Nitro is live on this Independence Day from Columbus, Georgia. Cue "Party Hard" and the pyro as Joey Styles & Jerry "The King" Lawler welcome us to call the action. They hype the show but are cut off by the boss, because here comes Shane McMahon.
Shane McMahon is on his way to the ring with a microphone in hand. He says so far, WCW has been a great success. He wants to thank the fans, the wrestlers, the production staff, and everyone who has tuned in or showed up to help rebuild WCW into the premier wrestling promotion in the world. Shane then turns his attention to "The Foundation." Shane wants them to know he hears them. He knows what they are saying, and admits there might be a thin glimmer of truth to some of their criticisms. Shane thinks what the fans want, and what the world needs, is a wrestling company on the cutting edge of everything. He wants the biggest, baddest, fastest, coolest, and most entertaining stars in that ring. However, he will not forget the past and the people who came before to give them all the opportunity to partake in this crazy world of professional wrestling. That being said, he notes this isn't a game show where a man gives out prizes; it's wrestling. If you want to be on the card or want championship gold, you earn it. You wrestle matches and you win matches. Who you were yesterday doesn't matter much today in the quest for the main event.
That’s enough for The Foundation as they make their ring. Looks like they are using the instrumental of "Comedown" by Bush as a theme that Kanyon had been using. The duo of Diamond Dallas Page & Kanyon make their way to the ring. DDP has a mic in hand and calls Shane McMahon a spoiled brat. Shane wants to talk about earning things? He claims everything in Shane's life has been a handout. DDP says he has earned every scrap he has, every opportunity, every cheer, every boo, and every piece of championship gold. He asks why a punk like Shane McMahon wants to tell him about working hard. DDP points to Kanyon, calling him the definition of hard work. Kanyon has been doing this for nearly a decade, coming from nothing, wearing "stupid masks," and training under nobodies. He busted his ass to become one of the most innovative and dangerous men in the squared circle and beat Shane McMahon's ass. DDP asks what that has earned Kanyon. His answer? Nothing. He says the only thing Kanyon has is Diamond Dallas Page.
Booker T's music hits and he runs to the ring. As he slides in, The Foundation slides out and starts backing up the ramp. Booker grabs a mic and calls The Foundation "suckas" several times. He says they are both great competitors and admits DDP was one of the few guys from "the old place" he actually respected because DDP did work hard and put his money where his mouth was. But now, he says DDP has become just another bitter old guy who doesn't want to try, and that DDP is the one who thinks everybody owes him something. Well, Booker T says he does owe him something: an ass-whipping! Shane cuts off Booker and says it seems this is just going to go on forever, so he has an idea. He notes there are two guys backing up the ramp and two guys standing in the ring, four guys talking too much and not fighting enough. Shane makes it official: at Bash at the Beach, Booker T will get his hands on The Foundation in a tag match: DDP & Kanyon vs. Booker T and Shane McMahon! Shane then reminds The Foundation to get their tights on, because tonight they have a tag team match as well. It's time they start earning their spot.
A good match to re-establish 3 Count as they move into a feud with Los Dragones. I've noticed the new WCW really likes these matches where the winner is obvious; it's not a bad thing, but it is getting a bit predictable.
3 Count is celebrating in the ring as Helms goes outside and grabs the floor dots! He slides them into the ring and tries to convince Moore & Karagias to dance. As this happens, Chavo Guerrero Jr. appears on the big screen with the Jung Dragons. Chavo reveals Los Dragones have a special message for 3 Count: a music video! Chavo starts by singing poorly and dancing even worse while the Jung Dragons do kung fu and karate in the background. Kaz Hayashi sings something in Japanese, and then the song switches to a country track as Yun Yang sings with a crazy southern twang. It cuts back to Chavo doing a bad rap verse calling 3 Count a joke.
Curt Hennig is on commentary and reveals he has a special interest in the next match.
The fans didn't care. The match was fine, but the audience didn't seem to know or care who either guy was. They wrestled an old-school, rest-hold-heavy style that didn't help the crowd reaction.
After the match, Corino walks right up to Hennig at the commentary table. Hennig stands up and asks, "So you're old school, huh?" Corino scoffs and laughs, backing away up the ramp as Hennig stares him down.
Commercial Break
The ring is set up with two podiums, featuring an American flag behind one and a Canadian flag behind the other. Scott Hudson introduces the "Debate of Nations." Representing the USA is BG James, followed by the WCW World Heavyweight Champion Lance Storm representing Canada, accompanied by Dawn Marie. Hudson asks each man to stand behind their podium. James goes first, giving the standard star-spangled chatter and mentioning his history as a Marine. Storm retorts that Canada is everything America claims to be, just done better. Hudson asks what makes a champion; James says "honor and respect," while Storm simply says "winning." Finally, Hudson asks each man to say something nice about their opponent. James hypes Storm's wrestling ability but jokes that he won't be champion for long. Storm stays silent. James leaves his podium to get in Storm’s face, but Storm refuses to speak. Dawn Marie sneaks up behind James and hits him with a low blow. Storm & Marie roll out of the ring as James sells the cheap shot.
Great intensity, but the match was too short to get anywhere. O'Haire seems a little directionless for now, but squashing guys is something.
Backstage, Shawn Stasiak & Stacy Keibler are watching on a monitor. Stacy looks disgusted seeing O'Haire celebrating. Stasiak wonders why O'Haire gets love from the fans while he, the "Mecca of Manhood," gets booed. Stacy says it's because they are all jealous; the fans will never understand the "burden of beauty."
In Arn Anderson's office, he is yelling at someone off-screen. The camera pans to show Pete Gas & CW Anderson grappling. CW keeps getting the better of Gas with submissions. As Gas taps, they stand up and Arn simply says, "Again."
A good match, though mostly standard stuff from all four. Interestingly, DDP was taking shortcuts and cheating while Kanyon worked a mostly clean match.
Backstage, the Misfits In Action are with Scott Hudson. Hudson asks what’s next for the champions. MIA says they are the center of the division and welcome all challengers. Disqo & Mike Sanders approach and call MIA cowards for "hiding" on vacation. MIA tells them they know where to find them. Suddenly, Chuck Palumbo & Johnny Stamboli attack the MIA. Palumbo sends Rection into a garage door while Stamboli tosses Cajun across a production table. The camera pans to Hudson, who is now standing with Guido Maritato. "You all want competition? Well, the Full Blooded Italians are about to show yous what tag team wrestling is all about... or maybe we just did." Guido walks off with Palumbo & Stamboli as Disqo & Sanders are seen hiding behind the interview set, looking terrified.
Commercial Break
WCW United States Champion Rob Van Dam heads to the ring. RVD says that in ECW, he made the Television Title mean more than any other belt. Now in WCW, he’s going to make the US Title the one everyone wants to win because he is "The Whole Dam Show." He waits for a challenger, and Buff Bagwell’s music hits.
DYLAN'S FINAL THOUGHTS: A much more focused show then previous weeks and I'd put it more towards being a good or great. So far overall WCW has been on the right side of good since its return. There's some growing pains but most seem to be tied to the fact they need to really establish so many new stars and midcarders as the new core of the roster, which is what was long overdue from the old WCW anyway. WCW is setting up a good amount of stuff which has some continuity to it which is nice. Shane & Booker vs. The Foundation, Storm vs. James, RVD's title run, Bagwell's losing stream, The tag team and cruiserweight divisions too. Lots of moving parts and story building happening. Looks like we are maybe getting O'Haire vs. Stasiak and Corino vs. Hennig as well. It still would be nice to see some more talent on the shows as some guys have barely been featured at all.