Video Review: WCW Souled Out 2000

VHS Review: WCW Souled Out 2000

Here we go folks yet another retro video review of some of my wrestling collection (before they get confined to the bin). 

Here we have WCW presenting a show that had many promising bouts on paper, but they lacked to ignite a fire in the crowd when they played out. This was unfortunately the way WCW was functioning in this period and it was sad to see the once mighty company reduced to this.

However we did have some decent stuff here and for fans of the era, there are a few faces you will want to see and some moves we have long missed.

In no particular order here are some highlights form Souled Out 2000:

The Hardcore match (for the HC title) between Norman Smiley, Meng, Fit Finlay and Brian Knobbs was a great affair and one that does indeed warrant a few viewings. This is a level of aggression that we miss in this day and age of the PG programming.

Buff Bagwell and Diamond Dallas Page had a decent scrap. This was all down to Bagwell possibly being a love interest for Page's wife Kimberly.

The Madusa/Oklahoma match for the Cruiserweight Title was an odd beats. This was seemingly there purely to show Madusa in her bra and pants.

There were also a few reasonable appearances by Billy Kidman, Vampiro and other low/mid card players in WCW at the time, but they really did not set the place alight.

The two main matches here were the battle for control of the company between the veteran grappler Terry Funk and Kevin Nash. Which was a brutal at times encounter.

The other one was the main event which (due to injuries suffered by Bret Hart and Jeff Jarrett) saw Chris Benoit face off against Sid Vicious for the WCW World Title.

The main event saw Benoit win the gold (even though he was destined to leave the company). This meant that the next night it was deemed that Vicious' leg was under the rope when the three count was called, so he could not be pinned legally. The belt was once again held up.

Souled Out 2000 was a mid-reasonable PPV by WCW, but the cracks were showing here and the bookers were not really making the effort. The writing was on the wall and the WWE buyout was not too far away I am afraid to say.

By Phil Allely

WCW Legend DDP coming to the UK in 2014

WCW legend DDP comes to the UK/Ireland

Former WCW World Champion Diamond Dallas Page is to tour the UK in early 2014. This will be the grappler's first ever Q&A's in the country and will also offer special VIP packages, where fans can meet/greet, get items signed and of course have a photo taken with ring legend.

Page had a remarkable run in WCW (where held numerous championships), he was also a manager and did much more before the company folded. He then progressed the WWE, where he had a memorable feud with Undertaker.

Since retiring from the ring DDP has been working on his yoga empire. His methods have helped people across the world, many of them in the world of sports. He has also worked closely with former wrestlers Jake Roberts and Scott Hall, moving the pair in to his own home and working on getting the pair back in shape. He has also dabbled in acting and is a firm fixture at many fan events across the US. 

This Q&A event will certainly touch on many of his famous feuds, life inside and outside of the ring and much more we are sure.

You can see DDP at:

London, The Leicester Square Theatre – Sunday 2^nd March

Cardiff, The Glee Club – Monday 3^rd March

Birmingham, The Glee Club – Tuesday March 4^th

Manchester, The Comedy Store – Wednesday March 5^th

Glasgow, The Garage – Thursday March 6^th

Belfast, The Empire Music Hall – Sunday March 9^th

For more info visit www.eroscomedy.com

www.diamonddallaspage.com

By Phil Allely

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Phil Allely

DDP Promotes new WWE DVD

A Page From WCW’s Book


By Phil Allely

Former WCW Champion Diamond Dallas Page was recently interviewed about the forthcoming WWE DVD looking at the Best of WCW’s flagship show Nitro.

The outspoken DDP has enjoyed the experience thoroughly and feels good about the resulting package.

"I worked closely with the producers on what I wanted to say. The last thing I wanted was to sound like a robot introducing the matches. Being involved and having the freedom to really speak from the heart adds an extra layer to this collection."



So what can hardened WWE fans get form a release that looks back at the company the fought the Monday Night Wars with and eventually purchased for a bargain basement price.

"One thing The Very Best of WCW Monday Nitro really captures, which I remember very well about WCW, was how absolutely electric the crowds were. It was a wild time and everything, both on Nitro and Raw, was smoking hot. The fans were crazy, and that’s what helped make WCW and WWE so successful. I loved when Scott Hall and Kevin Nash first started showing up. No one knew what they were up to, and this DVD really recreates that feeling as The Outsiders did whatever they wanted and started to destroy everyone in their path."



