[2001-02-12-WCW-Nitro] Rick Steiner vs Dustin Rhodes

[GSR]

Lots of added stipulations on the line here; if Dustin wins not only is he reinstated, he will also get a U.S. title match at Superbrawl, plus Kevin Nash will get a World title shot later on tonight.  We get a recap of Steiner’s turn on Nash from last week.  These two are wasting no time, Dustin ducking the clothesline and putting Steiner down with a lariat of his own.  The U.S. champ is hiding behind referee Billy Silverman, he then shoves him towards Rhodes and as Dustin moves the ref out the way, Steiner kicks him (Rhodes) between the legs.  Only a two following the Steinerline and Steiner is in Silverman’s face, audibly threatening to “knock the shit” out of him.  So he’s copying his brother’s shtick.  Out on the floor Dustin reverses the whip into the guardrail and then sends ‘the DFG’ into the ring steps.  The commentators have taken to calling him ‘the DFG’, at least for the time being anyway.  As they return to the ring Steiner fires back.  Rear chinlock.  Belly to belly suplex.  When that also only gets him a two he’s back intimidating Silverman.  Dustin is bleeding hardway from the nose.  Another rear chinlock, Steiner placing his legs over the bottom rope for additional leverage.  The crowd are into this, getting behind Dustin.  Another Steinerline, another two count, and this time ‘the DFG’ throws Silverman out of the ring.  The match is continuing.  How is that not a disqualification?  Silverman returns and almost instantly gets bumped, Dustin running into him after leapfrogging over Steiner.  That was weak with the ref clearly moving into his line.  Rhodes with a bulldog and the visual pin, counting the three himself.  That doesn’t bode well, how often does the guy getting the visual pin go on to win the match?  Ric Flair’s insurance policy, Road Warrior Animal is out, but Dustin clubs him.  Belly to belly by Steiner.  Shane Douglas is now out and on the apron.  He wallops Steiner in the back of the head with his cast, Dustin with a DDT and it’s reinstatement time.  Rhodes leaves but sees Animal and Steiner double teaming Douglas on the tron so goes back to try and help him.  Steiner cuts him off before he can get in the ring though, they then place Douglas’ good arm between a chair and Rick jumps on it from the turnbuckles.

Steiner sucks, even more so when he has to carry things, but Dustin was good here fighting for his career and the crowd were into this more than I expected.  I don’t know if that was due to the added stipulations or what.  Decent enough watch, due to Dustin and the crowd, for a Steiner match any way.