WCW Monday Nitro 1/22/96 Results: Ric Flair vs. Randy Savage for World Heavyweight Title & Tag Team Titles
Okay, here’s a breakdown of the provided WCW Nitro excerpt, focusing on key events, storylines, and roy’s commentary.
Overall Summary:
This segment of WCW Nitro focuses on building towards a major championship match between Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage, showcasing a solid mid-card match between Dean Malenko and Flyin’ Brian, and a competitive tag team title defense by Harlem Heat against Sting and Lex Luger. The show is doing a good job of establishing stakes and creating intrigue.
Key Events & Storylines:
* Hogan/Savage Build-Up: The opening promo is crucial. It establishes a clear, personal rivalry. The handshake stipulation adds a layer of pride and humiliation to the match, making the outcome more significant. Roy correctly points out that the entire build is centered around this eventual clash. The focus on Hogan is also noted, suggesting he’s being positioned as the primary face in this feud.
* Dean Malenko vs. Flyin’ Brian: A fast-paced, athletic match. The finish is a bit surprising, with Flyin’ Brian getting the win. This is interesting because Roy anticipates Brian being used as a stepping stone for the Four Horsemen. This win could be a way to prolong his involvement or create a more complex dynamic within the faction.
* WCW Tag Team Championship Match (Harlem Heat vs. Sting & Luger): This is a classic tag team formula – a strong, heel team (Harlem Heat) defending against popular babyfaces (Sting & Luger). The match is described as physical and features typical tag team spots (double team, apron interference, etc.).The referee stopping Luger from entering the ring is a common tactic to create frustration and drama.
Roy’s Thoughts – Analysis:
* Insightful Observations: Roy consistently provides valuable context. He understands the bigger picture of the storylines and the potential implications of match results.
* Recognizing the Importance of the Hogan/Savage Build: He correctly identifies the importance of the championship match and how it’s being positioned as a major event.
* Predictive Commentary: His prediction about Flyin’ Brian losing and being kicked out of the Four Horsemen shows he’s paying attention to the usual wrestling booking patterns.
Overall Impression:
This excerpt demonstrates a well-structured Nitro show. It balances a major storyline (Hogan/Savage), solid in-ring action (malenko/Brian, Harlem Heat/Sting & Luger), and insightful commentary from Roy. The show is clearly trying to build momentum and establish key feuds.
Let me know if you’d like me to analyze a specific aspect of this excerpt in more detail, or if you have any other questions!