Souled Out, the first pay per view for 1999, is only six days away and as of this point there has only been one match officially made for the event. Ric Flair teaming with his son David Flair to take on the team of Curt Hennig and Barry Windham. David has, well, zero professional wrestling experience and in the brief time he’s been on television it’s obvious that he’s a nervous, awkward kid put in a horrible spot. It’s made even worse since Arn Anderson has decided to endorse David as being a guy who knows what he’s doing in the ring. That’s a dangerous thing to do and puts Arn’s credibility on the line.
Currently, the major angle is Hollywood Hogan regaining the WCW World Championship last week on Nitro when the NWO Wolfpac reformed due to Nash taking the dive to allow Hogan to regain the title. Goldberg is on the hunt. As a viewer, the end game has to be Goldberg vs. Hogan and this time on PPV.
Tonight, the Giant looks to become the only true giant in the NWO when he squares off against Kevin Nash. It’s safe to say that Giant’s booking since the summer of ’98 has been… questionable. The logic behind Giant rejoining the NWO makes very little sense. It’s as if WCW had no idea how to book Giant, and in recent years Bischoff has noted that to be the case on his podcast. It’s fairly obvious that Giant’s days in WCW are numbered.
January 11th — Knoxville, TN – UT Arena
RIC FLAIR SPEAKS
CONTEXT: Flair cuts a promo about the Souled Out match where he’s teaming with his son David Flair to take on Curt Hennig & Barry Windham. Flair promises to get a piece of them on Sunday. Flair brings up WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan and notes that he had a meeting with Turner execs and reveals that Hogan is signed through 2001. Flair proclaims that Hogan isn’t going to Hollywood or the White House and is instead working for him. Flair reinstates JJ Dillon as the Chairman of the Executive Committee. Dillon announces that Hogan’s first title defense will be at Superbrawl IX, but doesn’t reveal the opponent yet. Dillon also announces that at Souled Out Goldberg and Scott Hall will compete in a ladder match with a taser hanging from the ceiling. That match will be the main event for Souled Out. Flair also calls out the LWO and recruits them to breakup since Eddie Guerrero is out of action with a broken leg. Flair promises them money, cars and women. All of them take off their LWO shirts, except for Rey Mysterio Jr. Lastly, Flair notes that they are one match short tonight and Flair wants to wrestle. Thus, Flair is wrestling Curt Hennig tonight.
Bob’s Take: There’s no denying that Flair is over with the crowd as he got quite the ovation. Hall vs. Goldberg in a ladder match is a little baffling. Hall has had a few memorable ladder matches and would likely have an advantage over Goldberg, who has never competed in a ladder match. Do we really want to see Goldberg compete in a ladder match? The LWO portion is a little weird, too. I mean, did it really need to happen? They aren’t going to be put in a position to help WCW lets be realistic. Flair vs. Hennig isn’t a major interest of mine either. The promo by Flair was fine, but a lot of the material here left me a bit confused as to what direction they’d be going in. (0 for 1)
PERRY SATURN SPEAKS
CONTEXT: Saturn wants a rematch with Jericho since Jericho and Scott Dickinson have screwed him over. Jericho and Ralphus join the segment. Jericho proclaims that he’s beaten Saturn fair and square. Jericho suggests that with all the whining that Saturn should be wearing a dress. Jericho agrees to a rematch, but only if Saturn agrees to wear a dress for the rest of his career when Jericho wins. Saturn initially refuses, but eventually agrees in order to get his hands on Jericho.
Bob’s Take: Cutting a promo right after Flair is a tough task and it stood out even more how much charisma Saturn is lacking as a promo. A dress stipulation adds a bit of interest into the feud between Jericho and Saturn that had mostly involved a crooked referee and thus there wasn’t much heat on the actual heel, Jericho. I’d guess that Saturn is going to get screwed over again and be forced to wear a dress. Jericho carried this segment. (1 for 2)
MATCH #1: THE CAT DEFEATED PERRY SATURN BY DISQUALIFICATION
FINISH: Jericho attacked Saturn with a shovel. The crooked referee Dickinson awarded the match to Miller by DQ. Jericho struggles to put a dress on Saturn, and ends up giving up on the idea.
Bob’s Take: The action between Saturn and Cat wasn’t too bad for what it was. Jericho’s involvement was rather predictable. It was a little humorous that Jericho couldn’t figure out how to put a dress on Saturn. I’m glad they’re trying to get some heat on Jericho and not have it only be on the referee. (2 for 3)
THE MEETING BETWEEN BISCHOFF & FLAIR
CONTEXT: BIschoff arrives to the office and finds out his key card doesn’t work. Upon meeting with Flair, Bischoff claims that he knew nothing about the Nash/Hogan deal last Monday (yeah, right). Flair promises to make Bischoff’s life a living hell for the next 90-days. Flair ends up forcing Bischoff to ride in the ring truck and help setup the ring. Bischoff begrudgingly goes alone with it.
