Monday Warfare: RAW VS. NITRO Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

The Monday Night War continues for August 5th, 1996 as WCW presents it's Go-Home show to the upcoming Hog Wild PPV. While over on Raw, it's the #1 Contender Battle Royal for the WWF Title featuring Sycho Sid, The Undertaker, Mankind, Ahmed Johnson, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, & more! Then more Monday fun as Jerry Lawler introduces Aldo Montoya to Jim Beam, Kevin Kelly has a sit-down with Shawn Michaels, Harlem Heat vs. Rock & Roll Express, Sting & Luger vs. The Nasty Boys, Macho Man = Field Goal Expert, and more. Plus, WHO is the 4th Man? Where is Eric Bischoff? WHAT is in the Limo? Because.... WCW

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Listen at your leisure and pick back up later if need be!

WWF NEWS 

• Ahmed Johnson Kidney Surgery
• The Intercontinental Title Vacated
• SummerSlam Match Canceled
• Skip Suffers Broken Vertebrae
• Shotgun on PPV?
• HBK/Cornette Drama
• "Superstars" Moving to Cable TV
• Duke Droese Gone
• Bret Hart Signs New Contract
• Bruise Brothers get crew cuts

 WWF MONDAY NIGHT RAW 8/5/96 (00:13:27)

• Mark Henry signs with the WWF
• Rematch: Jerry Lawler looks for revenge on Aldo Montoya
• The King shows off Jake Roberts' "tag team partner", Jim Beam
• The Bodydonnas vs. New (and Improved!) Rockers sees some fun action before all hell breaks loose!
• Gorilla Monsoon reinstates Clarence Mason's client
• Faarooq cuts a fun promo
• Kevin Kelly sits down with WWF Champion Shawn Michaels
• #1 CONTENDER BATTLE ROYAL - Winner to meet the WWF Champ on Raw the night following SummerSlam. Participants include - Sycho Sid, The Undertaker, Mankind, British Bulldog, Ahmed Johnson, Owen Hart, Goldust, Marc Mero, Savio Vega, Justin Bradshaw, & "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
• Another showdown between Faarooq & Ahmed Johnson to close the show!

WCW NEWS (00:38:54)

• DDP lobbies for an angle with Ric Flair
• Steve Regal promised the TV Title
• Ted Dibiase, Jeff Jarrett, 1-2-3 Kid all headed in soon
• Lanny Poffo signs with WCW to sit at home

WCW MONDAY NITRO 8/5/96 (00:42:11)

• It's the Go-Home show to the HOG WILD PPV
• The WCW Wrestlers create their own security in the form of MENG, The Barbarian, Scott Norton, and Big Bubba
• Tag Champs Harlem Heat vs. Rock & Roll Express
• Empty seats at ringside makes you wonder... Who is the 4th member of the NWO?
• Lex Luger & Sting question the Nasty Boys loyalty
• Glacier still hanging in there
• Madusa vs. Malia Hosaka (w/Sonny Onoo)
• Chris Benoit takes on Alex Wright
• Dean Malenko meets a palm tree
• The Macho Man battles Lord Steven Regal
• Who, or should I say WHAT is in the limo? (The NWO sends WCW a "gift")
• Where are Eric Bischoff & Bobby Heenan?
• Ric Flair sends Hulk Hogan a message by taking out his good friend The Booty Man, dude.
• The following announcement has been paid for by the nWo.
• WCW Champ The Giant vs. Sgt. Craig Pittman
• The Giant has last minute words for challenger Hulk Hogan at Hog Wild
• Sting & Lex Luger battle the Nasty Boys in the TV main event
• Plus, THE LIMO RETURNS! Oh, the suspense! Find out what happens THIS TIME
• Who was in the limo? Who is the 4th member? Where is Eric Bischoff? It's WCW.... so we get NONE of these questions answered... BUT bonus content on the Peacock does show us a little added footage to close the show!

• All of that, and I'll share the "REAL WINNER" here this week. Who had the better show? I'll share my thoughts.
• AND OF COURSE, we take a look at the August 5, 1996 TV Ratings as the WWF beats Nitro in some head-to-head segments, but is it enough to take over the Monday Night War?

I look into JULY 29, 1996 in the Monday Night War with the Rematch of Stone Cold vs. The Undertaker, The NWO attacks WCW as Rey Misterio gets darted into a trailer & Macho Man clings to the top of a limo. I'll go back and share IN DETAIL all of my memories and emotions from "1996 me" from when this angle first went down. Plus, Mankind attacks HBK, the very first NWO vignette, Ahmed's Kidney Injury, Ron Simmons is Faarooq Asad, Horsemen vs. Sting/Lex/Macho Man, Vader vs. Marc Mero, Sid vs. Bradshaw, Lothario socks Cornette, Sunny on AOL, Goldust a MOMMY?, Ratings, and so much more!

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Includes a $5 “All Access” Tier featuring our Patreon Exclusive Watch-Along Series, our insanely detailed SHOW NOTES (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare & Regional Rasslin), Early Show Releases, REMASTERED editions of the early Grenade episodes including NEW content that was originally edited out! PLUS, monthly DIGITAL DOWLOANDS for your viewing and reading pleasure!

Listen at your leisure and pick back up later if need be!

WWF NEWS 

• Ron Simmons Arrives as Faarooq Asad
• Ahmed Johnson Kidney Injury
• Jake Roberts Returning
• Shawn Michaels vs. Jim Cornette real life feud
• Clarence Mason & Crush
• The Bruise Brothers to return as The Grimm Twins
• Rumors of Too Cold Scorpio
• Newcomer Mark Henry
• WWF Officially Severs Ties with The Ultimate Warrior

 WWF MONDAY NIGHT RAW 729/96 (00:14:08)

