Monday, May 31, 1999

Nitro-Glycerin - Monday Nitro recap for May 31, 1999

Raven is attacked by Diamond Dallas Page and Bam Bam Bigelow outside of the arena in footage from earlier today and tossed into a dumpster.

We see a performance by The Nitro Girls.

Eddie Guerrero shows up on Nitro for the first time in months since his automobile accident. We see some photos of the car that Eddie was thrown 100 feet from. Eddie says that he suffered a lacerated liver and a broken hip socket, and had to have reconstructive surgery done on his shin and ankle. He says it feels great to be back, and says he took wrestling for granted. He is now grateful to be able to walk again, and hopefully, get back in the ring again. Eddie Guerrero then guests on commentary.

Kidman beats Hak in a hardcore match by disqualification after Hugh Morrus interferes. During the match, Tank Abbott shows up with his own posse. He mentions the steel cage match between Sting and Rick Steiner tonight, and says both men do not know what hardcore is as he has fought in a cage more times than he can count. He says he will be the referee for that match, and he will be here and he will bring hell if he does not. Abbott and his posse then leave. After the match, Brian Knobbs shows up and attacks Hak with an aluminum garbage can before putting him through a table. We then see WCW President "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair and WCW Executive Committee Chairman J.J. Dillon on the phone. Flair asks for eight girls to be delivered to his hotel room before making sure that "Macho Man" Randy Savage's top rope elbow is banned. Dillon tells him that is indeed banned and that Flair will be the one to officially ban it anytime in the show that he wants. Flair goes so far as to say that it will be banned on all WCW programming.

Eddie Guerrero thanks everyone who prayed for him to get better, and also thanks WCW and Eric Bischoff for keeping him employed for the five months that he was down and out. He leaves the commentary table.

Diamond Dallas Page and Bam Bam Bigelow show up. DDP says he doesn't get the people at all, and says they feel nothing. All he knows is that he tried to do the right thing after he injured Hollywood Hogan and apologized for it, saying it was the wrong thing to do. He tried to apologize, but all he got in return was Hogan knocking him out as he came walking towards the ring and running his mouth about how he is #1 on Hogan's hit parade. DDP says he and Bam Bam Bigelow are considering putting Hogan out permanently. They also brag about "taking out the trash" concerning their attack on Raven earlier today, and says they would rather face Raven and Saturn for the WCW World Tag Team Championships tonight and do it with a little East Coast attitude.

Mike Tenay tells Saturn and Kanyon about Diamond Dallas Page and Bam Bam Bigelow's attack on Raven - who is now in the hospital - as well as DDP and Bigelow's challenge for the tag team titles tonight. Kanyon tells Tenay to go tell the Executive Committee to make the match official for tonight.

DJ Ran is seen at a turntable. Curt Hennig then guests on commentary again this week. He says that he heard what DJ Ran had to say about him, and says he is tired of rap music and Konnan and Rey Mysterio Jr., and considers singing a country song to DJ Ran. He then heads to the aisle and calls out Bobby Duncum Jr., who shows up wearing a cowboy hat and hands him a hat of his own. Duncum and Hennig walk up to DJ Ran, and Hennig gives him until the count of three to leave. DJ Ran almost leaves, and Hennig is about to sing when Konnan and Rey Mysterio Jr. show up. Konnan tells Hennig and Duncum are trying to "flex game where they ain't got none," and after Hennig says he can slap that smile off his face, this leads to a brief brawl that officials have to break up. Hennig says if they want a piece of him, he'll rip them a new one.

It is announced that Rey Mysterio and Konnan will face Curt Hennig and Bobby Duncum Jr. later tonight.

Van Hammer beats Evan Karagias.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. He says there is a big dispute between The Four Horsemen ("The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson, "The Crippler" Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko), as Benoit wants to be free and Flair has "become a gelding." He says Malenko is tied up and having to clean up Flair's mess. He then asks Malenko to come out, and he shows up. Piper tells Malenko he thinks he is the greatest Cruiserweight Champion of all time and a great technical wrestler, but says everyone wants to know what is going on. Malenko grabs the microphone and says the reality is self-explanatory. He says that he and Benoit did not walk away from The Horsemen or Ric Flair. Instead, Ric Flair walked away from them. WCW President Flair shows up along with Arn Anderson, and Piper tells Flair and Anderson that Malenko has a point and that he wants to make it known to the public. Malenko tells Flair that for the last eight to ten months, he and Benoit had to sit in the back and listen to Flair feed his ego every night. He says that Flair does not get is that it is not about extravagant living anymore and that it is about passing the torch. Malenko says a lot of established wrestler doesn't get the fact that the newer wrestlers will have to be the ones to take WCW to the new millennium. Flair says he is glad Piper has a job as a microphone stand, and says that without him, there are no Horsemen, Benoits or Malenko, and until he can see anyone who can hold the torch, he's not passing it, and tells Malenko and Piper that he and Anderson are the big cheeses and to meet them head on. Malenko tells Anderson he put his heart and soul in the Horsemen, and that this is not what they talked about. Anderson says Malenko came to him, not the other way around, and said that if he was to come out of retirement, it was to bring the Horsemen back to the prominence it once held. He says wrestling is a man's sport performed by men, and that this disagreement can be patched up and that neither person has to pick up their ball and go home because a disagreement exists. Malenko says Anderson doesn't get it, as he was swearing night after night, as he made a commitment for the Horsemen while Flair was being committed. He says a week ago, he would have bent over backwards and watched Arn's back because he believed in him, but that was last week. Malenko leaves, and Anderson follows him. Piper tells Flair his cabinet is falling apart, and that he will see him in Baltimore. Flair attacks Piper from behind as he leaves, then rips his shirt off and chops and punches him. Flair then takes his own shirt off, and the two men brawl. Piper quickly gets the upper hand and punches Flair in the face multiple times before whipping Flair with his belt. Flair and Piper then start fighting outside of the ring, and Flair ends up retreating to the back.

Eric Bischoff guests on commentary for the next match.

Before the next match, Curt Hennig tries to sing a country song, but Rey Mysterio Jr. and Konnan drop kick him and Bobby Duncum Jr. out of the ring before Hennig can even sing one line.

Konnan and Rey Mysterio Jr. beat Curt Hennig and Bobby Duncum Jr. when Duncum hits Konnan with a cowbell as Konnan has Hennig in the Tequila Sunrise. After the match, Duncum hogties Konnan with his rope, then Hennig knocks Rey out.

"Macho Man" Randy Savage shows up. He says there is a rumor going around that Kevin Nash is not going to wait until The Great American Bash, as he is tired of Savage making him ridiculous by painting his face with lipstick and wants to fight him tonight. Savage says there is not one person in the arena tonight who believes that Nash can beat him. Madusa shows up as Savage continues to speak, and tells him Gorgeous George has seen Kevin Nash in the building. Savage says it's on and it's hit the fan, and he will treat Nash like a coward and push him back into the closet where he needs to stay.

It is revealed that Diamond Dallas Page and Bam Bam Bigelow have laid Kanyon out backstage.

David Flair beats Erik Watts after WCW President "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair distracts the referee from the apron and "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson hits Watts with a spinebuster.

Buff Bagwell talks with WCW President "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair in Flair's office, and asks for a match with "Macho Man" Randy Savage tonight. Flair says that he does not have the match, as he is not in Savage's league. He is placed in a match against Bobby Eaton later tonight, and if he can beat Eaton, he can prove that he is almost ready for Savage. Buff says that if Flair puts him in the ring with Eaton, Eaton will get hurt, and asks Flair if that is what he wants. Flair says yes. Buff Bagwell high-fives Flair and leaves.

Before the next match, "The Cat" Ernest Miller says he is here for only one reason: to whup somebody. He says he is sick and tired of Scott Norton running in on his matches, and calls Norton out. Norton shows up.

Ernest "The Cat" Miller beats Scott Norton after Sonny Onoo hands The Cat a crowbar and distracts the referee. The black-and-white nWo is seen watching Norton tear The Cat apart in the locker room, and when Norton loses, they immediately try to skip town.

When "Macho Man" Randy Savage shows up for his next match, he calls out Kevin Nash, but a fake Kevin Nash - who is wearing a red sequined dress, red pumps and a pageant sash saying Miss Big Sexy '99" and is also much shorter than the real deal - shows up instead. Savage says that Nash has "come out of the closet." The fake Nash is also seen with a replica of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.

"Macho Man" Randy Savage beats "Kevin Nash" to win the "WCW World Heavyweight Championship." Savage distracts the referee, then Madusa kicks the fake Nash and removes his shoes before Miss Madness hits him with a top rope hurricanrana. Savage then distracts the referee again along with Madusa and Miss Madness so Gorgeous George can hit Nash with a top rope elbow drop.

We see another performance by The Nitro Girls.

Buff Bagwell beats Bobby Eaton.

Before the next match, it is announced that Kanyon has received medical attention. Saturn says Diamond Dallas Page and Bam Bam Bigelow only made him mad when they sent Raven and Kanyon to the hospital, and says they can do it two-on-one. When DDP and Bam Bam Bigelow show up and DDP tries to confirm what Saturn has just said, he says that Saturn is stupider than he looks.

Diamond Dallas Page and Bam Bam Bigelow beat Saturn to become the WCW World Tag Team Champions! During the match, Kanyon runs to the ring with a hospital band on his left wrist, and Saturn tags him in. Unfortunately for Kanyon, he goes down after one discus punch from DDP.

"Macho Man" Randy Savage, Gorgeous George, Madusa and Miss Madness take a limousine out of the arena when an two sewer trucks blocks their path. The real Kevin Nash comes out of the second one and dumps a pipe full of sewage water from the top of the limousine into the limousine itself. Savage and the ladies have to get out of the limousine immediately. We then hear a message from Kevin Nash stating that this portion of Nitro was brought to us by Louis Septic Services (the name of the company on the second truck), "for all your Savage sewage needs."

DJ Ran announces the dropping of the steel cage for the next match.

Rick Steiner vs. Sting in a steel cage ends in a no-contest. During the match, special guest referee and UFC fighter Tank Abbott pushes Rick Steiner out of the corner, causing Sting to miss with the Stinger Splash in the corner. Abbott leaves the cage and walks out with his teammates as Rick Steiner tapes Sting to the top rope with athletic tape and continues to attack Sting as the show ends.

