Throughout 1999, WCW started to decline, in which many thought the company would never recover. During this period, ratings dropped dramatically, creative control reached an all time annoyance, main eventers wouldn't relinquish their top spots, and the main factor, the World Wrestling Federation went to the extremes of entertainment, sky-rocketing past WCW in the ratings and remained firm in control.
However, Eric Bischoff's tenure is cut short in August, and there were on-going negotiations to bring two of the best World Wrestling Federation writers the World has seen. Those two men, Vince Russo and Ed Ferrera. They were the brains behind the WWF at the time. Russo, at large, was responsible for the monster pushes for the Undertaker and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Of course, you can't count out many others. Either way, if World Championship Wrestling could sign these two top writers, they can stick it to the WWF by giving them a dose of their own medicine.
At first, there appeared to be one major during the negotiations -- the network. TNT has been very strict to bookers in the past, and were highly against the signings of Russo and Ferrera for their controversial styles. Yet suprisingly, top WCW superstars convinced the network to give these two writers a shot. Yes, TNT has allowed the content to be written which hasn't been before. After the agreement, Vince Russo and Ed Ferrera signed their contracts once their World Wrestling Federation contracts ran out.
Since then, the quality of television in WCW has increased dramatically. The re-birth of the Outsiders has added a spark to the quater-hour ratings. Due to the edgy-style of the product now, the crowd reactions have improved to a great height. Wrestling in WCW hasn't appeared to be as entertaining as it is right now. Even the young guys slowly started to be pushed. Chris Benoit slowly was pushed into main event stardom. The other young talent slowly started getting pushed more aswell.
Fast forward to November 21, 1999. Mayhem has taken place - Vince Russo's and Ed Ferrera's second Pay Per View in their run for WCW. Was it a success? You be the judge. WCW's first ever Hardcore Champion was crowned. Not only that, but the most important title - the World Title was determined aswell. The results didn't disappoint.
In a World Championship Qualifying matchup, Chris Benoit defeated Jeff Jarrett.
Benoit begins with several lethal chops to the chest of Jarrett and then an atomic drop followed by a neck breaker. Benoit continues the carnage on the outside, but is caught with a low blow and then dropped on top, neck first into the guardrail. Inside the ring, both men go back and forth with pinning combinations. Benoit is then able to execute 3 German suplexes and then a sidewalk slam. Chris Benoit is then able to hit the flying headbutt, however the enforcers of the "Powers That Be" pull Benoit out to interrupt the count. The Chosen One takes advantage of this and executes the Stroke. Before he can score the pinfall however, members of the Revolution come to get revenge and pull Jarrett out. As the official is distracted trying to remove this other distraction, Benoit nails Jarrett with the Guitar and scores the suprising victory.
Due to a no-show by Evan Karagias, the Cruiserweight Title match has been called off and there will be an announcement about the situation tommorow whether or not Karagias gets another shot against Disco Inferno.
Norman Smiley defeated Brian Nobbs to become WCW's first-ever Hardcore Champion.
This 'bout wasn't your ordinary match. Both men brawled around the arena, scoring numerous pinfall attempts on one another. Weapons were brought into play throughout this enter matchup, even odd weapons such as plates with food on them were used. In the end, "Screamin" Norman Smiley picked up the huge upset by defeating Brian Nobbs after nailing him with a Steel Chair in the back. The Toronto crowed loved the ending and gave Norman a huge pop after the match.
Dean Malenko, and Saturn defeated Billy Kidman and Eddie Guerrero.
Eh, nothing special really. Had good match quality, but the fans weren't really behind this match like they were in previous.
In a "Loser hangs up boots" match, Buff Bagwell defeated Curt Hennig.
The battle ensues on the outside from the beginning of the match. Bagwell finds an opening and begins to stomp on the head of Hennig inside the ring. Hennig regains momentum with a sleeper hold and Bagwell is taken down to a sitting position. As always, Bagwell `Hulks' out of the sleeper but Hennig is able to catch him with a knee to the mid section. Buff regains control of the match and then is able to hit the blockbuster to get the pinfall victory. Curt Hennig now must `hang up his boots.' Curt Hennig leaves the ring to the adulation of the crowd.
