Raw vs Nitro "Reliving The War": Episode 166 - December 28th 1998

[@zachsmith1634]

The “Flair elbow drops John Cena” line made me chuckle 🤣

[@ronin7997]

8:46 - bookmarking for posterity

[@JimmyJam266]

Yeah I caught that after a few seconds 😅

[@amjreptx1]

Who's John Cena? I didn't see him. haha

[@shawnwilliams5461]

I spit water

[@billclinton6749]

Golden moment for sure🤣

[@the__wolf5087]

Disco getting smacked in time to the Wolfpack theme is maybe the best edit in the series

[@colletti914]

Was looking for this comment.

[@dealt]

If you didn't say it I was going to

[@TheSerpentsEye]

It had me weak. 💀

[@thefckumean2209]

I didn’t get to watch until two days later but when I saw the edit, the very first thing I did was come here looking for this comment. Thank you. 😂

[@marccaselle8108]

I love this, disco getting smacked with a newspaper with the drum beats. Terrific editing.

[@DebitAdams]

I loved how McMahon was yelling "I hate Austin" when working out 😆

[@jayrukks8039]

🤣🤣

[@spartanq7781]

Guy has his motivating factor.

[@SithLordAnakin]

CRINGEEEEEE!!!

[@PoeticProphetic]

I can’t wait to see Kevin Nash‘s title run!!! I’m sure they’re gonna build him up as a very meaningful champion

[@neptunefalling]

Aren't you in for a shock 😅

[@Mrryn]

In a weird way, Nash would kinda be the champion at the pinnacle of Big Goldie in WCW...if you consider the pinnacle to be a mountaintop one step away from a steep cliff...

[@JoeyMartz]

😁😄😆

[@namikstudios]

Spoiler: The lies you've been told for the last couple of decades are just that. There was no mass changing of the channel from Nitro to Raw following the "Finger Poke of Doom" on the Jan 4th 99 episode. How do we know this for a fact? The next Nitro on the 11th recorded exactly the same rating as the week before, 5.0. There was no drop or change whatsoever.

[@Mrryn]

@@namikstudios You can call them "lies" and a lot of stuff is exaggerated in a "history is written by the victors" way, but the proof is in the pudding. This is the proverbial mountain summit for WCW, about as high as they've been or ever will. And while the state of the company may remain near the top for the coming parts, they are fully on the downhill slope from this point on. The Poke didn't kill WCW, neither did "butts in the seats," but both on the same night on top of now years of nWo/Wood from the Hood shenanigans is the biggest turning point in the state of WCW post-90's boom.

[@ShaunInce123]

And thus ends the year of 1998. Tune in next week for one of the most historic nights for the right & wrong reasons.

[@namikstudios]

Spoiler: The Finger Poke of Doom Nitro recorded a rating of 5.0. The next Nitro on the 11th also recorded a rating of 5.0 - no change whatsoever. But don't let the facts get in the way of two decades worth of WWE myths that have no basis in reality.

[@ShaunInce123]

​@namikstudios You're telling me stuff I already knew. The Finger Poke killing WCW is hyperbole & revionist history. It's still an infamous moment with all being said.

[@jamesbounds]

Been a fun ride revisiting the year 1998.

[@dawgfan420]

Just a shame how Goldberg's streak ended though

[@bryceferguson8409]

@@dawgfan420honestly what could be done with it after that? He already ran through every viable competitor and he wasn’t capable of working a 20 minute match so every match is the same except the opponent if it didn’t end it would have ended up played out

[@Roflcrabs]

​@@bryceferguson8409Alex Wright is at his peak, Alex's Big Bratwurst ends Goldbergs streak. WCW buys WWF in 2001, Big Bratwurst owns Vince's bum.

[@MR.__G]

This was the year where I truly became a fan. It was great reliving what I remember & what I forgot in 98

[@MR.__G]

@@bryceferguson8409I’m with you on that. It definitely ran its course & the belt was basically being held hostage because the streak overshadowed it

[@lincolnwright7896]

“Flair elbow drops John Cena” had me geeked 😂😂

[@chibipoe]

And now, 1998 ends and all the pieces are in place for Raw's 1/4/99. This is gonna be great!

[@AdLamb]

Was this the night Tony said ‘that’ll put butts in seats’

[@chibipoe]

@@AdLamb Yeah, 1/4/99 is that infamous line on WCW. The night does hurt WCW but it isn't a big immediate impact. They continue to do decent ratings even while losing to WWE but the episode offended a LOT of people. The huge bait and switch that goes down regarding the championship belt and what happens right after while Raw puts on a taped episode that culminates in two insanely loud pops. Watching it when it aired in 99, I was cheering like mad.

