Leighty’s Retro Review: WCW Monday Nitro 2.3.97

-Written: 6.5.26
-Run Time: 1:41:30

-Plug: Last Week

-Announce Team: Hour One: Tony Schiavone and Larry Zbyskzo
-Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis, TN

-We open with the porno music and out comes Hulk Hogan, Ted Dibiase, and Vincent. Hogan takes credit for putting the Turner-Time Warner deal together. Hogan talks about Roddy Piper and says if he is here tonight, he will confront him. Hogan: “I’m tired of Backlash.” My brain immediately went to Hogan beating HHH at Backlash in 2002 for the WWE Championship. Hogan says he will beat Piper just like last time and tonight he will crucify him. Somewhere Undertaker was watching and got an idea to discuss with The Undertaker.

Ray Mendoza, Jr. vs. The Ultimo Dragon (w/ Sonny Onoo)

-Dragon gets arm control, but Mendoza kips up and reverses. Hammerlock from Ray Jr. Dragon with a handspring elbow and Mendoza falls to the floor. Suicide dive sends Ray into the railing. Back in the ring, Dragon hits a series of punt kicks to the back. He drops a leg for a two count. Elbow drop and senton gets two. We learn that Piper’s babbling from his last appearance was “the battle is not over until you get home.” Ray lands a back elbow and starts kicking Dragon in the back and he kicks him hard. He catches Dragon with a pin for two. Dragon back with head scissors that was kind of a head scissors and kind of a rana. Top Rope Rana and a Dragon Suplex finishes at 3:13.

Winner: Ultimo Dragon via pin at 3:13
-I’m just enjoying the random people they keep finding to have matches on this show. *1/2

Billy Kidman vs. Glacier

Should have given Glacier the match with Mendoza and we could have had Dragon vs. Kidman. Glacier gets arm control and throws a chop. Kidman with a side headlock and then a dropkick. Glacier with a kip up and leg sweep. Kidman with a roll-up for two. Glacier with a tilt-a-whirl slam. Running clothesline follows. Glacier throws kicks and palm thrusts in the corner. Kick to the back of the head and a roll into a back elbow sends Kidman to the floor. Kidman gets a shoulder block between the ropes and sling shots in with a head scissors. Kidman up top but gets caught with the Cryonic Kick on the way down. That gets the pin at 2:11.

Winner: Glacier via pin at 2:11
-The finish was kind of cool. This was fine. *1/2

-Syxx and Ted want you to buy the nWo denim jacket!

-This Saturday Night at 6:05 PM: Jeff Jarrett vs. Hugh Morrus; US Title: Eddie vs. Dean! That was probably good.

Ice Train (w/ Teddy Long) vs. La Parka

-This is the type of match that only WCW Nitro can provide. Train uses the power advantage to control early and hits a lariat. He runs Train over and hooks a reverse chinlock. Parka gets his foot on the bottom ropes to break. Parka hits a dropkick and heads up top. He hits a spinning kick that sends Train to the floor. Twisting Plancha from La Parka! They head back in the ring and Parka throws chops and strikes in the corner. Whip to the corner, but Train gets a boot up and hits a running lariat. Parka runs up the ropes in the corner and comes off with a cross-body, but Train catches him (after nearly missing) and hits a powerslam. Cool! Head scissors to slow things down. Parka escapes and we cut to the back with Nash screaming “THUG LIFE,” as he and Hall stand with pipes over Lex Luger. Back in the ring Train gets another slam for two and back to the chinlock. World’s Strongest Slam from Train and he follows with a splash for the pin at 5:16.

Winner: Ice Train via pin at 5:16
-This started solid and they went longer than needed. Probably should have ended with the cross-body into the powerslam that popped the crowd. *3/4

-Gene is at the entrance ramp and brings out The Four Horsemen, though Arn Anderson is absent. Benoit notes they were plagued by injuries and in fighting, but they all found out who they can trust and count out. He says The Horsemen have a new perspective. Woman wants has words for Jacqueline and says she can have her leftovers. SNAP! No, she really snapped her fingers to drive home the point. Mongo feels so bad for what happened to Luger, but thinks he should take his place against Jeff Jarrett tonight. Debra also takes a shot at Jacqueline and her “leather face,” which shocks Gene. Flair to gets to take us home and they really love him in Memphis. Flair again brags about Woman wearing him out and Benoit having to take over. So, Benoit got Flair’s leftovers?

-We go back to last week as Eric Bischoff stripped The Steiners of the WCW Tag Titles and returned them to The Outsiders.

