WCW June 1996 - 6/3, 6/6, 6/10, 6/17, & 6/24

[jackknight]

Hashtag said:

6/3/96



RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE’S BOMBTRACK opens the broadcast as the camera pans across a raucous, and filled to the rafters Omni in Hotlanta!






Welcome wrestling fans, Monday Nitro is on the air! I am your host Tony Schiavone, alongside “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, and Terry Taylor, and WCW has come to its home away from home to Atlanta, Georgia, inside the South's most famous Arena! Mark your calendars fans, as this Thursday night Live on TBS: The Superstation WCW presents Beach Blast! The Clash of Champions from Mobile, AL. Last week we found out that Lex Luger will meet former protégé Marcus Bagwell inside a steel cage, and that after last week’s attack, as Mauro Ranallo reported earlier today on the Nitro Line, Ricky Steamboat would not be competing against Chris Jericho at the Clash, but JJ Dillon would have an announcement regarding that later in the broadcast. Also, Magnum T.A. would be with us to deliver the Championship Committee’s decision regarding the Generation NeXt Division championship match at the Clash, and that Mauro Ranallo would rundown the rest of the card. All of that plus a huge double main event as Unified World Tag Team Champions Harlem Heat will both be in singles action as Booker T. takes on former AWA Heavyweight, and WCW World Tag Team champion Rick Martel, and Stevie Ray locks horns with United States Heavyweight Champion Scott ‘Flash’ Norton, what a contest that will be, now let’s send it up to Dave Penzer!

Match 1
Dem Aloha Boys w/Samu coming off the biggest win of their career thusfar last week over the Western Renegades continued their winning ways defeating Robbie Eagle and Joe Gomez after Rosey turned Gomez into a grease spot in the center of the ring with the Superfly Splash off the top rope!






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Mauro Ranallo was joined by the Unified WCW Tag Team Champions of the World Harlem Heat and Sister Sherri who are so very proud of themselves. In one night’s work they got Southern Justice and the Nasty Boys at each other’s throats, “playin’ em like dominoes, mane” as Booker T. put it. Tonight’s it’s “goin’ down tho’” as the best tag team in the World today diversifies themselves so to speak. Tonight Scott Norton and Rick Martel find out firsthand what the WCW tag teams already know, and that is “what Harlem Heat wants, Harlem Heat takes” and “some fools gone get got, now can you dig that, sucka?”

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Commercial Break
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WCW President JJ Dillon calls out the World Television Champion Chris Jericho, who as always is flanked by the Highlight Express, Christian Cage and Lenny Lane, and the trio is beaming with confidence. Dillon says that while once again he cannot prove anything, he, more than most, knows what a well-orchestrated, well-executed professional wrestling hit looks like, and
“Thanks, Jules” blurts Lenny Lane, as Jericho quickly corrects him with a thump to the temple, “what Lenny meant to say is, just what the hell are you talking about JJ?” Dillon can’t help but chuckle and says that Jericho better keep “tweedle dee and tweedle dumb” over there quiet before he gets in really hot water!

JJ goes on to say that Ricky Steamboat did indeed suffer a serious concussion, and would not be competing at the Clash of the Champions. Jericho says that’s too bad because he, Christian, and Lenny have been undergoing special training in the Canadian Wilderness, “like totally grappling Bears, and using pine cones for tp,” chimes in an excited Christian, “totally” *HIGH FIVE* gets both members of the Highlight Express a smack upside the head from the commander-in-chief Jericho. The Prez says that Jericho’s special preparations will not have been in vain because Jericho would in fact be competing at the Clash, and also defending his World Television Championship. “Enjoy your night, fellas,” as JJ attempts to leave the ring.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa pump the breaks there speedy,” The Television Champion of the World deserves to know who he will be facing in a title defense, is Jericho’s take. And Jericho does not like JJ’s response whatsoever: “I’m not sure champ, Ricky hasn’t yet informed me who he has chosen to replace him in the match Thursday night, but The Dragon will be on hand at Beach Blast, and we will all find out. Together.” Christian and Lenny try to calm down their fearless leader, but alls it gets them is spittle from the red-faced Long Island Loud Mouth who might be fixing to have a stroke.




Match 3
Christian Cage w/Lenny Lane and w/out Chris Jericho who stormed off to stew went on to have an fast paced, back and forth encounter with Michinoku Pro Wrestling star El Samurai, whose experience paid off in the beginning of the contest, and nearly resulting in a big win for the masked man after delivering a Michinoku Driver. With an assist from his pal, Lenny, Christian was able to get his foot on the bottom rope, manage to recover, and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat after connecting with the Frog Splash.





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Mauro Ranallo was joined by WCW Vice President Magnum T.A. who commented on what great action we just saw from two of the neXt generation of wrestlers that WCW is trying to feature each and every week on National television. And while it sure would be nice to name a #1 Contender to the champion Lance Storm, Scorpio and Hugh Morrus can’t seem to come to an agreement, shall we say, on who deserves that opportunity. And after last week’s melee to conclude Nitro, needless to say all 3 men want a piece of one another. While the Championship Committee would prefer title matches contested on a one-on-one basis, sometimes there are extenuating circumstances that inevitably lead to different outcomes. With that being said, it will indeed be a Triangle Match for the GenX Championship at Beach Blast as Lance Storm defends against Scorpio and Hugh Morrus. Like previous triangle matches in WCW this will be a one fall encounter in which the champion does not have to be pinned in order to lose the title. And I wish all three men the best of luck, “thanks for the time Mauro.”

“There you have it fans, straight from the Vice President’s mouth, and don’t hesitate to call into the Nitro Line, 1-900-909-9900, where I will have reactions from all three competitors, Nitro will be right back!”

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Commercial Break
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Match 4
The Queen’s favorite tag team, Norman Smiley and David Taylor pounded out another victory here in WCW after defeating the upstart team full of Bad Attitude, David Young and Charlie Haas. The youngsters had moments of offense, and showed promise, but the rugged British vets were able to withstand the attack as Smiley finished Haas with the Regal Stretch STF variation.









Match 5
Unified World Tag Team Champion Booker T. w/Sister Sherri in his corner and former tag champion Rick Martel battled in a highly entertaining match-up that was full of near-falls and close calls! It appeared as though Martel had the match won late in the contest as he had Book locked in the Boston Crab in the center of the ring. But ever determined Booker T. was able to fight through the pain and reach the bottom rope necessitating the break, and as Martel came in for the attack Booker slyly tripped him, sending Martel throat-first across the middle turnbuckle, and giving Booker the moment he needed to catch his breath. After regrouping, and fighting off Martel’s second attempt at the Boston Crab, Booker was able to catch Martel right on the button with the Heat Seeker top-rope missile dropkick to conclude an outstanding match.





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Mauro Ranallo joined us once again to give us the full rundown for this Thursday’s Clash of the Champions in the Beach Blast Control Center….

Main Event
Inside a 15 ft. High Steel Cage
Student vs. Teacher
Lex Luger vs. Marcus Bagwell
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For the World Television Championship
Chris Jericho
Defends against
Ricky Steamboat’s hand-picked replacement
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The First Defense of the Generation neXt Division Title
Triangle Match
Lance Storm vs. Scorpio vs. Hugh Morrus

Also:

Southern Justice meets the Nasty Boys
Beautiful Bobby goes one on one with Josef Malenko
The Highlight Express takes on The Western Renegades, Youngblood and Windham

Plus three more exciting match-ups, Thursday Night 7:05 pm EST LIVE and only on TBS: The Superstation its Clash of the Champions: Beach Blast Don’t you dare miss it!

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Commercial Break
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Match 6
Lenny Lane w/Christian Cage defeated Robbie Eagle and looked mighty impressive doing it, finishing off the Native American with the Highlight of the Night split-legged moonsaults from the top rope.







Main Event


VS


United States Champion Scott Norton w/World Heavyweight Champion Curt Hennig vs. Unified Tag Team Champion of the World Stevie Ray w/Sister Sherri and Booker T.

This one was like “two old bulls sqwarin off to see who gets first choice of the herd, you know what I’m talkin’ bout?” is how Dusty described it; “actually no Dusty, as usual, I have no idea what you are saying” was the response from Taylor, but these two powerful men didn’t put much finesse into this encounter, and there was no way for this one to last very long. Norton and Stevie Ray traded power moves, and both men were fond of attempting to cheap shot their opponent during the Greco-Roman knuckle lock. Very little was decided though as Diamond Dallas Page leaped the barricade, BANG! Diamond Cutter to Bagwell. BANG! Diamond Cutter to Hennig, and as Norton leaves the ring to give chase he is counted out, and Stevie Ray is declared the winner!

As Norton and Page fight in the aisle they are nearly trampled by the Nasty Boys who come get them some of Harlem Heat. Which provided the opportunity for Southern Justice to kill two birds with one stone and hit the ring as well. While those six are going at it in the ring, Hennig and Bagwell have recuperated enough to head up the aisle, looking for DDP, who is getting the better of Scott Norton, but things aren’t looking so great as Hennig and Bagwell approach. Until, “The Total Package” Lex Luger evens the odds somewhat, all hell has broken loose in the Omni!


