PH71

Get your predictions in for Big Bang! Triangle match to be #1 contender for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship - Billy Kidman (with Torrie Wilson) vs Psychosis vs Super Crazy Fit Finlay (with Dave Taylor) vs Taijri - If Finlay wins, Tajiri will join Fit's Fight Club Chavo Guerrero Jr vs Kanyon Buff Bagwell & Johnny 'The Bull' vs Barry Windham & Mike Rotunda Juventud Guerrera vs Shane Helms (C) for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo (C) vs The Road Warriors for the WCW World Tag Team Championships- Titles vs Careers Lance Storm (with Mike Awesome) vs Terry Funk Rob Van Dam (C) (with Bill Alfonso) vs Shawn Stasiak (with Stacy Keibler) for the WCW United States Championship Booker T (C) (with Sharmell) vs Diamond Dallas Page for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Nitro Episode 4: Wednesday 23rd May 2001 Live late-night on FX 5,442 crowd at the Aladdin Theatre ---------------- Runaway - Linkin Park (Hybrid Theory) - YouTube Show opens up with Linkin Park's 'Runaway' Tony Schiavone on comms says it's Wednesday night folks and you know what that means...IT'S WCW NITRO LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS!!! To kick-start the show we have some mixed tag-team action as we will see the WCW United States Champion, Rob Van Dam, teaming with young Japanese talent Meiko Satomura, as they take on Shawn Stasiak and Stacy Keibler ------------- Match 1: Rob Van Dam (with Bill Alfonso) & Meiko Satomura vs Shawn Stasiak & Stacy Keibler Meiko Satomura - "My Own Destiny" (NXT UK THEME) - YouTube WWE Rob Van Dam 1st Theme "Van Daminator" (HQ) - YouTube WCW Shawn Stasiak 4th Theme Song - "Stasiak Theme" (With Tron) - YouTube A good match to get the crowd going at the start of Nitro. RVD and Stasiak start the match with RVD getting a lot of offence before Stasiak tags out for Stacy to come in. RVD tags Meiko in who seems a lot more technically efficient than Stacy, but Stacy is taller and has a height advantage which she uses to help her at times. Stasiak eventually distracts Rob Van Dam by pushing around Bill Alfonso and the referee gets involved briefly as Alfonso's whistling is causing a ruckus. In this distraction Stacy rolls up Meiko, the ref quickly turns round to start counting and in the distraction he doesn't notice Stacy stick one of her long legs on the ropes to cheat and get the advantage. RVD and Alfonso look really annoyed at the end of the match with Meiko looking crestfallen at the lost. Shawn and Stacy celebrate cockily as they leave the ring Shawn Stasiak & Stacy Keibler win via pinfall - (5.44) - (56 rated) ------------------ Backstage in Shane's office where Eric Bischoff and Shane McMahon are talking with Chavo Guerrero Jr Kanyon followed sharply by DDP barges into the office and starts shouting aggressively and going for Chavo who quicky jumps over Shane's desk and hides behind Bischoff/Shane Kanyon is furious at Chavo for last week's interference and he demands a match with Chavo tonight. DDP tries to reason with Shane and says if they can squash their feud in a match that should put an end to the ongoing drama. Shane says he can see that might work, but why tonight, why not at Big Bang this Sunday?! Bischoff interuppts Shane and says they shouldn't just be giving out PPV matches like that. There's a lot of guys and girls in the locker-room that want to be on that card and so Kanyon/Chavo shouldn't be on the PPV Chavo pops in and says "I agree boss" Bischoff says "Shut up Chavo" Chavo says "Shutting up, boss" Shane says he's sure they can all come to a compromise and says if Kanyon wants that match at the PPV then he will have to earn it tonight... he proposes for the main event of Nitro tonight... it will be... KANYON & DDP... vs HARLEM HEAT!!! If DDP & Kanyon win then Kanyon gets to face Chavo at Big Bang and of course DDP can send a message to Booker T ahead of their big main event match. Kanyon enthusiastically accepts with DDP happy with this too, Bischoff not super happy about it but seems agreeable enough. Kanyon then says, what about him?? points to Chavo. What if he intereferes in our match again?? Shane then turns to Chavo and sternly says... Chavo let me be clear you will be banned from ringside... there will be no lying... no cheating and no stealing in our main event tonight is that clear? Chavo says yes, then Shane says, because if you do interefere... I'll have to take a page out of my father's book and make you unemployed... and trust me the McMahon family have got enough practice in making people unemployed this month!" The camera pans to an XFL hat in the bin and the announcers all crack up at this dig at Vince McMahon's XFL project breaking down just last week. Freestyle segment with Shane McMahon, Eric Bischoff, Kanyon, DDP & Chavo Guerrero Jr - (70 rated) -------------------- JJ Dillon interviewing Rob Van Dam (with Bill Alfonso and a disappointed looking Meiko Satomura) JJ asks RVD and Meiko how they feel to taking a loss like that especially given Stacy cheated to win. RVD says this is wrestling, this can happen, they did what they had to do to get the win and they have to accept that and Meiko will need to learn from that moving forward. Shawn Stasiak and Stacy Keibler come into the interview. Shawn jibes RVD for saying Stacy needed some tips from him last week and actually it sounds like him and Meiko need some tips from her. Alfonso starts blowing his whistle and having a go, JJ calms him down. RVD congratulates Stacy for getting the win but cautions her that now every woman and referee on the roster will be expecting her to do that now. Meiko says "be careful Stacy, because karma... is a bitch!" The two women look like they might get into a fight but RVD manages to prevent this from happening. Stasiak says to Rob that since he lost to them tonight... maybe he should try and get some good karma back by picking up a win at Big Bang! Stasiak says RVD won't get the win anyway, but he's welcome to try if he puts the US Title on the line against Stasiak at Big Bang! Stacy says to Stasiak she doesn't think RVD will do it because he's a coward RVD gets agitated at this and says he doesn't believe Stasiak deserves a shot based on tonight... but he's a fighting champion and if Stasiak wants to take a big loss at the PPV then he's more than happy to give it to him! Freestyle segment with JJ Dillon, RVD, Meiko Satomura, Shawn Stasiak & Stacy Keibler - (61 rated) -------------- Match 2: Elix Skipper & Kid Romeo vs 3 Count (Evan Karagias & Shannon Moore) WCW: "Sugar" Shane Helms [Theme Song] - "Vertebreaker" - YouTube Shane Helms comes out with the WCW Cruiserweight Championship and joins the announcers on commentary for the match. The announcers mention Shane Helms/3 Count ongoing drama and Shane Helms says as the Cruiserweight champion he's just here in an official capacity watching these 3 cruiserweights in action and wants nothing to do with 3 Count WCW THEMES: Elix Skipper "Primetime Elix Skipper" - YouTube 3 Count 1st Theme - Can't Get You Outta My Heart (Full) + Download Link - YouTube This one is an exciting high-flying tag affair with both teams getting a mixed amount of action in. 3 Count eventually get the win taking advantage of a Kid Romeo mistake on the top rope 3 Count win via pinfall (5.45) - (47 rated) -------------- After the match Evan Karagias and Shannon Moore start beating down on Romeo & Skipper with the ref trying to break it up. Shane Helms on commentary says he's disappointed to see this happening and doesn't condone it. That's not what 3 Count should be doing. Mexicools - theme and Titantron Video - YouTube Juventud Guerrera, Super Crazy and Psychosis all come rushing down to the ring to make the save and chase off 3 Count. Juvi grabs a mic and calls out to Shane Helms on commentary saying at Big Bang! it doesn't matter if he has to take on 1, 2 or 3 of these clowns he's got his back-up and he's going to get the 1-2-3 to be the next WCW Cruiserweight champion! Freestyle segment with Shane Helms, 3 Count, Romeo & Skipper & The MexiCools (Juventud, Super Crazy & Psychosis) - (51 rated) -------------------- Road Warriors backstage in Shane McMahon's office with Shane, Johnny Ace and Eric Bischoff Shane is super pumped to see Animal and Hawk and gives them both a big hug as Bishcoff watches on disapprovingly. Johnny Ace happy to see his brother Animal and Hawk too. Shane says he's excited for a massive tag team match at Big Bang! Animal says this will be the show that puts the Road Warriors back on top of the world of wrestling as they will become the WCW World Tag Team Champions and just at the dawn of a new era for WCW. Hawk seems quiet but says "here, here" quietly. Bischoff says that the Road Warriors shouldn't under-estimate Sean O'Haire and Chuck Palumbo and that either way WCW wins as either The Road Warriors come in on top of the mountain or they go out of the business with a BIG BANG! Freestyle segment with Shane McMahon, Johnny Ace, Eric Bischoff & The Road Warriors - (68 rated) ---------------- Match 3: Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo vs Jung Dragons (Kaz Hayashi & Jimmy Yang) - Non Title match Chuck Palumbo & Sean O'Haire 2001 - "Freestyle Hombre" WWE WCW Entrance Theme - YouTube WCW Jung Dragons 2nd Theme Song - "Gong/Shakuhachi" (With Tron) - YouTube O'Haire & Palumbo dominate this match with Jung Dragons not really getting much offence in at all as they can't compete physically with the tag team champions. O'Haire gets the win via pinfall in the end. O'Haire & Palumbo win via pinfall - (6.41) - (53 rated) ----------------- After the match Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo cut a promo in the ring Chuck Palumbo says he grew up dreaming of being in a tag team like the Road Warriors but at Big Bang! it's the end of the road for Animal & Hawk. Sean O'Haire says he has huge respect for Animal and Hawk. O'Haire says he's not had an easy up bring and he's struggled with addiction in his past. He says Hawk's journey in beating his own demons should be an inspiration to every man and woman in the back who is struggling with their own problems. Fans cheer this. But then Sean O'Haire adds that Animal & Hawk aren't getting any younger. He questions if Animal and Hawk really need the money anymore. Wouldn't it be nice to just hang up the old boots and see out the rest of their lives with their family away from the road and the toils and tribulations of being a professional wrestler? O'Haire says whether the Road Warriors win or lose, they're still winners in the game of life. So don't even worry about Sunday. Just chill. Relax. If you win... that's great... but if you lose... that's great too.... O'Haire then finishes the promo by saying...but I'm not telling you anything that you don't already know... Freestyle segment Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo - (57 rated) ------------------ Eric Bischoff is in Shane's office talking with Billy Kidman and Torrie Wilson. Bischoff tells Kidman he's sorry but Kidman lost fair and square to Juventud last week so he has to get to the back of the line for the Cruiserweight Title. Kidman looks crestfallen but Torrie comforts him. Shane Helms bursts in with the WCW Cruiserweight title. Speaking of the devil, Bischoff says. Helms says he's glad to see Bischoff. Offers commiserations to Kidman for his loss last week. Helms says he's just here to say to Bischoff that thought Super Crazy & Psychosis deserve some sort of reward for a huge upset win against DDP & Kanyon last week. Bischoff says he's not really sure what he's getting at, sure it was a good upset win but Shane Helms says he wants to personally reward them... Helms proposes at Big Bang... you have Super Crazy vs Psychosis... the winner... becomes the number 1 contender to the Cruiserweight Title! Tony Schiavone on commentary mentions this could just be a shady scheme to keep the other MexiCools busy whilst he takes on Juventud for the Cruiserweight title. Arn says or maybe he's trying to create some in-fighting within the group... it's smart! Bischoff says he's not sure about this. Torrie Wilson buts in. Torrie flirts with Bischoff and says he's right. Super Crazy, Psychosis... 1 on 1... maybe that's now what he wants to book... but what about a triangle match... Psychosis... Super Crazy and BILLY KIDMAN!!! With the winner becoming the number 1 contender for the Cruiserweight title. Bischoff thinks about it. Shane Helms says he likes it. Bischoff says okay then I'll book that. Shane wishes Kidman luck and tells him to make sure he works them hard! Freestyle segment with Eric Bischoff, Billy Kidman, Torrie Wilson and Shane Helms - (49 rated) ----------- Match 4: Mike Sanders vs Chavo Guerrero Jr Mike Sanders 1st WCW Theme 'Outside' - YouTube WCW Chavo Guerrero Last Theme - YouTube The announcers hype up Chavo being in action. He'll surely have one eye on the main event as if Kanyon & DDP beat Harlem Heat he will have Kanyon to deal with at Big Bang! Mike Sanders looks a bit off the pace in this match with Chavo using his superior high flying and technical ability to get the upper hand. After a while Chavo manages to get the win with the Gory Bomb Chavo Guerrero Jr wins via pinfall - (6.31) - (49 rated) --------------- Video Package advert for Big Bang! The announcers hype up Booker T vs DDP for the WCW title, Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo vs The Road Warriors - Title v s Career, Rob van Dam vs Shawn Stasiak for the U.S title, Shane Helms vs Juventud Guerrera for the Cruiserweight title, Windham & Rotunda vs Buff Bagwell and Johnny 'The Bull' and a Triangle match between Billy Kidman, Super Crazy and Psychosis to be Number 1 contender for the Cruiserweight Title (59 rated) --------------- Terry Funk - Theme - YouTube Terry Funk comes out looking like a man on a mission as the commentators hype him up. Terry Funk on the mic says last week Lance Storm and Mike Awesome showed the world what cowards they are by taking cheap shops with chairs at him and Christoper Daniels. Funk says they've put Daniels out for several weeks, he's just a young kid trying to make his name for himself in this business and Team Canada think they can run rough shot over him and Funk. Well Funk ain't gonna stand for that. Funk tells Storm and Awesome to get their asses out here right now! Lance Storm WCW Titantron - "Team Canada" - YouTube Lance Storm comes out with Mike Awesome who still has the eye-patch and the neck brace. He looks around the crowd scanning intently worried that Tommy Dreamer might be in the crowd ready to pounce at him again. Lance Storm says he didn't realise it was the local old folks home big day out at the wrestling. He says whoever lost their senile grandpa they better come out and pick him up. Funk says he might be 24 years older than Storm but he could still run rings round him in the ring. You see teenagers who still live in their momma's basement talk about Lance Storm, best technical wrestler in all of WCW, maybe even the world... well you ain't better technically than me, boy! Mike Awesome says Terry Funk is a traitor to WCW! If Mike was medically cleared to compete he'd come down their and whoop Funk's ass, but he isn't fit to compete after the savage attack on him by Funk's buddy. Lance Storm says Funk is beneath him. He would face Funk 1 on 1 but he doesn't need to prove anything to him. Funk says well it's funny you say that as I was speaking to Johnny Ace and Shane McMahon earlier today and they were asking if I wanted to press charges after you boys assault on me last week. I'm also a Road Agent here and you attacked a member of the office! Funk says the only thing he wanted was a match at Big Bang to make them pay! Funk says at Big Bang it will be Terry Funk going 1-on-1 with Lance Storm!! Storm and Awesome are furious at this development Freestyle segment with Terry Funk & Team Canada (Lance Storm & Mike Awesome) - (46 rated) ----------------- Backstage segment in the locker-room area is Booker T and Stevie Ray Stevie Ray asking Booker how he's feeling about tonight. Has he recovered enough to compete? Booker says he's medically cleared to compete and he wants to get a win on DDP and that crazy cat Kanyon before Big Bang to send a message to DDP and anyone else who might want to challenge him for the title or come after him. Booker says he doesn't know for sure that DDP or Kanyon were behind the car crash, maybe it was Van Dam, who knows, he ain't no detective and it sure as hell don't seem like Shane or Eric Bischoff want to investigate it. But he's excited for the first Harlem Heat match in a while and he knows with his brother at his side he can't go wrong! Stevie Ray thanks him, says he's excited for the match tonight but wants Booker to make sure he takes it easy if he feels any pain as he doesn't want Booker going into the PPV injured. Freestyle segment with Harlem Heat (Booker T & Stevie Ray) - (71 rated) ---------------- Match 5: Curt Hennig vs Kwee Wee Curt Hennig 2nd WCW Theme Alternate Version - YouTube Kwee Wee WCW Custom Entrance Video - YouTube Curt Hennig comes out and is in full game mode for the match. Kwee Wee seems a bit out of form in the match and can never really get into it. Curt Hennig eventually gets the win fairly comfortably in a decisive match. Curt Hennig wins via pinfall - (6.20) - (51 rated) --------------- Backstage we see Tajiri in the ring working bags with Akira Hokuto. Fit Finlay barges into the gym and approaches Tajiri. Tajiri asks Fit what he wants whilst still periodically striking bags Fit says he's putting together a collective... a club... of young like minded talent that he can train and coach to become champions. He thinks Tajiri is the toughest S.O.B he's seen in a long time and with Fit and Dave behind him they can make him the most dangerous man in WCW. Tajiri says he doesn't think he needs Fit or that silly Englishman to become a champion. Fit says how about at Big Bang they have a match. Tajiri vs Fit Finlay. If Tajiri wins, Fit will leave him alone. But if Fit wins... Tajiri joins Fit's Fight Club! Tajiri kicks the bag a few more times, thinks about it and then says okay, if Fit can beat him then he can be his coach. Freestyle segment with Fit Finlay, Tajiri and Akira Hokuto - (36 rated) ------------------- Match 6: AJ Styles vs Buff Bagwell (with Johnny 'The Bull') AJ Styles Theme (Old Theme) - YouTube WCW Buff Bagwell 4th Theme Song - "Buff Daddy" (With Tron) - YouTube AJ Styles starts the match quick and catches Buff off guard who seems to have under-estimated him and taking this as an easy win that he doesn't have to work for. Johnny urges Buff on at ringside and actually manages to help him at one point when he distracts the ref and Buff gets a finger poke to the eye of AJ which halts his momentum. AJ gets back into the match though and really makes Buff work for the win until eventually Buff gets the victory after working very hard for it. Buff Bagwell wins via pinfall (7.30) - (55 rated) ------------------------ After the match Buff Bagwell looks pretty frustrated with how hard AJ Styles made him work. He tells Johnny to get in the ring and the two look like they are going to dish out some post-match beat-down on the young upstart when... Windham & Rotunda theme Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda storm the ring, save AJ as Buff and Johnny get out of there with Buff particularly furious at them. Freestyle segment with Buff Bagwell, Johnny 'The Bull', AJ Styles, Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda (49 rated) -------------------- Shane McMahon promo to the audience/viewers from his office He hypes up all of the exciting PPV matches for this Sunday's Big Bang! giving one final push to get fans to make sure they order the PPV and tune in! He then says it's now time for the main event which will see Harlem Heat take on DDP & Kanyon! If DDP & Kanyon wins Kanyon will get his hands on Chavo Guerrero Jr at Big Bang! If Chavo interferes he will get fired! Angle with Shane McMahon (97 rated) ---------------- Main Event / Match 7 DDP & Kanyon vs Harlem Heat WCW DDP Theme Song Self High Five - YouTube WCW Chris Kanyon 2nd Theme - YouTube Harlem Heat WCW Theme - YouTube This is a match that gets a good amount of time with all 4 guys getting a decent showing in this one. Booker T is kept strong with DDP and Kanyon isolating him for a decent amount of the match with Stevie Ray waiting to get the hot tag. Stevie Ray eventually gets the hot tag and Harlem Heat get back in the match. A mistake from Kanyon at one point means he inadvertently knocks DDP off the apron whilst trying to go for Booker T. Booker T gets a Book-End in on Kanyon and sets him up for a Scissor Kick, but just like again Rob Van Dam the other week Booker pulls up when he's about to do the kick. Stevie looks worried as Booker holds his back in agony for a few seconds. Stevie tags in as Booker has a doctor checking up on him outside the ring, he's trying to wave them away as he wants to get back in the match. In the ring Kanyon capitalises on a mistake from Stevie Ray as he's looking over to see if his brother is there/alright. Kanyon hits a flatliner on Stevie Ray and whilst Booker manages to scramble into the ring, DDP manages to prevent him from breaking up the ref's 3 count and the ref counts 1-2-3 DDP & Kanyon beat Harlem Heat via pinfall - (12.45) - (69 rated) ------- Post-match the commentators hype up this big win for DDP & Kanyon going into Big Bang! and confirm that it will be Kanyon vs Chavo Guerrero Jr at Big Bang! Tony on comms says you have to question what sort of condition Booker T will be in going into that match at Big Bang! with DDP, clearly that car hitting him is still taking its toll and whilst he may be medically cleared to compete he can't seem to hit that Scissor Kick without tweaking it. In the ring Booker is annoyed to have lost and starts talking inaudible trash to DDP who seems bewildered by it. They lock eyes and square up to each other with DDP almost laughing at how mad Booker has got at him. Freestyle segment with Harlem Heat & DDP and Kanyon - (64 rated) ------------- Show Rating: 80 1.07 TV rating (804K viewers) ------------

