WCW: Reigniting The Fire

[CactusZach]

EDIT: This is not an Invasion Diary! This uses a 2001 Mod which sets WCW up with the roster they had witht he Invasion, but gives the player the opportunity to revuild WCW as it's own seperate entity. So the idea is Shane is going against his father by building HIS OWN legacy and company

 

March 26, 2001



It is a historic night in the history of professional wrestling, WCW is dead, long live the WWF. The Monday Night Wars are over, the victor has been crowned, and Vince McMahon is revelling in the victory. In the middle of the ring, being a sore loser, going through some of the more recognized names in WCW and seeing how the fans react to the idea of these wrestlers keeping their jobs...rubbing salt in the wounds of WCW and the WCW roster.

"How appropriate is it, that WCW's last broadcast...is in a BEER HALL?!" 

The smugness is radiating through the screen as Vince gloats how he could line up each of the fans favorite wrestlers and tell each and every one of them that "YOU'RE FIRED!", that "WCW IS BURIED! WCW WILL REMAIN BURIED!"

The fans are starting to turn against Vince now, what started as a possible moment of excitement from the fans to see new faces from WCW come to the WWF, it became rather sickening just how much Vince was using this as an opportunity to completely and utterly degrade the company that not too long ago, had him on the ropes for 83 weeks...
 

 

"...DAMN IT I'M VINCE MCMAHON! DAMN IT! I OWN WCW! I OWN THE WWF! AND YOU WILL TREAT ME WITH RESPECT! OR I'LL WALK OUT OF THIS ARENA, MA-..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWzZx92OvmU

Wait a minute? Shane? That's Shane's titantron playing, but no sign of the man himself as of yet...Vince is pumped, waving his hands and calling for Shane to come out to the ring, but his face quickly changes to one of confusion as the titantron suddenly changes...



It soon becomes obvious what the situation actually is, as this historic simulcast cuts from Cleveland where Raw is War is currently situated, and goes to Panama City, where WCW is live for the last time...
Shane McMahon's on Nitro!



"What's up Vince?"

The fans chant for Shane as he grabs the WCW branded microphone, seemingly flipping the script on his dad in real time.

"Surprise dad! You're in Cleveland, Ohio...and I'm here in Panama City Beach, Florida! Standing...in a WCW ring! And as usual dad, your ego...has gotten the best of you!"

The look of confusion and disbelief on Vince's face as Shane speaks to him across the titantron, the relationship between these two had been strained at best as of late and Shane has been known to enjoy getting one up on his dear old dad, especially when it comes to business ventures...

"Your ego has gotten the best of you...I mean dad, you wanted to finalize this deal, with WCW, at Wrestlemania...you had the audacity to ask Ted Turner himself to come down and finalize that deal? Well dad, that's just the opportunity I was looking for..."

Vince's look of disbelief slowly starts to turn to one of shock as he shakes his head, hoping that Shane is not going to be saying what Vince thinks he is...

"Because dad, the deal is finalzied with WCW...and the name on the contract does say McMahon...however the contract reads....SHANE MCMAHON!"

"That's right dad! I NOW OWN WCW!"

WHAT?! No way! Talk about getting one up on the old man! Shane has hit his dad where he knows it hurts him the most! His pride! His ego! His need to be the only game in town! Without WCW, WWF would have a monopoly on the Wrestling world, Vince could claim ULTIMATE Victory and by using his own father's hubris against him, Shane has helped keep competition alive in the wrestling world!

"Now dad I'll be honest...and I'll give you credit where it's due. You've got a good lead right now...After all, after tonight? WCW will no longer be on TNT...WCW will no longer be with Turner broadcasting, heck, WCW won't even have a TV deal to even speak of! Some of the fan favorites this company is known for? I'm going to have to get them to come to the table...and see if they can renegotiate a deal. Some of them might say yes...some of them, I imagine...will be gone for quite some time...I hold my hands up dad and say, right here? Right now? You have the upper hand..."

Vince can't help but form a sleazy, knowing smirk. He enjoys having the upper hand too much, he enjoys knowing that he and his company are on top and to hear Shane say that, despite having just announced his ownership of WCW, was a rejuvenating boost to the old man's ego, but the other shoe must drop...

"If you're expecting all out war from the very get go! If you're expecting me to come out guns blazing? Well dad...as much as I am sure all the fans would LOVE to see that...I've  learned something important after watching you conduct business for all these years. See I grew up watching you take down company...after company...after company, that tried to compete with you. WCW? If I hadn't signed the deal? It was just going to be the latest, in a long list of companies you've put out of business. It was going to join that list of each and every one of your competitors that tried to take it to you in the wrestling business, but failed...because they all share the same trait...they tried to be better than you at what YOU did...rather than focusing on what THEY were doing!"

Vince's look of confusion returns, his need for competition and to be BETTER than that competition made him come to expect that same old routine he had managed to come out on top in each and every time. A company tries to beat Vince at what Vince is doing...and inevitably fails...and Vince squashes them.

"Well I'm not gonna be like them Dad. I'm not gonna try and beat you at your game, I'm not entering a battle on YOUR terms. No sir. I'm gonna bide my time...and I'm gonna be patient...and I'm gonna rebuild this company into something new, something different...something BETTER...and all the while you're gonna' be lookin over the numbers, lookin' through the headlines...wonderin' when WCW is gonna try going to war with you once more...when the sad reality for you Vince?"

Shane smirks as he looks directly at the camera that's pointed at him in the WCW ring, he may as well be looking straight into the eyes of his father as he says this though because that is clearly the intention.

"The sad reality for you is...I'm going to win...not by going head to head with you on Monday Nights...not by signing away all your old stars...I'm simply going to present a better show than YOU...and day by day, week by week...we'll crawl our way back to that number one spot...right where we belong!"

The fans rejoice, perhaps this was not the declaration of war they were hoping for and exactly what is going to happen to WCW is up in the air, with no Ted Turner behind the machine, Shane will have to find the company a new TV deal. What does that mean for the Monday Night Wars? And what about the roster? How many of those big stars will fall through the cracks? Hogan, Sting, Luger, Goldberg, DDP? Uncertainty was still in the air but one thing WAS certain...WCW was not dead...Shane McMahon owned it and had full intentions on rebuilding it and making it a competitor in the industry once more...

"Cya soon dad!"

Edited August 1, 2023 by CactusZach

[CactusZach]

Day One

 

Boy, what a mess. If there was ever an underdog story in professional wrestling worth writing about, I have willingly taken ownership of what could potentially be the biggest one yet. No TV deal, No relationship with Turner to rely on. Big stars? Hogan? Flair? Sting? Goldberg? Forget about it. Their contracts are all tied up with Turner, even if I COULD try and work through that legal mess, the money they were on? They'd be idiotic to take whatever contracts I would be willing to offer them. I'm operating on a much thinner roster thanks to the multiple Turner contracts I couldn't get a hold of in the deal. I imagine the fanbase, or whatever is left of it is hoping and praying for me to come back on Monday Nights with a vengeance, but that just isn't realistic. Nitro will need a new home, on a new day. One that doesn't have Dad's scheduling interfering with it. Something we can start the rebuilding process on without having to worry about competing ratings from Raw. Hell it might not even be Nitro. I'm thinking total rebrand of our main show. No B Shows for now...need to rebuild faith and get the bad taste out of everybody's mouth, fans and workers...

 

I think the first important matter of business is the roster and Champions we currently have.

 

 

Roster (Wrestlers Only)

Billy Kidman

Booker T

Buff Bagwell

Chavo Guererro Jr.

Chuck Palumbo

David Flair

Diamond Dallas Page

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

Paisley

Reno

Sean O'Haire

Shane Helms

Shane McMahon? (I put a question mark because I don't know if I should be in ring talent or be an Authority Figure?)

Shannon Moore

Shawn Stasiak

Stacy Keibler

The Wall

Torrie Wilson

 

Champions

WCW World Heavyweight Champion

Booker T

 

WCW United States Champion

Vacant (Booker T is technically the current holder, however once we have a TV deal I'll be vacating the title on the new first edition of the show)

 

WCW Cruiserweight Champion

Shane Helms

 

WCW World Tag Team Champions

Chuck Palumbo

Sean O'Haire

 

Tag Teams
3 Count (Evan Karagias and Shannon Moore)
Jung Dragons (Jimmy Yang and Kaz Hayashi)
Palumbo & O'Haire (Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire)
Romeo & Skipper (Kid Romeo and Elix Skipper)
Team Canada (Lance Storm and Mike Awesome)

 

[CactusZach]

WCW Returns To Our Screens In May!
The USA Network Accepts "WCW Turmoil" Into Its Programming Schedule

March 26, 2001 was a historic day in wrestling. For two reasons. The first reason being that we saw the simulcast of WWF Monday Night Raw and WCW Monday Nitro on our screens. This was supposed to be the final time we saw WCW on our screens and in some ways that is true. It appears to be, for now at least, the final time we witnessed WCW Monday Nitro. What the fans in attendance at both events were not expecting that evening and certainly the fans at home were not expecting, was for Shane McMahon to be revealed to be the owner of WCW that night, announcing his intentions to rebuild the WCW brand and make the company competitive in the wrestling landscape once more.

Since that night, the owner, Shane McMahon has been at work on building the identity of what is going to be the new flagship show for the WCW brand.

"I can understand for some fans it might be strange, even hard to move away from the Nitro brand." Shane admits in our exclusive interview. "But continuing Nitro, in my opinion would bring great expectations. Expectations of continuing those battles each and every Monday night. Trying to take WWF out of business. That was a different WCW, owned and ran by different men. This is MY WCW...My legacy...and I want to make it clear to all the WCW fans, the ones who are remaining loyal...and the ones who may have been steered away from the product towards the end...this is a new era for the company."

"Do you worry fans will be disappointed this brings an end to the head to head war against Monday Night Raw?"

"I'm sure some will be..." Shane let out a sigh after admitting this, knowing the uphill battle ahead of him. "But, I would ask those fans to be patient. See this the same way you would see supporting your favorite sports team. Football, basketball, hockey, baseball, you name it...they all have teams that go through a rebuilding phase...that is what we are going through right now."

"Does that mean it's possible WCW could go head to head against the WWF again?"

"Possible? Sure, anything is possible in professional wrestling." Shane laughs. He's grown up in this business after all. He's seen the impossible become possible. "But honestly? Going head to head isn't on the agenda right now and I don't know if or when it will be again..."

"So what is on the agenda?"

"Building the new product, building the future, reestablishing ourselves and showing the wrestling industry that WCW still has a place in this industry..."

"And sticking it to your father?"

"That too." Shane chuckled "Although again my concerns are more with my own company right now. Focusing on WWF too much was one of the many reasons this company ended up in my hands..."

"So tell us about the new show."

"Turmoil." Shane says with pride. "My aim is, in the long run for it to be the show for legitimate, sports based presentation of wrestling."

"Sports based presentation?"

"If you recall one thing I said on the simulcast in March...a common mistake that companies made when going against my father is trying to beat him in the game of entertainment." Shane pauses to take a drink of water. "I want to beat him in the game of professional wrestling..."

"I'm afraid we need a little more detail on that?"

"My father has made it very clear...WWF is Sports Entertainment." Shane smirks, knowing full well the bad taste that term has in some wrestling fans mouths "It is not a professional wrestling show. WCW will be the brand for professional wrestling, and for people who love professional wrestling."

"So in a way it's back to basics?"

"Loosely speaking yes." His brow furrows, our interviewer used a poor choice of words it seems. "We obviously aren't going back to the days of regional territories, the industry has progressed in terms of style and substance since then, but their way of thinking? Of how wrestling should be presented? Of how it can effectively draw fans to arenas? That is what I hope to emulate."

"And how do you hope to do that?"

"For everything to have meaning, and make sense..." He replied bluntly. "A philosophy my father abandoned years ago..."

"So we can expect the first edition of Turmoil in May..." Our interviewer decides to redirect the conversation "Anything you can tell us to expect?"

"There'll be some new faces. An announcement regarding the WCW United States Championship...and I hope, a return to form regarding the Cruiserweight Division..." 

"And when exactly can we expect to see Turmoil going forward?"

"It will be every Wednesday, starting the second week in May."

"And Pay-Per View will be continuing?"

"Yes, but I am currently in discussion with Pay-Per View providers about waiting until June for our first PPV outing."

"Why so?"

"More time to build momentum and get things in motion."


"Shane I realise you're a busy man. Thank you so much for your time and we look forward to seeing the first edition of Turmoil!"

[Dawn]

Love 2001 WCW takes. Consider me a fan.

