Booker T vs. Stevie Ray
Finally, the split I've been looking for has come to pass. I was against the reformation of Harlem Heat in any form when it first went down (as were many others), and have been counting the days until a breakup ever since. Booker deserves a major singles push following this whole fiasco, but that's something he's been deserving for a solid 2 years now. Benoit's ascension has been nothing but good, now it's time for an equally deserving talent to get his chance. Booker needs to come out of this in a near squash, while his brother needs to go the way of Brian Adams.. released, and begging for his old job back at half the pay.
Winner: Booker T
Dean Malenko, Perry Saturn and ??? vs. Konnan and Kidman
I suppose I should ponder the identity of this 'mystery partner' a bit. It's actually intrigued me, which is a pretty difficult thing to do these days. Shane Douglas has finally started to work on the mic, and it's about time. Now he just needs to get back into the thick of things, and he may yet have a future. Anyway, the partner. I'm guessing it's a member (or former member) of the Animals, at this stage my money's on Guerrero. He plays a heel far superior to his sick little face run, and his inclusion would really boost the Revolution's roster, which has lagged a bit following Benoit's departure and Douglas' injury. The match itself should be spectacular, if the men involved feel like working. Saturn's launched himself to a new level in a vain attempt at recognition (which has worked in this case.. along with Tajiri, Saturn is one of the men I absolutely love seeing right now), while Malenko has faded into the woodwork a bit. Kidman's also been on something of a backburner, and Konnan is just...Konnan. The feud itself needs to be nearing an end though, as audiences the world 'round are getting bored with it. The Revolution goes over with their new acquisition
Winners: Perry Saturn, Dean Malenko and Eddy Guerrero
Madusa vs. Oklahoma
Cruiserweight Title Match
I'm glad I'm not ordering this PPV, as I'd have to fight the urge to wipe the television screen with a chunk of my own squirts. The whole 'Oklahoma' deal, Madusa in general, and this treatment of the cruiserweight belt need to be scrapped completely and left in the sun to rot. I'd honestly rather have seen the cruiserweight belt handled in the same fashion as the TV strap than watch it go through this regression. Stroke that ego, guys..
Winner: Oklahoma.. just to show us all that he hates us
David Flair vs. Vampiro
So much for the future. With David Flair quickly shriveling in the limelight and Vampiro relegated to next to nothing feuds like this one, there isn't much to be said for the younger generation. Is Crowbar WCW's version of Christian? Is Oklahoma their attempt to counter Jaff Hardy? The future's never looked so bleak, and WCW could care less, releasing the majority of their next generation and burying those who remain. I was really starting to enjoy 3-count as strong heels who had tremendous physical potential, but they're apparently gone just as quickly as they appeared. In this one, the future gets darker and darker, with Vampiro jobbing to an unclean David Flair pin.
Winner: David Flair
Tank Abbott vs. Jerry Flynn
Shoot Fight
Yet another installment in this series of matches that go not under the name "why did we let foley go?", but "the block". The block. I won't begin to wonder what the hell that's supposed to mean.. maybe an assessment of the combined charisma of these two? At any rate, Abbott has potential if he's allowed to properly develop into a competent worker. As is, that's not bloody likely. The higher-ups seem to be high on this guy, and they're pushing him through men Goldberg-style. There isn't much to be said for those who don't learn from their mistakes, except 'see ya in the unemployment line'. Goldberg is just now starting to learn what makes a match work and why selling is sometimes important. Abbott will no-sell his way through this one, disregarding any intellect at all and picking up a win in the prestigiously gimmicked match that is.. the block.
