Uncensored ’97

(All screen captures are the property of World Wrestling Entertainment)

Uncensored

March 16, 1997

North Charleston Coliseum

North Charleston, South Carolina

News & Notes: After SuperBrawl, Eric Bischoff took the tag team titles from Luger & The Giant. He returned them to The Outsiders because Luger wasn’t cleared to wrestle. A pissed Lex Luger challenged the nWo to a match at Uncensored. It’s Team WCW vs. Team nWo. If WCW wins, the nWo has to vacate all their titles and can’t wrestle for three years. On the other hand, the nWo can challenge for any belt if they are victorious. Bischoff agreed to the idea. The nWo was over confident. They revealed Dennis Rodman would be in their corner for the match. But Eric’s confidence broke when he got a nasty surprise. Turner Sports president Harvey Schiller appeared on Nitro. The board of directors had enough of Eric. They suspended him. Harvey also reversed some of Bischoff’s decisions. He rehired Randy Anderson and Jimmy Jett. Then Harvey added Roddy Piper to the Uncensored match. If Piper’s team wins, Roddy gets Hogan in a cage.

Piper formed his own team. He held tryouts. But they consisted of random nobodies and a returning John Tenta. After a long uncomfortable segment, Roddy chose three men. A former boxer named Craig Mally, a kickboxer named Layton Morrison, and Tenta. The crowd hated this. WCW realized it wouldn’t work. The Four Horsemen offered their services instead. Piper agreed, thinking he’d get Flair & Anderson. He got Mongo, Jarrett, & Benoit. The Horsemen begrudgingly accepted Jarrett into the group. But there were miscommunications aplenty. Even Flair regretted supporting Jeff.

Meanwhile, Randy Savage explained his heel turn. Bischoff prevented WCW from signing Randy to a new contract. The only way he could wrestle was by joining the nWo. Savage accepted this fate and leaned all the way into the turn. Miss Elizabeth already being in the group helped matters. Savage then attacked Diamond Dallas Page. DDP challenged Macho to a match. But Randy ignored him. He pretended not to know who Page was. Savage’s turn also left people wondering about Sting. The nWo invited Sting to the ring and Hogan hugged him. But Sting didn’t return the favor. However, he followed the group to ringside a few times. He always stood on the floor and didn’t join their festivities. This confused everyone. What was Sting’s deal?

The narrator lists our matches for the night. Based on the graphics, they took the bouts hostage. The ransom is your $20 for the PPV. We get an odd mistake. They say Prince Iaukea is the Cruiserweight champion. (The narrator isn’t doing this live. How did that slip past the editor? Prince is the TV Champion. Did someone get in trouble for that?) Then they discuss the main event. Team Piper faces Team WCW and Team nWo. The fate of WCW is on the line! (I’d say the fate of the nWo is at stake more than anything. WCW has nothing to lose.)

Tony Schiavone welcomes everyone to Uncensored. He says there’s not a seat to be found, except those at home. (Wait. Does that mean no one is watching at home? He didn’t think that one through.) They discuss the stakes in the main event. Dusty echoes my earlier statement. He says the nWo has a lot to lose. Heenan says Hogan and the nWo have their backs against the wall. Tony believes it will be a bizarre night. (Is Bulldog there?)

No DQ Match for the U.S. Title: Dean Malenko vs. Eddie Guerrero (c)

Notes: Malenko and Guerrero are fed up. Dean was pissed about what happened at SuperBrawl. Eddie was tired of taking the blame. They started showing more aggression. Guerrero cheated to win a few matches. (So it begins for Guerrero.) Guerrero cost Dean the Cruiserweight belt. Malenko wants to take Eddie’s US title. (On a side note, they show the nWo backstage during this bout. They stand over an unconscious Rick Steiner. The Outsiders & Syxx mock him. They say someone attacked Rick. But who could it be?)

