Nitro-Glycerin - Monday Nitro recap for December 30, 1996

The show begins with The New World Order outside of the arena. They boast that they are stonger than ever. The Giant says he knows he dropped the ball last night, and that he is still waiting for his World title shot from World War 3. "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan tells The Giant that his win at World War 3 is a bye for them, and that it gives them more time to do what they want, and that even though they may have "stutter-stepped a bit," they're still on their way to the top as they still have all the power. Hulk tells The Giant he dropped the ball once, and that he can't drop it again. Ted DiBiase wants the camera turned off so as not to record any more internal dissent within The New World Order.

The Amazing French Canadians (Jacques Rougeau and Carl Ouellet) beat Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock) after Rougeau dodges Public Enemy's double team attack into the table.

The Ultimate Dragon beats Jushin "Thunder" Liger.

Before the next match, Michael Wallstreet shows up and tells Konnan that Big Bubba can't make it tonight, but that Big Bubba is not afraid of him or the leather strap in his hand and that he'll eventually have the chance to prove it to him. Wallstreet effectively substitutes for Big Bubba in this match.

Konnan steals a victory from Michael Wallstreet in a leather strap match by touching all four corners of the ring despite being choked out with the strap after Wallstreet pushes Konnan into the fourth corner. After the match, Wallstreet thinks he has won, but finds out he has not.

"Hollywood" Hulk Hogan shows up with Eric Bischoff. They both boast about Hogan "beating" "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, and insist that Hogan won last night at Starrcade. Hogan says that he lost a lot of respect for Piper just for showing up for one night, taking a beating and leaving. Eric Bischoff considers having a moment of silence for Piper, but then doesn't. Hogan then poses for the crowd. Tony Schiavone and "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko know Bischoff and Hogan are lying.

Hugh Morrus beats Kensuki Sasaki by disqualification after Sonny Onoo hits Morrus with the pole of his Japanese flag to absolutely no effect. During the match, Eric Bischoff shows up on commentary with a black clamshell VHS case in his hand (which contains the footage of Hogan vs. Piper at Starrcade), telling Tony Schiavone and Larry Zbyszko that he's got the master tape and that they're not proving anything, and that possession is nine-tenths of the law. Schiavone find out that they do have stills from the match between "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper at Starrcade, and show them after the match.

This Saturday on WCW Saturday Night: Dean Malenko vs. Eddie Guerrero for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship! Masahiro Chono! "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson! Lex Luger! "Lord" Steven Regal vs. Ice Train!

Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) beat The Faces of Fear (Meng and The Barbarian) despite Col. Robert Parker and Jacques Rougeau throws black powder in Stevie Ray's face.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Diamond Dallas Page. He tells Okerlund not to worry about what he is going to do about The New World Order, and says he's going to fix things and move on. Page says he's a bit stubborn, and that sometimes he doesn't get it right away. He says the nWo is too strong, and he knows what he has to do and what's going to happen. Page then refuses to elaborate further.

Pyrotechnics signal the start of the second hour. It is soon announced that "Rowdy" Roddy Piper is in the building tonight.

The encore of Starrcade will be on pay-per-view on January 2, 1997 at 5 PM Eastern, 4 PM Central.

Before the next match, Disco Inferno says he has perfected his leg hold for the last two weeks, and tells him to leave the ring and let him dance before he embarasses him. Glacier puts him in a wrist lock instead, and makes Disco mad.

Glacier beats Disco Inferno.

"The Crippler" Chris Benoit beats Chris Jericho. After the match, "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, Debra McMichael, Benoit, Woman and Steve "Mongo" McMichael. Debra says she was just talking about him, but Woman tells her and Mongo to shut their mouth as they don't have a vote here as they haven't been in the Four Horsemen long enough. As Flair tries to break it up between Benoit and Mongo, Jeff Jarrett shows up and brings up "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson's attack on him at Starrcade. When Woman asks where Anderson is, Flair says he's at the Hyatt with a Miller Lite in his hand that is so cold it would freeze the hand off an Eskimo. Benoit tells Jarrett that he proved himself, and that he can be anything but a Horseman. Debra says Woman is angry because of recent weight gain and says Mongo should be glad she got between him and Benoit. Flair says that the Horsemen are going to do what they do best: staying all night and staying a little longer.

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

Octagoncito and Mascarita Sagrada beat Jerito Estrada and Piratita Morgan after Mascarita Sagrada rolls up Estrada.

Dean Malenko and Rey Mysterio Jr. wrestle to a ten-minute time limit draw.

