25 Crazy WCW Facts (That Get Progressively More Ridiculous)

15. The May 2000 WCW Title History

jeff jarrett wcw title
WWE.com

What makes a great World title reign? 

In 2026, AEW played with two fantastic approaches. MJF was the classic heel champion, squeaking past a horde of well-built babyface challengers in a lengthy reign across TV and pay-per-view. He attempted to avoid ultra-stiff competition in what was an intricate title scene: the belt was treated with such importance that wrestlers were willing to betray one another just for missing out on the chance to win it. Conversely, Darby Allin was such a fighting champion that it was his undoing. He practically destroyed himself in the pursuit of proving that he was worthy of the title at every opportunity. His list of weekly or even twice-weekly defences was instantly enshrined into legend. AEW struck the ideal balance between predictable booking with conviction designed to solidify a top guy, and a shock, short title reign that was too awesome to feel like a swerve. WCW did neither in 2000. That is because, in May 2000, WCW booked no less than seven World title reigns. 

May began with David Arquette holding the title in a misfire of a publicity stunt. Jeff Jarrett dethroned him at Slamboree on May 7. Ric Flair defeated him eight days later, but was stripped of the belt by Vince Russo on Nitro a week later. Russo attempted to award the belt to Jarrett, for his second reign of the month, on May 22. Jarrett instead had to win it by defeating Kevin Nash. Nash himself started the fifth title reign of the month by winning a three-way match also involving Scott Steiner, about the only guy capable of keeping up with the numbers here, on Thunder on May 24. On the May 29 Nitro, Nash gifted the title to Ric Flair, who lost it on the same night to Jeff Jarrett, who kickstarted his third WCW title reign of the month (!) and the seventh overall (!). 

This makes Charlotte Flair look like Bruno Sammartino.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!