National Car Rental Center; Sunrise, FL
The typical firework show welcomes us to the show as Tony Schiavone introduces the commentary team of "Iron" Mike Tenay and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. The team is upbeat and borderline giddy tonight as they describe the colossal victory by Sting over "Hollywood" Hogan at Starrcade! Tonight, JJ Dillon has announced that the WCW Championship Committee will allow Sting to choose his opponent for three Sundays at Souled Out! The team bounces around ideas but remain unsure as to who Sting's choice will be. Also, they hype the shocking appearance of Bret "The Hitman" Hart at Starrcade and tonight's main event, where Curt Hennig will renew his feud with "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair!
Rating: 87 (B+)
A shrill guitar note blares through the arena as "The Hitman" makes his way down to the ring to an electric crowd reaction! Clad in a leather jacket, jeans, and his trademark sunglasses, Bret gets into the ring, grabs a mic, and soaks in the adoration of the audience. He says that for the last 24 hours, he's gotten calls from old buddies asking why he decided to come to WCW. Bret explains that when you get screwed one too many times like he has, sometimes you just have to come to a place that appreciates the wrestling business and a place that is "the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be," and that's World Championship Wrestling. He says he's been watching while on the road and while he was in Calgary for the last five or six weeks, and he knew that when push came to shove, after he got the call from Ted Turner, he was going to be at Starrcade, and he was going to get back at the man who has screwed him more than anyone besides "Scott and Kevin's buddy" and the suits up north: Hulk Hogan. Bret remarks that "Hollywood" Hogan is a shell of a man who hides behind a massive ego, as he has stolen world championships from Bret and he refused to step in the ring with him going back to the summer of 1993 because he knows that "The Hitman" is the superior wrestler. Bret continues to take shots at Hogan, even declaring that he is here to bury the nWo, until he's interrupted.
HEY, HITMAN!
Appearing at the top of the aisle way is "Hollywood" Hogan, flanked by Eric Bischoff and "Macho Man" Randy Savage, as well as Buff Bagwell and Scott Norton. Heenan remarks that he's surprised Hogan would show his face here tonight. To his point, Hogan's scowl indicates he's extremely angry. He says that Bret came up from the minor leagues just in time for Hogan and the new World order to complete the hostile takeover of WCW and prove that the reason Hogan never wrestled Bret is because Bret never drew a dime as world champion, brother! Bret fires back by challenging Hogan, right here, right now! He takes his leather jacket off and flings it into the crowd, while Hulk explains that he just went through a grueling steel cage match. Instead, he says he knows someone else who wants to get his hands on "The Hitman," and slaps Savage on the back, telling him to "go get 'em, Mach!" Savage beckons Buff and Norton and they follow him down to the ring. As they get closer, Bret picks up a mic and says "I know how you work, Hulkster. Like I said, I've seen you come out here week after week and jump people like a pack of wild dogs. You didn't think I came alone, did you?"
All of a sudden, out from the crowd come Jim Neidhart and Davey Boy Smith, also in street clothes, to Bret's side! "The Macho Man" doesn't care as he runs headlong into Bret and Neidhart, and Buff and Norton attack as well! Jim throws Norton through the ropes and Davey Boy lifts Bagwell into a military press and tosses him out onto Norton! Bret clotheslines Savage over the top rope and the crowd explodes! Bret stands aside his brothers-in-law calling for Hogan to face him, while Hulk, Bischoff, and the rest retreat to the back!
Rating: 100 (A*)
vs.
Lex Luger vs. Konnan
In yet another WCW vs. nWo matchup, Konnan looked to score a huge upset over one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling. Despite Konnan's superior technical ability, Luger was able to rely on his power in this one, finishing the former United States Champion off with the Torture Rack!
Rating: 76 (B-)
After a commercial break, Schiavone relays a huge announcement from Commissioner JJ Dillon: for the first time in history, Bret "The Hitman" Hart will step into a WCW ring, and he will go one-on-one with "The Macho Man" Randy Savage right here tonight!
