Raw/Nitro January '98 (Week 2)

Monday Night Raw 12/1/98 (2.25 Stars)

Segment- D-Generation X pre recorded promo. DX calls out Owen Hart and The Undertaker from a limo.

Match 1- The New Age Outlaws def The Headbangers, The Godwinns & The Truth Commission (Four Corners Tag Team Match)

Segment- ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin drives his pickup truck into the arena before cutting an in-ring promo. Austin says he was screwed out of his Rumble win last year, vowing to win it again this time! Austin draws a bullseye on his chest, saying anyone who comes after him, will get eliminated from the Rumble! 

Segment- DX's limo is blocked by a production truck.

Match 2- Kurrgan def Cicero and Lance Diamond (2-on-1 Handicap Match) 

Segment- Owen Hart climbs into DX's limo and starts brawling with them as the limo drives away! 

Segment- Marc Mero in-ring promo. Mero introduces “Sable”, who was actually Goldust wearing a sheer dress and a thong, in an attempt to humiliate Sable! 

Match 3- Vader def Marc Mero via DQ 

Segment- Vader is shown laid out backstage, following an assault by Steve Austin! 

Match 4- Ken Shamrock & Mark Henry Vs The Rock & D-Lo Brown ends in a no-contest.

Segment- Mark Henry turns heel, joining The Nation of Domination.

Segment- DX in-ring promo. Triple H calls out Owen Hart, who verbally responds before DX and Owen are separated by WWF officials. Shawn Michaels also calls out Mike Tyson, warning him not to get involved in his business! 

Segment- Jim Cornette promo. Cornette says that last week he brought back the NWA title, but that the NWA also had a great tradition in tag team wrestling. Jim Cornette announces the in-ring return of The Rock ‘N’ Roll Express! 

Match 5- The Disciples of Apocalypse def The Rock ‘N’ Roll Express via DQ

Segment- Pre-recorded Cactus Jack promo. Cactus Jack stands on the football field of Penn State University, and talks about his wars with Terry Funk, saying it brought them closer together. Jack adds that while he doesn't understand Funk’s decision to rebrand himself as ‘Chainsaw Charlie’, he's OK with it. Jack closes by saying that the pain he and ‘Chainsaw Charlie’ will inflict on the New Age Outlaws, will be an opportunity for them to “get to know each other!” 

Match 6- Mankind Vs Goldust ends in a no-contest

Segment- ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin hits both Mankind and Goldust with a stunner! Austin takes JRs headset, and proclaims “No more Mr Nice Guy, until after the Rumble!” 

Segment- JR interviews Vince McMahon on the titan-tron. Vince says that Mike Tyson is invited to the Royal Rumble, before guaranteeing his appearance next week on Raw! 

Match 7- Los Boricuas def Scott Taylor and Taka Michinoku 

Segment- D-Generation X in-ring promo. Shawn Micheals says that DX will welcome Kane into the faction! The Undertaker interrupts, warning Shawn to keep his younger brother Kane out of it! DX overwhelms The Undertaker, attacking him with a wooden crutch. Kane comes out, chasing away DX, before extending his hand towards The Undertaker from the top of the ramp! 

Segment- 1998 Royal Rumble drawing. The drawing is eventually called off after a mass brawl prompted by Steve Austin, develops in the ring!

Analysis 

Shot from Penn State University, this was the go-home show for the ‘98 Royal Rumble. Booking a University with plenty of rowdy college students was a smart idea, let's see who would get the biggest ‘pop’ of the night. My money was on DX personally! 

Matches 1 & 2

Four Corners tag action kicked off the show, as The New Age Outlaws outlasted The Headbangers, The Truth Commission as well as The Godwinns, in what was shaping up to be one of the better tag matches in the ‘Vince Russo’ Era. Yet as per, as soon as the pace picked up and I started to actually get into the match, Billy Gunn clocked Phineas with a ‘foreign object’, picking up the win for the Outlaws via pinfall. The best part of this was undoubtedly the crowd, who were red hot for the most part! Oh to be young again…

Following that, we got a quick promo from Steve Austin, before Kurrgan overwhelmed 2 jobbers in Cicero and Lance Diamond (great porn star name by the way) during a Handicap Match. I was yet to be impressed by the big man Kurrgan. He had zero aura and a terrible finishing move. Post-match, he destroyed a Penn State football helmet in an attempt to put over his finish the ‘iron claw’. I'm not sure if cracking a plastic helmet using both hands was particularly impressive anyway, let alone from a man who was nearly 7 feet tall! Maybe they'd run out of watermelons backstage? 

