My Take On The Monday Night Wars 2.26.08: Raw vs. Nitro (5.26.97)
Posted by Larry Csonka on 02.26.2008
Nitro is back to two-hours as Hulk Hogan and the n.W.o have a message for Sting and we get a Great Muta sighting! Meanwhile over on Raw the Hart Foundation lose the tag team titles to the unlikely alliance of Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels!
Introduction:
Welcome back to the latest edition of My Take On! With the addition of WWE 24/7 to my cable system, I have decided to have some fun and do some columns on "The Monday Night Wars." I plan to work this similar to the "My Take on MMA" columns, where it isn't a recap as much as it is an analysis piece. I will provide the ratings of the two shows, my breakdowns of each segment that aired and then give an overall final grade so to speak of the show. At the end I will give the winner a point for the ratings win and a point for the show I thought was the best. The goal is to run through as many of these as I can as they air. I think it will be a fun adventure to embark on. Sit back and relax, as I relive The Monday Night Wars!
For those that have asked, these columns don't have a set schedule. They will appear as a fill in for when another 411 writer needs the day off.
Match/Segment: JR interviews Austin and HBK Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.0 Final Thoughts: I have to say again that the dynamic between Austin and HBK here was great, because you knew that they both realized they did need each other, but with the ego involved neither could or would admit it. They start their shit early as they argue over who is the captain, but agree that they hate each other, will kick ass and get pleasure in taking something from the Hart Foundation. That is the key here. Everyone believed that they hated each other, they believed though that they hated the Hard Foundation more. The Legion of Doom then enter the ring, proclaiming that if Austin and HBK win, that they are next in line for the titles. A solid enough opening segment which filtered well into the second segment, we like this.
Match/Segment: The Legion of Doom defeated Brian Pillman and Jim Neidhart by Disqualification Larry's Enjoyment Index: 6.5 Final Thoughts: Bret, Owen and Davey Boy take their position of power on the top of the ramp. This was the in ring debut of Pillman is WWF after the ankle injury after nearly a year in the company. While the stuff he did was fine, you could really see that Pillman was never quite the same due to that ankle injury. A true same because we never got to see the healthy Pillman in the WWF. The LOD were about to get the doomsday device, when the rest of the Foundation comes out to stop that. Austin and HBK would rush the ring to make the save. During the battle HBK accidentally baseball slides Austin and they brawl. It's like watching Impact, although it happens every week on Impact, I wonder why that is? Oh, Russo's stuck in 1997, that's why. This was fine overall, but Neidhart and Pillman battling the LOD weren't exactly setting any land speed records.
Match/Segment: Paul Bearer Speaks Secret Talk Larry's Enjoyment Index: 6.0 Final Thoughts: Paul Bearer discusses the secret he has over Taker, and that if anything happens to him, he has it locked away with a lawyer and if anything happens to him, it gets revealed. They had the different hair, speech and look for Paul after the burning, which was a good change and helped put the angle over. This was short, but decently effective.
Match/Segment: D'Lo Brown pinned Bob Holly Larry's Enjoyment Index: 5.0 Final Thoughts: D'Lo Brown FTW~! Farooq stays with D'Lo, sends away the Nation and sits in on commentary. Farooq is rather awesome on commentary, spreading the Nation's propaganda. He was really good on the mic during the Nation run and it is a shame that he never got the chance to do anymore. As for the match, it was solid enough, but the major problem that I have with this match is that Holly takes the loss one week after getting a clean win over the then IC Champion Owen Hart. They have him lose this week, and that kills his momentum because he gets an IC Title match next week and loses. If he could have won this week, he would have had a believable amount of momentum going into the match.
Match/Segment: KOTR QUALIFIER: Jerry Lawler pinned Goldust Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.0 Final Thoughts: Lawler cuts an AWESOME promo about Dustin. He explains that Dusty hates his son because he dresses like a fag, kisses men and married the biggest gold digger in Georgia. Tremendous heel stuff by Lawler, stuff we never get to see today because he has become such a parody of himself. PUPPIES JR! They have some good back and forth, both men use the piledriver and Lawler heels it up very well, even though the crowd is cheering big for him because they are in Evansville, where the USWA ran all the time. They worked a more basic/old school match which works well because of Dustin working in the NWA and understanding that style. Lawler gets the corner roll up and the ropes to steal the match, and get a huge pop from the crowd. After the match Goldust attacks Lawler on the ram and hits him, causing Lawler to comically roll down the ramp. Good stuff overall here with some very good work from Lawler. We also then see the Hart Foundation beating down Austin as they head to a commercial break.