Lex Luger beats Greg "The Hammer" Valentine with the Torture Rack.

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper shows up. He says he has heard "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff have insisted Hogan have won, and Piper says that this proves that there is indeed life on Mars as he had Hogan in a sleeper the last time he checked. He is glad history reads that he is the icon, and he is proud that he have been "the Braveheart" of professional wrestling. He says that this is his last fight, and jokes that he's getting too old for this. As he says that he is glad to have his match at Starrcade, Bischoff and Hogan show up. Hogan says it's not going down that way, but Piper says history is history. Hogan tells Piper he is a lucky, lucky person, and the only reason that he didn't end his rivalry with Piper for good is that Piper's son told him to take it easy on him. Piper tells Hogan that they can fight right now, and as that is about to happen, Piper is attacked from behind by the rest of the New World Order. Syxx and The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) join in first, followed by The Giant and Scott "Flash" Norton. Hogan brings a steel chair into the ring and smashes it into Piper's leg. Hogan then commands The Giant to choke slam Piper, but Piper refuses. At this point, Nick Patrick shows up in black denim jeans and a New World Order shirt, and Marcus Bagwell and "Sting" can also be seen. Hogan tells The Giant that he dropped the ball again as Piper is put on a stretcher. Hogan tells him that last night was strike one, and not choke slamming Piper was strike two. He then slaps The Giant, saying "three strikes!" The Giant then grabs Hogan by the throat, and The Giant tells everyone to clear the ring as he tells Hogan to give him his World title shot. Hogan says he's sorry and tells The Giant he's got his title shot as he begs for forgiveness, then Hogan sics the rest of the New World Order on Giant. The numbers game eventually works against The Giant, and Hogan smacks The Giant in the back with the World Heavyweight Championship before everyone else in the nWo stomps on The Giant and rips his nWo shirt into pieces. Hogan speaks into the camera, saying he warned The Giant about messing with him before hitting The Giant with the World Heavyweight Championship again. He tells The Giant that the World title is his. The last thing we see is Piper being transported to the hospital in an ambulance.

Raw Deal - Raw recap for December 30, 1996

Bret "The Hit Man" Hart says he doesn't need any excuse to tell "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels what he thinks of him and everything he does. Shawn says that Bret can make all the excuses he wants, because tonight, everyone wil find out what "the role model" has to say when he comes face-to-face with "the World Wrestling Federation's favorite degenerate."

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin attacks "The Real Double J" Jesse James before the first match of the night begins and before James' tag team partner Savio Vega can make his entrance. Vega rushes in and attacks Austin before the beginning of the match. During the match, Bret "The Hit Man" Hart shows up in street clothes after Faarooq sends Jesse James over the ropes and Austin takes Jesse James out from behind with a chop block, and chases "Stone Cold" Steve Austin back into the ring. Bret "The Hit Man" Hart then asks the referee to let him take James' place. He replaces Jesse James during the break.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Faarooq vs. Bret Hart and Savio Vega ends with the rest of the Nation of Domination attacking Bret and Vega as Bret has Faarooq in the Sharpshooter. Ahmed Johnson rushes into the ring with a 2x4 and clears the ring out, making the save for Bret and Vega. Officials keep The Nation and Austin out of the ring, and Ahmed tells Faarooq they don't have to wait until Royal Rumble to fight, and at Royal Rumble, one of them won't make it.

George and Adam are still in the San Antonio Alamodome...

Hunter Hearst Helmsley says that Flash Funk is a great wrestler, but doesn't deserve to be in the same ring with him and facing him for the Intercontinental Championship. When he gets done with Goldust, he plans to show Marlena what a real man is like.

Goldust and Marlena show up in the stands and watch the next match from the cheaper seats in the crowd. Hunter Hearst Helmsley, still backstage, is not happy about this turn of events.

During the next match, Jerry "The King" Lawler calls out Goldust, saying that Hunter Hearst Helmsley is a real man and that Goldust is there just to distract him, and that if he doesn't leave, he'll make him leave. Goldust gets out of his seat and almost walks towards the ring, and Lawler tells the referee that if he doesn't make Goldust leave, he'll get into the crowd and punch Goldust's lights out. As the referee keeps Lawler out of the crowd, Hunter Hearst Helmsley hits Flash Funk with the Intercontinental title behind the referee's back. Hunter Hearst Helmsley retains the WWF Intercontinental CHampionship against Flash Funk. Goldust then slowly goes after Lawler and chases him to the back, and Helmsley is about to attack Goldust from behind when Flash Funk attacks Helmsley and sends him back into the ring, getting the last word with a 450 splash as retaliation for costing him the Intercontinental Championship.

