WCW January 1996 - 1/7, 1/11, 1/14, 1/21, & 1/28

[jackknight]

Hashtag said:

Monday Nitro 1/7/1996
Airing LIVE on TBS: The Superstation from the McAllister Fieldhouse in Columbia, SC
Interviewers: Mauro Ranallo and Bob Caudle
Commentary Team: Tony Schiavone, Terry Taylor, and Dusty Rhodes

Match Results:

1. Chris Jericho defeated Scott D’Amore by submission, finishing him with a brilliant, “ Lionsault” and transitioned immediately to the devastating Lion tamer high angle, modified Boston crab.

2. Kendal Windham and “Renegade Warrior” Chris Youngblood defeated The Texas Hangmen by pinfall

3. Unified World Tag Team Champion Booker T. w/Sister Sherri and Stevie Ray defeated Greg “the Hammer” Valentine by pinfall

4. The Kamikaze Kids, Christian Cage and Lenny Lane defeated Charlie Haas and Jimmy Powers

5. Marcus Bagwell defeated The Blacktop Bully by pinfall.

6. United States Champion Sting, Diamond Dallas Page, and Lex Luger w/Miss. Elizabeth and Kimberly defeated Hugh Morrus, and The Faces of Fear, Meng and Barbarian, w/”Taskmaster” Kevin Sullivan by disqualification when Kevin Sullivan and Roddy Piper inserted themselves into the action. The Nasty Boys ran into the melee to even up the fight as Nitro went off the air.


WCW Vice President Magnum T.A. and President JJ Dillon had major announcements about this Friday’s Clash of the Champions. First Magnum announced that this Clash would feature Japanese talent, and that WCW has retained its working relationship with New Japan Pro Wrestling in the hopes of bringing some of the best talent in the world to the best fans in the World, and that is just what they will be doing this Friday night in the Omni.

Three Japanese wrestling legends will be appearing at the Clash, all of these men have American wrestling experience, and will be familiar to any WCW fan. First is JUSHIN “THUNDER” LYGER!! Mauro Ranallo talks over a few of Lyger’s highlights. Magnum goes on to say that many hardcore wrestling fans, and fans of Mauro’s work will know that in 1995 one of the very best wrestling matches to occur was Lyger against this newly signed WCW talent, “Lionheart” Chris Jericho! Magnum says that Promoters all over the entire world have been trying to book this rematch, but fans will only see it in WCW, and “we are all excited about that one!”

Also appearing will be the team of former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and WCW World Championship Contender Tatsumi “The Dragon” Fujinami teams with former IWGP Jr. Heavyweight and Tag Team Champion, 1984 Olympic Judo medalist, Hiroshi Hase. And as some longtime fans will know, Hiroshi Hase and various partners have had an outstanding rivalry with the Steiner Brothers, and this rivalry has seen various partners cycle through, and has seen some of the best tag team wrestling matches of the last quarter century. Well Hase feels that he has the partner that will gain him that coveted victory of the Steiner’s and Rick and Scott have accepted that challenge! And the winners of that International Dream Tag Team Match-Up will get a shot at Harlem Heat’s Unified World Tag Team Titles!

JJ Dillon thanks Magnum for those big announcements, and says that this Clash of Champions has a fitting name to it, and it will not be the first wrestling event titled “The Last Battle of Atlanta,” but it certainly might be the most appropriate. The WCW board that Magnum and JJ sit on has decided that something has to be done about two ongoing, bitter disputes in World Championship Wrestling. And after careful consideration, and numerous discussions with various colleagues, “we have decided that Ricky Steamboat will defend the World TV Title against Big Bubba Rogers one final time, and Diamond Dallas Page will face Kevin Sullivan one final time, BOTH MATCHES WILL BE HELD INSIDE A STEEL CAGE!” JJ goes on to say that these matches will be one fall to a finish, can only end by pinfall, submission, or referee’s stoppage, steel cages are designed to settle grudges, and by golly that is what we will do this Friday Night!



Col. Robert Parker and his “Stud Stable,” “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton and Rick Martel joined Bob Caudle. Col. Parker says that he has been highly disappointed with the recent performances of Ricky Martel, who was pinned at Starrcade, and was also defeated last week by Lex Luger, and that losing is unacceptable in the Stud Stable, but Ricky has a chance to redeem himself as next week on Nitro after the Clash, Eaton and Martel get their return match against Harlem Heat for the Unified Tag Team Championships of the World, and that Martel better not let him down!



Scott Norton was interviewed briefly by Mauro Ranallo and says that we all got a good taste of what “Flash” Norton is all about when he sent Johnny B. Badd packing at Starrcade. And that as a former US Champion, “DOMINANT U.S. Champion at that!,” Norton feels disrespected by not having more “victims lined up.” No match tonight, no match at the Clash, WCW officials “had better tighten up, they won’t like the things I do when I have to entertain myself!”

Don’t forget to tune in LIVE 8:05 Eastern Time
From the historic Omni in Atlanta, Georgia

“THE LAST BATTLE OF ATLANTA”

In a Steel Cage for the World Television Title
One Fall to a Finish, there must be a winner
ONE LAST TIME!
Ricky “the Dragon” Steamboat defends against Big Bubba Rogers
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ALSO INSIDE A STEEL CAGE
ONE LAST TIME
ONE FALL to a FINISH
“Diamond” Dallas Page w/Kimberly by his side takes on the “Taskmaster” Kevin Sullian
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INTERNATIONAL DREAM MATCH #2
Rick and Scott Steiner go to battle once more with Hiroshi Hase and his latest partner, former Heavyweight and Jr. Heavyweight Champion of the World Tatsumi ‘Dragon’ Fujinami
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INTERNATIONAL DREAM MATCH #1
“Lionheart” Chris Jericho will meet Japanese sensation, Jushin ‘Thunder’ Lyger
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!!!PLUS!!!
ONE FALL GRUDGE MATCH
5 MONTHS IN THE MAKING
“Total Package” Lex Luger will finally meet the man who put him out of action and stole his United States Title, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper

ALSO:
The Nasty Boys make their WCW in-ring return.....Super Pegasus makes his WCW in-ring debut.....Hugh Morrus goes one on one with hard hitting veteran Greg ‘the Hammer’ Valentine!!

