Nitro Charged: WCW Monday Nitro: September 16th, 1996

24 hours removed after the chaos that ensued at Fall Brawl, WCW suffered yet another bitter loss to the NWO. And after Sting proved his innocence by attacking the fake Sting, he would leave WCW high and dry. Not to mention Miss Elizabeth and Randy Savage were brutalized by the NWO afterward. The fallout is ensuing on this edition.

-WCW CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: REY MYSTERIO JR. VS JUVENTUD GUERRERA-

One night removed from both men's matches, it's Rey Mysterio who survived that mess with Super Calo taking on Juventud who had a somewhat better encounter with Konnan. Cruicifix by Rey early on until Juvi turns things around into a DDT. Cover only gets two. Fallaway slam and another cover by Juvi only gets a two. Rey recovers by working the leg. Juvi gets in an irish whip and an elbow to the face. Rey slides under Juvi and lands a spinning wheel kick. Rey monkey flips Juvi onto the apron. Juvi tries to recover with a springboard, but Rey counters with a dropkick. Springboard rana on the outside as we go to break.

When we return, Juvi is in full control, trying to cover for two. Dropkick from Juvi. Rey sends Juvi to the apron, but Juvi recovers with a springboard wheel kick, a dropkick, and an asai moonsault to the outside. Juvi brings Rey back in and goes dor a springboard 450, hitting more mat than Mysterio. Cover only gets a two. Juvi sets Rey up for a frankensteiner and connects. Cover still gets a two.

We see NWO fans outside the building celebrating the victory of the NWO last week. We return to the ring as Rey counters a top rope powerbomb into a hurricanrana for the win. Overall, a really good opener. Fast paced with a lot of impressive spots. Juvi's best showing so far with far less sloppy spots. And Rey remains impressive.

Mike Tenay is backstage with Mongo, Debra and Benoit. Mongo warns Lex Luger about what happened if they lost at War Games and that he'd better find Sting. Benoit tells Luger to prepare himself to pay the price, then Mongo screams to the heavens.

We get a video package for Glacier. He says that the name was given to him by his master. He was a fan of the likes of Bruce Lee, which got him excited to study martial arts. He went to Japan and studied under an old master. He combined a bunch of styles and passed them on to Glacier. Glacier has now taken great experience in wrestling in martial arts. He mentions his gear is a tribute to Gladiators (yes, that great gladiator SUB-ZERO).

-ICE TRAIN VS DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE- 

Ice Train overpowers Page early on with Page comically oversells the offense. Rope guilloting by Page and a top rope shoulder block finally gives him momentum. Swinging neckbreaker and a cover, but Ice Train just throws Page off. Train catches Page's leg, but Page swings out into a clothesline. Belly to belly from Ice Train. He then no-sells the offense from Page, catching Page in a bearhug slam.  Train drops the straps for a big powerslam. Cover, but only two. We see the NWO fans taping off the merchandise stands while the FRIGGING MATCH ENDS IN THE RING! It seems that Page threw the towel that Teddy Long had, and of course Nick Patrick counted it as a win for Page. Thankfully we do get it on the replay. Overall, a decent little match.

After the commercial break we see the former 1-2-3 Kid himself in the crowd. And Schiavone makes damn sure to mention that.

-MEXICAN HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: SUPER CALO VS KONNAN-

Headbutts and a clothesline from Konnan early on. Irish whip and a rolling clothesline is turned into a messy roll up by Calo for two. Some rolling counters and an arm drag from Calo. Suicide dive by Calo as both men crash into the guardrail. Calo goes to the top buckle, but Konnan grabs him for an underhook suplex off the top. Cover, but only a two. Gutwrench powerbomb by Konnan only gets a one because that makes sense.  A really messy headscissor from Calo who goes for a springboard cross body (that is more like a really flashy headbutt). Cover, but only a two despite the fact that Konnan's leg is on the rope.

Kicks by Konnan and a reverse DDT. Cover, but again Calo kicks out at one. Rolling clothesline as Calo falls right on the top of his head. Konnan hits a scoop slam and goes up, but Calo hits a dropkick, and hits a big nothing headscissors as Konnan ends up falling right on top of him. Holy crap. Basement dropkick and a falling slingshot plancha on the outside. He then goes up top for a dropkick. It seems like Calo's offense involves him constantly crashing on his head. Corner dropkick is missed by Calo, who again falls on his head.

DDT by Konnan, but again Calo kicks out . Alabama slam out of the corner by Konnan who covers, but still two. Konnan hits a messy power drop powerbomb for the win in a total mess. Calo hits like maybe one or two good spots, but everything he hits looks like he's going to destroy his skull.

