9. Lex Luger returns to WCW on the first ever Monday Nitro (1995)
In late August 1995, after expressing to Sting that he wanted to leave the WWF, and shortly after SummerSlam 1995, Lex Luger, whose contract had expired, left the WWF without letting McMahon know beforehand.
Luger got a call from World Championship Wrestling Vice-President Eric Bischoff to set up a meeting about a contract and Luger possibly “jumping ship.” Bischoff was initially reluctant to make the offer, as he didn’t care for Luger personally or professionally, but relented due to both Sting’s urging & the idea that his appearance would make a big splash.
Bischoff offered Luger only 20% of what he was making when he left WCW three years earlier in a deliberate attempt to have him turn down the offer, only to be surprised to see that Luger accepted the offer.
Eight days after his appearance at SummerSlam and only one night after competing at a WWF house show in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Luger made his return to WCW on the premiere of Nitro, coming out during the main event for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship featuring Hulk Hogan.
Lex Luger was the first shot fired in the 5 ½ year Monday Night War.
