Lurker > Chronic1000

A quick rundown for Fall Brawl:

The opener between Diamond Dallas Page and Chavo Guerrero Jr. was alright, though slightly worse than I was anticipating. I think the problem was that their styles just didn't work for the other. Still, not an outright horrid match. ***

The Norton/Ice Train submission match was apparently cut from the WCW tape of the show. Ice Train won that match though. N/R

Juventud/Konnan was a mess, but somehow awesomely bad. Konnan did pretty well in this match, but it felt like Juventud was just unprepared for competing in front of such a large crowd. Konnan won this match with a splash mount sitout powerbomb. **1/4

Chris Jericho/Chris Benoit was definitely match of the night. It is still odd to see Jericho use a high flying moveset after all these years of seeing a more technical performance, but it was awesome. Despite being a face, Jericho was getting a fair amount of heel heat. Benoit won this one with a back supersuplex. ****1/4

Rey Mysterio Jr/Super Calo for the Cruiserweight Championship was a good showing of Rey Mysterio. Super Calo wasn't anything special, but Mysterio carried him to a pretty good contest. Mysterio won with a pretty nice finisher where he hit a hurricannrana after jumping from one ring to the other. ***3/4

Harlem Heat retained the Tag Team belts over the Nasty Boys. The biggest shocker was easily seeing the crowd giving a very loud Nasty Boys chant. **

The Giant beat Randy Savage after the nWo came in and beat up Savage (while Referee Nick Patrick was admonishing The Giant). Not one of Savage's best matches. *3/4

The WarGames match wasn't bad. Turns out that the nWo was using a fake Sting. The Real Sting came out, destroyed the nWo, then left, telling Team WCW to stick it. Afterword, Fake Sting won his contest by submission. **3/4

Postmatch, the nWo destroyed Team WCW, Savage (who came out) and actually spraypainted over Elizabeth's dress. Very effective angle.

Overall, the show was about a 6.5 or 7. It had a few low quality matches, but nothing that was Wrestlecrap worthy. The best match was apparent, but if Rey Mysterio Jr. had a better worker in there with him, he could have surpassed Benoit/Jericho

Also, since this is WrestleMania weekend, I've decided not to do any more Nitros until Monday. Till then, hope you enjoy WrestleMania!

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

FallBrawlWatchfest

Still an hour early, but what the hell.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

I'm going to go ahead and state that I'm not going to start the watchfest until 7:30 CDT. Got something to watch at 7:00.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Sweet. I'm planning on having it start around 7:00 CDT like last week. I figure that's the best time for everyone.

Also, here's the card for those who don't know/don't want spoilers

Chavo Guerrero, Jr. vs. Diamond Dallas Page

Ice Train vx. Scott Norton in a Submission match

Juventud Guerrera vs. Konnan(c) for the Mexican Heavyweight/ AAA Heavyweight Championship

Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit

Rey Misterio, Jr.(c) vs. Super Calo for WCW Cruiserweight Championship

The Nasty Boys vs. Harlem Heat(c)for the WCW World Tag Team Championship

Randy Savage vs. The Giant

Main Event:
Team WCW (Lex Luger, Ric Flair, Arn Anderson and Sting?) vs. Team nWo (Hollywood Hogan, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and Sting?) in a WarGames match

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Bumpage.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Main Event: John Tenta vs. Randy Savage

Tenta finally gets music. Savage pretty much controls this match for most of the contest. He looks to go for the win, but Long is out trying to get Savage’s attention. They go to the back.. And another count out?

Winner by countout: John Tenta

*

Savage is out and tries to get into limo, but it speeds off. Savage and other WCW workers get into the second limo, find some spray cans, and everyone starts spray painting the limo.

We go back to the announce booth where the three amigos talk about what’s been going on tonight. As Bischoff starts talking, Arn Anderson shows up. Bobby Heenan gives his headset to Arn, as Arn talks about what has been going on. Arn says that the Hogan is emulating the Four Horsemen. Flair says that the nWo and Sting is going to be destroyed by the Four Horsemen

Kind of Promo heavy, which means the matches suffered. They did build up to WarGames quite well, and Sting being the apparent newest member of the nWo was a definite shocker. Guess we’ll see what happens at Fall Brawl! 6/10

TV Rating: 3.7

Other Nitro Notes:

1. In one of the more bizarre moments in my watchfest of Nitro, Pat Tanaka came out to Bill Goldberg’s theme. I know the music was just a piece of stock music, but seeing someone not named Goldberg use it is beyond bizarre.

2. Glacier finally debuted.. On WCW Pro. Wait. They hype this guy up for months, and he debuts on a C-Show.

3. Hollywood Hulk Hogan stink-o-meter: One

4. Also, I’m pushing the WCW Fall Brawl watch fest to Thursday. Got some stuff that’s piled on Wednesday. Guess no one will mind though.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Hour Two Commentators: Mike Tenay, Eric Bischoff, and Bobby Heenan

Match Five: Lex Luger vs. Rick Steiner

Rick Steiner in control for the most of this contest. However, things change once Luger catches Steiner off guard with a clothesline with that ‘loaded’ forearm. Both men are back up however, and Luger hit’s a powerslam. He looks to be going for the torture rack when Nick Patrick comes running down to ringside. He’s motioning at Luger to follow him to the back. Luger leaves and we got a count out.

Winner by count out: Rick Steiner

*½

We cut to the limo, where we heard Sting talking to Ted Dibiase! Luger confronts Dibiase, wanting to know where Sting is. Sting leaves the limo, and blindsides Luger! The rest of the nWo show up and there is now an onslaught on Lex Luger! Luger however is able to beat up their limo driver, and the rest of the nWo disappear.

We get a video of the going ons of the nWo the week before, collimating in the Giant turning on WCW.

We then get a shot of outside as various WCW stars are looking for Sting.

Match Six: Rey Mysterio Jr.© vs. Billy Kidman for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship

Nice but short match between these two. Rey Mysterio Jr. wins this one with a springboard senton splash.

Winner, and STILL WCW Cruiserweight Champion: Rey Mysterio Jr.

**

Match Seven: Faces of Fear w/Jimmy Hart vs. Public Enemy

The Leprechaun guy runs around the ring, much to the confusion of Bischoff. He then leaves… Okay.

Faces of Fear are in control of this contest. We cut to the back with the Four Horsemen and Lex Luger. Arn is shocked and speechless at what happened. Luger is going to find Sting. Flair hypes up the match, and says that either Benoit and Mongo can take that spot.

Back to the match, and FoF are still in control. Barbarian puts Rocco Rock on a table on the outside of the ring, but Rock escapes and Barbarian goes crashing through it. Rock brings in another table, and Meng goes through that one. Referee Nick Patrick doesn’t call for a DQ. Instead, Meng is back up, and chokes out Grunge for the submission?

Winners by submission: Faces of Fear

*¾

Mean Gene in the ring with all the Dungeon of Doom. Apparently Konnan is now a member of the group. When the hell did that happen? Sullivan and Hugh Morrus are wearing WCW shirts. They basically talk about the various things happening in WCW, mostly saying they’ll come out on top. I’m sure.

THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN PAID FOR BY THE NEW WORLD ORDER

Hogan, Hall, Nash, and Dibiase hype up WarGames. Hogan says that ‘Trillionaire Ted’ makes Ted Turner look like a pauper. Ted says that if they win, they should get a segment on Nitro to highlight their talent, as well as tag team title tournament. Hogan says that they ‘told’ us who the fifth guy was. Hall holds up the four fingers, turns them sideways, and does the now classic 4-Life hand signal.

THE PRECEDING ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN PAID FOR BY THE NEW WORLD ORDER

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

WCW Nitro
Airdate: September 9th, 1996
Arena/Location: Columbus Civic Center in Columbus, GA
Hour One Commentators: Larry Zbyszko and Tony Schiavone.

After the pyro display, Tony immediately begins on the New World Order. He says that the power has shifted to them. Larry says that they have power in leadership, and power in numbers.

Match One: Pat Tanaka vs. Super Calo

Mike Tenay joins the broadcast booth, as he does for most Cruiserweight matches.

Super Calo in control during the early going of this contest. After a nice spot on the floor, we go to the back briefly to see a couple of guys in nWo shirts with flyers or something. I guess we could call this the nWo: Blue Collar.

Tanaka reverses a hurricanrana into a powerbomb. He sits Calo on the top turnbuckle, and looks to be going for a fallaway slam, but Calo reverses it into a pin attempt, and wins.

Winner by pinfall: Super Calo

*½ Decent showcase of his skills, but it wasn’t a long match.

We go to the back where Mean Gene and Rick Steiner are standing by. Rick constantly states that he could’ve beaten Luger last week. Gene notes that Rick Steiner and Lex Luger will go at it tonight.

Match Two: The Amazing French Canadians (Jacques Rougeau and Carl Oulette) vs. Nasty Boys

TAFC (Formerly Quebecers in the WWF) start this match off by singing the national anthem of Canada. Nasty Boys, not fans of bad singing, beat them up.

It appears the nWo: Blue Collar guys are handing out the flyers now. Larry grabs one of the flyers It says “You haven’t seen bad yet, but it’s coming!” That’s nice.

TAFC actually are in control for the majority of this bout, but Knobbs hits Oulette with the Quebec flag, and Saggs gets the pin for his team.

Winners by pinfall: Nasty Boys

*¼

Mean Gene now interviewing the Nasty Boys in the ring. We get a video of the week prior of the Nasty Boys destroying Harlem Heat. Nasty Boys hype up their match against Harlem Heat at Fall Brawl

Match Three: Sgt. Craig Pittman w/Teddy Long vs. Scott Norton in a hold vs. hold match.

Norton has Pittman in a armbar. Pittman isn’t giving up, but Ice Train comes out, throws a towel in, and this match is over?

Winner by towel: Scott Norton

N/R for the match, since it got less than three minutes.

We go to the back where Mean Gene is standing by Arn, Flair, and Lex Luger. Flair wants to know where Sting is. Luger says he’s there in the arena somewhere, but he doesn’t know. Flair then cuts a promo against the nWo. Mongo and Benoit show up now. Mongo says Sting ran off scared. Arn then gets on the mic and he hypes up the match, saying everyone will probably end up in a hospital bed.

We get a video package of the feud between the Guerreros and DDP.

Match Four: Joe Gomez vs. Juventud Guerrera

Mike Tenay again on the announce booth.

Juventud with a springboard flip onto Gomez, but it appears Gomez was just a bit too far from Guerrera. Gomez and Guerrera fight on the outside briefly, before they are both on two sides of a ring post. Guerrera looks to hit a hurricanrana to bring Gomez in the ring, but Gomez screws that up. Guerrera ends this match with a springboard corkscrew.

Winner by pinfall: Juventud Guerrera

Bad match. Gomez couldn’t wrestle out of a wet paper bag. -*

Mean Gene interviews Nick Patrick. Basically Mean Gene claims Nick Patrick has been paid off, Patrick counters that Gene has been as well. Geno cuts the interview off quickly after that. Hmm..

We go outside in the parking lot where the nWo are putting flyers over everyone’s cars. Ted Dibiase is at the limo talking to someone we can’t see.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Immediately after this contest is over with the Hall, Nash, and Hogan come from the crowd to destroy everybody around the ring. The nWo are in the ring attacking all eight men, but the Giant is running out now! The crowd pops huge as The Giant stands tall against all three men. Barbarian up now and… Giant hits him with a chokeslam?! Giant is now in the nWo! All four men are attacking the DoD and Horsemen. Savage is out now, with a chair. He takes out Nash, Hall, and Giant, and collides with Hogan. Nash breaks it up though. Hogan paints a yellow streak down Savage’s back.

All four men now go to the announce booth. Giant says that he was paid off the join the nWo. The DoD and Horsemen are up at the booth now and try to attack the nWo, but are apparently held off. The show ends with the nWo destroying the announce booth.

A pretty decent Nitro, all around. The matches were all pretty decent, and the shocking twist of the Giant as an nWo member was surprising if you didn’t know it was coming. 8/10

TV Rating: 4.3 which is the highest number WCW Nitro has pulled in the Monday Nights wars thus far. However, Raw wasn’t on that week, and Raw still holds the record for best rating in the MNW thus far (4.7).

Other Nitro Notes:

1. Mike Tenay notes that this is the first time that Chris Jericho and Dean Malenko have ever gone against each other. I got to say for their first contest against each other, it was a hell of a match. I admit that their feud against each other which happened a few years after this was probably one of the best undercard feuds in either company at the time.

2. Quote of the Show: “He (The Giant) makes the National Debt look small!” - Larry Zbysko, on the size of The Giant.

3. Eric Bischoff claims that this is the 53rd episode of Nitro. That is incorrect, as this is actually the 51st episode of Nitro. Bischoff apparently forgot to two weeks there were no Nitros earlier that year.

4. Hogan mentioned that he got Giant a part in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s new movie. The movie? Why, the super smash hit greatest Christmas movie of all time Jingle all the Way!

5. Apparently I miscounted earlier, and I’m actually going to do the PPV Wednesday, instead of Tuesday. Still, if anyone is interested in watching it, speak up now. And don’t say you’ll be there and not show up >_>.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Hour Two Commentators: Mike Tenay, Eric Bischoff, and Bobby Heenan

THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN PAID FOR BY THE NEW WORLD ORDER.

We have Hogan by himself for this one, as he hypes up the match between WCW and the nWo at Fall Brawl’s WarGames. He berates Sting, Luger, Flair, and Arn for most of the promo. He then ends it by saying that the nWo will destroy the team, and anything else would be civilized.

