WCW Nitro #48: August 12th, 1996. (Rewatched 25 April 2020).

We just finished Hog Wild 1996, and went straight into WCW Nitro #48, which occurred August 12th, 1996, at the Casper Events Center in Casper, Wyoming. Pretty wild that we just had a PPV, then a Nitro, and next we'll be watching Clash of Champions XXXIII, which apparently wasn't a PPV and occurred instead on TBS.  So now, Hollywood Hogan is the WCW Champi....rather, the nWo Champion, as they have come to call it.  We still don't know who the 4th and 5th members of the nWo are, and WCW is getting even more defensive.  So, let's dive in!

The Show

Eight Man Tag Team Match: The Dungeon Of Doom (Hugh Morrus, Kevin Sullivan, Meng & The Barbarian) (w/ Big Bubba Rogers & Jimmy Hart) defeated High Voltage (Kenny Kaos & Robbie Rage) & Rough 'n' Ready (Dick Slater & Mike Enos) (2:40)
- Well, that was boring.

Luger/Sting Promo
- Lex Luger and Sting bust out to make a challenge, they want the Outsiders again.  They want to "clear up the controversy".  Outsiders obviously didn't come out.

Singles Match: Diamond Dallas Page defeated The Renegade (5:45)
- I'll never get tired of DDP.  Sadly, I just found out that The Renegade would commit suicide February 23rd, 1999.

Backstage nWo Promo:
- Hall, Nash, and Hogan are sitting on the couch, talking.  Biggest takeaway is they mention how no one guessed yet who the 4th and 5th guys are in the nWo.  Apparently they're sitting in the room, and they ask them to stay put and not show up on camera.

Singles Match: Konnan defeated Jim Powers (3:21)
- In Konnan post-match interview, he claims he's sticking behind WCW.  But, as we know, that doesn't last very long and he joins the nWo later.

Singles Match: Chris Benoit (w/ Miss Elizabeth & Woman) defeated Big Ron Studd (3:31)
- It's still unnerving to me to see Chris Benoit come out with "Woman" (Nancy Benoit).  I don't like commenting much on his matches.  I will say this, I forgot who Big Ron Studd was, but he was once called Yeti (that was such an awful gimmick), he goes on to become The Super Giant Ninja, and later on he becomes Reese (a Raven's Flock member).

WCW World Tag Team Title Match: The Steiner Brothers (Rick Steiner & Scott Steiner) defeated Harlem Heat (Booker T & Stevie Ray) (w/ Col. Robert Parker & Sister Sherri) (c) by DQ (8:57)
- Solid match.  These are two of the greatest teams of all time.

WCW World Cruiserweight Title Match: Rey Mysterio Jr. (c) defeated Ultimate Dragon (w/ Sonny Onoo) (4:34)
- Quick and to the point match.

WCW United States Heavyweight Title Match: Ric Flair (w/ Miss Elizabeth & Woman) (c) defeated Randy Savage (11:43)
- Will never get tired of seeing these two legends fight.  Hogan came out and hit Macho with the chair, but eventually Macho will join the nWo.  So that's interesting.

Hogan Promo
- Hogan cuts a promo, hatin' on WCW, establishing himself firmly as a heel.  Good stuff.

Tag Team Match: Lex Luger & Sting vs. The Outsiders (Kevin Nash & Scott Hall) - No Contest (3:40)
- Before this match there's some random dog(?) mascot in the ring for some reason.  Not sure what that is about.  Pretty short and weird match.  Random interference, Horsemen coming out, nWo left, Nick Patrick left, so basically it was a non-match.  I forgot that at some point Nick Patrick joined the nWo and became their "official referee".

Random Thoughts

• Glacier promo again.  Well, okay, I'll admit, I'm ready for his debut now.  Ah!  They worked!  They're cheesy, but bah gawd, they worked