Nitro-Glycerin - Monday Nitro recap for November 30, 1998

The show starts with a performance by The Nitro Girls. It is announced that Hollywood Hogan has told the world on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on Thursday that he is retiring from professional wrestling to run for President of the United States. It is also announced that Mike Tenay is out today due to being under the weather (revealed in the third hour to be a case of laryngitis) and will hopefully be back next week.

nWo Hollywood walk out of a pair of white limousines on their way to the arena. They eventually make their way to the ring. Eric Bischoff declares Scott Steiner to be "the heir apparent" to nWo Hollywood. Scott tells everyone in the building to put their heads down in a moment of silence for the greatest champion that ever lived: Hollywood Hogan. If the people do not think that Hogan is not watching the show right now, they are highly mistaken. Scott Steiner says he has flown in from Los Angeles, and that Hogan has made him the new leader of the black-and-white nWo. He says that Hogan was the originator of the "24-inch pythons" and the largest arms in the world, and both was and is the biggest name in professional wrestling today. He says it is no question why he is the new leader, as he now has the largest arms (and the biggest peak) in the world in addition to the greatest body in professional sports. Behind him is a band of thieves who do not care about anyone or anything, and they will all be rapid dogs who take care of business the same way that the nWo has always done it. After talking with Hogan this morning, nWo Hollywood's first order of business is take care of someone who left the nWo not too long ago: Scott Hall. Scott Steiner tells Scott Hall he is their first order of business, and tonight, they will make him pay and make him wish he was never in the nWo. He also tells Hall he has Horace Hogan as his partner, and tells Hall to find a partner, because tonight, the black-and-white is going to bury him.

Konnan beats Chris Jericho to become the WCW World Television Champion! During the match, Jericho swings the title belt at Konnan's head when he finds out he has not won the match, and Konnan ducks the swing before hitting Jericho with a facebuster into the front plate of the belt. Konnan's music video is replayed as Lex Luger and Kevin Nash celebrate with Konnan.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. Flair says there is a time in his life that has come where he has to walk down the aisle and focus, because he wants Eric Bischoff to hear him. He knows he is old, but getting old is one thing and getting great is another. Wahoo McDaniel, Johnny Valentine, Ricky Steambot, Sting, and a host of wrestling superstars made Bischoff what he is, past, present and future. He says there are a lot of wrestlers, some dead, some alive. He is disappointed with Barry Windham, and says Bischoff is a gutless, classless asshole. If Bischoff wants to fire him, he can fire him, but he wants it to be known that he called him out tonight and that everyone will look at him and say "that old man of diminished skills called you out." He says they will have it out once and for all, and tells Bischoff to "come jump on this old man."

Scott Hall shows up in blue jeans and an Outsiders T-shirt. He has heard what Scott Steiner and nWo Hollywood had to say about beating him up tonight, and tells nWo Hollywood that in case they haven't noticed, getting beat up is what he does. The only problem is that he doesn't have any friends, and he might as well fight them off one-by-one as he is doing everything by himself these days. If Scott Steiner and Horace Hogan are excited about carrying on "that family name" and want to take him on, they've got it. Suddenly, Kevin Nash shows up. He admits he and Hall have not seen eye-to-eye as of late, but if Hall needs a tag team partner, he'll be his huckleberry. Nash is confirmed to be Hall's tag team partner for later tonight.

Before the next match, Raven speaks into a microphone and talks about his mother again, but Kanyon takes the mike and says it's been the same song and dance for two years. He says Raven is being a manchild and tells Raven to get over his lousy childhood. Scott Armstrong and Steve Armstrong then get the first shot on Kanyon before Kanyon can say anything else. Raven continues to sit in the corner, then gets up when Kanyon confronts him again, then walks off, leaving Kanyon to wrestle the match alone.

Scott Armstrong and Steve Armstrong beat Kanyon and Raven after Scott Armstrong gets a schoolboy pin on a distracted Kanyon, who looks to the back entrance for Raven after hitting Steve with the Flatliner.