[jackknight]

Hashtag said:

World Championship Wrestling presents:







!!!THE LAST BATTLE OF ATLANTA!!!






Airing live on WTBS: The Superstation from The Omni in Atlanta, Georgia
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Tony Schiavone and Dusty Rhodes welcome everyone to the Clash; they quickly introduce esteemed Wrestling Journalist Mauro Ranallo, who discusses the opening contest between Chris Jericho and Jushin Lyger. He discusses their match from the Spring of 1995 achieving “the only 5 star match I personally graded last year,” and how he has been waiting, “impatiently,” for a promoter somewhere to sign this rematch, and how excited he is that this bout is happening in WCW, “truly placing these two marvelous athletes on a WORLDWIDE stage like they both so very much deserve.” He discusses how cutting edge, and high speed the respective offenses will be, and “what I believe the key to this bout will be, with both men knowing each other so well, is what will they do differently?”

Dream says he is happy to have Mauro on board, “cuz he can phillabusta’ jus as quick as them boys can go!” And that is an important factor in this match will be about “urgency to get to da pay winduh.” Jericho is new to WCW and might have more pressure on him to impress the “powers that be” in order to get a title shot. Whereas Lyger, win or lose, will still be one of the 2 or 3 biggest stars in Japan, and hot commodity across the wrestling world as a “freelancer.”



Match 1
International Dream Match #1
1 Fall 20 Minute Time Limit
Referee in charge is Randy Anderson

These two entered into a physical battle after finding themselves in an utter stalemate at the beginning of the contest. As Dream so eloquently pointed out, “when the hunacanana don’t work a soupbone will!” Chops from Jericho, and kicks from Lyger were echoing across the Omni as both men really tore into each other ruthlessly. Lyger got an advantage with a standing super kick, which he followed up with a power-drive elbow, but he made the first mistake of the contest when he missed a dropkick from the top rope. His momentum carried him to the floor. Jericho made him pay dearly!

Ranallo: “Lionheart hits the ropes gaining momentum, second rope springboard from the inside, JERICHO FLIES OVER THE TOP ROPE, what a sensational maneuver!” Dream: "I ain’t sure who got the worst end of that one know whatta mean?” Schiavone: “Awe-inspiring offense from Jericho, fans we have to take a break, don’t you dare go away!”
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COMMERCIAL BREAK
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Schiavone: “Welcome back fans, right hands from Lyger drops Jericho, back to the floor they go” Dream: “No man’s land!” Ranallo: “OOOOOOOOOOOO MAMMA MIA!! ASAI MOONSAULT!”

Lyger now has full control of the bout, rolling Jericho to the inside, locks him in the surfboard. Lyger viciously modifies it, by wrapping up Jericho’s neck in the dragon sleeper position. Dream discusses how much “unclin’” is going on right now. Jericho valiantly refuses to give it up, and Lyger has to break the hold as his shoulders were down for the count of two. Lyger fires Jericho across the ring and into the corner, hand-spring back elbow, right to the jaw of the Lionheart.

Schiavone: “Lyger hoists Jericho up, for what looks to be a power bomb,” Dream: “If he hits him with this it is all over,” Ranallo: “Right you are Dream, Thunder has mastered this technique, the running Lyger Bomb is one of the most feare…… AMAZING REVERSAL FROM JERICHO INTO A HURRACANRANA!!!!!”

Slowly Jericho gets to his feet, battered and bruised, but not beaten. He assesses the situation, Lyger is down in the center of the ring, and Jericho hits the ropes, springboard, LIONSAULT!!! 1………2………….NO! Lyger kicked out! Jericho kicks it into high gear now, chops, kicks, and clotheslines keep Lyger off guard. Jericho grabs a full nelson; he pops the hips, DRAGON SUPLEX!!! 1……….2…….NO!

Dream: “Jericho is-uh wondering what it’s-uh gunna take to finish Lyger!” Jericho locks Lyger into a powerbomb position, he butterflies the arms, he flips him up, and DRIVES HIM DOWN across his knee with a brutal backbreaker! Schiavone: “Jericho really should have gone for the pin right there!” Instead he sits Lyger on the top rope, he joins him, Ranallo: “Chris sets up a top rope hurracanrana, BUT NO LYGER HELD ON!!!! Lyger dives off the top rope, BUT MISSES THE BIG SPLASH!!!! Jericho hooks the legs; he is going for the LION TAMER modified Boston Crab!!!!" Dream: “Justin is stopping him from turning Mauro!” Ranallo: “Yes, Jushin seems to have it stopped, LYGER GRABS JERICHO BY THE NECK!”

Schiavone: “Lyger rolls him up, 1…………2……….NO!!! MY GOODNESS WHAT A MATCH” Ranallo: “Jericho rolls out of the pinning combination, and like a BULLDOG he grabs the legs once again!!!” Dream: “He got it locked in this time!!!” Jericho turns him over, there it is the Boston Crab, then he modifies it, KNEE SHOVED INTO THE BACK OF LYGER’S HEAD, BRUTAL!!! Dream: “Somebody call the doc, he is bout to snap Justin’s spine like a twig!”



DING DING DING DING DING!!! Dream: “Did he uncle him?” Schiavone and Ranallo discuss never seeing the referee call for the bell, Dream wonders if the ref could understand Lyger if he did “say uncle.”



Dave Penzer: “Ladies and Gentlemen, this match has gone the time limit, this bout is a draw”

Jericho is all up in Randy Anderson’s face, throwing a fit! Dream says he don’t blame Jericho. Lyger is slowly getting to his knees. Jericho goes over to him, and helps him to his feet. The Omni crowd loves it!!