• New record gate for Raw
• SYCHO SID BATTLES BRADSHAW! Powerbombs-o-plenty
• FAAROOQ & SUNNY talk their aspirations for Ahmed's IC Title
• VADER VS. "WILDMAN" MARC MERO in a solid TV match
• The GORILLA MONSOON/CLARENCE MASON conference continues
• JOSE LOTHARIO SUPER SOCKS JIM CORNETTE
• BRITISH BULLDOG takes on HENRY GODWINN 
• OWEN HART talks brother Bret and his arm cast
• ALDO MONTOYA pins JERRY LAWLER
• MANKIND ATTACKS SHAWN MICHAELS
• SUNNY CELEBRATES THE MOST DOWNLOADED CELEBRITY ON AOL
• MARK HENRY dunks a Basketball!
• MANKIND Promo with "Mommy" GOLDUST
• REMATCH - THE UNDERTAKER VS. "STONE COLD" STEVE AUSTIN II (a million times better than their first encounter!)
• MANKIND brawls with TAKER as the Dead Man promises to enter the serpent's layer at SummerSlam

WCW NEWS (00:39:10)

• TWO TAG TITLE CHANGES on the House Shows!
• LEE MARSHALL is Grrrreat!
• Hog Wild & Clash of the Champions coming in August
• 1-2-3 KID (SEAN WALTMAN) headed in
• The Quebecers - Jacques Rougeau & Pierre debuting soon
• Nephew of Hulk Hogan, Horace Boulder, signs with WCW (must be nice)

WCW MONDAY NITRO 7/29/96 (00:41:58)

• I look into at the real possibility of NO NITRO over the summer without the Disney relationship with WCW.
• VTR: OUTSIDERS ATTACKS STING
• HACKSAW DUGGAN BATTLES "MEAN" MIKE ENOS
• Hacksaw cuts a solid promo on Hulk Hogan's betrayal of the fans
• SIX-MAN ACTION - STING/LEXLUGER/MACHO MAN VS. FLAIR/BENOIT/STEVE MCMICHAEL
• THEN IT HAPPENS!!! The angle that took the NWO vs. WCW feud to a whole new level, as the Outsiders ambush WCW stars backstage, leaving them laying. Rey Misterio gets darted head first into the side of a trailer while the Macho Man clings to the top of the limo as it pulls away. 
• I'll go back and share IN DETAIL all of my memories and emotions from "1996 teenage me" from when this angle first went down. One of the few segments/angles that sticks with me today that allows me to have total recall of my thoughts/feelings of the time! It triggered a lot of memories and I share them with you!
• WCW faces and heels unite to check on their downed friends and team mates as they're stretchered into ambulances
• I'll talk fans at home calling 9-1-1 after the insane display of bodies laying all around the Disney MGM lot. What were the ramifications of this "real feel" angle?
• Jimmy Hart playing "Paul Revere"
• Glacier.... still coming. I think
• Bobby Heenan walks off set for fear of his safety
• STEINER BROTHERS VS. The not ready for Primetime HIGH VOLTAGE
• EDDY GUERRERO TAKES ON BIG BUBBA, NO TRUBBA
• THE VERY FIRST NWO VIGNETTE AIRS, GROUNDBREAKING PRODUCTION AND DELIVERY changes the way a wrestling promo can be done!
• WCW CHAMPION THE GIANT MEETS GREG "THE HAMMER" VALENTINE!

• All of that, and I'll share the "REAL WINNER" here this week. Who had the better show? I'll share my thoughts.
• AND OF COURSE, we take a look at the July 29, 1996 TV Ratings while the two promotions continue to compete with the 1996 Olympics

We're Baaa-aaack! A special UNCENSORED RETURN announcement episode featuring Ray Russell (and company) from the WrestleCopia Podcast Network discussing his time away from Podcasting for the last couple of months, the insanity surrounding his time away, big RETURN news, plus Ray SHOOTS on Vince McMahon's retirement, Ric Flair's Last Match, Conrad Thompson, PHIL (AKA CM Punk), Tony Khan, Kevin Nash, Bret Hart, Naomi & Sasha Banks, Kevin Dunn, "Star Ratings", recent wrestling deaths, wrestling memes, and SO MUCH more! Once again, fair warning... This episode is uncensored/unedited, expect some use of naughty language as Ray gets back into the swing of things by releasing all of his pent-up stress on the wrestling world!

Scott Hall returns to Nitro for the second week in a row but gets confronted by the Stinger! Plus, Sting & Lex Luger vs. The Steiners, and we try to salvage an extremely uneventful episode of Raw as we talk NAKED Goldust and Triple H's "Curtain Call" Burial.

 
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Includes a $5 "All Access" Tier featuring our Patreon Watch-Along Series of PPV Events, Coliseum Video collection, as well as all past Grenade and Monday Warfare show notes, unedited TR SHOCKS episodes, and so much more!

Listen at your leisure and pick back up later if need be! Timestamps below for easy navigation.

Monday Warfare: The Battles Within – Episode 21 (June 3, 1996)

WWF NEWS 

• "Stone Cold" Steve Austin goes solo as Ted Dibiase leaves the WWF
• WWF Attorneys warn Scott Hall and WCW, but WCW doesn't back down
• The British Bulldog gives his NOTICE to the WWF

WWF MONDAY NIGHT RAW 6/3/96 (00:09:40)

• IC Champion Goldust vs. Ahmed Johnson announced for King of the Ring as a NAKED Goldy tells Johnson to... "Come and get it, Big Boy!".
•  "Stone Cold" Steve Austin battles Bob "Sparkplug" Holly in the latest KotR Qualifier
• Mankind mauls Barry Horowitz, Hava Nagila!
• Jim Ross speaks to Mankind
• HBK vs. British Bulldog II is Announced for KotR
• Vince McMahon interviews a NAKED Goldust in an extremely controversial segment where Goldust does everything from eating a chocolate bar that he implies tastes like Ahmed, to referring to Johnson as the mighty Mandingo and a hand full of M&M's... What can I saw It's, whhhhhhhhp Gold-dust.
• The Godwinns take on Tekno Team 2000
• Sunny IS the Tag Team Division
• The Body Donnas are on a worldwide search for a new manager, while the WWF is on a worldwide search of your address to send merch catalogs to.
• Clarence Mason plans to sue Gorilla Monsoon and the WWF 
• Triple H's punishment for the Kliq Curtain Call begins!  Hunter was originally scheduled to win the 1996 King of the Ring, but instead, he winds up jobbing here in the Qualifying Round to JAKE  "THE SNAKE" ROBERTS!

