It's Sunday, July 7th, 1996. The box office declares its Independence Day, and we've reached the end of The Crossroads with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony in the Billboard charts. Dolly the cloned Sheep is born and Hotmail makes its world debut. But in the world of WCW, there's an invasion going down and tonight is the night to see if the reserves of World Championship Wrestling can take on this onslaught of Outsiders. It's WCW Bash at the Beach 1996 from the Ocean Center in Daytona, Florida. Crowd of 8,300 and a buyrate of 3,200. So, what's been going down in the past few months that have led us to this historic evening?
May 27th, 1996. The first two hour edition of Monday Nitro. The former Razor Ramon of the WWF Scott Hall jumps the barricade and grabs a mic. He berates "Billionaire Ted" and "The Nacho Man" before declaring a war on WCW. One week later Kevin Nash, formerly Diesel, shows up and backs Hall's statements about a war that's to come in WCW. The duo want a six man tag match with three of WCW's best versus the two of them and a third man that they decline to mention by name.
Also on tap tonight, a Carson City Silver Dollar match where John Tenta looks to get revenge on Big Bubba Boss Man, Rey Mysterio Jr. Faces Psychosis, Disco Inferno challenges Dean Malenko for the Cruiserweight Championship, Diamond Dallas Page puts his Lord of the Ring on the line against Hacksaw Jim Duggan in a taped fist match, and the Nasty Boys face Public Enemy in a double dog collar match. Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan and Duthty Rhodeth Daddeh at the table for tonight's action.
-Rey Mysterio Jr. VS Psychosis-
Mike Tenay joins commentary since he's the only one who knows anything about Mysterio and Psychosis. Heenan asks about the third man, but he doesn't know anything. Heenan makes a timely Demi Moore joke about Rey's shaved head (G.I. Jane had started filming around this time) as Psychosis slaps Rey to start. Arm drag by Rey sends Psychosis out of the ring and into the guardrail. Rey locks a half crab, but Psyschosis turns it into a surfboard stretch. A surfboard at the beach, how fitting. A really nice crucifix scissors from Psychosis keeps Rey grounded until Rey escape.
Fast counters by Rey, but Psychosis comes back with a spin kick and a suicide dive that literally sends his head smashing under the guardrail. He recovers and brings Rey back in, hitting some knee drops. Cover only gets a two. Psychosis gets in a guilotine leg drop and covers, only getting a two. He follows with a leg drop on a prone Rey, throat-first into the ropes and apron. He follows that with a super stiff clothesline. Slow cover only gets a two. Psychosis continues offense, Stopping all of Rey's speedy counters. But Rey comes back, catapulting him into the post, and follows with a hurricanrana off the apron.
Rey gets a springboard hurricanrana, but Psychosis kicks out at two. Rey dropkicks the knee and goes into an Indian Deathlock. He ties Psychosis into the corner and hits a dropkick, covering for two. Psychosis comes back with a scissors hold to the head. Massive catapult sends Rey crashing into the ropes. He follows with a reverse DDT that sends Rey rolling out, so Psychosis follows that with a press slam throat-first into the guardrail. He then goes up to the buckle and lands a senton that splats both men.
Both men back in the ring and Psychosis continues the offense with an enziguri and a camel clutch. Rey escapes, does some fast flips and sends Psychosis to the outside. Springboard dropkick followed by a Hurricanrana off the buckle to the apron to the floor. Top rope springboard moonsault by Rey who covers for two. Rey gets a dropkick, then follows with one using the ropes. Then a springboard flipping moonsault to the outside, but he crashes his knees hard into the buckle. Both return to the ring. Rey tries a springboard, but gets caught with a powerbomb by Psychosis. Psychosis sets Rey up on the top buckle for a crucifix bomb, but Rey hits a massive hurricanrana. Cover gets the three.
