Coming out of Souled Out, Ric Flair is likely looking for revenge on the New World Order for the brutal beating the group issued to his young son, David Flair. The Flair’s were victorious over Hennig & Windham, but the victory celebration was short-lived due to the vicious attack by Hogan on David with a weightlifting belt. While we know that Hogan is scheduled to defend the WCW World Championship at Superbrawl IX, the opponent has not been determined yet. I would be shocked if it weren’t Ric Flair at this point. Not only do they have history, but with the personal attack on Ric’s son at the PPV it adds new heat to the rivalry to justify it.
Goldberg successfully got some measure of payback on Scott Hall at Souled Out, but Bam-Bam Bigelow reminded Goldberg that he’s in the promotion by attacking Goldberg after the match. I’d imagine that Bigelow is next on the list for Goldberg, but a pivot away from NWO shouldn’t last too long. A match between Goldberg and Bigelow could be served best for Nitro and not be saved for a pay per view at this point. I think a match between Goldberg and turncoat Luger at Superbrawl would be more ideal.
The only other major happening from Souled Out is that Perry Saturn must wear a dress after losing to Chris Jericho. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Speaking of Jericho, he challenged Booker T to a match tonight on Nitro during Booker’s internet interview segment at Souled Out.
January 18th — Columbus, OH — Value City Arena
HORSEMEN MEETING
CONTEXT: Earlier in the night, the Horsemen met backstage where Ric Flair is freaking out saying that Hogan is a dead man and works for Flair.
Bob’s Take: Simple and effective to come out of Souled Out. 1 for 1
NEW WORLD ORDER ARRIVES, BAILS — RIC FLAIR WANTS BISCHOFF’S HAIR, DAVID INTERJECTS
CONTEXT: NWO arrives in a limo and they are bragging about what they did last night to David Flair. The Horsemen storm the limo and Flair busts the window with a tire iron. The NWO drive off to avoid the Horsemen. Flair is livid and heads to the ring with Mean Gene without music. Flair says that Hogan will not walk off and make a movie because Hogan works for Flair. Flair reveals his first real shot at running the company is that at Superbrawl IX, Hogan is going to wrestle Flair for the WCW World Championship. Flair is giving Hogan five weeks for what Hogan did to his son last night. Flair warns Hogan he’ll need to kill Flair to prevent Flair from killing Hogan. Flair considers this far more than personal. Flair says that Hogan doesn’t have the guts to do anything on his own and notes that Hogan has kids that nobody knows about. Flair also mentions Bischoff and knows that Bischoff is the man behind the scenes on what happened. Flair calls out Bischoff, as well. Bischoff comes out and denies any involvement with what happened last night at Souled Out. Flair says that Bischoff can do something that every promoter has been trying to do. Flair says that Bischoff is wrestling him tonight, but Bischoff reminds Flair that he doesn’t have a wrestling contract and can choose when he wrestles. Flair talks about putting his hair on the line if Bischoff beats him. Flair proceeds to freak out and elbow drops the mat. Bischoff isn’t interested. Flair will give the company back to Bischoff, and that catches Bischoff’s attention. David Flair comes out from behind and shoves Bischoff before heading to the ring. David chimes in and challenges Bischoff tonight. Bischoff accepts to wrestle David.
Bob’s Take: Okay, Ric was great here. He’s fired up about Hogan and as I said before he’s the most logical challenger for Hogan’s championship at this point. The personal nature of the feud involving David adds fuel to the fire and adds a layer to the rivalry that helps make it not be overly repetitive. Plus, it helps that Flair and Hogan haven’t touched in a singles capacity since August 1996. Hogan and Flair together tends to do big money for WCW over the years and I think that Ric can carry the promo side of the feud to add interest into the match. I’ll say that just based off this one promo I’m feeling hyped to see Flair gets his hands on Hogan in five weeks. 2 for 2
MATCH #1: BOOKER T VS. CHRIS JERICHO
FINISH: Booker wins the match following a top rope missile dropkick.
Bob’s Take: Dickinson wasn’t the referee for the match, which you’d think he would have been to keep up with Jericho’s personal referee angle. It’s a good match that got plenty of time and a hot crowd for the action. Considering Jericho appears to be on his way out, Booker getting a clean victory isn’t a shock, at all. Booker is super over with the crowd and I’m excited to see how far he goes in ’99. Booker should absolutely be in the World Championship scene at some point this year for WCW. 3 for 3
JJ DILLION INTERVIEW
CONTEXT: Dillon talks about being back in power and announces that Scott Dickinson has been suspended for a month. That would explain his absence from the previous match. Dillon wants to corner Scott Hall backstage and says he’d love to see a triangle match between Scott Hall, Bam-Bam Bigelow and Goldberg tonight. Dillon is going to try and make that happen tonight. Dillon notes that the feud between Flair and Bischoff may not make it the 90-days. They promote the match between Bischoff and David Flair. Dillon says his father would be on his way to recovery in the hospital if he saw David pull off an upset and defeat Bischoff tonight.
