by Logan Scisco
–Vince McMahon
discusses the events at last night’s Canadian Stampede pay-per-view.
discusses the events at last night’s Canadian Stampede pay-per-view.
–McMahon and Jim
Ross are in the booth and they are live from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Ross are in the booth and they are live from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
–McMahon interviews
Bret Hart, who will face the Undertaker at SummerSlam for the WWF title. Bret says that he’s not anti-American, but
he’s pro-Canadian. Bret promises his
Canadian fans that he will beat the Undertaker for the WWF title at SummerSlam
and if he loses he says that he will never wrestle again on American soil. Bret brings Owen out, who will defend his
Intercontinental title against Steve Austin at SummerSlam, as well as the
British Bulldog, who will defend his European title against Ken Shamrock at
SummerSlam. Bret has the Canadian
national anthem played on the Titantron to commemorate the fact that Raw is
finally in Canada, but as the anthem ends, Steve Austin attacks Bret, Owen, and
the Bulldog with a chair and flees. Talk
about an easy way to draw a large amount of heel heat.
Bret Hart, who will face the Undertaker at SummerSlam for the WWF title. Bret says that he’s not anti-American, but
he’s pro-Canadian. Bret promises his
Canadian fans that he will beat the Undertaker for the WWF title at SummerSlam
and if he loses he says that he will never wrestle again on American soil. Bret brings Owen out, who will defend his
Intercontinental title against Steve Austin at SummerSlam, as well as the
British Bulldog, who will defend his European title against Ken Shamrock at
SummerSlam. Bret has the Canadian
national anthem played on the Titantron to commemorate the fact that Raw is
finally in Canada, but as the anthem ends, Steve Austin attacks Bret, Owen, and
the Bulldog with a chair and flees. Talk
about an easy way to draw a large amount of heel heat.
-Brian Christopher
comes down to ringside to do guest commentary for the opening match.
comes down to ringside to do guest commentary for the opening match.
–The Great Sasuke
provides some pre-recorded comments that are in Japanese. The comments are not translated for the
audience, so I’m not sure what the point of that is.
provides some pre-recorded comments that are in Japanese. The comments are not translated for the
audience, so I’m not sure what the point of that is.
–Opening
Contest: The Great Sasuke defeats Taka
Michinoku with a thunder firebomb at 5:47:
Contest: The Great Sasuke defeats Taka
Michinoku with a thunder firebomb at 5:47:
This is a rematch from last night’s entertaining contest
at Canadian Stampede and it takes less than a minute for Sasuke to go to the
air and deliver a somersault plancha onto Michinoku. Christopher’s commentary distracts from part
of the match as he’s trying too hard to be funny and it’s not coming across
well to the television audience. Taka
nearly kills himself by botching an Asai moonsault, but luckily for him, Sasuke
catches him as he falls to the arena floor.
Sasuke goes over again to cement his status as the top light heavyweight
in the division heading into the yet to be started light heavyweight
tournament. This had a few botches that
their match at Canadian Stampede did not have and I enjoy that match better,
but this was still a good effort that exposed both of them to American fans. Rating: ***
at Canadian Stampede and it takes less than a minute for Sasuke to go to the
air and deliver a somersault plancha onto Michinoku. Christopher’s commentary distracts from part
of the match as he’s trying too hard to be funny and it’s not coming across
well to the television audience. Taka
nearly kills himself by botching an Asai moonsault, but luckily for him, Sasuke
catches him as he falls to the arena floor.
Sasuke goes over again to cement his status as the top light heavyweight
in the division heading into the yet to be started light heavyweight
tournament. This had a few botches that
their match at Canadian Stampede did not have and I enjoy that match better,
but this was still a good effort that exposed both of them to American fans. Rating: ***
–A video package
discusses the WWF gang wars.
discusses the WWF gang wars.