[sonny912]

5 hours ago, CactusZach said:

Day One

 

Boy, what a mess. If there was ever an underdog story in professional wrestling worth writing about, I have willingly taken ownership of what could potentially be the biggest one yet. No TV deal, No relationship with Turner to rely on. Big stars? Hogan? Flair? Sting? Goldberg? Forget about it. Their contracts are all tied up with Turner, even if I COULD try and work through that legal mess, the money they were on? They'd be idiotic to take whatever contracts I would be willing to offer them. I'm operating on a much thinner roster thanks to the multiple Turner contracts I couldn't get a hold of in the deal. I imagine the fanbase, or whatever is left of it is hoping and praying for me to come back on Monday Nights with a vengeance, but that just isn't realistic. Nitro will need a new home, on a new day. One that doesn't have Dad's scheduling interfering with it. Something we can start the rebuilding process on without having to worry about competing ratings from Raw. Hell it might not even be Nitro. I'm thinking total rebrand of our main show. No B Shows for now...need to rebuild faith and get the bad taste out of everybody's mouth, fans and workers...

 

I think the first important matter of business is the roster and Champions we currently have.

 

 

Roster (Wrestlers Only)

Billy Kidman

Booker T

Buff Bagwell

Chavo Guererro Jr.

Chuck Palumbo

David Flair

Diamond Dallas Page

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

Paisley

Reno

Sean O'Haire

Shane Helms

Shane McMahon? (I put a question mark because I don't know if I should be in ring talent or be an Authority Figure?)

Shannon Moore

Shawn Stasiak

Stacy Keibler

The Wall

Torrie Wilson

 

Champions

WCW World Heavyweight Champion

Booker T

 

WCW United States Champion

Vacant (Booker T is technically the current holder, however once we have a TV deal I'll be vacating the title on the new first edition of the show)

 

WCW Cruiserweight Champion

Shane Helms

 

WCW World Tag Team Champions

Chuck Palumbo

Sean O'Haire

 

Tag Teams
3 Count (Evan Karagias and Shannon Moore)
Jung Dragons (Jimmy Yang and Kaz Hayashi)
Palumbo & O'Haire (Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire)
Romeo & Skipper (Kid Romeo and Elix Skipper)
Team Canada (Lance Storm and Mike Awesome)

 

Yeesh, looking at it now it's not much of a stacked roster. Maybe this is why they combined it with ecw in real life, to give the alliance a boost. Might want to do the same here, sign Paul heyman to act as head booker and gm and get guys like dreamer, Jerry lynn, rhyno, Tajiri, rvd, not to mention the dudley's, jazz, Justin credible, Raven and Tazz. Their are also people that weren't signed for the invasion like the sandman, sabu, balls Mahoney, the full-blooded Italians little Guido and Tony mamaluke, shane Douglas, Masato Tanaka, Terry Funk, New jack, Steve corino and Mikey whipwreck.

[CactusZach]

22 minutes ago, sonny912 said:

Yeesh, looking at it now it's not much of a stacked roster. Maybe this is why they combined it with ecw in real life, to give the alliance a boost. Might want to do the same here, sign Paul heyman to act as head booker and gm and get guys like dreamer, Jerry lynn, rhyno, Tajiri, rvd, not to mention the dudley's, jazz, Justin credible, Raven and Tazz. Their are also people that weren't signed for the invasion like the sandman, sabu, balls Mahoney, the full-blooded Italians little Guido and Tony mamaluke, shane Douglas, Masato Tanaka, Terry Funk, New jack, Steve corino and Mikey whipwreck.

Sorry I should have made this clear in the OP, but this is not an Invasion Diary. The "Alternate history" I tried to put forward here is, the Simulcast still happens, Shane buys WCW, BUT instead lf going into the Invasion, Shane tries to rebuild WCW as it's own company and create his own legacy seperate from his dad. I don't have access to a lot of the ECW guys because WWF already has them...which adds to the challenge of this diary.

Edited August 1, 2023 by CactusZach

[sonny912]

7 hours ago, CactusZach said:

Sorry I should have made this clear in the OP, but this is not an Invasion Diary. The "Alternate history" I tried to put forward here is, the Simulcast still happens, Shane buys WCW, BUT instead lf going into the Invasion, Shane tries to rebuild WCW as it's own company and create his own legacy seperate from his dad. I don't have access to a lot of the ECW guys because WWF already has them...which adds to the challenge of this diary.

Okay but you can still hire guys from sandman to whipwreck sense they weren't apart of the Invasion. Hell some of them didn't join the company until after the invasion's over and some didn't join at all.

[Bigelow Cartwheel]

Great period for wrestling - the last days of an era. Excited to see where you take this. Good luck!

[CactusZach]

                  

Cumberland County Crown Coliseum (Mid Atlantic)

Week 2, May 2001

7,785 In Attendance

 

"Right Here, Right Now" - Fatboy Slim

 

RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!

RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!

RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!

 

 

Announce Table

    

 

 

Tony Schiavone

Ladies and gentlemen...I have the honor and the privelege of getting to sit here tonight and say to you...IT IS GOOD TO BE BACK! Welcome everybody to Wednesday afternoons, welcome everyone to Turmoil and welcome once again...TO WCW and it is my honor to reintroduce to you a man I had the honor of working with on this brand in the past and thanks the the efforts of our new owner, I have the privelege of getting to work with him once again! Bobby "The Brain" Heenan joining me on the Announce Table here this evening

 

Bobby Heenan

I gotta' say Tony, when I got the call asking me to do the job I was hesitant. I had a very long and lingering bad taste in my mouth! But you know what? I love this business, I love professional wrestling...and when Shane McMahon told me what he was hoping to achieve with this show, I threw my hat back into the ring and here we are. Things might be a little different, it might not be live, Prime Time on Monday Nights...but we are ON THE AIR...and THAT is something that seemed unlikely at one point in time.

 

Tony Schiavone

Folks we got an exciting show in store for you today for the very first edition of WCW Turmoil, and while I would normally be the one to run down the card, I see that the very man who helped bring this all together, the NEW owner of WCW, Shane McMahon is on his way to the ring!

 

 

 

"A Man of Action..."

 

 

 

"You know something? None of it felt real until I stepped through those ropes and stood right here in this ring right now. It might sound silly, but from the moment I signed that contract outting the ownership of WCW into MY hands? I coulda' swore, around every corner, something was waiting to take it all away from me. Maybe that tells you the kinda life I used to lead huh? With Vince...."

 

Shane has to stop as the crowd erupts with a loud chorus of boos, before slowly erupting into a chant of "Asshole...Asshole...Asshole" at the mere mention of the man who almost put their favorite promotion out of business for good...

 

"With Vince one thing I learned was to accept expecting one thing...and then receiving another, because that's the nature of this beast, that is the nature of this industry...and for far too long I relied on the false promises of my father, instead of being a man of action. Well dad...I know you're watching and I think you can at the very least can give me some credit and admit...standing here right now? I certainly am A MAN OF ACTION!"

 

The fans erupt with more chanting, this time with chants of "Thank you Shane! Thank you Shane! Thank you Shane!" showering him with appreciation for keeping WCW alive.

 

"And speaking of action? I'm gonna make sure there's plenty of THAT in the weeks to come. See I'm gonna try and not take up too much of your precious time folks, but there's a few matters of business we need to straighten out first and give you folks, the loyal fans of WCW who have stuck through the best and worst of times with this company...a reason to keep on coming back!"

 

Shane shoots a wink and a smirk at the camera as the fans erupt in cheers once more, the WCW fanbase was one which has probably felt ignored in recent years with previous ownership and how they went about putting together the show. However from the get go, Shane seems to have their wants and needs as fans in minds.

 

"Firstly, I would like to announce changes regarding the WCW United States Championship..."

 

Anybody who had read any articles lately would know that Shane had some plans in store for the US title come this first edition of Turmoil and right here to get us started he's unveiling those plans to us live.

 

"I have stated that I want this show to be the place that people come to for competitive, professional wrestling and I have come to the conclusion, for the purposes of keeping things competitive, and after having a discussion with Booker T, the current United States AND Heavyweight Champion...that as of this moment? The WCW United States Championship is hereby VACATED! BUT DON'T WORRY! Because also starting tonight? We will be seeing the beginnings of a 16 man tournament which will ultimately see the crowning of our new United States Champion!"

 

Woah! A tournament for the US Title? That certainly is one way to kick off your inaugural show! We're bound to see some interesting and competitive match ups in the coming weeks as the tournament continues to fold and it is all going to start here on the first Turmoil!

 

"Two of the matches of the tournament will be taking place on this edition of  Turmoil to get the tournament underway and to garner your interest even more, BOTH of these matches will be featuring a new face to WCW that none of you have EVER seen before!"

 

New faces to WCW? Here? Tonight? Competing in the tournament? That's huge! Shane is clearly dipping his hands into his pockets to expand the roster and help make Turmoil an exciting product for the wrestling fans!

 

"And there will be more new faces to come both in and out of the tournament as the weeks progress. Like I said...I am a man of action...and I've taken PLENTY of action over the course of the past few months to build a show that is going to showcase the FUTURE of this industry! And speaking of the future...let's now move on to the future of the World Heavyweight Championship shall we?"

 

You can feel the excitement in the arena, people are on the edge of their seats. If the US Championship is getting a tournament...what is the World Heavyweight Championship getting?

 

"Tonight in the Main Event we will be crowning a number one contender for Booker T's World Heavyweight Champion and that Main Event? Will be between Buff Bagwell...and Diamond Dallas Page! And for his cooperation in vacating the US Championship belt? I have told Booker T that when it comes to defending his championship which will be happening in June...he will get to choose the stipulation that he defends his championship belt!"

 

Wow! So not only do we crown a number one contender, but Booker T has until the PPV in June to decide the stipulation for the match he gets to defend his title. That's a huge advantage for the champ!

 

"Now I won't waste your time with any further announcements, we have a show to get to and the Cruiserweight Division wants to remind you why it is they were a force to keep your eyes on in this company! Keep your eyes peeled folks! You won't wanna miss a thing!"

 

Rated: 93

 

 

Opening Match

Cruiserweight Division

Non Title

 

Elix Skipper VS. Shane Helms

 

 

 VS. 

 

The Cruiserweight division had, during the last days of the previous regime unfortunately become somewhat of a red headed step child, losing the luster that it once had, but here tonight on the first edition of the new show. Credit had to be given to the Cruiserweights as the fast paced, light heavyweight style came with a little extra oomph and stiffness in this match, both men wanting to prove something and both men wanting to show why it is you need to be paying attention to them. Reigning Cruiserweight champion Shane Helms would ultimately win the match after hitting the Vertabreaker.

 

Rated: 50

 

 

Strange Message

 

 

Shane Helms is celebrating after a well earned and hard fought victory, showing us all exactly why it is he is the current Cruiserweight champion. He is enjoying his moment but as the referee enters with Shane's WCW Cruiserweight Championship belt...the lights go out in the arena! What is this!? Technical difficulties perhaps? It is the first show but surely McMahon would make sure production was on point for the very first sho-...

 

Suddenly static comes across the television screens, and across the titantron, and a message appears for all to read it, black screen with white bold text simply saying...

 

Repent...and Thou Shall be Saved?

 

What does that mean? What kind of strange message is this and why on earth wait to show it after Shane Helms has had his match? Is it directed at Shane? We wish we could provide you answers folks but we are as confused as you as the message disappears and the lights return to the arena.

 

Rated:42

 

 

United States Championship Tournament

Round of 16 Match

Winner Goes To Quarter Finals.

AJ Styles VS. Billy Kidman

 

 VS. 

 

The promise of fresh faces in both US Tournament matches so far is being held up as we are introduced to one of the new young prospects for WCW, "Phenomenal" AJ Styles. While the unknown factor certainly played a part into how Styles was recieved, it was clear to the smart fan that this pairing with Billy Kidman was also a vessel for Styles to give a showcase of some of his capabilities. The match was a fast paced, back and forth, athletic and high flying encounter that saw Styles putting his heart and soul into everything he did. The end of the match came when Styles went for what looked like a springboard forearm only to be met with an enziguriri from Kidman, followed by the Shooting Star Press to give Kidman the win and having him advance in the tournament.

 

Rated: 53

 

 

 

"I Don't Stay Down."

 

 

 

We return from commercial to find ourselves in a backstage area, set up quite similar to that of an interview area you would see in other wrestling companies, however one key thing seemed to be missing. There was no interviewer? Instead Styles was in this area on his own, regaining his breath, holding a WCW mic in his hand, seemingly free to share whatever is on his mind after the match he has just partaken in.

 

"So a lotta' you people might not know who I am right now, but I certainly hope after what you just saw? You might at least be interested! I am AJ Styles and put it simply? I live, breath and eat professional wrestling! Professional wrestling is what puts food on my plate, professional wrestling is what helps pay my bills...it's all I know...it's all I have dedicated my time to. Learning and training and honing my craft!"

 

Styles is pacing back and forth as he says this, clearly a mix of emotions running through his body right now. Without an interview this style of presentation seemed very raw and real and in the moment, Allowing the wrestler to put forth their true selves without having any pre planned questions to worry about. Perhaps this is a stylistic choice on the part of WCW? Styles stops, and looks to the camera, his eyes full of fire and determination.

