The WCW Nitro 9/11/95 review features the go-home show for the big War Games Match at Fall Brawl, with Hulk Hogan leading the way.
Will there be shenanigans? I think there will be shenanigans.
Let’s get to the WCW Nitro 9/11/95 review.
- Event: WCW Monday Nitro
- Date: September 11, 1995
- Location: Knight Center in Miami, FL
– Eric Bischoff, Bobby Heenan, and Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael welcome us and recap Lex Luger’s big debut on the first episode of Nitro. Bischoff tells us Vader won’t be in War Games, so Hogan needs a replacement for his team.
Sabu vs. Alex Wright
This is undoubtedly one of the most random matchups in WCW history. I don’t think Sabu and Alex Wright are used in the same sentence a lot. They pushed Sabu’s crazy style on the debut Nitro, and he followed through on it, folks. Lots of wild offense from Sabu, and he got the win after a top rope maneuver. However, it turns out that actually wasn’t true? After the match, Sabu basically uses himself as a missile and comes off the top to drive Wright through a table. Somehow, this allows Nick Patrick to reverse his decision, and he awards the match to Wright. I’m not sure that’s legal.
- Blake’s Rating: ** (-***** for Patrick’s decision)
– Mean Gene Okerlund welcomes Ric Flair to the ring. Flair runs down Arn Anderson, and HERE COMES LEX LUGER. Flair loses his shit over Luger’s physique and says “tonight, the package takes control.” How many women did Flair say that to in the 80s?! What a line. Luger says Flair never changes, and then leaves. Not sure what the point of Luger coming out was.
VK Wallstreet vs. Sting
MAN CALLED STING. MAN CALLED STING. The theme never gets old. Wallstreet’s singlet sure is something. Lots of back and forth in this one, which you would expect from these two stars. Of course, when you debut a new character like Wallstreet, I figure you probably want him to win. That wasn’t gonna happen against Sting, as he hit the flying cross body for the win.
- Blake’s Rating: **1/2
– The Disco Inferno is debuting on WCW Saturday Night. Can’t miss that spectacle!
Scott Norton vs. Randy Savage
Great work having Norton destroy Savage before the bell rings. Norton takes no shit from anyone, and that’s the way to prove it. Bischoff doing a good job putting over Norton on commentary, so give him credit for that. They play up Savage potentially having a broken back, and that’s not ideal. Bischoff says as such considering Savage is on Hogan’s War Games’ team. Norton countering every attempted comeback by Savage, including hitting a brutal hanging DDT. Savage finally gains control, but the Dungeon of Doom hit the ring. That leads to Avalanche falling on Norton’s knees, allowing Savage to hit the elbow drop for the victory. One match after a guy loses a match for putting his opponent through a table after the match, another wins while his opponent gets held down by someone not in the match. RULES! After the match, Norton gets physical with Avalanche.
- Blake’s Rating: **1/2
Lex Luger vs. Hulk Hogan – WCW World Title
To this point, every debuting character they pushed on the Nitro debut has lost. Let’s see if Luger can change that. Hogan with a DROP TOEHOLD TAKEDOWN early in the match. Technical masterclass, brother. Both no-sell each other’s offense early, so we’re off to an interesting start. Luger eventually puts on the Torture Rack and for some reason thinks he’s won the match. Hogan hulks up and hits the boot and leg drop, but the Dungeon of Doom is back again to force the DQ.
- Blake’s Rating: **
– Hogan, Sting, and Savage clear the ring, then we get a shoving match with Hogan and Luger. Bet you can’t guess where this is heading! Hogan suggests Luger is with the Dungeon of Doom. Sting is the voice of reason and wants Luger on the team. Savage and Hogan don’t want him. Savage now pushes Sting and Jimmy Hart as turncoats. Hogan finally agrees and asks Luger to join them.
Blake’s Nitro Awards
- Best Match: VK Wallstreet vs. Sting
- Best Angle: Hogan needs a War Games partner
- Nitro MVP: Sting
- Overall Nitro Rating: 6.0
- Thoughts: They pushed Hogan needing a replacement partner from Vader at the very beginning, and that led to a show-long angle with an obvious conclusion. Still, it worked fine to promote a War Games match. The Dungeon of Doom interference in the Sting and Savage matches had a reason behind it. Also, Norton looked fantastic in his debut.
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