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| Guest Columns | Lord Meph |
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NEW BLOOD RISING PREVIEW or: Don't Blame Canada, Blame Russo Intro: Greetings and salutations to all my fellow wrestling fans and welcome to Lord Meph's (that's me) extensive and thorough preview of WCW's Canadian PPV invasion, New Blood Rising. The last time WCW was in Canada was November of '99, for WCW Mayhem, which featured an excellent main event of Chris Benoit vs. Bret "The Hitman" Hart for the WCW World Heavyweight strap. This was also the first PPV under Vince Russo's watch, and the inaugural edition of Mayhem, which used to be known as WarGames. Fast forward 9 months and we come to WCW's latest offering, the first ever New Blood Rising. When the name for this PPV was first announced, it was speculated (or presented as fact, depending on what websites you visit *cough* Meltzer *cough*) that this PPV would be the conclusion of the New Blood's feud with the Millionaire's Club. Inaccurate speculation, to say the least, as that feud finally died when Vince Russo sent The Bald Egomaniac packing for good last month at Bash at the Beach. Now, World Championship Wrestling is, for the most part, New Blood personified, with their symbol of change, Booker T, at the center of it all. It's New Blood Rising, and it's not just a name.... Match Breakdown: WCW World Heavyweight Title Match: Booker T (c) vs. 'The Chosen One' Jeff Jarrett The Story So Far: Last month, at Bash at the Beach, Booker T, at the behest of a very pissed off Vince Russo, took on Jeff Jarrett for the World Title in the main event, and proceeded to win his first ever World Title in a very well-contested match. The next night on Nitro, there were many wrestlers clamoring for the number one contender's spot, each with his own pretty valid reason. That night, the Cat set-up a 4-way elimination match between all the wreslers who wanted a piece of Booker T at New Blood Rising, with the winner getting the shot. Jarrett, along with the other 3 aspiring contenders, Goldberg, Big Poppa Pump & "Positively" Kanyon squared off that night in what can only be described as a slobberknocker, with Jarrett scoring the surprise win by pinning Kanyon while Steiner and Goldberg were battling on the outside of the ring. Since then, The Chosen One has done everything imaginable to get under the skin of Booker T, even going so far as violently yanking Booker's own wife Lavestia out of the crowd, and giving her "El Kabong" on her way over the railing. As for Booker T himself, Jarrett strung him up by his (previously injured) leg on the July 31st edition of Nitro, and delivered the guitar shot to the already injured knee, thus doing even more damage to the severely battered World Champ. Prediction: Booker fights, Booker bleeds, Booker gets put in a figure-4, Booker receives "El Kabong", Jarrett comes up with a new word with the prefix "Slap", Booker retains the gold. 3-Way Dance For The #1 Contendership To The WCW World Title: Kevin "Big Sexy" Nash vs. Big Poppa Pump vs. Goldberg The Story So Far: This one basically began with a "shoot" interview on Thunder (which has become commonplace) by Kevin Nash, in which he complained about not getting his way all the time (in a nutshell) , swore he would get Hall back in WCW, and called Goldberg a primadonna, for lack of a better term. The next week on Thunder, Goldberg got his turn and complained about Nash, even going so far as to question Nash's decision to book himself as World Champ (beating the then unstoppable Goldberg) less than 2 months into his run as head booker. In the past few days, rumours have been running rampant that Goldberg's ego is "out of control" and that he is refusing to do the "job" in this match, thus creating the speculation that Russo himself may grace us with his presence to ensure that this match ends the way he wants it to. Where does Big Poppa Pump fit into all of this? Well, he also had his Thunder interview, but being the nut-ball that he is, he used his interview time complaining about Tenay's use of the term Huracanrana to describe a move that BPP would prefer we call The Frankensteiner. So, the interview ended rather abruptly when BPP viciously choked out Mike Tenay. This portrays BPP as a loose cannon, who can snap on anybody at any given time, regardless of the "script". Confused? Well, you shouldn't be if you've been paying attention to any insider information for the past few months or so, since this storyline goes hand-in-hand with many recent (and some, not-so-recent) backstage reports in regards to the three participants. To the casual fan, this is simply three bad mofos who really want to kill each other. To the "smart" fan, this is an opportunity for us to see who really has the stroke now in WCW. Prediction: I'm