WCW Nitro 6/19/2000

Written by: Bob Colling

World Championship Wrestling presents Nitro
Date: 6/19/2000
From: Billings, MT

Footage from Thunder is shown. After the show, WCW United States Champion Scott Steiner put the Recliner on Vince Russo.

Outside, the New Blood arrive to the building. The Cat says that Russo is not here because of the injuries he suffered thanks to Scott Steiner. Security guards tell Cat that there is a situation going on in the ring.

In the ring, Horace Hogan is sitting with a baseball bat. Horace talks about being out in the ring to get revenge on Goldberg who is only in wrestling for the money according to Horace. The Cat comes out and tells Horace that Goldberg is far too busy to be dealing with him. Cat mentions Scott Steiner hurting Russo and proclaims that there will not be any outside interference tonight. Cat says that if Steiner were to interfere in any match he would suspend, fine and force Steiner to wash the bathroom floors for thirty days. Cat believes that he is invincible. This brings out Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner. Nash says that Horace wants a match with Goldberg, which Cat grants. Nash assures Cat that he will do what he wants him to do! Steiner also says Cat will do what he wants. Steiner notes that he hasn’t been able to find Eric Bischoff. Steiner wants to fight Cat, but Cat ends up weaseling his way out by granting Steiner a WCW World Heavyweight Championship match against Jeff Jarrett! Nash is not done because he is still left unhappy. Nash brings up how Cat still has Scott Hall’s contract. Nash tells Cat they will wrestle tonight for Scott Hall’s contract. Cat is poked by Horace’s bat before agreeing to the mat against Nash.

Outside, Chuck Palumbo and Shawn Stasiak have entered the production truck with a tape. However, once they leave the truck they are attacked by Rick Steiner and Tank Abbott.

Opening Contest: Three Count defeated the Jung Dragons: the Dragons attack Three Count during their song, thankfully. Yang and Hayashi connect with moonsaults on Karagias and Moore on the floor! Hayashi hits Moore with a spinning heel kick back in the ring to keep the advantage. Moore and Helms hit Hayashi with a Samoan Drop/neck breaker combo. Karagias missile dropkicks Hayashi and drops him gut first down to the mat. Helms leaps off the top with a sunset flip for a two count on Hayashi. Helms follows up with a gut wrench slam but doesn’t go for the cover. Moore misses a splash in the corner and Hayashi hits Helms with a spin kick. Yang tags in and cleans house with several blows to Three Count. Moore stops Yang with a sleeper hold slam. Karagias nearly pins Yang following a twisting splash off the top. Yang comes back with a scoop slam and along with Hayashi get crotched on the top rope by Moore. Karagias clotheslines Noble as Moore was being chased. Noble is driven down to the mat by all three members of Three Count to win the bout. *1/2
After the match, Lance Storm comes down to the ring and takes out Three Count! Storm leaves through the crowd.

Backstage, David Flair searches for Daffney. We also see Goldberg walking around. Lastly, Mike Tenay wonders if Horace Hogan is crazy for challenging Goldberg. Never doubt Horace Hogan.

Second Contest: WCW Hardcore Champion Big Vito defeated Johnny the Bull to retain the title: A really basic hardcore match that didn’t really have any special spots involving weapons or anything. The finish was kind of neat as they were backstage when Vito connected with an Impaler DDT off a scaffold through a table.

Backstage, the Cat is looking for Scott Hall’s contract. Johnny the Bull is being looked at by a trainer when Terry Funk comes over and offers to help Bull train to become WCW Hardcore Champion. We also see a brawl take place between Chavo Guerrero Jr., Rey Mysterio Jr., the Artist and Booker T. Lastly, Booker puts Hugh Morrus in charge of the Misfits in Action.

Kanyon makes his way down to the ring, sporting a blonde wig. Kanyon promotes his new book, which is really Page’s book. Kanyon says this morning he gave himself a Self High-Five when he woke up. Kanyon doesn’t believe he can be beaten. Booker T runs down to the ring but is met with an axe handle strike. Booker battles back with a knee lift followed by a flapjack. Booker dumps Kanyon to the floor and rips off his army clothing to signal the return of Booker T. Thank goodness…

Backstage, David Flair tries to talk to Daffney but is slapped instead.

