WCW Souled Out Live On Pay-Per-View Review
JANUARY 27, 2002

WCW’s Souled Out has returned! No more Sin! WCW’s first year under Shane McMahon marches on and thus far has been a massive success. While Starrcade could be viewed as the final stamp on this new era, I feel Souled Out is really the first true step into it, as WCW is now plowing ahead with Shane’s Vision. We open the show in what has become the standard for WCW now, with Joey Styles & Jerry “The King” Lawler standing in the middle of the ring as the crowd goes crazy. Styles & Lawler run down and hype the card and then throw it to the opening video package, which features the “Smooth Criminal” cover by Alien Ant Farm as the theme for Souled Out! Nice video that goes over all the major happenings leading up to Souled Out and fits the Steve Corino vs. Booker T feud perfectly. The video ends, pyro explodes and Styles and Lawler have taken their spot at ringside while the crowd goes crazy in Knoxville, Tennessee!

Match 1
WCW United States Championship
Rob Van Dam (C) vs. Guido Maritato

The bell rings and RVD immediately takes control, hitting a rapid series of kicks that sends Guido back pedaling into the corner. Van Dam plays to the fans with his signature "R-V-D!" thumbs gesture and springs off the ropes, but Guido quickly ducks out of the ring to regroup. RVD doesn't let him breathe, launching himself over the top rope with a spectacular crossbody to flatten Guido on the floor! Back inside, RVD heads to the top rope, but Guido deliberately shoves the referee directly into the ropes, causing RVD to crotch himself on the turnbuckle. While the referee is recovering, Guido runs up and delivers a blatant, undetected low blow headbutt right to the champion's groin. Guido takes complete control from here, geading to the top and hitting a massive superplex. Maritato is now grounding the Whole Dam Show with an absolute clinic in technical wrestling. He locks in a brutal Fujiwara armbar, transitioning seamlessly into an ankle lock that has RVD screaming in agony. Guido turns him over into a deep Boston crab, systematically wearing down the champion's base. RVD desperately claws his way to the bottom rope to force a break. Guido tries to follow up with a German suplex, but RVD uses his size to power out and reverse into a German Suplex of his own. RVD hoists Guido all the way up into a massive Gorilla Press Slam, dropping him hard into the canvas and then following it up with a standing moonsault. Seeing his opening, Van Dam scales the turnbuckle, takes flight, and connects perfectly with the Five Star Frog Splash! 1—2—3!

Winner and Still WCW United States Champion: Rob Van Dam Rating: 8.5 / 10
Dylan’s Thoughts: I loved that match more then I thought. We all know RVD is one of the best today, but Guido really showed he is no slouch. The RVD-style meeting a technical wizard is a proven formula with Lance Storm, and this match, while more simplistic and short, played into it perfect and Guido I think really benefits from the loss here while RVD gets to stay strong too. Big win all around.
Match 2
WCW World Cruiserweight Championship
Rey Mysterio vs. Billy Kidman (c)

This one starts with both men exchanging rapid fire armdrags and headscissors takeovers, showing the incredible familiarity they built as tag team partners. Kidman tries to slow things down, catching Rey with a hard spinebuster and targeting Mysterio's lower back with a nasty powerbomb for a close 2-count. Kidman gets arrogant, slapping Mysterio and yelling that he is the cornerstone of this division. Rey fights back with a series of quick forearms, hitting a springboard moonsault off the middle rope to flatten the champion. Mysterio goes for a wheelbarrow move, but Kidman counters, sitting out into a big wheelbarrow facebuster instead! Kidman sees his chance to finish things, hooking Mysterio for the Kid Krusher. But Rey spins out delivering a dropkick directly into Kidman's lower spine! Kidman stumbles blindly forward and collapses perfectly across the middle rope. The crowd goes absolutely insane as Mysterio hits the opposite ropes, 6-1-9 connects flush to the jaw! Kidman stumbles back into the ring, Rey quickly springboards in and executes a flawless West Coast Pop, hooking the legs tightly for the 1—2—3!

