WCW Uncensored 1999
I figured I'd take a break from the usual stuff and do another classic PPV. Today, Uncensored 1999, which featured what seems to have gone down in infamy, a Barbed Wire Cage Match between Hogan and Flair for the WCW Title in the main event, among other things. I'm going into this one entirely blind, so this should be... interesting.
Our opening video package highlights Hogan and Flair's rivalry while showing several cuts of barbed wire and the cage. We're live from Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay and the late Bobby Heenan are on commentary, who hype up tonight's matches (and their bizarre stipulations)... well really they only hype up the main event.
"Mean" Gene is on the entrance ramp and says that tonight's matches are unsanctioned by WCW, and he plugs the WCW hotline, before he sends it to David Penzer for our opening match... or not, as we get a video package for Nash vs Mysterio later tonight, the latter of whom has been unmasked by this point and has a pinfall victory over Nash.
OK now onto our opening match.
WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Mikey Whipwreck vs Billy Kidman (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Mikey making his debut tonight to no music and boos from the crowd. I didn't even know Mikey was in WCW at one point.
Crowd do not like Mikey here, although they do give him a pop for a nice head scissor, right before booing him again. Fast paced match from start to finish, back and forth. Mikey hits a nasty wheelbarrow slam from the apron into the guard rail which looks nasty.
As things wind down, Kidman reverses a slingshot suplex into a DDT then goes to follow up with the Shooting Star but Mikey pushes him off to the outside. Mikey up top now and launches off but lands on top of the guard rail, Kidman back dropped to the floor, before Mikey tries a somersault over the rail onto Kidman but hits concrete, before being whipped back to ringside.
Kidman eats steel steps off a drop toe hold before they roll back into the ring, Mikey with a near fall. Side Russian leg sweep by Whipwreck and another near fall. Mikey whipped into the corner, Kidman with a clothesline before whipping him into the opposite corner, a running splash but Mikey moves out of the way, another near fall for him.
Mikey taunts the crowd allowing Kidman to roll him up, but he kicks out, before nailing another clothesline. Snap suplex on Kidman for another near fall. Kidman with a Baldo Bomb for another near fall. Mikey with a swinging neck breaker before going up top, distracted by the crowd as Kidman joins him up top, trying for a suplex but gets shoved off, Mikey with a clothesline off the top for another near fall.
Mikey goes for a back suplex, but Kidman nails a double underhook facebuster for another near fall. Whipwreck lift Kidman up top and nails a back suplex, Kidman damn near landing on his head for another near fall. A lifting reverse DDT by Mikey for another near fall. Mikey with a powerbomb attempt but Kidman escapes with a facebuster, before climbing back up top, nailing the Shooting Star Press to retain in 15 min. Great opening match.
We go to replays before we get to our next match.
We have a video package. Seems Hogan has turned Vincent and Stevie Ray against each other... for shits and giggles I guess, leading to tonight's match. We get another video package, this time of crew building the cage for tonight's match, with Flair talking over it.
Harlem Street Fight: Stevie Ray vs Vincent
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: So the winner of this will be the leader of NWO Black & White. Vincent of course is the former Virgil, who proves any old nobody can join the NWO at this point I guess.
Ray shoves down Vincent, who pokes his eyes and gets in some right hands before eating a boot. Stevie with a two hand chokeslam, then more right hands, before being sent to the outside. More right hands and forearms by Vincent before whipping Ray into the guard rail. Vincent whipped into the rail next. Right hands by Stevie sending Vincent over the rail and they fight their way into the crowd. They fight to a section of empty seats, which looks like has been set up specifically for this spot, all the seats laid down on the floor.
Back to ringside with more blows by Vincent, choking Ray with his boot before rolling back into the ring. Vincent to the second rope with an elbow and a cover, but Ray kicks out. Vincent up top again but eats a boot from Ray. Ray with right hands in the corner, whipped into the opposite corner and a clothesline, back to the other corner but Ray eats a boot before nailing an atomic drop. Vincent bumps into the corner, and the back of Vincent's head hits Ray in the forehead, he goes down, Vincent falls with his head hitting Ray in the groin.
The ref starts to count them out, while Horace Hogan runs out, sliding a slap jack into the ring for Vincent, but Ray intercepts and nails the Slapjack on Vincent for the win in 6:29. Vincent's offense is pretty limited, and Ray does what he can to save this match, but he can only do so much. Thankfully it wasn't too much.
Stevie leaves the ring with the slapjack as we go to replays of the closing moments.
We cut to footage of Jericho talking about how Saturn is a joke, alongside Mark Madden and.... some other guy, hyping up his Dog Collar Match tonight, before we go to our next match.
"Big Sexy" Kevin Nash of NWO Wolfpack (w/ Lex Luger & Miss Elizabeth) vs Rey Mysterio Jr.
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Nash gets a mic to hype the crowd up a bit before Mysterio makes his way out. Apparently Nash offered Rey to join Wolfpack before the show.
Nash with a big boot on Rey right away, then being thrown across the ring from one corner to the other. Rey reveres an irish whip into a wheelbarrow facebuster, then a spinning heel kick sending Nash to the outside. Baseball slide is dodged by Nash who sends him into the guard rail, then drops him face first into the apron.
Back in the ring, Nash with knees to the midsection in the corner before lifting him up top, then an elbow to the side of the head sending him back outside. Knee across the throat before heading back in the ring. Nash with a two handed choke, into an atomic drop.
