5 Things you didn't know about the first WCW Monday Nitro episode

When WWF used to tape their flagship show Raw on a weekly basis and air it later, another promotion was stepping their foot in game i.e. WCW. Started by Eric Bischoff and Ted Turner, WCW was airing their flagship show Monday Nitro Live.

Though many people wouldn't have thought that a small promotion like WCW could match with the standards of what WWF was offering, it turned to be a rating war between the two companies.

Also, until now, there were many details unknown regarding the first ever edition of Monday Nitro. However, thanks to 83 weeks podcast led by Eric Bischoff, many details regarding the very first episode have been revealed such as the surprising arrival of Lex Luger from WWF to WCW and other things too.

Therefore, let's take a look at some of those unclosed details that fans didn't know until now.

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#5 WWE didn't know about Lex Luger's signing with WCW

Lex Luger

Although, WCW had signed big names such as Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Sting and many more, the biggest addition to the company was Lex Luger.

One night before the first episode of WCW nitro took place, Luger fought his last match in his contract for then-WWF.

Though, everyone in WWE were expecting him to re-sign with the company as he had spent nearly two years with them and also he was one of their top stars, that didn't happen since Luger signed with WCW.

Also, Luger's appearance in WCW was so confidential that even most of the people inside the company didn't know about his arrival at the company.

To keep things more interesting and acting according to WCW's tag line, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN, Luger, himself traveled from his hotel to the arena wearing a long coat to disguise his identity and gave the people last-minute surprise, since no one was expecting him.

#4 Eric Bischoff wasn't sure that WCW would succeed

After running close to six-years WWE eventually bought their rival company WCW, but WCW was defeating WWF in the rating weekly

When the first episode of WCW Monday Nitro took place, WWF was single-handedly ruling the TV ratings since they had the major showrunners of the pro-wrestling at that time, due to which Eric Bischoff was sceptical of WCW becoming successful, let alone defeating WWF in the ratings and starting a war with them on weekly basis.

But guess what? The opposite happened.

With the introduction of WCW which was offering a better product than WWF did, started the unforgettable Monday Night War, which eventually boosted the ratings of both brands.

Although, after running close to six-years WWE eventually bought their rival company WCW, but WCW was defeating WWF in the ratings weekly.

#3 Sting was fine with his mid-card role

Sting was WCW United States Heavyweight Champion and had a very successful reign

When the first episode of Monday Nitro took place, their major Superstars were Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Randy Savage, and Sting.

Though all of these four men were a major business changer, WCW wanted to push Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage in the main event level instead of Sting.

With this in mind, WCW decided to pull Sting down to the mid-card. Sting was a top tier talent of the company and he had all rights in the world to bitter about it. However, The Icon was fine with the company's call since he understood what was best for business and willingly decided to step down to the mid-card position.

Also, during this time, Sting was WCW United States Heavyweight Champion and had a very successful reign.

#2 The first episode of WCW Monday Nitro wasn't aired on schedule

The unscheduled debut of the show did the wonders for the company which eventually started a rating war between WCW and WWF

The first edition of WCW Monday Nitro was scheduled to air at a different time than WWF Raw.

Luckily for WCW, one week Raw failed to make to the weekly television on time, therefore, the broadcasting corporation of US decided to replace Raw with the first ever edition on Monday Nitro that week.

Surprisingly, it turned out to be a huge success for the show since if they had broadcasted their first episode of Nitro on different timing, then they wouldn't have generated the large number of audience that they did on Raw's replacement night.

Therefore, this unscheduled debut of the show did the wonders for the company which eventually started a rating war between WCW and WWF.

#1 Hulk Hogan didn't want to work with a new opponent

When WCW signed Hogan, he didn't want to work with some new guy on the first edition of Nitro

Hulk Hogan was ruling the '80s and 90s era with his crazy American Hero gimmick.

When WCW signed Hogan, he didn't want to work with some new guy on the first edition of Nitro since he thought it would not be appropriate.

Eric Bischoff revealed that Hogan was very conscious about who should be his first opponent since he wanted to work with someone from the past who he already has a connection with and could propose something amazing to the audience on the first night of the show.

Therefore, Hogan fought Big Boss Man on that night.

Surprisingly, Hogan's initial feud in WWE was also Big Boss Man, though with a different gimmick.