Booker new champ at the Bash
By JOHN POWELL -- SLAM! Wrestling
RAISE THE ROOF!: Booker T is the new WCW World Heavyweight Champion. See the clip here (1.2 MB).
|
Sometimes real life is better than any angle even the most creative
booker can ever dream up. Such was the case with WCW's Bash At Beach 2000,
the best pay-per-view outing by the beleaguered wrestling promotion in
ages. Borrowing directly from behind the scenes happenings, WCW gave its
viewers solid wrestling and more twists and turns than Agatha Christie
mystery. It was one of the rare circumstances where the storyline
happenings made up for the sub-par matches. The event was capped it off
with an truly emotional, unforgettable world title win by Booker T. A
victory that Booker earned the old fashioned way. By working his guts out
for years and years.
Leading up to Sunday's card, fans came to learn about the trouble brewing
between Hulk Hogan, Jeff Jarrett and WCW scripter, Vince Russo. According
to reports, Hogan began exercising the "creative control" in his
contract...yet again. A practice Hogan is famous for to those who've
followed his career since his rise to fame in the WWF. He refused to lose
to Jarrett in what could be his last match in WCW. Not a fan of Hogan's in
the first place, Russo seemed to come up with a plan that would incorporate
their dispute into an angle. An angle that would play out like a shoot and
have people questioning the authenticity of what they were seeing.
Originally booked as the main event, the Hogan - Jarrett WCW World Title
match was dropped into the background. Hogan did not appear on WCW
television to hype the pay-per-view. Booker T was given a title match on
Thunder to foreshadow his involvement. On Bash At The Beach, Hogan didn't
cut a promo on Jarrett to build interest and Jarrett interfered in Booker's
match against Kanyon. Hogan was shown walking around the back once as
Jarrett mouthed off throughout the night.
A bizarre series of events began when Jarrett lied down for Hogan as soon
as the bell rung. Hogan looked surprised. Russo took the belt and threw
it to Hogan in the ring. Russo left. Stepping on Jarrett, Hogan pinned
him to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title. Hogan grabbed the house
mike and shouted at a departing Russo, "That's why this company is in the damn shape it's in. Because of bulls--t like this!". Hogan was shown in the
backstage area carrying the belt and walking past Vampiro.
Jarrett lays down for Hogan.
|
Following Vampiro's encounter with Sting, Russo again entered the ring to
speak. He looked tired and despondent draping his head over the ropes with
the microphone in his hand.
Russo spoke about walking out on WCW three weeks ago due to creative
differences he had with WCW's management about the content of what he was
writing and the refusal of certain members of WCW's talent pool (Lex Luger,
Elizabeth) to go along with his angles.
"From Day One that I've been in WCW, I have done nothing - NOTHING, but
deal with the bulls--t of the politics behind THAT curtain. The fact of the
matter is, I've got a wife. I've got three kids at home and I really don't
need this s--t! But, let me tell you the reason why I did come back. I came
back for everyone of the guys in that locker room that week in, week out,
bust their ass for WCW. I came back for the Booker Ts. I came back for
every single guy in MIA. I came back for the (Filthy) Animals. I came back
for Jarrett. I came back for the guys behind THAT curtain that give a s--t
about this company!," said an impassioned Russo cutting a most memorable
promo.
"And let me tell you who doesn't give a s--t about this company," he
continued taking direct aim at Hulk Hogan. "That God damn politician, Hulk
Hogan! But let me tell you people what happened out there in this ring
tonight. All day long I am playing politics with Hulk Hogan because Hulk
Hogan tonight, wants to play his 'creative control' card and to Hulk Hogan
that meant that tonight in the middle of this ring -- when he knew it was
bulls--t -- he'd beat Jeff Jarrett. Well, guess what? Hogan got his wish.
Hogan got his belt and he went the hell home. And, I promise everybody, or
else I go in the God damn grave, you will never see that piece of s--t
again!," spoke a furious Russo.
WCW booker-scripter, Vince Russo, before he cut his emotional promo.
|
Some fans cheered. Some booed. Commentator Mark Madden said "Amen".
Russo declared the belt that Hogan left with to be the 'Hulk Hogan Memorial
Belt". "From here on in, that belt don't mean s--t!," Russo said announcing
that a new belt would be made to replace it and that Jeff Jarrett was still
the champ as he "busts his ass in the ring" and "doesn't screw anyone in
the back."
To make up for the travesty of a title match put on by Jarrett and Hogan,
Russo decided that Booker T, who "couldn't get a break because of the Hulk
Hogans" in WCW, would challenge Jarrett for the new WCW World Heavyweight
Title in the main event.
