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ECW World Television Championship: Rey Mysterio Jr. (c) pinned Sabu in 16:45 to retain the title...Mike Awesome pinned Masato Tanaka in 13:56...ECW World Tag Team Championship: AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn (c) defeated Los Guerreros when Styles pinned Chavo in 9:39...Lance Storm pinned The Great Muta in 10:39...World Cruiserweight Championship: Six Pack Challenge (One Fall): Tajiri (c) defeated Super Crazy, Psicosis, Juventud Guerrera, Jamie Noble, and Kid Kash when he pinned Crazy in 8:12...Buried Alive: Raven defeated Mortis in 21:21...Harlem Street Fight: Booker T defeated R-Killa in 17:36...ECW World Championship: Barbed Wire Steel Cage: Rob Van Dam pinned Brock Lesnar (c) in 22:28 to win the title
WCW/ECW Cyberslam 2002 – 9/1/02 – Key Arena, Seattle, WA
WCW World Championship: Triple H (c) pinned Booker T in 27:25 to retain the title...ECW World Tag Team Championship: AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn (c) defeated Elix Skipper and Shane Helms when Styles pinned Skipper in 9:49 to retain the title...ECW World Television Championship: Sabu pinned Rey Mysterio Jr. (c) in 13:58 to win the title...Weapons Mix'N'Match Lumberjack Match: X-Pac pinned Mike Awesome in 5:36...ECW World Championship: Mexican Strap Match: Rob Van Dam (c) defeated Eddie Guerrero in 18:22 to retain the title...Battle Royal to Determine the #1 Contender for the WCW United States Championship: Kurt Angle wins, last eliminating Sean O'Haire in 13:19...WCW United States Championship: Kurt Angle pinned Christian (c) in 3:38 to win the title...WCW World Tag Team Championship: Steel Cage Match: Diamond Dallas Page and The Giant defeated The Outsiders (c) via double pin in 12:04 to win the title
WCW/ECW Fall Brawl 2002 – 9/29/02 – Ford Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Elix Skipper, Shane Helms, and Monty Brown defeated William Regal, Fit FInlay, and Dave Taylor when Skipper pinned Regal in 10:37...World Cruiserweight Championship: Super Crazy (c) pinned Chavo Guerrero Jr. in 8:48 to retain the title...World Women's Championship: Victoria (c) pinned Molly Marvel in 6:55 to retain the title...ECW World Tag Team Championship: AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn (c) defeated Bam Bam Bigelow and Gangrel when Lynn pinned Bigelow in 8:13 to retain the title...#1 Contender for the ECW Television Championship: Three Way Dance: Shelton Benjamin defeated Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio Jr. after Guerrero walked out and Benjamin pinned Mysterio in 17:28...ECW Television Championship: Tajiri pinned Sabu (c) in 14:33 to win the title...ECW World Championship: Raven pinned Rob Van Dam (c) in 15:22 to win the title...Battle Royal to Determine the #1 Contender for the WCW United States Championship: Christian wins, last eliminating Kidman in 9:13...War GamesKurt Angle, Booker T, Diamond Dallas Page, The Giant, and "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan defeated Triple H, Sean O'Haire, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Brock Lesnar when HHH was rendered unconscious in Hogan and Angle's hold in 33:57
WCW/ECW Halloween Havoc 2002 – 10/27/02 – MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Any-Match-You-Want Ladder Match: Eddie Guerrero defeated Rob Van Dam in 20:03...ECW World Tag Team Championship: AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn (c) defeated Lance Storm and Chris Candido when Styles pinned Candido in 11:54 when X-Factor interfered to retain the title...ECW Television Championship: Shelton Benjamin pinned Tajiri (c) in 9:45 to win the title...Kurt Angle pinned Sean O'Haire in 9:28...The Giant pinned Diamond Dallas Page in 6:11...WCW World Tag Team Championship - Four Corners Match: The Archdiocese of Dudleyville (c) defeated Christian and Rene Dupree, Billy Kidman and Rey Mysterio Jr., and Elix Skipper and Shane Helms when Bubba pinned Kidman in 6:03...Brock Lesnar pinned Booker T in 15:04...World Women's Championship: Victoria (c) pinned Molly Marvel in 4:24 to retain the title...WCW World Championship: "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan pinned Triple H (c) in 13:23 after Sting saved Hogan from the New World Order to win the title
ECW/WCW November to Remember 2002 – 11/24/02 – HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY
ECW World Tag Team Championship: Rob Van Dam and Sabu defeated Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles (c) when RVD pinned Lynn in 23:47 to win the title...If Total Impact Win, They Get a Match With the Outsiders: Total Impact (Lance Storm, Chris Candido, and Mike Awesome) defeated X-Factor (X-Pac, Justin Credible, and Albert) when Storm pinned Credible in 2:51...International Three-Way Dance for the World Cruiserweight Championship: Tajiri defeated Super Crazy (c) and Little Guido, Tajiri pinned Crazy in 11:17, Tajiri pinned Guido in 16:57 to win the title...Flaming Tables Match: The Archdiocese of Dudleyville (Brother Bubba, Reverend D-Von, Deacon Batista, and Altar Boy Spike) defeated The Sandman, Tommy Dreamer, Balls Mahoney, and Axl Rotten when Batista drove Sandman and Dreamer through a flaming table at 11:56...Brock Lesnar pinned Shelton Benjamin in 13:33...World Women's Championship: Victoria (c) pinned Daffney in 7:22 to win the title...ECW World Championship: Raven (c) pinned Rey Mysterio Jr. in 16:04 to retain the title...Stone Cold Steve Austin pinned Eddie Guerrero in 18:25
ECW/WCW WrestleWar 2002 – 11/30/02 – Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA
WrestleWar War Rumble #1: Booker T wins, last eliminating Scott Steiner in 25:39...WrestleWar War Rumble #2: Rob Van Dam wins, last eliminating Triple H in 27:12...WrestleWar War Rumble #3: Brock Lesnar wins, last eliminating Ric Flair in 29:53...WCW World Championship: Kurt Angle made Hulk Hogan (c) submit in 7:03 to win the title...Women's War Rumble: Gail Kim wins, last eliminating Jazz in 8:11...WrestleWar Final Battle: Booker T defeated Rob Van Dam and Brock Lesnar, RVD pinned Lesnar in 13:12, Booker T pinned RVD in 25:12
WCW/ECW Starrcade 2002 – 12/29/02 – Bank One Ballpark, Phoenix, AZ
Ric Flair pinned Eddie Guerrero in 17:14...World Cruiserweight Championship: Ultimo Dragon made Tajiri (c) submit in 7:09 to win the title...WCW United States Championship: Diamond Dallas Page pinned Christian (c) in 6:17 to win the title...Billy Kidman, Shelton Benjamin, Rey Mysterio Jr. and The Road Warriors defeated Raven's Warriors (Mikey Whipwreck, Saturn, Malice, Crush, and Wrath) when Mysterio pinned Whipwreck in 5:03...ECW World Tag Team Championship - Three-Way Dance: Kid Kash and Jamie Noble defeated Rob Van Dam and Sabu (c), and Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles, Styles pinned Sabu in 10:34, Noble and Kash pinned Styles in 13:49 to win the title...Sean O'Haire pinned Scott Steiner in 3:57...WCW World Tag Team Championship - Six-Man Tag Team Match: The Archdiocese of Dudleyville (Brother Bubba, Reverend D-Von, and Deacon Batista) (c) defeated Elix Skipper, Shane Helms, and Monty Brown when Bubba pinned Helms in 9:47 to retain the title...The Giant pinned Hulk Hogan in 8:01...Total Impact (Lance Storm, Chris Candido, and Mike Awesome) defeated NWO Wolfpac (Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and X-Pac) when Awesome pinned Hall in 10:08...Brock Lesnar pinned Stone Cold Steve Austin in 19:16...World Women's Championship: Gail Kim pinned Victoria (c) after Daffney interfered in 4:11 to win the title...ECW World Championship: Raven (c) pinned Rhyno after Rhyno accidentally hit Mick Foley in 15:22 to retain the title...WCW World Championship - Triangle Elimination Match - If Triple H Does Not Win He Leaves Alliance Forever: Booker T defeated Kurt Angle (c), and Triple H, Angle and Booker pinned HHH in 3:43, Booker pinned Angle in 24:41 to win the title...Sting pinned Shawn Michaels in 28:53
2003
ECW/WCW Guilty As Charged 2003 - 1/12/03 - Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
WCW United States Championship: Diamond Dallas Page pinned Bam Bam Bigelow (c) in 9:39 to win the title...Little Guido, Tony Mamaluke, and Tracy Smothers defeated Super Crazy, Psicosis, and Juventud Guerrera when Guido pinned Psicosis in 9:12...ECW World Tag Team Championship: Kid Kash and Jamie Noble (c) defeated AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn when Kash pinned Lynn in 19:28 to retain the title...Shelton Benjamin and Kronik defeated Malice and The Eliminators when Kronik double-pinned Malice in 4:33...WCW World Championship: Booker T (c) pinned R-Killa in 19:05 to retain the title...World Women's Championship - Triangle Elimination Match: Gail Kim (c) defeated Daffney and Victoria...Kim pinned Victoria in 6:58, Kim pinned Daffney in 9:38 to retain the title...#1 Contender for the ECW World Championship - Triple-Threat Match, One Fall: Mike Awesome defeated Lance Storm and Chris Candido when he pinned Candido in 14:14...ECW World Championship - Extreme Brawl, Elimination: Rhyno defeated Raven (c), Rob Van Dam, Sabu, and Tajiri...RVD pinned Sabu in 13:28, RVD pinned Tajiri in 20:15, Rhyno pinned RVD in 20:24, Rhyno pinned Raven in 26:44 to win the title
Championship Linages
WCW World Championship
12-3-01 – Philadelphia, PA – Monday Night Nitro – Stone Cold Steve Austin (1) (Awarded)
12-30-01 – Washington, D.C. – WCW/ECW Starrcade 2001 PPV – Ric Flair (7) (Pinned Stone Cold Steve Austin)
12-31-01 – Norfolk, VA – Monday Night Nitro – Kurt Angle (2) (Made Ric Flair submit)
5-12-02 – Miami, FL – WCW/ECW Slamboree 2002 PPV - Triple H (1) (Pinned Kurt Angle)
10-27-02 - Las Vegas, NV - WCW/ECW Halloween Havoc 2002 PPV - "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan (7) (Pinned Triple H)
11-30-02 - San Francisco, CA - WCW/ECW WrestleWar 2002 PPV - Kurt Angle (3) (Made Hulk Hogan submit)
12-29-02 - Phoenix, AZ - WCW/ECW Starrcade 2002 PPV - Booker T (6) (Defeated Kurt Angle and Triple H in a Three-Way Match)
ECW World Championship
12-6-01 – Philadelphia, PA – ECW RISE – Vacant (Rhyno vacated due to injury)
12-30-01 – Washington, D.C. – WCW/ECW Starrcade 2001 PPV – Brock Lesnar (1) (Pinned Rob Van Dam for vacant title)
8-4-02 - East Rutherford, NJ - ECW/WCW Anarchy Rulz 2002 PPV - Rob Van Dam (1) (Pinned Brock Lesnar in a Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match)
9-29-02 - Oklahoma City, OK - WCW/ECW Fall Brawl 2002 PPV - Raven (3) (Pinned Rob Van Dam)
1-12-03 - Indianapolis, IN - ECW/WCW Guilty As Charged 2003 PPV - Rhyno (2) (Defeated Raven, Rob Van Dam, Sabu, and Tajiri in an Extreme Brawl)
WCW United States Championship
10-22-01 – Kansas City, MO – Monday Night RAW – Kurt Angle (1) (Defeated Rhyno by submission)(Pre-Rebirth)
12-13-01 – New York, NY – ECW RISE – Tazz (1) (Choked Kurt Angle out)
1-27-02 – Houston, TX – WCW/ECW Souled Out 2002 PPV – Christian (1) (Defeated Tazz, Rob Van Dam and Tajiri in a Four Way Match, pinning Tazz)
9-1-02 - Seattle, WA - WCW/ECW Cyberslam 2002 PPV - Kurt Angle (2) (Pinned Christian)
9-30-02 - Oklahoma City, OK - Monday Night Nitro - Christian (2) (Pinned Kurt Angle)
12-29-02 - Phoenix, AZ - WCW/ECW Starrcade 2002 PPV - Diamond Dallas Page (3) (Pinned Christian)
1-6-03 - Hartford, CT - Monday Night Nitro - Bam Bam Bigelow (Pinned Diamond Dallas Page)
1-12-03 - Indianapolis, IN - ECW/WCW Guilty As Charged 2003 PPV - Diamond Dallas Page (4) (Pinned Bam Bam Bigelow)
ECW Television Championship
4-14-02 – Philadelphia, PA – ECW/WCW Barely Legal II PPV – Eddie Guerrero (3) (Last eliminated Super Crazy in a battle royal)
6-9-02 – Chicago, IL – ECW/WCW Hardcore Heaven 2002 PPV – Rob Van Dam (2) (Pinned Eddie Guerrero)
6-27-02 – Buffalo, NY – ECW RISE – The Great Muta (1) (Pinned Rob Van Dam)
7-7-02 – New York, NY – WCW/ECW The 2002 Great American Bash PPV – Eddie Guerrero (4) (Defeated The Great Muta and Rob Van Dam in a Three-Way Dance)
7-11-02 - Long Island, NY - ECW RISE - Rey Mysterio Jr. (1) (Pinned Eddie Guerrero)
9-1-02 - Seattle, WA - WCW/ECW Cyberslam 2002 PPV - Sabu (2) (Pinned Rey Mysterio Jr.)
9-29-02 - Oklahoma City, OK - WCW/ECW Fall Brawl 2002 PPV - Tajiri (2) (Pinned Sabu)
10-27-02 - Las Vegas, NV - WCW/ECW Halloween Havoc 2002 PPV - Shelton Benjamin (1) (Pinned Tajiri)
WCW World Tag Team Championship
10-26-01 – Omaha, NE – Thursday Night SMACKDOWN! – Bubba Ray (1) and D-Von Dudley (1) (Defeated The Hardy Boyz)(Pre-Rebirth)
3-11-02 – St. Louis, MO – Monday Night Nitro – Diamond Dallas Page (5) and The Giant (4) (Defeated The Dudley Boyz)
7-7-02 – New York, NY - WCW/ECW The 2002 Great American Bash PPV – Kevin Nash (10)and Scott Hall (8) (Defeated Diamond Dallas Page and The Giant)
9-1-02 - Seattle, WA - WCW/ECW Cyberslam 2002 PPV - Diamond Dallas Page (6) and The Giant (5) (Defeated Kevin Nash and Scott Hall in a Steel Cage)
10-7-02 - Chicago, IL - Monday Night Nitro - Brother Bubba (2) and Reverend D-Von (2) (Defeated Diamond Dallas Page and The Giant)
ECW World Tag Team Championship
12-3-00 – New York, NY – ECW Massacre on 34th Street PPV – Danny Doring (1) and Roadkill (1) (Defeated Little Guido and Tony Mamaluke)(Pre-Rebirth)
2-28-02 – Indianapolis, IN – RISE – Rob Van Dam (3)and Sabu (4) (Defeated Danny Doring and Roadkill)
3-28-02 – Buffalo, NY – RISE – R-Killa (1) and Mark Henry (1) (Defeated Rob Van Dam and Sabu)
4-14-02 – Philadelphia, PA – ECW/WCW Barely Legal II PPV – Jerry Lynn (1) and AJ Styles (1) (Defeated R-Killa and Mark Henry, Kid Kash and Jamie Noble, and Danny Doring and Roadkill in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match)
11-24-02 - Buffalo, NY - ECW/WCW November to Remember 2002 PPV - Rob Van Dam (4) and Sabu (5) (Defeated Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles)
12-29-02 - Phoenix, AZ - WCW/ECW Starrcade 2002 PPV - Kid Kash (1) and Jamie Noble (1) (Defeated Rob Van Dam and Sabu, and AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn in a Three-Way Match)
World Cruiserweight Championship
10-9-01 – Moline, IL – Thursday Night SMACKDOWN! – Billy Kidman (5) (Pinned X-Pac)(Pre-Rebirth)
1-21-02 – Kansas City, MO – Monday Night Nitro – Taka Michinoku (1) (Pinned Billy Kidman)
1-27-02 – Houston, TX – WCW/ECW Souled Out 2002 PPV – Jerry Lynn (1) (Pinned Taka Michinoku)
2-25-02 – Atlanta, GA – Monday Night Nitro – Psicosis (3) (Pinned Jerry Lynn)
4-14-02 – Philadelphia, PA – ECW/WCW Barely Legal II PPV – Rey Mysterio Jr. (6) (Pinned Psicosis)
5-12-02 – Miami, FL – WCW/ECW Slamboree 2002 PPV – Eddie Guerrero (3) (Pinned Rey Mysterio Jr.)
5-13-02 – Daytona Beach, FL - Monday Night Nitro – Super Crazy (1) (Pinned Eddie Guerrero)
7-13-02 - Norfolk, VA - Worldwide - Tajiri (1) (Pinned Super Crazy)
8-24-02 - Colorado Springs, CO - RISE - Super Crazy (2) (Pinned Tajiri)
11-24-02 - Buffalo, NY - ECW/WCW November to Remember 2002 PPV - Tajiri (2) (Won a Three-Way Dance by pinning Little Guido in a match also involving Super Crazy)
12-29-02 - Phoenix, AZ - WCW/ECW Starrcade 2002 PPV - Ultimo Dragon (3) (Pinned Tajiri)
World Women’s Championship
2-24-02 – Atlanta, GA – WCW/ECW SuperBrawl XII PPV – Molly Marvel (1) (Won a four-way match against Ivory, Jazz, and Luna Vachon to win the title)
4-14-02 – Philadelphia, PA – ECW/WCW Barely Legal II PPV – Jazz (1) (Pinned Molly Marvel)
7-18-02 - Macon, GA - ECW RISE - Victoria (1) (Pinned Jazz)
12-29-02 - Phoenix, AZ - WCW/ECW Starrcade 2002 PPV - Gail Kim (1) (Pinned Victoria)
Calendar
January January 13, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro January 16, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE January 18, 2003 (Saturday) – WCW/ECW Clash of Champions (Special Event) January 20, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro January 23, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE January 27, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro January 30, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE
February February 1, 2003 (Saturday) – WCW/ECW Revenge 2003 Preview (Pay-Per-View-Preview)
February 2, 2003 (Sunday) – WCW/ECW Revenge 2003 (Pay-Per-View) February 3, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro February 6, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE February 10, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro February 13, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE February 17, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro February 20, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE February 22, 2003 (Saturday) – ECW/WCW Market Street Mayhem (Special Event) February 24, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro February 27, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE
March March 1, 2003 (Saturday) – WCW/ECW Superbrawl XIII Preview (Pay-Per-View-Preview)
March 2, 2003 (Sunday) – ECW/WCW Superbrawl XIII (Pay-Per-View) March 3, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro March 6, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE March 9, 2003 (Sunday) – ECW/WCW Wrestlepalooza 2003 (Special Event) March 10, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro March 13, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE March 17, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro March 20, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE March 22, 2003 (Saturday) – WCW/ECW Uncensored 2003 Preview (Pay-Per-View-Preview)
March 23, 2003 (Sunday) – ECW/WCW Uncensored 2003 (Pay-Per-View) March 24, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro March 27, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE March 31, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro
April April 3, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE April 7, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro April 10, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE April 12, 2003 (Saturday) – ECW/WCW Living Dangerously 2003 Preview (Pay-Per-View-Preview)
April 13, 2003 (Sunday) – ECW/WCW Living Dangerously 2003 (Pay-Per-View) April 14, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro April 17, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE April 19, 2003 (Saturday) – WCW/ECW Music City Showdown (Special Event) April 21, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro April 24, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE April 28, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro
May May 1, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE May 3, 2003 (Saturday) – WCW/ECW Slamboree 2003 - The Throne Wars Preview (Pay-Per-View-Preview)
May 4, 2003 (Sunday) – WCW/ECW Slamboree 2003 - The Throne Wars (Pay-Per-View) May 6, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro May 9, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE May 13, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro May 16, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE May 20, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro May 23, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE May 27, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro May 30, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE May 31, 2003 (Saturday) – ECW/WCW Hardcore Heaven 2003 Preview (Pay-Per-View-Preview)
June June 1, 2003 (Sunday) – ECW/WCW Hardcore Heaven 2003 (Pay-Per-View) June 2, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro June 5, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE June 8, 2003 (Sunday) – WCW/ECW Battle in Seattle (Special Event) June 9, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro June 12, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE June 16, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro June 19, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE June 23, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro June 26, 2003 (Thursday) – ECW RISE June 28, 2003 (Saturday) – WCW/ECW The 2003 Great American Bash Preview (Pay-Per-View-Preview) June 29, 2003 (Sunday) – WCW/ECW The 2003 Great American Bash (Pay-Per-View) June 30, 2003 (Monday) – Monday Night Nitro
WCW Monday Night Nitro
January 13, 2003
Palace of Auburn Hills
Auburn Hills, MI
Shane McMahon: “Hey, Booker. Look, I appreciate you stepping in against Jarrett last night at the ECW show. You’re the WCW World Champion, and since you won that title you’ve carried yourself as a great champion. But right now, I don’t want you getting involved in this Jarrett deal.” The camera pans over to Booker T.
Booker T: “The hell you talkin’ about? I ain’t gonna let someone like Jeff Jarrett run all over WCW. I already dealt with that a few years ago.”
Shane McMahon: “Look, I get it, I get. But two things, Booker. Two thing I gotta consider. One, I don’t want Jarrett near the WCW World Championship. And two, you earned this title reign. You earned. Beat Triple H. Beat Kurt Angle. You need to focus on your title defense at Revenge. Tonight, Brock Lesnar and The Giant go one-on-one with the winner getting the chance to face you at Revenge.”
Booker T: “No. It ain’t going down like that, Shane.”
Shane McMahon: “No? What are you talking about?”
Booker T: “If we do it this way Shane, that means one of those guys won’t get a shot. And they gonna come out here and say that I ducked their ass. So no, this is what we’re gonna do. I’ll take them both on at Revenge. Booker T. Giant. Brock Lesnar. And tonight, well my brother ain’t here, but I’ll find someone. We gonna do a tag tonight, I’m gonna show both Giant and Brock what they’re in for at Revenge. Now you dig that?”
Shane McMahon: “That’s what you wanna do? I dig it man. You defend the title. I’ll deal with Jarrett.”
Shane McMahon and Booker T embrace as we kick off Nitro!
Mike Tenay: “Welcome everyone to Monday Nitro! I’m Mike Tenay alongside Don West. Don, we got major news to kick off Nitro!”
Don West: “No kidding, Mike! Booker T just changed everything! Booker T against The Giant and Brock Lesnar? What, does he have a death wish?”
Mike Tenay: “We have a jam packed night of action ahead of us. Our opening match is a #1 Contender’s Match for the World Cruiserweight Championship!”
Don West: “It’s a good one too! Billy Kidman takes on Rey Mysterio Jr.!”
#1 Contender for the World Cruiserweight Championship
Billy Kidman (w/Torrie Wilson) vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.
Mysterio and Kidman shake hands to start the match. They lockup and Kidman shows that he’s the stronger of the two early on. He muscles Rey into the corner before grabbing a hammer lock. Rey escapes by trying to snapmare Kidman, but when Kidman lifts him into the air Rey uses his weight to complete the snapmare. Rey hits the ropes and catches Kidman with a flying headscissors! Quick cover, 1…2…Kidman kicks out. Rey springboards off the middle rope and goes for a moonsault, only Kidman catches him…but Rey counters again with an armdrag! Kidman gets up quickly and hits the ropes. Rey hits the ropes as well, allowing Kidman to surprise him with a monkey flip! Dropkick sends Rey to the apron. Kidman tries to knock Rey off the apron but gets hit with a forearm instead. Rey springboards off the top rope, but Kidman catches him in midair with a dropkick!
Kidman sends Rey into the corner, then clotheslines him down as Rey stumbles out. Cover, 1…2…Rey kicks out. Shoulder tackle sends Rey back onto the apron. Kidman runs at him, but Rey ducks and Kidman goes flying over the top rope, onto the floor. Rey hits a springboard Asai Moonsault off the second rope onto Kidman, shades of the WCW Cruiserweight Champion Ultimo Dragon! Rey rolls Kidman back into the ring. Rey leaps onto the top rope and hits a splash! 1…2…Kidman kicks out. Rey sends Kidman into the corner, but Kidman puts on the brakes then floats over Rey. Kidman tries a German suplex, but Rey backflips onto his feet. Rey comes off the ropes…just for Kidman to catch him with the B.K. Bomb! 1…2…Rey kicks out! Kidman pounds on the back of Rey before dragging Rey to the corner. Kidman sets Rey up for what looks like a gourdbuster off the top rope, but Rey punches Kidman to regain control. Rey climbs onto Kidman’s shoulders and takes him down with an avalanche frankensteiner! 1…2…Kidman just kicks out again!
Rey sends Kidman off the ropes, but Kidman puts on the brakes on the backdrop attempt and hits Rey with a Rocker Dropper! Kidman sends Rey off the ropes and tries for a powerslam, only Rey rolls it into a small package, 1…2…Kidman kicks out! Rey hops onto the apron. Springboard hurricanrana attempt is blocked as Kidman plants Rey with a sit-out powerbomb! 1…2…Rey just gets the shoulder up and Kidman can’t believe it! Rey struggles to his feet, allowing Kidman to springboard off the ropes and hook Rey’s head for a bulldog! Kidman drags Rey towards the corner, then heads to the top rope. Shooting Star Press misses as Rey moves out of the way! Rey heads to the top rope and waits for Kidman to get back to his feet before hitting the moonsault! 1…2…Kidman powers out! Rey comes off the ropes and nearly gets a wheelbarrow into a bulldog, but Kidman drops back, dropping Rey on the back of his head!
Both men try to recover and catch their breath as they slowly get back to their feet. Rey and Kidman trade punches before hitting the ropes. Rey leapfrogs over Kidman, but Kidman catches Rey with a flying clothesline. Kidman comes off the ropes, but Rey hits a drop toehold and Kidman lands in the ropes! 6-1-9 connects! Rey springboards off the top rope for a legdrop, but Kidman moves out of the way! La Magistral from Kidman, 1…2…no! Rey just gets a shoulder up. Kidman goes for a powerbomb, but Rey rolls through, 1…2…Kidman kicks out. Rey quickly hops back onto the apron as Kidman seems a little dazed. Rey springboards off the top rope with a somersault, landing on Kidman’s shoulders and getting the hurricanrana into the pin! 1…2…3!
Winner: Rey Mysterio Jr. via pinfall in 13:47
Rey Mysterio celebrates and indicates he wants gold around his waist. Kidman approaches him during the celebration, but ultimately shakes Rey’s hand.
***
Backstage…we see Jim Cornette entering the Palace of Auburn Hills!
Mike Tenay: “What…what’s he doing here?!”
::COMMERCIAL BREAK::
Dale Oliver’s “My World” plays as Jeff Jarrett, the New Age Outlaws, Ken Shamrock, and Vader make their way to the ring. Jim Cornette joins Mike Tenay and Don West at the commentator position.
Jim Cornette: “Mike, Don, good to see you.”
Mike Tenay: “Jim Cornette, I can’t believe it! Why are you and Jeff Jarrett here? Why have you declared war on both WCW and ECW?”
Jim Cornette: “Well Mike, maybe if you’d shut up you’ll hear why!”
Jeff Jarrett grabs a microphone.
Jeff Jarrett: “Okay, okay so I know what you’re all asking me. You all want to know why we’re all doing what we’re doing. Why the hell did we show up on the ECW show? Why did we cost Diamond Dallas Page the US Title last week? Hell, why did Jeff Jarrett take out Stone Cold Steve Austin for good as 2002 came to a close? Well I’m gonna tell ya. Let’s just make this clear right now so there are no questions. We are here because a McMahon monopoly of professional wrestling will kill the sport as we know it! Yeah, I’d figured you wouldn’t let me just go off without showing your face!”
Shane McMahon and Diamond Dallas Page walk onto the stage, but Jeff Jarrett continues his rant.
Jeff Jarrett: “You really aren’t much different than your father, Shane. Aligning yourself with all the cancers of professional wrestling! Diamond Dallas Page, really? Yeah, he likes to play the martyr out there, always being on the side of WCW against the enemy. Let’s be real, you know why he played that part? Because that’s the part that’s gotten him paid by Ted Turner and now the McMahon Family! When I showed up in WCW in 1999, when I made my ascent to the WCW World Championship, what a surprise, DDP didn’t want to see me up there. I already was dealing with your father’s partner in crime in Hogan at the time. But maybe we should rewind the clock a little bit. Let’s talk about why the six of us are all here. Shane, you and your family, you messed with all our lively hoods. Look at this man right here. Big Van Vader. Three-time WCW World Champion. Comes to the WWF and has to deal with Vince and all the bull backstage. All the money you all could have made with this man on top just flushed away due to backstage politics! Or this guy here. In 1997 Ken Shamrock was called the World’s Most Dangerous Man and I was in the ring with him, so I’ll tell you that’s right on the money. In just two years you had him go from being an absolute killer to debating if he should sleep with his sister or whatever the hell garbage that was! And how about my boy Road Dogg. He and Billy Gunn, maybe the greatest tag team in wrestling history, the New Age Outlaws. Without a moment’s notice you fired Brian, Road Dogg, and left Gunn floundering. These were two of the top stars in the whole damn company and you guys couldn’t help but ruin that! Hell, even JimCornette. Nevermind that Jim here provided talent to not only the WWF but your WCW through Smoky Mountain Wrestling and Ohio Valley Wrestling. But that too wasn’t good enough for your family, right Shane? Slowly but surely even Cornette had to be pushed out.”
Shane McMahon: “Jeff, what’s the point here?”
Jeff Jarrett: “What’s the point here? You screwed with all our livelihoods slap nuts! Your father told J.R. to cut my pay in half despite me being the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all-time! Now I got one over on your family when I walked out and took $300,000 with me! But that’s not enough. This is our way of stopping the McMahon Family from killing professional wrestling! You guys go have the WWF. But we will run over WCW and ECW until the name McMahon has nothing to do with it!”
Diamond Dallas Page: “Look monkey boy. You got your problems with me, no problem. But don’t behind this ‘savior of wrestling’ crap. You all want to fight, I’ll give you all a fight!”
