Nitro-Glycerin - Monday Nitro recap for July 28, 1997

The show starts with a performance by The Nitro Girls.

Curt Hennig and "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair beat Vicious and Delicious (Scott Norton and Buff Bagwell) despite the interference of Syxx, who goes after Flair during the match.

We see another performance by The Nitro Girls.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Lex Luger. Luger says there have been new developments, and tells "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan he took his advice, revealing that his body is more muscular than ever. Despite Hogan not being in the building tonight (probably from filming a movie), Luger has a surprise for him: his attorneys have gotten together with WCW to ensure that the 30-day title defense is in effect. As a result, next week on Nitro, the two of them will wrestle for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, and he can't wait to put Hogan in the Torture Rack for the third time as he tells Hogan to bring a masseuse along with his entourage.

The Ultimate Dragon retains the WCW World Television Championship against Prince Iaukea with the Dragon Sleeper.

This Saturday on WCW Saturday Night: Meng! The Giant! The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner)! The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall)!

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. He says it's a fact of life that Curt Hennig is one of the most elite of all time: a Horseman. Hennig shows up and says he never was a Horseman, but Flair says Hennig doesn't want his wife to get mad at him and says he's laying low. "The Crippler" Chris Benoit and Steve "Mongo" McMichael show up, then Flair says they're partying at Joey's and that everyone will be leaving with five women. Hennig insists he isn't part of The Four Horsemen, and that he is a free agent right now as he and Flair leave.

The Four Horsemen ("The Crippler" Chris Benoit and Steve "Mongo" McMichael) beat The Texas Hangmen with the Crippler Crossface. During the match, a phone call is patched through to Tony Schiavone. The call is from The Outsiders (Scott Hall and Kevin Nash), who are looking for fans of The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Hall) but aren't having much luck. Hall tells "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyzsko that if he runs his mouth again, he'll take his wrinkled old butt out of retirement. Nash says they're looking forward to "Macho Man" Randy Savage destroy Scott Steiner and that Lex Luger isn't even in "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan's league.

We see another performance from The Nitro Girls.

Alex Wright beats Chris Jericho with a German Suplex pin to win the WCW Cruiserweight Championship!

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Dean Malenko...but Jeff Jarrett and Debra McMichael show up with him, and Malenko is unperturbed by the situation. Malenko says he has done a lot of thinking about where he wants to be in WCW, and says Jarrett had a lot of validity when he said that people need to start watching their backs in WCW. He then tells Jarrett "I'm in." As this happens and Jarrett and Malenko shake hands, Debra meets up with Alex Wright as he is walking back up the entrance ramp, and she whispers in his ear. Malenko then asks what happened between Jarrett and Eddie Guerrero last Saturday night, and Jarrett says that everyone loves to be around a winner, just like how The Four Horsemen - who he says he has stepped above - wanted to be around him. He plans to be the one who pulls the trigger and put the Horsemen out to pasture. Debra says that her phone has been ringing off the hook as of late, but she and Jarrett aren't willing to work with just anybody, especially Eddie Guerrero, and they are interesting and willing to work with Malenko.

Pyrotechnics signal the start of the second hour.

Syxx beats Diamond Dallas Page after Vincent distracts the referee, Page hits Syxx with the Diamond Cutter and Curt Hennig shows up to hit Page from behind with a foreign object while the referee is still distracted.

Dean Malenko beats Hector Guerrero with the Texas Cloverleaf as Jeff Jarrett and Dean Malenko make their way to the ring. Chavo Guerrero, Jr. show sup to check on uncle Hector, but Jarrett tells Chavo to get out of his way and out of the ring. As Chavo confronts Jarrett, Malenko forearms Chavo from behind, and he and Jarrett attack both Guerreros.

Konnan drags "Mean" Gene Okerlund to the entrance ramp. He calls Rey Mysterio, Jr. an "establishment puppet" who is filling the Affirmative Action billet. He says that he started Rey in the business and that all the Mexican wrestlers in WCW that are here because of him are now a target, and he will take care of them individually. He says that Rey will be "one of Jerry's kids" come September.

