RAW
- The show opens with Gorilla Monsoon announcing that the Ultimate Warrior has been suspended indefinitely for no showing house shows until he posts an appearance bond guaranteeing he will appear at shows. However, he will be wrestling Owen Hart on this episode of RAW because this show was taped. That's a better reason then Monsoon gave, which was he's wrestling because "reasons."
- The Ultimate Warrior vs Owen Hart with Jim Cornette-The match starts with Warrior tossing Hart over the top rope. During this match, Shawn Michaels & Ahmed Johnson cut a picture-in-picture promo saying they have found a third man to replace Warrior at the International Incident. Warrior squashes Hart, no selling all of his offense until Hart blocks the Ultimate Splash with his knees. Hart beats down before hitting a body guillotine. Hart follows up with an enziguri and a missile dropkick for a near fall. Hart goes for the Sharpshooter, but Warrior powers out before the British Bulldog comes down to the ring. Warrior hypes up and runs wild on Hart before Bulldog attacks Warrior to cause a DQ. Vader comes down to the ring as well and Camp Cornette beats down Warrior. Bulldog hits a running powerslam before he & Vader hold Warrior up for Hart to hit him with his cast. Vader finishes Warrior off with the Vader Bomb. This marks the end of Warrior's WWF career. It would be two years before we saw Warrior on TV again...just in a different company...and it's even worse than this run.
- Backstage, Shawn Michaels & Ahmed Johnson cut another promo. Michaels says he's had his differences with their new partner, but they've put those differences aside.
- Savio Vega vs Justin Hawk Bradshaw with Uncle Zebekiah-During Vega's entrance, Brian Pillman wanders out from the crowd and has a confrontation with Vega. The two go back and forth to start before Vega hits a spinning heel kick in the corner for a near fall. Bradshaw follows up with a bulldog for a near fall before the two brawl in the corner. Zebekiah trips up Vega, allowing Bradshaw to take control and bodyslam Vega. Bradshaw slaps on a sleeper hold, but Vega breaks out and hits a crossbody for a near fall. Bradshaw follows up with a big boot and an elbow drop for a near fall. Bradshaw controls the match until Vega hits a bodyslam. Vega goes for a splash, but Bradshaw fails to move the out of the way quick enough and gets caught in the back by Vega for a near fall. Bradshaw blocks a dropkick and hits a leg drop for a near fall before slapping on another sleeper hold. Bradshaw controls the match as the commentators get a call from Mr. Perfect. However, they go to commercial break and when we come back he's not on the phone anymore. Bradshaw continues to control the match until Vega hits a back suplex for a near fall. Vega follows up with a back body drop before knocking Zebekiah off the ring apron. In a moment of miscommunication, Zebekiah trips up Vega as Bradshaw tries to clothesline him, sending Bradshaw into the ropes and allowing Vega to hit the Caribbean Kick for the win. This was a boring match. After the match, Bradshaw & Zebekiah get their heat back and beat down Vega, with Bradshaw clocking Vega with a cowbell before Zebekiah brands his face.
- Shawn Michaels & Ahmed Johnson say their partner is still coming and they'll retain their titles next week when Michaels faces Billy Gunn and Ahmed Johnson faces Bart Gunn.
- The Godwinns with Hillbilly Jim vs The British Bulldog & Vader with Jim Cornette & Diana Smith-Henry Godwinn and the Bulldog start off with Godwinn hitting a shoulder block. Godwinn follows up with a hip toss before a cheap shot from Vader allows Camp Cornette to take control. Vader tags in and beats down Godwinn in the corner before Godwinn suplexes Vader. Godwinn follows up with a shoulder block and a clothesline before Phineas Godwinn tags in for a splash for a near fall. Godwinn beats down Vader in the corner before Vader hits a clothesline. Bulldog tags in and stomps away at Phineas before Phineas hits a bulldog for a near fall. Vader tags in and splashes Phineas in the corner before hitting a clothesline. Phineas dodges the second clothesline before tagging in Henry for a clothesline and a near fall. Vader dodges a corner splash and clotheslines Godwinn before hitting another clothesline and tags in Bulldog. Camp Cornette controls the match. Shockingly, Henry Godwinn kicks out of the Vader Bomb before the commercial break. We come back to see Camp Cornette still in control. Godwinn is able to pull off a massive feat of strength by catching Vader off a corner splash attempt and slamming him down. Phineas tags in and runs wild on Camp Cornette before causing Bulldog to splash Vader before bodyslamming Bulldog, but Vader breaks up the pin. All hell breaks loose before Bulldog hits the powerslam for the win.
