News Archive: April 2001

HOUSTON, Texas -- The professional wrestling world was shaken to its core tonight as history was rewritten on the grandest stage of them all.

In a brutal, emotional Street Fight that had the packed crowd at the Reliant Astrodome on the edge of their seats, WCW owner Shane McMahon defeated his father, Vince McMahon, at WWF’s WrestleMania X-Seven. With an assist from his mother, Linda McMahon, Shane put an exclamation point on the family war by leaping clear across the ring to deliver a jaw-dropping "Coast to Coast" trash can kick into his father's face to secure the pinfall victory.

However, the real shockwave hit the arena immediately after the final bell.

As the referee raised his hand in victory, Shane McMahon grabbed a microphone. With a fired-up crowd looking on, the young visionary delivered a manifesto that will define the future of sports entertainment. Shane declared that tonight was his final appearance in a WWF ring. He revealed that effective immediately, he is leaving the WWF behind to relocate and dedicate himself 100% full-time to rebuilding World Championship Wrestling.

"I didn't buy WCW just to play games or hold a piece of paper over my father's head," Shane proclaimed to a stunned global audience. "I bought it because I believe in what WCW can be. I am stepping away from the WWF to give 100% of my time, my energy, and my soul into rebuilding World Championship Wrestling from the ground up. My goal isn't just to compete—it's to make WCW the undeniable, undisputed number one wrestling company on the planet. Vince, I beat you in your house tonight, but the ultimate victory is taking down the WWF by making WCW the best in the world!"

With Shane McMahon officially taking the reins full-time, the future of WCW has never been brighter. The new owner promised that this is only the beginning of a true renaissance for the brand, with major announcements regarding WCW's roster, leadership, and upcoming events to be revealed in the coming weeks.

The war isn't over, the revolution has just begun. Welcome to the new era of World Championship Wrestling!

STAMFORD, Connecticut -- World Championship Wrestling has finalized key personnel additions to its corporate infrastructure, building out its broadcast, talent management, and officiating departments under Head of Talent Relations Johnny Ace.

WCW has contracted three industry veterans as backstage officials. "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson, Fit Finlay and Ricky Santana will form the team who train and work with talents as well as help keep order backstage.

Handling match officiating, Nick Patrick has been brought back as Senior Referee, leading an refereee corps that includes Charles Robinson and Billy Silverman.

On the media front, veteran commentator Scott Hudson has officially re-signed to resume his duties as a lead broadcaster for the promotion.

"A great wrestling company relies on much more than just in-ring talent," stated Johnny Ace. "By securing elite backstage leadership, a world-class officiating corps, and a premier broadcaster, WCW is building a professional foundation from the ground up."

STAMFORD, Connecticut -- World Championship Wrestling has officially secured its cornerstone. Today, WCW Owner Shane McMahon announced that reigning WCW World Heavyweight Champion and WCW United States Champion Booker T has officially signed a new long-term contract to remain with WCW.

Booker T, who made history on the final episode of Monday Nitro on TNT by capturing the World Heavyweight Championship while already holding the United States Title, will enter the new era of WCW as its reigning double champion. The signing marks a massive victory for WCW executive management, ensuring that one of the most decorated and respected athletes in the industry stays at the helm as the promotion prepares its return to broadcast television.

"Booker T represents everything this company is built on—excellence, heart, and world-class athletic ability," stated WCW Owner Shane McMahon. "Securing the double champion was our top priority, and having Booker T lead WCW into this new chapter sends a clear message to the entire wrestling world."

With Booker T locked in alongside the active roster, World Championship Wrestling continues to solidify its championship ranks. Stay tuned to WCW.com for further contract updates and upcoming broadcast announcements!

STAMFORD, Connecticut -- World Championship Wrestling continues to build momentum ahead of its return to television, as Head of Talent Relations Johnny Ace officially confirmed the signings of three prominent stars today: high-flying fan favorite Billy Kidman, the innovatively dangerous Kanyon, and the beautiful Torrie Wilson.

Kidman, a former multi-time Cruiserweight and Tag Team Champion, instantly adds elite championship experience to WCW’s premier cruiserweight division. Kanyon brings unmatched versatility, creative offense, and a proven track record as one of the most unpredictable competitors in the ring, while Torrie Wilson rejoins the promotion as a featured personality.

"Bringing Kidman, Kanyon, and Torrie back into the fold is a huge win for us," stated Johnny Ace. "Kidman is a vital piece of our cruiserweight division, Kanyon can go with anyone on the roster at any given time, and Torrie brings incredible screen presence and entertainment value to our programming. We're continuously raising the bar as this roster comes together."

With key talent locking in weekly, World Championship Wrestling continues to round out an explosive roster. Stay tuned to WCW.com for further contract announcements and official corporate updates!

STAMFORD, Connecticut -- World Championship Wrestling has locked in another towering pillar of its history and future. Today, WCW Owner Shane McMahon officially confirmed that three-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion and "King of Badda-Bing" Diamond Dallas Page has signed an exclusive contract extension to remain with WCW.

