APRIL 19TH — GAINESVILLE, FL — O’CONNELL CENTER
GOLDBERG ARRIVES AND HE’S GOING FOR THE TITLE TONIGHT
CONTEXT: A white car arrives to the arena and Goldberg gets out with a briefcase. Goldberg claims that he’s next and he’s wrestling DDP for the WCW World Championship.
Bob’s Take: I’d imagine the logical direction would be to avoid having Goldberg challenge for the title on Nitro. Goldberg can’t be challenging for the title and not winning. That’s the whole draw for Goldberg. This already screams to me that it’s a match that shouldn’t be booked. There’s no way that DDP is going to go over Goldberg without a BS finish being used. So, I’m a bit skeptical about the main event, but it’s a strong main event regardless if it happens. 1 for 1
MATCH #1: CHRIS BENOIT & DEAN MALENKO VS. THE ARMSTRONGS (SCOTT & STEVE)
FINISH: Malenko locks in the Texas Cloverleaf forcing a submission on Scott Armstrong.
Bob’s Take: There was some good energy to this one, which I wasn’t expecting since the Armstrong Brothers are typically an enhancement team. However, they got some shine and even got to attack Arn Anderson, and that got a pop from the audience, too. Horsemen picking up a clean win is a good thing to give them some momentum in the three team feud that has developed over the tag titles. Armstrongs would be a fine addition to the tag rotation if to only put over the other teams on the A and B shows. 2 for 2
RODDY PIPER IS BACKSTAGE LOOKING AT DOCUMENTS
CONTEXT: Piper is given the papers that the woman from Thunder had Ric Flair sign. Piper says coo-coo nest and whistles.
Bob’s Take: It looks like Flair is going to a mental hospital, or committed in some way. If that’s case, it’s likely going to come across poorly. This screams a WWF segment is on the way. 2 for 3
RANDY SAVAGE TRIES TO ENTER THE BUILDING, BUT IS STOPPED UNTIL PIPER HELPS
CONTEXT: Doug Dillinger stops Randy Savage and Gorgeous George from entering the building because he’s barred per Ric Flair. Roddy Piper enters the scene and lets them in since Flair may not be WCW President by the end of the night. Piper promises he’ll take the fall for Dillinger.
Bob’s Take: That makes it clear that Piper is here to uproot the power from Flair as the acting commissioner, which is watering down the idea of who has power anyway. 2 for 4
WCW WORLD CHAMPION DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE INTERVIEW, GOLDBERG CONFRONTATION
CONTEXT: DDP comes out for an interview and is greeted with a heavy amount of cheers, and not jeers. DDP gives a shoutout to Hollywood Hogan because Hogan is having surgery on his knee. DDP says being champion has been the greatest week of his life. DDP thinks Goldberg gets a little overzealous sometimes. DDP wants Goldberg to get focused and stop working himself up. DDP knows what it is like to climb the ladder and grab the brass ring. DDP knows that Goldberg wants to be him. DDP knows that because he sees a lot of himself in Goldberg. DDP would love to put the title on the line tonight, but that’s not going to happen. That’s when Goldberg’s music hits and Goldberg joins the segment. Goldberg gets in DDP’s face as Gene left the ring. Apparently, DDP has said yes to the match once Goldberg got in DDP’s face.
Bob’s Take: It’s an interesting thing to witness DDP get cheered loudly, and at a snap of a finger the crowd turns on DDP because he’s wrestling Goldberg. DDP is doing a good job of letting the fact as World Champion get to his head and become a bit of brat and conceded. Goldberg coming out and having only a standoff to make the match happen was a good approach, too. I liked the segment overall. 3 for 5
RODDY PIPER & DAVID FLAIR BACKSTAGE CHATTING
CONTEXT: Piper is telling David that this is the best thing for Ric. It would be for only 72-hours and David signs the papers to allow Ric to be committed.
Bob’s Take: David sure loves Surge as he constantly drank from a bottle likely signifying his nerves. I suppose since David is family his signature was needed to allow Ric to be observed. Of course that would be easy to get accomplished since David hates his father. 4 for 6
MEAN GENE GETS AN UPDATE FROM DDP
CONTEXT: DDP meets up with Gene backstage and confirms that the title is on the line and he’s never walked away from a challenge in his whole life. Gene shows footage from Spring Stampede where DDP injured Hogan’s knee with a figure four around the ring post. DDP walked off during the promo and said again that he was sorry.
Bob’s Take: The constant reference to DDP injuring Hogan at Spring Stampede would make me think that in a traditional booking sense DDP would be holding the title until Hogan returns and Hogan dethrones DDP for the strap. If DDP’s reign doesn’t level out ratings and they plummet they’ll pivot from him because they are in true panic mode. 5 for 7
MATCH #2: WCW CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION REY MYSTERIO JR. VS. PSYCHOSIS VS. BLITZKRIEG VS. JUVENTUD GUERRERA
NOTE: Before the match starts, the camera focuses on someone in the front row. Schiavone notes that it looks like Alex Wright, but he’s looking drastically different than his previous look.
