WCW Nitro Launches with Impact on Wrestling Television

WCW Nitro premiered on September 4, 1995, at the Mall of America, initiating what would be recognized as the Monday Night Wars in professional wrestling. This event significantly influenced the production of wrestling television in the United States.

Prior to Nitro's launch, WWE's Raw held the established Monday night slot. However, Nitro's introduction of a live weekly show enabled it to surpass Raw in television ratings for 83 consecutive weeks from June 1996 to April 1998.

In the inaugural match, Brian Pillman defeated Jushin Liger in a contest that showcased both wrestlers' skills, despite some early missteps. The match featured various high-impact moves, although the commentary struggled to keep pace with the evolving wrestling style. Liger's performance was noted to be less sharp than before his injury, yet he still demonstrated significant ability.