Footage is taken from the original broadcast recording, covering the action live as originally intended, no edits. And now we commence as we go LIVE, something Raw wasn’t doing on a weekly basis!
WCW Monday Night Nitro: Debut Edition, September 4th, 1995
From the land of 10.000 lakes; Minneapolis, Minnesota; The Mall Of America. The only building big enough to hold the debut edition of WCW Monday Nitro. We’re coming to you live here on TNT.
VERY nice Intro for the show. This one alone shows the production value they must have had for this show. Seems they really wanted to attack WWF’s Monday Night Raw program while it was preempted for the U.S. Tennis Open.
By the way… is it just me or do the shows names sound exactly the same if you have Mongo say them? I’m pretty sure, this is by incident and not to fool the not so smart wrestling viewers, right?
Speaking of Steve “Mongo“ McMichael. He’s doing commentary alongside Eric Bischoff.
Bobby Heenan shows up to save this fledgling announce team, and immediately starts kissing McMichael’s ass to make up for some previous negative remarks he made about Mongo.
Bischoff announces that the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, Hulk Hogan will be here tonight and we get the first bout of the show.
Representing NJPW, Jushin Liger is here to start things off. He gets a pretty good response from the crowd. His opponent is Flyin‘ Brian. Pillman gets little reaction, probably due to his lame ass generic gimmick. “Blondes have more fuuuun“ still hurting my ears.
Opening Bout: Jushin Liger vs. Brian Pillman
Pillman starts off with an armbar, but Liger flips out of it into a side headlock. Irish whip by Liger into the corner followed by the Rolling Wheel kick. Chop by Liger, and he gets whipped towards the corner, he leap frogs Pillman, and hits a moonsault for two. Liger goes back to the headlock, and chops away in the corner. Whip to the turnbuckle, Pillman leapfrogs into a hurrican rana. Pillman takes advantage with some more chops and a boot to the face of a running Liger. Hurrican rana off the top by Pillman for two. Snapmare by Pillman, followed up by an abdominal stretch. Pinfall by Pillman for two.
On the commentating side, McMichael tries to shock Heenan by calling him “The Stain” and “Bobby Hernia.” Good reaction on Heenan’s part saying “Ah we start THIS now … name-calling“. They really seem to love each other.
Whip by Liger, drop toehold by Liger. Surfboard by Liger. Liger eventually lets up and Pillman hits a flying head scissors. Pillman gets backdropped to the outside, rolling wheel kick off the apron by Liger! That was awesome. Liger slides back into the ring. Liger tries to suplex Pillman into the ring, but Pillman blocks it and suplexes Liger to the outside. Pillman climbs to the top rope and hits a cross body to the outside on Liger! Pillman tosses Liger back into the ring and climbs to the top rope again. Liger trips Pillman up and they both climb to the top. Top rope Superplex by Liger for a looong two count. Liger leaps to the top rope, hops off but Pillman dropkicks him in mid-air. Two count and the fans with an actually very good reaction this time. Pillman goes to work with a chop and a whip, but Liger nails him on the back of the neck and hits the Liger Bomb, but Pillman kicks out! Liger sets Pillman up on the top rope and hits a Hurrican rana for two. OUCH, Liger landed right on his head on that one. Liger sets Pillman up on the top rope again, but Pillman hits a Tornado DDT for two. Pillman tries for a German suplex, but Liger reverses it into a waistlock. Liger tries for a German suplex, but Pillman rolls under into a roll up for the win.
Afterwards a handshake between the two competitors. Something you don’t see too often.
This was a really good match. A good amount of traditional wrestling mixed with some pretty cool spots. Give those two more time to tell a real story please! Those six minutes are a bit short I’d say.
This is something you do NOT see “up north“ in WWF. So much for sure.
“Let me tell ya, if the fans weren’t tuned into this baby, they didn’t see a match worth watching.”
I’ll give you three guesses as to which commentator said that…
A pre-taped Sting promo is aired, hyping up a match with Ric Flair for the US Title. Lame promo with everyone able to see Sting waiting for a sign to start talking.
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COMMERCIAL BREAK
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We’re back with a pre-taped Segment hyping “Pastamania“ in the Mall Of America.
“I’ve eaten so many Hulka-Roos and Hulka-Yoos, i kinda feel sorry for Big Bubba …“
I see. This is NOT a shameless plug for probably the best restaurant in the world, this is to promote a match between the Hulkster and Big Bubba Rogers for the WCW World Heavyweight Title on Nitro!
But better for the second bout of the night. The Nature Booooooayyyy coming to the ring.
Mongo and Bischoff take their first shot at WWF’s RAW by saying “if you’re not tuned into this match, then you might as well be watching… DON’T SAY IT!“
They should have practiced, because this is so very much made up. Well.
Sting coming to the Ring. I can’t wait for this match because I like both Sting and Flair and their past rivalries a lot. This should be awesome.
The Stinger won the US Title in a tournament, going over Meng in the final round after Vader was stripped of the title by Nick Bockwinkel.
