The 411 News Report 11.25.00: WCW Mayhem Preview
Posted by Ashish on 11.25.2000
Mayhem will be an important PPV for WCW as it comes at a time when their product is finally starting to improve and get some praise.
Mayhem will be an important PPV for WCW as it comes at a time when their product is finally starting to improve and get some praise. After such a long string of horrible shows, the last month has been more than watchable. The return of Ric Flair coupled with interesting programs between Kevin Nash and the Natural Born Thrillers, Booker T. and Scott Steiner, and a decent undercard has finally given WCW some life. Delivering here will be another major key for them.
Booker T. vs. Scott Steiner for the WCW Title
This one will be a cage match with a straightjacket suspending above the cage. Scott Steiner has become one of the best heels in pro-wrestling and it is becoming obvious that he should be champion right now, however, it probably will not happen. Scott Steiner is set to face Goldberg at Starrcade in a non-title match, and I don't see much sense in giving him an uneventful title reign that will only last a week or two. Look for Booker T. to get the win here, possibly by DQ. Match wise, it should be a solid main event full of brawling.
Lance Storm vs. General Rection for the WCW US Title
This is being billed as the final time these two guys will wrestle for the US Title. In what has been a very long feud, it all should come to an end here. Lance Storm does have a tissue tear in his ribs that may lower his performance. If Storm can work through the injury, this one could be an excellent match as both guys are very good workers. Both Team Canada and the MIA should get involved throughout the match, but I expect a clean pin finish, probably going to General Rection. WCW is going to attempt to push Rection to the main events following what will probably be a very solid US Title reign.
Lex Luger vs. Goldberg
None of Goldberg's matches really have any questions. Luger is just another name to feed Goldberg as this "streak" continues to expand into the worst thing on WCW TV. Look for Luger to put on a decent fight against Goldberg, but in the end, it will be the same story as all the other streak matches.
Crowbar vs. Reno vs. Big Vito for the WCW Hardcore Title
This one should be a good hardcore match. Crowbar is really great in these types of matches and Big Vito and Reno can hold their own. I fully expect a lot of objects to be used and some pretty cool spots. My pick is Crowbar. Some other faces might get involved to further the Hardcore division for the next month or two.
The Perfect Event vs. Nash & DDP for the WCW Tag Team Titles
The pairing of Kevin Nash and DDP should make for an interesting one. Nash's feud with the Thrillers has not only elevated the entire group, but has also jumpstarted his career to an extent. I would not be surprised to see Nash and DDP actually get the titles here. WCW will probably work a feud between the two down the line. As for the Thrillers, look for them to put on their usual antics in what should be a decent match.
Mike Sanders vs. Kwee-Wee for the WCW Cruiserweight Title
Mike Sanders has become of the best surprises in pro-wrestling this year. While his Cruiserweight Title reign has been somewhat lost in the background due to his commissioner role, I see no reason to give the belt to Kwee-Wee. Sanders, just by having the belt, is doing a lot for it. Match wise this one should be pretty good if given enough time. I pick Sanders to retain the belt, possibly with help from the Thrillers.
Buff Bagwell vs. Jeff Jarrett
The Chosen One will be getting a major push soon and it will probably start here. Bagwell on the other hand is pretty much in the WCW doghouse as usual. Ron & Don Harris (The Harris Brothers) may make their WCW return here as Jeff Jarrett's bodyguards. If they do return, expect them to get Jarrett the win. The match should be pretty solid as both guys are decent workers. As with most Jarrett matches, expect a wild finish with JJ coming out on top.
Mike Awesome vs. Bam Bam Bigelow
Mike Awesome has really fallen since arriving in WCW, but the blame needs to be placed on the creative team more than Awesome. He still is a good worker though, as is Bigelow (at times). This one could be a good match, however, as is the problem with much of the undercard, nobody really cares what happens here. I'll go with Awesome since WCW has not shown many signs of trying to push Bigelow since he returned.
The Cat vs. Shane Douglas
Douglas is a guy who should be floating up around the top of WCW's PPV cards, not the bottem. His talents are really being wasted right now. Anyway, this one should be an entertaining match as the Cat and Douglas are two entertaining personalities in the ring. Douglas should get the win as WCW really needs to push him. The Cat is more or less used to put other guys over and that trend will probably continue here.
The rest of the undercard is in question due to injuries. What matches will make the card in the end are not really known. But 10-11 matches should be present on the card, making it a very packed PPV from start to finish. It will be hard to give any one match enough time to develop into anything good. The potential for good matches is there with Rection/Storm, Sanders/Kwee-Wee, and Bagwell/Jarrett. It will be very important for WCW to try and deliver an entertaining show here and add to the little momentum that they have created in the past month. While key programs like the Goldberg streak are turning out to be failures, they have hit success with their main event program and the Nash/Thrillers program, and both of those are keys.
Remember that 411wrestling.com will have LIVE, FREE coverage of WCW Mayhem TOMORROW NIGHT (Sunday) starting at 7CT/8ET on the Newsboard. Coverage will feature detailed match-by-match updates of the entire show as it happens. Be sure to join us!
Also, if you still want to read more on WCW Mayhem, check out 411wrestling.com's Rasslin' Roundtable WCW Mayhem Preview.
Enjoy your weekend. I'll be back on Monday with another report....
