...does that mean Vince Russo is invited?

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say "naw."

From Chuck Hires: I have been watching wrestling probably for more years than your age! I am tired of your ranting and raving about the WCW and the oohs and aahs about the WWF.

I agree that the WWF is better watched and rated, but what will happen if only one major organization is left? What will you have to write about? I really do not think you have thought this one through to its' conclusion.

Leaving the industry to one organization with a ego maniac at the helm is a really scary thought! If Vince treats the wrestlers like he does now, how do you think he will treat them if he knows he is the only major game in town?

There is allot more at stake than you ranting and raving about the WCW here!

First of all, I'm sure there'll always be something for me to write about. Second, how can you have been watching wrestling for at least thirty years (or did you think I was a teenager?) and at the same time actually be HAPPY with what WCW had been serving up? It boggles my mind...if anything, you should have been more frustrated with WCW than I was!

316SPANK (cute) asks me to show a little heart:Dear CRZ,

I've read your 'caps for a loooong time now (almost typed nwo there- force o' habit) and I have to say I am shockingly disappointed in you. First off, let me say you have been and always will be DA MAN (after Flair and that bald guy) and I will continue to read whatever you decide you write. But your cynicism towards the death of WCW makes me mad. I don't get it. Sure, it's fun and cool to be cynical all the time, but the end of a promotion that has given us wrestling (regardless of the bad- or "the dog" if you weeeel) for all these years isn't funny. I would like to think that all of us (smarts, marks, smarks, snarks, smurfs, etc) love wrestling or else why would we be even writing or reading about it?

The fact that I will not get to watch Nitro or Thunder (I never stopped watching even when Stevie left) makes me sad. I would think that you would at least feel a little bit of remorse. Damn.

Summing it up, I can't help but think of the Comic Book Store Guy and his "worst episode ever" remark, and Bart's subsequent "they've given you all those hours of free entertainment" argument, and I think it applies here (although by no means am I comparing the Simpsons to Nitro or I&S for that matter).

Well whatever, I hope next week rocks and we end with a *bang* and not a whimper and that one day we see a WCW (in one form or another) again.

It sounds like you want me to say "it really sucked...but since it's the last week, I better not say they suck, even if they do." What can I tell you? That's not how I operate. Anyway, you may be right - they may just end with a bang after all...

WCW logo - for the last time? - TV-14-DL ratings box

Well ho-lee-shit. Direct from the "oilcans and cyclone fencing" backstage set, and I hope you're sitting down. "Imagine that. Me - VINCE McMAHON. Imagine that! Here I am on WCW television. How can that happen? Well there's only one way - you see, it was just a matter of time before I, Vince McMahon, bought my competition - that's right, I OWN WCW. Therefore, in its final broadcast tonight on TNT, I have the opportunity to address you, the WCW fans - I have an opportunity to address you, the WCW superstars. What is the fate of WCW? Well, tonight - in a special simulcast - you'll all find out, because the fate - the *very* fate of WCW...is in MY HANDS."

Whoa.

Opening Credits - No Nash - No Goldberg - Crowbar? - huh

Cue the pyro one more time - it's 26.3.1 and it's not just a season finale, it's WCW SPRING BREAK-OUT! "I have seen it - and I *still* cannot believe it!" We are via tape-delay from Panama City Beach, FL and *there's no pool?!?* For the final night on Turner Network Television, it's a WCW Night of Champions!

Your hosts are TONY SCHIAVONE & SCOTT HUDSON - both wearing black once again and perhaps fittingly so - words, for once, fail both men. All five titles are on the line, and let's kick it off straight away...