WCW NEWS (00:44:50)

• The Road Warriors QUIT WCW when they can't get pay equal to that of Hall & Nash
• King Curtis Iaukea reportedly returning to the Dungeon of Doom (of course this was planned PRE-NWO)
• Eric Bischoff offers a deal to Chris Jericho!
• Ted Dibiase headed to WCW
• Recent injuries include Steve Doll & Maxx Muscle
• Nitro booking is already falling apart as things begin to get booked "week-to-week".
• We discuss Madusa's "run" (or lack thereof) here thus far since leaving the WWF.

WCW MONDAY NITRO 6/3/96 (00:54:03)

• Mean Gene interviews JOHN TENTA as he informs us... He's NOT A SHARK, HE'S NOT A FISH!
• John Tenta goes one-on-one with Big Bubba and seeks revenge with a pair of SCISSORS!
• Mongo & Kevin Greene prepare for the Horsemen
• Meng & The Barbarian mangle the new team of High Voltage
• Mean Gene interviews Tag Team Champions Sting & Lex Luger, but the Steiner Brothers interrupt
• Disco Inferno Submits to Craig Pittman's Code Red Armbreaker... BEFORE THE HOLD IS EVEN APPLIED!
• Lord Steven Regal battles "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan
• Mean Gene speaks with the Blue Bloods as Regal prepares for Sting at the Great American Bash
• Highlight Package - Chris Benoit/Kevin Sullivan Feud
• Kevin Sullivan battles Prince Iaukea as the Power Plant invasion continues
• Kevin Sullivan talks about "the serpent" Chris Benoit
• This is NOT a typo, nor a retro replay... RIC FLAIR & ARN ANDERSON VS. THE ROCK & ROLL EXPRESS in a nearly 20:00 fun match!
• Flair & Arn Anderson discuss Kevin Greene, Steve & Debra McMichael
• BOBBY HEENAN WILL manag---errr COACH Flair & Anderson at the Bash!
• GLACIER is Coming Soon as Blood is Running extremely Cold right now.
• He's off in Hollywood so naturally, we get a HULK HOGAN Video to remind us he exists
• WCW Champion The Giant lays out Fire & Ice as he wipes out Ice Train in a title match, followed by Scott Norton with 2 GIANT Chokeslams!
• Hugh Morrus vs. Scott Norton doesn't go as planned when the Laughing Man tried to take advantage of a downed Norton but found out just how tough Scott can be
• More Mongo & Kevin Greene preparing for their match with the Horsemen at the Bash. The football duo plan to get the Macho Man to coach them to combat Bobby Heenan
• The Macho Man calls in and agrees to Coach Mongo & Greene and Bobby Heenan has a meltdown.
• Tag Team Champions Sting & Lex Luger battle the Steiner Brothers!
• SCOTT HALL Returns again this week but is confronted by WCW's franchise player, STING!!!

Plus, we talk Ratings and WCW's rebound in the ratings and how well the lead-in hour is working so far. And who do we declare the "REAL WINNER" of the rivalry between Raw vs. Nitro this week?

Nitro Goes to 2 HOURS as Scott Hall Debuts!!!
 
Nitro goes to 2 HOURS as SCOTT HALL arrives and declares WAR on WCW! Sting battles Scott Steiner in a hell of a match. Mongo & Kevin Greene prepare for the Horsemen. Bubba “The Barber” Rogers shaves the head of Shark. Macho loses control, again. Plus, Lord Steven Regal disposes of “Junior Adolph”.
 
 Over in the WWF, King of the Ring Qualifiers begin as the Warrior faces Goldust while Ahmed Johnson tangles with Vader! Sunny continues to get around. Beware of Dog gets blacked out. Owen Hart breaks his arm. Ted Dibiase puts his job on the line. Goldust gives Ahmed “mouth to mouth”. And an ANGRY Ahmed Johnson goes ballistic backstage!

 
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Listen at your leisure and pick back up later if need be! Timestamps below for easy navigation.

Monday Warfare: The Battles Within – Episode 20 (5/27/96)
 

WWF NEWS
- Brian Pillman meets with the WWF
 - The future of the 1-2-3 Kid in question
 - In Your House “Beware of Dog” faces Mother Nature
 
 

WWF MONDAY NIGHT RAW 5/27/96 (00:07:03)
- It’s a special Memorial Day edition of Raw as we kick off the King of the Ring Qualifying matches…
 - The Ultimate Warrior vs. Goldust in a KotR Qualifier!
 - Jerry Lawler picks a fight with the Warrior
 - BEWARE OF DOG 2 is announced!
 - Sunny aligns with the Godwinns…
 - Sunny aligns with the Smoking Gunns… boy she gets around
 - Ted Dibiase puts his WWF career on the line!
 - NEW Tag Team Champions The Smoking Gunns take on the Body Donnas
 - Owen Hart debuts his arm cast!
 - Ahmed Johnson battles Vader in a battle of the bulls as the two men attempt to Qualify for KotR.
 - Ahmed Johnson gets stretchered
 - Goldust “revives” Ahmed with a little “mouth to mouth”.
 - An ANGRY Ahmed Johnson goes Goldust hunting and destroys a poor job guy THROUGH A DOOR in the process.
 - WWF IN YOUR HOUSE “BEWARE OF DOG 2” RESULTS
 
 

WCW NEWS (00:46:47)
- Great American Bash News
- The Great Muta gets pulled from the PPV after WHAAAT?
 
