WCW Monday Nitro
04/09/01
Live on TNT from Charlotte, N.C.
WCW Monday Nitro’s theme music plays and the pyro goes off in the arena as the WCW Logo set makes its return. “Great Gate of Kiev” plays and Jerry “The King” Lawler makes his way to the broadcast booth to join Tony Schiavone as the new voice of WCW Monday Nitro. Eric Bischoff’s music hits and the owner makes his way down to the ring to kick off Nitro.
Eric: Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you all so very much and welcome to the return of WCW Monday Nitro. This is the milestone moment for WCW as we make history; for the first time in over a decade WCW is owned once again by an independent promoter; not billionaire Ted and my intentions as the owner of WCW is simple; to make WCW the greatest wrestling promotion in the world once again. In order to do that I’ve decided to make an even playing field for everyone which is why all the championships have been vacated and we’re going to start fresh and crown the new World Heavyweight Champion.
Big Poppa Pump and Midajah head down to the ring. The former World Champion is pissed off as he enters the ring and gets in the face of Eric Bischoff.
Scott: Listen here you two bit chump. In case you haven’t realized; the Big Bad Booty Daddy is the greatest WCW Champion of the Millennium. I’ve defeated everybody who’s crossed my path and intend on doing it once again Bischoff. I should be the champion; there shouldn’t be any question about who’s the best.
Eric: Listen Scott; I know how you’re feeling and you’re right. You were the best Heavyweight Champion of the World over the new millennium, but that was before I came back. I’m given you that opportunity to prove that you’re the best once again, but in order to do that you must compete in the main event tonight.
Scott: I can beat down every single wrestler; so who are you going to put me up against tonight?
Eric: Tonight Scott; the World Heavyweight Championship will be determined in a Gauntlet for the Gold Match. Four wrestlers will compete with the last man standing getting the opportunity to be the WCW World Heavyweight Champion. Allow me to introduce you to your opponents tonight.
Booker T, Diamond Dallas Page, and Sting all come out through the Logo entrance and stand on the ramp. Scott Steiner is furious as Eric Bischoff continues.
Eric: And one other thing Scott. Since you feel that you’re the best champion in company history I’m going to allow you to prove that be being in the first match of the gauntlet. You see Scotty; I believe that you can single handily defeat all three men which is why you’ll have the opportunity to do so tonight. Good Luck Big Poppa Pump because you’re going to need it.
Bischoff’s music plays as the Owner of WCW leaves the ring area. Steiner and Midajah talk strategy as his three opponents watch on from the ramp. Tony and the King hype the huge announcement made for tonight’s Main Event.
Backstage: The Nature Boy Ric Flair arrives to the arena as the fans in Charlotte erupt for their hometown hero.
-Commercial Break-
Video: WCW and Snickers present Slamboree live on May 6 live from Green Bay Wisconsin.
Match One:
Billy Kidman vs. Chavo Guerrero
The high flying cruiserweights square off in Nitro’s opening contest. A very frustrated Chavo Guerrero takes out Kidman early on in the match, but Kidman comes back with a fireman’s carry and drops Chavo to the canvas. Guerrero is nailed with a series of high risk/high flying moves and Kidman follows up with a pin attempt. The former Cruiserweight Champion drops Kidman with a low blow then follows up with three suplexes back to back. Guerrero dives off the top with a Frog Splash and covers Kidman for the pin.
Chavo wins (5:01)
The former Cruiserweight Champion’s hand is raised and he grabs a microphone. Chavo cuts a promo of being taken advantage of by every other cruiserweight in WCW. Chavo demands respect from the cruiserweights and makes it clear that he is the top draw of the division. Chavo is interrupted by a young AJ Styles who comes out. AJ introduces himself and reminds Chavo that he was defeated at Night of Champions by Shane Helms. Chavo doesn’t take kindly to AJ and spits in his face. Chavo tells AJ that he demands respect. AJ offers to show him a little respect and does so in the form of a Pele kick. AJ takes his shirt off and drops Chavo with a Styles Clash and the fans cheer for AJ Styles as he poses for the crowd.
