REVIEW: Souled Out 2000: Everything Changed

Welcome to KB’s Old School (and New School) Reviews. I’ve been reviewing wrestling displays for over ten years now and feature reviewed over 5,000 displays. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I’ll be posting a brand new overview right here on Wrestlingrumors.internet. It might be the rest from trendy WWE to old-fashioned to indies to the rest in between. Note that I charge the usage of letters as a substitute of stars and I don’t charge fits underneath 3 mins as in reality, how just right or unhealthy can one thing that brief be?

Souled Out 2000
Date: January 16, 2000
Location: Firstar Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Attendance: 14,132
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay, Bobby Heenan

And then the whole lot modified. The large fits for this exhibit have been scheduled to be Chris Benoit vs. Jeff Jarrett in a 2/three falls fit for the United States Title and Bret Hart protecting his WCW World Title in opposition to Goldberg. Then Goldberg, Hart and Jarrett all were given harm so we’re going to get Sid Vicious vs. Benoit for the World Title, which is being introduced the evening of the exhibit. Other than that, Russo is GONE (pause for the parade) because of his answers to the gaping holes led to through those accidents, which I’ll get to later. Let’s get to it.

The announcers instantly communicate in regards to the adjustments to the World Title fit and exhibit us clips of the wounds going on, together with the Goldberg superkick to Hart and Benoit’s Swan Dive off the highest of the cage this previous week on Nitro to knock Jarrett out. It’s fascinating that the headbutt hit the arm however nonetheless rattled Jeff that a lot.

We take a look at the Revolution attacking Konnan all through the pre-game exhibit, which someway results in the brand new Triple Threat Theater. Instead of Jarrett vs. Benoit in a 2/three falls fit, Kidman of all other people might be operating a Revolution gauntlet within the 3 gimmick fits, together with in opposition to Revolution’s thriller spouse.

We run down the cardboard to fill in much more time. Apparently Page vs. Bagwell is remaining guy status.

Also previous this night, David Flair and Crowbar have attacked Vampiro, that means it’s now not Flair vs. Vampiro however as a substitute it’s a 3 method dance with Crowbar added.

After six and a part mins of recaps and explaining the cardboard, we’re able to move.

Kidman vs. Dean Malenko

This is Catch As Catch Can, which was once at first the Dungeon Match and method you win through pin, submission or your opponent leaving the hoop. You know, as a result of Kidman vs. Malenko wishes a wacky stipulation. Dean takes him into the nook to start out however Kidman drives him in simply as briefly.

That is going nowhere as Malenko takes him down right into a headscissors, simplest to bail into the nook when Kidman comes up swinging. A jackknife quilt will get two for Dean however Kidman rolls away and fires off proper fingers, sending Dean rolling to the ground…..to present Kidman the win. Either Dean screwed up on an attractive distinctive rule or he sought after out as rapid as he may just. That’s it for Dean in WCW.

Clip of Vampiro powerbombing Crowbar for a pin on Thunder. The put up fit stuff that arrange the fit this night isn’t integrated however why trouble with one thing like that?

We recap Daffney being all psycho and hooking up with David Flair, who then joined forces with Crowbar. This someway tied into David’s godfather Arn Anderson, who helped them win the Tag Team Titles. Vampiro and the Misfits hit on Daffney so she kneed them within the groin, putting in this night’s fit. In idea this was once going to be Vampiro and any individual in opposition to the champs, nevertheless it was once modified to a 3 method at the pre-show for no logical reason why.

Vampiro is set to deal with what’s occurring however Masahiro Chono of all other people interrupts and yells in Japanese.

David, Crowbar and Daffney promise to wreck Vampiro’s bones and rip off his flesh.

Vampiro vs. David Flair vs. Crowbar

It’s a large brawl to start out however Vampiro faceplants either one of them to take over early on. There’s no reason why for Flair and Crowbar to battle each and every different except normal madness so this must be a tag fit find it irresistible was once intended to be. Vampiro’s suplex is countered right into a northern lighting fixtures suplex for 2 however a spinning kick places Crowbar down as smartly. There’s a suicide dive for Crowbar as Daffney bounces up and down at the backside rope.

