Scarlet-Left

09/10/1995 WCW Monday Nitro Chicago, Illinois … Eric Bischoff: “Hello, everyone, I’m Eric Bischoff, and this is Monday Nitro! The greatest show on earth and, man, do we have a show lined up for you tonight!” Bobby Heenan: “Our brand has no equal. The greatest athletes in every division of this sport, call World Championship Wrestling their home.” Steve McMichael: “Except one.” Bobby Heenan: “Except one what? One wrestler? Who?” Steve McMichael: “Except one division, baby. Seems that you’ve pushed out all the top heavyweights, recently.” Bobby Heenan: “Top heavyweights?! Give me a break! We’ve got Ric Flair.” Steve McMichael: “And?” Bobby Heenan: “We’ve got Lex Luger.” Steve McMichael: “Uh huh.” Bobby Heenan: “We’ve got the Giant! We’ve got the Warrior! We’ve Arn Anderson!” Steve McMichael: “Okay, but when are any of them getting a world title shot?” Bobby Heenan: “When they’ve earned it.” Steve McMichael: “Like this, Justin Liger earned it, right?” Bobby Heenan: “Jushin Thunder Liger sure has earned a shot. He’s the most accomplished wrestler in the history of Japanese wrestling.” Steve McMichael: “I don’t know about that.” Bobby Heenan: “You don’t know about what? Anything? Well, I thought as much, just didn’t wanna’ say so, Pingu.” Steve McMichael: “I think the Stain’s having a temper tantrum!” Eric Bischoff: *false laughter* “Okay, gentlemen, that’s enough. Let’s get down to the ring. We’re giving things off with some lethal lottery action!” … First Match: Alex Wright and the Giant defeat Jim Duggan and Booker T in twelve minutes and thirty nine seconds. … Promotional Package: A video plays hyping up Halloween Havoc. This time, it focuses on the Battle Bowl, primarily highlighting Lex Luger and the Warrior. It ends with an ugly looking graphic, promoting the main event of Ric Flair versus Jushin Liger. … COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Eric Bischoff: “Welcome back to Monday Nitro! … Well, fellas, this year’s Battle Bowl certainly seems to be shaping up.” Bobby Heenan: “That’s right, we’ve got the Warrior, Lex Luger and the Giant!” Steve McMichael: “And Alex Wright.” Bobby Heenan: “Oh, yeah, don’t forget Alex Wright. He could very well set the record for fastest self-elimination!” Eric Bischoff: “We wanna’ take you back, now, to Fall Brawl, where we crowned the first ever WCW women’s champion.” … Video Recap: A video plays, with clips from Madusa’s first match against Akira Hokuto and the backstage chaos that ensued between the women later that night. … Eric Bischoff: “As you can see, folks, our women’s division has been characterised by turmoil. Being so new, it has not yet developed a clear ranking structure. Many of our female athletes consider themselves worthy challengers for the title and we’ve simply not seen enough competition to tell who really is.” Bobby Heenan: “So, what’re you gonna’ do about? I know you’ve been talking to those geeks on the committee.” Eric Bischoff: “We’re going to have a title match next week. To determine the number one contender, we’re having a three-way dance, tonight; Akira Hokuto versus Malia Hosaka versus Bull Nakano.” Bobby Heenan: “How will this solve things?” Eric Bischoff: “I was getting to that, Brain.” Bobby Heenan: “Oh, okay.” *eye rolling* Eric Bischoff: “Each of the three women involved have signed a contract. They’ve agreed to respect the outcome of this match and that, if they lose, they are barred from ringside for the title match under pain of a three-month unpaid suspension.” Bobby Heenan: “That seems a little harsh, Eric.” Steve McMichael: “Don’t listen to him. The Stain’s just mad he didn’t think of it himself.” Bobby Heenan: “Why I oughtta’...” … Second Match: The American Males (Marcus Bagwell & Scotty Riggs), with the Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers), defeat Baxter Golden & Richard Slater in nine minutes and thirty four seconds. … COMMERCIAL BREAK … Third Match: Harlem Heat (Stevie Ray & Booker T) defeat Jackie Fulton & the Patriot in thirteen minutes and forty nine seconds. … COMMERCIAL BREAK … Fourth Match: The Warrior defeats King Kong Bundy, via disqualification, in four minutes and two seconds, after interference from Arn Anderson. … Promotional Package: A video plays, using licensed footage from Asahi Pro Wrestling, along with archival footage from 1991, highlighting Jushin Thunder Liger and hyping up his match against Ric Flair at Halloween Havoc. … Gene Okerlund: “If I may, I’d like to get your thoughts on Jushin Thunder Liger.” Ric Flair: “He’s a chump, he’s a nobody. I really don’t get the hype.” Gene Okerlund: “Does he deserve to challenge for the title?” Ric Flair: “Let’s get one thing straight, Gene. No one deserves to challenge for the title. I’ve spent the past decade proving I’m the greatest wrestler ever.” Gene Okerlund: “So, you’re saying you can’t be beaten?” Ric Flair: *smirk* “No, I’m not saying that. The fact that I’ve held this belt so many times kinda’ proves I can be beaten.” Gene Okerlund: “So, you’re saying -” Ric Flair: “So, I’m saying, Gene, that there’s one constant in the title picture. That’s me! Challengers come and go, some even get lucky once or twice, but I always come out on top. So that’s the situation we’re in, now. This Jap’s gonna’ try his luck. Who knows what’s gonna’ happen?” Gene Okerlund: “But even if -” Ric Flair: “But at the end of that day! I am, the man! And I’m walkin’ into Starrcade as world champion!” Flair walks off. Gene Okerlund: “Well, there you have it, folks. Uh…” … Eric Bischoff: “That was ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund, this is, world championship wrestling, and we are live! Don’t go anywhere, folks.” … COMMERCIAL BREAK … Main Event: Bull Nakano defeats Akira Hokuto and Malia Hosaka in twenty six minutes and twenty seconds (including a commercial break). Hosaka was the first to be eliminated. … The Four Horsemen are in the ring, they’re suited and booted and Flair’s got a mic. Ric Flair: “Woo!” They each go to a different corner, basking in the crowd reaction. Ric Flair: “You know, I was asked earlier today, if I thought Jushin Liger deserved his opportunity. I want to elaborate on my answer. See, there’re only four men in this - woo! - business, that deserve anything. That’s us, that’s the four horsemen.” They all come back to the centre of the ring, at Flair’s bequest. Ric Flair: “And you don’t have to like us to realise that. Just look at us! See what we’ve got! We’ve got the gold. The most prestigious championships in this industry belong to us. That’s not an accident, that’s not a mistake. It’s just the law of nature.” A voice booms down from the entrance ramp, in response. The Warrior: “You speak of natural laws, as you know them! But you do not know who governs our fate! I have seen the gods! I have touched their faces, and I know their will!” Ric Flair: “Will someone shut his mouth!?” Luger rushes up the ramp, only to be met by a flying clothesline that knocks him to the ground. Flair drops his mic and runs to Luger’s rescue, with the rest of the horseman. Just as they seem to be getting the upper hand, Jackie Fulton, both of the Fantastics and the Patriot rush out to even up the odds. ... And, we’re off the air.

07/10/1995 WCW Saturday Night Atlanta, Georgia ... Opening Match: Alex Wright pins Cobra in five minutes and forty seconds. ... Video Recap: The commentators discuss the lethal lottery, and the match scheduled for tonight. Tony Schiavone tries to give the edge to Chris Kanyon and Stevie Ray, but Dusty Rhodes tears his rationale to pieces. ... Second Match: Madusa defeats Akira Hokuto, via disqualification, in fourteen minutes and eight seconds (included commercial break) after interference from Bull Nakano. ... Third Match: Lex Luger and the Warrior defeat Chris Kanyon and Stevie Ray in three minutes and twenty one seconds. ... Promotional Package: A spooky video plays, hyping up Halloween Havoc. It has the date and time correct but makes no mention of the Battle Bowl and seems to imply that Ric Flair will be taking on Sting. … Backstage Interview: Madusa flips out, challenging “... all comers…” and demanding Nakano face her, one on one. Hokuto interrupts the interview, yelling at her in Japanese. Gene Okerlund says they’ll have to take it up with the committee. … COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Main Event: Arn Anderson pins the Patriot in sixteen minutes and twelve seconds. … And, we’re off the air.

Let's see how well I can recondition my audience... we're in for a bumpy right. Episodes inbound...

Can confirm that my backlog will be completely worked through either tonight or tomorrow morning.

Okay, I've settled on Mondays. God-willing, there'll a bumper edition in two days!

As with before, I have things in my notebook, it's just about finding the time to write them up. I'm going to work on a schedule, so I can manage my free time appropriately.

WCW signs Johnny Ace.

