WCW downplays demise at Greed
By JOHN POWELL -- SLAM! Wrestling
In what could have been World Championship Wrestling's final pay-per-view
ever, it was what was absent not what was included that spoke volumes about
the state of the promotion. The most striking omission being that there
were no ads or promos whatsoever for another WCW pay-per-view broadcast.
The advertisement spot which usually airs after the show is over was
replaced by a Greed video re-cap of the night's happenings. That's not a
good sign at all. It is looking more and more like the March 26th Nitro
will be WCW's swan song unless a last-minute deal comes through or the
company finds a new home.
Dogged by rumours that the promotion will be folding in about two weeks
time due to AOL-Time Warner reluctance to broadcast professional wrestling
any longer and the Fusient Media Ventures deal reportedly falling through,
World Championship Wrestling and its talent adamantly refused to
acknowledge their impending closure on the Greed pay-per-view. It was
business as usual with no hint of Greed being WCW's finale. There was no
mention of the turmoil by the commentators at any time. In fact, they went
out of their way to promote some minor future angles such as Team Canada
solidifying a future tag team title shot.
Oddly enough, the theme of the night was veteran grapplers putting over the
fresh talent. Something that has always been a political hurdle
behind-the-scenes in WCW with the self-centered veterans spurning any
notion of elevating the younger talent even though that's what would have
assisted WCW in regaining a fan base and the momentum needed to mount a
challenge against the dominant World Wrestling Federation.
In the main event of the evening, WCW World Heavyweight Champion -- Scott
"Poppa Pump" Steiner -- successfully defended the title against Diamond
Dallas Page in a brutish and bloody Falls Count Anywhere match-up, a
stipulation Ric Flair announced earlier in the broadcast. A hardcore-style
match through and through, the bout saw DDP and Poppa Pump brawl into the
crowd early on. Steiner took a crutch away from a plant posing as a fan and
broke it over Page's back. The "fan" then threw his remaining crutch to
Page who used it on Steiner. Placing Steiner over a table, Diamond Dallas
Page dropped a flying elbow on Poppa Pump putting him through it.
On their way back to the ring, Page took a mirror or a plate from a fan and
broke it over Steiner's head cutting his forehead open. As DDP was about to
pin Steiner, Rick Steiner interfered pulling the referee out of the ring.
Page fought off Rick before rolling the official back in. A Goldberg chant
emerged as Poppa Pump labeled DDP with a Jaw Breaker and the WCW World
Title belt. Blood gushed from DDP's forehead soaking the mat. Page was able
to break the Steiner Recliner several times by powering his way to the
ropes though eventually he couldn't fight off its effect and his arm
dropped three times to signal a submission. The brothers beat on Page by
stomping and wailing on him with Scott's steel pipe. They then laid a
University Of Michigan flag over Page.
WCW Greed Results
The announcers point out that this is their inaugural Greed broadcast.
They don't mention it could also be their last.
Kwee-Wee versus Jason Jett
A bonus match and what a match it was. Kwee-Wee may be saddled with a
poor-man's Adrian Adonis gimmick but the guy can work his tail off to be
sure. Jett does a wicked move in which a backdrop on the area floor causes
Jett to bounce back off the ring ropes and DDT Kwee-Wee. Another remarkable
sequence has Kwee-Wee reversing a powerbomb off the top rope into a
Hurracanrana. Jett (formerly ECW's Easy Money) wins out in the end though.
Winner: Jason Jett at 12 minutes and 13 seconds.
Match Rating: 7.5 / 10.
Elix Skipper, Kid Romeo (challengers) versus Rey Mysterio Jr., Billy
Kidman (challengers) (WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Title Match)
A fantastic wrestling display that is indicative of WCW's exciting
cruiserweight division. In what can be considered an upset, Kid Romeo
catches Mysterio in mid-air as he attempts a moonsault turning it into the
Last Kiss finishing move.
Winners: ...and WCW's first Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions...Elix
Skipper and Kid Romeo at 13 minutes and 44 seconds.
Match Rating: 7 / 10.
Buff Bagwell interviews Jarrett and Animal for his documentary. They
are worried about Steiner's state of mind and who the mystery assailant
might be. It seems as if they are saving that revelation for Nitro as we
don't get a clue to who it is at Greed.
Bam Bam Bigelow versus Shawn Stasiak
Plodding and boring. It's the lame "Shawn and Stacey Show" with them
smooching in the ring and throwing photos out to the audience. Stacey
distracts the official, lets down her hair, pulls out a small spray can and
tosses it to Stasiak. Stasiak sprays Bigelow in the face blinding him. A
neckbreaker puts Bigelow away.
Winner: Shawn Stasiak at 5 minutes and 56 seconds.
