Monday Nitro – December 8, 1997
By Scott Keith on May 2, 2013
Monday Nitro #117
Date: December 8, 1997
Location: First Niagara
Center, Buffalo, New York
Center, Buffalo, New York
Commentators: Larry
Zbyszko, Bobby Heenan, Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay
Zbyszko, Bobby Heenan, Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay
Reviewed by Tommy Hall
We’re into the final
three shows before Starrcade so the card really should start to fill
out now. The main event tonight is Hall vs. Page which has a history
from the early 90s which I doubt we’ll hear about. Other than that
we’re hopefully going to get some new matches announced for the PPV
as the card is pretty thin at the moment. Let’s get to it.
three shows before Starrcade so the card really should start to fill
out now. The main event tonight is Hall vs. Page which has a history
from the early 90s which I doubt we’ll hear about. Other than that
we’re hopefully going to get some new matches announced for the PPV
as the card is pretty thin at the moment. Let’s get to it.
The announcers talk
about Larry vs. Bischoff for a bit to open things up.
about Larry vs. Bischoff for a bit to open things up.
Konnan vs. Ray
Traylor
Traylor
Konnan immediately runs
but gets punched down in the corner with ease. A powerslam sends
Konnan to the floor but he pulls Traylor to the floor for a quick
slugout. Ray is sent into the steps and Konnan pounds him down back
inside. A DDT gets two for Konnan….and there go the lights. They
come back up a few moments later and Konnan is out cold. Ray
cautiously puts his boot on Konnan’s chest for the win. Not enough
to rate here but it was dull while it lasted.
but gets punched down in the corner with ease. A powerslam sends
Konnan to the floor but he pulls Traylor to the floor for a quick
slugout. Ray is sent into the steps and Konnan pounds him down back
inside. A DDT gets two for Konnan….and there go the lights. They
come back up a few moments later and Konnan is out cold. Ray
cautiously puts his boot on Konnan’s chest for the win. Not enough
to rate here but it was dull while it lasted.
We see Rude helping in
the beatdown of Page last week.
the beatdown of Page last week.
Steve McMichael vs.
Barbarian
Barbarian
Mongo grabs a headlock
to start and hits a quick shoulder block to take over. A hard shot
to the back of Barbarian’s head actually hurts him and we cut to the
Flock in the crowd. Barbie comes back with a big boot to send Mongo
to the floor followed by some whips into the barricade and apron.
Back in and a kind of pumphandle slam gets two on Mongo and Barbarian
goes up top. His flying clothesline jumps into a shot to the face
and Mongo grabs the tombstone out of nowhere for the pin.
to start and hits a quick shoulder block to take over. A hard shot
to the back of Barbarian’s head actually hurts him and we cut to the
Flock in the crowd. Barbie comes back with a big boot to send Mongo
to the floor followed by some whips into the barricade and apron.
Back in and a kind of pumphandle slam gets two on Mongo and Barbarian
goes up top. His flying clothesline jumps into a shot to the face
and Mongo grabs the tombstone out of nowhere for the pin.
Rating: D.
After a year and a half, Mongo should be better than he is here.
He’s been in the ring with some solid talent over this time and he’s
just not getting any better. Barbarian is a generic heel but he’s
not bad in the ring. Mongo dragged him WAY down here and the whole
Mongo experiment is clearly not working.
After a year and a half, Mongo should be better than he is here.
He’s been in the ring with some solid talent over this time and he’s
just not getting any better. Barbarian is a generic heel but he’s
not bad in the ring. Mongo dragged him WAY down here and the whole
Mongo experiment is clearly not working.
Post match Meng runs in
and puts Mongo in the Death Grip.
and puts Mongo in the Death Grip.
Gene suggests that no
one respects Disco for losing to Jackie. Disco says he’s tired of
hearing about it. I think everyone is tired of hearing about Jackie
in general.
one respects Disco for losing to Jackie. Disco says he’s tired of
hearing about it. I think everyone is tired of hearing about Jackie
in general.
Buff Bagwell comes out
and challenges Luger because he’s buff and we’re in Buffalo.
Seriously, that’s what he said.
and challenges Luger because he’s buff and we’re in Buffalo.
Seriously, that’s what he said.
Prince Iaukea vs.
Dean Malenko
Dean Malenko
Eddie comes out to do
commentary again. After a quick feeling out process to start,
Malenko snaps off a good dropkick and goes after the knee. Prince
fights up and hits a quick clothesline to send Dean to the apron.