WCW United States Title Match: Sting (c) vs. Ric Flair
SURPRISE! LEX LUGER is here to watch the match. “Get him outta here – get security“. He was just on the weekend WWF programming!
Bischoff and Mongo trying to “restore order“, while Heenan constantly asks what Luger did wrong.
The sensation is, that Luger not only had worked a WWF House Show the night before, but was one of WWF’s top stars, even in line for a possible Title Shot. Great move on the part of WCW to bring him in. To be clear on this: I do not like Luger, nor his Wrestling “skills”, but I like the move they made with bringing him in.
Back to the match: Flair bounces off the ropes meaning this one is ready to go. Tie-up to start, Sting shoves Flair off and yells “WOOOOOOO!” Side headlock by Flair, but he’s whipped out by Sting. Shoulder tackle by Flair. They fly off the ropes a few times and Sting Press slams Flair twice. Hiptoss by Sting followed by a nice dropkick. This crowd really starts digging the action. Very good reaction. Flair rolls to the outside in pain to catch his breath while the fans have some fun chanting for Sting. Sting goes for a knuckle lock, but Flair pokes him in the eye, and goes to work in the corner with a barrage of chops. Sting starts shaking them off and whips Flair. Another press slam by Sting. Flair gets right up and whips Sting. Flair cross bodies Sting off the ropes, and both guys topple over the top rope to the outside. Flair charges at Sting, but Sting military presses Flair and tosses him through the second and third rope back into the ring. Sting whips Flair into the corner and tries for the Stinger splash. He misses, but hits a bulldog right after. Whip to the corner again, but Sting runs right into an elbow. Flair plays to the crowd a little.
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COMMERCIAL BREAK
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Sting vs. Flair continues on,
We’re back to “Where The Big Boys Play“. Sting is still down. Flair climbs to the top rope, but, as per usual, gets tossed off the top by Sting. Flair pleads with Sting to back off, but Sting whips him and hits another press slam for two.
Another Interruption! Here comes Arn Anderson. There are still problems between him and Flair. Back in the ring, Sting tries for a splash off the top, but misses. Suplex by Flair. Sting stands right up and hits a clothesline. Flair gets whipped to the corner and flips over to the apron. Sting hits a clothesline on Flair as he runs across the apron. 10 punches by Sting in the corner, followed by a hiptoss. Sting sets Flair up on the top, but gets shoved off by Flair. Flair gets off the top rope and takes Sting down with a headlock take down. Sting body scissors out of it, but Flair bridges over Sting for a two count. Sting bridges up and hits a backslide for two. Nice pinning sequence there. Sting sets Flair up on the top again and hits a top rope superplex. Flair twitches, selling it well, and Sting stares down Anderson saying something like “What are you doing here?“. Flair takes advantage and takes Sting down by the leg. Figure Four! Flair uses the ropes to help. He breaks at 4 each time.
Anderson gets in the ring, and the ref rings the bell. Anderson stomps Flair and takes off his jacket. They trade blows, with Anderson gaining the advantage and Flair taking a hike.
This could have been a very good match if it were given more time and less distraction.
Scott Norton comes out and starts screaming at Bischoff and Mongo, angry that he doesn’t have a match at Fall Brawl, or something. He gets in Mongo’s face, until Randy Savage comes out and challenges him to a match. Bischoff telling them they can’t do this or they never wrestle again at WCW.
They cut to a Sabu vignette. Nice promo showcasing a lot of Sabu’s high spots.
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COMMERCIAL BREAK
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Mean Gene Okerlund is in the ring to congratulate Mike Hill from Alabama for winning the WCW Harley Davidson sweepstakes.
Back to Bischoff selling WCW Saturday Night. Johnny B. Badd taking on Dirty Dick Slater, and Sting and Randy Savage teaming up to take on the Blue Bloods. Fall Brawl is just around the corner too.
They air a debut promo for Michael Wallstreet, better known as IRS or Mike Rotunda. There are a LOT of People flooding into WCW it would seem.
Big Bubba Rogers coming out to the Ring to face the Hulkster.
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COMMERCIAL BREAK
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Back from the break Hogan comes to the Ring to “American Made“.
Fast plug for next week. The Match is made. Savage vs. Scott Norton. I like Scott Norton. We’ll see if he can make it past the Macho Man. Ooohhh Yeah.
Main Event: WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Hulk Hogan (c) vs. Big Bubba Rogers
Rogers and Hogan stalling to begin the match. After a minute or so finally a first lockup. Hogan shoves Rogers off and poses. He tells Rogers to bring it, and Rogers locks Hogan in a side headlock. This brings Hogan down to his knees. Hogan whips Rogers off and … was that a Shoulder block? Rogers just kind or ran into Hogan, stumbled for a second and fell into the middle rope. A Hogan chant fills the mall, but Rogers kicking Hogan in the gut when he called for the test of strength. Rogers hits Hogan with lefts and rights and sends him into the corner. Splash in the corner by Rogers followed by an eye rake. Rogers tries to beat Hogan’s head on the top turnbuckle, but Hogan blocks it and slams Rogers face into the top turnbuckle a few times. Hogan punches him a few times, but the referee breaks it up. Another kick to the midsection by Rogers. Backbreaker followed by some more punches from Rogers. Rogers tries for another splash in the corner, but meets Hogan’s boot. Well, this big boot was botched badly. Hogan missed Rogers face by a good 6 to 10 inches, but Rogers sold it anyway.
