While there were more interesting matches at WCW Souled Out 1998, the match that really sold me on the PPV at thirteen was The Giant vs. Kevin Nash. This was the match that I just had to see. I was a fan of both giants and was torn over which one would win. The main attraction of The Giant vs. Kevin Nash was simply the two tallest and most popular giants in WCW going at it.
Yes, I had to specify that because Reese was still in the company but wasn’t nearly as popular as either man.
The Giant vs. Kevin Nash
Now the match itself was a pretty run-of-the-mill “clash of the titans”. It wasn’t 80s slow but you didn’t really expect these guys to just zip around the ring busting out moonsaults and shoot kicks. Instead, we got some brawling, big boots, chokeslams, and most impressively a dive from Nash. However, I thought it worked with these two. They didn’t need to do too much in the ring.
The Powerbomb Heard Around the World: The Giant vs. Kevin Nash at WCW Souled Out 1998
Also, Hollywood Hogan’s interference in the match—while ineffective for the most part—added to their showdown. Now, to the awful part. I’d say everything was going decently enough action-wise. The fans were into the match since you had two taller-than-tall men slugging it out.
Then Kevin Nash attempts the Jackknife Powerbomb. I’ve always wondered about the thought process by everyone involved in the match surrounding the decision to include the Jackknife. These are two extremely powerful guys but there had to be someone who said “I don’t think a powerbomb on The Giant is going to go well”.
It just seemed like it would end poorly on paper and someone had to think that it was something to skip over. Sure enough, Nash manages to hoist The Giant up but the bigger of the two didn’t get his torso up on the hoist and ends up dumped on his head. If you watch the above video, you’ll notice that even Hogan cringes at the bump.
When I first saw it in the replay stills on Nitro, I cringed as well. I’d see the full match later that week and sure enough, it was just as bad as my imagination pictured it from the stills and commentary.
Could the Jackknife Powerbomb Have Been Avoided?
Fortunately, The Giant recovered and went on to have a good career in WWE. However, I always think “Was there anything else that could’ve been done besides the Jackknife Powerbomb?” No. Unless Nash had been working on a Giant Killer—something that both men could work around and believably take out The Giant.
The Snake Eyes wasn’t going to do it and neither was the Big Boot. What else did he have to take out The Giant? The Atomic Leg Drop? Nash had an extremely nice Sidewalk Slam but he’d have to spam that until The Giant couldn’t stand.
Fantasy booking time! How would you have finished The Giant vs. Kevin Nash? Let us know in the comments.
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