Gunslinger debuted on Global Wrestling Federation's Barbecue on January 4, 2001 against a member of the Suicide Blondes, Satan's Stable Boy. Gunslinger entered the Hardcore Battle Royal for the GWF Hardcore Title and the GWF World Title Tournament. On January 11, 2001 Gunslinger also signed a contract with the WCF and entered the WCF World Title Tournament. Gunslinger lost his first round match against Doomsday Machine in the GWF's World Title Tournament, and his first round match against the WCF's Ragin' when Archangel attacked Gunslinger from behind in the first round of the WCF World Title Tournament.
January 28, 2001 marked another turning point in Gunslinger's career when he joined up with the GWF's Hellraisers. Gunslinger lost a brutal match with Doomsday Machine for the GWF Hardcore Title, however, after the match was over, Brian Pillman and Gunslinger beat on Doomsday Machine, and Gunslinger walked out wearing the Hardcore Title. Doomsday Machine got a measure of revenge two days later and took back his Hardcore Title.
February 1, 2001 Gunslinger signed a deal with English Championship Wrestling for his first tour of England. As Gunslinger was ready to board the plane to head out on his tour of England, Gunslinger had a preminition and did not board the plane. It was a good thing, because the plane crashed over the Atlantic Ocean killing all 150 passengers. After the crash, Gunslinger decided that it was best that he stayed in the United States to compete.
On February 8, 2001 Gunslinger competed in an over the top battle royal for the GWF's Hardline Title. Gunslinger did well, but was unable to capture the title. Later on that day, Gunslinger got into a heated argument with the WCF's President Da Child, and Gunslinger resigned from the company. Creative differences were cited as the reason for Gunslinger's leaving of the WCF. On February 16, 2001 it was announced that the GWF would be merging with its' sister organization, the WCWF. As the other superstars of the GWF, Gunslinger was caught off guard by the announcement.
On February 27, 2001, Gunslinger and his wife and former valet Tanya Jewell were blessed with the birth of their first child, a boy by the name of Jarrett James. Jarrett was born with a form of spina bifida, and went into surgery before he was 24 hours old. Gunslinger decided to dedicate the rest of his wrestling career to his son Jarrett.
With Jarrett doing better, Gunslinger focused his attention back to the WCWF where he met up with his friend Brian Pillman. After talking to Pillman, Gunslinger decided to join Pillman in a new and improved version on the Hellraisers featuring Pillman, T.O.D., Brad "Knuckles" Alverson, Dr. Insane and "Sidewinder" Shawn Sullivan. The groups first order of business was to show just how serious they were by taking out WCWF President, Mr. MacMann. The Hellraisers did just that at the WCWF's first edition of Anarchy on March 16, 2001.
Gunslinger and Shawn Sullivan teamed up to form a tag team called the Outlaw Express. On March 25, 2001 the duo competed at the WCWF's Wrestle War III in a World Tag Team Title match, but were defeated by the duo of Punk and Dweeb. The Outlaw Express attacked Punk and Dweeb, almost ending the career of Punk. Sullivan and Gunslinger stole the titles and began claiming that they were the unrecognized WCWF World Tag Team Champions. On April 4, 2001, Punk made his return to the WCWF and he and Dweeb were able to pull one over on Gunslinger and Shawn Sullivan thus allowing the duo to take their WCWF Tag Titles back.
April 6, 2001, Gunslinger came up with a scheme to get rid of Hellraiser members Brad Alverson and Dr. Insane, and replace them with two new members, Tobias Johnson and Poc. The plan worked to perfection. The Hellraisers now consisted of Brian Pillman, T.O.D., Gunslinger, Poc, Tobias Johnson and Shawn Sullivan. However, Tobias Johnson and Shawn Sullivan did not seem to see eye to eye. April 11, 2001, Gunslinger stole the New Breed Title, but at the following Anarchy on April 13, 2001, Gunslinger revealed his alterior motive for taking the belt. Gunslinger called New Breed Champion Shareef Kingston down to the ring stating that he wanted to apologize. Shareef came down to the ring, and Gunslinger nailed him in the head with his own Championship Belt. Gunslinger then stated he was making a move to the WCWF Extreme Division.