Shane McMahon: “That’s what’s gonna happen. Look, I have no problem with you Jarrett, or anyone else standing in that ring right now. All of you are amazing talents and yeah, maybe a business decision or two didn’t go your way and that’s why you ended up where you did. I respect the hell out of all you guys. I have no problem with you competing in a WCW ring. But if you think you’re all gonna drive me out, you’ve got another thing coming. You guys want Revenge on us, on me? You’ll give you that chance. Revenge is live on Pay-Per-View in just 20 days. I’ve already worked out the details with Steph and Mick. We’re gonna have a 10-Man Tag Team Match. The team captain, Diamond Dallas Page. He’ll team up with the guys you attacked last night at Guilty As Charged, Total Impact! As for the fifth guy, I got a little surprise for everyone tonight. Tonight, I’ll be signing someone to a WCW contract. He’ll team up with DDP. With Total Impact. And he’ll help put you guys in your place.”
Jeff Jarrett: “You’re on, Shane. We’ll kick your guys’ asses, including DDP over here. Then make sure you understand this, you can’t hide Booker T much longer either!”
Diamond Dallas Page: “You don’t worry about Booker. Trust me, I’m gonna take you out before you even get to Booker T, and you’ll never see it coming!”
***
Paul Heyman walks up to The Giant’s locker room door. Heyman takes a deep breath before knocking, with the Giant saying to come in. Heyman walks in, and immediately puts up a defensive stance as Giant stands up to him.
Paul Heyman: “Wait, wait, please! I’m just a messenger!”
The Giant snickers, which does put Heyman at ease a bit.
Paul Heyman: “I’d like to first say that I’ve always been a big fan of yours! I used to watch Nitro and I couldn’t stand all the senior citizens out there stealing the limelight from the next generation, but then there was you. A monster that wrecked everyone in his path. I have nothing but respect for you Giant and I want you to know that, while I manage who I believe is the future, if not present, of the professional wrestling business in Brock Lesnar.”
The Giant: “Get to the point, Paul.”
Paul Heyman: “Last week you and Brock got into a bit of a skirmish. We’re lucky that neither man was hurt in the incident as that could have negatively impacted tonight or even Revenge. Originally, you were going to go to war with my client tonight for a shot at the WCW World Championship. If that match were still taking place, I wouldn’t be here. But now both Brock and you have that title shot. Also, tonight we’re a team. So on behalf of Brock Lesnar, I’m calling for a cease fire, or a truce, at least until Revenge.”
The Giant: “What’s the matter, your boy get cold feet after looking into my eyes last week?”
Paul Heyman: “With all due respect, it’s not about fear. My client does not fear you, but he does respect you. You work with Brock to take out Booker T, then it’s just you and him for the belt.”
The Giant: “Alright, Paul. I’m in. But let’s make something perfectly clear…”
Giant grabs Paul Heyman by the throat!
The Giant: “…I don’t trust either of you. If you two double cross me, I’m gonna put Brock’s ass through the ring, and I’ll make sure you never walk again! Make sure your client understands this.”
Giant release Paul, who scurries out of the locker room…
Paul Heyman: “I…I…I’ll make sure I send the message! Tha…thank you!”
::COMMERCIAL BREAK::
WCW World Tag Team Championship
The Archdiocese of Dudleyville (w/Deacon Batista) vs. The Legion of Doom
Animal and Hawk attack the Dudleys before the bell! Animal whips Bubba and hits a shoulder tackle that sends Bubba flying to the outside. Animal backdrops D-Von, then sends him off the ropes and knocks him down with a big clothesline. Animal tags in Hawk. Hawk knocks D-Von down with a flying tackle! Cover, 1…2…Bubba breaks up the cover. Hawk punches away at D-Von, then hits him with a neckbreaker! Hawk poses to the crowd, then knocks Bubba off the apron! Hawk sends D-Von off the ropes, but D-Von hangs on and escapes under the bottom rope…just for Animal to run him down! Animal rolls D-Von back into the ring, and Hawk drops a fist drop. 1…2…D-Von kicks out. Hawk clotheslines D-Von in the corner, but misses a second clothesline and D-Von runs Hawk between the turnbuckles and into the ring post.
D-Von tags in Bubba and Bubba pounds away on Hawk. Bubba Bomb connects! Cover, 1…2….Animal breaks it up! Batista drags Animal to the outside and they brawl as Bubba continues to pound away on Hawk! Batista rams Animal into the post on the outside. Bubba and D-Von pound away on Hawk in the ring. They call for the 3D, but Hawk clotheslines D-Von, then bashes Bubba with a hard shot. Animal rolls into the ring, clearly hurt, but able to brawl with Bubba. Hawk sends D-Von to the outside, then whips Bubba into the corner. Hawk and Animal hit hard clotheslines. Animal struggles for a moment, but manages to get Bubba on his shoulders, but D-Von pulls the referee towards the apron of the ring. Hawk heads to the top rope for the Doomsday Device, but Batista slides in and smashes Animal in the back with a chair!Batista shoves Hawk off the top rope, then plants Animal with a spinebuster! Batista batters Hawk on the floor as D-Von comes into the ring. D-Von sends Animal off the ropes and Bubba completes the Divine Dudley Deathdrop! Bubba makes the cover, 1…2…3!
Winners: The Archdiocese of Dudleyville when Bubba pinned Animal in 6:12 (Retains)
Batista smashes Hawk into the barricade, then takes the chair back into the ring. Animal tries to fight off the Dudleys…but Batista stops him in his tracks with another hard chair shot to the back! D-Von slides two tables into the ring. One gets set up. Bubba sets up Animal, but Animal still tries to fight. Batista shoves Bubba out of the way, to Bubba’s surprise…and sets Animal up himself. Batista powerbombs Animal through the table! Hawk crawls into the ring, but Bubba and D-Von pounce on him right away. Batista sets up the other table. Hawk is sent off the ropes, and the Dudleys drive him through the table with 3D! The A.O.D. stand over what’s left of the Road Warriors. Bubba and D-Von say a silent prayer in the ring over Hawk and Animal’s body…although Batista doesn’t seem to take praying seriously.
***
A limo comes into the garage…
Mike Tenay: “Now what?”
Eric Bischoff steps out of the limo…
Don West: “Oh man!”
***
Sean O’Haire storms to the ring, walking by the beaten Legion of Doom.
Sean O’Haire: “I saw you out there, Bischoff! Give me what I want now, or I’ll find you and tear you apart!”
Eric Bischoff appears at the entrance of the stage. He flashes that million-dollar smile as he gets a microphone.
Eric Bischoff: “Sean it is so good to see you again. Like I said last week, we can make this happen. It’s you, not Shane McMahon, that’ll get you the match you want at Revenge! And if Shane McMahon gets in your way, I’m sure we can work something out in the WWF to make it happen. Sounds like a great WrestleMania match to me don’t you think?”
Shane McMahon walks out and gets in Eric Bischoff’s face.
Shane McMahon: “You’re a son-of-a-bitch you know that Bischoff!”
Eric Bischoff: “Well it has gotten me this far!”
Shane McMahon: “This is what you want, Sean? Is this some secret NWO plan to get Triple H back in the Alliance?”
Sean O’Haire: “No. No. He embarrassed me at the WrestleWar. He held me back all year and I stupidly was his lackey. I thought beating him on Nitro would be enough, but it wasn’t. I need to finish the job for good. And I’ll go wherever I need to make it happen.”
Shane McMahon: “So, Eric, what are the terms?”
Eric Bischoff: “It’s simple, Shane. Triple H shows up at Revenge, no earlier. And they have their match. Oh…and one more thing. If Triple H wins…his ban from Alliance.”
Shane McMahon: “What’s in it for WCW?”
Eric Bischoff: “We’re not offering anything else. But from one executive to another, I think it’s a smart idea to keep your blue-chip prospect happy. Sounds like the man wants a match with Triple H. I know what I’d do.”
Shane McMahon: “Alright fine. It’s official. Sean O’Haire and Triple H at Revenge. When Sean wins, I never want to see Triple H again. Ever. But Sean, you mess this up. You blow this. It’s you who needs to explain it to the locker room. To Booker. To Angle. To DDP. All those guys who fought against Triple H all year. We clear?”
Eric Bischoff: “Hey, I’m good here. We’ll see you at Revenge."
Eric Bischoff leaves as Shane McMahon stares at Sean O’Haire in the ring.
::COMMERCIAL BREAK::
As we return to Nitro, Ric Flair makes his way to the commentator’s table.
Ric Flair: “Michael, Don. WOOO!”
Mike Tenay: “Ric, welcome.”
Don West: “It’s great to have you here Mr. Flair!”
Eddie Guerrero (w/Chavo Guerrero Jr.) vs. Kurt Angle
Angle gets in a wrestling stance and is surprised when Eddie looks to take him up on that challenge. Angle gets the better of Eddie with a waistlock take down. Eddie tries to wrestle his way out, but Angle forces Eddie to the canvas. Eddie manages a headlock, but Angle quickly takes him down with a double leg takedown. Angle locks in an armbar, but Eddie escapes with a hip toss! Dropkick from Eddie! Eddie gets a small package, 1…2…Angle kicks out. Eddie goes for a back elbow, but Angle counters and hits a high angle back suplex! Angle goes for the ankle, but Eddie quickly grabs the bottom rope. Angle runs at Eddie, but Eddie backdrops him over the top rope and onto the floor. Angle quickly gets back to his feet, but he gets distracted by Chavo. Chavo gets close and Angle shoves him away…allowing Eddie to dive over the top rope and take Angle out!
Eddie slides Angle back into the ring and hits him with a dropkick. Vertical suplex from Eddie. Eddie holds onto Angle and drops a second vertical suplex. He swivels his hips as well as he drops Angle with a third suplex! Eddie goes for a clothesline, but Angle ducks and Angle hits a German suplex. This time Angle holds on as he hits a second German suplex. And a third! Angle punches away at Eddie and positions him into the corner. Eddie fights back with punches of his own, then props Angle on the top rope. Eddie climbs up and hits an avalanche frankensteiner! Cover, 1…2…Angle just kicks out!
Ric Flair: “As good as Eddie Guerrero is, and I know, I faced the man at Starrcade, if this is the Kurt Angle that shows up at Revenge he’s not gonna stand a chance!”
Eddie gets a sleeper hold, but Angle hits another back suplex. Eddie sets Angle up for another vertical suplex, but this time Angle rolls him up into the small package, 1…2…Eddie kicks out! Angle gets a fireman’s carry takeover, then locks Eddie in a headlock with a leg trap. Eddie fights his way out as Chavo climbs up to the apron. Angle shoves Eddie into Chavo, then rolls Eddie up. 1…2…Eddie pulls Angle’s trunks for his own pin, 1…2…Angle kicks out! Eddie misses a clothesline and Angle goes for an Angle Slam, but Eddie lands on his feet. Angle immediately grabs the ankle of Eddie and locks in the Ankle Lock! Eddie flails away to try to try to escape…and manages to roll through and send Angle into the ropes. Knee to the midsection from Eddie! Eddie grabs Angle and hits a belly-to-belly suplex, then climbs to the top rope. Eddie rolls through the Frog Splash as Angle moves…and walks right into the Angle Slam! 1…2…3!
Winner: Kurt Angle via pinfall in 10:04
Angle grabs a microphone.
Kurt Angle: “Come on, Flair, you’re next!”
Ric Flair stands up from the commentators position. He begins to strut on the stage, at first making his way to the ring. He stops and takes off his jacket and tie and struts a little more…before waving Angle off. Flair heads to the back as Angle shakes his head.
***
Booker T is backstage preparing for his match against Brock Lesnar and The Giant…although he still doesn’t have a partner. That changes quickly though as Diamond Dallas Page walks in. The two friends shake hands.
Diamond Dallas Page: “You know I always got your back, Booker.”
Booker T: “Always appreciate it, dawg.”
::COMMERCIAL BREAK::
We come back to Nitro, and see Arn Anderson talking to someone in a limo, with the limo driving off. Kurt Angle yells at the limo to stop, but it doesn’t. Angle walks up to Anderson and demands to know where Ric Flair is going. Anderson says he doesn’t know and begs off…but it’s a trap as Flair nails Angle in the back with a pipe! Flair gets some shots in before another car appears…which Flair and Anderson jump into and leave the Palace at Auburn Hills! Officials run over to check on Angle.
Don West: “It looks like Kurt Angle forgot! Ric Flair, that’s the dirtiest player in the game right there!”
Mike Tenay: “What a cheap shot by Flair!”
***
Monty Brown (w/Elix Skipper and Shane Helms) vs. Rene Dupree (w/Christian)
Brown and Dupree circle one another. Dupree avoids the opening tie-up before posing to the crowd. Dupree challenges Brown to a test of strength, but boots Brown as soon as Brown goes for it. Dupree hip tosses Brown before posing for the crowd once again. Christian yells at Dupree to focus. Brown gets back to his feet and ducks a Dupree clothesline, hitting him back with a flying shoulder block. Brown hits some punches, but Christian gets on the apron to distract him, which works as Brown tries to shove Christian off the apron and Dupree nails him with an elbow. Dupree slams Brown and locks in a side headlock. Brown powers out and sends Dupree off the ropes, then hits him with a big clothesline!
Brown comes off the ropes again, but Christian tries to trip him, again giving Dupree an opening to take advantage. As Dupree pounds on Brown, Elix Skipper and Shane Helms run over to confront Christian, who backs off. Dupree slams Brown, then performs the French Tickler! Dupree goes for a kneedrop but Brown moves out of the way! Brown hits Dupree with a swinging neckbreaker! Cover, 1…2…Dupree kicks out. Brown punches away at Dupree in the corner, but Dupree reverses a whip to the corner. Dupree runs in but Brown gets his feet up, hitting Dupree in the face. Overhead belly-to-belly suplex by Brown! Dupree surprisingly is back on his feet but Brown is on him, sending him off the ropes and hitting a powerslam! Cover, 1…2…Christian puts Dupree’s foot on the bottom rope to make the save! Helms and Skipper attack Christian as Brown tries to grab him too, allowing Dupree to hit a back suplex. Cover from Dupree, 1…2…Brown kicks out. Dupree whips Brown off the ropes, but Brown ducks the clothesline and comes back with the POUNCE! Cover, 1…2…3!
Winner: Monty Brown via pinfall in 5:49
Christian collects Dupree as Monty Brown, Shane Helms, and Elix Skipper celebrate Brown’s victory.
Mike Tenay: “Great win for Monty Brown!”
Don West: “Mike, did you hear the news?”
Mike Tenay: “I did, Don and I’m about to announce it. Next week on Nitro, four teams will compete for a chance to face the Archdiocese of Dudleyville at Revenge for the WCW World Tag Team Championship!”
Don West: “We just saw two of them out here!”
Mike Tenay: “That’s right. It’ll be Shane Helms and Elix Skipper, the team of William Regal and Fit Finlay, Los Guerreros, and the other two men we just saw out here: Christian and Rene Dupree!”
Don West: “What a match!”
***
We go backstage as Shane McMahon is on one side of a table, talking to someone.
Shane McMahon: “…you know I was listening to you last week. I wasn’t thrilled with what you did at first, but I respect it…”
The camera pans over to the other side of the room, where R-Killa is standing, listening intently.
Shane McMahon: “I was impressed how you took it to Booker T last night at the ECW Pay-Per-View. You have a hell of a future, Ron, and I’m not going to make the same mistake my father made when he fired you. You said you never got a real shot. Well you’re getting one. I know you have a contract with ECW, and this new contract doesn’t invalidate that one. This one gives you the opportunity to compete for WCW as well.”
R-Killa: “This is a WCW contract?”
Shane McMahon: “This is a WCW contract. I even have a Pay-Per-View match all ready for you.”
R-Killa: “What is it bossman?”
Shane McMahon: “There’s a ten-man tag team match at Revenge. Jeff Jarrett’s group, they’re going against Total Impact, DDP, and if you sign that contract, R-Killa.”
R-Killa signs the contract.
R-Killa: “Thank you for this chance! I’m in bossman!”
Don West: “Wow!”
Mike Tenay: “R-Killa? What a move from Shane McMahon!”
::COMMERCIAL BREAK::
Brock Lesnar and The Giant stand in the ring, awaiting the World and United States Champions.
Booker T and Diamond Dallas Page vs. Brock Lesnar (w/Paul Heyman) and The Giant
The Giant stands tall in the ring, but that’s perfectly fine for DDP. DDP does the Bang taunt in Giant’s face, resulting in Giant hitting DDP with hard blows. Giant hits punches and chops in the corner, then sends DDP to the opposite corner. Giant runs in, but DDP moves out of the way and Giant crashes into the corner. DDP nails Giant with punches. Giant misses a clothesline and DDP hits him with a chop block. DDP tries to DDT the Giant down, but Giant runs him into his corner and tags in Brock Lesnar. DDP backs away from the corner. He looks like he’s about to go at Brock, but Booker demands the tag. DDP obliges as Booker looks ready to go with Brock. They tie-up and Brock gets a knee to the midsection. Brock wildly misses a clothesline, and Booker nails him with a jumping side kick! Flying clothesline from Booker knocks Brock through the ropes, causing Brock to retreat.
Brock gets back into the ring and Booker hits another Harlem sidekick, knocking Brock back into the corner. Booker punches away at Brock, getting the full 10 count from the crowd, then hits Brock with a delayed hook kick! Booker hits the ropes, but Brock surprises him with a huge clothesline! Brock takes a breath for a moment before hitting a rib breaker, then dumping Booker on the canvas. Brock tags in Giant, who props Booker up in the corner and hits him with hard chops to the chest! Giant chokes Booker in the corner with his huge size 23 boot, then tosses him out of the corner. The Giant calls for the chokeslam, but Booker fires punches to slow the monster down. Booker tries a Harlem sidekick, but Giant catches him and slams Booker to the canvas. Booker tries to stand up to The Giant again, but this time Giant knocks him right down with a headbutt. Giant goes for the Chokeslam again, but Booker lands on his feet, kicks the Giant, and hits the Scissors’ Kick! Booker can’t make the cover, although he crawls his way to DDP.
Booker makes the tag to DDP and DDP runs in like a house of fire, hitting Giant with punches! Brock comes in but misses a clothesline, and DDP gets some punches in there too. Giant runs at DDP, but DDP dodges him and Giant accidentally squashes Brock in the corner! DDP knocks Giant into Brock, sending Brock to the outside. Booker and Brock go at it on the outside as DDP calls for the Diamond Cutter. DDP climbs up to the top rope to deliver a huge Diamond Cutter, but he’s pulled down by Jeff Jarrett! DDP punches Jarrett off the apron, but Road Dogg and Billy Gunn attack him in the ring, drawing the disqualification.
Winners: Booker T and Diamond Dallas Page by DQ in 9:31
Diamond Dallas Page tries to fight off the New Age Outlaws, but Ken Shamrock slides in and grabs DDP’s ankle, taking him down. Shamrock tries to lock in the Ankle Lock, but Vader comes in and splashes DDP’s back! Jarrett gets the guitar ready…before Total Impact run down to the ring to make the save! Storm grabs the guitar out of Jarrett’s hands, and Jarrett bails! Awesome gets his lands on Billy Gunn and Awesome Bombs him in the ring, before Shamrock tries ot wrestle him down. The brawl spills to the outside as Brock and Booker end up back in the ring.
Brock and Booker trade blows. DDP and Jarrett fight on the outside…and R-Killa runs into the ring! R-Killa and Booker T lock eyes…before R-Killa leaps over the top rope with a plancha on Jarrett!Paul Heyman tosses Brock Lesnar the WCW Title belt…and Lesnar smashes it over the back of Booker’s head!Giant gets back to his feet and Brock confronts him about the corner splash earlier. Giant points to Booker, and after a few seconds of arguing both Brock and Giant slowly approach Booker, who struggles to get to his feet. Giant has a huge smile on his face…but that smile quickly fades as the lights go out!
Mike Tenay: “Now what?”
Don West: “…no way….”
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Mike Tenay: “STING IS HERE!”
Jeff Jarrett convinces the New Age Outlaws to escape through the crowd…although both Ken Shamrock and Vader seem to want a piece of Sting. Total Impact keeps them occupied though as they brawl through the crowd. In the ring, Paul Heyman tells Brock Lesnar to back off…but The Giant stands tall in the ring, goading Sting to get into the ring with him. Sting slowly walks into the ring…Lesnar completely bails…and Giant tries to hit Sting with the WCW title belt, but Sting ducks and hits Giant in the ribs with his baseball bat! Sting comes off the ropes and hits Giant with the bat again, sending him over the top rope!
The crowd goes crazy as Sting picks up the WCW World Championship! He takes a long look at it before handing it to Booker T. Booker T nods his head towards Sting as Nitro goes off the air!
Mike Tenay: “I don’t think it’s a three-way anymore….I think Sting wants the WCW World Title!”
::END SHOW::
Quick Results
#1 Contender for the World Cruiserweight Championship
Rey Mysterio Jr. pinned Billy Kidman
Booker T and Diamond Dallas Page defeated Brock Lesnar and The Giant by DQ
Champions
WCW World Champion
Booker T (Defeated Kurt Angle on 12-29-02)
ECW World Champion
Rhyno (Defeated Raven on 1-12-03)
WCW United States Champion
Diamond Dallas Page (Defeated Bam Bam Bigelow on 1-12-03)
ECW Television Champion
Shelton Benjamin (Defeated Tajiri on 10-27-02)
WCW World Tag Team Champions
The Archdiocese of Dudleyville (Defeated Diamond Dallas Page and The Giant on 10-7-02)
ECW World Tag Team Champions
Jamie Noble and Kid Kash (Defeated Rob Van Dam and Sabu on 12-29-02)
World Cruiserweight Champion
Ultimo Dragon (Defeated Tajiri on 12-29-02)
World Women’s Champion
Gail Kim (Defeated Victoria on 12-29-02)
Roster
AJ Styles: – Jerry Lynn took AJ Styles under his wing in early 2002, resulting in them winning the ECW World Tag Team Titles at Barely Legal II. They dominated the ECW Tag Team division for most of the year until losing the titles to Rob Van Dam and Sabu at November to Remember. Lynn and Styles failed to win back the titles at Starrcade, although they did eliminate RVD and Sabu. Lynn and Styles failed to retain the titles at Guilty As Charged
The Archdiocese of Dudleyville: – The Dudley Boyz lost the WCW World Tag Team Championship back in April to Diamond Dallas Page and The Giant, then disappeared after a loss to Tommy Dreamer, The Sandman, and Balls Mahoney at ECW Barely Legal II. They returned in early October…but under a religious gimmick. Brother Bubba and Reverend D-Von, joined by the monstrous Deacon Batista, regained the WCW Tag titles and even seemed to kidnap Spike Dudley on an edition of ECW Rise. It looks like Spike has joined back with his brothers based on what happened on the 10/31 RISE. They’ve also been feuding with the trio of Elix Skipper, Shane Helms, and Monty Brown. They also have issues with Dreamer and Sandman because of the kidnapping of Spike. They took out Dreamer and Sandman for seemingly for good at N2R. After Deacon Batista’s loss to Monty Brown on Nitro, The Dudleys and Batista will face Elix Skipper, Shane Helms, and Brown at Starrcade in a Six-Man Tag Team Match with the WCW World Tag Team Titles on the line. Batista powerbombed Spike post-match, blaming him for the loss. They retained the titles at Starrcade. They may have finished off the LOD as well
Bam Bam Bigelow: – 2002 was a tough year for Bam Bam as he lost any major matches he was a part of. A short-term team with Gangrel fell apart late in the year. Shocked DDP for the US title on the first Nitro of 2003…but lost it back to him six days later at Guilty As Charged
Billy Kidman: – It has been an up and down year for Kidman. After some early battles with Raven and his Warriors, Kidman challenged Christian thoughout the year for the US Title but didn’t win the title. He’s now again become a target of Raven’s Warriors mostly due to his past with Raven and his friendship with Rey Mysterio Jr.
Booker T: – When this new WCW formed, Booker T had a chance to become the #1 Contender for the WCW World Championship, but lost to Kurt Angle at Starrcade 2001. Booker has since been trying to fight his way back to contention. A long feud with R-Killa (Ron Killings) occupied Booker throughout the summer until Booker finally dispatched him in an actual Harlem Street Fight at ECW Anarchy Rulz. Booker T had another chance to win the WCW World Championship as he won a fan vote over Kurt Angle (100%-0%!) to face HHH at Cyberslam, but HHH prevailed in a half-hour classic. Booker T was on the WCW Team that beat the NWO at War Games, which led to a match with Brock Lesnar at Halloween Havoc (Lesnar, while not a NWO member, was on team NWO for the match). Lesnar managed to defeat Booker at Halloween Havoc, but Booker has vowed revenge, while also declaring entry in the WrestleWar. He also may have picked up an ally in Lesnar’s former partner Shelton Benjamin. The feud with the New World Order has picked back up, with HHH blasting brother Stevie Ray with a sledgehammer. Booker T would win the WrestleWar to earn a WCW World Title shot at Starrcade 2002…and held off Triple H two nights later to hold onto that title shot. Booker T converted that title shot into his 5th WCW World Championship. He defeated R-Killa once again to retain the title in his first PPV defense. Now, it looks like he has three challengers ahead of him: Brock Lesnar, Giant, and Booker T
Brock Lesnar: – After dominating ECW from his debut at Starrcade 2001 (December) through Anarchy Rulz 2002 (August), Lesnar surprised the world when he teamed with the NWO for War Games with the condition that if the NWO won, Triple H would give him a WCW World Title shot. Lesnar’s shortcut to the WCW title didn’t work and this led to a feud with Booker T. Lesnar defeated Booker at Halloween Havoc, although it seems he’s drawn the ire of ECW stablemate Shelton Benjamin. Lesnar’s manager Paul Heyman announced on Nitro that Lesnar will be a part of WrestleWar. Lesnar returned to ECW to get revenge on Benjamin’s actions at Halloween Havoc and defeated Benjamin at November to Remember. After eliminating Stone Cold Steve Austin in a War Rumble, Lesnar decided to anger Stone Cold…which bit him in the ass during the Final Battle. Lesnar will have the biggest match of career at Starrcade when he faces Stone Cold. Lesnar may have crossed a line though as he went to Austin’s best friend WWF Announcer Jim Ross’ home and assaulted him as a message. Lesnar continued his path of destruction by destroying Stone Cold at Starrcade for perhaps the biggest win of his career. Now, he has eyes on capturing the WCW World Championship
Chris Candido: – Once Justin Credible betrayed Total Impact, a spot opened for Chris Candido. Candido has helped Lance Storm and Mike Awesome in their battles against the NWO and their allies ever since. After the Outsiders cost Mike Awesome the ECW World Championship during Raven’s Nightmare, Total Impact laid out a challenge aimed to eradicate the core of the NWO: the Outsiders, once and for all. He was injured in a car accident facilitated by the Outsiders. Total Impact would defeat the Wolfpac at Starrcade.
Christian: – After an early loss to Triple H, Christian recovered in January 2002 to win the US Title and has dominated the US Title scene for most of the year. Christian has had different allies throughout his reign: The Quebecers and Rene Dupree (Dupree is still with him). He’s beaten challengers such as Test, Billy Kidman, and Booker T in title defenses. He lost the title to Kurt Angle at Cyberslam, but won it back on Nitro and is the current champion. Christian is slated to compete in the WrestleWar and has guaranteed victory all the while trying to avoid defending his US Title at all costs. DDP got the better of him at Starrcade, leaving Christian titleless
Chuck Palumbo: – Palumbo has struggled ever since partner Sean O’Haire turned against him and joined the NWO. Has had some matches with O’Haire since, but hasn’t been able to beat his former partner and friend. Has seemed to have patched things with him since O’Haire left the NWO
Daffney: – Daffney debuted alongside Victoria and has been at ringside through Victoria’s rise to World Women’s Champion. Daffney has disagreed with Victoria’s post-match attacks though, and Victoria responded in an abusive manner towards her. Daffney had enough and finally attacked Victoria at Halloween Havoc, saving Molly Marvel. Daffney would lose to Victoria at November to Remember…although she scarred Victoria by throwing tacks in her face…and did it again to cost Victoria the Women’s Title against Gail Kim at Starrcade, then made the challenge for Kim’s title. Kim would retain
Dave Taylor: – Brought in by William Regal and Fit Finlay to help them when they were battling Monty Brown, Elix Skipper, and Shane Helms
Deacon Batista: – The enforcer of the Archdiocese of Dudleyville, OVW’s former Leviathan
Diamond Dallas Page: – DDP began as a commentator, but got involved in the Tajiri-William Regal-Torrie Wilson situation. Torrie would become one of his Diamond Dolls (Stacy Keibler would join later, and Torrie would leave for Kidman in the summer). DDP then also saved Stacy Keibler from the Dudleyz and received a huge assist from the Giant. DDP and Giant battled the Outsiders for most of the summer over the WCW World Tag Team titles, and almost won the WCW Title from HHH at Clash of Champions. Recently, due to the Giant’s frustration with not getting WCW World title shots, the Giant turned on DDP. The Giant took DDP out in their match at Halloween Havoc. DDP made his return on Nitro just twelve days before Wrestle War, saving Booker T from an attack from Triple H. With the Giant reappearing, DDP wants a rematch with him, but had to settle for becoming the #1 Contender to Christian’s US Title. He said he wasn’t done with the Giant…and seemingly had Giant beat on Nitro if it weren’t for Christian. DDP would defeat Christian at Starrcade to win the US Title, and made it clear he still had the WCW World Title set in his sights. There’s a new problem for DDP now, as he’s called out Jeff Jarrett and the New Age Outlaws. Jarrett and the Outlaws responded in kind by costing DDP the US Title. DDP would win the title back six days later…then tangled with Jarrett’s group again.
Eddie Guerrero: – Now clean and sober, Eddie Guerrero returned to major league pro wrestling by winning the vacant ECW TV Title at Barely Legal II. He feuded with Rob Van Dam over the summer, trading the ECW TV title with him and losing to RVD in RVD’s 1st PPV ECW World Title defense. Guerrero eventually got the better of RVD in a special ladder match where the winner got to have any match he wanted, although it seems like Commissioner Mick Foley isn’t able to deliver. Guerrero showed up on Nitro as a result and lost a highly competitive match with Kurt Angle in the main event. Mick Foley found a suitable substitute that Guerrero accepted for the November to Remember match: Stone Cold Steve Austin. Guerrero would fail in his attempt to defeat Austin. Guerrero put on a good performance in his War Rumble as he entered #1 and made it nearly to the end. He got revenge on the man who eliminated him, Ric Flair, two nights later by costing Flair the WCW World Title. Scored a pinfall on Flair on RISE as well, but couldn’t come up with the victory against him at Starrcade. The next night Guerrero accidentally cost Chavo the Cruiserweight title…then cost himself and Chavo a tag match against Shane Helms and Skipper.