Nash goes for a tilt a whirl back breaker but Rey flips his way out, nailing a low blow, which I mean it's legal with all matches being unsanctioned I suppose. Rey off the ropes with a dropkick to the side of the head and a near fall on Nash. Nash in the corner and Rey hits a Bronco Buster before climbing up to with a moonsault but Nash catches him on his shoulder. Rey off the ropes while Nash has the ref distracted and Luger trips him up, Nash nails a big boot.
Nash calls for and nails the Jacknife Powerbomb to win in 6:20. This was... a match. I mean the action wasn't too terrible, but did Nash really need... What am I saying, of course he did, it's Nash. It wasn't clean though so I guess it's alright.
We go to replays of the closing moments, before cutting to Raven, talking about violence as we see footage of him, Hak and Bigelow fighting. Hak gets his words in, talking about his history with Raven, more footage of him and his two opponents, and nailing himself in the head with a kendo stick. Bigelow next and says basically the same thing, hyping up their match tonight.
Jerry Flynn vs The Cat & Sonny Onoo
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Flynn had his ponytail cut off by his opponents on the previous Nitro. Cat and Sonny looking ridiculous in their get up.
Most of this match is punches and kicks and chops. Flynn does hit a belly to belly slam and launches over the top onto Cat. Sonny doesn't do too much, he does distract and get some cheap shots in here and then but Cat does most of the work. Sonny gets tagged in and gets cocky. Cat tags in before Flynn can take Sonny out. Back to the same action, then to the outside. Flynn into the guard rail, Cat grabs a chair and the ref takes it away. Inconsistent rules tonight I guess.
Flynn throws Cat into his corner and into Sonny, who I guess tags in in the process, Flynn pins Sonny and Cat tries to break it up but is too late. Flynn wins in 7:06. This match was too long for what it was.
Flynn with right hands on Sonny before he escapes with Cat.
We cut to Malenko and Benoit who hype up their match tonight, showing footage of using straps on their opponents, before Henning and Wyndham cut in to do the same.
Raven's Rules Match: Bam Bam Bigelow vs Hak vs Raven (w/ Chastity)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: This is basically a hardcore match. Hak of course, is the former Sandman of ECW fame, out with kendo stick in hand and barbed wire wrapped around him. Makes for an interesting look. Raven out with his sister Chastity.
Raven and Bigelow go after Hak immediately, whipped into the corner before being splashed by Bigelow. Backdrop on Raven then a clothesline on Hak. Chastity comes from the back with a bin full o weapons, Raven tossing several weapons.
Hak with a trash can to Bigelow's head, then Raven with a shot to Hak's head. Can lid concerto by Raven on Bigelow and Hak, then Bigelow with a trash can to Raven's head. Bigelow snaps a broom over Hak's head, then Raven with a mailbox over Bigelow and Hak's head, a drop top hold into the trash can on Hak.
Ironing board by Hak on the back of Raven's head, then Bigelow with a cookie sheet to Hak's head. Mailbox to the back of Raven before Bigelow nails Hak with a lid, then Raven with a low blow on Bigelow.
Hak whipped into an ironing board in the corner, bending it in half. Drop toe hold on Bigelow into a trash can. Bigelow and Hak with right hands, stumbling over the weapons strewn around the ring. Raven with the ironing board on Hak and Bigelow. Raven stacking up bent trash cans in the corner, but gets whipped into them by Bigelow.
Bigelow with a box fans and nails Hak over the head with it, then Hak uses it on Bigelow. Hak with a broom across the throat of Bigelow, but Raven comes behind with a paint tray on bot. Broom in the crotch of Hak and Bigelow. Raven with a pair of knees for Bigelow and Hak, grabbing a chair and nails Bigelow across the back. Raven driven face first into a trash can by Bigelow.
Bigelow with a cookie sheet across Raven's back and Hak's head, Hak jumping on Bigelow's back with a sleeper, then Raven, then both at the same time but they just tumble forward to the mat. Raven lifted up top and Hak with a Frankensteiner off the top.
Hak under the ring and pulls out a table but Bigelow cuts him off with a can to the head, then sets the table up near the corner, putting Hak on top. Bigelow to the second rope but Hak rolls off. Raven lifts him to Bigelow's shoulders and powerbombs Hak... well he's supposed to go through but the table barely budges, so Bigelow nails a splash through the table. Raven with a pin attempt but Bigelow breaks it up.
Bigelow splashes Raven in the corner, whips him across for another splash, then Hak takes his kendo stick and nails Bigelow in the legs a few times before Chastity comes in, but Raves pulls her out of the way and gets nailed in the head. Chastity pulls some tape from the bin while Bigelow pulls out two more tables, Hak with more shots on Raven. Hak with a kendo stick to the back of Bigelow.
Bigelow whipped into a table in the corner and it barely breaks before Raven hits an Evenflow DDT on Hak, then proceeds to tape Hak's wrists behind his back.
Raven with a chair and nails Hak in the head a few times, reminiscent of Rock/Mankind. Bigelow nails Raven with Greetings from Ashbury Park. Bigelow sets up the other table and Hak for some reason is free from the tape now. Bigelow sprays Chastity with a fire extinguisher who falls into the bin, then sprays Bigelow with an extinguisher as he goes up top and falls through the table.
