APRIL 26TH — FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA — FARGO DOME
There is an in memory for Rick Rude, who passed away on April 20th.
RIC FLAIR AT THE FLORIDA MENTAL HOSPITAL
CONTEXT: At the mental hospital, a doctor is asking a nurse what they are going to do about Ric Flair causing a scene. The nurse tells the patients that they will not be watching Nitro. Flair’s music hits and Flair makes an entrance at the mental hospital wearing his robe and underwear. Flair believes he’s staying at a hotel and struts around being all excited for Nitro. Flair dances with the female nurse.
Bob’s Take: It’s kind of amazing to think about the aura that Flair had ten years ago as the being the man who held the NWA World Championship and now he’s doing comedic bits at a mental hospital. This kind of stuff completely devalues Flair for me. 0 for 1
THERE’S A NEW MAN IN CHARGE TONIGHT
CONTEXT: Charlies Robinson and JJ Dillon are talking backstage. Robinson is going through paperwork and asks Dillon that the paper work is legal. Dillon says that Robinson is Vice President and that if the President can’t do his duties that the Vice President takes over. Charles Robinson is in charge and he’s above the commissioner. Robinson is excited to be in charge and thinks Flair will be proud of him.
Bob’s Take: It is a bit humorous that the referee Charles Robinson is in charge of the show. It’s a bit of an interesting twist, I suppose. I’m willing to give it a shot. 1 for 2
RODDY PIPER BELIEVES HE’S IN CHARGE AND MAKES A MAJOR TITLE MATCH FOR TONIGHT
CONTEXT: WCW Commissioner Roddy Piper makes his way down to the ring to cut a promo. Piper says that Flair is running scared and notes that Flair isn’t there. Piper says that he is the only man in charge of WCW tonight. Piper says they are going to have a big night tonight because the fans deserve it. Piper announces that Randy Savage and Gorgeous George are reinstated. Piper also announces that WCW United States Champion Scott Steiner will defend against Randy Savage. Piper brings up WCW World Champion Diamond Dallas Page and says if he’s the people’s champion then what do the fans want to see.
WCW World Champion Diamond Dallas Page makes his way out to the ring to join the segment. Piper talks about how DDP has said he’d defend the title against anyone who wanted a shot at him. Piper knows the man that DDP is and suggests DDP give a title shot to Sting tonight. DDP says there’s nothing more that he’d want to do then put the title on the line against Sting tonight in Fargo. Page declines the offer. Piper stops Page from leaving and says he’s DDP’s reality check. Piper tells DDP that he’s defending the title against Sting tonight. Piper tells DDP he has 45-minutes to prepare for the title match as it will take place at the 9pm hour.
Bob’s Take: The crowd reaction confirms to me that Sting vs. DDP should be the Slamboree match and not DDP vs. Nash. They had a great match on Nitro in ’98 and with higher stakes it should be another notable encounter. The Steiner/Savage match isn’t of great interest to me, but Savage being reinstated makes sense to allow him to be on TV and not question that potential confusing aspect of the storyline. They are doing DDP/Sting so early to prevent people from switching to RAW, which starts at 9pm. 2 for 3
MATCH #1: BRIAN ADAMS VS KONNAN
FINISH: Late in the match, Vincent and Horace enter the ring to cause a disqualification by attacking Konnan. After the match, Stevie Ray beats down Konnan as Konnan is held by Ray’s partners. Adams spikes Konnan with a piledriver.
Bob’s Take: There wasn’t much to the match. It looks like the main feud here is between Stevie Ray and Konnan. That makes sense considering Stevie is the official leader of the group. I’m not sure why they protected Adams from taking a loss here. If they can avoid interference finishes they should absolutely try to avoid them as best they can. 2 for 4
MATCH #2: RAVEN VS. THE ARMSTRONGS (STEVE & SCOTT) — HANDICAP MATCH
NOTE: Saturn was originally supposed to be teaming with Raven, but suffered an injury due to an attack by the Horsemen. Billy Kidman was attacked, as well.
