World Championship Wrestling 2001

[DMN in the House]

It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.

- R.E.M. It's The End of the World

As you know it, Vincent Kennedy McMahon, the self-crowned king of Sports Entertainment, presided over the downfall of two of the most beloved wrestling promotions of recent memory, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and World Championship Wrestling. He went as far as to take two men who wouldn't piss on him if he was on fire, Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff, and make them little more then pawns in his own company, World Wrestling Entertainment.

Along the way, Vincent Kennedy McMahon succeeded in making, as Paul E. so succently put it, 'wrestling a dirty word'. No longer do you tune in on Mondays, Thursdays, and one (or two) Sunday's a month to watch wrestling. No, you watch 'Sports Entertainment', a bastardization of an artform that was once treated with the respect it deserves, and still is, in the rest of the world.

But what if that could change? What if, instead of Vincent Kennedy McMahon putting up the money, it had been a group consisting of the aforementioned Eric Bischoff, along with the two 'franchises' of the company, 'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair, and Sting, who had bought World Championship Wrestling? Without a televised show, with an emasculated roster, and little in the way of funds, would these three, and one more, be able to make it work? Would a roster consisting of a few WCW stalwarts, some young guns, and a few suprises be enough to rebuild what had once been the most successful wrestling promotion in North America, if not the world?

Let's find out, shall we?

[DMN in the House]

Bear with me, as we begin. Night of Champions never happened. McMahon's never set foot in a WCW ring. Several WCW talents did take off for the World Wrestling Federation, but more on that later.

This is the final Ted Turner era World Championship Wrestling footage, from March 18th, 2001.

World Championship Wrestling Presents...

Greed

"This is the way the world ends

Not with a bang but a whimper."

-T.S. Eliot

Main Entry: iro·ny

Pronunciation: 'I-r&-nE also 'I(-&)r-nE

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural -nies

Etymology: Latin ironia, from Greek eirOnia, from eirOn dissembler

Date: 1502

1 : a pretense of ignorance and of willingness to learn from another assumed in order to make the other's false conceptions conspicuous by adroit questioning -- called also Socratic irony

2 a : the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning b : a usually humorous or sardonic literary style or form characterized by irony c : an ironic expression or utterance

3 a (1) : incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected result (2) : an event or result marked by such incongruity b : incongruity between a situation developed in a drama and the accompanying words or actions that is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play -- called also dramatic irony, tragic irony

4 : naming your last ever PPV “Greed” when you’re losing close to 80 million dollars a year and getting the lowest buyrates in the history of wrestling.

- Okay, now we’ve got that burst of literary silliness out of the way…

- Live from Jacksonville, FL

- Yours hosts are Tony & Scott

- It should be noted that for the sake of my own sanity, I’m totally ignoring all the retarded backstage skits with the Magnificent Seven (wasn’t that Dustin’s original gimmick?) and the bizarre interview with the tag champs where they stand there staring at something to the right of the camera.

- Opening match: Kwee Wee v. Jason Jett. This would be a Special Bonus Attraction, because nine matches just wasn’t enough. Kwee attacks and they brawl on the floor. Jett superkicks him and comes off the top with a tope. Back in, a 2nd rope legdrop gets two. He hooks an inverted Boston Crab, ala Kanyon, and drops an elbow for two. Kwee Wee gets a forearm and tosses him out by the hair! He misses a suicide dive, however. Jett hits the Matt Hardy handspring DDT against the ring apron and back in we go. Flipping clothesline and standing moonsault gets two. Holy shit, they’d better hurry up and bury this guy – they’ve only got two weeks left in the company and he might get over or something! Blind charge misses and Kwee Wee sends him over and out in a nasty bump. Brawl outside and Jett eats railing. Back in, Kwee Wee gets two. Jett fights back, but walks into a Thesz Press for two. Angry Allan Funk re-emerges from Kwee Wee as he dominates, and thank god because it’s impossible to type “Kwee Wee” and expect the guy to be taken seriously. They go upstairs and Jett tries a top rope powerbomb, reversed in mid-air by Funk into a rana. I love that spot. Funk gets a tilt-a-whirl for two. Piledriver attempt is blocked with a lowblow and Jett handsprings off the ropes with an elbow. Funk escapes the drop suplex and gets a sunset flip for two. Piledriver is reversed by Jett, but Funk hits a northern lights suplex for two. They collide in the corner and Funk ends up outside, so Jason feigns unconsciousness, and tells the crowd to play along. Now, see, THAT’S the sort of thing babyfaces don’t do anymore and should, because it gets the kids into it. If there’s one thing wrestling crowds love, it’s participating in the match. Funk falls for it and goes up, but misses an elbowdrop, and the Crash Landing suplex finishes at 12:15. Great opener, too bad Jett’s gonna be out of work before he can make anything of this push. ***1/2

- Cruiserweight tag title match: Elix Skipper & Kid Romeo v. Billy Kidman & Rey Mysterio Jr. Kidman and Romeo start, and Kidman gets a headscissors, but Romeo hits a release powerbomb and the heels double-team for two. Kidman dropkicks Skipper out to the apron, and the Animals hit the guillotine legdrop for two. Skipper clobbers Rey, but Rey gets a headscissors that puts Skipper out. Kidman baseball slides him and everyone fights up the ramp. The heels end up on the floor beside the stage, and the Animals come barrelling off the stage with a pair of dives onto them. I’m frankly shocked Jeff Hardy hasn’t thought of trying that yet. Back in, double-chokeslam on Skipper gets two. Cheapshot puts Kidman on the floor and he becomes YOUR jobless-face-in-peril. Romeo hits a short-arm clothesline on him, and they exchange chops. Romeo lifts Juvy’s Rube Goldbergian bulldog and we HIT THE CHINLOCK. Front suplex gets two for Romeo. Skipper beats on Kidman outside, and back in where Kidman blocks a superplex with a Rydien bomb. Hot tag Rey Rey, and he hits a spinning DDT on Romeo. Skipper misses a charge and goes out, and Rey takes out Romeo, and then dives out on Skipper. I can’t really do the beauty of that spot justice here. Just the way Rey strung everything together into one motion was awesome. Romeo follows with a plancha, and Kidman them all with the shooting star press. Back in, Skipper crotches Rey, but gets powerbombed for two. Skipper uses a choke for two. Kidman gets an inverted suplex on Romeo for two. Skipper hits a tiger suplex on Rey and holds them there while Romeo comes off the 2nd rope with a legdrop for two. Awesome spot. Kidman bulldogs Elix as Rey powerbombs Romeo, and then Kidman goes up and splashes Romeo for two. Broncobuster for Skipper, and Rey cannonballs Romeo off the top after teasing the Nutcracker. Rey gets a quebrada on Romeo, but Romeo simply shifts his weight and catches Rey, then hits the northern lights bomb (Snow Plow) for the pin and the titles at 13:42. I cannot praise this match enough. ****1/4

- Shawn Stasiak v. Bam Bam Bigelow. After the first two matches, this is like a sick joke on me. Stacy is in Miss Hancock mode tonight. I attempted to draft a new rule for watching WCW PPVs during this match (“No talking during Stacy’s promo”) but of course it’s kind of a moot point now. Stasiak works a headlock, but gets overpowered and bails. Back in, more stalling. They exchange punches and Bigelow gets an avalanche, leading to the Mecca of Merde bailing again. Bigelow follows and meets the stairs up close. Back in, Stasiak gets a flying bodypress and stalls. Various and nefarious heel schemes follow. Bigelow comes back and goes up for the big headbutt for two, but Stacy throws the last remaining bottle of Rick Martel’s Arrogance into the ring so that Stasiak can lay claim to ripping off Martel, Rick Rude AND The Rock, a new record even by WCW standards, and sprays Bigelow for the pin at 5:57. A star is SO not born. DUD

