Someone call the army, the navy or the marines! The good old United States Of America has been invaded! It’s official. Canada has taken over World Championship Wrestling. At the conclusion of a below average New Blood Rising pay-per-view from the PNE Coliseum in Vancouver, Canadian wrestlers laid claim to every WCW Championship except their World Heavyweight Title held by Booker T.

Through some underhanded trickery Canada’s new grappling hero, Lance Storm, retained his Canadian Heavyweight Championship (formerly known as the U.S. Heavyweight Title) in his match against his former ECW stablemate, Mike Awesome. On his own, Storm now holds three WCW Championships, the Canadian Title, the Hardcore title and the Cruiserweight strap (renamed the Saskatchewan Hardcore International Title and the One Hundred Kilos And Under Title by Storm). Fellow Canadian, Vampiro, added to that haul when he and Japanese legend, The Great Muta, defeated the tag team champions Kronic.

Notwithstanding the overbooked and unremarkable card, New Blood Rising will long be remembered by Canadian fans as Lance Storm’s official debut in his homeland. A solid worker for years in the Extreme Championship Wrestling promotion as a flag-waving Canadian, Storm was well known to Canuck fans though they had never really had the chance to honour him on such a grand scale as ECW has never ran a pay-per-view on Canadian soil. Last night, they did in a big way. With many Canadian flags flying proudly, the fans in attendance gave Storm a warm welcome. Arriving earlier in a limo flanked by “secret service” operatives, Storm addressed the crowd from the middle of the ring as his opponent, Mike Awesome, waited patiently outside.

“After wrestling for rude and obnoxious crowds in the U.S., I finally get to wrestle for some REAL wrestling fans in the greatest country in the world,” said Storm playing up his anti-American, heel persona. The crowd wildly cheered Storm on by chanting…U.S. sucks!…U.S. sucks!. “If you are wondering why there is a security entourage in the back, it is because I’ve become a marked and hated man in the U.S.,” Storm continued as the fans booed showing their support. “Despite claims of being a patriotic nation, they spit on me for defending my own country. It’s irrational American thinking like that which has me worried about a terrorist attack in the back. It is not my fault Americans think they rule the world. It is not my fault that I threaten that illusion. It is not my fault that I will defeat another American hero, Mike Awesome,” Storm solemnly declared.

In accordance with the “rules” surrounding a Canadian Championship bout (Editor’s Note: A Canadian Championship bout? Whats that?), Storm invoked “Rule Number 32b” (Editor’s Note: What rule? Oh yeah, THAT rule.) and choose another Canadian wrestling star, Jacques Rougeau Jr., to be the second and senior official for the match. Rougeau, formerly known as The Mountie in the WWF and one half of the Quebecers tag team, came out with an “official” Canadian wrestling rule book in hand. (Editor’s Note: A Canadian rule book? Where can I get me one of those?) In a sight to behold, Rougeau stood beside Storm as “Oh, Canada” in its entirety played over the loudspeakers. The fans sang along in unison.

Rougeau’s designated status would play havoc with Mike Awesome’s bid to regain the title belt for his country. A power bomb gained him an unmistakable three count but Rougeau pulled out his rule book and stated that a title match in Canada can only be decided by a five count therefore, the match must continue. Though they had never heard of such a rule before, Canadian fans were more than happy to side with Rougeau. Minutes later, Storm tapped out to a Dragon Sleeper applied by Awesome. Again, Rougeau ordered the match to proceed, as according to the Canadian rule book, the Canadian Title could only change hands on a pinfall not a submission.

Undaunted, Awesome landed a Frog Splash from the top rope pinning Storm’s shoulders to the canvas. Awesome thought he had won for sure this time. However, Rougeau overruled the in-ring official once more saying that not only was a Bundy five count required for a victory but also the pinned wrestler had to fail to meet a standard ten count. For the third time, Rougeau demanded the contest carry on. Awesome belly-to-belly suplexed Storm from the top rope through a table in the middle of the ring knocking himself silly in the process. Rougeau joined the in-ring official in laying down a ten count. Whoever could get to their feet first would win the Canadian Title. As Awesome stood up, Rougeau punched him in the face knocking him back down. Storm got up and retained the title.