Bob’s Take: Bischoff’s torture for the next ninety days continues here. It’s entertaining to see Bischoff be treated poorly since he’s been on the other end of it for several years. While Bischoff is being treated this way by Flair, it also doesn’t seem to be fully satisfying because the NWO has the WCW World Championship. It feels as if Bischoff is going to power through the next three months because ultimately the NWO has what they truly want and that’s the WCW World Championship. (3 for 4)
A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR PEPE THE MOP; ENDS IN TRAGEDY
CONTEXT: Chavo note that Pepe has been having a tough go lately, which is noted by the neckbrace that Pepe is wearing. Chavo wants to celebrate Pepe’s birthday and there’s a cake on a table on the aisle. Gene and the crowd sing happy birthday, but Norman Smiley comes out and is upset about not being invited to the party. Norman acts as if he wants to apologize to Pepe, and Pepe accepts while Chavo doesn’t. That prompts Smiley to attack Chavo by hitting a slam on the ramp and rams Chavo in the railing. Since it professional wrestling and there’s a cake, Chavo’s face goes into the cake. Smiley continues with another slam onto the table and abducts Pepe. Eventually, we see Smiley toss Pepe into a running wood-chipper and murders Pepe. Of course, Chavo is distraught that his friend has been murdered.
Bob’s Take: Last week we had false accusations of aggravated stalking and this week we witness murder (of a mop). This is a bizarre feud for the undercard. These two are entertaining wrestlers and are saddled with a poor angle to justify them wrestling. Pepe being murdered is likely a way to drop that portion of the Chavo character. Smiley now has the stigma of a stick horse murderer. I didn’t enjoy this and it felt like the crowd hated it, too. (3 for 5)
RAVEN & HIS FAMILY
CONTEXT: Raven is playing a game with Jim (Sandman from ECW). Jim is trying to convince Raven to ditch Kanyon similar to how Raven ditched Saturn. Raven isn’t all that interested in that idea and wants his high school yearbook. Raven is upset that the yearbook has been moved to the garage due to his grandmother moving in. Raven goes to the garage and finds a bunch of Roddy Piper pictures.
Bob’s Take: I may not be the biggest Piper fan, but Raven getting a potential program with an icon like Piper would be awesome. WCW needs to take chances and elevate fresh guys into the main event scene. Raven could fit that need. (4 for 6)
THE NEW WORLD ORDER ARRIVES WITH A MOTORCYCLE ESCORT
CONTEXT: Hogan tells Black & White they were suppose to meet them at the Hyatt hotel. There appears to be a little bit of a disagreement, but they head to the ring together. The WCW World Championship is now spray painted red NWO letters. Apparently the the guys on motorcycles are from Hell’s Angels. Curt Hennig continues to be part of the group, but is noticeably the only man to not be wearing an NWO shirt and is wearing a blue suit. Stevie Ray, who hadn’t been seen for a week, is standing there, as well. Hogan says that he’d wrestle anyone every night since he’s under contract. Hogan also declares he’ll be President and the World Champion. Nash is going to show the nation why he’s the true one and only giant. WCW TV Champion Scott Steiner chimes in and puts himself over as having the greatest body. Steiner will be defending against Diamond Dallas Page tonight. Steiner is going to puke if Page is considered the People’s Champion one more time. Steiner suggests Page is the People’s Champion since he’s white trash. Steiner promises to take DDP’s wife tonight and show her what it’s like to be with a real man since she wants him. Hogan says that nobody is going to get in their business anymore with Hell’s Angels in their corner now.
Bob’s Take: I was really hoping that the Black & White association would dissolve, but the Wolfpac continues to be brought down with the bloated group. NWO trying to be cool with Hell’s Angels didn’t translate that way to me, at all. It felt like a group of old dudes going through a midlife crisis through a group of other guys actually going through a midlife crisis. (4 for 7)
MATCH #2: REY MYSTERIO JR. FOUGHT KAZ HAYASHI TO A NO CONTEST
FINISH: Lex Luger came out and attacked Hayashi on the floor sending Hayashi into the railing. Luger confronts Mysterio in the ring and tells Mysterio to take the LWO shirt off, but Mysterio refuses. Luger proceeds to attack Mysterio and tears the shirt off before dumping Rey to the apron. Rey hits a springboard dropkick and hits a top rope crossbody. Luger stops Mysterio with a backbreaker and delivers stomps. Luger puts the Torture Rack on Mysterio until Konnan comes down to the ring.
