REVIEW: Starrcade 2000: Scott Steiner Is A Scary Man

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

Starrcade 2000
Date: December 17, 2000
Location: MCI Center, Washington, D.C.
Attendance: 6,596
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Mark Madden, Scott Hudson

We’ve uh…..arrived. It’s the overall version of WCW’s flagship display and it’s taking a look someplace between a foul C display and a horribly unfunny shaggy dog story. The major match is Scott Steiner (gained the name 3 weeks in the past) protecting towards Sid Vicious (no longer within the promotion 3 weeks in the past). Such is lifestyles within the demise days of this corporate. Let’s get to it.

Before we commence, right here’s a good suggestion of ways dangerous it’s gotten for WCW. The attendances for the closing 4 Starrcades, all in the similar area.

1997 – 17,500

1998 – 16,066

1999 – 8,582

2000 – 6,596

In 3 years, the attendance has fallen via just about two thirds. That’s unimaginable to shield.

The opening video makes this glance much more of a crisis than it’s most likely going to be.

3 Count vs. Noble and Karagias vs. Jung Dragons

Ladder fit for the number one contendership, which is able to come what may be give to 1 guy, making me surprise why this isn’t only a six approach fit. Champion Chavo Guerrero Jr. is on remark. Oh they usually’re beginning with tags as a result of LADDER MATCHES (take into account that that is after the primary TLC fit) wishes regulation and order. Kaz and Moore hit the mat to begin till they crash into every different to position each guys down.

Shannon is going for the ladder however Evan may have none of that as a result of that’s no longer how a neatly arranged ladder fit is meant to move. Everyone is going for the ladders and it’s 3 Count sneaking in to move up on the identical time till the Dragons make the save. Yang dropkicks a ladder into Noble and Karagias, adopted via Kaz moonsaulting onto the ladder and the 2 of them. A double flapjack sends Kaz into the ladder however Evan pulls Noble down, making all the thought of the fit a waste of time.

Yang sends Noble exhausting into the ladder and busts out Yang Time (phoenix splash) off a ladder at the center rope to overwhelm Shannon. Shane is again up and sends Yang to the ground for a large turn dive of his personal. That’s the beginning of the large set of dives (Chavo: “Keep killing yourselves boys.”) till Yang shoves Noble off the ladder and onto the pile for a super crash. Yang bridges a ladder into any other one however Evan slides again in for a suplex.

With Evan at the bridged ladder, Kaz tries to springboard in, simplest to get powerslammed out of the air for a super taking a look touchdown. Shannon springboards onto the ladder for a Fameasser onto Evan, leaving Shane to seize a neckbreaker to deliver Noble off the ladder. Yang, Noble and three Count cross up two other ladders so Noble sundown bombs Helms down and Shannon crops Yang with a sleeper drop.

Cue Leia to move after Noble as two extra ladders are introduced in. Yang flips Evan off a ladder within the nook and right into a Kaz powerbomb (cool spot) ahead of erecting a scaffold with one ladder bridged into 3 others. I’ve heard worse concepts in reality. Noble and Karagias take out 3 Count ahead of Kaz will get knocked off the scaffold. That leaves Shane and Yang at the scaffold, permitting Shannon to headscissor Yang down for any other crash. Jamie will get hiptossed off as neatly, leaving 3 Count to tug down the contract on the identical time, once more defeating the purpose of the prerequisites another time.

Rating: B. It has not anything on any of the WWF opposite numbers however this was once a number of a laugh spots with six guys who sought after to blow their own horns available in the market. As at all times you’ll be able to see other folks making an attempt their toughest as a substitute of simply phoning it in as so continuously occurs. Oh and neatly accomplished having this fit cross on first in order that it’s going to be forgotten an hour and a part into the display whilst Bam Bam Bigelow or Shane Douglas are available in the market because the midcard attracts as a result of WCW exists as a haven for other folks like them.

Jim Duggan is sprucing his board (dude CLOSE THE DOOR) when Lance Storm is available in to mention no person goes to take Jim again. If Duggan needs a paycheck, his long run is with Team Canada. After all the ones occasions the place Duggan has screwed up, why would Storm need him round?

