Monday Nitro

Fort Wayne, Indiana
January 15, 2001

As backstage footage aired of last night's Sin PPV, fans were shocked as Ric Flair showed his allegiance to not only the returning Road Warrior Animal, but to Big Poppa Pump as well. As Nitro got underway, "the elite" came out with a mock funeral for Goldberg, and announced to the world that they were taking over the "new" WCW.

In exclusive footage from last night, Scott Steiner, Jeff Jarrett, and Road Warrior Animal walked backstage after the main event, hugging Buff Bagwell, Lex Luger, and to the shock of everyone, Ric Flair.

Footage was aired of Sid Vicious destroying his ankle as he jumped from the second rope onto Scott Steiner, landing directly on the ankle, which folded in half under his weight. He underwent surgery earlier in the day, where a metal rod was implanted into the leg.

The Bill Goldberg "Funeral"
Buff Bagwell and Lex Luger, dressed in black suits, led a "funeral procession" to the ring, mourning the loss of Bill Goldberg's career. A casket was brought into the ring and Lex delivered a eulogy, as a memorial picture was shown on the Nitro Vision. Bagwell continued the disrespect, encouraging everyone in the building to grieve openly. When Luger asked it anyone in the back had any words they wanted to add, Jeff Jarrett came out, placing one of his trademark guitars on top of the casket. The Chosen One feigned tears as he choked out a special memory ... the fact that Goldberg never beat him. All three then delivered high fives all around, before introducing Big Poppa Pump and Midajah, who even wore a veil to the "ceremony." Steiner told Sid that he was warned about taking on the champion, and was now suffering because of it. As Scott and Midajah opened the casket and spit on one of Goldberg's books that lay inside, Goldberg's music blared over the sound system, only to bring Ric Flair and Animal to the ring. The Nature Boy welcomed the audience to the "new" WCW, berating the ringside fans in the process. Flair declared the group in the ring the greatest collection of wrestlers ever assembled, and gave Steiner credit for breaking Sid's leg. Kevin Nash arrived to the stage and told Flair that although "Big Sexy" was still in Indianapolis, but "The Killer" was there in Fort Wayne to take Steiner's belt away. When Ric asked him why he was alone, Nash brought out DDP and Rick Steiner, Big Poppa's brother. The Cat joined the group on stage, making the Nash vs. Steiner match official.

Backstage, Ric Flair asked Crowbar if he was willing to be a team player.

WCW Cruiserweight Title Match
Chavo Guerrero, Jr. d. Crowbar with Daffney
Chavo went right after the challenger taking him down several times with his highflying maneuvers. This seemed to throw the hardcore wrestler off guard at first, but soon it was Crowbar toe to toe with the Cruiserweight Champion. Crowbar went for a huracanrana from the top, but Chavo held on to the rope, sending his opponent crashing to the mat. After a series of near falls inside, the two went to the floor, where the former gas station attendant dropped down with a splash from the apron. Crowbar set up a chair on the floor, but Guerrero flew over the top rope, smashing his face into the metal fixture. Back inside, Chavo delivered the Brainbuster to retain the gold.

Backstage, Luger and Bagwell told Bam Bam Bigelow that he was perfect for the new elite group.

Billy Kidman and Rey Mysterio, Jr. with Tygress d. 3 Count
All four men showed what Cruiserweight wrestling was all about, as they displayed not only their mat skills, but their kamikaze flying as well, diving onto one another from inside the ring to the floor. Kidman had Helms in a compromising position, but Sugar reversed, setting for the Vertabreaker. Billy countered that and delivered the Kid Krusher for the win. After the bell, Team Canada rushed the Animals, with Lance Storm challenging Kidman to a hair vs. hair match against Mike Awesome later in the show.

Backstage:

- KroniK asked The Cat if he would book a tag team title match against The Natural Born Thrillers. Miller said yes, and Adams let the commissioner know that his money was no longer good with KroniK - they would do work for The Cat for free.

- Team Canada jumped Billy Kidman, kicking him into the ground.

- Ric Flair tried to get Chavo Guerrero on the elite team. Mike Sanders came in and apologized to Flair for all of the problems between the two in the past. The Nature Boy told Sanders that he was going to make him the next "dirtiest player in the game."

- Luger and Bagwell spoke with General Rection, attempting to pull him onto the team.

WCW World Tag Team Title Match
Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire d. KroniK
Adams used his strength to shove Palumbo around, taking the youngster to the outside early. O'Haire tagged in for a try at big Brian, faring better as he took Adams down with a roundhouse kick to the head. Clark turned the tide again, taking The Thrillers to school with big power moves, but Palumbo and O'Haire stayed strong, bringing Clark once again to the canvas. As KroniK brought Sean up and down with the High Time, Jindrak and Stasiak came in, interfering behind the referee's back to set up the Seanton Bomb, and save the belts for The Thrillers.

Backstage:

- Danny Young told Kidman he was unable to work in the match. Konnan offered to take his place against Mike Awesome.

- Palumbo and O'Haire argued with Jindrak and Stasiak about their interference until Reno and Sanders arrived to break things up. Mike gave them all a pep talk about "strength in honor."

Hair vs. Hair Match
Konnan with Tygress d. "The Canadian Career Killer" Mike Awesome
Ric Flair got on the big screen, telling Konnan that if he lost the bout, Kidman would still get his head shaved. Awesome and K-Dogg fought inside and out of the ring, where the Canadian Career Killer tried to use the ringside steps as a weapon. Konnan reversed an Awesome Bomb attempt, delivering a face jam for a close near fall. Awesome flew with a frogsplash, but as he went up for a second, Konnan met him on top, bringing the big man down with a DDT for the win. K-Dogg took scissors and cut Awesome's hair after the match until Team Canada ran in.

Backstage:

- As Chavo approached General Rection to bury the hatchet, Rection walked away, telling the Cruiserweight Champion that he other things on his mind.

- Team Canada told Awesome that they would get revenge for the haircut.

The Cat with Ms. Jones d. Bam Bam Bigelow
The Cat told Ric Flair to send anyone out to the ring, because he was ready to fight. Bam Bam Bigelow charged the ring, jumping on the new commissioner. After a beat down by The Beast From The East, Miller moved out of the way of a charging Bigelow, getting his second wind. Cat delivered his wiggle elbow drop and got the 1-2-3 for the victory.

WCW United States Title match
"The Franchise" Shane Douglas d. General Rection
Shane challenged Rection to the ring for a rematch. Neither man gave an inch as they exchanged fists to the head, each trying to put the other away. The General was brutal in his attack, looking to exact revenge on his most hated rival. When Douglas pulled a chain from his boot, Rection tossed it to the outside, jumping on The Franchise some more. Chavo ran out and clobbered his former MIA cohort with the chain, allowing Shane to cover his opponent and retain his newly won championship.

Mike Tenay Interview: General Rection
Rection screamed at Guerrero, Jr., telling the youngster that he was sick of being General Rection, sick of being Hugh Morrus, and was ready to end Chavo's career.

WCW World Title Match
Disqualification - "The Killer" Kevin Nash d. "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner
Steiner and Nash locked horns hard, with "The Killer" getting the best of the champion with a series of huge elbows to the head. After brawling on the ringside floor, Scott gained control in the ring with a big belly-to-belly suplex, slowing Nash down considerably. Kevin fought out of a surfboard submission, delivering a side slam for a near fall. After a big boot, the straps came down, but the rest of the "elite" group charged in, causing a disqualification. DDP, Rick Steiner, and The Cat came out for the save as Nitro faded to black