TEW 08: WCW after the Screwjob

[DeToxRox]

MA 97 is my favorite TEW dynasty, and I've done it with WWF and ECW. Some corrupt files ruined my last game I got into, and I felt like I just needed a break. This time I am going to start over and try to be a little more immersive so I am not booking a hundred shows at once and burning myself out.

So this time I'll be using WCW in a period of time when they were hot as can be, but they were becoming stuck in the mud. The nWo was becoming watered down, and the rest of the WCW talent was being jobbed at the overbloated nWo's expense.

I am still planning some things out but the story should be ready to begin now.

[DeToxRox]

Wrestling Observer Breaking News
Bret Hart's initial WCW plans leaked; plans being feverishly rewritten

Only in WCW could they fumble their biggest acquisition since Hulk Hogan by having loose lips backstage around the boys, causing the plans to leak all over the internet leaving WCW in a big mess just one day away from Bret Hart's Nitro debut.

The plans apparently called for Bret Hart to make his debut as a guest referee in a match between Eric Bischoff and Larry Zbyisko at Starrcade. Yes, you heard that right. The biggest star the WWF had falls into WCW's lap, and this was the best they could do? I know what you all must be thinking -- those lucky bastards just skated on one because no one would possibly think that is a great idea for an angle, and we agree totally.

The news regarding the new storyline is being held close to the vest, but from what we have been told the direction the company plans on going should become far more clear after the first segment of Nitro tomorrow tonight.

We'll keep you posted as more becomes available.

[DeToxRox]

Wrestling Observer Breaking News
Egos clash backstage hours before Nitro takes the air!

WCW just can't keep out of the news over the past 24 hours, and none of it is very good for the company. Apparently there was a blow up backstage at a company meeting between Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff.

The word backstage is Hogan is sick of being forced to share TV time with all of the guys who "can't draw" in nWo, such as Buff Bagwell, Vincent and Scott Norton. He feels the nWo should be for the most elite, and now he is threatening to pull out of his WCW World Title match vs Sting at Starrcade, citing his creative control.

Bischoff, already tense from the Bret Hart fiasco, left the arena in a huff on his Harley, and Hogan has locked himself away in his dressing room with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash.

Apparently Ted Turner has been summoned to the arena to try and rectify this situation.

[DeToxRox]

Wrestling Observer Breaking News
Ted Turner reaches deal with Hulk Hogan -- Bischoff gone?

Just under an hour from Nitro and Bret Hart's WCW debut and the real story is backstage where Ted Turner arrived on the scene with an offer for Hulk Hogan. He promised Hogan an extra 3 million dollars a year, as well as 2 extra years on his contrct in exchange for Hogan vetoing his creative control clause. Apparently Hogan has agreed, and understandably the rest of the crew is ecstatic that for once Hogan doesn't hold all the cars.

On the flipside, Eric Bischoff is still nowhere to be found, leaving Terry Taylor and Dusty Rhoads to finish booking tonights show.

What we do know is that Ted Turner is "furious" as one wrestler put it, and that this wrestler wouldn't be shocked to hear Bischoff has been let go.

More on this tonight after Nitro in our Nitro thoughts column.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 1, December 1997
Thompson-Boling Arena (Southeast)
30,000 People -- Sellout

Pre-show Dark Match
Disco Inferno defeated Alex Wright in 7:36 by pinfall with The Last Dance (D)

Pre-Show Dark Match
Sick Boy defeated Super Calo in 7:43 by pinfall with a Cure (E)

Nitro opens up with no music or pyro, just the fans going crazy. Then fireworks explode Bret "The Hitman" Hart comes out from the back to an insane ovation. The crowd chants "Welcome, Bret" but he doesn't acknowlege them. Instead he rolls into the ring and grabs a microphone.

Hart says just last week he was thinking he would be here tonight happy, ready for the next chapter of his life, but instead, he's stuck answering questions about the past. He says that he knows Starrcade is 4 weeks away, and it's the marquee event in wrestling, and because of that he wants everyone in WCW, and everyone at home watching, to knoq that by the end of the night everyone will know what he has in store for WCW! (A)

Chris Jericho defeated Eddy Guerrero in 13:02 by submission with a Lion Tamer (C)

Raven defeated Rey Mysterio Jr. in 12:49 by pinfall with a Piledriver (B-) After the match Raven grabs Rey and plants him with his Evenflow DDT. He then looks into the camera and promises the nightmare is just beginning (C-)

An ominious, brooding music begins playing leaving the audience wondering what is is for. Then a spotlight shines in the rafters where Sting is propelling into the ring. The crowd goes nuts at the savior of WCW's arrival. Then, for the first time in nearly a year, he takes a microphone.

He says that for 12 months he has stayed quiet and let his actions speak louder then words, but still no one in the back has paid attention. He says it has been him vs the nWo, with no help from WCW and he is sick of it. Sting promised the fans he'd rid WCW of the nWo but he thought he had help.

With that, Sting says he is challening Hogan for Starrcade to a Cage Match, since no one in the back has had his back, this is the only way to make things right. He tells Hogan to accept, or he'll have to go out and make sure the nWo doesn't make it to Starrcade; it's his choice! (B+)

The Outsiders defeated Harlem Heat in 12:27 when Kevin Nash defeated Booker T by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb (B-)

As the Outsiders celebrate in the ring, a fired up Ric Flair hits the ring and begins to chop the living hell out of Hall and Nash as the crowd goes wild. Flair grabs a mic and says Sting is right, and even though they have had their issues, Sting and Flair had their issues in WCW, and that means something to him. He says that the nWo is a crock and that Nash is the biggest phony in the business. He lays out an official challenge for Nash at Starrcade, so he can finish what he and Sting started all those years ago! (B+)

Chris Benoit defeated Perry Saturn in 12:44 by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex. Chris Benoit wins the WCW World Television title (C)

Backstage Eric Bischoff arrives (B+)

Diamond Dallas Page defeated Randy Savage in 19:42 by pinfall with a Diamond Cutter (B)

WCW Champion Hollywood Hulk Hogan makes his apperance, strumming the Heavyweight title as a guitar, Hogan continues to make his mockery of WCW. He gets in the ring and tells Sting thanks but no thanks to a cage match. He says he's the champ, and he makes the rules --

With that, an obviously irate Eric Bischoff comes out with no music. Hogan looks concerned as his croney heads up to the ring.

Bisch grabs the mic and says he has dealt with some serious BS these past 24 hours, and he thinks it came right from Hulk Hogan. He says because of that, he is making the Cage match official.

Hogan, in total shock, gets another surprise as Bret Hart comes out with a replica World Title.

Hart comes in the ring and says he left WWF as champion, because how he lost was pure BS. He says therefore he is the champion until someone pins him or makes him submit.

He says he ironed some things out with Bischoff over the phone just before the show, and it has been determined that following Starrcade Bret Hart will be declaed #1 contender and will face the winner at Feburary's SuperBrawl!

Hogan stands shocked as Nitro goes off the air (A*)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

Wrestling Observer Nitro Report
Bret Hart debuts .. Sting talks ... We have a Starrcade Main Event

Nitro was a solid show last night, and it looks like some huge creative changes are starting to occur. Running down the show:

- Bret Hart opened Nitro with an impassioned promo that set the tone for the rest of the show. I really had no idea what to expect when he said we'd find out his plans for Starrcade at the end of the show, which means WCW did something right for a change.

- Chris Jericho won a solid match vs Eddy Guerrero. We've heard rumblings that Jericho is going to be receiving a big push in the near future, potentially leading to a feud with Chris Benoit. As wrestling fans we could only be so lucky.

- Raven vs Mysterio was another solid match. Raven has become increasingly darker in recent weeks, and the direction he's gone is new for WCW. We all know Scott Levey can work, but will WCW let him do what he wants?

- Sting talking for the first time in a year was a nightmare at first. But then when he called out the rest of the WCW workers, it made perfect sense. Sting has been a man going at it alone and with his moment in the sun coming in a months time it only is fair he watches his own back. Challenging Hogan to the Cage Match was a nice touch as fans love their cages.

- The Outsiders vs Harlem Heat was a physical match that put Hall and Nash over, but the post-match attack and promo by Flair was money. Flair coming to Stings aid for the sake of WCW is a great touch, and then to challenge Nash at Starrcade gives WCW another huge match for their flagship event.

- Chris Benoit defeating Perry Saturn for the TV Title was a nice surprise. The TV title will be defended a lot and Benoit is a guy who can work great matches nightly vs anyone.

- Bischoff arriving was a shock to us. Thankfully it was all explained later.

- DDP beat Savage in a good main event. DDP is starting to get over with his tireless work and his infectious charisma. He has the makings of a future star for WCW.

- The final promo was a thing of beauty. Hogan ducking the challenge only to be screwed over by his "friend" Bischoff was awesome. Hogans reaction was great as he found out he has nowhere to run inside the Cage at Starrcade.

Then Bret Hart coming out with his own World Title and naming himself the real Worlds Champ was great. So now we have a Main Event signed for SuperBrawl as well, as it'll be Champion vs "Champion". Great advanced planning by WCW.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Saturday Night
Thursday, Week 1, December 1997
Draddy Gym (Tri City)
2000 People -- SELLOUT
TV Taping

Pre-show Dark Match
Eddy Guerrero defeated Alex Wright in 7:57 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (D+)

Pre-show Dark Match
Perry Saturn defeated Chavo Guerrero Jr. in 7:55 by pinfall with a Death Valley Driver (D-)

Saturday Night opens with footage of Ric Flair's challenge to Nash for Starrcade. When the video ends we're treated to Nash in the ring. Nash says Flair is a has been who needs to step aside gracefully or else the nWo will remove him maliciously. He says his match for Starrcade ain't happening because around here it's the nWo that makes the rules, not Ric Flair! (A)

Bill Goldberg defeated Brad Armstrong in 7:16 by pinfall with The Spear (E+)

Chris Benoit defeated Chris Jericho in 15:43 by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex. Chris Benoit makes defence number 1 of his WCW World Television title (C)

After the commercial break Chris Jericho is still in the ring clutching his head. He says Benoit cheated and hooked his tights and that it was a fluke. Jericho starts stomping around and kicking the ropes before demanding a rematch with Benoit. Benoit comes back out to the top of the ramp and shakes his head yes, smiling a crooked grin (C+)

A video airs highlighting Diamond Dallas Page (B+)

Dean Malenko defeated Steven Regal in 10:04 by submission with a Texas Cloverleaf (C+)

Backstage Ric Flair is arriving at the building. He spots his best friend Arn Anderson who tells him Nash said no to his challenge. Flair loses it and goes looking for Nash. He spots him at catering and rushes him only be to ambushed by Scott Norton and Buff Bagwell. Together, along with Nash, the three man do a number on Flair before Arn Anderson can make the save (B-)

Curt Hennig defeated Konnan in 8:58 by pinfall with a Hennig Plex. Curt Hennig makes defence number 1 of his WCW United States Heavyweight title (C-)

A video plays recapping the Bret Hart - Hulk Hogan - Sting saga from this past Nitro (B+)

The Giant and Lex Luger defeated The Nasty Boys in 11:28 when The Giant defeated Jerry Saggs by pinfall with a Choke Slam (C-)

Scott Steiner is in the back with Ted DiBise. Steiner claims he is the most dominate force in WCW, and that he along with his brother Rick are the greatest Tag Team Champions in the business. He puts down an open challenge for their belts at Starrcade (B-)

Booker T defeated Ric Flair in 17:39 by pinfall with a Harlem Hangover following interference from Kevin Nash (B-)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

WCW News & Notes

- WCW has cut ties with 15 contracted wrestlers. Among the notables were Glacier, Jerry Saggs, Barry Darsow and Bobby Eaton. The cuts were done more as way to deal with a bloated roster then anything financial.

- WCW execs are contemplating cancelling Saturday Night and hoping to get in on talks to feature a new show on either Wednesday or Thursday nights. The ratings for Saturday Night just do not justify the cost of running the show, but on the flipside it's hard to cancel 2 extra hours of TV without a viable alternatives.

- Rumor has it that this week on Nitro that there is a huge challenge that is going to be issued for Starrcade. People within the company speculate this match has the potential to rival Hogan vs Sting.

[General Mike]

good job so far Danny. I like the Hart uncrowned world champ angle.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 2, December 1997
Live from America West Arena
15000 People -- Sellout

Pre-show dark match
El Dandy, Shiryu, Silver King and Alex Wright defeated Dave Taylor, Brad Armstrong, Super Calo and Villano IV in 15:39 when Alex Wright defeated Brad Armstrong by submission with a STF (E+)

Chris Benoit defeated Steven Regal in 13:53 by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex. Chris Benoit makes defence number 2 of his WCW World Television title (C)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Juventud Guerrera and Eddy Guerrero in 11:34 when Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Eddy Guerrero by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana (C)

Kevin Nash comes out to the ring with a smug look on his face. He says on Saturday he and the rest of the nWo did a number on Flair, yet the old man still decided to come to the show tonight. He says he won't get his match vs Nash but he can fight Scott Norton this Saturday (B+)

Raven defeated Mortis in 11:02 by pinfall with a Piledriver (C-)

The second hour of Nitro opens up with "The Hulk Hogan" show. Hogan calls out Bret Hart and Sting, except instead of those two men, two fakes come out. Hogan starts mocking them both, and says that after Starrcade when he gets rid of the pest that is Sting, he can focus his attention to the crybaby that is Bret Hart (A)

A replay airs of the Scott Steiner challenge for Starrcade. Tony Schivanoe says that Randy Savage and the Giant have accepted, but Ted DiBiase has determined that it's in the best interest of the Steiners that Savage and The Giant beat the Steiners first, in a non title match, to earn their shot. That match is next (B+)

The Giant and Randy Savage defeated The Steiner Brothers in 12:56 when The Giant defeated Rick Steiner by pinfall with a Choke Slam (C)

Bill Goldberg defeated Brian Knobbs in 6:06 by pinfall with The Spear (D+)

Scott Hall defeated Ric Flair in 14:39 by disqualification (B) After the match Nash and Hogan hit the ring and start beating on Flair, which leads to Sting and Bret Hart coming out to even things up. The faces clear out the heels, but Hart and Sting share an intense staredown as the nWo flees (B+)

Then from the ramp, an irate Scott Hall says Hart is nothing but a sellout and a liar. He says he got a call from his best friend. A guy he used to be in a "clique" with and he says Bret screwed himself and he should have to pay for what he tried doing back in New York, so Scott Hall is officially challenging Hart to a match at Starrcade so he can prove Hart is nothing more then a damn phony! (A-)

Show Rating: B

[dubb93]

Good job so far. Maybe at some point we will see Scott Hall get the world title run he never saw in real life. He was absolutely money at this time and prehaps the most entertaining wrestler in the business in the late 90s. Hart v Hall would have sold without a doubt.

[DeToxRox]

Good job so far. Maybe at some point we will see Scott Hall get the world title run he never saw in real life. He was absolutely money at this time and prehaps the most entertaining wrestler in the business in the late 90s. Hart v Hall would have sold without a doubt.

Always had an affinity for Hall myself. I have some plans for the nWo going forward and he is at the focal point of a big angle coming up.

I appreciate the feedback from you and Mike. Its been fun so far.

[Crim]

DeTox - can you give me an idea of what program you're using for this dynasty?

[DeToxRox]

WCW Saturday Night
Thursday, Week 1, December 1997
Pamplin Sports Center
2000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Booker T defeated Norman Smiley in 5:59 by pinfall with a Harlem Hangover (C-)

Randy Savage comes out to the ring to address the crowd. He says lately he feels lost in the shuffle. He is sick of being considered just a utility man, and he feels he can once again be the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, and he will prove it by destroying everyone in his path until he gets a shot at the title (B+)

Juventud Guerrera defeated La Parka in 9:44 by pinfall with a 450 Splash (D-)

Bill Goldberg defeated Kidman in 5:36 by pinfall with The Spear (D+)

A video airs promoting Bret Hart making his WCW in-ring debut this Monday on Nitro! (B+)

Dean Malenko defeated Mortis in 11:34 by submission with a Texas Cloverleaf (D+)

Ric Flair defeated Scott Norton in 9:33 by pinfall (C+) After the match Buff Bagwell and a masked man run into the ring and begin beating Flair. Together they hold Flair down so Kevin Nash can saunter to the ring and spray nWo on his back (B-)

Ric Flair defeated Scott Norton in 9:33 by pinfall (C-)

Bobby Heenan hypes our Main Event, Raven vs DDP (B-) Diamond Dallas Page defeated Raven in 16:35 by pinfall with a Diamond Cutter (B) DDP celebrates with the fans after the match (B+)

Saturday Night comes to a close with Rowdy Roddy Piper coming out to the ring. He mentions that he has been named the head honcho of WCW Saturday Night, and he has been given an announcement he has to make. This Monday on Nitro, Bret Hart will make his WCW debut as he teams with Ric Flair to take on the Outsiders! (B+)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

DeTox - can you give me an idea of what program you're using for this dynasty?

TEW 08 and the mod I am using is Montreal Aftermath 2.0 from bobinc.net

[DeToxRox]

WCW Press Release
This coming Nitro to feature two PPV caliber matches!

WCW is proud to announce the debut of Bret "The Hitman" Hart this Monday on Nitro as he teams with the "Nature Boy" Ric Flair to take on the Outsiders, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. This matched was announced Saturday on WCW Saturday Night by new Saturday Night commissioner Roddy Piper.

Now WCW is proud to announce a second PPV caliber match for Nitro, as Hollywood Hogan has went out of his way to challenge Lex Luger to a WCW World Title Match as a tune up for his match with Sting at Starrcade! Hogan says he knows Luger is Stings best friend and he wants to teach Sting a lesson by injuring his best friend!

So join us Monday on TNT for what promises to be an exciting episode of Nitro!

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 3, December 1997
Dunkin Donuts Center
15000 People -- Sellout

Nitro opens up with a shot of a steel cage suspended above the ring. Bobby Heenan says he has no idea why it's there but something smells fishy. He suspects the nWo has something to do with it (B-)

The Outsiders hit the ring. They promise that tonight they'll ruin Starrcade for all of those idiot WCW fans out there by taking out Ric Flair and Bret Hart, leaving Sting as the only victim left (B)

Randy Savage defeated Steven Regal in 10:59 by pinfall (C)

A pre-taped interview airs with DDP promising that 1998 will be the Year of the Diamond Cutter. Bang! (B)

Chris Jericho defeated Chris Benoit in 13:20 by submission with a Lion Tamer after blatantly cheating (C)

Curt Hennig defeated Eddy Guerrero in 6:38 by pinfall with a Hennig Plex. Curt Hennig makes defence number 2 of his WCW United States Heavyweight title (C-)

Hulk Hogan is backstage getting ready for his WCW World Title match with Lex Luger. He says he hopes Sting is somewhere he can get a good look at the devestation he is about to inflict on Luger (A)

We then cut to another locker room where Bret Hart and Ric Flair bump into one another. The animosity is there but they vow to watch one anothers back and make sure they take another chink out of the nWo's armor tonight! (A)

The Outsiders defeated Bret Hart and Ric Flair in 20:56 when Kevin Nash defeated Ric Flair after hitting him with brass knuckles (B)

Hollywood Hulk Hogan defeated Lex Luger in 18:31 by pinfall with a Big Leg Drop. Hollywood Hulk Hogan makes defence number 1 of his WCW World Heavyweight title (B) With Luger down the cage starts to lower. The rest of the nWo hits the ring before it finally is in place. From there they begin pounding on Luger, turning his face into a crimson mask. The fans chant for Sting, but he is unable to help. Nitro ends with Hogan spray painting nWo on Lugers back (B)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

One thing I keep forgetting is to add Monday Night ratings .. I'll do that now along with results from Raw

[DeToxRox]

WWF Monday Night Raw
Monday, Week 3, December 1997
Wachovia Center (Tri State)
15000 People -- Sellout

Kurrgan d. Barry Horowitz (E)
ANGLE: Backstage segment with HBK, Austin and Vince McMahon (B+)
Miguel Perez Jr. d. Puke (E)
ANGLE: Backstage segment with Undertaker and HHH (B)
Phinias I. Godwinn d. Bob Holly (D)
ANGLE: Brawl involving Owen Hart and the Rock (B)
Justin Bradshaw d. 8-Ball (D)
Ahmed Johnson d. The Rock (B-)
HBK d. Road Dogg (C+)

Show Rating: C+

[DeToxRox]

Monday Night Ratings for Week 3, December 1997

Nitro - 6.05
Raw - 3.65

[DeToxRox]

WCW Saturday Night
Thursday, Week 3, December 1997
Hart Rec Center
2000 People -- Sellout

Raven opens Saturday Night in the basement of the Hart Rec Center. He lets everyone know he is filled with pain and torment and it isn't fair so he is going to make sure everyone else has to feel the pain he feels, except the pain he is about to make everyone experience will be the bloody, broken bone kind of pain (C)

Dean Malenko defeated Chavo Guerrero Jr. in 9:53 by submission with a Texas Cloverleaf (D+)

Bill Goldberg defeated The British Bulldog in 6:45 by pinfall with The Spear (D+)

Roddy Piper announces tonights main event, as Harlem Heat will take on Randy Savage and The Giant! (B)

Diamond Dallas Page defeated Mortis in 9:37 by pinfall with a Diamond Cutter (C+)

Ric Flair defeated Buff Bagwell in 13:02 by pinfall (B-) After the match the masked man from Nitro comes out and blindsides Flair before officials hit the ring and he runs through the crowd (B)

Chris Benoit makes a challenge to Chris Jericho for a WCW Television Title match at Starrcade (D)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Rick Martel in 12:06 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana (C)

Randy Savage and The Giant defeated Harlem Heat in 17:25 when The Giant defeated Stevie Ray by pinfall with a Choke Slam (C+)

Roddy Piper comes out to announce on Ntiro that Kevin Nash will go one on one with Diamond Dallas Page (A)

Show Rating: C

[DeToxRox]

Wrestling News

WCW has signed two ECW wrestlers in Sabu and Jerry Lynn. Both men are scheduled for debut after Starrcade. WCW also came to terms with referee Mark Curtis who will return to the company after an abscence.

WWF having risen to Global popularity, has signed several talents, including Sid Vicious, Bam Bam Bigelow, Steve McMichael and Bryan Clarke.

[General Mike]

Wrestling News

WWF having risen to Global popularity, has signed several talents, including Sid Vicious, Bam Bam Bigelow, Steve McMichael and Bryan Clarke.

The first and last time those 3 words will be used in the same sentence ever.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The first and last time those 3 words will be used in the same sentence ever.

Heh. That is using the word talent pretty loosely.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 4, December 1997
Bob Devaney Center
15000 People -- Sellout

Nitro opens up with WCW Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan in the ring. Hogan says that Bisch can't be here tonight, and thankfully they've worked out their differences and he has allowed Hogan to make a couple of matches today. So he has decided to let Sting shake off some ring rust tonight vs Buff Bagwell, and Bret Hart will go one on one with Scott Norton. Hogan says the people can thank him for giving them what he wants (A)

Dean Malenko defeated Kidman in 11:56 by submission with a Texas Cloverleaf (D)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated La Parka and Mortis in 13:51 when Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated La Parka by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana (C)

Chris Jericho is backstage sporting his usual smug look. He says Benoit has some nerve challenging him last week to a rematch after he cleanly beat Benoit, and normally Jericho would refuse, but since Benoit has something he wants in the Television title, he'll accept a title match at Starrcade (B-)

Ric Flair defeated nWo's masked man in 11:34 by pinfall (C) After the match Flair begins to unmask the man when Kevin Nash comes out. Nash says Flair better stop right there. Flair says give me the match Nash, or he will. Nash, obviously irate swears "Damnit this wasn't supposed to work like this!" He then says fine he has his match but if he unmasks him it doesn't happen. Flair smiles then lays heavy boots to his head and kicks him out of the ring (B)

Eric Bischoff arrives at the building (B+)

Bret Hart defeated Scott Norton in 6:51 by submission with a Sharpshooter (B-) After the match Hart promises it'll be worse for Scott Hall at Starrcade (A)

Sting defeated Buff Bagwell in 7:48 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock (B)

Eric Bischoff storms out to the ring. He begins yelling "Hogan your are a lying piece of crap. I know the crap you've been pulling and we never made up. You never had power tonight, but I sure do, and that is why this Saturday you'll be taking on Booker T for your World Title. You try to screw me again, and it'll be even worse! (A)

A pre-taped interview airs with The Giant and Randy Savage explaining that on Sunday they'll become the WCW Tag Team Champions, and there is nothing the Steiners can do about it (B+)

Kevin Nash defeated Diamond Dallas Page in 11:56 by pinfall while using the ropes for leverage (A) The match ends and Ric Flair runs to the ring starting an all out brawl with Nash as Nitro ends (B)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

WWF Monday Night Raw
Monday, Week 4, December 1997
HSBC Arena
15000 People -- Sellout

Brian Christopher d. Recon (E+)
The Godwinns d. The New Blackjacks (D-)
Los Boricuas II d. Horowitz and Scott (E+)
ANGLE: Backstage segment with Vince McMahon, HBK and Steve Austin (B+)
Kama Mustafa d. Super Loco (D+)
Ahmed Johnson d. Jeff Jarrett (C)
HBK d. Owen Hart and Mankind to retain the WWF Heavyweight Title (A)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

Monday Night Ratings
WCW Nitro: 6.02
WWF Raw: 3.80

[DeToxRox]

WCW Saturday Night
Thursday, Week 4, December 1997
Joplin Memorial Hall (Midwest)
2000 People -- Sellout

DDP comes to the ring with a smug look on his face. He says that he got screwed by Nash on Monday, and then finds out because of a match several weeks ago, Raven is all pissed off and got himself a rematch at Starrcade. DDP promises that Raven will regret that choice (C+)

A video plays showing the past two Benoit vs Jericho matches to hype their 3rd installment at Starrcade (D)

Steven Regal defeated Dave Taylor in 9:33 by submission with a Regal Stretch (D+)

Dean Malenko defeated Ultimo Dragon in 11:57 by submission with a Texas Cloverleaf (C-)

The Giant and Randy Savage defeated Meng and Mortis in 9:36 when Randy Savage defeated Meng by pinfall (C+)

A video airs hyping Scott Hall (B+)

Curt Hennig defeated Buff Bagwell in 8:50 by pinfall with a Hennig Plex (C+)

Bill Goldberg defeated Juventud Guerrera in 8:17 by pinfall with The Spear (C)

Gene Okerlund interviews Rey Mysterio Jr backstage. Rey says Sunday at Starrcade he is taking on Eddy Guerrero for the Cruiserweight title and it's a title that he wants to win so he can show every week why he is the best high flyer in the world (D)

Eddy Guerrero defeated El Dandy in 13:59 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (C-)

Booker T is backstage promising that tonight he will win the World Title tonight because you only get so many chances like this, and Booker isn't going to let it slip through his fingers! (B-)

Hollywood Hulk Hogan defeated Booker T in 10:14 by pinfall with a Big Leg Drop. Hollywood Hulk Hogan makes defence number 2 of his WCW World Heavyweight title (B)

Show Rating: C+

A throwaway show to be sure.