Just 1 more episode of Nitro before WCW's first PPV in the Shane McMahon era!

A very strong Judgment Day PPV from WWF this month. Short term we're not in the same league but in the long term I'm hoping we can eventually get there.

Fallen Angel! Sources have commented that Christopher Daniels will be out of action for at least 1 month after suffering ligament damage to his knee. This will be a big blow for Daniels who just this week on Nitro seemed to be inserted into a storyline with Terry Funk and Team Canada (Lance Storm and Mike Awesome) where he had a great match with Lance Storm in his first singles match for WCW in the Shane McMahon era. Whilst Daniels was seen getting beaten down after the defeat and is thus conveniently written off TV it is thought that this was just a coincidence. Daniels has signed an exclusive contract with WCW but they allowed him to honour the few remaining dates he had with Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling (ECCW) and it was in a losing effort to Abbadon last night on ECCW where Daniels picked up the injury. Whilst this will surely see the end of any involvement for him in Funk and Team Canada's ongoing feud we're sure this will not be the last we see of 'The Fallen Angel' Christopher Daniels in WCW.

In this mod ECW is already dead as a company. In the real timeline I think the ECW/Alliance storyline didn't really start until around July 2001 sort of time so a lot of the ECW guys who ended up going to WWF like RVD etc were free agents in the mod at the start of the game. From what I understand I think Heyman technically owned the ECW name/branding and it wasn't properly bought out by WWE/Vince until around 2003 when the legal stuff went through. But I think WCW/Shane in this scenario could/would still easily refer to ECW itself just as long as they're not copyrighting or profiting off the brand etc. Yeah I think the Cruiserweight division is interesting to book. I will keep the weight limit in play but I want to see/use it as more of an X Division type thing where it's an exciting lower belt but not a complete grave for a lot of guys who just get stuck in that division. I want Cruiserweight guys to float around the tag team division and if they're over/good enough "graduate" to the U.S Title or Main Event scene eventually if it works. I don't want to just rip off TNA and change the name/weight-class thing yet but may eventually change it if I feel it's not working long-term.