Awesome opener. A great showcase for not just Rey Mysterio Jr. and Psychosis, but the burgeoning cruiserweight division and WCW's showcase of lucha libre wrestling. Never felt too slow, a lot of great submission spots as well as a lot of fast flips and aerial maneuvers, and it had the perfect amount of time. Not too little and not too much. Rey feels like the perfect underdog star. A small wrestler that can pull off the most unbelievable maneuvers. Of the things in WCW I'm looking forward to covering, Rey's stuff is easily in the high marks.
Mean Gene is backstage with U.S. Champ Konnan who is bandaged in the back of the head. But Gene is focused on how Flair is overconfident and wants the gold badly. Konnan says he's overly cautious. Unlike Flair, he has no alliance. He promises to attack the horsemen and even clothesline the women.
-Carson City Silver Dollar Match: Big Bubba VS John Tenta-
Super tall ring post with a sock full of silver dollars. Whoever pulls the sock down will be allowed to use it. History between these men: The former Shark John Tenta quit the Dungeon of Doom and became the target of Big Bubba Boss Man, who shaved half his head first, then last Monday on Nitro, continued the job by shaving off his bead. Now Tenta looks like Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force with half a do. Bubba stalls, then tries an attack, only for Tenta to hit a shoulder block. He throws Bubba back in and chokes him with his boot. After ramming Bubba with into the corner, he climbs up to the pole, but is blocked.
Bubba lands a windmill punch and then goes up. The sock is super high up, so it's going to be a struggle to reach. Tenta drops him, then tries again. Bubba grabs him and hits a back suplex. Bubba tries to climb, then Tenta counters by ramming Bubba groin-first into the top buckle. Tenta wisely starts to try and unhook the pole to take it down, but Bubba grabs a belt and chokes Tenta with it. Then Bubba follows by taping Tenta into the ropes and giving him a belted fist to the head. He grabs the scissors and goes to shear, but Tenta hits a low blow and uses the scissors to free himself.
Tenta then uses the scissors and cuts the ties on the pole, but Bubba attacks him from behind. He lands a big spinebuster on Tenta. He instructs Jimmy Hart to climb the pole. Jimmy gets up and unhooks the sock, but Tenta lands a slam. An unaware Jimmy Hart slides down the pole, only to be met by Tenta who grabs the sock and gives him a shove. He smacks Bubba with the sock and covers for the three. Post-match, Tenta pours out the silver dollars on Bubba. I was expecting a really terrible match, but I gotta admit, it was okay. Mainly due in part to some good heel work by Bubba using his "plunder" as Dusty would phrase it to try and keep Tenta downed. And it also served as a great use of Jimmy Hart as well. Overall, a fun little match with Tenta getting the revenge he was seeking.
Mean Gene is with Sting, Luger and Savage as they prepare for their encounter with the Outsiders. Savage says that he doesn't care who the third man, because he's gonna get hurt just like those other guys. Luger says that they are prepared. The outsiders have talked a lot of trash, but the three of them will represent WCW well. Sting says that the unknown gives him a dry mouth. It makes him a nervous wreck, goosebumps, etc. But the three of them are ready.
-The Lord Of the Ring Taped Fist Match: Hacksaw Jim Duggan VS Diamond Dallas Page-
Loud USA chants for Hacksaw as we kick things off. Shoulder block by Duggan sends Page to the outside. Page spits at Duggan then runs off to stall. Page guillotines Duggan then drags him to the corner. Using some tape, he ties up Duggan's legs. This allows Page to stomp and punch while the referee removes the tape. Duggan comes back with a punch that sends Page flopping through the ropes. A rope a dope series of punches send Page stumbling off the steps. Duggan then suplexes Page over the ropes to the inside. He goes for a second suplex, but Page grabs the rope and changes it into an armbar takedown.