Back in and they trade nearfalls as Eddie is ripping into Dean like
there’s no tomorrow. A double clothesline puts both guys down but
it’s Dean up first for the double underhook powerbomb and the
Cloverleaf for the fast tap out. This was just a step above a
squash.
commentary again. After a quick feeling out process to start,
Malenko snaps off a good dropkick and goes after the knee. Prince
fights up and hits a quick clothesline to send Dean to the apron.
Back in and they trade nearfalls as Eddie is ripping into Dean like
there’s no tomorrow. A double clothesline puts both guys down but
it’s Dean up first for the double underhook powerbomb and the
Cloverleaf for the fast tap out. This was just a step above a
squash.
Nitro Girls.
Nash says he’s the real
giant of pro wrestling and that Giant is one dimensional.
giant of pro wrestling and that Giant is one dimensional.
Giant says he’s the
real giant of pro wrestling and that he’s going to chokeslam Nash.
real giant of pro wrestling and that he’s going to chokeslam Nash.
Nitro Girls.
Chris Benoit vs.
Lodi
Lodi
Again this is supposed
to be Raven but he’s not here tonight so it’s the yet to be named
Lodi instead. Tony has a name for him and calls him Load-Eye.
Benoit knocks him off the apron to start and chops Lodi up against
the barricade. They head inside with Benoit talking trash to the
Flock and chopping the skin off of Lodi’s chest. Benoit hits his
hard clothesline to take Lodi down and loads up a superplex. The
Swan Dive and Crossface end this destruction as Benoit impresses
again.
to be Raven but he’s not here tonight so it’s the yet to be named
Lodi instead. Tony has a name for him and calls him Load-Eye.
Benoit knocks him off the apron to start and chops Lodi up against
the barricade. They head inside with Benoit talking trash to the
Flock and chopping the skin off of Lodi’s chest. Benoit hits his
hard clothesline to take Lodi down and loads up a superplex. The
Swan Dive and Crossface end this destruction as Benoit impresses
again.
The Flock doesn’t run
in because Raven isn’t here to lead them. Benoit grabs a mic and
tells Raven to get out here and take a beating like a man. He
promises to teach Raven what abuse is really about.
in because Raven isn’t here to lead them. Benoit grabs a mic and
tells Raven to get out here and take a beating like a man. He
promises to teach Raven what abuse is really about.
Here’s Ric Flair who
says Hall, Nash and Hogan would get theirs at Starrcade. As for
Hennig, Flair wants him in a cage at the PPV. Gene asks about Bret
Hart and Flair calls him the real greatest of all time and invites
Bret to come to Nitro. Oh wait actually Flair is the best ever and
comparing Bret to Flair is like comparing John Elway to Jim Kelly.
Hey look who is in the front row: Jim Kelly!
says Hall, Nash and Hogan would get theirs at Starrcade. As for
Hennig, Flair wants him in a cage at the PPV. Gene asks about Bret
Hart and Flair calls him the real greatest of all time and invites
Bret to come to Nitro. Oh wait actually Flair is the best ever and
comparing Bret to Flair is like comparing John Elway to Jim Kelly.
Hey look who is in the front row: Jim Kelly!
Randy Savage vs.
Hugh Morrus
Hugh Morrus
Savage knocks Jim
Kelly’s hat off and Morrus jumps Macho to start. Kelly and teammate
Bruce Smith get in some shots of their own and this is all before the
bell. They head inside and I think we’re underway. Morrus hits a
running clothesline in the corner and shouts insults about the NWO.
Kelly’s hat off and Morrus jumps Macho to start. Kelly and teammate
Bruce Smith get in some shots of their own and this is all before the
bell. They head inside and I think we’re underway. Morrus hits a
running clothesline in the corner and shouts insults about the NWO.
A second charge into
the corner misses and Savage dumps him to the floor. Back in and
Hugh hits a powerslam for two but Savage avoids a top rope elbow.
Randy slams him down for his own elbow but pulls Morrus up at two.
Another elbow hits but the lights go out again. About a minute later
the lights come on and Savage is out with a Sting mask on. Morrus
wins for no apparent reason.
the corner misses and Savage dumps him to the floor. Back in and
Hugh hits a powerslam for two but Savage avoids a top rope elbow.
Randy slams him down for his own elbow but pulls Morrus up at two.