“Sorry fans, we are out of time, join us this Thursday for the Clash!”

[jackknight]

Hashtag said:

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE’S BOMBTRACK opens the broadcast and pans across the packed to the rafters Civic Center in Mobile, AL!

6/6/96



Welcome wrestling fans, Clash of the Champions: Beach Blast is on the air! Tony Schiavone, “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, Terry Taylor, and Mauro Ranallo joining you tonight for one of the biggest Clash cards in quite some time. 3 full hours of the kind of professional wrestling action that can only be seen in World Championship Wrestling. We have the World Television Title and Generation neXt Title on the line tonight, we find out the next challengers for the Unified Tag Team Championship of the World tonight, we have a steel cage match 6 months in the making tonight, we also have an exciting debut tonight, so without any further adieu, David Penzer; take it away!





Match 1
Billy Kidman made his WCW debut against Michinoku Pro Wrestling sensation, El Samurai. The contest was exactly what an opener should be; fast-paced, back and forth, and crowd pleasing. Samurai used his experience edge to dominate the biggest part of the match, but Kidman showed true fighting spirit as Mauro Ranallo eloquently put it, refused to give up or give in, capitalized on the only mistake made by Samurai and got the crowd on their feet with his Shooting Star Press finisher off the top rope



Match 2
The Queen’s Favorite Tag Team, David Taylor and Norman Smiley battled fellow ring vets, Pat Tanaka and Paul Diamond, Badd Company in an entertaining, old-school tag team encounter. These four guys put together a nice little match that saw Badd Company hell bent on leaving an impression on WCW, looking for a spot on the roster, and although they looked good in defeat, there is little anyone can do when locked in the Regal Stretch STF from Taylor as Tanaka was forced to submit.

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Commercial Break
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Mauro Ranallo left the broadcast booth to conduct his interview with Colonel Robert Parker and The Stud Stable, who have a big night of action ahead of them. Southern Justice takes on the Nasty Boys to determine who gets the next shot at Harlem Heat, is there any way they can be 100% tonight, or keep the emotions in check, after the wild brawl they had on Nitro? The Col. says his boys will be just fine, that fighting is in their blood, and is what they do. “Their emotions won’t be out of whack Mauro, my boys will be right on the edge,” which is exactly where the Col. likes them to be, and that Harlem Heat’s run atop the Tag Team scene is “coming to a scratching halt!” Mauro points to phenomenal encounter Bobby Eaton had with Chris Jericho 10 days ago on Nitro, and the Col. says that was a minor set-back on Bobby’s road to gold. Tonight he has one of the sport’s most dangerous “hookers” in the ring, and Beautiful Bobby will show the world his diversity as an athlete, and that both the TV and GenX titles were “in our sights”


Match 3
Beautiful Bobby Eaton w/Col. Rob Parker and Josef Malenko waged a grappling clinic that Taylor suggested, “the youngsters in the back should be taking notes on.” Malenko has been out of the public eye for a few years but is one of the best trainer’s in the sport, and Mauro pointed out that, “Malenko is one of the only foreigners to ever be invited to be a trainer in the Japanese dojo’s” which really impressed Duthtay, who is certainly no stranger to Malenko, or his daddy, Boris. In the end however, Eaton was able to pick up the speed of the contest, and end this one with the Alabama Jam.



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Mauro once again pulling double duty was joined by Television Champion of the World Chris Jericho, and Christian and Lenny the Highlight Express, and “gentlemen you have a huge night ahead of you!” Christian says that he and Lenny are impressed with “Captain Obvious’ observations,” but that the three men before you right now are the future of professional wrestling, and----- “Correction Christian,” says Jericho, who has an intense look in his eye, and a deliberate tone, “we are also the present!” This is exactly why it doesn’t matter who Ricky Steamboat chooses to be his opponent tonight, Chris Jericho is the best wrestler in the WCW locker room, he is the best wrestler in North America, and he is the best in the world, “at everything I do!” Tonight Chris Jericho and the Highlight Express take care of business, and you can “bank on that, monkeys.”


Match 4
Dem Aloha Boys, Iaukea and Rosey with Samu in their corner continued their winning ways in WCW with a hard fought victory over El Diablo and Gran Akuma w/La Diabolica in their corner. Akuma used his unusual striking techniques to his advantage, and nearly took Iaukea’s head off with his Shoryuken Uppercut, but luckily big Rosey was watching his back and was the legal man, proceeding to finish off Akuma with the Superly Splash from the top-rope.



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Commercial Break
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Match 5
The Highlight Express w/Chris Jericho locked up with their old rivals, the Western Renegades, Kendall Windham and Chris Youngblood. These four men have had quite the rivalry on TV and met up in many matches in various combinations. They open up the contest a bit tentative, not wanting to make that first mistake. Dusty points out that when wrestling someone you know so well, the biggest mistake always ends the match, and the biggest mistake is usually made shortly after the first mistake and neither team wants to do that. Terry and Tony kind of understand, and Terry “translates for his fellow Mensa members who might be watching.” Meanwhile, in the ring, Cage and Lane have singled out Kendall Windham and are working on the tall Texan’s legs. They have to stay extra tight to their corner, their fearless leader points out, “cause Kendall can damn near reach his partner from the center of the ring!” And just as he predicted, the least little bit of space enabled Kendall to dropkick Christian off the apron, deliver a lariat to Lenny, and then leap halfway across the ring to his red-hot partner! Chops, headbutts, more chops, dropkicks, and backdrops have the Highlight Express reeling! And the Civic Center is cooking, but the ever aware Christian Cage Irish Whips his partner into Youngbloods ribs with a double team spear, now here comes Kendall to save his partner, he hammers both his blonde counterparts, and pulls Youngblood to their corner. Windham wants the tag, but Youngblood delivers a kick to Lenny instead, the legal man though is Christian who catches Youngblood from behind with the Unprettier reverse double underhook driver. Christian keeps an eye on Windham who stands in the corner disgusted as Randy Anderson counts the 1…2…3!







Kendall comes in and is screaming at his partner, “why didn’t you bleepin’ tag me?!” Size 15 cowboy boot to the side of Youngblood’s head, now Windham drops both knees into the ribs of Youngblood and begins pounding on his ex-partner. Windham delivers not one, but two bulldogs, and has left Youngblood battered and beaten in the center of the ring. Windham wipes his brow and heads off into the sunset as the doctors check on the fallen Renegade Warrior.



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Mauro Ranallo is standing by with Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat who is sickened by what he just witnessed. Youngblood and Windham are friends of his, and were a great tag team, but Steamboat knows the blood coursing through Kendall’s veins, and that he has had some wars with both his brother and his daddy, and the competitive fire that burns inside the Windham’s cannot stand losses. As sad as that situation is, that is not why Ricky Steamboat is here tonight. Tonight was going to be his night to finally shut Chris Jericho’s mouth once and for all. But the doctors won’t allow him to compete because of the concussion he sustained. “How typical of Jericho” to attack from behind when challenged. Ricky says that the man he has chosen to take his place tonight respects Ricky a great deal, and “is quite possibly the hungriest wrestler in all of WCW,” this man has been waiting patiently for his shot at gold, and “I don’t believe he will let this opportunity slip through his fingers.” And while Steamboat might not be cleared to compete, he is more than capable of insuring that the Highlight Express doesn’t stick their noses where they don’t belong!



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Commercial Break
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Match 6
Southern Justice vs. Nasty Boys #1 Contenders Match

vs.


In this battle between two of the roughest and toughest tag teams in all of WCW, neither team left anything in the tank when it came to determining the next contenders to Harlem Heat’s Unified Tag Team Championship of the World. This was no technical display of grappling greatness, but it was a great fight, that allowed Dusty Rhodes to shine on commentary. Anthony and Sags were taking turns delivering shoulder tackles that resulted in a stalemate, leading Anthony to respond with a poke to the eye, and an early advantage for Southern Justice. The merciless Big Bubba Rogers got a near fall after a brutal spinebuster, and Sags appeared to be on the verge of defeat as Anthony locked him up in the dreaded Stump Puller submission, but Knobbs made the save. Once tagged in legally Big Nasty was on a roll, delivering clotheslines and soupbones upside Southern Justice’s head. Knobbs appeared to have the situation under control, and was setting Bubba up for a piledriver, but ate a shoulder block from the second rope delivered by the Dirty White Boy, which of course brought in Sags. While Anthony and Sags duked it out on the apron, Knobbs and Bubba were left recuperating, and barely able to beat Mark Curtis’ 10 count. Big right hands were exchanged, and Bubba irish whipped Knobbs who cracked heads with his partner, leading to a ring-shaking Bubba Side Slam and huge victory for Col. Parker’s team!