The commentary team transitions to the despicable act committed by Scott Steiner last night as he turned his back on his brother Rick and joined the new World order. Tenay explains that we have video footage from the parking lot earlier tonight, and it's not good for Rick Steiner. We go to the footage and a limousine arrives carrying various members of the nWo, including Buff Bagwell, Curt Hennig, Scott Norton, and Scott Steiner, accompanied by women.
As they walk into the arena, one of the women lets out a piercing scream when none other than "The Dog-Faced Gremlin" comes screaming out of the shadows to lay into his brother! Rick lands right hand after right hand to his younger brother but is instantly stopped by a knee to the head from Hennig. Scott rises to his feet, enraged, screaming at Rick, as the assault begins. Norton and Hennig grab Rick's arms and Bagwell grabs his head for Scott to face him and insult him. He slaps Rick repeatedly and tells him he's been holding Scott down forever and that time's up! Rick, grunting, spits at Scott, and Scott doesn't react kindly, smashing him with right hands of his own. Scott tosses Rick into the limousine window and cracks the glass! Rick ricochets off of the car and collapses to the ground unconscious.
Rating: 78 (B; announcement); 71 (B-; Steiners)
Mortis and Wrath w/James Vandenberg vs. The Rock 'n' Roll Express
Making their Nitro debut, Ricky and Robert had some old school tag team wrestling on display, and for a while it kept the larger competitors off balance. Eventually, however, the macabre duo of Mortis and Wrath picked up the win when Mortis landed a second rope Samoan Drop to Gibson.
Rating: 58 (C-)
Next, the commentary team runs down the aid that Diamond Dallas Page and "The Total Package" Lex Luger provided to one another in defense against the nWo at Starrcade, and Schiavone announces that Page will defend his United States Heavyweight Championship at Souled Out…against Lex Luger!
At the aisleway is "Mean" Gene Okerlund, who welcomes a man who was unsuccessful in his championship pursuit at Starrcade, Dean Malenko. Malenko confides that he was disappointed that he didn't pick up the Cruiserweight Title at Starrcade, but calls Eddy Guerrero a poor excuse for a champion by needing the ropes to beat him. He wants him man-to-man, one more time, but Malenko is interrupted by Chavo Guerrero Jr.! Chavo comes out and tells Dean that since they face each other later tonight, that Chavo is going to beat Malenko and then it's his turn to take on Eddie for the title!
Rating: 76 (B-; announcement); 47 (D; Dean/Chavo)
vs.
The Giant vs. Alex Wright
"Das Wunderkind" may be a special young athlete, but that doesn't really matter when you step into the ring with a 500-pound Giant. Wright tried, but he caught a Chokeslam and the crowd ate it up.
Rating: 65 (C)
Next up, Raven slides into the ring with The Flock, seating himself in the corner. Hammer snatches a microphone from ringside and hands it to him. Raven talks about what it's like to grow up on the streets having to fend for yourself. He says that society was designed to keep out those who don't fit in. At Starrcade, Raven says, he began to strike back at the system by taking out one of WCW's anointed golden boys, Chris Benoit. Interrupting Raven, Benoit himself limps out to the ring, heavily bandaged on his head and abdomen. Raven has The Flock stand aside as Benoit tells him that he wants Raven man-to-man at Souled Out. Raven turns his back and leaves the ring as The Flock jumps "The Crippler" again. Out from the back runs fellow Horseman Steve "Mongo" McMichael for the save, but the numbers game is too steep, as he gets beat down as well. The Flock stands tall over Benoit and Mongo!
Rating: 75 (B-)
vs.
Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Dean Malenko
Malenko tried to put down the upstart Chavo and earn another Cruiserweight title shot. Despite several near falls by Guerrero, Malenko ended up catching a dropkick and locking in the Texas Cloverleaf for a hard fought victory.
Rating: 63 (C)
In the back, "Mean" Gene is standing by with Diamond Dallas Page, the United States Champion. He asks about Page's upcoming title defense against "The Total Package" Lex Luger when Lex himself arrives onscreen. The two express that they've got each other's backs against the new World order, but "The Total Package" makes it very clear that he wants the US belt and that he'll "see ya around, champ," tapping the belt on DDP's shoulder.
