WCW LOCKDOWN
Week 3

(Highlight package of last week's events, and two graphics let us know that there are now two matches signed for WCW Sin, live on PPV-in the two World Title Semifinals, Goldberg will face Jeff Jarrett, while Booker T will face Scott Steiner, then the winners will face off in the main event final.)

(Opening credits)

(The fireworks shoot off and the house lights go up as Stevie Ray, Scott Hudson and Mark Madden welcome us to WCW Lockdown. They are unsure of just what is going to happen tonight, particularly between Ric Flair and Miss Wright/Mike Sanders.)

Opening Match, US Title Tournament Semifinal: Shane Douglas Vs. Bam Bam Bigelow: Footage is shown of each man's quarterfinal triumph as they make their way to the ring-Douglas going over Konnan, and Bam Bam going over Buff Bagwell. Hudson tells us that for tonight's US Title matches, Bam Bam Bigelow and Kanyon must go it alone or be suspended without pay for three weeks. The two men lock up at the bell and Bam Bam gets the advantage, muscling Douglas into the corner and hammering him with rights and lefts to the chest. The ref separates them, and Douglas gets a thumb to the eye, then hits a pair of rights to the head. Shoulderblock off the ropes staggers the bigger man, then Douglas knocks him down with a lariat. Bam Bam up quickly, and he catches Douglas in a bearhug into a splash as he comes off the ropes. Bodyslam, and a legdrop gets two for Bam Bam. Douglas slowly to his feet, and Bam Bam hits a belly-to-back, then a falling headbutt for two. Douglas manages to reverse a whip into the ropes, and he kicks Bam Bam, but the big man blocks Douglas' DDT attempt and drops him on his head with a flapjack-like manoeuver. Big splash off the ropes, and Douglas barely gets a shoulder up. Another bodyslam, but Douglas rolls out of the way of the elbowdrop and cradles Bam Bam for two. Bam Bam comes back with a clothesline and shouts to the crowd, but turns around and walks straight into a big belly-to-belly from Shane. Bam Bam up slowly, and Shane kicks him in the gut and gets a swinging neckbreaker for two. Snap suplex gets two for Shane, and he goes for the Pittsburgh Plunge, but his back seizes up. Bam Bam with a knockdown, and he goes up top and hits his diving headbutt-for two. Bodyslam, and he goes upstairs again, looking for a moonsault-but Douglas rolls out of the way. Bam Bam dazedly to his feet and Douglas gets an inside cradle for a nearfall. Bam Bam knocks him down straight afterwards and scoops him up for the Greetings From Asbury Park, but Douglas slips out and nails Bam Bam low. Bam Bam turns around, in obvious pain-and takes the Franchiser, allowing Douglas to get the pin and advance at 5:34.

(The cameras cut backstage, where Miss Wright and Mike Sanders sit in the former's office.)

Wright: Now last week you made a mistake, Mr. Sanders-you didn't complete the task assigned to you by the head office. Now I know Mr. Flair got involved in your business, and I will do my best to prevent that from happening again, but tonight you have your tasks to complete and I do not want to see any more failures. Is that understood?

Sanders: Crystal clear, ma'am.

Wright: Good. Now I've spoken to someone about gaining you some help in your own private matters tonight, and I think I have something organised, so there's no need to worry about that.

Sanders: And Flair?

Wright: Mr. Flair has not arrived yet, but when he does you can be sure we will...talk this issue over.

(Sanders and Wright smile to themselves, and we go to an)

(Ad Break)

