly but Kimberly overtakes the segment and cuts a promo. Kimberly says the show is all about her and is going to beat Hancock up. Kimberly also insults Pamela’s choice of clothing.

Sixth Contest: Sting defeated WCW World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett in a non-title match: Jarrett gets the early advantage with right hands but Sting is able to drop Jarrett throat first across the top rope. Sting misses a Stinger Splash but clotheslines Jarrett a few times. Sting blocks a hurricanrana attempt, I guess, and power bombs Jarrett! Jarrett sends Sting to the ramp way and works on Sting with a chair a few times. Jarrett jabs Sting several times with the chair until Sting clotheslines Jarrett back into the ring. Jarrett blocks a sunset flip with a right hand but Sting rolls Jarrett up and gets the three count to win the title! *¼
After the match, Eric Bischoff comes down and says that the match wasn’t a title match but rather a simple non-title match. Sting says Jarrett is going to show up in a body bag. Sting ducks a clothesline and sends Jarrett to the floor. Sting punches Jarrett onto the announcers table, which breaks completely. Sting locks in the Scorpion Death Lock on the ramp way. Sting grabs a guitar and smashes it over Jarrett’s head! Jarrett falls off the ramp way to the floor.

Backstage, Jeff Jarrett is put into a ambulance as Eric Bischoff is worried about his champion.

Mike Awesome makes his way down to the ring with a microphone in hand, Awesome tells DDP that his career will be coming to an end in six days. Awesome says that the nurses at the hospital give great baths. Awesome introduces Kimberly. Hancock comes out and has a release typed up so that when she messes up Kimberly’s face she isn’t sued or anything. Kimberly signs the paper without reading it. Diamond Dallas Page is revealed to be her partner. It is revealed that the paper work was nullifying the restraining order.

Seventh Contest: Diamond Dallas Page/Ms. Hancock defeated Mike Awesome/Kimberly: DDP slaps Kimberly’s ass as Hancock backs Kimberly into the ropes. Hancock decides to dance and is shoved by Kimberly. Hancock rips off Kimberly’s “me” on her shirt. Hancock whips Kimberly down to the mat by the hair a few times. Hancock goes to use the ring post but is cut off by Mike Awesome. Hancock slaps Awesome and DDP leaps off the top connecting with a clothesline. DDP nails Awesome with a discus clothesline but Awesome blocks a rollup. DDP with another rollup and a clothesline for a two count. Awesome low blows DDP and works on DDP’s back with a release German suplex. Awesome clotheslines DDP in the corner and chokes DDP for a few moments. DDP hammers away on Awesome but is stopped with a clothesline. Awesome splashes DDP and heads to the floor to grab a table. Awesome scoop slams DDP back in the ring and heads to the top rope. Awesome leaps off and frog splashes DDP for a near fall! Awesome signals for a power bomb onto the table but Hancock has gotten onto the table and distracts DDP. DDP plants Awesome the Diamond Cutter and wins the match. *½

Backstage, Pamela says that Hulk Hogan told her that he will not wrestle Horace Hogan tonight.

Before the next match, Eric Bischoff says Jeff Jarrett is fine and that Hulk Hogan isn’t in the building. Bischoff suggests that Hulk Hogan come down to the ring and forfeit like a man. Bischoff gets cut off by the music of Hollywood Hogan! Hulk says that he didn’t say Hollywood Hogan wouldn’t wrestle tonight. Hogan demands the cage to be lowered.

Eighth Contest: Hulk Hogan defeated Horace Hogan in a steel cage match: Horace gets the early advantage with right hands and chops but Hulk clotheslines Horace to stop the momentum. Hulk hammers away on Horace and scratches Horace’s back a few times. Hulk drops Horace with a clothesline and takes off his weight belt. Hulk begins to choke Horace for a few moments while delivering several punches. Hulk sends Horace to the floor and sends Horace into the cage a few times. Hulk grabs a chair but Horace is able to kick the chair into Hulk’s face. Horace follows up with a few chair shots across Hulk’s back. Hulk fights back with a few right hands as they roll back into the ring. Hulk whacks Horace across the back with the chair and rams the chair into Horace’s face as he comes off the ropes. Hulk leg drops the chair onto Horace’s face and picks up the win. *
After the match, Billy Kidman runs into the cage and attacks Hulk Hogan. Hulk tosses Kidman over the top rope and Kidman crashes through a table.

Backstage, Pamela interviews Ric Flair. Flair is with his family and says that he isn’t worried about a damn thing when it comes to Vince Russo. Flair says that Russo is going get a beating of a life time. We see Vince Russo flipping out on David Flair on the phone saying he is up next.