02/10/1995 WCW Monday Nitro Denver, Colorado ... Eric Bischoff: "Hello, everyone, I'm Eric Bischoff coming to you live with a very special edition of Monday Nitro." Steve McMichael: "It's the lethal lottery, baby!" Eric Bischoff: "I'm here with Steve 'Mongo' McMichael, and not joining us this week, is WCW president Bobby 'the Brain' Heenan. He's got a busy day ahead of him but he'll be back at the broadcast table next week." Steve McMichael: "I've gotta' admit, not having 'the Stain' around's gonna' make this show a lot easier to call, from my perspective." Pepe has a party hat on. Eric Bischoff: "Aha ha ha. Well, let's get right to it!" ... Opening Match: the Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers) defeat Baxter Golden & Richard Slater in thirteen minutes and twenty seconds. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Gene Okerlund, Bobby Heenan and Alexandra York are gathered around a golden raffle tumbler. Gene Okerlund: "Okay, folks, it's time..." Clattering noises are heard. Gene Okerlund: "Okay, folks, it's time for us to draw the first sixteen names. We'll explain the rules to you as we go." Bobby Heenan: "Miss York, care to do the honours?" Alexandra York: "Certainly, Bobby. The first name is... the Warrior!" Gene Okerlund: "Wow. That's a big name... and, now, are we drawing his opponent or his tag team partner?" Bobby Heenan: "His partner comes next, then a second team." Gene Okerlund: "They'll be Warrior's opponents?" Bobby Heenan: "Potentially." Gene Okerlund: "Curious... but let's get on with it." Alexandra York: "The Warrior's tag team partner will be... Lex Luger!" Gene Okerlund: "Very interesting! Now, onto the second team, is it?" Bobby Heenan: "Yup." Alexandra York: "The next name is... Chris Kanyon!" Bobby Heenan: "Ha! *coughs* Ahem." Alexandra York: "And his tag team partner will be... Stevie Ray!" Gene Okerlund: "And they'll face Luger and Warrior, or won't they?" Bobby Heenan: "They will, this Saturday." Gene Okerlund: "And both members of the winning team will advance to the two-ring Battle Bowl on October twenty ninth! ... Okay, next team." Alexandra York: "We've got... Alex Wright!" Gene Okerlund: "Who's his partner going to be?" York cannot contain her smile. Alexandra York: "The Giant!" Gene Okerlund: "An impressive team, certainly. But what about their opponents?" Bobby Heenan: "Potential opponents." Gene Okerlund: "Right." Alexandra York: "The next name we've drawn is... um... I don't know... it's..." Heenan leans over her shoulder to see the name on the ball. Bobby Heenan: "Right, that's one of our mystery picks." Gene Okerlund: "Intriguing!" Alexandra York: "A... and his partner is... Brian Pillman!" Gene Okerlund: "And they'll face the Giant?" Bobby Heenan: "Ah, no. We want to keep the number of qualifying matches at Halloween Havoc to a minimum. The next time we draw a mystery pick, that'll be the team taking on Pillman and his partner." Gene Okerlund: "At Halloween Havoc?" Bobby Heenan: "Correct." Gene Okerlund: "So our mystery picks will be revealed then?" Bobby Heenan: "Yes." Alexandra York: "Okay... our next names are... Booker T! ... and... Jim Duggan!" Gene Okerlund: "And they'll be facing?" Bobby Heenan: "Alex Wright and the Giant, next Monday." Gene Okerlund: "Alright, then." Alexandra York: "Our next names are... Bob Backlund! ... and... Madusa!" Gene Okerlund: "Ah." Alexandra York: "And, next, we have... um... okay, we've got another mystery pick and... and... another. So, it's a team of mystery men." Bobby Heenan: "And they'll face Brian Pillman on the twenty ninth." Alexandra York: "And, finally, we have... Tommy Rogers! ... and... the Renegade!" Bobby Heenan: "Taking on Bob Backlund and Madusa, on the fourteenth." Gene Okerlund: "An exciting match up! Over to you... it's time for a commercial break. Don't go anywhere!" ... Eric Bischoff: "Ah, no, we've still got plenty of time." ... Second Match: the Warrior defeats Jim Duggan, via count-out, in three minutes and twenty seven seconds. ... Gene's in the back with Arn and Luger. Arn looks depressed. Gene Okerlund: "Gentlemen, still to come is our main event, where you'll be challenging Harlem Heat for the tag team titles but, first off, I want your thoughts on today's Lethal Lottery draw." He holds the mic up for Luger. Lex Luger: "It doesn't matter who my partner is! I'm the baddest and the bad - and the best. I'm the greatest! I'll be in the Battle Bowl! I'll be the tag team champions and no one's gonna' stop me!" Gene Okerlund: "So, Arn Anderson, how're you feeling about the Lethal Lottery?" Arn Anderson: "My opponent could be anyone, and it wouldn't make a lick of difference." Gene Okerlund: "Interesting comments. But how about this main event?" Arn Anderson: "I'm made for tag team competition, Gene. With Luger on my side, what hope do the champions have?" Gene Okerlund: "Well... they are brothers." Arn Anderson: "And we're horsemen." Gene Okerlund: "Point, definitely, taken." ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Bobby Heenan is in the ring, mic in hand, standing next to a small circular table, with an ugly felt green cloth drawn over it, clearly hiding something. Bobby Heenan: "Pipe down, losers! When I - when I took over as president of this company, our world champion was a nobody... our united states champion was a nobody... our television champion was a nobody... our women's champion was literally nobody... and our tag - and, yep, well this company's grown a lot since then... but I don't think we've done enough. I've come to the conclusion that there is one division of this glorious sport of professional wrestling that our athletes could become masters of, once again. Without any further ado, I present the reactivated WCW World Light Heavyweight championship!" He reveals the belt, the crowd pops, kind of. Bobby Heenan: "We will crown a new champion immediately, in our next match... Mascara Magica against Brian Pillman!" ... Third Match: Brian Pillman pins Mascara Magica in ten minutes and twenty one seconds to become the world light heavyweight champion. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Gene Okerlund: "We'e half way through our lethal lottery, with sixteen more names left to pick!" Alexandra York: "I've got... Arn Anderson! ... and... King Kong Bundy!" Gene Okerlund: "What a team!" Alexandra York: "Then, we've got... Jackie Fulton! ... and... a mystery pick!" Gene Okerlund: "So that's a match for Halloween Havoc, then?" Bobby Heenan: "Yeah, so we've got two qualifiers on the day itself." Alexandra York: "The next team is... Scotty Riggs! ... and... Gorgeous George the third!" Gene Okerlund: "Wow." Alexandra York: "And they'll take on -" Bobby Heenan: "On the sixteenth!" Alexandra York: "Uh, yeah... and, it's... Richard Slater! ... and... Baxter Golden!" Gene Okerlund: "Now that is interesting; they may have a distinct advantage, as an existing unit." Alexandra York: "Then, it's... Cobra! ... and... Bobby Fulton! ... taking on... Bobby Duncum Junior! ... and... John Nord!" Bobby Heenan: "Set for the twenty first." Alexandra York: "Our final match will be... Chris Adams! ... and... the One Man Gang! ... versus... well, for those keeping score, it's obviously... Marcus Bagwell! ... and, yep, it's... the Patriot!" Gene Okerlund: "They're former tag team champions, but the One Man Gang isn't to be taken lightly." Bobby Heenan: "So, that's our October twenty third match-up." Gene Okerlund: "And, now, we're... heading to the ring!" ... Fourth Match: Bull Nakano pins Malia Hosaka in eight minutes and eleven seconds. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Fifth Match: Bob Backlund pins Alex Wright in thirteen minutes and twenty two seconds. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Main Event: Arn Anderson & Lex Luger defeat Harlem Heat (Stevie Ray & Booker T) in sixteen minutes and twenty seven seconds, to become the new tag team champions. ... And, we're off the air.

Nitro will be a little late this week (not too late, however, since I've already got the hand-written version in my notebook), as I've been busy with starting my master's degree.

30/09/1995 WCW Saturday Night Orlando, Florida ... Opening Match: Baxter Golden & Richard Slater defeat the American Males (Marcus Bagwell & Scotty Riggs) in five minutes and forty two seconds. ... Video Recap: Clips of Luger and Arn winning their match on Nitro are followed by clips from Fall Brawl (of the Horsemen jumping Harlem Heat). The announcers talk about their upcoming match. ... Second Match: Bull Nakano pins Debbie Combs in fifty nine seconds. ... Hype Video: Clips from the three previous iterations of the Battle Bowl play, along with clips from the Giant's battle royal win at Fall Brawl. It ends with Heenan's announcement of the Lethal Lottery, this coming Monday, and Battle Bowl IV, set for Halloween Havoc. The announcers speculate as to who could end up paired together. Dusty says he wants to see the "... American dream team..." of Madusa and the Patriot. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Backstage Interview: Ric Flair berates Heenan for booking the main event of last week's Nitro, demands that he get his act together, wants a title on Pillman "... right now! ... Woo! ...", says the kid "... doesn't deserve to be treated like a chump... ". ... Third Match: Lex Luger pins Booker T in fourteen minutes and forty seven seconds (features a commercial break). ... Main Event: the Patriot defeats Brian Pillman, via disqualification, in seventeen minutes and forty eight seconds after interference from Arn Anderson. ... Mad Scramble Hype: Schiavone rushes to run down the card for Monday Nitro and Halloween Havoc.

25/09/1995 WCW Monday Nitro Florence, South Carolina ... Instead of the commentators introducing the show, we're immediately brought down to the ring after a single shot of the crowd. The Horsemen are there; Flair has a mic, and he looks manic, Luger appears surprisingly cheerful, Arn has a fairly blank expression but Pillman can't contain his scowl. Ric Flair: "Woo!" The crowd reaction is mixed but Flair is soaking it all in. He's got the big gold belt on his right shoulder, holding the mic in his left hand. Whilst the others are in their ring gear, Flair is in a navy blue suit. Ric Flair: "Some punks in the back may think they got one over on us, on Saturday. Well, think again! We're... the... four... horsemen! We run this place! Aha." Cheers and boos, it's all the same to Flair. He breathes it in. Ric Flair: "Speaking of which... Bobby Heenan! Get out here!" The president takes quite a while to come down. Flair and Luger pass the time with some backslapping. Ric Flair: "You mind telling us what happened on Saturday? You let those suckers get involved. Luger left without the belt, Bobby. What kind of company are you running?" Heenan appears nervous and flustered but he keeps trying to put on a smile. Bobby Heenan: "We can get Luger a rematch. Tonight, if you want." Luger doesn't look impressed by that. Ric Flair: "No, no, no, Bobby. We've got our own plan. Only, we need something from you, to make it work." Bobby Heenan: "Anything." Ric Flair: "See, we told everyone that we had our tag champs, in Arn and Pillman, and our US champ in Luger." Bobby Heenan: "Yes?" Ric Flair: "Well, that was before we knew the US title picture was filled with cheats and losers -" Bobby Heenan: "I can't strip the Giant of the belt, the - the board wouldn't let me, we've got too much tied up in him - and the committee's already hounding me for making that match 'no disqualification'. But I can fix things, if you just give me some time." Ric Flair: "Relax, Bobby. You didn't let me finish." Bobby Heenan: "Oh - uh - okay." Ric Flair: "We've decided to rearrange things slightly. See, we still need the tag titles... so, here's what's happening... Luger's gonna' pick them up, with Arn. You need to fast track a title match, Bobby, it's the least you could do for us." Bobby Heenan: I can get you a number one contenders' match. Tonight." Ric Flair: "Now we're getting somewhere! We'll take it. But that's not all. Pillman can't come out of this without any gold." Bobby Heenan: "There's the television title. Warrior's up for fighting anyone." Ric Flair: "That's a joke title. It doesn't mean anything." Bobby Heenan: "Uh..." Ric Flair: "Just think of something... soon." ... First Match: the Patriot pins Chris Adams in four minutes and fifty one seconds. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Second Match: Bull Nakano & Akira Hokuto defeat Madusa & Malia Hosaka in thirteen minutes and eleven seconds. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Eric Bischoff: "Welcome back to Monday Nitro!" Steve McMichael: "There's nowhere I'd rather be. The excitement, Eric, you can feel it in the building, and there's so much more to come." Eric Bischoff: "Quite right, we've still got great matches coming up, including Alex Wright and Mascara Magica taking on Arn Anderson and Lex Luger. Now, that's a match you just set up earlier in the evening, Brain." Bobby Heenan: "It's the right call. They're obviously championship material. Might as well skip as many unnecessary steps as possible." Eric Bischoff: "Well, if they can beat the number one contenders, and that's a big if, they'll have to contend with Harlem Heat." Bobby Heenan: "I don't think the result can be in any doubt. They're winning tonight, and they're snatching up the belts as soon as they get the chance." Eric Bischoff: "Well, we've got 'Mean' Gene Okerlund, ready to talk with someone who might have a thing or two to say about that. Over to you, Gene." ... Okerlund is in the back with Sherri Martel. Her clients are behind her, and they look like they're ready to kill somebody. Gene Okerlund: "Well, you've heard it from the horseman's mouth. Flair says Arn Anderson and Lex Luger are the next world tag team champions. Your thoughts?" Sherri Martel: "Talking's easy, my boys are here to fight." Gene Okerlund: "The horsemen are no strangers to confrontation themselves." Sherri Martel: "They're no strangers to ganging up on people, you're right... or stabbing 'em in the back. You saw what happened at War Games." Gene Okerlund: "I saw your clients ganging up on Sting and the Patriot with the Horsemen." Sherri Martel: "Oh, certainly. They used a scumbag tactic, but we were there to win." Gene Okerlund: "So you didn't approve?" Sherri Martel: "It ain't approval. I'm just pointing out a fact. When it comes down to it, they can't handle a two on two fight." Gene Okerlund: "There you have it, Eric. No matter who wins tonight, I'd say, they've got a tough time ahead of them if they want the tag team titles." ... Eric Bischoff: "Yes, we're... we're going to ringside now." ... Third Match: The Warrior pins King Kong Bundy in three minutes and two seconds. ... Eric Bischoff: "An excellent match-up. Now, Brain, I'm aware you've got some news for us." Bobby Heenan: "Yes, I've made some changes to the main event. We'll have the Giant defending his US title against Brian Pillman." Steve McMichael: "I've got a feeling' he'll have even worse luck than Luger." Bobby Heenan: "Shut up!" ... Fourth Match: Arn Anderson & Lex Luger defeat Alex Wright & Mascara Magica in twenty four minutes and forty seven seconds (including one commercial break). ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Okerlund has his arm held awkwardly toward the camera, his expression is one of mild annoyance. After two seconds of weird silence, an off-screen crewman mutters something and Okerlund's face snaps into a smile as York walks on screen with the Giant behind her. Gene Okerlund: "Your client is in the main event tonight, against Brian Pillman. What are your thoughts?" Alexandra York: "Well, Bobby - ahem - well, Gene, it's simple." Gene Okerlund: "How so?" Alexandra York: "The Giant will crush Brian Pillman. He was not mind aware that he would be competing tonight but he didn't need to be. He's always ready and always able to fight." Gene Okerlund: "If I might ask, where is his united states championship?" Alexandra York: "He does not need to carry around a piece of metal to be the champion, Gene." Gene Okerlund: "Interesting, and now we -" The Giant grabs the mic, shoves the two aside and shouts directly into the camera. The Giant: "I'm the champion! Brian Pillman, I'm a million times stronger than you will ever be!" ... Eric Bischoff: "Bobby, you have yet more announcements to make?" Bobby Heenan: "Are the graphics ready?" Heenan looks up beyond the camera, shifting his eyes from side to side before nodding. Bobby Heenan: "Well, it's going down like this. We've got a Battle Bowl to get to." Eric Bischoff: "An amazing match-type." Bobby Heean: "We're holding the lottery next week, and we've got the names." Eric Bischoff: "This should be interesting." Bobby Heenan: "Well, first off, we've got the Giant." Eric Bischoff: "Yep, we knew about that one." Bobby Heenan: "Well, he'd have been in it, anyway, on account of his US title win. Anyone with a championship as of today - they're all in." Eric Bischoff: "Including Flair?" Bobby Heenan: "Uh, no. It excludes the world champion. He'll be defending his title at Halloween Havoc. It's unfair to put him in the Battle Bowl, as well." Eric Bischoff: "Who's he facing?" Bobby Heenan: "I'm getting to that! I've gotta' run through the names for the lottery, first." Eric Bischoff: "Alright, so, the Warrior?" Bobby Heenan: "Yeah, he's in. Along with the tag champs." Eric Bischoff: "Ooh, that'll be interesting. There's a slim chance they'll stay together, but it's more likely they'll get split up." Steve McMichael: "It'll be interesting to say how well they do without each other. What if one of 'em gets into the Battle Bowl, and the other comes up short?" Eric Bischoff: "An excellent question." Steve McMichael: "What if they have to compete against each other before the Bowl?" Eric Bischoff: "That's a possibility." Bobby Heenan: "Right, then we've got Madusa." Eric Bischoff: "A woman?" Bobby Heenan: "Yeah it's just how York wrote up the contract. We assume she'll bow out of World War Three, but she wants to give this one a shot. She is a champion, so, legally, we can't stop." Eric Bischoff: "Wait, so the same rules apply to World War Three? Champions as of today are automatic entries?" Bobby Heenan: "Yeah, and Flair's in that one, too, if he wants to be." Eric Bischoff: "Why wouldn't he?" Bobby Heenan: "Will you get off my case? I'm not a mind reader!" Eric Bischoff: "But you're certainly close with Flair." Steve McMichael: "Some would say that the Stain's a little too close." Bobby Heenan: "Some would say Pingu's eyes are a little too close together." Eric Bischoff: "Gentlemen, please... Bobby, go on. Who else is in the lottery?" Bobby Heenan: "Luger." Eric Bischoff: "Of course." Bobby Heenan: "Arn Anderson." Eric Bischoff: "Go on." Bobby Heenan: "Pillman... Alex Wright, the Fantastics, the American Males..." Eric Bischoff: "Interesting so far." Bobby Heenan: "Slater and Golden, Jackie Fulton, Mascara Magica, Bob Backlund, Cobra, Jim Duggan, the Renegade -" Eric Bischoff: "The Renegade? No one's seen or heard from him since Fall Brawl." Bobby Heenan: "So what? We'll draw his name, pair him up with someone, and if he doesn't show up for his match, someone else'll get a shot." Eric Bischoff: "I suppose that's fair." Bobby Heenan: "And then, we've got John Nord, the Patriot, the One Man Gang, Chris Adams, King Kong Bundy, Bobby Duncum, Jr., Gorgeous George the third and Chris Kanyon." Eric Bischoff: "... We still need four more names." Bobby Heenan: "Those... are our mystery picks." Steve McMichael: "Mystery picks?" Bobby Heenan: "Mystery picks." Eric Bischoff: "So, we've heard it all, now. Who's Flair's opponent at Halloween Havoc, going to be?" Bobby Heenan: "On October twenty ninth, in Detriot, Michigan, Ric Flair will defend his title against this man!" ... A video plays, highlighting Flair's opponent: Jushin Thunder Liger. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Main Event: The Giant versus Brian Pillman ends in a 'no contest' ruling, in eight minutes and thirty four seconds, when the Horsemen spark a brawl with half the roster. ... And, we're off the air.