- Lance Storm & Mike Awesome v. Konnan & Hugh Morrus. Did we REALLY even need to see this match? Big brawl and Awesome clobbers Morrus with a lariat. Morrus & Storm exchange chops and Hugh gets a powerslam for two. Awesome hits the big boot and legdrop for two. Team Canada works Morrus over as he plays face-in-peril for a bit. Hot tag Konnan, but he gets nailed in short order and Awesome splashes him for two. Konnan walks into a Storm elbow for two. Storm beats on him outside, and back in for two. Awesome hits a top rope forearm for two. Storm gets a dropkick and legdrop and hits the chinlock. Awesome piledriver gets two. Storm misses whatever off the top and Konnan makes the hot tag. Leg lariat gets two on Awesome for Morrus. A pair of avalanches follow, but Storm superkicks him and an Awesome frog splash gets two. Morrus gets a bad-looking german suplex, but Awesome blocks the moonsault with a running Awesomebomb for the pin at 11:10. Just going through the motions all the way here. *

- Cruiserweight title match: Chavo Guerrero Jr. v. Shane Helms. Helms has actual tights now instead of the MC Hammer parachute pants. Chavo works a headlock in tenacious fashion, and they go into a neato reversal sequence. Criss-cross and Chavo gets a lariat, but Shane escapes a suplex hits his own. Fistdrop gets two. Chavo gets a T-Bone for two and does some boot-raking. Into an STF and he works the knee with a bridging deathlock. Backdrop suplex gets two. Slugfest and Chavo gets a rollup for two, reversed to a powerbomb, reversed to a DDT for two. Chavo wraps him in the corner and dropkicks him. Pumphandle slam gets two. Helms gets dumped, but blocks a quebrada. Chavo keeps coming with a tope, however. Back in for two. Shane comes back with a facebreaker and neckbreaker, and it’s a double KO. Helms superkicks Chavo to the floor and back in for two. Another superkick misses and Chavo gets a Curtain Call for two. Tornado DDT is blocked, and the pumphandle is reversed to Nightmare on Helm Street for two. Blind charge misses and Chavo hits the floor. Helms hits a frog splash to the floor, and back in for a crossbody that gets two. Back upstairs but he gets crotched for two. To the top, Shane blocks a superplex, so Chavo tries a Vertebreaker, which is of course reversed by Shane to his own Vertebreaker, and that’s enough for the pin and the title at 13:55. I dunno, the match was good in a technical sense, but not as good as at Sin and it just felt like an exhibition of spots rather than a coherant match. Certainly nowhere near the tag match earlier in the night. ***

- WCW World tag titles: Sean O’Haire & Chuck Palumbo v. Lex Luger & Buff Bagwell. Brawl to start, superkick from Palumbo for both heels, followed by the Seanton for both for the double pin at 0:52. And that, as they say, is that. DUD Good, if Luger wants to act like a fucking baby everytime he jobs, then make him go out and lay down in under a minute for a rookie. Maybe if they had taken this route three years ago with certain other people they wouldn’t be where they are now. I wholeheartedly applaud WCW for having the guts to stand up to Luger and I hope both he and Bagwell sit at home for a long time and realize just how little they mean to wrestling now.

- Kanyon v. The Cat. Brawl outside, and back in for some stalling. Cat gets an electric chair drop and a seated dropkick. Powerbomb and he dumps Kanyon, and they brawl some more. Kanyon takes over and gets a flying lariat for two. Suplex and elbowdrop get two. Top rope fameasser gets two. Sleeper reversal spot and Cat suplexes out. Kanyon neckbreaker gets two. Kanyon goes up and gets crotched. Superplex gets two. Cat dances to come back and hits the Big Kick for two. Kanyon uses the ropes for the pin, but the ref waves it off. He reverses a piledriver into a Boston Crab, and Cat escapes. The Feliner gets two. Kanyon reverses a suplex for two, ref gets bumped. Miss Jones gets involved, Kanyon takes a kick, and the Feliner finishes at 11:15. Kanyon was so obviously sleepwalking through this that he might as well have worn pajamas to the ring. *1/2

- US title match: Rick Steiner v. Booker T. Steiner attacks and dumps Booker into the front row, and they brawl. Back in, Steinerline gets two. Tiger Driver gets two. We HIT THE CHINLOCK, a common occurance for Rick these days. Booker fights back, but gets clobbered because god forbid Rick Steiner should sell for someone. Rick goes back to the resting after cutting off Booker’s offense. What a jerk. If anyone deserves to be unemployed because of the end of the Turner gravy-train, it’s Steiner. Booker gets a suplex, but Steiner no-sells and hits a belly-to-belly for two. Booker’s sunset flip gets two, but Steiner casually clotheslines him for two and it’s Rest-lemania X7. Booker comes back with the axe kick and a flapjack, and the ref is bumped. Steiner won’t sell. Shane Douglas appears at ringside, decks Steiner with the cast (which he won’t sell, either) and the Bookend finishes at 7:36. Yawn. ½*

- Dusty & Dustin Rhodes v. Ric Flair & Jeff Jarrett. Flair has his oh-so-trendy Hawaiian shirt on tonight. Jarrett attacks Dustin to start, and Dustin dominates. He posts Jarrett, but misses whatever off the top. Flair comes in and punches away. Dusty comes in and the crowd erupts. That is sad on so many levels. Dusty throws some chops, and unloads with the elbow and Flip Flop & Fly. Dustin back in, and he takes on both heels. Flair goes to low to end that. Heels beat on Dustin, and work the knee. Dustin backslides Flair for two. Jarrett gets a figure-four for a two-count. Dustin reverses, and shoves Jarrett into the corner on another try. Hot tag Dusty, ELBOWS FOR EVERYONE. I’m surprised they didn’t hire Tully Blanchard and Ole Anderson on a one-night deal to run in and take them, too. Sadly, the crowd isn’t quite sophisticated enough to know to make a “Hoo!” sound whenever Dusty hits someone. I guess it’s an NWA thing or something. Flair takes the Big Fat Elbowdrop for two. Dustin lariats both, but the heels go low and try stereo figure-fours. That of course backfires, as they get shoved into each other, and Dustin gets the Worst Rollup Ever on Flair for the pin at 9:55. Entertaining crap. **1/2 Dusty does a Stinkface on Jarrett, but only half-heartedly.

- WCW World title: Scott Steiner v. Diamond Dallas Page. Slugfest and DDP gets a neckbreaker for two. He goes up with a lariat for two. To the floor, where Steiner gets the upper hand. Back in, DDP necksnaps him, but Steiner no-sells. Into the crowd, where they happen to encounter a kid, on crutches, with a DDP t-shirt. Where’s the old lady in the front row so Steiner can rip up her autograph book? The crutches get used, of course. A table gets set up, and DDP puts Steiner through it. Back to ringside, Page gets two with some plunder. Into the ring, DDP gets crotched, clotheslined, and elbowdropped for two. T-Bone suplex gets two. Into the bearhug, and from there a suplex gets two. Page comes back, but walks into a suplex for two. DDP gets a fluke DDT and lariat, and he slugs away. Steiner uses the ropes for two. DDP gets another DDT, but Steiner goes low and DDTs him in turn. Diamond Cutter, but Rick Steiner punks out the ref. DDP whips Scott into Rick for two. Steiner uses the belt for two and DDP busts out a manly bladejob. Unfortunately the good will is ruined because Steiner goes for a Boston Crab and DDP tries to rip off the Austin WM13 visual. He even does the bit where he slowly raises his head and yells while dripping blood. The statute of limitation on angle theft is seven years, Page. He makes the ropes, but Scott simply puts him in the Recliner. He makes the ropes again, so Scott beats the shit out of him with his foam pipe, hooks the Recliner again, and that’s enough for DDP at 14:13. If they had a monster babyface to play Scott against, this run would be great, but they don’t, so it’s not. DDP got his usual solid match in, however. ***1/2

The Bottom Line: Well, this is likely my final WCW PPV rant, and honestly after twenty-some years of following this promotion, I can’t say I’m particularly sad to see it put out of it’s misery. Hopefully the few talented and hard-working people in the promotion will find sanctuary in the WWF, and as for everyone else…well, no one forced you to sign the cushy deal with the creative control, did they? Enjoy early retirement, guys. You’re getting EXACTLY what you deserve.

Thumbs up for the last ever WCW PPV, but it’s pretty silly to worry about that sort of thing at this point. Just another $30 a month I can spend on something else now.

Last one out of WCW, turn out the lights.

[Michael]

Holy shit.

