THE HUMAN SUPLEX MACHINE TAZ
World Champion
Aug. 24, 1997 - Sept. 1, 1997
And just as suddenly, he was gone. After managing to fend off Taz at the NOWF's first-ever Hardcore Slam pay-per-view event at the end of August with Masahiro Chono's help, Hayabusa, Chono, and Sonny Onoo were shockingly deported from the United States in a situation that has never fully come to light. Regardless, he was gone, and the NOWF needed a new World Champion. A 16-man tournament came down to the Human Suplex Machine and Intercontinental Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin, in what was Austin's first shot at the title. It was a hell of a brawl, and Taz came out the winner with the help of the Eliminators, and was once again World Champion.