Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 144: Jeff Jarrett and Booker T vs. Scott Steiner and Sting (Nitro 10/2/00)

An odd pairing of faces and heels, with the Jarrett/Booker team fighting against each other in a single later in the night. Seems Russo-rific to me. One question: Will anyone sell on the Steiner/Sting team given the other team is the motivated one and neither member is known for wanting to show weakness, at least well.

Steiners valet was hot as hell, if a little plastic. Someone took the time to make a “Slapnuts Country” sign. Wow. Lots of stalling and crowd baiting to start. Stings offense was the forerunner for the weakest of John Cena’s stuff, but Jarrett sold it valiantly. Steiner goes up against Booker T wearing a black face protector that is simply ridiculous. Steiner works the crowd quite a bit too. Steiner doesn’t move well at this point, but he does take an effective bump for Booker. Sting and Booker have an ugly communication breakdown at one point, but it’s slow enough that they recover.

While I’m not in love with the actual early work, I will say it’s being build slowly and smartly, playing to the star aspect rather than taking a thousand bumps. I’m so sad that Madden has been using the phrase “Sports Entertainment” at will. I guess everywhere he goes Russo wishes he was back in New York. It breaks down to The faces fighting each other and the heels doing the same. Steiner’s stuff is really held back by his size and bulk. He still pulls out the odd suplex here and there to remind us what he once was. Nothing about this match is compelling, especially the Steiner ring time. Sting and Jarrett have a more motivated volley, as even Booker T looks sluggish tonight. Perhaps it’s the repetition of moves. It’s not that no one is trying, but it feels relatively dull. Ref bump 10-12 minutes in. Jarrett with the guitar. Booker tries to save Sting, but Jarrett nails him and pins him. 2 ¼ and 4/10.