Winner and New WCW World Cruiserweight Champion: Rey Mysterio Rating: 8.4 / 10
Dylan’s Thoughts: Probably the best straight up cruiserweight match of the Shane-Era and Mysterio being the nexus of the division is a big positive going forward. Match was simply good. Mysterio is probably the best luchador and best cruiserweight ever, and Kidman can do his part and did. I’m assuming Kidman gets a rematch, but having Mysterio tangle with Chavo again, possibly a heel Shane Helms, Elix Skipper, Tajiri and others is something to look forward too.

Tommy Dreamer is on his way to the ring for his open challenge for his WCW World Hardcore Championship. As Dreamer stands in the middle of the ring, the music of Amos Hersch hits. No Hersch though. The music abruptly cuts off and we see a camera shot backstage where Amos is laid out and bleeding from his head. The camera pans back and we see The Lost Church standing over the Amish Monster. “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels, Father James Mitchell, Mortis & Viscz are stoic and then James Mitchell starts cackling like made. Daniels simply says “Repent.” And motions to Mortis who turns and walks off with James Mitchell in tow. Mortis music hits and it looks like he’s answering the open challenge.

Match 3
WCW World Hardcore Championship - Hardcore Match
Tommy Dreamer (c) vs. Mortis w/Father James Mitchell

Mortis storms the ring and immediately blindsides Dreamer with a flurry of strikes before the bell even rings. This quickly turns into a vicious, old-school brawl as Mortis utilizes weapons James Mitchell is providing from under the ring, shattering a kendo stick over Dreamer's shoulders and using a trash can lid to bust the champion wide open. Dreamer fights through the blood, rallying the crowd as he hits a swinging neckbreaker onto a steel chair for a close 2-count. Dreamer sets up a table in the corner and looks to hit the Spicolli Driver, but Mortis counters with a thumb to the eye and hits a brutal inverted DDT onto a trash can. Dreamer shows resilience, fighting back with a series of heavy punches and leveling Mortis with a White Russian Leg Sweep ala The Sandman. Just as Dreamer looks to be in complete control and sets up for the finish, Christopher Daniels suddenly appears on the stage alongside the massive, imposing Viscz. Daniels calmly motions toward the ring, and Viscz marches down, stepping over the ropes. Dreamer tries to swing a chair at the behemoth, but Viscz swatts it away, grabs Dreamer by the throat, and obliterates him with a massive Sit-Out Chokebomb! Viscz exits the ring as Mortis springs off the middle rope and hits a Lionsault onto the lifeless champion! He hooks the leg as The Lost Church watches coldly from the entrance way. 1—2—3!

Winner and New WCW World Hardcore Champion: Mortis Rating: 5.3 / 10
Dylan’s Thoughts: I half expected to maybe see The Lost Church tonight, but thought maybe to go after Curt Hennig or Team WCW. This was a great way to bring them in and the match was fine too. Crowbar seems to have something to do as he is now under the Mortis mask, Viscz is a monster, and Christopher Daniels is a guy who has been highly touted and a king of the indy scene for years now and its exciting to see some proper new blood getting a chance on a big stage. Not to mention, the Lost Church laying out Amos… That’s an interesting development too.
Match 4
Guitar-On-A-Pole Match
Curt Hennig vs. Jeff Jarrett

The match starts with old school technical wrestling, with Hennig showing he hasn't lost a step, securing deep headlocks and hitting his signature snapmare into the flipping neck whip to a loud pop. Jarrett plays the classic heel, pulling Hennig's hair and taking refuge in the ropes to slow things down. The action intensifies as both men start making desperate attempts to climb the turnbuckle and retrieve the guitar suspended high on the pole. Hennig cuts Jarrett off with a big atomic drop and plants him with a powerslam in the middle of the ring! Jarrett and Hennig end up outside and brawl around the ringside area. Jarrett takes control after going to Hennig's eyes and looks to set up The Stroke, but Hennig counters out and ends up hooking Jarrett and hitting a HennigPlex on the floor! Hennig slowly gets on the apron and starts to climb the turnbuckle and reaches up to grab the guitar. But out of nowhere, Jarrett is on the apron and shatters a guitar across the back of Hennig! Hennig stumbles down and Jarrett now climbs the ropes and shoves Hennig off into the ring. A replay shows Jarrett grab another guitar from under the ring and thats what he smashed Hennig with. Jarrett then calmly climbs all the way up, retrieves the official guitar on a pole. Jarrett is in the ring and drives the second violently down over Hennig's skull, shattering it into pieces. Jarrett drops into the cover, 1—2—3!

