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WCW Monday Nitro

Live from Huntsville, AL

Airdate: August 19, 1996

Attendance: 5,850 (3,760 paid)

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

Opening montage.

Prior to the first match, we revisit the Clash where Duggan was supposedly in control, but the roll of tape failed him.

Match 1: “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan versus V.K. Wallstreet

Highlights:

Rating: *1/2

Summary: A rebound win for Duggan means another tally in the loss column for Wallstreet. Will his losing days ever end?

After the match, “Mean’ Gene Okerlund interviews Duggan who refers to Hollywood Hogan as “Terry.” Meanwhile, Savage comes out and steals Duggan’s interview slot. We then revisit last week’s show when Hogan WALLOPED Savage with a steel chair. Afterward, Savage states that he had “15,000” stitches in his head. Holy rolls of nylon, Batman!

After a commercial break, we revisit the CHOKESLAM that Giant delivered to Benoit at the Clash. If Benoit ever takes another trip like that, he should have a flight attendant on board.

Match 2: The “Crippler” Chris Benoit (w/ Woman & Elizabeth) versus Earl Robert Eaton (w/o Jeeves)

Highlights:

Rating: **

Summary: Unfortunately for the hometown boy, this was a showcase match for Benoit.

Seriously, yet ANOTHER Glacier promo? His debut can’t be much COLDER.

Again, we revisit the Clash and the tag team triangle match where Patrick screwed the Steiners out of the tag titles. Afterward, we revisit the Hogan-Flair match where the nWo caused the DQ.

Back in the locker room, Okerlund interviews Sting and Luger. While Okerlund hints at a surprise, neither Sting nor Luger reveals it.

Match 3: Scott “Flash” Norton versus Disco Inferno

Highlights:

Rating: DUD

Summary: Showcase match for Norton.

Back in the locker room, Okerlund interviews Ice Train with Teddy Long. We then revisit the attack by Norton to Ice Train during the Clash.

On WCW Saturday Night, “Squire” David Taylor tries to win the TV title from Luger. Also, Flair defends the US title against Dean Malenko (taped 8/13, aired 8/24).

According to Tony, the replay of the Clash will air this Thursday at 10:35pm ET only on TBS. I bet the beginning gets delayed due to Braves’ baseball.

Match 4: Lord Steven Regal versus Dean Malenko

Highlights:

Rating: **

Summary: Good counter-for-counter wrestling, but the crowd didn’t appreciate it.

PEPBOYS sponsors the replay.

At the entrance, Okerlund interviews the Four Horsemen. As the countdown to the second hour ticks, Arn cuts a promo on Luger and Sting. Meanwhile, Flair cuts his normal promo as fireworks exploded. I won’t even touch on Okerlund’s “Roman candle” comment.

As Public Enemy makes their entrance, Bischoff mentions the WWF’s lawsuit against WCW.

Match 5: Public Enemy versus the Nasty Boys

Highlights:

Rating: *1/2

Summary: Texas-tornado brawl that was somewhat entertaining.

After the match, Okerlund interviews the Nasty Boys in the ring.

Ad for the WCW Magazine. Photos from Slamboree and the Great American Bash are included. Gee, this publication’s a couple of months behind.

Prior to the next match, we again revisit the Clash where Eddie beat DDP for the Battlebowl ring, but DDP got his revenge. Now Chavo wants a piece of DDP to avenge his uncle.

Match 6: Diamond Dallas Page versus Chavo Guerrero, Jr.

Highlights:

Rating: *1/2

Summary: DDP just gave him too many chances and paid for it.

After the match, DDP immediately gives Chavo the Diamond Cutter. He then removes referee Nick Patrick’s belt and whips Chavo. Since Patrick doesn’t detain him, Randy Anderson comes out to put a stop to the chicanery. C’mon, Patrick, do your job!

Okerlund then interviews Patrick in the aisle who uses the “needing backup” excuse for not doing his job properly. He then blames the “accusations” directly on Okerlund and the media. Likely story, pal.

Ad for Fall Brawl scheduled for September 15 only on PPV.

Back on 9/18/95, the American Males upset Harlem Heat to win the World tag team titles. Tonight they get another chance. Can lightning strike twice? They are in Alabama, after all.

Match 7 for the WCW World tag team titles: Harlem Heat (w/ Sister Sherri & Col. Robert Parker) versus the American Males

Highlights:

Rating: **

Summary: While not a stellar match for the champs, it wasn’t bad either.