Third Contest: Goldberg defeated Horace Hogan: As if poor Horace had a shot here. Goldberg wins the match easily following a spear and the Jackhammer.

Before the next match, Cat attaches a briefcase to Mark Madden’s wrist with a handcuff. Inside the briefcase is Scott Hall’s contract.

Fourth Contest: Kevin Nash defeated the Cat: Cat gets a few kicks in on Nash, but that doesn’t last long. Nash delivers a clothesline before connecting with a power bomb to win the bout in under three minutes.

Mike Tenay interviews Kevin Nash who claims to have been the only person to hand Goldberg a loss. Scott Steiner is also interviewed which consists of Steiner ranting and raving about his match with Jeff Jarrett later on.

Fifth Contest: WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero Jr. defeated Rey Mysterio Jr. and the Artist to retain the title: A rather quick bout that only lasts two and half minutes shows how little the Cruiserweight division mattered at this point in time for WCW. Chavo is able to get a rare clean win after delivering a tornado DDT to Rey.

Backstage, David Flair gives Daffney flowers before asking if she will take him back. She does. David brings Daffney to a car but soon leaves to give Miss Hancock a kiss. Daffney just so happens to see this on a monitor and is not happy.

Sixth Contest: WCW World Tag Team Champions Chuck Palumbo/Shawn Stasiak defeated Rick Steiner/Tank Abbott to retain the titles: After a few moments, Rick is left alone in the ring as Tank Abbott chased a fan for disliking Three Count, I believe. Rick is able to fight off the Perfect Event for a few moments but the numbers get to him as he is hit with a flexor and the champs hit a double flapjack to retain the titles.

Backstage, Asya talks to Dale Torborg about their relationship and has the Demon outfit. Torborg doesn’t want to be associated with the outfit. Vampiro is watching what is happening on a monitor.

Vampiro comes out to deliver a promo. Vampiro thought he had a lot in common with the Demon. Vampiro decides that he will throw a party for the Demon, who is going away. Vampiro calls out Dale Torborg and Asya. Vampiro asks Dale if a part of him feels like he is missing. The lights end up going out and when they appear both Vampiro and Asya are missing. Vampiro is seen outside driving a hearse out of the arena. Okay…

Before the next match, Shane Douglas cuts a promo saying that he and his partners Candido and Bigelow are serving notice that they are coming for the WCW World Tag Team Championships. He also cut a brief promo regarding a match against Buff Bagwell at the next pay per view, Bash at the Beach.

Seventh Contest: Buff Bagwell/Kronik defeated Shane Douglas/Chris Candido/Bam-Bam Bigelow: Clarke works on Douglas early on with a chop but Douglas quickly comes back with a dropkick. Douglas gets slammed off the top turnbuckle and Clarke connects with a half nelson slam. Adams gets tagged in and along with Clarke back elbow Douglas. Adams slams Douglas with a full nelson slam but only manages to get a near fall. Bagwell gets tagged in but Douglas backs away and Bigelow tags into the bout. Bigelow clubs away on Bagwell to get the advantage for his team. Bigelow continues his offense with a running splash in the corner. Douglas returns to the bout now that Bagwell has been weakened. Douglas hooks Bagwell’s mouth in the corner to insult Bagwell. Douglas connects with a series of suplexs with the last one being a delayed vertical suplex. Douglas covers but Bagwell is able to pop his shoulder up at two. Bagwell plants Douglas with a double arm DDT! Clarke gets tagged in as does Bigelow. Clarke drops Bigelow with a clothesline and Adams tosses Douglas onto Bigelow. Bigelow comes off the ropes to plant Kronik with a double DDT and a Samoan Drop on Bagwell. Bigelow is shoulder blocked by Kronik and they signal for the end. Bigelow suffers the High Times but the referee is distracted as a one armed Candido hits Clarke with a weapon. Bagwell goes for the Blockbuster but Bigelow atomic drops Bagwell. Seconds later, Bagwell avoids a splash and hits the Blockbuster on Bigelow to win the bout. *1/2
After the match, Douglas attacks Bagwell as Kronik has gone backstage to get Candido. Douglas hits the Pittsburgh Plunge and beats down Bagwell until Kronik runs back down (with music) to make the save.