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

Before the next match, "Macho Man" Randy Savage shows up, and is seen in the stands. He tells The Giant - who is scheduled to face The Great Muta - that the Madness is taking care of the family business, and that he will take care of him at Road Wild just like he will take care of Scott Steiner tonight. He calls Steiner and The Giant punks, while he is a true rider. The Giant tells Savage those are some fine words, but the best course of action for him is to wait his turn until Sturgis when he comes for him, as what he will do to The Great Muta. Savage says he will make The Giant pay like he will Scott Steiner. After the match begins, Eric Bichoff shows up and heads to the commentary table and tells Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and Mike Tenay to get out and tells Tony Schiavone to stay as he forces his way onto commentary.

The Giant beats The Great Muta after blocking his eyes from Muta's green mist with his arm during the choke slam. He then issues an open challenge to anyone in the back, but the camera switches to the commentary table, where "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko confronts Bischoff, telling him to get off his set before locking up with him, carrying him to the ring, and putting him in the ring with The Giant, who destroys Bischoff with a choke slam.

We see another performance from The Nitro Girls.

La Parka shows up with a steel chair with the word "Konnan" on it.

Konnan beats La Parka with the Tequila Sunrise after drop kicking La Parka's chair into his face. Psychosis runs into the ring, but Konnan just walks out of the ring and doesn't care that he's there.

WCW Executive Committee head J.J. Dillon is on the phone, and he is setting up an offer to make for Sting, who has not wrestled in the ring in almost a year and is now more solidly with WCW, that will get Sting back in the ring by September.

Scott Steiner beats "Macho Man" Randy Savage by disqualification when Miss Elizabeth tries to get on the ring apron and throw one of her high heels to Savage to use as a weapon. As Rick Steiner tries to stop her, The Outsiders (Kevin Hall and Scott Hall) attack Rick, and also attack Scott when he confronts them. The Outsiders and Savage attack the Steiners in the ring until The Giant rushes into the ring and clears them out. The Giant then gets the microphone, says he knows Kevin Nash was the man in the Sting mask who attacked him, and tells him "we can do this one for free." Nash wraps his belt around his fist, and Nash is about to get in the ring when the show ends.

Nitro-Glycerin - Tuesday Nitro recap for July 22, 1997

The show starts with a performance from The Nitro Girls.

Eric Bischoff and "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan show up and sit in the center of the ring. Bischoff says that Hogan kicking Lex Luger like a bag of dirt reminded him of the saying that the more things change, the more they stay the same as Hogan is still king of the hill. Hogan says only the names have changed to protect the ones he's already beaten, and says most of the guys in the back are there because of him. He says that in the 1990s, he is the man to set the pace for professional wrestling. He says that Konnan will put the icing on the cake for the New World Order and that Rodman is a great athlete, but he is still the man. To him, Lex Luger is just another man who wants what he has who can't lace his boots or live his life. As the #1 guy, he's used to people shooting bullets at him, but he's bulletproof as he is genuine. He tells Luger he's a lot smarter than him, and he wants him one-on-one in the ring so he can break his Torture Rack and break him in half. He accepts Luger's challenge, and tells Luger to kickstart himself for Sturgis, South Dakota as "the nWo World Heavyweight Championship" is on the line at Road Wild and he's ready to break him in half.

Konnan quickly beats Tsubasa with the Tequila Sunrise.

The Ultimate Dragon beats Steven Regal to win the WCW World Television Championship!

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, who says that tonight is the night the wrestling world has awaited. He announces that The Four Horsemen have made a selection, and introduces the newest fourth Horseman: Syxx? Flair and Okerlund can't believe it, and Flair tells Syxx he's at the wrong place at the wrong time. Syxx says there is no fourth Horseman coming out tonight, and tells Flair that the Horsemen are a thing of the past. Flair tells Syxx he's walking away, then pushes Okerlund out of the way and punches Syxx in the face. "The Crippler" Chris Benoit shows up, and Syxx says they wouldn't be doing this if The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) were here. Benoit asks "Why don't we just find out?"