Raven with a cookie sheet and Chastity... sprays Raven? Then a low blow and Hak rolls over to pin Raven and win the match in 14:29. Man, this match was a mess, but admittedly, it was kind of fun to watch. I don't know what that ending was about though.
Chastity leaves with Hak who can barely stand. Also just realized that barbed wire he came wrapped up in disappeared at some point. We get replays of those unprotected chair shots, and it seems the tape broke off as Rave was nailing him. Guess that didn't work out in the end. More replays of the closing moments.
Still to come, the Barbed Wire Cage Match. Heenan is for whatever reason turned away from the camera as they hype up the main event some more.Tony and Heenan argue a bit but no audio.
Lumberjack Strap Match for the WCW World Tag Team Championship: Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko of the Four Horsemen vs Curt Henning & Barry Windham (c) (Lumberjacks: Norman Smiley, Chris Adams, Prince Iaukea, Hugh Morris, Kenny Kaos, Kendall Windham, Bobby Duncan Jr. & Meng)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: So it's a typical lumberjack match but the lumberjacks all have straps to use against the competitors. This isn't a tornado tag match, which would've made more sense, since they can still be whipped on the apron... but they don't so never mind.
Arn Anderson makes his way down as the match starts, shakes hands with Chris Adams and... sends him to the back? Well alright. Arn's got his own strap so he joins the lumberjacks. Windham and Henning try to leave but they get whipped for their troubles and sent back to the ring.
The lumberjack gimmick isn't overused in this match thankfully and they put together a great match. Barry and Dean get hot tag and Benoit cleans house. All four in the ring as Barry tries to leave again, we get fighting among the lumberjacks and Benoit and Windham. Arn pulls himself on the apron and gets knocked off by Henning. Arn pulls a tire iron from his jacket and enters the ring, nailing Henning in the back of the head. Benoit and Barry up top, Malenko pulls him down, allowing Benoit to... well, stumble off the top practically, and still nail a diving headbutt all the way across the ring, and we have new champions in 15:58.
Arn celebrates with the new champs before leaving the ring, Barry trying to nail Benoit with a strap on his way out. We go to replays before we go right to our next match.
Dog Collar Match: Chris Jericho (w/ Ralphus) vs Perry Saturn
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Saturn comes out with some... freaky gothic get up, with dog collar already attached to his neck. This is similar to a strap match, where Jericho and Saturn are attached by chain, collars at their necks, however this is won by pin or submission rather than touching the four turnbuckles. Saturn's got some neat green contact lenses. Jericho gets a mic and calls him RuPerry, and tells Ralphus to put the collar around his neck, but he refuses, saying Jericho's gotta put it on. Jericho slaps him and sends him to the back, but not before getting a mouth piece from him. Jericho spends several minutes stalling and tries for a sneak attack as the bell rings, but Saturn takes him down with a couple of belly to bellies, before putting the collar on himself.
Saturn controls the early parts of this match, using the chain to his advantage, wrapped around his fist with some right hands to Jericho's face before using it to choke Jericho. Jericho offs the ropes into a clothesline and a leg drop. More right hands with the chain and Jericho gets crotched on the top rope. Saturn exits the ring and uses the chain to yank Chris throat first onto the guard rail. Chain whips and punches across Jericho's back before being whipped into the barricade with more use of the chain.
Back in the ring, Saturn with another choke/bow and arrow type combo. Jericho off the ropes and through Saturn's legs, yanking the chain up between the legs to get some offense in now, sending Perry to the outside with a clothesline. Jericho now using the chain to hang Saturn from the top rope, then a crossbody off the top. More choking before climbing onto the apron, Jericho powerbombing Saturn into the ring, sending them both back over.
Right hands into the corner and more chain choking, Jericho trying a hangman with the chain but he can't get Saturn up, Saturn uses the ropes to turn it into an inside cradle for a near fall. Chris taunts the crowd in the corner on the second rope, but Saturn yanks him off, following with a side kick. Jericho whipped and tosses around via the chain before being taken to the corner. Ten punch by Saturn, but Jericho gets him down and tries for the Liontamer, but Saturn prevents it, wrapping the chain around the back of Jericho's head in an attempt to shorten the length, but he eventually rolls him over and locks it in. Jericho's getting choked by the previously wrapped chain though and is forced to release.
Ref starts a 10 count for some reason, and they get back to their feet, hoisting Jericho up and nails a Death Valley Driver, but Jericho kicks out at 2. Jericho hoisted up to the top rope and Saturn tries for a Frankensteiner but takes... I guess a spinebuster, but I think he was trying a powerbomb. A near fall anyways. Jericho detaches the chain from Saturn's collar and wraps it around himself, hooking Saturn's end to his collar, goes for a Lionsault from the top rope but Saturn, well he tries to roll out of the way but Jericho still kinda catches him.
Jericho trying for another quick pin and a near fall. Scoop slam before he goes back up top, misses a splash and Saturn nails another Death Valley Driver for the win in 11:51. Not a bad match. Feel like it dragged a little at times, but I did like Jericho trying to use the chain around himself to add more damage to his top rope moves, even if they missed.
Saturn heads to the back as we go to replays, before we cut to Mikey Whipwreck with Mark Madden and the other guy. He puts over Kidman, and the other guy puts over some of the moves from earlier tonight.
Time for our next match.