 

The most important lesson I've learned? Accepting a loss. Not to let defeat eat away at me...am I disappointed? Am I beatin' myself up right now? AM I wishin' it was me goin' to the next stages of the tournament. You're DAMN right I am...but do ya' know what I'm gonna do about it? Im goin' back to the gym tonight and when I get to my hotel room, I'm gonna watch over my match and see what I did wrong. Credit to Billy Kidman. He was the better man tonight, plain and simple. He managed to put me down for the three count. But one thing I wanna' make clear, to Mkidman, to every other wrestler who saw that match and to all of you folks watchin' in the crowd and at home tonight. You might be able to knock me down...but none of you will be able to keep me down. I'll come back, a little smarter, a little stronger...and a little more determined to prove myself and show you exactly why they call me...

 

Styles stops and leans closer to the camera so we can really see the determination and focus in his eyes, taking a deep breath before finishing his promo...

 

PHENOMENAL!

 

Rated: 31

 

 

 

"Unfinished Business"

 

 

We go to a previously recorded segment, and like the Styles promo which was live, this segment shows DDP in this "Promo area" without an interviewer. Clearly indicating to the audience that this is very much a stylistic choice on the part of WCW. It is intentionally giving wrestlers time and freedom to say whatever it is they need to say. Perhaps to give a more raw and "off the cuff" kind of feel to it? 

 

"Ya' know there was a chance I might not have been here tonight?"

 

DDP rubs his chin as he takes off his sunglasses as he pulls the microphone closer to his mouth.

 

"Oh yeah. I ain't afraid to say it. I coulda' been like Hogan, I coulda been like Nash, I coulda' been like Goldberg, Flair...name a star that ain't here...I coulda' been like all of them and turned down the offer that Shane McMahon came to me with. Because honestly? The contract Shane wrote up for me. Not as much money as what I was GUARANTEED with Turner. And I was GUARANTEED that money for long enough, where folks? DDP just wouldn't have to work another day in his life if he didn't want to. I've had friends blow up my phone and call me an idiot, ask me what I'm thinkin' and hey even I admit I had moments before tonight where I thought to myself "Man...am I really doin' the right thing?" And you know what? I really think I am..."

 

He flashes his pearly whites at the camera with a knowing smile at the camera, clearly intended for the fans, who are glad that their "People's Champion" decided to take Shane up on his offer and stick around with WCW.

 

"And I'll tell you why? It's real simple...unfinished business. It ain't no secret...I ain't no spring chicken. I never was. DDP was late to the party baby, in usual DDP fashion...I came to the business bein' told from the get go I was too old. I'd never make it big...and I did...I was told I'd never get the WCW belt...and I did...and I'm bein' told now that I probably shouldn't have taken Shane's contract...and I did....because of that darned unfinished business..."

 

 

He places his hands on his hips for a moment, knowing to hold the mic in the right way so that it didnt bang or rub against him. A seasoned man with a microphone. He stops for a moment and you can see the cogs whirring in his mind as that "unfinished business" stirs through his mind. That yearning for the gold that so many wrestlers that have come before him...and so many wrestlers who will come after him that have and will experience. It is a feeling and yearning unlike any other...almost like an addiction.

 

"Call it pride, call it ego, call it selfishness...call it whatever you want but the fact of the matter is...I want one more run with the belt. That's really all there is to it...before I hang up my boots and ride off into the sunset? I wanna show all those naysayers that doubted me from day one...DDP still has it in him...and I ain't gonna stop til I do. Now Booker T is currently the man with that belt around his waist and give the man his due. He worked hard for that belt, he overcame incredible odds...he busted his ass...he deserves that belt...and Booker? I want you to hold on to it tight now ya' hear me...treat her right...coz one day...hopefully one day soon...real soon I'm gonna be coming for that belt..."

 

Despite the obvious respect, the intentions are still very clear, his voice does not waiver, he doesn't slip up. He's giving Booker T hid flowers whilst at the same time letting him know...regardless what happens tonight. DDP will one day be coming for that belt, and Booker better be ready if it's him holding it...

"

"Now as for you Buff Bagwell, don't think I've forgotten about you buddy. You're the man I need to beat to become the number one contender. Ya' know Buff maybe another night, maybe another wrestler...you'd cinch that win nice and easy. After all you ain't no slouch and I know I ain't got an easy night ahead of me...but I don't think you realize Buff...just what lengths I'm willin to go to in order to get my hands on that belt...but don't worry..."

 

He puts the shades back on and once again flashes his pearly whites to the camera, shooting the diamond up into the sky, before dropping it back down slowly and finishing the promo...

 

"You'll find out real soon..."

 

Rated: 94

 

 

 

United States Championship Tournament

Round of 16 Match

Winner Enters Quarter Finals

Mike Awesome VS. Rob Van Dam

 VS. 

 

The second tournament match and the second new face to the company and an interesting match up a result of it as we see Mike Awesome and ECW alumni Rob Van Dam showing his face in a WCW ring. Now Mike Awesome and RVD both have had experience in ECW but this is the first time the two of them share a WCW ring and their clashing styles brought what was easily the match of the night to our screens and perhaps gives us a glimpse of exactly the kind variety we can expect from WCW. To start we had Cruiserweight action with some added snugness, then it was fast paced athleticism and now we had a styles clash that worked as Mike Awesome tried to dominate with hard hitting strikes and devastating power and thanks to RVD's unique abilities he was able to move around Awesome and just do things that nobody else in the business can do. RVD would pick up the win with a five star frog splash.

 

Rated: 71

 

 

"Mr. Wednesday Night"

 

 

 

After the commercial it seems it is now Rob Van Dams turn to the the promo area and speak his mind and more importantly, introduce himself to us, the people who may never have encountered him before. Unlike others before him, it seems Rob is sat on a steel chair as he catches his breath, feet kicked up on a nearby table, a very loose, cool, calm and collected attitude about him.

 

So like...I dunno if you guys know who I am, or whatever? I mean it's no big deal if you don't, it's totally cool but it's just...if you don't? I kinda feel bad for you ya' know? Because man you sure have been missing out on some killer moves and even more killer matches if ya know what I'm sayin' haha! 

 

He laughs but quickly stops himself and pauses, muttering something to himself as he gives himself a quick moment of reflection, he removes his feet from the table and repositions himself to face the camera directly as he cracks his neckl.

 

Hold on, I don't like to sound smug, bad for my karma. Lemme start over from the top okay? My name is Rob...Van...Dam

 

He takes his thumbs and points to his head with each word, smiling to the camera, before going back to a relaxed position, leaning back as he runs his hands through his hair.

 

RVD for short, 'kay? Keep it simple, just the way I like it...only...nothin's actually simple with me because, I kinda got a history in this really craaaaazy place you guys might have heard of? Oh hold on I better check somethin' first! Hey! Hey buddy!? Mister Cameraman!?

 

He points to the camera and motions for the camera man to come closer. For a moment it seems we break the fourth wall here as the camera lowers a moment and we see the feet of the camera man as he comes closer to RVD. We can hear RVD speaking through the mic of the nearby camera...

 

Am I like...allowed to mention the company on camera I don't wanna get the boss man into trouble ya know? He's paying my wage and Pauly's dad was a lawyer! How do you think we got away with all that stuff we did over there for so long?

 

"I'm pretty sure it's cool man." We can hear the camera man respond, slightly nervous about the whole situation. Hoping he isn't going to get in trouble for this.

 

It's cool? I can mention it? We sure?

 

"Yeah. Besides, ECW is out of business" The camera man quickly returns to his original position. You can hear some laughter from the audience through the in arena audio. Whether it was intentional or not. RVD's very...laid back attitude seemed to present a form of humor in situations like this.

 

Sweet! SO yeah anyway like I was sayin' I came from this really insane place called ECW. That's Extreme Championship Wrestling for those of you not in the know. And in fact my opponent tonight? Mike Awesome?! The guy I just pinned thanks to my FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH...killer move right? Well 

anyway he was there too! But that's a long and complicated story for another time brother and they're saying I gotta wrap it up soon brothers and sisters! So let me just say this...

 

The attitude changes ever so slightly as RVD stiffens up slightly and raises from the chair, he was laid back, but knew when he had to straighten up. At least a little bit...

 

Startin' from tonight? You guys better get used to a different kinda tempo man I'm serious! Coz I can do things you ain't even SEEN before man. I'm gonna be honest I even surprise myself some time! NO JOKE! But anyway what I'm tryin' to say is...stick with me? And you'll see why they call me "The Whole F'n Show!" And heck, it's only a matter of time...and you'll be callin' me Mr. Wednesday Night!

 

Rated: 66

 

 

Fighting Champion

 

 

"I don't think people realize the incredible responsibility I'm carryin on my shoulders right now..."

 

We fade in from black with those words, but the voice is instantly recognizable before we actually see our World Champion in the promo area, wearing a suit and sunglasses, carrying the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on his shoulder. The Big Gold Belt, Synonymous with the long, prestigious lineage of all the greatest wrestlers that came in and out of the company over the years...

 

"See I'm not just the World Heavyweight Champion...this belt alone puts a target on my back...and gets every pair of eyes that's in that WCW locker room set on ME! But I am the World Heavyweight Champion of a company...that nearly went out of business. And what that means...whether I like it or not...whispers in the locker room, questions among the fans...am I really a legitimate champion? Is it my responsibility in any way? That things didn't work out for WCW? 

 

Booker bites his lip, clearly frustrated, he sadly has reason to believe these suspicions that people might be saying these things behind his back. He's got reason to have his tensions flared...he's experienced the worst this company has had to offer in terms of relations with other talent.

 

Now whether or not there's any merit to those questions AND THERE ISN'T!

 

He whips his sunglasses off and throws them across the room so we can see the intensity in his eyes, he holds the title a little closer, gripping it tightly as he positions it over his shoulder...

 

...I'm a smart enough man to know...people are gonna' ask those questions. We got new arrivals comin through the door, WCW is gettin' a fresh lick of paint....maybe...just maybe it needs a new World Champion too, right? I know how this goes and maybe that's just a sign of the kind of locker room we USED to have in the old WCW that I've come to expect this and used to it...for a long time I was a small fish, surrounded by sharks...lookin' to tear me apart...

 

Booker has not had the easiest road to get to where he is. Overlooked in the past? Absolutely? Misused and mistreated? Most definitely...whether those reasons were because of older veterans not wanting to lose their spot...or for reasons better left unmentioned, though everyone knows what those reasons are...the backwards thinking long established in the wrestling business...

 

But what those guys failed to realize is...I don't give up on a fight...and I don't go down easy! It's why I'M STILL HERE...and they're at home...cashin' in pay days from Turner at home! NOW CAN YOU DIG THAT?!

 

We can hear the cheers from the crowd in the arena, the intensity from the champion can be cut with a knife, his face reddening, his veins in his neck clear on the camera as his emotions are pumping through him.

 

Well dig this...I'm gonna do...what I have done so far...and show each and every one of you, that I AM the MAN that is meant to lead this company. The MAN that is meant to represent this company. The MAN that is MEANT TO BE...The World Heavyweight Champion.

 

He shows the championship to the camera with pride, the championship he gave his blood, sweat and tears to win...and the championship he will fight to the death to defend...

 

Yeah I let Shane McMahon vacate my US title, partly because of what I got in return, bein' able to pick the stipulation of the match I'm gonna' defend the belt in...but also because I've got enough responsibility to deal with right here.

 

He pats the World Championship, aware of the responsibility that holding it brings, but so proud to be the one having that responsibility at the same time.

 

This is a new WCW, with new expectations...and I need to be the one, as the World Heavyweight Champion to make sure, we start off on the right foot and to show ESPECIALLY...to any of those little snakes whisperin' those questions I was talkin' about...There's no Hogan here any more...no Nash...no n.W.o...no Bischoff. Nobody...who can hold me back...nobody who can keep me down...nobody who can use their power in this business...to stop me from being the champion...I know I can be. And you are all gonna get a front row ticket to see EXACTLY the kinda' champion I can be...real soon...

 

He moves across the promo area, picking up the sunglasses he threw across and slowly puts them back on his face, before turning to the camera and finishing his promo.

 

NOW CAN YOU DIG THAT...SUCCKKKAAAAA!!!

 

Rated: 100

 

 

 

Main Event

Number One Contendership 

Buff Bagwell VS. Diamond Dallas Page

 

 VS. 

 

It was a competitive Main Event which saw Buff try to take whatever advantages he could throughout but DDP being the seasoned veteran knowing how to counter it and fire back. Momentum would swing back and forth and frustration was clearly building with Buff throughout the match that he couldn't seem to outsmart, or out wrestle DDP. These frustrrations finally boiled over and ultimately resulted in the referee getting caught in the crossfire and getting knocked down to the mat by a stray clothelesline that was intended for Buff, but Buff being a wily sleazeball, managed to move so the ref was in the way. But DDP doesn't let that stop the momentum of the match and he continues to go after Buff!

 

DDP hits the cutter but the ref is down! The ref is down and he can't count the pin and...

 

Wha-...WAIT A MINUTE!

 

 

IT'S KANYON! WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING HERE!?

 

He's got a steel chair! He's got a steel chair! And he cracks DDP in the back of the head with it! Sending the people's champ to the floor!...He pulls Bagwell over the fallen DDP and brings the ref back to life! The ref counts the pin and thanks to the assist from Kanyon Buff Bagwell is now your number one contender!!