[@AdLamb]

@@chibipoe I remember now, the good old finger poke of doom. Being British & the shows airing on different nights I got to see both shows & it was the last Nitro I would watch until it’s death throws.

[@chibipoe]

@@AdLamb Yeah. It's such a disaster.

[@chibipoe]

@@danalong1237 Yuuuup. I saw both go down and was like: Really? Really? That's what you're going to do against Foley winning and two of the loudest pops I've ever heard on a televised show. 1st when Austin arrived and then when the 1-2-3 was counted. The crowd went batshit for Foley's win. Meanwhile... Nitro had the crowd filling the ring with trash, they were so pissed.

[@starastro4591]

I literally laugh out loud at the Bret/Smokey the cat bit every time the rock music with the cubby cat in sunglasses holding the belt 😂

[@JimmyJam266]

Yeah that and the Road Dogg/Bret Hart running gags are hilarious!

[@stevefromyellowstone7911]

The Smokey the cat bit might be the best joke of RLW

[@KINGMONKEY1989]

That Ric flair elbow drops John Cena made me spit my coffee out 😂😂

[@KHaskins23]

I was at that WCW Monday Nitro that night!!! I remember being disappointed when I heard Goldberg lost the championship but still had a great time there. So many good memories.

[@brad2861]

Genuinely think the Nash/GB main event and the Nash promo is great story telling. Really hope nothing happens next week to derail it.

[@FerraristDX]

Next week's RTW will be one for the ages, a WrestleMania-tier episode.

[@vinnyv9974]

Since the finger poke of doom was mentioned a lot in the comments, I’ll go in another direction. The Giant has only 2 nitros left and then his WCW run comes to an end. We will get to see the 3rd Undertaker incarnation as the head of the ministry of darkness. Lots gonna happen in 1999 with Smackdown debuting too

[@camwatson9172]

Best part of my Thursday's

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

This series is far and away the BEST thing about Thursdays!

[@deandredukes95]

No words can describe that Ric Flair promo 😂

[@chrisbelos2834]

WOOOOOOOOOOO

[@emrules2001]

Cocaine 😂

[@namikstudios]

If you think that's good just wait a couple more months for the Flair/Piper angle 😅

[@animamaster]

Norman Smiley's intro will never get old

[@Dr_1212]

As a WCW fan ts going to be rough watching Reliving The War from now until its over

[@michaelaburns734]

Yeah but I did give Nitro my point this week because WWF was Trigger Happy with DQ'S this week.

[@marshallmcluhan33]

Well hopefully Tony Khan is watching...

[@Dr_1212]

@@michaelaburns734 I saw that I thought they were trying to set a record for most dq matches in a night

[@Dr_1212]

@@marshallmcluhan33 TK needs to watch how WCW failed & how TNA impact failed take notes so AEW won't fall but continue strong

[@chrisbelos2834]

what could be worst than the mcmahon family storyline? oh yeah, nothing.

[@Hilversumborn]

Disco getting slapped by Nash to the beat of the Disco/Wolfpack remix was so funny

[@azapro911]

Hey, a Goldberg-Nash rematch set for next week, I'm sure that'll send the fans home from the Georgia Dome happy.

[@timomajere]

Hard to believe its only one year into the Attitude era and there is SO much more ahead! Appreciate the hard work putting these out and really hope it lasts for at least the next 2 years of wrestling because its REALLY got nowhere to go after WCW and ECW shut down in 2001 and WWF/WWE has nothing left to be compared to.

[@casadycawlfield1019]

He did say that following WCW close, he will stop completely.

[@thor1829]

He will end the series with Wrestlemania 17, so yeah, once the war is over that's it :)

[@jasonmccrank4981]

Despite Scott Steiner's recent success and apparent "leader" role with the New World Order, this should have been the nWo's coda on WCW television. Hogan was gone, Flair decimated Bischoff, the live crowd popped huge for it, and the commentators celebrated like it was actually the end for the nWo. Instead, they foolishly rolled it back with the finger poke of doom.

[@ponyboyc]

If they took that angle they would still be here. That's just to much to ask for tho haha

[@iamthurnis745]

so stoked for 1999, everything changes drastically

[@rcharles317]

This Ric Flair segment nearly got me in trouble. My grandmother just coming in the room to an angry old man cuffed in his draws lol

[@MissAlmostFine]

😂😂😂

[@Riztastic1]

I love the slapping noise in the woof pack theme and it being synced with nash hitting disco lol

[@MongrelWarrior]

We have made it to the end of 1998. Been a wild ride, I'm sure we can agree.