LEX LUGER ATTACKS REY MYSTERIO JR, KONNAN KICKED OUT OF WOLFPAC
CONTEXT: Luger confronts Mysterio in the ring and tells Mysterio to take the LWO shirt off, but Mysterio refuses. Luger proceeds to attack Mysterio and tears the shirt off before dumping REy to the apron. Rey hits a springboard dropkick and hits a top rope crossbody. Luger stops Mysterio with a backbreaker and delivers stomps. Luger puts the Torture Rack on Mysterio until Konnan comes down to the ring. Konnan tells Luger that he’s always looked out for Mysterio. Kevin Nash leads the rest of the NWO Wolfpac coming to the ring. Luger says that Rey isn’t Wolfpac and can’t wear the shirt. (Lex, it’s an LWO shirt). Nash taunts Konnan and Luger attacks Konnan. Konnan is beaten down by the Wolfpac and is officially kicked out of the Wolfpac. Scott Hall uses the taser on Konnan. Nash spray paints Konnan’s back. A piped in “We Want Sting” chant echos in the arena.
Bob’s Take: I’ll lump in the match and aftermath together to keep it simple. Konnan being kicked out of the group makes the most sense considering he’s not been with the group on any of the TV shows since January 4th. I’m not sure if Lex botched or was being funny, but to attack Rey for wearing the LWO shirt thinking Rey is trying to be NWO would be hilarious. I enjoyed the match/segment. There’s potential for Konnan to be a strong babyface against the NWO and if Rey is associated with Konnan it will only help them both. (5 for 8)
THE GIANT WARNS THE NEW WORLD ORDER
CONTEXT: Mean Gene chats with Giant, who says that he did fall for Savage two weeks ago, but he’s had enough of Hogan and the NWO. Giant is going to take out Nash tonight and then take the rest of the NWO out, including Hogan.
Bob’s Take: Giant came out to basically nothing of a response, which cements the mindset that he’s on borrowed time in WCW. It’s truly a shame how poorly Giant has been booked for nearly the past year. Giant never should have rejoined the NWO. That is likely his ultimate downfall. There’s only so many times that I can listen to Giant claim that he’s done with the NWO and then rejoins them for zero logical reason. Also, Giant looked incredibly winded and was struggling for air simply by walking to the ring for a promo. That’s a bit concerning. (5 for 9)
MATCH #3: BOOKER T DEFEATED LENNY LANE
FINISH: Booker pins Lane following a leaping side kick.
Bob’s Take: Booker T is an absolute star. Squash matches don’t bother me especially when you’re trying to fill out a three hour program. I can see frustration for fans at the time because the WWF would hardly ever put on a true squash match. I like Lane and Booker looked great throughout the match. Booker is a must-watch guy for me at this point. If he’s on the screen I’m paying attention. (6 for 10)
NASH & HOGAN MAKE A MOCKERY OF THEIR 1/4 MATCH
CONTEXT: There’s a video package where Kevin Nash and WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan had a mock segment where they acted like they had an incredible match and how they were both the most difficult opponent they’ve ever competed against.
Bob’s Take: Nash was rather funny for the segment. I enjoyed it for the simplistic nature of the video package. (7 for 11)
MATCH #4: WCW TELEVISION CHAMPION SCOTT STEINER DEFEATED DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE TO RETAIN THE TITLE
FINISH: Late in the match, Bagwell blinded DDP with powder leading to a diamond cutter on Vincent. Steiner uses a chair on DDP and locks in the Steiner Recliner to win the match and retain the title.
Bob’s Take: A decent title match, but it felt as if it never fully got going. That shouldn’t be overly surprising for a TV match, but I expected more from these two. The finish doesn’t bug me as at least there was a winner and it didn’t end in a DQ. Steiner is one guy who probably should avoid needing help to win matches. The man is a genetic freak and anyone losing to Steiner isn’t going to come across weak by any means. (8 for 12)
PRE-TAPE GOLDBERG INTERVIEW
CONTEXT: Goldberg has been an athlete his whole life and has made mistakes, but people who rise and overcome correct mistakes. Goldberg’s mistake was thinking his match with Nash would be a fair, one on one match. Goldberg believes he’s earned a doctorate in professional wrestling and promises to not make the same mistake again.
Bob’s Take: It came across whiny to me, but he’s right in that he got screwed over. I think I’d rather Goldberg be the silent badass who destroys people. (8 for 13)
ERIC BISCHOFF — HARD WORKING EVERYDAY MAN
CONTEXT: Bischoff is helping setup the ring and carrying mats. During the job, it looks like Bischoff put something in his pocket while grabbing the ring ropes. I’m not sure what it was, but it might be something to pay attention to. Oh, the object was a wrench to help tighten the ring ropes.