Tag Team Title Tournament Semifinal: Kronik Vs. Perfect Event: Footage is shown of Kronik going over the Noble & Karagias, and the Perfect Event getting the better of the Jung Dragons-and taking out Leia Meiow in the process. All four men brawl to kick off, and it settles down into Clark taking on Stasiak. Clark gets a round of moves-a powerslam, a fireman's carry DDT, and a press slam, but Stasiak manages to duck a big lariat and hit a chop block, then make the tag to Palumbo-who eats a big boot when he comes in. He is up quickly, however, and blocks a swinging neckbreaker attempt then gets an atomic drop. Clark manages a tag to Adams, but Palumbo manages to duck a clothesline and get a gutshot. Tag to Stasiak, and Palumbo distracts the ref while Adams gets choked down in the corner. Perfect Event use all the usual heel tactics on Adams-double teams behind the ref's back, putting their feet on the ropes during pinfalls and submission holds, and even a series of three low blows-but Adams keeps on kicking out. Finally, Palumbo goes for a shot with the Lex Flexor, but Adams ducks and gets a DDT. Hot tag to Clark, who comes in with lariats for both opponents. Fireman's carry neckbreaker on Stasiak, but Palumbo breaks up the cover. Adams back up and he takes Palumbo to the floor with a big boot. High Times for Stasiak-but the referee won't count the pinfall, as Stasiak is not the legal man. Adams argues with the ref-and Palumbo sneaks in a shot with the Lex Flexor for Clark! Cover, but Clark just gets his shoulder up. Adams with a big boot for Palumbo, and a second High Times for Stasiak, then a Meltdown on Palumbo gets the pin at 4:22. Kronik celebrates-but both fall to Lex Flexor shots just seconds later. Perfect Event stand over them-until Adams sits back up, causing Palumbo and Stasiak to flee....

(Cameras cut backstage, where Mike Tenay is standing with Goldberg, ready for an interview.)

Mike: Bill Goldberg, three weeks into this new regime for WCW, and questions are being raised about where your loyalties lie. After last week-where we seemingly saw you complete an errand for Mike Sanders and, to a lesser extent, Scott Steiner-many people believe that you have entered into some sort of contract with the enigmatic Miss Wright. Can you shed any light on this speculation?

Goldberg: Y'know Mike it certainly has been an interesting coupla weeks, and to tell you the truth I am finding this place a lot better than it used to be. But as for these rumours about an alliance with Mike Sanders-and the mere suggestion that I'd even consider aligning myself with Scott Steiner? That's BS, Mike and you know it. I am, was, and always will be a lone rider in this company.

Mike: But many people are questioning your motivation for the destruction of General Rection last week-and the secretive nature of your meeting with Miss Wright two weeks ago. What do you have to say to them?

Goldberg: I did what I had to last week, Mike-I beat Hugh Morrus to get ahead in the World Title hunt. And as for my meeting with Miss Wright-well to be quite honest, it's nobody's damn business what went down-that's between me and her. Now if you'll-

(Goldberg doesn't get the chance to finish, as Mike Sanders enters the picture.)

Sanders: Hell of a job last week, Bill-you're gonna go places in the new WCW, I promise ya. Remember-only two victories away from your second World Title!

Goldberg: What do you want, Mike?

Sanders: Easy, big man, easy. I'm just here to tell you you've got a match tonight, just signed by yours truly. So if you wanna go lace 'em up and get ready, I'd be very grateful. Go out there and kick butt for me, Bill!

(Sanders pats Goldberg on the back and walks off, leaving both Goldberg and Tenay looking confused. Back to the arena for...)

