Thunder comes on the air with footage of Spike Dudley's victory in the ten man challenge. We then go to the announce table where Scott Hudson is with a returning Gene Bennett.
Hudson: Welcome to WCW THUNDER!! I am Scott Hudson along side the return of Gene Bennett. Gene, I want to start off by saying thank you for helping me a few weeks back.
Gene: It wasn't a problem Scott. I did what was right. You aren't a trained wrestler but I am. And if no one else would stand up for you I would.
Hudson: I am very grateful still. Tonight we have a great show Gene. Tonight four titles will be defended. Disqo will defend the TV title against Vampiro. Just Joe will go one on one with Jaime Knoble for the Cruiserweight title.
Gene: Also tonight Shane Douglas faces Steve Blackman for the Hardcore Title. We also have a big main event tonight. Booker T defends the World Title against Sting.
Hudson: Don't forget the team of Lash LeRoux and Scott Taylor take on the New Hart Foundation for the tag team titles Gene. Plus Chris Candido, Bret Hart, The Horsemen, the FBI and William Regal are all here.
Gene: Let's go to the back where Mean Gene is with Vampiro.
Mean: Vampiro, this is your first match since you lost a triple threat match at Slamboree.
Vampiro: Do you sense it? Do you sense the return?
Mean: What are you talking about?
Vampiro: The return Mean Gene, it is coming and it will be like nothing you have ever seen!
Mean: He isn't all there folks, but up next he will go one on one with Disqo for the TV title.
Disqo and Vampiro battled to a draw in 0:10:00.
Rating: * 3/4
(Disqo retained the WCW TV Title.)
Vampiro looked good on his return but Disqo is on a roll. The match went back and forth several times. Vampiro hit a missile dropkick and went for the Nail in the Coffin but Disqo floated over and hit the Last Dance. He didn't make the cover however before the time limit expired.
Gene: Vampiro looked good in his return here, but you have to wonder about the return he was talking about. Several stars are AWOL right now.
Hudson: The who and when is what I am wondering about Gene. As long as the where isn't on the announce table I don't care. Let go to Terry Taylor who is with the TV Champ Disqo.
Taylor: Disqo, you lucked out against Vampiro. Do you feel that your quest for respect has been successful?
Disqo: Terry, I believe it has. I think that people are finally respecting me as an athlete and a champion.
Taylor: With that said why is it then you went back to your dancing ways on Thunder?
Disqo: Because I can. Being Double G, the Re-Enforcer I can do what I want. I am the TV Champion. Even Ric Flair can't stop me.
Taylor: Well you keep spouting off about Ric Flair and you will have the Horsemen to deal with. After the break we will have the Hardcore title match.
No-Countout-No-DQ-Falls-Count-Anywhere Match:
Shane Douglas pinned Steve Blackman with the Franchiser in 0:04:34.
Rating: *
(Shane Douglas retained the WCW Hardcore Title.)
This match stayed in the ring. It went back and forth until Blackman missed a pumpkick. He turned around into a low blow and the Franchiser for the win.
Gene: Shane Douglas might be the man to take this title to new heights. With past champions like Ray Traylor and Gangrel along with guys like Steve Blackman, Bill DeMott and Vampiro this title could become a hot commodity.
Hudson: Well up next we will have another hardcore match as Gangrel tries to get some revenge on Chris Candido.
No-Countout-No-DQ-Falls-Count-Anywhere Match:
Chris Candido pinned Gangrel after a crucifix in 0:04:22.
Rating: * 1/2
Chris Candido picked up a victory over of the former Hardcore champion in Gangrel. Gangrel attacked Candido as he came out of his locker room. Gangrel then pulled Tammy out of her locker room. Gangrel set up Tammy for the Impaler DDT but Candido stopped it. Moments later Gangrel charged with a clothesline but Candido countered with a crucifix and got the win. After the match the lights in the back went out and when they came back up Tammy was a victim of a blood bath.
Gene: Gangrel continues his mind games against the Triple Threat.
Hudson: I hope Gangrel has some backup because sooner not later the Triple Threat might find him alone and he won't be able to fight all three off. Let's go to the back and Mean Gene.
Mean: Joe, you have been able to upset most of your fellow cruiserweights. Many people are calling you the luckiest champion in WCW history.
Joe: Well Gene, it doesn't matter how you win as long as you win. Tonight I face a former champion. I am getting used to this title around my waist and I don't plan on losing this title any time soon.
Mean: Up next our Cruiserweight title match.
Just Joe and Jaime Knoble battled to a draw in 0:10:00.
Rating: **
(Just Joe retained the WCW Cruiserweight Title.)
