WCW Nitro Machine (with the WCW being short for World Championship Wrestling, and also simply known as just Nitro Machine) was a Chevrolet Astro Van monster truck that ran from 1999-2001 as part of Monster Jam's sponsorship deal with WCW, being the first of 5 wrestling-themed trucks to debut, it featured flames, and 2 mini whelen edge 9000 lightbars.
History[]
In the fall of 1999, the former Grave Digger #3 was converted into the first of five WCW-sponsored trucks to compete during the 2000 Monster Jam winter season. WCW Nitro Machine debuted in November of 1999 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis with Charlie Pauken driving, unfortunately breaking after one jump. Joe Payne, Cliff Thomas and Chad Fortune would drive the truck during its two seasons, with Charlie returning as the driver for Monster Jam World Finals 1.
Due to the simple/antiquated design of the truck, it was often used as a platform for rookie or less-experienced drivers and would continue to be so until the late 2000's. It would also be used for displays at certain USHRA events, such as the first Houston show of the 2001 season and World Finals II.
After the WCW sponsorship ended, the truck's 3D flames and WCW logo on the hood of the truck would be removed, and the truck would be converted into Inferno. Interestingly enough, WCW Nitro Machine was referred to as simply "Nitro" on the second Minneapolis broadcast of the 2001 season, due to the episode airing after the sponsorship had ended.
WCW Nitro Machine was also one of the original four Monster Jam trucks produced by Hot Wheels, alongside Grave Digger, Goldberg and Sting.
World Finals appearances[]
| World Finals | Year | Driver(s) | Appearance | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monster Jam World Finals I | 2000 | Charlie Pauken | Main field |
|
| Monster Jam World Finals II | 2001 | N/A | Display only |
|
Trivia[]
- Despite competing in the first World Finals, WCW Nitro Machine's freestyle was not shown on the Pay Per View or the DVD/VHS release, similar to Prowler and Reptoid's freestyles from the same event. This was due to the freestyle being too short, thus deemed not worth showing. However, unlike Prowler and Reptoid, no video of the freestyle has surfaced.
- At Monster Jam World Finals 1, the truck's freestyle performance would be omitted from both the Pay Per View broadcast and all subsequent home releases of the event. This is due to the freestyle lasting less than 10 seconds, with the truck rolling over after its first hit. Unlike other cut freestyles from the same event, no footage of this run has surfaced.
- Charlie Pauken has stated that this was his least favorite monster truck to drive.
Gallery[]
_(1).jpg "2000 Nitro Machine-Short (2) (1).jpg (370 KB)")