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EVEN BETTER THAN THE REAL THING
mdb books Nitro

Consider how much better Superbrawl would have been if *nothing else* had changed except the ending of several matches: Lash winning the Cruiser belt, Bam Bam keeping the Hardcore belt, Booker winning the gimmick, Hogan jobbing, and Jarrett winning the World title. A lot of Thumbs Down would have been Thumbs in the Middle and a lot of Thumbs in the Middle would have been Thumbs Leaning Slightly Up.

EVEN BETTER THAN THE REAL THING - mdb BOOKS NITRO

Of note from my Nitro last week, I set up for tonight: World title match Hogan vs. the winner at Superbrawl (I'd have originally gone with Jarrett getting the belt setting up Nash screwing Jeff by making him defend both belts at Nitro, US against Hall and World against already scheduled by WCW Hogan with Jeff losing both belts to really piss him off. Hall's injury means I drop Nash's part of the angle. Hogan talks trash about the new new World order and how it was so much better when he was in charge. Mark Madden brings up the last time Hogan fought an nWo guy to get the belt, Nash and the fingerpoke of doom. The main event has Hogan try the poke of doom, Jarrett just looks at, smiles, and WHACK! Guitar shot on Hogan! This would be the start of a one month program leading to Uncensored's main event Jarrett vs. Hogan. Since I'd end Nitro with something more than a non-match, I'd probably have Sid do a run-in to do a few power moves (he was reported to have a concussion going into Superbrawl, the extent of his work here is based on how well he was - all offense for Sid for a minute if he's still in bad shape, maybe a 5 or 6 minute 'match' if he's healthier), the Harrises come out, bring in Booker, big brawl, etc. (Note: If Hogan was worried about taking a guitar shot from a 'midcard' Jarrett and wouldn't work an angle to build to the next PPV, I'd let him and his ego walk and just move on. Maybe give Flair the shot, maybe give Booker a push, the returning Sting if he's ready...) The rest of my Nitro is here and there. I won't bother continuing the rest of my lines as my WCW wouldn't be recognizably at all after this week was done. On to rebooking this week's show!

Standard disclaimer 1: Fantasy booking is easier than actual booking. I completely understand this. In reworking Nitro I try to remain aware of the realities of pro wrestling in general and WCW in particular. That means not putting the World heavyweight title on La Parka, as fun as that would be. I try to use the same wrestlers WCW used on their actual broadcast. The few exceptions are made in cases where it seems obvious to me that the people are available and capable of the role I put them in.

Standard disclaimer 2: Until WCW starts paying me to do this, I can't bother with spit and polish. I put about two hours into this. 15 minutes into setting up the matches and the rest typing out the scenes off the top of my head as I go along. Please ignore spelling errors, words without proper capitalization, etc.

All comments good and bad are welcome.

Show opens with highlights of last night's World title match. This puts focus on the central angle in WCW, the fight over the world title. Clips from other segments can be used to intro each separate minor angle throughout the show. It provides better focus on each segment and each time emphasizes throughout the show that the PPV was something worth paying for.

Tonight - Luger and Flair have a challenge for Hogan and Sid! Kidman vs. Jarrett for the US title! Mamalukes vs. The Harris Brothers for the tag titles!. The new Harlem Heat vs. Funk & Rhodes for the #1 tag title contendership! TAFKAPIaukea vs. the Maestro for the cruiser belt! Buff vs. Booker! And more!



805
Fit vs. Vamp - Start the show off with a good stiff brawl. I have no real complaints with the match as it went on Nitro. I'm sure the WCW braintrust will either just do some matches between these two for a couple of weeks and pair the two up with other opponents at random next month, or completely drop the issue and never speak of it again. I imagine I'd use it to segue into a TV title contest. [Amid Vamp interview -Who's Fit, what's he ever done? Amid Fit rebuttal - I was World TV champ. Amid Vamp's rebuttal to Fit's rebuttal - Big deal. - Vamp then goes out to and takes the belt from Duggan just to prove the point.]

nWo interview. Jarrett - He's slapnut crazy or something. He gets informed he has to defend the US title against Kidman. 'Kidman? I'm wrestling the main event of the PPV last night and now you want me to wrestle Kidman? I'm getting screwed by everyone! You're all jealous that I am the chosen one!' Harris brothers - 'Tonight, we're taking the tag belts. The nWo is the elite.' Or words to that effect.



