by Logan Scisco
–Vince McMahon, Jim
Ross, and Jerry “the King” Lawler are on commentary tonight and they are live
from Rockford, Illinois. Ross announces
that Mankind will face the Undertaker for the WWF title at the next In Your House.
Ross, and Jerry “the King” Lawler are on commentary tonight and they are live
from Rockford, Illinois. Ross announces
that Mankind will face the Undertaker for the WWF title at the next In Your House.
–Opening Contest
for the WWF Tag Team Championship: The
Headbangers defeat The British Bulldog & Owen Hart (Champions) by
disqualification when the Bulldog shoves the referee at 9:33 shown:
for the WWF Tag Team Championship: The
Headbangers defeat The British Bulldog & Owen Hart (Champions) by
disqualification when the Bulldog shoves the referee at 9:33 shown:
The Headbangers earned this title shot by winning the
four team elimination match the previous night at WrestleMania XIII. Owen and the Bulldog keep posing in front of
each other on their way to the ring, continuing their storyline. Ross informs us at the beginning of this
match that the winner will be penciled in to face the Legion of Doom at In Your
House. The Bulldog accidentally knocks
Owen off the apron when he runs the ropes and that leads to an argument between
the champions. Owen teases walking out
prior to the commercial break, but when we get back he’s back on the
apron. Owen’s walk out puts the Bulldog
in peril, though, and Owen tags the Bulldog back in after receiving the hot
tag, so the champions argue over that as well.
The Bulldog gives Mosh a running powerslam, but when he goes to throw
Owen on top of Mosh, Owen takes offense to that and they argue, leading to
referee Earl Hebner getting pushed out of the way and leading to a
disqualification. A terrible ending to
what was shaping up to be a pretty good match and it helped make the
Headbangers a credible team in the eyes of the fans. Rating: **¾
four team elimination match the previous night at WrestleMania XIII. Owen and the Bulldog keep posing in front of
each other on their way to the ring, continuing their storyline. Ross informs us at the beginning of this
match that the winner will be penciled in to face the Legion of Doom at In Your
House. The Bulldog accidentally knocks
Owen off the apron when he runs the ropes and that leads to an argument between
the champions. Owen teases walking out
prior to the commercial break, but when we get back he’s back on the
apron. Owen’s walk out puts the Bulldog
in peril, though, and Owen tags the Bulldog back in after receiving the hot
tag, so the champions argue over that as well.
The Bulldog gives Mosh a running powerslam, but when he goes to throw
Owen on top of Mosh, Owen takes offense to that and they argue, leading to
referee Earl Hebner getting pushed out of the way and leading to a
disqualification. A terrible ending to
what was shaping up to be a pretty good match and it helped make the
Headbangers a credible team in the eyes of the fans. Rating: **¾
–After the bell,
Owen gets on the mic and says he’s tired of carrying the tag team
champions. He demands a shot at the
Bulldog’s European title. The Bulldog
agrees to put his title on the line, but it’ll be the only shot Owen will get.
Owen gets on the mic and says he’s tired of carrying the tag team
champions. He demands a shot at the
Bulldog’s European title. The Bulldog
agrees to put his title on the line, but it’ll be the only shot Owen will get.
–Mankind, in the
arena’s boiler room, says that Paul Bearer is gone and he desperately needs
him.
arena’s boiler room, says that Paul Bearer is gone and he desperately needs
him.
–Mascarita Sagrada,
Jr.’s leap off the stage onto Mini Vader is the Playstation Slam of the Week.
Jr.’s leap off the stage onto Mini Vader is the Playstation Slam of the Week.
–Bret Hart pops up
on the Titantron and says he has some things that he wants to talk about. He promises not to use profanity so McMahon
promises to give him some time later in the show.
on the Titantron and says he has some things that he wants to talk about. He promises not to use profanity so McMahon
promises to give him some time later in the show.
