STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN
World Champion
Mar. 21, 1998 - May 16, 1998
After a life-threatening car accident, Greg Mills was forced to take time off to heal, which unfortunately necessitated him vacating the title. NOWF president Johnny Asterix put the belt on the line in a one-night, eight-man tournament that set new standards for blockbuster matches on a single show, with Chris Benoit taking on Taz, Shane Douglas against Del Wilkes, Benoit versus Wilkes, Steve Austin matched up with Hollywood Hogan, and the final, Steve Austin taking on "The Dark Patriot" Del Wilkes. Asterix tried interfering to keep Austin from winning, as he had contractually obligated himself to quitting his post if Austin were to ever become World Champion. Unfortunately for him, the interference backfired and Stone Cold became the NOWF World Champion.