This edition of Nitro Charged is dedicated to the memory of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.
WCW Monday Nitro is now officially a two hour show. And since that means a lot more to cover on a weekly basis, I'm going to shift how I do the weekly episodes. Matches will be less play by play and more focused on the bigger moments in the match up. Essentially boiling matches down to a paragraph or two instead of longer diatribes. This won't affect PPVs, since I still want to give them full focus. But for the sake of getting these out on a more consistent basis, I think this is the best way. So let's cover this, the 27th of May edition of WCW Monday Nitro.
Nitro is live from Macon Georgia, from the Macon Coliseum. Tony Sciavone and Larry Zbysko on hand to call hour one of action from this inaurual 2-hour episode. On tap for tonight's card we'll see Sting take on Scott Steiner, The Giant takes on Sharkquake, and opening action tonight, The American Males will take on Ric Flair and Arn Anderson.
-MATCH #1: The American Males VS Ric Flair and Arn Anderson-
Accompanied by Woman and Elizabeth, Flair and Arn make their way to the ring. Flair starts with Riggs. He throws Riggs out to allow for Arn to get in a cheap shot on the outside. Flair throws Riggs back out and whips him into Arn, but Riggs reverses, almost sending Flair into the waiting elbow of Arn. However, Bagwell catches Flair and throws him back in, hitting a back body drop and a series of dropkicks that send Flair over the ropes. Flair grabs a champagne bottle from his buffet table, but opts not to bring it in the ring. Tags to Arn and Bagwell. A brawl on the outside as we go to break.
When we return, Bagwell fights off both Flair and Arn, nailing naitch with another back drop. Tags to Riggs and Arn. Flair distracts Riggs allowing Arn to work the leg. Flair comes in and continues the leg work while Tony and Larry are served some champagne. Arn back in who continues stomping on the leg. While the ref is distracted, Flair puts weight on the bad leg of Scotty Riggs. An exchange of tags with both men working the leg. Riggs gets an enziguri that sends Arn to the outside. Flair distracts the ref, but Randy Anderson shoves him back in the corner. Tag to Bagwell who house of fires both men.
Missile dropkick by Bagwell who covers, but Arn makes the save. Small Package, but Arn rolls him over, so Riggs rolls it right back. Fisherman suplex, but Arn kicks him in the ribs. Dropkick by Riggs. Cover, but Woman rakes the eyes. DDT by Arn and a cover by Flair gets the win. An okay enough tag match. A lot of slow "face in peril" stuff, but when it heated up, it was entertaining. Especially thanks to Bagwell, who hits some great dropkicks.
Mean Gene interviews Flair and Arn. Arn sends a message to Kevin Greene and Mongo McMichaels saying that he's never met a football player he couldn't walk over the top of to find a better fight. They don't respect anyone who wears protective gear, because in their house, it's man to man. Flair sings Afternoon Delight, and says that while Mongo's been playing football, he's been making ways in Austin. Debra belongs to the nature boy. Liz chimes in saying that the champ can have anything he wants. Flair calls Liz their sugar mommy with all of Randy Savage's money they're spending.
We get a quick video as we see Mongo and Greene training for their match at the Great American Bash against Flair and Arn. Just the right amount of 90s cheese and just the right amount of questionable homoeroticism.
-Steve Doll VS The Mauler-
Up next is Steve Doll (Formerly Steven Dunn of Well Dunn) taking on Colonel Robert Parker's new addition, The Mauler (Mike Enos AKA Blake Beverly). They start working (Mauler hitting a really nice belly to belly suplex), with Mauler being in complete control. Some impressive stuff like a cross body that sends both men out of the ring. but suddenly there's a commotion in the crowd.
