WCW Thunder (August 10, 2006)

WCW Thunder

August 10, 2006

Minneapolis, MN

Target Center

 

Fireworks explode and the Nitro girls are dancing to the sounds of AC/DC and "Thunderstruck!". It's WCW Thunder and it's on the air. We go to ringside where Scott Hudson and Brian Adams are standing by. Hudson and Adams welcome us to the show. Things are wild in WCW right now. Hulk Hogan returned to WCW last Monday night on Nitro and revealed that Eric Bischoff is not the 100% owner that he claims to be. Hogan used his influence and connections to discover who the mysterious co-owner was and that person has agreed to allow Hogan to have control of his stock. Hogan didn't take control, but is instead turning over control to a mysterious third party who will be debuting tonight as the new co-owner of WCW. Adams & Hudson speculate as to who the new representative for WCW will be.

 

We go to Gary Michael Cappetta for the first match.

 

"YOUR NEW ADDICTION" KRAZY K versus "WILDFIRE" TOMMY RICH

 

Quick action by Kirby as he just runs circles around the former NWA Champion. Rich manages to get in some offense and scores with a neckbreaker and then a suplex to get a couple of two counts. Rich attempts a "Thesz Press" and Kirby holds on, catching Rich with the top rope for a hot-shot! Victory roll by Krazy K and referee Russ Cherico counts to three.

Winner: "YOUR NEW ADDICTION" KRAZY K

 

(commercial)

 

We go backstage and Eric Bischoff is hollering at everyone in sight. He wants things ready for when the new "Face of Authority" of WCW will be debuting. Joel Gertner is there and asks Eric how's it going! Eric says that he plans on showing this new guy that Hogan is a liar and a scoundrel. Eric plans to charm the new "co-owner" and keep control of his company. Gertner wishes him good luck! Gertner has something to ask for the Giant and for Booker T. Eric saw how, at Nitro, the Horsemen came down and attacked everyone including The Giant, and even Sean O'Haire's partner, The Rock. Joel wants matches for tonight with The Giant and Booker and Booker's brother, Stevie Ray versus The Horsemen. Eric says OK and asks if they want singles or tag matches? Gertner doesn't care. So Eric makes two matches for tonight - it will be "The Giant" taking on Tully Blancard... and the team of Stevie Ray & Booker T taking on Charlie Haas & Lex Luger. Eric tells Gertner to go let Giant and Harlem Heat know about the matches. Now he has things to do. Eric hollers at a technician while Gertner leaves to spread the news.

 

We go to video and see the end of the Sting / Brian Adams match versus Riggs & Bagwell which shows April Hunter interfering with the chair and both Sting and Adams are left laid out in the ring.

 

We go back to the ring and here comes BUFF BAGWELL, SCOTTY RIGGS & APRIL HUNTER. Bagwell and Riggs are cocky and full of themselves as they talk about how they left Brian Adams and Sting beaten like dogs on Nitro. Buff points at Adams at the announce table and says that they evidently didn't do a good enough job at Nitro because Adams is still here running his mouth on commentary.

 

Buff & Riggs climb out of the ring and approach the announce table where Adams is sitting. Adams is up and ready for a fight. Before anything can happen, Riggs & Buff back off. Sting has come through the crowd and is now behind Adams and Scott Hudson. Adams and Sting challenge Riggs & Buff to fight now that the sides are even. Riggs & Bagwell decline the inviatation and head towards the back as we go to a commercial.

 

(commercial)

 

A video promo airs - coming on August 25th - it's WCW Clash of the Champions...

 

Backstage, Terri Runnels is with the new WCW World Tag Team Champions, ETHAN STORM & VAMPIRO, along with their manager, Jimmy Valiant. Terri asks asbout the way they won the titles, with tons of blatant interference by Soce and Elementalz. Terri wants to know if there was cohesion between Valiant's team and Soce's warriors? Valiant says that he and Soce "may have had a business arrangement", but that doesn't matter. Storm and Vampiro ARE the WCW Tag Team Champions and will be the champions for a long time to come! Terri then asks about the upcoming title match for later tonight, as Storm and Vampiro are defending the titles against Valiant's former proteges in Evan Karagias & Elix Skipper.

 

The Boogie Man says that the jey word here is "former". He tried to make stars out of Karagias and Skipper, but they weren't up to the task. Valiant had to take Karagias and beat him like a dog in the ring at Road Wild and the champions are going to beat him again tonight!

