50 Best WCW Moments Ever
5. Monday Nitro Debuts
By his own admission, the Bisch wondered if Ted Turner giving him two hours or prime time every Monday night opposite the established WWF Raw show was a good idea. He was determined to make the most of an unexpected chance though. Eric drafted up Nitro, and decided to beam the first episode live from the Mall Of America in Minnesota.
That was a brave choice, but it looked striking on camera. Panning shots of the shopping centre showed just how unique WCW's new flagship was. It also seemed for all the world like they'd decided to show up unannounced and draw a large crowd just because they could. If punters out at the mall stopped to watch some Nitro, then you should too.
This landmark occasion put WCW on the map as a viable contender.
4 September 1995 will forever be known as the day when this Southern-style old NWA territory bloomed into something bigger and more current. Bischoff is responsible for making the best of Turner's decree. Kicking things off with a sizzler between Brian Pillman and Jushin Thunder Liger was inspired, and the coup of Lex Luger's debut made Nitro newsworthy.