Hopping over the barricade is the man formerly known as Razor Ramon, Scott Hall. He asks for a mic and the match with Doll and Mauler just ends. Hall says that the fans know who he is, but they don't know why he's here. Where is Billionaire Ted? Where is the Nacho Man? He can't get in the building, but Scott can get in wherever he wants. Where oh where is Scheme Gene, because he has a scoop for him. He says that when that Ken Doll lookalike (Bischoff) comes out later, he has a challenge for him. They want to go to war, they're gonna get one. Hall then makes his exit.
So, what just happened? As we brought up in the curtain call review, Hall and Nash left for WCW earlier in the month. The plan going forward is to play up Hall and Nash to represent their Diesel and Scott Hall characters, and play up the concept that the two are "outsiders". A pair of invaders from "up north" who are trying to start a war with WCW. This is an important segment, as it's the genesis of what will become WCW's most important faction, and the beginning of their most profitable era. It didn't come without controversy, but we'll get into more of that over the coming year.
-Diamond Dallas Page VS Sgt. Craig "Pitbull" Pittman-
We get a video package for "Crazy Man Randy Savage", recapping the past several months involving Savage going wild on everyone since Liz's turn. From attacking WCW wrestlers, to officials and beyond. It's been great stuff so far for certain. I like how Flair seems so intertwined with everything right now. Feuding with Savage and Mongo at the same time. Great total prick stuff from the nature boy.
Mean Gene is backstage with Sharkquake. Shark says that he's been kicked out of the dungeon of doom. He promises to hurt Kevin Sullivan and win the WCW Heavyweight Title. He's also gonna eat Jimmy Hart up for desert. He says that he almost destroyed Hulkamania, but tonight he's going to destroy The Giant.
Speaking of Hogan-Senpai, he's of course not around right now, continuing his months long hiatus, but I'm sure he's busy taking his prayers and saying his vitamins. Oh wait, he's out and about, hanging with all the celebrities like Sugar Ray Leonard and Shaq during a charity event.
-WCW World Championship: Shark VS The Giant-
It's hour two of Nitro, as Bischoff and Heenan take to the table. Bischoff says that they won't dignify the comments of the person who jumped the railing earlier in the evening. We're reminded that DDP is not getting a title shot, but Lex Luger will in his stead. Sharkquake attacks Giant from behind early, then tries to knock him down with some clotheslines, but nothing doing. One clothesline from Giant knocks the big man down. Shark tries an ax handle off the second rope, then attempts a slam, but to no avail. Giant however, does it with ease. Giant wears down Sharkquake in the corner. Shark grinds at the face of Giant, but Giant comes back, only to eat a boot. Shark hits a clothesline off the second rope. He goes after Jimmy Hart, but Giant grabs Sharkquake and hits a chokeslam for the win in a quick, but decent big man brawl.
Big Bubba Boss Man runs in post-match with scissors and shears. He begins to cut the hair and shave half of his scalp. Bubba grabs a clump of his hair and leaves.
-WCW World Television Title: Maxx Vs Lex Luger-
Bischoff says that he'll allow Scott Hall to speak his mind later this evening. Luger now has a lot more pyro than he usually does as he takes on Page's former bodyguard Max Muscle. Shoves, headlocks and shoulder blocks to start us off (plus some good old Luger selling). Some clotheslines by Luger until Maxx comes back with a powerslam. Cover only gets a two count. Bischoff is interrupted by Hall by the look of things as he says that he'll talk to him at the end of the hour. Maxx continues control, hitting a sidewalk slam. More cover attempts only get two counts. Maxx even hits a nice elbow drop, but still his cover attempt gets nothing. Luger eventually recovers with strikes out of the corner, but Maxx continues to overpower (and Luger continues to oversell). Luger gets a boot to Maxx out of the corner and lays him with the loaded forearm. Powerslam and the Torture Rack get the win in a bland match. Maxx looked decent, but the match was just your basic, heel gets 88% offense style match.