Match/Segment: Rocky Maivia pinned Flash Funk Larry's Enjoyment Index: 4.0 Final Thoughts: As this match was beginning, Austin and HBK argue as HBK got the beat down as well. They complain that they need to watch each other's back. If I haven't mentioned it, dear lord I hated Flash Funk. During the match the Headbangers come to the ring with big inflatable chairs, popcorn and drinks. They are extremely annoying on commentary. Rocky and Funk have a slow and awkward match. The Headbangers decide to go and beat down both men, including a boom box to the head of Funk. Rocky gets the win. After the match, Funk and Rocky hug and seem to be pairing up to battle the Headbangers. Oh the joy.
Match/Segment: Ahmed Johnson pinned Vader Larry's Enjoyment Index: 3.0 Final Thoughts: Ken Shamrock comes to the ring to do commentary for this segment. This one had a wacky stipulation, in that if Vader won, he would get Johnson's KOTR spot. I have mentioned before that WWF wanted to make Johnson a star in the worst way, but his downfall was that he never learned how to work properly. I don't mean "technical wrestling," I mean that he never was able to follow directions given and was hurting people and getting hurt himself because he was reckless. On the flip side, they had Vader he dropped weight and was an established monster. Unfortunately because he was established elsewhere they never really got behind him and the Vader run in WWF was not memorable at all, which is a shame. Johnson gets to make Vader look like a bitch with a spinebuster in a very blah effort.
Match/Segment: Bearer warns Taker Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.5 Final Thoughts: Bearer discusses the secret that he has held in for years and that soon Undertaker will make his choice. What really sticks out here is that Bearer promised to do to the Undertaker what, "no giant, immortal or warrior could do, bring the Undertaker to his knees." Nothing long, but it was simple and nods to Gonzalez, Hogan and Warrior was just excellent. Takers answer was to explain that you have to do things that you don't like, and tells Paul to do what he has to do and he will do in return what he has to do.
Match/Segment: Hunter Hearst Helmsley w/Chyna pinned Rockabilly w/The Honky Tonk Man Larry's Enjoyment Index: 5.0 Final Thoughts: Again a weird heel vs. heel match that left the crowd on their hands. Overall it is just fine, Chyna takes out Honky and HHH wins the match. There's really not much to say about the match.
Match/Segment: JR Sits Down With Mankind Part II Larry's Enjoyment Index: 10.0 Final Thoughts: This is the follow up to the Foley stuff from the week before. This is the one where he explains the trip to see Snuka vs. Muraco in MSG. He wanted to see the blood and guts. They show footage of Foley at one of the shows, and the description of the dive by Snuka is great because you believe it and it is true. He did want to be Snuka, he wanted to be loved and he loved wrestling, and that was the life he wanted. Dude Love was born. Foley discusses meeting HBK and him asking what he imagined he would be, and Foley answered you. He wanted the ladies, the money, the fans, and the love. He then describes the roof dive that we have seen numerous times. The explanation of Cactus Jack staying for 11-years when he only planned for it to be three months is really cool and I love how they stress that he wanted to be someone else in the worst way. This shit is still so tremendously awesome.
Match/Segment: Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin defeated Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith to win the World Tag Team Titles Larry's Enjoyment Index: 9.0 Final Thoughts: This was back when "wacky tag team partners that didn't like each other" was a rarity and not the norm, so it meant something. As I have mentioned in these look backs at the shows, the dynamic between Austin and HBK here was great, because you knew that they both realized they did need each other, but with the ego involved neither could or would admit it. Bret, Pillman and The Anvil would take the position of power on the ramp. This is just an awesome match. HBK is back from losing his smile, Austin is rocking hard before he really started to get injured, Owen is being Owen and Davey is motivated and apparently not fucked up on Quaaludes. I am also convinced that Shawn Michaels has no testicles, any man that takes a press slam into a toss and ends up crotching themselves on the top rope and was able to continue has no balls. Seriously. After some great action, HBK manages a super kick and Austin gets the pin. He takes his title and goes to leave as the Foundation beats down HBK, but since Bret was all alone he charges up the ramp to beat his ass. The Foundation would run off Austin but HBK was laid out in the ring.
