WCW 2001: The Shane McMahon Era
Nov 29, 2024 17:08:09 GMT 1
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Nitro Episode 37 of the Shane McMahon Era (Episode 325 including pre-Shane)
Wednesday 09 January 2002
Live late-night on FX
9,774 crowd from Louisville, Kentucky
Announcers: Tony Schiavone, Jerry 'The King' Lawler & Arn Anderson
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Show opens up with Linkin Park's 'Runaway'
Runaway - Linkin Park (Hybrid Theory)
Runaway - Linkin Park (Hybrid Theory)
Tony Schiavone on commentary says it's Wednesday night folks and you know what that means! It's WCW Nitro, LIVE from LOUISVILLE!
Jerry Lawler says that's right Tony we're live from the Bluegrass State for a huge night of action, with massive implications for both The Crockett Cup and the Mildred Burke Legacy tournament!
We've also got the WCW United States Champion, Kanyon in live action tonight, plus we hear from 'The Natural' Dustin Rhodes after his shocking actions against him self and his father at Starrcade, but right now we're going live to Shane McMahon and Jim Crockett Jnr in the back as they exclusively reveal the brackets for the 2002 edition of The Crockett Cup!
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The Crockett Cup bracket revealed
We see Shane McMahon in the back with a big grin on his face and Jim Crockett Jnr alongside him
Shane McMahon says after 8 qualifying matches last week we have the 16 teams due to take part in the first ever WCW edition of The Crockett Cup
Jim, you have the honour of officially unveiling the randomly drawn brackets for the Round of 16!
Jim Crockett Jr unveils a board with the graphics which the fans see
Shane McMahon excitedly confirms that live in tonight's main-event of Nitro we will see the soon to be Hall of Famers, Harlem Heat, take on Buff Enuff, plus we've got the current WCW World Tag Team Champions, Expressly American taking on Team Canada... Kidman & Helms take on The Hounds of Hades ... and in our opening match tonight we've got two former WCW World Tag Team Champions going head to head with The Nu Road Warriors taking on The Harris Twins!
Jim Crockett Jr then says that's not all folks as on Friday Night Panic! this week you will see The Chair Swingin' Freaks take on our Domestic Territories Wildcard team and in Panic!'s main event we've got O'Haire & Palumbo versus Stasiak & Jindrak, plus don't forget to tune into WCW Saturday Morning where you will see two more Round of 16 Clashes, as our International Wildcard, Dr Wagner Jr & Silver King take on The FBI... and Fit's Fight Club face off against Latino Inferno!
Shane McMahon closes the segment by saying without further adieu let The Crockett Cup BEGIN!!
Freestyle segment with Shane McMahon - (68 rated)
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Match 1:
The Crockett Cup - Round of 16 Match: The Harris Twins (Don & Ron Harris) vs The Nu Road Warriors (Road Warrior Animal & Road Warrior Dog)
The Harris Twins come out looking up for the match
Tony Schiavone says The Harris Twins didn't have the best of times in 2001, but 2002 is a new year and let's not forget these guys qualified automatically as former WCW World Tag Team Champions, this won't be an easy match for The Nu Road Warriors!
We see Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Dog stroll to the ring looking united and up for the match
This match goes just over 6 minutes. It's a hard hitting match with The Harris Twins trying to turn it into a slug fest, which Animal can deal with, but the smaller BG James struggles with.
The Nu Road Warriors eventually come up with a strategy to get around this using BG's superior speed and agility to out fox and out think The Harris Twins
The end of the match comes when The Nu Road Warriors hit a Doomsday Device to get the win.
The Nu Road Warriors win via pinfall - (6.15) - (53 rated)
After the match we see The Nu Road Warriors celebrate together having made the Quarter Final stage.
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Buff Enuff interview with JJ Dillon
We go to the back where JJ Dillon is standing by with Buff Bagwell and Buff Daddy V
JJ Dillon says "Well Buff Enuff, you picked up a win against The Pitbulls to qualify for The Crockett Cup. You've said your hoping that WCW Legacy will be a Blockbuster Success for you guys... some would say the Round of 16 bracket hasn't been too kind to you guys as you've drawn one of the favourites for the tournament Harlem Heat!"
