WCW Nitro

Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
July 6, 1998

We see a look back at JJ Dillon announcing Goldberg/Hogan tonight. And we're live from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta for WCW Monday Nitro! That's a big arena.

The Nitro Girls are in the ring, looking very "sparkly"

Tony, Tenay, and Zbysko are at the booth Zbysko brings out the dawn of time, and then likens Goldberg to the epitome of evolution. Zbysko takes his bows. Not a big "Larry" chant tonight. Tony refers to Hogan as the "greatest world champion in our lifetime."

Hogan's music comes on, showing that this could be a long night. Hogan's accompanied by Bischoff, Liz, and The Man With No Face. Hogan slips Bischoff some tongue....er, actually, just his normal kiss. Some guy's in the crowd bowing to Hogan. If you see that guy at work tomorrow, laugh at him. Bischoff gets to babble first. Hogan wants to share some information with the fans: Hogan rants about his nwo-ites, worship ground, etc., etc. Now, business at hand... Hogan says he's got good news, and bad news. Good news: We're on the final countdown to Bash at the Beach. Bad news: To the one or two Goldberg fans out there - the title match isn't going to happen. Goldberg's a nobody, he's beating jabrones, and WCW's disrespect for not running the match by Hogan, the match isn't going to happen. Just to show the fans he's a fair man, Hogan's going to give the fans a chance to yell their brains out, but he's going to bring out an nWo brother that we haven't seen in a while, and he's going to face Goldberg. If Goldberg gets by this nWo brother, then Hogan will face Goldberg. Chant: "Gooooooldberg" Hogan says his fans will eat up the Goldberg fans. Scott Hall, maybe? We see some redneck with his voice cracking running down Hogan and praising Goldberg.

nWo promo for Hogan's new shirt.

Mean Gene is with Brian Murphy and a NASCAR car This guy from Arkansas won a NASCAR car last year. They're going to be giving away another car this year. If anyone's interested, the phone number is 1-800-TEAM-VAL.

Match 1: WCW World Television Champion Booker T pinned Dean Malenko after the Axe Kick Yes! Malenko! Malenko comes as close to acknowledging the fans as he ever has, by pausing at the top of the ramp. Harlem Heat music brings out..... The TV champ! We've got Heat and Ice in this match. This is a TV Title match. Booker towers over Malenko. Booker shoulderblocks Malenko down hard. Malenko with a nice drop-toehold, that Booker sells quite well. Malenko with a rollup for one. Big bodyslam from the champ. Belly-to-back from Booker, who goes up top. Malenko sidesteps the Missile Dropkick. Malenko grabs the leg, but Booker rolls him up in a small package for two. Malenko avoids a corner charge, goes up top, but Booker catches him in a spinebuster. Booker with a standing side kick. Booker flapjacks Malenko, breakdances up, but Malenko avoids the Harlem Sidekick. Malenko and Booker both go over the top rope. Jericho comes out with a mic. Jericho says he wants Malenko to face him now. Malenko slowly goes back in the ring, but gets met with the Axe Kick. Booker T then covers Malenko for the win!

In the locker room, Goldberg is doing pushups on chairs.

Karl Malone, talking about some PPV.

Match 2: Raven (w/Lodi) defeated Kanyon by disqualification when Saturn interfered Kanyon comes out, holding the Mortis mask high. I can't say enough good about Kanyon. He's got mad skills. Raven's getting entrance music now. Lodi sign: "Raven Rulz" Kanyon jumps both men in the aisle. Raven flees to the ring, but Kanyon follows him. Kanyon hits a swinging neckbreaker. Lodi sign: "This Is Flock Country" Kanyon locks on a sleeper, but Raven reverses it. Both men flip over the top rope. Kanyon throws Raven into the guardrail. Kanyon throws a chair into the ring, and then sends Raven in. Kanyon with a fireman's carry into a flapjack onto a chair!!! Kanyon throws the chair onto Raven, and goes up top. Lodi crotches Kanyon on the top rope. Raven set the chair up, and superplexes Kanyon onto the chair! Saturn runs in, and starts putting the smack down on Raven. Lodi tries to interfere, and gets a suplex. Kanyon tries to get Saturn off, but Saturn gives a DVD. Raven gets a suplex, and Saturn goes for a table under the ring. Saturn sets the table up, and puts Raven onto it. Saturn goes up to the top, and splashes Raven. The table doesn't budge. Ouchie! Saturn goes back into the ring, where Kanyon gives him a Flatliner. We go to the back, and we see a limo pull up.

