Ahead of WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart being booked in a U.S. Title match against The Miz on next Monday's episode of WWE Raw, the following are two PWTorch Flashback reports to episodes of WCW Nitro in fall 1999 where Hart won the U.S. Title for the last time and lost the U.S. Title for the last time.

Included is the October 25, 1999 WCW Nitro TV report where Hart won his fourth and final U.S. Title from Bill Goldberg and the November 8, 1999 WCW Nitro TV report where Hart lost the U.S. Title to Scott Hall for the final time.

Torch VIP members can access the entire library of WCW Nitro TV reports in the Torch Newsletter archives. Find out how to become a Torch VIP member to access the full library of episodes. CLICK HERE.

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WCW Nitro TV report
October 25, 1999
Live from Phoenix, Ariz.
Report by Wade Keller, PWTorch editor
Originally published: Torch Newsletter #573

[Qi: 3.5] The show opened with Sting walking around the locker room yelling for J.J. Dillon and throwing things around.

Tony Schiavone and Bobby Heenan introduced the show as Sting marched to the ring. Sting wore a white t-shirt and jeans, no make-up, and sunglasses. Fans taunted Sting with chants of "Goldberg." Sting said: "I came out for a fight. That's all I came out for." He insisted Dillon walk to the ring. Dillon did so and fans booed him. Sting said he agreed to get WCW out of a bad situation by fighting, but he never agreed to put the WCW Title on the line. Dillon said he is right, Goldberg is not the champion. He said that WCW decided to strip him of the WCW Title because he brutally attacked a referee. Sting got mad. Dillon said he is only the messenger. Sting asked Dillon to give the championship committee a message from him. He then beat up Dillon. Goldberg ran to the ring for the save.

Schiavone and Heenan talked about the title situation including tournament bracketing. Schiavone was decked out in a dapper new suit, way more formal than usual. Heenan stood out as being too casual next to Schiavone. Schiavone said "the powers that be" have said the Outsiders must wrestle on Nitro. They showed Kevin Nash and Scott Hall arriving at the arena with a cooler full of beer making wisecracks. [C]

[Qii: 4.0] Mike Tenay interviewed Norman Smiley. Smiley said he was "amused" by having to wrestle a hardcore match last week, but now he is going to prove he is a great scientific wrestler. Smiley is funny.

(1) Norman Smiley pinned Bam Bam Bigelow at 1:22. Bigelow brought weapons to the ring and said Smiley may be a "scientifical" wrestler, but he is going to beat him up with weapons. Bigelow put a garbage can over Smiley, but Smiley fell on top of Bigelow's crotch with the trash can on his head. He then took off the can, did the Big Wiggle, and then tentatively covered Bigelow (making sure Bigelow was KO'd before he got close to him). Smiley could be a cult wrestler if they continue his push.

Tenay interviewed Hall and Nash. Nash said he is retired . Hall said they have to wait until the top of the hour before they can comment on record, but then said he has a lot of bosses, but Mike Graham is not one of them. [C]

The Filthy Animals came to the ring. They cut to the KidCam (Kidman's camcorder) footage of them dumping Flair's body off of a stretcher in a desert near Las Vegas, Nev. They kicked dirt all over him. This was better than the NWO helicopter angle. Back in the ring they laughed. The fans booed. Kidman said Flair refused to leave gracefully, so they soiled his soul. Kidman said Harlem Heat is next. Konnan said, "When the Filthy Animals are in heat, somebody is definitely dead meat." Saturn and Dean Malenko ran to the ring and attacked the Animals with iron bars. Torrie backtracked toward the locker room. Shane Douglas and Asya came out. Asya grabbed Torrie and kidnapped her.

Backstage Tenay asked Curt Hennig about the "powers that be" wanting to phase him out. Hennig said they told him if he gets pinned, he has to leave WCW. Hennig said: "All I ever needed was a reason. You tell me I can't, I tell you I can."

