RFI - WCW Starrcade 2002Story By: John Sivewright
December 26, 2002
WCW Starrcade
26th December 2002
Atlanta, Georgia
Announcers: Tony Schiavone and Bobby Heenan
Written by John Sivewright
'No Chance' hits the PA system as Vince McMahon makes his way to the ring to kick things off in WCW's biggest pay-per-view of the calendar year! McMahon gets a typically hostile reception from the capacity crowd in The Phillips Arena. The Owner of World Championship Wrestling enters the ring and demands a microphone from ringside. McMahon, "I have come out here tonight to make the most difficult announcement of my career." The customary 'asshole!' chant begins to surface from the audience. McMahon, "Quite frankly, I would be grateful if you people treated me with a little bit more respect here tonight." The chants get louder. McMahon, "With or without your co-operation, I will continue with the most humbling monologue in my distinguished career. Some of you may have noticed about the lack of WCW programming lately. You may have also noticed the dark period that occured throughout most of October and November. I have been hiding the reasons for these sabbaticals from the public out of sheer embarrassment. You may also have noticed the stranglehold that one 'ECW' has on the wrestling business at this present time. That very stranglehold has been in effect for well over 6 months. We must all accept reality: ECW is the primary force in sports entertainment and it has been so for the last half year. And quite frankly, I can't help but feel responsible. For years now, I have let my personal pride take complete control of my life and it has masked my professional judgement. This has led to disastrous consequences. Do you want to know why WCW has not been doing much TV as of late? Because I can not afford to, that's why! You heard it right. Vince McMahon is no longer a billionaire. Hell, I'm no longer even a millionaire ... I'm damn near bankrupt. I have invested vast amounts of financial and humanly resources into both the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling in an attempt to derail the locomotive success that has been ECW. In doing so, uncharacteristically poor business decisions have led to me losing my fortune; a fortune I worked so hard for. I could come out before you tonight with tears streaming down my face, admitting what a pathetic failure I have become, but I am a McMahon, damnit! McMahon's do not present themselves in such a negative light and I am not about to disgrace the good family name! I have put every last penny I own into putting on tonight's show. Tonight we were supposed to have WCW Mayhem. Well, a few days ago as we were planning this very broadcast, I was asked by a lowly ring boy 'Mr McMahon, why is this pay-per-view not called Starrcade?' I asked the ring boy why it should be called Starrcade and he damn near laughed at me. He informed me that Starrcade is WCW's biggest pay-per-view of the year. It dawned upon me shortly after that I did not do my homework before taking over this company. I did not respect the rich tradition of World Championship Wrestling and therein is exactly where the problem lies. I have more in common with Vince Russo than just my first name. Neither Mr Russo nor myself did our respective homework before taking control of the company. And that, ultimately, was my downfall. But I will not go down without a fight. With every last penny I own, and with some heavy investments from sponsors, I am able to bring you the biggest WCW event of the year ... Starrcade!!" The fans start to pop big time. McMahon, "But what will come of WCW at the conclusion of this broadcast? I would like to take this opportunity to publicly declare that WCW is up for sale. WCW is up for sale I am open to offers from ALL interested parties. And the future of Vince McMahon? Tonight and for the next few weeks, I shall be talking serious business with potential bidders. After that? Well, I think its safe to say that you will not see Mr McMahon as a power player in pro wrestling for some time to come." Vince throws the mic down and leaves the ring to an extremely indifferent response from the capacity crowd in The Phillip's Arena.
Tony Schiavone and Bobby Heenan are at the announce booth below the gigantic Starrcade logo. Schiavone, "Bobby .... I'm virtually speechless." Heenan, "Then allow me to take over. I have never, EVER, in my thirty plus years in this sport received such a shock. This is not how I expected Starrcade to begin, and I'm sure you will agree, Tony." Schiavone, "I was told that we just had contractual problems with TNT!" Heenan, "Tony, this is scary! I mean, you could be out of a job tomorrow!" Schiavone, "So could you, Brain!" Heenan, "Nah, not me, Tony. ECW have been after me for months. They need someone like me to keep that Joey Style humanoid in order." Schiavone, "All joking aside ..." Heenan, "Joking ... what joking?" Schiavone, "Seriously, wrestling fans, this is unbelievable news. WCW is up for sale. Quite frankly, I don't know what to think." Heenan, "Tony, I suggest what we do is just concentrate on our show and do our jobs." Schiavone, "That's right, Brain. What a huge show we have tonight. The World Heavyweight Title will be decided in a 'submission' match between World Champion, Chris Jericho, and challenger Bret 'The Hitman' Hart." Heenan, "Its still 2002 you know, and this could easily be a late contender for 'match of the year'." Schiavone, "Two vacant championship belts will be decided tonight. Val Venis battles Raven for the United States Title while Low Ki and X-Pac shall take to the air in a ladder match for the cruiserweight title!" Heenan, "You know, I like Val Venis. He's a fun loving guy, kind of like myself. Yet he's got a mean streak that can match any other. As for Raven: well, he's kinda like you, Tony. He's a weird guy with very strange friends." Schiavone, "Whatever, Bobby. In tag team action, Three Minute Warning takes on the legendary tandem of Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage, the Mega Powers!" Heenan, "Hogan and Savage may be legends, but its a new day, Tony. Three Minute Warning are the next big thing in tag team wrestling, and The Mega Powers are gonna find out the hard way tonight!" Schiavone, "Now we head backstage where Jonathan Coachman has got a word with Dustin Rhodes!"
Jonathan Coachman is with a hyped up looking Dustin Rhodes. Coach, "Dustin, we are moments away from tonight's opening match in which you will challenge Hakushi for the Television Title. Do you have a final message to send to Hakushi?" Rhodes, "Hakushi, you don't know what you're messing with. This ain't the Dustin Rhodes that did all that Goldust shit back in WWF. This is a Dustin Rhodes who will kick your slant eyed ass for messing with me. Hakushi, you've made your intentions pretty damn clear lately: you want to end my career. Well, tonight, a career will be put on life support. On a night that means so much to this company, I am gonna stand proud as a member of the WCW roster, and Dustin Rhodes will certainly live on."