Nitro Episode 3 Wednesday 16th May 2001 Live late-night on FX 7,366 crowd at the Odeum Expo Center Runaway - Linkin Park (Hybrid Theory) (youtube.com) Show opens up with Linkin Park's 'Runaway' Tony Schiavone on comms says it's Wednesday night folks and you know what that means...IT'S WCW NITRO LIVE FROM NORTH CAROLINA!!! We're starting hot tonight with your first match coming up right now! Juventud Guerrera and Billy Kidman face off with the winner going to Big Bang to challenge the Cruiserweight Champion, Shane Helms, for his title! ------------- Match 1: Billy Kidman (with Torrie Wilson) vs Juventud Guerrera WCW Billy Kidman 4th Theme (1998-2000) - YouTube Mexicools - theme and Titantron Video - YouTube When Juventud comes out Super Crazy and Psychosis come with him and they wish him luck before he indicates for them to go back as he doesn't need them. It's a really exciting high-spots match to start the show with both guys putting in a great performance and giving their all to try and get a shot at the Cruiserweight Title at Big Bang. Towards the end of the match Kidman has Juventud down but when he gets up to the top rope to give him the Shooting Star Press he momentarily slips on the top rope, by the time he gets his balance back and hits the move Juventud gets his knees up to counter. Juvi then gets a Juvi Driver in and gets the win. Juventud wins via pinfall - (6.04 minutes) - 68 rating After the match Billy Kidman is visibly extremely upset and frustrated as Torrie Wilson does her best to console him whilst Juvi celebrates ------------ Rob Van Dam with Bill Alfonso is in Shane McMahon's office with Eric Bischoff and Johnny Ace. Shane congratulates RVD on the win and says the U.S belt looks great on him. Bischoff asks RVD about Tommy Dreamer being at Nitro last week, he says RVD used to be in ECW, he must know what's going on there. Bill Alfonso starts going mad at him but RVD gets him to chill out. RVD says of course he loved ECW and he has a lot of respect for guys like Tommy Dreamer who helped make it big, but ECW is dead. RVD had out-grown ECW and he had to move on and become Mr Wednesday Night for WCW instead. ECW is his past, but WCW is his present and future. RVD was the hottest free agent in wrestling, not Tommy Dreamer. Bischoff says that's just as well as there's no way they'd consider giving bums like Tommy Dreamer or that silly guy who jumped through the tables... what was his name... Shamu?? RVD says Shamu was the jumping Orca at Seaworld... Bischoff says what's the difference? They are both nothing more than one trick pony performing stunt monkeys and at least the whale knew how to draw in a mainstream audience. RVD cracks up at this whilst Bill Alfonso looks a bit uncomfortable. Shane says look if the Champ says he doesn't know anything about Dreamer being there that's good with me. He was probably just trying to get himself over or get some revenge on that Mike Awesome fella... the way he's betrayed his country I guess you can't blame him for having a pop at him. Just as they're talking Stevie Ray bursts into the office. Stevie Ray gets up in RVD's face demanding he spill the beans. Shane, Bischoff and Johnny Ace intervene to split them up with Bill Alfonso angrily blowing his whistle. Stop blowing that damn thing Shane shouts above the racket. What's your problem Bischoff asks Stevie Ray. Stevie Ray says do they not think it's a coincidence his brother gets hit by a car and then RVD manages to win the title in the main event. Was it RVD who hit him? This whistle man?? Tommy Dreamer?? It stinks! Until he proves himself otherwise he thinks RVD can't be trusted! RVD says he's sorry about what happened with Booker but he was just in the right place at the right time. Johnny Ace points out that there was someone from the crowd trying to intervene in Booker's match with Chavo, maybe there is someone out to get Booker, but that doesn't mean it's RVD. Stevie Ray says he still don't trust RVD! RVD says to make things right he's happy to give Booker a rematch later tonight as fair is fair...Stevie Ray says Booker isn't cleared to compete tonight and it's just hollow words he probably knew Booker wouldn't be fit to compete tonight. Shane steps in and says well RVD if you want to put that title on the line later tonight... we can't have Rob Van Dam vs Booker T for the U.S Title... but how about we have... Rob Van Dam vs Stevie Ray for the U.S Title!! RVD says sure thing no problem and offers a handshake to Stevie Ray who seems to change his tune and shakes RVD's hand given he now has an opportunity of his own at the title Freestyle segment with Shane McMahon, Rob Van Dam, Eric Bischoff, Johnny Ace & Stevie Ray - (66 rated) ------------------- Terry Funk is in the dressing room when suddenly Lance Storm and Mike Awesome barge in Mike Awesome has an eye-patch on and is wearing a neck brace. He doesn't look good. Lance Storm is getting in Terry Funk's face saying he stole a win against Mike Awesome because of that coward Tommy Dreamer last week. He thinks it's funny to hit a pile-driver on a man who was clearly concussed? It's scum-bag behaviour and shows that Terry Funk doesn't belong on national TV anymore... he should be slumming it on the indies having to buy tickets to WCW like that bum Tommy Dreamer! Christopher Daniels appears on camera and tells Storm to stop disrespecting a legend like Terry Funk. Daniels says there's nothing wrong with the indies. Daniels says he used to respect Lance Storm and enjoyed watching guys like him, Awesome, Funk and Dreamer in ECW. But Awesome and Storm have gone down in his estimations since he started sharing a locker-room with them. Storm is furious. Says who the hell even are you to Daniels. Daniels says he'll show Storm who the hell he is. Daniels challenges Storm to a match later tonight. Storm laughs manically and says if he has to beat some respect into some indie bum later tonight then that's exactly what he'll do. He storms off with Awesome following him holding his neck. Terry Funk lectures Daniels that he can fight his own battles but he respects the kid's fighting spirit Freestyle segment with Team Canada (Awesome & Storm), Terry Funk and Christopher Daniels - (41 rated) ---------------------- The announcers confirm it's official later tonight will see Lance Storm take on the young indie star and recent WCW signing Christopher Daniels 1 on 1 Match 2: Hugh Morrus vs Curt Hennig Hugh Morrus WCW Theme "Xtra Large" - YouTube WCW Mr. Perfect 1st Theme "Rock Energy" (HQ) - YouTube The announcers hype up this match being made last week after Hugh Morrus interrupted Curt Hennig's fairly emotional interview with JJ Dillon about his own son not really respecting him for never being a world champion. If Curt is going to stake a claim for a future title shot then this is the kind of match he has to be winning. It's a solid match with both guys getting in a decent amount of offence with Morrus storming out the block, but Hennig eventually uses his technical superiority to gain control of the match eventually getting the win. Curt Hennig defeats Hugh Morrus - (5.41) - (60 rated) -------------------------------- Shane Helms is backstage when Juventud comes strolling in, says hello champ, I'm looking forward to become Champion for a 4th time... Shane says Juvi shouldn't be so sure he will get the job done. Juvi says he'll see him at Big Bang baby and walks off 3 Count (Karagias & Moore) come into set. Shane is annoyed and says not you guys again, I told you, no reunion... the band is finished. Moore says Shane needs all the help he can get, Juvi rolls with those cats Super Crazy and Pyschosis... if they get involved at Big Bang then Shane will need 3 Count to even the odds! Shane says he's got this far without them and he doesn't need them now and to stay out of his business they're just trying to keep relevant by wanting to hang onto the Champ. There's no guarantee that Super Crazy and Psychosis even make it to Big Bang they've got a match with DDP and that crazy cat Kanyon tonight! Now leave me alone! Freestyle segment with Shane Helms, Juventud Guerrera and 3 Count (Evan Karagias & Shannon Moore) - (43 rated) ----------------------------- DDP and Kanyon in the locker-room. DDP says he can't believe those crazy MexiCruisers challenged them to a match but you gotta give it to them. You disrespected them last week Kanyon and they asked for the match. Kanyon says they'll rue the day they messed with him and if they'd just told him what he needed to hear they wouldn't have needed to get into this mess. Booker T storms in looking like he's in some pain and not all there DDP asks Booker if he's okay showing genuine concern. Kanyon just looks annoyed at the interruption. Booker T asks DDP if he knows anything about what happened last week. The way he sees it DDP is the one who benefitted from all this. Sure RVD got the title off him... but is all this some crazy scheme to play mind games with him going into Big Bang so DDP can win the world title?? Did he think if he sat in the parking lot all night stalking Sharmell he'd eventually get a free hit at Booker?? DDP laughs this off as crazy talk. You think I'm some kind of stalker?? Not even Vince Russo could come up with something that stupid! DDP says Booker should have taken the night off to rest in time for Big Bang he's clearly not feeling right. Booker says he's sure DDP would like him to take the night off so he can help screw over his brother Stevie in the main event tonight too. Booker T says he's staying here to make sure nothing funny happens to Stevie tonight, can you dig that sucka?? DDP looks baffled as Booker storms off in a huff. Kanyon says Booker is just entitled, throwing his toys out the pram that he's lost 1 title when he's still got another 1 whilst guys like him who work their ass off every week can't even get a shot at any title. DDP promises him his time will come. Freestyle segment with DDP, Kanyon & Booker T - (91 rated) ----------------------- Match 3: Tajiri & Kid Kash vs Fit Finlay & Dave Taylor Tajiri's 2001 v1 Titantron Entrance Video feat. "Imperial City" Theme [HD] - YouTube Kid Kash's 2005 Titantron Entrance Video feat. "Kash Money" Theme [HD] - YouTube Finlay's 2006 v2 Titantron Entrance Video feat. "Lambeg v2" Theme [HD] - YouTube The announcers state that Fit Finlay put a challenge to Tajiri to have this tag match and Tajiri accepted this challenge roping in former ECW colleague Kid Kash to tag together tonight. They make a point about how Tajiri and Kash came out separately and Finlay & Taylor came out together, can their experience as a team see them through against much younger and more agile competitors tonight? Very early on in the match Kid Kash comes down from a top rope move and appears to sprain an ankle. He immediately tags in Tajiri and seems to indicate to him that he's done, he can't compete anymore and he hobbles out towards the back. Arn Anderson slaughters him on commentary saying Kash is coward, but Tony says if you're hurt you're hurt I think it's smart. Tajiri is clearly on the back foot for the majority of the match as it becomes a defacto handicap match now. He puts up a really good fight getting in big kicks on Taylor and Finlay throughout but the numbers game catches up with him in the end as Finlay picks up the win. Fit Finlay & Dave Taylor win via pinfall (9.01) - (52 rated) After the match Fit Finlay and Taylor wait for Tajiri to get up and offer to shake his hand. Tajiri shakes both their hands and then bows to both of them before out of nowhere spitting green mist into Dave Taylor's face, laughing and then leaving the ring. Dave Taylor is furiously trying to clean his eyes after Finlay fail's to grab Tajiri as he slides out the ring. Finlay asks Dave is okay and then kind of laughs at him and looks at Tajiri walking off almost impressed by him. ------------------ Johnny Ace, Shane McMahon and Eric Bischoff are in Shane's office when in walks Road Warrior Animal. Johnny gets up and greets his brother, Bischoff doesn't look particularly impressed but Shane is excited to see him. Johnny asks where's Hawk and Animal says he couldn't be here tonight and he's a bit apprehensive about coming back and thinks they might've had their time in the sun already. Bischoff says I told you so to Shane and Johnny who seem to ignore him and Shane tells him it's already booked for big bang...Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo vs THE ROAD WARRIORS for the WCW World Tag Team Championship! Eric Bischoff says to Shane that whilst he thinks it's a good booking... it could be better. Shane says he's all ears. Eric says The Road Warriors didn't earn this shot... O'Haire & Palumbo have been fighting week in week out to keep the belts and they have those belts on the line at Big Bang... well Animal says old Hawky isn't sure if they're past their best or not... well how about at Big Bang you have Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo vs THE ROAD WARRIORS for the WCW World Tag Team Championship... I like it Shane says... TITLE VS CAREER!!! Bischoff adds. Woah what do you mean Johnny asks? I mean, Bischoff says, if Animal here and his buddy Hawk win the match then they get the titles and a nice spot on our growing roster on the hottest wrestling show on television... but if they LOSE... then that's the last ever match we see from The Road Warriors...PERIOD! Shane asks Animal what he thinks. Bischoff says he thinks Animal doesn't have the guts to go through with it because he knows they're time is done too that's why he had to call up and beg his brother for a favour! Animal is a bit unsure. Johnny Ace jumps in to tell him he doesn't need to make a decision now, he should talk to his partner about it first... But Animal's pride is wounded by Bischoff's taunting and he says that it's settled. TITLES VS CAREER at Big Bang!! Johnny Ace looked a bit worried but Bischoff and now Shane too seem pleased by this development Tony on commentary hypes this up saying that's just added a huge element of jeopardy to that match at Big Bang! --------------------------- Match 4: Stacy Keibler (with Shawn Stasiak) vs Meiko Satomura Stacy Keibler 2001 - "The Girl Next Door" WWE Entrance Theme - YouTube Meiko Satomura - "My Own Destiny" (NXT UK THEME) - YouTube A debut for young Japanese talent Meiko Satomura against Stacy Keibler. The announcers hype up that Stacy has been training in the WCW Power Plant but despite being the same age as Stacy actually has around 5-6 years of experience in the ring. Stacy gets a decent amount of offence in but Meiko is carrying the match and gets the better of her for most of it. The match ends when Stacy gets distracted by Stasiak shouting advice and encouragement at her which Meiko uses as a distraction to score a roll-up victory. Meiko Satomura wins via pinfall - (4.06) - (34 rated) --------------------------- JJ Dillon interview with Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo JJ asks them how they feel about it being confirmed they will face The Road Warriors for the Tag Team titles at Big Bang! Chuck says they're proud of how they've been doing lately and they're looking forward to testing themselves against the legendary team at the PPV. Sean O'Haire says it might well be the end of the road for the Road Warriors and being the team who retired the Road Warriors would be a hell of a statement to the rest of the tag team division not just in WCW but in the entire business. Freestyle segment with JJ Dillon, Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo - (49 rated) ------------------------------ Rob Van Dam with the U.S Title seen in the back congratulating Meiko Satomura on her big victory. As he's doing so Shawn Stasiak and Stacy Keibler storm into set with Stacy looking crestfallen at her loss and angry at Meiko. Shawn sarcastically says oh hey champ! Great to see you! Trying to get some tips ahead of your big match tonight? You're gonna need them! RVD tells him if anything he thinks Stacy is the one who could do with a few tips and he's a very giving guy he'd be more than happy to come down to the Power Plant and show her the ropes... Shawn is furious at this and tells him RVD better watch himself if he can hold onto that title tonight then sooner or later someone better than him will take it off him. Stacy tells Meiko she got lucky tonight and Stacy could beat her any time any place. Meiko says okay then... why not next week... Stacy and Shawn can take on Meiko and R-V-D! Stacy looks a bit apprehensive but Shawn and RVD instantly agree and face up to each other Freestyle segment with Rob Van Dam, Shawn Stasiak, Meiko Satomura and Stacy Keibler (54 rated) ---------------------------- Match 5: Barry Windham (with Mike Rotunda) vs Johnny 'The Bull' (with Buff Bagwell) Barry Windham 9th WCW Theme 'Road To Glory (Underscore)' - YouTube Johnny "The Bull" Stamboli's 2nd Titantron Entrance Video [HD] - YouTube Johnny 'The Bull' is bang up for this match looking to impress his prospective tag team partner and friend Buff Bagwell. Buff looks disinterested at ring-side whilst Mike Rotunda offers encouragement for his brother in law and tag team partner throughout. Both guys look fairly good in this match with Windham maybe getting slightly more offence in than 'The Bull'. 'The Bull' makes a mistake towards the end of the match which Windham eventually capitalises on and hits his finisher before getting the pin. Barry Windham wins via pinfall - (5.23) - (42 rated) After the match Johnny looks fairly crestfallen at the loss. Windham offers to shake his hand and Johnny looks like he will shake his hand but Windham gets knocked down by a frustrated Buff Bagwell. Rotunda immediately storms the ring to even the odds and a brawl breaks out with between them. Windham manages to clothesline Buff over the top rope and they hit their tag finisher on Johnny 'The Bull'. Buff is furious at this development and challenges Windham to a singles match at Big Bang! Windham manages to get a mic and says let's make it a tag team match... Windham & Rotunda vs Buff Bagwell & Johnny 'The Bull!! Buff doesn't seem too keen on tagging with The Bull but he agrees to the match nonetheless in the heat of the moment. ------------------------------ JJ Dillon interview with Kid Romeo & Elix Skipper JJ asks Romeo & Skipper about their loss on the first edition of Nitro and how big a setback that is for them. Skipper and Romeo say you win some and you lose some. Sure they lost to Team Canada in a big opportunity for them but they'll be back as they're a young team. 3 Count come into set. Evan Karagias says Romeo & Skipper are the worst tag team in the company. Romeo says shouldn't you be called 2 Count now? Your main attraction ditched you and you're like the two less talented singers in a band trying to keep the band going as you gradually play smaller and smaller venues to less and less fans every week. Moore says they'll prove Shane Helms and everyone else in this locker-room and watching at home that 3 Count is on the Comeback reunion tour next week when they get the 1-2-3 versus Romeo & Skipper! Freestyle segment with 3 Count (Evan Karagias & Shannon Moore) and Kid Romeo & Elix Skipper (37 rated) ---------------------------- Match 6: Christopher Daniels (with Terry Funk) vs Lance Storm (with Mike Awesome) TNA Themes - Christopher Daniels (Wings Of A Fallen Angel v1) - YouTube Lance Storm WCW Titantron - "Team Canada" - YouTube The announcers hype up Christopher Daniels getting his big chance on national TV against such an established athlete in Lance Storm. Mike Awesome still in his eye-patch and neck brace looks paranoid and scans the crowd for potential threats. He tells Storm and the referee that Terry Funk can't be trusted. He's in on it! He's the real traitor! The in ring action in this match is some of the best we've seen so far in the Shane McMahon Nitro era. Storm looks amazing but Daniels also looks great. Storm eventually gets the win by tapping out Daniels who takes a while before he gives out. Lance Storm wins via submission - (6.15) - (69 rated) --------------------------------- After the match Storm signals to Awesome who throws a chair into the ring. Funk tries to stop him but Funk is slow on his feet and Lance Storm manages to get several chair shots in on Daniels before Storm can get there. Awesome grabs Funk's legs from the outside and Storm manages get a chair short in on Funk too who lies prone in the ring alongside the fallen Daniels. Freestyle segment with Team Canada (Lance Storm & Mike Awesome), Terry Funk & Christopher Daniels - (52 rated) --------------------- Big Bang hype package advertising Booker T vs DDP for the WCW World Championship, Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo vs The Road Warriors for the WCW World Tag Team Championship and Shane Helms vs Juventud Guerrera for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship (52 rated) --------------------- Match 7: The MexiCruisers (Psychosis & Super Crazy) vs DDP & Kanyon Mexicools - theme and Titantron Video - YouTube Kanyon - YouTube WCW DDP Theme Song Self High Five - YouTube The announcers hype up this match being made after the MexiCruisers put up the challenge after Kanyon punched Super Crazy all over trying to find the whereabouts of Chavo Guerrero after Chavo stole his shot at the U.S title on the 1st episode of Nitro. The announcers hype up MexiCruisers as a good tag team but albeit still big underdogs in this match given the experience and pedigree of Kanyon and especially DDP in this match. Psychosis and Super Crazy use their speed and high-flying to get in a bit of offence here and there but DDP is kept very strong in this match looking really good against both of them. At one point they manage to keep him isolated for a little while but he soon tags in Kanyon for the hot tag who comes in and starts destroying Psychosis and Super Crazy. The fans seem into it and Kanyon looks like he's going to get a finish and the big win as he punches Psychosis off the apron and hits his finisher on Super Crazy when WCW Chavo Guerrero Last Theme - YouTube Kanyon turns round to see Chavo at the entrance way. Kanyon is furious. Chavo comes down the ramp cockily waving and blowing kisses to Kanyon. Kanyon immediately gets out of the ring and goes for Chavo. Chavo runs into the crowd and Kanyon runs after him determined to get his hands on the man who cost him his big shot at the U.S title. DDP looks a bit frustated and tries to work out where Kanyon is and whether he's got his hands on Chavo. The camera cuts to Kanyon who seems to have lost Chavo, gives up, kicks an empty chair in the crowd and makes his way back to the ring but 7...8... DDP frantically signals and shouts for Kanyon to get back. Kanyon is the legal man and is getting counted out!! 9.... Kanyon gets near to the barrier but it's too late as just as he jumps over the barrier... 10!!!! The MexiCruisers have won via countout!! DDP has his head in his hands and Kanyon is absolutely raging, kicking the stairs and slamming the mat. Super Crazy sneaks out of the ring celebrates with Pyschosis manically on the outside as they pick up a huge upset win against DDP & Kanyon The MexiCruisers win via count-out - (7.22) - (54 rated) ------------------ Shane McMahon promo on the big screen hyping up Big Bang which is now just 2 weeks away. He now says he hopes fans enjoy yet another big-time main event title match with RVD taking on Stevie Ray. Shane McMahon promo - (77 rated) ---------------------- WCW Booker T Theme - YouTube Booker T comes down to a bit of confusion from the announcers but he comes and joins them on colour commentary for the match Freestyle segment with Booker T (79 rated) ---------------------- Stevie Ray 1st WCW Theme 'Rap Sheet' - YouTube WWE Rob Van Dam 1st Theme "Van Daminator" (HQ) - YouTube Main Event / Match 8 Rob Van Dam (C) (with Bill Alfonso) vs Stevie Ray for the WCW United States Championship Booker T on commentary doesn't sound 100 percent, Tony shows concern but Arn praises him for coming to the show and looking out for his brother Stevie Ray. Before the match starts and Stevie and RVD are sizing each other up Booker pushes the idea that DDP was behind the car incident. Arn says do you not agree with Shane that it was just an accident and nothing untoward? Booker T says tell me you didn't just say that Arn. I'm tellin' you I don't know who's behind it but clearly someone's out to get me. The match itself is a pretty good one, Stevie Ray puts in a good performance but he can't really get near Rob Van Dam who looks brilliant in his first defence of the U.S title. Booker T moans on comms that Bill Alfonso's whistle is giving him a migraine or something. Rob Van Dam eventually picks up the win with the Five Star Frogsplash to retain the title. Rob Van Dam wins via pinfall - (8.12) - (67 rated) Booker T comes off commentary disappointed, not looking 100 percent but after scanning the crowd worried for someone out to get him he gets towards the ring in support of Stevie Ray who looks disappointed to have lost as RVD celebrates in the ring with Bill Alfonso going wild. -------------------- Show rating: 77 1.04 TV rating (780K viewers) Best rated and viewership so far. Very good, very nice. Hopefully we can build on this again in the go home show before the first PPV. -------------------------------