Raw Deal - Raw recap for May 31, 1999

RAW


Druids are seen carrying an Undertaker symbol to the ring as The Corporate Ministry show up. Paul Bearer is seen carrying "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's custom-made WWF Championship. WWF co-owner Shane McMahon says it was his right hand that changed the course of WWF history forever, for as the appointed official for Over The Edge's WWF Championship, it was Austin who felt his ultimate power as he made the fast count that cost him the title. He says he did to Austin exactly what he said he would do, but tonight, there is one more thing. The Undertaker tells Austin regardless of whether or not he wants to accept it, he says that he beat up Austin all over Kansas City, Missouri, that he is WWF Champion and that there is nothing he can do about it. He says the WWF Championship was merely "phase one," and that "phase two" has begun. The Undertaker says he promised he would deliver "him" mind, body and soul. He says "the higher power" will be here, and that he will take Austin and deliver Austin to him. Austin will look into his eyes and see his lord, savior and guiding light, as it is his destiny. He says Austin will be presented with the most pride that anyone can present a gift with, and in front of all the fans, he will know he is his lord and master. Suddenly, WWF co-owner Vince McMahon shows up and tells The Undertaker and Shane that he hoped they enjoyed their moment in basking in their glory, as it will only be just a moment. He says that The Undertaker did not beat Austin for the WWF Championship; instead, he screwed him. Therefore, he will screw The Undertaker. Tonight, The Undertaker will defend the WWF Championship against "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Shane tells Vince he is in control of half the company and that he calls the shots, and says The Undertaker would be happy to annihilate Austin tonight, just not for the WWF Championship. Vince says Austin will wipe the mat with The Undertaker's carcass tonight, title or no title, and that Austin will kick The Undertaker's ass. Before Austin kicks The Undertaker's ass tonight, he challenges The Undertaker to a match against him after all that he has done to his own family. He may not get all of The Undertaker, but tonight, he's going to get some. Shane says that Vince has finally found his grapefruits, and announces that if Vince is able to beat The Undertaker somehow tonight, the WWF Championship will be defended against Austin; however, if anybody in the back, even The Union (Mankind, Test, Big Show, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock) or Austin himself, Austin will not get his title shot. Vince tells Shane's he's on, as he has everything to gain and almost nothg to lose. Vince leaves, then Shane says Vince has nothing to lose except maybe a few teeth, then says Austin has quite a bit to lose, because if Austin does not win tonight, he will never get a shot at the WWF Championship again. As The Corporate Ministry leaves, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin shows up, but he is revealed to have been one of the druids who has brought the Undertaker symbol into the ring. The Union shows up and evens the odds as soon as Austin gets attacked. The Union and Austin stand tall in the ring as referees and officials show up and keep The Corporate Ministry out.

Backstage, Austin shoves Test as The Union (Mankind, Test, Big Show, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock) follow close behind.

Big Show beats "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn by count-out when Gunn runs out of the match. After the bell rings, he is stopped by "Road Dogg" Jesse James, who tosses Gunn into the ring and into a choke slam by Big Show.

Harry "Beaver" Cleavage is seen with his mom - in living color - backstage. Beaver is scared because this is his first match, and says "These guys are hippies!" His mom tells him he will be right there with him. Beaver then looks into the camera and moves his eyebrows up and down.

Backstage, Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco tell WWF co-owner Vince McMahon that he is in a no-win situation, but Vince says he just wants to get whatever he can of The Undertaker before telling them to stay out of this.

Harry "Beaver" Cleavage beats Christian after Mrs. Cleavage distracts the referee while The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt Hardy) and Michael Hayes run out so that Hayes can whack Christian in the head with his cane. After the match, Christian hits a suicide dive off the top rope on Hayes and the Hardys, but it is not long before the three of them attack Christian. Gangrel and Edge rush in to even the numbers game, and send the Hardys flying out of the ring before surrounding Hayes, who is helped out of the ring by the Hardys.

The Undertaker tells WWF co-owner that nothing - not "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, not WWF co-owner Vince McMahon, not anybody - will stop him from completing the vow that he has made.

Before the next match, The Godfather reminds Jeff Jarrett that he has something that belongs to him - Debra - and that after he gets done kicking his ass, he, Debra and the Intercontinental title are going to ride on the ho train. He also goes on to say that when Debra is his, everyone is going to see those puppies.

Jeff Jarrett beats The Godfather to become the WWF Intercontinental Champion for a fourth time. (The belt and the match was originally meant for Over The Edge and Owen was supposed to win the belt as The Blue Blazer. After Owen's death, Jarrett is booked to win the title in Owen's memory.) During the match, Debra gets on the ring apron and takes off her jacket to show her puppies, then The Godfather directs everyone's attention to one of his own hos, who is also showing her puppies. This allows Debra to hand Jarrett the WWF Women's Championship to use as a weapon behind the referee's back, which he does.

Paul Bearer is seen laughing at the possibility of Vince McMahon having a match against The Undertaker becoming a reality as he and The Undertaker make their way to the ring.

Vince McMahon beats The Undertaker by disqualification when The Undertaker shoves the referee as he takes the boots to Vince in the corner. During the match, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin is watching from the locker room. After the match, Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco check on Vince, but The Undertaker takes his anger out on them before chasing the referee through the crowd. As per pre-match stipulation, The Undertaker will be defending the WWF Championship against "Stone Cold" Steve Austin later tonight.

Michael Cole interviews "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, who says that he has never asked for the assist from anyone after being told that Vince McMahon has saved his shot at the WWF Championship tonight.

WAR ZONE


Mankind shows up. He says The Corporate Ministry tried to take out WWF co-owner Vince McMahon, and then says it's time for The Union (Mankind, Test, Big Show, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock) to get some payback. He calls out "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley, challenging him to a match where there are no disqualifications and pinfalls count anywhere in the building. He has two good reasons: the first is that Triple H did a good pipe job on him, and he does not enjoy pipe jobs. The second is that Chyna has "kinda been checking me out" and he does not know if it was his rugged good looks, his boyish charm or that fateful, fateful night when she accidentally walked in on him in the shower as he bent down to get the soap and he saw that she wanted to touch him in an impure way. He says that he is a married man and that Chyna cannot touch Mankind's manhood. Tonight, he will give her a chance to look at the merchandise, "if you smell where my sock is hiding."

We see some footage during the break where The Big Boss Man attacks Mankind as he makes his way to the back. After the footage, Mankind and Boss Man are still brawling at ringside as "Road Dogg" Jesse James ames his way to the ring. Mankind tosses Boss Man into the ring after Road Dogg says that he can't take them anywhere and asks Mankind to save some for him, and hits Boss Man in the head with the microphone, starting their match early.

"Road Dogg" Jesse James beats The Big Boss Man by disqualification after Boss Man hits Road Dogg with his nightstick. Referee Teddy Long takes the nightstick away and runs out of the ring, but the Boss Man pulls a chain out of his vest pocket, wrapis it around his fist and continues to go to town on Road Dogg before choking him with it.

Backstage, an angry WWF co-owner Shane McMahon destroys catering, saying everyone is going to pay as Mideon and Viscera try in vain to stop him.

Next week on Sunday Night Heat: Four King of the Ring qualifying matches! Big Show vs. Droz! Test vs. Kane! "Road Dogg" Jesse James vs. The Godfather! Chyna vs. Val Venis!

The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw) beat X-Pac and Kane to become the WWF Tag Team Champions! During the match, WWF co-owner Shane McMahon shows up to watch the match from ringside, but he eventually grabs a steel chair. As X-Pac goes for a Bronco Buster, Shane holds the steel chair and puts in his path so that he runs head-first into it. Bradshaw pins X-Pac as Kane goes after Shane, and The Acoltyes become the new tag team champs.

A hidden camera shows black-and-white footage of the bathroom shows D'Lo Brown and "Sexual Chocolate" Mark Henry using the bathroom. Fart noises can be heard, and the smell is so bad that D'Lo Brown tells Mark Henry to do a courtesy flush to kill the scent. A picture of a 1950's-style television with the letters "GDTV" can be seen in the lower-left corner.

"The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock beats Val Venis with an inside cradle. During the match, Jeff Jarrett and Debra show up, and he taunts Ken Shamrock to allow Val Venis to win with an inside cradle. After the match, Shamrock snaps and chases after both Debra and Jarrett. Nicole Bass helps Val Venis up, but Venis wants to know where Nicole Bass was. Nicole apologizes and says it will not happen again, and Val Venis says he understands and that she can make it up to him right now. Venis and Nicole head to the back.

The Undertaker tells "the higher power" that he will not fail him in a darkened, smoky room.

"Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley beats Mankind in a Hardcore Match. During the match, Triple H aims for Mankind with a sledgehammer, and leaves a dent in the steel steps when Mankind dodges it, Later Chyna hits Mankind in the head with a steel chair, which has no effect. Triple H attacks Mankind from behind, sending him into Chyna and Chyna into the steel steps. Chyna hits Mankind in the groin with a sledgehammer handle, then Mankind readies Mr. Socko as Chyna confronts the referee. Mankind puts Chyna in the Mandible Claw, but Triple H hits Mankind in the knee with the sledgehammer to win the match. After the match, referees and officials check on Mankind, whose knee is injured. Triple H and Chyna get back in the ring and attack the referees and the officials, then Triple H continues to work on Mankind's left knee. The Rock runs in and kicks Triple H out of the ring, and referees have to hold him back. Triple H and Chyna run to the back. (This knee injury leads to the quiet dissolution of The Union [Mankind, Test, Big Show, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock].)

During the break, the rest of The Union ("The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock, Test, Big Show) help Mankind to the back. Test gets in the ambulance with Mankind as Mankind is taken to a local hospital.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. The Undertaker ends in a no-contest. During the match, Austin hits The Undertaker with the Stone Cold Stunner, but Paul Bearer drags the referee out of the ring. The Big Boss Man runs into the ring and eats a Stunner, but The Undertaker choke slams Austin and the rest of The Corporate Ministry show up to gang up on Austin. Austin is tied up in the ropes and held down by The Corporate Ministry, then The Undertaker gets on one knee. The chanting of druids can be heard, and a figure in a burgundy robe, their head covered, comes to the ring. The rest of the Corporate Ministry who is not holding Austin down also seen in some sort of kneeling position. Jerry "The King" Lawler believes that this is Shane, as it becomes apparent that this robed person is "the higher power." The higher power reveals their face, but only to Austin. Austin is enraged. The show ends.

