WCW HALLOWEEN HAVOC ... by Chris Hyatte
MGM Grand in Las Vegas - 10/25/98
After months of poor outings, WCW pulled out some serious stops this months and completely loaded tonight's card with stellar matches. No Piper and Hogan embarrassing themselves in a steel cage match this year. One eagerly awaited match between Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, a long
awaited dream match between Bret Hart and Sting, "Diamond" Dallas Page's bid for a World championship against the so far unstoppable Goldberg, and what some have called (mostly WCW announcers) the "Re-match of the Century" between "Hollywood" Hogan and the Warrior. Quite the card, but given WCW's track record in terms of bookmaking, even tonight's show could end up a total disaster.
-opens with a video package highlighting Hogan/Warrior, but also paying attention to the other top matches of the night.
-Tony Schiavone welcomes us to the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for the third consecutive year.
-Schiavone, Mike Tenay, and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan pump up the show.
-The Nitro Girls do a special "PPV" performance. The announcers act like we already got our money's worth. Schiavone announces several other matches that are on tap for tonight, including a few just added.
-"Mean" Gene Okerlund brings out Rick Steiner, who comes out to new theme music. A few minutes into it, "Buff" Bagwell comes out and offers to be in Steiner's corner for his match against his brother tonight. Although Bagwell hasn't been the most trustworthy sort, Steiner eventually agrees.
FIRST MATCH: Raven Vs Chris Jericho (WCW Television Championship Match)
Raven comes to the ring first and waits seated in the corner. Jericho marches out in his typically cocky matter, blowing kisses to the crowd and the like. In the ring, Raven grabs the mic and says that since he was just informed of this match a few minutes ago, and really didn't appreciate having no time to prepare for it, he decided not to wrestle tonight. Jericho picked up the mic and said that he has no problems with this, but all the "Jerichoholics" in Las Vegas (crowd popped) wanted to see him in action because, "Chris Jericho equals buyrates,
Chris Jericho = Rear Ends in the seats, and Chris Jericho = Rock ‘n' Roll". He also said that he wanted to wrestle an "Icon" like Raven, who's Flock was the biggest bunch of morons and losers in wrestling. Finally, he called Raven a loser, which sent Raven flying back into the
ring and the match was on.
Highlights & Lowlights:
-Jericho got Raven's jacket off and started to whip him with it.
-On the outside, Raven used the steel steps to launch a dropkick at Jericho.
-Jericho returned the favor a few minutes later with a springboard dropkick.
-Jericho dove at Raven on the outside, but Raven ducked and Jericho crashed into the guard rail. The shot he took looked pretty nasty.
-Raven started to choke Jericho with his flannel shirt.
-Jericho ripped off one of the top turnbuckles.
-But it was Raven who first Powerbombed Jericho, then slingshot him headfirst into the exposed turnbuckle.
-In a nice sequence, Jericho went for the spinning thrust kick, but Raven ducked and nailed him with a belly to belly suplex.
-Jericho went for the Lion Tamer, but Raven grabbed the ropes.
-Raven nailed the DDT, Jericho kicked out.
Then Kanyon came out and hit the ring apron. Jericho was sent against the ropes and knocked him down to the ground. Jericho came back and was caught in another DDT attempt. He grabbed Raven's legs and took him down. Then he flipped Raven over in another Lion Tamer attempt and this time scored. Raven tapped out and Jericho retained the belt in a very good opening match.
-The announcers eat up some time.
-Then Eric Bischoff and Hollywood Hogan came out and further talked up the Re-Match of the Century. Including clips of how he beat up his Nephew Horace.
SECOND MATCH: Meng Vs Wrath
Meng came to the ring. Wrath tried to get into the ring, but Meng kept taking swipes at him before he could climb in. Eventually, things got going....
Highlights & Lowlights:
-Ultimately, Wrath pulled Meng out by the legs and sent his head into the guard rails.
-Then he jumped off the ring apron and crashed into Meng with a Plancha type move.
-Back in the ring, a Wrath clothesline did nothing but make Meng mad.
-So, Wrath followed up with a second rope clothesline, which knocked him down.