[Qiii: 4.1] [C] Hall brought a drunk Nash some coffee. Hall said it is time to get ready to work. Nash asked if there is a three-second or seven-second delay. Hall said the "Big Papa Pump" rule is seven-seconds.

(2) Lash Laroux beat Curt Hennig via DQ at 2:22. Disco came to ringside to do color. He said Lash gave him more of a fight than he expected at the PPV. He said Lash might be the next big star. Lash set up Hennig for his finisher, so Hennig hit the ref to get intentionally DQ'd and avoid getting pinned. He beat up Lash with a chair after the match. Disco entered the ring to check on Laroux. Hennig hit him with a chair.

Backstage the Filthy Animals walked around with baseball bats looking for Torrie. [C]

They showed Bret getting out of his car limping toward the building... They showed Goldberg lacing up his boots... Gene Okerlund interviewed The Nitro Girls. Kimberly talked about the contest. They showed footage of two finalists. Jarrett then came out with his guitar. He told the women to get the hell out of the ring.

[Qiv: 4.4] Jarrett said the WCW Title tournament is part of a plan, it's all a work. "You are looking at the next WCW Champion and you can bet all of your stock options on that one," he said. "I am the chosen one and there isn't anything anybody can do about it." He said that includes Buff. He said unless Total Package wants to take the next Lex Express tour right out of town, he best apologize to him. He said he didn't "take Liz out" and doesn't appreciate being accused of anything. Very good promo. Jarrett is showing a determination and confidence that he's never shown before.

Schiavone and Heenan talked about Goldberg-Sid the night before... An interview aired that Tenay conducted with Sid the night before after his match against Goldberg. Sid said the war is far from over. He said when Goldberg least expects it, he will be back.

(3) Saturn beat Eddie Guerrero at 3:38. When Guerrero came to the ring with Konnan, Rey Jr., and Kidman, Saturn said if the rest of the Animals didn't leave, they would never see Torrie again. As the other Animals left, Eddie dropkicked Saturn from behind and worked over his legs. At 3:00 David Flair ran to ringside and hit Eddie with a crowbar. Saturn applied Rings of Saturn for the win.

Hall said it's almost time. Nash said if they shut the show down, there will be no match. He threatened to strip naked. Yeah, right; Nash won't even take his shirt off in public. [C]

The Revolution lectured Torrie in a back room. Chris Benoit jumped them, locked Douglas, Saturn, and Asya in a cage built into the storage room, then attacked Malenko. Douglas shouted at Benoit the whole time that he is dead when they get out of the cage.

[Q1: 3.5] Hall and Nash walked to the ring. The crowd cheered them every step of the way. Nash said the new bosses might be able to tell others what to do, but they can't tell the Outsiders what to do. As Nash began to address the censors, Goldberg interrupted from the crowd. He said if they want to mess with him, they better hope they have eyes in the back of their heads because they're next.

As Schiavone and Heenan began talking, Randy Savage's music played. He walked out with Gorgeous George. Schiavone said his appearance was a complete surprise. Savage cut a promo on Vince Russo, Hulk Hogan, and Ric Flair. He said Russo hoped he would make an ass of himself on TV and hang himself. He said that won't ever happen. He then said, "The Macho Man is well hung." He said the yellow and red has played itself out and so has Space Mountain. He said he has won world titles in the WWF and WCW. He said tonight is the night he passes the torch to the next superstar. He said that man will be a superstar in the next millennium and be even better than he was and draw record TV ratings. Savage didn't say whom he is passing the torch to. He instead concluded by saying, "You need me, I don't need you."

The Animals went to the room where Torrie was, but she wasn't there anymore... Madusa warmed up backstage. [C]

[Q2: 3.6] Douglas and Saturn tried to calm down Malenko backstage who wanted to get at Benoit.

