WCW Nitro #45: July 22nd, 1996. (Rewatched 21 April 2020).

Today we're watching WCW Nitro #45 (July 22nd, 1996), and there are three shows to go before WCW Hog Wild 1996. Tonight's episode of Nitro, as usual, comes from the Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando, Florida. The storylines continue to be focused on the invasion of the nWo, and the build up to Hog Wild.  One thing I've noticed as I've been rewatching (this is episode #3 of my rewatch), is how gritty Nitro was.  It had a really unique style to it.  But, enough of that, let's get into the show!

The Show

Singles Match: Squire David Taylor (w/ Jeeves) defeated Scott Norton by DQ (1:45)
- Not much to speak of, short match won by DQ.  But Scott Norton brought the heat.  It's wild seeing fans at ringside and not separated by a barricade.

Nice promo with the Four Horsemen between matches
- Man, I forgot how good Steve Mongo McMichael was on the mic.

Singles Match: Konnan defeated VK Wallstreet (5:17)
- Hey look, it's VK Wallstreet!  Also known as Mike Rotunda, or IRS in the WWE.  He's also the father of WWE's Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas.  And there's non-nWo Konnan.  I used to love that dude back in the day.  Konnan was billed as the "Mexican Heavyweight Champion" when he began the match, aka the AAA Americas Heavyweight Championship he was on February 2nd, 1996 (he would vacate it on October 1st, 1996).

Eight Man Tag Team Match: Alex Wright, Jim Powers, Joe Gomez & Renegade defeated The Dungeon Of Doom (Hugh Morrus, Kevin Sullivan, The Barbarian & The Leprechaun) (w/ Jimmy Hart) by DQ (5:29)
- Hoooooooly crap, that promo before this match was awful.  It shows Alex Wright, Jim Powers, Joe Gomez, and Renegade on the beach, taking their shirts off for some reason.  It's like a bad Baywatch video.  I guess this is before Alex Wright started dancing.  Meanwhile, backstage, the Outsiders are in the control room.  Apparently, they're looking for a friend in the crowd.  Back to the match, for some reason The Giant came out and started clearing the ring.

The Giant Promo
- Obviously, The Giant accepts Hogan's challenge for the next PPV.

Singles Match: Diamond Dallas Page defeated Prince Iaukea (1:39)
- Hey, look, it's DDP!  I forgot how good this dude was back in the day.  He made quick work of Prince.

Singles Match: Dean Malenko defeated Chavo Guerrero Jr. (8:10)
- Look at young Chavo, aww.  He's so young here.  That was a good match though.  You don't see fighters like these two anymore.

Singles Match: Meng (w/ Jimmy Hart) defeated Ice-Train by DQ (6:20)
- Bischoff started the match by talking about how bright Ice-Train's future is.  It should be noted after WWE bought WCW, he retired and didn't go anywhere.

Singles Match: Eddie Guerrero defeated Psychosis
- I forgot what a strong luchalibre/cruiserweight division WCW had back in the day.  That's one thing I've missed most about WCW.

Six Man Tag Team Match: Lex Luger, Randy Savage & Sting defeated The Four Horsemen (Arn Anderson, Chris Benoit & Steve McMichael) (w/ Debra McMichael & Woman) (7:38)
- Before the match starts, they're showing Arn Anderson looking in the limo.  I wonder who it could be.  No really, I do, I haven't watched this episode since it aired in 1996.  I've honestly forgot a lot of this.  But wow, what a match.  They don't make superstars like this anymore.  The end of that match was a melee!  But, we didn't get an answer as to who was in the limo.  Again, it's why Nitro was so good - the cliffhangers!

Random Thoughts

• Hey look, another Glacier promo!  Dude looks like a straight rip-off of Sub-Zero from Mortal Kombat.  What an awful promo.  I imagine back then I would have liked it though.  I am interested to see his debut, because I've forgotten how that went over.  I know I saw him in AEW recently, but totally forgot about his WCW run.