Kidman w/Tygress Vs. Allan Funk: Clips are shown of Funk's run-ins with the Filthy Animals over the previous two weeks. Rey Misterio Jr., we are told, is backstage getting ready for his semifinal match tonight. The two men lock up at the bell, and Funk gets an armwringer but Kidman flips out and gets one of his own. Hammerlock, but Funk walks the ropes and gets one of his own, and the two men break and circle each other. Another lockup, but Kidman ges a forearm and sends Funk into the corner. Shoulder charge and a heel kick, and Kidman gets a two count. Funk nips up and ducks a clothesline, but turns around and takes a kick to the head, staggering him. He rolls to the floor and stalls as the ref starts a count. Funk jaws with the ref-and Kidman hits a plancha, knocking Funk down. Funk slowly to his feet on the floor, and Kidman comes off the ringsteps with a huracanrana. Funk rolled back in the ring, where Kidman gets a two count. Whip into the ropes, Kidman bows his head, but Funk flips out of a backdrop. Bulldog attempt, but Kidman uses Funk's momentum against him and throws Funk into the corner, crotch-first. Funk slumped down in the corner-and Kidman hits his patented baseball slide to the groin. Funk rolls out, clutching himself in pain, and Kidman with a legdrop for two. Funk stood up, and Kidman with a dropkick, sending Funk into the corner. Kidman charges, but Funk hangs him over the top rope and schoolboys him for a quick two count. Kidman back up quickly, knocking Funk down and hitting a standing senton for two. Funk into the ropes, short powerbomb gets a two for Kidman. Funk off the ropes, but he ducks a flying forearm, and gets his springboard sunset flip for a two count. Kidman up, and Funk seems to be getting second wind, as he gets an inside cradle for another two, then a swinging neckbreaker for a third nearfall. Suplex attempt, but Kidman slips out and hits an inverted DDT, for two. Irish whip and a leg lariat in the corner, and Kidman distracts the ref-allowing Tygress to come in and hit a broncobuster. Kidman with a swinging DDT, and he climbs upstairs, but Funk rolls out the way of his frog splash. Both men down, but Kidman up first. Irish whip into the ropes, but Funk follows through, sliding to the outside-and kicking Tygress in the process. Kidman rushes over, leaning over the ropes to check on Tygress, and Funk skirts the ring and slides back in. He sneaks up on Kidman gets a low blow, and steals Kid Kash's "Money Maker" double underhook piledriver, getting a three count at 6:54. Kanyon and Bam Bam Bigelow join Funk as he backs up the ramps, and all three share handshakes...

(Ad Break)

Cruiserweight Title Tournament Semifinal: Mike Sanders Vs. Rey Misterio Jr: Misterio rushes the ring and pounds on Sanders to start, hitting sharp kicks to the chest and head. Irish whip, but Sanders catches Rey as he comes running into the corner and drops him face-first on the top turnbuckle. Rey staggers backward, and Sanders pulls his head down. Inverted DDT, and a legdrop for gets two for Sanders. Rey whipped into the ropes, but he hits a flying headscissors on Sanders to take him down. Dropkick sends Sanders to the floor, and Rey goes for a pescado, but Sanders grabs his leg before Rey jumps and drags him to the floor. Rey sent into the steps, but he manages to springboard off of them and hit a crossbody. Sanders on the floor, and Rey climbs back onto the apron and nails an asai moonsault. Sanders tossed back in the ring, and Rey gets a two count. Sanders pulled to his feet, and Rey hits a springboard bulldog, then whips him into the corner. Dropkick causes Sanders to slump to the mat, and Rey follows with the broncobuster. Sanders staggers out of the corner, and a leg lariat puts him down for another two count. Sanders to his feet, and Rey runs at him, going for a swinging DDT, but Sanders manages to throw Rey in mid-air straddling him on the top rope. Suplex off the top rope gets two for Sanders, but Rey ducks a followup lariat. Rey with another springboard, but Sanders catches him in mid-air with a powerslam for two. Swinging neckbreaker off the ropes gets another nearfall for Sanders, then he goes for the 3.0, but Rey escapes. Low blow, and Rey gets a rana rollup, but Sanders rolls through and grabs the bottom rope, getting the cheap three count to advance at 4:45. Mysterio is up quickly and he nails the celebrating Sanders, but from the crowd comes Kanyon, who leaps in the ring with a bulldog from behind on Mysterio. Mysterio tossed out to the floor, and he and Kanyon fight to the back. Sanders gets to his feet and his music plays as he raises his arms-and General Rection runs down the ramp! Sanders, his back turned, does not see him approach, and Rection slides in the ring and nails Sanders on the back of the head. Rection kicks him around the ring, and calls for a mic.

Rection: Sanders! You think it was funny booking me against Goldberg last week? You found that amusing, huh? To dangle the brass ring in front of me then snatch it away? HUH? DO YOU? Well I guess the only way to show you just what I'm made of is to demonstrate it, FIRSTHAND.

(Rection drops the mic and goes to bodyslam Sanders, but Sanders wriggles out and begs off, then motions for the mic. Rection kicks it towards him, and Sanders grabs it nervously.)

Sanders: Hugh, I-I understand you're upset, yes I understand, and I'm willing to try and rectify it. You want a chance at gold? How about at Sin I put you in a match to decide the new Television Champion? I'm sure I can grab an opponent for you between now and then, and I-

(Rection grabs the mic before Sanders can finish talking.)