 

Rated: 54

 

 

Final Rating: 68

 

 

TV Numbers

Wednesday Afternoon Slot

0.78 (589,434)

 

Edited August 2, 2023 by CactusZach

[Steerpike]

First of all, I love the name Turmoil. Such a fitting name for the show with the concept you are running. While you said this is not an Invastion-style diary, I do like the that you left the idea of a WCW vs. WWF out there still; with the simulcast, the Shane interview, the small jabs throughout. I want to see where you are going with it, if there is an end goal. Likewise, I am very excited about you challenging yourself, and sticking it out without Hogan, Flair, Goldberg, Sting... plus, the added pressure of not being able to simply scoop up all the cool ECW talent.

Speaking of, however, Rob Van Dam showing up is a good choice. His style can work well in several divisions you seem to be establishing. I do hope Mike Awesome get some utilization as a proper big man in this new WCW, his tenure in real life was downright embarassing after the initial month or what it was. Don't need another Fat Chick Thrilla or 70's Guy. 😵 Excited to see where you go with the US title tournament. I will say, I think DDP against Booker T would have had a bigger impact, but I am sure you got something in store for Bagwell and Booker to (that does not involve either of their mothers suspended in a cage).

Definitely dropping a follow for this diary! Also, perfect choice for the Turmoil theme track!

Edited August 3, 2023 by Steerpike

[CactusZach]

6 hours ago, Steerpike said:

First of all, I love the name Turmoil. Such a fitting name for the show with the concept you are running. While you said this is not an Invastion-style diary, I do like the that you left the idea of a WCW vs. WWF out there still; with the simulcast, the Shane interview, the small jabs throughout. I want to see where you are going with it, if there is an end goal. Likewise, I am very excited about you challenging yourself, and sticking it out without Hogan, Flair, Goldberg, Sting... plus, the added pressure of not being able to simply scoop up all the cool ECW talent.

Speaking of, however, Rob Van Dam showing up is a good choice. His style can work well in several divisions you seem to be establishing. I do hope Mike Awesome get some utilization as a proper big man in this new WCW, his tenure in real life was downright embarassing after the initial month or what it was. Don't need another Fat Chick Thrilla or 70's Guy. 😵 Excited to see where you go with the US title tournament. I will say, I think DDP against Booker T would have had a bigger impact, but I am sure you got something in store for Bagwell and Booker to (that does not involve either of their mothers suspended in a cage).

Definitely dropping a follow for this diary! Also, perfect choice for the Turmoil theme track!

Well thank you very much for the feedback. First show definitely turned out better than I expected but there will definitely be obstacles to overcome. The roster isn't just thin but largely the fans don't really care about most of them so just gonna have to accept some low ratings and build some guys on pre shows and possibly tours.

 

The final goal? I hope that in the long term WCW CAN go head to head with the WWF again and have a second run of the Monday Night Wars but that is a long way down the road. Getting to number 1 in the world would be a good secondary goal and just having a product and a company that Shane can truly say is his legacy in the wrestling industry is the tertiary goal.

 

Match card for the next Turmoil sadly won't be up for a few days because I'm out of town but there'll be a couple write ups here and there hopefully to keep the out of the ring story going 

[CactusZach]

Shane's Post Show Thoughts

Well. First Turmoil in the books and I have to say. I'm happy with the outcome. We aren't in the Prime Time slot, so the fact we managed to get the audience we did is a good sign and a good foundation to build off of. 

The USA Network is also happy, because we exceeded their expectations. Keep that up and maybe we can extend and even alter the deal to favor us even more further down the line. 

I do have concerns going forward though. Sadly a lot of the talent are...unknowns...to put it kindly. These are the people that used to jerk the curtain on the B show at best. No thought really went into establishing them as talent the fans should give a damn about. Lower ratings are inevitable when I make matches with these talents. But we have to make matches. I can use the better known talent only so much...cant dedicate an entire show to just DDP and Booker T.

It's a bitter pill I have to swallow but maybe showing them on the pre show can at the very least introduce them to the fans in the arenas and get them ready for TV.

Now then for the run down 

AJ Styles. The kid is green but he's dedicated. He's an unknown to the wider audience but the match against Kidman did exactly what I wanted it to do. It gave him a chance to have a competitive match with an established talent. The promo afterwards? Well...he needs work on his promo skills. Only way that's going to happen though is giving him more opportunities with the mic and just accepting he might not get the audience fired up while he hones his craft.

The Cruiserweights surprised me. They managed to get the fans to actually care about the match which, with the way that division had been treated by the previous administration...I was afraid the bad taste would tarnish their efforts. Still plenty of work to do on that front but promising start which gives me hope. Hopefully the mysterious message that got delivered after the match will generate some interest.

Rob Van Dam was one of the ECW guys that was a free agent. So I'm glad I managed to scoop him up because he fit right in as if he had always been here. No doubt. He and Mike Awesome produced the match of the night. Both talents deserve being featured more. The great thing about RVD especially though is he is so unique I can fit him in pretty much anywhere and he'll find a way to make it work. And his style of promo could make him unique. Hearing him speak I couldn't exactly pin him down as face or heel he's so laid back you don't know if he's bragging or just speaking his mind. Which means I can have him work with anyone.

 

DDP and Booker knocked it out of the park with their promos. They are both clearly the stars of this show and I'll need to rely on both of them to be the core talents of the product. It's why I didn't go straight away with having DDP be the number one contender. That's something I want to build to. Give DDP a reason to be unable to go straight after Booker T and have a credible heel in Bagwell be the threat to Booker's position as champion.

 

That's where Kanyon comes in. He and DDP have history in WCW...but it never really gave Kanyon the rub he COULD have gotten working with him. Hopefully this time around we can boost Kanyon and get him further up the card as a result of the program with DDP. 

 

There is. At the very least. A framework here for some long term booking for our different divisions. A chance to introduce new talent, build the talent we already have and maybe. Just maybe make some stars. Rome wasn't built in a day though...and this version of WCW certainly won't be either...

[CactusZach]

wcw.com/turmoil/match-cards

Turmoil Match Card

Week 3, May, 2001

WCW and Shane McMahon are proud to announce to you, the WCW faithful the card for the next edition of Turmoil. The main focus of this edition will be on continuing the tournament for the WCW United States Championship. To keep you fans on the edge of your seats and not ruin any surprises, some names have been withdrawn, to ensure Turmoil remains a can't miss product so you can see everything unfold live as it happens!

Opening Match

US Title Tournament

Round of 16

Chavo Guererro VS ???

Match 2

AJ Styles VS. Hugh Morrus

 Match 3

US Title Tournament

Round of 16

Johnny The Bull VS. ???

Match 4

US Title Tournament

Round of 16

Chuck Palumbo VS. Lance Storm

Main Event

Billy Kidman VS. Buff Bagwell

We will also be hearing from WCW Champion Booker T regarding his new number one contender, DDP and Kanyon both have words for one another and WCW Owner Shane McMahon would like to address to controversy surrounding the Number One Contendership that took place last week. We look forward to providing you what we hope will be another exciting edition of WCW Turmoil this Wednesday on the USA Network!

 

Edited August 8, 2023 by CactusZach

[smw88]

Chavo Guererro VS ???

AJ Styles VS. Hugh Morrus

Johnny The Bull VS. ???

Chuck Palumbo VS. Lance Storm

Billy Kidman VS. Buff Bagwell

[DHK1989]

Chavo Guererro VS ???

AJ Styles VS. Hugh Morrus

Johnny The Bull VS. ???

Chuck Palumbo VS. Lance Storm

Billy Kidman VS. Buff Bagwell

[DGenerationMC]

Chavo Guererro VS ???

AJ Styles VS. Hugh Morrus

Johnny The Bull VS. ???

Chuck Palumbo VS. Lance Storm

Billy Kidman VS. Buff Bagwell

[Bigelow Cartwheel]

Chavo Guererro VS ???

AJ Styles VS. Hugh Morrus

Johnny The Bull VS. ???

Chuck Palumbo VS. Lance Storm

Billy Kidman VS. Buff Bagwell

 

The hidden opponents are normally nailed on winners but we’ll see. Unsure on Kidman vs Buff but maybe makes sense to keep The Stuff strong at this point. Good luck.

[CactusZach]

Week 3, May 2001

Florence Civic Center

7,353 in Attendence

RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!
RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!
RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!

Announce Table
 

Tony Schiavone
Ladies and Gentlemen WELCOME BACK TO TURMOIL! I'm Tony Schiavone joined by my broadcast colleague Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and Bobby? It's week two, we have a number one contender, albeit thanks to some controversy...and the tournament to crown a NEW United States Champion continues!

Bobby Heenan
Controversy for the number one contender? Buff Bagwell beat DDP, that's all that matters at the end of the day Schiavone! He got the pin! He got the job done...and I hear Shane McMahon has got an announcement regarding the number one contendership and if Shane McMahon is a SMART owner...he'll make sure not to interfere and let things play out as they should!

Tony Schiavone
There was interference Bobby! If it wasn't for Kanyon, DDP would have won that match!

Bobby Heenan
You don't know that Schiavone! What are you? A FORTUNE TELLER?! Buff's the number one contender...and Kanyon made an impact last week by goin' after one of the biggest names on the roster, that's how this business works Schiavone, you'd know that if you spent any time away from the commentary booth!

Tony Schiavone
We could argue about this all night Bobby and I don't think we'd get any closer to reaching agreement but we'll hear from Shane McMahon later on regarding the issue, as well as hearing from the man who got his contendership opportunity ruined, DDP.

Bobby Heenan
And the number one contender will be in the Main Event, removing any shadow of doubt that might be lingering over his position!

Tony Schiavone
But the main action tonight folks? The tournament to crown a United States Champion will be the main thrust of the show and it's what's starting us off right now!
 

WCW US Title Tournament
Round of 16
Winner Progresses to Quarter Finals
Chavo Guererro VS. La Parka


 VS. 

The return of La Parka to WCW made for interesting chatter, both for WCW and for the potential of the US and Cruiserweight divisions and although both men made their best effort to produce a good opening bout. Unfortunately fan interest just wasn't there. The sad but understandable effects of WCW having a thin roster with many people the fans are going to need time to "buy in" on. The returning LA Parka would pick up the win over Guerrero in this back and forth bout after hitting a spear out of desperation with both men looking strong

Rated: 40

 

 

The Story Remains The Same



We cut to the backstage to see WCW World Heavyweight Champion Booker T in what the fans are dubbing the "Promo Area", as last week established the presentation style of not having interviewers but giving workers a time and location to share their thoughts without prompting for from someone else to create a more raw presentation. Booker had the Championship on his shoulder, a slight smirk on his face .

"You know what confuses me?! People askin' me for my opinion on what happened last week in the main event! One one hand...I get it...I'm the World Heavyweight Champion and you can bet I had my eyes on what went down between Buff Bagwell and DDP last week...you can bet I saw what everybody else saw, when Kanyon ran in and cracked DDP over the head with a steel chair to help Bagwell pull off the win! And sure, I'm on the edge of my seat to hear what Shane O' Mac has to say about the situation later on tonight too...but my reasons, I think at least, are much different than everybody else's! I wanna' know what Shane has to say for one simple reason...I wanna know for sure who I'm facin' come The Great American Bash! DDP? Buff Bagwell? Hell maybe Shane's thinkin' of a triple threat and throwin' both of them in the mix?! All I wanna know is the best way to prepare myself...so I can defend my title, like the fighting champion I am!"

Booker speaks bluntly but with pride, he's telling us like it is. Controversy or not, Booker's main duty as champion is...quite simply...defend the championship...and how contender's come about in order for him to do that is ultimately at the end of the day something he does not have the time to concern himself with. It isn't that he doesn't have sympathy for DDP, it's that he is in a different position. He's in THE position...he's no longer the one trying to claw to the top. He's the one looking down at everybody else trying to get to him.

"Now if I was in DDP's shoes? You can put GOOD MONEY down on the bonfide FACT that I would be mad, Hell not just mad...I would be ready to TEAR APART whoever it was that stood in my way and took away my opportunity! I've played that game, I've ran that race, I know how it feels and I can tell you right now I got a pretty good idea all the thoughts that are probably running through DDP's head right now. And my sympathies go out to DDP right now. Because brother I've been there...and climbin' that ladder, only to get knocked back down as you reach the final rung? It stings man..."

Booker is speaking from experience. He's been a part of that race, he knows the grind and he especially knows what it's like to have others get in the way and ruin his chance at the opportunity that everyone on the roster wants to have. However he leans in and his glare intensifies slightly as his next words are aimed at DDP directly...

"But both you and I know that's the nature of this beast...and both you and I sure as HELL know that what happened last week? Ain't gonna keep you down in the long run brother! So with all due respect to DDP....I'm gonna let him focus on what he's gotta do...settle his business with Kanyon like a man and I'm sure he's gonna do just a fine job doing that...and I'm gonna focus on what I gotta' do...because I'm the position...where no matter who I find myself goin head to head with? The names and faces, they always change, but the story remains the same...Booker T will do whatever it takes to remain the World Heavyweight Champion..."