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Match 7
Triangle Match for the WCW Generation neXt Championship

vs
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This match up came together following Super Pegasus’ emotional and inspiring tournament victory at Spring Stampede, and the revelation of Lance Storm. This of course led to a deeper rooted rivalry between Hugh and Storm. Add to that Scorpio’s WCW return, and his claims of being “GenX before GenX was GenX” and he and Hugh’s inability to adhere to the rules and here we are. Not to mention Sullivan and Mason making pests of themselves, adding fuel to the fire. Scorpio and Storm have wrestled to a couple of stalemates already before Storm finally gets the bout to the mat, and gets some early riding time in, and when Scorpio gets to his feet, SMACK! He slaps Lance Storm right in the face, he tags Hugh Morrus, and hops the top rope. Hugh looks down at Scorpio and before he knows it gets hiptossed inside the ring and is tasting the bad side of the Champion’s boot. Corkscrew elbow missed by Storm, Morrus bounces off the ropes, basement dropkick, Morrus is up again, he leaps to the middle rope, springboard legdrop, 1..2….NO! Storm gets his shoulder up, and right into a seated abdominal stretch from the big man, who certainly is not joking here tonight!

Scorpio decides to take matters into his own hands delivers a flipping neckbreaker to Hugh doing double the damage to both his opponents. As he is escorted to the apron he delivers a big boot to the side of Storm’s head, hits the apron, tags Hugh Morrus, and now Scorpio is going to work on the GenX champion, and feeling good about himself indeed. Spinning leg lariat gets a near fall, and just as it seemed Scorpio was in full control, Morrus snuck a tag to Lance in there and proceeded to “big brother” Scorpio, as Dusty calls it. Morrus delivers a pump-handle driver that scored the closes near-fall of the contest, Storm was just able to break up the situation. Storm and Hugh are having a chop-fest in the middle of the ring as Scorpio ascends to the top and delivers a dropkick, one foot for each face, Scorpio ascends once again, split-legged moonsaults onto Hugh, 1……..2…!

Storm breaks it up, jack-knife cover on Hugh, 1………..2………..Scorpio crashes down on both men. Scorpio Irish whips the champion hard into the far buckle, hand-spring elbow into the corner, down goes Storm. But Scorpio forgot to get off the tracks and is met by a devastating lariat at the hands of Hugh Morrus! Hugh goes to the top, he is preparing to deliver the No Laughing Matter Moonsault, but Storm takes Hugh’s feet out from under him. Storm delivers a dropkick to the teeth of Scorpio sending him flying through the ropes. He climbs the ropes, waistlock, he pops the hips, belly to back suplex from the top rope! Storm hops right to his feet, he lifts Hugh up, CORKSCREW BRAINBUSTER in the center of the ring, 1……..2…….here comes Scorpio…..3! Storm retains the title!

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Commercial Break
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Semi Main Event
For the WCW World Television Championship


Here comes the champion, not surprisingly followed in kind by his flunkies good pals, the Highlight Express. Looking confident as ever, with a microphone in hand, “welcome to Clash is Jericho” and while it is incredibly sad that “Ricardo’s” faulty hip replacement, and rheumatoid arthritis caused him to slip and fall in the back and suffer a concussion; “it was also the luckiest night of his pathetic life.” Because “Lionheart” Chris Jericho was ready to end the Dragon, “once and for all.” And while it is “blatantly obvious” that WCW and “Julius Ceasar Dillon” has stacked the deck against him by not informing him who his opponent would be, “fear not” because Chris Jericho will once again defy the odds! “Totally, champ!” and “Bingo” can be heard as Lenny and Christian motivate their fearless leader…



The Dragon says while there was an endless list of fellas who were more than willing to wrestle for him tonight, to get their hands on Chris Jericho, there was one man more than the rest, that Ricky Steamboat himself believed had earned such an opportunity. A man who had worked his way from the bottom of the totem pole to where he is right now, “the next WCW Television Champion!”









SELF HIGH-FIVE











Diamond Dallas Page shakes the Dragon’s hand and sprints to the ring, this one is kicking off hot and heavy! Lefts and rights by both men, to which Schiavone assess that “the champion won’t be able to win a fist fight against Page,” and is proven to be correct. DDP is really letting go of everything here in the early going, staying right on top of Jericho, not allowing him to breathe. Big reversal into a DDT by DDP got a near fall. Jericho goes to the eyes to get a bit of separation, leaps onto the ropes, across, triangle dropkick on the inside, NO! Page has his man scouted, European Uppercut, 1….2…..NO! Dallas is relentless! Gut-wrench suplex, he hooks the leg, 2 and a half! Page cinches up tight on a headlock, pops to his feet, he crimps the neck of Jericho, running bulldog. “And I mean he planted him, Tone,” says the Dream, DDP is on his feet, he gives the signal for the Diamond Cutter, he measures, BA, NO! Jericho launches Page hard, back first across the top turnbuckle! Page awkwardly drops down on the apron, clutching at his ribs that have been giving him hell for weeks, and Jericho regains his composure.

Now that the adrenaline has worn down, now that Page has emptied his gas tank going for the victory, the championship experience of Chris Jericho comes into play. He survived, and now it is time to systematically dissect Diamond Dallas Page until he can’t continue, or the time runs out. Target: Rib cage and lower-back; Gameplan: Liontamer. Jericho is absolutely merciless, not sparing DDP at all, grinding his elbow or knee into his ribs, regardless of position or hold he had on at the time. Jericho and the commentary believed it was over after he scooped DDP up in a fireman’s carry, launched him up, and delivered both knees directly into his gut, ribs, and sternum, but to no avail. “Guys, correct me if I’m wrong, but I think Diamond Dallas just spit up some blood,” concern riddling the voice of Schiavone. Jericho sets DDP up on the top rope, he meets him up there, SUPER FRANKENSTEINER, that’s it, 1…….2……..NO! How does Page continue to kick-out?

The frustrated champion still has a couple aces up his sleeve, first being his lionsault. He gives Steamboat a wink as he scoops up Page, crushing backbreaker across the knee delivered. A wicked grin is shot again at Steamboat as Jericho hits the farside ropes, he leaps, BANG! DIAMOND CUTTER FROM PAGE! A sudden burst of adrenaline propelled DDP to his feet long enough to save his hide, but now both men are down, and senior official Nick Patrick’s count is on! Both men are in a world of trouble as Lenny hops up on the apron and is having a conversation with the official. Steamboat goes over to see what is going on, and oh so sneakily Christian Cage is sliding Jericho out of the ring, THEY’RE TRYING TO HIT THE SWITCH. Steamboat senses it, takes off around the corner, he has Christian by the hair, BOOM! Chop, Chop, Chop, down goes Cage, here comes his besty Lenny, Chop, Chop, Chop, down goes Lane.

Jericho has pulled himself up across the middle ropes, and sees what is going on the floor, he looks on in disgust, he mutters something to himself, the champ is fired up, he charges at Page, BANG! Another Diamond Cutter, Page collapses on Jericho, 1….2….3! DDP IS THE NEW TELEVISION CHAMPION!


Steamboat and Kimberly join DDP in the ring as they celebrate his first singles title in WCW!

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Commercial Break
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Main Event
Inside a 15 Foot High Steel Cage

vs


So this is what this battle has come to. Two men inside of one cage. Referee Randy Anderson is patrolling the outside of the cage, and Senior Official Nick Patrick is manning the door, in the hopes of keeping this thing one on one. Lex Luger has been through hell thus far in 1996. The World Heavyweight Title, and more specifically Curt Hennig, drove a wedge between him and his longtime best friend, the one man who has stuck by his side throughout his turbulent career, the “franchise” Sting. Along the way he took the young upstart Marcus Alexander Bagwell under his wing, teaching him about diet and nutrition, and showing him the ins and outs and rigors of travelling the roads, only to have Bagwell’s selfishness dissolve the one friendship that Luger himself hadn’t yet ruined. Luger was all business in this one using his power and frustration to fuel his attack, leaving Bagwell bloody and battered, and looking for help. Liz was unwilling to watch the battle unfold as Luger viciously ground Bagwell’s face into and across the steel mesh.

Luger plants Bagwell with a belly to back suplex up and over the top rope from the apron. He is poised, waiting on Bagwell to get to his feet, BOOM, bionic forearm smash drops Bagwell like a sack of potatoes. Luger lets out a primal yell as he signals for the Torture Rack, but Bagwell still had enough wit about him to realize the direness of the situation and go to the eyes to escape the clutches of the Total Package. With blood streaming down his face Bagwell kicked things into high gear, and tore into Luger with a fury unlike anything we have seen from the youngster previously. Bagwell focuses in on the head and neck of Luger and is working it as best he can; setting up for the Blockbuster. But before he gets there, Bagwell wants to make sure that Luger tastes his own blood as well as he talks trash in Lex’s ear before sending him into each wall of the cage.

