Chicago Sun-Times: More than title at stake in WCW PPV

It's time for another WCW pay-per-view event and time to ask once again, is this the night WCW turns it around?

In the main event, Jeff Jarrett defends the world title against Kevin Nash, who is listed as the heavy favorite to leave the event with the gold. However, if Hulk Hogan wins his match against Kidman, Hulk becomes the No. 1 contender for the title, and a Hogan vs. Nash bout seems unlikely at this point.

Smart money still is on Nash, but don't be completely surprised to see someone not even in the main event walk out as the champ. One other Hogan note-if he loses he must retire.

Also on the show, Ric Flair meets David Flair in a father vs. son match. In a human torch match, Vampiro meets Sting; it will be Mike Awesome taking on DDP in an ambulance match; The Wall meets "The Franchise" Shane Douglass; Scott Steiner meets Tank Abbott and in a boot camp match it will be G.I. Bro against Shawn Staziak.

As for the major surprise from Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff, it looks as if that is going to turn into a huge disappointment. When the surprise was originally announced they had no real plan for what it was going to be and still have no answers.

RATINGS: WCW officials thought this was the week they would break the 4.0 barrier, but it was not to be.

Summer weather has hurt the ratings for the first time this year. "Raw" was still the easy winner, posting hours of 5.4 and 6.4 for a 5.9 total. Nitro came in at 2.9 off hours of 3.1 and 2.6. One other television note-WCW bosses are looking to move "Nitro" to the 8-10 p.m. slot to once again go head-to-head with "Raw."

HEARD AROUND THE RING: Tazz has told friends he will definitely return at the "King of the Ring" but may not be cleared to wrestle. . . . Meng and Randy Savage have been released by WCW; Barbarian could be next. . . . Despite rumors to the contrary, the WWF has no interest in bringing back Curt Hennig. . . . ECW has been unhappy with TNN from the beginning of their deal and could be looking to exercise an out in the contract. With the WWF moving to TNN, ECW could be getting a new home at the USA network. The SFX group is reportedly close to purchasing controlling interest in the WCW and would be taking the company out of the hands of Turner Sports. . . . After numerous injuries, WWF wrestlers, including Undertaker and Kane, have been told they are no longer allowed to do DDTs or tombstone piledrivers. . . . Scott Hall is meeting with WCW to discuss his return. . . . The next ECW PPV could take place in California.

HOTLINE: Goldberg injured again, details on the Sandman; Jack Victory locker-room brawl, plus all the Great American Bash results are available on the hotline: (900) 454-SLAM, $2 per minute.