WCW Thunder - Thursday, February 18, 1999

• Kevin A. Kanda speaks about some of "The New Generation:"

  Hey, great report as usual. Too bad Thunder itself was so lackluster-- yeah, the Raven segments were hilarious the first time around, but did we really have to see ALL of them AGAIN? *sigh*

  Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that WCW.com is saying that Lash LeRoux's Fireman's Carry-Michinoku Driver is his finisher, the Whip Lash.

  I really like LeRoux, and the fact that he's getting a semi-push. I have noticed, though, in all of the matches he's been in that I've seen (granted, that's only three), that he's blown at least one or two spots. Nothing big, I think he just needs some more polish. Blitzkreig, on the other hand, was phenomenal-- he outshined Rey a couple of times in their Nitro match, which is something I never dreamed to be possible. Granted, Rey's been a lot more conservative since the second (third?) time he blew out his knee, but major props to BK. Now if we can just get him into a decent outfit-- I swear to all the gods that I have NEVER seen more ridiculous ring gear. He looks like a hybrid between Pee-Wee Herman and a Mortal Kombat reject...

  Lemme shoot at you guys for a moment. (Don't call me DDP, or I'll hunt you down.) Due to my schedule with school and work, I don't get much of a chance to watch WCW programming, matter of fact, Thunder is the only show I can consistently watch. Thus, last week was the first time since the days of the {Pro} that I saw LeRoux in action. I've heard a lot of great things about the guy from the DDT Digest Staff, so I was kind of interested to see what this LeRoux guy could do. For a newcomer, I was impressed. Granted, he does need a little work, but LeRoux and Super Calo worked well together and it was a good match. Hopefully, within a year, LeRoux can be pushed up to a mid-card status or top-cruiserweight. Of course, he should still job to Norman Smiley. :)

  As for Blitzcrieg, I did see his match on Nitro and was really impressed. While many can say that it sucked that he lost in his first televised match, the fact that he worked with Rey Mysterio, Jr. made up in that there was someone who could work well with him.

• Chocobo sayeth:

  This is pretty meaningless I know... anyway, I happened to notice that WCW (Doing It All Wrong as always) was just making up stuff for the subtitles in that pathetic segment of Glacier selling his armor off to Kaz Hayashi. I didn't catch all of it... I wasn't really paying attention until I noticed that Onoo said about three words and a whole paragraph was on the screen. The next thing the subtitles said was "they're $15,000" while Onoo had said only "ten thousand". The segment ended there, I don't know how much of it was incorrect.

  Oh, about that woman with the camera following her... it's obvious to me, she must be an evil WWF employee trying to get ratings from sexual situations! Too bad this won't be getting ratings for WCW... though I wouldn't be too surprised if that whole stupid set-up was just forgotten next week. If it does turn out to be anything, the "camera" is going to be David Flair obviously... WCW is trying to stick him in there somewhere to feud with the nWo. Looks like they decided that Hogan attacking would have been lame, so they decided on something even more lame. sigh.... I REALLY ought to have something better to do than watch this crap...

  There's been plenty of reporters/columnists on the Internet who are commenting on WCW's recent viginettes, so I'll shut up this time. However, I've read around on the 'net that Glacier will be repackaged into a new gimmick. As with all stories from the sheets, take this with a grain of salt.

• Nick Weber mentions a man who puts asses in seats:

  On the most recent Thunder report, you saw Syxx and the Giant getting beat up during the tag-team promo.

  During the promo I saw on Monday (I didn't see Thursday's), I caught a glimpse of the man who puts the butts in seats, Mick Foley, (as Cactus Jack) being beat up in the turnbuckle. I'm not sure, but I vaguely remember he was co-WCW tag champion for a short time.

• Bill, the guy who pays the bills here at DDT Digest, checks in with:

  Aldo, something that occurred to me today. Just about everybody, including me, has come to the conclusion that the person being "seduced" by Torrie Wilson is David Flair.
  However, it occurred to me today that there is one major star that's been noticeably absent from WCW TV...someone who really could have helped out Ric Flair and the rest of WCW if he wasn't being seduced...

  Anybody remember Sting? Just a thought.

Speaking of which, John Loveless comments:

As much as I hate to admit it, Jerry Nadeau may be better than his showing early last season indicated.