Main Event: WCW World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett defeated WCW United States Champion Scott Steiner to retain the title: Mike Awesome is the special referee for the title match. Jarrett attacks Steiner from behind as Steiner was ripping on Cat. Steiner delivers an atomic drop followed by a tilt a whirl side slam to gain the advantage. Jarrett comes off the ropes but runs into a clothesline and Steiner hits an elbow drop. Steiner catches Jarrett in the corner and rams him back first into the corner and drops him throat first across the top rope. Steiner sends Jarrett to the floor following a clothesline. Jarrett sends Steiner back first into the guard railing and grabs a chair. Jarrett hits Steiner right in the chest with the chair and tosses Steiner’s freak into the ring. Steiner’s freak leaps off the apron to choke Jarrett! Steiner recovers and tosses the champ into the crowd. Steiner tosses a beer into Jarrett’s face and beats Jarrett all around the crowd before tossing the champ back to the ringside area. Steiner rams the champ face first into the ring steps before they return to the ring. Jarrett misses an attempted dropkick and is catapulted into the corner. Steiner drops Jarrett with a military press slam. Jarrett gets out of a suplex attempt and low blows Steiner. Jarrett stops Steiner in the corner with a big boot and leaps off the middle rope to deliver a couple double axe handle shots. Steiner catches Jarrett on a third attempt but Jarrett pokes Steiner in the eyes and connects with a back suplex. Jarrett puts a sleeper hold on Steiner to keep control of the bout. Steiner battles out of the hold before driving Jarrett down to the mat with a delayed vertical suplex. Steiner power slams Jarrett as he comes off the ropes but only gets a two count on the cover! Steiner plants Jarrett with a belly to belly suplex but again only gets a near fall! Steiner gets out of the Stroke and puts the Steiner Recliner on Jarrett! However, the Cat gets on the microphone and says that the hold is illegal and the referee needs to break the hold. So, Awesome whacks Steiner over the back with a steel chair. Jarrett covers but Steiner kicks out at two! Now, Awesome double teams Steiner with Jarrett. Steiner clotheslines both men and takes Awesome over with a gut wrench suplex. Steiner puts the Steiner Recliner on Awesome until Jarrett smashes a guitar over Steiner’s head and wins the bout. **
After the match, Cat enters the ring and says he is going to beat Steiner up. However, Steiner gets up and takes Cat over with an over head belly to belly suplex. Steiner puts the Steiner Recliner on Cat until Awesome and Jarrett return to the ring. Steiner clotheslines all three men until Goldberg enters and spears Steiner! Kevin Nash runs down to the ring cleans house and goes after Goldberg but he bails to the floor as Nitro comes to an end!

My Take: Who honestly cares about Horace Hogan? Honestly, the guy has never amounted to anything noteworthy and were suppose to think that he could defeat Goldberg? Give me a break. It was a horrible idea to start the show with him and even have him in a prominent match on the show.

The Three Count/Dragons match was a decent little spot fest match that had a few botches. It seemed to be effective in getting the crowd excited for the rest of the show. So, it served its purpose

Thankfully Booker T is back to being Booker T and not GI Bro. The crowd really enjoyed the segment and it makes me believe that he needs to be given a push. I still find Kanyon to be entertaining as well. Both of these guys should be fresh faces pushed in the months to come.

For promoting the Goldberg/Horace and Nash/Cat matches up as huge bouts, they combined lasted around five minutes. There wasn’t much interest in the bouts. Perhaps some interest in seeing the annoying Cat get beaten up but other than that, I don’t think anyone cared for the matches. They just want to see Nash/Goldberg.

Abbott is going to be turned into a comedy character by associating himself with Three Count. I think that is slightly ridiculous. But, perhaps it could possibly be funny. It would be an odd ball type of relationship.

I really don’t care about the Vampiro/Demon feud.

The six man tag was really just a 3 on 2 handicap match with the advantage given to the babyfaces. Candido had his arm in a sling and did virtually nothing. It was a decent bout but nothing all that exciting.

The main event was the best match of the night. They worked well together and although Awesome got involved and screwed over Steiner, it made sense and protected Steiner. Plus, it continues to progress the feud between both men.

Overall, the last two matches and the opener were the only matches that were entertaining. Everything else was really unentertaining since it was centered around Horace Hogan. That being said, this week’s Nitro gets a thumbs down.

Thanks for reading.