Nitro-Glycerin - Monday Nitro recap for January 20, 1997

The show starts with "Macho Man" Randy Savage - who has not been seen since Halloween Havoc - appearing out of the crowd and sitting in a steel chair in the center of the ring, much to the surprise of everyone, including commentary. Unlike previous appearances, he is wearing all black but is not part of the New World Order. Savage says he has been blackballed, and that he will not leave tonight until he talks to someone "with major stroke." He has no plans for the next two hours, and he plans to stay in the ring all night. He tells Eric Bischoff to kiss his ass before he sits in the chair and waits. Chavo Guerrero, Jr. heads to the ring for the opening bout against Maxx, but is confused by the sight of Savage in the ring. Savage refuses to leave the ring as Chavo tries to reason with him, but as Savage adamantly refuses to budge, Chavo gets irritated with him and this leads to a confrontation between Chavo and Savage where Savage knocks Chavo out and tosses him out of the ring to the delight of the crowd. Maxx shows up as soon as Savage sits back down, and tries to reason with Savage, saying that Chavo is his payday. Savage stands up and beats up Maxx, and this time he teases using the steel chair as a weapon only to sit back down. Maxx crawls out of the ring, then the referee tells him to leave only to be beaten up and tossed out as well. Head of Security Doug Dillinger shows up and tries to reason with Savage, but he gets beat up, too. "Das Wunderkind" Alex Wright shows up and tries to reason with him, but he gets knocked down as well. At this point, Savage brandishes the steel chair as a weapon and gets ready to strike. The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) and The Amazing French Canadians (Jacques Rougeau and Carl Ouellet) show up ready to get Savage out of there, then Sting - the real Sting - is seen rappelling from the rafters to the commentary table. Sting walks to the ring and pulls out his bat, and referee Randy Anderson gets out of his way as he approaches the ring and points his bat at Savage. Sting then enters the ring, and whacks the bat on Savage's chair a few times as he circles him. He then points the bat at Savage's neck, which causes Savage to stand up and push his steel chair away. Sting then pushes Savage away with the bat, and it is evident that Sting is ready for him to strike back. He then hands Savage his bat and turns his back on him. Savage hands Sting his bat back, refusing to attack him. Sting then leaves, and Savage joins him, and they both leave through the crowd. At this point, Savage's loyalties are questioned as well as Sting's by commentary.

Chris Jericho beats "Das Wunderkind" Alex Wright after a series of rolling pinfalls from both men.

Scotty Riggs beats "Sting" by disqualification after Marcus Bagwell - now known as "Buff Bagwell" - shows up and goes after Riggs as his fellow New World Order comrades storm the ring while Riggs escapes into the crowd. During the match, it is announced that the real Sting and "Macho Man" Randy Savage have both left the arena. After the match, the New World Order surround Dave Penzer, forcing him to state that "Sting" has won by count-out.

This Saturday on WCW Saturday Night: "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson, Steve "Mongo" McMichael and "The Crippler" Chris Benoit in six-man tag team action! Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) vs. Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock)!

"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair interviews Bob Probert of the Chicago Blackhwaks. While he's in Buffalo, New York tonight, he tells The New World Order to keep their heads up as he'll be stylin' and profilin' with Ric Flair the next time they're in town.

Jeff Jarrett and Eddie Guerrero vs. "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson and Steve "Mongo" McMichael ends with Debra McMichael placing her Miss Illinois sash on Anderson to halt the match as Anderson has Jarret in the Boston Crab. Before the end of the match, Eddie Guerrero runs to the back after Syxx shows up on top of a ladder again; however, Syxx's appearance is never caught by the camera crew.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, who shows up as "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson, Steve "Mongo" McMichael and Debra McMichael leave the ring and Woman and "The Crippler" Chris Benoit show up from the back. Flair says he is on the mend and putting his body back together so he can be "a real live fighting Horseman," but as he looks at the rest of the Horsemen every week, he admits that the Horsemen are not the unit they have been in the past. When he was with the old game, he knew that they took care of business before they focused on the women, but the new crew has it switched around. Anderson says this is a man's game in the world of professional sports, and says being a Horsemen is a career pinnacle to be respected and cherished. Anderson states that as long as he and Flair are part of the Horsemen, The Four Horsemen will endure. Mongo tells the crowd that he has finally come home, and says he is proud to be a Horseman. Debra says she knows what it takes to be a winner, and says that what happened to Jarrett tonight is not what winners do. Benoit tells Mongo that he is a winner when it comes to football, and that Debra when it comes to beauty pageants, but they are standing with four other winners in pro wrestling, and says that this is pro wrestling and that everything should be kept in perspective. Mongo tells Benoit they had Jarrett down and out, unlike the last two times Benoit wrestled him. Debra says that Woman is "a big-hearted lady with hips to match."

The Ultimate Dragon retains the WCW Cruiserweight Championship against Dean Malenko.

Pyrotechnics signal the start of the second hour.

"Lord" Steven Regal beats Jacques Rougeau by disqualification to retain the WCW World Television Championship after Col. Robert Parker tries to interfere only for it to backfire miserably after Regal gives him what for.

Lee Marshall calls form Milwaukee, Wisconsin - the site of next week's Nitro - for the 1-800-COLLECT Road Report.

"The Crippler" Chris Benoit attacks The Taskmaster before the next match can take place, and the battle immediately makes it way into the stands - and the concourse, where the two men fight in the men's room yet again. Even Doug Dillinger can't stop either man as the brawl goes back out of the bathroom and back into the ring as both men throw beer from the crowd at each other. After the beer brouhaha, the match begins.

The Taskmaster beats "The Crippler" Chris Benoit after Jimmy Hart gives The Taskmaster the ring bell to counter Benoit's diving headbutt as Woman distracts the referee.

The New World Order show up, minus "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan and Scott Hall. Once again, the commentary table is bum rushed, and Ted DiBiase, Eric Bischoff and Kevin Nash take over on commentary.

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan beats Carl Ouellet after The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) show up and distract the referee as Rick attacks Jacquess Rougeau while Scott Steiner helps Duggan by punching Ouellet from the apron. During the match, Eric Bischoff announces that the nWo have changed some matches. "Squire" David Taylor will be taking on Masahiro Chono instead of Psychosis. Also, Scott Hall will be replacing Scott Steiner tonight, and he will be facing Booker T.

Masahiro Chono beats "Squire" David Taylor with an STF. Before the match, Eric Bischoff orders Nick Patrick to replace Randy Anderson as the official referee for the match.

Scott Hall beats Booker T after referee Nick Patrick pulls a slow count on Booker T and allows Buff Bagwell to annoy Sister Sherri.

The nWo Hotline is here! Just call 1-900-454-4004 for all your nWo news! Calls cost $1.59/minute, and kids must get parents' permission before calling...or else.

Lex Luger beats Stevie Ray with the Torture Rack, but it becomes evident that Stevie Ray never submitted, and Stevie Ray chases after Nick Patrick after the match. Lex Luger confronts referee Nick Patrick before the match, and Syxx replaces Ted DiBiase on commentary when Eric Bischoff asks Ted DiBiase to check and see if everything is good for "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan.

"Hollywood" Hulk Hogan shows up with Ted DiBiase and Vincent. Hogan rips his shirt and then poses for the crowd for a few seconds, then says the New World Order came into Chicago, Illinois like a Boeing 747. He boasts that he will bust The Giant up really badly at Souled Out, and if The Giant begs for mercy, he will get no quarter. As Hogan talks further about The Giant, The Giant shows up only to be stopped by security. The Giant eventually overpowers them, however, and the show ends with The Giant rushing into the ring.