My Take On The Monday Night Wars 4.29.08: Raw vs. Nitro (6.23.97)
Posted by Larry Csonka on 04.29.2008
Sabu and Flash Funk steal the show on Raw, while over on Nitro DDP promises a surprise!
Introduction:
Welcome back to the latest edition of My Take On! With the addition of WWE 24/7 to my cable system, I have decided to have some fun and do some columns on "The Monday Night Wars." I plan to work this similar to the "My Take on MMA" columns, where it isn't a recap as much as it is an analysis piece. I will provide the ratings of the two shows, my breakdowns of each segment that aired and then give an overall final grade so to speak of the show. At the end I will give the winner a point for the ratings win and a point for the show I thought was the best. The goal is to run through as many of these as I can as they air. I think it will be a fun adventure to embark on. Sit back and relax, as I relive The Monday Night Wars!
For those that have asked, these columns don't have a set schedule. They will appear as a fill in for when another 411 writer needs the day off.
Match/Segment: The State of the "Nation" Address Final Thoughts: Farooq, Ahmed Johnson, Kama Mustafa and D LO make their way out to the ring. Right away Vince wants to know why Ahmed joined the Nation. Ahmed blames the white man for not getting a shot at the title. Vince says he would be getting a chance, which Ahmed thinks it is bullshit and then calls Taker a slave for listening to Paul Bearer, and promises to come for him. D LO GETS MIC TIME and runs down Vince as well. Farooq then says he formed the new Nation because those other punks didn't get the job done. He has formed a Nation of strong, intelligent black men. And that is scarier than when Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. got together. They then threaten to beat Vince's ass, even if he is the one that signs the checks. It is then that Crush comes out on a Harley, followed by Chainz (Brian Lee), Skull and 8-Ball (Harris Twins), which would be known as the The Disciples of Apocalypse. They then brawl around the ring. As I said, I dug the "Gang Wars," but do agree with many that it didn't exactly result in classics. The crowd popped for DOA, I'll give them that. Ahmed blew out his knee durig the brawl we'll find out later. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.0
Match/Segment: Ken Shamrock defeated Rockabilly Final Thoughts: Dan Severn is out to do commentary for the bout. You can barely understand anything that Severn is saying, so he is basically useless. Shamrock squashes Rockabilly with ease in a boring bout. Honky is in with the guitar, but Shamrock scares him off. Severn and Shamrock stare off after the match, and shake. Severn could have been a bad ass, but he had zero charisma and never adapted to the WWE style well. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 4.0
Match/Segment: TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT BOUT: The Legion of Doom defeated The Godwinns Final Thoughts: The teams have history as the LOD broke Henry's neck. Henry vows that what happens tonight will be no accident. LOD gets slopped, and that was a bad idea. I still mark out to this day whenever Hawk no sells the piledriver. The crowd was into LOD big time, but the match left a lot to be desired. After LOD wins, the Godwins beat down LOD with the steel buckets. Pillman, Owen, Anvil and Bulldog then jump the LOD with a chair and leaves them laying as Bret watches on. That helped things out. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 6.0
Match/Segment: Flash Funk and Sabu fought to a Double Count Out Final Thoughts: This is not nearly the match they had on ECW Hardcore TV (3.04.96), but it is really fun for a complete spot fest style match. Paul E joins the commentary team for the match, which is always good news. Paul provides some cool footage of Sabu in ECW, as JR questions his scarred body. Paul runs down Bishoff for saying that the Public Enemy invented the table spot. A very different match than we were used to on Raw, which is to its benefit. They hit all of their trademark stuff for the most part, and the crowd digs it big time. They get counted out and Sabu fails to break the table off of a moonsault and a splash try. He finally comes off with a leg drop and it does break. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 8.0
Match/Segment: Mankind defeated European Champion Davey Boy Smith by Disqualification in a non-title match Final Thoughts: Mankind comes out in a Stone Cold shirt and a sign that says, "PICK ME STEVE" in an effort to become Austin's tag team partner. Austin joins them on the phone, tells Vince not to call collect, and jokes about his brother being hurt and not caring. They have a fine little match that goes to the floor, and Bulldog brutalizes Mankind by suplexing him on the ramp. Bulldog gets a low blow as Mankind has the mandible claw, and then gets DQ'd for using a chair. Bulldog beats him down with multiple chair shots, including a sick unprotected shot to the head. The crowd chants for Austin, who isn't there. Mankind recovers and gets the claw again, only for Bulldog to escape. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.0