Buff Bagwell looks annoyed. "You see JJ, you talk about Harlem Heat being favourites for this tournament... but there's a reason Stevie Ray is retiring in a few weeks. He's finished at the top level. He can't work no more. He's a weak link in this team and in a tag-team you're only as good as your weakest guy!"
Buff Daddy V nods and says "That's right, Buff. We'll beat his ass!"
JJ Dillon mentions that Bagwell and Daddy V had run-ins with Booker T last year, he seemed to come out on top of those.
Buff Bagwell interrupts and says "Well JJ, we got a plan for that. Booker T? Top guy, no doubt about it. But when you play mind games with him he gets mad and takes his eye off the prize. We got a plan for that... you'll find out much sooner than you think, JJ."
"Much sooner!" adds Buff Daddy V as the segment comes to an end
Freestyle segment with JJ Dillon & Buff Enuff - (58 rated)
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Sable hypes up The Mildred Burke Legacy Tournament
In this segment we see Sable hype up the Mildred Burke Legacy Tournament, as we see clipped highlights of Chyna, Akira Hokuto, Meiko Satomura and Mima Shimoda winning their matches.
Sable then says next up we've got Sweet Saraya against Sharmell, as Sharmell makes her in-ring debut and looks to get some revenge on Sweet Saraya for her attacking her last month!
Freestyle segment with Sable - (59 rated)
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Match 2:
The Mildred Burke Legacy Tournament - Round of 16 Match: Sharmell (with Booker T) vs Sweet Saraya
We see Sharmell come out first for her in-ring debut with the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, Booker T, in her corner for this one.
Jerry Lawler questions whether this is an unneeded distraction for Booker given the main-event Crockett Cup match later tonight
Sweet Saraya comes out next looking up for this match.
Arn Anderson mentions how after Saraya's actions it seems Dave Taylor, who brought her into the company, is keeping his distance from her and letting her do her own thing.
This match goes about 4 minutes. It's not a great match as Sharmell is still inexperienced and Saraya isn't talented enough to properly carry the match
Booker T at ring-side shouts instructions to Sharmell who struggles but is determined to get revenge on Saraya. The match begins with Sharmell slapping Saraya which gets a decent pop.
For most of the match Saraya manages to get in shots on Sharmell who is on the defensive.
Towards the end of the match however Sharmell grows into it and seems to be angry enough that she's getting by on that alone.
However, we then see Buff Bagwell and Buff Daddy V come out.
Booker T looks confused and walks over to greet them seeming up for a fight if that's what they want.
The referee is distracted by all of this and looks out to the ring to see what's happening. This means the referee doesn't see Saraya get some Brass Knuckles out of her boot and she absolutely nails Sharmell in the face with them causing Sharmell to crash to the mat motionless.
Saraya gets the referee's attention and he immediately counts the 1-2-3!
Sweet Saraya wins via pinfall - (26 rated)
After the match Booker T immediately rushes to the ring to check on Sharmell who seems to be busted open in the face.
Booker T can't understand how she got hurt that bad.
Sweet Saraya smiles, leaves the ring and then we see her give the Brass Knuckles to Buff Bagwell and thank him.
Booker T sees this and is irate!
Buff Bagwell and Buff Daddy V leave in a haste as Booker T calls for a medic to help Sharmell
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Backstage attack?!
We see Tony Schiavone, Jerry Lawler and Arn Anderson on the announce desk saying they hope Sharmell gets immediate medical attention.
Tony Schiavone then says well next up folks we've got the WCW United States Champion, Kanyon, standing by with April Hunter.
They go to April Hunter who is standing backstage with Kanyon, when before she can ask him a question he gets jumped by Vampiro, rAgE? yEs! and mOrE-bId! The 3 give him a savage beatdown, quickly overwhelming him and leaving him in a heap on the floor
April Hunter is shocked and calls for some help
Vampiro takes the microphone. He smiles into the camera then looks down to Kanyon on the ground.