They get a wheelchair out of the trunk, and people help Buff Bagwell out of the limo! Buff's wearing a neck brace. Good to see him back! Buff's mother is pushing his wheelchair.

The Nitro Girls dance in the entranceway.

This week's Nitro party winner: There's apparently no winner, just a promo for the Nitro party contests. That was odd.

The announcers talk about Bash at the Beach.

We see footage from the 18-wheeler/nWo altercation last week.

Mean Gene is in the ring, talking about some tag team match at some PPV. He also calls out Page and Malone. Both men give the Diamond Cutter sign. Gene talks about the preparation Malone and Page have been putting in. Not, however, "Preparation H" A "DDP" chant starts up. Page says that this will be the worst week of Hogan's life. Malone is leaning on Gene's shoulder. Page says that Goldberg is going through whoever Hogan puts in front of him. Page says that Hogan will be "banged up" at Bash at the Beach. Page passes the mic to Malone. Malone: "Rodzilla - I'm gonna whip you like Madonna should have whipped you." Page: "It sounds like you're gonna be a killa" Malone: "No, a Rodzilla-killa."

We see an interview with Steve McMichael Mongo likens the Horsemen to the Monsters of the Midway. Mongo says the Horsemen didn't win championships, they took them. We see Mike Ditka singing Mongo's praises. Mongo says that Arn Anderson holds the key to the Horsemen, like Ditka held the keys to the Bears. Mongo challenges Arn to re-form the Horsemen.

Match 3: Scott Putski pinned Riggs with the Putski Bomb Scott Putski comes out with Steve Regal's old shirt.He'll be facing Scotty One-Eye, "Riggs." Putski with a quick snap-suplex. As if there's a slow snap-suplex. Riggs with a short-arm clothesline, and his eyepatch almost flies off. Nice dropkick from the Flocker. Riggs ducks, and Putski floors him with a clothesline. Tilt-a-whirl slam from Putski. Riggs hits a Hotshot. Riggs with a running kneelift in the corner. Riggs sends Putski out of the ring. Riggs with a flying clothesline off of the apron. Riggs does his Barbarian impression by sticking his tongue out. Both men try a cross-body, and both are down. Putski gets the advantage. A back-elbow from Putski, who shows the sign of the Polish Hammer. Putski hits the Hammer, and plays to the crowd. Riggs hits a jawbreaker. Riggs tries a crossface chickenwing, but Putski ducks. Putski picks Riggs up, and catches him in the split-legged spinebuster he calls the "Putski Bomb"

We see Goldberg in the back, headbutting some lockers.

(At least where I am), we see Goldberg jackhammering Hugh Morrus, which quickly goes off the air and is replaced by an ad for a Delaware diamond store.

We see Scott Hall getting out of a limo in the back, with the rest of nWo Hollywood, telling Goldberg he's in for the ride of his life.

Hour Number Two brings out the Cruiserweight champ. Jericho's blowing kisses to the camera. Jericho's got a mic: Jericho: "Hullo" Jericho welcomes us to Monday Night Jericho. Jericho is our "host with the m-m-m-m-m-m-most." Jericho's going to face Ultimo Dragon tonight, but he's not the number-one contender. Jericho says that Rey Misterio Jr. beat him on Thunder, so he'll be facing Jericho. JJ Dillon comes in, to Jericho's disdain. Dillon says that the Misterio Midget didn't fly with the executive committee, and Jericho will still face Ultimo Dragon tonight. Dean Malenko runs down, but the ref stops him in the ring. Dillon says that both men have been put on written notice that there's to be no physical contact between Malenko and Jericho. Jericho starts to taunt Malenko, since Malenko will forfeit his Bash at the Beach match. Jericho runs down Malenko's family, while Dillon tells Malenko to cool it. Jericho had one more thing he wants to say: "Jericho likens Malenko to himself, and says that Malenko's dad, and that Malenko's mom must have been lonely with Malenko's dad at home alone all the time, and did Dean ever wonder why he and his brother look nothing alike..."Malenko snaps and starts beating on Jericho, as we go to comercial.

