10 Best WCW Nitro Moments

March 26, 2001.

That was the last time wrestling fans had the pleasure of watching an episode of WCW Monday Nitro, before the organisation was bought by WWE.

Nitro had been a staple of Monday nights since September 1995 and, though the company had been circling the drain for a while and the product was a shadow of what it once was, it was still incredibly sad to see it go.

Even on its last episode it was providing fans with memorable moments, as Booker T beat Scott Steiner to become the five-time, five-time, FIVE-TIME WCW Champion, and Ric Flair wrestled Sting for the final time in a sentimental main event.

While Nitro had been at times frustrating, perplexing and depressing over the years, when it was good it was great and some of the biggest moments of the Monday Night Wars happened on it.

There has been a bit of revisionist history (mainly by those that won the war, go figure) that WCW was pure wrestle-rubbish 99% of the time. That’s simply not true, and the following should help dispel that harmful myth.

10. It’s Me, It’s Me, It’s La…Park…A

When Randy Savage was booked against LA Parka on the July 7th, 1997 episode of Nitro, it just seemed like a typical, random match that fans of the show had come to expect to see.

Given their respective statuses on the card – Savage was a solidified main eventer, Parka a little bit of novelty midcard fun – most would have expected a routine victory for the Macho Man.

This was emphasised by the fact that they cut away from the WCW ‘Chairman’s’ entrance to show a recap, while superstar Randy made a long walk to the ring flanked by nWo pals Scott Hall and Elizabeth.

The bout was short and one-sided as anticipated and Hall walked to the commentary booth in the middle of it, as Savage went for the big flying elbow to wrap things up while the prone Parka lay there, ‘unconscious’ according to the announcers.

But then he got his feet up and nailed a stunned ‘Mach with a…Diamond Cutter?

The man under the hood was, of course, everyone’s favourite Yoga Dad, Diamond Dallas Page, masquerading as the skeletonised luchador.

It was a great angle and an expert reveal, as nobody had a clue it was DDP under there and provided a rare moment of someone getting one over on the New World Order.

10. It’s Me, It’s Me, It’s La…Park…A

When Randy Savage was booked against LA Parka on the July 7th, 1997 episode of Nitro, it just seemed like a typical, random match that fans of the show had come to expect to see.

Given their respective statuses on the card – Savage was a solidified main eventer, Parka a little bit of novelty midcard fun – most would have expected a routine victory for the Macho Man.

This was emphasised by the fact that they cut away from the WCW ‘Chairman’s’ entrance to show a recap, while superstar Randy made a long walk to the ring flanked by nWo pals Scott Hall and Elizabeth.

The bout was short and one-sided as anticipated and Hall walked to the commentary booth in the middle of it, as Savage went for the big flying elbow to wrap things up while the prone Parka lay there, ‘unconscious’ according to the announcers.

But then he got his feet up and nailed a stunned ‘Mach with a…Diamond Cutter?

The man under the hood was, of course, everyone’s favourite Yoga Dad, Diamond Dallas Page, masquerading as the skeletonised luchador.

It was a great angle and an expert reveal, as nobody had a clue it was DDP under there and provided a rare moment of someone getting one over on the New World Order.

9. Sting Repels from the Rafters

Sting’s decision to walk out on WCW following the WCW versus nWo War Games match at Fall Brawl 1996 kicked off one of the best storylines in the company’s history.

The Stinger went all moody after that, ditching his neon threads and colourful face paint in exchange for gothy black and white and sat about in the rafters for a while, watching on as the Order continued to wreak havoc.

The first time he repelled down was an incredible moment.

It happened right at the start of the January 20th, 1997 episode of Nitro.

Randy Savage – who hadn’t been seen on WCW television since losing a WCW Title match to Hulk Hogan at Halloween Havoc months earlier – stormed out and announced that he wasn’t going anywhere until he talked to somebody with stroke.

He then beat up Chavo Guerrero and Maxx Payne and would have likely done the same to the gaggle of goons who came out next, until Sting descended from the ceiling.

The sea of wrestlers and officials parted as the baseball-bat-clutching Vigilante confronted the Macho Man and the two left together without a word spoken between them.

A killer way to start a show and a first proper look at the ‘new’ Sting.

