What If...?

[SyxXtreme]

Im reading! I loved WCW and this looks like a great diary. I also believe i read your previous version of this, i can't remember much about it, but i do remember the whole Nash situation.

Good Luck!

[jnmc13]

me too

[Renegade]

I liked the negotiations. Bischoff being the shrewd businessman worked well.

[Guest Makegamesnotwar]

Very nice post, with the Trinity closing up the negotiations with the combo punch of the knowledge of Vince's offer and trading contracts for a facility(which I guess would be cheaper for AOL-Time Warner as they already had the Power Plant, I think.) Eric Bischoff is really portrayed well as a crafty negotiator, in line with my view of him. Hopefully we can get a card soon, though. On the negotiations, it's always nice to see the "suits" get outsmarted. I am getting antsy as this diary has more and more potential and keeps exceeding it with smart, well written backstage material.

One can only hope that the cards will be up to the high standard set by what has come before it in the form of the backstage material. Good luck.

[TMM]

THE FINAL NITRO ON TNT…HOURS BEFORE AIR TIME

Wednesday 26th March 2001

Almost everyone was in Panama City for tonight’s final Nitro. Notable absentee’s included Goldberg, Shane Douglas Kevin Nash, Buff Bagwell, Lex Luger, Jeff Jarrett, Dusty and Dustin Rhodes. The majority of them were not there due to injury, and a few others just couldn’t make it for one reason or the other, all explained to Ric Flair, Steve Borden or Eric Bischoff, so there was no unexpected ‘empty seats’.

Bischoff had asked for everyone to come to the ring before the area filled up. Eric Bischoff was standing dead centre in the ring as the ringside area filled up. Flair and Sting were each standing in a corner. Everyone had an idea about what it was about, but the words that left Bischoff’s mouth after the usual ‘thank you for coming’ talk were quite the surprise.

Bischoff: Ladies and gentleman; we now own World Championship Wrestling.

There was a very audible shock as Ric Flair and Sting walked over and stood next to Eric Bischoff. The trio were clearly proud, and everyone could see it.

Bischoff: This morning we finalised a deal with AOL Time Warner, and as of right now WCW is under new ownership!

There was a cheer from ringside that brought a smile to the new owners faces.

Bischoff I don’t want to go into any details right now, but all you need to know is that you all have jobs. The way it’s going to work is your new contracts will last the same length as your old ones, but, as you know, with a slight salary cut.

No so much a cheer, but a degree of silence was heard, and Bischoff quickly said something else.

Bischoff: After tonight we’ll being going dark while we try to get things into place. We’re hoping to be back on the air by the end of July. Tonight is our last night on TNT, so let’s make it memorable.

Bischoff stepped back, and Ric Flair walked into the middle of the ring.

Flair: I feel so good today, I almost feel like letting out a great big ‘whoooo’! I guess I just did.

Flair got the reaction he was after with the sound of laughter from around the ring.

Flair: I don’t want to say much right now because well, I’ve got something to say on the show later, but there’s a few things I want to say now. This is a new start, and none of the old bullshit that went on before is going to be happening in the future.

Everyone knew what he meant by that, and Eric Bischoff knew that that comment was directed at him. Bischoff just stood in the corner and smiled. Sting said a few words, and then everyone dispersed. Bischoff was about to say something to Flair, but quickly decided that he’d let this one slide. He’d been embarrassed I front of his employees, but he’d let it slide.

They went over tonight’s show, and kept the decision to book it like the final show ever, even though the deal had been finalised.

Up next will be the final Nitro. It'll be pretty much exactly the same as the real final Nitro, but with some tweaks of course.

I hope to get a proper show up as soon as possible, but it depends on how soon I get a TV deal on the game. But like Bischoff said, if I get to August without getting a TV deal, well, you'll see.

[TMM]

WCW MONDAY NITRO

26th March 2001

Announcers: Tony Schiavone and Scott Hudson

Nitro opens with a taped video of Eric Bischoff standing in the back, looking at the camera with a low look on his face.

Bischoff: Fans, tonight is a night of changes. Tonight is a night where World Championship Wrestling as you and everyone else knows it, ceases to exist. Tonight is the final Nitro on TNT, because after tonight, WCW will be closing its doors. It’s been a great 10 years since WCW split officially from the NWA, and there hasn’t been one forgettable day here in WCW. I would like to say, on behalf of every single man, woman and child involved with World Championship Wrestling; thank you. If it weren’t for you, we would never have made it out the starting blocks. Tonight is a Night of Champions, where all five championship belts are up for grabs. Enjoy Nitro fans, and we hope to be back within the next few months brining you WCW TV again!

Nitro opening sequence

Fireworks go off all around the ring, and we are greeted for possibly the last time by the voice of Tony Schiavone.

Schiavone: Welcome, to a landmark night in the industry, of sports entertainment! This is the final Nitro ever on Turner Network Television, and we don’t have a clue what is going to happen!

Hudson: It’s still hard to take in Tony; I can’t believe that tonight is the final Nitro on TNT!

Schiavone: Needless to say folks, tonight will be a night to remember! Tonight is the ‘Night of Champions’ as all five WCW titles are on the line. Tony Schiavone and Scott Hudson in our customary places at ringside bringing you Nitro for the final time.

Hudson: I can’t believe it, that after 10 years, it is finally coming to an end tonight.

Schiavone: We are going to go out with a bang though on the ‘Night of Champions’, as the Cruiserweight title is on the line as ‘Sugar’ Shane Helms defends against his bitter-rival Chavo Guerrero Jr. We’ll have a no.1 contenders match for the Cruiserweight Tag Team titles between the Jung Dragons, 3 Count and the Filthy Animals Rey Mysterio and Billy Kidman; the winners going on to challenge the champions Kid Romeo and Elix Skipper later in the night. Team Canada, Mike Awesome and Lance Storm take on the Tag Team champions Chuck Palumbo and Sean O’Haire for titles. And last but not least, a title vs. title match between the United States champion Booker T and the Heavyweight champion ‘Big Poppa Pump’ Scott Steiner.

Hudson: Tonight is certainly going to be a memorable night, and I for one don’t know what’s going to happen after tonight.

Schiavone: I don’t think anybody even has the slightest idea, except maybe Ted Turner.

[Ric Flair’s music hits, and the Nature Boy makes his way out]

Schiavone: Listen to that would you?

Hudson: That can only mean one thing!

Schiavone: Who means more to WCW, who means WCW anymore than the man you’re watching take that long walk on WCW Nitro, ‘the Nature Boy’ Ric Flair!

Hudson: Who has been associated more with WCW than Flair? Who’s face was synonymous with World Championship Wrestling? It was this man above all others! The 14-time World Heavyweight champion, the one and only Ric Flair!

Flair gets to the ring after a rousing ovation from the fans in attendance

Flair: Whoooooo! Did I, did I hear right? Did I hear Eric Bischoff say that WCW is closing its doors? Did I hear Eric Bischoff say that tonight is the final Nitro on TNT? Well one of those is 100% fact, but the other one is not going to happen, and I’ll give you one guess which of those it is! Tonight is the final Nitro ever on TNT, but WCW will NOT be closing its doors! Ted Turner may be selling this company, Ted Turner may be cancelling Nitro and Thunder, but do you think WCW is going to be dead and buried after tonight is over? To coin a phrase; I don’t think so! You know, at 12 o’clock today, someone very special said to me, do not go onto that show tonight knowing it’s the last time you’ll ever be on TNT or TBS, knowing it’s the last time. She said ‘don’t go out there crying, don’t go out there saying you’re sorry’ because I’m not! I’ve been, fourteen times the World champion, in my eyes, for the greatest wrestling organization in the world, WCW! We, I’m talking about the Stings, the Luger’s, the Steiner’s, the Road Warrior’s. I’m talking about my best friend, Arn Anderson, and the Four Horsemen. We have been on a par, and we have been equal to any wrestling organization in the world! Harley Race, Terry Funk, Jack Brisco, Lou Thesz, Dory Funk Jr., Dusty Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat, Lex Luger, Sting, Randy Savage, Bret Hart, and the ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair have made this company into the biggest wrestling franchise in the history of sports and entertainment, and we will not lay down and give up this great company to the sands of time! Tonight is not the last night of WCW, no way; tonight is just the end of one of the many chapters in WCW’s history! Everyone that loves the company is here. The boys that are here tonight, that are in the back, are the boys that love WCW and love this brand of entertainment! We’re not going anywhere! We’re staying right here, loyal to the end! We’re WCW! We bled and we sweat for this company, and we’ll do it again!