We see another performance from The Nitro Girls.

This Saturday on WCW Saturday Night: "The Crippler" Chris Benoit! Jeff Jarrett! Meng! Curt Hennig! The New World Order may be making an appearance!

The Giant beats The Great Muta by disqualification when Muta spits green mist into The Giant's eyes. After the bell rings, Vincent and "Macho Man" Randy Savage rush in and attack The Giant, but The Giant still manages to overpower all three men despite being blinded. Lex Luger checks on The Giant, but almost gets choke slammed until Luger is able to tell him who he is.

Dean Malenko beats Steve "Mongo" McMichael after Jarrett distracts Mongo and Debra McMichael distracts the referee. "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Malenko after the match, but Jarrett and Debra butt in. Police officers and security have to keep Mongo away from them as Jarrett says that the Four Horsemen are jealous of him and that he needs somebody to watch his back as much as Malenko needs somebody to watch his. Malenko tells Jarrett that he needs nobody and is a man who stands by himself, but at the same time, he knows there is strength in numbers. Debra says she knows talent when she sees it, and if he joins them, they'll go straight to the top as long as he watches their backs. Jarrett says that Malenko has joined him, as everybody wants to be around a winner, but Malenko tells Jarrett he'll give him his answer when he's good and ready.

Eddie Guerrero beats Hector Guerrero. After the match, Dean Malenko shows up and attacks Eddie in revenge for taking the United States title from him before putting him in the Texas Cloverleaf. Hector tells him to let his nephew go, but Dean tells him to get out of the ring. Hector punches Malenko a few times, then tends to Eddie only for Eddie to push him into Malenko, who then starts attacking Hector.

We see another performance by The Nitro Girls, and pyrotechnics signal the start of the second hour.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews head of the WCW Executive Committee, James J. Dillon. Stevie Richards suddenly shows up as he says there is a huge announcement. Richards says there is another: he has signed a contract with World Championship Wrestling. This is confirmed by Dillon, who asks where Raven is. Richards says that Raven is in the front row as he has bought him a ticket. The three of them meet with Raven, and Dillon hands him his contract, which has everything Raven wanted. Raven asks "Everything I wanted?" Richards tells him he did the contract negotiations, and that in the contract, Raven is making almost as much money as Richards is and that he also has a full-size rental car "with a cassette deck for those long trips." Raven then talks about human existence, tears up the contract and punches Richards again.

Lex Luger beats Scott Norton by disqualification after attempted interference from Buff Bagwell and Vincent. Vincent is placed in the Torture Rack, and Bagwell is tossed into Norton. Lex Luger then grabs a microphone, but "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan shows up and decides to make Luger special and have him in the ring his way before calling him "a Hollywood wanna-be." He tells Luger he is nothing and that he is in big trouble.

Konnan meets with The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall). He is about to tell them what happened to Syxx when they notice that a cameraman is around.

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

Mortis and Wrath beat Psychosis and La Parka. During the match, it is announced that The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) have accepted the challenge of "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair and "The Crippler" Chris Benoit for later tonight. We then see Flair talking with Curt Hennig backstage, and we find out that Hennig was supposed to walk out from backstage earlier, not Syxx. After the match, La Parka smashes a wooden chair into the back of Mortis only to get hit with a big boot from Wrath.

Buff Bagwell beats Booker T after Booker T elbows the referee in the face and Scott Norton distracts Booker T. After the match, Bagwell tosses the referee out of the ring as he, Norton and Vincent continue to attack Booker.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Rey Mysterio, Jr., who is currently on crutches. Rey is rehabbing his injury but has no idea how long it will take, but he knows it is helping him. As he talks about how he loves the sport of professional wrestling and how he knows injuries come with the territory, Konnan shows up and and kicks Rey's crutches away while saying he is part of the nWo, whom he now considers family. La Parka, Villano IV, Villano V and Psychosis show up. Rey says that Konnan knows nothing about family, but Konnan says nWo is the only family he needs and tells the four of them that they had better have a good gameplan as The Wolfpack (Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Syxx) has his back. Rey tells Konnan he will pay.