WCW World Television Championship: Scott Steiner of NWO Wolfpack (c) (w/ Buff Bagwell) vs Booker T
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Schivone jokes about how Steiner being uncensored is a bad idea, which I mean he isn't wrong. Steiner is already pissed about something, throwing the belt to the ground at ringside, posing and taunting Booker while Buff hypes him up, as the bell is rung.
Steiner is... well, Steiner for most of this match, Bagwell even gets involved, and I guess it's allowed because anything goes? So hard to tell when it's inconsistent on this show. Steiner uses a chair from the crowd to take the advantage. Booker spends the match trying to overcome the 2 on 1 disadvantage but Buff cuts him off at ever chance he gets.
Steiner motions to Bagwell for a chair, he enters as Steiner holds up Booker, but Booker gets free and Steiner gets nailed. Buff gets the chair gets kicked into his face, and Booker takes advantaged of the knocked out Steiner to pin and win the TV Championship in 13:31. Our last good match of the night.
We go to replays as Booker celebrates and heads to the back. We get more footage of tonight's cage being built, which admittedly, they do make it look intimidating.
Now, to Michael Buffer for the introductions.
First Blood Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship: "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair vs "Hollywood" Hogan
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Razor wire lined across the top and no door, meaning no entry and no escape once the cage is lowered, until there's a winner. If Ric Flair wins, he'll be crowned the new champ, marking #14, and declared WCW President for life. If Hogan wins, he retains the championship, and Flair will be banned from WCW for the rest of his life. Again, credit to Buffer for making this sound like a fantastic match. Flair takes the mic and makes it clear that match won't be ended for a simple scratch or cut, it's at the ref's discretion before Hogan makes his way out to... Wolfpack music? I thought Hogan was Black and White NWO? Oh never mind, he is out in Wolfpack gear.
First bit of this match is spent with Hogan and Flair shoving each other back and forth, before chops in the corners from Flair. Flair whipped into the corner into a back body drop, Hogan with a series of clotheslines. Scoop slam and elbows drops on Flair, stepping on his face and choking him... Leading the ref to start a 5 count?
More chops in the corner from Flair, then some from Hogan, then Flair, before Hogan knocks him down with a right hand. Right hands in the corner from Hogan and more choking and knees to the mid section. Flair whipped into the opposite corner as Hogan charges with a clothesline and Flair does his overdramatic flop to the mat. Hogan adds insult to injury with a figure 4, but Flair reaches the ropes. I'm so confused to the rules of this.
Flair tries to send Hogan into the cage, but Flair gets sent face first instead. Hogan with a 10 punch in the corner... well, he starts one and then starts biting Flair, before throwing him into the cage again. Flair starts to climb for some reason, and someone throws toilet paper into the ring. Flair's been busted open as him and Hogan trade shots on the top rope, Flair crotched on the top rope and Hogan grabs some wire from the top of the cage, raking it into Flair's head. I mean I'm pretty sure the match should be over at this point. Hogan starts whipping Flair with is belt and throws him into the cage again, raking his face across the steel. Even commentary is confused as to why the match is still continuing.
Flair off the ropes into a boot from Hogan and a leg drop. Hogan goes for a pin and, obviously(?) the ref doesn't make the count. Hogan threatens the ref in the corner and Ric nails Hogan with something he gott from his trunks, now sending Hogan into the cage, and Hogan's busted open. David Flair and Torrie Wilson make their way out now, David sporting a Wolfpack shirt and Flair sends Hogan into the cage some more.
Flair with a knee drop and starts to taunt David, spitting on him, Hogan into the cage again. Flair makes a cover, and the ref starts the count and Hogan kicks out, and commentary make no attempt to explain it. Hogan hulks up only to be chopped in the corner, to no effect. Hogan off the ropes into a chop to no effect. Hogan with his trademark hulk up punches and a big boot, another leg drop, and the ref hesitates to count this time. So we've got a crooked ref? Commentary bringing up the first blood rule again. Flair with a suplex, Flair begging on the mat as Hulk gets up, Flair into the cage again, and again. Flair into the cage lawn dart style.
Hogan gets shoved into the ref as Hogan goes to lawn dart again, pulling him back up before Flair nails a low blow. Arn Anderson is out now and nails David from behind, stomping on him and bringing the crowd back to life. Torrie on Arn now but he tosses her off. Arn slides Flair the tire iron through the cage and he decks Hogan, handing Arn the iron as the ref comes to. Flair with a figure 4, ref makes a fast count as Hogan is unconscious and calls for the bell. Flair wins a First Blood Match via pin fall to become a 14 time world champion in 14:21.
I've never been more confused than I am right now, and I think the crowd would concur with me. Flair is also boss for life now as David slides in to check on Hogan, both he and Flair a bloody mess. Commentary make no effort to try and explain what just happened, Flair's music turns to the Horsemen theme as they head to the back, and the PPV fades out.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I mean what is there to even say? To be fair, the show did have some good matches. The Cruiserweight match was good, the Raven's Rules match was an entertaining mess, overall not a terrible show, but that main event, I mean what the hell were they thinking there? Who am I kidding it's WCW in 1999. This is only a couple months removed from the Fingerpoke of Doom.
Now, I've been told from a reliable source that this ending was never explained, but I guess it's supposed to be a double turn, or a single heel turn for Flair? My knowledge of WCW is limited as it is. but what I can tell you is Flair would keep his position as President until July (this show being in March), losing a match to Sting thanks to a returning Bischoff(?) to make the decision. Flair would lose the title a month after this at Spring Stampede to DDP.
