soup23

Good garbage brawl. Bad Crew know what they care capable of and don’t try to overextend with complicated set up and highspots of the violence. I did think the Crew took too much of this match but a lot of the shots and grinding of the chain worked well for me in displaying the hatred. The crowd brawl parading around the bar and mini arcade added to the match. In the finale of the match, the Backseat Boys hit the ring and take out Bad Crew. “Someone get these two faggots out of the ring.” Settle down RC. Acid has a sweet Riberia red jacket on and they allow Da Hit Squad to do a combo powerbomb through the table for the win. *** (6.1)

We cut to Shocker taking a wild bump off of a Charles throw. Then, we get Tarzan Boy and Shocker interaction with Shocker covering TB ears when he hears the boos from the crowd. Dr. Wagner Jr. shoves TB forcefully and gets admonished by Scorpio and Shocker. Shocker and Scorpio end up teaming up on TB and pinning him. Shocker hits a big dive on Emilio and pins him as well. After the break, Santo and Wagner are squaring off with the heat really pumping up through Arena Mexico. They unsurprisingly have a cool sequence with Wagner winning after the Blue Thunder Driver. TB is jawing with the crowd as he heads to the back. Scorpio and Shocker are inviting him to join them along with Emilio. They go back in the ring and Santo and Wagner are bickering so no one is really on the same page here. No idea how much was clipped so I wont rank but this was used as a vehicle device for the next chapter in the TB vs Guapos story. NR

We get the explanation from HHH and it isn’t much. Jealousy and pure hatred can only go so far and as much as he tries to run down the crowd and say he hated getting the cheers, it feels really hollow. Sadly, WWF has taken another step back this week and even though the turn wasn’t foreseen by a lot of the Houston crowd, this follow up sucks. Nonetheless, Foley sets up two more big matches at Survivor Series in Rock vs Rikishi and Austin vs HHH. Rock delivers a promo before the match that was pretty funny and held up well. Match is nothing as the faces are whipping ass until the Radicalz come down and HHH and Rikishi bail. This does make the Radicalz look like cronies which is another mark against the way the company is trending right now. NR

Yeah, this Jericho vs Kane feud is pretty awful. They show a long package to start showing how absurd the whole thing is since it evolved from coffee. Jericho then comes out and does his cringest promo of the year where he puts the Kane mask on famous celebrities and politicans. Way too cute and I didn’t even crank a smile once. The match itself is a good tv match that could have developed into a really good tv or PPV match if given more time. The pairings are all fresh and each of the four guys could have conceivably won to set up the title match. They have kind of hamfisted the big Survivor Series matches into this SD and it is shocking we are 10 days away and didn’t know the title match. Kane is obsessed with Jericho and gets the better of him here as he softens Jericho up allowing Taker to win. I am a bit surprised that Jericho was the won to take the fall. Taker gets into it with Kane afterwards to ensure we are not thinking the brothers are working together. Later in the show, we get a back and forth promo between Taker and Kurt and it is standard but good. **3/4

E&C are pissed that Foley didn’t give them the title shot vs. RTC. Instead, they are up against the Hardy Boyz. Good match for four minutes and I like how personal the feud has evolved as they brawl on the entrance way. The match has a quick FIP sequence for Jeff where he does a good job selling underneath and then makes the tag to Matt. Lita gets involved and the Hardy’s are able to pick up the win to a huge pop. **

I am glad I watched the other lucha match first as this one was about as mediocre a match as I can recall in 2000. Nothing horrible but also nothing memorable at all besides some good Navarro matwork to begin and a nice dive by Segura in the finale. Rudos end up taking the win here which was a surprise that they won both matches shown tonight. **1/2

This was a good match to ease me back into the lucha side of things for 2000 after a bit of a break. The pairings in the beginning was well done with the worker highlights of 2000 showing off their skills and things intensifying in a natural way leading to an eleven minute fall with a cool finish by the tecnicos. Second fall was nice in that the rudos didn’t panic and took their time to regain their control even with a bit of in fighting. Third fall culminated all of these things and even threw in a little bit of Tarzan Boy being an asshole by scoring a fall off of a foul. Silver King is able to obtain the win for the rudos. Very good match. ***1/2 (7)