Match/Segment: Austin Speaks/Paul Bearer makes his Announcement Larry's Enjoyment Index: 8.0 Final Thoughts: He's happy to win the tag titles, which he did himself. HBK disagrees and they argue. There's a lot of sexual tension on that room. Bearer declared that the seven sunsets have passed, and it was time. He explains that Brother Love brought him in because they have known each other for a long time. Bearer reminisces about the old times and that he was the funeral director for his parents funeral. But you see, there were THREE graves! It is then that Taker makes his quickest ring entrance ever. Taker hates Bearer, loathes him, despises him for what he has done to him. Taker plans on sending Bearer to hell and hopes that the fans that love him will still do so after tonight. Taker chokes him out, but then backs off and bows down to Bearer. This is so great because as Bearer had mentioned that giants, immortals nor warriors could take down the Undertaker, but Bearer did in a tremendous mind-fuck due to the power of the past.
The Overall: Best Match/Segment: JR Sits Down With Mankind Part II 10.0 Worst Match/Segment:: Ahmed Johnson pinned Vader 3.0 Final Thoughts: Raw is back to losing the ratings as we're back head to head. This particular show was looking solid, but unspectacular. That was until the Foley interview, Austin/HBK Title Win and Taker Paul Bearer angles all played out and made this a damn good show. Show Score: 8.5
WCW MONDAY NITRO (5.26.97)~!: RATING: 3.3
Match/Segment: Bishoff and Hogan Kick off the Show Larry's Enjoyment Index: 6.0 Final Thoughts: Fun Fact: This is the one-year anniversary of Scott Hall's shocking appearance on WCW Nitro. Hogan has returned from his movie shoot because Sting put his hands on "family" when he attacked Bishoff last week. He runs down Sting, saying that he cannot hang with anyone in the n.W.o and calls out Sting, who Bishoff insists is not here because he is afraid. Hogan poses and that was that. Sting of course never comes out, because he always "picked his spots," and did things on his own terms. Solid follow up from last week, but rather uneventful.
Match/Segment: Super Calo, Juventud Guerrera, and Hector Garza defeated Damien, Ciclope, and La Parka Larry's Enjoyment Index: 8.0 Final Thoughts: This was Hector Garza's WCW debut. Interestingly enough this was also the first ever Lucha Rules 6-Man match on Nitro. This is one of the things I always liked about Nitro, the fact that a lot of the time they started with a hot Cruiserweight or Lucha style match. I thought this was a great tool that unfortunately WWE and TNA have never utilized. The one major down point of these matches, besides lack of solid booking, was that Zbyszko especially would bury these guys. Constantly mentioning that this isn't Mexico and mocking the rules of the match, which really hurt the perception of the guys. This was a crazy spot fest match, and they have their place on the card. The crowd dug all of the craziness and it was an insane way to begin the show. Calo about killed himself as he flew into the crowd at one point.
Match/Segment: Psicosis defeated Alex Wright Larry's Enjoyment Index: 6.0 Final Thoughts: This was back when Psicosis was still at the top of his game and when management still thought Alex Wright could be a budding star. Opinions vary on Wright, as some thought he had a ton of potential, while others thought he needed a lot of work and needed carried. Wright had turned on Ice train the previous week and was now into his heel run, which many thought was a mistake because he was very flashy and popped a crowd. Psicosis about kills himself as he went for a moonsault off of the top to the floor, where he misses Wright and gets mostly security railing. Psicosis would win the match and thankfully survive after a scary miss.
Match/Segment: Mean Gene speaks with Sonny Ono Larry's Enjoyment Index: 3.0 Final Thoughts: Ono promises that Chono will pay for his actions, and then discusses business with Psicosis. Psicosis is interested and they plan a meeting backstage. Medusa then appears to claim her right as #1 contender for the women's title. She claims that she'll do anything, and Ono promises her a shot, but if she loses, she is done wrestling. Akira Hokuto was the current WCW Women's champion at the time. This whole segment was painful, disjointed and had no flow.