 

WCW MONDAY NITRO 5/27/96 (00:49:21)
- Nitro debuts its new 2-HOUR format!
- Tony Schiavone & Larry Zbyszko debut as the hour 1 announcers
- Ric Flair & Arn Anderson take on the American Males in a fun TV match
- Marcus Bagwell nearly takes Flair’s head off
- The Horsemen talk Randy Savage, Steve McMichael & Kevin Greene
- Mongo & Kevin Greene train for their match with the Horsemen at GAB
- The Mauler (Mike Enos) makes his WCW debut vs. Steve Doll, but HEY YO, $hit happens.
- In an event that would change wrestling forever…. SCOTT HALL ARRIVES WITH A MESSAGE FOR WCW! YOU WANT A WAR?
- “Lord of the Ring” DDP battles Craig “Pitbull” Pittman
- Randy Savage loses control!
- Mean Gene talks to a SHARK as Tenta has been kicked from the Dungeon of Doom
- Hulk Hogan 
- HOUR 2 of Nitro begins with WCW Champion The Giant defending against The Shark. We need a bigger boat Match.
- Big Bubba (No Trubba) shaves HALF the head of the Shark as booker Kevin Sullivan channels an old Florida gimmick
- Lex Luger defends the forgotten TV Title vs. Maxx Muscle
- Curtain jerker DDP (wisely) gets yanked from the WCW Title match at the GAB
- Lex Luger talks his title shot with the Giant at the GAB PPV
- How many moves can “Hardwork” Bobby Walker botch in a single match? Brad Armstrong finds out!
- Lord Steven Regal in a solid TV match with “Junior Adolph” Alex Wright
- GLACIER is coming to WCW as Blood Runs Cold
- Steve Regal calls out WCW’s franchise player Sting
- STING GOES UP AGAINST SCOTT STEINER in a hell of a TV main event
- SCOTT HALL RETURNS to inform Eric Bischoff that “WE ARE TAKING OVER”.
 
Plus, we talk about our segments of the night, who won the TV war this week for us, and of course TV ratings. How does the first 2-hour edition of Nitro do as its second hour goes head-to-head with the WWF’s Raw?

The Monday Night War Begins to Heat Up!!!

Some excellent conversation this week on many topics ongoing in the world of the Monday Night War. Ric Flair vs. Eddy Guerrero in a TV Match of the Year Candidate! Lex Luger takes his first table bump... ON THE CONCRETE! Barbarian launches Sting into orbit. Blood is still Running Cold. The Mero/Bischoff Saga concludes. Slamboree 96 is in the books and what a mess it was. DDP = Battle Bowl Champion. Nitro going to 2 Hours, & more!

Then, up "north", Hall & Nash leave the WWF, but not without drama. Warrior Man and his DESTRUCITY. Lots of new hires and lots of BAD gimmicks. The Kliq put on a solid match when HBK meets HHH. Bulldog & Shawn in a Beach Brawl! Goldust fondles Taker. Newww Tag Champs. Mr. Perfect gets involved. Stone Cold & Savio Vega prepare for War. Mankind hilariously attacks Undertaker. And our very first wrestling Restraining Order?

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Includes a $5 "All Access" Tier featuring our Patreon Watch-Along Series of PPV Events, Coliseum Video collection, as well as all past Grenade and Monday Warfare show notes, unedited TR SHOCKS episodes, and so much more!

Listen at your leisure and pick back up later if need be! Timestamps below for easy navigation.

Monday Warfare: The Battles Within – Episode 19 (5/13 & 5/20/96)

WCW NEWS

• Nitro expanding to TWO HOURS!
• Eric Bischoff calls Bull$h*t on Dave Meltzer's scheduling claims
• Blood Runs Cold theories
• DDP has a new benefactor
• What once was old is new again... Savage vs. Flair
• The Marc Mero/Eric Bischoff saga comes to a conclusion

WCW Monday Nitro 5/13/96 (00:21:38)

• It's the final 60-Minute edition of Nitro!
• Lex Luger goes camping
• The Steiners face Public Enemy
• Chris Benoit vs. "Squire" David Taylor
• Mongo has a chat with the Macho Man
• OUR WORLD IS ABOUT TO CHANGE... BLOOD RUNS COLD!
• Battle of the Heels: RIC FLAIR VS. VK WALLSTREET
• The Nature Boy takes a trip to the VIP Table with his ladies
• WCW Champion The Giant defends against Lex Luger
• Lex Luger takes a Chokeslam to hell!

WWF NEWS (00:57:36)

• Silly Meltzer says men will resent HBK because he's good in bed? WTF?
• European Tour Shenanigans Galore, Sunny sent home, Bret Hart questions his future
• The Kliq live up to their adolescent behavior 
• Hall & Nash try themselves on the way out the door
• NEW TALENT, BAD GIMMICKS = Salvatore Sincere, Freddie Joe Floyd, TL Hopper, The Pug, The Goon, and WHO???

WWF Monday Night Raw 5/13/96 (01:09:35)

• Sunny = Trash?
• Ahmed Johnson battles the Tag Team Champion Body Donnas
• Vader meets the Dumpster
• Goldust fondles the Undertaker
• Man O'War eats a Bradshaw Clothesline from hell, as I wake up my dog
• Bulldog brawls with HBK on the beach
• WWF Champion Shawn Michaels faces Kliq member HHH
• Mr. Perfect teases a return?
• Vince McMahon taunts the Bulldog while promoting sexual harassment

MORE WCW NEWS (01:37:59)

• Slamboree 96 is in the books, and what a mess it was

WCW Monday Nitro 5/20/96 (01:39:44)

• Special 90-Minute edition
• Mongo & Pepe leave the program
• Kevin Greene joins WCW
• The Steiners vs. Scott Norton & Ice Train - THE REMATCH!
• Garrett Bischoff sighting!
• RIC FLAIR VS. EDDY GUERRERO in a hell of a 20-minute match!
• Ric Flair talks Mongo and the Macho Man
• WCW Tag Champs Sting & Lex Luger vs. The Barbarian & Meng
• The Barbarian LAUNCHES Sting off the top in an overhead belly to belly nearly 18 feet across the ring, It has to be seen!!!
• The Macho Man is banned from the building, but will that stop him?
• Blood, still running Cold...
• Battle Bowl Winner - DDP takes on Brad Armstrong
• Slamboree becomes irrelevant when DDP has his WCW title shot revoked
• WCW Champion The Giant defends against Arn Anderson
• NITRO GOES TO 2 HOURS NEXT WEEK!

 
WWF NEWS (02:11:03)

• "WARRIOR MAN HERE" - The Ultimate Warrior turns over a new leaf?
• Yokozuna weight loss?
• Newwww WWF Tag Team Champions at MSG
• The infamous Kliq Curtain Call goes down
• Scott Hall playing politics
• Razor Ramon & Diesel - OIfficially GONE from the WWF!
• The 1-2-3 Kid having issues?