A retread of the Nitro match but this time with Luger actually involved. I love Lex but he is shot here and delivering his clubbing axe handles feels extremely painful for him. Goldberg does have that aura still and is getting as good a reaction as anyone as they rehab his streak leading to what should have been an inevitable showdown with Steiner. The commentary is also so much better on Thunder than Nitro at this point and Stevie has become quite a bit of a guilty pleasure. Bam Bam gets sacrificed and pinned as Lex retrieves getting heat for the upcoming Mayhem match. *1/4

Real good tv match and maybe one of the better ones on WCW programming this entire year. Awesome is better than in ECW in ring as he was very one note in ECW as just throwing guys around recklessly. Here, he varies his attack and looks vulnerable when need be which helps Booker. I thought he was easily the better worker here with small touches like getting in Booker’s face when he enters the ring to put over the gravity of the title in a face vs face match. Booker for his part was mostly fine although a few of the more athletic spots like the roll through pin attempt looked sloppy. Stevie is the ultimate cheerleader on commentary. I could have done without the table getting involved but it was used well and once that was out of the way, Booker had the match in hand and picked up a hard fought victory getting the crowd more and more behind him as the match went on. ***1/4 (6.4)

Maybe I am softening my stance on these hardcore matches as I thought this match was perfectly acceptable and sort of felt like comfort food viewing. I do think the WCW Hardcore presentation is better than WWF around this time. This utilized the plunder well and Crowbar acting like it was a big deal to win the Hardcore title really added to the stakes. Could have done without the Vito interference but it does advance the feud between Vito and Reno. **1/2

First fall is legit 30 seconds of Casas running through flash offense and getting the pin. Second fall seems to clip right into UG on offense with a suplex and lariat to even it up. Third fall gives us more but this is really just a vehicle for the Satanico/UG feud vs Casas. Finish plays off this as Casas climbs the top rope only to get tripped by Satanico. UG puts him in the muscle buster position but as a submission for a victory. Satanico’s facials are amazing walking away all cocky like “yeah I did that”. More angle advancement than anything else. *

Some more quick clips with Stone/Cross ending up with the victory and some sort of tag titles. Stone seemed to have an injury that required the doctor to come out but they were still able to win on a sloppy looking dive. NR

We only get a few minutes here but like usual it makes you long for a ton more footage of Virus. They pack a ton of action into the short sequences with guys doing intricate pins and reversals and Volador wiping out widely on some dives to the floor. Fugaz/Virus pick up the win with that roll through reversal that Virus does that looks beautiful. NR

Hilarious opening with Stalker and Mochi starting out, CM revving Stalker up and then he gets kicked and pinned in five seconds. One of the funniest spots of 2000 right up there with the best Porky stuff. Theme of match after that had a big focal point on TARU and he probably looked the best he has the entire year fighting from underneath with M2K just swarming on his shoulder. The action was frantic and very enjoyable. Once TARU is able to tag we go to the final stretch which is really exciting. I thought Kanda was a complete dick and Masaaki was excellent like usual. CIMA is able to come in and pick up the win to a big pop for Crazy Max. Helluva fun match. ***1/2 (7)

SUWA and Fuji are the most prickly CM pair and they brutalize the eternally sympathetic Genki and Dragon Kid throughout most of this match. Dragon Kid and Genki on their comeback was mostly good but DK did have some botchy miscues on his cutters. I know it probably has a Toryumon name but Genki kept locking on the Chikara Special for near submissions on SUWA. Fuji catching DK in the chokeslam and sending him up in the air followed by their combo finisher was a good near fall requiring a Genki save. Backslide from heaven is attempted but reversed into a SUWA pedigree for the pin. We got 8 out of 15 minutes so I feel like we saw enough to properly rank this as a fun match. *** (6.2)