Ric Flair stopped for a moment as the fans started to cheer louder than they had before, as Flair looked around with the ‘crazy old man’ look on his face.

Flair: That’s right. And in closing, in all my years in this sport, my greatest opponent with this company has been Sting! So tonight, if we’re going out, and we’re going out on a high-note, Stinger; the ‘Nature Boy’ wants you right here! Because…

The crowd popped for the mention of Sting’s name, and began a ‘Sting’ chant!

Flair: …that’s right! That’s right! Because, Sting! My greatest opponent, Sting, it’s your last chance! Your last chance to be…

Flair heard the crowds ‘Sting’ chants getting louder…and he joined in!

Flair: …Sting! Sting! Sting! To be the man, you gotta beat the man, and Sting I’m, the, man! Whooooo!

Schiavone: We have not seen Sting since November! And Ric Flair is challenging Sting to wrestle on the Night of Champions, but coming up next is title vs. title, champion vs. champion.

Commercial Break

Nitro returned as the WCW World Heavyweight champion Scott Steiner made his way to the ring, accompanied as always by his ‘freak’ Midajah.

Hudson: Big Poppa Pump, Scott Steiner is out here to put his title on the line for possibly the last time ever.

Schiavone: It’s a weird feeling isn’t it? When you know something is coming to an end, you have to wonder what you’re going to do when it arrives, and you just can’t imagine what must be going through the heads of everybody that is here today as a part of WCW. We honestly don’t know if tonight is the very last night that WCW will be around, because as far as we know it could be.

Hudson: But it could be a new beginning, and I guess that’s the best way to look at it!

Schiavone: Steiner will put his title on the line against a man who he put out of WCW, a man who he defeated for the WCW World Heavyweight title back in November of last year, a man who recently won the United States title against Scott’s own brother, Booker T!

--Title vs. Title--

WCW United States champion Booker T vs. WCW World Heavyweight champion Scott Steiner w/ Midajah

Steiner stood on the apron, and told the referee to make Booker T step back so he could get in. In this time, Booker went to far side of the ring and started to clap his hands, trying to get some support from the fans. As soon as the bell rung, Steiner stepped into the ring, and backed into a corner when Booker came towards him. The two locked up, with Booker getting a headlock before turning it into a go-behind. Steiner elbowed Booker in the face to break the hold, before trying to lay into the US champ with right hands. Booker blocked two attempts while hitting Steiner with several of his own before whipping Steiner off the ropes. Steiner reversed the whip and went for a clothesline, which was ducked by Booker who nailed a Harlem sidekick! Booker managed a two count off the kick, and picked Steiner off the mat before being forced into the corner where Steiner drove a knee into the stomach, followed up with several chops. Steiner was beating Booker down in the corner, and in between blows started yelling at the fans! Steiner then sent Booker T into the opposite corner, but on the way in ate a whole load of Booker T’s elbow! Booker with a clothesline…gets a near fall. Booker whipped Steiner into another corner before following up with another clothesline. Booker got onto the second rope and started to lay in punches, getting up to seven before Steiner grabbed Booker T’s legs and slammed him down hard in a powerbomb for another near fall. Steiner then threw Booker to the outside before being admonished by the referee. While the ref was busy with Steiner, Midajah slapped the taste right out of Booker’s mouth! Steiner climbed out onto the apron, and dropped a double-ax handle across the back of the Book man. Steiner grabbed the lead pipe and pushed Booker towards the turnbuckle before swinging…Booker ducked out of the way just in time! Booker was still down, and Steiner nailed him in the back with a forearm. Steiner was totally dominant, and even nailed his patented ‘bicep-kissing’ elbow drop during this period. Scott Hudson pointed out that between Steiner and Booker T, they have had 31 different title reigns! Steiner and Booker engaged in an exchange of rights, which Booker won before nailing the Scissors Kick! Booker waited for him to get up before pancacking Steiner, and then Booker showed off the Spinarooni! Booker stalked Steiner, and nailed another Harlem sidekick! Booker went to the fans and signalled it was time to end it. Steiner walked over and Booker went under for the Book End, but Steiner reversed it into a northern-lights suplex…1…2…kick out! Steiner was looking for a powerbomb, but Booker managed to push off of Steiner and land on his feet! Ducks a clothesline…Book End! 1…2…3, Booker T is the new WCW World Heavyweight champion!

Winner and NEW WCW World Heavyweight champion: Booker T

Schiavone: Booker T! Booker T! Booker T, is the new WCW champion! He’s got two titles, he’s the man!

Hudson: What a win for Booker, on the last Nitro, Booker wins the title for the fourth time!

Schiavone: Don’t hate the playa, love the game and we do. He conquered the monster, he got his revenge. The ‘Night of Champions’ continues right after this.

Commercial Break

Schiavone: Still to come here at the ‘Night of Champions’ Sting and Ric Flair will hook it up one more time. After the match, just look at this, this is how much WCW means to Booker T!

We saw a ‘moments ago’ video from the end of the match, and from during the break where Booker T went around the ring, gave everyone a high-five and said that he’s going to prove that he is the greatest professional wrestler in the history of the sport. He spent the entire break at ringside with the fans, and he was visibly crying. He held up both titles before the video ended.

Schiavone: That’s what this company means to Booker T, he knows as do we all, that this could well be the final straw for WCW. Well we’ve got the big no.1 contender’s match for the Cruiserweight Tag Team titles up next!

Hudson: This match was requested by Kid Romeo and Elix Skipper, saying ‘let’s decide the no.1 contenders tonight, and then we’ll face them later’! And you know that means Romeo and Prime Time will come in later tonight, fresh and rested against whoever wins this match.

Schiavone: It’s going to be Three Count, Moore and Karagias against the Jung Dragons, and of course Rey Mysterio Jr. and Billy Kidman, the Filthy Animals! Here they come, Mysterio and Kidman, no denying what they have meant to WCW, meant to the fans, meant to everyone here.

--No.1 contender match for the WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team titles--