Rection: You want me to fight for the Television Title? Well that's the first step. I just hope it's your ass I get to kick, boy.

(Rection throws the mic down and rolls out of the ring, backing up the ramp and not taking his eyes off Sanders. Sanders gets to his feet shakily, then snatches the mic up and spits out with venom:)

Sanders: Well now you've got that chance, Hugh, it's my pleasure to inform you that tonight you can try and prove yourself against another big name-tonight you've drawn Scott Steiner. Enjoy, jackass.

(Sanders throws the mic down and Rection nods slowly as he backs up the ramp...)

(WCW Sin pay-per-view promo, now featuring hype for Jarrett/Goldberg and Steiner/Booker T.)

Jeff Jarrett/Lance Storm Vs. Kevin Nash/Diamond Dallas Page: Storm and Jarrett enter separately, while Page and Nash enter to the Wolfpac theme, and Nash still seems to be favouring his knee from the previous week. Page and Jarrett start, as Jarrett gets the upper hand. Whip into the corner, Page gets his boot up, and catches Jarrett with a lariat. Armwringer, tag to Nash. Nash comes in with a shoulderblock, putting Jarrett down to one knee. Irish whip, squash in the corner, press slam gets a two count. Jarrett pulled to his feet, whipped into the ropes, Nash ducks his head, and Jarrett hits an armbar takedown, then gets a tag to Storm. Armwringer on Nash, and kicks to the shoulder. Storm tries a DDT, but Nash turns it into a flapjack. Legdrop, and a tag to Page. Page in, going for a clothesline, but Storm capitalises with a Japanese armdrag. Page up quickly, ducks a superkick, and hits a German suplex for two. Storm up dazedly to his feet, and Page with a back elbow to put him down again. Tag to Nash, who knocks Storm down again with a big boot. Setup for the Jacknife, but Storm blocks, and Jarrett comes in with a clothesline. Storm manages a tag to Jarrett, who comes in with a swinging neckbreaker on Nash. Jarrett stomps the knee, then drags Nash to his corner and wraps it round the ringpost. Jarrett jaws with Page as Storm works the knee some more illegally. Jarrett back over to Nash and he goes for a Boston Crab, but Nash powers out. Jarrett whipped into the ropes, and he ducks a clothesline and hits a chopblock to Nash's bad knee. Tag to Storm, who gets a Dragon Screw legwhip and goes for the Maple Leaf, but Page breaks it up. Storm clobbers him and tags in Jarrett-but he gets met with a big boot. Both men down, and Nash up first, going for the Jacknife again, but Jarrett low blows him-and slaps on the Figure Four! He keeps it on fora good while, until Page comes in and breaks it up. Jarrett and Page brawling as the ref tries to get Page out of the ring, and Storm makes the blind tag on Jarrett. Jarrett and Page to the floor, while Storm comes in the ring. Nash is desperately trying to stand up, but not quite managing it-and Storm kicks his legs out from under him. Jarrett blasts Page with his guitar on the floor as Storm slaps the Maple Leaf on Nash, and Nash is forced to tap out at 7:02. Storm refuses to let go after the bell as Jarrett walks back up the ramp, leaving Page lying in a pile of splinters...

(Cameras cut backstage-to show Ric Flair arriving! He breezes through the metal detectors, a determined look on his face...)

(Ad Break)

(When we come back, moments ago footage shows Kevin Nash being stretchered out, unable to walk on his bac knee, then "Thus Spake Zarathustra" fills the arena and the crowd cheer, as Ric Flair walks out from the back in Armani suit, looking angry and focussed. He walks to the ring without stopping, and climbs in the ring. He takes a mic from ringside and motions for the music to be cut.)