Match/Segment: Wrath w/James Vandenberg and Mortis defeated Mark Starr Larry's Enjoyment Index: 6.5 Final Thoughts: Commentary discusses the debut of Earnest Miller, who we discover was a friend of Glacier that was invited to WCW to help even the odds. As you can imagine this was a squash match. While Wrath will never be considered a great wrestler or even a great big man, in this role he was well utilized. He looked like a killer in these squash matches, which was the point. For as much shit as the angle gets, I will say again I enjoyed it. Glacier was a proud martial artist that took pride in his craft and the helmet that his sensei gave him. When it was stolen, he went wild and went on the attack, even breaking his vow to never use closed fists. After the match Wrath and Mortis beat down Starr. This was a fine segment.
Match/Segment: Konnan defeated Villano IV Larry's Enjoyment Index: 5.0 Final Thoughts: Konnan had broken away from his tag team with Hugh Morris and the Dungeon of Doom, since he wanted to run the group. Morris had a screen in screen promo, vowing revenge on Konnan. Konnan dominates the bout, and security would have to hold back Morris who was coming for revenge. Konnan wins the match with the Tequila Sunrise. After the bout Mean Gene interviews Konnan, who says Sullivan has no leadership and took too long dealing with Benoit. He then calls Sullivan a bitch for losing his woman to Benoit. This was a very average bout, and an average interview with solid storyline continuity.
Match/Segment: The Great Muta and Masahiro Chono fought to a No Contest Larry's Enjoyment Index: 4.0 Final Thoughts: Last week Ono promised to bring a nightmare to Chono, and that nightmare was The Great Muta. Commentary puts over Muta's history in WCW and he gets a solid crowd reaction, as they seemed to remember him. After a lot of stalling, including Chono chasing Ono around Muta locks up with Chono and is very tentative. Ono comes in the ring and yells at Muta, and it is then his worst fears are realized as he eats the RED MIST~! Muta and Chono beat down Ono and Muta uses Ono's camera to take pictures of him. Muta accepts the n.W.o shirt and joins the group. It is a cool angle if you like Muta, but the "International n.W.o" members never meant shit in the US, in my opinion.
Match/Segment: Savage and DDP Promos Larry's Enjoyment Index: 7.0 Final Thoughts: Savage and DDP both give good promos, hyping their feud. Both guys were really motivated at the time, and not only were the promos good, but most of the matches were really heated and good stuff. The only thing that ruins the DDP interview is the fact that Kimberly talked. Seriously, shut up chick. The idea of her stuff is fine, but her execution was horrible. A lot of people hated DDP for various reasons, but I felt that he did damn well, especially during the Savage feud.
Match/Segment: The Barbarian defeated Jim Powers Larry's Enjoyment Index: 3.0 Final Thoughts: Man, teddy Long was really the manager of Jobbers here in WCW. Ice Train and Jimmy Powers? Powers always had the look and could sell, but overall as a worker he lacked the elements (solid match building and charisma) to climb the ladder. That is why he never got past low-card/jobber status. This was not a pretty match, Powers almost died off of a powerslam spot (not his fault) and this was a squash.
Match/Segment: The Giant w/Lex Luger defeated Johnny Swinger, Jerry Flynn, and Rick Fuller Larry's Enjoyment Index: 6.5 Final Thoughts: Johnny Swinger, Jerry Flynn, and Rick Fuller were here to die. I dug the Giant with no entrance music and just the Kane-like pyro. Fuller was a decent big guy to do jobs, Swinger I have always like but how the hell did Jerry Flynn has a job for as long as he did? This guy was horrible. Seriously, does anyone know if he had dirt on Bishoff or something? Was he a friend of Hogan's? The Giant killed bitches dead and looked great. Before they turned him 34-times along with Luger, they really did a good job of making the Giant look like a killer. After the match we find out that Dennis Rodman and Hogan have signed an open contract for Bash at the Beach in July. Luger wants revenge for Rodman stepping over the lien months ago. Luger's points are great here, but his execution was bland. The giant promises to go after Hogan and showed way more passion than Luger here.
