The Wrestling World Has Changed: A 2001 WWF / WCW / ECW Story

[Bobby Barrows]

The Wrestling World Has Changed
A WWF / WCW / ECW Story

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March 12th, 2001:

WWF Monday Night Raw opens with Vince McMahon in his office, grinning madly. He's looking at the camera and rubbing his hands in devilish delight.
​

Vince McMahon: Well, well, well. Tonight is a big night in World Wrestling Federation history, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight, I, Vince McMahon, sign the documents that will make me the sole owner of one... EXTREME. CHAMPIONSHIP. WRESTLING. A historic night indeed for me, as I crush those "hardcore" bugs once and for all. Later tonight, Paul Heyman will be here to hand over the contract and I will own ECW!

*Later that Night*

Vince McMahon and Paul Heyman stand in the ring, a table set up for Vince to sign the contract from Heyman.
​

Vince McMahon: Well, Paul, I knew sooner or later you'd come to your senses and give me what I want. Your little pissant company is now mine, dead and buried right where it belongs; a grave in Philadelphia at last.

Paul Heyman grits his teeth and frowns. Vince laughs and stands close to the table, next to the contract. He doesn't open it quite yet.​

Paul Heyman: Yeah, Vince, you may be right. ECW as a company is no more, but, ECW as an idea will never die. You know how many people in the crowd chant the letters "ECW" on a regular basis? Even in your own company, you have men and women who have been from ECW! Raven, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, and STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN! ECW won't die just like that. It'll live forever. So why don't you just sign that contract and get it the #### over with, Vinny.

Vince is amused with Heyman's little rant and nods his head, feigning interest.
​

Vince McMahon: You're absolutely right! Let's get it over with, so you can get the hell out of my ring, out of my building, and out of *my* wrestling business!

Vince grabs his pen and flips open the documents, ready to sign, when he pauses just as he's about to sign. The document already has a signature on it. Paul Heyman's frown grows into a jubilant, defiant smile.
​

Vince McMahon: What- What the hell is this!? That's not my signature! That's-

Making his grand return to the company, Shane McMahon steps out from the back. Vince McMahon has a shocked and appalled look on his face; Shane looks to be a mix of angered and defiant. He climbs into the ring and stares daggers at Vince, before finally grabbing the microphone.
​

Shane McMahon: Hello, "dad". You're right. That's not your signature. It was never going to be your signature, Vince. I've seen what you've done these last few weeks. What you've done to your own wife, and my mother. What you've done to Mick Foley, and your little "affair" with Ms. Stratus. Vince... you're a rat bastard and I decided to hurt you where I knew it would hurt most: your ego. That's right, dad: I bought ECW right from under you.

Paul Heyman and Shane shake hands and laugh at Vince, who's completely dumbstruck and can't believe what he's heard. Shane isn't finished though.
​

Shane McMahon: You know, dad- As good as this feels, you know what else would feel good? Hurting you further-

Shane throws the mic at Vince and tackles him to the ground, throwing lefts and rights at the owner of WWF. Vince struggles to get away but escapes thanks to the help of Mr. William Regal, who comes down to save Vince from the beatdown by his son. Shane stands and grabs a microphone again.
​

Shane McMahon: Vince! I'm gonna make you pay for what you've done to mom. I want you at WrestleMania, Vince. I'm gonna kick your ass!

Vince McMahon is absolutely livid and too angry to think reasonably, so he points and Shane and yells, "You're on son, I'm gonna take you to the woodshed you entitled prick!"

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​

March 26th, 2001:

*Later That Night*

Vince comes out, ecstatic that he now owns WCW, the company that came close to buying him out. He goes on a tirade about what it means to now own wrestling, and how he was gonna bury WCW once and for all when the deal became finalized at WrestleMania X-Seven.
​

Vince McMahon: ... My son Shane may have bought ECW from under me, but I will not let WCW slip through my fingers! I know for a fact he's been too busy getting ready to fight me this Sunday at WrestleMania. I've been ready for him too, however. WCW will be mine!

Vince McMahon shakes his head and looks around, as if to say "what now!?" He awaits Stephanie McMahon to come out in Cleveland, but she appears to be walking on the Titantron. It's revealed she's at the WCW Monday Nitro set at Panama City Beach, Florida. Vince is visibly confused as Steph steps into the WCW ring and takes a microphone.
​

Stephanie McMahon: Oh, Vince, Vince, Vince. You know, you're clever, really clever. But here I am, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley, in Panama City, and there you are, in Cleveland! The weather's nice, by the way, but that's not why I'm here. Opportunity knocks, and sometimes, you have to open the door and let it in. You really are clever, Vince. However, you aren't as clever as I am. You had the audacity to wait until WrestleMania to finish the deal; you were going to make Ted Turner come to *you*? Well, Vince... While you and Shane were too busy fighting amongst yourselves, I took the initiative. The deal has been already finalized. WCW has been bought... and the name on the contract does say McMahon...

