Monday Nitro
Panama City Beach,
Florida
March 25, 2001
In the final installment of WCW Monday Nitro on TNT, fans were treated to a night of title matches and tradition, as Ric Flair and Sting wrestled in the main event on the most anticipated night in pro wrestling history. The biggest story coming out of the show was a big announcement by Vince McMahon, who told the world that he had purchased World Championship Wrestling. Vince, however, got the biggest surprise of all, when his own son, Shane appeared on Nitro and announced to the world that a McMahon did indeed buy WCW - that McMahon being Shane himself.
The show opened with Vince McMahon, live backstage from the RAW tapings, letting everyone know that he purchased WCW and that the fate of the company would be revealed later in a special simulcast.
Tony Schiavone and Scott Hudson pondered Mr. McMahon's words as they ran down the lineup for the final Nitro on TNT.
Interview: Ric Flair
The Nature Boy immediately commented about Vince McMahon's
announcement, claiming that the WCW wrestlers had held their own
against the WWF for years; bragging that he was at the top of his
game when Vince was just an announcer. Flair gave a heartfelt
speech about his time in WCW, putting over everyone he had worked
with, before challenging Sting to a match on the final TNT Nitro.
WCW World Heavyweight Title vs.
United States Heavyweight Title
Booker T d. "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner with Midajah
Steiner came to the ring first with Midajah by his side,
ready to take on the challenge of Booker T, the current US
Champion. Out of the first exchange, Booker ducked a Steinerline,
releasing a Harlem sidekick to set the tone for the bout. On the
outside, Midajah slapped T across the face as Big Poppa Pump
swung the lead pipe, barely missing Booker's head as the pipe
slammed into the ringpost. Steiner used his power to clamp on a
surfboard variation, but the US titleholder fought out of the
move, feeding off the cheers of the fans. T hit the axe kick and
the Harlem sidekick, but Big Poppa countered the Bookend, driving
his opponent over with a suplex for a close two-count. As Steiner
went for a powerbomb, Booker floated through and connected on his
second Bookend attempt, this time scoring the 1-2-3 to become the
WCW World Champion once again.
Backstage from RAW, Mr. McMahon spoke on the phone, putting down the location that WCW chose for their final Nitro show.
Cruiserweight Tag Team #1
Contenders Match
Billy Kidman & Rey Mysterio, Jr. d. The Jung Dragons and 3
Count
Moore, Hayashi, and Kidman started out first, exchanging
tremendous moves before Mysterio brought the crowd alive with a
dive over the top rope to the outside. A chain reaction followed,
with each man flying over the top in high-risk fashion; each with
their own special aerial attack. The Dragons doubled up on Moore
for a pin attempt, but Karagias made the save, keeping the match
alive. Rey charged in for the BroncoBuster, but was met with a
Shannon Moore foot, sending the youngster reeling. Mysterio, Jr.
recovered and was able to land with a guillotine legdrop onto a
weary Moore to get the win, moving on to the championship match
later in the show.
Backstage at RAW, Vince had to end his telephone conversation early as Trish walked in with champagne, ready to celebrate. McMahon told Trish that he had a better idea, grabbing his blonde bombshell in a lip lock on the couch.
WCW Cruiserweight Title Match
"Sugar" Shane Helms d. Chavo Guerrero, Jr.
Chavo attacked the Cruiserweight Champion from behind, trying
to take the title back in quick fashion. Helms hit a neckbreaker
to let Guerrero know that the quest would not be an easy one, but
Chavo stayed strong, knocking "Sugar" Shane to the
outside. Back in the ring, a series of near falls ensued, with
each competitor pulling out all the stops in this all-important
title match. Chavo countered a Vertabreaker attempt, setting
Helms for the brainbuster. The champion reversed the momentum,
finally delivering the Vertabreaker, this time with authority to
take the victory.
Backstage, Booker T stood as a double champion, promising to prove his worthiness at the top of WCW.
Backstage at RAW, Vince McMahon and Trish were interrupted by Michael Cole, who asked about the concerns of the WCW fans and wrestlers. Vince kicked Cole out of the room, threatening the job security of the WWF announcer.
WCW World Tag Team Title Match
Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire d. Mike Awesome and Lance Storm
Storm called for the Canadian national anthem as the Spring
Break fans jeered Team Canada, displaying their disapproval.
