83 Weeks - Monday Nitro 6.5.2000 [Show Notes] (Patreon)

June 5th, 2000 Nitro

The June 5th Nitro took place at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta, and drew 13,487 fans, with 5,939 paid for a $178,295 gate 

We're about a month after the Slamboree pay per view, where we saw Jeff Jarrett win the World title from David Arquette in the Ready to Rumble, 3 tied cage match. Also in the match was DDP. We recently did a show on David Arquette's run in WCW.

On the May 15th Nitro, we saw Ric Flair win his last World Title by defeating Jeff Jarrett. However, Vince Russo would strip Ric of the the title on the May 22nd Nitro.

Russo awarded the vacant title to Jarrett, but Kevin Nash stole the title belt. Nash was then forced to face Jarrett in a No Holds Barred match, which Jarrett won.
WWE recognizes Jarrett's reign as lasting 2 days, ending on May 24, 2000, when the following episode aired on tape delay.

The June 5th  Nitro is the go home Nitro for the upcoming Great American Bash pay per view, where we'll see new World Champion Jeff Jarrett defend against former champion, Kevin Nash. As well as Ric Flair wrestling his own son, David Flair and if Ric lost, he had to retire. We'd also see another potential retirement match where Hulk Hogan wrestled Kidman for a shot at the World Title at Bash at the Beach. Hulk's nephew, Horace was the ref and if Hulk lost, he had to retire

So lots going on in WCW at this time. You and Vince Russo are still running things. 

You guys had been working together for going on two months at this point. How were things personally and professionally with you two at this point?

Why were there two retirement matches at the Great American Bash with possibly the two biggest stars in wrestling history up to that point, Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan? You don't often see two possible retirement matches on the same show. Did you guys just think because it was Ric and Hulk, that it would bring a lot of drama to the show?

Meltzer reported - Multi Channel News ran a story about the WCW/SFX negotiations, saying that the 5/25 meeting between the two sides may have been about acquiring a stake in the company as SFX requested detailed financial information about the company, a three-year cash-flow statement and a listing of all employees, titles, contracts and information about pending litigation. Turner Sports spokesperson Greg Hughes said in the story that WCW was not for sale, but many sources indicate the company is trying to unload the financial burden, but if possible, maintain the programming. 

The story said WCW is projected to post a $61.2 million loss this year as an entity, and also drain the Time Warner Inc. earnings because of more money spent on programming costs this year but lesser results as far as garnering ad revenue because of the declining ratings. Jason Hervey and Mandalay Sports have been the intermediary in the SFX/WCW negotiations. Hervey is a long-time friend of Eric Bischoff. 

Like we mentioned, this Nitro was the go-home one before Great American Bash. Did you and Russo have any specific ways that you guys wanted to run a go home show at this time? If so, was it the same or different from when you ran WCW years prior?

This was a big Nitro, maybe the biggest since you and Russo took over. We saw Goldberg's first match back in 6 months, where he took on Tank Abbott. WCW even bought a big ad in the USA Today to hype his return, and several ppv line up's worth of matches.

What would an ad in the USA Today like that cost back in those days and whose idea was it to do that?

That brings us to Nitro.

In a clip from earlier, Tank Abbott and Rick Steiner arrived to the Phillips Arena.

The show opens with Russo and yourself walking to the ring with R & B Security You welcomed the Atlanta fans back to the wrestling empire that you built. You said that Scott Steiner would face Vampiro and Kevin Nash would run the "New Blood gauntlet," with the stipulation being that if Nash lost one match, he would relinquish his title shot at the Bash. You also announced that Sting would wrestle Jeff Jarrett. 

Russo got the mic and sent out a challenge to John Rocker of the Atlanta Braves. Vince told Ric Flair he would wrestle him in a cage later in the show. You said that at some point in the night, he would take the Hardcore Title from Terry Funk. Goldberg watched on the monitor in the back as Russo talked smack on the hometown boy. Goldberg came to the ring and destroyed R & B Security as you and Russo ran to the back.