Curt Hennig quickly beats Michael Wallstreet in his WCW singles match debut as Diamond Dallas Page makes his way to the ring from the crowd, and Page and Hennig brawl until Page hits Hennig with the Diamond Cutter. Officials and security then have to keep Page from Hennig.

We see another performance by The Nitro Girls.

The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) retain the WCW World Tag Team Championships against "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair and "The Crippler" Chris Benoit as Flair once again focuses squarely on Syxx. Stev "Mongo" McMichael pulls Syxx off of Flair as Syxx has Flair in the Buzzkiller, then The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) show up on the entrance ramp as The Outsiders dare them to come to the ring.

Nitro-Glycerin - Monday Nitro recap for June 2, 1997

The show begins with Scott Hall and Syxx in the ring. Hall says people are calling and writing in saying that they are not seeing enough of the New World Order, and says that they are the reason everyone is in the stands tonight, watching on TNT and why everything is going on. Back at Slamboree, Hall claims the nWo punked Kevin Greene and exposed "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, and says Flair is recuperating in the La Brea tar pits "with the rest of the fossils." Syxx says Flair has lost a step, with Hall likening Flair to a worn-out recording of a person's favorite song. Hall calls Flair out, but he and Syxx get J.J. Dillon instead. Dillon tells Syxx and Hall that he has spoken to Flair, and that Flair is on his way to the show and that there will be a match tonight between Flair and Hall, as Dillon tells Hall he talked himself into a verbal contract. Hall says he'll face Flair at The Great American Bash, but Dillon insists he will be facing him tonight. Hall tells Dillon he can't tell him what to do, and Dillon says that if he doesn't face Flair, the world tag team titles will be vacated. Hall accepts the match, and tells Flair to take the tag team belts if he wants them.

Glacier beats Alex Wright. After the match, James Vandenburg shows up by himself with Glacier's helmet in his hands. Mortis appears out of the crowd from behind Glacier, and Wrath also shows up through the crowd from another side of the arena, and they go to work on Glacier again. Alex Wright wants to join in, and Glacier and Mortis give him the opportunity. Mortis goes for a roundhouse kick when Alex Wright holds Glacier from behind, but Glacier ducks it and Mortis accidentally hits Wright instead. Glacier then makes a comeback and sends Wrath out of the ring before laying Mortis out with a roundhouse kick.

We see pre-recorded comments from Buff Bagwell and Scott Norton, who brag about nWo taking over Japan and beating up Lex Luger and The Giant.

Bff Bagwell beats Joe Gomez.

This Saturday on WCW Saturday Night - with a special start time of 7 PM Eastern, 6 PM Central - Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock)! Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray)! Diamond Dallas Page and Kimberly! Hector Garza!

Konnan attacks Hugh Morrus from behind with a broom as he appears for the next match. Despite being advised by a trainer not to go ahead with the match, Hugh Morrus gets in the ring anyway.

Prince Iaukea quickly beats a hurt Hugh Morrus. Konnan is seen at the top of the entrance ramp after the match.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews head of the WCW Executive Committee J.J. Dillon. Dillon announces that "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair has arrived and the main event between Flair and Scott Hall is set. Regardless of what happens tonight or The Great American Bash, whoever wins will be tag team champions, but the committee has looked beyond that and announces that The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) are the new #1 contenders for the WCW World Tag Team Champions. Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) and Sister Sherri shows up, demanding that they should be the ones with the title shot. Dillon says that if the Steiners win their match tonight, it will cement them as #1 contenders, and he walks out as Sherri tells him that action causes reaction.