 

Storm talks briefly about dreams come true and how no one expected it, but he and Vampiro are the WCW World Tag Team Champions.. and if anyone wants to fight them, line up because Storm has the "power of the punch" and they plan to keep those titles for a long time to come! Valiant, Storm and Vampiro walk off, headed towards the ring..

 

We go to Gary Michael Cappetta for the next match...

 

WCW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

ETHAN STORM & VAMPIRO (c) w/ Jimmy Valiant versus EVAN KARAGIAS & "PRIMETIME" ELIX SKIPPER

 

Lots of quick action that sees Skipper and Karagias dominate the beginning of the match with their speed and quick tags. Karagias is still bandaged up as a result of the street-fight with Valiant from Road Wild. A knee to the guts by Vampiro manages to slow Karagias down and Vampiro & Storm take over with a brutal beating and doubleteam in their corner. This continues for a few minutes and Evan looks like a beaten man, but he manages to kick out of several pin attempts by Vampiro and Storm. Evan manages to leapfrog a backdrop attempt and do the hot-tag to Skipper who comes in and cleans house on Vampiro and Storm. Valiant climbs on the ring apron and Skipper nails him as well. "Primetime" looks ready to take it home until we see a brutal shot with the brass knucks from out of nowhere by Storm. Storm tosses the knucks to Valiant while Vampiro distracts the referee and covers Skipper. Referee Russ Cherico counts the pin.

Winners and still champions: ETHAN STORM & VAMPIRO w/ Jimmy Valiant

 

(commercial)

 

We go backstage and see Soce and the Elementalz congratulating Ethan Storm, Vampiro and Jimmy Valiant on their successful title defense. Hugh Morrus & Tank Abbott don't seem especially thrilled about it, but Soce, Rico and Puder are all congratulatory and exchanging hugs with Valiant and his team, so they join in as well.

 

After Valiant and the champs walk off, Morrus stops Soce and wants to know what that was all about? "We should be beating their asses and taking out titles back, not hugging or congratulating them!" Soce tells Hugh that he has it all under control. He's working on a plan that will bring the tag team titles back to the Elementalz camp, and make them stronger than ever! Abbott and Morrus don't get it, but Rico steps in and tells them that they "don't have to get it! Just do what they're told!" We see Hugh and Tank trade a look as Rico turns around to talk to Soce and Puder. They need to go get ready for their match tonight. Puder, Rico and Soce walk off without a word, leaving Abbott and Morrus standing there watching.

 

We go to Gary Michael Cappetta for the next match.

 

CARMELLA DeCESARE, SABLE & STRAWBERRY FIELDS

versus

JOY GIOVANNI, CHRISTY HEMME & SELINA MAJORS

 

It's Six Diva action that is thankfully quick as it's mostly the ladies trading punches and kicks. The team of Sable, Strawberry and Carmella do quite a bit of teaming up on Joy and then Christy to control the first part of the match. Hemme manages to level Carmella with a clothesline and tag in Selina Majors, who cleans house with backdrops and clotheslines on all her opponents. Bulldog by Selina on Strawberry and she covers to get the pin.

Winners: JOY GIOVANNI, CHRISTY HEMME & SELINA MAJORS

 

We go backstage and see WCW Women's Champion Ivory watching the match on a moniter. Amy Dumas comes up to Ivory and comments on the ladies that just wrestled. "Checking out your competition, Lisa?", says Amy. Ivory admits that she was and mentions that Selina Majors is looking pretty tough. Amy tells Ivory that she doesn't need to worry about Selina or any of the other girls. "Just hang on to that belt until I'm ready to come and get it!" Ivory looks and Amy and smirks, "Just come on down and try your luck!" The two ladies exchange a cold, hard look before Amy walks off.

 

(commercial)

 

We go back to Gary Michael Cappetta for the next match...

DANIEL PUDER & RICO w/ Soce the Elemental Wizard versus LODI & COLT CABANA

 

A brutal, yet quick match that has Colt and Lodi taking the early advantage, working over Rico and sing quick tags to keep the advantage. Puder gets tagged in and takes Colt down with some amatuer style moves and then Daniel focuses in on the arm. Cabana manages to escape to the ropes, but Puder is relentless and keeps after the arm of Colt. Colt hits a jawbreaker and tags off to Lodi. Lodi with the power-moves on Puder and a big slam. Rico plants a kick into Lodi's back from the outside as he comes off the ropes, stunning him. Puder moves in and cinches in the Kimura Keylock. Lodi fights, but is forced to tap out as referee Parker Paige calls for the bell.