Now both men are bloodied and this battle of survival is heating up. Luger drops down, avoiding a cross-body block, and Bagwell crashes into the cage yet again. This time it is Luger experiencing a second wind, he fires Bagwell into the corner, he mounts him, 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9 big punches, where is number 10? Lex looks down, and BITES HIM INSTEAD! Marcus is wailing and writhing in pain as he delivers a reverse atomic drop to break up Luger’s momentum. Standing vertical dropkick, perfectly placed, drops Lex once again. Bagwell goes to the second rope on the inside, he measures his man, BLOCKBUSTER! Bagwell starts heading for the door, but Lex grabs his boot, refusing to lose, but Bagwell takes the opportunity to stomp and punch away. But his punches are having little effect on Luger, Marcus looks down at his fist, wondering what’s going on, but Luger just flexes at him and delivers his own punches! Luger hits the ropes, Bagwell leap frogs, now they are criss-crossing, Bagwell drops down, Luger goes for an elbow drop, but nobody’s home! Bagwell grabs Luger’s feet and stomps him in the nether region. Here he goes, Bagwell has made it to the top rope, he hops up onto the cage, but Lex grabs him by the foot once again, and they start firing away!

Both men are perched atop of the cage, “in no man’s land, Tone,” as the Dream describes it. Lex puts both feet on the top rope, he gets Bagwell onto his shoulders, ELECTRIC CHAIR FROM THE TOP ROPE? No way! Wait a second, Luger is wobbly, o no, he drops and straddles to top rope, and Bagwell’s ride isn’t much better as he jettisons from Luger’s shoulder’s to the mat. Now both men are down and hurting. Lex is scratching, clawing, and dragging himself to the door. Bagwell is slowly making his way to the top of the cage. It has boiled down to a race! Lex makes it to the corner, and is pulling himself towards the door, Liz is coming around the cage to meet her man and Bagwell is just now to the top of the cage. Patrick is unwrapping the chain from the door when Miss Elizabeth trips at his feet, Patrick looks down to help Liz, Luger is shaking the cage door franticly, BAGWELL DROPS DOWN AND BOTH FEET HIT THE FLOOR!



The bell rings, and Nick Patrick looks up to see Luger screaming at him! Tony, Dusty, and Terry agree that ringside was no place for Elizabeth during a match-up like this one, Terry even says that Luger deserved to lose for putting her in harm’s way. Lex is finally out of the cage, he helps Liz to her feet, she SHOVES HIM AWAY AND HURRIES TO THE DRESSING ROOM!? Luger looks on in wonder as Bagwell rushes around and jumps Lex from behind! Here comes CURT HENNIG AND SCOTT NORTON! The trio throws Luger back into the cage and chain the door back to, and begin physically dissecting the Total Package. They ram him into the cage, Bagwell delivers the blockbuster neck breaker, and Norton delivers a power bomb. Luger is out on his knees as Bagwell and Norton hold him in place for Curt to berate and slap him. THE LIGHTS IN THE CIVIC CENTER GO OUT! “Just what in the hell is going on now?” Wonders Dusty.

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The lights return














STING HAS RETURNED!!! His bat is pointed directly between the eyes of the World Heavyweight Champion; as Sting stands between the trio and Luger. Tension is high, Curt, Flash, and Bagwell ease their way back, hands up, wondering just what in the hell Sting will do, as he follows them out of the cage. Sting now returns to his former best-friend who is starting to stir. Lex grabs Sting’s legs, he is pulling himself up, he can’t believe what he sees. “Tone, Tewwy, I can read lips real well, the Package is apologizing to Sting, told him he was wrong guys.” Sting puts the end of his bat under Luger’s chin, they are staring eye-to-eye, and Lex extends his hand. Sting looks at the crowd, he looks at Luger, he tugs on his chord, and without saying a word Sting returns to the rafters, leaving Luger, Tony, Dusty, and Terry with more questions than answers.

[jackknight]

Hashtag said:

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE’S BOMBTRACK opens the broadcast as the camera pans around a raucous UTC Arena in beautiful Chattanooga, TN!

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. 6/10/96


Hello wrestling fans, WCW Monday Nitro is on the air! We are just a few days removed from a shocking Clash of the Champions: Beach Blast! We have a brand new World Television Champion who will be joining us later in this broadcast, as well as the former champion. Col. Parker’s team of Southern Justice outlasted the Nasty Boys and have their sights now set on Harlem Heat and the Unified Tag Team Championship of the World. Lance Storm successfully defended his GenX championship in a hard-fought battle. Plus, after being cost his cage match against Marcus Bagwell, whether inadvertently or not, by Miss Elizabeth, the “Total Package” Lex Luger was left with some unanswered questions, only to be the recipient of a vicious 3-on-1 assault, when suddenly, for the first time in 2 months, The Stinger returned to WCW. Fans the Total Package has a great many things on his mind, and has a special interview with Mauro later in the broadcast. But first up we have some action ready, Dave Penzer take it away…



Match 1
Referee in charge: Scott D'Amore

In a battle of grizzled ring veterans, Josef Malenko matched up with one-half of the Queen’s Favorite Tag Team, Dave Taylor. In a fun match, full of European flavored action, Malenko and Taylor went at it tooth and nail, in a “very distinguished fashion, if I do say so myself,” kind of way according to the dream. It was Taylor able to catch Malenko in the very European victory roll, for a hard-fought victory.



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Kendal Windham delivered a pre-recorded promo that aired while he made his way to the ring, discussing the beating he put on former partner Chris Youngblood after their loss at the Clash, and Kendal says that Youngblood was a selfish, “glory hog” that got what he deserved. If there is one thing that a Windham is not, it’s a loser, and Kendal, “wouldn’t be associated with losers anymore!”

Match 2
Referee in charge: Randy Anderson

Kendal Windham went on to impressively defeat young, upstart, Chuckie Haas in short order, putting a real beating on him. Windham hit all his trademark moves, just a bit more aggressively before putting his man away with his patent Bulldog Headlock.



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Mauro Ranallo was joined by the “Taskmaster” Kevin Sullivan and his Faces of Fear. Sullivan says that lately it seems, he and his Dungeon have been focusing on the wrong things. What made the Dungeon of Doom so scary, so successful here in WCW has been due to their focus being purely “evil intentions.” Chaos and aggression for disorder’s sake; with no specific goal in mind other than “to slaughter, maim and terrorize victims.” Fear not, the “Taskmaster has seen the light, and it lies within the darkness…”

Match 3
Referee in charge: Nick Patrick

The Faces of Fear w/Kevin Sullivan defeated Pat Tanaka and Paul Diamond, Badd Company after the Barbarian planted Diamond with the Kick of Fear, and Meng cleaned up the mess with the Tongan Death Grip for the submission victory. Tanaka and Diamond get an A for effort, but there was no controlling this animal tonight as the F.o.F. were at the pinnacle of their savagery.



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Former World Television Champion Chris Jericho and his “padwon’s,” Christian Cage and Lenny Lane, the Highlight Express, “graciously blessed us” with their presence. The Long Island Loud Mouth says he has to give Ricky Steamboat, JJ Dillon, and “especially Diamond Dallas Page” a ton of credit. They knew that they didn’t have the manpower to take the TV Title from him honorably, so they formed some sort of “socially dysfunctional brain trust” and finally put together a plan to steal his title from him. But the one thing that cannot be denied to Chris Jericho is his rematch clause as the former champion, “and what will you do then Page? Huh? When I have adequate time to prepare a gameplan for your balls to the walls offense?”






“Well I’m not too sure Chrissy, but we can find out whenever you like.” It seems that the new Television Champion is ready for a fight right now! He is joined on the ramp by his buddy Ricky Steamboat who says that while the Dragon won’t be completely satisfied until he has shut Jericho up for good, it does suit him just fine to see Jericho beltless.







While Steamboat, Page, Jericho, and the Highlights bicker back and forth, WCW Vice President Magnum T.A. joins the fray and says that he likes seeing things at a fever pitch, especially here live on Nitro, so what he and JJ think would make for great TV would be for Steamboat and Page to find a partner, and that in tonight’s main event we have ourselves some Six-Man Tag action!



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Match 4
Referee in charge: Scott D'Amore

Rick Martel was able to catch the Catch Wrestling Mid-Heavyweight Champion, Black Magic in the Boston Crab for a big submission victory, but not before encountering the brunt of some more European flavored, grappling heavy offense at the hands of the mystifying one. Black Magic appeared to have the bout in hand as left his comfort zone for the top rope, where he met his end after missing a missile dropkick allowing the veteran French Canadian to capitalize and pick up a victory here on Nitro.



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Mauro was now joined by Col. Parker, Beautiful Bobby, Tony Anthony, and Big Bubba Rogers, The Stud Stable, who are riding high following the Clash. Robert E. Lee Parker is “plum tickled pink” at his boys results in recent weeks, and is “confident than gold is in our immediate futures.” With big wins comes title matches, and with title matches comes “the kinds of checks the good Colonel and his troops like to see.” While he and his boys “are well aware” of just how dangerous the Harlem Heat is, they do not believe that the Harlem Heat is as well informed on Southern Justice. And Big Bubba Rogers can promise “you punks one thing, Justice will be served!”

