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WCW Monday Night Nitro
December 10, 2001
Nassau Coliseum
Long Island, NY
We begin NITRO backstage with Shane McMahon (with Test), who looks to have an announcement on hand.
Shane McMahon: “Hello everyone. I hope everyone’s excited about Starrcade in three weeks as WCW World Heavyweight Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin defends against “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair. Tonight, as a bit of a warm-up, Stone Cold will take on Booker T. Now, there’s something sure in it for Booker T. If Booker T can pin or make the WCW World Champion submit, he will be the #1 contender, and will get a title shot at Souled Out against whomever the WCW Champion is at that time. Everyone at home, sit back and enjoy the show!"
Scott Hudson lets us know that we’re going to kick off the action with some of the youngsters of WCW.
Lash LeRoux vs. Shannon Moore
LaRoux and Moore circle one another before they lock-up. Armdrag from Moore, but LeRoux quickly comes back with a dropkick. A second dropkick sends Moore to the outside…and suddenly we have Kurt Angle coming out here! LaRoux tries to follow up on Moore, but Angle waistlocks him and slams him down with a German suplex! Moore runs at Angle and takes a shot to the face. Angle calls for a mic.
Winner: No Contest via interference in 0:58
Kurt Angle: “Booker T huh? He gets lucky in one tag match and suddenly he’s getting shots to be the #1 contender? That doesn’t work for me. I deserve to be the #1 contender and quite frankly I’ll beat the hell out of anyone in front of me to prove it! It’s absolutely ridiculous! It’s absurd!”
Shannon Moore gets back up and becomes Angle’s target.
Kurt Angle: “Hey you. Yeah you. You want a chance to be #1 contender? Apparently all that you have to do is get one lucky three count and you’re there! Come on. Let’s go! I’ll even put the [United States] title on the line!”
Shannon shakes his head yes…
WCW United States Championship
Kurt Angle © vs. Shannon Moore
As soon as Moore accepts Angle ferociously attacks, punching and kicking Moore in the corner, then throwing him across the ring with a belly to belly! Angle starts shoving Moore around, and Moore fires back with some punches. Angle takes him right back down with a vicious headbutt. Angle covers, 1…2…Moore kicks out. Angle whips Moore around and flips him over his head with a fireman’s carry, then locks in the headlock and brings Moore to the canvas. Angle then elbows Moore in the head when releasing. Angle looks out at the crowd, shaking his head and indicating that he wants the WCW World Championship. Angle turns back to Moore, and Moore surprises him with a dropkick! Moore comes off the ropes and Angle misses the clothesline…and Moore gets a flying headscissors! Moore runs at Angle one more time and Angle levels him with a big clothesline! Big release German suplex! Angle quickly locks on the Ankle Lock, and that’s it for Moore, who taps out immediately. Angle holds on for a little while longer before Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley comes out, and she tells Kurt she wants to talk.
Winner: Kurt Angle via submission in 3:27 (Retains)
::COMMERCIAL BREAK::
We come back to Nitro and a limousine arrives. The crowd erupts though as Arn Anderson opens the door…and it’s Ric Flair! Flair tells Double A that it’s great to see him again, and that he’s here to talk to Shane about Starrcade.
Stephanie McMahon Helmsley is now backstage with Kurt Angle.
Kurt Angle: “I hope you have something good for me Stephanie.”
Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley: “Just an idea here Kurt. You know I’ve always been your biggest fan. Now I can’t do anything about WCW but I know Paul [Heyman] would love to have you around on Thursday for RISE, it’s gonna be right in mid-town Manhattan. He’s going to announce who’s facing off with Rob Van Dam for what I feel will be the top championship in this business, the ECW World Championship!”
Angle doesn’t directly answer, but gives Stephanie a bit of a positive headshake.
***
Mike Tenay joins Scott Hudson and Diamond Dallas Page at the commentary table, as he excitingly talks about Essa Rios, who’s about to make his WCW debut!