Match 4: WCW World Cruiserweight Champion Chris Jericho defeated Ultimo Dragon by disqualification when Dean Malenko interfered. Jericho's still in the ring as we come back. Ultimo Dragon comes out for his title shot. Dragon with the takedown to start. Jericho with a shoulderblock, and points to the crowd. Dragon flips out of a backdrop, and dropkicks Jericho in the back. Jericho falls for the headstand-dropkick, but avoids a second-turnbuckle bodypress. Jericho dropkicks Dragon in the head. Jericho with a running vertical suplex. Dragon avoids a Jericho dropkick, and hits his stiff kick to the back. Dean Malenko runs in, and starts pounding on Jericho. Dragon leaves, as Malenko starts pulling Jericho by the heair. Security comes in, and Malenko's got a handful of Jericho's hair. The hair, incidentally, is no longer attached to Jericho. We come back, with a closeup of Jericho's hair on the mat. We also see cops handcuffing Malenko and taking him out of the Georgia Dome. What? Did Malenko use a powerbomb or something?

Bobby Heenan joins the broadcast team at the halfway point of the show.

Match 5: Chavo Guerrero Jr. pinned Johnny Swinger after the Tornado DDT. One of the most promising young guys in WCW, Johnny Swinger, comes out. Swinger's got the mic: Swinger: "Enough of the Rock & Roll" Swinger says that he's Johnny Swinger, and he's the hottest young commodity in wrestling today. Swinger bows to the crowd. His opponent - Chavo!!!! Chavo's got some scissors, and a hardhat. In the ring, Swinger's making the "crazy" motion toward Chavo. Chavo takes his shirt off, and leaves the hat on. The ref wants Chavo to remove the hardhat. Chavo removes the hat, but puts his hand over his hair. Chavo wants to fight swinger with one hand. Swinger with an armdrag, and asks "do you know who I am?" Swinger dances over Chavo, but Chavo hits a sunset flip. Chavo finally removes his hand, and shows us his bald spot. Heenan: "Hogan would have to use two hands and both his feet to cover his." Chavo with a front-facelock, runs up the ropes, and hits the Tornado DDT for the win!!! Quick match! Chavo's got the mic, and the scissors. Chavo: "Johnny Swinger, you've got split ends, and I've got some scissors!" Chavo gives Swinger a little trim. "That one was for you, Eddie." Chavo suggests a hair-vs-hair match against Eddie for Bash at the Beach.

We see Goldberg Jackhammering Glacier for Win #25.

In the back, Goldberg is still doing his little exercises.

Match 6: The Public Enemy defeated Alex Wright and Disco Inferno (w/Tokyo Magnum) by disqualification Yes! Disco!! And we get Alex Wright's entrance, so it'll be the Dancin' Fools. Right behind Alex, Tokyo Magnum is dancing. Magnum is wearing his pajamas. Disco and Alex stop dancing, while Magnum dances on. Public Enemy come out with two tables, and Atlanta Braves jerseys. TPE set the tables beside each other. TPE with a double-backdrop on the dancers. Tokyo is cheerleading for the Dancers. Disco tries to send Tokyo to the back. Rocco Rock brings Wright in the hard way. Double-pancake on Wright from TPE. Disco comes in, and gets a double-elbow. Double belly-to-back suplex from TPE. Tokyo dances on the apron, but ducks as soon as the fatboys rush him. Disco with a clothesline on Johnny Grunge, allowing Wright to come in with his slingshot-bodyblock. European uppercut from Wright, who techno-dances in the ring. Wright slams Grunge, and Disco misses a fistdrop. Grunge hits a swinging neckbreaker. Rock gets the hot tag, and takes out both dancers. The Dancers get the upper hand on Rock, but Grunge hits them with a double-bulldog. Grunge puts Wright on the table, but Tokyo pulls Wright off. Wright leaves Magnum for TPE, and they go put Magnum on the tables. Rocco Rock drive-bys Tokyo through the table, and Magnum is out. In the ring, Wright and Disco attack with a trash can. The ref calls for the bell. I'm guessing that TPE is the winner.

