After a few weeks off to watch some really fun pay per views, it’s time to return to the homework. Each and every week without a PPV the At Odds with Wrestling podcast assigns classic wrestling related shows for each other and dedicated listeners like me. Joe’s picks this year chronicle the period of WCW in early 2000 when Vince Russo left, but before he came back. This era lasted from January to April and is full of wrestlers leaving the company, injuries, and so much more. 

As if that isn’t enough, this episode of WCW Thunder apparently had some sort of technical issues. The version up on Peacock is missing full segments including the main event and clocks in at just over one hour. However, thanks to those of us who recorded all of the wrestling back in the day, the original version of the show is still out there. I started watching the show on Peacock, thinking the short time frame might be because of an NBA game airing or something like that. Once I realized what was going on I also watched the original version. Most of my notes and commentary are for the Peacock copy, but when I switch to the other one it will be mentioned. 

We see recaps from Nitro which took place two days earlier. That was not the last homework, but was watched months ago because your At Odds hosts were there live. Tonight’s show takes place in Binghamton, NY which isn’t a bad town. There’s a steel cage hanging over the ring and the announce team of Tony Schiavonie, Mike Tenay, and Scott Hudson. The current version of the nWo – Jeff Jarrett, Scott Hall, Scott Steiner, the Harris brothers, and the now familiar ladies come out. Kevin Nash was injured at a WCW live event. I have no idea if this is legitimate or not yet. However while Nash is out, Jarrett will be acting WCW commissioner. Throughout the episode Jarrett tries to do his best Nash – aloof, sexual, .400 average on jokes hitting – but he falls short. Steiner cuts a promo and this may be the first time we heard the words “Big Poppa Pump” used in that order. Jarrett says Sid won’t have a title match until the PPV – because Jeff wants to guarantee he (Jarrett) wins the title. However that doesn’t mean he won’t make Sid’s life difficult and thus Sid will compete in three matches tonight. WTF. Didn’t we just do this? 

In the back, Jarrett finds a referee who is willing to be bought off. Good for you. Also a good thing to have on camera. 

“Screamin” Norman Smiley (dressed as the KISS Demon) vs the actual KISS Demon.

The Demon strips Norman of his KISS gear. Norman has a smiley face on his underwear, because of course he would and it gets a cheap pop from everyone. Smiley is getting beat down but sneaks in there to lock on the Norman Conquest for a surprising tap out victory. Norman runs away and the Demon gives chase. 

A real nothing match to further the story between the two. 

Lodi, I mean Idol, and Lane talk about their names and their team and stumble upon the new tag team name 2XS. Looking at their gear it’s more like JAS. Did Jericho steal their look or did they steal it from Chris? I mean, I know, but it’s fun to pretend. 

Hey, a limo pulls up. We’re pretty sure we know who’s inside but let’s milk this through the show. 

Sid Vicious vs Mike Rotundo in a Submission match. 

This is Sid’s first match of the night. Mike does well but he knows his place here. Go out there, give Sid a competitive but short match that doesn’t make Mike look like a complete push over but makes Sid look like the star. Sid stole the crossface from someone else no longer with the company and uses that move to win. 

Mean Gene interviews Vampiro. Nothing much here. 

3 Count says they can’t dance and sing because they have a match tonight. As part of the Cruiserweight tournament, Shannon Moore will face his teammate Shane Helms. Meanwhile, Evan Karagias will join the announce team for this match. 

I swear the camera is on Evan more than the match itself. Mike Tenay receives word that Madusa is here and the camera focuses on Evan even more. Shannon gets a backslide that surprises Shane and earns the pin. 

It’s not a bad match but no one was paying attention. Even the crowd sounded weird. I swear I could hear numerous conversations taking place among the fans. 

This Hulk Hogan segment is not on Peacock.

Mean Gene introduces Hulk Hogan. Hogan comes out in the classic red and yellow and something just seems right when you see that version of Hogan standing next to Gene. Hulk says he called up Sting and Goldberg. Really? Two big WCW opponents. Alright. Hulk says they’re “taking the business back.” He says there’s too many young guys that are no bodies trying to be superstars. Oh well that will endear him to everyone. Hulk now cuts a promo on Lex Luger. This brings out Lex and Miss Elizabeth. Lex says Hulk and Sting are cowards. Liz sees something and tries to get Lex’s attention. They turn and “Sting” is on the entrance ramp. “Sting” takes off his wig and everyone is confused. Lex turns around into a classic Hogan boot. Hogan hits a very protected atomic drop on Liz. One, to not hurt her and two, to not expose her in the skirt. There’s some class and respect remaining. Hogan hits Lex again then Luger and Liz run away. 

Kidman and Torrie play around with the “Kid-Cam”.

Now back to what was on Peacock until the main event. 

Medusa shows up in the Jarrett/nWo office. She’s here because she wants to wrestle. Jarrett says he’ll make it happen. 

Hogan gets out of the limo. 

Back in the nWo office, Jarrett puts Oklahoma in charge of the women’s division. The obvious joke is what women’s division? I did a bit of research and WCW tries to get some experienced journeywomen and train the Nitro Girls. We know it doesn’t work, and I do feel bad for Madusa. Always a big fan. 

Kidman (with Torrie Wilson) vs Vampiro vs The Wall.