FINISH: Late in the match, Raven hit a DDT on Scott, but Steve whacked Raven over the back with a chair shot leading to Scott pinning Raven.
Bob’s Take: Despite the match being a handicap bout, this is still a big upset and a shocking one at that. I don’t hate it because I’m usually supportive of the mindset that handicap matches should usually mean the man or team at the disadvantage loses the bout. So, this is actually fairly realistic to me. Perhaps the Armstrong Curse is over? For what the match was, I thought it was entertaining. 3 for 5
RIC FLAIR UPDATE AT THE MENTAL HOSPITAL
CONTEXT: Flair calls Charles Robinson from the mental hospital. Flair asks Robinson what he is allowing to do while he’s gone. Flair wants Piper arrested and sent to jail. Flair tells Robinson to do what he has to do to get Piper in jail. Robinson promises to get the job done. Flair goes over to a muscular female nurse after hanging out.
Bob’s Take: I’m not sure what this accomplished other than filling up time because I doubt Piper is going to be getting arrested. 3 for 6
CHARLES ROBINSON INTERVIEWED BY MEAN GENE, PIPER INTERRUPTS
CONTEXT: Robinson tells Gene that he’s in charge and not Roddy Piper. Robinson promises that the fans will get DDP vs. Sting for the WCW World Championship. Roddy Piper makes his way out to join the segment. Robinson demands that security get in the ring to protect him. Piper says that Robinson is only in charge of Flair’s bed pan. Piper reminds Robinson that Gorgeous George knocked the snot out of him. Robinson gives Piper a message from Ric Flair and slaps Piper across the face. Piper grabs Robinson, but security gets in the ring to save Robinson. Well, Piper is arrested. Robinson demands that Piper be let out of the arena and fires Piper, but Piper still must wrestle Flair at Slamboree.
Bob’s Take: Piper being arrested wasn’t something I expected. Robinson being pissed off is actually entertaining and he’s doing a good job in this roe. Piper being fired but still having a match at Slamboree doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. The segment was fine and Robinson provided enough entertainment to not make this drag along. 4 for 7
MATCH #3: WCW WORLD CHAMPION DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE VS. STING
FINISH: Sting countered the Diamond Cutter out of the corner with the Scorpion Death Drop to pin DDP and win the title.
Bob’s Take: Easily the best WCW World Championship match on Nitro to this point in the year. The crowd erupted for the title change. They worked a good match and there were several good near falls throughout the bout. They got plenty of time, nearly twenty minutes, to tell a story and provide some great entertainment. DDP didn’t do a great job of hiding calling spots throughout the match, but that’s a minor thing to worry about. It’s a damn good match with a hot crowd. 5 for 8
RIC FLAIR BOOKS A SLAMBOREE MATCH FROM THE MENTAL HOSPITAL
CONTEXT: Flair calls Charles Robinson and tells Robinson to book Sting vs. Goldberg for Slamboree. Robinson promises to make the match and says it is done.
Bob’s Take: What in the world? This screams ‘we have no idea what we’re doing.’ So, now it is Sting vs. Goldberg for the WCW World Championship at Slamboree? Nash was promised a title match, which is the whole point of his match at Slamboree, so how is not Nash vs. Sting? Goldberg vs. Sting is a huge match, which happened back in September ’98 and they had a great match on TV. However, there’s no build for this showdown other than Flair being a crazy person and booking anything he wants. That doesn’t drive interest into the match. 5 for 9
MATCH #4: WCW CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION PSYCHOSIS VS. WCW TAG TEAM CHAMPION REY MYSTERIO JR.
NOTE: During the match, Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko came down to ringside to pose with the tag title, but were taken out by Mysterio.
FINISH: Mysterio pins Psychosis following a tornado DDT. After the match, Benoit and Malenko attack Mysterio.