Vampiro says "You DARE to dare Vampiro to step up to you?! You have no idea what you have started, Chris!"
Vampiro then steps his foot on Kanyon's face before kicking him.
Vampiro then picks up the WCW United States Championship laying on the floor and says "Once I'm done with you, Chris... this belt will be mine..."
Freestyle segment with April Hunter, Kanyon, Vampiro and fReEk-sHoW - (70 rated)
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Match 3:
The Crockett Cup - Round of 16 Match: Billy Kidman & Shane Helms (with Torrie Wilson) vs The Hounds of Hades (Djinni Parisi & Saemon Daemon) (with 'The Queen of The Underworld' Dawn-Macaria & 'The Fallen Angel' Christopher Daniels
Shane Helms comes out first looking pumped for the match
We then see Billy Kidman and Torrie Wilson come out next. Kidman and Helms fist bump and they make their way to the ring.
The Hounds of Hades come out next in their Hound masks, with Dawn-Macaria and Christopher Daniels following behind them
This match is fast-paced and high energy with all 4 guys getting in some offence.
Kidman and Helms are more impressive in the ring and the fans are behind them. They seem to have natural chemistry together which helps them and they seem confident enough to get the win.
Helms hits a Vertebreaker on Djinni Parisi and it looks like Kidman will hit a Shooting Star Press but before he can go up to the top rope Dawn-Macaria makes some kind of demonic incantation which causes some the lights to briefly go out.
When the lights come back on Kidman is laid out on the outside. Helms is still the legal man and can't understand what happened. Christopher Daniels is there but the referee didn't see it so he can't disqualify them.
Djinni Parisi is back up and The Hounds of Hades hit the Cerberus Slam to get a controversial victory.
Hounds of Hades win via pinfall - (4.57) - (50 rated)
After the match The Hounds of Hades celebrate, as a fight almost breaks out between Torrie Wilson and Dawn-Macaria at ringside. This may not be the last we see of this as Torrie Wilson is adamant foul play was involved.
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Harlem Heat interview
We go to the back where we see Booker T and Stevie Ray standing by with April Hunter
April asks for any update on Sharmell's medical condition after Sharmell punched her with the Brass Knuckles that seemed to belong to Buff Bagwell
Booker T looks mad. Booker T says "Sharmell's face it busted up real good... Bagwell... I don't know what your game is... I don't know if you think if you make me mad you can get the better of me... well trust me... tonight's main-event you ain't walking out of this arena!"
Stevie Ray calms Booker T down a bit. Stevie Ray then says "Book, you gotta focus, we know that Buff Enuff can't beat us if they fight fair... Bagwell knew that too that's why he's playing these games... well Bagwell, V... you play stupid games, you win stupid prizes... and tonight in the main event your prize is gonna be a Heat Seeker that you ain't ever gonna forget!"
Freestyle segment with April Hunter and Harlem Heat - (84 rated)
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Jeff Jarrett promo
We go back to the ring where 'The Chosen One' Jeff Jarrett is standing in the ring with a microphone, guitar and his shades on
Jeff Jarrett says last week 'Dr Death' Steve Williams got involved in his private business. Jarrett says Williams made him feel extremely unsafe at work and you better believe I have let the good people in WCW HR know all about it (fans boo)
Jarrett says that Steve Williams may have beaten him to qualify for Shane's Money in the Bank match at Starrcade... but that wouldn't have happened without Terry Funk and his minions interference... you see the facts are 'Dr Death... you're finished at the top level... you're just picking up pay-checks here and in Japan before retiring.
Jarrett says why don't you come out here Steve and bring Jimmy Hart with you... I'll send you both packing into the sunset!
