WCW World War 3Story By: John Sivewright
January 28, 2003
WCW World War 3
26th January 2003
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Announcers: Tony Schiavone and Bobby Heenan
Written by John Sivewright and Chris Bacon
Following the opening montage, the fireworks go off on the stage as WCW World War 3 comes to you live on pay-per-view! Schiavone, "They are jam packed to the rafters here in the Target Centre! Tonight we bring you the first pay-per-view under the ownership of Jerry Jarrett and the Presidency of Jesse 'The Body' Ventura. Tonight, 30 men wage war upon one another all in an attempt to earn a shot at the World Heavyweight Champion at Superbrawl 13. Tonight we are ready for World War 3!" Heenan, "Boy, is it deafening in here! I can barely hear myself think, but its exciting! Tonight we've got a hell of a show in store. So sit back, relax and allow WCW to entertain you." Schiavone, "Since tonight is going to be an all action affair, let's go to the ring for our opening match as Dustin Rhodes defends his Television Championship against Hakushi and Batista in a triple threat encounter!"
WCW TV Title Match
Dustin Rhodes (c) VS Hakushi VS Batista
Batista comes down first before the lights go black. White lights start flickering as we expect Hakushi to emerge through the curtain. Hakushi does not come out and the lights come up. Hakushi is stood behind Batista in the middle of the ring! The big man turns around and is met by a standing dropkick from the Modern Day Kamakaze. This sends Batista through the ropes and to the outside as 'American Dream' hits the PA system. Dustin Rhodes sprints down the ramp and spears Batista at ringside into the steel steps! Rhodes slides into the ring and removes his TV Title belt before engaging in a fistfight with Hakushi is the bell sounds to start the match. Hakushi goes for a whip, but Dustin reverses it and takes his Oriental adversary down with a powerslam for the first near fall of this contest. Hakushi gets back up and Rhodes executes a standing dropkick before sending the Modern Day Kamakaze into the corner. Rhodes charges in after his foe and Hakushi raises a foot. Batista returns to the apron, but Hakushi knocks the big man off and back to the outside with a kick to the face. Hakushi takes Dustin down with a face plant for a near fall. Hakushi pulls Dustin up and lands several stiff chops to the chest before whipping Rhodes into the ropes. Hakushi ducks his head too early, so Dustin leapfrogs Hakushi, comes off of the ropes once more and runs into a hiplock attempt. Rhodes blocks it and turns it into a backslide for a two count. Both men are up and trade rights. Rhodes gets the better of things, sends Hakushi into the ropes. Hakushi ducks a clothesline attempt, comes off of the ropes again and tries for a cross body block. Dustin catches his adversary, walks backwards and executes an SOS, sending Hakushi over the top and to the outside. Batista slides into the ring and looks for a clothesline. Dustin ducks it as Batista goes into the ropes. Rhodes comes off of the ropes himself and lands a flying back elbow. Batista gets back up, only to be put straight back down by an impressive bodyslam from the champion. Schiavone, "Dustin Rhodes has made a fantastic start to this triple threat encounter!" Rhodes comes off of the ropes and drops an elbow and goes for the cover, but Batista kicks out after one. Dustin brings the big man up and lands several right hands to the face. Rhodes comes off of the ropes and looks for a clothesline. Batista catches Dustin in a bearhug before launching Rhodes over the top and out of the ring with a belly-to-belly release suplex. Batista hardly has a time to catch a breathe as Hakushi re-enters the ring with a flying shoulderblock from the top rope for a near fall. Schiavone, "Remember folks, Dustin Rhodes does not even have to be pinned to lose his title." Hakushi brings Batista over to the corner and goes to the middle turnbuckle on the inside. Hakushi looks set for a Vader bomb, but Batista nips up to his feet. Hakushi goes for the bomb, not noticing Batista's revival, and the big man catches the Modern Day Kamakaze on his shoulder. Batista looks for a running powerslam, but Hakushi slips out the back door and pushes Batista into the opposite corner. Hakushi jumps onto Batista's shoulder and looks for a hurracanrana. Batista reverses with a sit down powerbomb and looks for the pin. Dustin Rhodes slides back in and saves his title by breaking the fall. Rhodes lands some right hands to the back of Batista before going to the middle turnbuckle on the inside. Batista is back up and Rhodes lands a double axe to the head, staggering the big man. Rhodes comes off of the ropes and lands a bionic elbow to the cranium. Batista is staggered further but does not get knocked down. Rhodes comes off of the ropes and charges the big man, but Batista sidesteps Rhodes and sends Dustin over the top. Rhodes does not go to the outside, he holds onto the ropes and stands up on the apron. Batista knocks Rhodes off of the apron and to the outside with a hard elbow to the head. Hakushi is back up and charges the big man. Batista sends Hakushi over the top and to the outside with a high back body drop, where the Modern Day Kamakaze lands on Rhodes. Batista climbs to the top turnbuckle on the inside and waits for his two foes to return to their feet. Both Dustin and Hakushi get back up as Batista comes flying off of the top with an incredible flying cross body to the outside! Batista rolls Rhodes back into the ring and slides in after the champion. Batista stomps away on Dustin before bringing the son of the American Dream back up. Batista lands some right hands to the face before whipping Dustin into the ropes, coming off of the ropes himself and connecting with a flying shoulderblock for a two count. Batista goes back to the outside and brings Hakushi up. In a great display of strength, the big man presses Hakushi up over his head and throws the Modern Day Kamakaze over the top and back into the ring. Hakushi starts to return to his feet as Batista is crouched down, ready to pounce on his Oriental opponent. Rhodes is back up and surprises Batista with the Running Bulldog. 1 ..... 2 .... Batista kicks out!! Schiavone, "Oh my God, this monster just kicked out of the Bulldog from Dustin Rhodes!" Heenan, "I've never seen anyone kick out of Dustin Rhodes' bulldog before!! You're right for once, Tony, Batista is a monster!" Hakushi and Rhodes are up and Hakushi goes for a superkick. Dustin ducks it and clotheslines Hakushi over the top and to the outside. Batista returns to his feet quickly and drills the TV Champ with a devastating Spinebuster!! Batista goes for the pin. 1 ..... 2 .... Rhodes gets the shoulder up! Batista pulls Dustin back up and sits the Champion on the top turnbuckle. Batista lands some overhand slaps to the chest of the champ before climbing up to the middle turnbuckle. Batista takes Rhodes back down to the mat with a superplex. Hakushi returns to the ring. Batista sees the Oriental Warrior coming as he comes off the ropes and takes Hakushi out with a hard clothesline. Batista shoves Hakushi's head between his legs and lands the sit down powerbomb! 1 ..... 2 ..... 3!!
Winner by pinfall and NEW TV Champion: Batista in 10:42
At the conclusion of this encounter, Batista is handed the belt by the referee before demanding a mic. Batista, "Tonight marks the true beginning of my meteoric rise to the top of the WCW. This is just the start of what is going to be the era of the big man. This is the first of many titles that I will capture in my career and you can bet your bottom dollar that I will retire from wrestling with this belt still around my waist. And remember: Batista is not the future of the business. Batista IS the business!" Batista tosses the mic to the outside and holds the World Title belt aloft. Schiavone, "Like him or not, Batista earned the gold tonight." Heenan, "'Like him or not'?! How can anyone not like this guy? He is damn good and he knows it."
Backstage, the legendary Hollywood Hulk Hogan is kitted out in the red and yellow, ready to save his WCW career. Okerlund, "Hollywood Hulk Hogan, you are preparing for what could very well be your LAST WCW match ever. In just a few moments time, you will be facing Nathan Jones with the loser having to leave the WCW. And Hulk, I just gotta ask you. How does it feel, knowing that tonight you could be wrestling in front of the WCW fans for the last time?" Hogan, "Well ya know something Mene Gene...this company means a lot to me man. I made my name in the WWF, but WCW has a hell of a lot of memories for me. From the ticker tape parade I got when I first came here to forming the nWo with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, I've done a lot here. But ya know, ownership has got in the way man. I mean, when Vince McMahon left the WCW, I thought maybe everything would finally be OK. But then in comes Jesse The Body Ventura, and it's pretty obvious as to where I stand with him! And vice versa...there's no love lost between me and The Body man. That's why I'm fighting for my career tonight. But Gene, you know me better than most. And you know damn well that I'm not going to driven out of WCW without a fight. And a fight is what Nathan Jones is going to get brother! Nathan Jones, he's pretty impressive. Ya know, he's tall, he's muscular. But Gene, I've come up against big muscular guys before man. There was Zeus back in the late 80's. Andre The Giant god rest his soul, we had our battles. Bundy, The Giant, Kevin Nash, the Ultimate Warrior, Triple H...I've fought them all. But ya know what man, I always came out on top in the end. And tonight, I'm going to have to come out on top. So Nathan, I'm determined to beat you because basically, I have to...so WHATTCHA GONNA DO NATHAN JONES? WHATTCHA GONNA DO...when these 24 inch pythons run wild on you!"
