Hildreth returned to WCW in November 1997 under the shortened ring name Hammer, where he was placed in Raven's stable The Flock. Despite being an undercarder, much like the rest of The Flock's members, he was granted a title match against the United States Heavyweight Champion Diamond Dallas Page on the February 23, 1998, episode of "Monday Nitro", but was unsuccessful in winning the title. On the March 2, 1998, episode of "Nitro", Hammer lost to Page via disqualification in a title rematch.