Schiavone: “What a great show of sportsmanship from Jericho. After one of the best matches we’ve seen in a long time, it is great to see that kind of respect.” Dream: “Yea Tone, but respect don’t get ya to the pay winduh, both men’s liver quivered in that contest, and that conclusion is like kissin ya sister, know whatta mean?” Mauro: “Indeed gentlemen, that was not the most conclusive of finishes, but after a contest that compelling, both men’s stocks can only rise, can they not? And you have to give it up for the courage and toughness displayed by Jushin ‘Thunder’ Lyger at the end, he would not quit Tony” Schiavone: “No he certainly didn’t quit Mauro; both men displayed the kind of courage, toughness, and tenacity we love to see from these, the best athletes in the wor…. Wait a second!!!”

AND JERICHO KICKS LYGER IN THE NUTS! WIPES THE SWEAT OFF HIS BROW AND HEADS OVER TO PENZER!!! Lionheart grabs the mic, and wants to know, “why the blue hell was there no countdown? Who paid you off jerk monkey, huh? Tell me Pinski!! My first showcase in WCW and this is the respect you show the JET SETTER! THE CREAM OF THE CROP! THE AYATOLLAH OF ROCK AND ROLLA?!” With that Jericho shoves the mic into Penzer’s chest and storms to the back.

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COMMERCIAL BREAK
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Match 2
1 Fall 20 Minute Time Limit
Referee in charge is Mark Curtis

Super Pegasus made his WCW debut defeating Julio Dinero with a diving top rope head butt after planting him corkscrew brainbuster. This was a high paced back and forth encounter where Mauro Ranallo waxed poetically about Pegasus and his credentials.
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Commercial Break
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Terry Taylor interviewed the Nasty Boys who say they came back to WCW not because it’s where the big boys play, but because the tag division here needed to be “nasty-cised” more than any other. You got the Steiners, you got the Harlem Heat, and you got Col. Parker’s “sissies” all of whom deserve a trip to “Pity City,” as Sags rubs his arm pit and giggles, Taylor suggests that, “is not a pit-stop any of you guys want to make.” Knobbs goes on to say that a lot of guys think they are tough, until they get taken to “Nastyville” which is a place where only the strong, “and pretty” interjects Sags, survive. The Nasty Boys officially put every WCW tag team on notice!



Match 3
1 Fall 20 Minute Time Limit
Referee in charge is Randy Anderson

Kendal Windham w/his tag team partner “Renegade Warrior” Chris Youngblood in his corner collected a hard fought victory over ring-vet Greg “the Hammer” Valentine after planting him with a leaping DDT….
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Commercial Break
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Match 4
International Dream Match #2
1 Fall 30 Minute Time Limit
Referee in charge is Mark Curtis

The Steiner Brothers and their opponents Hiroshi Hase and Tatsumi Fujinami are not strangers by any means, and begin the contest with a show of honor, by shaking hands. The early going is filled with amateur wrestling exchanges from 4 of the very best wrestlers on the entire planet. Hase and Scotty Steiner exchanged a couple of neck shattering suplexes, that saw each man get early near falls, with their knowledge of tag team wrestling on full display both men knew when it was the right time to tag in their fresher partners.
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Commercial Break
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We return from break to see Fujinami with the Octopus hold locked on to Rick Steiner, who is refusing to quit. “The (other) Dragon” drops down, roll Rick over onto his shoulders, Dusty: “Look Tone, he got him uncled and pinned! Boy I tell ya whut, this Japanese contingent are certainly on a mission here tonight!” Ranallo: “Certainly they are Dream, Hase is 0 and 3 against The Steiners in big match situations with 3 different partners, all 3 of which were match of the year candidates when they occurred, there is an incredible since of honor and pride on the line here tonight!”

Ricky is finally able to drape his foot across the bottom rope to necessitate a break, but he is stuck in the over in “Little Tokyo” as Dusty calls Hase/Fujinami’s corner. They tag in and out, battering Steiner, but Rick shows his trademark resilience and battles out of the corner with some big right hands before finally buying himself a moment by delivering stereo Steinerlines! Hase is the legal man and tries to cut Rick off but is too late! Hot-tag to Scotty, Steinerline again for both Japanese. Steiner fires Fujinami into the ropes, tilt-a-whirl back breaker! Scotty clubs Hase across his back, he grabs the double underhook on Hase, sit-out powerbomb, he hooks the shoulders, 1……..2……..NO! Fujinami nearly kicked Steiner’s head into the front row! Ranallo: “MAMMA MIA WHAT A K-O SHOT FROM THE FORMER IWGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!”

Now the race is on, Scotty and Hase are both inching to their corners aaaaand they both make the tag! Rick and Fujinami are battling it out mano-e-mano! Bad strategy from Fujinami as “them big ol’ right hands from Detroit Rock City are taking over guys,” exclaims Rhodes. Schiavone: “This phenomenal wrestling match has broken down into a fist fight, Katie bar the door here!” Ranallo: “Rick belly to belly throws Fujinami half way across the ring! Steiner is ascending to the top rope! BULLDOG HEADLOCK!!!” Scotty cuts off Hase, 1………2………….3!!!!!!!!! The Steiner Brothers have picked up a tough win to get back on track toward a Unified World Tag Team Title opportunity!

