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WCW Monday Nitro - March 1, 1999
by Wrestling Recap's Bob Colling
From: Chapel Hill, NC
Nitro opens up with a three bell salute to the recently deceased Rick Wilson (aka the Renegade).
David Flair and Torrie Wilson (still a mystery woman) are listening to voicemails left by Ric Flair and laughing while listening to the messages. David hopes that his father retires because “it is about time.”
Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay and Larry Zbyszko welcome everyone to the broadcast. They discuss the big announcement that Ric Flair will be giving tonight.
WCW Television Champion Scott Steiner and Buff Bagwell make their way out to the ring for an interview segment. Steiner rips on the fans calling them all rednecks and scumbags. Steiner makes it clear that they will not be seeing Diamond Dallas Page tonight. Steiner is going to be the fans role model. However, all he sees is “genetic junk.” Steiner doesn’t believe anyone can grow up and be like him. Bagwell chimes in and says that they are Duke fans. Bagwell is not happy about Rick Steiner ruining their night last week on Nitro. So, Bagwell issues a challenge to Goldberg and Rick Steiner for a tag match later on tonight. Steiner is going to prove that Goldberg is just hype.
Nitro opening video
Kevin Nash, Lex Luger, Disco Inferno and Miss Elizabeth make their way down to the ring. Luger talks about suffering a serious injury that will be keeping him out of action for several months. Nash and Luger forgive Rey Mistero Jr. for all of his past wrong doings. Nash wants Rey to come out and accept an invitation into the New World Order. Nash calls Rey up on his cell phone and is told that Rey isn’t interested in joining. Nash and his crew just head to the backstage area after that.
A video highlighting a series of matches between Bret Hart and Booker T is shown.
Opening Contest: WCW Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman defeated Psychosis to retain the title
Psychosis controls Kidman with a wrist lock to kick off the contest but is snap marred by Kidman. Kidman takes Psychosis down with a hurricanrana but isn’t able to follow up as Psychosis backs up into a corner. Psychosis gets out of a tilt a whirl back breaker attempt with a clothesline. Head scissors takedown out of the corner by Psychosis to keep the upper hand. Psychosis clotheslines Kidman to the floor and nails Kidman with a baseball slide. Kidman is able to plant Psychosis with a DDT on the floor! Kidman backdrops Psychosis over the top rope in the corner to the floor. Kidman leaps off the top and over the ring post to take Psychosis out with a cross body! Kidman gets crotched on the top rope back in the ring. Psychosis plants Kidman with an elevated DDT for a near fall. Back elbow strike by Psychosis as Nitro goes to commercial. Kidman blocks a power bomb attempt but is dropped onto the middle rope. Psychosis connects with a top rope leg drop across Kidman back! Kidman is sent back first into the guard railing but backdrops Psychosis into the crowd. Kidman clotheslines Psychosis back to the ringside area. Kidman springboards off the guard railing and connects with a head scissors on the floor! Front vertical suplex by Psychosis back in the ring. Psychosis heads to the top rope but is cut off by Kidman. Kidman slips on the middle rope and proceeds to press slam Psychosis off the top rope. Sit out spine buster by Kidman but isn’t able to get a three count. Tilt a whirl back breaker by Psychosis but doesn’t go for the pin attempt. Psychosis connects with a top rope hurricanrana! Psychosis goes for the cover but Kidman is able to barely kick out! Kidman bulldogs Psychosis out of the corner and heads to the top rope but is caught in midair by Psychosis who power slams Kidman for a two count! Kidman blocks another power bomb with a face buster. Kidman heads to the top and hits the Shooting Star Press to win the bout! ***1/4
Footage of Hennig and Windham getting attacked by Benoit and Malenko after their Superbrawl match last week is shown.
Backstage, Arn Anderson meets up with David Flair and says he promised Ric that he wouldn’t hurt David. Arn asks if David is going to throw away his family because of Torrie (or her). Arn reminds David talking about wanting to be a pro wrestler and being like his father. Arn tells David that the New World Order will get rid of him when they don’t need him anymore. David tells Arn that WCW and the Four Horsemen are old and want Arn to get over it.
Backstage, Hulk Hogan is talking to Vincent. Hogan wants Vincent to smack Stevie Ray if Ray gets out of line tonight.
