[2000-10-29-WCW-Halloween Havoc] Booker T vs Scott Steiner

[soup23]

More of a character study on maniacal Scott Steiner than an effective match. They really should have pulled the trigger and had Scott win here and lead to a showdown with Goldberg in a few months. I am tired of giving Booker chances and come to the realization that in 2000, he just wasn’t that good and due to the onslaught of bad booking, fans were clamoring to anything they had for a change. Booker was the right guy in the right place. Scott is a loon in this match barking at fans constantly as well as Stevie Ray. The match doesn’t have much of a pace and ends in a lame DQ when Scott goes nuts when things don’t go his way. Overall, intriguing to watch as Scott does feel like the biggest star in the company besides Goldberg but this was a disjointed match on its own merit. *1/2

 

[GSR]

Michael Buffer on ring announcing duties to give this the ‘big match’ feel.  Mr Belding is in the front row and Booker leaves him hanging as he makes his way into the ring.  Steiner hasn’t even made it through the curtain and is already chewing out producer Ricky Santana over the fact that they’re not the main event tonight.  ‘Big Poppa Pump’ with a back elbow to the jaw to escape the hammerlock.  Booker responds with a back elbow of his own followed by a flying forearm as Steiner rolls to the floor for a breather.  A knee to the mid-section stops Booker in his tracks and Steiner slugs him before punting his downed opponent in the ribs.  He gets the better of a shoulder tackle, however is felled by a spinning heel kick.  The Irish whip is reversed and Midajah completely misses grabbing Booker’s ankle as he hits the ropes, though he sells it like she did (you’d think she would be paying closer attention after what happened in the Steiner/Awesome match from Nitro).  With his back turned, Steiner then clotheslines him over the top rope to the outside.  He whips Booker into the guard rail, cracks him over the back with a chair before tipping him over the railing.  Steiner slams Booker through the commentary desk while at the same time bad mouthing Stevie Ray, threatening to “bitch slap” him too.  Booker ducks the clothesline and hits a neckbreaker, although the axe kick is cut off with another ‘Steinerline’.  Samoan drop off the middle but Steiner would rather flex and do push ups than go for the pin.  Belly to belly for a near fall.  ‘Big Poppa Pump’ runs into a big boot and Booker then leap frogs out the way of the charge as Steiner sails through the ropes to the floor.  Booker heads up top but Midajah pulls his leg causing him to crotch himself.  Steiner climbs up with him for the superplex, however Booker blocks that with a head butt.  Missile dropkick that Steiner barely kicks out from.  Axe kick connects, but before the Harlem side kick does, Steiner waffles Booker with a lead pipe that Midajah had passed him.  Steiner attacks Charles Robinson, tying him in the ‘tree of woe’, yet clearly didn’t think things through as there is no-one to call for the submission when he puts Booker in ‘the recliner’.  Scott Armstrong runs out to take Robinson’s place and Steiner attacks him too.  A third official, in the shape of Slick Johnson, comes out and calls for the bell, disqualifying ‘Big Poppa Pump’.  Johnson ends up getting clubbed with that pipe which Steiner then swings at security.  Jeff Jarrett tries to calm the situation and play peacemaker but Steiner is not in the mood for listening, shoving him as he’s completely lost the plot.

 A fairly uninspiring match that felt pretty repetitive.  Just as business was starting to pick up we get the DQ finish and although Steiner is portrayed as this crazy ass, uncontrollable dude who will do what he likes and when he likes, you have to question the logic of attacking the match referee moments before you put your submission finisher on your opponent!