Nerd Watch Wednesday: WCW New Blood Rising 2000

Oct 30, 201924 min read

Updated: Jun 3, 2020

G’day lads and welcome to WCW New Blood Rising. The eponymous stars of this show are the young colts of World Championship Wrestling and this Pay Per View (completely from my shonky memory) was to mark a complete shift in creative direction for the failing company in 2000, where these upstarts would have a fresh lease on their professional lives and more creative freedom. In theory this would seem to be exactly what WCW needed, new heroes for the new millennium, but unfortunately many of the Avante Garde were immediately paired, on screen, with the heel management of the company in the form of Vince Russo and Ed Ferrara.

If you’re not familiar with WCW then I’ll give you a similar example from the WWE. Do you remember when The Miz and John Morrison got themselves over completely organically and independently by being charismatic, creative and relatable to a younger audience? Then they were rewarded by feuding with the aging, but hugely popular D-Generation X? Well then you might also remember that DX ended up being positioned as “The Cool” competitors in this feud, trading verbal barbs and jokes with the lads 20 years their junior, and completely killing any relate-ability Miz and Morrison had by being shown up by men who could have been their dads.

Well that’s what happened here. The New Blood were continually outwitted and made to look like fools by the “Millionaires Club” and this dulled their shine almost immediately. Kevin Nash does seem hellishly cool in all these kayfabe bending promos that are included in the PPV opener though.

Even though the PPV opener, on a show called “New Blood Rising” highlights the double main event which is littered with fairly well established talent, I didn’t remember those matches at all. Luckily for us this show opens with a match that is mildly memorable and solely involving “New Blood” talents (and Tank Abbott). Fantastic choice, Mike!

JUNG DRAGONS v 3 COUNT

By Dom Van Dam

Four of these six blokes went on to hold some form of championship gold in the WWE after their WCW run so it’s fun to go back and see how their careers took shape. 3 Count are out first with their biggest fan, “Dancing” Tank Abbott. Actually, WCW loved a dancing gimmick; remember Tokyo Magnum?

I don’t care what anyone says, 3 count was an unreal gimmick. A real life, boy band who wrestled; 3 good looking roosters, with athleticism; undisputedly my favourite part of WCW 2000 and they are even treating us to their song! “Get up on your feet! Put your hands together!”

I definitely haven’t seen this since 2000 but I remember my best mate at the time (kayfabe name Steve Xtreme) and I, were really in to Shannon Moore and especially his finish “The Bottoms Up” (AKA Rocker Dropper, AKA Fame Asser).

Moore was famous for hitting it from unique positions and Steve Xtreme and I would always try to do the same. Once he hit it on Dom Van Dam off the roof of my brother’s 1988 Ford Falcon XD. Now back to ringside!

Jamie San (Noble), (Jimmy Wang) Yang and Kaz (Hayashi) are out and 552 words later, we are under way! Even though it is a ladder match, this one starts with only 2 men in the ring and 4 on the apron; makes sense. Maybe it’s because Evan Karageous is working with a busted ankle and wearing a walking boot Ala Tommy Dreamer at November to Remember? Nope, after 20 seconds, everyone is involved.

The spots are coming thick and fast but it lacks the build of the TLC matches that defined a generation of Tag Wrestling on the other channel, that doesn’t mean the Canadian crowd isn’t eating it up though.

Mark Madden is an absolute treasure. His colour work is Heenanesque at times and he’s about the only reason that there is any semblance of a story recoverable from this car crash. Whenever Tank Abbott comes close to him he yells out “Yay 3 count! Go 3 Count!” calling back to an earlier Nitro (I think) when Abbott beat the lard out of Madden’s Hawaiian shirt. I’m probably 5 minutes in now and there have been too many moves to mention and not one attempt at the contract/record hanging over the ring.

We have ladders in opposite corners, not under the contract, and the Yung Dragons hit an Event Omega on Shannon Moore who, of course, was a big part of the OMEGA promotion with the Hardyz back in the day. Future ROH World Champion Jamie (Gibson) San is up the ladder and gets the Gold Record but apparently that’s not the end of the match. Oh they have to grab the recording contract as well. Tank Abbott gets involved and that leads to the injured Karageous snaring the contract and winning the match for the Boy Band, meaning we get the song again! Get in!

