Sunday, August 3rd, 2003 ========================================== As Back In Action begins, everyone is treated to a very unpleasant surprise as Eric Bischoff becomes the first face seen on The New WCW television! Bischoff says that the WWE rejuvinated not only his love for the business, but his love for power. He said he gladly returned to WCW when asked if he'd take full control and he thinks that he's assembled one of the best cards in the history of the business. He announced that all five New WCW titles would be on the line as he officially welcomed everyone to the New WCW! ========================================== Booker T faced off with Chris Jericho in the opening match of the night. The winner of the match would go on to the main event to face the winner of the next match for the New WCW World Championship. Both Booker and Jericho seemed to want it bad, as they were both more aggresive than previous encounters. Things were very evenly matched until Chris Jericho thought he had Booker under control. He set Booker T up in the corner and charged at him. Booker dodged and Jericho ran in to the turnbuckle face first. Booker T then set Chris Jericho up on the top rope and nailed a belly to belly suplex. He followed that up with a Book End and got the three count. ========================================== Backstage, Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore were discussing strategy for their upcoming tag team match. Jeff said that his history with Shannon was strong enough that he could look past his change in attitude and work with him for the good of the team. Shannon seemed to agree until Matt Hardy Version 2.0 walked in to the room. He coldly acknowledged his brother's existance and ushered his protege, Shannon Moore out of the room. Jeff Hardy could do nothing but look on in confusion at his brother's new attitude. ========================================== Booker T's main event challenger was about to be decided as "The Fury" Adam Copeland was set to take on his former best friend Christian Cage. The match was fast paced and fierce and saw many near fall attempts. Towards the end of the match, Copeland reversed an Irish whip and sent Cage barreling in to the referee, knocking him out. Cage then hit his reverse falling DDT but was dismayed to find the referee still unconscious. His frustration got the better of him as he stormed outside and grabbed the ring bell. Copeland didn't notice this, and when he reach outside the ropes to grab at Cage, he got nailed in the head with the bell. Christian slid back in to the ring, revived the referee and got the three count for the win. ========================================== Eric Bischoff was on the phone with, apparently, the new WCW owner. He complimented himself on the main event for the evening: Booker T vs. Christian Cage and was obviously getting compliments in return from the owner. As the call finished, "The Standard" Andrew Martin walked through the door. Upon finding out who Bischoff was talking to, Martin expressed concerns about no one knowing the identity of the New WCW owner. Bischoff informed him that even he didn't know the owner's name. "The Standard" started to thank Bischoff for inviting him to the company, but was interrupted. Bischoff said that he hand picked Martin because he was one of the most impressive athletes on the RAW roster. He told Martin to go out tonight and do what he does best and hopefully, he'll walk away as the New WCW United States Champion. ========================================== The New WCW Cruiserweight Championship was on the line next in an abnormal series of matches. First, Jamie Noble and Tajiri would team up to face Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore. The winner of that tag team match would immediately have to face each other for the Cruiserweight Title. As expected, the match was extremely fast paced. Nidia helped out Jamie Noble during the match by tripping up Jeff Hardy. Hardy and Moore, with past experience as partners, got the upper advantage and eventually had Tajiri in trouble. A desperate Jamie Noble told Nidia to hand him a chair and distract the referee. As Nidia was doing her job, Noble crept in the ring and waited for Jeff Hardy to turn around. Hardy did turn around but ducked the chair, causing Noble to accidentally hit Tajiri. Jeff Hardy threw Noble out of the ring, climbed to the top rope and hit Tajiri with the Swanton Bomb for the win. Jamie Noble and Tajiri had heated words as they nearly came to blows exiting the ringside area. As they were leaving, Matt Hardy Version 2.0 came out and joined Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler and the commentator's booth. Shannon Moore and Jeff Hardy wasted no time in locking up to start their Cruiserweight Championship match. It was even faster paced than the tag match they just had and it took its toll on both men. Fairly early in to the match, both superstars looked exhausted. They exchanged near falls through out but the turning point came when Matt Hardy made his way to the ring. With an obviously concocted plan, Shannon Moore shoved Jeff Hardy in to a turnbuckle. He then conveniently shoved the referee, causing the ref's attention to be solely on Shannon Moore. While Moore caused the distraction, Matt Hardy slid in the ring, steel chair in hand, and blasted his brother in the head. As Matt exited, Shannon Moore landed a quick legdrop, made the cover and scored the WCW Cruiserweight Championship! Matt Hardy returned to the ring, congratulated Shannon and the two men needlessly stomped away at a fallen Jeff Hardy. ========================================== Backstage, Trish Stratus was preparing for the upcoming Women's Championship Fatal Fourway when she was interrupted by Stevie Richards and Lisa Varon. When asked what they wanted, Lisa told Trish that she wanted the same thing she's always wanted: to hurt Trish. Trish mockingly asked why Lisa still hasn't gone to therapy. Lisa replied that even though she might need a little psychiatic help, it's nothing compared to the plastic surgery Trish will need after she gets done with her. Trish rolled her eyes and walked away and Stevie Richards stared at Lisa Varon pulling at her own hair. ========================================== Ladders and tables were set up at ringside and the WCW Tag Team Championships were hanging above the ring as three teams prepared for a TLC match. Los Guerreros, Chris Benoit and Rhino & Lance Storm and William Regal were the three teams participating, and as expected, it