Following Vampiro’s encounter with Sting, Russo again entered the ring to speak. He looked tired and despondent draping his head over the ropes with the microphone in his hand. Sometimes real life is better than any angle even the most creative booker can ever dream up. Such was the case with WCW’s Bash At Beach 2000, the best pay-per-view outing by the beleaguered wrestling promotion in ages. Borrowing directly from behind the scenes happenings, WCW gave its viewers solid wrestling and more twists and turns than Agatha Christie mystery. It was one of the rare circumstances where the storyline happenings made up for the sub-par matches. The event was capped it off with an truly emotional, unforgettable world title win by Booker T. A victory that Booker earned the old fashioned way. By working his guts out for years and years.
Leading up to Sunday’s card, fans came to learn about the trouble brewing between Hulk Hogan, Jeff Jarrett and WCW scripter, Vince Russo. According to reports, Hogan began exercising the “creative control” in his contract…yet again. A practice Hogan is famous for to those who’ve followed his career since his rise to fame in the WWF. He refused to lose to Jarrett in what could be his last match in WCW. Not a fan of Hogan’s in the first place, Russo seemed to come up with a plan that would incorporate their dispute into an angle. An angle that would play out like a shoot and have people questioning the authenticity of what they were seeing.
Originally booked as the main event, the Hogan – Jarrett WCW World Title match was dropped into the background. Hogan did not appear on WCW television to hype the pay-per-view. Booker T was given a title match on Thunder to foreshadow his involvement. On Bash At The Beach, Hogan didn’t cut a promo on Jarrett to build interest and Jarrett interfered in Booker’s match against Kanyon. Hogan was shown walking around the back once as Jarrett mouthed off throughout the night.
A bizarre series of events began when Jarrett lied down for Hogan as soon as the bell rung. Hogan looked surprised. Russo took the belt and threw it to Hogan in the ring. Russo left. Stepping on Jarrett, Hogan pinned him to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title. Hogan grabbed the house mike and shouted at a departing Russo, “That’s why this company is in the damn shape it’s in. Because of bulls–t like this!”. Hogan was shown in the backstage area carrying the belt and walking past Vampiro.
Russo spoke about walking out on WCW three weeks ago due to creative differences he had with WCW’s management about the content of what he was writing and the refusal of certain members of WCW’s talent pool (Lex Luger, Elizabeth) to go along with his angles.
“From Day One that I’ve been in WCW, I have done nothing – NOTHING, but deal with the bulls–t of the politics behind THAT curtain. The fact of the matter is, I’ve got a wife. I’ve got three kids at home and I really don’t need this s–t! But, let me tell you the reason why I did come back. I came back for everyone of the guys in that locker room that week in, week out, bust their ass for WCW. I came back for the Booker Ts. I came back for every single guy in MIA. I came back for the (Filthy) Animals. I came back for Jarrett. I came back for the guys behind THAT curtain that give a s–t about this company!,” said an impassioned Russo cutting a most memorable promo.
“And let me tell you who doesn’t give a s–t about this company,” he continued taking direct aim at Hulk Hogan. “That God damn politician, Hulk Hogan! But let me tell you people what happened out there in this ring tonight. All day long I am playing politics with Hulk Hogan because Hulk Hogan tonight, wants to play his ‘creative control’ card and to Hulk Hogan that meant that tonight in the middle of this ring — when he knew it was bulls–t — he’d beat Jeff Jarrett. Well, guess what? Hogan got his wish. Hogan got his belt and he went the hell home. And, I promise everybody, or else I go in the God damn grave, you will never see that piece of s–t again!,” spoke a furious Russo.
Some fans cheered. Some booed. Commentator Mark Madden said “Amen”.
Russo declared the belt that Hogan left with to be the ‘Hulk Hogan Memorial Belt”. “From here on in, that belt don’t mean s–t!,” Russo said announcing that a new belt would be made to replace it and that Jeff Jarrett was still the champ as he “busts his ass in the ring” and “doesn’t screw anyone in the back.”
To make up for the travesty of a title match put on by Jarrett and Hogan, Russo decided that Booker T, who “couldn’t get a break because of the Hulk Hogans” in WCW, would challenge Jarrett for the new WCW World Heavyweight Title in the main event.
“Booker T and Jeff Jarrett are the two reasons why I am in this damn, stinking business to begin with. So, tonight in this ring for the WCW World Title, two deserving guys — Jarrett and Booker — will compete for WCW and they will tear this God damn house down!,” he exclaimed.