Torrie gets a big Wow in the notes. Any time a dress stays in place and you don’t know how gets a wow. Kidman and Vampiro team up at first to take down the Wall. This could have been an interesting tag team for another booker. There is a massive botched spot that I’m still trying to figure out. I think Vampiro meant to flip Kidman into Wall. Maybe a spear or clothesline or some sort of Kidman as the projectile move. However, the move falls short and Kidman crashes into the mat. This could have been spun as Vampiro now turning on Kidman and their short team up is over. However they still try to partner up so the botch stands out even more. A big WTF moment. Torrie distracts the referee and no one can blame him. Kidman hits Wall with a chair. Kidmanthen dropkicks the chair into Vampiro. Wall knocks Kidman out of the ring. Wall chokeslams Vampiro off the top rope and gets the pin. Again, if this was all to set up a thrown together tag team of Kidman and Vampiro it could be quite interesting. But I’m sure that’s not where it’s going. 

Sid is walking. 

Mean Gene interviews the Mamalukes and Disco Inferno. Lane and Idol show up wanting a tag team title shot and are shut down. 

Sid Vicious vs Rick Steiner in a Hardcore match. 

Rick dumps Sid into the crowd. Rick suplexes Sid over the guard rail and through the announce table. This only gets a two count. What was going on with Rick Steiner at the time? He’s not in great shape and has changed his style to be more of a brawler. Anyways, Sid rallies back.The majority of this match takes place outside of the ring. In fact, I’m not sure any of it was inside. Sid and Rick fight back to the entrance. They hit each other with one of the hockey ring walls and glass. Someone’s hand comes out from behind the curtain and hits Rick with a pipe or bat thing. Then they hit Sid with it too but Sid lands on Rick and thus gets the pin. Very odd and we’ll see if this pays off. 

DDP and Kim walk. 

Hogan is on the phone, leaving in the limo. “A spectacular return.” Okay, it’s a return I can’t watch. Why was this segment edited? 

“Diamond” Dallas Page (with Kimberly) vs The Machine.

The Machine comes out. Big guy, leather vest and chaps, black mask and tights. He does a good Sid impression. Kim gets a big Wow as well but I think Torrie wins the evening. The Machine bumps way too much for a man his size. I kept trying to figure out who this is and my research shows it’s Hail. Hail was paired with Jimmy Hart at various times. He was a featured player in Hulk Hogan’s short lived XWF. Big guy who never caught on. Honestly I think a guy his size 10 years earlier would have had a much better and more protected career. The Machine does a good Sid Vicious impression though. Why the hell is he bumping over the top rope? There’s a world in which the Machine was given squash matches but this is such an odd debut and obviously he’s going to lose to Page. Page shakes the top rope on the other side of the ring and the Machine falls off of the top turnbuckle on the opposite side of the ring and takes a very overly dramatic fall onto the top rope. There’s a shitty looking clothesline off the top and I’m not sure who is more at fault for this one. Page does a float over into the Diamond Cutter for the pin. One of the announcers says “we’ll see a lot more of the Machine.” You sure about that? 

Mean Gene interviews Arn Anderson. There’s a history of Flair vs Funk that is edited out of Peacock but on the original airing. Not too bad but it’s been a generation. 

Tank Abbot vs Villano IV (with Villano V).

Meng watches on a TV in the back. The Villanos use twin magic. It doesn’t matter. Tank punches out V, IV is back in and he gets punched out too. Tank walks away while the referee counts the TKO. 

Disco Inferno and the Mamalukes walk. 

David Flair, Crowbar, and Daffney walk. 

Mean Gene interviews the Harris Brothers. 

Arn is talking to someone. Is it Mike Graham? I honestly don’t know. Terry Funk comes in and confronts Arn. Funk says Ric Flair only cares about himself, not Arn.

The Mamalukes (with Disco Inferno) vs David Flair and Crowbar (with Daffney).

Disco joins for commentary. Ms Hancock comes out but Daffney scares her away. Flair takes a good beating but that’s about it. What do they call it, “madman dancing?” Flair takes a prolonged beating. For a match we’ve seen many times they just keep making it longer and longer. Flair avoids a splash and tags Crowbar in. Disco is up to distract the referee. Vito goes for the pin but there’s no referee. Flair waits way too long to get in his spot. He finally hits Vito with the golden crowbar and Crowbar the person pins Vito. 

The Harris Brothers walk. 

Sid walks but he’s holding his now hurt leg. 

On the bottom there is a graphic reading something like “presented in best format due to technical difficulties.”

That’s it for Peacock. Now to the original presentation. 

Sid Vicious vs the Harris Brothers. 

In a cage match. Which is Sid’s second cage match in 7 days. Sid limps to the ring. The Harris Brothers jump him. There is 7 minutes left in the show. They fight outside and on the announce table again. They finally enter the cage. 6 minutes remaining. It’s a two on one beating until Sid starts a comeback. 4 minutes left. This cage has a ridiculously low ceiling. Sid hits a chokeslam and pins one of the Harris boys. The nWo come out. Scott Hall is in the back raising up the cage. Jarrett hits Sid with the guitar. Everyone beats up Sid. They spraypaint nWo on his back. Jarrett grabs a headset and says they’ll keep messing with Sid until SuperBrawl. I’m not sure if Scott Steiner is pointing at the announcers as a warning or asking them to smell his finger.