Backstage: Ric Flair enters Scott Steiner’s locker room and hears that the former champion has to fight in a 4 man Gauntlet. Flair is flippant about the announcement and promises to go after Eric Bischoff about it later on.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage Flair goes into Eric Bischoff’s office and confronts him about the Scott Steiner situation; commenting on how unfair it is. Bischoff makes it clear to Flair that everyone has an even playing field around WCW now and everyone needs to fight for their spot. Flair throws a chair out of the way and gets in Bischoff’s face, but Eric keeps calm. He offers Flair the opportunity to help Steiner out tonight. Flair asks what he needs to do and Bischoff makes the proposition; should Flair win his match tonight than Scott Steiner will be the last person to compete in the gauntlet; however if Flair loses than not only will Steiner be the first man, but each gauntlet match will be a steel cage match. Flair reluctantly agrees and Bischoff tells Flair to get ready.
Match Two:
Perfect Event (Polumbo and O’Haire) vs. Kronik (Clarke and Adams)
Two of WCW’s top tag teams collide in action as Polumbo and O’Haire take the fight to Kronik. Both teams trade back and forth throughout the match with Kronik nailing Polumbo with High Times. Clarke is unable to capitalize with the pin as O’Haire interrupts. A brawl breaks out with all four competitors before Polumbo and Adams take their fight to the outside. O’Haire drops Clarke to the canvas with a double arm DDT. O’Haire covers Clarke for the pin.
Perfect Event win (4:32)
Clarke’s hand is raised by Charles Robinson as Curt Henning comes down the ramp. Henning gets in the ring and is handed a microphone from David Penzer. Henning applauds Polumbo and O’Haire on their victory, but makes it very clear to them that they are far from being the Perfect Event. O’Haire starts getting defensive when Henning tells them about what being perfect is all about. Henning offers his services to the two of them as a mentor and protégé in their quest to become new WCW World Tag Team Champions. Polumbo and O’Haire are given one week to make their decision and Henning leaves.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage Mean Gene Oakerlund interviews Eric Bischoff again. Bischoff announces a US Title Tournament to be kicked off this Saturday on TBS. The tournament will conclude with the finals taking place at WCW Slamboree. Bischoff is interrupted again, this time by Mike Awesome. Bischoff tells Awesome how disappointed he is in how Awesome turned out. Bischoff reveals that he thought Mike Awesome needs to be a monster once again should he ever hope to be a champion. Bischoff gives him an opportunity to prove himself by being the US Title Tournament.
Match Three:
Nature Boy Ric Flair w. Midajah vs. Bill Goldberg
Flair and Goldberg square off inside the ring in a WCW classic as the Nature Boy shows why he’s still considered the dirtiest player in the game. Flair pulls out every dirty trick in the book to keep Goldberg grounded, but the man simply battles back and forces Flair into the corner. Goldberg dominates the fourteen time champion with brutal chops and knees to the midsection before whipping him so hard into the turn buckle that Flair ends up diving over and running across the to another turnbuckle. Flair climbs to the top and is grabbed by Goldberg who whips him onto the canvas. Flair pleads with Goldberg for mercy but the Man doesn’t give in. Flair finally gets back on track after poking Goldberg in the eye then working on the legs of the Man. Midajah cheers Flair on while the Nature Boy sets up and applies the Figure Four on Goldberg. Bill fights for his life and is able to get to the ropes, forcing Flair to remove the hold. Flair continues to beat down Goldberg and kick the legs repeatedly before attempting another Figure Four. Goldberg fights it this time and gets Flair into a small package. When both men get back up Goldberg charges after Flair with a spear. He pulls Flair up and drops him with a Jackhammer, then covers Flair for the pin.
Goldberg wins (9:10)
-Commercial Break-
Video: WCW and Snickers present Slamboree live on May 6 live from Green Bay Wisconsin.
Backstage: Vampiro puts on a cryptic promo in the dark rafters as he talks about the afterlife and what comes from death is being reborn. Vampiro addresses his opportunity in WCW is being new life; a rebirth that will come from the end of everyone else who crosses his path. Vampiro promises to unleash hell in WCW and claim the lives of every man, woman, and child who gets in his way. Vampiro ends the promo by stating that a war is coming.