The Match: They exchange aggressive holds, takedowns, punches, and slaps. Both men stomp each other in the corner. Then Dean suplexes Eddie and wears him down with submissions. Dean even hits Guerrero with the belt. But Eddie answers with a uranage and attacks Dean’s knee. He hits the leg with flying axehandles and a slingshot senton. This leads to a Figure Four by Guerrero. Next, they fight to the floor and Eddie crashes on the rail. He hurts his shoulder, so Malenko pounces on the injury. Dean gives Guerrero his own Frog Splash. But he pulls him up from a pin! This allows Eddie to rally. He puts Dean in the Texas Cloverleaf! However, Syxx arrives to steal the belt. Eddie stops him and they fight at the apron. Syxx’s camcorder lands in the ring when Eddie blocks a hit. Dean grabs it and nails Eddie to get the victory.

Thoughts: I liked the storytelling and intensity of this match. It had great hard-hitting moments and crisp moves. We saw shades of the heel character Eddie becomes. I also liked some of Guerrero’s innovative offense. I’ve never seen someone do a flying axehandle to the leg. He pulled it off well. The fans reacted well to their aggression. They sided with Malenko. You can tell Guerrero will do well as a heel. But they don’t pull the trigger until later in the year.

Winner: Dean Malenko (New Champion) (19:14)

Dean looks at Syxx’s camcorder like he’s never seen one. He then shows it to Eddie. He mocks Guerrero with it. (Listen closely. You hear him say, “How much you think I can get for this at the pawnshop?”) Dusty thinks Dean’s trying to get it to work. But Rhodes says he rag-tagged it too hard.

Mean Gene shills the hotline. He says someone is history from WCW. He’s gone! Call to find out who it is! Then Gene welcomes Roddy Piper. He wants to know if Gene is ribbing him. He can’t believe has to beat all these men to get Hogan in a cage. Roddy also accuses Dennis Rodman of trying to get into his kilt. (If you know what I mean.) Next, Piper complains he got the Horsemen b-team instead of Flair & Anderson. He doesn’t know what a Horseman even is! He makes more innuendos about Hogan & Rodman as the Horsemen arrive. Piper calls Benoit a wino and mocks Mongo’s relationship issues. But Piper says Gene is the one trying to stir up trouble. Jarrett tells Gene not to cause problems because the Horsemen are unified tonight! Piper is skeptical. Meanwhile, Mongo calls out Luger for dropping the ball at Fall Brawl. He also wants revenge on the nWo. Next, Piper questions Benoit. He thinks Chris is too cold. He needs razzmatazz! Benoit tells Piper he made the right decision in choosing the Horsemen. That’s enough for Roddy. He’s convinced and ready to go! He rambles some more while Gene laments not talking to Debra. (I want some of what Piper was on. This was a stream of nonsense. I didn’t try to transcribe everything.)

Ultimo Dragon (w/ Sonny Onoo) vs. Psychosis

Notes: Dragon lost the Cruiserweight title to Malenko and the J-Crown to Liger. He has no belts. It’s strange seeing him without them. During the entrances, Dragon and Onoo pose for a selfie. (Did Sonny Onoo invent the selfie? He’s ahead of his time!) Tony admires Sonny’s new digital camera. He wonders if Onoo will post the pictures online. Dusty laughs at Sonny for jumping at Dragon’s pyro. He thinks Onoo soiled himself.

The Match: They exchange mat holds and takeovers. Then Dragon uses hard kicks and leg submissions. Ultimo also has trouble hitting an enziguri. Next, they trade Camel Clutches before Psychosis lands a flying leg drop. Dragon rallies, but Psychosis hits a flying wheel kick and a plancha. He sends Dragon to the floor and does a slingshot leg drop over the ropes. (Is he trying to break his tailbone!?) They fight on the apron and Ultimo monkey flips Psychosis. He then lands an Asai Moonsault. Dragon follows with a regular moonsault in the ring. They crash off the top rope. But they return once more. Psychosis nails a super Frankensteiner. However, Dragon turns a hurricanrana into a Liger Bomb. Then Dragon uses a super—something. (I think they botched a Frankensteiner.) Ultimo continues with a tiger suplex for the win.

Thoughts: They had interesting moves. There were some cool spots. But much of it was sloppy. Tenay spoke of Dragon’s hectic schedule. I’m guessing he was tired. It also didn’t help the crowd was dead. This match had no build. They didn’t care. A quiet crowd can affect my enjoyment. It was decent, but I didn’t love it.

