In my running list of upcoming PPVs, I always leave myself a little note for an idea (if I have one) regarding the introduction of the show. For Slamboree 1997, all I have written is “celebrities, part one.” In a few weeks, you’ll get celebrities, part two. For now, it’s a perfect time to tackle this subject.
Just this past weekend, Logan Paul had arguably the greatest in-ring performance for someone on their third match ever. It’s not really surprise anymore because the social perception of wrestling among famous people is so much higher nowadays. It’s more of a surprise when someone doesn’t rise to the occasion. Between the aforementioned Paul, you have Bad Bunny and Shaq and Pat McAfee and DeAngelo Williams and so many others from the past few years (even beyond full matches) that have made the most of their time inside the wrestling business. 25 years ago, it was definitely more of a novelty.
To have two active football players for one show is definitely unheard of. Two that match the caliber that Slamboree has makes it a truly once in a lifetime show. Couple that with the in-ring return of the greatest performer ever in his hometown and I’m expecting quite a good time.
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME WRESTLING?!?!?!
PAY PER VIEW NUMBER 132: WCW SLAMBOREE 1997
Written on 10/26/22
HOW WE START: Football players! The Bears and Packers rivalry explodes in the ring and Kevin Greene teams with Roddy Piper and Ric Flair to take on the New World Order. It’s incorrectly called a triple threat. The show has a cool retro theme song and the crowd in Charlotte is HOT HOT HOT. Bobby Heenan, Tony Schiavone and Dusty Rhodes speak in darkness, then light as they discuss tradition versus the nWo as well as Mongo vs Reggie.
MATCH NUMBER ONE: TV TITLE MATCH- Steven Regal vs Ultimo Drago w/Sonny Onoo (Champ)
BEFORE THE BELL: I still don’t like the more dignified theme for Regal. He gets good heat and it’s noted that he doesn’t want to be called a Lord anymore. Dragon is the new champ, so good riddance to Prince Iaukea. He’s more annoyed by Sonny than usual and seems to be getting some cheers. His silver look is badass. Mike Tenay joins the team and Mark Curtis is the ref. All good things, all good things (we will see if this is a Frozen reference challenge or just an Olaf from Frozen reference challenge).
WHAT STANDS OUT
-Good grappling and chain wrestling early. The first gutwrench slam by Regal gets cheered. Things falls apart for a second and Dragon walks on the challenger’s back before a corner headstand and some baller stiff kicks to the back.
-Tenay is naturally the first MVP just by being the best commentator in WCW. Sorry, Tony. He explains Regal’s yearning for the TV Title so well.
-The Regal Stretch is blocked, so the back of the head is slapped and Dragon explodes with face slaps in a nice exchange. Steven is basically playing the face now? He encourages the crowd when applying a surfboard and there’s even a “Regal” chant. I guess the UK is more of an ally than Japan? Heenan has been funny so far, claiming there’s normally a couple words before that Regal chant.
-Onoo kicks Regal on the floor and he gets looks from his charge. A butterfly suplex is countered to a hurricanrana. Every near fall gets a great pop. They have the crowd hook, line and sinker.
-Two great Asai moonsaults, one in the ring and one to the floor. Sonny hits another kick and Dragon stops him, so Sonny kicks him in anger. Back in the ring, a reverse suplex is the prelude to the end. There’s quite an eruption for the win.
HOW DOES IT END:
Steven Regal wins the title in 16:04 with the Regal Stretch
FINAL WORD: People recognize great wrestling and this was fully recognized.
THE STUFF IN-BETWEEN: Onoo is the focus of the replay. There’s no wait for our next match.
MATCH NUMBER TWO: Luna Vachon vs Madusa
BEFORE THE BELL: Luna is billed from “the other side of darkness.” In the opposite of Tenay, Lee Marshall joins the booth. Madusa is out next and she doesn’t even look like the same person anymore.