Monday, May 24, 1999

Nitro-Glycerin - Monday Nitro recap for May 24, 1999

Owen Hart, 1965 - 1999.

Backstage, Bam Bam Bigelow tells Raven and Saturn that if it were not for Kanyon, they would not be tag team champions. He also says he has a partner after they told him to get himself one last week: Diamond Dallas Page, who attacks Raven and Saturn with a 2x4. DDP and Bigelow wipe out Raven and Saturn.

We see a performance by The Nitro Girls.

Tony Schiavone announces that WCW is saddened at the recent death of Owen Hart, and that WCW sends their thoughts and prayers to Owen's family at this time.

Van Hammer, now with a new, more aggressive and modern all-black look with studded leather boots, beats Chavo Guerrero Jr.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Disco Inferno. Okerlund asks Disco to take his sunglasses off, and we see the results of what "Macho Man" Randy Savage did to him last week. Disco says Savage is running around with three women he says Savage could have picked up from the bowling alley at four o'clock in the morning, and calls them Savage's "traveling show of pimps and hos." He says that he has blurred vision in one of his eyes after the attack on him and everyone else in the ring so Savage could get to Kevin Nash, and that if Savage wants Nash so badly, he could have led him to him as he is not a hard man to find. Instead, Savage tried to make a statement by taking out younger talent. He wants to know why Savage wants to pick on young talent, and chalks it up to feeling threatened by them. He says that the young talent will not lay down for this, and that Savage has created more problems than solutions because of it. Ernest "The Cat" Miller suddenly shows up along with Sonny Onoo. They say that they are tired of Disco being a crybaby, and The Cat tells Disco to be a man. He goes on to say that everyone in the locker room is a punk, but Disco tells The Cat to get out of the ring. The Cat says people came here to dance, not to see Disco cry. Disco tells him to leave, and The Cat responds by telling Okerlund to leave before pushing Disco. Disco responds by punching The Cat, and that starts a beatdown that has to be stopped by two other referees. The Cat then asks if anyone else wants some, and dares someone to get in the ring with him. All the while, the black-and-white nWo are watching from backstage, and tell Scott Norton - who has shaving cream on his face - that The Cat is calling him out again. Scott Norton heads to the ring as the rest of the black-and-white nWo laugh, and attacks The Cat. The Cat leaves the ring, saying that he did not have time to tell him his hands and feet are registered weapons, and that he cannot tear him apart tonight. He ends up carrying Onoo to the back after Onoo runs away from Norton.

Tony Schiavone plugs the WCW Hotline with an interview with Booker T on The Ross Report on Option 2.

Mike Tenay enters WCW President "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair's office.

WCW President "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair and "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson talk to El Dandy. Flair says there are convinced that El Dandy is the greatest Mexican warrior of all time, and that past champions have come and gone and that El Dandy is the man. Flair says that as President, he wants to make him the biggest Latin star in the world. All he has to do is lose to his son David Flair and he will make him a star. Also, he tells him that he will be eating better in America after that, and that he will be eating steaks and chicken instead of tacos. After El Dandy leaves, Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker shows up, calling Flair out and accusing him of reneging on his word on giving him a job in the WCW offices. Flair makes it up to him by putting him in a tag team match with one of The Four Horsemen (Flair, Anderson, "The Crippler" Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko). Anderson tells Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker that he has a match with Benoit, and that tonight is his shot. After Parker leaves, Flair and Anderson tell the cameraman to cut the camera off.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Mike Tenay. Tenay talks about "Macho Man" Randy Savage's recent actions, and announces that Kevin Nash has demanded a match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Savage. The match has now been made official for The Great American Bash on June 13th. Okerlund then interviews WCW President "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, and tells Nash that he issued the challenge and has the match. He says that Savage is a punk for elbow dropping his personnel, and before all is said and done, the elbow drop will be made illegal and Nash will roll him up like a sheet of paper at The Great American Bash. He also tells Eric Bischoff that he and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper can tell their story walking, as he is the one and only president of WCW and nobody in blue jeans and Nike tennis shoes is ever going to take his position or place. As for his dealing with Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker and El Dandy, he is simply giving superstars in WCW a chance to climb up the ladder at a faster pace.

David Flair beats El Dandy after WCW President "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair distracts the referee from the apron and "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson hits El Dandy with a spinebuster. Before the match, Tony Schiavone and World Championship Wrestling send their condolences to Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, who has cancelled his appearance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno - where he would have answered Kevin Nash's challenge - to be with his family in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Buff Bagwell. He thought it was a big deal to be in the ring with "Macho Man" Randy Savage, but he says Savage is not so tough. If he wants to attack everyone, then Disco is right to say that the older guys feel a bit threatened. If Savage wants another shot at him, he has no problem, but tonight, there are bigger and better things. He talks about how Rick Steiner left him laying paralyzed in the ring, and that Rick has a change of heart in following "Big Poppa Chump" Scott Steiner. He tells Rick to bring it on, because in the end, he will prove why he is buff and he is the stuff. As for Diamond Dallas Page, he has no problem taking him on in the ring, too.

We see a video package spanning Eric Bischoff's career in WCW all the way up to the present moment.

Juventud Guerrera slips on water that falls onto the ramp as he douses his head with it, and lands on his rear end. Thankfully, he is not hurt.

A 12-man cruiserweight battle royal to determine the next #1 contender for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship is thrown out. During the match, it is announced that WCW Mayhem will be coming to Nintendo 64 and Sony PlayStation in August. Also, Jimmy Yart gets in the ring and eliminates several of the cruiserweights before throwing the referee out of the ring. Kidman is the last to stay and fight, but Hugh Morrus decimates him and hits him with No Laughing Matter. Rey Mysterio Jr. eventually shows up and hits Jimmy Hart before drop kicking Hugh Morrus off the top rope as he goes for a second No Laughing Matter.

We see another performance by The Nitro Girls.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Piper says he has had about 50 fights in Greenville, South Carolina and two or three in the ring there. He says Greenville is a fighting town and is getting a reality check tonight. He talks about "Macho Man" Randy Savage's attack on him last week, then proceeds to pick up where they left off, lies on the mat and tells Savage to come on down. Miss Madness, Madusa and Gorgeous Show up, but Savage do not. Piper wants to know where Savage is, but Gorgeous George says Savage is being honored someplace where Piper isn't. Piper says Gorgeous George should be dating someone from Baywatch, not The Addams Family, and Piper says he will not hit her. Suddenly, WCW President "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair shows up and goes at it with Piper, and Madusa, Miss Madness and Gorgeous George run away alongside "Mean" Gene Okerlund. Diamond Dallas Page and Bam Bam Bigelow also run into the ring and attack Piper, and Bigelow hits Piper with a top rope headbutt. DDP then tells Flair he owes him. Flair says "Whatever your heart desires, DDP, name it." Diamond Dallas Page says he wants a shot at the tag team titles with Bam Bam Bigelow. Flair makes it official for The Great American Bash, then attacks Piper again as two men check on him and asks "Now who's the boss?" He then tells Piper that it's the two of them at The Great American Bash.

"The Enforcer" Arn Anderson talks to "The Crippler" Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko backstage. Malenko says it has come to a point where he is fed up with not being used in the right capacity after three years. He says that he and Benoit have been in the company for three years and have gotten nothing, and even after Flair took over, Flair and everyone else is out for themselves. Malenko says it is like you have to have a driver's license saying you are 45 years old in order to get a push. Anderson tries to talk to them, but Malenko tells Benoit they have to take care of themselves and do things their way. Malenko tells Benoit to take his time with Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker, and asks "What are they gonna do? Fire us?"

We see a video package regarding Sting and Lex Luger.

We see footage of the grand opening of The Nitro Grill at the Excalibur in Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring many WCW superstars as well as Kevin Eubanks of the Tonight Show band.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, who is having his ribs taped up by a trainer. Piper says he got a reality check, but he tells WCW President "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair that he is just getting started. He tells Flair to keep Diamond Dallas Page and Bam Bam Bigelow and challenges him to a six-man tag team match tonight.

It is announced that a new announcement concerning WCW and Tommy Boy Records will be made next week. Suddenly, Curt Hennig guests on commentary, and when told about the new partnership between WCW and Tommy Boy Records, Hennig says "Is that more rap?", says he destroyed Konnan and showed how much of an athlete he is, then asks what happened to country and rhythm and blues. He says that hip-hop music makes him so sick that he almost tossed his cookies, and if he sees one more car jumping up and down or another Konnan wanna-be, then makes fun of the hip-hop genre before asking what happened to music. He goes on to say he can sing and dance and do everything that there is to offer.

We see footage of a press conference concerning World Championship Wrestling and Tommy Boy Records.

"The Crippler" Chris Benoit beats Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker with the Crippler Crossface.

Before the next match, Scott Steiner apologizes to all his female fans watching on TV, because tonight, he came here to find a freak, not to wrestle. He says that when he's on top, he keeps it tight, and he doesn't stop until you say "boomshakalaka." He also says to whisper something nice, and he'll make you scream twice. He also makes it clear that Rick Steiner with him, and to bow down to him, Rick and the greatest tag team that ever lived. Now that they are back together due to Rick coming around to his way of thinking and because WCW sucks, they have a commissioner running around in a dress, and while that is a big hit here, he wouldn't last two minutes in Detroit. He also says that WCW has a president in a psychiatric ward getting shock treatment. From now on, Rick is with him in the nWo red-and-black. Rick says Bagwell is crying about his neck injury, and says it will be the first thing he goes for. When he not's riding with Scott Steiner, he's sitting on the porch with a bone and waiting for fresh meat, and Bagwell is fresh meat. He says if you don't like him, to bite him. He also says that if anyone in the back wants some, they can come get some, because he is "the D.F.G.," and he's going nowhere.

Buff Bagwell vs. Rick Steiner for the WCW World Television Championship ends when a monster truck when a man in a Sting mask drives a Sting monster truck down the aisle. The man in the mask is Lex Luger, and the real Sting is in the ring with his baseball bat, keeping The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) out of the ring. Rick Steiner retains the WCW World Television Championship.

Konnan's "Str8 Up" T-shirt is available for $20 plus $5.95 shipping and handling.

We see another performance by The Nitro Girls.