“We like the Backstreet Boys, N-Sync too! Britney Spears is kinda cute!” Drink lots of water; look after your mates. DVD

WINNERS - 3 COUNT BY SNARING THE CONTRACT AND SINGING

ERNEST MILLER v THE GREAT MUTA

By Nineties Mike

Having had the distinction of seeing The Great Muta perform in person, I thought it was only right that I review both of his matches tonight. This first battle sees the Japanese legend square up against another big name in Ernest “The Cat” Miller. No idea on the story to this, but I’ve got a feeling it wouldn’t make much sense anyway! Muta enters to vintage pretty racist WCW music and dressed like a ninja warrior (obviously). Here comes Ernest dressed, um, like an odd mix between the Karate black-belt he is and a lounge lizard, which he might be. Hmmm, at least he’s in leopard print.

Ooh, Ernest wants a word. Oh dear. Apparently as Muta doesn’t understand English, Ernie is going to break it down for him… “You are The Great Muta, and I’m going to whoop your great ass”. FFS. Mic shot to the head kicks us off, and The Cat mounts Muta and continues with 10 top rope strikes to the head. Muta collapses and the breakdance elbow drop from Miller keeps his momentum up. Some posing, though, leads to Muta raking the eyes RIGHT in front of the ref and turns the tide. A kick and an elbow drop of his own from Muta and he is in control now.

Wristlock and Japanese arm-drag from Muta but he can’t quite lock on the armbar properly. Rope-break, but Muta continues the assault with kicks in the corner. Alternating midriff attacks lead to Ernest getting back on top, and some swift kicks to the gut see Muta staggering, but The Cat goes to the well once too often and Muta strikes back with a chop to the throat. The ref makes a cursory mention of it to the Japanese madman, but he shrugs it off and starts working on the leg of Miller for about three seconds.

Tigress begins to walk down the aisle and commentary are asking what she’s doing here. I think I can guess. (Shout out at this point to the terrible signs on display. “Let’s Wiggle?” I think not, Chip. How about you wiggle off.)

Anyway, this match has no flow and nobody seems to know what to do or when to do it and it veers back and forth between 30 seconds of each man being on top. Missed karate kick by Muta and Miller goes back to the previously-effective kicks to the stomach area. Muta falls to the outside and Ernest follows to begin choking him with some cables outside the ring. Tigress likes what she says. I know this cos she’s nodding smugly in their general direction.

Muta’s head is rammed against the barrier, and another karate kick from Miller and Muta is in trouble here. Two-count, but Muta is up first, Miller then dodges a kick and cross-chops Muta before doing the splits and we get another chop to the throat that the ref barely acknowledges. Leg stretches for a big kick, but he misses and Muta strikes with a dragon screw before locking on a leg submission.

Another quick rope break and Muta doesn’t break the hold but the ref just waits for him to release The Cat. Powerslam, Muta up top, misses a dreadful moon-sault. Miller misses another karate kick and gets Misted by Muta. Tigress is on the top rope with a chair. The ref, busy with his back turned, WIPING THE MIST OFF MILLER’S FACE WITH HIS SHIRT, misses Tigress hit Muta with the chair and make her exit.

The ref doesn’t bat an eyelid, but Muta kicks out at two! Two Miller chop blocks and three karate kicks, an Irish whip and an axe kick lead him to call for the finisher which is… an Irish whip to the corner and a spinning kick to the head as Muta bounces off the buckles. Three-count and we have a winner! Breakdancing and the splits from Ernest and he’s off for a cuddle with Tigress. What on earth did I just watch? I’m sure the next match will be better, right?

