WCW/nWo Souled Out (1999 btb)

[Lionheart]

I have a big question about a storyline (wheather or not I should bring it in or not). I will simply show an image and see if people vote yay or nay.



Just so that everyone's clear: Flair is face; Bischoff is heel; Russo is developmental; quasi-brand split between Nitro/Thunder/SN whereby all title belts can be defended on every show so there'll be a limited amount of crossover storylines.

[Kimberly Masters]

I am not sure about that if I have to be honest. I think WCW worked fine without a roster split ... at least for the main wrestlers ... I wouldn't do a roster split ...

[Scott Manor]

At the moment I say no on the roster split.

First, I haven't seen much mention of Russo or Saturday Night. So if you were to go through with this, I would wait until you bring Russo and Saturday Night into the equation.

Second, I don't know your whole roster that isn't in development, but I don't think you have enough people for the split you're thinking. Maybe for two shows but three shows is really pushing it.

Third, the roster is kind of split already a bit. You have some horsemen who are obviously with Flair. You have nWo, and then you have other guys who aren't really on a side. To separate into shows would only split teams/stables or make shows dominated by a certain stable/team.

So my vote on the split is no.

[Lionheart]

Based on the feedback I've got from different places, here is how I'll try to improve the diary from now on:
- Continue with written out behind the scenes meetings.
- End the various nWo (and LWo!) factions… Yes this is on the cards, but I want it to mean something instead of being a sudden decision.
- Look into better ways of presentation and layout to make the diary flow better.
- No commentary or written out promos during shows, they don't fit the character's they're meant to portray.
- Less move for move/play by play-style match write-ups. Instead I'll do a more summarized matches.

MONDAY NITRO #4 - 25th January 1999


Nitro opens with the camera showing Buff Bagwell and Chris Jericho engaged in a stare down, Bagwell having just entered Jericho’s locker room. Bagwell says to Jericho that he remembers what he did a few weeks ago to his partner Booker T. and Chris Beniot, but tonight is about putting a hurt on the nWo.

-Nitro Opener-
The announcers, Mike Tenay and Mike Sanders, welcome us to the first hour of Monday Nitro as the fireworks go off all around the arena. Sanders is introduced as WCW’s newest ‘broadcast journalist’. They announce that Tony Schiavone will be handling the backstage interviews on Nitro from now on.

They are cut off by Kurt Angle’s music as he comes out to a decent ovation from the fans. Next out to the ring are Kenny Kaos and Robbie Rage. Mike Tenay explains that the former Olympian will be going two on one against both members of High Voltage on tonight’s broadcast. The bell rings and Robbie Rage begins with repeated punches to Kurt Angle. Kenny Kaos attacks Angle from behind and the double team is on! After a series of double team moves, Angle counters a double backdrop attempt with a stiff kick to Rage’s face and a German Suplex on with a pinning bridge on Kenny Kaos - but Rage breaks up the count. Rage gets tossed out of the ring, and Kenny Kaos misses a clothesline on Angle. Angle capitalizes and connects with an Olympic Slam! 1....2...3, and it’s over!.

After the match celebrations are over with, Tenay and Sanders send it to the back, where Tony Schiavone has an interview ready to start. Tony is interviewing the member of security that Raven assaulted last week on Nitro. He is introduced as ‘Wildcat’ Chris Harris, an aspiring wrestler fresh out of WCW’s Power Plant. Harris says that he was simply trying to do his job as part of the security, but Raven’s conduct convinced him that he really wanted to be inside the ring fighting, rather than breaking fights up! Harris says he will give it his all against Disco Inferno, next.

- Nitro goes to a commercial break -

After the commercial break Harris is already in the ring as Disco dances down the entrance ramp with his leisure suit on. Harris wants to start the match, but Disco shoo’s him away so that he can dance some more. Harris slaps Disco across the face and the bell rings to signify the start of the match. Harris unloads on Disco with right hands and knocks Disco onto the ropes. Harris takes a run, rebounds off the opposite ring ropes and launches himself at Disco! Disco drops to the ring canvas as Wildcat goes sailing out onto the arena floor! Disco goes out to the floor and drags the dazed Harris back into the ring. Disco takes the advantage, working over Chris Harris until Harris counters a running clothesline into the corner with a raised foot to the face and a big clothesline of his own on Disco. Harris hits the “Catatonic” from out of nowhere and pins Disco for the surprise 1....2....3!! Chris Harris goes into the crowd, where he celebrates his victory.