not touching this one with a 10' pole. Well, okay. Big Poppa Pump wins, but I have no idea how. WCW The Story So Far: Having only debuted in WCW about a month ago, Lance Storm has been the proverbial "House of Fire" tearing through the ranks and laying out everyone in his path with his submission finisher known as The Canadian Maple Leaf (a half-crab). Not only is he the best technical wrestler in WCW today, he is also arguably the most "over" heel" in the company. At the time of this writing, "the Perfect" Storm has amassed 3 of the 4 singles titles in WCW. He has also taken the liberty of renaming all 3 belts to make them seem more Canadian. As far as Mike Awesome goes, well he went from being The Career Killer to being The Fat Chick Thriller and IMO is all the more entertaining as a result. This is a battle of 2 former ECW superstars whom, if you listen to the self-proclaimed "experts", should both be dead and buried right now, since they signed up with WCW and all. Quite the contrary here, as both of these young workers have been instantly pushed into the upper-echelon of the WCW totem pole, and have looked good getting there. Prediction: Awesome really doesn't need a belt to get over at this point, and Storm is just beginning to show WCW fans his technical savvy, so expect to see Storm walk out of NBR with his Canadian title intact (but perhaps not the other 2). Billy Kidman vs. "The Franchise" Shane Douglas (w/ Torrie) The Story So Far: Here's two guys who are coming off two very high profile feuds, Kidman vs. Hogan and Douglas vs. Ric Flair, which both had very different end-results. Rather than go off on a rant about why Kidman's feud didn't turn out exactly as it should have I'll just say Hogan sucks. Anyways, on to the story at hand, that being a recently jilted Kidman against a newly rejuvenated Franchise. It's a simple premise that has been done many times in the past but not with quite the edgy feel of this one imparticular. Torrie screwed over Kidman so she could be with The Franchise, who was more in need of a valet than Kidman anyhow. Seeing how he was betrayed, Billy Kidman decides to bust out some old videotapes from his and Torrie's past (think Pamela and Tommy Lee, sort of). Billy shows the tapes off on the Nitro-Tron for all to see, while The Franchise is thusly embarrassed and very very pissed. So Franchise decides he's going to fight fire with fire and show off some sex tapes of him and Torrie, only Kidman finds out and intercepts the tape before it can be played. Instead, a tape is shown of Franchise in bed with Torrie and unable to "get it up". Naturally, this leads to a Viagra on a pole match, in which The Franchise comes out the winner. Although Kidman's the real winner after eating about 20 "Viagra" and taking home some Nitro Girls for a foursome. This match s hould be the final blowoff for a feud that has provided for some great wrestling matches along with some campy comedy. Prediction: Since the Franchise has gotten the upper hand on Kidman throughout almost this entire feud, including sicking one of the aforementioned Nitro Girl's boyfriends on Kidman, I would have to say Kidman is due for the big win here. "Judy Bagwell on a Pole" Match: Buff Bagwell vs. "Positively" Kanyon The Story So Far: Well, for the past 5 weeks or so, Kanyon has been running around "Kanyon-Kutting" anyone with a neck and a heartbeat. Common sense tells us that this type of behavior is bound to get you into trouble sooner or later. For Kanyon, it turned out to be sooner when he decided to deliver his special version of the "Diamond Cutter" to one Judy Bagwell, mother to Buff Daddy. So now Kanyon and the Bagwells have been feuding over this incident through Nitro and Thunder with Kanyon usually getting the last laugh on the overpushed Buff. Actually, it's the viewers who have been getting all the laughs as Kanyon's is one of the funniest gimmicks to come down the pipe in a long time. Anyways, this feud will come to a head this Sunday as Vince Russo proudly presents the "Judy Bagwell on a Pole Match" for our enjoyment. If Kanyon wins, then Judy Bagwell will become his valet (that's winning?). I'll tell you what though, if they actually go ahead and hang that old hag up on a pole, then we the fans are the real winners. Prediction: Buff will talk about his stuff, Judy will talk about Buff's stuff, Kanyon will "Kanyon Kut" Buff's stuff and win. Mirth and hilarity will surely ensue. 