Match/Segment: IC Champion Owen Hart defeated Goldust and Hunter Hearst Helmsley in a three-way match Final Thoughts: Owen bitched to Gorilla Monsoon about having Pillman as his second, and Monsoon agrees to it. They play a great IC Title video package, showing off former champions like Patterson, Santana, Morales, Murraco, The Honky Tonk Man, Rick Rude, Bret Hart and Bulldog. Wow, remember when the title meant something? **Cries** Anyway, Vince tells us that this is the first three-way match ever held on Raw. I'll take his word for it. A nice touch having Pat Patterson as the official. Owen and Hunter always worked well together, and Hunter and Goldust always worked well together, so there is good potential in the ring. We get a Dusty Finish here as Goldust pinned Owen, but Owen put his foot on the ropes. Monson is out and sets it straight, and we get a restart. Man, that's two Dusty's for Goldust in the last month in title matches. Chyna and Pillman would get involved in what turns into a really good match, that sees Owen defend the title. I wish they wouldn't have done the early finish since they just did it with Goldust and Bulldog a few weeks back, but a really string TV match. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.9
Match/Segment: Bret Hart Speaks Final Thoughts: Hart hypes the Calgary Stampede, and then turns his attention to Thomas "HITMAN" Hearns, who is in attendance live. Hearns hits the ring and is OFFENDED. Hearns is ready for action and DROPS Neidhart with a right! Officials are in to keep Hart and Hearns apart, and the crowd loves it. JR states that, "We have seen a Sports Center Moment." Fitting since we just had Mayweather at WrestleMania. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.0
Match/Segment: Brian Christopher pinned Scott Taylor Final Thoughts: You know, it is a shame that when WWE tried to build the Lightweight Division that they were so set in their ways that they actually thought Brian Christopher and Scott Putski would be the guys to carry the division. Don't get me wrong, they could have been a part of it, but they weren't the guys to build the division around. I also still say that Scott Taylor/Scotty Too Hotty gets too much shit and is severely underrated. Christopher wins in a fine match, not bad, not good, just there. There was more bickering on commentary about Christopher being Lawler's son than about the actual match. Another thing to mention is that it is hard to get over the Lightweight Division as innovative when you have Sabu and Flash Funk going bat shit crazy in their match. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 5.0
Match/Segment: TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT BOUT: D Lo and Faarooq defeated World Heavyweight Champion The Undertaker and Vader Final Thoughts: Ahmed Johnson was reportedly injured in the show-starting brawl, they show him in the back sobbing. They also briefly showed Savio stepping up to Farooq, which earned him a beat down by the Nation. D Lo is subbing, which is fine with me. The DOA make their presence known during the match as they jump D Lo. The Nation brawls with them, and then Taker joins the fight. You know, it is interesting seeing Farooq and Vader doing spots that I remember from their WCW World Title Matches. Vader decides to talk shit to Taker, and that leads to a right from Taker and Farooq getting a clothesline for the pin. Taker drops Vader with a tombstone for his troubles. Paul promises to reveal the secret next week since Taker has not kept to the deal. Decent match, good angle progression, a fine way to end the show. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.0
The Overall: Best Match/Segment: Flash Funk and Sabu fought to a Double Count Out 8.0 Worst Match/Segment:: Ken Shamrock defeated Rockabilly 4.0 Final Thoughts: Raw picked back up this week with a lot of entertaining and strong segments. The gang wars are underway with the DOA in the picture, the Hart Foundation is awesome and basically anything with them involved is good and Flash Funk and Sabu rocked the house. This was good stuff here. Show Score: 7.5
WCW MONDAY NITRO (6.23.97)~!: RATING: 3.3
Match/Segment: Review/DDP Loves Surprises Final Thoughts: They smartly review the end of last week's Nitro, where Hogan and Dennis Rodman battled with Luger and The Giant. The n.W.o beat them down and spray-painted them as trash filled the ring. DDP is out with Kim, and discusses loving surprises, and that is why he will not reveal his partner for Bash at the Beach. Kim talks, and ruins the segment. DDP will face Hall tonight. The recap was good, announcing the main event was good, but Kim just needs to stand there and look hot, and NEVER talk. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.0
Match/Segment: Damien and La Parka defeated Public Enemy Final Thoughts: Jesus this was a train wreck. Public Enemy gets their table spot, PARKA uses the chair and gets the win. A couple fun spots, but it wasn't good. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 3.0
Match/Segment: Eddie Speaks/Chris Jericho defeated Alex Wright Final Thoughts: Eddie makes excuses for now wrestling last week, and Gene says he set up Chavo to fail. Eddie and Chavo have a small argument, and Eddie says he is giving up his title shot tonight against Syxx.