Match Rating: 3 / 10.
In some security cam footage, The Cat warns Miss Jones to stay in the
back and not risk accompanying him to the ring. Skipper and Romeo are shown
in an utterly useless segment strapping the Cruiserweight Tag belts on each
other. That's all. That's it. They put their belts on. Yippie.
Mike Awesome, Lance Storm versus Konnan, Hugh Morrus
A lousy match from four superstars who are capable of doing so much
better. Many blown moves and not much effort on anyone's part. Though he
asks for it, the Canadian National Anthem is not played for Storm. Konnan
is wrestling in jeans and his running shows which may tell you where his
head is at. A running Awesome Bombs wins the match for Team Canada.
Winners: Team Canada at 11 minutes and 30 seconds.
Match Rating: 3 / 10.
More security cam footage of Dusty Rhodes ordering a platter of 240
burritos with Dustin in their locker room. Funny how the word "ass" is
bleeped out every time Dusty says it. When did RTC get into the security
business? Buff interviews Rick Steiner for his documentary. Palumbo and
O'Haire cut a promo. It ends with an unseen producer shouting "Clear!" to
signal to the tag champs that their interview is over. Obviously, we at
home weren't supposed to see that.
Shane Helms (challenger) versus Chavo Guerrero (champion) (WCW
Cruiserweight Title Match)
As good if not better than you'd want it to be. Helms has finally
dumped his Three Count wardrobe for trunks and boots. High-flying spots
balanced out with sophisticated mat wrestling.
Winner: ...and new WCW Cruiserweight Champion...Shane Helms at 13
minutes and 57 seconds.
Match Rating: 8 / 10.
Ric Flair and Jeff Jarrett say there is no way they are kissing any
Rhodes family ass tonight. Booker T. cuts a predictable promo vowing to
capture the U.S. Title, a belt that has eluded him for eight long
years.
Totally Buff (challengers) versus Palumbo and O'Haire (WCW World Tag Team
Title Match)
A surprise squash match. Totally Buff cut a very long promo in the ring
talking about how they didn't take the champs seriously at first but now
they have re-grouped. The champs launch a flurry of moves in which Luger
pops Buff by accident. O'Haire gives Buff and Luger a Seanton Bomb each.
Both Luger and Buff are covered.
Winners: ...and still WCW World Tag Team Champions...Palumbo and
O'Haire at 38 seconds.
Match Rating: 0 / 10.
Steiner yaps on in a shower about how he will destroy DDP.
Kanyon versus The Cat
The Cat is carried again. Kanyon uses his cast and brass knuckles on
The Cat. Miss Jones comes into the ring to face him. She launches a kick at
Kanyon. He side-steps it and she hits The Cat. Kanyon forces Jones to the
mat by her wrist. The Cat comes to her rescue. Miss Jones kicks Kanyon. The
Cat kicks Kanyon. 1-2-3 for The Cat. Kanyon punishes The Cat with a cast to
the head and a Flatliner. He threatens Miss Jones. The former limo driver,
Smooth, makes the save with a steel chair chasing Kanyon from the ring.
Winner: The Cat at 8 minutes and 6 seconds.
Match Rating: 5 / 10.
Buff and Luger argue about their loss. Dusty is still filling his face
with burritos.
Rick Steiner (champion) versus Booker T. (challenger)
From out of the crowd Shane Douglas clocks Steiner with his cast.
Booker T. executes the Bookend.
Winner: ...and new WCW United States Champion...Booker T. at 7
minutes and 31 seconds.
Match Rating: 5 / 10.
Luger and Animal find Buff laid out in the back. The enigmatic attacker
(Goldberg?) has struck again.
Jeff Jarrett, Ric Flair versus Dusty and Dustin Rhodes
A total comedy match with Flair putting over Dusty to the point of
mounting virtually no offence at all. Flair is wrestling in his dress
shoes, pants and a Hawaiian shirt. The crowd is on their feet popping big
whenever Dusty and Flair face-off in the ring. Dustin clumsily rolls Flair
up for the victory but in doing so almost drops him on his head. Dusty
pulls down his trunks showing off his red, bikini underwear. While Dustin
holds Jarrett in the corner, Dusty Stink Faces Jarrett. Back in the ring,
Dustin pulls his Dad's pants back up.
Winners: Dusty and Dustin Rhodes at 9 minutes and 39 seconds.
Match Rating: 2 / 10.
Scott Steiner (champion) versus Diamond Dallas Page (challenger) (WCW
World Heavyweight Title Match)
Winner: ...and still WCW World Heavyweight Champion...Scott Steiner
at 14 minutes and 13 seconds.
Match Rating: 7.5 / 10.
Total Event Time: 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Overall Event Rating: 6 / 10.