Jung Dragons vs. Three Count vs. the Filthy Animals

Kaz, Moore and Kidman started it out with Shannon stuck in the middle, trying to decide what to do. Shannon decided to get Kidman, but Kidman ducked and started pounding Hayashi against the ropes. Kidman whipped Kaz, who then took Shannon Moore down with a head scissors before Kidman popped up and took Hayashi to the mat with a frankensteiner of his own! Kidman stalked Hayashi, but Moore came from behind with a sunset flip, only to have the pin broken up by a stiff kick to the head from Hayashi! Karagias came into the ring and hit a version of a face buster of Kaz. Karagias took this chance to show off his ‘dance moves’ to the crowd, but thankfully it didn’t last to long as Yang got in, ducked a clothesline and slammed Evan Karagias down with a german suplex! Yang yelled at Karagias, and to add further insult to injury, mimicked Three Counts dancing! From the apron, Mysterio jumped onto the top rope and landed a dropkick to Yang sending him straight to the outside, where Mysterio followed up with a top-rope assisted standing 450-splash! Rey stood up to get the fans support, and in the instant he took his eye off the ball, Shannon Moore came flying over the top rope with a corkscrew plancha. Yang slowly made his way to his feet, but was back on the ground in an instant when Karagias came off the apron with a cross body. Shannon Moore knocked Kidman on his backside in the ring with a blow to the head before going to the top rope and taking out Kaz Hayashi, Yang and his partner Karagias with another corkscrew plancha! Not to be outdone, Kidman waited till three of the men on the outside had gotten to their feet…and nailed a standing Shooting Star Press! Mysterio took the action back into the ring by tossing Yang inside and pushing him away while he ascended to the top rope and caught Yang with a head scissors from the outside-in! Mysterio attempted his leg-scissors/bulldog move, but Yang caught him and smashed his face against the turnbuckle! Yang called for it, and went to the top rope and came smashing down on top of Mysterio with Yang Time! 1…2…Kidman saves! Kidman, he’s going for the Kid Krusher, wait, Shannon saved Yang…and drops Kidman with the Bottoms Up…1…2…a save from Kaz with yet another kick to the head. Yang sets Shannon More up on the top rope…and slams him down with Hayashi in sort of a powerbomb…1…2…Karagias breaks it up, and takes Kaz down with a neckbreaker. Karagias positions Kaz near the ropes, and connects with a beautiful 450-splash…1…2…Kidman saves again! Kidman takes Karagias over the top rope with a big cross body, at the same time that Shannon Moore blocked a bronco buster from Rey Rey with a nicely positioned boot to the groin! After a quick exchange, Shannon ended up on the apron where the two brawled a bit more, and Mysterio managed to get Shannon Moore’s head under the top rope. He went to the top…and dropped a guillotine leg drop! Mysterio covers…1…2…3! Mysterio and Kidman go on to face ‘Prime Time’ and Kid Romeo for the titles later tonight!

Winners: Rey Mysterio Jr. and Billy Kidman

Schiavone: The Filthy Animals will face the Cruiserweight Tag Team champions ‘Prime Time’ Elix Skipper and Kid Romeo later tonight!

Hudson: What a match!

Schiavone: They got another shot at the titles! Still to come, Ric Flair and Sting will go at it one last time, one-on-one.

Commercial Break

When Nitro returned from the break, video was being played from the previous week where Bam Bam Bigelow said to Shawn Stasiak and Stacy Keibler that he wanted to ‘tattoo that pretty little thing in the ring’. Stasiak, thinking Bam Bam meant Stacy, said that they had no problem with it, and that Stacy would do anything for him. Stacy seemed to have a problem with that though! Much to her delight, Bam Bam was referring to Stasiak himself!

Hudson: You heard it right, if Stasiak loses Bam Bam gets to tattoo him!

Schiavone: I’m sure getting a tattoo is weighing heavily on the mind of Shawn Stasiak, especially at this time!

Hudson: Wouldn’t surprise me! Stasiak cares about nothing more than his body and his good looks.

Schiavone: Well here comes the conniving Stacy Keibler, I guess to introduce Stasiak.

Keibler introduced Stasiak as ‘Shawn “the Man” Stasiak, and the two got into the ring and had a brief kiss, before Stasiak took the mic and told the booing fans to ‘shut up, listen, and learn’. The fans wouldn’t listen to him, and before he could say anything else ‘the Beast From the East’ Bam Bam Bigelow came running out with a box in hand, obviously full of tattooing equipment!

--Tattoo match--

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Shawn Stasiak w/ Stacy Keibler

Stasiak used Stacy as a shield while Bam Bam was swinging the box around, and as soon as the referee got the box away from him, Stasiak attacked with kicks to the mid-section and right hands to the face! Stasiak whipped Bam Bam off the ropes and tried to kick him in the chest, but Bigelow caught to leg, spun him around and knocked him to the ground with a clothesline! Stasiak up, Stasiak down with a right hand, back up and forced into the corner before being whipped to the other side. Bam Bam charged in, but Stasiak avoided the contact before nailing a clothesline to the Beast, knocking him to the mat. Stasiak took his time getting to the top rope while Bam Bam was slowly getting to his feet. Stasiak came off the top with a cross body…Bam Bam dodged it, he sidestepped it! Scoop slam from Bigelow, and the big man is going up stairs…diving headbutt! Bigelow covers Stasiak, but the referee is trying to get Stacy off the apron! Bigelow got up and walked towards Stacy, which told the leggy Keibler that it was time to leave! Stasiak got up and walked right into Bigelow, who set him up for the Greetings from Asbury Park, gut Stacy grabbed Stasiak’s legs, stopping Bigelow from hitting the move! Stasiak came out the back door, knee to the back…Hangmans Noose! Stasiak with the cover…1…2…3, Stasiak avoids getting himself tattooed!

Winner: Shawn Stasiak

Schiavone: My god Stasiak wins it! Damn it!

Hudson: Stasiak was going to get tattooed! The referee should be raising Bigelow’s hand right now!

Commercial Break

Nitro returns, and a ‘Night of Champions’ logo is on the screen, followed by pictures of past WCW legends: Sting, Vader, Hollywood Hogan, Lex Luger, Kevin Nash, Ric Flair, DDP, Dusty Rhodes, Goldberg, Ron Simmons, Jeff Jarrett, the Giant, Terry Funk, the Great Muta, Bret Hart, Sid Vicious, Barry Windham, Booker T, Scott Steiner which finished with a shot of the World Heavyweight title and a ‘Whoooo’ from the ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair!

Schiavone: January 14th at Sin, Chavo Guerrero Jr. retained the Cruiserweight title against Shane Helms!

Hudson: What a night it was in January, but a little over a month later at SuperBrawl Revenge, ‘Sugar’ Shane Helms won a six-man Cruiserweight match.

Schiavone: Then earlier this month at Greed, ‘Sugar’ Shane Helms finally climbed the mountain and won the Cruiserweight championship from Chavo Guerrero Jr.!

Hudson: People have been calling this Shane Helms the evolution of the Cruiserweight division

--WCW Cruiserweight title match--

Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. ‘Sugar’ Shane Helms ©

Helms went for a lock-up, but Chavo ducked under it and went behind, forcing Helms into a corner where he started to pound him on lower neck and back area. He tried to turn him around, behind Helms fought out of the corner and put Chavo there instead! Helms tried to whip Chavo into the corner, but Chavo reversed it, and then tried to follow Helms in, who had ducked the shot and ended up getting Chavo on his shoulders and slamming him face-first across his knee! Helms bounced off the ropes and caught Chavo with a big neckbreaker…1…2…kick out by the challenger. Helms telegraphed a backdrop and ended up being kicked in the chest before being clotheslined over the top rope. Chavo quickly tossed him back inside and then landed a belly-to-back suplex. Chavo put Helms on the top rope and tried for a superplex, but ‘Sugar’ Shane was holding the rope, and threw Chavo off the rope, making him splat down on the canvas! Helms came off the top, flew over Chavo and caught him in a sunset flip…1…2…kick out again by Chavo. Helms landed a couple of right hands before trying to whip Chavo across the ring, which was reversed and Chavo nearly took the champs head off with a clothesline, getting him a near fall. Chavo picked Helms up and laid into him with chops, but Helms blocked some, nailed a right hand of his own, went to the top rope and landed a cross-body, getting him a two-count for his trouble. Helms tried for a scoop slam, but Chavo slid out the back and hit a beautiful T-bone suplex…1…2…kick out. Lots of reversals here with Chavo ending the sequence with a northern lights suplex…1…2…kick out! Chops from Chavo against the ropes, Chavo tries a sunset flip but Helms sits down on him getting a two-count. The both get up, and then Helms sends Chavo to the mat with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. ‘Sugar’ Shane puts Chavo in a corner, pounding away at the head before sending him chest first into the turnbuckle. Chavo turns around where Helms is looking for the Sugar Smack, but Chavo rolls under it, tries a head scissors but ends up behind the champ with Helms’ head under his arm. Chavo lifts him up, but Helms goes right over and sends Chavo chest first into the turnbuckle again…Sugar Smack! ‘Sugar’ Shane Helms signals for the Vertebreaker. He gets him up behind him but Chavo rolls through and goes for a brainbuster, but Shane lands on his feet! Chavo goes for a clothesline, ducked…Vertebreaker! He got it…1…2…3, Helms is still the champion!