The first hour was saved somewhat by Mark Henry's heel turn as he aligned with the Nation of Domination (even though I saw it coming from a mile off) We were also treated to glimpses of the upcoming Rock/Shamrock match at the Rumble, with the two looking like they would work well together! But overall, it was a markedly average start to the show. No real promos to note, and the matches were mostly duds. Moving on.

Second Hour/WarZone 

The WarZone opened with a DX in-ring promo. The college crowd seemingly lost their collective minds as Triple H came down using a crutch, with the ever flamboyant Shawn Michaels and The musclebound Goddess herself, Chyna, all in tow. Trips started by calling out Owen Hart, who was quickly improving on the mic week by week! I still wasn't a fan of all the ‘penis’ jokes and innuendos, but Triple H was extremely confident on the mic by this point, delivering his promos with conviction. 

Shawn also called out Mike Tyson, warning him not to get involved. I'm sorry, but the idea of a prime Mike Tyson legitimately beefing with HBK, was ludicrous. It would only ever go one way, and Shawn Michaels knew it! Owen Hart eventually decided he had heard enough, confronting D-Generation X, before officials stopped a potential fight breaking out at a wrestling show!

This was fine as a segment, and as much sense as Shawn calling out ‘Iron Mike’ made in retrospect, it didn't add up at the time as the fans didn't yet know what Mike Tyson's involvement would actually be at WrestleMania 14. It was still a nice way to build some hidden tension, as any future Tyson/DX in-ring segment would surely draw huge numbers, and it was a smart idea to remind the fans of that! 

Match 5

Jim Cornette cuts a quick promo, before introducing the WWF audience to another NWA mainstay, in the Rock ‘N’ Roll Express, as they were set to take on The Disciples of Apocalypse! 

Here's what I'll say about this one. Right match, but definitely in front of the WRONG CROWD! I don't know if Russo and McMahon were trying to prove some kind of point by booking a 2 minute tag team match involving ‘old school’ territory wrestlers that anyone aged 21 or younger most likely wouldn't have heard of anyway. But in my eyes, it backfired spectacularly. Sure, the crowd weren't hot for it, but mainly because the match wasn't given a chance (and they were mostly young college kids) Not to sound like a ‘hipster wrestling fan’ here, but not only was I more invested in this match than anything else on the card (obviously having hindsight of the sheer nostalgia factor helped here massively) but both Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson, were still in their early 40s. So they weren't ‘old’ or ‘past-it’ by any stretch of the imagination. If anything, they actually looked more accomplished in the ring than most of, if not THE ENTIRETY of the tag team division that the WWF possessed at the time!

They bumped well for the bigger team in DOA, putting them over nicely, eventually losing out via DQ thanks to Jim Cornette's tennis racket. My only criticism is WHY DIDN'T THEY GIVE THIS A CHANCE! I hope I see the Rock ‘N’ Express again in the WWF, hopefully for a bit longer and in front of an ‘old school’ crowd who appreciated them! 

Main-event 

Los Boricuas defeated Scott Taylor and Taka Michinoku in the last match of the evening. We still had the Royal Rumble draw to look forward to, and if anything notable happens I'll mention it during the analysis. This was the longest match of the night, lasting over 4 ENTIRE MINUTES! Not only was this match completely pointless, but felt entirely random and undeserving of a main-event spot. 

Michinoku and Scott Taylor had no connection whatsoever other than being midcarders with nothing better to do, and in what world were Los Boricuas suddenly main-event calibre WWF superstars? As a match itself, it was fine. But for all of the reasons previously mentioned, it still subtracts from my final score to the show. 