WINNER - ERNEST MILLER BY AN IRISH WHIP TO THE CORNER AND A SPINNING KICK TO THE HEAD

JUDY BAGWELL ON A FORKLIFT MATCH: BUFF BAGWELL v CHRIS KANYON

By JCH

It's a WCW week from Mike. Usually that would leave me on the subs bench, but this show has about 15 matches on, so I was called upon to take ‘whatever is left’ What was left is a Judy Bagwell on a pole match. Apparently this is an actual thing. We start backstairs with Buff Bagwell looking for said Judy backstage. Someone is driving Judy Bagwell down to the ring on a forklift. It’s ‘Positively Kanyon’ wearing a hard hat. What in the blue hell is going on here????

Judy’s forklift platform is raised and she is stood on the platform. Kanyon cuts a promo on Canada and calls Judy fat, which the commentator chips in on as well. Buff shown backstage spots his mum on a forklift and runs out . So is Buff Bagwell the face here? Bagwell batters him though the crowd and when they get back in the ring, the bell rings. Good work ref. Kanyon gets control with a low blow. The ref is looking, so I presume Judy Bagwell on a forklift matches are no DQ.

Kanyon hits a couple of moves and looks as if he is actually a good wrestler to be fair. A nice side Russian leg sweep from the middle rope and a big vertical suplex An Alabama Slammer into a Powerbomb is another nice move for Kanyon that gets a 2 count. It was nice. A really long camel clutch from Kanyon is broken after the dreaded arm drop spot.

Another nice neck breaker from Kanyon is close. Kanyon cutter for a very near fall. Out comes David Arquette, Why not. Arquette twats Bagwell in the back with the hard hat in front of the ref and that gets a 2. Bagwell reverses another hard hat shot, hits a double clothesline, then a double blockbuster for the win.

Buff saves his mum and they are reunited with a hug. Arquette and Kanyon celebrate in the ring for no reason, until Kanyon hits a Kanyon cutter on him. The commentator creepily talks about going to visit Courtney Cox who is home alone. Another WCW classic here.

WINNER - BUFF BAGWELL BY REUNITING WITH HIS MUM

WCW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP: KRONIK (C) v PERFECT EVENT v JINDRAK & O'HAIRE v M.I.A

By Matt Connolly

So this week I decided to pick a match to satisfy 10 year old me and went for this 4 corners tag match. First up, lets introduce you to the teams. Lets go for Kronik first. A tag team named after a Stoner reference who don't look anything like stoners. Two huge dudes who hammer the hell out of folks. I can get behind the concept. Next up, Mark Jindrak and Sean O'Haire. Two men who scream potential and can probably be found roaming Vince McMahon's dreams.

Both would have disappointing WWE runs. Jindrak was originally in the Evolution line up such was the potential seen in him but after filming some vignettes they went a different direction. He didn't make much impact thereafter and apparently found success in Mexico so good for him. O'Haire was stuck in a pairing with Roddy Piper that you would of thought might work but for some reason it never clicked. Maybe injuries? I dont know.

The Promo packages for him were great. Sadly dead now. He should of been huge. Also we have The Misfits in Action. A group that was a mish-mash of talent that was knocking about at the time. Hugh Morris changed his name from one pun to another to become General E. Rection. Subtle. Apparently a trashy person so lets move on. Corporal Cajun is with him. Think his other alias was Lash Laroux. Pretty good from what I can remember. Finally it's The Perfect Event. Chuck Palumbo and serial career no hoper Shawn Stasiak.

Palumbo to be fair was part of a few stables in the Fed. His run with Billy was tasteless but got lots of air time and a tag title run. I've already watched Stasiak on a previous NWW when he got the priveledge of working Angle on the Olympian's debut. That and the fact he was called Meat for a bit are his legacy. Both had great looks regardless and where probably featured in the Vince dream I mentioned earlier.

So to this match. I'm baffled from the start here. THERE ARE FOUR PEOPLE IN REF TOPS!!! Konnan is also knocking about but not in a ref top. Rey Misterio and Juvetude Guerrera are two of the men. I think Disco Inferno is one. Also an Girl I don't recognize but because of the era I am watching I'm going to guess she is one of the plethora of Nitro Girls that slid into the roster. Also, Juve and Rey are wearing the tag belts. Are they the champs? Guess we will find out.