FINISH: Late in the match, Psychosis front suplexs Blitzkrieg off the top and hit a top rope leg drop to pin Blitzkrieg to win the title.
Bob’s Take: These four got around 20-minutes to put on some great action, and it delivered a great match. I’d say this is close to the Kidman/Rey from March, but probably behind it in terms of best match thus far on Nitro. The crowd started off hot for the action, but as the match progressed after around ten minutes, they noticeably came across less energetic. The crash style of wrestling is always entertaining, but when there’s a lot going on it can burn out a crowd in an extended time setting. Psychosis winning the title got a flat reaction from the crowd, but I love it. I’ve liked Psychosis since his debut in WCW and having him finally win a title is cool with me. Sure, Psychosis pinned the least established man in the match, but it still counts. This could be another opportunity to elevate Mysterio out of the Cruiserweight division once again. 6 for 8
RIC FLAIR & RODDY PIPER CONFRONTATION, WHO HAS POWER?
CONTEXT: Flair says he and Arn Anderson are there for one reason and says it’s because people think they can out party him at the Swamp. Flair offers to buy a drink for anyone that wants to drink with him. Flair reminds Gene that he’s the President of the company and can do whatever he wants, but that’s when Roddy Piper comes out to join the segment. Flair asks what Piper is doing out there during his time. Piper says Flair is quickly becoming the Dennis Rodman of WCW, and declares that Flair has lost his mind. Piper notes that Flair signed papers that he didn’t even read. Piper knows that Flair isn’t buying anyone drinks and says Flair isn’t well enough to be President. Flair tells Piper that he calls the shots in the company. Piper says he’s Flair’s reality check and mentions Flair tossed his expensive shoes into the crowd. Anderson chimes in and says he’s seen Flair lose $3k and not blink an eye because he’s Ric Flair. Piper mentions Flair taking his pants off and handcuffing himself to the ropes. That triggers Flair and Flair takes his pants off again. Gene reads papers handed to him by Piper. Gene reveals that Flair is being removed from the office as President as he’s being treated for his ability to properly perform the job. Flair fires Piper and he’s going to give Florida the National Championship from Tennessee. Piper announces that Flair is wrestling tonight against Kevin Nash, as there was a contract in there that Flair didn’t read. Arn Anderson passed out in the corner. Flair promises to kick Nash’s ass tonight. Flair tells Piper they’re wrestling at Slamboree and if Piper wins he can run the company. Piper decks Flair on the aisle.
Bob’s Take: There’s a bit to unpack here, isn’t there? So, Piper and David have officially signed papers to get Flair committed, but he’s wrestling first? How is Flair not escorted out as soon as possible? Flair is a delusional heel at this point, but he’s acting as a babyface for the crowd. Piper doesn’t come across likable, at all. It kind of feels as if Piper is trying to take advantage of a guy who is not mentally sane. Plus, Piper is getting assistance for David, who literally is a heel. Piper vs. Flair at Slamboree doesn’t interest me. Nash wrestling Flair tonight serves a purpose, but since Nash was promised a title match at Slamboree if Flair retained, I think they could easily have a match at Slamboree and based it on Flair’s inability to keep the title and thus a promise. I say that because I’d much rather see DDP vs. Sting at Slamboree. Anyway, this is an entertaining segment with Flair having a good comedic performance, and Arn was great, too. 7 for 9
KONNAN JUMPED BY THE NWO BLACK & WHITE
CONTEXT: Konnan is cornered by the Black & White telling them that he doesn’t run with the Wolfpac anymore. Konnan tells Stevie Ray to handle their business with them, and is jumped.
Bob’s Take: Konnan doesn’t have any association with Wolfpac anymore and gets jumped because he was before? Why are the Black & White wasting their time with Konnan? I think we get Rey and Konnan back as a regular team since Rey lost the title earlier. 7 for 10
MATCH #3: HARDCORE HAK VS. BRIAN KNOBBS — GARBAGE CAN VS. KENDO STICK MATCH
NOTE: This is Brian Knobbs return to WCW. Knobbs hadn’t been in WCW since January 1997.
FINISH: Late in the match, Bam-Bam Bigelow whacks Hak with a kendo stick knocking Hak off the middle rope and hitting a ladder. Knobbs comes off the ropes to deliver a trash can assisted splash and pins Hak.