Mike Tenay interviews the former 1-2-3 Kid who says that he's been to Japan and wanted to be here last night at Wargames. He sarcastically says that it's just too bad that the NWO won.

-HUGH MORRUS VS BRAD ARMSTRONG-

Headlock and shoulder block spot to start things off.  Morrus continues control after some stalling until Armstrong dodges offense and lands a hiptoss and a dropkick. Morrus takes Brad to the corner with a shoulder block, then follows with a big clothesline. He tries a second, but Brad dodges and lands an arm drag, only to get clotheslined again. Small package by Armstrong only gets two. Powerslam by Morrus who then sets him up for the No Laughing Matter moonsault. He connects, but nonchalantly covers, allowing Armstrong to roll him up for three. Morrus immediately attacks Armstrong by throwing him out.

Mike Tenay interviews Randy Savage, who is still having to deal with not just the NWO's interference in his match against The Giant, but also the assault on both Savage and Elizabeth to end Fall Brawl. Savage says he's a million miles below rock bottom. But he and Hogan are alive on the planet earth at the same time, and it's going to get scary because he's down to one marble, and if he loses that, it'll be bad for Hogan. Even for Savage, that was incomprehensible.

We se the NWO outside along with the fake Sting, celebrating their victory.

-"MACHO MAN" RANDY SAVAGE VS SCOTT NORTON-

Savage immediately attacks Norton up the ramp and the two start brawling in the ring to start us off. Savage lands a back drop and a knee to send Norton outside. He then lands an ax handle off the top to the outside. Norton finally recovers with a Samoan drop. Cover only gets a two. Norton keeps on him with more slams and chops. Powerbomb and a cover only gets two for Norton. Powerslam and another cover, but still two. Savage avoids a charge in the corner and lays in some punches until an inverted atomic drop from Norton.

Savage gets in a kick and a clothesline. He throws Norton to the outside and rams him on the barricade. He throws Norton out to the other side of the ringside area and slams him on the floor. They return to the ring as Norton gets in an armbar takedown. Norton hits a running shoulder breaker. Norton shoves away the ring steps and grabs Savage,  but Savage throws him into the steps and then nails Norton right in the head with some chair shots. Like full on unprotected. Nick Patrick tries to interfere, but gets assaulted.

-BIG BUBBA VS GLACIER-

It's time for Nitro to enter the realm as Glacier makes his Nitro debut against Big Bubba Boss Man. Bubba banana peels a kick early on, but avoids a kick by Glacier. Glacier hits some kicks and an arm drag. Bubba grabs the foot and slaps Glacier, only to gets slapped with the other boot. Bubba tries to avoid Glacier until he gets in a cheap shot and follows with some more rights. Spinebuster by Bubba who mocks Glacier's moves, only to turn around to a sweep and a fast series of martial arts shots. More kicks  and sweeps followed by one more spinning side kick for the win. Didn't mind this debut to be honest. The gimmick is bollocks, but both guys made the match fun at least.

We see Sting enter the ring with no music and very little pomp and circumstance. Sting says that he's going to explain what happened last week, all while not facing the hard camera, symbolizing turning his back on the WCW. He was on a flight from LA to Atlanta and thought he was watching a rerun of Nitro.  He saw everyone he trusted doubt The Stinger. He tuned in on Saturday and saw more doubt. He knew he had to get to Fall Brawl to prove that it wasn't him, but what he got was everyone still doubting him. He's been babysitter for Luger. He's given him the benefit of the doubt for the last 12 months and carried the WCW banner and given his blood, sweat and tears for WCW. For those fans and wrestlers that never doubted the Stinger, he'll stand by them if they stand by him. But for everyone who doubted him, they can stick it. From now on, he's a free agent, but that's not going to mean they won't see him. He'll pop up when they least expect it.

-RIC FLAIR AND ARN ANDERSON VS MARCUS BAGWELL AND CHRIS JERICHO-

Before the match, Flair and Arn try to convince Elizabeth to come to ringside with them, but she's understandably upset from the events of the previous night, so Flair, Arn and Woman head to the ring despite. 1-2-3 Kid presses a button in the crowd that sends more NWO flyers from the rafters to the floor. Bischoff asks if this means that Kid is the sixth member.