[@zacharythomason7359]

Totally agree with you.

[@loganmartin1682]

So much of RTW from this point on: “That thing you remember sucking from WCW? Well, it did suck, but it sucked for *different reasons* than you remember.”

[@mrrida503]

The year I graduated highschool and what a year it was!!! 😎...RIP '98 ..You will be missed!

[@dirk8449]

Yo...discos video with Nash slapping him with the rolled up paper to the beat...I cant...😂😂😂

[@criminalmindsgirl2936]

I love seeing Kidman every week on Reliving The Raw!

[@stephentaylor6617]

The best part of Nitro for the rest of the series will be Billy Kidman’s wife!

[@criminalmindsgirl2936]

​@stephentaylor6617 , ex wife

[@jbanks979]

The funeral bells are mornfully ringing. I can’t believe we’re at “the moment” of the war next week. You can already see the Russo mark on basically everything happening in WWF right now (2 minute matches 0 finishes). It worked because they did the work building characters in all of 97-98 before the lunatic nonsense of the Russo era kicked in. Wcw just didn’t have that at all in 1999 when he jumps over

[@fingersTitan]

Cornette talked about this Ep on one of his podcasts and Russo having every match on the card as a DQ finish.

[@namikstudios]

What's "the moment" you speak of? It's obviously not the Finger Poke of Doom myth, as the Nitro it happened on and the one that followed both recorded the exact same rating of 5.0. WCW's ratings didn't start slipping until around April 99. The Finger Poke had nothing to do with it, that's just a WWE myth that is totally debunked by the ratings.

[@robdurfee6861]

@@namikstudiosjeez bro, you gonna be on every comment defending a company that no longer even exists?

[@Eric-wu7bp]

I’m so excited for next weeks episode, it’s not only the first reliving the war of 1999, but the most memorable week in Monday Night wars History

[@namikstudios]

Why? Because WWE have tried to hype it as such? The truth is that there was no change whatsoever following the "Finger Poke of Doom" Nitro on the 4th. The next Nitro on the 11th recorded the exact same rating of 5.0. No change whatsoever. No mass changing of the channel, no mass abandoning of WCW for WWE. Nothing of the sort.

[@Eric-wu7bp]

@@namikstudios I get that, but it’s one of the episodes that I’m dying to look forward too, and besides, it’s just a show man, we’ve got 2 years left there’s still time

[@suntanironman]

32:48 I agree about Steiner and the Television Championship. It’s a bit strange that the (current) leader of the nWo is competing for not even the secondary title. He’s competing for the tertiary title. Now the Television Championship has a special nostalgic place in my heart. As a kid all of my favorite WCW wrestlers were competing for the TV Title. For that reason the TV Title was championship that kid-me cared the most about. However, it is weird that the leader of the nWo isn’t in or around the World Championship scene. At the very least the leader of the nWo should be competing for the US Championship… a title that a currently injured wrestler recently won (won while already injured well before the match). Now we all know now that Steiner won’t be the nWo leader by next week’s episode, but we didn’t know that at the time.

[@keithmoore150]

Can’t believe we already made it to the end of 98. Looking forward to getting your commentary on what is arguably the most defining Monday night of the entire war.

[@darthnx9928]

Disappointed if the kid isn’t called Steve Blackman 😂😂😂 love it

[@LewDog053]

Started as a pandemic binge, but I haven't missed one yet, wow 3 years

[@benespinosa6725]

Another awesome episode of Reliving the war this series is amazing to watch can't believe the timeline is December 1998 that year for the WWF is such an underrated year in Wrestling.

[@mikeberg6407]

most times I'd be like bro you commenting its awesome 2 mins after its uploaded. But lets be real when isn't a Mr. Bios video awesome so ill thumbs up and allow it 😁

[@Ronfost89]

Raw ratings were at all time highs, there was nothing underrated about WWF in 98

[@runohayuko1827]

Off to 1999, folks! This war is about to enter its point of no return!

[@1983jcheat]

Awesome show brother. 3 years of the war went by fast.

[@timrobinson6573]

D'Lo's facial expression at Mark Henry are hilarious.

[@fernandosaker3667]

As someone who only got interested in wrestling few years ago and was curious to learn more about the Monday Night Wars, I can't thank you enough for the Reliving the War videos! It's amazing to see how detailed your analyses of each episode of two different shows are (not to mention the PPV events), while still making them accessible enough for newcomers like me to understand what's going on (and ESPECIALLY for the special attention given to underdogs like Disco Inferno, Alex Wright, Steve Blackman and so on, making us appreciate their work). Thank you!

