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Uncensored elevates WCW

John Powell

From a management standpoint, you can say that WCW is in disarray. It is fair to state that interest in WCW has plummeted since many of their key superstars were sidelined by injuries or selfishly refuse to return, making themselves part of the problem and not the solution. You can say that years of generating a shoddy product has knocked WCW out of their Big Two status. You’d be right about all those things. Though, no one can deny the fact that like a dazed boxer staggering around the ring throwing jabs into thin air, WCW won’t go down without a fight. In the long run, perseverance and hard work is what might bring back the glory to a company that has such a rich wrestling history.

If WCW’s management and talent approaches every project like they did the Uncensored pay-per-view last night, a triumphant comeback may be months not years away. You know you are pointed in the right direction when even mid-card wrestlers like Brian Knobbs and Crowbar make fans sit up and take notice. Though what Crowbar did – being thrown off a 20 foot scaffold through a stage by The Wall – was an act of stupidity. That goes for what New Jack and Grimes did at Living Dangerously as well. These death-defying bumps have got to stop before someone ends up crippled. Enough is enough. Risking your body to please the fans is one thing. Risking your life is foolish.

Matching the intrigue of the last good WCW pay-per-view – Mayhem – the bookers did present enough surprises during the show to compensate for the mediocre bouts. Uncensored was a throwback to the eighties where WCW didn’t have the big names so they relied on quality storylines to survive.

Shuffling the World Heavyweight Title match to the second last match on the card (behind the Hogan and Flair strap match) may be an indication that WCW has come to their senses and realized that Sid Vicious is not someone you build a federation around. The switch was played out all the way with a stunned Vicious being told in the locker room that he was up next. Jeff Jarrett cut his usual promo in the ring. The company has screwed him. He’s the “chosen one”. Yadda. Yadda. Yadda. All the while a mysterious black limousine sat outside housing Jarrett’s “insurance policy”. Jarrett promised that if he won the WCW World Title that the nWo girls would strip for the crowd. Anyone understanding WCW’s strict policy on its content knew that Jarrett was therefore destined to lose.

Until the Harris Brothers interfered mid-way through the match, Sid dominated. Slammed on the announcer’s table and taking a water bottle to the head and an axe handle from Vicious, Jarrett called in the troops. The Harris Brothers beat Vicious back to the ring allowing Jarrett to catch a breather. With the champ softened up, Jarrett let loose stomping and punching Sid. Jarrett’s sleeper hold brought Vicious to his knees. Drawing on the crowd for support, Vicious raised his arm before it could fall a third time and elbowed his way out of the submission hold. Sensing the tide was about to change, the Harris Brothers attacked again. The plan backfired with Jarrett getting his with the World Title belt by mistake. Vicious got a two count.

Jarrett deliberately elbowed the official in the face so that he could guitar shot Vicious. As Sid and the ref lay out like a light, Jarrett signaled to someone at the entrance way. Out came the nWo referee. The ref was about to slap three for Jarrett when Hulk Hogan pulled the official out of the ring and throttled him. Hogan fought off the Harris Brothers and hit the Leg Drop on Jarrett. Hogan pulled Sid on top of Jarrett. Vicious was granted a three count to retain the WCW World Heavyweight Title. Out of nowhere, Scott Steiner hit Hogan with a guitar from behind. The Harris Brothers put the boots to Hogan. Sid made the save sending the nWo scurrying from the ring.

Ignoring his elaborate ring entrance, Ric Flair immediately began whipping Hogan, jump-starting their strap match. Flair and Hogan went on to deliver an intense strap match that surpassed anyone’s initial expectations. Both Flair and Hogan were covered in blood by the time Hogan rammed the Big Foot into Flair’s face to pick up the win.

WCW’s next pay-per-view is Spring Stampede on April 16th.

WCW Uncensored 2000 Results

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