THE PRECIDING ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN PAID FOR BY THE NEW WORLD ORDER

Bischoff talks about what happened last week on Nitro, similarly to how Tony did at the top of the program. Bischoff says he still doesn’t know what Ted Dibiase was doing. Heenan wants to know if it’s Horsemen or nWo.

Match Five: Ron Studd vs. Randy Savage

Partway through this contest, we go to the back where the nWo (now wearing the original version of the shirts) are getting out of the limo. Apparently there’s a fourth guy in there, but they don’t want to show him.

Studd uses his power to control the match, but Savage is able to gain control from the taller performer, hits his elbow, and wins.

Winner by pinfall: Randy Savage

¾*

Savage being interviewed by Mean Gene in the ring. Savage cuts a promo on Hogan, whom he has a match against him at Halloween Havoc. Mean Gene says people are questioning his mental state, which Savage admits that he’s living on the edge. He the cuts a promo on the Giant, whom he’s going against at Fall Brawl.

Match Six: Lex Luger and Sting vs. The Steiner Brothers

Before this match begins, we cut to the back as the Horsemen go to the limo. They check inside.. Nothing. They then run back inside.

Back to the mat- wait what?

Winner by DQ: The Steiner Brothers

Apparently, Luger was pushed into Nick Patrick, and he called for the bell. N/R

Main Event: Dungeon of Doom (Sullivan, Meng, Barbarian, Bubba) w/Jimmy Hart vs. 4 Horsemen (Flair, Arn, Benoit, and Mongo) w/The Women

During the match, we go to the back where Sting and Luger are still chasing down Nick Patrick. Patrick looks as though he’s going to get into the limo, but veers right. However, Ted Dibiase is back there, and is now in the limo. Well then. Sting throws a brick through the window, before they hijack a cop car and chase the limo down. I like how a cop just stood there and let Luger and Sting steal his squad car. He does call it in, however.

Back to the ring, we see Flair giving low blows to most of the DoD, save for Big Bubba. Benoit gets tagged in, but the DoD are able to manhandle him for the majority of this contest. He does however finally get a hot tag after Meng and Barbarian go for a double headbutt off the top rope, miss, and Benoit gets the hot tag on Flair. Flair in, and this match degenerates with all eight men fighting in and around the ring. Flair is able to get the win over Sullivan, however.

Winners by pinfall: The Four Horsemen

***¼ for a good tag match.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

WCW Nitro
Airdate: September 2nd, 1996
Arena/Location: UTC Arena in Chatanooga, TN
Hour One Commentators: Larry Zbyszko and Tony Schiavone

Tony and Larry welcome us to the start of the second year of WCW Nitro. That’s right folks, I’ve already done one whole year of WCW Nitro. Tony and Larry shills tonight’s Nitro, then talk about what happened in the main event on the previous Nitro, mostly about the shenanigans of the nWo. They also wonder what Ted Dibiase was doing there.

Match One: Diamond Dallas Page vs. Alex Wright

DDP with control for the majority of the contest. Wright however is able to come back briefly, but DDP takes the hope spot (and win) away from Wright with a Diamond Cutter.

Winner by pinfall: Diamond Dallas Page

**¾ for a good showing by both men.

Mean Gene is at ringside with referee Nick Patrick (Who happened to just call the match beforehand.) Gene claims Patrick was a bit slow on the draw in that match. Nick Patrick calls Mean Gene a liar. He’s been doing everything to the letter of the law. Man, he’s getting some pretty decent heat for a ref.

Match Two: Harlem Heat© vs. Greg Valentine and Buddy Valentino for the WCW World Tag Team Championship

At first, I question the logic of this jobber match, but then the camera focuses on Ted Dibiase going down to a seat, much like last week.

Harlem Heat remain in control for this entire contest, using their experience as a tag team against Buddy Valentino to put him down. Booker T hit’s the Harlem Hangover to retain the titles.

Winners, and STILL WCW World Tag Team Champions: Harlem Heat

¾* since no one would’ve given the contenders a chance of winning this match for the straps.

Mean Gene talking to Harlem Heat. Harlem Heat build up their title match against the Nasty Boys at Fall Brawl. This leads to the Nasty Boys coming out and destroying Harlem Heat.

Match Three: Dean Malenko vs. Chris Jericho

Mike Tenay joins Larry and Tony for commentary. Tony states that Mike Tenay is going to be a permanent part of the announce team for Nitro now. That’s a good thing, since Tenay is about the only guy who knows the names of all the moves the cruiserweights use.

Jericho in control early in this contest. A small ECW chant starts, which Jericho reacts to. Malenko in control now. Ted Dibiase leaves ringside and goes to the back now. Odd.

Malenko and Jericho have a back and forth match here. Malenko tries to use his mat based wrestling advantage over the more rounded Jericho, but Jericho is able to escape each time. Jericho to the top ropes now, using his arsenal of aerial maneuvers on Malenko, but again that doesn’t put him away. After several minutes of wrestling, Jericho is able to beat Malenko after various counters that ended with a rollup by Jericho for the win!

Winner by pinfall: Chris Jericho

Jericho celebrates his win with the fans.

Excellent TV match that went ten minutes and didn‘t have a commercial break. Both men here did very well against each other, and I‘d love to see a feud between the two. ***½

We get a video package for Super Calo and Rey Mysterio Jr., who are going to compete for the Cruiserweight belt at Fall Brawl. The package mostly showed highlights of Mysterio.

Match Four: Brad Armstrong vs. The Giant w/Jimmy Hart

During this contest, we cut to the back where a black limo has pulled up. Tony believes it’s the nWo limo. Surprisingly, not a squash. Giant controls the majority of this match, but Armstrong gets a some offense in. Despite the offense, Giant still wins this one with a chokeslam.

Winner by pinfall: The Giant.

*

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Some decent in ring action, but one of the biggest questions is what was Ted Dibiase doing? Who is he working for? Who’s the fourth man of the nWo? Another decent show that builds up to Fall Brawl. 6.5/10

TV Rating: 4.2, but this was because Raw wasn't on for either that week or the week after.

Other Nitro Notes:

1. It appears Tony Schiavone had done some research into the moves of the cruiserweights, as he actually correctly called and pronounced the name of some of the moves correctly. Guess he was hanging around Mike Tenay for a week.

2. So apparently, Randy Savage, who was promised a title shot against Hogan on the first Nitro after Hog Wild, is instead getting his title shot at Halloween Havoc? I know they claimed Savage was injured and all to cover their ass, but that’s weak man.

3. It’s great to finally see Chris Jericho in the WCW, but it’s weird seeing him act as a regular face. Talk about characterization marches on.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Hour Two Commentators: Eric Bischoff and Bobby Heenan

We go to the back with Benoit, Malenko, and the three women. Mongo says that if anyone should back Flair and Anderson, it should be them.

We go backstage where Savage cuts one of his typical crazy promos. Those are always good.

Match Five: The Giant w/Jimmy Hart vs. Jim Duggan

Partway through this contest, Ted Dibiase the crowd is reacting to something unusual. We get a camera cut to Ted Dibiase walking down the steps and going to a seat. During all this, Duggan is taping his fist up, trying to knock the Giant down, but fails. Giant gets a chokeslam in and pins Duggan.

Winner by pinfall: The Giant

3/4*

We cut over to Dibiase, as he holds up one, two, three, then four fingers. Bischoff wonders if that’s the Four Horsemen. Dibiase says next week, then holds up a fifth finger.

Mean Gene is interviewing Giant and Jimmy Hart now. Giant cuts a promo on Savage, saying he’ll face Hogan at Halloween Havoc.

Match Six: Rock ‘n Roll Express vs. Four Horsemen (Flair and Anderson) w/ The Women.

Gibson plays the Ricky Morton of this match this time. Morton gets the hot tag, and the RnR Express are in control briefly, however Arn hit’s a DDT on Morton, and Flair gets the win.

Winners by pinfall: Arn and Flair

**¼

Postmatch, Mean Gene interviews Flair and Arn at ringside. Arn calls the nWo a bunch of cowards. Flair says that the nWo won’t survive WarGames. Ted Dibiase looks on with intrigue.

Match Seven: Chris Jericho vs. Alex Wright

Jericho is making his debut in WCW.

Jericho in control in the early going, using his speed and technical prowess to work over the German star. Wright starts to come back however, and has Jericho on the outside. He is looking for a crossbody off the top rope, but instead misses and hit’s the guardrail. Jericho in the ring as the ref counts to ten, but Jericho stops him before he can count Wright out, saying he doesn’t want to win that way. O_o

No Contest

**¼, good match, bad finish.

Postmatch, Mean Gene interviews Chris Jericho. Jericho says that he doesn’t want to win a match like that, but would rather win to the best of his ability. He says he’s going to fight for WCW.

Match Eight: The Steiners vs. The Blue Bloods (Earl Robert Eaton and Squire Dave Taylor)

The Blue Bloods are arguing with each other during most of the contest. This of course leads to their downfall as Rick Steiner gets the pin for his team.

Winners by pinfall: The Steiner Brothers

*¼ for being a short match focused more on the Blue Bloods arguing.

Postmatch, Eaton and Taylor are fighting in the ring, while Mean Gene is interviewing the Steiners. Strangely enough, Scott Steiner is making the most sense of the two.

Bischoff and Heenan hype up the WarGames match. Bischoff believes Ted Dibiase is still going to join the Horsemen.

Main Event: Lex Luger and Sting vs. Four Horsemen (Chris Benoit and Mongo McMichael) w/ Women

These four men fight four several minutes, but Hollywood Hogan hit’s the ring. Mongo sees him. Mongo is walking toward Hogan, but Hall and Nash attack from behind. They got spraypaint, and spray nWo on his back. They go in ring, and do the same thing to Sting and Benoit.

No Contest

**3/4

Ric Flair and Arn Anderson are out now, but they get sprayed in the eyes with that pain for their efforts. The nWo now make their way to the announce booth. Bischoff (who’s by himself as Heenan bolted earlier) take over. Nash and Hall put themselves over as Hogan spray paints nWo all over the WCW Sign. We end Nitro with a shot of the carnage in the ring.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

WCW Nitro
Airdate: August 26th, 1996
Arena/Location: Manatee Civic Center in Palmetto , FL
Hour One Commentators: Larry Zbyszko and Tony Schiavone

Match One: Billy Kidman vs. Juventud Guerrera

They hype up Juventud, who’s making his debut on Nitro.

Guerrera controls the early going on this fast paced contest, but Kidman comes back after he countered a springboard hurricanrana into a powerbomb. Kidman goes to the top rope and connects with a shooting star press! He goes for the cover, but Juventud kicks out! Kidman back up on the top rope, but Juventud is up and hit’s a hurricanrana off the top rope for the win.

Winner by pinfall: Juventud Guerrera

*** for a quick but good back and forth contest.

Mean Gene in the ring now with Juventud Guerrera. Juventud didn’t know English quite well at this point, as he transitions back and forth between English and Spanish. All I can pick up is that he says he’s the best worker in Mexico. Well, I guess he’s a heel.

Tony shills the then new Crow movie, before we get an exclusive clip of it. I was never a fan of the movies.

Match Two: Marcus Bagwell (MARCUS BAGWELL!) and Jim Powers w/Teddy Long vs. Dungeon of Doom (Kevin Sullivan and Big Bubba) w/Jimmy Hart

Apparently, Scotty Riggs has been injured.

Powers and Bagwell actually manhandles the Dungeon of Doom for the majority of this bout. Sullivan and Bubba do come back briefly, but Powers is able to use his weight to take Bubba down and gets the three.

Winners by pi-

Wait, Nick Patrick has reversed the decision. He says Bubba’s arm came up. Bubba and Sullivan attack the two men from behind, Bubba hit’s a sideslam and gets the win.

Winners by pinfall: Kevin Sullivan and Big Bubba

*½

Mean Gene in the ring now interviewing Sullivan and Bubba. Bubba says he should be getting all the title shots. He then wonders when the hell Glacier is coming. We’ve been getting videos for him for months. I know! Sullivan claims that he saw Gene Okerlund hanging with Hogan, though Gene rebuffs by saying it was Bischoff. Hmm..

After a break, we go to Mean Gene in the back with Sting and Luger. They hype up their match against Benoit and Mongo McMichael tonight. Guess this is a gut check, or something.

Match Three: Mike Enos vs. Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Enos in control for the majority of this match. Dick Slater shows up partway through this contest. He’s got a towel over his head for some reason. The end of this contest sees the ref going down, Slater taking Eno’s places, but Chavo getting the pin over Slater!

Winner by pinfall: Chavo Guerrero Jr.

*¼ from me.

Match Four: J.L. vs. Rey Mysterio Jr.© for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship

A few minutes into this contest, they camera cuts to the back where the nWo are spraypainting over the WCW Production truck. Hogan is writing nWo over it, while Hall writes in 4 Life under it. After we get footage of this for a moment or two, we go back to the ring.

Back from the break, and JL is using the size advantage he has over Mysterio to control the match. Rey Mysterio however does come back briefly, but he’s distracted by Dean Malenko, who’s standing at the entranceway. JL and Mysterio out of the ring now. Mysterio is on the steps, and hit’s a nice hurricanrana on JL. Back in the ring, and Rey Mysterio hits another one, but is able hold JL into a pin, to win!

Winner, and STILL WCW Cruiserweight Champion: Rey Mysterio Jr.