I've always wanted to see a high calibar writer go with WCW 2001. There are endless possibilities, and so many different things can be done with this. It looks like we finally have a highly regarded writer controlling WCW 2001, and this sure as hell is going to be interesing. Short and sweet most probably, but nevertheless, this is going to be fucking awesome to read while it lasts.

And err, give Shane Helms and Mike Awesome a fair crack of the whip, eh?

[Dingle]

Well, I'm shocked, I actually find a WCW diary interesting. Congratulations, and I DO hope to see this stay alive for a while, even if it means rare updates, DO IT FOR THE FANS SYCO!

Just wanna see something of your own writing to see how you can change it. (Y)

[DMN in the House]

Days passed. Contracts were signed, both with WCW, and the WWF. Many older workers simply didn't want to take a chance with the 'new' WCW, while many 'name' wrestlers decided to try their luck with the WWF. At the end, we looked at the stack of contracts, and we had something like this:

Air Paris

AJ Styles

Billy Kidman

Booker T

Marcus 'Buff' Bagwell

Chris Kanyon

Chuck Palumbo

David Flair

Diamond Dallas Page

Elix Skipper

Evan Karagias

Hugh Morrus

Jamie Noble

Jason Jett

Jeff Jarrett

Johnny The Bull

Kaz Hayashi

Kid Romeo

Konnan

Lance Storm

Leia Meow

Mark Jindrak

Mike Awesome

Mike Sanders

Norman Smiley

Paisley

Rey Misterio Jr.

Ric Flair

Sean O'Haire

Shane Douglas

Shane Helms

Shannon Moore

Shawn Staskiak

Stacy Keibler

Stevie Ray

Sting

Torrie Wilson

Yang

We were very fortunate that Booker T elected to stay with us, as he carried the WCW United States Title. He, along with Diamond Dallas Page, both cited their hard work in making WCW what is had been as their reason for staying. Other suprises included Shane Helms and Shannon Moore, who many thought would try their hand with their friends in the WWF, as well as Marcus 'Buff' Bagwell, who many thought would attempt to make the move up. Another suprise was Rey Misterio Jr., though he is a very welcomed one.

The disappointment also came, as Chavo Guerrero Jr. elected to join his blood, in Eddie, in the WWF, while Vince also offered lucrative contracts to both Goldberg, and The Wall. Kevin Nash also secured a contract in Stamford through his friendship, as well as getting Scott Hall signed. Lastly, Dustin Rhodes moved up north to re-don the facepaint as Goldust. A devastating loss was Scott Steiner, who decided to 'take his ball and go home' as Sting put it, despite being the current WCW World Heavyweight Champion.

Days moved forward, as we prepared both for the unknown of the future, as well as proposals to several television networks. While plans were to hold Spring Stampede as advertised on April 15th, what came after that was far, far, from known, as we would soon come to find out.

Edited March 12, 2005 by sycodmn

[DMN in the House]

Current Champions

Updated April 2nd, 2001

World Heavyweight Championship

Booker T

Won April 15th, 2001

United States Heavyweight Championship

Lance Storm

Won April 15th, 2001

Diary Title History

Booker T V1

World Cruiserweight Championship

Shane Helms

Won March 18th, 2001

World Tag Team Championships

Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire

Won January 14th, 2001

The Hardcore Championship, and Cruiserweight Tag Team Championships were both retired.

Edited March 26, 2005 by sycodmn

[DMN in the House]

LIVE, from Atlanta, Georgia

Sunday, April 15th, 2001

Card Subject to Change

DOUBLE MAIN EVENT

WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Both Men WILL Wrestle Twice!

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Booker T

One Last Fall, To Solve It All!

'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair vs. Sting

WCW United States Championship

Triple Threat Match

Booker T vs. Lance Storm vs. Mystery Opponent

WCW Cruiserweight Championship

Shane Helms vs. Jamie Knoble

WCW World Tag Team Championships

Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire vs. Rey Misterio Jr. and Billy Kidman

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Marcus 'Buff' Bagwell

All this action, AND MORE! Don't miss it! Call your local Pay Per View provider, Satellite provider, or yo' momma, because you won't want to miss this night of action! WCW will never die, and at Spring Stampede... WE PROVE IT!

Edited March 12, 2005 by sycodmn

[Guest Mike Awesome Fan]

great card

I hope the mystery opponet is Mike Awesome who turns on Lance Storm and wins the US title.

I just got one question, where did scotty steiner go?

[actionpad]

He Went to WWF. Stiener was in WWF way back in the 90's thats why he said he was going home.

[Guest MrBenjamin]

WoW, I'm impressed so far...Too bad Chavo decided to go to the WWF with his uncle Eddie. Steiner was a big player but hopefully you can make some big names with all the guys you have.

The card for Stampede looks awesome, the Tag Title Match is going to bring some good ratings, and I really can wait to see who becomes the New World Heavyweight Champion!

[fineintent]

Without wanting to add to the layers of meaningless posts, I was a big WCW fan, so it's nice to see another diary in this period, so I felt like I had to. Adgray had a pretty solid one, but that went on hiatus and so it's nice to see a good writer taking on the challenge.

The title tournament seems strange, as Booker T is pretty much your only viable option and all the signs point towards him winning, but I could be wrong - as Flair is too old to carry the company, crow Sting doesn't work as well with the belt and DDP was never a major player. It's interesting to see where you'll go, but I would have suggested a major monster heel playing some part, someone in the mould of a Mike Awesome who isn't incredibly over but would, IRL, be seen by the marks (well, imaginary marks) as a legitimate threat. The tournament would have also been a nice chance to elevate someone, even if they lost - but judging by the fact that many big names are gone, I'm guessing that's your plan.

I'm again guessing that the mystery man would be a certain Mr PPV, as he had a deal with Fuscient before that deal fell through so that makes the most sense, but again it would be interesting at the least to see who you think would fit the mould. Somebody is needed to carry the company anyway, either him or Booker T anyway.

The card, and I hope you won't take offense to this as none is intended, isn't particularly awe inspiring - but there is only so much you can do without a TV show, though I wait to see how the main events and the US title match turns out. You're a talented writer and hopefully, for my reading sake at least, you'll be able to make a good go of this.

[Jack Krauser III]

Hoorah! A talented writer does WCW in it's waning days. This looks like it will be great syco. A few wishes: fire Torrie Wilson, please syco for the love of god fire her or give her some meaningless gimmick I beg you! Also, strap a manager on Shane Helms and push him to the moon. If he ever becomes WCW Champion in this diary you will instantly become my favorite diary writer ever (if you weren't already...). And while you're at it, make sure Palumbo and O'Haire stay in the spotlight. I always felt bad those two never got to truly shine after WCW's demise. And now that the formalities are done with, here's my prediction for the card.

WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Both Men WILL Wrestle Twice!

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Booker T

I figure someone will run in and beat down Booker since he won the U.S Title match.

One Last Fall, To Solve It All!

'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair vs. Sting

Tough decision but hopefully Sting will walk out victorious. No run-ins I hope.

WCW United States Championship

Triple Threat Match

Booker T vs. Lance Storm vs. Mystery Opponent

Booker T, with the mystery opponent being...Jarret or Awesome I suppose. Whoever it is will run in and screw Booker in the main event.

WCW Cruiserweight Championship

Shane Helms vs. Jamie Knoble

Shane Helms, because he is the man. No more statements necessary.

WCW World Tag Team Championships

Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire vs. Rey Misterio Jr. and Billy Kidman

Have to give it to the reigning champs here. Should be an awesome match.

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Marcus 'Buff' Bagwell

Only giving this to Buff so it will make DDP look like he'll lose the main event.

I wish you the best of luck with this diary syco, this is one I don't want to miss out on.

EDIT: Just had to fix a few grammar mistakes. :pinch:

Edited March 12, 2005 by Jack Krauser

[Cole]

You should be very proud of the backstory. It's going to exciting to see what you do without a Television show. It should be a tough thing to write and figure out how to book matches without hype.

Good luck.

DOUBLE MAIN EVENT

WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Both Men WILL Wrestle Twice!

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Booker T

One Last Fall, To Solve It All!