Elix Skipper: – After winning a couple of matches against The Hurricane, he and Shane Helms joined forces to make an exciting tag team. Recently, Monty Brown joined them and they have their sights on the Archdiocese of Dudleyville. Thanks to Brown’s victory over Batista, the Six-Man Tag Team Match between these teams will take place at Starrcade and will be for the WCW World Tag Team Title. Unfortunately, The A.O.D. prevailed at Starrcade
Fit Finlay: – Brought in by William Regal to battle Diamond Dallas Page, Finlay and Regal then feuded in the spring. Regal would knock Finlay out in a match in May…but they’d get back together later in the year and now are a trio with David Taylor
Gail Kim: – The former La Felina was destroyed by Victoria in the summer, but her triumphant return as Gail Kim led to a Women’s War Rumble victory and a title shot at Starrcade 2002, which she won for her first world title. Kim would retain the title against Daffney and Victoria at Guilty As Charged
The Giant: – The Giant signed on with Shane McMahon in an announcement made at Starrcade 2001. Giant said one thing mattered to him: the WCW World Championship. He failed to win it at Souled Out against Kurt Angle and then ended up on a different path: helping Diamond Dallas Page win the WCW World Championship in his feud with the Dudley Boyz. Giant and DDP had two reigns over the summer as they feuded with the Outsiders, trading the titles. The Giant grew tired of waiting for another WCW World title shot after their victory over the NWO at War Games and eventually turned on DDP. Giant destroyed DDP at Halloween Havoc, but upon not receiving a title match seemingly walked out on Shane McMahon on Nitro. The Giant returned at the WrestleWar, injuring then-WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan before and after his failed title defense against Kurt Angle. The Giant showed he wasn’t done with DDP either as he attacked DDP after DDP’s match with Rene Dupree on Nitro. Hulk Hogan would return the next week to save DDP from Giant, and WCW Owner Shane McMahon announced that Hogan and Giant would clash at Starrcade. The Giant accomplished something he was never able to do in the past seven years when he pinned Hulk Hogan clean at Starrcade. He now has his sights set on the WCW World Championship once again
Hugh Morrus: – Has mostly been in the lower-mid card in the Alliance era. After a loss to Chuck Palumbo, Morrus said that he was “done with this Hugh Morrus shit”
Hulk Hogan: – He originally returned at Slamboree to cost Kurt Angle the WCW World Championship in his title defense against Triple H. After HHH turned the NWO against him, Hogan was out until the night after Cyberslam in early September. Hogan returned and led WCW in a victory over the NWO in War Games. This got him a title shot at Halloween Havoc, where Hogan defeated HHH to win the title. Hogan had previously promised Kurt Angle a title shot due to screwing him over at Slamboree, and that match will take place at WrestleWar. The Giant would attack Hogan before and after that match, and he cost Hogan the title against Kurt Angle. Hogan returned to Nitro to extract revenge on Giant, cementing their match at Starrcade. The Giant would kick out of the legdrop and pin Hogan at Starrcade, potentially killing Hulkamania once and for all
Ivory: – Competed in the original World Women’s Championship tournament, but we haven’t seen a lot of her overall
Jamie Noble: – Jamie Noble originally got a break to join the Alliance when he upset Curt Hennig. Ever since he has joined up with Kid Kash in a quest to win the ECW World Tag Team Title. They’ve been close (including a 30 minute classic against champions AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn at Hardcore Heaven), but haven’t won the titles. Noble and Kash would defeat RVD and Sabu, and Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles to finally win their first ECW World Tag Team Title at Starrcade
Jazz: – Former World Women’s Champion was beaten by Victoria in the summer and has been trying to win back the title ever since
Jeff Jarrett: – Jeff Jarrett returned to WCW in a big way, by taking out Stone Cold Steve Austin with a guitar and injuring his neck, perhaps for good. Jarrett, the New Age Outlaws, Ken Shamrock, and Vader have all banded together with Jim Cornette at the helm…their motivations are unclear. So far they’ve taken out Austin, DDP, Stacy Keibler and Total Impact.
Jerry Lynn: – Jerry Lynn took a liking to AJ Styles after watching him on Worldwide, taking him under his wing. This resulted in them winning the ECW World Tag Team Titles at Barely Legal II. They dominated the ECW Tag Team division for most of the year until losing the titles to Rob Van Dam and Sabu at November to Remember. They failed to regain the titles at Starrcade as Jamie Noble and Kid Kash won the three-way dance, and failed again at Guilty As Charged
Juventud Guerrera: – The cruiserweight division got a big boost at SuperBrawl XII when Psicosis and Juventud Guerrera returned to WCW in a #1 Contender’s Match. Guerrera would lose that match but still be a top contender to the title thoughout the summer. He’d eventually form a trio with Psicosis and Essa Rios/Papi Chilo, but Chilo is out of the picture now
Ken Shamrock: – Shamrock returned to pro wrestling at the National level at Guilty As Charged, appearing as a member of Jeff Jarrett’s group and attacking Total Impact
Kevin Nash: – Kevin Nash showed up at Slamboree as a member of the NWO, costing Kurt Angle the WCW World Championship. Nash and Scott Hall have been two of the faces of the NWO since, helping Triple H retain the WCW titles at all costs. He and Scott Hall managed to win the WCW World Tag Team Title before dropping it back to DDP and the Giant at Cyberslam. Total Impact would dominate the Wolfpac at Starrcade, leaving the state of NWO Wolfpac unknown
Kid Kash: – Kid Kash and Jamie Noble originally got together to deal with R-Killa and Mark Henry and ever since have tried to win the ECW World Tag Team Title.. They’ve been close (including a 30 minute classic against champions AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn at Hardcore Heaven), but haven’t won the titles. Noble and Kash would defeat RVD and Sabu, and Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles to finally win their first ECW World Tag Team Title at Starrcade
Kronik: – Clarke and Adams have broken away from Raven’s stable and now look to destroy Raven
Kurt Angle: – Angle won the WCW World Championship the night after Starrcade 2001, beating and crippling Ric Flair. After managing defenses against The Giant, Triple H, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Lance Storm, Angle would finally fall to Triple H at Slamboree thanks to the New World Order. Angle has essentially feuded with the New World Order since, which included beating Curt Hennig in a cage on Nitro. After a win against the NWO's Sean O’Haire at Halloween Havoc, Angle finds himself in position to win back the WCW Title at WrestleWar. He’s also had a bit of an adversarial issue with Booker T. Angle beat Booker T back at Starrcade 2001, but at Cyberslam 2002 the fans chose Booker unanimously to face Triple H for the WCW Title, something that seems to still bug Angle. Perhaps that doesn’t matter anymore as Angle would defeat Hulk Hogan to get his WCW World Title back at WrestleWar…but would drop it to Booker T at Starrcade. To get a rematch, it looks like he’ll have to defeat the man he beat for the WCW World Title the night after Starrcade 2002: Ric Flair
Lance Storm: – Storm formed a trio with Mike Awesome and Justin Credible called Total Impact and ran over the likes of Tommy Dreamer and Sandman for a few months before Kurt Angle gave him the match of a lifetime: a WCW World Title Match on Pay-Per-View at Uncensored. Storm wouldn’t win the title, and that led to an extended feud with Angle. Things changed when the NWO invaded ECW and Justin Credible turned his back on the team. Chris Candido would join the team and they’ve been feuding with the NWO and NWO allies ever since. After the Outsiders cost Lance Storm the ECW World Championship during Raven’s Nightmare, Total Impact laid out a challenge aimed to eradicate the core of the NWO: the Outsiders, once and for all. Total Impact would emerge victorious at Starrcade.
Little Guido: – The leader of the Full-Blooded Italians. His group has taken payoffs for jobs…although they haven’t always went well. Had a shot at the Cruiserweight title at November to Remember, but didn’t walk away with gold.
Mick Foley: – Mick Foley returned to ECW to support his friend, Terry Funk. That led to a confrontation with ECW World Champion Brock Lesnar. With the blessing of Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, Cactus Jack returned to and faced Lesnar for the ECW World Championship at Barely Legal II, but came up short. Foley returned in the summer to become Stephanie McMahon’s ECW Commissioner, replacing General Manager Paul Heyman. He has seemed to be especially tough on the top bad guys on the brand, specifically Eddie Guerrero and Raven. At Starrcade, Raven would attack Mick Foley…and Foley would get hit with an inadvertent GORE from Rhyno in the ECW World Title match at Starrcade. After Rhyno’s loss, Rhyno would GORE down Mick Foley again. Foley would make the deciding three count at Guilty As Charged…which resulted in a new ECW World Champion.
Mike Awesome: – Awesome formed a trio with Lance Storm and Justin Credible called Total Impact and ran over the likes of Tommy Dreamer and Sandman for a few months before battling Kurt Angle and the Eliminators. When the New World Order invaded ECW and Justin Credible turned on the group, Total Impact became fan favorites. Chris Candido would replace Credible and they would battle against NWO allies the FBI and the newly formed X-Factor. After the Outsiders cost him the ECW World Championship during Raven’s Nightmare, Total Impact laid out a challenge aimed to eradicate the core of the NWO: the Outsiders, once and for all. Total Impact would beat the Wolfpac at Starrcade. He would defeat his stablemates at Guilty As Charged to become the #1 Contender to the ECW World Championship
Molly Marvel: – The former Mighty Molly reinvented herself and was the inaugural World Women’s Champion. She would lose it to Jazz and has been trying to win it back ever since
Monty Brown: – Monty Brown is part of a trio with Elix Skipper and Shane Helms and recently just debuted to help them against William Regal, Dave Taylor, and Fit Finlay. Fun babyface trio. Due to Brown’s victory over Deacon Batista, Brown, Skipper, and Helms have a chance to win the WCW World Tag Team Title in a Six-Man Tag Team Match against the Archdiocese of Dudleyville. Unfortunately, the A.O.D. would retain the title at Starrcade
Nova: – Tonight was a bit of a serious turn for Nova, who had been part of the comical Blue World Order for most of the summer
Paul Heyman: – He started out as the General Manager for ECW until ECW Owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley fired him bias concerns. These concerns were due to Heyman managing Brock Lesnar, Shelton Benjamin, and C.W. Anderson at the same time. Heyman left ECW for WCW with Lesnar and remains his manager/agent.
The Phoenix: – Talented youngster who has mainly wrestled in Canada. Has had a few battles with rival La Felina in Alliance. Competed in the original World Women’s Championship tournament
Psicosis: – The cruiserweight division got a big boost at SuperBrawl XII when Psicosis and Juventud Guerrera returned to WCW in a #1 Contender’s Match. Psicosis would win the match and win the title the next night, but would then lose it to Rey Mysterio Jr. at Barely Legal II. He and Guerrera formed a trio with Essa Rios/Papi Chilo, although now he’s out of the picture
R-Killa: – Ron Killings debuted in early 2002 in ECW as R-Killa and quickly former a team with Mark Henry. Killa and Henry would shortly become ECW World Tag Team Champions and also instigated a feud with Harlem Heat, specifically Booker T. R-Killa and Booker T feuded throughout the summer, ultimately leading to a (real) Harlem Street Fight where Booker left R-Killa lying on the street at Anarchy Rulz. R-Killa would reemerge and goad Booker T into a WCW World Title match…although Booker would retain the title at Guilty As Charged. Due to his performance, Shane McMahon would recruit him to WCW the next night.
Raven: – Raven put together a group of “warriors” to help him fight a “war” against him that was coming. The first iteration of the group wasn’t much, but as of Anarchy Rulz (After a Buried Alive victory over Mortis) the new version of the warriors: Perry Saturn, Terri Runnels, Tajiri, Mikey Whipwreck, Crush, Malice, and Wrath, have dominated ECW. Raven would win the ECW World Championship at Fall Brawl. Commissioner Mick Foley has tried to even the odds as Raven uses his warriors to interfere in matches and take out his enemies. He was pinned by Rey Mysterio Jr. on the RISE before November to Remember. Survived Rey’s challenge at November to Remember. Raven would survive Rhyno’s challenge for the ECW World Championship at Starrcade. His warriors are now divided…and Raven would lose the Extreme Brawl, and the ECW Title, to Rhyno
Rene Dupree: – The 18 year old French phenom has been a heavy for Christian…and is completely smitten with Torrie Wilson
Rey Mysterio Jr.: – Returned to WCW/ECW at Barely Legal II when he defeated long time rival Psicosis to win the World Cruiserweight Championship. Has mostly wrestled on ECW shows, although he’s made some WCW appearances. He’s feuded with another long-time rival in Eddie Guerrero throughout the summer and beat Guerrero for his first open weight major singles championship: the ECW TV Title. Had two dream matches with Sabu, the second of which saw Sabu take the TV title at Cyberslam. Rey is set for his second ever shot at the ECW World Championship at November to Remember against Raven. His first was a loss in a valiant effort against Brock Lesnar at the Great American Bash. Unfortunately, he lost to Raven at N2R. Rey is now the #1 Contender to Ultimo Dragon’s Cruiserweight Championship after beating Kidman on Nitro
Rhyno: – Injured at the end of the InVasion storyline, Rhyno was the last ECW World Champion when ECW closed it doors in the beginning of 2001. Due to his neck injury, he was forced to relinquish the championship. On the inaugural episode of RISE in December of 2001, Rhyno showed up to give up the title…but said that he’d be back to “fucking kill” whomever the ECW World Champion is. Looks like Raven is the lucky man. Rhyno waved his right to sue ECW if he were to get injured again, opening the door to his victory in the Extreme Brawl on RISE to earn a shot at Raven’s title at Starrcade. Rhyno would fail in his attempt to win the title at Starrcade, accidentally GORING Mick Foley in the process. He seemingly blamed Mick too as he would hit him with another GORE afterwards. Rhyno would emerge victorious in the Extreme Brawl at Guilty As Charged, regaining the title he never lost: the ECW World Championship
Ric Flair: – Flair won his 17th World Championship from Stone Cold at Starrcade 2001…but lost it the next night to Kurt Angle. Angle injured Flair’s ankle and it was thought we’d never see Flair again, until Flair appeared in a War Rumble. Flair just fell short of winning it too as he lost to Brock Lesnar. His return title match against Kurt Angle two nights later ended in DQ thanks to Eddie Guerrero. Flair would defeat Guerrero at Starrcade 2002, then challenge Kurt Angle for a match for Revenge
Rob Van Dam: – Rob Van Dam’s dream to finally win the ECW World Championship came true after a grueling nine month journey. After coming up short against Brock Lesnar at Starrcade 2001 for the vacant title, it took RVD until Anarchy Rulz to get a one-on-one rematch, this time in a Barbed Wire Steel Cage, to beat Lesnar and win the title. He added a TV title reign over the summer too. RVD is the only person to actually beat Brock Lesnar, and he did it twice (tag match at Slamboree and at Anarchy Rulz, both by pinfall). He has since dropped the ECW Title to Raven, but is a champion once again as he and Sabu knocked off Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles for the ECW tag straps at November to Remember. Just fell short at the WrestleWar’s Final Battle against Booker T. RVD and Sabu ended up dropping the ECW World Tag Team Titles in a Three-Way to Kid Kash and Jamie Noble. His attention has turned back to the ECW World Championship. Issues with Sabu cost him a chance to win the title at Guilty As Charged
The Sandman: – ECW icon still showed up from time to time to thwart the bad guys in ECW like the Dudleys and the FBI. Was driven through a flaming table by Deacon Batista of the Archdiocese of Dudleyville at November to Remember
Sabu: – Sabu returned to ECW to help RVD in his battles with Brock Lesnar. He ended up clashing with RVD and even beat him at Barely Legal II. Bill Alfonso was able to reunite the two though and they’ve been allies ever since. Brock Lesnar defeated Sabu in a Barbed Wire ECW World Title match, and since then Sabu has primarily wrestled for the TV Title. Sabu had a couple of dream matches with Rey Mysterio Jr. which ultimately got Sabu the TV title, but he lost it to Tajiri at Fall Brawl. He and RVD regained the ECW Tag titles at November to Remember. RVD and Sabu ended up dropping the ECW World Tag Team Titles in a Three-Way to Kid Kash and Jamie Noble. Issues with RVD cost him a chance to win the title at Guilty As Charged
Scott Hall: – Scott Hall surprised everyone and showed up in the Barely Legal II ECW TV Title battle royal, although he failed to win the title. What was thought to be a cameo turned out to be a full blown return when he reformed the NWO and cost Kurt Angle the WCW World Championship at Slamboree. Hall and Nash added another WCW World Tag Team Championship to their resume over the summer as well, although they dropped the title back to DDP and Giant at Cyberslam. Total Impact would dominate the Wolfpac at Starrcade, leaving the state of NWO Wolfpac unknown
Scott Steiner: – Scott Steiner showed up in a War Rumble as a member of the New World Order, but he fell short of winning as he was eliminated by Booker T. It became more than a cameo eight nights later when he attacked Sean O’Haire to defend HHH and the NWO. Sean O’Haire got his revenge at Starrcade, easily defeating Steiner. With the status of the NWO’s future uncertain, Scott Steiner’s future is just as uncertain
Sean O’Haire: – Originally O’Haire teamed with partner Chuck Palumbo before turning to the New World Order. O’Haire has been positioned as the future of the NWO, but it’s not clear what that actually means with Triple H in charge. Previous interim WCW President Roddy Piper was a big fan of his, but O’Haire ultimately would powerbomb Piper through a table, taking him out. After losses to Kurt Angle and Booker T, as well as several mistakes trying to help Triple H, WCW owner Shane McMahon put together a match where O’Haire would face HHH with a #15 spot in a War Rumble going to the winner (and a #1 spot to the loser). In a shocking upset, O’Haire pinned HHH almost completely clean to win the match. HHH played him in the War Rumble though…but O’Haire got his revenge by not stopping Sting when Sting appeared two nights later and cost HHH a match against Booker T. O’Haire aligned himself with Booker T and Kurt Angle the next week, separating himself from the NWO for good. Sean O’Haire now has to deal with the man who replaced him in the NWO, Scott Steiner. O’Haire would defeat Steiner in minutes. Eric Bischoff dangled a match with the banned Triple H at Revenge…which Shane McMahon reluctantly granted
Shane Helms: – After some losses to Elix Skipper, he and Skipper joined forces to make an exciting tag team. Recently, Monty Brown joined them and they have their sights on the Archdiocese of Dudleyville. Thanks to Brown’s victory over Batista, the Six-Man Tag Team Match between these teams will take place at Starrcade and will be for the WCW World Tag Team Title. Unfortunately, the A.O.D. would retain the title at Starrcade
Shane McMahon: – WCW Owner who has clashed with Triple H, even losing a Last Man Standing Match to him back at Uncensored in April. Shane has been supporting WCW’s top contenders in defeating HHH for the WCW title, which happened at Halloween Havoc. With the NWO’s future likely in limbo with HHH’s loss at Starrcade, Shane McMahon will look to build a new future of WCW around new champion Booker T
Shawn Michaels: – Shawn Michaels joined his friends in the New World Order the night after Slamboree, helping Triple H wrest the faction from Hulk Hogan. HBK has been at ringside for many of HHH’s matches, causing trouble wherever he could. But things changed when Sting arrived at Halloween Havoc. Sting’s interference cost HHH not only the WCW World Title at Halloween Havoc, but again a month later in a #1 Contender’s Match against Booker T. Sting revealed that his target was Michaels. Shawn Michaels accepted the challenge and will face Sting in a Dream Match at Starrcade. In a 30-minute classic, HBK showed he still had what it took to be one of the top guys in the industry, but he ultimately fell to Sting at Starrcade
Shelton Benjamin: – Benjamin debuted as Brock Lesnar’s Mystery Partner back at SuperBrawl XII in Lesnar’s battle against Rob Van Dam and Sabu. Benjamin got some solid wins in his early ECW career, but it was clear he wasn’t a priority for Paul Heyman. Now in the post-Heyman ECW, Benjamin has made a point to take care of business for himself. This led to winning his first major championship, the ECW TV Title, at Halloween Havoc 2002. He faced off with his former friend and teammate Brock Lesnar at November to Remember, but failed to walk away with a victory. Benjamin helped lead his team to victory over Raven’s Warriors
Stephanie McMahon: – The owner of ECW realizes she’d never be accepted by ECW fans, so installed Mick Foley as ECW Commissioner and took a behind the scenes approach to running the company. Differences with Triple H led to their divorce over the summer
Stevie Ray: – Booker T’s brother and one-half of Harlem Heat. He’s aided his brother in battles against the likes of R-Killa, Brock Lesnar, and the New World Order. Most recently he was blasted over the head with a sledgehammer by Triple H…although he showed up to help his brother hold onto his title shot in a match with HHH. Celebrated with his brother after Booker T won the WCW World Championship at Starrcade
Sting: – After tormenting Triple H (and costing HHH the WCW World Title), it turns out Sting’s target was not HHH, but Shawn Michaels. Sting laid out the challenge to HBK for Starrcade, and on the 12/16 Nitro Shawn Michaels accepted, leading to the Dream Match. Sting proved he could beat Shawn Michaels when he did at Starrcade 2002. Sting returned once again a few weeks later with the WCW World Championship on his mind.
Stone Cold Steve Austin: – The first WCW World Champion of the Alliance Era has struggled ever since being crowned champion. After losing the title to Ric Flair at Starrcade 2001, Austin has battled the likes of Kurt Angle and Triple H in trying to regain the title, to no avail. Before he challenged Eddie Guerrero on RISE in November, Austin was last seen battling Triple H for the WCW World Title in a Triple Cage Match at the Great American Bash, a match he’d lose. Austin claimed that Guerrero has the fire he needs to get back to being Stone Cold, and Austin would defeat him at N2R. Austin would be eliminated by Brock Lesnar in a War Rumble, but Austin took exception to Lesnar’s post-elimination antics…and in turn cost him the Final Battle. Austin accepted a challenge from Lesnar for a match at Starrcade. Austin put up a hell of a fight, but Lesnar would beat Austin and leave Austin battered and beaten. Austin announced his retirement the next night…before Jeff Jarrett arrived and took him out with a guitar, seemingly causing a severe neck injury.
Super Crazy: – Cruiserweight Champion who has traded the title with Tajiri in the summer and has regularly defended the title, but lost it in a three-way at November to Remember against Tajiri and Little Guido
Tajiri: – Tajiri started off as a pawn for William Regal as Regal looked to break up Tajiri and his girlfriend Torrie Wilson. Tajiri would turn on Wilson though, leading to a sinister heel turn. He briefly would join the Sinister Minister is his feud against Raven, but would end up joining Raven too at Anarchy Rulz. Won the Cruiserweight title back at November to Remember, but dropped it to Ultimo Dragon at Starrcade. Tajiri, trying to protect friend Mikey Whipwreck, turned on Raven on RISE…only for Whipwreck to turn on him. Tajiri would not win the title at Guilty As Charged, but he did get some more shots in on Raven
Tazz: – Tazz started the Alliance era strong when he captured the US Title from Kurt Angle back in December 2001, but neck injuries slowed him down. An ECW World Title loss to Brock Lesnar at Uncensored 2002 began the fall, and Shelton Benjamin finished off his career at Barely Legal II. Tazz now works commentary with Joey Styles
Test: – The Alliance Era has been a mixed bag for Test. He started off as ECW Owner Shane McMahon’s bodyguard, but quickly was taken out by the Giant. Ever since he’s been in the middle of the card, recently losing matches to Billy Kidman. He did pick up a win against Meng
Tommy Dreamer: – ECW loyalist shows up from time to time to defend ECW and fend off rivals such as Raven and the Dudleys. Was driven through a flaming table by Deacon Batista of the Archdiocese of Dudleyville at November to Remember.
Triple H: – Recovering from a quadriceps tear, HHH was a special acquisition to the Alliance from Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley and debuted at Starrcade 2001 with a win over Christian. After feuding with Steve Austin, HHH would win the WCW World Championship from Kurt Angle at Slamboree thanks to assistance from the original three of the New World Order. This was a trap though, as HHH, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Shawn Michaels would blindside Hulk Hogan the night after Starrcade and create a Green and Black version (which also led to a divorce with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley). HHH had fended off all challengers for his WCW Title (a list that included Diamond Dallas Page, The Giant, Kurt Angle, Steve Austin in a Triple Cage Match, and Booker T). His NWO lost War Games though, and by extension HHH lost the title to Hogan at Halloween Havoc. HHH’s hold on the New World Order is in jeopardy as he was shockingly beaten by Sean O’Haire on Nitro. HHH fell short in the War Rumble, making it to the end but losing to Rob Van Dam. Two nights later HHH challenged Booker T for his WrestleWar title shot…but would lose after Sting reappeared. After learning Sting was after Shawn Michaels, HHH fired the last bullet in his gun, offering his WCW career in exchange for getting added to the WCW World Championship Match at Starrcade…a move that would cost him his Alliance career as he failed to win the match. Eric Bischoff has helped HHH gain one more WCW match against Sean O’Haire at Revenge. If the Game can win…he’ll be re-instated.
Ultimo Dragon: – Ultimo Dragon has won a chance at Tajiri’s World Cruiserweight Championship at Starrcade, and converted that opportunity into a his first title reign in over four years
Victoria: – Victoria debuted alongside Daffney and ran through the Women’s division, quickly becoming World Women’s Champion. She’s been abusive of Daffney though when Daffney attempted to stop Victoria during post-match attacks, but Daffney stood up to her at Halloween Havoc. Victoria survived a surprisingly violent encounter with Daffney at November to Remember 2002 and again on RISE three days later. Months ago she destroyed La Felina and stole her mask…but Felina has returned as Gail Kim and the two women will face one another at Starrcade for the World Women’s Title. Kim would defeat Victoria…with a little help from Daffney
William Regal: – Former WCW commissioner had an on-and-off feud with Fit Finlay throughout the summer. He now teams with him and David Taylor to form a heel trio. Lost former protégé Tajiri to the Sinister Minister, and then to Raven
Ten Man Tag Team War
Diamond Dallas Page, R-Killa, Chris Candido, Lance Storm, and Mike Awesome vs. Jeff Jarrett, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn, Ken Shamrock, and Vader
ECW RISE
January 16, 2003
Blue Cross Arena
Rochester, NY
Joey Styles:“Welcome everyone at home to ECW RISE! I’m Joey Styles, alongside Tazz, and Tazz, it looks like we have company!”
Tazz:“Van Dam is out here, Joey!”
Joey Styles:“We have a packed show for you tonight. We will hear from the new ECW World Champion Rhyno later tonight, and we also have the ECW World Television Championship on the line as well. But right now, let’s hear from RVD!”
Rob Van Dam:“Look, I really don’t want to go through all this again. Sabu, I beat your ass fair and square in the Extreme Brawl and you in turn cost me the ECW World Title. Last year we were on and off. We were the champs, then we were fighting, then we were the champs again, I feel like this is how it’s been our whole damn careers. I don’t want to go back and forth again. If you want to fight Sabu, we’ll fight. It’s whatever to me, man…."
Sabu runs into the ring, but RVD sees him.
Rob Van Dam:“So we’re doing this, huh? Go figure. You know when I got beat last year at Barely Legal, I took it like a man. I gave you your flowers, I helped you try to win the ECW World Title. It’s not my fault you didn’t get the job done. Now you want to take your failures out on me…”
Sabu dives at RVD’s leg and the two brawl around the ring. Bill Alfonso runs down to the ring to try to make peace. Alfonso gets between them, stopping the brawl for now.
Bill Alfonso:“Stop, stop, stop! I can’t stand this with you! You both keep getting in one another’s way and I can’t stand it. You, Rob Van Dam, Sabu, I love you both and you both know that. Guilty As Charged didn’t go our way. But together, nobody, and I mean nobody daddy, can take us down! Nobody in the world can beat us. Together, we can go after the Tag belts, we can go after Rhyno. Whatever you two want to do no one can stop you when you’re together!”
Sabu takes a quick swing at RVD but settles down, and RVD settles down as well.
Bill Alfonso:“Come on, daddy!”
Neither RVD and Sabu do anything for a moment…before RVD raises his hand and Sabu completes the high-five! Just as they shake hands, AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn slide into the ring to attack! Lynn and Styles have an advantage until the ECW World Tag Team Champions Kid Kash and Jamie Noble run in for the save…although it really turns into a three-way brawl! The Eliminators run down and go right after the champions. The brawl continues…as Kronik make their way to the ring! The brawl gets mostly broken up…although not before Adams and Clarke hit Styles with the High Times Double Chokeslam! Officials look to break up other teams, with Commissioner Mick Foley out as well trying to help.
Tazz:“Well that got out of hand quickly!”
Joey Styles:“Yes it did. It looks like Sabu and Rob Van Dam are on the same page…but why did AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn attack them to start this whole thing? Anyway partner, the World Television Championship is on the line!”
Benjamin and Stamboli lock-up, and Stamboli hits Benjamin with some punches. Stamboli gets a kick and hits the ropes, only for Benjamin to hit him with a shoulder tackle. Benjamin sends Stamboli into the corner and hits a jumping avalanche! Benjamin comes off the ropes and hits a spinning heel kick. Cover, 1…2..Stamboli kicks out. Leg lariat knocks Stamboli to the outside. Benjamin comes off the ropes and hits Stamboli with a perfect senton dive over the top rope and onto the floor! Benjamin rolls Stamboli back into the ring, but from the crowd Little Guido grabs at Benjamin. Benjamin knocks Nunzio down with a hard punch, but when he rolls back into the ring Stamboli drops an elbow.
Stamboli pounds on Benjamin before locking him in a rear chinlock. Benjamin fights out of it, only for Stamboli to send him into the corner and hit an elbow smash. Stamboli presses Benjamin over his head, but Benjamin slides behind him and hits a German suplex! Benjamin runs at Stamboli, but a flying clothesline misses and Benjamin ends up going over the top rope and hitting the floor. Little Guido attacks him before setting up a table. Guido puts Benjamin on it as Stamboli climbs to the top rope. Stamboli leaps, but Benjamin moves out of the way and Stamboli crashes through the table on the flying legdrop attempt! Benjamin grabs Guido and T-Bone Suplexes him on the floor, then rolls Stamboli back into the ring. Benjamin heads to the top rope…and hits a 450 Splash! Cover, 1…2…3!
Winner: Shelton Benjamin via pinfall in 5:15 (Retains)
Benjamin celebrates the successful title defense before RISE cuts to commercial.
::COMMERCIAL BREAK::
The new ECW World Champion, Rhyno, comes out to a nice ovation!
Joey Styles:“What a comeback story for Rhyno! After thirteen months…after suffering what could have been a career ending injury, Rhyno walked into the Extreme Brawl at Guilty As Charged and walked out ECW World Champion!”
Tazz:“My hats off to Rhyno, he’s one of the toughest to ever do it, and he proved that last Sunday!”