WCW signs Manami Toyota for the month of November.

23/09/1995 WCW Saturday Night Atlanta, Georgia ... Opening Match: Mascara Magica pins Gorgeous George III in six minutes and thirty six seconds. ... Video Recap: The commentators talk over clips from Monday Nitro, primarily related to Sting's suspension, they also cover the main event and how it plays into tonight's US title bout. ... The women's title match starts with a shoving match, after Kong powers out of a tie-up. The commentators mention that Madusa had specifically requested this match just after Fall Brawl went off the air. Kong is completely dominant during the opening few minutes but Madusa nails a dropkick just before the cut which makes Kong stumble. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Kong has regained control by the time we come back, and has Madusa in a sleeper hold. Seconds after the ref comes up to her, however, she finds the strength to go on; adjusting her positioning as well as she can and peppering Kong with elbow strikes to the gut. Once she's free, Madusa runs at Kong for a spear, but fails to bring her opponent down. With Madusa ensnared, Kong delivers a DDT for a count of two and three quarters. Madusa rolls out of the ring to catch her breath, she holds her head and appears dizzy. Kong joins her opponent on the outside but Madusa takes advantage of her as she steps down, assaulting her with a desperate series of forearm strikes. With Kong slightly groggy, Madusa reenters the ring. In the final stretch, Madusa tries for another spear. This one takes Kong off her feet, presumably because Madusa was able to build up more momentum for it (having come rebounding off the ropes). Madusa knows it won't be enough to put her away so she finishes things off with a frog splash from the top rope. It gets the two, but not much more. Both women take a while to get up but Kong is a little slower, and has her back to her opponent. Madusa takes full advantage, delivering a running kick that sweeps Kong's left leg from under her. Madusa cinches in a pin, after that, with Kong's backside in the air and her shoulders almost vertical to the mat. Kong kicks out at three and a quarter. Second Match: Madusa pins Aja Kong in fourteen minutes and twenty four seconds. ... In-Ring Promo: Flair is with his horsemen, but he does all of the talking; says he's glad that nuisance Sting is out of his hair, claims there'll still be a title match at Halloween Havoc and that he'll "... probably wrestle some chump from Japan, I don't know. I'll ask Bobby...", says Luger will be walking out tonight as US champion, and then his boys Arn and Pillman are going to take the tag titles. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... All of his stablemates accompany Luger to the ring, and stay on the outside working the crowd. The Giant, on the other hand, comes out alone. The opening is fairly standard, with Luger going for several shoulder tackles and encountering nothing but a roadblock each time. A shove rattles Luger and he retreats to ringside where his buddies engage in jolly backslapping. The Giant yells at them, incoherently. Luger heads back into the fray with renewed confidence but just winds up with a hand around his throat. Flair spits at the Giant to get his attention, allowing Luger to knock him off with a kick to the gut. It's at this point that the commentators mention that the president made this a 'no disqualification' bout a few hours ago. Luger's strikes land and the Giant has trouble countering them but Luger can't get a hold on him because he just keeps powering out. Luger tries to whip him into the ropes put the Giant's going nowhere. Instead, Luger is pulled into a clothesline. The Giant can't get the cover, however, because Flair and Pillman rush in to attack. The ref can do nothing and the commentators have a meltdown. Alexandra York then runs, awkwardly, down to ringside, followed by Slater and Golden. Arn rushes around the ring to join them and has no trouble taking them both down. In the ring, Luger has now joined the dog pile. Just as Arn looks set to join as well, however, the Giant throws all three men off. Luger stumbles into a corner, Pillman goes flying and Flair falls through the ropes. The Giant manhandles Luger, bringing him into the centre of the ring and thrashing him with an almighty choke-slam. He gets one, two and... no! Arn knocks the Giant away with a nasty kick to the ribs. He stomps a mudhole in the Giant as York, on the outside, smacking down on the canvas, starts to tear up. At that point, the cavalry arrives; the Patriot, Alex Wright, Mascara Magica and the Fantastics. The latter four keep Flair and Pillman busy and the Patriot throws Arn to the outside before joining them. Luger crawls over and lays one arm over the Giant. It's good for a count of one. The Giant ends the match with a power bomb. Main Event: The Giant pins Lex Luger in ten minutes and thirty seven seconds to become the United States heavyweight champion. ... Some post-match brawling ends the show.

18/09/1995 WCW Monday Nitro Johnson City, Tennessee ... Eric Bischoff: "Hello, everyone, and welcome to world championship wrestling!" Steve McMichael: "Yeah, baby!" Eric Bischoff: "We're less than a day removed from an explosive Fall Brawl, but this is Monday Nitro, and it waits for no man!" Steve McMichael: "I wish I could've been there, man, but I take solace in the fact that I've got a front-row seat for Monday Nitro, every single week." Eric Bischoff: "I'm Eric Bischoff and with, me as ever: this is Steve 'Mongo' McMichael -" Steve McMichael: "- this is Pepe." Eric Bischoff: "Aha. And we are joined by the WCW president Bobby Heenan!" Bobby Heenan: "..." Eric Bischoff: "A successful show for you, then, last night?" Bobby Heenan: "Oh, yeah. Buy-rate's through the roof, billions of dollars. We're going places, Eric." Eric Bischoff: "That's good to hear. And, now, we've got a championship match to kick things off." ... Opening Match: Harlem Heat (Stevie Ray & Booker T) defeat the Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers) in thirteen minutes and thirty seven seconds. ... Eric Bischoff: "We've got to take a quick break now but don't go anywhere because there's loads more action to come; we've got round two of the united states title tournament." Bobby Heenan: "I don't know why I let the championship committee talk me into a tournament. I should've just awarded the title to Luger, since it's a forgone conclusion that he's win -" ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Second Match: The Giant pins Jackie Fulton in five minutes and eleven seconds. ... Eric Bischoff: "So now we know, the Giant will face the winner of our main event - could be Lex Luger, could be the Patriot - for the united states championship on Saturday night." Bobby Heenan: "He'll face Luger, and lose." Steve McMichael: "Oh, he might face Luger, but he sure ain't losing. This guy's torn through everyone he's faced so far." Bobby Heenan: "That's cute." Eric Bischoff: "Next up, we're gonna' take a look at what went down, last night!" ... A video plays detailing the defecation of Arn Anderson and Brian Pillman to Flair's War Games team, and the subsequent resurrection of the four horsemen. ... Eric Bischoff: "Truly despicable." Steve McMichael: "You know, it took a whole of heart for the Patriot to keep going like he did." Bobby Heenan: "If by keep going, you mean crawl around in pain and cry for mommy then... yeah, I guess it does take a lot... something... to embarrass yourself in front of some eight thousand people like that." Eric Bischoff: "Okay, we've got 'Mean' Gene Okerlund in the back. What've you got for us, Gene?" ... Gene Okerlund: "Sting, if I may, I'd like to get your comments on what happened at Fall Brawl." Sting looks distracted, he's fidgeting. Sting: "Uh... yeah, no, it was... it was -no, screw it!" He gets closer to the camera, Gene struggles to manoeuvre the mic back up to Sting's chest. Sting: "Bobby Heenan, I'm pleading with you. You gotta' call off this match. The Patriot's hurt he can't wrestle tonight. You gotta' postpone his fight with Luger." Gene Okerlund: "Any further comments on the War Games?" Sting: "No." He walks off. Gene Okerlund: "Well... back to you then... Eric Bischoff." ... Bobby Heenan: "..." Eric Bischoff: "Any response to that, Brain?" Bobby Heenan: "Bah." Eric Bischoff: "Right, well, we were expecting that interview to go on a little while longer... do we? Can we get something cued up?" ... A video plays, advertising the basics of Halloween Havoc; Ric Flair will be there, to defend his belt, it's on October twenty ninth at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Bobby Heenan is in the ring when we return, he's got a mic and is being heckled by the crowd, much to his delight. Bobby Heenan: "I have announcement to make, uh... it can wait, if you'd like? ... I don't mind, I can just stand around... read the phone-book, yeah? ... Settle down. Anyway, I have an announcement: the Battle Bowl returns, along with the Lethal Lottery, on October the twenty ninth at Halloween Havoc. The firs name in the tumbler is the Giant. More will be added as and when they prove themselves. And, as for -" Sting legs it to the ring. Bobby Heenan: "What do you want? Back off!" Sting is talking to him, but Heenan's mic isn't picking it up; he's very animated, pleading. Bobby Heenan: "No. I've got a main event. It's set... for - it's set - for tonight and Saturday." A crewman tosses Sting a mic of his own. Sting: "I can sub for the Patriot. I can take on Luger, you'll still have your main event!" Bobby Heenan: "But it ain't just tonight, is it? We've got the tournament finals on Saturday." Sting: "You can still have your finals, Bobby. You can still have your finals." Bobby Heenan: "Oh, what, you think you should be added back into the tournament? Take the Patriot's place? Or... do you think that if you beat Luger, he should get a bye to the finals? What is it?" Sting: "No, you can have Luger face Patriot some other day, between now and Saturday. But he's not good for tonight, he's still hurt!" Bobby Heenan: "Get lost! If he doesn't wanna' fight, he can forfeit the match. You're not subbing in for him." Sting goes for Heenan, grabbing the lapels of his jacket, having dropped his mic, shouting in Heenan's face before security swarm in and take him to the back. Heenan looks shaken as he leaves the ring. ... The Warrior's music plays and he storms to the ring, title in hand. He looks... pumped. He gets tossed a mic. The Warrior: "There is no time for ceremonies! If I am to be ordained, let it be by fires of combat! Each victory I accrue shall be transferred to this championship, as the gods have bestowed it upon me! My triumphs shall be its own and it shall be a worthy prize once again! Soon, all men will long to be called the television champion of the world, and when one of those men finally takes it from me, all will know he is worthy! That is the true order of things; no imitation, no dirty tricks! I am immune to such things, for I have survived the hellish landscape of the north, where such things are commonplace! Only by matching me in spirit and strength, will any man overcome the Warrior! So, now, I call forth my first opponent! Any man who things he can dethrone the Warrior, step forth and be annihilated by my hand!" ... Third Match: The Warrior pins One Man Gang in one minute and fifteen seconds. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Fourth Match: Aja Kong pins Akira Hokuto in fourteen minutes and fifty five seconds. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Eric Bischoff: "Welcome back, and still to come, we've got the team of Alex Wright and Mascara Magica taking on Arn Anderson and Brian Pillman." Bobby Heenan: "I have a comment, if I may?" Eric Bischoff: "Of course." Bobby Heenan: "I'm speaking officially here: world championship wrestling will not tolerate the mistreatment of its staff by our wrestlers. To that end, I can hereby reveal that Sting has been suspended, for forty-five days, effective immediately." Eric Bischoff: "Whoa, this big news! Forty five days?" Bobby Heenan: "Yeah, he'll miss Halloween Havoc an' he won't challenge Flair for the world title." Eric Bischoff: "And on that bombshell, we take you to the ring." ... Pillman starts things off with Magica. Evenly matched at first, Pillman is able to take control when he stoops to underhanded tactics. Once Wright is tagged in, however, thing's become far more competitive. A fun back-and-forth ensues before Arn comes in to turn the tide fully in his team's favour. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Arn is abusing Magica, as we return, and threatening to tear off his mask. Sting rushes down the aisle but makes a beeline for commentary desk. Pillman gets down from the apron to stop him but gets a clothesline for his trouble. Sting is carted away by security before he can do much more than shout at Heenan but the distraction is enough for Wright to get tagged in and get a school boy pin on Arn. Fifth Match: Mascara Magica & Alex Wright defeat Arn Anderson & Brian Pillman in eighteen minutes and twenty seconds. Arn and Pillman are furious. ... Eric Bischoff: "Wow, okay. Well, we've - well, we've -" Bobby Heenan: "- yeah, that's right, goodbye, Sting! Yeah, have a nice vacation!" Eric Bischoff: "It's about time for our main event. I guess it'll have to be on television time remaining. Bobby Heenan: "It shouldn't take too long. It's Luger we're talking about." ... Del puts in a valiant effort, and even gets some shine in the beginning, but he can never capitalise; his right leg keeps giving out on him. Main Event: Lex Luger pins the Patriot in twelve minutes and twenty three seconds. ... Eric Bischoff: "Okay, folks, make sure you're watching TBS this Saturday because we've got two championship matches for you. Aja Kong will challenge Madusa for the women's heavyweight title and, in our main event, we now know it'll be Lex Luger versus the Giant for the US title! You don't wanna' miss it!" ... And, we're off the air.