[@Not_Brandino]

It's gonna be interesting seeing 1999 on the WCW side of things. I always heard about the finger poke of doom, but not what happens after it. It's also gonna be interesting to see the wwf side of things before Smackdown.

[@namikstudios]

Spoiler: The Nitro after the supposed "Finger Poke of Doom" recorded exactly the same rating of 5.0 - there was no change resulting from it whatsoever. It's just an over hyped WWE myth. After it? Strap yourselves in for some hilarious work involving Ric Flair and Roddy Piper! And don't forget Little Naitch!

[@G.MONEY.]

Hell yeah! Shout out to DUCK HUNT on NES. Thanks for that memory.

[@ryanholladaymusic8514]

The paper slap addition to Disco’s intro had me dying lol

[@BetweenTheLyons]

I was at this RAW along with many other WWE events in Albany, the crowd completely exploded when Shawn Michaels kicked Vince! There's only a few other times I remember a pop in Albany being as loud, the Stone Cold beer truck, and Jerry Lawler appearing on satellite a few weeks after his live TV heart attack.)

[@danielwilcox419]

To anyone who didn't live this period of wrestling live and in person... you're gonna wanna watch next week's episode. It's the beginning of the end of the war.

[@namikstudios]

It's actually not at all, that is a few months away yet. WCW didn't start to slide in the ratings until around April 99. The "Finger Poke of Doom" is just a WWE myth. The Nitro it happened on (4th Jan) recorded a rating of 5.0. The very next Nitro on the 11th recorded exactly the same rating of 5.0. The Poke resulted in no change whatsoever.

[@U.GeekTV]

This is such an impressive series. I’ve shared this with some of my wrestling buddies and they can’t believe this undertaking exists. You’re awesome man

[@michaelaburns734]

Final episode of RTW for the year 1998. Next week is the start of 1999.

[@gp.5989]

Its great seeing the jam up guys and gals. It just shows how truly far reaching and loved this channel is. Thank you for helping me relive my childhood and look forward to Thursdays.

[@BridgeTrollForge]

I was very pleasantly surprised when I saw it referenced in a random reddit thread the other day. RTW is everywhere!

[@jxw457]

I remember this night, was when my brother and I quit flipping channels and just stuck with Raw. I was in dads chair and he was on the couch, he always was a WCW mark but this one was the last one.

[@howwesurvive767]

Nash slapping Disco to the tune of the Wolfpac theme was classic.

[@SteelerWayne]

Watching this series is bringing back so many great memories. What a great time to be a wrestling fan!

[@zemox2534]

Thanks for covering so many great moments of 1998. Looking forward to 1999

[@Phazer91-yv9mg]

Still my favorite Raw theme, I love that you have it as your opening lol. Love this channel.

[@diywrites8703]

That disco wolfpac edit gets a chefs kiss 10 out of 10.

[@dasdeke]

Easily my favorite thing about Thursday's. This is giving me so much enjoyment, and nostalgia. I'm so happy you've done this and you do a great job. I can't wait to see more.

[@HarmonySword]

As always, This series is great after getting off work for the weekend.

[@jeremiahhardin4453]

December 28, 1998 was my 18th birthday. What an awesome cherry on top of the birthday sundae to see Ric Flair beat Bischoff in the middle of the ring. What an awesome moment for WCW.

[@BlazinVoorhees]

Wow time flies. When I first started watching this I couldn't wait to get to '98 and it's over already. I love this series so much it's depressing knowing the end is getting closer and closer.

[@pumpingvinyl]

Disco Inferno trying to join the nWo is a storyline that belongs in an N64 wrestling game.

[@waynearnold2242]

Next week may be one of the most discussed days in all of wrestling, January 4th could be a 3 hour episode, the final 10 minutes of each show could be an hour on their own

[@bcgjimmy2]

Raw hittin the DQ's like they're sponsored by Dairy Queen.

[@MosestheGrey]

A new Disco Intro and a new way to Feel The Bang!!!! Man, this is all too much.

[@MrBojangles1984]

I've said it several times in these comments, but damn, I can't thank you enough for putting time into these videos. It takes me back to when I was younger watching WWF & WCW with my father, switching back and forth from one to the other. I'm grateful that you decided to continue working on this series. Much love

[@dylanpennington6105]

That Duck Hunter bit was epic!!! These will never get old

[@colinwilliamson4576]

I have been waiting all series for next week! This episode of Raw vs Nitro still reminds me of how these shows influenced and dominated the airwaves at this time.

