Monday, February 15, 2016

WCW UnCensored 97'

RATING LEVELS
Curt Hennig – A “GOAT” show, as Perfect as possible
Watch It – A consistently good show worth watching in its entirety
Watch It…With Remote in Hand – 3 or more above-average ratings 
High Risk Maneuver – Mostly filler, inessential, but 1-2 good matches
DUDleyville – Zero redeeming qualities, chore to watch


WCW UnCensored 97' - March 1997
Charleston, South Carolina

CHAMPIONSHIP RUNDOWN: Coming into tonight's show, "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan is the reigning WCW World Champion, the Outsiders are the WCW World Tag Team Champions, the United States Champion is Eddie Guerrero, Prince Iaukea is the Television Champion, and Syxx is the WCW Cruiserweight Champion.

COMMENTARY: Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan, and Dusty Rhodes


Eddie Guerrero defends his United States Championship against rival Dean Malenko in tonight's No DQ opener. Guerrero and Malenko made a name for themselves in the US through their matches in ECW a couple years prior, so I came into this match expecting great things. While I wouldn't go as far as those that call this their best match, it is no worse than really, really good. Guerrero was not yet a full-fledged heel, but he does a ton of tiny things to play that role here without outright spitting in the face of the audience or completely changing his moveset to include blatant cheating. Instead, he attacks with more viciousness, milks the unfriendly crowd responses for noticeable beats, and throws in some taunts and facial expressions to make it clear that his beef with Malenko has gone beyond friendly competition. Malenko, to his credit, doesn't just play a plucky do-gooder to foil Eddie's heel tactics (which would've been an easy call to make), he stick to his Iceman gimmick but throws in some as-yet-unseen glimpses of seemingly having fun being on the attack (for example, stealing Eddie's frogsplash and then pulling up Eddie's head before getting the assured W). In terms of in-ring (and out of ring) action, there are a ton of excellently-executed maneuevers on display, including Eddie taking a nasty guardrail bump ribs-first from the top rope, Malenko following it up with a fireman's carry into the same rail, Guerrero hitting a series of sharp dropkicks to Malenko's knees, a tremendous tornado DDT, and even more finish theft. Unfortunately, a screwy finish (albeit one that does show some quality storyline follow-through) leaves this one with an undefinitive ending, but in terms of kicking off the show, this does the trick. (3.5/5)

Roddy Piper is in the back and he is fired up! His matches with Hogan, especially the one he had a month prior at SuperBrawl, were not great, but promos like these are why he was still an invaluable piece of WCW's success at the time. Piper sells the hell out of tonight's main events as well as his partners, the Horsemen's Mongo, Benoit, and Jarrett. (+1)

The Ultimo Dragon vs. Psychosis is next and Mike Tenay joins in on commentary for it.  The crowd is pretty much dead for the entire match, reacting to a few things here and there, but not even popping for some of the more high-risk stuff that Psychosis dishes out (including a huge leg drop from the top rope that draws crickets). Dragon is clearly the heel, but Psychosis doesn't do much to muster crowd sympathy, at one point even trying to use the ropes to assist him on a pinfall attempt. Dragon busts out a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, but the same spot had been used before so the crowd is indifferent. Psychosis hits a super plancha over the top rope onto the floor and follows it up with a slingshot leg drop. Dragon gets in a handspring back elbow to the guardrail then an Asai Moonsault for good measure. Back in the ring, Dragon gets a 2 from another moonsault before there's a nifty powerbomb-into-a-sunset flip sequence for another nearfall. Both guys take a bad landing from a superplex attempt which is followed by Psychosis getting 2 from a frankensteiner from the top. Dragon hits an awesome running Liger Bomb and then a ridiculous tornado DDT, wrapping this one up with a devastating Tiger Suplex. After a somewhat slow start, Dragon and Psychosis tried their best to wake up the audience by pulling out a mind-numbing number of suplexes, reversals, and aerial attacks, but this one just never captured the crowd's interest. (3/5)

