WCW Bash At The Beach 97'

WCW Bash at the Beach 97'

Daytona Beach, Florida

CHAMPIONSHIP RUNDOWN: Coming into tonight's show, "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan holds the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, Chris Jericho is the reigning WCW Cruiserweight Champion, the tag titles are held by The Outsiders, the TV Champion is Steven Regal, and the United States title is held by Jeff Jarrett.

COMMENTARY: Tony Schiavone, Dusty Rhodes, and Bobby Heenan with Mike Tenay

Bash at the Beach 97' starts off with a video package hyping tonight's star-studded main event pitting Lex Luger and The Giant vs. WCW World Champion "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan and Dennis "The Menace" Rodman of the Chicago Bulls. At the announce table, Tony Schiavone reminds viewers that tonight will also see the major reveal of Diamond Dallas Page's mystery tag partner - if I'm not mistaken, it was the wrestling world's worst kept secret that Curt "Mr. Perfect" Hennig would be coming out of retirement and returning here, particularly because, in a classic WCW move, they'd debuted him on Nitro a week or two prior instead of saving his first appearance for this show.

Glacier and Ernest Miller take on Mortis and Wrath in the show's opener. As a kid, I loathed this rivalry, but I've enjoyed it considerably more on re-watch. Unfortunately, this has to be their fourth or fifth consecutive pay-per-view against eachother (save for Miller), so the novelty has definitely worn off a bit, especially as the addition of guys like Wrath and The Cat means we get to see less of Mortis, the undeniable MVP of this entire saga. Speaking of Wrath, he busts out a chair and holds it up to Glacier's face with him standing against the post which Mortis then kicks in an absolutely devastating move that should've served as the finish because, at the time, I'm not sure there'd been many more hardcore spots than that in at least a couple years. Wrath and Mortis hit a combination powerbomb/neckbreaker but only get 2 due to Miller's interference. Wrath then locks in an inverted Boston Crab that Mortis enhances with a guillotine leg drop in another remarkable show of teamwork. Mortis misses on a moonsault, but Glacier can't make the tag. Miller bursts into the ring and hits a series of karate kicks that the heels sell incredibly for, the crowd popping for each one more than the last. Glacier hits a DDT, but Vandenburg stops the count and, with the ref distracted, wraps a steel chain around Mortis' foot. This leads to the finish, a nice way to further the feud and keep everyone protected. Again, I wouldn't mind seeing these guys work with other wrestlers, but this match certainly holds up, largely thanks to the heels creative and vicious double-team maneuevers. (3/5)

Diamond Dallas Page is backstage hanging out with a nerd handling an interview via CompuServe.

WCW Cruiserweight Champion Chris Jericho defends the strap against Ultimo Dragon next. Jericho is in full-fledged Lionheart mode here, while Dragon is no longer playing the foreign heel now that he's free from Sonny Onoo's management. Fast-paced action and some "mirror work" to kick things off, but things slow down as they both start to counter each other's moves. In fact, as Tenay wisely notes, this match ends up being more about defense than offense, Dragon and Jericho doing the most damage to their opponent through sidesteps and counters much more than their signature moves. What's noticeable about Jericho here is that, despite having some quality offense, his charisma really doesn't come across as much as it would when he eventually turned heel. There's a nice roll-up pinfall sequence that really adds to the suspense and highlights that this is a title contest both men are focused on winning. Cool spot where Dragon hits a dropkick on Jericho mid-Lionsault, but it's followed by a pretty ugly Dragon Sleeper and an Asai Moonsault that doesn't quite connect either. The finish that follows doesn't make total sense and feels rushed, but overall, not a terrible match and, depending on the fan, one might even call this one of the better cruiser title matches of the time that didn't involve Rey Mysterio. (2/5)

"Mean" Gene makes his way ringside to get a few cryptic words of Raven, who is also joined by Stevie Richards in their first appearance on WCW pay-per-view. Good segment, but not great enough to warrant a bonus point or anything.

The Steiner Brothers team up to take on The Great Muta and Masahiro Chono of the nWo next. As one would expect, this is a very physical contest, all four men being ready, willing, and able to dish it out in stiff fashion. There are a handful of tremendous spots, including a Scott Steiner belly-to-belly off the top rope to Chono and Great Muta hitting a Frankensteiner from the corner. Any time Rick Steiner hits a bulldog from the top, you get the feeling that it could be a career-ender for the man receiving it (as would prove to be practically true in the case of Buff Bagwell), but the danger on display here really helps the match from sinking anywhere near boring. With more suplexes than you could wave a stick at out of the Steiners and the Japanese contingent doing a nice job of drawing heel heat and keeping pace with the ultra-popular babyfaces, this has to be one of the better and more watchable Steiner bouts of the previous few months. (2.5/5)