didn't take long for the mayhem to begin. During the match, Rhino nailed Eddie Guerrero with a belly to belly suplex in to a ladder standing in the corner and then hit a back suplex on Chavo Guerrero, sending him through a table. William Regal used a singapore cane to his advantage, nailing Rhino with it multiple time in the back of the head. Lance Storm and Chris Benoit eventually became the last two men standing and began climbing the ladder to reach the titles. They met at the top and began brawling until Benoit locked up Storm. He lifted Storm up and landed the most ungodly superplex from the top of the ladder. Outside, Rhino Gored Chavo Guerrero and slid in the ring. He helped up Chris Benoit and set up another ladder in the center of the ring. Benoit and Rhino simultaneously climbed and reached the belts making them the New WCW Tag Team Champions! ========================================== Backstage, Dawn Marie was pumping up Randy Orton for the 10-man United States Championship Battle Royale. As she was giving him a pep talk, her mind seemed to stray and she began to lustfully stare at Orton. When Orton questioned what she was thinking, Dawn shoved him back in to an open room and quickly slammed the door behind her. ========================================== The Fatal Fourway Elimination match for the WCW Women's Championship was up next. Trish Stratus made her way to the ring first, followed by her challengers Miss Molly, Gail Kim and Lisa Varon, who was accompanied by Stevie Richards. The match got underway quicly with Trish Stratus and Lisa Varon starting things off. They traded pinfall attempts until hitting a double clothesline, knocking both women down hard. They both crawled to respective corners and tagged in Gail Kim and Miss Molly. As expected, Gail and Molly traded high flying moves. Gail eventually hit a slingshot senton and it was enough to get a pinfall over Molly, eliminating her from the match. Lisa Varon surprised Gail Kim from behind quickly and rolled her up, almost getting a win. The two fought until Gail Kim tagged out to Trish. Trish and Lisa fought as though they were out to kill. Again, they traded near falls until Lisa Varon, out of nowhere, hit Trish with a variation of a facebuster. The referee counted to three and Trish Stratus was eliminated leaving just Gail Kim and Lisa Varon. As Lisa had previously done with Gail, Gail surprised Lisa from behind and jumped on her shoulders, she rolled her up in to a small package and much to her surprise, got the three count to become the New WCW Women's Champion! ========================================== WCW IN THE PAST - Earlier tonight - Booker T beat Chris Jericho to advance to the main event. Then, Christian Cage cheated to beat Adam Copeland and advance. ========================================== Up next was the 10-man United States Championship battle royale. Featured in the match: Randy Orton, Rob Van Dam, "The Standard" Andrew Martin, The Hurricane, Steven Richards, Rey Mysterio, Charlie Haas, Brian Kendrick, Matt Hardy Version 2.0 and Matt Cappotelli. Despite his goal set earlier, by Eric Bischoff, Andrew Martin was the first man eliminated, by Stevie Richards. "The Standard" looked extremely angry as he made his way to the back. Richards then went after and successfully eliminated a seemingly exhausted Randy Orton. Orton didn't seem to mind as Dawn Marie escorted him to the locker room. Out of nowhere, Matt Hardy v2.0 eliminated Brian Kendrick. Almost immediately after that, Charlie Haas was eliminated by The Hurricane. Then a near perfect dropkick from Matt Hardy v2.0 sent Matt Cappotelli over the top rope. A distracted Hurricane was sent packing next, by Rey Mysterio. As Rey threw Hurricane out, Matt Hardy v2.0 crept up behind him and toss him up and over. Stevie Richards then charged at Hardy, but Hardy sidestepped him and tossed him over the top rope. Unbeknownst to Hardy, Stevie Richards slid back in under the bottom rope. After Matt Hardy v2.0 thought he eliminated Stevie Richards, he began celebrating. Rob Van Dam took the opportunity to throw Hardy over the top rope leaving himself and Stevie Richards to fight it out. Van Dam didn't let up on Richards and eventually hit the Five Star Frog Splash on him, allowing him to easily eliminate Richards and win the WCW United States Championship. ========================================== Backstage, directly before the main event, Booker T and Christian Cage were shown making final preparations. Booker T was pumping himself up by reiterating that he's been there before and can climb the mountain again. Cage was running in place and stretching a little, looking up a bit and breathing heavily. ========================================== The main event for the WCW World Championship was everything everyone expected it to be. Both Booker T and Christian Cage went at each other with no mercy and both obviously wanted badly to become the first New WCW Champion. During the match, each man hit trademarks moves. Christian Cage hit the reverse DDT on Booker T. Later in the match Booker countered with a Book End, followed by a Spinaroonie. Booker T threw Cage in to the corner and climbed the ropes to deliver a barrage of punches to Cage. As he jumped back to the mat, Christian turned him around and nailed him with a right hand to the face. Booker T collapsed and Christian Cage covered him for the three count and the WCW Championship! As Christian Cage was celebrating after the match, replays showed that Cage used brass knuckles to punch Booker T and hid them in his tights following the use. Regardless, the show went off the air with Christian Cage still celebrating and Booker T still unconscious. ========================================== MATCH RESULTS: --Booker T d. Chris Jericho with a Book Endd --Christian Cage d. Adam Copeland after naiiling him with the ring bell --Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore d. Jamie Nobble and Tajiri when Jeff Hardy pinned Tajiri after a Swanton Bomb --Shannon Moore d. Jeff Hardy to become thee new Cruiserweight Champion when Matt Hardy Version 2.0 interfered against Jeff --Chris Benoit and Rhyno d. Los Guerreros && Storm and Regal in a TLC match to become the new Tag Team Champions --Gail Kim d. Lisa Varon, Trish Stratus andd Miss Molly in a four way eliminaton match to become the new Women's Champion --Rob Van Dam won a 10-man battle royale too become the new United States Champion --Christian Cage d. Booker T to become the new WCW World Champion after using brass knuckles