*A brief video montage of Hollywood Hulk Hogan's long and storied WCW career, set to 'American Made' plays, highlighting his career from the early days of Hulk-a-mania in 94-95, to the formation of the legendary nWo, back to his badd ass Hogan days of the late 90's and early 2000's and the new era of Hulk-a-mania in the current day plays. The video then switches to clips of Nathan Jones in an empty prison cell, and clips of news reports from his escape from jail and his placing into solitary confinement. It ends with the words from Jones:'Hogan...I'm not going to let YOU take my freedom too.'*
Loser Leaves WCW Match
Nathan Jones VS Hollywood Hulk Hogan
Nathan Jones' music hits, and the big bad Aussie walks down the rampway to heat from the crowd, all of them hoping for Hogan to win and stay in WCW. Jones leaps onto the apron and enters the ring as 'Voodoo Child' begins to play, and out walks Hollywood Hulk Hogan, playing air guitar as the crowd go crazy. The 'Hogan' chants start up almost instantly as the icon of proffesional wrestling climbs onto the apron and points the finger at Jones to a huge pop from the crowd. Hogan throws his boas aside and enters the ring, Jones charges at him immediately, but Hogan blocks a right hand straight away and hits a right of his own. Hogan hits another right and a third before whipping Jones to the ropes, but Jones catches the Big Boot and pulls Hogan into a stiff Clothesline. Jones starts to pound away on Hogan, who is on his knees trying to fight back but to no avail. Jones grabs hold of Hogan by the throat, choking away at the Hulkster, but breaking on 4 each time the ref's count starts up. Schiavone, "Nathan Jones is dominating the Hulkster. He's just choking and choking the icon down." Heenan, "Goodbye Hogan, see you in the stands when you have to become a hotdog vendor to earn your living!" Jones whips The Hulkster off the ropes and knocks him down with a hard Clothesline as the Hogan chants start to build and get louder. Jones smugly smiles before whipping Hogan off the ropes again, but Hogan ducks and comes back with a Clothesline off his own, rocking the Aussie back. Hogan hits a hard right hand to the forehead, then a second, and finally a third before whipping Jones off the ropes, and hitting a Running Clothesline, taking Jones off his feet! Heenan, "Aw no. Come on Nathan!" Hulk picks Jones up and hitting a Powerslam, before backing off the ropes, but Jones avoids the Big Legdrop. The big man picks Hogan up on his chest, and hits a Fallaway Slam on Hogan, before rolling over...1...2....two only! The big bad Aussie starts hitting Hogan in the head with forearm shots to the head before pulling Hogan to his feet and driving Hogan down with a Sidewalk Slam. Jones stomps away at The Hulkster for a little while as the 'Hogan' chants start up again. Schiavone, "Listen to the crowd! They are one hundred percent behind The Hulkster!" Jones goes for a Big Boot to the face, but The Hulkster ducks, and drills Jones with a Tilt a Whirl Powerslam. Nathan Jones staggers up and hits a right hand, but it has no effect on The Hulkster. Jones hits an elbow to the back of the head, but once again it has no effect. Jones hits another hard right hand, but Hogan starts to Hulk Up! Schiavone, "Oh my, how many times have we seen The Hulkster do this?" Heenan, "How does he do it? He...I don't know where Hogan gets it from." Schiavone, "The Hulkamaniacs...that's where his power is from!" Jones tries to knock Hogan down with another right hand, but Hogan points the finger at Jones before hitting a hard right of his own. The Hulkster hits a series of right hands, backing Jones up against the ropes before whipping him across the ring and nailing the Big Boot! Hogan claps the hands, before backing off the ropes, but Jones avoids the Legdrop again. Hogan gets back to his feet, but Jones hits him with a hard Clothesline. The big Aussie then hoists Hogan up onto hsi shoulders, and nails Hogan with a Death Valley Driver before covering....one...two...thre..THREE! Heenan, "YES!" Schiavone, "No...no, this cannot be happening. What have we just seen?" Heenan, "I'll tell you what we've just seen Tony, we've seen the end of Hulkamania!" Nathan Jones leaves the ring victorious as Hogan lays out on the mat, a look of disbelief on his face.
Winner via pinfall: Nathan Jones in 8:59
Hogan slowly gets to his feet, a sign of tears in his eyes as some of the fans get to their feet, giving the legendary Hulk Hogan a standing ovation. Schiavone, "This crowd showing respect for Hulk Hogan, and for everything he has accomplished in his WCW career. It's the end of an era tonight, that's for sure." 'Hogan' chants start up yet again, as Hogan leaves the ring and walks over to the announce table, before shaking hands with Tony Schiavone at the announce booth. Hogan extends his hand to The Brain, and after a little pause even Bobby Heenan shows his respect with a brief handshake. Hogan then walks around the ring, but as he gets to the bottom of the ramp, he stops, hearing the Hogan chants in the air. Hulk then shakes his head, before climbing back into the ring to huge cheers from the crowd. 'Voodoo Child' then starts up again as Hogan starts to go through his legendary poses, the crowd responding respectfully with LOUD cheers, perhaps unlike we've ever heard before. Schiavone, "Brain, I know I speak for a lot of the guys in the back, both the wrestlers and the other workers, whoever they may be. And I now I speak for almost every single fan in this arena tonight. Hulkamania has touched EVERY SINGLE ONE of us in it's own way. We will damn sure never forget Hulk Hogan." Heenan, "I hate to agree with you Tony, but I have to. This man is the true icon of professional wrestling. Without this man, we may not be here tonight." Hogan finishes up his poses before solemnly leaving the ring. The Hulkster then pats his heart, before pointing out at the entire crowd and giving us one last ear cupping pose before leaving the ringside area and stepping behind the curtain. Many of the crowd have tears in their eyes, the rest are still applauding out of respect.
Hogan steps backstage, and is greeted by applause from a vast majority of the WCW roster, from X-Pac to Low Ki, the M.I.A to 3 Minute Warning, even Bret Hart. Hogan embraces his close freind Mene Gene Okerlund, before walking away with a tear in his eye, only to be stopped by Jesse Ventura. Ventura, "Man Hulk...you sure went out with a bang man." Hogan, "I don't like you Jesse, and you damn sure don't like me. But Jes, you haven't seen or heard the last of Hulkamania...because Hulkamania is IMMORTAL!" Hogan then enters his dressing room for the last time, emotion running wild on the WCW.