(4) Meng beat Madusa at 2:30 with the Tongan Death Grip. Meng is sporting a new wild haircut and baggy tights. It's an improved look. Madusa punched and kicked away at Meng, who didn't budge. She didn't back down to Meng. She poked him in the eyes, then jumped off the top rope into his arms. She slapped Meng and dropkicked him off the top rope. Meng continued to no-sell. Very watchable. Meng never hit her. He won only with his nerve hold. Evan Karagias ran to the ring to check on Madusa and helped her to her feet.

Malenko walked to the ring and said he wanted Benoit in a "last man standing" match... Backstage Nash taped his wrists. Hall said whoever their opponents are, they'll lose. [C]

[Q3: 3.5] Brad Armstrong and Hennig compared notes on new management. Hennig said one more loss and he's on the senior's tour. Brad said management told him to get a personality and not to return until he gets one. He said they even suggested he call his younger brother for advice... Backstage a trainer tended to Bret's sore ankle. Bret said, "I have no choice."

(5) Lex Luger (w/Elizabeth) beat Rick Steiner via countout at 2:53. At the start of the match, Jarrett walked to ringside. He joined Schiavone and Heenan and demanded Luger apologize for accusing him of "taking Liz out." Heenan said Jarrett was right. "Chuck Berry has a guitar and they're not accusing him," he said. Schiavone said, "We saw your schtick in the WWF and we know it's not beyond you to hit a woman." Jarrett said this isn't the WWF and he is the chosen one. Jarrett approached Liz. She cowered. Luger grabbed Jarrett from behind. Jarrett swung the guitar, but hit Steiner instead of Luger. Luger was helping Liz at ringside. When Luger realized he was about to be counted out, he dropped Liz and rolled into the ring. Liz was upset. Luger told her not to be so sensitive and kissed her.

Konnan and Kidman swore revenge on the Revolution if they lay a finger on Torrie... Buff arrived at the building. [C]

(6) Kidman pinned Konnan at 1:56 after Harlem Heat attacked both of them. As Rey Jr. and Guerrero made the save, Kidman covered Konnan for the pin. Konnan was upset Kidman took advantage of Heat's attack to score the pin. Eddie told them their fight is with Heat. Konnan challenged Heat to a tag title match later.

[Q4: 2.7] [C] Hall and Nash said it was bogus they were being used as ratings ploys...

Buff came to the ring and said he is going to take everything sacred in wrestling and relieve himself all over it. He said he isn't going to do a job for anybody ever again. "I'm not layin' down for nobody anymore," he said. "Nobody's telling me what to do anymore, especially those two idiots in the back writing this crap." (Okay, Shawn Michaels.) The Harris Twins walked to the ring in suits and were clean shaven. One of them said, "We represent the two people who write this crap." They then attacked Buff. [C]

[Q5: 3.0] (7) Chris Benoit beat Dean Malenko at 7:01 in a "Last Man Standing Match." Afterward the Animals ran to the ring and stomped away at Malenko. Benoit just left the ring. Douglas stepped out onto the stage. Asya brought Torrie out. Douglas warned the Animals to step back or Asya would "take Torrie out." The Animals let Malenko loose, but then charged toward the stage as they cut to a break. [C]

The Revolution shoved Torrie into a car and drove off. The Animals were a few steps behind. Eddie said he and Rey Jr. would get Torrie and told Konnan and Kidman to get the tag belts. Eddie and Rey sped after The Revolution in a car.

(8) Sting pinned Brian Knobs (w/Jimmy Hart, Hugh Morrus) at 0:10. Sting simply nailed Knobs with a baseball bat and pinned him. That's exactly the kind of push Knobs deserves... Backstage Nash and Hall discussed who would start their match...

[Q6: 2.5] [C] Tenay asked Bret if it was wise to wrestle considering he has a hairline fracture in his ankle. Bret said if he didn't have bad luck, he'd have no luck at all. He said he is going to take a chance and enter the tournament despite his condition. Bret said Goldberg is in for a fight.