WCW Cruiserweight Championship
Billy Kidman © vs. Essa Rios
Kidman and Rios tie-up and move all around the ring before they just start firing at one another. Kidman gets the side headlock, but Rios sends him off the ropes. Leapfrog follows by Kidman leaping over a monkeyflip attempt and rolling through. Kidman goes for the hip toss, but Rios tries his own, only to get blocked. He kicks Kidman instead and then gets a leg on him, but Kidman flips him over, just for Rios to land on his feet! Rios still has Kidman’s arm though and springboards three different times off the top rope, armdragging Kidman on the way down! Rios runs at Kidman and gets a flying headscissors! Cover, 1…2…Kidman kicks out. Essa Rios punches away at Kidman in the corner and tries to Irish Whip him to the opposite corner…only Kidman counters. Kidman runs after Rios, but Rios floats over and goes for a German suplex! Kidman counters though, but Rios tries to go low and roll Kidman up. Kidman uses some surprising strength and dumps Rios with a wheelbarrow suplex as a result! 1…2…Essa Rios just kicks out!
Kidman tosses Rios to the outside. He picks him up for a powerbomb, but then drops him throat first onto the barricade! Kidman heads onto the apron and flies at Rios, but Rios moves out of the way and Kidman crashes into the barricade. Kidman stumbles right into a backdrop on protective mats. Rios has complete control as he brings Kidman back into the ring. He props Kidman on the top rope and then punches away, but Kidman counters with a top rope spine bomb! Kidman tries for the cover but can’t get his weight on him, 1…2…but Rios just kicks out. Kidman tries a slam, but Rios rolls that into a pinning combination, 1…2…Kidman kicks out, then levels Rios with a dropkick! Kidman heads to the top rope and waits for Rios to get up…but when he comes off the top Rios gets him in the midsection with a dropkick of his own!
Kidman slowly gets to his feet and Rios knocks him back down with a spinning heel kick. He says that’s it and sets Kidman up for a powerbomb, but Kidman counters that into a facebuster! Kidman covers, 1…2…Rios just kicks out again. Kidman hooks the headlock for the springboard bulldog, only Rios pushes Kidman in midair over the top rope and onto the floor! Rios waits for Kidman to get up, then slingshots over the top rope with corkscrew crossbody to take out Kidman once again! Rios lands on his feet and has the crowd all fired up as he’s looking to put Kidman away. He props Kidman on the top rope and springboards in with a hurricanrana! Rios points to the top rope and heads there…and he goes for Kidman’s own move, the Shooting Star Press…only Kidman moves out of the way! Kidman slowly gets up and heads to the top himself, and he hits his own Shooting Star Press! 1…2…3! An impressive debut, but Essa Rios just falls short of winning the WCW Cruiserweight Championship in his debut.
Winner: Billy Kidman via pinfall in 12:48 (Retains)
Essa Rios gets some cheers as he heads off. While Kidman celebrates his victory…he’s attacked by Jerry Lynn! Lynn came from the crowd and stomps away on Kidman before setting him up in the middle of the ring. Cradle Piledriver! Lynn grabs the WCW Cruiserweight Championship, indicates that he wants it, then throws it on Kidman’s fallen body!
::COMMERCIAL BREAK::
Ric Flair and Arn Anderson walk into Shane McMahon’s office, where Shane, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley and Test welcome them in. Shane tells Test that he can calm down.
Ric Flair: “Shane McMahon baybay! The Nature Boy is here! Kiss-stealing, wheeling-dealing…”
Shane McMahon: “Ok, ok, we’re excited Ric for sure, but we gotta talk business a little bit.”
Ric Flair: “Whatever it is, I’m ready! WOO! Give me Austin right now for all I care! Starrcade, 17-time…17-time brother! It’s gonna happen.”
Shane McMahon: “Again, we’re all definitely excited. But, we have Steve Austin wrestling Booker T tonight, and I think it’s only fair you have a match before Starrcade as well, let’s say next week on Nitro.”
Ric Flair: “Bring it on! Who ya got for me! Who ya got for the man! Who ya got for the WOOO! NATURE BOY!”