WCW TV Title Match
Hakushi (c) VS Dustin Rhodes
The bell rings and Dustin Rhodes jumps Hakushi with a succession of right hands. The son of the American Dream sends the Modern Day Kamakaze into ropes and executes a back body drop. Dustin whips Hakushi into the corner and charges in with a clothesline. Rhodes goes to the middle rope and starts unloading with right hands. Hakushi asserts himself on the contest as he carries Dustin out of the corner several steps before falling backwards and hotshotting Rhodes onto the top turnbuckle. Hakushi brings Dustin up and lands several knife edge chops before going for a whip. Dustin reverses it, but ducks his head too early. Hakushi drops to his knee and lands an uppercut before kicking Rhodes in the midsection and executing a vertical suplex for a near fall. Hakushi comes off of the ropes and lands a falling headbutt. Hakushi repeats this and gets another two count. The Modern Day Kamakaze brings Rhodes back up and sends the son of the American Dream into the ropes. Hakushi goes for a superkick, but Dustin ducks it, comes off of the ropes again and lands a flying cross body for a two count of his own. Dustin takes over with a series of right hands before going for a bodyslam. Hakushi escapes out the back door and rolls Dustin up for a near fall. Hakushi comes off of the ropes and tries for a spinning heel kick. Rhodes ducks it before clotheslining Hakushi over the top and to the outside. Dustin slides to the outside himself and measures the recovering Kamakaze. Rhodes goes for a boot to the face of his foe, but Hakushi catches Rhodes' leg and takes Dustin down with a legsweep. Hakushi takes over with a legdrop to the groin before re-entering the ring. Rhodes staggers back up to his feet, as Hakushi comes off of the ropes, executes a handspring and then a moonsault over the top and to the outside on to the challenger! Hakushi gets an ovation from a small portion of the crowd. Hakushi rolls Dustin back into the ring, goes to the apron himself and scales the turnbuckles. Rhodes gets back to his feet, but is taken straight back down by a flying shoulderblock from his opponent. Hakushi goes for the cover, but Rhodes kicks out after two. The Modern Day Kamakaze looks for a Boston crab, but Rhodes blocks it with his legs. Hakushi instead executes a slingshot before sitting Rhodes on the top turnbuckle. Hakushi goes up himself and looks for a back suplex from the top. Dustin elbows his way out of it and sends Hakushi back down to the centre of the ring. Rhodes re-positions himself on the top turnbuckle before looking for a double axe. Hakushi takes Rhodes out of the air with a devastating superkick to the jaw! Hakushi goes for the cover: 1 ..... 2 .... Rhodes gets the shoulder up! Hakushi can't believe it as he starts arguing with the official. Rhodes surprises Hakushi with a rollup, but the Modern Day Kamakaze kicks out. Both men are back up, but Hakushi regains control with a standing dropkick, sending Rhodes back down. Hakushi brings Rhodes and climbs to the middle turnbuckle. Hakushi looks for a Vader Bomb, but Rhodes raises his knees! Dustin gets back to his feet and seizes the upper hand with a succession of right hands. Rhodes sends Hakushi into the ropes and executes a powerslam. Dustin goes for the cover, but Hakushi kicks out after two. Rhodes goes for a vertical suplex and holds Hakushi up in the air for over 5 seconds before crashing the Kamakaze down to the mat for another two count. Rhodes goes to the apron and starts to scale the turnbuckles. Dustin comes off the top, but Hakushi raises a foot and catches Dustin in the jaw for the second time in this contest. The shattered former Goldust flops back into the corner. Hakushi gets back up and looks for the handspring back elbow. Dustin avoids it just at the last moment, leaving Hakushi to crash into the turnbuckles. Hakushi staggers out of the corner as Rhodes lands a running bulldog! Dustin goes for the pin: 1 ..... 2 ..... 3!!
Winner by pinfall and NEW WCW TV Champion: Dustin Rhodes in 9:12
On the big screen, we are shown footage from yesterday afternoon, when Tony Schiavone sat down with Bret Hart. Schiavone, “Bret, thank you for allowing me this time for an interview.” Hart, “No, Tony. Don’t thank me. I’d like to thank you. You see, with the TV contractual problems this company has been facing as of late, the build-up to this event has been pretty weak. I think this interview is appropriate in me putting over my viewpoint on tomorrow night’s match.” Schiavone, “As we both know, Bret, this won’t just be any other match. It’ll be …” Hart, “A submission match, right. You know, when Vince McMahon faxed me during the week informing me of this stipulation, I was happy. Because I am at my best under submission match rules. Just look at the match I had against Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13. I am at my very best when I’m trying to make another human being say ‘I quit’. But then again, so is Chris Jericho. Chris is now quite a seasoned wrestler, I’d say one of the top 5 in this industry. He can make you tap in a variety of ways. So what you’re going to see tomorrow night is two world class athletes at their very best. And in this time of TV turmoil, the loyal fans of WCW deserve no less.” Schiavone, “What is your strategy going into this match?” Hart, “Well, back when I fought Austin, I went in with a totally different game plan than most thought I would. The majority of people expected me to ground Steve and go for many submission holds until I found the right one. As you know, that was not the case. I pummelled the crap out of him and then got in the submission hold that I knew would finish him off. Chris Jericho is a different kind of wrestler to Stone Cold, however. Y2J is a high flyer with superb technical knowledge. This could go a variety of ways. We will most probably exchange submission holds. But at the same time, he’ll be ready for a brawl. As far as strategy goes, I’ll go for his legs. As they always say, if you take away a guy’s legs, he can’t go aerial. If Jericho can’t come off that top rope like we know he can, that’s half the battle won.” Schiavone, “A lot of people question your desire these days. You’ve done it all in your illustrious career. Why do you keep coming back for more?” Hart, “Tony Schiavone, part of the buzz of doing what I do is wanting to be the best. I have said for years that I am the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be. I still believe that. But most fans are starting to have trouble believing that, due to the fact that I am ageing and slowing down a little bit. What this means is that I will just have to go out there and continue to prove that I am the number 1 man in pro wrestling. What yourself and everybody else needs to understand and respect is that I still have the same amount of determination, drive and desire that I had when I first broke into this business. I have lost no passion for pro wrestling and no hunger for glory. As long as I am physically capable of going out to that ring and giving 110%, I will be going after the World Heavyweight Championship. The hunger to be the very best drives us all on. I’m no exception.” Schiavone, “Bret, on a totally different note, we all know that ECW is the dominant force in pro wrestling today. I hate to admit it, but they are ahead of us on all levels. Would you ever consider working for them?” Hart, “No, I wouldn’t. I don’t agree with ECW’s moral code of ethics. They promote things that are just not relevant to professional wrestling. And, to be honest, I still like to think that I set a good example to children. ECW sets perhaps the worst example of any brand of entertainment that I’ve had the misfortune of viewing, bar none.” Schiavone, “How about the WWF?” Hart, “I am extremely happy here in WCW, but never say never.” Schiavone, “What can the fans expect from your bout tomorrow night against Chris Jericho?” Hart, “A match of the year candidate. Not only are Chris and myself fierce rivals, but we also have tremendous chemistry in the ring. I always try to give the very best match I can and although he’s an arrogant guy, Jericho is a hell of a showman. He will be wanting to put on the best show of his life tomorrow night. We will both be willing to go that extra step in order to come out on top. The fans can expect a battle like no other.” Schiavone, “Finally, Bret, on behalf of myself and all the loyal WCW fans out there: good luck for tomorrow night.” Hart, “Tony, thank you. But the best wrestlers make their own luck. As for Jericho? His luck has run out.”