Diamond Dallas Page comes out and cuts a decent promo (but overuses the word "acknowledge" by at least 2). His challenge to "Macho Man" Randy Savage is eventually answered as Savage and Liz join the scene, leading to one of the all-time great nWo/WCW angles - Savage revealing Kimberly's spread from Playboy. Page is irate, but what really makes his blood boil is when Kimberly walks out, tears in her eyes, spray-painted and looking like she was thoroughly victimized by the New World Order. Now, at no point is there any suggestion that Kimberly was "violated" by Savage or any other nWo member, but this matters not - like an old school biker exploitation film, the hero's "girl" has obviously been degraded and humiliated and shit is officially on. Bonus for Liz's involvement too as her being a willing participant in the humiliation of DDP and Kimberly just makes things even more personal and dark. Excellent segment. (+1)

Back in the ring, it is time for what appears on paper to be a terrible match - Glacier vs. Mortis in a Martial Arts Match. Surprisingly, though, Glacier and Mortis do an outstanding job here, partially because they don't even bother to play up the meaningless stipulation. Speaking of "Martial Arts Matches," Tony claims early on that this is the first of its kind...despite the fact that Meng and Jim Duggan wrestled one at UnCensored 95' two years earlier. Whoops. Anyway, Mortis (aka Chris Kanyon) amazes the announce team considerably by showcasing a number of relatively innovative maneuvers, including a front-flip clothesline that is extra impressive considering he's over 6 feet tall. Glacier, to his credit, takes an awesome back bump on the outside at one point, proving that even if he wasn't the most fundamentally sound performer on the roster, he was willing to work hard to draw reactions and tell a story through nothing more than hard-hitting, stiff action. There a number of believable nearfalls at the end of the match, though, I'd still argue this one goes just a minute or so too long. I'm not necessarily sure I agree with the ending, but we do get the debut of Wrath (Bryan "Adam Bomb" Clark) in the post-match, which continues the storyline. Considerably better than any previous Glacier match I've seen. While not in any sort of running for MOTN, it's still a bit of a "sleeper" match for me, especially if you have any sense of nostalgia for these ludicrous, Mortal Kombat-inspired characters. (3/5)

Before our next match we get video footage of the Outsiders' attempted murder of the Steiner Brothers. Tony Schiavone explains that while footage like this would typically lead to someone pressing charges (and potentially being sentenced to decades behind bars), the Steiners have opted to "settle it in the ring." Network Nugget of Awesomeness! (+0.5)

In a return bout from January's Souled Out show, Buff Bagwell is challenged by his former American Males partner, Scotty Riggs, in a Strap Match. I actively disliked their match at Souled Out, but will give credit where its due for this one. Right from the start, Riggs whips the hell out of Bagwell and the Buff Daddy does a nice job of showing just how painful the lashes are. On offense, Buff doesn't do much more than choke, pose, and cut direct-to-camera promos, but it fits his dastardly character to not do much of anything besides bask in his own villainy. Bagwell misses on a Blockbuster attempt, allowing Riggs to take control for a brief stretch toward, clotheslining his nemesis, hitting a big powerbomb, and connecting with a missile dropkick. The finish comes from a very nasty backdrop spot that leaves Riggs in a hangman position and with what appears to be a thoroughly damaged lower back. A definite step up from their Souled Out match, which isn't saying much but definitely warrants some recognition. (2/5)

The New World Order are in the back and they proceed to cut a completely nonsensical promo of one-liners that don't make any sense when paired side-by-side. Noticeably absent is Dennis Rodman, which makes me wonder if this promo was shot live or if it was filmed earlier in the day. Regardless, nothing truly consequential is said, but its fun to see Nash, Hall, Savage, and Hogan together.