As the NWO leaflets litter the ring, the four men in the ring still have to wrestle regardless. It finally stops, as we get to action with Arn and Jericho kicking it off. Arn is in control until Jericho fights him off and lands a dropkick. Jericho ducks a whip and lands a spinning heel kick. Heenan makes a weird non sequitur about if Saddam Hussein was an NWO member. Tags to Bagwell and Flair. Bischoff mentions that due to the loss last night, they're forced contractually to give the NWO their own show in the coming weeks. Exchange of strikes by Bagwell and Flair with Bagwell winning out and hitting a back body drop. Dropkick by Bagwell, but Flair throws him out, allowing Arn to get offense, but Bagwell recovers. Sunset flip by Bagwell on Flair as Jericho dropkicks Arn. Backslide only gets a two, as does a cradle from Bagwell.

After being clotheslined over the ropes, Flair flips out and starts to grab at some of the NWO leaflets. Spinebuster by Arn to Jericho as fans throw crumpled leaflets into the ring. Flair lands a knee drop, struts, then grabs a crumpled leaflet and throws it back into the crowd. Flair keeps on Jericho until he tags in Arn who follows through with offense, including a guillotine on the ropes. Some heel work on an abdominal stretch by the Horsemen as Flair comes in. Sweep of the leg by Flair as Arn comes in and locks the leg.

We cut to the NWO limo as we see the assembled crew outside playing the fake audio of Sting's supposed deceit last week. Back in the ring, Bagwell gets tagged in and lays in on Flair with a flurry of punches and a back body drop. House of fire to both Horsemen. He hits a fisherman suplex and covers Arn, but Ric's the legal man. Roll up by Bagwell, but an eye rake by Woman allows Arn to hit a DDT. Figure four gets the win for the Horsemen in a decent tag match despite the massive distractions and the face in peril work.

-STEVE "MONGO" MCMICHAEL AND CHRIS BENOIT VS LEX LUGER-

Well, due to Sting's exodus, this tag match has been turned into a handicap match. Luger goes after both men until Benoit recovers with a headbutt and strikes. Tag to Mongo who tries a powerbomb, but Luger back drops him and lands clotheslines to both men. Benoit comes back in and nails stomps in the corner. Luger follows with some of his own. Mongo lands a cheap shot to Luger, allowing Benoit to hit a suplex. Mongo comes back in and hits an elbow drop and a choke. More leaflets being thrown in the ring by the fans as Mongo tags Benoit back in (who accidentally knees the camera). Benoit keeps on Luger with stiff boots wile Mongo lands a few cheap elbows. Cover off an elbow by Benoit only gets a two. Bischoff lists everyone who won't be on next week due to Japan commitments, which Heenan gets pissed about since that means that there's less people to stop the NWO. Slam and a headbutt to the groin from Mongo who tags Benoit back in.

Crowd turns their backs to the match as something seems to be going on in the crowd. Back in the ring, Luger wins out an exchange of blows and lays out both Horsemen. Powerslam to Benoit then a Torture Rack. Flair and Arn run in as Luger tries to fight them all off. Mongo clips the leg. DDT from Arn and some punches from Flair. Back at the limo, the NWO and the newest member (named Syxx) are watching the show. They revel that everyone but Macho Man won't be at Nitro next week. Hogan says that he'll arrange to get tickets for the rest of the NWO next week. Hell, he might get some backstage passes. Nitro ends as we see Luger in a heap on the mat.

A strong Nitro to follow up Fall Brawl. First hour was a bit weaker despite a really hot opener with Juvi and Rey. But then we get the likes of Super Calo vs Konnan which was a mess. Lots of focus on the former 1-2-3 Kid in the crowd and what his intentions are, obvious line blurring with his past involving the former Kliq members in the NWO. Second hour was much stronger, despite a flat debut for Glacier. Sting literally turning his back on WCW for what they did to him, along with the NWO's little leaflet shower and the Horsemen taking their frustrations out on Luger. It all plays to a product that's in a state of absolute chaos. Exactly the intentions of the NWO after their Fall Brawl win. In the end, it led to one of the stronger shows in a while. Nitro gets a A.

WHO WON THE WAR WEEK #49: NITRO

While Raw offered a decent enough final show before Mind Games, with a lot of side stuff going on involving the IC title tournament and the whole "Razor and Diesel" speculation, Nitro was once again the far more compelling program. Following up on the big shockers of Fall Brawl and continuing the sense of paranoia and fear that comes with WCW losing the war games match. Including Sting's exodus and the Horsemen taking it out on Luger. Win #29 for Nitro.

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
June 23rd, 1996
July 15th, 1996
July 22nd, 1996
August 5th, 1996
August 19th, 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

June 3rd, 1996

June 10th, 1996

June 17th, 1996

July 1st, 1996

July 8th, 1996
July 29th, 1996
August 12th, 1996
September 2nd-September 6th, 1996
September 9th, 1996
September 16th, 1996