WCW Monday Nitro - December 28, 1998

By Aldo

Yikes!

Hello. Hope everyone out there had an enjoyable Christmas. Anyway, this would be the post-Starrcade edition of Monday Nitro, which guarantees that this will go down as the biggest Nitro in the history of our sport!
- Ahem. Anyway, I had the "work" thing going on, so I was unable to see it.
Speaking of which, Xavier Doom has an excellent report in which you can access by clicking on the link. Unlike some websites, we don't require you click on some sponsor that you don't give a damn about to access it, so check it out!
The mailbag:
- Dan Peck shares a tidbit about a couple of restaurants:
  Ahoy, Aldo. I have a follow up response to a letter about a resturaunt in Tampa called 'Crabby Bill's.'
  Two years ago, I lived in Tampa for about a year. WCW came once, for a Nitro during the state fair. Anyway, after that Nitro, the next day I went to Crabby Bill's, and saw the great Tito Santana (yes, TITO SANTANA) sitting in the booth behind mine. Suprisingly he speaks really good English. I asked him how to teach me the Flying Forearm and he laughed.
  Anyway, then I went to the Tampa resturaunt 'Bushwhacker's Down Under'. It was somebody's birthday, and Luke and Butch celebrate birthdays by coming out and nailing you with a famous Bushwacker head lick.
  
  Remind me NOT to go there when I have my birthday.
- Mike Hoffman offers us a history lesson in St. Louis wrestling:
  Since you are doing the next Nitro report, I figured I'd send you this St. Louis Nitro tidbit:
  During Ric Flair's tirade this past Monday, he displayed his knowledge of local wrestling legends (as he does at each WCW stop) by referring to Bruiser Brody and Dick the Bruiser. It was a great bit, but slightly incorrect. In St. Louis, Brody wrestled as King Kong Brody, the result of Dick the Bruiser beating the name out of him in the seventies. Also, while "Bruiser" Brody seemed to have the reputation of an uncaring, "bounty hunter" type, King Kong Brody was a huge babyface here.
- Drather gives us insight about everyone's favorite predictable stiff:
  Lex Luger's "3 Package" moves are:
  - Atomic Drop
  - Flying Forearm
  - Torture Rack
  P.S. I know because these are the moves he has on WCW Nitro for PC.
- Here's a cute story, courtesy of Man, call me D!!:
  I doubt you care to hear this but I thought it was worthy of sharing. One of my neices birthdays was the 26^th and we had a party for her this weekend. My neice just happens to be 4 this year and when asked how old she is she held up 4 fingers and said "this many". Seeing the 4 raised fingers made me think of Ric Flair so I taught her to say "whoooooooo!!!" whenever she told anyone how old she was. The highlight of my Christmas weekend was seeing my niece do a 4-Horseman impression whenever anyone asked her how old she was.
  Long Live Flair, whooooooo!!
- Finally, Collier speaks about Brady Boone:
  The wrestler that used to tag with Brady Boone, I believe, was Ken Patera. I could be mistaken, but on most wrestling related subjects I usually get it right. I have been a big wrestling mark for about 15 years or so. Brady Boone was either Billy Jack Haynes cousin or nephew. I am not quite sure which it was because they started an angle involving their relationship once. Someone attacked Brady and Ken Patera and Billy Jack came out and saved him. The angle was pretty much dropped after one revenge match. Brady Boone was actually a very good wrestler who used many of the high flying moves that are used today. I loved to watch him wrestle, he just always lost. Thought you might like to have this info.
We start the show with a clip of the nWo celebrating the biggest victory in the history of our sport, which tonight would be Bischoff's win over Flair at Starrcade.
- If this means anything, Bischoff said, "Hollywood would be proud."
- Hogan would have his name mentioned a couple more times during this broadcast.
Opening montage.
We are LIVE from the Baltimore Arena for three hours of Nitro!
We cut to Tony, Mike, and Larry.
- They talk about Bischoff's win last night.
- Larry takes his bows and yells, "I'm the one called Larry!"
  - If you haven't seen the cartoon Pinky and the Brain, you probably won't understand that joke. Email me if you don't understand what I meant, but would like to know.