Juventud Guerrera, Hector Garza, and Lizmark Jr. Team up to take on La Parka, Psicosis, and Villaino IV (with Sonny Onoo) for our next bout, a very special lucha-flavored six-man tag. I was a huge fan of a previous six-man WCW featured, so I was eager to see what they'd pull out this time. Mike Tenay joins in on commentary to help out the team, explaining the difference between rudos and technicos for the home viewer (and Bobby Heenan). As expected, there's quality spots left and right once the action gets going, including some beautiful tilt-a-whirl backbreakers, Psicosis nearly paralyzingly himself with a missed dropkick into the corner, Juventud landing a sick "coup de gras"-type move onto all three of the rudos, a triple suicide dive soon after, and a ridiculously dangerous and vicious piledriver-sequel maneuever out of Psicosis in the corner. To detail what else comes down the pike would be overkill, but that's essentially the word one should use to describe the action that occurs during this match's second half. When people call a match a "spotfest," it is usually with derision - but this match, which is loaded with high spots, is a great example of how putting six fearless workers in the ring and letting them wrestle "their style" can provide the audience something wholly different than anything else they've seen. Spectacular bout that may not appeal to purists seeking matches with selling and storytelling, but will amaze just about anyone else with the athleticism and risk-taking of its participants. (3.5/5)

A very special Career Match is next - Kevin Sullivan vs. Chris Benoit in what I believe is a yet another rematch from the previous year's Bash at the Beach. As was par for these two, Benoit and Sullivan start things off by just mauling eachother with rights and lefts in the middle of the ring before the action spills out. Jacqueline is heavily involved for the first part of the match (as is Jimmy Hart), making this more like a handicap match than a straight up 1-on-1. When Sullivan and Benoit find their way to the Bash set, you'd think things would get silly (as they arguably had when they fought in bathrooms), but the shots they give eachother with the weapons at hand are so stiff and unprotected that even something comical (like pushing a lifeguard chair over with Jimmy Hart on top) comes off as serious and intense. Once they brawl their way back into the ring, Benoit dominates, which is kind of a cool touch considering that it was Sullivan who began the feud as the clear-cut heel and now, a year later, it is Benoit who has proven to be the superior wrestler. Well-worked crossface sequence and an equally good series of Tree of Woe moves by Sullivan, but neither man can put the other away. This leads to one of the most disappointing finishes I've seen in recent months, an unfortunate decision that, while completely believable and in-line with Sullivan's relationship with his managers, ends up taking away from the accomplishment of the victor and the severity and finality of the loser's punishment. The crowd doesn't mind, but years later, one not only wishes the match would've ended for definitively for the sake of the feud, but also for the sake of the match itself - which was en route to being a potential Match of the Night contender but ends with such an unnecessary twist that it misses out on a great opportunity to truly create a new star and close the legacy of a fading one. Still, well worth watching for its brutality and as a bookend to one of WCW's most famous longterm rivalries. (3.5/5)

The United States Championship is on the line next, Jeff Jarrett defending the gold against Mongo McMichael in a continuation of their long-running rivalry. In the weeks leading up to this show, Jarrett was kicked out of the 4 Horsemen, a move that Mongo was pushing for months prior. Before the bell rings, both McMichael and Jarrett pose with the belt, a good idea to clearly establish a face/heel dynamic as chants of "Jarrett Sucks" rain down from the rafters. When the wrestling portion of the match begins, it's not breathtaking stuff, but it is at least something different than anything we'd seen in any prior match, more character and emotion-driven, very basic and traditional but not necessarily boring. What hurts the match is Mongo's piss poor timing and selling, with several moments looking so half-assed that one wonders if he hadn't actually devolved as a worker over time. Jarrett turns his own act up to 11 to compensate, drawing the ire of the crowd in the process. The finish is a bit sloppy and rushed, but at least the match doesn't overstay its welcome. Totally watchable stuff that tells a good story, builds towards a future match, and doesn't get bogged down in any boring ol' rest holds...but isn't executed as flawlessly as it could've been to make it a "great" match. (2.5/5)

Road Wild PPV preview followed by a quick word from "Hollywood" Hogan and Dennis "Rod The Bod" Rodman. I really wish I could recommend checking this promo out, but it's too pointless and long-winded, with nothing close to clever said by either guy (somewhat surprising considering Rodman's reputation for being equal parts articulate and obnoxious). 