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Match 5
Referee in charge: Nick Patrick

Unified World Tag Team Champions Booker T. and Stevie Ray w/Sister Sherri were tested early by the quickly rising young duo of Iaukea and Rosey, Dem Aloha Boys, under the tutelage of their godfather, Samu. The diversity of the Aloha’s attack seemed to be a puzzle the champs couldn’t solve early on. But the experience of the champions played a major factor as they were able to isolate the smaller man, Iaukea, and dissect one body part, his neck, in their half of the ring. With the momentum firmly in the champions’ corner, not even the hot tag to Rosey could swing it back in the he and Iaukea’s favor. Especially after he caught Samu tripping Booker T. off the ropes, which caused Rosey to take his eye off the ball, providing Booker more than ample time to capitalize and take the big man out with the Heatseeker, top-rope missile dropkick.



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Mauro Ranallo is joined by the “Total Package” Lex Luger who is showing the signs of war that were waged last Thursday night inside the Steel Cage. While he hates that he lost the match-up, it certainly felt great to “take his pound of flesh” straight from Marcus Bagwell. And sure Luger took a beating; “paid the price” in order to deliver it, but that is just fine with him. Made all the more grand in that he was able to apologize to Sting face-to-face, like a man, like a real friend should. “I don’t know where you are right now Stinger, but I appreciate you having my back at the Clash,” and as far as Liz goes, she won’t take his calls. He really isn’t sure what her deal is.





“What her deal is?” Questions Marcus Bagwell, as he the Heavyweight Champion of the World Curt Hennig, and United States Heavyweight Champion, Scott Norton joins the set. Tensions are running high as Bagwell gloats about his victory. Bagwell suggests that maybe she just got tired of being with a self-righteous, arrogant, loser! Or better yet maybe Lex “should hear it first-hand…”




“Lex, at first it was too difficult to tell you this, but your attitude and actions have made it much easier; you just don’t cut it for me anymore…” MISS ELIZABETH IS WITH BAGWELL, HENNIG, AND NORTON!

“That’s right Lexy, your stuff is WEAK! HAHAHAHA ain’t that right baby?” Bagwell is having the time of his life rubbing this into Luger’s face, and Liz seems to be enjoying things herself, “that’s right babe, he ain’t Buff.” Bagwell got a big kick out of that, "Buff, HA! I love it, that is totally me."

Luger has had enough! Ranallo heads for the hills as Lex runs straight into the lion’s den and is taking a pounding from the two top singles wrestler’s in the sport today, and also the man who has apparently stolen his woman! Luger was able to get his shots in, but the numbers were too much to overcome. Doug Dillinger and the WCW Security team finally were able to chase off Hennig, Norton, Bagwell, and Liz, but the damage had been done. Medical personnel are checking over the Total Package as we head to an impromptu break, which Tony says will be the last of the night.

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Main Event
Referee in charge: Randy Anderson

Chris Jericho and The Highlight Express vs. World TV Champ Diamond Dallas Page w/Kimberly, Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat and a partner of their choosing


Jericho, Christian, and Lenny are waiting, impatiently, in the ring as Page and Steamboat come out alone. They start celebrating a bit too soon though, assuming their counterparts were unable to find a partner. Not only did they find a partner, they found a champion!









GenX Champion Lance Storm!



Jericho, Christian, and Lenny exit the ring and meet their opponents halfway up the aisle. As the six combatants get back to ringside, ‘Lionheart’ slips inside, he hops on the middle rope, he hops to the neighboring top rope, TRIANGLE CROSSBODY! Down goes the pack! Jericho grabs Steamboat by the ears and fires him into the ring and Chris slingshots over the top rope, elbow drop. The Long Island Loud Mouth picks the Dragon up again, backbreaker in the center of the ring, he hits the far ropes, he is going for the Lionsault, but DDP grabs his feet off the middle rope and Jericho crashes down to the mat, the back of his head bouncing like a basketball. Wisely Jericho seeks refuge in his corner where the Highlight Express has finally made it after brawling with Storm and Page on the floor. Steamboat is able to make the tag as well.

Christian and the GenX champ operate at a break neck pace, countering, reversing, ducking, finally both men throw a dropkick, quickly they turn back toward one other; round 1 is a stalemate. Now the proud Canadian from Calgary… Alberta, and product of the legendary Stu Hart’s dungeon gains control working Christian down with a waistlock, to an ankle pick, Storm steps on the back of each of Christian’s knees and hooks his feet behind his own knees. Lance pops Cage in the ribs, and again, and again, finally gaining double wrist control, he rocks back, he rocks forth, he rocks back, MEXICAN SURFBOARD! Christian is in agony! Storm lowers Cage down onto his knees, he overhooks his head, Dragon Sleeper while maintaining surfboard control of the legs, brutal! Cage refuses to give it up and is saved by a well placed boot from his besty Lenny do the forehead of the leader of the next generation.

Storm wisely takes the opportunity to tag in the new World Television Champion DDP, who gets a big reaction from the crowd here in the UTC Arena as he starts unleashing strikes on Christian, roaring lariat drops Cage; Page hooks the leg, 1….2….NO! Christian kicks out, thumbs DDP in the eye boots him in the gut and gets the hell to his corner. Here comes Lenny running in with a swinging neckbreaker, 1……2……..NO! Page kicks out. Lenny hits the middle rope, springboard leg drop! He drags Page to the corner, HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT split legged moonsaults from the top rope, Lane hooks the leg, 1…….2……..3NO! Page just gets the shoulder up, and Lane cannot believe it! He helps Dallas up just to put him right back down with a standing vertical dropkick, “that was textbook, Tone,” says Dusty complimenting the dropkick as Lenny tags out to the former champ!

Now Jericho has DDP in trouble and really turns the heat up, grounding and pounding on Page, focusing on the ribs and lower back of the new champion that has been giving him trouble all year long. Jericho delivers not one, not two, but three backbreakers across his knee. He rolls Dallas to his stomach, puts both knees in the middle of his back, he hooks up his legs, grabs him by the chin and is wrenching away! Jericho then rolls Page up into a modified Mexican surfboard! Page refuses to quit so Jericho starts pulling his hair instead of his chin, necessitating a break from the ref. Jericho drives Page back first into his corner and starts hammering away with forearms and chops across his chest. Christian grabs a handful of tights holding DDP in place, Nick Patrick finally forces Jericho off of DDP, but Lane starts choking Page with the tag rope! Steamboat and Storm rush in to stop it, but are cut off by Nick Patrick allowing a 3-on-1 assault in the corner!

Jericho makes the tag to Christian who ascends to the top rope, FROG SPLASH! No, Page rolls out of the way, and all the way to his corner, hot tag to Steamboat! BOOM! Double chop to Christian, and BOOM! Double chop drops the incoming Lane, dropkick knocks Jericho off the apron and to the floor! The Dragon ducks under the double clothesline attempt by the Highlight Express, Ricky hits the ropes, double clothesline drops both Lenny and Christian, and then he makes the tag to Lance Storm who immediately goes up top. Diving headbutt on Lenny Lane! Lance grabs Christian by the back of the head and sends him flying over the top rope directly into Jericho who was just making it back up to his feet! Storm goes back to Lane, CORKSCREW BRAINBUSTER! But he doesn’t go for the cover, he tags in DDP, and Page comes in, hypes up the crowd and measures Lane who groggily makes it back to his feet, BANG! DIAMOND CUTTER! “Gone ahead and count to 30, this one is ovah!”







WCW Generation neXt Champion Lance Storm, WCW Television Champion Diamond Dallas Page and his Diamond Doll Kimberly, and Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat celebrate as Tony, Terry, and Dusty close the show, “what a helluva match we jus witnessed guys!” Terry agrees with Dusty saying the guys really let it all hang out tonight and showcased their skills. Tony couldn’t have summed it up any better himself, “be sure and check in with Mauro Ranallo on the hotline fans, we will see you right here on TBS live next week from the Norfolk Scope! Goodnight everybody!”

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Dark Match Results:

WCW newcomer Billy Kidman defeated 'Fallen Angel' Christopher Daniels after reversing his finisher, the Angel's Wings modified Tiger Driver with a seated senton and hit his unreal Shooting Star Press after a fierce back and forth encounter.

Samu w/Iaukea and Rosey defeated Mr. Stasiak after catching the big youngster with the Samoan Drop (Death Valley) Driver.