'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair vs. Sting

WCW United States Championship

Triple Threat Match

Booker T vs. Lance Storm vs. Mystery Opponent

WCW Cruiserweight Championship

Shane Helms vs. Jamie Knoble

WCW World Tag Team Championships

Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire vs. Rey Misterio Jr. and Billy Kidman

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Marcus 'Buff' Bagwell

[Guest Muthafawkkinmatt]

DOUBLE MAIN EVENT

WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Both Men WILL Wrestle Twice!

Booker T

One Last Fall, To Solve It All!

'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair

WCW United States Championship

Triple Threat Match

Lance Storm

WCW Cruiserweight Championship

Shane Helms

WCW World Tag Team Championships

Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire

Diamond Dallas Page

[Pesci]

DOUBLE MAIN EVENT

WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Booker T

- Booker T is the biggest star the company has created for a long, long time, and so giving the belt to DDP would be kinda counter-productive in my opinion.

One Last Fall, To Solve It All!

'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair vs. Sting

- I say Sting goes over here. Sting is the francise of WCW; the only major player who's stayed in one company for over ten years. Basically, Sting is WCW, and I see him pulling off the victory here.

WCW United States Championship

Triple Threat Match

Booker T vs. Lance Storm vs. Mystery Opponent

- I don't know who the mystery opponent is, but I'm routing for him anyway, since I don't think you'd let Booker hold two titles at once.

WCW Cruiserweight Championship

Shane Helms vs. Jamie Knoble

- I went with the Suga here. He's only a few weeks into a successful Cruiserweight title reign, and I don't see it ending yet. Especially to somebody like Jamie Knoble, with no build whatsoever.

WCW World Tag Team Championships

Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire vs. Rey Misterio Jr. and Billy Kidman

- I'm hoping you'll push O'Haire on his own, and I thought that maybe giving the Animals the main tag belts will be paying them back for retiring the cruiserweight straps.

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Marcus 'Buff' Bagwell

- There's no way you're letting one of your co-main eventees lose to Buff frickin' Bagwell on the same night. Especially when I think that co-main eventee is losing later on already.

My choices are of course underlined.

[ClaRK! Kent]

WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Booker T

-- Booker is your only viable choice at this point for carrying the company, so I'd have to say him.

One Last Fall, To Solve It All!

'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair vs. Sting

-- For loyalty's sake, Sting. They'll shake hands afterwards, I'm sure

WCW United States Championship

Triple Threat Match

Booker T vs. Lance Storm vs. Mystery Opponent

-- I'm anticipating this being Van Dam, based on the fact that he almost went to WCW in 2001, and I'll pull for him winning.

WCW Cruiserweight Championship

Shane Helms vs. Jamie Knoble

-- Pulling the title off of Helms this early would be a travesty, and he'd just superkick you into a wall for doing it anyway. Oh yeah!

WCW World Tag Team Championships

Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire vs. Rey Misterio Jr. and Billy Kidman

-- No sense in putting the belts onto the cruiserweights in a fairly 'big' division, if my memory of the programming of the time serves me. Would they be credible champs in a heavyweight divison? Maybe not. If you're making lots of lightweight teams, though, in the fallout from the Cruiserweight Tag division's death, you may put the strap on them though. We shall see.

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Marcus 'Buff' Bagwell

-- Bagwell does not belong in employment with this or any other company. Make it a Handgun-on-a-Pole match. I know loads of people who would kill to see THOSE results!

A WCW diary with potential and a talented writer at the helm? Colour me interested!

RK!

[TOG]

LIVE, from Atlanta, Georgia

Sunday, April 15th, 2001

Card Subject to Change

DOUBLE MAIN EVENT

WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Both Men WILL Wrestle Twice!

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Booker T

One Last Fall, To Solve It All!

'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair vs. Sting

WCW United States Championship

Triple Threat Match

Booker T vs. Lance Storm vs. Mystery Opponent

WCW Cruiserweight Championship

Shane Helms vs. Jamie Knoble

WCW World Tag Team Championships

Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire vs. Rey Misterio Jr. and Billy Kidman

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Marcus 'Buff' Bagwell

All this action, AND MORE! Don't miss it! Call your local Pay Per View provider, Satellite provider, or yo' momma, because you won't want to miss this night of action! WCW will never die, and at Spring Stampede... WE PROVE IT!

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[maddog]

DOUBLE MAIN EVENT

WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Both Men WILL Wrestle Twice!

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Booker T

DDP. You see my prediction is Booker loses the U.S. title to the Mystery Opponent. Now if this opponent is someone who's never wrestled before in WCW and he wins, and then Booker wins the World Title, he not only makes DDP look weak but the WCW Title look weak.

One Last Fall, To Solve It All!

'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair vs. Sting

Flair for one last win before fading into the shadows.

WCW United States Championship

Triple Threat Match

Booker T vs. Lance Storm vs. Mystery Opponent

Mystery Opponent, The Sandman

WCW Cruiserweight Championship

Shane Helms vs. Jamie Knoble

Knoble wins to move Helms on up the card, and get him away from the Cruiser title. Knoble is built as either an unstoppable Champ, or a cheating champ.

WCW World Tag Team Championships

Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire vs. Rey Misterio Jr. and Billy Kidman

Palumbo and O'Haire, Misterio and Kidman, although over, aren't a legit tag team.

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Marcus 'Buff' Bagwell

Bagwell

[jayden]

DOUBLE MAIN EVENT

WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Both Men WILL Wrestle Twice!

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Booker T

I'll be honest, I was a bit disappointed you just picked the top two guys and gave them a crack at each other for the belt with no build up or any sort of tournament. I'd rather have seen something a bit more meaningful to crown the new champion. That said I think you'd have to go with Booker to win and I'll explain more as to why under the US title

One Last Fall, To Solve It All!

'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair vs. Sting

With two faces in the main event I think it'd have to be a Nature Boy playing the heel role that wins out here as two main events with nothin dastardly would be a bit wrong.

WCW United States Championship

Triple Threat Match

Booker T vs. Lance Storm vs. Mystery Opponent

I think you'll have Booker lose, and then go on to be world champion. Storm was set for a big push in WCW at one point and this is the perfect way to revive it. Have him beat Booker, who then goes on to win the World Title. Storm then has the US title to run with, and the claim that he's beaten the world champion setting you up with an excellent challenger for Booker somewhere down the line.

WCW Cruiserweight Championship

Shane Helms vs. Jamie Knoble

"Suga" Shane was awesome, Noble was generic. Helms all the way baby

WCW World Tag Team Championships

Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire vs. Rey Misterio Jr. and Billy Kidman

Palumbo and O'Haire were really getting good by this point and O'Haire was developing really quickly. Having those two credible champions losing to two midgets is a bad idea. O'Haire, allegedly, is the future of your promotion. Having people like Rey and Kidman winning matches won't help that.

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Marcus 'Buff' Bagwell

Buff adds little to the promotion any more. He's not that good in the ring and his character got boring a long time ago. Unlike Storm going over Booker I can't see anything good coming out of a Bagwell win over DDP.

Great looking card though. Loved the backstory. It always inrtigues me how successful, or not, WCW could have been if they'd stayed in business. Will be interestin to see what you do with it, but they can be rebuilt, slowly.

[Captain Kirk]

Booker T(I Just think he would suit the title more than DDP, plus I'm going for a Buff Bagwell run-in here)

Sting

Lance Storm

Palumbo and O'Haire

DDP after a very close match cause every diary needs someone crap pushed and I think it'll be Buff.

[DMN in the House]

Atlanta, Georgia

Sunday, April 15th, 2001

AND WE ARE LIVE! Pyros go off, the fans are cheering, and World Championship Wrestling is alive and well! Cut to the announcer's booth, where we are welcomed by none other then Eric Bischoff and... Joey Styles? I'm not one to complain, but I'll have to cross that off the list of things I never thought I'd see. Its like Bischoff hugging Vince McMahon on RAW or something.

Styles is as bemused as I am, as he welcomes the fans, and explains the whole situation, right down to Eric Bischoff being the man behind the mayhem, now more then ever. Bischoff flashes his trademark evil grin, and confirms it, then promises some 'suprises' on the evening, before Styles sends us ringside for what should be a great contest.

Shane Helms is out first, switching back to the UFO pants from the tights he wore at Greed, and sporting the WCW Cruiserweight title around his waist. He slaps hands with a few fans as he makes his way around the Spring Stampede ensignia'd ring, and then poses on each turnbuckle.