Flair: Target Centre, whooo by God Minneapolis Minnesota! We're WCW, we're locked down, and by God we are the BEST! Now I wish that tonight I could come out here and tell ya what a wonderful time I've had stayin' in your beautiful city, how I wandered the streets, saw the sites, and spent time with your most gorgeous ladies-but to be honest, ever since I arrived here this mornin', I just had too much on my plate to do any of those things. Ol' Naitch, he likes to style and profile-but I got a new job in this company, and it's got a lotta responsibility, and I need to fulfil my duties. And over these past two weeks I do believe I have done just that, and made good on my promises to the guys backstage. Now guys-all of you guys, from Hugh Morrus to Booker T to Scott Steiner-I may be one o' them, one o' the suits, but I am still your friend, I am still the man, whoo! And I still wanna do everything that will make your careers-and your lives-better here in WCW. And as of late there's been some stuff that's been getting in the way of my promises to ya-and making my job as liaison officer pretty damn miserable to boot. I always pride myself on making good my promises, and I don't like it when someone stops me from doin' that. I think all you people here know just who I'm talking about-I'm talking about that pint size Hitler, I'm talking about Mike Sanders. Now before this new era began in WCW, me and Sanders weren't exactly the best of friends-in fact he was a royal pain in the ass. But that's all he was-a pain in the ass, nothing more, nothing less. I could handle that. But now? Well, now he appears to have been handled some legitimate power, now he's the monkey boy for our "illustrious manager", Miss Wright. And now Sanders, he's havin' a ball, throwing his weight around and doing whatever the Hell he wants. So Sanders, I got one thing to say to you-screw you. I don't want nothing to do with you, and I'm not gonna have anything to do with you. Instead I want to get to the bottom of this little disagreement, and some of the bizarre happenin's that have been taking place. So right now, I know you can hear me, I know you're sittin' in your little office back there-Miss Wright, I want you to come out here and we can sort this out without that ratty little middle man of yours. Come on out, Wright...

(Flair waits....and eventually Miss Wright enters-to Mike Sanders' music. She has a mic and motions for the music to be cut.)

Wright: I'm out here, Mr. Flair-what exactly is it that you want to know from me?

Flair: What do I wanna know Missy? What do I wanna know? How about you explain what the Hell Sanders was doing interfering in Booker T's match last week? What's the hidden agenda you got going with Bill Goldberg? Or maybe you can tell me why your right hand man and Scott Steiner were standing side by side last week?

Wright: Those are all good questions, Mr. Flair-and ones that deserve answers. And you deserve answers, being the respected veteran that you are.

Flair: Well why don't you step up to the plate and answer them, lady, rather than duck behind that weasel-Sanders ain't smart enough to mastermind all this on his own, he's your errand boy.

Wright: You really want to know why all this is happening, Flair? Look at me, Ric. Do I look like someone who's knowledgeable on the subject of wrestling? No, I don't, and that's because I'm not. But what I am knowledgeable on is how to make a company operate well-how to do good business. I seem to think you don't understand that, Flair-I think you let yourself get too caught up in friendships, in emotions, in the past. Mr. Sanders, on the other hand, does not. And that's why he stands by my side. I am here to make WCW successful once again, and I will do that-and I will do it my way. I refuse to be told what to do by you, Mr. Flair-you answer to me, not vice versa. You may be a legend when you fight in that ring, but in the business world I run the show. And everything that happens here in WCW-everything that Mike Sanders does-will prove beneficial to this company. So in answer to your questions, Mr. Flair-you are on a need-to-know basis, and you do not need to know.

Flair: It's nice to see you stepping up and taking responsibility for your actions, Wright-at least you're not as gutless as your crony. But y'see, when you've got me signed to a contract to do a job, to keep the boys in the back working, to keep them wrasslin', I do need to know. I need to know just why you're screwing with careers, careers that belong to my friends in many cases, and I need to know just what the Hell you've got planned for Scott Steiner and Goldberg, because when it boils down to it, I am not going to stand by and watch you put our World Champion in your back pocket, and...

(Flair is cut off as a siren sounds, and Scott Steiner enters at the top of the ramp, with Midasya on his arm. He has his own mic, and motions for his music to be cut.)

