JULY 8TH — BIRMINGHAM, AL — JEFFERSON COUNTY CIVIC CENTER — LIVE
NOTE: Typically the go-home show before a PPV is a taped event, but for the way the schedule dropped this weeks episode of Thunder is actually a live version. Perhaps something of note will transpire.
WCW WORLD CHAMPION KEVIN NASH IN THE HOUSE
CONTEXT: Nash starts off the show and gets a good babyface pope, though there may be a sprinkle of jeers. Nash watched the replay of what happened on Nitro. Nash has some certain privilege and rights. Nash announces that he’s defending the title at the PPV in a tag match. Nash reveals that if his partner Sting wins the match then he’ll become champion. Nash looks at it as going into the match 3 on 1. Nash guarantees a fight for their life. Nash points out two attractive females with a sign wishing Nash a happy birthday.
Bob’s Take: I guess I didn’t realize that the title wasn’t on the line to begin with? I don’t hate that addition to the match as it gives Sting even more of a reason to potentially screw over Nash in order to win the title. 1 for 1
DEAN MALENKO CONFRONTS RIC FLAIR BACKSTAGE
CONTEXT: Dean Malenko enters the room and asks Flair one question. Malenko heard a rumor that Flair pulled himself out of a match with Malenko at the PPV due to his back. Malenko never thought he’d witness Flair being a coward. Malenko says there are other wrestlers whose backs should be hurting from carrying David Flair in a match. Malenko can’t believe that David Flair is the WCW United States Champion. Ric tells Malenko that he’ll reveal who Malenko is wrestling at the PPV and he’s the President who can do whatever he wants. Arn Anderson chimes in and says there will be a power swing because he’s sick of watching.
Bob’s Take: I had no idea that Malenko vs. Flair was scheduled for the pay per view. So, this is a bit of a shocker that it’s not going to happen. Malenko’s push still isn’t connecting with me. Which, is a bit confusing because I really enjoyed his 1997 run where he won the US Title and he had a bigger focus than the Cruiserweight title. I’m thinking if he was more the silent killer rather than complaining I’d like it more. 1 for 2
MATCH #1: EDDIE GUERRERO VS. LENNY LANE
FINISH: During the match, the referee got knocked to the floor. Several luchadores come out and attack Guerrero for being embarrassed by Guerrero on Nitro. Parka drop toe holds Eddie onto a chair. Psychosis hits a top rope leg drop. Eventually, the referee recovers and Lane pins Guerrero to win the match.
Bob’s Take: It makes complete sense considering what Eddie did to the luchadores on Nitro. I much rather Eddie be involved in something more serious and meaningful matches. Lenny actually winning a match is a bit surprising even with the interference. There wasn’t enough here to enjoy and the crowd went from responding very well to almost dying off quickly. They love Eddie. 1 for 3
JIMMY HART INVITES LUCHADORES TO HARDCORE BATTLE AT PPV
CONTEXT: Jimmy Hart runs up to La Parka and Silver King backstage. Hart recruits them to compete in the junkyard match. They seem a bit confused by the concept, but Hart takes it as if they agreed to be part of the match.
Bob’s Take: Considering they don’t have a true hardcore division they are going to grab anyone and everyone to fill it out. I don’t care about this at all. I’m glad that Parka and King will get a PPV appearance, though. 1 for 4
DISCO INFERNO INTERVIEW
CONTEXT: Disco Inferno is in the ring to be interviewed by Mean Gene. Inferno is wrestling The Cat at the PPV this Sunday. Inferno reminds Gene that he’s a two-time WCW TV Champion and says everyone knows that The Cat stinks. Inferno insults Cat’s karate ability and claims that Cat learned karate from Billy Blanks. Gene mentions Sonny Ono and doesn’t trust him. Inferno says he’s going to give Cat a Brooklyn, NY tushy kicking and he’s going to dance while he’s going to do it.
Bob’s Take: I truly thought that Inferno had much more of a focus in the young vs. old angle, but it looks like he’s stuck in the meaningless midcard ranks. I didn’t find this promo to be funny or any good. 1 for 5
MATCH #2: VAN HAMMER VS. AL GREEN
FINISH: Hammer wins the match following a cobra clutch slam. After the match, WCW TV Champion Rick Steiner attacks Hammer from behind and pummels Hammer in the corner. Steiner casually leaves Hammer laying.
Bob’s Take: At least this was short and sweet. I wasn’t expecting Hammer to simply get punked out in the ring. There’s no chance he’s winning the title on Sunday. 1 for 6
JIMMY HART ATTEMPTS TO RECRUIT HORACE
CONTEXT: Hart approaches Horace in the hallway and explains the junkyard match. Hart wants Horace to make his uncle Hulk proud. Hart takes it as a yes as Horace says he’d do it if the money is right.
Bob’s Take: Literally anyone and everyone. 1 for 7
MATCH #3: BRIAN KNOBBS VS. FIT FINLAY
FINISH: Late in the match, Hugh Morrus and Jerry Flynn attack Finlay on the floor as Finlay grabbed a table. Steven Regal comes out to brawl with Hugh Morrus and Dave Taylor was there, too. Basically, everyone who is seemingly involved in the junkyard match come out to brawl. Knobbs hits Parka with a chair and Jimmy Hart counted a pin fall for some reason.