Mean Gene calls out Buff Bagwell Buff's mom rolls his wheelchair out. Buff removes his sunglasses. Gene says that Buff had a C-7 and C-4 fracture, and had some rough times in intensive care. Buff: "I love Atlanta." Big face pop. Buff says that this is the hardest thing he's ever had to do. Buff thanks the fans for keeping in touch with him, and he loves the fans too. Buff says that Scott Steiner wanted to bring him out last week, but Buff has been taking a second look at life. Buff says that Steiner has to go his way, and Buff has to go his. And he wants to tell Atlanta that "Buff-Daddy loves you." Buff praises his mom. Buff says he was the surprise that Scott was supposed to bring out, but he's just happy to be able to move again. Bagwell: "I'm buff, and I'm still the stuff." Good interview.

We see Goldberg jackhammer Rick Fuller for Win #50.

Tony talks about Golderg's football career, and his wrestling career.

Match 7: Bill Goldberg pined Scott Hall with the Jackhammer nWo music brings out..... Scott Hall. Hall points to the camera, and throws the toothpick. And the music brings out the US Champ. Goldberg's got the US belt polished up real pretty-like. Goldberg stands in the shower of sparks. Billy Silverman indicates that this is a US title match. Hall shoves Goldberg from behind. Goldberg shoves Hall down out of the lockup. Hall with his arm-twist shoulder thrusts, and paintbrushes Goldberg with slaps. Goldberg isn't happy, and takes Hall down. Hall wants a test-of-strength, but kicks Goldberg. Goldberg messes up an Irish whip, and Goldberg stands over him. Hall and Goldberg trade slaps. Hall tries a slam, but Goldberg blocks it. Goldberg picks up Hall in an over-the-shoulder powerslam. Hall spits at him, but Goldberg throws him down. Hall gets a brief advantage with a kick. Hall with a belly-to-back suplex for one. The "Goldberg" chant starts, and Goldberg starts to Hulk up. Goldberg completes the Hulk-up, while Hall continues to hit him. Goldberg with an armdrag, and another one, and another one. Hall hits the floor. Hall calls to the back. nWo Hollywood comes out (Vincent and Disciple), but Page and Malone chair them. Goldberg drags Hall back into the ring, but Hall drops his throat over the top. Hall with a clothesline to take Goldberg down. Hall signals for the Outsider Edge. Goldberg backdrops his way out of it. Spear. Jackhammer. Splat. Win. Not a bad match at all.

The Nitro Girls join the announcers. Whisper is hugging on Tony. They seem to be AWFUL close....

Match 8: Juventud Guerrera pinned Psychosis with the 450 Splash Yes! Psychosis! Haven't seen him in a while. He'll be having his Juvi Juice tonight. Juvi's wearing sunglasses on his head. Juvi avoids a corner charge, and Psychosis does the same. Nice clothesline from Juvi. Flying headscissors from Mr. Juice. Juvi hits a top-rope headscissors. Air Juvi makes a landing over the top onto the floor. Psychosis catapults Juvi over the top rope. Psychosis hits the back-splash from the top to Juvi on the floor. Some suplex reversals, and Juvi flips out of a German suplex. Juvi hits the JuviDriver, and signals that he's going up top. The Flock makes their way down to the ring. Juvi hits the 450 Splash, and that's the end. The Flock rushes the ring, and start the beatdown on Juventud. Horace takes Psychosis out, too. That was random.

We see Goldberg beat Raven for the US Title for Win #75.

The announcers hype the LA Pay-Per-Listen this Friday.

Promo for Bash at the Beach.

Match 9: Giant pinned Jim Duggan after the Chokeslam Oh no. OH NO!!!! They put Jimmy One-Eye in Hour Number Three?!?!?! Ok, he's facing Big Tobacco, I'll let them get away with it. Duggan attacks as Giant enters the ring. Duggan with some turnbuckle shots, but eats a big boot. Giant works one-eye over with his rear. Duggan avoids the final one, and goes for a slam. Giant blocks the slam. Giant with a slam. Duggan avoids an elbow, and signals for the three-point-stance. Duggan hits it, and goes for Old Glory, but Giant gets his fist up. That's a neat way to block the kneedrop. Giant pulls his strap down, and goes for the chokeslam. Heenan: "He's hit him so hard, his eyes are straight!" Bye, Jim. Don't write back. That was . . . satisfying. Giant's got the mic: He calls Kevin Greene a wimp. Giant challenges Greene to an one-on-one match. Greene comes down. Greene spits in Giant's face. Greene ducks a clothesline, and clotheslines Giant over the top. Greene grabs Duggan's 2x4. The mighty board scares the 7'4" man to the back.

