JUNE 7TH — CLEVELAND, OH — CSU CONVOCATION CENTER
RANDY SAVAGE ARRIVES WITH THE LADIES AND A BUCKET
CONTEXT: A white limo arrives to the arena when Randy Savage exits along with his trio of women. Savage has the driver remove a bucket out of the trunk and the cover is removed. The bucket is full of feces. Savage walks into the venue saying he can play kid games and he’s got something for Nash tonight. Savage yells at workers asking where Nash is at.
Bob’s Take: It is a bit childish for the angle to now have poop involved, but here we are. I don’t think I would have envisioned a time where Randy Savage would have a bucket of poop entering the arena. I guess it is interesting to see what Savage could possibly do with a bucket of crap. 1 for 1
ERIC BISCHOFF CONFRONTS HAK REGARDING SMOKING
CONTEXT: Hak comes down to the ring smoking a cigarette, which is against WCW rules. Bischoff tells Hak to put the cigarette out from the commentary table. JJ Dillon makes his way down to the ring and tells Hak that WCW has cut him a lot of slack. Dillon tells Hak the cigarette needs to be put out before the match. Hak blows smoke into Dillon’s face and the crowd pops for that. Hak tells Dillon to “make me” put it out. Eric Bischoff has entered the ring and tells Hak the cigarette needs to be put out for the show to get on the road. Hak answers by blowing smoke into Bischoff’s face. Security gets in the ring, but Bischoff tells them off. Bischoff strikes Hak, but security holds Hak back. Bischoff throws the cigarette at Hak and the match is allowed to take place.
Bob’s Take: Bischoff came across like he’s an advocate for the DARE program. When your competition has a guy chugging beers and being the ultimate anti-authority character this came across quite minor league to me. Hak getting punched and not being able to strike back is a bit of a interesting decision. I don’t see Hak becoming a character of substance for being anti-authority, but it is worth noting the crowd loved that he blew smoke into the authority figures faces. Also, is JJ Dillon still someone with power on WCW TV? It’s alarming how many people have some form of power at this point. 1 for 2
MATCH #1: HAK VS. PRINCE IAUKEA — HARDCORE MATCH
FINISH: Hak sends Iaukea into a table in the corner, but the table doesn’t break. Regardless, Hak pins Iaukea. After the match, Hugh Morrus and Brian Knobbs attack Hak. Kidman comes out and hits a top rope clothesline on Morrus. Kidman dropkicks the heels and decks Jimmy Hart. Morrus cuts Kidman off with a strike. Knobbs whacks Hak with a kendo stick shot several times. Hak fights back with kendo stick shots on Knobbs several times. Kidman is laid out on the aisle.
Bob’s Take: The match is nothing, but the aftermath is fine. They seem to be doing something between Kidman and Hak, but I’m not sure if it is going to be some kind of oddball partnership to fight the First Family. 1 for 3
ERIC BISCHOFF SPOILS WWF RAW HIGHER POWER REVEAL
CONTEXT: At the commentary table, Bischoff reveals that “the man under the hood on the other channel, his initials are VM. They are just rehashing the same things.” Bischoff also announces that Dennis Rodman has signed with WCW and will be returning Bischoff makes a reference to the $110 million dollar lawsuit facing McMahon, too.
Bob’s Take: Spoiling WWF match results or segments in the past have both helped and massively hurt WCW. They’ve yet to recover from spoiling Mick Foley’s title win on January 4th. It’s quite ironic to me that Bischoff would claim WWF is rehashing the same things over and over, and in the same breath announce that Dennis Rodman is returning to WCW. Also, has he been watching his own product? WCW has literally rehashed all their major angles from 1997 into 1999. It’s not a fresh product, at all. I think this a segment that truly shows that Bischoff has lost his touch and he’s not aware of his own programming flaws. 1 for 4
MATCH #2: LENNY LANE VS. SCOTTY RIGGS
NOTE: Bischoff reminds us that Paul Orndorff did a similar gimmick to Riggs years ago and suggests Riggs do something original. A great way to get talent over, Eric.
NOTE #2: Lodi came out again to watch the action.