Winners: DANIEL PUDER & RICO w/ Soce the Elemental Wizard

 

Rico and Puder go after Cabana and toss him to the floor. Puder then moves back to Lodi and locks the Kimura back into place. Here comes Mike Youngblood and Eric Angle from the back and into the ring. Puder, Rico and Soce see them coming and duck out of the ring and to the floor to escape.

 

(commercial)

 

We come back and Eric Bischoff is still hollering at everyone backstage. WCW Senior Referee Tommy Young approaches Eric. Eric snaps at Tommy, "What?" Tommy informs Eric that Hulk Hogan, Gary Juster and the new "Co-Owner" of WCW have arrived and they're waiting in Eric's office. Eric moves from the angry face to a big smile and says that he should probably go meet with them then. Eric walks off towards his office as Young watches.

 

Terri Runnels is backstage and talking to former WCW Champion and wrestling Icon, Sting. Sting says that he's not sure what kind of games that Scotty Riggs and Buff Bagwell are trying to play, but they roused a sleeping dragon. Sting was home with his family and happy and didn't have a care in the world... until he started getting phone calls about "why was he back at WCW?" Sting was contacted by Brian Adams and they realized that someone was trying to cash in on Stinger's reputation and name. They investigated and solved the mystery of who - Scotty Riggs. They still don't know why, but it all ends now! Sting has a challenge for Riggs! One on one - Sting versus Scott Riggs at the Clash of the Champions on August 25th. Riggs wants to pretend to be Sting... well, now he has to deal with the real thing. So if Riggs has the guts, it's Showtime folks!

 

We go to the ring and Gary Michael Cappetta for the next match...

 

STEVIE RAY & BOOKER T w/ Sharmell - HARLEM HEAT versus CHARLIE HAAS & "THE TOTAL PACKAGE" LEX LUGER w/ Woman

 

Brutal match as Booker and Stevie quickly demonstrate why they're mutiple time tag team champions. Luger and Haas have a hard time in the beginning on getting their act together as this is the first time they've teamed up, but they manage to isolate Stevie in their corner and brutalize him with some vicious double-teaming. Stevie manages to fight back and escape the corner and tag in Booker. Booker unleashes some leg lariats and punches and flattens Lex with a dropkick to the face. Haas counter with a dropkick of his own that sends Booker reeling. It's all beginning to break down as all four men are in the ring fighting. Woman tries to reach into the ring and trip up Booker, but Sharmell stops her with a big slap across the face. Referee Brent Robinson is trying to restore order, but it's just not happening and he calls for the bell.

Winners: NO CONTEST - BOTH TEAMS ARE DISQUALIFIED..

 

Here comes C.W. Anderson, Tully Blancard & Barry Windham from the back to aid their fellow Horsemen and make it a five on two attack on Harlem Heat! This continues for a few seconds when here comes The Giant. He quickly clears the ring of the Horsemen and helps Booker and Stevie to their feet! The Giant points at Tully and symbolizes the choke slam as we go to commercial.

 

(commercial)

 

We come back and Gary Michael Cappetta is in the ring. He wants to introduce the owner of WCW, Mr. Eric Bischoff. Eric comes to the ring, along with actor Jason Hervey. Eric wants to clear some things up. Eric never said he was the sole owner of WCW - he owns 50% of the company with his business partner, Jason Hervey. Hervey waves to the crowds. The other 50% of WCW belongs to a conglomerate of businessmen who somehow, Hulk Hogan has managed to con into thinking that Eric doesn't represent their best interests. Eric has done nothing but make money and bust his ass for these guys since bringing back WCW. But again, because of the meddling of Hulk Hogan, they've decided that Eric needs a partner to run WCW - a person with equal authority! Eric's not happy about the whole concept, but he will do it! After all, he managed to work with Vince McMahon and boss him around for four years. Eric worked with Steve Austin and had Austin bringing him his coffee. Eric has worked alongside the biggest egos in the business, Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, Bill Watts, Stephanie, Triple H, etc.. Eric peels off name after name and says that he can work with anyone! And he will... and WCW will continue to prosper and grow. So whoever this new mystery partner is, bring him or her out because Eric doesn't care! This is HIS company and nothing will change that.