David’s chops don’t have any impact because the announcers speak about Ric Flair being on some area displays however now not showing on TV. Vampiro chops David a couple of occasions and throws him onto Crowbar. The Rock Bottom at the flooring is damaged up through Crowbar’s turn dive for an enormous crash. A large splash from the apron crushes Vampiro once more because the Tag Team Champions are simplest roughly running in combination.

Back in and Crowbar crops him with a German suplex, proceeding to make me marvel why he’s caught on this tale. Vampiro one united stateshim with a liberate superplex, prompting about 40 seconds of replays of the fit’s large spots. David recollects he’s within the fit and will get two off a vertical suplex as this turns into the handicap fit it was once intended to be. That is going nowhere as Vampiro superkicks either one of them down and crops Crowbar with a Rock Bottom for 2.

More double teaming provides the champs regulate and a most sensible rope splash will get two for Crowbar. David slaps on a determine 4 that makes Dusty Rhodes appear to be Ric himself however Crowbar is going for a canopy, beginning a brawl between the champs. Back up once more and Vampiro cleans area, sidesteps a charging David to ship him into Daffney and the Nail within the Coffin provides Vampiro the pin.

Rating: D+. Total mess right here nevertheless it was once a laugh now and then. Like I mentioned regardless that, the reserving was once in all places and it was once only a spotfest, however the larger downside is the Tag Team Champions simply misplaced a glorified handicap fit in ten mins. Why this wasn’t a tag fit isn’t transparent, particularly when you’ve got all the ones other people at the roster now not doing a factor. David remains to be totally nugatory.

Buff Bagwell arrives.

The Mamalukes are able for the Harris Brothers in an advantage fit.

Harris Brothers vs. Mamalukes

Ron shoves Johnny the Bull into the nook to start out however eats a spinning kick to the face which sounded find it irresistible made some cast touch. Back in and Ron runs over Vito (in his sleeveless, glossy neon inexperienced blouse) however Johnny is available in with some proper fingers to the ribs to take over. Vito drops an elbow low, simplest to have Ron take Johnny out to the ground and whip him into the barricade.

A large facet slam crops Johnny again inside of and it’s off to Don for a lame chinlock. The Twins handle regulate and hit Johnny low as I’m attempting to determine who to cheer for on this fit. Vito will get goaded into the hoop so Ron can choke within the nook earlier than throwing the Bull to the ground. This fit simply assists in keeping going and the fanatics chant DOA. Vito breaks up a canopy off a DDT and crotches Don, simplest to have Disco shoves him off through mistake, serving to Vito with a most sensible rope clothesline to Ron for the pin.

Rating: D-. This is a kind of fits that simply stored going for no reason why instead of they had to fill in some extra time. On most sensible of that it’s an advantage fit so there isn’t even a tale occurring till the finishing the place Disco didn’t imply to assist the Mafia guys win. Really boring stuff right here however both staff can be an improve for the Tag Team Titles.

Madusa rants to Spice about Oklahoma.

Cruiserweight Title: Madusa vs. Oklahoma

Madusa is protecting however Oklahoma has the Cruiserweight Title belt as a result of this tale is silly. Oklahoma vows to end up that males are the dominant intercourse and runs down all of the terrible housewives right here in Cincinnati. “Madusa, get those silicone balls out here so I can bounce them back to the kitchen.” Madusa comes out in a bikini with a loincloth as she fires off kicks to start out.

Some hair drags put Madusa down however Oklahoma (dressed in a singlet together with his title on it within the WWF Attitude emblem taste) avoids a fee, simplest to have Madusa fall onto his crotch. A couple of center rope missile dropkicks drop Oklahoma however he comes proper again with a DDT as a result of he’s someway higher than the most productive American feminine wrestler of this period. Spice takes the barbeque sauce clear of Oklahoma and right here’s Asya to assist out.

Not that it issues as Oklahoma pulls the loincloth down and rolls Madusa up for the pin and the Cruiserweight (Ferrara weighed about 300lbs) Title. Too brief to charge, however the guy that mentioned he was once higher than all ladies simply pinned the feminine champion in spite of her having two other people to assist her. Somehow, that is intended to be entertaining relatively than, you already know, terrible and disgusting.

The ladies pour the sauce down his singlet put up fit. That’s a suitable reaction after being cheated out of a identify through a chauvinist announcer whose complete personality was once at first constructed round mocking an announcer. All hail the Powers That Be!