(9) Konnan & Kidman pinned Harlem Heat at 5:05 when Kidman pinned Stevie to capture the WCW Tag Team Titles. The finish came on a back suplex by Stevie on Kidman. Kidman bridged out and Stevie's shoulders remained down.

Tenay interviewed Goldberg who said he respects Bret, but doesn't fear him. He said Bret's injury makes him more dangerous... They showed Page and Kimberly backstage readying for the next match. [C]

[Q7: 3.5] (10) Dallas Page (w/Kimberly) beat David Flair via DQ at 0:15. Before the match Page arrogantly squeezed David's cheeks and kissed him. When he turned around, David blindsided him with a crowbar. He hit him several more times. Schiavone said he was determined to get revenge for what Page did to his father the night before. Kimberly checked on Page. He was stretchered away as he yelled in pain. [C]

Page was taken away in an ambulance.

(11) Three Women beat Hall & Nash at 5:05. Hall and Nash came to the ring in street clothes. The Harris Twins walked onto the stage, then three women walked out. Nash was mesmerized by the two balloon-sized boobs on one of them. ...

[Q8: 3.5] The Blond rubbed her breasts in Hall's face, then wiggled her butt at him. He signalled that he was going to unzip his pants. She shoved her crotch in Hall's face. Hall tagged Nash who mocked a "hot tag" and asked the huge one to raise her shirt. She indictated she would take off her shirt in exchange for a pin. Nash and Hall laid down for the pin. Before the woman could remove her shirt, Goldberg ran in and speared Hall and Nash. [C]

(11) Bret Hart pinned Goldberg at 7:50 to capture the U.S. Hvt. Title. Bret struggled with everything in the match and could barely put weight on his leg. ...

[Q9: 3.7] Eventually, Goldberg applied a leglock. Bret reached the ropes. At 4:30 Goldberg applied another leglock, but then released it and told the ref to check on Bret. Bret said he wasn't quitting for anything. Bret managed to fight back and apply a sleeper at 5:45. Goldberg flipped Bret over his shoulder to escape, but the ref got hit in the process. Goldberg clotheslined Bret over the top rope. Bret bumped hard on his leg. Hall and Nash ran to the ring followed by Sid. Goldberg fought off Hall and Nash, but Sid flattened him with a big boot. They double powerbombed him, then they left. Bret crawled back into the ring. The ref came to. Bret covered him for the win. Goldberg kicked out just after three.

***

WCW Nitro TV report
November 8, 1999
Live from Indianapolis, Ind.
Report by Wade Keller, PWTorch editor
Originally published: Torch Newsletter #575

[Qi: 3.5] The show opened with Sid telling a director to put the tape in when he gives him the cue or else he would be back for him.

Tony Schiavone and Bobby Heenan introduced the show as Sid walked to the ring. Sid said the Outsiders tried to screw him last week, but it didn't work. Sid had the tape roll of his match with Goldberg actually standing over Sid. Sid then said, "I quit," pretending to be Goldberg. He said the fans heard it and that proves he is still the U.S. Hvt. Champion. Heenan said it sounded like Goldberg's voice to him. Scott Hall and Kevin Nash then walked out. Hall wore a Chicago Bears Walter Payton jersey. I hope he's trying to be a babyface at this point because there isn't a more sympathetic figure this week than Payton. Hall told Sid he beat him last week. Sid said he screwed him because "you were supposed to lay down." Hall said, "I don't lay down for nobody because that ain't the way the clique operates." Nash said Sid's problem should be with "Canadian Hero" Bret Hart, not the Outsiders. Hart walked out onto the stage. Hart called them a naughty (bleeped) name, then said that Goldberg is the U.S. Hvt. Champ. He said next week he is going to hand Goldberg the title himself. Hall told Bret if he wants the U.S. belt, "don't sing it, bring it." Bret approached the ring, sans crutches and any sign of a limp. Goldberg then came out of nowhere and aided Bret. The Outsiders left Sid to fend for himself as Goldberg speared Sid. As Sid left the ring, Goldberg asked him if he had the balls (bleeped) to face him in an I-quit match. Goldberg asked Hall and Nash if they want to play a game. He said hide and seek. "You hide, I seek - and destroy." Weak finish to a strong segment.