One of DDP best matches of his career was against current TNA Heavyweight Champion Sting, a man with whom he co-headlined many WCW PPV’s and learnt an awful lot form in and out of the ring.

"Even though I lost the World Title to Sting, they were one of my toughest and favorite matches. The way the title (on this disc) match ended ... man, it was exciting and so unpredictable. Fans of all ages will love it."



One of the all-time lows in WCW was when minor league actor David Arquette won the world Heavyweight Championship, a moment in the company’s history that showed its imminent implosion and eventual demise.



"I couldn’t believe it; I thought it was some kind of joke. What many people don’t know is that when David signed up to compete, he didn’t do it for the money. All the money he made during his run in WCW, he donated to Brian Pillman’s wife."



The Best of Monday Nitro is an interesting release for the WWE, as it harks back to an era where it and WCW were butting head in the infamous Monday Night Wars and pushing each other to the limits in terms of storylines, matches and star signings. Many viewers will also be able to draw comparisons with WWE’s current competition TNA, who are striving to meet the WWE head on in their embracement of wrestling over family friendly entertainment.

DDP Talks new WCW Nitro DVD

Former World Heavyweight Champion Diamond Dallas Page spoke with WWE's website this week to promote the new "Very Best of WCW Nitro" DVD set that comes out today. Here are some highlights:




Working on the DVD:



"I worked closely with the producers on what I wanted to say. The last thing I wanted was to sound like a robot introducing the matches. Being involved and having the freedom to really speak from the heart adds an extra layer to this collection."



Capturing the WCW feel:



"One thing The Very Best of WCW Monday Nitro really captures, which I remember very well about WCW, was how absolutely electric the crowds were. It was a wild time and everything, both on Nitro and Raw, was smoking hot. The fans were crazy, and that’s what helped make WCW and WWE so successful. I loved when Scott Hall and Kevin Nash first started showing up. No one knew what they were up to, and this DVD really recreates that feeling as The Outsiders did whatever they wanted and started to destroy everyone in their path."



His World Title match with Sting that's on the DVD:



"Even though I lost the World Title, that was one of my toughest and favorite matches. The way that match ended ... man, it was exciting and so unpredictable. Fans of all ages will love that match."



David Arquette winning the World Title:



"I couldn’t believe it; I thought it was some kind of joke. What many people don’t know is that when David signed up to compete, he didn’t do it for the money. All the money he made during his run in WCW, he donated to Brian Pillman’s wife."

DDP Interview Highlights

Former World Heavyweight Champion Diamond Dallas Page appeared on the Right After Wrestling show last night. Here are some highlights:




DDP on possibly coming back to the WWE in the future & how he is doing today:



"I spoke to Johnny Ace about this...I haven't heard back from him on it. I told him I would love to do some kind of PR. Some public relations. That sort of thing is what Vince [McMahon] wanted me to do when I left. He wanted me to stay and be the color-commentator but I was burnt out of wrestling for so many years and I needed a break. Long story short, 10 years later I'm still doing pretty well but I would love to be a part of the WWE family."



What DDP thinks of the whole Kurt Angle/Randy Orton "finishing move" situation:



"The thing is you don't use the guy's finish in the same company. If you're in TNA and Kurt Angle is using the Ankle Lock, then you don't do it in that company because Kurt will really take your ankle and put you in it and break your ankle. But if you're in the WWE or the independent circuit, it is what it is. I don't know what's happening between Randy [Orton] and Kurt [Angle] but I love Randy using the RKO. Being it's a version of the Diamond Cutter, people will think of me whenever he hits that move. And I think Randy is the greatest wrestler in the World...I think he is the very best. "



Memories of working with Macho Man Randy Savage in WCW:



"[My favorite match with Randy Savage was our first one at Spring Stampede] because that's where he put me over. We were doing house shows and one night in Florence, South Carolina, Arn Anderson walked into the locker room and he was the agent. He asked Macho what he wanted to do tonight and Randy said, 'I think I wanna take the Diamond Cutter', and it almost knocked Arn over. Arn asked me if I knew how much of an honor that was and I was like, 'ummm yeah'! When I hit the Diamond Cutter the crowd exploded. When the referee slid down, the entire place was counting 1-2-3 and the crowd exploded again - and Randy (while laying there) said to me, "I think we have our finish to Spring Stampede'!"