-Meng knocked Wrath down with a side thrust kick to the head.
-Wrath went for a "Rock Bottom" move, but failed to get the pin. The announcers had no name for it yet, apparently, the never heard of the Rock.
Wrath tried for the "Meltdown", Meng fought, but finally succumbed to it. Wrath won the match, which wasn't all that great, but fun if you like to see huge men crashing into each other.
-Lee Marshall talked to Kidman in the WCW Internet table. Kidman said that he was ready for whoever he was fighting tonight.
THIRD MATCH: Disco Inferno Vs Juventud Guerrera (Winner gets a shot at the WCW Cruiserweight belt later tonight)
The fans popped when Disco Inferno came out, some were even seen dancing as he does. Guerrera comes out in his usual hyper fashion. It didn't take long for things to get going.
Highlights & Lowlights:
-Disco opened things up with a Sidewalk Slam on Guerrera.
-Guerrera bounced back with chops and a Tornado Head Scissors.
-Guerrera went for the Standing Leg Drop, but both men screwed up the move. A bit of improvisation was needed to get the move off.
-Another Guerrera Head Scissors take down on the outside seemed to hurt him more than Disco.
-Guerrera helped sell a Disco clothesline by spinning head over heels.
-Disco used a reverse chinlock as a rest hold.
-Guerrera nailed Disco with a Spinning Heel kick that rivals X-Pac's version.
-Guerrera went for a Springboard Dive into the ring, Disco rolled out of the ring, Guerrera landed on his feet. As Disco was busy congratulating himself outside the ring, Guerrera hurtled himself over the ropes and onto him.
-Guerrera went for a "Dragon Sleeper" type move, but somehow, Disco twisted it around into a mini-hotshot into the ropes.
-Disco stood over Guerrera and performed the "Macarena". Guerrera used the chance to try a Sunset Flip pin.
-Disco grabbed Guerrera by the legs and spun him around. This, of course, made him dizzy and when he fell, his head landed on Guerrera's groin.
Disco gave Guerrera a nice Piledriver and actually won the match off it. He gets to fight Kidman later tonight. pretty good match indeed.
-The Nitro Girls do a dance.
-Scott Steiner comes out and talks about "phreaks" and having the Hook Up. Then he challenges Rick Steiner to take Buff Bagwell, and make their match into a World Tag Team Title match against him and the Giant, even though Scott Hall was currently tag champ with the Giant. The
Giant came out to help sell the idea. Then JJ Dillon came out and agreed to the new match so long as Rick Steiner gets 15 minutes alone with Scott should he win the match.
FOURTH MATCH: Fit Finlay Vs Alex Wright
Much like last month's Miller/Smiley match, this was a complete throwaway match, and it's placement in this card is a bit of a mystery.
Highlights & Lowlights:
-Wright danced a lot.
Wright won after Finlay tried to Spear him in the corner. Instead, he speared the corner post. Wright rolled him up and scored the pin. The crowd fell to sleep.
-Lee Marshall talked to Ernest Miller on the Internet. Marshall argued with Miller as to who the greatest was.
FIFTH MATCH: Lodi Vs Saturn
Another throwaway match that ended when Saturn pinned Lodi after the Death Valley Driver. Lodi flipped early into the match when the ring attendant walked away with his signs, after retrieving them, Lodi did the job rather easily. The less said, the better. other than to point out that Saturn has increased his "Former Ranger" gimmick big time.
-The announcers kill time and discuss the new Steiner tag team match
-The Nitro Girls fill up more time.
SIXTH MATCH: Disco Inferno Vs Kidman (WCW Cruiserweight Championship Match)
Disco Inferno came to the ring with a towel over his shoulder and looking more determined. He skipped the pre-match dance. Kidman came to the ring with a killer new theme song. Both men waited for the ref to ring the bell and got the match going....
Highlights & Lowlights:
-The opening moments ended up with Disco propped against the bottom corner pad due to a Kidman dropkick.
-Kidman used some mat wrestling early on, focusing in Disco's arm.
-Disco went for a drop toe hold too close to the ropes. Kidman's head hit the bottom ropes on his way down.