- They mention the streak of Goldberg being over.
- Tony claims Starrcade was a historic night, yet neglects to call it the biggest pay-per-view in the history of our sport.
- Suddenly, we are subjected to clips of "Eric Bischoff's Greatest Hits."
- More blabbering by the three.
- I'm wondering what Bill is making of all of this right now.
Speak of the devil. I just received a telephone call from Bill himself, trying to use up those 600 free minutes per month on the cell phone. He just arrived in the arena and wanted to find out what he missed. Not a whole helluva lot.
We go to this week's Nitro party winner.
- The guys in this video remind me of my middle name -- Mark.
Match #1: The Cat (w/ Sonny Onoo) vs. Shiima Nobumunga (w/ Chris Jericho and Ralphus)
- We start the biggest opening bout in the history of our sport with... The Cat. Yuck.
- Ernie is basking in the "cheers."
- Ernie tells everyone to shut up and sit down.
- Blah blah I'm the greatest blah blah you look ugly.
- Ernie wants to whoop somebody in here tonight.
- Chris Jericho and Ralphus stand at the entryway and call out someone.
- Shiima Nobumunga comes out!
- Jericho says that Shiimaramadamadingdong can take The Cat out.
- Jericho promises to be in Shiima's corner tonight.
- Jericho yells at Shiima to "Go, go, GO!!" As Shiima pays attention to Jericho, he is hit from behind with a clothesline by Ernie.
- Ernie gets a mic and blabs after kicking Shiima in the corner.
- While Ernie is speaking, Shiima comes from behind and rolls him up for two!
- Ernie regains control momentarily.
- Shiima tries a crossbody but Ernie turns it into a powerslam.
  - If this were Davey Boy, the match would mercifully end.
- Ernie and Shiima trade slaps in the corner.
- Ernie whips Shiima into the corner and goes to the ropes.
- With Shiima rebounding from the corner, Ernie lands a roundhouse kick.
- Ernie goes to pin, but stands up, puts one foot on Shiima, and grabs a leg for the three-count.
- YOUR WINNER: The Cat via roundhouse kick in 1:15.
From Starrcade: Stills of Kevin Nash vs. Goldberg.
Promo for the "Big Lazy" T-Shirt.
Cut to the crowd: Some hick has a set of teeth worse than Ralphus. Buddy, get some dentures.
Clips from the December 14^th Nitro: Ric Flair's "heart attack."
Match #2: Norman Smiley vs. Chavo Guerrero, Jr. (w/ Pepe)
- YES!! Smiley!!
- A guy in a floral shirt is doing Smiley's "Smack My Bitch Up" Dance.
  - For sake of simplicity, the Smack My Bitch Up Dance will be coined the SMBU dance.
- Chavo!! This is gonna rule!!
- Damn, Smiley towers over Chavo.
- Twenty-five seconds into the match we get our first piece of action -- flexing by Chavo.
- Smiley flexes his biceps to some boos.
- C'mon guys, let's start the match and save the stalling to the experts -- Luger, Stevie Ray, etc.
- Smiley starts with the advantage.
- Smiley applies an armbar.
- Chavo flips out and applies one of his own.
- Smiley takes down Chavo with a shoulderblock and dances.
- Kick and a European uppercut by the Magic one.
- Chavo gets a dropkick and a takedown.
- Smiley is sent outside, giving Chavo time to celebrate with Pepe.
- Smiley gets back in with a forearm.
- Chavo lands a European uppercut and a nice takedown.
- Smiley hits a belly-to-back suplex and does the SMBU.
- Smiley whips Chavo into the corner and does his spinning bodyslam.
- Smiley strikes an archer pose, complete with pulling of a bow.
- European uppercut, chop near the ropes, chop on back. Chavo's down.
- Snapmare into a chinlock by Smiley, who locks his leg with Chavo's.
- Smiley then works on the ankle, pushing on Chavo's head.
- Smiley whips Chavo, whom uses a baseball slide to duck under Smiley.
- Chavo tries a sunset flip, but Smiley keeps balances and does the SMBU.
