Bobbywoodhogan
Pre-Show Stalwart
I have recently begun watching WCW Nitro from the beginning and whilst I may not get past 1995 I thought I may aswell reviews the ones I am watching, so here goes:
WCW Nitro #1 - 4th September 1995
Opening
The opening to Nitro was always one of my favourites, it is a little weird seeing Vader knowing he didn't last long after this (he also never appeared on Nitro) and I remember they kept red & yellow Hogan tearing his shirt even after the nWo were well on their way.
Introductions
We meet our commentary team Eric Bischoff, Bobby "the Brain Heenan" and Steve "Mongo" McMichael. Bischoff seems a little green here, Heenan's great as always and McMichael is poor. Still I did like some of his jokes like Bobby Hernia and Bobby the Stain, at least the first time he said them.
Flyin' Brian defeated Jushin "Thunder" Liger
This wasn't nowhere near as good as the Superbrawl match between the two years before but it was clearly not going to be when it was on live TV with no build up or the time required for a match like this. Unfortunately Brian Pillman messes up a few spots (but as Bischoff states; he's only been back for four weeks. Plus it was good the commentators didn't ignore that and actually acknowledged it). I thought the way Pillman one was a little disappointing but it was still entertaining.
Is it just me or is the ring smaller? I can understand if so as this is clearly not a venue for wrestling but I think that it definitely was a reason for people getting spots wrong in matches throughout the night.
Match rating: **1/2
Interview with Sting
This short interview felt a little awkward, maybe its because he was in a mall surrounded by people at the time.
Pastamania
Hulk Hogan plugging his new restaurant, not a bad idea to promote this here. Unfortunately for Hulk, this little venture ultimately failed. I wonder if the restaurant opening was part of the reason they did the debut episode at the Mall of America? Knowing Hogan's pull in WCW I'd say most likely (that's not a dig either I'm a true Hulkamainiac, however that doesn't mean I'm not going to call out stuff).
Sting vs Ric Flair ended in a no contest
Was this a title match? they didn't really say or indicate in the commentary that it was or wasn't.
Lex Luger returns in what I can only imagine was shocking as hell back in the day (been from the UK I had no access to Nitro until 1996 and even then it was limited as I didn't have Sky TV).
Definitely the best match of the night but still not an amazing match, I think the ending with Arn Anderson ruined it mostly, Arn needed to come in at a different point, it just felt rushed. I also think Sting should have been more annoyed by Anderson’s interference and taken him out. Saying that they did tease us with Arn coming back for his jacket as Sting stared him down. Definitely a decent enough match, had it had a better ending and a longer time limit (understandably short due to TV time) I may have given it a better rating.
Match rating: ***
Scott Norton / Randy Savage Altercation
This was clearly done simply to get Savage involved in the debut episode and set up a match for next week. Why Bischoff didn't just say you two can wrestle next week, I don't know. Instead he waits to mention it during the main event. However it succeeded in getting me excited for a Scott Norton vs Randy Savage match and that's what this segment was for. Hopefully the match delivers in episode 2.
Hulk Hogan vs Big Bubba Rogers
It was claimed this was a title match earlier in the episode but during the match Jimmy Hart is carrying the belt around so flat makes me think maybe that info was incorrect and it wasn’t for then belt.
This was a typical Hulk Hogan match but fortunately it was a fun Hulk Hogan match. Part of that was due to the crowd being behind him, when the crowds behind Hogan it usually makes up for what the match lacks in tact. Still you know the story Hogan kicks out the heels move, hulks up, gets the leg drop and the win. For a debut episode I really think this was all that was required. Only thing that was off to me in this was the referee treating Hulk like a heel at times pulling his hair when he was hitting Bubba. Just makes me wonder why the decision was made to book the match like this. Hmm. In any case a fine match for what it was.
Match rating: **
Luger/Hogan promo
This was fantastic, Luger and Hogan were both over with the Mall of America crowd and you could sense the excitement. What I think was so exciting was WWF tried to turn Luger into Hogan mark II and it didn't work. It almost makes the tension seem real and this was a perfect way to end the show.
In Summary
All in all it was a fun show and I think a really solid start to what would become my favourite wrestling show. Its clear they have someways to go until it really hits its stride but even with a few bumps here & there you can see this was already above what Raw was at that time. The show had that live feel, with shocks here and there that really set the tone for what Nitro would be for years to come. It left you wanting to come back for more next week which was Biachoff’s intent with the show and why it was a live show.