How he could be so trusting after being turned on about 57 times in the past, I’ll never know.

9. Sting Repels from the Rafters

Sting’s decision to walk out on WCW following the WCW versus nWo War Games match at Fall Brawl 1996 kicked off one of the best storylines in the company’s history.

The Stinger went all moody after that, ditching his neon threads and colourful face paint in exchange for gothy black and white and sat about in the rafters for a while, watching on as the Order continued to wreak havoc.

The first time he repelled down was an incredible moment.

It happened right at the start of the January 20th, 1997 episode of Nitro.

Randy Savage – who hadn’t been seen on WCW television since losing a WCW Title match to Hulk Hogan at Halloween Havoc months earlier – stormed out and announced that he wasn’t going anywhere until he talked to somebody with stroke.

He then beat up Chavo Guerrero and Maxx Payne and would have likely done the same to the gaggle of goons who came out next, until Sting descended from the ceiling.

The sea of wrestlers and officials parted as the baseball-bat-clutching Vigilante confronted the Macho Man and the two left together without a word spoken between them.

A killer way to start a show and a first proper look at the ‘new’ Sting.

How he could be so trusting after being turned on about 57 times in the past, I’ll never know.

8. The Hitman Outsmarts Da Man

One of the great tragedies of Monday Night War era WCW is how they managed to waste one of the best wrestlers in the world while he was arguably at his hottest.

When Bret Hart came into WCW, he was fresh off being the victim of the Montreal Screwjob, and had a tonne of sympathy and fan support behind him, giving WCW plenty of options as far as angles and storylines were concerned.

They failed to do just about all of them, of course, because who likes money anyway? and instead The Hitman’s time in WCW is seen as a massive, missed opportunity.

He did have his moments, however, such as the Owen Hart tribute match, a couple of hilarious promos about El Dandy and that time he outsmarted Bill Goldberg.

It went down on the March 29th, 1999 episode of Nitro, which took place in Toronto, Canada, making Bret the de-facto most popular star on the show.

The Excellence of Execution challenged Goldberg, who said nothing but delivered his usually devastating Spear in response.

Usually, because on this occasion it was Da Man who came off worse, as Bret stood up to reveal a steel plate hiding underneath his hockey jersey.

Typically, WCW didn’t exactly follow up on this dynamite angle, but it made for compelling television nonetheless.

8. The Hitman Outsmarts Da Man

One of the great tragedies of Monday Night War era WCW is how they managed to waste one of the best wrestlers in the world while he was arguably at his hottest.

When Bret Hart came into WCW, he was fresh off being the victim of the Montreal Screwjob, and had a tonne of sympathy and fan support behind him, giving WCW plenty of options as far as angles and storylines were concerned.

They failed to do just about all of them, of course, because who likes money anyway? and instead The Hitman’s time in WCW is seen as a massive, missed opportunity.

He did have his moments, however, such as the Owen Hart tribute match, a couple of hilarious promos about El Dandy and that time he outsmarted Bill Goldberg.

It went down on the March 29th, 1999 episode of Nitro, which took place in Toronto, Canada, making Bret the de-facto most popular star on the show.

The Excellence of Execution challenged Goldberg, who said nothing but delivered his usually devastating Spear in response.

Usually, because on this occasion it was Da Man who came off worse, as Bret stood up to reveal a steel plate hiding underneath his hockey jersey.

Typically, WCW didn’t exactly follow up on this dynamite angle, but it made for compelling television nonetheless.

7. The first shot in the Monday Night Wars

One of the best moments in WCW Nitro history took place on the very first episode of the show.

A lot was riding on the success of the first Nitro, which took place at Minneapolis’s Mall of America on September 4th, 1995 and had all the major stars like Hulk Hogan, Sting, Ric Flair and Randy Savage appearing.

Setting the tone for what was to come in the weeks, months and years after, WCW also showed that they had one or two surprises up their sleeves and were really going for it in their ratings battle with WWE.

One day after wrestling for the WWE Tag Team Titles at a WWE house show, Lex Luger strolled down to ringside during the Sting versus Flair match, as the commentary team (including Eric Bischoff) flew into a panic at the sight of the supposed invader.

The Total Package came out again later at the culmination of Hogan’s win over Big Bubba Rogers, saving the Hulkster from a Dungeon of Doom beatdown before teasing a confrontation with Mr. Nanny himself.