The next match on Nitro is for the WCW Television Title. The current champ Chris Jericho makes his way to the ring, imitating his challenger, Scott Steiner. The nWo Black and White’s music hits and Steiner walks out, pissed off. The match starts out with Jericho getting in the early offense, concentrated on Steiner’s back. As Steiner begins to make a comeback the referee accidentally gets knocked out by Jericho. Steiner locks in the Steiner Recliner while the ref is out cold. Buff Bagwell races down to the ring as the crowd roar their approval. He climbs to the top of the turnbuckle as Steiner stands up. Steiner turns round and gets a Buff Blockbuster! Buff exits the ring as the ref comes to and says into the camera that it’s Buff 1 – nWo Zero. Jericho locks in a Lion Tamer and Steiner submits.

Bagwell walks through entrance way to the backstage, and immediately flies back out onto the entrance ramp! Scott Norton emerges from backstage, having stopped Bagwell from leaving the scene without paying for his actions! Jericho drops to the floor out of harm’s reach as Norton drags Buff back to the ring where Steiner is waiting. Scott Steiner pushes the referee away and Norton drops Buff to the canvas. Jericho takes his belt from the time keeper and says to the camera that he has his belt, and that’s all that matters. Scott Steiner quickly locks in the Steiner Recliner on Bagwell!

The camera goes to the back for an interview with the newly reformed Four Horsemen. Ric Flair starts out by asking Tony
Schiavone who the President of WCW is. Tony replies that he is. Ric says that’s right, and starting tonight the WCW fans are going to see a lot more of him from now on. Curt Hennig is asked how his recovery is going, his arm still in a sling. Hennig replies that he can’t wait for Superbrawl to get his revenge on the Wolfpack. Arn Anderson applauds in the background as Benoit tries to butt in, saying he doesn’t like Jarrett, who hasn’t even arrived at the arena yet. Ric says that Jarrett is a Horsemen, like it or not! Arn says that Chris shouldn’t worry about Jarrett, he should worry about bigger fish that Flair has for him to fry. Flair smiles, and says that because of his devotion to the Horsemen, he is giving Benoit the opportunity to defeat Kevin Nash, one on one, for the WCW Title in tonight’s main event!

- Nitro goes to commercial break -

After the break two cars pull into the parking lot, one containing Jeff Jarrett, one containing Booker T. The two share an uneasy stare in silence before parting ways and entering the arena from different doors, with Mike Sanders noting from the announce table that the two probably have left over bad feelings from 1997 when the Four Horsemen battled Harlem Heat in the tag team division. The camera follows Booker, and Bagwell is there to meet him at the arena door. Bagwell explains that he just got beatdown by the nWo Black and White, and their tag match is up next. They hurriedly begin making their way to the ring.

Back at the ringside area, the nWo’s Stevie Ray and Scott Norton are just finishing their entrance. Bagwell and Booker are out almost immediately, and Booker T will be wrestling in street clothes it seems. Booker starts the match to allow Bagwell some time to heal. The ref calls for the ring bell, and Booker goes to work on Scott Norton. After considerable punishment Norton tags out to Stevie Ray. Stevie Ray hits Booker, but Booker blocks a punch and scoops up Ray. As Booker has Ray held in mid air, Bagwell assends to the top rope and hits a missile dropkick on Ray! Bagwell steps out onto the ring apron so Booker can tag him. Booker tags out and Bagwell goes to work on Stevie Ray. Bagwell is clearly favouring his neck in this match after the previous nWo beatdown, and Stevie Ray is able to take over momentum once again. Chris Jericho comes running down the aisle and onto the apron! Stevie turns...and is dropped throat-first onto the top rope by Jericho as the referee is distracted, getting Norton out of the ring! Bagwell tags in Booker, who hits a Harlem Side Kick and pins his brother for the 1....2....3, Jericho having grabbed Norton’s foot stopping him from breaking up the pinfall.