Hardcore Champion Brian Knobbs credit Fit Finlay for giving him again the Eye of the Tiger. He’ll beat up Meng and Smiley this night after which take out Finlay to turn out to be the brand new grasp.

Hardcore Title: Brian Knobbs vs. Fit Finlay vs. Meng vs. Norman Smiley

Knobbs is protecting. This is known as Four The Hard Way and I’m positive it’s going to be the exhausting method versus one thing simple like gum surgical operation. Norman comes out in rebel tools. Brian takes over with a host of garbage can lid pictures earlier than double teaming Meng with Finlay’s assist. Meng shrugs it off and knocks Norman down (Heenan: “RUN!”) earlier than everybody is going to the ground. Norman does one of those leg sweep to position Brian down however Finlay blasts him within the head with a garbage can.

A headbutt with the rebel helmet places Norman down once more and it’s desk time. Knobbs and Finlay hit Meng with the garbage can and it’s time to separate up as a result of this fit must be doubled. Thankfully it doesn’t remaining lengthy as Norman and Finlay come again to ringside with Smiley being dropped face first onto a chair. Meng’s quilt on Brian is damaged up and Norman is left on my own with the champ. Instead of masking regardless that he stops to bounce, permitting Knobbs to hit him with the rebel defend to retain. Tenay says Knobbs is a pressure to be reckoned with a trifling 4 days after successful the identify.

Rating: D-. You can see the issue with this department on this fit on my own: they’re now not doing the rest. This is solely the guns identify with individuals who don’t have anything else to do filling within the spots. At least with the WWF model, the hardcore guys have been entertaining and had sufficient air of mystery to hold the department. This is everybody however Norman treating it significantly and making it an overly boring take a seat each time they’re in the market.

Meng cleans area put up fit.

Kidman vs. Perry Saturn

Bunkhouse Brawl, this means that hardcore (that sounds acquainted), even if I don’t suppose both of those two have ever been in a bunkhouse of their complete lives as a result of the general public aren’t cowboys. Saturn headbutts him down to start out and crops Kidman with a gorilla press for 2. He crotches Kidman on most sensible and hits a springboard clothesline (roughly no less than) to pressure Kidman to the ground for a large crash proper on his facet.

Thankfully with Kidman’s hip nonetheless in a single piece, Saturn knocks his head off with a clothesline and will get two off a legdrop. Saturn rips the blouse aside and begins cranking at the arm. A beal with the torn blouse sends Kidman down once more earlier than Saturn bear in mind it is a hardcore fit and pulls out a desk. Kidman in the end ratings with a dive as Tony and Heenan plan beginning a desk industry. There’s a comedy gimmick in there someplace.

Back in and Saturn takes yet again with a most sensible rope elbow getting two. Saturn busts out a structure powerbomb (sure he can!) for 2 however misses a moonsault. The BK Bomb will get two however Saturn launches him excessive and out during the desk for 2 at the flooring. They head up most sensible with Saturn loading up a superbomb, simplest to get backdropped down. It’s time to return to the drafting board with any other powerbomb however Kidman faceplants him down (possibly he can’t) for the pin. That’s it for Saturn in WCW.

Rating: D+. This was once a glorified Saturn squash till the finishing got here out of nowhere. Kidman took a just right beating and it got here off just like the Jeff Hardy method, which isn’t the worst concept, however Saturn destroying him for ten mins with the hardcore laws slightly that means the rest.

And now, Stevie Ray is going again to the hood. Heenan’s phrases. Stevie talks to a couple outdated buddies and says that is the place he and Booker come from. He says a pile of cardboard bins is house to any individual and that is the place they’re from. Some other people Stevie is aware of asks the place Booker has been however Stevie says they only forgot about this position. I will be able to’t consider I’m pronouncing this, however this was once in fact in reality smartly finished.

Stevie says it’s finished this night.

Booker T. vs. Stevie Ray

Before the fit Booker, dressed in a crimson vest with sleeves so thin they seem like suspenders, says he’s going to present Stevie the whipping he merits for pronouncing Booker has forgotten the place he got here from. Stevie tries to get in an affordable shot however Booker geese beneath and nails a spinning kick to the face. A large clothesline drops Booker and the fit slows method down.