Bob’s Take: WCW tying up a loose end to explain why Dickinson wasn’t the referee for Jericho’s match is the attention to detail that WCW typically lacks, and will likely not do much of in the future if 1999 holds up with my memory of it. A triangle match between Hall, Bigelow and Goldberg is an interesting bout to make, but kind of expected considering the ending of Souled Out. 4 for 4
REY MYSTERIO INTERVIEW
CONTEXT: Mean Gene wondered why Mysterio didn’t give up the LWO shirt, and Mysterio says that the colors are his colors, and has brown pride. Mysterio tells Gene that his mask is part of his life and he will never take it off. Mysterio doesn’t understand why Luger tried to take his shirt off and he will not be intimidated no matter how big they are and issues a challenge to Luger.
Bob’s Take: It’s a little bizarre because I don’t recall Mysterio fully embracing the LWO and appeared always to be at odds with Guerrero and the other members of the LWO. A match with Luger isn’t the greatest attraction, but if they are attempting to move Mysterio upward and out of the Cruiserweight division it could be a good start. 5 for 5
MATCH #2: ERIC BISCHOFF VS. DAVID FLAIR — WINNER GAINS CONTROL OF COMPANY; HAIR VS. HAIR
FINISH: Flair wins the match after decking Bischoff with a roll of quarters given to him by referee Randy Anderson (who Bischoff had fired in the past).
Bob’s Take: It’s less than a minute of a half for a match, but David looked more awkward than Bischoff does in the ring. There should be zero reason for David to compete in the ring again. At least not until he’s properly trained and is comfortable in the ring. The segment of Bischoff getting his hair shaved is enjoyable, too. So, I’ll consider this overall a positive segment since it’s realistically designed to embarrass Bischoff. 6 for 6.
CHRIS JERICHO CHATS WITH JJ DILLON
CONTEXT: Jericho is backstage talking with Dillon about how much he respects JJ and he’s excited that Dillon is back in charge. Jericho reminds JJ that Saturn needs to wear a dress. Well, Saturn needs to wear the dress at all times in the arena. Jericho tells JJ to enforce the contract. Saturn walks into the scene and Dillon tells Saturn that he needs to continue to wear the dress at all times in the arena. Saturn can’t believe it and takes the dress.
Bob’s Take: I thought it was rather clear that Saturn had to wear the dress for an extended period of time? I could be wrong, but I didn’t think it was for one night only. This at least gives Saturn to do. 7 for 7
KONNAN IN-RING PROMO
CONTEXT: Konnan’s new theme music is his rap song. Konnan says that he tried to put gang hits on Hogan, but they got nixed by Nash. Konnan represents the people who came out from the hood. Konnan credits the Wolfpac for being there in the gym and the birth of is chiils, but they betrayed him. Konnan promises to be up the Wolfpac’s behinds like he’s a tight pair of jeans. Konnan now threatens to put a gang hit on Luger and Nash and says he’ll reach out for help from Goldberg and DDP if he needs to. Konnan finished off by saying the view never changes if you’re not the lead wolf.
Bob’s Take: I want to believe that Konnan could be a threat to the Wolfpac, but I can’t get myself into thinking that he could defeat a guy like Nash or Hogan. The highest I can envision Konnan going to beating the likes of Luger or Hall (which he’s beaten Hall before). So, in that sense I don’t think Konnan could be presented as a main event player in the current situation. He very well could get there, but it might take a little while to believe it. The promo wasn’t bad as it’s the typical promo by Konnan, but it feels like it’s empty promises for the most part. 7 for 8
MATCH #3: FACES OF FEAR VS. BOBBY DUNCUM JR. & MIKE ENOS IN A WCW TAG TITLE TOURNAMENT MATCH
FINISH: Well, during the match the NWO Wolfpac returned to the arena and are greeted by the Black & White. Bischoff shows them his bald head and they head towards the ring. As they’ve said before, the tag title tournament isn’t going to happen and they proceeded to attack everyone involved in the match. As a result, it’s a no contest.