Steiner: Seein' as I am gonna be the next WCW World Champion, I thought I'd come out here and shut your buck-toothed hole, Flair. Y'see first and foremost it ain't none of your business what my relationship with Miss Wright is, and secondly, you should know by now, that I don't go in the back pocket of anyone-I run by myself, and when I regain my title, I'm gonna go back to doing whatever the Hell I want. Tonight, I get to tear Hugh Morrus apart, and come Sin, I do the same to your boy, Flair-Miss Wright here, she's an insurance policy, and we got the same interests.

Flair: Scott, you gotta...

Steiner: No, Flair, you gotta learn to stop interrupting me before I come down their and break your brittle old neck! You have gotta realise that this biz don't run on friendships any more, and that you fossils are out on your asses. Finally, after years of bein' held back, this new regime is gonna give people like me, people like Bill Goldberg, a chance to break through and show the world what the big stars in this company really are-shrivelled, decrepit old dinosaurs who rely on ass-kissing to stay at the top. Goldberg-he's got himself a sweet deal, and he's going to the top, and I'm gonna meet him there-Miss Wright, you got yourself a win-win situation on your hands-and when I do meet him I'm gonna Recline his ass and become a two-time world champ. And you, Flair, can kiss my ass, because you can't do a damn thing about it.

Flair: Oh, you think I can't do anything about it, huh, boy? Well like I said last week, Wright-it's time to take you to school, whoo!

(Flair's music plays as he smiles and nods slowly, and Steiner, Midasya and Wright walk backstage, Steiner shouting obscenities all the way...)

(Cameras cut backstage, where The Cat is passing through the metal detectors, lambasting the operators as he does so, when Mike Sanders approaches, a smile on his face.)

Sanders: Cat! It's good to see ya back.

Cat: Man, what the Hell do you want, chump? You already put me out for a week after forcin' me to wrestle Steiner.

Sanders: Well, y'see, do you remember all that time we spent squabbling over the commisionership, and how many times you....

Cat: Kicked your ass?

Sanders:.....Sneak attacked me? Well, y'see I ever forgot, Cat, and tonight, you gotta little payback comin' your way, so take your ass out to the ring because you got yourself a match.

(Sanders walks off, as Cat mouths "Chump" to the camera.)

(WCW Sin promo.)

(When we come back, the Cat is already in the ring, and is pulling off his shoes, ready to fight-and "Invasion" hits...)

The Cat Vs. Goldberg: Goldberg enters the ring as the bell is rung, and tells cat to take a free shot-so Cat hits a crescent kick. Goldberg staggers, and Cat jumps on him, hitting a flurry of kicks to the chest and head. He comes off the ropes for the FeLiner, but Goldberg catches him with a pumphandle slam variant. Cat slowly up, and he dodges the spear! Goldberg tangled in the ropes, and Cat schoolboys him, but Goldberg kicks out at one. Big swing by Cat, but Goldberg ducks and hits a belly-to-back suplex. Cat slowly up, and this time Goldberg hits the spear, then executes the Jackhammer for the pin at 1:59. Cat rolls out of the ring as Goldberg raises his arms, and Sanders comes down from the back and pounds on the injured Cat. Goldberg simply stands and watches-and Jeff Jarrett appears from the crowd, guitar in hand! He wheels Goldberg around, and shatters the guitar over his head, then shouts "Choke on that, ya slapheaded slapnut!", as Sanders retreats to the back...)

(Ad Break)