Harlem Heat (w/ Sister Sherri) vs. The Steiner Brothers

-The Faces of Fear and The Public Enemy are watching from the crowd. We have seen this match a lot! Each time I see Booker and Scott lock-up all I can think is they were the last true WCW World and US Champion on the final episode of Nitro. Scott works the arm, but Booker goes to the eyes and hits a spin kick. Forearms from Booker, but Scott reverses a whip and gets a Gorilla Press Slam. Booker bails to the floor, so Stevie comes in and Rick greets him with a Steinerline. Steiner Pose as Sherri regroups her men on the floor. Stevie in and he wants Rick, so Scott makes the tag and the crowd starts barking. Stevie beats Rick down and knocks off his head gear. Now Rick looks weird! Powerslam from Rick gets a two count. Scott back in as Rick puts the headgear back on. Reverse chinlock by Scott who yells that he is going to “break his neck.” Flashes of Big Poppa Pump! Rick back in and gets hit from the apron by Booker. Pump Kick by Stevie! Booker back in with a Harlem Sidekick for two. Rick ducks a clothesline and catches Booker trying a leap frog with a powerslam. Hot Tag to Scott and he runs wild! Stevie gets dumped to the floor with a Steinerline. Booker gets dumped with a suplex, but Stevie breaks the count. The Faces of Fear and Public Enemy hit the ring for a DQ at 4:58.

No Contest at 4:58
-This was an energetic cliff notes version of their matches. It’s fun seeing an actual tag division on a show. **1/4

-Hour Two Pyro!

-Announce Team: Hour Two: Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay, and Bobby Heenan

-Tony and crew cover what Hogan said earlier and touch on the attack by The Outsiders on Lex Luger.

Mike Enos vs. Dean Malenko

-Again, a normal painting would have been Dean vs. La Park and Enos vs. Ice Train, but that’s why we love Nitro! Enos gets a quick roll-up for a one count and then yells, “you have to think Malenko.” Dean goes to the mat game and Enos scrambles to the ropes to force a break. He then yells at the crowd. Judging by the empty seats popping up, this is being viewed as the bathroom/concession match. Enos escapes a headlock and runs Dean down with a shoulder. He then catches a leaping Dean and gets a slam. Enos points to his head again, and misses an elbow. Dean fights from a backslide, but can’t get it, so he takes Enos down by the arm and gets a one count. Enos yells about his tights/chaps being pulled. Dean drives his knee into the arm and transitions to a standing armbar. Enos tries to slam his way out, but Dean rolls through and keeps the hold. Dean wraps the arm around the top rope and delivers a kick. Heenan talks about how huge it would be for Piper to leave the movies and become World Champion. I mean, isn’t that what Hogan did when he came to WCW or when he came back to WWF in 93? Of course the biggest case of this happening was The Rock beating Punk for the WWE Title. Enos gets his feet up to block a charge, but runs into a drop toe hold. Dean floats over in the corner, but gets caught with a powerslam for two. Syxx is on his way through the crowd and heads to ringside. He steals The Cruiserweight Title and takes off through the crowd. I was a fan of Syxx being a klepto with various Championship belts. Enos with a powerslam and a clothesline. Dean misses a boot but Enos sells it anyway. Suplex by Enos is countered into a small package for the pin at 7:10.

Winner: Dean Malenko via pin at 7:10
-Man, get Dean away from these heavyweights and back with the guys that can tear the house down with him. This was solid, but went longer than needed and I wasn’t a fan of Dean beating Enos with a small package. Cloverleaf would have been fine. **

-Lee Marshall is On The Road with 1-800-Collect in Jacksonville. Weasel jokes are made to pop Tony and Mike. Heenan: “I hate him. What a miserable human being.”

-Gene is by the ramp with Kevin Sullivan, Miss Jacqueline, Jimmy Hart, and Konan. Sullivan says Jackie was there 10 years ago and has always been his light. Jimmy goes on a rant about hating women in wrestling. Gene: “I think you just hate women Jimmy.” Gene is awesome and it’s why he is the best in the business. Jackie accuses Debra of having plastic surgery and says her body is all natural. Nancy is also jealous because she took Kevin away from her.

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Renegade

-Page still has the sunglasses, and cigar, but is slowly getting the face DDP character down. Lockup and nothing happening. Another lockup and DDP misses a right hand. Renegade with an armdrag and Page doesn’t seem too concerned. He works Renegade over in the corner and SLAPS him in the face before telling him “reversal.” Renegade reverses a whip and hits a clothesline. Handspring elbow and he heads up. DDP hits the ropes to knock him off balance and hits The Diamond Cutter from the top (called Diamond Death Cutter by Tenay) for the pin at 2:02.

Winner: Diamond Dallas Page via pin at 2:02
-This was what it needed to be. SQUASH

-The Outsiders are on the ramp with their lead pipes and start walking towards the ring. Sting is watching from the crowd and Randy Savage is in the crowd as well. DDP grabs a chair as he isn’t sure if anyone is willing to help or if he is surrounded. Savage, Sting and The Outsiders all leave as DDP isn’t sure what to think.