We see 'Dr Death' Steve Williams come out with Jimmy Hart
Dr Death says "Jarrett! You like to run your mouth... well I like to run through guys who run their mouth! I beat you once... if you're stupid enough to get in the ring with me again... but here's my proposition... there's a lot of tag-team wrestling going on right now, why don't we join them. Next week on Nitro, Jeff, It will be 'Dr Death' Steve Williams teaming with Bobby Eaton against Jeff Jarett... and well Jeff, truth be told I don't know if you've got any friends round here... but if you can find anyone to tag with you... then we'll see you in the ring!"
Jeff Jarrett shouts for Dr Death to come down and face him right now. He's got the guitar ready to swing. Jimmy Hart is shouting insults at Jarrett through the megaphone as the segment ends and we go to commercial break
Freestyle segment with 'Dr Death' Steve Williams and Jeff Jarrett - (58 rated)
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Match 4:
Curt Hennig vs Jason Jett
We come back from commercial break and Tony Schiavone says well folks we understand this match originally was meant to be Kanyon vs Jason Jett, but obviously Kanyon is incapacitated so I don't know if Shane McMahon has found a replacement at such short notice
The fans pop as we see Curt Hennig for the first time since Starrcade where he took part in the Money in the Bank Ladder match.
Curt Hennig looks pumped up and ready for the match
Before the match begins Curt Hennig offers to shake Jason Jett's hand but Jett pushes his hand away!
The fans boo and it immediately gives a bit more tension to the match
Jason Jett gives a good account of himself in what turns out to be a surprisingly decent match that goes just over 6 minutes
The end of the match comes when Curt Hennig nails Jett with a Perfect Plex to get the win
Curt Hennig wins via pinfall - (6.07) - (62 rated)
Hennig waits for Jett to get up and then offers his hand out again. This time Jett does shake his hand.
---
The Nu Road Warriors promo
We see Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Dog in the back cutting a promo
Road Warrior Animal says we said last week that we got 3 words for you...
"CROCKETT CUP WINNERS" shouts Road Warrior Dog
Animal says "That's right Dog! We are in this to win it... we booked our place in the Quarter Finals and sure we hear what people are saying... we got either the WCW World Champions, Expressly American, or the team who took those belts from us, Team Canada, next, that ain't no easy draw... but look... we don't do things easy!"
Road Warrior Dog says "We ain't been teamin' the longest out of all the teams in this tournament... but that don't matter... every match we have together we grow in unity and bond... Team Canada... Team America... it don't matter we will ride you down!"
Freestyle segment with The Nu Road Warriors - (55 rated)
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Expressly American / Team Canada promo package
Before the next match we see a hype video for the next Crockett Cup match. We see the previous time-limit draws between the two where neither of these two teams have beaten the other in a 2-on-2 match
We see Expressly American taking the titles from Team Canada and then Expressly American saying they'd give Team Canada a title shot if they beat them in any round in the Crockett Cup
Freestyle segment with Expressly American & Team Canada - (50 rated)
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Match 5:
The Crockett Cup - Round of 16 Match: Expressly American (Barry Windham & Mike Rotunda) vs Team Canada (Lance Storm & Mike Awesome) (with Carl Ouellet)
The WCW World Tag Team Championship is not on the line in this match, but Expressly American have agreed that if Team Canada beat them they will give them a title shot
We see Storm and Awesome come out first to some boos, with Carl Ouellet following behind waving a Canadian flag.
Windham & Rotunda come out next with the WCW World Tag Team Championship belts proudly on display
This match goes just under 6 minutes with both teams putting on a real show for the fans. Out of everyone in the match Lance Storm is the one who really impresses and at various points the fans almost want to cheer for him due to his fine in-ring talents.
There are several near falls towards the end of the match.
Lance Storm has Rotunda in a Canadian Maple Leaf and he looks like he might tap, but Windham gets in to break it up.
Mike Awesome then storms the ring and eventually clotheslines Windham out of the ring.
Carl Ouellet tries to attack Windham but the referee immediately notices this and starts having a go at Ouellet threatening to throw him out.