Chris Jericho is in his locker room, having just finished watching the interview. Jonathan Coachman walks in with a microphone. Y2J looks in his mirror and notices Coach approaching from behind. Jericho, “What the hell do you want?!” Coach is taken aback and starts stuttering. Jericho, “Spit it out, ass clown, I haven’t got all night!” Coach, “Y2J, we just saw the interview Tony Schiavone got with Bret Hart …” Jericho, “What a load of garbage that was! My luck has run out, huh? My multiple title reigns in this company have had nothing to do with luck … its all about ability. Bret Hart knows full well that his day is done. Hitman, there is a new gun in town. He is the Ayatollah of Rock and Rollah and tonight he’s gonna make you cry ‘uncle’! And what’s up with this fat jerkoff, Tony Shiavone?! He tries for an interview from Bret Hart and not from me?! That’s bullshit! But, Coach, I now know who the real King of reporting is. You have done the smart thing, coming to get the thoughts of the World Heavyweight Champion, not some washed up old has-been.” Coach, “Actually, Y2J, I just wanted to know if you saw the interview. It was pretty moving stuff.” Jericho looks at Coach as if Jonathan just farted in church. Jericho, “What on earth is wrong with you??!! Get the hell out of my dressing room now, you demented ass clown!!” Y2J grabs the mic from Coach as Jonathan makes a quick exit. Jericho, “Bret Hart, tonight is your final night in this sport! After I wipe up the ring with you tonight, you will be too humbled and humiliated to even consider watching a wrestling show again!! You’ve had it as a performer and tonight I will show the world just who the true champion is. Here’s what I think of your interview!” Jericho picks up the TV in his locker room and hurls it against the wall. Jericho, "Now, where's Vince?!" Y2J storms out of his locker room, in pursuit of Vince McMahon.
WCW United States Title Match
(title is vacant)
Raven VS Val Venis
Val's music hits first as Venis makes his way down the aisle to a big time ovation. Val enters the ring and starts looking into the crowd. Venis points to a young lady at ringside and encourages security to let her into the ring. The young lady gets in the ring as Val whispers in here ear. She removes Val's towel as Venis gyrates for her. Val kisses the young lady before she returns to the crowd. Raven's music hits the PA system, but the leader of The Flock is nowhere to be seen. We get a shot of outside the ring, where Raven has jumped the rail! Raven slides in and attacks Val from behind as the bell sounds to start the contest. Raven works over Venis with some right hands before sending Val into the ropes. Raven goes for a clothesline, but Venis ducks under it, comes off of the ropes again and lands a flying back elbow to the face. Val takes over with some right hands of his own before sending Raven into the ropes and looking for a back body drop. Venis ducks too early, so the leader of The Flock leapfrogs Val and hits the ropes once more. Raven goes for a cross body, but Val catches him in mid air and executes a front backbreaker. Venis comes off of the ropes and connects with a jumping elbowdrop for the first near fall of the bout. Venis brings Raven back up and lands some reverse knife edge chops before going for a whip. Raven reverses it and sends Val into the corner. The enigmatic combatant charges in atfer Val, but gets a boot to the face for his troubles. Venis goes for a running bulldog, but Raven gets out the back door and sends Venis careering into the opposite corner. Raven goes for a back suplex. Venis manages to flip out of it, however. Val goes for a Russian legsweep, but Raven elbows his way out before going for a clothesline. Venis ducks it and executes a backslide. Raven manages to kick out after two. Schiavone, "What a fast paced opening to the contest." Both men are back up and Val lands several hard right hands to the face of his foe. Venis goes for a whip, but Raven reverses it into a boot to the midsection. Raven looks for a gut wrench powerbomb, but Val slips down to his feet and sends Raven into the ropes. Venis sidesteps his adversary and sends Raven flying over the top and to the outside. Heenan, "Val Venis has been outwrestling Raven here in the early going. Who would have thought it??" A frustrated Raven returns to the ring and charges at Venis. Val sneds Raven into the ropes and lands a big time powerslam for a two count. Venis stands over the body of Raven and gyrates before unloading with a barrage of rights. Venis brings Raven back up and goes for a vertical suplex. Raven slides out the back door and pushes Venis into the ropes. Val comes back out and knocks Raven down with a shoulderblock. Val comes off of the ropes again, ducks under a Raven clothesline attempt and hits the ropes once more. Val runs right into a spinning heel kick to the face from his enigmatic enemy. Raven comes off of the ropes and lands a legdrop for a near fall. Raven slides to the outside and brings Val's head and shoulders under the bottom rope. Raven paces back several steps before lunging forward and driving his elbow into the throat of the ladies' man. Raven gets on the apron and drops the leg across Val's throat. Raven slides back in and hooks Venis' legs. Raven falls backwards and slingshots Venis throat-first into the bottom rope. Raven drags Val into a seated position in the corner, where the enigmatic one drives his foot into the throat of his opponent. Raven holds onto the ropes and leans back, applying more pressure. Raven brings Val back up and executes a picture perfect vertical suplex for a near fall. Raven slides out of the ring and grabs a steelchair from the timekeeper's table. Raven slides back in, unfolds the chair and sits it in the centre of the ring. Val is back to his knees, where he greets his nemesis with some shoulder thrusts to the midsection. Val returns to his feet and connects with a series of right hands. Val goes for a whip, but Raven reverses it and executes a drop-toe-hold, driving Vens face first into the chair! The referee admonishes Raven. Schiavone, "Why won't the referee disqualify Raven??" Heenan, "Did Raven hit him with the chair, Tony?" Schiavone, "No, but ..." Heenan, "There you go! He didn't hit the guy with the chair, so he didn't do anything legally wrong." The official kicks the chair to the outside as Raven goes for the cover. Val manages to kick out after the count two. A frustrated Raven beats the mat with his fists before applying a reverse chinlock. Val fights back up to his feet after suffering the hold for over a minute and slips into a headlock. Venis goes for a back drop, but doesn't quite have the strength as Raven comes back down to his feet and takes Venis down with a headlock takeover. Both of Val's shoulders are down and the ref goes down for the count, but Venis kicks out after one. Val surges back to his feet and lands a succession of elbows. Venis pushes Raven into the ropes, but is knocked down by a shoulderblock. Raven comes off of the ropes again, ducks a Venis clothesline attempt and hits the ropes once more. Raven runs straight into a hiplock takeover from Venis! Val executes several more hiplocks before planting Raven with a bodyslam. Val goes to the apron and scales the turnbuckles. Venis tries for the Money Shot, but Raven rolls out of dodge! Val staggers around the ring in pain, where Raven meets him with a boot to the midsection and an attempt at an Evenflow DDT. Val reverses it by charging Raven into the corner. Venis Irish whips Raven and follows in with a hard clothesline before landing a fisherman's suplex. Raven barely gets the shoulder up after a long two count. As Val Venis argues with the official, the crowd starts booing as Al Snow of The Flock comes down the aisle. Val stomps away on Raven before going back to the top rope. Venis this time connects with the Money Shot! 1 ..... 2 .... Al Snow pulls the official to the outside of the ring! The ref admonishes Al, but Snow responds by landing the Snow Plough on the floor! Al jumps on the apron, but Venis knocks him off with a hard right hand. Val returns his attention to Raven, who stuns him with a low blow and hits the Evenflow DDT! Raven has got the cover, but thanks to Al Snow there is no referee. Billy Silverman sprints down to the ring and makes the count, but Val kicks out in the nick of time! Raven brings Val up and lands some vicious chops before shouting some instructions to Al at ringside. Raven goes for a whip as Snow reaches his hand under the bottom rope and shouts abuse at ringsiders. Val reverses it and Snow accidentally trips Raven, his boss! Raven stumbles into a boot to the midsection and a Fisherman's Suplex from Venis. 1 ..... 2 ..... 3!!