WHAT STANDS OUT
-Some fairly unorganized clubbing starts this one and Lee is an LVP by stumbling over an explanation of female athletes transcending the title of “women.” Yeah, that makes no sense. Madusa continues to be uninspiring and screechy and joins the LVP hunt.
-I’m not proud to say I noticed Luna’s underrated rack. I’m a human male, okay?
-A top rope splash misses and this one is over.
HOW DOES IT END:
Madusa wins in 5:09 with a bridging German Suplex
FINAL WORD: End this division. Please.
THE STUFF IN-BETWEEN: Madusa takes the USA part of her top off to cheers from the crowd, catcalls from the commentary team and eye rolls from women from all over the world. She didn’t need to twirl it around! Mean Gene talks about the hotline and gets interrupted by Macho Man’s nWo music. He walks out with Liz, forces Gene out and cuts a promo in the ring putting over the Wolfpac and the rest of his group amid big “DDP” chants. Through the crowd, Page emerges with a broken crutch and sneaks up on Randy and causes a bail. Eric Bischoff comes down to stop Savage, but Dallas goads him by claiming he washes Hogan’s car and kisses his ass. Bobby: “I’d rather wash the car!” That puts him on the MVP scene. Randy calls the rest of the nWo to the side (including “Virgil”) and he gets in the ring and gets the shit beaten out of him with the crutch. The rest of the group does the same with the crutch breaking on Vincent and even Bischoff gets hit! Scott Norton finally grounds him and the gang up begins. The Giant runs out to help and clear the ring. This was a fire segment.
MATCH NUMBER THREE: Yuji Yasuraoka vs Rey Mysterio Jr
BEFORE THE BELL: Yuji has stock music. Tenay thankfully rejoins the team because Tony saying Yuji’s name is precarious. Rey enters to a good pop in his underrated silver and yellow gear. Bobby puts Tenay over really well and claims he’s taught him everything he knows.
WHAT STANDS OUT
-I just realized Yuji is dressed like Dominik Mysterio! The WAR promotion is discussed. Nothing but arm holds and ground attacks early.
-Mysterio wants a dive, but Curtis gets in his way. Rey jumps over him instead. It’s a great spot that always works. Rey is caught with a spin kick in mid-air to turn the tide.
-Lance Storm is namedropped and discussed. Bobby says he sounds like a weatherman from Omaha. Yuji covers really weird. It’s all with his hands.
-Yasuraoka flies and the camera is in the way/misses it. The camera is also kicked during a split-legged moonsault by Rey. A top rope splash is missed and Yuji hits his finish- a double arm DDT. Rey kicks out and shock is sold. Yuji botches an Irish whip counter. This one is starting to break down.
-Mysterio hits a mid-air dropkick, calls for the end and then slowly hits it.
HOW DOES IT END:
Rey Mysterio Jr wins in 14:59 with the West Coast Pop
FINAL WORD: Something didn’t really click in this one, but it was still watchable.
THE STUFF IN-BETWEEN: Rey’s little promo in the camera include the line “no Japanese is gonna come here and intimidate Mexican or American wrestling.” Yikes.
MATCH NUMBER FOUR: Mortis w/James Vandenberg vs Glacier
BEFORE THE BELL: Fuck yeah, give me more Mortis. His entrance makes me realize I haven’t given a shout out to the cool entranceway and screens. Vandenberg has Glacier’s helmet. The man himself comes out next and it’s still a positive response. He rushes the ring with the snow still falling.
WHAT STANDS OUT
-All Mortis punching and stomping at the start. He immediately calls for Wrath. Glacier hits an Electric Chair and comeback while Wrath takes his sweet time.
-Mortis is knocked over the top rope and Wrath comes right in to attack with Mortis’ stuff and some choking. What was the point of all this?
HOW DOES IT END:
Glacier wins in 1:53 by DQ
FINAL WORD: Don’t tease me with Glacier shit and only give me two minutes of it.