Match 10: Diamond Dallas Page (w/Karl Malone) pinned Jim Neidhart after the Diamond Cutter DDP comes down, with Malone and the chair in tow. GAK! Neidhart! Neidhart's playing the heel tonight. Neidhart fights on the corner break. Neidhart chokes Page down in the corner. Page gets up, and returns the favor. Neidhart hits a low-blow, and pulls his straps down. Neidhart slams Page by the hair. Neidhart bites Page on the forehead. Neidhart with a full-nelson, and Page with a low-blow of his own. Neidhart turns around, and meets Mr. Diamond Cutter.

We see Konnan eat a Jackhammer for Win #100.

Match 11: Sting and Lex Luger (w/Konnan and Kevin Nash) defeated Sick Boy and Kidman when Luger made Sick Boy submit to the Human Torture Rack Wolfpac music brings out, well, said Pack. This match will be Sting and Luger. Konnan and Nash come out with them. Nash has the mic: Nash: "Phat-lanta G-A." Konnan: "Orale! Arriba la Raza" Their opponents - Kidman and Sick Boy. The Flockers discuss strategy outside the ring. Sting takes out the Flock by himself. Luger comes in for some fun. Sting gives both Flockers a Stinger Splash. Sting hits teh Scorpion Death Drop on Kidman, while Luger racks Sick Boy. Sick Boy submits. Luger indicates that it was record time.

We see Goldberg defeating Hall earlier in the evening.

Match 12: WCW U.S. Heavyweight Champion Bill Goldberg pinned Hollywood Hogan with the Jackhammer to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title Goldberg's music brings out the US champ. Goldberg gets escorted to the ring by security. Goldberg must have been in Marietta, as long as it took him to get to the ring entrance. Same spark shower, same calesthenics. nWo music comes on. Hogan comes out to normal nWo music. Hogan comes out alone, as well. Hogan gets in Goldberg's face, then rips his shirt off. And there's the bell! Screwjob countdown - 9 minutes. They lock up, and Goldberg gets a headlock. Goldberg grinds down on it. Hogan fights out of it, but Goldberg shoulderblocks him down. Hogan with a front-facelock. Goldberg runs Hogan into the corner, and breaks cleanly. Hogan wants a test-of-strength. Goldberg gets the better of this one. 5 minutes to screwjob.... Hogan gets to the ropes. Hogan with a kick to the gut, and some punches. Hogan with an eyerake. Hogan whips Goldberg with his weightlifter belt. Hogan rants, and Goldberg grabs the belt. Goldberg throws the belt away. 4 minutes. Goldberg with a full-nelson. Hogan hits a low-blow. Hogan floors Goldberg with a clothesline, and chokes him. Hogan with a bodyslam, but Goldberg avoids two elbowdrops. Goldberg with a clothesline of his own, sending Hogan to the floor. 3 minutes. Hogan gets his belt back, and puts it on. They lock up again. Hogan with knees in the corner. Hogan throws Goldberg to the floor, and Hogan follows him. 2 minutes. Hogan chairs Goldberg on the outside several times. Hogan slams Goldberg, hits the ropes, and drops the big leg. Hogan drops a second one. Curt Hennig comes to ringside. Screwjob time!!!! Malone and Page follow Hennig. Goldberg kicks out of the Hogan pin! Malone gives Hennig the Diamond Cutter! Goldberg spears Hogan! Goldberg sets up for the Jackhammer.....and drops him! Goldberg pins him! Goldberg wins! Goldberg wins!!!! Oh my GAWD! I hope this means Goldberg moves into the uppercard. Or else, Jerry Flynn will be getting some title shots in the future. :-) Wow. That was - unexpected. Wonder what they had to give Hogan to do THAT job!?!? That's the show, folks!