Dark Main:

The Heavyweight Champion of the World, Curt Hennig, with U.S. Champ and heavy-hitter Scott 'Flash' Norton, Marcus 'Buff' Bagwell, and Miss Elizabeth in his corner, was able to defeat Big Bubba Rogers with Col. Robert Parker, Tony Anthony, and 'Beautiful' Bobby in his corner it what was seemingly a lumberjack match. Curt and Bubba put on a show for the audience in Chattanooga, and Rogers scored multiple near falls on the champion, only to see him survive, even kicking out of his patent sidewalk Bubba Slam. There were several instances of attempted outside interference but new WCW official, Mr. Scott D'Amore did a good job of catching those attempts red-handed. Not to mention all the guys at ringside keeping a close watch over one another, and several fights broke out, seeing a great fist fight between Norton and Anthony at one point. With Rogers attention on the fight at ringside momentarily, the WHC took advantage of having the big man's back shown to him. Hennig grabbed a waistlock, popped the hips, planted Rogers with a technically perfect German Suplex, followed it up with the perfect wrestling bridge, and picked up a hard fought victory.

[jackknight]

Hashtag said:

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE’S BOMBTRACK opens the broadcast as the camera pans around the jam-packed Scope here in amazing Norfolk, VA!

6/17/96


Hello wrestling fans, WCW Monday Nitro is on the air! We are one week removed from an amazing main-event last week, which brings us to the GenX champion taking on Lenny Lane and with only 2 weeks to go until Jericho’s title rematch, the new champion DDP goes one on one with Christian. Chris Jericho is in action opening up our broadcast in mere moments, and for those of you who called into Maura Ranallo and the Nitro Line, 1-900-909-9900, he reported moments before the air, Lex Luger has requested, “way Mahrow tells it, Tone, Les DEMANDED,” you are right Dream, Lex Luger demanded to get his hands on Norton, Bagwell, and Hennig all tonight, the World Champion is already scheduled to take on Rick Martel for the live audience after we go off the air, so President JJ Dillon has scheduled a tag team match, but “Dusty, Terry, we are not sure who Lex's partner will be.”

“Ya know what Schiavone, it wouldn’t surprise me if that ego-maniac can’t find a partner!” Speculates the Taylor Made Man. He says that he has known Lex since he got his start in Florida, “known only a year or two less than Dusty,” and that Luger chased off each and every partner, friend, or ally he’s ever had. Sting is the only one who ever stuck by his side and Lex has treated him worse some of his hated rivals. “The package might have written his own death certificate!” Dusty hates to do it, but kindly agrees with “Tewwy. Course the skeleton in the closet is the Steengah himself, will he once again come to Les’s aid here tonight like he did at the Clash? Dat is the question, Tone.” “How very right you are Dream, now let’s send it ringside and David Penzer!...”

Match 1
Referee: Scott D’Amore

‘Lionheart’ Chris Jericho with his good pals the Highlight Express on his heels is all business as he heads into the ring, no mic in hand, which is bad news for the young, up-and-coming Billy Kidman who posses one of the best finishing maneuvers in all of profession wrestling, the Shooting Star Press. Jericho is a picture of intensity in this one, putting a little something extra on every springboard, and plenty “mustard behind every blow,” says the Dream. Kidman had to fight his way back into the ring as the young trio had occupying the ref and allowing Chris to catch a breather down to a science, but saw a nice spurt of offense even getting a near fall after reversing a powerbomb attempt by Jericho into a hurricane DDT, but in the end the rage of Jericho was more than the youngster could handle on this night, and after hitting a picture perfect Lionsault and following it up with the excruciating Liontamer modified Boston Crab, this one was academic

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We return from the break where Maura Ranallo is standing by and he says that he just spoke with WCW Vice President Magnum T.A. and there is still no word on whom Lex Luger’s partner will be, and to any fans concerned about missing the in house Main Event tonight between Curt Hennig and Rick Martel, fear not because there will be a special option on the Nitro line every week that allows you to listen in as Mauro and Magnum call the play by play action of each of the in-house only matches after Nitro goes off the air, the one of a kind Nitro Line! Kids be sure and get your parent permission.





Col. Robert E. Lee Parker, ‘Beautiful’ Bobby, and the number 1 contenders to the Unified Tag Team Championship of the World, the team of Southern Justice, Big Bubba and Tony Anthony; the Stud Stable now join the set. The Colonel says that he couldn’t be more proud of his boys, Bobby has been on the winning track, and the promoters won’t be able to keep denying him, his lawyers are seeing to it right now, and next week we will all be present for a “changing of the guard! Ya see my thoroughbreds are going to run right them the Harlum Heat, and that’s a fact.”



Match 2
Referee: Randy Anderson

Kendal Windham kept on his winning ways after another aggressive and decisive singles victory. This week it was over the muscular newcomer, Mr. Stasiak, himself a second generation grappler. Mr. Stasiak presented quite the rubics cube early, but the experience and savvy of the youngest Windham paid off as Kendal capitalized on a mistake and planted Stasiak with the Bulldog Headlock for the win.





Match 3
Referee: Nick Patrick

The Nasty Boys first match back after the Clash: Beach Blast was a successful encounter with old AWA running-mates and former World Tag Team Champions of that organization, Pat Tanaka and Paul Diamond, Badd Company. Tanaka’s martial arts background provided him and his partner with early success, but Diamond was unable to retain the advantage and finally succumbed to Jerry Sags devastating top-rope Elbow Smash, and after the bout Mr. Diamond had a first-class ticket to Pity City! Ewww.

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Match 4
Referee: Scott D’Amore

Josef Malenko was already in the ring as Prince Iaukea made his way out with partner Rosey and their Godfather, Samu as pre-recorded comments aired. Iaukea and Rosey say its been a real honor learning under their godfather and can’t wait to follow in the steps of the great Samoan heritage of Professional Wrestling and Samu says that as long as they keep their eyes and ears open, they are on the path to greatness!

In the ring however, that path ran directly into the grappling wizardry of Joseph Malenko, and Iaukea had a difficult time getting started as he continually had to untie himself from one knot or another. The Prince did gain some momentum and began picking the pace up which was where his true advantage laid. While grappling Malenko’s thumb accidentally found a home in Iaukea’s eye-socket, while Rosey and the ref were checking on him, Samu hopped up on to the apron and creamed Malenko with an enzuiguiri smack in the back of the head, and Malenko was out like a light. Rosey hopped down to question Samu, and was doing so as Iaukea picked up the win after hitting Josef with the Superfly top-rope Splash.

After the contest Samu was celebrating with Iaukea and essentially ignoring Rosey, Iaukea’s demeanor changed as soon as Rosey told him something, Samu hopped on his soapbox and was doing all the talking as the trio headed back up the aisle-way. Terry wonders, “is there trouble in paradise, guys?”







Match 5
Referee: Randy Anderson

GenX Champ Lance Storm went to battle with one half of the Highlight Express, Lenny Lane. It what was a stellar back and forth contest, Storm seemed to have Lane’s number as he ended up finishing the exchanges on top. Not even Lenny’s besty, Christian, being at ringside could reign on Storm’s parade as a bit of miscommunication between the Highlights opened up the opportunity for Storm to superkick Christian into the front row and then plant Lenny with the Corkscrew Brainbuster for the hard-fought victory here tonight.


While Storm celebrated the Highlight Express thought they had the champ cornered, but once again came up empty as Storm was able to leapfrog, duck, and slide to safety, the champ was pointing to his noggin as Lenny and Christian looked on in frustration.



Mauro is now joined by the Heavyweight Champion of the World Curt Hennig, the United States Heavyweight Champion Scott Norton, Marcus… “ahem, Marcus is no longer my name. No, no, no. What was it you said last week babe?” At this time Bagwell brings in the lovely Miss Elizabeth who joins the set with a big smile on her face, and says, “Oh babe, you are most definitely Buff.” Bagwell eats up and says, “that’s right Ranallo! I’m Buff and I’m the stuff dreams are made of, ‘what up Dusty?’ and Luger well, one thing we know is that he doesn’t know how to treat a lady, ain’t that right babe?”

“That’s absolutely right Buffy, his stuff is weak,” is how Liz puts it. The gang chuckles for a moment before the Champ gets down to serious business and says that no matter how bad things seem for you Luger, tonight is actually the luckiest night of your entire life. You should go somewhere and get a lottery ticket, “matter of fact have 2,” because Lex is lucky that Curt has another match scheduled tonight, and the second ticket, well that is just insurance, because it won’t be long until Luger isn’t willing to show his face around here again. “We’ve taken your pride Luger, we’ve taken your woman, and next we take whatever’s left of your manhood!”




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Match 6
Referee: Nick Patrick
vs

World Television Champion Diamond Dallas Page w/Kimberly at his side went to battle with the other half of the Highlight Express, Christian Cage who had Lenny Lane in his corner. Again a member of the upstart tag team is able to hold his own with a champion, going tit-for-tat with Page at every turn, and even getting a near fall, with a handful of tights, after a top-rope dropkick floored Page. Just as DDP was starting to heat things up with a roaring lariat and basement dropkick, Lenny hopped on the apron to distract Page, but ate a big boot straight to the side of the head, and when Page turned around, Former Champion Chris Jericho was there to meet him with, BANG! A DIAMOND CUTTER!? WTF?

DDP wins this one by disqualification but Jericho and the Highlight Express do a number on the champ, leaving him looking like anything except a winner, to add further insult to injury the Express picked Page up so Jericho was able to BANG! Another Diamond Cutter! Jericho stands tall over Page before leaving the title with him “for safekeeping” and strutting his way to the back!







