Nitro-Glycerin - Monday Nitro recap for April 10, 2000

It is revealed that the set for Nitro has changed again. It is then revealed that the entire WCW roster is in the ring and at ringside, with even more people arriving. None of the older, more prominent talent from the 1980s and early 1990s, such as Kevin Nash, Sting, Hulk Hogan, and others are absent, which most everyone in the ring being newer, younger, fresher talent. Jeff Jarrett shows up with a microphone, and says that when he came to WCW six months ago, he told everyone that he was the chosen one and was handpicked to become the WCW World Heavyweight Champion. He says that his future was in the hands of the biggest hand that turned the WWF around, and he knows that because he was there. Along the way, however, their master plan was derailed by a bunch of "good ol' boys" who could not compete and were not even in his league, and they knew it, and they are sitting at home watching the show right now. All he has to say to them is that what goes around, comes around, and he then introduces everyone to the man who once was WWF owner Vince McMahon's best-kept secret and the man who will once again change the game: Vince Russo. Despite promising that he would never appear on camera (all of his previous appearances had him out of sight, similarly to Dr. Claw from Inspector Gadget), Vince Russo shows up on camera, walks down the aisle and into the ring. Russo takes the microphone from Jarrett and says that after giving six years of his life to the World Wrestling Federation, he came to WCW with one thing in mind: to beat Vince McMahon at his own game. Within a matter of week, the "new blood" in WCW would not only get back in the game, they changed it. Unfortunately, the "good ol' boy" network that feared change and feared for their lives took him down, and they know who they are because they are watching him now. Suddenly, he was told that there would be a change in direction that he knew "sucked," and he was not the only one who knew as Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Perry Saturn, Dean Malenko and Shane Douglas all knew, and they were gone. He also says that Scott Steiner knew it and got suspended for it. He then says it is all over and done now, and that he is in charge again. He tells the WCW roster that the "good ol' boys" management and the inflated egos in the back who fear losing their jobs is over, and that it is a new day as well as their opportunity to seize. Suddenly, Eric Bischoff's voice is heard, asking Russo "Are you done yet?" Bischoff shows up, gets in the ring, and shakes hands with and hugs Russo, and says that they have more in common than anybody knows. He then says that the big thing is that they were both screwed by the same "good ol' boys' network, and those days are indeed over. He does not mind that, however, as it has given him a hell of an opportunity to think of all the good tings he did in WCW as well as to realize the mistakes he made, such as Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, Sting, Diamond Dallas Page, and "Sid "Wish He Was" Vicious. He then calls Hulk Hogan his biggest mistake ever, and as some of the older stars watch on a monitor backstage, Bischoff says everyone told him he would use and screw him, and to not look at the red-and-yellow light, for he would be blinded. Bischoff says he was blinded, but tonight, he has 20/20 vision, and he is seeing real clearly for the first time in a long time. He apologizes to all of the new blood in the ring, and says that if there is anything he can do for Vince Russo that will help them, he is there for Russo as well as for them, as this is "a whole new WCW." He then asks where the older, more established wrestling superstars are, and Russo says they are hiding n the back with their tails between their legs. Suddenly, DDP< Sting, Elizabwth, The Total Package, Miss Elizabeth, and Sid Vicious show up. Bischoff proceeds to mock the older wrestlers on the stage, as he says he is glad they all came to work. DDP says he has no idea what Bischoff is smoking, but that Bischoff had better step off. Bischoff says "Screw you!" to DDP, and says that if it wasn't for him, he would be downing drinks in the a run-down redneck bar in the middle of Florida telling people he he is friends with Bon Jovi. He asks DDP where he was the last six months while he was unemployed, then reminds Sting that he remade his career and that he made The Total Package a millionaire when the WWF wanted nothing more to do with him. Bischoff then tells the guys on the stage that he made them and that he might as well break them, and this time it will be on a more level playing field. Russo then calls out "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, calling him "a piece of shit on the bottom of [hos] shoe" before saying he will "scrap that shit off [his] shoe" and "flush it down the toilet personally." Russo tells Jarrett that Eric has indeed made the playing field more level and that they will start a new day tonight. He then asks Jarrett to personally hand over the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship over to him before announcing that all champions will be stripped of their titles and that there will be a brand new playing field tonight. Bischoff then asks for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, and Sid tells Bischoff to "bring [his] scrawny little ass over here and take it." Bischoff says "okay," and goes up the ramp. He asks for the title and asks Sid if he is going to lay him out, then he will heal and come back knowing that Sid is unemployed. Bischoff then gives Sid the choice of laying him out or giving him the World title, saying he has been beaten up before and that it will not be the last time, going so far as to ask him "What's the matter, Sid? Can't find your scissors?" (The question is a reference to Sid Vicious stabbing "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson with a pair of scissors in a backstage incident years ago when he still went by the name Sid Justice.) Sid reluctantly hands the World title over to Bischoff, who tells him "See you on the 16th...Spring Stampede...as this will be the day the real World Heavyweight Champion will wear this belt." Sid walks to the back as Bischoff takes the belt back to the ring. World Championship Wrestling is now "rebooted" at the hands on Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff. (As the championships are all made vacant, the WCW World Television Championship is retired and officially ceases to be after a more than 25-year history that started in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling in 1974.)