WCW Tag Team Titles Match
New Age Outlaws VS The Flock
'Oh you didn't know? Your ass better call somebody!" The New Age Outlaws emerge through the curtain to a wild reaction from the crowd. Road Dogg has a mic. Dogg, "Its me, its me, its that D-O-Double G! And I'm rolling it once again with the B-A-D A-Double Crooked letter. And Flock, if anybody's ass had better call somebody, its your's tonight boys." Road Dogg and Billy Gunn both enter the ring as the fans are ready for a little audience participation. Dogg, "Minneapolis, welcome to the Dogg house!! Where you know the D-O-Doulbe G always likes to kick that shiznit Doggy Style! Now let's make some noise up in this byaaatch!!! Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages. World Championship Wrestling proudly brings to you its very shortly to be TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONS OF THE WORRRLD: The Road Dogg Jesse James, Bad Ass Billy Gunn, the NEW AGE OUTLAWS!!" Road Dogg hands the mic to Billy G. Gunn, "And, of course, if you're not down with that, we've got two words for ya ..." The crowd collectively hollers 'SUCK IT!!!!!' The Flock's music plays as the Tag-Team Champion's run down the aisle and slide in the ring. The bell rings to kick things off in this one. Helms and Hardy both look to nail their foes, but both NAO members duck and unload with right hands. Gunn takes over on Helms with right hands and clotheslines Shane over the top and to the outside. Road Dogg sends Hardy into the ropes and looks for a clothesline. Jeff ducks it, but runs straight into Billy who presses him up in the air. Gunn throws Hardy to the outside and on top of Helms as the crowd goes crazy. The ref regains some order in this one as Road Dogg kicks things off for his team and Jeff Hardy starts off for The Flock. Both men lock up and RD gets the upper hand as he wrings the arm of his foe. Jeff reverses it and wrings the arm of the Dogg and applies a top wristlock. Jeff forces RD down to the mat, but Road Dogg shows a great show as strength as he bridges and then powers back up to his feet. RD gets control with some boots to the midsection before sending Jeff Hardy into the ropes and dropping Hardy with a hard right hand to the face. RD tags in Billy Gunn who attacks Jeff with a flurry of fists. BA sends Hardy into the ropes and plants Jeff into the mat with a back-body-drop. Gunn sends Jeff into the corner and looks to follow with a clothesline. Hardy raises his foot and catches Gunn in the jaw. Jeff goes to the middle turnbuckle and flies off, but Billy catches Hardy in a sidewalk slam. BA hits the ropes, comes off and tries for a jumping elbow drop. Jeff avoids the contact and tags in Shane Helms. Helms comes in and jumps Gunn with a series of stomps before bringing Gunn up and looking for a bodyslam. Billy slides out the back door and drops Shane with a falling neckbreaker. Gunn makes the tag to Road Dogg. The Dogg sends Shane into the ropes, but ducks his head too early. Helms leapfrogs RD and comes off of the ropes again. Road Dogg goes for a clothesline, but Helms ducks it, comes off of the ropes for a third time and connects with a flying back elbow for a near fall. Shane stomps away on RD before tagging Jeff back in. Hardy goes upstairs and Shane holds Road Dogg in position. Jeff comes flying off the top with a double axe, knocking RD down. Hardy goes to the middle rope and lands a flying legdrop. Jeff goes for the cover, but RD kicks out after two. Jeff tags Shane back in. Helms is back in and drops some elbows to the midsection of Road Dogg for a two count. Shane runs over to the NAO corner and nails Billy Gunn with a right hand. BA comes in, but is ejected by the official, whilst both Helms and Hardy stomp away on the troubled Road Dogg. Gunn is back on the apron as Helms gets RD in a front face lock. The Dogg fights had way to his corner and looks to take BA. Jeff Hardy steps in and is showed back to the apron by the ref as Dogg tags in Gunn. Billy G comes in and unloads on Helms with right hands before the official ejects him from the ring, as he did not see the tag. Meanwhile, Shane plants Road Dogg with a bodyslam. Jeff Hardy goes to the top rope and comes off with a flying elbowdrop on RD. Helms goes for the cover as the ref turns back round. 1 .... 2 ... No, only two! Shane tags in Jeff. Hardy comes in, raises both legs of Dogg's and drops a legdrop onto the lower abdomen of his opponent. Jeff goes to the apron and scales the turnbuckles. Jeff comes flying off with a Swanton Bomb effort, but Road Dogg avoids it. RD dives over to his corner and tags in Gunn. BA comes in like a house on fire, taking over on Jeff with right hands. Gunn sends Hardy into the ropes and takes Jeff over with a powerslam. Shane runs in and runs straight into a press slam from the former 'One'. Jeff returns to his feet where he is met by a boot to the midsection from Billy. Gunn comes off of the ropes and lands the FameAsser! Billy goes for the cover. Shane comes off of the ropes and looks for a jumping elbow drop. Billy gets up and Helms accidentally elbowdrops his partner, Jeff. We get a shot of ringside where Spike Dudley has come down and is setting up a table at the bottom of the ramp. Spike jumps on the apron and grabs the recovering Road Dogg. Spike springboards off of the top turnbuckle and takes RD down through the table with the Dudley Dogg!! BA notices and slides out of the ring. Gunn nails Spike with a series of right hands before booting the runt of the Dudley litter in the midsection and executing a piledriver on the floor! Shane Helms slides out of the ring, reaches under the apron and pulls out a steel chair. Helms looks for a chair shot on Gunn, but Billy blocks it and pulls the chair out of the hands of his Flock foe. From out of nowhere, Jeff Hardy comes flying through the ropes and to the outside, dropkicking the chair into the face of Billy Gunn! Jeff slides Bad Ass back into the ring, climbs back onto the apron and scales the turnbuckles. Jeff comes flying off the top with a Swanton Bomb for the victory.
Winners by pinfall: The Flock in 10:50
After the match, Raven comes down to the ring and demands a microphone. Raven, "Once again, Jeff Hardy and Shane Helms have proved that they are the most dominant tag team in WCW. So this Thursday on Thunder, we will be issuing an open challenge to any tag-team who think that they can beat us. We don't care who it is, because my men have peaked. They can beat any two men on the roster and this Thursday they will prove it. Anyone can step up to the challenge and we'll turn them away because we are the greatest. And I'd also like to take this time to say that the spirits are drawing nearer and nearer by the day. Quote the Raven: never more."
As the 15 foot high steel cage is lowered around the ring, we go backstage to where Mene Gene Okerlund is standing by with the WCW US Champion Val Venis, who is standing with his title belt over his shoulder, and his ribs taped up. Okerlund, "Val, in just a few minutes time you will be defending your United States Heavyweight Title inside of a 15 foot high steel cage against the dangerous Rikishi. And you of course almost lost you US Title to Rikishi on Nitro a few weeks ago, only for the decision to be reversed back in your favour. Tonight, can you beat Rikishi in one on one action, surrounded by unforgiving steel." Venis, "Ya know Gene, you forgot to mention one thing. When Rikishi 'beat me',
WCW United States Heavyweight Championship
Cage Match
Val Venis(c) VS Rikishi