Schiavone ran down the night's tournament brackets. Schiavone's new dapper look really adds class to the broadcast. It's a small touch, but it makes a difference.

Mike Tenay interviewed Sting backstage. Tenay said Sting is questioning the true intentions of Lex Luger. Sting agreed Luger has a lot of explaining to do. Imagine that. Sting questioning Luger.

Elizabeth snuck Luger into the building. He wore a hooded jacket, trying to mask his identity. He asked Liz, "Are you sure it's all right?"...

[Qii: 3.9] [C] They replayed Kimberly hitting David Flair with her car. Footage aired from earlier in the day where Kimberly approached Doug Dillinger in the parking lot. She said she wanted him to call her extra security because the maniac David Flair is after her.

Backstage Hall asked Nash if they need security in case Goldberg is in a bad mood. Nash told Hall he would be proud of him because he now has a manager's license...

The Filthy Animals spoke in the ring. Rey Mysterio Jr. said the only reason they left Revolution's woman is because no mutts are allowed in their kennel. Rey Jr. then lifted his leg and pretended to be an animal humping. Dean Malenko and Asya walked out. Malenko said Asya could have Rey Jr. for lunch. He challenged Rey Jr. and Torrie to a mixed tag match later. Rey Jr. accepted and said they'd put a muzzle on Asya and take her straight to the pound.

Schiavone announced that he was just told over the headset that officials have signed a Texas Tornado ladder match with Hall, Bret, Sid, and Goldberg to determine the U.S. Champ.

(1) Kidman (w/Torrie) pinned Screamin' Norman Smiley at 2:14 to advance in the tourney. Except for no skates, Smiley wore a full hockey uniform, pads and all. Kidman slapped the helmet off of him. Early in the match Norman spanked Kidman, then did the Big Wiggle. Brian Knobs did color, then attacked Smiley with a hockety stick as Jimmy Hart distracted the ref. Kidman simply covered Smiley for the win. Schiavone said, "Say what you will about the Powers that Be, but they sure are making things exciting around here again."

Backstage Sting looked for Luger (they are calling him Luger again, not just Total Package). In another room they showed Luger and Liz hiding... They showed David Flair limping around with a tire iron... [C]

[Qiii: 4.5] Hall and Nash were shown backstage trying to flag down a security force...

Sting walked to the ring and said he wanted to straighten out the problems with Luger. Liz came out and said Luger wanted her to apologize to him. She said he treasures their friendship and would never do anything to jeopardize it. Sting put his arm around Liz, who seemed uncomfortable with the contact. He told her to get Luger to the ring. Luger came out. Schiavone called him "Mr. Insincere." Luger said nothing can come between their friendship. When the fans booed, he told Sting indignantly, "Can you believe these people?" Funny. He said, "I love you like a brother. Come on, give me a hug." Schiavone laughed and recounted that Luger tried to get Sting beat up a week ago by luring him into the tag match. Schiavone paused between sentences, apparently, so he could hear Russo feeding him the lines into his headset. Sting shoved Luger into the corner and told him he would rip his throat out next time, then left.

David Flair found Kimberly in the locker room and said, "Don't worry, you won't feel a thing." The camera then cut away. Schiavone made light of the moment, which seemed inappropriate considering he was about to beat her with a tire iron.

(2) Chris Benoit beat Madusa via DQ at 1:48. Benoit told Madusa at the start to lie down and let him pin her. They had some standing exchanges of armbars. Madusa then surprised Benoit with a series of kicks, but Benoit caught her coming off the ropes. She turned it into a huracanrana. Benoit came back, threw her into the corner, and chopped her across the chest. She collapsed into the corner. Evan Karagias came to ringside and argued with referee Johnny Boone. Boone punched Karagias. Karagias punched him back. They began exchanging punches and several referees intervened. Meanwhile, Jeff Jarrett entered the ring and shoved Benoit, which cost Madusa the match via DQ. Jarrett grabbed the mic after the match. He said, "This is not the WWF and we do not hit women here." She began kicking Jarrett. Jarrett left the ring and said, "I just screwed you out of the tournament."