On April 16, 2001, Gunslinger signed with Destruction Wrestling, Inc. At WCWF's To The Extreme that took place on April 18, 2001, Gunslinger attacked his old foe, Doomsday Machine, blaming his attack on Brian Pillman as the cause of the recent trouble within the Hellraisers. Gunslinger wrestled and defeated Dartanian in his debut match in the DWI on April 20, 2001. Later that same day at WCWF Anarchy, Gunslinger competed in a number one contendership match with Cory Shaw. The winner was to get a shot at "The Boston Bad Boy" Billy Bishop, the WCWF Extreme Champion. Gunslinger defeated Cory Shaw to earn the shot at Bishop. However, that wasn't the only big news concerning Gunslinger. Doomsday Machine came to the ring and denounced Gunslinger's attack on him. Gunslinger came out to confront him, but before they could go at it, WCWF Commissioner RK Anderson walked out and made the match for WCWF Fallout. WCWF Fallout took place on April 22, 2001. On that night, Gunslinger was able to defeat Doomsday Machine in an extreme match.
The show was To The Extreme, the day was April 25, 2001, and on this day Gunslinger faced "The Boston Bad Boy" Billy Bishop for the WCWF Extreme Title. Bishop gained the early advantage, but Gunslinger turned things around and hit the "Slingblade" on Bishop to get the win and the WCWF Extreme Title. May 2, 2001 Gunslinger successfully defended his Extreme Title against Dweeb. During this time, turmoil struck the very core of the Hellraisers. Pillman and T.O.D. got into a heated argument and T.O.D. left the group. He also took the rights to the name "Hellraisers". The group of Brian Pillman, Gunslinger and Shawn Sullivan may have lost an ally in T.O.D., but they gained a new one in the person of Jake Cage.
On May 5, 2001 Gunslinger asked for his release from the DWI, and it was granted to him. May 9, 2001 Gunslinger successfully defended the WCWF Extreme Title against Cory Shaw. Gunslinger's WCWF Extreme Title reign came to an end on May 16, 2001. Jacques Armato was able to pull off the victory. Following the defeat, Gunslinger moved up to the North American Division. After Hunted: Open Season, The WCWF went on a tour of Japan for the month of June.
On June 1, 2001 the tag team of Brian Pillman and Gunslinger moved into the rankings of the Tag Team Division. However, it was around this time that Gunslinger's friendship with both Shawn Sullivan and Brian Pillman began to strain. Gunslinger and Shawn Sullivan traded attacks and verbal shots leading into Continental Collision. Some speculate that Gunslinger became jealous of the success of Brian Pillman after Pillman captured the WCWF Heavyweight Title for the third time. Gunslinger has denied these rumors and placed the blame on Pillman himself as well as Pillman's bodyguard, "The Agent". After Pandalirium, Gunslinger flew to Utica, New York for a one-night appearance in Low Budget Wrestling Federation at Graduation Grapple on June 23, 2001. Gunslinger tagged with his old friend "Toetagger" Tony Eriole and was victorious. Both men were also entered into a battle royal for the vacant LBWF Championship. Gunslinger was eliminated and signed a few autographs before flying back to Japan to compete in Continental Collision.
In his final match in Japan, Gunslinger faced Hirogoshi Toganama in a Japanese Deathmatch at Continental Collision on June 24, 2001. Gunslinger came out victorious over Toganama, however, the big news came later in the show when Gunslinger joined forces with his former rivals "Boston Bad Boy" Billy Bishop and Pyro Maniac to form Wasted Youth.