Rhyno:“I fuckin’ told everyone. That day. That day where I fucked up my neck I told everyone that THIS MAN. THIS MAN BEAST wasn’t done as a competitors. That he wasn’t done as a fighter. I told them I was gonna come back and dominate. When Paul Heyman made me vacate the ECW World Championship I told him to pray for the man who held that title when I got back. And last Sunday at Guilty As Charged I didn’t just destroy Raven, but I beat Tajiri, Sabu, and Rob Van Dam. There’s no question now, I’m back. I’m more ruthless than ever. I’m going to tear apart anyone who tries to take this championship belt from me! Mike Awesome don’t worry you’re on my radar because I know you’ve got a shot coming to you! Van Dam. Sabu, whoever. Bring it on. Rav…”
Bam Bam Bigelow bursts out of the stage area, mic in hand…although Rhyno gets the first word in..
Rhyno:“Is this how things go around here? Bam Bam Bigelow just shows up when he wants, and, let me guess, you want a title shot?”
Bam Bam Bigelow:“You’re damn right that’s how things work around here! I told everyone before I beat Diamond Dallas Page on Nitro that I ain’t washed up. I ain’t done, not by a mile! I’ve already won the US belt, but the ECW World Championship, that’s where the money is! And I’ll rip you apart to get it. This is Bam Bam Bigelow’s year!”
Rhyno:“I don’t think you’re washed up, and honestly, Bigelow, you’re a bit of a hero to me. You like to kick ass and I love that. I’m gonna be a fighting champion. And that means, yeah, I’ll start with you. I respect the hell out of you, but your time is done. You may try to rip me apart, but I’ll kick the fucking shit out of you at the same time!”
Bam Bam Bigelow:“Hey, we can do this right now!”
Joey Styles:“Oh no! Uh-oh!”
Bam Bam Bigelow stomps down to the ring, with Rhyno waiting for him. Bigelow steps up to the ring apron…before backing away…to the boos of the crowd.
Rhyno:“COME ON! COME ON!”
Bam Bam Bigelow:“Tonight, that title’s mine!”
Bam Bam Bigelow backs away up the ramp as Rhyno has gotten himself all worked up. After Bigelow disappears through the entrance, Tajiri makes his way to the ring. Tajiri and Rhyno pass by one another, with Tajiri eyeing the ECW Title. Nothing happens between them as the next match is underway.
Mikey Whipwreck vs. Tajiri
Whipwreck backs away from his former friend before trying a couple of punches. There’s little effect on Tajiri, but Whipwreck continues with jabs and dodges a kick. Whipwreck sends Tajiri off the ropes, but Tajiri handsprings off the ropes and hits the flying back elbow! Whipwreck gets a thumb to the eye and tries to send Tajiri off the ropes again, but this time Tajiri reverses the whip. Whipwreck slides under Tajiri, but Tajiri catches him with a savate kick to the face! Cover, 1…2…Whipwreck kicks out. Tajiri hits Whipwreck with kicks in the corner, but Whipwreck surprises Tajiri with a Russian Legsweep when Tajiri tries to whip him out of the corner. Whipwreck adds a legdrop before going for a quick cover, 1…2…Tajiri kicks out.
Whipwreck hits Tajiri with a drop toehold into the ropes, leaving Tajiri throat first on them. Whipwreck slingshots over the top rope with a legdrop, but Tajiri moves and Whipwreck crashes onto the apron. Roundhouse kick sends Whipwreck flying off the apron and into the steel guardrail! Tajiri tosses Whipwreck into the crowd, then pulls the railing in. Tajiri hops onto the apron, then hits Whipwreck with the springboard Asai Moonsault! Tajiri tosses Whipwreck back into the ring and makes the cover, 1…2…Whipwreck kicks out. Tajiri gets in a stance to kick Whipwreck in the head, but Whipwreck surprises him with a low blow! Whipwreck hits a neckbreaker, then makes another cover, 1…2…Tajiri kicks out!
Whipwreck positions Tajiri in the corner and hits some punches, then dropkicks Tajiri. Whipwreck props Tajiri on the top rope, then goes for the Whippersnapper, but Tajiri fights out. Whipwreck gets knocked down to the canvas but lands on his feet, allowing Tajiri to hook his head and hit a Diamond Dust! Tajiri waits for Whipwreck to get back to his feet, but Whipwreck blocks the kick. He goes for a Whippersnapper, but Tajiri shoves him off into the ropes, then hits the Green Mist! Tajiri hits Whipwreck with a kick to the head, knocking him down, then heads to the top rope. Double foot stomp connects! Tajiri covers, 1…2…3!
Winner: Tajiri via pinfall in 7:14
Tajiri acknowledges the crowd in victory, then points to his waist, indicating he is still looking for ECW gold!
::COMMERCIAL BREAK::
RISE comes back on air in a dark room that’s illuminated by a small, flickering light. We see Raven sitting in a corner of the room with a somber expression painted across his face.
Raven:“In the end, the war was lost. A king checkmated after all his pawns were defeated. Despite this complicated battlefield in which we engaged in battle…in a brawl, it was not the cunning ruler that came out on top, but a mere beast that walked away with all the pride and all the glory. Rhyno now stands where I once did. His medal for winning the war, the ECW World Championship, now rests in his hands. But just as one war ends, another begins. In the chaos that is ECW, battle eternally rages on. No matter how hard they force them to forget about the survivor, I do not simply fade away into the darkness of defeat. No, I lurk within it, I learn from it, and I once again will emerge. In their heads they will hear a question that won’t allow them to forget. The haunting voices in their head repeat over and over…what about me, what about Raven? Rhyno, you may have left me in the wreckage you created, but I survived. I am the storm on your horizon, the shadow that darkens your triumph. We will clash again…the war may be finished, yet paradoxically it wages on. You are temporary. I am inevitable. Quote the Raven, nevermore!”
***
Joey Styles:“Chilling words from Raven…but we don’t even know if he’ll get his chance at Rhyno!”
Tazz:“That’s right, Joey. I’ve been in the ring with Bigelow. He once put me through the ring to win a title. We may just have a new world champion tonight!”
Rhyno and Bigelow immediately pound away on one another, with both crashing to the canvas. They roll out of the ring and continue to brawl, with Bigelow whipping Rhyno into the steel railing! Bigelow charges, but Rhyno sidesteps Bigelow and Bigelow spills into the crowd! Rhyno goes after him as the brawl continues. Rhyno pounds away on Bigelow, but Bigelow counters and smashes a fan’s drink over Rhyno’s head. Bigelow shoves a fan off a wooden chair and smashes it in pieces over Rhyno’s head! Bigelow continues to pound on Rhyno, then lifts him up over his head and drops him throat first on the railing! Bigelow clotheslines Rhyno back to ringside and then slams him into the ringpost. Bigelow rolls Rhyno into the ring the heads to the top rope. Bigelow drops a headbutt from the top! 1…2…Rhyno kicks out!
Bigelow continues to pound on Rhyno with hard forearms, but Rhyno starts to punch back. Bigelow cuts him off with a whip into the corner, then avalanches Rhyno! Rhyno hangs onto the ropes as Bigelow pounds his chest. Bigelow goes for another avalanche, but Rhyno explodes out of the corner with a clothesline! Bigelow rolls to the outside, and Rhyno is right on him. Rhyno runs Bigelow into the steel steps, before finding a garbage pan lid under the ring. Rhyno beats on Bigelow with the lid, then rolls him back into the ring. Rhyno slides a table into the ring as well, and sets it up in the corner. Rhyno gets back into the ring and hits Bigelow with a suplex!
Rhyno positions himself for a GORE, but Bigelow rolls to the ropes. Rhyno runs at him but Bigelow catches him with a knee. Bigelow hits a couple of blows, then presses Rhyno over his head! Rhyno slides back behind Bigelow, but Bigelow catches him with an elbow. This staggers Rhyno, and Bigelow looks to take advantage as he lifts Rhyno up for Greetings From Asbury Park! Bigelow spikes Rhyno right in the middle of the ring with Greetings, but shockingly Rhyno gets right back up! Bigelow is surprised to see Rhyno up…and Rhyno runs at and GORES Bigelow through the table! Rhyno pulls Bigelow towards the center of the ring, 1…2…3!
Winner: Rhyno via pinfall in 7:45 (Retains)
Rhyno doesn’t even get a chance to celebrate as Raven slides into the ring and smashes a chair right over Rhyno’s head, busting him wide open! Raven locks Rhyno in a cobra clutch, which forces the blood from Rhyno’s head even faster. Kronik come down to help Rhyno, but the Eliminators attack them! Rob Van Dam and Sabu slide into the ring and Raven bails…just as AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn run down to attack RVD and Sabu! The same brawl from earlier tonight breaks out…with Raven escaping up the ramp. Tajiri comes out to attack him, but Raven manages to escape, and the entire ECW locker room seemingly comes out to fight…just as RISE goes off the air!
Joey Styles:“We’ve lost control! Good night everybody!”
WCW World Champion
Booker T (Defeated Kurt Angle on 12-29-02)
ECW World Champion
Rhyno (Defeated Raven on 1-12-03)
WCW United States Champion
Diamond Dallas Page (Defeated Bam Bam Bigelow on 1-12-03)
ECW Television Champion
Shelton Benjamin (Defeated Tajiri on 10-27-02)
WCW World Tag Team Champions
The Archdiocese of Dudleyville (Defeated Diamond Dallas Page and The Giant on 10-7-02)
ECW World Tag Team Champions
Jamie Noble and Kid Kash (Defeated Rob Van Dam and Sabu on 12-29-02)
World Cruiserweight Champion
Ultimo Dragon (Defeated Tajiri on 12-29-02)
World Women’s Champion
Gail Kim (Defeated Victoria on 12-29-02)
Roster
AJ Styles: – Jerry Lynn took AJ Styles under his wing in early 2002, resulting in them winning the ECW World Tag Team Titles at Barely Legal II. They dominated the ECW Tag Team division for most of the year until losing the titles to Rob Van Dam and Sabu at November to Remember. Lynn and Styles failed to win back the titles at Starrcade, although they did eliminate RVD and Sabu. Lynn and Styles failed to regain the titles at Guilty As Charged
The Archdiocese of Dudleyville: – The Dudley Boyz lost the WCW World Tag Team Championship back in April to Diamond Dallas Page and The Giant, then disappeared after a loss to Tommy Dreamer, The Sandman, and Balls Mahoney at ECW Barely Legal II. They returned in early October…but under a religious gimmick. Brother Bubba and Reverend D-Von, joined by the monstrous Deacon Batista, regained the WCW Tag titles and even seemed to kidnap Spike Dudley on an edition of ECW Rise. It looks like Spike has joined back with his brothers based on what happened on the 10/31 RISE. They’ve also been feuding with the trio of Elix Skipper, Shane Helms, and Monty Brown. They also have issues with Dreamer and Sandman because of the kidnapping of Spike. They took out Dreamer and Sandman for seemingly for good at N2R. After Deacon Batista’s loss to Monty Brown on Nitro, The Dudleys and Batista will face Elix Skipper, Shane Helms, and Brown at Starrcade in a Six-Man Tag Team Match with the WCW World Tag Team Titles on the line. Batista powerbombed Spike post-match, blaming him for the loss. They retained the titles at Starrcade. They may have finished off the LOD as well
Bam Bam Bigelow: – 2002 was a tough year for Bam Bam as he lost any major matches he was a part of. A short-term team with Gangrel fell apart late in the year. Shocked DDP for the US title on the first Nitro of 2003…but lost it back to him six days later at Guilty As Charged. Bigelow took a shot at ECW World Champion Rhyno on RISE, but Rhyno would defeat him
Billy Kidman: – It has been an up and down year for Kidman. After some early battles with Raven and his Warriors, Kidman challenged Christian thoughout the year for the US Title but didn’t win the title. He’s now again become a target of Raven’s Warriors mostly due to his past with Raven and his friendship with Rey Mysterio Jr.
Booker T: – When this new WCW formed, Booker T had a chance to become the #1 Contender for the WCW World Championship, but lost to Kurt Angle at Starrcade 2001. Booker has since been trying to fight his way back to contention. A long feud with R-Killa (Ron Killings) occupied Booker throughout the summer until Booker finally dispatched him in an actual Harlem Street Fight at ECW Anarchy Rulz. Booker T had another chance to win the WCW World Championship as he won a fan vote over Kurt Angle (100%-0%!) to face HHH at Cyberslam, but HHH prevailed in a half-hour classic. Booker T was on the WCW Team that beat the NWO at War Games, which led to a match with Brock Lesnar at Halloween Havoc (Lesnar, while not a NWO member, was on team NWO for the match). Lesnar managed to defeat Booker at Halloween Havoc, but Booker has vowed revenge, while also declaring entry in the WrestleWar. He also may have picked up an ally in Lesnar’s former partner Shelton Benjamin. The feud with the New World Order has picked back up, with HHH blasting brother Stevie Ray with a sledgehammer. Booker T would win the WrestleWar to earn a WCW World Title shot at Starrcade 2002…and held off Triple H two nights later to hold onto that title shot. Booker T converted that title shot into his 5th WCW World Championship. He defeated R-Killa once again to retain the title in his first PPV defense. Now, it looks like he has three challengers ahead of him: Brock Lesnar, Giant, and Booker T
Brock Lesnar: – After dominating ECW from his debut at Starrcade 2001 (December) through Anarchy Rulz 2002 (August), Lesnar surprised the world when he teamed with the NWO for War Games with the condition that if the NWO won, Triple H would give him a WCW World Title shot. Lesnar’s shortcut to the WCW title didn’t work and this led to a feud with Booker T. Lesnar defeated Booker at Halloween Havoc, although it seems he’s drawn the ire of ECW stablemate Shelton Benjamin. Lesnar’s manager Paul Heyman announced on Nitro that Lesnar will be a part of WrestleWar. Lesnar returned to ECW to get revenge on Benjamin’s actions at Halloween Havoc and defeated Benjamin at November to Remember. After eliminating Stone Cold Steve Austin in a War Rumble, Lesnar decided to anger Stone Cold…which bit him in the ass during the Final Battle. Lesnar will have the biggest match of career at Starrcade when he faces Stone Cold. Lesnar may have crossed a line though as he went to Austin’s best friend WWF Announcer Jim Ross’ home and assaulted him as a message. Lesnar continued his path of destruction by destroying Stone Cold at Starrcade for perhaps the biggest win of his career. Now, he has eyes on capturing the WCW World Championship
Chris Candido: – Once Justin Credible betrayed Total Impact, a spot opened for Chris Candido. Candido has helped Lance Storm and Mike Awesome in their battles against the NWO and their allies ever since. After the Outsiders cost Mike Awesome the ECW World Championship during Raven’s Nightmare, Total Impact laid out a challenge aimed to eradicate the core of the NWO: the Outsiders, once and for all. He was injured in a car accident facilitated by the Outsiders. Total Impact would defeat the Wolfpac at Starrcade.
Christian: – After an early loss to Triple H, Christian recovered in January 2002 to win the US Title and has dominated the US Title scene for most of the year. Christian has had different allies throughout his reign: The Quebecers and Rene Dupree (Dupree is still with him). He’s beaten challengers such as Test, Billy Kidman, and Booker T in title defenses. He lost the title to Kurt Angle at Cyberslam, but won it back on Nitro and is the current champion. Christian is slated to compete in the WrestleWar and has guaranteed victory all the while trying to avoid defending his US Title at all costs. DDP got the better of him at Starrcade, leaving Christian titleless
Chuck Palumbo: – Palumbo has struggled ever since partner Sean O’Haire turned against him and joined the NWO. Has had some matches with O’Haire since, but hasn’t been able to beat his former partner and friend. Has seemed to have patched things with him since O’Haire left the NWO
Daffney: – Daffney debuted alongside Victoria and has been at ringside through Victoria’s rise to World Women’s Champion. Daffney has disagreed with Victoria’s post-match attacks though, and Victoria responded in an abusive manner towards her. Daffney had enough and finally attacked Victoria at Halloween Havoc, saving Molly Marvel. Daffney would lose to Victoria at November to Remember…although she scarred Victoria by throwing tacks in her face…and did it again to cost Victoria the Women’s Title against Gail Kim at Starrcade, then made the challenge for Kim’s title. Kim would retain
Dave Taylor: – Brought in by William Regal and Fit Finlay to help them when they were battling Monty Brown, Elix Skipper, and Shane Helms
Deacon Batista: – The enforcer of the Archdiocese of Dudleyville, OVW’s former Leviathan
Diamond Dallas Page: – DDP began as a commentator, but got involved in the Tajiri-William Regal-Torrie Wilson situation. Torrie would become one of his Diamond Dolls (Stacy Keibler would join later, and Torrie would leave for Kidman in the summer). DDP then also saved Stacy Keibler from the Dudleyz and received a huge assist from the Giant. DDP and Giant battled the Outsiders for most of the summer over the WCW World Tag Team titles, and almost won the WCW Title from HHH at Clash of Champions. Recently, due to the Giant’s frustration with not getting WCW World title shots, the Giant turned on DDP. The Giant took DDP out in their match at Halloween Havoc. DDP made his return on Nitro just twelve days before Wrestle War, saving Booker T from an attack from Triple H. With the Giant reappearing, DDP wants a rematch with him, but had to settle for becoming the #1 Contender to Christian’s US Title. He said he wasn’t done with the Giant…and seemingly had Giant beat on Nitro if it weren’t for Christian. DDP would defeat Christian at Starrcade to win the US Title, and made it clear he still had the WCW World Title set in his sights. There’s a new problem for DDP now, as he’s called out Jeff Jarrett and the New Age Outlaws. Jarrett and the Outlaws responded in kind by costing DDP the US Title. DDP would win the title back six days later…then tangled with Jarrett’s group again.
Eddie Guerrero: – Now clean and sober, Eddie Guerrero returned to major league pro wrestling by winning the vacant ECW TV Title at Barely Legal II. He feuded with Rob Van Dam over the summer, trading the ECW TV title with him and losing to RVD in RVD’s 1st PPV ECW World Title defense. Guerrero eventually got the better of RVD in a special ladder match where the winner got to have any match he wanted, although it seems like Commissioner Mick Foley isn’t able to deliver. Guerrero showed up on Nitro as a result and lost a highly competitive match with Kurt Angle in the main event. Mick Foley found a suitable substitute that Guerrero accepted for the November to Remember match: Stone Cold Steve Austin. Guerrero would fail in his attempt to defeat Austin. Guerrero put on a good performance in his War Rumble as he entered #1 and made it nearly to the end. He got revenge on the man who eliminated him, Ric Flair, two nights later by costing Flair the WCW World Title. Scored a pinfall on Flair on RISE as well, but couldn’t come up with the victory against him at Starrcade. The next night Guerrero accidentally cost Chavo the Cruiserweight title…then cost himself and Chavo a tag match against Shane Helms and Skipper.
The Eliminators: – After reuniting in 2002 and getting split up by Raven later in the year, they’ve banded together once more as Saturn was able to break away from Raven. They have their eyes on the ECW World Tag Team Championship
Elix Skipper: – After winning a couple of matches against The Hurricane, he and Shane Helms joined forces to make an exciting tag team. Recently, Monty Brown joined them and they have their sights on the Archdiocese of Dudleyville. Thanks to Brown’s victory over Batista, the Six-Man Tag Team Match between these teams will take place at Starrcade and will be for the WCW World Tag Team Title. Unfortunately, The A.O.D. prevailed at Starrcade
Fit Finlay: – Brought in by William Regal to battle Diamond Dallas Page, Finlay and Regal then feuded in the spring. Regal would knock Finlay out in a match in May…but they’d get back together later in the year and now are a trio with David Taylor
Gail Kim: – The former La Felina was destroyed by Victoria in the summer, but her triumphant return as Gail Kim led to a Women’s War Rumble victory and a title shot at Starrcade 2002, which she won for her first world title. Kim would retain the title against Daffney and Victoria at Guilty As Charged
The Giant: – The Giant signed on with Shane McMahon in an announcement made at Starrcade 2001. Giant said one thing mattered to him: the WCW World Championship. He failed to win it at Souled Out against Kurt Angle and then ended up on a different path: helping Diamond Dallas Page win the WCW World Championship in his feud with the Dudley Boyz. Giant and DDP had two reigns over the summer as they feuded with the Outsiders, trading the titles. The Giant grew tired of waiting for another WCW World title shot after their victory over the NWO at War Games and eventually turned on DDP. Giant destroyed DDP at Halloween Havoc, but upon not receiving a title match seemingly walked out on Shane McMahon on Nitro. The Giant returned at the WrestleWar, injuring then-WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan before and after his failed title defense against Kurt Angle. The Giant showed he wasn’t done with DDP either as he attacked DDP after DDP’s match with Rene Dupree on Nitro. Hulk Hogan would return the next week to save DDP from Giant, and WCW Owner Shane McMahon announced that Hogan and Giant would clash at Starrcade. The Giant accomplished something he was never able to do in the past seven years when he pinned Hulk Hogan clean at Starrcade. He now has his sights set on the WCW World Championship once again
Hugh Morrus: – Has mostly been in the lower-mid card in the Alliance era. After a loss to Chuck Palumbo, Morrus said that he was “done with this Hugh Morrus shit”
Hulk Hogan: – He originally returned at Slamboree to cost Kurt Angle the WCW World Championship in his title defense against Triple H. After HHH turned the NWO against him, Hogan was out until the night after Cyberslam in early September. Hogan returned and led WCW in a victory over the NWO in War Games. This got him a title shot at Halloween Havoc, where Hogan defeated HHH to win the title. Hogan had previously promised Kurt Angle a title shot due to screwing him over at Slamboree, and that match will take place at WrestleWar. The Giant would attack Hogan before and after that match, and he cost Hogan the title against Kurt Angle. Hogan returned to Nitro to extract revenge on Giant, cementing their match at Starrcade. The Giant would kick out of the legdrop and pin Hogan at Starrcade, potentially killing Hulkamania once and for all
Ivory: – Competed in the original World Women’s Championship tournament, but we haven’t seen a lot of her overall
Jamie Noble: – Jamie Noble originally got a break to join the Alliance when he upset Curt Hennig. Ever since he has joined up with Kid Kash in a quest to win the ECW World Tag Team Title. They’ve been close (including a 30 minute classic against champions AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn at Hardcore Heaven), but haven’t won the titles. Noble and Kash would defeat RVD and Sabu, and Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles to finally win their first ECW World Tag Team Title at Starrcade
Jazz: – Former World Women’s Champion was beaten by Victoria in the summer and has been trying to win back the title ever since
Jeff Jarrett: – Jeff Jarrett returned to WCW in a big way, by taking out Stone Cold Steve Austin with a guitar and injuring his neck, perhaps for good. Jarrett, the New Age Outlaws, Ken Shamrock, and Vader have all banded together with Jim Cornette at the helm…their motivations are unclear. So far they’ve taken out Austin, DDP, Stacy Keibler and Total Impact.
Jerry Lynn: – Jerry Lynn took a liking to AJ Styles after watching him on Worldwide, taking him under his wing. This resulted in them winning the ECW World Tag Team Titles at Barely Legal II. They dominated the ECW Tag Team division for most of the year until losing the titles to Rob Van Dam and Sabu at November to Remember. They failed to regain the titles at Starrcade as Jamie Noble and Kid Kash won the three-way dance, and failed again at Guilty As Charged
Juventud Guerrera: – The cruiserweight division got a big boost at SuperBrawl XII when Psicosis and Juventud Guerrera returned to WCW in a #1 Contender’s Match. Guerrera would lose that match but still be a top contender to the title thoughout the summer. He’d eventually form a trio with Psicosis and Essa Rios/Papi Chilo, but Chilo is out of the picture now
Ken Shamrock: – Shamrock returned to pro wrestling at the National level at Guilty As Charged, appearing as a member of Jeff Jarrett’s group and attacking Total Impact
Kevin Nash: – Kevin Nash showed up at Slamboree as a member of the NWO, costing Kurt Angle the WCW World Championship. Nash and Scott Hall have been two of the faces of the NWO since, helping Triple H retain the WCW titles at all costs. He and Scott Hall managed to win the WCW World Tag Team Title before dropping it back to DDP and the Giant at Cyberslam. Total Impact would dominate the Wolfpac at Starrcade, leaving the state of NWO Wolfpac unknown
Kid Kash: – Kid Kash and Jamie Noble originally got together to deal with R-Killa and Mark Henry and ever since have tried to win the ECW World Tag Team Title.. They’ve been close (including a 30 minute classic against champions AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn at Hardcore Heaven), but haven’t won the titles. Noble and Kash would defeat RVD and Sabu, and Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles to finally win their first ECW World Tag Team Title at Starrcade
Kronik: – Clarke and Adams have broken away from Raven’s stable and now look to destroy Raven
Kurt Angle: – Angle won the WCW World Championship the night after Starrcade 2001, beating and crippling Ric Flair. After managing defenses against The Giant, Triple H, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Lance Storm, Angle would finally fall to Triple H at Slamboree thanks to the New World Order. Angle has essentially feuded with the New World Order since, which included beating Curt Hennig in a cage on Nitro. After a win against the NWO's Sean O’Haire at Halloween Havoc, Angle finds himself in position to win back the WCW Title at WrestleWar. He’s also had a bit of an adversarial issue with Booker T. Angle beat Booker T back at Starrcade 2001, but at Cyberslam 2002 the fans chose Booker unanimously to face Triple H for the WCW Title, something that seems to still bug Angle. Perhaps that doesn’t matter anymore as Angle would defeat Hulk Hogan to get his WCW World Title back at WrestleWar…but would drop it to Booker T at Starrcade. To get a rematch, it looks like he’ll have to defeat the man he beat for the WCW World Title the night after Starrcade 2002: Ric Flair
Lance Storm: – Storm formed a trio with Mike Awesome and Justin Credible called Total Impact and ran over the likes of Tommy Dreamer and Sandman for a few months before Kurt Angle gave him the match of a lifetime: a WCW World Title Match on Pay-Per-View at Uncensored. Storm wouldn’t win the title, and that led to an extended feud with Angle. Things changed when the NWO invaded ECW and Justin Credible turned his back on the team. Chris Candido would join the team and they’ve been feuding with the NWO and NWO allies ever since. After the Outsiders cost Lance Storm the ECW World Championship during Raven’s Nightmare, Total Impact laid out a challenge aimed to eradicate the core of the NWO: the Outsiders, once and for all. Total Impact would emerge victorious at Starrcade.
Little Guido: – The leader of the Full-Blooded Italians. His group has taken payoffs for jobs…although they haven’t always went well. Had a shot at the Cruiserweight title at November to Remember, but didn’t walk away with gold.
Mick Foley: – Mick Foley returned to ECW to support his friend, Terry Funk. That led to a confrontation with ECW World Champion Brock Lesnar. With the blessing of Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, Cactus Jack returned to and faced Lesnar for the ECW World Championship at Barely Legal II, but came up short. Foley returned in the summer to become Stephanie McMahon’s ECW Commissioner, replacing General Manager Paul Heyman. He has seemed to be especially tough on the top bad guys on the brand, specifically Eddie Guerrero and Raven. At Starrcade, Raven would attack Mick Foley…and Foley would get hit with an inadvertent GORE from Rhyno in the ECW World Title match at Starrcade. After Rhyno’s loss, Rhyno would GORE down Mick Foley again. Foley would make the deciding three count at Guilty As Charged…which resulted in a new ECW World Champion.
Mike Awesome: – Awesome formed a trio with Lance Storm and Justin Credible called Total Impact and ran over the likes of Tommy Dreamer and Sandman for a few months before battling Kurt Angle and the Eliminators. When the New World Order invaded ECW and Justin Credible turned on the group, Total Impact became fan favorites. Chris Candido would replace Credible and they would battle against NWO allies the FBI and the newly formed X-Factor. After the Outsiders cost him the ECW World Championship during Raven’s Nightmare, Total Impact laid out a challenge aimed to eradicate the core of the NWO: the Outsiders, once and for all. Total Impact would beat the Wolfpac at Starrcade. He would defeat his stablemates at Guilty As Charged to become the #1 Contender to the ECW World Championship
Molly Marvel: – The former Mighty Molly reinvented herself and was the inaugural World Women’s Champion. She would lose it to Jazz and has been trying to win it back ever since
Monty Brown: – Monty Brown is part of a trio with Elix Skipper and Shane Helms and recently just debuted to help them against William Regal, Dave Taylor, and Fit Finlay. Fun babyface trio. Due to Brown’s victory over Deacon Batista, Brown, Skipper, and Helms have a chance to win the WCW World Tag Team Title in a Six-Man Tag Team Match against the Archdiocese of Dudleyville. Unfortunately, the A.O.D. would retain the title at Starrcade
Nova: – Tonight was a bit of a serious turn for Nova, who had been part of the comical Blue World Order for most of the summer
Paul Heyman: – He started out as the General Manager for ECW until ECW Owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley fired him bias concerns. These concerns were due to Heyman managing Brock Lesnar, Shelton Benjamin, and C.W. Anderson at the same time. Heyman left ECW for WCW with Lesnar and remains his manager/agent.
The Phoenix: – Talented youngster who has mainly wrestled in Canada. Has had a few battles with rival La Felina in Alliance. Competed in the original World Women’s Championship tournament
Psicosis: – The cruiserweight division got a big boost at SuperBrawl XII when Psicosis and Juventud Guerrera returned to WCW in a #1 Contender’s Match. Psicosis would win the match and win the title the next night, but would then lose it to Rey Mysterio Jr. at Barely Legal II. He and Guerrera formed a trio with Essa Rios/Papi Chilo, although now he’s out of the picture
R-Killa: – Ron Killings debuted in early 2002 in ECW as R-Killa and quickly former a team with Mark Henry. Killa and Henry would shortly become ECW World Tag Team Champions and also instigated a feud with Harlem Heat, specifically Booker T. R-Killa and Booker T feuded throughout the summer, ultimately leading to a (real) Harlem Street Fight where Booker left R-Killa lying on the street at Anarchy Rulz. R-Killa would reemerge and goad Booker T into a WCW World Title match…although Booker would retain the title at Guilty As Charged. Due to his performance, Shane McMahon would recruit him to WCW the next night.