Scott Hall and "The Macho Man" Randy Savage make their way down the aisle for their match against Diamond Dallas Page and his mystery partner - the former Mr. Perfect, Curt Hennig. Again, this would seem like a major surprise had it not been spoiled by Hennig appearing on Nitro prior to this match. After DDP hits Savage with some strikes early on, Macho does a masterful job of getting the crowd even hotter, ducking out of the ring, feigning that he wants to bring a chair in, walking around the ring in anger, spitting in Page's face - it may not be "wrestling," but it's impossible to ignore its effect on the crowd. Hennig and Hall get tagged in, the former Mr. Perfect hitting the former Razor Ramon with a flurry of his signature offense, including the somersault neckbreaker. Page comes in soon after the tide shifts, the heels taking over through nefarious means to put the boots to DDP, targeting his injured ribs. When Page comes in, one would expect a hot tag, but in a very clever twist, the tag is downplayed and it even seems like Page has botched it. In fact, by underplaying the tag, Hennig's actions at the end of the match make total sense, a selfish, egotistical blowhard losing his cool the first time things don't go his way. As Schiavone notes, it doesn't appear to be an nWo double-cross, which would've been incredibly stupid considering Hennig had no reservations about trading blows with both Hall and Savage during the match. The post-match moment between Kimberly and DDP is yet another one of those "small details" that WCW consistently got right at this time, a moment that makes sure that even Page gets to leave with his integrity intact. Despite not being much a "match," I'm essentially awarding this one points for Savage's awesomeness, Page's selling, and the well-produced finish, one that added intrigue to the nWo storyline at a time when such wrinkles were necessary. (2.5/5)

In a match that wouldn't seem out of place on a card 10 years prior, Ric Flair vs. Roddy Piper is next, these two essentially squaring off based on the age old phrase, "If you can't get along, you'll have to get it on." Flair brings a ton of energy to this one, obviously enjoying an opportunity to shine in a major singles bout on pay-per-view after months of being relegated to minor roles and tag matches on the last few shows. Piper isn't too shabby, but it's clear that his rather one-dimensional, slapsticky offense made him a much better foil for the equally cartoonish Hollywood Hogan than for Flair, a guy that he certainly had history with but not nearly to the same degree as he had wih Hogan in the eyes of the casual fans. I've read a few reviews of this match that are merciless in their criticisms, but I'd still call this better than nearly every one of the "Legends" matches from previous years' Slamboree shows.  Flair and Piper are tired, they stick way too much to chest chops and punches, and they overrely on Pavlovian responses to their shtick to keep the crowd engaged, but more moments work than don't, they play the "hits" and the crowd appreciates it, the match isn't mired down in restholds, and while some of the kickouts are absolutely atrocious, you definitely get the sense that both guys want to win this match (and that the crowd generally cares due to the late match appearance of various items of trash). There's also some great visuals thrown in at the tail end, Piper staring down Flair in denial of his chest chops and referee Mark Curtis geeking out and mimicking the slugfest happening before his eyes. While I wouldn't want to revisit this one and I don't necessarily think the right person got their hand raised in the end, this match is far from the dud others have described it to be. (2/5)

Main event time - Dennis Rodman and Hulk Hogan vs. Lex Luger and The Giant. If you come into this match expecting solid mat wrestling or even passable mat wrestling, you're looking in the wrong place - but the heat in this match is just undeniably awesome, the crowd pelting the heels with garbage the second they appear in the ring. Honestly, the worst worker of the bunch seems to be The Giant here as Rodman is surprisingly spry and, while he's not asked to do much, what he does do is crisp and fully logical, including his selling, which wisely errs on the side of "oversell" instead of, say, what we saw Shane McMahon do at WrestleMania earlier this month. Like the shows building up to this one, Luger is massively over, which helps a ton in keeping the crowd alive and making what is a very basic, very "hit a shoulder block-stall for 2 minutes-hit another shoulder block"-type match into seeming like one that actually has some substance (it does not). I don't particularly care for the ending or the "swerve" that builds up to it (it just too ridiculously obvious that Kevin Nash [or some other 7' footer] is playing the role of Sting), but the crowd certainly leaves happy and WCW definitely got over the fact that this was a big time, mainstream-appealing match-up. To their credit, WCW advertised a major match and they gave the audience a very good 20+ minutes of spectacle, not dissimilar to what the WWE might've done. Much more watchable than revisionists will have you believe, almost to the point of being worth a rewatch if you haven't seen it in some time. (3.5/5)


A numerical score doesn't always tell the whole story of a show I've reviewed. Bash at the Beach 97' earned a respectable 2.78-out-of-5, but that score almost seems criminally low in comparison to shows I'd consider as lesser overall, like May's Slamboree. What this show offers is variety - from the surprisingly strong opener to the lucha 6-man to the "more angle than match" Hennig debut. The worst matches on the show don't overstay their welcome and their participants are mostly working hard. They're bad for different reasons - Jericho/Dragon is heatless, Piper and Flair is all punches, eye gouges, and chest chops, and Mongo/Jarrett has some comedically bad spots - which, in a weird way, ends up being a positive because things never really get boring. Unfortunately, things never really ascend to the heights of all-time greatness either, with the main event arguably being the best match on the show more because of how hot the crowd is and how big a star Rodman comes off as than because the match itself is good.

FINAL RATING - Watch It...With Remote in Hand