Post by Leo on Jul 18, 2023 19:19:41 GMT -5
WCW Monday Nitro episode 30 for 07.17.23
Live from the Wheeling Civic Center in Wheeling, West Virginia
Commentary: Gorilla Monsoon and Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Gary Michael Cappetta
Interviewer: SoCal Val
Referees: Tommy Young, Joey Marella and Aubrey Edwards
The show starts off with “Lionheart” Chris Jericho in the ring with the UWA Universal Men’s Title over his shoulder. Curt Hennig called him out last week. He’s here now, where’s Hennig? Commentators remind fans Hennig vs. Jericho for the UWA Title is set for Phoenix Rising.
Instead of Hennig, Jake Roberts and Black Mamba (Omos) come out instead. Commentators remind viewers Roberts and Mamba beat Hennig and Jericho in a tag match at Clash of the Champions.
Roberts said they admitted he was right about them not being able to work together at Clash of the Champions. He also has to agree with Hennig that Jericho was totally sandbagging on the floor and wasn’t really hurt. He left Hennig out to dry against the monster Black Mamba.
Hennig then comes out and tells Jericho that if he’s any type of man, he’ll face Black Mamba here tonight on his own. Jericho agrees. The match will be non-title.
COMMERCIAL
Tessa Blanchard defeated Madusa Micelli by pinfall via Buzzsaw DDT at 9:25.
Post-match, Blanchard gets a microphone and says Shane McMahon is allowing the winner of the match to make a special announcement. Friday, Aug. 12, will be a women’s only special on Tubi. It will feature the first ever WCW Queen of the Ring Tournament with the winner getting a WCW Women’s Title shot at Great American Bash on Aug. 27.
Segment Notes
*Blanchard hasn’t been figured in much lately, so this was giving her something to do.
*This will test the possibility of future specials on Tubi, as Fox owns the free streaming service. A tag team special could be next.
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“Hollywood” Hulk Hogan and “Stunning” Steve Austin are talking in the back about their tag match later with “Macho Man” Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior. Once again, Shane McMahon has banned the nWo from ringside. Austin tells Hogan that he’s got an old ally he can call in to give them an advantage at ringside. Hogan is going to trust Austin and he better pull his weight tonight, brother. Phoenix Rising is about the Elimination Chamber, but tonight is all about putting Savage and Warrior down and out, jack.
COMMERCIAL
Competitors for the next match are out, Eli Drake with Maria Kannelis-Bennett and Bruce and Keith Hart. Maria demands Keith be removed from ringside, because he doesn’t have a manager’s license like she does. Keith says that’s fine, because they have someone in their stable new who just got her manager’s license tonight. Out comes Natalya, daughter of Jim Neidhart.
Bruce Hart with Natalya defeated Eli Drake with Maria Kannelis-Bennett by pinfall via O’Connor Roll at 7:17. Maria tries to interfere in the match and Natalya snatches her from behind by the hair. Drake tries to reach over the ropes to grab at Natalya, leaving him vulnerable to the O’Connor Roll and a flash three count. Drake is livid post match. Monsoon mentions on commentary how both members of the Miracle Workers have singles losses to the Hart Family.
Segment Notes
* Natlaya being brought in his was another Hart Family favor, but makes sense if the nWo is adding a female member. Management was surprised to find she was unsigned.
COMMERCIAL
“Latino Heat” Eddie Guerrero defeated Ron “The Truth” Killings by pinfall via frog splash at 9:45.
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SoCal Val has “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff on the entrance stage. He runs down Ronnie Garvin for running on out and saving his pathetic dog, Sam Houston, last week. He better be grateful, because if it wasn’t Garvin, Houston would be in a hospital bed right now from a broken neck. Garvin comes out and gets in Orndorff’s face. He talks a big game like any bully. He’s got no problem kicking somebody when they’re down like any bully. Garvin has always been a bully basher. He officially challenges Orndorff for Phoenix Rising and he accepts.
COMMERCIAL
In a non-title match, the New Foundation (Owen Hart and Jim Neidhart) defeated the Garvin Brothers (Jimmy and Terry) by pinfall via Hart Attack clothesline of Owen on Terry at 9:31.
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A hype video is shown for the Dusty Rhodes and Magnum TA feud, publicizing their upcoming match at Phoenix Rising.
COMMERCIAL
In a non-title match, “The Queen” Charlotte Flair defeated Amber Nova by pinfall at 4:58.