Tag Team Title Tournament Semifinal: Mark Jindrake & Sean O'Haire Vs. Three Count: Three Count enter first, but do not try and play their latest song, and seem unusually focussed. Jindrake and O'Haire enter, and rush the smaller men. They take charge early, as O'Haire throws Shannon around, and Jindrake hits a big boot that sends Helms to the floor. Pescado by Jindrake squashes Helms on the floor, and O'Haire flips Moore with a lariat. Helms tossed back in the ring by Jindrake, and the match settles down into O'Haire against Shannon. Sidewalk slam by O'Haire, and a tag to Jindrake, who comes in with a springboard clothesline for two. Irish whip, and Shannon manages to get a rollup when Jindrake charges him, but Jindrake rolls through and stomps him. Irish whip attempt, but Shannon reverses and gets a waistlock. Helms with a missile dropkick, allowing Shannon to roll Jindrake up for a two count. Both Three Count members stomping Jindrake, and they hit a KaiEnTai-esque crab/dropkick combo, before the ref hustles Helms out the ring. Shannon makes the tag anyway, and some more double teams ensue, as Shannon gets a gutshot on Jindrake and Helms hits a second rope Rocker Dropper for two. They pull out the Raven/Tazz spot of repeatedly ramming Jindrake into the corner, then Helms goes up top again-but Jindrake catches him as he tries a flying rana and powerbombs him. Tag to O'Haire, who comes in with a big shoulderblock. Press slam leaves Helms straddling the top rope, and O'Haire hits a springboard lariat to the floor, knocking Helms off the apron too. Helms whipped into the steel steps, but Shannon is round as well, and Helms jumps over the steps, whips Shannon into them, and Shannon springboards off them, hitting a crossbody on O'Haire. Jindrake over to join the fray with a double axe handle on Shannon, but Helms hits a baseball slide from in the ring on Jindrake, and Shannon tosses O'Haire into the ring, where Helms gets a two count. Tag to Shannon, who hits a corkscrew moonsault for a nearfall. Shannon reversed into the ropes, and he gets a flying bodyscissors, but runs at O'Haire again and gets hung over the top rope. Both men down, and both men make the tag. Jindrake in with a Japanese armdrag for Helms, and a big boot for Moore, then S&M hit a double slingshot suplex on Moore. Irish whip stacks Three Count in the corner, then Jindrake takes Shannon down with a fireman's carry neckbreaker and O'Haire splashes Helms. Calling for the Seanton Bomb, but Jindrake gets reversed into the ropes by Shannon, knocking O'Haire down onto the top turnbuckle. Jindrake sent outside by a Shannon dropkick, and he climbs up and hits a rana on O'Haire, as Helms follows with a top rope moonsault for the pin to advance to the finals at 7:01. Three Count flee quickly, as Jindrake jumps back in the ring angrily...

(Cameras cut backstage-to o secret camera shot-where Sanders can be seen talking to Scott Steiner in hushed whispers...)

(WCW Sin Pay-per-view promo)

(When we come back, the announcers inform us that up next is the second US Title semifinal-and Shane Douglas' music hits. The US Title finalist walks to the ring, abusing fans as he does so. He walks round the ring and joins the commentators at their table, taking a headset...)

US Title Tournament Semifinal: Mike Awesome Vs. Kanyon: Douglas offers bitter, strong-worded commentary, as Kanyon rushes the ring, laying into Awesome with rights and lefts to the chest. Whip into the ropes is reversed, and Awesome nails Kanyon with a BIG lariat. Kanyon clutches at his throat in pain, and rolls to the outside to catch a breather, and jaws with the fans as Douglas trashes both competitors-and Awesome flattens Kanyon with his no-hands tope! Big ovation for Awesome, and he tosses Kanyon back in the ring. Kanyon dazedly to his feet, and Awesome smashes him down with another huge clothesline, which gets two. Kanyon pulled to his feet, and Awesome swings at him, but Kanyon gets an amrbar takedown from it, and stomps on Awesome's shoulder. Awesome to his feet, clutching his shoulder, and Kanyon boots him in the gut and hits a DDT, then showboats for the crowd. Madden reminds us that Bigelow and Funk have been banned from ringside, and Douglas cynically points out that Kanyon stands no chance under that rule. Kanyon stays in charge in the ring, Irish whipping Awesome then snapmaring him out the corner. Dropkick to the back of the head, and Kanyon gets Hennig's snap neckbreaker for two. Kanyon throws Awesome to thef loor and follows him with a somersault off the apron, knocking him down. Whip into the corner post, and Kanyon gets a slop drop on the floor-Awesome looks to be out cold. Kanyon only gets a two count back in the ring, though. Irish whip, but Awesome catches Kanyon on the followup charge and delivers a big belly-to-belly suplex out the corner. Awesome climbs to the top rope, and delivers a Kane-like flying lariat for two. Awesome waits, tensed, as Kanyon gets to his feet, but Kanyon catches him as he charges and hangs him over the top rope. Kanyon to the apron, and he gets a slingshot dropkick, knocking Awesome down. Kanyon to the top rope, but Awesome rolls through his bodyblock attempt for two. Kanyon up quickly and he swings at Awesome, but Awesome ducks and drills Kanyon with a nasty German suplex for two. Awesome calls for the Awesome Bomb, but Kanyon rolls through it and gets a rope-assisted two count. Awesome's kickout sends Kanyon to the floor, and Awesome follows with a pescado. Kanyon tossed back in the ring, but he gets a low blow and an inside cradle for two. Spinning neckbreaker, and Kanyon motions for a Flatliner, so Awesome rolls to the floor. Awesome begins jawing with Douglas as the ref administers a count-and Konnan runs in to a huge pop! He hits a facebuster on Kanyon behind the ref's back, and Awesome sees Kanyon laid out and slides back in. Awesome Bomb finishes, putting Mike Awesome in the finals at 8:59. Kanyon slowly to his feet and he chases Konnan to the back as Awesome celebrates-and Douglas comes in with a chair shot to Awesome's back. Another to his head as the crowd boo, and Douglas slings the chair down-and piledrives Awesome onto it! The refs run out to try and break it up, but not before Douglas gets one more piledriver onto the chair...