Shane McMahon: “Well, I think it’ll be more exciting if we reveal it next week on Nitro as well.”
Arn Anderson: “Now hold on a second there Shane. This is Ric Flair you’re talking to, and there should be more resp….”
Ric Flair: “Double A, don’t worry about it brother! I waited nine months for this chance. I knew when we made our arrangement you’d come away with a stronger WCW, and boy it doesn’t get any stronger than Stone Cold Steve Austin! Mystery opponent next week! I’m in the best shape of my life! Bring it brother! Now I have a main event to watch, WOOO!”
***
WCW World Tag Team Championship
The Dudley Boyz © w/Stacy Keibler vs. Sean O’Haire and Chuck Palumbo
Palumbo and O’Haire surprise the Dudleyz by attacking right away. Bubba Ray and Palumbo become the legal men after an early four man brawl, and Palumbo takes Bubba Ray down with a big dropkick. Big discus punch sends Bubba Ray flying once again. Big powerslam and a cover, 1…2…D-Von breaks it up. Palumbo tags in O’Haire and they both slam Bubba Ray into the corner. O’Haire misses the clothesline though, and Bubba Ray takes him out with his own. In comes D-Von and Bubba Ray holds up O’Haire’s legs and D-Von comes flying in with a headbutt off the top! Another kick tag and the Dudleyz hit O’Haire with a double flapjack! Bubba Ray covers, 1…2…Palumbo runs in to break it up.
Bubba and D-Von pummel O’Haire in the corner. D-Von’s back in and continues those punches, then hits O’Haire with a neckbreaker.D-Von whips him off the ropes and goes for the backdrop, but O’Haire leaps over and gets a sunset flip! 1…2..kickout from D-Von. O’Haire leaps to tag in Palumbo. Palumbo knocks Bubba off the apron to prevent the tag, then whips D-Von off the ropes. Palumbo criss-crosses D-Von as he runs the ropes as well then levels D-Von with a clothesline! 1…2…D-Von just kicks out. Palumbo slams D-Von and then tags in O’Haire, who heads up top! Stacy Keibler gets onto the apron…and has gained the attention of Palumbo…and Bubba Ray shoves O’Haire off the top and he crashes onto the canvas. Palumbo turns around and gets hit with 3D! 1…2…3!
Winners: The Dudley Boyz when D-Von pinned Palumbo in 6:05 (Retains)
KRONIK…the fans go wild as Brian Adams, Bryan Clarke and Steven Richards heads down to the ring! The Dudleyz look ready to fight…before they hightail it out of there as soon as Kronik hit the ring. Adams and Clarke make the belt motion at their waists as the Dudleyz head to the back!
::COMMERCIAL BREAK::
Jeremy Borash is backstage with Booker T.
Jeremy Borash: “Booker T, you are minutes away from perhaps the biggest match of your career. Tonight, if you beat the WCW World Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin, you get a chance to fight either him or Ric Flair for the title at Souled Out in January.”
Booker T: “Josh, for a year, despite that I am the five-time WCW World Champion, people tell me that I beat no one to win those titles. Every night I get into that ring, in the squared circle, in my zone and I beat whoever’s in front of me. Just look at what happened to Kurt Angle last week. He’s out here, telling people he deserves to be #1 contender, well I’m out here earning it. I’ve beaten him for the WCW title and I beat him last week. Kurt Angle, non-factor sucka. People who want to say I beat no-one, even though it’s not true, when I beat Steve Austin tonight, and then when I beat Austin or Flair next month, I will be the six-time WCW Champion, and no one, no one is gonna be able to say nothin. Now can you dig that…SUCKA?!”