Booker smiles and turns to show the World Heavyweight Championship directly to the camera, his eyes wide, proud smile on his face.

"NOW CAN YOU DIG THAT...SUCCCCCKKKAAAAAA"


Rated: 94

 

 

AJ Styles VS. Hugh Morrus


 VS. 

AJ Styles would be showcased for the second week in a row. This time with a little more determination and perhaps...desperation than he did last week, like he was wanting to correct the record of his loss last week. However Hugh Morrus...not exactly Billy Kidman and the two just did not seem to mesh well in the ring and it showed. AJ would pick up the win in a slightly less than stellar received match with the Styles Clash for the pin

Rated: 39

 

 

Just When I Thought I Got Rid of Him...




We come back from commercial to see DDP in the promo area, hands on his hips, pacing back and forth, clear frustration washing over him but still trying his best to maintain that "cool" demeanor we all know him for. Still managing to have a smirk on his face...although it was a smirk which said "can you believe this crap?"

Just when I thought I got rid of him...Kanyon comes running back into my life...


He raises an eyebrow, DDP and Kanyon, while their history isn't long and sordid...there is history there, and perhaps last week was a reminder from Kanyon that whatever issues he has with DDP have not gone away. This time though it seems to have been taken to a more personal level than it ever did before.

I'm sensing perhaps an issue of obsession from you Kanyon? I mean it wasn't too long ago that you were runnin' around the OLD WCW imitatin' me, right? The most common form of flattery if I might add so thank you very much for that. But up until last week? I had no reason to think that I was still floatin' around in that head of yours. Man...you sure do have it down bad for me don't you brother? Well...you ain't the first...and you certainly won't be the last...

He cracks a smile, he knows that despite not being the champion, DDP is in a position where he does have a target on his back, for people exactly like Kanyon, looking to make an impact, make a statement, and take shots at people like DDP to try and leapfrog their careers in WCW.

But here's the problem Kanyon? If you'd interfered in just any other match of mine? Cracked me over the head with a chair? Sure I'd be mad...and you can be DAMN sure I'd wanna kick your ass...but last week was different. Last week you didn't just interfere in my match...you ruined my chance at becoming the number one contender. And that Kanyon? That I cannot forgive...or forget...

He shakes his head as he stares intently down the lens of the camera, as if staring down the eyes of Kanyon himself which was very clearly the intention.

I've been patient with you. But now? My patience has run thin brother. You did the ONE THING...that I ain't got the time...or the patience for. So clearly...bein' patient...and ignorin' you, which, if I'm honest? Was EXACTLY what I'd been doing up until now? Clearly that wasn't the right way of dealin' with things. No, no no!


He takes a pause as his attitude has clearly intensified compared to when he started. DDP is known for his positivitiy and cool, calm, collected approach, but recounting just exactly how Kanyon had wronged him had brought those frustrations boiling back up and although he managed to contain them just about? His next words had a bit more weight and intensity behind them...

No clearly you gotta learn this lesson the hard way...and that's fine with me...if it means finally gettin' you out of my way then so be it. I'll happily give you that lesson. But more importantly...if it means I have to make an example out of you? And show anybody else who might be gettin' any ideas about gettin' between me and that World Heavyweight Championship? Well Kanyon. THAT...would be my pleasure...

Rated: 66

 

 

Results Are Final




We fade in to see WCW Owner Shane McMahon sitting behind a desk in what we can only assume is his office. Black button up shirt, files strewn across his desk, his hands clasped together looking rather formal as he's clearly here to give the WCW faithful some sort of announcement.

Ladies and gentlemen. It goes without saying that, I am aware of the controversy of the Main Event last week. Last week, we had a number one contendership match and unfortunately a member of our roster decided to take matters into their own hands and interfere in that match, which unfortunately calls the result into question and gives me the unfortunate business of having to deal with that result.

He sighs. Clearly after week one having to deal with controversy was not something on Shane's agenda but it is something he seems to be aware of as just a matter of fact with this industry, the nature of the beast when you have a roster full of guys all wanting their shot.

I've actually had to think quite a bit of how to deal with this situation you created for me Kanyon. Part of me? Wants to reverse the decision, give the fans what they want and hand the number one contendership to Diamond Dallas Page. Another part of me wants to make a triple threat and throw you in the mix so it gives DDP the opportunity to get his hands on you himself...

Shane smirks as the sound of the crowd cheers in response. Hoping for either one of those options to come true as a result of Kanyon's actions last week. You can tell by the look on Shane's face though, that seems to be like it isn't going to be what happens.

However. I want to make one thing very clear. Last week the fans were promised a number one contender...and last week they got one. Unlike some other wrestling companies out there. There should be stakes and consequences at play in matches like our Main Event last week...the stakes were clear and the consequences, unfortunately played out the way they did. Results in WCW are final. Buff Bagwell IS our number one contender.

The fans boo, whether or not Shane can hear them they clearly aren't happy with that decision, but that is part of being the boss. Sometimes you make unpopular decisions

But that is not where it is going to end. First of all. The Great American Bash will be WCW's return to PPV in June. Buff Bagwell WILL be going head to head against Booker T for the World Heavyweight Championship, in a stipulation which Booker T has until the week before The Great American Bash to decide on. However? Due to the nature of HOW the number one contendership match ended last week. DDP will be set to be the number one contender for whoever the champion may be at the end of The Great American Bash.

So DDP's title opportunities are sealed. Once a champion is crowned at Great American Bash, DDP will be considered the number one contender due to what happened last week. But Shane wasn't finished there...

Now, as for you Kanyon...as I said, there are stakes and consequences that this company needs to uphold...and there certainly will be consequences for you as a result of your actions last week. You want to make a statement? You can do it against DDP at The Great American Bash in a No Disqualification match. Furthermore, next week, to give the fans a taste of things to come and to give DDP an opportunity to have some redemption before The Great American Bash...in the Main Event of Turmoil next week we will be having a tag team match. That tag team match will see the number one contender Buff Bagwell teaming up with Kanyon...facing off against DDP...and the World Heavyweight Champion Booker T!

WOAH! What an announcement for next week's show! A glimpse into what to expect for The Great American Bash for both DDP and Kanyon AND the World Heavyweight title picture and also a chance for Kanyon to get at least a little dose of Karma for what he did last week.

Until then? If you interfere in any matches going forward? I will take the decision to suspend you until the Bash and fine you for your actions. Let this be a warning to you Kanyon. I for one hope, we won't have to take this further.

Rated: 88

 

 

WCW US Title Tournament
Round of 16
Winner Progresses to Quarter Finals
Chris Candido VS. Johnny The Bull

 VS. 

We see the debut of a new star to WCW in Chris Candido as he takes on Johnny The Bull in a match which, unfortunately seems to be suffering the similar fate to previous matches thus far. Sadly fans just don't have much reason to be invested in these two men but hopefully, at the very least it did the job of introducing Candido to the crowd as it would be Candido who picks the win up over Johnny and carries on through to the Quarter Final stage of the tournament.

Rated: 30

 

 

Starvin' For The Spotlight



We cut to the promo area where the man who made an impact in last week's main event is standing, smiling like the cat who just caught the canary. The booing of the fans could maybe even be heard from the area Kanyon is in himself and if he can hear it, it only seems to further his arrogance as he flashes his toothy grin to the camera before starting and addressing the issue at hand.

Man ya' know somethin'? Ever since I did what I did last week, comin' down that ramp, steel chair in hand, CRACKIN IT OVER THE SKULL...of Diamond Dallas Page...all I've been hearin'...is my name...over and over again. And folks? I gotta' tell ya'...I'm lovin' every second of it!

He bursts out laughing, running his hands through his greasy black hair, clearly loving and reveling in every second of this moment. It is after all, his moment. He's got the attention he's craving...and he doesn't seem to care if it's negative attention. It is, after all, still attention and in the wrestling business. That's all that ultimately matters.

I'M LOVIN' EVERY SECOND OF IT! BECAUSE YA' SEE...FOR FAR...TOO...LONG...I've been lurkin' in the shadows in WCW! I BUST MY ASS DAY IN AND DAY OUT, WEEK IN, WEEK OUT, MONTH IN, MONTH OUT...YEAR IN...YEAR OUT...and what have I had to show for it so far? Huh? What are my crownin' achievments here in WCW? Was it Mortis? Huh? Remember that one folks? I do and let me tell ya' MORTIS SUCKED...Oh...maybe it was "Positively" Kanyon, yeah...did ya' like that one? WELL I DIDN'T Because it seemed to me that the best thing this company ever had in store for me...was bein some dollar store DDP...a wanna be...a NEVER WAS...forever stuck...lurkin' in those shadows...

The frustration, the anger, the bitterness, it's dripping from Kanyon's words as he clearly thinks he's never been given the opportunity that is long overdue in his eyes. It's true, Kanyon had languished and gone through many changes in the course of his career and none of them ever really put him in the spotlight the way he might have hoped, no matter how hard he tried to make it happen.

I left my fate in the hands of the people runnin' this show for a long time, because ya' see for a long time I just thought...hey, that's how things are done around here. Right? Do a good enough job. Impress the right people. Show up, steal the show, earn your way to the top...WELL TRY AS I MIGHT THAT NEVER HAPPENED! So last week? New WCW? New owner? New look, new feel...New Kanyon baby...a Kanyon who takes matters into his own hands, that's right...

He smirks to the camera, leaning in, letting all the fans in the arena and at home see his s**t eating grin, beating at his chest for a moment as the adrenaline of the whole moment is gripping him.

And last week I took matters into my own hands, not by bein' some cheap DDP ripoff...but by takin out the man himself and man when I heard the crack of that metal against his thick skull? DDP I gotta' be honest with ya' bro...I never felt more proud of myself than I did in that moment...because like it or not? What that moment did for me?! It put my name in people's mouths, they spoke about me...in ways they ain't ever spoke about me before...and I intend to keep it that way Dallas...because that one chair shot last week? Finally brought me out of those shadows that I've been lurkin' in for so long...and Dallas I'm starvin' for the spotlight in ways you can't even imagine...my little chair cost you your chance to be the number one contender? Cry me a river! Your DDP you'll get another one of those some day some where...me? I don't know when my next chance to get my name out there might come along...SO I MADE IT HAPPEN! And maybe now, with this new WCW? You are the ticker I need to get to the top DDP...so when the day comes, when I ask the question..."Who betta' than Kanyon?" You know what they're all gonna realize is the answer?

Kanyon leans in close to the camera and instead of yelling boisterously like he normally would, he instead whispers, low and intense, with power and purpose, to really drive the point home.

Nobody...not Buff Bagwell...Not Booker T...and certainly not you Dallas...nobody is gonna hold me back. WCW is gonna find out first hand...what Kanyon can do.

Rated: 50

 

 

WCW US Title Tournament
Round of 16
Winner Progresses To Quarter Finals
Chuck Palumbo VS. Lance Storm
 VS. 

The action picks up in pace and interest as the night goes on as some recognized faces in WCW take us into this Round of 16 match. Chuck and Lance are not just rivals in the tag team division but here tonight, they find themselves against each other one on one for a chance to progress in the US Title Tournament. The match saw these two able to reverse and maneouver around each other because they have prepped for each other for tag team action, they've seen each others moves, they've watched each other on tape and they have faced each other in the ring before and it shows. No clear winner could be predicted as the match went on but Chuck Palumbo was starting to gain momentum when all of a sudden...




Lance Storm's partner Mike Awesome appears at ringside, he doesn't get involved because the ref is up and alert but his appearance provides enough of a distraction where Palumbo's attention gets divided away from Storm, giving Storm the opportunity to cinch Palumbo up with a quick small package and get the pin thanks to the distraction from Awesome

Rated: 52

 

 

Without A Shadow Of A Doubt...




Well folks, YOU ALL HEARD IT FROM SHANE O' MAC HIMSELF! WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT...BUFF BAGWELL IS YOUR NUMBER ONE CONTENDER BABY!

Buff smiles as he flexes his muscles, making his pecs dance for the camera as he laughs and celebrates his perhaps...unearned position as the number one contender for the World Heavyweight champion. He takes off the red and yellow top hat and glasses and throws them to the side, keeping his smirk on his face.

I'm Buff, I'm Tough and The Ladies Just can't get enough and if you ask me? I for one am sick of hearin' all this STUFF about Kanyon interferin' in my match! Because the truth is? I didn't NEED Kanyon in order to win the match. The Buff Man can do it all on his own, that's right and tonight? I'm gonna show all of you that, I'm gonna show Billy Kidman that and Booker T? You can bet your World Heavyweight Championship I'm gonna show YOU that brother!

Folks if you looked up arrogant in the dictionary right now, you might just see Buff Bagwell's smiling face next to it. How someone can be so self confident with the controversy that happened last week is beyond us, but this is Buff Bagwell we are speaking about. A man who is the epitome of over confidence.

See for far too long I've been playin' second fiddle to guys who always promised me great things...but were never quite able to deliver. I've been RELYING on others in order to get what I want. Well that stops now. Do you hear me folks? IT STOPS NOW!