Bob’s Take: Looks like the feud between Bigelow and Hak must continue. This is mindless hardcore brawling. If they’re actually making a division of hardcore wrestlers Knobbs is a good choice to have part of that. The crowd enjoyed this one more than I did. 7 for 11
RANDY SAVAGE INTRODUCES MADUSA TO HIS TEAM
CONTEXT: Backstage, Savage cuts a promo saying that he’s had his back against the wall, but it’s been there before. Savage notes that Gorgeous George has had zero matches to wrestle Charles Robinson to get the job done. Savage introduces Madusa, the greatest women’s wrestler, to assist George. Madusa always wanted to wrestle a man and is confident that George can beat any man in WCW. Madusa is here in WCW to make a difference.
Bob’s Take: Madusa has been up to mostly nothing over the entire time she’s been back in WCW, so this will serve at least a short term purpose for her. Honestly, I’m actually surprised they wouldn’t have Madusa compete in the match since that’s literally her job and probably something she’d love to do. 8 for 12
NWO BLACK & WHITE, KEVIN NASH & SCOTT STEINER SEGMENT
CONTEXT: Kevin Nash enters the Black & White locker room asking what they are doing. Nash says he didn’t have a message to be delivered. Scott Steiner wants to talk to Nash and blames Kimberly for hitting him with a chair. Steiner tells Nash that he should have the title match and Nash will have a problem if he doesn’t change it. Stevie Ray knows what Nash has been doing behind their back. Nash warns Black & White they don’t him and to watch their backs. Stevie says that Scott Norton is going to be in action when he arrives tonight and take care of Steiner.
Bob’s Take: Are they really going to try and present Black & White as a united group who can fend for themselves and be decent heels? I don’t hate that potential. Stevie comes across as a great leader and I’m willing to give them a shot. 9 for 13
BUFF BAGWELL PROMO
CONTEXT: Bagwell says everyone is calling their shots then he’ll come out here and call his shot since everything is happening. Bagwell wants a shot at WCW United States Champion Scott Steiner at Slamboree. Bagwell promises to show that he’s buff and the stuff.
Bob’s Take: The match for Slamboree makes sense considering Steiner turned on Bagwell after UnCensored and that issue needs to be resolved completely. I’m glad they are developing the Slamboree card several weeks before the event and it’s not last minute. 10 for 14
MATCH #4: BUFF BAGWELL VS. DISCO INFERNO
NOTE: After weeks of not wearing a Wolfpac shirt, Inferno is once again wearing a Wolfpac shirt.
FINISH: Bagwell wins the match following a standing blockbuster.
Bob’s Take: I don’t remember ever seeing Bagwell hit the blockbuster with a running start and not off the middle rope. Anyway, this was an average match with not much in terms of excitement. Disco wearing the Wolfpac shirt is a bit weird because by all accounts it looks more likely that WCW is moving away from the Wolpac as they haven’t been presented in a united front in many weeks and everyone is seemingly doing their own thing. 11 for 15
WCW UNITED STATES CHAMPION SCOTT STEINER PROMO
CONTEXT: Steiner does his usual catchphrases as the start, and the crowd loves it. Steiner calls Bagwell by his legal name and says his Bagwell didn’t belong in the NWO because he’s best known for wearing a g-string and dancing. Nobody disagreed with him. Steiner notes that nobody helped Bagwell when he beat him down. Steiner claims that Bagwell’s mother wanted a daughter, but got Bagwell. “Real men don’t wax their eyebrows or be Chipdendale dancer.” Steiner suggests that Bagwell is more like Boy George and references that Bagwell is “flaming’, which means.. well, you know.
Bob’s Take: Steiner heavy on suggesting that Bagwell is homosexual is such a 90s thing to do, and I’m not saying it’s a good thing. The promo is fine for promoting their match and the audience clearly doesn’t buy into Bagwell as being anything that Steiner claimed. 12 for 16
MATCH #5: RAVEN VS. WCW TAG TEAM CHAMPION BILLY KIDMAN
FINISH: Late in the match, Benoit & Malenko come out and attack both men. Raven is sent into a wedged chair in the corner. Saturn and Rey Mysterio get involved to fight off the Horsemen. The match ends in a no contest. After the match, Saturn and Mysterio brawl until Kidman and Raven get up. Kidman hits a spinebuster on Saturn, but Raven DDTs Kidman. Horsemen return to the ring and the brawling continues.
Bob’s Take: The match got a couple of minutes, but the main purpose was to get over the three team feud, and I think they did a great job of accomplishing that with the brawling afterward. If they do a three-way at Slamboree that should be one hell of a match. 13 for 17
MATCH #6: WCW UNITED STATES CHAMPION SCOTT STEINER VS. SCOTT NORTON
NOTE: Konnan was originally scheduled for a title shot, but his mugging by the Black & White took him out and Scott Norton gets the spot.
FINISH: Late in the match, Norton signaled for the end, but his arm hit the referee. Steiner hit a belly to belly suplex and used the ropes for leverage to pin Norton and retain the title.
