WCW Monday Nitro #1
09.04.1995
Mall of America, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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The explosions of the Nitro intro video take the place of the opening pyro that certainly would be quite the problem for the Mall of America. However, sparks rain down from the towering silver truss of the entranceway, each burst met with a fresh roar from the packed crowd. The air is electric — a blur of camera flashes, waving signs, and fans pressing against the railings on every level of the mall. Neon storefronts glow in the background, their colors mixing with the rapid-fire strobe of the stage lights. The camera sweeps across every corner of the spectacle — the ring gleaming under bright spotlights, the crowd’s chants rising into a frenzy — before diving toward the announce table positioned at ringside. WCW Monday Nitro is live, and the action starts now as we send it to our commentary team!

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Eric Bischoff:
"Welcome everyone to WCW Monday Nitro — the hottest thing happening on Monday nights! While some folks out there are still stuck watching the same old reruns, we’re bringing you the action as it happens — live, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore. The biggest names, the brightest future, and the kind of matches you’ll be talking about all week long… this is where the pace gets set, and everyone else just tries to keep up. Folks, this… is where the big boys play."

Steve "Mongo" McMichael:
"Oh, you’re not kiddin’, Eric — this is where the big boys play! Look at this crowd, look at this ring — you’ve got the toughest, meanest hombres in the sport right here, ready to lock horns and prove who’s the real deal. No pretenders, no wannabes, just the kind of athletes who can take the hits and dish out even more! And lemme tell ya, brother, if you can’t hang with the big boys, you better pack your bags and find a playground, ‘cause WCW is the deep end of the pool! What do you think, Bobby "The Weasel" Heenan?"

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan:
"Oh please, McMichael — you’re acting like this is a day at the beach. This isn’t just the deep end, this is shark-infested waters, and I know every shortcut to the top. The truth is, some of these so-called ‘big boys’ are gonna find out tonight they’re in over their heads. And when they do, I’ll be the first to say… I told you so."

Eric Bischoff:
"Folks, if you think that’s all we’ve got for you tonight, you’re in for a shock. We’ve got a lineup that’ll blow the roof off this place — championship-caliber matches, rivalries ready to explode, and maybe… just maybe… a few surprises along the way. And we’re not wasting any time, we’re going straight to the action. Kicking things off, it’s two of the most exciting high-flyers in the world — ‘Flyin’ Brian Pillman squaring off against Japan’s own Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger! Strap yourselves in, because this one’s going to be fast, furious, and absolutely unforgettable!"

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan:
"Yeah, and I’ve done my homework on this guy Liger — half man, half tiger, all trouble. These guys from Japan, they move like lightning, they hit like a truck, and they don’t slow down for anybody. Pillman better keep his head on a swivel, or he’s gonna end up like sushi on a plate."​

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Match #1:
'Flyin' Brian Pillman vs. Jushin 'Thunder' Liger

The crowd erupts as 'Flyin’ Brian Pillman bursts through the curtain, all energy and fire, dressed in his signature Bengal-print tights. He slaps hands with fans along the aisle, grinning ear to ear, and points to the upper levels of the mall to get them louder before sliding into the ring in one fluid motion. But the energy shifts as the thundering notes of Jushin 'Thunder' Liger’s theme hit, the lights dimming just enough to cast him in mystery. Emerging in his ornate red-and-white mask with the elaborate horned headdress, Liger steps onto the stage with calm, deliberate movements, his shimmering cape catching the spotlights. As he makes his way to the ring, he acknowledges the fans with a slight nod — not a villain, but a mysterious outsider the crowd hasn’t quite figured out yet.

~Match Begins~

The bell rings, and the crowd is already buzzing. Pillman circles the ring with his eyes locked on Liger, who remains calm and measured in the corner. They step in for a collar-and-elbow tie-up, jockeying for position. Pillman backs Liger into the ropes, offers a clean break, and gets a small cheer from the crowd.

They lock up again, this time Liger grabs a side headlock, grinding it in. Pillman pushes him off into the ropes — Liger rebounds with a shoulder tackle that drops Pillman to the mat. Liger takes off to the ropes, Pillman drops down, pops up, and catches him with a deep arm drag, holding onto the arm in a tight bar.

Liger works back to his feet, flips out, and hits a quick arm drag of his own, both men popping up at the same time. The crowd claps for the even exchange.

They reset, circling. Liger shoots in low, trips Pillman, and floats over into a side headlock takeover, controlling the pace. Pillman fights out, pushes Liger into the ropes — Liger springboards off the second rope with a back elbow that lands flush.

Liger follows up with a snap suplex and a quick cover — 1… Pillman kicks out. Liger stays on him, sending Pillman to the corner and charging in with a handspring back elbow.

