WCW: The Fall and Rise.
Chapter One: The Last Nitro.
Panama City, FL. March 26th 2001.
The final Monday Nitro on TNT is set to air on the network. The talks for Vince McMahon's WWF to acquire had broken down in the weeks leading up to this show with Vince stating "WCW isn't worth the money they want for it. I'll just wait to take their big names. I made them anyway, just seems fitting that I take them back".
Backstage at WCW Panama City
"So… they won't take the news well"
"Don't expect them to. They're big boys. Guaranteed contracts with Turner. They won't be short of a few bucks for the next few years. And Vince will no doubt open that chequebook."
"When are we telling them?"
"Tonight. After the show. I don't want it to be common knowledge."
"Tonight. After the show. I don't want it to be common knowledge."
"I'm not going to lie. Even I'm saying this is risky. It's going to piss a lot of them in the back off"
"Piss them off how? Seeing me? Seeing YOU? Or just all of it. Let them be pissed. I don't care at this point. I'm just trying to keep this goddamn company away from Vince and the vultures in Connecticut. You know that. He fired you for not doing business. You might not like me but it's best for business."
Showtime.
The seconds were counting down. The talent backstage watched as the opening credits for Nitro played out on the monitors. The makeshift outdoor venue was filled with the WCW diehards cheering as loud as they could. If WCW was going out tonight, for them it was going to be on a high.
Tony Schiavone: Welcome to a landmark night in the industry of sports entertainment. Tonight is set to be a historic night as WCW airs its final show on TNT. My name is Tony Schiavone and alongside me is my broadcast partner Scott Hudson.
Tony Schiavone: Welcome to a landmark night in the industry of sports entertainment. Tonight is set to be a historic night as WCW airs its final show on TNT. My name is Tony Schiavone and alongside me is my broadcast partner Scott Hudson.
Scott Hudson: As many people know tonight is the last time WCW programming will air on TNT. But that doesn't mean WCW is done. If this is the last ever Nitro then it will be a night of champions.
TS: We have rumours that "The Icon" Sting is in the building as well as "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. Two legends not just of this company but this great sport that we call professional wrestling.
["Can You Dig It...Sucka starts]
TS: Our first match tonight sees United States Champion Booker T taking on World Heavyweight Champion 'Big Poppa Pump' Scott Steiner in a 'Winner Takes All' match with both titles on the line.
[Sirens blare. 'Holla If You Hear Me" plays]
Match #1: Booker T defeats Scott Steiner to retain the US title and become the four time WCW heavyweight champion. Post match Booker T & Steiner embrace with Steiner raising his opponents hand in victory.
TS: Our first match tonight sees United States Champion Booker T taking on World Heavyweight Champion 'Big Poppa Pump' Scott Steiner in a 'Winner Takes All' match with both titles on the line.
[Sirens blare. 'Holla If You Hear Me" plays]
Match #1: Booker T defeats Scott Steiner to retain the US title and become the four time WCW heavyweight champion. Post match Booker T & Steiner embrace with Steiner raising his opponents hand in victory.
WWF Raw Is War.
Vince McMahon: Tonight I want to say a few words about my competition, or at least it was, WCW. For years they were a thorn in my side and tried to run me out of business with the stars that I made. But I guess it's ironic that in the end even Vince McMahon's creations couldn't save Billionaire Ted's money pit. But we're still here. And what you have here is the very BEST in sports entertainment that is, was & ever will be. And to all the wrasslers there, if you want a job, just ask… and beg because I have your fates, in MY hands.
Vince McMahon: Tonight I want to say a few words about my competition, or at least it was, WCW. For years they were a thorn in my side and tried to run me out of business with the stars that I made. But I guess it's ironic that in the end even Vince McMahon's creations couldn't save Billionaire Ted's money pit. But we're still here. And what you have here is the very BEST in sports entertainment that is, was & ever will be. And to all the wrasslers there, if you want a job, just ask… and beg because I have your fates, in MY hands.
Match #2: The Filthy Animals (Rey Mysterio Jr & Billy Kidman) defeated Elix Skipper/Kid Romeo & The Yung Dragons (Kaz Hayashi & Wan Yang) for the WCW Cruiserweight Tag Titles in a triple threat elimination tag match.
Match #3: Shane Helms defeats Chavo Guerrero, Evan Karagias & Shannon Moore to retain the WCW Cruiserweight title by pinning former 3 Count stablemate Moore.
Backstage
The tension was palpable with a number of talents demanding answers. Answers that the WCW production team didn't have. Booker T amongst them wanted to know what was going on. But the same response was given time and time again. Later that night after the show was done there would be a meeting of talent and all answers would be given there and then.
The tension was palpable with a number of talents demanding answers. Answers that the WCW production team didn't have. Booker T amongst them wanted to know what was going on. But the same response was given time and time again. Later that night after the show was done there would be a meeting of talent and all answers would be given there and then.
