Thunder – January 8, 1998 (First Episode Redo): When Nitro Is the Better Show, You’re In Trouble
Thunder
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January 8, 1998
Location: Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, Florida
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Lee Marshall, Bobby Heenan
Tony shows us a clip of the attorney from Nitro (a week ago according to him, which is Tony speak for three days ago) saying that anyone, either WCW or NWO, who violates a WCW policy will be fined and/or suspended. Nick Patrick was suspended at least until tonight to show us that WCW was serious.
Now we see the end of Nitro with the NWO getting in a fight to end the show.
Chris Adams vs. Randy Savage
JJ Dillon comes out but we go to a break before anything can happen.
Louis Spicolli vs. Rick Martel
Louis cranks on the arm to start but is quickly sent to the floor with a clothesline. Back in and a few dropkicks send Spicolli right back to the floor. They get back in again and Spicolli pounds him down as the Flock heads to their seats. Martel fires off a cross body for two and a left hand to the ribs to stagger Louis. Another dropkick misses but Martel punches Spicolli down and hooks the Quebec Crab for the win.
Tenzan vs. Ohara
Ric Flair vs. Chris Jericho
Jericho freaks out again post match.
Giant vs. Meng
Goldberg vs. Steve McMichael
Tag Titles: Steiner Brothers vs. Buff Bagwell/Konnan
Eric Bischoff vs. Larry Zbyszko
Off to a standing figure four but Eric quickly makes a rope. The damage is done though and Larry goes after the leg. Makes sense against a karate guy. Bret keeps Larry away from Eric and the announcers PANIC. Imagine that: a referee following the rules. Eric is sent into the steps and takes a brief walk around the ring. Back in and Bret blocks a right hand from Larry, allowing Eric to get in a kick to the head. Bischoff fires more kicks with Larry on the ropes, although Bret is fine with them.
We recap Ray Traylor being thrown out of the NWO and beaten down by Hogan.
Ray Traylor vs. Scott Hall
Cruiserweight Title: Juventud Guerrera vs. Ultimo Dragon
Dragon misses a handspring elbow in the corner as the fans think this is boring. Juvy loads up a top rope rana but gets crotched to the floor instead. Dragon hits a moonsault to the floor but injures his knee in the process. They head back in and Dragon hits a release German suplex for two but the top rope rana is countered again. Juvy knocks him to the mat but dives into a dropkick fro Dragon, only to come back with a quick DDT. The Juvy Driver sets up the 450 for the pin and a new champion.
Lex Luger vs. Scott Norton
Bagwell gets Racked too as Savage comes in, only to be chased off by Luger as well.
US Title: Diamond Dallas Page vs. Kevin Nash
A clothesline in the corner has Page down again and the side slam gets two. Nash pounds on him in the corner and sends Page outside for more very slow pounding. Page is sent into the steps as Hogan tells him to give up. Back in and Nash hits Snake Eyes and an elbow drop for two. Page fights out of another Snake Eyes attempt and loads up the Diamond Cutter but Hogan hits him in the ribs for the DQ.
Rating: D+. We were clearly just killing time until the DQ here which is the case in almost all WCW main events anymore. Hogan being out there was kind of surprising as it could have been any WCW goon for the same ending. Also any bets on there being no mention of a fine to Hogan for doing the same thing Luger did earlier?
Post match Giant comes out to break up a Jackknife and brawls with Nash to end the show.
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Thunder
Date: January 8, 1998
Location: Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, Florida
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Lee Marshall, Bobby Heenan
Tony shows us a clip of the attorney from Nitro (a week ago according to him, which is Tony speak for three days ago) saying that anyone, either WCW or NWO, who violates a WCW policy will be fined and/or suspended. Nick Patrick was suspended at least until tonight to show us that WCW was serious.
Now we see the end of Nitro with the NWO getting in a fight to end the show.
Chris Adams vs. Randy Savage
JJ Dillon comes out but we go to a break before anything can happen.
Louis Spicolli vs. Rick Martel
Louis cranks on the arm to start but is quickly sent to the floor with a clothesline. Back in and a few dropkicks send Spicolli right back to the floor. They get back in again and Spicolli pounds him down as the Flock heads to their seats. Martel fires off a cross body for two and a left hand to the ribs to stagger Louis. Another dropkick misses but Martel punches Spicolli down and hooks the Quebec Crab for the win.
Tenzan vs. Ohara
Ric Flair vs. Chris Jericho
Jericho freaks out again post match.
Giant vs. Meng
Goldberg vs. Steve McMichael
Tag Titles: Steiner Brothers vs. Buff Bagwell/Konnan
Eric Bischoff vs. Larry Zbyszko
Off to a standing figure four but Eric quickly makes a rope. The damage is done though and Larry goes after the leg. Makes sense against a karate guy. Bret keeps Larry away from Eric and the announcers PANIC. Imagine that: a referee following the rules. Eric is sent into the steps and takes a brief walk around the ring. Back in and Bret blocks a right hand from Larry, allowing Eric to get in a kick to the head. Bischoff fires more kicks with Larry on the ropes, although Bret is fine with them.
We recap Ray Traylor being thrown out of the NWO and beaten down by Hogan.
Ray Traylor vs. Scott Hall
Cruiserweight Title: Juventud Guerrera vs. Ultimo Dragon
Dragon misses a handspring elbow in the corner as the fans think this is boring. Juvy loads up a top rope rana but gets crotched to the floor instead. Dragon hits a moonsault to the floor but injures his knee in the process. They head back in and Dragon hits a release German suplex for two but the top rope rana is countered again. Juvy knocks him to the mat but dives into a dropkick fro Dragon, only to come back with a quick DDT. The Juvy Driver sets up the 450 for the pin and a new champion.
Lex Luger vs. Scott Norton
Bagwell gets Racked too as Savage comes in, only to be chased off by Luger as well.
US Title: Diamond Dallas Page vs. Kevin Nash
A clothesline in the corner has Page down again and the side slam gets two. Nash pounds on him in the corner and sends Page outside for more very slow pounding. Page is sent into the steps as Hogan tells him to give up. Back in and Nash hits Snake Eyes and an elbow drop for two. Page fights out of another Snake Eyes attempt and loads up the Diamond Cutter but Hogan hits him in the ribs for the DQ.
Rating: D+. We were clearly just killing time until the DQ here which is the case in almost all WCW main events anymore. Hogan being out there was kind of surprising as it could have been any WCW goon for the same ending. Also any bets on there being no mention of a fine to Hogan for doing the same thing Luger did earlier?
Post match Giant comes out to break up a Jackknife and brawls with Nash to end the show.