Our opening video package highlights Hogan and Flair's rivalry while showing several cuts of barbed wire and the cage. We're live from Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay and the late Bobby Heenan are on commentary, who hype up tonight's matches (and their bizarre stipulations)... well really they only hype up the main event.
"Mean" Gene is on the entrance ramp and says that tonight's matches are unsanctioned by WCW, and he plugs the WCW hotline, before he sends it to David Penzer for our opening match... or not, as we get a video package for Nash vs Mysterio later tonight, the latter of whom has been unmasked by this point and has a pinfall victory over Nash.
OK now onto our opening match.
WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Mikey Whipwreck vs Billy Kidman (c)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Mikey making his debut tonight to no music and boos from the crowd. I didn't even know Mikey was in WCW at one point.
Crowd do not like Mikey here, although they do give him a pop for a nice head scissor, right before booing him again. Fast paced match from start to finish, back and forth. Mikey hits a nasty wheelbarrow slam from the apron into the guard rail which looks nasty.
As things wind down, Kidman reverses a slingshot suplex into a DDT then goes to follow up with the Shooting Star but Mikey pushes him off to the outside. Mikey up top now and launches off but lands on top of the guard rail, Kidman back dropped to the floor, before Mikey tries a somersault over the rail onto Kidman but hits concrete, before being whipped back to ringside.
Kidman eats steel steps off a drop toe hold before they roll back into the ring, Mikey with a near fall. Side Russian leg sweep by Whipwreck and another near fall. Mikey whipped into the corner, Kidman with a clothesline before whipping him into the opposite corner, a running splash but Mikey moves out of the way, another near fall for him.
Mikey taunts the crowd allowing Kidman to roll him up, but he kicks out, before nailing another clothesline. Snap suplex on Kidman for another near fall. Kidman with a Baldo Bomb for another near fall. Mikey with a swinging neck breaker before going up top, distracted by the crowd as Kidman joins him up top, trying for a suplex but gets shoved off, Mikey with a clothesline off the top for another near fall.
Mikey goes for a back suplex, but Kidman nails a double underhook facebuster for another near fall. Whipwreck lift Kidman up top and nails a back suplex, Kidman damn near landing on his head for another near fall. A lifting reverse DDT by Mikey for another near fall. Mikey with a powerbomb attempt but Kidman escapes with a facebuster, before climbing back up top, nailing the Shooting Star Press to retain in 15 min. Great opening match.
We go to replays before we get to our next match.
We have a video package. Seems Hogan has turned Vincent and Stevie Ray against each other... for shits and giggles I guess, leading to tonight's match. We get another video package, this time of crew building the cage for tonight's match, with Flair talking over it.
Harlem Street Fight: Stevie Ray vs Vincent
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: So the winner of this will be the leader of NWO Black & White. Vincent of course is the former Virgil, who proves any old nobody can join the NWO at this point I guess.
Ray shoves down Vincent, who pokes his eyes and gets in some right hands before eating a boot. Stevie with a two hand chokeslam, then more right hands, before being sent to the outside. More right hands and forearms by Vincent before whipping Ray into the guard rail. Vincent whipped into the rail next. Right hands by Stevie sending Vincent over the rail and they fight their way into the crowd. They fight to a section of empty seats, which looks like has been set up specifically for this spot, all the seats laid down on the floor.
Back to ringside with more blows by Vincent, choking Ray with his boot before rolling back into the ring. Vincent to the second rope with an elbow and a cover, but Ray kicks out. Vincent up top again but eats a boot from Ray. Ray with right hands in the corner, whipped into the opposite corner and a clothesline, back to the other corner but Ray eats a boot before nailing an atomic drop. Vincent bumps into the corner, and the back of Vincent's head hits Ray in the forehead, he goes down, Vincent falls with his head hitting Ray in the groin.
The ref starts to count them out, while Horace Hogan runs out, sliding a slap jack into the ring for Vincent, but Ray intercepts and nails the Slapjack on Vincent for the win in 6:29. Vincent's offense is pretty limited, and Ray does what he can to save this match, but he can only do so much. Thankfully it wasn't too much.
Stevie leaves the ring with the slapjack as we go to replays of the closing moments.
We cut to footage of Jericho talking about how Saturn is a joke, alongside Mark Madden and.... some other guy, hyping up his Dog Collar Match tonight, before we go to our next match.
"Big Sexy" Kevin Nash of NWO Wolfpack (w/ Lex Luger & Miss Elizabeth) vs Rey Mysterio Jr.
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Nash gets a mic to hype the crowd up a bit before Mysterio makes his way out. Apparently Nash offered Rey to join Wolfpack before the show.
Nash with a big boot on Rey right away, then being thrown across the ring from one corner to the other. Rey reveres an irish whip into a wheelbarrow facebuster, then a spinning heel kick sending Nash to the outside. Baseball slide is dodged by Nash who sends him into the guard rail, then drops him face first into the apron.
Back in the ring, Nash with knees to the midsection in the corner before lifting him up top, then an elbow to the side of the head sending him back outside. Knee across the throat before heading back in the ring. Nash with a two handed choke, into an atomic drop.