"The Hearbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels leaves everyone guessing as to what will happen when he and Bret "The Hit Man" Hart go face to face, and that nobody gets in his face.

The WWF Holiday Hell tour is heading to San Diego, California; Stockton, California; Los Angeles, California; Fresno, California; San Jose, California; Anaheim, California; Las Vegas, Nevada and El Paso, Texas!

Jim Ross interviews "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and Bret "The Hit Man" Hart in the ring. Bret says he finds Shawn's attitude disrespectful, saying that he learned nothing from Jose Lothario - especially respect and integrity - and that it lead to Shawn costing him the WWF Championship. He says that Shawn's promise to hold the WWF Championship with the same air and dignity he did was empty, and that he didn't come close. Bret says his son used to wear his merchandise, and calls him "bottom-of-the-barrel" for posing in Playgirl, implying that only gay men buy the magazine. He calls Shawn unworthy of holding the WWF Championship, and says that he is far from a man's man. He tells Shawn he has no class and that he is a disgrace, and says he welcomes the opportunity to step into the ring with him and kick his ass because he can. Shawn counters by saying he's seen Bret on the road and that he is far from a role model. Suddenly, Sycho Sid shows up and gets in the ring. He says he has played the game with both Bret and Shawn and both have lost, yet they're talking about his title. He then says he wants real competition. Suddenly, a gong is heard and the lights flash, and The Undertaker arrives. The Undertaker is then suddenly attacked from behind by Vader, and The Undertaker quickly knocks him down before staring face-to-face with Sycho Sid in the aisle. Vader gets back up and attacks The Undertaker from behind again, and The Undertaker slowly chases him to the bac as officials keep both men separated. In the ring, Shawn pushes the middle rope into Bret's crotch as he leaves the ring, then hits Sycho Sid with a dive over the top rope before the two men brawl in the aisle.

The Honky Tonk Man and Hunter Hearst Helmsley both guest on commentary for the next match.

Jerry "The King" Lawler beats Goldust by count-out after Hunter Hearst Helmsley leaves commentary and tries to walk off with Marlena over his shoulder. Helmsley is stopped by "Wildman" Marc Mero, and Goldust tosses Marlena into Mero before sending Goldust into both Mero and Marlena. Goldust and Helmsley fight near the backstage entrance, and Helmsley also attacks Mero again.

Starrcade 1996 - The Results

Mike Tenay guests on commentary for the next match.

The Ultimate Dragon beats Dean Malenko to win the WCW Cruiserweight Championship, shortly after Sonny Onoo distracts Malenko on the apron, which forces Malenko to let go of the Texas Cloverleaf. With the Cruiserweight Championship, The Ultimate Dragon now holds nine different titles.

Lee Marshall guests on commentary for the next match.

Akira Hokuto beats Madusa to become the inaugural WCW Women's Champion after Sonny Onoo hits Madusa in the back with Madusa's American flag. Kensuke Sasaki, who is now married to Akira, tries to warn referee Nick Patrick, but it is too late. After the match, Kensuki Sasaki confronts Sonny Onoo for cheating in the match.

Diamond Dallas Page fields fans questions on WCWWrestling.com.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. He admits that "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan isn't exactly a walk in the park, and says that there are plenty of icons in professional wrestling, such as Dusty Rhodes, Strangler Lewis, and Gorgeous George. He also says he can call a kilt a dress because he's tough enough to. He says his whole life has been hard and that he's had to feed six kids. He also makes it perfectly clear that his hip is fine by jumping on one leg.

Jushin "Thunder" Liger beats Rey Mysterio Jr.

Jeff Jarrett beats "The Crippler" Chris Benoit in a no-disqualification match. During the match, "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson shows up and walks right past Benoit. Hugh Morrus and Konnan put their hands on Woman, but Woman fights back against them. Arn Anderson then DDTs Jarrett outside of the ring, and The Taskmaster hits Benoit in the back with a steel chair. Both men lay down face up, but Jarrett has his arm on Benoit and gets the win. Anderson then tells Woman, who is free of the grasp of The Dungeon of Doom, that this is all her fault. "Mean" Gene Okerlund is unable to interview Anderson, Jarrett or Benoit after the match, but it is clear that there is dissension among The Four Horsemen. Steve "Mongo" McMichael shows up with Debra McMichael, and Mongo says that he has been a winner all his life and that Woman has Benoit weak in the knees as he can't beat Jarrett even after Anderson hit Jarrett with the DDT. Debra says that Jarrett is Horsemen material and that Benoit and Woman are not, and that she's out of the league of every other man in America as she only has eyes for Steve McMichael.