They head outdoor with Stevie slowly strolling across the ring till Booker fires off some proper fingers. Back in and Stevie will get in a thumb to the eyes and hooks on a chinlock. A backdrop places Booker down and we minimize to the gang for no obvious reason why. Booker escapes the Slapjack and ratings with the Book End, however Ahmed Johnson runs in for the DQ.

Rating: D. Booker is just right, however sporting Stevie Ray is sort of inconceivable. There’s simplest such a lot you’ll be able to do while you’re in a tale this lame and we handed that time as quickly because the bell rang. Really boring fit however I used to be an enormous fan of Ahmed Johnson so someway I will be able to are living with this.

Stevie names him Big T. Unfortunately, I bear in mind the place that is main and it’s going to get even worse.

Sid is able to battle his pal for the World Title.

Tank Abbott vs. Jerry Flynn

Here’s Tenay’s recap: “This past Monday, they were put inside the same jail cell and even that couldn’t keep them apart.” Abbott punches, Flynn kicks, they industry some lame submission holds and Tank punches him out for the pin in lower than 100 seconds.

We recap Page vs. Bagwell, which is over accusations that Bagwell slept with Page’s spouse Kimberly and Buff implying that Kimberly has been with all of the locker room. In different phrases, it’s over whether or not or now not Kimberly is a slut.

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Buff Bagwell

Last guy status. Buff punches him out to the ground and so they’re briefly within the crowd with Buff punching him over what seem to be hockey forums. Back to ringside with Bagwell nonetheless in regulate however Page comes again with a neckbreaker. The Diamond Cutter is damaged up and Bagwell is going outdoor for a dive from Page. They each cross down off a unmarried proper hand and battle close to the WCW.com station.

Both guys throw a observe and Tony thinks it’s hilarious. A keyboard shot to the pinnacle places Bagwell down however Buff comes again with an elbow off the set during the desk. It’s Page’s flip to no promote and so they head again to the hoop as there hasn’t been a depend but. Page, bleeding from the facet, crotches Bagwell in opposition to the put up. Even extra no promoting ensues as Bagwell shrugs off a Diamond Cutter and hits a Vader Bomb for 8.

Buff DDT’s Page for seven and it’s Blockbuster time. The fanatics react, so is Buff intended to be the nice man right here? Page eats Blockbuster however will get up at 9. Bagwell pulls a police baton out to overcome on Page for 9, simplest to stroll right into a Diamond Cutter. It’s in fact Bagwell up first with Page now not having the ability to solution the depend. So yeah, Page misplaced through hitting his finisher. That’s no doubt other.

Rating: D+. That finishing is in reality complicated stuff as you could suppose Buff can have simply hit the Blockbuster for the win. They have been looking to play up the concept that Buff blocked the transfer however he went down like somebody else would have. Really bizarre finishing to an uneventful however now not terrible fit.

Kimberly comes out and watches as Page beats Buff down.

Kidman vs. ???

This is in Caged Heat, this means that Hell in a Cell. Shane Douglas comes out to introduce the thriller opponent: the Wall. Yeah it’s Kidman vs. the Wall in an unannounced fit inside of Hell in a Cell. They battle over a chair at the flooring initially Wall getting the easier of it. Kidman is tossed into the cage a couple of occasions as the gang is solely long gone. They head inside of with Wall getting two off a clothesline. A sundown bomb out of the nook will get the similar for Kidman and he counters a suplex right into a DDT for a similar. Kidman is going up most sensible and dives proper right into a chokeslam for the pin.

Rating: F. This is any other example the place I will be able to sum up the issue in a single sentence: a Hell in a Cell fit that lasted 5 mins That’s ignoring the truth that those two don’t have any non-public problems and Wall is solely there as a result of Shane remains to be injured and you’ll be able to’t put Asya in the market.

Kevin Nash vs. Terry Funk

Hardcore. Again. If Nash wins he’s the Commissioner but when Funk wins, the NWO is long gone. Nash jumps him within the aisle and throws in some large proper fingers, adopted through a chair to the again. There’s the Jackknife during the desk however Nash is going inside of to speak trash as a substitute of masking. He tells Funk that he can stay his activity as Commissioner if he can get again in, however once Terry will get again in, Nash says he’s a liar.