Nash goes for a tilt a whirl back breaker but Rey flips his way out, nailing a low blow, which I mean it's legal with all matches being unsanctioned I suppose. Rey off the ropes with a dropkick to the side of the head and a near fall on Nash. Nash in the corner and Rey hits a Bronco Buster before climbing up to with a moonsault but Nash catches him on his shoulder. Rey off the ropes while Nash has the ref distracted and Luger trips him up, Nash nails a big boot.
Nash calls for and nails the Jacknife Powerbomb to win in 6:20. This was... a match. I mean the action wasn't too terrible, but did Nash really need... What am I saying, of course he did, it's Nash. It wasn't clean though so I guess it's alright.
We go to replays of the closing moments, before cutting to Raven, talking about violence as we see footage of him, Hak and Bigelow fighting. Hak gets his words in, talking about his history with Raven, more footage of him and his two opponents, and nailing himself in the head with a kendo stick. Bigelow next and says basically the same thing, hyping up their match tonight.
Jerry Flynn vs The Cat & Sonny Onoo
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Flynn had his ponytail cut off by his opponents on the previous Nitro. Cat and Sonny looking ridiculous in their get up.
Most of this match is punches and kicks and chops. Flynn does hit a belly to belly slam and launches over the top onto Cat. Sonny doesn't do too much, he does distract and get some cheap shots in here and then but Cat does most of the work. Sonny gets tagged in and gets cocky. Cat tags in before Flynn can take Sonny out. Back to the same action, then to the outside. Flynn into the guard rail, Cat grabs a chair and the ref takes it away. Inconsistent rules tonight I guess.
Flynn throws Cat into his corner and into Sonny, who I guess tags in in the process, Flynn pins Sonny and Cat tries to break it up but is too late. Flynn wins in 7:06. This match was too long for what it was.
Flynn with right hands on Sonny before he escapes with Cat.
We cut to Malenko and Benoit who hype up their match tonight, showing footage of using straps on their opponents, before Henning and Wyndham cut in to do the same.
Raven's Rules Match: Bam Bam Bigelow vs Hak vs Raven (w/ Chastity)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: This is basically a hardcore match. Hak of course, is the former Sandman of ECW fame, out with kendo stick in hand and barbed wire wrapped around him. Makes for an interesting look. Raven out with his sister Chastity.
Raven and Bigelow go after Hak immediately, whipped into the corner before being splashed by Bigelow. Backdrop on Raven then a clothesline on Hak. Chastity comes from the back with a bin full o weapons, Raven tossing several weapons.
Hak with a trash can to Bigelow's head, then Raven with a shot to Hak's head. Can lid concerto by Raven on Bigelow and Hak, then Bigelow with a trash can to Raven's head. Bigelow snaps a broom over Hak's head, then Raven with a mailbox over Bigelow and Hak's head, a drop top hold into the trash can on Hak.
Ironing board by Hak on the back of Raven's head, then Bigelow with a cookie sheet to Hak's head. Mailbox to the back of Raven before Bigelow nails Hak with a lid, then Raven with a low blow on Bigelow.
Hak whipped into an ironing board in the corner, bending it in half. Drop toe hold on Bigelow into a trash can. Bigelow and Hak with right hands, stumbling over the weapons strewn around the ring. Raven with the ironing board on Hak and Bigelow. Raven stacking up bent trash cans in the corner, but gets whipped into them by Bigelow.
Bigelow with a box fans and nails Hak over the head with it, then Hak uses it on Bigelow. Hak with a broom across the throat of Bigelow, but Raven comes behind with a paint tray on bot. Broom in the crotch of Hak and Bigelow. Raven with a pair of knees for Bigelow and Hak, grabbing a chair and nails Bigelow across the back. Raven driven face first into a trash can by Bigelow.
Bigelow with a cookie sheet across Raven's back and Hak's head, Hak jumping on Bigelow's back with a sleeper, then Raven, then both at the same time but they just tumble forward to the mat. Raven lifted up top and Hak with a Frankensteiner off the top.
Hak under the ring and pulls out a table but Bigelow cuts him off with a can to the head, then sets the table up near the corner, putting Hak on top. Bigelow to the second rope but Hak rolls off. Raven lifts him to Bigelow's shoulders and powerbombs Hak... well he's supposed to go through but the table barely budges, so Bigelow nails a splash through the table. Raven with a pin attempt but Bigelow breaks it up.
Bigelow splashes Raven in the corner, whips him across for another splash, then Hak takes his kendo stick and nails Bigelow in the legs a few times before Chastity comes in, but Raves pulls her out of the way and gets nailed in the head. Chastity pulls some tape from the bin while Bigelow pulls out two more tables, Hak with more shots on Raven. Hak with a kendo stick to the back of Bigelow.
Bigelow whipped into a table in the corner and it barely breaks before Raven hits an Evenflow DDT on Hak, then proceeds to tape Hak's wrists behind his back.
Raven with a chair and nails Hak in the head a few times, reminiscent of Rock/Mankind. Bigelow nails Raven with Greetings from Ashbury Park. Bigelow sets up the other table and Hak for some reason is free from the tape now. Bigelow sprays Chastity with a fire extinguisher who falls into the bin, then sprays Bigelow with an extinguisher as he goes up top and falls through the table.
Raven with a cookie sheet and Chastity... sprays Raven? Then a low blow and Hak rolls over to pin Raven and win the match in 14:29. Man, this match was a mess, but admittedly, it was kind of fun to watch. I don't know what that ending was about though.