Jeff Jarrett asks Mike Sanders to make the six guy towards the Filthy Animal a Bunkhouse side road battle.

Kronik is in a steam room and will probably be getting paid this night, money in hand. Adams: “Wow, am I baked.”

Lance Storm vs. The Cat

No Duggan with the Canadians right here. Storm has one thing to mention ahead of the fit, which Hudson calls a Canadian gimmick. Lance rips at the Presidential elections once more so right here’s Cat to do his same old “I’m going to beat you up” stuff. They get started slowly with a lockup at the ropes and a blank ruin. You in reality can really feel the hatred right here. An armdrag places Storm down however he comes proper again with a wristlock.

That earns him a couple of kicks to the chest however Major Gunns grabs Cat’s foot, just about triggering a catfight. Tony: “Speaking of accidental and speaking of cleavage.” The ladies get within for no motion till Storm takes over with a jawbreaker. You know, as a part of the wrestling fit. Storm spends an excessive amount of time yelling to the group and has to kick out of a small package deal. Cat throws him into the air for an extremely low blow (with the referee cringing) ahead of being despatched out of doors to hit Skipper within the head with a bottle of water.

Now the ladies in reality get entangled as Jones unintentionally kicks Cat, incomes herself a dropkick from Gunns. Back in and Storm missile dropkicks Cat for no rely because the referee continues to be getting up. Cue Duggan to tug again the board to hit Cat however as a substitute it’s a halfhearted clothesline to arrange the Mapleleaf to make Cat faucet.

Rating: D. Not the worst fit on this planet however I’m getting bored with having everybody having to paintings right down to Cat’s degree. Storm must be capable of fly round with someone however he’s caught with this dancing goon who can’t paintings a instantly seven minute fit as it’s past his bodily functions. Now are we able to PLEASE get Duggan directly to one thing else?

Team Canada beats Duggan down submit fit.

The ambulance arrives.

Buff Bagwell, now an interviewer, says he needed to be at the display to attract a ranking as a result of pay according to perspectives have scores. The Filthy Animals are available and aren’t nervous about Jarrett and the Harris Twins it doesn’t matter what the prerequisites are.

Reno and Vito inform the Thrillers to thoughts their very own industry this night.

Hardcore Title: Terry Funk vs. Crowbar

Crowbar is protecting however first Daffney has to yell at him over the 70s garments. Thankfully Funk jumps him with a fireplace extinguisher to get issues going within the again. Funk sends him into more than a few gadgets for 2 as Hudson tries to determine how Terry were given a shot after simply coming again. Uh, I imagine it’s as a result of Crowbar mentioned “yeah you can have a title shot.” That gem is adopted up via Tony speaking about Terry retiring the similar 12 months that Starrcade debuted and having a name fit seventeen years later.

They battle at the back of a manufacturing truck as Hudson will get the date of Clash of the Champions IX: New York Knockout unsuitable. Crowbar will get hiptossed out of the truck and thru a desk however comes again via slamming a door onto Funk’s head. Funk pops up and does the similar factor to Crowbar a couple of occasions over as Hudson says Crowbar is somebody’s son. You know, as a result of Funk isn’t.

Funk handcuffs him and blasts Crowbar within the head with a chair for the reason that 1999 Royal Rumble is ripe for nostalgia. They head into the sector (no longer again into the sector Tony) with Funk bringing a automotive door with him to blast Crowbar within the head once more. Now it’s time for a desk (forget about the object bending within the center alongside a line that obviously presentations it’s pre-cut) however Daffney pulls Crowbar off.

Terry is going after her however I’m positive he’s nonetheless the face within the fit as a result of he’s outdated and subsequently superior. Crowbar, nonetheless handcuffed, fights up and dives via Funk and the desk for 2. Another chair shot to the pinnacle units up a piledriver onto the door to provide Funk the pin and the name.

Rating: D. So Crowbar is constructed up as one thing particular within the hardcore department after which he faces a legend and loses in a glorified squash. But hiya, any other outdated title will get to be a champion in WCW and that’s what in reality issues. This is any other head shake inducing second and that’s the sorrowful phase about WCW.

