We are just six days away from WCW UnCensored 1999! The event that is unsanctioned and anything can happen. The marketing for the event has never made much sense considering WCW is actively promoting it and there’s always a referee in the matches. How could there be title matches at an event that isn’t sanctioned? Once you actually think about it, UnCensored tends to be a flawed concept.
Hogan vs. Flair is once again the main event for UnCensored and it’s going to be inside a steel cage, but not your standard steel cage. Instead, there’s going to be barbed wire attached at the top. I’ll admit that I’m a sucker for a cage match, and including barbed wire is naturally going to increase my interest. I’m hoping this is the feud ender between these two and they pivot into something fresher and not as repetitive as this feud has become.
The undercard doesn’t have anything that sticks out to me as overly entertaining. Saturn and Jericho are competing in a dog collar match, but the promos haven’t helped that angle come across well. Nash vs. Mysterio has been fine, though I don’t think anyone expects Mysterio to win the feud at the end of the day. Horsemen vs. Windham/Hennig continues to chip along and slightly drive my interest upwards.
Judging by the live crowd from Thunder, the feud between Vincent and Stevie Ray seems to be garnering a decent level of interest. Stevie Ray got a good pop when Ray attacked Vincent showing that people may actually want to see Vincent get beaten up. There’s also the apparent three-way hardcore feud between Raven, Hak and Bigelow, but there’s not much depth to their issues other than they all think they’re hardcore. Lastly, the feud between Jerry Flynn and Ernest Miller/Sonny Ono that doesn’t deserve much attention, really.
With the WCW United States Champion Scott Hall out with an injury you’d think that the number one contender, Booker T, would potentially be next in line to hold the title. That doesn’t appear to be the case and a tournament is likely to start after UnCensored. However, Booker seems to be the next challenger to WCW United States Champion Scott Steiner.
Lets see if WCW can provide some interest into UnCensored on this final Nitro before the PPV.
MARCH 8TH — WORCESTER, MA — WORCESTER CENTRUM
THE INFAMOUS FIRST HOUR OF… NOTHING?
CONTEXT: Yeah, pretty much. In an attempt to do something different WCW didn’t produce any original programming for the first hour for the live audience. Instead, the first hour consisted of video packages promoting the issues between Flair and Hogan with footage we’ve seen last week already. There was also several segments of the Nitro Party. Nash and Hogan sitting on a couch reacting to Flair’s promo on Nitro. There was some more footage of WCW Television Champion Scott Steiner and Buff Bagwell adventures. WCW Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman hanging out at the Nitro Party. Nash, Hogan and Torrie hanging out at the shooting range and they need to think of a new plan. The trio go to dinner and discuss their new plan. Torrie suggests that she’s got an even hotter friend to assist them. In my opinion, she’s nowhere near Torrie. Basically, they agree for the woman to sleep with David Flair and they agree to pay her $20,000.
Bob’s Take: This is incredible for all the wrong reasons. It’s the final Nitro before UnCensored and they spent the first hour highlighting a few feuds, but then also spent a good portion focusing on Hogan, Nash and Torrie planning their antics. Considering their first hour is unopposed with RAW, it’s even more baffling. If I was watching this show in 1999 and noticed that for an extended period of time I’m not getting any actual new programming, I’m tuning out. At this point in the Monday Night War there’s no logical reason to attempt this at a time when WCW is floundering with the fans. The next two hours better be great to makeup for that decision. As a result, my ratings for the show will essentially start with hour two. But, this is an awful start to Nitro.
MEAN GENE WITH DAVID FLAIR AND TORRIE WILSON — GOLDBERG ARRIVES — RIC FLAIR CONFRONTS GOLDBERG?!
CONTEXT: Originally, Gene was to interview Goldberg, but instead David Flair and Torrie came out to demand Ric Flair come out to the ring to talk like a man. Torrie says they aren’t going to chain themselves to the ropes and run around in their underwear they will just wait. Well, Goldberg isn’t going to wait and Goldberg joins the segment. Goldberg has respect for the Flair family and isn’t going to take care of this the other way. Goldberg suggests that David learn a lesson in respect for his father. Goldberg tells David this is his time and David doesn’t deserve to be near him. Goldberg grabs David in the corner and we see Ric Flair rushing to the ring to make the save for his son. Flair chops Goldberg and turns his attention to David. Goldberg grabs Ric and delivers a press slam. Flair recovers in the corner and he’s pissed. Flair asks Goldberg who he thinks he is. Goldberg tells Ric that he knows who he is. Flair says he’s the most powerful man in wrestling and he’s by far the greatest wrestler that’s ever lived. Goldberg tells Flair that he’s lost his family. Goldberg thinks Ric has lost his family. Flair reminds Goldberg that he’s Ric Flair and the greatest wrestler of all time who’s about to be the champion for the fourteenth time. Goldberg tells Flair he’s stepped over the line. Ric says he’s the line and challenges Goldberg to a match tonight, which Goldberg accepts.