WWF Monday Night Raw 5/20/96 (02:18:15)

• It's the go-home to IYH "Beware of Dog"
• "Wildman" Marc Mero faces "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
• Savio Vega puts a whipping on Stone Cold
• Ahmed Johnson, Kuwaiti Savior?
• The Ultimate Warrior Comic Book is launched, and more DESTRUCITY
• Savio Vega meets the 1-2-3 Kid
• Steve Austin & Ted Dibiase humiliate Savio Vega
• The Godwinns win the tag straps
• Paul Bearer talks the Taker/Goldust Casket Match
• Mankind attacks The Undertaker in hilarious fashion!
• Gorilla Monsoon settles a Restraining Order
• Shawn Michaels joins commentary, but that doesn't keep Diana Smith away!
• The British Bulldog takes on Jake "The Snake" Roberts in one of the worst matches in Raw history. 

All of that, plus we discuss Nitro's timeslot change during the NBA playoffs, the weekly TV ratings, who won, who lost, Nitro going 2-hours and so much more! Lots of great discussions this week, you won't want to miss this episode!

Monday Warfare: The Battles Within – Episode 18 (4/29 & 5/6/96)

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Includes a $5 "All Access" Tier featuring our Patreon Watch-Along Series of PPV Events, Coliseum Video collection, as well as all past Grenade and Monday Warfare show notes, unedited TR SHOCKS episodes, and so much more!

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An admittedly inebriated Ray Russell is joined by Steven Eckstat in this edition of Monday Warfare to discuss another TWO WEEKS of the Monday Night War between WWF Raw vs. WCW Nitro.

P.S. Sorry for any slurring in the second half of the show... I'll admit I was downing some cold ones and they were tasting good on this night.

WCW NEWS

• HULK HOGAN GONE... for a while. Things should pick up without the Hulkster hogging the spotlight.
• The latest on Brian Pillman's auto accident and injuries
• The Eric Bischoff/Johnny B. Badd saga continues
• John Tenta working without a contract

WCW Monday Nitro 4/29/96 (00:15:36)

• There's a time change due to the NBA Playoffs on TNT
• Tag Champs Sting & Lex Luger defends against Harlem Heat
• The Steiners have a hoss fight with Scott Norton & Ice Train
• Ric Flair taunts the Macho Man with Liz's money
• OUR WORLD IS ABOUT TO CHANGE... BLOOD RUNS COLD!!!
• Steve Regal takes on Belfast Bruiser (Fit Finlay) IN A WILD PARKING LOT STREET FIGHT!
• THE GIANT defeats Ric Flair for WCW World Heavyweight Championship!

WWF NEWS (00:49:38)

• IYH 7 "Good Friends, Better Enemies" Results & Fallout
• Diesel & Razor Ramon gone from TV

WWF Monday Night Raw 4/29/96 (00:54:03)

• Exclusive footage from after the IYH PPV when Davey Boy Smith confronts HBK
• Mankind faces Bart Gunn
• Bart Gunn meets Mankind again, in the locker room!
• "Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. the future Scotty Too Hotty
• Savio Vega issues a POOBLIC Challenge to Steve Austin for a Strap Match
• The British Bulldog has a bone to pick with the homewrecker, Shawn Michaels
• The Godwinns vs. The New AND IMPROVED Rockers in a #1 Contenders Match
• Jim Ross in the BOWELS of the building talks to Mankind
• The Ultimate Warrior tangles with Isaac Yankem, DDS
• Raw ties its second-highest rating to date while Nitro's ratings plummet after being moved to 7pm est for the NBA Playoffs.

MORE WCW NEWS (01:23:33)

• Dean Malenko, new Cruiserweight Champion
• Finlay leaves WCW... For now
• Mike Enos arrives in WCW
• WCW bringing back the Lethal Lottery, with lazy booking
• Big Bubba (Ray Traylor) changes his gimmick... AGAIN
• Newcomer Billy Kidman is getting noticed

WCW Monday Nitro 5/6/96 (01:30:08)

• The Macho Man goes nuts on Hugh Morrus AND Referee Randy Eller!!! Classic crazy Randy Savage here.
• RIP Ray "Crippler" Stevens
• Dean Malenko battles Jushin Thunder Liger!
• We discuss Kevin Sullivan's booking strategies of the time and the mistakes that were made. 
• It would seem Ric Flair is more concerned with the ladies than his WCW Title loss last week
• Did I mention... Blood Runs Cold!?
• Sting takes on Parking Lot Street Fight Champion Steven Regal
• Lex Luger misses his title match and "HACKSAW" Jim Duggan steps in to challenge WCW Champion the Giant
• As the Giant takes out the WCW locker room, Ric Flair and Sting take their shot at putting down the 7 foot Champ before LEX LUGER FINALLY SHOWS UP!!!
• Best friend and Tag Team partner Sting confronts the questionable whereabouts of Lex Luger prior to the end of the show. 

 
WWF NEWS (02:17:27)

• WWF headed to Kuwait
• The Ultimate Warrior's "DESTRUCITY"

WWF Monday Night Raw 5/6/96 (02:20:38)

• More love for the late Ray Stevens
• Marc Mero battles the 1-2-3 Kid, with HHH at ringside
• Sean Waltman's injuries and concussion history
• An "Ex-wife of a former pro wrestler" claims Shawn Michaels wrecked her marriage
• Fatu tries to make a difference when he takes on The British Bulldog
• The Samoan Gangsta Party arrive to slang crack on the streets of the WWF
• Tag Champs The Body Donnas face Tekno Team 2000
• Jim Ross talks to Jim Cornette & Vader about Yokozuna's return
• Goldust gooses Paul Bearer AND Owen Hart
• The Undertaker meets Owen Hart
• Taker has a special golden casket prepared for Goldust at the next IYH
• Even without going head to head during the NBA Playoffs, Raw beats Nitro in the largest margin of victory to date. We discuss the 7pm timeslot not working for WCW, but there's hope right around the corner.

WARNING: Sorry for the slurring in the second half of the show... I'll admit I was downing some beers and they were tasting good. 

The Monday Night War keeps getting hotter!!!

In WCW News… Brian Pillman in a near-fatal car accident. Lethal Lottery Returns. Macho Man is insane! THREE Championships on the line when Tag Champs Sting & (TV Champ) Lex Luger battle WCW Champ Ric Flair & The Giant. And say goodbye to Hulk Hogan, at least for 3 months… as the Hulkster changes booking plans at the last minute, brother… What was originally supposed to be an injury angle for Hulk, turns into Hogan going over on the way out… Are you shocked?