Storm rants about Duggan nonetheless being American and says it’s time for Team Canada to transport ahead. Gunns screws up her simplest line so Gene tells her he’s were given a pole she will be able to run that Canadian flag up.

Lex Luger has brass knuckles in a position for Goldberg.

Kronik vs. Big Vito/Reno

Before the fit, Adams signifies that Marie is the only paying them off. It’s a brawl to begin as Hudson means that Marie being the only at the back of this might be the tale of the 12 months. Is it even the tale of the fit? Vito powerslams Clark and drops a leg for 2 ahead of Reno will get the similar off a neckbreaker. An elbow stops Clark’s comeback as Adams is going out of doors to yell at Marie. Vito is going to avoid wasting his sister however the distraction we could Clark get in his turn dive from the apron.

Back in and Vito clotheslines Adams for 2 as we’re simply looking ahead to the large swerve. A complete nelson slam and abdominal to again suplex drop Vito for 2 and it’s off to a chinlock as a result of this wasn’t gradual sufficient already. Cue the Thrillers to distract Reno so Kronik can get in a double giant boot to Vito. A double pass frame frame places Vito and Clark down and it’s the tag to Reno, who right away Rolls the Dice on Vito…..for a pinfall. Good factor they went that lengthy ahead of doing one thing else silly.

Rating: F+. I hate those tales as it units up the potential for one thing attention-grabbing after which rips it away within the span of a couple of weeks. Why hassle having them get again in combination in the event that they’re going to be cut up up only a few weeks later to get us again to the place we began? Why hassle having them also be brothers within the first position? Huge waste of time right here and a foul fit on most sensible of that.

Post fit Reno can pay Kronik off and rejoins the Thrillers, making this complete tale an entire waste of time. Kronik beats Vito up a little extra.

3 Count argues over who will get the name shot the following day evening so Chavo is available in and beats them down.

Hugh Morrus is going on a rant about how he’s no longer going to be a stepping stone for Shane Douglas.

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Mike Awesome

Ambulance fit as a result of that’s what Awesome does, or no less than did months in the past ahead of the 70s nonsense. Madden: “Mike Awesome has never won an ambulance match.” But it’s his SPECIALTY proper? Awesome climbs the buckle for a leaping again elbow to the face to begin however Bigelow takes it out of doors and drives Awesome into the submit. Bigelow units up a chair within the aisle they usually ram every different into the aspect of the ambulance.

Awesome geese a proper hand to ship Bigelow’s fist in the course of the window so let’s return to the hoop as a result of this factor MUST KEEP GOING. Both guys are despatched into the announcers’ desk ahead of Bigelow backdrops him via an ordinary desk. They head again to the ambulance (with the driving force nonetheless within the cab taking a look extra bored than many of the enthusiasts) and Bigelow is going up most sensible, simplest to be knocked in the course of the roof to provide Awesome the win.

Rating: F. Just not anything right here with each guys beating on every different minus any specific rhyme or reason why. I don’t know why I’m meant to care about those hardcore guys when Bigelow is WAY over the hill, Awesome has been a comedy man for months and Terry Funk is the champion after having crushed the opposite 70s man. I’m unwell of those fits consuming up such a lot time and going nowhere nevertheless it was once one thing in ECW and that’s what issues I suppose.

Reno says the Thrillers are his actual circle of relatives. Sanders and the Perfect Event are positive they’ll retain the titles. Gene guarantees to slap Stasiak in the future.

US Title: Shane Douglas vs. Hugh Morrus

Morrus is protecting and we’ll cross with the outdated title as a result of they’re getting used interchangeably at this level. Shane guarantees to tear a hollow in Morrus’ middle, which means it gained’t take 36 days to decide who gained this contest. A host of chops don’t do a lot harm to Morrus early on however a poke to the attention works a little higher. We nearly get a crash into the referee however the second one try hits Shane because it was once meant to. A low blow and proper fingers don’t have any impact both so Hugh grabs a bearhug. This attracts a GOLDBERG chant of all issues till Shane after all bites his approach out.