Second Contest: Rey Mistero Jr. defeated Bam-Bam Bigelow
Rey uses his speed to side step Bigelow at first but is eventually backed into a corner and tossed across the ring by Bigelow. Bigelow misses a splash in the corner and Rey delivers a few right hands followed by a spinning heel kick. Bigelow catches Rey coming off the top rope and slams Rey down to the mat. Bigelow gorilla press slams Rey over the top rope onto three security guys on the aisle way! Bigelow begins to work on Rey again in the corner as Rey rolls back into the ring. Bigelow drives Rey down to the mat with a delayed vertical suplex. Rey is lifted into the air but dropkicks Bigelow, who only staggers. Bigelow withstands a dropkick to the knee and big boots Rey as he comes off the ropes. Bigelow goes for the cover but Rey is able to kick out at two. Bigelow nails Rey with a standing spin kick and taunts Rey for a few moments. Bigelow drives Rey down with a dominator and delivers a diving head butt for a two count as Bigelow pulls Rey up at two. Bigelow scoop slams Rey and heads to the top rope. Bigelow misses a flying head butt and Rey leaps off the top connecting with a missile dropkick. Rey leaps off the middle rope to connect with a face buster for a two count. Bigelow quickly clotheslines Rey as the second hour of Nitro starts (full pyro during the match). Bigelow elbow smashes Rey and mocks a limp Rey. Bigelow signals for the end by sending Rey into the corner. Rey ends up low blowing Bigelow with his head and takes Bigelow down with a victory roll to earn another big upset! *1/4
Backstage, Mean Gene interviews Rey Mistero Jr. Gene assumes that the mask coming off was a good thing. Lex Luger comes over and reminds Rey that he forgave Rey for injuring him. Nash ends up coming up from behind and clotheslines Rey! Gene is shocked at what has happened.
Backstage, Raven and Bigelow are now brawling wildly in the catering area. Hak comes over and whacks both men with a kendo stick! Hak knocks down the camera man with a kendo stick shot!
Outside, WCW President Ric Flair has arrived to the building.
Backstage, Stevie Ray is talking to the Wolfpac about how Vincent has been a pain in the ass. They want Ray to take out Vincent.
Before the next match, Jerry Flynn cuts a promo saying that he is sick and tired of Ernest Miller putting himself over as a great karate fighter. Scott Norton tells Miller backstage that Flynn is ripping on him. Miller heads to the ring.
Third Contest: Ernest Miller defeated Jerry Flynn
Well, this will get a short summary. They knock each other out at the same time with a standing sidekick. Sonny Ono enters the ring and kicks Flynn in the chest behind the referees back to give Miller the win. NR
After the match, Flynn chases Ono briefly.
A video promoting the feud between DDP and Scott Steiner is aired.
Fourth Contest: Hugh Morrus defeated Perry Saturn
They brawl on the aisle way before the bell with Saturn getting the upper hand. Jimmy Hart holds Saturn on the apron to allow Morrus to get the advantage with several right hands and a clothesline. Saturn goes for the death valley driver but Morrus gets out of it and chokes Saturn in the corner. Hart chokes Saturn as the referee is distracted. Morrus runs into a big boot in the corner, twice. Saturn hip tosses Morrus and nails Morrus with a super kick. Saturn connects with a modified fame asser and rolls to the floor. Saturn avoids a chair shot from Hart but is met with a clothesline from Morrus. Morrus sends Saturn into the guard railing and scoop slams Saturn on the floor. Morrus leaps off the apron connecting with an elbow drop on the floor. Morrus gorilla press slams Saturn back in the ring for a two count. Saturn comes off the ropes but is met with a knee lift from Morrus. Saturn rolls Morrus up for a two count but is clothslined by Morrus who gets a two count of his own. Saturn elbows out of a headlock but is power slammed as he comes off the ropes. Morrus leaps off the top but Saturn takes Morrus over with an exploder suplex for a two count. Saturn follows up with a t-bone suplex! Saturn puts his dress over Morrus’s head and begins to deliver several right hands. Morrus plants Saturn with a running power bomb out of the corner. Morrus gets cut off on the middle rope by Saturn who soon connects with a top rope hurricanrana! Chris Jericho runs down to the ring and nails Saturn with a chain as the referee was distracted. Morrus heads to the top rope and hits the No Laughing Matter! Morrus covers and picks up the win. *
Fifth Contest: Chris Benoit defeated Bret Hart by disqualification