Booker grabs a microphone and thanks Jericho for helping them. Jericho responds by knocking both Booker T and Bagwell to the matt, proclaiming that Monday Night Jericho should be all about him! Jericho once again bails as Stevie Ray and Scott Norton look like they aren't done. The nWo members attack Booker and Buff! After an exchange of blows, Booker and Buff are laid out in the ring.

The LWO comes down to the ring, with Chavo leading the way in his uncle’s absence. La Parka and Psichosis fall in line behind him, with Juventud looking pissed off, last in line. Chavo gets on the mic, saying that although he might have lost at Souled Out, the LWO was still alive! Juvi takes the mic and lays a verbal smackdown on Billy Kidman, saying that ‘The Juice’ will take his title. The music of Ric Flair interrupts and from the stage the WCW President announces that non other than Eddie Guerrero himself will be next Nitro telecast. The LWO are overjoyed at this news and celebrate it as Kidman makes his way to the ring and the bell sounds.

Kidman has control for the majority of this match. Juvi mounts a small offense, but Kidman hits the Kidman Bomb out of the powerbomb, and goes for the pin! A woman runs from the crowd and climbs onto the turnbuckle! Kidman falls for the distraction, and Juventud Guerrera capitalizes by spinning Kidman around, and hitting the Juvi Driver! Juvi covers Kidman 1....2....3!! Juventud Guerrera shakes hands with the woman, showing that their plan worked perfectly as he parades around with the WCW Cruiserweight Title. Sanders asks whom the mystery woman is, and Tenay says he’ll have an update on that next week on Nitro!

Tony Schiavone is backstage with Bret Hart. Tony asks if Bret and British Bulldog have settled their differences. Bret says no, but hopefully they will be able to soon. Tony says that Bret Hart requested this interview time for a special reason, and asks what that is. Bret says that since loosing the WCW US Title, he’s been ready to take the next step in World Championship Wrestling. He issues a challenge to Hollywood Hogan for SuperBrawl! Schiavone mentions that this is a match that has never happened before, and hopes that Hogan accepts. He mentions that Bulldog’s match is up next.

Bulldog has Neidhart out with him as manager for this match. Jarrett walks out with Benoit, but Benoit only goes as far as the aisle before leaving to go backstage. Clearly there are problems between Jarrett and Benoit. Jarrett has Bulldog’s number, using a variety of technical wrestling holds and manoeuvres to wear him down. Jim Neidhart enters the ring and drops Jarrett to the canvas. The referee calls for the ring bell and disqualifies the British Bulldog. Jim Neidhart quickly locks on the Figure-Four Leglock! Bulldog puts the boots to Jeff Jarrett whilst he is trapped in the Figure Four.

Ric Flair raises to the ring in his suite, Bulldog and Neidhart clear the ring. Flair helps Jarrett up and sends him backstage with a couple of refs. Flair talks about how good it is to be President and say that he has another announcement. He pauses, then announces that Goldberg will be at next week’s show. The crowd pop big, and even louder when Flair says he has Goldberg live on the phone. Goldberg’s picture is up on the TurnerTron as Goldberg says that he’s been waiting, and getting the match signed. Goldberg says he has Scott Hall one on one at SuperBrawl in a Ladder Match!

- Nitro goes to commercial -

Michael Buffer is in the ring, announcing Chris Benoit to the ring as we return from commercial. Benoit climbs the turnbuckles and shows the fans the four fingers on both hands. Wolfpack music hits and Kevin Nash makes his way to the ring. Buffer introduces him as ‘WCW Heavyweight Champion of the World, and master of the Chokeslam and Jacknife Powerbomb, ‘Big Sexy’ Kevin Nash’. Chris Benoit takes a right hand to the temple from Nash, and Nash takes the early advantage. Kevin Nash misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Benoit mounts a comeback after hitting a dropkick out of nowhere. Benoit follows up with a snap suplex, on which he hooks the leg for a close fall. Nash catches Benoit’s foot in a kick attempt and has Benoit stood on one leg. The Giant slides into the ring, with a chair in hand. Benoit drops to the mat as Nash is hit across the back by The Giant. Benoit is next to take a hard shot. Giant grabs Nash and delivers a chokeslam! The referee, seeing the chaos, calls for a no contest ruling. Giant says into the camera that he is the one true Giant in Pro Wrestling as Nitro comes to a close.