[DeToxRox]

ECW held their Holiday Hell PPV on Saturday, headlined by Shane Douglas retaining his ECW World Heavyweight Title over Rob Van Dam (B-) Also The Sandman beat Bam Bam Bigelow (C) and Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon won the ECW World Tag Team Titles from the FBI (D+)

The show was earned a C+ rating with a .12 buy.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Starrcade
Sunday, Week 4, December 1997
Georgia Dome
75,000 People -- SELLOUT

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Eddy Guerrero in 15:53 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana. Rey Mysterio Jr. wins the WCW Cruiserweight title (C+)

Diamond Dallas Page drew with Raven in 14:50 following a double disqualification (B+)

Tony Schivanoe and Bobby Heenan discuss our next match which was booked just today after Booker T's almost win vs Hogan. He is rewarded with a US Title shot vs Curt Hennig tonight (C+)

Curt Hennig defeated Booker T in 17:24 by pinfall with a Hennig Plex. Curt Hennig makes defence number 3 of his WCW United States Heavyweight title (C)

Hulk Hogan arrives at the arena looking very somber (B+)

Chris Jericho is backstage with Mean Gene. Jericho promises that on this grand stage he'll show everyone why he is the best wrestler WCW has to offer! (C+)

Chris Benoit drew with Chris Jericho in 20:00 when the time limit expired (C+)

The Steiner Brothers are backstage preparing for their Tag Team Title defense which is moments away. Scott Steiner says that he is going to throw the Giant around like a rag doll (A)

Randy Savage and The Giant defeated The Steiner Brothers in 11:10 when Randy Savage defeated Rick Steiner by pinfall. Randy Savage and The Giant win the WCW World Tag Team titles (B-) After the match Rick and Scott push one another before DiBiase seperates them (B+)

Kevin Nash says that Ric Flair is a pain in his ass and thankfully he can finally rid himself of him tonight (A)

Ric Flair defeated Kevin Nash in 16:53 by pinfall (A)

Scott Hall is backstage warming up for his grudge match with Bret Hart. He promises Hart that tonight he'll wish he was back in Montreal because he is going to show him this is where the big boys play (A*)

A video airs showing the bad blood of Hart and Hall (A*)

Bret Hart defeated Scott Hall in 26:36 by submission with a Sharpshooter (A)

A video airs showing the long history of Hogan and Sting (A*)

Sting defeated Hollywood Hulk Hogan in 22:14 by pinfall with the Scorpion Death Drop. Stin wins the WCW World Heavyweight Title (A-)

Show Rating: A

[DeToxRox]

Just a note .. that was the best show I've ever booked. Wow. 75,000 people was the most I've had at a show, though running my homebase was the main reason, but all the top matches delievered, especially Hart vs Hall. Just amazing.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Starrcade does monster PPV buy

WCW Starrcade, considered the best PPV of the year, did a monster 22.85 buy. Headlined by Sting vs Hogan, the show was considered a financial and creative success. WCW is humming heading into 1998.

[DeToxRox]

WWF held their In Your House PPV which was headlined by Shawn Michaels retaining his WWF Title vs Steve Austin (A). Also on the show was Ahmed Johnson d. Rock (B-), Triple H d. Goldust (B+) and Owen Hart d. Marc Mero (B-) The show did a 13.85 buy.

[DeToxRox]

December Financials

INCOME

PPV Revenue: $7,084,157
Ticket Sales: $6,028,186
TV Revenue: 183,332
Sponsors: $2,792,491
Merch: $1,470,000
Misc: 3,127

EXPENDITURES

Workers: $1,625,800
Show Costs: $865,800
Marketing: $750,000
Merch: $1,102,500
Production: $3,520,000
Development: $850
Misc: $4,616,981

Performance for December: $5,079,362

Total cash: $55,079,362

[dubb93]

Congrats on the very successful show. I'm wondering if you could have pushed the show up to a an A* if you had run Hogan-Sting before Hart-Hall. Regardless it appears that with this show it is obvious who the major draws for the company are. I would say Sting, Flair, Hart and Hall at this point in time. I sincerely hope you are able to find a way to keep Hogan out of the title picture for some time. IMHO his reign accomplished all there was to accomplish at this time.

[DeToxRox]

Congrats on the very successful show. I'm wondering if you could have pushed the show up to a an A* if you had run Hogan-Sting before Hart-Hall. Regardless it appears that with this show it is obvious who the major draws for the company are. I would say Sting, Flair, Hart and Hall at this point in time. I sincerely hope you are able to find a way to keep Hogan out of the title picture for some time. IMHO his reign accomplished all there was to accomplish at this time.

Hogan will be done soon. I have a big angle in store for him eventually but nothing title related. Nitro will feature Hogan/Sting II then from there his last title shit will happen and after that I plan on having some fun.

Appreciate the feedback.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 1, January 1998
American Airlines Center (Mid South)
15000 People -- Sellout

Nitro opens up with the new WCW World Heavyweight champion Sting addressing a wild crowd. Sting says this was a year in the making, and now that he has the WCW Title, which is the heart of the nWo, he will take the next crucial step of eliminating the WCW of the nWo entirely! (A*)

Sting gets cut off by Scott Hall, who says last night he lost on a fluke to Bret Hart, but thankfully he has his ace in the hole. He plays footage from Novembers World War III 60 Man Battle Royal which he won to earn a World Heavyweight Title shot. He says he wants to cash in his shot this month at the nWo run Souled Out! Hall says Bischoff or whoever is in charge tonight better let him know before the night is out if he gets his match, otherwise the hostile takeover intensifies (A*)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Stevie Richards in 11:46 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (C-)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Stevie Richards in 11:46 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (D+)

Raven is backstage where he lets DDP know he has a message for him. He promises that blood is on his hands, and only DDP knows what he's talking about. He says DDP has until next Monday to accept Raven's challenge for a Street Fight at Souled Out or else his secret will be revealed to the world (B+)

Roddy Piper strolls into the arena to a huge pop from the crowd. He says Bischoff couldn't be here tonight, so he's in charge. He said he's heard Hall's threat, and he has a little compromise. Tonight he says, Hulk Hogan is cashing in his rematch clause vs Sting. After the match he'll announce his compromise to the world (B+)

Randy Savage defeated Scott Steiner in 8:56 by disqualification (B-) After the match Steiner continues his beatdown of Savage until Rick Steiner comes out to pull his brother off Savage. Scott tells Rick to back off and leaves in a huff, as Rick and DiBiase look on in shock (B+)

Chris Jericho is backstage demanding that Chris Benoit give him another match since that time limit finish was just a lucky way out for Benoit. He says until he accepts he'll make Benoits life hell (C+)

Bret Hart comes out and says whatever games Scott Hall is playing need to stop. Hart is still the World's Champ, and the only one who can prove him otherwise is Sting. Hart says he'll be ringside for the Main Event tonight to make sure his point is heard loud and clear about him deserving the title shot at Souled Out (A)

Ric Flair defeated Curt Hennig in 15:45 by pinfall (B+)

We pretaped interview shows Lex Luger at a Doctor's office where he learns he has been medically cleared to return to the ring after the heinous beatdown two weeks ago by Hulk Hogan and the nWo. Luger promises revenge (B-)

Sting defeated Hollywood Hulk Hogan in 15:40 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock. Sting makes defense #1 of the WCW World Heavyweight title (A) After the match Piper comes out and says that no one will get a title shot at Souled Out and instead it'll be Sting and Bret Hart vs Hogan and Hall. Whoever makes the pinfall is next in line for the World Title shot. If Sting wins, then he gets to decide his own fate. With that the four men begin an all out brawl as Nitro goes off air (A)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

Monday Night Ratings

WCW Nitro: 6.64
WWF Raw: 4.03 (headlined by DX vs LOD [B])

[DeToxRox]

WCW Saturday Night
Thursday, Week 1, January 1998
John H. Lewis Gym (Mid South)
2000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Chris Benoit opens up Saturday Night backstage with his Television title slung over his shoulder. He says he'd love to give Jericho another match so he can finally shut him up (D-) Out of nowhere Jericho comes out and blasts Benoit with a chair, leaving him a bloodied mess. Jericho spits on Benoit before grabbing the TV Title and staring at it longingly (C)

Fit Finlay defeated Steven Regal in 11:44 by pinfall with a Tombstone Piledriver (C+)

Dean Malenko defeated Jerry Lynn in 7:45 by pinfall with a Super Gutbuster (C-)

Booker T defeated Eddy Guerrero in 17:36 by pinfall with a Harlem Hangover (C) After the match Booker T makes a challenge to Buff Bagwell for Souled Out. Booker T says he's sick of the nWo taking over his air time and Buff is going to be the first to pay (C+)

Raven defeated Mortis in 12:51 by pinfall with a Piledriver (B-) After the match Raven begins beating Mortis with vicious rights while he screams into the mic "ACCEPT MY CHALLENGE DALLAS, ACCEPT IT!" (B)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Super Calo, Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Ultimo Dragon in 13:51 when Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Chavo Guerrero Jr. by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana. Rey Mysterio Jr. makes defence number 1 of his WCW Cruiserweight title (C)

The Giant defeated Rick Steiner in 10:35 by pinfall with a Choke Slam (B-) After the match Scott Steiner comes out to the ring berating Rick for the loss. Rick just looks at him like he's lost his mind (B+)

Show Rating: C

[dubb93]

I'm interested in seeing how the nWo reacts to Hall attempting to go over Hogan's head and steal a title shot.

As for the tag team match, I really see Sting going over Hogan at this point in time. I just can't see the two faces going head to head or Hall being elevated quite yet, although anything can and will happen in WcW. With that being said Souled Out is really starting to take shape already and that is a good thing.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 2, January 1998
Dean Smith Center (Mid Atlantic)
15000 People - Sellout

Nitro opens up with the "Nature Boy" Ric Flair in the ring. He says it is great to be home in North Carolina. He let's the crowd know that the war vs the nWo is coming to an end, and he'll make sure WCW is on the winning side. He says that lately he has been doing some scouting of the WCW roster and he thinks he's coming close to finding a few new guys he can ride together with. The hinting of a new Four Horsemen draws a huge pop from the crowd. Flair says when the time is right, the Horsemen will ride again! (A*)

A video airs hyping the return of Lex Luger (C)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Kidman in 10:57 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana. Rey Mysterio Jr. makes defence number 2 of his WCW Cruiserweight title (C)

Vicious & Delicious defeated El Dandy and Silver King in 6:31 when Buff Bagwell defeated Silver King by pinfall with a Yellow Jacket Suplex (D)

Eric Bischoff announces that last week his rental car magically had four flat tires and that something is going on, and he suspects the nWo has something to do with it. So tonight Hall and Nash are going to take on Savage and the Giant in a non title match, just so he can watch those two smug a-holes get what they have coming to them (B+)

Diamond Dallas Page defeated Stevie Ray in 11:44 by pinfall with a Diamond Cutter (C) After the match DDP gets on the mic and says Raven does't wanna go there with the secret he holds, and he can have his match with the stipulation being a DDP wins means Raven must keep his mouth shut or he's done in WCW, and if Raven wins, he can tell the world. DDP garauntees the secret will stay buried (B-)

Chris Jericho defeated Konnan in 11:59 by submission with a Lion Tamer (C+) Jericho celebrates after the match as if he just won the World Title (C+)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Ultimo Dragon in 8:46 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (C-)

Bret Hart defeated Steven Regal in 8:34 by submission with a Sharpshooter (B-)

Backstage Hulk Hogan is looking for Scott Hall. He asks Hall what was he doing last week sliding his way into the World Title picture. Hall assures Hulk he has a plan, but he has to go out for his match so he can't really tell him it yet. He says wait till after the show. Hogan looks at him skeptically but says okay brother. As Hall leaves Hogan knocks over a garbage can, obviously mad at being shut out of the plan (A)

The Outsiders defeated Randy Savage and The Giant in 12:51 when Scott Hall defeated The Giant by pinfall, illegally using the ropes for leverage (B-)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

Monday Night Ratings

Nitro: 6.59
Raw: 4.01 (Headlined by Jarrett vs Shamrock [B])

[DeToxRox]

WCW Saturday Night
Thursday, Week 2, January 1998
Burr Gym (Mid Atlantic)
2000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Juventud Guerrera defeated Chavo Guerrero Jr. in 9:33 by pinfall with a 450 Splash (C-)

Bill Goldberg defeated Konnan in 9:51 by pinfall with The Spear (C+)

Another video airs hyping Lex Lugers return to the ring (C-)

Randy Savage comes out and says he wants to know Scott Steiner's deal. He says Steiner has been acting like a chump lately and if he doesn't cut it out Savage plans on cutting it out for him (B+)

Raven defeated Meng in 9:04 by pinfall with a Piledriver (C-)

Chris Jericho defeated Stevie Ray in 12:54 by submission with a Lion Tamer (C+) Afterwards Jericho gets o the mic to continue his verbal assault on Chris Benoit from over the last month (B-)

Dean Malenko defeated Fit Finlay in 7:36 by submission with a Texas Cloverleaf (C-)

The Steiners come out to the ring upset at what Savage says. Scott says he's been upset at how they've been treated by WCW lately, and that he and Rick have aired out their problems like all brothers do. Rick takes the mic and says they want their rematch at Souled Out! (B)

The Giant defeated the British Bulldog in 11:28 by pinfall with a Choke Slam (C) Afterwards the Giant says he speaks for Savage when he says the Steiners have their rematch! (B+)

Chris Benoit defeated Mortis in 14:40 by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex. Chris Benoit makes defence number 4 of his WCW World Television title (C-)

Show Rating: C

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 3, January 1998
Assembly Hall (Great Lakes)
15000 People -- Sellout

Diamond Dallas Page defeated Jim Neidhart in 11:43 by pinfall with a Diamond Cutter (C+) After the match Raven comes out for a sneak attack on DDP but he sees him at the last minute and throws him out of the ring. The two men stare one another down but no further contact occurs (C+)

Eric Bischoff says tonight he is going to give Scott Hall and Hulk Hogan a tune up tonight as they take on The Harlem Heat (B-)

Kevin Nash defeated The British Bulldog in 11:38 by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb (C+) After the match Kevin Nash makes an open challenge for Souled Out (B+)

Chris Jericho comes to the ring to tell everyone they need to take him seriously. He says he will prove how serious he needs to be taken because he is demanding Ric Flair come out to the ring right now to get his ass beat! (C+)

Ric Flair defeated Chris Jericho in 14:47 by disqualification (B-) After the match Jericho snaps and begins putting the boots to Flair. Out of the back comes Chris Benoit who sends Jericho fleeing. Flair gives a nod to Benoit as he gets back to his feet. As Benoit leaves the ring Flair stares at him with a mischivous smile hitting his lips (B)

Dean Malenko defeated Juventud Guerrera in 11:39 by submission with a Texas Cloverleaf (C)

Bill Goldberg defeated Louie Spicolli in 7:31 by pinfall with The Spear (D)

Scott Hall and Hollywood Hulk Hogan defeated Harlem Heat in 14:50 when Scott Hall defeated Booker T by pinfall with a Razor's Edge (B-)

After the match the lights go out and Sting appears wth the WCW World Title in the rafters. He points his trusty bat at Hall and Hogan. The lights go out again and Sting is nowhere to be seen. As Hall and Hogan worriedly look for Sting they accidently bump into one another. The two man almost come to blows but stop short. They share a tense staredown as Nitro goes off the air (A)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

Monday Night Ratings

Nitro: 6.28
Raw: 4.01 (headlined by LOD vs Kane/Undertaker [B])

[DeToxRox]

WCW Saturday Night
Thursday, Week 3, January 1998
David S. Palmer Arena (Great Lakes)
2000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Buff Bagwell defeated Stevie Ray in 7:32 by pinfall with a Yellow Jacket Suplex (C-) After the match Bagwell lays into Stevie Ray only for Booker T to make the save. Booker says Bagwell is done for at Souled Out (C-)

Randy Savage and The Giant says that the Steiners better get on the same page because at Souled Out those two are going to need their A game and a kitchen sink or two to take the tag titles back to Detroit (B)

Bill Goldberg defeated Scott Norton in 6:46 by pinfall with The Spear (D)

Jim Neidhart and The British Bulldog defeated The Blue Bloods in 11:22 when The British Bulldog defeated Steven Regal by pinfall with a Running Powerslam (C)

Roddy Piper announces at Souled Out that the US Title will be on the line as Ric Flair will take on Curt Hennig! (B)

Backstage DDP is looking for Raven. He says he wants to find him to teach him a lesson before Souled Out, but Raven is nowhere to be found (C+)

Chris Benoit defeated Sabu in 6:50 by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex. Chris Benoit makes defence number 5 of his WCW World Television title (C-)

Scott Steiner defeated Konnan in 13:35 by pinfall with a Frankensteiner (C+)

A video airs hyping the Souled Out Main Event of Sting & Bret Hart vs Hollywood Hogan & Scott Hall (A)

Roddy Piper makes his return to the ring. He says that video intrigued him, and it's only fair Sting and Hart get a shot to co-exist together so on Nitro the main event will be Sting & Hart vs the Steiners! (A*)

Raven defeated Rick Steiner in 13:45 by pinfall with a Piledriver (B+) After the match Scott Steiner comes down and gets in Rick's face. He says Rick is better then that and he better get his head out of his ass (B+)

The Giant defeated Mortis in 9:49 by pinfall with a Choke Slam (C+)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

Wrestling Observer Breaking News
End of an era .. WCW cancels Saturday Night

With no fanfare and just an okay final match, WCW Saturday Night now ceases to exist. Ted Turner announced today that he has allowed WCW to end Saturday Night in an effort for the show to find a more lucrative deal for a second show. While many would've wished for the show to get a final hurrah, cable companies are looking for shows soon and WCW needs to focus on that as well as the upcoming PPV Souled Out.

For the short term there shall only be two hours of TV a week for WCW but this should help WCW in the long term as they're becoming an attractive option for advertisers, which makes them an attractice option for Cable companies.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 4, January 1998
Nassau Coliseum (Tri City)
15000 People -- Sellout

Bret Hart and Sting hit the ring together. They come off as a united front but immediatley Hart says after they dispatch of the Steiners tonight and then Sunday when Hart takes out Hall and Hogan, he is going to show Sting why he's the best there is, the best where was and --

Sting cuts him off and says that these days too many people talk. He says his actions will speak louder then his words (A*)

Randy Savage defeated Konnan in 9:49 by pinfall (C-) After the match Savage calls out Scott Steiner specifically. He refers to him as a loose cannon who has to be dealt with (B)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Dean Malenko in 13:19 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (C)

Bill Goldberg defeated Disco Inferno in 7:42 by pinfall with The Spear (C-)

Hulk Hogan comes out to the ring and says Sunday is his shot at redemption, but it looks like he's facing three men, and not two. He says he's still waiting for Hall to explain his plan for Sunday, and that he doubts he ever hears it. Hogan tells Hall to have no fear, he has his own plan for Sunday and will make sure after he pins Hart or Sting Sunday and gets his World Title shot, that Hall can have the first crack at him (A)

Lex Luger comes out and says it's good to be back. He says he saw Kevin Nash laid down an open challenge and Luger is here to accept it. He knows Nash was involved in the beatdown Luger suffered a month ago, and he plans on returning the favor (C+)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated La Parka in 11:47 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana (C+)

Ric Flair comes out and says he cannot wait to get his hands on the WCW United States title as it'll be a fitting jewel to build the new Horsemen around (B)

Sting and Bret Hart defeated The Steiner Brothers in 19:36 when Bret Hart defeated Rick Steiner by submission with a Sharpshooter (B) Nitro goes off the air with Scott Steiner in his brothers face, and Sting and Hart staring one another down (A)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

Monday Night Ratings

Nitro: 5.69
Raw: 4.09 (Headlined by Ahmed Johnson vs. Undertaker [C+])

[DeToxRox]

I f'd up and cancelled one of my two enormous PPV carriers on accident. I wanted to cancel with my Japanese PPV company but hit the wrong one. WWF only has 1 enormous carrier so it isn't huge problem but it does still blow and I dunno how it'll effect my PPV #s.

[Crim]

I'm intrigued by the Jericho/Benoit angle, spiced up by the duplicitous Flair.

I always loved Jericho v. Benoit, never even mattered to me which was heel, and which was face.

[DeToxRox]

WCW/nWo Souled Out
Sunday, Week 4, January 1998
Minute Maid Park (Southwest)
41,032 people
Live on PPV

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Eddy Guerrero and Juventud Guerrera in 11:51 when Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Juventud Guerrera by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana. Rey Mysterio Jr. makes defence number 3 of his WCW Cruiserweight title (C+)

Booker T defeated Buff Bagwell in 12:08 by pinfall with a Harlem Hangover (B)

Chris Jericho is backstage hyping himself up for his TV Title Match with Chris Benoit. He promises if he doesn't win he will NEVEERRRR .. EVEEERRR ask for a TV Title match a-gain (C+)

Chris Jericho defeated Chris Benoit in 13:50 by submission with a Lion Tamer after blatantly cheating. Chris Jericho wins the WCW World Television title (B-) Afterwards Jericho celebrates with faux tears in his eyes (B)

DDP is backstage with Mean Gene. He says that tonight in a Street Fight he is going to silence Raven and all his angst for once! (B)

Diamond Dallas Page drew with Raven in 17:52 when both men went crashing through a table off the ramp and were unable to make a standing 10 count (B)

Kevin Nash defeated Lex Luger in 10:32 by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb (C+)

The announce team of Tony Schiavone and Bobby Heenan discuss Ric Flair's pursuit of the US Title which is up next (B-)

Ric Flair defeated Curt Hennig in 16:25 by pinfall. Ric Flair wins the WCW United States Heavyweight title (B+)

A video airs hyping our Tag Team Title match (B+)

The Giant and Randy Savage defeated The Steiner Brothers in 16:55 when Randy Savage defeated Scott Steiner by pinfall. Randy Savage and The Giant make defence number 1 of their WCW World Tag Team titles (B-) After the match Rick Steiner asks Scott what happened. Scott looks blank faced at letting his brother down. Then, without warning, Scott clubs Rick in the face with a forearm and drags him to the outside. He pulls up the protective matting and delievers a vicious piledriver on the concrete as the crowd watches in stunned silence (B+)

Scott Hall and Hulk Hogan are backstage, seemingly united after all the uncertainity the past few weeks. They say they're finally on the same page and we'll both leave Minute Maid Park happy tonight (A*)

A video airs replaying the events that've lead us to our Main Event (A*)

Sting and Bret Hart drew with Scott Hall and Hollywood Hulk Hogan in 17:31 when Bret Hart and Scott Hall both had their shoulders on the mat as the ref counted 3 (A-) Replays are shown and they show in Bret Hart's German Suplex neither he nor Hall had their shoulders up so both men were pinned. Souled Out goes off air with all four men looking confused at what has transpired (A-)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

PPV Buys

Souled Out: 20.85
Royal Rumble: 16.27 (Headlined by HBK vs UT)

[DeToxRox]

January 1998 Finances

INCOME

PPV Revenue: $6,778,213
Ticket Sales: $3,755,270
TV Revenue: $174,999
Sponsors: $2,142,746
Merch: $1,458,000
Misc: $4,278

EXPENDITURES

Workers: $644,300
Show Costs: $591,800
Marketing: $750,000
Merch: $1,093,500
Production: $2,560,000
Development: $1,700
Misc: $3,234,531

Performance: $5,437,675

Total Cash: $60,517,037

Worker costs were cut in half this month as last month we spent a lot of money buying out talent. That was the most notable difference in expenditures from the past month. Beyond that everything is humming along on the financial end.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 1, February 1998
Hawaii Medium
8000 People

Nitro opens up with Eric Bischoff in the ring where he says based on the main event last night at Souled Out he has no choice but to make the main event of SuperBrawl a three way dance as Sting will defend vs Scott Hall and Bret Hart in a match where the first man to score a pinfall will win the WCW World Title (B)

This leads to Hulk Hogan coming out saying he was screwed and it should be a four corners match but Bischoff says no. Bischoff says Hogan will have a chance to earn a title match but says he needs to wait until later in the show to find out how (A-)

Randy Savage defeated The British Bulldog in 10:37 by pinfall (C)

Konnan defeated La Parka in 9:51 by submission with a Ziplock (D)

Scott Steiner comes out and says ever since last night his cell phone was blowing up with calls asking "why Scott, why?!" The answer is simple: he has become to big for Rick and Rick can't keep up. He says he is his own man now and is ready to take the WCW by storm, even if it means ending his own flesh and bloods career (B)

Scott Steiner defeated Booker T in 15:53 by pinfall with a Frankensteiner (C)

Bill Goldberg defeated Hugh Morrus in 7:41 by pinfall with The Spear (D)

Chris Jericho is backstage holding his WCW TV Title. He says he hears Benoit is pissed at how Jericho embarrassed him last night, but too bad so sad. He said he'll NEVEEERR ... EVERRRRR get a shot to regain his gold as long as Jericho is the champ (B-)

Scott Hall defeated Jim Neidhart in 10:44 by pinfall with a Razor's Edge (B)

Sting comes out and says last night was great because now he can prove he is the flag bearer of WCW by beating the two best it has to offer in the same match. He says he might respect Bret Hart, and he sure as hell hates Scott Hall, but that aside, he knows both can wrestle their asses off, and Sting is going to make sure that his A game beats theirs (A)

Bischoff comes back out and announces that starting next week on Nitro a 16 man tournament featuring Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Ric Flair, DDP and others will begin with the finals being held at March's Uncensored. The winner will be the #1 contender for the World Title! (B+)

Bret Hart defeated Dean Malenko in 13:36 by submission with a Sharpshooter (B-)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

Monday Night Ratings

Nitro: 5.82
Raw: 4.08 (Headlined by UT vs HBK [B+])

[DeToxRox]

Wrestling Observer Breaking News: WCW adds second show
WCW teams up with ESPN

WCW has agreed to terms with ESPN for a new Thursday night show that will air at 10 PM. The show will be taped on Wednesday nights and is to be treated as an equal to Nitro. Further details were not released.

[DeToxRox]

WCW #1 Contender Tournament Bracket

Hulk Hogan
Davey Boy Smith

Booker T
Buff Bagwell

Raven
Mortis

Curt Hennig
Randy Savage


The Giant
Kevin Nash

Ric Flair
Jim Neidhart

DDP
Chris Benoit

Rick Steiner
Scott Steiner

The semi finals will be held at SuperBrawl and the finals at Uncensored.

