by Logan Scisco
–Jim Ross narrates
a video package that recaps the big events on last week’s show.
a video package that recaps the big events on last week’s show.
–Shawn Michaels
tells a camera man to get away from him in the backstage area as we go on the
air.
tells a camera man to get away from him in the backstage area as we go on the
air.
–Vince McMahon,
Jerry “the King” Lawler, and Ross are doing announcing duties tonight and they
are broadcasting from Biloxi, Mississippi.
Jerry “the King” Lawler, and Ross are doing announcing duties tonight and they
are broadcasting from Biloxi, Mississippi.
–Ross interviews
Shawn Michaels, who comes out to a chorus of boos. He still high fives fans, though. Michaels reiterates that he does not care how
the fans feel about him and criticizes McMahon for not telling him that he
would be wrestling Mankind tonight. The
fans work out a “Shawn is gay” chant and Michaels responds by telling them to
ask their mothers and sisters how gay he is.
Michaels alleges that there is a conspiracy in the WWF against him and
he warns Commissioner Sergeant Slaughter not to steal his spotlight. This obviously brings out Slaughter, who says
he is getting into Michaels business, and Michaels mocks him and tells
Slaughter that he has an insurance policy to deal with Mankind and the WWF
officials trying to mess with him tonight.
This opening segment went too long and it closed awkwardly, but it did
continue Michaels momentum as a quasi-heel character.
Shawn Michaels, who comes out to a chorus of boos. He still high fives fans, though. Michaels reiterates that he does not care how
the fans feel about him and criticizes McMahon for not telling him that he
would be wrestling Mankind tonight. The
fans work out a “Shawn is gay” chant and Michaels responds by telling them to
ask their mothers and sisters how gay he is.
Michaels alleges that there is a conspiracy in the WWF against him and
he warns Commissioner Sergeant Slaughter not to steal his spotlight. This obviously brings out Slaughter, who says
he is getting into Michaels business, and Michaels mocks him and tells
Slaughter that he has an insurance policy to deal with Mankind and the WWF
officials trying to mess with him tonight.
This opening segment went too long and it closed awkwardly, but it did
continue Michaels momentum as a quasi-heel character.
–The Biloxi fans
share their thoughts about tonight’s Shawn Michaels-Mankind match. Most fans think Michaels will win.
share their thoughts about tonight’s Shawn Michaels-Mankind match. Most fans think Michaels will win.
–Hawk whips a Raw
is War barrel in the locker room to prepare for tonight’s “country whipping”
match with Henry Godwinn tonight.
is War barrel in the locker room to prepare for tonight’s “country whipping”
match with Henry Godwinn tonight.
–Henry Godwinn
tells the announce team that he can’t wait to whip the skin off of Hawk’s back
tonight.
tells the announce team that he can’t wait to whip the skin off of Hawk’s back
tonight.
–Opening Country
Whipping Contest: Hawk (w/Animal)
defeats Henry Godwinn (w/Phineas Godwinn) at 3:48
Whipping Contest: Hawk (w/Animal)
defeats Henry Godwinn (w/Phineas Godwinn) at 3:48
In this match each competitor has a strap and they can
use it as much as they please and it is no disqualification. The winner is the first man who can send
their opponent out of the ring. The
British Bulldog and Owen Hart are on commentary and they hype the Fatal Four
Way tag team match at Ground Zero, which will be for the tag team championships. This contest starts with some decent
intensity, but quickly dies because of the limitations of the competitors. That said, I do admire both guys for taking
some nasty strap shots to the back. Hawk
modifies his flying clothesline finisher with the strap, but this brings
Phineas into the ring to interfere. Of
course that brings Animal into the ring and he sends the Godwinns out of the
ring by using one of their slop buckets and it ends the contest. They should have just made this a tag match
after going with that ending. Rating:
½*
use it as much as they please and it is no disqualification. The winner is the first man who can send
their opponent out of the ring. The
British Bulldog and Owen Hart are on commentary and they hype the Fatal Four
Way tag team match at Ground Zero, which will be for the tag team championships. This contest starts with some decent
intensity, but quickly dies because of the limitations of the competitors. That said, I do admire both guys for taking
some nasty strap shots to the back. Hawk
modifies his flying clothesline finisher with the strap, but this brings
Phineas into the ring to interfere. Of
course that brings Animal into the ring and he sends the Godwinns out of the
ring by using one of their slop buckets and it ends the contest. They should have just made this a tag match
after going with that ending. Rating:
½*
–Sergeant Slaughter
reminds Brian Pillman that because he lost last week that he will have to wear
a dress this week.