-Disco nailed Kidman with a mean Swinging Neckbreaker.
-On the outside, Kidman used to ring steps to perform a Swing Around Bulldog.
-Kidman went for a top rope Belly Splash, he missed his target.
-Disco got cocky and did a little dance before a second rope Double Forearm Splash. Kidman moved out of the way and gave him a Powerbomb Driver.
-Disco went for the Powerbomb, Kidman spun out of it. Disco kicked him and performed a Piledriver, this time around, Kidman got his shoulder up in time.
-Disco scored the "Gourd Buster:, Kidman still got his shoulder up.
-Disco tried for another Powerbomb, and even performed the Macarena before attempting it, Kidman spun out and nailed him with a Face First Powerbomb. Great fluidity in this sequence.
Kidman pulled off the Shooting Star press and scored the pin. The match wasn't as good as Disco's match against Guerrera, it was more Nitro worthy.
-They play a new Konan video, Konan is singing/rapping in it.
SEVENTH MATCH: Rick Steiner and Buff Bagwell Vs Scott Steiner and the Giant (WCW Tag Team Championship Match. Rick Steiner gets a 15 minute match with Scott Steiner if he wins)
Rick and the Giant come out first, the Giant is back to smoking again. Scotty grabs a ringside sign that says "BIG PAPA PUMP RULES ALL OF WRESTLING" on the front, and something about Buff on the back, but he didn't hold the back up. Rick Steiner comes out with Buff Bagwell, who
seems very much into this match and teaming with Rick. In the ring, Rick sits on top of Buff and they both bark at the NWOers. The Giant blows smoke at them. It took a while, but things
got going....
Highlights & Lowlights:
-Rick started things out with the Giant. The Giant takes early control.
-After getting beat on by both Scott and the Giant, Rick finally makes a comeback against his brother.
-Just as Rick was about to pin Scott, Buff pleaded with him to be tagged in, Rick obliged.
-Which of course, led to Buff betraying Rick and beating on him some. The announcers groaned in unison. Schiavone acknowledged that even though many of the fans were doubtful of his sincerity, he was convinced.
-Buff ran away backstage and Rick was now in a handicap match.
-Scott and the Giant toyed with Rick for a while, pulling him up after every two count and the like...
-Then Scott held Rick as the Giant climbed to the top rope. It took a few, but he eventually made it and jumped off to blast him with a Missile Dropkick. It was a thrilling thing to see.
Unfortunately for them, Rick got out of the way and Scott was blasted with it, Rick leveled the Giant with a few clotheslined, followed by a top rope Bulldog. He pinned the Giant and won the tag team belts. This led right to...
EIGHTH MATCH: Rick Steiner Vs Scott Steiner (15 Minute Bonus match)
Scott tried to leave with the Giant, but Rick caught him and beat him back into the ring. The Giant tried to help but was punched down for it.
Highlights & Lowlights:
-The crowd was really popping for Rick, who owned most of this match.
-A low blow from Scott turned the tide.
-From the seats, a man dressed in a suit and wearing a Bill Clinton mask jumped over the rail and leveled nearby WCW Officials, then Stevie Ray came out and handed him a Blackjack. Clinton hit the ring and cranked Rick with it a few times, and also hit the ref with it. he ripped off
the mask and we see it's Buff Bagwell again.
-Bagwell then rolled Scott on top of Rick, then dragged the ref over and helped slap his hand on the mat for the three count. Rick got his shoulder up in time.
-Scott gave Rick the top rope Frankensteiner, Buff again assisted with the pin....Rick kicked out again.
Eventually, Rick recovered and dropped Buff against the ropes. Then he gave Scott the Top Rope Bulldog. Nick Patrick ran into the ring and made the 3 count. It was a nice, old fashioned "Good guy triumphs over huge odds" match with a solid payoff, for once.
-Video compilation dealing with Hall and Nash. Nicely put together piece
NINTH MATCH: Scott Hall Vs Kevin Nash
Scott Hall came to the ring as if he was loaded again, and with a cup filled with liquid in his hand. Tony apologized for it. Kevin Nash came to the ring solemnly and businesslike. Hall threw the drink in Nash's face and started to punch. Things got going...