[@carrigster]

The Wiggle countering the sunset flip popped me hard 🤣🤣🤣

[@rikevans3348]

"Juv-n-tud, didn't get the job done" brilliant

[@ShaunMcInnis]

Congrats and thank you for another year of RTW!! 1999 is probably the year I remember most, but also when I stopped watching wrestling toward the end of the year. I'm really looking forward to going back and seeing what I missed with your insight.

[@H2whoaMusic]

Seriously, thank you for this series. Just fantastic. A joyous part of my week. Appreciate the work you put in

[@FreneticZetetic]

That brief period where Macho Man rocked the JNCO jeans was legendary, lmao.

[@brandonfields613]

Love this series, thanks for a great 98 RTW!. I've been along for every episode so far!

[@silvereloking6149]

It was so epic to see Randy Savage comes to help Ric Flair, great main event segment.

[@AmazingGuy13]

I have been watching this series since Episode 1

[@zacharythomason7359]

Same here

[@kev5621]

Great fun reliving the war. Best wrestling channel period. So ready for the acid flashback that was WCW 1999

[@3820MD]

And you're welcome for creating this incomparable series Mr. Wrestling Bios Guy 🙌🏿! We entered the year that I started watching wrestling 😎! 24 years strong 💪🏿! Thank you very much for your channel 🔥!

[@zacharythomason7359]

That's the same year I started watching wrestling as well.

[@3820MD]

@@zacharythomason7359 that's what's up! The pilot episode of SmackDown was my introduction to it before it eventually became a mainstay 5 days before my birthday. It was the only way I could get my fix during that time as my mom couldn't afford cable

[@bug5258]

I can't wait for the wiggle wiggle shirt.... honestly Norman could go and stronger then you would think

[@frickaaron]

Can’t believe we made it this far. Thanks to you. Thank you so much for this.

[@benjamineyers3101]

NEXT WEEK. Been waiting for that week since I started watching this series. Anyone who is living this for the first time is in for a treat.

[@renedl22]

16:40 😂😂😂 never gets old

[@xLitaFan4Everx]

Thanks on covering another year in RTW! Your hard work is appreciated so much! Excited for 1999! 😁🖤🤘🏻

[@carloshill]

Its going to be one rough ride for wcw fans because it does not get any better from here in 1999

[@madmartigan21]

This episode of Nitro could have set up finally ending the NWO storyline and moving on.

[@FruityHuevos]

Off today. Been waiting all morning!

[@sleepalaska]

lets gooooooooo

[@kardynalsyn9501]

I definitely appreciate the Boss Man’s 2nd run in WWF/E. he really was a good talent, just needed the right thing to do. Corporate Boss Man

[@Jay-ls5vw]

To see my name in the credits just to watch and like all videos, is unheard of. Thanks Ryan for all your hard work and dedication throughout the years. Your channel has helped me try to escape the realities of life. Look forward to 1999!

[@thomascrowley9122]

Thank you for all your work you put into this series.

[@shizzlewhizzle3861]

Brings back memories, watching the Finger Poke of Doom. It was the last time we watched WCW. The straw that broke the camels back for myself and family. Cannot wait to relive WWF during this year!

[@ZERODIS0]

Dude been with you since before reliving the war. And I still can't wait for another video

[@kardynalsyn9501]

Steiner moved around soooo well during these days of WCW. I’m interested to see when the injuries start take hold and ultimately slow him down. Just the way he hits the ropes and bumps here is fantastic to see.

[@jasoncoe944]

Thank you so much for this. I've been wanting to rewatch clips of that Macho Man return for 20 years, but I never remembered which episode it was. You just made high school me so happy :D

[@antoniosmith5350]

"Like a blind porn star, I didn't see it coming" 😂😂😂

[@terryeubanks8797]

Thanks for another year of revisiting my childhood. 98 was huge for both companies. I bet 99 will be even better!

[@primetimeericprime4033]

Thank YOU for this wonderful series!! I had always heard about your channel through other wrestling channels but this was the series was what got me in as a viewer every week. Can't wait to see it all the way to the end and thank you for all the hard work on it.

[@silvereloking6149]

I love the storyline Dicso trying to join Wolfpac, also I think it was great that Scott Hall help Kevin Nash wining, to redeem himself for what he was doing for last few months. on WWF, they are making clown of Kane which is really sad to watch.

[@jeffwhite5007]

Omg😂 timing the head slap with disco's Wolfpack music!

[@carlitobecool]

Love you man. It's been a fun journey. Glad it has so much more to go!

[@BridgeTrollForge]

Well... this is it. I'm caught up. Now I have to wait until Thursday like everyone else. Thank you for doing this absolutely amazing series, man!

[@Azriel1932]

And Thank you for all your work on this series and channel. This series reignited my love for pro wrestling. Brought back so many great memories!