Before departing, Russo took one last parting shot at Hogan. “And, Hogan. You big, bald, son of a bitch. Kiss my ass!” he shouted.
Jarrett and Booker went on to wrestle what has to be considered a definite Match Of The Year candidate. Employing a well-rounded mix of in-ring grappling and brawling in the crowd, Booker and Jarrett proved what many have known all along, that they were main event calibre material. At 11 minutes and 32 seconds in, Jarrett resorted to illegal tactics. With the ref knocked out, he swung the WCW World Title at Booker. Booker took it from Jarrett and nailed him. Jarrett raised his shoulder off the mat in the nick of time to avoid the pinfall. Jarrett low-blowed Booker so he could set up a chair in a corner. Booker reversed the Irish Whip plowing Jarrett’s head into the chair for another agonizing two count.
Jarrett delivered The Stroke to the official then retrieved his guitar from outside the ring. He climbed to the top rope for a flying guitar shot. As he jumped off, Booker caught him in his Book End slam for the 1-2-3. As the fans stood and cheered, Booker posed with the title. Close to tears, Booker helped up the injured official to his feet.
Editor’s Note: Booker T is the second African American to hold the WCW World Heavyweight Title. Ron Simmons, (Faarooq), was the first.
The next WCW pay-per-view is New Blood Rising on August 13th.
WCW Bash At The Beach 200 Results
- The Cat pulls up to the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. He steps out telling his limo driver that MIA and The Animals will be banned from ringside during the Cruiserweight Title match. The Cat hears music from a martial arts movie. He thinks the radio has been left on in the limo. The Yung Dragons attack him in a mock martial arts fight like something you’d see in a Jackie Chan picture. The Cat fends them off. Funny stuff.
Juvie Guerrera (challenger) Vs Lt. Loco (champion) (WCW Cruiserweight Title Match)
- Wicked. Wicked. Wicked. A throwback to the cruiserweight battles we used to watch in WCW. Guerrera and Loco pull out all the stops. Wearing masks, MIA and The Animals try to interfere but are driven away by the officials. Major Gunns distracts Guerrera. She ducks down so the ref doesn’t see her. Loco wins with the Tornado DDT.
- Winner: …and still WCW Cruiserweight Champion, Lt. Loco at 12 minutes and 8 seconds.
- Match Rating: 8 / 10.
- The Cat hears that martial arts music again. The Yung Dragons are hiding as he walks by. Jarrett brings a fat lady singing to see The Cat. Jarrett asks why Hogan isn’t around.
Big Vito (champion) Vs Norman Smiley, Ralphus (WCW Hardcore Title, Handicap Match)
- Standard “hardcore” bout. Ralphus gets in some garbage can shots on Vito. Vito beats up Smiley and puts him in a backstage service elevator. Vito drags Ralphus to the ring. Vito hits a body splash from the top rope putting Ralphus through a table. Norman is too late to stop the three count.
- Winner: …and still WCW Hardcore Champion, Big Vito at 5 minutes and 55 seconds.
- Match Rating: 5 / 10.
- Goldberg and Nash are deadly serious in their promos. Nash is wearing an Outsiders – nWo shirt.
Daffney Vs Miss Hancock (Wedding Dress Match)
- A complete debacle but still way better than the Patterson – Brisco borefest on WWF’s last pay-per-view. David and Hancock neck in the ring. David is dressed in a tux. Daffney low-blows David from behind. Miss Hancock and Daffney mix it up. Hancock executes a pretty good handspring, reverse elbow smash though it nearly misses the mark and isn’t as good as Chyna’s. Flair jumps in. The ref and Flair lose their pants. Flair and Hancock are about to shave Daffney’s head. Crowbar saves her and takes off his own pants too. Why? Who knows? Miss Hancock strips down to her panties and dances. Because of this, the ref rings the bell awarding the match to Daffney. There’s a wedding cake at ringside. A huge food fight breaks out. It takes the clean-up crew a long time to sweep up the mess. All the while, the commentators bore us. A really bad production decision that caused a big gap in the action.
- Winner: Daffney at 4 minutes and 16 seconds.
- Match Rating: 0 / 10.
- Sitting at his desk, The Cat wonders where that strange music is coming from. The Yung Dragons attack him with weapons. Still, darn funny.
