WCW Nitro (Week 2, June 2001)
Tony Schiavonne, Jerry Lawler and Mike Tenay welcome us to Nitro when they're interrupted by the music of the NWO!
As the music plays, Eric Bischoff walks out and gets on the mic and informs the crowd that unless certain ego-maniacs change their mind, that's the last time you'll be hearing that music on WCW programming. He bashes the guys who decided to sit out their contract and then moves on to shooting on Vince McMahon for trying to buy out WCW and kill it... possibly with a shitty invasion angle or something...
He then tells us he is the new President of WCW and unlike when Ted Turner was controlling things, he isn't interested in taking the company down. He's interested in making the best wrestling company of all time. With that he announces a tournament for the WCW United States Title with qualifying matches to begin tonight. There is a catch though. Only guys who have never held the World Title are eligible. He wants the title to showcase the next crop of legends.
Bischoff then calls out Billy Kidman and Rey Misterio Jr. He tells them that he made a business decision to retire the WCW Cruiserweight Tag Titles but they won't go empty handed. He announces BOTH men as number one contenders to the Cruiserweight Title and next week they will face "Sugar" Shane Helms for it.
As they leave the ring, Jeff Jarrett comes out to buddy up to Eric Bischoff and remind him of their friendship and ask for a World Title shot. Bischoff smiles before telling Jarrett he'll have to earn it tonight in a number one contender's match. Bischoff leaves without revealing his opponent.
Kanyon comes out and gets on the mic to hype himself up as the leader of the new generation and the beginning of his journey is tonight.
WCW United States Title Tournament Qualifying Match: Kanyon vs Jason Jett
Kanyon makes relatively short work of Jason Jett, winning the match with a flatliner.
Winner: Kanyon in 4:17
When we come back from commercial, Shannon Moore and Evan Karagias are in the ring where they perform a quick dance signifying 3 Count is back! Jerry Lawler raves excitedly for their return.
3 Count (Shannon Moore and Evan Karagias) vs Jamie Noble and Lash Leroux
3 Count wins a semi-competetive match when Karagias pins Leroux.
Winners: 3 Count in 8:00
"Mean" Gene Okerlund is backstage with Lex Luger and Buff Bagwell. Lex says he isn't sure about Midajah and feels they could have won the titles last week without her. Buff argues a little before Midajah walks into frame and both men awkwardly get quiet.
Team Canada, Lance Storm and Mike Awesome are out to talk about how they've been granted their US Title tournament entries and tonight is the beginning of the US Title becoming the single greatest title in wrestling.
WCW United States Title Tournament Qualifying Match: Mike Awesome vs James Allen (formerly James Storm)
Mike Awesome wins a squash after an Awesome Bomb
Winner: Mike Awesome in 1:45
"Mean" Gene Okerlund is backstage with Eric Bischoff and asks him who Jeff Jarrett will be facing tonight. Bischoff's only hint is that it's someone who bleeds WCW.
Stacy Keibler comes out to introduce Shawn Stasiak and hypes him up for the US Title tournament.
WCW United States Title Tournament Qualifying Match: Shawn Stasiak vs Norman Smiley
Smiley gets a couple near falls in before finally succumbing to a fisherman's suplex.
Winner: Shawn Stasiak in 4:16
Backstage, Gene Okerlund is with Mike Sanders, asking him about Disqo walking out on him last week. Sanders shrugs it off with a smile and tells Gene that tonight, Disqo is taking the fall.
WCW United States Title Tournament Qualifying Match: Mike Sanders vs Disqo
Mike Sanders gets the win after a semi-competetive match with a springboard moonsault.
Winner: Mike Sanders in 7:41
We see a pre-taped promo where Jim Duggan discusses his US Title tournament qualifying match next week against Lance Storm. At the end, he announces that he will have a friend in his corner just in case. Rick Steiner walks from the darkness in his Michigan jacket and grins at the camera.
Shane Douglas comes out before the main event to tell us he has been entered into the US Title tournament and that his plan doesn't stop there. He knows that with the US Title comes the World Title shot that higher-ups usually wouldn't want him to have.
Jeff Jarrett comes out and awaits his opponent for the main event. After a little bit of silence... Self high five...
WCW World Title #1 Contenders Match: Jeff Jarrett vs Diamond Dallas Page
After a long back-and-forth main event, the referee is knocked out. Jarrett takes the opportunity to go out and grab his guitar. He pulls it back, ready to hit DDP with it before Dusty Rhodes runs out to pull it out of his hands. Jarrett turns around with a "What the hell are you doing, old man!?" before turning around into a diamond cutter. The ref comes to in time to count the 1-2-3.
Winner: Diamond Dallas Page in 17:56