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WCW Monday Nitro

Live from Nashville, TN

Airdate: May 13, 1996

Attendance: 5,700 (2,942 paid)

Hosted by Eric Bischoff, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, and Steve “Mongo” McMichael

Opening montage.

Prior to the first match, Luger is shown camping out for his title match tonight versus the Giant.

Match 1: Public Enemy versus the Steiners

Highlights:

Rating: ***1/2

Summary: For a non-scientific match, this was pretty good. It’s pretty scary watching an almost 300 pound man perform a huracanrana though.

PEPBOYS sponsors the replay.

Match 2: The “Crippler” Chris Benoit versus “Squire” David Taylor (w/ Jeeves)

Highlights:

Rating: ***

Summary: Great showcase match for Benoit although he probably hit the back of his head applying that dragon suplex. OUCH!

“Mean” Gene Okerlund is outside the building with a frustrated Randy Savage who is being denied entrance by WCW security. As Okerlund tries to interview him, Mongo interrupts and cuts a promo on Flair. He tells Savage that he has a plan at the PPV. Afterwards, a crazed Savage wants to turn WCW upside-down then states that after visiting a female psychiatrist, it was determined he had OCD—one cool dude. HA!

Blood runs cold yet again. But is it blue?

Eric asks Mongo about linebacker Kevin Greene who Mongo says he’s part of the plan.

Match 3: “Nature Boy” Ric Flair (w/ Woman and Elizabeth) versus VK Wallstreet

Highlights:

Rating: **1/2

Summary: Wallstreet tried hard, but Flair is still the man.

After the match, Okerlund interviews Flair by the VIP table. Flair claims to have had Dolly Parton ride Space Mountain. Wow! Flair then taunts Savage by kissing Elizabeth’s arm. As Woman hits on Okerlund, Flair cuts a promo on Savage. When Okerlund mentions Debra McMichael, Flair runs down her husband.

Match 4 for the WCW World title: The Giant (champion w/ Jimmy Hart) versus the “Total Package” Lex Luger

Highlights:

Rating: **

Summary: That chokeslam was absolutely front-page water cooler chatter the next day. It earned a * by itself.

After the match, Hart tries to stop the Giant from massacring Luger. Sting jumps through the crowd to assist Luger. Finally, the trainer comes out to offer medical assistance to Luger. Okerlund tries to learn more about this situation, but Sting shoos him away. In a “is it real or is it Memorex moment,” the broadcast team was silent during the replay.

Conclusion: Explosive show once again. That chokeslam has to be seen to be believed. Watch this episode STAT. What’s on RAW?

TV Rating: 2.30

WWF Monday Night RAW

Taped from Sioux City, IA

Airdate: May 13, 1996 (taped 4/29)

Attendance: 3,347 (sold out)

Hosted by Vince McMahon and Jerry “The King” Lawler

Opening montage.

Prior to the first match, Jim Ross interviews Johnson who gets interrupted by Sunny. Johnson refers to Sunny as “trash.”

Match 1: Bodydonna Zip (w/o Sunny but with Skip) versus Ahmed Johnson

Highlights:

Rating: ½*

Summary: When the tag champs lose in a collective effort to the “next big thing,” someone’s not booking correctly.

The Ultimate Warrior plugs Warrior University. Achieve your dreams by holding up your boss for money at Summerslam!

Match 2: Vader (w/ Jim Cornette) versus Duke “The Dumpster” Droese

Highlights:

Rating: *

Summary: Showcase match for Vader.

Next week on RAW, Marc Mero faces Stone Cold Steve Austin, Savio Vega squares off against the 1-2-3 Kid, and Jake Roberts takes on Davey Boy Smith.

In the ring, Vince interviews the Undertaker with Paul Bearer who brings the golden casket to the ring. As the Undertaker questions Vince’s use of the word bizarre, Goldust and Marlena make their way to the ring. The golden one talks some mumbo-jumbo to the Undertaker then puts his hand in his. Undertaker easily takes him down in a “test of strength.” Out of nowhere, Mankind attacks the Undertaker from behind then applies the Mandible claw. After the Undertaker falls unconscious, Mankind exits and Goldust crawls atop him. But after Goldust blows a kiss, the Undertaker sat up. Like a bat out of hell, Goldust hightails it backstage. That was ODD.

Match 3: Justin Hawk Bradshaw (w/ Uncle Zebekiah) versus Aldo Montoya

Highlights:

Rating: *

Summary: Showcase match for Bradshaw. Hopefully they’ll find an adequate opponent for him soon.

After the match, Zebekiah gets in the ring and brands Montoya.

A pre-recorded promo on Kuwait and the visit by the WWF Superstars airs. Michaels offers some words but was attacked on the beach by Davey Boy Smith. Wait a minute! Is that the boat that blew up before Beach Blast ’93? No, it couldn’t be. Anyways, Smith commits attempted murder by trying to drown Michaels in the Persian Gulf. I guess the laws in Kuwait are different than in the US.

RAW is sponsored by Butterfinger and Burger King.

Match 4 (non-title): WWF Champion the “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels (w/ Jose Lothario) versus Hunter Hearst Helmsley (w/ Amy Peterson)

Highlights:

Rating: ***

Summary: For every story, there must be a beginning. This was the first televised match between these two best friends. Their battles would get better and sometimes uglier. This one was good, but I can’t wait for them to be great.

After the match, Ross interviews Davey Boy Smith with Cornette and Diana.

Conclusion: Other than the main event, this show didn’t do much for me. It definitely lacks the sizzle that Nitro contains.

TV Rating: 3.50

Who won? Of course, the primetime RAW beat the early Nitro, but RAW’s numbers were lower this week than last week. Next week, Nitro has its last 7pm start time due to the NBA playoffs and it’ll have the post-Slamboree aftermath. It should be noted that neither Razor Ramon nor Diesel appeared on RAW after the last PPV. Perhaps they’ll make an appearance in my next MNW installment.

Stay tuned for WCW Slamboree!

Comments? Suggestions? Send them to me at rsg@rockstargary.com and follow me on Twitter (@rockstargary202).

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