***
Tajiri w/William Regal and Torrie Wilson vs. Christian
Christian quickly twists the arm of Tajiri, who counters with his own arm twist and then into an armbar. Christian gets out and gets a headlock, but Tajiri sends him off the ropes and goes for a hip toss. Christian counters into his own, but Tajiri lands on his feet. Christian misses the clothesline and Tajiri decks him with a back kick to the face. Tajiri hooks Christian’s arms under his legs for a pinning combination, 1…2…but Christian kicks out. Christian fights back with forearms to Tajiri before booting him down. Falling reverse DDT from Christian, 1…2…Tajiri just kicks out. Christian goes for a suplex but Tajiri lands on his feet, then back kicks Christian again! Tajiri comes off the ropes and Christian looks to get him up for a powerbomb, but Tajiri gets the frankensteiner instead! 1…2…Christian kicks out as we almost had an upset! Tajiri goes for the Irish Whip, countered by Christian, but Tajiri comes flying back with the handspring back elbow! 1…2..Christian again just kicks out!
Christian gets a shot to the midsection to slow Tajiri down. Christian sends Tajiri into the corner, but misses the ensuring avalanche…which leads to the Tarantula by Tajiri! William Regal and Torrie Wilson begin arguing on the outside as Regal is telling her to get out of the way, and Tajiri sees this when having Christian locked in! He let’s go and yells at Regal, then hits Regal with the green mist! Christian rams Tajiri into the ringpost and then rolls him back in. Unprettier in the center of the ring, 1…2…3!
Winner: Christian via pinfall in 5:58
Regal berates Tajiri despite not being able to see, and yells at Tajiri that this is all Torrie’s fault. DDP on commentary: “If it comes to Torrie Wilson if I were Tajiri I’d kick Regal right in his face!” Dejected and probably angry, Tajiri helps Regal to the back.
***
We see Booker T doing some final stretches before his match with Stone Cold.
::COMMERCIAL BREAK::
We come back to Nitro backstage as Regal is still yelling at Tajiri as he (Regal) tries to wash the mist off his face. When doing so, Stone Cold Steve Austin walks right by them (and Torrie) with a disgusted look on his face, to which Regal and Tajiri both comically shut up. Austin takes a quick look, then decides to just continue walking to the ring.
***
Scott Hudson and Diamond Dallas Page go over the main event and discuss the importance of the WCW World Championship. Ric Flair and Arn Anderson make their way out as Flair sits besides Hudson at the desk. When Stone Cold makes his way out, he flips Flair off, drawing a laugh from Flair.
If Booker T Wins, He Gets a WCW World Title Match at Souled Out
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Booker T
Austin and Booker stand face to face as Austin takes off the vest and title.. Booker unfortunately makes the mistake of turning his back to walk back to the corner, and Austin hits him with the WCW Title, sending him to the outside. Austin continues his attack, heading to the outside and firing away at Booker. Booker fires back to the delight of the crowd, then rolls back in. Austin follows up and Booker is now the aggressive one, hitting and kicking Austin on his back. Booker sends Austin off the ropes and knocks Austin down with a flying forearm! Booker slams Austin into the turnbuckles, and as Austin stumbles out, a savate kick knocks Austin down and out of the ring! Austin uses this to catch his breath as the referee counts.
Flair: “You see, this is why Austin’s a smart man, he takes his time when he needs to. He just doesn’t realize I know.”
Austin gets back in and Booker T fires away, but Austin gets the advantage with punches of his own. Austin whips Booker off the ropes and gets the Lou Thesz Press…then punches away at Booker. Booker counters though and ends up punching away at Austin! They roll around to the outside where Booker gets some more chops. Booker tries to whip Austin into the steps, but Austin counters, and leaves Booker lying on the outside. Austin rolls in and tells the referee to count Booker out. Booker makes his way back into the ring, and Austin pounds away. Booker fires back and hits the ropes, but Austin catches him with a sleeperhold. Booker tries to fight out, but slowly loses energy and looks like he may be out.
Flair: “He’s wearing the man down. Austin’s definitely proving why he’s the best right now, but I got something for this!”
