Nitro-Glycerin - Monday Nitro recap for March 31, 1997

The New World Order arrives to the arenain reduced numbers: Kevin Nash, Syxx, Miss Elizabeth, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Scott Norton and Michael Wallstreet. Michael Wallstreet and Scott Norton are back, but "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, Eric Bischoff and the rest of the nWo are nowhere to be seen.

Lex Luger and The Giant beat Rick Fuller and Road Block. Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray attack Luger and The Giant after the match, but Luger and The Giant fight back.

After the commercial break, "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) and Sister Sherri. They say they are getting no respect, and are taking what they want and taking everyone out. Stevie Ray says he will take care of The Giant personally. Sister Sherri says that The Giant and Lex Luger have stuck their noses where they don't belong, and now they will divide and conquer.

Mike Tenay guests on commentary for the next match.

Toshie Uematsu beats Meiko Satomura to continue to the championship round of the WCW Women's Cruiserweight Championship tournament.

Psychosis beats Villano IV. During the match, Kevin Nash, Syxx, Scott Norton and Michael Wallstreet talk nWo business, saying that somebody needs to take charge and that "either you're with us or you're with them," implying that there is some dissent within The New World Order.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper shows up as soon as Flair mentions his name, much to the surprise of commentary. Piper says he has all the respect in the world for Flair, and that it is not true that Flair's girlfriends call Flair's waterbed "The Dead Sea." Flair tells Piper he's glad Piper could make it tonight, and Piper says he's damn glad to be here. Flair says he's not the smartest guy in the world, but he always says what he thinks, and says it's hard to call Piper the man when Piper can't be found, and that being the best wrestler will never be Piper's claim to fame. Flair tells Piper that he wants to go out with him tonight, as Piper is "the fastest gun in the West." Piper tells Flair they both know each other well, and agrees to team up with him. Flair tells Piper he will stand by his side forever, and a lovely lady shows up to join Piper and Flair in the ring.

Prince Iaukea retains the WCW World Television Championship against La Parka, despite La Parka protecting himself with a steel chair from a top rope cross body. It is announced during the match that "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair will be signing autographs at Feline's in the Nantic Mall in Boston, Massachusetts on Thursday, April 10th from 3 to 5 PM.

This Saturday on WCW Saturday Night: Rey Mysterio, Jr! Lex Luger! Diamond Dallas Page! Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock)! Prince Iaukea!

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "Lord" Steven Regal. Regal says he has yet to get his revenge on Rey Mysterio, Jr. He plans to take the TV title back from Prince Iaukea, and give Rey the first shot at the title when he does. He tells Prince Iaukea that he will make him into a vegetable who will be sipping food through a straw at Spring Stampede.

Chris Jericho beats "Lord" Steve Regal. Regal continues to fight Jericho after the match, and hits him with a double arm DDT from the top rope before laying him out with a piledriver. As Regal puts Jericho in the Regal Stretch, Te Renegade and Joe Gomez try to pull Regal off. The Renegade backs off, but Joe Gomez gets beat up for trying to pull him off. Billy Kidman rushes into the ring, as does Lane Carlson, but neither of them fare any better. Regal continues to attack Jericho as the show goes to a commercial break.

Pyrotechnics signal the start of the second hour.

An angry Michael Wallsttreet kicks the door leading outside of the arena open, implying that The New World Order may be splitting into factions.

Akira Hokuto retains the WCW Women's Championship against Debbie Combs.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Madusa, but Madusa is suddenly attacked by Akira Hokuto. Officials and other women have to hold Madusa and Akira back.

We see a video package of Sting's transformation and his role in the war between WCW and nWo.