Chastity leaves with Hak who can barely stand. Also just realized that barbed wire he came wrapped up in disappeared at some point. We get replays of those unprotected chair shots, and it seems the tape broke off as Rave was nailing him. Guess that didn't work out in the end. More replays of the closing moments.
Still to come, the Barbed Wire Cage Match. Heenan is for whatever reason turned away from the camera as they hype up the main event some more.Tony and Heenan argue a bit but no audio.
Lumberjack Strap Match for the WCW World Tag Team Championship: Chris Benoit & Dean Malenko of the Four Horsemen vs Curt Henning & Barry Windham (c) (Lumberjacks: Norman Smiley, Chris Adams, Prince Iaukea, Hugh Morris, Kenny Kaos, Kendall Windham, Bobby Duncan Jr. & Meng)
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: So it's a typical lumberjack match but the lumberjacks all have straps to use against the competitors. This isn't a tornado tag match, which would've made more sense, since they can still be whipped on the apron... but they don't so never mind.
Arn Anderson makes his way down as the match starts, shakes hands with Chris Adams and... sends him to the back? Well alright. Arn's got his own strap so he joins the lumberjacks. Windham and Henning try to leave but they get whipped for their troubles and sent back to the ring.
The lumberjack gimmick isn't overused in this match thankfully and they put together a great match. Barry and Dean get hot tag and Benoit cleans house. All four in the ring as Barry tries to leave again, we get fighting among the lumberjacks and Benoit and Windham. Arn pulls himself on the apron and gets knocked off by Henning. Arn pulls a tire iron from his jacket and enters the ring, nailing Henning in the back of the head. Benoit and Barry up top, Malenko pulls him down, allowing Benoit to... well, stumble off the top practically, and still nail a diving headbutt all the way across the ring, and we have new champions in 15:58.
Arn celebrates with the new champs before leaving the ring, Barry trying to nail Benoit with a strap on his way out. We go to replays before we go right to our next match.
Dog Collar Match: Chris Jericho (w/ Ralphus) vs Perry Saturn
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Saturn comes out with some... freaky gothic get up, with dog collar already attached to his neck. This is similar to a strap match, where Jericho and Saturn are attached by chain, collars at their necks, however this is won by pin or submission rather than touching the four turnbuckles. Saturn's got some neat green contact lenses. Jericho gets a mic and calls him RuPerry, and tells Ralphus to put the collar around his neck, but he refuses, saying Jericho's gotta put it on. Jericho slaps him and sends him to the back, but not before getting a mouth piece from him. Jericho spends several minutes stalling and tries for a sneak attack as the bell rings, but Saturn takes him down with a couple of belly to bellies, before putting the collar on himself.
Saturn controls the early parts of this match, using the chain to his advantage, wrapped around his fist with some right hands to Jericho's face before using it to choke Jericho. Jericho offs the ropes into a clothesline and a leg drop. More right hands with the chain and Jericho gets crotched on the top rope. Saturn exits the ring and uses the chain to yank Chris throat first onto the guard rail. Chain whips and punches across Jericho's back before being whipped into the barricade with more use of the chain.
Back in the ring, Saturn with another choke/bow and arrow type combo. Jericho off the ropes and through Saturn's legs, yanking the chain up between the legs to get some offense in now, sending Perry to the outside with a clothesline. Jericho now using the chain to hang Saturn from the top rope, then a crossbody off the top. More choking before climbing onto the apron, Jericho powerbombing Saturn into the ring, sending them both back over.
Right hands into the corner and more chain choking, Jericho trying a hangman with the chain but he can't get Saturn up, Saturn uses the ropes to turn it into an inside cradle for a near fall. Chris taunts the crowd in the corner on the second rope, but Saturn yanks him off, following with a side kick. Jericho whipped and tosses around via the chain before being taken to the corner. Ten punch by Saturn, but Jericho gets him down and tries for the Liontamer, but Saturn prevents it, wrapping the chain around the back of Jericho's head in an attempt to shorten the length, but he eventually rolls him over and locks it in. Jericho's getting choked by the previously wrapped chain though and is forced to release.
Ref starts a 10 count for some reason, and they get back to their feet, hoisting Jericho up and nails a Death Valley Driver, but Jericho kicks out at 2. Jericho hoisted up to the top rope and Saturn tries for a Frankensteiner but takes... I guess a spinebuster, but I think he was trying a powerbomb. A near fall anyways. Jericho detaches the chain from Saturn's collar and wraps it around himself, hooking Saturn's end to his collar, goes for a Lionsault from the top rope but Saturn, well he tries to roll out of the way but Jericho still kinda catches him.
Jericho trying for another quick pin and a near fall. Scoop slam before he goes back up top, misses a splash and Saturn nails another Death Valley Driver for the win in 11:51. Not a bad match. Feel like it dragged a little at times, but I did like Jericho trying to use the chain around himself to add more damage to his top rope moves, even if they missed.
Saturn heads to the back as we go to replays, before we cut to Mikey Whipwreck with Mark Madden and the other guy. He puts over Kidman, and the other guy puts over some of the moves from earlier tonight.
Time for our next match.
WCW World Television Championship: Scott Steiner of NWO Wolfpack (c) (w/ Buff Bagwell) vs Booker T
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Schivone jokes about how Steiner being uncensored is a bad idea, which I mean he isn't wrong. Steiner is already pissed about something, throwing the belt to the ground at ringside, posing and taunting Booker while Buff hypes him up, as the bell is rung.