No Laughing Matter is damaged up and Shane will get in a piledriver however opts to pose as a substitute of masking. Off to a neck crank for a little ahead of they return out of doors for extra not anything. Shane is going exhausting into the submit to attract some blood (hardway it kind of feels) however any other moonsault misses. That way it’s chain time however Morrus breaks it up with a abdominal to again suplex. Cue Chavo to throw the chain again to a surprised Douglas…..ahead of telling the referee about it to attract a DQ.

Rating: D-. Gah this tale continues to do not anything for me. Shane Douglas in reality isn’t attention-grabbing however Morrus is even worse now that he’s completed with the conflict towards Canada. I nonetheless don’t see Morrus as somebody who must be at this degree both and it’s in reality exhausting to shop for him right here. Unfortunately he’s one in every of WCW’s simplest choices as everybody at the roster is FIRMLY caught within the puts with little alternative to transport up with out turning 40 years outdated.

Shane beats on him with the chain submit fit till Chavo is available in for the failed save. The Misfits are available to transparent Shane out however Lash facets with Chavo and AWALL facets with Morrus.

Steiner is going on about how he’s going to win this night after which have a super evening with the freaks.

Glacier continues to be coming again.

Nash and Page snicker off the speculation of Perfect Event as any roughly a risk and make jokes with Buff.

Jeff Jarrett/Harris Twins vs. Filthy Animals

Bunkhouse side road battle, which means the 3rd hardcore based totally fit assuming you forget about the ladder fit. There are guns throughout and within the ring, together with a bar and a popcorn system. The Animals temporarily blank space as Tygress sits in on remark. The spray painted trashcans have the Nashville World Order (commentators’ phrases) as that is much more senseless brawling.

Jarrett is shipped face first into the popcorn and the Twins each get Bronco Busters. Back in and Jarrett will get slammed off the center rope and in the course of the bar for 2. Well no less than the wooden erupting seemed just right. Rey comes off the highest with an atomic Arabian facebuster with a Wrong Way signal on Don. There’s not anything happening between those giant spots rather than some punches and kicks.

Jarrett after all counters a hurricanrana and powerbombs Rey excessive right into a dumpster. The fit in reality settles down into an ordinary tag fit for the reason that phrases STREET FIGHT are misplaced about seven mins in. A double giant boot drops Kidman because the enthusiasts get started coming into issues. It’s nearly like presenting oldschool wrestling on a wrestling display as a substitute of hardcore fit after hardcore fit is a good suggestion. Ron cuts off a sizzling tag try and fingers it again to Jarrett for a chinlock.

Kidman after all flips out and grabs a Bodog, putting in place the recent tag off to Konnan. You can in reality see the enthusiasts paying consideration and being concerned concerning the fit with the sort of easy tale. Take that Russo. The H-Bomb places Konnan down and it’s desk time however Rey comes out of the dumpster with a brush for a double clothesline. Another H Bomb places Rey via a desk although, leaving Kidman most commonly on his personal. The Kid Crusher appears to be like to arrange the taking pictures famous person however a bottle to the pinnacle we could Jarrett get within the Stroke for the pin.

Rating: C. Other than the ladder fit, I believe I appreciated the wrestling phase in the midst of this fit higher than the rest at the display this night. It was once so great to hit the brakes for a little and simply watch one thing out of a wrestling fit. But hiya, the place would we be with out an exploding bar and a popcorn system?

Sarge thinks Goldberg is in a position for Luger. Lex runs in and beats him down till Buff removes him.

We minimize clear of this and have a look at the guns being taken away.

The announcers speak about Goldberg to kill time.

Tag Team Titles: Insiders vs. Perfect Event

Perfect Event is protecting and this can be a rematch from closing month the place the Insiders gained the titles however had them stripped away as a result of they pinned the unsuitable guy. Before the fit, Flair says the name exchange fingers if Sanders is going anyplace close to the hoop. You know, with the exception of being at ringside as a supervisor. Nash and Palumbo get issues going with Kevin hitting some operating clotheslines within the nook.