The Amazing French Canadians (Jacques Rougeau and Carl Ouellet) beat The Four Horsemen (Jeff Jarrett and Steve "Mongo" McMichael) when Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock) show up and steal the steel Halliburton briefcase from Debra McMichael. Jarrett fights off Public Enemy outside of the ring, but the briefcase is taken by Col. Robert Parker, who tosses it to Rougeau as the referee tries to remove Public Enemy from ringside. Rougeau then hits Mongo in the back with the briefcase to get the victory. After the match, "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Jarrett and the McMichaels, who tells Johnny that his only weapon is his bad breath and that Rocco Rock cut off his hair because he had never heard of head lice shampoo. Mongo blames Jarrett for their loss due to Jarrett being the one he sees holding the briefcase after the match, and Jarrett screams that he is sick and tired of being accused of the Horsemen's downfall.

Lee Marshall calls from Huntsville, Alabama - the site of next week's Nitro - for the 1-800-COLLECT Road Report.

"The Crippler" Chris Benoit beats Hugh Morrus with a single suplex as Morrus makes his way to the top rope. When the match is over, The Dungeon of Doom rushes in and goes on the attack, and both The Taskmaster and Jacqueline gang up on Benoit before Jacqueline hits a top rope splash on Benoit. She nails it the first time, but on the second time, Woman, whom Jaccqueline pushes to the floor outside of the ring, shakes the ring ropes, causing Jacqueline to fall crotch-first onto the rope. "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair shows up and fights off The Dungeon of Doom single-handedly while "The Enforcer' Arn Anderson watches from ringside. The Dungeon eventually retreats, and "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews The Horsemen. Anderson says that he may be hurt, but he will continue to watch the backs of the rest of The Four Horsemen. Benoit says to The Taskmaster that he feels sorry for him, as The Taskmaster has been the victim and the perpetrator of the psychological web that he had spun now that he has brought his own son into it, and ponders whose life The Taskmaster will destroy next. He tells The Taskmaster that he is watching the sun set on his career and the dawn of a new millennium and a new generation. As for Dean Malenko, he has a lot of respect for him too, but when they step in the ring, it's not about respect, it's about victory, and his victory will not be one for the Horsemen but for himself. Flair has faith that Benoit will become the new United States champion.

Diamond Dallas Page beats Lance Ringo. (This is Lance Ringo's only appearance before he comes back in November as Sick Boy.) Before the match begins, Lance Ringo shows up with the Playboy celebrity nudes magazine with the nWo edited picture of Kimberly for the centerfold. When Lance Ringo shows the picture to Page after the bell rings, he gets promptly slapped. "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Page - who now has the magazine in his hands - after the match. He has no issues with the nude pictures of Kimberly in the Playboy magazine, but he is not proud of what "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth did to Kimberly. He tells Savage that if he wants to jump into his world, he'll snap into his. Savage shows up with Miss Elizabeth in the crowd, and asks Page - after finally mentioning his name while the crowd chants "Macho sucks!" and mentioning that Kimberly was the Diamond Doll - what he is supposed to be, "some kind of gemologist or something?" He then says he doesn't care if Kimberly comes or not, because at Spring Stampede, everyone will see if DDP has got any family jewels at all, as he says Page has none. Page says they'll find out, and tells Savage not to forget to bring Miss Elizabeth, as since he's bringing the lady, Savage might as well bring the tramp.

The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) beat High Voltage (Rage and Kaos).

The show ends with Kevin Nash and Syxx taking over commentary. Nash says he has no idea what is going on with the nWo, but he and Nash and Scott Hall is taking care of business more important than professional wrestling right now. While Eric Bischoff, "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, Ted DiBiase and Vincent are at Dennis Rodman's "opening day movie shenanigans," he and Syxx are taking care of business, and tells "the boys in Chicago" to get focused as he is sick and tired of sitting around having his time wasted. He warns us not to get him mad, as he is one person who can stand alone. He then tells The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner)that Scott Hall will be there Sunday, and if he isn't, he'll take them on himself. He tells "the Napoleons back there who can't get on the adult ride because they don't make that height requirement" are allowed to breathe because he allows it, and as long as he has air in his lungs, he will fight WCW himself. Syxx and Nash then tosses the commentary chairs over the table.