You know, I don't hate Alex Wright like most do, but damn this dude sucked hard in this match. No flow, all concerned with getting his shit in and not working with Jericho. Leave it to Alex Wright to make me hate Chris Jericho. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 5.0
Match/Segment: The Steiner Brothers defeated Harlem Heat Final Thoughts: They get some time and end up having a really solid match. This establishes the Steiner Brothers as the #1 contenders for the tag titles. Vicious and Delicious comes out, and Buff makes fun of Scott and says his arm are atrophied and then posed for them, no, that wasn't gay at all. Rick and Scott callout hall and Nash for next week on Nitro. Solid stuff overall. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.0
Match/Segment: Hector Garza pinned Villano IV Final Thoughts: This was just there for me. Garza shows off a lot here though, and shows off why he would become such a good wrestler later on. I like both of these guys, but it was just thrown together. And not even in that weird Lucha way, this was just oddly disjointed. Garza also about killed himself doing a corkscrew plancha from the top to the floor. It's a shame that he got busted for bringing roids across the border. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 5.5
Match/Segment: Luger and the Giant Speak Final Thoughts: This was just a really well done promo segment, putting over the PPV and the match with Hogan and Rodman. Not too long or cute, just the facts of the facts and some good intensity from Luger, with out him slipping up his words. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.0
Match/Segment: World Cruiserweight Champion Syxx defeated Chavo Guerrero Jr Final Thoughts: Hall is out with Waltman, playing the n.W.o numbers game. This is a really fun match, a young Chavo showing tons of potential and Waltman working decently hard and showing why he at one time was thought of as one of the best light heavyweights on North America. I say that because he calls a smart match with Chavo, limited interference, and giving Chavo enough to make him seem like a threat. Eddie comes out as he promised to watch Chavo's back, but stays on the ramp as Hall drops Chavo with the Edge, allowing Waltman to get the win. Chavo got his nose busted open there, sucks to be him. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 6.5
Match/Segment: Steve McMichael defeated Konnan Final Thoughts: This is so depressing. McMichael can barely be qualified as a "pro wrestler" and yet he gets to look like a million dollars because Konnan carries him so well. Hugh Morris is out, distracts Konnan and he eats a sloppy tombstone from Mongo and that is all. Not horrible, but not that good either. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 5.0
Match/Segment: Piper Speaks Final Thoughts: Piper discusses that there is no chance that Flair betrayed him. Piper then takes a shot at Flair, which brings out the Nature Boy to assure him that they are cool. Flair then says Piper shouldn't question him as Mongo, Debra and Benoit hit the ring. So there you go, as mentioned, they are letting Benoit back onto the shows. Piper says that he didn't come here for the cronies to get involved. Mongo talks shit and says Piper shouldn't mess with the team captain. Flair tries to calm things down and leave with Piper, but Mongo doesn't buy it. Piper attacks Mongo and Benoit, and then Flair gets involved. This leads to the Horsemen style beat down. It was what it was, but I remember at the time not being into it and I really wasn't here either. It was done well enough though. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 6.0
Match/Segment: Glacier and Ernest Miller defeated High Voltage Final Thoughts: Mortis, Wrath and Vandenburg watch on during the match. High Voltage wasn't a horrible little team, sure they were jacked up juice monkeys, but they weren't bad. The spots by Miller were limited, but what he did do looked good. Mortis, Wrath and Vandenburg charge the ring, but them back off and we get a stare down. A fine segment, harmless match and they advanced the angle. I am fine with this. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.0
Match/Segment: Diamond Dallas Page defeated Scott Hall by Disqualification Final Thoughts: Hall brings out Savage and Liz, THE NUMBERS GAME MIKE! Savage of course picks his spots to get involved in the match. They have a pretty energetic match, which only depresses me because I still feel to this day Hall could have been a world champion. A cool spot sees Hall unwrapping the ace wrap from DDP's ribs, only to east the spinning punch. A lot of people have issues with DDP being a world champion, but when you go back and watch, the dude was mad over, especially during the n.W.o feud. Savage jumps in for the DQ, and they beat down DDP. Sting arrives in the crowd and POINTS AT SAVAGE. HE IS POINTING! Which allows Savage to drop the elbow. Savage with another elbow as Sting charges the ring and Savage and Hall clear out. We get a trash filled ring from the beat down, as always. Savage and Hall come back in and Sting beats them down to end the show. A hot finish to the show, and you had the angle where you wondered if Sting would be DDP's mystery partner for the PPV. Larry's Enjoyment Index: 8.5
The Overall: Best Match/Segment: Diamond Dallas Page defeated Scott Hall by Disqualification 8.5 Worst Match/Segment:: Damien and La Parka defeated Public Enemy 3.0 Final Thoughts: The big segments that are supposed to work are working well, and the small stuff that on other shows had been BAD are now just there. I feel that the Nitro show is picking up quality after some down episodes. Show Score: 7.0
THE WINNER:
According to the Ratings: NITRO According to Larry: RAW Overall Series Score: RAW~10.5 – NITRO~7.5
I was so disappointed that Ahmed got hurt AGAIN that night.
Posted By: Jamal (Guest) on April 29, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Iremember that Davey Boy chairshot to Foley...sideways, like a baseball swing,
flat to the side of his head....never seen it done that way before.
Posted By: Guest#6644 (Guest) on April 29, 2008 at 04:13 PM
I was never much of a fan of DDP, but he was over without a doubt.
Posted By: G-Walla (Guest) on April 30, 2008 at 10:37 PM
All that Lucha crap looks so fake. I hate it. Well, then again it could've be
a Glacier segment or Shamrock vs. Rockabilly. Ugh. At least we're right
around the corner from the Michaels/Taker feud.
I was also disappointed Ahmed got hurt.
Posted By: Raiderhorde (Guest) on May 01, 2008 at 01:11 AM
