Credit to: http://www.pwwew.net
WCW Thunder
MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada
January 26, 2000
Boy, was there dancing on Thunder. Everywhere you turned, someone was cuttin’ a rug. But big Sid Vicious had nothing to dance about. Did anyone think that the new WCW champion was going to have any easy ride after defeating Kevin Nash in a match for the vacated title? After all, Big Sexy is the WCW Commissioner, or, as he would like to be referred to, Lord and Master. So it came as no surprise to anyone when, after stripping the title away from Sid, the Commish did give Vicious another chance to reclaim the gold. Only this time, it would be Sid against two men, and would take place under Kevin Nash’s stipulations… Caged Heat.
Interview: Sid Vicious
The new WCW Champion, Sid Vicious made his way to the ring to the adulation of the crowd in Las Vegas. As Sid talked about the WCW board having faith in him to go into the title match, the nWo music played, and the band, with their groupies, came to the stage. Nash stated that Sid defeated the wrong man on Nitro, therefore making Nash the rightful champion. Nash threatened David Penzer’s job if he didn’t get the belt from Sid and bring it to him. The nWo girls took the title from Penzer and brought it to Big Sexy, as he laid out the rules for the rematch later in the show. Sid would have to face not only Nash, but Ron Harris as well. To make matters more difficult, it would take place inside the caged heat and Vicious could only pin Nash to take the belt.
Interview: The Maestro with Symphony
Mean Gene told the Maestro that he had heard many great names talked about in Vegas, but Maestro’s wasn’t one of them. Taking offense, the blond pianist, calling himself Mr. Vegas, told Gene that he taught Wayne Newton everything he knew.
Backstage, the nWo bragged about their party with the ladies the night before. Two gentlemen wheeled in some slot machines for the nWo’s gambling pleasure.
Hardcore Match
The Maestro with Symphony d. Screamin’ Norman Smiley with Las Vegas Showgirls
After The Maestro made way to the ring, a bevy of Vegas showgirls made their way to the stage, followed by Smiley, dressed in a white tux and top hat. With The Maestro enraged at being shown up in his hometown, Norman followed the ladies to the ring, where Smiley and the showgirls performed the world’s largest Big Wiggle. The Maestro attacked Smiley, and the fight quickly took to the backstage area. As Norman got the upper hand, he looked up, stared The Demon square in the eyes and fainted backwards, allowing The Maestro to score the pinfall.
Backstage, the nWo played blackjack in their dressing room.
Backstage, The Total Package and Elizabeth, wielding Sting’s baseball bat and a collectors chair that branded a scorpion emblem, went over strategy regarding his match against Buff Bagwell later in the evening.
WCW Cruiserweight Title Tournament Match
The Artist Formerly Known As Prince Iaukea with Paisley d. Kid Romeo
Both men started out fast and furious, with Romeo getting the upper hand. Standards and Practices, along with Miss Hancock, came to ringside. S&P, wearing jeans and unbuttoned shirts, said “no more suits, it’s corny,” and walked away from Hancock. Back in the ring, as Paisley interfered on behalf of The Artist, the Prince took the win over the rookie Romeo.
Backstage, Scott Hall introduced Wayne Newton himself, and as the real Mr. Vegas walked into the room, he welcomed everyone to the nWo Casino. Although everyone seemed excited about his appearance, Scott Steiner seemed upset that they couldn’t get Elvis.
Terry Funk d. The Demon
The hardcore legend went right after The Demon in this unique match up. As the fight spilled to the outside, Funk threw Demon into the steel guardrail. Once inside, the God of Thunder punished Funk with a low blow, but after a miss in the corner, Funk rolled Demon up in what Scott Hudson called the “Kiwi Roll,” rolling him around the ring before finally cradling him for the 1-2-3 victory.
Vampiro d. Kidman with Torrie Wilson
In this rematch from Monday’s Nitro, Kidman and Vampiro picked up where they left off. The announcers were wiped out as the fight came to the ringside area. Wilson cheered her man on as Vampiro threw Billy around the ring. Kidman fired back and after dropping Vamp to the canvas, went up for the Shooting Star Press. Vampiro caught him up in the corner and delivered the Nail In The Coffin from the top for the win.