Yeah I get Bischoff is a controversial signing. I wanted a heel authority figure that could clash with Shane at times. I think if this was a save where basically anyone else had bought WCW then I probably wouldn’t have got him in but I think with Shane and what I have planned it will work well with Bischoff as a heel GM which I thought he did great when he first came into WWE. I think Bischoff working with Shane and him hiring him to smite Vince also would be cool and add to the speculation as in if this was all a big WWF/Vince project would they really get Bischoff in? With the ECW guys that have come in so far RVD as a free agent was a no brainer and I could see him going to WCW to be a top guy instead of a bit lost in the shuffle of a much stronger WWF roster. Weirdly they didn’t even seem to offer him a contract which I can’t complain about as I thought they’d offer competition to get him in. I think with a lot of the other guys from ECW on this save they were free agents and whilst they all mostly went to WWF I think if WCW survived a fair few would’ve gone to WCW. Remains to be seen if Dreamer will become part of the roster 👀 Whipwreck was on my radar, didn’t bring him in straight away but could well get him in at some point especially if we get another show. The way the TV deals seem to work where Nitro got a deal I can’t negotiate another new show for 3 months, which tbh I think is a blessing in disguise as far now I’m happy just booking 4 Nitro’s and a PPV each month, if I did bring back Thunder or a show with a new name I’d only want it to be a 1 hour Friday night show type thing and more of a B show type thing to get a bit of TV time for some of the guys who aren’t getting TV time but could do with the exposure. Yeah I wanted to get the U.S title off Booker without having the title vacated as I didn’t think Booker T would want to vacate it. RVD coming in and winning it seemed to be great for him and got the title off Booker too, had him working hurt kayfabe in the match too to try and keep him strong too which I thought still makes RVD look good as he doesn’t get a cheap/tainted win but doesn’t completely beat Booker “clean” clean given he was hurt.