[Woooooooo! A deafening chorus of Woos fill the venue]
Ric Flair: Did I - Did I - WOOOOO! Did I happen to hear Vince McMahon say if any of the boys wanted jobs that we would have to beg as he had OUR careers in the palms of his hands? Is that what he said? Does that mean that YOU are gonna hold Jack Brisco, Dory Funk, Harley Race, the Road Warriors, Sting, Luger, the Steiners, Bagwell, Ric Flair, Steamboat, does that mean you're gonna hold us all in the palm of your hands? To coin a phrase, I don't think so! You know, at twelve o'clock today, someone very special to me said, "Do not go onto that show tonight knowin' it's the last time that you'll ever be on TNT or TBS" - knowing it's the last time, she said to me, "Don't go out there and cry - don't go out there and say you're sorry" because I'm not - I've been fourteen times the World Champion - in my eyes, one of the greatest, you got it! The greatest wrestling organization in the world - WCW!
We... I'm talkin' about the Stings, the Lugers, the Steiners, the Road Warriors - I'm talkin' about my best friend, Arn Anderson and the Four Horsemen - we have been on a par, and we have been equal to any wrestling organization in the world - as a matter of fact, we have run neck and neck with you, Vince McMahon, for years - for YEARS - and just for trivia, Vince McMahon, do you know that in 1981, when you were trying to become an announcer, your dad was on the board of directors and voted for ME to be the world champion - WOOOO! How 'bout that? And ever since that day, I have been a limousine-ridin', jet-flyin', kiss-stealin', wheelin-dealin', son of a gun, that along with the whole WCW dammit all, have kissed the girls worldwide, and made 'em cry! 'Cause ya see, we were every bit the force, we were WCW - we lived, we breathed, we sweat, we paid the price to be the best - never been about the boys - it's always been WWF vs. the WCW in the office - the boys that have gone out there, night in and night out, doing everything they could to be the very best at what they chose to do in their life - those boys are here tonight - we are!
We're not going anywhere, you can't hold us in your hands and predict our life! We're WCW! We've bled and we've sweat - when was the last time you wrestled for an hour, cut yourself five times, bled for 45 minutes... when were you there? You weren't! You weren't! You were never in the dressing room, on the road 40 days and 40 nights, bleedin', sweatin', goin' to the next town, you weren't there, you can't hold people's lives in your hands. We're the greatest wrestling company of all time - I wanna say it again - you can't control us or our future, and in closing, let me say this - in all my years in this sport, my greatest opponent with this company has been Sting - so tonight, if we're going out, if we're going out on a high note, Stinger, the Nature Boy wants you right here, because - that's right - that's right - ya hear it, Sting? Sting, my greatest opponent - Sting, it's your last chance - your last chance to be... [crowd chants Sting] Sting, Sting, Sting, Sting, Sting, Sting - Sting! To be - the man, you've gotta beat the man, and Sting... I'M. THE. MAN. WOOOOOO!
We're not going anywhere, you can't hold us in your hands and predict our life! We're WCW! We've bled and we've sweat - when was the last time you wrestled for an hour, cut yourself five times, bled for 45 minutes... when were you there? You weren't! You weren't! You were never in the dressing room, on the road 40 days and 40 nights, bleedin', sweatin', goin' to the next town, you weren't there, you can't hold people's lives in your hands. We're the greatest wrestling company of all time - I wanna say it again - you can't control us or our future, and in closing, let me say this - in all my years in this sport, my greatest opponent with this company has been Sting - so tonight, if we're going out, if we're going out on a high note, Stinger, the Nature Boy wants you right here, because - that's right - that's right - ya hear it, Sting? Sting, my greatest opponent - Sting, it's your last chance - your last chance to be... [crowd chants Sting] Sting, Sting, Sting, Sting, Sting, Sting - Sting! To be - the man, you've gotta beat the man, and Sting... I'M. THE. MAN. WOOOOOO!
Match #4: The Natural Born Thrillers (Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo) defeat Lance Storm & Mike Awesome to retain the WCW Heavyweight Tag Titles.
Match #5: Shawn Stasiak defeats Bam Bam Bigelow by DQ.
Sting: Surprise Surprise! The Stinger is back! Did you think I would miss this night? Not for nothing would I miss this night. This is a historic night, one more dance with the Nature Boy Ric Flair. We started this years ago Ric and tonight we're gonna end this once and for all. [The crowd cheers for Sting] And for all you fans out there that are wondering what the future holds for Sting? Well...the only thing for sure about Sting is that nothing, nothing's for sure? It's Showtime folks!
Both Ric Flair and Sting make their entrances to rapturous ovation. Both Schiavone & Hudson our on the accolades as the two men that built WCW came out for what possibly was the last hurrah of WCW. As they faced off in the ring suddenly a familiar face showed up.
[Self High Five]
TS: That's DDP! And he's wearing a referee shirt. Diamond Dallas Page is here and he's the referee. Tonight is again full surprises. I don't think we can take much more in this emotional night.
Match #6: Sting defeats Ric Flair with DDP as special guest referee by submission. At the end of the match all three embrace before DDP leaves the ring for both legends to receive the ovation they deserve.
TS: If this truly is our final night on TNT or at all, I want to thank each and every one of you. The fans. Without you WCW wouldn't be where it is and has been on his amazing adventure that I am proud to have been part of.
SH: What the?! That's.. That's Paul Heyman out there! And is that? Eric Bischoff is with him. What the Hell is going on?"
SH: What the?! That's.. That's Paul Heyman out there! And is that? Eric Bischoff is with him. What the Hell is going on?"
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