Winner: Jeff Jarrett Rating: 7.4 / 10
Dylan’s Thoughts: Jarrett has had an interesting return. I expected him to be thrust right into a feud with Booker, but he instead has been in this feud with Hennig which is probably a bit better as it allows Jarrett to get established. The match was good. An example of doing less but working smart to keep the fans invested. I do worry this is Hennig’s last real hurrah as he’s starting to really slow down and it will be a shame when he decides to hang them up.
Match 5
WCW World Tag Team Championship - Six-Man Tag Team Match
Team WCW (BG James, Sean O’Haire & Shane McMahon) (c) vs. The Foundation (Diamond Dallas Page, Kanyon & Mike Awesome)

All six men exchange words before the bell rings, and it immediately explodes into a wild brawl. The Foundation quickly establishes a sinister strategy, isolating BG James and systematically targeting his previously injured shoulder. Kanyon works a deep armbar while Awesome hits a running shoulder block directly into the joint against the ring post. James desperately manages to make a hot tag to Sean O'Haire, who enters like a house on fire, leveling DDP with a spin kick and dropping Kanyon with a clothesline. Shane McMahon tags in and gets the crowd unglued, unleashing his trademark combination punches on Mike Awesome. The match breaks down into pure chaos with all six men brawling everywhere. Awesome uses his raw power to steamroll right over both McMahon and O'Haire, sending them crashing over the top rope to the floor, before aggressively brawling with O'Haire up the entrance ramp. On the outside, DDP grabs Shane McMahon and shockingly executes a Diamond Cutter right through the timekeeper's table! Back in the ring, a battered BG James tries to salvage the match, setting up Kanyon for the Pumphandle Drop. But as he lifts him, James's shoulder completely gives out under the weight, causing him to collapse. Kanyon quickly hits a devastating Flatliner, and hooks the leg for the victory!

Winners and New WCW World Tag Team Champions: The Foundation Rating: 8.1 / 10
Dylan’s Thoughts: Another great match for the night. No outside or super cheating foolery here is the big surprise which is a nice change of pace for Foundation matches. Team WCW loses and it looks like its BG James’ fault! Wonder if that is intentional. The Foundation gets the belts back that rumors suggest they were never meant to lose, so this feels like a big reset for the Tag scene.

After the match, The Foundation celebrates in the ring as O’Haire & McMahon check on James on the outside who is clutching his shoulder. Referee Nick Patrick brings the World Tag Team titles into the ring, and Kanyon quickly snatches them and gives you to Mike Awesome as DDP watches on.

Match 6
WCW Women’s Championship
Shark Girl vs. Jazz (c)

Jazz immediately uses her overwhelming power advantage, cornering Shark Girl and unleashing a barrage of stiff forearms and heavy chops. Shark Girl relies on her speed and unpredictable antics, biting Jazz's hand to break a wristlock and hitting a crossbody off the middle rope for a 2-count. Jazz stops her momentum completely with a brutal clothesline that practically flips the challenger inside out. Jazz dominates the next several minutes, applying a grinding camel clutch and hitting a massive spinebuster. Jazz hooks Shark Girl and executes a Fisherman’s Buster in the center of the ring. But instead of covering her for the obvious win, an arrogant Jazz begins aggressively ripping at Shark Girl's mask, trying to expose her face. Referee John Cone runs over and physically gets involved to pull Jazz away, protecting the challenger's identity. Jazz gets furious, turning around and violently shoving Cone across the ring. Cone recovers and steps up to Jazz, threatening to disqualify her on the spot. Jazz stands there aggressively taunting the fans and screaming at Cone, completely oblivious to her surroundings. Out of nowhere, Shark Girl stumbles to her feet, sneaks up from behind, and rolls Jazz up in a tight School Girl roll-up! Cone drops down and hits a fast 1—2—3!