Bob’s Take: Probably one of their worse matches I’ve seen, but it’s not a terrible outing compared to other matches. I hate the booking, though. Mysterio doesn’t need to be the WCW Cruiserweight Champion at this point. Mysterio needs to be elevated up the card and distance himself from the division. 5 for 10
KEVIN NASH ISSUES A CHALLENGE FOR TONIGHT
CONTEXT: Nash talks about how the main event now for Slamboree is Sting vs. Goldberg (there’s actually boos for that). Nash reminds us that he has a title shot for Slamboree, and he has not forgotten. Nash says that Goldberg is backstage and they’ve already seen Sting and DDP. Nash throws a challenge out there for there to be a four way match between Sting, Goldberg, DDP and Nash for the title.. TONIGHT.
Bob’s Take: I’m sure they want to avoid doing a four way match on two straight PPVs as the main event, but this would likely make more sense than the Spring Stampede bout where Sting was inserted last minute. This kind of booking has such short-term benefits that it is rather frustrating. Sure it’s a strong Nitro main event, but that’s all you get out of it. 5 for 11
RIC FLAIR AT THE MENTAL HOSPITAL
CONTEXT: Flair approves of the four way booked for Nitro and Robinson promises that he’ll make the match happen. Flair dances with the muscular female nurse and they do some wrestling holds for a moment.
Bob’s Take: This is not connecting with me, at all. 5 for 12.
MATCH #5: BAM-BAM BIGELOW VS. ERIK WATTS
FINISH: Bigelow pins Watts following the Greetings From Asbury Park
Bob’s Take: A quick squash for Bigelow. If they are thinking of building him back up it is going to take a long time to accomplish that. But, this wasn’t horrible or anything. 5 for 13
WCW WORLD CHAMPION STING RESPONDS TO NASH’S CHALLENGE
CONTEXT: Sting says he’s back and he’s back in black. Sting accepts the challenge made by Nash for a four way.
Bob’s Take: Simple and effective promo. It’s nuts they are doing this within two hours. But, as a fan, whatever, I’ll take it. 6 for 14
MATCH #6: WCW TELEVISION CHAMPION BOOKER T VS. MENG
NOTE: The referee gets knocked down at one point, and Meng outs the Tongan Death Grip on Booker. However, Stevie Ray came out and hit Meng with the slapjack to help Booker win.
FINISH: Booker pins Meng after interference from Stevie Ray. After the match, Rick Steiner attacks Stevie Ray. Booker pulls Steiner off his brother and they are held apart by the referee.
Bob’s Take: The vibe I’m getting is that we’re suppose to believe that Booker may have some kind of agreement with his brother and could be turning heel. I’d hate that direction if they went that way. The match wasn’t anything special and the finish protects Meng. 6 for 15
UPDATE ON HOLLYWOOD HOGAN’S KNEE SURGERY
CONTEXT: Dr. James Andrews explains the injury that Hollywood Hogan suffered at Spring Stampede. Andrews is surprised by what Hogan could do over the past several years. Eric Bischoff brought Hogan to the surgery and says it is time to get it done. Hogan doesn’t seem confident this is the right direction. Hogan wants to take care of DDP first and then his leg. Bischoff wants Hogan to think about the long term and not the short term. Bischoff insists that Hogan get himself healthy. Hogan accepts that Nash is going to get the job done with DDP at Slamboree. They show some clips of the surgery, but nothing overly graphic.
Bob’s Take: I actually like these segments to show the reality of wrestling. I wish Bischoff took the long term thinking over short term thinking to his business plans. 7 for 16
RIC FLAIR UPDATE AT THE MENTAL HOSPITAL, THERE’S A SPECIAL PATIENT THERE
CONTEXT: Flair is putting over the program and tells Robinson to book Booker T vs. Rick Steiner for Slamboree. Flair wants the four way match in the main event to be a no disqualification bout with there needing to be a winner. Flair struts around and we see SCOTT HALL is also a patient at the hospital.