FINISH: Riggs plants Lane with a Rocker Dropper to win the match clean
Bob’s Take: It’s actually not too bad of a match, really. They got some decent time to work a match and the action held my interest for what it’s worth. 2 for 5
CHRIS BENOIT CHATS WITH RIC FLAIR IN THE BACK
CONTEXT: Ric Flair and Chris Benoit is sitting backstage where Flair is telling Benoit that he’s trying to earn Benoit’s trust back. Flair wants Benoit to look at him like a man and not as the President. Flair wants Benoit to believe in him and be a Horsemen again. Benoit says the only reason he’s sitting there is because of the respect he has for Flair and the opportunities Flair has given him. Benoit tells Flair that his respect is not unconditional. Flair tells Benoit he’s ready to pass the torch to Benoit. Flair is going to make it good for Benoit tonight. Flair recalls his matches with Arn Anderson four years ago and how it tore them apart. Flair reminds Benoit they patched things up because they are Horsemen and they are the best. Flair needs Benoit to trust him again. Flair asks for another chance and Benoit will consider it. Saturn enters the room and says Flair is the man who makes things happen. Saturn says Kanyon has clearance and they want a rematch for the tag titles. Flair tells Benoit that they are teaming up to wrestle WCW Tag Team Champions Diamond Dallas Page and Bam-Bam Bigelow. Saturn knows what Flair is doing and if they win the tag titles he wants a match for them before departing the room. Flair talks about DDP being mad when he’s number two or three. Flair asks if Benoit will team with him tonight. Benoit accepts and embraces Flair. Flair believes it will be glorious.
Bob’s Take: These two just had a match on Thunder where DDP and Bigelow laid out Benoit and Flair did nothing to help is former pal, but now he wants Benoit to trust him. There’s a bit a flaw to the logic here, but it’s not the worst thing they’ve done. I’m not entirely sure why Benoit would agree to such a match or even believe he could trust Flair in any aspect, but Flair did provide a few reasonable reasons as to why they could work through their issues. 3 for 6
RANDY SAVAGE AND STING HAVE A CONFRONTATION
CONTEXT: Randy Savage and his trio of ladies head to the ring with a bucket of crap. Savage says he’s looked everywhere in the arena looking for Nash, and hasn’t been able to find Nash. Savage can’t afford to look ridiculous (as he’s wearing a pink feather jacket). Savage isn’t going to be distracted from winning the WCW World Championship at the PPV. Savage claims he’s the man and Nash is a lame duck champion. Savage says the bucket of crap is the sewage that Nash used on him last week at the Astrodome. Savage knows that Nash doesn’t have the guts otherwise he’d be on Nitro. Savage offers an open challenge to anyone since Nash isn’t there and is a coward. Savage claims he’s going to dump the bucket on the moron who comes out and faces him.
Sting makes his way out to the stage and answers the challenge. Sting reminds us that he’s back and Savage is pretty in pink. Sting offers to wrestle Savage tonight on Nitro. Savage calls Sting stupid and will treat Sting as a tuneup for the Great American Bash. Savage accepts the challenge because Sting needs a shampoo job of crap. Sting finishes off saying that Savage is on Viagra.
Bob’s Take: WCW rehashing a main event on Nitro that they’ve done a few times. Savage has yet to have a good showing in-ring and I’m not too excited to see how this is going to play out. Sting had a good jab at the end about Viagra. It was a decent segment, but it’s for a match I’m not especially interested in seeing. 4 for 7
WCW WORLD CHAMPION KEVIN NASH EMBARRASSES RANDY SAVAGE
CONTEXT: WCW World Champion Kevin Nash makes his way to the ring with his luggage and brings a chair into the ring. Nash knows that Savage isn’t out yet because he doesn’t smell him (poop joke). Nash admits he’s a little late and he has his gear in the bag. Nash begs Savage to look in the mirror one time when he says he’s not one to get embarrassed. Nash calls out Savage to the ring because he’s out there waiting.