Page goes to the top buckle, but Hacksaw crotches him, then follows with a hairpull takedown face-first off the buckle. Speaking of buckles, He hits ten buckle rams in the corner and a clothesline that sends Page over the ropes. Hacksaw throws him back in, but Page manages to get a kick that leads to a Diamond Cutter. Cover and the three for DDP. Post-match, someone throws Hacksaw his wrist tape, allowing him to wind up for the punch, knocking Page out cold. Overall, a mercifully short match. Good heel stuff from Page at least.
Mean Gene with Jimmy Hart ("You little twerp), Kevin Sullivan and The Giant. Gene says that the Horsemen will double team Sullivan, keeping him from tagging Giant. Giant says that he doesn't consider Taskmaster the weak link. He was the one who brought The Giant to the WCW. He is the elite. You come after Sullivan in his hometown, then they'll be having horse stew for later.
Cut to Lee Marshall who interviews Arn Anderson and Chris Benoit. He remind the two that if either of them win, the Horsemen will get a shot on Nitro. Arn turns this into mentioning the Outsiders. He's no fan of Sting, Luger and Savage, but they have his support tonight. He says that this match tonight is a vehicle to get the world title back. He promises that The Giant will be chopped in half. Benoit repeats his "Silent but Violent" catchphrase and says that tonight they'll finish off what Sullivan started. They'll leave him dead (collar tug).
-Double Dog Collar Match: Public Enemy VS The Nasty Boys-
Rocco Rock and Grunge head to the ring with a table as we get ready for this double dog collar match. Essentially no rules. Rocco Rock gets attached to a collar connected to Saggs, Johnny Grunge with Knobbs. Knobbs smashes Grunge with the chain as all four men brawl on the outside. Dusty Rhodes coins the term "Double Trouble, Bash at the Beach Trouble". Trash cans aplenty as Knobbs bashes Grunge with the can. Grunge comes back with some lid smashes. Knobbs and Grunge go to the beach set and brawl in the sand. Knobbs attacks Grunge with an inflatable shark (to the delight of Dusty). Meanwhile Saggs nails Rocco Rock with a surfboard. Dusty is delighted.
Knobbs smashes Grunge with a chair and pins him on the surfboard, but only gets a two. Rocco Rock climbs the lifeguard stand. Saggs pulls him by the chain, but Rocco just crashes on him. This is a mess ofa match, but the commentary is amazing at how perplexed they are at what's going down. Rocco Rock climbs the lifeguard stand again, but Saggs pushes the stand down, getting the chain caught under. While they escape, Knobbs continues to beat on Grunge by the guardrail.
Saggs throws a table at Rocco Rock. The table gets set up during the brawl. Saggs hits a piledriver on Rock. Meanwhile, Knobbs tries to set Grunge on the table, but they just brawl instead. Rocco throws Saggs on the table, then dives off the guardrail and splats on Saggs through the table. Everyone returns to ringside as Saggs brings the table back in. Rocco Rock smashes Saggs with the chain while Grunge smacks Knobbs into the table leg.
Rocco Rock sets Saggs on the table, but Saggs yanks him off into the table (which doesn't break). Saggs sets Rocco Rock on the table and drops a chain-wrapped elbow off the second buckle. AND THE TABLE STILL DOESN'T BREAK!! Knobbs hangs Grunge Saggs throws Rocco Rock throat-first into the chain. Cover and a three. To quote Tony Schiavone: That was a mess. Post-Match, Public Enemy try to get their heat back, but Grunge whips Knobbs with the chain. The table finally breaks as Rocco Rock put Saggs through it. Overall, that was a mess of a hardcore brawl that was worth it for how perplexed the commentary team was.
Mean Gene is here with security by the Outsiders locker room. They are of course denying access to anyone. Not only that, but nobody has any clue about where Eric Bischoff is, and of course the identity of the third man.