Bob’s Take: This is the first time on the show that the crowd is noticeably indifferent about the action in the ring. It seems a bit overkill to have the Wolfpac care about the tag titles. Unless Hall & Nash are going to be the champions again I don’t see the point of it. 7 for 9
NWO WOLFPAC PROMO
CONTEXT: Nash reminds us that the tag tournament isn’t going to happen. Nash says it’s the end of the world and he feels fine. Hogan proclaims this is the armageddon of WCW for what they did to Bischoff tonight. Hogan says that David Flair’s blood is on his weight belt. Hogan accepts the challenge for Superbrawl IX. Hogan declares that they will make Ric Flair’s life a living hell. Hogan promises that someone is going to die and it’s his job to put the silver steak into Flair’s heart. Hogan warns that when you mess with the brotherhood you mess with the brotherhood for life.
Bob’s Take: Flair’s promo was much better than this one. I want to see Flair kick Hogan’s ass. 7 for 10
MATCH #4: WRATH VS. DISCO INFERNO
FINISH: Late in the match, Scott Hall caused a distraction with the stun gun and that allowed Inferno to hit the Chartbuster and pinned Wrath.
Bob’s Take: Sure, Hall got involved and it kind of protects Wrath, but I absolutely hate this. While Wrath’s momentum has been stalled and it’s obvious there’s no desire to push him past a certain level, this is decision is infuriating. Inferno’s association with the Wolfpac doesn’t fit and he’s not a cool character to maintain the image of what the Wolfpac is attempting to accomplish. I can understand the decision to job Wrath to Bigelow at Souled Out since Bigelow is destined for Goldberg, but Inferno isn’t advancing up the card. This feels like killing a character for the sake of killing a character and maintaining a pop for the NWO. 7 for 11
SCOTT STEINER CUTS OFF THE NITRO GRILS
CONTEXT: Steiner wants the girls to stop dancing because he’s looking for romance. Steiner signals out Chae, but Kimberly gets involved and Steiner reminds her that he’s beaten her man, DDP. The Nitro Girls walk off in disgust.
Bob’s Take: Clearly the feud with Diamond Dallas Page wasn’t just a one-off Nitro match. The focus on Kimberly could likely mean she’ll be used to advanced it. DDP wasn’t cool with Kimberly by his side years ago, and it wouldn’t be cool now to do it either. 7 for 12
SCOTT STEINER PROMO
CONTEXT: Steiner gets in the ring and insults Saturn for looking gross in a dress. He’s going to show Saturn what it’s like to wrestle against a real man. Steiner insults Saturn and suggests that he’s gay right to his face.
Bob’s Take: A simple promo to add promotion and context to the match instead of it being random and serving no purpose. 8 for 13
MATCH #5: WCW TELEVISION CHAMPION SCOTT STEINER VS. PERRY SATURN —NON TITLE
FINISH: Late in the match, Buff Bagwell caused a distraction allowing Steiner to hit an overhead suplex and locked in the Steiner Recliner to force Saturn to pass out.
Bob’s Take: I enjoyed the match. Saturn working a dress gimmick is fine and I’m sure they will hype him up for still being a badass while wearing a dress. This is another match where the distraction isn’t needed to justify the loss. Steiner should be able to defeat a guy like Saturn in a clean finish. 9 for 14
KEVIN NASH & LEX LUGER PROMO
CONTEXT: Elizabeth is out there with them, too. Nash pokes fun at Konnan’s catchphrase and says that Konnan knows if it wasn’t for them he’d still be curtain jerker. Nash doesn’t think Konnan has heart, endurance or soul. Nash also brings up how the view never changes when you’re not the lead wolf, and says that Konnan was always looking at the backside of the Wolfpac. Luger insults Mysterio for not being bigger than his leg. Luger threatens to take Mysterio’s mask tonight, unless Mysterio gives the mask up to them backstage. Otherwise, they will kick Rey’s ass and then take the mask anyway.
Bob’s Take: Nash is a cool heel. Luger is not a cool heel. Nash is funny. Luger is not funny. I feel like Luger would be a better fit as the leader of the Black & White, or simply not being part of the Wolfpac. I know that Sting is off TV, but when he comes back I’m sure there they will play into this as to how could Luger betray their friendship and WCW when Sting already betrayed WCW himself by associating with the NWO Wolfpac. 9 for 15
SCOTT STEINER HARASSING KIMBERLY
CONTEXT: Backstage, Steiner is bugging Kimberly about being with a real man. Steiner thinks they should be together because they both have great bodies. The Nitro Girls tell Steiner to leave their locker room. Security escorts Steiner out of the room.