reminds Brian Pillman that because he lost last week that he will have to wear
a dress this week.
–Light Heavyweight
Exhibition: Scott Putski defeats Tony
Williams with a Polish Hammer at 3:28:
Exhibition: Scott Putski defeats Tony
Williams with a Polish Hammer at 3:28:
Before the bout begins, Goldust and Marlena come down to
the ring for commentary and Goldust says that he and Marlena have a big
surprise and they show a hidden camera of Brian Pillman’s locker room in the
split screen. It is basically GTV and
Pillman is shown having difficulty getting into a dress for tonight’s match and
he throws a tantrum. Aside from the
extracurriculars, Putski puts on a good match with Williams, which Ross tries
to bring attention to, and he wins to build some momentum for his Ground Zero
clash with Brian Christopher. Rating:
**
the ring for commentary and Goldust says that he and Marlena have a big
surprise and they show a hidden camera of Brian Pillman’s locker room in the
split screen. It is basically GTV and
Pillman is shown having difficulty getting into a dress for tonight’s match and
he throws a tantrum. Aside from the
extracurriculars, Putski puts on a good match with Williams, which Ross tries
to bring attention to, and he wins to build some momentum for his Ground Zero
clash with Brian Christopher. Rating:
**
–After the match,
Sergeant Slaughter confronts Goldust and tells him and Marlena to head to the
locker room.
Sergeant Slaughter confronts Goldust and tells him and Marlena to head to the
locker room.
–The Undertaker
warns Shawn Michaels that he will be watching his match with Mankind tonight
and that an insurance policy will not help him at Ground Zero unless that is
burial insurance.
warns Shawn Michaels that he will be watching his match with Mankind tonight
and that an insurance policy will not help him at Ground Zero unless that is
burial insurance.
–Brian Pillman is
shown leaving the locker room in his dress, although all we see of him are his
legs.
shown leaving the locker room in his dress, although all we see of him are his
legs.
–Ross hypes an
article in RAW magazine about Goldust’s identity.
article in RAW magazine about Goldust’s identity.
–Flash Funk beats
“The Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman with a small package at 3:15:
“The Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman with a small package at 3:15:
It is somewhat eerie to hear Ross talk about how making
Pillman wear a dress is going to push him over the edge when you know that
Pillman will only be alive for another two months. As Pillman dominates the early action, Ross
hypes the ECW Hardcore Heaven pay-per-view and Sergeant Slaughter appears in
the split screen and says that the Patriot and a mystery partner will face the British
Bulldog and Owen Hart later tonight.
Pillman uses his knees to block a Funk moonsault, a move that always
seems very brutal to take, but when he appears to have the match won, Goldust
and Marlena come out and put Pillman’s locker room footage on the
Titantron. This leads to the predictable
finish and gives Funk his first RAW victory in what seems like ages. The other result is that Pillman has to wear
a dress next week on RAW. Rating:
*
Pillman wear a dress is going to push him over the edge when you know that
Pillman will only be alive for another two months. As Pillman dominates the early action, Ross
hypes the ECW Hardcore Heaven pay-per-view and Sergeant Slaughter appears in
the split screen and says that the Patriot and a mystery partner will face the British
Bulldog and Owen Hart later tonight.
Pillman uses his knees to block a Funk moonsault, a move that always
seems very brutal to take, but when he appears to have the match won, Goldust
and Marlena come out and put Pillman’s locker room footage on the
Titantron. This leads to the predictable
finish and gives Funk his first RAW victory in what seems like ages. The other result is that Pillman has to wear
a dress next week on RAW. Rating:
*
–Some kids are
shown chanting for Dude Love.
shown chanting for Dude Love.