The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) retain the WCW World Tag Team Championships against The Faces of Fear (Meng and The Barbarian). During the match, Syxx grabs Jimmy Hart's megaphone and chases Hart all the way to the back. Also, referee Nick Patrick is accused by commentary of counting too slow when The Faces of Fear go for a pinfall, being easily distracted and not checking on Scott Hall when The Barbarian puts him out with a nerve hold (Hall recovers nevertheless).

Ted DiBiase, Vincent, Miss Elizabeth and "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan are backstage with their own segment. DiBiase tells "Rowdy" Roddy Piper that he's gotten what he wanted, but he's going to regret it. Hogan says the preparations for his victory are already underway, as he says that he already has this match won. He plans to prove that he made this business and that he'll make it tomorrow, and that if it wasn't for him, the wrestling business wouldn't even be on the map.

Eddie Guerrero beats Diamond Dallas Page to win the vacant WCW United States Heavyweight Championship! During the match, Syxx and The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) show up, with Syxx and Nash distracting the referee while Nash hits DDP with the Outsider's Edge as retaliation for Page not joining The New World Order. Eddie doesn't see The New World Order until after the match, and Eddie fights all three men off until the numbers game works against him when they return to the ring. Syxx steals the brand-new United States Heavyweight belt, and Nash and Hall tell Page that he doesn't get it as Page is laid out in the corner.

Lex Luger beats The Giant. During the match, The Giant sends Lex Luger right into referee Randy Anderson when he kicks out of a pinfall. Referee Nick Patrick shows up and kicks Lex Luger in the back of the knee when Luger gets The Giant in a torture rack. As Sting walks through the crowd, Syxx shows up and attacks Lex Luger before ring. Sting finally gets in the ring and pushes Nick Patrick out of the ring before whispering something, first to Luger, then to the Giant. He then heads back to the back, leaving his baseball bat in the ring. Both men go for the bat, and when The Giant grabs Luger, Luger punches The Giant in the ring before smashing the baseball bat into the leg of the Giant. Referee Randy Anderson somehow manages to make the three count when Luger goes for the pinfall. After months of nWo domination, WCW finally gets its first big victory against The New World Order.

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper beats "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan with a sleeper hold. During the match, The Giant tries to choke slam Piper as Hogan keeps the referee at bay, but Piper bites him. A fan tries to get in the ring but is quickly subdued by security with help from referee Randy Anderson. It is afterwards that Piper locks the sleeper hold on Hogan. Ted DiBiase, who was in the ring during the match, shows back up with The Outsiders (Scott Hall and Kevin Nash), and Piper fights both men off before escaping out of the ring. Piper celebrates his win with his son Colton on the way back to the back, and The New World Order make their way to the back only for The Giant to confront Hogan, wanting to know where Hogan and The Outsiders where when he needed them, as he had their back. Hogan tells The Giant that he dropped the ball, and that they will talk later, but for now, the nWo still have the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Hogan then asks where Vincent is so Vincent can bring him his belt, as the nWo are still the winners. Ted DiBiase brings the WCW World Heavyweight Championship to Hogan, and Hogan tells Piper that he killed him and that he still has the World title before spitting into the camera.

Nitro-Glycerin - Monday Nitro recap for December 23, 1996

We hear pre-recorded comments from The Taskmaster, who tells The Crippler Chris Benoit that he just woke up something that should have been left alone. He says that Benoit may have taken his Queen, but he now has him in the ultimate trap. Soon after this, Diamond Dallas Page guests on commentary to see who he will face for the vacant WCW United States Heavyweight Championship.

Eddie Guerrero beats "The Crippler" Chris Benoit to continue on to the finals of the United States Heavyweight Championship tournament after Guerrero pushes Benoit off the top rope after Benoit shoves the referee off the ropes.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, "The Crippler" Chris Benoit and Debra McMichael. He says that any man's nightmare would be seeing their woman with another man, but the worse nightmare is being the man that's there when the door gets kicked open and the husband or boyfriend comes in with rage in his eyes as the other man deserves it. He tells Benoit he took a beating from The Taskmaster for him next week, and wants to know where Woman is. Debra once again brings attention to herself, and tells Benoit to let her know next time he has an affair. Benoit says that Woman is tending to Horsemen business at this moment, and says that he doesn't appreciate the allegations of partying and infidelities. He says he and Woman were in Germany having meetings on how to bring the Four Horsemen back together. Benoit then calls out Debra, which raises the ire of Mongo, who tells him to shut up before he gives him a beatdown. Flair breaks this argument up, saying it's only two days before Christmas, and that Woman deserved a weekend with Benoit. He says the Horsemen are alive and well.