For a first shot in the Monday Night Wars, this was a big one, as it immediately conditioned viewers to expect the unexpected and went off the air on a real cliff-hanger.

7. The first shot in the Monday Night Wars

One of the best moments in WCW Nitro history took place on the very first episode of the show.

A lot was riding on the success of the first Nitro, which took place at Minneapolis’s Mall of America on September 4th, 1995 and had all the major stars like Hulk Hogan, Sting, Ric Flair and Randy Savage appearing.

Setting the tone for what was to come in the weeks, months and years after, WCW also showed that they had one or two surprises up their sleeves and were really going for it in their ratings battle with WWE.

One day after wrestling for the WWE Tag Team Titles at a WWE house show, Lex Luger strolled down to ringside during the Sting versus Flair match, as the commentary team (including Eric Bischoff) flew into a panic at the sight of the supposed invader.

The Total Package came out again later at the culmination of Hogan’s win over Big Bubba Rogers, saving the Hulkster from a Dungeon of Doom beatdown before teasing a confrontation with Mr. Nanny himself.

For a first shot in the Monday Night Wars, this was a big one, as it immediately conditioned viewers to expect the unexpected and went off the air on a real cliff-hanger.

6. Lawn Dart!

Following their formation at the 1996 Bash at the Beach pay-per-view, the New World Order were just about unstoppable.

Hogan, Hall and Nash ran roughshod over WCW in the aftermath, doing what they wanted to do, when they wanted to do it.

The Order are remembered as a kickass unit who made WCW cool and helped to keep them ahead of WWE in the ratings.

You know, before they welcomed every from Virgil to…well, that’s bad enough, isn’t it?

The episodes of Nitro immediately following the Bash at the Beach showed the nWo at their best, and perhaps none were better than the July 29th edition, where the trio took apart the WCW roster.

First they got to Arn Anderson, Marcus Bagwell and Scotty Riggs with a baseball bat and stage light, before Rey Mysterio attempted to crossbody Big Sexy and got thrown mask-first into the side of a television truck like a human lawn dart.

And I, like you, probably only know what a ‘lawn dart’ is because of this moment.

Randy Savage then attempted a rescue, only to get driven away while dangling from the nWo limousine’s sunroof.

Everything about the angle and its aftermath was game-changing television and also happened on the same show as the first nWo paid advertisement, which gave us the debut of the nWo logo and entrance theme.

6. Lawn Dart!

Following their formation at the 1996 Bash at the Beach pay-per-view, the New World Order were just about unstoppable.

Hogan, Hall and Nash ran roughshod over WCW in the aftermath, doing what they wanted to do, when they wanted to do it.

The Order are remembered as a kickass unit who made WCW cool and helped to keep them ahead of WWE in the ratings.

You know, before they welcomed every from Virgil to…well, that’s bad enough, isn’t it?

The episodes of Nitro immediately following the Bash at the Beach showed the nWo at their best, and perhaps none were better than the July 29th edition, where the trio took apart the WCW roster.

First they got to Arn Anderson, Marcus Bagwell and Scotty Riggs with a baseball bat and stage light, before Rey Mysterio attempted to crossbody Big Sexy and got thrown mask-first into the side of a television truck like a human lawn dart.

And I, like you, probably only know what a ‘lawn dart’ is because of this moment.

Randy Savage then attempted a rescue, only to get driven away while dangling from the nWo limousine’s sunroof.

Everything about the angle and its aftermath was game-changing television and also happened on the same show as the first nWo paid advertisement, which gave us the debut of the nWo logo and entrance theme.

5. The Enforcer’s Farewell

A little over a year after being taken out by the nWo in that memorable backstage scene, Arn Anderson was forced to call it a day on his wrestling career.

The Enforcer had been experiencing a lot of pain due to severe neck and back issues and required surgery that would end his days as an active wrestler.

In a memorable and emotional scene, Anderson addressed his health and the events leading up to his decision to retire on the August 25th, 1997 episode of Nitro.

Speaking from the heart, Double A delivered the address/promo as well as any in his career. This Nitro was taking place in Carolina – Horseman territory – so Arn naturally got the respect he deserved as he said his piece (while Ric Flair tried to hold it together in the background).