Harlem Heat vs. Public Enemy in a No Disqualification, Texas Tornado Rules match is next. Within the first minute, Johnny Grunge is lacerated from one of the 4-5 objects that are utilized in this match, namely a trash can, a trash can lid, a toilet seat, a street sign, and a baking sheet. The use of the toilet lid is particularly pleasing to Dusty Rhodes, whose commentary in this one is one of its strongest selling points. In terms of "suspense," this match has absolutely none - you are basically just watching guys waffle each other for 10+ minutes, which, at first, pops the crowd, but then bores them and leads to a loud "Tables" chant. Booker still manages to get some his signature offense, a testament to how much stronger of an individual character and worker he is than anyone else he's sharing the match with. Sister Sherri gets involved a ton too. There's a huge table spot towards the end that sees Rocco Rock come flying with a somersault legdrop while Johnny Grunge just delivers an awkward and lazy back splash (really he just falls over) onto Stevie Ray, but the actual finish doesn't come until Jeff Jarrett and Mongo McMichael show up (they were scheduled to face PE before they got recruited into the main event). Again, Rhodes commentary carries this match into watchable/average territory. (2.5/5)

Having heard from Piper and the Horsemen and the New World, it is now time to get some words from Team WCW - Scott Steiner, The Giant, and Lex Luger. Scott Steiner is surprisingly articulate here, but still full of roid-fueled anger. The Giant's mix of barely audible whispers and full-on shouting makes anything he's saying hard to decipher. Finally, Luger closes things out with a long-winded speech about how this match is bigger than just wrestling - it represents the good and bad of society as a whole. No bonus points given, but I do love the fact that this PPV has been full of promos and not just video recaps, which is what we seem to get from the WWE these days.

The Television Championship is on the line in our next match - Prince Iaukea defending against Rey Mysterio Jr. Right from the bell these two guys begin to cut a breathless pace, Mysterio delivering a pair of cannonball splashes (one in the ring and one out of it). Iaukea catches him with a springboard powerbomb a couple minutes later, then hits a big crossbody to the outside as well. There's a somewhat awkward split-legged moonsault by Rey at one point as Iaukea lies super close to the ropes. A springboard moonsault gets a 2 as Mysterio ends up in trouble when he misses a follow-up senton. The crowd is growing restless at this point, certainly not behind Iaukea but definitely not popping crazy for anything Rey is doing either. At minute 15, the referee calls it, but the crowd is more confused than anything as there was "5 Minutes Remaining" or "1 Minute Remaining" calls, a move that completely spoils what should be a very classic storyline (and one that WCW used to do really well years earlier during Regal's TV Title reigns). Iaukea and Mysterio agree to add some time on the clock, but it doesn't take long for us to get our definitive ending. Overall, a bit disappointing due to the lack of crowd interest and the glaring mistake of not playing up the time factor by both the in-ring performers, the timekeeper, and even the commentators as well. No worse than average, but certainly not as great as most of the other Rey matches I've reviewed recently. (2.5/5)

Sick commercial for Spring Stampede featuring the Horsemen riding through the old west. I'm tempted to give this show yet another half-bonus point, but I think I've given it enough at this point.

