WCW From the Beginning

MONDAY NITRO (June 17, 1996)

Dean Malenko pinned Psychosis after a Victory Roll in 11:54.
Rating: **** 1/4
(Dean Malenko retained the WCW WORLD CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE.)

Malenko and Psychosis had an absolutely phenomenal match, but sadly it was marred by a controversial ending. In much the same fashion he defeated Ultimo Dragon with at last night’s Great American Bash, rolling up Psychosis but using the ropes for extra leverage without the ref seeing. 

Ulitmo Dragon ran down to try to tell the ref what happened, but as he and Psychosis pleaded their case, the ref just kept saying he didn’t see it. Malenko escaped to the back with his belt.

Barry Windham pinned Meng after a gutwrench suplex in 8:37.
Rating: * ½

The Unforgiven are the No. 1 contenders to the Faces of Fear’s tag titles. Windham and Meng faced of 1-on-1 tonight. Well, allegedly 1-on-1. Bradshaw snuck in the ring and hit Meng with a vicious lariat that left him easy pickings for Windham. 

After the match, Bradshaw and Windham continued to attack Meng and even The Barbarian when he came to help. The No. 1 contenders left proud of their devastation of the champions.

Interview with Chris Candido and Diamond Dallas Page

TV champ Chris Candido came out with his mentor Diamond Dallas Page, Page still using a crutch as he’s recovering from a knee injury. Page applauded Candido for winning the match on his own, as that is going to elevate him to becoming a truly great champion. 

Candido thanked Page for his help, but then mentioned when he asked Page for help, Page said no. But that’s Ok. DDP was right. Beating one of the greatest TV champs ever, like Regal, will only help his legacy. Candido then pointed out Page was also one of the greatest TV champions. 

Before Page realized what Candido was getting at, Candido attacked him. Candido knocked Page to the mat, then took DDP’s own crutch and repeatedly pounded Page with it so much it broke. Candido then took the broken crutch to the back like a trophy.

Glacier pinned Disco Inferno after the Cryonic Kick in 5:46.
Rating: *** 1/4

Disco Inferno came to the ring doing his typical dancing and seemed upset when his music was interrupted by Glacier’s grand entrance. 

But while he was upset at the interruption, he probably felt even worse when Glacier began showcasing his martial arts expertise, nearly kicking his head off. 

The Ultimate Males (Alex Wright and Scotty Riggs) defeated
Greg Valentine and Honky Tonk Man when A. Wright pinned Valentine after a dragon suplex in 9:53.
Rating: *** 3/4

Two of the more veteran members of the WCW roster, The Hammer and Honky haven’t been seeing much success lately. Honky convinced them to team up to “relieve the glory days.”

But that didn’t fare to well either as the team fell to the former champs, Ultimate Males. 

After the match, however, The Males were ambushed by The Nasty Boys. Sags and Knobbs have said the WCW tag division once belonged to them. They need to get back to being Nasty to take it back. Apparently, the Males are first on their new Nasty hit list.

Interview with Lex Luger

Gene Okerlund interviewed the now former champ about his plans now that he lost the belt to Vader. Luger said there will be a time for him to go back after the world title, but there are bigger issues. He then called Randy Savage to come out here and face him. 

Savage honored Luger’s request. Luger said he got a call today from Eric Bischoff, who’s OK but recovering after the attack from the Outsiders last night. Bischoff asked Luger to step up to represent WCW and fight this attempted invasion. And Bischoff specifically requested Luger work with Savage. Luger said despite the issues the two have had in the past, he’s seen the passion Savage has shown confronting Rude and the Outsiders defending WCW and said Savage is the type of warrior he wants on his side to go into a battle like this. 

Savage agreed that he and Luger have never seen eye-to-eye, but admitted there is no greater representative for WCW than Luger, and he’d want him in the foxhole with him any day. Savage said let’s leave the past in the past and let’s do this. The two shook hands. 

Eddie Guerrero pinned Lord Steven Regal with the Frog Splash in 14:46.
Rating: *** ½

Regal claimed before the match, he would’ve won the TV title at the Bash if it wasn’t for Konnan, once again noting his superiority over the Mexican style and he’d prove it tonight. 

But again, he couldn’t back up his words in the ring. Guerrero got the win, but was attacked after the match by Regal’s associate David Taylor. Konnan came to even it up and he and Guerrero fought off the Brits.

Big Van Vader pinned Ricky Steamboat with the Vader Bomb in 12:08.
Rating: *** 1/2
(Big Van Vader retained the WCW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE.)

One night after winning the world title, Vader faced a former champ in 

Steamboat. During the match, Steamboat’s former friend who left him laying in the ring a few weeks ago, Johnny B. Badd., joined the guys in the broadcast booth badmouthing Steamboat throughout. 

In the match, despite getting in a few flashes of offense, Steamboat was no match for Vader. 

Vader proudly raised up his title and shouted various things like “I’m the man!” and “I’m unstoppable.”

But then the glass shattered, music played and Stone Cold Steve Austin came out. He rushed the ring before any confrontation could be had, Vader slipped out of the ring, telling Austin “Not today, but soon.”

Card rating: *** 1/4