Scott Hudson joins Tony Schiavone and Mark Madden on the commentary table, officially making the commentary team a three-man booth again.

Hulk Hogan is seen entering the arena.

We see footage from moments ago of everyone walking out of the ring congratulating Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo.

Backstage, Sting tells Hulk Hogan about what has just happened at the beginning of the show. Sting tells Hogan that Bischoff is on to him, and when Hogan asks "How close?", Sting says Bischoff might as well kick him between the legs. Hogan says "I'm on it." Sting tells Hogan "I'm not ribbin' ya," and Hogan says "You know what? I'm not ribbin' ya, either."

It is announced that four men will compete in a mini-tournament to see who will face Jeff Jarrett for the now-vacated WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Spring Stampede: Diamond Dallas Page, Sting, The Total Package and Sid Vicious. Also, DDP's music is prematurely cut off, and he gets no pyrotechnics during the "bang" part of his entrance. When The Total Package shows up, his entrance music is also prematurely cut off. Also, the spotlights are cut off and the house lights are turned back on before The Total Package can even do his signature entrance pose.

Diamond Dallas Page beats The Total Package to face the winner of Sting vs. Sid Vicious in the WCW World Heavyweight Championship mini-tournament later tonight. During the match, Buff Bagwell shows up. His posing and entrance music distracts both the referee and The Total Package, and DDP gets alow blow in. Buff Bagwell then makes advances towards Kimberly, which distracts DDP, and then Buff puts his hands on Miss Elizabeth and kisses her, distracting The Total Package again. DDP then hits the Diamond Cutter for the win. After the match, DDP's music plays for a few seconds, then stops entirely.

Hulk Hogan is seen looking for Eric Bischoff backstage.

Curt Hennig meets with Vince Russo, wanting to know what is going on. Russo tells Hennig that if he can beat Jeff Jarrett tonight, he will get the shot at the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Spring Stampede instead of Jarrett.

Backstage, Hulk Hogan is still looking for Eric Bischoff.

Before the next match, Tank Abbott says he is not some "candyass wrestler;" he is a shoot fighter who does not know the difference between a wristwatch and a wrist lock. However, he knows how to kick somebody's ass, when he came to WCW, he came for Goldberg. He says it is no coincidence that Goldberg got injured the week he arrived on the scene, and says that until Goldberg "grows big enough balls to fight him," he will beat "the holy hell" out of innocent victims and he will start tonight and keep going until Goldberg shows up. His first victim ends up being Mark Madden, despite Madden telling Abbott to go after Tony Schiavone or Scott Hudson. He rips off Mark Madden's shirt and gets him in the ring punch at him until WCW security arrives.

Backstage, Jeff Jarrett confronts Vince Russo for putting him in a match with Curt Hennig with his shot at the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Spring Stampede on the line. Russo asks Jarrett who named him "the chosen one" and asks Jarrett if he looks like J.J. Dillon to him before walking off.

Backstage, Kidman tells Torrie Wilson that something has been going on long enough and that he has to take care of it himself

Terry Taylor tells Hulk Hogan where Eric Bischoff is.

Hulk Hogan meets with Eric Bischoff, and the two of them go into Bischoff's office.