Since leaving the Bill Elliott/Dan Marino car & driving for other people, his finishes have steadily improved. He managed to qualify for Daytona, somewhere in the 30's I believe, and while far from great, it's a lot more than anyone would have expected based on his early showings.

Bottom line -- Nadeau ain't great, but he ain't as bad as first thought. Can you imagine the hype if he happens to win one this year?

• A steel cage is suspended above the ring, but the announcers play stupid and do not know why.
• In the last tag team elimination tournnament match before the finals, Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko will face Brian Adams and Horace.
• We will hear from Ric Flair tonight.
• Tomorrow night, Goldberg will appear on The Tonight Show and make a challenge that will "set the world on fire." Whatever.

• Stevie is trying to recruit his brother into the nWo.
• Booker T berates Stevie, saying that his role is carrying Hogan's bags.
• Disco Inferno comes out and marks over Harlem Heat reforming.
• Disco then says that there will be room in the nWo for him.
• Stevie badmouths Disco and walks away while Booker punks Disco out.

• Disco does the "Wolfpac in the house!" to some boos.
• Disco would like to introduce to us a legend in the wrestling business.
• Apparently, Disco idolized this guy and calls him a legend.
• Disco introduces... The Rowdy Scot!
• The bagpipes bring out...
• Scott Hall in a kilt!
• Hall curtsies to the camera.
• Disco holds the ropes open for Hall.
• We're promised footage of Flair getting beat down later. Sigh.
• Hall: "Hey, yo."
• Hall says that everybody is buzzing about what's going to happen in Oakland with Disco.
• Hall says that Disco will take on Booker T at Superbrawl.
• Disco calls Booker T mediocre.
• Disco runs down Booker, saying that in the ladder of success he is still on the first rung.
• Disco will not lay down for a guy whose only stint in athleticism was as the drummer of a high school band.
• Disco Inferno, taking a page from ESPN's Dan Patrick, says: "You can't stop me, you can only hope to contain me!"
• Hall has a message for Piper.
• Hall says that there's one guy who will walk out of Oakland with the U.S. Belt and that he is 6' 6", more handsome than ten movie stars, and unlike Piper he's all man.
• Hall pulls off the kilt as Disco yells, "No! Don't do that! Not on live TV!"
• Hall flings the kilt out of the ring.

• Yes! Lash! He seems to have new music coming out.
• He'll be facing Chavo!
• Lockup, Chavo gets a side headlock.
• Chavo goes off the ropes and hits a shoulderblock.
• Chavo misses a diving headbutt.
• LeRoux applies a single-arm takedown into an armbar.
• Chavo gets LeRoux to the ropes and misses a punch.
• LeRoux goes off the ropes, slides under Chavo, and is sent out of the ring.

We go to the back, where a limo has pulled up.

• The limo drives alongside Rey Mysterio, Jr.
• Liz and Lex Luger make some comments towards Rey who walks away.
• As Liz gets out, Rey grabs the door and slams it in Luger's arm.
  
• Liz screams at Rey, who yells "Thug Life!"
• This could be a way to write off Luger's injury for Superbrawl.

Back to the match...

• LeRoux whips Chavo to the ropes.
• LeRoux charges at Chavo and gets flipped out.
• Chavo hits a baseball slide, sending LeRoux off the apron.
• Chavo sends LeRoux to the rail.
• The announcers still talk about the hair-versus-mask tag match, playing along to the fact that it might happen.
• Chavo does a boot-choke outside.
• Chavo sends LeRoux back in and kicks him.
• Chavo does a belly-to-back suplex for two.
• Chavo puts on a chinlock.
  
• Chavo hits a clothesline.
• Chavo lands a short-arm clothesline.
• Chavo applies an armbar.
• In the corner, Chavo kicks LeRoux and presses a boot on his face.
• At the ropes, Chavo delivers a chop.
• Chavo whips LeRoux, who comes off the ropes into a gorilla press.
• LeRoux gets out of the press, does a standing switch, and hits a belly-to-back suplex.
  
• Chavo eats a punch but ducks the second.
• LeRoux lands a kick, does his split, and hits a clothesline.
• LeRoux whips Chavo into a facedrop.
  
• LeRoux does a variation of the Northern Lights Suplex, then floats over for two.
• LeRoux goes up top and gets cut off.
• On the turnbuckle, Chavo dropkicks LeRoux.
• LeRoux then hangs on the top rope just outside the ring, similar to a Tree of Woe.
  