Rating: 87 (B+)
vs.
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Chris Jericho
Two young superstars went at it in this one, with Jericho trying to get off of his recent losing streak. Just when Jericho was in control and playing to the crowd, however, Mysterio turned a Powerbomb attempt into a Hurricanrana and held Jericho's shoulders down for the win!
After the match, Jericho's frustration boils over as he attacks Mysterio from behind! He yells at Rey and slams him into the ground with a knee to the head. He grabs Rey by the legs and locks in a deep Lion Tamer, causing Mysterio to try and flail out. Jericho is finally removed by various WCW officials and brought to the back.
Rating: 68 (C+; match); 71 (B-; attack)
A quick recap video airs recapping Curt Hennig’s turn on Ric Flair and the ensuing rivalry, culminating in Hennig’s recent victory over Flair at World War 3 and Flair costing him the United States belt to DDP on Nitro.
vs.
Ric Flair vs. Curt Hennig
Hennig spent much of the match deliberately trying to slow the pace and not letting Flair get any momentum rolling. He did so with many classic Flair tactics, including eye pokes, grabbing the ropes, and using referee Billy Silverman as a shield. Before we could get a conclusive finish, however, Raven and The Flock rushed the ring and attacked "The Nature Boy!"
With no Horsemen available due to the attack on Benoit and Mongo earlier in the night, Flair is easy pickings for the band of misfits. A vicious beating ensues as Raven sits in the corner. Hammer, Kidman, and Sick Boy hold Ric down as Riggs and Saturn lash him with belts to the back. Flair yells "oh god!" after another belt whip, reaching toward Hennig, who is walking toward the back. Raven rises and drops Flair with a DDT before slithering back out of the ring.
Rating: 76 (B-; recap); 78 (B; match); 80 (B; attack)
vs.
Bret Hart vs. Randy Savage
While these two hadn't stepped in the ring against one another in over a decade, you would have thought they were longtime rivals. They showed some pretty good in-ring chemistry in a brief but intense contest until, of course, the new World order hit the ring and attacked Bret, causing a disqualification.
While Davey Boy Smith and Jim Neidhart try their best, they are quickly overwhelmed by the sheer power in numbers of the nWo. Just in the nick of time, Sting rappels down from the rafters with the WCW World Heavyweight Title belt! Bat in hand, he hands Norton a sternum full of wood and swings wildly at Scott Steiner, who ducks out of the way and out of the ring. Eventually, with Bret and his brothers-in-law safely heading to the back, Sting ends up in the ring surrounded only by "Hollywood" Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Randy Savage. Hogan yells "who's it gonna be, huh Sting? You coward!" Tony reminds the audience that Sting is set to announce his Souled Out opponent here tonight – who is it?! Sting stares at the three of them and looks into the crowd. He raises the bat and points it…at "The Macho Man!" Hogan is livid as Savage ponders the opportunity to become WCW World Heavyweight Champion! Sting rolls out of the ring, leaving the nWo in disarray and Bischoff trying to calm things down. It's Sting versus Randy Savage at Souled Out!
Rating: 76 (B-; match); 88 (B+; brawl)
Overall Show Rating: 84 (B+). This show increased our popularity in 22 regions.
Backstage Notes: Prior to the show, Debra McMichael brought one of her old friends from the Miss USA pageant into the backstage area. While the locker room wasn't mad about it, Bischoff informed Debra that she had to pay a fine for violating WCW policy on guests backstage. Debra understood and said it wouldn't happen again, though her husband Steve McMichael was a bit annoyed. Also, wrestling legend Verne Gagne died at the age of 71.
WCW Monday Nitro Quick Results
Lex Luger vs. Konnan w/the nWo
The Rock 'n' Roll Express vs. Mortis and Wrath w/James Vandenberg
The Giant vs. Alex Wright
Dean Malenko vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Chris Jericho
Ric Flair (DQ) vs. Curt Hennig
Bret Hart (DQ) vs. Randy Savage w/Elizabeth
vs. 