Winner by pinfall and new US Champion: Val Venis in 15:29
Val Venis celebrate his win by raising the US Title belt aloft as the crowd go crazy. As Val exits the ring, Al Snow slides in and helps Raven up. Raven gets to his feet, kicks Al in the gut and drops Snow with the Evenflow DDT! Raven puts the boots to Al Snow as we go backstage.
Vince McMahon is in his office on the telephone. Chris Jericho enters and stands over Vince and the desk. McMahon (to caller), "I'll call you back." Jericho, "Vince, you've got some explaining to do." McMahon, "I know, Chris, I know. Have I seat ..." Jericho, "I'd prefer to stand. What the hell happened to the ladder match and contract stipulation?! All of a sudden I am wrestling Bret Hart in a submission match?? What the hell is this??!!" McMahon, "Chris, during these last couple of weeks I've being doing much soul searching and quite frankly, a lot of thinking. It is stipulations like those I drew up several weeks ago that have been this company's downfall. You see, why should I put the career of either yourself or Bret Hart on the line tonight?? What benefit would that be to World Championship Wrestling?" Jericho, "But ..." McMahon, "But nothing, Chris. You and Bret at the two top stars in WCW. As much as I hate to admit this, Bret Hart is a very valuable player around here. To lose either of you would be horrible for business." Jericho, "Well ... why isn't it a ladder match??" McMahon, "This is for the interest of viewer entertainment. I looked at the line-up for tonight and something struck me. While you and Bret are tremendous wrestlers, there are two other men who could have a better ladder match tonight. Low Ki and X-Pac will tear the house down in a ladder match tonight, with their aerial ability. Quite simply, their bout is better suited for the ladder match rules. Whereas they are high flyers, you and Bret are highly proficient in technical wrestling. A submission match will give the fans both of you at your very best." Jericho, "Vince, tonight me and Bret aren't gonna 'trade holds'. Submission match or not, I'm gonna beat the living hell out of Bret Hart!" McMahon, "That's nice ..." Jericho, "But wait a second, Vince. Are you just going to walk out of WCW with the risk of leaving Bret Hart as the World Champion around here? Although Bret has got only a real slim chance of beating me, what if it happens? When people look in the history books years from now, they will read that Vince McMahon stepped down as WCW Owner on the night that Bret Hart become World Champion. Is that the way you want your career to end, in defeat to Bret Hart? Surely there is a big part of you that wants to screw Bret Hart again, huh?" Vince ponders this suggestion. McMahon, "You know, Chris, I didn't look at it that way. Let's just say ... I'll take your remarks under advisement."
The Mega Powers VS Three Minute Warning
Hollywood Hulk Hogan starts things off with Rosey. Both men lock up and Hulk pushes Rosey away. Hogan flexes his 24" pythons to a deafening response from his supporters! Both men lock up and the Hulkster applies a side headlock. Rosey sends Hulk into the ropes and both men shoulderblock each other. Neither man budges. Hogan lands several right hands to the face and goes for a whip. Rosey reverses it and goes for a clothesline. Hogan ducks it, comes off of the ropes once again and knocks Rosey down with a hard clothesline. Hogan tags in The Macho Man, who goes to the top turnbuckle and comes off with a double axe. Rosey staggers backwards, but doesn't go down. Savage comes off of the ropes and lands a bionic elbow to the head, sending Rosey down to the mat. Rosey returns to his feet as Savage comes off of the ropes and looks for a clothesline. Rosey shrugs it off and lands several chops to Randy. Rosey sends The Macho Man into the corner and charges in with a splash attempt. Randy surprises Rosey with a back elbow to the face before going to the middle turnbuckle. Savage comes flying off, but is knocked down to the mat by a back kick to the jaw from Rosey. Rosey tags in Jamal, who comes in and lands a legdrop on Savage for a near fall. Jamal brings Savage back up and whips Randy into the corner. Jamal unloads with a barrage of right hands before going for a whip into the opposite corner. Randy reverses it and charges in after Jamal. Jamal stuns Savage with an elbow to the face before dropping Randy with a one handed scoop slam. Jamal comes off of the ropes and tries for a splash. Savage avoids it and tags in the Hulkster! Hogan comes in and unloads on Jamal with a series of right hands. Hulk whips Jamal into the corner and follows in with a hard clothesline. Hogan brings Jamal back out to the middle of the ring and tries for a bodyslam. Hulk gets Jamal up, but collapses down to the mat under the weight of his foe. Jamal tags Rosey in, who comes in and lands a splash on Hogan. 1 .... 2 .... Hogan kicks out! Rosey brings Hulk back up and sends Hogan into the ropes. Rosey catches Hulk in a bearhug. Hogan fights the hold and starts to escape with a series of right hands to the side of the head of his foe before biting Rosey's forehead. Hulk sends Rosey into the ropes and goes for a big boot. Rosey ducks it and takes Hogan over with a devastating belly-to-belly suplex. Rosey goes for the cover, but Hulk just about kicks out. Rosey tags in Jamal, who scales the turnbuckles and comes off with a flying splash! 1 ..... 2 .... Hogan kicks out with authority and starts Hulking Up!! Jamal nails Hogan with several rights, but Hollywood shrugs them off before returning to his feet and Hulking up further. Jamal lands another right hand before Hulk points the finger in the face of his foe! Hogan takes over with right hands before sending Jamal into the ropes and landing a big boot! Jamal goes down as Rosey returns to the ring. Hulk bodyslams Rosey as the crowd roars. Hogan comes off of the ropes and lands the Legdrop of Doom on Jamal. Hogan tags in Savage, who goes to the top rope and lands the Flying Elbow Smash on Jamal for the 1-2-3!!
