News Archive: July 2001

On July 11, WCW Nitro returns LIVE from the Donald Bren Events Center in Irvine, California! Don’t miss this week as we see more of your favorite WCW stars in action.

Already signed for the event is the tag team debut of Booker T and Shane McMahon! They will compete in a high-stakes tag team match against the powerhouse duo of Mike Awesome and the unhinged Crowbar. How will the former World Heavyweight Champion and the WCW Owner work together against the "Career Killer" and one of the most unpredictable athletes on the roster?

Los Dragones have declared they will top 3 Count once again. After spoiling the 3 Count reunion last week by debuting their first hit single, Los Dragones will be in six-man tag team action. They hope to prove they are just as dangerous in the ring as they are on the microphone.

Last week, Guido Maritato introduced the world to the Full Blooded Italians. The new mean streak of Chuck Palumbo and Johnny Stamboli will be put to the test as they face off against the unique trio of La Parka, Shark Boy, and the mysterious Fish Bones!

Don't miss all this action, plus appearances from WCW World Heavyweight Champion Lance Storm, Diamond Dallas Page, Kanyon, Rob Van Dam, Steve Corino, Curt Hennig, Sean O'Haire, and more! All of this, LIVE on FX at 10 PM EST!

Norman Smiley has signed a new contract with WCW and will be returning to the company full time. Smiley made his return on last night's special Independence Day Nitro, where he teamed with Tommy Dreamer in a losing effort to "The Foundation" members Diamond Dallas Page and Kanyon.

Despite the defeat, WCW officials are excited to have the veteran presence and fan-favorite charisma of the former Hardcore Champion back on the roster. Expect "The Screamin' One" to be a major fixture on Nitro moving forward.

WCW Nitro is headed to the Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on July 18 for another night of wrestling action! The heat is rising as we march toward Bash at the Beach, and you can catch all the mayhem live at 10pm EST only on FX!

The main event features a massive tag team collision as the "Doggfather" BG James and United States Champion Rob Van Dam team up to face the World Heavyweight Champion Lance Storm and Buff Bagwell. With Storm and Bagwell looking like an uneasy alliance, will RVD and James be able to capitalize and secure a huge win before the pay-per-view?

Shawn Stasiak finally gets his wish for a match, as WCW Commissioner Arn Anderson has booked the "Mecca of Manhood" to go 1-on-1 against Pete Gas. Will the weeks of training from the Anderson Family pay off for Gas? Or will Stasiak start to build a case for future title matches?

Plus, the tag team division is about to explode! Chuck Palumbo of the FBI, General Rection of the MIA, and Disqo will meet in a Triple Threat match that promises to shake up the division. Shane McMahon has also promised a big start to Nitro. The official match contract will be signed for Bash at the Beach as Shane & Booker T and The Foundation of Diamond Dallas Page & Kanyon put their names on the dotted line.

The legendary WCW Power Plant has officially reopened its doors, and the hunt for the next generation of superstars is on! Moving from its traditional roots in Atlanta to the heart of wrestling country in Charlotte, North Carolina, the premier training ground in professional wrestling is back in business.

The facility is now housed within the recently completed Calvert Street Production Annex. This massive addition to the WCW campus was constructed specifically to bridge the gap between world-class athletic training and modern television production. By situating the Power Plant directly alongside our new editing suites and soundstages, WCW is ensuring that every trainee is "television ready" from day one.

Leading the charge is new Head Trainer Fit Finlay, a man whose reputation for toughness and technical mastery is unmatched in the industry. Alongside him, Ricky Santana brings a veteran’s eye to the facility, specializing in sharpening the fundamentals and mentoring WCW's rising stars and women’s division prospects.

Training at the Power Plant means more than just learning the ropes; it means learning from the best in the business. Trainees will benefit from the unparalleled experience of regular guest instructors like Norman Smiley, Arn Anderson, Terry Taylor, and Scott Armstrong. Plus, the Power Plant will host exclusive monthly guest clinics featuring legends from WCW’s past and the icons of today’s roster.

Do you have the heart, the hustle, and the "Power" to survive? The road to Nitro starts here. Apply today and see if you have what it takes to become a WCW star!

Power Plant Logistics
Location: Calvert Street Annex (Directly behind the Carolina Transfer Building)
Lead Trainer: Fit Finlay
Curriculum: Professional Fundamentals, Conditioning, and Television Preparation
Facility Features: Multiple high tension rings, full scale weight room, and direct access to WCW corporate production suites.

WCW Nitro hits the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum this Wednesday for the final stop before Bash at the Beach!

With the massive tag team clash between Booker T & Shane McMahon and The Foundation looming, Shane-O-Mac has promised a special presentation honoring WCW’s storied history.

In a high-stakes crossroads match, Buff Bagwell looks to prove his "extreme" transformation against the "Innovator of Violence," Tommy Dreamer. Meanwhile, the Cruiserweight war between 3 Count and Los Dragones continues with an explosive 2-on-2 tag team showcase.