Owen Hart saved Taka Michinoku and Scott Taylor from a Los Boricuas beat-down, as he annihilates the entire faction with his wooden crutch! 

Summary 

Sable got the loudest pop of the first hour, alongside Austin obviously. I'm sure the fact the event was held amongst horny/sexually frustrated college students had something to do with that. But Sable was undoubtedly a BIG draw for the company during this time and exceptionally marketable.

Seeing The Rock ‘N’ Roll Express as well as The Cactus Jack promo, were both high points for me, but it seemed as if every week the matches were getting shorter and shorter, with more attention being placed on promos. This show was designed to sell the Rumble, and while it technically achieved that objective, I'm not sure how much of that was to do with the actual booking of this show, or simply the fact that the Rumble was always a big PPV that sold well regardless. If and when the WWF decided to actually, you know, USE MAIN-EVENT TALENT AND HAVE THEM WRESTLE MAIN EVENT MATCHES ON TV! But until that moment, the scores will always be slightly lower.

The last full segment involving Kane and The Undertaker was also actually very well done, with Kane saving his brother from DX, and extending his hand from the top of the ramp, signifying some kind of alliance (however brief)

The Royal Rumble drawing was odd, as talent sporadically entered the ring until Austin finally arrived, hitting Phineas Godwinn with a Stunner, promoting a mass brawl before leaving! The Rock and members of The Nation of Domination attacked Austin at the top of the ramp, and the official draw was called off (for now) If the point of this was to signify that the Rumble as an actual match is usually chaotic and messy, then it was a job well done! (Seriously, name ONE Rumble match you'd specially go back and rewatch) Anyway, that's an argument for another day, but in all seriousness, it was pretty hilarious the way Austin sparked a mass brawl before simply leaving!

Overall it was another subpar show, saved by one or two specific moments. Yes I am looking forward to the Rumble, but I'm not quite sure how much this episode of Raw has to do with that. If you do go back and watch this show, here's a fun drinking game for you. Take a shot whenever someone uses a wooden crutch as a weapon. If nothing else, you'll be nicely buzzed by the time the second hour hits!

WCW Nitro 12/1/96 (2.75 Stars)

Segment- Mean Gene interviews The nWo outside the arena as they arrive in the building. ‘Hollywood’ Hogan says they are working on getting the title back, before Kevin Nash says that fellow nWo member Randy Savage “Don't want none of this!” 

Match 1- Goldberg def Jerry Flynn (16-0)

Match 2- Marty Jannetty def Black Cat 

Segment- Mean Gene interviews Randy Savage outside the arena as he arrives separately from other nWo members. Savage says there “ain't no problem” within the nWo, demanding to know what Kevin Nash said about him earlier that evening! 

Match 3- Chris Beniot def Dean Malenko

Segment- The Flock attacks both Chris Beniot and Dean Malenko post-match!

Segment- Mean Gene interviews J.J Dillon. Dillon says that Chris Adams was disqualified against Randy Savage on WCW Thunder, as a result of Lex Luger using a chair Savage. Dillon says the only way to truly restore order is with total fairness and impartiality. As a result, Randy Savage will also be fined for his use of a chair on Eric Bischoff last week on WCW Nitro! Randy angrily confronts Dillon, leading to Eric Bischoff offering to pay the fine on Randy's behalf, in an attempt to restore unity within the nWo.

Segment- Mean Gene interviews DDP in-ring. DDP promotes his tag team match booked for the upcoming WCW Thunder between him and Lex Luger against Randy Savage and Kevin Nash.

TV Title

Match 4- (c) Booker T def Perry Saturn

Segment- Mean Gene interviews WCW Executive Vice President Nick Lambros and The Giant. Lambros says that Kevin Nash hasn't provided an explanation for Kevin Nash missing his match against The Giant at Starrcade. Lambros requested a 1.5 million dollar “performance bond” for The Giant Vs Nash at the upcoming WCW PPV, Souled Out, in an effort to ensure that he competes. If Kevin Nash or The nWo doesn't agree to pay, Kevin Nash will receive a one year suspension! Lambros adds that Eric Bischoff is cut off from spending any more of Ted Turner's or Time Warner's money. Eric Bischoff interjects with his attorney Henry Holmes. Bischoff says that he agrees to put up the money, courtesy of ‘Hollywood’ Hogan, but the catch is that The Giant matches the 1.5 million dollar bond, and if The Giant touches Kevin Nash before the event, he loses the money. The Giant agrees, before Nash attempts to goad him into a physical altercation.