O'Haire and Jindrak look ridiculous. As in, just far to wedge for me to describe here. Tight shorts too which are far too sexy for the mid card. Everyone is out and now Disco wants to say something on the mic. He goes on to explain that he is the in ring ref and he has three enforcers. Any shenanigans and you get DQ'd. Now if there are four people donning the stripes and we still get capers I'm giving up. Also I am completey expecting some bullshit to go down. #TOOMANYCOOKS

Konnan is on comms because we needed more moving parts in this mess and I just found out Kronik are going in as champs. Why on earth did the refs have the belts? This makes no sense already but here we go. It's two in the ring at any time so two teams have to sit around trying to grab their opportunity. We have Chuck and The Kronik guy who wears trousers starting. Its mostly just punches and waistlocks. Chuck gets thrown over the top rope and then the refs just start attacking him. I have no idea why. The comms are screaming that he disrespected the ref but anyway he's getting battered whilst his partner Stasiak enters the ring.

After about 20 seconds of uninspiring wrestling I remember that Stasiak isn't even legal so Chuck returns apparently no selling the attack I just saw him take and then him and The Kronik guy tag in to the other teams instead of their partners. Why? There is no logic behind that. So now Lash and Jindrak enter. A few moves that are crisp but neither wrestler bothers to sell before Lash tags in Kronik again because he obviously doesn't care about winning. Chuck runs in and hits a super kick for no reason.

The match carries on as if he never did it. So far, quite crap. Jindrak tags in O'Haire because he understands the psychology and O'Haire hits a spinning heel kick that is the most impressive thing so far. Chuck and Stasiak have a chance to blind tag in here but just have a chat instead.

The Kronik lad hits a tilt a whirl but Disco counts at a really slow pace because Heat brother! Kronik tag in Hugh because logic is lost here. After an exchange of chops O'Haire hits a beautiful sit out powerbomb. Then whilst Morris is in the corner recovering the female ref hits a bronkobuster on him. Ref Rey then tries the same but Morris blocks with his foot landing in Rey's groin. Must be a DQ then? Thats what Disco said. Oh wait, this match is useless - so instead Stasiak enters the ring presumably because he got the tag off O'Haire?

Lash tags in from Morris. A TAG TO THEIR OWN TEAM! Lash has Stasiak pinned but Disco won't count this either. Stasiak gets control and pins Lash. Slow Count again. I'm guessing he just doesn't want anyone to win? Is he on a metre? Anyway, Morris tags in (Just realised I'm calling him Morris and Cajun Lash but I don't care). Then the refs all come in again and they just beat on him. For reasons? Disco slow counts the pin because that's his thing now.

Chuck gets Morris in a sleeper and I like that because it is a counter to Disco's slow counts. If he passes out he has to call it right? Anyway Morris starts fighting back before we get a proper answer. Then it all breaks down again and the refs are beating on people, Kronik are bored so run in to start a brawl. Everyone is involved somewhere apart from Chuck because he either respects the rules or can't be bothered.

O'Haire hits a textbook swanton in the middle of this. He is the redeeming feature for sure. Eventually Kronik go for High Time (4.20 BROTHER!) but then two more dudes run down and just start fighting aswell. I didn't see who they were but I heard commentary say Vampiro. God knows at this point. Disco is still slow counting regardless of who is pining who and I have forgotten who is legal anyway.

Like it matters at this point. Kronik batter Chuck. Then Lt. Loco comes down because we needed some more interference and beats on Disco, nicks his ref shirt to count the three and end this. This is proper tripe. Maybe the worst match I have ever seen? I turned the volume low so I don't know if the crowd cared. I didn't. Glad I watched this though. Abysmal doesn't describe it!

WINNERS - KRONIK, BUT WHO CARES - MATT DIDN'T

STRAP MATCH: BILLY KIDMAN v THE FRANCHISE

By Rich Fleech

So here we are. The Franchise Shane Douglas is accompanied by Torrie Wilson as they head to the ring. The commentators are more concerned with 3 way dance later in the night and aren’t paying attention. The Franchise takes the mic and calls out Billy Kidman for exposing sex tapes... classic late 90’s/early 2000’s storyline!