Bob’s Take: I do find entertainment in seeing Bischoff get annoyed, I will say that. (9 for 14)
SCOTT HALL PROMO
CONTEXT: Hall cuts a promo about Goldberg talking about mistakes and how Goldberg made a mistake running into the Wolfpac. Hall takes a survey asking how many fans want to see Goldberg get shocked again. Shockingly. the crowd is not keen on the idea.
MATCH #5: SCOTT HALL DEFEATED BAM-BAM BIGELOW
FINISH: Late in the match, Disco Inferno arrived to ringside and has a taser. Wrath shoved Bigelow off the ropes, but is knocked off. Hall uses the taser on Bigelow and picked up the win.
Bob’s Take: This is a bizarre booking decision. Bigelow doing jobs before he wrestles Goldberg is an honestly baffling decision. There are dozens of guys other than Bigelow who could have been put in this spot to lose to Hall. The Wrath involvement doesn’t advance their feud anyway. This honestly feels like a way to indirectly impact Goldberg’s booking the future. Bigelow’s first loss in WCW should have been to Goldberg and nobody else until then. (9 for 15)
PRE-TAPE GOLDBERG INTERVIEW — CONTINUED
CONTEXT: Goldberg isn’t pressed by Nash, at all. Goldberg considers Hall to be a loser. Goldberg is most shocked by Luger and would have never expected Luger to do what he did. Class starts on Sunday, don’t be late.
Bob’s Take: Luger has betrayed his friends before, Goldberg. You’re just naive. Luger betrayed WCW by joining NWO Wolfpac, if you think about it. (9 for 16)
MATCH #6: RIC FLAIR DEFEATED CURT HENNIG BY DISQUALIFICATION
FINISH: Late in the match, Hennig and Windham attack David Flair on the floor. That sends Flair into a rage. Windham attacks Flair as Flair put the figure four on Hennig, causing the disqualification. David trips the heels from the floor and tosses his father a chair to chase the heels from the ring.
Bob’s Take: To his credit, David showed some intensity instead of standing there as an awkward young man. The match didn’t do much for me, though. Plus, the angle for these guys isn’t all that interesting. Flair focusing on guys loosely associated with the NWO seems to be wasteful. I’d probably book Flair against Nash for Souled Out instead of this tag match. (9 for 17)
PRE-TAPE GOLDBERG INTERVIEW — CONTINUED
CONTEXT: Goldberg says the question will no longer be who’s next, but rather who’s left? Goldberg promises Hall is first on Sunday at Souled Out. Don’t be late.
Bob’s Take: I’m not digging these pre-tape promos by Goldberg. (9 for 18)
MAIN EVENT: KEVIN NASH DEFEATED THE GIANT
FINISH: Late in the match, Giant chokeslams Scott Hall, but Kevin Nash goes to the floor to grab a wrench. The same wrench that Bischoff was using earlier in the evening. Nash pins Giant to win the match. After the match, Bischoff goes to the commentary table to say Nash is the corporate giant. The New World Order comes out to celebrate the victory. Hall uses the taser on Giant and gets the spray paint treatment to end the show.
Bob’s Take: It’s a rather weird experience watching a match where everyone in the arena knows that Giant has no chance and they don’t buy into anything going on. I had a feeling that the wrench was going to play a part somewhere on the show when Bischoff snuck it in his pocket. Bischoff continues to outsmart Flair, which kind of defeats the purpose of Flair being in control if Bischoff is able to prevail every week. As you’d expect, this wasn’t a good match. (9 for 19)
This show didn’t do much of anything to get me excited for Souled Out. The Flair’s/Windham & Hennig feud is not nearly enough to draw a pay per view. Goldberg/Hall in a ladder match comes across as putting Goldberg at a disadvantage considering Hall’s history with ladder matches and Goldberg never being in such a match ever.
Bigelow’s booking on the show is a major disappointment. He’s only been in the promotion for less than three months and seemed destined for a match with Goldberg. Goldberg should be the first guy to beat Bigelow, but instead they do it here with Hall in a complete throwaway match for seemingly zero logical reason. Sure, Hall is in the main event Souled Out, but still.
Raven’s potential feud with Piper as teased on this show could be interesting.
Konnan & Rey Mysterio Jr. as a duo going after the NWO Wolfpac is something I can get behind. I’d love for Mysterio to be highlighted more. Konnan has a connection with the fans and they are believable underdog duo in this kind of situation.
I would absolutely push Booker T to the moon and not even think twice about it.
NWO Wolfpac didn’t come across as the cool guys that they have been in years past. The vibe with Hell’s Angels didn’t translate well with me, at all. The association with Black & White needs to end. Otherwise, what was the point of the Wolfpac forming if they still have the lesser than guys with them in the ring every single time? It doesn’t make sense to me.
1/11 WCW Nitro TV Rating: 5.0
Thanks for reading.