[General Mike]

No Luger :(

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 2, February 1998
Kemper Arena (Midwest)
15000 People -- Sellout

Scott Hall kicks off Nitro sitting in the ring on a steel chair. He says he'd love to see Bret Hart or Sting try to forcefully remove him from the ring because they'll pay the consequences. He says him sitting in the ring as King Shit is foreshadowing the end of SuperBrawl when he has his arm raised as the WCW World Heavyweight Champion and he truly becomes King Shit of WCW (A)

A video airs of Rick Steiner at home in Detroit, wearing a neck brace looking totally devestated. He says having his own flesh and blood turn on him was something he never thought could happen but it did and even though Rick isn't 100%, when he found out he was in this tournament he demanded to be in a match vs Scott so he can get revenge. And Scott, Rick says, revenge is going to be sweet (C+)

Raven defeated Mortis in 9:31 by pinfall with a Piledriver following interference from Kevin Sullivan (C+) After the match Sullivan gives his trademark crazy laugh as he locks eyes with Raven. Raven, unmoved by the display continues staring. Then, for some reason, Sullivan walks over to Mortis, picks him up and gives him a giant hug. Sullivan and Mortis leave the ring as Raven slumps into the corner. Mortis manager James Vandenburg looks on in shock (B)

Bill Goldberg defeated The Booty Man by pinfall after The Spear (C-)

Backstage Mean Gene is with Bret Hart. Hart says since working with him in New York all Scott Hall does is talk, talk, talk and Hart is finally going to get his chance to shut him up. Hart says he respects Sting as a person and a wrestler, but Hall is garbage. He says unfortunatley for Sting, he has to give him the same punishment he will give Hall, he just won't enjoy it as much as Hart is on a mission to prove he is the true World's Champion! (A)

Booker T defeated Buff Bagwell in 13:18 by pinfall with a Harlem Hangover (C+)

Hulk Hogan comes out to the ring and says this tournament is a waste of time because its a given he will win it. He said for a lot of these guys it's just a chance to make some money working a Main Event with Hollywood. He says Davey Boy is first, but he knows his old friend Randy Savage is waiting in the wings and he will be making sure to keep an eye on him (A)

Backstage Ric Flair and Arn Anderson formally announce the re-formation of the Four Horsemen and they already have two of the three new candidates in mind but they'll wait just a while longer before unveiling the newest incarnation of the most powerful group in wrestling (B+)

Randy Savage defeated Curt Hennig in 15:42 by pinfall (B-)

A video airs hyping the SuperBrawl Main Event (A*)

Bobby Heenan hypes our Main Event between Hollywood Hogan and The British Bulldog (B)

Hollywood Hulk Hogan defeated The British Bulldog in 13:48 by pinfall with a Big Leg Drop (B) After the match Randy Savage comes out to the top of the aisle and lets Hogan know he'll be seeing him soon (B+)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

Monday Night Ratings

Nitro: 5.97
Raw: 4.13 [Headlined by HBK vs Jarrett vs Ahmed vs HHH (A)]

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 3, February 1998
Hartford Civic Center (New England)
15000 People - Sellout

Diamond Dallas Page defeated Chris Benoit in 13:33 by pinfall with a Diamond Cutter following interference from Chris Jericho (B-) After the match Chris Jericho hits the ring and begins laying into Benoit, but DDP rolls back into the ring and lays Jericho out with a Diamond Cutter (C-) DDP extends his hand and lifts Benoit up. The two men shake before leaving the ring (C+)

Highlights air of Scott Steiner piledriving his brother on the outside of the ring at Souled Out (B-)

Scott Steiner defeated Rick Steiner in 13:58 by pinfall with a Frankensteiner (B-)

Backstage The Giant is getting ready for the Main Event tonight vs Kevin Nash, when Nash sneaks up behind The Giant and drops him with a vicious chair shot. The Giant is immediatley busted open and has a hard time getting to his feet as Nash walks away nonchalantly (B+)

Kevin Sullivan comes out and says he has had his eye on some guys in WCW for a while and plans on making a new destructive force the likes of which have never been seen in WCW! (C+)

Raven and Mortis defeated The Public Enemey in 11:42 when Mortis defeated Johnny Grunge by pinfall (C)

Backstage Rick Steiner is having his neck checked out after the match vs Scott, when Scott comes back and lays into Rick even more. He calls Rick a stupid SOB and says he'll never be able to lace Scott's boots! (C+)

Ric Flair defeated Jim Neidhart in 11:31 by pinfall (C)

Sting comes out to the ring and says Bret Hart and Scott Hall are once again talking too much and Sting will reiterate what he said before: he is going to prove himself in the ring in two weeks! (A)

Kevin Nash defeated The Giant in 13:55 by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb (B-) After the match Hulk Hogan comes out to congratulate Nash. The two men eye the laid out Giant but before they can do anything Randy Savage hits the ring to check on his partner, which sends the two men retreating (B+)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

Monday Night Ratings

Nitro: 5.79
Raw: 4.04 [headlined by the Rock and Mankind vs Vader & Bigelow (B)]

[DaddyTorgo]

Good job so far. Maybe at some point we will see Scott Hall get the world title run he never saw in real life. He was absolutely money at this time and prehaps the most entertaining wrestler in the business in the late 90s. Hart v Hall would have sold without a doubt.

Just started reading along with this and I agree with this sentiment.

Also - if you (even in this little play-world) job Flair to Kevin Nash I will come to your house and jackknife powerbomb you

[DaddyTorgo]

yay! flair lives! and you're going to do a flair-benoit horseman...which just makes me tingle with happiness

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 4, February 1998
Rose Garden (North West)
15000 People -- Sellout

Eric Bischoff opens up Nitro with an announcement regarding Sould Out. He says that if Kevin Nash loses tonight he will be forced to pay for his attack last week and meet The Giant one on one this Sunday! So for Nash's sake, he better win, because The Giant is none too pleased (B+)

Bill Goldberg defeated Alex Wright in 6:07 by pinfall with The Spear (D)

Randy Savage defeated Raven in 12:47 by pinfall (B-)

Hulk Hogan is backstage looking at a monitor. He says once Booker T gets taken care of tonight, Hogan will have no problems making sure Savages life turns into a living hell on Sunday! (A)

Hollywood Hulk Hogan defeated Booker T in 13:33 by pinfall with an Axe Bomber (B-) After the match Randy Savage comes out and gets in Hogan's face. Savage says Hogan won't dare cross him with the nWo not having his back. Savage and Hogan get nose to nose but a slew of officials hit the ring to seperate the two men (A)

Curt Hennig is backstage saying he is not happy how he's been treated since he came to WCW so he's challenging Lex Luger, a WCW Icon to a match at SuperBrawl because Hennig needs someone to take his frustration out on (C-)

Backstage DDP is warming up for his match when Chris Benoit stops by to wish him luck. Then out of nowhere Raven and Mortis attack both men and leave them laying. Raven says he hasn't forgotten DDP's secret, but he's going to save it for Uncensored (B-)

Bret Hart defeated Disco Inferno in 6:03 by submission with a Sharpshooter (B-)

Scott Steiner defeated Diamond Dallas Page in 12:52 by pinfall with a Frankensteiner (B+) After the match Kevin Sullivan comes out and says he is sick of DDP and everything he and the people like him stand for. He offers a challenge for SuperBrawl as his newest protege Mortis and Raven want to fight DDP and a partner of his choosing. DDP, pissed at losing takes a mic says "You got it!" (C)

A videos airs highlighting the Ric Flair vs Kevin Nash feud from December (A)

Ric Flair defeated Kevin Nash in 13:49 by pinfall (B)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

Monday Night Ratings

Nitro: 8.06
Raw: 4.04 [headined by Kane vs Shamrock (B-)]

Wow. An 8.06? I had a stacked show, with all the advanced booked matches ranging from A* to B+ but that is just crazy. That's the best rating for a show I've had, that's for sure.

[DeToxRox]

WCW SuperBrawl
Sunday, Week 4, February 1998
RCA Dome (Great Lakes)
40000 People -- SELLOUT

Chris Jericho defeated Buff Bagwell in 13:38 by submission with a Lion Tamer. Chris Jericho makes defence number 1 of his WCW World Television title (C+)

Harlem Heat defeated Jim Neidhart and The British Bulldog in 13:36 when Booker T defeated The British Bulldog by pinfall with a Missile Dropkick (C)

DDP is backstage and says he is so sick and tired of Raven and now he has brought in Mortis and Kevin Sullivan into this to make it that much worse. DDP says tonight he and Chris Benoit are going to teach them both a lesson but DDP wants to make it a little more interesting so tonight the winners team gets to determine the stipulation of their Uncensored match! (B)

Diamond Dallas Page and Chris Benoit defeated Raven and Mortis in 17:09 when Diamond Dallas Page defeated Mortis by pinfall with a Diamond Cutter (C)

Curt Hennig defeated Lex Luger in 13:57 by pinfall with a Hennig Plex (B-)

Ric Flair is backstage where he questions what Scott Steiner has turned into. Flair says Rick is a friend of his and what Scott did to him made Flair sick to his stomach. Flair says tonight he is going to beat the respect into Scott Steiner (B+)

Scott Steiner defeated Ric Flair in 17:38 by pinfall with a handful of tights (B+)

A video airs hyping Nash vs The Giant (B)

The Giant defeated Kevin Nash in 12:28 by pinfall with a Choke Slam (C+)

Hulk Hogan promises that tonight Randy Savage will be done playing in the big leagues within WCW (A)

Hollywood Hulk Hogan defeated Randy Savage in 14:48 by pinfall with an Axe Bomber (B+)

A video airs hyping the Main Event (A*) Mean Gene says all three men declined interviews as they geared up for the match (A)

Sting defeated Scott Hall and Bret Hart in 25:40 when Sting defeated Scott Hall by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock after Hulk Hogan inadvertently threw brass knuckles meant for Scott Hall to Sting. Sting makes defence number 2 of his WCW World Heavyweight title (A)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

PPV Buys

SuperBrawl: 18.56
No Way Out: 16.03

No Way Out was headlined by Sid Vicious defeating Shawn Michaels (A) for the WWF World Title.

[dubb93]

Sid Vicious??? WWF is countering your programming with a Sid Vicious title run!?!?!? Are they completely insane?

[DeToxRox]

Sid Vicious??? WWF is countering your programming with a Sid Vicious title run!?!?!? Are they completely insane?

I know HBK is God in this but the fact he got an A out of Sid is as mind boggling.

Raw gives away a lot of big matches on Raw I've noticed. I mean I do too but I am far top heavier in the Main Event then they are. I wonder how it'll affect them.

[DeToxRox]

February 1998 Financials

INCOME

PPV Revenue: $6,033,807
Ticket Sales: $2,867,380
TV Revenue: $150,000
Sponsors: $2,686,765
Merch: $1,512,000
Misc: $3,831

EXPENDITURES

Workers: $671,300
Show Costs: $519,800
Marketing: $750,000
Merchandise: $1,134,000
Production: $2,560,000
Development: $850
Misc: $3,660,130

Peformance: $3,957,703

Total Cash: $64,474,740

[DeToxRox]

State of WCW

Obviously right now we're humming. Solid ratings, good PPV buys and lots of quality shows. We have some solid storylines though a few have dragged on and will be resolved soon. We keep making money, and this month is huge for us as we add another TV show. The difference between Thunder and Saturday Night is Thunder is considered an A show so we should expect better ratings and thus more visibility.

We also have sold International Rights of Nitro to a Japanese station which was the one area we didn't have a market for Nitro. Next time out we'll try getting an international deal for Thunder to keep our International viewing audience happy.

It's getting to be time to start building up new stars which is our top priority for Thunder. Hopefully it works.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 1, March 1998
American Airlines Arena (Southeast)
15000 People -- Sellout

Nitro opens up with Scott Hall demanding Hulk Hogan come to the ring. Hall asks Hogan what the hell he was thinking last night helping Sting keep the title? Hogan says he's sorry brother it was a mistake and that he was trying to unite the nWo. Hogan says when he beats Scott Steiner at Uncensored and gets his title shot, he'll beat Sting and let Hall have an honest crack at him. Hall says whatever. Hogan asks what his problem is and the two men get chest to chest before Kevin Nash comes out and seperates them (A)

Eric Bischoff comes out and says he wants Thursday's Thunder debut to be an event unto itself, so he will have all five titles on the line! First up to be announced will be Chris Benoit getting one more chance at Chris Jericho for the Television Title! (C)

Scott Steiner is in the back. He warns Hogan that he better not say "once he wins at Uncensored" again because Steiner doesn't believe in lying and the trash Hogan is spewing is the biggest lie he's ever told! (A)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Psychosis in 11:54 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (C-)

Bill Goldberg defeated Jim Duggan in 5:45 by pinfall with The Spear (C-)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Villano IV in 13:09 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana. Rey Mysterio Jr. makes defence number 4 of his WCW Cruiserweight title (C)

Bret Hart comes out to the ring and says once again Hulk Hogan screws him out of a title. If it's not playing politics with Vince, it's throwing like a little bitch and letting Sting crack Hall with some brass knuckles. He says he wasn't pinned and he wants Sting to man up and give him a one on one match at Uncensored (A)

The Blue Bloods defeated 'The Belfast Bruiser' and Dean Malenko in 12:01 when Steven Regal defeated 'The Belfast Bruiser' by submission with a Regal Stretch (C-)

Bret Hart defeated Curt Hennig in 17:35 by submission with a Sharpshooter (B+)

Eric Bischoff says that on Thunder Hulk Hogan and Kevin Nash will team up to face The Giant and Randy Savage for the Tag Team Titles (B+)

Scott Hall defeated Lex Luger in 12:02 by pinfall with a Razor's Edge (A)

Before Nitro goes off air Bobby Heenan announces that also on Thunder will be Ric Flair v Diamond Dallas Page for the US title and Sting defending his World Title vs Buff Bagwell (B+)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

Monday Night Ratings

Nitro: 10.15
Raw: 1.38

... Apparently Raw didn't extend their deal on USA and is now only viewable in Canada. I am not sure what the hell happened by it looks like we have no competition and our ratings spiked becaue of it.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 1, March 1998
DC Armory (Mid Atlantic)
10000 People -- Sellout
Television Taping

Thunder opens with WCW World Heavyweight Champion Sting agreeing that Bret Hart was screwed on Sunday, and Sting, respecting Bret Hart as a wrestler, is going to accept his challenge to to face him one on one at Uncensored (A)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Villano IV, Ultimo Dragon and Dean Malenko in 14:43 when Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Ultimo Dragon by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana. Rey Mysterio Jr. makes defence number 5 of his WCW Cruiserweight title (C-)

Chris Jericho is backstage looking for Eric Bischoff. He finally finds him in his office. Jericho says Bischoff has some nerve giving Benoit a rematch tonight. Jericho asks Bischoff who the hell he thinks he is? Bischoff tells Jericho he better shut up or he is not going to like what happens to him. Jericho says he isn't done with him (B)

Chris Benoit defeated Chris Jericho in 12:46 by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex. Chris Benoit wins the WCW World Television title (C)

Ric Flair is backstage preparing to defend his US Title vs DDP. He says DDP has been on a roll lately and Flair likes how DDP is progressing. He says tonight will be a war (B)

Ric Flair drew with Diamond Dallas Page in 15:00 when the time limit expired (B) After the match, both men, obviously spent from the match they had, shake hands (B+)

Backstage Hall, Nash and Hogan are together, everything seeming all hunky dory. Hall says tonight the nWo regroups by bringing the Tag Team Titles back to the nWo. Hogan says to be Tag Team Champion and future #1 contender has him on the high of a life time. Hall says Steiner better watch out at Uncensored because the nWo is back, better then ever (A)

Sting defeated Buff Bagwell in 14:23 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock. Sting makes defence number 3 of his WCW World Heavyweight title (B-)

A video airs hyping Sting vs Bret Hart at Uncensored (A*)

The Giant and Randy Savage defeated Kevin Nash and Hollywood Hulk Hogan in 15:55 when Randy Savage defeated Hollywood Hulk Hogan by pinfall (B-) After the match Kevin Nash gets in Hogans face asking him why he continues to be a hinderance to the nWo. Hogan tells Nash to bite him. Finally Scott Hall seperates them but the damage looks alreayd done (A)

Show Rating: C+

[DeToxRox]

Thunder Rating

Thunder draws a 5.05 rating. I am not sure if that'll be the norm as this was a stacked show, but I was figuring low 3's so that is awesome.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 1, March 1998
Frank Erwin Center (Mid South)
10000 People -- Sellout

Bill Goldberg defeated Steven Regal in 11:58 by pinfall with The Spear (B-)

Scott Steiner comes out to the ring to warn Hogan that his time at the top is coming to an end (B+)

Kevin Nash comes out to the ring and taunts the Giant. He says he fluked his way to a win last week, and tonight he'll take a vicious beating before the night is over (B-)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Psychosis in 10:41 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana. Rey Mysterio Jr. makes defence number 6 of his WCW Cruiserweight title (C-)

Ric Flair comes out and says on Thursday DDP took him to the limit and earned a rematch, so tonight, he is giving DDP one more crack at his US Title in a No Time Limit match (B)

Scott Steiner defeated The Giant in 12:53 by pinfall with a Frankensteiner following interference from Kevin Nash (B)

Eric Bischoff comes out and says all week he had to hear Scott Hall whining about how he was screwed. Bischoff says the title picture is set right now but Bischoff will throw him a bone and give him and Kevin Nash a Tag Team Title shot at Uncensored (B+)

Before Bischoff can say anything else, Chris Jericho sneaks through the crowd and lays Bischoff out with a huge clothesline. Jericho then locks in the Lion Tamer on Bischoff all the while screaming "YOU BASTARD". Officials race to the ring to pull Jericho off. Jericho smirks as he is dragged away to the back (B)

Booker T is backstage looking for Stevie Ray who apparently isn't at the building. He spots TV Champ Chris Benoit and says he needs a partner tonight to take on Hogan and Buff Bagwell. Benoit agree (C+)

Booker T and Chris Benoit defeated Buff Bagwell and Hollywood Hulk Hogan in 14:39 when Chris Benoit defeated Buff Bagwell by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex (B-)

Kevin Sullivan comes out and begins hyping his new group (C)

Ric Flair defeated Diamond Dallas Page in 17:23 by pinfall following interference from Raven. Ric Flair makes defence number 1 of his WCW United States Heavyweight title (B) After the match Raven begins laying into DDP but Flair comes in and begins throwing chops at Raven. Arn Anderson runs into the ring and hits Raven with a massive Spinebuster. DDP gets up and sees the two men looking over Raven's prone body. Flair and Arn look at one another, then at DDP, then give the 4 fingers to DDP. He returns them as the crowd goes wild (B+)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro Rating

Nitro: 9.52

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 2, March 1998
Selland Arena (Southwest)
10000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Thunder opens up with Roddy Piper backstage announcing that because of Chris Jericho attacking Eric Bischoff last night, Piper is the new full time Commissioner. Piper says he may not like Bischoff, but what Jericho did was reprehensible and now he will suffer the consequences. So tonight it'll be Jericho taking on Kevin Nash and The Giant in a triple threat match! (B)

Bill Goldberg defeated 'The Belfast Bruiser' in 11:45 by pinfall with The Spear (C)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Yuji Nagata in 12:35 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (C-)

Scott Hall and Kevin Nash are in the back promising that at Uncensored they're going to reclaim the tag belts, and put Savage and The Giant away for good (A-)

Scott Hall defeated Perry Saturn in 12:54 by pinfall with a Razor's Edge (C+)

Ric Flair comes out to the ring with Arn Anderson. He says it's time to formally introduce the first member of the newest version of the Horsemen: Diamond Dallas Page! (B+)

Raven is backstage where he says DDP won their tag match at SuperBrawl so he can make any match he wants, it won't matter. Raven will win beat DDP and tell the world his secret (B+)

Steven Regal defeated Konnan in 9:34 by submission with a Regal Stretch (C)

Chris Jericho defeated The Giant and Kevin Nash in 14:54 when Chris Jericho won when Nash and The Giant were counted out brawling to the back (B)

Sting defeated Raven in 16:30 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock (B+) Dallas Page interfered against Raven during the match.

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

Thunder Rating

WCW Thunder: 4.88

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 3, March 1998
Liacouras Center (Tricity)
10000 People -- Sellout

Nitro opens with Booker T saying Stevie Ray has a match tonight vs Kevin Nash as punishment for missing last week, so Book needs a partner. Out comes DDP to accept the open invitation (B)

Diamond Dallas Page and Booker T defeated The Public Enemey in 10:31 when Booker T defeated Rocco Rock by pinfall with a Harlem Hangover (C)

After the match DDP takes a mic and tells Raven that at Uncensored they'll be doing battle in a Tables match! (C+)

Bill Goldberg defeated Villano IV in 8:32 by pinfall with The Spear (C) After the match Lex Luger comes out and tells Bill he is impressed by his streak so far, but at Uncensored, Luger is challenging him to face his first real test. Goldberg shakes his head up and down and smiles (C+)

Hulk Hogan is backstage. He says tonight he requested a match vs Rick Steiner so he can give Scott a little preview of Uncensored (B+)

Kevin Nash defeated Stevie Ray in 12:17 by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb (C+)

Scott Hall gets on the mic and promises that the Tag Team Titles are coming back to the Outsiders (A)

Mortis defeated The Booty Man in 11:05 by pinfall (C)

Bret Hart defeated The British Bulldog in 14:46 by submission with a Sharpshooter (B-)

Curt Hennig is backstage where he challenges Ric Flair to a US Title Match at Uncensored (B+)

Hollywood Hulk Hogan defeated Rick Steiner in 14:42 by pinfall with an Axe Bomber (B) After the match Scott Steiner comes out. Hogan bails. Scott takes a mic and says "You wanna see what you have coming Sunday? WATCH THIS!" Steiner then picks up his beaten brother and Release German Suplexes him over the top rope to the outside! (B+)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

WCW Nitro Rating

Nitro: 9.46

[DeToxRox]

Wrestling Observer Breaking News
WCW-ECW Talent Trade

The new WCW regime has decided to season some of their workers not doing much presently by sending them to ECW in talent trades, while also allowing ECW wrestlers to reach a wider audience.

Eddy Guerrero was traded for Rob Van Dam for one show, while Mortis was traded for Chris Candido for three shows.

RVD is expected to challenge Rey Mysterio Jr for the Cruiserweight Title at Uncensored.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 3, March 1998
Municipal Coliseum (Midwest)
10000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Lex Luger defeated Steven Regal in 9:56 by submission with a Torture Rack (B-)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Super Calo in 12:18 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana. Rey Mysterio Jr. makes defence number 7 of his WCW Cruiserweight title (C-)

Roddy Piper comes out to announce on Nitro Chris Jericho will face his biggest test yet - Hulk Hogan! Piper says Jericho better win or else face even more misery (B)

Bill Goldberg defeated Jim Neidhart in 9:12 by pinfall with The Spear (C)

A video plays hyping Scott Steiner vs Hulk Hogan (B+)

Bret Hart defeated Buff Bagwell in 9:37 by submission with a Sharpshooter (B)

Piper announces Ric Flair and DDP vs Curt Hennig and Raven tonight (C+)

Ric Flair and Diamond Dallas Page drew with Raven and Curt Hennig in 14:17 when the referee lost control and stopped the match (B-)

A video airs hyping Bret Hart vs Sting (A*)

Scott Steiner defeated Rick Steiner in 15:21 by pinfall with a Frankensteiner (B-)

Thunder ends with Sting promising to show Bret Hart why Sting is the Cornerstone of WCW (A*)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

Thunder Rating

Thunder: 5.05

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 4, March 1998
Mass Mutual Center (New England)
10000 People -- Sellout

Chris Jericho is backstage gearing up for the biggest match of his life. He says Piper is a dinosaur who must go extinct (C+)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Chris Candido in 9:26 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana (C-)

A video air hyping the Raven/DDP Tables Match (B)

Chris Benoit defeated Scott Steiner in 15:58 by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex following interference from Rick Steiner (B-)

Hulk Hogan is shown backstage laughing as Scott throws a tantrum in the ring after the match (B+)

The Giant and Randy Savage defeated The British Bulldog and Jim Neidhart in 13:11 when Randy Savage defeated The British Bulldog by pinfall. Randy Savage and The Giant make defence number 2 of their WCW World Tag Team titles (C+)

Kevin Nash is backstage walking around like a Zombie, apparently as a means to mock the Giant (B+)

Chris Jericho runs into Roddy Piper backstage. Piper says he should call him a dinosaur to his face. Jericho says right now he doesn't need distractions, but promises Piper has some payback coming his way (B-)

Scott Hall defeated Rick Martel after the Razor's Edge in 11:31 (B-)

Bret Hart comes out promising it's time for a new era in WCW, and come Sunday he will be the true World's Champion (A*)

Chris Jericho defeated Hollywood Hulk Hogan in 12:52 by submission with a Lion Tamer after interference from Scott Steiner (B) After the match Steiner begins laying boots into Hogan and Jericho throws some in for good measure. Steiner stops and stares at him causing Jericho to beeline for the curtain (B+)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

Nitro Rating

Nitro: 9.43

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 4, March 1998
RICOH Coliseum (Ontario)
10000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

A video airs hyping the Canadian Legend Bret Hart (A)

Chris Jericho cuts a promo saying he is glad to be back in Canada where he's respected by such simple plebians. Jericho says he wants nothing to do with Canada and they can all kiss his ass! He beat Hogan BY HIMSELF and next up is Piper or whatever other goon he throws his way (B)

Booker T defeated Chris Candido in 9:44 by pinfall with a Harlem Hangover (C)

Bill Goldberg defeated Jim Duggan in 6:44 by pinfall with The Spear (C-)

Roddy Piper announces tonight Sting and Bret Hart will team up to face the Outsiders and a third team of Hulk Hogan and whoever wants to team up with him! (A)

Chris Jericho defeated Rick Martel in 10:46 by submission with a Lion Tamer (B-)

Randy Savage says he wants a shot at the Outsiders tonight so he is going to be Hogans partner but Hulk better realize this is more like a 2 vs 2 vs 1 vs 1 because he won't cooperate with him at all! (A*)

Curt Hennig defeated Steven Regal in 10:53 by pinfall with a Hennig Plex (C)

Chris Benoit defeated Buff Bagwell in 7:47 by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex (C)

Scott Steiner defeated Rick Steiner in 9:15 by pinfall with a Frankensteiner (B-) Afterwards Scott says he's officially done with his brother (B+)

Sting and Bret Hart drew with Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage and The Outsiders in 13:36 when all six men started brawling and the ref through the match out (A)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder Rating

Thunder: 4.98

[DeToxRox]

ECW Living Dangerously Report

Of note to WCW:

The Sandman d. Eddy Guerrero (C-)
Brian Adams d. Mortis (C)
Shane Douglas d. RVD (C) Douglas retains the World Title

Mortis was named Star of the Night

[DeToxRox]

WCW Uncensored
Sunday, Week 4, March 1998
Tropicana Field (Southeast)
45000 People -- Sellout

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Rob Van Dam in 9:50 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana to make defence #8 of his WCW Cruiserweight Title (C)

Chris Jericho defeated The British Bulldog in 11:41 by submission with a Lion Tamer (B-) Afterwards Jericho takes the mic and makes a challenge to Roddy Piper for anywhere, anytime! (B)

Bill Goldberg defeated Lex Luger in 10:37 by pinfall with The Spear (B-)

Backstage Booker T is obviously annoyed. He says once again Stevie Rey shows up when he wants so tonight Booker is introducing his newest partner, Chris Benoit. He says they have obviously chemistry from their past match and will prove it tonight on PPV (B-)

Booker T and Chris Benoit defeated Vicious & Delicious in 13:11 when Booker T defeated Scott Norton by pinfall with a Missile Dropkick (B-)

A video airs hyping Ric Flair and his numerous accomplishments (A-)

Ric Flair defeated Curt Hennig in 14:54 by pinfall. Ric Flair makes defence number 2 of his WCW United States Heavyweight title (B+)

Diamond Dallas Page defeated Raven in 13:48 when Raven was put through a table (A) After the match Kevin Sullivan comes in the ring and handcuffs a battered DDP to the ropes. Raven slowly gets up and begins unloading on DDP. Ric Flair hits the ring by Kevin Sullivan grabs a chair and keeps him at bay. Raven grabs a mic and says ten years ago DDP sold his soul to the Devil to get into the business. Raven says that -- He is cut off when Booker T and Chris Benoit hit the ring, along with Flair.