Winner and STILL Cruiserweight champion: ’Sugar’ Shane Helms

Schiavone: Yes! ‘Sugar’ Shane retains the gold! What a match there, Scott.

Hudson: It was a great match Tony, and these Cruiserweight’s are one of the highspots of WCW, no doubt about it!

Commercial Break

Schiavone: We’re back on the ‘Night of the Champions’, and we’ve already seen Booker T win the World Heavyweight title to add to his United States title. We’ve seen the Filthy Animals, Rey Mysterio Jr. and Billy Kidman become no.1 contenders for the Cruiserweight Tag Team titles, we’ve seen Shawn Stasiak escape being tattooed, and we’ve just seen ‘Sugar’ Shane Helms retain the Cruiserweight title against Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Hudson: The evolution of the Cruiserweight division, Shane Helms certainly took it up a notch tonight!

Schiavone: That’s right, but we are going to take things to another level as here comes Lance Storm and Mike Awesome for the Tag Team title match against the champions Chuck Palumbo and Sean O’Haire.

Hudson: It was last week on Nitro; Palumbo went down for three count to the Awesome Bomb, and Team Canada feel they deserve the shot at the titles tonight! They think they’re the uncrowned champions.

Storm and Awesome got into the ring and Storm obviously had something to say.

Storm: If I can be serious for a minute…Last week, we started on a road to the Tag Team titles. Well that road ends tonight! All rise for the new Tag Team champions, and the Canadian national anthem!

Storm and Awesome stood straight in the ring, awaiting the national anthem to begin, but instead of the Canadian national anthem, the music of the champions played, and Palumbo and O’Haire rushed down to the ring to start the match!

--WCW Tag Team title match--

Lance Storm and Mike Awesome vs. Chuck Palumbo and Sean O’Haire ©

O’Haire and Storm circled one-another, both going for a lock-up but Storm countered it into a grapple from behind. O’Haire reversed into one of his own, but Storm reversed that into an armbar, putting his foot behind the knee of O’Haire and taking him to the mat before locking in a headlock. O’Haire managed to fight out of it and take Storm over with a wrist-throw. O’Haire forced Storm into their corner, and tagged in his partner Chuck Palumbo. Palumbo started pounding away at Storm with that lethal right hand of his and whipped Storm to the ropes, leap frogged Storm once and then caught Storm’s cross body attempt and landed a great fall away slam! Palumbo got caught up in the moment and punched Awesome off the apron, but then fell to the mat when Storm knocked half his teeth out with a super kick! Storm tagged in Awesome and set Palumbo up on the mat for Awesome to launch himself from the apron and splash Palumbo to get a near fall. Awesome launched Palumbo into a neutral corner, where Palumbo jumped right over him and started pounding away with right hands. Palumbo sent Awesome to the opposite corner where Awesome jumped onto the ropes and hit a elbow to the face, then knocked O’Haire off the apron before started to kick away at his opponent again. Awesome with a tag to Storm, who started out with chops in the corner. Palumbo pushed Storm away from him, then blocked a right hand before catching a dropkick from Storm and slingshotting him into the turnbuckle! Palumbo caught him coming in a got a roll-up…1…2…kick out and dropkick to the jaw on Palumbo! Ow! Both men were down, and both managed to tag in their partners at the same time, with O’Haire coming in and taking on both Storm and Awesome. O’Haire caught Awesome off of an Irish-whip, and landed him down with some cruel intentions! Another near fall there, with Storm breaking it up. This prompted Chuck Palumbo to get in the ring and in soon developed into a free-for-all! Palumbo and O’Haire tried to whip Awesome and Storm into one-another, but it was blocked. Awesome took O’Haire down with a clothesline while Storm landed another super kick to Palumbo’s jaw. Storm tossed O’Haire outside, so the challengers had Palumbo all to themselves. They whipped O’Haire to the ropes, O’Haire ducked a double-clothesline, while O’Haire grabbed the legs of Lance Storm taking him outside. Awesome kicked Palumbo in the mid-section and prepared for the Awesome Bomb. Wait, Palumbo came out the back door…jungle kick to Mike Awesome! Palumbo said it was over, as Sean O’Haire went to the top rope…Seanton Bomb…1…2…3! It’s over, they have retained the titles!

Winners and STILL Tag Team champions: Chuck Palumbo and Sean O’Haire

Schiavone: Still the Tag Team champions, the young men, Palumbo and O’Haire! Still to come, the Cruiserweight Tag Team title match, and of course, one last time, the ‘Nature Boy’ takes on Sting!

Commercial Break

Schiavone: We’re back on Nitro, the ‘Night of Champions’, and we’ve got an amazing encounter coming right up.

Hudson: No doubt there Tony; the Filthy Animals against the Cruiserweight Tag Team champions ‘Prime Time’ and Kid Romeo, and here come the champions!

--WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team title match--

The Filthy Animals vs. Kid Romeo and ‘Prime Time’ Elix Skipper ©

The match started as soon as the challengers got to the ring, with Skipper knocking Kidman to the mat and kicking away at him in the corner. Skipper sent Kidman to the opposite corner where Kidman grabbed the ropes and went into the air, coming down and round with a head scissors on Skipper. After a whip to the ropes by Kidman, and couple of reversals, Kidman managed to catch ‘Prime Time’ in a version of a full nelson, and then stayed still for Mysterio to hit a springboard dropkick to the face of Skipper! Kidman took a bit of the blow as well it seemed, and was just able to make a cover before Romeo came in and broke it up. Kidman tried to send Skipper off the ropes, but Skipper reversed the whip, Romeo nailed Kidman in the back from the apron and ‘Prime Time’ hit a perfect belly-to-belly before bringing Kid Romeo into the fray. Romeo stood on the top rope, and with extra power from Elix Skipper landed on Billy Kidman with a senton splash! Romeo struck Mysterio, bringing him inside to try and get a shot at Romeo. The referee tried to get him out of the ring, and at the same time the champs were stomping away at Kidman! Romeo sent Kidman to the opposite turnbuckle, but ate some boot as he came in. He caught his breath for a second, then charged at Romeo to be kicked in the gut, and nailed with an overhead powerbomb! Romeo made the tag to Skipper who whipped Kidman off the ropes, missed a clothesline, missed a second, Kidman hits a crossbody…1…2…kick out! Skipper got to his feet first and hit a spinning kick to the face of Billy Kidman. ‘Prime Time’ tagged Kid Romeo back in to the match and went to the top to try something…but Kidman caught him in midair with a standing dropkick! Mysterio started whacking away at the turnbuckle padding, trying to get the crowd riled up to cheer on Kidman. Tag to Rey Jr.! Skipper comes in…Mysterio with springboard senton to Skipper. Romeo comes off the ropes…tornado DDT from Mysterio…1…2…Skipper breaks it up! Skipper and Romeo tried to double team Mysterio, and Skipper thrust Rey Jr. onto the shoulders of Romeo, but Mysterio started punching away at him, and eventually the two fell over the top rope. Kidman pounded Skipper into a corner, and when Mysterio got into the ring, he got to his knees for Mysterio to use him as a stepping stone to whack Skipper right in the side of the head! Mysterio signalled for something, and then helped Kidman build up speed to go feet first into the groin on Elix Skipper! Mysterio then followed up with the broncobuster! Kidman and Mysterio were busy with Skipper, and neither saw Romeo come from nowhere, take Kidman to the mat with a clothesline and then clothesline Mysterio of the turnbuckle to the outside. Kid Romeo has Kidman set up…double underhook facebuster! Romeo has the cover…1…2…Rey Jr. breaks it up. Mysterio gets Romeo, and slams him down with a powerbomb before going to the apron, climbing on the ropes and dropping a headbutt! 1…2…Skipper breaks it up, and then sets up Mysterio on his shoulders before falling back in a pinning predicament…1…2…Kidman breaks this one up. Skipper got the better of Kidman in the corner and then signalled for the Play of the Day, but Kidman got out of it and grabbed the arms…Kid Krusher! Kidman covers…1…2…3, the Filthy Animals are the new champions!