Raven: – Raven put together a group of “warriors” to help him fight a “war” against him that was coming. The first iteration of the group wasn’t much, but as of Anarchy Rulz (After a Buried Alive victory over Mortis) the new version of the warriors: Perry Saturn, Terri Runnels, Tajiri, Mikey Whipwreck, Crush, Malice, and Wrath, have dominated ECW. Raven would win the ECW World Championship at Fall Brawl. Commissioner Mick Foley has tried to even the odds as Raven uses his warriors to interfere in matches and take out his enemies. He was pinned by Rey Mysterio Jr. on the RISE before November to Remember. Survived Rey’s challenge at November to Remember. Raven would survive Rhyno’s challenge for the ECW World Championship at Starrcade. His warriors are now divided…and Raven would lose the Extreme Brawl, and the ECW Title, to Rhyno
Rene Dupree: – The 18 year old French phenom has been a heavy for Christian…and is completely smitten with Torrie Wilson
Rey Mysterio Jr.: – Returned to WCW/ECW at Barely Legal II when he defeated long time rival Psicosis to win the World Cruiserweight Championship. Has mostly wrestled on ECW shows, although he’s made some WCW appearances. He’s feuded with another long-time rival in Eddie Guerrero throughout the summer and beat Guerrero for his first open weight major singles championship: the ECW TV Title. Had two dream matches with Sabu, the second of which saw Sabu take the TV title at Cyberslam. Rey is set for his second ever shot at the ECW World Championship at November to Remember against Raven. His first was a loss in a valiant effort against Brock Lesnar at the Great American Bash. Unfortunately, he lost to Raven at N2R. Rey is now the #1 Contender to Ultimo Dragon’s Cruiserweight Championship after beating Kidman on Nitro
Rhyno: – Injured at the end of the InVasion storyline, Rhyno was the last ECW World Champion when ECW closed it doors in the beginning of 2001. Due to his neck injury, he was forced to relinquish the championship. On the inaugural episode of RISE in December of 2001, Rhyno showed up to give up the title…but said that he’d be back to “fucking kill” whomever the ECW World Champion is. Looks like Raven is the lucky man. Rhyno waved his right to sue ECW if he were to get injured again, opening the door to his victory in the Extreme Brawl on RISE to earn a shot at Raven’s title at Starrcade. Rhyno would fail in his attempt to win the title at Starrcade, accidentally GORING Mick Foley in the process. He seemingly blamed Mick too as he would hit him with another GORE afterwards. Rhyno would emerge victorious in the Extreme Brawl at Guilty As Charged, regaining the title he never lost: the ECW World Championship
Ric Flair: – Flair won his 17th World Championship from Stone Cold at Starrcade 2001…but lost it the next night to Kurt Angle. Angle injured Flair’s ankle and it was thought we’d never see Flair again, until Flair appeared in a War Rumble. Flair just fell short of winning it too as he lost to Brock Lesnar. His return title match against Kurt Angle two nights later ended in DQ thanks to Eddie Guerrero. Flair would defeat Guerrero at Starrcade 2002, then challenge Kurt Angle for a match for Revenge
Rob Van Dam: – Rob Van Dam’s dream to finally win the ECW World Championship came true after a grueling nine month journey. After coming up short against Brock Lesnar at Starrcade 2001 for the vacant title, it took RVD until Anarchy Rulz to get a one-on-one rematch, this time in a Barbed Wire Steel Cage, to beat Lesnar and win the title. He added a TV title reign over the summer too. RVD is the only person to actually beat Brock Lesnar, and he did it twice (tag match at Slamboree and at Anarchy Rulz, both by pinfall). He has since dropped the ECW Title to Raven, but is a champion once again as he and Sabu knocked off Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles for the ECW tag straps at November to Remember. Just fell short at the WrestleWar’s Final Battle against Booker T. RVD and Sabu ended up dropping the ECW World Tag Team Titles in a Three-Way to Kid Kash and Jamie Noble. His attention has turned back to the ECW World Championship. Issues with Sabu cost him a chance to win the title at Guilty As Charged
The Sandman: – ECW icon still showed up from time to time to thwart the bad guys in ECW like the Dudleys and the FBI. Was driven through a flaming table by Deacon Batista of the Archdiocese of Dudleyville at November to Remember
Sabu: – Sabu returned to ECW to help RVD in his battles with Brock Lesnar. He ended up clashing with RVD and even beat him at Barely Legal II. Bill Alfonso was able to reunite the two though and they’ve been allies ever since. Brock Lesnar defeated Sabu in a Barbed Wire ECW World Title match, and since then Sabu has primarily wrestled for the TV Title. Sabu had a couple of dream matches with Rey Mysterio Jr. which ultimately got Sabu the TV title, but he lost it to Tajiri at Fall Brawl. He and RVD regained the ECW Tag titles at November to Remember. RVD and Sabu ended up dropping the ECW World Tag Team Titles in a Three-Way to Kid Kash and Jamie Noble. Issues with RVD cost him a chance to win the title at Guilty As Charged
Scott Hall: – Scott Hall surprised everyone and showed up in the Barely Legal II ECW TV Title battle royal, although he failed to win the title. What was thought to be a cameo turned out to be a full blown return when he reformed the NWO and cost Kurt Angle the WCW World Championship at Slamboree. Hall and Nash added another WCW World Tag Team Championship to their resume over the summer as well, although they dropped the title back to DDP and Giant at Cyberslam. Total Impact would dominate the Wolfpac at Starrcade, leaving the state of NWO Wolfpac unknown
Scott Steiner: – Scott Steiner showed up in a War Rumble as a member of the New World Order, but he fell short of winning as he was eliminated by Booker T. It became more than a cameo eight nights later when he attacked Sean O’Haire to defend HHH and the NWO. Sean O’Haire got his revenge at Starrcade, easily defeating Steiner. With the status of the NWO’s future uncertain, Scott Steiner’s future is just as uncertain
Sean O’Haire: – Originally O’Haire teamed with partner Chuck Palumbo before turning to the New World Order. O’Haire has been positioned as the future of the NWO, but it’s not clear what that actually means with Triple H in charge. Previous interim WCW President Roddy Piper was a big fan of his, but O’Haire ultimately would powerbomb Piper through a table, taking him out. After losses to Kurt Angle and Booker T, as well as several mistakes trying to help Triple H, WCW owner Shane McMahon put together a match where O’Haire would face HHH with a #15 spot in a War Rumble going to the winner (and a #1 spot to the loser). In a shocking upset, O’Haire pinned HHH almost completely clean to win the match. HHH played him in the War Rumble though…but O’Haire got his revenge by not stopping Sting when Sting appeared two nights later and cost HHH a match against Booker T. O’Haire aligned himself with Booker T and Kurt Angle the next week, separating himself from the NWO for good. Sean O’Haire now has to deal with the man who replaced him in the NWO, Scott Steiner. O’Haire would defeat Steiner in minutes. Eric Bischoff dangled a match with the banned Triple H at Revenge…which Shane McMahon reluctantly granted
Shane Helms: – After some losses to Elix Skipper, he and Skipper joined forces to make an exciting tag team. Recently, Monty Brown joined them and they have their sights on the Archdiocese of Dudleyville. Thanks to Brown’s victory over Batista, the Six-Man Tag Team Match between these teams will take place at Starrcade and will be for the WCW World Tag Team Title. Unfortunately, the A.O.D. would retain the title at Starrcade
Shane McMahon: – WCW Owner who has clashed with Triple H, even losing a Last Man Standing Match to him back at Uncensored in April. Shane has been supporting WCW’s top contenders in defeating HHH for the WCW title, which happened at Halloween Havoc. With the NWO’s future likely in limbo with HHH’s loss at Starrcade, Shane McMahon will look to build a new future of WCW around new champion Booker T
Shawn Michaels: – Shawn Michaels joined his friends in the New World Order the night after Slamboree, helping Triple H wrest the faction from Hulk Hogan. HBK has been at ringside for many of HHH’s matches, causing trouble wherever he could. But things changed when Sting arrived at Halloween Havoc. Sting’s interference cost HHH not only the WCW World Title at Halloween Havoc, but again a month later in a #1 Contender’s Match against Booker T. Sting revealed that his target was Michaels. Shawn Michaels accepted the challenge and will face Sting in a Dream Match at Starrcade. In a 30-minute classic, HBK showed he still had what it took to be one of the top guys in the industry, but he ultimately fell to Sting at Starrcade
Shelton Benjamin: – Benjamin debuted as Brock Lesnar’s Mystery Partner back at SuperBrawl XII in Lesnar’s battle against Rob Van Dam and Sabu. Benjamin got some solid wins in his early ECW career, but it was clear he wasn’t a priority for Paul Heyman. Now in the post-Heyman ECW, Benjamin has made a point to take care of business for himself. This led to winning his first major championship, the ECW TV Title, at Halloween Havoc 2002. He faced off with his former friend and teammate Brock Lesnar at November to Remember, but failed to walk away with a victory. Benjamin helped lead his team to victory over Raven’s Warriors
Stephanie McMahon: – The owner of ECW realizes she’d never be accepted by ECW fans, so installed Mick Foley as ECW Commissioner and took a behind the scenes approach to running the company. Differences with Triple H led to their divorce over the summer
Stevie Ray: – Booker T’s brother and one-half of Harlem Heat. He’s aided his brother in battles against the likes of R-Killa, Brock Lesnar, and the New World Order. Most recently he was blasted over the head with a sledgehammer by Triple H…although he showed up to help his brother hold onto his title shot in a match with HHH. Celebrated with his brother after Booker T won the WCW World Championship at Starrcade
Sting: – After tormenting Triple H (and costing HHH the WCW World Title), it turns out Sting’s target was not HHH, but Shawn Michaels. Sting laid out the challenge to HBK for Starrcade, and on the 12/16 Nitro Shawn Michaels accepted, leading to the Dream Match. Sting proved he could beat Shawn Michaels when he did at Starrcade 2002. Sting returned once again a few weeks later with the WCW World Championship on his mind.
Stone Cold Steve Austin: – The first WCW World Champion of the Alliance Era has struggled ever since being crowned champion. After losing the title to Ric Flair at Starrcade 2001, Austin has battled the likes of Kurt Angle and Triple H in trying to regain the title, to no avail. Before he challenged Eddie Guerrero on RISE in November, Austin was last seen battling Triple H for the WCW World Title in a Triple Cage Match at the Great American Bash, a match he’d lose. Austin claimed that Guerrero has the fire he needs to get back to being Stone Cold, and Austin would defeat him at N2R. Austin would be eliminated by Brock Lesnar in a War Rumble, but Austin took exception to Lesnar’s post-elimination antics…and in turn cost him the Final Battle. Austin accepted a challenge from Lesnar for a match at Starrcade. Austin put up a hell of a fight, but Lesnar would beat Austin and leave Austin battered and beaten. Austin announced his retirement the next night…before Jeff Jarrett arrived and took him out with a guitar, seemingly causing a severe neck injury.
Super Crazy: – Cruiserweight Champion who has traded the title with Tajiri in the summer and has regularly defended the title, but lost it in a three-way at November to Remember against Tajiri and Little Guido
Tajiri: – Tajiri started off as a pawn for William Regal as Regal looked to break up Tajiri and his girlfriend Torrie Wilson. Tajiri would turn on Wilson though, leading to a sinister heel turn. He briefly would join the Sinister Minister is his feud against Raven, but would end up joining Raven too at Anarchy Rulz. Won the Cruiserweight title back at November to Remember, but dropped it to Ultimo Dragon at Starrcade. Tajiri, trying to protect friend Mikey Whipwreck, turned on Raven on RISE…only for Whipwreck to turn on him. Tajiri would not win the title at Guilty As Charged, but he did get some more shots in on Raven
Tazz: – Tazz started the Alliance era strong when he captured the US Title from Kurt Angle back in December 2001, but neck injuries slowed him down. An ECW World Title loss to Brock Lesnar at Uncensored 2002 began the fall, and Shelton Benjamin finished off his career at Barely Legal II. Tazz now works commentary with Joey Styles
Test: – The Alliance Era has been a mixed bag for Test. He started off as ECW Owner Shane McMahon’s bodyguard, but quickly was taken out by the Giant. Ever since he’s been in the middle of the card, recently losing matches to Billy Kidman. He did pick up a win against Meng
Tommy Dreamer: – ECW loyalist shows up from time to time to defend ECW and fend off rivals such as Raven and the Dudleys. Was driven through a flaming table by Deacon Batista of the Archdiocese of Dudleyville at November to Remember.
Triple H: – Recovering from a quadriceps tear, HHH was a special acquisition to the Alliance from Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley and debuted at Starrcade 2001 with a win over Christian. After feuding with Steve Austin, HHH would win the WCW World Championship from Kurt Angle at Slamboree thanks to assistance from the original three of the New World Order. This was a trap though, as HHH, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Shawn Michaels would blindside Hulk Hogan the night after Starrcade and create a Green and Black version (which also led to a divorce with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley). HHH had fended off all challengers for his WCW Title (a list that included Diamond Dallas Page, The Giant, Kurt Angle, Steve Austin in a Triple Cage Match, and Booker T). His NWO lost War Games though, and by extension HHH lost the title to Hogan at Halloween Havoc. HHH’s hold on the New World Order is in jeopardy as he was shockingly beaten by Sean O’Haire on Nitro. HHH fell short in the War Rumble, making it to the end but losing to Rob Van Dam. Two nights later HHH challenged Booker T for his WrestleWar title shot…but would lose after Sting reappeared. After learning Sting was after Shawn Michaels, HHH fired the last bullet in his gun, offering his WCW career in exchange for getting added to the WCW World Championship Match at Starrcade…a move that would cost him his Alliance career as he failed to win the match. Eric Bischoff has helped HHH gain one more WCW match against Sean O’Haire at Revenge. If the Game can win…he’ll be re-instated.
Ultimo Dragon: – Ultimo Dragon has won a chance at Tajiri’s World Cruiserweight Championship at Starrcade, and converted that opportunity into a his first title reign in over four years
Victoria: – Victoria debuted alongside Daffney and ran through the Women’s division, quickly becoming World Women’s Champion. She’s been abusive of Daffney though when Daffney attempted to stop Victoria during post-match attacks, but Daffney stood up to her at Halloween Havoc. Victoria survived a surprisingly violent encounter with Daffney at November to Remember 2002 and again on RISE three days later. Months ago she destroyed La Felina and stole her mask…but Felina has returned as Gail Kim and the two women will face one another at Starrcade for the World Women’s Title. Kim would defeat Victoria…with a little help from Daffney
William Regal: – Former WCW commissioner had an on-and-off feud with Fit Finlay throughout the summer. He now teams with him and David Taylor to form a heel trio. Lost former protégé Tajiri to the Sinister Minister, and then to Raven
Ten Man Tag Team War
Diamond Dallas Page, R-Killa, Chris Candido, Lance Storm, and Mike Awesome vs. Jeff Jarrett, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn, Ken Shamrock, and Vader
WCW Clash of Champions
Saturday, January 18
Phillips Arena
Atlanta, GA
(Writer’s note: The intent of this show is a glorified house show, without much reference to current storylines. Matches will get brief descriptions as opposed to full write-outs. Just something I’m trying new to replace the Worldwide/Hardcore TV episodes. We’ll get one of these a month.)
A sell-out crowd of 21,047 fills the Phillips Arena for Clash. Some of these matches are being filmed for VHS/DVD release.
Match 1: Los Guerreros defeated Christian and Rene Dupree when Eddie pinned Christian in 10:21
Los Guerreros against Christian and Rene Dupree kick off the card. Los Guerreros get a great start on both Christian and Dupree, but the tide turns when Christian, as the illegal man, kicks Chavo in the back as he hit the ropes. Dupree and Christian worked Chavo over until Christian missed a bodypress from the second rope. Chavo got the hot tag to Eddie, and the crowd was solidly behind him despite months of hating him. Eddie would nearly cost his team the match though when an errant right hand struck Chavo, but Los Guerrero recovered with a double drop kick to Dupree. Chavo would suplex Christian and Eddie would finish him off with the Frog Splash for the three.
Match 2: Test and Albert defeated Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley when Test pinned Shelley in 4:18
Test and Albert had previously teamed three years prior in the WWF, but each had mixed results in Alliance for 2002. Test was an original Alliance member and started up high on the card, but got lost in the shuffle by the summer. Albert joined X-Factor, which were defeated at the 2002 November to Remember. Notably, Chris Sabin has appeared on Worldwide before, but both he and Shelley are quite early in their careers still. Test and Albert make quick work of the young team, with Test finishing Shelley off with the Big Boot.
Match 3: World Cruiserweight Champion Ultimo Dragon defeated Yugi Nagata by pinfall in 12:55
A rivalry was renewed at Clash as Ultimo Dragon defended the World Cruiserweight Championship against a man he battled throughout 1997 in WCW, Yugi Nagata. Nagata, a contender for the IWGP World Championship, has returned to America for the chance to embarrass his old rival one more time. Nagata was close as well, grounding the Dragon with various submissions. Dragon escaped a crossface and a variant of the Figure Four (the Nagata Lock) and dropped Nagata with the Asai Reverse DDT to retain the championship.
Match 4: Deacon Batista defeated Monty Brown by pinfall in 6:43
Batista and Brown have been battling in house shows across the country as an extension of the Archdiocese of Dudleyville against Shane Helms and Elix Skipper feud. Batista has mostly gotten the better of Brown in these matches, and tonight was no different. Brown had the monster reeling, even getting a near fall with an impressive belly-to-belly throw. Brown tried to finish Batista off with the POUNCE, but Batista countered with a spinebuster, and finished Brown with a sit-out powerbomb.
Match 5: Kurt Angle defeated William Regal by submission in 9:39
Angle looked to out-wrestle Regal early on, but with Regal being one of the few wrestlers in the world that can match, or at least nearly match Angle in technical wrestling ability, Regal held his own. Regal even got to the point of controlling the match when Fit Finlay tripped Angle. Regal couldn’t put Angle away, and once Angle got going it was all over for him. Angle hit Regal with various suplexes and a trio of German suplexes, before hitting the interfering Finlay with a belly-to-belly. Regal tried to fight off the Ankle Lock, but Angle would grapevine the leg and that was for Regal.
***
An intermission took place after Kurt Angle and William Regal. Mike Tenay hyped up the next Alliance Pay-Per-View, Revenge, and perhaps accidentally announces the main event as Booker T defending the WCW World Championship in a four-way match against The Giant, Brock Lesnar, and Sting. Sting hadn’t officially been added to the match on television yet. Tenay mentions that all four of those men are in the arena tonight in matches, then hypes up the night’s main event: Ric Flair vs. Sting.
***
Match 6: R-Killa defeated Road Dogg by disqualification when Billy Gunn interfered in 5:18
Former tag team partners from the WWF collide here as R-Killa begins his WCW journey against one of the men he’ll be up against at Revenge. Road Dogg got some of his signature spots in, but R-Killa would kick out of the crazy knees knee drop and make a comeback. R-Killa would hit an ax kick and set Road Dogg for the Truth That Sets You Free, but Billy Gunn ran in and attacked R-Killa to cause the DQ. The New Age Outlaws would beat down R-Killa for a few minutes before Killa made a comeback…which led to the Outlaws immediately fleeing.
Match 7: WCW World Tag Team Champions the Archdiocese of Dudleyville defeated Shane Helms and Elix Skipper, and Billy Kidman and Rey Mysterio Jr. in a triangle match when Bubba pinned Helms in 8:11 to retain the title
A hectic three-team match ended with the champions retaining their belts. Mysterio, Kidman, Helms, and Skipper all seemed to have the match won at different points, but someone would make the save. Interference from both Monty Brown and Deacon Batista only continued the brawl between those two from earlier in the night. Kidman would hit Skipper with the Shooting Star Press, but Helms would make the save. The Dudleys would knock Kidman and Mysterio out of the ring and finish Helms with the 3D: the Divine Dudley Drop. The Dudleys stalked Torrie Wilson afterwards, but all of Kidman, Mysterio, Helms, Brown, and Skipper chased the A.O.D. off.
Match 8: World Women’s Champion Gail Kim defeated Jacqueline by pinfall in 3:23 to retain the title
Kim continued her title reign with a solid defense over Jacqueline. Kim countered a Jacqueline powerbomb into a hurricanrana for the pin and the victory.
Match 9: Brock Lesnar, The Giant, and Jeff Jarrett defeated Harlem Heat and Diamond Dallas Page when Lesnar pinned Stevie Ray in 15:13
The crowd was molten for this one. Harlem Heat and DDP had the advantage early, with Brock Lesnar surprisingly taking most of the punishment. Lesnar would escape the Heat with a tag to Giant, but even he struggled against the legendary WCW tag team. Booker T and Stevie Ray hit Giant with a huge double flapjack and looked to end things before Jeff Jarrett took a cheap shot at Booker. Booker got his revenge quickly on Jarrett. DDP was next to dish out some punishment, but Lesnar would take him out with a clothesline, changing the complexion of the match. DDP took a beating from Lesnar, Giant, and Jarrett for a solid five, six minutes, before shocking Giant out of nowhere with a Diamond Cutter! DDP would make the hot tag to the WCW World Champion Booker T, who regained complete control of the match. Booker would look to finish off the match with a Bookend on Giant, but Paul Heyman would make the save. This put Paul in trouble as DDP looked to drop him with the Diamond Cutter. Giant would save Heyman by attacking both DDP and Booker. Stevie Ray would knock Giant to the outside with a Pump Kick, then send Jarrett flying to the outside as well. He would walk into the F5 though, and Booker was just short in making the save for his team.
The heels looked to put together a post-match beat down, but when Jeff Jarrett looked to smash his guitar over DDP’s head, R-Killa ran out to make the save! DDP shook R-Killa’s hand afterwards, although Booker and Stevie Ray kept their distance. The Giant tried one more sneak attack, but DDP was able to fend him off and hit a Diamond Cutter on his one-time friend, now rival.
Match 10: Sting defeated Ric Flair by submission in 14:39
For the first time in nearly two years Sting and Ric Flair faced off. The fans hung on every move from both competitors. Flair got his chops in and took control of the match with a thumb to the eye. Sting refused to back down, ultimately regaining control and tossing Flair all over the ring. Just when Sting looked to have Flair beaten, Flair found a low blow then tried to finish Sting off with the Figure-Four. Sting struggled briefly as Flair used every trick in the book (holding the ropes for leverage, for example). After a few minutes of anguish, Sting found a second wind. He sat up in the Figure-Four, pounded his chest, and turned the hold on Flair. Both men would get to their feet, but now Flair’s chops had no effect. Sting threw Flair around a bit more, suplexed him off the top rope, then locked in the Scorpion Deathlock for the submission victory.
The Clash went off the air with Sting celebrating with the crowd, and Mike Tenay asking everyone to tune in on Nitro.
::END SHOW::
Quick Results
Los Guerreros defeated Christian and Rene Dupree when Eddie pinned Christian
Test and Albert defeated Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley when Test pinned Shelley
WCW World Tag Team Championship
The Archdiocese of Dudleyville defeated Shane Helms and Elix Skipper, and Rey Mysterio Jr. and Billy Kidman when Bubba pinned Helms to retain the title
World Women’s Championship
Gail Kim pinned Jacqueline
Brock Lesnar, The Giant, and Jeff Jarrett defeated Booker T, Stevie Ray, and Diamond Dallas Page when Lesnar pinned Stevie Ray
Sting made Ric Flair submit
Champions
WCW World Champion
Booker T (Defeated Kurt Angle on 12-29-02)
ECW World Champion
Rhyno (Defeated Raven on 1-12-03)
WCW United States Champion
Diamond Dallas Page (Defeated Bam Bam Bigelow on 1-12-03)
ECW Television Champion
Shelton Benjamin (Defeated Tajiri on 10-27-02)
WCW World Tag Team Champions
The Archdiocese of Dudleyville (Defeated Diamond Dallas Page and The Giant on 10-7-02)
ECW World Tag Team Champions
Jamie Noble and Kid Kash (Defeated Rob Van Dam and Sabu on 12-29-02)
World Cruiserweight Champion
Ultimo Dragon (Defeated Tajiri on 12-29-02)
World Women’s Champion
Gail Kim (Defeated Victoria on 12-29-02)
Roster
AJ Styles: – Jerry Lynn took AJ Styles under his wing in early 2002, resulting in them winning the ECW World Tag Team Titles at Barely Legal II. They dominated the ECW Tag Team division for most of the year until losing the titles to Rob Van Dam and Sabu at November to Remember. Lynn and Styles failed to win back the titles at Starrcade, although they did eliminate RVD and Sabu. Lynn and Styles failed to regain the titles at Guilty As Charged
The Archdiocese of Dudleyville: – The Dudley Boyz lost the WCW World Tag Team Championship back in April to Diamond Dallas Page and The Giant, then disappeared after a loss to Tommy Dreamer, The Sandman, and Balls Mahoney at ECW Barely Legal II. They returned in early October…but under a religious gimmick. Brother Bubba and Reverend D-Von, joined by the monstrous Deacon Batista, regained the WCW Tag titles and even seemed to kidnap Spike Dudley on an edition of ECW Rise. It looks like Spike has joined back with his brothers based on what happened on the 10/31 RISE. They’ve also been feuding with the trio of Elix Skipper, Shane Helms, and Monty Brown. They also have issues with Dreamer and Sandman because of the kidnapping of Spike. They took out Dreamer and Sandman for seemingly for good at N2R. After Deacon Batista’s loss to Monty Brown on Nitro, The Dudleys and Batista will face Elix Skipper, Shane Helms, and Brown at Starrcade in a Six-Man Tag Team Match with the WCW World Tag Team Titles on the line. Batista powerbombed Spike post-match, blaming him for the loss. They retained the titles at Starrcade. They may have finished off the LOD as well
Bam Bam Bigelow: – 2002 was a tough year for Bam Bam as he lost any major matches he was a part of. A short-term team with Gangrel fell apart late in the year. Shocked DDP for the US title on the first Nitro of 2003…but lost it back to him six days later at Guilty As Charged. Bigelow took a shot at ECW World Champion Rhyno on RISE, but Rhyno would defeat him
Billy Kidman: – It has been an up and down year for Kidman. After some early battles with Raven and his Warriors, Kidman challenged Christian thoughout the year for the US Title but didn’t win the title. He’s now again become a target of Raven’s Warriors mostly due to his past with Raven and his friendship with Rey Mysterio Jr.
Booker T: – When this new WCW formed, Booker T had a chance to become the #1 Contender for the WCW World Championship, but lost to Kurt Angle at Starrcade 2001. Booker has since been trying to fight his way back to contention. A long feud with R-Killa (Ron Killings) occupied Booker throughout the summer until Booker finally dispatched him in an actual Harlem Street Fight at ECW Anarchy Rulz. Booker T had another chance to win the WCW World Championship as he won a fan vote over Kurt Angle (100%-0%!) to face HHH at Cyberslam, but HHH prevailed in a half-hour classic. Booker T was on the WCW Team that beat the NWO at War Games, which led to a match with Brock Lesnar at Halloween Havoc (Lesnar, while not a NWO member, was on team NWO for the match). Lesnar managed to defeat Booker at Halloween Havoc, but Booker has vowed revenge, while also declaring entry in the WrestleWar. He also may have picked up an ally in Lesnar’s former partner Shelton Benjamin. The feud with the New World Order has picked back up, with HHH blasting brother Stevie Ray with a sledgehammer. Booker T would win the WrestleWar to earn a WCW World Title shot at Starrcade 2002…and held off Triple H two nights later to hold onto that title shot. Booker T converted that title shot into his 5th WCW World Championship. He defeated R-Killa once again to retain the title in his first PPV defense. Now, it looks like he has three challengers ahead of him: Brock Lesnar, Giant, and Booker T
Brock Lesnar: – After dominating ECW from his debut at Starrcade 2001 (December) through Anarchy Rulz 2002 (August), Lesnar surprised the world when he teamed with the NWO for War Games with the condition that if the NWO won, Triple H would give him a WCW World Title shot. Lesnar’s shortcut to the WCW title didn’t work and this led to a feud with Booker T. Lesnar defeated Booker at Halloween Havoc, although it seems he’s drawn the ire of ECW stablemate Shelton Benjamin. Lesnar’s manager Paul Heyman announced on Nitro that Lesnar will be a part of WrestleWar. Lesnar returned to ECW to get revenge on Benjamin’s actions at Halloween Havoc and defeated Benjamin at November to Remember. After eliminating Stone Cold Steve Austin in a War Rumble, Lesnar decided to anger Stone Cold…which bit him in the ass during the Final Battle. Lesnar will have the biggest match of career at Starrcade when he faces Stone Cold. Lesnar may have crossed a line though as he went to Austin’s best friend WWF Announcer Jim Ross’ home and assaulted him as a message. Lesnar continued his path of destruction by destroying Stone Cold at Starrcade for perhaps the biggest win of his career. Now, he has eyes on capturing the WCW World Championship
Chris Candido: – Once Justin Credible betrayed Total Impact, a spot opened for Chris Candido. Candido has helped Lance Storm and Mike Awesome in their battles against the NWO and their allies ever since. After the Outsiders cost Mike Awesome the ECW World Championship during Raven’s Nightmare, Total Impact laid out a challenge aimed to eradicate the core of the NWO: the Outsiders, once and for all. He was injured in a car accident facilitated by the Outsiders. Total Impact would defeat the Wolfpac at Starrcade.
Christian: – After an early loss to Triple H, Christian recovered in January 2002 to win the US Title and has dominated the US Title scene for most of the year. Christian has had different allies throughout his reign: The Quebecers and Rene Dupree (Dupree is still with him). He’s beaten challengers such as Test, Billy Kidman, and Booker T in title defenses. He lost the title to Kurt Angle at Cyberslam, but won it back on Nitro and is the current champion. Christian is slated to compete in the WrestleWar and has guaranteed victory all the while trying to avoid defending his US Title at all costs. DDP got the better of him at Starrcade, leaving Christian titleless
Chuck Palumbo: – Palumbo has struggled ever since partner Sean O’Haire turned against him and joined the NWO. Has had some matches with O’Haire since, but hasn’t been able to beat his former partner and friend. Has seemed to have patched things with him since O’Haire left the NWO
Daffney: – Daffney debuted alongside Victoria and has been at ringside through Victoria’s rise to World Women’s Champion. Daffney has disagreed with Victoria’s post-match attacks though, and Victoria responded in an abusive manner towards her. Daffney had enough and finally attacked Victoria at Halloween Havoc, saving Molly Marvel. Daffney would lose to Victoria at November to Remember…although she scarred Victoria by throwing tacks in her face…and did it again to cost Victoria the Women’s Title against Gail Kim at Starrcade, then made the challenge for Kim’s title. Kim would retain
Dave Taylor: – Brought in by William Regal and Fit Finlay to help them when they were battling Monty Brown, Elix Skipper, and Shane Helms
Deacon Batista: – The enforcer of the Archdiocese of Dudleyville, OVW’s former Leviathan
Diamond Dallas Page: – DDP began as a commentator, but got involved in the Tajiri-William Regal-Torrie Wilson situation. Torrie would become one of his Diamond Dolls (Stacy Keibler would join later, and Torrie would leave for Kidman in the summer). DDP then also saved Stacy Keibler from the Dudleyz and received a huge assist from the Giant. DDP and Giant battled the Outsiders for most of the summer over the WCW World Tag Team titles, and almost won the WCW Title from HHH at Clash of Champions. Recently, due to the Giant’s frustration with not getting WCW World title shots, the Giant turned on DDP. The Giant took DDP out in their match at Halloween Havoc. DDP made his return on Nitro just twelve days before Wrestle War, saving Booker T from an attack from Triple H. With the Giant reappearing, DDP wants a rematch with him, but had to settle for becoming the #1 Contender to Christian’s US Title. He said he wasn’t done with the Giant…and seemingly had Giant beat on Nitro if it weren’t for Christian. DDP would defeat Christian at Starrcade to win the US Title, and made it clear he still had the WCW World Title set in his sights. There’s a new problem for DDP now, as he’s called out Jeff Jarrett and the New Age Outlaws. Jarrett and the Outlaws responded in kind by costing DDP the US Title. DDP would win the title back six days later…then tangled with Jarrett’s group again.