Kidman shows up. He feels like he has just been handed a "get out of jail free" card, as for years, he and the rest of the new blood have been held down by the egomaniacs trying to hold on to their fading careers. He says he has been used and abused and told to keep his mouth shut; now, tonight is his night and the one man he wants to address is Hulk Hogan. He says that Hogan has badmouthed him for weeks due to his size, and says he has two things Hogan does not and will never take from him: heart and talent. He also says everyone knows that in order to get Hogan's tan, all one has to do is to be in the spotlight for way too long. He also mentions that Hogan has said that he cannot draw flies and retorts by saying nobody draws flies better than "a pile of shit" like Hulk Hogan. Kidman then calls Hogan out, and Hogan is sees Kidman on a monitor wanting to see if Hogan's balls are bigger than his bald spot. Hogan heads towards the ring and asks Kidman who he thinks he is, and says he has been watching him the last couple of months, saying this isn't the first time he has heard him before calling him a punk that gives the guys in the business a bad name. Kidman tells Hogan he had a good run, but his run is over. Hogan tells Kidman that if he was in his league, he would understand what the business is all about. He then says that Kidman is "P-whipped" by Torrie Wilson, and Kidman responds by immediately decking Hogan before going on the ground and pound. This starts a brawl between Kidman and Hogan which ends with Hogan beating the crap out of Kidman. Eric Bischoff then shows up with a steel chair and gets Hogan's attention, then hits Hogan in the head with a steel chair, busting him open. Kidman pins Hogan, and Bischoff counts a pinfall.

A white limousine pulls out, and "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair comes out of the back door.

Backstage, an angry Hulk Hogan angrily hunts for Eric Bischoff while throwing things around. We then see "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair seeing everything that has happened so far in the show. Flair then heads to the ring, and says that if what he is told is correct, then Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff have given him the green light. He says that the old blood is still great and that unlike Eric Bischoff, who has the guts to walk up to Sid Vicious, does not have the guts to step up to him. Suddenly, Scott Steiner shows up to the original Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) music, and says Flair is boring him to death and that the last time he did an interview on Flair, Flair paid attention, because his teeth are bleached but are still "crooked as hell." After the interview, Flair tried to get him fired, which doesn't surprise him. He then says that just about every champion in the WWF right now except for one person came from WCW, and that Flair and his friend ran them out so he could be a 14-time World champion. Scott Steiner then says "that doesn't mean shit to [him]," because a redneck in the crowd with no teeth could be a 14-time World champion if the right person was pulling the strings. He then says he looks at Flair and sees a confused look on his face, and says there is no way he should ever bring him to his level physically or mentally, so he will lower himself to Flair's level, which is "no-class white trash from Charlotte, North Carolina." He asks Flair to guess who he is now before putting on some fake teeth and pretending to make fun of Flair. All of a sudden, Flair is attacked from behind by Shane Douglas, who is not even part of the company anymore following the departure of Vince Russo, and security moves in and gets Shane Douglas in the corner.

Kevin Nash enters the arena on crutches.

Bret "The Hit Man" Hart is seen in the crowd, but the image is so dark that he can barely be seen. After the commercial break, it is revealed that this is indeed Bret Hart.

Backstage, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair is seen looking for Shane Douglas.

Backstage, "Mean" Gene Okerlund interview Shane Douglas, who says he is doing whatever he wants, as he has been waiting for seven years and watching "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair make a mockery out of professional wrestling. He tells Flair that he has been "franchised" and that is the beginning of a long road for him. He then admits he hates Flair's guts and that tonight is a clean slate, then tells Okerlund to kiss his ass and watch him become a franchise.

Sting beats Sid Vicious by count-out to face Diamond Dallas Page for a shot at the vacant WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Jeff Jarrett at Spring Stampede. During the match, The Wall shows up with a wooden table and sets it up at ringside. Sting inadvertently splashes referee Nick Patrick in the back when Sid Vicious kicks out, and The Walls gets in the ring and hits Sid Vicious with a steel chair before putting him through the table. WCW security then shows up and forces The Wall to the back. Sting then wins by count-out when Nick Patrick gets up.

"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair shows up in the ring again, calling out Shane Douglas, saying he has made a point but that he has pissed him off. He then says he will make Shane Douglas famous tonight, and tells Vince Russo that diamonds are forever, and so is "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair.

A still-angry Hulk Hogan is seen tossing things around backstage.

Hulk Hogan is still angry, and he attacks two wrestlers backstage before threatening to kill Eric Bischoff.

We see footage of the premiere of Ready To Rumble at Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California. Thanks to Diamond Dallas Page, Jeff Jarrett's crashing of the premiere is stopped by a guitar shot to the head by Ready To Rumble star David Arquette.

Jeff Jarrett beats Curt Hennig to retain his spot in the WCW World Heavyweight Championship match at Spring Stampede. It is announced during the match that Hulk Hogan has been notified that Eric Bischoff is currently in a skybox somewhere in the arena. Later on in the match, Shawn Stasiak - the man formerly known as Meat in the World Wrestling Federation - heads to the ring to Curt Hennig's "Mr. Perfect" music and proceeds to mock him, distracting Hennig. This does not last for long, and Hennig inadvertently elbows Jarrett into referee Charles Robinson. Stasiak then gets in the ring and slams Hennig into the ring before Robinson gets up and turns around, and Jarrett hits The Stroke for the win.