'3 Minutes' begins to play as Rikishi walks down the rampway with his 3 Minute Warning partners Jamal and Rosie. Rikishi walks around the ring and enters the steel cage as Jamal and Rosie stand guard on the outside. Schiavone, "Well, hopefully Jamal and Rosie will be prohibited from getting involved in this match by the 15 foot high steel cage that has surrouned the ring." We then hear 'Hellooo Ladies!' and Val Venis walks out, taped ribs and all, looking slightly intimidated by the steel structure ahead of him. As Val walks down the ramp though, Jamal and Rosie walk from opposite sides of the ring and stand at the foot of the ramp, blocking off Val's way. Val gets to the 3 Minute Warning guys, and tries to step left of them only to be blocked off by Rosie. He then tries to go to the right, but this time Jamal stops his path. Schiavone, "Come on, let him through. Jamal and Rosie, so much for them not bei...HEY! WAIT A MINUTE!" From behind Val, D-Lo Brown runs down the ramp and knocks the US Champ down with a Clothesline to the back! Venis staggers up to his feet, and turns around straight into a Sky High on the steel ramp! The three 3 Minute Warning members then start to stomp away on Val, targetting the ribs, when suddenly the A.P.A's music hits! Schiavone, "Here comes some help for Val. The A.P.A coming to get them some of 3 Minute Warning!" Bradshaw and Simmons start thrwoing right hands, brawling back towards the entrance way with Jamal, Rosie and D-Lo as Rikishi exits the cage and walks around the ring. Rikishi gets to the ramp and drags Val around the ring, before throwing him in through the cage door. Rikishi enters the cage again and the match officialy starts. Schiavone, "Well, the bell has rung." Heenan, "I think Val's had his bell rung already Tony. He don't look so good." Schiavone, "What do you expect? He got jumped by 3 Minute Warning." Rikishi picks Val straight up, locks him in a Bearhug and rams him hard back first into the cage. Rikishi then whips Val into the ropes and hits him with a Spinebuster, already working on the ribs. The big 'Kish grabs hold of Val's head, and throws him face first into the steel, before doing the same on the opposite side of the cage. Schiavone, "This is just punishment here. Rikishi could probably win right now..." Heenan, "He doesn't want to just win though Tony. He wants revenge on Val." Rikishi knocks the helpless US Champ down with a hard right hand before backing off the ropes and dropping a big Legdrop to the throat of Val. Venis is laid on out the mat, clutching his injured ribs as Rikishi raises his arms in the air to boos from the crowd. Rikishi backs off the ropes again, and drops a second Legdrop. Sensing victory, Rikishi pulls Val to his feet and drags him over nearer the corner before climbing up onto the middle rope. Rikishi once again raises his arms, before bouncing up and coming down with a Banzai Drop, but Val moves and Rikishi crashes ass first to the mat. Val pulls himself up on the ropes as best he can, before hitting a DDT on Rikishi, but the big man pops up immediately! Heenan, "No effect! No effect at all!" Val spins around, straight into a big Superkick knocking him into the corner. Rikishi backs up and little and runs ass first into Val, knocking him down onto the bottom turnbuckle before quickly going for the Stinkface, but Val hits a Lowblow! The US Champ then shoves Rikishi into the cage face first before throwing him face first into another section of the cage. Val then hits Rikishi with a hard Clothesline, knocking the big samoan down. Val then starts to climb up the cage, trying to escape and retain his title, but as he stands on the ropes Rikishi manages to crotch him across the turnbuckle. Rikishi slowly climbs up behind Val, who is sat on the top turnbuckle facing the cage, and rams Val head first into the steel before hooking Val up and falling back with a Back Superplex! Schiavone, "My god, a Back Superplex from the top rope! Both men are out of it!" Rikishi is the first to his feet, and he slowly staggers towards the door, but Val grabs a hold of his leg, desperatly trying to save his title. Rikishi though stomps on Venis before dropping another Legdrop, this time to the back of the head. Rikishi picks up Val and throws him head first into the cage again, sending the US Champ flying back into the middle of the ring from the force. The big samoan then starts to punch away at Val, who has been cut open from the forehead. Schiavone, "This is brutal to watch here. Val is helpless in the cage, cut open from the head." Rikishi throws Val head first into the cage again before hitting a brutal Belly to Belly Suplex. Rikishi then drags Val over to the corner by the cage door, and climbs up to the middle rope again. Heenan, "Rikishi wants to crush Val Venis, literally! And he's going to do it!" Rikishi gets set for the Banzai Drop again, but Val hits a Lowblow on him on the second rope. Val then climbs up beside Rikishi on the second rope, pounding away on Rikishi with shots to the back. The United States Champ then hooks up Rikishi's head, before falling back hitting an awesome Russian Legsweep FROM THE TOP ROPE! A 'holy shit...holy shit...holy shit' chant starts up as the door is opened, and Val slowly crawls over, and out of the cage! Schiavone, "YES! VAL'S OUT!" Heenan, "I don't believe it!" Schaivone, "Rikishi beat the hell out of Val all match. His 3 Minute Warning teammates did a pre match number on Val too, but Val Venis, injured ribs and all has retained his United States Heavyweight Championship!"
Winner via escaping the steel cage and still US Champion: Val Venis in 17:48
We go backstage where Jonathan Coachman is talking to Jesse Ventura. Coach, "Mr Ventura ..." Ventura, "Coach, please just call me Jesse." Coach, "Okay ... Jesse. You have been conspicuous by your absence tonight thus far ..." Ventura, "Coach, I'm glad you have raised this issue. The reason why I have not been active thus far is because I went the wrestlers to do the talking. Pay-per-view is not about promos or full length interviews, its about wrestling and WCW has been giving you great wrestling tonight. And trust me, there's more where that came from, Coach." Coach, "Well, we know that you will be appearing soon in the World Title match involving Bret Hart and Chris Jericho. You will be the special enforcer. What role will you play?" Ventura, "I will be at ringside to stop any interference and to keep a firm eye on the action in the ring to ensure that the match is fought in the best of spirits. And believe you me, I will be calling things right down the middle."
WCW Cruisweight Title Match
Elimination Rules
Kaz Hayashi VS Jamie Knoble (c) VS Low Ki VS X-Pac
All four men start things off in the ring as Kaz goes for X-Pac and Knoble tussles with Low Ki. Pac sends Kaz into the ropes and goes for a clothesline. Hayashi ducks it, hits the ropes again and takes Pac down with a flying forearm. Kaz lands a succession of standing dropkicks before sending X-Pac over the top and to the outside. Meanwhile, Low Ki has Knoble in the corner and unloads with a series of knife edge chops. Ki lands several kicks to the midsection before landing a roundhouse kick to the face of the Cruiserweight Champion. Ki whips Knoble into the opposite corner and charges in after the champ. Jamie raises a foot and catches Low Ki in the face before executing a running bulldog for the first near fall of the contest. Kaz jumps Knoble with a right hand and takes the champ up and over with a snap suplex. Kaz comes off of the ropes and lands an elbowdrop for a near fall. X-Pac slides back into the ring and attacks Low Ki. Pac sends Ki into the ropes, but ducks his head too early. Low Ki kicks X-Pac in the face before going for a roundhouse kick. Pac catches Ki by the leg and goes for a clothesline. Low Ki ducks it, runs X-Pac into the ropes and rolls back for a pin attempt, but Pac kicks out after two. X-Pac looks for a clothesline, but Low Ki dips the shoulder and backdrops Pac over the top and to the outside. Low Ki goes to the top turnbuckle and comes flying off with a cross body to the outside on X-Pac. In the ring, Knoble has taken over on Kaz and looks for a powerbomb. Hayashi reverses it with a face buster for a near fall! Kaz brings Jamie back up and whips Knoble into the ropes. Kaz goes for a dropkick, but Knoble holds onto the ropes and Hayashi finds nothing but air. Knoble comes off of the ropes and drops a senton splash on Hayashi for a two count. Low Ki slides back into the ring and attacks Jamie with right hands and chops. Low Ki whips Knoble into the corner and follows in with a shoulder to the midsection of the champion. Ki sits Knoble on the top turnbuckle and follows the champion up top. Low Ki goes for a superplex, but Knoble turns in midair into a cross body block on Low Ki. 1 .... 2 ... No, only two! X-Pac slides back in where he surprises Jamie with a boot to the midsection. X-Pac lets set to go for the X-Factor, when Kaz Hayashi surprises him with a rollup for a pin!
X-Pac is eliminated by pinfall in 3:02
An irate X-Pac kicks Kaz in the gut and executes the X-Factor! X-Pac goes to the outside and brings in a steel chair. Pac takes Knoble out with a vile chair shot to the cranium!! X-Pac leaves the ring as Low Ki wonders which man to cover first. Ki choses Kaz Hayashi and gets a pin!