Curt Hennig complains about Konnan and hip-hop again. Konnan shows up, grabs Curt Hennig off commentary and proceeds to fight him. Hennig takes the boots of Konnan, but Konnan fights back and sends him rolling out of the ring with a facebuster. The brawl continues to the backstage area before the commercial break.

Hugh Morrus and Jimmy Hart are in the ring. Mike Tenay interviews them, and Jimmy Hart calls out Rey Mysterio Jr. Hugh Morrus says that it has been the same old guys in the same old matches for the last four years, and says it was time for him to shake things up a a bit. Rey Mysterio Jr. runs into the ring, and they have an impromptu match. Rey ends up going down, and Hugh Morrus and Jimmy Hart place a steel chair through Rey's neck. Konnan shows up and keeps Morrus pre-occupied, telling him not to do it. Kidman slides into the ring and powerbombs Morrus off the top rope, then Rey and Konnan take care of Jimmy Hart before they and Kidman take care of Morrus.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Hollywood Hogan, who makes his first appearance since Spring Stampede. Hulk Hogan limps to the ring on crutches. Hogan says "the wheel" gets a little better each and every day, and says he is here to congratulate Kevin Nash for getting the "nWo/WCW World Heavyweight title" back in the Wolfpac. Hogan says he has had a lot of time to sit back in front of his big screen TV and watch a lot of wrestling, and says that when he gets his hands on Diamond Dallas Page, it will make losing the World title look pretty good in comparison. He says he will make DDP his number one priority when he comes back. He then says that what he has seen on TV lately is something he does not like. He says a lot of happening in the wrestling business, from the "triple-X porno wrestling" on the other stations right back to WCW, is something he does not like. He says a lot of people do not realize that he has been on top from day one, main eventing all over the world each and every night, but what many people don't know is that he is the master of backstage politics and "the stroke" behind the curtains, and when it comes to playing the game, nobody plays it better than he does. He says that people see Goldberg and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, but they don't see them backstage like he does. From what he has seen of the business, he does not like it one bit, and when he gets back, he will be coming back to make a statement and change the business, as he has wrestling in his blood and he is in the business for life.

Kevin Nash shows up. Nash talks about how "Macho Man" Randy Savage has been out of control for the past week, and where he grew up, if you had a problem with someone, you went to their house and worked it out one way or another, not beat everyone else in the streets up. If Savage wants him for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, he's got him for the title at The Great American Bash. He says it is about time a championship put a shine on the World title, and he's started polishing it now and will continue to polish it for a very long time. Suddenly, "Macho Man" Randy Savage's music hits, but Miss Madness, Madusa and Gorgeous George are the only ones to show up. Gorgeous George is seen using crutches again on the way to the ring. Nash says that he does not have a problem with any of them, and assumes Madusa is Savage's spokesperson. Nash says he enjoys seeing Madusa wrestle, but he would rather see her box. Madusa tries to slap him, but he catches it. Miss Madness grabs his leg, and Gorgeous George hits him in the back with a crutch to no effect. Madusa then hits Nash with a low blow as soon as he turns around, then jumps on top of him for an attempted sleeper hold before Savage runs in and hits Nash in the head with the World title. Savage then pulls out a tube of lipstick and applies it to Nash's face.

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper's partners are revealed to be "The Crippler" Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko of The Four Horsemen. "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair and "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson believe that Benoit and Malenko are here to help out, but they end up standing with Piper, causing a split in The Four Horsemen. A fan tries to charge the ring, but he is quickly caught by security.

"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, Diamond Dallas Page and Bam Bam Bigelow vs. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, "The Crippler" Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko after Raven and Saturn go into the ring and go after DDP and Bigelow. Piper puts Flair in a sleeper hold, but Asya hits Piper from behind with a double ax handle. Piper still manages to fight back and toss Flair over the top rope before putting him in the Figure Four Leg Lock while Benoit stomps Flair. Flair retreats, then we see Hogan standing in front of a downed DDP backstage. Hogan has apparently attacked DDP with his crutches, and tells him that paybacks are hell.

Raw Is Owen - Raw recap for May 24, 1999

RAW


WWF Superstars, officials, referees, ring announcers, backstage staff and the McMahon family - some of whom are wearing black armbands with "OWEN" or "OH" in white on them (and in Goldust's case, around his neck) - line up towards the ring to pay tribute to Owen Hart. Ring announcer Howard Finkel asks the audience to please rise and join everyone as the bell is tolled ten times in tribute to Owen Hart. (The only two people who are noticeably absent are Kane and The Undertaker, the latter of whom flew to Calgary, Alberta, Canada to see Owen's brother and personal friend Bret "The Hit Man" Hart.) A video tribute to Owen is played on the TitanTron. Jim Ross announces that tonight will be a tribute to the life of Owen Hart. In addition to ten unique matches (with no angles behind them and with all Superstars involved voluntarily working in the ring that night), we will hear very real sentiments from Owen Hart's fellow WWF Superstars. (In addition, all storylines are cancelled for the week).
We hear from Mick Foley, otherwise known as Mankind, Dude Love and Cactus Jack. Mick says that Owen was his son Dewey's favorite wrestler, and for the first few years of his life, Dewey had long hair because of it. One day, his son Dewey was so proud as he looked like Owen Hart. Dewey and his sister Nicole also chanted "Nugget!" in the car for no reason, not knowing that it was a negative chant. Mick is proud that his son Dewey wanted to be like Owen, and says that if he could grow up to be a man like Owen, he would be even prouder. He says Owen was "the nicest, funniest person he has ever met, and talked about his family warmly and with love and affection. He says there is a special place in Heaven for Owen, and that the locker room will love and miss him.

Bradshaw says Owen Hart took a lot of kidding and ribbing from the guys in the back about how cheap he was on the road and how much money he saved, saying he saved in a month what most of the locker room spent in a few days. He says he did it because he wanted to retire early and spend time with his children. He is sad that his kids will never get to grow up with a father like Owen, and that they realize nothing can replace the loss of a father, especially one as good as Owen, and that they will realize how good a father they ahd. He says Owen was a terrific guy, and while he will not miss him as much as his family will, he will miss him a lot.

Before the next match, Jeff Jarrett says for the record that Owen Hart was never a nugget. It is also announced on commentary that memorial tributes to Owen Hart may be made directly to: The Alberta Children's Hospital, 1820 Richmond Road S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2T 5C7. (The Alberta Children's Hospital was Owen's favorite charity.)

Jeff Jarrett beats Test with a reverse Russian leg sweep into a Sharpshooter following the distraction - and slap - by Debra from the apron. During the match, it is announced the rest of the week's live events starting Wednesday in Peoria, Illinois and ending Sunday in Ottawa City, Ottawa, Canada are cancelled in Owen Hart's memory.

"Sexual Chocolate" Mark Henry reads a poem dedicated to Owen Hart, breaking down in emotion halfway through.

Droz says he has not been in the wrestling business for very long and that he has only known Owen Hart for a year to a year-and-a-half, and in that time period, he was the one person who could walk into a locker room when things were not going right and liven everyone up. He mentions the little things he would do to entertain people and says that he would go out of his way to put himself down and pull a prank on somebody. He says Owen was one of the best guys around who could always lighten up the mood. He talks about an autograph session in Toronto, Ontario, Canada where he temporarily filled in for Jeff Jarrett and Owen interacted with the fans. He says that Owen loved the ring, and says that he feels for his family, hoping they can look back, remember what kind of person he was, and never look back. He knows he won't.

X-Pac and Kane beat The Brood (Gangrel and Edge).

"Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Chyna think that Owen Hart would not be happy if he were to look down on them now, for he was constantly trying to get a laugh out of everybody and making people cry. Chyna calls Owen one of the truest, most honest, faithful guys that she knew and says he gave everyone a lot of happiness of memories. Chyna talks about how her hair would be extended completely outwards when she woke up, and how Owen would come to the building and try to get his hair to look like that. She says that Owen would always get people to laugh somehow, and says that if Owen were to hear everybody now, he would know he is loved and that he means an awful lot to everyone. Triple H says that in a business where you often see the worst of everything and the worst of everybody's personalities, everyone is a family is everyone is around each other at both their best and worst. He says that Owen was always at his best and was always up. He says that Owen was never a piece of trash and was always there for everybody to make them laugh and also make them mad. He also says Owen was the only one to have the balls to schoolboy him and not let him out at Royal Rumble. He says that Owen made him laugh more than anyone else in the locker room, and also says that Owen loved his family, whom he talked about all the time. He says that Owen was one of the guys who truly lived for them and was upfront about that. He says that always have a place in his heart, and that he will always be his friend. He says he love Owen and will never forget him.

WWF official Dave Hebner says he has been in WWF for 16 years and known Owen for 10. He says that Owen was that special person who could always make you smile and make sure you had a good day. He talks about how Owen cared for everybody, and would take out pictures, head to the back of the building, and sign them for the kids. He mentions that Owen was a big family man who loved his wife and two children to death, and says that he was one of the best. He talks about how he had fun with him, and how Owen tied his shoes together when he went down for the count. He says that Owen loved to play around, and that Owen's loss was a loss of one of the best.

The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt Hardy) beat Kaientai (Taka Michinoku and Sho Funaki, who is known as Funaki at this point). During the match, it is announced that Martha Hart, Owen Hart's wife, would like to extend her gratitude to Owen Hart's fans and friends for their support during this time.

Bruce Prichard says Owen Hart will be remembered as a great practical joker as well as a tremendous performer in the ring who provided people numerous hours of entertainment in and out of the ring, and he will always remember Owen for being a great friend and a wonderful father and husband to his wife and kids. He says he will miss him very much.

Dustin Runnels mentions some memories of Owen Hart. He says that Owen loved his family tremendously. He also talks about how every time he would come to Kansas City, Harley Race would invite all the guys over for chili and barbecue. One time, Harley cooked an entire pot of chili, and as he checked on the barbecue, Owen took a whole bottle of hot sauce and dumped it all in the chili. Not surprisingly, everyone's mouths were on fire, Owen was laughing and Harley Race was mad. Harley Race then took a stun gun and went after Owen. He says that Owen was well known for his practical jokes, and says he will be missed and is in a better place.

"The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock beats Hardcore Holly with the ankle lock.

Faarooq says it is hard to put in words, but says that when he leaves his family at home, the locker room is his family away from his family. They all love each other, and they loved Owen Hart, and Owen knew it. It hurts a lot knowing Owen Hart is gone.