Winners by pinfall: The Mega Powers in 8:27
While the Mega Powers celebrate their victory, Rikishi runs down to the ring. Rikishi charges in and looks for a clothesline on Savage. Randy ducks it and Rikishi runs into a big boot from The Hulkster! Hogan comes off of the ropes and lands a Legdrop of Doom on Rikishi! The crowd are going wild as Three Minute Warning and Rikishi are all laid out in the ring!
X-Pac is backstage being interviewed by Paisley. Paisley, "X-Pac, we are moments away from the match to determine the new WCW Cruiserweight Champion. However, the story has been overshadowed by the company's financial struggles ..." X-Pac, "Overshadowed?! Paisley, these fans came to see me win the Cruiserweight Title tonight! Nobody cares about the financial state of this company. All the people care about is seeing what I'll make sure is the best damn ladder match in history! Vince McMahon may have f*cked up, but I won't be doing the same tonight. Low Ki, you're quite impressive, but you are up against the best Cruiserweight on the planet. Tonight, I'll put on a show like no other and I'll walk away the Cruiserweight champion; I guarantee it." Paisley, "Some people are speculating that the WCW could totallu go up in smoke! What would it mean to be the last Cruiserweight Champion?" X-Pac, "Paisley, whatever happens, I'll be the last cruiserweight champion. Hell, after I win the gold, I'll never lose it anyway! All I care about is the future of X-Pac, not the future of this crappy organisation!"
WCW Cruiserweight Title Match
Ladder Match Rules
(title is vacant)
Low Ki VS X-Pac
Both men stare off in the centre of the ring, before looking above their heads at the WCW Cruiserweight Title Belt. The bell rings and this one is under way! Both men lock up and jockey for position. X-Pac gets the advantage as he backs Low Ki into the ropes. Pac lands some chops before going for a whip. Ki reverses it and drills his foe with a superkick to the face. X-Pac slides out of the ring, but Low Ki comes flying out on top of him with an amazing corkscrew plancha! Heenan, "It didn't take long for Low Ki to leave his feet!" Both men recover and X-Pac slides back in. Ki follows, but is attacked by a series of right hands to the back from Pac. X-Pac goes for a whip, but Low Ki reverses again. Ki goes for another superkick, but this time X-Pac ducks under it and rebounds off of the ropes once more. Low Ki executes a Japanese armdrag before knocking X-Pac back over the top and to the outside with a clothesline. Low Ki goes up to the top rope and comes off with a flying body press, taking X-Pac down on the outside again. Low Ki rolls X-Pac back in and comes in with a legdrop over the ropes. Ki mounts the fallen Pac and hits a barrage of right hands. Low Ki goes out to the apron and scales the turnbuckles. Ki goes for another flying cross body, but X-Pac takes Ki out of the air with a dropkick to the midsection. X-Pac stomps away on Ki before coming off of the ropes and landing a legdrop. X-Pac repeats this before sliding out of the ring and looking to bring the ladder into play. X-Pac slowly carries the heavy ladder towards the ring as Low Ki recovers. Ki gets up and assesses the situation before coming off of the ropes and executing a somersault plancha, landing into the ladder and taking down X-Pac as well! Schiavone, "Suicidal move from Low Ki!" Heenan, "He could have broken his back!" Low Ki struggles up holding his lower back before rolling X-Pac back into the ring. Low Ki gets the ladder and starts to slide it under the bottom rope, leaving one end stuck under the ropes and one end lying flat in the ring. Low Ki gets on the apron and measures X-Pac for some kind of aerial offence. X-Pac gets to his knees with his face directly above the ladder. Ki legsdrops the other end of the ladder on the outside, sending the opposite end up into the face of X-Pac! Schiavone, "Oh my God, I've never seen that before!" Heenan, "I bet one of X-Pac's teeth came out!" X-Pac writhes around in pain as a 'holy shit!' chant is growing in the crowd. Low Ki slides into the ring, clutching his left leg after that dangerous move and sets the ladder up horrizontally in the corner, adjacent to the middle turnbuckle almost. Low Ki sets X-Pac up in the opposite corner and looks for an Irish whip. Ki executes it and charges in after X-Pac. Pac surprises Ki by jumping onto the ladder and jumping backwards with a kick to the face, sending Ki down! X-Pac scoops Low Ki up and drops his foe face first on the ladder. X-Pac moves the ladder down to the bottom turnbuckle and sets Low Ki up against it. X-Pac dances over to the opposite corner and charges Low Ki. Heenan, "A Bronco Buster against the ladder?!" Schiavone, "This could break Low Ki's neck!!" Pac goes for the Bronco Buster, but Low Ki avoids it and X-Pac lands rear end first on the ladder. Low Ki brings X-Pac back up and executes a snap suplex. Low Ki sets the ladder up horizontally in the corner and hangs X-Pac in a tree of woe, trapping his foes feet in between two upper rungs of the ladder! Low Ki paces backwards and lunges forward with a dropkick attempt. In an unbelievable display of upper body strength, X-Pac does an upside down sit up and avoids Low Ki's dropkick. Ki dropkicks the bottom of the ladder and knocks it down, which allows X-Pac to free himself. Missing the move did more damage to the left knee of Low Ki, who struggles to return to his feet. X-Pac picks the ladder up and sweeps Low Ki's left leg with the ladder, knocking Ki down. X-Pac puts the ladder down on the floor, opens it and sandwiches Low Ki's left leg between both sides of the ladder. X-Pac lifts the upper side of the ladder into the air and brings it down hard on the left knee of Low Ki! X-Pac slides to the outside and returns with a steel chair. X-Pac repeatedly nails the ladder with steel chairs, putting more and more pain on the left leg of his opponent. Pac releases Low Ki and sets the ladder up vertically in the corner. X-Pac lefts the left leg of his foe, looking for a figure four leglock. As Pac turns through, Low Ki kicks his foe into the ladder in the corner! Low Ki struggles back to his feet and lands a boot to the midsection followed by a piledriver on the chair. Low Ki slowly sets the ladder up in the centre of the ring and starts the climb. His left leg is clearly troubling him, as each rung gets more difficult to climb. X-Pac manages to recover and climbs up the ladder behind Ki. Pac goes for a back suplex from the ladder, but Low Ki incredibly flips out of it and lands on his feet behind X-Pac. Ki gets X-Pac on his shoulders and walks backwards before dumping Pac over the top and to the outside of the ring. Low Ki starts climbing the ladder again as X-Pac reaches under the ring. Schiavone, "X-Pac is on the outside, is this Low Ki's best chance for success?!" Ki gets up and reaches for the gold. He gets his fingertips to it but he needs to go up an extra rung. X-Pac has got a steel chair from under the ring and staggers to his feet on the outside. In an act of desperation, Pac throws the chair over the top and into the ring. In a stroke of luck for X-Pac, the chair nails Low Ki in the back, causing Ki to lose his balance and fall down to the mat. X-Pac