Another elbow hits but the lights go out again. About a minute later
the lights come on and Savage is out with a Sting mask on. Morrus
wins for no apparent reason.
Rating: D.
Nothing to see here other than angle advancement at the end. Morrus
was one of those guys who was always around but never really did
anything of note. This was one of those things he was good for
though as Savage got to beat him up until the stuff at the end of the
match.
Nothing to see here other than angle advancement at the end. Morrus
was one of those guys who was always around but never really did
anything of note. This was one of those things he was good for
though as Savage got to beat him up until the stuff at the end of the
match.
Rude and Bischoff head
to the announce table and say they don’t buy Schiavone’s nonsense.
Granted I don’t think anyone else did but I get their point. They
threaten the announcers and make them do the see no evil, hear no
evil, speak no evil poses. Ok then.
to the announce table and say they don’t buy Schiavone’s nonsense.
Granted I don’t think anyone else did but I get their point. They
threaten the announcers and make them do the see no evil, hear no
evil, speak no evil poses. Ok then.
TV Title: Saturn vs.
Disco Inferno
Disco Inferno
The announcers say we
have to take a break because they’re scared for their lives. Back
with Saturn throwing Disco around as Tony spends the first few
minutes talking about how they need to not ignore the match. Saturn
is knocked to the floor and Disco sends him into the steps, only to
have Saturn drop him onto the top rope back inside. The champ cranks
on Disco’s arms before hitting a high angle suplex for no cover.
have to take a break because they’re scared for their lives. Back
with Saturn throwing Disco around as Tony spends the first few
minutes talking about how they need to not ignore the match. Saturn
is knocked to the floor and Disco sends him into the steps, only to
have Saturn drop him onto the top rope back inside. The champ cranks
on Disco’s arms before hitting a high angle suplex for no cover.
A top rope elbow misses
and we head back to the floor again with Saturn sending him into the
barricade. Disco Stuns Lodi over the barricade before pounding away
on Saturn in the corner. Saturn hits a neckbreaker to take over
again, followed by a big suplex for two. Disco counters a powerbomb
out of nowhere and Stuns Saturn for the pin and the title.
and we head back to the floor again with Saturn sending him into the
barricade. Disco Stuns Lodi over the barricade before pounding away
on Saturn in the corner. Saturn hits a neckbreaker to take over
again, followed by a big suplex for two. Disco counters a powerbomb
out of nowhere and Stuns Saturn for the pin and the title.
Rating: C.
I have no idea what the point of this was. We spend two months
making fun of Disco for losing to Jackie and then give him a clean
pin over a killer like Saturn? That’s supposed to make us forget
about everything he’s done for the last few months? The match wasn’t
bad but the booking makes you wonder what WCW was thinking at this
point. I guess the idea was that Raven wasn’t there to guide him,
but……Disco Inferno?
I have no idea what the point of this was. We spend two months
making fun of Disco for losing to Jackie and then give him a clean
pin over a killer like Saturn? That’s supposed to make us forget
about everything he’s done for the last few months? The match wasn’t
bad but the booking makes you wonder what WCW was thinking at this
point. I guess the idea was that Raven wasn’t there to guide him,
but……Disco Inferno?
We look at another
Nitro Party winner.
Nitro Party winner.
Nitro Girls.
Buff Bagwell vs. Lex
Luger
Luger
Bagwell immediately
sends him to the floor and poses only to be run over with a
clothesline. We get a pose off followed by Luger pounding him into
the corner and hiptossing Buff down and flexing some more. Buff
comes back with a clothesline and a belly to back suplex before
pounding on Luger’s back. Off to a camel clutch but Luger fights up
and slams him onto the mat as Norton comes out. Luger makes his
comeback with his usual stuff (clotheslines, atomic drop, forearm) to
send Buff to the floor and as he fights off the NWO, Buff gets
counted out.
sends him to the floor and poses only to be run over with a
clothesline. We get a pose off followed by Luger pounding him into
the corner and hiptossing Buff down and flexing some more. Buff
comes back with a clothesline and a belly to back suplex before
pounding on Luger’s back. Off to a camel clutch but Luger fights up
and slams him onto the mat as Norton comes out. Luger makes his
comeback with his usual stuff (clotheslines, atomic drop, forearm) to
send Buff to the floor and as he fights off the NWO, Buff gets
counted out.
Rating: D.