Randy Savage makes his way back out to the ring with the bucket of crap and says Nash is not in his league and is a stupid person. Nash tells Savage he’s stuck over the past couple of years. Savage tells Nash that it’s his time to admit he made a mistake. Nash insults the woman saying he brought one bag doll out and he brought three. Nash leaves the ring and goes to the aisle. Savage continues to focus on Nash and puts the bucket down. Nash tells the women to open the ring ropes. Savage knows Nash is a coward. Nash wants Savage to beg on his knees to fight the champion tonight. Savage gets down on his knee. The bag is moving in the ring and a woman exits the bag. The woman dumps the bucket of crap onto Savage’s head! Nash is laughing on the aisle. The crowd responds well to the segment. Bischoff is a bit over the top with his laughter on commentary.
Bob’s Take: In terms of an angle, it may be the most creative thing that WCW has ever done. It’s a comedy angle since it’s Savage getting poop dumped on his head, but it is entertaining the crowd popped far more than I thought they would. Does this make me want to buy the PPV? Probably not. But, it’s an enjoyable TV segment. 5 for 8
MATCH #3: WCW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS BAM-BAM BIGELOW & DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE VS. CHRIS BENOIT & RIC FLAIR
NOTE: The canvas is stained with poop residue. So, for the rest of the show they working on a poop stained canvas.
NOTE #2: Benoit is beaten up for a bit and has a chance to tag Flair, but Flair ends up short-arming Benoit and leaves the match. Flair walks out on Benoit. Anderson can’t believe it. Anderson gets on the apron to be Benoit’s partner and the crowd erupts. Moments later, Saturn runs out and stands on the apron to be in Benoit’s corner.
FINISH: Saturn spikes DDP with the Death Valley Driver and pins DDP to win the titles. After the match, Kanyon enters the ring and hits the Flatliner on Saturn. Saturn and Benoit are beaten down by DDP, Bigelow and Kanyon. Benoit is driven down with the Greetings From Asbury Park/Diamond Cutter combo. They dangerously perform the move on Saturn, too. DDP and Bigelow leave with the titles.
Bob’s Take: It’s a bit humorous to me to think that this match happened on a poop stained canvas, but here we are in WCW ’99, I guess. Anyway, the match is good and the crowd went nuts for Anderson and Saturn getting involved in the match. Flair did a good job disguising a turn on Benoit as he attacked Bigelow and DDP throughout the match. The turn would have been far more obvious if he avoided confrontation. Considering Saturn isn’t a legal partner for Benoit I doubt this is going to stand as a title change, but it’s a good match and the crowd enjoyed it. Kanyon turning officially isn’t a big surprise, but the trio of DDP, Kanyon and Bigelow is something I can get behind. Bigelow is a much better fit in a tag team rather than being in the hardcore division. 6 for 9
MATCH #4: CICLOPE & DAMIEN VS. LA PARKA & SILVER KING — MEXICAN DEATH MATCH
FINISH: Parka powerbombs Damien onto two chairs to pickup the win.
Bob’s Take: For a mindless hardcore match, it’s easily the best hardcore match WCW has ever put on. These for Cruiserweights did stuff that you’d see on 2025 indies and people lose their minds for it. I enjoyed this quite a bit and I’m glad someone like La Parka got a good portion of the shine. The one aspect of the match I didn’t like was the commentary. They acted as if this was a comedy routine, and I’m thinking it was because the workers were Mexican Cruiserweights. They don’t blatantly laugh at the other hardcore wrestlers and they kind of mocked what they were doing in the ring. 7 for 10
DJ RAN TAUNTS CURT HENNIG
CONTEXT: DJ Ran decided to taunt Hennig by putting on cowboy hat and playing country music.
Bob’s Take: I think DJ Ran is going to get beaten up one of these weeks. 8 for 11
SCOTT NORTON QUESTIONS THE NEW WORLD ORDER
CONTEXT: Norton questions where the rest of his pals were when Cat hit him with a crowbar. Norton notes he saw them leave the arena. Stevie denies that by saying they saw him kicking Cat’s butt and they knew he had it under control. Norton doesn’t believe what they’re saying. Norton seems to cool off as they pump fists.
