WCW Monday Nitro 05-05-97

As the program begins, Piper, Flair, and Greene are at the broadcast table. Piper’s explanation for his lack of team effort gets cut off by a “Tradition bites” banner falling behind the broadcast table. As Greene rips it down, another one falls in front of the broadcast table. Piper’s so pissed that he storms off.

With Piper, Flair, and Greene in the ring, more paper falls from the ceiling. Piper then explains his role against the nWo last week and claims that he “don’t want no purse” with respect to the revenue from the live audience at the PPV. Suddenly, chairman of the Executive Committee James J. Dillon comes to the ring to inform Piper that the nWo will get their percentage and to appear or be in breach of contract.

Piper states he’ll definitely show up as Flair tells Syxx “you’re mine, buddy.” Public Enemy’s music begins as Greene didn’t get to say a word.

We then revisit Nitro from three weeks ago when Public Enemy helped the Steiners fight off the Dungeon of Doom.

On the floor, Public Enemy whipped the Dungeon of Doom members into one another.
Grunge then rammed Morrus back-first into the steel railing.
In the ring, Konnan clotheslined Rocco resulting in 360° sell. Woohoo!
With Rocco leaned against the ring post, Morrus charged but HIT THE POLE.
Public Enemy then made Konnan taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Big Red at Miller’s Ale House.
With Konnan sandwiched between the stacked tables, Grunge mounted the top turnbuckle but CRASHED through the top table. Fortunately for Konnan, Hart pulled him out of harm’s way.
Konnan then tossed a table into the ring as Rocco hit an Asai moonsault onto both he and Morrus for 2.
After Konnan powerbombed Rocco, the WCW trainer got out the spatula to remove Grunge from ringside.
When the Dungeon of Doom tried to double-clothesline Rocco, the latter ducked.
Rocco then set up the table in the ring, mounted the top turnbuckle, but got caught.
As Morrus joined him, he superplexed Rocco through Konnan and the table.
1-2-3.
Dungeon of Doom won.

We then revisit Nitro from two weeks ago when Nash jackknife-powerbombed Mysterio.

Match 2 for the WCW Cruiserweight title: Syxx (champion with the Outsiders) versus Rey Mysterio, Jr.

While Hall distracted referee Mark Curtis, Syxx KABONGED Mysterio with a leg lariat.
Syxx then attempted a Bronco buster, but Mysterio made his eat a mule kick instead.
As Nash got up on the apron, Mysterio dropkicked him.
Hall then entered the ring and ate one too.
When Nash distracted Curtis, Hall grabbed Mysterio and gave him the Outsider Edge.

Syxx then hooked the Buzzkiller.
Syxx retained.

After the match, Dillon returns to the ring with Nick Patrick. Suddenly, the nWo hits the ring to pummel Patrick. Meanwhile, Syxx still has the Buzzkiller applied to Mysterio. Bischoff then informs Dillon that he has “no stroke.” He’d better call Billy Squier. When Syxx releases the hold, he yells at Dillon: “If you think you’re gonna pull the same crap you pulled for McMahon, you’ve got another thing coming. We’ve had enough out of you.” Nash even gives Dillon some lip.

Lee Marshall then delivers the 1-800-COLLECT road report from “Baltimore, MD.” Let’s hope Heenan tosses Marshall into the Inner Harbor for all these pathetic weasel jokes.

Hogan and Bischoff emerge from the entrance to go to the ring. As the Lakeland faithful chants “We Want Sting,” Hogan calls him out RIGHT NOW. When Sting doesn’t show, Hogan strokes his ego some more. He must know Squier personally.

Prior to the next match, we revisit last week’s episode when Meng put the Tongan death grip on Benoit only to have Woman call him off.

As Regal and Meng brawled, Sullivan and Hart came to the ring.
When Regal saw him, he dove at Sullivan on the floor.
No match.

After the bell rings, Meng puts the Tongan death grip on Regal, but Sullivan pulls him off. Regal comes back and faces Meng’s wrath again.

Schiavone mentions that next week’s episode will once again be at 7pm. Set your VCRs accordingly.

A DDP video then airs. Afterward, Okerlund interviews DDP with Kimberly at the entrance. As DDP and Kimberly take their digs at Savage, the “Macho Man” and Elizabeth emerge among the Lakeland faithful to rebut.

Jarrett gave Wright a swinging neckbreaker followed by a running guillotine.
Upon cartwheeling past Jarrett, Wright delivered a spinning heel kick.
Debra got up on the apron and distracted Wright. That allowed Jarrett to chop block him.

Next, Jarrett hooked the figure-four leg lock, and Wright submitted.

Ugh! Please make this quick.
This marked Lizmark, Jr.’s Nitro debut.
Glacier reversed a cross corner whip, but Lizmark leaped to the top turnbuckle.
As he backflipped down to the mat, Glacier hit the Cryonic kick.

1-2-3.
Glacier won.

After the match, Mortis attacks Glacier as Vandenberg runs out. The former Adam Bomb arrives, and Mortis whips Glacier into him. Next, the former Adam Bomb gives Glacier a uranage. Mortis then delivers the Flatliner to him. While the former Adam Bomb holds him, Mortis WALLOPS Glacier with a scepter. It would seem that Glacier needs an ally.

Harlem Heat’s music plays, and they, along with Sister Sherri, come to the ring. Giant walks alone to the ring, grabs the microphone, and announces DDP for his replacement partner since Luger’s injured. As DDP comes through the entrance, Savage and Liz get in his path. While Savage hides behind Elizabeth, Hogan CLOBBERS DDP with a crutch. Savage then grabs Kimberly as the rest of the nWo attacks Giant in the ring. Flair and Greene come to the ring, but the nWo outnumbers them. Piper also joins the melee, but Nash hooks a sleeper on him. As Hogan and Savage overtake the broadcast table, the show goes off the air.

Conclusion: Not much wrestling to speak of, but the promos sent the message that neither WCW nor nWo is laying low before the PPV. Although these short episodes are easy to sit through, a longer wrestling match would be preferable. What’s on RAW is WAR?