Alex Wright vs. Super Calo

-Lockup and Calo gets a quick pin for a one count. Wright with a trip and his own one count. Wright works the arm as the crowd starts a “boring” chant for some reason. It just started! Geez! They each miss a dropkick and it’s a stalemate but Wright decides to throw one more dropkick that grazes Calo. Weird. Belly-to-back suplex from Wright and he gets booed by the fans. Calo slips trying to climb the ropes and the crowd laughs. Ugh, this is kind of a wreck. Wright stomps Calo and gets a side headlock and takes it to the mat. Calo breaks with a belly-to-back suplex. They get back to the spot and Calo runs up the corner to hit a cross-body. Springboard into an armdrag, but Wright comes back with a spinning heel kick. The crowd has checked out since that rough start, Belly-to-belly suplex gets two. Calo with a dropkick and he stomps Wright to the floor. Calo off the top with a cross-body to the floor and that wakes the crowd. Calo up top again, but Wright catches him with a dropkick on the way down. Wright with a running elbow in the corner followed by a Euro uppercut. Head scissors by Wright and another to send Calo across the ring. Dropkick sends Calo to the floor. Wright dropkicks him through the ropes and comes over the top with a dive. Yo, they are working hard after that rough start. They battle up top and Calo gets a top rope superplex for two. Both up top again and Calo brings him down with a head scissors. Calo back up again and misses a Senton. Heenan is just amazed Calo’s hat never falls off his head. Wright off the top with a missile dropkick for the pin at 6:08.

Winner: Alex Wright via pin at 6:08
-Again, rough start, but they recovered and had a darn fine match. I enjoyed this! ***

Konan (w/ Jimmy Hart) vs. Chris Benoit (w/ Woman)

-Konan with a dropkick at the bell and he stomps Benoit on the mat. Chops from Konan as the crowd is into this one. Rolling clothesline from Konan. Basement dropkick followed by a shotgun dropkick in the corner. Forearms from Konan in the corner and he drops a leg. Neck Crank into a Stump Puller. Benoit wakes up and fires off chops and struggles to get Konan on the top rope. He fights through it and chops Konan some more. Top Rope Superplex gets a big reaction. Calo is sad backstage as he just did the same move to a much smaller reaction. Konan with The Konan Power Drop for two! Thanks Tenay! Powerbomb, but Benoit slides out and hits a release German Suplex. Miss Jackie is out with a leather belt, so Benoit throws Konan over the top and to the floor at 4:15 and that’s a DQ.

Winner: Konan via DQ at 4:15
-This was fine, but I didn’t like the ending. **

-Benoit gets between Woman and Jacqueline. Konan pulls Jackie away and drags her to the back as the crowd boos. Heenan: “Let her go.”

Jeff Jarrett vs. Mongo (w/ Debra)

-JJ struts so Mongo decks him from behind. Fair! Heavy clothesline from Mongo. He lands a back elbow and Debra is not happy. Powerslam from Mongo gets two. Slam but Mongo misses an elbow. Jarrett back with an inverted atomic drop and a lariat. Jarrett off the top with a cross-body for two. Dropkick sends Mongo over the top. Mongo basically dove over the top in hilarious fashion. Debra delays Mongo getting back into the ring and he gets counted out at 2:19.

Winner: Jeff Jarrett via count-out at 2:19
-This was here to continue the Jarrett/Debra stuff so whatever. 3/4*

-SuperBrawl VII commercial!

-Roddy Piper is out and Gene is waiting for him in the ring. The crowd loves Piper! He doesn’t understand why he is being offered a Title Match as he already heat Hogan. He introduces his son, Colt, and has him tell the fans it is an honor to be in Memphis, TN. Piper talks about how any jerk can be a father and he needs to be a man and be a father to his six kids. He turns down the chance. Here’s Hogan, Bischoff, Vincent, and Dibiase. Heenan immediately knows the deal as he points out Piper’s son is in the ring. Piper calls Hogan, “Terry” and asks him not to do this. “Just let me go home man.” Some good acting by Piper right there. Hogan tells him to drop to his knees and beg for mercy. The crowd chants for Piper as Hogan mentions that Piper has never been a World Champion. Eric wants Piper to admit that Hogan beat him like a drum. Piper does it as he just wants to get out of there. This is pretty great actually! The crowd HATES Hogan and even I feel bad for Piper. Between Eric last week and Hogan this week, they are doing a great job making both men look like the biggest dicks. Hogan tells Piper he is done with him and yells at him for hiding behind a kid. Piper walks off with his kid and Hogan starts slapping him in the back of the head. The crowd is pissed. Roddy tells his son that he is sorry and gives him a kiss on the head. He gives the kid to someone and then turns around to run Hogan and Eric into each other as the crowd explodes. Piper whips Hogan with a belt and just rails on him with right hands. Eric is coward who stands on the apron with a chair, but doesn’t know what to do. Piper chases both men off and stands with The World Title above his head. “San Francisco, Watch My Fists Go.” He tells his son he is sorry one last time and grabs the mic to accept the match. Awesome!

-Thanks for reading!

7.5

The final score: review Good

The 411

That closing angle was a fantastic piece of business. Piper wanted the one match with Hogan, got it, and won. He never cared about World Titles and just wanted to go home to be a dad. Hogan pushed and pushed until he gave Piper a reason and the rematch of the biggest match in WCW history (to that point) is on. The rest of the show was solid. Some okay matches with a couple I would classify as good. The build to SuperBrawl is on and you can see where they are heading with the bigger matches on the card.