Vince is back and starts the show off with a promo. Vince gives a promo about the vote tomorrow. While knowing Vince’s political leanings do give way to some jargon that points a certain way, overall this was a nice effort to create awareness and non-partisan for WWF standards. Austin comes out right as the promo ends and him and Vince still have dynamic chemistry when in the ring with each other. Austin is now obsessed with the mastermind of who run him over. This makes Rikishi feel like a bumbling idiot. Angle and Steph comes out and Angle tells him to hold it right there BUCKKO! Kurt is now in his element and fits right in with these titans of the industry. Angle says it could have been George W Bush that ran over Austin after a few cold ones. Steph steps in and talks down to Austin. Angle attacks from behind but gets a quick Stunner for his troubles. Vince and Steph retreat as fast as they can. Backstage, Vince says something momentous is going to happen tonight and him and Steph leave with Kurt’s blessing. Angle is back looking for The Rock and he goes right into his dressing room and attacks him with the belt. That is a good bit of intrigue as to whether Rock can make it to the match. Later in the show, Rock is looking for Angle but runs into Austin. They chat about the match coming up and display some tension against each other. The long term destination towards Mania with them here is pretty awesome. Rock is headed to the ring for the match and gets sideswiped and taken out by a metal cart. Austin decides to go at it alone. The match isn’t much at all and really a vehicle for the angle. Rikishi gets a sledgehammer and Lawler loses his shit on commentary. HHH runs out to “help” Austin and I will say his turn wasn’t as premeditated as you would think. He gets a pretty big chorus of boos and shocked reaction when he hits Austin with the sledgehammer and black glove. Austin is bloodied and left laying to end the show. Well, here we go where the all time year for WWF hits a thud. I didn’t think this turn flopped near as bad as something like Flair vs Sting at Clash 10 but it also doesn’t really feel like the right move. I still don’t know who would have been the best choice for someone to be run over by Austin but Rikishi is done as the main heel already and HHH turning this quickly does feel like we are back where we started at the beginning of the year and all of his mobility was for naught. ½*

The kazoo has arrived and they add lyrics to Benoit’s song. Foley interrupts and gives them the rundown for tonight as they have a tables match vs The Dudley Boyz. We get a quick insert to Steven “celebrating” with RTC before the match starts. Quick match with E&C having a bit of success before mocking the Dudley’s and the tide changing. The Hardy Boyz and Lita interfere and that is fine since it is a Tables Match. Lita gives a great rana to Christian and then he gets 3D’d through the table. After the match, Jeff gives the swantom to Edge through a table on the outside. *

Because RTC didn’t interfere in the Val vs Taker match, this match occurs. Hot opening with LIta spearing Ivory and both women getting kicked out of ringside. Match settles down with the heat segment and Lawler flat out proclaims he is not voting for Gore and Leiberman tomorrow. RTC doing a heat segment leaves a lot to be desired. Finish comes when E&C come out to run interference and the ref gets bumped. This allows Steven Richards to pelt Jeff Hardy with the belt and we have new tag champs in what is a good bit of an upset IMO. *1/2

HHH and Foley are joking it up. That will change….. soon. Mick sets up a 4 vs 4 match provided HHH can find the right partners. Austin interrupts and we get a cool bit of foreshadowing where HHH nonchalantly says DTA to him as he walks away. HHH/Road Dogg come in to talk to Billy/Chyna and HHH gives a pretty convincing speech to reunite DX against the Radicalz. It feels like this could have been a quick match to build to a bigger one between these same teams at Survivor Series. Some good back and forth action here with all the main feuds being on display. HHH stays on the outside until the final stages which works well for the developments happening later. JR really tries to be pushing the Billy G name for Gunn. HHH gives Malenko a pedigree and wins. Angle runs in after the bell and puts the boots to HHH. *3/4

Rare matchup and pretty damn fun. Val got in way more offense than I would have expected and mixed up punches with Taker. Val also took Taker down and got some openings off of a chokeslam and charge into the corner. This and the Austin match from October 1999 show glimpses that Val at points can be put in the ring with the biggest names and not look lost at all but hes too inconsistent to sustain any momentum. Predictably, Val gets caught in the Last Ride and takes an awesome bump giving Taker the win in five minutes. **