Hart backs Benoit into a corner but breaks free as the referee pulls Hart off. Hart knee lifts Benoit and follows up with an atomic drop. Hart comes off the ropes with a running clothesline. Benoit battles back with chops and drops Hart with a right hand. Hart runs into a back elbow from Benoit and bails to the floor. Test of strength sees Hart get the upper hand but Benoit kicks Hart in the gut and chokes Hart with his own arms! Benoit nails Hart with a short arm clothesline for a two count. Benoit delivers a back breaker for a two count. Benoit works on Hart until Hart pokes Benoit in the eyes. Hart head butts Benoit in the lower midsection. Hart plants Benoit with a DDT but only gets a near fall on the cover attempt. Hart grabs Benoit by the hair to slam Benoit down to the mat. Hart head butts Benoit to keep the advantage. Hart spikes Benoit with a pile driver for a two count. Benoit counters a vertical suplex with a inside cradle but only gets a near fall. Hart connects with a back suplex for a two count. Benoit fights back with a high angle back suplex! Hart stops Benoit on the top rope but Benoit punches Hart back down to the mat. Hart avoids a missile dropkick and goes for the Sharpshooter but Benoit counters with the Crippler Cross face! Benoit has it locked in but Hart reaches the bottom rope as Nitro goes to commercial! Hart has a figure four leg lock on Benoit, but Benoit manages to reach the bottom rope. Hart continues his offense with a snap suplex and leaps off the middle rope connecting with a forearm drop for a two count. Hart connects with a side Russian leg sweep but only gets a two count on the cover. Hart works on Benoit in the corner with several uppercuts. Hart gets a two count following a backbreaker. Benoit battles back with several right forearm shots and boots to the gut. Benoit knee lifts Hart in the midsection twice for a two count. Benoit botches an attempt to drop Hart gut first across the top rope but still gets a two count. Benoit begins to chop away on Hart several times. Benoit takes Hart over with a snap suplex and heads to the top rope. Benoit leaps off and connects with the diving head butt! Benoit slowly goes for the cover but only gets a near fall. Benoit continues to kick Hart in the corner but ends up running into a big boot from Hart. Hart storms out of the corner with a running clothesline. Hart misses a clothesline and both men collide in the middle of the ring. They fall over the top rope to the floor as Hart tried to get out of a sleeper hold. Hart seemed to land horribly on his head. Hart kicks Benoit into the guard railing. Curt Hennig and Barry Windham come down to attack Benoit as the referee is distracted by Hart. Hart locks in the Sharpshooter but Benoit has gotten his hand on the bottom rope. Hart refuses to let go of the hold and the referee disqualifies Hart. **3/4
After the match, Dean Malenko runs down and attacks Hart and Hennig. Windham comes up from behind and chokes Malenko with his belt. Malenko is double teamed by the tag champions.
WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Disco Inferno, Stevie Ray, Horace Hogan and Vincent make their way down to the ring. Hogan says that everyone knows who the man is now. Hogan believes that the Four Horsemen are done. Hogan talks about David Flair being the newest member of the Wolfpac and that David made the right decision joining them. Hogan isn’t going to beat up Ric Flair anymore and proclaims that he is the man! Hogan wants Ric Flair to announce his retirement tonight. Vincent and Stevie Ray are now fighting until they are pulled apart by Nash and Inferno. Hogan wants Flair to announce his retirement to close out the segment.
Mean Gene is standing in the ring and introduces the WCW President Ric Flair for a interview. Gene asks how Flair is holding up amongst all the pressure regarding David. Flair has had to listen to his friend Arn Anderson tell him that he wants to beat up David. Flair lists the people that are in the Wolfpac and knows that they got David Flair. Flair tells a story about meeting a blonde woman twenty years ago and having his life changed. Flair notes that the same blonde is in Charlotte waiting for daddy to come home. Flair says that the girl David is with knows who the real Nature Boy is! Flair wants to get down to business. Flair’s issue is with Hulk Hogan and not Eric Bischoff. Flair is having a cage built for Uncensored. Flair says the cage will not have a door and has barbed wire covering the top of the cage! Flair makes it clear that the man who walks out of the cage will be the WCW World Heavyweight Champion! Flair isn’t challenging Hogan, but rather telling Hogan that it is going to happen!