Interrupting Storm and Rougeau’s celebration was Bret “The Hit Man” Hart who walked to the ring with a serious look on his face and to a standing ovation from the fans. Hart stood face-to-face with Storm then he smiled and hugged the Canadian Heavyweight Champion and Rougeau effectively giving Storm his seal of approval. It should be noted that Storm was trained in the infamous Hart “dungeon” in Calgary … Alberta, Canada. As they left the ring, Storm and Hart held the ropes open for each other in a show of mutual respect. The much talked about “Canadian Alliance” could be forming, folks.

Overcoming an injured knee, Booker T. also retained the WCW World Heavyweight Title fending off a challenge by Jeff Jarrett. Going through two prior referees due to Jeff Jarrett’s cheating ways, Booker caught Jarrett coming off of the top rope in his Bookmark finisher to put him away.

  • The next WCW pay-per-view is Fall Brawl on September 17th.

    WCW New Blood Rising Results

    Three Count Vs The Yung Dragons (Ladder Match)

  • A breakthrough match for both teams easily elevating them in status and importance to the company. A virtuoso of wickedly-planned spots highlighted by Jamie San’s Senton from off the top of a ladder in the ring, to the floor. The Yung Dragons snatch Three Count’s gold album but Tank steals it from them. Three Count wins by climbing a ladder and grabbing back their recording contract. Three Count will get to record another album. Goodie. Goodie. Lucky us.
  • Winners: Three Count at 11 minutes and 32 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 9 / 10.
  • The Filthy Animals make a deal with The Cat. If they can officiate the WCW World Tag Team Title Match, they will guarantee him a win over The Great Muta. The Cat agrees.

    The Great Muta Vs The Cat

  • Plenty of martial arts chops, kicks and thrusts on display. Tigeress belts Muta with a steel chair from the top rope at 5:44. The Cat lands his Judo spin kick for the win.
  • Winner: The Cat at 6 minutes and 40 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 6 / 10.

    Buff Bagwell Vs Positively Kanyon (Judy Bagwell On A Pole Match)

  • Kanyon drives Judy to the ring on a forklift. Kanyon says that the match had to be changed from a pole match because he could not find one strong enough in Canada, a second-rate country. Kanyon’s cheap heel heat works wonders. Unable to keep up with Kanyon, Buff basically takes much of Kanyon’s innovative offensive moves. Kanyon pulls out wire cutters and removes a turnbuckle but of course he gets thrown into it. At 5:16, actor David Arquette comes to ringside. Arquette attempts to interfere for Kanyon. Bagwell Blockbusters them both. After the match, Kanyon Kanyon-Cuts Arquette.
  • Winner: Buff Bagwell at 6 minutes and 40 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 3 / 10.
  • The announcers inform everyone that Bill Goldberg was in a “motorcycle accident” while down at the Sturgis biker rally and it’s doubtful he’ll be able to participate in the three way match. Booker T pulls up in his car. Jarrett attacks him from behind slamming a car door repeatedly into his already injured knee.

    Kronic (champions) Vs Jindrak, O’Haire (challengers) Vs MIA (challengers) Vs The Perfect Event (challengers) (WCW World Tag Team Title Match)

  • O’Haire really turns it up during this match delivering some crisp and exciting moves. He could be a talent to watch out for. Disco Inferno is officiating the bout on the inside as Konnan sits in on commentary and the rest of the Filthy Animals referee on the outside. Konnan is funny as hell spitting out shoot comments about Kronic and others. Disco counts slow for anyone but Jindrak & O’Haire as the Filthy Animals would rather face an inexperienced tag team for the belts on Nitro as per their deal with The Cat. Jindrak & O’Haire and The Perfect Event seem to be forging an alliance throughout the match. Kronic punks out Disco for his slow counts. Vampiro and Muta do a run-in on Kronic. Chavo Guerrero puts on Disco’s referee shirt and slaps a three count for Kronic.
  • Winners: …and still WCW World Tag Team Champions…Kronic at 11 minutes and 18 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 4 / 10.