–Hunter Hearst
Helmsley (w/Chyna) pins Bart Gunn with a Pedigree at 7:04:
Helmsley (w/Chyna) pins Bart Gunn with a Pedigree at 7:04:
The WWF has literally nothing to give Bart Gunn at this
point, so he’s just being dragged out to play the Tito Santana role here and
give Helmsley a decent match. Goldust
cuts a promo in the split screen during this one, since he and Helmsley will
face off next week. McMahon goofs,
though, and says it’s for the Intercontinental title. The match puts over Chyna more than Helmsley,
as she pulls down the top rope to ruin a Bart bulldog attempt, slams Bart on
the floor, and then rams him into the ring post. Those are the only parts of the match that
the crowd reacts to. After that
interference, the outcome is simply academic.
Rating: *½
point, so he’s just being dragged out to play the Tito Santana role here and
give Helmsley a decent match. Goldust
cuts a promo in the split screen during this one, since he and Helmsley will
face off next week. McMahon goofs,
though, and says it’s for the Intercontinental title. The match puts over Chyna more than Helmsley,
as she pulls down the top rope to ruin a Bart bulldog attempt, slams Bart on
the floor, and then rams him into the ring post. Those are the only parts of the match that
the crowd reacts to. After that
interference, the outcome is simply academic.
Rating: *½
–Highlights of the
1997 Slammy Awards, the last one held for over a decade, are shown. Rocky Maivia won the New Sensation of the
Squared Circle, Sable won Dressed to Kill, the Undertaker won the Tattoo Award,
Owen Hart claimed a Slammy for himself, Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart won Match
of the Year, Hunter Hearst Helmsley won Best Hair, Mankind won Loose Screw,
Steve Austin won Freedom of Speech, Arnold Skaaland won the Lifetime
Achievement Award, and Sable won Miss Slammy.
1997 Slammy Awards, the last one held for over a decade, are shown. Rocky Maivia won the New Sensation of the
Squared Circle, Sable won Dressed to Kill, the Undertaker won the Tattoo Award,
Owen Hart claimed a Slammy for himself, Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart won Match
of the Year, Hunter Hearst Helmsley won Best Hair, Mankind won Loose Screw,
Steve Austin won Freedom of Speech, Arnold Skaaland won the Lifetime
Achievement Award, and Sable won Miss Slammy.
–Venum, Super Nova
& Discovery defeatEl Mosco,
Hyseria & Abismo Negro when Super Nova pins Negro with a hurricanrana at
4:11:
& Discovery defeatEl Mosco,
Hyseria & Abismo Negro when Super Nova pins Negro with a hurricanrana at
4:11:
The question that lingers over this match is can the AAA
guys put on a match worth watching for the WWF fan base? Bret Hart doesn’t have much faith in Mexican
wrestling, as he comes into the split screen and in a soft voice demands time
to speak. This is just a spotfest, but
it’s a lot better than any of the other AAA action we’ve seen thus far in 1997. I’ll give it an average rating for the
entertainment value, but you won’t see any psychology in this. Rating: **
guys put on a match worth watching for the WWF fan base? Bret Hart doesn’t have much faith in Mexican
wrestling, as he comes into the split screen and in a soft voice demands time
to speak. This is just a spotfest, but
it’s a lot better than any of the other AAA action we’ve seen thus far in 1997. I’ll give it an average rating for the
entertainment value, but you won’t see any psychology in this. Rating: **
–Call
1-203-359-5440 to book your stay on the Wrestle Vessel II!
1-203-359-5440 to book your stay on the Wrestle Vessel II!
–In a taped interview,
Rocky Johnson and Rocky Maivia talk about WrestleMania XIII. Johnson talks about how he used his own money
to buy a ticket to WrestleMania because he was proud of his son and he was not
going to stand back and watch his opponents brutalize him after the match. Johnson promises not to get involved in his
son’s matches ever again and they hug.