Bob’s Take: I love a good cameo, and Scott Hall being there is a good one. Hall has been out due to injury and this kind of reminds fans of his existence. Commentary didn’t mention Hall being there. 8 for 17
MATCH #7: MIKEY WHIPWRECK VS. HORACE VS. HARDCORE HAK VS. BRIAN KNOBBS — HARDCORE MATCH
NOTE: The winner of this match meets Bam-Bam Bigelow at Slamboree on May 9th.
FINISH: Late in the match, Hak came off a ladder to senton Whipwreck through a table, Knobbs hit Hak with a trash can and slammed the ladder onto Whipwreck to win the match.
Bob’s Take: Hardcore wrestling is just mindless weapon shots that get an easy reaction from the crowd. There wasn’t anything here that was overly hardcore or dangerous, which is to be expected in WCW. Knobbs winning shouldn’t be too big a surprise since he’s returned to the company and they can establish him in the division. This was fun, harmless action. 9 for 18
WCW US CHAMPION SCOTT STEINER PROMO
CONTEXT: Steiner says that real men don’t wear skirts and says he does whatever he wants t do, but likes the matchup with Savage. Steiner declares that if he beats Savage he gets to take Savage’s freak and show her what a real Macho Man can do.
Bob’s Take: I should have guessed that Steiner would take this promo to basically say he wants to sleep with Gorgeous George. 10 for 19
MATCH #8: WCW UNITED STATES CHAMPION SCOTT STEINER VS. RANDY SAVAGE
NOTE: Charles Robinson inserts himself as the referee for the match.
FINISH: Savage makes contact with Robinson out of a lockup and Robinson disqualifies Savage. After the match, Madusa rolls Robinson into the ring and Gorgeous George strips Robinson of his clothing. Robinson gets up and flips out to end the segment.
Bob’s Take: This is worst than the Fingerpoke of Doom. At least in that instance Nash took a bump. 10 for 20
MAIN EVENT: WCW WORLD CHAMPION STING VS. KEVIN NASH VS. GOLDBERG VS. DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE — NO DISQUALIFICATION
NOTE: The match started during a commercial break.
FINISH: Late in the match, Randy Savage prevented Goldberg from winning the title after a jackhammer on Sting. Savage tossed brass knuckles to DDP and hit the Diamond Cutter on Nash to win the match and regain the title.
Bob’s Take: Why is Savage helping DDP? Is his intention to get a title shot now that he’s reinstated and DDP would owe him? The switch back to DDP to being champion deflated the crowd, but he’s going to get more heel heat for it. Nash vs. DDP is an incredibly weaker main event for Slamboree than Sting vs. Goldberg would have been, despite no build for it. I thought the action was clunky and not all that good. There was no structure and the fans didn’t like the decision to give DDP the title back. Listen to the audience, it’s that easy. 10 for 21
Not a good episode of Nitro, but there were some aspects that were enjoyable. Charles Robinson is thriving in his heel role and I’d love if they focused on that a bit more. DDP vs. Sting was a great title match for Nitro standards and a good moment for Sting, even if it lasted for two hours.
The Savage/Steiner segment was just bad. What was the point of it other than get heat on Robinson for the bullshit finish? There was no need to bait and switch the audience. That is something WCW can’t afford to be doing at this point in the ratings war.
As I stated before, Rey Mysterio Jr. needs to be elevated out of the Cruiserweight division. Sure, Mysterio would have great matches with other Cruiserweights, but he’d have great matches going for the TV or US Championships. They have enough guys in the Cruiserweight division to keep it fresh and exciting instead of the core three (Juventud, Mysterio & Kidman) constantly in the mix for the title.
The mental hospital skits involving Flair completely make Flair look like a joke and not the decorated champion that he had previously been. Flair being a power hungry President is a fine approach, but they’ve made it into a complete comedic character. I think it’s the wrong direction.
4/26 Nitro TV Rating: 3.9
Thanks for reading.