I started getting into retro professional wrestling again, with my initial run back in the day being from around late 2002-2008 (Ruthless Aggression Era). Decided to start around the time when WCW Nitro premiered. Over 20 years late to the party, as I missed the famous wrestling wars from 1997-2001 between WCW and WWF. Figured a good time to start is when Nitro premiered, and go from there. I tried getting into modern wrestling (2021), from WWE, to AEW, to the occasional Japanese show, and I just can't do it. The stars aren't as distinct and memorable, the wrestling style is too fancy for its own good (overly complicated maneuvers and ridiculous spots, plus moves that should lay a guy out being practically shrugged off; it's more mock-fighting than it is wrestling, and I'd rather watch MMA than this), and the art of pacing a match and telling an in-ring story isn't what it used to be.
So I figured I'd be better off going into the past, to September 1995. Sure enough, it was a breath of fresh air seeing matches done better. Granted, it could be that I'm just used to seeing things paced this way. But given that I even find 80s wrestling more investing than modern day wrestling (didn't grow up with any of that, that was past my time), I'd say this was doing something right.
So, how does the first WCW PPV from this Nitro time period hold up for a first-time watcher? Well, given that the majority of the matches disappointed me, I guess my nostalgia for better times isn't blinding me, so...
****************************************************************************
****************************************************************************
1.) "Flying" Brian Pillman vs. Johnny R. Badd
Wow. What a way to open the show. In fact, I'd say this is the match of the night. On the first Nitro episode, Pillman showcased his potential in a match against Justin Liger, which was good once they got over the few botches during the first half of the match. For this one, Brian and Johnny showcased that both are capable of the big time. They put on a wrestling clinic, exchanging holds and high flying moves. The first 10 minutes is deliberately slow-paced, with some feeling each other out, show-boating, and long submission holds somewhat akin to Bret vs. HBK at WMXII. But then the match picks up speed, and continues to do so until someone is finally pinned. Those guys must've been exhausted, because I'm amazed at how long they went at the pace they kept at. Only one may have won the match, but both men were winners in my eyes.
Some say the match went a little too long, and I can sympathize with that position. But not knowing when it was going to end kept a solid tension to the match. Plus, if that famous cage match between Bret Hart and Own Hart isn't considered too long and monotonous, then I say that's more-so the case for this battle. Plus it told a nice story on how desperate both men were to win, that neither wanted to give up, and both throwing the kitchen sink at each other with their repertoire of moves and counters. That "20 minute time limit" I felt only added to the tension, and was so relieved when they were allowed to continue.
Rated: 4 / 5
**********************************************************************
2.) Cobra vs. Craig Pittman
One of those < 2 minute squash matches that doesn't even qualify as a wrestling match.
Rated: 1 / 5
**********************************************************************
3.) DDP vs. The Renegade
The Renegade is obviously an Ultimate Warrior rip-off. Which I find amusing, given that the Ultimate Warrior would eventually come to WCW. Anyway, it's a decent albeit unremarkable match. The cheap finish knocks it down half a point.
Rated: 2.5 / 5
**********************************************************************
4.) Harlem Heat vs. Buck and Slater Tag Team Match
This match would've been decent if there weren't so many botches. Clear amateur hour here, especially on the parts of Buck and Slater who don't look like they are skilled (or fit) enough for a PPV event. But hey, at least there was that moment with the Colonel kissing Sherri.
Rated: 2 / 5
**********************************************************************
5.) Ric Flair vs. Arn Anderson
Some will love this match because it's old-school golden age style wrestling. It had a decent (albeit complicated) promo backstory leading into the match, and there was plenty of in-ring psychology showcasing the prime art of in-ring storytelling. The biggest aspect of professional wrestling (that I argue is a bit of a lost art these days). The slow pace is to allow for the range of emotions to flair up (couldn't resist).
However, while I can appreciate it for that, this never picked up enough to be entirely satisfying. Plus the interference at the end (which affected the finish) brings this down a peg. Still, it's the only other good match on this PPV.
Rated: 3.5 / 5
**********************************************************************
6.) War Games
This is a prime example of a clusterf^*$ match. Nothing is organized, there isn't any real ebb or flow. It's just throwing the wrestlers in there, letting them do what they want, and hope something good will come out of it. It's completely dull and uninteresting, with nothing really done utilizing the cage. It's only when Hulk Hogan came in last and started throwing powder at their faces that any life was breathed into this thing. Plus that post-match stuff building up The Giant (Big Show) to be menacing.
Rated: 1.5 / 5
****************************************************************************
****************************************************************************
This PPV isn't good. You're better off with some biography or "best of" video that contains the only 2 good matches that were in this event. The Brian Pillman Loose Cannon DVD has that match with him and Badd, and the Four Horsemen DVD has the match between Flair and Anderson. You're better off picking both of those up than watching this.