Nitro Episode 2: Wednesday 9th May 2001 Live late-night on FX 4,208 crowd at the Odeum Expo Center ----- Runaway - Linkin Park (Hybrid Theory) - YouTube Show opens up with Linkin Park's 'Runaway' Tony Schiavone on comms says it's Wednesday night folks and you know what that means...IT'S WCW NITRO LIVE FROM CHICAGO! 'For The Love of Money' by The O'Jays begins to play with Shane McMahon tron For the Love of Money - YouTube Shane McMahon comes down to the ring and welcomes the crowd back to Nitro! He promises the fans he's not going to make a habit of starting every show with a Shane McMahon promo, but he just had to come out and start the show with some hugely exciting news! Shane explains that producing and booking shows is new to him, but he's humble enough to recognise when he needs some help. Shane says he's serious about getting WCW back to the top and he's serious about proving his Dad wrong that he hasn't got what it takes to be the best wrestling promoter in the business. Shane says if he ever hopes to compete with, let alone beat his father, he needs some help and so that's why he's gone out and hired a General Manager to help him... and he's hired someone that he knows his father will hate to see him working with and fighting against once again... it's a man who he believes can help him to defeat his father one day in the not too distant future... Tony Schiavone says on commentary that he's got a bad feeling about this... Shane excitedly announces that...IT'S ERIC BISCHOFF!!! Eric Bischoff's 2003 v2 Titantron Entrance Video feat. "I'm Back v2" Theme [HD] - YouTube Eric Bischoff walks out a surprised pop from the fans. The announcers sell it as a big surprise with Tony audibly baffled and seemingly horrified that Bischoff is back Eric Bischoff smiles as he enters the ring and looks over at Shane McMahon. He pauses a little and lets the fans take in what they are seeing. Vince McMahon's son sharing a ring with Eric Bischoff. Bischoff gives a warm handshake/hug to Shane in the middle of the ring as audible chants of "holy ****! holy ****!" can be heard from the Chicago crowd Eric cuts a promo to the crowd saying it's so good to be back LIVE on Nitro and in a WCW ring. Mixed reaction from the fans to Bischoff once they've got over the shock of seeing him in the ring with Shane. Bischoff says he knows he's got some friends and some enemies in the locker-room and elsewhere in the company... but he states he's willing to let bygones be bygones in the interest of business. He's Shane's right hand man now and he'll do not just what Shane wants but what the fans want and what's best for business. WCW Chris Kanyon 2nd Theme - YouTube Kanyon marches to the ring and starts ranting and raving about how Chavo Guerrero Jr stole his card and his opportunity at the U.S Title last week. Eric Bischoff looks annoyed and says to Kanyon that he wasn't here last week, so he doesn't know what Kanyon's talking about, but then he asks Kanyon if he thought the best way to voice these concerns were to interrupt his new boss and the owner of the company? Kanyon shrugs and looks annoyed at Shane and Eric. Shane says he understands why Kanyon is annoyed and he doesn't think it was fair what happened last week. But life's not fair Kanyon he says! Is it fair that my sister got so many opportunities that my Dad never gave to me? Is it fair that Booker T had to defend the U.S title against somebody completely random in the main event last week? Is it fair that if I want to take WCW to the next level I have to work side by side with this scumbag he says looking at Bischoff... he laughs awkwardly at Eric. Bischoff laughs too. The bottom line Kanyon is life's not fair! Now maybe you have a point and you should get a shot at the U.S title...maybe even in the main event of tonight's Nitro! Kanyon perks up at this and a decent reaction from the crowd. But that's not going to happen tonight Shane says! As I was going to announce before you got out here and interrupted... we have a huge main event for tonight's Nitro. As I can officially confirm that tonight's main event will see Booker T defend his WCW United States Championship against the hottest free agent in all of professional wrestling! Crowd pops! But since you're so desperate for a match yourself Kanyon... you'll get a chance to prove yourself to me and Eric Bischoff later on in the show. Freestyle segment with Shane McMahon, Eric Bischoff & Kanyon - (76 rated) ------------------------ Booker T is backstage with Stevie Ray. Booker T says "tell me I didn't just see that?! Bischoff is back?!" Stevie Ray says he doesn't understand it either. Why would you want to bring back somebody who almost killed the company? This can't be good for you as champion Stevie Ray warns him, but he tells Booker he has his back if he ever needs him and congratulates Booker on getting the big win last week. Booker thanks him and says he will fight for the U.S title week in week out if that's what Shane or Bischoff want for the TV ratings and ticket sales. Stevie Ray asks where Sharmell is and Booker says she's been at the Power Plant training today as she's looking to get in the ring a bit in the next few months, but she promised she'll be here for his big match later tonight. Harlem Heat freestyle segment - (70 rated) ---------------------- Match 1: Shane Helms (C) vs David Flair for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship WCW David Flair Theme (Not Full) - YouTube WCW: "Sugar" Shane Helms [Theme Song] - "Vertebreaker" - YouTube Another high-spots cruiserweight clash to start Nitro and this match doesn't seem to go down as well with the crowd as the AJ Styles match with Helms did last week. Flair looks lost in the ring and doesn't get too much offence in before Helms picks up the victory to retain the title Shane Helms retains via pinfall - (5.50) - (38 rated) ----------------------------------- Johnny Ace is backstage in Shane's office with Shane and Eric Bischoff Shane speaking to them and saying, you know I was thinking about what Palumbo & O'Haire were saying last week about Big Bang. And I think they're right, whatever team is tag team champions by Big Bang, we should have a team facing them that are worthy of such a big show. Johnny says well hell we can't have them face Harlem Heat, as it stands Booker might already be defending two titles on the show, you can't make him work triple time... No you're right Shane says. Could get Arn to call up Tully Blanchard and come out of retirement Johnny says not particularly seriously. The Four Horsemen?? Eric laughs. Have you lost your damn mind Johnny?? This is 2001 not 1981! I don't think even Arn had started wrestling in 1981 Johnny Ace begins to argue back but Eric isn't having it. Shane, we need to focus on the here and the now... look at the roster... we've got some great teams on there... I think Team Canada could be a great choice... they're in a match tonight, check them out... this Lance Storm kid I think could be the real deal and- Johnny Ace's phone starts ringing. Shane and Eric look at him as if to say are you gonna answer that? Johnny says sorry it's my brother I better take this. "Hey Joe" he says on the phone. "I'm busy right now, yeah I'm talking with Shane and Eric... yes that Eric... yeah I know... what kind of favour? Woah woah slow down... okay... okay Joe.. I don't think that's the direction that Shane wants to go in right now but What the hells he talking about me with his brother for? Shane asks Eric. That over the hill shmuch probably wants his brother to get him a job, Shane. Thinks because his brother is Head of Talent relations we'll just give him and his dumb buddy Hawk a gold plated contract. Well let me tell you Shane... here's what I think... Wait wait Shane says. Hawk? As in Road Warrior Hawk? Yeah yeah, Bischoff says... did you not know that? Johnny's brother is Animal... but as I was saying we can't waste our time with over the hill Hey Johnny! Wait wait keep him on the phone Shane shouts over at him! Freestyle segment with Shane McMahon, Johnny Ace and Eric Bischoff - (69 rated) ------------------------------------- Match 2: Akira Hokuto vs April Hunter TNA April Hunter and Lorelei 1st theme - YouTube Akira Hokuto 2nd - 1000 Suns (WCW Official Theme) - YouTube The announcers hype up this match as the first women's match in the Shane McMahon era. Akira Hokuto the former WCW Women's champion takes on the in ring debut of April Hunter, former NWO valet, who has been training with the legendary Killer Kowalski. Akira Hokuto dominates the match and gets the win over the inexperienced Hunter. The fans are really not into this match at all and don't seem to give a damn about either women throughout the match despite the announcers trying to hype up the match Akira Hokuto wins via pinfall - (5.25) - (6 rated) -------------------- Buff Bagwell and Johnny 'The Bull' having an interview with JJ Dillon JJ asks Buff how he feels about the events of last week? Buff firstly starts to criticise Johnny 'The Bull' for being stupid enough to get ejected from his match. You want to ride with Buff Bagwell? You want to team with me Johnny? Johnny says course I do Buff. Buff says he needs to be better if he wants to keep riding with him, he ain't carrying nobody. Johnny is fired up by this and says he will make it right. Just tell me how. Anything you like. Buff says I'll tell you how and then looks to the camera. Windham! Rotunda! You think you can stick your nose in Buff Bagwell's business? You got another thing coming! I don't care which one of you is man enough, you're sure as hell both ugly enough, but next week, live on Nitro I'm putting out a challenge! Johnny 'The Bull' is going to teach one of you sad washed up old hacks a lesson! Johnny doesn't look super convinced but quickly changes tune and looks menacing at the camera Freestyle segment with JJ Dillon, Buff Bagwell and Johnny 'The Bull' (52 rated) ------------------------------- DDP and Kanyon backstage. Kanyon is really frustrated. DDP tries to calm him down. DDP tells him he can't let this Chavo stuff get in his head. Kanyon says if he sees that bastard he'll put him in the hospital! DDP says Kanyon has to chill. So you didn't get the U.S title shot last week or tonight, this is just show 2 of the Shane era, you're undeniable in the ring and on the mic Chris, your time will come, believe me. Kanyon says he has trouble believing him but he's going to take his frustration out on his opponent tonight. Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak with Stacy Keibler roll into the set. Shawn laughs at Kanyon. Last week Kanyon you got your card stolen from you... tonight... my buddy Mark Jindrak is going to steal much more than that from you... he's going to steal your pride, your self-respect and your- Kanyon tells him to shut his mouth and gets right in his face. Mark Jindrak gets involved and DDP chills them all out as Stacy laughs in the background. Save it for the ring, DDP tells them all but mostly Kanyon who looks absolutely fuming. Stasiak, Jindrak and Stacy walk off laughing Freestyle segment with DDP, Kanyon, Shawn Stasiak & Mark Jindrak - (67 rated) --------------------------------- Just before the next match starts the camera pans to the crowd where Tony Schiavone on commentary introduces a short small video clip on the screen where we see Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda. Barry Windham says if it's a match next week that Buff and "The Bull" want, then that's what he'll give them as Tony confirms it will be Windham vs Johnny 'The Bull next week live on Nitro. The announcers are joined by Fit Finlay and Dave Taylor on commentary. They're a bit confused by this but Finlay explains they're out scouting for the best young talent in WCW. ---- Match 3: Tajiri vs Lash LeRoux Tajiri's 2001 v1 Titantron Entrance Video feat. "Imperial City" Theme [HD] - YouTube WCW Lash LeRoux Theme (Runnin' Away) - YouTube Arn asks Fit if they're out here scouting Lash or the debuting Tajiri. Fit says, why not both, they're both young talent aren't they? Tajiri and LeRoux get a fair bit of time with both putting on a decent display but Tajiri especially with his brutal kicks and fighting moves really impress with Fit and Dave Taylor both hyping him up throughout the match. Tajiri eventually gets the win with a buzzsaw kick Tajiri wins via pinfall - (7.02) - 48 rated As Tajiri eventually walks up the entrance way and towards the back Fit Finlay and Dave Taylor both stand up and applaud him off which he looks completely baffled by --------------------------------- Curt Hennig interview with JJ Dillon JJ Dillon asking Curt Hennig about last week when Curt says he came back to win the big one. You've never won a world title in your career so far, what makes you think now is the time, JJ asks? Curt says in the past he might have been motivated by having great matches, making the most money, getting the girls etc, but his son Joe turned 21 last year and I said son, you're a man now, what do you see yourself in 10 years? You know what he said? He said he sees himself as a wrestler, I asked him just like you're old man, huh? And he told me, no Dad, I don't think I'd take the Hennig name... you've never been a world champion so why would I want to aspire to be like you? JJ Dillon seems a bit uncomfortable and seems to want to try and make Curt Hennig feel better when Hugh Morrus comes in and starts laughing at Curt. Hugh says he doesn't blame Curt's son for not wanting to be like him. You might have been perfect once, but now... I'd say you were Mr Faulty! Curt takes exception to this and they start brawling and have to be separated as Barry Windham, Mike Rotunda, Kwee Wee, Mike Sanders and Christopher Daniels come into set to split them up. Freestyle segment with JJ Dillon, Curt Hennig, Hugh Morrus, Windham & Rotunda, Kwee Wee, Mike Sanders & Christopher Daniels (49 rated) --------------------------------- Video Package hyping The F.B.I coming to WCW soon (Little Guido & Tony Mamaluke) - (31 rated) Full Blooded ltalians (FBI) 2nd Titantron (with 2nd Theme) - YouTube --------------------------------- Match 4 Terry Funk vs Mike Awesome (with Lance Storm) Terry Funk - Theme - YouTube As Terry Funk comes to the ring he shakes hands with someone in the crowd in the front row at ringside. Camera pans over and it's Tommy Dreamer. Former ECW champion... what's he doing here they wonder? Lance Storm With team The Canada - WCW Theme - YouTube Mike Awesome comes out with Lance Storm. As Mike gets near the ring Tommy Dreamer starts shouting at him. Mike goes over to where he is and seems to gesture as if to say I don't care about you. Lance Storm can be heard berated him for being a typical unemployed American bum. The match is a pretty good one. Mike Awesome seems to have the better of Funk for the most it as Terry works hard but Awesome with 20 years his junior just seems to have more energy and athleticism as the match goes on whilst Funk seems to tire a bit. Towards the end of the match Mike Awesome and Funk are on the outside after Awesome threw Funk into the side of the crowd barrier. Awesome is on the outside when Tommy Dreamer goads him into coming over to him. Mike Awesome comes over as if to say what are you going to do? Lance Storm is gesticulating to the ref telling him that he needs to eject Tommy Dreamer from the arena, just as the ref's back is turned Tommy Dreamer smacks Mike Awesome in the face and seems to almost knock him out. Funk sees his opportunity and throws Awesome into the ring. A dazed Awesome gets to his feet and Funk hits him with a Texas Piledriver for the win as a furious Lance Storm watches on from the outside Terry Funk defeats Mike Awesome via pinfall - (7.01) - (60 rated) After the match Eric Bischoff and some extra security come out with Eric Bischoff on the mic loudly shouting for them to get that talentless ECW carnie "piece of s*** out of this arena!" about Dreamer as Dreamer is jumped on by various security and kicked out as the commentators wonder what that was all about ----------------------- Booker T in the parking lot greets Sharmell who gets out of a cab and gives him a hug and a kiss. Booker asks her how her training at the PowerPlant went and she says she's struggling at the moment but she's worked hard for everything she's got in life and she'll keep working until she's the best women's wrestler in all of WCW. Booker says he believes her when suddenly we hear a car screeching and Booker pushes Sharmell out of the way of an oncoming vehicle which breaks but Booker goes flying onto the boot/windshield. He rolls off to the side and the car drives off without stopping to see if he's okay. Sharmell is screaming for help and checking if Booker is okay. Booker is annoyed and angry and clearly in some pain but he manages to get to his feet whilst holding his back in quite significant pain. Freestyle segment with Booker T & Sharmell - (65 rated) --------------------- Cuts to the crowd and the commentators are selling this incident big time. Tony saying surely Booker won't be medically cleared to compete in the main event tonight?! And who was that in the car?! Arn questions the security at the company as what with this and Mike Awesome getting sucker punched earlier tonight it's not looking good. ----- Match 5: Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo (C) vs The Harris Brothers (Don & Ron Harris) for the WCW World Tag Team Championship TNA: 2005 Harris Brothers Theme (Big Twins) - YouTube Chuck Palumbo & Sean O'Haire 2001 - "Freestyle Hombre" WWE WCW Entrance Theme - YouTube The Harris Brothers come racing out the blocks in their debut in the WCW Shane McMahon era trying to go toe to toe in physicality with the champions. They get a decent amount of offence in to start with but O'Haire & Palumbo soon gain control of the match and get the win fairly quickly O'Haire & Palumbo retain with Palumbo via pinfall - (5.37) - (51 rated) -------------------------- Johnny Ace and Shane McMahon in the medical office with Booker T, Stevie Ray and Sharmell and a doctor The doctor doesn't seem keen on Booker T competing in the main event. Johnny Ace says look Booker you've got a big match coming up at Big Bang in a few weeks. We want you fit and healthy for that match, as head of talent relations it's my responsibility to make sure our talent is kept safe and I don't think you should compete tonight. Stevie Ray and Sharmell agree with Johnny Ace. Shane and Booker both hate this idea Johnny says he understands Shane wants a big main event for the U.S title, but perhaps he could have Booker forfeit the title and have the new signing face somebody else in the main event Booker says he's not forfeiting any title. He can still walk. Okay his neck and his back are banged up a bit but he says he's wrestled feeling much worse. Shane says he loves his fighting spirit, Johnny, Sharmell and Stevie Ray don't seem keen. Mike Awesome barges in with Lance Storm. Mike Awesome tells Shane and Johnny to look at his eye. There's not a lot of visible damage but Awesome says he's got a fractured eye socket and a bad concussion from what that bastard from ECW did to him. Mike says it's not safe in this building! He doesn't know if Tommy Dreamer is acting alone but he reckons all of this stuff is connected. Whether it's some kind of ECW invasion, or Shane's Dad paying people off to hurt his top stars... he thinks this is all linked and it's a big conspiracy!! Booker says he thinks Mike Awesome might be the least Awesome person in the building, but he thinks that he's got a point and questions the security to Shane and Johnny. Shane says security checked and Tommy Dreamer had a genuine ticket. It wasn't an angle or some stunt. He just came to the show and clearly hates Mike Awesome. Not much he can do about that other than ban Tommy Dreamer from future WCW shows. What about the car?! Booker asks angrily Shane says have you seen some of the drivers in Chicago? He says Booker and Sharmell shouldn't have been standing in front of the road in the parking lot and he's sure the incidents aren't connected. Lance Storm agrees and says it's not just drivers in Chicago but all Americans who can't drive. Mike Awesome agrees but everyone else looks at him in an annoyed expression. Freestyle segment with Booker T, Stevie Ray, Sharmell, Shane McMahon, Johnny Ace, Mike Awesome, Lance Storm - (58 rated) -------------------- Chavo Guerrero in the locker-room with Super Crazy and Psychosis. Chavo is asking Super Crazy and Psychosis if they've seen Kanyon around looking for him. They say no but congratulate Chavo on the stunt he pulled on Kanyon last week. Psychosis accuses Chavo of stealing his card last week too. Chavo says you know how it is homes, I'm a Guerrero... I lie! I cheat! I steal! Super Crazy says he saw Kanyon earlier and he seemed really mad. He says to piss off a guy like that... you must be crazier than me...and I am SUPER CRAZY!!! Just as he says this there's a banging on the dooor.. Kanyon bursts into the locker room but Chavo has made a run for it before he sees him. Kanyon, who has DDP quickly following in his tracks, demands to know if they've seen Chavo around. They pretend not to be able to speak English. No hablo Ingles amigo! Kanyon says he knows they can speak English and asks them what are they crazy or something thinking they can trick him? Psychosis says I am not crazy... he is!!! Super Crazy says I am Super... I am Crazy... I AM SUPER CRAZY!!! DDP says I thought you boys said you couldn't speak English Kanyon punches Super Crazy and knocks him slightly off his feet. DDP immediately intervenes and holds Kanyon back to prevent a fight breaking out. Is he Super Crazy or are you Chris?! You've got to get this Chavo thing out of your head. You've got a match in a few minutes and you're messing around trying to assault these guys? What do you want a fine? Suspension? Let's get out of here! Super Crazy and Psychosis seem very angry at Kanyon and mutter angrily to each other in Spanish Freestyle segment with Chavo Guerrero Jr, Psychosis & Super Crazy, Kanyon & DDP - (71 rated) ----------------------------------- Match 6: Mark Jindrak (with Shawn Stasiak and Stacy Keibler) vs Kanyon (with DDP) Mark Jindrak's 1st Titantron Entrance Video [HD] - YouTube WCW Chris Kanyon 2nd Theme - YouTube Mark Jindrak looks up for it at the start of the match but Kanyon uses this match to take out the stress he's been under at missing out on the U.S title and the other drama. Kanyon is super aggressive and physical throughout the match and this is a really decisive win for him over a younger talent who can't keep up with his relentless physicality. Stasiak tries to intervene but DDP prevents him from doing so and it's over. Kanyon wins via pinfall - (6.10) - (50 rated) -------------------------------------- Torrie Wilson is backstage and Juventud Guerrera comes into shot and tries to hit on her. It's not clear if she's particularly interested or not but he mentions how if she wants to manage a champion she should ditch Kidman and come manage him. Billy Kidman storms into set furious and starts shouting at Juvi for coming onto Torrie. Eric Bischoff happens to be walking by and stumbles into the commotion. He asks what's going on. Juvi says Kidman's girl wants to manage a champion but she's stuck managing a chump. Billy starts shouting again and Eric Bischoff tells them both to knock it off. Torrie asks Eric if there's a Cruiserweight Championship match booked for Big Bang yet? Eric says no. Torrie says well how about next week you have Juventud Guerrera... take on Billy Kidman... and the winner gets a title shot at Big Bang? Eric says he likes that idea. He likes it a lot. He jokes with Torrie whether she's ever considered a career as a booker and walks of happily. Juvi says he'll see them both next week. Kidman still annoyed but Torrie says this is the opportunity you've been waiting for. A thank you would be nice? Billy thanks her and says to show thank you properly he'll beat Juvi's ass next week and get that shot at Big Bang. Freestyle segment with Billy Kidman, Torrie Wilson, Juventud Guererra and Eric Bischoff - (55 rated) --------------------------- For the Love of Money - YouTube Shane McMahon comes to the entrance way... Shane says he's so excited to bring the 2nd main event of Nitro under his reign live in Chicago... First it's time to introduce the reigning WCW United States champion who HAS been cleared to compete...Booker T! WCW Booker T Theme - YouTube Booker T comes to the ring with Stevie Ray and Sharmell. Booker isn't moving particularly great which the announcers pick up on, Tony quite concerned, but he's putting on a game face and pretending like he's fine. Shane then says it wasn't easy to secure the signing of the challenger... he was the hottest free agent in all of wrestling... but he's not anymore because he's signed a LONG TERM deal with WCW!!!! It's my pleasure to introduce to you... challenging for the United States championship in the main event of Nitro... ROB... VAN...DAM!!!! The Chicago crowd pops wild for this as Rob Van Dam comes out to the entrance way accompanied by Bill Alfonso The announcers hype this up as a huge signing and what a moment for Nitro! RVD does his Rob-Van-Dam pose and then makes his way to the ring Booker T looking quite shocked/surprised in the ring but ready for action either way. ----- Main Event / Match 7: Booker T (C) vs Rob Van Dam for the WCW United States Championship The crowd are hot for this match and whilst RVD starts the match hot with Alfonso blowing his whistle excitedly at ring-side much to Sharmell and Stevie Ray's dismay, Booker T eventually counters one of RVD's moves and gets back into the match. The crowd don't seem to know who they want to win, it seems like RVD as the exciting new signing has more of the support at times but then when Booker gets some offence in they rally behind him. At one point Booker gets sick of the whistling and he demands the ref eject Alfonso for being so damn distracting, but the ref says this isn't a reason to eject him, RVD uses this opening to get a school-boy pin attempt in and almost gets the 3 but for Booker kicking out at 2.5. Booker focuses more but the school-boy pin seems to have tweaked his neck/back a bit and after this he is noticeably struggling in the ring. Nevertheless he seems to get the better of Rob Van Dam after RVD shows off with some aerial offence. Booker hits a Book-End on RVD and then gets RVD in prime position for his trademark Scissor Kick, but Booker feels his back and takes a few seconds longer than he normally would in hitting the ropes and when he comes back he takes a powerful spinning heel kick to the face from RVD. Booker is down and RVD goes up to the top rope. Alfonso blows his whistle in furious excitement as RVD hits the Five Star Frog Splash!! The referee counts and it's 1....2....3!!! WCW has a new United States Champion as Rob Van Dam gets a win on his debut in the main event!!! The crowd goes wild at this shocking title change to end the show! Stevie Ray and Sharmell look on disappointed as Bill Alfonso celebrates and RVD gets the title from the ref to celebrate. The show ends with an tired and hurt looking Booker T looking crestfallen as RVD's music plays and he celebrates. Rob Van Dam wins the WCW United States Championship via pinfall - (6.48) - (69 rated) -------------------------------------- Show rating: 69 0.88 TV rating (667K viewers) A big drop off in rating/viewers despite the big title main event with RVD debuting and getting the win but I think that women's match cock-up really screwed us over so hoping we can get back on track next week avoid any more silly mistakes like that