–Savio Vega (w/Los
Boricuas) defeats Crush (w/DOA) by disqualification when Chainz attacks Savio
at 2:19:
Boricuas) defeats Crush (w/DOA) by disqualification when Chainz attacks Savio
at 2:19:
Los Boricuas shakes hands with the Spanish announce team
in a show of ethnic solidarity on their way to the ring and the DOA are really
over in Canada. Considering how over the
DOA were in their early run, it seems like the WWF blew a major opportunity
with this group. Since both men have
their respective groups, this is a de facto lumberjack match and that leads to
a quick disqualification before this really develops into anything. After the match, both groups brawl with DOA
coming out on top.
in a show of ethnic solidarity on their way to the ring and the DOA are really
over in Canada. Considering how over the
DOA were in their early run, it seems like the WWF blew a major opportunity
with this group. Since both men have
their respective groups, this is a de facto lumberjack match and that leads to
a quick disqualification before this really develops into anything. After the match, both groups brawl with DOA
coming out on top.
–Call
1-900-737-4WWF to get news about Shawn Michaels, Sid, and SummerSlam!
1-900-737-4WWF to get news about Shawn Michaels, Sid, and SummerSlam!
–Paul Bearer says
that he’s not going to apologize for his remarks last week because he didn’t
kill anyone. He insists that Kane told
him that the Undertaker burned down his parents funeral parlor. He discusses how Kane is disfigured, which we
would learn is not true in 2002 when Kane lost his mask to Triple H. Bearer says that Kane hates the Undertaker
and wants his revenge.
that he’s not going to apologize for his remarks last week because he didn’t
kill anyone. He insists that Kane told
him that the Undertaker burned down his parents funeral parlor. He discusses how Kane is disfigured, which we
would learn is not true in 2002 when Kane lost his mask to Triple H. Bearer says that Kane hates the Undertaker
and wants his revenge.
-McMahon asks Steve
Austin in the locker room who he might choose as a partner and Austin says he
doesn’t care who his partner is. Austin
says Mankind is a freak and the WWF might as well choose his partner because
they screw him over all the time anyway and tells McMahon to shut up, which
causes McMahon to cut off the interview.
Austin in the locker room who he might choose as a partner and Austin says he
doesn’t care who his partner is. Austin
says Mankind is a freak and the WWF might as well choose his partner because
they screw him over all the time anyway and tells McMahon to shut up, which
causes McMahon to cut off the interview.
-Call 815-734-1161
to get your copy of Cause Stone Cold Said So for $19.99 (plus $6
shipping & handling)!
to get your copy of Cause Stone Cold Said So for $19.99 (plus $6
shipping & handling)!
–Tag Team
Tournament Finals: Owen Hart & The
British Bulldog (w/Brian Pillman & Jim Neidhart) beats Faarooq & D-Lo
Brown (w/Kama Mustafa) by count out at 6:50:
Tournament Finals: Owen Hart & The
British Bulldog (w/Brian Pillman & Jim Neidhart) beats Faarooq & D-Lo
Brown (w/Kama Mustafa) by count out at 6:50:
This tag team tournament has been rather lackluster, with
the better teams being eliminated in the tournament’s early rounds. Faarooq and D-Lo Brown are sort of the
anti-Cinderella story as they vanquished Vader and the Undertaker in round one
and the Legion of Doom in round two, but no one really wants to see them in
this spot. The Nation puts the Bulldog
in peril with some boring offense and a brawl ensues between all of the participants
except Owen when Kama pulls down the top rope and Owen falls to the floor which
creates our finish. That’s a fitting
ending to this lackluster tag team tournament.
Rating: *½
the better teams being eliminated in the tournament’s early rounds. Faarooq and D-Lo Brown are sort of the
anti-Cinderella story as they vanquished Vader and the Undertaker in round one
and the Legion of Doom in round two, but no one really wants to see them in
this spot. The Nation puts the Bulldog
in peril with some boring offense and a brawl ensues between all of the participants
except Owen when Kama pulls down the top rope and Owen falls to the floor which
creates our finish. That’s a fitting
ending to this lackluster tag team tournament.
Rating: *½
–After the match,
Mankind comes down to the ring to tell the Hart Foundation that they are going
to get killed next week.
