Sting with NWO? Liz tricks Savage?
To compete with the return of Bret Hart and Mr. Perfect on Raw, WCW loaded Nitro with two major angles.
During the second hour of Nitro, NWO Sting beat Mr. J.L. The real Sting made his return to Nitro after the match. He wore white and black face paint–the colors of the NWO. Sting then beat on the NWO Sting while the rest of the NWO (sans Hulk Hogan) stood at ringside and watched. The announcers worried Sting had joined the NWO. Ted DiBiase welcomed the real Stinger to the NWO. DiBiase said the NWO is taking over and once he joins them, it’s like joining family. Kevin Nash quoted “his favorite American poet, Jim Morrison,” and told Sting it’s time for him to “break on through to the other side.”
Sting then spoke. He called the NWO Sting a “cheap imitation” and said they get what they pay for. He said the real Sting may or may not be in his price range. He said “the only thing about the real Sting is nothing’s for sure.” The NWO Sting stood up and apparently holding no grudge against the NWO paraded around the ring with them with a smile on his face.
In the other big angle of the show, Randy Savage was scheduled to face Chris Benoit in the TV main event. Benoit came to the ring, but Savage didn’t come out when his music played. Savage did eventually appear on the rampway. Bischoff pleaded with him to watch a video. The video was of Hogan on the movie set of “Three Ninjas 3” sporting a shorter haired wig and a shorter shaved mustache. He fired the director and replaced him with the Giant, saying “we are taking over.” He then brought Elizabeth in view of the camera and tried to force her to continue to tell Savage how much she loves him. Hogan said, “I want you to make Randy believe you love him.” Elizabeth said, “Please, stop.” Hogan said, “Leave the lamb to slaughter. Make him believe you love him.” Hogan took Liz to his trailer and threatened her if she didn’t do what he said. Liz said he ruined her life for the second time. Hogan told Liz she will learn not to embarrass Hogan in front of cameras (ignoring that a camera was filming this “private” talk in his trailer).
Bischoff said that proves Liz is for real. Savage responded: “It just occurred to me how fragile friendships and relationships can be. Bischoff, you and I both know how fragile business can be (Bischoff nodded and hung his head). Even marriage is fragile. But Hogan, life if fragile.” Bischoff told him “not to go there.”