Bagwell just isn’t at this level yet and Lex Luger isn’t going to be
the right guy to bring him up at all. This is the second week in a
row where these two have done nothing of note and it’s not really
bringing Bagwell up the card at all. Then again no one ever would
despite the guy being around for like ten years.
Bagwell just isn’t at this level yet and Lex Luger isn’t going to be
the right guy to bring him up at all. This is the second week in a
row where these two have done nothing of note and it’s not really
bringing Bagwell up the card at all. Then again no one ever would
despite the guy being around for like ten years.
Video on Sting.
Scott Hall vs.
Diamond Dallas Page
Diamond Dallas Page
Main event time. Hall
does the survey as the announcers complain about being threatened too
much. As the camera goes to the regular shot of the ring to open the
match, someone holds up a HUGE Undertaker cutout which made my head
snap around when I saw it. Hall starts with the driving shoulders
and we actually hear about Page managing Hall back in the day. They
fight over a top wristlock and Hall is sent down to the mat.
does the survey as the announcers complain about being threatened too
much. As the camera goes to the regular shot of the ring to open the
match, someone holds up a HUGE Undertaker cutout which made my head
snap around when I saw it. Hall starts with the driving shoulders
and we actually hear about Page managing Hall back in the day. They
fight over a top wristlock and Hall is sent down to the mat.
Page pounds away in the
corner and gets two off a clothesline. Hall comes back with the
middle rope bulldog for two of his own and stomps away a bit. The
fallaway slam hits for two as the fans are lethargic at the moment.
Off to the abdominal stretch as we hear that if Zbyszko beats
Bischoff at Starrcade he gets a shot at Hall. As is the custom
though, Page counters into a stretch of his own, only to be hiptossed
over. The Outsider’s Edge is countered into a backdrop and some
atomic drops have Hall in trouble. Page pancakes him down but here’s
Hennig for the DQ.
corner and gets two off a clothesline. Hall comes back with the
middle rope bulldog for two of his own and stomps away a bit. The
fallaway slam hits for two as the fans are lethargic at the moment.
Off to the abdominal stretch as we hear that if Zbyszko beats
Bischoff at Starrcade he gets a shot at Hall. As is the custom
though, Page counters into a stretch of his own, only to be hiptossed
over. The Outsider’s Edge is countered into a backdrop and some
atomic drops have Hall in trouble. Page pancakes him down but here’s
Hennig for the DQ.
Rating: C-.
They were clearly going through the motions out there with a bunch of
signature stuff from Hall and that’s about it. This is the problem
with WCW anymore: everything is just filling time to get to the run
in and the story advancement post match. Why would I get into a
match and the near falls when there’s probably a 90% chance it’s
going to end in a run-in?
They were clearly going through the motions out there with a bunch of
signature stuff from Hall and that’s about it. This is the problem
with WCW anymore: everything is just filling time to get to the run
in and the story advancement post match. Why would I get into a
match and the near falls when there’s probably a 90% chance it’s
going to end in a run-in?
The beatdown is on and
Page is in big trouble. Even Hogan and Bischoff come out for this
one. Another Sting dummy falls through the ring and even Hogan
points it out this time. Hogan talks trash and has the NWO pull the
Sting dummy out of the hole. Hollywood keeps talking trash to the
dummy and the dummy stands up. It’s the real Sting cleaning house
and Hogan is terrified to end the show.
Page is in big trouble. Even Hogan and Bischoff come out for this
one. Another Sting dummy falls through the ring and even Hogan
points it out this time. Hogan talks trash and has the NWO pull the
Sting dummy out of the hole. Hollywood keeps talking trash to the
dummy and the dummy stands up. It’s the real Sting cleaning house
and Hogan is terrified to end the show.
Overall Rating: D+.
Lame matches, little storyline advancement, questionable booking in
what advancement we did get. Yep this is the WCW that I knew was
coming and didn’t want to have to sit through. They’re clearly just
coasting until Starrcade, which is in three weeks and has three
matches announced if my math is correct. Not a good show here and
you can see the cracks starting to come out here.
Lame matches, little storyline advancement, questionable booking in
what advancement we did get. Yep this is the WCW that I knew was
coming and didn’t want to have to sit through. They’re clearly just
coasting until Starrcade, which is in three weeks and has three
matches announced if my math is correct. Not a good show here and
you can see the cracks starting to come out here.
Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and check out my website at kbwrestlingreviews.com
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