• Chavo administers some punishment on LeRoux.
• Chavo goes outside to beat on LeRoux, and referee Charles Robinson calls for the bell.
• YOUR WINNER: Lash LeRoux via DQ in 6:56.
• Post-match, Chavo sends Robinson to the side.
• Out comes Kidman, who beats on Chavo!
• Kidman sends Chavo to the ring, lands some fists, and whips him.
• Chavo bails when he gets to the ropes and Kidman gives chase.
• Outside the ring, Chavo lands a shot, stunning Kidman.
• Chavo grabs Kidman, goes to the steps, and delivers his Tornado DDT!
• Chavo goes up top to celebrate.

• Featured: Barbarian, Fit Finlay, James Fullington (not called by the announcers), Konnan and Rey Mysterio, Jr., and Booker T.
• Larry Zbyzsko will be replacing Mike Tenay on commentary.

• What? A match?! How DARE they...
• Jericho comes out solo.
• Jericho gets the mic.
• Jericho says he is our one and only role model and the god of thunder and rock-n-roll, baby.
• Jericho apologizes to his Jerichoholics for being a superior competitor and beating Perry Saturn.
• Jericho apologizes again for subjecting them to seeing Saturn in a dress.
• Jericho has brought along a man who emphasizes class and looks good in a dress.
• Jericho brings out... Ralphus?
• HAH!!! Ralphus comes out wearing a pink blouse and sweater with white pantyhose and black boots! Great stuff.
  
• Jericho acts like a fashion show host, speaking about Ralphus' outfit tonight.
• Ralphus does a pirouette for the crowd.
• Jericho tells Saturn that this is what a real man looks like in a dress and runs him down.
• I couldn't do this bit justice.
• Juventud comes out.
• Match begins with a lockup.
• Ralphus shows off his outfit for the camera.
• Jericho goes off the ropes and lands a shoulderblock.
• Juvy sends Jericho down and stomps on him.
• Schiavone says he has the best news of all... then announces a commercial break. O-kay.
• Back in, Jericho lands a clothesline.
• Jericho whips Juvy, whom slides under him.
• Juvy is tripped onto the ropes and held by Jericho.
• Jericho calls on Ralphus to give Juvy a kiss.
• As Ralphus puckers up, Juvy kicks Jericho and lands a shot on Ralphus.
  
• Juvy is whipped and does a hurricarana from a powerbomb position.
• Same deal from the line above but Juvy does a faceslam.
• Juvy goes up on the turnbuckle to punch Jericho.
• Jericho sends Juvy down for the Liontamer.
• Juvy rolls Jericho up for two.
• Juvy leaps on Jericho and is grabbed from behind.
• Jericho tries a German suplex but Juvy flips out.
• Juvy goes for the Juvydriver but Jericho escapes.
• Juvy goes to the ropes and tries a hurricarana, but Jericho counters into the Liontamer.
• Juvy struggles for the ropes but is pulled into the center of the ring.
• Juvy has no choice but to tap out.
• YOUR WINNER: Chris Jericho via Liontamer in 6:17.

• Buff tells the crowd to sit down and shut up.
• Buff wants everybody to know that he will be wrestling again. The crowd boos.
• Tonight, Penzer didn't have what it takes to introduce the man Buff is about to bring out.
• Buff brings out...
• Big Poppa Roid. Bah.
• This crowd cannot be happy.
• Steiner talks about how the crowd gives the Diamond Cutter signal and how they have DDP signs.
• Steiner says that this might be DDP country.
• Steiner runs down DDP.
• Steiner calls DDP "Diamond Dallas Trash" and says he is afraid to show up tonight.
• Steiner says Kim wants him for his body and personality.
• Steiner accepts the challenge at Superbrawl.
• One stipulation: If Steiner wins, he gets Kimberly for 30 days. CoughCoughMarlenaPillmanCough.
• Steiner speaks about a freak he was with four years ago who still calls him.
• Steiner says this freak refers to him as the "Big Bad Booty Daddy." Please, Scott, spare us the Booty Man references.
• Steiner wants to beat down somebody, so he wants someone to come down.
• Buff does Penzer's role for this spot, calling out...
• Bobby Blaze.

• All right! The cage has been lowered!