Chavo Guerrero Jr. talked to unseen Vince Russo, who told him to get the hell out of his office. He gave him an Amway suitcase and told him to go make some money that way. Creative Control chuckled in the background. [C]

[Qiv: 4.1] Hacksaw Duggan complained as he cleaned the toilet used by the Powers that Be. Heenan said Duggan got hurt because the toilet seat landed on his head while he was taking a drink. Great line.

(3) Rick Steiner squashed Disco Inferno at 1:31. Tony Marinara came to ringside and told Schiavone in an Italian accent that he came to get his money. He had a bucket full of cement, implying he was going to send Disco to the bottom of a river if he doesn't pay his debt. Steiner hit Disco with the bucket of concrete to knock him out. [C]

Nash asked the riot police if they were real cops because he didn't want them to bust him while he partied. Nash came out of the bathroom dressed as Grand Wizard. Hall said maybe they should make up with Sid. As they left the room, Hall asked the police if they were going to drug test him. It would be funnier if it wasn't making fun of a recent serious problem.

Eight Nitro Girl contest contestants danced. A.C. Jazz interrupted and told Gene Okerlund to get the women out of the ring. He called them Nitro Girl wannabes. She called them skanks. Spice tried to talk sense into her, but it didn't work. They shoved each other. The rest of the Girls broke up the "fight."

Kimberly hid behind the post as David limped after her... Schiavone plugged Goldberg vs. Sting.

[Q1: 3.2] As Schiavone talked, the lights went out and Dustin Rhodes looking somewhat like Undertaker "floated" to the ring, suspended a few feet above the rampway by a rope. Dustin grabbed the mic and said, "Look at this crap I'm in. I left the WWF because of gimmicks like this. I was Goldust, and Goldust sucked. Goldust nearly ruined my wrestling career." Dustin said he wanted to return to WCW and just be himself. He said the Powers that Be said Dustin was boring. He said his name was Seven and they dressed him up like Uncle Fester. He said they can take Goldust and shove it up their asses, they could take Seven and shove it up their asses, and they both can kiss his ass. Dustin said his father called him and said after 25 years of building the company, they kicked him to the curb like he was a piece of sh--. He said the Powers that Be have to deal with him now because they disrespected his father and him. He said he was going to make their lives a miserable hell. He said, "You will never forget the name..." He paused, fans said, "Goldust," but he said, "Dustin Rhodes."

David looked for Kimberly backstage. [C] Kevin Nash knocked on Sid's locker room door, talking like Grand Wizard... Luger said he feels bad and hopes to make good with Sting.

(4) Goldberg pinned Sting at 2:33. Sting put Goldberg in a sleeper early in the match. Luger and Liz came out. Sting and Goldberg bumped into the ref. Luger sprayed Sting in the face with mace "accidentally." Goldberg speared Sting. He seemed confused that he was able to get the advantage so easily, but then gave Sting the Jackhammer for the win. Nash and Hall offered Sid two security officers as a peace offering just in case Goldberg came after him. Rick Steiner intervened and looked upset at Sid. It was hard to hear what he said.

Luger and Liz passed Duggan mopping in the hall. Luger said, "Good to see you have a job back with the company, bud." He laughed as he told him he missed a spot.

[Q2: 2.9] Kimberly approached someone she thought was a security officer. It was David Flair. She ran scared. Schiavone and Heenan said David was playing mind games with Kimberly.

Tenay interviewed Vampiro and the Misfits. Vampiro said they are examples of what happens when society doesn't accept people.

