Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 58: Lex Luger vs. Hollywood Hogan (Nitro 6/9/97)

Hogan walks out to a HUGE pop in a white NWO Syxx-Pac t-shirt. The Bisch is out with him being arrogant as ever. Hogan apparently will never get skin cancer. No idea how he’s avoided it with that orange tan. They do mic work. It’s lame. I fear Luger my be lamer as a match-up.

This crowd is seriously 99% NWO fans. This was near the height of that hysteria. Apparently there wasn’t a match set up. Luger just came out and Hogan does cower at all. He takes the first shot and misses. Crowd is really hot for this match.

The Wolf Pack is down at ringside right away, but Hogan gets back in. That dramatic flair at the beginning of the run (NOW on outside or in the aisle) was fun for me for the first 6-8 months, and then it became a case of “how will I get screwed as a fan this week?” It seems to help the atmosphere here tonight. Not sure what market they are in but it’s hot like a Chicago crowd. Seems like an important show as you become aware in a few minutes they are putting this on to peak the second hour just as RAW begins.

Hogan is actually doing his share and more in this. He’s taking bumps and moving quick. He misses an elbow and Luger gets him up in the torture rack. Ref Randy Anderson calls for the bell. Apparently Hogan gave up. Is this a title change? Of course not. This is WCW.

The Wolf Pack (Hall/Nash/Syxx) beat the crap out of Luger and WCW was so tone deaf they had fireworks going off and had the announcers act happy because this kicks off the second hour. So babyface Luger gets beat down to a celebration. I won’t even go into the bizarre ongoing promo stuff after this. Regardless, this was such a great time because the NWO was so over, yet the fans were 100% going crazy when Luger racked Hogan. Wish there was more to the match because the atmosphere was why I watch wrestling. 2 ½ and 5/10.