Hey Slash readers, this is my first time writing for CRZ. I felt that since the Mayhem PPV is only a mere week away, some thoughts on the Final Four (and others) would be appropriate. The new changes of WCW have been very interesting. And while I don't like the concept of "less wrestling = higher ratings", I must admit that Vince and Ed have done a nice job with the storylines.

The WCW World Championship tournament has finally been whittled down to it's final four contestants. Bret Hart and Sting will battle each other as will Chris Benoit and Jeff Jarrett this Sunday in Toronto. The consensus around the internet seems to be that Bret Hart will be enjoying his first WCW World championship by next week. Some believe that WCW will re-enact the Survivor Series incident where Bret Hart gets screwed. Personally, I don't think WCW will sink that low. But then again, I never thought I'd see Ed Ferrerra dressed up as J.R. on my tv shouting "Juvi! Juvi! Juvi!" That was pretty scary. So, here's my prediction for this Sunday.

I think that Sting made it to the Final Four solely to increase the buy rate of Mayhem. No storyline has been written that would give the indication that the Stinger will leave Canada with the gold around his waist. Also, his character wouldn't be developed at all by losing his championship at Havoc, only to regain it at Mayhem. He still has a score to settle with Luger and it wouldn't make sense to put him in another championship feud. Also, his opponent in the semi-finals is Bret Hart. The Hitman has been pushed heavily. I find it hard to believe that Sting will be able withstand the sharpshooter.

As for the Excellence of Execution, I see a few scenarios that could play out. All of these plans revolve around the Hitman either winning the belt Sunday, or the following Nitro in Auburn Hills. I do think that a few surprises are in store for his title defense at Starrcade..... I'll get back to this later.

In the other semi-final match, Jeff Jarrett will be taking on the Canadian Crippler. I believe that popular opinion has it that Jarrett will be able to get by Benoit, setting up a Hart vs. Jarrett final. After all, the guitar smashing sensation is "the chosen one." However, I think that Benoit might be able to upset Jarrett, setting up an all-Canadian title match in Toronto. Benoit, being the consummate professional, will attack Jarrett cleanly. And of course, Creative Control will come out for the match. But, I have a gut feeling that Booker T, Buff Bagwell, and Curt Hennig have not been pissed off without a reason. I figure that once CC interferes, the WCW members that have been held back by "The Powers that Be" will strike. Heck, Chavo and Duggan might even come out. But what I see coming is payback for Jarrett and his "stroke." He's angered too many people for nothing to happen. And this sets up Benoit vs. Hart.

This is what I envision. The Hitman and the Wolverine begin another classic battle. Both are great wrestlers... not sports entertainers. Maybe they'd even recreate another 30 minute epic. Each wrestler would hit their high-spots, a diving headbutt for Benoit, a sharpshooter for the Hitman. By the climax of the battle, The Outsiders and Jarrett come out. No one understands what is going on. Benoit applies the crippler crossface, and Scott Hall distracts the referee. Jarrett smashes the Wolverine with a guitar and Nash gives Benoit a powerbomb. Hart watches all of this... and then applies the sharpshooter. Benoit taps before he loses consciousness and Hart becomes the champion. I can just hear Hart, "I was screwed in the WWF, I've been screwed here in the WCW..... Bret Hart will not be screwed again. I've had enough. These guys... (motions to The Outsiders and Jarrett) These guys know how to win. And now I've won, and the WCW better take notice. I will not be screwed again."

Now the question is.... Why? Well, rumor has it that Hart and Goldberg will be fighting for the gold at Starrcade, and as of yet, no one has turned heel. In fact, a quick scan of the WCW roster reveals there are no true "main-event" heels except for Jarrett. The Outsiders have been too goofy to be taken seriously, and Luger's new character is that of a pansy. WCW needs some bad guys. With the unification of The Outsiders, Jarrett, and Hart you get instant heat. It also explains why Nash was the special referee for the U.S. championship match. "The Powers that Be" will have chosen those four to lead WCW into the next millenium. Also, Goldberg does best when he's fighting a clear-cut evil. No one wants to watch a gentlemen's match between Goldberg and Hart - they want to see animosity. They want a clear cut bad guy, and that can't be Goldberg. With The Outsiders aiding Hart, it stacks the odds against Goldberg. And that's when he does best, that's when the fans rally around him. No one liked watching him take on Curt Hennig - I didn't know who to root for. On the other hand, if Goldberg gets his hands on a man who has betrayed his country and his friends, well.... the battle will be an epic.

Finally, if Hart screws Benoit, you get an instant stable of faces. Add the Wolverine to a growing list of wrestlers who would have a problem with the new managment at WCW. Also, this would make the Sid Vicious face turn complete. He has been hearing the cheers of late, and with his feud with Goldberg nearly over, he would move on to the Outsiders. He would be one of the good guys. As a fan, I would have no problem cheering for these main faces.... Goldberg, Vicious, Benoit, Bagwell, Hennig, Rhodes, and Booker T. Speaking of Booker T, he was getting tremendous pops from the crowd last Monday. If he's used right, the sky is the limit. Anyways, a group of those faces against the likes of Hart, Nash, Hall, and Jarrett would make for some interesting matches.

Of course, I could be (and probably am) completely wrong. But, that's the fun of wrestling. No one is quite sure what's going to happen. I would have never predicted the Big Show would be the WWF's champion coming out of Survivor Series. I do look forward to Mayhem, and will watch intently to see if any of my predictions come true. Anyways, I would love to hear from you guys with your thoughts or whatever. I'm fanaddict@hotmail.com. Until next time - see ya.