As this is happening Awesome has grabbed the flag pole from the outside with the Canadian flag and using it as a weapon he rams the handle of it into Rotunda's eye which seems to temporarily blind him.
Awesome then throws the flag out the ring and goes to the apron
Lance Storm immediately hits a Super Kick to Rotunda, before putting him into a Modified Crossface that specifically focuses on his injured eye.
The referee by this point comes back to referee the match and Rotunda who is in some real pain has no choice but to tap out!
Team Canada wins via pinfall - (5.54) - (55 rated)
The segment ends with Team Canada wildly celebrating not only making the Quarter Final of The Crockett Cup but also getting a WCW World Tag Team Championship title shot.
Windham eventually gets into the ring and finds Rotunda bleeding from his eye socket. Team Canada have already left the ring waving the Canadian flag proudly as Windham looks furious in the ring.
---
Dustin Rhodes interview with Tony Schiavone
We come back from commercial break and Tony Schiavone, who is in the ring, says please welcome at this time, 'The Natural' Dustin Rhodes
Dustin Rhodes comes out to a decent amount of boos after his actions in recent weeks
Dustin now has the entire right side of his face painted blood red, just like the blood that poured from the cut when he made himself bleed to lose the First Blood match at Starrcade
Tony Schiavone says "Dustin, a lot of people have been asking a lot of questions about your actions at Starrcade, not just to cut yourself, but to leave your father, Dusty Rhodes, laid out in the middle of the Starrcade ring, do you have anything to say to these people?"
Dustin Rhodes grabs the microphone and says "At Starrcade I did what had to be done. Shawn Stasiak didn't have the guts to make me suffer for my failures... so I did it myself!"
Tony Schiavone says "What failures, Dustin? You mean the WCW World Championship match with Scott Hall at Halloween Havoc?"
Dustin Rhodes says "What I mean, Tony, is that I'm 13 years into my career in this business and I've never achieved what was promised. Now look, I'm not arrogant enough to look down on my achievements. A 2-time WCW United States Champion, 3-time Intercontinental Champion, 2-time WCW World Tag Team Champion... most the boys in the back could only dream of accomplishing all of that in their career... but I'm not most of the boys in the back, Tony. I'm not some fan boy mark that's 170 pounds soaking wet, I'm not some failed Football player or Body builder who just wanted to be on TV... I was BORN to be a star in this business... I was BORN to be a World Champion... I was THE NATURAL... the son of a LEGEND... so what I've achieved, that makes me nothing more than a failure, Tony."
Tony Schiavone says "Well, if you say so Dustin, but even so, cutting yourself open at Starrcade like that? With families watching? What kind of example is that setting? What was going through your mind when you did that?!"
Dustin smiles and then says "What was going through my mind, Tony? What was going through my mind was that I was waiting for that coward Shawn Stasiak to cut me open and put me out of my misery... but he didn't have the guts for it... and in that moment Tony I realised something... I realised I didn't give a shit whether I lost a match to Shawn Stasiak or not, even on the biggest stage of them all... so I thought I'd make a bigger statement by doing what I did. Get people talking. It worked didn't it, Tony? You're all talking about it, no?"
Tony Schiavone nods and then says "But Dustin. What you did to your Father. What you did to him after the match. Dusty Rhodes has only ever supported you in this business... he didn't deserve that!"
Dustin grabs the mic and says "My Father has never truly supported me in this business... everything he as done is either to try and live vicariously through me or to get himself over! The bottom line is this Tony. You talk about that I Quit Match at Halloween Havoc... I DID NOT QUIT... My Father Quit on my behalf! Would the great Dusty Rhodes have had his father at ringside quitting on his behalf in the biggest match of his career? No! My Father has spent his entire career holding me back... so from this day forth... I HAVE NO FATHER!!!"
Dustin Rhodes slams the mic down and walks off. Tony Schiavone looks a bit taken aback.
Freestyle segment with Tony Schiavone and Dustin Rhodes - (76 rated)
---
Charles Wright in the VIP box
The camera cuts to Charles Wright who we see in the VIP box in smart casual clothing and a beautiful woman next to him. He nods to the hard camera and some fans cheer as his face is shown on the screen in the crowd.