820
Bam Bam vs. La Parka - Intro with Bam Bam vs. Knobbs match footage. La Parka isn't shy about hitting chairshots and Bam Bam has little trouble taking them. Back in forth match to give La Parka some air time and Bam Bam a win coming off the title loss. Bam to camera after the win: 'Brian Knobbs, it ain't over! Not by a longshot. You want to get Nasty? I'll show you nasty.'

Gene interviews Maestro - Basic idea of interview is that Prince Iaukea has no wrestling talent or musical talent and does not deserve to be a champion.



830
Maestro vs. TAFKANakimaki - Again, if I were doing pure fantasy booking, neither of these two would be on the show at all, but I'm trying to work with what WCW gives me. Intro has Superbrawl footage. I suppose you give Iauk the win to help establish him. Paisley and Symphony start to tangle distracting the 'Stro to give Prince the win. This could be built into a decent mini-feud though this is really Worldwide material (though that's about the level of all of WCW's talent now.)

I should make a note on Miller who is now in a program with Maestro. I guess they are turning the Cat face and the Stro will be the brunt of all the jokes. I'm not sure how it will work since the Cat's whole mic shtick is 'Shut up fat boy' but good luck to them. I'd probably put him the World TV title division as a heel (with James Brown upstaging him at Superbrawl, not dancing with him.) I guess if I were going along with the face turn for this week I'd just give him a 3 minute spot somewhere in the first hour to come out and dance and talk about he's the greatest and even James Brown thinks so.

Terry Funk & Dustin Rhodes interview. They have a #1 tag title contendership match tonight against Harlem Heat.



845
New Harlem Heat interview. Harlem Heat is synonymous with Tag team championships. Stevie always had to carry Booker, but now with Big T there's no stopping them. Harris Brothers or Mamalukes, doesn't matter who wins tonight because Harlem Heat is getting the gold.

Buff vs Booker - Intro with Superbrawl footage. Match is pretty even between the two for the first 5 minutes. The new Harlem Heat make their way to the ring. The distraction gives Buff the advantage for the next few minutes. Every Booker comeback is thwarted by the Harlem Heat. Finally Buff notices the problem Booker is having with outside interference. He gets a mic and says 'Hey Booker, are these guys giving you trouble? I'd be happy to help you kick their asses.' Stevie and Big T get in the ring to complain. Pier 4 brawl erupts. Faces clear the ring and refs and security keep the issue from going any further.



855
Flair & Luger interview. Sid doesn't deserve to be World champ and Hogan doesn't deserve to be in pro wrestling at all. Tonight in a steel cage the Total Package and the dirtiest player in the game are going to take over WCW. 'Sid, we set a trap. You're walking into the cage with Hogan wearing the World title belt. You know Hogan can't stand anyone else having that belt. Lex & I are a team. When you're in that cage Sid, watch your back.'



910
Mamalukes w/Disco do a short interview.

Funk & Rhodes vs. New Harlem Heat - Basic match. Commentators discuss the situation with Buff and Booker and Harlem Heat. Note - Turning Dustin on Funk isn't a bad idea but I wouldn't do it yet. Harris boys come out to H-Bomb both teams and proclaim the nWo dominant. Who's the #1 contender? It'll have to be settled at another date!

Hogan & Sid interview. You know how these go. Same basic talk until from behind, Luger and Flair attack! Flair and Hogan trade blows as Luger tries to break Sid's arm. Security prevents the brawl from getting out of hand.