–Call 815-734-1161
to get your VHS copy of SummerSlam 1997.
It will cost you $23.95 (plus shipping & handling)!
to get your VHS copy of SummerSlam 1997.
It will cost you $23.95 (plus shipping & handling)!
–A video package
covers the lingering Steve Austin-Owen Hart feud.
covers the lingering Steve Austin-Owen Hart feud.
–McMahon interviews
Dude Love, who had arguably one of the best themes in the company at the
time. Love says that Austin will soon be
back in action and gives his opinion about the Legion of Doom, the Godwinns,
and Owen Hart and the British Bulldog, who will be in the Fatal Four Way tag
team match at In Your House. Love
predicts that Mankind will triumph over the “would be hippie” Shawn
Michaels. Michaels appears on the
Titantron, calls Love a “nimrod,” which is his new favorite word, and hypes his
insurance policy. After the promo,
Love’s groupies from last week hit the ring and Love dances with them.
Dude Love, who had arguably one of the best themes in the company at the
time. Love says that Austin will soon be
back in action and gives his opinion about the Legion of Doom, the Godwinns,
and Owen Hart and the British Bulldog, who will be in the Fatal Four Way tag
team match at In Your House. Love
predicts that Mankind will triumph over the “would be hippie” Shawn
Michaels. Michaels appears on the
Titantron, calls Love a “nimrod,” which is his new favorite word, and hypes his
insurance policy. After the promo,
Love’s groupies from last week hit the ring and Love dances with them.
–More fans give
their opinion on tonight’s Shawn Michaels-Mankind match. Mankind still does not get a lot of love from
the fans. The winning response is a
blonde that says Michaels will win because he’s a “sexy boy.”
their opinion on tonight’s Shawn Michaels-Mankind match. Mankind still does not get a lot of love from
the fans. The winning response is a
blonde that says Michaels will win because he’s a “sexy boy.”
–The Patriot is
shown talking with his mystery partner, who we cannot see, and he says it is
time for them to kick butt tonight.
shown talking with his mystery partner, who we cannot see, and he says it is
time for them to kick butt tonight.
–The Stridex Triple
Action segment is the Patriot winning a 20 man battle royal on Shotgun Saturday
Night.
Action segment is the Patriot winning a 20 man battle royal on Shotgun Saturday
Night.
–The Patriot &
Ken Shamrock defeat Owen Hart & The British Bulldog when the Patriot pins
the Bulldog after Uncle Sam on a chair at 8:01 shown:
Ken Shamrock defeat Owen Hart & The British Bulldog when the Patriot pins
the Bulldog after Uncle Sam on a chair at 8:01 shown:
After a small battle between the America, Canadian, and
British flags, Ken Shamrock is revealed as the Patriot’s mystery partner and he
gets the loudest pop of all the participants.
One of the stories that they sell in the match is that the British
Bulldog is afraid of tussling with Shamrock.
Bret Hart comes out to watch the match by the entrance as Shamrock is
placed in peril. Shamrock escapes that
predicament with a cross body to both of his opponents. The Patriot hits the Bulldog with the Patriot
Missile, but Owen breaks it up as Bret teases coming down to the ring. When the referee tries to deal with some of
the chaos, Owen tosses a chair into the ring, but the Patriot delivers Uncle
Sam on the Bulldog on it and that gets the duke. An entertaining tag match that is by far the
best match on the show tonight. Rating:
**½
British flags, Ken Shamrock is revealed as the Patriot’s mystery partner and he
gets the loudest pop of all the participants.
One of the stories that they sell in the match is that the British
Bulldog is afraid of tussling with Shamrock.
