You have some dates wrong, I guess. Duff was still in the band untill somewhere in 1997 and Matt was fired in 1998. I don't think anyone recognizes them as part of newgnr. Newgnr for me starts with OMG.
Duff left after Matt was fired. Duff officially quit in August 1997. Matt was fired a month or two before that.
For me NewGN'R starts with the first real new version of the band and that was Axl Rose, Dizzy Reed, Paul Tobias, Robin Finck, Tommy Stinson and Josh Freese.
I've never considered Chris Vrenna, Dave Abruzzese or Dave Navarro as part of the band, because they were just musicians willing to help out. Did you guys know Michael Bland auditioned for the band?