“Sister” Sherri and the WCW Unified World Tag Team Champions, Booker T. and Stevie Ray walk out onto the entrance ramp and stare down the Steiners who appear to be ready for a fight right now! The Omni wants it, and the Steiners want it, but Booker T. looks right into the camera, “naw see it ain’t goin’ down like that, ya feel me? The champs decide when the champs are gunna bust some heads,” Stevie Ray backs up his brothers claims, “them sharecroppers in the ring don’t want none of us. We been beating them up for months, they jus playin’ hard for these knuckleheads in the A-T-L. Let me tell ya something Steiners, y’all will get got” Booker T.: “Now can you dig that? Sucka…”

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Commercial Break
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Terry Taylor is standing by with Lex Luger and the lovely Miss Elizabeth as we are just moments away from The Total Package finally getting his rematch against “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, and while the U.S. Title is no longer part of the equation, it is a very important match for Luger. One that sets the tone for how his 1996 will go. Lex Luger says that 1996 will be the year of the Total Package, tonight he settles up with Piper and once he is through with him, he has been promised by his “best friend” the Stinger a crack at the title that should rightfully belong to him, the United States Heavyweight Championship, a prestigious title that has been synonymous with Lex Luger for the better part of a decade now. But if you think that is as far as Lex Luger’s goals reach you are sadly mistaken, the U.S. Title is just a stepping stone towards the ultimate prize in all of professional wrestling, the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. It has been 4 years since Lex held wrestling’s most coveted prize, and he says that 1996 will not only be the year of the Olympics in Atlanta, but will be the year Luger regains the Heavyweight Championship of the World!



Bob Caudle is standing by with “Rowdy” Roddy Piper who is none too pleased with having to face Lex Luger before he has been granted a rematch for his United States Championship, but that is typical WCW. WCW doesn’t want Piper anywhere near the U.S. title, WCW doesn’t want Piper anywhere near the World title, that is why JJ Dillon and the “brain trust,” with sarcasm oozing through his pores, are too scared to put Piper in the ring against Hennig. That’s ok, WCW sends “Lexy” to the altar for sacrifice instead. Piper says that tonight he finishes off Lex Luger once and for all, and the only World Championship aspirations that will be met in 1996 will be his!



Match 5
Grudge Match
1 Fall 30 Minute Time Limit
Referee in charge is Randy Anderson

This one is not a scientific, back and forth wrestling exchange to say the least. Piper and Luger really tore into one another. Dusty: “I really appreciate the referee out there, lettin’ em go, cause a couple minutes into this thing, and either man could have been DQ’d already, they ain’t worried bout getting to the pay winduh ya understand?” Schiavone: “Great point dream, that is what this sport is all about Mauro, settling scores, personal grudges.” Ranallo: “And these two combatants certainly have that for one another, it was Roddy Piper who used Lex Luger as a pawn in his attempt to wrestle the WCW Heavyweight Championship of the World from Curt Hennig, he used back-door politicking to cause dissention between Lex and his friend Sting, before finally brutally injuring Lex Luger, costing him an opportunity to wrestle at Starrcade.” Dream: “And that might be the biggest factor of all, all year long the boys dream about Starrcade, the granddaddy of em all, the brightest lights, and the biggest paydays, you can believe that Luger is out for revenge. These two are really going at it!”

Luger and Piper are on the floor and tumble over the barricade and into the crowd, referee Randy Anderson is really letting this one go as he follows them! Schiavone: “Fans we are going to try to restore some order here and hopefully get this match back into the ring, don’t you dare go away!”
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Commercial Break
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We return from break and Piper and Luger have made their way out of the crowd, but they are up on the Clash entrance set-up, fighting over at the huge tv screen used for graphics, Piper drops Luger’s throat across the back of a folding chair, and wraps some type of wire around his neck, but Luger snap mares him over, and Piper hits the steel chair. Luger and Piper are fighting up the ramp, Luger is attempting to piledrive Piper on the ramp! But Piper backdrops out of it, both men are down, sucking wind! Piper charges at Luger, and Lex back-body drops Piper back into the ring!

Lex is feeling it now and is taking it rights, and lefts, and rights, and a shoulder block drops Piper. He fires Piper across once again, flying forearm to the face gets a 1…….2………..and NO! Piper struggles back to his feet and pokes Luger directly in both eyes, and BITES HIM ACROSS THE BRIDGE OF THE NOSE! Piper swings around, Ranallo: “GOODNIGHT IRENE, there it is! Piper has locked his dreaded sleeper hold onto Lex Luger in the center of the ring!” Dream: “I think Lex might be fading Tony, it ain’t lookin good for the Package daddy.” Schiavone: “Looks like your right Dream, wait a second, looks like some life is left in the Total Package yet! Luger gets back to his feet!” And in an impressive feat of raw power Luger turns into Roddy and stands up, Ranallo: "LEX LUGER HAS REVERSED GOODNIGHT IRENE INTO THE HUMAN TORTURE RACK!"

DING DING DING! Roddy Piper has submitted to Lex Luger, who has exercised one of his demons here tonight by defeating the Hot Rod!
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Commercial Break
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Terry Taylor says we are just moments away from the biggest match in Diamond Dallas Page’s life. Several months ago Kevin Sullivan kidnapped Kimberly, and finally here tonight, the Last Battle of Atlanta, Page you finally get your hands on the man himself. DDP says that Taylor is exactly right, that Kevin Sullivan “put me and my wife through hell!” But that tonight it is Kevin Sullivan who will experience hell, cause when he gets locked inside that steel cage with DDP there will be mercy, “Sullivan, payback is a mutha, and so am I. I don’t know exactly what I’ll do when I get my hands around your throat, but I promise Sullivan, you will. Feel. The. BAAAAAANG!”