As one of the most recognizable, passionate, and decorated icons in company history, DDP’s re-signing stands as a monumental statement of intent for the promotion's new era. A true self-made superstar who fought his way from manager to the top of the wrestling world, Page’s decision to commit his future to WCW ensures that the new roster boasts premier, championship-level leadership alongside double champion Booker T.

"Securing Diamond Dallas Page was an absolute imperative for this management team," stated McMahon. "DDP is the ultimate competitor. A world-class main eventer who embodies the heart, grit, and work ethic of World Championship Wrestling. Having a superstar of Dallas' caliber fully committed to this brand gives us unbeatable firepower at the top of the card as we prepare to step back into the national spotlight."

With Page officially locked into the main event ranks alongside Booker T, World Championship Wrestling’s roster of elite superstars continues to gather unstoppable momentum. Stay tuned to WCW.com for future contract announcements and upcoming broadcast details!

STAMFORD, Connecticut -- World Championship Wrestling continues to stack its active roster with premier talent ahead of its return to broadcast television. Today, Head of Talent Relations Johnny Ace confirmed that long-time WCW wrestler Buff Bagwell has officially signed a new contract to remain with the company.

A veteran presence who has grown up inside the WCW ring over the last decade, Buff "The Stuff" Bagwell brings a decorated championship track record to the new era. As a five-time WCW World Tag Team Champion, Bagwell adds proven championship experience, explosive athletic ability, and unmistakable charisma to an increasingly competitive roster.

"Buff Bagwell has been a mainstay of WCW television for ten years, and keeping him in the mix was an easy decision for us," stated Johnny Ace. "He brings undeniable star quality, a great physique, and years of top-level television experience. As we round out our locker room, having veterans like Buff locked in ensures we have the depth and personality needed for a top-tier product."

Bagwell joins a rapidly growing lineup of confirmed talent alongside Booker T, Diamond Dallas Page, Billy Kidman, and Kanyon as WCW prepares for its upcoming return to action. Stay tuned to WCW.com for more roster updates and major corporate announcements in the coming weeks!

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- World Championship Wrestling officially announced today the relocation of its international corporate headquarters to the historic West Morehead Street corridor in Charlotte, North Carolina. The move marks a homecoming for the promotion, returning to the city that served as the heartbeat of the industry for decades.

The centerpiece of the new campus is the former Carolina Transfer and Storage Company Building, located at 1230 West Morehead Street. Built in 1927, the landmark four-story structure features a unique flat-slab concrete construction supported by distinctive mushroom columns, providing the strength and open floor plans necessary to house WCW’s executive suites and creative departments. The ground floor of the facility is currently slated for future development as a potential retail space and fan experience center.

"Charlotte is the foundation of this sport’s heritage," said WCW owner Shane McMahon. "By moving into a facility with this much history and character, we are signaling that WCW is dedicated to honoring its past while building a cutting-edge future. My vision for this company requires a foundation as strong as these mushroom columns, and that is exactly what we have found here."

To support its massive media and training requirements, WCW has also acquired several adjacent properties on Calvert Street, directly behind the main building. Construction is already underway on a state-of-the-art, multi-million dollar production facility and warehouse complex. This expansive new addition will house WCW’s television editing suites, satellite uplink capabilities, and the massive storage required for the rings, stages, and lighting rigs used on WCW Nitro.

Most notably for aspiring athletes, the Calvert Street complex will become the new permanent home of the WCW Power Plant. This elite training center will feature multiple rings and a comprehensive athletic conditioning facility, allowing the next generation of superstars to train in the same shadow as the legends currently occupying the corporate tower.

The transition is expected to be completed by the end of the summer, establishing Charlotte as the undisputed capital of professional wrestling.

Quick Stats: 1230 West Morehead St.
Built: 1927
Stories: 4
Construction: Reinforced Concrete / Mushroom Columns
Primary Function: Corporate Offices / Potential Retail Space
New Construction: Production Wing and WCW Power Plant (Calvert St. Annex)

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The transformation of World Championship Wrestling took another big step forward today. Following the unveiling of the company's new emblem on the exterior of WCW's new headquarters in Charlotte earlier today, WCW has officially retired its old corporate look across the board, launching a brand-new logo and a fully redesigned home at WCW.com.

The metallic emblem used during the final years under Time Warner has been scrapped. Replacing it is a high-impact logo featuring sharp red winged typography and a heavy central layout. Ditching the late '90s aesthetic for something much sharper and more aggressive

Along with the visual makeover, WCW.com has been rebuilt from the ground up to keep fans updated on roster moves, breaking news, and upcoming broadcast plans as the company prepares its return to action.

"This isn't just a minor touch-up—it's a complete restart," said WCW owner Shane McMahon. "The previous era had its time, but this new look represents the energy and attitude we're bringing back to WCW. It’s a clear statement that things are being done differently now."

Keep checking WCW.com for future broadcast announcements and schedule updates in the coming weeks.