-WCW Cruiserweight Championship: Disco Inferno VS Dean Malenko-
Disco comes out first and dances, as expected. He grabs the mic and says that after he beats "Mr. Personality" and wins the title, everyone is welcome to his disco dance party. Malenko heads right to the ring and slaps the taste out of Disco's mouth and throws him out of the ring. He throws Disco into the guardrail and continues to beat down on the dancing man. Disco shoves him, but Malenko just flips out of it and hits him again. Malenko hits a beautiful brainbuster. Cover, but Disco kicks out at a close two. Malenko begins his ground work, going from chinlock and transitioning into a headscissors. Disco gets the ropes, but Malenko just continues his assault, following up with a back suplex.
Malenko locks in a single leg bar, then continues to stomp on the injured knee. Snapmare with a dropkick to the back of the head and a cover only gets two for Malenko. Malenko then locks in an STF. Malenko then gets a roll up on Disco, but only for a two. So far, Disco hasn't had much offense at all. This has been a total exhibition for the cruiserweight champion. Disco finally comes in with a flurry of punches in the corner (which gets a pop), and pops Malenko in the mouth. He follows that with a flapjack sending Malenko throat-first into the ropes. Facebuster by Disco and a cover for two.
The momentum returns for Malenko who beats down Disco on the outside. He follows with a crucifix body scissors (which Dusty thinks will "Uncle" Disco Inferno). He starts locking in the chin, but Disco slides into the ropes. It takes a while, but he gets the feet on the rope, forcing a break. Malenko hits a springboard leg drop of sorts and covers Disco for two. Disco gets some body blows and hits some elbows in the corner.
Malenko regains control going for an ax handle, but Disco blocks the ax handle and hits a neckbreaker. Cover, but Malenko gets his foot on the ropes. Swinging neckbreaker by Disco who dances, then covers for two. Springboard dropkick out of the corner and a Texas Cloverleaf, but Disco rolls him up for two. Disco hits a clothesline and covers for two. Malenko comes right back with a clothesline of his own. Disco avoids a dropkick, but Malenko comes back with an underhook powerbomb transitioning into a Texas Cloverleaf for the win in a better than expected match. Good in-ring work from Malenko as always, but Disco proved a decent challenger.
-"The Desperado" Joe Gomez VS Steve "Mongo" McMichael-
Mongo starts with stiff chops on Gomez in the corner and hits a three point stance tackle. Gomez hits some strikes and lands a chop of his own. He ducks a chop and lands a cross body, covering for two. Mongo's lip is already split as he lands some more strikes in the corner. Gomez rams Mongo in the corner, but gets caught with a low blow (A 'mule kick to the groan' per Dusty). Mongo hits a field goal kick to the midsection. Bobby shows his appreciation for Mongo, but Schiavone goes on a tirade about all the months on Nitro of Heenan crapping on Mongo.
Mongo locks in a chinlock, turning it into a sleeper. Gomez manages to counter with a jawbreaker. Mongo hits a pretty decent neckbreaker then slowly covers for two. He goes for a figure four, but Gomez turns it into a roll up for a two count. Mongo slams and goes for an elbow, but Gomez rolls out of the way. But Mongo stays on him, going for a piledriver, but Gomez back drops him. Gomez starts to fight back with chops and dropkicks. He goes for a sunset flip, but Mongo completely botches the sitdown flip spot. Tombstone by Mongo and a cover for three in a pretty awful match. Mongo is not good. Not good at all.
Mean Gene interviews a spirited Ric Flair who is ready to sing La Cucaracha when he faces Konnan. He calls Konnan a man with a thousand holds (Dean Malenko might take exception to that), and promises to win both the US title and the WCW title tomorrow. Liz flaunts the Savage money to hold a private party later toight. Flair tells Savage that Liz will never come back to him.