THE CEO takes the long walk to the ring - what could *he* be thinking about all this? Probably something along the lines of "why couldn't I be at the Oscars when they kept playing my music?" "Did I - Did I - WOOOO! - Did I - happen - to hear - Vince McMahon - say - he - was goin' - to hold - W - CW - in the palms - of his hands? Is that what he said? Does that mean that YOU are gonna hold Jack Brisco, Dory Funk, Harley Race, the Road Warriors, Sting, Luger, the Steiners, Bagwell, Ric Flair, Steamboat, does that mean you're gonna hold us all in the palm of your hand? To coin a phrase, I don't think so! You know, at twelve o'clock today, someone very special to me said 'do not go onto that show tonight knowin' it's the last time you'll ever be on TNT or TBS' - knowing it's the last time, she said to me 'don't go out there and cry - don't go out there and say your sorry' because I'm not - I've been fourteen times the world champion - in my eyes, one of the greatest, you got it! The greatest wrestling organisation in the world - WCW! WE...I'm talkin' about the Stinger, the Lugers, the Steiners, the Road Warriors - I'm talkin' about my best friend, Arn Anderson and the IV Horsemen - we have been on a par, and we have been equal to any wrestling organisation in the world - as a matter of fact, we have run neck and neck with you, Vince McMahon, for years - for YEARS - and just for trivia, Vince McMahon, do you know that in 1981 when you were trying to become an announcer, your dad was on the board of directors and voted for ME to be the world champion - WOOOO! (off the ropes) How 'bout that? And ever since that day, I have been (jacket's off) a limousine ridin', jet flyin', kiss stealin', wheelin' dealin', son of a gun, that along with the whole WCW dammit all, have kissed the girls worldwide! And made 'em cry. (Sign: McMAHON IS SATAN) 'cause ya see, we were every bit the force we were WCW - we lived, we breathed, we sweat, we paid the price to be the best - never been about the boys - it's always been WWF vs. WCW in the office - the boys that have gone out there, night in and night out, doing everything they could to be the very best at what they chose to do in their life - those boys are here toinght - we are. We're not going anywhere, you can't hold us in your hand and predict our life! We're WCW! We've bled and we've sweat - when was the last time you wrestled for an hour, cut yourself five times - bled for forty-five minutes - when - were - you - there - you weren't! You weren't! You were never in the dressing room, on the road forty days and forty nights, bleedin', sweatin', goin' to the next town, you weren't there, you can't hold people's lives in your hands. We're the greatest wrestling company of all time - I'm gonna say it again - (beach ball: VINCE SUCKS) you can't control us or our future, and in closing, let me say this - in all my years in this sport, my greatest opponent with this company has been Sting - so tonight, if we're going out, if we're going out on a high note, Stinger, the Nature Boy wants you right here, because - that's right - that's right - ya hear it, Sting? Sting, my greatest opponent - Sting, your last chance - your last chance to be... ["Sting!"] Sting! Sting Sting Sting Sting Sting - Sting! (white board: WWF SUX) To be - the man, you've gotta beat the man, and Sting...I'M - THE - MAN - WOOOOO!" Sign: VINCE, 1ST XFL, NO WCW, YOURE A DUMBASS

UP NEXT...Title vs. Title - Booker T. vs. Scott Steiner - you're kidding, it's NEXT?!?

Promotional consideration paid for the last time by Slim Jim (we'll miss Savage), Geico, Geico (again), "Remember the Titans" (a pun!) on video & DVD, and Aqua Velva Ice Sport

Lest we forget, it's WCW Spring Break-Out, brought to you by 1-800-COL-LECT & America (ha!) Online 6.0!

WCW UNITED STATES & WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLES: MESH HEAD MUSH MOUTH (with Midajah) v. NAPPY T. - How ECW-esque is it to have the champion jerking the curtain? I wonder if he'll win this match, only to have some weirdness give us a *second* match later in the show - remember the Dudley Boyz winning the tag team titles the night they left ECW? If I were going to rebuild WCW, Curt Hennig and Booker T. would be at the top of my list. Hey, there's Marc Manning next to that luchalaparka.com sign! (I think it's Mark with a K.) Oh, sorry, Mark. (Do you even know who that is?) Yeah, it's the guy with the sign. Referee "Blind" Nick Patrick (freshly shorn for the summer and/or getting a last freebie from the WCW barbershop) rings the bell and we're underway. Lockup, side headlock by T, chain wrestling into a back elbow from Steiner - block by T, right, block, right, right, right, whip is reversed, T ducks a Steiner and hits a spinning heel kick for 2. Steiner shoves him to the corner - knee - chop, right, chop, forearm in the back, Steiner mouthing off to the crowd - to the opposite corner - back elbow by T, BIG clothesline, cover - 2! Into the corner, follow lariat, climbing to the second rope...Ten Punch Count Along coming up...but Steiner powerbombs him out at eight for 2! Tossed through the ropes - Midajah with a slap for punctuation. Axehandle from the apron by Steiner - he's got the pipe! T ducks and Steiner whacks the post - yikes. Forearm in the back. Rolled back in - into the ropes, Steinerline. Kiss the bicep, drop the elbow - oh no no no, it's pushup time, he's not ready yet. "Booker T" chant as Steiner puts his head to the corner - Arm over the top rope - chop. Forearm. T fires back - Steiner with a knee - and a belly-to-belly - 1, 2, NO! Steiner pulls back on the arms - let's call that a surfboard - T feels it from the crowd...powering out...but Steiner puts a knee in the back - head to the turnbuckle is halted! - back elbow by T, right, right, right, into the ropes, head down, Steiner with a forearm. Going for a suplex - T up and over - and a dropkick to Steiner when he runs in! Block, right, block, right, right, into the ropes, reversed, but T holds on - knee in the gut - off the ropes with the scissor kick!! Steiner put into the ropes, flapjacked down, breakdancing up, poised for the HARLEM SIDEKICK - motioning for the Book End - and he's gonna HIT it - no, Steiner slips under and hits a Northern Lights suplex (!!) but T kicks out at 2!! Head between the legs - this could hurt - no, T FLIPS out of the powerbomb attempt - BOOK END! 1, 2, 3!!!! Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new WCW World Heavyweight champion. (5:09) Booker T is a four-time World Heavyweight Champion, the reigning United States Heavyweight champion, and you gotta say this for Scott Steiner, even if you weren't sure before: on this night, he was a champion - he was a professional.

