Monday Nitro

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
January 23, 2001

As the power struggle for control of WCW continued on this week's Nitro, CEO Ric Flair and Commissioner, The Cat set up another blockbuster card for the fans. As the two went back and forth with stipulation after counter stipulation, after the dust settled, it was Big Sexy, Kevin Nash who found himself on his way to SuperBrawl for a shot at the WCW Heavyweight Title.

In a clip from last week, Buff Bagwell, Lex Luger, Jeff Jarrett, and Scott Steiner made fun of Sid Vicious' injury, watching it over and over while breaking chicken wing bones.

Tony Schiavone and Scott Hudson spoke of the sale of WCW, speculating on Ric Flair's intentions as the CEO.

Interview: Ric Flair
The CEO announced Animal as his personal bodyguard, before berating the fans at ringside. He praised Luger and Bagwell, and stated that Jarrett and Big Poppa Pump were on their way to the arena. Flair talked about the time he put into deciding the new number one contender for the WCW Title, before finally announcing the big name ... Alex Wright. Alex came to the stage, but as soon as he opened his mouth, Kevin Nash arrived to break up the interview. When the German star struck Big Sexy, he was treated to a Jackknife powerbomb through the stage. Kevin claimed that he was now the new number one contender, and called The Cat to the stage to back him up. The commissioner told The Nature Boy that he had already booked Nash against Steiner for the title at SuperBrawl. When Flair announced Nash against Buff for Nitro in a qualifying match for the contender's spot with Luger as the referee, The Cat upped it once again, booking The Total Package one on one with DDP, with the winner to ref the match. Big Sexy ended the interview stating that he was going to drive a stake through the hearts of Flair and his men.

Backstage, Mike Sanders told Chavo Guerrero, Jr. that Ric Flair thought he was the next big star in WCW.

Backstage, Flair stopped Big Poppa and Jeff Jarrett in the hallway, wanting to tell them about the night's upcoming events.

No Contest - Michael Modest vs. "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels
Modest and Daniels were quick as they countered and reversed each other, bringing the crowd to their feet. The Fallen Angel missed an attempt from the ropes, giving Modest the opportunity to take control. The action continued fast and furious, with Daniels delivering a splash on his opponent to the outside. Back in the ring, both competitors tried to put the other away as Modest used a dragon suplex and a handstand huracanrana, while Daniels flew through the air with a beautiful moonsault. As a flying body press sent both men to the floor, Scott Steiner charged the scene, dropping Modest and Daniels hard with suplexes before snapping their ankles with his lead pipe.

Interview: "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner with Midajah
Big Poppa told Sid that he was injured not by a freak accident, but because he came off the ropes and ran into the massive chest of the world champion. Steiner warned Kevin Nash that he, just like Sting and Booker T, was going to feel the wrath of Big Poppa Pump.

Interview: Kwee Wee with Paisley
"Angry Alan" entered the ring, complaining again to Ric Flair about not being invited to join his elite group. After challenging anyone from the back or from the crowd to a fight, Kwee Wee started a fight with one of the WCW security guards. He laid out the guard and told Flair to reconsider.

Lance Storm with Team Canada d. Konnan with The Filthy Animals
Lance Storm challenged Konnan to a match to determine the winner of the Team Canada/Filthy Animal war. The Animals came out and Konnan accepted the challenge, getting the fans on his side. K-Dogg applied a leg submission early, but Storm reversed it, showing his dominant mat skills. Soon, the Animals and Team Canada were fighting on the floor as Storm rolled through the legs of Konnan, slapping on the Canadian Maple Leaf for the win.

Backstage, Luger and Bagwell told Shane Douglas that he was on Ric Flair's list of top prospects for the elite group. Totally Buff told The Franchise that all he had to do was take out the WCW commissioner later in the show.

Mean Gene Interview: General Rection and Corporal Cajun
Cajun told the General that he would stick by him till the end. Rection demanded that Cajun hand in his MIA shirt, letting Lash Leroux know that they needed to go back to who they were, reintroducing himself as Hugh Morrus.

"The Total Package" Lex Luger d. Diamond Dallas Page
Page locked on a hammerlock, but The Package was quick to get to the ropes to break the hold. Luger used a low blow out of the referee's sight to take over, sending the king of badda bing to the mat, writhing in pain. Lex worked on the back of DDP, softening him up for the Torture Rack. As Luger posed in the center of the ring, Page saw the opportunity to spring from the corner, getting his second wind. Dallas signaled for the Diamond Cutter, but inadvertently hit the referee in the process. Jeff Jarrett came out and clocked Page with the guitar, allowing Luger to apply the Rack and become the referee for the main event.

Disqualification - Johnny The Bull and Big Vito d. Mark Jindrak and Sean Stasiak
The Bull and Vito doubled up on The Thrillers, showing that The Mamalukes hadn't lost a step in the months since teaming up. Jindrak showed tremendous agility as he sprung off the ropes for an Asai moonsault on Vito. With all four men in the ring, the referee struggled to regain control. As Vito and Jindrak both went for the pin, Chuck Palumbo and Sean O' Haire ran out and up on the apron, prompting Scott James to call for the disqualification, giving the match to The Mamalukes.

Backstage, The Thrillers argued amongst themselves. Ric Flair pulled Sanders aside, giving him advice on how to handle the situation.

No DQ Match
The Cat with Ms. Jones d. "The Franchise" Shane Douglas
Douglas told The Cat that he was there to do a job for Ric Flair - take out the commissioner. Miller came out and claimed that he was about to take the US Title. Flair appeared on the Nitro Vision, stating that not only was the title NOT on the line, but the commissionership WAS on the line in a No DQ match. Before Ric could even finish talking, The Franchise took The Cat to the mat as he smashed the microphone across his head. Miller fought back strong, however, bringing Douglas from corner to corner, much to the delight of the fans. Sanders ran in, but was sent to the floor by The Cat. Sean O' Haire was in next, but was thwarted by Rick Steiner, who knocked Shane in the mouth, lining him up for the Feliner that took Miller to victory. After the bout, The Dog Faced Gremlin danced with The Cat and Ms. Jones.

Chavo Guerrero, Jr. and The Wall d. Hugh Morrus and Lash Leroux
The former General went right after Chavo, as The Wall flattened Lash with a huge boot to the face. The Cruiserweight Champion worked on his former teammate Lash, delivering stinging forearms on the ropes. The two went back and forth as the big men waited on the apron, cheering their partners on. Morrus couldn't wait any longer, as he attacked The Wall from the outside, on the floor. Back in the ring, Chavo secured the pin on Leroux to take the win for his team.

"Big Sexy" Kevin Nash d. Buff Bagwell
Luger got on the mic and promised that he would call the match right down the middle. Buff posed at the bell, but was met with a knee to the midsection, and driven into the corner for more. Luger tried to pull Nash away as Bagwell was on the ropes, but as Big Sexy turned around, Lex backed off. The Package helped Buff drop Nash across the top rope, swaying the advantage in the match. After missing two wild swings, Nash caught Bagwell on a third trip off the ropes, crushing him with a huge side slam. Big Sexy repeatedly went for the cover, but Luger would count slow, causing the big man to go after the official. Package kicked Kevin low and held a chair in front of Nash's face for a Bagwell dropkick. Buff hit the blockbuster, but as Lex went down to count, DDP hit the ring, leveling Luger with the Diamond Cutter. Nash delivered a Jackknife and used Lex's hand to count the three. After the bout, Big Poppa, KroniK, and Road Warrior Animal entered the melee as Nitro came to a close.