Now here comes Kidman with some great pyro and strap in hand. Comms are explaining how this strap match will work, followed up with “we all know the Franchise has issues with pole matches if you know what I mean”. With storylines like this, I’m sure WCW will be around forever...

The two men are strapped together by the wrist and here we go. Kidman trips Douglas who quickly retreats to the corner. Commentary focusing on how Kidman still loves Torrie. Kidman keeps the upper hand sending Douglas to the canvas before delivering a leg drop.

Kidman heads outside the ring towards Torrie. As they are strapped together, Douglas isn’t far behind. Kidman continues the beat down, pulling Douglas into the ring post befoere getting back in the ring. Finally Kidman uses the strap to slap Douglas before Torrie jumps on the apron for the distraction to allow the Franchise to get the upper hand.

Douglas starts to strangle Kidman with the strap then snaps the neck back and begins to slap Kidman with the strap. After a long slow beat down by Douglas, Kidman final fights back.

Quick offence from Kidman, he hits the Frankensteiner followed by a big Powerbomb for a 2 count. Kidman rips of Douglas’ shirt so the slaps of the strap now have more impact. Stupidly Kidman has been topless all match....

Big Suplex from Kidman before more slaps with the strap. Another 2 count before Torrie is back on the apron with he shoe in hand. But it’s Douglas that accidentally runs into the shoe, another 2 count before more interference from Torrie allows Douglas to take back control.

Kidman throws Douglas into her before hitting the Kid Crusher for the pin, 1, 2, 3... this ones over. Kidman was straps himself to Torrie and slaps her with the strap. Douglas gets up and beats up Kidman before hanging him with the strap. Now all hell breaks loose. Vito makes the save before Reno attacks him - but Vito ends up standing tall.

Not the most electrifying match you will ever see. Going in cold on the storyline probably didn’t help, maybe watching back I may have got more invested... but judging by my lack of interest in the Rusev, Lana and Lashley storyline, I don’t think I’d ever be interested in this one either. Far from lovely stuff.

WINNER - BILLY KIDMAN BY KID CRUSHER & STRAPPING TORRIE WILSON

MUD RIP OFF THE CLOTHES MATCH: MAJOR GUNNS v MISS HANCOCK

By Pete Hitchcock

Major Gunns vs Miss Hancock Major Gunns has 80s hair in the year 2000. This cannot be the year 2000. I refuse to believe this. Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue was on and meanwhile in WCW we have this.

Miss Hancock gets slapped and then hits a Miss Hancock Press, because I can't put Lou Thesz's name on this. Handspring back elbow is very Muta-like, in the way that if I, an absolute schmo, hit one it would be Muta-like as well. Or rather, she Muta-lated it. GEDDIT?

Jesus, why did I agree to this? Somehow Gunns is on offence. Oh, they made a Thesz joke on commentary? Not-quite-so-great minds think alike, Mark Madden! Somehow Stacy is back on top, literally, and rips off Gunns's shirt. Ref is somewhat lenient on the 5 count as Stacy rubs her butt into Gunns in the ropes.

I look away and Stacy is somehow face down, guessing she has taken an X-Factor as just about every women's wrestler pre-2015 has used it. "We're all winners here tonight", Tony says in the biggest lie in the year 2000, outstripping anything Enron did amongst others. They horribly screw up a sunset flip spot and then Stacy hits the TRENT CROSSBODY or rather misses it BECAUSE SHE'S WATCHING 2018 BRITISH STRONG STYLE BACK IN TIME. WHAT THE FUCK.

Gunns gets thrown into the post on the outside, somehow, and actually sells it decently before Stacy rips off Gunns's shorts and then Death Valley Driver's - or in this case a ditch at the end of your garden driver's - Gunns into a convenient pool of greenish mud.