- Smiley lifts him up but Chavo dives into a sunset flip for two.
- Smiley back in control.
- Smiley does a vertical suplex for two.
- Smiley applies a leg scissors on Chavo's head.
- Smiley lands a knee to the jaw.
- Smiley dances some more.
- Smiley takes Pepe, puts it between his legs, and does the SMBU!
- Chavo hits a clothesline.
- Chavo whips Smiley into a backbody drop.
- Chavo lands chops to Smiley's chest and back.
- Nice springboard bulldog by Chavo, who mocks Smiley's SMBU.
- Chavo puts Pepe back on the post but gets hit.
- Smiley grabs Pepe and asks it, "Who's your daddy?!"
- Chavo lifts Smiley up and crotches him on the top rope.
- Chavo shakes the ropes to lessen Smiley's chance of achieving further fatherhood.
- Chavo suplexes Smiley back into the ring.
- As Chavo tends to Pepe, Smiley comes in from behind and locks on the Norman Conquest!
- Smiley takes Chavo to the mat and makes him submit for the victory!
- Post-match, Smiley dances with Pepe some more.
- YOUR WINNER: Norman Smiley via the Norman Conquest in 7:41.
We go to a clip of Raven "going home."
Tomorrow night at 8:00 P.M. EDT on TNT: The Best of Nitro, showing three years of, well, the best of Nitro.
An ad for the encore presentation of Starrcade.
An ad for the Sting/Randy Savage Superstar Series Videos.
Match #3: Fit Finlay vs. Booker T
- I'm sure Finlay was happy about his pairing with Jerry Flynn last night.
- Yes, yes, yes. No, no, no.
- Finlay attacks as Booker T plays to the crowd on the turnbuckle.
- European uppercut, stomp, elbow drop, kick to back.
- Finlay sends Booker out of the ring.
- Booker lands a sidekick on Finlay.
- Booker sends Finlay to the rail.
- Back inside, Finlay's in control.
- Finlay applies a facelock and a scoop slam.
- Lateral press gets two.
- Finlay applies a chinlock.
- Elbows by Booker T get him out of it.
- Finlay chokes Booker on the ropes.
- Finlay slams Booker's head on the apron.
- Finlay tries to get a chair but the ref stops him.
- A whip by Booker results in a shoulderblock by Finlay.
- Flying forearm by Booker.
- Booker lands a lariat.
- Booker grabs Finlay's arm and hits a sidekick.
- Booker gets some kneelifts in.
- Finlay counters with a jawbreaker.
- Finlay hits a European uppercut.
- Finlay slaps Booker's face on the mat.
- Booker up... Booker down.
- Elbow by Finlay.
- Finlay lands another jawbreaker.
- Finlay whips Booker into the corner and charges.
- Booker jumps on the turnbuckle and gets a sunset flip for two.
- Finlay lands a forearm to the chest.
- Booker whips Finlay into the corner and runs into a double leg.
- Finlay whips Booker.
- A series of missed blows leads to a forward atomic drop by Finlay.
- Booker is sent outside.
- Back inside Finlay goes up top but Booker catches him.
- Booker slams him down and hits the Harlem Sidekick.
- Booker goes up top and nails the missile dropkick for the win!
- YOUR WINNER: Booker T via missile dropkick in 6:51.
We're threatened with more Starrcade footage later in the show.
Snickers Road Report.
More stills of Starrcade.
Scheme Gene interviews... Ric Flair!
- Flair comes out with a bandage on his forehead and a few pieces of luggage.
- Gene calls Flair the consummate professional wrestler.
- Flair thanks everyone and says he got his ass kicked last night.
- Flair is ashamed about losing.
- Flair talked to Arn Anderson, his family, and his pilot about it being over.
- Flair told his pilot to fly him to Baltimore at the last minute.
- Flair asks Bischoff and the fans to hear him out for the last time.
- Flair starts reading the tags on his shirts, takes them off, and says he's always been a custom made man.
- The fans have allowed Flair to live like a king, he says.
- Flair tosses some jewelry and money to the mat and tells Bischoff, "It's yours!"
- He tosses his shoes into the crowd and takes off his pants.
