WCW Monday Nitro - January 12th, 1998

Raleigh, North Carolina

Opening Segment: Eric Bischoff announces Hogan vs. Michaels at SuperBrawl VIII

Eric Bischoff: “Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement to make that will shake the foundation of the wrestling world. At WCW SuperBrawl VIII, we will witness the ultimate showdown between two of the biggest icons in sports entertainment history. On one side, we have the reigning and defending WCW Heavyweight Champion, the man who put professional wrestling on the map, the immortal Hollywood Hulk Hogan. And on the other side, we have The Showstopper himself, the former WWF Champion, the man who revolutionized the industry with his high-flying moves and charismatic personality, Shawn Michaels.”

”You might ask, why would we pit these two legends against each other in a straight up 1 on 1 fight? Well, I'll tell you why. It's because there's more at stake than just the championship. You see, Hollywood Hogan and Shawn Michaels are not just wrestlers, they are leaders. Hogan is the leader of the nWo, the most dominant faction in wrestling history. Michaels is the leader of the Kliq, a group of renegades who have been causing chaos for the nWo. And both men want to prove that they are the top dog, the alpha male, the one who can lead their faction to victory.”

“So at WCW SuperBrawl VIII, we will settle this once and for all. Hogan vs Michaels, for the WCW Heavyweight Championship and the leadership of the nWo. This is not just a match, this is a war. This is the clash of titans that you have been waiting for. This is the moment that will define the future of our industry. And it all happens at WCW SuperBrawl VIII. Don't you dare miss it!”

Match 1: Rey Mysterio vs. Billy Kidman vs. Juventud Guerrera vs. Psicosis (Four-Way Match)

The first match of the night is a high-flying four-way match featuring some of the best cruiserweights in WCW. The match is fast-paced and action-packed, with each wrestler trying to outdo the others. In the end, Rey Mysterio hits the 619 on Psicosis and follows it up with a springboard splash for the victory.

Backstage Segment: Raven and Saturn

After the match, we cut backstage to a promo from Raven and Saturn. They talk about how they're sick of being overlooked and underestimated in WCW, and how they're going to prove their worth by taking out one of the top tag teams in the company, the Steiner Brothers.

Backstage Segment: Chris Jericho & Eric Bishoff

In a tense backstage scene, Chris Jericho is seen arguing with a production assistant, who apparently failed to provide him with the right type of water bottle. As the argument heats up, Jericho shoves the assistant, causing a commotion. Suddenly, Eric Bischoff appears on the scene, clearly agitated by what he just witnessed. "What the hell is going on here? Jericho, did you just put your hands on one of our crew members? That's unacceptable, you know that!" Bischoff shouts. Jericho tries to defend himself, but Bischoff is not having it. "I've had enough of your antics, Jericho. You've been nothing but trouble since you got here. You're fired, effective immediately," Bischoff declares. As Jericho looks on in shock, Bischoff turns to the production assistant and asks if he's okay. "Don't worry, we'll take care of this. Get back to work," Bischoff says before walking away. Jericho stands alone, realizing that he just lost his job in WCW. The camera fades to black as he stares off into the distance, uncertain of what his future holds.

Match 2: The Steiner Brothers vs. Raven and Saturn (WCW Tag Team Titles)

The Steiner Brothers come out for their match against Raven and Saturn, looking confident as always. However, Raven and Saturn put up a good fight, using their unorthodox tag team style to keep the Steiners on their toes. In the end, Rick Steiner hits the Steiner Bulldog on Saturn to retain the tag titles.

Backstage Segment: DDP and Ric Flair

We cut backstage to an interview with DDP and Ric Flair. They talk about how they're going to take on the nWo tonight, and how they won't rest until they get some answers about the beatdown they received last week.

Match 3: Diamond Dallas Page and Ric Flair vs. The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall)

In the main event of the night, DDP and Ric Flair take on Kevin Nash and Scott Hall in a highly-anticipated tag team match. The match is a back-and-forth battle, with both teams getting in some good offense. However, towards the end of the match, Syxx makes a surprise return and attacks DDP, causing a disqualification. The nWo gang up on Flair and DDP, but out of nowhere, Sting makes a dramatic appearance and saves them from further harm.

Closing Segment: Sting stands tall

Sting clears the ring of the nWo, and stands tall in the center of the ring with DDP and Flair. He cuts a promo about how he's sick of the nWo's dirty tactics, and how he's going to take them down once and for all. The crowd is electric, as the three WCW legends stand united against their common enemy. The show ends with Sting's iconic "woo" as the camera fades to black.

WCW Superbrawl VIII - January 18th, 1998

Charlotte, North Carolina

Backstage: Jericho tries to bribe a backstage staff member to let him into the arena. He offers the staff member a wad of cash, but the staff member refuses and threatens to call security.

Dark Match: Raven and Saturn defeat Public Enemy in a tag team match.

Dark Match: The Giant defeats Buff Bagwell in a singles match.

Match 1: Rey Mysterio vs. Billy Kidman vs. Juventud Guerrera vs. Psicosis (Four-Way Match)

In the opening match of the show, four of the best high-flyers in WCW compete in a thrilling four-way match. The match features plenty of high-flying moves and near falls, like Billy Kidman hitting a Shooting Star Press onto the Luchadores on the outside. But in the end, Rey Mysterio hits the West Coast Pop on Juventud Guerrera to pick up the win.