Pyrotechnics signal the start of the second hour.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Bret "The Hit Man" Hart. Hart says he's been hurt really bad, and that Diamond Dallas Page stooped so low that he has enticed other men to injure him, as Dean Malenko injured his groin. He says he wants to go at it, but the doctors tell him he cannot fight DDP tonight. DDP shows up through the crowd, and accuses Bret of ducking him. Bret says the doctors are not allowing him to wrestle tonight, but DDP thinks he is lying and says he will feel the bang. Hart says he doesn't have his ring gear, but then tells DDP that if he wants to put the title up against him, he'll face him under the condition that it is a no-disqualification match, and he will feel the pain from him. DDP accepts the stipulation.

Kidman retains the WCW Cruiserweight Championship against Eddie Guerrero. During the match, Kidman accidentally knocks referee Charles Robinson out of the ring as he moves Eddie Guerrero to the top turnbuckle. Juventud Guerrera tries to interfere, but Kidman stops him, and Rey Mysterio Jr. hits Eddie Kidman with a springboard drop kick to the back, allowing Kidman to hit the Shooting Star Press. After the match, the Latino World Order shows up, and chase both Rey and Kidman to the back.

Bam Bam Bigelow is seen sitting in the crowd with two security guards standing right behind him.

Eric Bischoff shows up with Barry Windham. Bischoff talks about how he went to Cody, Wyoming to clear his head for the holidays, and how a good friend of his told him "Eric, what we need now is another hero." He says his friend is right, with crime rates escalating around the United States, taxes out of control and people not being able to put food on the table. Bischoff says he will give the people that hero tonight, and that it is time to bring him out right now: Dean Malenko. Malenko shows up with the rest of The Four Horsemen ("The Enforcer" Arn Anderson, "The Crippler" Chris Benoit, Steve "Mongo" McMichael). Anderson tells Malenko to smack Bischoff in the mouth when he gets the chance, then Malenko approaches and enters the ring. Bischoff says he is impressed and that Malenko has his respect, and that he will also have his opportunity for all the people who cheered for "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair tonight. He also plans to give Flair what he wants, and that Malenko will give Flair his opportunity. Bischoff puts Malenko in a match against Barry Windham, and if Malenko can beat him, he will give Flair the opportunity to wrestle Bischoff if Flair wants it. Malenko says a Horseman never backs down from a challenge, and tonight is no different. He then adds a clause to this agreement: a special guest referee in the form of "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, who has not been seen in some time and is still a member of nWo Hollywood. Dusty says justice will be swift and the call right down the middle, as he has always stood for right and wrong and will not let any shenanigans get in the way.

We see another performance by The Nitro Girls.

Wrath beats Bobby Blaze in a matter of seconds.

Before the next match, Ernest "The Cat" Miller says he came out to beat somebody up and threatens to fight someone in the crowd. He says that if there is anyone who wants a piece of him to come to the ring. When nobody shows up and The Cat calls everyone a bunch of chumps, Saturn shows up. Ernest Miller makes fun of the fact that he was pinned by Sonny Onoo, and decides to leave the ring and not tear him apart because he is "weak." Saturn calls him out on that, and calls that an excuse, telling him to say he is scared if he is scared. Miller gets back in the ring, calls his bluff, and tells him that if he beats Sonny Onoo, he will give him a match. Onoo is reluctant, but The Cat talks him into it. It does not take long for Saturn to lay out Sonny Onoo, but Miller yanks the referee out of the ring. Suddenly, Glacier hits Saturn with a Cryonic Kick and leaves. Onoo goes for the pin, but Saturn kicks out. Miller tosses a chain to Onoo, but when Onoo tries to punch him, he falls victim to a Death Valley Driver. Saturn beats Sonny Onoo, but the referee sees the chain in Saturn's tights - placed there by Onoo during the Death Valley Driver - and reverses the decision. Onoo beats Saturn by disqualification, and Saturn chases the referee out of the ring.

Another white limousine is seen pulling up to the arena.