Match Four:
Steel Cage Gauntlet for the Gold
WCW Heavyweight Championship of the World
Scott Steiner w. Midajah vs. Diamond Dallas Page w. Kimberly
DDP maximizes the use of the steel cage during the first on three gauntlet matches. Steiner is isolated in the corner as Page beats him down with kicks to the midsection. An Irish Whip sends Steiner across the ring and he is nailed hard with a clothesline from DDP. After being sent into the cage wall repeatedly Big Poppa Pump falls to the canvas with a bloody face. DDP goes for the escape but Steiner manages to stop him, pulling him back in. Page slams Steiner to the canvas then drives him with a sling shot right into the cage again. The Master of the Diamond Cutter starts climbing the cage, but the former champion refuses to give up and goes after him. They fight on the top of the cage until Steiner gets the better of Page and powerslams him to the canvas. DDP and Steiner exchange blows further until Steiner drives Page into the cage. Scotty hits a Frankenstiner on Page then exits through the door.
Steiner wins (10:23)
Booker T makes his way down to the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Scott Steiner vs. Booker T
The two men who squared off two weeks ago on Monday Nitro have a return match, this time however Steiner is at a huge disadvantage having recently wrestled one former WCW Champion already. Booker dominates Big Poppa Pump as Midajah watches on outside the ring. Booker drops Steiner with the scissor kick then continues to ram the former champion repeatedly into the turnbuckle. Booker continues to capitalize on the condition of Scott Steiner and drops him with a DDT. He then starts to climb the cage, but Midajah attempts to save Scotty by climbing from the outside. She meets with Booker at the top and slaps him across the face. Booker toys with Midajah long enough for Steiner to get up and powerbomb Booker to the canvas. Steiner starts working the back of the Booker T, setting up for the Steiner Recliner. The battle between the two of them continue as Booker is left to the mercy of Steiner. Big Poppa Pump slams Booker’s lower back into the cage repeatedly. Steiner slams Booker to the canvas then pulls out a pair of brass knucks which he uses to bust booker wide open. Steiner knocks him out then walks out of the cage.
Steiner wins (6:30)
WCW’s saviour makes his way down to the ring as Sting hopes to finally end Steiner’s momentum and become WCW World Champion once again.
Scott Steiner vs. Sting
Sting jumps the former WCW Champion outside the ring. They brawl in the entrance way before Sting picks him up and slams him face first into the cage. Steiner is pulled into the cage by Sting who then shuts the door and continues the assault on Big Poppa Pump. Steiner begs for mercy but the Stinger is relentless in his assault. Steiner is whipped into the corner and slammed with the Stinger Splash. The icon follows up with slamming Steiner face first to the ground Sting gives out a Woo to the crowd as Tony and the King send the show back to break.
-Commercial Break-
Returning from break, Sting continues to keep the momentum in his corner; working on the legs of Scott Steiner in hopes to set up the scorpion death lock. Steiner nails Sting with the low blow then follows up with a couple of uppercuts before sending him face first into the cage. Both men collapse on the ground momentarily. The fans in Charlotte are solidly behind Sting as he fights back to his feet, but Steiner is the first to get back up. Big Poppa Pump slams Sting with a belly to back suplex then starts badmouthing the crowd before climbing the cage wall. Sting follows up after and the two of them have an exchange leading to both falling off the cage wall and back to the canvas. Ric Flair comes down and gets in the corner of Big Poppa Pump. Sting gets up and starts crawling towards the cage door. Referee Nick Patrick opens the door for Sting as he starts crawling out of the cage, but Flair wouldn’t see it and slams the cage door square on the head of Sting. Flair climbs through the door and beats Sting down with a series of rights to the side of his head. Steiner finally gets up and Flair helps him out of the cage and wins the WCW Heavyweight Championship of the World.
NEW WCW Heavyweight Champion of the World, Scott Steiner (12:40)
Eric Bischoff comes out and applauds Scott Steiner on his victory and recapturing the WCW Heavyweight Championship of the World. Eric Bischoff introduces the man who will be competing for the WCW Title at Slamboree as the man who never lost the title.
Video: Hollywood Hulk Hogan returns to Slamboree.
Scott Steiner is pissed off as Nitro goes off the air.
WCW and Snickers present
SLAMBOREE
WCW Heavyweight Championship of the World
Scott Steiner (c) w. Midajah vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan
