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WCW Monday Nitro

Live from Lake Buena Vista, FL

Airdate: July 22, 1996

Attendance: 450 (0 paid)

Hosted by Tony Schiavone, Larry Zbyszko, Eric Bischoff, and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan

Opening montage.

As Tony touts Muhammed Ali for lighting the torch at the ’96 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, we revisit Halloween Havoc ’94 where Ali made an appearance in the ring. Tony then touts Shaquille O’Neal’s involvement in WCW since he had recently signed with the L.A. Lakers. After that, we revisit last week’s show where the Outsiders covered the WCW letters with nWo. I wonder what’ll happen this week.

Match 1: Scott “Flash” Norton versus Squire Dave Taylor (w/ Jeeves)

Highlights:

Rating: ½*

Summary: Showcase match for Norton that backfired on him.

After the match, Norton tries to slam Taylor on the floor but gets rammed face-first into the ring post instead. On the other hand, Norton got his revenge by using momentum to send Taylor face-first into the ring post. He then almost knocks out the broadcast team as he carried Taylor over his shoulder.

Prior to the next match, “Mean” Gene Okerlund interviews three of the Four Horsemen at the VIP table. While Arn describes Flair, Mongo and Benoit cut promos on Sting, Luger, and Savage.

Match 2: Konnan versus VK Wallstreet

Highlights:

Rating: **

Summary: Clever finish to a mediocre match.

At the entrance, Okerlund interviews Sting, Luger, and Savage. While Luger stumbles over his lines, Sting’s ready to chomp on the Horsemen and Savage crazily calls out Hogan along with the Horsemen.

A NEW Glacier promo aired involving Ray Lloyd. Considering how long it’s taking for him to debut, he’d better bring some COLD beverages with him when he arrives.

Video for Wright, Gomez, Powers, and the Renegade while on the beach. If ripped beefy young men are your thing, this video is for YOU.

Match 3 (eight-man): “Das Wunderkind” Alex Wright, the Renegade, “Desperado” Joe Gomez, & Jim Powers (w/ Teddy Long) versus the Taskmaster, Hugh Morrus, Barbarian, & the Leprechaun (w/ Jimmy Hart)

Highlights:

Rating: NONE

Summary: Seriously, this was all about the nWo shenanigans and nothing else.

Afterwards, the Giant chokeslams Gomez, Powers, and then Wright in succession. The World champion has dispatched the pretty boys to a big ovation.

Okerlund gets into the ring to interview the Giant. Will Giant accept Hogan’s challenge? Yes, he promises to “chokeslam Hogan in the middle of the ring.”

On WCW Saturday Night, Sting and Savage (Luger was shown) will face the Nasty Boys. The Steiners will wrestle against Rough’n’Ready. Also, the Giant defends the World title against the Booty Man (aired 7/27, taped 7/23).

Match 4: Diamond Dallas Page versus Prince Iaukea

Highlights:

Rating: ½*

Summary: Showcase match for the ever-improving DDP.

Video retrospective on the feud between the Dungeon of Doom and the Four Horsemen. Highlights from the Great American Bash are shown followed by some from Bash at the Beach.

Prior to the next match, we revisit last week when Malenko rammed Benoit head-first into the ring post.

Match 5: Dean Malenko versus Chavo Guerrero, Jr.

Highlights:

Rating: ***

Summary: Chavo definitely brought something here while he put over Malenko.

Match 6: Ice Train (w/ Teddy Long) versus Meng (w/ Jimmy Hart)

Highlights:

Rating: *

Summary: Not a great power match, but why did Norton attack Ice Train’s opponent instead of him?

After the match, Norton rams Meng face-first into the ring post then cuts an impromptu promo saying he’ll protect Ice Train until Hog Wild when he’ll cause him to have nightmares. Yikes!

Next, we revisit the Hogan heel turn and nWo shenanigans.

Glacier promo #2.

Hog Wild will be riding into Sturgis, SD live on PPV on August 10.

Match 7: Psicosis versus Eddie Guerrero

Highlights:

Rating: ***1/2

Summary: Great match by these two. Methinks Eddie is ready to face Flair.

Match 8 (six-man): The “Enforcer” Arn Anderson, the “Crippler” Chris Benoit, & Mongo (w/ Woman, Elizabeth, and Debra) versus Sting, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, & the “Total Package” Lex Luger

Highlights:

Rating: **

Summary: The Disney crowd woke up for this one. It would appear that the Horsemen are in disarray without their leader.

In the ring, Okerlund interviews Sting, Savage, and Luger. While Sting and Luger cut promos on the Outsiders whom they’ll face at Hog Wild, Savage wants to beat up Hogan before he even faces the Giant.

Conclusion: With the exception of the production truck invasion, this was an extremely forgettable Nitro. I hope next week’s show is better than this one.

TV Rating: 2.60

WWF Monday Night RAW

Live from Seattle, WA

Airdate: July 22, 1996

Attendance: 6,755 (sold out)

Hosted by Vince McMahon and Jerry “The King” Lawler

Before the first match begins, Sunny brings out a birthday cake for Michaels.

Opening montage.

Match 1 for the WWF tag team titles: The Smoking Gunns (champions w/ Sunny) versus WWF champion the “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels & WWF Intercontinental champion Ahmed Johnson (w/ Jose Lothario)

Highlights:

Rating: NONE

After a commercial break, WWF President Gorilla Monsoon decries that the Gunns will defend the belts tonight or be stripped.

Match 2: “Marvelous” Marc Mero (w/ Sable) versus the Goon

Highlights:

Rating: *

Summary: Can someone please teach the Goon how to wrestle? I think Irwin forgot between gimmicks.

Vince then interviews Michaels and Johnson. Smartly, Michaels did all the talking.

You can enter the Stridex Summerslam sweepstakes at Phar-Mor or check the WWF AOL site for other retailers. Or if you’re feeling spry, send your entry to P.O. Box 887 White Plains, NY 10604.

After the commercial break, Mr. Bob Backlund was campaigning in the stands.

Before the next match started, Monsoon spoke to Clarence Mason about a possible incoming jailbird. That would end up being Crush a.k.a. Brian Adams.

We then revisit the stills from last night concerning the Undertaker-Goldust match. The less said about it the better.

Match 3: Mankind versus Freddie Joe Floyd

Highlights:

Rating: *1/2

Summary: At least Floyd knew how to wrestle as he definitely gave Mankind something to consider.

As Mankind exits, Vince promotes next week’s episode having already stated Undertaker versus Austin. He also mentions Mero versus Vader. Additionally, Sid will face Justin “Hawk” Bradshaw. Prior to the commercial break, Brian Pillman makes his way to the broadcast location.

RAW is sponsored by the Army and Stridex.

Before the next match began, Vince interviews Mero about his match against Vader. He stated that Vader will fall victim to "Cat Scratch Fever." I think he missed the true meaning of that song. Anyway, Mero then turns his attention toward Goldust who, instead of Marlena who was originally planned, has been sending Sable gifts.

Match 4: Goldust (w/ Marlena) versus Barry Horowitz

Highlights:

Rating: DUD

Summary: Showcase match for Goldust.

After the match, Marlena puffs on an unlit cigar. Woohoo!

Vince interviews the Gunns and a messy yet perturbed Sunny.

Stridex Slam of the Week is the Vader bomb that pinned Michaels last night at IYH9.

After a commercial break, Vince interviews the #1 contender to the WWF title Vader along with Cornette in the ring. Cornette uses the bully anecdote to describe how Vader will take the WWF title from Michaels at Summerslam.

Summerslam Olympic spoof ad coming August 18 only on PPV.

Match 5 for the WWF tag team titles (part deux): The Smoking Gunns (champions w/ Sunny) versus WWF champion the “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels & WWF Intercontinental champion Ahmed Johnson (w/ Jose Lothario)

Highlights:

Rating: **

Summary: The WWF finally implemented a match that was usurped by an angle.

After the match, the gladiator makes Johnson taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the hot mess bitch at the Biscuit Bitch. Holy Florida State defensive tackles, Batman! That’s former WCW World champion Ron Simmons! After slamming him, Simmons rams Johnson back-first into the ring post as Sunny eggs him on. Officials (along with a back away kick from Michaels) separate the two. Lawler name-drops Simmons before another melee gets underway just as RAW goes off the air.

Conclusion: Fifty-five minutes of crap for five minutes’ worth of angle do NOT a good program make. Pass on this turd as well.

TV Rating: 2.20

Who won? Both Nitro and RAW must have known their ratings would be down with the Olympics going on. Neither program tried hard, and it showed. While both did a good job of promoting their next PPVs, the matches they showed were mere filler rather than ratings-garnering successes. I hope next week’s shows are better than these.

Stay tuned for week 47 of the Monday Night War!

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

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