Test talks about a moment from a few months ago when they went to Chicago, Illinois to do a double shot (two live shows in one day) and the weather was so bad that the first show was cancelled. The office had told everyone to sit tight and that they would do the show later that night. At the hotel room, the phone rang, and he picked it up. At the other end was the guy who ran the arena where the show would take place, and that he was told that Test was the go-to guy to see whether the show would go on or not. Test kept telling him he had to talk to the office, as he was not the guy to talk to, but everyone said they were cancelling and that he was the last man to talk to, and wanted to know what he thought was happening. After a few times of telling him he didn't think much of it and that he was not the guy to talk to, the guy on the other end said "I'll tell the guys that Test said to cancel the show." Test said not to bring his name into it, and hung up. He just now found out that Owen was the guy on the other end. As funny as it was, it was a hard way to find out. All his memories of Owen are good, and he will never forget them. He thanks Owen for them all.

Before the next match, "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn says that if you're not down with Owen Hart, he's got two words for ya: Suck it.


WAR ZONE


Mankind beats "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn with the Mandible Claw when Gunn goes outside of the ring for a steel chair only for Mankind to catch him with the Mandible Claw before he can get back in the ring with it. During the match, Jim Ross talks about how Owen Hart hid his hat for three straight television tapings, and how he always saw Owen Hart in his wrestling gear with his hat. After the match, Mankind says "Owen, this one's for you! Woooooo!"

Jeff Jarrett says that in this business, you have a lot of acquaintances and very few friends. He calls Owen Hart one of those friends, and says there are a lot of funny stories regarding his personalities and some of the crazy things he used to do, and has told his wife and his daughter that he spends more time with Owen than he does with them, and goes on to say that Owen has said the same thing about his family. Now that Owen is gone, one tends to look at it almost selfishly, as he does not have Owen with him anymore. He knows Owen is in a better place, laughing and cutting up. When he thinks about Owen's life, he thinks about integrity, for the wrestling business is cold, callous, selfish, self-serving, unrealistic and a fantasy world, but Owen was real and a man's man. His wife and kids were three of the luckiest people in the world because he loved them more than anyone else in the world, which is why Owen did what he did to provide for them, and he did it with integrity. He says that integrity in the wrestling business is few and far between, and while not a good thing to know, it is the truth. Outside all the laughs, the fans get to see Owen for 15 minutes, but when you see him 24 hours a day for ten to twelve days at a time, he is one of the guys that made it fun and made coming to work entertaining off-camera, which is just as important as on-camera. Jarrett says that wrestling films will be the one thing Owen's son Oje and daughter Athena will have to fall back on to see what their dad was like, but he promised himself as the years go by to let them really know what a great man their father was.

Edge says Owen was the leader of a band of merry Canadians known as "The Canadian Mafia." To him, Owen was a guru who helped him on the road when it came to a match or traveling, but what he remembers most is Owen's ability to make anybody laugh. When he thinks of Owen, he smiles. Today, it is a little bit tough, but he looks back at some of the things Owen did and had the pleasure Owen in what proved to be his last match, a tag team match between him and Christian and the team of Owen and Jeff Jarrett. He knew Owen was in a good mood that night, since he came out with the blue-and-white boots and the silver, white and red outfit on with messed-up hair and a goofy grin on his face. He was also wearing the "It's time for a change!" T-shirt as he went to the corner and started posing and flexing. They got into the match, and he had Owen in an arm bar. Owen kipped up, wound up and gave him a big chop to the back with a "Hi-yah!" which knocked him down. They had a good time that night, and it was Owen's last match. He says it is nice to look back on things like that, and says that Owen made everyone laugh and that he will be sorely missed. Edge then talks about how he grew up watching Owen, and how he got to wrestle him in television and pay-per-views as well as all over the world as he also traveled with him. He wishes his family godspeed and says the locker room will miss him.

D'Lo Brown and "Sexual Chocolate" Mark Henry beats The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw) after D'Lo Brown dodges a big boot meant for him, which ends up hitting Faarooq in the face, allowing D'Lo to get the schoolboy pin on Bradshaw. During the match, Jerry "The King" Lawler talks about a time at the airport where he, Owen Hart and Jack Lanza watched "The Lethal Weapon" Steve Blackman and Bradshaw fight in baggage claim, and how Owen Hart had a laugh about it. It is also mentioned that Owen's funeral will be one week from today at 11 AM in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with full details on WWF.com.

Pat Patterson says that with 40 years in the business, he has seen a lot of wrestlers, and Owen Hart was very special. Owen, in his estimation, was one of the best performers inside the ring. He goes on to say that not only was he good in the ring, but that he was a great person out of it, as he was great to be with. He says he will be missed by people all over the world, and that after all his time in the business and everywhere he has ever been, there has never been anyone quite like Owen. He thanks Owen for being the person he was, and says he will miss him.

Hardcore Holly remembers Owen as the guy who made you laugh regardless of what mood you were in. He also says he was "a big ribber," playing harmless pranks on everyone, including himself, just to get a laugh out of everybody. The one thing that sticks out in his mind is something he did for him three years ago in his hometown of Mobile, Alabama, where he volunteered to put him over (let him win) in the ring. He says Owen never had any enemies, and was the guy you always wanted to be around. He admits that Owen was aggravating at times, but he knew how to make you laugh. He says Owen may be gone, but he is not forgotten at all, and he will always be remembered.

Before the next match, "Road Dogg" Jesse James says everybody knows who he is and that it's all about Owen Hart tonight. When the match begins, Godfather proposes that instead of having their match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship, they go downtown in St. Louis, Missouri and blaze it up all night long. Road Dogg proposes they blaze one up and "tell some Owen stories." Both men leave along with the hos.

Paul Bearer says of Owen Hart: "He will not grow old like we who are left grow old. Age shall not weary him, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember him. Goodbye, old buddy."

X-Pac says that everyone will agree that Owen Hart is one of the funniest guys who ever walked the face of the earth, and is definitely one of the funniest guys he has ever met. He says that Owen had a different sense of humor, but he was so funny. In the ring, he was one of the best ever and one of his favorite guys to work with. He says that everyone walked in today and everybody was crying as soon as they got in, and it feels like a nightmare as it is unbelievable he is gone. He knows that he and everyone else in the locker room will miss him, and says a prayer for his wife and two children. He goes on to say that Owen Hart is one of the best guys he ever met in his life, and that he will miss him.

King of the Ring will take place June 27th, live on pay-per-view!

"Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley beats Al Snow.

"Road Dogg" Jesse James says it's a little soon to ask him about Owen Hart, as he only got to really know him for the last six months of his life and learned that he was a lot like him. He knows he has two children, and that he was a good man who took part in the business to provide for his family. He says Owen is in a better place, and he will be missed. He says he will pray for his family.

Gerald Brisco says he always looked at Owen Hart with a lot of respect, and one of the reasons he looked at Owen was that he could relate to him, having also been the younger brother of a wrestling superstar and knowing the drive within Owen's heart to be an outstanding wrestler and give everything that he could for the fans. Looking back at Owen's career, he says that he did just that every night and never cut anything short. He says that Owen did it all for his friends, fans and family, and says he remembers him as a man who never cut corners. He says that Owen was a guy that you could have a laugh with it, but when it came time to get in the ring, Owen was able to do all the could to make the fans happy. He says Owen will always be remembered for that, and thanks him for those memories.

Big Show beats Goldust and The Blue Meanie in a 2-on-1 handicap match. (The match is supposed to be Big Show vs. Goldust, but when Goldust pushes The Blue Meanie into Big Show, it becomes a handicap match.)

As she says a few words for Owen Hart so that his children can see this message when they get older, Debra says that in the short time she has been in the WWF and traveled and worked with Owen, she has to admit that the world has lost a really great person and just wishes that all the people could have seen how funny he was. Whether it was a good day or a bad day, he knew how to make people laugh. She talks about the autograph sessions that they did together, and says Owen would always kid around. She says that people take others for granted because they are always around them, and remembers the last time she talked to him was backstage at Over The Edge, when she complained about her shorts. Owen said "maybe you should change" before he went out to the ring, and it ended up being the last time she talked to him. She looked at the schedule of her autograph sessions that she would have done with Owen Hart this week, and realized that life is precious and that people should not be taken for granted. She says that Owen has touched her life and brightened her day, and looks back on all the work they did together, especially with The Blue Blazer character. She says she will definitely miss Owen, and that she loved him as a friend and she cannot believe he is gone, as she is always looking for him. She admits it will be hard to walk out to the ring with Jeff Jarrett, especially at the house shows, since Owen will not be there anymore making all sorts of jokes and making them laugh. She admits she will miss Owen a lot, and wants to let his family know that he was a great guy and that she was honored to work with him all this time. She loves Owen, and says he will always be in his memories.

Shane McMahon says Owen Hart was always the prankster. If you did one to him, he always got one back on you. He remembers a time when he and Bret "The Hit Man" Hart were in Chicago, Illinois about ten years ago. He and Bret were at the bar, and Owen, who was The Blue Blazer at the time, went upstairs to get some sleep. He and Bret were hanging out and they decided to "wake up the Blazer," as Bret would say. They went upstairs and tackled him as he was asleep. The next morning, Bret's boots were missing and Shane's things were in the shower. Shane goes on to say that the relationship between the McMahon family and the Hart family goes back many years, and says Owen will be truly missed.

Before the next match, Val Venis tells the ladies to rest assured that he will have his time in the sun, but tonight, everyone is here to celebrate Owen Hart. When The Rock shows up, he says that it with great pride that he can come to the ring tonight and entertain in the name of Owen Hart, and that Owen would want him to kick some roody-poo candy ass. He says that this is Owen's night, and that he loved him like no other. He goes on to dedicates The People's Elbow to Owen tonight.

The Rock quickly beats Val Venis.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin shows up. He grab two beers, then raises and drinks one for Owen, whose image is on the TitanTron and is shown-on screen to end the episode.

Sunday, May 23, 1999

Over The Edge 1999 - The Results

On the WWE Network, the show begins with a screen with the words "In memory of Owen Hart, May 7, 1965 - May 23, 1999, who accidentally passed away during this broadcast." (Up until this point, Over The Edge 1999 was not available in any format, including VHS, and was not for home viewing in any form until the launch of the WWE Network. Not surprisingly, all references to Owen Hart's death are removed on the Network.)

X-Pac and Kane retain the WWF Tag Team Championships against D'Lo Brown and "Sexual Chocolate" Mark Henry.