Backstage, the nWo continued to party and gamble as the police came to the door. When the officer asked to speak to the man in charge, Nash threw Wayne Newton to the cops and they took him away.
DQ: Buff Bagwell d. The Total Package with Elizabeth
The ladies in the Las Vegas crowd screamed wildly as Buff Daddy made his way to the ring. Package posed to the crowd after dropping Bagwell with a series of clotheslines. Buff mounted a quick comeback, but was stopped in his tracks by a low blow. Buff dropped TTP with a neckbreaker and went to the top for the Buff Blockbuster. As he went for the cover, Elizabeth whacked him with the baseball bat, causing a disqualification. After the bout, Package beat on Bagwell repeatedly with the bat, injuring Buff’s right arm in the attack.
In a clip from earlier in the day, 3 Count was shown at an autograph session at the Nitro Grill in Las Vegas. As one girl came to the table, she asked if they were the Backstreet Boys. After saying yes, she still didn’t want their autographs. The Mamalukes and Disco Inferno showed up and a brawl ensued.
The Mamalukes and Disco Inferno d. 3 Count
It was the quick, lightening-like speed of 3 Count against the rugged power of The Mamalukes. Using some unique double- and triple-team maneuvers, 3 Count took it to the tag team champions. Big Vito stopped them quickly and, after a double team by the champions, Disco Inferno applied the Last Dance for the win. After the match, The Mamalukes got the mic and started a song of their own. David Flair, Daffney Unger and Crowbar ended that tune with an attack from behind. Not to be outdone, Crowbar played air guitar on his lead pipe, and Flair and Unger shook their stuff as the stunned crowd looked on.
Backstage, Arn Anderson and Terry Funk walked the back hall, looking for Sid Vicious.
Backstage, the nWo talked of their gaming tables and money being taken away. Nash lifted their spirits, noting that they still had the U.S. and World titles. He then said he was off to kick Sid’s ass.
Backstage, Anderson and Funk told Sid that the whole dressing room was on his side and told him not to worry.
Booker T with Midnight d. Jerry Flynn
Flynn attacked Booker before the bell, hoping to gain an early advantage. The shootfighting machine worked over the former tag team champion with solid kicks to th upper body. Booker regained control, and after a Harlem Sidekick, got the win over Jerry Flynn.
Interview: Ernest “The Cat” Miller
Miller came to the ring, saying he loved Vegas, but hated the fat, out-of-shape fans. The Cat challenged a man in the crowd, riling up the audience. He finished things off with a dance in his ruby red slippers.
Interview: Kimberly Page
Kimberly told Mean Gene that things are better between herself and DDP. She said she did her best when she refereed the match last week between Buff and DDP. Kim said everything is cool not only with her husband, but with Marcus as well. DDP came in and pulled her out of the interview.
Backstage, Nash and the Harris Boys talked over strategy for the upcoming title match.
Backstage, Fit Finlay showed Brian Knobs a wrench he would use against Bam Bam Bigelow. As Knobs gave Fit a hug for good luck, he took the wrench from Finlay’s pocket.
Hardcore Match
Bam Bam Bigelow d. Fit Finlay
Bam Bam and Finlay pounded on each other from the opening bell. Fit attempted to suplex Bigelow to the outside onto a table, but the Beast From The East reversed it, delivering a suplex of his own into the ring. As Finlay reached for the wrench, it wasn’t there and Bam Bam applied Greetings From Asbury Park for the win. After the match, Knobs was shown on the screen holding the wrench and laughing as Fit ran to the back.
WCW World Heavyweight Title Match
Sid Vicious d. Kevin Nash and Ron Harris
Locked in like a caged dog, Sid waited for the arrival of his two opponents. As the nWo members entered the ring, Sid went after Ron Harris, but was quickly thwarted by the WCW Commissioner. Sid was double-teamed around the ring, getting run into the cage several times. Vicious kicked out of four consecutive pin attempts by Nash and Harris. The fans brought Sid to his feet as he fought back against both men until catching a low blow that dropped him to his knees. Vicious came alive, throwing both men into the cage. In the ring, Sid applied the Crossface submission and Nash tapped out, making Vicious the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. After the bout, Ric Flair made his return, coming to the Thunder stage, applauding Sid as the new WCW Champion.