He points to the camera before delivering another quick double bicep flex, leaning in and laughing to the camera. This is his moment alright and he wants to make sure we all choke on it...

I'm gonna' silence all those doubtin' voices from the WCW fans, and from the boys in the back because I KNOW how they LOVE to put the Buff Man down! I've been in the background far too long! Waitin in line for MY turn...well now? It's comin'...and there's not a damn thing that ANY of you can do about it baby!

Rated:64

 

 

Main Event
Billy Kidman VS. Buff Bagwell

 VS. 

The main event would see Kidman bringing the fight to Bagwell and doing an admirable job doing so, using his speed and acrobatics to try and out move and wear down the power and strength of the Buff Man. And it seemed to be doing the trick. Kidman managed to throw Bagwell off on multiple occasions and even managed to bring the Buff Man down after a series of dropkicks, followed by a diving crossbody from the top. Bagwell's frustration would build however and the momentum suddenly took a turn to Bagwell's favour after a cheap elbow to the back of Kidman's head. After that Bagwell would ultimately take control of the match and pick up the win 

Rated: 56

 

Overall Rating: 62
TV Numbers
Wednesday Afternoon Slot
0.75 (563,371)

[CactusZach]

Prediction Scorecard

Bigelow Cartwheel- 5

DGenerationMC-4

smw88-4

DHK1989-3

 

wcw.com/turmoil/match-cards

Turmoil Match Card
Week 4, May 2001

The WCW Round of 16 will be wrapping up this week to decide the final entries into the quarter finals! WCW Cruiserweight Champion Shane Helms will be in action, will that strange message show again? More debuting stars and even a returning face to the WCW roster and of course, the Main Event which WCW Owner Shane McMahon announced last week. We hope you'll tune in live to see it all take place!

US Title Tournament
Round of 16
Winner Enters Quarter Finals
David Flair VS. ???

Non Title Match
Evan Karagias VS. Shane Helms

US Title Tournament 
Round of 16
Winner Enters Quarter Finals
Sean O'Haire VS. ???

US Title Tournament
Round of 16
Winner Enters Quarter Finals
TWO NEW STARS WILL BE SHOWING THEIR FACES IN THIS MATCH FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A WCW RING FOR THE CHANCE TO PROGRESS IN THE TOURNAMENT

For the prediction scorecard, you will get points for guessing the participants correctly and an extra point for guessing the winner

Main Event
Tag Team Match
Buff Bagwell & Chris Kanyon VS. DDP & Booker T.

Edited August 15, 2023 by CactusZach

[smw88]

???

Shane Helms

Sean O'Haire 

Tbc

DDP & Booker T.

[DHK1989]

David Flair vs. ??? (Shawn Stasiak)

Evan Karagias vs. Shane Helms

Sean O'Haire vs. ??? (Mark Jindrak)

??? (Tommy Dreamer) vs. ??? (Steve Corino)

Buff Bagwell & Chris Kanyon vs DDP & Booker T

Edited August 15, 2023 by DHK1989

[Steerpike]

Second week of Turmoil... still a great name, and you seem to be working with the themes of it as well, as turmoil is definitely happening in your WCW right now. I love the intricacies of the promos, not only because they are fully written out, but the comments in between each line of dialogue. I imagine that matches are not following the same formula due to workload (which is fine), although I wish you would flesh them out fully as well; lots of potential with this style you are writing in. That said, it is clearly just me wanting more. 😁 However, I did notice some small typos and oversights in the promos, and it kind took a bit away from the immersion. Just a heads up for future shows.

I love the classic setup to The Great American Bash, though, with the tag team of faces versus heels leading into the event (also the fact that you kept the "The" as part of the official title, like in the WCW of old). I don't know if it is intentional, but Turmoil has kind of a WCW Saturday Night-feel to me, with cuttng between the studio promos and in-ring matches. And, of course, the classic WCW duo of Schiavone and Heenan. It gives it a really good vibe going forward, compared to the chaos that Nitro and Thunder ended up being the final years of WCW. Same with the focus on the young talent; I had hoped for a victory for Johnny the Bull instead of Candido, but it makes sense given that you are starving over more over performers. In the long run, though, I hope you can cash in on the potential of not just Johnny, but all of the Natural Born Thrillers. They could be a good meal ticket.

Moreso than AJ Styles currently, I think. It seems a bit hasty you are giving him such clear cut wins, even if WCW in real life were (slowly) pushing his pool of wrestlers as well. But that is just my brain being stuck a bit too much in realism perhaps. La Parka being back, though, I am fully onboard with; make him the US champion! 😆

[DGenerationMC]

US Title Tournament
Round of 16
Winner Enters Quarter Finals
David Flair VS. ??? (Bam Bam Bigelow)

Non Title Match
Evan Karagias VS. Shane Helms

US Title Tournament 
Round of 16
Winner Enters Quarter Finals
Sean O'Haire VS. ??? (Shawn Stasiak)

US Title Tournament
Round of 16
Winner Enters Quarter Finals
??? (Steve Corino) VS. ??? (Kid Kash)

Main Event
Tag Team Match
Buff Bagwell & Chris Kanyon VS. DDP & Booker T.

[CactusZach]

 

 

UNO Lakefront Arena

7,456 in Attendance

Week 4, May, 2001

 

 

RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!

RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!

RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!

 

 

 

 

 

Tony Schiavone 

WELCOME EVERYONE TO TURMOIL! It's another can't miss Wednesday in the world of WCW and the Tournament to crown a US Champion will be reaching the end of the round of 16 this week. That means the following four weeks before The Great American Bash will see the continuation of the Quarter Finals of the tournament and the action I'm sure will continue ramping up!

 

 

Bobby Heenan

You wanna talk about ramping up, Schiavone? How about our Main Event tonight! What an opportunity for the number one contender, Buff Bagwell and his partner tonight, Kanyon to make an impact!

 

Tony Schiavone

Well I for one hope it's an opportunity for Kanyon to get some justice for what he did to DDP the other week!

 

Bobby Heenan

Oh Schiavone don't be such a sap! This is the wrestling business! Sometimes you have to make the unpopular choices to get ahead and that's exactly what Kanyon did! Now look at him?! His name is on everybody's lips, he's in the Main Event tonight AND he's got a big money match against DDP at The Great American Bash at the end of June! If I was still managing I'd be givin' this kid my business card!

 

Tony Schiavone

I'm sure you two would hit it off wonderfully! Well we also have the cruiserweights in action later on this evening as Shane Helms faces off against Evan Karagias in non title action and some cruiserweight fans are wondering if we'll see any more strange messages like the last time Helms was in the ring!

 

Bobby Heenan

Probably the first time anybody's been interested in Shane Helms in his life! He should be flattered!

 

Tony Schiavone

All that aside though folks we're getting ready to start things off tonight with some tournament action to get things underway...

 

 

 

US Title Tournament

Round of 16

Winner Progresses to Quarter Finals

David Flair VS. Juventud Guerrera

 VS. 

 

Well, well, well if this isn't a sight for sore eyes! Ladies and gentlemen we are seeing the return of a cruiserweight staple here in WCW. Some of you may know him has "Juvi", others as "The Juice". Certainly an unpopular figure when he left the WCW screens and it seems to remain that way as fans who recognize him greet him with boos as he makes his way to the ring acting like he owns the place. It's the RETURN of Juventud Guererra folks and the look on David Flair's face says it all! He knows he's got a hard night ahead of him now because say what you will about The Juice, he is no slouch.

 

The bell rings and Flair doesn't back down he charges to try and take control of the momentum from the gate and swings the right arm for a clothesline, but Juventud ducks underneath and rolls out of the ring for a moment to gather himself and evaluate the situation once he sees the fire which David Flair is bringing on the onset here. A few fans boo and jeer at Juvi but he just turns to them and spreads his arms arrogantly. Letting them know he's back and there's nothing they can do about it!

 

Juvi rolls back in slowly, once he's at his feet the two circle around each other for a moment. They head in for a lock up...but Juvi delivers a sharp kick to the gut of Flair! Before delivering an elbow straight to the heart of Flair, sending him reeling against the ropes! Juvi delivers another elbow...and as it looks as if Flair is going to rebound, Juvi jumps to potentially leapfrog or do some sort of maneuver but Flair was ready for it! He'd locked his arms around the ropes so he didn't rebound into whatever Juvi had planned!

 

Juvi reaches towards Flair to try and grapple him but Flair fires back with a knife edge chop! "WOOOOOO" the crowd erupts! Followed by another "WOOOOOO" and a third one for good measure "WOOOOOO"

 

Juvie turns around grasping at his chest, retreating to the corner to try and recover. Turning around he begs off Flair! Lowering down into a seated position in the corner he holds up the "time out" signal but Flair is shaking his head! Flair delivers a series of boots across the chest of Juventud Guererra! 

 

Referee Charles Robinson is forced to step in to break it up and keep Flair away as Juvie rolls out the ring once more to recover, grasping at his chest and panting for breath. Perhaps taken a little bit by surprise by the tenacity of Flair and perhaps a little bit of ring rust?

 

Flair looks on in pure anger as Juvie has retreated to ringside once more. This time he decides to meet Juvie out there and try to keep things in the ring. The two come face to face and start trading blows back and forth between one another as Charles Robinson starts his ten count.

 

One...Two...Three...

 

The brawling continues out the ring but Juvie mangaes to come out on top as he delivers a kick to Flair's knee that sends him reeling! He grabs Flair by the arm...and whips him straight into the steel barricade! The clashing of metal against flesh can be heard as an audible "Ooooooh" from nearby fans can be picked up through the camera mic. Juvie doesn't stop there though. He wraps his arm around the neck of Flair and hoists him back up to his feet before delivering a SNAP SUPLEX which sends Flair's back right against the ringside floor!

 

Four...Five...

 

Juventud rolls back in and starts strutting and taunting across the ring as the crowd throw their hatred his way. Flair meanwhile arching and holding his back as he rolls around in agony on the floor, trying to find the energy to get back up to his feet.

 

Six...Seven...Eight...

 

Flair manages to get himself back in the ring before Charles Robinson can count nine but clearly the impact with the barricade and the floor has done a toll on him! He tries one last time to turn things around and runs towards Juvi once he's back in the ring...but Juvi is ready for him and scoops him up! And slams him back down with a Juvi driver! He hooks the leg!

 

ONE...TWO...THREEE!!

 

Juventud Guererra Progresses to the Quarter Finals!

 

 

Rated: 42

 

 

Eyes In The Back of My Head

 

 

We cut to the promo area to see one half of the Tag Team Champions Sean O' Haire who is slated for a match later tonight against a mystery opponent for the tournament. He looks concerned, yet focused. Somewhat troubled, like a heavy load is on his mind.

 

For those of you who didn't see it last night. My tag team partner Chuck Palumbo...had an opportunity last week. The same opportunity I have this week, to progress to the quarter finals of this tournament to crown a United States Champion. His opportunity? Was taken away from him by Mike Awesome. Well tonight I have the same opportunity ahead of me...and what that means for me is pretty simple. I need to have eyes in the back of my head.

 

There's a hint of paranoia in Sean's tone here, the hawk eyed viewer can even see his eyes dart side to side as if looking to see if there's an attacker waiting for him in the wings to take an opportunity. The collaboration between Team Canada has had an affect on him.

 

Because Team Canada has shown that they aren't willing to play fair. Team Canada has shown they are willing to play cheap tricks in order for at least one of them to get ahead in this tournament. Which Lance Storm did...and Storm I hope I get a chance to get my hands on you so I can deliver some justice for what you guys did to Chuck! This tournament might be singles competition. It might be every man for himself...but Team Canada has made it clear...they still have it out for me and Chuck, so tonight? I have to be prepared and I have to make sure I do what's right, not just for me, but my team mate...

 

An air of determination surrounds O'Haire as he mentions representing his team and hopefully having the chance to right the wrong that had been done by Team Canada last week on Turmoil

 

Storm, Awesome...if you're smart men you'll stay out of my business and let things lie where they may. If you don't? Well...I don't know exactly what's gonna happen...but in the long run? There will be consequences for your actions. Both me AND Chuck will make sure of that!

 

 

Rated: 47

 

 

Non Title Match

Evan Karagias VS. Shane Helms

 

 

 VS. 

 

The bell rings and both men immediately lock up, Helms delivers a forearm across Karagias' arm and rings around, positioning himself so he's got Karagis' arm locked up! Karagias reaches his free hand up, grasping at the back of Helms' head, and yanking down, throwing Helms down to the mat to break the hold!

 

Helms jumps back up to his feet and the two men circle around each other for a moment, sizing each other up. These two used to be partners at one point, both members of 3 Count together at one point in time but now standing opposed to one another. They lock up once more and Helms hoists Karagias up onto his shoulders and drops him to his right hand side, Karagias rolls across the mat and scrambles to his knees, delivering a shot to the gut of Helms as Shane tries to capitalize, followed by a second...then a third! Karagias wraps his arms around Helms' legs and as he does so, Karagias rises back to his feet and runs with Helms straight towards the ring corner, driving Helms' back and shoulders right into the ring corner!