-WCW United States Championship: "Nature Boy" Ric Flair VS Konnan-
Flair shakes Konnan's hand then does some strutting and stalling to get us started. Konnan takes Ric down with a headlock. Flair gets the headlock and shoulder block spot, but Konnan lands a dropkick. Konnan hits a slap that sends Flair crashing to the mat. Flair works a top wrist lock, but Konnan counters, and takes him back down. Headlock and shoulder block by Konnan. Flair gets in a chop in the corner and hits a headlock pumch. Konnan comes back with a back bodry drop, transitioning into a surfboard stretch. He then hits a press slam. Flair tries for some chops, but gets punched in the mouth and press slammed again. Two clotheslines follow, including one that sends both men to the outside. Konnan dives at Flair, almost crashing into Elizabeth. I guess Konnan wasn't lying about beating the women if he needed to. Konnan goes to dive, but Woman shakes the rope, sending him falling off.
Knee drop and a cover only gets two for Ric. Flair distracts the ref while Woman walks in and full on shins Konnan in the balls. Elizabeth distracts the ref and Woman grinds her nails in the eyes. Flair then suplexes Konnan over the ropes and slow covers for two. Flair locks in a long chinlock, but Konnan soon escapes, and gets some rights and stiff chops. We get a Flair flop an a Flair corner flip, which is met with a springboard dropkick. Sunset flip attempt, but Flair punches. He tries a figure four, but Konnan rolls him up for two.
Konnan hits a drop toe hold and locks in the figure four himself. After it's broken, Konnan hits a suplex over the ropes and covers for two. Flair comes back with an elbow to the face. He goes up, which of course means that Konnan throws him off and hits a bulldog. Cover, but only two. Rolling clothesline and a cover, but two still. Konnan goes for a roll, but Elizabeth distracts the ref. Woman smacks Konnan with the shoe, Flair covers using the ropes and gets the three to win the United States Title. A bit slow in places, but otherwise a pretty good match between both men. Konnan's quality has continued to improve over the months.
Sneaky Mean Gene is at the door of the Outsiders. He says that he can hear the third man. His voice sounds familiar, but it's so muffled that he can't put his finger on it. Nobody still knows about Eric Bischoff's whereabouts. Heenan tells Gene to bribe the security, but Gene doesn't want to get involved.
-Arn Anderson & Chris Benoit VS "Taskmaster" Kevin Sullivan & The Giant-
Sullivan and Giant attack Benoit and Arn from the entrance as the fight is underway. Sullivan throws a chair at Arn, while Mongo sneaks up and smacks Giant with the briefcase. Giant gives chase while Arn and Benoit double team Sullivan. Stiff chop exchanges by Benoit and Sullivan while Giant heads to the ring. Both men legitimately beating each other down, brawling in the middle of the ring. Arn gets the tag and gets a knee to the groin. Sullivan returns to brawling with Benoit on the outside, but Benoit wins that exchange with a ram into the guardrail. Sullivan then grabs Arn and throws him into the rail.
Tag to Benoit who hits a fast slam. Sullivan manages to attack both men with a noggin knocker, but Benoit stays on him with more punches. Arn becomes legal and grinds the eyes of Sullivan on the ropes. Sullivan gets one of his own. Giant hits a big clothesline and Sullivan falls to a cover, but Benoit breaks it. Tag to Benoit who hits an elbow in the corner and follows with a superplex, but goes to cross body Giant instead. Giant catches him and throws him into Arn. Arn comes in and locks in an abdominal stretch. Tag to Benoit who keeps punching down on Sullivan. Sullivan gouges the eyes, but Arn beats him down some more.
Benoit and Arn continue to keep Sullivan cornered. He sets up a spike piledriver, but Sullivan catapults Arn into Benoit. He finally tags Giant who goes after Arn while Benoit brawls with Sullivan up to the announce position. Sullivan slams Benoit at the announce position while Giant hits a chokeslam. Cover and the three in a match that was more a brawl than anything technical. A lot of "face" in peril with Sullivan, but it was a situation where it worked really well.
