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By MICHAEL “MAD DOG” TEARSON Times Leader Correspondent
Friday, January 28, 2000 Page: 3
Considering that professional wrestling is thought to be so staged and
predictable, why is it so hard to guess what will happen at the First Union
Arena on Monday night? WCW’s “Nitro” emanates live from the arena in
Wilkes-Barre Township with the broadcast beginning at 8 p.m. on TNT. What will
we see and what will we not see are not the easiest of questions to answer.
Part of that is because the company has been in severe turmoil ever since
head writer Vince Russo – stolen from the rival WWF this past October – saw
his authority drastically reduced about three weeks back. He had been promised
total control. Less than four months into his regime the plug was pulled, and
he was asked to become part of a booking committee that would write the TV
shows and call the shots. Russo balked. His future with the company remains in
doubt. In Russo’s place, former wrestler and booker Kevin Sullivan was named
to chair the committee. In the wake of that announcement, serious resistance
broke out. Several WCW stars, including Chris Benoit, Perry Saturn, Eddie
Guerrero, Shane Douglas, Dean Malenko, Konnan and Billy Kidman, all requested
releases from WCW. Corporate head Billy Busch has granted the releases, and
WCW has confirmed that Benoit and Saturn have signed theirs, with Malenko and
Guerrero’s expected to be turned in at any time. Only Kidman has apparently
reconsidered. He has been the only one to appear on TV since the
confrontation. Kidman has been performing impressively, getting wins and he
has been reunited with Torrie Wilson. He’s beginning to get a real push. With
that as a backdrop, let’s try to answer those two big questions; who will be
here for “Nitro.” And and who will not?
Potential players
First a couple of (relatively) sure no-shows. Bill Goldberg, the company’s
biggest star, has been out with a nasty arm injury for several weeks, and he
is nowhere near ready.
Unless things change in a big way, do not look for Benoit, Malenko,
Douglas, Guerrero or Konnan either. Now, the maybes and probables. Ric Flair
appeared on Wednesday’s “Thunder” as Terry Funk’s support troop. This makes
it all but certain that he will be at the First Union Arena on Monday. (With
Flair on board, plans can now proceed for the February “SuperBrawl”
pay-per-view match he is scheduled to work as Funk’s partner against the nWo.)
Bret Hart is still out with the very real aftereffects of a concussion. WCW
wants him back ASAP, and if he is ready he will be there. First, however, he
must receive medical clearance to fly. If he’s in Wilkes-Barre Township
Monday, Hart would probably make an in-ring appearance, but almost certainly
would not wrestle. Hulk Hogan has not been seen in ages, but his name was
mentioned twice on “Nitro” last Monday. WCW has been planning his return for
the Feb. 14 “Nitro,” but there is a chance that the depleted troops will
force him back a bit sooner. Hogan is unlikely, but still possible. Jeff
Jarrett was at Monday’s “Nitro,” but had not received medical clearance to
return to in-ring action after his own concussion aftereffects. He should be
ready to get back to real work Monday night. Sting has also been out for an
extended injury period. However, on Monday night he made a brief on-camera
appearance in the strobe-lit shadows. He almost definitely will be at the
Wilkes-Barre “Nitro.” Scott Hall, who has been out on suspension, returned
Monday night and reclaimed his place alongside Kevin Nash, Scott Steiner, the
Harris Boys and Jarrett in the renegade nWo. Unless something ridiculous
happens, Hall is a lock for this Monday.
Plausible matches
At deadline none of the events for the Monday night arena event have been
announced. That’s dog bites wrestler, the stealth that precedes every show.
With rare exceptions, neither “Nitro” nor its competition, the WWF’s
“RAW,” reveal much to the public before the shows air. This central strategy
is a reason both shows appear spontaneous. Still, there are a couple of strong
likelihoods. Kidman will appear, and there is a very strong chance that his
will be the best action on the card. Also expect to see a good match utilizing
Vampiro. He has been on a roll since “Souled Out,” January’s pay per view
event. That night he single-handedly made his three-way match with David Flair
and Crowbar as good as it was. His match with Kidman last Monday was the best
on the show. He is only now really getting to show what he can do after a year
with the company. Newly crowned WCW World Champion Sid Vicious will be there,
and he surely will have interplay with WCW Commissioner Nash and his nWo
cronies. Others who should appear include Screamin’ Norman Smiley, the
hardcore duo of Knobs and Fit Finlay, Luger with Miss Elizabeth, the David
Flair/Crowbar team and the new WCW tag team champs Big Vito and Johnny the
Bull with manager Disco Inferno. The announcing team at ringside will be, as
usual, Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Right now is
a fascinating time to catch WCW “Nitro” live. With all of the internal
problems and injuries, the show has never been more unpredictable. Nothing is
set in stone, and the probabilities change minute by minute. Whatever does
happen promises to be wild and exciting. One last hint. If you are going to
the show, try to be in your place by around 7:30. As a rule, there are several
dark (unaired) matches to fill the time. And you will want to be in place well
before the show hits the air. The opening segment is always red hot. CUTS?:
Billy Kidman hasn’t jumped from WCW and has been getting prominent play. He
quite possibly will be featured at the arena Monday night.
Ric Flair at the arena? It’s likely to happen.
There have been hints of a return for Hulk Hogan on Feb. 14. He might be
needed for Monday’s `Nitro’ event.
WCW star wrestler Goldberg is injured and unlikely to show.