Stand-by Match
Referee: Scott D’Amore

El Diablo and Gran Akuma took on the team of Bad Attitude, David Young and Charlie Haas in a hotly contested, high paced tag team encounter. All four youngsters were looking to make names for them selves and performed some standout offense. But it was the unique striking ability possessed by Gran Akuma that made all the difference as he delivered a teeth-rattling Shoryuken Uppercut to Young as he was coming off the ropes, and that was all she wrote!


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Main Event
Referee: Nick Patrick
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Scott Norton and Buff Bagwell had WHC Curt Hennig and Miss Elizabeth in their corner and had a good laugh as ‘The Total Package’ Lex Luger sprinted down the aisle-way and into the ring. The referee was able to get Buff out and rang the bell; apparently Lex never had a partner and planned on fighting this thing alone! And he does an awful good job of it in the early going hammering away on the U.S. Champion, and even forcing him to tag in Buff, which of course saw Lex get an adrenaline boost and continue his advantage. A timely grab of the ankle from Hennig at ringside, and a well-placed dropkick by Buff turned the tide of the contest. Bagwell planted Lex with a neckbreaker, then arrogantly drug himself across the ring on his forearms, got a kiss on the cheek from Elizabeth, and was suddenly reenergized!

After making his way back into the ring, Flash Norton brought a halt to all the fun and games, and was methodically picking Luger apart. Even pulling the former US Champion’s shoulders off the mat after thinking better of ending this one. All hope appears to be lost, when suddenly Luger mule kicks Norton in the cojones and has bought himself a moment. He is almost to his corner, but Lex you don’t have a partner!

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HERE COMES RICKY STEAMBOAT! The Dragon hops on the apron, he grabs the tag rope, and Nick Patrick allows the tag! Big chop for Bagwell, and another, and a dropkick sends the Buffster over the top rope, now Steamer turns his attention to the ailing United States Champon. It takes not one, not two, but three lariats for Steamboat to drop Norton, he ascends to the top rope! Aw man, here comes Hennig! But wait, Luger is there to meet him! Ricky flies! High-cross body connects, 1….2……..3!!!!
RICKY STEAMBOAT JUST PINNED THE US CHAMPION!!!



But now its 3 on 2 in the middle of the ring and Hennig, Norton, and Bagwell are beating Luger and Steamboat like the stole something… THE LIGHTS IN THE BUILDING GO OUT

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ITS STING! The Stinger has arrived with his trusty baseball bat in hand, he swings, BOOM! Right in the gut of Bagwell! And down across his back, and now it’s Norton’s turn, BOOM! To the gut; to the back. Now the Stinger has Curt Hennig in his sights, he puts the bat under the chin of Hennig, he taps his chin a couple of times and Curt opens his eyes, Sting invades his personal space, yanks on his cord, and just like that Sting disappears into the rafters! While Curt is looking up, Luger nails him with his bionic forearm sending him over the top rope and into the waiting arms of Norton and Bagwell! Luger and Steamboat are inviting the three back into the ring for some more action, but discretion is the better part of valor I guess as they stay in retreat mode!

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Dark Matchs:

‘Beautiful’ Bobby w/Col. Rob Parker defeated Scorpio with the Alabama Jam top-rope leg drop after an unbelievable back and forth contest that saw each man score numerous nearfalls and neither be able to establish an advantage for very long, tonight was just Bobby’s night.

World Heavyweight Champion of the World Curt Hennig with Miss Elizabeth at ringside took on a fellow-former AWA Heavyweight Champion and former multiple times World Tag Team Champion Ricky Martel and these two tore the roof off the Scope. While it appeared that Martel might in fact have Hennig’s number, Curt showed why he was the number one wrestler on the planet today as he fought through all Martel could dish out, and at a moment’s notice ripped victory from the clutches of defeat as he perfectly executed the Fisherman’s Suplex and bridge to pick up the 1……2……..3!

[jackknight]

Hashtag said:

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE’S BOMBTRACK opens the broadcast as the camera pans across a rocking PATRIOT CENTER here in beautiful Fairfax, VA!

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.6/24/96


Welcome fans, World Championship Wrestling’s Monday Nitro is on the air, live on Superstation: TBS! Last week we saw the Stinger for the first time live on Nitro in months, we can only wonder if he will be here this evening. And if he is in the rafters somewhere, he has the best seat in the house because what a show we have in store for everyone tonight! The tag team that has dominated World Championship Wrestling for the better part of a year; the first tag team in history to unify the WCW World and Internationally recognized World Tag Team Titles, making themselves the best tag team in wrestling today, Booker T. and Stevie Ray, Harlem Heat! Who, for the first time in this reign, defend their titles on Nitro! “Dat’s right Tone, and dis is willy sayin’ something, but I surrously beliebe dat Big Bubba and da Durty White Boy are their stiffest challenges to date,” well said Dream, well said. Terry says that he’s known Bubba for a decade now and when he first showed up in the UWF and then the NWA and ended up challenging, this man, “The American Dream, we all knew that he would one day be a World Champion." Terry puts Bubba over further saying, “he has proven that true as a former World Tag Team Champion and Universal Heavyweight Champion, we are in for quite the main event, indeed we are in for a serious main event,” let’s not waist anymore time, fans. David Penzer take it away!...



Match 1
Referee: Scott D’Amore

Billy Kidman has recently been making noise in WCW, especially with his finisher the Shooting Star press. Tonight he takes on a man who looks to make himself a worldwide name, one of the top superstars in all of Lucha Libre, La Parka! There was a lot of fast paced action in this one, including Kidman hitting La Parka with a wicked suicide dive, and Michinoku Driver that nearly put the masked man away. But La Parka fought back, gaining a near fall of his own after planting Kidman in the center of the ring with a Tornado DDT out of the corner! In the end it was the finisher of Kidman’s that made the difference as he defeated the Luchadore after nailing the Shooting Star Press.

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Commercial Break
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Mauro Ranallo is now joined by Dem Aloha Boys, Iaukea and Rosey, along with the “Godfather” Samu, who says that after a bit of miscommunication last week, the one thing that everyone can agree on is that Samu has Iaukea and Rosey’s best interests at heart, he would like to see them with “more of an edge,” but agrees that he will let them do things “their way.” Iaukea says they love and respect their godfather, and just because they see things differently on occasion, doesn’t mean that there is any beef within the family, and tonight they will prove they’re all on the same page.

Match 2
Referee: Nick Patrick

Dem Aloha Boys faced a stern test tonight from El Diablo and Gran Akuma, coming close to defeat several times. Samu stuck to his guns, and even when given the opportunity, neglected to provide anything more than morale support, which Taylor calls, “a mistake,” and Dusty has to agree, “at dis stage of the game guys it should be bout getting’ to da pay winduh, titles and glory come with time and experience. Right now, they should listen to the man dat’s walked that mile befo’,” well said Dream, well said. After a closely contested tag team encounter though Iaukea and Rosey were able to make it to the pay window without the assist from the Godfather as Rosey finished Akuma off with the Superfly Splash!





As the entire Dungeon of Doom makes their way to ringside for a big 8 man tag team match up, a promo airs with the Faces of Fear scratching and gnawing on one another, and Sullivan slapping Morrus across the chest as he laughs maniacally, The Gamesmaster turns to the camera and says that tonight he unleashes hell!

Match 3
Referee Randy Anderson:

Chrome and Titanium, The Silver Bullets team up with young Ace Steel and David ‘Backbreaker’ Young and none of the above look entirely amused as the Dungeon hits the ringside area and starts raising havoc immediately. Sullivan has to pull The Barbarian away by the hair to keep him from jumping the guard rail and attacking fans at ringside, meanwhile Hugh and Meng are destroying young Ace Steel and David Young. The Silver Bullets have, luckily, evaded attack thus far and have hoped off the apron! As they back up the aisle-way they are run over by a freight train!






THE NASTY BOYS take out the Silver Bullets, hit the ring and are throwing bones with Hugh Morrus and Meng!! Before Sullivan and the Barbarian even know what has happened veteran referee Pee Wee Anderson has singled out Sags and Hugh as the legal men, and apparently we have an 8 man tag team match after all. And this one is pure chaos, Sags and Knobbs do a good job of isolating Hugh at the get go, but their partners are unable to seal the deal before a fresh Dungeon dweller hits the ring. Meng takes out each youngster before doing battle with Brian Knobbs who can get just as nasty as any island-dwelling savage, let us assure you. Sullivan demands the tag, gets right up in Knobbs’ face, and slows the pace down a-bit. Sullivan has Knobbs talking when he decides now is the time to slap the taste out of his mouth!

This led to another 8 man brawl that Randy Anderson was lucky to survive, nevermind control. Again Steel and Young proved to be the downfall of the Nasties in this one as they were fighting with the Faces of Fear on the floor, this enabled Sullivan and Hugh to dispose of Steel and put Young in the tree of woe for a brutal beating, and then finished him off with a leaping Double Stomp to the gut by Sullivan and the No Laughing Matter Moonsault from Morrus!