Goldberg is seen coming out of the white limousine after the commercial break. He then makes his way to the ring with a police escort. A table and a few chairs are in the ring, and "Mean" Gene Okerlund is in the ring alongside Terry Taylor, a representative of the WCW Executive Committee, for a contract signing for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship match between challenger Kevin Nash and champion Goldberg. Bam Bam Bigelow is seen in the crowd, saying that should be him signing the contract and not Kevin Nash, who shows up moments later with Konnan and Lex Luger. Kevin Nash and Goldberg sign the contract, which states that Goldberg will not defend the WCW World Heavyweight Championship between now and Starrcade to ensure that Goldberg is World champ at the time of the match and that the World Heavyweight title will be defended on that night. Bam Bam Bigelow jumps the guardrail and tries to get in the ring, but local law enforcement and security quickly get in place to stop him from getting in the ring. He is carried back to the backstage area and ejected from the arena yet again.

Pyrotechnics signal the start of the third hour.

Booker T beats Mike Enos.

Bam Bam Bigelow is still outside of the arena leading a "Goldberg" chant on the grassy knoll near the arena, wanting a piece of Goldberg outside of the building.

Lex Luger beats Brian Adams with the Torture Rack. Before the match, it is announced that Mike Tenay is down with a case of laryngitis, which explains why he is not at the commentary table this week. It is also announced that referee Mark Curtis is currently battling cancer, which explains why he has not been refereeing matches for some time, and that he will hopefully get well and come back to WCW soon. During the match, Luger knocks Brian Adams into referee Mickey Jay with a forearm shot. Vincent tries to get involved, but his attacks have no effect. Adams grabs a steel chair and smashes it into Luger's back before he and Vincent hit Luger with a double-team spike piledriver on the steel chair. Adams revives the ref, but Luger is able to kick out. Vincent tries to hit Lex Luger with a steel chair after an Irish Whip, but Luger reverses it and Vincent almost blasts Adams with a steel chair shot to the head. Luger then pushes Adams forward, knocking him into Vincent and the steel chair, before locking in the Torture Rack for the win.

We see a performance by The Nitro Girls.

Dean Malenko beats Barry Windham by disqualification. After being impartial to Barry Windham, special guest referee Dusty Rhodes disqualifies Windham when he refuses to take Malenko out of the corner, betraying Barry Windham and Eric Bischoff in the process. Bischoff rushes out and demands to know what Dusty Rhodes is doing, but Dusty turns his back on him when he tells him to get in the ring. Bischoff then fires Dusty Rhodes, and as Barry Windham goes after Dusty, he runs into the rest of The Four Horsemen ("The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson, "The Crippler" Chris Benoit, Steve "Mongo" McMichael), who give him quite a beating. Flair goes after Bischoff, but nWo Hollywood quickly get him to the back. Flair demands his match with Eric Bischoff - which he calls "the greatest Christmas present The Nature Boy or The Horsemen have ever had" - right now.

The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) beat Scott Steiner and Horace Hogan. During the match, it is announced via the WCW legal counsel that WCW is forcing Eric Bischoff to wrestle "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair at Starrcade. During the match, Scott Hall hits Horace Hogan with the Outsider's Edge, but Scott Steiner's personal referee refuses to make the three-count and Kevin Nash hits him with a Jackknife Power Bomb. Referee Billy Silverman rushes in to make the three-count afterwards. Scott Hall is the only one in the ring to have his hand raised, as Kevin Nash has already left and headed to the back at that point.

Bam Bam Bigelow is still on the grass near the arena, demanding a piece of Goldberg.

Goldberg is seen running out of the arena and brawling with Bam Bam Bigelow outside. The brawl goes into the parking lot, and security and local law enforcement have to pull both men apart. Bigelow is led away by security, but Goldberg manages to get his hands on him again.

Bret "The Hit Man" Hart beats Diamond Dallas Page to become the WCW United States Champion in a no-disqualification match. Not long into the match, The Giant rushes in, stomps DDP and tosses him into the ring to choke slam him. Bret stands over DDP, then instead of going for the Sharpshooter, he gets him up so that The Giant can choke slam him again. Bret then puts DDP in the Sharpshooter, and DDP is knocked out by the time the hold is applied.