(Ad Break)

(Cameras are backstage when we come back, showing EMTs examining Awesome, and checking his left arm-which, the announcers tell us, has a stinger running down it after those piledrivers.)

(Back to the ring, where Steiner's music fires up and he enters with Midasya-and Mike Sanders. The three get to the ring and Steiner makes the "just Bring It" hand motion as Rection's music starts-and Rection enters, alongside Ric Flair.)

Main Event: Scott Steiner w/Midasya & Mike Sanders Vs. General Rection w/Ric Flair: The two men lock up at the bell, and that gets nowhere as their strength cancels each other out. Another lockup, and Steiner knees Rection in the gut to take control. More gutshots and Rection doubles over, so Steiner smashes him in the face with his knee, knocking him down. Rection whipped into the ropes, and Steiner knocks him down with a clothesline for two. Rection up quickly, and Steiner attempts an armdrag, but Rection gets a knee to the gut of his own and turns it into a backslide. Steiner breaks out after one, and knocks Rection down with a lariat then drops a pair of elbows. Sanders claps on the outside-but quickly stops when he sees Flair eyeballing him. Rection whipped into the corner then into the opposite corner, but he blocks a Steiner charge with a boot. Rection up to the second rope and he dives at Steiner-who catches him with a powerslam for two. Steiner with forearms to the head and a snapmare, and he hits a stiff kick to the back of Rection's head. Rection pulled to his feet and Steiner swings at him, but Rection ducks and gets a swinging neckbreaker. Steiner up first, but Rection blocks his punches. Steiner whipped into the ropes and Rection catches him with a big powerslam. Legdrop, and Rection signals for No Laughing Matter, but Sanders jumps on the apron. Rection smiles evilly and swings at him, but Sanders dodges-and Flair yanks him down to the floor! Flair shoving Sanders around at ringside as Rection goes upstairs for the moonsault-Midasya sneaks in a lead pipe shot, unseen by the ref! Steiner slowly to his feet and he climbs to the second rope and pulls Rection around-Samoan Drop from the second rope! Flair turns back to the action momentarily-and Sanders shoves him into the ringsteps. Steiner motions for the end, and smashes Rection with a Dragon suplex for the pin at 5:12. Sanders climbs in the ring and stands over Rection gloating, then he shuouts at Steiner to "Recline the bastard!". Steiner obliges, and he pulls Rection into the Steiner Recliner as Flair stumbles to his feet on the outside. Flair in the ring and Sanders swings at him-and Flair pops him one! Flair tosses Sanders and Midasya swings at him with the lead pipe, but Flair ducks and tosses her! Now Flair's standing in front of Steiner, who still has Rection in the Recliner-and Flair slaps him across the face! Steiner goes wild eyed and drops Rection as Flair shouts "Touch me and you're fired!". Steiner grbas Flair by the lapels-and Booker T sprints from the back, with a forearm to Steiner's head! Flair backs off as Steiner and Booker brawl, and the credits come up...