THE STUFF IN-BETWEEN: The crowd chants “bullshit” during the two-on-one beatdown. The innovator of offense hits a badass legdrop onto the steel steps. James slaps Glacier in a full nelson. Ernest Miller runs in and destroys everyone with kicks and gets a great pop. The commentators are confused until they call him by name and explain he’s a karate world champion. This is all still working with the live crowd. Why does this get so much shit in history? It’s innocent mid-card fun! The replay shows how good Ernest’s kicks were in slow motion. Mean Gene no sells it all and wants to talk to Hooters ring attendants when pimping the hotline after it all.
MATCH NUMBER FIVE: US TITLE MATCH- Jeff Jarrett w/Debra McMichael vs Dean Malenko (Champ)
BEFORE THE BELL: Jarrett is cheered because he’s a Horseman in Charlotte. Speaking of cheers, here comes the still very popular Iceman.
WHAT STANDS OUT
-Big “Jarrett sucks” chant with real vitriol to it. The match is nothing crazy early until Dean smoothly headstand flips out of a scissors into his own submission like a boss.
-Bobby’s funny explanation of Malenko’s speed gets made fun of by Dusty as not English. Jarrett essentially no sells a dropkick to the leg against the rail and takes over. Debra helps him cheat in an abdominal stretch.
-Malenko hits a STIFF punch and Jeff bails to more jeers. More holds and Jarrett hits a neckbreaker and tries the Figure Four, but he’s kicked off HARD. They trade sleepers.
-The Figure Four is finally applied, but the champ is right in the ropes. Their heads collide and cause a double down. Steve McMichael walks down and throws Double J back in the ring and retrieves Debra to prepare for later. One Tiger Bomb and one submission wraps it up.
HOW DOES IT END:
Dean Malenko retains in 15:01 with the Texas Cloverleaf
FINAL WORD: Strictly because of Malenko, that was mostly okay.
THE STUFF IN-BETWEEN: A replay and no time wasted again.
MATCH NUMBER SIX: DEATH MATCH- Meng vs Chris Benoit w/Woman
BEFORE THE BELL: There’s no DQ or countout and you can only win by knockout. Meng sends Jimmy Hart to the back right away. The Horsemen music brings the crowd alive and Benoit enters with his lady. He insisted in a previous interview that Woman not throw the towel in. Man, these two having a little moment before the bell is just fucking sad.
WHAT STANDS OUT
-Woman is unbearably shrieking like an LVP during the feeling out process. The ref counts when they are on the floor and Tony explains that it is out of habit. Benoit folds up Meng with a German. His lack of fear is reiterated and it’s also a sign that you can tell what’s going to happen in the future.
-CHOP CITY. Meng could probably make Benoit not have a skull…or bones (okay, it’s Olaf references and we only need one more). Jacquelyn comes out and looks on. Woman advances on her and she just leaves.
-A single leg Boston Crab won’t mean death! A rope break is called for! A Nick Gage death match this is not. A headbutt ends Benoit’s rally. Meng’s piledriver is underrated.
-Is this the first Crippler Crossface on PPV? I can’t remember, but Meng slides under the ropes. He comes back and explodes with punches. Chris fires up and is sent back down twice, but still launches into the triple Germans. He’s stopped on the third and I have to say Benoit is an MVP with his effort and ability to take a beating. He hits a HUGE suicide dive and it’s a crisp and clean catch.
-After a second rope German, Benoit tries the diving headbutt and gets caught in the Tongan Death Grip in mid-air. Woman gets on the apron and Benoit shakes his head. He loses consciousness to a chorus of boos.
HOW DOES IT END:
Meng wins in 14:53 by knockout
FINAL WORD: How many star making matches does this guy need before you treat him like a star? Another very good brawl for Benoit and Meng continues to surprise me this late in his career.
