WCW Monday Nitro
Monday, Week 1, December 1997
Rupp Arena; Lexington, KY
We kick off with some fireworks and the broadcast team of Tony Schiavone, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, and Mike Tenay welcome us to WCW Monday Nitro! After a bit of banter regarding last week's show, where the nWo destroyed a mannequin of Sting, Schiavone gives us a run-down of the card here tonight. Tenay expresses his hope that Diamond Dallas Page will wrest the United States Heavyweight Championship away from Curt Hennig in our main event, but Heenan warns his colleagues that Hennig, his former client, is still a force to be reckoned with
As the familiar nWo theme music kicks in, the three let out a simultaneous groan and we head to ringside.
Rating: 78 (B)
The entire crew comes down to the ring – we've got The Outsiders with their dubious WCW World Tag Team Title belts, the United States Heavyweight Champion Curt Hennig and his manager Rick Rude, Eric Bischoff, Buff Bagwell and, of course, "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan. Eric starts the show by berating WCW and specifically The Giant for sticking his nose where it didn't belong last week, and getting his hand crushed for his services. He gloats that not only do they hold all major titles in professional wrestling, they also have the man who will go on to SuperBrawl to get his "opportunity" at the nWo Championship, Scott Hall.
Hall takes the microphone and does his nWo survey for the Kentucky crowd. He talks about how The Steiners are full of crap and that there's only one true WCW Tag Team Champions. He cedes the mic to Rick Rude, who hypes tonight's main event, letting the crowd know that Hennig, his client, was going to send Diamond Dallas Page packing back to the Jersey Shore.
Finally, Bischoff reclaims the microphone and, grinning, holds it for Hollywood Hogan himself. He mentions how Sting hasn't been around in a few weeks because he's scared of the New World Order, brother. Sting finally realizes what he's gotten himself into – and he knows that when push comes to shove, he can't stand one-on-one, face-to-face with the nWo Champion, Hollywood Hogan. As Hogan continues to rip into Sting, he's cut off by a familiar voice saying "whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on…"
It's "The Total Package" Lex Luger! Lex walks out to the top of the ramp and addresses Hogan. He lets him know that while the nWo has been pulling crap and beating up fake dolls of Sting, that he's been in touch with the man himself. And ladies and gentlemen, make no mistake about it – Sting will be at Starrcade, and no matter where Hogan is, no matter what he does – Sting is watching! The crowd pops as Hogan and the nWo laugh and pretend to shake with fear. Luger's music hits as we head to our first commercial of the night.
Rating: 86 (B+)
vs. 
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Juventud Guerrera
Some fast-paced cruiserweight action opened up the show as the two luchadores went toe-to-toe. Similar styles were on display in this one, with Guerrera having the slight power edge. At one point, Juvi looked for a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and Rey landed awkwardly on his neck. Shortly thereafter, however, Mysterio rolled out of the way of a Moonsault and picked up the win with a springboard Hurricanrana!
Rating: 71 (B-)
Note: Mysterio was irritated because Juvi nearly injured him by botching the backbreaker.
Next up we have "Mean" Gene Okerlund at the top of the aisle, and he brings out Diamond Dallas Page for an interview. Gene asks Page about his title opportunity tonight, and DDP says he's had enough. He says it's been over a year since the New World Order came to WCW, and he's done nothing but embarrass them at every turn. He knows that everyone from Savage to Nash to Hogan is afraid of him, as they showed at World War 3 when Scott Hall stole the win from him. He says that tonight, Curt Hennig is gonna be the latest in the nWo to feel…the…BANG!, as Page pledges to take the United States Title back to WCW!
Rating: 68 (C+)
vs. (imagine a jobber)
Bill Goldberg vs. Jeremy Lopez
For this one, the broadcast crew welcomed their former colleague Steve "Mongo" McMichael to the commentary table. As Schiavone and Tenay spoke of Goldberg's recent dominance, the former United States Champion called him "nothing more than a wannabe football punk." Schiavone questioned Mongo on his lead pipe attack at World War 3, and Mongo deflected, saying that he doesn't know who hit Goldberg with the pipe, but maybe he should've kept his helmet on. Meanwhile, in the ring, Goldberg made quick work of local talent Jeremy Lopez with a Jackhammer.
