*Be sure to check the Guidelines before reading to know who gets injured when, who gets fired or debuts, etc.*

                                                                 Submitted by : Mark Lasota

I thoroughly enjoy your insight and the topics you discuss. I haven't been watching wrestling the last few years, but I used to watch it religiously from 1987 to 2003. I watched both the WWF and WCW, but I was a huge WCW fan. I wanted to send you my opinion on what I would have done following the massive MESSUP at Starrcade 1997.
 
NEXT NITRO
 
1. STING INTERVIEW TO BEGIN SHOW
The show starts with the lights turning off and Sting walking to the ring with the title belt to a huge crowd roar. Mean Gene interviews Sting in the middle of the ring. Schiavone hypes the fact that Sting hasn't spoken a word in 1 1/2 years. Sting is holding the belt and raising it in the air to a huge crowd roar. Mean Gene asks how does it feel to be the WCW champion and restore pride to that belt. Sting responds with his trademark "Woooooooooo!!!!!" The crowd goes nuts. Then Mean Gene says, "Well Sting, there are people out there who believe that match last night was a draw and that perhaps it could have went either way." Gene continues, "There was certainly controversy at the end. Would you be willing to take on Hogan again to validate the win and to prove the naysayers wrong."
 
Sting pauses while the crowd anticipates his response for 30 seconds. Sting finally responds, "Darkness has hovered over Hogan's plans and now he is the one that must pay a price for his actions. He must learn the hard way and this man turned his back on all the people who supported him. I never turned my back on my TRUE stingers, who stuck by me through the darkest of times. I have changed and became a different man. I became the prince of darkness. I am the gatekeeper! I will not allow the NWO to poison WCW again." A sarcastic Sting continues, "As for Hogan, if he wants to cry about the finish yesterday let me remind him that him and his cronies have manipulated many finishes to matches. He has cheated many great wrestlers out of title shots. Now, he must pay a price. He will not get a title shot because he doesn't deserve one. Instead, I would be more than happy to face him Man-on-Man tonight in a fight anywhere in the arena. Except, I am no longer the man I used to be. I am his worst nightmare. I am Hogan's dark cloud! He will be forgotten, as I have been for many in the past 1 1/2 years. This is a new beginning for WCW." Mean Gene with a bizarre look on his face asks Sting who will get the first shot at his title. Sting ends with the phrase, "The only thing we know for sure about Sting is nothing's for sure. It's showtime folks, Wooooooo!!!!!!" Sting then leaves with some smoke and his new theme, which is dark music combined with a rock background. The music was well thought out and excites the crowd.
 
(THIS INTERVIEW MARKED A NEW BEGINNING IN WCW HISTORY. HE HINTED AT THE DEMISE OF THE NWO and HOGAN! HE ALSO CHANGED HIS FOCUS FROM THE NWO AND MORE ON POTENTIAL CHALLENGES. HE ALSO SLIGHTLY CHANGED CHARACTER AND BECAME MORE EDGY AND SARCASTIC, WHILE CLOUDED IN MYSTERY. HE ALSO INCORPORATED A LITTLE OLD STINGER AS WELL. HE IS COMBINING A LITTLE OF BOTH TO MAKE A BIG RUN WITH THE TITLE. HE IS STILL A FACE, BUT IS CLOUDED IN MYSTERY, WHICH WOULD HAVE KEPT FANS EXCITED BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS LOVED BOTH STINGS.) 
 
2. CRUISERWEIGHT MATCH
 
(Commercial)
 
3. JJ DILLON INTERVIEW
Dillon comes out and briefly said that Sting is the champion, and there have been many controversial finishes through the years. He mentions how Hogan had obtained the title by many tainted finishes. He references being a Horseman and 'tough crap' things aren't always fair (referring to how the Horseman used to cheat to win). He also says that Hogan can get another title shot down the line if he earns it. He said that there are many deserving competitors right now that should get title shots other than Hogan. He even mentions there are other members on the NWO who might deserve shots other than Hogan (to stir things up). He then announces there will be a 16-man tournament for the #1 contender spot starting next week. He goes further, "The only thing I can guarantee is that Hogan will not be 1 of the 16 men and the 16 men will be carefully selected based on performance" (which implies there could also be a conspiracy against Hulk Hogan.) He then says the winner of the match will compete at the following pay per view (WCW Vengeance and discontinues NWO Souled out). Dillon says the NWO lost naming rights to the pay per view because their power has dwindled not currently owning any titles. He then leaves.
 