The main event sees WCW World Champion Lance Storm team with the "King of Old School" Steve Corino to settle the score with BG James. However, James has recruited the legendary Curt Hennig to ensure the champion’s night ends in disaster.

Plus, catch Rob Van Dam, the M.I.A., The F.B.I., and more! Watch WCW Nitro LIVE this Wednesday, July 25, at 9pm EST on FX!

The wait is almost over! This Sunday, July 29, World Championship Wrestling takes over the Greensboro Coliseum for Bash at the Beach. WCW Commissioner Arn Anderson has officially closed the books on the card, and the anticipation in Greensboro is at a fever pitch.

The world will be watching the two massive main events that are set to anchor this blockbuster show. WCW World Heavyweight Champion Lance Storm, accompanied by Dawn Marie, will defend his title against the unpredictable and surging BG James. Additionally, the explosive power struggle for the soul of WCW continues as Booker T teams with WCW Owner Shane McMahon to take on The Foundation’s Diamond Dallas Page and Kanyon.

In a major late-breaking update, the WCW United States Championship will be on the line! The "Whole Dam Show" Rob Van Dam will have to defend his gold against Buff "The Stuff" Bagwell. Bagwell has been vocal about wanting championship gold, and he gets his wish this Sunday.

The rest of the card features a high-stakes grudge match between Sean O'Haire and Shawn Stasiak, a Triple Threat match for the WCW World Tag Team Titles, and a high-flying 6-man Cruiserweight showcase!

WCW World Heavyweight Championship
Lance Storm (c) w/ Dawn Marie vs. BG James

Tag Team Grudge Match
Shane McMahon & Booker T vs. The Foundation (Diamond Dallas Page & Kanyon)

WCW United States Championship
Rob Van Dam (c) vs. Buff Bagwell

WCW World Tag Team Championship
Misfits In Action (c) (General Rection & Corporal Cajun) vs. Disqo & Mike Sanders vs. Full Blooded Italians (Chuck Palumbo & Johnny Stamboli) w/ Guido Maritato

6-Man Cruiserweight Tag Team Match
3 Count (Evan Karagias, Shane Helms & Shannon Moore) vs. Los Dragones (Chavo Guerrero Jr., Kaz Hayashi & Yun Yang)

Old School Showdown:
Curt Hennig vs. Steve Corino

Monster vs. Mecca
Sean O'Haire vs. Shawn Stasiak w/ Stacy Keibler

LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW THIS SUNDAY!

History will be made on August 26 as World Championship Wrestling enters the hallowed halls of Madison Square Garden for the very first time! WCW Crowd Control is set to be a night of firsts, but none are more significant than bringing the stars of Nitro into the heart of New York City. For decades, the Garden has been the ultimate proving ground for the greatest legends in the sport, and now the new WCW is ready to add its own chapter to the legacy of the World’s Most Famous Arena.

Tickets for this historic event are expected to move at record speeds as fans in the tri-state area prepare for an unprecedented night of action. While no matches have been made official yet, WCW management has confirmed that the biggest names in the industry will be in the building. Fans can expect to see WCW Owner Shane McMahon, Booker T, Diamond Dallas Page, WCW World Heavyweight Champion Lance Storm, United States Champion Rob Van Dam, and many more! Do not miss your chance to be part of the capacity crowd witnessing history in the making.

Join us at Madison Square Garden or catch it live on Pay-Per-View! WCW Crowd Control, Sunday, August 26!

On August 1, WCW Nitro returns LIVE from the Bell County Expo Center in Belton, Texas!

The landscape of WCW has shifted after a chaotic Bash at the Beach. The Foundation walked out of Greensboro victorious, but the real shockwave came with the arrival of their newest member, the "Career Killer" Mike Awesome. The Foundation has promised to be in the building tonight to address the fans, the locker room, and management. What does this new alliance mean for the future of WCW?

Speaking of management, WCW Owner Shane McMahon is not staying quiet. Shane has promised several major announcements regarding WCW Crowd Control on August 26. This includes massive news regarding Lance Storm and the status of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship!

The gold is on the line tonight as the Cruiserweight Championship is up for grabs! After scoring the decisive pinfall at the PPV, 3 Count's Evan Karagias finally gets his 1-on-1 shot at the gold. Can he dethrone the leader of Los Dragones, Chavo Guerrero Jr., or will the champion prove he is still the king of the division?

Finally, after his brutal post-match assault on Rob Van Dam Sunday night, Buff Bagwell is looking to keep his momentum rolling. "The Stuff" will be in action tonight as he has issued an open challenge to anyone who calls themselves "Extreme", bad news for Bagwell is the challenge has been answered by Terry Funk!

Don't miss a second of the fallout from Bash at the Beach! All of this, LIVE on FX at 10 PM EST!