"Hollywood" Hulk Hogan shows up with Ted DiBiase, Miss Elizabeth and Vincent. Hogan says he can smell "Pipermania" running ragged, and says that "Rowdy" Roddy Piper is hiding in the deepest, darkest hole he can find. He says he thought that Piper would be one of the last men's men to take a whipping like he should, but Piper is afraid of him. He pretends to think he hears Piper coming. Hogan boasts that everything is going his way, as he is the star of the New World Order, and that in 100 years, he will be a wrestling icon and Piper will not as he will be the man who "scared the skirt off of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper." He pretends to think he hears Piper coming, but says that Piper won't be coming as he doesn't have enough guts to take a beating like he should. He says that as the next millennium approaches, there is a pecking order in professional wrestling, and people like "Macho Man" Randy Savage, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper are way down that pecking order as Hogan is the man that made wrestling what it is and put the nWo on the top of the wrestling world. He calls Piper the biggest coward he's ever seen and says he's "not man enough to wear a skirt." Hogan then poses for the crowd.

This Saturday on WCW Saturday Night: The year in review!

Lex Luger beats Tombstone with the Torture Rack. After the match, The Giant gets in the ring and fights Luger, but Luger strikes back with impressive strength before putting him in the Torture Rack. It doesn't last for long, however, as The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) rush in, forcing Luger to retreat.

Rey Mysterio Jr. beats Mr. J.L. After the match, Rey Mysterio Jr. heads to the commentary table and says that Sting's reaction to his diving on him last week was normal compared to what Kevin Nash and The Giant did to him last summer and at World War 3, respectively, as Sting did not know it was him until he tossed him to the ground. He knows that Sting will not betray WCW like "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, and asks for the ending of last week's show to be replayed again to prove that Sting is WCW.

Pyrotechnics signal the start of the second hour. According to the New World Order, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper is in the building.

Glacier beats Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker.

Unlike past weeks, The Amazing French Canadians (Jacques Rougeau and Carl Ouellet) smack Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock) with their flags when they try to attack them from behind. But Public Enemy get back up, and cover Rougeau and Ouellet's faces with their beanie hats and punch them, starting their match.

The Amazing French Canadians (Jacques Rougeau and Carl Ouellet) beat Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock) by disqualification when Public Enemy use their now-broken table as a weapon. That doesn't matter to Public Enemy, who get the last word on The Amazing French Canadians with a few double-team attacks.

Big Bubba beats Konnan by disqualification after throwing Big Bubba off the top rope. The match is refereed by Nick Patrick and is his first match without his neck brace and his first match since losing his match against Chris Jericho, and he throws Jimmy Hart out of the match despite the fact that he did nothing to Big Bubba. After the match, Konnan gets his hands on Nick Patrick, but Big Bubba drags Patrick to safety.

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

Dean Malenko and "Lord" Steven Regal wrestle to a time limit draw. "Lord" Steven Regal retains the WCW World Television Championship. During the match, Sonny Onoo shows up with his camera to distract Malenko again, but he is thrown out of the match by referee Randy Anderson.

The fake Sting shows up during Jeff Jarrett vs. Rick Steiner, and is about to hit the reverse DDT on Jarrett when Rick Steiner hits the faker with a clothesline. Jeff Jarrett pins the fake Sting for a three-count. This ends the match.

"Hollywood" Hulk Hogan shows up again. He says he has gotten a Western Union letter from "Rowdy" Roddy Piper stating that Hogan is indeed the icon. Piper's music plays, but it is really Eric Bischoff dressed up as Piper with black denim jeans and boots underneath the kilt and a red-and-yellow Hulk Hogan T-Shirt behind his leather jacket. Bischoff simultaneously mocks and pretends to be Piper before he asks for a referee so he and Hogan can do this right now. Nick Patrick shows up, and Bischoff lays down for Hogan while Patrick makes the three-count. As Bischoff and Hogan pretend to mock Piper, a Scottish bagpipe orchestra shows up and plays for the real "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, who now shows up cleaner-shaven than previously seen. Hogan and Piper brawl as the rest of the New World Order show up and surround Piper, while the real Sting watches from the rafters. Security shows up to separate Hogan and Piper to end the show.