Just Joe held onto the title thanks to a time limit draw. This match was really dominated by Jaime but Joe just wouldn't go away. He kept fighting back. Knoble hit the Jumping Tombstone but the ref wasn't able to make the cover before the bell rang. After the match the Man Beast Rhino hit the ring. Knoble stood up right into the Gore. Rhino the picked up Joe and gave him a piledriver. Rhino then pulled a table into the ring and set it up in the corner. He then Gored Knoble through it. He set up a second table on the floor and gave Joe a piledriver through the table from the apron.
Gene: This is making me sick.
Rhino gets into Gene's face.
Gene: Don't get into my face boy. You touch me and I will get your ass fired.
Rhino: Come on tough guy. I will break your F*CKING NECK!
Gene starts to come out from behind the table when Bret Hart runs from the back and attacks Rhino. The two exchange rights and then go into the ring. Security rushes to the ring and separates the two.
After the break we see Bret in the ring.
Hart: Rhino, this has to stop. You think you can just attack anyone and everyone well you are wrong. At Great American Bash the two of us will be going one on one and that is where I finish my Rhino hunt.
"Well it's the Big Show" plays as Paul Wight comes out.
Wight: Hold it right there. What makes you think that you will make it to the Bash? If you have the balls why don't you fight me right now.
Hart: You got it. Just remember, the bigger they are the harder they fall.
Bret Hart defeated Paul Wight via pinfall in 0:08:41.
Rating: * 1/2
This match went back and forth. Wight went for the Showstopper but Hart kicked Wight low. He then shoved him into the official. This brought out the Man Beast once again. Rhino was setting up for Gore but Hart was also ready. He side stepped Rhino and Rhino Gored Wight. Rhino turned around into a dropkick that sent him to the floor. Hart made the cover and got the three count.
Gene: This is what I am talking about. How is it that our CEO Ric Flair allows that b*stard Rhino coming out here all the damn time. Someone needs to stop him.
Hudson: Well I agree Gene, but a word of advice, lay off The Nature Boss.
Gene: Well screw that. I am sick and tired of this crap. Enough is enough Scott and we need to stand up for ourselves.
The Horsemen music plays as Flair makes his way to the announce table.
Flair: Who in the hell do you think you are Gene. You think that you can bad mouth me on my own damn show?
Gene: Well someone needs to slap you out of your comma. You sure aren't doing anything but giving yourself and your buddies in the Horsemen title shots. Tonight you are giving Hennig a shot and after Steiner takes him it will be Jarrett. You make me sick.
Flair: Well this is a nice return for you tonight Gene. It will also be your retirement because YOUR FI---
"He's the AMERICAN DREAM!" Plays as Dusty Rhodes comes out on the ramp.
Dusty: Hold it right there Nature Boy. You might be the CEO but I am the commissioner. Gene, as commissioner I want to tell you that you will always have a job with WCW. So if you are fired you will have a job as the assistant commissioner.
Flair: You can't do that! I AM THE NATURE BOY! I AM THE KISS STEALIN, WHEELIN DEALIN, JET FLYIN, LIMOUSINE RIDIN SON OF A GUN!! I AM THE BOSS DAMN IT!! WHOO!
Dusty: You might be the boss but I have just as much power as you. So just remember that. Since we are on the same level I can't change the US Title match. I can however say this. If any of the Horsemen show up at ringside they will be fired on the spot.
Flair: WHO IS IT MAKING THESE RULINGS! WHO PUT YOU IN CHARGE DAMN IT!!
Dusty: Let's just say it is someone that hates you and the Horsemen as much as me.
We go to break with Flair and Gene eye to at the ring table. After the break we see the FBI getting some coffee. Out of no where Chris Kanyon runs up and hits Tony Mamaluke with the Kanyon Cutter. He then runs off.
Guido: Kanyon, tonight I am going to kick your ass in the ring. No one messes with the FBI!
We then go to the ring where Curt Hennig is facing off with the Scott Steiner.
Scott Steiner pinned Curt Hennig after a belly-to-belly suplex in 0:04:30.
Rating: *
(Scott Steiner retained the WCW United States Title.)
Steiner dominated the match. Steiner couldn't be stopped and Hennig wasn't on his game. Steiner hit a belly to belly as Hennig came off the ropes for the win. After the match William Regal hit the ring. Regal hit Steiner with a chair and then repeatedly hit Steiner. This brought out Roddy Piper for the save. We go to break with Piper helping Steiner to his feet
After the break we see Mean Gene with William Regal.
Mean: William Regal, what is your problem? You have gone from the US Champion to the CEO's bitch.
Regal: Hold it there sunshine. First off you best be showing our CEO a little more respect. Second off it is Lord William Regal to you. I was told by the CEO himself to watch the match and make sure no one embarrasses themselves much like Roddy Piper does every week.
Mean: William that is just plain stupid. Roddy Piper has never embarrassed anyone.