Bob’s Take: Are they really continuing this angle with Cat and the NWO Black & White? Why? It was amusing at first, but now the joke is tired. 8 for 12
THE CAT PROMO
CONTEXT: Cat brags about knocking Scott Norton out with one kick and believes he’s the greatest. Cat believes he’s going to knock everyone out with one kick. David Penzer tells the fans that Cat would like to be addressed as the greatest of all time and the godfather of soul. Horace attacks to begin the next match.
Bob’s Take: Cat continues to do some good mic work, but I’m not into this NWO feud anymore. We need something new for Cat. 8 for 13
MATCH #5: HORACE VS. THE CAT
FINISH: Cat nails Horace with a crowbar while the referee is distracted to win the match. After the match, Scott Norton leads the charge to go after Cat. Cat ends up running away to avoid the NWO.
Bob’s Take: I didn’t care for this, but Cat has potential to be a great heel if he’s involved with something better. Cat comically running away was pretty good. 8 for 14
RODDY PIPER INTERVIEW; BUFF BAGWELL JOINS THE SEGMENT
CONTEXT: Mean Gene is in the ring to conduct an interview with Roddy Piper. Piper gets some cheap pops by referencing the Indians and Browns in Cleveland. Piper wants Ric Flair to be left for him at the Great American Bash where he’s going to make Flair bleed to death. Piper is going to turn Space Mountain into a fountain. Piper say he’s going to stir some stuff up. Piper addresses the Y2K kids and mocks the kids complaining about not being in the main event. Piper is tired of hearing them whine. Piper wants to deliver a reality check and get real. Piper calls out Buff Bagwell to join the segment. Gene leaves the ring.
Bagwell plays to the crowd and Piper calls Bagwell “Buffy”. Piper asks Bagwell how many times he has wrestled in Madison Square Garden, and Bagwell says “I wasn’t born yet.” Piper reminds Bagwell that he hasn’t wrestled in MSG. Bagwell admits he’s never wrestled there. Piper mocks Bagwell’s catchphrase. Bagwell tells Piper it is not 1975 anymore and suggests Piper get new tights and new boots. Piper asks what the stuff is if he wants to be a main event wrestler. Bagwell tells Piper he’s looking at it. Piper tells Bagwell he saw Bagwell get his neck broken and fought back to get into the ring. Bagwell admits he’d do anything it takes to be the champion. Piper says once he beats Flair at Great American Bash he’s going to give Bagwell the ball and he’s never fumbled. Bagwell tells Piper if he’s given the ball he’s going to run with it. Piper shakes Bagwell’s hand and leaves the ring.
Bob’s Take: Piper is acting a bit like a heel here, and it makes a ton of sense considering he’s part of the old guard and the last thing he would want to do is lose his spot to the younger guys. Piper outshined Bagwell on the microphone as Bagwell didn’t have a great response to the MSG question. It’s an enjoyable segment and I’m onboard with going to a young vs. old angle after GAB. 9 for 15
THE WHITE HUMMER INCIDENT
CONTEXT: The ladies are in the limo and they call for WCW World Champion Kevin Nash to join them in the limo. Nash can’t resist the idea of three ladies and enters the limo after the ladies depart so he can check the limo. Madusa shuts the door on Nash and Savage is revealed as driving the limo. Savage parks the limo and a white hummer speeds into the side of the limo several times as Nash is trapped in the limo. Nash breaks the window with his arm and tries to open the door, but can’t do so.
Bob’s Take: We are six days away from the Great American Bash PPV and the top babyface and WCW World Champion was nearly murdered by the challenger and someone working alongside him. This is a major angle, but the timing for it is not ideal. 9 for 16
MATCH #6: WCW CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION REY MYSTERIO JR. VS. BOBBY DUNCUM JR.
NOTE: Konnan is watching the match with DJ Ran while Curt Hennig is at the commentary table and they trade insults throughout the match.
FINISH: Late in the match, Hennig forearms Mysterio from the floor and double teams Mysterio causing the disqualification. Konnan runs into the ring to make the save.