Another clothesline places Funk at the flooring and he crashes on his head to make it glance much more efficient. Terry nails him with a chair a couple of occasions to restricted avail so Nash chairs him down once more. A DDT crops Nash and Funk slowly slugs away earlier than putting in some extra chairs. That earns Funk a low blow and a powerbomb during the opened chairs to present Nash the facility.

Rating: D. So Nash is the Commissioner after spending weeks beating up the lame duck Commissioner. I’m so satisfied we were given to take a seat thru this, regardless that no less than Nash is moderately related to the product and has been round longer than a couple of weeks. I will be able to additionally see why Flair wasn’t curious about coming again for one thing like that.

Nash formally takes over in the dead of night.

Arn Anderson, visitor referee for the primary match, mainly says none of this issues because it’s all about getting Nash out of energy. He stumbles over his traces right here which is one thing you by no means see from him.

WCW World Title: Chris Benoit vs. Sid Vicious

Feeling out procedure initially Sid shoving Benoit into the nook however being great sufficient to assist him up. Some of the roster comes out to observe on the area front. Sid shoves Benoit to the ground through the throat and it’s time to regroup. Back in and Benoit will get sensible through going after the knee through dropkicking the leg our bringing Sid down.

With nearly all of the locker room staring at (and taking a look like they’re at a funeral), Benoit takes it to the ground and crushing the leg between the put up and the stairs. A Figure Four has Sid in much more bother however he turns it over, sending Benoit to the ropes for a destroy. Sid is wrestling because the face right here however Benoit is simplest the heel through default.

Benoit snap suplexes him for one after which places at the bridging Indian Deathlock to make Sid scream. The grasp needs to be damaged as a result of the drive it places on Benoit’s neck so Sid can take a look at a handy guide a rough comeback, simplest to devour any other dropkick to the knee. The rolling Germans are countered with a powerslam for 2 and the fanatics in fact exhibit some indicators of lifestyles.

An extended leg lock has Sid in much more bother and a liberate German units up the Swan Dive however Sid powers out at one. The chokeslam will get two because of Benoit’s foot being underneath the rope. There’s the Crossface for a direct faucet to present Benoit the identify. Anderson wasn’t a think about all of the fit.

Rating: C. Watchable fit right here with Sid entering into nearly not anything. That’s the massive key right here: Benoit took him aside after which made Sid post (in contrast to Goldberg in an enchanting bit). Unfortunately there was once nearly no emotion or drama right here because it was once near to who was once going to win and there was once no reason why to be disenchanted with both man as champion.

Replays exhibit that Sid’s foot was once underneath the rope, which was once their out to take the identify off Benoit as soon as he give up.

Benoit praises Sid for a really perfect battle and talks about seeing the Dynamite Kid when he was once 11 years outdated. Anderson is available in and shakes Benoit’s hand. Cue Nash to mention he’s going to make Benoit’s lifestyles a nightmare beginning in the dead of night.

Overall Rating: D. Let’s get the vital section out of the best way first: this was once a large, large growth over the Russo displays. It won’t were just right and even respectable, however there’s an enormous distinction between a exhibit making me scream on the display fifteen years later and simply being beautiful lame. There’s just one respectable fit at the exhibit and just one second that issues, however no less than it’s a pleasant really feel just right second.

The fascinating factor this is that it’s possible you’ll just like the exhibit higher with out seeing the construct. It’s a wholly other exhibit than they arrange because of the wounds and adjustments to the cardboard, however that doesn’t imply it’s the rest just right. The new model of WCW beginning the following day evening goes to be…..I assume the phrase is fascinating, however the roster being depleted abruptly is likely one of the ultimate nails within the coffin, which we’ll get to on Monday. Bad exhibit, however an uneventful unhealthy as a substitute of infuriating.

Thomas Hall has been a wrestling fan for over thirty years and has observed over 50,000 wrestling fits. He has additionally been a wrestling reviewer since 2009 with over 5,000 complete displays coated. You can in finding his paintings at kbwrestlingreviews.com, or take a look at his- Amazon writer web page with 30 wrestling books. Get the newest and largest in skilled wrestling information through signing up for our day-to-day electronic mail e-newsletter. Just glance underneath for “GET EXCLUSIVE UPDATES” to enroll. Thank you for studying!

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