- Flair ends up wearing only his socks and a pair of boxers and drops an elbow on the mat.
- Flair says he will leave the wrestling world forever and sign his property over to Bischoff if he has the you know what to walk that aisle one more time!
- There is one stipulation, though. If, by the grace of the Lord, Flair wins then he gets to run WCW for ninety days!
- Flair's first order of business will be to take Bischoff's head out of Hogan's ass. Nice.
- Flair calls Bischoff a piss-ant and runs down the names of WCW's top stars.
- Flair goes into one of his bags, grabs some handcuffs, and cuffs himself to the ropes!
- Flair says he won't leave until Bischoff comes out.
- Flair says that if Bischoff turns the camera off he will be naked when the show returns.
- Commercials...
- Back to the show... Meeeeeeeeean Gene! WHOOOOOOO!
- As Flair runs down Bischoff, guess who comes out?
- Bischoff walks out with confidence and says he's "gotta do it."
- Flair taunts Bischoff to get in the ring.
- Flair, handcuffed to the ropes, threatens Bischoff to walk up to him.
- Bischoff mocks Flair and evades some punches.
- Bischoff says that beating up Flair's son, kissing his wife, and ruining his career have been great.
- Flair calls Bischoff gutless.
- Bischoff says Flair will die of a heart attack if he doesn't calm down.
- Flair says that if he dies of a heart attack, it will be on Bischoff's girlfriend!
- Flair calls Bischoff a coward again.
- Bischoff ends up accepting Flair's challenge!
- Flair prays that if he loses his career or life tonight he hopes he gets a piece of Bischoff's ass kicked.
An ad for the Nitro Girls Calendar.
More Nitro Girls. Storm gets a solo.
Match #4: Barry Windham vs. Prince "Glorified Jobber" Iaukea
- The Prince Iaukea "Job-to-everyone" tour continues, this time against Barry Windham.
- Windham gets the opening fury upon the bell.
- Iaukea lands a dropkick and some fists.
- Iaukea tries to leap on Windham but is thrown to the ropes.
- Windham with a shot to the chin.
- Windham gets a suplex for two.
- Kick in the midsection by Windham.
- Iaukea tries to comeback but gets nowhere fast.
- Windham scoop slams Iaukea but misses an elbow drop.
- Windham lands a DDT-like maneuver for two.
- Windham yanks at Iaukea's face.
- Arm twist by Windham followed by a kick.
- Belly-to-back suplex by Windham.
- Windham picks up Iaukea and sends him down.
- Windham sends Iaukea out of the ring.
- Windham chops Iaukea on the outside.
- Iaukea tries to mount an offense but gets raked in the eye.
- Back inside, Iaukea does a snap suplex.
- Windham reverses a whip, runs off the other ropes, and hits a bulldog for the win.
- YOUR WINNER: Barry Windham via bulldog in 3:54.
More Starrcade stills.
Scheme Guy talks to Tom Atchinson, a member of WCW's crack security team.
- Atchinson basically talks about the cattle prod confiscated from Scott Hall and how it affects cattle and humans. Pointless segment.
Promo for WCW/nWo Souled Out '99.
Promo for WCW/nWo Revenge.
Damnit, Gene's in the ring. He calls out Diamond Dallas Page.
- Typical DDP interview in reference to the Giant.
- DDP talks about Hall zapping Goldberg and Nash doing the right thing.
- DDP is betting on Flair beating Bischoff's ass. DDP stops speech before he says ass, though.
- DDP says he'd love to work under Flair.
- DDP also mentions that Bischoff will feel the bang.
We go to backstage: Konnan argues with Disco.
- Kevin Nash and Lex Luger come out.
- Nash bitches at Disco for interfering in the title match.
- Luger calls Disco "pathetic." Uhh, Lawrence, at least Disco knows more than four moves.
- Nash offers a proposition: If Disco wins a match set-up by Nash tonight, then Disco becomes 'Pac.
- However, Nash has not revealed Disco's opponent yet.
From Starrcade: Stills of Kidman's two victories.