Just pretend it was slime and it could be late-era Dave Benson Phillips. Stacy takes the time to do a sexy dance and then her appendix explodes, possibly? (I'm guessing it's early onset pregnancy storyline) Major Gunns takes the opportunity to roll Stacy up, in the same way that Trent Seven rolls into the ring for the 3 count and I AM FUCKING OUT OF HERE.

WINNER - MISS HANCOCK BY DITCH AT THE END OF YOUR GARDEN DRIVER

THE DEMON v STING

By Daniel Wildash

(No not big bad Finn balor).

All I can remember of the demon is...well not much if I'm honest but Sting is an absolute hero of mine. Always loved him. Sting abseils down a rope onto the entrance ramp before The Demon comes to try and rush him before the bell rings.

Sting immediately gets on top and starts throwing him into the barricades. The Demon looks like he's based his make up off Gene Simmons as he gets tossed into the ring by Sting. Goes to the corner and big stinger splash into a scorpion deathlock. 1, 2 and 3. It's over. Sting wins.

There's about as much enthusiasm in this review as there was in this match. What more is there to say other than - what the fuck was the point in that!?

WINNER - STING BY SCORPION DEATH LOCK

WCW US CHAMPIONSHIP CANADIAN RULES MATCH: LANCE STORM (C) v MIKE AWESOME

By Matt Brummitt

I’m looking forward to this one as I don’t remember it & all I know about this PPV is it’s referred to as peak Russo. I like both guys involved, especially Storm, so hopefully it delivers.

Shortly before this PPV, Storm had the honour of being the first (& only) person in WCW history to hold 3 singles titles at once.

The titles in question were the cruiserweight, hardcore, and tonight’s quarry, the US title. However, as Storm was currently in the middle of an Anti-American gimmick (one which we would dip in and out of over his career), he renamed those titles the “100 kg and Under Championship”, the “Saskatchewan Hardcore International Title (S.H.I.T.)”, & the “Canadian Heavyweight Championship” respectively.

The Pro-Canada, Anti-America gimmick has more relevance than usual tonight as we’re in Vancouver. I assume WCW are going for some WWF In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede vibes with this match so let’s see how it plays out.

Awesome is out first to little fanfare. Storm then comes out with the Goldberg followed-through-the-corridors-with-security-in-tow bad ass entrance, whilst holding all 3 of his titles (now daubed with Canadian flags), and accompanied by his banging music & some baying Canadian fans. Storm’s attire at this point is lush too – a simple red & white tights and kickpad getup but still both striking & visually appealing.

As Storm gets the mic, the commentators do a decent job of getting him over as legit. Storm buries the US and bigs up Canada to get some “US sucks” chants. He explains that security is there to defend him from an American terrorist attack. His words not mine. As even you casual wrestling fans will know, as this is a Canadian Heavyweight Championship match, Storm can invoke rule 32B and name his own guest referee to oversee the enforcement of the Canadian rule book. Storm opts to utilise that clause and the crowd automatically start chanting “Bret”.

The crowd are a tad disappointed when instead the Kevin Owens antagonist, ex-Mountie, former Quebecer, Jacques Rougeau is announced in this spot, and comes out with a copy of the Canadian Wrestling rule book. We get a full rendition of O Canada before the bell rings to start the match.

Awesome controls the first minute until a very pretty Storm superkick cuts him off. Storm delivers some chops in the corner but his next offensive attempt, a suplex, is blocked by Awesome who proceeds to clothesline him to the outside. Awesome joins Storm on the outside and whips him into the guard rail. Awesome gets out at a table which gets an “ECW” chant.

The table doesn’t get used however as Storm pushes Awesome into the guardrail. He rolls Awesome back into the ring & hits a lovely springboard dropkick to the inside. Storm tries a twisting crossbody from the top but is blocked and then receives an overhead belly-to-belly throw. Mike goes to the top rope but slips off (that was a legit botch) and tries to cover it by immediately clotheslining Storm.