**¾. Alright, but Mysterio didn’t get much of his usual high flying moves in.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

A good TV match, a few decent matches spread through the show, but also a few near squashes. The big point of this was Sting and Luger teaming with Flair and Anderson. This really drives home the fact I’ve made earlier that WCW is pulling together against the evil outside forces. 7.5/10

TV Rating: 3.5

Other Nitro Notes:

1. Nick Patrick looks as though he was growing a goatee. If TVtropes (and Darths and Droids) have taught me anything, it’s that goatees are evil.

2. Quote of the Show: “Hollywood… Stop it. Did you ever see one of those movies?” “Well.. Yes. Yes I did..” “Well then, you should be able to tape anything.” - Larry and Tony discussing Hollywood Hogan’s film career.

3. Apparently Randy Savage suffered an injury prior to Hog Wild. Perhaps that’s why he never got the shot? Who knows.

4. As hour two started, the fireworks went off behind the Horsemen. Arn looked like he was about to jump out of his skin.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Hour Two Commentators: Eric Bischoff and Bobby Heenan

Mean Gene tries to move the show along, but Ric Flair keeps up hyping up his match, and talking about Savage, and the nWo. Mean Gene finally gets the mic away from Flair as we get to the next match!

Match Five: Public Enemy vs. Nasty Boys

Typical brawl between these two teams. PE end up through a table, Nasty Boys win.

Winners by pinfall: Nasty Boys

DUD

Nasty Boys cut the same promo they did a few weeks earlier. They want a shot at the titles.

We go to the announce area with Eric and Bobby. They talk about the nWo.

We get a video package from CotC that sees Eddie Guerrero wins the Battle Bowl Lord of the Ring

Match Six: Diamond Dallas Page and Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Both men get some offense in, but Chavo with the surprise as he gets the win!

Winner by pinfall: Chavo Guerrero Jr.

**

Postmatch, DDP takes Nick Patrick’s belt, and is beating Chavo with it. That’s disturbing. Randy Anderson out and stops DDP. Anderson questions Patrick.

Mean Gene now interviewing Nick Patrick. Patrick claims he was waiting for another official to show up. He says that if he had done something wrong, he would’ve been fired. Mean Gene says he’s surprised at the new house he’s bought.

We get a video of WCW Nitro from a year ago when American Males won the tag team belts. This of course sets up.

Match Seven: American Males (AMERICAN MALES) vs. Harlem Heat© w/ Col. Rob Parker and Sister Sherri for the WCW World Tag Team Championships

Less than a year ago American Males won the titles from Harlem Heat in like seven minutes. They barely get four minutes here. Stevie Ray wins it for his team with a powerslam on Bagwell.

Winners, and STILL WCW World Tag Team Champions:

*¾ for this match

We were supposed to get a tag match here, but Sting wants the rest of the Horsemen out as well. Arn calls them out. All the Horsemen are now in, along with Sting and Luger.

Mean Gene out now. Sting talks about WCW, and that the Horsemen made WarGames, that himself, Luger, Flair, and Arn know about the WarGames match. He and Luger want in with Flair and Anderson against the nWo. Arn says that they don’t trust them. Flair says that it’s Benoit’s and Mongo’s decision. Both men say they will step aside for the Horsemen. These four men will be on one team at Fall Brawl.

THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN PAID FOR BY THE NEW WORLD ORDER.

We get a video of Hall and Nash, purportedly in Rome. They talk about who the forth man may be, that whoever it is, is in for the business, not friendship. This was basically them talking about Fall Brawl and WarGames. Nice buildup.

THE PRECEDING ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN PAID FOR BY THE NEW WORLD ORDER.

Main Event: Randy Savage vs. Giant w/Jimmy Hart

The brawl for a few minutes, before Jimmy Hart brings a chair in the ring. Savage has it, and the DoD pour out. He attacks them, hits Giant with a chairshot, then runs to the back, with Giant on his tail.

Winner by DQ: The Giant

*½

Eric and Bobby end the show hyping up the WarGames match between WCW and the nWo.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

WCW Nitro
Airdate: August 19th, 1996
Arena/Location: Von Braun Civic Center in Hunstville, AL
Hour One Commentators: Larry Zbyszko and Tony Schiavone

Tony and Larry welcome us to WCW Nitro, before we quickly go to our first match!

Match one: V.K. Wallstreet vs. Jim Duggan

This is a return match from Clash of the Champions that Wallstreet won.

Back and forth match between these two. Duggan goes for the tape, but Nick Patrick takes it away from him. VK snatches it from Patrick, and begins to wrap it around his fist. He turns around and Duggan hits him with a taped fist. (He apparently had another in his trunks.. Just in case.) Duggan gets the pin.

Winner by pinfall: Jim Duggan

Typical Jim Duggan match. ¾*

Mean Gene in the ring now talking to Jim Duggan. Duggan calls out Hogan, calling him Terry. He says Hogan turned his back on everyone. Partway through the interview, Savage comes out. I guess Duggan’s interview is over.

Savage hypes up his match against Giant tonight. He also informs us he’s got 15,000 stitches in his head. Yeah, I’m not buying it either.

We go to ringside with Larry and Tony. They shill tonight’s Nitro, and talk about the Giant. They show footage of Clash of the Champions where Giant beat Benoit in less than 30 seconds, though Woman and Benoit were yapping at each other. She really needs to be careful with what she says to him. He’s got the crazy eyes. They then throw it to the next match.

Match Two: Earl Robert Eaton vs. Chris Benoit w/Woman and Miss Elizabeth

Short match. Benoit was able to control Eaton for most of the contest, but Eaton came back near the end. Eaton with a spinning neckbreaker, went to the top, but Benoit threw Eaton off the top turnbuckle, got up there himself, hit the diving headbutt, and got the win.

Winner by pinfall: Chris Benoit

Short, but not bad. Mostly a squash, however. *¼

We get a video package of what happened at CotC with Nick Patrick. He called a questionable DQ on the Tag Title match between Harlem Heat, Steiners, and Sting and Luger. Later in the World Title Match, he failed to call a spot where Hogan yelled I quit. Man, a non-wrestler turning heel? Why don’t they do that more often?

We go to the back with Mean Gene as he interviews Sting and Luger. Sting and Luger apparently have a surprise for the Outsiders. Luger says his peace about their plan against the Outsiders. Sting, who for some reason, strikes me as stoned at that moment, hams it about the SURPRISE. I’m betting it’s the Shockmaster.

Match Three: Disco Inferno vs. Scott Norton

A coupe of guys are in the crowd doing the disco dance. That’s pretty funny.

Norton completely dominates Disco, and sells nothing Disco throws at him. Norton wins with a sidearmbar.

Winner by submission: Scott Norton

Squash that showed off Norton’s power. *

Mean Gene in the back with Teddy Long and Ice Train. Ice Train is bandaged up. Over his clothes. Ice Train says he’s going to destroy Norton. And he won’t always look like a mommy baby. Er…

Match Four: Lord Steven Regal vs. Dean Malenko

Good back and forth contest between these two technicians. It appears Lord Regal may win this one at several points, but Malenko wins with a counter into a roll up!

Winner by pinfall: Dean Malenko

Good TV match that got a fair amount of time. ***½

Mean Gene at the entranceway interviewing the Horsemean. As Arn is hyping up his tag match against Sting and Luger later on, the countdown starts. Flair is given the mic with twenty seconds left. He hypes his match up, and starts talking about something else when hour two starts.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Lots of squashes, but a few decent matches. The nWo storyline has been gaining a whole lot of steam, and this just goes to show that despite the personal feelings between the WCW guys, that they will pull together against this threat. 6.5/10

TV Rating: 3.3

Other Nitro Notes:

1. I could have swore that Randy Savage was going to get a title shot at Hollywood Hogan on this Nitro, if he didn’t go to the PPV.

2. For some reason or another, Kevin Sullivan was wearing street clothes for his match. It didn't matter, since he didn't even get in the ring. That was odd.

3. The crowd was pretty hot throughout the entire show. Nice to see a good crowd show up in what must be uncharted territory for WCW.

4. Hollywood Hulk Hogan Stink-o-Meter: “When my Outsiders get done with the Stinker, and Flexy Lexxy, we’re going to change all their names, because everyone has nick names around here!”

5. There was supposed to be an Arn Anderson/Giant match, but it apparently got canceled. I guess that’s what happens when you throw a match on the card during the show.

6. Right now, it looks as though the next PPV watchfest will be held on Tuesday.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Hour Two Commentators: Eric Bischoff and Bobby Heenan

Eric hypes up the second hour. Bobby asks Bischoff where he was, and Bischoff claims he had to take care of business. Hmm…

Match Five: The Steiner Brothers vs. Harlem Heat© w/Sherri and Col. Parker for the WCW World Tag Team Championships

During this match, Bobby and Eric wonder what Nick Patrick’s motive was, if he really pulled a fast count at the PPV. I can safely say that Patrick couldn’t do a fast count to save the company.

Harlem Heat look to win this with interference from Sherri, but Parker is in the ring, trips over Booker T, and this causes a DQ?

Winners by DQ: The Steiner Brothers (Harlem Heat retains)

That was highly cheap. Harlem Heat are not happy about that ending.

Odd ending for a pretty decent match. **½

Heenan and Bischoff talk about Hog Wild briefly, showing video and photos of various matches, before we get to our next contest.

Match Six: Rey Mysterio Jr.© vs. Ultimate Dragon for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship

Another fine match between these two. Dragon was able to control the majority of this contest with his high flying finesse, but Mysterio prevailed with a counter into a rollup to retain.

Winner, and STILL WCW Cruiserweight Champion: Rey Mysterio Jr.

Not as good as their PPV match, but I’m not complaining about this. ***¼

We get highlights of the Eddie Guerrero/Ric Flair US Title match at the PPV, before we kick off this title match!

Match Seven: Ric Flair© w/Miss Elizabeth and Woman vs. Randy Savage for the WCW US Heavyweight Title

Good back and forth match. These two had some nice matches earlier in 1996, and this was about on par with those. The match ended with a ref bump. Nick Patrick out to check on the fallen ref, and is calling for help. Savage on the outside and is pulling up the mat, he’s got Flair in a piledriver position and out of nowhere Hogan hits Savage with a chair! Nick Patrick apparently doesn’t see any of this. Hogan throws Savage back in the ring, and Flair gets the win.

Winner, and STILL WCW United States Champion: Ric Flair

**½ from me.

Bobby and Eric are questioning what side Flair is on, since Hogan didn’t even touch Flair.

They show the footage of the nWo from the PPV where they beat up Bootyman.

We go to Mean Gene, who’s interviewing the nWo World Champion Hollywood Hogan. Hogan says that he didn’t touch Flair because he wanted him to have no excuses when he beat him at Clash of the Champions.

Main Event: The Outsiders vs. Sting and Luger

Luger out by himself. He is able to control the Outsiders. Sting out from nowhere, and they clear the ring.

This is less match and more fight. All four men duke it out in the ring, but Luger and Sting are gaining the upperhand. Sting has both me in the corners, hit’s a Stinger splash on Nash, goes for one on Hall and Nick Patrick pulls Hall out of the way! The Horsemen are out now, and the nWo and Nick Patrick bolt.

No Contest:

N/R since this barely qualifed as a match.

Mean Gene out with the Horsemen now, and Flair cuts a promo on the nWo. He says he’ll beat Hogan at the Clash of the Champions. That’s all for Nitro!

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

WCW Nitro
Airdate: August 12th, 1996
Arena/Location: Casper Events Center in Casper, WY
Hour One Commentators: Larry Zbyszko and Tony Schiavone

Tony and Larry talk about the PPV that happened on Saturday. We got three title matches on Nitro tonight! Randy Savage vs. Ric Flair for the US title, Harlem Heat vs. The Steiners for the Tag Team titles, and Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Ultimo Dragon for the Cruiserweight title. Sounds like a good card.

Match One: High Voltage and Rough ‘n Ready vs. Dungeon of Doom (Kevin Sullivan, Meng, Barbarian, and Hugh Morrus) w/Jimmy Hart and Big Bubba

A three minute special that broke down briefly. Meng won it with a mafia kick to Rage.

Winners by pinfall: Dungeon of Doom

Postmatch, Rough ‘n Ready beat up High Voltage

This match went just over three minutes, but it was still a squash. ¾*

Back from commercial Tony and Larry are discussing something at ringside when Sting and Luger walk out. Sting and Luger want the Outsiders ‘right here, right now!’ Sting and Luger in the ring waiting for the Outsiders. Sting orders them to come out a few times, before they start to leave the ring. We go to a break.

We get a video package for Glacier. It’s the same one from last week.

Match Two: Diamond Dallas Page vs. Renegade for the Lord of the Ring… ring.

I was expecting a squash, but this match actually got about eight minutes of back and forth action. Renegade had a hope spot near the end here, but DDP turned it around as he countered a slam into the Diamond Cutter and, more importantly, into a win.

Winner, and STILL Lord of the Ring: Diamond Dallas Page

Decent match that showed off DDP’s moveset pretty well. Renegade wasn’t a great worker, but this was definitely watchable at least. *¾

We go the back, where Hall and Nash are lounging around on a couch. Hall and Nash are dressed in their wrestling gear, but say they’ll have the match on their time. The nWo world champion Hollywood Hogan walks in now.. He says that he is surprised they haven’t figured out who the fourth and fifth men are yet, that they’ve given us plenty of hints. Apparently the two men were there in the dressing room, but Hogan didn’t want to show them. I guess we’ll have an Outsiders/Luger and Sting match later tonight!

