Booker T vs Jeff Jarrett (WCW, 10-2-2000)

WCW Monday Nitro, San Francisco, CA

A request! This is a “San Francisco 49ers match” for the constantly-vacated WCW world heavyweight title of 1999-00, which was yet again vacant because Vince Russo had hilariously and beneficially won it on the prior week’s Nitro from Booker T, who had held it a whopping eight days after beating Kevin Nash (20 days) at Fall Brawl.

This is the eighth time in just under a year that the WCW title has been vacant. I’m not trying to be all stodgy, old man, “the title is to be treated SERIOUSLY!” on you, even if I generally do feel that way, but the post-Russo version(s) of WCW were ridiculous even for, like, middle period “Scrubs.”

(Requests open and tips always appreciated!)

Triple H vs Rob Van Dam vs Shawn Michaels vs Kane vs Booker T vs Chris Jericho (WWE, 11-17-2002)

WWE Survivor Series, New York, NY

A request! I loved this match. The first-ever Elimination Chamber, with Triple H defending the “world heavyweight championship” against the other five lads in this NEW demonic structure.

I used to have this show on DVD; it was right before I started being able to buy PPVs monthly, so I didn’t see it live. I sold that DVD at some point. Now, as I am older and back to collecting DVDs, I kinda wish I had it, even if I haven’t really beefed up my wrestling DVD collection, because it’s an expensive habit to catch up over so many years. Ah, well. ANYWAYS,

(Requests open and tips always appreciated!)

TAPE’s Time Travel: This Week in TV Wrestling, Dec. 4-10, 1995

IN THIS SET:

• WCW Prime (Dec. 4, 1995)
• WWF Monday Night Raw (Dec. 4, 1995)
• WCW Monday Nitro (Dec. 4, 1995)
• ECW Hardcore TV (Dec. 5, 1995)
• WCW Worldwide (Dec. 9, 1995)
• WCW Pro (Dec. 9, 1995)
• WWF Superstars (Dec. 9, 1995)
• USWA Championship Wrestling (Dec. 9, 1995)
• WCW Saturday Night (Dec. 9, 1995)
• WCW Main Event (Dec. 10, 1995)

TAPE’s Time Travel: This Week in TV Wrestling, Nov. 20-26, 1995

Another new week, and another one with a pay-per-view extravaganza!

IN THIS SET:

• WCW Prime (Nov. 20, 1995)
• WWF Monday Night Raw (Nov. 20, 1995)
• WCW Monday Nitro (Nov. 20, 1995)
• ECW Hardcore TV (Nov. 21, 1995)
• WCW Worldwide (Nov. 25, 1995)
• WCW Pro (Nov. 25, 1995)
• WWF Superstars (Nov. 25, 1995)
• WCW Saturday Night (Nov. 25, 1995)
• WCW World War 3 (Nov. 26, 1995)

Harlem Heat vs The Outsiders (WCW, 10-27-1996)

WCW Halloween Havoc, Las Vegas, NV

One thing I think was key about the nWo’s early days is Hall and Nash, who had been top singles stars in the WWF, came back to WCW and worked as high profile stars but also as a tag team. They were after the tag belts. Hogan was The Guy for the nWo as far as going after the big belt but Hall and Nash worked tags and still became bigger stars than ever. It was unusual for the U.S. at that point in 1996 to have “a tag team” be two top stars like that, and not just for a one-off or whatever. Anyway, this is The Outsiders making their first challenge for the WCW tag belts.

Booker T vs Bret Hart (WCW, 2-22-1999)

WCW Monday Nitro, Sacramento, CA

This is a No. 1 contender match for the U.S. title, now held by Scott Hall, who beat Roddy Piper at SuperBrawl IX.

Bret Hart vs Booker T (WCW, 1-25-1999)

WCW Monday Nitro, Dallas, TX

Hart hasn’t been in a TV match for two months thanks to a groin injury, which is being doubted by the WCW commentary team. He was also legitimately out of the ring for about two months, returning on house shows just before this match. Hart’s U.S. title isn’t on the line here.

Bret Hart vs Booker T (WCW, 11-28-1998)

WCW Saturday Night, Salina, KS

This is Bret’s only in-ring appearance on The Mothership, renewing aggression with Booker T. This isn’t on WWE Network, but is on YouTube.

Booker T vs Bret Hart (WCW, 7-12-1998)

WCW Bash at the Beach, San Diego, CA

For Booker’s TV title, and Bret’s first title shot in WCW. Bret is now being described as an instigator and master manipulator, which is how he got this title shot, working Booker T all up over several weeks.

WarGames 2000: Russo’s Revenge (WCW, 9-4-2000)

WCW Monday Nitro, Dallas, TX

This is a request via Ko-fi. This was Vince Russo’s hot new take on the WarGames concept. It’s a triple cage. Two teams of four: Vince Russo, Kevin Nash, Scott Steiner & Jeff Jarrett vs Sting, Booker T, and Kronik. And Goldberg is on that team. Or some team. I don’t know and don’t remember and the show is confusing and I’m not watching all of it. It doesn’t matter about teams, really. The world heavyweight title is on the line. The first to climb up and get the title and then leave the cage with the belt is the champion. Nash comes in as champion.