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October 29, 2001
Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
Rating: 5.03 Attendance: 43,890
Vader d. Big Vito by DQ in 7:45 to retain the NWA World Title. Rating: - 3/4*
Vader, a champion without his title, seemed uninspired in this match against Vito. Vito, who had a title match with the Giant, seemed to be taking command of the big man, but lost when Tony Marinara pulled the top rope down on Vader as the mastadon ran into the ropes.
Interview: Vader
Vader went to ringside and demanded that Harley Race do something to get back the NWA World Title Belt at all costs. If Race couldn't do anything to get back NWA property from Bret Hart or Vince McMahon, then he would go to Capital Wrestling Corporation and get the belt himself.
Don Muraco d. Glen Osbourne (Tombstone Piledriver) in 2:45. Rating: DUD
The Magnificent One took the giant Osbourne to task, defeating him very quickly with his ring skills. Osbourne couldn't get out of the box offensively, making it appear very simple for Muraco to overpower him.
The Giant d. Shane Douglas in 10:39. Rating: 3/4*
Prior to the match, Shane mocked the "deposed" Giant and was about to show everyone that the former NWA Champion wasn't as awesome as everyone thought he was. Douglas looked on top of his game as he jumped the former champ before the bell, but Giant was able to rebound and land a leg drop for the pin.
Interview: The Giant
Gene Okerlund came to the ring to interview the Giant. A tape of Manami Toyota challenging the Giant to a match on Nitro was played from NWA Women's "Women's Lib" card from Sunday. The giant said he's focused in getting the NWA Title back from Vader, but has room on his plate for Toyota, if she wants to show up for Nitro next week.
Shawn Michaels d. Rhino in 2:00. Rating: *3/4
Everyone believed the Heartbreak Kid had bitten off more than he could chew in this contest, with the meaner Rhino ready to Gore anyone in his way, but HBK was up for th etask, and Rhino wasn't. A piledriver was all Michaels needed to put away the energetic challenger, in making short work of him.
Cactus Jack d. Arn Anderson in 2:10. Rating: *1/2
In a rematch from the WCW Title Match of September 9, the time was shorter, but the result the same as Jack took care of the veteran Anderson with his brawling "technique."
The Hell-Raisers d. The Missing Link & Barry Windham (Bill Goldberg d. Link. Hell's Fury) in 14:46 to retain the NWA World Tag Team Titles. Rating: *1/4
Windham, vowing to find members for his group to go after the Hell-Raisers, teamed with Missing Link, an unpredictable wrestler, and tried to win the NWA World Tag Team Titles..."tried" being the key word here. Link kept the opposition confused for a short time, and Windham's attack had them reeling, but once Austin and Goldberg figured out Link's methods, they easily took him down with their combination Stunner/Spear move, Hell's Fury, and retained the belts.
Interview: The Hell-Raisers (joined by the CCW Hell-Raisers)
Gene Okerlund came to the ring to interview the World Tag Team Champs. Before he could speak, the music for the CCW Hell-Raisers played, and Hawk and Power Warrior made their way to the ring. They told Austin & Goldberg that a video had been sent, and it was something they should look at. The four, as well as those in attendance, watched Sable and Nicole Bass challenge the NWA World Tag Team Champions at the "Women's Lib" card. Both Austin and Goldberg smiled almost devilishly as the tape ended with Sable and Bass calling themselves real bitches. They said with Goldberg having a girlfriend, and Austin with a wife, they know what bitches are all about. All Sable and Bass want, Austin said, is to jump on their backs to make names for themselves. They can't stand being little prissy women in a man's world. Goldberg warned that what had transpired between them within the last couple of weeks is nothing compared to the pain they'll feel if either woman cross their paths again. They had no problem with knocking down women who wanted to be men. They also said they had no problem putting up the tag belts if it meant the women would be in the ring against them. hawk then added that the pair forgot that they had cost he and Warrior the tag belts at World War 3, and they would be watching for Sable and Bass, as well.
The Sandman d. Ernest Miller (White Russian legsweep) in 10:31 to retain the NWA North American Title. Rating: - 3/4*
The Sandman defeated Miller only a few days prior for the North American Title, and was determined to retain it at all costs. Miller wanted to reclaim it after all his boasts about winning it from Rico Constantino. This was his lone legal rematch, so it was get the belt back, or lose an opportunity. Sandman caught Miller with his face-first Russian legsweep after a missed Feliner, and Sandman retained the belt. As Miller left the ring and began to exit up the aisle in defeat, Sandman stopped him and grabbed a mic in the ring.
