Episode 55: "Raw" vs. "Nitro" Mega-Episode! (w/William Renken from The New Blood Rising Podcast)

January 4th, 1999: This may be the most pivotal night in the history of The Monday Night Wars, so we needed to bring in William Renken from The New Blood Rising Podcast to help make sense of it all! We cover both "Raw" and "Nitro" in this mega-episode, so get ready for the definitive breakdown of this monumental night of professional wrestling! "Monday Night Raw": Vince McMahon refuses Mankind's request to be the #1 contender for The Rock's WWF Title at the "Royal Rumble," but he does allow him to compete for a spot in the Rumble match itself. There's just one catch -- Mankind must face Triple-H in a match where the special guest referee is the man who Mick Foley beat up a few weeks ago: Shane McMahon. It would appear the deck is stacked against Mankind...... until he reveals that he may have some tricks up his sleeve before the night is over. Having been fired from his commissioner position last week, Shawn Michaels sticks it to Mr. McMahon by promising to provide him with a "Stone Cold surprise" before the night is over. Meanwhile, D-Generation-X welcomes Shawn back into the group..... but is DX really willing to forgive HBK's past transgressions? Edge and D'Lo Brown have a very solid match until it comes to a screeching halt when the pregnant Terri Runnels suffers a devastating personal tragedy. Goldust goes one-on-one with Mark Henry, who is frequently distracted by Chyna and her friend Sammy. "The Road Dogg" Jesse James defends his Hardcore Title against Al Snow in a match where both men end up brawling outdoors while it's snowing! WWF Intercontinental Champion Ken Shamrock faces Steve Blackman in a non-title match. Kane is ordered to compete in a Handicap Match against two very reluctant participants. The Godfather steps into the ring with Test in what is actually "The Corporate Enforcer's" first ever singles match on "Raw." Plus, Dan "The Beast" Severn sets his sights on a familiar rival and Dennis Knight is shackled in a dungeon somewhere! "WCW Monday Nitro": Kevin Nash is scheduled to defend his WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Goldberg in a rematch from "Starrcade," but that match may be put in doubt when Goldberg is arrested under susupicious circumstances. Fortunately, "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan is in the building tonight so he may be able to fill in if Goldberg is unable to compete. Ric Flair will be in charge of WCW for the next 90 days, and he proceeds to shake things up right away with his "State of the Sport Address." WCW Television Champion Scott Steiner defends his title against Konnan in a bout you probably not bother to watch. Chris Jericho goes up against Perry Saturn in a match which has one of the most confusing finishes you're ever likely to see. WCW Cruiserweight Champion Billy Kidman teams up with Rey Mysterio to face LWO members Juventud Guerrera & Psychosis in what is easily the best part of the show. We get the dream match we never knew we wanted: Benoit vs. Hogan! (well okay, Chris Benoit is actually facing HORACE Hogan) Bryan Clark steps into the ring with the massively popular Diamond Dallas Page. Chavo Guerrero and Norman Smiley go head-to-head, with the highlight being Norman's incredibly inappropriate dance called "The Big Wiggle." Wrath issues an open challenge, which ends up being accepted by a former "WrestleMania" main eventer. Booker T quickly squashes Emory Hale because that is the only appropriate outcome for such a match. Glacier squares off with Hugh Morrus in a battle of two depressing gimmicks. Plus, a 12-year-old Charlotte Flair makes her first on-camera appearance, Eddie Guerrero suffers a horrendous real-life injury, and Tony Schiavone delivers a line that will unfortunately come to define his entire career! New Blood Rising Podcast: https://newbloodpod.podbean.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rawattitudepodcast