slides back into the ring and stomps away on Low Ki before going upstairs and landing a flying legdrop. The ladder had fallen down following Low Ki's fall, so X-Pac picks it up and positions it vertically in the corner. X-Pac goes to the top rope and tries to drive it down on his foe. Low Ki avoids it, so X-Pac finds nothing but steel! Low Ki picks up the ladder, stands over X-Pac and drives it down into the midsection of his foe. Low Ki opens the ladder and stands it up in the corner before climbing to the top rung. Low Ki tries for a moonsault, but X-Pac raises his knees! X-Pac slides to the outside and brings out a table from under the ring as the fans pop big time. The Minnesotta native returns to the ring and sets up the table in centre ring. X-Pac puts Low Ki on the table and starts climbing the ladder. Low Ki nips up on the table and climbs the ladder from the other side and exchanges right hands with X-Pac. Low Ki gets the advantage and hooks X-Pac up for a suplex. Incredibly, Ki bring X-Pac over the top of the ladder and suplexes him down through the table below as the crowd starts another 'holy shit!' chant. Schiavone, "We're seeing it all in this incredible ladder match!" Both men ever so slowly recover, but do so at simultaneous progression. While X-Pac re-positions the ladder under the belt, Low Ki slides under the ring and pulls out a second ladder from under the ring as the crowd goes wild! Ki starts recovering quicker, as he took a little less punishment from the superplex. Ki brings the ladder in and sets it up side-by-side with the original one. Ki climbs up the same side as X-Pac and they start trading rights from their respective ladders. Low Ki goes for a hard right, but misses. X-Pac takes the full opportunity from this Low Ki miscalculation with an X-Factor off of the ladders and onto the mat!! Heenan, "That's it, Tony. Low Ki has got to be knocked out!" Low Ki is motionless as X-Pac starts climbing up the ladder. Pac gets near the gold as, unbeliavably, Low Ki starts to stir. X-Pac reaches up, but needs to go up another two or three rungs. Pac reaches the desired height and reaches again as Low Ki has made it back to a vertical base. Low Ki comes off of the ropes and lands a dropkick to the back as X-Pac has a hold of the title. Pac loses his balance, but keeps his grip on the gold and falls down to the mat with the belt in hand!
Winner by belt retrieval and new WCW Cruiserweight Champion: X-Pac in 20:36
Both men are down and totally exhausted following their epic encounter. The camer stays with them as they both struggle back to their feet to a standing ovation from the capacity crowd in the Phillips Arena. Low Ki takes a page out of the Ring of Honor playbook as he offers a handshake to the new champion. X-Pac reaches out and when it looks like he's going to accept it, he lands a boot to the midsection and an X-Factor for good measure! Schiavone, "What a despicable act that was!" Heenan, "Depiscable? Tony, that is the act of a true champion." The fans virtually boo X-Pac out of the building as we go backstage to hear from The Flock.
Paisley is backstage getting a word from The Flock, Shane Helms and Jeff Hardy, along with Raven. Paisley, "In just a few moments ..." Raven, "Shut up, bitch! Al Snow, you are out of The Flock for good and if our paths ever cross again, you will have some severe hell to pay. Paisley, in a few moments, my men here will go out to face The Dudley Boyz. I guess you want to know their thoughts?" Paisley, "Well, yeah I ..." Raven, "I thought so! Paisley, they have no thoughts any more. These two men have been programmed to do exactly as I say, to do my bidding. Tonight, they shall go out there and show just why Raven puts his faith in the right people, as they beat the Dudleyz to hold onto the World Tag Team Titles. Paisley, you want a word with them, right?" Paisley, "Yeah." Raven, "Go on." Paisley holds the mic over the mouths of Shane Helms and Jeff Hardy, but they don't talk. Raven snaps his fingers. Jeff and Helms, "Quote the Raven: Nevermore." Raven gives a maniacal laugh as we go back to the ring.
WCW Tag-Team Titles Match
The Dudley Boyz VS The Flock (c) w/Raven
After The Flock, accompanied by Raven, make their way to the ring, the fireworks go off on the ramp to signify the entrance of The Dudley Boyz! The Dudleyz come down, but they are not alone. Spike Dudley is with them! Schiavone, "This must be the Dudley Boyz answer to Raven's presence!" Heenan, "Get that little runt outta here!!" The Dudleyz, all three of them, enter the ring as The Flock makes a quick exit. Spike goes to the outside of the bring, D-Von to the apron and Bubba starts the contest. Shane Helms goes to the apron for The Flock as Jeff Hardy kicks things off for the tag team champions. Jeff and Bubba start the match with a tie up. Bubba Dudley gets the advantage as he shoves Jeff down, hard. Hardy goes for a clothesline, but Bubba avoids it and sends Hardy into the ropes. Bubba presses Jeff over his head and throws the tag team champion down to the mat. Jeff charges Bubba and unloads with a series of right hands, having very little effect. Jeff goes for a whip, but Bubba reverses it and knocks Jeff down with a hard shoulderblock. Bubba comes off of the ropes himself and tries for a clothesline. Jeff ducks it and Bubba goes into the ropes again. Jeff goes for a dropkick, but Bubba holds onto the ropes before landing a falling headbutt to the groin of his opponent. Bubba tags in D-Von, who unloads with a series of right hands on Jeff. D-Von sends Hardy into the ropes, comes off of the ropes himself and lands a flying back elbow for a near fall. D-Von bodyslams Jeff and goes to the middle rope. D-Von lands a flying elbow for another two count. Jeff gets back to his knees and lands several shoulder thrusts before tagging in Shane Helms. The former Hurricane goes to the top rope and comes off with a flying crossbody on D-Von. D-Von rolls through however and nearly gets a three count for his efforts. Both men return to their feet and D-Von goes for a bodyslam. Shane slides out the back door and looks for a bulldog. D-Von slips out of it, sending Helms into the ropes. D-Von goes for a clothesline, but Shane ducks under it, comes off of the ropes again and lands a flying back elbow. Helms stomps away on the fallen D-Von before tagging Jeff back into the ring. Helms hooks the arms of D-Von and holds him for a flying double axe from Jeff. Hardy stomps away on D-Von before coming off of the ropes and landing a legdrop for a near fall. Jeff takes Shane back in. Helms lands several elbowdrops and gets a near fall of his own. Shanes goes up top and tries for a flying splash. D-Von raises his foot and catches Helms in the face. Shane collapses into his corner where he tags Jeff Hardy. D-Von crawls over to his corner, but Jeff cuts him off by coming off of the ropes and landing a dropkick to the face. Hardy goes for the cover, but D-Von kicks out in the nick of time. Jeff lefts both legs of his foe and lands a legdrop to the groin for another near fall. Jeff raises both legs of his opponent again, but this time locks in a Boston crab. D-Von fights the hold and starts crawling over to his corner. D-Von looks set to make the tag, when Raven jumps on the apron and distracts the official. D-Von makes the tag and Bubba comes in like a house on fire, nailing both Flock opponents with Bionic Elbows to the head. Meanwhile, Spike Dudley pulls Raven down off the apron. The official turns his attention back to the match and orders Bubba Ray back to the apron, as he did not see the tag being made. On the outside, Raven takes over on Spike and lands an Evenflow DDT on the floor! Back in the ring, while the official ejects Bubba from the ring, Jeff scoop slams D-Von. Helms and Hardy both go to the top rope. Shane lands a flying legdrop as Jeff lands a Swanton Bomb! Helms slides out the apron as Jeff goes for the cover. Bubba is out on the apron now as the ref goes for the count. 