Bob’s Take: What a bizarre turn of a events. Ric Flair is absolutely acting as if he’s a heel and it would make sense for the match with Goldberg tonight, but even the crowd seemed to be more interested in booing Flair. Just a few weeks ago Flair was beaten in a field and left for dead and now he’s turning heel? The timing of such a heel turn is kind of baffling. Could David potentially turn on Hogan at UnCensored and help Ric regain the title and do a double turn? If Hogan turns face then it seemingly makes the January 4th booking decision pointless. I’m not even sure that I’m interested in a match between Flair and Goldberg. It comes across as so out of the blue and there’s not real purpose to it. Goldberg hasn’t had much direction outside of a feud between Steiner and Bagwell on TV, but I don’t think this is a good pivot from that. 0 for 1
MATCH #1: HARDCORE HAK VS. RAVEN VS. BAM-BAM BIGELOW — FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE
FINISH: The match started off as a singles match between Hak and Raven until Bigelow joined the match when Raven put Hak through a table on the stage. They brawled for an extended period of time backstage. Raven spiked Hak with a DDT on the hood of a car, which got a pop from the crowd. Raven also put Hak head first through the windshield. Eventually, they just stop fighting and the segment ends.
Bob’s Take: Commentary is completely ignoring the fact that Hak had played the Uncle Jim character when Raven was portraying his spoiled rich kid gimmick. At one point, Raven jumped off the Nitro set to put Hak through a table on the stage. The brawling wasn’t bad, but it’s a bit repetitive. I can’t help but think of the live crowd who for an hour watched a few dark matches and then when the show starts the actual TV match to start the program takes place more so backstage causing them to watch on a screen. It was far too drawn out for this to be entertaining or effective. It’s also announced that these three are wrestling at UnCensored. 0 for 2
CHRIS JERICHO PROMO ON SATURN
CONTEXT: Jericho talks about Saturn coming out every week wearing a dress and having the audacity to challenge him to a chain match. Jericho claims to be the master of chain matches. Jericho is going to prove he’s a master by competing in a chain match tonight.
MATCH #2: CHRIS JERICHO VS. LIZMARK JR. — DOG COLLAR MATCH
FINISH: Jericho manages to get the submission with the Lion Tamer.
Bob’s Take: A mostly lifeless match. I understand what they’re going for and there’s a level of comedy behind Jericho’s antics claiming to be the master of the chain match. However, Lizmark Jr. doesn’t have any kind of connection to the audience and the longer this wen the less interesting it became. The feud between Saturn and Jericho has been rather disappointing. I’m including Jericho’s promo into this segment, too. 0 for 3
SCOTT STEINER PROMO
CONTEXT: Steiner says the fans boo him because he speaks the truth and they can’t handle the truth. Steiner claims the fans are a disgrace to the human race. Steiner suggests they sit on the couch and watch what he does best. Buff Bagwell chimes in and says that he tried to talk sense into Booker T to cancel the match, but Booker didn’t listen and he’ll get what he deserves tonight.
Bob’s Take: I mean, there wasn’t much substance to this other than Steiner doing his usual phrases. I’m surprised he didn’t reference Diamond Dallas Page at all.
MATCH #3: WCW TELEVISION CHAMPION SCOTT STEINER VS. BOOKER T
FINISH: Late in the match, Bagwell crotched Booker on the top to prevent a missile dropkick. Steiner took advantage locking in the Steiner Recliner to win the match as Booker passed out.
Bob’s Take: The closing sequence got a little bit better, but the match was not all that great. I’m thinking it was more so Steiner’s effort than it was Booker’s. Steiner isn’t the worker that he once was, but he can do much better than what he provided here. Booker failing to win the TV Championship doesn’t bother me, but I hope they don’t forget that he’s the number one contender to the WCW United States Championship. It’s at best an average match, but I’m leaning towards a lackluster outing overall. 0 for 4
JERRY FLYNN & SONNY ONO CONFRONTATION
CONTEXT: Backstage, Ono chats with Flynn and apologizes for what happened last week. Ono notes that Flynn isn’t Ernest Miller, but he’s on a winning streak and offers Flynn money. Flynn shoves Ono to the floor and is met with a kick to the back of the head by Miller. Ono cuts Flynn’s mullet to add insult to injury.