Best of WCW Nitro DVD Contents

Silvervision released the full content listing for WWE's new The Very Best of WCW Nitro DVD set. The DVD will be hosted by former World Heavyweight Champion Diamond Dallas Page. Here it is:


Disc 1:



WCW History Lesson



Flyin’ Brian Pillman vs. Jushin Thunder Liger

4th September, 1995



Hulk Hogan vs. Big Bubba Rogers

4th September, 1995



"Macho Man" Randy Savage & Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair & Arn Anderson

8th January, 1996



“Rome wasn’t built in a day.”



WCW World Tag Team Championship Match

Sting and Lex Luger vs. The Road Warriors

5th February, 1996



Parking Lot Brawl

Lord Steven Regal vs. Belfast Bruiser

29th April, 1996



Eddie Guerrero vs. Ric Flair

20th May, 1996



Scott Hall Nitro Debut

27th May, 1996



Kevin Nash Nitro Debut

10th June, 1996



Migrating to Hot’Lanta



WCW World Tag Team Championship Triangle Match

Sting & Lex Luger vs. The Steiner Brother vs. Harlem Heat

24th June, 1996



nWo is Taking Over

8th July, 1996



nWo Awoke a Sleeping Giant



The Outsiders attack WCW Superstars

29th July, 1996



Sting & Lex Luger vs. The Outsiders Scott Hall & Kevin Nash

12th August, 1996



nWo takes Over

26th August, 1996



“Sting” attacks Lex Luger

9th September, 1996



The Enigmatic Sting



Sting walks out on Nitro

16th September, 1996



Rowdy Roddy Piper confronts Eric Bischoff

18th November, 1996



Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Dean Malenko

30th December, 1996



Disc 2:



Badda Bang!



Diamond Dallas Page vs. Mark Starr

13th January, 1997



Harvey Schiller suspends Eric Bischoff

3rd March, 1997



Sting attacks the nWo

17th March, 1997



The High- Flying Cruiserweights



WCW Cruiserweight Championship Match

Syxx vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.

21st April, 1997



WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match

Hollywood Hulk Hogan vs. Lex Luger

4th August, 1997



Disregard for Tradition & Authority



nWo mocks the Four Horsemen

1st September, 1997



Diamond Dallas Page vs. Buff Bagwell

29th September, 1997



Sting Saves DDP from the nWo

27th October, 1997



Sting vs. “Macho Man” Randy Savage

2nd February, 1998



Jericho’s 1004 Holds

30th March, 1998



Who’s Next?



WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match

Hollywood Hulk Hogan vs. Goldberg

6th July, 1998



WCW World Tag Team Championship Match

Kevin Nash & Sting vs. Scott Hall & The Giant

20th July, 1998



Non-Title Match

Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Chris Jericho

3rd August, 1998



WCW Cruiserweight Championship Match

Juventud Guerrera vs. Billy Kidman

14th September, 1998



Tradition Returns!



Ric Flair Returns to the Four Horsemen

14th September, 1998



WCW United States Championship Match

Bret “Hitman” Hart vs. Diamond Dallas Page

26th October, 1998



Ric Flair vs. Eric Bischoff

28th December, 1998



Disc 3:



Cracks in the Armour



WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match

Kevin Nash vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan

4th January, 1999



Goldberg Spears The Hitman

29th March, 1999



WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match

Sting vs. Diamond Dallas Page

26th April, 1999



Solidifying a Legacy



Eddie Guerrero vs. Juventud Guerrera

21st June, 1999



Hulk Hogan & Goldberg & Sting vs. Kevin Nash & Sid Vicious & Rick Steiner

9th August, 1999



Billy Kidman vs. Diamond Dallas Page

16th August, 1999



WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match

Bret “Hitman” Hart vs. Goldberg

20th December, 1999



WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match

Kevin Nash vs. Sid Vicious

24th January, 2000



Last Ditch Effort



The Bischoff & Russo Era Begins

10th April, 2000



Steel Cage Match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match

Jeff Jarrett vs. Diamond Dallas Page

24th April, 2000



Tag Team Ladder Match

3 Count vs. Jung Dragons

18th July, 2000



WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match

Booker T. vs. Lance Storm

7th August, 2000



Triple Cage War Games Match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship

4th September, 2000



Vince McMahon Buys WCW

26th March, 2001



Sting vs. Ric Flair

26th March, 2001



Celebrating WCW



Special Features:



Rey Mysterio Jr. vs Mr. JL

26th August, 1996



Diamond Dallas Page Monday Nitro Highlights

DDP and Kimberly New Pics

new pics of former WCW stars Diamond Dalas page and his Wife Kimberly...