Rating: 49 (D+)
After a commercial break, The Giant hits the ring with a massive cast still on his hand and wrist. He grabs a microphone and rips into the nWo, calling out any and all of the group for a fight right here, right now. While the crowd goes wild, WCW Commissioner J.J. Dillon makes his way to the top of the aisle with some bad news. He informs the audience and The Giant that he has not been medically cleared for action. Dillon may have let The Giant take on "Hollywood" Hogan last week, but that was a mistake that he won't repeat. Over The Giant's objection, Dillon announces that if The Giant gets into any physical altercation before he's cleared, his contract with World Championship Wrestling will be terminated.
However, from Dillon's understanding, The Giant's prognosis is that, barring a medical setback, he'll be ready to compete by the time Starrcade rolls around. So, Dillon asks The Giant to stay patient, and while he won't let him compete tonight, he's going to allow Giant to choose his nWo opponent for Starrcade! This seems to placate The Giant and the audience for the time being, as the commentators speculate – who will The Giant select?
Rating: 85 (B+)
Next out to the ring is "The Crippler" Chris Benoit, set for action against a member of The Flock, all of whom are at ringside behind the guard rail as usual.
Benoit grabs a microphone and addresses the group. He says that it doesn't matter which one of them he takes on, he just wants to address Scotty Riggs. Riggs, wearing an eyepatch and seated next to Raven, looks vacantly at Benoit. Benoit says he respects Riggs and knows how great of an athlete he is and he knows that he's better than this. Better than The Flock. Better than Raven. Benoit turns to Raven and calls him out to face him in the ring. Riggs stands up and hops over the railing, but Raven grabs his shoulder. The crowd buzzes as Raven starts to climb over the railing himself, but he slides back off and grabs Saturn by the arm. The WCW Television Champion jumps the railing and heads into the ring – we've got a TV Title match!
vs. 
Chris Benoit vs. Saturn (c)
A solid technical affair ensued, as Benoit went hold for hold and strike for strike with Saturn. After a series of suplexes, Benoit had Saturn on the ropes. At this point, The Flock jumped the railing and Sick Boy and Kidman slid into the ring. With Benoit cornered, the crowd popped as Riggs slid into the ring. He put his arms up to Sick Boy and Kidman, signaling for them to stop, with Raven looking on from outside the ring. As he turned to face Benoit, Riggs hit a surprise soccer kick to his groin, getting Saturn disqualified.
With the bell ringing and the commentary team appalled, Raven's Flock puts the boots to "The Crippler." Tenay notes that clearly, Raven's indoctrination of Riggs has been successful, and Heenan questions what this eerie development means for the remainder of WCW. Raven drops Benoit with a DDT and sits next to his fallen body.
Rating: 68 (C+; promo); 70 (C+; match); 58 (C-; beatdown)
Next up is an advertisement paid for by the New World Order. With the nWo theme playing, we see fast-cutting, black-and-white close-up shots of various members. Hollywood Hogan reiterates he's not scared of Sting and that he's going to finish him off once and for all at Starrcade! Meanwhile, Buff Bagwell chimes in, letting "The Total Package" know that if Sting was a real man, he would've come out and talked to the nWo himself, but instead, all he did was send his little bitch out to do his dirty work! Bagwell laughs obnoxiously.
Rating: 81 (B)
vs. 
Glacier and Ernest Miller vs. The Faces of Fear
Glacier and Miller, fresh off a difficult loss to the Faces of Fear at World War 3, didn't have it going on this night either. Meng looked especially dangerous, as he nailed Miller with a savate kick and then ended the match by locking in the Tongan Death Grip on Glacier, which led to referee Randy Anderson calling for a stoppage.
Rating: 62 (C)
We come back from a commercial break with an electrifying preview of WCW Saturday Night. We'll see Alex Wright go one-on-one with "Lionheart" Chris Jericho, and Hugh Morrus take on one half of Harlem Heat, Stevie Ray!
And, not only that, Schiavone informs the audience that if you call into the WCW Hotline right now, you can hear Jericho talk about his upcoming match and what his plans are in WCW!