4. The Giant vs Brad Armstrong (Giants wins convincingly)
 
5. It goes to the back and shows Hogan arriving in a limo with Bischoff and this new Disciple character. Hogan seems mad and is hurrying to the ring after watching the beginning of the show in his limo.
 
(Commercial)
 
Hogan's music and an angry Hogan and Bischoff come to the ring.
6. HOGAN INTERVIEW
Hogan comes out to the ring with Bischoff in a serious mood and says cut the music. Hogan comes out whining with Bischoff about how he got screwed.  He repetitively says "I got screwed, I got screwed" He says he doesn't want to fight Sting if it isn't for the title. Hogan obsesses over the title and says it is his and I must get it back. He calls JJ Dillon a yellow coward. Then, he starts to blame Bret Hart. He says that Bret Hart cost him the title. Bischoff then takes over the mic as Hogan is visibly frustrated kicking things. Bischoff mentions how he was an advocate of Bret Hart coming here and in angry fashion mentions how Bret Hart's refusal to join the NWO was a spitting in their faces." Then Bischoff continues by saying, what did we ever do to you for you to screw Hollywood like this you little ungrateful punk." Bischoff mentions that they will appeal this match to Ted Turner if they have to. Then Hogan grabs the mic and says if Hart had any guts he would come here to the ring right now.
 
Hart comes out
7. HART COMES OUT
All of a sudden Hart's music comes on. He then enters the ring. Hart and Hogan are face-to-face for about 30 seconds. (Then a quick commercial break). Then, it resumes with them face-to-face getting the crowd reaction. Hart is looking Hogan straight in the eyes like Mel Gibson looked the killer of his wife in the eyes before killing him. An irate Hogan then says, "You screwed me! You screwed me! What do you have to say for yourself." Hart then takes the microphone away and talks about how Hogan had always ducked him for years. He references how Hogan took away opportunities he had put many blood, sweat, and tears to earn. He talks about how Hogan never passes the torch and that Hart got no shortcuts like Hogan did. Hart says he held a vendetta against Hogan for years and dreamed of this moment. Hart then says that you aren't the only one who wants a title shot. He continues that he left that other promotion that has no principles (WWF) to come here to compete against the best competition in the world. He continues, "I intend on becoming the champion." Then he tells Hogan that he may have been one of the best in the past, but he is the best there is, best there was, and best there ever will be. Hogan responds by telling Bret Hart to be real careful because and threatens that the NWO may come out. Then Hart responds by telling Hogan that he is not worried about that and has troops waiting in case it got ugly. Then Hart says, "As far as I'm concerned the NWO stands for No Way Out of this mess you got yourself into." Hall, Nash, and Syxx come running to the ring to help Hogan. On the way to the ring, the British Bulldog, Jim "the Anvil" Neidhart, and Chris Benoit all come running out and start fighting in the pathway to the ring. Benoit is doing some damage to Scott Hall. The Bulldog body slams Nash on the pathway. Neidhart clotheslines Syxx. They all push each other in back and continue fighting. Meanwhile, Bischoff throws a chair in the ring. Hart intercepts and starts to punch Hogan. Hogan gets to the chair and tries to hit Hart, but Hart ducks and he hits Bischoff. Then, Hart hits hogan in the knee with the chair. Then, Bret Hart starts to give Hogan a figure four on the ring post, while security comes to break it up. Hogan is yelling for help, but the others have all beat each other up and were escorted out. The security comes out and has to release Hogan. His knee is in bad shape. Absolute mayhem!!!
 
Then, the camera goes in back and shows the 6 men continuing to fight. Some of the other NWO members come in to help and the Giant comes in after Nash, while Malenko comes in to fight Curt Hennig, who was helping out. Mayhem!!! (commercial)
 
8. NITRO GIRLS ARE DANCING
 
9. Tag match between Steiner Brothers vs Scott Norton & Macho Man Randy Savage (New tag-team Brute Force)
In the middle of the match, Scott Steiner walks out. Norton gives Rick the Shoulder breaker and then Randy Savage comes with the flying elbow. Macho Man mentions in the ring that they no longer work for the NWO and that they will use brute force to win the tag-team belts.
 
