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WCW Monday Night Nitro Results
Live from Phoenix, Arizona

Before we get started tonight, I just want to send my prayers and condolences to the family of PGA golfer Payne Stewart, who died tragically in a plane crash today in South Dakota. Payne always was one of my favorite golfers, and the PGA and the world has lost a great man.

One night after Havoc, where blood and belts flew freely...Goldberg's got as many belts as Harlem Heat combined, DDP laid the strap down on Flair, and what about Hogan? All this and more in tonight's Nitro report...

Show opens with a makeup-less Stinger looking for one JJ Dillon, moments later, the former world champ makes his way to the ring to get something off his chest. He says last night he came out for a fight, nothing else, and that he wants Dillon to come out right now, and here he comes. Sting says he bailed WCW out of a bad situation last night by fighting Goldberg, but that he never said it was to be a title shot, and he wants his belt back right now. Dillon agrees with him, and states that Goldberg is not the WCW champ, but neither is Sting. Sting has been stripped of the belt due to his actions against Charles Robinson, and a 32 man tournament is starting tonight to determine the champ, and that Sting does have a place in the tournament. JJ says that he's only the messenger, and Sting says that if Dillon is the messenger, he has a message for him to deliver, and starts to beat Dillon, eventually putting him in a Deathlock. Goldberg runs out to make the save and the two go at it until WCW security breaks it up.

Tony announces some of the matches in the tournament, including DDP & David Flair; Total Package and Rick Steiner; Madusa and a mystery opponent; Saturn and Eddy Guerrero; Kidman vs. Konnan, and tonight's main event, Goldberg vs. Bret Hart. Also on the format, the Outsiders have been booked to wrestle
tonight.

Backstage, the Outsiders are shown arriving in their limo with a cooler of what I presume is a certain refreshing beverage containing barley and hops...the duo are told they have to wrestle tonight, but they seem more prepared to pound down some brewdogs while watching the festivities...

Backstage, Tenay is interviewing Norman Smiley, commenting on his victory in the hardcore match last week, but tells us that tonight, he will face Bam Bam Bigelow in a WCW Title Tournament Match. Smiley says that he's tougher than a $2 steak, and that tonight, everyone will see that he's the toughest man in
WCW.

First Match: Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Norman Smiley
WCW Title Tournament Match
Double Bam comes out followed by a New Jack-ish cart'o'hardcore stuff, and tells Smiley that this is going to be a hardcore match. Smiley tries to hide behind the ref, but Bigelow takes Normie to town early. Bigelow puts a trash can over Smiley's head, but Smiley walks into Bigelow, knocking him out and getting Smiley the pin.
Winner: Norman Smiley

Backstage, Tenay interviews the Outsiders, calling their forced return an "obvious rating's ploy." Nash, already into the brewski's, re-iterates that he's retired, and Hall says that they have to wait til the "top of the hour" to make any official statement, and makes other references to the "top of the hour." Classic Outsiders material...

Tony shows some video clips from last nitro and last night regarding the minor dispute between Ric Flair and the Filthy Animals, culminating in the kidnapping of the Nature Boy last night, whose whereabouts remain unknown. The Animals make their way out to the ring, luckily bringing Torrie out in a teensy tiny outfit. Lots of anti-WCW signs in the crowd (WCW sux, Where Chumps Wrestle...) Eddy gets the mic and says that no matter how much they get booked against each other, WCW can't break them up. They say that last night they kicked Ric Flair's ass, and Kidman has the videotape (via KidCam) to prove it. The tape shows Nature Boy, still in his ring gear, being dumped in a field, kicked, beaten, dirt dumped on him. Kidman says that Ric wouldn't go quietly, so they soiled his soul. Kidman pronouces that Harlem Heat is next...Saturn, wearing some Taz FTW gear, and Malenko come out and start beating on the Animals with some various implements of destruction. Torrie tries to escape the ring, but Shane Douglas and Asya come out, and Asya kidnaps Torrie.

Backstage, Tenay is interviewing Curt Hennig, who says he has some problems with the new creative team phasing out some of the older wrestlers, and that when he decides to retire, it will be his choice, not anyone behind the scenes, and that tonight he has something to prove.

