WCW Monday Nitro Review: First Ever Episode 20 Years Later
By Evan Gomes
The show starts with introducing the announce team. Eric Bischoff is on lead play-by-play, and is accompanied by Steve McMichael and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. They talk up the greatness expected tonight and how the best action is here on Nitro. They introduce the first match up of the evening.
Jushin “Thunder” Liger vs. “Flyin” Brian Pillman
Result: Brian Pillman defeats Jushin Liger via pinfall.
Rating: 2.8 out of 5 stars
The match starts between the Japanese superstar Liger and the former Hollywood Blonde Pillman. There’s a lot of chain wrestling to start, and Liger gets the upper hand with a cartwheel kick and a moonsault to Pillman. Pillman tries to get in some offence, including a really bad-looking hurricanrana. Liger starts to get the upper hand back. He puts a surfboard stretch on Flyin Brian, and Liger hits an apron senton to the outside. Liger gets established as the heel due to the “U.S.A.” chants.
Pillman is consistently on the defensive, even hitting a dropkick on Liger who was coming from the top rope. Every time that Pillman seems to be getting some offence in, Liger comes back and takes control. Liger hit two top rope hurricanranas, both for two counts. Flyin Brian manages to get in some offence, including a tornado DDT. Pillman gets Liger with the quick roll-up for the three count.
Evan’s Notes: A fun and energetic opening match. There were some sloppy spots by Pillman, but the two had a good energy and did well to start off the first ever Nitro.
Hulk Hogan Promo
Hogan is shown at his restaurant in the Mall of America called “PastaMania.” I love the 90’s. Hogan asks all the little kids who is the best wrestler in the world and they all say Hogan. He keeps plugging PastaMania and calls all his fans PastaManiacs. All the PastaManiacs will run wild on you. This is glorious mid 90s promo material.
Next: Sting vs Ric Flair