His entrance is cut short as Jamie Knoble's music hits, and he stomps out in a pair of cut-off jeans, and no shirt. He makes his way to the ring, jawing with some fans, and then points at Helms, making belt motions around his waist, before entering the ring.

Jamie Knoble vs. Shane Helms ©

Knoble begins the match by insisting that the referee check Helm's boots again, after the referee had done so on Knoble's way to the ring. After some abuse, the referee reluctantly does so, allowing Knoble the oppurtunity to attack, and drive Helms to the mat with a few clubbing blows to the back. Knoble follows up with a few stomps, then a second rope elbow drop that comes a one count away from quickly making him the new WCW Cruiserweight Champion.

Helms fought back to his feet, and the two locked up at center ring. Knoble tried to duck under to a waistlock, but Helms countered, and took Knoble over with a headlock, holding it on the mat for a moment until Knoble powered to his feet. Jamie then tried a backdrop counter to the hold, but Helms slid down the back, and rolled him up, only to have Knoble kickout and reverse, pinning the champion's shoulders to the mat. The two went back and forth for a good minute and a half, before both popping back up to their feet, to the approval from the crowd.

Knoble is visibly frustrated, as thus far his attempts have been thwarted, and the two lock up again, this time with the challenger roughly taking control, and taking Helms over with a snapmare. A few cheap kicks to the back, then he hits the chinlock, really making a show of working it, making it seem like much more then a resthold, which is nice. Styles puts over the usual 'he's taking a breather while his opponent struggles for air' psychology, while Helms fights for the ropes, eventually getting the break.

Helms rolls to the outside, but he's not safe there, as a baseball slide from Knoble puts two feet in the champ's face, and knocks him into the guardrail. Knoble takes over from there, whipping Helms into the post, then dumping him back into the ring, and attempting to lock on a leg submission which Eric Bischoff proclaims 'The Trailer Hitch'. Helms counters with a roll-up, and nearly retains, but Knoble kicks out after a long two. Helms goes right back on the attack, lifting up the challenger, but gets caught with a snap suplex by Knoble, followed by an elbow drop to the knee, and then some more pain as the challenger wrenches back on it, really working the leg now.

The pain was evident on Helm's face after Knoble released the hold to do some taunting of the crowd, and as he pulled himself up with the ropes, it looked like his knee might buckle. However, he was able to avoid a mad rush by Knoble, and backdropped him OVER the ropes to the floor below for the first holy shit bump of the night. Of course, this is WCW, so thats probably the ONLY holy shit bump tonight. Consider yourself honored.

Helms got a second wind at this point, as he half ran, half hobbled over to the far ropes, and back, diving between the top and middle ropes to take out Knoble, and pop the crowd once again. Unfortunately for the champ, he's unable to capitalize, as the damage to his leg slows down his rise to his feet enough for Knoble to take advantage with a dragon screw off of a kick attempt, and then a figure four on the floor that draws a few 'Wooo's from the crowd. Mindful of the count, Knoble breaks the hold, and rolls the champ back in at 8.

Back in the ring, Knoble sets Helms up for the Jumping Tombstone Piledriver, but Helms is somehow able to flip it over, and turn it into the Nightmare on Helms Street! He nails it, and goes for the cover. ONE...TWO...THRE-NO! KNOBLE KICKS OUT OF THE NIGHTMARE ON HELMS STREET! Helm's can't believe it, and quite frankly, neither can I. Helms rolls over, and looks around in disbelief, which gives Knoble a chance to rise to his feet. A kick to the gut and a DDT, and both men are down!

Once again, Knoble is the first to rise, and this time he sees that Helms is still down, and elects to climb to the top rope. He signals for his Moonsault, and leaps, BUT HELMS ROLLS OUT OF THE WAY! KNOBLE GOES CRASHING TO THE MAT! Knoble is out, as Helms pulls himself into the corner, and sits for a moment, before pulling himself up with the ropes. He hobbles over to Knoble, and pulls him in, calling for the Vertebreaker! HE NAILS IT! This baby is over.

Your WINNER and STILL WCW World Cruiserweight Champion... SHANE HELMS

81,67,96

****

Knoble was helped from the ring, as Helms once again pulled himself up by the ropes, and re-claimed his belt. He held it high to the crowd. However, when he turns his back to the entrance ramp, someone jumps the railing, and slides into the ring. They're wearing a hood, and some slack, pleather looking pants, and when Helms turns back around... RED MIST! RED MIST! RED MIST! HELMS IS BLINDED!

Now we get to see why Joey Styles is here, as Eric Bischoff has no idea who the hooded man is, but when he pulls back the hood...

Joey Styles: ' OH MY GAWD! ITS YOSHIHIRO TAJIRI!'

And indeed, it is, as he pulls back the hood to reveal his shaggy hair and clean shaven face. A kick to the leg drops the blinded Helms to his knees, then Tajiri sets up for the brutal...KICK OF DEATH! Helm's is OUT! WHAT AN IMPACT BY THE JAPANESE BUZZSAW YOSHIHIRO TAJIRI! WCW agents, including 'The Enforcer' Arn Anderson, rush the ring, as Tajiri slides out of the ring, and escapes through the crowd. As the officials check on Helms, Styles and Bischoff are quick to point out that Yoshihiro Tajiri does NOT have a contract with WCW at the moment, making this a very strange situation, before sending us to the back.

Sting is in the back, finishing up his face paint. Instead of what has become his usual 'Crow' paint, he's gone back to the old 'colorful' Sting. He puts the finishing touches on it, then turns to the camera.

Sting: ' Its SHOWTIME, FOLKS!'

Fade back to the ring, where a confused Air Paris and AJ Styles are standing. Joey Styles makes a comment about this not being on his format sheet, and Eric Bischoff tells him to just watch. Suddenly, some pounding music hits, similar to what Goldberg used to use, which pops the crowd quite a bit, but they quiet down when they learn it isn't Goldberg.

Instead a huge man identified only Ron Waterman steps out from the back, in a simple black trunk, black boot combo, and makes his way down to the ring, where this is announced as a handicap match!

Air Raid vs. Waterman

Once in the ring, the tag rule is thrown out the window, so Air Raid charge the much larger Waterman, who bears a slight resemblence to Scott Steiner. They get taken out with a double clothesline, then taunted by Waterman, who urges then to get back up and try again. Air Paris is first, and gets slammed down HARD by a spinebuster, driving him into the canvas, and bouncing him from the ring, as he goes under the bottom rope. Styles tries his luck, but gets caught with a sit-out powerbomb, called as the Waterbomb by Styles, for the one, two, three to end the squash. Thus...

Your WINNER ... RON WATERMAN!

58,35,81 - I guess bumping counts for something, eh?

*¾

Styles and Bischoff marvel at the pure power displayed by Waterman, who, to add injury to injury, presses Styles above his head, then dumps him on top of Air Paris on the floor, before leaving. We then head to the back, where...

Lance Storm is pacing in the parking lot. He seems to be waiting to get a head's up on the 'Mystery' third man in the US title match, as he mumbles about having waited for the better part of an hour. Finally, a car pulls up, and Storm goes over to look in the window, only to have Diamond Dallas Page step out from the back, a big smile on his face. He does his 'BANG!' taunt in a disappointed Storm's face, before heading inside, which is a good thing, because his match is up next! A frustrated and disappointed Storm soon follows, missing a limo that pulls up, although the only clue of the occupant we get is the liscence plate, which reads '420'. I wonder who that could be?

Back at the ring, Marcus 'Buff' Bagwell stands in the ring, and, unfortunately for our fans, has a mic.

Buff Bagwell: ' The Buffster's got a little problem tonight.'

The crowd seems unsympathetic to Bagwell's troubles, as the begin to boo him. This only leads to Bagwell trying, in vain, to quiet them down.

Bagwell: ' See, I gotta face DDP, who's getting a shot at the World Title tonight, and, there just ain't no justice, because after I beat him, I should be getting the shot at the World Title!'

Yeah, I don't think the crowd is buying that logic Buff.

Bagwell: ' I mean, who better to be YOUR World Champion, then me? I'm Buff...'