Since most of the other players are behind me, time-zone wise, I'm going to write things up in the morning rather than the night from now on. It should make things easier for me.

I'm a little sleep-deprived (it's four in the morning), so I may have missed so things when proof-reading Fall Brawl. For some reason the BB code on the site had a tantrum, so I had to go through the whole thing, getting rid of it all and re-doing it in the rich text editor. It took hours (evidently). Ugh.

17/09/1995 WCW Worldwide Asheville, North Carolina ... Opening Match: Jim Duggan pins John Nord in six minutes and twelve seconds. Hype Video #1: WCW Fall Brawl card is run down, with the reveal of a new match; the winners of the next two matches will battle in "... the Worldwide Special..." (going forward, every pay-per-view on the WCW calendar will offer a last minute chance for four "... fan favourites..." to find their way onto the card). Second Match: Alex Wright pins Bobby Duncum, Jr. in eight minutes and eleven seconds. Hype Video #2: A video plays which hypes up the women's and united states title tournaments, calling Fall Brawl a "... night of tournaments...". Main Event: Mascara Magica pins Scotty Riggs in eleven minutes and forty seven seconds. Hype Video #3: Snippets from the Warrior's two promos and the finish of the Warrior versus Chris Adams play to hype up the television title match. Show ends. ... 17/09/1995 WCW Fall Brawl 1995: War Games Asheville, North Carolina ... Eric Bischoff: "Hello, and welcome, to WCW Fall Brawl 1995 -" Dusty Rhodes: "It's War Games, baby!" Eric Bischoff: "It certainly is, that's our main event this evening but we've got a lot to get through before then." Dusty Rhodes: "We've got scores to settle... we've got titles on the line, baby!" Eric Bischoff: *handsome smile* "And we'll get to see it all! Ladies and gentleman, I'm Eric Bischoff, this is 'the American Dream' Dusty Rhodes -" Dusty Rhodes: "The one, the only!" Eric Bischoff: "- and we are joined by the WCW president, Bobby 'the Brain' Heenan..." Bobby Heenan: "Ha ha! Look at that, what an idiot!" Eric Bischoff: "What?" Bobby Heenan: "One of the humanoids brought his kid to show, poor little guy's got a sign saying 'we heart Sting'. Why would you do that to your child? Take them to a show to watch their hero get beaten to a pulp?" Eric Bischoff: "Some would say Sting has the stronger team, all things considered." Bobby Heenan: "What things considered? Flair's a world champ, he's got the tag champs with him and Luger's also held the world title. Can Sting say the same?" Eric Bischoff: "Well, Sting's held the title. Arn Anderson's held several titles. Brian Pillman held the light heavyweight title and the tag titles and the Patriot was a tag champion not too long ago." Bobby Heenan: "Yeah, but it's all in the past, ain't it? Flair's got the gold, and Sting's team are coming to the match with nothing - not an ounce." Dusty Rhodes: "Luger ain't got no gold, either. If I were him, I'd been looking, all shifty-eyed at Flair. Where's my belt, Ric?! Where's my belt?" Bobby Heenan: "Luger's got the US title in the bag. In fact, he knocked Sting out of contention for it." Dusty Rhodes: "I know what it feels like to be a champ. Luger ain't got that feeling, baby. You're in for a rude awakening, if you think he's winning that tournament." Bobby Heenan: "Well who'd you think's taking it? The Patriot? Give me a break!" Dusty Rhodes: "I didn't say that, Bobby. I did not say that. Did I say that?!" Dusty takes off his head-set, stands up, and begins shouting. Bobby Heenan: "What's your problem, Dream?" We only hear snippets of Dusty's response, as and when Heenan's mic picks it up. Dusty Rhodes: "... you gotta'..." "... someone's gonna'..." "... I'll..." Eric Bischoff: "Gentlemen, please. We've got a match to call!" Dusty settles back into his seat. Bobby Heenan: "Sheesh!" Eric Bischoff: "This is a number one contender's match for the tag team championships. Brain, tell us how this came about." Bobby Heenan: "Well, ordinarily, the former champions could expect a rematch. However, with the current champs unable to defend their titles tonight, I didn't want to leave this card without a space to show-case the depth of the division. So, I'm making the old champs work for their rematch." ... Opening Match: the Fantastics (Bobby Fulton & Tommy Rogers) defeat Baxter Golden and Richard Slater (with Alexandra York) in six minutes and twenty nine seconds. ... Eric Bischoff: "So, an interesting match-up, there. When can we expect the Fantastics to face Harlem Heat?" Bobby Heenan: "Soon." Eric Bischoff: "... Okay, well, folks, we're going to take a look at our main event now." ... A video plays; its starts with a look back at War Games past (clips of Michael Hayes posing and taunting, a lot of clips from '92 and it ends on a shot of El Gigante carrying Brian Pillman in his arms) before moving on to clips detailing the trouble Sting has had finding a team. The last few minutes of the video are dedicated to the animosity between Ric Flair and Arn Anderson (it features clips from their interviews, their match and snippets of commentators talking about it). ... Second Match: Jackie Fulton pins Chris Kanyon in four minutes and forty two seconds. ... Eric Bischoff: "So, there we have it. Jackie Fulton will face the Giant tomorrow night, when we enter round two of the united states title tournament. Dusty Rhodes: "He's mincemeat, when that Giant gets his hands on him. That's my pick to win. I think the Giant's our new united states champion, baby!" Bobby Heenan: "Don't be ridiculous!" Eric Bischoff: "He has been impressive, Brain." Bobby Heenan: "I took an impressive dump last night, Eric. It still looked like -" Eric Bischoff: "-whoa now." Bobby Heenan: "You get the point." Eric Bischoff: "And on that... note, we head back down to the ring." ... No one is in the ring. Nothing happens. ... Eric Bischoff: "No -actually, I think we're- yes, no, we're going to take a look at the women's title tournament." ... Heenan shakes his head just before the video plays. It's an extended version of the video that played on Saturday; it includes footage from Debbie Combs versus Aja Kong which plays as we hear a few seconds of some audio that's been playing on the hotline for a few days (it's Madusa claiming not to understand why Akira Hokuto interfered in her match). ... Eric Bischoff: "And, now, we'll head to the ring, I think... yes." ... Third Match: the Warrior pins the Renegade in two minutes and twenty one seconds, winning the world television title. He is tossed a mic afterwards. ... The Warrior: "The Imitator has been defeated and the gods have been appeased! He may be reborn, or he may fade away! It does not matter to the Warrior, for I have found a higher calling! This title I now hold must be made clean! It has spent too long around the waist of a man who has been judged unworthy! This I pledge; I will take on all challengers! I will fight until I can fight no longer! The planets are in alignment and the stars have shown me the way! No other man can redeem this work of leather and metal! No other man can set it right! Can you not feel it!? Do my words not reverberate amongst you!? Can you not see that I alone will save us!? Many powerful beings walk the hallways of the world wrestling championship! But my only equal has already left its narrow confines! Either I will carry this belt until my dying days! Or some creatures will rise through the crucible and take my place and steal my power! But there is no one at the present time who can match the warrior! There is no other favoured son!" ... Eric Bischoff: "Well, how about that?" Dusty Rhodes: "Those are fightin' words!" Bobby Heenan: "Those are loony words." Eric Bischoff: "Well, I think we're -yes, we're going to be joined by Alexndra York for our next match." Bobby Heenan: "Miss York." Heenan offers her the seat next to him. Alexandra York: "Thank you, mister Heenan." Bobby Heenan: "Have you not brought your computer with you?" *light chuckling* Alexandra York: "I don't need a computer... I have a giant." Eric Bischoff: "That you do, and we'll be seeing him in action in just a few minutes. In fact, the Giant's stocking has been on the rise ever since his debut. He's already through to the second round of the united states title tournament and I know he's factored into some of the business plans our president has been pursuing." Alexandra York: "That's right. Soon enough, he'll be the united states heavyweight champion -" Bobby Heenan: "- we disagree on that one." *polite, false and friendly laughing* Alexandra York: "I'm aware of that, mister Heenan, yes. The fact remains, he's yet to be defeated... I've -yes, no, go ahead -" Bobby Heenan: "- Miss York came to me recently, with some ideas for growing the company. She's a smart young woman, and her concept of a three-ring battle royal was too good to pass up." Eric Bischoff: "This is the 'World War Three' I've seen the marketing material for?" Alexandra York: "Naturally, I had my client's best interest at heart when I signed over the relevant patents to the company. I believe the Giant will soon be known as 'the King of the Battle Royal'. Bobby Heenan: "Yep, and that's what we're showcasing here, tonight. We're going to have a two-ring battle royal." Eric Bischoff: "Battle Bowl?" Bobby Heenan: "No, think of this as a preview for two things; Battle Bowl four and World War Three. If the Giant can win here, tonight -" Alexandra York: "- he will." Bobby Heenan: "Then he'll have guaranteed his place in the three-ring battle royal, set for November twenty sixth." Eric Bischoff: "And Battle Bowl four?" Bobby Heenan: "Battle Bowl four, along with the Lethal Lottery, will take place on October twenty ninth, at Halloween Havoc." Eric Bischoff: "That's... okay, that's a lot to take in... and we're off!" ... Fourth Match: The Giant defeats Chris Adams, Marcus Bagwell, Bob Backlund, Cobra and Jim Duggan in twelve minutes and fifty seconds. ... Eric Bischoff: "An impressive outing for the Giant. And we'll see him in action tomorrow night, against Jackie Fulton, with the winner advancing to the finals of the united states title tournament." Alexandra York: "Gentlemen." York leaves. Eric Bischoff: "And, up next, we've got Alex Wright taking on Mascara Magica." Dusty Rhodes: "I got to see these boys up close when they first tangled and I can't wait to see it again!" ... Worldwide Special Match-up: Alex Wright pins Mascara Magica in fifteen minutes and twenty three seconds. ... Eric Bischoff: "An excellent match-up. These young men continue to impress." Bobby Heenan: "Yeah, you know what's really impressive?" Eric Bischoff: "What?" Bobby Heenan: "Losing, a whole bunch of times, ha ha!" Dusty Rhodes: "You're talking to Bobby Heenan, Eric. He sure knows a lot about losing!" Bobby Heenan: "I could teach you. You could do with losing some -" Dusty Rhodes: "- you could lose an eye, talking like that. My elbow still works! It's still breaking skulls, baby." Eric Bischoff: "Uh... So we have a match to be getting to." ... The two women are already in the ring; Hokuto is wearing black and gold, to match her face-paint, and Madusa is wearing a blue two-piece. They're staring each other down. Hokuto looks unmoved but Madusa seems nervous, her jaw is wavering ever so slightly. Michael Buffer: "Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention, please. The following contest is the main event in the WCW women's title match! The winner will be declared the first ever WCW women's wrestling championship! Bobby Heenan: *stifled laughter* Michael Buffer: "Introducing the challenger, she is made in the USA... and... Madusa! And her opponent, from the Land of the Rising Sun, Akira Ho-ku-to!" Ding-ding-ding, and the match is underway. They go straight into a tie-up. They don't move anywhere for the first few seconds, but they appear to be giving it all they have from the shake in their legs. Madusa eventually gets the best off things and pushes Hokuto into the corner. Randy Anderson calls for the clean break and gets it but Hokuto takes advantage, nailing Madusa with a closed fist. The ref shouts at her but she laughs him off. Eric Bischoff: "What happens if there's a disqualification or a count-out, will the title stay vacant?" Bobby Heenan: "There is no disqualification. There must be a winner." Eric Bischoff: "So, really, that closed fist was legal? And Madusa didn't have to break the hold?" Bobby Heenan: "I guess." Madusa breaks out of a camel clutch, standing up with Hokuto on her back and then slamming her to the ground. The crowd roar they're approval, chanting "... USA! USA! ...", as the two women get back to their feet. Dusty Rhodes: "Madusa's got the crowd on her side, tonight!" Bobby Heenan: "As opposed to any other night, where I'm sure the humanoids would be more than willing to root for a foreigner. Give