[The show opens with footage of Ric Flair after being stitched up in a hospital as a result of last night's Fall Brawl when Curt Hennig slammed the cage door in his head]
Tony Schiavone[very shaken up] Fans, uh... Nitro, as you can see, is on the air. Before I go into this card, I need to say something that I've really never said before. You know, 13 years ago, I got into this business because of Ric Flair. I was a minor league baseball announcer in this same city. He went to bat for me for the promoters and I became a wrestling announcer and when I look back on what has happened to me, I credit Ric Flair. And you have seen Ric Flair and what hap.......I can't do this show. I'm sorry. [takes off his headset and leaves]
Tony
Fans, I want to reiterate something I talked about before the commercial break. If you're thinking about changing channels to our competition, we want to let you know that unlike us, they've got their show in the can, their show's been taped. Later tonight, Mick Foley, who once wrestled here as Cactus Jack, is gonna win their World Title. I mean, that's gonna be their World Champion. Ha ha!
Tony Schiavone
Welcome back live to the first hour of this edition of WCW Monday Nitro on TNT! Tony Schiavone and Larry Zbyszko. And we are taking a look at the Mauler completely maul his opponent Steve Doll.
Well you know, Steve Doll's trying to get an offensive going.
Tony
[notices the crowd suddenly standing up for a large man who just came in through the audience] Wait a minute! What the hell is going on here?
But the Mauler, well he just got reversed right there. The Mauler runs him down.
Tony
That's not what I'm talking about.
What are you talking about?!
[The man, Scott Hall, leaps over the railing]
Tony
Look here.
Tony
We need security out here. I have no idea, wait a minute! I can't believe what we're seeing.
[climbing into the ring] Hey, you people, you know who I am, but you don't know why I'm here. Where is Billionaire Ted? Where is the Nacho Man? That punk can't even get in the building. Me, I go wherever I want, whenever I want. And where, oh where is Scheme Gene? 'Cause I've got a scoop for you. When that Ken-doll lookalike, when that weatherman wannabe comes out here later tonight, I got a challenge for him, for Billionaire Ted, for the Nacho Man and for anybody else in uh...WCW, huh-huh-huh. Hey, you want to go to war? You want a war? You're gonna get one! [leaves]
Tony
Fans, what about the match? I don't know what to say. Randy Anderson's coming-- Randy. Randy, what's going on here? What about the match, Randy? What's going on? The match. Fans, we've gotta go to a break.
Tony
I have no idea what to say. Stay with us. Geez.
[The show opens with the Outsiders in the ring with chairs having laid out the Nasty Boys and High Voltage. They go down to ringside where Tony and Larry are standing.]
Not again. Not again with this!
Tony
What's the problem here?
Does this work? Nice to see you dressed up this week, Larry! [to Tony] Hey, I don't see you laughing today huh?
I was so funny last week right? Funny like a clown right? Were you laughing at me? I ain't so funny tonight am I? You see, we can put this on any time we want. I can be funny, I can be deadly and so can this man! Hey, let me ask you a question.
You got the bad neck, right?
You got the bad neck, right? Do you want to pick up your kids, huh?
Tony
[to Larry who's not standing up for Tony] Do you want to step in here?
Hey, you're the one that laughed at them. They let me know what I think.
You talk about a triangle match, right? There's two of the combatants laid out right now.
You know, what I want to know is I've been hearing my whole career how scary the Faces of Fear are. They say, everybody says that Meng and the Barbarian are the two toughest guys in the business. Well you tell those two islanders, come on out here and we'll slap that coconut breath out of you. Tell them to come on down. You can't have a Pay Per View in WCW without inviting the nWo.
You can't be upset by what happened. These guys are thugs, they're paid by Dibiase and you're okay. So relax about it, don't be all upset.
Tony
Yeah well, I don't need to be pushed around. I'm not a wrestler. You're a wrestler. So why didn't you step in front for me? How long have we been friends?