Second Match: Curt Hennig vs. Lash LeRoux
WCW Title Tournament Match
Disco Inferno comes out to provide some commentary...he hypes up LeRoux a little bit, saying he was a tougher match than he expected last night. LeRoux dominates early, and gets Hennig sets up for the Whiplash, when Hennig reaches out and cold cocks the ref, but fails to bump him enough, causing the ref to call for the bell. Post match, Disco comes into the ring to prevent Hennig from giving LeRoux the chair, but instead takes a chair in the back himself.
Winner, by disqualification: Lash LeRoux

Backstage, the Filthy Animals are in hot pursuit of Douglas and their hijacked hoochie...

Bret Hart is shown limping into the arena, while Goldberg is shown lacing up his boots and pondering the meaning of life.

The Nitro Girl search continues, and for the first time in a while, the whole team (Helllllll-o Spice!) is in the ring, as we meet this weeks contestants. The second girl has a set of abs that Luger would be jealous of...just before the segment ends, out comes Mr. Misogyny himself, Jeff Jarrett, who threatens to "stroke" all the girls if they don't clear the ring. Jarrett says the title tournament is no coincidence, that it's started since he's in the company now, and that he's the next champ, since he's the chosen one, and that no one else has a chance, including Buff. He then tells Luger that he needs to come out and apologize, since he wasn't the one that did the Who impersonation on Liz last week, and he doesn't much appreciate being blamed for it.

Clips of Goldberg and Sid's match last night are shown, and a post-match interview with Sid is shown. Sid says they may have had a battle last night, but that the war is far from over. Sid then claims that when Goldberg least expects it, he will be back to finish it.

Third Match: Saturn vs. Eddy Guerrero
WCW Title Tournament Match
All Los Animales come out to the ring, which gets Saturn on the mic and says that if anyone touches him besides Eddy, that they can say goodbye to Torrie. Saturn then tells them to "hit the bricks, jabronies." In another of what is turning into some of the better feuds/ matches, Saturn and Eddy go at it as hard as they did last night, trading the momentum back and forth. While Eddy is outside the ring, David Flair comes down and whacks Eddy in the ribs with the crowbar from last night, allowing Saturn to lock on the Rings of Saturn for the win.
Winner by submission: Saturn

Backstage, the Outsiders are discussing their plans for the "top of the hour." Nash brainstorms and comes up with the plan to shut the show down, since no show means no match. He claims that he'll strip naked if that's what it will take...guess we're going to find out if he is "Big Sexy"

Backstage, Shane and the Revolution are yelling at Torrie, til Saturn comes up with the brilliant idea of finding something to hose her down with. Malenko goes off to find the necessary tools, and speaking of hosers, there's Benoit, who takes out Malenko with a chair, and locks Douglas, Saturn, Asya, and Torrie in the room they are hiding in. Benoit then resumes beating the hell out of Deano.

The Outsiders make their way out to the old Wolfpac music. Hall clears his throat a couple times before his first "Hey Yo," prompting a huge pop from the crowd. He says that apparently, the new bosses can't have a show without the Outsiders wrestling, and that even though they partied all last night, they wouldn't want to miss a party tonight, in Big Sexy's hometown. Nash gets the mic, does the " (city) (state) (outsiders/wolfpac) in the HOUSE" shtick. He says that no one tells the Outsiders what to do, that they've been making the rules since day one. Before Nash can finish, Goldberg pops up in the crowd and calls them out, saying that if they want to screw with him, jump him from behind, that they better have eyes in the back of their heads, because tonight, they're both next.

Macho's music hits, and out comes double M and double G with her double D's...somehow pushed into a teensy tiny eensy weensy red and sparkly pretty bikini. Macho has a matching cute little pimp outfit on, and says that for all the vultures in the back tonight hoping he hangs himself on TV, they're wrong, though he is well hung. He says he can't be punked out like Hogan and Flair, that you shouldn't hunt what you can't kill. He says the red and yellow is played out, space mountain is closed, but that he is still the man. Macho reminds us that he's won titles in WWF and WCW, and that tonight is the night he passes the torch to the next great superstar, but ends it at that. Back-Back-Stage, the Animals stumble upon the now unlocked room where the Revolution was, only to find it empty...Quick Cut to Madusa, shown preparing for her match tonight in the Title Tournament.