During the month of July, Gunslinger continued to struggle in singles competition with losses to Nocturnal Death, Punk and Ken Shiro. Gunslinger also became indulged in a bitter fued with "Sidewinder" Shawn Sullivan. The two played "can you top this" week after week, until Sullivan challenged Gunslinger to a loser leaves WCWF match at Summer Heat on July 22, 2001. Gunslinger accepted the match with Shawn Sullivan and was victorious forcing Shawn Sullivan to exit the WCWF. Later in the night, at Low Budget Wrestling Federations PPV entitled Arson, Gunslinger and Doomsday Machine captured the federations World Tag Team Titles.
Doomsday Machine and Gunslinger had several successful title defenses over the course of a month. On August 24, 2001, the partnership between Doomsday Machine and Gunslinger ended in the LBWF as the duo vacated the LBWF World Tag Team Titles and exited the federation. Back in the WCWF, Gunslinger and PyroManiac were shellshocked by stablemate Billy Bishop who revealed himself as one of the Knights of Destiny. Gunslinger faced off against Devastation at Fully Exposed on August 25, 2001. Gunslinger dominated most of the match in search of his fourth consecutive Pay-Per-View victory. However, Devastation's tag-team partner, Raoh Shiro, interfered and cost Gunslinger the match.
September 10, 2001, Gunslinger and Pyro Maniac competed against Thunder & Lightning in a #1 Contendership Match for the right to face the Hellraisers for the WCWF World Tag Team Titles. Slinger and Pyro were defeated.
September 11, 2001 was a date of tragedy for the United States of America. Gunslinger joined his fellow wrestlers to pray for the families and friends of those who were affected by the attacks.
On September 14, 2001 at WCWF Anarchy, Gunslinger defeated Jason Steiner. On this same night Gunslinger and his tag-team partner, Pyro Maniac, won two matches including a World Tag-Title Match against the Hellraisers to become the WCWF World Tag-Team Champions. On September 21, 2001, Gunslinger defeated Jimmy Supreme in a North American #1 Contendership match. Gunslinger faced JT Thunder for the North American Title at September Slaughterhouse on September 30, 2001 in a grueling contest. It could have gone either way, but Gunslinger managed to pull out the victory to become the new WCWF North American Champion. Gunslinger and Pyro Maniac also successfully defended the WCWF World Tag-Team Titles against the New Regime.
On October 10, 2001, Gunslinger successfully defended the WCWF North American Title against The Juggernaught. Two days later at WCWF Anarchy, Pyro Maniac and Gunslinger defeated the team of Pro-Pain and Doomsday Machine to retain the WCWF World Tag-Team Titles. On October 28, at the WCWF Pay-per-view, Shocktoberfest, Gunslinger defeated Simon Synz in a title vs. title match to capture the WCWF Extreme Title. Gunslinger held the WCWF North American Title, Extreme Title and WCWF World Tag-Team Title all at the same time. The following day, October 29, Gunslinger and PyroManiac were defeated by the Troublemakers, Mr. Fists and Juggernaught, for the WCWF World Tag-Team Titles. Gunslinger lost the WCWF Extreme Title to Dethroned Emporer on November 1, 2001. The following show on November 5, 2001, he lost the North American Title to Garrie Morris. From that point on, Gunslinger and Garrie Morris have waged war on each other and will compete in a "guitar on a pole match" at the WCWF's Whacked Out PPV. The match had a controversial ending, but Garrie Morris came out with the victory.
Gunslinger began the month of December with a victory over his long time nemesis, Doomsday Machine. This was followed up by a Wasted Youth Tag-Team victory over Jason and Eric Steiner. Gunslinger faced Ken Shiro on 12/10/01, for a shot at WCWF Heavyweight Champion, PyroManiac, and came up short. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure that appeared to be Gunslinger arrived on the scene in the IEW. Gunslinger faced Exodus on 12/16/01, at the WCWF's Holiday Havoc, with the winner being the guest referee for the PyroManiac/Ken Shiro match. Gunslinger came up short in the match, but PyroManiac was able to defeat Ken Shiro later on in the show. Back in the IEW, the mysterious figure resembling Gunslinger continued to make appearances and began attack wrestlers with ties to the original and present AOD.
