25 Crazy WCW Facts (That Get Progressively More Ridiculous)

13. Mike Awesome Once Won A Match Between Ric Flair And Billy Kidman (!)

Mike Awesome
WWE

If WCW in 2000 was the worst period ever in the history of pro wrestling in the United States, the May 3, episode of Thunder might be the worst television show in the history of pro wrestling in the United States. 

Amid ongoing hostilities between the Millionaire’s Club (who were babyfaces because everybody loves rich people) and the New Blood, the leader of the latter stable, Vince Russo, was pissed. He was out for revenge against the Millionaires, who had attacked New Blood at the start of the show. He basically said that if the Millionaires didn’t want to play fair, then every Millionaire’s Club Vs. New Blood match that night would be held under New York Rules, in which there were no rules. We didn’t even need referees, bro.

Kanyon beat Jeff Jarrett in the first match, but actually dismounted when making his own pin. Also, as a heel, Kanyon should have delivered the fastest count in recorded history, since he was allowed to do it himself. He didn’t. Russo didn’t think that one through, but then, you can’t think things through if you’re thicker than zoo glass. 

Deeper in the night - after a New York Rules match was changed to a Tables match in the middle of the match - the most staggeringly dumb match result in wrestling history happened. New Blood member Billy Kidman wrestled the Millionaire’s Club’s Ric Flair. Just to reiterate, the match was Billy Kidman Vs. Ric Flair. It was won by Mike Awesome. What?

Awesome interfered. Nash gave him the powerbomb. Nash grabbed the mic. As a joke, he said that due to outside interference, the match between Billy Kidman and Ric Flair was won by Mike Awesome. At the end of the day, Nash was simply taking the piss. What was the true aim behind this meta nonsense here? To parody the creative control and backstage politics of the old guard onscreen? 

At this point, the commentators literally stopped trying to answer those questions. In response to Nash’s “ruling”, Tony Schiavone said “Well, it’s good that they can laugh in the face of all this, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Well, if you’re not laughing, you’ll be crying,” Bobby Heenan replied. 

Schiavone: “Yeah, you’re not kidding”. 

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!