"Booker T and Jeff Jarrett are the two reasons why I am in this damn,
stinking business to begin with. So, tonight in this ring for the WCW World
Title, two deserving guys -- Jarrett and Booker -- will compete for WCW and
they will tear this God damn house down!," he exclaimed.
Before departing, Russo took one last parting shot at Hogan. "And, Hogan.
You big, bald, son of a bitch. Kiss my ass!" he shouted.
Jarrett and Booker went on to wrestle what has to be considered a definite
Match Of The Year candidate. Employing a well-rounded mix of in-ring
grappling and brawling in the crowd, Booker and Jarrett proved what many
have known all along, that they were main event calibre material. At 11
minutes and 32 seconds in, Jarrett resorted to illegal tactics. With the
ref knocked out, he swung the WCW World Title at Booker. Booker took it
from Jarrett and nailed him. Jarrett raised his shoulder off the mat in the
nick of time to avoid the pinfall. Jarrett low-blowed Booker so he could
set up a chair in a corner. Booker reversed the Irish Whip plowing
Jarrett's head into the chair for another agonizing two count.
Jarrett delivered The Stroke to the official then retrieved his guitar from
outside the ring. He climbed to the top rope for a flying guitar shot. As
he jumped off, Booker caught him in his Book End slam for the 1-2-3. As the
fans stood and cheered, Booker posed with the title. Close to tears, Booker
helped up the injured official to his feet.
Editor's Note: Booker T is the second African American to hold the
WCW World Heavyweight Title. Ron Simmons, (Faarooq), was the first.
The next WCW pay-per-view is New Blood Rising on August
13th.
WCW Bash At The Beach 200 Results
The Cat pulls up to the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. He steps out
telling his limo driver that MIA and The Animals will be banned from
ringside during the Cruiserweight Title match. The Cat hears music from a
martial arts movie. He thinks the radio has been left on in the limo. The
Yung Dragons attack him in a mock martial arts fight like something you'd
see in a Jackie Chan picture. The Cat fends them off. Funny stuff.
Juvie Guerrera (challenger) Vs Lt. Loco (champion) (WCW Cruiserweight
Title Match)
Wicked. Wicked. Wicked. A throwback to the cruiserweight battles we
used to watch in WCW. Guerrera and Loco pull out all the stops. Wearing
masks, MIA and The Animals try to interfere but are driven away by the
officials. Major Gunns distracts Guerrera. She ducks down so the ref
doesn't see her. Loco wins with the Tornado DDT.
Winner: ...and still WCW Cruiserweight Champion, Lt. Loco at 12
minutes and 8 seconds.
Match Rating: 8 / 10.
The Cat hears that martial arts music again. The Yung Dragons are
hiding as he walks by. Jarrett brings a fat lady singing to see The Cat.
Jarrett asks why Hogan isn't around.
Big Vito (champion) Vs Norman Smiley, Ralphus (WCW Hardcore Title,
Handicap Match)
Standard "hardcore" bout. Ralphus gets in some garbage can shots on
Vito. Vito beats up Smiley and puts him in a backstage service elevator.
Vito drags Ralphus to the ring. Vito hits a body splash from the top rope
putting Ralphus through a table. Norman is too late to stop the three count.
Winner: ...and still WCW Hardcore Champion, Big Vito at 5 minutes
and 55 seconds.
Match Rating: 5 / 10.
Goldberg and Nash are deadly serious in their promos. Nash is wearing
an Outsiders - nWo shirt.
Daffney Vs Miss Hancock (Wedding Dress Match)
A complete debacle but still way better than the Patterson - Brisco
borefest on WWF's last pay-per-view. David and Hancock neck in the ring.
David is dressed in a tux. Daffney low-blows David from behind. Miss
Hancock and Daffney mix it up. Hancock executes a pretty good handspring,
reverse elbow smash though it nearly misses the mark and isn't as good as
Chyna's. Flair jumps in. The ref and Flair lose their pants. Flair and
Hancock are about to shave Daffney's head. Crowbar saves her and takes off
his own pants too. Why? Who knows? Miss Hancock strips down to her panties
and dances. Because of this, the ref rings the bell awarding the match to
Daffney. There's a wedding cake at ringside. A huge food fight breaks out.
It takes the clean-up crew a long time to sweep up the mess. All the while,
the commentators bore us. A really bad production decision that caused a
big gap in the action.
Winner: Daffney at 4 minutes and 16 seconds.
Match Rating: 0 / 10.