Steiner is... well, Steiner for most of this match, Bagwell even gets involved, and I guess it's allowed because anything goes? So hard to tell when it's inconsistent on this show. Steiner uses a chair from the crowd to take the advantage. Booker spends the match trying to overcome the 2 on 1 disadvantage but Buff cuts him off at ever chance he gets.
Steiner motions to Bagwell for a chair, he enters as Steiner holds up Booker, but Booker gets free and Steiner gets nailed. Buff gets the chair gets kicked into his face, and Booker takes advantaged of the knocked out Steiner to pin and win the TV Championship in 13:31. Our last good match of the night.
We go to replays as Booker celebrates and heads to the back. We get more footage of tonight's cage being built, which admittedly, they do make it look intimidating.
Now, to Michael Buffer for the introductions.
First Blood Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship: "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair vs "Hollywood" Hogan
Pre-Match Notes & Thoughts: Razor wire lined across the top and no door, meaning no entry and no escape once the cage is lowered, until there's a winner. If Ric Flair wins, he'll be crowned the new champ, marking #14, and declared WCW President for life. If Hogan wins, he retains the championship, and Flair will be banned from WCW for the rest of his life. Again, credit to Buffer for making this sound like a fantastic match. Flair takes the mic and makes it clear that match won't be ended for a simple scratch or cut, it's at the ref's discretion before Hogan makes his way out to... Wolfpack music? I thought Hogan was Black and White NWO? Oh never mind, he is out in Wolfpack gear.
First bit of this match is spent with Hogan and Flair shoving each other back and forth, before chops in the corners from Flair. Flair whipped into the corner into a back body drop, Hogan with a series of clotheslines. Scoop slam and elbows drops on Flair, stepping on his face and choking him... Leading the ref to start a 5 count?
More chops in the corner from Flair, then some from Hogan, then Flair, before Hogan knocks him down with a right hand. Right hands in the corner from Hogan and more choking and knees to the mid section. Flair whipped into the opposite corner as Hogan charges with a clothesline and Flair does his overdramatic flop to the mat. Hogan adds insult to injury with a figure 4, but Flair reaches the ropes. I'm so confused to the rules of this.
Flair tries to send Hogan into the cage, but Flair gets sent face first instead. Hogan with a 10 punch in the corner... well, he starts one and then starts biting Flair, before throwing him into the cage again. Flair starts to climb for some reason, and someone throws toilet paper into the ring. Flair's been busted open as him and Hogan trade shots on the top rope, Flair crotched on the top rope and Hogan grabs some wire from the top of the cage, raking it into Flair's head. I mean I'm pretty sure the match should be over at this point. Hogan starts whipping Flair with is belt and throws him into the cage again, raking his face across the steel. Even commentary is confused as to why the match is still continuing.
Flair off the ropes into a boot from Hogan and a leg drop. Hogan goes for a pin and, obviously(?) the ref doesn't make the count. Hogan threatens the ref in the corner and Ric nails Hogan with something he gott from his trunks, now sending Hogan into the cage, and Hogan's busted open. David Flair and Torrie Wilson make their way out now, David sporting a Wolfpack shirt and Flair sends Hogan into the cage some more.
Flair with a knee drop and starts to taunt David, spitting on him, Hogan into the cage again. Flair makes a cover, and the ref starts the count and Hogan kicks out, and commentary make no attempt to explain it. Hogan hulks up only to be chopped in the corner, to no effect. Hogan off the ropes into a chop to no effect. Hogan with his trademark hulk up punches and a big boot, another leg drop, and the ref hesitates to count this time. So we've got a crooked ref? Commentary bringing up the first blood rule again. Flair with a suplex, Flair begging on the mat as Hulk gets up, Flair into the cage again, and again. Flair into the cage lawn dart style.
Hogan gets shoved into the ref as Hogan goes to lawn dart again, pulling him back up before Flair nails a low blow. Arn Anderson is out now and nails David from behind, stomping on him and bringing the crowd back to life. Torrie on Arn now but he tosses her off. Arn slides Flair the tire iron through the cage and he decks Hogan, handing Arn the iron as the ref comes to. Flair with a figure 4, ref makes a fast count as Hogan is unconscious and calls for the bell. Flair wins a First Blood Match via pin fall to become a 14 time world champion in 14:21.
I've never been more confused than I am right now, and I think the crowd would concur with me. Flair is also boss for life now as David slides in to check on Hogan, both he and Flair a bloody mess. Commentary make no effort to try and explain what just happened, Flair's music turns to the Horsemen theme as they head to the back, and the PPV fades out.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I mean what is there to even say? To be fair, the show did have some good matches. The Cruiserweight match was good, the Raven's Rules match was an entertaining mess, overall not a terrible show, but that main event, I mean what the hell were they thinking there? Who am I kidding it's WCW in 1999. This is only a couple months removed from the Fingerpoke of Doom.
Now, I've been told from a reliable source that this ending was never explained, but I guess it's supposed to be a double turn, or a single heel turn for Flair? My knowledge of WCW is limited as it is. but what I can tell you is Flair would keep his position as President until July (this show being in March), losing a match to Sting thanks to a returning Bischoff(?) to make the decision. Flair would lose the title a month after this at Spring Stampede to DDP.
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