- Shawn Michaels & Ahmed Johnson say their tag team partner is here. After a commercial break, we come back to see a split screen with Jim Cornette on one side and Michaels & Johnson on the other. Rather than just have their third man stand off camera and come in frame when they need him, they have Johnson just stand in front of him.Cornette says they don't have a new partner, but they do, it's the returning Sycho Sid! He's been gone over six months but he's back to team with Michaels & Johnson at the International Incident. And he kicks off his return with a half-shouting/half-whisper promo. "YEAH YOU'RE LOOKING AT ME AND YOU'RE PROBABLY ASKING YOURSELF "SHAWN MICHAELS, WHAT HAVE YOU GONE AND DONE?!" Yeah, twice he's gone and opened the gates of Hell and he has released me. This time for you, Cornette, and the Cornette Camp. THERE'S NOTHING, THERE'S NO GOOD NEWS! Cause I can hear you. I can hear you screaming out for help. For help, but there's no one there. THERE'S NO ONE THERE!" Cornette flips out and says he's calling Clarence Mason to get this canceled.
But first! A quick recap of Bash at the Beach, which happened the day before this episode of Nitro.
- Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Psicosis after countering a top rope Splash Mountian with a hurricanrana
- John Tenta and Big Bubba faced off in a "Carson City Silver Dollar" match, where a sock full of silver dollars was hung up on a pole. Riveting. Bubba had Hart climb the pole to get the sock, but Tenta grabbed it from him and smacked Bubba across the face with it for the win to mercifully end this feud...right?
- Diamond Dallas Page retained the title of Lord of the Ring against Jim Duggan in a taped fist match. DDP hit the Diamond Cutter for the win. After the match, Duggan got his heat back by clocking DDP with an even more taped fist.
- The Nasty Boys defeated Public Enemy in a Double Dog Collar match. Like I said, these teams are destined to wrestle eachother every single time they come out. After the match...more brawling...so this feud is STILL GOING.
- Dean Malenko defeated Disco Inferno to retain the Cruiserweight Championship. Malenko won after locking in the Texas Cloverleaf.
- Steve McMichael defeated Joe Gomez after a Tombstone Piledriver, which Mongo calls the Mongo Spike.
- Ric Flair defeated Konnan to win the United States Championship. Woman brought back the most dangerous weapon in wrestling...a high heel! Woman clocked Konnan with the heel and Flair made the cover with his feet on the ropes.
- The Giant & Kevin Sullivan defeated Arn Anderson & Chris Benoit after Giant chokeslammed Anderson.
- In the main event, Randy Savage, Sting, and Lex Luger squared off with the Outsiders; Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and a mystery partner. Who was their mystery partner?...Well, only Hall & Nash came out. They said that their third man will be there. So the match happens, during which Luger got knocked out and taken to the back before Hulk Hogan came down the ramp. Bobby Heenan proceeds to pretty much spoil the swerve, asking who's side Hogan is on. Hogan rips off his shirt, stares down Hall & Nash...and drops the leg on Savage. Hogan throws the referee out of the ring and drops the leg again on Savage before covering him. Hall mockingly counts the pin as the three mock the crowd. Mean Gene gets in the ring and asks Hogan what he's thinking. Hogan tells the crowd to shut up before saying him, Hall, and Nash are the new world order of wrestling. Hogan says he made that "other organization" a monster and he got bigger than the whole organization. He tells all of the WCW that he's bored and he wants Hall & Nash as his friends. He says they're going to take over and destroy everything in their path. Hogan says if it wasn't for him, wrestling wouldn't be here anymore and says the "new world organization" is taking over. Close. Tony Schiavone tells Hulk Hogan to go to hell as he signs off. The n.W.o has been born. Wrestling changed forever on July 7, 1996. It's the beginning of a new era of WCW
Nitro
- Dean Malenko (c) vs Rey Mysterio Jr.-Cruiserweight Championship-Malenko starts off with an arm drag into a cover before Mysterio hits a headscissor takeover and a tilt-a-whirl arm drag that sends Malenko out of the ring. Back in the ring, Malenko catches Mysterio off a springboard moonsault, but Mysterio is able to catch him with two springboard dropkicks for a near fall. Malenko blocks a wheelbarrow, but Mysterio counters a powerbomb with an arm drag. Malenko catches Mysterio with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and an overhead suplex for a near fall. Malenko locks in a surfboard before the commercial break. We come back to Malenko launching Mysterio in the air. Malenko controls the match until Mysterio counters a pump handle slam with a crossbody for a near fall and takes Malenko out of the ring with a hurricanrana. Mysterio goes for an Asai moonsault (a springboard moonsault from the apron), but just clips Malenko and smacks his knees right on the pavement.If you've ever wondered why Mysterio's knees are so bad, it's probably has something to do with stuff like this. Mysterio sends Malenko back in the ring and hits a diving hurricanrana for a near fall. Mysterio hits a springboard moonsault for a near fall before going to the top rope. However, Malenko meets him up there and catches him with a top rope gutbuster. Malenko makes the cover but pulls Mysterio up at two. Malenko hits a belly-to-belly suplex and makes the cover, but pulls Mysterio up again. Malenko's cockiness gets the better of him and Mysterio counters a tilt-a-whirl with a roll up for the win and the Cruiserweight Championship. Really good match, as I'd expect from the likes of Malenko & Mysterio.