Interview: The Sandman
Sandman showed a piece of video footage of Rico Constantino on Ohio Valley Wrestling's TV program challenging The Cat (who was North American Champion at the time) to a four-way match for the belt. he named The Great Muta and Buff Bagwell as the other opponents in the match. Sandman thought the idea was great, but since Miller wasn't champion any longer, then he should enter the match--making it a five man match! And, Sandman said, if he were to lose the belt to anyone else, then they should inter the match as well...the more the merrier!
Mean Mark Callous drew with Lex Luger in 20:00. Rating: 3/4*
Even Chyna couldn't help Luger get past the third hell-Raiser, as Callous wrestled with a tenacity no one has seen in a long time. Luger continued looking to use his Torture Rack, while Callous tried for his Last Ride, but both moves seemed to be countered effectively. Can anyone say rematch?
Tommy Dreamer d. Psicosis in a Chair-On-A-Pole Match in 13:17. Rating: *1/2
High-flyer vs. Brawler. It had the makings of a classic confrontation, and it turned out to be one. Psicosis attacked Dreamer with a chair at the MSG house show on Sunday, hitting Dreamer with a chair. Dreamer asked for this specific match from NWA Booking in an attempt for revenge. Despite both men trying to climb the pole to retrieve a chair, they never could get it, but they didn't need it. Both went outside the ring for handy, nearby chairs. Psicosis used them mainly for springboard moves, while Dreamer used his as weapons. Dreamer finished off the match using the TommyHawk...and leaving the chair on the pole.
PowerAmerica drew with Ric Flair & Dr. Wagner Jr. in 20:00. Rating: *
The second match between these four men ended in another draw. Dr. Wagner jr., who seems to be concentrating on possibly entering the upcoming WCW tag title tournament, has been working with different partners, always bigger men then himself. The brackets for the tournaments are to be announced on Heat on Thursday, but all four men wrestled as if it were the title match on this night. Veteran Flair kept his team in the contest with his ring expertise, and kept Sting and Warrior off blance. Sting and Warrior traded blows with their opponents throughout, but wasn't able to finish them off. As Nitro left the air, all four men continued to brawl after the bell sounded.
November 1, 2001
The Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA
Attendance: 37,450 Rating: 1.06
Backstage: Bret Hart and Vince McMahon
As Heat opened, Bret Hart & Vince McMahon stood defiantly in the WCW interview area. Vince stated he and Bret were at heat for the specific purpose of making an announcement to Vader, but the announcement would come much later. Bret held the NWA World Title belt over his shoulder the entire time.
Interview: NWA President Harley Race
Harley Race made his way down to the ring to kick off Heat. He announced that WCW had many talented superstars. So much so that there would be tournaments for both the WCW Television and WCW Tag Team Titles that wouldn't start as tournaments at all. On Nitro, there would be two separate battle royals. In those battle royals, the top 16 contenders for those titles would battle for positioning. With each elimination, the man or team would be placed on the bottom of the rung in contention. The winners of each battle royal would then be considered number one contenders. Also on Nitro, the first matches of the tournaments for the TV and tag belts would begin. In reference to the WCW Cruiserweight Title, Race decided upon the top three contenders--Dr. Wagner Jr., Jeff Hardy, and Shane Eden--would fight in a Triple Threat elimination, with the winner being crowned the Cruiserweight champion. Race then announced the top 16 wrestlers in line for the WCW TV Title which would fight in the first battle royal. Mike Roselli, Steve Austin, Tommy Dreamer, Don Muraco, Buh Buh Ray Dudley, D-Von Dudley, Larry Zbyszko, Jeff Hardy, Chris Candido, Shawn Stasiak, Big Dick Dudley, Shane Eden, Bill Goldberg, Sting, Dr. Wagner Jr., and Tommy Rich. For the tag team battle royal, the participants would be the Dudley Boyz, Arn Anderson & D'Lo Brown, Team Elite, Haku & Dr. Wagner Jr., David Flair & Big Dick Dudley, PowerAmerica, The Texas Outlaws, Too Much, The Mamalukes, Kash Money, The newly-formed Impact Players (Lance Storm & Justin Credible), Harlem heat, Buff Bagwell & Psicosis, Spike Dudley & Lex Luger, The Blue Boy & Mr. Perfect, and The GamePlayers (Triple H & Chris Jericho). He wished all combatants for Monday night luck.
