JULY 1ST — LAFAYETTE, LA — CAJUN DOME — TAPED
TWO MAJOR NITRO ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONTEXT: First off, Megadeath will be appearing at the Georgia Dome to perform Crush ‘Em. Also, Bret Hart will be addressing the live crowd at the Georgia Dome. This is Bret’s first appearance since his brother Owen’s tragic death. Bret had last been seen at Slamboree in May.
Bob’s Take: I don’t care about Megadeath appearing, but this is WCW’s approach to gain viewers into their wrestling show, which hasn’t been working. Bret Hart appearing on Nitro is a big deal and there’s got to be interest in what he’ll have to say. 1 for 1
MATCH #1: WCW TAG TEAM CHAMPION DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE VS. PERRY SATURN
NOTE: Prior to the match, DDP cut a promo basically saying if you’re not from New Jersey, well, you don’t matter.
FINISH: Late in the match, the referee is knocked down and Kanyon drops Saturn face first onto the tag title over the top turnbuckle. Chris Benoit comes out and nails DDP with a top rope diving headbutt. Kanyon pulls the referee out on the pin attempt causing the disqualification. After the match, Benoit suicide dives onto Kanyon. Bam-Bam Bigelow comes out to attack Benoit. DDP plants Saturn with a diamond cutter. Benoit suffers three splashes in the corner. Bigelow and DDP hit the Greetings From Asbury/Diamond Cutter combo. Kanyon plants Saturn with the Flatliner to leave the challengers laying.
Bob’s Take: The match was mostly average, but a solid outing by these two for Thunder. I was a bit surprised this match was starting the show as it feels like it would be a ideal main event for Thunder. The aftermath was good and I have interest in a tag title match for Bash at the Beach. I think there’s potential for the Triad to be presented in a stronger manner in the future and help elevate DDP back into the main event picture. 2 for 2
MATCH #2: DISORDERLY CONDUCT VS. BA & SWOLL
NOTE: This is the WCW debut for Swoll. Swoll previously wrestled twice for NJPW in 1991, both losing efforts. Swoll is a former football player playing a little bit for the Denver Broncos at one point.
FINISH: Swoll picks up the win following a heart punch.
Bob’s Take: When I think of a rap group Brad Armstrong may be the last person to cross my mind as being someone to join the group, but here we are. I’m assuming the No Limit Soldiers needed more guys who could actually work outside of Konnan and Mysterio prompting Armstrong to randomly get the gig. I didn’t enjoy the match as it felt like it went a little too long for my liking. 2 for 3
MATCH #3: EDDIE GUERRERO VS. LA PARKA
FINISH: Guerrero hits a top rope frog splash to pickup the win.
Bob’s Take: I appreciate that WCW has kept some kind of story focusing on Guerrero’s apparent revenge against the men who were in the LWO, but quickly ditched him when Eddie was out due to injury. This is a bit underwhelming as Parka’s offense wasn’t all that entertaining and Guerrero won following a quick dash of offense. I was hoping for a bit more from these two and it ended being mostly average. 2 for 4
RANDY SAVAGE IS FRANTIC
CONTEXT: Savage is backstage pacing back and forth cussing at his phone demanding for the phone to ring. The phone rings and it is Kevin Nash. Nash is laying on a bed getting a massage. Savage wants to make a deal with Nash. Nash gives Savage directions to a phone booth to get there in fifteen minutes. Savage is freaking out at the noises Nash is making. Nash tells Savage if he’s not there in fifteen minutes the deal is off.
Bob’s Take: That was fantastic. Savage playing a crazed man is great casting and they are leaning into something that works very well. 3 for 5
MATCH #4: THE WEST TEXAS REDNECKS (HENNIG, KENDALL, BARRY, DUNCUM JR.) VS. DAMIEN, EL DANDY, SILVER KING & VILLANO V
FINISH: Kendall hits a running bulldog to pin Damien.