Glacier? Again? Either debut him or send him to the DEEP FREEZE already!

Match 8: World TV champion the “Total Package” Lex Luger & Sting versus US champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair & the “Enforcer” Arn Anderson (w/ Woman & Elizabeth)

Highlights:

Rating: NONE

THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN PAID FOR BY THE NEW WORLD ORDER:

Nash and Hall saunter around downtown Denver claiming to be in Rome, Italy. Bartender, I’ll have what they’re having. While Nash and Hall dismiss the Booty Man, Nash has his eye on the Booty Babe. According to Hall, “don’t call us, we’ll call you.”

THE PRECEDING ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN PAID FOR BY THE NEW WORLD ORDER.

Match 9: “Macho Man” Randy Savage versus the Giant (w/ Jimmy Hart)

Highlights:

Rating: NONE

Conclusion: The buildup to Fall Brawl took decent strides here. Otherwise, this was all star power with just mediocre wrestling. Perhaps, with RAW being live, they could break Nitro’s winning streak? Let’s find out!

TV Rating: 3.50

WWF Monday Night RAW

Live from Wheeling, WV

Airdate: August 19, 1996

Attendance: 4,903

Hosted by Kevin Kelly, Jim Ross, and Jerry “The King” Lawler

Opening montage.

Whoa! New commentary team! Will it make a difference?

Prior to the first match, the pairings for the Intercontinental title tournament were shown:

Match 1 (Intercontinental title quarterfinals): The “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith versus the “Rocket” Owen Hart

Highlights:

Rating: **

Summary: Too short to be great, but I have a feeling these two haven’t seen the last of one another despite their heel tendencies.

After the match, Sunny tossed a soda at Smith because he landed on her. Sunny then accuses Smith of being a “pervert.” Cornette then comes out and calls Sunny a “slut.” That’s quite the language for a PG-rated program.

We then revisit what happened to Ahmed Johnson along with the same interview they already aired last night at Summerslam.

In the meantime, Mark Henry comes to ringside to greet the fans and sign autographs. As Vader makes his entrance, he flexes at Henry.

Match 2: Vader (w/ Jim Cornette) versus Freddie Joe Floyd

Highlights:

Rating: DUD

Summary: Showcase match for Vader.

Be sure to catch the replay of Summerslam tomorrow night at either 8pm ET or 8pm PT on PPV.

In the ring, Ross interviews Mankind with Paul Bearer as stills of the boiler room brawl are shown. Bearer has grown weary of handling Undertaker as the feed goes fuzzy and the lights flicker again. We then revisit the attack by Mankind to Michaels three weeks ago. Mankind wants to make Michaels the “least sexy boy toy” at IYH. Immediately, Ross interjects “he’s here” referring to Undertaker.

Suddenly, the gong rings and the lights go completely out. The chanting from last night begins as the druids carry the carcass of Undertaker to the ring. After the druids put Undertaker on the aisle floor, Undertaker sits up and summons flames from the turnbuckles. Without delay, Bearer and Mankind head for higher ground.

Prior to the next match, the Stalker is coming to the WWF. He distinctly sounds and looks like Barry Windham to me.

RAW is sponsored by Burger King.

As he makes his entrance, Austin cuts a quick promo in split-screen.

Match 3 (four-man battle royal):

Participants:

Goldust, Savio Vega, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Sycho Sid

Highlights:

Rating: NONE

Summary: The highlight of the match was the superplex.

In case you didn’t get the memo, the replay of Summerslam airs tomorrow night at both 8pm ET and PT. I’d rather see these promos than another one for Glacier any day.

Backstage, Cornette states that he has his camp ready to take down Michaels.

Prior to the next match, we revisit the Free for All when Yokozuna broke the ring and consequently lost to Austin.

Match 4 (non-title): WWF Champion the “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels (w/ Jose Lothario) versus Yokozuna

Highlights:

Rating: **1/2

Summary: Another non-title match on RAW? Are they TRYING to lose the ratings war? Anyway, Michaels looked good in his tune-up match for RAW Championship Friday. The whole reason Cornette was involved had nothing to do with Yokozuna but instead with Lothario.

Conclusion: Truly, this was an exciting episode with good but short matches. Could it spell victory in the ratings?

TV Rating: 2.90

Who won? Nope, Nitro won again although RAW was the better show. With RAW pre-empted until RAW Championship Friday on 9/6, hopefully Nitro doesn’t go into cruise control.

Stay tuned for WCW Monday Nitro 8/26/96!

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

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