Chuck needs a timeout so Stasiak will get in an inexpensive shot from the apron, simplest to have Page get tagged in a couple of seconds later for a flying shoulder. Page geese a boot within the nook and crotches Stasiak towards the submit. A abdominal to abdominal will get two however Shawn will get out of the Diamond Cutter. Page hits a handy guide a rough Rock Bottom (referred to as a chokeslam which is shut sufficient) however Palumbo sneaks in with a Jungle kick to position Page down.

After a couple of close to falls, Page throws Palumbo into the nook for some proper fingers, simplest to be thrown into the unsuitable nook for a double stomping. Some kicks to the ribs have Page in bother as a result of a 3 12 months outdated harm nonetheless isn’t totally healed. That’s an overly gradual therapeutic harm. Palumbo hits him low to forestall a comeback however a unmarried forearm lets in the tag off to Nash.

Sanders low blows Page at the flooring and Stasiak will get two off a most sensible rope clothesline. The digicam misses a Diamond Cutter to Stasiak at the flooring (as a result of Page doesn’t promote low blows) and listed here are Jindrak and O’Haire to get laid out as neatly. Nash kicks Chuck within the face and the Jackknife provides the Insiders the titles again.

Rating: D+. The fit was once in reality first rate with the old fashioned method however the similar downside stands: the Insiders, a crew thrown in combination about 5 weeks in the past, have now decisively crushed the Thrillers two times in a row to provide them any other useless name. As overdue as it’s, that is any other at the lengthy record of items that killed WCW. At some level, you need to have those outdated guys lay down and take a large fall from somebody beneath the age of thirty.

Recap of Goldberg vs. Luger, which is going on as a result of Luger was once a large deal ten years in the past and subsequently must have a outstanding position at the display as a substitute of getting Goldberg successful the name like he must. Goldberg beat Luger closing month however a referee was once speared so it must had been a DQ, requiring this rematch. There’s additionally been stuff with Luger beating up Goldberg’s instructor to check out so as to add extra pastime to a fit no person sought after to look within the first position, let on my own a rematch.

Goldberg vs. Lex Luger

No DQ so as to add a fourth hardcore based totally fit on a 10 fit card. They battle on the announcers’ desk first of all Goldberg simply taking up. A clothesline places Luger down within the ring and a powerslam places him out at the flooring. Luger sends him into the submit and barricade so listed here are Sarge and Bagwell for no obvious reason why.

Back in and Luger hides at the back of the referee to keep away from the spear ahead of the brass knuckles knock Goldberg foolish for 2. The Blockbuster hits Goldberg “by mistake”, ignoring the truth that Luger was once touching the turnbuckle when Bagwell jumped. Bagwell hits Sarge to formally flip heel, leaving Goldberg to hit the 2 strikes to succeed in 31-0.

Rating: D. Just like closing month, no person cares about Luger however for some reason why he was once driven on this spot as a substitute of getting Goldberg get a significant push and win the name once more as he must have accomplished. The Sarge stuff was once fantastic however there was once no logical reason why to have Luger right here. Goldberg is well past the purpose of wanting a nugatory rub from Lex Luger and because we want Sid in the principle match, right here’s what we’re caught with for no obvious reason why. The fit was once a slightly satisfactory brawl however Goldberg squashed him for probably the most phase, as you could possibly be expecting.

Bagwell lays Goldberg out with the chair submit fit.

We recap Sid Vicious vs. Scott Steiner. Basically Sid by no means misplaced the name again in April, then he disappeared for approximately seven months and got here again to battle Steiner right here. That’s in reality about it for the tale, which sums up this display so neatly.

WCW World Title: Scott Steiner vs. Sid Vicious

Sid is difficult. Steiner kilos him into the nook to begin however Sid catches him with some clotheslines and an aspect slam to ship the champ out of doors. Back in and Steiner poses so much ahead of simply successful a take a look at of power. Sid will get again up and places Scott down, putting in place a legdrop around the face for 2.

They head out of doors the place Midajah will get in a metal pipe to Sid’s again, adopted via some chair pictures from Steiner. Back in and Steiner simply presses Sid for a couple of curls, adopted via the spinning abdominal to abdominal. The Recliner is going on however Sid is just too on the subject of the ropes to verify this continues.