The Revolution are shown in their new hideout, with Malenko steaming mad and wanting bloody revenge against Benoit

Fourth Match: Madusa vs. Meng
WCW Title Tournament Match
Meng's dropped the braids in favor of a hip jheri curl...this is an annual Meng push like no other. Madusa attacks early with punches and kicks, to no effect, but then goes to the devastating poke to the eye, then tries to come off the ropes, only to be caught by the Samoan Superstar. No matter what she does, nothing happens. Madusa finally staggers him with an enziguri, but only for a second. Madusa hops on his back but he fights her off , then locks on the TDG which puts her on the mat and scores a win for the man known as Meng...just goes to show that Madusa is no Chyna...Post Match, Evan Karagias comes out and helps Miss Madusa from the ring, at which point the Ice Man follows behind to make a challenge, apparently to Wild Pegasus...err Benoit.
Winner: Meng

Malenko challenges Benoit to a last man standing match later tonight. Backstage, the Outsiders are preparing for their match tonight...I'm betting it's the recently signed DOA team they're going against.

Backstage, Hennig and Brad Armstrong are talking about their futures, and BA tells Curt that he was told to call his little brother (WWF's Road Dogg if you didn't know) and get a personality, and not come back til he did. WCW Trainers are examining Bret Hart's leg, and advising him not to wrestle, to which Hart replies that he has no choice. I'd tell Hart to watch out, you saw what WCW's crack medical staff did to Ultimo Dragon...

Fifth Match: The Total Package vs. Rick Steiner
WCW Title Tournament Match
The match is barely underway when Double J, accompanied by his gee-tar, comes out and crowds in at the broadcast position, saying that he wants an apology from Package. He says this is WCW, why would he have to hit a woman, Tony says that he saw his shtick in WWF, he knows hitting a woman isn't beneath
him., JJ gets up and says that he's going to go talk things out with Liz. Liz freaks out and trips over her own feet, at which point Luger notices and confronts Jarrett. Jarrett goes to hit TTP with the six string, but Package ducks and Steiner gets nailed instead. JJ takes off, while Steiner gives pursuit. Luger is trying to help Liz up, but after noticing that the ref is on 8 of the countout, drops her and hops back in the ring. For the first time in forever, a match is decided by countout
Winner, by countout: The Total Package

Backstage, Tenay interviews Kidman and Konnan about their match tonight, but all they can talk about is Torrie...Bagwell is shown coming into the arena, saying "trouble is here, the Buff Daddy has it all figured out..."


Sixth Match: Kidman vs. Konnan
WCW Title Tournament Match
After taking it easy early on, the pace picked up until Harlem Heat hit the ring and beat down both men. The Heaters left the ring, only to get jumped by the other 2 Animals. Back in the ring, Kidman rolls up K-dawg for the pin, prompting a fight between the two. Eddy grabs the mic and prevails to cooler heads. Konnan grabs the mic and challenges the Heaters to a tag title match tonight, which is agreeable to the two men.
Winner: Kidman

Backstage, the Outsiders are debating who their opponents could be...Nash speculates that it's the Road Warriors, which Hall replies, "is it a drinking contest?" Nash replies that they could beat them in that too.

Bagwell comes out and says his new gameplan is to take everything sacred in this business and piss all over it. Buff says he will no longer do the j-o-b to anyone, that if you mess with Buff, you're gonna get the stuff. You know who Buff should fight? Orlin Norris...that guy did a real nice 3 minute job to Tyson on Saturday, thank God it wasn't on PPV..Buff is gonna do what he wants, .no matter what the idiots (meaning Russo and Ferrara...how come no one who calls them out is calling out Billy Banks? Give that guy some credit, wouldya??) in the back say. At that point, two near 7-foot bald boys (yep..DOA) come in in some cutesy MiB outfits, tell Buff they represent the "idiots in the back who write this crap" and commence to beating Buff like a rented mule.

Seventh Match: Dean Malenko vs. Chris Benoit
Last Man Standing Match
With the last man standing stipulation, both men have eschewed their tights and trunks for jeans and boots. Just an all out brawl outside, inside, all over the ring area. After one brutal beatdown, both men are trying to get up, but Benoit makes it up a split second before Dean, but that's all that counts...Post Match, the Filthy Animals come on in to attack Dean, but Benoit stands in the way...for a few seconds, before sidestepping them and letting them stomp on Malenko. Douglas, Saturn, Asya and the hoochie hostage come out, and threaten to take Torrie out if they don't let Dean go. Dean gets back up the ramp, and the Animals give chase to the back.
Winner: Chris Benoit

In the parking area, the Revolution and their "guest" pile into a limo and haul ass...Rey Rey and Eddy jack a limo and take off, leaving Konnan and Kidman to fight Harlem Heat later

Eighth Match: Brian Knobs vs. Sting
WCW Title Tournament Match
The familiar painty-faced Sting comes out, clocks Brian Knobs with his trusty baseball bat, scares off Morrus, and gets the pin.
Winner: Sting

Backstage, Hart is interviewed by Tenay, who announces that Hart's ankle has a hairline fracture, and that he risks further damage by wrestling tonight, but Hart says that no matter what the odds, he's going to wrestle and take it
as it comes.