Winner: Tank Abbott
Brian Knobs vs. Norman Smiley vs. Fit Finlay vs. Meng
Hardcore Title Match
Hey, remember when the WCW hardcore division seemed to have real promise? What happened to that? Oh yeah, they released all the talent that made it special to begin with. The only guy left that was originally scheduled for the division, Perry Saturn, is out there dying for our entertainment week in and week out to little or no fanfare. Meanwhile, the audience grows tired of this cute little 'Screamin' Norman' deal, which is why I think we're likely to see a new champ come out of this one. Since Finlay still hasn't regained full use of his leg and Norman has regressed to a new, "crash tv" style gimmick, there's really nothing redeeming about this match at all. If the finish sees Brian Knobs burned at the stake, I'll give it credit for being well booked.. otherwise, it's bound to be a flop.
Winner: Brian Knobs
Diamond Dallas Page vs. Buff Bagwell
Last Man Standing Match
They've actually done something of a decent job of building this one up slowly. Tidbits were 'leaked' to the net several months back to start interest, the men have steered relatively clear of each other with the exception of their encounter on Nitro, and the "buff is the stuff" count has been kept to a minimum What Bagwell could really use at this point is a schooling in the middle of the ring, and I think DDP could be just the man to do that. Given that he remains in his edgy, heel-like persona, Page could come out of this feud over like a beastly face, while Buff steps out a changed man and a much more comfortable heel. Keep it short, keep it indecisive, and give it another month or two to work itself out. The lines are drawn Sunday night, as Buff turns heel and the crowd is finally given direction.
Winner: Buff Bagwell
Kevin Nash vs. Terry Funk
Hardcore Match
This ain't a real difficult one to predict. With Funk's warnings against nWo interference in the main event becoming useless after Bret's injury, he'll lose it all in this surefire miss of a match. As Nash becomes more and more bored with his position in WCW, his workrate's downhill dive grows steeper and steeper. Boy, Kev, if you're bored with this stuff and you're actually involved, imagine how stellar it is to all of us! Funk will try his damndest to make this worthwhile, but anything short of a Cactus Jack run-in and multiple flaming chair shots to Nash will be a disappointment. I wouldn't bet completely
against a swerve leading to the Funker surprising us again, but the safe bet goes with a new commish by the new week.
Winner: Kevin Nash
Jeff Jarrett vs. Chris Benoit
U.S. Title Match
Well, tickle my toes and call me a monkey. I can see why they couldn't have just booked this as the new main event and let bygones be bygones with the Bret Hart situation, but damned if that wouldn't have made more sense. There was little question Hart would've come out with the title, and both Jarrett and Benoit could use the recognition of competing in the final matchup of the evening at this stage in their development. Plus, do the men backstage really think a Sid Vicious match will even come close to topping anything these guys put on? In a closed cage match? The idea is to send the fans home as happy as possible, with a feeling nothing could top the last match but an interest to see it happen nonetheless. I think a Benoit/Jarret match given a good half hour and proper motivation (i.e. Main event billing) could easily rise to that level and deliver the kick in the pants this promotion really needs. Anyway, these guys will certainly trade wins in the first couple matches. My picks are Jarrett in the Dungeon Match and Benoit in the Bunkhouse Brawl, just to shake things up a little. In the end you know I'm taking Benoit, because if I didn't it would just go against my own nature. I'm looking for the Wolverine to bust open something from the top of the cage here that just knocks everything else out of the water, since audiences almost expect the headbutt from the top anymore. Definitely one to watch, but the only match on the card that's worth your time.
Winner: Chris Benoit
In Closing...
They don't really expect anybody to shell out $30 for this, do they? I can't remember how many times I've said that in the past, but I don't think I've ever meant it as much as I do now. There's little excuse for a card this poor, especially from WCW's big "saviors", Oklahoma and the ever-mysterious power who is. ..and that's all I really have to say about that. In the personal battle between John and I, things should shape up to be more of a race after this PPV, since John hopefully didn't cop out and copy all my predictions again. Also; dig the new banner, put together by some no-name hack out there in cyber-space. I'm just going crazy with the dashes this go-round, aren't I? A sure sign that it's time to go.
until next time, i remain
drq
drq
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