Main Event #1
1 Fall To A Finish
Referee calling the action will be Senior Official Nick Patrick
Referees Mark Curtis will man the door, and Randy Anderson will have the key
INSIDE A 15 FOOT HIGH STEEL CAGE

Sullivan was already inside, Page climbed to the top of the cage, straddled the top, and gave the Diamond Cutter signal to the crowd, and the BAAAAAANG nearly took the roof off the Omni. Page was surprisingly calm as he entered the cage, and seemed to pace himself early. Dusty says it was excellent strategy being displayed that Page has beaten Sullivan at his own game. Ranallo: “I concur Dream, Kevin Sullivan, the diabolical task-master of WCW prides himself for being able to get inside the heads of his opponents, her certainly believed he had Dallas Page figured out before this match, and was expecting an irate husband to attack him and make a mistake”

It is clear that Page’s plan was working because it was Sullivan who made the mistakes early, and had tasted the steel. Page went for the Diamond Cutter, but Sullivan’s instincts saved him on that occasion as he shoved Page off, and caught Page with a shot to the liver as he bounced off the ropes. Sullivan then sends DDP into each of the 4 walls on the cage, and is scrubbing Page’s bloody forehead across the links as we have to take a break.
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Commercial Break
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We come back from break and the crowd is raucous as Page is making a comeback, both men are now bleeding buckets and Page is firing on all cylinders with his offense, boot to the face, Page connects with a shoulder block off the second rope, Sullivan is in all kinds of trouble, BAAAANG! Diamond Cutter, Schiavone, Dream, and Ranallo all believe it’s over, but Page is not through, not just yet. He picks up a seemingly lifeless Kevin Sullivan, sets him on the top rope, he gives the signal for another Diamond Cutter, but Sullivan holds on, and Page hits the canvas hard! Double foot stomp off the second rope into the stomach of DDP has bought Sullivan a moment.

Both men struggle back to their feet and exchange open hand chops to the chest and big punches. Sullivan puts a boot into Page’s gut and sets him up for a piledriver, but Page fights it off, back drop, reversed into a Sunset Flip from Sullivan, 1………2………..NO! Sullivan grabs a front face lock, swinging neck break, NO BAAAAAANG! Diamond Cutter! Page once again places Kevin Sullivan on the top rope, Page hooks the neck, climbs to the second rope himself, BAAAAANG! SUPER DIAMOND CUTTER! 1…..2……..3!!!! DDP has beaten "Taskmaster" Kevin Sullivan inside the Steel Cage.

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Commercial Break
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Terry Taylor is standing by with World Television Champion Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat who is joined by ‘Renegade Warrior’ Chris Youngblood and Kendal Windham. Steamboat starts off by thanking both these guys for doing the right thing while Ricky was hurt, and standing up for dignity, and respect, taking up the battle against Bubba Rogers after what he did to the great Chief Wahoo McDaniel, to dishonor a true legend, and now a Hall of Famer, like Wahoo is nothing but cowardice says The Dragon. He says that guys like him, Windham, and Youngblood are out to prove that you don’t have to spit in the face of tradition to be a tough guy, or to be a champion. Tonight, inside that 15 foot high steel cage, THE LAST BATTLE OF ATLANTA, Steamboat and Rogers, one more time, and this is it Bubba, no whining or crying, no regrets, tonight I fight for the honor of Wahoo McDaniel, I fight for the memory of my good friend Jay Youngblood, and for the first time in a long time Bubba Rogers, I fight simply because Ricky Steamboat wants to punch a hole through your face!



Bob Caudle is standing by with Big Bubba Rogers who seems shocked that Ricky Steamboat would talk in such a way. “Well that’s good Steamer, I like seeing you fired up, ready to fight! Grown men been calling me Bubba my whole life, you know why? Coz I told em to!” And tonight Ricky Steamboat will get an old school beatdown. Locked inside a cage so “your reptile ass can’t slither away from me!” One last fist fight to the finish, hide the women and children, cause justice is about to be served, and Big Bubba Rogers is about to regain his title, and finish that “grease ball, lily livered, has-been” off once and for all!

Schiavone: “Fans that hostile main event will follow our next commercial break IN ITS ENTIERETY, don’t you dare go away!”
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Commercial Break
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MAIN EVENT
1 Fall to a Finish
“The Last Battle of Atlanta” Inside a 15 Foot High Steel Cage
For the WORLD TELEVISION TITLE
Referee in charge is Senior Official Nick Patrick

The Dragon is doing his best to stick and move in the early going, to keep Big Bubba on the move. The Dragon took a beating at Starrcade, but was able to “Drag Rogers into deep waters” as Mauro described the bout, but Bubba was able to corner him and implement a pace more suited to his liking. Methodical destruction best describes the next few minutes as Big Bubba Rogers used his size, and power advantage to earn a near fall after a power slam. Bubba grabs Steamboat by feet and, SLINGSHOT INTO THE CAGE! And again, Rogers shoots Steamboat face first into all four cage walls, and the Dragon is much the worse for wear.

Dream: “He should cover him right now…” Schiavone: “You are right Dream, but this one is so personal, I don’t believe Big Bubba Rogers is even considering it…..” Ranallo: “Well said, Tony, and Bubba delivers an atomic drop that sends Ricky into the ropes, FOREARM SHIVER to the back of the skull FLATTENS STEAMBOAT!” Dream: “Yea he really burst his melon there Tony, now if Bubs don’t wanna reach the pay winduh at this very moment, if ya wheel, he need to at least get him in a situation where he can lean on the Dwagon, make the Dwagon carry his weight for awhile.” Schiavone: “Great analysis for the big man Dream, and on cue Rogers locks in the Camel Clutch, I haven’t seen that one in years!”

Big Bubba really sits back deep with the camel clutch, and the situation looks dire for the Dragon, he is bleeding, he is battered, and he has a 320 lb. bear sitting in the middle of his back, cranking his neck, but Ricky Steamboat will not quit. Rogers adjusts his grip, and starts yanking Ricky by the nose! Nick Patrick tries reason with Rogers, but there is nothing he can do to stop him! After what seemed like an eternity Bubba released the camel clutch only to drop his entire weight butt first onto the back of Steamboat. Schiavone: “And now Big Bubba Rogers is paying attention to the fans, and seems very proud of himself!” Ranallo: “Right you are Tony, oh no, Ricky can’t take another drop from Bubba acro……” Dream: “WHOA!!!!!! Well guys, that one, um, yea……”

The Dragon was able to roll over onto his back and raise his knees just in the nick of time, and it doesn’t take a rocket science to know what part of Bubba’s anatomy took the brunt of the blow. The Dragon gets a much needed moment to catch his breath, Bubba’s eyes have been crossed, his knees have buckled, and he is lying on the mat quivering. The Dragon uses the ropes to pull himself to his feet, Rogers is just making it to his knees, BASEMENT DROPKICK right to the teeth floors Bubba once again. Ricky the Dragon Steamboat ascends to the top turnbuckle, he looks at the crowd, the OMNI ERUPTS as Steamboat climbs to THE TOP OF THE CAGE! THE DRAGON FLIES!!! And connects with his high-cross body, Ricky hooks the leg, 1…………2………..3!!!!!!!!!!