Kaz Hayashi is eliminated by pinfall in 3:48
Low Ki covers Knoble, but Jamie gets the shoulder up just in the nick of time! Ki brings Jamie up and lands a series of knife edge chops. Ki whips Knoble into the ropes and looks for a clothesline. Jamie ducks it, hits the ropes once more and executes a cross body for a two count. Both men are back up and lock up. Knoble gains the advantage with a headlock. Ki pushes Jamie into the ropes. Knoble knocks Low Ki down with a shoulderblock. Low Ki leapfrogs Jamie, who comes off of the ropes again before running straight into a martial arts kick to the face from Ki. Low Ki whips Knoble into the corner and follows in with a clothesline. Low Ki brings Jamie back to the centre of the ring and plants the champion with a bodyslam. Low Ki goes to the outside and scales the turnbuckles. Low Ki looks for a flying legdrop, but Jamie rolls out of dodge and Ki lands on his ass. Knoble is back up, comes off the ropes and dropkicks Ki in the face for a two count. Knoble stomps away on his foe before going upstairs. Knoble looks for an incredible 450 splash, but Low Ki raises his knees! Jamie is down holding his chest as Low Ki nips up. Low Ki brings Jamie up and looks for a bodyslam. Knoble slides out of it and tries for a German release suplex. Low Ki moonsaults to his feet before whipping Jamie into the ropes. Ki nails Knoble in the midsection with a right hand before coming off of the ropes and going for a kneelift. Jamie catches his foe by the foot and tries for a clothesline. Low Ki ducks it, kicks Jamie in the gut and executes a brain buster for a near fall. Low Ki applies a head scissors on Knoble. Jamie fights his way over to the ropes and gets his left leg on the bottom rope, forcing Low Ki to break the hold. Ki brings Jamie up and lands some stinging overhand chops. Ki sends Knoble into the ropes, comes off of the ropes himself and lands a spinning heel kick for a near fall. Low Ki goes to the top turnbuckle as Jamie recuperates. Ki comes off with a double axe attempt, but Knoble takes Ki out of the air with a dropkick to the sternum. Jamie goes for the cover, but Low Ki kicks out after two. Knoble brings Low Ki back up, kicks his foe in the gut and executes a jumping piledriver. Knoble goes for the cover. 1 ..... 2 .... No, Low Ki kicks out!! Knoble drags Low Ki over near the corner before going to the apron and scaling the turnbuckles. Suddenly, Low Ki nips up! Ki jumps to the middle turnbuckle and nails Knoble with a hard kick to the head. Low Ki goes to the top rope and executes a superplex! 1 ... 2 .. Knoble kicks out!! A frustrated Low Ki slaps the mat several times before brings Knoble up and jumping to the shoulders of the cruiserweight champion. Ki takes Knoble down with a hurracanrana, but Knoble rolls out onto the apron to avoid any pinfall attempts. Jamie returns to his feet, where Low Ki nails him with a stiff kick to the face. Low Ki scoops Knoble brings Jamie back into the ring. Jamie holds onto the top rope and Ki collapses to the mat, landing on his head. Jamie lands on Low Ki for the sudden pin!
Winner by pinfall: Jamie Knoble in 8:39
We are shown a video package containing the prime cuts from the feud between Bret Hart and Chris Jericho. It all comes to a head in a moment as they square off for Y2J's World Heavyweight Title. The promo ends with the words, "No more words ... Now for action!"
WCW World Title Match
Bret Hart VS Chris Jericho (c)
Special Ringside Enforcer: Jesse Ventura
The challenger's music hits the PA system and Bret Hart makes his way to the ring. Hart stops at ringside and gives his pink shades to youngster in the front row. The Hitman slides into the ring as the familiar countdown begins on the big screen. Fireworks go off on the ramp as 'Break Down the Walls' begins to play. Y2J struts down to the ring with the World Heavyweight Title Belt around his waist. Jericho gets in the ring, removes his jacket and belt before going face-to-face with Bret in the centre of the ring. David Penzer announces, "And the special enforcer for this encounter ... Jesse 'The Body' Ventura!!" The crowd goes wild as The President of WCW marches down the ramp. Ventura enters the squared circle and demands a microphone. Ventura, "I might sound like a referee for a boxing match, but damn it I want a good, clean fight! I will be stood out there at the bottom of the ramp to perform two functions. I am there to stop any intruders from getting involved in this match and I will crack down on any underhanded tactics used by either of you. Also, in the unfortunate event of the assigned official, Randy Anderson, being knocked out, I will step in to make any necessary match ending calls. Now give these fans a hell of a match!" Jesse turns to exit the ring, but Jericho pulls the Prez back round and starts trash talking Ventura! Y2J shoves Jesse! Ventura comes off of the ropes and shoves Y2J back as the bell rings to start this match. Bret takes over on Jericho with a series of right hands as the Prez leaves the ring and takes up a position at the bottom of the ramp. Hart sends Chris into the ropes and drops the champion with a back-body-drop. Bret knocks Jericho over the top and to the outside with a hard clothesline. Y2J slides back in and looks for a clothesline on the champion. Hart ducks it, sends Chris into the ropes and looks for a clothesline of his own. Jericho ducks it and comes off of the ropes once more. Y2J tries for a flying forearm, but The Hitman avoids it and Chris finds nothing but canvas. Bret sends Chris into the corner and charges in after the champion. The Lionheart raises his foot and catches the Excellence of Execution in the jaw. Jericho hops to the middle rope and looks for a double axe. Hart turns back round and catches Jericho with a right hand to the midsection. Bret tries for a suplex, but Chris slips out the back door and looks for a German suplex. Hart escapes with some elbows to the face of the champion before spinning round the backside of his foe and applying a waistlock of his own. Bret runs Chris into the ropes and rolls back looking for the pin. Jericho kicks out by pushing his legs forwards, sending Hart through the ropes and to the outside. Y2J comes off of the ropes and tries for a baseball slide. Bret gets out of dodge and knocks Jericho down on the outside with a clothesline. Bret looks to bring Chris back up, but when Y2J gets to his knees he surprises Hart with a low blow. Ventura, nearby, admonishes Chris, but Jericho responds with a 'go to hell!' remark to the Prez. Y2J body slams Bret on the floor and gets on the apron. Hart slowly returns to his feet, where Jericho looks for a flying clothesline from the apron. Bret gets out of dodge sends Y2J flying face first into the guardrail. Bret slides Chris back into the ring and returns to the squared circle himself. Bret mounts Jericho and unloads with a series of right hands. Hart gets Y2J up and sends Chris into the ropes. Bret lands a right to the midsection and executes a side Russian Legsweep for a near fall. Hart brings Jericho back up and backs Y2J into the corner. Bret execute a hard Irish whip and the force sends Chris flipping in the corner, Shawn Michael's style. Jericho rolls backwards out of the corner where Hart meets him with an inverted atomic drop. Y2J falls back into the corner where Bret sets him up for a Bulldog across the ring. Hart hits the move and riases both legs of his opponent. Bret tries for the Sharpshooter, but Jericho blocks it with his hands. Hart lets go of his foe's feet, stands by the side of Chris and lands a legdrop. Bret goes to the middle turnbuckle on the inside and comes flying off with an elbow attempt. Jericho raises a foot, nailing the Hitman in the jaw! Y2J returns to his feet and takes over on the groggy Canadian Hero with some vicious chops. Jericho kicks Bret in the midsection before coming off of the ropes and dropping the challenger with a swinging neckbreaker. Chris goes for the cover, but The Hitman kicks out after two. Y2J is back to his feet and starts stomping away on the left knee of the challenger. Schiavone, "Jericho is taking full advantage of The Hitman's weakened state by going straight after that knee." Heenan, "You've got to give Jericho his due, Tony. He is one smart man!" Jericho lifts Bret's left leg and lands an elbowdrop to the knee before wrapping his legs around Bret's and executing a leg grapevine. Bret fights the hold before reaching up and breaking it by raking the eyes of the Champion. Heenan, "He raked the eyes, disqualify him ref!" Schiavone, "Brain, we've seen Y2J get away with far worse. I think referee Randy Anderson will only disqualify someone if he is prompted by our special enforcer, Jesse Ventura." Heenan, "If that was Jericho raking Bret's eyes, the match would be over!" Both men are back up and Bret goes for a whip. Y2J reverses it, hits the ropes himself and lands a spinning heel kick. Jericho lifts the left leg of Bret and turns through, looking for a figure-four-leglock. Bret escapes by kicking Jericho in the ass and sending Y2J careering into the corner. Hart rolls up the Champion, but Chris kicks out after two. Both men are up and Bret looks for a side backbreaker. Chris back flips out of it and scoops Hart upside down. Jericho lands a Tombstone Piledriver! Heenan, "Its over!!" Jericho goes for the cover. 1 ..... 2 .... NO, only two!!! An angry Y2J stomps away on the left knee of the challenger before successfully applying the figure four. Chris adds to the pressure by getting a handful of the bottom rope. He does this while the ref checks on Bret. When Randy Anderson returns his attention to Chris, Jericho lets go of the ropes. This sequence continues until Jesse Ventura comes over and knocks Y2J's hands off of the ropes! An angry Jericho relinquishes the Figure Four, gets to his feet and starts shouting down at the President of WCW. Y2J spits at Jesse!! Schiavone, "Oh my God, he spat at the President of WCW!!" Heenan, "And if Jesse reacts violently, he'll only get Jericho DQ'ed! Then Y2J would keep the title!" Jesse wipes Jericho's spit off of his forehead before getting up on the apron. Ventura spits right back in the face of the Champion!! Before Jericho can react, Bret rolls him up, but Chris kicks out at the last split second. Jericho gets back up and kicks Bret in the knee to regain the advantage. Chris takes Hart up and over with a vertical suplex. Jericho lifts Bret's head and connects with some right hands. Chris lets go of Hart's head and The Hitman slumps back down to the mat. Y2J lifts both legs of his foe and locks in the Walls of Jericho! Hart looks in trouble here, he's hardly moving. Bret fights the hold as the crowd rallies behind him. Hart slowly but surely crawls over to the ropes and eventually gets a fistfull of the bottom strand. A frustrated Y2J lets go of the hold and starts kicking Bret in the head before looking for another figure four. Hart reverses it into a small package, but Jericho kicks out. Both men return to their feet where Bret looks for a kick to the midsection. Jericho catches Bret's foot. Hart looks for an insegurri, but Jericho ducks it and Bret is back down. Y2J lands the Lionsault! 1 ..... 2 ..... 3!!!