Match #5: Eddie Guerrero and Juventud Guerrera (w/ Art Flores) vs. Rey Mysterio, Jr. and Kidman
- Juvy is playing to Eddie who acts as if he doesn't notice.
- Out comes Rey Mysterio, Jr!
- His partner -- KIDMAN!
- This is gonna be a helluva fight. I dunno if I can keep up, though.
- As the match starts, Eddie pushes Juvy to the turnbuckle and threatens him!
- It's gonna be Eddie and Rey to start.
- Eddie applies a snapmare and whips Rey into a forearm.
- Eddie applies and belly-to-back suplex.
- Rey flips out of a suplex but is sent down again.
- Rey gets an armdrag takedown and a backbreaker.
- Eddie runs to the referee for solace.
- In frustration, Eddie goes up to Juvy and slaps him.
- Juvy gets in the ring.
- Rey tags out to Kidman.
- Eddie shoves Juvy aside.
- Kidman pounds on Juvy.
- Some nice reversals lead to a bulldog by Juvy.
- Juvy lands a couple of chops in the corner.
- Juvy whips Kidman in the corner but misses the splash.
- Kidman applies a belly-to-back suplex on Juvy.
- Kidman whips Juvy into the corner and hits a running clothesline.
- Tag is made to Rey, whom does the Bronco Buster!
- Juvy goes to tag Eddie in, but no dice. Eddie is lying on the turnbuckle a la Jeff Jarrett.
- Juvy slaps Eddie and both discuss matters for a few seconds.
- At the same time, Rey and Kidman talk strategy as well.
- Both LWO members then run roughshot on the faces.
- Kidman counters with backbody drops on the heels.
- Rey hits a springboard dropkick on Juvy, bumping him into Eddie! Both men go outside!
- The faces do somersault flips on the heels outside!
- At the ~5:30 mark, we go to commercial...
- Back from break, Juvy has Kidman grounded at the ~8:25 mark.
- Juvy misses a corner charge allowing Kidman to hit a top rope bulldog.
- Both wrestlers are on the mat and struggle to tag.
- Tags are made to Eddie and Rey.
- Rey hits a dropkick and whips Juvy.
- Juvy whips Rey whom gets a nice roll-up. Eddie makes the save.
- Eddie hits a powerbomb but Kidman makes the save.
- Tag by Eddie to Juvy.
- Eddie puts Rey on his shoulders and Juvy applies a top rope crossbody block for two!
- Juvy with a front slam.
- Eddie with a diving headbutt and the heels go to work.
- Eddie locks on the Gory Special.
- Eddie turns it into an airplane spin slam!
- The pin attempt gets two when Kidman makes the save.
- Eddie lifts Rey in powerbomb position and Juvy hits a gullotine legdrop!
- Again, Kidman makes the save.
- Kidman lunges at Eddie, and the referee separates him.
- Rey reverses a whip to the corner, allowing Eddie to get hit by an extended boot from Juvy.
- Juvy is tagged in and cuts off Rey's tag attempt.
- Juvy tags in Eddie.
- In the neutral corner, Eddie beats on Rey.
- Whip to the corner, kick, punch, punch.
- Whip to the corner, but Kidman cushions the blow in the corner.
- Eddie and Juvy lunge toward Kidman but end up meeting each other head-on!
- Kidman is tagged in and cleans house.
- Backbody drops for both heels.
- Kidman puts Eddie on his shoulder.
- Rey goes to the apron and lands a top-rope Thesz press!
- Juvy breaks up the pin attempt.
- Pandemonium in the ring as all four men battle it out.
- Kidman powerbombs Eddie while Rey sends Juvy head first to the mat.
- Kidman goes to the turnbuckle.
- Rey charges to Eddie whom launches him onto Kidman!
- Both faces end up outside.
- Juvy somersaults onto Rey, keeping him occupied.
- With Kidman back in the ring prone, Eddie goes up top and hits the frog splash for the win!
- That was a great match!
- After the match, I got another call from Bill saying that during three different occasions, cheers were piped into the PA system. Pa-thetic.
- YOUR WINNERS: Eddie Guerrero and Juventud Guerrera via Eddie's frog splash in 16:21.