Backstage, Hulk Hogan is seen looking for Eric Bischoff in the skyboxes.

Backstage, Kevin Nash is on the phone with somebody, saying Eric Bischoff is out of control. He asks the person on the other end if they are going to be here, and to make it to the arena if they can.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Sting, who says that with all the trash talk around here tonight, Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo seem to have everything all figured out. He says that since 1988, he has worked his butt off in WCW, and says he is loyalty and that he owes them Starting tonight and ending Sunday, he is going after Jeff Jarrett, who will soon be out the door.

"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair beats Shane Douglas in a fight by disqualification after Vince Russo shows up and strikes Flair with a baseball bat before handing the bat to Shane Douglas to do the same. Russo then walks off with Flair's Rolex.

Kevin Nash shows up on crutches. He says there are "a couple of jackoffs in the back" running around and deciding whose careers they will make or break, and to add insult to injury, they have decided to "play wrestler and attack the boys." He admits that he has lost a couple of brain cells traveling with Scott Hall over the last ten years, but he wants to know what has happened to "that sweet little wrestling show" they do every Monday night and wants to know where the dog is when you need him. Nash tells Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff that he will give them an opportunity, as he just gotten off the phone with Scott Hall - who is now straight, sober and in a really bad mood - and the way he sees it, neither of them would be here if it were not for them, especially Russo, whom he and Hall saved from being decapitated by "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels on numerous occasions. He also says that if it weren't for them, Eric Bischoff would have no nWo and he would still be bringing Verne Gagne his coffee up in Minnesota. He says that if Russo and Bischoff want them out, all they have to do is bring their bat, bring their chair and bring their balls. All of a sudden, Kevin Nash is attacked from behind by Mike Awesome - who is still in Extreme Championship Wrestling as the current ECW World Heavyweight Champion - (The ECW World Heavyweight Championship is not around Awesome's waist due to WCW's concerns over legal issues, and Awesome has jumped ship due to overdue wages at ECW that Paul Heyman has yet to pay him.) He says that when he heard Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff were back in the saddle in WCW, he knew this was too sweet an opportunity to pass up.

An angry Hulk Hogan is on a cellphone with his attorney in his limousine, demanding his attorney while saying Kidman is history, as is Vince Russo. All of a sudden, a white Hummer - the one from last summer - hits the limousine repeatedly. Eric Bischoff gets out of the Hummer with Kidman, and tells Hogan that he was the guy in the white Hummer from last summer and to buy his way out of this.

Hulk Hogan is seen being put on a stretcher when Kidman and Eric Bischoff show up. Kidman spray paints "NB" - short for "new blood" - while Eric Bischoff trash talks Hogan.

Jeff Jarrett guests on commentary for the next match.

Diamond Dallas Page beats Sting to face Jeff Jarrett for the vacant WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Spring Stampede. During the match, Jeff Jarrett leaves the commentary table and says something to Kimberly. As DDP attacks Jarrett and the referee is preoccupied with what is going on outside of the ring, Vampiro gets in the ring and attacks Sting from behind and hits him with Nail In The Coffin. DDP gets back in the ring and hits Sting with a Diamond Cutter to get the win. After the match, Jeff Jarrett tries to hit DDP with a guitar shot, but DDP ducks and Kimberly gets nailed instead. DDP chases Jarrett to the back, then checks on Kimberly.

Backstage, Eric Bischoff, Vince Russo and Jeff Jarrett celebrate their handiwork from earlier, then Jeff Jarrett heads back to the ring. He says that there are six days and counting until he realizes his destiny and shows who has all the stroke in WCW when he is crowned the WCW World Heavyweight Champion. He tells Diamond Dallas Page that if he wants to bring Kimberly along on Sunday, there will be a real man who can show him more wood. Diamond Dallas Page rushs into the ring and attacks Jarrett, then Scott Steiner gets in the ring only to get beaten up by DDP as well. Jarrett and Steiner gang up on DDP, but The Total Package runs into the ring and take down both them and anyone else who wants to fight them in the ring. DDP and The Total Package are outnumbered until Sting rushes into the ring and fights off everyone single-handedly. Sting is eventually overpowered by the new blood, however, and DDP falls victim to The Stroke. Russo and Bischoff then show up and show appreciation for what has just happened before shaking hands on the stage, then Bret "The Hit Man" Hart shows up and confronts both men to end the show.