Michael Cole reports that WWF co-owner Vince McMahon may not be able to serve as special guest referee in the WWF Championship match between The Undertaker and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin due to his ankle injury, and that this situation will be updated as it develops.

Kevin Kelly interviews Hardcore Holly, who says that when he has a child, he had an imaginary friend named Little Joe, and he was disciplined for breaking a lamp after he blamed Little Joe. He tells Al Snow that Pierre and Head are imaginary, and that he will not only get the Hardcore title back tonight, he will take an implement of destruction and peel his head wipe open to show everyone what's in it.

Al Snow retains the WWF Hardcore Championship against Hardcore Holly after putting Holly through a table with a powerbomb.

Michael Cole interviews Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco, who confirm that an ambulance is coming to the arena and that WWF co-owner Vince McMahon's ankle is broken.

The next scheduled match is The Blue Blazer vs. The Godfather for the WWF Intercontinental Championship. We then see a replay of Kevin Kelly's interview with The Blue Blazer on SmackDown a few weeks ago. (On the Spanish commentary feed, not long into the video package for that interview, Carlos Cabrera can be heard saying "Oh, no!" on his headset a couple of times.) Kevin Kelly interviews The Blue Blazer, who says that saying The Godfather's name is enough to make his blue blood boil. He calls The Godfather "his arch-nemesis" who represents everything wrong with the WWF. He says to fear not, as he will always triumph over evil, as he always takes his vitamins, says his prayers and drinks his milk. After this, we see a very wide shot of the audience, and the ring is nowhere in sight. The camera is then focused on Jim Ross, who says that Owen Hart - who is disguised as The Blue Blazer - has fallen from the rafters and that this fall is not part of the show and that the fall is "a real situation." The cameras continue to focus only on the crowd as EMTs tend to Owen and give him CPR. Owen fails to respond. A gurney is then brought out and Owen is placed on it, taken to the back, placed inside an ambulance and taken to nearby Trumann Medical Center, where he is pronounced dead on arrival at the age of 34 (just 16 days after his birthday), despite several attempts to revive him. (The cause of death is later revealed to be internal bleeding due to blunt force trauma.) The fall comes from Owen Hart's entrance, descending from the rafters into the ring dressed like The Blue Blazer, coming down from the rafters to the ring much like Sting from World Championship Wrestling. Unlike Sting's entrance, however, Owen was to fall down just before he hit the ring and fall flat on his face in a comedic fashion, due to the "superhero buffoon" gimmick of The Blue Blazer. This entrance had been practiced and performed on the November 15, 1998 episode of Sunday Night Heat without incident, and Owen himself had performed the entrance a few times before, but at Over The Edge, one of the cables on the safety vest disengaged, sending Owen crashing 70 feet downwards and chest-first into the top rope, near a turnbuckle. The force of the fall throws him into the ring. (It is later revealed that Owen had accidentally triggered the early release mechanism.) The incident, while in full view of the crowd in the arena, was not shown on the pay-per-view broadcast. (Nevertheless, the entire Owen Hart video package segment as well as the post-accident aftermath that was shown is removed from the WWE Network version of the show.) After the incident, the show is stopped for 15 minutes, but the decision is ultimately made by Vince McMahon and WWF corporate officials to continue on with the show (which would become a decision met with controversy after the show, as some, including Owen's brother Bret "The Hit Man" Hart says that the show should not have gone afterwards; meanwhile, backstage staff and wrestlers alike would look somber backstage as the event went on). Owen's funeral will take place one week later the following Monday in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and will be attended by friends, family and over 300 professional wrestlers who knew him. He will then be buried in Calgary's Queens Park Cemetery later that day. Owen's death will also lead to a legal battle between the WWF and Hart's family that will end in November 2000 with WWF paying the Hart family $18 million. The manufacturer of the harness system will be named as a defendant, but ultimately dismissed from the case after a settlement is reached.

Before the next match, Val Venis says Kansas is known as "The Show Me State," (even though that nickname belongs to Missouri), and Val Venis tells the ladies that if they show him their, he'll show them his.

Val Venis and Nicole Bass beat Jeff Jarrett and Debra after Nicole rips Debra's shirt off. After the match, Nicole Bass kisses Val Venis, much to the surprise of Val Venis, who wants more of Nicole Bass.

Kevin Kelly tries to interviews WWF co-owner Vince McMahon when WWF co-owner Shane McMahon shows up and mocks Vince's ankle injury at the hands of The Corporate Ministry from Sunday Night Heat.

"Road Dogg" Jesse James tells Billy Gunn that he hopes somebody is praying for him, as it is all boiling down to tonight. He calls Billy Gunn a "puss," then asks Kevin Kelly who will win. He says he doesn't know. Road Dogg then grabs the microphone and starts his spoken intro as soon as he starts heading to the ring.

Kevin Kelly interviews "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn, who says that he and "Road Dogg" Jesse James know what he is capable of, as he has been carrying him like a bad case of the clap. Tonight, he takes center stage, because he was The New Age Outlaws and Road Dogg was a warm-up act. Tonight, Road Dogg takes "the dogg pound."

"Bad Ass" Billy Gunn beats "Road Dogg" Jesse James after choking Road Dogg with his wrist tape prior to the Fameasser.

Michael Cole interviews WWF co-owner Shane McMahon, who says it is not his fault that WWF co-owner Vince McMahon's ankle is heart and insists that he will call the WWF Championship match down the middle, 1-2-3.

The Union (Mankind, Test, Big Show, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock) beats The Corporate Ministry (The Big Boss Man, Faarooq, Bradshaw, Viscera) in a 4-on-4 elimination tag team match. Shamrock is disqualified during the match when he hits referee Mike Chioda with a belly-to-belly suplex when Chioda tells him to release the ankle lock on Faarooq as Faarooq grabs the bottom rope. Teddy Long replaces Chioda as the referee for this match. Big Show ends up pinning Faarooq after a choke slam. Viscera and Big Show brawl all the way to the back, and Mankind beats The Big Boss Man with a Mandible Claw.

After the match, Jim Ross announces that Owen Hart has died. "Ladies and gentlemen, earlier tonight here in Kansas City, tragedy befell the World Wrestling Federation and all of us. Owen Hart was set to make an entrance from the ceiling, and he fell from the ceiling. I have the unfortunate responsibility to let everyone know that Owen Hart has died. Owen Hart has tragically died from that accident here tonight." Owen Hart was only 34. (This segment is removed from the WWE Network version of the show, as the show fades to black before going into a video package for The Rock vs. "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley.) The fans in attendance at the show are not told any information about what happened to Hart, nor were they made aware of Owen's death, during the show. (Following the show, the encore presentation on pay-per-view is cancelled, as are four house shows in Canada and one in Illinois slated for the rest of the week.)

Kevin Kelly interviews The Rock, but The Rock is suddenly attacked from behind by "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley after Chyna shows up. As Triple H tries to cut The Rock's cast off, Mankind shows up and fights Triple H but is distracted by Chyna. Triple H attacks Mankind from behind with a steel pipe.

Before the next match, "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley says he knows The Rock is in the back crying over his injury, and says he does not have the guts to come out and face him. He then has referee Earl Hebner count The Rock out. The Rock comes out before that can happen.

The Rock beats "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley by disqualification after Triple H punches referee Earl Hebner. Early on in the match, Triple H rips The Rock's cast off and uses it against him as a weapon. After the match, Triple H grabs a steel chair, but The Rock manages to take it from him and use it against him. Hebner tries to raise The Rock's hand, but he grabs the injured arm and The Rock punches him as a result. The Rock then brawls with Triple H - whose head is now busted open - outside of the ring. Chyna tries to use a steel chair, and when The Rock manages to catch it and use it against her, Triple H attacks him from behind. The Rock manages to fight back and hit the Rock Bottom before placing the steel chair on Triple H's face. Chyna grabs The Rock's foot as he goes for The People's Elbow, and Triple H gets up and hits The Rock in his bad arm with the steel chair. Mankind runs in with a steel pipe, and Triple H and Chyna flee.

Pat Patterson shows up in a referee's uniform before the next match, replacing WWF co-owner Vince McMahon as the second special guest referee. Patterson briefly confronts Shane before The Undertaker's entrance. The Undertaker then choke slams Patterson, taking him out of the match, and Patterson has to be helped to the back after "Stone Cold" Steve Austin makes his entrance.

The Undertaker beats "Stone Cold" Steve Austin to become the WWF Champion for a third time. During the match, Austin confronts special guest referee Shane McMahon for a near-fall when The Undertaker never got his shoulder up. Paul Bearer tosses a steel chair to The Undertaker, but Austin kicks 'Taker in the gut and whips him into Shane. Gerald Brisco shows up and makes the count, but The Undertaker kicks out and eventually knocks him out of the ring. Original second special guest referee Vince McMahon limps his way to the ring and performs referee duties, and Brisco has to be helped to the back. Austin hits The Undertaker with the Stone Cold Stunner, and Vince for the pinfall only for Shane to stop it. Shane pushes Vince into Shane, and The Undertaker pins Austin. Shane fast counts Austin, allowing The Undertaker to take the WWF Championship. Austin continues to attack 'Taker, then Shane sends out The Corporate Ministry and a few members get the Stunner, but by then the damage is done.

Monday, May 17, 1999

Raw Deal - Raw recap for May 17, 1999

RAW


D-Generation X (X-Pac and "Road Dogg" Jesse James) and Kane vs. "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn, D'Lo Brown and "Sexual Chocolate" Mark Henry ends with both sides brawling their way through the crowd.

Immediately after the first match of the night comes to a chaotic end, The Corporate Ministry shows up. WWF co-owner Shane McMahon says that tonight is the eve of Armageddon for the Ministry, and that they will demolish all in their path. He says it is funny how fate plays such a big part of life, and it was fate that incapacitated The Union's (Mankind, Test, Big Show, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock) car. He says that their arrival was delayed for good reason, however, as The Corporate Minsitry has three people in mind on their hit list this evening. The first is WWF co-owner Vince McMahon. Shane says he told Vince to stay away from him and his business, and tells him to lock the door as the Ministry is coming for him and he will begin to feel the pain.

WWF co-owner Vince McMahon, Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco are seen backstage. They are preparing for the worst, as The Union (Mankind, Test, Big Show, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock) is not here yet, and are seen moving a sofa in front of the door to their dressing room.