The three men cause Raven and Sullivan to bolt the ring. Booker helps unlock DDP from the cuffs, and then together the four men, plus Arn Anderson who quietly hits the ring hold up four fingers as Raven and Sullivan swear and throw tantrums up the ramp (B+)

A video airs hyping out Tag Team Title match (B+)

The Giant and Randy Savage defeated The Outsiders in 8:43 when Randy Savage defeated Kevin Nash by pinfall. Randy Savage and The Giant make defence number 3 of their WCW World Tag Team titles (B) After the match Scott Hall looks at Nash and then the celebrating champs. He just shakes his head disgustedly and walks to the back alone (B+)

Hulk Hogan is backstage promising that tonight he will reclaim his position as #1 contender! (B+)

Scott Steiner defeated Hollywood Hulk Hogan in 13:18 by pinfall with a Frankensteiner (B) Steiner celebrates making the belt pantamine with both hands as he stands over Hogan (A)

A video airs hyping our Main Event (A*)

Bret Hart defeated Sting in 25:11 by submission with a Sharpshooter. Bret Hart wins the WCW World Heavyweight title (A) The show ends with Bret Hart holding the WCW Title triumphantly over his head (A)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

PPV Buys

Uncensored: 19.65
WrestleMania: 16.97

WM was headlined by Sid successfully defending his title vs Ahmed Johnson (B-)

[dubb93]

WM was headlined by Sid successfully defending his title vs Ahmed Johnson (B-)

:lol:

[DeToxRox]

:lol:

A B- between them = Miracle.

[Neuqua]

Keep up the good work, been a fun read so far.

[DaddyTorgo]

detox - your damn wcw dynasties always make me buy TEW!!!

[DeToxRox]

Ha DT, appreciate it and you should, it's a blast.

Neq - Also appreciate the kind words. I'm having a blast with this one.

[DeToxRox]

March 1998 Financials

INCOME

PPV Revenue: $6,388,031
Ticket Sales: $3,812,920
TV Revenue: $590,000
Sponsors: $2,884,778
Merch: $1,428,000
Misc: $1,389

EXPENDITURE

Workers: $678,200
Show Costs: $605,800
Marketing: $750,000
Merch: $1,071,000
Production: $3,520,000
Development: $850
Misc: $2,049,736

Performance: $6,429,532

Total Cash: $70,904,272

[DeToxRox]

A Look At Development

Something I forget to touch on is our developemental organzation, Jersey All Pro Wrestling. Presently we have 14 wrestlers in JAPW honing their skills, and now 4 trainers to work with them.

Wrestlers

Adam Copeland
Christian Cage
Christopher Daniels
Ernest Miller
Hector Garza Jr
Homicide
Kid Kash
Mike Quackenbush
Reckless Youth
Rhino
Shane Helms
Steve Corino
Stevie Ray
Stevie Richards

Trainers

Brad Armstrong
Dave Taylor
Larry Zbyszko
Dave Finlay

The plan is to keep all developmental workers there for a year minimum before they're called up. Everyone listed but Stevie Ray, Stevie Richards, Hector Garza and Earnest Miller have been there four months so they're 1/3 the way through. All of these guys look good, and have made solid improvement without trainers, but now because of a bloated roster, we have four excellent trainers.

Part of the creative license is with WCW's backing, JAPW will be given 200K a year, of which I sill subtract from my own cash. I will also bump their popularity in the Tri City to 50 or so, and bump it to 30 ish in New England. The reason for this is to hopefully get them running more then once a month so my guys can continue to get steady work.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 1, April 1998
Palais des Sports (Quebec, CA)
5000 People -- Sellout

Diamond Dallas Page defeated Buff Bagwell in 15:13 by pinfall with a Diamond Cutter (C)

Backstage Kevin Nash is watching a replay of his Tag Team Title loss along with Scott Hall last night. We see Hall leaving Nash in the ring and Nash turns red with anger. He explodes out of the room and heads down the hall before entering Randy Savages locker. Nash hits Savage with a boot and Powerbombs him through a table. Nash yells into the camera that the joking is over! (B+)

The Four Horsemen assemble in the ring. Flair says this group, with Chris Benoit, the new Enforcer, his partner Booker T, and the man he hand picked to replace Tully Blanchard, Diamond Dallas Page are ready to Style and Profile all over the WCW! (B)

Bill Goldberg defeated Curt Hennig in 11:41 by pinfall with The Spear (B-)

Scott Hall comes out to the ring. Hall says as far as he is concerned the nWo may as well be dead with Hulk Hogan at the helm. Hall says all these losses from Hogan, Nash and Hall have everything to do with Hogan's poor leadership as he's only in it for himself. Hall says he was the founder of nWo, but somehow Hulk became the leader, and that bothers Hall so at Spring Stampede Hall is challenging Hulk to a match with the winner gaining the nWo! (A)

Raven defeated Chris Benoit in 14:50 when Chris Benoit could not beat a ten count following a Piledriver after interference from Meng. During the match we also had Mortis run in and attack Benoit (B)

Roddy Piper comes out and says Chris Jericho keeps running his mouth and Piper is done toying around with him. He officially challenges Jericho to a match at Spring Stampede! (B-)

A video airs highlighting Bret Hart's World Title win last night (A)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Rick Martel in 9:51 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (C-)

Sting defeated Lex Luger in 15:51 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock (B)

Bret Hart comes to the ring as the new Worlds Champion. He says he took Stings best shot, but once again he proved why he's the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be. Hart says there is no rest for the wicked though and he's ready for Steiner at the Stampede (A)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

Nitro Rating

Nitro: 9.49

[dubb93]

I see red and yellow in the future.

[DaddyTorgo]

red+yellow hulkster?

loving the reformed horsemen - i dunno if Booker T would have been my #1 choice, but I love the benoit + ddp choices

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 1, April 1998
Air Canada Centre (Great Lakes)
15000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Thunder opens up with Hollywood Hogan in the ring. He shows a video of the rise of the nWo, and then shows a second video that shows Scott Hall as leader of the nWo. He says that'll be the true fall of the nWo and Hogan won't let that happen so he will accept the challenge at the Stampede! (B+)

Chris Jericho is in the back. He says Piper has some nerve challenging him at Spring Stampede, but Jericho is going to accept. He says he is even going to one better and demand this match be an I Quit match so he can make Piper look like the little bitch that he is! (B)

Chris Jericho defeated Rey Mysterio Jr. in 10:52 by submission with a Lion Tamer (B) Afterwards Jericho demands the mic and puts Rey back in the Lion Tamer. He keeps yelling for Rey to say I Quit until finally Piper hits the ring causing Jericho to retreat. Piper says Jericho is on (B)

Scott Steiner defeated Lex Luger in 12:33 by pinfall with a Frankensteiner (B-)

Raven barges into Piper's office and says he wants Flair at Spring Stampede (B+)

Ric Flair and Diamond Dallas Page defeated The British Bulldog and Jim Neidhart in 11:36 when Diamond Dallas Page defeated Jim Neidhart by pinfall with a Diamond Cutter (C+)

Curt Hennig challenges Goldberg to a match on Nitro, citing Monday as a fluke (C)

Bret Hart defeated Steven Regal in 12:45 by submission with a Sharpshooter (B) Afterwards Scott Steiner appears on the WCW Tron warning Bret that he is going to be coming for him. He says the chase will begin on Monday (B)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Perry Saturn in 11:38 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (C-)

Hollywood Hulk Hogan defeated The Giant in 12:55 when The Giant was disqualified when Scott Hall ran in and attacked Hollywood Hulk Hogan (B) Hall and Hogan go toe to toe as the remaining members of the nWo, such as Buff Bagwell and Scott Norton come out to try breaking it up (A)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

Thunder Rating

Thunder: 5.34

[DeToxRox]

I see red and yellow in the future.

Heading down the right track, but it might not be the way you think it is.

[DeToxRox]

red+yellow hulkster?

loving the reformed horsemen - i dunno if Booker T would have been my #1 choice, but I love the benoit + ddp choices

Booker was the last guy I added. When Stevie Ray no showed the one night, Benoit was thrown in with him and they clicked. So I tried Booker with DDP and that worked too, and it gave him the leg up.

What I want is for these guys to get a rub from Flair because they are the next wave of Main Eventers.

My goal was to hopefully create 4 - 5 new main eventers in 1998. Jericho is well on his way. DDP was already close but he will be a headliner. Benoit needs the most work but I am going to be adding one last Horsemen in the next few weeks and that should help with Benoit. Booker with a focus behind him now will get there because his skills are solid, and lastly, Scott Steiner has exploded onto the scene. He will be involved in a big angle soon too.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 2, April 1998
Key Arena (North West)
15000 People -- Sellout

Bill Goldberg defeated Michael Wallstreet in 11:56 by pinfall with The Spear (B)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Konnan in 10:54 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana (C+)

DDP is backstage when Buff Bagwell clips his knee from behind. He starts laying into him with rights and lefts. He looks directly into the camera and says the nWo might have some leadership questions but Buff is going to take the iniative and start bringing the nWo back to prominence by himself! (C)

Scott Steiner comes out and promises that he has everything planned for Spring Stampede. Steiner has spent all week scouting Bret, and has talked to some old colleagues of his. Steiner promises to break Hart's back at the Stampede (B+)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Buff Bagwell in 10:41 by pinfall with a Frog Splash following interference from Diamond Dallas Page (C)

Ric Flair comes out to the ring and says Kevin Sullivan is becoming a problem. Flair says he and the Horsemen are going to deal with him and his cronies and then turn their attention to the nWo power struggle and make sure they're left out in the cold as well. Then as Flair is about to leave the lights go out. When they come back on Raven is in the ring where he spins Flair around and DDT's him to the mat. He hoists up the US Title over his head as the crowd boos (B+)

Raven defeated The British Bulldog in 10:41 by pinfall with a Piledriver (B-)

Bobby Heenan says that on Thunder there will be a four way tag match to determine the number one contenders for the Tag Team Titles (B-)

Kevin Nash defeated Steven Regal in 12:18 by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb (C+)

Sting comes out to the ring, his ribs taped up. Sting says last week Lex Luger broke hsi ribs, but that couldn't keep Sting from competing. He says that he knows he has to earn his shot at Bret Hart or Scott Steiner, and broken ribs or not, he'll do it. So he is offering an open challenge to whoever wants a match to try and prove themselves at the Stampede! (A)

Scott Hall defeated Rick Steiner in 15:50 by pinfall with a Razor's Edge (B) After the match Scott Hall says he wants to raise the stakes at Spring Stampede by making the match a Loser Leaves Town match! (A)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

Nitro Rating

Nitro: 10.18

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 2, April 1998
Auditoro Juan Vicens (Puerto Rico)
10000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Eddy Guerrero defeated Chris Candido in 10:54 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (C-)

Chris Jericho comes out to the ring and says he doesn't want to wait until Spring Stampede. He if challenging Piper to a tag match on Nitro. Bring whoever you want, because Jericho is ready with a partner already but he'll wait to unveil it until Monday (B-)

Mortis defeated Diamond Dallas Page in 12:17 by pinfall following interference from Kevin Sullivan. During the match we also saw Meng run in and attack DDP, and Raven also attack DDP (B-)

A sitdown interview airs where Hollywood Hogan says that he has done a lot of soul searching and he would like nothing more then to see the look on his face when he pins Scott Hall and ends his career, so his challenge for a career match is accepted! (A)

Ric Flair is in the back with Booker T and Chris Benoit. He says tonight he will dispatch of Meng and Booker T and Benoit will win the #1 contendership for the Tag Team Titles and the Horsemen will ride tonight! (B-)

Ric Flair defeated Meng in 14:35 when Meng was disqualified when Raven ran in and attacked Ric Flair. Ric Flair makes defence number 3 of his WCW United States Heavyweight title (B-)

Bill Goldberg defeated La Parka in 10:45 by pinfall with The Spear (C)

A video airs hyping Kevin Nash (B-)

Bret Hart defeated Perry Saturn in 10:55 by submission with a Sharpshooter (B)

Chris Benoit and Booker T defeated Jim Neidhart and The British Bulldog, Curt Hennig and Buff Bagwell and Rick Steiner and Lex Luger in 12:32; the order of elimination was Jim Neidhart and The British Bulldog first, then Curt Hennig and Buff Bagwell, and finally Rick Steiner and Lex Luger (B-)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder Rating

Thunder: 4.89

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 3, April 1998
RBC Center (Mid Atlantic)
15000 People -- Sellout

Bill Goldberg defeated Perry Saturn in 11:32 by pinfall with The Spear (C+)

Buff Bagwell and Kevin Nash defeated Ric Flair and Diamond Dallas Page in 12:44 when Buff Bagwell defeated Diamond Dallas Page by pinfall with a Yellow Jacket Suplex following interference from Raven (B-)

Randy Savage and The Giant are in the back. Savage says it's great that the Four Horsemen are back. It's a cute story, but if Booker T and Benoit are the best the Horsemen have, then Savage thinks they should've stopped before they started because they are going to roll through them in two weeks (B-)

To the shock of the crowd, Rick Rude walks down the aisle to a big pop. Rude says he's been around backstage for a few months and is sickened by how some of the so called Vets tread the kids looking to make an impact. Rude says one such kid is Eddy Guerrero. Guerrero comes out. Rude says that a few weeks ago Sting, one of those nemesis from his past who Rude thinks is holding down the kids in the back, made an open challenge for Spring Stampede, and Rude is here with Eddy to announce he is accepting! (B)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Lex Luger in 12:39 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (B-)

Roddy Piper appears to let the World know he will accept Jericho's challenge for tonight, but he doesn't have a partner, doesn't need a partner, doesn't want a partner. Piper says he'll go at it alone and whoever Jericho cons into working with him will be a victim of guilt by association! (B+)

Randy Savage defeated Curt Hennig in 13:02 by pinfall (B)

Raven is in the back with Kevin Sullivan, Mortis and Meng. Raven says lately he's made it a point to be a part of anything the Horsemen do because he is sick of the high life they promote. He says life is not the fantasy Flair lives in, but instead it's hell. Raven says it's time Flair experiences hell first hand, and at the Stampede, he is going to meet the Devil himself! (A)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Shiryu in 9:53 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana. Rey Mysterio Jr. makes defence number 8 of his WCW Cruiserweight title (C-)

Bret Hart comes out to the ring to address Scott Steiner running his mouth over and over. Hart says Steiner is an idiot who doesn't realize this will be his one chance in the spotlight, so he should charish it, because once he taps at Spring Stampede, he won't sniff the WCW Title ever again! (A)

Roddy Piper and Hollywood Hulk Hogan defeated Chris Jericho and Scott Hall in 15:16 when Hollywood Hulk Hogan defeated Scott Hall by pinfall with a Big Leg Drop (B+) After the match Hogan and Piper stare at each other before Piper leaves the ring (A)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

WCW Nitro Ratings

Nitro: 9.69

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 3, April 1998
Hawaii Medium (Hawaii)
8398 People
TV Taping

Sting opens up the show by questioning Rick Rudes motives for helping out guys like Eddy. Sting says with Rude there is always an ulterior motive, but if Eddy wants to be caught in the middle, so be it. He can have his match at Spring Stampede and see what associating with Rude gets him (B)

Bill Goldberg defeated Ray Traylor in 10:13 by pinfall with The Spear (D+)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Jerry Lynn in 8:01 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana. Rey Mysterio Jr. makes defence number 9 of his WCW Cruiserweight title (C-)

Backstage Ric Flair sees a distraught DDP sitting alone in the Horsemen locker room. Flair tells DDP he knows he's struggled lately, but he knows DDP is a machine and that's why he's a Horsemen. He tells DDP to go out there tonight and make a statement. DDP looks at Flair and smiles, then tells him hes got it! (B)

Eddy Guerrero drew with Chris Benoit in 15:00 when the time limit expired (B-) After the match Eddy asks for 5 more minutes but the ref says no. Eddy then tells Benoit to put his TV Title on the line Monday in a No Time Limit match! Benoit is quick to agree (B-)

A video airs running down the Spring Stampede lineup (B+)

Chris Jericho defeated Chavo Guerrero Jr. in 6:37 by submission with a Lion Tamer (C-)

Scott Hall says Monday Night was a fluke, and Hogan got lucky. Hall says that's the last pinfall he'll ever score as a member of the WCW! (B+)

Raven defeated The Giant in 14:39 by pinfall with a Piledriver following interference from Ric Flair. The match also had a lot of interference: Booker T targeted Giant, Chris Benoit attacked Giant, Chris Benoit attacked Raven, and finally Booker T interfered against Raven (B)

DDP sticks behind after the carnage in the ring, and says he has had heat with Buff Bagwell as of late, but one guy he hasn't forgotten about is Kevin Nash. He challenges Nash to a match at Stampede (B+)

Booker T defeated Randy Savage in 15:33 by pinfall with a Harlem Hangover (B+)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

Thunder Rating

Thunder: 5.14

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 4, April 1998
Selland Arena (Southwest)
10000 People -- Sellout

Nitro opens with Bonny Heenan announcing that tonight Roddy Piper is going to go one one with Lex Luger in a warm up match for Spring Stampede! (C+)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Chris Benoit in 17:33 by pinfall by using underhanded tactics. During the match we also had Rick Rude run in and attack Benoit. Eddy Guerrero wins the WCW World Television title (B-)

A video airs hyping Scott Hall vs Hulk Hogan's Career Match at Spring Stampede (A)

Bill Goldberg defeated Sabu in 7:51 by pinfall with The Spear (C+)

Kevin Nash appears on the Jumbotron saying DDP has some nerve to challenge him out of nowhere like that, but Nash will gladly accept to have a shot at putting another nail in the Horsemen coffin (B)

Chris Jericho cuts a scathing promo in the ring about Piper and how he is going to ruin the hip that Piper had replaced, just to make him yell I Quit! (B-)

Konnan defeated El Dandy in 10:17 by submission with a Ziplock (C-)

Kevin Sullivan makes a challenge to the remaining Horsemen for a 6 man tag match next! (C+)

Raven, Mortis and Meng defeated Ric Flair, Booker T and Diamond Dallas Page in 16:37 when Raven defeated Ric Flair by pinfall with a Piledriver (B-)

A video plays hyping Bret Hart vs Scott Steiner (A*)

Roddy Piper defeated Lex Luger in 15:54 by pinfall (B) After the match Jericho rushes in the ring and locks Piper in the Lion Tamer, refusing to let it go until the refs make him stop (B+)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

WCW Nitro Rating

Nitro: 9.97

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 4, April 1998
Hoffheinz Pavillion (Mid South)
10000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Scott Steiner is backstage doing push ups. He says he's worked harder for this match then any other in his career, and it's his goal to make sure Bret Hart will finally stop crying (A*)

Bobby Heenan comes out to interview Hulk Hogan. Heenan goads Hogan saying he's hated him for years and he can't wait for Hall to send him packing. Hogan grabs Heenan by the scruff of the neck only to be ambushed by Scott Hall. Hall hits the Razors Edge on Hogan and leaves the ring to a chorus of boos (A)

Booker T defeated The Giant in 12:18 by pinfall with a Harlem Hangover (C+)

Mike Tenay announces tonights Main Event as Sting & DDP vs Eddy Guerrero & Kevin Nash (B-)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Kidman in 10:29 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana. Rey Mysterio Jr. makes defence number 10 of his WCW Cruiserweight title (C-)

Raven defeated Sabu and Rob Van Dam in 11:57 when Raven defeated Rob Van Dam by pinfall with a Piledriver (C+)

A video airs hyping Raven vs Flair (B+)

Savage and The Giant are in the back where they once again promise to retain their straps on Sunday (B)

Randy Savage defeated Chris Benoit in 14:32 by pinfall (B)

Roddy Piper limps to the ring. He says Jericho can try as he might he won't ever say those two little words! (B)

Sting and Diamond Dallas Page drew with Eddy Guerrero and Kevin Nash in 16:34 following a double disqualification (B) All four men brawl as Thunder goes off the air (B+)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

Thunder Rating

Thunder: 5.13

[DeToxRox]

WCW Spring Stampede
Sunday, Week 4, April 1998
Madison Square Garden (Tri City)
30000 People -- Sellout

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Jushin Liger in 15:02 when Rey Mysterio Jr. retrieved the item. Rey Mysterio Jr. makes defence number 11 of his WCW Cruiserweight title (C+)

Sting is backstage where he says Eddy Guerrero is making a mistake trying to make a name for himself at Stings expense (B+)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Sting in 14:51 by pinfall with a Frog Splash following interference from Rick Rude (B+)

DDP is in the back where he says Kevin Nash is about to see why he is the Cornerstone of the Horsemen (B-)

Diamond Dallas Page defeated Kevin Nash in 12:16 by pinfall with a Diamond Cutter (B)

Flair, Benoit and Booker celerbate with DDP backstage. Flair says the Horsemen are going 3-0 tonight, wooo! (B)

Booker T and Chris Benoit defeated The Giant and Randy Savage in 12:52 when Booker T defeated The Giant by pinfall with a Harlem Hangover. Booker T and Chris Benoit win the WCW World Tag Team titles (B-)

Raven defeated Ric Flair in 14:55 by pinfall with a Piledriver onto a chair. Raven wins the WCW United States Heavyweight title (B+)

A video airs showing what lead us to Jericho vs Piper (B+)

Chris Jericho defeated Roddy Piper in 14:54 by submission with a Lion Tamer. Piper passed out in the hold (B+)

We get another video package, this for our WCW Heavyweight Title match betwee Bret Hart and Scott Steiner (A)

Bret Hart defeated Scott Steiner in 16:34 by submission with a Sharpshooter. Bret Hart makes defence number 1 of his WCW World Heavyweight title (B+)

Backstage a somber Hulk Hogan says tonight this isn't about the nWo, this is about his career, and he is going to show Scott Hall that there are consequences when you mess with a mans livelyhood (A)

Scott Hall defeated Hollywood Hulk Hogan in 14:52 by pinfall with a Razor's Edge. During the match we also saw Scott Steiner run in and attack Hogan, and Kevin Nash also attack Hogan (A) After the match Hall, Steiner and Nash pick Hogan up and together Spike Powerbomb him over the top rope through a table. Hall then goes to the outside and sprays nWo on his chest, rolls him over, and with a can of yellow paint sprays a streak down his back. The crowd throws trash in the ring and apparently the new nWo stands triumphantly (A)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

PPV Buys

Spring Stampede: 19.84
Unforgiven: 16.93

Unforgiven was headlined by Sid defeating Ken Shamrock (B)

[DaddyTorgo]

Ooof. Poor Hulkster. LOL. Couldn't happen to a more deserving douchebag.

[DeToxRox]

Wrestling Observer Breaking News
What's next for WCW, Hulk Hogan and the nWo?

Coming off a surprisingly good main event featuring Hulk Hogan losing to Scott Hall, and thus "ending" his WCW career, some readers have been asking what WCW plans to do from here. Since the new creative direction of the company has taken over, it's been hard to find out information about creative plans as many leaks have been plugged, but what we can tell you is this:

- The rocket is offically strapped to Scott Hall. He has apparently shown the last several months he is a good soldier and hasn't had any problems with outside influences. People think this push is helping him finally mature and realize his endless potential. The plan is for Hall to face Bret Hart at Starrcade, but obviously that as many months away. People backstage question if WCW can hold off on that rematch so long but that's the plan as of now.

- The nWo is expected to become far more ruthless and less "cool". There are currently three members, and rumblings backstage when it's all said and done there will be five guys total. No one is quite sure on the other two but we do know one will be announced tomorrow night on Nitro.

- As far was WCW goes, people have noticed a rise in the factions lately. Between the Horsemen, nWo, Sullivan's Group and now Rick Rude, there will be four clearly defined stables. The plan going forward is to make these stables unique as to allow some more multi man matches on Nitro/Thunder/PPVs.

- Finally, everyone wants to know what the status of Hulk Hogan is. From what we understand he has had a bad back and might need surgery. That said there are no garauntees he will wrestle when he is fully healthy. He has several years left on his deal so WCW will get their money's worth, but it may not be in the capacity of a wrestler. This story will bare watching down the road.

[General Mike]

Heading down the right track, but it might not be the way you think it is.

Mr. America?!?:popcorn:

[DeToxRox]

Mr. America?!?:popcorn:

You shut your mouth.

[DeToxRox]

WCW April 1998 Financials

INCOME

PPV Revenue: $6,451,230
Ticket Sales: $3,315,670
TV Revenue: $590,000
Sponsors: $2,577,155
Merch: $1,200,000
Misc: $2,059

EXPENDITURES

Workers: $685,100
Show Costs: $475,800
Marketing: $750,000
Merch: $900,000
Production: $3,520,000
Development: $4,750
Misc: $2,510,117

Performance: $5,290,347

Total Cash: $76,194,619

[DeToxRox]

WCW Press Release: Lethal Lottery returns to WCW

WCW is pleased to announce that over the month of May that the Lethal Lottery will return to WCW. 20 wrestlers have been picked to partake in the Lottery which will culminate in the Battle Bowl at Slamboree with the winner earning a World Title shot at the Great American Bash.

