Benoit crowned World champ at Souled Out

By ROD BOUDREAU — For SLAM! Wrestling

Not exactly how WCW planned, we’re sure. But they did deliver a PPV — such as it was — and crowned a new world’s champion. Another Canadian in fact.

Congrats to Chris ‘The Canadian Crippler’ Benoit, the pride of Edmonton, who finally reached the pinnacle of his profession.

As for the rest of the PPV, short of an ancient Terry Funk delivering the best match of the night, the less said the better. But being wrestling fans, especially WCW fans who like to suffer, we know that you will want to read the report from special correspondent Rod Boudreau, an Ontarian with a satellite and not reliant on Rogers PPV service for his wrestling fix

Show opens with announcement and footage of the Bret Hart and Jeff Jarrett injuries.

Triple Threat Theater Match 1

Malenko vs. Kidman

(Match rules were not outlined although there was an understanding that the first wrestler to hit the floor would lose.)
Not even a quick few minutes into the match…Malenko bailed out of the ring after a series of moves (to regroup as per usual) and the match was ended? There was confusion in the ring. Both referee and Kidman looked upset. They kept looking up the entrance ramp for instructions or something. Malenko looked embarassed and upset.
Malenko loses as his feet hit the floor first.
Winner: Kidman over by special stipulation.

Vampiro vs. David Flair & Crowbar
(Before the match there was a very strange promo with a worker or someone from the office speaking gibberish over Vampiro’s interview. Vampiro confronted the person and they went off the air. No further mention made of this all night.)
Match was back and forth mostly with Vampiro in the lead. Series of viscious chops by Vampiro on both Flair and Crowbar. In fact so much so that it was obvious David Flair rec’d blood blister and finger prints.
Winner: Vampiro pins Flair for the WIN.

Big Vito/Johnny the Bull vs. Harris Boys (Formerly of Creative Control)
Vito and Bull get the cover as Disco interferes in trying to help the Harris Boys and accidently helps Johnny and Vito.
Winner: Big Vito/Johnny the Bull.

Oklahoma vs. Madusa (For the Cruiserweight Title)
(Oklahoma cuts the Andy Kaufman rip off promo about where Women belong – very weak.)
Back and forth match that really does not last long. Madusa screws up a drop kick off the top rope. Oklahoma gets the pin over Madusa by pulling the tights (Her tights almost came right off.)
After the match Asya and Spice held Oklahoma while Madussa poured BBQ sauce down his pants.
Winner: …and new WCW Cruiserweight Champion… Oklahoma.

Meng vs. Fit Finlay vs. Smiley vs. Knobbs (Hardcore Title)
(Another short one here)
Smiley, dressed in full riot gear, is screaming right off the bat. Somewhat entertaining but then it slowed down. Brawling with objects all over and really no blood the match ends with Knobbs hitting Smiley with the riot Shield. Knobbs retains the title.
Winner: …and still WCW World Heavyweight Champion… Knobbs.

Triple Threat Theater Cont. Match2 (Bunkhouse rules)

Kidman vs. Saturn.
Despite the Bunkhouse rules the match was slightly bunk. No real use of anything other than a table. And it was only used once. Good wrestling with Perry Saturn leading and dominating the already tired Kidman. As the match winds down Saturn attempts a Powerbomb whereby Kidman sits out and pulls Saturn down in a face buster.
Winner: Kidman over with the Face Buster.

Booker T (w/ Midnight) vs. Stevie Ray
(Promo of Stevie Ray going back to the hood and ripping Booker)
Match was really back and forth without any heel tactics from Stevie. Back and forth and some outside action with all of the typical Harlem Heat maneovres. As the match continues…AHMED JOHNSON (now known as BIG T) runs in to double team Booker T. Midnight is helpless outside and Stevie Ray is DQ’d. Ahmed (BIG T) continues to beat Booker T. Delivers a dangerous looking Pearl River Plunge. Stevie Ray on the mic announces they are the new Harlem Heat.
Winner: Booker T by DQ.

