Monday Nitro
Denver, Colorado
April 10, 2000
For the past two weeks, Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo promised to blow the roof off the Pepsi Center when the "new" WCW debuted. Boy, was that an understatement. It was a new start for WCW, and a new day for the mass of superstars known as the "New Blood." Russo and Bischoff told the world they would shake things up, and they did. By the end of the night, Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan were both sent to the hospital and Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo were left to explain the ruthless ways of their unholy alliance to The Hitman, Bret Hart.
The show opened with many of the WCW superstars in the ring, waiting for a meeting called by Vince Russo to begin. The last participant to the ring was Jeff Jarrett, who dissed the former WCW regime and introduced Russo to the ring. Mr. Russo came out to the tune of "Iron Man," ready to take the wrestling world by storm. He too ripped apart the former men in charge and said that the backstage egofests and political banter was over. He told the men in the ring that it was their day now. Over the sound system, Eric Bischoff's voice asked if Russo was done yet. Easy E made his way to the ring, looking refreshed and ready for the battle. He entered the ring and hugged Russo, solidifying their unity. Bischoff agreed that he had made many mistakes, naming many of the veteran WCW superstars, including Hulk Hogan as some of them. Both men agreed that WCW had been run by the wrong people as of late, and said that the "good ole' boy" network was out. In the back, DDP, Sting, Lex Luger and Sid Vicious watched on a monitor in the back, before making their way to the stage. Russo was very derogatory toward Ric Flair, calling him a "piece of s*** on the bottom of his shoe." They announced that all of the WCW titles were vacated, and told everyone to give up their straps. Everyone did. Everyone but Sid, that is. Vicious told Bischoff to come up the ramp and get it. Eric walked up face to face with Sid, insulting and slandering him, all the while reminding Vicious he would be fired if he touched him. Sid gave the belt to Bischoff, who said the new champion would be decided at Spring Stampede.
Tony Schiavone, Mark Madden and Scott Hudson talked of what had just transpired; wondering what Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair would have to say about the verbal bashings they received. Schiavone announced that there would be a four-man tournament held in the night's program, with the winner facing Jeff Jarrett for the WCW gold at the PPV.
Outside, Hulk Hogan arrives to the Pepsi Center, unaware of what has transpired.
Backstage, Sting tells Hulk Hogan that Eric Bischoff ran him down in a big way. Sting assured the Hulkster that he was serious. Hogan said he was too, and stormed from the dressing room.
WCW World Title Tournament
Match
Diamond Dallas Page with Kimberly d. The Total Package with
Elizabeth
The entrance music for DDP and Package was cut off as they made
their way to the ring. Both men realized the importance of the
match, and laid in with everything they had. Page, sporting a new
haircut, was kicked down into the corner by The Total Package,
who chose to work over the back of DDP. Out of nowhere, Buff
Bagwell's music played and out he walked. Buff Daddy made
advances toward both Kimberly and Elizabeth. This distracted both
men and, after Buff laid a kiss on Liz, Luger lost all
concentration and was dropped with the Diamond Cutter, chalking
up the win for the King of Badda Bing, DDP. He was treated to
about five seconds of his music before it was cut off again.
Backstage, Curt Hennig asks Vince Russo what the deal is with Jarrett getting the WCW Title shot at Spring Stampede. Russo says that if Hennig can defeat The Chosen One later in the show, he can have the title shot.
Backstage, Hulk Hogan goes from one dressing room to the next looking for Eric Bischoff.
Interview: Tank Abbot
Tank Abbot came to the ring and said that he was still looking
for the man he came to WCW for ... Bill Goldberg. He stated that
Goldberg was afraid and Tank would start beating the hell out of
people until his challenged was answered. Around the ring he
went, stopping at the announcer's table. He grabbed Mark Madden
and threw him into the ring. Once inside, Abbot unmercifully
attacked the announcer until WCW security came to his aid.
Backstage, Jeff Jarrett asks Russo why he is scheduled to wrestle on the program. Russo acts offended, saying he isn't JJ Dillon.
Backstage, Billy Kidman tells Torrie to stay put as he goes to take care of some business.
Backstage, Hulk Hogan asks Terry Taylor if he has seen Bischoff. Taylor points him in the right direction. Finally, Hogan approaches Bischoff, who brings him into his office to explain.
Interview: Billy Kidman
Kidman said that he had been used and abused for years, and
wasn't going to take it anymore. He focused his attacked on Hulk
Hogan, who had bad-mouthed Billy for weeks. He berated the former
world champion and called him out for a fight. In the back, Hogan
came out of Bischoff's dressing room, just in time to see Kidman
make the challenge on the monitor. The Hulkster came to the ring
and confronted Billy, telling Kidman he made all the younger
stars look bad with his whining. After Hogan made a comment
regarding Torrie, Kidman attacked, kicking Hulk to the ringside
floor. On the outside, Hogan took over, slamming Kidman's
shoulder into the ringpost, before tossing him back inside.
Bischoff came out with a steel chair, and signaled for Hogan to
pick Kidman up. As he did, Eric cracked the chair across Hogan's
head, opening up a cut across his forehead. Kidman covered Hogan
and Bischoff counted a three count.
Outside, Ric Flair arrives at the arena, wondering what has gone down.
Backstage, a bloody Hulk Hogan storms around the halls, destroying everything in his sight as he looks for the new boss, Eric Bischoff.
Backstage, Ric Flair watches the opening segment on a monitor.
Interview: Ric Flair
Flair said he heard what Vince Russo said in the opening segment.
