Uncensored elevates WCW
By JOHN POWELL -- SLAM!
Wrestling
Try as he might Jeff Jarrett couldn't bring big Sid Vicious down at Uncensored 2000. Sid retained the WCW World Title.
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From a management standpoint, you can say that WCW is in disarray. It
is fair to state that interest in WCW has plummeted since many of their key
superstars were sidelined by injuries or selfishly refuse to return, making
themselves part of the problem and not the solution. You can say that years
of generating a shoddy product has knocked WCW out of their Big Two status.
You'd be right about all those things. Though, no one can deny the fact
that like a dazed boxer staggering around the ring throwing jabs into thin
air, WCW won't go down without a fight. In the long run, perseverance and
hard work is what might bring back the glory to a company that has such a
rich wrestling history.
If WCW's management and talent approaches every project like they did the
Uncensored pay-per-view last night, a triumphant comeback may be months not
years away. You know you are pointed in the right direction when even
mid-card wrestlers like Brian Knobbs and Crowbar make fans sit up and take
notice. Though what Crowbar did -
being thrown off a 20 foot scaffold
through a stage by The Wall (video clip - 1.7 MB) - was an act of stupidity. That goes for what
New Jack and Grimes did at Living Dangerously as well. These death-defying
bumps have got to stop before someone ends up crippled. Enough is enough.
Risking your body to please the fans is one thing. Risking your life is
foolish.
Matching the intrigue of the last good WCW pay-per-view - Mayhem - the
bookers did present enough surprises during the show to compensate for the
mediocre bouts. Uncensored was a throwback to the eighties where WCW didn't
have the big names so they relied on quality storylines to survive.
Shuffling the World Heavyweight Title match to the second last match on the
card (behind the Hogan and Flair strap match) may be an indication that WCW
has come to their senses and realized that Sid Vicious is not someone you
build a federation around. The switch was played out all the way with a
stunned Vicious being told in the locker room that he was up next. Jeff
Jarrett cut his usual promo in the ring. The company has screwed him. He's
the "chosen one". Yadda. Yadda. Yadda. All the while a mysterious black
limousine sat outside housing Jarrett's "insurance policy". Jarrett
promised that if he won the WCW World Title that the nWo girls would strip
for the crowd. Anyone understanding WCW's strict policy on its content knew
that Jarrett was therefore destined to lose.
Until the Harris Brothers interfered mid-way through the match, Sid
dominated. Slammed on the announcer's table and taking a water bottle to
the head and an axe handle from Vicious, Jarrett called in the troops. The
Harris Brothers beat Vicious back to the ring allowing Jarrett to catch a
breather. With the champ softened up, Jarrett let loose stomping and
punching Sid. Jarrett's sleeper hold brought Vicious to his knees. Drawing
on the crowd for support, Vicious raised his arm before it could fall a
third time and elbowed his way out of the submission hold. Sensing the tide
was about to change, the Harris Brothers attacked again. The plan backfired
with Jarrett getting his with the World Title belt by mistake. Vicious got
a two count.
Open wide! Ric Flair rips at Hulk Hogan's mouth with a leather strap.
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Jarrett deliberately elbowed the official in the face so that he could
guitar shot Vicious. As Sid and the ref lay out like a light, Jarrett
signaled to someone at the entrance way. Out came the nWo referee. The ref
was about to slap three for Jarrett when Hulk Hogan pulled the official out
of the ring and throttled him. Hogan fought off the Harris Brothers and hit
the Leg Drop on Jarrett. Hogan pulled Sid on top of Jarrett. Vicious was
granted a three count to retain the WCW World Heavyweight Title. Out of
nowhere, Scott Steiner hit Hogan with a guitar from behind. The Harris
Brothers put the boots to Hogan. Sid made the save sending the nWo
scurrying from the ring.
Ignoring his elaborate ring entrance, Ric Flair immediately began whipping
Hogan, jump-starting their strap match. Flair and Hogan went on to deliver
an intense strap match that surpassed anyone's initial expectations. Both
Flair and Hogan were covered in blood by the time Hogan rammed the Big Foot
into Flair's face to pick up the win.
WCW's next pay-per-view is Spring Stampede on April 16th.
WCW Uncensored 2000 Results
Right before Uncensored's opening, a crowd shot slipped onto the air
showing a fan's sign that read "I'd rather be at WrestleMania". How
embarrassing. A black limo sits outside containing Jarrett's insurance
policy. It eventually is revealed to be Scott Steiner.
Psychosis (challenger) Vs The Artist (champion) (WCW Cruiserweight
Title Match)
Chris Candido joins the broadcast booth. He wants to be called "Hard
Knox" Candido from now on. He complains about his valet (Tammy Stych) not
being signed saying she is the best in the business. Paisley and Juvie
scuffle outside the ring. Paisley rips off Juvie's shirt and whips him with
it. Psychosis is distracted. The Artist impales the Psycho-One with a
second rope, flying DDT.
Winner: and still Cruiserweight Champion...The Artist at 7 minutes
and 20 seconds.
Match Rating: 6 / 10.
Rave, Lane Vs The Demon, Norman Smiley
The team of Demon and Smiley are referred to as the "Screaming Demons".
Norman comes out of the Demon's Casket-like prop dressed like a member
of Kiss. Too funny. Miss Hancox joins the broadcast team complaining about
how Rave and Lane have treated her. Norman wins the match for his team with
the Norman Conquest. Lane and Rave run away with Miss Hancox. The Demon and
Smiley free her from their clutches. The Demon, Miss Hancox and the referee
get Big Wiggle dances lessons from Norman.
Winners: The Screaming Demons at 3 minutes and 40 seconds.
Match Rating: 2 / 10.
The Wall Vs Bam Bam Bigelow
Kick, punch and stomp fest that concludes (for no apparent reason)
with Bam Bam slammed though a table on which computer monitors are resting.
A nice effect has the monitors sparking and smoking following the slam.
Bigelow is hoisted on a stretcher. David Flair and Crowbar punk The Wall.
He easily takes them out. Crowbar and The Wall continue their fight on a
scaffold-like balcony 20 feet above the stage. The Wall chokeslams Crowbar
off the scaffold and through the stage below. The announcers hype the
assault throughout the rest of the pay-per-view disturbingly mirroring Owen
Hart's accident at Over The Edge. Mark Madden even suggests that it might
be prudent to stop the pay-per-view. The angle is in really bad taste
considering Hart's tragic death is still fresh in people's minds.
Winner: Not sure. Since Bigleow can't continue, we assume The Wall
at 3 minutes and 37 seconds.
Match Rating: 2 / 10.
Three Count (champions) Vs Brian Knobbs (challenger) (Hardcore Title
- Gauntlet Match)
Brain Knobbs turns a corner in his career with this match proving that
in spite of his personality, he can be a legitimate singles wrestler. This
is the best work he's done since his Nasty Boys days. Three Count splash
Knobbs from the top of a ladder. Knobbs pins Helms at 3:03 by putting a
chair over his head and striking it with a broom. Knobbs is victorious over
Evan when he powerbombs him over the top rope through a table. A flying
body splash with a trash can on Shannon wins Knobbs the Hardcore Title.
Three Count is no longer the Hardcore Champions. Ah, everything is right
with the world again. Whew!
Winner: and new Hardcore Champion...Brian Knobbs at 7 minutes and 5
seconds.
Match Rating: 7 / 10.
Harlem Heat Vs Booker, Kidman
Booker is way over with the crowd which makes you wonder why he isn't
the United States Champion already. Kidman does a Sunset Flip off the top
rope. Booker then executes a Harlem Side-Kick to hand Harlem Heat a
loss.
Winners: Kidman, Booker at 6 minutes and 55 seconds.
Match Rating: 4 / 10.
Fit Finlay Vs Vampiro
This one is insane. Things get really out of control as Finlay and
Vampiro emerge from a washroom they've brawled in. There are so many fans
filling the concourse the wrestlers have little room to move and the
cameraman keeps getting pushed around. A member of the WCW Event Security
is even punched in the face by an out of control fan. Vampiro comes out the
winner and celebrates in the crowd. Vampiro is so over, he should get a big
push and he is on the receiving end of one later in the show.
Winner: Vampiro at 8 minutes and 58 seconds
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Match Rating: 5 / 10.
The Mamalukes (champions) Vs The Harris Brothers (WCW World Tag Team
Championship Match)
Disco, The Bull and Vito take a tag belt to the head. An H Bomb puts
the belts around the undeserving waists of the no-talent Harris Brothers.
Bad move, WCW. Really bad move.
Winners: ...and new WCW World Tag Team Champions, The Harris
Brothers at 8 minutes and 45 seconds.
Match Rating: 6 / 10.
Dustin Rhodes Vs Terry Funk (Texas Bullrope Match)
Wicked. Wicked. Wicked. That old veteran Terry Funk sure brings out the
best in anyone he is slotted to work with. Some guy in a chicken suit is
introduced as Dustin's brother. Dustin flips out and throws him hard into
the steel fence. Half-way through, Funk grabs the mike and tells the ref
that the match is now under "I Quit" rules. The ref argues with Funk. What
a mistake. Funk says..."You're full of s--t" and labels him a good one.
Funks hits Rhodes in the head so many times with the cowbell that he
cries uncle. The submission is discounted by the ref. Rhodes piledrives
Funk onto the cowbell to put him away. Kicking effort by Funk and
Rhodes.
Winner: Dustin Rhodes at 8 minutes and 38 seconds.
Match Rating: 8 / 10.
Sting Vs Lex Luger (Lumberjack Cast Match)
Just when you're wondering why all the people that have had their arms
broken by The Wrestler Formerly Known As Lex Luger don't exact revenge on
the muscle-bound dolt, they do. They are Sting's chosen lumberjacks. Harlem
Heat, The Harris Brothers and a few others are The Wrestler Formerly Known
As Lex Luger's. Seeing them at ringside, Luger apologizes to the
lumberjacks. They don't buy what he's selling. A brawl breaks out between
the lumberjacks and they disappear up the entrance way....everyone except
Vampiro, that is. Ric Flair attempts a run-in with steel chair. Vampiro
cuts him off at the pass. Liz uses a bat on Sting. Vampiro takes the bat
from her and nails The Wrestler Formerly Known As Lex Luger as he has Sting
in the Torture Rack. Sting wins with the Scorpion Death Drop. Vampiro and
Sting shake hands. Sting and Vampiro fit well as comrades. Excellent
booking on WCW's part. Sting's recognition of Vampiro improves his status
in the company.
Winner: Sting at 6 minutes and 57 seconds.
Match Rating: 5 / 10.
Jeff Jarrett (challenger) Vs Sid Vicious (champion) (WCW World
Heavyweight Title Match)
Winner: ...and still WCW World Heavyweight Champion...Sid Vicious at
7 minutes and 34 seconds.
Match Rating: 6 / 10.
Hulk Hogan Vs Ric Flair (Strap Match)
Winner: Hulk Hogan at 14 minutes and 10 seconds.
Match Rating: 8 / 10.
Total Event Time: 2 hours and 37 minutes
Overall Event Rating: 7 / 10.