An Awesome Bomb is reversed leading to a bit of back & forth which results in a lovely pop-up sit-out power bomb from Awesome. Storm kicks out at the point of 3 and the main official awards Awesome the match. However, Rougeau informs the announcer that in a Canadian Rules Match you need to pin your opponent until 5 so the match must continue.

An Alabama Slam gets another 3 count, but not the desired 5. A dragon sleeper from Awesome results in a tap out from Storm. Rougeau helpfully points out that under Canadian Rules submissions don’t count so the match continues again.

Nice release German from Awesome. He follows it up with a springboard shoulder block which gets a 4 count! Top rope splash from Awesome now gets the desired 5! Awesome’s music plays. The producer & I have both made a terrible mistake though as Rougeau points out that after a pinfall, the recipient has a 10 count to answer so the match continues again.

Storm hits a low blow & a chairshot on the outside and rolls Awesome backs in but only gets a 4 count. Storm gets the table in the ring and lays Awesome on it. Storm goes to the top but Awesome cuts him off & they both, for some reason, leap through the table. Rougeau clarifies that the first person up on his feet will win. Awesome gets up first but Rougeau knocks him out without the ref seeing. Storm then makes it to his feet & is announced the winner!

Post-match: BRET HART WALKS OUT! He hugs both Storm & Rougeau and raises Storm’s hand. I wasn’t expecting that. They then all walk out together. Odd.

Summary: I enjoyed Storm’s entrance & promo and the match was good until the first “finish”. However, the Canadian Rules stuff destroyed the pacing as there was a new rule change every minute after that. I get what they were trying for, and the 4 counts were quite fun, but it didn’t work. The larger issue was that the crowd were very much on Storm’s side so the reversed decisions didn’t get heat on Storm or sympathy for Awesome so not really sure what the point was.

WINNER: LANCE STORM BY CORRECT APPLICATION OF CANADIAN RULES

WCW TAG CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: KRONIK (C) v THE DARK CARNIVAL

By Nineties Mike

Ok, next up from The Great Muta is for the WCW Tag Team Championships and he is paired up with his Dark Carnival buddy, Vampiro. They come out to shouty generic music and some dry ice. Here come their opponents, the champions KroniK (Brian Adams and Bryan Clark), who have already won a four corners tag title match tonight, and have a rather D-Generation X-esque green lights and rock music entrance. Schiavone tells us this match was not scheduled, and I can’t be bothered to work my way back and find out how it came about, so let’s begin what is sure to be an all-time great…

We start with some shoving and Vampiro is thrown out straight away. Muta looks tentative and Vampiro is back in to start. Punches and a headbutt from Vampiro to Clark, but he reverses and Irish whip and a shoulder tackle gets a 2.99-count. Looked like Vampiro nearly forgot to kick out there?! Strikes traded and another reversed Irish whip leads into a BIG power-bomb, and Vampiro again only just kicks out in time, aided by Muta pulling the ref’s shirt sleeve!

Clark drags Vampiro into the corner and tags in Adams for a double-elbow takedown. Adams’ Irish whip is reversed and Muta kicks him in the back from the outside (ref just points and says no) before being tagged in. Kicks and punches in the corner, before a somersault move-thing is countered into a full nelson slam for another of those two-counts. Clark is in again and batters Muta with numerous big strikes, before Muta rolls out of the way and tags in Vampiro, who walks into a powerslam and yet another two-count.

Adams back in and more awful-looking “big” strikes, it spills to the outside and one slam before he throws Vampiro back into the ring. He looks for a power bomb, but Vampiro escapes with what the colour commentator called a Face Jam Escape. Wow. Kicks from Vampiro send Adams down and he tags Muta in to continue the assault. He works the leg (longer than he did with Miller earlier), and Adams has been cornered as the Dark Carnival continue battering his leg.

Vampiro ties him up in the ropes and chops continue the damage. An elbow from Muta on the outside prompts Clark to charge in and help his partner, but the ref drags him away to the corner. Muta whips Adams into the barrier outside and feeds him back in to Vampiro but both men collide and go down. Clark gets the “hot” tag and cleans house, before hitting Vampiro with the Meltdown, but he doesn’t cover him, turning instead into karate kicks from Muta.