4 Corners Match for the WCW World Tag-Team Titles: Kronic (c) vs. The Perfect Event vs. Jindrak & O'Haire vs. MIA (Cajun & Rection) The Story So Far: About 6 months ago, Kronik was not just the best tag-team in WCW, they were the only tag-team in WCW! Pretty sad, eh? Thankfully WCW had realized their major deficiency in this department and has started to build up some new tag-teams. Real tag-teams, too, not just 'let's throw these 2 guys together who are already over as singles wrestlers' tag-teams, but guys who work together and are an inseparable unit. Of the three fairly new pairings, Jindrak and O'Haire definitely show the most promise with their high flying daredevilish maneuvers and youthful vigor. Stasiak and Palumbo have been doing decently as a tag-team since they have vanquished their counterparts, Curt Hennig and Lex Luger, respectively. Kronik (the current champs) have been a dominant force since they first entered the scene back at Spring Stampede, using their sheer size and power to take out everyone in their path; referees non-withst anding. As for Corporal Cajun and Hugh G. Rection, well let's just say that they are living up to their Misfit namesake. Prediction: Some may say it's much to early to give the belts to Jindrak and O'Haire, but that never stopped Lance Storm. Even so, Stasiak and Palumbo have been paying their dues lately, so it may be time to give them the ball. Screw it, Kronik retains. (This Is) Sting vs. The Contractual Obligation.. err, the Demon The Story So Far: Sting has been feuding with Vampiro for quite some time now, since April to be exact. Recently, Vampiro has formed his own stable, known as the Dark Karnival. The members of this mysterious faction consist of The Great Muta, The Demon and the Insane Clown Posse. So, for some unfathomable reason (read: contractual obligation) there has been a match booked between Sting and The Demon for NBR. I do know that Vampiro, although he may have done several jobs in the process, has definitaly gotten the better of Sting during the tenure of this feud. Not only did he bite the head of off Sting's crow (really) during an interview with Mike Tenay, but he also lit Sting on fire and threw him off the top off the Nitro-Tron (about a 20 foot drop) at the Great American Bash PPV. If there's any match that will not be as important as the storyline behind it, this is it. This match is just an excuse for something big to happen between Sting and Vampiro, so I will be watching and waiting for the interference. Prediction: Sting wins the match, but what happens afterwards will make everyone forget there even was a match. Double Ladder Match: 3-Count (with Tank Abbott) vs. The Jung Dragons The Story So Far: Since 3-Count has been on the scene in WCW let's just say that I got the joke, but I just didn't think it was very funny. Enter Tank Abbott. Now you've got my attention! Tank has really shined in his new role, and while some may say its not fitting for the former Toughman, I say its frickin' hilarious, so have a beer and ENJOY. Speaking of funny gimmicks, their opponents will be the Jung Dragons. Not only are both these teams sporting some entertaining gimmicks, but they can GO in the ring as well. The story here has something to do with 3-Count getting a gold record and also getting a recording contract, both of which have been stolen by the Jung Dragons. At New Blood Rising, both of these items will be suspended high in the air above, you guessed it, two steel ladders. Should make for a very entertaining match with some good looking high spots. This will probably be the opener and I am hoping they give it at least 15 minutes, but 20 + would be much appreciated. Prediction: 3-Count has Tank to help them out, but what about the Dragons? They used to have The Great Muta in their corner, but he's been recruited by Vampiro, which leaves the Dragons outnumbered and without guidance. Or does it? Remember, the Jung Dragons have another good friend who will be in Vancouver Sunday night and who just happens to be a 3-time World Karate Champion. The Jung Dragons win. I have spoken! R.O.T.C. (Rip Off The Camouflage) Match (in a MUD PIT): Major Gunns vs. Miss Hancock The Story So Far: Major Gunns! Whooooooooooo! Miss Hancock! Oh My! Put em' in a Mud Pit. Yeahhhh! Put them in some skimpy camouflage outfits. Whooooooooooo! In order for one of them to win, they have to rip off their opponents camouflage. My goodness! What? You want a storyline? Okay. David Flair, at the request of Miss Hancock, challenged Lieut. Loco to a Cruiserweight Title match. Needless to say, David's green-ness proved to be no match for the seasoned veteran Chavo and David lost. Badly. Major Gunns, being the Good Samaritan that she is, came out to try and "revive" David Flair with a lil' mouth to mouth. Naturally, Miss Hancock took exception to this and a catfight broke out, which led us to this match. Not that it matters. Puppies! Whoooooooooo! Prediction: Miss Hancock wins. I win. Everyone wins! Other Things to Look For: Well, that's all I have for now. Enjoy New Blood Rising! Feel free to send any feedback my way and I'll be sure to respond. Lord Meph freelance Mail the Author |
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