Here's a look at the Spring Break-Out, complete with lots of plugs - let's hope Riki Rachtman doesn't stay on

Don't you forget, it's a Night of Champions!

Vince is on the phone, dissin' WCW's choice of locale - "some redneck beer joint down at, you know, some place in the panhandle of Florida - now how appropriate is that?"

Let Us Take You Back to Moments Ago where Booker T. won the gold

JUNG DRAGONS (already in the ring) v. 3 COUNT v. RAYMOND STEREO & KIDMAN for a cruiserweight tag team title shot later in the show - I missed the opening bell - so did referee "Blind" Charles Robinson. Kidman and Kaz flank Shannon Moore as we start - More runs for Kidman, who ducks the clothesline and runs into Kaz with forearms, whipped into Moore who brings him up, but Kaz hits a flying headscissors down. Kidman with a Frankensteiner on Kaz - Moore rolls up Kidman but Kaz kicks his back at 2. Karagias in - body scissors into a faceplant on Kaz. Drivin' the Cadillac! Yang in - Karagias ducks the clothesline, body scissors off the ropes - Yang with the wheelbarrow suplex - and a mock. Mysterio with a dropkick to Yang's back to take him out. It's train wreck time - Rey up top - springboard somersault Thesz press! Kaz with a tope over the top onto Rey - Karagias with a springboard plancha onto Kaz! Moore shoves Kidman away and scales the ropes - twisting moonsault to the floor! Kidman climbing the rope - SHOOTING STAR PRESS! I think it's a little too late to start calling it the "Kidmankaze," myself. Yang's made it back in - Mysterio on the apron - block, right by Mysterio, springing back in and hitting a 'rana on Yang. Running at Yang - body scissors - Yang dumps his head onto the turnbuckle. Yang going up top to try Yang Time - and it hits!! 1, 2, Kidman saves! Kid Krusher attempt - no, Moore breaks it up - going for Bottoms Up - THAT lands, but Kaz hits a screaming kick to break up THAT pin. Yang puts him on top and brings him over with what reminds me of the Quebecers' Tower, except Kaz is out front to combo powerbomb him - 1, 2, Karagias saves. Kidman and Kaz go outside and brawl on the floor - Karagias with the neckbreaker on Yang - HE'S going up top - firebird splash!! 1, 2, Kidman saves! Karagias put in the ropes, but he holds on - Kidman runs at him and the crossbody takes them BOTH out - back in the ring, Mysterio sets up for the broncobuster on Moore- but he gets the boot up in a sensitive area. Crowd: "OOH!" Moore with a right - into the ropes, Mysterio spins out, dumps Moore onto the apron, Moore right, but Mysterio goes to the gut with a knee, right, right, Moore hung out to dry - Mysterio with a guillotine from the top - 1, 2, 3! (about 3:40) DEY WANT DA BELTS!

TONIGHT... Ric Flair vs. Sting - are they sure Sting is around?

Psst...it's a night of champions

Vince is still on the phone - but there's a knock at the door - it's Trish Stratus with a bottle of bubbly and a pair of glasses. Vince sets aside the bottle and says that the best way to celebrate is actually to...lay out on the sofa while the cork pops, symbolically-like.

Let Us Take You Back to Sin - and SuperBrawl Revenge - and two weeks ago on Nitro - and Greed - all showcasing wins by Shane Helms

WCW CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE: CHAVO GUERRERO JNR v. "SUGAR" SHANE HELMS (with the Nitro Grrrls - or whatever they're called) - I hope YOU haven't been taking a drink every time Tony's said "fate of WCW is in his hands," 'cause you'd be DEAD by now. That's a rather natty Hawaiian shirt worn by ring announcer DAVID PENZER, by the way. Referee "Blind" Scott James rings the bell and here we go - lockup, waistlock by Guerrero, to the ropes, repeated forearms in the back, kick, kick, Helms fires back, right, right, switch in the corner, right, right, whip into the opposite corner is reversed, Helms goes under, got him on his back, spun into a jawbreaker on the knee, neckbreaker gets 2, and I hear "Witchblade" is coming soon to TNT. Right, right, into the ropes, head down, kick by Guerrero, clotheslined over the ropes to the floor. Guerrero outside after him, rolling Helms back in - back through the ropes, death suplex lands. Kick in the gut, sat on top, Guerrero climbing up after him - but Helms holds on to block the superplx. Front superplex by Helms to toss him into the centre - swandive sunset flip gets 2! Ducks a clothesline, right, right, whip is reversed, up and over, Guerrero lands a lariat. 1, 2, no. Guerrero stays on him - BIG chop. Helms to the apron - Guerrero tries to suplex him back in, block, block, right, right is blocked, Helms runs his head to the buckle, climbs up top, and lands a plancha for 2. Guerrero ducks the swing, but not the gutshot - Guerrero up and over, HE lands a gutshot, exploder (!), leg is hooked - 1, 2, NO! Guerrero still in command - no, the suplex is blocked twice - rights to the kidney by Helms - up and over the hiptoss attempt, DDT attempt by Chavo blocked, but he swings around and lands a Nothern Lights suplex - for 2! Big chop by Chavo - into the ropes is reversed, Chavo slides under, sunset flip attempt but Helms grabs the legs and sits down - 1, 2, NO! Helms slips under the clothesline attempt and hits a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Right, into the corner, Guerrero rolls under the Sugar Smack superkick - Helms tries to bring him up but Guerrero has him in the Slop Drop position - inside-out suplex is countered as Helms lands on his feet - same position - Helms shoves him into the corner - Sugar Smack lands as he comes out - Vertebraeker time? No! Chavo backflips out of the attempt, gutshot, going for the brainbuster but Helms ducks THAT - and there *is* the Vertebraeker - 1, 2, 3. Call me crazy, but I think I sense a finishing pattern in these title matches... (4:39) I wonder if a Guerrero family reunion can be close behind - won't Hector be at WrestleMania?