The Perfect Event (champions) Vs Kronic (challengers) (WCW World Tag Team Title Match)
- The match was so darn boring, we here at SLAM! Wrestling had a discussion about local politics though the crowd at the pay-per-view seemed to enjoy it. Kronic swipes The Road Warriors Doomsday Device finishing move to win the titles.
- Winners: …and new WCW World Tag Team Champions…Kronic at 12 minutes and 15 seconds.
- Match Rating: 5 / 10.
Kanyon Vs Booker T
- With every outing, Kanyon’s skills are more and more impressive. Booker T takes the brick out of Kanyon’s book. The official gets it out of the ring. Kanyon lays the steel steps on Booker’s arm and smashes it with a steel chair. At 9:39, Jeff Jarrett brains Booker from the top rope with his guitar. Kanyon lands the Kanyon Cutter.
- Winner: Kanyon at 10 minutes and 6 seconds.
- Match Rating: 8 / 10.
Scott Steiner (champion) Vs Mike Awesome (challenger) (WCW U.S. Heavyweight Title Match)
- Man, did these guys really lay into each other by ECW brawling in the crowd and stiff hits in the ring. At 6:05, The Cat comes out. Steiner punches The Cat off the ring apron. The Cat warns Steiner not to use the Recliner which has been banned. The Cat threatens to strip Steiner of the title, if he does. Steiner goes ahead and uses the hold. The Cat calls for the bell and takes the belt away. Steiner lays Awesome out with a devastating T-Bone Suplex.
- Winner: At 9:12, Mike Awesome due to a disqualification.
- Match Rating: 7.5 / 10.
Vampiro Vs The Demon (Graveyard Match)
- A ref tracks The Demon and Aysa as they wonder around looking for Vampiro. Vampiro leaps out of a tree onto The Demon. They fight under a tree until Vampiro plants The Demon in an open grave and runs off with Aysa. The Demon finds Aysa crying beside a lake or pond of some kind. Vampiro rises up out of the water to pull The Demon under. Vampiro split with Aysa again as the official helps The Demon out of the water. The Demon catches up with Aysa. She is kneeling beside a closed coffin. The Demon opens it and Vampiro spits a blinding red mist into his face. Vampiro says The Demon should have joined him when he had the chance. The Demon is struck in the head with a concrete block and dumped in the coffin. Vampiro pushes it into another open grave. He heads back to the arena for the conclusion of the match. To be continued below.
Buff Bagwell Vs Shane Douglas
- At 5:28, Torrie Wilson appears slapping Douglas in the face. A few minutes later she low-blows Bagwell from behind after kissing him. Buff is going for the Blockbuster. Torrie shakes the ropes. Bagwell kicks her off the apron. Shane hits his Jaw Breaker deal. Douglas and Wilson get friendly in the middle of the ring.
- Winner: Shane Douglas at 7 minutes and 55 seconds
- Match Rating: 6 / 10.
Jeff Jarrett (champion) Vs Hulk Hogan (challenger) (WCW World Heavyweight Title Match)
- Winner: Hulk Hogan at 1 minute and 19 seconds.
- Match Rating: 0 / 10.
- Vampiro is in the ring. He calls for The Demon to finish the match. A coffin is carried out by a group of guys wearing black cloaks and carrying baseball bats. Vampiro confronts them. Sting jumps out of the coffin and assaults Vampiro with a baseball bat. Vampiro is laid in the coffin unconscious. Sting has disappeared. The Demon never shows and therefore is the loser of the Graveyard Match.
- Winner: Vampiro at at an undetermined time.
- Match Rating: 7 / 10.
Kevin Nash Vs Goldberg
- For Scott Hall’s contract. Nash is about to Jack Knife Powerbomb Goldberg. Scott Steiner punches him in the back! Goldberg spears and Jackhammer Slams him for the win. Steiner puts Nash in the Recliner as Goldberg rips up Hall’s contract and stuffs the pieces in Nash’s mouth.
- Winner: Goldberg at 5 minutes and 22 seconds.
- Match Rating: 4 / 10.
Booker T. (challenger) Vs Jeff Jarrett (champion) (WCW World Heavyweight Title Match)
- Winner: …and new WCW World Heavyweight Champion…Booker T at 14 minutes and 17 seconds.
- Match Rating: 10 / 10.
- Total Event Time: 2 hours and 50 minutes.
- Overall Event Rating: 9 / 10.