We go to a clip from earlier tonight in which Bischoff accepts Flair's challenge.
An ad for the WCW Mastercard.
Wolfpac music brings out "Big Lazy, The Workrate Killer" Kevin Nash, Lex "The Lariat is a Move, Too" Luger, and "Yo Quiero Taco Bell" Konnan.
- Nash does his Einstein impersonation and notes out that there are people having a good time over his Starrcade victory.
- Nash wishes he could do the same.
- When Nash entered wrestling, there were three things important to him: money, power, and respect.
- Nash says that "money is the root of all evil."
- Nash says he is going to try to right the wrongs of Starrcade.
- Nash says that Disco Inferno will go up against Bam Bam Bigelow tonight.
- If Disco wins, he's 'Pac. Otherwise, Nash says to stay the hell away.
- Nash says there is nobody else he loves more than Scott Hall.
- Nash says that Hall thought what he did was a favor.
- Nash has nothing but respect for Goldberg.
- Nash demands to the championship committee a rematch for the WCW World Heavyweight Title next Monday in Atlanta!
- Nash thinks he can kick Goldberg's ass.
- Nash notes that the belt has Goldberg's name on it.
- Nash says that if Goldberg wins next Monday, he gets the belt back. Well, no s**t.
- But, if Nash wins, the belt will have his name.
- So far in two hours, we've had five matches. Sheesh.
Match #6: Disco Inferno vs. Bam Bam Bigelow
- Let the initiation begin!
- The guy in the floral shirt dances to Disco's music.
- Lockup, Bigelow tosses Disco.
- Bigelow assaults Disco in the corner and throws him again.
- The announcers are still holding onto the notion that Bigelow is not a part of WCW. I suppose Benoit's not a former World TV champion, either?
- Bigelow whips Disco into the corner and hits a splash.
- Scoop slam by Bigelow.
- Bigelow goes up top but misses the dive.
- Disco tries some clothesline to no effect.
- Disco makes progress with a kick to the stomach and a swinging neckbreaker.
- A back elbow sends Disco down.
- Disco hits the Chartbuster!
- One...
- Two...
- Kick out by Bigelow!
- Bigelow finishes off Disco with a Michinoku Driver that Tenay calls Greetings From Asbury Park.
- Heenan: "Disco Inferno... 28 years old." Heh, heh.
- YOUR WINNER: Bam Bam Bigelow via Greetings From Asbury Park in 2:41.
More Nitro Girls.
Going backstage: Bischoff prepares for his fight against Flair with Curt Hennig.
We go to Tony, Mike, and the Brain.
- More talk of Flair/Bischoff.
- We will go by satellite to Flair's physician.
Charles Brock, cardiologist, speaks:
- Being a hospitality major, and not a medicine major, I'm not going to quote what he said.
- However, the short story says that Ric Flair did not suffer a heart attack, but he did have toxins in his body.
- The announcers speculate that Flair was poisoned, possibly by Bischoff.
Scheme Gene is backstage with Bischoff and Hennig.
- Bischoff is livid upon hearing Dr. Brock and calls him a quack.
Match #7: Scott Steiner (w/ Buff Bagwell and nWo referee) vs. Konnan for the WCW World TV Title
- Hmm. I don't like Steiner. I don't like Konnan. I don't like the nWo ref.
- By default, I am rooting for Bagwell. Go Buff!
- Scott rambles on the mic.
- The white boy from New Jersey comes out.
- Catchphrases.
- Before Konnan can finish his tirade, Scott yanks the mic from him.
- Buff: "Baltimore isn't bawdy bawdy! Baltimore sucks!"
- Konnan gives the nWo ref a facebuster and exits the ring.
- The nWo ref is carried out of the arena as Scott Dickinson accepts the match as a referee.
- The nWo grab Dickinson and attempt to put a hurting on him.
- Konnan intercepts and the bell sounds.
- Front atomic drop and a lariat by Konnan sends Scott outside.
- Konnan rams Scott on the turnbuckle.
- Buff interference allows Scott to take control.
- Scott hits a butterfly slam.
- Scott tosses Konnan outside.