Sitting at his desk, The Cat wonders where that strange music is
coming from. The Yung Dragons attack him with weapons. Still, darn
funny.
The Perfect Event (champions) Vs Kronic (challengers) (WCW World Tag
Team Title Match)
The match was so darn boring, we here at SLAM! Wrestling had a
discussion about local politics though the crowd at the pay-per-view seemed
to enjoy it. Kronic swipes The Road Warriors Doomsday Device finishing move
to win the titles.
Winners: ...and new WCW World Tag Team Champions...Kronic at 12
minutes and 15 seconds.
Match Rating: 5 / 10.
Kanyon Vs Booker T
With every outing, Kanyon's skills are more and more impressive.
Booker T takes the brick out of Kanyon's book. The official gets it out of
the ring. Kanyon lays the steel steps on Booker's arm and smashes it with a
steel chair. At 9:39, Jeff Jarrett brains Booker from the top rope with his
guitar. Kanyon lands the Kanyon Cutter.
Winner: Kanyon at 10 minutes and 6 seconds.
Match Rating: 8 / 10.
Scott Steiner (champion) Vs Mike Awesome (challenger) (WCW U.S.
Heavyweight Title Match)
Scott Steiner and Goldberg rub Scott Hall's contract in Kevin Nash's face.
|
Man, did these guys really lay into each other by ECW brawling in the
crowd and stiff hits in the ring. At 6:05, The Cat comes out. Steiner
punches The Cat off the ring apron. The Cat warns Steiner not to use the
Recliner which has been banned. The Cat threatens to strip Steiner of the
title, if he does. Steiner goes ahead and uses the hold. The Cat calls for
the bell and takes the belt away. Steiner lays Awesome out with a
devastating T-Bone Suplex.
Winner: At 9:12, Mike Awesome due to a disqualification.
Match Rating: 7.5 / 10.
Vampiro Vs The Demon (Graveyard Match)
A ref tracks The Demon and Aysa as they wonder around looking for
Vampiro. Vampiro leaps out of a tree onto The Demon. They fight under a
tree until Vampiro plants The Demon in an open grave and runs off with
Aysa. The Demon finds Aysa crying beside a lake or pond of some kind.
Vampiro rises up out of the water to pull The Demon under. Vampiro split
with Aysa again as the official helps The Demon out of the water. The Demon
catches up with Aysa. She is kneeling beside a closed coffin. The Demon
opens it and Vampiro spits a blinding red mist into his face. Vampiro says
The Demon should have joined him when he had the chance. The Demon is
struck in the head with a concrete block and dumped in the coffin. Vampiro
pushes it into another open grave. He heads back to the arena for the
conclusion of the match. To be continued below.
Buff Bagwell Vs Shane Douglas
At 5:28, Torrie Wilson appears slapping Douglas in the face. A few
minutes later she low-blows Bagwell from behind after kissing him. Buff is
going for the Blockbuster. Torrie shakes the ropes. Bagwell kicks her off the
apron. Shane hits his Jaw Breaker deal. Douglas and Wilson get friendly in
the middle of the ring.
Winner: Shane Douglas at 7 minutes and 55 seconds
Match Rating: 6 / 10.
Jeff Jarrett (champion) Vs Hulk Hogan (challenger) (WCW World
Heavyweight Title Match)
Winner: Hulk Hogan at 1 minute and 19 seconds.
Match Rating: 0 / 10.
Vampiro is in the ring. He calls for The Demon to finish the match. A
coffin is carried out by a group of guys wearing black cloaks and carrying
baseball bats. Vampiro confronts them. Sting jumps out of the coffin and
assaults Vampiro with a baseball bat. Vampiro is laid in the coffin
unconscious. Sting has disappeared. The Demon never shows and therefore is
the loser of the Graveyard Match.
Winner: Vampiro at at an undetermined time.
Match Rating: 7 / 10.
Kevin Nash Vs Goldberg
For Scott Hall's contract. Nash is about to Jack Knife Powerbomb
Goldberg. Scott Steiner punches him in the back! Goldberg spears and
Jackhammer Slams him for the win. Steiner puts Nash in the Recliner as
Goldberg rips up Hall's contract and stuffs the pieces in Nash's mouth.
Winner: Goldberg at 5 minutes and 22 seconds.
Match Rating: 4 / 10.
Booker T. (challenger) Vs Jeff Jarrett (champion) (WCW World
Heavyweight Title Match)
Winner: ...and new WCW World Heavyweight Champion...Booker T at 14
minutes and 17 seconds.
Match Rating: 10 / 10.
Total Event Time: 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Overall Event Rating: 9 / 10.