Bob’s Take: This was a pleasant surprise as the rednecks were bumping around for the Cruiserweight opponents the overall pace of the match kept my interest. They kept the match at a good length and it didn’t overstay its welcome. A fun match. 4 for 6
KEVIN NASH CONTINUES TO MESS WITH A FRANTIC RANDY SAVAGE
CONTEXT: Savage waits at the pay phone getting frustrated and eventually a phone rings, but Savage realizes it is the phone in his pocket. Nash is still getting a massage on the bed. Nash suggests Savage switch to decaf. Savage isn’t going to be nice to Nash. Nash wants to meet with Savage and tells Savage to go four blocks backwards. Nash tells Savage to meet somewhere that is apparently six blocks away. Nash tells Savage he wants his title back. Savage freaks out and tries to figure out where to go.
Bob’s Take: I’m sure Savage is not intending to be comedic here, but it is good comedy the way he is reacting. This is an enjoyable show long angle and I’m surprised they’re doing this on Thunder. 5 for 7
MATCH #5: WCW CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION REY MYSTERIO JR. VS. BLITZKRIEG
FINISH: Mysterio wins the match following a top rope hurricanrana.
Bob’s Take: At one point, Blitzkrieg had a level of buzz attached to him that he’s a fresh, new Cruiserweight that could breakout in the division. In a short period of time that buzz has mostly vanished and he’s regulated to being another Cruiserweight that doesn’t have a shot to win the title. This is where it is harmful for Mysterio to be carrying the championship. He’s outgrown the division and I think fans would be ready for Mysterio being presented in a more meaningful manner. The action here was fine and entertaining, but it was always a forgone conclusion as to who was going to win. 6 for 8
KEVIN NASH & RANDY SAVAGE FINALLY MEET
CONTEXT: There are two black hummers parked when a black limo pulls up. Nash exits the limo as Savage demands to get his girl back. Nash tells Savage to calm down and sits on the hood on the limo. Nash taunts Savage saying his woman is a sweet woman. Sid is standing a good distance away from Savage, but he’s there for backup. Nash wants to see his championship and wants that back before he hands over his woman. Sid tries to hit Nash with the championship. Nash fights them off, but ‘Sting’ walks into the scene and smashes a bat over Nash’s head. Sid grabs Gorgeous George from the trunk and runs to the hummer. Nash is left laying in the street.
Bob’s Take: It’s obvious it is a fake Sting which is a played out angle, but I enjoyed this segment and I’ve enjoyed the angle on the show. 7 for 9
MAIN EVENT: WCW TELEVISION CHAMPION RICK STEINER VS. BUFF BAGWELL
FINISH: Late in the match, Rick Steiner distracts the referee to allow David Flair to zap Bagwell with a stun gun allowing Steiner to pin Bagwell to retain the title.
Bob’s Take: Not a good match, which shouldn’t be a surprise. I’m not entirely sure why David Flair felt the need to get involved, but I’m guessing it was per the orders of his father. They were never going to have Bagwell do a clean job as they are heading towards an old vs. young angle. Rick Steiner may be my least enjoyable wrestler in WCW at this point. 7 for 10
KEVIN NASH PULLS A FAST ONE ON RANDY SAVAGE
CONTEXT: Randy Savage gets put of a hummer and goes to the other hummer to lift up the hood and it is revealed to be Torrie Wilson! Wilson tells savage that Big Sexy is a lot smarter than Savage thinks he is as Nash knew Savage would do what he did. The show comes to an end.
Bob’s Take: I’m surprised that nobody in the hummer would have pulled the hood down to realize that it wasn’t George prior to Savage finding out. Also, wouldn’t this leave Torrie to be in quite a vulnerable spot being all by herself? Regardless, it was an effective angle on the show. 8 for 11
A solid episode of Thunder this week despite being a taped episode. I’m surprised they bothered doing the Nash/Savage show long angle on Thunder as it was quite entertaining throughout and not nearly the same level of audience is watching Thunder compared to Nitro.
They’ve been hyping the Georgia Dome show a little bit, but it doesn’t have a major marquee match being promoted as the July 6th, 1998 and January 4th, 1999 shows had attached to them. Personally, since WCW tends to lack patience, I think the ‘money match’ right now is Nash vs. Sting. So, if that match were to be promoted for Georgia Dome there may be some more buzz. As it stands now, the only buzz for the show is Bret Hart returning to speak.
Hopefully the attendance for the Georgia Dome isn’t too depressing as WCW continues to lose viewership and popularity with each passing week.
7/1 Thunder TV Rating: 2.7
Thanks for reading.