Post-match, Benoit dives off the announce position and continues to beat down Sullivan. He hits Sullivan right in the face with the chair. He takes Sullivan to the ring and hits a massive back superplex, while Giant has just up and left. Woman makes it to the ring and tells Chris to stop beating down Sullivan. Well, this got more awkward and depressing. Giant finally comes back and chases Benoit and Woman off. So, we're getting into the real life situation between Chris, Nancy and Kevin, which means that this is not going to be a fun thing to reminisce on at all.
-Sting, Lex Luger & "Macho Man" Randy Savage VS Scott Hall, Kevin Nash & ???-
Hall and Nash make their way to the ring first, but conspicuous by his absence is the third man. Sting's music hits, but suddenly stops as they Gene Okerlund tries to get an answer from Hall and Nash about who the third man is. Hall says that he knows too much already. The third man is here and he's ready. Nash says that he's here all right, but they have enough to handle it right here. They force Okerlund out as Sting, Luger and Savage make their way to the ring.
So it's technically a two-on-one match as we start. Heenan is absolutely paranoid at this point, which I think will forgive something he'll say later on. Hall and Luger start things off. He throws the toothpick, but gets slapped by Luger. Luger gets the big plated forearm and smashes Nash as well. Nash grabs Luger, allowing Sting to hit a Stinger Splash that takes out both Nash and Luger. Sting checks on Luger while Savage attacks Hall. With Luger out cold, this is technically two on two until the third man arrives. EMTs arrive and put Luger on a stretcher and take him out.
Sting beats down on Hall, ramming the head and hitting some stomps. He follows with a facebuster. Tag to Savage who goes for an ax handle, but gets caught with a shot to the gut. Nash follows that with a snake eyes in the corner. Clothesline by Savage who covers for two. Tag to Nash. Savage avoids contact, but gets caught with an elbow to the back of the head. He hits a big body slam and goes for an elbow, but Savage barely rolls out, still getting hit in the head. Tag to Sting, but Nash follows with elbows and knees in the corner. He chokes Sting with his boot. Schiavone mentions that they should bring someone else here to replace Luger, again setting up for the end of this match perfectly.
Nash catches Sting with a double handed chokeslam and tags in Hall. Savage tries to stop the offense, but Sting just gets double teamed. Fallaway slam by Hall who covers for two. Tag to Nash who hits the big boot right in the face of Sting. Sting gets the dropkick to the knee of Nash, but Hall gets in to deny Sting a tag. Roll up by Sting, but only a one count. Hall continues to drop elbows and paintbrushes the face. He follows with the abdominal stretch, using Nash as support. Tag to Nash who continues the stretch with some hammering blows to the chest.
Sting tries to tag Savage, but Hall comes in to block it, hitting a big clothesline and covering for two. He goes into a chinlock, then throws Sting outside, allowing Nash to continue the assault. Savage comes for the save, grabbing a chair to ward Nash off. Hard slap takes a winded Sting out. Cover, but Sting still kicks out. Nash comes in and hits the sidewalk slam. Slow cover, but Sting kicks out. They bash Sting some more, but Sting manages to gets a boot and some strikes. He lays in left and rights and tags in Savage. Ax handle to Hall, and a noggin knocker. He then dives on Hall to the outside. He goes for Nash, but gets nailed with a low blow. Everyone is down...
Then from out of the entrance comes Hogan-Senpai! For the first time since Before this whole situation with the invasion started, Hulk Hogan has returned to WCW. Dusty and Schiavone are excited that the tables are now turned in their favor, but a paranoid Bobby Heenan blurts out "but whose side is he on?" Regardless, Hogan is here, Hogan is ready, Hogan is...
LEG DROPPING RANDY SAVAGE??? Yes, it turns out that Hulk Hogan is the third man after all. It only makes sense. Like I said, he vanished from Nitro weeks before Hall and Nash's arrival, and we haven't heard from him since. The match gets thrown out at this point as Hogan drops the leg again and high fives Hall and Nash. They take out Sting as they throw out the referee. One more leg drop and a nonchalant cover as Hall makes the pin. The Outsiders technically win.