Raw Deal - Raw recap for December 23, 1996

Goldust and Marlena show up before the next match and sit in the stands, distracting Hunter Hearst Helmsley. "Wildman" Marc Mero chases Jerry "The King" Lawler to the back shortly after the match begins.

Hunter Hearst Helmsley retains the WWF Intercontinental Championship against "Wildman" Marc Mero. If Hunter Hearst Helmsley lost via count-out or disqualification, the title would have changed hands to Marc Mero. Helmsley escapes through the crowd from Marc Mero after the match, and officials have to stop Mero from chasing after him. Helmsley then grabs a microphone, and says that it's just him and Goldust at Royal Rumble, and at Royal Rumble, he will show Goldust what it's like to be a real man while Marlena will find out what it's like to be with a real man. Goldust takes off his coat and wig and approaches Helmsley, and Helmsley climbs back over the barricade and heads to the back as Goldust tries to chase after him.

It is announced that Billy Gunn has suffered partial temporary paralysis as a result of last week's match against Bart Gunn, and reportedly no longer has use of his lower body. We hear an excerpt of Bart Gunn's interview from Livewire, saying it was an accident and that he did not mean for any of this, and that his family is reportedly very angry with him.

Sunny, dressed in a red dress, a Santa hat and white high-heeled boots, guests on commentary for the next match.

"Classy" Freddie Blassie conducts the WWF carolers once more for "Sycho Sid Is Coming To Town."

Shotgun Saturday Night premieres on USA Network on January 4, 1997 from Mirage Night Club in midtown New York City.

Next week on Raw: Goldust vs. Jerry "The King" Lawler! Also, next week on Livewire: Sycho Sid!

Rocky Maivia beats Salvatore Sincere.

George and Adam are in the tunnel leading up to the ring at the Alamodome, as they can only imagine what Sycho Sid and "The Heartbreak Kid" will see before they enter the arena...but it's really a tunnel to the bathroom.

Vince McMahon interviews Sycho Sid in the ring as "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels watches from the locker room. Vince says everyone has an attitude, but that attitude will play into Sid's hands. Sid says that in 30 days, he had beaten Bret "The Hit Man" Hart and "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, who played technicality but lost out to power. Sid says that everywhere he goes, the ground shakes, as he is the super-predator of the World Wrestling Federation as well as the master and ruler of the world. He wants everyone to realize he is 6'9" and over 300 lbs. and will continue to be that size for a long time to come.

Mil Mascaras guests on Spanish commentary for the next match.

Pierroth and Cibernetico beat The New Rockers (Marty Jannetty and Leif Cassidy). Jim Ross interviews Mil Mascaras after the match. Mil Mascaras says he has the most experience out of everyone at the Royal Rumble, and he plans to show his stuff that night. He also says that San Antonio, Texas has a special place in his heart.

Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Flash Funk, The British Bulldog, Ahmed Johnson, and The Undertaker are confirmed for the 1997 Royal Rumble match.

The Honky Tonk Man guests on commentary for the next match. Honky says he is looking for a protege who can do all the things that the Honky Tonk Man can do and reach the same level of greatness as him.

Bret "The Hit Man" Hart beats "Razor Ramon" with the Sharpshooter.

"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels says that unlike Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, he has no excuses for losing the WWF Championship, and he is coming into San Antonio, Texas ready for anything and ready to win - or lose - like a man.

Nitro-Glyercin - Monday Nitro recap for December 16, 1996

Ted DiBiase, Vincent and Eric Bischoff of The New World Order, and tell Tony Schiavone and Larry Zbyszko to leave the commentary table. Schiavone leaves, but Larry argues with DiBiase, telling him he'll need more guys to push him off commentary. Nevertheless, Zbyszko is removed from commentary, and Eric Bischoff and Ted DiBiase take over on commentary at the start of the show. Bischoff says he tried to protect "Rowdy" Roddy Piper from himself, then says that Piper is a coward. DiBiase then says Bischoff is a man who uses his brain and that Piper is scared. Bischoff then announces "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan is in the building, and asks Piper where he is.

"Lord" Steven Regal retains the WCW World Television Championship against Psychosis by submission.

Big Bubba beats Chavo Guerrero, Jr.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Sonny Onoo and a slightly taller man in all black. Onoo says he has been helping him secure a contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling. After Sonny Onoo reveals he is wearing a New Japan shirt, the man in black then opens his jacket and reveals a New World Order shirt before physically harassing Onoo. The man's name? Masahiro Chono.