D'Lo Brown d. Rhino (Lo'Down) in 2:51. Rating: *1/4
Don't know what's been going on with Rhino recently, but he's been dropping matches to some rather unworthy opponents of late. D'Lo took no time setting up Rhino for the Lo'Down and scoring one impressive victory.
Haku d. Terry Funk in a Hardcore Match in 8:40. Rating: - *
Funk's first appearance since being eliminated in the Hardcore Title tournament was a losing one. The match was hard-fought, with the battle going from ring to floor and back again. As they battled in the aisle, Haku laid Funk out with a baseball bat and took the match.
Glen Osbourne d. 911 in 14:26. Rating: - *1/4
Osbourne, unfortunately made his last match in WCW pay off. Despite a give-and-take by both men in what was considered a battle of midcard wrestlers, Osbourne dropped 911 with a power bomb for the win.
Interview: The Hell-Raisers
Once again, the Hell-Raisers were without their tag team titles, having lost them earlier to Jeff Jarrett & owen Hart on CCW's Ring Wars. Though both were upset at losing their belts again, they were more upset at Sable & Nicole Bass for their deciding to challenge the "big boys" of the NWA to a match at Starrcade next month. Whether they have the belts or not wasn't important to Goldberg and Austin. What was important was showing these women that they should stay within their own ranks before stepping into the men's division. They accepted the challenge with no thought.
Team Elite drew with "Showman" Sean Waltman & Stevie Ray in 20:00. Rating: 1/2*
Three of the four wrestlers involved in this match were scheduled to be involved in Monday's battle royals and tournaments for WCW gold. Waltman, left out of the challenges, is still looking to recapturing the WCW title down the road. Still, a very good match with neither side giving an inch. A lot of counter-wrestling happened in this contest, giving the fans a good technical clinic. Neither team won the match, but the showing itself made all of them winners.
Justin Credible d. David Flair (Superkick) in 4:44 to retain the NWA World Hardcore Title. Rating: - 3/4*
Actually, this match began with an open challenge. Credible said he was looking forward to Monday's events so he could get in line to win a third title...the WCW Tag Team Titles, alongside his new partner Lance Storm. he issued a challenge to anyone who thought they could take the Hardcore title away from him. The challenge was answered by David Flair, who still wanted the NWA World Television Title that was taken from him by Alundra Blayze. Even though Lance Storm wasn't in the arena to interfere, Flair had no chance whatsoever against the crafty WCW Champion, who landed a Superkick to end the match.
D-Von Dudley d. Buff Bagwell (Hangman's Neckbreaker) in 9:53. Rating: 3/4*
Another poor outing for Bagwell, who hasn't been the same since losing the North American Title to The Great Muta months ago. Bagwell, entered in a 5-man match for the NA belt at Starrcade, didn't seem to be a contender for any title as D-Von dominated him in this match.
The Texas Outlaws d. Horace Boulder & Sid Vicious (Bobby Duncum Jr. d. Vicious) in 17:11. Rating: - **
The Outlaws warmed up for Monday with this match against the overpowering Vicious and the struggling Boulder. Horace has been aligning himself with different wrestlers, trying to gel and possibly have a tag team partner. Vicious wrestled most of the match himself and proved to be stoppable once worn down as Duncum Jr. caught the big man with a flying bulldog for the win.
Ernest Miller d. Greg Valentine in 6:22. Rating: DUD
Miller, still upset by his loss of the North American Title only days after winning it, took his frustrations out on the veteran Valentine. The Cat had The Hammer so worn down, he didn't even use his Feliner to finish the match. A simple inside cradle sufficed for the victory. Afterwards, Miller grabbed a house mic and swore to the fans that he would win back the North American belt at Starrcade.
Ric Flair & Dr. Wagner Jr. d. PowerAmerica (Flair d. Ultimate Warrior, Figure-Four Leglock) in a Steel Cage Match in 18:48. Rating: 3/4*
The main event saw the third meeting of these four men, but this time it was a no time limit cage match to finally determine who was the better team. The aerial and mat combination of Flair and Wagner Jr. proved to be the better team this night. All four men were bleeding before it was finished, and Flair secured the win with his patented Firgure Four Leglock, catching the Ultimate Warrior for the submission.