WCW is pleased to announce the following wrestlers who'll be involved in the Lethal Lottery:

1. Booker T
2. Chris Benoit
3. Chris Jericho
4. Curt Hennig
5. Diamond Dallas Page
6. Eddy Guerrero
7. Kevin Nash
8. Konnan
9. Lex Luger
10. Meng
11. Mortis
12. Randy Savage
13. Raven
14. Rey Mysterio Jr
15. Ric Flair
16. Rick Steiner
17. Scott Hall
18. Scott Steiner
19. Sting
20. The Giant

The first two matches are scheduled to take place tonight on Nitro!

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 1, May 1998
Municipal Auditorium (Midwest)
10000 People -- Sellout

Nitro opens up with Scott Hall, Scott Steiner and Kevin Nash coming out to the ring to the familiar nWo music. Hall says tonight people wanted to celebrate the career of Hulk Hogan, but the nWo put a stop to that. Hall says that that this nWo is stronger and more powerful then ever, and will be as ruthless as it takes to get the job done. Hall says the Lethal Lottery won't stop the nWo, and Bret Hart won't stop the nWo. Simply put, NO ONE will stop the nWo (A)

Adam Copeland and Christian Cage defeated Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Juventud Guerrera in 11:32 when Adam Copeland defeated Chavo Guerrero Jr. by pinfall with a Leaping DDT (D)

Bill Goldberg defeated Hugh Morrus in 8:28 by pinfall with The Jackhammer (C+)

It is announced that the first Lethal Lottery Match will be Lex Luger & Rey Mysterio Jr vs Sting & Rick Steiner! (C)

Rick Steiner and Sting defeated Lex Luger and Rey Mysterio Jr. in 15:19 when Sting defeated Lex Luger by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock (B-)

Brert Hart hits the ring to say he wants to know what the hell is going on with him at Slamboree. The Lethal Lottery winner will take a shot at the Bash, but Hart wants a match at Slamboree, so he is putting out an open challenge for anyone not in the Lottery. He'll take on one, two or three competitors, but whatever it takes to give the fans a shot to watch the real World's Champion! (A)

Chris Benoit defeated Jushin Liger in 11:52 by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex (C)

Backstage we can see Scott Hall talking to somone about joining the nWo. He says the plan goes down tonight then walks away (B+)

Dean Malenko defeated Michael Wallstreet in 9:30 by submission with a Texas Cloverleaf (C-)

It's announced that the second Lethal Lottery match will be Scott Hall & Eddy Guerrero vs Chris Jericho & The Giant! (B+)

Scott Hall and Eddy Guerrero defeated Chris Jericho and The Giant in 14:39 when Scott Hall defeated The Giant by pinfall with a Razor's Edge after Jericho low blowed The Giant when he had Eddy up in the Choke Slam (B+) Jericho and Hall give the nWo too sweet together as Nitro goes off air (A)

Show Rating: A

[DeToxRox]

WCW Ratings

Nitro: 9.99

[General Mike]

good job Danny.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 1, May 1998
Peral Gates Complex (Maritimes, Canada)
2000 People -- Selloit

Christian Cage defeated Chris Candido in 7:44 by pinfall (D)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Jushin Liger in 12:02 by pinfall with a Frog Splash. Eddy Guerrero makes defence number 1 of his WCW World Television title (C-)

Bret Hart comes out and says he loves his Canadian fans, and tonight wants to give them a treat by challening fellow country men Chris Benoit tonight! (A)

Backstage Ric Flair is seen lying in a pool of blood. Inches away from his beaten body is Scott Steiner who says the war has begun (B+)

Bill Goldberg defeated Chavo Guerrero Jr. in 9:51 by pinfall with The Spear (C)

Chris Jericho comes out to the ring and says Bret Hart ran his mouth about wanting someone to fight at Slamboree .. Well Jericho is stepping up to the plate and saying he wants the match vs Bret (B+)

Rick Steiner defeated The British Bulldog in 13:40 by pinfall with a Flying Bulldog (C)

Backstage DDP, Booker T and Chris Benoit say that if it's not one thing, it's another. They says Steiner and the nWo will pay for what they did to Naitch (C+)

Raven and Mortis defeated Perry Saturn and Rob Van Dam in 13:23 when Mortis defeated Rob Van Dam by pinfall (C)

Mike Tenay hypes our Main Event, saying Hart and Benoit are the two best technichal wrestlers in the world, and this will be a classic (B)

Bret Hart drew with Chris Benoit in 20:54 following a double count out. During the match we also saw Chris Jericho run in and attack Hart, and also attack Benoit (B+)

Show Rating: C+

[DeToxRox]

Thunder Rating

Thunder: 4.78

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 2, May 1998
Vetreans Memorial Arena (Southeast)
15000 People -- Sellout

Bill Goldberg defeated Buff Bagwell in 12:32 by pinfall with The Spear (B-)

Konnan defeated Christian Cage in 9:01 by submission with a Ziplock (D+)

Randy Savage is in the back when he bumps into Bret Hart. The two men share a staredown when Savage he is sick and tired of Bret talking about how he is the real World's Champ. Savage says he is going to win the Battle Bowl and at the Bash, he will take that title away from the Hitman (A)

The Four Horsemen's music hits, except the nWo comes out. Hall says the nWo is cerebral, but right now patience isn't their virtue. He says he will win the Battle Bowl, but he wants a crack at the Horsemen, and the rest of the nWo is ready for war (B+)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Steven Regal in 14:37 by pinfall with a Frog Splash. Eddy Guerrero makes defence number 2 of his WCW World Television title (B-)

Bret Hart says he is a marked man and he loves it. He says Savage, Hall, Sting, Jericho, it doesn't matter, he'll take on all challengers, so if Jericho wants a shot, he can have it (B+)

Sting and Lex Luger defeated The Public Enemey in 12:05 when Sting defeated Johnny Grunge by pinfall with a Stinger Splash (C)

Backstage we see Scott Hall watching the match intently. He scoffs as Sting has his arm raised (A)

Backstage Chris Jericho is celebrating his challenge being accepted when Eric Bischoff appears behind him. Jericho turns around and acts like he's seen a ghost. Bischoff says Jericho might want to listen to what he has to say (B+)

Bischoff hits the ring and says Chris Jericho has shown a real lack of respect for the Authority Figures in WCW and he has punishment coming his way, but since Bret Hart wants to give him a shot, he won't stand in his way. Bisch says that Jericho has to make ammends for his attack though, by fighting The Giant on Thunder, inside a Steel Cage! (A)

Booker T and Diamond Dallas Page defeated Chris Benoit and Mortis in 16:32 when Booker T defeated Mortis by pinfall with a Harlem Hangover. During the match we also had Mortis turn on Benoit (B) After the match the nWo hits the ring and a brawl ensues. Raven and Meng hit the ring and soon it's a 12 man brawl to take Nitro off the air (A)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

Nitro Rating

Nitro: 9.73

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 2, May 1998
Mass Mutual Center (New England)
10000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

The British Bulldog and Steven Regal defeated Jim Duggan and Jim Neidhart in 12:47 when Steven Regal defeated Jim Neidhart by submission with a Regal Stretch (C-)

Chris Jericho comes out to the ring to say that Eric Bischoff is an idiot making this match with The Giant tonight. He promises Bisch that The Giants blood will be on his hands tonight (B)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Sabu in 11:04 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana (C)

Raven is backstage where he questioning why the nWo and Horsemen continue to overlook his Flock? Raven says that he has been overlooked his entire life, and this will not stand. Raven promises come Monday a shockwave that'll shake WCW to it's core (B+)

Bill Goldberg defeated Disco Inferno and Michael Wallstreet in 10:31 when Bill Goldberg defeated Disco Inferno by pinfall with The Spear (C+)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Juventud Guerrera in 14:04 by pinfall with a Frog Splash. Eddy Guerrero makes defence number 3 of his WCW World Television title (C)

A video airs hyping the WCW Champion Bret Hart (A)

Diamond Dallas Page drew with Mortis in 10:50 following a double disqualification. The match also had a lot of interference: Scott Hall targeted DDP, Scott Steiner attacked DDP, and finally Kevin Nash interfered against DDP (B)

The Giant defeated Chris Jericho in 13:53 by pinfall with a Choke Slam (B+)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 3, May 1998
Value City Arena (Great Lakes)
15000 People -- Sellout

Raven comes out to the ring and says that for several months now he and the Flock have been ignored. He and Kevin Sullivan realize that something has to change, and their is a big surprise for WCW tonight that'll cause fans and wrestlers alike to pay attention and realize the depths of the Flocks hatred (A)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Rick Martel in 12:27 by pinfall with a Frog Splash. Eddy Guerrero makes defence number 4 of his WCW World Television title (C+)

Scott Hall defeated Louie Spicolli in 9:44 by pinfall with a Fallaway Slam (C)

Eric Bischoff says one guy in WCW who's impressed him lately is Chris Benoit, so if Benoit wins his remaining matches before Slamboree, he will join Chris Jericho and The Giant in a four way match for Bret Hart's WCW Title (C+)

Chris Benoit defeated Lex Luger in 12:52 by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex (C)

It is announced that the next Lethal Lottery Match is Ric Flair & Randy Savage vs Curt Hennig & Meng (B)

Randy Savage and Ric Flair defeated Curt Hennig and Meng in 13:28 when Randy Savage defeated Curt Hennig by pinfall (B-)

Scott Steiner comes out and says he heard Raven BS about some big surprise tonight. Steiner says he wants Raven in a No DQ Match tonight for his US Title! (B+)

Rick Rude comes out and says his client Eddy Guerrero has bg plans for Slamboree, namely winning the Battle Bowl, but he will grant anyone in the back a match next week on Nitro as a tune up (B-)

A video airs showing highlights from Spring Stampede, namely Chris Jericho beating Roddy Piper to a bloody pulp. The video ends with a shot of Piper at home resting. He promises he'll be back soon to get a second crack at Jericho (B)

Bill Goldberg defeated The Booty Man in 6:35 by pinfall with The Spear (C)

Raven defeated Scott Steiner in 10:57 by pinfall with a Piledriver following interference from Yokozuna. Raven makes defence number 1 of his WCW United States Heavyweight title (B-) After the match Raven DDT's Steiner near the corner, then puts a chair over his face and drags him in position to be Banzai Dropped as Nitro goess off air (B+)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

Nitro Rating

Nitro: 10.45

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 3, May 1998
Gill Coliseum (Northwest)
10000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Backstage Roddy Piper is at the building. He is saying hi to some friends when he is attacked from behind by Scott Steiner. Steiner locks him in the Steiner Recliner while screaming "You DO NOT mess with the nWo!" (B)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Christian Cage in 11:46 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana (C-)

Steven Regal defeated Adam Copeland in 11:33 by submission with a Regal Stretch (C)

Backstage Raven says that Yokozuna is here in WCW to be an integral part of the Flock. He says tonight Yoko's destruction begins (B+)

The Four Horsemen hit the ring to a huge pop. Flair says Slamboree is going to be the night of the Horsemen, as Chris Benoit wins the World Title, and either Flair, DDP or Booker T win the BattleBowl. He says the war with the nWo and The Flock is beginning and the blood will flow like wine! (B-)

Yokozuna defeated Jim Duggan in 6:03 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop (C-)

Bret Hart defeated Jim Neidhart in 13:37 by submission with a Sharpshooter (C)

Eric Bischoff announces the Main Event tonight will be a Battle Bowl preview, as Ric Flair, Randy Savage, Sting and DDP will take on Scott Hall, Scott Steiner, Eddy Guerrero and Raven! (A)

Kevin Nash defeated Hugh Morrus in 7:54 by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb (D+)

Chris Benoit defeated Rob Van Dam in 6:24 by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex (C)

Ric Flair, Randy Savage, Sting and Diamond Dallas Page defeated Scott Hall, Eddy Guerrero, Scott Steiner and Raven in 13:34 when Randy Savage defeated Eddy Guerrero by pinfall (B)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

Thunder Rating

Thunder: 5.21

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 4, May 1998
MCI Center (Mid Atlantic)
15000 People -- Sellout

Chris Benoit defeated Meng in 10:59 by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex (B)

A video airs hyping the history of the Battle Bowl, leading into this Sunday's match (A)

Bill Goldberg defeated Rick Martel in 10:48 by pinfall with The Spear (C-)

A video airs hyping the carnage that Scott Steiner has caused the past few weeks with his vicious backstage attacks (B+)

Chris Jericho is with Mean Gene backstage. He promises that come Sunday the nWo will have the World Title back in their grasps (B+)

Adam Copeland defeated Buff Bagwell in 10:14 by pinfall with a Missile Dropkick (D+)

Mortis defeated Curt Hennig in 12:39 by pinfall (C+)

Eric Bischoff comes out to announce that on Thunder we will see Ric Flair take on Scott Hall! (A)

Yokozuna defeated Lex Luger in 11:55 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop (B)

It is announced that the final Lethal Lottery match will feature Scott Steiner & Raven vs Kevin Nash & Konnan (B-)

Raven and Scott Steiner defeated Kevin Nash and Konnan in 16:33 when Raven defeated Konnan by pinfall with a Piledriver (B)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

WCW Nitro Rating

Nitro: 10.36

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 1, May 1998
Hawaii Medium (Hawaii)
7842 People
TV Taping

A video airs hyping Bill Goldberg and his impressive win strak (D+)

Kevin Sullivan comes out and says Yokozuna wants to face all comers, and is officially offering an open challenge to face him at Slamboree! (B)

Rick Steiner defeated Scott Norton in 10:37 by pinfall with a Flying Bulldog (C-)

Meng and Mortis defeated The Public Enemey in 13:24 when Mortis defeated Rocco Rock by pinfall (D)

Ric Flair hypes up his match vs Scott Hall tonight, letting Hall know that he is going to get a little Battle Bowl preview, complete with Flair's hand being raised (B)

Kevin Nash defeated Jim Neidhart in 8:20 by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb (C-)

Yokozuna defeated Sabu in 9:45 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop (D+)

Rick Rude and Eddy Guerrero come to the ring. Rude says that Guerrero is going to prove the doubters wrong and win the BattleBowl because he is the next big thing in WCW (B-)

Diamond Dallas Page and Booker T defeated The British Bulldog and Steven Regal in 12:09 when Diamond Dallas Page defeated Steven Regal by pinfall with a Diamond Cutter (B-)

Backstage Scott Steiner blasts The Booty Man with a steel pipe, leaving him lying in a pool of blood (D+)

Mike Tenay and Dusty Rhoads hype our Main Event between Ric Flair and Scott Hall (B)

Scott Hall drew with Ric Flair in 20:00 when the time limit expired (B+)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder Rating

Thunder: 5.41

[DeToxRox]

WCW Slamboree
Sunday, Week 4, May 1998
Minute Maid Park (Mid South)
40,210 People
Live on PPV

Bill Goldberg defeated Buff Bagwell in 14:09 by pinfall with The Spear (B)

Mortis defeated Konnan in 12:50 by pinfall (C+)

DDP is backstage cutting a promo in regards to the Battle Bowl when he is attacked by Scott Steiner. DDP slowly gets up, obviously in a daze. He promises revenge on Steiner (B)

A video airs hyping the nWo (B+)

Kevin Nash defeated Meng in 10:35 by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb (B-)

Raven is backstage where he says the Flock gains National Prominence today, when he wins the Battle Bowl, and in the process shows the nWo and the Horsemen the new pecking order in WCW! (A)

We get a video hyping Sting (B)

Yokozuna defeated Rey Mysterio Jr. in 13:03 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop (C+)

The Giant sits in the locker room. He says tonight is his shot to be champion again, and he will not let three Canadians stand in his way (B)

Randy Savage won a battle royal in 39:35. The final four competitors also included Raven, Sting and Scott Hall, with Raven being the final elimination (B+) After the match Savage celebrates in the ring (B+)

Bret Hart is in the back where he promises to leave Houston as WCW World Champion (B+)

A video airs hyping the Main Event (A)

Bret Hart defeated The Giant, Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit in 27:49 when Bret Hart defeated Chris Jericho by submission with a Sharpshooter. Bret Hart makes defence number 2 of his WCW World Heavyweight title (A) After the match Randy Savage hits the ring to get in Bret Hart's face. He points to the belt and then says "I'm coming for it". The two men are still nose to nose as Slamboree goes off air (A)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

May PPV Buyrates

Slamboree: 20.08
Over the Edge: 16.68

Over the Edge was headlined by Sid retaining vs Shawn Michaels (B+)

[DeToxRox]

WCW Creative Update

With Slamboree in the books, I figured I'd give a little update on what to expect in the future.

- The summer of 1998 is going to be the Summer of the Stable War, as the nWo/Horsemen/Flock are going to partake in a ruthless stable war culminating in a War Games at Fall Brawl, though it'll only be between 2 of the 3 stables.

- Bret Hart and Randy Savage are going to have a fun feud that will go through the summer, though there will be some stuff done to hopefully freshen it up.

- Goldberg is going to continue to beat up mid-carders and occassional upper tier guys, though there is a match in the works that'll lead to him finally getting a top notch push.

- Eddy Guerrero w/ Rick Rude is really starting to get good segments outside of his matches. He is a guy to watch for 1999.

- In an effort to make Thunder a little more unique, and to give our guys not doing much an effort, we'll implement a Hardcore Title. We have a lot of guys who can brawl but really do nothing else, so it'll be a way to get them involved and have some fresher matchups.

- Some guys who're bigger names are on the chopping block because their segments do not deliever. Not totally sure why as they're solid rating wise but it hasn't worked. We'll see if repackaging works first but if not, no reason to keep them around (Cough Luger, Hennig)

That is about it for now. I am looking forward to a big ass stable war coming up so these next few months of booking will be good times.

[dubb93]

Cut Curt Hennig? Really? Surely you can find something for him to do? Hell you are booking Meng and Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Curt Hennig could wrestle circles around those guys.

As for Eddy being one to watch in 1999, from the looks of it Raven is one to watch for in 1998. His segment ratings have been absolute gold. He may be one that is accidently elevated to main event status.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Cut Curt Hennig? Really? Surely you can find something for him to do? Hell you are booking Meng and Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Curt Hennig could wrestle circles around those guys.

Depending upon the product that the fans expect, wrestling ability not only may not get you over but may actually end up hurting you.

How else could we explain Lex Luger's career?

[DeToxRox]

Cut Curt Hennig? Really? Surely you can find something for him to do? Hell you are booking Meng and Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Curt Hennig could wrestle circles around those guys.

As for Eddy being one to watch in 1999, from the looks of it Raven is one to watch for in 1998. His segment ratings have been absolute gold. He may be one that is accidently elevated to main event status.

Raven is awesome, has always been a favorite of mine. His insane segment ratings caused me to make the Flock more then fodder for the Horsemen. Meng has been solid too.

In regards to Hennig, his matches are fine, and I won't cut him loose, but I won't put him in any main angles because anything else he does doesn't seem to work. Lots of C - segments. It's very odd.

[DaddyTorgo]

Awww Raven. Loved Raven.

Cutting Hennig would be painful - he probably needs to be in a stable or a tag team or something though, as he's not very charismatic on his own, and not very good on the stick.

And as for Jon bashing my man The Total Package...well okay...he's not my man. Still...Lugar beating Hogan and "racking" the entire nWo at the Palace in Auburn Hills was probably my last moment of true innocence with wrestling. Literally...that was the last moment I was a total mark. So I'll always have fond memories of him because of that. But I admit...he wasn't ever the world's best worker. Then again, there were much much worse.

[DaddyTorgo]

Meng rocks. As a destroyer he's top-notch. Forerunner of Samoa Joe FTW!

Like I mentioned, the problem with Hennig is probably his weak-ass work on the stick I'd presume? That or some other low ratings (I haven't seen the mod). Tossing him in a stable where he can be the "silent solid wrestler" or giving him an over-manager would prolly do wonders for his non-ring stuff.

[DeToxRox]

Meng rocks. As a destroyer he's top-notch. Forerunner of Samoa Joe FTW!

Like I mentioned, the problem with Hennig is probably his weak-ass work on the stick I'd presume? That or some other low ratings (I haven't seen the mod). Tossing him in a stable where he can be the "silent solid wrestler" or giving him an over-manager would prolly do wonders for his non-ring stuff.

I am almost 100% certain Hennig's problems stem from drug/alcohol. Notes usually come up in his matches he is off his game, and he still scores B - C+ matches, but he and Flair should've had a better series, and they really struggled.

I could be wrong, since I don't see that kind of thing with Hall and I am sure he's drug/alcohol is the same level, but he could have it under control.

Whatever the case is, Hennig will end up off TV eventually so I can repackage him and see what happens.

[DaddyTorgo]

one of the things that irritates me about the game is having to take guys off tv for so long to repackage them. while it happened IRL, it usually wasn't as long I don't feel like. or maybe it just didn't seem as long.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 1, June 1998
HP Pavillion San Jose (Southwest)
15000 People -- Sellout

Syxx defeated Rey Mysterio Jr. in 13:34 by pinfall with a Tombstone following interference from Kevin Nash. Syxx wins the WCW Cruiserweight title (B)

The Giant defeated Eddy Guerrero in 13:17 by pinfall with a Choke Slam (B)

Randy Savage is in the back, discussing how just months ago he felt like his career was nearing an end, but then the Lethal Lottery and BattleBowl came about and now Savage knows he has years left in him, and he'll hold the WCW World Title until he can't physically compete (A)

Ric Flair is in the parking lot getting out of his limo when Scott Steiner explodes out of his own car and begins mauling into Flair. He takes Naitch and throws him headfirst into the passenger window, leaving him in a pool of blood (B+)

Booker T and Chris Benoit defeated Mortis and Meng in 13:03 when Booker T defeated Meng by pinfall with a Missile Dropkick. Booker T and Chris Benoit make defence number 1 of their WCW World Tag Team titles (C+) After the match Raven and Yokozuna come down to the ring and a 4 on 2 beatdown occurs. Refs try to break it up by wind up victims themselves (B+)

Randy Savage defeated Brian Knobbs in 7:46 by pinfall (B)

Kevin Nash defeated Konnan in 10:03 by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb (C+)

Scott Hall is watching a replay on the monitor of Steiner attacking Flair, when from off scren a guitar bashes him in the skull. Raven appears over his fallen body chuckling at the carnage he has caused (A)

We come back from break with Chris Jericho demanding a US Title Match with Raven right now so he can get payback for his BS attack on Scott Hall (B)

Raven drew with Chris Jericho in 12:13 following a double disqualification (B+) Following the match the remaining members of the nWo, Syxx, Steiner and Nash come out to go after Raven, which brings out the Flock. The Horsemen, sans Flair, are out as well and a massive brawl erupts taking us off the air (B+)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

Nitro Rating

Nitro: 9.49

[dubb93]

Wow, the fact Randy Savage carried Knobbs to a B rated match is impressive. Seems he is really earning that push he is in the middle of getting.

[DeToxRox]

Wow, the fact Randy Savage carried Knobbs to a B rated match is impressive. Seems he is really earning that push he is in the middle of getting.

Yep. I wanted to get Savage some wins to keep his momentum up before facing Bret, but I didn't want to do it at the cost of a more established guy. I was incredibly happy with that.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 1, June 1998
Hartford Civic Center (New England)
15000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Eric Bischoff announces a new title will come to Thunder specifically, and it'll be a Hardcore Title to appease all the blood thirsty fans out there. There will be a mini tournament culminating at Great American Bash in a special hardcore match! (B+)

Meng defeated Sabu in 9:53 by submission with a Tongan Death Grip (C-) Meng advances in the Hardcore Title tournament

Scott Hall comes out to hype the nWo (B)

Curt Hennig defeated Perry Saturn in 12:28 by pinfall with a Hennig Plex (C-)

Before our next match Rick Rude comes out to announce he is currently looking for new clients to add the new cornerstone of WCW, Eddy Guerrero! (B)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Buff Bagwell in 11:34 by pinfall with a Frog Splash. Eddy Guerrero makes defence number 5 of his WCW World Television title (C)

Sting defeated The British Bulldog in 11:54 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock (B-) After the match the lights go out and when they come back on Sting is nowhere to be seen (B+)

A pre-tape airs where Bret Hart is back home in Calgary in the infamous Dungeon. He says he is not taking Savage lightly, and promises that Savage is not going to leave the Bash as Champion (A*)

Yokozuna defeated Jim Neidhart in 9:29 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop (C-)

Backstage DDP is in a rage looking for Scott Steiner. He screams Steiner has to pay for what he did to Flair. He then spots Scott near catering and attacks him. The two men trade blows, only for Steiner to get the upperhand. Kimberly Page tries to intervene but winds up taking a chair shot meant for DDP instead. Steiner runs off after hitting her as DDP tends to Kimberly. The entire building goes eerily quiet (B+)

Raven defeated Rick Steiner in 17:09 by pinfall with a Piledriver. Raven makes defence number 3 of his WCW United States Heavyweight title (B+)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

Thunder Rating

Thunder: 5.18

[BigDPW]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this... I hope you keep it up. I have never been able to sustain a TEW Dynasty thread of my own but yours takes me back to my wrestling hayday. The late 90's were gold as far as I can remember since I was in college and had nothing better to do with most Monday Nights!

[Crim]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this... I hope you keep it up. I have never been able to sustain a TEW Dynasty thread of my own but yours takes me back to my wrestling hayday. The late 90's were gold as far as I can remember since I was in college and had nothing better to do with most Monday Nights!

[ahem] [hint, hint]

[DeToxRox]

Haha. Took a little break but expect more either today or Tomorrow.

Appreciate the kind words, and I agree, for me 97-99 was the best era of wrestling. It's a shame WCW blew it's wad and has ruined wrestling for a lot of people.

[molson]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this... I hope you keep it up. I have never been able to sustain a TEW Dynasty thread of my own but yours takes me back to my wrestling hayday. The late 90's were gold as far as I can remember since I was in college and had nothing better to do with most Monday Nights!