Backstage, you told Jeff Jarrett to suck it up and defeat Sting later on in their match. When Kidman asked you if he could take care of Horace, you said to do whatever he wanted. This seemed to anger Torrie, who walked away.

The first match on the show was for the World Tag Team Titles

Chuck Palumbo and Shawn Stasiak vs Kronic

The finish saw Bryan Clark make the hot tag and cleaned house, sending both men to the floor. Ernest Miller entered the ring and told the referee to count the wrestlers out. When Billy Silverman refused, Cat placed him in the chicken wing, demanding the count. 

After the bell, Miller told Kronic that his best friend Eric Bischoff would kick them out if they touched him. They attempted a double slam, but were stopped by Stasiak and Palumbo, who were left laying instead.

Backstage, Billy Kidman told Torrie not to embarrass him in front of the bosses again. When Major Guns came to Wilson's aid, Kidman called her a dumb bitch and told her to get lost.

Backstage, as Nash, Scott your announcement earlier in the show. 

Backstage, Major Guns told the Misfits In Action that Kidman yelled at her. GI Bro told them that their mission for the night was to kick Kidman's ass.

Backstage, Nash told Goldberg to destroy Tank and reminded him that Nash owed him one.

The next match was GI Bro with The Misfits In Action vs Bill Kidman with The Filthy Animals

The finish saw Torrie come to the ring and deliver a low blow to Kidman. Kidman reached into his pants and removed a cup, but was hit with the GI slam for the pin. After the bell, The Animals and Kidman attacked the MIA and Bro, leaving them in the ring.

The next match was for Hardcore Title, Terry Funk vs you

The Cat passed weapons to the you, and you swung them at Funk in the ring. Terry hit you over the head with a trashcan, prompting The Cat to take you to the back

Miss Hancock entered the ring and started to dance until Kimberly and Mike Awesome came out. Kim said Hancock was stealing her spotlight and hit her with the clipboard on her back. As Kim and Awesome walked away, Hancock told Mrs. Page to get her fat ass back to the ring. Kim said she would take care of Hancock later.

Back to your match, Funk and yourself fought back up the ramp, with Funk wheeling you to the ring in a wheelbarrow. Backstage, Vince Russo told The Mamalukes to go out and stop the slaughter. In the ring, Funk started to drop his pants, exposing his ass to you, while you were slumped in the corner. The Mamalukes came out and beat up Funk with a chair and a broom handle. Big Vito put you on top of Funk for the pin, and you won the Hardcore Title

Outside, Ric Fair and family arrived to the Phillips Arena.

The next match was for the US Title Scott Steiner vs Vampiro

The finish saw Midajah came from the top with a bodyblock, on Vampiro . He chased her down the ramp, finally stopping her as he poured gasoline around her . Sting came out, beating Vampiro back to the ring with the baseball bat. Steiner hit Vampiro with a belly to belly, followed by a Steiner Recliner for the submission win. R & B Security was then attacked by Sting and Steiner attack after the match.

The next match was Goldberg vs Tank Abbott

The finish saw Rick Steiner attack Goldberg with a chair. Steiner and Abbott beat up Goldberg, until Nash made the save. Nash tripped up Rick, allowing Goldberg to spear and jackhammer Abbott for the win

Backstage, Goldberg thanked Kevin Nash and told WCW trainer Danny Young to stitch him up.

Next was a Kimberly and Mike Awesome interview.

As Pamela started the interview, Kim told her that she was forgiven for stealing the spotlight, because she was new. Kim challenged Miss Hancock to find a partner to face her and Mike Awesome.

Next match was a Non-Title Match, Sting vs World Champion Jeff Jarrett

Finish saw Jarrett beat Sting with a steel chair on the ramp way. After a sunset flip attempt on Jarrett, Sting Jeff over for the three count. The referee awarded him the belt, but you came out and said you never booked the match for the title. 

