WCW Monday Nitro #287 – A new Chapter
Boardwalk Beach Resort in Panama City, Florida March 26,2001
The show opening is done by Ric Flair himself, who thanks the 4500 fans in the hall in advance for coming and their interest in tonight's
show. Ric first made a little advertisement for himself and WCW and then came
to talk about two major changes:
The WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Titles will be discontinued with
immediate effect, as they want to give the Cruiserweights just as big a chance
at the regular Tag Team Titles! In addition, the WCW World Television Title
will return in a few weeks and will be fought out in a tournament! He promises great entertainment on tonight's
show.
Booker T's music plays and the reigning US Champion gets right to the
most important thing. He says that as the reigning WCW United States
Heavyweight Champion, he demands a title match at the upcoming Nitro against
Scott Steiner! Ric Flair says that he is entitled to that as US Heavyweight
Champion and he has no problem with it. However, he will have to prove himself
first tonight. Because he will have to defend his title in a match against
former champion Rick Steiner!
***Singles Match***
Lash LeRoux vs Mike Sanders
Lash LeRoux and Mike Sanders get to open the new era of WCW and
the match is also over after less than 5 minutes when Lash LeRoux ends the
match with his Whiplash.
Winner by Pinfall (4:25 minutes): Lash Le Roux
***Singles Match***
Alex Wright vs Buff Bagwell /w. Lex Luger
Alex Wright keeps the match surprisingly open, but has
toadmit defeat to the stronger Buff Bagwell at the end after a Buff
Blockbuster.
Winner by Pinfall (6:03 minutes): Buff Bagwell
DDP is backstage for an interview and answers a few questions about the current situation. He feels a euphoria that he hasn't felt in a long time. He is looking forward to finally getting back into the ring.
When asked who he would like to face, Diamond Dallas Page answers clearly with Haku!
***Tag Team Match***
Billy Kidman & Rey Misterio Jr. vs Jung Dragon (Kaz Hayashi &
Yang)
In a real High Flying fireworks, Billy Kidman with his Shooting Star Press won in the end quite happily, but not undeservedly, against Yang.
Winner by Pinfall (8:53 minutes): Billy Kidman & Rey Misterio Jr.
Billy Kidman & Rey Misterio Jr. hold a promo afterwards, where they show themselves fighting and promise to get the WCW World Tag Team Titles. This calls out the Natural Born Thrillers, who felt provoked by
the statements. They beat the old men of Totally Buff around the ring at Greed, wondering if Billy and Rey weren't afraid that being lightweights wouldn't do the same to them? Rey denies this, saying they are faster than Totally Buff and have an advantage over them. They want the titles! They are ready to give everything for it! A few more provocations follow before the penultimate match of the evening.
***Singles Match***
Shawn Stasiak vs Evan Karagias
Shawn Stasiak doesn't leave much to be desired here and is able to win the match relatively quickly with the Stasiak Plex.
Winner by Pinfall (3:17 minutes): Shawn Stasiak
***Singles Match***
***WCW US Heavyweight Title Match***
Booker T © vs Rick Steiner
A fierce match begins, which both sides almost decide for themselves several times. There are several nearfalls on both sides, but in the end Booker can prevail with the Scissors Kick and a Missile Dropkick.
Winner by PInfall & Still WCW US Heavyweight Champion
(15:24 Minuten): Booker T
Booker wants to celebrate the victory, but Scott Steiner appears in the hall and beats up Booker T together with his brother. Scott takes him into the Steiner Recliner, which is lights out for the man from Texas. Scott celebrates with both titles and a foot on Booker T's chest to close the show.