Winners and NEW Cruiserweight Tag Team champions: The Filthy Animals

Schiavone: New champions! Kidman and Rey Jr. win the match in style!

Hudson: Only the second Cruiserweight Tag Team champs as well!

Schiavone: On this night of champions, where all five WCW titles have been on the line, we’ve seen two title changes, and those are Booker T winning the World Heavyweight title from ‘Big Poppa Pump’ Scott Steiner, and just now the Filthy Animals captured the Cruiserweight Tag Team titles!

Hudson: I can’t believe it! These two met in the finals of the tournament that crowned the first champions, and this time the Animals came out on time!

Schiavone: Still to come is Sting and the ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair! Don’t go anywhere!

Nitro cut to see a black room with loads of baseball bats hanging from the ceiling…with Sting standing amongst them!

Sting: Surprise surprise! The Stinger is back, but of course; did you think I would miss this night? Not for nothing would I miss this night! This is a historic night. One more dance with the ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair. We started it years ago Ric, and tonight we’re gonna end it once and for all! And for all you fans out there, who are wondering what the future holds for Sting, well. The only thing, for sure about Sting…is nothings for sure. IT’S SHOWTIME FOLKS!

Sting walks off the screen, and the camera cuts to the ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair walking down a corridor with his blue glittering robe on, with a WCW Monday Nitro shirt beneath it!

Schiavone: You are looking at a man who may be making his final walk to the ring ever. What a career, and that is a gross understatement I know. Very few men of any walk of life, of any sports entertainment venture can say they’ve had the career of Ric Flair. He’s done it all; fourteen times the World champ, and for me personally, a good friend for a long, long time. What he means for WCW, he is the embodiment of World Championship Wrestling. The gold belt that Booker T now holds, was for made for Ric Flair, he was the first man to hold it and is he know, saying goodbye to the fans that have followed his career Scott, for the very last time. What must be going through the mind of Ric Flair?

Hudson: Ric Flair, I guarantee you Tony what’s going through his mind is his opponent, like it always was. Who’s gonna step through those ropes; it’s going to be Sting.

Schiavone: It’s Ric Flair vs. Sting…NEXT, ON NITRO!

Commercial Break

Schiavone: Welcome back, and yes, we have no idea if we will ever bring you World Championship Wrestling again. The last night on TNT, and here comes a man who has meant everything to many fans around the world. Sting arrives back, and you heard what he said, he wouldn’t miss this for the world! Right now, this is one for all the fans who love World Championship Wrestling throughout the years. Darn it Scott, we as announcers are gonna kick it into high gear!

Hudson: When people were jumping from WCW to the WWF, even Ric Flair made the jump but this man was loyal. He bled WCW. He slept WCW. A seven-time World Heavyweight champion, this man proved night, after night what loyalty meant, and tonight, he and Ric Flair are gonna finish off Nitro. They started it in Minneapolis in 1995, they blow it out of the water at PCB in 2001!

Sting vs. Ric Flair

Flair and Sting started off with a ‘Whoooo’ from Flair, followed up with a howl from Sting! Flair and Sting circled each other, warming up in the ring by bouncing and stretching off the ropes before locking it up! Flair forced Sting into a corner, and Sting used his power to shove Flair off him, sending him across the ring! Flair complained to the ref that Sting used the hair and shoved the referee…and the ref shoved him back! Sting and Flair locked up again, with Flair getting a headlock before Sting bounced him off the ropes, sending Flair across the ring and then knocked him down with a standing shoulder block. Flair got up, looked at Sting, ran off the ropes…but Sting knocked him down again the same way as before! Flair got up and threatened to hit Sting, so Sting said ‘go on, hit me’ by pointing to his face. Flair backed into a corner, and then the two men again circled one another. They went for a test of strength by locking hands, and Flair yelled out in pain as Sting overpowered him, forcing his hands down, but Flair managed to get out and the ‘dirtiest player in the game’ showed why he’s named that with a thumb to the eye to break it up. Flair forces Sting to the corner and smacks him across the chest with a knife edge chop, then a slap to the face, another chop and another…but Sting changes the tide by putting Flair in the corner and unloads with kicks to the mid-sections, blows to the face and finishes it off with a hip toss out of the corner! Standing dropkick from the Stinger to take Flair down again and Flair rolls outside to regroup. Flair walks around the ring, as Sting howls at the fans inside. Flair walks up the stairs and returns to the ring and puts his hands to get Sting to back off. Sting stops to listen to the growing ‘Stinger! Stinger!’ chants that are filling the air before locking up again. Flair with the headlock, Sting sends him off the ropes and this time Flair sends Sting down to the canvas with a running shoulder block. Flair runs over Sting, bounces off the rope and stops when Sting tries to leapfrog him and backs right into a corner. Flair has his hands up, telling Sting ‘no, no!’ and backs down in the corner. The two men smile at each other, and Flair gets up to do a ‘mini-strut’ across the ring. Flair feints a lock up and kicks Sting in the chest before trying an Irish whip off the ropes, which was reversed by Sting for the man in black and white to land a Gorilla press slam! Flair writhes around in pain on the mat and backs off into a corner with his hands up, hoping Sting will leave him alone, but Sting goes to the corner with him and gets a 10-punch to the head of the ‘Nature Boy’. Sting walks away…Flair flop! Sting holds out his arms in the ring, bows, and then lets out a howl before going back for Flair. Flair gets a chop to no avail, and Sting has Flair by throat. Flair drops down to his knees, and as the referee is admonishing Sting for the choke, Flair low-blows Sting, dropping him to his knees. Flair comes off the ropes and kicks Sting right in the head and as soon as Sting is back to his feet, Flair takes him to the corner and chops away at the chest before taking him down to the mat with a snapmare. Flair goes to the corner…Flair with the knee drop, and there’s the strut! Flair with a straight chop to Sting that seemed to have knocked the wind out of him, as he falls to the canvas. Sting gets a small flurry before Flair snapmares him down before going to the towrope…Sting throws him halfway across the ring! Sting is building up momentum with two successive clotheslines, but misses a dropkick as Flair holds onto the ropes. Flair lets out a huge ‘Whoooo’ before locking in his patented Figure-Four Leg Lock. The ref is asking Sting if he wants to give up, and as he does this Flair is using the ropes for extra leverage. Sting’s shoulder go down for a two-count twice, but after the second one Sting pulls Flair further into the ring, away from the ropes! Sting tries to turn Flair over, and as soon as he does Flair quickly releases it. Both men get to their feet, with Sting visibly limping around. Flair goes over to the Stinger and lands a chop…but Sting just sucks it up! Flair hits him in the face, and Sting mocks Hulk Hogan, showing the muscles and sends Flair into a corner where he kicks, punches and chops away before sending him across the ring where Flair gets turned inside out against the turnbuckle! Sting sets Flair up on the top rope…superplex from Sting, and then Sting immediately locks in the Scorpion Death Lock! Flair holds on for a few seconds before nodding his head, motioning that he’s giving it up!

Winner: Sting

Sting releases the hold, walks around the ring as his music plays and the fans cheer before going over to Flair, helping him to his feet and hugging the man who he has been bitter rivals with for years! The two legends shake and raise each others hands before hugging again.

Schiavone: Sting! Sting wins! Sting defeats Ric Flair here, on the final telecast of Monday Nitro on TNT! This is what we’re all about!

Hudson: Sting knows that Ric Flair made him at the Clash of the Champions that’s ultimate respect!