You're okay and I'm not Clint Eastwood.
Tony
Well I can only say this and I'm going to apologize to everybody because I've never done this before at all. But I don't need to be pushed around. I've got five children. I've got a wife. I've got a great job. I'll tell you what, big mouth! Why don't you go ahead? Why don't you go ahead and step in front of me? Why don't you handle the broadcast? Why don't you try play-by-play?
Tony
I don't need guys who are seven feet tall coming out here! [takes off his headset and walks away]
I don't need guys seven feet tall either coming out here!
[Tony Schiavone and Larry Zbyszko review the Piper/Hogan match footage at Starrcade 1996 that Eric Bischoff confiscated and was somehow played, but when the tape suddenly stops as if it was taken off playback, just as Randy Anderson was about to count off Hogan as submitting to Piper...]
Tony Schiavone
What's going on here?
Well that wasn't nothing...
Schiavone
We did not get this - [talks to production crew on the headset] what happened? Can anybody tell me what happened? The tape stopped? The tape broke?
Schiavone
Someone's getting the tape in the production truck.
Schiavone
We're trying to find out fans, I apologize. I'm just talking to Craig Leathers, Keith Mitchell, in our video production truck. Someone apparently went and you hear the tape queueing up. You saw right there, I mean the hand was going up and it was gonna be the end of Hollywood Hulk Hogan with the sleeper. We all witnessed what happened, Eric Bischoff went into the video truck and grabbed the tape.
Well, anyway, the world saw what happened, we knew about it, now the missing footage had been recovered and what happened-
[Eric Bischoff confronts the announcers with the tape]
Don't you ever, don't you EVER, EVER, pull a stunt like that again. You or anybody else in this organization [puts down mic and starts tearing out the tape] ever, ever again. [leaves]
Schiavone
We'll take a break.
He could beat up a tape, that's impressive!
But about a week ago, I went to the neighborhood bar, I bellied up against the bar like only I can and a fat broad - that's right, a fat broad - came up and smacked me in the back. That sent a chill down me... same fat broads that've been following the Horsemen for 20 years. But as I looked at that longneck laying on that cheap industrial grey carpentry, I said to myself: How ironic. That wasn't so much the fact that I was out three dollars and 75 cents, what it was to me was sand tickin' down through the hourglass - and everybody knows, so are the days of our lives. [Syxx imitates Ric Flair crying] You know one thing you can say, when Arn Anderson was comin' to town - besides the fact that I left a lot of unpaid bar tabs - was Arn Anderson was comin' to town. And you knew if I was on the card, how I was gonna give you 100 per cent - no matter how drunk, how hung over I was. I was gonna give you all ahead. And back in those days before the nWo, you eight people that bought those tickets, got one heck of a show. But you know what? As I come out here tonight, I ask you people: Don't remember how I used to be. Remember me how I look right now. [to Konnan] Good, Mongo!
Tony Schiavone
[as Nash talks to Konnan] We've reached the lowest point ever on this program. We have.
[to Buff Bagwell] So Curt, that puts me and you and I got a challenge for you. Wait a second, I don't wanna fight you, cause I ain't want one in 20 years. What I got for you is a challenge, because as much as I wanna be a Horseman, I know if I come out here right now, I'd not only put him in danger, I would put my best friend in danger and I can't do that. So what I'm doing tonight is I got a challenge you and I ain't got much to offer you, cause the beer is spoken for. But what I do got is I got a spot. A spot with the Four Horsemen. Not just a spot, not a liver spot, not a 'Spot' like your dog Spot. No, not just any spot – but myyyyy spot. So I need to know right now: Do you accept it? My spot - not their spot, liver spot, not dog Spot, anybody's spot, MY spot to become a Four Horseman. Not my spot, anybody's spot, dog Spot, liver spot, MY spot.