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A hype video is shown for Phoenix Rising promoting Flair vs. Cargill for the UWA Women’s Title and FTR vs. New Foundation for the UWA Tag Team Titles.
COMMERCIAL
Kurt Angle defeated Will Hobbs with Dr. of Style Slick by submission via ankle lock at 8:50.
Segment Notes
*Angle could go heel, but the trigger isn’t being pulled on that yet. Although he could move tweener and face all comers.
*If Power Station is broken up, Hobbs is the one management likes best and this was giving him a singles match with a top star to see how he responded.
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Tony Atlas is rubbing Maria Kannelis-Bennett’s feet in the back while she’s laying on a couch. She’s grousing about the Hart Family and how Harts Afire will get a U.S. Tag Team Title shot at Phoenix Rising. Not to mention Bret Hart getting a Wild Card Title shot against Killer Kross and Shane McMahon is letting him name the stipulation.
Ernie Ladd then walks into the dressing room. “I’m afraid of no man and no nWo. Tony Atlas, I come to the Valley of the Shadow Death that is the nWo locker room so I can look you in the eye when I call you a mangy dog. If feet is what you want, feet is what you’ll get. I challenge you to a kiss my foot match at Phoenix Rising. Let’s see how you like sucking on these size 18s.” Ladd puts his foot up on the couch arm. Atlas accepts. Maria tells him to not seem so excited.
COMMERCIAL
The camera comes up on Mickie James ranting and raving in the ring about her husband, Nick Aldis, and how he was brazenly with two Nitro Girls last week. Rick Martel is just hanging out in a corner smirking. James calls Aldis out to face her and Martel tonight with whatever floozy he can get to tag with him. Chae, Tygress, AC Jazz, Whisper, Spice; it doesn’t matter.
Nick Aldis then comes out to the entrance stage and stands there silently until he’s joined by Kamille Kaine, which gets a pop. Monsoon reminds viewers how Kaine and Aldis were once aligned in the York Foundation. James is livid.
Segment Notes
James listing the Nitro Girls names individually was to see what kind of pop they got as they’re still in consideration for the Playboy centerfold spot.
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Rick Martel and Mickie James defeated “National Treasure” Nick Aldis and Kamille Kaine by pinfall of James on Kaine. Kaine has James in the Torture Rack. Martel tries to interfere, which draws in Aldis. While referee Aubrey Edwards is dealing with them, Rhea Ripley runs in and spears Kaine. James falls on top of Kaine. Aldis and Martel are fighting on the outside and Edwards sees the cover and rushes back in to count the pinfall.
COMMERCIAL
“Lionheart” Chris Jericho defeated Black Mamba by disqualification at 6:40. Jericho elbows out of the choke slam and gets a spinning back heel kick while vaulting off the ropes. He goes for a Lionsault, but Roberts trips him up. Jericho goes for Jake on the floor, but Mamba comes off the apron with a double ax handle to Jericho’s back. They double team him on the floor, then Hennig joins in. The Pillmans run out for the save. Monsoon on commentary mentions how the Pillmans cut a promo on Roberts and Mamba on the last Thunder.
Segment Notes
*This is setting up a six man for next week of Hennig, Roberts and Mamba vs. Jericho and the Pillmans.
*Jericho couldn’t lose, but Mamba needed to continue to look strong. Management is considering Omos’ transformation and Roberts acting as a manager for him as a big win. It’s thought they might be able to steal a house with Mamba in a big match at some point.
COMMERCIAL
Savage and Warrior go out first for the main event, followed by the heels. They pause on the entrance stage and Austin announces his new manager, who will be with them at ringside tonight, Col. Robert Fuller. Commentators mention how Fuller once managed Austin in the old WCW and how Fuller hasn’t been seen since Clash of the Champions.
Segment Notes
*Fuller will still work as a back stage agent, but be back on air as a manager quicker than anticipated. Austin wanted to work with Fuller again and an opportunity was seen to build a much stronger Stud Stable than previous.
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“Hollywood” Hulk Hogan and “Stunning” Steve Austin defeated “Macho Man” Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior via pinfall of Austin on Warrior at 8:49. Warrior tries to suplex Austin back into the ring from the apron, but Fuller holds his foot. Austin falls on top of Warrior and gets the victory while Fuller holds onto the foot from the outside.
Post match, the heels grab Fuller and Warrior gives him a gorilla press slam and splash, followed by Savage hitting the elbow smash from the top rope on him after to send the fans home happy.
Segment Notes
* McMahon had to open the purse strings pretty wide to get Warrior to job here.