WCW Thunder debut episode

WCW Thunder
The Debut WCW Thunder logo
PromotionWorld Championship Wrestling
Brand(s)Thunder
DateJanuary 8, 1998
CityDaytona Beach, Florida
VenueOcean Center

The WCW Thunder Debut Episode was a professional wrestling show that marked the debut of World Championship Wrestling's (WCW) weekly WCW Thunder television show. The show took place on January 8, 1998.[1][2]

The show aired Live on TBS, taking place at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.[3]

Storylines

The event included matches that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayed heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches.[4] Results were predetermined by WCW's writers.[5][6]

Event

See also: History of World Championship Wrestling

The event aired lived, with David Penzer announcing in the ring, and Bobby Heenan, Tony Schiavone and Lee Marshall commentating during the event.[7]

Ocean Center

Results

No.Results[8]StipulationsTimes
1Randy Savage (w/ Miss Elizabeth) defeated Chris Adams by disqualificationSingles match2:31
2Rick Martel defeated Louie SpicolliSingles match3:17
3Tenzan defeated Ohara (w/ Sonny Onoo)Singles match2:57
4Ric Flair defeated Chris JerichoSingles match4:44
5The Giant defeated Meng (w/ Jimmy Hart)Singles match2:03
6Bill Goldberg defeated Steve McMichaelSingles match2:22
7Steiner Brothers (Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner) (c) (w/ Ted DiBiase) defeated Buff Bagwell and Konnan (w/ Vincent)Tag-team match3:39
8Larry Zbyszko (representing WCW) defeated Eric Bischoff (representing the nWo) (w/ Scott Hall) by disqualificationSingles match for Control of WCW Monday Nitro (w/ Bret Hart as guest referee)11:30
9Ray Traylor defeated Scott HallSingles match4:19
10Juventud Guerrera defeated Ultimo Dragon (c)Singles match for the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship4:22
11Lex Luger defeated Scott NortonSingles match2:14
12Diamond Dallas Page (c) defeated Kevin Nash (w/ Hollywood Hogan) by disqualificationSingles match for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship6:41
13Sting defeated Hollywood HoganDark match17:34
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match

References

  1. ^ Ewing, Brandon (2023-11-19). "How WCW Thunder Helped Kill The Company, Explained". TheSportster. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  2. ^ IV, Ross W. Berman (2023-06-01). "Kevin Nash On AEW Collision: TNT And TBS Clearly Didn't Learn From WCW Thunder". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  3. ^ Pena, Adan (2022-06-02). "10 Things You Didn't Know About WCW Thunder". TheSportster. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  4. ^ "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. 2006-01-13. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  5. ^ "How did Vince Russo work with 20 writers? | Online World of Wrestling". Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  6. ^ "WWE Corporate". 2009-02-18. Archived from the original on 2009-02-18. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  7. ^ Stories, Pro Wrestling (2024-01-08). "Today In Pro Wrestling History (Jan 8): Champion vs. Champion on The Island". Pro Wrestling Stories. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  8. ^ https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=2946