Vince's eyes begin bulging out as he can't believe what he's hearing. He shakes his head, knowing what's coming.
​

Stephanie McMahon: But it doesn't say Vince, or Shane... it says Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley. Sorry Vince, and if you're listening, sorry Shane. Looks like the Billion Dollar Princess was just a little faster. And one more thing. I have an ace up my sleeve, Vince. I'd like to introduce to you now the newest star for WCW: TRIPLE H!!!

Vince practically dies inside as this news is killing his ego. Not only did he lose WCW, but he lost Triple H. Out comes Triple H to the WCW set with a smirk on his face as the crowd in Panama loses it. The show comes to a close as Jim Ross shouts, "WHAT WILL HAPPEN THIS SUNDAY AT WRESTLEMANIA!?"

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April 1st, 2001
Houston, Texas
The Astrodome

WWF Intercontinental Championship
Chris Jericho (c) defeats William Regal

Six-Man Tag Match
Tazz & The APA defeats Right To Censor w/ Stevie Richards

WWF Hardcore Championship
Triple Threat
Kane defeats Raven (c) and The Big Show

WWF European Championship
Eddie Guerrero w/ Perry Saturn defeats Test (c)

Kurt Angle defeats Chris Benoit

WWF Women's Championship
Chyna defeats Ivory (c)

Street Fight
Special Guest Referee Mick Foley
Shane McMahon defeats Vince McMahon w/ Trish Stratus

WWF Tag Team Championship
TLC Match
Edge and Christian w/ Rhyno defeats The Dudley Boyz (c) w/ Spike Dudley and The Hardy Boyz w/ Lita

Gimmick Battle Royal
The Iron Sheik eliminates Hillbilly Jim to win

The Undertaker defeats Triple H

WWF Championship
No-Disqualification
Steve Austin defeats The Rock (c)

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​

April 2nd, 2001:

Vince McMahon stands in the ring with welts on his face and over his body, beaten badly from his loss to Shane McMahon at last night's WrestleMania. He's angry about what's happened in the last month and a half and he demands everyone's attention.
​

Vince McMahon: Laugh it up all you want, Shane. You won last night. But I still am a winner. You may have bought ECW from me, and Stephanie, my pride and joy, may have bought WCW from me, but I still own the WWF. If you two want to challenge me, all I can bid you is good luck, because you're going to have none against me. Ted Turner couldn't beat me, Paul Heyman couldn't even compete with me. What makes you think you two have a chance in hell as long as I run the show?

Vince is completely unable to get a break, as the hits keep on coming. Vince's wife and former CEO of WWE, Linda McMahon comes out and stares down Vince, who cowers in the presence of his wife.
​

Linda McMahon: Vince, before I start, I just want to tell you, I hate you. You got exactly what you deserved last night at the hands of our son Shane, and I admit it felt good kicking you where you had it coming. With that out of the way, I'm afraid I have some bad news for you.

Vince McMahon: What could possibly be any worse than what's happened to me the last month!?

Linda McMahon: You're right. What could possible be worse than getting embarrassed by the rest of your family week in and week out? That's what I've come to tell you. You see, the board of directors had a meeting this morning. They do not believe in your ability to lead after failing to secure the acquisitions of Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling. Furthermore, your... degrading behavior as CEO has made them uneasy about the future of the company. So they've decided... to remove you as CEO and install someone they see as worthy of the position.

Vince McMahon covers his face in dismay as it looks to be a final act of adding insult to injury after everything he's endured the last month.
​

Vince McMahon: Well, who is it- Who replaced me?

Linda McMahon: Me.

Linda grins as Vince shakes his head and acknowledges what happened, slowly walking away, but being stopped.
​

Linda McMahon: Oh, and another thing. Stephanie and Shane have agreed to part with ECW and WCW in exchange for their continued leadership of the respective brands. They were paid handsomely, with *your* money. As such, I have an announcement to make. On April 30th, World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling will be returning to your televisions. Not only that, a draft will be taking place, where every superstar on the roster will be eligible to be drafted... except for two superstars selected by each brand. In charge of ECW and WCW is Shane and Stephanie respectively... but the man in charge of the WWF is... Vince McMahon.