Like most in the crowd Wright seems quite taken aback by the Dustin Rhodes promo we've just seen.
Freestyle segment with Charles Wright - (52 rated)
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Match 6:
The Mildred Burke Legacy Tournament - Round of 16 Match: Lady Apache vs Malia Hosaka (with Terry Taylor)
We see Lady Apache make her entrance to a WCW ring for the first time in her career. She comes out with the AAA Reina de Reinas title belt having won the long-standing tournament last year.
Arn Anderson says that Lady Apache won't have come into this tournament lightly. She's got tournament experience and title credentials - make no mistake - she is in this to win it.
Malia Hosaka comes out to a decent pop with her manager Terry Taylor
This match goes just under 5 minutes.
Malia Hosaka has established herself as a decent babyface in the WCW Women's division in the last few months and we see in this match a competitive contest between two experienced women who have both been wrestling for around 15 years.
It's a good match, the crowd are maybe not that into it given Lady Apache's a new arrival in WCW and Hosaka is not established enough that they're super into her to care if she loses, but it's a decent match overall.
The end of the match comes when Malia Hosaka makes a slight mistake and Lady Apache immediately capitalises. Apache puts her in the La Mecedora, which Arn Anderson explains is a Double Chickenwing Armlock and despite holding on for a while in agony Hosaka has no choice but to tap out
Lady Apache wins via submission - (4.31) - (32 rated)
Lady Apache's arm is raised in victory after the match as she celebrates fairly low key. Arn Anderson says that's the kind of competitor who won't celebrate until the job is done, I like that!
---
Bischoff / Steamboat meeting
We go to the back where we see Ricky Steamboat sat across a desk with Eric Bischoff who is no longer in a wheelchair.
We see an unnamed WCW lawyer next to Ricky Steamboat and Eric Bischoff's solicitor next to him.
Ricky Steamboat says "Look Eric, I don't think we need to make this into a big problem... I just want to do everything by the book. I'm taking my job as Head of Talent Relations seriously and therefore I want to make sure we have all of the facts."
Bischoff is furious. "The facts, Ricky, or 'Ricky the Dragon' to go by your full Christian name, is that I was assaulted at work by an out of control crazy bitch... otherwise known as Chyna... who put me in a wheelchair for months!"
The WCW solicitor then says "I must object to your use of the phrase 'crazy bitch' that's far from appropriate in this kind of"
Eric Bischoff's solicitor then says "My client retracts 'crazy bitch', Bischoff doesn't look happy but his solicitor silences him.
Ricky Steamboat says "WCW does not dispute that the current WCW World Women's Champion, Chyna, acted out of line when she choke-slammed you through a table. She claims she was acting in self-defence of her boss, Sable, who you were verbally and potentially physicall-
Eric Bischoff says "I didn't touch that self-centred narcissist! That's libellous!"
The two lawyers then have a little argument.
Ricky Steamboat then says "Eric, you stand accused of making false statements about the extent of your injury which resulted in Chyna receiving a harsher punishment than should otherwise have been issued. You also received other benefits from WCW whilst you were in your wheelchair which otherwise would not have been granted to you. How do you plead to these charges?"
Eric Bischoff shouts "NOT...GUILTY!!"
Freestyle segment with Ricky Steamboat and Eric Bischoff - (56 rated)
---
Ric Flair promo
We go back to the ring where the WCW FX Television Champion, 'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair is standing in the ring with a microphone.
Ric Flair says last week on Nitro, Mikey Whipwreck stepped up... the kid put in a great performance, match of a life-time... but I proved that I'm still at the top level in this business!
So tonight, right here in Louisville, Kentucky I'm seeing if anyone wants to step up to THE NATURE BOY, WOOOO!!