Eddie Guerrero: – Now clean and sober, Eddie Guerrero returned to major league pro wrestling by winning the vacant ECW TV Title at Barely Legal II. He feuded with Rob Van Dam over the summer, trading the ECW TV title with him and losing to RVD in RVD’s 1st PPV ECW World Title defense. Guerrero eventually got the better of RVD in a special ladder match where the winner got to have any match he wanted, although it seems like Commissioner Mick Foley isn’t able to deliver. Guerrero showed up on Nitro as a result and lost a highly competitive match with Kurt Angle in the main event. Mick Foley found a suitable substitute that Guerrero accepted for the November to Remember match: Stone Cold Steve Austin. Guerrero would fail in his attempt to defeat Austin. Guerrero put on a good performance in his War Rumble as he entered #1 and made it nearly to the end. He got revenge on the man who eliminated him, Ric Flair, two nights later by costing Flair the WCW World Title. Scored a pinfall on Flair on RISE as well, but couldn’t come up with the victory against him at Starrcade. The next night Guerrero accidentally cost Chavo the Cruiserweight title…then cost himself and Chavo a tag match against Shane Helms and Skipper.
The Eliminators: – After reuniting in 2002 and getting split up by Raven later in the year, they’ve banded together once more as Saturn was able to break away from Raven. They have their eyes on the ECW World Tag Team Championship
Elix Skipper: – After winning a couple of matches against The Hurricane, he and Shane Helms joined forces to make an exciting tag team. Recently, Monty Brown joined them and they have their sights on the Archdiocese of Dudleyville. Thanks to Brown’s victory over Batista, the Six-Man Tag Team Match between these teams will take place at Starrcade and will be for the WCW World Tag Team Title. Unfortunately, The A.O.D. prevailed at Starrcade
Fit Finlay: – Brought in by William Regal to battle Diamond Dallas Page, Finlay and Regal then feuded in the spring. Regal would knock Finlay out in a match in May…but they’d get back together later in the year and now are a trio with David Taylor
Gail Kim: – The former La Felina was destroyed by Victoria in the summer, but her triumphant return as Gail Kim led to a Women’s War Rumble victory and a title shot at Starrcade 2002, which she won for her first world title. Kim would retain the title against Daffney and Victoria at Guilty As Charged
The Giant: – The Giant signed on with Shane McMahon in an announcement made at Starrcade 2001. Giant said one thing mattered to him: the WCW World Championship. He failed to win it at Souled Out against Kurt Angle and then ended up on a different path: helping Diamond Dallas Page win the WCW World Championship in his feud with the Dudley Boyz. Giant and DDP had two reigns over the summer as they feuded with the Outsiders, trading the titles. The Giant grew tired of waiting for another WCW World title shot after their victory over the NWO at War Games and eventually turned on DDP. Giant destroyed DDP at Halloween Havoc, but upon not receiving a title match seemingly walked out on Shane McMahon on Nitro. The Giant returned at the WrestleWar, injuring then-WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan before and after his failed title defense against Kurt Angle. The Giant showed he wasn’t done with DDP either as he attacked DDP after DDP’s match with Rene Dupree on Nitro. Hulk Hogan would return the next week to save DDP from Giant, and WCW Owner Shane McMahon announced that Hogan and Giant would clash at Starrcade. The Giant accomplished something he was never able to do in the past seven years when he pinned Hulk Hogan clean at Starrcade. He now has his sights set on the WCW World Championship once again
Hugh Morrus: – Has mostly been in the lower-mid card in the Alliance era. After a loss to Chuck Palumbo, Morrus said that he was “done with this Hugh Morrus shit”
Hulk Hogan: – He originally returned at Slamboree to cost Kurt Angle the WCW World Championship in his title defense against Triple H. After HHH turned the NWO against him, Hogan was out until the night after Cyberslam in early September. Hogan returned and led WCW in a victory over the NWO in War Games. This got him a title shot at Halloween Havoc, where Hogan defeated HHH to win the title. Hogan had previously promised Kurt Angle a title shot due to screwing him over at Slamboree, and that match will take place at WrestleWar. The Giant would attack Hogan before and after that match, and he cost Hogan the title against Kurt Angle. Hogan returned to Nitro to extract revenge on Giant, cementing their match at Starrcade. The Giant would kick out of the legdrop and pin Hogan at Starrcade, potentially killing Hulkamania once and for all
Ivory: – Competed in the original World Women’s Championship tournament, but we haven’t seen a lot of her overall
Jamie Noble: – Jamie Noble originally got a break to join the Alliance when he upset Curt Hennig. Ever since he has joined up with Kid Kash in a quest to win the ECW World Tag Team Title. They’ve been close (including a 30 minute classic against champions AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn at Hardcore Heaven), but haven’t won the titles. Noble and Kash would defeat RVD and Sabu, and Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles to finally win their first ECW World Tag Team Title at Starrcade
Jazz: – Former World Women’s Champion was beaten by Victoria in the summer and has been trying to win back the title ever since
Jeff Jarrett: – Jeff Jarrett returned to WCW in a big way, by taking out Stone Cold Steve Austin with a guitar and injuring his neck, perhaps for good. Jarrett, the New Age Outlaws, Ken Shamrock, and Vader have all banded together with Jim Cornette at the helm…their motivations are unclear. So far they’ve taken out Austin, DDP, Stacy Keibler and Total Impact.
Jerry Lynn: – Jerry Lynn took a liking to AJ Styles after watching him on Worldwide, taking him under his wing. This resulted in them winning the ECW World Tag Team Titles at Barely Legal II. They dominated the ECW Tag Team division for most of the year until losing the titles to Rob Van Dam and Sabu at November to Remember. They failed to regain the titles at Starrcade as Jamie Noble and Kid Kash won the three-way dance, and failed again at Guilty As Charged
Juventud Guerrera: – The cruiserweight division got a big boost at SuperBrawl XII when Psicosis and Juventud Guerrera returned to WCW in a #1 Contender’s Match. Guerrera would lose that match but still be a top contender to the title thoughout the summer. He’d eventually form a trio with Psicosis and Essa Rios/Papi Chilo, but Chilo is out of the picture now
Ken Shamrock: – Shamrock returned to pro wrestling at the National level at Guilty As Charged, appearing as a member of Jeff Jarrett’s group and attacking Total Impact
Kevin Nash: – Kevin Nash showed up at Slamboree as a member of the NWO, costing Kurt Angle the WCW World Championship. Nash and Scott Hall have been two of the faces of the NWO since, helping Triple H retain the WCW titles at all costs. He and Scott Hall managed to win the WCW World Tag Team Title before dropping it back to DDP and the Giant at Cyberslam. Total Impact would dominate the Wolfpac at Starrcade, leaving the state of NWO Wolfpac unknown
Kid Kash: – Kid Kash and Jamie Noble originally got together to deal with R-Killa and Mark Henry and ever since have tried to win the ECW World Tag Team Title.. They’ve been close (including a 30 minute classic against champions AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn at Hardcore Heaven), but haven’t won the titles. Noble and Kash would defeat RVD and Sabu, and Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles to finally win their first ECW World Tag Team Title at Starrcade
Kronik: – Clarke and Adams have broken away from Raven’s stable and now look to destroy Raven
Kurt Angle: – Angle won the WCW World Championship the night after Starrcade 2001, beating and crippling Ric Flair. After managing defenses against The Giant, Triple H, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Lance Storm, Angle would finally fall to Triple H at Slamboree thanks to the New World Order. Angle has essentially feuded with the New World Order since, which included beating Curt Hennig in a cage on Nitro. After a win against the NWO's Sean O’Haire at Halloween Havoc, Angle finds himself in position to win back the WCW Title at WrestleWar. He’s also had a bit of an adversarial issue with Booker T. Angle beat Booker T back at Starrcade 2001, but at Cyberslam 2002 the fans chose Booker unanimously to face Triple H for the WCW Title, something that seems to still bug Angle. Perhaps that doesn’t matter anymore as Angle would defeat Hulk Hogan to get his WCW World Title back at WrestleWar…but would drop it to Booker T at Starrcade. To get a rematch, it looks like he’ll have to defeat the man he beat for the WCW World Title the night after Starrcade 2002: Ric Flair
Lance Storm: – Storm formed a trio with Mike Awesome and Justin Credible called Total Impact and ran over the likes of Tommy Dreamer and Sandman for a few months before Kurt Angle gave him the match of a lifetime: a WCW World Title Match on Pay-Per-View at Uncensored. Storm wouldn’t win the title, and that led to an extended feud with Angle. Things changed when the NWO invaded ECW and Justin Credible turned his back on the team. Chris Candido would join the team and they’ve been feuding with the NWO and NWO allies ever since. After the Outsiders cost Lance Storm the ECW World Championship during Raven’s Nightmare, Total Impact laid out a challenge aimed to eradicate the core of the NWO: the Outsiders, once and for all. Total Impact would emerge victorious at Starrcade.
Little Guido: – The leader of the Full-Blooded Italians. His group has taken payoffs for jobs…although they haven’t always went well. Had a shot at the Cruiserweight title at November to Remember, but didn’t walk away with gold.
Mick Foley: – Mick Foley returned to ECW to support his friend, Terry Funk. That led to a confrontation with ECW World Champion Brock Lesnar. With the blessing of Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, Cactus Jack returned to and faced Lesnar for the ECW World Championship at Barely Legal II, but came up short. Foley returned in the summer to become Stephanie McMahon’s ECW Commissioner, replacing General Manager Paul Heyman. He has seemed to be especially tough on the top bad guys on the brand, specifically Eddie Guerrero and Raven. At Starrcade, Raven would attack Mick Foley…and Foley would get hit with an inadvertent GORE from Rhyno in the ECW World Title match at Starrcade. After Rhyno’s loss, Rhyno would GORE down Mick Foley again. Foley would make the deciding three count at Guilty As Charged…which resulted in a new ECW World Champion.
Mike Awesome: – Awesome formed a trio with Lance Storm and Justin Credible called Total Impact and ran over the likes of Tommy Dreamer and Sandman for a few months before battling Kurt Angle and the Eliminators. When the New World Order invaded ECW and Justin Credible turned on the group, Total Impact became fan favorites. Chris Candido would replace Credible and they would battle against NWO allies the FBI and the newly formed X-Factor. After the Outsiders cost him the ECW World Championship during Raven’s Nightmare, Total Impact laid out a challenge aimed to eradicate the core of the NWO: the Outsiders, once and for all. Total Impact would beat the Wolfpac at Starrcade. He would defeat his stablemates at Guilty As Charged to become the #1 Contender to the ECW World Championship
Molly Marvel: – The former Mighty Molly reinvented herself and was the inaugural World Women’s Champion. She would lose it to Jazz and has been trying to win it back ever since
Monty Brown: – Monty Brown is part of a trio with Elix Skipper and Shane Helms and recently just debuted to help them against William Regal, Dave Taylor, and Fit Finlay. Fun babyface trio. Due to Brown’s victory over Deacon Batista, Brown, Skipper, and Helms have a chance to win the WCW World Tag Team Title in a Six-Man Tag Team Match against the Archdiocese of Dudleyville. Unfortunately, the A.O.D. would retain the title at Starrcade
Nova: – Tonight was a bit of a serious turn for Nova, who had been part of the comical Blue World Order for most of the summer
Paul Heyman: – He started out as the General Manager for ECW until ECW Owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley fired him bias concerns. These concerns were due to Heyman managing Brock Lesnar, Shelton Benjamin, and C.W. Anderson at the same time. Heyman left ECW for WCW with Lesnar and remains his manager/agent.
The Phoenix: – Talented youngster who has mainly wrestled in Canada. Has had a few battles with rival La Felina in Alliance. Competed in the original World Women’s Championship tournament
Psicosis: – The cruiserweight division got a big boost at SuperBrawl XII when Psicosis and Juventud Guerrera returned to WCW in a #1 Contender’s Match. Psicosis would win the match and win the title the next night, but would then lose it to Rey Mysterio Jr. at Barely Legal II. He and Guerrera formed a trio with Essa Rios/Papi Chilo, although now he’s out of the picture
R-Killa: – Ron Killings debuted in early 2002 in ECW as R-Killa and quickly former a team with Mark Henry. Killa and Henry would shortly become ECW World Tag Team Champions and also instigated a feud with Harlem Heat, specifically Booker T. R-Killa and Booker T feuded throughout the summer, ultimately leading to a (real) Harlem Street Fight where Booker left R-Killa lying on the street at Anarchy Rulz. R-Killa would reemerge and goad Booker T into a WCW World Title match…although Booker would retain the title at Guilty As Charged. Due to his performance, Shane McMahon would recruit him to WCW the next night.
Raven: – Raven put together a group of “warriors” to help him fight a “war” against him that was coming. The first iteration of the group wasn’t much, but as of Anarchy Rulz (After a Buried Alive victory over Mortis) the new version of the warriors: Perry Saturn, Terri Runnels, Tajiri, Mikey Whipwreck, Crush, Malice, and Wrath, have dominated ECW. Raven would win the ECW World Championship at Fall Brawl. Commissioner Mick Foley has tried to even the odds as Raven uses his warriors to interfere in matches and take out his enemies. He was pinned by Rey Mysterio Jr. on the RISE before November to Remember. Survived Rey’s challenge at November to Remember. Raven would survive Rhyno’s challenge for the ECW World Championship at Starrcade. His warriors are now divided…and Raven would lose the Extreme Brawl, and the ECW Title, to Rhyno
Rene Dupree: – The 18 year old French phenom has been a heavy for Christian…and is completely smitten with Torrie Wilson
Rey Mysterio Jr.: – Returned to WCW/ECW at Barely Legal II when he defeated long time rival Psicosis to win the World Cruiserweight Championship. Has mostly wrestled on ECW shows, although he’s made some WCW appearances. He’s feuded with another long-time rival in Eddie Guerrero throughout the summer and beat Guerrero for his first open weight major singles championship: the ECW TV Title. Had two dream matches with Sabu, the second of which saw Sabu take the TV title at Cyberslam. Rey is set for his second ever shot at the ECW World Championship at November to Remember against Raven. His first was a loss in a valiant effort against Brock Lesnar at the Great American Bash. Unfortunately, he lost to Raven at N2R. Rey is now the #1 Contender to Ultimo Dragon’s Cruiserweight Championship after beating Kidman on Nitro
Rhyno: – Injured at the end of the InVasion storyline, Rhyno was the last ECW World Champion when ECW closed it doors in the beginning of 2001. Due to his neck injury, he was forced to relinquish the championship. On the inaugural episode of RISE in December of 2001, Rhyno showed up to give up the title…but said that he’d be back to “fucking kill” whomever the ECW World Champion is. Looks like Raven is the lucky man. Rhyno waved his right to sue ECW if he were to get injured again, opening the door to his victory in the Extreme Brawl on RISE to earn a shot at Raven’s title at Starrcade. Rhyno would fail in his attempt to win the title at Starrcade, accidentally GORING Mick Foley in the process. He seemingly blamed Mick too as he would hit him with another GORE afterwards. Rhyno would emerge victorious in the Extreme Brawl at Guilty As Charged, regaining the title he never lost: the ECW World Championship
Ric Flair: – Flair won his 17th World Championship from Stone Cold at Starrcade 2001…but lost it the next night to Kurt Angle. Angle injured Flair’s ankle and it was thought we’d never see Flair again, until Flair appeared in a War Rumble. Flair just fell short of winning it too as he lost to Brock Lesnar. His return title match against Kurt Angle two nights later ended in DQ thanks to Eddie Guerrero. Flair would defeat Guerrero at Starrcade 2002, then challenge Kurt Angle for a match for Revenge
Rob Van Dam: – Rob Van Dam’s dream to finally win the ECW World Championship came true after a grueling nine month journey. After coming up short against Brock Lesnar at Starrcade 2001 for the vacant title, it took RVD until Anarchy Rulz to get a one-on-one rematch, this time in a Barbed Wire Steel Cage, to beat Lesnar and win the title. He added a TV title reign over the summer too. RVD is the only person to actually beat Brock Lesnar, and he did it twice (tag match at Slamboree and at Anarchy Rulz, both by pinfall). He has since dropped the ECW Title to Raven, but is a champion once again as he and Sabu knocked off Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles for the ECW tag straps at November to Remember. Just fell short at the WrestleWar’s Final Battle against Booker T. RVD and Sabu ended up dropping the ECW World Tag Team Titles in a Three-Way to Kid Kash and Jamie Noble. His attention has turned back to the ECW World Championship. Issues with Sabu cost him a chance to win the title at Guilty As Charged
The Sandman: – ECW icon still showed up from time to time to thwart the bad guys in ECW like the Dudleys and the FBI. Was driven through a flaming table by Deacon Batista of the Archdiocese of Dudleyville at November to Remember
Sabu: – Sabu returned to ECW to help RVD in his battles with Brock Lesnar. He ended up clashing with RVD and even beat him at Barely Legal II. Bill Alfonso was able to reunite the two though and they’ve been allies ever since. Brock Lesnar defeated Sabu in a Barbed Wire ECW World Title match, and since then Sabu has primarily wrestled for the TV Title. Sabu had a couple of dream matches with Rey Mysterio Jr. which ultimately got Sabu the TV title, but he lost it to Tajiri at Fall Brawl. He and RVD regained the ECW Tag titles at November to Remember. RVD and Sabu ended up dropping the ECW World Tag Team Titles in a Three-Way to Kid Kash and Jamie Noble. Issues with RVD cost him a chance to win the title at Guilty As Charged
Scott Hall: – Scott Hall surprised everyone and showed up in the Barely Legal II ECW TV Title battle royal, although he failed to win the title. What was thought to be a cameo turned out to be a full blown return when he reformed the NWO and cost Kurt Angle the WCW World Championship at Slamboree. Hall and Nash added another WCW World Tag Team Championship to their resume over the summer as well, although they dropped the title back to DDP and Giant at Cyberslam. Total Impact would dominate the Wolfpac at Starrcade, leaving the state of NWO Wolfpac unknown
Scott Steiner: – Scott Steiner showed up in a War Rumble as a member of the New World Order, but he fell short of winning as he was eliminated by Booker T. It became more than a cameo eight nights later when he attacked Sean O’Haire to defend HHH and the NWO. Sean O’Haire got his revenge at Starrcade, easily defeating Steiner. With the status of the NWO’s future uncertain, Scott Steiner’s future is just as uncertain
Sean O’Haire: – Originally O’Haire teamed with partner Chuck Palumbo before turning to the New World Order. O’Haire has been positioned as the future of the NWO, but it’s not clear what that actually means with Triple H in charge. Previous interim WCW President Roddy Piper was a big fan of his, but O’Haire ultimately would powerbomb Piper through a table, taking him out. After losses to Kurt Angle and Booker T, as well as several mistakes trying to help Triple H, WCW owner Shane McMahon put together a match where O’Haire would face HHH with a #15 spot in a War Rumble going to the winner (and a #1 spot to the loser). In a shocking upset, O’Haire pinned HHH almost completely clean to win the match. HHH played him in the War Rumble though…but O’Haire got his revenge by not stopping Sting when Sting appeared two nights later and cost HHH a match against Booker T. O’Haire aligned himself with Booker T and Kurt Angle the next week, separating himself from the NWO for good. Sean O’Haire now has to deal with the man who replaced him in the NWO, Scott Steiner. O’Haire would defeat Steiner in minutes. Eric Bischoff dangled a match with the banned Triple H at Revenge…which Shane McMahon reluctantly granted
Shane Helms: – After some losses to Elix Skipper, he and Skipper joined forces to make an exciting tag team. Recently, Monty Brown joined them and they have their sights on the Archdiocese of Dudleyville. Thanks to Brown’s victory over Batista, the Six-Man Tag Team Match between these teams will take place at Starrcade and will be for the WCW World Tag Team Title. Unfortunately, the A.O.D. would retain the title at Starrcade
Shane McMahon: – WCW Owner who has clashed with Triple H, even losing a Last Man Standing Match to him back at Uncensored in April. Shane has been supporting WCW’s top contenders in defeating HHH for the WCW title, which happened at Halloween Havoc. With the NWO’s future likely in limbo with HHH’s loss at Starrcade, Shane McMahon will look to build a new future of WCW around new champion Booker T
Shawn Michaels: – Shawn Michaels joined his friends in the New World Order the night after Slamboree, helping Triple H wrest the faction from Hulk Hogan. HBK has been at ringside for many of HHH’s matches, causing trouble wherever he could. But things changed when Sting arrived at Halloween Havoc. Sting’s interference cost HHH not only the WCW World Title at Halloween Havoc, but again a month later in a #1 Contender’s Match against Booker T. Sting revealed that his target was Michaels. Shawn Michaels accepted the challenge and will face Sting in a Dream Match at Starrcade. In a 30-minute classic, HBK showed he still had what it took to be one of the top guys in the industry, but he ultimately fell to Sting at Starrcade
Shelton Benjamin: – Benjamin debuted as Brock Lesnar’s Mystery Partner back at SuperBrawl XII in Lesnar’s battle against Rob Van Dam and Sabu. Benjamin got some solid wins in his early ECW career, but it was clear he wasn’t a priority for Paul Heyman. Now in the post-Heyman ECW, Benjamin has made a point to take care of business for himself. This led to winning his first major championship, the ECW TV Title, at Halloween Havoc 2002. He faced off with his former friend and teammate Brock Lesnar at November to Remember, but failed to walk away with a victory. Benjamin helped lead his team to victory over Raven’s Warriors
Stephanie McMahon: – The owner of ECW realizes she’d never be accepted by ECW fans, so installed Mick Foley as ECW Commissioner and took a behind the scenes approach to running the company. Differences with Triple H led to their divorce over the summer
Stevie Ray: – Booker T’s brother and one-half of Harlem Heat. He’s aided his brother in battles against the likes of R-Killa, Brock Lesnar, and the New World Order. Most recently he was blasted over the head with a sledgehammer by Triple H…although he showed up to help his brother hold onto his title shot in a match with HHH. Celebrated with his brother after Booker T won the WCW World Championship at Starrcade
Sting: – After tormenting Triple H (and costing HHH the WCW World Title), it turns out Sting’s target was not HHH, but Shawn Michaels. Sting laid out the challenge to HBK for Starrcade, and on the 12/16 Nitro Shawn Michaels accepted, leading to the Dream Match. Sting proved he could beat Shawn Michaels when he did at Starrcade 2002. Sting returned once again a few weeks later with the WCW World Championship on his mind.
Stone Cold Steve Austin: – The first WCW World Champion of the Alliance Era has struggled ever since being crowned champion. After losing the title to Ric Flair at Starrcade 2001, Austin has battled the likes of Kurt Angle and Triple H in trying to regain the title, to no avail. Before he challenged Eddie Guerrero on RISE in November, Austin was last seen battling Triple H for the WCW World Title in a Triple Cage Match at the Great American Bash, a match he’d lose. Austin claimed that Guerrero has the fire he needs to get back to being Stone Cold, and Austin would defeat him at N2R. Austin would be eliminated by Brock Lesnar in a War Rumble, but Austin took exception to Lesnar’s post-elimination antics…and in turn cost him the Final Battle. Austin accepted a challenge from Lesnar for a match at Starrcade. Austin put up a hell of a fight, but Lesnar would beat Austin and leave Austin battered and beaten. Austin announced his retirement the next night…before Jeff Jarrett arrived and took him out with a guitar, seemingly causing a severe neck injury.
Super Crazy: – Cruiserweight Champion who has traded the title with Tajiri in the summer and has regularly defended the title, but lost it in a three-way at November to Remember against Tajiri and Little Guido
Tajiri: – Tajiri started off as a pawn for William Regal as Regal looked to break up Tajiri and his girlfriend Torrie Wilson. Tajiri would turn on Wilson though, leading to a sinister heel turn. He briefly would join the Sinister Minister is his feud against Raven, but would end up joining Raven too at Anarchy Rulz. Won the Cruiserweight title back at November to Remember, but dropped it to Ultimo Dragon at Starrcade. Tajiri, trying to protect friend Mikey Whipwreck, turned on Raven on RISE…only for Whipwreck to turn on him. Tajiri would not win the title at Guilty As Charged, but he did get some more shots in on Raven
Tazz: – Tazz started the Alliance era strong when he captured the US Title from Kurt Angle back in December 2001, but neck injuries slowed him down. An ECW World Title loss to Brock Lesnar at Uncensored 2002 began the fall, and Shelton Benjamin finished off his career at Barely Legal II. Tazz now works commentary with Joey Styles
Test: – The Alliance Era has been a mixed bag for Test. He started off as ECW Owner Shane McMahon’s bodyguard, but quickly was taken out by the Giant. Ever since he’s been in the middle of the card, recently losing matches to Billy Kidman. He did pick up a win against Meng
Tommy Dreamer: – ECW loyalist shows up from time to time to defend ECW and fend off rivals such as Raven and the Dudleys. Was driven through a flaming table by Deacon Batista of the Archdiocese of Dudleyville at November to Remember.
Triple H: – Recovering from a quadriceps tear, HHH was a special acquisition to the Alliance from Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley and debuted at Starrcade 2001 with a win over Christian. After feuding with Steve Austin, HHH would win the WCW World Championship from Kurt Angle at Slamboree thanks to assistance from the original three of the New World Order. This was a trap though, as HHH, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Shawn Michaels would blindside Hulk Hogan the night after Starrcade and create a Green and Black version (which also led to a divorce with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley). HHH had fended off all challengers for his WCW Title (a list that included Diamond Dallas Page, The Giant, Kurt Angle, Steve Austin in a Triple Cage Match, and Booker T). His NWO lost War Games though, and by extension HHH lost the title to Hogan at Halloween Havoc. HHH’s hold on the New World Order is in jeopardy as he was shockingly beaten by Sean O’Haire on Nitro. HHH fell short in the War Rumble, making it to the end but losing to Rob Van Dam. Two nights later HHH challenged Booker T for his WrestleWar title shot…but would lose after Sting reappeared. After learning Sting was after Shawn Michaels, HHH fired the last bullet in his gun, offering his WCW career in exchange for getting added to the WCW World Championship Match at Starrcade…a move that would cost him his Alliance career as he failed to win the match. Eric Bischoff has helped HHH gain one more WCW match against Sean O’Haire at Revenge. If the Game can win…he’ll be re-instated.
Ultimo Dragon: – Ultimo Dragon has won a chance at Tajiri’s World Cruiserweight Championship at Starrcade, and converted that opportunity into a his first title reign in over four years
Victoria: – Victoria debuted alongside Daffney and ran through the Women’s division, quickly becoming World Women’s Champion. She’s been abusive of Daffney though when Daffney attempted to stop Victoria during post-match attacks, but Daffney stood up to her at Halloween Havoc. Victoria survived a surprisingly violent encounter with Daffney at November to Remember 2002 and again on RISE three days later. Months ago she destroyed La Felina and stole her mask…but Felina has returned as Gail Kim and the two women will face one another at Starrcade for the World Women’s Title. Kim would defeat Victoria…with a little help from Daffney
William Regal: – Former WCW commissioner had an on-and-off feud with Fit Finlay throughout the summer. He now teams with him and David Taylor to form a heel trio. Lost former protégé Tajiri to the Sinister Minister, and then to Raven
Ten Man Tag Team War
Diamond Dallas Page, R-Killa, Chris Candido, Lance Storm, and Mike Awesome vs. Jeff Jarrett, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn, Ken Shamrock, and Vader
Clash of Champions as a glorified house show was completely fine. I'm here for the reunion of T&A, and I'm sure Albert especially throwing MCMG around for a few minutes would have been fun. I'd love for you to keep Test and Albert together permanently. Their run in 2000 was pretty damn awesome.
The other two shows coming off the PPV have been relatively solid, I do have one offering of, I guess, feedback per se. One thing that stood out to me was Rhyno's line to Bigelow, "Bigelow, you're a bit of a hero to me". He definitely redeemed himself by talking about kicking the shit out of Bigelow for the rest of the promo, but I implore you not to do what so many of the major wrestling companies do, and water down the new babyface champion. Rhyno is amazing, less respect showing, more ass kicking please.
WCW Monday Night Nitro
January 20, 2003
Macon Centreplex Coliseum Arena
Macon, GA
Shane McMahon: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Monday Nitro! Currently, the upcoming WCW Pay-Per-View event Revenge will be headlined with a three-way match for the WCW World Championship. The champion, Booker T, requested he defend the title against both Brock Lesnar and The Giant. Now, both Lesnar and Giant won big matches at Starrcade: Lesnar defeating Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Giant defeating Hulk Hogan. Well, there’s another man who won not only a big match at Starrcade…but won the main event. Therefore, I have decided that at Revenge the main event, still for the WCW World Championship, is now a four-way match. Booker T. Brock Lesnar. The Giant. And the man who beat Shawn Michaels at Starrcade…Sting!”
Mike Tenay: “Welcome everyone to Monday Nitro! I’m Mike Tenay alongside Don West, and Don, what a bombshell that WCW Owner Shane McMahon just dropped! Sting has been added to the WCW World Championship match at Revenge!”
Don West: “Mike, Booker T has his hands full now! Sting, Giant, and Brock Lesnar are all gunning for the title!”
Mike Tenay: “We will hear from Sting later tonight! We’re kicking things off with two sets of former Tag Team Champions, although neither for WCW. Chris Candido and Lance Storm, former ECW World Tag Team Champions, take on The New Age Outlaws, one of the greatest tag teams in WWF history!”
Don West: “You know Jarrett’s around somewhere, Mike.”
Chris Candido and Lance Storm (w/Dawn Marie) vs. The New Age Outlaws
Billy Gunn starts with Chris Candido. Gunn locks up with Candido and shoves him into the corner before punching away at him. Gunn misses a punch and Candido fires back. Candido sends Gunn off the ropes and hits a hip toss. Candido sends Gunn off the ropes and leapfrogs over him, and Gunn misses a crossbody block! Dropkick from Candido sends Gunn to the apron, and Candido tags in Storm. Gunn and Storm lock-up and Gunn hits a knee to the midsection. Gunn comes off the ropes but Storm catches him with a dropkick! Storm hits Gunn with a couple of more shots, but when he comes off the ropes Road Dogg knees him in the back. Gunn makes the tag.
