Lex Luger’s reign as WCW Heavyweight Champion is over.
Stunning the wrestling world five days ago on the Nitro broadcast by making New World Order head goon — Hollywood Hogan — submit in the Torture Rack Of Doom Luger couldn’t overcome the odds in his rematch tonight. Broadcasting from Biker Week in Sturgis, South Dakota, WCW’s Road Wild ’97 saw nWo members distract The Total Package long enough for a phony baloney Sting to commit a hit and run.
Recovering the WCW title for the nWo was deja vu for Hogan and his thugs. A year ago today, the most hated man in pro-wrestling bested The Giant in the main event at what was then showcased as Hog Wild ’96.
Held in a unique outdoor setting with the towering Black Hills mountains and a lush green forest in the background, Road Wild ’97 drew bikers (sitting and watching on their gleaming hogs parked in the front row) and avid turnbuckle-heads alike. The clapping of hands and cheering suplexed by the revving of motorcycle engines.
Entering the ring area first as the challenger, Hogan played air guitar as announcer Michael Buffer introduced him as the ‘nWo Heavyweight Champion Of The World’. Fireworks burst over Sturgis. nWo spraypaint scrubbed off the WCW World Title belt, Luger approached the squared circle. Hogan stood on the ropes above taunting him.
Much to the delight of the crowd, a thundering shoulder butt had Hogan reeling and kicking the ropes in frustration. Pulling off one of the few actual wrestling moves in his career, Hollywood brought down Chicago’s pride and joy with a spinning toe hold. Luger reversed Hollywood’s punishing arm bar cranking away without mercy. Fans shouted – Hogan sucks! Hogan sucks! – when the former champ nursed a sore arm outside the ring calling for a time out. Like that’s gonna happen, Hollywood.
Pulled outside the ring, Luger’s head cracked against the steel ring steps. Hogan used a well-placed electrical cord to strangle the champ as the former hero of children everywhere grumbled…”You ain,t nothin’, punk. I’m taking MY belt back.”
The action returning to the ring, the verbal and physical assaulted continued. “Get up, Lex Loser,” said Hogan snapping The Total Package’s spine over his knee. If the match were scored boxing style, Hollywood would’ve won on points. Presenting a feeble offense, Luger was Hogan’s punching bag.
Not following up his awe-inspiring ‘Big Foot to the kisser’ with his trademarked Leg Drop, the nWo boss suplexed a hapless Total Package. Hogan posed for the hissing crowd. The WCW champ popped up wailing on the challenger in the corner. Hollywood, hands over his head, begged for mercy.
At 15:03, Hogan missed a lazy Leg Drop a la his classic WWF match versus The Ultimate Warrior at Toronto’s SkyDome. Seeing their meal ticket being shredded, nWo members Kevin Nash, Syxx, Buff Bagwell and Scott Norton stormed the ring. A crazed Luger fought them off throwing punches at anyone wearing an nWo symbol.
While the champ was embroiled in the heat of battle, a fake Sting struck Luger with a baseball bat from behind. The sudden blow crumpled the Total Package. It was all over but for the counting. Hogan’s Leg Drop hit home and so did the three count.
The new WCW World champ covered his head running backstage. Curt Henning and The Stiener Brothers assisted a mugged Lex Luger. Backstage, the nWo celebrated (noticeably absent was Outsider Scott Hall) as Dennis Rodman sprayed nWo graffiti on the belt.
The next WCW pay-per-view is Fall Brawl (War Games) on Sunday, September 14th.
Buff Bagwell / Scott Norton Vs Harlem Heat
: Miss Jackie dressed in red is Heat,s new manager.
: Jackie jumps on Norton,s back laying in blows to the head. Booker T executes the Harlem Side-Kick for the 1-2-3.
Winners: Harlem Heat (and Miss Jackie) at 10 minutes and 18 seconds.
Konnan Vs Rey Mysterio Jr. (Mexican Death Match)
: Rey Mysterio Jr. is introduced as with the nickname ‘The Flying Fury’.
: Konnan cracks up the fans by saying…’Wo for life, chicos.’
: Konnan unmasks Mysterio Jr. Rey covers his face and puts the mask back on.
: Mysterio Jr.’s knee is injured. Konnan slaps on the Tequila Sunrise. Rey taps out. Konnan won,t break the hold. Medical personal put a brace on Rey’s knee.
Winner: Konnan at 10 minutes and 54 seconds.
: Mean Gene shows off his tattoo: a dagger through a heart.
Steve McMichael / Chris Benoit Vs Jeff Jarrett / Dean Malenko (Tag Elimination Match)
: Malenko walks well behind Jarrett as they enter.
: The crowd pops whenever Mongo is tagged in.
: Jarrett plugs his ears as they chant…Jarrett sucks! Jarrett sucks!
: Finally at 6:40, Jarrett tags in. Jarrett catches Mongo in a jaw-breaker then pulls McMichael onto himself. Holding onto Mongo for dear life, Jarrett pins himself and is eliminated throwing Malenko to the wolves.
Winners: Benoit and McMichael at 9 minutes and 34 seconds.
WCW Cruiserweight Title Match
Chris Jericho (challenger) Vs Alex Wright (champion) (Cruiserwieght Title Match)
: The crowd calls Wright a derogatory term for a gay man.
: Someone is holding a sign that says…ALEX IS THE MAN.
: Wright and Jericho mess up in the middle of the match. The announcers whitewash it. They are young..inexperienced..blah…blah..blah.
: Wright propels Jericho over and gets the pin with his feet on the ropes for leverage.
Winner:…and still WCW Cruiserweight Champion…Alex (Wonder Punk) Wright.
Ric Flair Versus Syxx
: Worst match of the evening.
: Motors roar in a deafening tribute to The Nature Boy.
: Syxx goes for the Bronco Buster. Flair kicks him in the privates, puts his feet on the ropes for the win.
Winner: Ric Flair at a very drawn out 11 minutes and 5 seconds.
Curt Henning Versus Diamond Dallas Page
: At 7 minutes in, Henning exposes steel by ripping off a turnbuckle. DDP,s head connects. DDP is dropped with the Henning finishing suplex but he kicks out.
: DDP slams Henning into the exposed buckle.
: Ric Flair attacks DDP who gives him the Diamond Cutter.
: Henning hits the finishing suplex again and gains the victory.
Winner: Curt Henning (and Ric Flair) at 9 minutes and 37 seconds.
The Giant Versus Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage
: Savage tries to slam The Giant. The Giant falls on him, squishing him like a bug.
: Macho pulls Miss. Liz between himself and The Giant. The Big Man picks up Liz moving her out of the way, gets his meathooks on Savage and throws him over the top rope and back into the ring from the floor.
: Macho attempts a Double Axe Handle from the top rope but The Giant catches him in a Choke Slam.
Winner: The Giant at 6 minutes and 2 seconds.
WCW Tag Team Title Match
The Steiner Brothers (Challenger) Vs The Outsiders (Champions)
: Ted Dibiase is now The Stieners, manager.
: Nick Patrick is ready to count three for The Stieners. Kevin Nash yanks Patrick out of the ring. Patrick disqualifies The Outsiders.
: Winners: The Stiener Brothers (belts remain with The Outsiders as titles don’t change hands on a disqualification).
WCW World Title Match
Lex Luger (Champion) Vs Hollywood Hogan (Challenger)
Winner: …and new WCW World Champion…Hollywood Hogan.
Total event time: Approximately, 2 hours and 45 minutes.