Winner: Ultimo Dragon (13:17)

Gene is in the aisle. He promises uncensored material on the hotline. Okerlund then welcomes Diamond Dallas Page. Gene says Savage won’t acknowledge DDP. But the fans know DDP’s name! Gene also asks if DDP will sub for Rick Steiner in the main event. Dallas ignores that question. (Was Gene supposed to ask that?) Page is pissed because Randy ignored his challenge. He makes the sign of a Diamond Cutter and tells Randy, “If you’re that much of a Savage, snap into this. BANG!”

Savage interrupts. He’s at the announce table. Randy apologizes. He misjudged Page. Savage found an issue of Playboy at the airport. It’s a celebrity edition. The magazine includes Pam Anderson, Jenny McCarthy, and—DDP’s wife, Kimberly. Liz turns the magazine around to show they defaced Kim’s centerfold. Savage tells Page he’s the man. He wants to be like him! Then Kimberly emerges from the back. Someone spray painted nWo on her dress. Page turns to check on her, so Savage attacks him. Randy spray paints nWo on Page’s back and mocks him. Kim stops Savage from doing more, so Randy and Liz paint her again. Gene complains everyone stood around and let it happen. (That includes him too!) Liz tells Kim she should be thrilled. The nWo loves her. Randy says, “Kimberly likes me a lot! Can you tell?” He then leaves while Kimberly cries over her husband.

Martial Arts Match: Glacier vs. Mortis (w/ James Vandenberg)

Notes: The Sub Zero rip-off Glacier debuted in September of 1996. He amassed a winning streak, but he didn’t have a major feud. Enter James Vandenberg (The Sinister Minister, James Mitchell). James called himself a collector of oddities. He found a pit fighter from Malaysia. His name is Mortis (Chris Kanyon). Mortis dresses like a video game character, with a skull mask and a cape. (Somewhere, La Parka wonders if he should call his lawyers.) Vandenberg alluded to a past between Glacier and Mortis. But we didn’t get the details. This begins a bizarre feud filled with Mortal Kombat-like characters. It at least gives us Mortis’ awesome organ music.

The Match: Mortis spits at Glacier and tells him he’s nothing. They throw kicks and sweeps. Glacier uses an arm drag and a backdrop. Glacier also lands a slingshot crossbody and suplexes Mortis on the floor. But Vandenberg interferes. He lures Glacier into a trap and Mortis hits a baseball slide. He drops Glacier on the rail and the apron. Then Mortis nails a Buckshot Lariat. (A young Adam Page takes notes.) Mortis misses a springboard leg drop, but he recovers with a Rocker Dropper. When he tries another one, Glacier turns it into a powerbomb. They fight back and forth with more kicks and a superplex. Next, they trade superkick attempts. (Glacier calls his the Cryonic Kick.) Vandenberg holds Glacier in place, but Glacier moves. Mortis stops short of hitting his manager. But this allows Glacier to nail a Cryonic Kick for the victory.

Thoughts: This wasn’t great. It was decent when Mortis controlled the bout. Kanyon is a good wrestler. He had innovative moves. But it lost steam once Glacier took over. The build happened on Saturday Night, so the fans didn’t care. It had no heat. Plus, it was silly. This sticks out among the more realistic storylines of the nWo.

Winner: Glacier (9:04)

Vandenberg taunts Glacier, so Mortis attacks Glacier with his staff. James then calls for someone. A large man in a knock-off Shao Khan outfit arrives. He removes his mask to reveal—the former Adam Bomb (Bryan Clark). They attack Glacier and the big man gives him a uranage. Both men then pose in the corners. (They don’t name him yet. But we later learn this is Vandenberg’s newest charge, Wrath.)

Next, they show the footage of the Outsiders running The Steiners off the road. Syxx films the carnage on his camcorder. The Outsiders bump The Steiners’ car and pull up beside them. Scott throws trash at Hall & Nash. Rick yells at them. Then the Outsiders swerve and cause Rick to run into a ditch. The car flips over. Hall tells Syxx to turn off the camera. They think about stopping. But Nash chooses to turn around and leave. Schiavone wonders why charges weren’t filed against them.