We see Tommy Dreamer come out at the entrance ramp with Bill Alfonso with him
Tommy Dreamer says "Ric! You look down on people like me... people involved with ECW or other hardcore wrestling... well Ric, that's fine, you do you, but The Extreme Alliance are planning to put the Extreme back in the WCW FXTREME Television Championship!"
Ric Flair shrugs and says "If you want to be the man, Dreamer, why don't you go come down and BEAT THE MAN!!"
Tommy Dreamer says "There will come a time Ric when I will take that title from you... but we won't wrestle tonight (fans boo)… but The Extreme Alliance WILL send a message to you!"
We then see Axl Rotten, Balls Mahoney and Sabu storm the ring. Sabu gets to Flair first and knocks him down. Rotten and Mahoney have chairs and start using them on Flair who sells like he's getting murdered
Tommy Dreamer smiles and makes his way down to the ring.
We see Rob Van Dam at the top of the entrance ramp
Van Dam has a microphone and says "Hold on! Hold on! Before I run down to the ring and take all of you out... there's something you should know!"
Bill Alfonso orders Rotten, Mahoney and Sabu to stop attacking the wounded Flair. They alongside Dreamer briefly look to the ring.
Bill Alfonso has the mic now and he says "Van Dam! This ain't your fight! And besides, there's 4 of them... just 1 of you... if you're out here to be a hero... if you're out here to make the save-
Van Dam says "I'm giving you a chance boys, either leave the ring now or I will eliminate you from it!"
Sabu grabs the mic from Alfonso and scoffs "Oh yeah, Van Dam? You and what army?!"
Van Dam smiles.
"Well it's funny you mention that Sabu. Tonight I've been chilling backstage with some old rivals of ours ahead of their WCW in-ring debut as tag-team as the Wildcard entry facing your boys The Freaks on Friday!"
Bill Alfonso grabs the mic and says "What are you talking about? It don't matter who these friends of yours are... they aren't eliminating us from this ring and they won't eliminate The Chair Swingin' Freaks from The Crockett Cup!"
Alfonso then directs Sabu, The Freaks and Dreamer to start assaulting Flair again.
Van Dam says "Oh well, have it your way then..."
The fans look on in surprise as we see Van Dam and Sabu's old nemesis from the ECW Tag Team division... The Eliminators!
Tony Schiavone exclaims "It's Perry Saturn! Saturn is back in WCW! And he's got his old tag-team partner John Kronus with him!"
The fans pop as Rob Van Dam storms the ring with The Eliminators!
A mass brawl in the ring breaks out with Van Dam, Saturn and Kronus going toe to toe with The Chair Swingin' Freaks, Sabu and Dreamer!
Shane McMahon comes out with a microphone in hand
Shane McMahon tells everyone to calm down
Shane says "I appreciate you boys making the save on Ric Flair there... but we can't have this kind of chaos... we had a scheduled WCW FX Television defence for Ric Flair... it doesn't seem like that's going to go ahead... but... well... since you're all out here... that gives me a good idea. Get a referee out here!"
A referee comes out the back
Shane McMahon says "If we won't have a WCW FX Television Championship defence... we will have ourselves some more tag-team action... it's going to be all 4 of you from The Extreme Alliance... and you're going to go against 'THE NATURE BOY' RIC FLAIR (WOOOS from the crowd), Mr Money in the Bank himself Rob Van Dam (fans chant ROB VAN DAM) and THE ELIMINATORS (fans cheer)
Freestyle segment with Flair, Van Dam, The Eliminators and The Extreme Alliance - (78 rated)
---
Match 7:
The Extreme Alliance (Sabu, Tommy Dreamer, Axl Rotten & Balls Mahoney) (with Bill Alfonso) vs 'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair, Rob Van Dam and The Eliminators (Perry Saturn & John Kronus)
This match has the crowd bang up for it coming off the arrival of The Eliminators and the heat on The Extreme Alliance for the beat-down of Ric Flair
Ric Flair spends most of the match "managing" the team as he's clearly not in a great way, but towards the end of the match after The Eliminators and Van Dam have got the crowd going Flair manages to tag in and looks to get his revenge on Dreamer.
