WCW Monday Nitro (1995)
WCW Monday Nitro was a weekly professional wrestling telecast produced by World Championship Wrestling, created by Ted Turner and Eric Bischoff. The show aired Monday nights on TNT, going head-to-head with the World Wrestling Federation's Monday Night Raw from September 4, 1995 to March 26, 2001. Production ceased shortly after WCW was purchased by the WWF. The debut of Nitro began the Monday Night Wars, a ratings battle between the WWF and WCW that lasted for almost six years and saw each company resort to cutthroat tactics to try to compete with the competition. In mid-1996, Nitro began to draw better ratings than Raw based on the strength of the nWo storyline, an anarchist wrestling stable that wanted to take over WCW. Nitro continued to beat Raw for 84 consecutive weeks, forcing WWE owner Vince McMahon to change the way he did business. As the nWo storyline grew stagnant, fan interest in the storyline waned, and Raw began to edge out Nitro in the ratings. The turning point for the organizations came during the January 4, 1999 broadcast of Nitro, during which lead commentator Tony Schiavone gave away the results of matches for that night's Raw broadcast. As Raw was taped and Nitro was live, Bischoff believed that knowing the outcome would dissuade viewers from watching the program. Excited by the prospect of seeing perennial WWF underdog Mick Foley win the WWF Championship, a large number of Nitro viewers changed channels to watch Raw, switching back to Nitro after Foley won the title. From that week forward, Raw beat Nitro in the ratings by a significant amount, and WCW was never able to regain the success it once had.
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Episode 1 - Nitro 018
Release Date: 1996-01-01Two of professional wrestling's biggest icons square off when Hulk Hogan faces Ric Flair. 'Macho Man' Randy Savage takes on Arn Anderson.
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Episode 2 - Nitro 019
Release Date: 1996-01-08Hulk Hogan teams with 'Macho Man' Randy Savage to battle Four Horsemen members, 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair and 'The Enforcer' Arn Anderson.
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Episode 3 - Nitro 020
Release Date: 1996-01-15Longtime rivals square off when 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair takes on Sting. 'The Total Package' Lex Luger faces 'Macho Man' Randy Savage.
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Episode 4 - Nitro 021
Release Date: 1996-01-22'Macho Man' Randy Savage battles 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair. WCW Tag Team Champions, Harlem Heat, face Sting and Lex Luger.
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Episode 5 - Nitro 022
Release Date: 1996-01-29The rivalry between two of professional wrestling's most iconic figures continues when Hulk Hogan faces 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair.
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Episode 6 - Nitro 023
Release Date: 1996-02-05The Road Warriors face the team of Lex Luger and Sting. Kevin Sullivan and Hugh Morrus take on Arn Anderson and Brian Pillman.
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Episode 7 - Nitro 024
Release Date: 1996-02-12Hulk Hogan battles 'The Enforcer' Arn Anderson in the main event. 'Macho Man' Randy Savage takes on Hugh Morrus. Konnan and much more.
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Episode 8 - Nitro 025
Release Date: 1996-02-19'Nature Boy' Ric Flair battles 'Macho Man' Randy Savage in the main event. Hulk Hogan goes one on one with Arn Anderson.
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Episode 9 - Nitro 026
Release Date: 1996-02-26Hulk Hogan, 'Macho Man' Randy Savage, and The Booty Man take on 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, and 'The Taskmaster' Kevin Sullivan.
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Episode 10 - Nitro 027
Release Date: 1996-03-11Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, and The Taskmaster face Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, and The Booty Man in a Double Strap Lumberjack Match.
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Episode 11 - Nitro 028
Release Date: 1996-03-18The Taskmaster Kevin Sullivan and Ric Flair battle Hulk Hogan and 'Macho Man' Randy Savage. The Road Warriors face The Nasty Boys.
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Episode 12 - Nitro 029
Release Date: 1996-03-25'Nature Boy' Ric Flair faces one of his toughest tests to date when he faces The Giant in the main event. Sting and many more are featured.