Strap Match: Buff Bagwell vs. Scotty Riggs

Notes: You thought it was over? Think again! The American Males must explode once more! Buff defeated Riggs at Souled Out. But he attacked him on Nitro. This led to WCW booking a Strap Match between them. During his entrance, Buff says he doesn’t care if he wins the match. He wants to beat up Scotty. Poor Riggs still uses the American Males theme. Couldn’t they dig into their pile of stock music and give him a song?

The Match: Riggs chases Buff out of the ring with the strap. But Bagwell whips Scotty and chokes him with it. Then Scotty uses the strap to crotch Buff on the top rope. Riggs follows with a superplex. He also pulls Bagwell into the post. Buff rallies, but Riggs pulls the strap into Bagwell’s crotch. He then drags him to two corners. However, Buff takes control with eye-pokes and a hotshot. He poses and speaks into the camera. Bagwell even grabs Scotty’s arms and makes him do the American Males clap. Next, Buff attempts a pin. The ref reminds him of the rules. Buff is embarrassed and pissed. He gets in a shoving match with the ref and loses. Then Bagwell misses a Blockbuster. This allows Riggs to recover. Scotty lands a powerbomb and a missile dropkick. He touches three corners before Buff stops him. Riggs charges, so Buff backdrops him over the ropes. Riggs is hanged by the strap and passes out. Bagwell easily touches four corners.

Thoughts: This was dull. Buff spent most of the match posing and cutting promos. When Riggs controlled it, it was okay. But Bagwell slowed it down. The finish was the only interesting part. However, it didn’t save this.

Winner: Buff Bagwell (12:25)

The nWo cuts a promo in black and white. Hogan and The Outsiders brag about their jet and Dennis Rodman. Savage continues looking at Kimberly’s Playboy. Randy says something I couldn’t understand. He either said he had an itch in his belt or an inch. Neither makes sense. Then everyone makes vague innuendos about laying down. It’s an uncomfortable promo. Nash says they aren’t mad at Piper’s crew, but they’ll beat them up bad. Next, Hogan implies he learned a few new tricks from initiating Rodman into the nWo. He can’t wait to show it to everyone. Savage drops his magazine and says Hogan is ribbing him. (Um, what? This is getting weird.) Hall makes it worse. He talks about skirts and asks what Rodman will wear tonight. Is it a wedding dress? Savage wants to know if it’s a bra. This leads to them joking about Kimberly’s breasts. Hogan tells everyone how cool they are and they leave. (WTF was this promo!? Who thought this was a good idea?)

Texas Tornado Match: Harlem Heat (w/ Sister Sherri) vs. The Public Enemy

Notes: They booked Public Enemy vs. Mongo & Jarrett. Public Enemy called out the Horsemen for a fight. But WCW added the Horsemen to the main event. This replacement match was set up on the go-home Nitro. Harlem Heat attacked Public Enemy during a promo. (On a side note, Dusty loses his mind during this bout. He can’t stop laughing. I’ll point out some of his better lines.)

The Match: They hit each other with trash cans, lids, frying pans, and even a toilet seat! Sherri gets into the action. She jumps on Grunge’s back and hits Rocco with a metal sheet. (Dusty says she knocked the hair off his head.) Sherri sometimes hits her own men. They no-sell it. At one point, Public Enemy places a trash can over Booker’s head. They punch it. (Dusty says he used to do that to his little brother.) Booker is also knocked loopy by another trash can. (Dusty says, “He knocked his old tired ass out!”) We eventually get a pin attempt. It’s followed by a low-blow. (Tony calls it, so Dusty says, “That’s not a two-count. That’s a low-blow!”) Next, Harlem Heat hit a Rocket Launcher. Public Enemy answer with a tandem cannonball through a table! But Mongo & Jarrett arrive. McMichael hits Grunge with his briefcase. Booker capitalizes with the Harlem Hangover for the win.

Thoughts: Most of this bout was mindless brawling. It was endless weapon shots and little selling. However, Dusty’s commentary made it amusing. The match itself was bad. But I recommend at least watching this for Rhodes. His laughter will cure your blues.