Then over in the WWF, all things lead to IYH “Good Friends, Better Enemies”. Raw tries to one-up Nitro by going on at 8:57, so WCW goes on at 8:56... HOW PETTY! We get a look at a lot of the new blood in the WWF, the IC Title is vacated and once again occupied after two grueling battles between Goldust and Savio Vega, plus a TAJIRI SIGHTING in 1996!

Follow Us on Twitter @MondayWarfare

Visit our Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com

Please Subscribe to Patreon to help keep us going, 14 Tiers to choose from!!! Our All Access Tier is only $5 for our entire Watch-Along Series as we add shows weekly, including all PPVs from the Monday Night War era. They make great complementary pieces to this Podcast! We most recently added WrestleMania XII and In Your House 7 “Good Friends, Better Enemies” is just around the corner!!! Subscribe today and follow along on the ride.
https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
 
TIMESTAMPS below!

WCW NEWS (00:01:06)

• WCW brings back the Lethal Lottery & Battle Bowl
• The Road Warriors and Miss Elizabeth have contract disputes 
• WCW cuts BAIT with SHARK
• Steve McMichael in training to WRESTLE
• Talk of Nitro going to TWO HOURS!
• Lanny Poffo… the new Gorgeous George?
• Brian Pillman’s near-fatal car crash that puts him in the ICU

WCW Monday Nitro 4/15/96 (00:14:18)

• Nitro kicks off at 8:56, one whole minute before Raw…. How petty
• In what will be Hulk Hogan’s final WCW appearance until Bash at the Beach, it’s Handicap Action when Hulk Hogan takes on both Arn Anderson & Kevin Sullivan
• The Hulkster gets 5 minutes with Jimmy Hart
• Hulkamania even no-sells the Giant’s Chokeslam on his way out of the company for 3 months. What a company guy.
• We discuss at length Hulk Hogan’s creative control, booking himself to destroy all of WCW all the way up to his 3-month exit from the company. In what was originally scheduled to be Hogan doing an injury angle on this show somehow turning into Hulk wiping out everyone in sight on his way back to Hollywood. HOT GARBAGE, Orange Goblin!
• STREET FIGHT: The Nasty Boys vs. Public Enemy
• “Macho Man” Randy Savage vs. Earl Robert Eaton. Eaton taunts the Macho Man by doing his best Ric Flair impersonation. YES, Bobby Eaton does a Ric Flair impression! Woo!
• The Macho Man continues to lose his mind over Ric Flair and finds himself in a pair of handcuffs
• WCW Tag Team Champions Sting & Lex Luger defend against “Nature Boy” Ric Flair & The Giant

WWF NEWS (00:47:03)

• Goldust suffers an MCL injury
• Billy Gunn on his way back from injury
• Sable’s relationship with Marc Mero
• Mr. Perfect working on a comeback to the ring
• Bam Bam Bigelow gets the shaft
• Jeff Jarrett returns from injury… but not for the WWF!
• Brian Christopher’s secret WWF contract

WWF Monday Night Raw 4/15/96 (00:52:20)

• Raw is given its new 8:57 timeslot
• “Wildman” Marc Mero takes on Leif Cassidy w/Marty Jannetty ringside
• Diesel calls in from Germany to talk Shawn Michaels & IYH
• “Stone Cold” Steve Austin battles Bart Gunn
• Vince McMahon interviews Jim Cornette & Vader. Corny makes veiled shoot comments about Vader’s next opponent Razor Ramon leaving for WCW
• THE SUNNY VIDEO! YES, PLEASE!
• Savio Vega initially defeats Goldust for the Intercontinental Title, before Tim White screws it all up. 
• Gorilla Monsoon orders the IC Title be vacated, pending a rematch NEXT WEEK!
• The era of WHINY Bret Hart begins as he complains about being screwed out of the title at WrestleMania XII, and denounces the idea of ever leaving the WWF for WCW. 

MORE BRIAN PILLMAN NEWS (01:16:38)

• Brian Pillman is released from the hospital but suffered many injuries, including a crushed ankle. We discuss Brian’s recovery and eventual move to the WWF.

WCW Monday Nitro 4/22/96 (01:20:08)

• It’s the first Nitro of the Post-Hogan era… albeit brief, I’ll still take it!
• The Public Enemy battle The American Males
• Eric Bischoff is back to giving away Raw Results!
• Bischoff says hello to Brian Pillman!
• Mean Gene draws Lethal Lottery matches with less than clever results. 
• Eddy Guerrero squares off with Chris Benoit
• After learning that Randy Savage will be forced to team with Ric Flair at Slamboree, the Macho Man has strong words for WCW VP Rob Garner.
• “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan looks to knockout Meng
• In a match where “all titles are on the line” WCW Tag Team Champions Sting & Lex Luger (also the TV Champion) battle WCW Champion Ric Flair & The Giant. Eric Bischoff tries to sell convoluted rules to the match in order to steal the viewing audience away from Raw… But did it work???
• Ric Flair has some choice ford for the Giant, before being chased out of the arena

WWF Monday Night Raw 4/22/96 (01:50:53)

• It’s the go-home show to In Your House
• Goldust meets Savio Vega for the Vacant Intercontinental Championship
• We talk Stone Cold's interference in the IC Title match and why the same result last week that caused the title to be held up, was an acceptable finish this week? Yup, WWF with a rare miss in continuity. 
• Vader unleashes the MOONSAULT on Fatu
• Highlights from Germany: Jake the Snake vs. Owen Hart with the British Bulldog interfering
• The Godwinns take on Tim Patterson and YOSHIHIRO TAJIRI!!!! Yes, THAT Tajiri!
• The Body Donnas outsmart and humiliate the Godwinns
• Mankind is back again this week. His victim this time out, Aldo Montoya. 
• Just 6 days before their No Holds Barred contest, it’s a trip down memory lane as we’re treated to a video documenting the storied 3-year relationship between Shawn Michaels & Diesel.
• Diesel has last-minute choice words for HBK at IYH, and threatens to come after Vince McMahon!