- Mean Gene interviews the Steiner Brothers and the Nasty Boys. Scott Steiner says he respects the Nastys as a team, but Jerry Saggs say they only care about becoming the #1 contenders tonight. Rick Steiner inhabits 2000's-Scott Steiner with his promo. "I DON'T THINK IT'S THE NASTYVILLE, COME DOWN TO THE DOG POUND AND GET DOWN WHERE IT GETS REAL NASTY, BOY! YOU SEE, MY NOSE IS TO THE GROUND (sniffs) I SMELL EM, I SMELL THE HEAT, I'M COMING AFTER YOU BOYS UNTIL YOU (not even remotely understandable) I GOT YOU! NASTY BOYS, YOU'RE GETTING INTHEWAY (something) GONNA BE PERSONAL!"
- GLACIER VIGNETTE!
- Hugh Morrus & Big Bubba with Jimmy Hart vs The Blue Bloods with Jeeves & Earl Robert Eaton-Morrus & Dave Taylor lock up and go back and forth before Taylor hits a dropkick. Morrus responds with a clothesline before Regal & Bubba tag in. The Blue Bloods double team Bubba before Regal drops an elbow for a near fall. Bubba hits a surprise sidewalk slam, but Taylor breaks up the fall. Taylor & Morrus tag in and Taylor uppercuts Morrus to death. Morrus tries to tag in Bubba, but John Tenta runs down and yanks Bubba off the apron. The two brawl as the Blue Bloods hit a double back suplex for the win.
- Eddie Guerrero vs Psicosis-This is Psicosis' Nitro debut. During the beginning of the match, Rey Mysterio Jr. cuts a picture in picture promo, saying that he was disappointed in what Hulk Hogan did and says Hogan betrayed WCW. Psicosis & Guerrero back and forth in the ring until Guerrero sends Psicosis out of the ring with an arm drag. Back in the ring, Guerrero slaps on a headlock, which Psicosis breaks free from and tosses Guerrero out of the ring. Psicosis follows up with a corkscrew moonsault to the outside before bringing Guerrero back in the ring. Psicosis goes to work on Guerrero's right arm, applying an armbar before yanking it down on the top rope. Psicosis controls the match until Guerrero counters a powerbomb with a hurricanrana. Guerrero counters a double axe handle off the top rope with an inverted atomic drop, but Psicosis sends Guerrero into the post and hits a super hurricanrana for a near fall. Psicosis goes back to the top rope, but Guerrero meets him there, only for Psicosis to turn an electric chair drop into a sunset flip for a near fall. Psicosis goes back to the top rope, but Guerrero meets him up there and hits a superplex before going back to the top for a frog splash for the win. Another good match.
- Mean Gene interviews The Giant, Kevin Sullivan, and Jimmy Hart. Hart, more composed than usual, says he is speechless at what Hulk Hogan did. Sullivan is disappointed that Hulk Hogan destroyed Hulkamania when he spent over a year trying to destroy Hulkamania. That's hilarious. He turns his attention to Chris Benoit before the Giant says as long as he has the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and the New World Order doesn't, nothing can go wrong. He turns his attention to the Four Horsemen, saying because he & Sullivan beat Anderson & Benoit last night, he doesn't have to put the title on the line.
- The Nasty Boys vs The Steiner Brothers-Scott Steiner & Jerry Saggs start off with Saggs forcing Steiner into the Nastys corner. The Nastys beat him down and double team him before Steiner hits a double underhook suplex on Saggs. Rick Steiner clotheslines Brian Knobbs before the Steiners pose in the ring. Knobbs & Rick tag in, and Rick gets double teamed as well. Steiner catches Knobbs off a leapfrog and powerslams him before dropping an elbow for a near fall. Scott Steiner tags in for an exploder suplex before Knobbs slams Steiner down to the mat. Saggs tags in and takes Steiner to the outside, where he wallops him with a chair, which isn't a DQ for some reason. Back in the ring, Steiner hits a twisting belly-to-belly suplex on Knobbs, but Saggs breaks up the fall. Saggs tags in and slaps on a bear hug, but Steiner easily fights out and hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Suddenly, we see Sister Sherri and Col. Rob Parker come down to ringside. Sherri distracts the referee as Parker tries to hit Scott Steiner with his cane. However, Steiner avoids it and causes Saggs to get hit, allowing him to make the cover for the win. This was kind of a mess. After the match, Mean Gene interviews the Nasty Boys. Saggs says wrestling is about attitude and that change is inevitable. Knobbs says he sees nothing wrong with what Hogan did and the New World Order does what they want to do, just like the Nasty Boys.
