RESULTS: Monday Night Raw May 5, 1997

 STING PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW

Mean Gene: I'm standing in the back here with Sting, who tonight goes one-on-one with Bret Hart in a Finishing Move bout, in which the winner will advance into the King of the Ring Tournament. Sting, how do you see this match going tonight?

Sting: Gene, I see this match being a chance for me to prove that I'm the most underrated star in the WWF today. Look at the list I've faced lately. Randy Savage back at the Countdown, and I beat him. Double J at WrestleMania, Razor Ramon, the list goes on and on. I even had the WWF Champion, at the time, Diesel beaten until 2 morons came down to ringside and ruined it. They found out what happens when you get in Sting's way, though. Yet everytime I flip on WWF TV, I hear Bret Hart and Steve Austin talking about fighting at the King of the Ring. The only way, Gene, that Bret Hart is going to make it into the tournament is if he beats me here tonight. And he may very well go on to face Austin, but he can count on the fact that he's in for the fight of his life with me.

Mean Gene: That's a good point you brought up. Steve Austin seems convinced that he will face Bret Hart in the tournament. Are you at all worried that he'll try to prevent you from winning here tonight, so that Bret can advance?

Sting: I don't think Steve Austin is that stupid. He knows like everyone knows that if he sticks his nose in my business, he'll get the same treatment that Terry Taylor got, that Jarrett got, that Razor got, that Bischoff got, . . . the list goes on.

(Suddenly, a voice is heard from off camera.)

Voice: Hold on a minute!

(The owner of the voice steps forward into the camera . . . and it's Double J!)

Mean Gene: Jarrett, what are you doing here?!?

Double J: Hold on, Mean Gene! I heard what you were talking about here. Sting, twice now you've saved me from Vader jumping me from behind. I've been lookin' for a way to pay you back, and now I've found it. If you lose to Bret, Sting, it won't be cause you got jumped by Steve Austin or anyone else before, during, or after the match. Stinger, as far as tonight is concerned, I've got your back.

Mean Gene: You're going to watch Sting's back? You've got to be kidding me!

Sting: Jarrett, I accept your offer. And Bret, I hope you're ready for this match . . . cause you know that I am.

(Sting walks out of view of the camera. Double J shrugs at Mean Gene and follows him out.)

Mean Gene: Things just keep getting stranger here in the WWF! Let's hear now... from Bret the Hitman Hart!

BRET HART PRE-MATCH COMMENTS

Backstage:
The Hitman Bret Hart is here, wearing his wrestling singlet, Calgary Hitmen leather jacket and sunglasses.

Bret: Well Sting, we are back to the old game, you and me arguing over whose hold is better, or who invented theirs first. And once again we are in a finishing maneuver match. Last time I won, and I intend to win this time. I am not bringing any ball bats or anything but a crazed individual and myself. I know this match will finish nothing between us it will just cool things down again, maybe. Who knows Sting, maybe someday it will be us two in the ring in a carear ending streacher match. But no time soon, I am sure. So now Sting, it is time for me to show you why I am the Best there is the Best there was and the Best there ever will be!

The camera shuts off.