Match Three: Konnan vs. Jim Powers

Konnan is apparently a heel now, and turned his back on the fans. He did it cause Hogan did. So.. If Hogan jumped off a bridge, Konnan would as well? That’s a stupid fallacy.

Konnan wins this one with his feet on the ropes.

Winner by pinfall: Konnan
* from me.

Postmatch, Konnan is interviewed by Mean Gene in the ring. Konnan cuts a promo on the nWo, saying he’s sticking with WCW in this war. He is a heel now.. because of the nWo. Uh.. Okay.

Match Four: Ron Studd vs. Chris Benoit w/Woman and Miss Elizabeth

Ron Studd, as some of you may recall was The Yeti (or Yetay, as Tony put it.) He made all of three appearances as that character, before it was dropped.

Benoit controls Ron Studd for the majority of this contest, but it looks like Studd is coming back. Studd climbs the turnbuckle and.. Benoit hit’s a superplex! Benoit with the pin.. One, two, three!

Winner by pinfall: Chris Benoit

Yet another squash match, though the superplex spot was definitely surprising on such a big guy. Benoit going over such a large guy that quickly makes him look tougher than ever. *¼

Mean Gene in the ring with Benoit, Woman, and Elizabeth. Woman and Mean Gene are flirting, as usual. Benoit cuts a promo on the Giant, since they got a match at the Clash of the Champions a few days after this Nitro.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

A few notes on Hog Wild:

The Rey Mysterio Jr./Ultimate Dragon Cruiserweight title match was an excellent opener that got roughly twelve minutes. Great high flying maneuvers from both men. Rey Mysterio won it with a hurricanrana off the top rope.

The Ice Train/Scott Norton match felt more like a TV match than anything else. Ice Train was taped up and selling some injuries. Norton won it in about five minutes. Probably the worst match of the night, but it wasn't terrible.

The Madusa/Bull Nakano match was one of the better women's matches I've ever seen. Even though it only got five minutes, both women were able to showcase their talent. The ending was kinda bad however. Bull had Madusa pinned, she kicked out a two, Sonny Onoo grabed the sledgehammer and began bashing on Madusa's bike, giving Madusa the won by DQ

The Chris Benoit/Dean Malenko match was a great thirty minute match, but it did have a few problems. There were two five minute overtimes after the initial twenty minutes was over. The second overtime nearly killed the crowd. Dean Malenko looked as though he ran out of gas near the end of the match, as well. Benoit was able pick up the win after a roll-up. Sort of anti-climatic to an otherwise beautiful display of technical prowess.

The Harlem Heat/Steiner Brothers match for the Tag Team belts was a great tag team match that ended cheaply with Col Rob Parker hitting Scott Steiner with a cane.

The Ric Flair/Eddie Guerrero US Heavyweight title match wasn't as good as I thought it would be. Eddie Guerrero got the majority of the offense in, but lost cheaply to Ric Flair. Not terrible by any means, but definitely could have been more competitive.

The Outsiders/Lex and Sting match was another good tag match, but again ended cheaply when Lex accidentally sent Scott's boot into Referee Nick Patrick's face, who then knocked Lex off his feet and counted fast to give the Outsiders the win.

The Hollywood Hogan/Giant World Heavyweight Title match was what you'd expect. Hogan played up his heelness for the majority of the match, but the crowd was really into him. The match looked like it was going to end with the typical Hulk Up stuff, but this time it was the Giant who did the Hulk up on Hogan, which was hilarious. Giant looked to retain, but the Outsiders interfered, and the Giant actually chokeslammed both of them. Hogan grabbed Jimmy Hart's megaphone to get the (cheap) win.

Postmatch, Hogan spraypainted nWo on the World Title, and Bootyman came out with an nWo shirt on, but Hogan turned on him, saying that he won't mix business with personal friendships.

Overall, this was an excellent PPV. The MotN was a pretty close between the Mysterio/Dragon and Malenko/Benoit matches, but the Cruiserweight title match gets the edge as MotN. There were a few too many cheap wins for my liking, but the action was intense, and really there was no outright terrible match on the card, unlike at Bash at the Beach which had a few contenders for CotN. Definitely a worth watching if you want to see the best WCW had to offer 9/10

8-12-96 Nitro will be up shortly.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

B8watchesHogWild

I'm still starting around 7:00 CDT.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Here's the card, for those that don't want to be spoiled.

Main Event:
The Giant(c) vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Undercard:
Lex Luger and Sting vs. The Outsiders

Eddie Guerrero vs. Ric Flair(c) for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship

The Steiner Brothers vs. Harlem Heat(c) for the WCW World Tag Team Championship

Chris Benoit vs. Dean Malenko

Madusa vs. Bull Nakano

Ice Train vs. Scott Norton

Rey Misterio, Jr(c). vs. The Ultimate Dragon for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Sweet.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

We go to footage from WCW Saturday Night. Ric Flair was going against Chavo Guerrero Jr. Flair held the figure four on Chavo for far too long, Eddie came out, and Flair and Eddie duked it out.

Match Five: Booty Man w/Booty Girl vs. Ric Flair w/the Women

Arn is out before this match begins, but he just sits and watches the entranceway. Mongo and Benoit out as well. Partway through this match Bobby Heenan shows up, and is wondering what the hell is going on. He doesn’t know where Bischoff is. As he’s talking to Larry and Tony, the Horsemen get into the ring and start destroying BM, causing a DQ.

Winner by DQ: Booty Man

N/R

Mean Gene enters the ring as Flair and Mongo continue to beat up on BM. He interviews Arn Anderson, who cuts a great promo against the nWo. He says that he was in an ambulance with Flair, Woman, Sting, and Bagwell, and that they were there due to philosophy, but because of the uniting nature of the ordeal. That the Horsemen were the original gang. If they send one of yours to a hospital, then you send one of theirs to the morgue. Benoit and Mongo say their piece, but Flair gets on the mic and says that they attacked his best friend, and he just attacked his

We get a video of what happened last week with the Outsiders attacking people backstage.

Larry and Tony discuss what just happened in the ring between the Horsemen attacking the BM.

THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN PAID FOR BY THE NEW WORLD ORDER

The nWo are talking about their attacks on Sting on Saturday Night, and the attack they perpetrated on various WCW wrestlers on the last Nitro. Hogan talks about winning the title at Hog Wild, and the next day will be his birthday. He says he’ll turn the WCW World Title into the nWo World Title. They banter on like this for a few minutes, before the tape is stopped.

Sting and Lex Luger are in the control room and have told the production guys to stop the tape. The nWo has been many money to do these announcements, though. Boo!

THE PRECEDING ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN PAID FOR BY THE NEW WORLD ORDER

Match Six: Sgt. Craig Pittman w/Teddy Long vs. The Giant© w/Jimmy Hart for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Squash match that Giant wins with a chokeslam.

Winner, and STILL WCW World Heavyweight Champion: The Giant

N/R

Postmatch, Giant chokeslams Teddy Long.

Mean Gene interviewing Giant and Jimmy Hart. While Hart is talking, the limo returns. Giant cuts a promo on the nWo and Hogan.

Main Event: Sting and Luger vs. Nasty Boys

The Steiner Brothers come out before this match starts.

Sting is attacked by the Nasty Boys for most of this contest. Luger gets the hot tag, all four men duke it out. Sting gets the win by making Saggs submit.. Despite the fact that he wasn’t the legal man.

Winner by submission: Sting

*½ from me.

Sting and Luger are in the ring. Mean Gene mentions that the limo is back. Sting and Luger argue about going to it or not. They eventually do go. They open the door, and a briefcase is thrown out. It’s got the Turner logo on it.. But that’s all we find out because Nitro goes off the air.


The in ring action was pretty average, but that’s not a bad thing. The promos and interviews were good, and the show did help build up some of the ‘lesser’ matches on the PPV. The main focus was still on the nWo vs. WCW feud. This is also the first time that none of the nWo members appeared on Nitro since the May 27th episode of Nitro. Good show and buildup for Hog Wild. 7/10

TV Rating: 3.0




I’m watching Hog Wild Thursday. Hopefully everyone interested will be free Thursday, about 7:00 PM CDT to watch an old WCW PPV.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

WCW Nitro
Airdate: August 5th, 1996
Arena/Location: Disney MGM Studios in Orlando, FL
Hour One Commentators: Larry Zbyszko and Tony Schiavone

We start off Nitro with Tony and Larry talking about what happened the week before. Turns out we’re going to have Scott Norton, Meng, Barbarian, and Big Bubba watching over the ringside as security tonight. Personally, I think all they would need is Meng.

Match One: Rock ‘n Roll Express vs. Harlem Heat© w/Col. Parker and Sister Sherri for the WCW World Tag Team Championships

Back and forth matchup here. Gibson looks like he’s going to win it, until Sherri interferes and tries to kiss him, Parker gets the taste knocked out of his mouth, and Stevie Ray hits an Axe Kick on him. Booker T gets the win.

Winners, and STILL WCW World Tag Team Champions: Harlem Heat

**½

Mean Gene interviewing the Nasty Boys. Saggs and Knobbs say they’re friends with Hogan, but don’t do everything he does, and vice versa. Sting and Luger come out, they banter for a few seconds, before going to the back. Hype up for the main event tonight!

We get a video of Glacier. It’s the same one from the week before.

Match Two: Malia Hosaka w/Sonny Onoo vs. Madusa

Decent women’s match. You don’t see that sentence typed out much anymore. Hosaka wins with help from Sonny Onoo.

Winner by pinfall: Malia Hosaka

**¼

There is a limo parked just several feet from the ring. No one has entered or exited it, though Tony theorizes that it’s got something to do with the nWo.

We get a video of what happened a few weeks earlier when Dean cost Benoit a match via countout. Turns out Malenko is helping out Hart so he can get a shot at the Cruiserweight championship. No rematch clause? Regardless, they’ll have a match at Hog Wild!

Match Three: Chris Benoit w/ Elizabeth and Woman vs. Alex Wright

Another relatively decent match. Hart runs out and talks to Woman for a second. Something about her with the Horsemen when she is supposed to be with DoD? I dunno. Malenko makes his way down to ringside. Benoit and Malenko duke it out, and Alex Wright wins?!

Winner by countout: Alex Wright

Another fair match, though I think it would’ve been better with more time and a better ending. At least Malenko/Benoit will be good. **½

Match Four: Lord Steven Regal w/Jeeves vs. Randy Savage

Yet another back and forth contest. As hour two grows closer, we learn that neither Heenan nor Bischoff will be doing commentary for hour two. I guess we’re stuck with Larry and Tony.

Hour Two Commentators: Larry Zbyszko and Tony Schiavone

Shortly after the start of Hour Two, Sting and Luger come out and sit in some vacant seats, presumably nWo’s section. Savage is able to win this bout with a flying elbow drop.

Winner by pinfall: Randy Savaage.

**¼

After the end of the match, Sting and Luger go to the limo parked near ringside. Sting opens up the door and.. Pulls out a bouquet of flowers. They go into the ring, where Mean Gene is interviewing Savage. Savage is going to get a title shot against the winner of the WCW World Heavyweight championship match. Sting says the flowers have a ‘Condolences to the death of WCW’ on it. They’re about four and a half years early for that. Savage punts the bouquet out of the ring. Guess it’s going back to the Power Plant.

Tony and Larry discuss why Eric and Bobby aren’t at ringside. Larry theorizes it’s foul play.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Hour Two Commentators: Eric Bischoff, Larry Zbyszko, and Tony Schiavone

The entire Outsider’s angle was well done. It literally stopped the show for half an hour, and the rest of the show had to be 'improvised'.

Match Three: High Voltage vs. The Steiner Brothers

Rick Steiner is mostly distracted during this match. He's pacing around the ring, and keeping his eyes on the entranceway. Despite being tagged in, Rick still isn't his usual self, and is being manhandled by High Voltage. He does get the hot tag on his brother Scott, who comes in like a man on fire. He hit’s a piledriver on Rage and gets the win.

Winners by pinfall The Steiner Brothers

*½ for a squash

Larry, Eric, and Tony try to hype up the rest of the show.

Match Four: Big Bubba w/Jimmy Hart vs. Eddie Guerrero

Eddie has the advantage in the early going, but Bubba is able to use his size and weight to control Guerrero. Despite Bubba working over Guerrero’s body for several moments, Eddie was able to get a quick pin on Bubba!

Winner by pinfall: Eddie Guerrero

** Eddie got in some nice offense, and Bubba wasn’t all bad.

THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN PAID FOR BY THE NEW WORLD ORDER

It’ll be a bit difficult to run down their first announcement, so I’ll just link to a video of it (the only one I could find, strangely enough.)

For a basic synopsis of what was stated, Hall, Nash, and Hogan put over the nWo talked about their matches at Hog Wild, and said that there may be a fourth or fifth man, but ‘don’t call us, we’ll call you.’

For those that want to see the entire thing, since I really can‘t give this justice:

THE PRECEDING ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN PAID FOR BY THE NEW WORLD ORDER

Eric Bischoff is no long announcing with Larry and Tony, so it’s just those two men again.

Main Event: Greg Valentine vs. The Giant© w/Jimmy Hart for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Valentine puts up a valiant effort, but he is destroyed in minutes by The Giant.

Winner, and STILL WCW World Heavyweight Champion: The Giant

Squash match.