Garbage begins to rain in the ring as Mean Gene heads to the ring, trying to get some sort of explanation from Hogan. A fan even tries to hop the barricade and get in the ring, only to get kicked by Hall. He tells Gene to tell the fans to shut up if they want to hear what he has to say. He says that this is the New World Order of Wrestling (Which he'll also call the New World Organization and New Blood in this promo). These two men have come from the big organization up north, and no one knows that place better than Hogan. He made that organization a monster, he made people rich up there. And when it all came to pass, Hogan got bigger than that organization.
Billionaire Ted talked turkey with Hulk Hogan, and promised him movies and millions of dollars and world caliber matches. And he's bored, brother. He wants Hall and Nash as his friends and they'll take over the business and destroy everything in their path. All the crap in the ring represents these fans. For two years he held his head high and did everything for the charities and the kids, and the reception he got? These fans can stick it. If it wasn't for Hulk Hogan, you people wouldn't be here and Eric Bischoff would still be selling meat in the back of a trick in Minneapolis. If it wasn't for Hulk Hogan, wrestling wouldn't be here. What'cha gonna do when the NWO goes wild on you? Hogan, Hall and Nash mock the crowd as we end the show with the greatest line ever uttered by Tony Schiavone: "Hulk Hogan, you can go to hell!"
So there is a lot to talk about when it comes to the birth of the New World Order, Hogan's turn and everything surrounding it. First, this whole thing was brilliantly booked. From the general sense of fear and dread surrounding everything involving Hall and Nash and the ambiguity of the third man, having Mean Gene hear a voice in their dressing room and knowing he's heard it before, taking out Lex Luger early on so that anyone could take his place, having commentary talk about "screw the rules, let's get someone out to replace Luger", Hulk Hogan coming out with everyone taken out as if he were WCW's last hope and finally dropping the leg, finally turning heel for the first time since the boom of Hulkamania in the eighties. What we got in this segment alone is a master class in wrestling booking. The in-ring was fine, but that was never as important as everything surrounding it. Heenan jumping the gun on suspecting Hogan, I see a lot of people say it ruins the moment, but considering how absolutely paranoid Bobby Heenan was all night, and the fact that he's never trusted Hulk Hogan to begin with, it's not as harmful as people put it. If it was Tony or Dusty, sure, it's a bad deal. Bobby? Nah.
Hulk Hogan needed this. By the latter end of his face run, he was getting more boos and ire for his eye-rolling super babyface shtick. For me, his destruction of all the members of the Dungeon of Doom with one eye was the moment where it really felt that if this didn't change, if Hogan didn't change, then WCW was going to have a serious problem. Hogan getting a chance to embrace the more villainous side that we know he has the ability to do is the most refreshing thing for him at this point in time. And to do so with half of the Kliq, a duo of backstage politicians who are just as sinister as Hogan, it's a match made in heaven. And, with the garbage in the ring, the thrown beer cups, everything surrounding the ring, it's working exactly as planned. The NWO era of WCW has arrived. And what this means is that we're in for some amazing stuff, and ultimately some of the very things that led to WCW's eventual death.
As for Bash at the Beach itself, this was a great show. Amazing opener with Rey and Psychosis, A fun for what it was silver dollar match, DDP and Hacksaw was inoffensive (and didn't have much offense), Disco and Malenko was fine, Flair and Konnan was decent, Gomez and Mongo was terrible, Public and Nastyz was a mess as expected, Horsemen and The Dungeon was more a brawl than a match and it worked well, but the lynchpin of this show was the main event. It was to this point the most pivotal moment in WCW. The moment that will lead them to success in the next year and a half, and what will lead them to nearly choking the WWF out for good. This show is a must-watch. It's an easy sit, and a well booked piece of wrestling storytelling. This show, for the main event angle alone, gets an A+.
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