Road Dogg hits Storm with a few jabs before juking and jiving, then hitting Storm with a hard shot that knocks him down. Road Dogg comes off the ropes and hits the Crazyknees Kneedrop, then covers, 1…2…Storm kicks out. Road Dogg sends Storm into the corner, but Storm catches Road Dogg with a foot to the face when he runs in. Storm tags Candido back, and they double suplex Road Dogg. Cover from Candido, 1…2…Road Dogg kicks out. Candido tries to belly-to-belly Road Dogg but gets a thumb to the eye instead. Road Dogg tags Gunn back in and they hit Candido with a double Russian Legsweep. Gunn covers, 1…2…Candido kicks out. Gunn punches away at Candido before hitting a kick. He goes for the Fameasser, only Candido moves and Gunn completely misses!
Candido tags in Storm. Candido sends Gunn into the corner, then sends Storm into Gunn! Frankensteiner from Candido! Storm covers, 1…2…Road Dogg pulls Storm off of Gunn to the outside. Storm chases after him, but Road Dogg uses Dawn Marie as a shield…before getting a cheap shot on Storm. Candido drops Gunn with a DDT then heads to the top rope…only to get pushed off by Ken Shamrock, who’s run down to the ring with Vader behind him! Storm gets the better of Road Dogg on the outside and slides back in, only to be body tackled by Vader…and the referee throws the match out.
Winner: Lance Storm and Chris Candido by DQ when Ken Shamrock and Vader interfered
Vader punches away at Storm in the corner…but here comes Mike Awesome, chair in hand! Awesome slides in and bashes Vader in the back with the chair! Awesome beats down on Vader as both New Age Outlaws jump on him to try to stop him. Awesome shrugs them off, but before he can hit either of them Ken Shamrock gets a double leg takedown! Shamrock and Awesome pound away at one another as Jeff Jarrett runs down, guitar in hand. Gunn holds Storm up and Jarrett slides into the ring to hit Storm when Dawn Marie jumps in front of him. Jarrett hesitates for a moment before swinging the guitar, only the swing is blocked by DDP! DDP knocks the guitar out of Jarrett’s hand and Jarrett runs away from him. Gunn grabs Dawn Marie and sets her up for a piledriver with Road Dogg heading to the second rope. Before they can spike her, R-Killa runs in and grabs the guitar…then saves Dawn by smashing it across Gunn’s back! Road Dogg leaps at R-Killa, but R-Killa hits him in midair with what’s left of the guitar! Shamrock rolls in and hits R-Killa with a belly-to-belly suplex. Shamrock grounds and pounds R-Killa before DDP knocks him off. Officials run into the ring, breaking up the brawl!
::COMMERCIAL BREAK::
Mike Tenay: “We’re back…”
Don West: “Jeff Jarrett has put together a hell of a group, Mike. These guys cause chaos everywhere!”
Mike Tenay: “Right now, Jeremy Borash is with Diamond Dallas Page.”
Jeremy Borash: “That’s right, Mike, Jeremy Borash here with Diamond Dallas Page…”
Diamond Dallas Page: “I’m not wasting anytime, Borash. Jarrett, you’re getting your ass kicked for what you did to Stacy. We’ve done this dance before and I regret not taking you out then. I’m for damn sure taking you and your whole scum group out this time. But I ain’t gonna let you hide like I know you’re going to do in the 10-Man Tag at Revenge. So here’s what I propose. Next week, just you and me. I’ll let my team do the work at Revenge, I just want a head start!”
Jim Cornette walks into the shot.
Jim Cornette: “We hear you loud and clear, Page!”
Diamond Dallas Page: “I have no problem starting with you monkey boy!”
Jim Cornette: “Hey now, let me ask you something Page! What is your agenda here?”
Diamond Dallas Page: “Stop acting stupid, Cornette. You gonna give me Jarrett next week or what?”
Jim Cornette: “You just can’t let it go can you? Three years ago Jeff Jarrett beat you time and time again for the big one, the WCW World Title. I think it’s time we remind everyone out there how that went down. You want Jeff Jarrett next week? You want to avenge your whore?”
DDP lunges at Cornette, who nearly falls down running away. He avoids DDP, but has one more thing to say.
Jim Cornette: “You want Jarrett next week, put that US Title on the line and you got it!”
Diamond Dallas Page: “Fine by me! Make sure that you’re at ringside too, I’ve got a little gift for you too!”
***
Sean O’Haire vs. X-Pac
X-Pac taunts O’Haire before immediately running to the ropes when O’Haire tries to lock-up. Eric Bischoff walks down the aisle to huge boos and that captures O’Haire’s attention. X-Pac attacks O’Haire from behind. X-Pac hits O’Haire with a few kicks in the corner, but O’Haire takes him out with a clothesline. X-Pac backs up as Bischoff gets up on the apron. O’Haire takes a swing at him, but misses. X-Pac again attacks O’Haire from behind, this time with a low blow! X-Factor connects…but O’Haire immediately stands up. X-Pac hits the ropes and O’Haire takes him out with a roundhouse kick. O’Haire leaps to the outside of the ring and chases Bischoff up the ramp…getting counted out.
Winner: X-Pac via countout in 2:59
Sean O’Haire hears the bell ring, and angrily heads back to the ring…only to be attacked by Scott Steiner. Steiner smashes O’Haire with a chair, then locks him in the Steiner Recliner! Bischoff comes back down the ramp to taunt O’Haire, then leaves with Steiner and X-Pac. O’Haire slowly gets to his feet, and looks absolutely furious with what just took place.
***
Mike Tenay: “I can’t believe what we just saw. Scott Steiner?”
Don West: “Hey, just because Triple H was banned from Alliance doesn’t mean the guys who worked with him are!”
Mike Tenay: “You mean guys on Eric Bischoff and Triple H’s payroll?”
Don West: “Sure!”
Mike Tenay: “Changing gears right now, let’s send it once again to Jeremy Borash, who is with Rey Mysterio Jr.!”
Jeremy Borash: “Thank you, Mike. Once again, Jeremy Borash here and I am with the #1 Contender for the World Cruiserweight Championship, Rey Mysterio Jr. Rey, your upcoming Cruiserweight Championship match against Ultimo Dragon is one of the most anticipated in years. How are you preparing for the Dragon?”
Rey Mysterio Jr.: “Well you know it’s tough, Jeremy. Ultimo Dragon was one of, if not my greatest opponent in WCW’s Cruiserweight Division. An injury took him out and I honestly thought we’d never cross paths again. I’m studying everything, but I don’t know if this is the same man from four, five years ago. We had some great battles back then. I got him a few times and he got me a few times. I’m confident, I’m excited, but at the same time, I understand the challenge that lies ahead of me.”
Jeremy Borash: “What will it take to defeat the Ultimo Dragon?”
Rey Mysterio Jr.: “The one thing Ultimo Dragon’s has that really no one else in the world can compare to is an extremely high level of discipline. There’s not going to be a mistake I can capitalize on or anything like that. If I’m not at my absolute best in every moment of the match, I won’t win. Now I know I can be at my best the whole time, and that is why I’ll be Cruiserweight Champion. But, I know it will be tough. I mean he just came back and immediately took down one of the best in Tajiri for the title.”
Jeremy Borash: “Tonight, you team with Ultimo Dragon and your friend Billy Kidman against the Full-Blooded Italians. Any concern that your opponent in 13 days is your teammate tonight.”
Rey Mysterio Jr.: “None at all, Jeremy. Not only does Ultimo Dragon have great discipline, he has great honor as well. Plus, I’ll be right on the apron when he’s in the ring, I may be able to pick up something. Whatever the case, I’m looking forward to tonight, and looking forward to the match at Revenge.”
::COMMERCIAL BREAK::
As we return to Nitro, Scott Steiner is bragging about beating down Sean O’Haire, as Eric Bischoff and X-Pac look to leave with him in their rental car.
Scott Steiner: “…as long as the checks come in from Triple H or you, Eric Bischoff, I’m gonna keep beating up Sean O’Haire! I have a bone to pick anyway with him so it’s killing two birds with one stone to me! Tell Triple H he ain’t gotta worry, next week, I’m gonna kick Sean O’Haire’s ass so badly he won’t make it….”
Sean O’Haire storms towards Steiner, who gets in the rental car…which drives off. O’Haire is left frustrated in the parking lot. He picks up a wooden pallet and tosses it across the lot, nearly hitting some of the production crew. Shane McMahon appears to calm O’Haire down, and tells O’Haire he’s got Steiner next week.
***
The crowd erupts as Sting makes his way to the ring!
Sting: “Boy does it feel good to be back in Macon, Georgia for MONDAY NIGHT NITRO! WOOOO! While I’m glad you’re all happy to see me, I know I kinda left things vague last month. I told all of you and everyone around the world that I only had one thing left to do in professional wrestling and that was find out if I could beat Shawn Michaels. I had nothing else to prove. At Starrcade, I proved I could beat him. In my mind that was it. I made my comeback, I beat maybe the greatest in-ring competitor in the history of professional wrestling, and I did it in one of the biggest main events in Pay-Per-View history. I was done, and I was glad to finish on top. I was at the top of my game!”
“…sorry, let me correct myself. I AM on top of my game. Now I still have nothing to prove, but it ain’t about that anymore. I’m not back because I need to be. I’m back for two reasons. One, I’m back for every Stinger out there who still cheers every night they watch. For every older Stinger who needs me to be that role model for their younger Stinger, I owe them. For all those young Stinger who are looking for someone to look up to in this ring, I’m here for them. I’m back not only all of you, but I’m back for me. I don’t need this. I WANT this! Like I said, I’m at the top of my game. So I got to thinking, there’s a lot of great talent out there I’ve yet to face. Who wouldn’t love to see Sting against Kurt Angle? Some of those new guys, guys like Sean O’Haire, boy I’d love a shot against him. And hey, gotta rehash some old rivalries, right? I mean, who doesn’t want to see me kick Ric Flair’s ass one more time? So we’ve got a lot of work to do. Oh, and by the way. Something else I can’t stop thinking about. I haven’t worn the WCW World Championship in four years. Thank you Shane McMahon, because that’s another thing I came back for. At Revenge, I’m going to break this slump and be WCW World Champion one more time!”
The crowd goes wild at the idea of Sting becoming WCW World Champion again…but those cheers turn to boos when a familiar voice is heard.
Paul Heyman: “Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute.”
Sting: “Ha, well here’s someone I would have been fine with never seeing again.”
Paul Heyman: “Well you better get used to seeing me because this is not your WCW anymore! You know you started listing all these new talents you wanted to face in this ring. Well you forgot a name, and that name is Brock Lesnar! I’ve waited a long time for this moment, Sting. See we have to go back a decade for this one. At one time, before the New World Order. Before DX. Before all these supergroups in wrestling there was the Dangerous Alliance! A young handsome fellow named Paul E. Dangerously looked to take over WCW. And things were going just fine…until YOU and your stupid Squadron got involved. That young man, Mr. Dangerously, retreated at first, but then CHANGED THE BUSINESS when he, as Paul Heyman, created Extreme Championship Wrestling! While I always be proud of ECW, I always knew that wasn’t the long game. Brock Lesnar, that’s the long game! It took a decade for me to get back here and I’ll be damned if you step in my way again.”
Sting: “Hey, your boy wants to fight, I’m up for anyone at any time!”
Paul Heyman: “Unfortunately, Brock Lesnar is not here tonight. But I promise you….”
The Giant slowly stomps to the ring, with Paul Heyman looking terrified. Sting on the other hand, stands defiantly in the ring.
The Giant: “Well isn’t that too bad about Brock. Sting, you have a bigger problem on your hands. You say you’re ready for anyone at any time. Well guess what, so am I!”
Sting: “You’ve got it big man!”
The Giant: “You have all these people being in awe of you. Shane. Heyman. These people. You’re not gonna get that from me. I’ve crushed you before, and I’ll crush you tonight!”
The Giant: “The hell you want?”
Booker T stands on the ramp, addressing Heyman, Giant, and Sting, who stand in the ring.
Booker T: “The hell I want. I felt like I had to come out here to remind you all of something. Everyone’s out here calling out Sting. Sting ain’t the WCW World Champion, I am! Sting, I think it’s cool that you’re back and I’m all for you getting your title shot with Giant, with Brock, at Revenge. But that don’t mean you the favorite, dawg. I got the big gold belt, and I’m walking out of Revenge as champion, now dig that!”
Sting: “Hey, I got nothing but respect for you, Booker, trust me on that. But don’t get too confident. Pride cometh before the fall, and I know how to make ‘em fall!”
The Giant: “You ain’t even gonna make it out of tonight, but you are right Sting. But it’ll be me destroying Booker T, not you.”
Booker T: “You suckas think what you want. I know how it’s going down at Revenge. And Heyman, I got somethin’ for Brock too.”
Paul Heyman: “Oh really.”
Booker T: “We got Sting and Giant fightin’ tonight. Next week though, I want Brock Lesnar’s ass in this ring!”
Paul Heyman: “HAHAHAHA! You want to fight Brock Lesnar next on Nitro?”
Booker T: “You heard me sucka!”
Paul Heyman: “HA! YOU’RE ON!”
Sting is the first to leave…but Giant attacks him! Sting quickly fights back, hitting Giant with punches and chops into the corner! Sting goes for a Stinger Splash, but Giant catches him by the throat! Fans begin to cheer on Booker to make the save, but Booker just heads to the back. Giant picks up Sting and chokeslams him to the canvas!
Don West: “I can’t believe we just saw Giant manhandle Sting the way he did!”
Mike Tenay: “How will this affect Sting in his first match on Nitro in two years?”
::COMMERCIAL BREAK::
The Full-Blooded Italians (Little Guido, Tony Mamaluke, and Tracy Smothers) vs. Billy Kidman, Rey Mysterio Jr., and Ultimo Dragon (w/Torrie Wilson)
There’s some discussion from the Mysterio, Kidman, Dragon team on who starts, and Dragon slightly points to the Cruiserweight title before starting the match with Little Guido. Dragon fires some kicks and Guido immediately ducks to the corner. They eventually lockup and Guido gets a knee to the midsection. He sends Dragon off the ropes, but Dragon rolls to duck the clothesline. Dragon catches a Guido kick and hits a back leg trip. Quick cover, 1…Guido kicks out immediately. Dragon makes a tag to Kidman and Kidman leaps over the top rope and hits Guido with a shot to the back of the head. Kidman springboards off the ropes and takes Guido down with a bulldog. 1…2…Smothers runs in to break up the pin, and Rey tries to fight him off but the referee holds him back. This allows Guido a rake to the eyes, and the referee is back in position just in time to see Guido tag in Mamaluke.
Mamaluke immediately runs into a BK Bomb from Kidman! 1…2…Mamaluke just kicks out. Dropkick from Kidman! Mamaluke scurries to his corner to tag in Smothers, so Kidman tags in Rey! Smothers misses a clothesline and Rey punches away at him. Smothers reverses a whip, but Rey comes back at him with a springboard bodypress! 1…2…Guido runs into the ring ot break the count, and Kidman runs in to even the odds! Mamaluke tries to pull Dragon off the apron, but Dragon kicks him in the face, then follows by hitting the Springboard Asai Moonsault to the floor! Kidman and Rey hit a double dropkick to Smothers that drops him to the second rope. Guido, on the apron, makes the tag before Rey comes running in with the 619! Rey tries to springboard to Drop the Dime on Smothers, but Guido pulls him off the top rope and drives him to the canvas! Guido backdrops Kidman over the top rope, but when he tries to cover Rey he gets hit with a moonsault from the top rope from the Dragon! Dragon locks Guido in the Dragon Sleeper, and Guido taps out, but since Dragon isn’t the legal man the referee doesn’t call it.
Dragon hops back onto the apron and tries to get the crowd into the match as Rey crawls towards him. Smothers grabs Rey from behind, but Rey elbows himself free and hits Smothers with a spinning heel kick. Rey makes the tag to the Dragon, and Dragon knocks Smothers out of the ring with a flurry of kicks! Guido tries for a German suplex, only Dragon lands on his feet behind him! Dragon gets a kick to the midsection, then plants Guido with the Asai DDT! 1…2…3!
Winners: Billy Kidman, Rey Mysterio Jr. and Ultimo Dragon when Dragon pinned Guido in 8:03
Rey, Kidman, and Torrie celebrate as Dragon quickly grabs the Cruiserweight Title. Dragon and Rey have a brief staredown before Dragon leaves the ring with the title. Rey nods his head, seemingly understanding the challenge that lies ahead for him at Revenge.
***
The camera heads to the locker room, where Eddie Guerrero is taping his wrist, and Chavo Guerrero Jr. sits down next to him.
Chavo Guerrero Jr.: “You ready?”
Eddie Guerrero: “Yeah I’m ready!”
Chavo Guerrero Jr.: “Just like we planned it. We do it that way and we’ll be #1 contenders.
Chavo slaps Eddie on the shoulder before heading out to the ring. The camera captures a look of uncertainty for Eddie though, as it seems his confidence isn’t quite back yet.
***
#1 Contender for the WCW World Tag Team Championship – One Fall
Christian and Rene Dupree vs. Elix Skipper and Shane Helms (w/Monty Brown) vs. Los Guerreros vs. Fit Finlay and William Regal
Regal and Skipper start the match. Regal tries to lock-up with Skipper, but Skipper is too quick for him and catches Regal with a dropkick. Skipper gets some shots in on Regal but Regal stops him with a European uppercut. Regal takes Skipper down and tags in Finlay. Regal holds up Skipper as Finlay goes for a punch, but Skipper gets his feet up, runs up Finlay, flips over behind Regal, the dropkicks Regal into Finlay. Skipper tags in Helms, who springboards off the top rope and hits Finlay with a clothesline! Cover, 1…2…Finlay kicks out. Enzugiri knocks Finlay into Christian’s corner, and Christian makes the tag. Christian misses a clothesline and Helms hits a hip toss. Helms backdrops Christian onto the floor, then comes off the ropes and hits a somersault senton to the floor!
Regal and Finlay get into the ring and tease stereo suicide dives, before hilariously changing their mind at the last minute. Los Guerreros now stand behind them though and punch away at Regal and Finlay! On the outside Rene Dupree picks up Helms and slams him into the ringpost. Skipper comes off the apron and catches Dupree with a diving hurricanrana! Finlay comes from behind Skipper and slams him into the barricade. As Chavo runs the ropes in the ring, Christian trips him. Christian slides back into the ring and attacks Eddie, who was punching at Regal. Christian tries to set up Eddie for the Unprettier, but Helms is back in the ring and he hits Christian with a leg lariat! Helms drops Christian with the Eye of the Hurricane, but Regal comes from behind Helms and hits the Regalplex! Regal covers Helms, 1…2…Eddie hits a basement dropkick to Regal’s head to break up the count. Guerrero hooks Regal and hits a suplex…before swiveling the hips and hitting a second suplex. Eddie goes for a third, but Finlay hits him from behind.
Elix Skipper comes off the top rope and hits Finlay with a missile dropkick! He goes for the cover, but Chavo tosses him through the ropes and to the floor to break it up. Dupree attacks Chavo, but Chavo catches him with a flying head scissors. Christian shoves Chavo into the turnbuckles, but Eddie tries to get Christian with a backslide, 1…2…Christian kicks out. Eddie catches Christian with a punch, but when he goes for another one his knee buckles and he goes down! Christian laughs and stomps on Eddie’s knee before posing to the crowd. Chavo looks to save his uncle, but Christian gets the better of him. Regal slides in with brass knuckles on his hand, but Eddie suddenly springs up, takes the brass knucks, and nails Regal with them!Eddie goes back to pretending to be hurt as Christian turns his attention back towards him…and Eddie blasts Christian with them! Eddie makes the cover, 1…2…3!
Winners: Los Guerreros when Eddie pinned Christian in 9:22
Los Guerreros celebrate up the ramp as they are the new #1 Contenders. Regal looks dazed and Dupree helps carry Christian to the back. Skipper, Helms, and Monty Brown all stand at ringside, disappointed.
::COMMERCIAL BREAK::
Mike Tenay: “Welcome back to Nitro. As we prepare for tonight’s main event, I wanted to make sure you at home know what’s happening next week on Nitro, the final Nitro before Revenge.”
Don West: “It’s a huge show next week, Mike! Brock against Booker!DDP defends the US belt against Jarrett!”
Mike Tenay: “Also, Sean O’Haire faces Scott Steiner in a rematch from Starrcade. Lastly, I will be conducting a face-to-face interview between Kurt Angle and Ric Flair earlier that day. It’s going to be one hell of a show! Make sure to tune in next week!”
Don West: “Hey, look, Paul Heyman’s coming down to join us.
Mike Tenay: “Hi Paul.”
Paul Heyman: “Mike, Don. If you don’t mind, and I don’t care if you do really, I’m going to sit besides here two as I have some last-minute scouting to do.”
WCW World Champion Booker T also heads to the commentary desk.
Paul Heyman: “Do we really need you out here?”
Booker T: “Shut up, Heyman. Instead of being out here you should be reaching out to Brock and letting him know he’s getting an ass-kicking next week!”
Paul Heyman: “We’ll see about that!”
Mike Tenay: “For the first time since March of 2001, Sting is wrestling on Nitro!”
The Giant vs. Sting
Giant slowly walks up to Sting, but Sting immediately blasts him with right hands! Giant wildly swings at Sting but misses. Giant manages to counter a whip into the corner, but Sting moves as Giant goes for an elbow smash! Sting hits Giant with some more punches, then backs up and goes for the Stinger Splash…only Giant gets a boot up that stops Sting in his tracks! Giant hits Sting with a hard blow to the back, then chokes him with the big boot in the corner. Giant slaps Sting on the chest so hard that the sound echoes throughout the arena. Giant tosses Sting from the corner, then lands an elbow drop. Cover, 1…2…Sting kicks out. Giant sends Sting off the ropes but Sting ducks the clothesline, then tries for a crossbody that goes nowhere as Sting just bounces off Giant!
Paul Heyman: “Let me tell you, outside of Brock Lesnar, there is no athlete more impressive physically than The Giant!”
Giant puts his knee against Sting’s head and stomps the mat. Sting looks a bit dazed, but he gets some punches in to defend himself. Giant will have none of that as he presses Sting above his head and tosses him face-first into the top turnbuckle. Sting staggers around the ring as Giant grabs him by the throat, only Sting kicks the knees to free himself. Sting comes off the ropes, but Giant catches him with a headbutt. Giant goes for another elbow, but Sting rolls out of the way! Giant backs up into the corner, and Sting hits a Stinger Splash! Sting backs up and hits another Sting Splash! Giant stumbles out of the corner as Sting climbs to the second rope. Sting knocks Giant down with a flying clothesline! Sting then locks Giant in the Scorpion Deathlock!
Booker T: “Man, Sting is gonna be one tough man to beat at Revenge.”
Paul Heyman: “You keep worrying about Sting, you’ll forget who the real threat is, Brock Lesnar!”
Booker T: “Why don’t you shut up about Brock Lesnar for once!”
Paul Heyman: “Why don’t you come and make me!”
Booker T gets up from his chair…only to get blindsided by Brock Lesnar!
Mike Tenay: “I thought he wasn’t here! Look out!”
Lesnar beats the hell out of Booker T at the commentator position, which catches the eye of Sting. Sting releases Giant and dares Lesnar to come into the ring. Lesnar teases coming down to the ring, but that allows Booker T to gain the upper hand! Giant nails Sting from behind as the distraction may have cost Sting the match. Giant pounds away on Sting, while on the ramp Lesnar regains control, picks Booker T up on his shoulders and F5s him through the commentator’s desk!
Paul Heyman: “Oh my god!”
Giant gets Sting up for the chokeslam, but Sting counters and lands behind him. Sting pulls Giant’s hair back for a Scorpion Deathdrop, but Lesnar runs down to the ring and clotheslines Sting, causing the DQ!
Winner: Sting by DQ in 10:05 when Brock Lesnar interfered
Lesnar beats down Sting, before picking him up and nailing the F5!Paul Heyman celebrates at ringside…before quickly becoming horrified as Giant grabs Lesnar by the throat and chokeslams him! Giant grabs Sting…and chokeslams him as well! Heyman backs away up the ramp, with Giant slowly marching towards him. Giant stomps at the destroyed commentator’s desk, picks up the WCW World Championship title belt, and raised it over his head as he roars to the crowd! Giant tosses the belt at Booker T’s broken body as Nitro goes off the air!
::END SHOW::
Quick Results
Chris Candido and Lance Storm defeated the New Age Outlaws by DQ when Vader and Ken Shamrock interfered
X-Pac defeated Sean O’Haire by countout
Billy Kidman, Rey Mysterio Jr., and Ultimo Dragon defeated the FBI (Little Guido, Tony Mamaluke, and Tracy Smothers) when Dragon pinned Guido
#1 Contender for the WCW World Tag Team Championship
Los Guerreros defeated William Regal and Fit Finlay, Elix Skipper and Shane Helms, and Christian and Rene Dupree when Eddie pinned Christian
Sting defeated the Giant by DQ when Brock Lesnar interfered
Champions
WCW World Champion
Booker T (Defeated Kurt Angle on 12-29-02)
ECW World Champion
Rhyno (Defeated Raven on 1-12-03)
WCW United States Champion
Diamond Dallas Page (Defeated Bam Bam Bigelow on 1-12-03)
ECW Television Champion
Shelton Benjamin (Defeated Tajiri on 10-27-02)
WCW World Tag Team Champions
The Archdiocese of Dudleyville (Defeated Diamond Dallas Page and The Giant on 10-7-02)
ECW World Tag Team Champions
Jamie Noble and Kid Kash (Defeated Rob Van Dam and Sabu on 12-29-02)
World Cruiserweight Champion
Ultimo Dragon (Defeated Tajiri on 12-29-02)
World Women’s Champion
Gail Kim (Defeated Victoria on 12-29-02)
Roster
AJ Styles: – Jerry Lynn took AJ Styles under his wing in early 2002, resulting in them winning the ECW World Tag Team Titles at Barely Legal II. They dominated the ECW Tag Team division for most of the year until losing the titles to Rob Van Dam and Sabu at November to Remember. Lynn and Styles failed to win back the titles at Starrcade, although they did eliminate RVD and Sabu. Lynn and Styles failed to regain the titles at Guilty As Charged
The Archdiocese of Dudleyville: – The Dudley Boyz lost the WCW World Tag Team Championship back in April to Diamond Dallas Page and The Giant, then disappeared after a loss to Tommy Dreamer, The Sandman, and Balls Mahoney at ECW Barely Legal II. They returned in early October…but under a religious gimmick. Brother Bubba and Reverend D-Von, joined by the monstrous Deacon Batista, regained the WCW Tag titles and even seemed to kidnap Spike Dudley on an edition of ECW Rise. It looks like Spike has joined back with his brothers based on what happened on the 10/31 RISE. They’ve also been feuding with the trio of Elix Skipper, Shane Helms, and Monty Brown. They also have issues with Dreamer and Sandman because of the kidnapping of Spike. They took out Dreamer and Sandman for seemingly for good at N2R. After Deacon Batista’s loss to Monty Brown on Nitro, The Dudleys and Batista will face Elix Skipper, Shane Helms, and Brown at Starrcade in a Six-Man Tag Team Match with the WCW World Tag Team Titles on the line. Batista powerbombed Spike post-match, blaming him for the loss. They retained the titles at Starrcade. They may have finished off the LOD as well. They’ll face Los Guerreros at Revenge
Bam Bam Bigelow: – 2002 was a tough year for Bam Bam as he lost any major matches he was a part of. A short-term team with Gangrel fell apart late in the year. Shocked DDP for the US title on the first Nitro of 2003…but lost it back to him six days later at Guilty As Charged. Bigelow took a shot at ECW World Champion Rhyno on RISE, but Rhyno would defeat him
Billy Kidman: – It has been an up and down year for Kidman. After some early battles with Raven and his Warriors, Kidman challenged Christian thoughout the year for the US Title but didn’t win the title. He’s now again become a target of Raven’s Warriors mostly due to his past with Raven and his friendship with Rey Mysterio Jr.
Booker T: – When this new WCW formed, Booker T had a chance to become the #1 Contender for the WCW World Championship, but lost to Kurt Angle at Starrcade 2001. Booker has since been trying to fight his way back to contention. A long feud with R-Killa (Ron Killings) occupied Booker throughout the summer until Booker finally dispatched him in an actual Harlem Street Fight at ECW Anarchy Rulz. Booker T had another chance to win the WCW World Championship as he won a fan vote over Kurt Angle (100%-0%!) to face HHH at Cyberslam, but HHH prevailed in a half-hour classic. Booker T was on the WCW Team that beat the NWO at War Games, which led to a match with Brock Lesnar at Halloween Havoc (Lesnar, while not a NWO member, was on team NWO for the match). Lesnar managed to defeat Booker at Halloween Havoc, but Booker has vowed revenge, while also declaring entry in the WrestleWar. He also may have picked up an ally in Lesnar’s former partner Shelton Benjamin. The feud with the New World Order has picked back up, with HHH blasting brother Stevie Ray with a sledgehammer. Booker T would win the WrestleWar to earn a WCW World Title shot at Starrcade 2002…and held off Triple H two nights later to hold onto that title shot. Booker T converted that title shot into his 5th WCW World Championship. He defeated R-Killa once again to retain the title in his first PPV defense. Now, it looks like he has three challengers ahead of him: Brock Lesnar, Giant, and Sting
Brock Lesnar: – After dominating ECW from his debut at Starrcade 2001 (December) through Anarchy Rulz 2002 (August), Lesnar surprised the world when he teamed with the NWO for War Games with the condition that if the NWO won, Triple H would give him a WCW World Title shot. Lesnar’s shortcut to the WCW title didn’t work and this led to a feud with Booker T. Lesnar defeated Booker at Halloween Havoc, although it seems he’s drawn the ire of ECW stablemate Shelton Benjamin. Lesnar’s manager Paul Heyman announced on Nitro that Lesnar will be a part of WrestleWar. Lesnar returned to ECW to get revenge on Benjamin’s actions at Halloween Havoc and defeated Benjamin at November to Remember. After eliminating Stone Cold Steve Austin in a War Rumble, Lesnar decided to anger Stone Cold…which bit him in the ass during the Final Battle. Lesnar will have the biggest match of career at Starrcade when he faces Stone Cold. Lesnar may have crossed a line though as he went to Austin’s best friend WWF Announcer Jim Ross’ home and assaulted him as a message. Lesnar continued his path of destruction by destroying Stone Cold at Starrcade for perhaps the biggest win of his career. Now, he has eyes on capturing the WCW World Championship
Chris Candido: – Once Justin Credible betrayed Total Impact, a spot opened for Chris Candido. Candido has helped Lance Storm and Mike Awesome in their battles against the NWO and their allies ever since. After the Outsiders cost Mike Awesome the ECW World Championship during Raven’s Nightmare, Total Impact laid out a challenge aimed to eradicate the core of the NWO: the Outsiders, once and for all. He was injured in a car accident facilitated by the Outsiders. Total Impact would defeat the Wolfpac at Starrcade.