Giant cuts a promo, sounding very Hogan-like. I knew he did that in the WWE, but I didn’t know he was doing it four years earlier in WCW! Giant says he’ll destroy Hogan. Hart says Hogan will pay. We end Nitro with footage from the attack, specifically when Nash threw Mysterio like a dart into the building.

Wrestling wise, this wasn’t the show to watch, but angle wise, very effective. The nWo is put over as the monster heel group that’s destroying everyone in their sight, while WCW is trying to band together to go against them. The Mysterio spot was insane, as I’ve stated earlier. Very good Nitro, despite the lack of wrestling. 8.5/10

TV Rating: 3.1

Other Nitro Notes:

1. The entire bit with the nWo attacking people to the next match on the card took twenty minutes of airtime, plus three commercial breaks, or about thirty minutes. This may not seem bad for the people at home, but the people in the crowd didn’t see any of the attack. There was no tron that would show everything. Of course, WCW at the time didn’t have a tron even for regular TV shows. PPVs were a different story, though.

2. For some reason or another, Rick Steiner was wearing two different colored boots. One white, one red. Scott’s boots were both white. I’m not entirely sure what was going on there.

3. It should be noted that the paid advertisement was the debut of several nWo related material, including the theme song, the logo, and Hogan’s now famous ’spray painted’ black beard. The shirts and catchphrase have yet to be seen.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

WCW Nitro
Airdate: July 29th, 1996
Arena/Location: Disney MGM Studios in Orlando, FL
Hour One Commentators: Larry Zbyszko and Tony Schiavone.

Tony and Larry do the usual shilling of WCW Nitro Arn vs. Giant, Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie, and American Males vs. Steiner Brothers.

Tony and Larry then talk more about the nWo and what they did last week. We go to a video of what happened on WCW Saturday Night. Hall and Nash have a camera and are talking about something, then Luger and Sting are shown going to their car. Luger is called back into the arena, and the Outsiders beat up on Sting. I like how they thought that through and actually had Hall and Nash with their own camera, instead of a cameraguy just happening to be to out there while Sting was.

Match One: Mike Enos vs. ‘Hacksaw’ Jim Duggan

This bout got eight minutes, which was about six minutes way too long. Duggan isn’t known for his technical finesse, and Enos was hardly any better. Duggan won this one with a taped fist.

Winner by pinfall: Jim Duggan

* from me.

Mean Gene in the ring with Duggan now. Duggan says he’s upset at Hogan for turning his back on his the kids that looked up to him. He even says that his daughter’s first word was Hulkster. Man, you know Duggan and his wife were pissed about that one.

Match Two: Four Horsemen (Benoit, Mongo, and Flair) w/the Women vs. Sting/Luger/Savage

This match was set up for the previous Nitro, but Flair never made it. Why? We’re not sure.

All six men brawl on the outside of the ring before the match even starts.

Nitro is going for a break, but before the break happens, we get a video package for Glacier. It’s the same one we got the week before.

Back from the break, and this match is officially started. Sting and Flair work the majority of this contest, but all six men get a few minutes in the ring. It looks as though Luger is about to win this for his team, when Hart runs out, and is screaming at a camera guy. He says something about the Outsiders, and the camera guy goes to the back. Hart is now on the ring apron, and gets the attention of Luger. He tells Luger the Outsiders are here.

To the back we go, and we see Bagwell and Arn Anderson down. The Outsiders are standing above both me with a baseball bat. Riggs comes over to check his partner, but he goes down. Rey Mysterio tries to take Nash down with a springboard crossbody, but that fells spectacularly when Nash grabs him, and throws him like a dart into the side of the building! Holy **** that was awesome.

We hear a bell ring, and are told that all six men are now running to the back.

No Contest via double count out

**½

Hall and Nash get in a limousine, and Savage is the first one on the scene! He jumps on top of the limo and is trying to crawl into the sunroof as it drives off. Back at the scene of the attack, wrestlers, security, and medics are checking on those assaulted. After a break, they are still checking on those attacked. We hear sirens going off, but it’s a fire truck. That’s.. different. Rey Mysterio Jr. says that there were four of them. They then take Rey’s mask off to put a neck brace on him. He keeps saying there are four of them.

Back from another break, Eric Bischoff and Bobby Heenan are at ringside with Tony and Larry. Before anything can happen, Heenan says that he’s suffered neck damage and has nerve damage in his arm, and that he’s not doing this show unless he knows his safety is guaranteed. Bischoff says it’s not, and Heenan says that he just can’t do the show now. He takes his headset off and goes to the back.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Winner by pinfall DDP

N/R for the squash

We get a quick promo from Chavo Guerrero Jr.. He’s going against Dean Malenko next.

Match Five: Chavo Guerrero Jr. vs. Dean Malenko

Partway through the match, we hit hour #2 of Nitro. No on screen graphics though to tell us, just Tony blurting out the time left.

Malenko able to control Chavo for the majority of this match. After the 2nd hour starts, Jimmy Hart shows up. Dean and Jimmy have a few words. Dean, distracted, is nearly pinned by Chavo, but he only gets a two. Dean gets the last laugh as he is able to apply the Texas Cloverleaf on Chavo for the win.

Winner by submission: Dean Malenko

**½ match. Pretty average, but so far I welcome it.

We get a promo with Meng and Hart. Meng’s got a match against Ice Train later tonight.

After a break, we go to the announce booth with Eric Bischoff and Bobby Heenan. They talk about what the Outsiders did earlier.

Match Six: Ice Train vs. Meng w/Jimmy Hart

Bischoff believes that Ice Train will be a top star in the years to come. I.. Doubt that.

Ice Train surprisingly with an early lead. Teddy Long is looking on, and nods approvingly. Meng and Ice Train fight it out for seven minutes, but that ends when Scott Norton runs out and attacks Meng from behind, causing a DQ.

Winner by DQ: Meng

*¾

Norton yells into the camera that at Hog Wild, Ice Train isn’t going to have any excuses. Norton’s got Ice Train’s back till then. That’s nice.

We get a video package summing up what has happened between the nWo and WCW. Not bad.

Eddie Guerrero gets a quick promo, he’s hyping up his match against Psychosis. That match is NEXT!

Match Seven: Eddie Guerrero vs. Psychosis

Both men in control at several points in this match. Psychosis has Eddie beaten, but he decides to taunt to crowd. This comes back to bite him though, as Eddie is able to knock Psychosis down and win with a frog splash.

Winner by pinfall: Eddie Guerrero.

Great TV match between these two. They are really building Eddie up as a guy that could beat Ric Flair for that US Championship. They’ve gone at it before, but Flair came up with the win. Can things change at Hog Wild? ***½

Main Event: Four Horsemen (Chris Benoit, Mongo McMichael, and Ric Flair) w/the Women vs. Sting/Luger/Savage

Wait, where’s Ric Flair? After a break, Arn is looking into a white limo, but he apparently doesn’t see anything, and is now going to the ring. There is a huddle between the group.. And apparently it’s going to be Arn Anderson in place of Flair.

This match is little more than a brawl. Savage is out of the ring chasing guys around, Arn is choking whoever he can get his hands on. However, this match actually ends in a pinfall when Savage gets the briefcase, hits Benoit across the back with it, and Luger gets the win.

Winners by pinfall: Luger/Savage/Sting

Postmatch, Savage feigns ignorance about the briefcase. Benoit, on the other side of the ring, is screaming at.. Woman. Yeah.. That’s only mostly awkward. **¼

After a break, Mean Gene is interviewing the winning team. Sting, whom is going against the Outsiders with Lex Luger at Hog Wild, is interviewed first. He cuts a promo basically saying it’ll be a bad day for them at the PPV. Luger says that they’ve been pushing all of his buttons. Savage is going to kick Hogan’s head in. Mean Gene signs Nitro off for us.

Some good stuff here, but also some bad as well. Too many DQ/Squash matches for my taste. The Outsiders stuff was pretty good, though. Still, only a slightly above average Nitro. 5.5/10

TV Rating: 2.6

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

WCW Nitro
Airdate: July 22nd, 1996
Arena/Location: Disney MGM Studios in Orlando, FL
Commentators: Hour One: Larry Zbyszko and Tony Schiavone. Hour Two: Eric Bischoff and Bobby Heenan

Tony and Larry talk about what happened the week before with the nWo, before we go to our first match.

Match One: Squire Dave Taylor w/Jeeves vs. Scott Norton

We’re told that Norton turned on his partner Ice Train on WCW Saturday Night. They were a team all of four months.

This match barely got two minutes, and ended when Norton threw Taylor over the top rope, causing a DQ.

Winner by DQ: Scott Norton

Norton continues to beat up on Taylor.

N/R for this short bit of nothing.

We get a quick promo from VK Wallstreet, he hypes up his match against Konnan.

Mean Gene with the Four Horsemen (minus Ric Flair,) as they hype up their match tonight against Luger, Sting, and Savage tonight. Each man got a few seconds to speak. That was nice.

Match Two: V.K. Wallstreet vs. Konnan

Konnan is still being referred to as Konan. This, despite the fact that at Bash at the Beach his name was spelled correctly.

VK controls Konnan for 90% of this matchup, working over Konnan’s leg for a good part of that. However, after Wallstreet hit his finisher (Wallstreet Crash) Konnan is able to reverse a pin into a rollup for the win.

Winner by pinfall: Konnan

*½ from me. It could have been much better.

Mean Gene at the entranceway talking to Sting, Luger, and Randy Savage. They hype up their match against Flair, Benoit, and Mongo tonight.

We get a video of Glacier. He’s in some random place doing all sorts of martial arts maneuvers. He looks like one cool guy.

We get another video package, this time of Alex Wright, Joe Gomez, The Renegade, and Jim Powers. The entire video consists of the four men walking down a beach, and taking off their WCW Monday Nitro shirt. They have a match next, but why the hell do we get such a pointless video? Are they a stable of jobbers? I just wish this was the most headscratching bit of this next match.

Match Three: Stable of Jobbers vs. Dungeon of Doom

The Dungeon of Doom consists of Barbarian, Kevin Sullivan, Hugh Morrus, and... Braun the Leprechaun. Two things though: One. Braun the Leprechaun isn’t a dwarf, or midget, or whatever. He’s an average sized persib that just squats down to look shorter. Two, the person behind the gimmick is Dwayne Bruce aka Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker/Jack Boot/The Sarge, a trainer in the WCW Power Plant.

Five seconds into the match, Tony says that something’s going on in the production truck. A cameraman runs to the back, and it turns out Hall/Nash are in the production truck screwing around with various buttons. They then go over to the guys in control of the camera men, and have them pan the crowd. Apparently they were looking for someone. This goes on for several minutes, before security wanders in and has them escorted out of the truck.

Oh, right the match. Jim Powers is out of the ring, Teddy Long comes from nowhere, gives him a pep talk, and the ‘match’ degenerates into a brawl. Giant is out, and he destroys all four of the jobbers.

Winners by DQ: Stable of Jobbers

N/R since we really didn’t see much at all of this match.

Mean Gene in the ring now, interviewing Giant and Jimmy Hart. Gene asks if Giant accepts Hogan’s demand of a title match. Giant basically says yes, much to the crowd’s approval.

Match Four: Diamond Dallas Page vs. Prince Iaukea

Basically a squash match that DDP won in less than two minutes with a Diamond Cutter.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

I guess the answer could be that Col Parker greedily thought that sharing the profits of the tag team champs with Sister Sherri wasn't enough, so recruited a new team to get the belts off of them, and he would have more money coming his way? Hell, I dunno. It just made little sense to me when i was writing it up.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Main Event: Big Bubba w/Jimmy Hart vs. Lex Luger© for the WCW World Television Championship

Bubba able to use his size to control Luger for most of the match. Partway through the match, we cut to Hall and Nash leaving a limo and sitting on the trunk. Bubba continues to dominant Luger, until Big Bubba eat’s Luger’s boot. Luger with a couple of ‘loaded’ forearm shots. Remember that gimmick where Luger had a metal plate in his arm, and used it to it’s full advantage?

Hall and Nash now coming to the ring. They enter and destroy Lex Luger.

No Contest:

Eh match. *½

Hulk Hogan out now, wearing all black. They slap around and destroy Luger. Hogan however helps Big Bubba up. Hogan shakes hands with Bubba, and Hall and Nash destroy him too! Mean Gene in the ring, and Hogan cuts a promo saying that he’s bigger than the sport of pro wrestling. Hogan tells the fans to stick it, an that he’s not worried about Sting, or Macho Man, that he’s going for the Giant, and is going to take the belt from him, and make it the nWo World Heavyweight championship. He then challenges the entire WCW roster. They start to pour of the lockerroom as the show goes off the air.

A step down for Nitro this week. The lack of major star power did hurt the show, and Hogan’s appearance wasn’t quite as what I thought it would be. It was shocking to see a heel Hogan, but he basically just said what he did at Bash at the Beach, plus wanting a shot at WCW World Title. Two good matches, though. 6.5/10.

TV Rating: 3.4

Other Nitro Notes:

1. For some reason or another, there was a blonde headed woman at the announce booth with Tony and Larry. Who was she? Who knows.

2. It’s crazy how over Hall, Nash, and Hogan are with the crowd, this early into the storyline. Once Hall and Nash showed up, the only thing the audience did was chant Diesel, Razor, and Hogan.