Bagwell is cut off by the music of Diamond Dallas Page, who hasn't even found time to switch into his ring gear, due to his late arrival. He heads straight for the ring, and asks Bagwell for the mic, and gets it... right between the eyes!

Buff Bagwell vs. Diamond Dallas Page

Bagwell uses his well-timed mic shot to open up the match with the advantage, as he pounds on Page as the bell rings. A whip to the ropes and a backdrop open DDP up to some stomps, and then Bagwell heads to the top, looking to go high risk early, maybe a little too early as DDP is up, and dumps him off, to the mat.

DDP hits the chinlock, and we get a good few minutes of restholds, until Bagwell powers out, and sends Page off the ropes. Bagwell then takes him down with a clothesline, but Page pops up. Another clothesline, with the same result, and a third is countered into a neckbreaker that puts both men down.

Page is up first, and takes down Buff with a DDT, getting two. Fans think it should have been three, but it matters not, as Page is taken out from behind during a discussion over the count with the referee, and Bagwell goes to work, straddling DDP, and ravaging his head with punches. Ref finally breaks it up, and Buff flexes, but the crowd dosen't care. It turns out bad things happen when you don't stay on top of your opponent, as DDP hits the Diamond Cutter out of nowhere as Bagwell turns around, to end the match with...

Your WINNER... DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE!

75,79,68

*½

Cut to the back, where... BOOKER T is WALKING! Holy shit!

Back at ringside, where Lance Storm's music tunes up, as the no-nonsense Canadian makes his way out in some maple leaf design short tights, with matching red elbow and knee pads. He stops at the apron to pose, and gets a nice round of boos for... well, for being Canadian, I guess, as a small 'U-S-A' chant breaks out, which Storm brushes off.

The United States Champion Booker T's music is up next, as he enters, in the traditional Harlem Heat style trunks, with the belt over his shoulder. He stares down Storm before entering the ring, and once he does, he poses on the turnbuckle, raising the belt high in the air, as the crowd cheers for him. He takes his spot in the corner, and awaits the mystery man, who, if you've been paying attention, should be no mystery as...

BREATHE...SWEAT...WALK... WHATTYA SAY!

Kilgore's cover of Pantera's Walk sounds out, as the former Extreme Championship Wrestling mega-star, Rob Van Dam makes his way out, pointing to himself, and playing to the crowd. RVD is sporting a tiger print singlet, and slaps a few hands on the way down to the ring, and once inside, gets a small 'R-V-D' chant, as he points to his shoulders.

Booker T looks unswayed by Van Dam, even nodding his head to his challenger after handing his belt over to the referee, who holds it high, but Lance Storm is livid, especially at the crowd's love for Van Dam, on his first night in WCW.

Booker T vs. Lance Storm vs. Rob Van Dam

WCW United States Heavyweight Champion

The three men circle, which bores Van Dam, who takes the oppurtunity to play to the crowd, before Storm gets a waistlock, which Van Dam fights, and reverses. Suplex attempt is countered, and Booker T comes in, knocking Storm down with some rights, then handing some out to Van Dam as well. The champ is well in control, as he beats away at both men, before Storm lands a low blow to end Book's momentum.

With Booker T momentarily out of the picture, Storm attempts to work a hammerlock on Van Dam, but its countered, and Van Dam sweeps the legs out from under Storm. Cover is reversed at one, then reversed back, and the two trade back exposure to the delight of the crowd, with neither man able to get the advantage. Van Dam attempts to kick Storm, who catches it, but eats a step-through enziguri for his technical wizardry.

By this time, Booker T is back in the match, catching Van Dam with a snapmare, and putting a knee in his back. Van Dam fights to his feet, while Booker has his wrist's clutched, and nails a strange backflip kick to get out of the predicament, but runs into a Superkick by Storm that would have had the match won if not for Booker T's quick save attempt.

Storm pops right up, as RVD rolls out of the ring, and catches a chop from Booker, eliciting 'Wooooo's from the crowd. Storm fires back with one of his own, then another, and another, backing Book into the corner. Whip across, and Storm charges, eating leather as the champ gets his feet up, then a quick Axe Kick, but the save is made by a leaping Van Dam!

RVD catches Booker T with some kicks to the leg, then gets a double underhook, and lifts him up, planting him with a face jam out of the underhooks. The agile superstar from Battle Creek then runs to the ropes, and hits the Rolling Thunder on his way back, but a cover is thwarted by Lance Storm, who takes the opening as an oppurtunity to work on Van Dam's legs, with a Sharpshooter. Van Dam looks about to tap after being in the hold for a good thirty seconds, but gets saved when Booker T takes out Storm, and pushes him into the corner, opening up with some right hands.

Booker T keeps firing, and then we get some nice team work, when Van Dam charges in, and Booker T steps out of the way, leaving Storm with no chance to escape, as he gets caught with a kick, then a shoulder block to the stomach, followed by another, then a flip, and yet another shoulder block. Storm stumbles out of the corner, and falls to the mat. This leads to RVD and Booker T having a stare-off, which the crowd eats up, before Van Dam throws his traditionally weak punches, sends Booker T off the ropes, does the splits as Booker T comes back over the top, then monkey flips him, delighting the crowd.

Storm is back up, and whips Van Dam off the ropes, but RVD has the backdrop attempt scouted, and rolls over Storm's back, but its all for naught as Storm catches the running RVD in a Boston crab attempt, before transitioning to a single leg crab, otherwise known as his Canadian Maple Leaf! Storm looks to have the match won, but Booker T is still around, and catches him with a back elbow to his head, before hitting the most exciting move in WCW... THE SPINAROONI! Crowd eats it up, as Booker sets up for an Axe Kick on a rising Rob Van Dam, but he's cut off at the pass by a SUPERKICK FROM STORM! That nearly took his head off, and it sends Booker T out of the ring. Van Dam and Storm look at each other, and RVD rushes, only to get caught with a backdrop, before Lance Storm slaps on the Canadian Maple Leaf yet again to become...

Your WINNER and NEW WCW United States Heavyweight Champion... LANCE STORM!

84,82,86

***½

Storm roughly grabs the belt from the ref, and holds it up high, as Booker T looks on at ringside, having recovered from the Superkick. Book stands for a few moments, then realizes he has bigger fish to fry tonight in the World Heavyweight Title match, and brushes it off, walking backstage. Storm isn't done yet, as he pushes the title in the still fallen Rob Van Dam's face, before spitting on him, and walking off.

Quick commercial to pimp some WCW merchandise, expertly modelled by Stacey Kiebler, as well as the WCW website, and our next Pay Per View event, Slamboree on May 20th! Only one match announced so far, as apparently Shane Helms has demanded Yoshiro Tajiri in the ring, and has gotten it, in the form of Helms and partner Shannon Moore versus Tajiri and Jamie Knoble! That is gonna be a match of the year contender!

The Filthy Animalz music hits, as Rey Misterio Jr. and Billy Kidman make their entrance, hyping up the crowd. Rey is sporting his devil horns, as Kidman is his usually self, ready to wrestle in simple green trunks. They bounce around, playing to the crowd, before the mood changes as the champions music hits.

Sean O'Haire and Chuck Palumbo come out all business, ready to put away the challengers, who got the title shot due to the Cruiserweight Tag Titles being retired. They enter the ring, and hold the titles high, then turn their attention to the matter at hand.

Rey Misterio Jr. and Billy Kidman vs. Sean O'Haire and Chuck Palumbo

WCW World Tag Team Championship

Kidman and Palumbo start us off, and Kidman takes the human missle approach, launching himself at Chuck time and time again, only to be slammed down each time. Kidman eventually scored with a dropkick, but staggering Palumbo did little good, as the bigger man came back with a clubbing blow, then threw Kidman to the wrong corner to be in, where he tagged in O'Haire, and the two stomped Kidman to the mat.

O'Haire pummels Kidman in the corner, then pulls him up, ignoring some weak punches from the beaten cruiserweight. He tosses him over his shoulder, and drills him to the mat with a running slam, making a lazy cover, which Kidman barely kicks out of. O'Haire mocks him, which turns out to be a mistake, as a slam attempt is reversed into a DDT, spiking O'Haire, and laying both men out on the canvas.