BBBuff Bagwell
As much as I wanna say, I'm a double-A fan, as much as I wanna say I like to be a Four Horseman, it's hard to say 'cause I don't like you and I don't like the Four Horsemen. But I tell you what... it would be an honor. [shakes hand with Nash and raises four fingers]
Tony Schiavone
[as the four NWO members make the Four Horsemen sign and reveal they are wearing NWO shirts with Four Horsemen parody images] And it's been a total joke now.
Schiavone
No it's not.
Not when you know Arn Anderson like we do.
Schiavone
I asked about security. I do understand security, they have had their hands full this entire time with holding Ric Flair, Curt Hennig, Mongo, all the Horsemen back.
Maybe the most pathetic display of all by the nWo.
Schiavone
Let me say this too. You nWo fans, look at this one long because, and I do have a hand of some of these television programs during the weekend because you're never going to see this again. Ever.
Tony Schiavone
The fans stand, showing their signs, and we are walking with Goldberg, and security from Goldberg's own locker room area following with him all the way to the ring, as you look live back in the locker room area. Surrounding Goldberg, some of Atlanta's finest, Doug Dillinger as well with WCW security, and here they come.
BHBobby "The Brain" Heenan
What's going through his mind right now? I've never been in that situation, going for a world championship, let alone with that list of victories this man has, in his backyard, hometown in front of everybody he played for, played with. What an evening, what drama right now.
Tony
Long walk for Goldberg, but it's been a long wait since he arrived in the Georgia Dome earlier in the day. So what's another long walk for Goldberg? They're almost down here now.
[Goldberg now walks alone]
Well, Hogan may be taking a long walk too. A real long walk back to the dressing room empty-handed.
Tony
But could the unblemished mark, the incredible series of wins by Goldberg come to a crashing end here tonight?
And you know, Tony, if Hogan is to defeat this man, you know what the nWo's gonna be like then with Hogan and Eric Bischoff in charge.
Tony
[as Goldberg reaches the entrance] And there he is.
And here comes the eruption.
Tony
This is his moment.
[Goldberg stands on the ramp as the pyrotechnics envelope him for twenty seconds. When they subside, he walks to the ring surrounded by the security from before]
Tony
There you look at Goldberg, and think about what Goldberg represents. A virtual unknown in this sport who walked into WCW, and he represents every wrestler who wanted just to walk in here and become the World Champ. That's what he represents as he makes his way to the ring.
He looks ready! Do it for me! Do it for the fans! Get rid of Hogan! And what's Hogan's mentality gonna be at Bash at the Beach if he's not heavyweight champion of the world along with Rodman?
Look at Goldberg! He's ready!
Tony
He's poised... [Goldberg spears Hulk Hogan] Hogan goes down!
Okay, there's part one! Now finish him off! Finish him off!
Tony
[Goldberg signals for the Jackhammer] He's calling for it!
This is it! This is it! [Goldberg sets Hogan up for the Jackhammer] Your career's on the line here! Do it! Do it! This place'll erupt when he picks him up.
Tony
[Goldberg lifts Hogan in a suplex] He's got him up! [...and slams Hogan to the mat] Oh Hell Yeah!
TBTony and Bobby
[counting with the referee] One...
Tony
[continues] ...two...THREE!!!
OH, THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! We got a new heavyweight champion of the world! The first undefeated man in the history of this sport to ever win the World Championship, and have a record of 107, 108...who cares?! There's zero on the other side! We've got a new champion! Listen to this! [pauses to acknowledge the cheering crowd and "Goldberg" chants] Wow.
Thirty-one-year-old Bill Goldberg, less than ten months in the sport, is on top of the wrestling world.
Tony
[off a shirt] "Who's next?"
Tony
"Who cares" is right. The hero has come through, lades and gentlemen, you have witnessed professional wrestling history on many levels. A man who is undeniably the toughest we have seen in decades, a man who undeniably will lead pro wrestling into the next millennium, stands in the Georgia Dome in front of more than 39,000 fans.