 

"Real American" hits and here comes Hulk Hogan to the ring, along with son Nick, daughter Brooke and wife, Linda. Hulk glares at Eric and starts to talk about how Bischoff had everyone fooled. They thought he had changed when he brought back WCW, but as usual, Eric is a lying, two-faced snake. Eric conned others out of their money and used it to satisfy his ego. That was OK until Eric decided to jump on the Hulkster. Hogan made WCW and made Pro Wrestling! So long as he and Bischoff stayed on the same page, they were unbeatable. But Eric's ego demanded that he try to punk out Hogan. Who's the punk now? Hogan goes on about how his son, Nick went undercover as a double-agent and provided Hulk with the names of Eric's investors. Hogan contacted these people and made them realize that Eric doesn't care about them or their money or even WCW. It's all about Eric. So now, someone else is coming to represent these investors interest. Hogan puts over this new guy as someone "I don't like very much, but he's forgotten more about pro wrestling than you ever knew, Bischoff!" Hogan is ready to introduce the new "Face of Authority" for WCW when music hits.... "Hail to the Chief"

 

Here comes the former Governor of Minnesota, Jesse "The Body Ventura out from the back and towards the ring. Everyone is stunned and the crowd erupts as we cut to a commercial...

 

(commercial)

 

We come back and the crowd has began to settle down as Jesse Ventura has the mic. Ventura first addresses Hulk Hogan. He was going to wait for the introduction by Hogan, but the way Hogan was rambling on and on, Jesse felt he might die of old age before Hogan gets around to it. Besides, he didn't want to hear any more of Hogan's egomanical rantings. Jesse now remembers why he never liked Hogan.. he's an egotistical jackass who only hit it big after he started pretending be Jesse Ventura.

 

Jesse mumbles something to Hogan away from the mic and then turns to Eric Bischoff, who is smiling broadly and loving watching Hogan get shot down. Jesse talks about Eric.. "a man I've known for over 20 years" and then Jesse calls Eric a liar. "You can tell when Eric is lying because his lips are moving!". The WCW investors needed someone to look after their interests in WCW and what better person than the man who calls it like it is and has experience dealing with politicians, crooks and other charlatans - Jesse "The Mind" Ventura. He will be at every Nitro and every Thunder and every WCW PPV event.. and he will walk the walk and talk the talk. Ventura tells Bischoff that he will watch every move that Eric makes and if he, Jesse Ventura, doesn't feel it's best for WCW - expect Jesse to pull out the "VETO" and over-rule it!

 

Eric starts to argue, but Jesse quickly stops him. This is Minnesota and Jesse used to be the Governor here. Does Eric really want to piss him off? They're partners now and the best thing that Eric can do is shut his mouth and make sure he watches his P's & Q's... Eric backs off and Ventura announces a new era for WCW because "The Mind" is here to stay!

 

(commercial)

 

We come back and Jesse Ventura has joined Scott Hudson and Brian Adams at ringside to call the action on the next match... the main event.

 

We go to Gary Michael Cappetta..

 

THE GIANT w/ Joel Gertner versus TULLY BLANCARD w/ Woman, Lex Luger & Barry Windham

 

Ventura quickly stands up and asserts his authority. Anyone who doesn't have a managers license is banned from ringside! Windham and Luger are reluctant to leave, but Jesse quickly orders them to leave once more or they will be fined and suspended indefinitely. Windham and Luger leave and Tully and Woman are on their own. The Giant is all smiles. Woman is up and on the ring apron screaming at the Giant. Tully attacks from behind and clips the knee before clubbing away at the much bigger man. Tully rips at the eyes and pounds away. The Giant quickly grows incensed and just shoves Blancard away. Tully quickly comes back with more punches and kicks, but The Giant shoves him away again. Tully tries to come back a third time, but runs right into a headbutt by the Giant. Huge slam by the Giant and Tully is just laying there, unable to move. The Giant smiles as he picks him up and signals for the chokeslam. Woman tries to get into the ring, but Joel Gertner grabs her from the outside and prevents Woman from entering the ring. The Giant picks up Blancard and slams him to the mat with the chokeslam. Cover and pin as referee Tommy Young makes the count.

Winner: THE GIANT w/ Joel Gertner

 

Women rushes in to check on Tully as Gertner raises the arm of the Giant. Hudson says that we're out of time and thanks the fans for watching..

 

THE END!