Hogan, not satisfied with that boot, calls for the spot again, and this time nails him on the forehead. Hogan punches Rogers some more, but Rogers hits an uppercut. Hogan leans on the second rope and Rogers jumps on the back of his neck. Hogan nails Rogers with some shots on the outside, and chokes him with the American Flag. 10 punches by Hogan followed by a whip to the turnbuckle and a clothesline by Hogan. More punches from Hogan in the corner, followed by a body slam. Hogan drops 2 quick elbows and then steps on Rogers’ face. Rogers hits a few uppercuts again and knees Hogan in the midsection a few times. Body slam by Rogers.
Mongo says that this is the best wrestling action that he’s ever seen on television. I just can’t believe he actually got this job. Rogers tries for the splash in the corner once more but misses. Hogan tries for a clotheslined but gets sidewalk slammed. That was a really nice Sidewalk Slam. NOW, it’s time for the Hulk up, meaning this one is over. Hogan Hulks up, whip, big boot, legdrop, end of match.
After the match, the Dungeon of Doom runs in to attack Hogan, but the Hulkster takes care of all of them. Wow, way to put them over for their impending War Games match against Hogan, Luger, Savage and Sting at Fall Brawl. Please make them look like credible opponents. Luger runs in to help him, and almost nails Hogan. They stare each other down, but Sting and Savage run in to break it up. Looooots of discussion and a nice “Luger“ chant off the crowd.
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COMMERCIAL BREAK
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Mean Gene is in the ring for an interview. Hogan tells Luger he’s got no business in his backyard. Luger says he’s there for one reason, to take Hogan’s belt. Luger says he’s been where Hogan’s been, done what he’s done and he’s sick and tired of playing around with kids, he’s here to get it on with the big boys. Hogan tells Luger that he doesn’t have to prove anything, he just has to stick his … stinky … palm out and shake his hand, and Hogan will give him a shot next week on Nitro for the title. Home run. Done deal.
This is it, Bischoff plugs again for Nitro from Miami next week, Mongo AGAIN babbling something and we go off the air.
WrestleClassic’s Opinion: For a debut show in 1995, it doesn’t get much better than this. None of the matches were anything groundbreaking, but much like a pilot to a new TV show, this show was designed to give you a taste of what to expect in the future from WCW Monday Nitro.
They had a very good opener that showcased WCW’s younger talent and a Japanese crossover. The two wrestlers who’s names are synonymous with WCW, Ric Flair and Sting put on a decent contest with too much distraction and too little time.
A big name in Wrestling returned to WCW, in Lex Luger.
The main event was really lame, but Hogan, the company’s biggest star, had to be on the card somehow.
The show featured the return of Scott Norton, as well as the WCW debut of Sabu and the Michael Wallstreet character.
The Anderson/Flair angle was continued nicely, and the announcing Luger vs. Hogan for next week gave the fans a reason to tune in again.
All in all from today’s perspective, this isn’t a great show, but or the time pretty good and for historical purposes, it’s well worth checking it out.
History / Background Notes:
Let us start our trip into history by recapturing some of the events BEFORE the first ever WCW Monday Nitro took place.
Eric Bischoff went on Newsport Cable Network on June 29, 1995. He talked a lot about the comparison between the WWF and WCW, the influence McMahon had in the 80’s and approaches of both companies. Interesting is the following regarding a POSSIBLE Monday show by WCW:
“We’re in discussions on that subject. I think there’s a very good possibility that WCW is going to have a prime time show in late August or early September. But I’ll go back to what I said early. It’s not so much about challenging Vince McMahon. If you want to put things in perspective and look at numbers and kind of eliminate the self-indulgent gaga that surrounds all of this stuff, I’ve got a show on Saturday morning, they’ve got a show on Saturday morning. And we out-perform them on a pretty consistent basis. They’ve got a show on Sunday and I’ve got a show on Sunday and we’re neck and neck with them. The numbers reflect that. So am I excited about the opportunity to take a show in prime time? You bet I am! And I’ve got every reason to be excited. I think that I can deliver a product–I’m sure I’m going to develop a product–that is very unique and different from what we’re doing right now. It’s going to be different from anything our competition’s doing, and it’s something I think will be exciting for the viewers. It’s an alternative, it’s a choice. I’m excited about giving viewers and fans that choice.”
This one resembles the points made by Bischoff later in the WCW Nitro documentary published by WWE. He wanted to do things DIFFERENT. That’s exactly what became a key to success for Nitro. They were different.
Such a tremendous job here, I’m craving for another one of these. Please, give us more!