Tony, there's a new sheriff in town.
Tony
When we go to Bash at the Beach, Goldberg will be the world champ. Its only six days away.
We still got Thunder, Wednesday.
Tony
With the new world champion. Well, there's nothing more that this announce crew can add to what you've been a witness here tonight. It's been a night for the ages, it's been a night that we will never forget because on Monday, July 6th, 1998, Goldberg captured the gold. Goldberg, went to 108 and 0, and in less than one year, the phenomenon that is Bill Goldberg, at age 31, is the heavyweight champion of the world, and they're not going anywhere...
Tony
They're still standing, chanting his name, paying homage to their hero.
Let the celebration begin!
Tony
For Iron Mike Tenay and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan...
Tony
...and Larry Zsbysko, and Mean Gene, and everybody in pro wrestling... Goodnight, America!!
Goldberg's the champ! Let's go!
Tony
Fans, as you know, it's getting close to the 11:00 hour. We're gonna stay right here, we're gonna follow all the action as long as it takes, so stay with us. These are not taped matches. This is happening live, this is Nitro. [Bell rings] The bell sounds, Billy Silverman making the call. No matter what happens, we're staying with you here tonight.
BHBobby "The Brain" Heenan
Even if it goes on all night, we're gonna be here.
Tony
That's what we're all about.
...
Tony
Listen to the fans! Look at Hogan's reaction!
Over 40,000+! This is better than a playoff game!
Tony
Hell, this is what pro wrestling, what World Championship Wrestling is all about!
Tony
[on Hogan] He's been in so many big matches.
[Hogan fakes a punch, then lightly pokes Kevin Nash, who drops to the mat. Hogan covers him.]
Tony
[as Silverman counts] What was that about? What's going on here? [Silverman counts to three. Hogan, Nash, Hall, and Scott Steiner celebrate in the ring] What just happened here?
MBMichael Buffer
Ladies and gentlemen, the winner and new Heavyweight Champion of the world, from nWo Hollywood, Hulk Hogan!
[having been silent all night] It is unbelievable! The new World Heavyweight Champion, Hollywood Hulk Hogan!
Tony Schiavone
Before we start with tonight's action, Brain, there's something we both, but particularly you, have to say about our longtime friend Gorilla Monsoon.
BHBobby "The Brain" Heenan
Gorilla will be sadly missed. He was one big, tough man, he was a decent honest man, and we're all going to miss him very much. And you know the pearly gates in heaven?
Tony
Yeah.
It's now gonna be called the Gorilla position. Goodbye, my friend.
[Tony Schiavone and Mark Madden talk about the Billy Kidman/Torrie Wilson sex tape on Nitro and the subsequent segment between Torrie and Shane Douglas on Thunder.]
Tony Schiavone
... that fueled the fire for this "Viagra on a Pole" Match.
MMMark Madden
I'll tell you... I'll tell you what, you can't come out of here limping in a match like this. You gotta get it up right away and keep it up.
[after a segment where Vince McMahon admonishes Michael Cole over his questions about WCW wrestlers' job security and his own job security, then toasting with Trish Stratus]
Tony Schiavone
How do we all feel?
How do we all feel about our own job security?
Schiavone
Where does WCW go from here? What's in the cards? What's going to, what's going to happen, tonight on this telecast?
Schiavone
Is this it? I mean this is... Fans, we're reacting and we could only react to what you see as well, we don't know.
Mr McMahon has said there's gonna be a simulcast tonight. What's he gonna say? When's he gonna say it?
Schiavone
[as the WCW World Tag Team Championship match begins] The wrestlers, the fans are concerned. The people who worked for WCW are concerned, who have sweat, bled for this company for years, we are all very concerned about the future of WCW, about the future of, well, right there our brand of wrestling.
WCW Monday Nitro · 53 quotes