Rating: 54 (C-; hype); 44 (D; Hotline)
Another abrasive black-and-white nWo ad airs, and this time it's Rick Rude and Curt Hennig talking about the main event title match against Diamond Dallas Page. Hennig mentions that the New World Order isn't the one who's been embarrassed, it's WCW who's embarrassed by being associated with the likes of DDP and "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. Hennig states that just like at World War 3, when he finished off Flair, he's going to show Page who the real United States Champion is right here tonight.
Rating: 81 (B)
vs. 
Public Enemy vs. Mortis & Wrath
This one was, as predicted, a bit of a knock-down, drag-out brawl, and it wasn't pretty. It ended when Johnny Grunge got caught with a pump-handle slam from Wrath, who covered for three.
Rating: 55 (C-)
Next, Mike Tenay calls the Cruiserweight Champion Eddie Guerrero out for an interview. Guerrero saunters out slowly to boos, grinning. Tenay says that Guerrero has had an impressive run as champion so far, including a win over Rey Mysterio Jr. at World War 3, and notes that Eddie has no shortage of challengers heading into Starrcade. Guerrero cuts him off and says that there's no one in the cruiserweight division who can measure up. He doesn't know who he's taking on at Starrcade, but it had better be a worthy opponent.
Rating: 59 (C)
As we come back from a commercial break, Schiavone mentions the issues between Larry Zbyszko and Eric Bischoff before moving on to talking about the main event, up next. At that moment, The Outsiders and Bischoff himself show up, ready to kick the commentary team out. Heenan drops his headset immediately and heads out, as Nash and Hall motion for Tenay and Schiavone to get out. Instead, "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko comes to their aid and starts to shove Bischoff! Nash and Hall grab him and begin to lay the boots to him when The Steiner Brothers hit the commentary area! Rick and Scott even the odds and throw hands with Nash and Hall, who retreat!
Ted DiBiase grabs a microphone and addresses The Outsiders. He says that they can call themselves the real World Tag Team Champions, but you can't just buy props and become champions. He says he's a smart man and knows that Hall and Nash won't step into the ring with The Steiners alone. So he proposes that they kill two birds with one stone and challenges The Outsiders and Eric Bischoff on behalf of The Steiners and Larry Zbyszko to a six-man tag team match at Starrcade!
Rating: 82 (B; confrontation); 79 (B; promo)
vs. 
Diamond Dallas Page vs. Curt Hennig (c)
This match began with the normal commentary team, who discussed not only the match at hand, but DiBiase's challenge to the Outsiders. The crowd was hot for this one, as two great competitors went one-on-one. Of course, Page had to deal with Scott Norton, Rick Rude, and Vincent along the outside, and so was at a disadvantage for most of it. In the end, however, Vincent got on the apron put was pulled down – by "The Nature Boy"! Ric Flair was in the house and threw a right hand knocking down Vincent and then one to Norton! He pump faked Rude, who held his hands up as Hennig yelled to the outside. Referee Nick Patrick tried to control the situation, and Page took advantage – Hennig turned around right into a Diamond Cutter! Page made the cover – 1, 2, 3! New United States Champion!
After the match, with Page's music blaring, Vincent slides in the ring and tries to attack him, but Page ducks – Diamond Cutter! Norton is too late for the save as DDP slides out of the ring and is held up by Flair! Page and Flair escapes through the audience with the United States Title and the crowd erupts with cheers! Schiavone deems this a major win for World Championship Wrestling and as we head off the air, says that the New World Order is on the ropes!
Rating: 81 (B; match); 87 (B+; celebration)
Overall Show Rating: 82 (B). This show increased our popularity in 22 regions.
Backstage Notes: Paul Orndorff had some heat with the locker room for being obnoxious. He received a slap on the wrist, but nothing noteworthy came of it. Also, both members of Public Enemy provoked Ric Flair into a heated argument and were given a stern warning not to do it again. Similarly, there were no noteworthy reactions.
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WCW Monday Nitro Quick Results
Rey Mysterio, Jr. vs. Juventud Guerrera
Bill Goldberg vs. Jeremy Lopez
WCW World Television Championship
Chris Benoit vs. Saturn (c) w/Raven's Flock (DQ)
Glacier & Ernest Miller vs. The Faces of Fear w/Jimmy Hart
Public Enemy vs. Mortis & Wrath w/James Vandenberg
WCW United States Heavyweight Championship
Diamond Dallas Page vs. Curt Hennig (c) w/Rick Rude