UP NEXT...Team Canada vs. O'Haire and Palumbo

LATER... Ric Flair vs. Sting!

Promotional consideration paid for by Slim Jim (Savage) (again), "Remeber the Titans" on video & DVD (again), Targon (and Torgo), Aqua Velva Ice Sport (again), and Castrol AccuVision

Hey, you know it's a Night of Champions

Backstage, Booker T. talks to .... somebody. "How do I feel right now? I gotta lotta mixed emotions running through me right now, but now being the World Heavyweight champion, the US Champion all in the same night, closing WCW, I'd like to say this may be the end of a chapter..but let me tell you there are many, many more pages left in this Book. So let me tell you this: from this point on, I will prove that I am the best this bitchness (oops) has to offer, and if anybody wanna tempt - test me, step to me like a man. But I tell you this: I will prove I'm the best to each and every sucker, and like I - I always say, like I say each and every time, don't hate the player...hate the game." I hope that they get him a better catchphrase...

WCW WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE: LANCE STORM & "CANADIAN KILLER" AWESOME MIKE AWESOME (with Let Us Take You Back to Last Week) v. AD BREAK - "If I can be serious for a minute...last week, we started our road to the tag team titles - well that road ends tonight. All rise for the new tag team champions and our Canadian national anthem!" Tony can't WAIT to talk over the anthem - SHAME! Looks like we'll get the whole anthem in, 'cause we take an ad break as soon as it starts...

When we come back, Vince and Trish are done neckin' - I guess - MICHAEL KING COLE barges in and interrupts. "You interrupt me at a time like this?" "I'm sorry, sir, but just wanted to get your reaction - quite frankly, many people, WCW fans are concerned that they may never see their brand of sports entertainment again, and WCW wrestlers are concerned that they may never compete again!" "Is that right? How do you feel about *your* job security? Get the hell outta here." Trish tells Vince she loves it when he's forceful. They toast...and drink up.

Schiavone & Hudson wonder aloud about *their* job security - we can only hope!

LANCE STORM & AWESOME MIKE AWESOME (already in the ring) v. SEAN O'HAIRE & CHUCK PALUMBO for the World Heavyweight tag team championships - well, dammit, now we'll *never* know how long that anthem ran. That opening bell sure is poorly mic'd tonight. It's Storm, O'Haire, and referee "Blind" Mickie J. Gobehind by Storm, standing switch, Storm grabs an arm into a hammerlock and steps on the back of the knee to take him down - to a side headlock - O'Haire up, hiplock takeover. Forearm. Witchblade coming to TNT. Tag to Palumbo, right, right, kick, one more tag in case J. missed it - Palumbo right, right, right, into the ropes, reversed, reversed again, leapfrog by Palumbo, crossbody caught, fallaway slam, shot for Awesome...but turns back to eat a superkick from Storm. Tag out to Awesome - snapmare by Storm - Awesome with a springboard clothesline...for 2. Right by Awesome, right, into the corner, Palumbo up and over, right hand, right, into the corner, Awesome stairsteps up and hits a back elbow - shot for O'Haire to distract the ref, stomp on Palumbo, tag to Storm, stomp, in the corner, chop, chop, Palumbo blocks the punch and hits a right, double leg takedown, WOW Catapult into the corner, and Storm staggers back into a rollup for 2. Storm with a seated dropkick to turn it back. Both men are down - both men tag. O'Haire with a forearm for Awesoeme, back elbow for Storm, kick for Awesome, kick for Storm, Awesome into the ropes, ducks the clothesline, but O'Haire puts him on his shoulders...that's a reverse Death Valley Driver (ouch) and that's 2 as Storm saves. All four men in now - right for Storm, right, O'Haire working over Awesome - double whip, Awesome reverses his and Storm ducks the clothesline from O'Haire - Awesome with a clothesline for O'Haire - ducks a clothesline from Palumbo, who gets a superkick from Storm. Team Canada in control - double whip, Palumbo ducks the double clothesline, O'Haire pulls Storm out as Awesome hits a gutshot - going for an Awesomebomb...but Palumbo slides down the back and frees himself - ducks a clothesline, lands a Jungle Kick, O'Haire up top for the Seantonbomb - leg is hooked - 1, 2, 3! (3:23)

TONIGHT... Ric Flair vs. Sting!