Ninth Contest: Vince Russo defeated Ric Flair in a steel cage match: Side headlock by Russo and drops Flair with a shoulder block. Russo sneaks a low blow in the corner and chops Flair down to the mat. Flair comes back with a series of chops of his own. Flair low blows Russo and follows up with a back suplex. Flair delivers a knee drop and Russo rolls to the floor. Flair sends Russo head first into the cage a couple times. Several more chops and right hands by Flair on the floor. David Flair comes up from under the ring and is attacked by Ric. Reid Flair bites Russo hands as Russo tried to open the door. David flips into the corner and is clotheslined off the apron by Ric. Ric sends David into the cage face first and back first a few times. Russo has a ladder and sets it up in the ring to escape through the top of the cage. Russo punches Ric away and breaks the trap door on the top of the cage. Russo kicks Ric away and gets on top of the cage. Ric chases after Russo and both men are on the top of the cage! Russo eye rakes Ric and falls back into the cage as Ric stomps on Russo’s fingers. Ric enters back into the cage and continues to stomp away on David and Russo. Ric has the figure four leg lock on Russo. Russo has remained in the hold for several minutes, without giving up. David Flair is right next to Russo, doing nothing. Eventually, the red liquid pours down from the rafters and knocks Ric Flair and the referee out, apparently. Russo covers Ric and gets the pin as David had the figure four on his father. DUD

Backstage, Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner talk about the gauntlet match.

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

Before the next match, Vince Russo and several New Blood members come out to explain the rules of the gauntlet match to Nash, again.

Main Event: Kevin Nash fought the New Blood to a no contest in a gauntlet match: Inferno stomps away on Nash until he is planted with a side slam and is pinned. Nash big boots Candido and power bombs Candido and Bull. The referee literally makes the count on guys not being counted. Rey Jr. runs into a big boot and is pinned. Six guys runs into the ring and attack Nash. Goldberg makes his way down to the ring and spears the tag team champions. Douglas and Vampiro get a few shots in but Nash helps Goldberg. Goldberg press slams Douglas onto Candido on the ramp way. DUD
After “the match”, Russo flips out as Goldberg embraces Nash again. Bischoff comes out and says that on Thunder Goldberg will be suspended. Goldberg warns Bischoff that if he is suspended “your ass is next.” Goldberg and Nash stand tall to close out the show.

End of show.

My Take: Before I watch the show, or share my thoughts on what happened, I figure to comment on what is happening in WCW, briefly. Atlanta, GA is WCW biggest market, easily. For the first time in several years WCW is not running in the Georgia Dome. Last time they ran in that building was July 1999 and they didn’t draw well at all. That was at a time when their roster was still pretty strong. Imagine what they would’ve done if they tried that in 2000. Anyway, this show is centered around Ric Flair vs. Vince Russo in a cage match and the return of Goldberg in the ring by wrestling against Tank Abbott. Honestly, neither of those two matches interest me all that much. One, Russo is a writer and has inserted himself as perhaps the number one heel in the company. He is getting more heat than Jeff Jarrett. Also, Tank Abbott is a not a wrestler so having him wrestle against Goldberg is sure to be ugly. On a brighter note, Jarrett is wrestling Sting on the show, so perhaps their will be one good match on the show.

The opening segment was okay, but I really wish that Russo and Bischoff would actually allow WRESTLERS to work wrestling angles. How do you expect to beat WWF at any point in the ratings or even be a successful company when you have a wrestling writer (Russo) and a consultant (Bischoff) involved in top or big angles on television? If there are viewers out there who would rather watch this over the Rock or DX or anything else over on RAW, you are nuts.

People didn’t care about the tag team title match, mainly because they don’t know who Stasiak and Palumbo are. Their was glimpses of some good action, but the finish of the match was pretty lame.

In a booking decision that lacks any kind of logic, Kidman loses to Booker T. Not that Booker isn’t good, actually he is better than Kidman, but he isn’t being pushed to that level. Kidman has a pay per view match with Hulk Hogan in six days. Yet, he can’t defeat upper mid-card talent? If your pushing Booker, that’s fine, have him beat Konnan or someone else who aren’t doing anything.

I could go on a rant about how stupid Eric Bischoff winning the Hardcore Championship is, but I’m sure you already know why. This would have been a fine time to have a young WRESTLER beat Terry Funk and get a decent rub from hit. But, of course not. Lets put the title on Eric Bischoff. Give me a break.

Steiner/Vampiro was the match of the night, if I had to choose. They had a some decent action there. Poor Vampiro is being booked horribly.

Goldberg/Abbott was kept quick and made all the hype for the match pointless. Sting/Jarrett was way too quick for it to be anything good. I swear, if they would get just eight minutes of wrestling without any kind of bullshit, it would be a good TV match.

The mixed tag team match was decent as well, with DDP and Awesome doing most of the work for the match. Surprisingly, we got a clean finish. Awesome is really losing any kind of momentum he may have had since he debuted in WCW.

Hulk/Horace was just a extended squash match. No reason for that to be a steel cage match, at all.

Russo/Flair is something I may have to save for a column to share how ridiculous I thought this went. I’ll keep this brief as well. It started off okay, mainly because Russo was getting beaten up (as he should), but the fact that Russo remained in the figure four for easily two minutes or so, without giving up is a shame. Some of the greatest wrestlers have given up to the move, but not Vince Russo. Also, the whole red liquid falling from the ceiling needs to STOP. Fans think it is stupid and I honestly don’t know how it is suppose to help someone win.

The gauntlet was really dumb. Goldberg completely ignored the rules and told Bischoff to screw off, which means he won’t be suspended, I guess? Whatever, New Blood looks really weak being unable to get any kind of advantage on ONE GUY when they have TWELEVE. UGH!

Overall, what a crappy show. Honestly, this was a huge disappoint. I was hoping that WCW would try to put on a good show considering they were in Atlanta but they failed miserably.

Thanks for reading.