DDP has taken Johnny Swinger under his wing!
The Great American Bash 2001
18,007 @ Pepsi Center.
Pre-Show: The Mamalukes v Air Raid
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but non-existent crowd heat, Air Raid defeated The Mamalukes in 9:39 when Air Paris defeated Big Vito by pinfall with a Diving Leg Drop. (D-)
Pre-Show: Kwee Wee v Mike Awesome
In an extremely short match, Mike Awesome defeated Kwee Wee in 2:59 by pinfall with an Awesome Bomb. (D-)
Pre-Show: Road Warrior Animal v Dustin Rhodes
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Dustin Rhodes defeated Road Warrior Animal in 15:17 by pinfall with a Bulldog. (C)
Pre-Show: Hugh Morrus v Kanyon
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Kanyon defeated Hugh Morrus in 10:29 by pinfall. (D+)
---
Match: Chavo Guerrero Jr. v Johnny Swinger
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but non-existent crowd heat, Johnny Swinger defeated Chavo Guerrero Jr. in 7:56 by pinfall with a Swing Thing. (D)
- A video recap shows the highlights of Shannon Moore, Kaz Hayashi, Jamie Noble and Gregory Helms. It's an advert for the Cruiserweight Division 'WCW - Gravity is denied'. (E+)
WCW Crusierweight Title Match: Shannon Moore v Kaz Hayashi v Jamie Noble v Gregory Helms (c)
In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Shannon Moore drew with Kaz Hayashi, Jamie Knoble and Gregory Helms in 12:00 when the referee was forced to rule a no contest when all hell broke loose. (D+)
- Eric Bischoff appears on the rampway, applauded the 4 Cruiserweights. He goes on to talk about how in the past he never really gave the division it's due. However, all that is changing, he's a changed man. He promises. He promises that WCW will be more about amazing in-ring action, and less about egos.
The crowd start to buzz. The camera focuses in on a figure watching on from above... It's STING! He's watching Bischoff. (C+)
WCW Tag Title Match: Kronik v Natural Born Thrillers (C)
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Natural Born Thrillers defeated KroniK in 15:02 when Sean O'Haire defeated Bryan Clark by pinfall with a Double Superkick. Natural Born Thrillers make defence number 1 of their WCW World Tag Team titles. (C-)
- Gene Okerlund is in the ring. Booker T's music plays and joins him. Booker starts to explain where he was on last Saturday's WCW Saturday Night. He was ready to accept Scott Steiner's challenge, when he was attacked from behind by Rick Steiner! (c-)
- Scott and Rick Steiner appear on the rampway and start a verbal argument with Booker T. Booker T agrees to fight them tonight in a tag match. (C)
- A video package plays showing the highlights from the last 2 weeks in the 'Fight for the Gold' matches. (D)
- Gene Okerlund interviews Billy Kidman, who is due to face Lance Storm for the US Title. Billy Kidman says that he has to win, as he can't stomach another Lance Storm 'Canadian Title' reign. (D)
- US Title Match: Billy Kidman v Lance Storm
In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Billy Kidman defeated Lance Storm in 14:33 by pinfall with a Shooting Star Press. Billy Kidman wins the WCW United States Heavyweight title. (C-)
- Billy Kidman celebrates, when a flash video package plays of a familiar colourful mask... when it finishes Billy Kidman remains in the ring looking around. He slowly nods, as if understanding what's happening, before leaving (D)
- A highlight package replays the last 2 weeks. It shows Booker T's promise to be a fighting champion, Scott Steiner calling out Booker, before destroying Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Lex Luger coming out to save Duggan and finally the events from earlier in the PPV. (C+)
- Main Event - Tag Match: The Steiner Brothers v Lex Luger & Booker T
In a match that had some good action and average heat, Lex Luger and Booker T defeated The Steiner Brothers in 20:08 when Booker T defeated Rick Steiner by pinfall with a Missile Dropkick. (B-)
- Scott Steiner grabs Lex Luger and locks in the Steiner Recliner, as Rick Steiner grapples Booker T out of the ring (C+)
- Scott Steiner continues his beatdown on Luger, as Rick Steiner rejoins him. They both leave the ring as Booker T manages to get back to his feet to try and save Luger. (C-)
End Show (C+)
Buyrate: 1.23
Popularity increased in 13 regions. Lost in 3 others.
Main Event was ruined by... a lack of selling! Not really surprising considering Lex Luger, Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner were involved! Had a little laugh to myself at how quickly the 'ratings' dropped when Luger was involved! Think it's time to take GAF advice on board and look to use him to get a younger star over. Quickly.
A whole bunch of people on the roster have minor morale issues at not being involved on the PPV.
With the short 2 hour TV time and PPV (I totally forgot about... how WCW of me) out the way, the long term storyline can begin. Seeds were planted in the PPV.
Can Eric Bischoff be trusted?
Who was Sting watching? And Why?
A new era for WCW is on the cards. Is the world ready for a more 'modern' style of wrestling?
The Mystery King is ready for his return. Is Kidman ready for Mysterio?