Bob’s Take: Yeah, Kimberly is going to be at the center of this and I’m not liking it. 9 for 16
MATCH #6: JUVENTUD GUERRERA VS. PSYCHOSIS
FINISH: Psychosis wins the match following a top rope leg drop
Bob’s Take: While the Cruiserweight division tends to be a lot of fun and enjoyable to watch the main three guys vying for the championships usually is Kidman, Mysterio and Juventud since the fall of ’98. Guys such as Malenko and Jericho have seemingly moved onto other goals. Psychosis winning here in a clean fashion is a great decision and having another viable contender to the gold only helps the division. As expected, it’s a solid match, but also a bit sloppy. I love the clean finish for Psychosis. 10 for 17
MATCH #7: LEX LUGER VS. REY MYSTERIO JR.
FINISH: Late in the match, Kevin Nash gets involved causing a disqualification to give Rey Mysterio the victory. After the match, Nash plants Mysterio with a powerbomb. Luger puts the Torture Rack on Mysterio, as well. Konnan runs down to make the save with a steel chair.
Bob’s Take: I enjoyed that a lot more than I ever expected to. Luger bumped around well for Mysterio and allowed Mysterio to hit a lot of his move set. What if Mysterio upset Luger here? What about that would be such a negative? Luger isn’t a main target of Goldberg, at least not in the short-term. Mysterio is a lot of fun and being presented as an underdog who can beat the heavyweights would be a lot of fun. It feels as if WCW simply can’t make the jump to take a risk when the timing to take a risk is perfect. 11 for 18
SCOTT STEINER CONTINUES TO ANNOY KIMBERLY
CONTEXT: Steiner has cornered Kimberly in a bathroom about having sex with him. DDP is in Vegas for the opening of the Nitro Grill. Steiner thinks the other women are jealous of him. Steiner tells Kimberly that he beat DDP for her and believes they belong together. Steiner argues with security.
Bob’s Take: Steiner isn’t coming across as some cool badass by annoyingly beg Kimberly in the manner that he is doing. This is basically the second week out of three Nitro’s that have involved stalking to some extent even if one of them was a lie for a ploy. 11 for 19
MAIN EVENT: GOLDBERG VS. SCOTT HALL VS. BAM-BAM BIGELOW
FINISH: Brian Adams runs into the ring and attacks Goldberg after hitting the Jackhammer on Hall. The entire Black & White NWO stable comes out to attack Goldberg until the Wolfpac also make their way out to get in on the fun. Ric Flair and Horsemen storm the ring to make the save. Hogan bails upon seeing Flair. Flair pummels Hall with chops on the ramp and continues to chase Hogan. Arn Anderson cleaned house with a tire iron. Flair chases after the NWO limo in the parking lot to end the program.
Bob’s Take: Don’t book matches in the main event if you don’t have a finish for them. People want to see Goldberg dominate and win matches. Bigelow not losing here makes it obvious that they’re holding off on that until Superbrawl. I’d guess. I’ve read a few reports for the show written in 1999, and Bigelow didn’t connect as a main event threat. His booking certainly hasn’t helped with that. Losing to Goldberg whether it’s on TV or PPV doesn’t matter. It’s expected they’re going to lose. He’s the most over babyface along with Flair and he’s a force to be reckoned with. Personally, I’d have Hal take the pin loss here and save Bigelow for later. Goldberg destroying both guys was enjoyable for what it was and the ending entertained me for being chaotic and the good guys standing tall. 12 for 19
A little better of a Nitro compared to the other two to start the year. The segments that I didn’t enjoy didn’t last too long, so the rating probably could be higher if you’re basing it on the percentages. The crowd was hot for most of the show and there was some good, quality wrestling throughout the show. I just wish WCW allowed finishes to the matches instead of constant interference or relying on distractions to allow a pin/submission.
I liked the presentation for Rey Mysterio Jr. against Luger and the Wolfpac. WCW has so much talent that is young and still ‘fresh’ to the main event scene or even the upper midcard. The product gets stale when the same handful of guys are challenging for the same titles in the same feuds over and over again. Goldberg got over big time because he hadn’t chased after the title for years and years. WWF tends to switch it up on a consistent basis and doesn’t normally feel flat or on the verge of being flat.
Now, I say that and then I’ll say that Flair/Hogan for the title is the right move. They’ve been apart in a singles capacity for over two years and there’s a layer of personal issue attached this time around. If they had been feuding for eight months before this point, I’m sure it wouldn’t be nearly as compelling. Plus, Flair seems to unleash another level of livid when it comes to Hogan and his antics. It’s also good booking for the NWO to not constantly dominate WCW on a weekly basis. It’s good for both brands to come across as equals.
1/18 Nitro TV Rating: 4.4
Thanks for reading.