THE STUFF IN-BETWEEN: Trainers check on Benoit. The replay shows how cool the Death Grip catch was and Benoit’s fight in it. A Great American Bash commercial has DDP, Kimberly and the Steiners at a BBQ. It’s a good one too and not only because Rick Steiner acts stupid about mustard.
MATCH NUMBER SEVEN: Konnan and Hugh Morrus w/Jimmy Hart vs The Steiner Brothers
BEFORE THE BELL: Back-to-back Dungeon matches is always rough. Good thing the Steiners are their opponents. Holy shit, Scott is JACKED.
WHAT STANDS OUT
-Scott and Hugh start. The Virgil tassles on Scott’s boots are the only thing I’ve noticed. He hits a spinning belly-to-belly and weird headlock before tagging Rick in for some throws and thrashes.
-Konnan comes in and it’s more of the same, just with more Viva La Raza yelled out. He eventually cuts off Scott with a big boot. It doesn’t last long as Scott hits an overhead belly-to-belly and tags out. Jimmy tripping him finally puts the heels in control.
-Morrus press slams Scott and roughly Stun Guns him. Scott handles the two on one well and tags his brother in. The crowd barks like crazy. Things falls apart and the Steinerline is still so vicious.
-Hugh hits a grazing moonsault that was supposed to miss. Scott’s finish doesn’t graze at all; it fully lands and his brother takes advantage.
HOW DOES IT END:
The Steiner Brothers win in 9:35 when Rick Steiner pins Hugh Morrus after a Frankensteiner
FINAL WORD: Totally paint by numbers, but those are fun to do sometimes.
THE STUFF IN-BETWEEN: Scott likes a couple of ladies in the front row. Konnan is very mad and attacks Hugh after the bell with a DDT and walks out on Jimmy. The replay without victory music is quite odd.
MATCH NUMBER EIGHT: Steve McMichael w/Debra McMichael vs Reggie White
BEFORE THE BELL: More Horsemen music. The McMichaels enter for the Super Bowl champion battle. Stock music and boos for Reggie White. Why did they do this in North Carolina? He gets big pyro. He’s just wearing a warm-up jersey and accompanied by some white guy. Bobby explains it’s his strength coach. Thank goodness Curtis is the ref.
WHAT STANDS OUT
-Reggie throws Steve off a lock up and Steve turns the wrong way on a wristlock. He is the ONE LEADING THE MATCH. Buckle up, in and around.
-Collisions don’t include bumps. The headlocks have a ton of room. Mongo finally takes an exaggerated bump on a third collision. He draws a scrimmage line with his foot and hits a chop block. Reggie draws a line and leapfrogs the second attempt to hit the worst clothesline I’ve ever seen. Mongo tries to leave, but Packer Gilbert Brown carries him back to the ring.
-White’s dropkick ain’t half bad! The crowd is chanting for both men. In an arm lock, Mongo says “Jesus may have your soul, but I got your ass now!” That pisses Reggie off and he throws him to the floor.
-Reggie probably needs to lay down awhile, so his leg is clipped. He avoids a leg drop and hits a cross body for two. Mongo’s selling on a trap hold is hilariously over the top. He hits a low mule kick and continues spouting absurd comments.
-This resembles two kids play fighting most of the time. Where’s the trampoline? The Figure Four is blocked. Mongo is thrown off the top rope like Flair. White hits some fine punches and clotheslines. Who is the trained one? He lands a suplex and decent splash, forcing Debra to distract. McMichael goes for the case and Gilbert stops him. Jarrett comes out with another one.
HOW DOES IT END:
Steve McMichael wins in 15:16 with a Halliburton shot to the back
FINAL WORD: I appreciate Bad Bunny, DeAngelo Williams and Logan Paul so much now. That said, this wasn’t AS BAD as everyone has ever made it out. It’s still bad, but in a fun car crash way.
THE STUFF IN-BETWEEN: After the replay, Michael Buffer is already in the ring. No rest for the wicked.