Mankind comes down to the ring to tell the Hart Foundation that they are going
to get killed next week.
–McMahon interviews
Austin in the locker room again about his match with Hunter Hearst Helmsley
tonight and Austin says that he isn’t above punching a woman’s lights out. Talk about a shoot comment that wasn’t
intended to be that way.
Austin in the locker room again about his match with Hunter Hearst Helmsley
tonight and Austin says that he isn’t above punching a woman’s lights out. Talk about a shoot comment that wasn’t
intended to be that way.
–“Stone Cold”
Steve Austin defeats Hunter Hearst Helmsley (w/Chyna) with a Stone Cold Stunner
at 6:13 shown:
Steve Austin defeats Hunter Hearst Helmsley (w/Chyna) with a Stone Cold Stunner
at 6:13 shown:
A battle of the last two King of the Ring tournament
winners is what we get here. You can
tell by the tone of McMahon’s voice on commentary that he doesn’t quite
understand Austin’s appeal to the audience.
The crowd is equally divided here and despite being in Canada there are
some pro-Austin elements present. After
both men go back and forth for five minutes, Chyna trips Austin when he runs
the ropes and leaves a chair for Helmsley, but Mankind takes the blow for
Austin and that leads to a Helmsley defeat.
Standard television fare here. Rating:
**¼
winners is what we get here. You can
tell by the tone of McMahon’s voice on commentary that he doesn’t quite
understand Austin’s appeal to the audience.
The crowd is equally divided here and despite being in Canada there are
some pro-Austin elements present. After
both men go back and forth for five minutes, Chyna trips Austin when he runs
the ropes and leaves a chair for Helmsley, but Mankind takes the blow for
Austin and that leads to a Helmsley defeat.
Standard television fare here. Rating:
**¼
–After the match,
Austin tells Mankind to get into the ring and he says Mankind should shake his
hand and that will make them a tag team.
Mankind wants a hug instead and Austin obliges, but then gives him a
Stone Cold Stunner and tells Mankind never to trust anyone and that he won’t
tag with him because he sucks. Mankind
gets on the mic and tells Austin as he leaves that he wanted a friend so
drastic measures will be taken next week that will change the WWF forever.
Austin tells Mankind to get into the ring and he says Mankind should shake his
hand and that will make them a tag team.
Mankind wants a hug instead and Austin obliges, but then gives him a
Stone Cold Stunner and tells Mankind never to trust anyone and that he won’t
tag with him because he sucks. Mankind
gets on the mic and tells Austin as he leaves that he wanted a friend so
drastic measures will be taken next week that will change the WWF forever.
-The next clue for
the SummerSlam One Million Dollar Challenge has Sable in a bubble bath and her in
room 2A.
the SummerSlam One Million Dollar Challenge has Sable in a bubble bath and her in
room 2A.
–Sunny comes out to
do guest ring announcing duties for our next match.
do guest ring announcing duties for our next match.
-Footage of Brian
Christopher beating Scott Putski on last week’s show is played and McMahon says
that Ivan and Scott Putski have issued a challenge to face Christopher and
Lawler on next week’s show and Lawler says that he accepts the challenge.
Christopher beating Scott Putski on last week’s show is played and McMahon says
that Ivan and Scott Putski have issued a challenge to face Christopher and
Lawler on next week’s show and Lawler says that he accepts the challenge.
–“Too Sexy” Brian
Christopher pins Eric Shelley with a Tennessee Jam at 3:51:
Christopher pins Eric Shelley with a Tennessee Jam at 3:51:
Shelley has the attire of an early ‘90s jobber, but he
gets a big pop because he’s announced from Canada. Shelley tries one of the worst pescados I’ve
ever seen and he moves awkwardly in the ring, which probably explains why he
never got a spot on the main roster.
Christopher steamrolls through another light heavyweight opponent here
to build momentum for him before the light heavyweight tournament. Rating: *
gets a big pop because he’s announced from Canada. Shelley tries one of the worst pescados I’ve
ever seen and he moves awkwardly in the ring, which probably explains why he
never got a spot on the main roster.