The pace picks up as Liger pulls Pillman out, whips him into the ropes, and nails a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, covering again — 1… 2… Pillman gets the shoulder up.

Liger climbs to the top rope for a high-risk move, but Pillman springs to life, leaping up and hitting a dropkick to the back that sends Liger tumbling to the floor.

The crowd roars as Pillman takes off — springboard plancha over the top rope, wiping Liger out at ringside.
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Eric Bischoff: "You know, guys, this is exactly the kind of action we’re talking about when we say WCW is looking at bringing in the best from all over the world. There’s talk in the offices about a tournament to find the top cruiserweight in the sport, and if Brian Pillman and Jushin Liger are any indication, that’s going to be must-see competition."​

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Eric Bischoff: "Welcome back to WCW Monday Nitro, folks — and let me tell you, if you thought the action before the break was something, we’ve still got a lot more coming your way tonigh-"​

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Before Bischoff can finish, Kevin Sullivan storms into frame wearing street clothes — jeans, a black t-shirt, and a scowl that could cut glass. The crowd’s noise dips into a mix of boos and curious murmurs.

As Sullivan grabs a mic from the broadcasting table and rolls into the ring, his scowl dips into a more impassioned and forgiving look. It is clear that what we are getting is not the Dungeon of Doom's Taskmaster, but instead.... Kevin Sullivan.

Kevin Sullivan: "You know, Minnesota… I’ve been at this a long time. I’ve wrestled in bingo halls, I’ve fought in parking lots, I’ve been in arenas packed to the rafters — and I’ve done a lot of things in that ring that, if I’m being honest, I’m not proud of. I’ve taken shortcuts, I’ve hurt people just to prove a point, and I’ve been called every name you can think of. And maybe… maybe I deserved it."​

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Kevin Sullivan: "But tonight, standing here looking at what Nitro’s becoming… this, right here, is the future. And for me, maybe it’s the last chapter. I’m not the young, hungry kid from Boston anymore. I can feel the clock ticking, and I don’t know how many more matches I’ve got in me. But I’ll tell you this — however much time is left, I want to spend it differently. I don’t want to be remembered just for the cheap shots, the sneak attacks, the things I did in the dark. I want to turn a new leaf. I want to make my last run here in WCW one I can be proud of."​

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Arn Anderson’s music hits like a gunshot, and the crowd turns as “The Enforcer” storms through the curtain, jaw set and eyes locked forward, radiating a cold, coiled anger with every step toward the ring.

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Arn Anderson: "Kevin… I’ve been standing back there listening to you pour your little black heart out, and I’ve got to tell you — it’s the most pathetic thing I’ve ever heard come out of another man’s mouth. You want to talk about the bad things you’ve done? Well guess what — I’ve done plenty myself. I’ve blindsided men, I’ve taken out more knees than I can count, I’ve put people on the shelf, and I’d do it again tomorrow if it meant getting the job done. You know why? Because that’s this business. That’s how you survive."​

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Arn Anderson: "So when I hear you stand out here talking about turning over a new leaf, all I see is weakness. And truth be told, I don’t believe a word of it anyway. Men like us don’t change, Kevin — we just find new ways to win. So either you’ve lost your edge, or you’re out here running a con. And either way… it’s pathetic."​

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Sullivan’s face tightens, his eyes flicking between the crowd and the floor as Arn’s words sink in. Without a word, he lowers the mic, takes a slow step back, and rolls out under the bottom rope. He paces at ringside for a moment, visibly torn between anger and shame, his head shaking as the fans murmur. Avoiding eye contact with Arn, he turns up the aisle, the camera catching a final look of confusion, embarrassment, and something almost vulnerable before he disappears behind the curtain.

Steve 'Mongo' McMichael: "I hate to say it boys, but Double A’s right on the money with this one. In this game, you don’t start cryin’ about the past — you own it. You either stay the big dog in the yard or you get run out, and right now, Sullivan’s lookin’ like he forgot how to bite."​

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Match #2:
US Heavyweight Title Match
Ric Flair (c) vs. Sting

As Sullivan disappears through the curtain, Arn Anderson finally breaks his glare and turns toward the aisle. The crowd shifts from murmurs to cheers as Ric Flair’s music hits, the U.S. Heavyweight Champion stepping out in a gleaming robe, gold glinting under the arena lights. Arn meets him halfway down the ramp — no words exchanged, just a quick, firm tap of knuckles between Horsemen before Arn heads to the back. Flair struts the rest of the way, soaking in the “Wooo!” from every corner of the mall.