+1, I'm really enjoying this, keep it going.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 2, June 1998
Wachovia Center (Tri State)
15000 People -- Sellout

Nitro opens up with Eric Bischoff reading a mandate from Ted Turner himself. He says last week Nitro was out of control as the nWo, Horsemen and Flock went after each other, and that it must stop until the Great American Bash. Therefore any contact between any members of the groups will result in that group being fined $15,000. The only exception is in officially sanctioned WCW matches. Bischoff says he sees fit to make a triple threat match at the Bash between Raven, Scott Hall and Ric Flair, with the winning wrestlers faction getting control of Nitro throughout the month of July! (A)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Dean Malenko in 11:50 by pinfall with a Frog Splash. Eddy Guerrero makes defence number 6 of his WCW World Television title (B-)

Backstage Arn Anderson is talking to some of the guys when Scott Steiner can be seen creeping behind him. Out of nowhere Steiner is tackled by DDP who begins laying into Steiner, only to be pulled off by WCW officials. Steiner runs away laughing at the Horsemen being fined $15,000 (B)

Bill Goldberg defeated Michael Wallstreet in 7:47 by pinfall with The Spear (C-)

Bobby Heenan and Mike Tenay discuss Randy Savage and his BattleBowl win, remarking that they haven't seen him this focused since he first joined WCW (B+)

Randy Savage defeated The British Bulldog in 14:06 by pinfall (B-)

DDP comes out to the ring without any music and makes a challenge to Scott Steiner for the Bash so they can settle their differences like men (B-)

Chris Benoit and Booker T defeated Chris Jericho and Syxx in 18:23 when Chris Benoit defeated Syxx by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex. Booker T and Chris Benoit make defence number 2 of their WCW World Tag Team titles (B)

The nWo airs a commercial showing their dominance in WCW (A)

Rick Rude comes out to the ring and says he has an important announcement to make, but this is not the right time for it. He says at the Bash he has an announcement that'll rock WCW to it's core (B)

A music video airs hyping Bret Hart (B+)

Bret Hart defeated Rey Mysterio Jr. in 13:13 by submission with a Sharpshooter (A)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

WCW Nitro Ratings

Nitro: 9.25

[BigDPW]

Still watching hoping this continues... May end up starting my own personal game too... Only to have it fizzle since I don't have time to play this game like I would like!

I hope you find the time to keep this one up I am enjoying it.

[DeToxRox]

Still watching hoping this continues... May end up starting my own personal game too... Only to have it fizzle since I don't have time to play this game like I would like!

I hope you find the time to keep this one up I am enjoying it.

For sure not dead. Hit a rut and then finals for school. I am done with the semester tonight, and I suspect I'll do quite a bit during the Draft on Saturday.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 2, June 1998
Auditoro Juan Vicens (Puerto Rico)
10000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Yokozuna defeated Fit Finlay in 11:52 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop (C) Yokozuna advances in the Hardcore Title tournament

The Giant defeated Hugh Morrus in 7:53 by pinfall with a Choke Slam (D+) The Giant advances in the Hardcore Title tournament

A video plays hyping the Savage/Hart Bash Main Event (A)

Ric Flair is at home resting from his brutal attack from the nWo. He says at the Great American Bash he is going to destroy Hall and Raven and watch as the Horsemen take the WCW by storm (B+)

Chris Benoit and Booker T defeated Dean Malenko and Steven Regal in 13:46 when Booker T defeated Dean Malenko by pinfall with a Harlem Hangover (C)

Sting defeated Curt Hennig in 18:12 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock (B-)

Scott Steiner comes out and says DDP can have his match at the Bash, but it'll be under his rules, and DDP will find those rules out soon enough (B)

Syxx defeated Konnan in 8:31 by pinfall with a Tombstone (D)

Rick Rude and Eddy Guerrero are in the back talking. We over hear Eddy say "So the plan is in place?" but before Rude answers he notices the camera and demands they leave (B)

Bill Goldberg defeated Scott Steiner in 14:58 by pinfall with The Spear following interference from Diamond Dallas Page (B)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

Thunder Rating

Thunder: 5.01

[DeToxRox]

ECW Matter of Respect

ECW held their Matter of Respect PPV,garnering a .16 buy, headlined by Brian Adams winning the ECW World Title from Shane Douglas (B-). The show was a B-. ECW is slowing gaining some momentum as they have a show on E on Thursdays now as well.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 3, June 1998
Kemper Arena (Mid West)
15000 People -- Sellout

Nitro opens up with Eric Bischoff announcing three huge matches: Kevin Nash vs Raven, Scott Hall vs Rick Steiner and Ric Flair vs Yokozuna! (B+)

Chris Jericho defeated Mortis, Chris Benoit and Curt Hennig in 16:35 when Chris Jericho defeated Curt Hennig by submission with a Lion Tamer (B)

Syxx defeated Christian Cage in 9:37 by pinfall with a Tombstone (D)

Sting comes out to the ring and says lately he has been lost, almost depressed. He says a man without a direction, but things can change, and he feels his time to change is coming (B-)

Backstage we see Raven and Kevin Sullivan huddled together. Raven begins laughing maniacally before both men go their seperate ways (B+)

Scott Hall defeated Rick Steiner in 12:45 by pinfall with a Razor's Edge (B+)

A commercial airs hyping the nWo. It says the Great American Bash will be the revenge of the New World Order (A)

Yokozuna defeated Ric Flair in 11:56 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop following interference from Raven (B-)

Bill Goldberg defeated Adam Copeland in 5:50 by pinfall with The Jackhammer (B)

Backstage we see The Giant lying in a pool of blood. Eddy Guerrero and Rick Rude begin laying into him as Eddy yells "YOU THINK YOU BEAT ME AND CAN WALK AWAY? NO CHANCE!" (B-)

Kevin Nash defeated Raven in 15:32 by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb following interference from Scott Hall (B+)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

WCW Nitro Rating

Nitro: 9.36

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 3, June 1998
RICOH Coliseum (Ontario)
10000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Thunder opens up with Bret Hart addressing his people, the Canadien public. Hart says it gives him no greater joy then to come here as the Champ and to see the people who made it possible. As he is discussing his match with Savage, the nWo music hits and Chris Jericho comes out (A) Jericho says he is a bigger star in Canada then Hart will ever be, and tonight he wants a World Title match. Jericho says to man up and accept or be the biggest wuss Canada has ever produced! Hart says it's on and the crowd goes wild (B+)

Rick Steiner defeated Jim Neidhart in 14:28 by pinfall with a Flying Bulldog (D) Rick Steiner advances in the Hardcore Tournament

Mortis defeated Louie Spicolli in 7:59 by pinfall with a Northern Lights Suplex (D-)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Juventud Guerrera in 13:52 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana (C)

A video airs hyping the Horsemen (B)

The Giant is backstage as the video ends, where he says he'd love to kick Guerrero's ass at the Bash, but he'll be in the finals of the Hardcore Title tournament, so he'll settle for a match at Nitro instead (B+)

Booker T defeated Steven Regal in 10:40 by pinfall with a Harlem Hangover (C+)

Diamond Dallas Page and Ric Flair drew with Scott Hall and Scott Steiner in 14:33 following a double disqualification (B)

Randy Savage is introduced to do color commentary for the Main Event (A)

Bret Hart defeated Chris Jericho in 15:18 by submission with a Sharpshooter. Bret Hart makes defence number 3 of his WCW World Heavyweight title (B+) After the match Savage comes in the ring and the two men have an intense staredown as Thunder goes off air (B+)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder Rating

Thunder: 5.20

[DeToxRox]

ECW News

Something I thought was cool is in ECW RVD and newly signed Marty Jannety have formed a tag team. They're having some great matches as well. Also of note, Paul Roma is the ECW TV Title. Definetly some interesting things there.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 4, June 1998
TD Waterhouse Centre (Southeast)
15000 People -- Sellout

Randy Savage defeated Curt Hennig in 14:04 by pinfall (B)

Meng, Mortis and Raven defeated Ric Flair, Booker T and Chris Benoit in 15:23 when Mortis defeated Chris Benoit by pinfall (B-)

Chris Jericho and Kevin Nash come out and begin mocking the Horsemen for losing the six man tag. They make the obligatory we're taking the belts pantomine as we go to commercial (B-)

Scott Steiner is backstage, outside Kimberly Page's dressing room. Steiner says he won't get to Kim tonight, but after Sunday when DDP isn't around anymore to save her, then she'll be all his (B+)

Syxx defeated Juventud Guerrera in 10:48 by pinfall with a Tombstone. Syxx makes defence number 1 of his WCW Cruiserweight title (C-)

Scott Hall is backstage warming up when the Horsemen attack. They lay out Hall with a pipe and Flair says he doesn't care about rules, he's doing it his way from now on (B+)

The Giant defeated Eddy Guerrero in 10:45 by disqualification (B) After the match Guerrero and Rude lay into the Giant with the TV title, but Sting propels from the rafters to make the save (B)

A promo airs where Raven says he is going to destroy Hall and Flair Sunday and become the most powerful man in WCW (B+)

Raven defeated Sting in 17:53 by pinfall with a Piledriver following interference from Eddy Guerrero. Raven makes defence number 4 of his WCW United States Heavyweight title (A) After the match Eddy Guerrero comes in gets revenge on Sting with a vicious chair shot. Rick Rude takes the mic and says Sting couldn't stop himself from being Mr. Big in WCW and the announcement Eddy has for the Bash will prove without a doubt how big a phony Sting is (B-)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

Nitro Rating

Nitro: 9.42

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 4, June 1998
LJVM Coliseum (Mid Atlantic)
15000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

The Giant defeated Meng in 14:05 by pinfall with a Choke Slam (C) The Giant advances to the Finals of the Hardcore Title tournament After the match the Giant says he will show how hardcore he can be on Sunday (B)

A video airs on Bret Hart and his time in WCW (A)

Bill Goldberg defeated Dean Malenko in 10:56 by pinfall with The Spear (B-)

Mortis defeated Fit Finlay in 9:47 by pinfall (C)

Sting comes out and says whatever Eddy and Rude have on him is bogus, and Sting wants to get a crack at Eddy, so he's demanding a match with him at the Bash (B-)

Raven, Scott Hall and Ric Flair come out for a contract signing for the Bash. Eric Bischoff says the contract they're signing stipulates the winner and his faction is given full control of Nitro all July long and the losers become at the winners mercy. The three men almost come to blows but are stopped by security (A)

Diamond Dallas Page defeated Lex Luger in 12:21 by pinfall with a Diamond Cutter (B) After the match DDP says he'll die before Steiner ever touches his wife (B-)

Chris Benoit defeated Konnan in 7:34 by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex (C+)

Yokozuna defeated Rick Steiner in 12:10 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop (C+) Yokozuna advances to the Finals of Hardcore Title Tournament. After the match the Giant comes out to the ring for an epic staredown with Yokozuna (B-)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder Rating

Thunder: 5.01

[DeToxRox]

WCW Great American Bash
Sunday, Week 4, June 1998
Tacoa Dome (North West)
30000 People -- Sellout
Live on PPV

Bill Goldberg defeated Steven Regal in 10:49 by pinfall with The Spear (B+)

Chris Benoit and Booker T defeated Kevin Nash and Chris Jericho and Mortis and Meng in 15:26; the order of elimination was Mortis and Meng first, and finally Kevin Nash and Chris Jericho. Booker T and Chris Benoit make defence number 3 of their WCW World Tag Team titles (B)

A video airs showing The Giant and Yokozuna and their wins in the Hardcore Tournament. It is then announced this will be a Falls Count Anywhere match (B)

Yokozuna defeated The Giant in 13:44 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop. Yokozuna wins the WCW Hardcore title (C)

Bobby Heenan begins speculating what Eddy Guerrero and Rick Rude have on Sting (B)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Sting in 16:33 by pinfall while using the ropes for leverage. Eddy Guerrero makes defence number 7 of his WCW World Television title (B-) After the match, Eddy holds Sting down and they show a video of Sting backstage talking to the nWo's Kevin Nash. The two men have words that cannot be heard but before they leave they shake hands. The crowd sits stunned (B+)

Diamond Dallas Page defeated Scott Steiner in 15:34 by pinfall with a Diamond Cutter (B) After the match Kim comes out to celebrate, but they lose sight of Steiner. Steiner creeps up behind DDP and bashes him a lead pipe before grabbing Kim and taking her to the back (B+)

A video airs hyping the Triple Threat Match (B+)

Scott Hall defeated Raven and Ric Flair in 21:41 when Scott Hall defeated Raven by pinfall with a Razor's Edge (A)

Bret Hart is backstage where he says this is the biggest match of his career and he's never been more prepared in his life (A*)

Bret Hart defeated Randy Savage in 23:23 by pinfall with a surprise cradle. Bret Hart makes defence number 4 of his WCW World Heavyweight title (B+) After the match Bret extends his hand to Savage, but Savage answers with a short arm clothesline. Savage then grabs a chair and nails Hart in the face. He takes the chair to the top rope and delievers a huge flying elbow with the help of the chair (A*)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

Bash Overview

- Confusing to some I am sure. It was confusing to me at points. I lost my notes I had for the PPV, so I lost some of my ideas and had to scratch stuff out.

- Savage going heel was one thing I didn't plan on, but two weeks ago in-game I got news he was stale in his current role, so instead of a face vs face feud, it became a face vs heel dynamic now. Hart was actually hurt after the Jericho match slightly, so this will allow him to heel until the Bash at the Beach.

- Ric Flair was going to win but his contract came up and he just renewed before Nitro, but I wasn't sure if he was going to leave me so I didn't want him to win. Raven took the pin though because it was the plan all along and leading to a huge angle for him.

- The nWo is in charge all of July but don't expect a World Title match with Hart out, it'll be more about them flexing their muscle.

- Yoko is undefeated. Goldberg is undefeated. The trainwreck is coming, folks.

- The Sting thing is one thing I kinda remember the plan, but this one actually sounds better. I hope the execution works because it'll lead to the third match of my planned Starrcade Triple Header.

[DeToxRox]

PPV Buys

WCW Great American Bash: 20.20

WWF King of the Ring: 16.21

KOTR was headlined by Sid defeating Steve Austin to retain the WWF Title (B)

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 1, July 1998
Selland Arena (Mid Atlantic)
10000 People -- Sellout

Chris Benoit and Booker T defeated Adam Copeland and Christian Cage in 10:37 when Booker T defeated Christian Cage by pinfall with a Harlem Hangover. Booker T and Chris Benoit make defence number 4 of their WCW World Tag Team titles (C)

Scott Hall comes out to the ring and announces that tonight, the nWo is going to make a dent in WCW, but savor the process and not go for the jugular yet, so tonight Scott Steiner will take on Raven for the US Title and in the Main Event, the Outsiders will take on Ric Flair in a handicap match! (B+)

Sting defeated Mortis in 14:42 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock (C+) After the match Sting says that video that Eddy Guerrero showed last night was total BS. He admits he did meet with Hall but the fans wouldn't understand what it was about, but Sting still bleeds WCW. A smattering of "You sold out" chants begin (B+)

Bill Goldberg defeated Ultimo Dragon in 10:32 by pinfall with The Spear (C+)

Diamond Dallas Page defeated Lex Luger in 11:50 by pinfall with a Diamond Cutter (B+) After the match DDP promises that he will end this war with Steiner at Bash at the Beach, because he wants a Last Man Standing Match (B)

Scott Steiner defeated Raven in 12:22 by pinfall while using the ropes for leverage. Scott Steiner wins the WCW United States Heavyweight title (B)

Randy Savage's music hits and he comes out to the ring. He says last night was the straw that broke the camels back when Bret Hart screwed him out of the title last night, so Hart had to suffer. Davey Boy Smith comes out and says he and Bret may not be best friends anymore, but that's till his brother in law, and Savage has to pay. The two men engage in a pull apart brawl before Savage says Smith can wrestle him on Thunder if he has something he wants to prove (A)

The Outsiders defeated Ric Flair in 12:34 when Scott Hall defeated Ric Flair by pinfall with a Razor's Edge (B+) After the match Scott Hall begins destroying Flair with boots to the head and promises next week won't be any easier (B+)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

Nitro Rating

Nitro: 9.01

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder

Wednesday, Week 1, July 1998
Mass Mutual Center (New England)
10000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Jerry Lynn in 10:47 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana (C-)

Curt Hennig defeated Konnan in 12:27 by pinfall with a Hennig Plex (C)

Sting is backstage warming up when a mysterious figure is seen in the shadows stalking him. Sting, obviously feeling the presence of someone else backstage turns around but the figure sneaks away. Sting shakes his head in disgust and goes back to warming up (B-)

The Flock comes out and Raven says he lost his US Title because the unity in the group is missing. He says that Meng and Mortis have a shot at the Tag Titles at Bash at the Beach, but they need to toughen up. Raven then orders both Mortis and Meng accept a beatdown from Yokozuna. Yoko lays into both men with chairs, before piling them up and Bonzai Dropping them. Raven orders them to get up and follow him to the back, which they slowly do (B)

Yokozuna defeated Buff Bagwell in 12:16 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop. Yokozuna makes defence number 1 of his WCW Hardcore title (C)

Ric Flair is at home in North Carolina, but he says that Scott Hall is not going to one up him this week, even if the nWo does have control over Nitro. Flair promises his own surprise for Monday (B+)

Bill Goldberg defeated Perry Saturn in 10:52 by pinfall with The Spear (B-)

Rick Rude comes out and says Eddy Guerrero is sick of the Giant acting like he is superior to him, and that he is offering him a match at the Bash to prove once and for all who the better man is (B)

The Giant defeated Lex Luger in 11:06 by pinfall with a Choke Slam (C) After the match the Giant accepts the challenge, but demands the TV Title be on the line (B)

A video airs of the final moments of the Bret Hart and Randy Savage match, and the subsequent beatdown of Hart. Dusty Rhoads comments that this is the nastiest he's ever seen Savage and he fears for Bret's health (A)

Randy Savage defeated The British Bulldog in 14:32 by pinfall after the Flying Elbow Drop (B) After the match Savage took a chair and nailed Davey Boy with his own chair assisted flying elbow, causing the Bulldog to bleed buckets from the nose and mouth (B)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

Thunder Rating

Thunder: 5.14

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 2, July 1998
Continental Airlines Arena (Tri City)
15000 People -- Sellout

Nitro opens up with Ric Flair and DDP in the ring. Flair says he already caught wind of the fact that tonight the nWo has made a 3 on 2 match, with the Outsiders and Scott Steiner taking on Flair and DDP. Flair says he doesn't care about that because he promises the sides will be evened up by the end of the night (B)

Chris Jericho comes out and says that is all well and good, but he won't have Benoit or Booker T at his disposal. He says that Benoit is going to take on a guy the nWo has become close with, Sting! He also says Booker T has been barred from the building but will get a shot next week to face none other then Chris Jericho himself! (B-)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Chris Candido in 11:12 by pinfall with a Frog Splash. Eddy Guerrero makes defence number 8 of his WCW World Television title (C-)

Bill Goldberg defeated Disco Inferno in 9:45 by pinfall with The Spear (B-)

Raven comes out to the ring and says lately the Flock has become soft, but at he Bash he has asked anyone with power for a match vs anyone so he can show that the leader of the Flock has control. He promises whoever his opponent is will face a brutal reality on how soft the Flock might be (B+)

Randy Savage plays a video of a mock funeral for Bret Hart's title reign. The tombstone reads "Bret Hart's WCW Title Reign - February 98 - July 98". Savage says healthy or not, Hart is going to put his title on the line (B+)

Chris Benoit defeated Sting in 16:44 by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex following interference from a Masked Man (B)

Chris Jericho defeated Fit Finlay in 11:41 by submission with a Lion Tamer (B-)

The nWo is backstage with Mean Gene. Scott Hall laughs at Flair saying he has no friends in WCW outside of the Horsemen, and all the other Horsemen are officially banned from ringside. Nash says no one else would be dumb enough to cross the nWo so Flair is in deep trouble. Steiner just adds that he is going to destroy DDP once and for all (A)

Ric Flair and Diamond Dallas Page defeated Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner in 17:17 when Scott Steiner was disqualified while fighting Diamond Dallas Page (B) After the match the nWo continues to brutalize Flair and DDP when the ominous drum's of Bill Goldberg's music hits sending the roof off the arena. Goldberg slowly stalks to the ring before exploding in a sprint into the ring where he meets Kevin Nash with a massive Spear. Both Steiner and Hall run for cover, but they watch Goldberg hoist Nash into the air and level with a vicious Jackhammer sending the crowd into a frenzy (A)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

Nitro Rating

WCW Nitro: 9.52

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 2, July 1998
Hawaii Medium (Hawaii)
10000 People -- Sellout

Thunder opens up with Kevin Nash coming to the ring. He says that Goldberg showed up naive he really is by attacking the nWo and siding with the Horsemen this past week on Nitro. Nash says he is officially challenging Goldberg for the Bash, and he promises to be the one to end his winning streak (B)

Yokozuna defeated Scott Norton in 11:36 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop. Yokozuna makes defence number 2 of his WCW Hardcore title (C-)

A video airs hyping the Four Horsemen (B)

Bill Goldberg defeated Konnan in 11:53 by pinfall with The Spear (C) After the match Dusty Rhoads talks about how epic the Goldberg/Nash match will be at the Bash (B-)

Meng and Mortis defeated The Public Enemey in 11:17 when Mortis defeated Rocco Rock by pinfall (D+)

Steven Regal defeated The British Bulldog in 11:46 by submission with a Regal Stretch (C)

Scott Hall cuts a promo in the back where he says tonight he'll take out Lex Luger as a warm up for his match at the Bash (B+)

Scott Hall defeated Lex Luger in 13:42 by pinfall with a Razor's Edge (B-)

Show Rating; C+

[DeToxRox]

Thunder Rating

Thunder: 5.10

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 3, July 1998
Breslin Center (Great Lakes)
15000 People -- Sellout

Meng defeated Lex Luger in 10:31 by submission with a Tongan Death Grip (C)

After the match Ric Flair comes out to a huge ovation. Flair says he isn't an idiot, and he knows what Hall and the nWo's plan is while they run Nitro. He knows they're trying to soften up Flair so Hall can have then make a Flair vs Hall match at the Bash at the Beach. Flair says he is going to one up Hall and challenge him right now to a Steel Cage at Bash at the Beach! (B)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Sabu in 8:32 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana (C)

Rick Rude and Eddy Guerrero come out to taunt The Giant before their big TV Title match at Bash at the Beach. Rude says that The Giant is a big dumb oaf and has no business being in the ring with the future of WCW, Eddy Guerrero. Rude promises The Giant he's bitten off more then he can chew (B)

Randy Savage comes out and says he has given Bret Hart ample time to accept his challenge for Bash at the Beach, but Hart is still AWOL, so Savage has no other alternative them to take out another member of Hart's family until he wisens up and gives Savage the rematch he deserves (B+)

The Giant defeated Curt Hennig in 11:13 by pinfall with a Choke Slam (B-)

Scott Hall comes out and announces Bill Goldberg will take on Syxx tonight! (A)

Bill Goldberg defeated Syxx in 12:03 by pinfall with The Spear (B) After the match the nWo comes out and surrounds Goldberg. Goldberg tries fighting his way out of the nWo but gets ambushed by Kevin Nash with a chair and laid to waste by the nWo (B+)

Raven comes out to the ring and cuts a mysterious promo about becoming a virus that kills WCW from the top on down (A)

Chris Jericho drew with Booker T in 20:00 when the time limit expired (B+)

After the match Eric Bischoff appears and says while he can't do anything of authority until the Bash at the Beach, he can promise that he'll make a startling announcement at the Bast at the Beach that'll have extreme repercussions on the nWo and the Horsemen (B+)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

Nitro Rating

Nitro: 9.34

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 3, July 1998
Auditoro Juan Vicens (Medium)
10000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Mortis defeated Sting in 12:36 by pinfall following interference from Raven (C)

Backstage Bill Goldberg is warming up when he spots Kevin Nash in the distance. Goldberg gets right in Nash's face and says Nash wouldn't dare make a move at Goldberg without his nWo cronies around. Goldberg walks away as Nash looks pissed (B+)

Bill Goldberg defeated Buff Bagwell in 9:39 by pinfall with The Spear (C)

Randy Savage comes out and says he is giving Bret Hart one more chance otherwise on Nitro Jim Neidhart is going to see his WCW career ended with extreme prejudice (B+)

We see backstage that a brawl has broken out with the nWo and the Horsemen. Eric Bischoff appears and says he does have some say over Thunder and announces Benoit will take on Syxx tonight (A)

Chris Benoit defeated Syxx in 11:40 by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex (B)

Backstage Booker T cuts a promo on how at the Bash he and Chris Benoit will prove why they're the best tag team champs when they destroy Meng and Mortis (B)

Christian Cage defeated Rey Mysterio Jr. in 10:31 by pinfall following interference from Chris Jericho (C)

A video airs showcasing the destruction that Yokozuna has caused since he joined WCW (B+)

Kevin Nash defeated Chris Candido in 11:40 by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb (C-)

The Giant is in the back promising to put Eddy Guerrero and Rick Rude out of their misery in just a weeks time (B)

Chris Jericho defeated Rick Steiner in 15:31 by submission with a Lion Tamer (C+)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder Rating

Thunder: 5.01

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 4, July 1998
Toyota Center (Mid South)
15000 People -- Sellout

DDP comes out to the ring and says tonight he knows Scott Steiner gets to make the Main Event for Nitro tonight, and DDP, like Flair last week, knows he has to take the fight to Steiner, so he is going to do just that and he promises to make Steiner's life a living hell, much like he's done to DDP and his wife Kimberly (B+)

Ric Flair comes out to join DDP. He says the Horsemen are united in this war vs nWo, and Flair has a new message for Scott Hall. He says inside the cage on Sunday Flair is going to show Hall why he is the Dirtiest Player in the Game! (B+)

Syxx defeated Super Calo in 7:38 by pinfall with a Tombstone. Syxx makes defence number 2 of his WCW Cruiserweight title (C-)

Meng and Mortis defeated Steven Regal and Fit Finlay in 10:38 when Meng defeated Steven Regal by submission with a Tongan Death Grip (C+)

We cut backstage where WCW officials and medical personnel are surrounding a downed Sting. His face is covered in blood and his trademark black bat lays beside him (B)

Raven walks by surveying the scene. He shakes his head and begins to chuckle (B)

Kevin Nash defeated Ray Traylor in 7:57 by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb (C)

Randy Savage defeated Jim Neidhart in 11:50 by pinfall (C+) After the match Savage hits Neidhart with his elbow with the chair (B)

Scott Steiner announces in tonight's Main Event, it'll be he and Scott Hall taking on DDP and Rick Steiner! (A)

Curt Hennig defeated Adam Copeland in 11:23 by pinfall with a Hennig Plex (C-)

Scott Steiner and Scott Hall defeated Diamond Dallas Page and Rick Steiner in 16:34 when Scott Steiner defeated Rick Steiner by pinfall with a Frankensteiner (B)

Randy Savage comes out and says this is it. If Bret Hart doesn't come out to the ring right now and accept his challenge, he'll go to the Dungeon in Calgary -- At that point Bret Hart's music hits and the champion comes out to a huge pop. He stalks to the ring, causing Savage to lose patience and jump out of the ring and meet Hart in the aisle. The two man explode into blows with Savage with Savage going for Hart's face. A solid right causes Bret's nose to rebreak and blood flows out of it but Hart answers back with a knee to the gut and then throws Savage into the guardrail. Finally the refs get order restored and Hart yells Savage has his match (A*)

Show Rating: B-

[DeToxRox]

Nitro Rating

Nitro: 9.16

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 4, July 1998
Conte Forum (New England)
10000 People -- Sellout

Thunder opens with Ric Flair and Bill Goldberg in the ring making a challenge to the Outsiders for a pre Bash at the Beach beating tonight! (B+)

Chris Jericho and Eddy Guerrero defeated The Giant and Rey Mysterio Jr. in 14:59 when Eddy Guerrero defeated Rey Mysterio Jr. by pinfall with a Frog Splash after Rick Rude interfered (C+)

Scott Steiner defeated Louie Spicolli in 10:49 by pinfall with a Frankensteiner (C-)

Dusty Rhodes is in the ring getting ready to interview Chris Jericho, when Jericho comes down and pushes Dusty. Jericho says no one wants to see his decrepit, broken down ass anymore and they just want to see Jericho. Jericho slugs Dusty and begins stomping him, until Rey Mysterio Jr hits the ring for the save (B-)

Christian Cage defeated Buff Bagwell in 10:57 by pinfall (C-)

Raven comes out with Yokozuna and say's Yoko is the most dominate force in WCW, and tonight Lex Luger will be the next victim of his wrath (B-)

Yokozuna defeated Lex Luger in 11:37 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop (C)

Backstage Rick Rude and Eddy Guerrero find the Giant and become hitting him with chairs. The two men walk away laughing as the Giant lays in agony (B)

Booker T is in the back hyping he and Chris Benoit's match vs Meng and Mortis on Sunday (B+)

The announcers hype our Main Event of Flair/Goldberg vs The Outsiders (B+)

Bill Goldberg and Ric Flair defeated The Outsiders in 18:40 when Ric Flair defeated Scott Hall by pinfall (A) After the match the two teams continue to fight as Nitro goes off the air (B+)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

Thunder Rating

Thunder: 5.21

[DeToxRox]

WCW Bash at the Beach
Sunday, Week 4, July 1998
Charlotte Coliseum
30000 People -- Sellout
Live on PPV

Chris Jericho defeated Rey Mysterio Jr. in 11:34 by submission with a Lion Tamer (A)

The Giant defeated Eddy Guerrero in 11:32 by disqualification (C+)

Backstage Booker T and Chris Benoit are getting ready for their Tag Team Title match tonight vs Meng and Mortis (C+)

Chris Benoit and Booker T defeated Meng and Mortis in 17:52 when Booker T defeated Meng by pinfall with a Missile Dropkick. Booker T and Chris Benoit make defence number 5 of their WCW World Tag Team titles (B)

Raven defeated The British Bulldog in 11:49 by pinfall with a Piledriver (B-) After the match Raven is in the ring when the lights go off. When they turn back on Raven is laid out in the middle of the ring with a bat laying next to him (B+)

A video airs hyping the feud between DDP and Scott Steiner (B+)

Scott Steiner defeated Diamond Dallas Page in 17:45 by pinfall with a Frankensteiner. Scott Steiner makes defence number 1 of his WCW United States Heavyweight title (B)

Bill Goldberg is backstage when Gene Okerlund asks him if he has anything to say to Kevin Nash before their match. Goldberg peers into the camera and says "You're next!" (B+)

Bill Goldberg defeated Kevin Nash in 13:48 by pinfall with The Spear (B)

Eric Bischoff comes to the ring for his big announcement. He says in September at Fall Brawl the nWo and Horsemen war will come to an end inside of the Match Beyond, The War Games! But before Fall Brawl is Road Wild, and at that show it'll be an 8 man tag between the Horsemen and the nWo with the winning team getting to decide the details of the War Game Match itself (B+)

Ric Flair defeated Scott Hall in 19:41 by pinfall (A)

A video plays hyping our Main Event between Bret Hart and Randy Savage (A*)

Bret Hart defeated Randy Savage in 20:07 by submission with a Sharpshooter. Bret Hart makes defence number 5 of his WCW World Heavyweight title (B+) After the match Bret Hart celebrates in the ring (B+)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

PPV Buys

Bash at the Beach: 22.44

Fully Loaded: 18.30, headlined by Sid retaining the WWF World Title over Mankind (B+)

[lcjjdnh]

Any updates on this? Or is it over? I enjoyed reading.