me a break." Eric Bischoff: "Now, now, Brain. Bret Hart was treated to a warm welcome upon his debut." Bobby Heenan: "That's a bit different, he's -" Eric Bischoff: "- I don't think we wanna' go there." Bobby Heenan: "To Canada?!" Hokuto dodges a standing drop kick and immediately regains control. She tosses Madusa across the ring, by her hair. With Madusa on her back, by the ropes near the corner, Hokuto pounces, locking her opponent in stranglehold. Madusa has hold of the ropes but the ref can do nothing but count to four a few times. Hokuto mocks him. "One-two-three-four! Ha ha ha! One-two-three-four!" Pee Wee eventually just gives up. Madusa is only able to break free by pulling herself off the apron. She tumbles to the floor and scrambles over to the barricade, gasping for breath and clutching her throat. Eric Bischoff: "I think Hokuto may take this one." Hokuto gets onto the turnbuckle, one leg on the bottom rope, one leg on the second, and taunts the crowd as she waits for Madusa to get back in. Her opponent uses this opportunity, transitioning from crawling to a half-run/half-leap as she gets into the ring. Hokuto is caught by an explosive clothesline as she gets down from the turnbuckle. Madusa can't follow up with a pin attempt, however. She appears spent and Hokuto rises to her feet before she does. Hokuto gets Madusa in a headlock. Though it's tight around the neck, she neglects to pull Madusa into a standing position. Hunched over, Madusa is able to fight out of it, with elbows to Hokuto's gut. A back-and-forth ensues, with both women trading an equal number of strikes and holds. Madusa seems to be being worn down far quicker, however. They break into a round of whipping each other to the ropes. Hokuto throws Madusa into the ropes, she rebounds and transitions into an Irish Whip of her own, and vice versa. On her fifth time on the rebound, however, Madusa falters and falls, exhausted, to her knees in the centre of the ring. Hokuto capitalises, big time, and clatters her across the chest with a stiff kick. She gets a close two-count. Bobby Heenan: "This it for Madusa! She's gonna' regret kicking out a few minutes from now." Eric Bischoff: "She's showing a lot of guts, that's for sure." Dusty Rhodes: "She's a fighter!" Bobby Heenan: "She's an idiot." Hokuto drags her across the ring, by her hair, and takes her to the ropes. There, she pulls her hair and begins taunting her in Japanese. This spurs the crowd into action. "U-S-A! U-S-A!" Madusa is crying from the pain, just a little, but she answers Hokuto with a head-butt. Hokuto's hair conceals the impact but commentators claim they can hear the thud from ringside. It knocks Hokuto loopy for a few crucial seconds. Madusa follows it up with loud palm strike to the face. Keeping up the assault, Madusa tries to kick at Hokuto's gut. Her leg is caught, the other leg is kicked away and she collapses to the canvas. Still in control of the right leg, Madusa transitions into a single-leg crab and wrenches back. Madusa screams in pain and holds the ropes for dear life. Eric Bischoff: "Now, the ref can't break this, but I don't think he can accept a submission whilst they're in the ropes... is that right, Brain?" Bobby Heenan: "I... no, I... I'm not sure it matters, it's no disqualification." Eric Bischoff: "Well, he couldn't count a pin on the outside... so I don't think he could record a submission whilst Madusa's in the ropes." Bobby Heenan: "In that case, would anyone submit but refuse to let go of the ropes? You're not really submitting, then, are you?" Dusty Rhodes: "Who cares?! She's out of the ropes, now, baby!" Madusa pulls herself through the ropes and into the second ring. She's holding the small of her back, desperately, shutting her eyes tight and baring her teeth. Hokuto spends some time in the first ring, pacing and cursing before following her out. She goes for a leg hold, of some kind, but Madusa kicks her away. When Madusa is back on her feet, the two women stare each other down again. Hokuto is breathing heavily but evenly, whereas Madusa is struggling for air. Hokuto is rolling her shoulders and nursing the beginnings of small bruise of her elbow, whereas Madusa is seething in pain and holding her back. They back away, to separate sides of the ring and get back into the first, slowly. Hokuto is the first in, naturally and she rushes over to her opponent. Once Madusa is through the ropes, she's caught in vertical suplex. Hokuto takes no chances with the cover; she pins Madusa with a knee on her chest and a handful of tights. One-two-no! Wanting to end it, Hokuto heads up top. Madusa staggers to her feet, slowly and groggily and it looks like it's all over. In an act of miraculous desperation, however, Madusa rushes to the corner and smacks Hokuto upside the head. She follows it up with a superplex, crawls over for the pin and... it's all over. Ring the bell. She rolls away, out to the floor and slumps against the barricade, breathing hard and smiling through the pain. The title is presented to her by a crewman and she cradles it in her lap. Sixth Match: Madusa pins Akira Hokuto in thirty four minutes and twenty seconds. ... A video plays, advertising Halloween Havoc; it mainly exists to give the production crew some time to prepare, however, showing little of note. Battle Bowl IV is scheduled for the event, along with the Lethal Lottery. ... Eric Bischoff: We take you now to Tony Schiavone, in the back with the first ever WCW women's heavyweight champion, Madusa." ... Madusa is in the back, holding her title, she's still panting, drenched in sweat and water from a bottle she goes to every so often. Tony Schiavone: "How does it feel to be WCW's first ever women's champion?" Madusa: "It feels good... Tony... I'm... feeling good about my... accomplishment... I knew that... the competition... in WCW... was going... was... was going to be tough and I... I'm just thankful I got here... in time for the tournament and... yeah... I'm feeling good... it's an honour to..." Tony Schiavone: "Hey, now, you can't -" Aja Kong moves in front of the camera, shoves Tony away and gets up in Madusa's face. She rants in Japanese and starts becoming physical. Madusa is in no position to fight back but Malia Hosaka burst onto the scene to help. She knocks Kong out of the camera's line of sight. The camera is then roughly picked up to follow the action. Hosaka can't follow up her surprise attack with anything effective and is knocked to the ground by Kong. Tony legs it down the corridor as Kong goes back after Madusa. Rather than laying her ought, however, she simply grabs her and yells something at her before leaving. Madusa lets out a weary sigh but this, too, is cut short as another figure comes into view of the camera. Bull Nakano simply stares intently, prompting the champ to get up in her face. Madusa: "You want this, huh? Well, get back in line!" ... Eric Bischoff: "Live on TNT, tomorrow night. We've got the Fantastics challenging Harlem Heat for the tag team titles and Lex Luger versus the Patriot in the main event!" Dusty Rhodes: "There ain't nothing else worth watching on a Monday, I tell you that!" Eric Bischoff: "It's nearly time for our main event!" ... A video plays, recapping the feud between Sting and Flair, which ends with footage of the War Games caging being lowered on occasions past. It fades to the live feed, of the War Games cage being lowered and fireworks going off. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom! ... Flair's team come out first. Harlem Heat lead the procession, looking hard as nails. Sherri addresses the camera, saying something inaudible. Bobby Heenan: "Sting sings for a rollover kite?" Luger comes out after, focused and ready. Flair takes his time, however, sauntering up and down the entrance ramp, making sure everyone's had a good look at the title around his waist. Once they're done, Sting's team comes out. They enter as a unit, fired up, hollering at the crowd, slapping hands and backs and so on. The Patriot is the first to enter, with Flair's team making the crowd wait. Eventually, after some mock deliberations, Flair himself wanders up to the cage door. He hangs off it, taunting Sting before he enters. "Woo." There's a devilish look in his eye. Despite that, the first period is tough for Flair. He's spends most of it began tossed around. He begs off a few times but Del doesn't fall for it. Eric Bischoff: "With this performance, I'd say the Patriot should be challenging for the world title." Bobby Heenan: "That's absurd!" The Patriot manages hit a vertical suplex from one ring to the other, just as the five minute mark hits. Nick Patrick tosses a coin, looks at and points to Sting's team. The crowd go mental. Eric Bischoff:"Flair's in trouble!" Dusty Rhodes: "This is gonna' be good! Arn Anderson runs in and picks Flair up. They regard each other and Arn raises his fists, muttering curse words. Flair begs off, feigning back pain, and pleading with his old friend. The Patriot turns his back on the scene, posing for the crowd and soaking in the atmosphere as the crowd roars their approval. And then... smack! Anderson's clobbered Del with a forearm to the back. Sting and Pillman go apoplectic as the rest of Flair's team keel over laughing. Flair and Arn hurl Del into the cage wall a few times and stomp some mud-holes in him. He tries as best he can to fight back but they keep on top of him well enough. Any trouble they do have is ended by the arrival of Stevie Ray. Dusty Rhodes: "It's three on one!" Eric Bischoff: "This is gross." Bobby Heenan: "This is great!" Sting is trying to yell encouragement through the cage to his pal, but it's not doing much good. Pillman is hanging off the outside of the far wall, shouting and shaking. Flair and his men pay no heed, however. They get Del up for an assisted power bomb and Arn tosses him from one ring to the next. After that, they give him some time to recover, merely backslapping one another and taunting the crowd. When the klaxon sounds, Pillman rushes in, fired up and ready to do some damage. He does some damage... to Del's leg. He stomps on it as he passes by and makes his way to the other ring where he's greeted with a hug from Arn and a smile from Flair. Sting starts to yell but gives up quickly. His head falls and he wanders to the far end of the cage, trying to talk to his teammate. Flair's team allow this to happen, letting the Patriot crawl over to the cage wall to hear what his captain has to say. They leave it to Booker T to drag him back to the centre. Only then do they get back to the task at hand. They each take turns battering his legs; Stevie stomps his left, Flair drops a knee on his right, Booker wrenches his left and Pillman drops an elbow on the right, held in place by Arn, from the second rope. As the time draws near, Stevie Ray guards the door, waiting to stop Sting before he can even get going. He's nailed across the face almost immediately and the Stinger goes to town. He takes Booker down with clothesline and uses the cage roof to assist him in knocking Arn and Pillman down with dropkicks, in turn. Flair's begs off and gets a DDT for his troubles. Sting can't focus on any one person for long, and he knows this, so he rushes from man to man, getting kicks in where he can and generally just trying to keep them all down. He tries to bring Del to his feet a few times but never with any success as he has to keep rushing to someone or other to nail them with a kick or a stomp to keep them from getting up. And then... Luger enters. Bobby Heenan: *cackles of glee* "It's all over!" Pillman tries to jump Sting as his attention turns to the man slowly walking into the cage but Del trips him. The Stinger doesn't wait a second longer than he has to. Once both of Luger's feet are on the canvas, he rushes him and goes for another assisted dropkick. Luger catches his legs. It's all over. He hold them until Sting's upper body strength fails him and then let's him fall. It's all over. Luger's teammates, plus Arn and Pillman, all get to their feet soon enough. It's all over. They beat Sting down before splitting up; Luger, Booker and Stevie take Del, Flair, Arn and Pillman take Sting. They do as much damage as they need to to secure a submission. It's over. Ding-ding-ding. The Patriot can't bear the pain any longer. Main Event: Ric Flair, Lex Luger, Stevie Ray and Booker T defeat Sting, the Patriot, Arn Anderson and Brian Pillman in twenty one minutes and twenty one seconds. To close the show, Flair, Luger, Arn and Pillman celebrate at the top of the ramp. Sherri is in front of them, flanked by Harlem Heat. She's taunting the crowd when she freaks out. Her clients are both attacked from behind and go tumbling to the floor. She rushes to check on them and the broadcast ends on a shot of the four men left standing. They raise that immortal symbol; four fingers, four horsemen.