Main Event: Goldberg/Rick Steiner defeated WCW Television Champion Scott Steiner/Buff Bagwell
Rick nails Bagwell with a clothesline to kick off the contest. Bagwell fires back with several right hands and a dropkick. Bagwell mounts Rick delivering a few punches before connecting with a snap suplex. Rick no sells and connects with a power slam as Bagwell attempted a leapfrog. Goldberg tags in but Bagwell cowards to his corner and tags out to Scott. Goldberg knee lifts Scott up against the ropes a few times and shoulder blocks Scott. Scott quickly battles back with a t-bone suplex! Scott hammers away on Goldberg in the corner. Goldberg gets up and press slams Scott for a near fall! Rick clotheslines Bagwell from the apron and tags into the contest. Scott is able to take Rick over with a overhead belly to belly suplex before tagging out to Bagwell. Bagwell continues to work on Rick as Scott takes the top turnbuckle off. Scott tags back in and sends Rick back first into the exposed turnbuckle, twice. Scott clotheslines Rick and drops an elbow for a two count. Bagwell enters and trades right hands with Rick until Bagwell gets a one count with a rollup. Rick is tossed to the floor where Scott tosses Rick back first into the guard railing. Bagwell covers Rick but only gets a two count. Scott chokes Rick across the top rope until Scott sends Rick to the floor. Bagwell nails Rick with the WCW TV Championship before rolling Rick back into the ring. Rick trades right hands with Scott until Scott low blows Rick right in front of the referee. Bagwell returns to the contest to clothesline Rick. Scott delivers a backbreaker for a two count. Scott tries to get the submission with a leg lock. Bagwell scoop slams Rick and attempts a big splash but Rick gets his knees up! Rick tags in Goldberg who cleans house with right hands and spin kicks. Goldberg shoulder blocks Bagwell and big boots Scott! Rick brawls with Scott on the floor while Goldberg focuses on Bagwell. Bagwell is able to get the upper hand and double teams Goldberg with Scott. Rick enters and clotheslines both Bagwell and Scott. Bagwell is sent back first into the exposed turnbuckle! Bagwell staggers out and is speared by Goldberg! Scott prevents the jackhammer from happening. Rick leaps off the top rope but they botch the bulldog as Bagwell turned around when he wasn’t supposed to. Rick covers Bagwell and picks up the win. **
End of show
My Take: The opening promo with Scott and Bagwell was a simple and yet effective way to hype up the main event. I like that these guys have had a brief two or three week feud.
Didn’t understand why Kevin Nash and company had to have their segment out in front of the crowd. It seemed like they could have just done that in a backstage skit.
Kidman/Psychosis was a good bout despite a few sloppy spots. They really got the crowd pumped up for the finish and really for the rest of the show. Guys like Kidman need to be on just about every Nitro. He is quite the crowd pleaser.
Considering Rey is really getting a push and is feuding with Nash, it’s not surprising that he went over Bigelow. It was a decent little contest as the fans are starting to get behind Rey. Hopefully they keep the angle going as Rey could be a asset for WCW if built up long enough.
Morrus/Saturn was a very boring contest. It only got slightly entertaining near the end of the bout as the fans were pretty much silent throughout the contest. Saturn is getting a louder reaction each time out. It’s sad to know that the young guys are getting over but will not be pushed because Hogan and company refuse to give up their spots. Two big wins for Morrus in a row may mean a push. But, then again I thought the same thing for Flynn and he jobbed out to Miller on the show.
Benoit/Hart was a solid contest, as expected. I don’t understand why Hart couldn’t have gone over. Hart may not have an angle leading into the Uncensored pay per view but Benoit is just stuck in the tag team ranks. It’s shocking how horribly Bret Hart has been used so far in 1999.
Flair vs. Hogan in a cage again but this time with barbed wire surrounding the top of the cage could be interesting.
Main event dragged quite a bit in the middle but it was a fine way to close out the show. Not surprised to see Bagwell eat the pin for the contest. Goldberg is another guy who doesn’t have any angles set up moving forward, which is quite shocking since he is the number one face in the company. It seems like WCW is just forgetting about the whole January 4th bullshit.
Overall, I thought the show was pretty decent. Two good matches and a decent main event make the wrestling for the show acceptable. There weren’t any real low points aside from the Miller/Flynn segment, really. Perhaps too much stuff centered around the Wolfpac but that happens every week. I’m actually going to give this week’s show a thumbs up!
Thanks for reading.
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