Mean Gene is in the ring with Luger. He brings up how DDP was denied at title shot, but Luger doesn't care. Nobody wants the Giant more than he did for what happened two weeks ago with the chokeslam through Flair's buffet table. He can't believe Giant did that to the total package, because he wasn't trying to win a match, just tried to take him out. Luger says that before he takes on the Giant, he'll take on every big man in WCW. Payback's a you know what.
-Hardwork Bobby Walker Vs Brad Armstrong-
Some back and forth early on with Walker gaining control,locking in an arm bar. Armstrong turns it around, working the arm until a break is forced. However, Armstrong comes right in with some punches and a monkey flip. Walker has some scary near botches as he lands poorly off the monkey flip, then runs up the buckle, nearly slipping right off, but hitting a nice enough cross body for two. Walker returns to the arm bar while Bischoff hypes up Dean Malenko vs the upcoming Rey Mysterio at the Bash.
More hold exchanges, until Walker gets in a leg scissor. Armstrong gets a forearm, then tries a whip, but Walker turns it into a roll up for two. Backslide only gets a two for Walker. Back body drop and another jumping spot where he near slips, but still hits a shoulder block for the three in a sloppy match. Brad looked good, but Walker just constantly botched every flying spot. Yikes. The commentary sells him as this big prodigy of the WCW Power Plant, the training facility. But I can't in god conscience consider this a sign of quality training.
-Lord Steven Regal Vs Alex Wright-
Some early exchanges include Wright getting in an arm bar until Regal gets to the ropes. Regal works the wrist, but Wright rolls out and gets in a boot to the lord. Wright lands two nice headscissors that takes Regal to the outside. Regal tries to get in, but eats a dropkick. Flying cross body over the ropes as we go to break.
Also, Glacier is coming. Week #5 and we have a new vignette at last.
Regal is back in control as we return. An exchange of European uppercuts from both men until Regal locks in a nice STF. Wright escapes and manages a belly to belly suplex. He goes for Regal, but Regal kicks him in the head, covering for only one. He continues offense in the corner with more uppercuts, but Wright comes back with some really stiff uppercuts of his own. Wright barely flips over Regal, and rolls him up for two. At least he leapt off better than Walker.
Regal returns to the mat with Wright, working the arm and yelling to the camera. Regal tries a roll up, but Wright counters, only for Regal to try again. Wright escapes and hits a dropkick and more uppercuts. Back body drop and a whip to the corner. An elbow and a jumping side kick. Cover still just gets a two. He tries a monkey flip, but Regal turns it unto a back bridge cover for the three. A solid match with a lot of good back and forth from both men. Wright looked good, albeit sloppy and Regal, as always, is top notch in the ring.
Mean Gene is in the ring with Steven Regal, and brings up that Regal's been bad mouthing America. He says that Mean Gene telling him how to act is like Quasimodo teaching people how to walk straight. As blood pours out of Regal's nose, he mentions that things have been going crazy in WCW. He promises that he's going nowhere in WCW. He makes a challenge to Sting saying that if he beats Sting, he should get a shot at the Giant.
-Scott Steiner Vs Sting-
It's main event time. Sting takes a handful of food at the buffet table as he makes his way to the ring. Steiner throws Sting at first, but Sting comes back with a big beal of his own. Scott picks Sting up and lands a nice press slam. Headlock and shoulder block from Scott is turned around into a nice dropkick and a back slam off the ropes. He clotheslines Scott over the ropes and hits a plancha to the outside. Lots of energy early on from both men. Scott comes back with an underhook powerbomb. He follows that up with a belly to belly. Sting rolls out of the ring as Scott goes up top and lands a big ax handle off the top. He brings Sting in and covers, but Sting kicks out at one.
Scott works Sting in the corner, but eats a boot to the face. Scott comes right back with a big overhead belly to belly. Slow to a cover, but only gets two. He then transitions into an STF. He continues ground work for a while, then landing a body slam and a vertical suplex. However, Sting turns it around into a Scorpion Death Drop, but both men are still weak. Stinger Splashes from Sting, but the second misses, allowing Scott to land a beauty of a dragon suplex.