Chris Jericho beats Masahiro Chono by disqualification after Chono refuses to get Jericho out of the ropes at the direction of the referee.

This Saturday on WCW Saturday Night: The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall)in a special handicap match! Jeff Jarrett! Diamond Dallas Page! Scott "Flash" Norton! Eddie Guerrero! Lex Luger! Michael Wallstreet!

The aftermath of last week's ending is shown.

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, Debra McMichael and "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson. Anderson says that the kiss of a beautiful woman has poisoned a lot of great man. He says The Taskmaster has put him in the crosshairs, and he plans to mend his broken heart with a broken body. Flair says that he has a bad arm, Chris Benoit is a good man, and that Benoit should travel through Germany at the speed of light. Debra doesn't care about Woman, and says she goes for real men and not "little boys" like Benoit before bragging about becoming Miss Texas. Mongo tells Anderson that The Taskmaster is going for his throat, and tells Anderson to take him Horsemen style. Flair then closes it out by saying "Rowdy" Roddy Piper will walk down the aisle and that "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan will pay the price as his voice gets a tad hoarse.

Dean Malenko retains the WCW Cruiserweight Championship against Bruno Sammartino with a surprise roll-up pin. (This is Sammartino's only televised match in WCW and only one of two matches in the promotion, with the other being a dark match win against Rex King. After this, he is never seen in WCW again.)

Eric Bischoff and Ted DiBiase give control of commentary to Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan for the second hour.

Ice Train beats Jerry Flynn with an ankle lock. During the match, it is announced that tickets are available for the January 25th New World Order pay-per-view Souled Out. After the match, Syxx shows up and introduces The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall). Syxx then conducts an nWo interview, and asks what they have in store for Starrcade. Hall says he's going to watch "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan take care of "that punk" "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, and that he and Nash will put the tag team titles on the line against The Faces of Fear (Meng and The Barbarian). Nash says they shouldn't wait until Starrcade, and says they'll take on The Faces of Fear tonight. Hall wants an answer to their challenge before the end of the night.

We see a video package on the recent events regarding Sting.

Rey Mysterio Jr. beats Bobby Eaton.

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

We see another video from Woman and "The Crippler" Chris Benoit. Benoit and Woman continue to mock The Taskmaster, and Benoit asks him what it's like to lose the greatest thing he's ever had before telling him that it feels good getting it.

The Taskmaster beats "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson after referee Randy Anderson is knocked down and the Dungeon of Doom interferes. After the match, Jimmy Hart says that the video from earlier should never have been played, and The Taskmaster warns "The Crippler" Chris Benoit that he is next.

Sting is seen in the rafters before the next match. A short time later, Sting is then seen approaching the ring from the stands with a baseball bat in his hands. However, the fake Sting is seen first (with updated face paint to match that of the real Sting), and the real Sting in then shown also coming out of the stands. The fake Sting allows the real one into the ring, and makes it look like the real Sting is in cahoots with the fake one. The real Sting then reveals his bat, uses it to knock the bat from the hands of the fake Sting, and both bats end up in the hands of Rick and Scott Steiner after Scott picks up the fake Sting's bat and the real Sting tosses his bat to Rick. Both Stings turn their back on the Steiners, then the real Sting hits the fake Sting with the reverse DDT. The real Sting then leaves through the stands.

"Hollywood" Hulk Hogan shows up with The Giant, Miss Elizabeth, Ted DiBiase and Vincent. Hogan says he knows "Rowdy" Roddy Piper is here, and tells him to come out to the ring so they can settle the score. Hogan then talks about how he started in Pensacola, Florida and says that the difference between himself and Piper is that Piper had to tell Charlotte, North Carolina that he started there while Hogan says Pensacola already knows. Hogan then tells Vincent to drag Piper out of the back before he starts to talk about "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, saying that Flair is a great guy but has lost everything and now has a shoulder injury. He then says he can beat Piper and Flair up at the same time, and also calls Flair out. He then orders Miss Elizabeth to kiss him on the cheek to prove how much the people still love him, and the kiss looks less than reluctant. Hogan then makes fun of "Macho Man" Randy Savage before he calls Piper out again, but DiBiase tells him Piper isn't even in the building. Hogan then says that Piper "ran out the back door while I went through the front door." He then tells Piper that when he gets in the ring with him at Starrcade, he will tear him limb from limb to the point that he will be in a long list of old, broken down ex-challengers. He then poses for the crowd.

