WCW Nitro
Minneapolis,
Minnesota
October 19, 1998
Just like Chicago, Minneapolis -- Flair's birth town -- proved to be Horsemen country. After Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko wrestled an exceptional match (see results), Gene Okerlund brought out the mayor of Minneapolis, who announced that October 19th was now officially Ric Flair Day. The crowd cheered the announcement, but Eric Bischoff wasn't quite as happy.
The disgruntled WCW President marched to the ring and told everyone that he'd rented the arena and Flair had to leave. The mayor disagreed and the two exchanged insults, until two members of the Minneapolis Vikings stepped up to Bischoff. Flair dared his nemesis to go further, but a local police officer ended the spirited debate. Claiming Bischoff had outstanding warrants in the area, the top cop gave Bischoff 20 minutes to get out of the building.
Match Results
Saturn d. Kaos
Nitro opened with this barn-burner and, once again, Kaos
showed his proficiency for singles match-ups. Saturn stayed
focused, however, and won with the Death Valley Driver.
Ernest "The Cat"
Miller d. a fan
After blabbing about his superiority, a fan rushed the
ring and tried to get The Cat. Security immediately grabbed the
man, but Miller pleaded that he should be freed. The Cat then hit
the audience member with a Spin Kick.
The LWO (Damian,
Psychosis, Hector Garza and El Dandy) d. La Parka, Chavo
Guerrero, Silver King and Ciclope
An already out-of-control Luchador contest -- complete
with dozens of high-risk manuevers -- was made even more
interesting when La Parka turned on his own teammate, Ciclope,
with a steel chair (the move allowed Psychosis a pinning
opportunity). Post-match, Eddie Guerrero came down to the ring
and inducted La Parka into the LWO -- Chavo left in disgust.
Kanyon d. Scott Putski
Putski made his finest showing to date, but couldn't
overcome the power and unique offense of Raven's right-hand man.
After hitting a pancake out of a fireman's carry, Kanyon finished
Putski with the Flatliner.
Rick Steiner vs. Scott
Steiner
Scott came to the ring and started his standard attack
of his former fans and Nitro audience members. Tired of the
tirade, Rick came down and challenged his brother to a fight. The
two tussled, until Scott attacked Rick with a chair. Buff Bagwell
made the surprising save.
Fit Finley d. British
Bulldog
These two European superstars exploded into fast action
immediately, with Bulldog utilizing his power and Finley
exploiting his notorious ferocity. Bulldog had an advantage when
the referee was inadvertently knocked out. Alex Wright used the
opportunity to attack Bulldog, giving Finley an opportunity to
hit the tombstone. Post-match, Finley decked Wright.
Wrath d. Tokyo Magnum
This was a quick one, folks. Warming up for his
Halloween Havoc match-up, Wrath obliterated the Ultimo Dragon
pupil with the Meltdown.
Chris Benoit and Dean
Malenko with Arn Anderson d. Alex Wright and Disco Inferno
Pre-match, Silver King and Super Calo surrendered their
match spot to the new Horsemen dream tag team. Eric Bischoff
joined the commentating team and claimed that he would withhold
pay from the Horsemen involved. But the guest announcer didn't
distract Benoit and Malenko -- the team dissected the dancing duo
and finished off the bout with the Crippler Crossface.
Diamond Dallas Page vs.
Chris Jericho
Page came out with a butt-kicking agenda; Jericho did
everything he could to slow down the rage. The Lyin' Heat
succeeded and nearly beat the People's Champion, but Page
countered a Liontamer attempt and was setting up for the Diamond
Cutter. Enter Goldberg. Before Page could finish the job, the
undefeated marvel speared Jericho and went for the Jackhammer.
Page stopped him and struck with the Diamond Cutter. Goldberg and
Page began to scuffle, but it was stopped by referees and
authorities.
Kidman vs. Rey Mysterio,
Jr.
Cruiserweight Title Match
Once again, Kidman steals the award for best match of
the night -- but credit might go to his phenomenal superstar.
Mysterio and Kidman put on a Luchador clinic, with plenty of
power moves and outside action to keep the fans shouting until
the closing bell. Mysterio was setting up for his trademark
roll-up pin, but was met with a well-timed dropkick. Before
either man could pursue victory further, time ran out.
Kevin Nash, Konnan and Lex
Luger d. Scott Hall, Stevie Ray and Scott Norton
Pre-match, BigSexy seemed to be MIA, but a backstage
camera revealed Nash heavily intoxicated and wearing an old
Outsiders T-shirt. Nash finally arrived to confused looks from
the crowd and fellow Wolfpac members. Nash and Hall seemed to be
sharing a moment, due to his inebriation.
Both teams exchanged control, until Nash and Hall were tagged in simultaneously. After some joking in the ring, Nash revealed that his cup was empty and pummeled his former partner ruthlessly. The referee called the match, due to Hall's inability to compete.
Hollywood Hogan vs. Horace
At the beginning of the match, Hogan told the crowd that
Horace was his blood nephew and called the NWO down to the ring.
He told Horace he loved him, and then annihilated the youngster
with his belt and a chair (Hogan went as far as knocking over a
stretcher Horace was being wheeled away on). Warrior ran to the
ring with a bat, to battle all the black-and-white express, but
was eventually put down by a Giant choke-slam. Hogan
spray-painted Warrior and executed multiple leg drops.
Bret Hart d. Sting
After watching Hogan call out the Warrior, Hart said he
was inspired to do the same to Sting. The Red-Faced Superstar
complied and administered a beating to the Hitman. Sting executed
the Scorpion Deathlock but, when Hart reached the ropes, Sting
refused to let go of the hold. Other officials, Stevie Ray and
Vincent came down to help, but Sting attacked the other NWOers as
well. The evening ended with Sting chasing a weary Hart to the
dressing room.