Winner and still WCW Champion: Chris Jericho in 14:29
After the match, Jericho demands his World Title belt from ringside. Chris gets the belt, but Jesse Ventura quickly snatches it from the champion and enters the ring. Ventura grabs a mic. Ventura, "This victory does not stand. I would like the the big screen to roll some footage of that pinfall." Up on the big screen we see the pinfall again and Jericho had a handfull of Bret's tights. Ventura, "The winner of this match will win it cleanly. I will not allow either of you two gentlemen to win through underhanded tactics. Jericho, you got a handful of tights, so the match is restarted." Y2J slides back in the ring and attacks Bret with a forearm to the face as the bell sounds to continue this bout! Y2J looks for a whip, but the Excellence of Execution reverses it and takes Jericho over with a knee to the midsection. Y2J returns to his feet where he is met by some right hands from the challenger. The Canadian Hero looks for a suplex, but Jericho slips out the back door and lands a bulldog! Chris goes for the Lionsault, but this time Hart raises his knees! Bret returns to his feet and takes Jericho over with a snap suplex. Hart goes for the cover, but Y2J kicks out after two. Bret brings Chris back up and lands the side backbreaker. Hart goes to the middle turnbuckle on the inside and hits the flying elbow for a two count. Hart lifts both legs of the champion and applies the Sharpshooter! Like Bret did earlier from the Walls of Jericho, Y2J manages to reach the bottom rope. Hart breaks the hold as Y2J rolls to the outside. Jericho grabs his belt from ringside and starts walking. Y2J brushes past Ventura at the bottom of the ramp and starts to leave. Jesse grabs a mic from ringside. Ventura, "Jericho, you can't get away that easy. If you do not get back to the ring by the count of ten, then not only do you lose the match, but you will also lose the title!" Jericho is beside himself with anger and runs back to the ring as the official starts a count. No sooner has the ref reached the count of three when Y2J returns to the ring and goes for a flying forearm. Bret avoids it and Jericho takes out the ref! Jericho goes out onto the apron, grabs Bret's head and drops to the floor, hotshotting the challenger. Jericho reaches under the ring and pulls out a steel chair. Y2J re-enters the ring and lifts the chair above his head. Jesse slides in to try and disarm the champ. Suddenly, Y2J turns round and swings the chair at The Body. Ventura ducks it and then pulls the weapon out of the hands of the World Heavyweight Champion. Jericho shouts at Ventura before returning his attention to The Hitman. Bret surprises Jericho with a double leg pickup and applies the Sharpshooter once again!! Jericho tries to fight his way over to the ropes, but he can't make it. Ventura gets to his knees and checks on Jericho's condition. Chris continues fighting, but he's beginning to fade. Ventura gives Y2J a soft slap in the face and it looks like Jericho is totally out as he does not respond. Jesse calls for the bell and we've got a new champion!
Winner by stoppage and NEW WCW Champion: Bret Hart in 22:04
Schiavone, "Bret Hart has won the title!!" Heenan, "But Jericho never gave up! Jesse Ventura robbed him of the Title." Bret releases the hold and collapses in a state of exhaustion. Hart returns to his feet where his hand is raised by Jesse Ventura. The Body puts the World Title Belt around the waist of the new champion. Bret goes to the middle rope and raises arms in the air as the crowd gives him a standing ovation. Schiavone, "What a moment! Bret Hart has won ..." Heenan, "Tell it like it is, Tony! Jesse Ventura stole the Title from Chris Jericho with a phoney 'judgement call'." Schiavone, "Brain, the better man won and that is that. But the night is not over yet, folks. Coming up in a few moments shall be the huge World War 3 match. This should get you ready."
*A video montage starts up, showing the long and controversial history of the WCW World Heavyweight Champions. Shots of legends such as Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat, Hulk Hogan, Sting and Bret Hart flash by, before shots of some of the current WCW superstars show up. Voiceover, "The WCW Heavyweight Championship...the oldest championship in wrestling. The goal of every WCW superstar. Tonight, 30 men look to live their dream. Very few of these 30 men know what it is like to hold this belt...for many, this may be their best, and for some the last chance they get. Tonight may be the beggining of a long successful career, or it may be the reward for years of hard work and suffering. But whatever happens tonight, one man WILL push himself one step closer to his dream..."*
Schiavone, "Well folks, it certainly will be the start to the dream for someone tonight. One man who will not get a shot though is Hollywood Hulk Hogan. He lost his loser leaves WCW Match earlier, but apparantly Jesse Ventura has brought in someone as a replacement. And Bobby, it should be interesting to see what shocks Jesse has in store for us tonight." Heenan, "Yeah, it will be one hell of a battle here, and no doubt Jesse's going to look to shock us." Schiavone, "2 men start the match, and another man enters at randomly timed intervals. That means someone could enter within 10 seconds of another man. Also, to eliminate an opponent, it doesn't have to just be throwing someone over the top rope, pinfalls and submissions count as well. And Brain...we are ready to go!"