O'Haire and Palumbo made quick tags, working over the leader of
Team Canada. Awesome tagged into the match, going toe to toe with
Palumbo. O'Haire came into the contest, but was doubled up on,
prompting Palumbo to return, evening up the odds. As Storm was
knocked to the outside, Palumbo hit the Jungle kick, setting
O'Haire to land the Seanton Bomb, retaining the tag team gold.
"The Star" Shawn
Stasiak with Stacey d. Bam Bam Bigelow
Stacey teased a striptease for the college fans, but turned
her nose at the crowd, instead introducing her man, "The
Star" Shawn Stasiak to the ring. Bam Bam came out with the
tattoo kit as this grudge match got underway. Sean went to the
top, but missed a bodypress, allowing Bigelow to continue his
assault. As Bam Bam went for the Greetings From Asbury Park,
Stacey grabbed Stasiak's legs, putting her man in control and
leading him to the win after a hangman's neckbreaker.
Backstage at RAW, William Regal questioned Mr. McMahon about his purchase of WCW; telling the boss that it may not have been the wisest decision. Vince reassured Regal that he had everything under control.
In a clip from earlier in the day, Diamond Dallas Page thanked the WCW fans and his wife, Kimberly for their years of support, telling everyone that he was ready to take it to another level.
A video package aired, showcasing the many champions that have graced the rings of WCW over the past decades.
Backstage at RAW, Vince McMahon hung up the phone, telling whoever was on the other end that it was "just about time."
WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team
Title Match
Billy Kidman and Rey Mysterio, Jr. d. "Prime Time" Elix
Skipper and Kid Romeo
Kidman and Mysterio worked hard, realizing the opportunity
that they had to take the Cruiserweight titles. Skipper used the
matrix to escape a pin attempt, before leveling Billy with a
swift back kick to the head. Rey got the tag into the match,
exploding on the champions. Kidman hit the baseball slide on
Skipper in the corner, setting Rey for the BroncoBuster. Romeo
made the save for his partner, starting a swing of near falls
that ended with the Kid Krusher that led Rey and Billy to become
the second only Cruiserweight champions.
Backstage, Sting said that he wouldn't have missed the Night of Champions for anything. The painted hero promised that he and The Nature Boy would tear it down one more time for WCW.
Backstage at RAW, Mr. McMahon walked toward the ring, presumably ready to make his announcement.
Sting d. "The Nature
Boy" Ric Flair
Sting and Flair locked horns once again, ready to relive
history for the WCW fans in attendance and around the world.
Flair showed respect for Sting's strength, backing into the
corner after a press slam. The dirtiest player in the game got
The Stinger close enough to land a low blow, just out of sight of
the referee, Charles Robinson. Ric landed stinging chops to the
chest of Sting, but the 7-time champion was powered by the fans,
who brought him back in the game. Flair locked on his trademark
figure four leglock, wearing down the legs of the painted
warrior. Sting got back to his feet and applied the Scorpion
Death Lock for the win. Flair and Sting embraced after the match,
showing the tremendous respect they had for each other.
The Live RAW Simulcast
The show switched live to the RAW broadcast, where Mr.
McMahon promised to officially sign the WCW contract at
WrestleMania - when Ted Turner walks the contract into the ring.
Vince bragged about how he squeezed the life out of WCW, stating
that he would do the same to his son, Shane at the upcoming PPV.
McMahon thought about what he would do with WCW, pondering the
choices of whom he would keep in the group. He took a poll with
the fans, mentioning Hulk Hogan, Lex Luger, Buff Bagwell, Booker
T, Scott Steiner, Sting, and Goldberg. McMahon said that if he
was in Florida, he would walk up to each and every one of the WCW
stars and fire them all, because he was shelving WCW. Shane
McMahon's music started to play, but he didn't walk out into the
RAW arena - he walked out on Nitro, shocking the entire world!
Shane told his father that there was no need for Ted Turner to
show up at WrestleMania to bring the contract, because it was
already signed. Mr. McMahon and the rest of the wrestling world
stood in shock as Shane McMahon made the announcement that he had
signed the contract, and was now the official owner of World
Championship Wrestling.