(5) Buff Bagwell pinned Vampiro at 1:18. As Buff came out for his match, The Misfits and Vampiro attacked him. The worst one minute of wrestling you'll ever see took place. Buff punched all three Misfits, but every punch showed a ton of light. They bumped to the ground. The ref sold being accidentally punched by Bagwell, but he was barely touched. Vampiro then hit Buff with a terrible looking missile dropkick. It was so bad, I thought they were intentionally trying to make everything look fake. Berlyn KO'd Vampiro leading to the Buff Blockbuster. After the match, the Misfits and Vampiro attacked Buff. Berlyn and his bodyguard attacked them. As Berlyn left, Creative Control attacked him, then carried his limp body to the back.

Backstage, Luger writhed in pain on the floor by the "Wet Floor" sign that he stole from Duggan. He faked that he blew out his knee... [C]... EMTs tended to Luger, but told him there was nothing wrong with his knee...

[Q3: 3.2] (6) Bret Hart beat Saturn at 5:00 to advance. Shane Douglas did color. He called Bret a washed up has-been. At 4:30 as Bret applied the Sharpshooter, Douglas interfered as Asya distracted the referee. Bret kicked out of Saturn's DDT. Malenko ran out and stomped away at Bret at ringside. Benoit ran to the ring to make the save. Saturn dove over the top rope onto both Malenko and Benoit. When he returned to the ring, Bret applied the Sharpshooter and Saturn tapped out.

Kimberly tried to convince Creative Control to let her in to see the Powers that Be. ... Nash did an old Johnny Carson bit of holding an envelope to his head. He said, "The answer is three-sixteen." He opened the envelope and it said, "The number of times Undertaker has worked a PPV main event with Austin." (Boy is Russo getting back at Austin.) Hall asked Nash, "Was it really that many times?" Nash said, "Yeah, where have you been?" Hall said, "Drunk for an entire year, bro." Hall said Nash was right there by his side. [C]

Schiavone said the Powers that Be suspended Stevie Ray for losing to Bagwell. Booker T walked to the ring with a determined look on his face. Booker said he wanted to kick the asses of the Powers that Be, Creative Control, and Jeff Jarrett. He called them all to the ring. Jarrett joined Schiavone and Heenan on commentary. He said Creative Control would take care of Booker T without him.

(7) Booker T fought Creative Control to a no contest at 1:50. When Booker took down both of Creative Control with a clothesline, Jarrett intervened. A muscular woman ran into the ring to stop Jarrett. She punched Jarrett, so he nailed her with a guitar, "breaking WCW policy." (Ratings go up, so Russo gets more latitude with violence against women.)

[Q4: 3.0] Hall and Nash talked to the riot squad... Tenay acted skeptical toward Luger's injury. Luger said he hates to disappoint the fans, but he can't wrestle. Tenay said the Powers that Be told him if he doesn't wrestle Sid, he would be eliminated from the tournament. Luger told Liz to do something.

(8) Dean Malenko & Asya beat Rey Mysterio Jr. & Torrie at 2:09. At the start of the match, Asya handcuffed Torrie to the turnbuckle. Rey Jr. missed the Bronco Buster, so Malenko applied the Texas Cloverleaf and Rey Jr. tapped out. The rest of the Filthy Animals ran out and cut Torrie loose.

[Q5: 2.4] Kimberly cried backstage. David approached her from behind with the crowbar. She fled the locker room.

Sid came to the ring first. Liz wheeled Luger toward the ring. He said he had to go to the hospital to have his knee evaluated. He said Bret inspired him and he hoped to be able to wrestle next week. Sting snuck up behind Luger, sent Liz to the back, and then shoved Luger to the ring and tipped him over. Luger tried to use Liz as a shield against Sid in the ring. Luger was nearly immobile moving around the ring. Schiavone began to wonder if the injury was legit. At 3:00 Goldberg entered the ring and speared Sid. Goldberg pretended to be on Luger's side, but then he speared him, too. Schiavone said maybe Sid was set up again by the Outsiders.