1 ..... 2 .... D-Von kicks out!! A frustrated Hardy stomps D-Von several times before going to the top rope again and trying for another Swanton. D-Von manages to raise his knees this time, and drives them into the back of Jeff! Both men go over to the corners where they tag their partners. Bubba comes in like a house on fire, drilling Shane Helms with right hand upon right hand. Bubba sends Helms into the ropes and sends Shane high in the air and back down to the mat with a back body drope. Jeff returns to the ring and charges Bubba. Bubba Ray sidesteps Hardy and sends Jeff flying over the top and to the outside. D-Von returns to the ring as Bubba drops Helms with a Bubba Bomb (sit-down full nelson slam). Bubba hollers, "D-Von!!!" "What??!!" responds his half brother. "Get the tables!!!!!!!" The Dudley Boyz exit the ring and come back with a table from underneath the squared circle. They set the table up in centre ring as D-Von brings Helms back up. D-Von whips Shane into the ropes. D-Von looks set to lift Helms in the air, but the official, Billy Silverman, orders D-Von out to the apron to a chorus of disapproval from the crowd. Bubba looks for a powerbomb on Helms, but Shane escapes with a low blow. Spike Dudley runs into the ring. Spike grabs Bubba and does a Dudley Dogg through the table on his half brother! Schiavone, "Good God, almighty!!!" Spike Dudley just turned on his own half brothers!! Raven comes in and helps clear the ring of the wood, while the official is still having to restrain D-Von. Jeff Hardy returns to the ring and knocks D-Von off of the apron with a legdrop. Jeff exits the ring, leaving Helms to cover the prone Bubba. 1 ..... 2 ..... 3!!
Winners by pinfall: The Flock in 10:26
Schiavone, "Why, Bobby?? Why did Spike Dudley turn on his half brothers?!" Heenan, "I have no idea, but I give him credit, Tony. That's got to be the smartest thing that little runt ever did!" The Flock celebrate with their tag team titles as they are joined by their leader, Raven and seemingly the 'new recruit' Spike Dudley. D-Von comes back in and jumps The Flock, but is soon overwhelmed by the strength in numbers of Raven's army. Spike executes the Dudley Dogg on D-Von, dropping his half brother on the body of Bubba Ray. Spike spits on the broken down bodies of his half brothers to a chorus of boos from the crowd. Schiavone, "Why, Spike, why???!!!"
We are shown a music video of Hardcore Holly!! Highlights are shown of his days in the WWF, while 'Bodies' by Drowning Pool plays in the background. At the end of this collection of brutal clips, we are shown the phrase 'WCW is gonna get Hardcore!'
The Flock are backstage being interviewed by Jonathan Coachman. Coach, "Spike Dudley, why the hell did you turn on your half brothers?!" Raven interrupts, "Shut up, Coachman! All will be revealed sooner rather than later, so be patient. Let's just say that The Flock does whatever it takes to win! Tonight, Shane Helms and Jeff Hardy proved that The Flock is comprised of winners. But if you'll excuse me, I've got some appointments to make." Coach, "Appointments??" Raven, "Believe me, Coach, Spike Dudley is not the only new recruit around here." The Flock leaves the shot. Coach, "There you are, folks. No comment from Spike Dudley. The Flock are winners. New recruits?? Stay tuned!"
WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match
Submission Match Rules
Bret Hart VS Chris Jericho (c)
Unusually, the champion Jericho is the first man to come down to the ring. Y2J waits patiently in the middle of the ring as the challenger’s music starts to play. Bret Hart emerges through the curtain to a roof lifting ovation from the capacity crowd. The Hitman enters the ring and stares down Y2J in the centre of the squared circle. Instead of locking it up before the bell, Bret exits the ring and gives his glasses to a lucky youngster at ringside. Jericho slides underneath the bottom rope and attacks Bret from the blindside with some double axes. The lights come up as the bell rings to start off the encounter. Y2J pounds away on The Hitman with several right hands to the face before going for a whip. Bret reverses it and sends Y2J shoulder first into the steel steps! The Hitman removes his waistcoat before rolling Y2J back in the ring. Hart slides in, mounts Chris and unloads with a barrage of right hands. Bret brings Jericho up and lands several right hands followed by a hard headbutt. Hart whips Y2J into the ropes and goes for a clothesline. The Ayatollah of Rock and Rollah ducks it, comes off of the ropes himself and takes Bret down with a spear. Y2J lands some right hands of his own before returning to his feet and stomping away on the challenger. Chris gets Bret up and lands some stinging reverse knife edge chops. Y2J backs Bret into the corner and lands some more chops. Jericho executes a hard Irish whip, sending Bret crashing into the opposite corner. The force of this sends The Hitman down to his knees in pain. Y2J comes over and lands some forearms to the face of his foe. Bret comes back with some shoulder thrusts to the midsection before getting up and executing an inverted atomic drop. Jericho staggers back towards the ropes where Bret charges Chris looking for a clothesline. Jericho dips the shoulder and sends Bret over the top and to the outside. Hart stumbles back up as Chris tries for a baseball slide. Hart gets out of dodge and levels Y2J with a hard right hand to the midsection. Bret looks for a bulldog on the outside, but Chris escapes and shoves Bret faces first into the ringpost. Jericho nails Hart with some right hands before scooping Bret up and dropping the challenger throat first over the guardrail. Y2J stomps the Excellence of Execution a couple of times before going onto the apron and measuring the challenger. Hart returns to his feet as Y2J runs forward and connects with a flying clothesline from the apron. Bret Hart is down on the outside as Chris Jericho is in control of the match. Y2J looks for the Walls of Jericho. Schiavone, “If Chris Jericho locks this in, he must remember that the submission must take place in the ring.” Bret Hart is blocking it, so instead Y2J slingshots Hart towards the guardrail. Bret flies over the rail and into the crowd. Jericho climbs on the rail and considers his next move. Jericho turns his body around and goes for a moonsault from the rail onto the fallen Hitman. Hart raises his knees however, driving the air out of the champion. Bret gets back up and takes over with some