Main event time - Team Piper vs. Team WCW vs. the nWo in a match that, based on what Michael Buffer announces, I can't really describe the rules of. First in the ring are Chris Benoit, Scott Hall, and The Giant, in a situation not dissimilar to the Royal Rumble or War Games. Schiavone clarifies things a bit, detailing that this match will be fought in 5-minute rounds, with three more teammates joining at the end of every round (except for Team WCW, who are understaffed by one member). Anyway, The Giant pretty much dominates the scene, tossing Benoit around with ease and generally no-selling anything that Hall tries to hit him with. Hall finally makes some ground by leaping onto Giant and locking in a sleeper, but eventually the big man is able to toss him off in an impressive feat of strength. Benoit eats a chokeslam but for whatever reason, Hall breaks up the count (which, gladly, the commentators note as being a mistake). Before the first round can end, though, The Giant accidentally stumbles over the top rope as Jeff Jarrett, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, and Lex Luger. Jarrett goes on a mini-tear, but its Luger who comes in with the more impressive offense, press slamming Double J and Randy Savage in short order. Well before its been 5 minutes, Steve "Mongo" McMichaels, Kevin Nash, and Scott Steiner all make their way down the aisle, filling up the ring with, by my count, 6 former or future WCW World Champions. Unlike a Rumble, the number of big spots on display is respectable - guys getting hoisted up for powerbombs and hit with all sorts of signature moves. Jarrett is tossed and, soon after, Mongo goes over as well, leaving Benoit and Piper as the last members of the team. As Piper makes his way down the aisle, Scott Steiner is tossed as well, giving the nWo a huge advantage as "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan has yet to make an appearance. As the crowd chants "We Want Sting," Dennis Rodman and the WCW World Champion make their way down the aisle with supreme confidence, milking in the jeers from the audience. Back in the ring, Piper and Savage brawl outside of the ring, Piper using a steel chain to add extra impact to his shots. Meanwhile, the Outsiders team up on Benoit as Hogan finally rolls into the fight. As expected, Piper and Hogan come to blows, Hogan playing the cowardly heel until Savage comes along to save him from Piper's onslaught. Piper flies over the top rope as the announcers claim that Rodman made the assist (though, this is unclear on the actual video), making this a 4-on-2 battle. Benoit fights valiantly, but ends up the victim of a Razor's Edge and gets tossed over the top soon after. Outside of the ring, the rest of the nWo dismantle Piper, who refuses to stay down. As Piper is carried off, Lex Luger is left for dead, beaten down in the corner by all four members (plus Rodman) of the heel team. Luger gets a tremendous second wind, though, cleaning house and racking Savage (who gives up almost immediately). Luger then tosses Kevin Nash over the top and racks Scott Hall as well, eliminating everyone but Hulk Hogan in a matter of seconds. The crowd goes absolutely crazy, but Rodman hands a can of spray paint to Savage who runs in and takes out the Total Package just as he has Hogan hoisted up in his finisher. In the post-match, Luger suffers even more humiliation by getting spray-painted and slapped in the face by Rodman in the center of the ring. As expected, trash starts flying in the nWo's direction as they make their exit....but the show's not over yet! Sting is in the house, flying down from the ceiling and taking out all the nWo members with his trust baseball bat. A huge lemonade hits him square in the face, but Sting can't be stopped by the crowd's garbage or the nWo as he hits Nash, Hall, and Savage with reverse DDTs. He then points his bat at Hogan, clearly etching in stone that it is the Hulkster he wants. Months in the making, Sting and Hogan finally come to blows and the Stinger hits him with the reverse DDT as the show goes off the air. Overall, a surprisingly solid, star-studded main event match capped off with one of the best post-match segments in the nWo/WCW saga, which is no small compliment. (4/5)


With an absolutely solid "watchability" score of 3.29-out-of-5, UnCensored 97' is almost impossible not to enjoy from start to finish. While not quite a "Curt Hennig Level" collection of matches, there's not a single dud on the card. Malenko/Guerrero may not be an all-time classic, but it kicks the show off well. Mortis/Glacier and the Texas Tornado Tag Match overachieve while, between nearly every bout, there is a purposeful, engaging promo or video to keep the show's momentum going. The main event (and its excellent post-match) would seem like a clusterfuck on paper, especially when you consider WCW's track record for "innovative" multi-man matches (think the Doomsday Cage or BattleBowl), but in this case, the match absolutely works, providing everyone save Mongo and Steiner a chance to shine and actually show off their specific brand (for example, Benoit comes out of things looking tougher than a $2 dollar steak while Luger comes across as a huge threat to Hogan's World Championship). All in all, if you're looking for a WCW/nWo-era show featuring practically every huge star WCW had at their disposal as well as a number of popular midcard acts, UnCensored 97' checks the boxes.

FINAL RATING - Watch It All 

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