(9) Brian Knobs beat Bam Bam Bigelow at 1:55 via countout in a hardcore match. Smiley did color. He was scheduled to face the winner of the match at Mayhem. Smiley wondered if Bigelow had any medical insurance "because he's been missing that tooth for years." He said he was concerned with their hygiene. Smiley followed the two wrestlers with a wireless mic, calling the action. Hilarious. Bigelow easily fended off Jimmy's attempts to interfere. Kimberly was in tears and asked Bigelow for his help. Bigelow left the match to help Kimberly. The ref then counted Bigelow out (of the room?). Smiley wheeled Knobs out of the arena in a trash bin. [C]...

[Q6: 3.0] Bigelow grabbed a baseball bat and went looking for David backstage... Heenan speculated the mystery referee in the main event would be a wrestler from another wrestling organization.

(10) Scott Hall (w/Kevin Nash and a dozen riot squad members) pinned Lash LaRoux at 6:14 with the Outsider's Edge. Heenan heaped praise on Lash, saying he had "moxie" (an old favorite term of Nick Bockwinkel). Schiavone said LaRoux looked strong even in losing because he kept fighting back. When one riot squad member wouldn't leave the ring, Nash was going to throw powder in his face as a practical joke. It turned out to be Goldberg in disguise and he speared Hall and Nash.

[Q7: 2.6] [C] (11) Jeff Jarrett beat Curt Hennig via countout at 5:16 to advance. Hennig is the official trophy holder for the most generic intro music in wrestling today. Jarrett's isn't much better. Creative Control watched the match from the stage. When Jarrett set up his reverse Russian legsweep called "The Stroke," Hennig shoved Jarrett into the ref. Creative Control attacked Hennig at ringside. They slammed him through the announcing table. Heenan fled. The ref then counted Hennig out. [C]

Schiavone and Heenan had to announce the rest of the show without a table, revealing that Schiavone was wearing blue jeans and tennis shoes rather than dress pants and shoes to go with the jacket and tie he was wearing...

[Q8: 3.3] Kimberly walked to the ring and said she is tired of running from him. She said whatever he wants to do to her, he is going to have to do in front of everybody. A crazed and insane looking David walked out. Bigelow attacked him from behind in the aisle. David took over with a mule kick and a crow bar shot. He then chased Kimberly, who fled into the crowd. How does she move that fast in those high heels? That is more impressive than any wrestling move during the rest of the show. David limped after her. [C]

Kimberly ran to her car and locked herself inside. David broke the windows with a crow bar. Creative Control came out, so David fled. They helped her out of the car. She cried. Creative Control said the Powers that Be were ready to see her now.

As wrestlers came to the ring for the main event, Schiavone quickly ran down the major events viewers witnessed during the program. That's a smart thing to do to reinforce the major happenings. Because so much happened, it all can become a blur without a reminder.

(12) Scott Hall beat Bret Hart and Goldberg and Sid in a four-way ladder match at 4:40 to capture the U.S. Hvt. Title. Early in the match, Schiavone wondered who the special referee would be. At 1:20 Nash came out dressed in a referee shirt. He brought the ladder to ringside. With the reference to Undertaker earlier in the show and his absencen from Raw, some viewers probably thought it would be Undertaker. Or maybe Shawn Michaels. Nash turned out to be a letdown. Schiavone said he was just handed a note that said Kimberly would face David Flair in the ring at Mayhem. At 3:30 Rick came to ringside. Schiavone said even though Sid didn't have much time for Rick earlier in the night, Rick picked an inopportune time to come out. At 4:10 Bret climbed the ladder and grabbed the belt. Nash hit Bret's bad leg with a pipe. Bret dropped the belt and fell to the mat. Nash then held the belt over the ladder. Hall climbed the first rung of the ladder and grabbed the belt held by Nash.

WK: The show didn't have one fast-forward moment in all three hours which has never happened before on a Nitro. The main event was a letdown when it came to delivering on action.

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