Kidman rolls over slowly, and attempts to crawl his way over to Misterio, who is jumping and stretching with all his might to make the much needed tag. Kidman continues crawling, just barely missing Rey's hand, when he begins to get pulled back by O'Haire! With one last surge, Kidman pulls free, and slaps the outstretched hand of Misterio, who leaps off the ropes with a springboard dropkick, nailing O'Haire in the chest, and knocking him to the mat!

Rey is up in a flash, leaping to the second rope, and spinning around into a leg drop, wowing the crowd, and knocking the wind from O'Haire. Rey is a house on fire, running the ropes and playing hit and run with the slower O'Haire, keeping him at bay with dropkicks and the like. O'Haire is finally able to get his hands on Misterio, but Rey counters a slam attempt into a small package, and almost gets the upset victory.

O'Haire is furious, and it shows when he roughly grabs Misterio, and slams him into the corner, laying in with right hands, then grabbing him by the pants and neck, and tossing him hard, shoulder first into the ringpost. Rey stumbles out of the corner, and gets ran over by a Jungle Kick from the freshly tagged Chuck Palumbo, but Kidman makes the diving save on the cover, to keep the Animalz World Tag Title hopes alive.

All four men are in the ring now, with Palumbo laying into Kidman, but Billy valiantly fights back, dropkicking Palumbo's knee, then getting a weird second rope knee drop style manuever to Palumbo's head, while O'Haire punishes Rey. Misterio fights back, however, and in the confusion, nails the Tiger Feint Kick, called as the 6-1-9 by Styles, on O'Haire, before a slingshot leg drop follows up! Rey is back on the top of his game, but O'Haire is not the legal man, as Palumbo grabs Misterio off the top rope, and dumps him to the floor! Kidman comes up behind, but a back elbow and a back suplex end that threat.

Palumbo poses in the ring, then heads to the floor to finish off Misterio, who meets him with a flying body press off the ring steps! Palumbo catches him, but Rey turns it into a DDT variant on the concrete! Palumbo must be out, but Misterio can't get him into the ring! O'Haire charges from behind, and takes out Rey with a chair, as the referee is distracted with Kidman. O'Haire rolls Misterio into the ring, then rouses Palumbo, and gets him into the ring as well. Palumbo takes out Kidman with a Jungle Kick, while O'Haire goes up top for the Seanton Bomb on Misterio, allowing Palumbo to cover, as the Natural Born Thrillas pick up the three.

WINNERS and STILL WCW World Tag Team Champions... Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire... THE NATURAL BORN THRILLAS!

77,72,83

***

Lance Storm is in the back, with his newly won WCW United States Title over his shoulder. The Canadian flag is displayed on the wall in the background.

Storm: ' So it was you all along, eh Rob? The great Rob...Van...Dam. The savior of WCW.'

Storm looks at the belt, then back at the camera.

Storm: ' Some savior you turned out to be. Once again, it rings true that the superior wrestler always wins, and make no mistake, I am... the superior wrestler. After all, I come from the home of the greatest wrestlers in the world, Canada. So, as I sit here, a champion, I come to a crossroads.'

Storm removes the belt from his shoulder, and holds it in his hands, looking at it.

Storm: ' You see, when I won this belt before Rob, I renamed it after the greatest country in the world. After my country. After Canada. I wore it with pride, with honor, as it deserved. I was a champion, Rob... yet all I heard about... was you. Rob Van Dam this, Mr. Monday Night that, The Whole Fucking Show, blah, blah, blahblahblah. You stole my spotlight Rob. You took away my moments, you took it all! Just like you always have, since we wrestled in a run down bingo hall in Philidelphia. When we put on the best damn match on that first Pay Per View, and even then, even then you had to steal all the glory! I offered you my hand, in respect for a match well fought, and you turned it down, no, you'd rather pump yourself up, rather play to the crowd. YOU ARE WHAT IS WRONG WITH WRESTLING ROB VAN DAM, AND I AM GOING TO CHANGE THAT! Because I... I am a wrestler... and you... are nothing.'

Storm looks down at the belt, with fierce determination on his face, then looks back at the camera, as we fade out.

As we come back from Storm's segment, Diamond Dallas Page is on his way to the ring, and one would think that he has all the momentum going into this match, as he won his earlier contest with Buff Bagwell, while Booker T lost the US Title. DDP poses on the turnbuckle, getting a nice pop for the 'BANG', before getting checked by the ref.

Booker T is out next, and is looking mighty pissed. Having lost the title, he looks all business right now, ready to move up, and claim the World Title once again. You'd have to wonder if the earlier loss is running through his mind, which is something Styles brings up on commentary. Booker climbs into the ring, but instead of posing or playing to the crowd at all, he just stares at DDP, then at the World Heavyweight Championship as its held up by the referee.

Diamond Dallas Page vs. Booker T

World Heavyweight Championship

DDP offers a handshake to start, but Booker dosen't want any of it, and slaps the taste out of his mouth. Page looks more suprised then hurt, and Booker challenges him to a lock-up, but unloads a right hand instead, stinging Page. Another one, and then a chop, and Page is reeling, back into the ropes, where Booker whips him to the far side, and catches him with a knee on the way back. Booker is real hot at the start, and is just overpowering DDP.

DDP fights back with some punches, but gets overwhelmed by the ferocity of Booker T, who is on fire, nailing rights and lefts, with some chops mixed in. He tosses Page into the corner, and sets up for a ten pack of punches, but DDP uses his reserves to power Booker T over his head, and send him to the arena floor! Page then climbs onto the apron, and dives off with a double axe handle to Booker, as both men go sprawling at ringside!

Page is up first, and he nails Booker in the face with a right hand, then another, before taking a wristlock, and wringing it around into a hammerlock. From there, he rams Booker into the steel post, as both men are pulling out all the stops to take home the most coveted prize in pro wrestling. Booker staggers back, and catches a neckbreaker, before DDP rolls into the ring to break up the ten count.

Back to the outside, where Booker reverses a whip attempt, and sends Page back first into the guardrail, then tries to slow things down by re-entering the ring. He takes some time jawing to the fans, then when Page tries to climb back into the ring, he helps him, pulling him over the ropes to hit the mat soundly. Booker grabs a leg, and nails Page very... low as Styles would call it, before putting on a simple leg lock. Page fights it, and counters with a headlock variant of his own, as we have a test of wills between the two men. Booker is first to break the hold, then powers to his feet, sending Page off the ropes to break the headlock, and taking a shoulderblock when Page comes back. Page then comes off the ropes again, but this time Booker catches a sleeper, and Page is stuck.

Booker sinks in the sleeper, and after about twenty seconds, Page drops to one knee. Book powers him down so that DDP is on both knees, and it looks like all life is gone from him. Booker demands that the ref check Page's arm, and he does so, holding it up, and letting it fall once... twice...thre... NO! PAGE HOLDS OUT AT THE LAST SECOND! The crowd gets behind him, and he buries a couple of sharp elbows into Booker's midsection, but Booker utilizes a sleeper drop variant, and puts Page back on the mat.

Rising, Booker T stumbles back towards the ropes, catching them for balance, as the elbows did some damage. He them moves over to pick up Page, but DDP catches him, and tries to get a quick small package to take home the gold, but its only good for two. Page pounds the mat in frustration, before both men rise to their feet. Booker charges, but DDP catches him, and looks to have him set up for the Diamond Cutter! NO! BOOKER PUSHES OUT, sending DDP off the ropes, and catches him with a rollup as he stumbles back. One...two...KICKOUT! Booker is heated about what he believes is a slow count, and the time he takes arguing with the ref is enough for Page to recover from the quick pin attempt.

Both men are reaching deep into their stamina reserves, especially Booker, who wrestled a much longer match the DDP did earlier. Booker pulls Page up by his hair, but Page tries to once again nail the Diamond Cutter, but Booker uses a back suplex as a counter. Cover is good for two, but two ain't good enough. Booker is reaching epic levels of frustration, and kicks Page in the stomach, setting him up for an Axe Kick! PAGE MOVES! Book misses the Axe Kick, and gets German'd before Page collapses against the ropes.

Page is winded, and with Booker down, he looks to end the match, covering. Somehow, Booker T gets the shoulder up at two, and Page slaps the ropes, as an outlet for his anger. He pulls Booker up, but puts himself right in harms way, as he gets set up for the Book End! BOOKER NAILS IT! He thinks about going for the cover, but decides to head up top instead...HARLEM HANGOVER AND...