30 Man World War 3 Match
Winner gets a Heavyweight Title Shot at Superbrawl 13
'3 Minutes' begins to play, and we see that 3 Minute Warning member Jamal has drawn number one for this match. Jamal enters the ring and leans against the ropes as we await number 2. Suddenly, the M.I.A music plays, and Private Palumbo runs down the aisle. Chuck slides in, and the bell rings as Chuck hits hard right hands on the Samoan. Palumbo hits a knee to the gut on Jamal, and whips him to the ropes, but Jamal blocks a Back Body Drop with a Double Axehandle smash to the back. Jamal backs Chuck into the corner and rams his shoulder into the gut of the 'Private' repeatedly, before hoisting one of Chuck's feet onto the top rope. Jamal then tries to get underneath Palumbo to dump him out, but Palumbo manaes to float over behind Jamal, and knock him down with a Tornado Punch. Chuck remembers the rules, and goes for a pin...1...2...two only. Palumbo starts to stomp away on the 400 pounds plus Samoan as we see a 10 second countdown start. Heenan, "Well, here comes number 3 now." The buzzer goes, and '3 Minutes' begins to play again as Jamal's 3 Minute Warning partner D-Lo Brown runs down the ramp. D-Lo slides in and takes Palumbo down with a football tackle, saving Jamal from the beating he had been getting. D-Lo starts to stomp away on Palumbo in the corner as Jamal gets back to his feet and starts to stomp on Palumbo as well. D-Lo then whips Palumbo into the opposite corner, before Jamal charges and hits an Avalanche in the corner. Jamal drops a headbutt on Palumbo and stomps away as D-Lo hits the 'D-Lo Legdrop'. Jamal and D-Lo continue to stomp away on Palumbo, wearing the Private down. Schiavone, "If D-Lo and Jamal work together like this, they could go all the way to the end here." Heenan, "And don't forget, Rosie and Rikishi are in the match too." The countdown begins again, and when it reaches zero Hakushi rusn down the ramp. In the ring meanwhile, Palumbo is fighting back. Chuck hits a Superkick on D-Lo, but turns around into a Jamal Superkick that sends Palumbo up and over the top rope to the floor. Heenan, "There's the first elimination Tony. You may be right, these two may dominate the Match." Hakushi slides in, but as he does the countdown starts up again. Schiavone, "Well, here comes another man in quick succession from Hakushi...number 5...IT'S BRADSHAW!" The Texan native walks down the ramp with a menacing look on his face as Jamal and D-Lo try to convince Hakushi to team up with them to get Bradshaw. Bradshaw slides in and knocks down Jamal, D-Lo and Hakushi with successive right hands, coming in like a house on fire. Bradshaw grabs Hakushi and hits a Spinebuster on the Oriental superstar before knocking Jamal down with a Big Boot. D-Lo gets knocked down too, before Bradshaw grabs a hold of Hakushi again and throws him up and out of the ring. Bradshaw goes back to work on Jamal, stomping away on the big man, until D-Lo nails Bradshaw from behind. D-Lo tries to eliminate Bradshaw as the buzzer goes and Big Vito enters the fray. Jamal and D-Lo double team Bradshaw, until Vito spins D-Lo around and hits a shot to the face. Heenan, "Well, they've paired off in the ring here. Two seperate battles going on on opposite sides of the ring." Vito pounds away on D-Lo as Jamal and Bradshaw exchange punches. As they do, the buzzer goes again. After a breif pause, down the aisle walks...LEX LUGER! Schiavone, "Wait a minute! Lex Luger...what's he doing here?" Heenan, "Well, unless he's took a wrong turning I guess he's in this match up Tony." Luger slides into the ring and goes straight to work on Vito with hard rights before going over and hitting Jamal. D-Lo runs at Lex, but The Total Package manages to pick Brown up above his head and hit a Press Slam. Luger then knocks Jamal down with a Clothesline as the countdown begins again, the buzzer goes and out walks Flock member Shane Helms. Helms goes straight to the top rope, and hits a Diving Crossbody on Vito. Helms then stomps away on Vito as Luger hits a Flying Forearm on D-Lo. D-Lo's out cold as Luger covers, and referee Charles Robinson counts from the ring apron...1....2....two only. Jamal breaks up the count. Shane Helms run at Jamal, but gets thrown up in the air and is drilled with the Throwing Samoan Drop. Schiavone, "Oh my god, Helms may be squashed flat!" Jamal and Vito brawl as Luger pulls up Shane Helms, before locking the Flock member in the Torture Rack! The buzzer goes again, and '3 Minutes' begins to play for the third time in the match as Rosie runs down the ramp. Luger drops Helms, and as Rosie slides in Luger starts to punch away at him. Luger gets nailed from behind by D-Lo as Jamal and Rosie focus their attentions on Bradshaw. Jamal and Rosie have Bradshaw up above the top rope, and they throw him onto the apron, but Bradshaw slides back in. The two big samoans turn around, and Luger hits them with a Double Clothesline sending them both over the top! The buzzer goes again, and the M.I.A music plays as Bill DeMott charges into battle. DeMott goes after Helms as Luger locks on the Torture Rack on D-Lo. D-Lo escapes, only to get hit with a Clothesline From Hell! The buzzer quickly goes again, and out runs another M.I.A member Steve Blackman as Bradshaw covers D-Lo...1...2...DeMott pulls up Bradshaw, and says he wants some of D-Lo. DeMott, and Blackman, stomp away on D-Lo as Helms and Vito work away on Luger. Bradshaw walks over, and pulls Helms away before attacking Vito with right hands. Luger goes for a Clothesline on Helms, but the Tag Champ ducks and nails a Superkick knocking the Total Package down. Bradshaw tries to eliminate Vito, but Shane Helms pulls him away. Heenan, "Uh-oh, big mistake Shane!" Helms backs away from Bradshaw, but from behind Vito hits a knee to the back, and somehow Helms and Vito dump Bradshaw out of the match. Schiavone, "Wow, what a shock! The big Texan has gone." Luger goes after Vito and Helms, knocking each man down with right hands. DeMott and Blackman continue to double team D-Lo in the corner as the buzzer goes, and out walks X-Pac. X-Pac goes over and helps out D-Lo by attacking Blackman with hard martial arts kick, but Blackman fights back with some martial art offence of his own. They brawl away as DeMott and D-Lo do so too. DeMott goes for a Clothesline on D-Lo, but misses and nails Blackman. As he tries to apologise, D-Lo spins him around and hits a Sky High Powerbomb before X-Pac pulls up Blackman and throws him over the top. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ring Lex Luger Backdrops Big Vito over the top and out of the match as well. Five men are left in the ring as the buzzer goes again, and we hear 'Oh You Didn't Know...Your Ass Better CAAAAALL Somebody!' and the Road Dogg enters the match. Road Dogg immediately goes after Shane Helms, looking for a little pay back as X-Pac and D-Lo try to eliminate Bill DeMott. D-Lo misses a Clothesline on DeMott, and gets Backdropped over the top but only onto the apron. D-Lo then pulls down the rope as X-Pac hits a Spinning Heel Kick and DeMott flies out of the match. X-Pac turns around, only to be confronted by his former D-X buddy the Road Dogg. Schiavone, "Would you look at this face-off Bobby. Former allies standing toe to toe, ready to get it on!" Road Dogg and X-Pac start exchanging punches as Dustin Rhodes runs out as the 14th entrant. The six men in the ring brawl away with each other, as eventually the buzzer goes again, and Flock member Spike Dudley walks down the ramp. Rhodes tries to get rid of Shane Helms, as Spike sprints into the ring and eliminates Rhodes! Heenan, "Well, it's not been a good night for Dustin Tony. His dream has gone!" Schiavone, "We are at the hlaf way point-15 men have entered, another 15 to go." Spike starts to celebrate, until Luger runs at him and Clotheslines the 150 pounder down. Lex pulls up Spike and locks on the Torture Rack, forcing Spike to submit and be eliminated. Helms goes after Lex as the buzzer goes for the 16th entrant...NOVA! Heenan, "Who in the hell?" Schiavone, "That's Nova Bobby! Nova is one of the surprise entrants into the Battle Royal!" Nova slides in and goes straight after Helms. D-Lo and Lex brawl away as do X-Pac and Road Dogg. Nova ducks a Jumping Clothesline from Helms, and nails him with a Spinning Wheel Kick, as X-Pac walks over behind him, and introduces Nova to the WCW Cruiserweight Division with a low punt to the groin. X-Pac then sees Road Dogg in trouble, laying against the bottom turnbuckle before running and hitting the Bronco Buster. X-Pac starts to celebrate prematurly, as number 17 enters...Low Ki! Schiavone, "Oh my, X-Pac's in trouble now! This is going to explode right here..." Low Ki slides in, and Spears down X-Pac before the two trade punches on the mat. Both men get back up to their feet, and Low Ki whips X-Pac to the roipes hitting him with a Tilt a Whirl Backbreaker on the rebound. Low Ki then hits a Dropkick to the forehead of the kneeling X-Pac, knocking him out. The buzzer goes again, and we hear 'How Do Ya Like Me Now?' as Hardcore Holly walks out to a pop from the crowd. Heenan, "Hardcore could win this Tony! This is his type of match, an all out brawl!" Hardcore slides in and knees Helms hard in the gut, knocking the wind out of him before doing the same to Nova. Holly whips a staggered Road Dogg to the ropes, and hits a picture perfect Standing Dropkick before throwing his arms out in the air. Low Ki and X-Pac continue to brawl away, until Hardcore grabs a hold of X-Pac's long hair and flings him over the top to the outside! Low Ki starts shouting down at X-Pac, until another Standing Dropkick from Holly knocks him up and out too. Another Flock member Jeff Hardy runs down the aisleway as in the ring Hardcore Holly hits the Alabama Slam to Nova and covers....1...2...3. Nova is eliminated. Jeff and Helms unite as Tag Team Champions, punching away at Holly, but Hardcore shrugs them away and nails them both with a Double Clothesline. On the other side of the ring, Lex Luger throws out the Road Dogg, leaving 5 men remaining at the moment. Hardcore Holly boots Helms hard in the face, before Clotheslining him out of the match, before nearly taking Jeff's head off with a Yakuza Kick. Johnny The Bull enters the fray as Luger and Holly go face to face in the ring, the crowd waiting for these two tough men to erupt. Schiavone, "Neither men is backing down Bobby. These two don't fear each other, but I'm sure they respect each other." Before the two can start to brawl though, Jeff Dropkicks Holly into Luger, who is subsequently dumped over the ropes by D-Lo Brown, who's been in since number 3. Johnny The Bull, Hardy and D-Lo wisely begin to triple team Hardcore, as the buzzer goes again, and the crowd erupts to the cry of 'What Does Everybody Want' with cheers of 'Head!'