He ducks, though as Muta looks to mist him, and the ref is blinded! With the ref out of action, KroniK take control before the Hans Brothers climb the barrier and attack KroniK before they can get going and a Muta moon-sault finishes this. We have new champs! That, oddly, didn’t feel as long as the first Muta match, but I won’t remember any of it tomorrow. Vampiro poses with other face-painted geeks, and I am done.

WINNERS - NEW WCW TAG CHAMPS, THE DARK CARNIVAL BY

GOLDBERG v KEVIN NASH v SCOTT STEINER

By Ross Casey

The winner gets a title shot at the next month's PPV. Goldberg is a no show due to the motorcycle accident. Tony tells us to pay extra attention to see if there’s anything out of the ordinary. I'm not counting on it.

Goldberg ARRIVES with a flying shoulder and the killed that killed Bret Hart, drawing Nash up from the apron for the big staredown. Hudson mentions that when Nash was on the booking committee, he had put himself over Goldberg. Liked that attention to detail - even if he did get the year wrong by 10 years.

A big boot drops Goldberg but the Jackknife is broken up. It looked like a simple counter but IT’S A SWERVE, BRO - because it’s really him not following the script. Russo, in his sleeveless shirt, tells Goldberg to get back in the ring - but Goldberg walks to the back.

The announcers freak out that this is Goldberg not following the script, and whilst it is truly fucking stupid, it certainly raises my eyebrows and has me wondering what is happening next. Tony: “What are they going to do now? Improvise?”

This is so bizarre to hear and breaking the fourth wall and its exciting, whilst confusing me and hurting my heart all at once. Midajah comes out as Steiner takes Snake Eyes. The referee goes down and Midajah hits Nash low on his pair of Big Sexy's but he kicks out at two.

Nash fails at a DDT and goes after Midajah - so Steiner grabs a sleeper. That goes nowhere so Nash kicks him in the face and the Jackknife is good for the 'shoot' pin.

They went for something interesting here, but it failed on almost every level and made me question if wrestling can survive its existence, WCW in 2000 was proper low ball.

WINNER - KEVIN NASH BY SHOOT PIN

WCW CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: BOOKER T (C) v JEFF JARRETT

By Ross Casey

This actually has the potential to be good, which would be nice after the previous madness. Madden says Booker needs to take a walk down Slap Nuts Boulevard. Hudson forgets the number of title runs Jarrett has had and we are off to the races!

And remember: this match is REAL, not scripted like the previous one. So damaging to their own product!

Tony suggests that Booker go for a quick win. I guess he wants to get out of here too. Booker crotches Jarrett on the post twice - but misses the Missile Dropkick. I wonder if that was scripted? Hudson suggests it's against the rules to go for the bad knee. This guy.

They work a solid story into a very basically booked match and shock - it is a success up to this point. Two talented guys having an uninterrupted title contest where the champion has a bad leg and the challenger is taking advantage of it. The Axe Kick hits and FFS down goes the referee.

Jarrett goes for the guitar but Booker goes for the side kick. They meet in the middle and the guitar slams over his knee. That is actually a cool spot - I like that the injured body part was hit by the foreign object.

Jeff locks in the figure four and Booker is in trouble. After being in the hold over a minute and a half he gets the bottom rope thanks to his fight, determination and of course the crowd support. I love it! The referee goes down again - FFS!

Booker ends up hitting the Book End through a table before Jarrett gets a low blow and down goes the second referee to a chair shot. JESUS! Booker takes the Stroke onto the open chair. A third ref arrives but our champion kicks out!

Booker gets a swinging neckbreaker on the chair and hits the Book End to win it! The fans who were so behind booker earlier in the match, are throwing garbage into the ring and I can't blame them at all.

That was going along nicely until bullshit after bullshit followed from what i have read far more bullshit from this entire card. If you are moaning about wrestling in 2019, get your lips around some WCW in 2000 fellas!

WINNER - STILL WCW CHAMPION, BOOKER T BY BOOK END