Schaivone: It is…

Hudson: From two men, who I have to say I am huge fans of. They make me continue to be fans of professional wrestling. Thank you Steve Borden, thank you Ric Flair for everything you’ve meant to this sport.

Schiavone: It’s been an emotional roller coaster for all of us fans. The uncertainty of our jobs, our future and of what we love, what we breathe and what we live. We don’t just work for WCW, we live for WCW. And I know Flair, and many of the fans will agree. It’s been a ride, a ride we’ll never forget, but it’s time to close this chapter of the book and see where things go from here. Goodbye everyone, we hope it won’t be the last time!

Hudson: Goodbye everyone.

Nitro then went off the air with the image of Ric Flair and Sting hugging in the ring.

Edited December 31, 2006 by TMM

[Guest Makegamesnotwar]

I really don't have much to say about the card. It was wonderful and stirring and a great end to WCW. I was never a WCW fan, didn't have cable to watch it while WWF was on local television. All 10ish channels. Yet, from reading about and seeing WCW I've gotten a bit more fond of it, I'm reading the R.D. Reynolds- Bryan Alvarez book about the Death Of WCW, though it's as much about the life and legacy of it.

Yet I started to really feel the legends looking over the arena, smiling. Sure, it wasn't the perfect card but it was very well written and so moving. I was starting to think I might well up about it and I came close at the ending. You re-wrote the end of WCW, though now in the spirit of recognizing its former glory and legends while looking forward to a rebirth. Bravo. Just marvelous. I hope that all your cards meet this high standard, while knowing that achieving half of the quality of that show would make for a great diary. Good luck.

[TMM]

Just to note, I wrote that Nitro two years ago while actually watching the final Nitro, and it's so in depth because I was actually watching it, so it won't be quite so long when I get to my regular cards and such.

[Guest Makegamesnotwar]

Thanks for the heads up on the lengths. Long, short, average, goldylocks, I'm reading and enjoying it. I might read it over again with the final nitro to sort of bring things full circle and read it in sequence in a nice way. Awesome show, I think I'm going to remember that one for a while. I find it really cool that you actually wrote it during the final nitro(which I didn't have cable so I wasn't able to see, sadly, I'll find a video, at least of the Filthy Animals, Shane Helms and Flair vs Sting matches.)

Nice to see that you're updating at a steady pace also. This is just getting better as it goes on. Good luck.

[TMM]

Thanks for the heads up on the lengths. Long, short, average, goldylocks, I'm reading and enjoying it. I might read it over again with the final nitro to sort of bring things full circle and read it in sequence in a nice way. Awesome show, I think I'm going to remember that one for a while. I find it really cool that you actually wrote it during the final nitro(which I didn't have cable so I wasn't able to see, sadly, I'll find a video, at least of the Filthy Animals, Shane Helms and Flair vs Sting matches.)

Nice to see that you're updating at a steady pace also. This is just getting better as it goes on. Good luck.

The Flair/Sting match is on Flair's DVD I believe. Well I downloaded Nitro. That was actually what made me want to do my first attempt at a WCW 2001 diary (2 years ago). I started watching it and it made me think "I wonder what had happened if" so that's where that came from. The idea to do it now? Well, just felt like it.

[Guest Makegamesnotwar]

Thanks for the info. I'll try and track down the Flair DVD since I've heard good things about it anyway and that just further justifies ponying up the cash. A question- what happened to the first attempt at WCW 2001- if you wrote shows or anything I'd love to read it. As far as doing things because you just feel like it, some of the greatest things done have been done for that reason. So far, I think you made the right choice to do this.

Hope we get a new show soon, not to rush you or anything. However, the anticipation is working its effect on me, and I'm getting hyped up for the first "New" World Championship Wrestling show. It's going to lock the cat box. Good luck.

[TMM]

WCW ON HIATUS

Monday March 26th 2001

When you go to WCW.com now, the page you’re greeted with is a page without links, but with just the WCW logo and “Back Soon” in big white letters. It’s clearly a ploy to fool most people, however it should be noted that WCW was actually sold today to Eric Bischoff, Ric Flair and Sting, but whatever plans they have for the company isn’t clear right now.

WCW SUPERSTARS SIT-OUT CONTRACTS

Tuesday March 27th 2001

We understand that the new owners of WCW have convinced the vast majority of people under contract to the old WCW to sign contracts with the new WCW, however we are to understand that a few wrestlers have decided to sit-out their AOL Time Warner contracts.

Shane Douglas, Sid Vicious, Bam Bam Bigelow are three of the people who are known to have done this for whatever reasons. This means that they won’t be able to join WCW or the WWF until their AOL Time Warner contracts expire.

WCW UNVEILS NEW LOGO

Thursday March 29th 2001

WCW have today unveiled a new logo on WCW.com. It still says “Back Soon”, but there is link on the main page to an article. It goes on to talk about how a new logo signifies the new beginning of a new WCW. It also mentions in the article that WCW.com will re-open next month.

Apparently the logo was designed by newly assigned webmaster Jeremy Borash who has been seen on WCW as Vince Russo’s assistant in late 2000.

Here is the new logo:

I'll be doing a few more of these type of updates, but my next update will be another one of the backstage bits, mostly in relation to the second quote above.

[Guest Makegamesnotwar]

Awaiting another backstage bit, as those have been wonderful(though obviously the card was amazing also.) Nice little deposit of some more information. I've not really heard of Borash but I guess he's going to be involved in the backstage stuff. Too bad those three won't sign. Shane Douglas has charisma and talent, even if he's a locker room object of discontent. Bam Bam- well Absbury Park! Used to be a great place, the park. Sid Vicious I'm not really unhappy about though he would have been useful due to his high over to job out or whatever you are going to do with the talentless + high over type wrestlers. Good luck.

[TMM]

CONFIRMING THE ROSTER…

Monday 26th March 2001

[Before the meeting]

Ric Flair, Eric Bischoff and Sting met up about an hour before they were scheduled to meet with AOL Time Warner to go over a few things, most notably who they had managed to persuade to sign a contract for the new WCW.

To start off, Sting explained to his partners that Lex Luger and Buff Bagwell had agreed to sign new WCW contracts. He explained, however, that Shane Douglas had refused to.

Bischoff: Why the hell has Douglas refused? He could’ve been a big player for WCW! His experience would’ve been a plus.

Flair: Hate to disagree with you Bischoff, but I’ve never seen anything particularly special about Douglas.

Bischoff: You had something to do with him not signing? What did you say Flair?

Flair: Woah, woah Bischoff, who the hell do you think you’re talking to? I didn’t mutter a damn word to Shane Douglas! I had nothing to do with him not signing!

Sting: Well, technically you did.

Flair and Bischoff: What?

Sting: I spoke to Shane last night, and he was interested in resigning if WCW was bought out, but when I told him that it would be the three of us buying the company, he made a complete U-turn. He had no intention of working for you Ric, so he basically told me he wasn’t going to sign with us. He said he wouldn’t sit out his contract though because he “wanted to work for his money”, which I can understand. So that’s why.

Bischoff was very annoyed, but Flair was clearly trying to hide a huge smile, which only served to piss Bischoff off further.

Ric Flair explained that he’d managed to get Jeff Jarrett and Rick Steiner to sign with WCW, while after speaking with both Booker T and his brother, Stevie Ray decided that he didn’t really have anything to offer since he retired from the ring. He wanted to concentrate on commentary, and if the buy-out goes through, and if WCW got a TV deal, he’d be willing to come back and help out, so he left on good terms.

Eric Bischoff then went on to tell Flair and Sting about who he had managed to get to sign with them. He told them that he had spoken to everyone, and said that Dustin Rhodes had signed a contract. However, Dusty Rhodes has declined signing because he wants to concentrate on his own company, TCW. Everyone accepted Dusty’s decision, but were happy that Dustin Rhodes had chosen to resign with the company. They all knew that if they could recreate the popularity Dustin had in the WWF as Goldust, he could make the company money.