The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) vs. The Faces of Fear (Meng and The Barbarian) takes a strange turn when Big Bubba shows up and attacks Meng, revealing him to be a member of The New World Order. The Dungeon of Doom show up to fight Big Bubba and The Outsiders, and The Giant also shows up. A few more members of the nWo as well as the WCW locker room then shows up, and it soon becomes all out war. Ice Train shows up with Scott "Flash" Norton, but Norton beats Ice Train and then attacks other members of WCW, revealing himself as yet another member of The New World Order. Sting - the real Sting - shows up again, this time through the backstage entrance, and when "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson confronts him, he is immediately leveled along with Steve "Mongo" McMichael and Rey Mysterio, Jr. Sting then heads back to the back without hitting a single member of The New World Order as the impromptu battle royal continues as the show ends.

Raw Deal - Raw recap for December 16, 1996

The show begins with Jim Ross interviewing Bret "The Hit Man" Hart in the ring. As bitter as ever, Hart says his mother always told him "Never ruin an apology with an excuse," but he's going to have to come up with an excuse as there is no good reason why he is not WWF Champion right now. Since he came back, things have changed as he can't tell friend from foe these days and "there are no rules" in the WWF. He tells "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Sycho Sid, and everybody in the WWF to understand one thing: if there's no rules, that's fine by him as he doesn't need them. He calls Shawn "a little prissy," and says he gave him his word that he would not interfere last night, yet proved he was set out to cost him the WWF Championship since day one and that he can never be as good as him. Hart says he will do anything and everything to get right back on top, and with some reluctance, he announces his candidacy for the Royal Rumble match, saying that the other 29 participants are in trouble. He then announces that he will guest on commentary in "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels' match to "call it right down the middle and be a nice, regular announcer" and "just mind [his] own business." Hart then guests on commentary for the next match.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin beats Vader by disqualification in a Toughman Match when Bret "The Hit Man" Hart gets up from his seat on commentary and hits Austin with a chop block before putting him in the Sharpshooter. After the match, Vader tries to fight Bret, and Bret releases the Sharpshooter on Austin to brawl with Vader. Officials break the brawl up, then Bret puts the Sharpshooter on Austin again until officials break that up.

Next week on Raw: Bret "The Hit Man" Hart vs. "Razor Ramon!"

"Diesel" and "Razor Ramon" beat The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn).

Sycho Sid says nobody will take the WWF Championship, as he is the master of the game he plays. Anyone who steps in the ring with him will go down. He's going into Shawn Michael's backyard, but he thrives on adversity and plans to take Shawn ten feet up and ten feet down one more time at Royal Rumble. He tells Jose Lothario to stay at home where he belongs.

"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels says he's been humiliated before. He says that the problem between him and Sycho Sid is what happened to Jose Lothario, and while he doesn't cry over spilled milk, he promises to take back the WWF Championship. Shawn says he doesn't make excuses, and make his living every week on national television, and he plans to lay it all on the line at Royal Rumble. He tells Bret "The Hit Man" Hart that he's not him, that he wouldn't want to be him, and even if he was able, he wouldn't.

Doug Furnas and Philip LaFon beat Dr. X and T.L. Hopper.

Billy Gunn says he's already to lock up with Bart Gunn, and tonight he plans to show the WWF why he's the top Gunn.

In the continuing adventures of George and Adam, we find out George won a bet.

Sable beats Jerry "The King" Lawler in the finals of the Karate Fighters Holiday Tournament. Lawler accuses Sable of cheating and demands a rematch. "Wildman" Marc Mero fights Lawler, but is easily double teamed by Lawler and Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Goldust shows up, nearly knocks Sable down on the way to the ring and fights Helmsley until he sends him over the guardrail. Mero chases Helmsley into the crowd while Sable runs to the back. Goldust gets in the ring, and Lawler confronts him, saying Marlena should be happy Helmsley made a pass at her before asking Goldust if he is "a queer." Goldust says no, then slaps Lawler in the face.

The WWF carolers, orchestrated by "Classy" Freddy Blassie, wish us season's greetings.

In Your House: It's Time will be replayed three times tomorrow on DirecTV beginning in the early evening, and on Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern, 6 PM Central on Request TV, due to technical difficulties from last night's broadcast.

Next week on Raw: "Wildman" Marc Mero vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley for the WWF Intercontinental Championship! This time around, the belt can change hands by disqualification!

Bart Gunn beats Billy Gunn by referee stoppage as horrified members of the Gunn family watch. Family members rush to the ring after Billy Gunn is injured after Bart sends Billy neck-first into the ropes, and tend to Billy. Billy is taken out of the arena on a stretcher as the show ends.