- Scott sends Konnan to the guardrail.
- Buff grabs Konnan and runs him into the stairs.
- Whip, lariat, flex by Scott.
- Buff: "He ain't so bawdy bawdy now, is he?!"
- Scott kicks Konnan in the midsection.
- Scott occupies the ref allowing Buff to interfere.
- Scott pounds on Konnan.
- Buff pokes Konnan in the eye.
- I remember Scott Steiner working better than this.
- Elbow drop on Konnan.
- Scott puts Konnan in what looks to be the Tree of Woe, but opts to work on the ankle instead.
- More doubleteaming by Buff.
- Belly-to-belly suplex by Scott.
- Instead of pinning Konnan, Scott does some push-ups.
- Scott scoops Konnan up and points to a turnbuckle, but Konnan turns it into an inverted DDT.
- Konnan gets the mule kick and facebuster.
- Konnan puts on the Tequila Sunrise.
- Buff pulls on Scott to get him to the ropes.
- Out comes Lex Luger to deal with Buff.
- Luger shoves Buff, giving Scott the momentum to leave the ring.
- Scott whips Konnan into the rope and inadvertantly goes over the ropes due to interference.
- Luger chases Buff around the ring looking like a jackass.
- Scott locks on the Steiner Recliner!
- Konnan submits! We have a new TV champion!
- Post-match, Luger tends to Konnan, but too late. Another possible Luger swerve? The announcers keep theorizing about it. Might as well, because that's the only thing that will keep Luger interesting.
- YOUR WINNER AND NEW WCW TV CHAMPION: Scott Steiner via Steiner Recliner in 6:51.
More Nitro Girls.
Oh, there will be no Thunder this Thursday. Depending on how many mails I get, I might whip out a quick e-mail report again.
Match #8: Scott Hall vs. Brian Adams (w/ Vincent)
- The hometown boy comes out.
  - Well, hometown for me. Chuluota, FL is about fifteen minutes northeast of my Orlando residence.
- Hmm, it's Adams. Well, I don't particularly favor any of the participants, including Vincent.
- Do I root for the ref or for the fans? "You'll have to decide! You'll have to decide!"
- Anyway, this match has sleepwalk written all over it.
- Hall has a mic.
- Hall heard Nash out here earlier.
- Hall agrees that three things are important: money, money, and money.
- Hall says he handed Nash the WCW World Title and did not get invited to the victory party.
- According to Nash, Hall isn't the guy he used to know, says Hall.
  - He's correct. Scott Hall used to have curly hair and a goofy mustache.
- In response, Hall says that Nash isn't the guy he used to know, either.
- A loud Goldberg chant erupts.
- Hall throws his toothpick at Adams and gets decked for his troubles.
- Adams with a backbreaker.
- Adams pounds on Hall.
- Punch by Adams but Hall comes back.
- Adams hits a really sloppy piledriver and celebrates.
- Legdrop for two by Adams.
- Zzzzzz...
- Punch and a bearhug by Adams.
- Why is this crap in the third hour? And why is Brian Adams still employed?
- Hall tries to get out of the bearhug.
- In return, Adams hits a belly-to-belly suplex.
- Big boot by Adams after a whip for two.
- Adams locks on a neck vice.
- If Goldberg and Nash was the biggest match in the history of our sport, then this bout is the worst.
- Hall gets to the ropes and Adams breaks the hold.
- Hall blocks a punch and lands one of his own.
- Hall blocks a... oh, hell, it's the same line from above.
- Hall decks Adams and sets up for the Edge.
- Adams reverses into a backbody drop.
- Adams hits a gorilla press slam. I'll give Adams credit, as Hall is no small guy.
- Adams goes to the top turnbuckle and stalls.
- This gives Hall ample time to hit Adams and put him in the Edge from the turnbuckle for the win.
- YOUR WINNER: Scott Hall via the Edge in 5:35.
Match #9: Ric Flair vs. Eric Bischoff
- Buffer's in the ring. Cripes.
- Why is Flair coming out first?
- Buffer lists Flair as 6' 1�" and 235 pounds.
- While Bischoff's music plays, we see Bischoff in the back going past the entryway and toward the arena's exit.