WWF co-owner Shane McMahon leads The Corporate Ministry to WWF co-owner Vince McMahon's dressing room backstage. They find the office, and Vince looks in the closet only to be attacked by The Undertaker, Chyna and "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley. The lights go out, and The Undertaker drags Vince into the closet and attacks him.

Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco help WWF co-owner Vince McMahon - who is on a stretcher - to an ambulance. The ambulance is t

Before the next match, Val Venis says "The Big Valbowski" is a lot like a hurricane. They both tend to migrate over warm, moist waters, but the only difference is while a hurricane is known as "the storm dome," he is known as "the pleasure dome."

Val Venis and The Godfather beat Jeff Jarrett and The Blue Blazer. During the match, Nicole Bass shows up and confronts Debra, which distracts Jarrett. The Godfather whips The Blue Blazer into Jarrett, then hits him with the Death Valley Driver for the win.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin is seen entering the building.

Test - having just arrived with the rest of The Union (Mankind, Big Show, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock) - beats Meat by disqualification after Jacqueline drop kicks Test from the top rope from behind. As Test confronts Jacqueline, Meat hits Test with a reverse DDT, then P.M.S. (Terri Runnels, Jacqueline, Meat, Ryan Shamrock) take the boots to Test. Tori shows up, gets in the ring, shoves Ryan to the mat and blasts Jacqueline with a shot to the face. P.M.S. retreat, and Test wants nothing to do with Tori.

WWF co-owner Shane McMahon is seen talking with The Corporate Ministry backstage. He says one is down and that there are two more to go, and he smells a rattlesnake. The Undertaker says that Austin is his.

Dan Marino, quarterback for the Miami Dolphins football team, is seen with his family in the front row.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin shows up. He says that last night on Sunday Night Heat, WWF co-owner Shane McMahon said he had a vision when he booked him in a match against "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley for tonight. As far as Triple H is concerned, he says he has enough ability to get to the top in the WWF, and now somebody has pissed him off enough to help him get there. He says that Shane's vision of the match is a little different than his, as Austin's vision is him sticking his foot in Triple H's ass. As far as Chyna goes, he is an equal opportunity ass-kicked, and if she gets in the ring, she will get the bonus plan as his foot will go in her ass. That being said, going into Over The Edge, it doesn't matter to him who the referee is, and tells The Undertaker that he will not make the ultimate sacrifice out of him. He says The Undertaker will know that Austin 3:16 reads "I just whipped your ass." This Sunday, he will beat The Undertaker, and that's the bottom line, because he said so. Suddenly, The Corporate Ministry shows up, and Shane says he has heard enough from Austin. He tells The Undertaker and Paul Bearer to wait, then tells Austin to remember one thing: as one of the special guest referees this Sunday, if Austin even does so much as breathe on him wrong, he will disqualify him and award The Undertaker with the WWF Championship. As far as Vince goes, he may be seeing him before this Sunday night; as a matter of fact, he might meet him tonight when The Ministry puts him in a hospital bed. Shane then sics The Ministry on Austin, but "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock shows up, gets behind Shane and tries to choke him out. The Ministry attacks him, but Big Show and Mankind also show up, starting an all-out war on the stage. Austin gets Paul Bearer in the ring and hits him with a Stone Cold Stunner.

WAR ZONE


The Undertaker beats The Rock in a Casket Match. During the match, the show cuts to backstage, where The Union (Mankind, Test, Big Show, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock) is seen brawling with The Corporate Ministry. Shortly after this, "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley shows up, keeping The Rock from rolling The Undertaker into the casket. Chyna and WWF co-owner Shane McMahon show up soon after that, and Triple H then gets physically involved in the match. After a low blow by The Undertaker, Triple H strikes at The Rock's left arm - which is in a cast - with a sledgehammer (which will become Triple H's signature weapon for years to come). After this, Triple H then boots The Rock into the casket for The Undertaker to close it and end the match. Triple H then locks the casket, whic is quickly toppled. Triple H then takes the sledgehammer and smashes it into the top of the casket to the point that the casket is severely dented and has a few holes in it.



In footage from the commercial break, the casket from the match from earlier is brought to the back and opened. After officials look inside, they call for an ambulance.

Michael Hayes and The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt Hardy) vs. The Brood (Gangrel, Edge, Christian) ends in a double disqualification when the match gets out of control inside and outside of the ring.

The Rock, bloodied and bruised from the assault inside of the casket, is placed inside an ambulance.

WWF co-owner Shane McMahon is seen telling The Corporate Ministry that WWF co-owner Vince McMahon and The Rock is down, and that there is one more left to go (the one obviously being "Stone Cold" Steve Austin).

Before the next match, Al Snow shows up with a box and wearing a black armband with the name "Pierre" on it. He holds a memorial service for Pierre the one-eyed deer head, whom he calls "a true superstar of the sports entertainment world," "the cover boy of Field & Stream," "a friend of the NRA." He says Pierre always kept an eye out for him and that he was "the one I love," and then pays tribute to him. He opens the box and place a few of his favorite things inside: his favorite cigar, his reading glasses, his favorite episode of Columbo, his favorite audio cassette tape of Sammy Davis Jr., the nightshirt he wore on the night of his first accident (complete with tire tracks). He says Pierre will live on through him, because Hardcore Holly brutally blindsided Pierre. He says that the last time he say someone violate an animal like that was when my class took a field trip to the sheep farm. While Pierre laid in the hospital bed that he made the hospital staff put him in, he passed the Hardcore title on to him as the IV was hooked up to him, then looked up to him and made a deer noise with his dying breath. Hardcore Holly shows up with one of Pierre's antlers, spits on it, and gets in the ring. Al Snow hits him with Head before hitting him with the Snow Plow. He tells Hardcore Holly that if he wants to push him over the edge, he will get his Hardcore title shot at Over The Edge.

Michael Cole is outside "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's dressing room. Not far away, The Corporate Ministry get ready to pounce on Austin as soon as he pokes his head out. The Undertaker insists that Austin will be his when WWF co-owner Shane McMahon says Austin will be theirs when they see him.

It is announced that last week's Raw is officially the highest-ever rated regularly scheduled program in cable TV history. (The show pulled an 8.1 rating over NBA on TNT, which pre-empted WCW Monday Nitro last week and only made a 1.2 in comparison.) Jim Ross thanks the fans for their support and loyalty to the WWF.

Michael Cole interviews "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, who says he is not leaving in an ambulance. All of a sudden, The Union (Mankind, Test, Big Show, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock) show up and brawl with The Corporate Ministry, stopping any chance of a Ministry attack on Austin. The cameraman gets knocked out during the fracas.

Big Show beats The Big Boss Man.

WWF co-owner Shane McMahon tells "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley that he owns "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

At the Cleavage household, Harry "Beaver" Cleavage's mother is making pancakes. Beaver tells her that her flapjacks look terrific, then sits at the table. Suddenly, she accidentally knocks over a cup, and the liquid inside spills onto Beaver's pants. She then says "Oh no! My little Harry Beaver's all wet! Let me get that for you!" She wipes it off with a towel and says "There! Now we have a dry, clean Harry Beaver." Beaver says "Thanks, Mom!" He then looks at the camera and says "Nobody likes a sloppy beaver!"

We see some footage from during the commercial break where The Corporate Ministry escapes in a car and The Union (Mankind, Test, Big Show, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock) follows them in a Cadillac.

"Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin ends in a no-contest. During the match, a giant Undertaker symbol comes down from the top of the arena and stops several feet above the ring. The Undertaker then shows up, and Austin hits him as soon as he gets on the apron. Triple H sends Austin out of the ring, and WWF co-owner Shane McMahon and Triple lower the symbol as The Undertaker takes the boots to Austin. The Undertaker then sends Austin into the ring, then the rest of The Corporate Ministry shows up. The Union (Mankind, Test, Big Show, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock), however, is not far behind, and they keep The Ministry from getting in the ring. The Undertaker is trying to handcuff Austin to the symbol, but Austin turns the table and handcuffs The Undertaker to it instead. Austin commands the symbol to be raised, and The Undertaker laughs as he is suspended in mid-air and as Austin flips him of to end the show.

Nitro-Glycerin - Monday Nitro recap for May 17, 1999

A white limousine pulls up outside of the arena. Out of the back seat comes Asya, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson, Diamond Dallas Page and Charles Robinson.

Charles Robinson approaches the office of the WCW President, and he replaces the name plate for "Rowdy" Roddy Piper with that of "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, saying this is as it should be.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, who shows up with Asya, "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson and Charles Robinson. Flair says he is here to make a statement tonight, but before he does, Anderson has words of wisdom for Raven and Perry Saturn. Anderson says he is not nuts and never has been, and says he has always told it like it is and has never made guarantees or promises. He says that The Four Horsemen (Flair, Anderson, "The Crippler" Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko) have worked really hard to win three world championships a short time back, and that WCW management tried to squash it. He plans to take the President as his most powerful and make a guarantee that Malenko and Benoit will bring the world tag team titles back where they belong to The Four Horsemen tonight on Nitro. Flair makes it clear that he is the President of WCW, and says Eric Bischoff has no right to walk into a business he is running and making decisions concerning the company because of it. He then tells Ted Turner that if he does not move Bischoff, he is coming "to get Fonda." and Fonda will ride Space Mountain all over the Turner empire. He says to learn to love it, as he is WCW President. He then announces that tonight, for the first time ever, he and Robinson will face "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Gorgeous George in a mixed tag team match, and says Savage and Gorgeous George are going down tonight. Flair then tells Bischoff jumped on a World title match and made a call that will not stand, and announces that tonight, Kevin Nash will defend the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Diamond Dallas Page, and DDP is here tonight. He asks DDP to come to the ring, as he and his entourage are helping him bring the World title back home. DDP shows up, and says Flair's decision making is why he should be WCW President. He then says everyone knows that he has never cried over a finish, and if he got beat, he got beat. He then says that Flair was right and that he got screwed at the last pay-per-view. He then tells Nash that since he has Bischoff in his pocket, he has decided to bring some of his own boys on. He brings out Bam Bam Bigelow, who shows up in street clothes and tells DDP he has his back. DDP says that he will be a three-time, three-time, three-time champion of the world. Flair says this could be one of the all-time greatest Nitros, as he is the boss.