Highlights & Lowlights:
-Hall punched away sharply and with grace, displaying that he wasn't drunk at all.
-On the outside, Hall bonked Nash with the microphone, which made a sound. Then he choked him with a camera wire.
-After laying Nash out on the outside, Hall went back in the ring, gave him a small crotch chop, then grabbed the mic and started to badmouth Nash and ask him if the drink stung his eyes. Then he told him to get backstage because he was "through listening to him".
-Nash rolled back in and proceeded to take some nasty punches to the face by Hall. You could hear HARD sounds of skin punching skin. Nash started to bleed from his mouth.
-Hall went for the Outside Edge, Nash pushed him away.
-Hall started to punch Nash in the corner. Nash refused to fight back, and instead kept motioning for more with his hand.
-Nash eventually did fight back, and dropped Hall with a Sidewalk Slam.
-Nash went for the Powerbomb, Hall got out of the ring. Nash ripped off his Wolfpac shirt and motioned him to get back in there.
-The rest of the match consist of Kevin Nash slowly destroying Scott Hall. Including one moment where he had him in the corner and was driving his knee into Hall's abdomen several times, each time asking, "Want another drink baby? Here's one, BAM!!". During this part, the ref moved out of the way as if one of Hall's teeth, or a huge gob of phlegm flew out.
Nash finally gave Hall a powerbomb, then motioned to the crowd for one more, and delivered on his promise. He gave Hall a few crotch chops, then walked out of the ring and went backstage in disgust. The confused ref made the ten count, and awarded the match to Hall on a countout.
-The Nitro Girls killed time.
TENTH MATCH: Sting Vs Bret Hart (WCW United States Heavyweight Championship)
Hart came to the ring first with a new theme song and the same cockiness. Sting came out sporting a new goatee and wielding a baseball bat. Hart left the ring and refused to get in until Sting lost the bat. When he did, things got going...
Highlights & Lowlights:
-Hart stalled a lot more before finally hooking up.
-Sting finally grew tired of this and attacked.
-Hart rebounded soon enough and dropped Sting with a DDT.
-Hart gave Sting a nice running Bulldog.
-Hart went for a second rope Dropkick, but Sting turned it into a Scorpion Deathlock. Hart grabbed the ropes.
-After Leapfrogging over an incoming Sting, Hart fell to the mat holding his knee. Sting went to work on it
-Hart pulled out a Foreign Object, but a Sting clothesline knocked it out of his hand.
-Sting tried to punch Hart with said Object, but the ref grabbed his arm mid swing. Hart used the chance to deliver a low blow on Sting.
-Hart owned the match until the ref went down. Then Sting started to make the comeback.
-Sting gave hart a Superplex, Hart landed on the ref's legs.
-Hart was facing the corner when Sting went for the Stinger Splash. Sting's head hit the top of the ring post and he was out cold, hanging against the ropes.
-Hart grabbed Sting's bat and started to beat Sting about the back and head with it.
Bret then mounted the second ropes and jumped with the bat. he nailed Sting on the back of the head with it. Hart then rolled the bat out of the ring, woke up the ref, and put Sting in the Sharpshooter. The ref lifted Sting's arm three times and called for the bell. Bret wins the match and kept the US belt. later on, we see Sting slowly being stretchered and taken away in an Ambulance.
ELEVENTH MATCH: "Hollywood" Hogan Vs the Warrior
Hogan came to the ring wearing a frilly white scarf and looking like a fool. The Warrior's music came on and the Warrior sprinted full speed to the ring. He hit the ring, shook the ropes, and basked in the cheers. Hogan took his time getting into the ring, and spent much time jawing with the fans. Soon enough, they eventually locked up...
Highlights & Lowlights:
-The crowd was strangely quiet for the Re-Match of the Century.
-After a few arm locks, the Warrior shoulder blocked Hogan out of the ring.
-Warrior challenged Hogan to a test of strength, Hogan choked him in the corner for a bit before locking up.