    Billy Kidman Vs Shane Douglas (Strap Match)

  • Torrie almost costs Douglas the match when she nails him with a high-heel shoe to the head meant for Kidman. Kidman attached Torrie to the strap and spanks her with it. Kidman pins Douglas but pays for it. Kidman is stood up on a steel chair as Douglas stands on the top rope wrapping the strap around his throat. Torrie kicks out the chair and Kidman is hung. Vito does the save and brawls with the new guy, Rito, Dito, Mito or whatever the heck his name is. (Editor’s Note: WCW.com has it spelled Reno.) Kidman is thankful for the assist.
  • Winner: Kidman at 8 minutes and 23 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 7 / 10.

    Major Gunns Vs Ms. Hancock

  • Gunns and Hancock don’t do a half bad job of wrestling in the ring. In retrospect, it’s funny to see Hancock use more moves than Kevin Nash does. Hancock misses a splash from the second ropes. She lands on her stomach hard. Down to bikini tops and bottoms, they make their way to the mud pit and roll around in it some. Hancock slams Gunns then doubles over in pain holding her stomach. Gunns pins her. David Flair comes running down into the pit to help Hancock. Gunns is upset too. Hancock is wheeled out on a stretcher and into an ambulance holding her gut as the announce team does a bad job of selling her injury as legit. Do I smell a pregnancy angle coming up? Geesh, I sure hope not.
  • Winner: Major Gunns at 6 minutes and 44 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 1 / 10.

    The Demon Vs Sting

  • Not much of a match and a strange one at that. Sting repels down onto the rampway. He and Demon brawl to the ring. A Scorpion Death Drop and The Demon is done. Muta and Vampiro attempt to hang Sting by his repel cord. Kronic to the rescue! Sting splits. So does The Demon. Kronic dares Muta and Vampiro to fight them later on for the tag straps.
  • Winner: Sting at 51 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 0 / 10.

    Mike Awesome (challenger) Vs Lance Storm (champion) (Canadian Heavyweight Title Match)

  • Winner: …and still Canadian Heavyweight Champion…Lance Storm at 11 minutes and 20 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 7 / 10.

    Kronic (champions) Vs Vampiro, The Great Muta (champions) (WCW World Tag Team Title Match)

  • The Harris Brothers jump into the ring from the crowd and beat on Kronic. An H Bomb and then a sloppy Moonsault from Muta causes Kronic to drop the belts.
  • Winners: …and new WCW World Tag Team Champions, Vampiro and The Great Muta at 9 minutes and 8 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 4 / 10.

    Scott Steiner Vs Kevin Nash Vs Goldberg (Number One Contender Match)

  • Goldberg’s music plays twice but he doesn’t come out. At just over a minute in, Goldberg with his chest and arm taped up runs out and brains Nash with a steel chair. Nash is about to Jack Knife Powerbomb Goldberg. Goldberg pushes him away and walks out of the ring. Vince Russo runs out and demands Goldberg get back in. Goldberg says…”What are you going to do now, Russo? F–k, you!”, then walks away. The implication being that the finish was planned and Goldberg has refused to go along with it. The announcers ruin things by admitting the match is scripted. Lame. Lame. Lame. Midajah interferes on behalf of Steiner. Nash still wins a title shot at Fall Brawl. Big Lazy against hard-working Booker? How wonderful. We can only hope Nash squanders his title shot on a bag of magic beans or whatever so we and Booker can be spared the humiliation.
  • Winner: Kevin Nash at 10 minutes and 44 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 3 / 10.

    Jeff Jarrett (challenger) Vs Booker T (WCW World Heavyweight Title Match)

  • Winner: …and still WCW World Heavyweight Champion…Booker T at 14 minutes and 31 seconds.
  • Match Rating: 7 / 10.
  • Total Event Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes.
  • Overall Event Rating: 3 / 10