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Episode 13 - Nitro 030
Release Date: 1996-04-01Lex Luger battles 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair. The Nasty Boys, The Road Warriors, and the Steiner Brothers compete in a triangle match.
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Episode 14 - Nitro 031
Release Date: 1996-04-15Hulk Hogan faces Taskmaster Kevin Sullivan and Arn Anderson in a Handicap Match. The Giant and Ric Flair battle Sting and Lex Luger.
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Episode 15 - Nitro 032
Release Date: 1996-04-22The Giant joins forces with 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair to take on WCW Tag Team Champions, Sting and Lex Luger. Plus, Eddie Guerrero and more.
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Episode 16 - Nitro 033
Release Date: 1996-04-29WCW World Champion, 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair, battles The Giant. Lord Steven Regal and The Belfast Bruiser face off in a Parking Lot Brawl.
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Episode 17 - Nitro 034
Release Date: 1996-05-06The Giant battles 'Hacksaw' Jim Duggan. Sting faces Lord Steven Regal. Dean Malenko goes one on one with Jushin 'Thunder' Liger.
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Episode 18 - Nitro 035
Release Date: 1996-05-13The Giant puts the WCW World Title on the line against 'The Total Package' Lex Luger. The Public Enemy face The Steiner Brothers.
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Episode 19 - Nitro 036
Release Date: 1996-05-20The Giant puts the WCW Title on the line against 'The Enforcer' Arn Anderson. 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair faces Eddie Guerrero.
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Episode 20 - Nitro 037
Release Date: 1996-05-27This episode of Nitro features a shocking appearance that turned the wrestling world upside down. Sting battles Scott Steiner.
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Episode 21 - Nitro 038
Release Date: 1996-06-03The newest WCW invader promises a 'big' surprise for Eric Bischoff and Sting next week. Sting and Lex Luger battle The Steiner Brothers.
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Episode 22 - Nitro 039
Release Date: 1996-06-10'Nature Boy' Ric Flair and 'The Enforcer' Arn Anderson battle Sting and Lex luger in the main event. Booker T takes on Scott Steiner.
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Episode 23 - Nitro 040
Release Date: 1996-06-17Scott Steiner battles The Giant in the main event. Ric Flair takes on 'Macho Man' Randy Savage. Dean Malenko faces Rey Mysterio.
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Episode 24 - Nitro 041
Release Date: 1996-06-24Sting and Lex Luger defend the WCW Tag Titles against The Steiner Brothers and Harlem Heat. The Outsiders declare war on WCW.
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Episode 25 - Nitro 042
Release Date: 1996-07-01Harlem Heat defend the WCW Tag Titles against The Steiner Brothers. The Four Horsemen compete in the main event. The Outsiders and more.
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Episode 26 - Nitro 043
Release Date: 1996-07-08One day removed from Bash at the Beach, The Outsiders are looking to run roughshod over WCW. Sting battles Arn Anderson in the main event.
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Episode 27 - Nitro 044
Release Date: 1996-07-15Witness the start of the meteoric rise to the top of the sports entertainment industry for The Outsiders and Hulk Hogan.
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Episode 28 - Nitro 045
Release Date: 1996-07-22Lex Luger, Sting, and 'Macho Man' Randy Savage take on members of The Four Horsemen in the main event. The Outsiders and much more.
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Episode 29 - Nitro 046
Release Date: 1996-07-29Hulk Hogan and The Outsiders are hell bent on bringing team WCW down to its knees. Eddie Guerrero, The Steiners, and more are in action.
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Episode 30 - Nitro 047
Release Date: 1996-08-05On this episode of Nitro The Four Horsemen declare war on Hulk Hogan and the New World Order. Sting and Lex Luger take on The Nasty Boys.
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Episode 31 - Nitro 048
Release Date: 1996-08-12The Outsiders make their in ring debut when they face Sting and Lex Luger. Ric Flair faces Randy Savage. Rey Mysterio faces Ultimo Dragon.