right hands before going for a suplex. Hart hits the move on the concrete! Bret picks up a chair from the crowd and nails Y2J with a shot to the back. Jericho winces in pain as Hart lays the chair on the ground, with evil intentions no doubt. Bret brings Jericho to the champion’s knees and looks for a piledriver! Schiavone, “This’ll shorten Y2J’s career!” Heenan, “Shorten?! This could end it, Tony!” Jericho fights it and reverses with a back body drop as its now Bret’s turn to taste his back hitting the concrete at full force. Y2J slowly recovers and drags Bret by the hair back towards the guardrail. Jericho drives Bret headfirst into the guardrail. Y2J repeats this several times more. Jericho climbs over the rail, back to the ringside area. Y2J pulls Hart up and looks for a suplex. Jericho gets Hart in the air before crotching Bret on the rail! Chris reaches under the ring and pulls out a steel chair. Jericho looks to blast Bret in the head with the steel weapon. Bret blocks it with both hands before kicking Y2J in the gut. Hart comes off of the rail and nails Y2J in the midsection with the chair before putting Jericho down with a chair shot to the spine! Schiavone, “This is not what I thought it would be, Bobby.” Heenan, “Its shades of another famous submission match Bret Hart has been involved in.” Bret rolls Jericho back into the ring and follows. Hart lifts both legs of Y2J and looks for the Sharpshooter. Chris blocks it with his hands. Bret quickly lets go of Chris and lands an elbow drop to the face. Bret goes to the middle turnbuckle on the inside. Bret comes off, but Jericho raises his boot and catches The Hitman right in the jaw. Y2J regains his awareness and lifts the left leg of Bret. Jericho turns through looking for a figure four. Hart sees it coming and kicks Y2J into the corner. Bret returns to his feet and looks for a back suplex. Jericho flips out of it and looks for the Breakdown. Y2J hits the move, but being close to the corner, he sends Bret jaw first into the middle turnbuckle! Schiavone, “That could have knocked Bret Hart out!” Jericho gets back up and The Hitman is virtually motionless. Y2J considers his options before going to the apron and scaling the turnbuckles. Jericho goes for a flying knee drop. Bret shows he was playing possum as he slides out of dodge and to the outside. Chris finds nothing but canvas with his left knee landing first. From the outside, Bret grabs both feet of Y2J and pulls Jericho over to the corner before applying the ringpost figure-four! Schiavone, “Just as Bret Hart said to me in the interview, Bobby, he’s going after the legs of Chris Jericho!” Bret keeps the excruciating hold applied for over half a minute before finally letting go. Hart slides back in and starts stomping away on the left knee of the Ayatollah of Rock and Rollah. The Hitman lifts Jericho left leg, steps on Y2J’s inner thigh and falls forward, a move we have seen him use countless times down the years. Bret repeats this move again. Bret pulls Jericho towards the ropes and places Y2J’s left leg on the bottom rope. Hart jumps up and sits down on the knee. Bret does this a second time. Hart looks for it again, but this time Y2J kicks Bret over the top and to the outside. Jericho pulls his way back up via the ropes and slowly scales the turnbuckles. Bret gets back up as Chris launches himself with a flying cross body. Hart gets out of dodge at the last second and sends Y2J crashing face first against the guardrail! Bret lifts both of Y2J’s feet and applies the Sharpshooter on the outside of the ring. Y2J is screaming in pain. The camera gets a close-up of Jericho’s face to show that he was busted wide open following his collision with the rail. Schiavone, “Its just like what he did to Steve Austin!!” Heenan, “But its not in the ring, Tony. Bret Hart can not win it out here!” Bret eventually releases the hold, but Jericho is clearly in a bad way. Hart brings Jericho back into the ring and follows with a steel chair in hand. The Hitman sets the chair up on Jericho’s angle. Is Bret gonna Pillmanize Y2J?! Hart goes to the outside and scales the turnbuckles. Bret comes flying off looking for the stomp, but Y2J just gets his left leg out of the way. Jericho crawls over to the ropes and pulls himself back up, blood dripping from his face. Chris picks up the chair and starts nailing Hart repeatedly in the head, the back, the legs, everywhere with the chair! Schiavone, “Damn it, Chris Jericho is like an animal here!” Y2J starts focusing on the back of The Hitman with the chair shots, levelling Hart with no less than five punishing chair blows to the back. An angry Y2J tosses the chair to the outside before pulling Hart up and sitting the Hitman on the top turnbuckle. Y2J climbs up after Bret and brings the Canadian Hero down the mat with a devastating Superplex! Heenan, “Its more punishment to the back, Tony. Is Jericho preparing for the Walls of Jericho?” The move took so much out of Y2J that both men are down. Schiavone, “Both men are down in the centre of the ring, the World Title is on the line, it’s the biggest event of the WCW calendar year .. what a night it has been!!!” Both men struggle back up where they exchange slow right hands. Bret gets the advantage and whips Jericho into the ropes. Y2J comes off and goes for a flying forearm. Hart ducks it, but Y2J accidentally nails referee, Charles Robinson! Bret lands a boot to the midsection and a snap suplex. Hart goes to the middle rope and lands the flying elbow! The Excellence of Execution lifts both feet of Jericho and locks in the Sharpshooter. Jericho starts tapping! Schiavone, “That Sharpshooter is locked in, Bret Hart has this match won!” Heenan, “But the referee’s down!” The fans start booing as we get a shot of the entrance way. Vince McMahon is on his way down to the ring with a steel chair. Vince slides in and nails Bret in the head with a vicious chair shot. The Sharpshooter is broken. Vince demands a mic. McMahon, “Bret Hart, seeing as I may well be leaving WCW Television screens for good after tonight, consider that a parting shot.” Vince leaves the ring to a chorus of boos as Chris Jericho starts to come around. Y2J eventually is back to his feet and hits a Lionsault! Y2J locks in the Walls of Jericho on an unconscious Hart. Charles Robinson crawls over and lifts Bret’s arm once. It drops. Robinson lifts it again. I drops a second time. Robinson lifts it for the third and decisive time … it drops down!!
Winner by submission: Chris Jericho in 24:13
The fans greet the outcome with a chorus of unanimous disapproval as they start hurling garbage in the ring. Schiavone, “Vince McMahon is a despicable human being!!” Heenan, “Tony, we don’t agree on a lot, but I second that.” Schiavone, “Our company may be up for sale, but who would want to buy it after the despicable actions we’ve just witnessed!” Heenan, “Regardless of how it ended Tony, we got the battle we were told to expect!” Schiavone, “Indeed we did, Brain. We are out of time, fans, good bye from WCW … but hopefully not for the last time.” The show goes off the air with Chris Jericho holding his World Title Belt aloft as the fans continue to pelt him with trash.
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