Austin has Booker on the canvas, but Booker starts to fight back. Booker gets back to a vertical base and elbows his way out! Booker comes off the ropes and runs right into a spinebuster from Austin! Cover, 1…2…Booker kicks out. Austin hits Booker with multiple forearms before locking him back into the sleeper. Booker is quick to fight out this time, and when he goes he punches and chops Austin into the corner. Booker backs up then runs at Austin, who counters by hitting Booker with a stun gun into the top turnbuckle! A cover by Austin, and he puts his feet on the ropes, 1…2…referee sees it and kicks Austin’s feet off! Austin starts yelling WHAT? over and over again at the referee, sending the referee to the outside.
Flair: “I gotta say I like the move, I wouldn’t be the dirtiest player in the game if I didn’t!”
Austin turns his attention back to Booker, who pops up and nails Austin with a Harlem Sidekick! Austin gets back up and Booker gets another one! Austin gets up and gets nailed with a third Harlem Sidekick! Austin retreats to the corner and Booker T fires away, alternating chops and punches. He sends Austin across the ring into the turnbuckles, and Austin stumbles out into a flapjack from Booker! Booker T pops up with a SPINAROONI! Booker kicks Austin and comes off the ropes, but misses the Scissors Kick! Booker turns around into an Austin kick and it’s the Stun…no, Booker pushes him off! Austin comes back off the ropes and Booker catches him into the Book-End! 1…2…Austin just kicks out at the very last second and Booker T can’t believe it!
Flair: “That’s why he’s the best. But keep going Book don’t let him up!”
Booker picks Austin off the canvas, but Austin fires some shots, still showing some life. Booker gets a kick though and drops Austin with a DDT. Booker drags Austin to the corner and then tries to get the crowd into it. Booker T heads to the top rope, but Austin kicks the referee into the ropes and Booker gets crotched on the top rope while the referee crashes to the floor! Austin hooks Booker up on the top rope…superplex connects! Both men are down but Austin slowly gets to his feet. Austin picks Booker up and goes to for the kick to set up the Stunner, but Booker catches it and roundhouse kicks Austin! There’s a commotion in the crowd…and it’s because Kurt Angle is running down! Booker kicks Austin and again goes for the Scissors Kick…and Angle blasts him with the WCW U.S. Title belt as he came off the ropes!. Austin kicks Booker and drops him with the Stunner as Angle gets out of there through the crowd! Referee slowly makes his way back in, 1…2…3!
Flair: “That was total bs man! That ain’t gonna happen to me in three weeks I can tell you that!”
Winner: Stone Cold Steve Austin via pinfall in 17:11
Austin makes his way up the ramp and stops at the announce desk to face off with Flair. Like last week, Nitro goes off the air with Flair and Austin locking eyes!
::END SHOW::
Quick Results
Lash LaRoux and Shannon Moore wrestled to a no-contest
WCW United States Championship
Kurt Angle made Shannon Moore submit to retain the title
WCW World Tag Team Championship
The Dudley Boyz defeated Chuck Palumbo and Sean O’Haire when D-Von pinned Palumbo to retain the title
Christian pinned Tajiri
If Booker T wins, he gets a WCW World Title shot at Souled Out
Stone Cold Steve Austin pinned Booker T
Champions
WCW World Champion
Stone Cold Steve Austin (Awarded On 12-3-01)
ECW World Champion
Vacant (Vacated by Rhyno on 12-6-01)
WCW United States Champion
Kurt Angle (Defeated Rhyno on 10-22-01)
WCW World Tag Team Champions
The Dudley Boyz (Defeated The Hardy Boyz on 10-26-01)
WCW Cruiserweight Champion
Billy Kidman (Defeated X-Pac on 10-9-01)
Roster Updates
Arn Anderson – Where there’s Ric Flair, there’s likely Arn Anderson watching his back.
Essa Rios – Left the WWF in August. There’s a new Cruiserweight division to be built making Rios an exciting signing for the new WCW.
Jeremy Borash – Had a run as a Vince Russo stooge late in WCW 2000, will be mostly a backstage interviewer here.
Lash LaRoux – For former Corporal Cajun was part of the “WCW 24”.
Shannon Moore – Also a member of the “WCW 24”, former 3 Count member.
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