Hey, didja notice they frontloaded this show with almost all of the title matches? Now it's okay for you to switch to RAW if you're a WWF fan, and if you're a WCW fan, you can stick around for the Flair/Sting match - feel it!

Buff Bagwell carries the power of the WCW MasterCard...for at least one more night, anyway

Close captioning provided one last time by George Foreman and Meineke!

Let Us Take You Back to Last Week Where Bam Bam Bigelow Tricked Shawn Stasiak Into A Tattoo Stipulation

Hmm, top of the hour but no announcement - instead we see STACEY (with the TV-14-DL ratings box) hit the ring. "How many of you young, tan, college hunks wanna see me dance right now? You wanna see me...take it off? Well, sorry, I'm not here to dance tonight. I'm here to once again introduce YOU to the Shawn & Stacy Show - and now, I wanna introduce you to the man who rocks MY world, the Mecca of Manhood, Shawn 'the Star' Stasiak!"

SHAWN STASIAK (with Stacey) v. TRIPPA B. (with a tattoo kit) in a ... oh, who knows - "Shut up, listen and learn!" Bigelow's music interrupts Stasiak in mid-promo - thank heaven for small favours. Bigelow wants to paste him with the case - Stasiak hides behind Stacy while referee "Blind" Billy Silverman tries very hard to get the case out of Bam Bam's hands - while they tussle, Stasiak sneaks in with a kick - right, right, right, right, into the ropes, kick is caught - spun around and Bigelow lands a clothesline - clothesline - into the corner, avalanche MISSES - Stasiak with a clothesline. Stasiak going up top...off the top rope but there's no water in the pool. Scoop...and a slam. Bigelow going up top - HEADBUTT!! Stacey on the apron as Bigelow covers - naturally, Silverman misses every chance to count, trying to get her out of the ring. Bigelow ducks a swing and scoops him up - but instead of hitting the Greetings, Stacey grabs the boots (I guess) and helps him back to the mat (I guess). Knee in the back - neckbreaker - 1, 2, 3. (1:25)

Commissioner Regal shows off his WrestleMania jersey to Mr. McMahon - McMahon says yeah, it's nice, but why did he want to see him? "Oh, yes. Now, I've heard you're buying WCW - I mean, are you sure you want to do that? I mean, I know quite a lot about that place, and it's a bloody awful place, the nonsense that goes on there is unbelievable - I mean, I don't want to second guess you but are you really sure? I mean, there is rather a stench in the air and I wouldn't want to cause, you know, as much as I think of you, I wouldn't want you to get in any trouble above yourself or anything..." Vince tells him he's on the case. GIVE REGAL THE WORLD TELEVISION TITLE *NOW*

Oh, I almost forgot - this is WCW Spring Break-Out, and here's a Special Video Look to prove it! Oh, hey - Vertical Horizon are kinda famous, aren't they. DISQO looks pretty wasted - I wonder if he knows something that I don't.

Earlier Today, Diamond Dallas Page talked to...well, somebody, somewhere. He thanks fans around the world for letting Page Joseph Falkenberg become Diamond Dallas Page. If you want something bad enough, anything is possible. Thanks for helping him live his dream. "Is that dream over? I don't think so. I think it's time to take it...to another level."

Tonight is a Night of Champions - and here's a look at most of the men to hold the World Heavyweight Championship over the last fifty years - wow, this was a pretty nice clip here

UP NEXT... "Primetime" and Kid Romeo vs. Rey Mysterio and Kidman

STILL TO COME... Ric Flair vs. Sting

The WCW Spring Break-Out 2001 was brought to you by - all together now - 1-800-COL-LECT and America (ha!) Online 6.0!

Night of Champions! It is!

Vince McMahon is back on the phone - it's just about that time, and he's ready to get ready.