The mood changes as Sting’s entrance music blasts, the challenger bursting through the curtain with a burst of energy, sprinting toward the ring as fans on every level of the Mall of America clap and shout. The tension is set — champion versus challenger, Ric Flair versus Sting, for the United States Heavyweight Title. The referee raises the belt high, and the crowd roars in anticipation.

~Match Begins~

The bell rings and Flair circles the ring, adjusting his knee pads, eyes locked on Sting. Sting pounds his chest, the crowd roaring in response. They meet in the center with a collar-and-elbow tie-up, Sting overpowering Flair into the corner. Flair throws up his hands for a clean break, but slips in a quick chop to the chest, smirking as Sting just stares back unfazed.

They lock up again, Sting again pushing Flair into the corner, returning the favor with a thunderous knife-edge chop that drops Flair to a knee. Flair pops up, shakes it off, and calls for a test of strength. Sting obliges, quickly forcing Flair down until Flair kicks him in the midsection, breaking the hold. Flair grabs a side headlock, Sting pushes him into the ropes, and Flair hits a shoulder tackle. Flair struts, but Sting kips up immediately, causing the crowd to erupt.

Flair tries a second tackle, but Sting leapfrogs, hits the ropes, and takes Flair down with a running clothesline. Sting covers — 1… Flair kicks out. Flair rolls to the floor to regroup, pacing and jawing at the fans in the front row. Sting follows him out, stalking him around the ring until Flair slides in and catches Sting rolling into the ring behind him with boots to the midsection.

Flair takes over with a series of knife-edge chops in the corner, but Sting reverses an Irish whip, sending Flair chest-first into the opposite turnbuckle. Sting charges with a Stinger Splash to the back, the impact sending Flair tumbling down and under the ropes to the floor. The crowd is on its feet as Sting follows him out, ramming Flair’s head into the guardrail before rolling him back in.

Sting climbs to the top rope and hits a flying clothesline, covering — 1… 2… Flair gets the shoulder up. Sting pulls him to his feet, but Flair cuts him off with a knee to the midsection and a vertical suplex, floating into the cover — 1… 2… Sting powers out.

Flair methodically works the left leg, dropping elbows onto the knee, snapping it over the bottom rope, and hitting a shinbreaker. He hooks the leg — 1… 2… Sting kicks out. Flair signals for the Figure-Four Leglock, but Sting shoves him off into the turnbuckles and rolls him up — 1… 2… Flair escapes.

Around the ten-minute mark, the crowd stirs — the camera catches Lex Luger standing in the aisle, arms crossed, chest puffed, as fans around him point and shout. Both men glance his way but stay focused on the match.

Back in the ring, Flair whips Sting into the ropes, but Sting reverses and catches Flair with a gorilla press slam. Sting covers — 1… 2… Flair barely kicks out. Sting hits another Stinger Splash, then points to the crowd before dragging Flair to the center of the ring and locking in the Scorpion Deathlock. The Mall of America comes unglued as Flair struggles, clawing for the ropes.

Suddenly, Luger storms the ring from the crowd, sliding under the bottom rope. Without hesitation, he drills Sting in the back of the head with his bionic forearm smash. Sting collapses to the mat as the referee immediately calls for the bell, waving his arms to signal a disqualification.

Result:

Spoiler

Sting wins by DQ over Flair due to outside interference at 14:03

Flair rolls to the apron, smirking at the chaos, as Luger stands over Sting. The crowd is in an uproar — some booing, some cheering — as the mystery deepens over where Lex Luger’s loyalties truly lie and why he's here in WCW.

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Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan: "Now THAT’S how you make an entrance! That’s Lex Luger, right there — the man I told all of you was destined for greatness many years ago! You think he’s here to shake hands and kiss babies? No, no, no. He’s here to make an impact… and he just made one right on the back of the Stinger’s skull! People are gonna spin this, they’re gonna say Luger’s this, Luger’s that… I’ll tell you what he is — smart. He’s aligning himself with the right people. Maybe, just maybe, The Total Package and the Nature Boy are thinking a few steps ahead of everybody else. That’s why they win and you people just buy the tickets! …And hey, Lex — if you’re listening, next time you’re plotting a big moment like this, give your old pal the Brain a call, huh? I could’ve been out there too, but no, here I am stuck next to these two knuckleheads!"​

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Promo Segment:
Hype for Main Event on Saturday

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Eric Bischoff: "Next week, the road to tag team gold gets a whole lot shorter! Three of the toughest, loudest, and most unpredictable teams in WCW step into the ring at WCW Main Event this Saturday. Harlem Heat — all fire, all fury, looking to blaze their way back into championship territory! The American Males — young, fast, and hungry to prove they belong at the very top! And The Nasty Boys — brawling, bruising, and looking to turn the ring into a street fight at any point. One match, one shot — and the winners get Bunkhouse Buck and Dick Slater for the WCW World Tag Team Championships live on next week's Monday Nitro! Don't forget to tune in to The Main Event on TBS network 8/7c, every Saturday Night"​

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Eric Bischoff:
"What a night it’s been so far here on WCW Monday Nitro! We’ve seen incredible action, big surprises, and folks — we are just getting started! And coming up in our main event tonight, you’re gonna see the biggest name in professional wrestling, the man who’s carried the banner everywhere he’s gone — Hulk Hogan — go one-on-one with Big Bubba Rogers!"