Winners: Harlem Heat (13:17)

Gene is with what’s left of Team WCW. He speaks about the stipulations of the main event. Gene also asks Scott for his thoughts about Rick. Steiner says he’s never seen Rick taken out in an ambulance. But he knows his brother will return. It gives him an incentive to beat the nWo to a pulp. He’s going to kick some butt tonight. (Luger pats him on the shoulder.) Next, The Giant promises to do some spring cleaning in WCW. He calls Rick Steiner a tough four-legged dog. A Mack truck could hit him and he’d chew the tires off. But the nWo took him out. The Giant says they’ll be dizzy with all the suplexes they’ll do. It’s time for some chokeslamming, racking, and suplexing! Then Gene speaks to Luger. Lex is sick of the nWo’s lack of respect for authority, society, and tradition. He can’t stand the anti-establishment nonsense. But adversity makes his team stronger. The time for words is done. It’s time for action! This doesn’t assuage Gene’s fears. He’s still concerned about Team WCW’s chances. (These promos were okay but bland. At least they didn’t make a bunch of dirty jokes like the nWo.)

TV Title Match: Prince Iaukea (c) vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.

Notes: Neither man was satisfied with how their last encounter ended. They wanted a rematch to settle this mess. Mike Tenay joins commentary for this bout. He says Iaukea is the front runner for Rookie of the Year in 1997. (The year just began! Take it easy!) However, the commentators spend the entrances talking about everything but this fight. (I don’t blame them. It’s a Prince Iaukea match. Also, this is the second title match on this show. Didn’t this PPV used to be unsanctioned? So much for that gimmick.)

The Match: Iaukea hits a Samoan Drop and tries a springboard splash. Rey raises his knees. Then Rey does somersault planchas in and out of the ring. Prince responds with a powerbomb, a baseball slide, and a springboard crossbody. He tries another crossbody off the rail, but Prince misses. Rey capitalizes with more springboard moves, including a Lionsault! But Iaukea catches Mysterio in another powerbomb. He also drops a headbutt on Rey’s crotch. Prince claims it was unintentional. Next, both men attempt dropkicks and end up scissoring each other. (Wait, that sounded wrong!) Rey recovers and lands a head scissors, a victory roll, and a twisting moonsault. However, the time limit expires.

Rey takes a mic and says he deserves more time. Iaukea agrees so the ref restarts the match. Rey seems more aggressive. He nails a hip toss, a springboard gamengiri, and a springboard leg drop. Mysterio follows with a super flying head scissors. But Prince catches Rey on a springboard hurricanrana. He turns it into a pin for the victory.

Thoughts: Iaukea somehow made usually impressive moves dull. They botched nothing. The pieces were there. But they were uninspired and uninteresting. Prince’s lack of personality and intensity shows. He looks like a wrestler going through the motions. This was boring. But it’s not Rey’s fault. He did his part.

Winner: Prince Iaukea (13:41)

Next, they show a commercial for the returning Spring Stampede. The Four Horsemen star in a western. They have a stand-off in the streets. But Flair tells them to stand united. Then they ride off into the sunset on horses.

Triangle Elimination Match: (Team nWo) Hollywood Hogan, Randy Savage, Hall, & Nash (w/ Dennis Rodman) vs. (Team Piper) Roddy Piper, Chris Benoit, Steve McMichael, & Jeff Jarrett vs. (Team WCW) Lex Luger, The Giant, & Scott Steiner

Notes: Michael Buffer is back. He says this may change the history of professional wrestling. (I doubt it.) He also explains the rules. One member from each team begins the match. They fight for five minutes. Then a participant from each team joins the match every two minutes. Eliminations can occur at any time. These happen by pin, submission, knockout, or throwing someone over the top rope. The last team standing wins. (Wait a second. This sounds like the Final Four match! WCW is on a ratings winning streak. But they still copy the WWF.) Benoit, Hall, and The Giant start for their teams.