Vince's face lights up in surprise, looking at Linda with shock.
​

Linda McMahon: I'm giving you a chance to compete against your children, so I can see how they kick your ass. I would wish you good luck, but you don't deserve it.

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Let the War Begin Again​

 

[Bobby Barrows]

WWF / WCW / ECW Rosters
May, 2001
​

WWF:

Main Eventers:

Big Show
Bill Goldberg
Chris Jericho
Diamond Dallas Page
Hollywood Hogan
Kane
Ric Flair
Scott Steiner
Steve Austin
The Rock
The Undertaker

Upper Midcarders:

Buff Bagwell
Curt Hennig
Goldust
Raven
Rey Mysterio
Val Venis
William Regal

Midcarders:

Dean Malenko
Disco Inferno
Fit Finlay
Konnan
Mark Jindrak
Steven Richards
The Godfather

Lower Midcarders:

David Flair
Mark Henry
Juventud Geurrera
Steve Corino

Opener:

John Cena
Lance Cade
Low Ki
Nick Dinsmore
Randy Orton

Enhancement Talent:

James Storm
Rodney Mack

Women's Division:

Chyna

Occasional Wrestlers:

Jim Neidhart
Jake Roberts

Not Assigned Yet:

Ken Shamrock (MMA FIght)
Sid Vicious (Injured)

Managers:

Debra
Sunny

Announcers:

Jim Ross

Color Commentator:

Bobby Heenan
Jerry Lawler

Referee:

Earl Hebner
Jim Korderas
Tim White

Authority Figure:

Vince McMahon

Road Agent:

Dave Hebner
Jack Lanza
Pat Patterson
Paul Bearer
Sgt. Slaughter

Personality:

Howard Finkel
Jonathon Coachman

WCW:

Main Eventers:

Booker T
Christian
Edge
Jeff Jarrett
Kevin Nash
Kurt Angle
Scott Hall
Sting
Triple H

Upper Midcarders:

Billy Gunn
Bradshaw
Chuck Palumbo
Farooq
Kanyon
Rikishi
Sean O'Haire
Test
X-Pac

Midcarders:

Albert
Billy Kidman
Grand Master Sexay
Hugh Morrus
K-Kwik
Perry Saturn
Scotty Too Hotty
Shawn Stasiak

Lower Midcarders:

Akio
Elix Skipper
Gregory Helms
Jamie Knoble
Johnny The Bull
Kaz Hayashi
Vito LoGrasso


Openers:

AJ Styles
Batista
Nunzio
Super Crazy
Tony Mamaluke


Enhancement Talent:

Charlie Haas
Ekmo Fatu
Kimo
Shelton Benjamin

Women's Division:

Jacqueline
Molly Holly
Sable
Terri
The Kat
Torrie Wilson
Trish Stratus
Victoria

Occasional Wrestlers:



Not Assigned Yet:

Brian Adams (Injured)
Bryan Clark (Injured)
Road Dogg (Rehab)
Shawn Michaels (Injured*)


Managers:

Stacy Kiebler
Gorgeous George

Announcers:

Mike Tenay
Tony Schiavone

Color Commentators:

Dusty Rhodes

Referees:

Billy Silverman
Charles Robinson
Nick Patrick

Authority Figure:

Stephanie McMahon

Road Agents:

Arn Anderson
Bruce Prichard
Gerald Brisco
Michael Hayes

Personalities:

Eric Bischoff
Gene Okerlund
Lillian Garcia
Teddy Long


ECW:

Main Eventers:

Big Show
Bubba Ray Dudley
Chris Benoit
Eddie Guerrero

Upper Midcarders:


D-Von Dudley
Jeff Hardy
Matt Hardy
Rhyno
Shane Douglas

Midcarders:

Al Snow
Chavo Guerrero
Crash Holly
D'Lo Brown
Funaki
Gangrel
Hardcore Holly
Jerry Lynn
Justin Credible
Lance Storm
Mike Awesome
Rob Van Dam
Sabu
Scott Norton
Steve Blackman
TAKA Michinoku


Lower Midcarders:

Brock Lesnar
Bull Buchanan
Chris Candido

Keiji Mutoh
Mikey Whipwreck
Sandman
Spike Dudley
Tommy Dreamer

Openers:

Rico Constantino
Rob Conway

Women's Division:

Ivory
Lita


Occasional Wrestler:

Bam Bam Bigelow
Big Boss Man
Haku
Terry Funk

Manager:

Dawn Marie

Announcers:

Joey Styles

Color Commentators:

Paul Heyman
Taz

Referees:

Chad Patton
Jack Doan
Mike Chioda

Authority Figure:

Shane McMahon

Road Agent:

Brooklyn Brawler
Johnny Ace
Steve Keirn

Personality:

Kevin Kelly

Tag Teams:​ WWF: The Brothers of Destruction (Kane and Undertaker) The Filthy Animals (Konnan / Rey Mysterio) Buff Bagwell and Val Venis Mark Jindrak and Randy Orton Showtime (Hollywood Hogan & The Rock) The Flair Family (Ric & David) The Godfather & Disco Inferno WCW: Test & Albert The New Age Outlaws The APA KroniK The World's Greatest Tag Team Edge & Christian Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo 3 Minute Warning (Ekmo & Kimo) Too Cool The Outsiders D-Generation X (Shawn Michaels & Triple H) ECW: The Dudley Boyz Los Guerreros (Eddie and Chavo) The Hollys Kaientai The Hardy Boyz

Stables:​ WWF: N/A WCW: nWo - Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Shawn Michaels The Power Trip - Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, Rikiishi ECW: N/A

Developmental:​ WWF: Bryan Danielson Joey Mercury Carlito Colon Nigel McGuinness WCW: Samoa Joe CM Punk Kevin Fertig ECW: N/A

 

[Bobby Barrows]

Your Principal Actors:

Vince McMahon
@Buff Daddy
Head of WWF

Shane McMahon
@BattleTank
Head of ECW

Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley
@Tearjerker
Head of WCW

Linda McMahon
@Char Aznable
CEO of Titan Sports

Eric Bischoff
@Chris
Creative Consultant For WCW

Brandon "Billy" Blaze
(No Relation to Commander Keen)
@Klaus
Writer for The Blaze Effect​

 

[Bobby Barrows]

Schedule
​

TV Shows:

Monday Night RAW (WWF)

Premiering on:

TNN (US & Canada)
Canal 5 (Mexico)
Sky Sports 1 (Britain and Europe)
J Sports 2 (Japan)
Foxtel (Australia)

Thunder (WCW)

Premiering on:

TBS (US)
The Score (Canada)
Canal 5 (Mexico)
Sky Sports 1 (Britain and Europe)
J Sports 2 (Japan)
Foxtel (Australia)

Extreme Warfare (ECW)

Premiering on:

MTV (US)
The Score (Canada)
Canal 5 (Mexico)
Sky Sports 1 (Britain and Europe)
J Sports 2 (Japan)
Foxtel (Australia)

​

January:

ECW Guilty as Charged (Sunday, January Week 2)

WWF / WCW / ECW Royal Rumble (Sunday, January Week 4)

February:

WCW SuperBrawl (Sunday, February Week 4)

March:

WWF No Way Out (Sunday, March Week 2)

WWF / WCW / ECW WrestleMania (Sunday, March Week 4)

April:

ECW Living Dangerously (Sunday, April Week 4)

May:

WCW Slamboree (Sunday, May Week 4)

June:

WWF King of The Ring (Sunday, June Week 4)

July:

WCW Bash at the Beach (Sunday, July Week 4)

August:

ECW Heat Wave (Sunday, August Week 2)

WWF / WCW / ECW SummerSlam (Sunday, August Week 4)

September:

WWF Unforgiven (Sunday, September Week 4)

October:

ECW Anarchy Rulz (Sunday, October Week 4)

November:

WWF No Mercy (Sunday, November Week 2)

WWF / WCW / ECW Survivor Series (Sunday, November Week 4)

December:

WCW Starrcade (Sunday, December Week 4)

 

[Bobby Barrows]

Championships:
​

WWF:

WWF Championship (Main Event)

WWF Intercontinental Championship (Midcard)

WWF Tag Team Championship

WWF European Championship (Undercard)

WWF World Television Championship (Undercard)

WCW:

WCW World Heavyweight Championship (Main Event)

WCW United States Championship (Midcard)

WCW World Tag Team Championship

WCW Women's Championship

WCW Cruiserweight Championship

ECW:

ECW World Heavyweight Championship (Main Event)

ECW World Television Championship (Midcard)

ECW World Tag Team Championship

Unbranded:

WWF Light Heavyweight Championship

 

[Bobby Barrows]

April 30th, 2001:

The show opens up in the arena as four podiums stand up on the stage, and behind each one, a McMahon. Linda McMahon welcomes the crowd to a special Monday Night Raw: Draft Edition.
​

Linda McMahon: Ladies and gentlemen, tonight, several superstars will be given a new place to call home, as we introduce several superstars into Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling. Over the weeks, these three have chosen their superstars to be exempt from the draft, and so the rest are fair game. As with the lottery last week, with the first pick in the Draft is Shane McMahon (@Ricky Spanish). The second pick is Vince McMahon (@Buff Daddy), and with the third pick, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley (@Tearjerker). The order will reverse round after round: ECW, WWF, and WCW, and then WCW, WWF, and ECW. Enough stalling then, ladies and gentlemen, let the draft begin! Shane McMahon has the floor!