- Ric Flair (c) with Woman, Debra, and Miss Elizabeth vs Jim Powers-United States Championship-The two go back and forth before Powers back body drops Flair. The two trade near falls before Flair tosses Powers out of the ring, where Woman rakes his eyes. Back in the ring, Powers slaps on a headlock, but Flair forces him to the corner, jabs him in the eye, and chops him. Powers chops back and hits a back body drop and a dropkick. Powers throws Flair out of the ring, where Flair re-cooperates. Back in the ring, Flair gives Powers a thumb to the eye before going to the top rope. Powers meets him there and throws him down to the mat before hitting two clotheslines for a near fall. Flair dodges a dropkick and goes for the figure four, but Powers turns it into a small package for a near fall. Flair chop blocks Powers' leg before dropping a knee on it. Flair applies the figure four with added leverage from Woman for the win. These kinds of Flair matches do nothing. Flair doesn't gain anything from having a competitive match against bland-ass Jim Powers, and if Jim Powers is just going to be an enhancement talent, then looking strong against Flair is pointless. These matches are just a waste of time. After the match, Arn Anderson & Mongo join Flair & the ladies to be interviewed by Mean Gene. Anderson says the Horsemen had an up-and-down night at Bash at the Beach, but what Hogan did made him sick. He says Hogan pretended to be a role model and karma's going to get him in the end. Mongo says the Horsemen are the only people who run WCW and Flair tells the Giant he's the new champ in town.
- Sgt. Craig Pittman with Teddy Long vs Chris Benoit-Pittman mat wrestles Benoit to the ground before hitting a belly-to-belly suplex and a beautiful German suplex. Craig Pittman is kind of great. Benoit comes back and beats Pittman down to the mat. The two trade blows before Benoit clotheslines Pittman. Pittman comes back with a headbutt that sends Benoit out of the ring, where Benoit threatens to hit Teddy Long. Pittman stops him and gets Benoit back in the ring, but Benoit is able to get him in the not crossface. Despite Pittman giving the thumbs up, Long tells the referee to ring the bell. essentially throwing in the towel.Nice little, quick match.
- Arn Anderson vs Sting-Anderson extends a hand to Sting, but Sting doesn't shake his hand. Sting forces Anderson into the corner before flooring Anderson with a shoulder block. Sting applies a standing armbar, but Anderson is able to toss him to the outside. Anderson goes for a piledriver, but Sting is able to block it and back body drops him before the commercial break. We come back to see Anderson catch Sting on a leapfrog and hit a spinebuster. Anderson controls the match as we see a limo has pulled up to the venue. Anderson continues to control the match until Sting catches Anderson off a double axe handle with a clothesline. That's when Scott Hall & Kevin Nash come down to ringside. Security stops them from getting in the ring as Sting & Anderson stop wrestling. Randy Savage comes down ringside as Anderson & Sting continue their match, with Sting applying the Scorpion Death Lock for the submission win. The Outsiders leave ringside as Mean Gene interviews Sting. Sting says he's surprised at what Hulk Hogan did, but he says he should've known. He says Hogan was too busy walking on the dark side and when Hogan referred to him, Savage, and Luger as three little dogs waiting to wrestle himself. Sting says Hogan trashed everyone who supported him and it's a good thing Hogan told them to believe in themselves because they couldn't believe in him. He tells Hogan to stick it before Savage says he can't say what he wants to do to Hogan on television. He says the worst Hogan can think of isn't even close to as bad as what he's going to do to him.
- After a commercial break. Mean Gene interviews Hall & Nash. Nash says WCW took a beating last night and only he & Hall can appreciate what Hogan has done for wrestling. Nash says Hogan will be on Nitro next week and Hall says they did exactly what they said they'd do. Nash says Hogan is on the set tonight and Hall says Savage is jealous of Hogan and Luger faked his injury last night.
RAW: 17
Nitro: 23
That's it for this edition of RAW vs Nitro. Stay tuned for the next one.
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