Match 5- Lex Luger def Hugh Morrus 

Match 6- Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael def Chris Jericho

Segment- Chris Jericho cuts a promo, complaining about his loss to Steve McMichael. Rey Mysterio comes to the ring for his Cruiserweight Title match, leading to Jericho attacking him, turning heel in the process! 

Cruiserweight Championship 

Match 7- (c) Juventud Guerrera def Rey Mysterio 

Segment- ‘Hollywood’ Hogan and Eric Bischoff in-ring promo. Hogan calls out Sting and J.J. Dillon, calling Sting a phoney. Hogan says he is ordering an injunction that will lead to him ultimately suing WCW and reclaiming his World Title.

Segment- Mean Gene interviews a debuting Jim ‘The Anvil’ Neidhart. Neidhart says the comments made by Ric Flair were “too much” saying that Bret Hart is the greatest wrestler alive! Flair confronts Neidhart, attacking him with brass knuckles, and applying a ‘Figure Four leg lock’ around the ring posts! Bret Hart runs down to save his brother-in-law!

Undisputed Tag Team Championships 

Match 8- The Outsiders def The Steiner Brothers (c)  

Analysis 

Full disclosure, I didn't get the opportunity to fully watch the inaugural edition of WCW Thunder, but some ‘important’ things happened that I'll mention below…

*Notes from WCW Thunder-

Juventud Guerrera def Ultimo Dragon (c) for the WCW Cruiserweight Title 

J.J. Dillon vacated the WCW World Title ahead of WCW Souled Out! 

DDP def Kevin Nash in the main-event via DQ, to retain his United States Championship.

Matches 1 & 2

Goldberg squashes Jerry Flynn in the opener, and after beating Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael on the inaugural edition of Thunder, as well as picking up a win on WCW Saturday Night, that takes his overall televised record to 16-0!

Marty Jannetty won his WCW Nitro debut against Black Cat. Black Cat was best known for his work under ‘New Japan Pro Wrestling’, but from my knowledge and further research, he was never a big name, failing to win a title in Japan’s number one promotion. Although he would be posthumously inducted onto the “Greatest wrestlers” list aka NJPWs hall of fame ballot, 3 years after his death in 2009.

Marty Jannetty felt like another weird signing for WCW, yet allegedly this signing was, in part at least, an attempt to flesh out the roster due to the new Tuesday night show ‘WCW Thunder’. I'm not sure that was entirely necessary, as WCW still had PLENTY of guys they could have pushed/given more TV time. That being said, I always felt bad for how Jannetty's time in the WWF ended, ultimately being overshadowed by his former tag team partner in Shawn Michaels, before ultimately being released in late 1996. Jannetty was always talented, as displayed here in what was a fluid effort from the former ‘rocker’. A very short match, but Jannetty looked as smooth as ever, and I was still left feeling intrigued as to how he would be used going forward.

The highlights of a solid first hour included tension building within The nWo, which was actually fairly restrained (for once!) The more subtle approach only added to the drama, as I keenly awaited for Kevin Nash and Randy Savage to inevitably face off later that evening! Dean Malenko/Chris Beniot was an entertaining back and forth encounter as the pair displayed their sheer technical wrestling ability for nearly 7 minutes straight! I'll never understand how Nitro could find time for these kinds of matches, yet somehow Russo and co over in Stamford Connecticut couldn't figure out how to format it onto their show! 

The segments in hour one were pretty entertaining for the most part, with a 3 million dollar bond being put up to ensure that Kevin Nash didnt no-show against The Giant at WCW Souled Out. Say what you want about the match itself, but it was a fairly creative way to add a ‘big match feel’, to what was otherwise a run of the mill WCW Vs nWo PPV bout! 