 

Karagias follows up with a series of forearm shots to the head from Karagias, bringing Helms down into a seated position in the corner. Karagias moves to the center of the ring and takes the moment to taunt, grinding his hips as he dances for the ladies in attendance. He turns to face Helms and then runs at him, looking to deliver a boot but Helms rolls out the way and Karagias gets his foot caught up in the ropes! Helms rolls to the opposite corner and pulls himself up to his feet as Karagias is preoccupied getting his foot unstuck, As Karagias turns around he is met with Helms running right at him and leaping, taking him down with a Thesz Press, followed by a flurry of blows left and right!

 

He raises to his feet, bringing Karagias with him and whips Karagias against the ropes, as Karagias comes back he's looking to leapfrog over Helms...but Helms has read his intentions and catches him mid leapfrog, before driving him back down to the mat! Helms attempting a pin!

 

ONE...TWO...NO! KICKOUT BY KARAGIAS!

 

Helms doesn't let up and slowly gets back to a standing position, again bringing Karagias up with him, he tries to bring Karagias up for a suplex but Karagias kicks hi legs and manages to swing the momentum back so he goes back down...Helms tries again...and Karagias does the same. This time when he goes back down Karagias is fighting back with some close elbows straight to Shane's gut, He turns things around and it ends up being Karagias being the one delivering the suplex to Shane!

 

A few moments of recovery for both men follows as they are both worn down from the action. Karagias being the first one to slowly roll over and crawl his way towards the ropes. He pulls himself up to his feet and moves over to the closest ring corner, wobbling slightly as he climbs his way up to the top of the turnbuckle...Helms is starting to stir as Karagias turns around and Helms is able to take a leaping shot to knock the ropes, ending up crotching Karagias and sending him tumbling forward back on to the mat! Now Helms is the one climbing to the top rope! The crowd cheering as he goes high risk! And he delivers a diving leg drop right across the neck of Evan Karagias! He hooks the leg!!

 

ONE...

 

TWO....

 

KICKOUT AGAIN BY KARAGIAS! KARAGIAS NOT GOING DOWN EASILY!

 

You can see the frustration on Helms' face as he looks to referee Billy Silverman and Silverman holds up two fingers insisting the count was fair. Helms slams the mat with frustration before getting back up, he pulls Karagias to his feet...but Karagias fires back with a boot to Helms' midsection! Karagias whips Helms towards the ropes and as Helms rebounds back, Karagias hoists Helms up in the air and...SPINEBUSTER! Incredible work from Karagias to turn things around. Now Karagias attempts a pin of his own!

 

ONE...TWO..HELMS GETS THE SHOULDER UP!

 

Karagias has how on moment of frustration now, he brings Helms up to his feet with him, only to drive him back down with a scoop slam! Karagis turns towards the ropes...looking for a springboard here he hops up onto the middle rope, going for a springboard moonsault...but HELMS MANAGES TO ROLL OUT THE WAY RIGHT AT THE LAST SECOND. KARAGIAS FINDS NOTHING BUT CANVAS!

 

Both men get to their feet, they run at each other...Helms manages to get the upper hand, he has control of Karagias' arms and hooks them up in a reverse crucifix before bringing Karagias up for his signature move!

 

VERTEBREAKER! VERTEBREAKER FROM HELMS! HE HOOKS THE LEGS!

 

ONE...

 

TWO...

 

THREE!

 

Shane Helms Wins!

 

Rated: 56

 

 

Strange Message: Volume 2

 

 

 

 

Helms pants for breath as he wraps an arm around his midsection, raising a single arm in celebration as the fans cheer at his victory. Then, all of a sudden, just like the last time Shane had appeared and won a match at Turmoil. The lights go out, and for a moment it seems as if the broadcast is lost. When once again, a strange message shows itself to all eyes who are watching...

 

 

 

WHOEVER CONCEALS THEIR SINS DOES NOT PROSPER, BUT THE ONE WHO CONFESSES AND RENOUNCES THEM FINDS MERCY

 

What in the world? What does that mean? What does that have to do with Shane Helms? Why are they happening after his matches? Who in the world is behind this?! The lights come back on and we see Shane with his arms against his hips, wearing a mix of frustration and concern on his face because it seems a pattern was developing here and he was the target of these strange messages being delivered in the dark.

 

Rated: 41

 

 

US Title Tournament

Round of 16

Winner Progresses to Quarter Finals

Steve Corino VS. Sean O'Haire

 

 VS. 

 

ECW faithful might recognize the new face showing on their television screens as "The King of Old School", Steve Corino. Still relatively unknown on a larger scale but gets a few vocal fans in the crowd responding to his appearance here this afternoon.

 

The bell rings and both men lock up with each other with intensity, they test each other's strength and step by step, O'Haire manages to push Cornio towards the ring corner, the lock up breaks and a series of blows comes from O' Haire to the head of Corino, sending him keeling over. I'Hair follows up with a knee to the face! Corino grabs a hold of the rope and pulls away from the corner, trying to move away from O'Haire, but O'Haire is laser focused like a man on a mission, delivering a quick kick straight to the gut of Corino! Corino struggle but fires back with a right hand, sending O'Haire reeling for a moment, followed by another right hand, and then another, and then a snappy European uppercut send O'Haire to the mat. Corino turns around and grabs the ropes, jumping up and then driving his feet straight into the midsection of O'Haire!

 

He drags O'Haire to the middle of the ring, delivering a series of stomps across O'Haire's body before getting on his knees and locking the a headlock, cranking his arms around O'Haire's neck and twisting at it. Using this as a moment to showcase his knowledge of wrestling. O'Haire tries fighting back and raising up but Corino kicks the back of O'Haire's leg and sends him back down, cranking harder on the headlock and locking it in tighter.

 

The headlock is in tight and O'Haire is fighting with all his might not to give in and tap out, trying to twist onto his side...his arms reaching out, desperately, making it clear to the ref he isn;t tapping out, he reaches up to try and pry Corino's grasp off of him but Corno just cranks to the left once more and tightens his grasp. O'Haire places one hand on the mat and tries to life, slowly managing to turn onto his side and as he does so he manages to get to his feet! He delivers an elbow to Corino's midsection, followed by a second, then a third. He gets to a fuloly standed position, delivering a boot to Corino's gut, pulls Corino in and...DDT!

 

Both men out on the mat now as referee Charles Robinson starts a ten count for both men...the count doesn't last long though as O'Hair scrambles for the ropes and pulls himself up, he pulls Corino up but Corino delivers a slap straight across the face of O'Haire! The disrespect! He follows up with a knife edge chop to the chest of O'Haire! Then another! Then a third! He whips O'Haore to the ropes, but O'Haire ducks underneath his arm when he comes rebounding back, he turns Corino around and tries to kick him to the gut, but Corino grabs O'Haire's leg and spins him around! Corino wraps both arms around O'Haire!

 

GERMAN SUPLEX! He goes for the pin this could be an upset here!

 

ONE...TWO...NO...KICKOUT BY O'HAIRE!

 

Corino grasps at his hair, shaking his head in disgust, pointing and yelling at Charles Robinson "Do your damn job!" He squares up to Robinson for a moment and it looks like he's going to take a shot at the ref, but O'Haire grabs a hold of Corino's arm once he gets back up and whips him to the corner! He moves towards the corner and two two start exchanging blows with each other, this match devolving into a brawl as forearms and elbows are traded with one another. Charles Robinson has to step in and break the two apart, sending O'Haire to the opposite side for a moment as he checks in on Corino. Once he gets the all clear, O'Haire takes a charging run towards the corner...but Corino grabs a hold of Charles Robinson, pulling him in the way! O'Haire splashes both Robinson and Corino, and both men fall to the mat. Corino might have taken some of the blow but he brought the ref down with him to hinder the progress of O'Haire and you can see the look of frustration on O'Haire's face as he tries to assist in getting Charles Robinson back to his feet when all of a sudden...

 

 

 

 

 

Team Canada! It's Team Canada, taking advantage of the fallen referee and adding a little added insult to the tag team champions! Someone get security here! They rush the ring and begin clobbering at Sean O'Haire! Bringing him to his knees! Lance Steps back as Mike Awesome pulls O'Haire towards him and delivers a hellacious powerbomb to O'Haire right in the center of the ring! Storm pulls the fallen Corino over Sean O'Haire and Team Canada leave the ring before referee Charles Robinson comes to! Robinson crawls to the center of the ring as he regains awareness and notices the pin! No idea the assault that's just taken place in the ring! Not this way! Don't count it!!!

 

ONE...TWO...THREE

 

Steve Corino Progresses to The Quarter Finals!!

 

Rated: 42

 

 

Stay Out of My Way

 

 

We come back from commercial to find arguable the two most unpopular men on WCW television right now in the eyes of the fans. The number one contender Buff Bagwell, and the man who helped him achieve that by screwing over DDP, Kanyon. The two are together smirking and laughing with one another at the prospect they find themselves in later on tonight.

 

Kanyon

Ya' know somethin'? I really should be thankin' Shane McMahon for makin' this match because it means I can get my hands on DDP BEFORE The Great American Bash! And when I do? Well let's just say...DDP might find himself lucky if he actually manages to recover in time and make it there!

 

Buff Bagwell

We might not be regular tag team partners, but I would say based on the men we're up against tonight Kanyon and I will be able to work with what we've got and take it to the Champ and his little buddy Diamond!

 

Kanyon
As for you Booker T? Brother you better hope you and I don't square off tonight! If you're smart you'll tag in Dallas and reserve yourself as best you can! You got a title to defend soon and I would HATE to be the one to stand in the way of you being able to do that!
 

Kanyon turns to Bagwell and laughs, expecting Bagwell to laugh along with him and...yeah he gets a chuckle but it seems obvious Bagwell seemed a little...put off by that remark. Kanyon was bigging himself up a lot, people had been talking about how Buff wouldn't even be the contender without Kanyon...and now here Kanyon was saying he could put the champion out of action. Even if it was just tough guy talk. Let's say for a moment Kanyon was right. He had after all, managed to stop DDP from becoming the contender. What if he managed to do something to Booker? What would that mean for Buff and his title match?

 

Buff Bagwell

Well let's not get ahead of ourselves Kanyon! I want to make sure Booker T makes it to The Great American Bash after all because if he don't? Well then I might not get my championship match. Nah we don't need to do anything like that in our match. We need to use this to further the opportunities we already have!

 

Kanyon

You're right, you're right! One step at a time and this match just gives me a chance to further MY opportunity at getting to steal the spotlight away from that selfish Dallas Page!

 

 

The tone seems to shift from this moment as Bagwell raises an eyebrow in confusion, an awkward moment of silence follows as Bagwell slowly turns to face Kanyon, looking not just confused by what he just said...but even...offended by it. He felt the need to correct the record right away.

 

Buff Bagwell

Your opportunity? No offence but your petty little beef with DDP is nothing in comparison to having to face the World Heavyweight Champion!

 

Kanyon

You mean the World Heavyweight Champion you're facing because of me?!

 

Buff Bagwell
Excuse me? Do you think I NEEDED your help to win that match?

Kanyon
I mean you weren't lookin' your best there Buff, I think people are right to wonder how things might look if I hadn't gotten involved that night! After all you DID get hit with the Diamond Cut-

 

 

Bagwell cuts Kanyon off by holding out his hand right in front of Kanyon's face, shutting him up and more importantly for Kanyon, shutting him down.

 

Buff Bagwell

You know what?! You're right. Tonight is your opportunity...your opportunity to LEARN, because you're partnering up with the Number One Contender. So if I were you? I'd stand in that corner...shut up...be thankful you get to share top billing with me...and stay out of my way...

 

Rated:61

 

 

US Title Tournament

Round of 16 

Winner Progresses to Quarter Finals

BG James VS. Monty Brown

 VS. 

 

This was the match that has two complete mystery men facing off against one another for this tournament match. The first was definitely a recognized face from the WWF. You folks might know him as "Road Dogg" but here in WCW, he's being introduced to us as BG James. The other is a large, imposing, hyped up figure known as "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown.

 

Once the bell rings, James tries to get things started off with a clothesline to get the momentum going his way because Monty Brown certainly looks to have the advantage in terms of muscle mass, Brown ducks underneath the clothesline, delivering a series of blows one after another to James before grabbing him by the wrist and whipping him, but James turns it around and whips Brown into the corner, Browns back snaps against the turnbuckles and he rebounds from the corner reaching for his back in pain. James tries to capitalize and grabs a hold of Brown's throat! He tries to lift him but he's clearly struggling! Brown gets out of it delivering an elbow to the gut, sending James keeling over, followed by a couple forearm shots right over the back of James!

 

He tries whipping James again but once again the experienced James manages to turn it around and whips him and this time as Brown rebounds James takes a leap and makes a leaping clothesline to take the Alpha Male down! That shows that James can at least get the big man off his feet! He capitalizes by delivering a couple boots across the body of Brown as he formulated his strategy from here, obviously having to work a little differently than normal due to the size difference.