Bob’s Take: These are probably two guys who should be in the junkyard match considering their styles. For the most part, this was actually an enjoyable brawl. The crowd has been lively and wanted to enjoy something in the ring. The brawling seemed to deliver on quality for the crowd. As soon as I wrote that sentence there was a massive brawl and there wasn’t a winner to the match. WCW seems have an obsession in getting the audience interested in a match and then completely screwing it up. I understand the approach with the brawl to give an idea of what t expect, but sometimes a finish to a match would be the better option and afterward do the brawl. 1 for 8
RODDY PIPER & RIC FLAIR INTERVIEW
CONTEXT: Mean Gene is in the ring with the entire Board Of Directors. Piper starts off saying that at the PPV he’s going to run over Bagwell like the Crimson Tide. Piper mocks Bagwell for wanting a main event match. Piper isn’t going to bite his ear off, but rather his whole head. Piper is going to turn the PPV into the wild west. Flair chimes in and says Asya wants to see why Piper is the hot rod. Flair talks about Dean Malenko saying Malenko made a mistake about asking why Flair isn’t wrestling Sunday. Flair says he’s too busy and reveals that WCW United States Champion David Flair will compete against Malenko on Sunday with the title on the line. Flair says if David wins on Sunday then Piper will let David wear a kilt. Flair tells Gene that if they beat Malenko then he can have Asya.
Bob’s Take: So, all of that was just to tell us that at the PPV it will be WCW US Champion David Flair against Dean Malenko. I don’t have any interest in that and I doubt David is losing the title quickly at this point. The dynamic of Flair and Piper is getting rather old to me. They need to pull the trigger on the young guard sooner rather than later. 1 for 9
MATCH #4: DISCO INFERNO VS. BILLY KIDMAN
NOTE: Steven Regal provided a promo during the match saying he’ll be in the junkyard match.
FINISH: During the match, The Cat and Sonny Ono appeared on the aisle. Cat enters the ring and kicks Kidman to cause a disqualification. Cat misses a side kick and nails Ono. Inferno nails Cat with the Last Dance.
Bob’s Take: I literally rolled my eyes when The Cat came out. I guess it would be a bit odd for Kidman to do a job for Inferno at this point, but Inferno does have a PPV match while Kidman does not. The action was actually solid before the DQ finish. 2 for 10
THE TRIAD INTERVIEW
CONTEXT: Diamond Dallas Page says he’s disappointed in the fans. DDP promises they will never forget him whether they love or hate him. DDP considers himself the greatest two-time WCW World Champion ever. DDP denies Saturn beating him last week on Thunder. DDP also denies losing a six man tag match on Nitro. DDP shows footage to support his claims. DDP notes that Kanyon was the legal man on Nitro and not Bigelow, who was pinned. DDP says it wasn’t right what happened to them. DDP reveals they are putting the tag titles on the line at the PPV and they have a snowballs chance to win the titles.
Bob’s Take: Honestly, I like when the heels make valid points and have proof to support it. The Triad have become a consistently good act whenever they are on TV. 3 for 11
MATCH #5: WCW TAG TEAM CHAMPION KANYON VS. CHRIS BENOIT
NOTE: Jimmy Hart chatted with Mikey Whipwreck during the match and Whipwreck wants to think about it.
FINISH: Late in the match, Bigelow gets on the apron, but collides with Kanyon. Bigelow recovers to crotch Benoit on the top rope. Saturn comes out to brawl with Bigelow. Benoit gets the Crossface on Kanyon. Bigelow misses a diving headbutt and hits Kanyon on accident. Benoit dropkicks Bigelow to the floor. Benoit pins Kanyon following the diving headbutt. DDP tried to get in the ring, but couldn’t get through the ropes. DDP plants the referee with a diamond cutter. Saturn gets attacked by Bigelow from behind. Bigelow and DDP hit the Diamond Cutter/Greetings From Asbury combo on Saturn.
Bob’s Take: This is a good match with some impactful offense. It’s the kind of match that WCW needs to do on a regular basis. I liked the finish of DDP failing to get into the ring on time as he clearly did that on purpose. If they had done another DQ finish I would have been fed up with it on the show. The tag title feud is probably the best thing WCW has going right now. 4 for 12
MAIN EVENT: KONNAN VS. CURT HENNIG
FINISH: Late in the match, there’s a massive brawl between the West Texas Rednecks and the No Limit Soldiers. Barry Windham comes in from behind to hit Konnan with a cowbell and Hennig gets the pin.
Bob’s Take: Considering there was four minutes remaining on the show by the time the main event started there was never going to be much substance to this one. I was stunned that there was actually a pin decision even with the interference. It’s a quick encounter and there was some decent action with the pacing they went with to close the show. So, I guess I enjoyed this. 5 for 13
Not a good go-home show leading into Bash at the Beach taking place this Sunday. They had said that Randy Savage would be sharing his thoughts regarding Nash, but Savage obviously never appeared on the program. I’m sure it would have been the same nonsense we’ve heard for weeks at this point.
As it stands right now, I’m only interested in the tag title match for the second pay per view in a row. The build into Bash at the Beach has been rather underwhelming.
7/8 WCW Thunder TV Rating: 2.8
Thanks for reading.