Tony Schiavone, Mauro Ranallo, and Dusty Rhodes wax poetic about the determination and effort of Ricky Steamboat, and how impressed they were to see the veteran fly, and create a TBS moment that will live forever on the highlight reel, and sign off reminding everyone to join us LIVE this coming MONDAY for NITRO
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Peace
Jeff

[jackknight]

Hashtag said:

Monday Nitro 1/14/96
Live from THE KNIGHT CENTER in MIAMI, FLORIDA

On TBS: The Superstation
Commentary: Tony Schiavone, Terry Taylor, and “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes

Matches:

1. Super Pegasus defeated Robbie Eagle by pinfall after planting him with a corkscrew brainbuster. International wrestling journalist Mauro Ranallo joined the broadcast booth and gave some background information on Pegasus who certainly impressed in his Nitro debut.

2. Marcus Bagwell defeated Scott D’Amore by pinfall after nailing the Blockbuster flipping neck breaker from the middle rope on the inside. Bagwell’s recent workouts with “The Total Package” Lex Luger have been paying off as he certainly looked Buff.

3. Tony Anthony w/Col. Rob Parker debuted in dominating fashion finishing Joey Maggs off with the Stump puller. Col. Parker referred to Anthony as “The Mustang” of the Stud Stable and said that more changes were coming to the Stud Stable very soon!

4. Meng and Barbarian sans “Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan who lost a brutal cage match to DDP at the Clash were able to take out High Voltage after Barbarian landed the kick of fear on Robbie Rage.

5. In the Main Event U.S. Champion Sting and Lex Luger defeated “Beautiful” Bobby and Rick Martel w/Col. Rob Parker when Sting pinned “The Model” after the Scorpion Death Drop. Col. Parker was none too pleased with Martel after the bout and let him have an ear full. Martel appeared to have enough of Parker’s lip, when Bobby separated his manager and partner. Parker and Eaton went to the back leaving Martel to think about the situation.





In an interview with Mauro Ranallo WCW Vice President Magnum T.A. talked about how successful the Clash of Champions was, and how excited he and JJ are about the next generation of wrestling athlete. He said he has gone back and re-watched the Clash bout from Jericho and Lyger a couple of times already, and reminds everyone about the Clash replay tomorrow night at 9:05 EST on the Superstation. He also mentioned guys like Super Pegasus, and even Hugh Morrus. Magnum says that WCW should have some big news regarding the future of the sport in the coming weeks. The Veep also says that per their victory at the Clash the Steiner Brothers will get a shot at Harlem Heat and the WCW Unified Tag Team Championship of the World at Superbrawl and Feb. 1oth, and that next week JJ Dillon would be on Nitro to hopefully announce a HUGE main event that the particulars are still being worked out on.


Super Pegasus was set to have a post-match interview when he was approached by Hugh Morrus, the two looked each other over for a moment when Hugh broke the tension with, “how the hell are you?” and a maniacal giggle. Pegasus apologized to Mauro and walked off.

“Lionheart” Chris Jericho talked about “being screwed” by “Pinski” at the Clash, how if Penzer had done a one-minute, half-minute, and finally a proper 10 second countdown he would have cranked harder and made Thunder Lyger cry “sayonara.” Jericho says he enjoyed listening to Lyger “sequel like a pre-pubescent girl at a Hansen concert” so much that he only applied “60, 70% tops” of the Liontamer modified Boston crab.

Clearly this was a conspiracy from the very desk of JJ Dillon to keep Chris Jericho down, but having the heart of a Lion he would not be held down. Jericho discusses being a former “Inter-promotional champion” and retiring that title before coming to WCW because all of WCW’s champions were too afraid to answer his challenge, and JJ is scared that Jericho will embarrass all of his champions. But there is a “snowball’s chance in Miam--- I mean hell” of keeping Jericho down, and that as long as the “Long Island Loud Mouth” has his “mind, might, and mouth” Chris Jericho will get everything he has coming to him in this sport.

Prior to the main event U.S. Heavyweight Champion the Stinger and his besty “The Total Package” Lex Luger w/ the lovely Miss Elizabeth, talked about being on the same page, and knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that great things will happen to each of them in 1996. Lex says that he and the Stinger have agreed that they can have a bout for the US title that was stolen from Luger, and no matter the outcome be able to maintain their friendship. Sting says he is glad the prestigious United States title is finally being discussed again, that the 2 months Piper wore the title diminished the title because Lex never got his rematch.

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Monday Nitro 1/21/96
Live from the Scope in Norfolk, VA
On TBS: The Superstation
Commentary: Tony Schiavone, Terry Taylor, and “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes

Matches:

1. The Highlight Express Christian Cage and Lenny Lane defeated Mike Maverick and Julio Dinero after dissecting them in classic tag team fashion and finishing off Maverick with the Rocket Launcher leg drop by Christian.

2. Kendel Windham and Chris Youngblood defeated Joe Gomez and Robbie Eagle by pinfall when Youngblood caught Gomez with the “End of the Trail” Superkick.

3. Scott “Flash” Norton made short work of The Technician after a powerbomb.

4. “The Total Package” Lex Luger w/Miss Elizabeth and Marcus Bagwell defeated “Bad” Barry Darsow and Greg “the Hammer” Valentine after Bagwell hit the Blockbuster flipping neck breaker from the top rope on Darsow.