MATCH NUMBER NINE: The nWo Wolfpac vs Kevin Green, Roddy Piper and Ric Flair
BEFORE THE BELL: Buffer calls the main event a “supermatch” and announces it’s no DQ with his typical routine. The Outsiders and Syxx enter to big heat. No Cruiserweight Title for some reason. Buffer’s lines are so cheesy. When the hell did they start billing Nash from Scottsdale? Trash is already being thrown. Greene gets the pop of the night for his fight song and entrance. He was the legit sack leader in this town the past season. Piper is out next and I’m giving Buffer an LVP look because he’s bad here. 2001 plays and it’s goosebump inducing. The pyro mixed with Flair’s coolness is unparalleled. The commentators call it a true moment in sports. Schiavone shits on Vader without naming him before the bell as a way to put over Flair’s last, big win in this building.
WHAT STANDS OUT
-Flair starts with Syxx. There’s amazing energy in the building. Syxx is fired up and dominates early. He tries to strut and gets chopped to death. Look, it’s like he was just impaled (and the challenge is done). Ric’s head is taken off with a retaliation kick. Corner chops and punches from The Man and then he thrusts at the Outsiders, hits them all and flexes. There’s the MVP Nature Boy just from his aura and little action. I can’t help it.
-Hall tags in and Flair evades the toothpick throw! Greene tags in and acts like a wild man. Hall spits on him and tags Nash in. After some pushes, Nash batters him in the corner until a big tackle to knock him down. This crowd is red hot. Greene hits a big slam and double clothesline to the other two opponents.
-Hall wants Piper and mocks the bagpipes. Slaps, punches and all of kinds of attitude from the Rowdy One. He battles all three in the corner and finally gets kicked in his bad hip from behind.
-Scott yels “now we go to school” and teases the Figure Four, but Piper kicks him off and hot tags Flair. He’s a house of fire with chops and successfully comes off the top rope, but gets caught in mid-air by Hall into a fallaway slam. That also makes him an impressive MVP. Ric takes the heat including a sidewalk slam and Bronco Buster (that leads to a really loud “faggot” chant by the crowd. Stay classy, Charlotte.)
-The Hot Scot gets the tag and hits the ref who said he didn’t see it. No DQ, so we keep rolling! All six men brawl and Nick Patrick comes down to check on the ref/take over. It’s pure chaos. Flair blocks the Outsider’s Edge and applies the Figure Four. The sleeper is slapped on Nash and Green powerslams Syxx. Patrick counts all three down and the building EXPLODES.
HOW DOES IT END:
Ric Flair, Roddy Piper and Kevin Greene win in 17:20 when Flair pins Scott Hall in the Figure Four
FINAL WORD: An all-around picture-perfect match, story and set up.
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE: The faces walk over the bodies of the Wolfpac in celebration. The commentators mention Patrick’s status and how big a victory for WCW this is as the nWo slowly come to. Tony says “tradition does not bite.” Greene claims the New World Order is gone. Nice thought. They raise their arms onstage and we sign off with happiness for once.
THE LAST IMAGE: A Wide Shot of the Arena
THE WRAP UP
FINAL MVP of PPV: Everyone came to see Ric Flair and he never disappoints in big moments like this one. He has truly been missed.
FINAL LVP of PPV: Other people annoy me, but Madusa annoys me by not doing a good job when her compatriots and art are counting on her.
MY FAVORITE MATCH: Ric Flair, Roddy Piper and Kevin Green vs the nWo Wolfpac
MY LEAST FAVORITE MATCH: Madusa vs Luna Vachon
FINAL THOUGHTS: This was an all-around solid show built on one thing and it worked. There was nothing fancy or crazy, but it was all good as an entire event. Hot angles, great athletes and a surprisingly great night of commentary were all met with an overly receptive crowd. I have nothing to complain about. MULLET RECOMMENDS
NEXT TIME: No pro athletes, but a significant PPV return with the King of the Ring. Insert a random pun about fumbling or touchdowns here.