Backstage: Jericho disguises himself as a security guard and attempts to sneak past the entrance gate. He puts on a fake mustache, wears a security uniform, and carries a walkie-talkie. However, he gets caught by the real security guard and is kicked out of the arena.

Match 2: The Steiner Brothers (c) vs. Harlem Heat (WCW Tag Team Championship Match)

In a hard-hitting tag team match, The Steiner Brothers defend their tag team titles against Harlem Heat. The match is back and forth, with both teams getting in some strong offense. In the end, Scott Steiner hits the Frankensteiner on Booker T to pick up the win and retain the titles.

Match 3: Syxx vs. Eddie Guerrero (c) (WCW Jr. Heavyweight Championship Match)

Syxx returns to WCW and challenges Eddie Guerrero for the Jr. Heavyweight Championship. The match is fast-paced and full of high-flying action. In the end, Eddie Guerrero hits the Frog Splash to retain his title.

Backstage: Jericho attempts to sneak into the arena by hiding in a crate that is being loaded onto a truck. However, he gets caught by the truck driver before he can make it inside.

Match 4: Diamond Dallas Page and Ric Flair vs. Kevin Nash and Scott Hall (Cage Match)

In a brutal cage match, DDP and Ric Flair face off against Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. The match is intense from start to finish, with all four men using the cage to their advantage. At one point nWo members Brian Adams and Vincent try to interfere. But Sting descends from the rafters and cuts them off with a bat. In the end, DDP hits the Diamond Cutter on Scott Hall to pick up the win.

Backstage: Jericho sneaks into the arena by disguising himself as a member of the catering staff. He puts on a chef's hat and carries a tray of food, but he gets caught by Dean Malinko who recognizes him and alerts security.

Match 5: Shawn Michaels vs. Hollywood Hogan (c) (WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match & Leadership of the nWo)

In the main event of the evening, Shawn Michaels challenges Hollywood Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and control of the nWo. The match is a back and forth affair, with both men getting in some strong offense. The nWo tries to interfere in this match like before, but Sting tries to stop them and gets outnumbered. DDP and Flair come out and retrieve Sting fighting off the nWo all the while. In the end, Shawn Michaels ducks the Big Boot and hits the Sweet Chin Music to pick up the win and become the new WCW World Heavyweight Champion and Leader of the New World Order.

WCW Monday Nitro - January 26th, 1998

Columbia, South Carolina

Segment 1: Opening Promo - The new nWo

Shawn Michaels, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall come out to the ring to open the show. They gloat about their victory at SuperBrawl VIII, with Michaels saying that he's now the rightful leader of the nWo. Hogan's cronies, Brian Adams, Vincent, and The Disciple, interrupt them and say that Hogan is still the true leader of the group. A brawl breaks out between the two factions, and the segment ends with Michaels standing tall.

Segment 2: Raven and Saturn Promo

Raven and Saturn cut a promo backstage, saying that they don't care about the nWo or DDP and Flair. They only care about causing chaos and pain in the ring. They challenge any tag team in the back to a hardcore match later in the show.

Match 1: Juventud Guerrera vs. Kidman

A fast-paced cruiserweight match to start off the in-ring action. Kidman wins the match with a pinning Shooting Star Press.

Segment 3: Chris Jericho's plea to Eric Bischoff

Chris Jericho comes out to the ring and pleads with Eric Bischoff to give him his job back. Bischoff comes out and says that he will give Jericho one more chance to prove himself. Bischoff makes a match for later in the show: Jericho vs. Dean Malenko, with the stipulation that if Jericho loses, he will be fired.

Match 2: The Steiner Brothers vs. High Voltage (Non-Title Match)

The Steiner Brothers take on High Voltage in a dominant victory.

Segment 4: DDP, Flair, and Sting Promo

DDP, Flair, and Sting cut a promo backstage, saying that they've joined forces to take on the nWo. They issue a challenge to Michaels, Nash, and Hall for a six-man tag team match next week!

Match 3: Raven and Saturn vs. The Public Enemy (Hardcore Match)

A brutal hardcore match between Raven and Saturn and The Public Enemy. Raven and Saturn come out on top after hitting a double-team move through a table.

Segment 5: Hollywood Hogan Promo

Hollywood Hogan comes out to the ring and complains about losing to Shawn Michaels at SuperBrawl VIII. He says that he's still the true leader of the nWo, and that Michaels is a fraud. He says that the nWo isn’t just going to follow some fly-by-night loser. And he isn’t going anywhere.

Match 4: Chris Jericho vs. Dean Malenko

A back-and-forth match between Jericho and Malenko, with Jericho barely winning by cheating. Bischoff comes out after the match and says that while he's disappointed in Jericho's actions, he will allow him to keep his job.

Segment 6: Eric Bischoff announces that Hollywood Hogan will remain in control of the nWo and Shawn Michaels will lead an offshoot of the nWo, the Kliq.

Main Event - DDP, Flair, and Sting vs. Brian Adams, Vincent, and The Disciple

A heated six-man tag team match, with DDP, Flair, and Sting getting the victory after hitting their finishers on The Disciple. The show ends with DDP, Flair, and Sting standing tall in the ring, ready for anything the nWo has to throw at them.

I will return with more shows and the WCW Soul'd Out 1998 PPV