Your WINNER and NEW WCW World Heavyweight Champion... BOOKER T!

75,78,70

*¾

Booker rises, and gets his hand raised, before falling back against the ropes, with the belt in his hands. He holds it, and stares at it, before raising it high. Page comes over to congratulate him, and shake his hand, but Booker is so into the belt that he ignores Page completely, until DDP gives up, and goes to the back. Finally, Booker walks to the back, never taking his eyes off the belt.

Backstage, we get a split screen. On one side is 'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair, in all his stylin' and profilin' glory, walking to the ring. On the other, is Sting, complete in retro colored face paint. One Last Fall to Settle It All... and its NEXT!

More hype for next month, where you'll see WCW World Heavyweight Champion Booker T, as well as Rob Van Dam, Lance Storm, and all your favorite WCW Superstars, at Slamboree! Don't forget to buy our merchandise, and Spring Stampede will be available on DVD and VHS from WCWrestling.com!

Seek and Destroy hits, as the crowd is crazy go nuts for Sting, who comes out, yelling to the crowd. Lots of 'lil Stingers' in the crowd tonight, as the longtime 'franchise' of WCW slaps hands with the ringside fans, and poses for a picture with a kid in a wheelchair holding a Sting sign. You can really feel the vibe in the air as this may be the last time we get to see Sting lock up with Flair in the ring.

The familiar opening bars of the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey begin to well up, as the robe clad 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair made his triumphant entrance, as cocky and collected as ever. Flair strutted to the top of the ramp, and took a spin, showing off his robe, before finishing his calm walk to the ring. Once inside, he raised his arms, and posed for the crowd, before removing his robe, and being carefully checked by the referee.

Sting vs. Ric Flair

Due to the magnitude of this epic, career long feud, it was given top billing, and the main event, over the World Championship match. Sting extends his hand to Flair, who looks at it, almost takes it, then kicks Sting! They don't call him the 'Dirtiest Player in the Game' for nothing. Both men are getting great reactions from the crowd, but its a bit weird, as they don't want to boo Flair.

Flair holds up Sting's jaw, and punches him, then does it again, before laying in one of his trademark chops, drawing a loud 'Wooooooo' from the audience. Flair eats it up, interchanging punches and chops, and working over Sting, who gets backed into the corner. Finally, Sting is able to turn the tables, and flips Flair around into the corner, putting the hurt on with a chop of his own, which gets a 'Wooooooo' from the crowd as well. Sting nails Flair with a few punches, then whips him to the far corner.

Once Flair reaches the far side, Sting signals for a Stinger Splash, but before he can reach the other side of the ring, Flair stumbles out, and flops on the ground, in his trademark fashion, which the crowd loves. Sting pulls Flair up, and Flair lets off a few punches that hit nothing but air, before proving he's still got it by going low on Sting! It's time to go to school, as Flair immediatley goes to work on the leg, stomping it, then wrenching it around with his knee in the back of Sting's knee. Sting fights for the ropes, and gets a break.

Flair refuses to break, and gets to four on the five count before doing so, then chop blocking Sting's leg when he rises, and going back to work, stomping the leg, then pulling it the wrong way. Sting fights, launching punches at Naitch's head, to break the hold, and rolls out of the ring. Flair follows, and Sting grapples him, before tossing him back into the ring. Flair is livid, and grabs the ropes, yelling and pointing at Sting, who finally re-enters, only to be met with stomps.

The Nature Boy went back to work on the knee, with stomps this time, but started to feel a little cocky, and tried to go up top, for a move he hasn't hit in ages. This night, however, would be different, as Flair nailed an elbow drop on Sting! Bischoff and Styles couldn't believe it, and the crowd couldn't believe it, as Flair sat up in disbelief, then cockily started to strut around the ring!

Sting, however, wasn't out of the game yet, as he struggled to his feet, propping himself on the ropes. Flair charged, and got met with a clothesline, then charged again, and caught a back drop! Sting was feeling it, as he started to make a comeback against Naitch, nailing him in the head with punches, then sending him to the turnbuckle, where Flair flipped over the ropes, and landed on the apron! Sting followed up with a clothesline, sending the Nature Boy to the floor, then fell back against the ring ropes, his leg hurting him.

As Flair rose on the outside, Sting looked around, then slingshotted over the ropes with a body press, sending both men to the ground on the outside, and bringing the crowd to his feet, as the face painted hero was giving it his all in this match. Sting rose first, and rolled Flair back into the ring, before picking him up, and whipping him to the ropes... STINGER SPLASH! Flair stumbled out, and Sting went for a cover, but only got two.

Sting pulled Flair back up, but got countered, and ended up in the corner himself, where Flair let off one of is trademark chops, once again drawing 'Woooooos' from the crowd. On the third attempt, Sting stopped him, and punched his way out of the corner, before Flair got dirty with an eyepoke, before kicking Sting's legs out from under him. Flair grabs the leg, and signals for the infamous Figure Four Leg Lock! He's got it locked in! Sting has nowhere to go, and fights, but collapses to the mat, for a two count, before pulling his shoulders up off the mat. He stares down Flair, who looks shocked, and begins to try and turn the hold over, pumping his fist as the crowd cheers for him to do so! With a final, powerful twist, Sting reverses the hold, and now all the pressure's on the Nature Boy! Flair pounds the mat with his fists, before breaking the hold to relieve the pressure.

Both men pull themselves up with the ropes, and Flair charges, trying to grab Sting. Sting sidesteps, and grabs Flair, spinning around in the process... SCORPION DEATH DROP! Both men are back down on the canvas after that one, and the referee has no alternatives but to start up a ten count. Sting begins to move around six, crawling over, and throwing his arm over Naitch. One... two... and thre-NO! RIC FLAIR GETS THE SHOULDER UP! FLAIR GOT THE SHOULDER UP! Sting can't believe it, and neither can the crowd, who are now soldily behind both men in this epic match-up.

Sting stumbles back, and into the turnbuckle, using it for support, as Flair drags himself off the mat. They both hobble to center ring, where they lock up, for what would turn out to be one final time. Flair goes for a suplex, but Sting rolls through, grabbing Flair's leg, and... SCORPION DEATHLOCK! He's got it in tight, as Flair fights, crawling, grasping, clawing for the ropes, in a vain attempt. With that avenue exhausted, Flair attempts a counter, but its not happening, and he has no choice but to submit the match!

Your WINNER... STING!

86,93,70

**¼

Sting releases the hold, as the just over seven thousand in attendance rise to their feet, giving a standing ovation to both men. Flair pounds the mat in frustration, before pulling himself up. He looks at Sting, and The Nature Boy has a weird look in his eye, like he's going to miss something. Sting extends his hand, and with the crowd urging him on, Flair accepts, before the two embrace in the middle of the ring, with the final image of the PPV being Sting holding Flair's arm up.

[ClaRK! Kent]

Absolutely fantastic, syco, I was gripped from start to finish with that one. A little sceptical about putting Sting/Flair over the World title, even if it is a feud of such magnitude, but that's your call I guess. Interesting to see Ron Waterman knocking around, I thought I was the only person who knew who he was these days.

RVD losing on his debut was unexpected, but the thing with Storm serves to start a pretty promising feud between the two so that's obviously a good thing, they'll mesh quite well I suspect.

Great show, again, but this'd better not detract too much from the split, boy!

RK!

[Guest scully16]

Great show Sycodm! Nice to see the return of RVD and Tajiri. If you go through with it, the RVD Vs Lance Storm feud should be awesome. Waterman destorying Air Raid was great to read. I guessed that Booker would lose the US Title and win the World Title instead which is a good move.

I will be interested where you go with Booker and his world title. I don't see Sting and Flair winning it. DDP is not that great. A Jeff Jarrett and Booker T feud may be a good thing.

I look foward reading too reading your next show!

[XxCactusmikexX]

I loved the show the whole thing was awesome i was hoping for Lance storm as the us Champion and Booker T as the heavyweight Champion.

and i cant wait to see where Tajiri will fit in to all of this id like to see him challenge for the cruiser weight title

[Guest [ Tyler ]]

Great read. Seems very realistic. Good job.