The Match: The Giant takes his time. He lets Hall and Benoit fight. Then The Giant hands out clotheslines, chops, and throws. Hall and Benoit answer with their own punches and sleeper holds. But The Giant chokeslams Chris. Hall stops the pin. (The announcers don’t know why.) The Giant tries splashing Hall in the corner. Scott moves and the Giant tumbles over the ropes! (Elimination: The Giant)

Jarrett, Savage, and Luger enter next. Luger press slams Jeff, but Savage attacks Lex. Randy then avoids another Luger press slam. The third round brings us Mongo, Nash, and Scott Steiner. Scott hands out suplexes, tilt-a-whirl slams, and a Tiger Bomb. He also gives Nash a belly-to-belly. But Nash recovers. He clotheslines Jarrett out of the ring while Hall backdrops Mongo. (Eliminations: Mongo & Jarrett)

The final round brings Piper and Hogan. But Hollywood takes his time. Rodman carries the WCW title for him. Meanwhile, Nash eliminates Steiner with a big boot. (Elimination: Scott Steiner) Luger is alone on his team. Piper chokes Savage with a chain. They fight to the floor while Hogan and Rodman pose for pictures. Hogan finally enters the match and chokes Roddy with his shirt. Piper pulls Hollywood to the floor and they brawl. Savage helps, so Roddy uses the chain on him and Hogan. However, Rodman low-bridges Piper to eliminate him! (Elimination: Roddy Piper) Then Hall hits an Outsiders Edge on Benoit and The Outsiders throw him out. (Elimination: Chris Benoit)

Luger is alone against the nWo. They huddle before attacking him. But Lex reverses a Jackknife and clotheslines Nash out of the ring. (Elimination: Kevin Nash) Next, Luger makes Hall and Savage submit to The Rack. (Eliminations: Hall & Savage) Hogan remains. Luger hits him with clotheslines and places Hogan in The Rack. But Rodman hands Savage a can of spray paint. Randy hits Luger with it and Hogan covers for the win. (Final Elimination: Lex Luger)

Thoughts: This wasn’t good. It was a glorified battle royal. There was little substance to it until the end. It almost became interesting with Luger’s rally. But it didn’t save this bout. It also felt rushed, as odd as that sounds. But that’s probably for the best. I wouldn’t want this to go longer. This was disappointing for a main event.

Winners: Team nWo (19:22)

Rodman takes the paint can and hides it in his coat. He then joins the nWo in the ring. They spray paint nWo on Luger’s back. Rodman also slaps Luger a few times. Hogan has to get a few slaps in as well. They leave the ring and celebrate. But then…

Sting repels from the ceiling. He lands in the ring, so the Outsiders confront him. Sting nails them with his baseball bat. He gets Savage too and gives him a Scorpion Death Drop. He performs the move on Hall & Nash next. The fans lose their minds.

Sting then grabs his bat and points it at Hollywood Hogan. Hulk pretends he wants to fight. But he won’t enter the ring until Sting drops the bat. Sting grants his wish and even turns his back. Rodman rubs Hogan’s shoulders to hype him up. Hogan enters the ring while Rodman circles around on the floor. Sting turns his back again to let Hogan get a free shot. But he punches Hollywood when he approaches. Sting then gives Hogan the Scorpion Death Drop as the show runs out of time.

The Good:

• Sting’s attack.

• Guerrero/Malenko was good.

• I liked the storyline work for DDP/Savage.

• Dusty’s commentary.

The Bad:

• Glacier/Mortis wasn’t good.

• Bagwell/Riggs was dull.

• That awful nWo promo.

• Prince Iaukea is boring.

• The main event was disappointing.

Performer of the Night:

I’m giving it to two people. First, I’ll praise Eddie Guerrero’s work. We saw hints of the heel he becomes. His match was good, and he showed more personality. The second person I’m giving this to is Dusty Rhodes. His commentary amused me. He was great on this PPV.

Final Thoughts:

This show was mostly disappointing. Much of the undercard fell flat. The main event wasn’t good. There were memorable moments and parts I liked. But the event wasn’t great as a whole. WCW is stumbling a little in early 1997. The ratings and buyrates don’t reflect it, but I’m speaking about the quality.

Thank you for reading. You’re getting two reviews next week! First, I’m doing a bonus review of the 1997 Slammy Awards. Look for it on Wednesday. Then, I’m covering WWF WrestleMania 13 on Sunday!