We hear from Eric Bischoff. He says he meant exactly what he said when he reversed the decision for "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair vs. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper at Slamboree. He says he and everybody worked hard to make WCW #1 in the world and stay there for 88 straight weeks. He admits that wrestling is now a little more competitive than he would like it to be, and that maybe he got a little bit complacent, maybe he wasn't paying as much attention and that maybe he was full of himself, but he has learned from his mistakes and believes that WCW will be #1 again as everyone in the company is committed. He says that he will do everything in his power to make WCW #1 again.

We hear from Eric Bischoff, who says that he did what he felt was right concerning "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper at Slamboree, saying that Piper deserved that match. As for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship match between Kevin Nash and Diamond Dallas Page, anybody who saw that match knows that Nash clearly had DDP beat before "Macho Man" Randy Savage interfered. Once again, he did not consider if he was working in any official capacity, and says he was doing what he thought was right. He also says not to blame Nick Patrick, as he was trying to do the right thing and had the option of making the decision, which is final. He says that Nash deserves the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, and that there should be no doubt in anyone's mind. If anyone high on the corporate ladder does not like, it does not matter, as the referee's decision is final.

We hear from Eric Bischoff again, who says a lot of things are going to change. He says he is looking at how he has conducted business, and says he has made both good and bad decisions. He says the key is to be able to be honest with yourself, realize you've made mistakes and do something about it. He does not expected to be welcomed back with open arms, but there is not much he can do to change that other than to change how he conducts himself and shape the company into what he wants it to be. He says he will do everything in his power, and in case he cannot become WCW President, he will do what he can to contribute to the comapny and help make it #1 again, as he is grateful for all the opportunities given to him in the company, and says he owes a lot to the people who work 10-14 hours a week to make it all possible. He says he will do all he can to contribute. He thanks all the people who gave him another shot, and says he understands if there are people who cannot find it in their hearts to forgive him.

A black limousine shows up, and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Eric Bischoff enter the building.

It is announced that Bret "The Hit Man" Hart will not appear on a WCW program anytime soon due to how he quit the company. Hart is aware of Kevin Nash's challenge on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on Friday night, is amused that "Jay Leno and the people with the show are now wrestling promoters", and will be on The Tonight Show Tuesday night to answer Nash's challenge.

Rey Mysterio Jr. retains the WCW Cruiserweight Championship against Evan Karagias.

Charles Robinson, "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson, "The Crippler" Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko and Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker head to "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair's office. Flair insists that he is still WCW President, and he puts Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker in a match against his son David Flair, and tells him to throw the match as soon as Anderson gives the signal. He also tells him that Charles Robinson will also be the referee for the match. If he does, he will take care of him by giving him an office job. Parker tells Flair he will do what needs to be done. After Parker leaves, Ric Flair calls David and Torrie Wilson out of his office, and he tells David Flair that he will be on the road to the world title and will face Buddy Lee Parker. He tells him how Parker will throw the match and give him the won to advance his career. Torrie tells Ric Flair that he had better keep his promise, and Ric Flair says that he will.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Booker T. Booker T says everybody knows what went down between him and Rick Steiner, but he is not crying over spilled milk and asking for a rematch, as he is calling Rick out. He tells Rick to get his gear on, as he has his on and is feeling a Harlem Hangover tonight. Booker T says he is a man on his own and that Stevie Ray has his own agenda, and all he cares about is getting the WCW Television Championship around his waist one more time as he is a true people's champion. He tells Rick to get in the ring with him, and that it is just business. Booker T says he started at the bottom and worked his way up to seven tag team titles and six television titles, and tells "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair and WCW Executive Committee Chairman to do what they have to do to make the match official, and he says he will make it seven reigns with the Television title tonight.

David Flair beats Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker.

Before the next match, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair says he wants no excuses and wants "Macho Man" Randy Savage to bring Gorgeous George, Madusa and Miss Madness to the ring as what Gorgeous George has is a fraction of what Savage and Madusa are going to get. When they all show up, Gorgeous George is seen on crutches while Madusa is dressed for the ring. Savage tells Flair to get ready, and he will take him and Robinson all the way down. He won the battle, but did not lose the war, and says Flair will feel the madness and it will not feel good at all.

"Macho Man" Randy Savage and Madusa beat "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair and "Little Nature Boy" Charles Robinson after Madusa keeps Flair out of the ring following the top rope elbow drop to Robinson.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Piper shows up with a clipboard in his hand. Piper insists that he is WCW President. He says he has been listening to "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, and says Flair has gone way over the edge. He says he has ten reasons Flair should not be running a gas station, much less WCW. He says he is broke, and asks how is he going to budget WCW if he has no money of his own. Piper then talks about a time 15 years ago in North Carolina, when he was sitting at a bar at the Hilton when Flair shows up in drag with a Dolly Patron wig and comedy breasts and danced all night and danced a little longer with some guy who looked like Barbra Striesand. He also says that he has Charles Robinson stalking RuPaul. He then says that Flair says "the Y2K problem is no problem" because Robinson has two tubes of jelly in his bag. He also says Flair thought "The Phanton Menace" was Hilary Clinton. He then says that Flair was once in the office naked chasing himself around the desk. He also says Ric Flair is Dennis Rodman's best friend as well as his marriage and sports counselor. Piper also says that when he sent Flair to the nuthouse, Flair met Dr. Kevorkian, and after ten minutes, Dr. Kevorkian was trying to stick the needle in his own arm. He says that Space Mountain has been dead for 15 years, and that Flair thinks Viagra is the world's biggest waterfalls. He also says one of Flair's old dates has said she would stand naked on an anthill than be in Ric Flair's hotel room for an hour as he talked about his World championships. Finally, according to The Nitro Girls, Flair has gone from "The 60-minute man" to "the 60-second scam." Piper then says he has been talking to Eric Bischoff, who has told him all kinds of Flair, and asks Brischoff to come to the ring so he can tell it all to the fans. Bischoff shows up, and Piper says he has wanted to punch him in the face and drag him around the ring until there was nothing left, and that all he has done has led to his hair turning gray. He reminds him of the time he fired Randy Anderson, and says he does not buy his apology. Bischoff says he has screwed up and made mistakes, and he apologizes to Piper and the fans for him. He does not blame Piper for not forgiving him, and tells him to judge him by what he does, not what he says. As Bischoff says he is committed to WCW, "Macho Man" Randy Savage shows up with Madusa, Gorgeous George and Miss Madness '99. Savage says it is simple, and that by the end of the evening, he wants a title shot against Kevin Nash. He says Bischoff - whom he never liked - messed him up as he had somebody that owed him something. Piper says Savage will get his title shot, as he is the commissioner, and that he will have to wait. Savage says he does what he wants, and says he is not leaving until he gets a World title shot against Kevin Nash. Suddenly, Gorgeous George hits Piper wih one of her crutches, revealing that she is not even hurt, and Savage hits both Piper with a piledriver before body slamming Eric Bischoff. As he goes up top for the elbow drop, Kevin Nash gets in the ring. Savage leaves, but not before demanding a World title shot from Kevin Nash as he thinks Nash is nothing but an ass who has no guts. Savage also tells Nash to hand him the title just like he did to Hollywood Hogan. Nash tells Savage that he can see he's "used his American Express card on his dates," and if he wants the belt from him, he will have to pry it from his dead hands. Savage says that can be arranged and that he would rather take it from him that way.

Hak and Chastity show up. He trashes Cedar Rapids, Iowa and the crowd, saying something stinks in the town. He says that he is the most hardcore wrestler on the planet and the king of extreme, and has said this since he showed up in WCW. He says he proved at Uncensored when he beat Bam Bam Bigelow and Raven and became the hardcore champion, then beat Bam Bam Bigelow to an inch of his career in Minnesota when he called him out, and beat Kevin Nash to an inch of his career as well. He also called out Goldberg and beat him to an inch of his career. Suddenly, Fit Finley shows up on the video screen, and says he is sick of him calling himself the king of hardcore, and says where he comes from is hardcore. He then tells Hak to get his kendo stick ready, because he's on his way. When he shows up, Hak asks Finley if he knows what he is getting into, then says he might as well give him his last request and hands him the microphone. Finley proceeds to hit Hak in the forehead with it, starting an impromptu hardcore match.

Hak vs. Fit Finley is thrown out after Brian Knobbs shows up and attacks both men, starting a brawl. Finley chases Hak to the back with a chair, and Knobbs chases Finley with a broken table.

Booker T is seen down on the ground backstage. Rick Steiner then says that Booker T didn't want to come to the ring as he cannot win without Stevie Ray's help. He then issues an open challenge to anyone in the locker room, but Rick Steiner gets impatient and leaves. As he makes his way up the ramp, Sting shows up and answers the open challenge.

Rick Steiner vs. Sting ends in a no-contest. During the match, Scott Steiner shows up, and he and Rick surround the ring. Lex Luger gets in the ring to pair up with Sting, and keeps both Steiners out of the ring.

Curt Hennig beats Konnan. Before the match, Konnan gives a shout-out to Tommy Boy Records. During the match, Hennig shoves the referee, and "Macho Man" Randy Savage shows up saying that Konnan is the first to feel the madness in his seek and destroy mission since "his boy" Kevin Nash does not have the guts to give him a World title shot. He tells Konnan to tell Nash what he said, and spits in his face. He says this is the way it is, as he does not need a reason for anything. Hennig then boots Konnan to the outside of the ring, and Savage attacks Konnan. Hennig then hits the Hennigplex for the win. After the match, Savage tells Konnan to tell Nash what he said, because it is only going to get worse from here.

Raven and Perry Saturn retain the WCW World Tag Team Championships against The Four Horsemen ("The Crippler" Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko). During the match, Kanyon gets on the apron, and "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson hits Benoit with the tire iron. Malenko goes up top, but Kanyon pushes him off. Saturn catches Malenko and hits the Death Valley Driver to retain the tag team titles. Backstage, Raven, Saturn and Kanyon meet up with Bam Bam Bigelow.

Kevin Nash retains the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Diamond Dallas Page by disqualification after Bam Bam Bigelow - who has been at ringside since shortly after the beginning of the match - and "Macho Man" Randy Savage interfere. Page, Savage and Bigelow triple-team Kevin Nash, then Savage brings out Madusa, Gorgeous George and Miss Madness '99 out as he puts lipstick on Nash's face. A fan gets in the ring, but he is promptly caught by security as Savage continues to pummel Nash and hit him with the top rope elbow drop.