This is the first edition of Saturday Night in the summary style format, initially advertised (I wanted to but more into the first couple, to make sure certain things got rolling).

16/09/1995 WCW Saturday Night Charlotte, North Carolina ... Opening Match: The Giant pins Mascara Magica, in four minutes and thirty two seconds, to advance to the second round in the united states title tournament. ... Video Recap #1: The finish of Madusa versus Aja Kong, snippets from Akira Hokuto versus Malia Hosaka, footage from a WCW magazine photo-shoot (Madusa and Hokuto, each with a hand on the new women's title, with their free hands held back as fists). ... Candid Interview #1: Ric Flair talks about the main event, claims he doesn't know what's "... gotten into Arn, lately...", waivers in his tone, ultimately blames Brain Pillman's influence. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Video Recap #2: The finish of Bret Hart's debut match, Bobby Heenan revealing that Hart and Bulldog are bound for New Japan, the reveal of Luger as Flair's fourth man, clips from War Games past. ... Candid Interview #2: Sit-down with Arn Anderson in his home; he wonders why whether he's already wasted his opportunities to be a world champion, claims Flair's days as a credible world champion are coming to an end "... maybe not tonight, I don't know, but he can't hold onto that title for long...", says Brian Pillman is the future of WCW and that he wants to keep the guy from making the same mistakes he did. ... Hype Video: Brackets are shown for the united states title tournament, highlighting the Patriot, Lex Luger and the Giant. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Main Event: Ric Flair defeats Arn Anderson, via disqualification, in thirteen minutes and twenty three seconds when Brian Pillman interferes, leading to a stand-off between Arn, Flair, Luger and Pillman which devolves into a brawl when Sting, Patriot and Harlem Heat arrive just before the broadcast ends. ... Matches promoted for WCW Fall Brawl 1995: Jackie Fulton versus Chris Kanyon, winner advances to round two of the united states title tournament. The Renegade versus the Warrior, for the world television title. Madusa versus Akira Hokuto, finals of the new women's championship tournament. Sting, the Patriot, Arn Anderson & Brian Pillman versus Ric Flair, Lex Luger and Harlem Heat, the legendary War Games match.

Yes, it just means he can't be signed to a permanent deal.

Had to skimp on this week's Nitro, apologies. It's a format I'll use when I'm pressed for time; promos, announcements and snapshots of any match where the specifics of the in-ring action is notable in some way.

11/09/1995 Miami, Florida WCW Monday Night ... Eric Bischoff: "Welcome to WCW Monday Nitro! We are live on TNT! I'm Eric Bischoff, this is Steve 'Mongo' McMichael -" Steve McMichael: "- and Pepe! Say hello to everyone, Pepe!" Bobby Heenan: *holds his head in his hands* "..." Eric Bischoff: *yuk-yuks* "- and we're joined by WCW president Bobby 'the Brain' Heenan." Bobby Heenan: *shoots daggers at his broadcast partners (all three of them)* "... We've got a great show for you, tonight. We've got Lex Luger in the main event, we've, um -" Eric Bischoff: "- yes, tell us more about that, Brain. It's part of a tournament you've put together?" Bobby Heenan: "Yeah, it's for the US title; three rounds, single elimination. Kind of a formality, though, since we all know Luger's taking it." Eric Bischoff: "Well, there're quite a few athletes of his calibre competing as well. Two of them are in our opening match. In fact, tonight is something of a 'night of tournaments', shall we say?" Steve McMichael: "We got Patriot versus Alex Wright. We got Aja Kong versus Madusa... and, then, we got Lex Luger versus Sting!" ... Opening Match: The Patriot pins Alex Wright in eleven minutes and fifty three seconds. ... Eric Bischoff: "That was an excellent match-up and the Patriot just takes. He'll be taking on the winner of our main event, next week, in round two of the united states title tournament." Bobby Heenan: "He'll be taking on Luger. And losing." Steve McMichael: "Lex will have to survive War Games on Sunday before that could happen, assuming he can even beat Sting tonight." Bobby Heenan: "He should have no problem with either." Eric Bischoff: "Speaking of Sunday, and the War Games match... 'Mean' Gene Okerlund is in the back with Sting." ... Sting: "Ow!" Gene Okerlund: "I can tell you're fired up for you match tonight, against Lex Luger but -" Sting: "I'm ready to teach that no-good brute a lesson! No one screws the Stinger and gets away with it!" Gene Okerlund: "It won't be the last you'll see of Luger. You'll be meeting him inside a steel cage, this Sunday, in the legendary War Games match. The question is, do have your team ready?" Sting: "Well, you know Gene, I do! I've got Brian Pillman and a man who knows Ric Flair inside and out, Arn Anderson! There's no doubt in my mind that they'll be on the winning side!" Gene Okerlund: "Aren't you worried by Arn Anderson's past associations with Ric Flair?" Sting: "Me and Arn, we've had wars and, yeah, most of the time Flair's been the one leading him into battle... The difference this time, is that Flair's played all his cards. Everyone can see Luger's the only one keeping that belt around his waist. I've had a good long chat with Arn and he's opened up to me. I can't say much more, other than... I trust that man implicitly." Gene Okerlund: "That's good to hear. Back to the ring... and back to the action!" ... Eric Bischoff: "Um... we've gotta' go to a commercial break, I'm afraid." Bobby Heenan: "Ha!" ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Gene Okerlund: "I'm here with the WCW world heavyweight champion, Ric Flair. Do you have any response to the Stinger's remarks?" Ric Flair: "I sure do, Gene. I think he's fooling himself - no, screw that! Sting! I'm talking to you, directly! You're fooling yourself! Your team is cobbled together. I know you think you're a match for Luger, and I'm inclined to let you hold on to that illusion for now - since Lex is gonna' beat it out of you, tonight. But who's a match for Harlem Heat? They're the tag team champions. It ain't Brian Pillman and nobody. He's some punk whose only accomplishment came when they decided to section him and those other wimp nobodies off in that light heavyweight division. Is it the Patriot? He's been champ before, but where's his old partner? In some stripper duo, 'bout to get his ass handed to him by Dingus and Bob from Arkansas? Harlem Heat are so far higher up the totem pole, it's not even funny. But here's the kicker, Sting. Who's a match for me? Who's a match for the greatest wrestler ever?" Gene Okerlund: "Arn Anderson?" Ric Flair: *snorts* "Please. He's played second fiddle to me for a decade. But if he - if you, Arn Anderson, I'm speaking to you! If you wanna' pretend you're my equal, why don't we put that to the test before War Games? We've got Saturday to do it? I'm sure Andre Junior versus the Pink Midget can be moved to Worldwide. What d'ya say? You and me, one on one, for the big gold belt?" Gene Okerlund: "Challenge issued! Explosive comments! Back to you... Eric Bischoff." ... Eric Bischoff: "Don't worry folks, we'll make sure to get Arn Anderson's response to that challenge by the end of this broadcast!" Bobby Heenan: "That's what I've always liked about Ric Flair! He's a fighting champ! Ha ha!" Steve McMichael: "I don't know. I think he may have bitten off more than he can chew, with that one." Bobby Heenan: "That's right, Pingu, you don't know." Eric Bischoff: "Right, down to the ring, we have Madusa facing off against Aja Kong. Now, Kong made a very impressive debut on Saturday, when she qualified for this match-up. It'll be interesting to see how Madusa, certainly the fan favourite to win this whole thing, deals with the challenge." ... Madusa is knocked off her feet seconds after the opening bell sounds. She's tossed around the ring like a rag-doll for the first few minutes. She kicks out at two and three quarters after receiving the sit-out power-bomb that ended Debbie Combs, and immediately rolls out of the ring to recoup. It's not long before she's dragged back in by her hair, however. But, just after Kong slides back in, Madusa gets off her first offensive move (a low dropkick that knocks the kneeling Kong onto her backside). The crowd come alive with USA chants. ... Bobby Heenan: "Who knew Miami people hated foreigners so much?" Eric Bischoff: "Don't go anywhere, folks!" ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Madusa, locked in a camel clutch, is screaming in agony but shaking her head whenever the referee asks if she submits. She's able to fight through the pain long enough for Kong to give up on the hold. She lets Madusa crumble to the ground and begins taunting the crowd. They respond by chanting the name of the country they're in. When Kong turns back, Madusa is back up to her feet, but slightly hunched over, with pained and squinting eyes. Kong stares her down and slices her thumb across her throat. Akira Hokuto rushes down immediately afterwards, distracting both women. She gets up onto the apron closest to Madusa and taunts her. Madusa walks over and receives a light kick to the side for her troubles. Madusa winces but isn't knocked down or staggered by the blow. The bell sounds for the disqualification at the seventeen minutes and forty seven seconds mark. Kong goes ballistic. ... Gene Okerlund: "Arn Anderson, everyone's dying to know, what's your response to Ric Flair's challenge?" Arn Anderson: "My answer's yes, Gene. I'd be a fool to pass up a championship opportunity like that." Gene Okerlund: "Do you have any other comments for us?" Arn Anderson: "Well, I would say that Flair doesn't know what he's gotten himself in to... but I've known him too long to say that. He's a very intelligent man, and he's probably got something up his sleeve." Gene Okerlund: "And what about the War Games match, at Fall Brawl, this coming Sunday?" Arn Anderson: "All I can say is, no matter what anyone thinks, me and Pillman, we're gonna' be the difference-makers in that match. You'll get a taste of that tonight, of course, but we're going that extra mile for the War Games match. We'll come out victorious." Gene Okerlund: "And... we're heading straight to the ring!" ... Third Match: Baxter Golden & Richard Slater defeat the American Males in eight minutes and fifty seconds. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... A video plays hyping up the War Games match, detailing the rules and chronicling its history. ... Eric Bischoff: "The legendary War Games match! It's this Sunday at WCW Fall Brawl! And we take you now to our fourth contest, something of another preview of that match. Harlem Heat take on the team of Arn Anderson & Brian Pillman. It's a non-title match, but the champions can't really afford a loss of momentum, with Fall Brawl on the horizon and the former title holders once again moving into contention." ... Fourth Match: Arn Anderson & Brian Pillman defeat Harlem Heat in twenty two minutes and nine seconds (including a commercial break). After the match has ended, Ric Flair runs down and gets in Arn Anderson's face. Brain Pillman loses control and decks him, prompting Harlem Heat to jump the winners from behind. Sting and the Patriot rush down to aid their teammates and Lex Luger comes out to even the odds before a swarm of referees and road agents separate the two teams. ... Eric Bischoff: "We interrupt this craziness to take you to 'Mean' Gene Okerlund. He's with the Ult - he's with the Warrior." Gene Okerlund: "What say -" The Warrior: "What cosmic law permits a man to paint his face when has not shown his true self to the gods in their trials and their tribulations?! If the Imitator had only known the consequences of his transgressions he would be the one to wash his face and see himself for what he is! At the Fall Brawl, there will be a reckoning which will sort the wheat and the chaff! The Imitator will leave with nothing, not even the paint on his body, and the Warrior will leave with the victory and the television title which belonged to him!" Gene Okerlund: "Excellent. That's Fall -" The Warrior: "Not because it is his destiny to be the television champion, for that is only a byproduct, but because it is the destiny of the Imitator to lose all of his possessions and the Warrior is ultimate tool of the fates and the judgements of the gods!" Gene Okerlund: "September Seventeenth, make sure to -" The Warrior: "What is written in the celestial stones cannot be unwritten and what is seen cannot be unseen!" Gene Okerlund: "Back to -" The Warrior: "We have seen your face, Imitator! Even if you did not wish it, your deception has only served to make you weaker to the powers of those who judge you! There can be no hiding from -" ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Main Event: Lex Luger pins Sting in twelve minutes and thirty one seconds. Sting looks devastated as he walks to the back. Just as he makes it to the top of the entrance ramp, his shoulders shrunken and his face drenched in sweat and tears, Arn Anderson and Brain Pillman are there to greet him. They embrace him and tell him they'll get their payback at War Games. ... Eric Bischoff: "That's all we've got time for tonight folks, but tune in to TBS on Saturday, for Arn Anderson taking on Ric Flair for the world title, and the following day, make sure to call your cable company and order WCW Fall Brawl; we've got the crowning of the first ever women's champion, we've got the Renegade defending his television title against the Warrior and, in our main event, we've got the legendary War Games match, with Ric Flair, Lex Luger and Harlem Heat taking on the Patriot, Brian Pillman, Arn Anderson and Sting!" Steve McMichael: "I can't wait!" And, we're off the air.