. Snow slides in and helps out Holly, knocking down the three opponents he is facing. Snow ducks a right hand from Johnny The Bull, and nails him with a Bridging German Suplex...1...2...3! Snow turns around, arms raised in the air to be greetd with right hands from his old running buddy and more recently enemy Hardcore Holly. The two hardcore SOB's brawl away until D-Lo and Jeff come over. Holly nails the Alabama Slam on Jeff, who wisely rols to the outside as Snow knocks D-Lo through the middle rope. Holly and Snow continue to fight away, right up against the ropes. Snow backs up, and hits a Clothesline which send both Snow and Holly over the top. Schiavone, "Oh, they've both gone! I don't believe it." Heenan, "Holly's gone Tony...but he and Snow aren't finished!" The war goes on between Holly and Al on the outside, as the clock ticks down again. The buzzer goes, and we're shocked to see walk out...RON KILLINGS!?! Schiavone, "That's Ron Killings...Bobby Ron Killings is in the WCW!" Heenan, "Really? I wouldn't have guessed, apart from the fact he's entering this battle ground." Killings walks around and grabs a mic, before entering the now empty ring. The only two other men in the match right now, D-Lo Brown and Jeff Hardy, are on the outside out cold. Killings, "So, this is Dubya...see...dubya? What the hell sort of organisation is this anyway? I've been sitting in the back, watching wave after wave of talentless pieces of crap come out here, that don't deserve a title shot in a million years. And then, there's me...at number 22? Let me lay the Truth down on all you idi..." Killings is cut off by the buzzer, and the A.P.A's music. Ron Simmons walks slowly down the ramp, a big smile on his face and his fighting gloves on as Killings looks shocked. Killings, "Hold up...hold up there Ron. Man, I didn't know you were in this. Hell, you're not talentless at all." Simmons smiles as he enters the ring, before flipping Killings off. Killings, "Hang on...you don't think he should fight me do you?" Simmons turns around to build up the crowds cheers, and Killings takes advantage by chucking Simmons out! Simmons tries to get back in, but the referees restrain him, so he goes back shouting out 'DAMN!' on the way. Killings, "As I was saying...I am the Truth, and the Truth is, World Champiosnhip Wrestling needs a cha..." Once again Killings is cut off by the buzzer, and the entry off...NATHAN JONES! Schiavone, "Oh my god, I'd hate to be Ron Killings right now." Heenan, "I'd hate to be me right now...we're only a few feet away from this guy." Schiavone, "This is the man who retired Hulk Hogan from the WCW earlier on tonight, something we and he will never forget." Jones enters the ring, and Killings throws away his microphone as in slide D-Lo and Jeff. Jeff, D-Lo and Killings square up to Jones, knowing he's the big threat, before each charging in with heavy rights and lefts. Jones manages to shove all three of them away, before picking Jeff up above his head. Suddenly, the Flock music plays and Raven runs out, tripping Jones before he can eliminate Hardy. Raven then joins in the beating on Jones with Hardy, as Killings brawls with D-Lo, the ironman of this match. The Flock duo try to oust Jones, as the buzzer goes again, and we hear...'Yo It's Me, It's Me, It's D..D..P!' Schiavone, "Can you belive this? Diamond Dallas Page, he was in ECW. Obviously he's come back to the WCW, looking to win a title shot!" Page slides in and straight away hits a Diamond Cutter on D-Lo! Page covers...1...2...3. D-Lo has gone, despite a brave effort from the number 3 spot. Page and Killings, two of the surprise entrants, start wailing away on each other with rights and lefts in the corner as the buzzer goes again, and the familiar shout of 'Hellooooo Ladies!' signals the arrival of the United Staes Champion Val Venis. Val enters the ring and starts to help out The Flock members against the dangerous Aussie Nathan Jones as DDP and Killings still brawl away. Schiavone, "Well, as a great man once said, we're getting down to the nitty gritty Brain." Heenan, "We sure are Tony. Only the best are left standing in that ring right now." The buzzer goes again, and the crowd erupt into boos as the new Television Champion Batista walks down the ramp, casually taking his time. Before he can even get into the ring, the buzzer sounds again, and the New Age Outlaws music hits as number 29 Billy Gunn sprints down the aisle and takes Batista down with a Clothesline to the back on the outside. Batista is thrown in and Billy follows him in as the eight men in the ring continue their individual fights. Billy whips Batista to the buckles and goes for a Big Splash, but Batista moves and Gunn hits his head on the turnbuckle, and Jeff Hardy runs over to add some more pain. Batista goes over, and starts to brawl with Nathan Jones as Raven and Val brawl. Raven then leaves Val to drop down onto his hands and knees, as Jeff launches himself off Raven's back towards Billy, but the Badd Ass moves, and Jeff flies all the way to the outside! Raven is furious at Jeff, allowing Billy to knock him down with a hard right hand. Then, the countdown begins for the last time, the buzzer goes, and number 30 is none other than Rikishi! '3 Minutes' plays as Rikishi makes his way slowly towards the ring. Heenan, "There's your winner Tony. A guy of Rikishi's size, in at number 30? He's big, he's fresh, and most importantly he's angry." Schiavone, "Well Bobby, he's already had a Cage Match tonight...guys like DDP and Ron Killings haven't fought tonight before this." Rikishi reaches under the ring, and pulls out a steel chair before entering the ring and standing over Val Venis. Rikishi then brings the chair down into the ribs of the US Champ, getting revenge for his loss to Val earlier. Rikishi picks up Val, and hits a Belly to Belly Suplex on the chair! Killings is close to being eliminated as Rikishi picks up Val and throws him to the corner. The big 'Kish charges ass first into Val, before dragging him away from the corner, climbing up to the top rope, and at the third try on the night finally hits a Banzai Drop...1...2...3. Rikishi gets up celebrating, only to be turned inside out with a Batista Clothesline. Nathan Jones knocks Raven over the top, but only to the apron. Killings runs over, but Jones picks him up above his head and throws Killings into Raven, sending both off the apron and out of the match! Meanwhile, Val Venis slides back in and nails Rikishi over the head with the chair used on him moments ago, knocking the big man out. Referees pull him out of the ring and send him back as Billy Gunn hits the FameAsser on Rikishi...1...2...3! Heenan, "Woah!" Schaivone, "Now that's a shock! Rikishi has been eliminated, even after coming in at number 30." Heenan, "Yeah, but give the BIG assist to Val Venis!" Four men left: Billy Gunn, Batista, Nathan Jones and DDP. Billy is dumped out almost immediatly though as Batista hits a huge Spinebuster and gets a three count to eliminate him. Batista knocks down Page with a Clothesline before slowly setting him up for the Sitout Powerbomb. Batista lifts Page, but he escapes in mid-air and nails a Diamond Cutter as Nathan Jones looks on. Page gets an arm over Batista...1...2...3! Almost immediately Jones runs over and stomps away on Page. The crowd begin to chant for DDP as he punches away. Page goes for a Diamond Cutter, but Jones shoves him away hard. Jones charges at DDP and goes for a Yakuza Kick, but Page moves and Jones crotches himself on the top rope. Page then hits the Diamond Cutter, across the top rope, knocking Jones off the apron!!! Schiavone, "Oh my god, Page wins! DDP WINS!" Heenan, "I don't believe it, I just do not believe he won!" Schiavone, "On his return from ECW, DDP has won a shot at the World Heavyweight Title!
Winner and number 1 contender for Superbrawl: Diamond Dallas Page
Page gives the Diamond salute to the fans before sliding out of the ring under the bottom rope. DDP goes out into the crowd and celebrates his victory with the thousands of fans in the Target Centre as WCW World War 3 goes off the air.
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