Bob’s Take: It appears the mullet for Flynn is meeting its demise, and what a tragedy that is. Shockingly, this is a fine segment as it gives more of a purpose for a match between Flynn and Miller. 1 for 5
MATCH #4: REY MYSTERIO JR. VS. SCOTT NORTON
FINISH: Norton dominated the match, but the referee is out of position allowing Mysterio to low blow Norton and wins the match.
Bob’s Take: I’m not sure if I like that Norton was put in this spot. I understand the angle that Mysterio is riding momentum as a giant killer and they want to play into that as much as they can, but Norton had some momentum with the Miller feud and he’s a badass that I want to see actually get a meaningful push in WCW. There’s probably a lot of other guys they could have sacrificed here to put Mysterio over. The finish doesn’t hurt Norton fully since Mysterio won in a cheap manner, but the way he won doesn’t even help Mysterio all that much, really. 1 for 6
MATCH #5: BRET HART VS. VAN HAMMER
FINISH: Hart avoided a kick and locked in the Sharpshooter to win the match by submission. After the match, Hart destroyed Hammer with chair shots to the knee.
Bob’s Take: This has to be a practical joke against Bret Hart, right? They have to be trolling him. Why on earth is Bret Hart wrestling Van Hammer on Nitro and doing so for more than three minutes? Bret is often seen as delusional to think WCW was actively trying to ruin his career, but I might believe it. Considering how the show has gone it is crazy to send out a guy like Van Hammer out there in the third hour of a show. I could feel the frustration from the Worcester fan in the arena. Hart has had some great matches with below average workers, but not everyone is capable of a miracle and that was the case here. 1 for 7
NWO WOLFPAC JOIN THE COMMENTARY TABLE
CONTEXT: WCW World Champion Hollywood Hogan and Kevin Nash join Tony Schiavone on commentary for the main event bout. Hogan says Flair is possessed and he’s possessed with getting Flair out of WCW forever. Nash admits they stretched the truth about Flair and Flair hasn’t sold it.
Bob’s Take: This is all Hogan’s going to do six days before UnCensored? 1 for 8
MAIN EVENT: RIC FLAIR VS. GOLDBERG
FINISH: Late in the match, Goldberg hit the spear on Flair, but the NWO Wolfpac stormed the ring through the crowd causing the match to be thrown out. Nash and Hogan left commentary and assisted in beating down Flair and Goldberg. Flair gets zero pop fighting off the NWO Wolfpac. Zero.
Bob’s Take: Flair worked this match 100% as a heel. This is not similar to the match Goldberg had with Sting on Nitro in September ’98 were they are both faces and it was 50/50 from the crowd. Goldberg is loved by the fans and by default the fans are going to jeer Flair no matter the situation. It’s a baffling decision to present Flair in this manner before the cage match at UnCensored. It feels like they are contradicting themselves. Why am I going to be inclined to cheer for Flair in six days when he’s behaving this way with the top babyface? The closing to the show confirmed to me that Flair as a babyface is done. The crowd didn’t react at all to hi fighting off the Wolfpac or at least attempting to. Why would the crowd care after his actions throughout the episode? Absolutely awful booking. 1 for 9
Well, that was easily the worst episode of Nitro that I’ve experienced thus far in 1999. The first hour is a complete waste and truly set the tone of the remainder of the program. Flair being presented as a heel has derailed the booking for the UnCensored match with Hogan. I’m curious to see how Flair is presented at the PPV and how the crowd reacts to him now. Why would I want to cheer Hogan? The same guy that screwed over the top face Goldberg just two months ago? What am I missing to make sense of this?
It’s a crazy statement, but the only segment that served any positive reason was the brief segment between Ernest Miller and Jerry Flynn. I don’t think that would have been a sentence I’d ever imagine typing out for an episode of Nitro.
The build for UnCensored hasn’t been all that good, and this episode did not help that whatsoever. I feel bad for anyone in Worcester who attended this show live.
Nitro 3/8 TV Rating: 4.4
Thanks for reading.