3. Most of the talent was actually in Japan at this time. Most notably Sting, Ric Flair, Giant and Randy Savage.

4. It should be noted that Hogan’s first appearance after his heel turn, he was wearing the exact same attire as his first appearance during his Dark side of Hulkamania phase. Here’s the photos as proof.





5. I read somewhere that Bischoff wanted to turn Hogan heel in 1995, but Hogan nixed the idea. Regardless, I think the whole Dark Side of Hulkamania bit was just a test run to see how the fans would react to a heel Hogan.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Match Three: Rough ‘n Ready (Mike Enos and Dick Slater) w/Col. Rob Parker vs. Harlem Heat© w/Sister Sherri and Col. Rob Parker for the WCW World Tag Team Championships

That’s right, Col. Rob Parker is managing both teams. Why? I have no idea. Sort of like why I don’t know how two jobbers get a tag team title shot. This isn’t WWE 2011!

Typical tag team matchup here that ended with Harlem Heat getting the win. With Booker T pinning Dick Slater. That was predictable.

Winner, and STILL WCW World Tag Team Champions: Harlem Heat

Below average bout. Why give jobbers tag team title shots? *¾

We get a video package highlighting Rey Mysterio.

Kevin Greene again is out, he pulls his shirt off and demands Mongo. Er.. I hope he just wants to fight him.

Match Four: Madusa Mecelli vs. Malia Hosaka

A decent five minute women’s match that Madusa was able to win with a cradle pin.

Winner by pinfall: Madusa Mecelli

** from me.

We kick off hour two, and now have Eric Bischoff and Bobby Heenan announcing. However, we are directed to a WCW logo, that Hall and Nash are covering up with bedsheets that are spray painted N, W, and O.

Match Five: Meng w/Jimmy Hart vs. Arn Anderson

Meng is able to get the upperhand on the Enforcer in the early going. As he does this, his partner Barbarian shows up at ringside. We cut to Hall and Nash, who are watching the action way above the ring. Arn thrown out of the ring, and Jimmy Hart gets a few sucker kicks on him. Arn thrown back in, and Meng is able to put him away?!

Winner by pinfall: Meng

Weird as hell. I did not expect Meng to get the win here. Hell, I think the crowd was watching what the Outsiders were doing more than the match itself. **¼ since it was pretty decent.

We get a pan of the nWo logo, and Hall and Nash are no longer there. Hmm…

Mean Gene interviewing Mongo and Debra McMichael now. Mongo and Debra cut a promo on Kevin Greene, who apparently is no longer there. It’s bad when Mongo is the better promo cutter of the two.

Match Six: Chris Benoit vs. Eddie Guerrero

Benoit dominates Guerrero for half of this contest. Guerrero begins to come back after a superplex off the top rope. Both men are chopping and throwing punches at each other in the ring. Benoit irish whips Guerrero, goes for a powerbomb, but Guerrero is able to flip both men over the top rope. Both men up now, and Benoit sends Guerrero’s head crashing into the steel steps. Wait a minute, Dean Malenko is running out now! Dean Malenko sends Benoit’s head into the ringpost! Ref didn’t see it, and is still counting both men out. Guerrero makes it into the ring, the ref counts ten, and this match is over.

Winner by countout: Eddie Guerrero

Good TV match that got ten minutes. The ending isn’t what I wanted, but it does leave you wanting more. A triple threat between these three would be a hell of a match. ***¼

Hey, the graffiti has been taken off the WCW logo.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

WCW Nitro
Airdate: July 15th, 1996
Arena/Location: Disney MGM Studios in Orlando, FL
Commentators: Hour One: Larry Zbyszko and Tony Schiavone. Hour Two: Eric Bischoff and Bobby Heenan

Tony and Larry welcome us to Nitro. They say that the nWo is there. Larry wonders if there will be a fourth man recruited into this group. We go back to the footage of Hulk Hogan’s heel turn, before we go to the first match!

Match One: Fire and Ice vs. The Steiner Brothers

The two Scotts work most of the early going on of this matchup. Neither man can get an advantage for long, but Scott Steiner seems to gain control before the break by throwing Scott Norton out of the ring. Teddy Long makes his way down to the ring, before we go to the commercial. After the break, Ice Train is now in control of Rick Steiner. Rick however begins to come back as he uses the suplexs and slams the Steiners are famous for on Train Rick tries to put Ice Train away, but to no avail.

After a few more minutes of action, Rick is the legal man on his team, Norton on his, and Scott Steiner on the floor. Ice Train and Norton double team Rick Steiner for a few seconds, before Ice Train goes for a splash on Rick, Rick dodges, and instead hits his partner. Rick hit’s a German Suplex into a cradle pin on Ice Train, and wins. Too bad it was against the illegal partner.

Winners by pinfall: The Steiner Brothers

It’s bad when you botch and Tony Schiavone catches it as well. The screw up at the end does hurt the match, which was otherwise relatively an average bout. **¼

Mean Gene at the entranceway interviewing Big Bubba, Kevin Sullivan, and Jimmy Hart. Meng and Barbarian show up about halfway through the interview. Guess they miss their cue. Bubba, Sullivan, and Hart all cut promos on various people in WCW.

Before the break, we get a quick video of Dean Malenko hyping up his match against Billy Kidman. That should be good.

We get another Blood Runs Cold video. It’s the same one from last week.

Mean Gene welcomes us back to WCW, as he interviews Fire and Ice. Norton says Ice Train has been screwing things up, Ice Train says there are things they can do in the rules. Teddy Long interrupts their interivew segment to tell them they make a great tag team. Norton responds by pushing Long down. Dissention in the ranks!

Match Two: Billy Kidman vs. Dean Malenko

Damn, Kidman doesn’t even look old enough to be wrestling. Jimmy Hart comes out during Malenko’s entrance and talks to him briefly, but Dean just brushes him aside.

This felt like the typical High flyer vs. Dean Malenko match that has been normal as of late, but condensed into six minutes. Dean was able to make Billy Kidman tap after three powerbombs and the Texas Cloverleaf.

Winner by submission: Dean Malenko

Great match for the time it had. Dean Malenko I would like to see what these could do with twice or three times the amount of time. ***.

Mean Gene interviewing Kevin Greene. He’s upset at what Hulk Hogan has done. He then cuts a promo on Mongo McMichael. There may or may not be a confrontation between Greene and Mongo. Does anyone care?

We get a quick promo of Harlem Heat cutting a promo on Col. Rob Parker and the tag team of Rough and Ready. I guess they’re next!

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Alright. Thursday it is. I'll probably start at 7:00 PM CDT, just to be safe.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

What about Thursday? I kind of want to get everyone who wants to join up involved and not do it on a day someone might miss this time.

And I know Impact is on Thursday, but who honestly watches that <_<.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Postmatch, Gene interviews the Horsemen minus Chris Benoit. Arn cuts a promo on Hogan, saying that he was a role model to kids, but what he saw last night disgusted him and made him want to puke. Mongo says the apocalypse is upon them. Flair cuts his typical crazy promo on the Outsiders and the Giant.

Back from commercial, we go to the announce desk with Bischoff and Heenan. They discuss what happened last night, before we get to our next match.

Match Six: Sgt. Craig Pittman w/Teddy Long vs. Chris Benoit

Both men duke it out for a few minutes, but Benoit picks up the win when Long throws the towel in for Pittman. That was odd.

Winner by forfeit: Chris Benoit

** from me.

Main Event: Arn Anderson vs. Sting

Sting and Arn duke it out, yet neither man is able to gain an advantage. We’re told that Hall and Nash are in the area, but we cut to a commercial.

We get another Blood Runs Cold video. It’s the same one as earlier in the broadcast.

Back from a break, Sting is in control of Anderson… until Anderson hit’s a spinebuster on Sting. Sting is able to come back, but both men are still fighting for control. Arn Anderson with a Boston Crab on Sting.

We cut to a camera focusing on a black limo at the front gate of the Studio. Bischoff and Heenan wonder what that’s all about.

Arn on the top rope now, goes for a move, but Sting counters with a clothesline. They duke it out, but Hall and Nash exit the limo and are heading to the ring. Arn and Sting stop fighting and are watching these two. Savage is out now. Arn attacks Sting, but Sting reverses it into the deathlock, and he gets the win.

Winner by submission: Sting

Security stops Savage from attacking Hall and Nash.

Alright match, though this was less about the match than anything else. **¼

Mean Gene in the ring interviewing Sting. Sting talks about what happened at Bash at the Beach. Sting cuts one of the best promos I’ve ever heard from him, basically saying he should’ve known something was up with Hogan when he wasn’t hanging with Luger, Savage, and himself, when he referred to those three as dogs, when he was flirting with the dark side.

Savage is interviewed now. He calls him Hollywood Hogan now. He says what he wants to do to Hogan he can’t say it on TV, much less at Disney. But it’s really scary about what he’s thinking and going to do to Hogan.

Back from a break, we got Mean Gene talking to Hall and Nash. Nash says that he fans didn’t appreciate Hogan, but he and Hall can. Next week, Hogan will be there next week. Hall says that this portion of WCW is brought to you by the Outsiders and Hogan. He says that they did as they said they would. That the nWo is taking over.

Back to the announce booth, Bischoff and Heenan are shocked and disgusted by what happened. We finally get photos of what happened last night on Bash at the Beach. They talk about that briefly, before ending the show.

The good news is that there was nothing absolutely terrible on this Nitro. Some matches were below par, but watchable. The ending of the Nasty Boys/Steiners match was head scratching, though. 7.5/10

TV Rating: 3.5

Other Nitro Notes:

1. All the Nitros between Bash at the Beach and Hog Wild (the next PPV) will be in the same location, so don’t think I forgot to change to Arenea/Location description.

2.Tony actually apologized for telling Hulk Hogan to go to hell the night before. Dude, you’re pissed man. You actually sold something real well, don’t take it back!

3. It appears that my next opportunity to have another PPV watchfest will be Tuesday. How does everyone feel about doing it on a Tuesday?

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Match Three: Psicosis vs. Eddie Guerrero

We cut to a promo with Rey Mysterio as this match is going on, and instead of talking about his title win, he talks about Hogan’s heel turn. Not a terrible idea, since it helps put over the major feud going on, but they could have at least waited until before/after this match was over.

Neither man has control in the early going, but that changes as Eddie is able to toss Psicosis out of the ring, and Psicosis accidentally goes crotch first in the ropes. Big Eddie chant from the crowd. He’s been there less than a year, hasn’t had a major feud, yet is more over than half the roster. Psicosis back in the ring now. They struggle to gain dominance, but Eddie is the one out of the ring now. Psicosis off the top turnbuckle with a big senton, but both men are down.

Psicosis throws Eddie back in the ring, and is now working over Eddie’s arm and shoulder. Eddie, despite his weakened arm, is able to control Psicosis for briefly, but Psicosis comes back after Eddie misses a running shoulder block in the corner and into the ringpost. Psicosis hit’s a top rope hurricarana for a two. Psicosis back on the top rope, but Eddie counters it into a superplex, followed by a frog splash for the win.

Winner by pinfall: Eddie Guerrero

Another excellent TV match, this time between two guys I’m sure have gone at it dozens of times. Not as good as the Cruiserweight match, but very very close. ***¾

We go to the entranceway as Mean Gene interviews Sullivan, Giant, and Jimmy Hart. Hart is shocked at what he saw with Hulk Hogan. Sullivan says he lived for the destruction of Hulkamania, but Hogan took it out himself. He then talks about Benoit, and calls him.. A mad man. No comment from me. Giant tells them not to lose their composure. He’s still the WCW World Heavyweight Champion. Nothing in WCW can go wrong as long as he’s champ. He reminds us that he ‘beat’ Hogan for the belt.

Match Four: Nasty Boys vs. The Steiner Brothers for the #1 Contendership for the WCW Tag Team Titles

Steiners with the edge in the early going, but both teams duke it out and struggle to get an upperhand hand on the opposing team. Partway through the match, Saggs attacks Rick Steiner with a chair, but isn’t DQ’ed. I hate when that happens. We also enter hour two of Nitro, and we now have Bobby and Bischoff announcing. Col. Rob Parker and Sherri make their way down to ringside. Sherri distracts the ref as Parker is aiming to hit Scott Steiner, but he moves and instead hits Saggs with a cane. Scott goes for the pin, but only gets a two count. Uh.. Wait. Steiners win?

Winners by pinfall: The Steiner Brothers.

Hold on. Saggs kicks out at two, Bischoff calls it a two count.. But Referee Nick Patrick says it’s three? I think someone screwed up there. *½

Mean Gene now interviewing Saggs and Knobbs. Saggs says stinking three times in less than two minutes. Huh, I see he’s been watching the Hogan promos, too. Knobbs was shocked at what Hogan did, but wasn’t unhappy about what they did. They do what they want, when they want to, just like the Nasty Boys. Mean Gene cuts the interview short, thankfully, and we go to a break.

Match Five: Jim Powers vs. Ric Flair© w/with the women for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship

Powers actually controls Flair for part of this match, but Flair is able to regain control and eventually make Powers tap out with the figure four leglock.

Winner, and STILL WCW United States Heavyweight Champion: Ric Flair

Should have been more of a squash, but Flair was able to make this into a **¼ match.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

WCW Nitro
Airdate: July 8th, 1996
Arena/Location: Disney MGM Studios in Orlando, FL
Commentators: Hour One: Larry Zbyszko and Tony Schiavone. Hour Two: Eric Bischoff and Bobby Heenan

Tony and Larry welcome us to WCW Nitro, and immediately talk about what happened at Bash at the Beach. They also hype up the other two good matches on the show, specifically the Rey Mysterio/Psicosis and Malenko/Inferno matches. This leads into our first contest.