He seamlessly and humbly parlayed his retirement announcement into another astute piece of business when he offered Curt Hennig a spot – not just any spot, but his spot – in the Four Horseman.

A time when wrestling wasn’t exactly known for its tact and class, this was refreshing and a respectful way to wrap up a hell of a career…

…and then the New World Order did a tasteless parody the very next week, because WCW.

5. The Enforcer’s Farewell

A little over a year after being taken out by the nWo in that memorable backstage scene, Arn Anderson was forced to call it a day on his wrestling career.

The Enforcer had been experiencing a lot of pain due to severe neck and back issues and required surgery that would end his days as an active wrestler.

In a memorable and emotional scene, Anderson addressed his health and the events leading up to his decision to retire on the August 25th, 1997 episode of Nitro.

Speaking from the heart, Double A delivered the address/promo as well as any in his career. This Nitro was taking place in Carolina – Horseman territory – so Arn naturally got the respect he deserved as he said his piece (while Ric Flair tried to hold it together in the background).

He seamlessly and humbly parlayed his retirement announcement into another astute piece of business when he offered Curt Hennig a spot – not just any spot, but his spot – in the Four Horseman.

A time when wrestling wasn’t exactly known for its tact and class, this was refreshing and a respectful way to wrap up a hell of a career…

…and then the New World Order did a tasteless parody the very next week, because WCW.

4. Luger Beats Hogan

WWE.com

Though the New World Order usually got the upper hand on their opponents and came out of almost every situation smelling like roses, they did get their comeuppance from time to time.

Few would have expected it to happen to nWo leader Hulk Hogan on the August 4th, 1997 episode of Nitro, however.

The Hulkster was defending his WCW Title against Lex Luger in the main event of the show.

This was just five days before Hulk and Lex were due to clash in the main event of the Road Wild pay-per-view, so the odds were that Hogan was walking out as champ due to some shenanigans, in order to build anticipation for the event fans actually had to cough up for.

How nice, then, that Luger actually won the match and got a big moment out of it.

As a match, it was as good as you’d imagine, but the sight of Luger fending off the Order with his steel forearm of doom and then making Hulk cry ‘uncle, brother’ in the Torture Rack was just lovely.

The moment was made that much sweeter by the WCW babyface locker room emptying out and congratulating him after a rare triumph for the good guys.

I will give you one hundred shares in Hulk Hogan’s PastaMania if you can tell me who won the rematch at the pay-per-view…

3. The Bad Guy Shows Up

After Lex Luger showed up on the debut episode, it became readily apparent that absolutely anyone could and would show up on Nitro on any given week.

Former WWE Women’s Champion Madusa rocking onto the Nitro set and binning the title belt? Sure, why not.

Rick Rude appearing on the live Nitro the same night as he was featured on a pre-taped Raw? Simply ravishing stuff.

Of all the various former WWE superstars to show up in WCW during the Monday Night Wars, however, none had the same impact as Scott Hall and Kevin Nash.

The former Razor Ramon and Diesel’s contracts expired in the Spring of 1996 and they headed down south to disrupt WCW programming as ‘invading’ forces being sent from the competition.

The Bad Guy was the first to show up, walking through the crowd in stylish double denim during a nothing match between two losers, hopping the barricade and informed everyone watching (including ‘Billionaire Ted’) that they were going to get a war.

This worked because it was totally unexpected and, since this was 1996 and the internet hadn’t yet ruined wrestling for everyone, nobody was really clued up as to Hall’s contractual status.

His best buddy from ‘up north’ joined him two weeks later, sewing the seeds for the formation of the New World Order.

3. The Bad Guy Shows Up

After Lex Luger showed up on the debut episode, it became readily apparent that absolutely anyone could and would show up on Nitro on any given week.

Former WWE Women’s Champion Madusa rocking onto the Nitro set and binning the title belt? Sure, why not.

Rick Rude appearing on the live Nitro the same night as he was featured on a pre-taped Raw? Simply ravishing stuff.

Of all the various former WWE superstars to show up in WCW during the Monday Night Wars, however, none had the same impact as Scott Hall and Kevin Nash.

The former Razor Ramon and Diesel’s contracts expired in the Spring of 1996 and they headed down south to disrupt WCW programming as ‘invading’ forces being sent from the competition.