Christian: – After an early loss to Triple H, Christian recovered in January 2002 to win the US Title and has dominated the US Title scene for most of the year. Christian has had different allies throughout his reign: The Quebecers and Rene Dupree (Dupree is still with him). He’s beaten challengers such as Test, Billy Kidman, and Booker T in title defenses. He lost the title to Kurt Angle at Cyberslam, but won it back on Nitro and is the current champion. Christian is slated to compete in the WrestleWar and has guaranteed victory all the while trying to avoid defending his US Title at all costs. DDP got the better of him at Starrcade, leaving Christian titleless
Chuck Palumbo: – Palumbo has struggled ever since partner Sean O’Haire turned against him and joined the NWO. Has had some matches with O’Haire since, but hasn’t been able to beat his former partner and friend. Has seemed to have patched things with him since O’Haire left the NWO
Daffney: – Daffney debuted alongside Victoria and has been at ringside through Victoria’s rise to World Women’s Champion. Daffney has disagreed with Victoria’s post-match attacks though, and Victoria responded in an abusive manner towards her. Daffney had enough and finally attacked Victoria at Halloween Havoc, saving Molly Marvel. Daffney would lose to Victoria at November to Remember…although she scarred Victoria by throwing tacks in her face…and did it again to cost Victoria the Women’s Title against Gail Kim at Starrcade, then made the challenge for Kim’s title. Kim would retain
Dave Taylor: – Brought in by William Regal and Fit Finlay to help them when they were battling Monty Brown, Elix Skipper, and Shane Helms
Deacon Batista: – The enforcer of the Archdiocese of Dudleyville, OVW’s former Leviathan
Diamond Dallas Page: – DDP began as a commentator, but got involved in the Tajiri-William Regal-Torrie Wilson situation. Torrie would become one of his Diamond Dolls (Stacy Keibler would join later, and Torrie would leave for Kidman in the summer). DDP then also saved Stacy Keibler from the Dudleyz and received a huge assist from the Giant. DDP and Giant battled the Outsiders for most of the summer over the WCW World Tag Team titles, and almost won the WCW Title from HHH at Clash of Champions. Recently, due to the Giant’s frustration with not getting WCW World title shots, the Giant turned on DDP. The Giant took DDP out in their match at Halloween Havoc. DDP made his return on Nitro just twelve days before Wrestle War, saving Booker T from an attack from Triple H. With the Giant reappearing, DDP wants a rematch with him, but had to settle for becoming the #1 Contender to Christian’s US Title. He said he wasn’t done with the Giant…and seemingly had Giant beat on Nitro if it weren’t for Christian. DDP would defeat Christian at Starrcade to win the US Title, and made it clear he still had the WCW World Title set in his sights. There’s a new problem for DDP now, as he’s called out Jeff Jarrett and the New Age Outlaws. Jarrett and the Outlaws responded in kind by costing DDP the US Title. DDP would win the title back six days later…then tangled with Jarrett’s group again.
Eddie Guerrero: – Now clean and sober, Eddie Guerrero returned to major league pro wrestling by winning the vacant ECW TV Title at Barely Legal II. He feuded with Rob Van Dam over the summer, trading the ECW TV title with him and losing to RVD in RVD’s 1st PPV ECW World Title defense. Guerrero eventually got the better of RVD in a special ladder match where the winner got to have any match he wanted, although it seems like Commissioner Mick Foley isn’t able to deliver. Guerrero showed up on Nitro as a result and lost a highly competitive match with Kurt Angle in the main event. Mick Foley found a suitable substitute that Guerrero accepted for the November to Remember match: Stone Cold Steve Austin. Guerrero would fail in his attempt to defeat Austin. Guerrero put on a good performance in his War Rumble as he entered #1 and made it nearly to the end. He got revenge on the man who eliminated him, Ric Flair, two nights later by costing Flair the WCW World Title. Scored a pinfall on Flair on RISE as well, but couldn’t come up with the victory against him at Starrcade. Eddie is now teaming with his nephew Chavo and looks to get back gold, tag team gold
The Eliminators: – After reuniting in 2002 and getting split up by Raven later in the year, they’ve banded together once more as Saturn was able to break away from Raven. They have their eyes on the ECW World Tag Team Championship
Elix Skipper: – After winning a couple of matches against The Hurricane, he and Shane Helms joined forces to make an exciting tag team. Recently, Monty Brown joined them and they have their sights on the Archdiocese of Dudleyville. Thanks to Brown’s victory over Batista, the Six-Man Tag Team Match between these teams will take place at Starrcade and will be for the WCW World Tag Team Title. Unfortunately, The A.O.D. prevailed at Starrcade
Fit Finlay: – Brought in by William Regal to battle Diamond Dallas Page, Finlay and Regal then feuded in the spring. Regal would knock Finlay out in a match in May…but they’d get back together later in the year and now are a trio with David Taylor
Gail Kim: – The former La Felina was destroyed by Victoria in the summer, but her triumphant return as Gail Kim led to a Women’s War Rumble victory and a title shot at Starrcade 2002, which she won for her first world title. Kim would retain the title against Daffney and Victoria at Guilty As Charged
The Giant: – The Giant signed on with Shane McMahon in an announcement made at Starrcade 2001. Giant said one thing mattered to him: the WCW World Championship. He failed to win it at Souled Out against Kurt Angle and then ended up on a different path: helping Diamond Dallas Page win the WCW World Championship in his feud with the Dudley Boyz. Giant and DDP had two reigns over the summer as they feuded with the Outsiders, trading the titles. The Giant grew tired of waiting for another WCW World title shot after their victory over the NWO at War Games and eventually turned on DDP. Giant destroyed DDP at Halloween Havoc, but upon not receiving a title match seemingly walked out on Shane McMahon on Nitro. The Giant returned at the WrestleWar, injuring then-WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan before and after his failed title defense against Kurt Angle. The Giant showed he wasn’t done with DDP either as he attacked DDP after DDP’s match with Rene Dupree on Nitro. Hulk Hogan would return the next week to save DDP from Giant, and WCW Owner Shane McMahon announced that Hogan and Giant would clash at Starrcade. The Giant accomplished something he was never able to do in the past seven years when he pinned Hulk Hogan clean at Starrcade. He now has his sights set on the WCW World Championship once again
Hugh Morrus: – Has mostly been in the lower-mid card in the Alliance era. After a loss to Chuck Palumbo, Morrus said that he was “done with this Hugh Morrus shit”
Hulk Hogan: – He originally returned at Slamboree to cost Kurt Angle the WCW World Championship in his title defense against Triple H. After HHH turned the NWO against him, Hogan was out until the night after Cyberslam in early September. Hogan returned and led WCW in a victory over the NWO in War Games. This got him a title shot at Halloween Havoc, where Hogan defeated HHH to win the title. Hogan had previously promised Kurt Angle a title shot due to screwing him over at Slamboree, and that match will take place at WrestleWar. The Giant would attack Hogan before and after that match, and he cost Hogan the title against Kurt Angle. Hogan returned to Nitro to extract revenge on Giant, cementing their match at Starrcade. The Giant would kick out of the legdrop and pin Hogan at Starrcade, potentially killing Hulkamania once and for all
Ivory: – Competed in the original World Women’s Championship tournament, but we haven’t seen a lot of her overall
Jamie Noble: – Jamie Noble originally got a break to join the Alliance when he upset Curt Hennig. Ever since he has joined up with Kid Kash in a quest to win the ECW World Tag Team Title. They’ve been close (including a 30 minute classic against champions AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn at Hardcore Heaven), but haven’t won the titles. Noble and Kash would defeat RVD and Sabu, and Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles to finally win their first ECW World Tag Team Title at Starrcade
Jazz: – Former World Women’s Champion was beaten by Victoria in the summer and has been trying to win back the title ever since
Jeff Jarrett: – Jeff Jarrett returned to WCW in a big way, by taking out Stone Cold Steve Austin with a guitar and injuring his neck, perhaps for good. Jarrett, the New Age Outlaws, Ken Shamrock, and Vader have all banded together with Jim Cornette at the helm…their motivations are unclear. So far they’ve taken out Austin, DDP, Stacy Keibler and Total Impact. He leads a 5 man team against DDP’s 5 man team at Revenge
Jerry Lynn: – Jerry Lynn took a liking to AJ Styles after watching him on Worldwide, taking him under his wing. This resulted in them winning the ECW World Tag Team Titles at Barely Legal II. They dominated the ECW Tag Team division for most of the year until losing the titles to Rob Van Dam and Sabu at November to Remember. They failed to regain the titles at Starrcade as Jamie Noble and Kid Kash won the three-way dance, and failed again at Guilty As Charged
Juventud Guerrera: – The cruiserweight division got a big boost at SuperBrawl XII when Psicosis and Juventud Guerrera returned to WCW in a #1 Contender’s Match. Guerrera would lose that match but still be a top contender to the title thoughout the summer. He’d eventually form a trio with Psicosis and Essa Rios/Papi Chilo, but Chilo is out of the picture now
Ken Shamrock: – Shamrock returned to pro wrestling at the National level at Guilty As Charged, appearing as a member of Jeff Jarrett’s group and attacking Total Impact
Kevin Nash: – Kevin Nash showed up at Slamboree as a member of the NWO, costing Kurt Angle the WCW World Championship. Nash and Scott Hall have been two of the faces of the NWO since, helping Triple H retain the WCW titles at all costs. He and Scott Hall managed to win the WCW World Tag Team Title before dropping it back to DDP and the Giant at Cyberslam. Total Impact would dominate the Wolfpac at Starrcade, leaving the state of NWO Wolfpac unknown
Kid Kash: – Kid Kash and Jamie Noble originally got together to deal with R-Killa and Mark Henry and ever since have tried to win the ECW World Tag Team Title.. They’ve been close (including a 30 minute classic against champions AJ Styles and Jerry Lynn at Hardcore Heaven), but haven’t won the titles. Noble and Kash would defeat RVD and Sabu, and Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles to finally win their first ECW World Tag Team Title at Starrcade
Kronik: – Clarke and Adams have broken away from Raven’s stable and now look to destroy Raven
Kurt Angle: – Angle won the WCW World Championship the night after Starrcade 2001, beating and crippling Ric Flair. After managing defenses against The Giant, Triple H, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Lance Storm, Angle would finally fall to Triple H at Slamboree thanks to the New World Order. Angle has essentially feuded with the New World Order since, which included beating Curt Hennig in a cage on Nitro. After a win against the NWO's Sean O’Haire at Halloween Havoc, Angle finds himself in position to win back the WCW Title at WrestleWar. He’s also had a bit of an adversarial issue with Booker T. Angle beat Booker T back at Starrcade 2001, but at Cyberslam 2002 the fans chose Booker unanimously to face Triple H for the WCW Title, something that seems to still bug Angle. Perhaps that doesn’t matter anymore as Angle would defeat Hulk Hogan to get his WCW World Title back at WrestleWar…but would drop it to Booker T at Starrcade. To get a rematch, it looks like he’ll have to defeat the man he beat for the WCW World Title the night after Starrcade 2002: Ric Flair
Lance Storm: – Storm formed a trio with Mike Awesome and Justin Credible called Total Impact and ran over the likes of Tommy Dreamer and Sandman for a few months before Kurt Angle gave him the match of a lifetime: a WCW World Title Match on Pay-Per-View at Uncensored. Storm wouldn’t win the title, and that led to an extended feud with Angle. Things changed when the NWO invaded ECW and Justin Credible turned his back on the team. Chris Candido would join the team and they’ve been feuding with the NWO and NWO allies ever since. After the Outsiders cost Lance Storm the ECW World Championship during Raven’s Nightmare, Total Impact laid out a challenge aimed to eradicate the core of the NWO: the Outsiders, once and for all. Total Impact would emerge victorious at Starrcade.
Little Guido: – The leader of the Full-Blooded Italians. His group has taken payoffs for jobs…although they haven’t always went well. Had a shot at the Cruiserweight title at November to Remember, but didn’t walk away with gold.
Mick Foley: – Mick Foley returned to ECW to support his friend, Terry Funk. That led to a confrontation with ECW World Champion Brock Lesnar. With the blessing of Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, Cactus Jack returned to and faced Lesnar for the ECW World Championship at Barely Legal II, but came up short. Foley returned in the summer to become Stephanie McMahon’s ECW Commissioner, replacing General Manager Paul Heyman. He has seemed to be especially tough on the top bad guys on the brand, specifically Eddie Guerrero and Raven. At Starrcade, Raven would attack Mick Foley…and Foley would get hit with an inadvertent GORE from Rhyno in the ECW World Title match at Starrcade. After Rhyno’s loss, Rhyno would GORE down Mick Foley again. Foley would make the deciding three count at Guilty As Charged…which resulted in a new ECW World Champion.
Mike Awesome: – Awesome formed a trio with Lance Storm and Justin Credible called Total Impact and ran over the likes of Tommy Dreamer and Sandman for a few months before battling Kurt Angle and the Eliminators. When the New World Order invaded ECW and Justin Credible turned on the group, Total Impact became fan favorites. Chris Candido would replace Credible and they would battle against NWO allies the FBI and the newly formed X-Factor. After the Outsiders cost him the ECW World Championship during Raven’s Nightmare, Total Impact laid out a challenge aimed to eradicate the core of the NWO: the Outsiders, once and for all. Total Impact would beat the Wolfpac at Starrcade. He would defeat his stablemates at Guilty As Charged to become the #1 Contender to the ECW World Championship
Molly Marvel: – The former Mighty Molly reinvented herself and was the inaugural World Women’s Champion. She would lose it to Jazz and has been trying to win it back ever since
Monty Brown: – Monty Brown is part of a trio with Elix Skipper and Shane Helms and recently just debuted to help them against William Regal, Dave Taylor, and Fit Finlay. Fun babyface trio. Due to Brown’s victory over Deacon Batista, Brown, Skipper, and Helms have a chance to win the WCW World Tag Team Title in a Six-Man Tag Team Match against the Archdiocese of Dudleyville. Unfortunately, the A.O.D. would retain the title at Starrcade
Nova: – Tonight was a bit of a serious turn for Nova, who had been part of the comical Blue World Order for most of the summer
Paul Heyman: – He started out as the General Manager for ECW until ECW Owner Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley fired him bias concerns. These concerns were due to Heyman managing Brock Lesnar, Shelton Benjamin, and C.W. Anderson at the same time. Heyman left ECW for WCW with Lesnar and remains his manager/agent.
The Phoenix: – Talented youngster who has mainly wrestled in Canada. Has had a few battles with rival La Felina in Alliance. Competed in the original World Women’s Championship tournament
Psicosis: – The cruiserweight division got a big boost at SuperBrawl XII when Psicosis and Juventud Guerrera returned to WCW in a #1 Contender’s Match. Psicosis would win the match and win the title the next night, but would then lose it to Rey Mysterio Jr. at Barely Legal II. He and Guerrera formed a trio with Essa Rios/Papi Chilo, although now he’s out of the picture
R-Killa: – Ron Killings debuted in early 2002 in ECW as R-Killa and quickly former a team with Mark Henry. Killa and Henry would shortly become ECW World Tag Team Champions and also instigated a feud with Harlem Heat, specifically Booker T. R-Killa and Booker T feuded throughout the summer, ultimately leading to a (real) Harlem Street Fight where Booker left R-Killa lying on the street at Anarchy Rulz. R-Killa would reemerge and goad Booker T into a WCW World Title match…although Booker would retain the title at Guilty As Charged. Due to his performance, Shane McMahon would recruit him to WCW the next night.
Raven: – Raven put together a group of “warriors” to help him fight a “war” against him that was coming. The first iteration of the group wasn’t much, but as of Anarchy Rulz (After a Buried Alive victory over Mortis) the new version of the warriors: Perry Saturn, Terri Runnels, Tajiri, Mikey Whipwreck, Crush, Malice, and Wrath, have dominated ECW. Raven would win the ECW World Championship at Fall Brawl. Commissioner Mick Foley has tried to even the odds as Raven uses his warriors to interfere in matches and take out his enemies. He was pinned by Rey Mysterio Jr. on the RISE before November to Remember. Survived Rey’s challenge at November to Remember. Raven would survive Rhyno’s challenge for the ECW World Championship at Starrcade. His warriors are now divided…and Raven would lose the Extreme Brawl, and the ECW Title, to Rhyno
Rene Dupree: – The 18 year old French phenom has been a heavy for Christian…and is completely smitten with Torrie Wilson
Rey Mysterio Jr.: – Returned to WCW/ECW at Barely Legal II when he defeated long time rival Psicosis to win the World Cruiserweight Championship. Has mostly wrestled on ECW shows, although he’s made some WCW appearances. He’s feuded with another long-time rival in Eddie Guerrero throughout the summer and beat Guerrero for his first open weight major singles championship: the ECW TV Title. Had two dream matches with Sabu, the second of which saw Sabu take the TV title at Cyberslam. Rey is set for his second ever shot at the ECW World Championship at November to Remember against Raven. His first was a loss in a valiant effort against Brock Lesnar at the Great American Bash. Unfortunately, he lost to Raven at N2R. Rey is now the #1 Contender to Ultimo Dragon’s Cruiserweight Championship after beating Kidman on Nitro
Rhyno: – Injured at the end of the InVasion storyline, Rhyno was the last ECW World Champion when ECW closed it doors in the beginning of 2001. Due to his neck injury, he was forced to relinquish the championship. On the inaugural episode of RISE in December of 2001, Rhyno showed up to give up the title…but said that he’d be back to “fucking kill” whomever the ECW World Champion is. Looks like Raven is the lucky man. Rhyno waved his right to sue ECW if he were to get injured again, opening the door to his victory in the Extreme Brawl on RISE to earn a shot at Raven’s title at Starrcade. Rhyno would fail in his attempt to win the title at Starrcade, accidentally GORING Mick Foley in the process. He seemingly blamed Mick too as he would hit him with another GORE afterwards. Rhyno would emerge victorious in the Extreme Brawl at Guilty As Charged, regaining the title he never lost: the ECW World Championship
Ric Flair: – Flair won his 17th World Championship from Stone Cold at Starrcade 2001…but lost it the next night to Kurt Angle. Angle injured Flair’s ankle and it was thought we’d never see Flair again, until Flair appeared in a War Rumble. Flair just fell short of winning it too as he lost to Brock Lesnar. His return title match against Kurt Angle two nights later ended in DQ thanks to Eddie Guerrero. Flair would defeat Guerrero at Starrcade 2002, then challenge Kurt Angle for a match for Revenge
Rob Van Dam: – Rob Van Dam’s dream to finally win the ECW World Championship came true after a grueling nine month journey. After coming up short against Brock Lesnar at Starrcade 2001 for the vacant title, it took RVD until Anarchy Rulz to get a one-on-one rematch, this time in a Barbed Wire Steel Cage, to beat Lesnar and win the title. He added a TV title reign over the summer too. RVD is the only person to actually beat Brock Lesnar, and he did it twice (tag match at Slamboree and at Anarchy Rulz, both by pinfall). He has since dropped the ECW Title to Raven, but is a champion once again as he and Sabu knocked off Jerry Lynn and AJ Styles for the ECW tag straps at November to Remember. Just fell short at the WrestleWar’s Final Battle against Booker T. RVD and Sabu ended up dropping the ECW World Tag Team Titles in a Three-Way to Kid Kash and Jamie Noble. His attention has turned back to the ECW World Championship. Issues with Sabu cost him a chance to win the title at Guilty As Charged
The Sandman: – ECW icon still showed up from time to time to thwart the bad guys in ECW like the Dudleys and the FBI. Was driven through a flaming table by Deacon Batista of the Archdiocese of Dudleyville at November to Remember
Sabu: – Sabu returned to ECW to help RVD in his battles with Brock Lesnar. He ended up clashing with RVD and even beat him at Barely Legal II. Bill Alfonso was able to reunite the two though and they’ve been allies ever since. Brock Lesnar defeated Sabu in a Barbed Wire ECW World Title match, and since then Sabu has primarily wrestled for the TV Title. Sabu had a couple of dream matches with Rey Mysterio Jr. which ultimately got Sabu the TV title, but he lost it to Tajiri at Fall Brawl. He and RVD regained the ECW Tag titles at November to Remember. RVD and Sabu ended up dropping the ECW World Tag Team Titles in a Three-Way to Kid Kash and Jamie Noble. Issues with RVD cost him a chance to win the title at Guilty As Charged
Scott Hall: – Scott Hall surprised everyone and showed up in the Barely Legal II ECW TV Title battle royal, although he failed to win the title. What was thought to be a cameo turned out to be a full blown return when he reformed the NWO and cost Kurt Angle the WCW World Championship at Slamboree. Hall and Nash added another WCW World Tag Team Championship to their resume over the summer as well, although they dropped the title back to DDP and Giant at Cyberslam. Total Impact would dominate the Wolfpac at Starrcade, leaving the state of NWO Wolfpac unknown
Scott Steiner: – Scott Steiner showed up in a War Rumble as a member of the New World Order, but he fell short of winning as he was eliminated by Booker T. It became more than a cameo eight nights later when he attacked Sean O’Haire to defend HHH and the NWO. Sean O’Haire got his revenge at Starrcade, easily defeating Steiner. With the status of the NWO’s future uncertain, Scott Steiner’s future is just as uncertain
Sean O’Haire: – Originally O’Haire teamed with partner Chuck Palumbo before turning to the New World Order. O’Haire has been positioned as the future of the NWO, but it’s not clear what that actually means with Triple H in charge. Previous interim WCW President Roddy Piper was a big fan of his, but O’Haire ultimately would powerbomb Piper through a table, taking him out. After losses to Kurt Angle and Booker T, as well as several mistakes trying to help Triple H, WCW owner Shane McMahon put together a match where O’Haire would face HHH with a #15 spot in a War Rumble going to the winner (and a #1 spot to the loser). In a shocking upset, O’Haire pinned HHH almost completely clean to win the match. HHH played him in the War Rumble though…but O’Haire got his revenge by not stopping Sting when Sting appeared two nights later and cost HHH a match against Booker T. O’Haire aligned himself with Booker T and Kurt Angle the next week, separating himself from the NWO for good. Sean O’Haire now has to deal with the man who replaced him in the NWO, Scott Steiner. O’Haire would defeat Steiner in minutes. Eric Bischoff dangled a match with the banned Triple H at Revenge…which Shane McMahon reluctantly granted
Shane Helms: – After some losses to Elix Skipper, he and Skipper joined forces to make an exciting tag team. Recently, Monty Brown joined them and they have their sights on the Archdiocese of Dudleyville. Thanks to Brown’s victory over Batista, the Six-Man Tag Team Match between these teams will take place at Starrcade and will be for the WCW World Tag Team Title. Unfortunately, the A.O.D. would retain the title at Starrcade
Shane McMahon: – WCW Owner who has clashed with Triple H, even losing a Last Man Standing Match to him back at Uncensored in April. Shane has been supporting WCW’s top contenders in defeating HHH for the WCW title, which happened at Halloween Havoc. With the NWO’s future likely in limbo with HHH’s loss at Starrcade, Shane McMahon will look to build a new future of WCW around new champion Booker T
Shawn Michaels: – Shawn Michaels joined his friends in the New World Order the night after Slamboree, helping Triple H wrest the faction from Hulk Hogan. HBK has been at ringside for many of HHH’s matches, causing trouble wherever he could. But things changed when Sting arrived at Halloween Havoc. Sting’s interference cost HHH not only the WCW World Title at Halloween Havoc, but again a month later in a #1 Contender’s Match against Booker T. Sting revealed that his target was Michaels. Shawn Michaels accepted the challenge and will face Sting in a Dream Match at Starrcade. In a 30-minute classic, HBK showed he still had what it took to be one of the top guys in the industry, but he ultimately fell to Sting at Starrcade
Shelton Benjamin: – Benjamin debuted as Brock Lesnar’s Mystery Partner back at SuperBrawl XII in Lesnar’s battle against Rob Van Dam and Sabu. Benjamin got some solid wins in his early ECW career, but it was clear he wasn’t a priority for Paul Heyman. Now in the post-Heyman ECW, Benjamin has made a point to take care of business for himself. This led to winning his first major championship, the ECW TV Title, at Halloween Havoc 2002. He faced off with his former friend and teammate Brock Lesnar at November to Remember, but failed to walk away with a victory. Benjamin helped lead his team to victory over Raven’s Warriors
Stephanie McMahon: – The owner of ECW realizes she’d never be accepted by ECW fans, so installed Mick Foley as ECW Commissioner and took a behind the scenes approach to running the company. Differences with Triple H led to their divorce over the summer
Stevie Ray: – Booker T’s brother and one-half of Harlem Heat. He’s aided his brother in battles against the likes of R-Killa, Brock Lesnar, and the New World Order. Most recently he was blasted over the head with a sledgehammer by Triple H…although he showed up to help his brother hold onto his title shot in a match with HHH. Celebrated with his brother after Booker T won the WCW World Championship at Starrcade
Sting: – After tormenting Triple H (and costing HHH the WCW World Title), it turns out Sting’s target was not HHH, but Shawn Michaels. Sting laid out the challenge to HBK for Starrcade, and on the 12/16 Nitro Shawn Michaels accepted, leading to the Dream Match. Sting proved he could beat Shawn Michaels when he did at Starrcade 2002. Sting returned once again a few weeks later with the WCW World Championship on his mind.
Stone Cold Steve Austin: – The first WCW World Champion of the Alliance Era has struggled ever since being crowned champion. After losing the title to Ric Flair at Starrcade 2001, Austin has battled the likes of Kurt Angle and Triple H in trying to regain the title, to no avail. Before he challenged Eddie Guerrero on RISE in November, Austin was last seen battling Triple H for the WCW World Title in a Triple Cage Match at the Great American Bash, a match he’d lose. Austin claimed that Guerrero has the fire he needs to get back to being Stone Cold, and Austin would defeat him at N2R. Austin would be eliminated by Brock Lesnar in a War Rumble, but Austin took exception to Lesnar’s post-elimination antics…and in turn cost him the Final Battle. Austin accepted a challenge from Lesnar for a match at Starrcade. Austin put up a hell of a fight, but Lesnar would beat Austin and leave Austin battered and beaten. Austin announced his retirement the next night…before Jeff Jarrett arrived and took him out with a guitar, seemingly causing a severe neck injury.
Super Crazy: – Cruiserweight Champion who has traded the title with Tajiri in the summer and has regularly defended the title, but lost it in a three-way at November to Remember against Tajiri and Little Guido
Tajiri: – Tajiri started off as a pawn for William Regal as Regal looked to break up Tajiri and his girlfriend Torrie Wilson. Tajiri would turn on Wilson though, leading to a sinister heel turn. He briefly would join the Sinister Minister is his feud against Raven, but would end up joining Raven too at Anarchy Rulz. Won the Cruiserweight title back at November to Remember, but dropped it to Ultimo Dragon at Starrcade. Tajiri, trying to protect friend Mikey Whipwreck, turned on Raven on RISE…only for Whipwreck to turn on him. Tajiri would not win the title at Guilty As Charged, but he did get some more shots in on Raven
Tazz: – Tazz started the Alliance era strong when he captured the US Title from Kurt Angle back in December 2001, but neck injuries slowed him down. An ECW World Title loss to Brock Lesnar at Uncensored 2002 began the fall, and Shelton Benjamin finished off his career at Barely Legal II. Tazz now works commentary with Joey Styles
Test: – The Alliance Era has been a mixed bag for Test. He started off as ECW Owner Shane McMahon’s bodyguard, but quickly was taken out by the Giant. Ever since he’s been in the middle of the card, recently losing matches to Billy Kidman. He did pick up a win against Meng
Tommy Dreamer: – ECW loyalist shows up from time to time to defend ECW and fend off rivals such as Raven and the Dudleys. Was driven through a flaming table by Deacon Batista of the Archdiocese of Dudleyville at November to Remember.
Triple H: – Recovering from a quadriceps tear, HHH was a special acquisition to the Alliance from Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley and debuted at Starrcade 2001 with a win over Christian. After feuding with Steve Austin, HHH would win the WCW World Championship from Kurt Angle at Slamboree thanks to assistance from the original three of the New World Order. This was a trap though, as HHH, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Shawn Michaels would blindside Hulk Hogan the night after Starrcade and create a Green and Black version (which also led to a divorce with Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley). HHH had fended off all challengers for his WCW Title (a list that included Diamond Dallas Page, The Giant, Kurt Angle, Steve Austin in a Triple Cage Match, and Booker T). His NWO lost War Games though, and by extension HHH lost the title to Hogan at Halloween Havoc. HHH’s hold on the New World Order is in jeopardy as he was shockingly beaten by Sean O’Haire on Nitro. HHH fell short in the War Rumble, making it to the end but losing to Rob Van Dam. Two nights later HHH challenged Booker T for his WrestleWar title shot…but would lose after Sting reappeared. After learning Sting was after Shawn Michaels, HHH fired the last bullet in his gun, offering his WCW career in exchange for getting added to the WCW World Championship Match at Starrcade…a move that would cost him his Alliance career as he failed to win the match. Eric Bischoff has helped HHH gain one more WCW match against Sean O’Haire at Revenge. If the Game can win…he’ll be re-instated.
Ultimo Dragon: – Ultimo Dragon has won a chance at Tajiri’s World Cruiserweight Championship at Starrcade, and converted that opportunity into his first title reign in over four years. Now, he must face perhaps his greatest rival in a title defense at Revenge: Rey Mysterio Jr.
Victoria: – Victoria debuted alongside Daffney and ran through the Women’s division, quickly becoming World Women’s Champion. She’s been abusive of Daffney though when Daffney attempted to stop Victoria during post-match attacks, but Daffney stood up to her at Halloween Havoc. Victoria survived a surprisingly violent encounter with Daffney at November to Remember 2002 and again on RISE three days later. Months ago she destroyed La Felina and stole her mask…but Felina has returned as Gail Kim and the two women will face one another at Starrcade for the World Women’s Title. Kim would defeat Victoria…with a little help from Daffney
William Regal: – Former WCW commissioner had an on-and-off feud with Fit Finlay throughout the summer. He now teams with him and David Taylor to form a heel trio. Lost former protégé Tajiri to the Sinister Minister, and then to Raven
Ten Man Tag Team War
Diamond Dallas Page, R-Killa, Chris Candido, Lance Storm, and Mike Awesome vs. Jeff Jarrett, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn, Ken Shamrock, and Vader