Match One: Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Dean Malenko© for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship

Rey Mysterio controls Dean Malenko for the early going on this matchup. However, Dean is able to regain control after a tilt-a-whirl back breaker. Dean works over Rey’s back and neck area for several minutes, before throwing Mysterio out of the ring. Outside the ring, Malenko hit’s a painful looking brainbuster on Mysterio. Dean with a scoop slam, and surprisingly a two count. Dean has Rey up, and Rey counters into a pin, but gets a two count. Mysterio sends Dean over the top rope, and Mysterio goes for a springboard splash, but just barely misses Malenko. Dean, a second too late, sells it as though he was hit. Dean back in the ring now, and Mysterio up. He’s up on the top turnbuckle and hit’s a beautiful hurricarana, but again only gets a two.

Mysterio back up on the top turnbuckle, but Dean hits him with the fireman‘s carry gutbuster. He throws Mysterio up a bit, and Mysterio comes crashing down on Malenko’s knee. Dean goes for the pin, but pulls Mysterio up after a two count. Belly to belly overhead suplex on Rey this time, but again Dean pulls him up. Dean with an irish whipe, Rey comes off the ropes and.. Hurricarana into a rollup! Rey wins and is the new Cruiserweight Champion!

Winner, and NEW WCW Cruiserweight Champion: Rey Mysterio

Yet another excellent TV match between these two. I’d put it over their previous encounter, and was almost as good as their first match. A botch hurts this match, but they were able to cover it up pretty well to the untrained eye. **** from me.

We go to the lockerroom where Mean Gene is interviewing the Nasty Boys (ugh) and Steiner Brothers. The winners of the contest gets a title shot against Harlem Heat. Scott Steiner calls Brian Knobbs a fatso, then they hype up their match tonight.

We get a Blood Runs Cold video hyping up Glacier. It’s sort of like the ones that had been shown lately, but doesn’t say when he’ll debut now. Damn.

Match Two: Dungeon of Doom (Big Bubba and Hugh Morrus) w/Jimmy Hart vs. Blue Bloods (Lord Steven Regal and Squire Dave Taylor) w/Earl Robert Eaton and Jeeves

I guess the DoD are faces here, since there’s a big USA chant from the crowd. Bubba and Hugh Morrus are able to use their power to control the Blue Bloods, but the Blue Bloods are able to come back once John Tenta comes out and starts fighting with Bubba. The Blue Bloods hit a double reverse suplex for the win.

Winners by pinfall: The Blue Bloods

Too short to be anything worthwhile , yet too long for a NR. ½*

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

A few notes on BatB:

1. The Rey Mysterio Jr./Psicosis match was easily the match of the night. It was an excellent high flying matchup between two men who have probably went each other hundreds of times. The match ended with Rey Mysterio Jr. countering a powerbomb into a headscissors takedown off the top rope for the pin. ****1/4

2. The Tenta/Bubba silver dollars on a pole match was what you'd expect from a pole match. Lots of punching, lots of running for the pole. The Pole however was way too long though. Jimmy Hart had to shimmy up the pole to get the sock full of silver dollars, but Tenta got it from him, hit Bubba with it, and got the pin. 1/4*

3. The DDP/Duggan taped fist match was only slightly better than the previous match. DDP was able to get the win with the Diamond Cutter, but Duggan got the last laugh by knocking out DDP with a taped fist. Having someone knock his teeth down his throat isn't a bad idea, but having a vet like Duggan do it this early in DDP's push wasn't the smartest decision. *1/4

4. The PE/Nasty Boys Double Dog Collar Texas Tornado match was horrible. It's sad that the best part of this match was a table that refused to break, despite several heavy bodies colliding on it. The Nasty Boys won, but PE got the last laugh. -***

5. The Dean Malenko/Disco Inferno WCW Cruiserweight Title match was a competitive contest between two guys who knew what they were doing in the ring. Disco, despite never really getting a big push, was a hell of a talent both in the ring and on the mic. He and Dean had arguably the second best match of the night that saw Malenko win after a Tiger Bomb into a Texas Cloverleaf. ***1/2

6. Steve 'Mongo' McMichael defeated Joe Gomez. This wasn't advertised on Nitro, so it was a bit of a shock to me. You'd expect a squash here, but these guys got seven minutes. Mongo was green as hell, and Gomez shouldn't be on TV, much less a PPV. DUD

7. Ric Flair and Konnan(c) for the US Championship was a pretty good match, despite the fact that neither guy seemed to have given it all. Konnan's name was finally spelled correctly. Flair was able to get the win rather cheaply after using Woman's shoe on Konnan. The ref was happy to give Woman her shoe back after the match, which I found silly. **3/4

8. The Arn/Benoit vs. Sullivan/Giant match was alright, despite the fact the ending was incredibly awkward. Giant won the match for his team with a chokeslam. Postmatch, Benoit kept beating up on Sullivan. Woman came out, begged Benoit to stop hurting him, but Benoit didn't listen to her. The beatdown finally ended when Giant came running out, and carried Sullivan to the back. **1/4.

9. The Hostile Takeover match between the Outsiders of Hall/Nash/??? and Luger/Sting/Savage delievered. The Outsider's partner didn't show up, but WCW wasn't able to take advantage due to the fact that Luger was taken out early by Sting. Hall and Nash worked over Sting for the majority of the match, until Savage got the hot tag in and cleaned house. Everyone was down, Hogan came out and seemed to be on the WCW side of things, until he hit the legdrop on Savage. The crowd was shocked, and the announcers were in disbelief at Hogan's heel turn. Hogan then cut a promo on how the fans could stick it, and that we were looking at the 'new world order' of professional wrestling. ***1/4


Overall, the PPV had several ups and downs, but the heavily hyped Hostile Takeover match was the reason people bought this, and boy did it deliver. It is one of the biggest moments in wrestling history, and arguably the biggest moment in Hulk Hogan's career. Overall, this PPV would get a 7.5/10 from me. Even though there was terrible stuff on the card, the Main Event helped turn this into a must watch for any wrestling fan.



The next Nitro will be up shortly.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Board8watchesBatB

I'll be starting in fifteen minutes.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

^ I could hold it any day, really. I just would prefer to hold it on a day wrestling doesn't come on, which leaves me rather limited to Wednesdays, and the weekends that don't have PPVs.

And the first match being the best isn't unusual, but I think the reason I noted it was that lately there have been stronger matches later in the show.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Gene back, this time in the lockeroom with Jim Duggan. Duggan, for whatever reason, says he was just in the bathroom ’relieving myself.’ That’s a mental image for everyone needs. Duggan found DDP’s ring, a ring Gene erroneously calls the King of the Ring ring. Hacksaw says he’ll give it to DDP if he wants it. Now Duggan says he found it in the toilet. DDP comes in, wants the ring back. Duggan gives it to him(?) and then hits him with a taped fist. He didn’t want the ring anyways.

Main Event: Joe Gomez/The Renegade/Rock n’ Roll Express vs. The Four Horsemen w/Elizabeth, Woman, and Debra

The Horsemen work over Joe Gomez for the majority of this match. I would’ve put my money on Morton. Renegade in and is beating up on everyone, but the tables turn when McMichael apparently throws a briefcase at Renegade, and Flair wins it for his team via submission.

Winners by submission: Four Horsemen

The briefcase looked as though it missed Renegade by a fair amount, yet he still sold it as though he got hit by it. Though Flair/Benoit/Arn were in this for the most part, it was still a rough main event. **

Eric and Heenan wrap up Nitro by hyping up Bash at the Beach. We go backstage where security and the cops are escorting The Outsiders out of the arena. They make a few donut/cop jokes, then get in their car and drive off. That ends this edition of Nitro.

Wrestling wise, the best match was the first match. Aside from that, everything was a real step down in quality, save for the Outsiders stuff. That angle is really over with the fans, and we don’t even know who the third man is! Who is it? Is it someone in WCW? Is it someone jumping ship? I guess we’ll find out at Bash at the Beach! 5/10

TV Rating: 3.3

Other Nitro Notes

1. Larry Zbyszko said at the top of the broadcast that a new world order in professional wrestling would start at Bash at the Beach several times while he was announcing. New world order? Isn’t that the group of people controlling the world? That’d never make a great name for a wrestling faction!

2. As I’m sure some of you noticed, I didn’t use the names of either of the Outsiders during these reviews. The point of that was because WCW didn’t either. Hall and Nash were working for WCW for over a month before they settled on using their real names.

3. Quote of the Show: “Never trust a horse!” - The Giant, on why Kevin Sullivan made the mistake of trusting Arn Anderson.

4. Now let me get this straight: DDP lost his ring. Duggan says he doesn’t want it. Duggan then ‘found’ it in the men’s bathroom (probably in the toilet,) but is going to give it back to DDP. DDP comes in, gets the ring back, and Duggan hits him with a taped fist, to sell the match at Bash at the Beach.. Which is for the ring. So, Duggan is fighting for a ring that he doesn’t want, in his specialty match? What the f***?!

5. I said it a few days back, but I’m still going to watch Bash at the Beach tomorrow. If you want me to IM you or whatever, I can, and we can watch it in AIM Chat. I’ll also put the link of it in this topic, just in case.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

I'm looking around for a 6:00 PM CDT time start. Though I could start it earlier/later.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Match Three: Scotty Riggs (SCOTTY RIGGS!) vs. Diamond Dallas Page

DDP is searching everyone for the ring. Hacksaw Jim Duggan, whom goes against DDP at Bash at the Beach, claims he didn’t take it. He also says he doesn’t wear any sort of rings.

DDP in control for most of this matchup. Riggs is able to hit a few offense moves, but Page wins with reversal into a Diamond Cutter.

Winner by pinfall: Diamond Dallas Page

DDP sure has been getting more wins lately. **

Mean Gene interviewing DDP at the entranceway now. DDP cuts a promo on Duggan, and says he wants his ring right now.

Match Four: Greg Valentine vs. Randy Savage.

Holy s***. Where the hell did they dig Greg Valentine up from? And why the hell is he using the Hollywood Blonde’s theme? Savage is wearing Sting’s facepaint, though Tony thinks it’s warpaint. Red and white warpaint?

These two work for about seven minutes or so, and during the last few seconds, the timer comes on we are counting down to Hour two. The match ends as Valentine hit’s a back suplex on Savage that apparently knocks him out. Savage up on the top turnbuckle.. Flying elbow drop! Savage gets the win as Hour two starts.

Winner by pinfall: Randy Savage

Eh, passable match. *¾

We go to the announce booth with Eric Bischoff and Bobby Heenan. Bischoff calls out Nash and says he doesn’t know what he was thinking, but no one is scared of him. Heenan says he’s scared for his life, and as Bischoff hypes up Bash at the Beach, Heenan interrupts him. He’s looking off in the distance.. The Outsiders are in the crowd. They got popcorn and cokes, and are heading to I guess their seats. Security tries to stop them, but they produce tickets. I guess they can’t throw them out. Nash says they are here to see the big boys. They’re sitting down, and we go to a break.

We get another Blood Runs Cold video package. It’s the same we saw.. Not half an hour ago.

Match Five: John Tenta vs. The Giant© w/Jimmy Hart for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship

We cut over to the Outsiders, and there is an empty seat between them. Who’s suppose to be there? Hmm.

Typical Giant match that they’ve been booking lately. Opponent tries to take the Giant off his feet. They succeed, but Giant still wins. This time with interferences from the Dungeon of Doom.

Winner, and STILL WCW World Heavyweight Champion: The Giant

Postmatch, Big Bubba shaves John Tenta’s beard. Well, half of it. So, will Tenta go to all black and be on the dark side of Quakeamania? ¾*

Mean Gene interviews DoD. Apparently it will be Big Bubba vs. John Tenta in a Silver Dollars on a Pole match. I wonder if Vince Russo was frothing at the mouth when he heard that one.

Giant and cuts a promo on the Four Horsemen. Sullivan is apparently distracted by something. Either Tenta, or the Outsiders, or even the Horsemen.

We get a video package of Rey Mysterio Jr., but partway through Bischoff demands they stop it. Nash has a mic and says they’re taking over a little early! Nash and his friend keep throwing insults at Bischoff. As soon as they jump over the guardrail, security stop them, and the WCW lockeroom empties. Huge Diesel chant from the crowd. Nash and his friend are escorted out of the building as we go to commercial break.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

WCW Nitro
Airdate: July 1st, 1996
Arena/Location: USAir Arena in Landover, Maryland
Commentators: Hour One: Larry Zbyszko and Tony Schiavone. Hour Two: Eric Bischoff and Bobby Heenan

Tony and Larry are at ringside once again. They are hyping up the PPV, when Diamond Dallas Page shows up and complains about his Lord of the Ring ring being stolen. He wants the building closed and everyone strip searched. That was odd. We get a video of last week’s main event as The Outsiders come to ringside and have a bit confrontation. Let’s get to our first match!

Match One: The Steiner Brothers vs. Harlem Heat© for the WCW World Tag Team Championships

Booker T comes out yapping on a cell phone. In 1996, that was supposed to imply that they were loaded and important. In 2011, it implies that he’s just like everyone else. I guess the next time we see them, they’re going to have a brand new computer.. With WINDOWS 95! Ooo.