Tank Abbott vs. Jerry Flynn (60 sec. Match)
Very quick match resembling the UFC fights. Very stiff shots back and forth which generally looked good. No one really gains the upper hand and all of a sudden as Flynn is going for Armbar Tapouts…Abbott lifts Flynn (375lbs?) right over his head into a suplex/slam. He then clocks Flynn twice with stiff rapid blows and Flynn is out. Ref attempts to raise Flynn’s hand 3x and Tank is declared the winner.
Winner: Tank Abbott.

DDP vs. Buff Bagwell (Last Man Standing)
Despite what has been made out to be legit heat between the two, they really don’t go at each other right away which would be typical of a feud. They brawl out through the crowd as they’ve done on Nitro. They brawled all over the fans and into the penalty box and visitor’s bench. They then made their way to the WCW.com set which was then destroyed as Buff leaped off the top of the set through the WCW.Com’s version of the Spanish announcing table. Action moves back to the ring and ref begins 10 counts over and over. Audience participates to add effect. After a flubbed Diamond Cutter and a Block buster…Buff gets up and DDP doesn’t. Buff wins…
Kimberly arrives on scene and (maybe) smiles at Buff (this is unclear as she really looked distant to both workers)…she then watched DDP hit Buff from behind and continue to beat on him. She then left withDDP but did not really touch him or smile or look happy.
Winner: Buff Bagwell.

Triple Threat Theater (Cage Match)
(AFTER HAVING PROMOTED A SURPRISE WRESTLER FROM THE REVOLUTION SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE SHOW YOU REALLY CANNOT IMAGINE HOW THRILLED I WAS WHEN THEY ANNOUNCED…THE WALL…YES YOU HEARD IT. THE WALL. I MEAN OTHER THAN MY KID BEING BORN THIS HAD TO HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST MOMENTS IN MY LIFE SEEING HIM IN THAT CAGE.)
The Wall wins with a Chokeslam after catching kidman in mid air off the top rope.
Winner: The Wall.

Funk vs. Big Sexy (Best match of the night)
Funk begins by immediately starting to take a beating from Nash. not soon after action spills out. Funk is already busted wide open. He looks really good mind you and still quite active. Not soon after he is then Powerbombed through the ringside announce table. Devastating! The match continues…Funk comes back a little with his crazy chair shots but is then shut down by Nash. Three chairs are now in the ring as Nash continues to dominate. Two chairs are set up side by side with the third chair stretched between them. Funk is then Powerbombed through the chairs.
(Nash pins Funk to win the Commissionership as of Midnight Sunday)
Winner: Kevin Nash.

Main Event – heavyweight title match
Sid vs. Benoit (Arn as special ref)
As the match begins all of the wrestlers from the back (WCW Wrestlers and not NWO) come out to the top of the ramp to watch and show respect. Good wrestling on both sides. Sid dominates early with some great power spots…Benoit then goes after the leg. As action spills outside…Benoit puts Sid’s leg between ring post and stairs and procedes to dropkick the stairs twice. This looked great! Sid is not selling his leg the entire match as Benoit stays on it. Back and forth…back and forth…with Benoit constantly getting the upper hand back by working the leg. Finally Sid comes back with a massive chokeslam on Benoit…Benoit is down and Sid covers him…but a prone Benoit actually has his foot under the bottom rope and Arn cannot make the full count (Feet on or under rope rule). As Sid picks up Benoit to give him another move. With lightning speed Benoit whips on the Cripple Cross Face. Both men go down to the mat and Sid begins tapping out right away…
(CAMERA PANS RIGHT AND YOU CLEARLY SEE SID’S FEET UNDER ROPES THE SAME WAY BENOIT’S WERE BUT ARN DOES NOT SEE IT.)
Benoit wins the Heavyweight Title by submission over Sid. (which doesn’t make any sense since they’ve been pushing that Sid won’t ever submit such as this summer in that bloody match with Glodberg)
Note the announcers also cover up that Sid’s foot was under the ropes during the replay by saying that Sid’s foot went under the rope AFTER he submitted so this may not be part of an angle. But you never know…
After the match Crippler gives an incredible interview referencing the Great Dynamite Kid right off the top. He is obviously very proud. Arn then comes over to congratulate and then Big Sexy interrupts and states that Benoit better enjoy the belt for another hour and forty minutes because after midnight (when Nash’s commissionership begins) Benoit’s life is going to be a “living Hell”.
Winner: …and new WCW World Champion… Chris Benoit!