Luger shows up to cheer on Sting while rick also shows up. Scott goes up for a Samoan Drop off the top rope, connecting with ease. Scott wearily gets up and goes to Frankensteiner Sting, but Sting dodges and locks in a Scorpion Death Lock, but the move is too close, and a break is forced. Scott tries a tombstone, but Sting turns it around to one of his own. Cover only gets a two. He goes to splash Scott, but Scott gets the knees up. Scott tries to suplex Sting, but Sting turns it to a suplex to the outside, only for Scott to try to land a brainbuster.
Luger stops the suplex, but Rick begins to go after Luger, they brawl around ringside, while Scott then goes on the attack. The match is thrown out as Sting gets in on the brawl. WCW Talent separate both teams, but to no avail. Despite the finish, this was a great match. Very hard hitting, lots of back and forth, Sting put in some great work, and Scott was no slouch, everything looked crisp and clean, while still looking stiff and dangerous. And I kind of like the idea of some Sting/Luger Vs the Steiner Brothers matches.
Nitro comes to an end as Scott Hall arrives to the announce position to interrupt Eric Bischoff and Bobby Heenan. He says that "Ken Doll" has such a big mouth and "we" are sick of it. Bischoff asks who we is, but Hall instead says that "where the big boys play" is a joke. He says that Billionaire Ted needs to get three of his best. Maybe the Nacho Man, maybe Sting or anyone because we are taking over. He promises a war in the ring where it matters. Not on the mic, the newspapers, or in the dirt sheets. He throws a toothpick and makes his exit.
For the first two hour Nitro, this episode was kind of underwhelming in terms of the in-ring content. I thought the Males vs Flair and Arn was okay, enjoyed Wright vs Regal, and really enjoyed Sting vs Scott Steiner despite the DQ finish. The rest of the wrestling was pretty bland. Also Bobby Walker, yikes. I do like seeing DDP and Regal get more focus and even more mic time than usual, I'm interested in where this thing with Sharkquake is going, and of course, most importantly, I like where we're going with this big invasion on. For making an impact on night one, Scott Hall certainly delivered. His promos were good, albeit a bit overlong by the end to the point he was just repeating himself over and over. But, it adds the intrigue needed to make you want to tune in next week. So, not exactly the strongest show to start the two hour trend, but a decent episode nonetheless. A B+ is what it gets.
WHO WON THE WAR WEEK #34: RAW
I can see some people being confused by this decision, but I ultimately enjoyed Raw more this week. Being only one hour, it was easier to digest. I liked the stuff with the Gunns and the Body Donnas as well as the Ahmed/Vader stuff. Ultimately I think for a show that had to compensate for the power outage the night prior, Raw cleaned itself up well. Nitro had a far more important moment occur with Scott Hall's arrival, but the two hour show was muddied with a mediocre card save for some bright spots. Point goes to Raw this week to finally get them back on the board with win #15.
RAW:
September 25th, 1995
October 2nd, 1995
October 23rd, 1995
November 13th, 1995
November 20th, 1995
December 4th, 1995
December 11th, 1995
January 1st, 1996
January 22nd, 1996
February 19th, 1996
February 26th, 1996
March 11th, 1996
April 1st, 1996
April 15th, 1996
May 27th, 1996
April 1st, 1996
April 15th, 1996
May 27th, 1996
NITRO:
September 11th, 1995
September 18th-21st, 1995
October 9th, 1995
October 16th, 1995
October 30th, 1995
November 6th, 1995
November 27th, 1995
December 18th, 1995
January 8th, 1996
January 15th, 1996
January 29th, 1996
February 5th, 1996
March 18th, 1996
March 25th, 1996
April 22nd, 1996
April 29th, 1996
May 6th, 1996
May 13th, 1996
May 20th, 1996
April 22nd, 1996
April 29th, 1996
May 6th, 1996
May 13th, 1996
May 20th, 1996
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