After the bout Sullivan and Hugh join the F.o.F’s fight with Knobbs and Sags, who were able to somehow hold their own and not be eaten alive before Doug Dilinger and the super WCW Security team broke up the melee…

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Commercial Break
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Match 4
Referee: Scott D’Amore

The Queen’s favorite tag team from jolly Ole England, Dave Taylor and Norman Smiley teamed up for the first time in a couple weeks to take on the returning High Voltage. They did not welcome them back with a cup of tea, that’s for sure. Smiley and Taylor dominated the wrestling, though they struggled with the power of their younger opponents, their knowledge of grappling and specifically leverage was more than their more athletic counterparts could withstand, and Rage had no choice but to submit to Taylor’s brutal execution of the Regal Stretch STF.






This time Mauro had former World Television Champion Chris Jericho and the Highlight Reel on his set, and ‘The Long-Island Loud Mouth’ says that last week wasn’t so good for him and his padwons. They’d had a rough couple weeks prior but that last week they found some holes in Diamond Dallas Page and Lance Storm’s game, and that neither man’s championship was safe. Christian and Lenny share the mic, and what it seems they are trying to say is that Lance Storm was a punk, he was lucky, and that he couldn’t beat either of them in a fair fight. “Like totally,” “Bingo.” Jericho goes on to say that last week he put a beating on Dallas Page and that he is merely the “suitcase that MY TV Title is travelling in,” and that at the Great American Bash Pay-Per-View in Baltimore, MD on July 4th Weekend, “she will be coming home to poppa!”

Match 5
Referee: Nick Patrick

The Highlight Express w/Y2J at ringside took on two more luchadores making their WCW debuts, Super Calo and Lizmark, Jr. The masked men took control early with their dazzling display of aerial offense, really setting the pace of the contest early on. Cage and Lane were able to keep up, even if unfamiliar with the specifics of the style and got caught in man of the trademark Lucha moves. A devastating tilt-a-whirl backbreaker from Lenny Lane put a screeching halt to the mounting steam of Lizmark, Jr. which he followed up with the HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT split-legged moonsaults before tagging in his besty Christian and running across the ring to take out Super Calo, as Cage ascended to the top and finished off Lizmark with the Frog Splash!



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Commercial Break
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Match 6
Referee: Scott D'Amore

Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat vs. Buff Bagwell w/Miss Elizabeth and US Heavyweight Champion Scott Norton, whom the Dragon pinned in last week’s main event, and Ricky sure isn’t letting Norton forget it! The referee and Bagwell are having a tough time restraining Norton in order to get the match started. Once Mr. D'Amore is able to ring the bell though, Steamer puts on a wrestling clinic, beating Buff to the punch at every hiptoss, test of strength, or striking exchange. Steamboat’s experience puts him one step ahead of Bagwell and in control, until Miss Elizabeth, whom Terry says informed him earlier that she is to be referred to as “the first lady of wrestling, Miss Elizabeth” from now on, gets Patrick’s attention allowing Norton to shakes the ropes, causing the Dragon to straddle himself on across the top turnbuckle, which certainly swung the all-important momentum directly into Bagwell’s favor.

Bagwell hits Steamboat with a picturesque dropkick, and keeps the Dragon grounded for a bit. The crowd starts getting behind Steamboat, and Ricky starts to turn the momentum back into his favor. A few big chops have Bagwell reeling, and Steamboat even has one for Norton as he hops up on the apron, and here comes the Heavyweight Champion of the World! Ricky wins this one by DQ, but is toting an ass whooping.



HERE COMES LEX LUGER!

Luger brings the fight to Bagwell and then Norton, Hennig escapes by the skin of his teeth, and is joined by Bagwell and Norton down the aisle, Doug Dilinger and his team are preventing Luger and Steamboat from heading down and rekindling the flame.





WCW President James J. Dillon, who says that this thing has gone quite far enough, and that on July 7th in Baltimore, the Great American Bash pay-per-view is shaping up nicely, and he wanted to come out here and announce 2 more big matches. Due to his pinfall victory over the champion in tag team action last week, RICKY ‘THE DRAGON’ STEAMBOAT will challenge SCOTT NORTON for the U.S. HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE. And that finally his time has come, LEX LUGER will finally get his shot, as he will meet CURT HENNIG FOR THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP.

Lex and Steamboat high five over the decision, a lot of finger pointing and smack talk is going on as Tony informs us that we are going to our final commercial break so that we can bring you the World Tag Team Title Match in its entirety! “Fans don’t you dare go away.”



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Commercial Break
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Main Event
1 Fall with TV Time Remaining
For the Unified Tag Team Championship of the World
Referee: Randy Anderson
w/Sister Sherri vs.
w/Col. Parker

The Taylor made man had referred to tonight’s main event multiple times throughout the broadcast as a battle of four bad dudes, and this one started out with the two biggest, Big Bubba and Stevie Ray nose to nose in the center of the ring bumping their gums at one another. The words boy, son, and sucka get thrown around and that is when Stevie Ray gives Rogers a big shove. Rogers just looks over at his partner with a smirk, “give it to him Bub” shouts Tony Anthony, open hand strike “upside the head” says Duthtay, from “Bub” to Stevie. Big Stevie returns in kind, and challenges Bubba to a test of strength. Rogers cautiously grabs one knuckle lock, they grab the other, and now they struggle for position. Stevie seems to be slightly taller, and as he starts to get over the top, the veteran from Cobb County, GA puts a knee in his bread-basket, an elbow to the base of the skull, and drops Ray with an uppercut that echoes through the Patriot Center.

Rogers and Anthony have him in their corner and are keeping the fresh man in the ring with quick tags. Col. Parker is very pleased at ringside while chomping his cigar. Stevie Ray ducks under a clothesline attempt from Anthony and bounces back off the ropes with a clothesline of his own. Both men are down, and their partners are calling for the tag, and both get it! Booker T. turns up the heat with a leaping leg lariat to Bubba, and a Harlem sidekick drops Anthony of the apron! T. meets Rogers with a beautiful dropkick to the mush, 1….. and a half is all he gets on the big man. Book fires him into the ropes and catches him in a sleeperhold! Rogers is fighting it but is unable to get to the ropes, he drops to one knee! He seems to be fading, and in between brow moppings Parker sends Anthony in who clubs Booker off his partner, here comes Stevie Ray! He grabs Tony Anthony by the hair, but the referee gets in his face, and is backing him out of the ring! Allowing Southern Justice to plant Booker T. with the Hart Attack! Anthony’s out, Bubba covers, 1…….2……….NO! Booker T. just gets his shoulder up!

Big Bubba questions the count of Randy Anderson, stomps Booker in the head, and tags in the “Mustang.” Anthony comes in and as Dusty puts it, “really puts a clobberin’ on ole Booker-man.” Tony hits a big spinebuster on Booker T. that gets another near fall before he makes the tag once again. “Tony, Dusty, Southern Justice has easily out-tagged the Champions 2 to 1 in this contest, and I believe that is the difference at this juncture,” points out Taylor. Rogers comes in with a big grin on his face, the World Tag Team titles are within their grasp. The abdominal stretch is locked in and really wearing on Booker T. Tony Anthony reaches in, providing additional leverage to his partner, they are sure to break each time the referee comes around to check. But Randy Anderson smartens up the plan, comes around the other way, and breaks Bubba and Anthony’s grip with a kick, which allows Booker T. hip toss his way out of the hold. Bubba comes charging, leg lariat from Booker T. followed by a tuck and a roll, and the tag!

Stevie Ray comes in a house of fire. Multiple elbow strikes drop Anthony, lariat delivered to Rogers, standing Harlem sidekick drops Tony, running knee lift delivered to Rogers, Stevie follows it up with a neck breaker on Anthony and makes the cover, 1…..2……..Bubba breaks up the pin. Here comes Booker T. flying across the ring, roaring forearm sends Bubba to the ropes, Booker takes off after him, up and over the top rope goes Rogers and Book, who take a nasty spill on the floor. Randy Anderson is leaning through the ropes checking the carnage on the floor, and Tony Anthony slides over to Col. Parker, who hands him his shoe! But look at this, Stevie Ray has Sister Sherri’s purse! Neither man knows it as they try to hide what they have and come after each other, BAM! Both men slam their foreign object of choice into the other man’s head and they both crash down to the canvas with weapons in hand! Randy Anderson turns around, Anthony is down and out with a shoe in his hand! He questions Parker, who mops his brow and chomps his cigar! Sherri is screaming for a DQ, and Anderson wants to agree, until he looks down at Stevie who in his hand has Sherri’s purse! He has no choice but to DQ both teams!


Sister Sherri and Col. Parker are screaming at one another as Tony, Dusty, and Terry sign off. “See you next week fans, LIVE from Charleston!”