[DeToxRox]

Just needed some time from it. Didn't realize how long it'd been. I think I'll get it fired back up in the next day or two.

[lcjjdnh]

Awesome. Good to hear.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Nitro
Monday, Week 1, August 1998
Target Center (Midwest)
15000 People -- Sellout

Nitro opens up with Bret Hart arriving at the arena, limping gingerly after his war with Randy Savage last night at the Bash at the Beach. He is walking into the building when an annoyed Eric Bischoff tells Hart he is wrestling Raven tonight, and then after the match Bischoff has a State of the WCW address that will rock the promotion to its core (A*)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Christopher Daniels in 8:29 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana (D)

Bill Goldberg defeated Mike Awesome in 7:42 by pinfall with The Spear (B-)

Backstage Scott Hall, much like Bret Hart, is worse for wear after his war with Ric Flair last night. Bischoff says he has had it with Hall and he needs to pay close attention to what he says tonight (B+)

The nWo comes out after the commercial. Hall says Bischoff made a point to threaten him and that isn't cool and he is going to learn a lesson he should've learned years ago when Hall and Nash first showed up in WCW, don't mess with the Outsiders. He says last night was a fluke and that the Horsemen are going to lose at Road Wild giving the nWo the power to make Fall Brawl their kind of match (B+)

Chris Jericho and Scott Steiner defeated Chris Benoit and Booker T in 13:46 when Chris Jericho defeated Chris Benoit by submission with a Lion Tamer (B)

Backstage Raven is chuckling to himself about his chance to show WCW what he can do, and frankly, they won't like it. He says an era of Extreme can begin tonight because when he beats Hart, he is going to earn a title shot and win the World Title (A)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Buff Bagwell in 11:42 by pinfall with a Frog Splash. Eddy Guerrero makes defence number 9 of his WCW World Television title (B-)

A video airs hyping Sting. It ends with Sting promising there is no more nice guy (B+)

Raven defeated Bret Hart in 21:43 by pinfall with a Piledriver (A) After the match Raven begins to pummel Hart when the lights go off and when they go back on Raven is nowhere to be seen and there is a giant hole in the ring (B+)

Finally Eric Bischoff comes out and says he is so sick and tired of how the inmates are running the asylum. He says if it isn't the nWo, it's the Horsemen and if it isn't the Horsemen, it's Raven or Eddy Guerrero and frankly he is tired of it so from here on out, because the fans of WCW just seem to love the lack of authority he is declaring WCW is in a state of Martial Law. If people want to fight they can fight. Everyone gets a chance at revenge so we'll see who the real tough guys are (A)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

Nitro Rating

Nitro: 9.41

[lcjjdnh]

Great to see this back running.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Notes

- Off a creative success the the Bash at the Beach, Nitro set us up for the Fall push towards Starrcade. Obviously Raven vs Bret Hart delivered and put Raven in the Main Event of Road Wild vs Hart for the World Title, which as of now has A* momentum. This is in addition to the 4 on 4 match to set up the final stipulations for Fall Brawl will give Road Wild a nice top end.

- Chris Daniels and Mike Awesome debuted. Awesome had a B - match with Goldberg which is great, while Daniels only had a C match with Mysterio. Not bad, but I did expect better. A lot of new talent will debut soon, and chances are I'll add a 5th hour of TV as networks are looking for shows. It'll be probably a relaunch of Saturday Night as a strict B Show for the new guys.

- Storyline wise, we have some good ones but Bret has been kind of stuck. The Savage storyline is done because Savage is growing stale and they haven't had that elusive A* match I thought they could churn out. I will say this though, Bret will earn his money with Raven in August, all the way through Starrcade, and he will have a hopefully mega match at SuperBrawl.

- We book Jericho vs DDP and Nash vs Steiner for Thunder. Not the biggest of matches but good for Thunder.

- There could, and I stress could, be a pretty significant event or two in the next few months of this dynasty.

- BTW Raw is STILL only on air in Canada but somehow their last PPV was their best buy ever. We'll see if they finally expand this time around.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 1, August 1998
Hawaii Medium (Hawaii)
7636 People
TV Taping

A new video graphic airs for Thunder showcasing Bret Hart, Scott Hall, Ric Flair, Goldberg and Raven amongst others (B+)

Adam Copeland defeated Syxx in 7:39 by pinfall with a Leaping DDT (C-)

Steve Corino defeated Fit Finlay in 8:39 by pinfall with an Old School Expulsion (D+)

Randy Savage comes out to the ring and offers up an open challenge for Road Wild citing that Bret Hart beat him in two fluke matches and no one would ever dare face him in the mood he is in now (B)

Backstage Raven is laughing to himself. As the camera pulls back we see that he is watching replays of him Piledriving Bret Hart on Nitro on Monday (B+)

Randy Savage defeated Perry Saturn in 11:48 by pinfall (C-) After the match Savage is beating on Saturn when Goldberg hits the ring and Spears Savage across the ring (B) Goldberg takes the mic and says his challenge is accepted (B)

Kevin Nash defeated Rick Steiner in 15:19 by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb (C+)

The British Bulldog cuts a promo in the back citing he is sick of being a joke and promises to refocus himself to be the best wrestler in WCW (D-)

A mysterious figure is backstage with his voice being muffled out. We can hear him say though that he has money for anyone interested in dirty work. He says on Monday the boys in the back can follow the scent of money to him and from there learn what he needs (A)

Yokozuna defeated Rick Martel in 8:37 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop (C-)

Chris Jericho defeated Diamond Dallas Page in 17:36 by submission with a Lion Tamer after interference from Scott Steiner (B)

Show Rating: B -

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 2, August 1998
Bank Atlantic Center (Southeast)
15000 People -- Sellout

Backstage we see Steven Regal talking to a figure who isn't seen. It's a one sided conversation with Regal asking how does he know if he does this he'll get his money? The man, in a muffled voice says he'll know after his match tonight he can trust him (B+)

Steven Regal defeated Eddy Guerrero in 11:55 by submission with a Regal Stretch after interference from a Masked Man. Steven Regal wins the WCW World Television title (B)

Bret Hart comes out to the ring to a massive response. He says he is glad Bischoff is declaring Martial Law in WCW because what he has planned for Raven at Road Wild will border on assault (B+)

As Bret is leaving Ric Flair comes out, bumping into Bret who stops and stares at Flair. They share a staredown before Flair hits the ring. Flair says the Horsemen are getting ready for Road Wild and then Fall Brawl and once that is over Bret Hart will get the target on his back, but for now Flair warns, the nWo is going to be forced to pay (B+)

Raven defeated Konnan in 10:31 by pinfall with a Piledriver (C)

Mortis defeated Dean Malenko in 9:37 by pinfall (B-)

Randy Savage comes out to the ring and sits in a chair. He dares Goldberg to come out and move him from the chair because he says Goldberg doesn't have the balls. Goldberg comes out and stares at Savage. As Goldberg goes to make a move, Savage blinds him with powder and wallops him with the chair. He walks over to a busted Goldberg and screams "YOU'RE NEXT!" (A*)

The British Bulldog defeated Disco Inferno in 5:52 by pinfall with a Running Powerslam (D-) After the match the Bulldog celebrates (D-)

Randy Savage drew with Chris Benoit in 17:54 following a double disqualification (B+)

Raven comes out and says he knows who has been attacking him is Sting and he promises Sting that while he never attacked him, Sting sure does believe it. Raven says Sting isn't his concern right now but Sting still ought to be concerned because he is coming for him after he wins the WCW Title (B+)

Bret Hart defeated Syxx in 17:47 by submission with a Sharpshooter (B-) After the match a battered Bret Hart is celebrating when Raven appears from out of the crowd. Hart doesn't see him till it's too late, and he is swung around and DDT. Raven then drags him to the apron and delivers a brutal Piledriver off the apron through the announce table! (A*)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 2, August 1998
Continental Airlines (Tricity)
15000 People -- Sellout

Randy Savage defeated Lex Luger in 13:48 by pinfall (B)

Mike Awesome defeated Brian Knobbs in 8:39 by pinfall with an Awesome Bomb (D-)

Newly crowned WCW champion Steven Regal comes to the ring to let Bret Hart know he is challenging him to a match on Nitro and he promises that Hart will not make it to Road Wild to face Raven (C)

Backstage in the parking lot we see people running to break up a brawl between Savage and Goldberg that ends with Goldberg throwing Savage into a windshield of a car, breaking it into hundreds of pieces (A*)

Eddy Guerrero, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage defeated Rey Mysterio Jr., Dean Malenko and Christopher Daniels in 11:47 when Eddy Guerrero defeated Dean Malenko by pinfall with a Frog Splash (C-)

Backstage Mortis is preparing for his US Title match with Scott Steiner (C)

Scott Steiner defeated Mortis in 12:43 by pinfall with a Frankensteiner. Scott Steiner makes defence number 2 of his WCW United States Heavyweight title (C+)

Raven is in the back with Yokozuna. Raven says he has Yoko ready tonight to end the illustrious career of Ric Flair (B+)

Bill Goldberg defeated Steve Corino in 7:31 by pinfall with The Spear (B-)

The Giant comes out to the ring and says that lately he has become a little too nice. He says he is the biggest man in WCW and he needs to exert himself as such so from here on he is going to make sure everyone in WCW knows he is not one to joke with (B)

Yokozuna defeated Ric Flair in 12:59 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop following interference from Scott Hall (B-) After the match the nWo comes out to beat down Flair some more when the Horsemen emerge and a brawl ensues (B+)

Show Rating: B -

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 3, August 1998
Gill Coliseum (North West)
10000 People -- Sellout

Nitro opens up with Raven in the ring address the Main Event for Road Wild. He says that he is focused 100% on Bret Hart but in the back of his mind all he can think about is ending Sting's career. He says Sting has vanished when Raven is every in a building and he demands Sting finally show himself next week to meet Raven one on one so Raven can finally rid WCW of Sting and finally commit to Bret Hart (B+)

Chris Benoit defeated Kevin Nash in 12:31 by disqualification (B-)

A video plays airing the nWo vs the Horsemen feud (B+)

Dean Malenko defeated Syxx in 8:45 by submission with a Texas Cloverleaf. Dean Malenko wins the WCW Cruiserweight title (C-)

Bret Hart walks out to the ring dressed to wrestle. He says on Thunder Steven Regal challenged him to a match for some reason and Hart is out here to accept the match. He demands Regal come out to the ring right now! (B+)

Bret Hart defeated Steven Regal in 12:54 by submission with a Sharpshooter (B+) After the match a Security Guard runs out to the ring to get Bret Hart's attention, screaming something about the Bulldog being attacked backstage. Hart looks on confused and goes to leave the ring when the guard throws powder in his eyes. This leads to Regal hitting Bret with his TV title and locking on the STF. The security guard tells Regal that their boss wants to speak to him on Thunder (A*)

Ric Flair is backstage with DDP and Booker T. He says that the nWo is getting closer and closer to meeting the most dangerous players in the game, the Horsemen, and it's going to be a situation they should have avoided! (B+)

Backstage we see Booker T looking for a partner for tonight to face Chris Jericho and Eddy Guerrero. We see him walk into a locker for a second and come back out smiling (B+)

Bill Goldberg and Booker T defeated Eddy Guerrero and Chris Jericho in 11:38 when Bill Goldberg defeated Eddy Guerrero by pinfall with The Spear (B+)

Eric Bischoff comes out to announce in tonight's Main Event, DDP and Scott Hall will go one on one with the winner's team getting a handicap match on Nitro next weekend vs the loser's team! (A)

Diamond Dallas Page defeated Scott Hall in 15:43 by pinfall with a quick cradle (B) After the match Scott Hall snaps and lays into DDP. The Horsemen hit the ring but Hall grabs a leather strap he brought with him to the ring and begins whipping wildly keeping the Horsemen at bay as Nitro goes off air (A)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

WCW Notes

- Nitro does a 10.12 rating and a B+ show which we needed as we have struggled with the Northwest lately, seeing our importance fall to a B - there. This should help bring it up.

- The Horsemen and nWo is slowly starting to drag but I am happy with how things are going. There are two PPV's left with them doing battle but Fall Brawl will be the big blow off and then we'll start to see some new stuff.

- Bret Hart is embroiled in a feud he doesn't know about yet. It's going to have a nice blowoff though but it won't be for a while.

- We book Raven vs Rick Steiner as the Main Event for Thunder under Hardcore Rules.

- Halloween Havoc is going to have Three Main Events, all Spin the Wheel matches. One will be predetermined but the other two I will draw out of a hat. The one that is predetermined is going to just be ghastly. Trust me on that one.

- We're still trying to revive Saturday Night. I expect it to be TNT or ESPN and it'll just feature guys we need to get put on TV.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 3, August 1998
HP Pavillion Center (Southwest)
15000 People -- Sellout

We open up Thunder in the back with Raven walking to the ring. All of a sudden he stops dead in his tracks and sees a car parked with someone in the driver seat with his face painted like Sting. Raven runs to the car and throws his body at the Windshield breaking it and yelling at Sting. He then opens the door and pulls out a dummy with a Sting mask on. Raven starts screaming that he will end Sting on Monday! (A)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Christian Cage in 8:36 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (C-)

Chris Jericho defeated Juventud Guerrera in 10:36 by submission with a Lion Tamer (B)

A video airs showing Raven vs Bret Hart from the Nitro after Bash at the Beach and hyping their rematch at Road Wild (A)

After that a video airs hyping Bill Goldberg's incredible win streak (B+)

Yokozuna defeated Lex Luger in 10:08 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop. Yokozuna makes defence number 3 of his WCW Hardcore title (C+)

The Giant defeated Meng in 10:32 by pinfall with a Choke Slam (C)

Bret Hart comes out and says something is going on and he doesn't know what it is, but he knows something is up. He says Regal is in on it, and he is going to make Regal talk one way or another (A)

Backstage Steven Regal gets out of a Limo with a grin on his face, holding what looks to be quite a bit of money. Noticing the camera he quickly puts the money in his pocket and pushes the cameraman out of the way (A*)

Chris Benoit and Booker T defeated Konnan and Psychosis in 13:56 when Booker T defeated Psychosis by pinfall with a Missile Dropkick. Booker T and Chris Benoit make defence number 6 of their WCW World Tag Team titles (C+)

Eric Bischoff announces at Road Wild that the Giant and Curt Hennig will face off to determine the #1 contender to the US Title (B-)

Raven defeated Rick Steiner in 14:40 by pinfall with a Piledriver (B) After the match the lights go off and a spotlight appears in the rafters focusing on Sting. Raven stares at him with hate in his eyes as Thunder goes off air (B+)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

WCW Notes

- The Giant dislocated his Jaw last night vs Meng but will be able to work through the injury, which is nice considering he is going to get a push in the next few weeks.

- Thunder does a 5.14 which has been about the norm for Thunder the last few months.

- We resign Larry Zbyskio to a new two year deal. He has been a solid road agent at times but basically he is going to be used to help young guys out as a trainer in developmental.

- We see ECW is in financial trouble but rather then let them die out we give them 500K (which I take from my money) to right the ship. I want to see ECW succeed.

- Mary Jannetty, just signed back to WWF, shatters his kneecap and is now out for 13 months.

- ECW held Heatwave, doing a .20 buy, their biggest buy to date. The show actually featurd Jannetty's final match in ECW where he shattered his kneecap vs RVD (C). It was headlined vs Brian Adams retaining his ECW World Title vs Taz (B-)

- We book DDP vs Randy Savage amongst others for the go home episode of Nitro.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 4, August 1998
Hartford Civic Center (New England)
15000 People -- Sellout

Scott Hall opens Nitro lamenting over the fact he has Ric Flair and Booker T in a match tonight. He promises to set the tone for Road Wild (B+)

Scott Steiner defeated Fit Finlay in 10:02 by pinfall with a Frankensteiner (C)

Sting defeated Meng in 11:40 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock (B-) After the match Raven comes out to get a shot at Sting. Sting takes out his bat but instead of hitting Raven, he hands it to him. Raven looks surprised and hesitates long enough to get hit in the gut and DDT by Sting (A)

A video airs hyping the nWo (B+)

Backstage Buff Bagwell and Steven Regal are talking about money and working for the same guy. The quickly break up the talk when they sense the camera on them (B)

Chris Benoit defeated Syxx in 13:09 by pinfall with a Dragon Suplex (C)

DDP comes out to run down Chris Jericho, a guy he says is the biggest weasel in the nWo (B+)

Chris Jericho defeated Lex Luger in 11:46 by submission with a Lion Tamer (B+)

Randy Savage defeated Diamond Dallas Page in 11:33 by pinfall following interference from Chris Jericho (A)

The annnouncers hype the Main Event (B)

Ric Flair and Booker T defeated Scott Hall in 15:50 when Scott Hall was disqualified while fighting Booker T (B) Nitro ends with Scott Hall escaping through the crowd promising that this isn't over (A)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 4, August 1998
Auditoro Juan Vicens (Puerto Rico)
10000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Curt Hennig defeated Syxx in 11:03 by pinfall with a Hennig Plex (C-)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Psychosis in 9:52 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana (C-)

Raven is seen at a merch stand buying up Sting merch and throwing it in a trash can, light it on fire. He says Sting one day soon will join his merchandise (B+)

Steven Regal defeated Fit Finlay in 10:46 by submission with a Regal Stretch. Steven Regal makes defence number 1 of his WCW World Television title (C)

A video airs hyping Road Wild. It starts with Raven vs Hart (A), then Goldberg vs Savage (B+) and finally the nWo vs Horesmen (B+)

Raven defeated Lex Luger in 10:42 by pinfall with a Piledriver (B+)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Rick Steiner in 12:18 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (B-)

Bret Hart defeated Mortis in 15:29 by submission with a Sharpshooter (B+)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

WCW Notes

- Nitro does a huge 10.34 rating before the PPV. Gotta' love that.

- Saturday Night is back, late nights on ESPN. It'll be a B show featuring our guys who're never used and be taped earlier in the day on Saturdays. It's the easiest way to get exposure for some of our younger talent.

- Thunder does a 5.23 rating. That's up also from last week, which again, is great before a PPV.

- ECW Hardcore TV features Brian Adams retaining his belt vs Shane Douglas (C+)

- ECW hires Robert Gibson of the Rock 'n Roll Express, Mexican star Octagon and Hector Guerrero.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Road Wild
Sunday, Week 4, August 1998
Minute Maid Park (Midsouth)
41,043 People
Live on PPV

A video package opens Road Wild highlighting past events and then shows a rundown for tonights card (A)

The Giant defeated Curt Hennig in 10:43 by pinfall with a Choke Slam (C)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Rey Mysterio Jr. in 11:52 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (B-)

Raven comes out to the ring and issues a challenge for tonight with his prized member of the Flock, Yokozuna, taking on Sting, if Sting has the guts! (B+)

Steven Regal defeated Mortis in 11:45 by submission with a Regal Stretch. Steven Regal makes defence number 2 of his WCW World Television title (B-)

Yokozuna defeated Sting in 11:57 by disqualification (B) After the match Sting begins pummeling Yoko with the bat which got him DQ'ed which the crowd loves. He points at a picture of Raven (A)

The nWo is backstage getting ready, but the crew is immediately kicked out by Scott Hall saying tonight there focus is on the Horsemen only (B+)

Ric Flair, Diamond Dallas Page, Booker T and Chris Benoit defeated Scott Hall, Scott Steiner, Kevin Nash and Chris Jericho in 23:36 when Ric Flair defeated Chris Jericho by pinfall (B+) Afterwards the Hosemen celebrate as the nWo leaves in a huff (A)

A video airs with Randy Savage taunting Goldberg, calling him a massive fluke and tonight he'll prove it (A*)

Bill Goldberg defeated Randy Savage in 13:34 by pinfall with The Spear (B+) After the match, Savage extends his hand but Goldberg refuses. Savage, obviously annoyed, tackles Goldberg and begins pummeling his knee. Savage this grabs a chair and blasts Goldberg in the head causing a gusher (A)

A video airs hyping Raven vs Bret Hart (A*)

Bret Hart defeated Raven in 23:56 by submission with a Sharpshooter. Bret Hart makes defence number 6 of his WCW World Heavyweight title (B+) After the match Raven is hurting in the ring when Sting appears. He walks over to Raven when the lights go out, next thing we know a flame shoots out of Stings hand and hits Raven in the face. Raven is hurting on the mat as Road Wild goes off air (A*)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

WCW Notes

- Road Wild did a 23.11 buy, our best PPV buy to date. Had plenty of great angles on the show but just not enough good wrestling to crack B+. Raven and Hart couldn't recapture their magic from Nitro and I was banking on that to carry the show.

- Ray Traylor is officially gone from WCW and will likely be in WWF soon.

- WWF held SummerSlam as well, garnering a 17.88 buy. The Main Event saw Sid make his 11th defense of the WWF Title defeating Ken Shamrock (B-) but their match of the night saw Mankind and Kane go to a No Contenst (A).

- We have a 7.6 million dollar profit for August, and are now just a shade over one million dollars away from having $100 million in the bank. We'll give some money to JAPW and ECW for the time being.

- The Giant will get his US Title match vs Scott Steiner on Nitro, plus a four way match to decide the #1 contender between Eddy Guerrero, Chris Jericho, Diamond Dallas Page and Raven.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 1, September 1998
Allstate Arena (Great Lakes)
15000 People -- Sellout

Nitro opens up with Ric Flair coming out to the ring to a massive applause. He says last night the Horsemen won the right to make the match of their desire, and so it has been decided that their War Games contest will be held as a 5 on 5 match rather then 4 on 4, and the losing team will be ineligible for having title shots for six months! (B+)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Dean Malenko in 11:01 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana (C+)

A video replay airs of highlights from last nights Goldberg vs Savage match (A)

A second video airs of the end of the show with Sting lighting a fireball in Raven's face. Over the video Bobby Heenan says Raven is a mad man and he will take part in the four corner #1 contenders match tonight (B+)

Chris Benoit and Booker T defeated Lex Luger and Rick Steiner in 12:06 when Booker T defeated Rick Steiner by pinfall with a Harlem Hangover. Booker T and Chris Benoit make defence number 7 of their WCW World Tag Team titles (B-)

The Giant is backstage where he promises he will take home the US Title tonight from Scott Steiner (B)

Bill Goldberg defeated Meng in 9:43 by pinfall with The Spear (B)

The Giant defeated Scott Steiner in 12:51 by pinfall with a Choke Slam following interference from Diamond Dallas Page. The Giant wins the WCW United States Heavyweight title (C+)

We cut to the back where Goldberg is walking back to his dressing room. Ric Flair stops him and asks him to be the Horsemen's fifth man for War Games. Goldberg smiles and says he is there. They shake hands before going their separate ways (A)

The announcers hype the Main Event (B+)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Raven, Diamond Dallas Page and Chris Jericho in 16:27 when Eddy Guerrero defeated Chris Jericho by pinfall with a Frog Splash (A)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

WCW Notes

- Nitro does a 10.13 rating. We had an awesome Main Event with Eddy Guerrero taking home the #1 Contender. I think he and Bret could bring the house down at Fall Brawl.