5. In the main event Diamond Dallas Page teamed up the NASTY BOYS to brawl to a double count-out against the Dungeon of Doom, once again sans “Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan. Morrus, Meng, and Barbarian did not function as cohesively as usual in this contest and it led to the miscommunication turned all over the arena brawl that concluded Nitro.




Mauro Ranallo caught up with Hugh Morrus and asked him about last week’s “run-in” with Super Pegasus, and “The Laughing Man” just gives him the stank eye. Ranallo says that he knows there was a past relationship between the two and would just like to know Morrus’ thoughts on Pegasus’ coming to WCW. Morrus laughs demonically and assures Ranallo that he does not want to know his thoughts.

Terry Taylor had an interview with Col. Rob Parker who once again discussed big changes in the Stud Stable. He says that last week he introduced his newest addition, his “prized Mustang,” Tony Anthony who ensures that the orders issued by the Colonel get followed “to the letter.” Parker calls Anthony, Eaton, and Martel out and says that the next piece of news is troubling to him indeed. He says that his horses have had a helluva run in WCW, but it is sadly time to put one of his horses down.

With that “Beautiful” Bobby and Tony Anthony grab hold of Martel and put him on his knees in front of Parker who berates him for losing at Starrcade, for losing in the rematch against Harlem Heat, and also for losing last week on Nitro, and that this is his only chance to go back home to “Mon ray al” because if he ever sees him again, “the Stud’s will make sure you never walk again, much less run…” Eaton and Anthony then serve a beatdown on Rick Martel.



“Lionheart” Chris Jericho once again delivered a rant about how all WCW champions are paper champions until the answer the challenge of “the young lion that is ready to take over the pride.” “The Long Island Loud Mouth” once again discusses his interpromotional title reign, and his “undefeated streak” that continues to this very day.

WCW World Television Champion Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat begins walking down the aisle and says that he is still recovering from the brutal cage match he had against Big Bubba Rogers at the Clash of the Champions, but he heard Jericho running his mouth and had to come size up “the Lionheart” from himself. Steamboat says that he heard all the fuss surrounding Chris Jericho, and that the guys had told him about the new kid on the block. Ricky says that he has seen Chris’ matches and he is great, a future champion, but after listening to him talk the past couple of weeks, “Jericho; you have a long way to go before you will be a legend.”

Jericho feigns disappointment and tells a story about growing up on Long Island and that almost 10 years ago a teenage wrestling fan saw a certain match that sealed his fate, one match that made him realize what he was going to do for the rest of his life. That fan was Chris Jericho and that match was Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat. And that now that he has met the hero of his youth; Jericho knows what he must do. Steamboat is a relic, his generation is polluting the current landscape of professional wrestling, and “Chris Jericho is the solution!” The two faced off nose to nose intensely as Nitro went to break.

President of WCW James J. Dillon touched on what Veep, Magnum T.A. said last week and how excited they are to be at the helm of WCW during such a revolutionary time in wrestling. The young athletes are getting bigger, stronger, and faster, yet the old lions have a few miles left of the tires and it makes for a very interesting, ever changing landscape in WCW. With that in mind JJ, Magnum, and the WCW championship committee are committed to delivering revolutionary main events, and that is what they will do at Superbrawl on February 10th.

The Heavyweight Champion of the World Curt Hennig, who will be live on Nitro next week, will go one on one with United States Heavyweight Champion Sting in a Title vs. Title; winner-takes-all, main event for the ages!

“The Total Package” Lex Luger fresh from action approaches JJ and says that he thought he was next in line to receive a U.S. Title shot, and asks JJ if he and Sting can wrestle on a Nitro before Superbrawl. Dillon says no that the committee has been working hard to get a champion vs. champion main event together, it will be Sting and it will be Curt Hennig, and if Lex remains the #1 Contender through Superbrawl his U.S. Title Shot might just turn into a World Title shot as well. Luger is still upset about the decision. US Heavyweight Champ Sting comes out to console his friend, but get a hearty shove from Luger who brushes past him. Sting looked highly agitated.




Feedback is never required but always greatly appreciated
Peace
Jeff

[jackknight]

Hashtag said:

Monday Nitro 1/28/96
Live from the CIVIC CENTER in CANTON, OHIO
On TBS: The Superstation
Commentary: Tony Schiavone, Terry Taylor, and “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes

Rage Against the Machine's KILLING IN THE NAME OF an instrumental version opens the broadcast






WCW World Heavyweight Champion Curt Hennig kicked off the broadcast talking about getting a little time off after Starrcade, and finally having time to reflect over what all he learned in 1995. He says that he came to WCW and accomplished each and every goal he had remaining in his “hall of fame” career. He proved he was a better man than Ric Flair. He captured the most coveted prize in all of professional wrestling today, the WCW Heavyweight Championship of the World.

There is no denying that Ric Flair is one of the all time greats, but Curt Hennig is just that much better. What he learned from Ric Flair was to trust his “God given abilities.” Next up, because there are no days off for the champ, was the International Dream Match, two of the most successful and accomplished wrestlers in the last quarter century, locking up at Pro Wrestling’s premier event, Keiji Mutoh vs. Curt Hennig. As he trained for Mutoh, what Curt learned was that he can never rest on his laurels. He can always refine his technique, improve his wrestling, “that the journey of a professional wrestler is never fulfilled; there is always a taller mountain to climb.”

That is also when Curt Hennig learned his most valuable lesson, “there is no honor among thieves, and that every man in wrestling is a thief, trying to rob me of what I have rightfully earned!” Curt believed that Mutoh was coming to wrestle this belt from from, but he was wrong, "And what happened? Mutoh became Muta, and the contract for the biggest match of my life was signed by my opponent in MY VERY OWN BLOOD!”