09/09/1995 Atlanta, Georgia WCW Saturday Night ... Tony Schiavone: "Hello, everybody, I'm Tony Schiavone, this is Dusty Rhodes, we are world championship wrestling, and we're -" Dusty Rhodes: "Live!" Tony Schiavone: "- on T-B-S. We've got a big main event match for you, here, tonight, as the, newly crowned, world champion, Ric Flair, and his partner Lex Luger take on the team of Sting and the Patriot." Dusty Rhodes: "We've got a little preview, of what's to come at War Games!" Tony Schiavone: "That's right, Fall Brawl, on September seventeenth, we've got the date, we've got the venue, Flair has his team locked in... but Sting still has two spots left to fill." Dusty Rhodes: "And you better believe there's a few guys in that locker room, hungry for a shot. Hungry for opportunity, baby!" Tony Schiavone: "You think we'll see some guys try to impress Sting with their performance, here tonight?" Dusty Rhodes: "That's exactly what I'm saying, Tony! We've got Alex Wright and Jackie Fulton in our opening contest, and I guarantee both men will be looking to get into the War Games!" Tony Schiavone: "I have to agree with you, there. They might be nervous about the prospect of going up against the likes of Luger and Flair, and maybe even intimated by the War Games structure itself, but getting their name on that marquee, in the main event of Fall Brawl would be a massive boost to either man's career." In our opening contest, Alex Wright takes on Jackie Fulton. Fulton gets generic rock music and comes out first. Still, it's a fairly competitive match, with Jackie getting a fair amount of offence. Wright never looks to be in serious danger, however, and picks up the win. The bell to bell time is eight minutes and twenty seven seconds. Tony Schiavone: "We'd like to take you back to the opening match of the first ever WCW Monday Nitro. Harlem Heat, the team of Booker T and Stevie Ray, became our new world tag team champions and were then, immediately, announced as participants in the War Games match. Needless to say, they're riding high at the moment... but what about their opponents? What about the former tag team champions?" Dusty Rhodes: "They've gotta' get themselves back in the game, baby!" Tony Schiavone: "Well, they just might have a found a new way back to championship glory. After the disappearance of Colonel Robert Parker earlier in the month, speculation existed that they might have lost a certain intangible edge that he provided." Dusty Rhodes: "What are you saying, Tony? Have they found the colonel?!" Tony Schiavone: "Well, ah ha, no... but they've got themselves a new manager." Dusty Rhodes: "Ooh." Tony Schiavone: "Let's take a look." A video plays, it appears to be a press conference; there's a row of white tables at the front and standees behind them promoting Fall Brawl (a logo on a black background with a fire at the bottom burning photographs from various events from the past year and the latter half of 1994), World War 3, Nitro and some sort of grape soda. Various crewmen, and fake journalists are taking their seats and a yellow text box appears, briefly, at the bottom left hand corner (it reads: "Earlier this week."), before Alexndra York walks out, followed by Dick Slater and Bunkhouse Buck. York speaks into a microphone that's been placed on one of the tables. She awkwardly hunches over it, rather than sitting down to speak. Alexandra York: "The York Foundation recently made history. With the debut of our most impressive signing, the Giant, we have ensured success for years to come. However, his eventual capture of the world heavyweight championship will not be down to me; he is a spectacular physical specimen who would achieve remarkable success even without the resources of our Foundation at his disposal. Today, ladies and gentlemen, I'm here to announce two additions to the York Foundation who might not be able to find a way back to championship glory without our help: Richard Slater and Baxter Golden!" ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Tony Schiavone: "Welcome back to WCW Saturday Night!" Dusty Rhodes: "The hottest wrestling show in the world!" Tony Schiavone: *short sincere chuckling* "That honour might have to go to Monday Nitro, dream. But we're a close second, nevertheless." Dusty Rhodes: "..." Tony Schiavone: "Right now, we're going to be seeing a very interesting match-up. Madusa will be facing the winner of this match on Monday. It's Debbie Combs against Asia Kong." Dusty Rhodes: "Aja Kong, baby!" Tony Schiavone: "Yes, no, that's right. She's something of an unknown. I don't suspect she'll pose much of a threat to Combs." Debbie makes her entrance, all smiles, fawning over some kids in the crowd and generally hollering for support. Aja Kong makes her entrance after that, to an ominous pounding trump beat. The bell to bell time is one minute and twenty one seconds. Kong pinned Combs. Tony Schiavone: "Oh my god..." Dusty Rhodes: "That's my girl!" Tony Schiavone: "Um... we... ah... we're gonna' take you back to Monday night. Some very important developments took place." A video plays, recapping the finishes of each Nitro match, Flair revealing Harlem Heat were on his War Games team, Heenan dropping two bombshells on Sting, and clips from the main event, including the post-match brawl and impromptu Flair promo. In our main event, Sting and the Patriot come out first. They're fired up and ready to go. Sting howls and the Patriot does a simple pose on the turnbuckle. Flair and Luger come out to Flair's music. He struts to the ring, with a blue robe on and a massive smirk on his face, and Luger trails him, snapping at various sections of the crowd. Ric Flair starts things off with the Patriot and, surprisingly, runs into some difficulty. His tricks work, but his holds rarely develop and his strikes don't seem to make as much of an impact. He eventually manages to tag Luger in after getting to the ropes to break a Boston Crab. Lex has far more success, displaying a clear power advantage and, even, shoving Del across the ring at one point, after a clear break in the corner from a lock-up by the latter. The Patriot tags Sting in at the soonest opportunity and he comes in like a house on fire, with a flying lariat that knocks Luger off his feet. Just as the momentum starts to shift, however, Sting's passion gets the best of him. After battering Luger into the ropes, he fails to come away at the referee's four count and has to be pulled off. This allows Luger some brief time to plan. Once the ref is clear, he nails Sting with a clothesline. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... When he come back, Flair's been tagged in and he's chopping Sting to pieces in the corner. It doesn't help that Luger holds the Stinger's arms whenever he can get away with it. It eventually becomes too much for the Patriot and he rushes in, only to be taken right back to his corner by Nick Patrick. With the official occupied, Flair and Luger go to town on Sting. Once they think they've done enough, Flair takes him to the centre of the ring to pin him. The ref misses the lateral press, however, as he gets Del to settle down. Flair gets up to yell at the ref but, as he's berating Nick Partick's family and telling him to kill himself, Sting pops up to his feet. An inverted DDT from Sting looks like it should seal the deal but Luger breaks up the pin at the last second. Sting immediately gets up in Luger's face, rattling him with closed-fist strikes, clearly incensed, as Nick Patrick is busy dealing with Del, who's, yet again, trying to rush over to help out. Luger is knocked through the ropes to cheers from the crowd, and the Patriot drops down from the apron to go after him on the outside. Sting goes back to pin Flair, who's still on the mat. Instead, he's caught in a small package and kicks out at three and a tenth. Bell-to-bell is twenty minutes and forty four seconds, but it doesn't end there. As all four men continue to brawl, Harlem Heat rush down to assist their War Games partners. They scramble into the ring and help Flair beat Sting down. Del rushes into the ring but his foot is tripped by Luger and Stevie Ray takes advantage, stomping him and kicking him. All hope is lost. Tony Schiavone: "Wait! Look who's coming out! Look who's coming out!" Dusty Rhodes: "Here comes the cavalry!" Arn Anderson and Brian Pillman, like shining beacons in the dark, run down and take the fight to Flair and his evil squadron! Tony Schiavone: "Ladies and gentlemen, this has been WCW Saturday Night, and, I'm just hearing this now, the main event, confirmed for this coming Monday, is Lex Luger taking on Sting, one on one! You don't wanna' miss it!" Dusty Rhodes: "You can't miss it! You can't afford to!" And, we're off the air.