Rocky Johnson and Rocky Maivia talk about WrestleMania XIII. Johnson talks about how he used his own money
to buy a ticket to WrestleMania because he was proud of his son and he was not
going to stand back and watch his opponents brutalize him after the match. Johnson promises not to get involved in his
son’s matches ever again and they hug.
–Dok Hendrix urges
us to order the replay of WrestleMania XIII.
us to order the replay of WrestleMania XIII.
–Flash Funk (w/The
Funkettes) defeats The Brooklyn Brawler with the Funky Flash Splash at 3:07:
Funkettes) defeats The Brooklyn Brawler with the Funky Flash Splash at 3:07:
The Honky Tonk Man is on commentary and he gives a great
crazy rant about how he has so much energy that he kick started a 747 earlier
in the day. An easy squash for Funk that
gives him a chance to showcase his aerial offense.
crazy rant about how he has so much energy that he kick started a 747 earlier
in the day. An easy squash for Funk that
gives him a chance to showcase his aerial offense.
–Call 8-15-737-1161
to order your customized WrestleMania XIII custom hockey jersey for $69.99 and
your denim jacket for $99 (plus shipping & handling)!
to order your customized WrestleMania XIII custom hockey jersey for $69.99 and
your denim jacket for $99 (plus shipping & handling)!
–McMahon interviews
Ken Shamrock on the Titantron and Shamrock says he stopped the submission match
at WrestleMania because Steve Austin could not respond to his commands and
defend himself. This interview is just
to recap the submission match for the fans who didn’t watch WrestleMania last
night.
Ken Shamrock on the Titantron and Shamrock says he stopped the submission match
at WrestleMania because Steve Austin could not respond to his commands and
defend himself. This interview is just
to recap the submission match for the fans who didn’t watch WrestleMania last
night.
–Bret Hart comes out
and apologizes to his international fans for his actions last night. For his fans in the United States, though, he
apologizes for nothing because they cheered Steve Austin after he was a beaten
man at WrestleMania. He also complains
that the American fans cheered for Shawn Michaels and screwed him out of the WWF
title despite the fact that Michaels posed for a gay magazine. Bret does a great job narrating his
experience in the WWF since he returned in November and he was always better
doing promos as this jaded wrestler character than at any other time in his career. Bret says that he has no respect for American
fans anymore and they can kiss his ass.
With Bret’s rant over, Shawn Michaels comes out and says Bret hides his
faults from the fans and is fake. Shawn
says he wrestles for fun, whereas Bret is a mark for himself and that the fans
can cheer for whomever they want. Shawn
says he’s willing to fight Bret and that Bret only knows he was in Playgirl
because he flipped through the pages.
Shawn turns to leave, but Bret attacks him from behind and puts him in
the ring post figure-four until Sid runs out and makes the save. This was a long promo segment, especially
Bret’s opening monologue, but once Shawn appeared it turned into something
special and the segment solidified Bret’s heel character in the eyes of the
fans.
and apologizes to his international fans for his actions last night. For his fans in the United States, though, he
apologizes for nothing because they cheered Steve Austin after he was a beaten
man at WrestleMania. He also complains
that the American fans cheered for Shawn Michaels and screwed him out of the WWF
title despite the fact that Michaels posed for a gay magazine. Bret does a great job narrating his
experience in the WWF since he returned in November and he was always better
doing promos as this jaded wrestler character than at any other time in his career. Bret says that he has no respect for American
fans anymore and they can kiss his ass.
With Bret’s rant over, Shawn Michaels comes out and says Bret hides his
faults from the fans and is fake. Shawn
says he wrestles for fun, whereas Bret is a mark for himself and that the fans
can cheer for whomever they want. Shawn
says he’s willing to fight Bret and that Bret only knows he was in Playgirl
because he flipped through the pages.
Shawn turns to leave, but Bret attacks him from behind and puts him in
the ring post figure-four until Sid runs out and makes the save. This was a long promo segment, especially
Bret’s opening monologue, but once Shawn appeared it turned into something
special and the segment solidified Bret’s heel character in the eyes of the
fans.