Ninth Match: Harlem Heat vs. Filthy Animals (Konnan and Kidman)
WCW Tag Team Title Match
Heat dominates both dirty beasties early and often, using double teams and textbook tag teamwork, focusing on the injured shoulder of Konnan, finally, Kidman comes in and clears house, only to get the Harlem Sidekick. Kidman reverses a move and tries to get a tornado DDT, but gets sideslammed and covered. The ref counts two, Kidman gets his shoulders up, the ref slaps three and calls for the bell, noting that Ray's shoulders were down as well, and Kidman got his up
Winners and new Tag Team Champs: Kidman and Konnan

Backstage, Goldberg comments on his "promise" to the Outsiders

Tenth Match: DDP vs. David Flair
WCW Title Tournament Match
Flair comes out in one of daddy's robes, and when the ref's back is turned, Flair whips off the robe, takes out the crowbar, and lays DDP low with a couple shots, then leaves the ring. The paramedics hit the ring in a scene eerily reminiscent from last night at Havoc when DDP did the same to the Nature Boy...oooh...spooky...I'm guessing that Page won on either a countout
or a DQ
Winner: DDP

Backstage, DDP is being loaded into an ambulance and is driven from the arena

Eleventh Match: The Outsiders vs. Extras from the Ho Train
Russo's reps/DOA appear at the entryway, at which point three scantily clad women come to the ring, including one who could barely fit her, um, talents into a triple-x sized shirt. Hmm. Triple X, that might explain her day job...Hall and Nash flip a coin to see who gets to go first, and Nash gets mad when he loses. Hall gets in the ring and mocks Goldberg's entry dance, but has a hard time bringing himself to beat on the girl. The first girl gets Hall in a side headlock, and pulls off a move that costs about 10 bucks in this club down the road from my place. The girl then backs Hall into a corner, climbs up to the second rope and starts to pound him on his head, causing his head to slip lower, and lower, until he slides down and hits the ring floor. Nash gets the crowd fired up and is signaling for the hot tag. Tony and Bobby are laughing throughout the match. Nash motions for the well endowed women to take her shirt off, and she says only if Nash lays down for the pin. She then calls Hall in, who has to lay down too. The three girls pin the Outsiders, then distract the twosome, til Goldberg runs in, gets their attention, and deals out a couple spears, laying out the Outsiders
Winner: Extras from the Ho Train

Twelfth Match: Goldberg vs. Bret Hart
WCW Title Tournament Match
US Heavyweight Title Match
Hart could be a Steven King novel, he's the best seller I've ever seen. Hart takes about 3 or 4 minutes to limp out to the ring, Bobby tries to get Hart over by talking about a glimmer of a chance, but let's get real...I think this match ends in a DQ, giving Hart the win, but Goldy keeps the belt. G-berg must have run out of lockers, his new gimmick is to pound his head on the door before he leaves. Penzer is now billing Goldberg as being from Dawsonville, Georgia...I guess the new creative team doesn't think Tulsa, Oklahoma is a fitting place for a champ. Goldberg doesn't want to wrestle Hart, not wanting to hurt the already injured leg. Goldberg goes for the leg lock submission, but Hart gets to the ropes. Goldberg continues to knock Hart down, and the ref asks him if he wants to quit, but Hart keeps fighting. Goldberg attacks the leg, trying to make Hart quit. Goldberg gets the submission hold on again, Bret fights it. Goldberg breaks the hold and tells the ref to stop the match, Hart refuses it. Goldberg tries to whip him into the ropes, Hart's leg won't even get him there. Hart recovers, starts to fight back, gets a sleeper put on, Goldberg tosses him over in a snapmare, bump goes the ref. Goldberg tosses Hart out of the ring, then the Outsiders and Sid hit the ring and lay Goldberg out. Hall chokeslams Goldberg, Nash slams him, Sid powerbombs him. Ref is still out, Hart's on the floor. Hart
gets up, gets in the ring, and pins Goldberg!
Winner, and new US Heavyweight Champ: Bret Hart