He told Vince to put away the word "old," and to just
call him great. He compared himself to the great John Elway,
which really got the Denver crowd riled up. The Nature Boy
challenged Russo to come to the ring. Scott Steiner's music hit
and Big Poppa Pump came to the stage. Steiner told Flair that he
got to be the 14-time champion by having his friends pull the
strings. Poppa Pump continued to insult Flair before, out of
nowhere, Shane Douglas attacked the Nature Boy, laying him out
with a chain.
Backstage, Kevin Nash arrives at the arena.
Bret Hart was shown in the audience, watching the show as a spectator.
Backstage, Flair storms around looking for Douglas
Interview: Shane Douglas
Mean Gene told Douglas he didn't work for WCW anymore, since he
asked for, and received his release. Shane said he would do
whatever he wanted, stating he had hated Flair for years. He told
Gene that Flair hadn't heard the last of "The
Franchise."
WCW World Title Tournament
Match
Count Out - Sting d. Sid Vicious
Sting was on fire early, landing a Stinger Splash in the corner
on the "master and ruler of the world." The action
spilled to the floor, with big Sid taking control in the
all-important title contention match. Sid wore Sting down with a
rear chin lock, trying anything to take the victory. With both
men down after a double clothesline, The Wall made his way to
ringside, table in hand. He set it up outside the ring the ring
and made his way in with a steel chair. He hit Sid across the
back and brought him to the floor, where he chokeslammed him
through the table. The referee counted Vicious out, and Sting won
the match via count out.
Interview: Ric Flair
Ric Flair came back to the ring and said he was sick of hearing
about Shane's problem with him. He challenged Douglas to a match
for later in the broadcast.
Backstage, Hulk Hogan continues to destroy the hallways in his search for Eric Bischoff and Billy Kidman.
A clip was shown from the "Ready To Rumble" movie premiere in Los Angeles.
Jeff Jarrett d. Curt Hennig
Hennig and Jarrett started the fight in the aisleway, and quickly
made their way around ringside and onto the announcer's table.
Jarrett gained the upper hand, dropping Hennig's throat across
the ring rope. The two fought back and forth as Hennig's former
music played on the sound system, and out walked Shawn Stasiak.
As Stasiak came to the ring, the referee was inadvertently
knocked down. Shawn entered the ring and attacked Curt, setting
him up for Jarrett who, after delivering The Stroke, got the pin.
Backstage, Hulk Hogan searches the skyboxes in the Pepsi Center, still trying to find Bischoff.
Backstage, Kevin Nash is shown talking on a cell phone.
Interview: Sting
Sting told Eric Bischoff he has been a company man since 1988. He
said he would take out WCW's golden boy, Jeff Jarrett.
No Contest - Ric Flair vs.
Shane Douglas
Flair grabbed Douglas as he entered, starting the long awaited
fight between the two. Out on the floor, the Nature Boy ripped
open the shirt and laid in the chops to the self-proclaimed
franchise. They fought all over, in and out of the ring, taking
seven years of frustration out on one another. Russo entered
himself into the mix, coming out with a baseball bat. As Douglas
held Flair's legs, Russo slammed the Nature Boy with the bat,
sending him to the mat. The new sheriff gave the bat to Douglas,
who destroyed Flair, leaving him lying as they walked away with
Flair's Rolex watch.
Interview: Kevin Nash
Nash said he heard what Russo and Bischoff said and told them to
come try to take him out. Big Sexy warned the new bosses that it
wouldn't be easy to get rid of The Outsiders. As Nash talked, he
was attacked. The newcomer said he couldn't pass up an
opportunity like the return of Bischoff and Russo.
Outside, Hulk Hogan told his lawyer on the phone that he wanted the situation taken care of by the time he returned home. Suddenly, a white Hummer sped toward the limousine, smashing into it several times. Eric Bischoff and Billy Kidman got out and Bischoff yelled to Hogan, who was still in the wreck, "never trust a guy in a white Hummer!"
Backstage, as an unconscious Hulk Hogan is being strapped to a stretcher, Bischoff and Kidman come calling again. They spray paint the initials "NB" on his chest, signifying the calling of the New Blood.
WCW World Title Tournament
Match
Diamond Dallas Page with Kimberly d. Sting
After both men entered the ring, Jeff Jarrett joined Schiavone
and Hudson at the announcer's table. Sting took out the big guns
early, delivering two huge splashes in the corner on DDP. Page
came back, but was sent to the floor; just in time to see Jarrett
making a move toward Kimberly. He spun Jarrett around and slugged
him, as the referee tried to break up the fight. While all this
was going on, Vampiro hit the ring and dropped his "brother
in paint" Sting with the Nail In The Coffin. DDP slid back
in and one Diamond Cutter later, he was on his way to Spring
Stampede for a shot at the WCW World Title. The Chosen One snuck
in and swung the guitar at Page. He ducked, and Kimberly took the
full shot over the head with the six stringer.
Interview: Jeff Jarrett
Backstage, Russo and Bischoff told Jarrett to go back out into
the arena and receive his adulation from the Denver crowd. The
Chosen One said that only six days remained until he took what
has been rightfully his since he came back to WCW ... the
heavyweight championship. He told DDP that he could show Kimberly
what a real man was all about. This prompted Page to charge the
ring after Jarrett. The two fought until Big Poppa Pump entered,
jumping on DDP. Lex Luger came to the rescue and soon, the ring
started to fill with members of both "The New Blood"
and "The Millionaires Club." The NB got the advantage
and Jarrett stood atop the turnbuckle, saluting Bischoff and
Russo, who had made their way to the stage. As they turned to
leave, Bret Hart stood behind them and stared them down, as the
brand new Monday Nitro went off the air.