And as always, we talk lead-in programming ratings, the weekly “War” ratings, including quarter-hour breakdowns from April 22nd, and if Bischoff’s false promises for his Nitro main event stole any of the WWF audience. Spoiler… IT DID… And you won’t believe how many people flipped the channel! Oh, that Uncle Eric!

It’s the fallout from WrestleMania XII with new WWF Champion HBK making enemies left and right from Diesel to Mr. Perfect to the King! Vader breaks the ankle of Yokozuna and Yoko has to be carted off ON A FORKLIFT! The Wildman Marc Mero arrives in the WWF, and Sable isn’t far behind. Ahmed Johnson meets his match with something STIFFer than him! Goldust confronts the Potty Mouth Ultimate Warrior. Plus, Mankind makes his in-ring debut in memorable fashion when he takes out The Undertaker!

Over in WCW, it’s the oddest episode of Nitro to date. The Giant turns face, then turns heel again. The Roadies vs. Steiners vs. Nastys in a Triangle match. The Hulkster & Kevin Sullivan play dueling shoes. Hulk Hogan and the Booty Man continue to be booed out of the building while they dominate the competition, brother. There are two Brian Knobbs? Please, no! Plus, Lex Luger challenges WCW Champion Ric Flair for a cup of coffee.

Plus, we’re 7 full months into the Monday Night War and we take a look at the collective Ratings of Raw vs. Nitro, both the 1996 Quarterly report and overall. Who is currently winning the rating war based on the average Rating? It’s closer than you think!

Follow Us on Twitter @MondayWarfare

Visit our Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com

Please Subscribe to Patreon to help keep us going, 14 Tiers to choose from!!! Our All Access Tier is only $5 for our entire Watch-Along Series as we add shows weekly, including all PPVs from the Monday Night War era. They make great complementary pieces to this Podcast! We most recently added WrestleMania XII and In Your House 7 “Good Friends, Better Enemies” is just around the corner!!! Subscribe today and follow along on the ride.
https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
 
TIMESTAMPS below!

 WWF WrestleMania XII Quick Results (00:00:58)
 We run down the quick results for WWF’s WrestleMania XII PPV, featuring the Sixty Minute Ironman Match between WWF Champion Bret “Hitman” Hart vs. Shawn Michaels! Which you can listen to in full as part of our Watch-Along Series over at https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia . You can Subscribe to Patreon and our All-Access for only $5! Cancel at any time. New shows are added weekly, including all PPVs from the Monday Night War era. They make great complementary pieces to this Podcast!

 The Hitman says Goodbye… For Now! (00:03:04)
After losing the WWF Championship to Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania, Bret Hart embarks on new ventures outside of the squared circle.

WWF Monday Night Raw 4/1/96 (00:09:06)

• Mankind makes his long-awaited in-ring debut as Bob Holly becomes his first victim
• Up next in the debut department, “Wildman” Marc Mero debuts against Dr. Isaac Yankem, while the lovely Sable handles HHH’s advances in the crowd.
• NEW WWF Tag Team Champions The Body Donnas take on arch-nemesis Barry Horowitz and Aldo Montoya
• Vince McMahon fawns over the NEW WWF Champion Shawn Michaels during an in-ring promo
• Justin “Hawk” Bradshaw meets his toughest opponent to date when he tangles with The Undertaker!
• Mankind returns to wreak havoc on the Undertaker in a post-match beatdown on the Deadman that leaves the fans in unbelievable silence. 

WCW Monday Nitro 4/1/96 (00:33:44)

• This week Nitro emanates from Cleveland, OH in the weirdest night of booking to date… And that’s saying something.
• The show kicks off with an angle in progress when the newly turned babyface Giant has apparently turned back heel only 7 days later. 
• After originally being scheduled as a tag team on the program, The Stinger goes up against The Giant in a singles contest that features Jimmy Hart and Lex Luger on opposite sides of the fence
• Triangle Tag Team Match featuring The Steiner Brothers vs. The Road Warriors vs. The Nasty Boys. With a Special Appearance by The Public Enemy, including Johnny Grunge dressed up as Brian Knobbs. No, Seriously!
• Hulk Hogan teams with the Booty Man to take on Kevin Sullivan & Arn Anderson. Which Shoe will strike first, Woman’s or Kimberly’s? 
• The Hulkster and the Booty-ster challenge Arn & Sullivan to a rematch but they don’t know the stipulations just yet
• WCW Champion Ric Flair defends against Lex Luger, and we find out how the Total Package takes his coffee… 
• Plus, Bobby Heenan announces his retirement from professional wrestling…. APRIL FOOLS!

Ratings Breakdown (00:56:24)
We talk TV Rankings and First Quarter Ratings for 1996 and Average Ratings for both Nitro and Raw throughout the first 7 months of the Monday Night War. Who is currently winning the war? Listen and find out for yourself!


WWF Monday Night Raw 4/8/96 (01:01:17)

• Mr. Perfect joins Vince McMahon on commentary this week!
• Vader vs. Yokozuna finally goes down on FREE TV, that is until the Mastodon crushes the ankle of the 650 pounder.
• We discuss the Yoko injury angle, the real reason behind it, the great sell job, and the visual of Yoko being carted off on a FORKLIFT!
• Vince McMahon interviews the ULLLLTIMATE Warrior. Goldust interrupts as the Warrior spouts off some no-no words right on the air. 
• Hunter Hearst Helmsley meets his old foe Duke “The Dumpster” Droese one more time in another solid contest between the two
• Ahmed Johnson faces The British Bulldog in an Arm-Wrestling contest. Ahmed wins the battle, but a Wooden Table may win the war
• Diesel joins commentary for the WWF Title main event
• WWF Champion Shawn Michaels has his first title defense against the crafty Jerry “The King” Lawler. We discuss how less can be more, and how psychology wins out over spotfests. 
• With a little help from Mr. Perfect, Diesel takes out the Heartbreak Kid to close the show
• Plus, Raw shatters its former Ratings record high. Find out what they drew when going unopposed against WCW Nitro.

It's LOADS of EXCELLENT Discussion this week when we look at the TV surrounding the WCW Uncensored ’96 PPV including the political power of Hulkamania, DUDE. ZEUS Returns to Wrestling (for a week), more Lex Luger comedy antics, Dream Match alert when The Macho Man meets Finlay, and the Giant turns baby face (again, for a week).
 