Bob’s Take: The finish is a bit ridiculous. It looked like the referee mistimed getting hit and it looked phony. I thought the action was decent enough, but the poor finish made the ending feel flat. I’m a big fan of Norton and wish he’d have a bigger push. 13 for 18
KEVIN NASH PROMO
CONTEXT: Nash starts off with his catchphrase. Nash talks about his partner Hollywood Hogan going under the knife this week. Nash promises to break DDP’s back for taking Hogan out. Nash turns his attention to Goldberg and says if Goldberg wins tonight they are tied 1-1 and they’d have a thriller in St. Louis in two weeks.
Bob’s Take: I don’t think we’re getting Sting vs. DDP, and it’s a bummer. Goldberg winning tonight would be nuts and doing Goldberg vs. Nash III is probably a bigger draw than Nash vs. DDP. But, I’m thinking they’d have to be hoping for DDP to hold the title for when Hogan returns and give Hogan that big title return win. This promo opened up a few options and added interest into the main event. 14 for 19
MATCH #7: KEVIN NASH VS. RIC FLAIR
NOTE: Charles Robinson is the referee for the match. Throughout the match, Arn Anderson cheap shots Nash to help Flair, and Robinson doesn’t enforce any rules against Flair.
FINISH: Nash plants Flair with the Jackknife Powerbomb, but Robinson refused to count the fall. Gorgeous George comes out and attacks Robinson ripping his referee shirt off and puts the shirt on. George enters the ring and is now a legal WCW official. Nash pins Flair with one boot on the chest to win the match.
Bob’s Take: One thing that I’ve noticed is that I don’t buy into Flair’s offense against larger opponents. Flair has a limited offensive arsenal, and it sticks out a lot when he’s limited to only punching and chopping. I’m not sure how George could legally count a fall, but that’s wrestling logic at its finest. Not a good match, and that was completely expected to be the case. The delayed pin and foot pin was a bit much. If you’re doing that, Flair better be taken off television for a while, but he’s got a match at Slamboree so that’s probably not happening. 14 for 20
RIC FLAIR IS COMMITTED
CONTEXT: Quickly after the finish three guys wearing white coats come down with a stretcher and grab Flair to bring him to the asylum he’s been signed over to. Piper taunts Flair as Flair is being escorted to the ambulance.
Bob’s Take: I wish these kinds of angles weren’t on WCW. WCW should be focused on in-ring and not silly angles that WWF tends to do and they tend to do far better than WCW anyway. 14 for 21
MAIN EVENT: WCW WORLD CHAMPION DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE VS. GOLDBERG
NOTE: Dusty Rhodes joined commentary for the main event.
NOTE #2: They bumped knuckled showing respect for each other prior to the bout.
FINISH: Late in the match, DDP put the referee in the way of the spear. Goldberg hit the Jackhammer, but there’s no referee for the fall. DDP nails Goldberg with brass knuckles over the back of the head and pummeled Goldberg on the floor with the weapon. DDP whacks Goldberg’s left leg on the ring steps with chair shots. DDP tries to put the figure four on Goldberg around the post, but Kevin Nash runs out and saves Goldberg. DDP nails Nash with the WCW World Championship a couple of times and walks off causing the match to end in a no contest.
Bob’s Take: There’s no denying that there was a big match feel to this bout and it likely has a lot to do with their Halloween Havoc classic back in October of ’98. There was never going to be a clean finish for either man, so this wasn’t surprising. I thought it was a good match between the two and Nash’s involvement doesn’t bother me. I’m a bit perplexed by Nash and Goldberg apparently being pals now? If there was ever a question as to whether or not DDP is a heel this should solidify his role and I wouldn’t expect DDP getting cheers in the future. 15 for 22
I enjoyed Nitro this week. The show mostly flew by and I feel as if most of the segments served a purpose. The Cruiserweight four way and the main event were standout matches and are worth taking the time to check out.
The Flair being committed angle isn’t something I’m interested in, and I certainly don’t care about Piper in ’99. Piper isn’t a likable character and I feel as if the comedic delusional persona that Flair has been portraying is actually more likable than Piper. Piper having David help him would make me think he’s a heel anyway, but I don’t think that’s what WCW is aiming for. Speaking of David, where has Torrie been? We haven’t seen her since Spring Break. Did she find a better college boy and ditched David? Wouldn’t surprise me.
I’ve been enjoying three team feud over the tag titles and I’m thinking there will be a three-way at Slamboree. Bagwell/Steiner confirmed for Slamboree should be a decent match, and it’s at least blowing off their feud that started after UnCensored.
WCW had a strong show without Booker T or Sting competing or making any appearances. They have a loaded roster and can put together good TV when they have a direction and focus on some good wrestling. It’s a simple recipe to follow each week.
4/16 Nitro TV Rating: 4.1
Thanks for reading.