Second Hour 

The second hour kicked off with Lex Luger defeating Hugh Morrus after applying The Torture Rack. Post-match, Randy Savage attacked Lex Luger from behind, leading to DDP saving Luger! This obviously wasn't the best match in the world.

Not to be mean here, but Bill DeMott was decidedly average in the ring, so it made all the sense in the world why he later decided to become a ‘trainer’, and take out his frustrations on developmental wrestlers, only to go too far and get himself fired! He was never a big draw, had little to no charisma, and was generally a chore to watch in the ring!

Match 6

Ok, I'm not saying it was illegal to hand Jericho some losses here and there. But this gimmick WAS NOT GOOD! Essentially, he was flipping out after every loss, and turning heel in the process. He would finally complete his heel turn, by attacking Rey Mysterio ahead of the masked luchadores Cruiserweight Championship match against Juventud Guerrera. 

The match itself of Jericho/Mongo wasn't good, but hopefully the payoff meant they would FINALLY do something interesting with Jericho now he was fully heel. I know, maybe he could write lists! Sorry, that was a stupid idea.

Main-event 

OK, so ‘undisputed’ Tag Titles on the line, as Nash and Hall were still claiming to be the champions for some reason (because that's a thing you can ‘just do’ apparently)

Anyway, Hall and Nash took on THE REAL champions in The Steiner Brothers. This was pretty entertaining and I was stoked at the prospect of actually getting a proper TV main-event for once. LFG!!!!

It devolved into carnage after a Nick Patrick ref bump, and honestly this match didn't need it in my opinion. The pure drama had me hooked from the onset, and all four guys in the ring could go!

Kevin Nash gets pissed at Randy Savage post-match, presumably for the unnecessary assist as he hits an elbow drop on Rick Steiner, as Nash already had him covered. The ref was down but I'm guessing Nash didn't know that. The insinuation from the broadcast team was that Randy was aiming for Kevin, but that wasn't immediately obvious in my opinion. Was Nash angry because it could have caused a DQ, or because he thought that it was intended for him? Because either theory was just as valid.

Regardless, it was a case of far too many moving parts. Especially considering that The Outsiders ultimately won the match anyway, when the ref woke up seconds later anyway. This was the ONE INSTANCE where the DQ finish would have actually made sense and progressed the story. If Savage cost The Outsiders the title via DQ, he could claim he was trying to help, and you could slowly simmer even more tension among The nWo. But as it stood, the elbow drop from Savage was what secured the win for The Outsiders in the first place, so what was the point?

Who knows, what I do know however, was that this was still a really fun match. Although I had to watch the finish back a few times to try and understand what had actually happened. I'm still not actually 100 percent sure, and NO! I AM NOT WATCHING WCW THUNDER TO FIND OUT! Blame it on the vodka or the booking, your choice. Hell, re-read the finish to the match and judge it for yourselves.

Summary

As previously noted, I didn't see WCW Thunder, so can't fairly comment on it. That being said, the decision to vacate the World Title was absolutely ridiculous and completely unnecessary. It added zero drama or heat to ANYTHING, and only served as a way to further stroke Hogan's ego (in my opinion)

The first hour of this show was pretty strong in my opinion, with a good ending to the second hour that included Jim Neidhart and Ric Flair going at it, as well as a fun main-event!

If they cut a few meaningless segments and matches here and there (Hogan saying that he's taking WCW to court and anything involving Mongo or Hugh Morrus) this could have been REALLY GOOD! As it stands, it was still a fun show, but they just needed to focus and put more time into what was actually working for them! The Cruiserweight division, the main-event feuds of Flair/Hart and Sting/Hogan, and the more entertaining segments of the evening where angles actually developed, as opposed to The nWo talking just to hear the sound of their own voice! 

As previously mentioned, I did enjoy the main-event, it was just overbooked in my opinion. That said, Nitro still had more than enough going on to secure them the win against a slightly passive go-home show from the WWF. Point Nitro!