WWF bolster their Women's division with two new signings WWF have today announced the signing of former ECW women's wrestling Jazz, who joins the company on a long term deal. Former WCW wrestler Daffney has also signed on as announced earlier today by WWF. It was rumoured that WCW, recently acquired by Shane McMahon, was also interested in bolstering their women's roster by signing Jazz and Daffney, so it is not clear if WWF have signed them out of genuine interest or just to keep them away from WCW. It is thought that whilst WCW's interest was serious, they were not interested enough in either to get in a substantial bidding war for either talent.

Yeah I’ve put Booker at as the figurehead for now. DDP was up there but he’s not getting any younger, think injuries meant he first quit around summer of 2002 before he wound up back in TNA for a bit. Will see how he goes but in ring and promo wise still seems in fine form for now. Johnny Ace is straight up retired yeah whereas Finlay and Taylor were just backroom staff who technically weren’t retired.

Reasonably happy with how the first show went (I'm slightly ahead, have already booked/completed the 2nd Nitro on the game) given it was the first one. I'm not super experienced with booking the angles so like the Finlay one I forgot to script it which killed it and not entirely sure on how to get the best ratings on promos/freestyle etc but Booker T, Shane and DDP all seem to smash it. I've played various parts of TEW for years and Booker and Shane putting in some of the best performances I've ever seen in promos which is great. We got a bit punished by not having enough storylines (expectation is 2 at over 50 heat I think) but given we had no build before the show it was going to be a struggle. Booker T / DDP obviously a face/face feud for now but I hope the plan on that/main event feud generally will make more sense as the weeks go by.