- Raw was last night with DX defeating the Outlaws in the Main Event (B+) Other then that a very bad show that still isn't on TV in America.

- As expected Ray Traylor has signed with WWF. I am curious to see how they use him because he could be a good signing there.

- ECW is expected to sign more guys as they push towards National status.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 1, September 1998
Greensboro Coliseum (Mid Atlantic)
15000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Thunder opens with the nWo arriving at the arena. Scott Hall takes the time to let everyone know their 5th man will be announced tonight! (B+)

Steven Regal defeated Rick Steiner in 10:31 by submission with a Regal Stretch. Steven Regal makes defence number 3 of his WCW World Television title (C+)

A video airs showing off the impressive title reign Booker T & Chris Benoit have had so far (B)

Bill Goldberg defeated Lex Luger in 10:09 by pinfall with The Spear (C+) After the match the nWo surrounds the ring and out of the crowd comes Randy Savage who continues his brutal assault of Goldberg that started at Road Wild (A) Scott Hall the announces Savage as the nWo's partner for Fall Brawl (A)

Sting defeated Scott Norton in 13:57 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock (B)

Rick Rude is in the back hyping Eddy Guerrero and proclaiming he will beat Bret Hart for the WCW Title (B-)

Kevin Nash defeated Booker T in 12:59 by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb (B)

The Giant comes out and offers an open challenge for Fall Brawl for his newly won WCW US Title (B+)

Chris Jericho defeated Rey Mysterio Jr. in 15:20 by submission with a Lion Tamer (A)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

WCW News

- Jericho and Mysterio are great. A second straight A match but the show rating didn't get affected much by it because we're lacking on really good storylines. I suspect Raven and Sting will be smoldering hot shortly but I just have to be patient.

- Lex Luger broke his jaw thanks to Goldberg, and I couldn't be happier. Luger sure does complain a lot.

- Thunder goes a 4.75. The wrestling industry was booming the entire time of this dynasty but it's starting to fall so the ratings are gonna' start going down across the board I suspect.

- ECW Hardcore TV was taped and featured a good main event as Brian Adams and Shane Douglas defeated RVD and Halloween in a C+ match.

- Jerry Lawler is planning on retiring.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Saturday Night
Saturday, Week 1, September 1998
Alumbi Memorial Fieldhouse (Tri City)
2000 People -- Sell out
TV Taping

Saturday Night opens up with Syxx getting on the mic and promising that things are changing for him. He has let the nWo down for the last time and he will begin his climb up the rankings now because no one will be able to stop him! (D+)

Ultimo Dragon defeated Chavo Guerrero Jr. in 10:28 by pinfall (C-)

Christian Cage defeated Steve Corino, Evan Karagias and Kidman in 13:03 when Christian Cage defeated Steve Corino by pinfall (D)

A video airs showcasing the aerial abilities of Rey Mysterio Jr (C-)

Mike Awesome defeated Sabu in 10:37 by pinfall with an Awesome Bomb (D)

Rick Rude comes out to announce he is officially going to take Adam Copeland and Christian Cage under his wing! (C+)

Perry Saturn defeated Jerry Lynn in 7:48 by pinfall with a Death Valley Driver (D)

A video airs recaping Nitro and Thunder (B+)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Konnan in 12:22 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana (C)

Show Rating: C

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 2, September 1998
Xcel Energy Center (Midwest)
15000 people -- Sellout

Bret Hart defeated Buff Bagwell in 8:51 by submission with a Sharpshooter (B) After the match Bret begins being on Buff and demanding to know who he is working for? Bret says he knows Eddy is not dumb enough to do it but someone is and he wants to know who (A)

Backstage Scott Hall personally promises to be the one who will pin Ric Flair at Fall Brawl (B+)

Adam Copeland and Christian Cage defeated Rick Steiner and Fit Finlay in 10:43 when Adam Copeland defeated Fit Finlay by pinfall with a Leaping DDT (C) After the match Rick Rude demands a match on Thunder vs the Tag Champs with the promise that a win for his team will earn them a Title Shot on Nitro next week! (C+)

Sting defeated Lex Luger in 11:03 by submission with a Scorpion Deathlock (B-) After the match Sting begins to assault Luger again. He grabs a mic and says this was his best friend but he can't imagine him as anyone but Raven and he says he wants to face Raven at Fall Brawl (B+)

Chris Benoit drew with Chris Jericho in 18:00 when the time limit expired (A) After the match Adan Copeland and Christian Cage hit the ring and begin beating up Benoit until Booker T makes the save (C+)

Eddy Guerrero says Bret Hart's title reign has been a fraud since he hasn't faced the best WCW has to offer, but finally, at Fall Brawl, he can make his reign legit with a win over Eddy ... he just says it's too bad that ain't happenin! (A)

A video airs with Eric Bischoff in California promising a huge announcement at Fall Brawl in relation to Starrcade! (B+)

Bill Goldberg defeated Scott Steiner in 13:07 by pinfall with The Spear (B) After the match Randy Savage again runs in and lays out Goldberg, only this time it is with a steel chain. He leaves Goldberg a compete bloodied mess (A)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

WCW Notes

- Nitro does a 10.09. I am kicking myself for second guessing it and not putting Benoit and Jericho on last. Jericho has two straight A matches though. Granted it's vs Benoit and Rey but that's impressive as hell.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 2, September 1998
Hawaii Medium (Hawaii)
7852 People
TV Taping

The Giant defeated Mortis in 11:47 by pinfall with a Choke Slam. The Giant makes defence number 1 of his WCW United States Heavyweight title (C+) After the match the Giant issues an open challenge for his US Title at Fall Brawl (C+)

A video airs hyping Goldberg and Savages bitter feud (B+)

Yokozuna defeated Mike Awesome in 9:36 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop (C-)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Curt Hennig in 11:47 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (C+)

Bret Hart hypes his match with Eddy Guerrero (B+)

Adam Copeland and Christian Cage defeated Chris Benoit and Booker T in 13:34 when Adam Copeland defeated Booker T by pinfall with a Leaping DDT after Rick Rude interfered. During the match we also had Chris Jericho run in and attack Benoit (C+)

Chris Jericho defeated Dean Malenko and Konnan in 12:54 when Chris Jericho defeated Konnan by submission with a Lion Tamer (C+)

Kevin Nash comes out and challenges DDP to a match on Nitro (B+)

Randy Savage defeated Rey Mysterio Jr. in 10:34 by pinfall (B)

Show Rating: B -

[DeToxRox]

WCW Notes

- Kurt Angle has signed a PPA deal with ECW. He has joined entered the wrestling scene and has some amazing talent. I will be following him closely.

- Thunder draws a 4.70. Not good but our Main Event only had a B - interest so I am not surprised.

- ECW held their Hardcore TV taping which saw RVD d. Shane Douglas (B-) in the Main Event.

- We book Chris Jericho vs Ric Flair to go along with DDP vs Nash and the Tag Title match on Nitro.

- Road Warrior Hawk has passed away from Drug Use.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Saturday Night
Saturday, Week 2, September 1998
Puerto Rico Very Small (Very Small)
2500 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Adam Copeland and Christian Cage come out to let everyone know they're officially to be called the Suicide Blondes, and they will be the WCW Tag Team Champions come Monday Night! (C+)

Steve Corino defeated Jerry Lynn in 7:41 by pinfall with an Old School Expulsion (D-)

Christopher Daniels defeated Alex Wright, El Dandy, Juventud Guerrera, Super Calo and Psychosis in 14:31 when Christopher Daniels defeated El Dandy by pinfall with a Last Rites (D)

Meng defeated Sabu in 8:47 by submission with a Tongan Death Grip (D)

Steve Corino comes out to the ring and says earlier tonight he defeated Jerry Lynn, and it's just a sign of things to come as he plans on becoming the best wrestler WCW has ever seen! (C)

A video airs hyping this Monday's Nitro (B+)

Mortis defeated Konnan in 11:53 by pinfall (C-)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Ultimo Dragon in 8:54 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana (C+) After the match Syxx hits the ring and lays out Mysterio and begins to clutch at his mask demanding he show the world how ugly he really is, thankfully security comes out to break it up (D+)

Show Rating: C -

[DeToxRox]

WCW Notes

- Nitro does a. 31. Looks awful but it's a B show with no names booked on very late on Saturdays. The rating doesn't mean much to me. It's all about getting exposure to our young guys.

- The internet is a buzz as The Rock and Owen Hart are both making heel turns in the WWF, while Steve McMichael and Marc Mero will make face turns.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 3, September 1998
Alltell Arena (South East)
15000 People -- Sellout

Chris Jericho opens up Nitro with a challenge to Ric Flair tonight to step inside the ring with him and show him why he still feels he is the best in the game. Jericho promises that the Horsemen will be 1 down going into Fall Brawl! (A)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Dean Malenko, Christopher Daniels and Juventud Guerrera in 12:46 when Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Juventud Guerrera by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana. Rey Mysterio Jr. wins the WCW Cruiserweight title (C-)

Meng defeated Konnan in 9:58 by submission with a Tongan Death Grip (C-)

Scott Hall comes out by himself. He says the nWo and the Horsemen are at each others throats worse then before and it'll all come to a head at Fall Brawl. He promises no one will come out of this match better off then then they entered it (B+)

Diamond Dallas Page defeated Kevin Nash in 14:36 by pinfall with a Diamond Cutter (B) After the match DDP, in a show of complete savageness, begins laying into Nash with vicious rights and lefts (B)

The Suicide Blondes defeated Chris Benoit and Booker T in 12:32 when Christian Cage defeated Chris Benoit by pinfall after Rick Rude interfered. During the match we also had Kevin Nash run in and attack Booker. Adam Copeland and Christian Cage win the WCW World Tag Team titles (C) After the match The Suicide Blondes celebrate as if they both just won the lotter (C+)

Raven comes out to the ring to let Sting know his match is accepted for Fall Brawl, except it'll be a Street Fight! (B+)

A video airs recapping Jericho's challenge to Flair (B+)

Chris Jericho drew with Ric Flair in 17:58 following a double disqualification (C+)

Show Rating: B -

[DeToxRox]

WCW News

- Nitro did a 9.75. The industry is trending down a bit but we need to pick it up.

- Fatu signs with WWF. He is a guy I had contemplated signing but we'll let him go to WWF.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 3, September 1998
Cow Palace (South West)
15000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Thunder opens up with Raven accepting The Giant's challenge to a US Title match at Fall brawl on behalf of his Flock member, Meng (B)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Juventud Guerrera in 9:37 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana. Rey Mysterio Jr. makes defence number 1 of his WCW Cruiserweight title (C)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Psychosis in 8:37 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (C)

The Suicide Blondes are backstage with a fish bowl filled with paper. They say they want to defend their titles at Fall Brawl for that elusive PPV payday and they've put every guy not booked on the show in the bowl to see who gets the match. They pull the names to reveal it'll be the Blondes vs Curt Henning and Rick Steiner (B-)

Kevin Nash promises that at Fall Brawl, it all ends, and the nWo comes out of the cage supreme (B)

Meng defeated Stevie Richards in 8:24 by pinfall with a Super Kick (D+)

A music video airs hyping Fall Brawl (B+)

Chris Jericho defeated Booker T in 14:34 by submission with a Lion Tamer (B+) After the match Jericho challenges Goldberg to a match on Nitro! (A)

Eric Bischoff announces the Main Event tonight will be DDP vs Raven in a Hardcore Match (B+)

Syxx defeated The British Bulldog in 7:56 by pinfall with a Tombstone (D)

Before the Main Event Sting propels for the rafters and then sits at the announce table to watch Raven in action (B+)

Diamond Dallas Page defeated Raven in 11:45 by pinfall with a Diamond Cutter. During the match we also had Sting run in and attack Raven (B+) After the match Eric Bischoff announces the Main Event on Nitro as Bret Hart & Sting vs Eddy Guerrero & Raven! (B+)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

WCW Notes

- Kevin Nash won an internet poll for best talker in wrestling. It must've been up long enough for only he to vote though because he hasn't shown it yet to me.

- Kurt Angle debuted in ECW with a C+ match vs Silver King which Angle won. The Main Event saw Bryan Adams retain the ECW Title vs RVD, Shane Douglas and Jerry Saggs (B-)

- Thunder jumped up to a 5.04 thanks to a nice Main Event.

- Trouble in ECW as the Sandman and Tommy Dreamer have become heated rivals. I wonder how often they work together from here on out.

- With 100 million in the bank I decide it's time to do comprehensive drug testing to every worker I have. Especially considering Hawk just dying from drugs, it makes sense. I expect a lot of positive tests.

- We have roughly 25 wrestlers fail tests. I play favorites obviously, but dish out suspensions to guys who don't mean much. The following have taken 1 month suspensions:

- Brian Knobbs
- Buff Bagwell
- Chavo Guerrero Jr
- Evan Karagis
- Jim Neidhart
- Johnny Grunge
- Juventud Guerrera
- Louie Spicoli
- Rocco Rock

- We fire Elizabeth and The Booty Man because of their tests.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Saturday Night
Saturday, Week 3, September 1998
Burr Gym (Mid Atlantic)
2000 People -- Sellout

Shane Helms defeated El Dandy in 8:18 by pinfall with a Vertebreaker (D)

Mike Awesome defeated Scott Norton in 7:42 by pinfall with an Awesome Bomb (D)

Syxx comes out to challenge Rey Mysterio Jr to a match tonight (D)

Steve Corino then comes out to challenge Steven Regal to a match tonight (C-)

Christopher Daniels defeated Fit Finlay in 10:43 by pinfall with a Last Rites (D)

Steven Regal defeated Steve Corino in 13:29 by submission with a Regal Stretch. Steven Regal makes defence number 4 of his WCW World Television title (C-)

Rey Mysterio comes out to accept Syxx's challenge (D+)

Sabu defeated Homicide in 11:05 by pinfall with a Triple Jump Moonsault (D -)

A video airs with the Suicide Blondes talking trash about Rick Steiner and how he is obviously the worse of the Steiner Bros (B-)

Rey Mysterio Jr. drew with Syxx in 10:00 when the time limit expired (C)

Show Rating: D+

[DeToxRox]

WCW Notes

- Saturday Night does a .32. Again, not a huge deal, just looking to give guys a shot at the big time.

- ECW held Cyber Slam, garnering a 0.35 buy, which is far and away their best buy yet. The main event saw Brian Adams d. Jerry Saggs (C+) to retain the ECW World Title. Also on the show was Kurt Angle d. Halloween (B-) and RVD d. Taz (B+)

- Lex Luger is fully healed from his Jaw injury. Too bad, really.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 4, September 1998
Reunion Arena (Mid South)
15000 People -- Sellout

The nWo opens up Nitro in a surreal scene as all five members of team nWo are holding chains by the wrestlers entrance. It is there that Chris Jericho demands Goldberg face him tonight so he doesn't have to experience his first loss on Sunday (B+)

Scott Steiner defeated Chris Benoit in 12:36 by pinfall with a Frankensteiner (B-)

The Suicide Blondes hype up their Tag Title match (C+)

Syxx comes out to challenge Rey Mysterio Jr to a rematch at Fall Brawl (D+)

Meng defeated Fit Finlay in 8:45 by submission with a Tongan Death Grip (C)

Backstage Mortis says he wants a match vs Steven Regal. Regal tells him he can have it at Fall Brawl as long as if Regal wins he can finally get rid of his stupid mask (C-)

The Suicide Blondes defeated Kidman and Super Calo in 7:32 when Adam Copeland defeated Kidman by pinfall with a Leaping DDT (C-)

Goldberg appears in the crowd to tell Jericho tonight, He's Next! (B+)

Bill Goldberg defeated Chris Jericho in 13:18 by pinfall with The Spear (B+) After the match Scott Hall runs in with the rest of the nWo in tow to do a number on Goldberg, but the Horsemen hit the ring and send them packing (B+)

An early preview of the Main Event starts backstage as Eddy, Raven, Bret and Sting begin brawling (B+)

Eddy Guerrero and Raven defeated Bret Hart and Sting in 18:01 when Bret Hart was disqualified while fighting Eddy Guerrero (B+)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

WCW News

- Nitro rises a bit to a 9.91. A nice bump going into the PPV.

- Steve Corino comes up online as the wrestler with the biggest future ahead of him. We concur with this.

- Raw was pedestrian with Austin vs Kane (B+) bringing the goods, but everything else was just kind of there.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 4, September 1998
Rose Garden (North West)
15000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Thunder opens with a hype video for Bret Hart vs Eddy Guerrero at Fall Brawl (A)

Eric Bischoff then comes out to announce The Giant vs Kevin Nash and Chris Jericho vs Sting (B+)

Syxx defeated Dean Malenko in 11:53 by pinfall with a Tombstone (C)

Yokozuna defeated Lex Luger in 11:06 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop (C)

Kevin Nash promises The Giant is in for beatings like he suffered over 6 months ago (B)

Meng drew with Chris Benoit in 10:00 when the time limit expired (C+)

Bill Goldberg defeated El Dandy in 7:48 by pinfall with The Jackhammer (C)

Chris Jericho promises that tonight he'll imagine Sting as Ric Flair and destroy him so badly Raven won't even have the chance (B+)

Kevin Nash defeated The Giant in 11:39 by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb following interference from Meng (B-)

A video airs hyping the War Games match (A)

Chris Jericho defeated Sting in 12:08 by submission with a Lion Tamer. During the match we also had Raven run in and attack Sting (A) After the match Raven DDT's Sting onto a barbed wire covered chair (A*)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

WCW News

- Lex Luger is busted with roids and suspended for a month.

- Thunder does a hefty 5.28 thanks to an A* Jericho vs Sting match which thankfully also delivered.

- Halloween won the ECW TV Title at their Hardcore TV taping, defeating Paul Roma (D+).

[DeToxRox]

WCW Saturday Night
Saturday, Week 4, September 1998
Hawaii Tiny (Hawaii)
1000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Rey Mysterio Jr says Syxx has his match at Fall Brawl (D)

Mortis comes out and says in a few works that that Regal will lose his title and no one will ever see his face (D+)

Steve Corino defeated Rick Martel in 9:51 by pinfall with an Old School Expulsion (D)

A video airs showcasing the Suicide Blondes recent domination in WCW (C+)

Perry Saturn defeated Fit Finlay in 10:42 by pinfall with a Flying Elbowdrop (D+)

Christopher Daniels defeated Ultimo Dragon in 13:16 by pinfall with a Last Rites (D)

Mortis defeated Disco Inferno in 9:14 by pinfall (D+)

Yokozuna defeated The British Bulldog in 8:01 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop (D+)

Show Rating: D+

[DeToxRox]

WCW Fall Brawl
Sunday, Week 4, September 1998
Tropicana Field (Southeast)
50000 People -- Sellout

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Syxx in 12:13 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana. Rey Mysterio Jr. makes defence number 3 of his WCW Cruiserweight title (C)

Steven Regal defeated Mortis in 12:48 by submission with a Regal Stretch. Steven Regal makes defence number 5 of his WCW World Television title (C+)

The Giant says tonight he will show Meng who the biggest monster in the WCW is (B-)

The Giant defeated Meng in 11:35 by pinfall with a Choke Slam. The Giant makes defence number 2 of his WCW United States Heavyweight title (C)

The Suicide Blondes hype their match tonight promising to make their PPV debut spectacular (C+)

The Suicide Blondes defeated Curt Hennig and Rick Steiner in 13:51 when Adam Copeland defeated Rick Steiner by pinfall with a Leaping DDT. The Suicide Blondes make defence number 1 of their WCW World Tag Team titles (B-)

Yokozuna defeated The British Bulldog in 9:07 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop. Yokozuna makes defence number 4 of his WCW Hardcore title (C)

Raven is in the back where he says tonight the ring will run with blood, and so will the parking lot and so will the alley and so will everywhere else within the proximity of the ring because tonight he is going to make Sting bleed like a stuck pig! (A)

Raven drew with Sting in 15:35 when both men went crashing off an overhang 10 feet below through a car windshield (B+)

We look backstage where Eddy Guerrero is loosening up for his WCW World Title Match (B+)

Bret Hart defeated Eddy Guerrero in 21:39 by submission with a Sharpshooter. Bret Hart makes defence number 7 of his WCW World Heavyweight title (A*)

A video package airs showing past War Games matches, it then cuts to both locker rooms where it is very somber as each team knows its time to go to war (A)

Chris Benoit, Booker T, Diamond Dallas Page, Ric Flair and Bill Goldberg defeated Scott Hall, Chris Jericho, Kevin Nash, Scott Steiner and Randy Savage in 27:22 when Ric Flair defeated Randy Savage by submission (B+)

Show Rating: B+

[DeToxRox]

WCW Notes

- Fall Brawl does a 23.47 but I am upset that Eddy and Bret had my elusive A* match and I didn't put them on last which I should've probably done. Still, we had good wrestling and the Horsemen/nWo angle is put to rest.

- WWF held Breakdown, which was an insane PPV garnering an A rating with two A matches to end the show in Owen Hart vs Mankind and Sid retaining the title vs HBK. In an upset Phinias Godwin defeated Steve Austin for the IC Title. One would assume Austins reign is coming.

- A ton of new storylines have been created. This will be a fun time I think, as we head into Starrcade.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 1, October 1998
Hartford Civic Center (New England)
15000 People -- Sellout

Nitro opens up with Ric Flair coming out to the ring to a massive ovation. He is covered in stitches and bruises and just looks like someone who was in a war, which of course he was last night in the War Games. Flair comes out to congratulate the Horsemen and to tell the nWo told you so. He says he knows he earned a title shot last night but there is no way he will be ready to face Bret Hart at Halloween Havoc, so he is going to use it when he is all healthy and ready to fight. He says though you'll see it soon (B+)

With Flair announcing he won't face Hart at Halloween Havoc, Eric Bischoff comes out to announce that he had a contingency plan and that tonight a three way dance will be held to determine the #1 contender as Eddy Guerrero will take on Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit! (B)

Meng defeated Fit Finlay in 9:40 by submission with a Tongan Death Grip (C)

Backstage Randy Savage is irate still from losing last night, and he specifically taking the loss. Savage says he has a match tonight vs some kid and he feels sorry for the kid because he is going to absolutely destroy him tonight! (B+)

Steve Corino defeated Randy Savage in 11:12 by pinfall with a fast roll up (C) After the match Savage totally blows his stack and begins to decimate Corino with an attack that rivaled anything he did to Goldberg (B-)

Scott Hall defeated The Giant in 10:09 by pinfall with a Razor's Edge (B) After the match The Giant is seen backstage not happy about losing and he sets his sights on the first person he sees, Booker T, bashing him and then Choke Slamming him through a catering table (B+)

Bret Hart comes out to let everyone know he is still the champ and still the best there is, best there was and the best there every will be! (A)

Kevin Nash defeated Curt Hennig in 12:55 by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb (C-)

Chris Jericho is backstage warming up when Gene Okerlund comes in for an interview. Jericho promises that Okerlund is going to witness Jericho's rise to premier wrestler in the WCW tonight! (B+)

Highlights from last nights vicious Sting vs Raven match air (A) After the video Bobby Heenan says next week on Nitro Raven will be at the arena to issue an ultimate challenge for Sting (A)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit in 17:31 when Eddy Guerrero defeated Chris Benoit by pinfall with a Frog Splash (B+)

Show Rating: B

[DeToxRox]

WCW Notes

- Nitro is back up with a 10.59. Nice to see. I am excited to see how things play out with some fun storylines coming up.

- We have a couple PPV deals to extend, nothing major.

- Raw was a bleh show coming off a good PPV. Nothing of note.

[EdReedIsGod]

Wooooooooooo!

Funny how I can't watch Wrestling anymore, but I can't get enough of the WCCW and this. Good stuff, the nature Boy needs a title reign.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Thunder
Wednesday, Week 1, October 1998
Breslin Center (Great Lakes)
15000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Backstage Chris Benoit and Booker T are discussing the War Games match, the main event of Nitro this past Monday and Booker T being assaulted by the Giant. They both promise that things are gonna be different tonight (B)

We then cut to Steve Corino who is going to give a promo about his win vs Savage on Nitro but Savage appears behind him and leaves him laying in a pool of blood promising he'd never beat him again (C)

The Giant defeated Rey Mysterio Jr. in 10:31 by pinfall with a Choke Slam. The Giant makes defence number 3 of his WCW United States Heavyweight title (B-)

Steven Regal defeated Dean Malenko in 9:49 by submission with a Regal Stretch. Steven Regal makes defence number 6 of his WCW World Television title (C+)

Scott Steiner defeated Adam Copeland in 12:03 by pinfall with a Frankensteiner (C)

Kevin Nash defeated Christian Cage in 10:44 by pinfall with a Jacknife Power Bomb (C+)

After their respective matches, Nash and Steiner demand a Tag Team Title match at Halloween Havoc (B+)

Scott Hall and Chris Jericho are seen backstage discussing the nWo. Not much can be heard as they're talking low but Hall mutters something about it being BS losing to him when he won't even be here much longer. Jericho says it isn't fair and he will do something about it (B+)

Yokozuna defeated Jim Duggan in 7:07 by pinfall with a Bonzai Drop (C-)

Backstage Booker T is warming up for his match when for no reason the Giant attacks him yet again (B+)

Eddy Guerrero defeated Booker T in 15:48 by pinfall with a Frog Splash (B-)

Show Rating: B -

[DeToxRox]

WCW Notes

- In a post show test, Savage and Nash are busted for drugs in their system. I read 'em the riot act but I don't really mean it.

- Thunder draws a 4.75 rating. Not bad, not great, just what it is.

- ECW Hardcore TV was yesterday with Shane Douglas d. Jerry Saggs and Kurt Angle in the Main Event (C+) to retain the ECW World Title.

- We reup our PPV deals.

- Jerry Lawler as officially retired.

[DeToxRox]

WCW Saturday Night
Saturday, Week 1, October 1998
Premiere Convention Centre (Ontario)
2000 People -- Sellout
TV Taping

Saturday Night opens with the Suicide Blondes having their triumphant return to Canada. They spend nearly 10 minutes celebrating their Tag Team title reign as well as putting down Canada (C+)

Steve Corino defeated La Parka in 8:55 by pinfall with an Old School Expulsion (D)

Shane Helms defeated Kidman in 7:47 by pinfall with a Vertebreaker (D-)

A video airs highlighting Rey Mysterio Jr (C)

Christopher Daniels defeated Ultimo Dragon in 9:36 by pinfall with a Last Rites (D-)

Rick Steiner comes out to challenge Steven Regal to a TV Title match tonight (C+)

Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Super Calo in 11:03 by pinfall with a Springboard Hurracanrana (D+)

Steven Regal defeated Rick Steiner in 14:44 by submission with a Regal Stretch. Steven Regal makes defence number 7 of his WCW World Television title (C)

Show Rating: D+