 

[Hoss]

Shane McMahon: It is my privilege to represent the extremists and steer ECW into a new, wonderful future. I've been questioned a lot over the weeks about how I would run ECW and whether or not I would stay true to what ECW is at its core. I understand those concerns. In due time, my vision will become clear, but let me ease the mind of the ECW loyalists a little bit with my very first pick. Going first overall, ladies and gentlemen... ECW selects CHRIS BENOIT!

Spoiler: Picks

1. Chris Benoit

 

[Daddy Deville]

Vince McMahon: We here at the WWF. We have done our job we have scouted the roster and we believe we have found the very best to represent my company now this man is a man who has the future in his sights and can grab the brass ring. This man is not only going to take the WWF by storm he's going to take the world by storm. You can say he's going to break the walls down.

Spoiler

WWF selects.... Chris Jericho

 

[Kross Rhodes]

Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley: You guys are thinking too small. Use your heads. While you two were picking the two Chrises WCW tossed aside like scraps, we’re going back what works. We’re going back to family. As my husband says, we’re looking to our blood.

WCW picks The Outsiders as our very first pick.

Now you may be thinking that’s not thinking about he future and I have to say to that, you don’t me or WCW very well then as for our second pick we take this sports only Olympic Gold medalist, Kurt freakin’ Angle.

 

[Daddy Deville]

Vince McMahon: Well Kurt is a lost, Steph I am going to take what made WCW what took me to my limits what help define the 83 weeks and it all started with this man.

WWF Selects: Hollywood Hulk Hogan

 

[Hoss]

Shane McMahon: These next two picks are brought to you by Paul E. One for now and one for later. With our second pick in the draft, ECW selects the franchise of the original ECW, none other than Mr. PPV himself, ROB VAN DAM! And now let's follow that up with the pick that none of you would have seen coming. With our third round pick, ECW selects two time NCAA All American wrestler from the University of Minnesota... a freak athlete that we like to call "The Next Big Thing"... BROCK LESNAR!

Spoiler: Picks

1. Chris Benoit
2. Rob Van Dam
3. Brock Lesnar

 

[Daddy Deville]

Vince McMahon : Dammit Shane I taught you too much that is on me but, that is ok while I know my next pick isn't here right now. Well I know he can draw and I know that his fans will come to see this WWF exclusive superstar.

Spoiler

WWF Selects: The Rock

 

[Kross Rhodes]

Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley: I think my brother Shane may be getting senile in his old age or intentionally pretending other Shanes don’t exist like when Gregory Helms has to pretend to be a superhero to not offend him. That being said WCW already has OUR franchise in Sting, but what would WCW be without our 4-time, 4-time, 4-time, 4-time WCW Champion, Booker T. I’d do a spinaroonie, but heels.

For our next pick we’re looking at players that could somebody be the face of our organization for years to come and who wouldn’t want to not put this babyface on a poster or two or Japanese shampoo commercial.

WCW thinks we know him and we’re drafting, EDGE. However, if you think we're taking him just by himself when he's got an awesome partner in crime, you have another thing coming! CHRISTIAN is coming with him!

 

[Daddy Deville]

Vince McMahon: The WWF selects with its next pick...

Spoiler

Goldberg

 

[Hoss]

Shane McMahon: Now we're cooking. You know, it's no secret that practically any wrestler worth their salt came through ECW at one time or another. And this man is just one of those great wrestlers that ECW helped put on the map. With our fourth selection, ECW drafts EDDIE GUERRERO! We are happy to welcome Latino Heat back home and we believe he'll pick up right where he left off, putting on wrestling clinics. Now on the flipside, this next pick is not ECW bred, but they were practically MADE for the land of the extreme. With our fifth pick, ECW selects THE HARDY BOYZ!

Spoiler: Picks

1. Chris Benoit
2. Rob Van Dam
3. Brock Lesnar
4. Eddie Guerrero
5. The Hardy Boyz