Match/Segment: Syxx Promo Larry's Enjoyment Index: 6.0 Final Thoughts: He tells us that the n.W.o never lost at Slamboree because Nick Patrick wasn't reinstated as of then. He then runs down Flair, and we see video of last week's beat down; including him taking the Edge and Jackknife. He then brings out Hall and Nash to run down Flair even more. Talk then turns to Piper, and they treat him much the same and then challenge Piper and Flair for a WCW Tag Team Title match. They then promise to retire Piper. This again was good feud continuation, although while all the points were good they really felt as if they were going through the motions.
Match/Segment: Harlem Heat w/Sister Sherri defeated Jeff Jarrett and Steve McMichael Larry's Enjoyment Index: 5.0 Final Thoughts: We see video of Kevin Greene and Mongo getting into it previously, and learn that they have been signed for the Great American Bash PPV. Greene even does a stint on commentary and actually doers a pretty good job of putting the match over. As for the tag bout, we get a very pedestrian effort from all four men. Considering that this is the main event match, the lack of effort is disturbing. I mean, who's idea was it to have Steve McMichael work the majority of the match? Seriously. McMichael would bail on Jarrett to attack Greene, which caused JJ to be left alone and soundly defeated. The good news is that Harlem Heat got a win and that they advanced angle with McMichael and Greene, but this was so average that is may not have even happened.
Match/Segment: Bishoff and Hogan close the Show Larry's Enjoyment Index: 6.0 Final Thoughts: Hogan proclaims that the n.W.o title is now on the line, but Bishoff explains that Sting will not be here because he is afraid. "Sting" cuts his way through the ring and Bishoff berates him. "Sting" then gets down on his knees and is made to admit that he worships Hogan. Hogan spits on the mat and "Sting" worships it. Tough luck for Bishoff and Hogan as Sting repels from the rafter sand death drops Bishoff. Hogan falls over the fake Sting, who then takes a beat down and death drop fro the real Sting. The whole n.W.o crew comes out now and they surround the ring. The main problem is that they stand there for minutes as Sting fumbles with his repelling line, and after what felt like forever, he is pulled to safety. That really killed the moment.
The Overall: Best Match/Segment: Super Calo, Juventud Guerrera, and Hector Garza defeated Damien, Ciclope, and La Parka 8.0 Worst Match/Segment:: The Barbarian defeated Jim Powers 3.0 Final Thoughts: Overall this was the best show of the short run I have done. While there were a lot of instances where I felt the effort lacked or things weren't done as well as they could be, the show was solid in that they were building feuds and matches in almost every segment. The one-hour shows really felt like mailed in efforts, where as this show felt like an actual effort to promote a wrestling program and its upcoming PPV(s). Show Score: 7.0
THE WINNER:
According to the Ratings: NITRO According to Larry: RAW Overall Series Score: RAW~8 – NITRO~2
Hey Larry love this column and think it's a great idea keep them coming.
The only thing that would make it better would be video but thats ok.
Posted By: Zedian (Registered) on February 26, 2008 at 03:10 PM
You want video? Get WWE 24/7. He's just watching the Monday Night Wars.
Posted By: David (Guest) on February 26, 2008 at 03:32 PM
A) Arg. Just fuckin' arg. B) It's really too bad Lar that you couldn't have got it hooked up so you could've started with both shows from the to p of the year. Because the score would be a tad more level(you didn't review the Kommandant!) and it would give a chance to see a full perspective on the best year of the '90s
Posted By: SMYK (Guest) on February 26, 2008 at 04:27 PM
The last 30 to 45 of this Raw is just awesome television. Those are three moments that I still fondly remember today, especially the Austin/HBK title win.
You can already see the problems with Nitro...they didn't have the mind-blowing whoa stuff each week like they did in 1996 and Raw was starting too.
Of course, I can only think of one whoa Raw moment -- the Hardy/Umaga cage match -- in like the last year.
Posted By: O'Dog (Guest) on February 26, 2008 at 11:07 PM
nice column. Ive been watching what is available of nitro and raw from mid 96, and now Im up to mid 98. Gotta say that nitro starts off so well but by fall 97, raw just surpasses it. Every nitro ends the same, with the nwo running in. I counted 5 times when someone came down dressed as sting and turned on a face. Raw got so much better.
Posted By: paddy (Guest) on February 28, 2008 at 09:53 AM
What I never understood was why the NWO didn't just all rush Sting at once I mean come on there were like 20 guys in the damn stable!
Posted By: JM (Guest) on March 01, 2008 at 01:01 PM