Overall rating: *** 3/4 out of 5
WCW Nitro #1 - 4th September 1995
Opening
The opening to Nitro was always one of my favourites, it is a little weird seeing Vader knowing he didn't last long after this (he also never appeared on Nitro) and I remember they kept red & yellow Hogan tearing his shirt even after the nWo were well on their way.
Introductions
We meet our commentary team Eric Bischoff, Bobby "the Brain Heenan" and Steve "Mongo" McMichael. Bischoff seems a little green here, Heenan's great as always and McMichael is poor. Still I did like some of his jokes like Bobby Hernia and Bobby the Stain, at least the first time he said them.
Flyin' Brian defeated Jushin "Thunder" Liger
This wasn't nowhere near as good as the Superbrawl match between the two years before but it was clearly not going to be when it was on live TV with no build up or the time required for a match like this. Unfortunately Brian Pillman messes up a few spots (but as Bischoff states; he's only been back for four weeks. Plus it was good the commentators didn't ignore that and actually acknowledged it). I thought the way Pillman one was a little disappointing but it was still entertaining.
Is it just me or is the ring smaller? I can understand if so as this is clearly not a venue for wrestling but I think that it definitely was a reason for people getting spots wrong in matches throughout the night.
Match rating: **1/2
Interview with Sting
This short interview felt a little awkward, maybe its because he was in a mall surrounded by people at the time.
Pastamania
Hulk Hogan plugging his new restaurant, not a bad idea to promote this here. Unfortunately for Hulk, this little venture ultimately failed. I wonder if the restaurant opening was part of the reason they did the debut episode at the Mall of America? Knowing Hogan's pull in WCW I'd say most likely (that's not a dig either I'm a true Hulkamainiac, however that doesn't mean I'm not going to call out stuff).
Sting vs Ric Flair ended in a no contest
Was this a title match? they didn't really say or indicate in the commentary that it was or wasn't.
Lex Luger returns in what I can only imagine was shocking as hell back in the day (been from the UK I had no access to Nitro until 1996 and even then it was limited as I didn't have Sky TV).
Definitely the best match of the night but still not an amazing match, I think the ending with Arn Anderson ruined it mostly, Arn needed to come in at a different point, it just felt rushed. I also think Sting should have been more annoyed by Anderson’s interference and taken him out. Saying that they did tease us with Arn coming back for his jacket as Sting stared him down. Definitely a decent enough match, had it had a better ending and a longer time limit (understandably short due to TV time) I may have given it a better rating.
Match rating: ***
Scott Norton / Randy Savage Altercation
This was clearly done simply to get Savage involved in the debut episode and set up a match for next week. Why Bischoff didn't just say you two can wrestle next week, I don't know. Instead he waits to mention it during the main event. However it succeeded in getting me excited for a Scott Norton vs Randy Savage match and that's what this segment was for. Hopefully the match delivers in episode 2.
Hulk Hogan vs Big Bubba Rogers
It was claimed this was a title match earlier in the episode but during the match Jimmy Hart is carrying the belt around so flat makes me think maybe that info was incorrect and it wasn’t for then belt.
This was a typical Hulk Hogan match but fortunately it was a fun Hulk Hogan match. Part of that was due to the crowd being behind him, when the crowds behind Hogan it usually makes up for what the match lacks in tact. Still you know the story Hogan kicks out the heels move, hulks up, gets the leg drop and the win. For a debut episode I really think this was all that was required. Only thing that was off to me in this was the referee treating Hulk like a heel at times pulling his hair when he was hitting Bubba. Just makes me wonder why the decision was made to book the match like this. Hmm. In any case a fine match for what it was.
Match rating: **
Luger/Hogan promo
This was fantastic, Luger and Hogan were both over with the Mall of America crowd and you could sense the excitement. What I think was so exciting was WWF tried to turn Luger into Hogan mark II and it didn't work. It almost makes the tension seem real and this was a perfect way to end the show.
In Summary
All in all it was a fun show and I think a really solid start to what would become my favourite wrestling show. Its clear they have someways to go until it really hits its stride but even with a few bumps here & there you can see this was already above what Raw was at that time. The show had that live feel, with shocks here and there that really set the tone for what Nitro would be for years to come. It left you wanting to come back for more next week which was Biachoff’s intent with the show and why it was a live show.
Overall rating: *** 3/4 out of 5
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