Christopher steamrolls through another light heavyweight opponent here
to build momentum for him before the light heavyweight tournament. Rating: *
–After the match,
Christopher and Lawler beat up Shelley to serve as an example to the Putskis.
Christopher and Lawler beat up Shelley to serve as an example to the Putskis.
–Jim Ross says that
Shawn Michaels will be on next week’s Raw.
Evidently he won’t be ready to compete in the ring because he would be
Steve Austin’s partner if that was the case.
Shawn Michaels will be on next week’s Raw.
Evidently he won’t be ready to compete in the ring because he would be
Steve Austin’s partner if that was the case.
–Clips of Steve
Austin getting in the face of authority figures are shown to hype the Cause
Stone Cold Said So VHS tape.
Austin getting in the face of authority figures are shown to hype the Cause
Stone Cold Said So VHS tape.
–McMahon interviews
Steve Austin and Austin says that he will say what he wants when he wants to
and nobody is going to stop him. Austin
says if he doesn’t pick a tag team partner WWF President Gorilla Monsoon will
pick one for him, but he says Monsoon can go ahead and pick someone. Austin says if he loses to Owen Hart at
SummerSlam that he will kiss his ass.
This was a great angry and intense promo by Austin.
Steve Austin and Austin says that he will say what he wants when he wants to
and nobody is going to stop him. Austin
says if he doesn’t pick a tag team partner WWF President Gorilla Monsoon will
pick one for him, but he says Monsoon can go ahead and pick someone. Austin says if he loses to Owen Hart at
SummerSlam that he will kiss his ass.
This was a great angry and intense promo by Austin.
–Goldust says that
he will give Bret Hart his final curtain call tonight.
he will give Bret Hart his final curtain call tonight.
–Bret “the Hitman”
Hart beats Goldust by reversing a sunset flip into a pinning combination at
7:25:
Hart beats Goldust by reversing a sunset flip into a pinning combination at
7:25:
Bret wastes no time going after Goldust, who is
floundering without an angle right now, but DOA comes out for a closer
look. This brings the Hart Foundation to
the ring before we go to a commercial break.
A few fans in the front row are messing with the color palette of my TV
as well with some bright pink shirts to show their support for Bret. The Legion of Doom and Ken Shamrock show up
on the ramp, followed by Steve Austin, thereby putting more emphasis on those
outside of the ring than those inside of the ring. Nothing comes of this, though, so what was
the point of having them surround the ring in the first place? Rating: **
floundering without an angle right now, but DOA comes out for a closer
look. This brings the Hart Foundation to
the ring before we go to a commercial break.
A few fans in the front row are messing with the color palette of my TV
as well with some bright pink shirts to show their support for Bret. The Legion of Doom and Ken Shamrock show up
on the ramp, followed by Steve Austin, thereby putting more emphasis on those
outside of the ring than those inside of the ring. Nothing comes of this, though, so what was
the point of having them surround the ring in the first place? Rating: **
The Final Report Card: Depending on what you enjoy watching
determines whether you like this show.
The opening light heavyweight match is good, as can be expected, and
Austin-Helmsley and Bret-Goldust is perfectly acceptable wrestling. There are some parts that are dry like the
tag team tournament final and the other light heavyweight match, but I think
the good elements overwhelm the bad and Austin’s behavior on the show puts it
in the thumbs up category. However, I
think that they were at the point of nearly overexposing Austin a bit as he had
NINE segments on this two hour show.
determines whether you like this show.
The opening light heavyweight match is good, as can be expected, and
Austin-Helmsley and Bret-Goldust is perfectly acceptable wrestling. There are some parts that are dry like the
tag team tournament final and the other light heavyweight match, but I think
the good elements overwhelm the bad and Austin’s behavior on the show puts it
in the thumbs up category. However, I
think that they were at the point of nearly overexposing Austin a bit as he had
NINE segments on this two hour show.
Monday Night War Rating: 2.5 (vs. 3.4 for Nitro)
Show Evaluation: Thumbs Up