Winner and New WCW Women’s Champion: Shark Girl Rating: 5.2 / 10
Dylan’s Thoughts: The Shark Squad cannot lose, I swear. Taking the title off Jazz so soon is choice I’m not sure about, but ultimately the Women’s division really is just Jazz & Shark Girl at this point anyway, so maybe it doesn’t matter. Match was probably the best women’s match in the last several years in WCW, and probably the best women’s match in WCW if you don’t count the various Joshi-appearances from years ago.

After the match, Shark Girl sprints up the stage as Jazz goes crazy in the ring. John Cone has bailed too. Shark Girl is joined on the stage by La Sharka & Shark Boy and they lift Shark Girl on their shoulders and dance around the stage.

Match 7
WCW World Heavyweight Championship
Special Ringside Enforcer: WCW President Ric Flair
Booker T (C) vs. Steve Corino

The atmosphere is electric as the bell rings, and Booker T uses his explosive power early on, rocking Corino with heavy right hands and a textbook sidewalk slam. Corino uses his savvy to survive, constantly sliding out of the ring and navigating around Ric Flair to use the Special Enforcer as a buffer. Back inside, Corino slows the pace, targeting Booker's neck with a sharp neckbreaker and a grinding chinlock. Booker fights back, escaping with elbows and leveling Corino with a flying forearm and a massive spinebuster. Booker stays aggressive, scaling the turnbuckle to hit a massive missile dropkick off the top rope, but the slippery challenger just manages to get his shoulder up.

Booker looks to have the match won multiple times, but Corino continuously finds ways to stall the champion's momentum, eventually pulling the referee in front of him as a human shield. As Booker stops himself, Corino shifts and strikes Booker with a sharp, undetected low blow. Corino quickly follows up by hitting the Old School Expulsion perfectly! He drives into the cover, but Booker miraculously kicks out at two, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Corino loses his mind in frustration, sliding out of the ring to grab the WCW World Heavyweight Championship belt. He slides back in, intending to blast Booker with the gold, but WCW President Ric Flair slides in right behind him, aggressively ripping the title belt out of Corino's hands. Corino turns around and gets right in Flair's face, furiously arguing with the WCW President. This fatal distraction gives Booker T just enough time to recover, he stands up up behind Corino, spins him around, hooks him, and plants him hard with a Book End for the 1—2—3!

Winner and Still WCW World Heavyweight Champion: Booker T Rating: 8.9 / 10
Dylan’s Thoughts: Another absolute fantastic match. Corino’s run into the main event felt a tad rushed, but he proved he belongs here already 100% which is great news for WCW to have such a strong, under-30, main eventer. Let alone such a natural heel and heat magnet. Overall the match was simply fantastic and Flair’s role at ringside only added to the match. Booker hopefully gets a decent little run here, maybe he moves onto Jarrett next? I hope they don’t do DDP again as I think Corino proved its time for some fresh blood in the main event scene.

After the match, Booker T goes to grab the World Heavyweight title from Flair, but Flair hesitates for a second. He then instead signals for Booker to turn around, and he puts the title around Booker T’s waist for him and then the two share a handshake. Booker T then celebrates as we see a shot of Corino on the outside, looking despondent and staring a hole through Booker & Flair.

Overall Show Rating: 8.7 / 10
Dylan’s Final Thoughts: Souled Out was an awesome show! I had assumed it would be somewhat skippable, as the PPV after Starrcade or WrestleMania often suffers from the afterthought effect as stuff is being reset for the new year. But WCW really delivered here, with fresh faces in notable spots. Corino has arrived, Guido Maritato really surprised, Mysterio’s return has come full circle, The Lost Church has arrived. The main event was amazing and RVD/Guido, Mysterio/Kidman and the Six-Man tag were not far behind. WCW has turned things around so far if you compare this show to Sin from 2001. I’m waiting for them to really do something terrible, which it hasn’t under the Shane-era. WCW is on the rise!