With just hours before
the end of world peace is broadcast on pay-per-view, it remains incredible WCW
is able to maintain any kind of order. Yet, here we are, with a star studded
lineup. What if I told you Hollywood Hogan defends his World Title against Sting,
while Roddy Piper guest referees? For starters, that would make me a colossal
liar. But we have a fair number of substitutes, such as Brad Armstrong, Rick
Steiner, and the Public Enemy.
Our hosts are TONY SCHIAVONE and “SOBER” BOBBY HEENAN, live from Disney MGM Grand studios in
Florida, in front of a capacity crowd of 8 excited young girls who mistook this
for a Princess tea-party.
THE ARMSTRONG BROTHERS vs. THE PUBLIC ENEMY
Heenan on the Armstrongs:
“Put your arms down, the wind’s blowing.” Heenan on the Public Enemy: “Hang on,
I gotta hide my wallet. Are those old Houston Astros uniforms?” Heenan’s all
kinds of salty tonight, moaning about the length of the Enemy’s entrance
because he’s got other things to get done today. This should be relatively
quick, depending how hard we’re pushing TPE this month. Steve accidentally
clotheslines his brother, but recovers to give Rocco a hotshot. An atomic drop
stuns Rock, and Scott comes off the top with a clothesline so gentle I’m not
sure it would move a dryer sheet. Somehow, Rock sells it, and then takes a
bulldog. Scott points to his arms, because he’s Arm Strong, before he
unsuccessfully attempts a sunset flip. The announcers talk World War 3, and
Heenan explains if he and Tony were tag-team partners, he’d be forced to fight
him. Tony’s fine with that, informing Heenan he’d be the first guy he’d go
after. Heenan is in complete shock, “after all I’ve done for you! I’ve carried
this team!” Tony tries to give it back, while Heenan explains the ideal strategy
to eliminate Schiavone would be to put a bowl of Coco Pebbles on the apron, and
as he reaches for them, dump him over the top. A bored Bobby Heenan is the best
Bobby Heenan, and we’re getting 5 star work from him here. The Armstrongs cut
off the ring and do all sorts of mock hands in the air. After far too long on
offense, Rock is finally able to tag Grunge, who starts slamming losers left
and right. Drive By goes to finish, but Steve Armstrong makes the save. There
is no reason to delay this! Miscommunication from the brothers leads to a
Grunge schoolboy, and it FINALLY ends at 7:39.
*
JIM POWERS (with Teddy Long) vs. MARK STARR
Starr has traded in his
hard hat for tassels, which might violate his collective agreement. Long orders
referee PEE WEE ANDERSON not to pull
any of that “Nick Patrick crap”. I’m starting to think the problem is Teddy
Long’s over aggressive approach with paid officials, as opposed to Nick
Patrick. Juiced Jim hits a shoulderblock, and follows with a hiptoss. Starr
chases him around like Wile E Coyote, failing at every turn despite having some
fine ideas. Powers delivers a pooter punch, and follows with the high knee.
Powerslam gets the win at 3:48.
Nope. 1/2*
For god sakes, Glacier’s
had like 2 fights since his debut, and we’re already running through return matches? I really don’t like that the company that employs Glacier has been
under constant terroristic attacks since his debut, and despite his background
as both a police officer, AND years of training as a martial arts guru – which
the last time I checked encourages peace and honor – hasn’t done a DAMN THING
to help WCW! As is the norm, Glacier gets to wrestle under a blue light. If
that’s the case, Val Venis should be allowed to wrestle under a black light.
Glacier runs through his stupid martial arts routine, before crossing his arms,
and just stopping short of yelling “FINISH HIM!” That gives Tanaka enough time
to hit a powerbomb, but Glacier shows a new kip up, by sliding his split legs
shut, and moving back to a vertical base. Bruno Mars should use that one.
Glacier hits the Cryonic Kick off the top and scores the pin at 2:21. 1/2* Heenan: “He has an eye like
a Siamese cat!”
JERRY LYNN vs. BRAD ARMSTRONG
This is actually
happening, isn’t it? Even worse, it’s being sold to us as a “great
Cruiserweight match up!” Tony decided at some point that having any credibility
is worse than having no credibility, and he’s worked very hard to rectify that.
Side Russian legsweep wins at 2:24.
*
RICK STEINER vs. LEX LUGER
NICK PATRICK is assigned here, and this might be his first match all week. I’ll
give Luger credit for swallowing his pride on his last contract, because there
is no way anyone else in his position would be willing to appear on all of
these syndicated shows, but he’s here at least once a month or more. For all
the shit he ate in the dying days of WCW, Luger was nothing short of a pro
throughout 1995-97. Tony starts in on the fact Patrick isn’t wearing his neck
brace, because he isn’t hurt. Heenan asks how he knows, because after all, “you
thought Hogan was a good guy!” Tony: “… yes I did.” Luger manages a backdrop on
Steiner, but he jumps back up and spears Lex. Luger flattens him with an elbow,
but Steiner shakes it off and hits a clothesline for 2. Luger fires back with a
powerslam, but Steiner kicks out. A vertical suplex fails to secure the win,
and Luger’s a little frustrated. He goes for the roaring clothesline, but
Steiner continues to kick out. They start trading blows, which Luger seems to
win, but Heenan figures Steiner’s always in a daze so it means nothing. And
sure enough, Steiner manages a powerslam, and then hits the top rope bulldog! He
decides not to cover, which is a mistake, and they both tumble to the floor off
a clothesline. Nick Patrick notices it’s over the top rope, which is a double
DQ at 6:45. Tony tries to argue that
it was dual momentum, or some such nonsense – but I’m on Patrick’s side if for
no other reason than to abolish the stupid over the top rope rule! This was
sadly the match of the night. *1/2
No preview for next week.
And no hard-sell for World War 3 at the credits? They managed that clock like
Mike Smith in a do or die situation. Not good, WCW.
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