Steve 'Mongo' McMichael:
"That’s right, baby! The Hulkster’s in the house, and when those 24-inch pythons get pumpin’, there’s not a man alive who can stop ’em! Big Bubba’s tough, but Hogan’s the guy who defines where the big boys play!"

Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan:
"Sure, sure… Hogan’s here, we’re supposed to roll out the red carpet. Let’s not forget, Big Bubba Rogers is a man who’s made a career out of stopping big names in their tracks. And if Hogan underestimates him for one second, well… maybe I’ll get to see the look on Hogan’s face when that carpet gets pulled right out from under him."

Eric Bischoff:
"Love him or hate him, Hulk Hogan always delivers. Tonight, you’re gonna see him put on a show, and you’d better believe Bubba’s not coming to lay down for anybody. It’s the main event of the very first Nitro, and it’s coming your way..... next!"​

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Main Event:
Non-Title Singles Match
Hulk Hogan vs. Big Bubba Rogers

~Match Begins~

The bell rings and the two men circle, Bubba jawing at Hogan while Hogan plays to the crowd. They lock up, and Bubba uses his size to back Hogan into the corner, shoving him and talking trash. Hogan steps back out, points a finger at Bubba, and the crowd erupts.

They lock up again, and this time Hogan applies a side headlock, but Bubba shoots him off into the ropes and floors him with a shoulder tackle. Bubba smirks and brushes his hands off, but Hogan kips up and points to him again.

Bubba charges, Hogan ducks under, and catches him with a big clothesline. Hogan follows with a body slam to a huge pop. Bubba rolls out to regroup, pacing angrily, before sliding back in.

Bubba catches Hogan off guard with a thumb to the eye and a hard right hand. He whips Hogan into the corner, follows in with a running splash, then drops Hogan with a falling elbow drop for a two-count.

Bubba keeps on him, choking Hogan on the middle rope before sending him off the ropes for a sidewalk slam — one… two… Hogan kicks out with authority! Bubba tries a second pin, but Hogan powers out again.

Bubba hooks Hogan for a suplex, but Hogan blocks it twice and delivers his own vertical suplex! Hogan goes for the cover — one… two… Bubba kicks out.

Bubba rakes the eyes again, whips Hogan to the ropes, and catches him in a bearhug, trying to wear the Hulkster down. Hogan begins to fade, the referee checking his arm… but on the third drop, Hogan holds it up! The crowd comes alive as Hogan breaks free with three right hands.

Bubba cuts him off with a big boot to the midsection, whips him in, and goes for a clothesline — Hogan ducks, rebounds, and they collide with a double clothesline that puts both men down.

Both slowly get to their feet. Bubba lands a right hand, but Hogan starts shaking his head. Another right — Hogan points the finger. Bubba throws a third, Hogan blocks it, and here comes the Hulk up sequence: three right hands by Hogan, an irish whip into the big boot, and the crowd explodes. Hogan starts hitting his patent "I can't hear you" motions before Hogan bounces off the ropes and delivers the atomic leg drop to the proned Bubba.

One… two… three! Hogan gets the victory.

Result:

Spoiler

Hogan pins Bubba Rogers after an atomic leg drop at 8:32

After the bell, Hogan’s celebration is cut short when Lex Luger walks out from the entranceway, eyes locked on the Hulkster. The crowd buzzes, unsure of his intentions. Luger stops at ringside, arms crossed, sizing Hogan up like a predator studying his prey before rolling into the ring and sizing up Hogan eye-to-eye.

Hogan glances out to the crowd, mouthing, “Should I fight him?” The fans roar their approval, urging him on.

Suddenly, Sting slides into the ring, stepping up beside Hogan. Sting’s presence shifts the energy — the two stand shoulder-to-shoulder, united in facing Luger.

Luger smirks, laughs under his breath, and slowly backs away up the aisle, never taking his eyes off them. The tension hangs thick in the air.

Inside the ring, Sting and Hogan turn toward each other, exchanging a few quiet but intense words as the fans cheer them on, leaving questions unanswered as Nitro goes off the air.

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