920
Mamalukes vs. Harrises - Intro has Superbrawl footage. Harrises have made a lot of people angry at them, but they are nWo and that's the style of the black and white. Jarrett comes out to do commentary just to add a bit more to the telecast. End of the match sees Disco take a guitar shot from Jarrett and the Harris cheat to win the belts. The new Harlem Heat and Funk & Rhodes come out to get revenge from before and the Mamalukes are ready to payback the Harrises as well, but the nWo cut the celebration short and exit stage left, too quick to be caught by any of the teams. In the ring the Mamalukes, Funk & Rhodes, and the new Harlem Heat notice each other. Words are exchanged but they all know there's no use in punching out each other. They leave their separate ways.

In the back Kidman talks about his shot at the US title. Kidman's not upset about not getting any respect. Jarrett will respect him after he wins the belt.



930
Jarrett vs. Kidman - Footage from Superbrawl. Jarrett makes remarks about Torrie. What's she doing with the little punk? Why doesn't she come see what it's like with someone who has all the 'stroke' in this company? Kidman defends her honor with the hot start. Jarrett takes control with heel tactics. He makes suggestive motions to Torrie allowing Kidman to take control. Kidman is going for the SSP when he gets crotched. Jarrett grabs the guitar and whamo! Torrie comes in to check on Kidman. Jeff tries to pull her away but she doesn't want to go. Jarrett leaves her with Kidman and walks off with his US title belt.

Hogan and Sid do an interview. They are going to destroy Flair and Luger in the cage. Hogan promises Sid he's not worried about the world title right now. It's around the waist of a worthy guy. Sid: 'We're not falling for your tricks Nature Boy.' Cage match is next!



945
Hogan & Sid vs. Flair and Luger - Flair and Luger filibuster as the cage lowers. Luger can do his posing. Flair can work the mic like Flair can work the mic. The cage is in place. Out comes Sid followed by Hogan. All four into the cage and the battle is on. Depending on Sid's health, he can either avoid lots of work and potential further injury with Hogan carrying the match for his side (!!!) or participate evenly if he's at or near 100%. Finish uses the old 'accidental hit' with Hogan putting the big foot to Sid that was intended for Flair or Luger setting up the win for the heels. Liz gets the chair in the ring and they try to break Sid's arm again but Hogan clears the cage.



From here: The Harris Bros are new tag champs because the nWo needs the gold to establish credibility and the Mamalukes, though good for rookies, aren't quite ready to have a real tag reign. The tag division is set to feature over the next weeks matches between the Mamalukes, Funk&Rhodes, and the new Harlem Heat to establish the contenders for the belts. I'd go with Funk&Rhodes at Uncensored (with the Dustin turn in April). Mamalukes get the gold again near the end of the year. Harlem Heat get the title shot in April, right now they have to deal with Booker & Buff. I'd say that for March the two teams feud with a match at Uncensored. If Harlem Heat win Booker retires, if Booker & Buff win then Booker gets the gimmick. Buff takes a payoff at that match (he's better as a heel) but Booker still wins the match. I want Booker to win the blowoff and move on to better things. A short feud with Buff and then into singles title contention.

Kidman is ready to feud with Jeff for the US title this month. I'd have Torrie turn but Kidman gets the belt in a rematch down the road. Jeff can avoid worrying about the US title and move on to other things.

For Uncensored I'd build to Flair vs. Sid for the world title. You can have a Hogan vs. Luger rematch in some form or other if nothing more interesting presents itself. (I don't see why you build to a Jeff vs. Sid match though I commend WCW for keeping Hogan out of the PPV main event [subject to change]). The main event has Hogan come in to make the save for Sid from some situation or other. The idea over the next month is to build distention between Sid and Hogan with Sid turning on Hogan. Sid would be fine as a Horsemen (and Buff for the Fourth. I don't think Dustin or David Flair really belong in the group.)

I'm not saying any of this is likely to produce good wrestling matches (well Kidman vs. Jarrett could be good) but at least I'm not repeating matches from the night before and keeping the titles active in competitive divisions.

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