Over in the WWF it’s the hard sell to WrestleMania XII. Diesel turns on HBK. The Warrior is Back! Shawn & Bret train for their Ironman showdown and have final tune-up matches on Raw. Roddy agrees to enter Goldust’s Backlot. Jim Cornette needs to read the fine print. The final Billionaire Ted sketch. And Diesel sees his own corpse, courtesy of the Undertaker!

Follow Us on Twitter @MondayWarfare

Visit our Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com

Please Subscribe to Patreon to help keep us going, 14 Tiers to choose from!!! Our All Access Tier is only $5 for our entire Watch-Along Series as we add shows weekly, including all PPVs from the Monday Night War era. They make great complementary pieces to this Podcast! We most recently added WCW Uncensored '96 and WrestleMania XII is just around the corner!!! Subscribe today and follow along on the ride.
https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia

TIMESTAMPS below!

WCW NEWS (00:02:25)
Brian Pillman undergoes throat surgery, while Kimberly Page dons some lingerie!
 
 
WCW Monday Nitro 3/18/96 (00:06:06)

• Lex Luger walks through the set of a Monster Movie and doesn’t bat an eye
• The Total Package celebrates a “win” over Loch Ness in comical fashion
• The Mega Powers talk Doomsday as the Hulkster’s political power changes the entire Uncensored Main Event just 6 days before the PPV
• The Steiner Brothers battle Public Enemy
• Can Arn Anderson continue his Nitro undefeated streak against Big Brother Booty Man, Dude? Here’s a hint… NOTHING is stronger than the (political) power of Hulkamania, Brother!
• The Road Warriors face the Nasty Boys
• Hulk Hogan & The Macho Man square off with Ric Flair & Kevin Sullivan in a Texas Tornado Match, featuring the return of Brian Pillman!
• The Alliance to End Hulkamania continues to grow with help from some “supplements” as the Mega Powers run into the Ultimate Solution and a familiar face from their past in the WWF’s ZEUS!

The Political Power of Hulkamania… BROTHER! (00:35:21)
With only 10 days before WCW Uncensored, Hulk Hogan uses his creative control to change the entire layout of the main event! Plus, the Hulkster looks to force Brian Pillman into the Doomsday Cage Match to steal his heat…. BROTHER!


WWF NEWS (00:43:40)
Madison Square Garden is a sell-out! Mankind makes a stop in Memphis. And Bret Hart is Hollywood bound???
 
 
WWF Monday Night Raw 3/18/96 (00:47:22)

• The build to Mania is strong in this one!
• Highlights from MSG as Diesel turns on good friend Shawn Michaels
• The British Bulldog takes on Jake “The Snake” Roberts
• Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart training videos for their Ironman Match at WrestleMania
• The ULLLLTIMATE WARRIOR is returning!
• Fatu tries to “Make a Difference” when he takes on Goldust
• Roddy Piper agrees to enter Goldust’s “Backlot” at Mania
• Vince McMahon speaks with Camp Cornette about their 6-Man Tag at WrestleMania. See what happens when Corny doesn’t read the fine print on the contract and finds out should his team lose, Cornette has to spend 5 minutes in the ring with YOKOZUNA! BANZAI!
• Even more hype for the Ironman Match for the WWF Championship as reality creeps in for both Champion and Challengers future beyond the PPV.
• Diesel faces Barry Horowitz as the Undertaker continues to play mind games
• Hear what happens when Diesel opens a casket, expecting the Undertaker, but seeing his mirror image laying dead inside! Like I said… Mind games!
• WWF Champion Bret Hart meets Tatanka in the main event as the 1-2-3 Kid lurks around ringside
• Billionaire Ted at the FTC hearings… It’s the FINAL Billionaire Ted sketch prior to WrestleMania, as the USA Network puts the KIBOSH on the sketches moving forward, feeling Vince has turned the segments into a personal attack rather than satire. 

 
 WCW Uncensored ’96 Quick Results (01:19:05)
We run down the quick results for the WCW Uncensored ’96 PPV, featuring The Doomsday Cage Match! Which you can listen to in full as part of our Watch-Along Series over at https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia . You can Subscribe to Patreon and our All-Access for only $5! Cancel at any time. New shows are added weekly, including all PPVs from the Monday Night War era. They make great complementary pieces to this Podcast!

 
 WCW Monday Nitro 3/25/96 (01:23:56)

• We kick off a great week of wrestling TV from both companies here with WCW’s fallout from Uncensored
• The Macho Man meets the Belfast Bruiser, Fit Finlay!
• Creepy Mean Gene goes hunting for scoops for his 900-Line. Featuring Johnny B(lank) Badd
• Years before Bray Wyatt, The Nature Boy Ric Flair has the Whole World in His Hands, while Pervy Gene Okerlund checks out Woman’s cleavage
• U.S. Champion Konnan battles (Don’t call me Mister) J.L.
• The Battle of the Booties! As The Booty Man meets Disco Inferno on the Shake Your Booty Tour!
• Eric Bischoff doxes Tony Schiavone
• The American Males challenge WCW Tag Champions Sting & Lex Luger
• WCW Champion Ric Flair defends against The Giant!
• Nitro ends with a great angle with the Giant’s short-lived babyface turn (and I DO mean SHORT)!

WWF Monday Night Raw 3/25/96 (01:59:07)

• It’s the Go-Home Show to WrestleMania XII
• Shawn Michaels has a tune-up match against Leif Cassidy of the NEW Rockers while WWF Champion joins commentary! Hear what happens when Shawn’s former partner Marty Jannetty and the Hitman get involved!
• Bret Hart talks his friendship with Shawn Michaels being put on the backburner as being the Champion comes first!
• The Ultimate Warrior made his last return 4 years ago, and now HE’S BACK!
• Hunter Hearst Helmsley takes on Aldo Montoya as he heads to Mania for his match with the Warrior
• “EDITED FOR TV”: Goldust is on set at his Backlot in preparation for his match with the Hot Rod
• The Final Mankind Vignette, he arrives next week! Have a Nice Day.
• The Undertaker is no longer content with just beatin...