Curt tells Sting that the lessons he has learned as champion have taught him that the kiddie gloves must come off, and while, “I respect Sting, I will do anything, and I MEAN ANYTHING to retain MY World Heavyweight Championship….”

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Col. Rob Parker and the Stud Stable, “Beautiful” Bobby and Tony Anthony, were seen heading out to the interview area, a familiar face was seen, and the Colonel informed….

That he had a “business proposal” for the big man. Parker in his interview went on to say that he is glad Ricky Martel took his advice, and ran along from WCW because it would have broke the Colonel’s heart to have to order “Bob or the Mustang” to take Martel out behind the barn and put him down. Parker says that it was too much to continually ask Bobby to carry Martel, it was no longer fair to the career of Bobby Eaton, and that once again the Stud Stable is focused on championship gold!

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“The Total Package” Lex Luger with the lovely Miss Elizabeth and his young padwon, Marcus Bagwell, at his side, once again voiced his displeasure with JJ Dillon, Magnum T.A., The WCW Championship Committee, and most importantly “my good buddy Sting.” Lex says that he thought Sting was a man of his word, and that Lex Luger would receive a fair shot at regaining the United States Championship, that rightfully should still belong to him. “But I guess greed is an ugly color on us all.”

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WCW Unified Tag Team Champions of the World Harlem Heat with Sister Sherri at their side, as usual, were not at a loss for words. They pointed out how none of WCW’s tag teams have been able to “withstand the Heat; ya know what I’m sayin’?” Everyone talks a big game but when the bell rings, and they are standing across the squared circle from Booker T. and Stevie Ray “these fools develop a case of the tenda’ fingas, they drop the ball, they eyes get real big, and BOOM they get got!” Sherri says her boys are primed and ready for the Steiner Brothers at Superbrawl, that it will be “a distinct pleasure to once again prove to those Michigan Morons (which got a HUGE reaction from the Ohio crowd) that Book and Stevie are the best brother team of all time!”

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Hugh Morrus came out after Pegasus’ match up with a mic and said that he has spoken with “the Master” and because of Pegasus’ and Morrus’ history, “the family welcomes Peg with open arms.”

Super Pegasus said that he was a little flustered upon seeing Hugh Morrus last week. Pegasus says he has come to WCW for a couple of major reasons, all of them have everything to do with his past, as well as his future. Pegasus says he has multiple “albatross’” hanging from his neck, and apparently Hugh Morrus has chosen to be the first. The answer to Hugh’s request is “NO, but I have a counter offer for you…” Pegasus goes on to say that if Morrus will leave the Dungeon of Doom, everything between them would be water under the bridge, and “we could be brothers once more.”

Hugh Morrus’ reply was maniacal giggling followed by “wrong answer Peggy.”






THE LIGHTS IN THE CIVIC CENTER WENT OFF AND WHEN THEY CAME BACK ON

Returned to WCW

and along with Meng and the Barbarian left Super Pegasus battered, beaten down, and bleeding through his mask.
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MATCHES:

1. Prince Iaukea defeated Mike Maverick by pinfall after landing a top-rope missile dropkick.

2. Super Pegasus defeated “Bad” Barry Darsow after impressively getting the larger man up and planting him with his spectacular Corkscrew Brainbuster finish.

3. WCW Television Champion of the World Ricky ‘the Dragon’ Steamboat returned to action, defeating Greg ‘the Hammer’ Valentine

AFTER THE CONTEST “LIONHEART” CHRIS JERICHO and two other blondes’ with long hair jumped the rail and went after Steamboat. Jericho’s cohorts who turned out to be LENNY LANE AND CHRISTIAN CAGE, THE HIGHLIGHT EXPRESS, put the boots to Steamboat, and held him in front of Jericho who gave him an ear-full and slapped the legendary champion numerous times. Steamboat fought like hell to free himself, even kicking Jericho in the cajones, but their numbers were too much to overcome, and Steamer totted an ass whoopin.

Commentary pointed out just how personal this feud had become in such a short period of time. Finally KENDALL WINDHAM AND CHRIS YOUNGBLOOD were able to run the heels off and check on the Dragon.

4. Marcus Bagwell and Lex Luger w/Miss Elizabeth defeated the Faces of Fear w/Kevin Sullivan. This was a wild back and forth tag encounter that saw Bagwell take the worst beating of his young career. Meng and Barbarian, under the direction of the “Gamesmaster” were dismantling the youngster. Lex finally had enough and rushed the Faces of Fear, but was the recipient of a 3 on 1 beating himself causing the DQ.

SUDDENLY FROM THE BACK CAME THE NASTY BOYS!!!

The Nasties were brutally beaten up by Meng and the Barbarian and have come for some payback! This brought out Hugh Morrus to his stablemates aid, and in turn led to SUPER PEGASUS with his mask ripped and blood soaked, coming to seek revenge. He delivered a super diving headbutt from the top rope onto Sullivan and Barbarian, when attempting to deliver the same to Meng he was caught in the TONGAN DEATH GRIP!!!! Lex and Bagwell made the save and chased off the Dungeon, Super Pegasus certainly proved his mettle and willingness to throwdown here tonight.

5. Scott ‘Flash’ Norton defeated Diamond Dallas Page w/Kimberly by count-out after delivering a POWERBOMB THROUGH THE SPANISH ANNOUNCE TABLE while the referee was recovering from a bump earlier in the contest and missed the act. Norton rolled into the ring, revived the official and had his hand raised in victory.

6. In the Main Event World Heavyweight Champion Curt Hennig defeated Hugh Morrus w/”Gamesmaster” Kevin Sullivan by pinfall with a perfectly executed fisherman’s suplex into a pinning combination. Morrus, one of the young studs in WCW, more than held his own, and worked over the shoulder of the champion considerably, even locking on an armbar AROUND THE RINGPOST while both men stood on the apron!!! Hennig was able to withstand ‘the laughing man’s’ onslaught and come out victorious

But just how injured is the Champ’s shoulder?
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