An obnoxious Nash promo with him taking shots at Goldberg’s book, something is dropped that gets picked up on mic and he yells “pick that up” and then he brow beats Stasiak. I really hate too cool for school Nash here just staying pat on the sinking ship trying to act like king shit. DDP is back and he is jacked. He gives a pretty fun promo with a huge reaction. The Battle Dome Warriors are at ringside and jawing with DDP. I had forgotten all about this. DDP brings out Buff Bagwell, Ernest Miller and Rick Steiner as backup. Woof, not exactly some great partners DDP. Buff calls them Battledome queers and they battle as Madden yells to make these guys famous. What shit this is. Buff calls them queers again as security separates everyone. Flair comes out with a new haircut and a microphone. Flair doesn’t have much to say except to diss on Scott Steiner. Steiner comes out with threats and here comes Booker T. Booker gets one of his better reactions of the year clearing the ring of Steiner. Flair is essentially Booker’s hype man for the Mayhem match and its entertaining. Back from break, Steiner is in the ring again and he again shits on Flair. Match finally starts with Steiner on commentary. A huge We Want Pump chant is broken out. Steiner is really the most fascinating thing in WCW right now and it’s not close. The match isn’t anything special with some chair shots on the outside and then Nash back on offense 30 seconds later. Steiner asks Hudson if he is high on commentary. Side Kick hits the ref and we get Stasiak running in with some brass knuckles. Nash puts Booker in position for the powerbomb and Stasiak wallops him too. Nash collapses with Booker on top and we get a cheap win. Crotch chop by Stasiak ends the show. ½*

A new streak has started up for Goldberg. Good promo by Goldberg before an attack by Luger setting up their Mayhem match. Goldberg is gimpy on his leg and the match is super quick but entertaining while it lasts. Goldberg in particular gives an amazing punch to start the comeback. After a bit of back and forth, Goldberg delivers a great spear and jackhammer for the win as Luger looks on from the stage. Fun competitive squash. *

Madden says that Flair would probably allow Steiner to kill a fan or two and Tony sounds legit pissed saying that was out of line. Sting is ready to go after Jarrett but Steiner is there to cut him off. This was a pretty good match too and WCW besides the Buff “queer” nonsense and Nash sucking has had a pretty damn good episode of Nitro tonight. Finish has some good use of the guitar for once although it not calling a DQ with all the debris even has Tony wondering how the DQ isn’t called. Steiner Recliner and submission gives the heels the win. They hypothesize that Steiner wouldn’t have won without the guitar shot. *1/2

Leia Meow is oogled by the commentary team. Like usual, these guys along with Rey, Juvy and Kidman have provided the best in ring action of the year in WCW so this is good for the four minutes it lasts. Jung Dragons and 3 Count join forces to try to defeat Jindrak and O’Haire before they start attacking each other. Jindrak gives Yang a nasty DDT on the outside and they launch him back in the ring. That spot also looks great. Evan Karagias runs in for a quick break up of the pin. Why that wasn’t a DQ is confusing but the Seanton bomb wins the match for the champs seconds later. Jung Dragons and 3 Count beat down on Karagias until Jaime Noble comes in to help. *1/4

A wonderful six man that really displayed the quality of Osaka Pro overall to the Tokyo crowd and how they can be a spiritual successor to the M-Pro multi mans of the last half of the 90’s. The heels worked over Hoshikawa and showed versatility in their attack while the faces were mostly used for shine in Yakushiji and Tsubasa case and stiffness from Hoshikawa. The final six or seven minutes are at a breakneck pace and featuring tons of pair offs and great action with again maintaining a clear face/heel divide with mist and other underhanded tactics being used. Togo was awesome on the heel side as to be expected with his exchanges vs Hoshikawa and the fat ass senton. He also is great with his timing on the spots leading to the crowd really biting on all of his involved nearfalls. Some errant mist gets into Buffalo’s eyes and Hoshikawa wins the match for the faces with a German. The German is a popular finish in Osaka Pro on this night. **** (8)