The end of the match comes when Ric Flair manages to put Tommy Dreamer in a Figure Four Leglock, but before he can put it in properly we see and hear Bill Alfonso frantically whistling.
Axl Rotten and Balls Mahoney grab chairs from the outside and they smash one each into an unexpecting Kronus and Saturn
Flair, Van Dam & The Eliminators win via DQ - (6.21) - (70 rated)
Flair and Van Dam are surprised but immediately go on the attack.
Road agents, referees and security rush out with Shane McMahon who shouts at Alfonso and The Extreme Alliance who eventually relent and exit through the crowd.
Before they exit, Bill Alfonso grabs a microphone and he says "Friday Night... The Chair Swingin' Freaks will eliminate the Eliminators... and sooner rather than later... Tommy Dreamer will hold the WCW FXTREME Television Championship and Sabu will take that briefcase of yours, Van Dam!"
---
Match 8 / Main Event:
The Crockett Cup - Round of 16 Match: Buff Enuff (Buff Bagwell & Buff Daddy V) vs Harlem Heat (Booker T & Stevie Ray)
We come back from commercial break ready for the main-event with big implications for The Crockett Cup
Buff Bagwell and Buff Daddy V come out first. Bagwell especially looks really happy with himself and is taunting the camera and the fans in the arena.
The WCW World Heavweight Champion, Booker T and Stevie Ray come out next looking all business. Booker T isn't happy about what went down with Sharmell earlier in the show.
Booker T and Stevie Ray race towards the ring and before the referee even signals for the bell Harlem Heat are on the offence with both Bagwell and V in the ring!
The referee frantically signals for the bell and tries to restore some order!
The crowd are really invested in this one. They're not happy with Bagwell's actions earlier in the show and want to see their hero Booker T get some revenge!
Booker T is the star of the match, putting in a great performance which lifts the crowd and the match. Bagwell performs well, masterfully managing to dodge Booker T at various points tagging back in Buff Daddy V to get out of trouble.
The end of the match comes when we see Sweet Saraya come out from the back.
What's she doing out here? asks Tony Schiavone! Is she still on Bagwell's payroll?
Sweet Saraya comes to the apron and stands on it trying to distract the referee. We see Bagwell take the Brass Knuckles out his boots!
Buff Daddy V is still the legal man but Bagwell enters the ring to nail Stevie Ray with the brass knuckles! He didn't see! Booker T rushes over but Buff Daddy V clotheslines him! The referee just has to count and Buff Enuff surely have the win.
Just as this happens we see Sharmell, still heavily bandaged in her head, come out from the back and she's got Mima Shimoda with her! Arn Anderson says Mima Shimoda has Saraya in the next round of The Mildred Burke Legacy Tournament... I think she's found common ground with Sharmell here.
Sweet Saraya doesn't notice until it's too late and Mima Shimoda grabs Saraya down and then Sharmell slaps her!
Whilst this is going on the referee is trying to sort things out, but Buff Daddy V has had Stevie Ray pinned for a count of more than 3. Buff wanted a distraction, but his distraction hasn't paid off!
Bagwell starts shouting at the ref, but by this point Booker T is back! Booker T hits a Book-End on Buff Daddy V and then he hits a Book-End on Bagwell. Bagwell staggers to his feet and Booker T clotheslines him out of the ring.
Booker T goes back to the apron and Stevie Ray just about manages to tag him in.
The referee is back as he lets the women on the outside resolve their differences.
Booker T gets the hot tag and hits a Scissor Kick to Buff Daddy V then pins him to get the 1.2..3!!!
Bagwell at ringside is furious as his plan failed!
Harlem Heat wins via pinfall - (5.34) - (76 rated)
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The show ends with Bagwell with his head in his hands, Saraya retreating at the top of the entrance ramp as Mima Shimoda joins Sharmell in the ring to celebrate Harlem Heat reaching the Quarter Final of The Crockett Cup.
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Show Rating: 77
1.10 TV rating (823K viewers)