Qw see a video package of Diamond Dallas Page for what is being called "Savage/Page II." Page says he lost his first 79 matches and was told he would never be a winner, but nobody knew his work ethic and how bad he wanted it, and they never counted on the Diamond Cutter. He dares anyone to tell him that hard work doesn't pay off and that he'll never be a main eventer. He also says that nobody thought he would beat "Macho Man" Randy Savage, but they were wrong, and he can do it again.

Masahiro Chono and The Great Muta beat The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) after Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) attack the Steiners, but WCW Executive Committee head J.J. Dillon is there, having seen everything, and says that the match will be up to review. He puts Harlem Heat in a match which they will have to win if they want to stay in the hunt for the tag titles.

Pyrotechnics signal the start of the second hour. Mike Tenay is not on commentary for the second hour tonight.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. He says the nWo will not leave well enough alone, and says he wants to know if he can beat Scott Hall tonight. He tells Hall he made one mistake that only he knows about: Kevin Nash isn't here, and only Hall and Syxx are in the building. He plans to stomp a pothole in Hall's ass tonight.

Dean Malenko beats Michael Wallstreet with the Texas Cloverleaf. Jeff Jarrett shows up with Debra and tries to interfere in the match by grabbing at Malenko, but Wallstreet does not get the win. Referee Nick Patrick stands between Michael Wallstreet and the ropes to keep Jarrett from interfering further. "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Jarrett after the match. Jarrett says he's been looking for a rematch with Malenko at The Great American Bash for the WCW United States Championship. Malenko gives Jarrett his rematch, and tells him that Slamboree was no fluke before he leaves. Steve "Mongo" McMichael shows up with his steel Halliburton briefcase, and when Mongo tells him to let him know when he heads to the ring again, Jarrett tells him that he's done enough for his career and that he's looking out for number one. Jarrett leaves while Debra stays with Mongo, who says that he needs to get something straight with Jarrett. He then tells Kevin Greene that he revitalized his career and that he owes him half his salary, and that he will see him at The Great American Bash.

Ciclope and Damien beat Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) after Harlem Heat are attacked by The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner).

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

"The Cripller" Chris Benoit beats The Barbarian with the Crippler Crossface. "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Benoit after the match, and Benoit tells Jimmy Hart he would beat The Barian and asks where The Taskmaster is. Hart tells Benoit he was lucky tonight, but things will get tougher for him. He then makes another hoop for Benoit to jump through to get to The Taskmaster: a rematch against Meng at The Great American Bash in a deathmatch, as well as "step number three" at next week's Nitro.

"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair beats Scott Hall by disqualification after Syxx interferes and Hall hits Flair in the back of the head with the WCW Cruiserweight Championship. Syxx and Hall continue to attack Flair after the match until Steve "Mongo" McMichael comes to Flair's aid with the steel Halliburton briefcase.

"Macho Man" Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth bring "Mean" Gene Okerlund to the ring against his will to send a message to Diamond Dallas Page. Okerlund is clearly reluctant, and only goes after Savage threatens to drop him like he will Page at The Great American Bash. Savage calls himself the best wrestler that ever lived, past, present or future, and when Okerlund says that Savage has been reading too many of his newspaper clippings and that someone needs to bring him back down to earth, Savage puts his hands on Okerlund. WCW Executive Committee head J.J. Dillon shows up and tells Savage that he doesn't want to see him putting his hands on Okerlund or any WCW announcer again, and that Savage owes Okerlund an apology. Dillon said he had a huge amount of personal and professional respect for Savage at one point, and that he expected better from him, but that respect is lost. He said that Savage would have addressed it like a man, but Savage is not the man that he once had respect for as he now addresses Page from the crowd instead of the ring. This leads Savage to knock Dillon out, and Bischoff runs into the ring to stop Savage from attacking Dillon further along with WCW security. Bischoff tells Savage to relax and think about the money, but Savage goes after Dillon again only to be completely subdued. Bischoff grabs the microphone and tells Dillon that he started all this, then tells Diamond Dallas Page to "snap into this."