Mean Gene is backstage with Scott Steiner as Rick Steiner lays in the ring. Mean Gene asks what was Scott doing. Scott says nothing and pushes Mean Gene (This is the start of the heel turn for Steiner. The next Nitro, he then gets the hair dye and becomes Big Pappa Pump. In an in-ring interview the following Nitro, Steiner explains his actions, becomes the new character, and says that Rick Steiner had been holding him back for years. He said that Rick Steiner cost them the tag match at Starrcade. He then starts a feud with Rick Steiner that will culminate at Souled Out/WCW Vengeance  
 
10. JJ Dillon comes out and says since Hogan won't be able to participate in a non-title match with Sting tonight because of his condition, Sting will defend the title against another NWO member who has experienced much success in Japan and is a historical figure in WCW history - "The Great Muta"
 
11. IT shows the NWO arguing in back fighting amongst themselves. Each person feels they want a shot at the title and deserve one. In the meantime, an ambulance shows Hogan being taken away and the NWO don't even care. Everyone is so focused on the WCW title. It appears an NWO split is eminent. It is in shambles.
 
(Commercial)
 
12. DDP comes out proudly holding the US title belt. He mentions how hard he worked to acquire such an honor. Mean Gene asks him about the new tournament and if he thinks he will be one of the 16 participants chosen. He says he hopes so because he's the real peoples' champ. He then mentions that he would be more than willing to defend his US title against anyone. Perry Saturn then comes out and challenges DDP. The Flock tries to enter the ring, DDP diamond cuts Van Hammer and leaves in the crowd.
 
13. GOLDBERG BEATS SOME JOBBER IN A MINUTE
 
(Commercial)
 
14. Booker T defeated Disco Inferno and wins the WORLD TELEVISION TITLE
 
Booker's first singles title!
 
15. Ric Flair interview. He says he is the best pure wrestler ever. Then, Dean Malenko comes out saying that he is a man of 1,000 holds and can beat Flair any day of the week. This sets up a match at the next pay-per-view.
 
16. Shows Hogan at the hospital with his leg up in a sling, angry. Bischoff is there being his bitch giving him water, etc... Hogan says he is going to kill Bret Hart.
 (Commercial)
 
17. MAIN EVENT: Sting vs The Great Muta (Sting wins in a very good match. Many of the old WCW / NWA fans cheer. On his way to the match, Muta tears off his NWO shirt and spits mist on it. Chono stops him in the runway and argues about what he is doing, in Japanese. Muta pushes Chono and enters the ring. Chono leaves disappointed. Muta has not been seen for some time and is in great shape. Sting wins with the scorpion Deathdrop from the top rope as Muta misses on a aerial move. After the match, Raven stands in the entranceway just looking at Sting. Sting is starring back at Raven. The show then goes off the air.
 
-THIS NITRO SETS UP A YEAR OF SURPRISES. The NWO is in disarray and will completely dissolve by the Bash at the Beach.
 
-THE NWO DWINDLES DOWN TO  HALL, NASH, SYXX, and KONNAN and become the Wolfpack. This faction was very popular with the fans for a while. They sport red and black and sell many tshirts. They have feuds with Hart's Dungeon, who Jericho later joins. Konnan wins US title at some point.
 
-WCW re-signs Syxx because him leaving seemed to start a bad trend for WCW. He was a big part of that degenerate original NWO and will stay with Hall and Nash to counter DX, even though the NWO were the originals.
 
-Hart eventually beats Hogan at SuperBrawl after Hogan heals up for a month, and gets a shot at Sting at Uncensored.
 
-Sting successfully defends title at WCW Vengeance against Luger (who won the 16 man tournament in which many of the younger stars got over being competitive against the older stars).
 
-Sting successfully defends title against the Giant (who gets a huge push) at Uncensored
 
-Sting defeats Bret Hart because of Wolfpack interference at Spring Stampede. Hart's Dungeon group has feud with Wolfpack.
 
-Sting defeats Raven in Slamboree. Raven maintains a weird connection with Sting and then eventually turns on him. Raven gets over being in a main event.
 
-Hogan goes independent for a while feeling like he lost everything. He becomes this bad ass, don't give a shit character. He had a feud with Nash, but also feuds with other younger stars throughout the year letting them win some of the time and putting them over. Eventually, Hogan beat Sting at Halloween Havoc for the World title after Raven interferes. This builds up a Hogan vs Goldberg Starrcade match for the WCW title in which Goldberg wins. In the meantime, Goldberg wins the US title in the summer from DDP in front of 40,000 people in the Georgia Dome as the main event for that night. The Goldberg vs Hogan Starrcade match breaks all WCW attendance records.
 
-Younger stars are consistently pushed and there are a few new entries from the Powerplant as well. Booker T, Scott Steiner, Guerrero, and others get huge pushes during the year and beat big stars like Piper, Savage, etc... This also happens at a time when they are recognized because it is at the APEX of WCW, not when it's too late at the end. I believe WCW competes with the WWE for years to come.