Monday Nitro

Gainsville, Florida
March 19, 2001

One night removed from the spectacular Greed PPV, WCW was still red hot as they rolled into Gainesville for another edition of Monday Nitro. Eric Bischoff made a huge announcement about The Night of Champions Nitro from Panama City, inviting all former WCW world champions next week to the season finale. At the end of the broadcast, when the time came for Ric Flair to kiss Dusty Rhodes' ass, The American Dream brought a white donkey out, claiming that his ass was ready to be kissed.

The show started with a video, "Memoriam for DDP" from the WCW Champion, Scott Steiner. Taps played as the Nitro Vision showed DDP's picture interspersed with pictures of a trailer park.

Interview: The Magnificent Seven
Big Poppa Pump took the mic first, bragging about his win over Diamond Dallas Page at the Greed pay per view. The Nature Boy was next, echoing the champion's statements before turning his attention to his Greed match against the Rhodes family. Flair twisted the story around by claiming victory, prompting The American Dream and Dustin to appear on the big screen. Big Dust promised that before the night was over, the CEO would kiss his Texan ass. Booker T came to the stage, immediately telling Steiner to shut up. T said he spoke with "the man" earlier, and told Big Poppa to be in the ring in one hour with the title.

Backstage, Animal and Buff Bagwell screamed at their cameraman for not being there when Bagwell was attacked in the dressing room. The two had questions about Lex Luger's allegiance and told the cameraman to follow The Total Package everywhere.

Jason Jett d. Disqo with Mike Sanders
Disqo introduced Mike Sanders as his new best friend. The dancing fool told Alex Wright to watch him take Jason Jett apart, the same man who beat Wright the week before. Jett worked Disqo over until Sanders tripped the newcomer up, allowing the tide to turn. Disqo worked over the left leg of Jason, showing his experience in the match. Sanders came in behind the referee's back, but Jett sent him reeling over the ropes, once again evening up the odds. Jett took over the match and, in the end, hit his patented release suplex to score the win.

Backstage, the cameraman peeked in on a conversation between Ric Flair and Jeff Jarrett.

WCW Cruiserweight Title Match
"Sugar" Shane Helms d. Billy Kidman
The new Cruiserweight Champion got the mic and offered the first title shot to Billy Kidman, the man whose place he took in the tournament. The two shook hands and locked up with a series of headlocks and waist locks, before landing on the ringside floor. Shane flew over the top rope, crash landing onto Kidman, who was outside the ring. The counters and reversals continued, as the two put on a wrestling clinic for the fans. Billy went for a clothesline off the ropes, but Shane ducked and scooped him up, delivering the Vertabreaker for the win. Chavo Guerrero, Jr. ran in after Helms, with the new Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions, Kid Romeo and Elix Skipper on his heels. The three tripled up on Helms until Rey Mysterio and Kidman made the save, sending the cocky trio scurrying from the ring.

Backstage, the Magnificent Seven cameraman found Lex Luger knocked out on the dressing room floor. Animal and Bagwell wondered if Rick Steiner was involved in the attacks.

Bam Bam Bigelow told Shawn Stasiak that he would prove his point later in their rematch from Greed.

Bam Bam Bigelow d. "The Star" Shawn Stasiak with Stacy
Stacey welcomed everyone to the "Shawn & Stacy Show," introducing Shawn Stasiak to the ring. When Bigelow came in, Stasiak pulled his woman in front of him for protection. With Stacey out of the ring, the intensity picked up right where it left off in their Greed match, with both men all over each other. As Stacey tried to repeat her performance from the PPV, she overthrew the hairspray, as the bottle landed at Bam Bam's feet. He tossed it to Stasiak, punched him, and delivered the Greetings From Asbury Park for the win. After the bell, Stasiak said that he wanted another chance with the Beast From The East. Bigelow said that the only way he would get back in the ring with Shawn was if, upon winning the match, he was able to tattoo "the little whining woman." Stacey shook her head no, but Stasiak agreed for her. Bam Bam acknowledged the acceptance and told "The Star" that the woman he was talking about was Shawn himself.

The Big Announcement
Big Poppa Pump, Midajah, and Ric Flair entered the ring, with the world champion backing Terry Taylor in the corner. Booker T came out and introduced Eric Bischoff via telephone. Bischoff announced that next week's Nitro would be The Night Of Champions, with all WCW titles on the line. Eric announced that Scott Steiner would face off against Booker T in a title vs. title match, going on to suggest that Ric Flair go through with his word and kiss Dusty's ass. Bischoff finished up by inviting any former world champion to show up on Nitro next week with their boots, ready for action.

Backstage, Buff Bagwell told Jeff Jarrett and Ric Flair that he, Animal, and Lex Luger were going to confront Rick Steiner about the attacks.

Kanyon d. Smooth
Smooth was seeking revenge as he stepped in with the innovator of offense, Kanyon. The massive limo driver took Kanyon to task on the outside, but Chris fought back, slamming the big man to the mat. Smooth delivered a powerbomb, followed by a big splash, but only got a two count. Animal ran in, hitting a DDT on Smooth as the referee argued with Kanyon on the floor. Kanyon scored the 1-2-3, but The Cat ran in after the match, joining Smooth in running their foes from the ring. Miller challenged Kanyon and Animal to a tag match for Thunder.

Backstage, Dusty Rhodes bellied up to the burrito platter once again, preparing for Ric Flair to kiss his ass.

Disqualification - Rick Steiner d. Konnan
Konnan and Steiner almost immediately went to the floor, using the guardrail as a weapon as both men tried to end the battle early. On the inside, The Dog Faced Gremlin continued his attack on K-Dogg, angry about his loss of the US Title one night earlier. Konnan connected with Rolling Thunder and a face jam, but Rick exploded with a series of suplexes to regain control. After a release powerslam suplex, the DFG sensed victory until Shane Douglas interfered, jumping Steiner to cause the DQ. The Franchise left, but Hugh Morrus ran in, sending Rick fleeing.

Backstage, Bagwell, Animal, and Luger asked Rick Steiner what was going on. The DFG took offense, telling the trio to get out of his dressing room.

Lance Storm said that he and Mike Awesome were going to defeat Palumbo and O'Haire to earn a shot at the tag team titles.

Non-Title Match
Lance Storm and Mike Awesome d. Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire
Storm showed his wrestling skills as he locked up with Palumbo, but the champions proved that they would do anything to keep their straps, matching everything Team Canada had to dish out. Awesome and Storm doubled up on O'Haire, making quick tags to keep a fresh man in the ring. A frustrated Palumbo tried to get in repeatedly, but referee Nick Patrick held him back. Finally getting the hot tag, Palumbo cleaned house on the Canadians, landing with a shoulder block from the top. As O'Haire went up for the Seanton Bomb, Storm knocked him to the floor, as Awesome clobbered Palumbo with a chair. One Awesome Bomb later, and Team Canada had the victory, putting them in line for a shot at the gold.

Dusty came out with a white donkey, presenting "Dusty's Ass" for the CEO to kiss. Flair and Jarrett feigned dissension, attacking Dustin until Dusty made the save. The father and son duo pulled the Nature Boy toward the donkey and Flair kissed the ass ... literally to end the show.