04/09/1995 Bloomington, Minnesota WCW Monday Nitro ... The intro starts up, a city engulfed in an inferno and clips of the top names projected onto the burning building; Sting, Ric Flair, Bret Hart, the Giant and Davey Boy Smith. Hulk Hogan and Vader are also featured, though there clips are shorter and explosions partially obscures the footage. Eric Bischoff: "Welcome to the Mall of America and the first ever WCW Monday Nitro!" Steve McMichael: "Oh, I'm pumped!" Eric Bischoff: "Hello, everyone, I'm Eric Bischoff, joined by Steve 'Mongo' McMichael -" Steve McMichael: "It's great to be here, for the debut of Monday Nitro!" Eric Bischoff: "- and the new president of World Championship Wrestling, Bobby 'the Brain' Heenan." Bobby Heenan: *eyes shifting nervously* "Yeah, yeah, let's get on with it." Eric Bischoff: "Sure, thing, we've got a very important opening match to get to, as Harlem Heat challenge for the tag team titles. It's one of two titles matches we're bringing you, here, tonight - the other being our main event, Sting versus Ric Flair for the world heavyweight championship." Harlem Heat are already in the ring once the camera cuts away from the announcers. As Dick Slater and Bunkhouse Buck make their way to the ring, they seem nervous and agitated. Their nerves appear justified in the early goings of the match, as Stevie Ray completely dominates Buck, throwing him around like a rag-doll. After stomping a mud-hole in him, and tagging his brother in, however, the dynamics of the match seemed to change. Booker T has enough power to break any hold Buck can try to put on him, and to weather any strike he lands, but he can't keep up with Buck's desperation tactics. After a rake of the eyes, Buck takes the opportunity to bring the action over to his side of the ring. After goading Booker into charging at him, he dodges and lets his opponent catch nothing but turnbuckle. When it looks like Slater might be getting involved, Stevie Ray tries to come in but the referee, Randy Anderson, stops him. With the coast clear, Booker is double-teamed; Slater use the tag rope to choke him out as Buck nails him with a few closed-fist punches. It only lasts a few seconds, however, as Sherri Martel, rather than calling for the referee, takes matters into her own hands, rushes over to them, and pulls Slater's legs out from under him. He smacks his face on the ring apron and doesn't get back up. The finish comes shortly after that, with Stevie Ray finally back through the ropes just as his partner breaks free. Ray is tagged in and demolishes one petrified Bunkhouse Buck. The bell-to-bell time is seven minutes and thirty one seconds. Harlem Heat are the new tag team champions. Eric Bischoff: "An impressive outing for Harlem Heat." Bobby Heenan: "They're a great team - wait, oh... what could this be?" Ric Flair, wearing a t-shirt over his gear, walks up to the ring, without music, as Harlem Heat celebrate. The victorious trio are wary of him but allow him to join them. A crewman tosses him a microphone at his request. Ric Flair: "I said on Saturday, ahem - woo!" He's got a twinkle in his eye, a coy smile and he's lapping up the enthusiastic crowd response. Ric Flair: "I said on Saturday, that I'd reveal who my teammates were when the time was right. Well, there doesn't seem like a better time than now to announce my first two picks... the world tag team champions, Harlem Heat!" The brothers take the news well. Ric Flair: "Oh, and, as for the fourth guy... He's here tonight and, yeah, you'll - you'll just have to wait and see about that one." Eric Bischoff: "Very interesting comments from the Nature Boy, Ric Flair." Bobby Heenan: "It's a great strategy; making the humanoids wait. What's Sting got on that? He gives up everyone all in one go, what's there to get excited for?" Eric Bischoff: "Okay, we're going to have to take a short break but, when we return, the British Bulldog, Davey Boy Smith, will be in action against quite a formidable opponent. Don't go anywhere!" ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... John Nord is already in the ring. Davey Boy makes his entrance. He beats John Nord. Bell-to-bell is six minutes and nineteen seconds. Thank you. Bobby Heenan, microphone in hand, comes down to the ring, whilst the Bulldog celebrates. He congratulates the man, and shakes his hand before addressing the boys in the back. Bobby Heenan: "Well, since we've got approximately one quarter of Sting's squadron in the ring, I only need to ask the reaming three to come join him. Yeah, that's Sting and Bret Hart - well, I guess there's the Patriot as well, but this doesn't really affect him." Davey becomes confused by that, and he asks the boss what he meant. Bobby Heenan: "Why don't you wait and find out? Good grief!" Sting, Hart and the Patriot come down to the ring, together, to a massive pop. They aren't given microphones. Bobby Heenan: "I've got some big news for you guys. I - no, settle down. First off, I need to inform you that I'm vacating the united states championship, effective immediately." Sting is taken aback by that, and Bret furrows his brow. The Patriot's brow may, or may not, also have furrowed. Bobby Heenan: "Hey, hold on now. That's the price of admission for you to challenge for the world title. If you, wanted, I could just award the title to Flair. Do you want that? No, I didn't think so." Sting looks angry now, but less animated. He's realised that the fix is in, and is bracing for the next blow. Bobby Heenan: "The next thing I've got to say, affects your teammates - your would-be teammates, that is." Bret cocks his head to the side, scowling. Bobby Heenan: "To help solidify our working relationship with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Bret Hart and Davey Boy Smith will be heading off to the land of the rising sun, until the twenty-fifth of November. As for Fall Brawl, they won't be there. You'll have to come up with a couple of replacements, I'm sorry to say." Heenan certainly didn't seem sorry to say it, and he sauntered off after that bombshell, out of the ring and back up to the commentary booth. Sting's Squadron are still in the ring, talking to each other and generally appearing shocked and upset as we cut away. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... A small timing miscue means we join the next match in progress. It's only been going for a minute or so, and neither woman seems to have the edge. It's Malia Hosaka going up against Akira Hokuto and, whilst the former has a speed advantage, her offence seems to pack less of a punch. Hosaka has to pull out top-rope dropkick to have the same kind of effect on Hokuto as a standing dropkick in the other direction. They go at a fast-pace, which keeps the crowd engaged, if a little quiet. An eye poke, followed up by a choke-hold and a few other illegal manoeuvres which Randy Anderson appears helpless to prevent, puts Hokuto in control and she nails Hosaka with a sit-out power bomb for the finish. Bell-to-bell time is approximately twelve minutes, and Akira Hokuto advances to the finals of the women's title tournament. Eric Bischoff: "So, we have our first name down for the women's championship match at Fall Brawl." Steve McMichael: "I can't help but think the wrong woman won that one." Bobby Heenan: "You can't help but think? Mongo, you can't think, there's no, uh, helping or anything." Eric Bischoff: "Helping or anything. Interesting." Bobby Heenan: "Gimme a break." Eric Bischoff: "We'll find out who'll join Hokuto next week, when Madusa gets her shot at advancing to the finals. Before that, however, her opponent will have to be decided. That match will take place this Saturday. Let's take a look." A video plays, showcasing some licensed footage of Debbie Combs, with her voice-over talking about what it'd mean to be the first ever WCW women's champion. Afterwards, we're shown a portion of an interview of Aja Kong; it's in Japanese, with no subtitles. After a few questions, Kong becomes hostile with the interviewer, stands up and knocks the camera off its tripod. ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Eric Bischoff: "Welcome back to WCW Monday Nitro, and to those of you who're just joining us, still to come, in the Main Event, is Ric Flair versus Sting for the world heavyweight championship." Cobra makes his entrance, to a tepid reaction. He's followed by the Giant, who strides to the ring, with a deranged look on his face. Alexandra York is in tow. The bell sounds. The Giant walks over to Cobra. Cobra punches him. He doesn't care. He throws Cobra from one corner of the ring to the other. Cobra groggily makes it back to his feet and throws some wild strikes at his opponent. Giant blocks them with his body, then choke-slams Cobra to hell. Bell-to-bell time is one minute and twenty seven seconds. Eric Bischoff: "And, now, I'm being told we've got Sting in the back. Over to you, Gene." We cut to Sting in the locker-room, he's on his own, looking gutted and distressed. Gene Okerlund: "Sting, do you have any comments on what just went down tonight? Are you angry about having to vacate the title?" Sting: "No - well, I guess I am, but I'm more angry about losing some valuable members of my team. I mean, we're weeks away from Fall Brawl. It's on September seventeenth, and now I've gotta' find two guys to replace Bret Hart and Davey Boy Smith. How am I supposed to do that?" Gene Okerlund: "This seems like a heavy blow, will it affect your performance tonight? You've still got a big title match to deal with." Sting: "It is a heavy blow, but it won't affect my performance. I can't let the Stingers down. My fans are all counting on me to keep the title out of Flair's hands." Gene Okerlund: "Speaking of Ric Flair, what do you think of his team, heading into the War Games?" Sting: "It's looking pretty solid. Harlem Heat are a very skilled tag team but, taken as individuals, I don't think they could hold a candle to Bret Hart or Davey but, then, I guess that's a moot point. It's hard to say exactly what I think, Gene." Gene Okerlund: "And we've also got that elusive fourth man? I, personally think it could still be Arn Anderson." Sting: "Yeah, I guess Flair could be bluffing. If that is the case, then, I guess this up-coming match will serve as some proof that you can't count my squadron out just yet." Gene Okerlund: "Back to you, Eric Bischoff." Eric Bischoff: "The match he was just referring to is our very next contest; the Patriot versus Arn Anderson." Bobby Heenan: "He isn't." Eric Bischoff: "The what now?" Bobby Heenan: "Flair's fourth man, it's not Arn." As we cut to the ring, the bell rings and both men lock-up. It's a back-and-forth and a good clean match. Though he appears tempted at times, Arn avoids dirty tricks. He lets go of holds as soon as the Patriot gets to the ropes, he keeps his palms open, and so on. It doesn't do him any favours, however, and he loses a tightly fought contest. The bell-to-bell time is ten minutes and forty four seconds, and they shake hands afterwards. Bobby Heenan: "Maybe Arn should just call it quits! He's lost his edge. Getting pally with Pillman must be turning his brain to mush! Ha ha!" Heenan's enjoying himself. Eric Bischoff: "Well, now, I think that was an impressive showing. He may not have won but he -" Bobby Heenan: "Winning's the whole point, you numbskull!" Eric Bischoff: "What I was going to say is that Anderson has expressed an interest in getting back into the tag team division. One loss in singles competition shouldn't be a reason to start throwing the guy a retirement party." Steve McMichael: "I think 'the Stain' has just had a few too many glasses of whiskey tonight." Bobby Heenan: "Boy, I sure do hate your guts." Eric Bischoff: "When we return, we'll hear from Ric Flair, plus Bret Hart goes one-on-one against Bob Backlund." ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... Gene Okerlund: "... and that Bret Hart and Davey Boy Smith won't participate in the War Games match?" Ric Flair: "He just needs to suck it up. I have no sympathy for the man, if he wants to whine about his troubles. This is wrestling, Gene, we handle our affairs with our fists. If he's half the man he seems to think he is, he'd get two random scrubs of the street for War Games. Better yet, why doesn't he just forfeit? That's the manlier think to do, admit your scared of the Nature Boy, and that you brought some big kids in from the school down the road to fight your battles for you. It's a hell of a lot better than moping and moaning." Gene Okerlund: "Interesting comments. It's back to the action, now, I think." When we cut back, Backlund is getting into the ring and his entrance music has faded away. The crowd explode for Bret Hart's entranced, and he appears fully focused on the task at hand. He gives his shades to a kid standing by the guard rail but avoids much more interaction with crowd. He doesn't pose on the turnbuckle, either. He's all business, and one gets the impression, beneath the cool facade, he's worried about an embarrassing upset here. The match starts off slow, and goes to the ground several times. After about six minutes, however, Bret gets out of a headlock and things start to pick up. He whips Bob into the ropes, hits him with a spine-buster on the rebound and rolls through for a pin. Backlund bridges out just before the three count but his own attempt at transitioning into a pile-driver is countered into a backdrop. Backlund gets to his feet, by the corner, and narrowly avoids a shoulder tackle. Instead, Bret rams into the turnbuckle and falls backwards. His opponent seizes this opportunity, like a wild man, and locks in another headlock. This time, however, he's extremely animated, wrenching back and forth and peppering Hart's back with knee strikes. Bret only escapes by pulling himself through the ropes and falling to the floor. Eric Bischoff: "Don't go anywhere!" ... COMMERCIAL BREAK ... The two men are back in the ring, and Backlund is firmly in control. He's working over Bret's left knee, which the commentators point out he's been favouring since he fell through the ropes. The referee, Nick Patrick, comes over to hear if Hart submits but he just shakes his head, defiantly. Backlund is sitting on Bret's thigh and wrenching the lower leg as far as it'll go. A few desperate clobbering forearms to the back unsettle Backlund just enough for Hart to push him off with his right boot. Hart hits a snap suplex once they're back on their feet, he's too occupied with nursing his left knee to cover his opponent. It's at this point that Bischoff begins to question why Heenan put this match on, saying these two men could likely go for an hour, and that, at this rate, they'd be off the air before the title match. Heenan tells him not to worry, and calls him names when he brings it up again. The finish comes after Hart is pushed away from a superplex attempt. He recovers just as Backlund, positioned perfectly by a Hart to go for a top-rope move, flashes a mad grin at the crowd and hits Hart with a flying cross-body. Hart rolls it through for the one-two-three. Bell-to-bell time is twenty one minutes and three seconds. Eric Bischoff: "If I'm not mistaken, we're heading straight into our main event now, once the ring is clear." Bobby Heenan: "Ric Flair versus Sting for the world heavyweight championship." Eric Bischoff: "And, per your instruction, this will be a no disqualification bout? No time-limit? There must be a winner? We'll conclude off-the-air if need be?" Bobby Heenan: "Will you just shut up about that?" Eric Bischoff: "WCW Monday Nitro. It's our main event... now!" Sting gets a big pop, and he's got a smile on his face, apparently having broken through his previous spell of melancholy. He's on the turnbuckle as Ric Flair makes his entrance, strutting in his golden robe, with a half-smirk on his face, soaking in the cheers and the boos all at once. The bell sounds and, for the first ten minutes, we get the match we expect to see from these two. Neither man has complete control, Sting seems to have the definite edge. All that changes when Lex Luger emerges. He sprints down to the ring, to surprised cheers which soon to turn to angry boos. He grabs Sting when comes up to the ropes, turns him around and pins his arms back for a closed-fist beat-down from Flair. Sting kicks Flair off him and even struggles free from Luger only to be knocked down by a forearm to the back of the head. Bret Hart limps down to the crowd's relief but Harlem Heat run after him and knock him down. Davey Boy and the Patriot come to the rescue, but can't do much for Sting, whose pinned by Flair after a vicious torture rack from Luger. Bell-to-bell time is eleven minutes and thirty-four seconds. Flair gets his hands on a microphone and talks whilst a, now, ever-growing assortment of wrestlers duke it out on the outside. Ric Flair: "For those who still haven't figured it out, this is my fourth man! He'll be with me at Fall Brawl, if Sting can even bear to show his face come the seventeenth. I'm the champ - I am the man, and this belt proves it! Woo! And I'm untouchable! Woo! From now on if you wanna' get to me, you gotta' get through Luger first! And that ain't gonna' happen! Woo! Ha ha! Woo!" And, we're off the air.

Excerpt from a TBS press release: "... and we are committed to the WCW brand, also. Following the success of last night's live WCW Saturday Night programme, Turner Broadcasting has decided to increase the run-time of the highly anticipated WCW Monday Nitro to two hours. We are aiming to build a sustainable brand of family-friendly entertainment which can provide a backbone for Turner Network Television and become a profit-making powerhouse. Plans to maximise profits from the pay-per-view market are in place and they enjoy the full confidence of Ted Turner himself. Extensive plans are also in place for merchandising and licensing strategies, especially as they related to engagement from our key demographics. Details will be release as and when..." Dated: 03/09/95