 

He pulls Brown up to his feet and delivers a couple shots but Brown fires back with an elbow straight to the temple of James which sends him reeling back towards the ropes, leaning against them for support! Brown takes a run towards James but James ducks down and sends Brown careening over the top rope and down onto the floor! James steps onto the ring apron and attempts to deliver a diving axe handle to Brown as he raises back to his feet but Brown his ready for him, delivering a fist straight to James' stomach. He grabs a hold of James by the head and then slams James' head straight into the top of the steel barricade! He positions James back up against the barricade and delivers a couple chops for good measure! The ref's count now being able to be picked up by the camera microphone

 

Three...Four...

 

Brown rolls James back into the ring and takes a moment to taunt to the audience before rolling back in himself, during his time taunting James had managed to crawl himself to the ring corner and was pulling himself up to a standing position...Brown takes a running charge straight towards the corner, but James rolls out the way and Brown's face is met with the turnbuckle which sends him reeling back! James runs off the ropes and hits brown with a shoulder tackle, and as Brown gets back to his feet James follows it up with a little Shake, Rattle & Roll combination!

 

He brings Brown back up to his feet, gripping him by the arms...he tries hoisting him up once...twice...third time is the charm, James struggles but manages to get him up for a Pumphandle Drop! He hooks the legs!

 

ONE...TWO...THREE!

 

BG James Progresses To The Quarter Finals!

 

 

Rated: 40

 

 

A Rose By Any Other Name

 

 

 

We return from commercial break to see BG James in the promo area. Still catching his breath from the match he just had. A smile growing on his face though as he hears the cheers of the crowd, many of whom remember him and his alter ego from the WWF. He takes the WCW branded microphone in his hand and holds out his free hand for a moment, acting like he's exhausted even though it's clear he's playing it up for entertainment value, keeling over and heaving for breath...before all of a sudden reeling back and jumping from one foot to another as he exclaims...

 

Man oh man, I love it when a plan comes together! First night on the job and your boy BG James is headin' on through to the quarter finals of the United States Championship Tournament babayyyy!

 

He jumps up and down with excitement like a child in a toy store, whipping back his hair and chuckling to himself. He seems to be having even more fun with a microphone in his hand than he was in the ring. Somehow managing to take the gasps of breath he needs between words to maintain his energy levels.

 

Now you folks might recognize this fabulous little face of mine from another place and another time not too long ago under another name. Well a wise man once wrote somethin' about a rose by any other name, and I'd love to tell ya' all about it but I didn't pay enough attention in class to remember the rest! But what I can tell you is...the name don't really matter, 'coz what you're gettin' is still very much, one hundred percent the real, genuine article!

 

You can hear some "Road Dogg" chants from the fans in attendance who knew better and were smart to what he used to be known as. His attitude and his presentation however, or what we've seen so far of it at least. Does seem to come across naturally and show is this is not a "gimmick" or a "character" but a real, raw presentation of who BG James is.

 

You see your boy BG is a rebel, always have been, always will be! And to put it to ya' plain and simple...that's why I had to...skedaddle on out of that other company in New York. Yeah, that's right. They said I was a little too rude, crude and full of attitude for their liking. Which is just fine with me daddy-o because it opened up the door for me to come right on in here to WCW! And sure I'm on my own...I ain't surrounded by friends like I used to be...but I grew up on the streets! I know what it's like to have to fight on your own. I've done it before and you can bet I can do it again!

 

He comes close to the camera, full of swagger and confidence, swaying his shoulders side to side. Somewhat unpredictable in his body language as his words seem to act as music to the way he moves and saunters around as he speaks.

 

After all? I'm in the quarter finals...and this is just DAY ONE SON! Is it REALLY that far of a stretch to imagine ya' boy here with the UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP...wrapped around my waist?! I DON'T THINK SO! So keep your hands off the remote, stay tuned, and keep those eyes peeled...'coz things are gonna get a lot more devious around here!

 

Rated: 72

 

 

Handling Business

 

 

We fade in to see Booker T and DDP preparing for their match, talking with one another in the locker room and shaking hands with one another before both turning to the camera to address the issue at hand for their upcoming match.

 

Booker T

If there's one thing I can respect...it's a man that handles his business. And DDP here? Yeah I know he wants my belt. Who doesn't?! But right here, right now both he and I know what's more important! And that is handing some consequences to that punk Kanyon for his actions the other week!

 

DDP steps in patting Booker T on the back before rubbing his hands together in excitement as he stares down the lens of the camera as if Kanyon were standing right in front of him in the ring right now.

 

DDP

Kanyon! I gotta' say buddy I am gonna' have to remind myself to reign it in just a little bit when I step in that ring tonight because man oh man. I wanna save the best of what I have in store for you at the end of June when we get to The Great American Bash in that No Disqualification match! And as for you Bagwell? Well my job with you big boy is real simple, make sure you don't get any bright ideas and take any cheap shots at the champion here.

 

Booker T

That's right. See DDP and I have reached an understanding here. We know what we want...and we know what's standing in our way to get there. So we are gonna do what any self respecting athletes are gonna do. We're gonna put aside any differences, put our long term aspirations on hold and we are gonna both step in that ring as a team and handle our business, like real men and real athletes do! Kanyon? You've poked a hornets nest man and I sure hope your fifteen minutes of fame are gonna be worth gettin' stung because that spotlight never comes empty handed, especially when you try weaseling your way into it instead of EARNING it!

 

The intensity and the passion which Booker T speaks with is real, here are two guys who both know what it is like to pay your dues in the wrestling business and seeing the likes of Kanyon take the easy way out seems to have come across as a personal insult to the likes of Booker T.

 

Booker T

And Bagwell? Without Kanyon, you wouldn't BE in the position that you're in sucka! You've had luck on your side but startin' tonight? It starts runnin' out!

 

DDP

Actions have consequences boys and you'll both be getting just a taste of what is to come at The Great American Bash! I hope for your sakes you're able to work together as well as you unintentionally did the other week. Because Booker and me? We're men on a mission...and ain't nothin' gonna stop us til it's done!

Rated: 90

 

 

 Main Event

Tag Team Match

Buff Bagwell & Kanyon VS. Booker T & DDP

 

 

 VS. 

 

The match starts with DDP as the legal man. On the opposite end it seems Bagwell and Kanyon are arguing with one another about who will be starting the match against Page. Kanyon insists that he start as the legal man, his obsession with DDP seeming to be causing a rift between he and Bagwell. Bagwell holds his hands up and nods, seemingly giving in to Kanyon's demands but once the bell rings...

 

Bagwell reaches over and tags himself in! Tapping Kanyon's back while holding the rope. Kanyon looks to Bagwell in disbelief and confusion as referee Charles Robinson who is back after recieving attention from the bump he took earlier in the night, signals to Kanyon he needs to hit the apron as Bagwell steps forward to make sure Kanyon can't just tag back in. So it's Bagwell and DDP starting things off. DDP just shakes his head chuckling to himself as he sees this mismatch happening in real time in front of him before getting underway.

 

Bagwell and DDP go to lock up and Bagwell grabs a hold of DDP's right arm, turning it around his back so that DDP is standing in front of him. DDP delivers and elbow with the left arm to get free before Bagwell can cinch in any sort of hold or submission, he runs towards the ropes and hits Bagwell with a shoulder! He turns to the left and runs towards those ropes as Bagwell scrambles to get back to his feet and Bagwell manages to scoop DDP and slam him down! Kanyon is reaching his hand out for the tag but Bagwell is ignoring him. Flashing his pearly whites to the camera as he grabs DDP by the hair and delivers a couple shots to the cranium! He pulls DDP up to his feet but DDP drives a knee to the midsection, followed by a Neckbreaker sending Bagwell to the floor. DDP turns to the corner and tags in Booker and the tempo of the crowd picks up as the Champ steps in and stares down his contender. Bagwell rolls around and retreats back to the corner and tags in Kanyon to get away from Booker T.

 

Kanyon's frustration is visible as Bagwell clearly ran away once Booker became the legal man. Kanyon gets in an runs towards Booker to be met with knee to the gut that sends him tumbling over, he gets right back up but is met with a clothesline to follow, he gets up once more, runs at Booker and Booker hoists him up and lets Kanyon fall back down against the ropes, causing him to stumble and fall. Booker then rushes to the ropes and when he rebounds hits the fallen Kanyon with a splash and attempts the quick pinfall.

 

ONE...TW-KICKOUT BEFORE THE COUNT OF TWO FINISHES!

 

Booker pulls Kanyon up and whips him to one of the free corners that doesn't have a tag partner standing in them. He delivers a couple chops to Kanyon but as he goes for the third Kanyon manages to duck underneath, grabbing Booker by the head and slamming it into the turnbuckle pad, now driving Booker into the corner. What follows is a struggle between Kanyon and Booker as Kanyon delivers a couple shots, getting Booker positioned up onto the top of the corner. He begins climbing and Booker tries fighting back, delivering a couple shots to Kanyon's gut. But Kanyon shoots back with shots of his own staright across Booker's face as he hooks his arm around Booker's neck...Kanyon finishing his climb to the top...

 

SUPERPLEX FROM THE TOP ROPE! Kanyon manages to roll over to attempt a pin of his own!

 

ONE...TWO...KICKOUT BY BOOKER T! BOOKER T manages to find the energy to kick out!!

 

Kanyon crawls his way to his corner and tags Bagwell in, who upon seeing a fallen Booker T has a sudden rise in confidence at seeing a situation he can take advantage of. He moves around Booker delivering some impactful stomps over different pressure points of Booker's body. He grabs Booker by the head and slowly brings him up but Booker fires back with shots of his own to the shock of Bagwell, a shot to the gut, followed by another, then another...and it looks like Booker T's gonna go for the Book end as he yanks Bagwell in for the finish...but Bagwell manages to deliver an elbow to the side of Booker's head and he runs for the hills tagging in Kanyon and rolling out the ring to gather himself. Kanyon can't believe it. He's hardly had any time to recover but the ref signals he has to get in as he's the legal man. In the mean time Booker shakes his head in disgust at the actions of Bagwell. He decides to take some recovery time himself and tags in DDP...at which moment something interesting happens.

 

As DDP tags in Bagwell quickly hops onto the ring apron in his corner, grabs the tag rope, reaches over and tags himself back into the match. The frustration is washing over Kanyon at this point. Bagwell keeps taking away his chances at showing what he is really capable of against DDP. He clearly says something to Bagwell which Bagwell shrugs off as he heads to the apron...grabs the tag rope...

 

But Kanyon tags straight back in! Now it's Bagwells turn! And Bagwell does the same, goes to the apron, grabs the rope and gives Kanyon a hard slap across the back which the ref signals is a tag. Robinson stepping in to try and organize things and get the two agreeing on a legal man as Kanyon starts flipping out at Bagwell, the two yelling words back and forth with one another. We can't hear exactly what they are saying, but it leads to Kanyon prodding Bagwell in the chest with his finger which seemed to take things across the line as after a moment of hesitation, turning away and taking a deep breath....BAGWELL SHOVES KANYON AND SENDS HIM TUMBLING OVER THE TOP ROPE TO THE FLOOR!

 

The team has completely broken down here! Both of these guys have egos that are far too big for them to work cohesively together!

 

Well folks, this is what happens when you pair up two guys whose only priority is themselves, a complete mismatch in chemistry and now things have finally reached a boiling point! After getting back to his feet, Kanyon throws his arms in frustration and disgust and...he turns around...and...he's walking away from the match! He's heading down the ramp leaving Bagwell to deal with things himself! Bagwell is the legal man but he doesn't seem to realize it as he turns around to protest to the referee...

 

BUT HE'S MET WITH A DIAMOND CUTTER! DIAMOND CUTTER FROM DDP! HE GOES FOR THE PIN!

 

ONE...TWO...THREE!

 

DDP & Booker T win! Clearly the better teamwork here between these two men who were able to put their differences aside! Unlike their opponents who couldn't have been further apart from each other if they tried. Kanyon is at the top of the entrance way as things start ramping up and he's staring down towards the ring in pure, unmitigated anger. DDP who is celebrating in the ring, points to the fallen Bagwell, then points to Kanyon, indicating he'll be suffering the same fate come The Great American Bash. He then shoots the diamond in the air and jumps as he throws it back down before returning to celebrate with Booker T as the WCW watermark shows and we slowly fade to black to end the show...

 

Rated:68

 

 

Overall: 65

TV Rating (Wednesday Afternoon Slot) 588,577 Viewers, 0.78 Rating

Edited August 21, 2023 by CactusZach

[CactusZach]

 

 

Tournament Bracket So Far

United States Championship Tournament

Billy Kidman                         Billy Kidman                 AJ Styles                                           La Parka                         La Parka                 Chavo Guerrero                                           Rob Van Dam                         Rob Van Dam                 Mike Awesome                                           Chris Candido                         Chris Candido                 Johnny The Bull                                           Lance Storm                         Lance Storm                 Chuck Palumbo                                           David Flair                         Juventud Guerrera                 Juventud Guerrera                                           BG James                         BG James                 Monty Brown                                           Steve Corino                         Steve Corino                 Sean O'Haire