- Bischoff hops into a limo.. a HORSEMAN limo. :)
- Steve "Mongo" McMichael comes out and threatens Bischoff.
- Mongo, Chris Benoit, and Dean Malenko carry Bischoff toward the ring!
- Commercials... as of now, it's 10:55 P.M. EDT.
- Back to the show -- the Horsemen toss Bischoff into the ring and the bell sounds.
- Bischoff begs off but gets kicked in the gut.
- Flair drops a knee to the groin.
- Flair pulls off Bischoff's jacket and fires away with chops and fists.
- Low blow by Flair.
- The Horsemen are still at ringside.
- Face yank by Flair.
- Flair shoves the referee away!
- Bischoff's shirt is pulled off.
  - Seeing Bischoff's chest makes me think of a song. I don't know who sang it, but it's a song from the 70^s called Blinded by the Light.
- Chops galore by The Man.
- Horace and Vincent rush to the ring but are intercepted by the Horsemen!
- Flair drops two elbows on a prone Bischoff.
- Bagwell, Hennig, and Scott Norton join the fray outside!
- Here comes Giant. He walks past the melee and heads toward the ring. Uh oh.
- Giant headbutts Flair.
- At this time, Arn Anderson and DDP make their way out.
- Holy cow! Randy Savage and some attractive blonde come out!
- Savage gives the nWo signal to the Giant and hits him with a low blow!
- Flair applies a vertical suplex on Bischoff!
- Flair locks on the Figure Four! Now we go to school!!!
- Bischoff submits!! FLAIR IS THE WINNER!!! WHOOOOOOO!!!!!
- HOLY SHIT!!!
- In the ring to celebrate with Flair: Benoit, Arn, Mongo, Malenko, Konnan, Larry Zbyzsko, Tony Schiavone, Booker T, and Dusty Rhodes.
- Post-match, Flair drops the elbow and gets a three-count.
- Flair also puts on another figure-four!
- The show ends with Flair raising his arms in victory!
- YOUR WINNER: Ric Flair via Figure-Four Leglock in 4:04.
The Good: The show lagged after the LWO/Rey/Kidman tag team match, but the ending was more than worth it. Kudos to Eric Bischoff for placing his pride on the shelf and putting his most loyal worker over.
The Bad: If there's anything bad to say, it would be too much Mean Gene and having Brian Adams in the second-to-last match.
The Ugly: Bischoff needs a tan.
If you don't hear from me again, then have a Happy New Year! Be careful out there, the cops are out there in full force, not to mention the drunk drivers are, too.

Bill's arena report:

I lucked into good seats. As you'll see below, looking from the main camera angle, I was to the right of the ring. I was on the first row of the bleachers, right behind the floor seats. I wore my La Parka mask early in the evening. When Ric Flair tossed his shoes into the crowd, the first one was caught four rows directly behind me. I offered the kid $60 for it, but he wouldn't go for it.

This show was much better than the June 1^st Nitro that I went to. In the arena, it really didn't drag at all as even all the interviews were leading up to something that night, with the exception of Nash's. But the crowd was so hot for him that it didn't matter. Plus, you could feel something big was coming down with Flair vs. Bischoff.
The crowd was popping big time for Smiley's little dance.
During the commercial after Ric Flair stripped, Okerlund tried to give him his clothes back, and Flair kept kicking them away.
In the arena, we get to see all the clips that people on TV saw, with the exception of Disco being confronted in the locker room.
As Aldo mentioned, they cranked up the heat machine (fake crowd response) three times during the cruiserweight tag team match. I have no idea why. When it happened, everyone in my section was looking at each other like "What the hell?"
There were a couple of fights during the night. Near the end, some really drunk chick who was trying to get up to the railing around the ring got pitched by security in a violent way. Then, oddly enough, I saw her getting pitched out of another exit ten minutes later.
As you might guess, the place just erupted for the ending of the Flair/Bischoff match.
When it was all over, Bischoff laid in the ring unconscious for a long time. I left the building before he even got up.

WCW Monday Nitro - December 28, 1998

By Aldo

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