Let Us Take You Back to Earlier Tonight

"PRIMETIME" and KID ROMEO v. KIDMAN & RAYMOND STEREO for the world cruiserweight tag team championships - Tony: "Needless to say, as we take a look at the cruiserweight tag team champs, we're very nervous, and....the first ever cruiserweight tag team champs come out, and...I don't want to sit here and, and as a person who's been on Nitro for many years, take issue with anything anyone's said - Mr. McMahon...it's his money, he can do whatever he wants, he can...I don't know what he's gonna do tonight, but...let me say this: to sit here and listen to their commissioner...*rip* WCW? Come on. I mean, we've had to do some crazy things, *Steve Regal,* including put *your* ass over on TV. Sorry." Ooh, it's getting REAL - Tony's voice actually *broke* there. Champs attack at first chance - Primetime on Kidman, right, into the corner, Kidman up and onto the shoulders, headscissors takeover, Kidman with a right, into the ropes is reversed, dueling hiptosses, something (Primetime?) gets muted here - body scissors by Primetime...Mysterio out of the corner with a missile dropkick to Primetime! Kidman covers - Romeo breaks before 1. Kidman puts Primetime intot he ropes, no, reversed, Romeo with a shot to the back - referee "Blind" Scott James apparently doesn't care - Primetime catches him with a belly-to-belly suplex. Tag to Romeo - they actually DO the Quebecers' Tower onto Kidman (wow) - Romeo decides to pop Mysterio one instead of cover Kidman. Stomp, stomp, stomp, big of a doubleteam behind James' back. Into the corner, Kidman gets the boot up on Romeo (sorta) - runs at him, but Romeo puts a boot in the midsection. Instead of trying to powerbomb Kidman (which you can't do), he just continues, tossing him over his shoulders to the mat. Romeo tags Primetime - open gutshot, elbow to the mush, into the ropes, Kidman ducks, ducks again, crossbody lands - 1, 2, Primetime bridges out - spin kick to Kidman. Witchblade coming to TNT! Tag to Romeo - off the top but Kidman dropkicks him in the gut on his way down! Mysterio wants the tag and the crowd feels the rhythm - HOT TAG! Tag to Primetime - springboard Thesz press for Primetime - Right for Romeo, into the ropes, gutshot, off the ropes with a spinning DDT - cover - 1, 2, Primetime (who I thought was legal) makes the save - and gets muted again. Into the ropes, Romeo flips Mysterio into Romeo - Mysterio peppers him with punches and BOTH men go over the top to the floor. Kidman is in - Kidman on all fours for Mysterio's boosted forearm shot. Kidman whipped into a baseball slide into the jimmy - and this time the broncobuster lands. Romeo back in - clothesline for Kidman - Mysterio pushed off the second rope, over the top to the floor! Double underhook for Kidman into a spinning Pedigree - 1, 2, Mysterio breaks it up! Kidman with a gutshot - powerbomb! Mysterio outside - springing up and dropping the headbutt - 1, 2, Primetime makes the save! Scoop...Mysterio goes behind - standing switch - on his shoulders - Primetime bridges back with an electric chair suplex - Kidman saves at 2! All four men brawling in adjacent corners now - Mysterio and Romeo go outside - Primetime calls for the Play of the Day but Kidman swings out, holds onto the arm, waistlock, grabs the arms, Kid Krusher - 1, 2, 3! Ladies and gentlemen, we have new cruiserweight tag team champions. (4:45) I thought I heard the WWF wasn't interested in Mysterio - are they gonna retire these titles *already?*

Amidst a sea of hanging bats, it's Sting! "Surprise, surprise! The Stinger is back, of course, did you think I would miss this night? Not for NOTHIN' would I miss this night. This is an historic night! One more dance with the Nature Boy Ric Flair? We started it years ago, Ric - and tonight, we're gonna end it once and for all! And for all you fans out there who are wondering what the future holds for Sting, well...the only thing that's for sure about Sting...is nothing's for sure. It's showtime, folks!"

And now, one more Special Video Look at WCW's Spring Break-Out 2001 and its fine sponsors

Vince McMahon - is - WALKING!

THE MAN v. AD BREAK - Flair wears his blue robe over a black Nitro T-shirt - Schiavone wonders aloud if this will be Ric Flair's last walk to the ring as a competitor. As Flair says "fourteen times" to the camera, I have to ask - didn't we *just* HAVE an ad break?