Nitro Episode 1: Wednesday 2nd May 2001 Live late-night on FX 8,511 crowd at the Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum ------ Runaway - Linkin Park (Hybrid Theory) - YouTube Show opens up with Linkin Park's 'Runaway' and some fireworks Tony Schiavone, Scott Hudson and Arn Anderson hyping up the return of Nitro and showing shots of an excited crowd. ------ For the Love of Money - YouTube Shane McMahon enters to a huge pop with a scattering of boos here and there and makes his way down to the ring. Shane welcomes fans in the arena and the TV back to Nitro and how excited he is to get WCW its own TV deal on FX. He addresses fans who don't believe this is genuine and that it is just a Vince/WWF feeder project. Says that he couldn't use his own theme music (maybe he'll have to sign Jim Johnson) and mentions a few Shane O'Mac signs, says you won't see him using that nickname here as WWF trademarked it! Shane says this is the real deal. He won't lie and say he's been a WCW fanboy or hoped they wouldn't go out of business in the past (boos) but this was not his Dad's idea. This is not a WWF project where in a few months you'll see some third-rate invasion angle with WWF guys and WCW guys invading each others show (some boos to this) this is a WCW project and Shane's goal is to take WCW back to the top! WCW is his chance to show the world and his Dad that he's not just the future of wrestling promoting but he's the best in the business today! He's not just a daredevil risk-taker in a wrestling ring, but behind the scenes too! Shane says WCW is back with a bang and announces their first PPV back in business will be WCW Big Bang! Sunday May 27th! Shane says he wants this PPV to announce to the world that WCW is back and Shane McMahon is not here to take part but he's here to take-over! With that in mind Shane says he's going to waste no time in announcing Big Bang's main event. First of all Shane tells the fans to give it up for their WCW double crown World and U.S champion...Booker T! WCW Booker T Theme - YouTube Booker T comes out with both belts to a huge pop from the fans in the arena. Booker T gets in the ring with Shane McMahon and skeptically shakes his hand. Shane hypes up Booker T as double crown champion. Booker T cuts a promo thanking the fans and saying he agrees with some who aren't sure about Shane or how genuine this project is, but he will give his all for WCW and the two prestigious titles that he holds. Booker T makes a comment about how he didn't even have to sleep with the bosses daughter to win two titles, fans go wild for this dig at WWF/Triple H. Shane laughs a bit but doesn't seem super happy and makes a comment about how "that's still my sister!" Booker T then asks who he will face in the main event at Big Bang. Shane says he wants to start off with a bang at Big Bang and who better to challenge Booker T in the main event than this man... WCW DDP Theme Song Self High Five - YouTube Crowd goes nuts for DDP DDP cuts short promo how he's excited for WCW to be back and at Big Bang he's going to beat Booker and equal his 4 times as champion and become U.S champion whilst he's at it! Booker T says he respects DDP and is a fighting champion but he finds it a bit odd that DDP just gets a shot at both titles without having earned either. Shane McMahon says Booker is right. DDP hasn't earned the right to challenge for both titles. DDP and Booker T will main event Big Bang for the WCW World Heavyweight championship, but the WCW United States Championship is another story altogether. Shane says he respects Booker wanting to be a fighting champion and he will give him the chance to prove just that. Shane mentions it being the US Title, what better way to decide who will challenge for the US title than with one of America's favourite past-times...gambling! Shane gets out a deck of playing cards. Shane says he's already told Tony Schiavone (welcome back by the way) a random card... and he will be letting everybody on the roster pick a card at random and that for the main event of Nitro's return... Booker T will defend the WCW United States championship against the person with that card! Shane drops the mic and goes to leave the ring but not before DDP stops him to ask for a first pick at the deck of cards. The commentary team mention maybe the main event of the first Nitro could even be Booker T vs DDP for the US title! Shane McMahon, Booker T & DDP freestyle (88 rated) ----------------------------- Sean O'Haire and Chuck Palumbo backstage talking to Johnny Ace and JJ Dillon. O'Haire says Booker T isn't the only fighting champion in WCW and they want to know who they'll defend the titles against at Big Bang. Johnny Ace says Shane's the boss, not him or JJ and from what he's heard there might be a new booker in town from next week's Nitro. Mid-way through the promo Shane returns to his office and asks what's going on. Johnny Ace explains and Shane says, if you're so keen on defending those titles, forget Big Bang! You can defend them tonight! You just get out there later and I'll worry about finding a team to face you! Sean O'Haire and Chuck Palumbo both take a card from Shane and then leave. Shane looks stressed and asks Johnny if he's finalised getting a GM sorted to help handle the booking of the show whilst he deals with production etc. Johnny says he'll get it done whatever it takes. Shane thanks his head of talent relations and then says how are you getting on with the hottest free agent in wrestling? Johnny Ace says he's working on that too but there's a lot of competition. Shane says he doesn't give a damn how much it costs he wants him at next week's Nitro to show the world WCW is the future of this industry! Shane rushes off. JJ says to Johnny "well I know who the free agent is, but who are we hiring to be the new GM?" Johnny whispers it to JJ who reacts furiously and can't believe it! What?!? You've got to be kidding me! Freestyle segment with Sean O'Haire, Chuck Palumbo, Johnny Ace, JJ Dillon and Shane McMahon (70 rated) ---------------------------------------- Match 1: Shane Helms (C) vs AJ Styles for the WCW Cruiserweight Title AJ Styles 2003-2006 TNA Theme Song - YouTube WCW: "Sugar" Shane Helms [Theme Song] - "Vertebreaker" - YouTube In the first match of the night we see Cruiserweight champion Shane Helms put his title on the line against rookie young talent AJ Styles. It's a fairly open match with a nice amount of high-spots throughout which gets the crowd interested. At various points AJ looks like maybe he could pull off an upset but eventually Shane Helms finds his opening and gets the clean win. Shane Helms retains the title via pinfall (8.04 minutes) - (56 rated) ---------------------------------------- Jamie Knoble backstage with Kid Kash watching the monitor. Jamie mentions how Shane might be able to beat a rookie but he wouldn't find it so easy against someone more experienced like him. Buff Bagwell enters the frame flanked by Johnny 'The Bull' Stamboli. He squares up to Jamie Knoble and says I don't know if you've seen the card for tonight, but we've got a match against each other late on. You want to talk about experience and finding it easy, kid? Well we'll see who finds it easy later tonight as The Bull laughs. Freestyle segment with Buff Bagwell, Jamie Knoble and Kid Kash (48 rated) --------------------------------------- Bily Kidman and Torrie Wilson are talking about what card Billy Kidman picked up for the U.S title match with Dawn Marie chilling with them. Billy says he has the Queen of Hearts and Torrie is the Queen of his Heart. Torrie laughs along. Billy is flirting with Torrie and showing off in front of Dawn Marie and says as his manager he hopes she can manage to keep his card safe. She puts in her jacket. Chavo Guerrero Jr comes into set greeting Billy and the ladies. He gives a flirty hug to Dawn Marie and politely hugs Torrie Wilson and wishes Kidman best of luck later on tonight Freestyle segment with Billy Kidman, Torrie Wilson, Dawn Marie and Chavo Guerrero (44 rated) --------------------------------------- Match 2: Team Canada (Lance Storm & Mike Awesome) vs Elix Skipper & Kid Romeo Skipper and Romeo give a half-decent account of themselves in the match but Lance Storm especially is just too good technically for them to deal with and Storm gets the win via pinfall Team Canada wins via pinfall (8.27) - (57 rated) ----------------------------------- DDP and Kanyon in the back. Kanyon says he's genuinely pleased for DDP to get the big match at Big Bang for the title. DDP says maybe if you play your cards right you might be U.S champion by then. He asks what card he got? Kanyon says the Ace of Spades but that he gets no luck so he won't get a break tonight, but either way he's got DDP's back and wishes him luck in his match which DDP says is up next so he better get ready to leave. Chavo Guerrero comes in to congratulate DDP on being Number 1 contender and says he's rooting for him. Gives both of them an elaborate hand shake/hug type thing. DDP and Kanyon both looking at each other like WTF is this guy doing as Chavo goes off screen Freestyle segment with DDP, Kanyon and Chavo - (61 rated) -------------------------------------- Booker T getting ready in the back. Stevie Ray comes into set looking super annoyed and flustered. Booker T pleased to see his brother and asks what's up. Stevie Ray thanks Booker for letting him borrow his car but that he had a nightmare getting to the arena and only just got here. Johnny Ace unhappy that he was late but it wasn't his fault, he had a flat tyre when he left his hotel and in the parking lot coming into the arena some guy almost rear ended Booker's car. The guy drove off before Stevie could do anything. Booker says the important thing is he's here now and if Johnny Ace gives him trouble he'll put a word in for him. Curt Hennig comes into frame and shakes Booker's hand. Booker asks what he wants? Curt says he didn't come back for the money or the fame, he came back because he's never won the big one and points to the big gold belt. Curt says he might not be the biggest name on the card so he might not have got a free shot at it like DDP did, but he wants Booker to know that whether it's him or DDP who's champion he wants his shot at being a World champion and will work his ass off until he gets it Freestyle segment with Booker T, Stevie Ray and Curt Hennig - (82 rated) ------------------------------------- Match 3: DDP vs Reno Reno WCW Custom Entrance Video - YouTube WCW DDP Theme Song Self High Five - YouTube This is a decisive win for DDP. Reno gets in a bit of offence at the start but DDP quickly gets the momentum and dispatches of him with a Diamond Cutter. DDP wins via pinfall (5.52) - (62 rated) ----------------------------------------- Fit Finlay and Dave Taylor backstage. Dave Taylor saying he's not sure he wants to keep wrestling and that he'd be happy enough just being a road agent at this stage in his career helping out the younger guys and girls. Fit Finlay angry at him. Fit tells him to fix up. They can be road agents and active performers. The problem the younger talent has today is they weren't trained old school like we were, Dave. They don't know how to hit a man or kick a man. That's what we're here for and what better way to show these kids how to work then by fighting them in the ring! Freestyle segment with Fit Finlay and Dave Taylor - (34 rated) ---------------------------------------- Terry Funk and Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat backstage. Ricky says he's glad that a legend like Funk has joined the company. Funk thanks him and said he's here for one last ride before his retirement. Lance Storm and Mike Awesome bursts in. Mike laughs at Funk. He says that Funk could get away with being past it in ECW but that won't cut it here. Funk says Awesome should be careful what he says about ECW as there's a lot of folks from there who ain't too happy with him. Awesome says that's fighting talk and he'll show Funk and anyone else from ECW what happens when they mess him with. He challenges Funk to a match next week and Funk accepts. Freestyle segment with Terry Funk, Ricky Steamboat, Mike Awesome and Lance Storm - (51 rated) --------------------------------------- Match 4: Buff Bagwell (with Johnny 'The Bull') vs Jamie Knoble Jamie Noble - Trailer Park (Entrance Theme) - YouTube WCW Buff Bagwell 4th Theme Song - "Buff Daddy" (With Tron) - YouTube Jamie Knoble is the underdog in this match and Buff gets in a lot of offensive moves. Johnny 'The Bull' seems to try too hard to help his friend and he gets caught by Charles Robinson trying to help Buff cheat to win which causes Johnny to be ejected. Knoble uses this distraction and nearly scores a big upset with a roll-up. A furious Buff Bagwell then gets the win but he does not look happy afterwards. Buff Bagwell wins via pinfall (5.48) - (53 rated) ----------------------------------------- Buff Bagwell beats up Jamie Knoble after the match and it's Windham & Rotunda who rush out to make the save. Barry Windham 9th WCW Theme 'Road To Glory (Underscore)' - YouTube Post-match segment (Knoble, Buff, Windham & Rotunda) - (44 rated) ----------------------------------------------------- Shane Helms backstage as Evan Karagias and Shannon Moore come in. They say it's time to bring 3 Count back for a Reunion Tour! Shane Helms asks if they saw him out there? First match under the Shane McMahon Nitro era and he made that rookie AJ Styles look like a chump! 3 Count dragged him down and he's moved on from that crap. He storms off. Freestyle segment with Shane Helms & 3 Count (Karagias & Moore) - (44 rated) --------------------------------------------- Match 5: Shawn Stasiak (with Stacy Keibler) vs Jason Jett WCW Shawn Stasiak 4th Theme Song - "Stasiak Theme" (With Tron) - YouTube WCW Jason Jett 2nd Theme - "Jason Jett Theme" (Rec.) - YouTube Jason Jett gives a good account of himself. Shawn Stasiak looks on the ropes at one point but Stacy intervenes, getting up on the apron and flirting with Jason Jett. This distraction helps out Stasiak massively and leads to him getting the win. Stacy laughs at Jett on the floor and blows him a kiss as Shawn Stasiak celebrates in the ring. Shawn Stasiak wins via pinfall (5.51) - (49 rated) ---------------------------------------- Promo Package hyping up the upcoming debut of Tajiri Promo Video with Tajiri - (33 rated) Tajiri's 2001 v1 Titantron Entrance Video feat. "Imperial City" Theme [HD] - YouTube ----------------------------------------- Match 6: Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo (C) vs The MexiCruisers (Super Crazy & Psychosis) with Juventud Guerrera Mexicools - theme and Titantron Video - YouTube Chuck Palumbo & Sean O'Haire 2001 - "Freestyle Hombre" WWE WCW Entrance Theme - YouTube An open match which lets Super Crazy and Psychosis show off their athletic and high-flying ability. O'Haire and Palumbo have to work hard for the win but ultimately retain the title when O'Haire gets the pin after they hit their finishing move on Super Crazy. O'Haire & Palumbo retain via pinfall (8.04) ---------------------------------------- The camera pans to backstage where a lot of wrestlers are gathered waiting for the reveal of who will get the U.S Title shot. Billy Kidman is raging at Torrie Wilson. What do you mean you can't find my card?! Tony Schiavone is standing by at the entrance way for the big reveal. WCW Booker T Theme - YouTube The crowd goes wild for Booker T who comes out with both titles which he proudly displays. Tony on the mic as the entrance theme finishes and says it gives him great pleasure to reveal that the card which Shane McMahon gave him is... The Ace of Spades! He just needs the winning wrestler to come to the entrance way with their card. Anderson and Hudson hyping up on commentary that they think that means it's Kanyon/Booker T in the main event. The camera pans to backstage where Kanyon, standing with DDP, cannot find his card in his pocket. DDP is telling him to go out there. It's the Ace of Spades, Kanyon, you got your shot! But Kanyon can't find the card! The camera cuts back to Tony Schiavone looking a bit awkward, Booker T in the ring is annoyed at the delay. Suddenly, an all-smiles Chavo Guerrero Jr struts out to the entrance way and after seeming to pull out 8 or 9 cards, he finds a card and gives it to a baffled Tony Schiavone who the states anxiously "it's the Ace of Spades..." The camera cuts backstage to Kanyon who realises. That bastard stole my card! He stole my card! Kanyon barges over to the Gorilla position where Shane is standing with a few random producers and starts screaming. A stressed out Shane is furious. What are you doing you idiot?! This is our first Nitro main event what do you want?! Speak to me after the show! Kanyon is furious but DDP drags him away. DDP goes to speak to Shane but Shane says AFTER THE SHOW!!!! so DDP thinks better of it. Camera cuts back to the entrance way with Chavo Guerrero Jr waiting nervously Tony Schiavone announces that it seems like it will in-fact be Booker T vs Chavo Guerrero Jr for the WCW United States Championship! WCW Chavo Guerrero Last Theme - YouTube Scott Hudson mentions this doesn't seem particularly fair and that Chavo stole Kanyon's card, but Arn says it's finders keepers and Kanyon should've held his card closer to his chest! ------------------------------------------ Main Event / Match 7 Booker T (with Sharmell) (C) vs Chavo Guerrero Jr for the WCW United States Championship The crowd is hyped to see Booker T in action for the first time in the Shane McMahon era and he doesn't disappoint them with his performance in the match. Chavo gets a bit of offence in here and there but Booker dominates the match and has the crowd on his side. Chavo edges his way into the match purely by luck as half-way through the match there appears to be an incident in the crowd. It seems like a fairly overweight looking fan in a Luchador mask tries to jump the barrier but they get stopped by security and a few security come running out from the entrance-way to deal with it. It looks like security will grab the masked man but he fights a few of them off. Booker T is asking the ref WTF is going on when Chavo takes advantage and gets in his first proper run of attacking moves on Booker throughout the whole match. But Chavo is no match for Booker T and despite this distraction Booker recovers to get the Book-End and then a Scissor-Kick to get the win. Booker T celebrates in the ring with Sharmell and raises the U.S title whilst still a bit confused and he seems to be asking Sharmell if she knows what happened in the crowd Booker T retains via pinfall - (8.34) - (67 rated) ------------------------------------------ Show rating: 71 0.93 TV rating (701K viewers)