Bischoff got through those superstars, Bischoff came down to the final two men whose future; Kevin Nash and Bill Goldberg.

[A short time later…]

Bischoff had gone over what Goldberg’s reasons were, and everyone could understand his reasons. Now Bischoff had to tell them about Kevin Nash.

Bischoff: Well that’s almost everyone…

Flair: Except for Kevin Nash.

Bischoff: …except for Kevin Nash.

Both Sting and Flair stared at Eric Bischoff, waiting for a reply.

Bischoff: Kevin Nash has decided to sign with WCW.

There was a slight groan, and to be fair, Flair tried to hide it well by throwing in a cough immediately after.

Flair: So you convinced Nash to sign; how?

Bischoff: I…I convinced him this would be a new start for him, that he could change people’s views of him and help give WCW a new start. It took a little while, but he agreed with me that it’d be the right thing to do.

Flair: So…that’s all? Nothing else?

Sting: Ric…

‘No,’ thought Eric Bischoff, ‘let’s see what he’s got to say.’

Bischoff: No, no Steve, don’t worry. Come on Ric; what do you have to say? We’re all working together here, are you trying to accuse me of something?

Flair shifted in his seat. He put on a fake smile, and replied.

Flair: No Eric, not at all. Well done on signing Kevin Nash.

Flair extended his hand, and Bischoff immediately took it. The three discussed a few things before finally leaving to head to the meeting.

I chose to do this in a odd order because...well, I mostly forgot about it. That and I also thought it'd be interesting to do it like this, a bit of a twist. Anyway, the next update will be a couple of news bits.

Edited January 2, 2007 by TMM

[Guest Makegamesnotwar]

Nice to see the tension increasing between Bischoff, Flair and Borden. It as. as always, provides for some good backstage dynamics. I prefer the odd order even if it was a semi-mistake. Jumping around in time is great if it is done well and helps expand on the story as it does in this case. Also, I hope you'll reveal Goldberg's reasons some time. Oh, and Nash? That's just going to kick the backstage stuff up to another level which = entertainment. Luger and Bagwell also are additions who will just help stir the proverbial pot backstage.

I also hope you do justice to him and use Dustin Rhodes well, he is under-utilized and underrated, working long and hard to get out from the "I'm just here because of my relations" stigma that people such as Erik Watts were not able to and that alone takes talent and the will to continue on under harsh conditions(for every person that sucks up to you because of your daddy you have 3 who despise you.) Goldust or no, I'm sure you'll have a good use for him.

Finally, the news and backstage to show ratio is slanted heavily away from the shows, which I'd usually be unhappy with. However, you write backstage so well it's one of my main reasons for liking this diary. Good luck.

[Guest hbkthelegend]

I have enjoyed this diary so far and will be looking forward to new develpements. I just finished watching the final 2001 season of nitro about 2 weeks ago and it is great to imagine what could have happened if WWF didn't purchase WCW.

[TMM]

WCW.COM RE-LAUNCHES…GOLDBERG GONE?

Friday April 6th 2001

WCW.com has finally been re-launched, and it has to be said, the site looks much better than it did before. There’s not a tonne of stuff on there just yet, but it has a link to the superstar page and one glaring omission is Goldberg. It’s expected that this means that Goldberg is sitting out his AOL Time Warner contract, which runs until late 2002.

It’s understood that every wrestler was given the option to transfer over to new WCW contracts with no additional cost to either WCW or AOL Time Warner, but for whatever reason, Goldberg has apparently chosen not to sign.

Goldberg is not the only wrestler to decide against continuing to work for WCW, as Shane Douglas, Brian Knobbs, Jimmy Hart, Bam Bam Bigelow, Sid, Road Warrior Animal and a few others have also left. There are rumours that Jimmy Hart is looking to open up his own wrestling company in the near future.

WCW ROSTER

Friday April 6th 2001

The roster page on WCW.com is up, and here are all the names on the page.

Air Raid (Air Paris and AJ Styles)

Alan Funk

Arn Anderson

Billy Kidman – WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team champion

Boogie Knights (Alex Wright and Disqo)

Booker T – WCW World Heavyweight and WCW United States champion

Buff Bagwell

Cash

Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Chris Kanyon

Chuck Palumbo – WCW Tag Team champion

Diamond Dallas Page

Dustin Rhodes

Elix Skipper

Ernest “The Cat” Miller

Evan Karagias

Gene Okerlund

The Harris Brothers

Hugh Morrus

Jamie Knoble

Jason Jett

Jeff Jarrett

Kevin Nash

Kid Romeo

Konnan

Kronik (Bryan Clarke and Brian Adams)

Lance Storm

Lash LeRoux

Lex Luger

The Mamalukes (Big Vito and Johnny The Bull)

Mark Jindrak

Midajah

Mike Awesome

Mike Sanders

Mike Tenay

Norman Smiley

Reno

Rey Mysterio Jr. – WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team champion

Ric Flair

Rick Steiner

Scott Hudson

Scott Steiner

Sean O’Haire – WCW Tag Team champion

Shane Helms – WCW Cruiserweight champion

Shannon Moore

Shawn Stasiak

Stacy Keibler

Sting

The Wall

Tony Schiavone

Yung Dragons (Kaz Hayashi, Yang and Leia Meow)

Those are the people who are officially under WCW contract but Torrie Wilson, Michael Modest, Christopher Daniels, Madusa, Paisley, Paul Orndorff, Mike Rotunda and Terry Taylor are also known to be under WCW contract as well in some capacity, not to mention of course Eric Bischoff. Referees Nick Patrick, Charles Robinson, Billy Silverman, Mark “Slick” Johnson and Scott Anderson/Armstrong were also picked up.

WCW ANNOUNCED WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH FLORIDA CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING

Tuesday April 10th 2001

The website has only been back for a few days, but WCW is looking to get back into business as quickly as possible as they have today announced a working relationship with Joe Price’s Florida Championship Wrestling. The deal is similar to the WWF’s deal with OVW, UPW and HWA in that WCW will be able to send young and injured stars to the company to get in ring shape or be evaluated. WCW will send Arn Anderson and Mike Rotunda to the company until WCW is back on its feet.

An article on WCW.com has quotes from both Eric Bischoff and Joe Price say they are both looking forward to working with one another, and hints that some WCW stars will be making appearances at upcoming FCW events in the future. Price is quoted as saying:

“We look forward to a long-term relationship with World Championship Wrestling, and I’m sure our fans will be very interesting in a few ideas myself and WCW have come up with.”

Edited January 5, 2007 by TMM

[Guest Makegamesnotwar]

Yes! An update! I thought for a minute that I might go three days without this diary goodness. Ok, as I'm reading it-

Goldberg gone, confirmed. Well, Goldberg is a divisive subject but he at least was semi-over and could have been used to elevate new stars(like what WCW should have done a decade ago.)

Nice to see you giving reasons for why guys didn't sign like you did with Jimmy Hart. Maybe you can eventually have a working relationship with his wrestling school?

Let's go over the roster-

Air Raid (Air Paris and AJ Styles)- Good to see them but resist the temptation to break the team up and push AJ, some experience in the cruiserweight tag division(aka. The Place Of Awesomeness, potentially at least) would do him well before moving him up. Plus, Air Paris is underrated so you get him, good additions.

Alan Funk-Meh.

Arn Anderson-Four Horsemen! I guess you'll probably be doing that also, as long as you do it well and pick believable members I'm all 4 it. Yes, using numbers in place of letters is usually very uncool but it fits with the 4 horsemen.

Billy Kidman – WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team champion-Gotta have the Kidman. If for only reason than that You Just Can't Powerbomb Kidman! Of course, more filthy animals is good.

Boogie Knights (Alex Wright and Disqo)- Disqo has charisma and is a better manager than a wrestler but at least you'll have the required dancing characters.