THE MAN (already in the ring) v. (THIS IS) STING...one last time... - No, this *isn't* the time to ask Sting where he's been and what's up with Scott Steiner taking him out, storyline wise. Steiner was gone after the opening match, and Sting might be gone after this one - just let it go, baby. As "Seek and Destroy" plays, I'll note that *just* in case you're interested, this is the third singles match I've called between these two - they haven't locked it up since July, 1999. Referee "Blind" Charles Robinson calls for the bell...and we are underway. Flair wears blue trunks, kneepads and black boots with his black T-shirt; Sting is in his black and white. Lockup, Sting shoves Flair away. Flair complains of a hairpull, but of course there wasn't one. Flair and Robinson exchange shoves! Lockup, side headlock by Flair, Sting powers out, shoulderblock by Sting. Flair off the ropes...Sting isn't moving. Flair pops up, fists clenched...but backs off. Still a feeling out process here - they're going to the test of strength - but Sting only gets one knucklelock in before Flair decides pain isn't fun - and gouges Sting's left eye. To the corner, big chop from Flair. Right hand finds the mark. ANOTHER chop. One more chop - but Sting's had enough - they trade places in the corner and Sting gets fired up - kick, right, chop, right, chop, kick, hiptoss out of the corner, NICE dropkick and Flair decides he'd better roll outside and reassess the situation. Sting urges the crowd on - and a "Sting-er" chant fills the outdoor arena. Flair back in...and unsure of his next move. They tie up again - side headlock, Sting powers out, but it's *Flair* hitting the shoulderblock this time. Off the ropes, up and over - Sting wants the leapfrog but Flair pulls himself back to the ropes and begs off. Flair to one knee and Robinson stands between them. Sting with a grin - and Flair grins back. Knucklelock, no Flair with a kick in the gut - whip is reversed, gorilla press by Sting - and drops him with a slam! Flair begs off, but Sting's feeling it. "Oh yeah! Just like old times!" Ten Punch Count Along is punctuated by staccato numberes from the crowd. Flair is woozy - FLAIR FLOP! Sting takes a bow and calls to the crowd. Flair tries a chop, but it has no effect - Sting has him by the throat - Flair drops down - and as Robinson comes in to warn Sting about the choke, Flair sneaks in the uppercut right between the legs...you didn't *forget* he was the dirtiest player in the game, did you? Flair off the ropes with a kick to the ribs. Got him by the hair - into the corner - BIG chop. Chop! Hiptosses himover - running kneedrop from the corner! Flair dares the crowd to chant "Stinger" just one more time. Another mighty chop takes Sting to the mat. Flair picks him up - and chops him again - this time, Sting stands fast - shoved into the ropes, but Flair stops it with another poke of the eyes. Snapmare takes Sting over - Flair going out and going up...but Sting wasn't dazed enough - over to the corner - and bealing him back into the centre! Running clothesline! Another running clothesline as soon as Flair gets up! Sting readies himself - whip into the ropes, but Flair holds onto the ropes and Sting's dropkick finds NOTHING but air! It may be time to go to school as Flair locks in the FIGURE FOUR on Sting! Sting is feeling it in six or seven pressure points but shaking his head no - Flair grabbing a rope for leverage and Sting's shoulders go down - 1, 2, NO!! Flair cranking on the rope - 1, 2, NO! Robinson still hasn't seen it - Flair goes for the ropes again but Sting is starting to feel something else - reaching deep down inside for a second wind - pulling Flair back to the middle of the ring, beating his chest, trying to turn it around - the fans will give him the last big of energy needed to TURN OVER the figure four!! Flair, now in the position of feeling the pressure, immediately breaks the hold. Sting is limping as he gets up. Flair with a chop - but a strange look comes over Sting - another big chop - no effect. A big right hand from Flair - and Sting ROARS! Flair begs off but Sting follows him to the corner - kick, right, right, chop, into the opposite corner, Flair upends himself in the corner but doesn't make it over, falling back into the ring! Sting sits Flair up on the top turnbuckle - Sting on the second rope - SUPERPLEX! The time is right - Stingn grabs the legs - it's the SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Flair is shaking his head - but now he's NODDING! Flair gives it up and your winner...is...STING!! (7:19) Sting immediatley helps Flair to his feet and gives him an embrace. Flair falls back down...but offers his hand. Sting takes it and they shake - and hug again. Hudson says it best: "Thank you, Steve Borden - thank you, Ric Flair - for everything you've meant to this sport."