Regal: Mr. Okerland you better not keep mouthing off. Now bugger off sunshine.
Suddenly Roddy Piper attacked Regal from behind. The two exchange rights hands until security separates them. Dusty Rhodes then shows up.
Dusty: Enough is enough. At The Great American Bash it will be you two going one on one. This will be a street fight so get ready.
Gene: That makes two matches signed here tonight for the Great American Bash. Rhino taking on Bret Hart and William Regal going against Roddy Piper. We still have several weeks until the pay per view it could be huge.
Hudson: Gene I want to say that it took a set to take on the CEO but I hope you haven't bitten off more then you can chew.
Gene: Well anytime the Horsemen want a piece of me they can just stand up. Let's go to the ring where our resident psycho Chris Kanyon is taking on Little Guido.
We go to the back where we see Kanyon sneaking toward the ring. We then see the Hardcore Champion Shane Douglas getting some coffee. Kanyon runs up to Douglas and gives him a Kanyon Cutter before running to the ring for his match.
Kanyon pinned Little Guido Maritato with the Kanyon Cutter in 0:05:08.
Rating: * 3/4
Kanyon got a big win in this match thanks to the Triple Threat. Guido was about to hit the Kiss of Death when C.W. and Chris Candido hit the ring. The official held them back as the Hardcore Champ hit the ring from the crowd. He went to hit Kanyon with the belt but Kanyon ducked and Guido took the belt shot. Douglas turned around into another Kanyon Cutter. Guido, busted open from the belt shot, stumbled right into the Kanyon Cutter and the win. Kanyon then gave Scott James the Kanyon Cutter before running through the crowd.
Gene: Kanyon is a crazy person. He is messing with the Triple Threat which is a losing battle.
Hudson: Gangrel tired and he came up on the short end of the stick and Kanyon might well do the same. Lets go to the back where Mean Gene is with Scott Taylor and Lash LeRoux.
Mean: The friendship you two have built over the past few weeks has led to a title match here tonight.
Taylor: Gene, tonight we go out there and do our best. We have one advantage over Owen and Lance, and that is heart. We want those titles more then they want to keep them Gene.
Mean: Well I for one wish you good luck. Up next the tag team title match.
The New Hart Foundation defeated Scott Taylor and Lash LeRoux when L.
Storm made Taylor submit to the Maple Leaf in 0:07:59.
Rating: **
(The New Hart Foundation retained the WCW Tag Team Titles.)
Lash and Scott did a great job in this title match. They went back and forth with the champs. Lash hit the Whiplash 2001 which set up a flying legdrop from Taylor but Owen pulled Lance out of the way. Lance locked in the Maple Leaf while Owen knocked Lash out of the ring. Taylor tapped out and the champs retained their titles.
Owen: Is there any team in the back that can take these titles from us?
Lance: The thing is we were born to wrestle and bred to win Owen. No one can beat us.
The Horsemen music plays as Jeff Jarrett and Curt Hennig come out on the ramp.
Hennig: You two are the best huh? Well there is only one team around here that is PERFECT.
Jarrett: And to clear things up you two Canadian Slapass it ain't you two. We are the best team in WCW today and you two are dodging us.
Owen: Jeff, you have never been the best at anything. I carried our team in the WWF. If you two can beat three other teams on Nitro we will give you a title shot.
Hennig: That is fine with us.
Storm: Just remember that you have to win, something that American's aren't used to.
Gene: Sounds like we have a four way dance for Nitro. The winner's will be going to the Great American Bash to face the Champions.
Hudson: Speaking of champions lets go to the back where Mean Gene is with Booker T and the challenger Sting.
Mean: Booker T, tonight you take on Sting for that title. The winner of this match will mostly face off with Spike Dudley.
Booker: Well Gene, it is an honor to be in the ring with Sting once again. I know that any night I could drop this title and with Sting that day could be today.
Sting: Booker, this friendship thing is all good and fine. However when we hit that ring it is going to be every man for himself.
Booker: Is that the way you want it?
Sting: Yeah!
The wrestlers get face to face.
Mean: Hold it right there guys. Save it for the ring.
Booker: Just remember Sting, don't hate the player---HATE THE GAME!
Mean: Up next the World Title is on the line.
Booker T pinned Sting with the Book End in 0:10:04.
Rating: ** 1/2
(Booker T retained the WCW World Title.)
The two men hit the ring and went right after each other. The heat from the back carried over into the ring. The match was going great until from the back out came the Man Beast Rhino and the Mastodon Big Van Vader came down. This distracted Sting. He turned around right into the Book End and the win. Vader and Rhino then attacked the champ and challenger. Rhino gores Sting while Vader gives Booker a Powerbomb. We go off the air with the champ and challenger go off the air.