–Non-Title
Match: “The Rock” Rocky Maivia (Intercontinental
Champion) defeats Leif Cassidy with a flying body press at 2:24 shown:
Match: “The Rock” Rocky Maivia (Intercontinental
Champion) defeats Leif Cassidy with a flying body press at 2:24 shown:
We join this one in progress and it doesn’t take long for
Bret Hart to come down for guest commentary. Bret and Vince go back and forth as Maivia
rallies after a powerbomb and quickly puts Cassidy away. After the match, Bret attacks Maivia from
behind and goes briefly goes after his leg before leaving and flipping off a
young fan at ringside.
Bret Hart to come down for guest commentary. Bret and Vince go back and forth as Maivia
rallies after a powerbomb and quickly puts Cassidy away. After the match, Bret attacks Maivia from
behind and goes briefly goes after his leg before leaving and flipping off a
young fan at ringside.
–Ahmed Johnson beats
Savio Vega (w/the Nation of Domination) by disqualification when the Nation
interferes at 6:05 shown:
Savio Vega (w/the Nation of Domination) by disqualification when the Nation
interferes at 6:05 shown:
The Nation chooses to watch the match from the entrance ramp
instead of coming to ringside. Ahmed
pulls out a few neat spots in the match, one of which includes a cannonball off
the top rope, but the match has no momentum whatsoever. Savio’s ring work has really plummeted since
he began working as a heel. Predictably,
the Nation interferes when Savio is in trouble, but Ahmed holds them at bay
with a 2×4 and then makes a deal with them whereby they agree to have one of
them face Ahmed at a future In Your House and if Ahmed wins, they will all leave the
WWF. Rating: *¼
instead of coming to ringside. Ahmed
pulls out a few neat spots in the match, one of which includes a cannonball off
the top rope, but the match has no momentum whatsoever. Savio’s ring work has really plummeted since
he began working as a heel. Predictably,
the Nation interferes when Savio is in trouble, but Ahmed holds them at bay
with a 2×4 and then makes a deal with them whereby they agree to have one of
them face Ahmed at a future In Your House and if Ahmed wins, they will all leave the
WWF. Rating: *¼
–Paul Bearer tells
McMahon that he doesn’t want to talk to him right now.
McMahon that he doesn’t want to talk to him right now.
–Bret Hart’s attack on
Shawn Michaels on tonight’s show is the Karate Fighters Rewind segment.
Shawn Michaels on tonight’s show is the Karate Fighters Rewind segment.
–McMahon interviews
WWF Champion The Undertaker in tonight’s main event interview segment. The Undertaker puts over his victory at
WrestleMania until Paul Bearer walks out.
Bearer says he wants to talk with the Undertaker, as Mankind appears on
the Titantron calling for Bearer to return to him, but before this goes
anywhere we run out of time.
WWF Champion The Undertaker in tonight’s main event interview segment. The Undertaker puts over his victory at
WrestleMania until Paul Bearer walks out.
Bearer says he wants to talk with the Undertaker, as Mankind appears on
the Titantron calling for Bearer to return to him, but before this goes
anywhere we run out of time.
The Final Report Card: The
Bret-Shawn interaction was the premier highlight of the show, but the rest was
very forgettable. That’s a problem with
this era since you had some hot acts at the top, but the feuds below it weren’t
very interesting or were not as well developed.
Having Mankind as the number one contender after WrestleMania was a bit
of a head scratcher as well, since he had hardly done anything since October.
Bret-Shawn interaction was the premier highlight of the show, but the rest was
very forgettable. That’s a problem with
this era since you had some hot acts at the top, but the feuds below it weren’t
very interesting or were not as well developed.
Having Mankind as the number one contender after WrestleMania was a bit
of a head scratcher as well, since he had hardly done anything since October.
Monday Night War Rating: 2.5
(vs. 3.0 for Nitro)
(vs. 3.0 for Nitro)
Show Evaluation: Thumbs Down