-Both men criss crossed the ring,(haven't seen that in a while), then Hogan bodyslammed the Warrior. Warrior got right back up and returned the favor.
-Hogan ducked a clothesline and crashed into the ref. Then he dropped a knee on the ref for good measure.
-The Hogan held the Warrior as the Giant ran in. The Giant went for the big boot, but the Warrior moved and Hogan was smashed instead. The Warrior then clotheslined the Giant out of the ring.
-Stevie Ray and Vincent ran in, and were knocked out of the ring as well.
-Hogan started to whip and choke the Warrior with his weight belt.
-The Warrior went for the belly splash, but Hogan moved.
-The Warrior took off Hogan's belt and started to whip him for payback.
-Hogan took some time in the corner to set it up, then tried to launch some fore at the Warrior. He completely screwed it up. It was either a total disaster or intended to be an error.
-The Warrior loudly called a spot.
- Hogan started to bleed. Surprisingly enough, WCW cameras didn't pull back.
-Hogan was dominating a little, then the Warrior started to psyche himself out and make the comeback.
-Horace and Bischoff came to ringside.
The end came when Bischoff grabbed the ref in a headlock and held him. Horace picked up a chair and nailed the Warrior in the back with it. Hogan rolled on top of him and got the pin. Hogan finally avenged one of his two biggest losses ever, (Goldberg being the other one, of course). After the match, Horace squirted lighter fluid all over the Warrior, but Doug Dillenger and WCW security ran in and stopped him from lighting a match. Bischoff complained that the attempted murder was stopped before it could go any further.
-Michael Buffer told us to get ready to rumble.
TWELFTH MATCH: "Diamond" Dallas Page Vs Goldberg (WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match)
DDP came out and ran in through the seats. Then he hit the ring and assumed his position in the corner. We see Officers lined up outside a door backstage, then the door bashes out a couple of times. Goldberg finally walks out and is led to the entrance way. His typical walk to the ring follows. Just before they lock up, Schiavone explains to us exactly why Page is the "Real People's Champion".
Highlights & Lowlights:
-Page charges out of his corner and locks up with Goldberg three times. Each time results in Page being hurtled back into the corner.
-The fourth time the lock up end up in them spilling out of the ring.
-Page tried to flip Goldberg down by sweeping his leg with his hand. Goldberg did a damn near perfect backward handflip.
-Goldberg went for an Armbar submission lock.
-Two shoulderblocks sent Page out of the ring twice.
-Page gave Goldberg a Russian Legsweep and went for the pin, no dice.
-Goldberg gave Page a suplex/hiptoss.
-Goldberg gave Page a Sidewalk Slam.
-Goldberg went for a Bodyslam, Page turned it into a nice head scissors takedown.
-Goldberg went to Spear Page in the corner, Page hopped out of the way and Goldberg speared the ring post. It looked nasty.
-Goldberg clearly favored his shoulder after that spot.
-Goldberg went for a big hiptoss, Page turned it into a DDT.
-Goldberg Speared Page, but his hurting shoulder kept him from following up.
-Goldberg tried for the Jackhammer, Page reversed it and hit the Diamond Cutter. He too was too hurt to follow up.
-Page eventually did go for the pin, but Goldberg kicked out.
Goldberg finally got Page up and hit the Jackhammer. He then pinned him and retained the belt. After the match, Goldberg helped Page up and congratulated him on a good match. The show abruptly ended with Page walking out of the ring and Goldberg taking in the cheers.
It was longer for a PPV, stopping about 15 minutes after 11 (it started at 8 instead of 7). It was also a good, solid show. The best offering from WCW in many, many months. The two worst matches, Finlay/Wright and Saturn/Lodi came back to back and quickly vanished. Hogan/Warrior was crap, and ironically, the only match to end in a true screwjob. The
Goldberg/Page match was pretty fast, but nicely paced as well. Goldberg still needs ring work though, his limitations started to shine after the third power move. Other than that, drama played out well, solid endings with clear cut winners, and a hot crowd who popped for everything other than the Hogan match. Good show and a fine job.
This is Hyatte