Booker T – WCW World Heavyweight and WCW United States champion-He's the champ. 5 time!

Buff Bagwell-Eh. Not touching this one, as I wouldn't touch Bagwell with a ten foot pole.

Cash-Kid Kash? If so then good.

Chavo Guerrero Jr.-Chavo. He's a Guerrero. What more do you want? Maybe a Chavo-Eddie reunion some day?

Chris Kanyon-Who betta than Kanyon? A virtual requirement for my enjoyment of this is a nice push for Kanyon.

Chuck Palumbo – WCW Tag Team champion-O'Haire, another year or two under his belt can ditch this guy but at least he's a serviceable worker.

Diamond Dallas Page-DDP, its DYNOMITE! Good as a manager, still has some skills as a wrestler.

Dustin Rhodes-I think I've already posted on how you should not misuse him, Goldust or no.

Elix Skipper-Prime time, Play Of The Day baby! Talented.

Ernest “The Cat” Miller-I guess he has good charisma so you can use him as a manager or something.

Evan Karagias-Well, of course we have to have Three Count here.

Gene Okerlund-You need someone to do backstage or announce.

The Harris Brothers-Why are they here? Ron and Don should just go away.

Hugh Morrus-Not very funny, not very good.

Jamie Knoble-He should score many a Knoble Victory! Push.

Jason Jett-Who's this?

Jeff Jarrett-I guess you have to have Slapnuts and El Kabong if you're doing this.

Kevin Nash-Locker room curse but at least he's over so you can job his over out to more deserving wrestlers(aka. what the WCW should have done ten years ago.)

Kid Romeo-Good to see him here.

Konnan-Very talented manager and a good pick.

Kronik (Bryan Clarke and Brian Adams)-Eh. See Don and Ron Harris.

Lance Storm-Lance Storm! Underrated, Canadian and could still do some high flying back then.

Lash LeRoux-Not that deserving of a push but I like him for some reason.

Lex Luger-See Kevin Nash.

The Mamalukes (Big Vito and Johnny The Bull)-I guess you need a tag division.

Mark Jindrak-Give him the care that the WWE never gave him and he could develop really well.

Midajah-It's Midajah. So?

Mike Awesome-Gladiator! Hopefully he just starts Awesome Bombing people through tables and shuts up, letting a manager do the talking. Gladiator-Tanaka, in ECW and FMW, where they feuded first was always a good combination so get Masato. Diamond Dust!

Mike Sanders-Very good manager and you need those.

Mike Tenay-I guess, better than some other announcers who know who they are.

Norman Smiley-His last name is Smiley. I can't bash him.

Reno-Solid wrestler.

Rey Mysterio Jr. – WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team champion-Bring back the mask. That is all.

Ric Flair-WHOO! I wonder if he'll book himself in all the main events?

Rick Steiner-Rick Steiner... umm... yeah.

Scott Hudson-You haven't canned this guy yet?

Scott Steiner-See Nash.

Sean O’Haire – WCW Tag Team champion-PUSH! You can use the Devils Advocate gimmick or whatever, PUSH!

Shane Helms – WCW Cruiserweight champion-Vertebreaking his way into one of WCW's last shining lights.

Shannon Moore-More Moore.

Shawn Stasiak-Meat. Heh.

Stacy Keibler-What is there to say?

Sting-Of course, but see Flair.

The Wall-Don't even remember this guy.

Tony Schiavone-Well, he was really pissed at WCW by the time it was over so he's a bit of a reach to join the new WCW but I'll suspend my disbelief.

Yung Dragons (Kaz Hayashi, Yang and Leia Meow)-Dump Leila Meow and make them top Cruiser Tag Team contenders.

Modest and Daniels are good, especially at the rate you're paying them(I assume, since it's the WCW peanuts try out contracts.) Also Torrie Wilson can help managers wise.

NWA: Florida. I don't know if you'll be around for the time it takes to develop new talent but you should bear the expense anyway.

Nice to see Rotunda being mentioned, along with Arn. I guess Arn is booking development?

Well, good and bad with the roster I know this is going to be one fun ride. Still reading, good luck.

[TMM]

Arn Anderson is just a backstage guy. I listed him there because, well, I was on the old WCW site and they had him listed, so I figured why not. Yeah, he's 'booking' NWA: Florida.

Cash is Kid Kash yeah, and Jason Jett is EZ Money from ECW.

[TMM]

WCW WRESTLERS WORKING THE INDIES

Thursday April 12th 2001

Booker T defended the WCW World Heavyweight title against Dustin Rhodes for Dusty’s Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling promotion last night. On the same show Shane Helms defended the Cruiserweight title against Josh Matthews of Tough Enough fame. Apparently these matches and many more are being sanctioned by the new owners of WCW to keep their stars in ring-shape in preparation for whenever WCW ‘officially’ restarts.

The only condition of this is that WCW is promoted somewhat heavily throughout the show. This includes hanging banners and selling WCW merchandise at the event.

WCW STARTING UP…

Friday April 13th 2001

Eric Bischoff, Sting and Ric Flair were discussing several things, mostly about trying to get a TV deal and how they were going to go for the time being when Sting came up with an idea.

Sting: People are going to lost interest in WCW if we don’t do something, so I’ve got an idea…what about some non-televised events? Some house shows?

Flair: I like the idea, but don’t you think that the company is to big to just be doing that? We need to get on TV.

Bischoff: I’m working on it.

Sting: It’d take a while to book some venues, so I don’t think we’d able to do much for a while but…

Flair: Wait a minute; what about Price’s promotion?

Sting: What about it?

Flair: We could work their shows for a while. We could send down a few of the boys every now and again and promote the shows as joint productions between WCW and NWA: Florida.

Bischoff: You know something Ric, that’s a damned good idea. Borash was telling me that people were reading into what Price said on the web about the relationship, so it could be workable.

Flair: I think they’d be up for it. It’d make their company a bit of money to have, say, Jarrett and Booker wrestling for the title in their main event. If we helped make them money, they’d be happy with it.

Sting: I don’t know how long it’d run for, we’d need to get our own shows as soon as possible, but for the time being…

Bischoff: Assuming Joe Price agrees…

Sting: …assuming he agrees, it’d do. We’re letting the guys work the independents anyway, so this’d be an extension of it.

A light suddenly switched on in Eric Bischoff’s head.

Bischoff: I’ve just had another idea to go with it….

Flair: Really? What is it?

There was no undertone of sarcasm here, Flair seemed genuinely interested in what Bischoff had to say which not only surprised Bischoff, but Flair and Sting!

Bischoff: Um…well, we can record the matches, or the whole events and uh, make them available online. For free, or for a small fee maybe. But it’d get the product to people.

Sting and Flair both pondered for a couple of seconds, and knew it’d be a good idea…if it was do-able.

Flair: Ya know something Bischoff; that is a hell of on idea. But would we be able to put that much video on the site?

Bischoff: I dunno, I can speak to Jeremy and find out, but if we can…?

Sting: Then I think we do it. People get to see the product, even if it isn’t up and running yet, it’s something.

They continued talking about it, and decided to have a number of WCW stars work next weekend’s NWA: Florida show if they could get Rod Price’s permission. Flair gave him a phone call, and Price was more than willing to agree.

This meeting proved something to the three of them; that they can work together. There was not one snide or sarcastic comment, and the three of them bounced ideas of one another. They all hoped it could continue like this, but they all knew that today was the exception as oppose to the rule.

ADAMS INJURED

Sunday April 15th 2001

Brian Adams of Kronik suffered a serious leg injury last night working an APW show with Bryan Clarke against former ECW Tag Team champions the Pitbulls. Adams landed awkwardly on his leg during the match, and it’s believed he’s suffered a serious broken ankle, which could keep him out of the ring until next year or late this year. Clarke finished the match for his team and pinned Pitbull #2 with a pumphandle slam.

Edited January 5, 2007 by TMM