In another World Championship Qualifying matchup, Bret Hart defeated Sting.
Both men begin the contest with a shoving contest and exchange of words. Hart's offense is interrupted with a rake to the eyes, and Sting follows up by thrusting Hart's head into the turnbuckle. Just as Hart seem to regain control, Sting hit him with a low blow and then an elbow drop. Sting then takes Hart and places him on the announce table, but Hart moves out of the way of the attempted Stinger splash. The referee is then caught between maneuvers and is knocked out. Sting then is able to execute the Scorpion Deathlock onto Hart, but Hart amazingly reversed it into the Sharpshooter. Sting taps out and Hart is victorious moving on to face Benoit for the World Title. The match ended with Sting shaking the hand of Hart in respect.
Meng defeated The Total Package w/ Elizabeth via pinfall.
The `Powers That Be' instructed the Package that he must wrestle Meng, despite wearing a neck brace and supposedly being injured. Meng tries to connect early with the Tongan death grip, but the Package's neck brace protects him. Package is then able to regain some control with a power slam and some well placed fists. Elizabeth then accidentally sprays some type of mist into Package's eyes, which allows Meng to remove the neck brace and lock on the death grip to get the pinfall victory.
In a matchup that ended in a DQ, David Flair defeated Kimberly.
This fued has been slowly developing for months. Not because Flair is against Kimberly, but he's fueding with her husband, DDP. Why? Because of David Flair's obsession of the hot former Playboy Playmate. During this matchup, it seemed like the odds were against Kimberly. But using her female sex appeal, she weaseled her way into getting into Flair's pants. Not for his area, but to remove his cup before delivering a low blow. After that big spot in the matchup, an injured DDP came out and gave the Diamond Cutter to Ric Flair's son, ending the 'bout in a DQ. Afterwards, Flair got revenge - attacking DDP with the crowbar.
Scott Hall defeated Booker T via pinfall to retain both US and TV Title.
Booker T. answers Scot Hall's open challenge for both the US Title and TV Title. Booker T. hits a flurry of moves early on causing Hall to rethink things on the outside of the ring. Hall returns to the ring and is able to connect with a fall away slam, which takes Booker T. to the outside. Hall then slows things down with a sleeper hold. After a brief comeback by Booker T, the Bad Guy steals the win by holding the tights of Booker on a rollup.
Bill Goldberg defeated Sid Vicious via submission.
Goldberg puches Sid furiously to begin the `I Quit' match up, following up with an awesome power slam. Sid returns with some fists of his own and a lariat to take Goldberg down. Sid then chokes Goldberg in the corner with a big boot. Sid then proceeded to choke slam Goldberg not once, but two times. Goldberg regains control with 3 short clotheslines and begins to also work on the right arm of Sid. Goldberg then executed a cobra clutch like maneuver and Sid passes out and the referee awards Goldberg the victory.
Bret Hart defeated Chris Benoit via submission.
Benoit begins with a quick arm drag take down. The two men then size each other up and lock up in a test of strength, with Bret gaining the advantage. Bret then slaps on an arm bar only to be reversed into a headlock by Benoit. Hart attempts the Sharpshooter early but Benoit wiggles out and is able to execute a crippler cross face. Hart is too close to the ring ropes and is able to break the hold. Malenko, dressed in Canadian fan attire jumped the guardrail and began to attack Benoit but was quickly taken away by WCW officials. Hart is then on the receiving end of several knife-edge chops and a lethal back breaker courtesy of Benoit. Benoit catches a lifeless Hart with a tombstone piledriver and then a flying head butt. Before a pin attempt could even made, Nash and Hall take out the ref and begin to work on Benoit. As they continue to do so, the Hitman retrieves a Steel Chair and knocks both Outsiders out. With Hall and Nash taken out, the match continues with Benoit taking advantage of Hart's weakened knee. Benoit continues the beating by slapping on a figure four leg lock. Hart mounts a comeback, super-plexing Benoit but failing to make a cover. Benoit then begins the rolling German suplexes, however Hart reverses it connecting with the Sharpshooter. Chris Benoit taps out and Bret Hart becomes the new WCW Heavyweight Champion.