From what I saw online Windham and Rotunda were dotting around the U.S indies and Japan for a few more years in the early 2000s. They're both fairly over in the South and pretty decent workers, at this stage in their career I don't have plans to build the division around them but I think they'll be quite handy/safe mid level guys for the 2 year contracts they've got.

Day 1 Roster (pre-first Nitro) Champions: WCW World Heavyweight: Booker T WCW United States: Booker T WCW Cruiserweight: Shane Helms WCW World Tag Team: Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo Men: AJ Styles Barry Windham Billy Kidman Booker T Buff Bagwell Chavo Guerrero Jr Christopher Daniels Chuck Palumbo Curt Hennig Dave Taylor David Flair DDP Don Harris Elix Skipper Evan Karagias Fit Finlay Hugh Morrus Jamie Knoble Jason Jett Jimmy Yang Johnny The Bull Juventud Guerrera Kanyon Kaz Hayashi Kid Kash Kid Romeo Kwee Wee Lance Storm Lash LeRoux Little Guido Mark Jindrak Mike Awesome Mike Rotunda Mike Sanders Psychosis Reno Ron Harris Sean O'Haire Shane Helms Shannon Moore Shawn Stasiak Stevie Ray Super Crazy Tajiri Terry Funk The Wall (In rehab) Tony Mamaluke Tag Teams: 3 Count (Evan Karagias & Shannon Moore) Barry Windham & Mike Rotunda DDP & Kanyon Elix Skipper & Kid Romeo Fit Finlay & Dave Taylor Harlem Heat (Booker T & Stevie Ray) Mark Jindrak & Shawn Stasiak Sean 0'Haire & Chuck Palumbo The F.B.I (Little Guido & Tony Mamaluke) The Harris Twins (Don Harris & Ron Harris) The Jung Dragons Team Canada (Lance Storm & Mike Awesome) Managers: Sharmell managing Booker T Stacy Keibler managing Shawn Stasiak Torrie Wilson managing Billy Kidman Women: Akira Hokuto Dawn Marie Malia Hosaka Sharmell Stacy Keibler Torrie Wilson CEO/Owner: Shane McMahon Announcers: Arn Anderson Scott Hudson Tony Schiavone Refs: Billy Silverman Charles Robinson Nick Patrick Scott Armstrong Backroom/Road Agents: Dave Taylor Fit Finlay JJ Dillon Johnny Ace Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat Terry Funk

James Storm is definitely on my radar to look at bringing in at some point. Think for the moment we're okay with tag-teams as I have maybe 1-2 others on the cards as well that are bother "new" creations I've come up with.

WCW have announced a list of additions to their roster ahead of their debut on FX in a late night slot this coming Wednesday. Shane McMahon was clearly keen to bolster the roster both in the ring and outside of it, with two road agents in JJ Dillon and the iconic Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat adding experience behind the scenes. The announcement also sees referee Scott Armstrong signing on and - perhaps the most noteworthy for everyone who will be tuning into Nitro on Wednesday, Tony Schiavone will be at the announce desk, presumably with Scot Hudson and Arn Anderson. In the ring there are some familiar faces as the legendary Terry Funk joins the roster, with it thought by some that he will also act as a road agent behind the scenes for the company. Also joining the ranks are former U.S champion Curt Hennig and Stevie Ray, the brother and tag-team partner of current WCW World and U.S champion Booker T. Stevie Ray is of course a 10 time tag team champion and is another experienced pro to join the locker room. It looks like Shane O'Mac was keen to add to his tag division as the announcement sees the surprise arrival of the U.S Express (Barry Windham & Mike Rotunda), it is thought that WWF owns that name, as well as the American Express name, so it is not clear what name they will use for them but a source close to Barry Windham claimed he was excited to be tagging with with his brother-in-law again for the first time in over 15 years. WCW have also added the Harris Twins, Don and Ron, as well as The F.B.I. (Little Guido and Tony Mamaluke). Some exciting high-flyers also appear to have been added to the roster perhaps to help improve the Cruiserweight division. WCW fans will recognize the likes of Juventud Guerrera, Psychosis and Super Crazy, but they will also get more acquainted with the now defunct former ECW lightweights Kid Kash and Tajiri. A second chance appears to have been given to two younger high-flyers who were previously under contract with WCW prior to the takeover, as AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels also sign on. It is not clear if Shane McMahon plans to bring back a Women's Championship within WCW, but he has added to an almost non-existent women's division by signing on former WCW Women's champion Akira Hokuto, as well as the Hawaii native and formerly WWF contracted Malia Hosaka. 2 former ECW employees Dawn Marie and Francine have also joined the company, although it is not clear if this will be in a managerial capacity or if they will actually be used in the ring too. Konnan signs on with NJPW One man who won't be joining Shane McMahon's new WCW project on FX is Konnan who has signed on with New Japan. It is rumoured that WCW were interested in him and did offer a substantial contract to the former WCW U.S, Tag Team and T.V champion but he turned them down. WCW have refused to comment on speculation that Konnan had doubts about how genuine Shane McMahon's takeover of the company was and that he feared it would soon be merged with WWF, instead opting for what he saw as a "safer" bet in Japan.

Thanks guys, I signed a few of these guys as Day 1 hires and have a few more potentially lined up in the next few weeks. AAA/CMLL/AJPW/NJPW agreement is something I hadn't really considered so I'll look into that. I think in the short term WWF/E have a massively better roster but for the interim we'll just have one 2 hour TV show and I think we can get consistent ratings and put on some decent monthly PPVs to get the income in.

Starting Roster from the Mod: Active Talent Billy Kidman Booker T Buff Bagwell Chavo Guerrero Jr Chuck Palumbo Dave Taylor* David Flair DDP Elix Skipper Evan Karagias Fit Finlay* Hugh Morrus Jamie Knoble Jason Jett Jimmy Yang Johnny The Bull Kanyon Kaz Hayashi Kid Romeo Kwee Wee Lance Storm Lash LeRoux Mark Jindrak Mike Awesome Mike Sanders Reno Sean O'Haire Shane Helms Shannon Moore Shawn Stasiak The Wall (In rehab) Sharmell Stacy Keibler Torrie Wilson CEO/Owner: Shane McMahon Announcers: Arn Anderson Scott Hudson Refs: Billy Silverman Charles Robinson Nick Patrick Backroom/Road Agents: Dave Taylor Fit Finlay Johnny Ace The only changes I've made to the roster pre-save was to edit Fit Finlay and Dave Taylor's contracts so they are Road Agents but also available for in-ring work too. Overall a decent starting point, but given the amount of talent kicking around as free agents or not on exclusive written contracts at WWF/NJPW etc it would be rude not to make a fair amount of signings both in-ring and behind the scenes to kick start the Shane O'Mac WCW era. More to follow...

Self-imposed loosely followed "rules" to make it more realistic for me There's a few things I'm going to try and stick to in this save to try and keep it somewhat realistic at least in my own view point. The first one is the product. The product within the Mod for Shane's WCW is quite similar to WWF at the time and so the weekly TV shows are 70 percent angles and 30 percent matches. This is quite alien for me on TEW as typically I go for more of a Wrestling Nerd Nirvana type booking which focuses more on matches, so I'm not super experienced at booking angle heavy shows. I will be learning on the job for the first few months but I guess that kind of ties into how Shane McMahon would be learning on the job being a promoter for the first time. The second one is signings and the use of talent. I'm not going for a completely historically accurate or most likely list of signings, talent etc that WCW in this scenario would've definitely signed/not signed and will be doing what I want to some extent, but there are some rules I will be sticking to. The mod has the guys who were seeing out their deals out for "legal reasons" for the realistic periods of time and I haven't messed with any of that. I will probably look to sign some of them when they become available, but with WWF and NJPW both in the market for talent I would say basically none of them are guaranteed pick ups for us. But I find that a fun part of the game and should add to the different stuff that happens in this new timeline. I actually think to some extent it will ensure our product/roster stays a bit fresh as there's a steady flow of potential new signings over the course of 2 years or so. In terms of guys who were in WCW towards the end or were under contract in this mod but didn't end up doing much in wrestling after WCW went bust I have signed/kept a fair few of those guys. I probably won't build around most of them but certainly for the first few years it will be useful to have some name recognition. In terms of guys at WWF who may get released, fired, go out of contract etc. I am treating these as "fair game" in the sense that if someone who wasn't released or fired by WWF in the real timeline does get sacked/released then if I do want them I'll go for them. The two main ones at the moment who I haven't signed or bid for are Jerry Lawler and The Prototype (John Cena) as neither were under the WWF umbrella at this point (vast majority of the other Ruthless Aggression guys are in developmental territories). With both Lawler and Cena I am waiting until their respective returns/debuts on WWF/E TV before I look to sign either of them. I'm not going to "game" the game and put them with WWF directly (not even sure how you do this in a save game or if it's possible) but signing either of them would feel a bit unrealistic to me so I'm going to give WWF/E some time to pick them up and if not I will probably go for both at some point. On those lines another big self-imposed rule is how I'll be treating "young" or "next generation" talent generally in terms of signing. Nothing against people who do this and each to their own in the save etc but to keep it a bit more realistic/fun for me as an alternative timeline thing I won't be going in to sign any "young" talent until around the time they debuted in the real timeline on either WWE, NWA/TNA or ROH. I get to some this would be a weird rule and in an alternative timeline you would get talent scouting etc and a lot of younger talent could end up on WCW much quicker, but I have kept notes in Excel for when I can potentially sign some of the young talent who made a name for themselves in ROH, TNA etc. As you will see I have signed a couple of younger guys who were contracted to WCW in the last few years they were around as I have taken them as "fair game" as on the radar for WCW at the time and whilst I won't give them monster pushes straight away they could well end up getting bigger sooner than they did in the real timeline. The third one is retirements/wrestlers no longer being active To keep it realistic/enjoyable for me as an alternative timeline type thing I will be retiring people around the same sort of time they retired with the editor. So for example The Rock, Steve Austin etc from active competition around the dates of the last matches they had in real life. I'll also be retiring off the more popular stars who sadly passed away in the real timeline around the time they passed, think killing them off directly is a bit too morbid for me, but at least retiring them from active competition just to keep it a bit more realistic when playing.

First of all I need to give credit to MrCanada as it's his database/mod/graphics that I'm using for this save. I haven't really posted on here before and I only found out about the mod through a random TEW2020 youtube video from a Youtuber I'd never watched before (AuspiciousAussie) but I watched his intro video for this mod and I just thought it seemed awesome and have spent hours checking out the DB on the game in the last few days. I haven't done one of these in probably well over 10 years and probably don't have the spare time to go super nuts in the write ups of the shows (in terms of writing out promos, matches in massive length) so if that's deal breaker I'll just set your expectations low at the start. I do still plan to put in a decent level of write up in what's going on etc but just don't have the time to go super in-depth with everything.