Bob’s Take: The action was actually fairly decent before the lame DQ finish, but the DQ was predictable. Konnan is a bit of a moron to have not been at ringside to make sure Mysterio was protected. Mysterio being involved with guys outside the Cruiserweight division is fine by me, but he probably shouldn’t be the WCW Cruiserweight Champion at this point. 10 for 17
STEINER BROTHERS PROMO
CONTEXT: WCW United States Champion Scott Steiner and WCW Television Champion Rick Steiner make their way down to the ring to cut a promo. Scott talks about being superman between the sheets with his freaks. Scott says he was in the back looking for anyone that would have Sting’s back, but it is obvious Sting is all alone. Scott promises to be in Rick’s corner at the PPV. Rick says himself and Scott are at the top of the food chain and everyone else is fresh meat. Rick suggests people not wait a moment while in the ring with them because they’ll be on them like a pack of wolves. Rick delivers his usual catchphrases.
Bob’s Take: I don’t think this did much of anything to bring more interest into Rick vs. Sting at the PPV. I think the money is more in the Steiner Brothers teaming as a unit against Sting & Goldberg basing on what happened at Slamboree. It felt as if this was used as filler. 10 for 18
DISCO INFERNO PROMO, BAGWELL RESPONDS
CONTEXT: Inferno says Bagwell talked about taking the ball and running with it, but Inferno believes Bagwell already dropped the ball because Bagwell had the chance to tell Piper he stinks and didn’t do it. Inferno says Bagwell has no guts and no stuff. Inferno thinks that is why Bagwell got kicked out of the Wolfpac. Inferno calls out Bagwell to wrestle him tonight. Bagwell comes out to accept and wrestles the match in street gear. Bagwell tells Inferno that he did get kicked out of the Wolfpac, but at least he was in the group.
Bob’s Take: A simple segment to add some interest to the match and it was decently effective. 11 for 19
MATCH #7: BUFF BAGWELL VS. DISCO INFERNO
NOTE: Tony Schiavone passes along that Eric Bischoff is providing an update on Kevin Nash on the website.
FINISH: Bagwell finishes Inferno off with the Blockbuster.
Bob’s Take: I don’t know why, but I’ve always disliked when wrestlers compete in street clothing and it’s not a street fight. The action here was rather basic and I’m a bit confused by it since I’d think that Inferno and Bagwell would be on the same page about going after the old guard. I didn’t enjoy it. 12 for 20
MAIN EVENT: STING VS. RANDY SAVAGE
FINISH: Late in the match, Savage punches the referee and delivers a piledriver causing Savage to be disqualified. After the match, Savage put both Miss Madness and Madusa in the way of a Stinger Splash, but protected Gorgeous George. Rick Steiner runs to the ring and attacks Sting along with Scot Steiner. Lex Luger runs into the ring with a baseball bat to make the save.
Bob’s Take: As expected this is just smoke and mirrors to try and draw a rating with established names. Savage is completely washed at this point and it’s rather sad to watch it. It’s a bit interesting that Savage purposely sacrificed Madusa and Miss Madness, but made sure to protect Gorgeous George. I hope that tidbit is touch upon at some point. Anyway, a poor main event to the shock of nobody. 12 for 21
As the show went along it progressively got worse. This may be a a perfect example of Nitro needing to be a two-hour show. The first hour was rather solid, and the second hour wasn’t too bad, but the third hour completely derailed the show. We could have probably ended the show with the White Hummer incident and allow there to be questions needed to be answered for Thunder. However, with the PPV six days away you run the risk of people not tuning into Thunder and then the viewer could believe that there’s no main event for Great American Bash.
WCW has potential to have compelling TV with the young vs. old angle and they need to full dive into it. Disco Inferno is coming across as a far more serious competitor, which is a nice change of pace, too.
As it stands now with what is known for Great American Bash, I can safely say I’m not looking forward to anything. Savage has looked horrendous in the ring and seeing him in a PPV main event is not something I’m too interested in witnessing and especially against Kevin Nash, who is not going to carry Savage to a passable match. Flair vs. Piper is overplayed and they are not exciting in the ring. Sting vs. Rick Steiner is not of interest. If they were to officially announce a tag title match, I’d be interested in that, but one match out of eight or more is not enough to realistically justify a purchase.
6/7 Nitro TV Rating: 3.3
Thanks for reading.