Sting then told you that Jarrett would arrive to the Bash in a body bag. Sting then beat up Jeff, and hit him over the head with a guitar. Jarrett was stretchered from the arena into an ambulance.

The next match was DDP and Miss Hancock vs Mike Awesome and Kimberly

Awesome told DDP that he had six days left until the end of his career. Kim came out, blowing mock kisses to the crowd. Miss Hancock made Kim sign a paper that released her from all damages she would do. Kim laughed and signed the paper. As Hancock brought DDP out for her partner, Kimberly reminded him of the 500 foot restraining order. Page was happy to point out that she just signed those rights away, and the match was on. 

Finish saw Awesome go for the Awesome Bomb on DDP, but Hancock distracted by lifting her skirt, allowing DDP to set and deliver the Diamond Cutter for the pinfall 

Backstage, Pamela stood outside Hulk Hogan's dressing room. She said that Hulk had stated he would not fight Horace.

The next match was the Steel Cage Match between Hulk and Horace 

You told Horace that he had the night off. The nWo music hit and Hogan came to the stage. He said that Hulk Hogan would not wrestle, but Hollywood was going to kick his nephew's ass. The cage lowered and the match started

It didn't last long and the finish saw Hulk place a chair over Horace's face and dropped a legdrop for the pin. After the bell, Kidman entered, but was thrown over the ropes and through a table by Hulk

Next was an interview with Ric Flair

Ric told Pamela that he would show Vince Russo why he was the dirtiest player in the game.

Next was a Steel Cage Match between Vince Russo & Ric Flair who had his wife at the time, Beth and their son, Reid 

The finish saw, David Flair appear from under the ring. Ric start to chopping him while Russo commandeered a ladder, opened a section of the cage, and climbed to the top. Flair followed as they went to the top of the cage and fought. When they climbed back down, As they climbed back Ric put Vince in the figure four, until the New Bloodbath fell from the ceiling, covering everyone in the ring. Russo and David then beat up Ric, and Russo pinned Ric to win the match

So now both you and Russo have a pinfall win over Ric Flair. Who booked this?

Backstage, Scott Steiner wished Kevin Nash good luck in his gauntlet match.

The final match on the show was the Gauntlet Match between Kevin Nash and The New Blood

Russo came out and said that Nash would lose his shot if he lost a fall or if a member of the Millionaires Club interfered. Nash quickly ran through the New Blood members. However, soon it was seven on one until Goldberg came out for the save. 

You then said you would suspend Goldberg on Thunder. Goldberg said that if a suspension was handed out, you were going to be next, and that was the show.

Let's take a look at the ratings for this Nitro.

Even though this was a heavily promoted Nitro, with a lot of big matches, Raw easily won the ratings for the night.

Raw got a 5.95 rating (5.40 first hour; 6.44 second hour) and a 9.3 share. Nitro drew a 2.86 rating (3.09 first hour; 2.67 second hour) and a 4.4 share. The head-to-head was 5.49 to 2.67 

Goldberg's return match against Abbott got a 2.90 rating

Nitro dropped 15% of its audience when Raw started 

As far as the main event comparisons, Rock vs. HHH did a 6.47 final quarter and a 7.58 overrun. WCW's main event of Nash running the gauntlet did a 2.70 

Other head-to-head numbers saw Raw at 5.97 (conference continues with Rock, Undertaker and Kane involved) to 2.15, Sting vs. Jarrett 

Raw fell to 5.38 (Rikishi & Too Cool vs. Venis & T&A and Benoit vs. Road Dogg) while Nitro grew to 2.86 (Kimberly & Awesome vs. Page & Hancock and Hogan vs. Horace)

Raw did a 5.26 (Brisco vs. Crash Holly) to Nitro's 2.79 (Flair vs. Russo cage match) and Raw did a 6.13 (Rock vs. Kane vs. Undertaker) to Nitro's 2.70 (Nash running the gauntlet).