Also, I’m sure some are wondering ‘why aren’t Sting and Luger staking in their rematch clause?’ Two things: One, Sting and Luger are fighting for something more important than the tag titles: WCW. Two, Scott and Rick both have a singles win over Booker T and Stevie Ray, respectively. It makes sense that they get the shot.

Stevie Ray and Booker T work over Scott Steiner for most of this contest. Col Parker makes his way down to ringside early on, and he has a cell phone as well. Hmm.. A pivotal moment comes when Booker and Scott knock each other out with a clothesline. Scott makes it to his partner first! Rick’s in, hit’s a few slams on both Booker and Stevie. Scott is back up and hit’s a frankensteiner on Booker T. He goes for the pin, but he’s not the legal man. Rick is going for the bulldog off the top turnbuckle now, but Parker hits Rick with his cane! Booker T covers him for the win!

Winners, and STILL WCW World Tag Team Champions: Harlem Heat

Both teams did alright, but it didn’t feel like either team was on their ’A’ game here. **½

Mean Gene in the VIP section interviewing the Four Horsemen. Basically, it’s hype for a big eight man tag team main event tonight. The Four Horsemn vs… Joe Gomez, The Renegade, and the Rock ‘n Roll Express. If I was a betting man, I’d put my money on the group that didn’t consist of a jobber, a failed expy, and has beens. Heheh. Arn said do do. This is basically hype for a match that we all know which team will win.

Another Blood Run Colds promo. It’s the same one that we saw last week.

Match Two: Disco Inferno vs. Kurasawa

Disco, before this match starts, dances. He tells them to stop his music, asks the audience if they want to see him dance. We just saw him dance. He wants them to hit his music but instead Kurasawa’s music is hit.

Kurasawa dominates the matchup, but Disco tries to intimidate Kurasawa by emulating the Karate Kid movies. That fails spectacularly. Disco on the outside now and, in frustration, kicks the steel steps. He grabs his foot and starts screaming. Kurasawa is looking to pin Inferno when Disco’s music starts playing. An Elvis? Impersonator comes out disco dancing. While this is going on, Disco is asking for the disco ball to be dropped. He throws it at Kurasawa.. And gets the win. The f***?

Winner by.. disco ball: Disco Inferno

Now that was just plain silly, but funny. *¾

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

The main event was good, but everything else was either too short, or between guys no one cared about. It almost felt like WCW Saturday Night, with the match/interview with Mean Gene/match format. The last five or so minutes were very effective and really helped build up to Bash at the Beach. Discounting that, this was a slightly below average Nitro. The final few minutes brought this up to a 5.5/10 because of how effective it was.

TV Rating: 3.3

Other Nitro Notes

1. Quote of the Show: Usually, this is here for quotes that are silly, hilarious in hindsight, or just surreal. This one isn’t really a quote from a person, but rather a badly worded gaffe made by the WCW production crew:

2. At one point, it looked as though one of the ‘police officers’ was going for his gun once the Outsiders came out. I thought that was kind of overdoing it a bit.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

Match Four: Barbarian vs. Eddie Guerrero

Eddie Guerrero, despite not being on Nitro the last few shows, gets a sizable chant from the audience. Barbarian control Eddie throughout this bout. Eddie looks to be coming back, but Barbarian knocks Eddie down from the top turnbuckle. This sets up Barbarian’s belly to belly off the top turnbuckle, which connects! Eddie rolls out of the ring. Barbarian pulls Eddie up on the apron, and sets him up on the turnbuckle. Looks like he’s going for a superplex… No, Eddie counters and Barbarian falls off the turnbuckle. Eddie is dragged along and.. Eddie wins!

Winner by pinfall: Eddie Guerrero

Eh, alright match for the time given. *¾

In ring, Eddie is being interviewed by Mean Gene. We get video of Uncensored when Konnan giving a ‘low blow’ to Eddie Guerrero. Guerrero wants another shot at the US Title.

Match Five: Four Horsemen (Chris Benoit and Arn Anderson w/Mongo McMichael) vs. Rock ‘n Roll Express

Hour two starts up, and Bobby Heenan is out now. This is an alright tag team match that ends with Morton pounding on Arn in the corner, and Gibson trying to put Benoit in a cradle pin. Mongo hits Gibson with the briefcase, and the Horsemen win.

Winner by pinfall: Chris Benoit and Arn Anderson

**¼

Joe Gomez is out and.. Gets his ass kicked. Savage and Greene out now, and they chase the Horsemen away.

Flair and his women are out back with Gene. Flair cuts about the Horsemen being reunited and then says he’s locked up and Savage and Green can’t get in.

Tony and Heenan talk about the extra security because of the Outsiders.

Match Six: Diamond Dallas Page vs. Alex Wright for the Lord of the Ring

DDP controls early on, but Wright is able to control DDP with his high flying maneuvers. DDP blocks a splash with his knees, hit’s the Diamond Cutter, and gets the pin.

Winner, and STILL Lord of the Ring: Diamond Dallas Page

**

Gene in the ring interviewing DDP. DDP cuts a promo on ‘Hacksaw’ Jim Duggan. He goes against Dugan in a taped fist match. He isn’t happy about the match he’s got.

After a break, we get another interview, this time Gene is with Kevin Greene. Greene says Mongo sold him out. He said that he’s going to remember Mongo’s backstabbing face everytime he tackles a QB. He says he’ll get his payback after his season is over with.

Match Seven: VK Wallsteet vs. Randy Savage w/Kevin Greene

Savage still has the facepaint on. This match gets about five minutes, and is surprisingly back and forth, but Savage is able to win with an elbow drop.

Winner by pinfall: Randy Savage

** from me.

Main Event: Harlem Heat vs. Steiner Brothers vs. Sting and Lex Luger© in a triangle match for the WCW World Tag Team Championships

Steiners won a #1 Contendership match, yet Harlem Heat get a shot as well?

Harlem Heat and the Steiners fight it out for most of the early going of this match. Sting is tagged in by Scott Steiner, and Sting works over Booker T for a bit. Booker T and Stevie Ray work over Sting however as they slowly begin to gain control. Sting finally gets a hot tag on Luger. However, The Outsiders make their way out to ringside, and are carrying baseball bats. As security enters the ring, One of Harlem Heat pins Luger!?

Winners, and NEW WCW World Tag Team Champions: Harlem Heat

**½

Harlem Heat celebrate and leave the ring, but the Outsiders don’t attack. After a few tense moments, the Outsiders back off.

Tony and Bobby are watching all this, and Tony says he’s scared for his life. Heenan is freaking out over every little thing. Tony signs off Nitro by saying that the WCW will destroy these Outsiders.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

WCW Nitro
Airdate: June 24th, 1996
Arena/Location: Independence Arena in Charlotte, NC
Commentators: Hour One: Larry Zbyszko and Tony Schiavone. Hour Two: Tony Schiavone and Bobby Heenan

Bischoff again will miss Nitro. At least Heenan is still there.

While Tony and Larry are discussing the Outsiders angle, the crowd is giving us a huge We Want Flair chant. We go to the video of Bischoff being powerbombed through the tables from Great American Bash. At least it’s video this time.

We go backstage with Sting, Lex Luger, and Macho Man Randy Savage. All three are wearing Sting‘s facepaint. ,Macho Man says that while Charlotte may be Flair country, WCW is their territory and they won’t be taken out by Outsiders. This is odd coming from a man who’s been in the company for less than two years. Sting wants to know who the third man is. Luger, says they will stand tall and are unified. Scott and Rick Steiner. Walk in on Luger and Sting, and say their title shot is tonight. Harlem Heat then show up and say that they got unfinished business with Luger and Sting. Guess we got a Triangle Match tonight.

Match One: Blue Bloods (Lord Steven Regal and Squire Dave Taylor) w/Earl Robert Eaton and Jeeves vs. Public Enemy

We’re told that Kevin Greene is in the arena tonight.

Both teams duke it out for a few minutes, but it eventually degenerates into a brawl. Regal and Rocco Rock are outside duking it out as Grunge (who’s got a cast) knocks Taylor out and gets the win.

Winners by pinfall: Public Enemy

Two weeks in a row we have a relatively weak first match. *¼

Match Two: ‘Taskmaster’ Kevin Sullivan w/Jimmy Hart vs. Chip Amie

Sullivan drags Chip all the way to the back and is looking to throw Chip into the ladie’s bathroom, but the road agents stop him. Sullivan then proceeds to slam Chip’s head into the Subway concession stand. Guess Sullivan was pissed they stop the $5 footlong deal.

Winner by DQ: Chip Amie

N/R

In ring, Mane Gene is talking to Jimmy Hart (and eventually Kevin Sullivan.) Hart says that they went into Flair Country, and are going to walk out alive. Sullivan says did you see what he did to someone in Horsemen territory? What will he do elsewhere? Another We Want Flair chant.

We get a new Blood Runs Cold promo. It basically says Glacier: Coming to WCW - July 1996. Glad we got a date down now.

Match Three: Hardwork Bobby Walker vs. Dean Malenko

Malenko dominates Walker, until Disco comes out with a Gold Record. Zbyszko mentions that Disco’s record sold a million albums. That’s good to know, but wouldn’t it be platinum now? Disco gets a mic and demands they play his music. For some reason, they do and Inferno is now in the ring dancing while the match continues. Malenko takes advantage of the distraction by knocking Walker into Inferno, goes tumbling out of the ring, and Malenko gets the win.

Winner by pinfall: Dean Malenko

It appears Inferno and Malenko will be going at it for the Cruiserweight Championship. So.. A guy who doesn’t care if he loses get a title shot? N/R for that.

Mean Gene interviewing Malenko now. As Malenko’s talking, Inferno looks to be considering knocking Dean in the head with his gold record. Malenko catches him and Disco decides otherwise. Inferno says that Walker and Malenko were stinking up the joint. Can’t disagree with him there. Disco says his record went to gold and that people want him to dance. Er… Okay. Disco isn’t bad on the mic, but that promo was just a bit too silly for me.

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...

We get photos of what happened at GAB to Eric Bischoff. Wait. We got video earlier, but we don’t see the video of the powerbomb through the table? The hell. We get more stills from the tag team match between Mongo/Greene and Flair/Arn, and the Benoit/Sullivan match.

Down to the entranceway we go as Mean Gene interviews Rey Mysterio Jr. Man, it’s weird to see Rey Mysterio without all those tattoos. He cuts a promo on Malenko, then cuts a promo in Spanish. Since I don’t speak Spanish, I’m going to assume he said he liked cheese and bacon. Why? I dunno. I want to see if anyone catches this.

Match Six: Rey Mysterio vs. Dean Malenko© for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship

Huh. Mysterio has that half mask he wears now. I never knew that he wore that in WCW.

Malenko works over Mysterio's midsection for the majority of this eleven minute contest. Mysterio is able to hit a few springboard moves, including a moonsault and hurricarana (the latter with Malenko on the arena floor.) However, Malenko is able to stay in control and wins with a reverse DDT.

Winner, and STILL WCW Cruiserweight Champion: Dean Malenko

Excellent TV match that got eleven minutes. Not as good as their PPV match, but still a good watch. ***¾

Main Event: Scott Steiner vs. The Giant© w/Jimmy Hart for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship

Steiner with taped ribs after what happened to him earlier. Giant works over Steiner’s ribs. Steiner tries to pick up Giant and suplex him throughout the match but to no avail. Giant goes to the outside and gets a wooden chair to use, but Steiner is slowly gaining steam. Steiner hit’s a suplex on the Giant, and the crowd gives a massive pop for that move. Steiner grabs the wooden chair, Hart is in, but Steiner pushes him away. Steiner hit’s the Giant with the chair. It breaks and Giant no sells it. Chokeslam and Giant wins.

Winner, and STILL WCW World Heavyweight Champion: The Giant

Alright main event. The suplex spot was definitely amazing to see. **

We’re back from a commercial, and we have the drawing for who will fight the Outsiders and their partner at Bash at the Beach. The six men in consideration to go against the Outsiders are Hulk Hogan, Giant, Ric Flair, Lex Luger, Sting, and Savage. The three men drawn to face the Outsiders are none other than Lex Luger, Randy Savage, and Sting. Heenan and Tony hype up what they heard as Nitro ends.

A bit of a bag of mixed nuts for Nitro. Some good matches, some relatively poor matches, though the biggest storyline is definitely the Outsiders and what they did to Bischoff at Great American Bash. We know who’s going against them, but who’s their third man? Will we find out on Nitro next week? What was going out back as Nitro went off the air many shows back? Why haven’t we heard anything about that? Oh well. 7/10

TV Rating: 3.4. This is the start of the streak. 80+ weeks of WCW Nitro beating WWF Raw started with this show. It’s going to be a fun ride.

Other Nitro Notes

1. Quote of the Show: “We’re going to take you somewhere we have never been before on WCW PPV Televeion; to the bathroom!” - Tony Schiavone, on the Benoit/Sullivan brawl.

2. Despite being the heels, the fans really eat up what the Horsemen say. I guess in their feud against DoD, they are the faces.

3. It sucks to see Rey Mysterio now when he was arguably one of the best performers in the WCW at this point in time. He has definitely lost a lot of his ability to move around the ring. Guess that’s what happens when you have to get surgery on your knee five times.

4. Also, Bash at the Beach 1996. Who's interested? I might be holding it Wednesday night if people want to watch one of the biggest WCW PPVs ever... though I'm starting to wonder..

--
The Miz: Well, the Green Bay Packers aren't going to the Superbowl! The Miz's attempt to gain cheap heat from the Green Bay crowd. Three months later...