Scott will get it on once more and just right grief it appears to be like HORRIBLE as Sid’s again is instantly and Steiner is obviously no longer even pulling again. You could make that cling glance devastating however that is worse than Rock’s Sharpshooter ever was hoping to be. Sid begins to battle again so Midajah comes off the highest for a top pass frame which hits the champ via mistake. The chokeslam (Sid’s again is okay. Why are you asking?) will get two on Steiner so we hit a cobra seize of all issues.

Steiner slaps the referee ahead of getting slammed, which means there’s no rely. Pipe to the again will get two and right here’s Jarrett with the guitar to hit Scott via mistake. In a great second, Sid covers for 2 however Jeff pulls Robinson to the ground and tries a clothesline, simplest to have Robinson duck beneath and slide again in for the 2 rely. Two low blows arrange a t-bone suplex and the Recliner makes Sid go out (in fact) to retain.

Rating: D. And that’s most certainly very beneficiant. The spotlight of this fit was once a referee ducking a clothesline and sliding again into the hoop to rely a close to fall. Not the wrestling, no longer the brawling and no longer the end, however a referee. Among its many obtrusive issues, the problem right here was once how not anything this fit was once. There’s no reason why for those two to in reality be combating rather than the name being stripped 8 months in the past and that’s slightly been discussed. This entire major match has been handled like an afterthought and that’s highest after this mess of a display.

Steiner holds up the belt, with probably the most aspect plates putting off, and flips off the enthusiasts to finish the display.

Overall Rating: F. You can upload Starrcade to the record of items that this corporate has wrecked. Looking on the display and its buildup, this was once with regards to precisely what I anticipated. The major match was once not anything, Goldberg’s fit was once an excuse to have Luger at the display for no matter reason why……and I’m already having problems considering of the remainder of the cardboard as it was once that forgettable.

The display felt like a card they scraped in conjunction with no matter leftovers that they had on the time after which slapped STARRCADE at the marquee. Nothing in this display felt find it irresistible mattered or gave the impression necessary or had every other goal than ensuring the similar other folks have been in the similar spots as we head into 2001. The in reality a laugh ladder fit originally was once forgotten via the top of the display because of all the different hardcore messes within the center, which was once most certainly the speculation one day. Why allow them to recover from when the made males can recover from much more?

Above all else, this display was once disappointing. Any given Wrestlemania card will also be lackluster and nonetheless really feel like one thing particular at the power of being Wrestlemania on my own. That must be the case with Starrcade however I would possibly as neatly had been observing Uncensored or Souled Out with what we were given right here.

What came about in this display? Steiner keeps the name, Sid is handled like a not anything wrestler (honest sufficient), Goldberg wins as he at all times does, we’ve arrange a tag fit involving a profession jobber who’s now a large deal as a result of he trains wrestlers, the Insiders were given the titles again and Rey Mysterio was once powerbombed right into a dumpster. Why no longer have Steiner win the name right here as a substitute of at Mayhem? Ah sure, as a result of Mayhem have compatibility his title and that’s going to avoid wasting the corporate. Steiner successful like a monster is okay however give him the large second on the giant display as a substitute of on the not anything display.

This display was once an enormous mess however in a distinct and a lot more disappointing approach than the Russo presentations. Those issues have been all about somebody having no thought what he was once doing flying off a cliff as a result of no person advised him no. This display was once a number of people that would possibly had been attention-grabbing one day giving up and simply pleasant duties and not using a ambition or plans on make issues really feel attention-grabbing or necessary for the enthusiasts. Here lies Starrcade and it’s very unhappy to look it cross down like this.

Thomas Hall has been a wrestling fan for over thirty years and has noticed over 50,000 wrestling fits. He has additionally been a wrestling reviewer since 2009 with over 5,000 complete presentations 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 biggest in skilled wrestling information via signing up for our day-to-day electronic mail publication. Just glance beneath for “GET EXCLUSIVE UPDATES” to enroll. Thank you for studying!

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