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Episode 32 - Nitro 049
Release Date: 1996-08-19On this episode of WCW Monday Nitro members of WCW form an unlikely alliance in preparation for the upcoming War Games Match at Fall Brawl.
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Episode 33 - Nitro 050
Release Date: 1996-08-26The New World Order's reign of terror is just beginning on this episode of WCW Monday Nitro. The Giant, Ric Flair, and more are featured.
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Episode 34 - Nitro 051
Release Date: 1996-09-02In the ongoing war between the New World Order and World Championship Wrestling, The Giant shows what kind of a man he is.
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Episode 35 - Nitro 052
Release Date: 1996-09-09The NWO's newest member shocks World Championship Wrestling. Plus, Lex Luger, Macho Man Randy Savage, and many more are in action.
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Episode 36 - Nitro 053
Release Date: 1996-09-16As the sixth member of the NWO arrives, the real Sting delivers a message to WCW. Plus, Lex Luger, Konnan, and the debut of Glacier.
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Episode 37 - Nitro 054
Release Date: 1996-09-23The New World Order attempts to completely take over Nitro while WCW's top Superstars are away competing on a tour in Japan.
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Episode 38 - Nitro 055
Release Date: 1996-09-30Loyalties in WCW are being called into question as the NWO celebrates its success. Plus, The Faces of Fear, Chris Jericho, more.
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Episode 39 - Nitro 056
Release Date: 1996-10-07The New World Order continues to target 'Macho Man' Randy Savage among other WCW Superstars. Plus, Lex Luger, Jeff Jarrett, and more.
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Episode 40 - Nitro 057
Release Date: 1996-10-14Miss Elizabeth tries to appeal to the heart of 'Macho Man' Randy Savage while the NWO continues to take over WCW.
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Episode 41 - Nitro 058
Release Date: 1996-10-21Sting returns to deal with the New World Order's version of The Icon. 'Hollywood' Hogan continues to harass Miss Elizabeth.
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Episode 42 - Nitro 059
Release Date: 1996-10-28'Hollywood' Hogan and The NWO have another enemy after Halloween Havoc. Plus, Booker T, Lex Luger, and many more.
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Episode 43 - Nitro 060
Release Date: 1996-11-04Eric Bischoff tries to make 'Hollywood' Hogan pay the piper and derail the NWO. Plus, Booker T, DDP, and many more are in action.
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Episode 44 - Nitro 061
Release Date: 1996-11-11The Outsiders look to recruit an unlikely addition to The New World Order. Sting's actions continue to cause controversy and confusion.
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Episode 45 - Nitro 062
Release Date: 1996-11-18Rowdy Roddy Piper returns to Nitro and reveals a shocking a secret. Sting's presence in WCW continues to raise questions of his loyalties.
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Episode 46 - Nitro 063
Release Date: 1996-11-25Eric Bischoff offers the superstars of WCW a choice to choose which side they are on. Plus, Sting, DDP, and more on this episode of Nitro.
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Episode 47 - Nitro 064
Release Date: 1996-12-02The Steiner Brothers call out Sting to answer for his recent actions. Plus, the U.S. Championship tournament continues and much more.
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Episode 48 - Nitro 065
Release Date: 1996-12-09As 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper spoils for a fight with 'Hollywood' Hogan, the U.S. Championship tournament continues. Plus, the return of a legend.
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Episode 49 - Nitro 066
Release Date: 1996-12-16Many more WCW Superstars defect to the New World Order. 'Hollywood' Hogan continues to taunt 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper. Plus plenty of action.
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Episode 50 - Nitro 067
Release Date: 1996-12-23Dissension brews within the ranks of the Four Horseman while the NWO continues to dominate. Plus, Konnan, Big Bubba, and more.
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Episode 51 - Nitro 068
Release Date: 1996-12-30'Hollywood' Hogan proclaims himself the winner of his match against Roddy Piper despite evidence to the contrary. The NWO may lose a member.