The Bad Guy was the first to show up, walking through the crowd in stylish double denim during a nothing match between two losers, hopping the barricade and informed everyone watching (including ‘Billionaire Ted’) that they were going to get a war.

This worked because it was totally unexpected and, since this was 1996 and the internet hadn’t yet ruined wrestling for everyone, nobody was really clued up as to Hall’s contractual status.

His best buddy from ‘up north’ joined him two weeks later, sewing the seeds for the formation of the New World Order.

2. Goldberg Beats Hogan

Seeing Hogan lose the World Title on Nitro is so nice we just had to put it twice.

The circumstances surrounding him dropping the strap to Goldberg on July 6th, 1998 were a lot different to when he lost to Lex the year before, however.

The rookie had been on an unprecedented run since debuting, steamrolling through the competition and getting seriously over in the process.

Goldberg was a unique phenomenon, a lightning-in-a-bottle situation that WCW simply had to capitalise on.

Though they may have forewent a gazillion dollars in pay-per-view revenue by putting the match on free TV, the company booked Goldberg against Hogan on Nitro in a WCW Title match.

And not just any Nitro, either, but one emanating from a sold-out Georgia Dome.

40,000-plus were on hand to watch the former Atlanta Falcon wrestle the biggest match of his young career.

As a contest, it wasn’t going to win any Match of the Year awards, but nobody cares (or should care) about technique and finesse when there’s this much star power and heat involved.

Following interference from DDP and basketball player Karl Malone to counteract Curt Hennig at ringside, Goldberg blasted a distracted Hogan with his Spear/Jackhammer combination to become WCW Champion to a monstrous ovation.

And we still love seeing him winning world titles these days, don’t we guys?

Erm, guys….?

2. Goldberg Beats Hogan

Seeing Hogan lose the World Title on Nitro is so nice we just had to put it twice.

The circumstances surrounding him dropping the strap to Goldberg on July 6th, 1998 were a lot different to when he lost to Lex the year before, however.

The rookie had been on an unprecedented run since debuting, steamrolling through the competition and getting seriously over in the process.

Goldberg was a unique phenomenon, a lightning-in-a-bottle situation that WCW simply had to capitalise on.

Though they may have forewent a gazillion dollars in pay-per-view revenue by putting the match on free TV, the company booked Goldberg against Hogan on Nitro in a WCW Title match.

And not just any Nitro, either, but one emanating from a sold-out Georgia Dome.

40,000-plus were on hand to watch the former Atlanta Falcon wrestle the biggest match of his young career.

As a contest, it wasn’t going to win any Match of the Year awards, but nobody cares (or should care) about technique and finesse when there’s this much star power and heat involved.

Following interference from DDP and basketball player Karl Malone to counteract Curt Hennig at ringside, Goldberg blasted a distracted Hogan with his Spear/Jackhammer combination to become WCW Champion to a monstrous ovation.

And we still love seeing him winning world titles these days, don’t we guys?

Erm, guys….?

1. FIRE ME! I’M ALREADY FIRED!

WWE.com

Despite being one of the best wrestling groups ever and still adored by wrestling fans, the Four Horseman were noticeably phased out during the Monday Night Wars.

Eric Bischoff felt as though the stable were ‘passe’ and that Flair, in particular, ought to be nowhere near the main event scene.

The two fell out in 1998 and The Nature Boy disappeared for months, as threats of lawsuits flew back and forth.

In the end, Flair would come back to WCW.

And how.

Once again, this Nitro took place in Carolina, so to say he was greeted warmly is like saying he liked a cocktail or sixteen (one for each World Title reign, you know).

The Dirtiest Player in the Game – WITH A TEAR IN HIS EYE – embraced his fellow Horsemen and cut an impassioned promo, thanking the fans for sticking with him before turning his attentions to his boss and absolutely roasting him with the kind of delivery that can only come from the heart.

FIRE ME! I’M ALREADY FIRED! WOOOOOOO!

Sorry, got a bit carried away there, which isn’t hard when you’re watching something as raw and genuine as this, for my money the best moment in WCW Nitro history.

And a really welcome palate cleanser on a show also containing the Ultimate Warrior, ‘drunk’ Scott Hall and Van Hammer.