WCW’s Monday Nitro on April 1, 1996, showcased thrilling matches and unexpected developments, highlighting the promotion’s ability to engage its audience. The event, held at the CSU Convocation Center in Cleveland, Ohio, featured a cold open match between Sting and The Giant, setting the tone for a night filled with surprises.
The show opened with Sting already in the ring, facing The Giant in an unadvertised match. This unexpected pairing stemmed from an incident prior to the broadcast, which was teased to be shown later. Initially, Sting was set to compete alongside The Giant against Harlem Heat, but Jimmy Hart had intervened, paying off Harlem Heat to no-show and orchestrating The Giant’s turn. The match itself was brief, ending in a no contest after Lex Luger intervened, leading to a chaotic scene where the referee halted proceedings. The match lasted only 2 minutes and 23 seconds but effectively captured attention through its unexpected nature.
After the opening segment, the show officially commenced with a welcome from the announce team, which included Eric Bischoff, Mongo, and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Viewers were treated to a video recap of Hart’s shady dealings with Harlem Heat, further enhancing the storyline dynamics.
Triangular Tag Team Chaos
Next up was a much-anticipated Triangle Match featuring the Legion of Doom, The Steiners, and The Nasty Boys. This match was significant as three-way bouts were relatively rare at the time. Tensions were high following a previous altercation involving The Nasty Boys, heightening the stakes for this encounter.
The match unfolded with high energy, showcasing a flurry of strikes and power moves as the teams exchanged control. Rick Steiner initiated the action by delivering a power slam to Brian Knobbs, while Animal fought valiantly against both opponents. The chaos intensified when Scott Steiner executed a stunning overhead belly-to-belly suplex, eliciting loud cheers from the crowd.
The match’s climax featured a clever twist involving Johnny Grunge from Public Enemy, who disguised himself as Knobbs. This ruse allowed Scott Steiner to secure the pinfall victory after 13 minutes and 52 seconds, marking The Steiners as the winners. The match, rated **1/4, showcased a blend of strategy and physicality, demonstrating the appeal of multi-team encounters during this era.
Flair vs. Luger: A Championship Clash
The main event of the evening featured a championship bout for the WCW World Heavyweight title, with Ric Flair defending against Lex Luger. This match was particularly significant, as Luger was already the TV Champion and one half of the Tag Champions, seeking a third title.
As the match commenced, the chemistry between Flair and Luger was evident, given their extensive history. Luger dominated early on, showcasing his strength with multiple Gorilla Press Slams, eliciting cheers from the audience. However, Flair’s cunning came into play as he resorted to underhanded tactics, including eye rakes and involving his manager, Woman, to gain an advantage.
The match reached a critical point when Luger executed a superplex, which was both a visual highlight and a pivotal moment in the contest. Just as Luger appeared to seize control, Woman threw hot coffee in his face, allowing Flair to capitalize with a roll-up, securing the victory at 10 minutes and 54 seconds. This ending, while controversial, maintained the integrity of the ongoing rivalry and left fans eager for more.
In conclusion, WCW’s Monday Nitro on April 1, 1996, delivered a blend of unexpected moments and intense competition, reinforcing its status as a leading force in wrestling entertainment. The night’s events not only showcased established stars but also hinted at future storylines, keeping viewers engaged and excited for what was to come. The overall score for the show was a solid 7.0, reflecting the enjoyable matches and the clever storytelling that WCW continued to master during this dynamic period in professional wrestling history.