2000: The Year In Wrestling

It is hard to believe that another year of professional wrestling has passed us by. Here is a look back at major events that occurred in 2000.

January: The month was headlined by Steve Austin’s surgery to remove bone spurs from his neck. In WCW, acting Vice President Bill Busch released Eddy Guerrero, Chris Benoit, Perry Saturn, and Dean Malenko upon their requests. By the end of the month, they debuted as the Radicals in the WWF.

February: At the No Way Out PPV, Triple H defeated Cactus Jack in the Hell in the Cell to temporary end Foley’s in ring career.

March: Rookie of the year, and Canadian fitness model, Trish Stratus made her WWF debut on “Sunday Night Heat.” In WCW, Bill Busch was relieved of his duties, as TNT President Brad Siegel announced that Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff were returning in a creative capacity.

April: ECW Champion Mike Awesome, still holding the title, signed with rival WCW. Three days after debuting on “Nitro,” Awesome returned to ECW for one final night to drop the title to Tazz.

May: From May 7th through May 12th, The Rock was in Morocco filming his scenes for the motion picture “Mummy 2.” Days later, WCW pulled off another talent acquisition from ECW, signing the talented Lance Storm to a three year contract.

June: On June 25th, Kurt Angle defeated Rikishi to become the 2000 King of the Year. The next night on “Raw,” Shawn Michaels appointed Mick Foley as the new WWF commissioner.

July: At Bash at the Beach, Jeff Jarrett intentionally laid down to allow Hulk Hogan to capture the WCW title. The bigger story occurred moments later when the promotion’s creative director Vince Russo cut a derogatory promo on Hogan. As a result, Hogan filed a lawsuit against the company. On July 28th, legendary wrestling announcer Gordon Solie lost his battle with cancel.

August: The WWF staged Summerslam in Raleigh, North Carolina. In the main event, The Rock successfully defended the WWF title against foes Triple H and Kurt Angle.

September: The month was headlined by the release of the November issue of Playboy, an edition featuring Chyna. According to the WWF, the issue sold one million copies. The WWF ended its association with the USA Network, moving their programs to TNN and MTV. Two wrestling marriages occurred during the match - Steve Austin and Debra exchanged vows as did Jerry “The King” Lawler and The Kat.

October: On October 20th, Bret “The Hitman” Hart was released by WCW. Six days later, Hart announced his retirement from the business. In ECW, Paul Heyman received word that TNN had canceled their weekly Friday night cable show. The wrestling world was saddened on October 22nd with the news of Yokozona’s untimely death due to a heart attack. Yokozuna was only 34.

November: In a surprising move, Vampiro announced that he was quitting professional wrestling (and WCW in the process) to tour with his friends, the Insane Clown Posse. Days later, Vampiro quit the tour due to reoccurring headaches. Earlier in the month, the Hart family settled its wrongful death lawsuit against the WWF out of court.

December: On December 20th, “The Road Dogg” Jesse James was suspended by the WWF when he showed up for “Raw” unable to perform.

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