We immediately cut to RAW (keeping the Nitro logo in the lower right to compete with the WWF logo in the lowe left) where BILLIONAIRE VINCE is back up the ramp and demanding another introduction from ring flowerpot LILIAN GARCIA. Sign: VINCE MCMAHON IS A CORPORATE GOD. Your ring announcers are JIM ROSS & PAUL HEYMAN, who is quick to let us know that Vince has won the Monday Night War. "For the first time ever, for the first time ever in sports entertainment history, this broadcast is not only being seen here on TNN and Cleveland, Ohio...it is also being seen across TNN (oops) - Turner Network Television. Now there's only one way that that can happen - there's only one way, and one man who can make history like this happen. Obviously, you all know I have acquired WCW. (mixed reaction) That's right, I bought my competition! Now then, it's not exactly final - well it is and it isn't, you see...the only thing is, Time-Warner can't sell this property to anybody else because nobody really knows what to do with it, so therefore this is what's gonna happen. Time-Warner is practically BEGGING me - they're practically begging me to buy WCW, and I have agreed. There's only one small caveat they're hearing for the first time, and that is this. Time-Warner...they've signed the contracts and I will sign the contracts but I'll sign it this Sunday on pay-per-view at WrestleMania. And I'll sign it when Ted Turner himself walks down the aisle at WrestleMania and delivers the contract in front o' me. Now then, some would say, 'geez, Vince, how did you do it? How did you do it, Vince? I mean, you were up against this media conglomerate, Time-Warner. You were up against a billionaire. I mean, how could you possibly do this?' Well, some might say I had a little help along the way with certain WWF superstars and things of that nature, but quite frankly, I did it all on my own. It was my effort, it was my money, and it's like, okay Vince, how can you possibly beat a billionaire? Well, there's only one answer to that, and that's become one yourself. So now, you have to understand, when Ted Turner walks down the aisle at WrestleMania and practically begs me to sign the contract, I'm gonna do it and then I'm gonna reserve a seat for Ted - I'm gonna put him right over here, right in the corner, because I want Ted Turner to see what I'm gonna do to my very own son Shane. Some would say, come on now, Vince, don't boo me, some would say 'Vince, you can't do that to your own son - he's your flesh and blood!' But you gotta understand what it means to be a competitor - NOBODY understands that better than I do. Because you have to grab your competition by the throat and you've gotta squeeze the life outta your competition - just like I did to WCW! And just like - just like I'm gonna do to my son Shane this Sunday - and by the way, may I add in my corner will be my charming and lovely daughter Stephanie, will also be my companion Trish, and Trish will wheel down...in the wheelchair, Trish will wheel down my very own wife, Linda, and we're gonna park Linda right over here in this corner. And Linda's gonna watch what I do to Shane McMahon this Sunday at WrestleMania. Now then, what should I do with WCW? Well there are a lotta things I could do with it. I might like to have some input from some of you here in a moment. I mean, I could take WCW and just kinda like put it on the shelf....I could do that. I mean, I could sit back and watch those videotapes of Hogan doin' that ridiculous (flexes like a chicken) whatever you call that - I could watch that over and over, them talkin' 'bout how they're gonna bury the WW-- oh, I'd get a great deal of pleasure just sittin' there watching night after night, sittin' there watching the videotapes, backwards and forwards, because you see, there's an old expression: they used to laugh at the WWF - there's an old expression about...he who laughs LAST laughs BEST. And you can see, I'm not exactly laughing, but I've got a real big smile on my face. Then again, if we don't take WCW and put it on the shelf, we could do something else with it - we could take WCW and, perhaps, turn it into this huge media conglomerate much like World Wrestling Federation Entertainment is today - we know how to do that. But if we do that, I'm wondering, uh, well, who should be a part of this WCW, and maybe you can help me out here - umm...when I give you a thumbs up or a thumbs down, I want you to react, maybe you can help me out a little bit, assuming we wanna acquire some of those 'stars.' Let's start with Hulk Hogan - up? Hogan down. All right. Let's go to, uh...Lex Luger up? Lex Luger down. How 'bout, uh, Buff Bagwell up? Bagwell down. How about, uh, let's see, Booker T. up? Booker T. down. You guys are a mixed group up here. How about Big Poppa Pump up? Poppa Pump down. Well...well, I-- I don't know that you've necessarily helped me except, let me just say this... ["Goldberg!" Sign: GOLDBERG] There are a few others, all right - Sting? You want Sting? All right, uh, Goldberg? Well, this is very interesting. You see, I had a choice to make tonight, and that choice was coming here before you in Cleveland, and - and quite frankly gloating...which I think I'm doing a very good job of at the moment...or, or I could do this, instead of gloating, what I could have done was get in my plane, and assuming they have an airport there, fly down to the redneck Rivieria, Panama City Beach, Florida...and walk out there and give every WCW star a piece of my mind, 'cause that's what I really wanna do, but how appropriate is it that WCW's last broadcast is in a beer hall? How appropriate is that? Surrounded by a bunch of beer drinking rednecks! There are obviously a few here tonight. But nonetheless, I've opted to come before you here, as opposed to walking in the ring and lining each and every one of those stars up - every single one of them - so I could look right in their face and say Goldberg, Booker T, and all the rest of them, to look them right in the face and say... YOU'RE FIRED. And that's exactly what's gonna happen because WCW *is* going on the shelf - it's going nowhere - WCW is BURIED. WCW will remain BURIED. Just like anybody here in this arena, or anyone in the world that gets in *my* way. Every single one of you, when you attempt to compete with me, and that includes my son Shane. And I'm not too proud to say it: every single one of you will be BURIED. Just like WCW is buried. Don't start with that. I deserve more respect than that! Dammit, I'm Vince McMahon! Dammit! I own WCW - I own the WWF - and you will treat me with respect! Or I'll walk outta this arena--" The music fires up and this time it's for Shane - Vince faces the EntertainmentTron and dares his son to bring it on - I'll bet he ends up behind him...whoops, I'm wrong.

SKIPPY is actually entering the ring back in Panama City Beach - with Nitro chyron, even! "Shane! Where are you?" "What's up, Vince?" Vince gulps. "Surprise, Dad - you're in Cleveland, Ohio - and I'm here in Panama City Beach, Floria - standing in a WCW ring." There's a weird echo going on here where the picture is a few seconds behind the sound. "And as usual, Dad, your ego has gotten the best of you. Your ego has gotten the best of you, I mean, Dad, you wanted to finalise this deal - WCW at WrestleMania? You wanted, you have the audacity to ask Ted Turner himself to come down and to finalise that deal? Well Dad, that's just the opportunity that I was looking for - because, Dad, the deal *is* finalised with WCW - and the name on the contract DOES say McMahon...however, the contract reads SHANE McMahon. That's right! I now own WCW! And Dad - just like WCW did in the past, how it kicked your ass in the past, and it will again. That's exactly what's gonna happen to you this Sunday at WrestleMania." Nitro credits are up...

TONIGHT: Stone Cold Steve Austin & The Rock (with Debra) vs. Undertaker & Kane! Quick, turn to TNN!

And the last moments of the final Nitro on TNT?

A WrestleMania spot.

Gee...what happened to Eric Bischoff?

It was a great three years for me, but I think I'm more relieved than anything else that it's over. Hope I didn't disappoint you.