Bret Hart comes out to watch the match by the entrance as Shamrock is
placed in peril. Shamrock escapes that
predicament with a cross body to both of his opponents. The Patriot hits the Bulldog with the Patriot
Missile, but Owen breaks it up as Bret teases coming down to the ring. When the referee tries to deal with some of
the chaos, Owen tosses a chair into the ring, but the Patriot delivers Uncle
Sam on the Bulldog on it and that gets the duke. An entertaining tag match that is by far the
best match on the show tonight. Rating:
**½
–Call
1-900-737-4WWF to hear about why Ahmed Johnson was kicked out of the Nation of
Domination.
1-900-737-4WWF to hear about why Ahmed Johnson was kicked out of the Nation of
Domination.
–A video package
shows Bret Hart’s return to Toronto as WWF Champion and fans there spew some
pro-Bret and anti-American language.
shows Bret Hart’s return to Toronto as WWF Champion and fans there spew some
pro-Bret and anti-American language.
–Shawn Michaels is
shown talking to his insurance policy, who is standing in a suit
backstage. Any educated wrestling fan
would know who it is by their hair cut, but I’ll save the reveal for later in
the review.
shown talking to his insurance policy, who is standing in a suit
backstage. Any educated wrestling fan
would know who it is by their hair cut, but I’ll save the reveal for later in
the review.
–The Patriot tells
the announce team that he has beaten Bret Hart once before, but before he can
finish his jingoistic promo he is attacked with a chair by Bret.
the announce team that he has beaten Bret Hart once before, but before he can
finish his jingoistic promo he is attacked with a chair by Bret.
–Footage of the Nation
of Domination expelling Ahmed Johnson on last week’s show is played.
of Domination expelling Ahmed Johnson on last week’s show is played.
–Faarooq pins
Chainz after Rocky Maivia gives Chainz a Rock Bottom at 3:03:
Chainz after Rocky Maivia gives Chainz a Rock Bottom at 3:03:
The problem with wrestlers debuting as parts of faction
is that they sometimes lack an independent personality and that is the big
problem with Chainz. It would have been
better for them to bill him as Brian Lee, but I suppose they either wanted a
trademarked name or something that was a cute fit for the Disciples of
Apocalypse. Both men work a surprisingly
brisk pace, but Chainz blows several spots and you can tell that Faarooq
potatoes him after he gets up too early from a spot where Faarooq crashes onto
his back with his rear end. The referee
gets bumped on a collision between both men and Rocky Maivia comes out of the
crowd, revives the referee, and then surprises Chainz with a Rock Bottom,
enabling Faarooq to win. After the
match, Faarooq and Maivia give the crowd the Nation salute. Rating: *¾
is that they sometimes lack an independent personality and that is the big
problem with Chainz. It would have been
better for them to bill him as Brian Lee, but I suppose they either wanted a
trademarked name or something that was a cute fit for the Disciples of
Apocalypse. Both men work a surprisingly
brisk pace, but Chainz blows several spots and you can tell that Faarooq
potatoes him after he gets up too early from a spot where Faarooq crashes onto
his back with his rear end. The referee
gets bumped on a collision between both men and Rocky Maivia comes out of the
crowd, revives the referee, and then surprises Chainz with a Rock Bottom,
enabling Faarooq to win. After the
match, Faarooq and Maivia give the crowd the Nation salute. Rating: *¾
-A cameraman in the
locker room records Maivia talking to members of the Nation of Domination and
the Disciples of Apocalypse trying to break into the Nation of Domination’s
locker room as WWF officials, including Sergeant Slaughter, try to restrain
them.
locker room records Maivia talking to members of the Nation of Domination and
the Disciples of Apocalypse trying to break into the Nation of Domination’s
locker room as WWF officials, including Sergeant Slaughter, try to restrain
them.
–Sable comes out
and gets in the ring, but the Patriot interrupts her small dance and says that
he wants Bret Hart. Bret obliges and the
Patriot attacks him and “builds momentum” (Ross’s words, not mine). It does not take long for the Hart Foundation
to hit the ring, though, and they pummel the Patriot and choke him with the
Canadian flag before WWF officials intervene.
and gets in the ring, but the Patriot interrupts her small dance and says that
he wants Bret Hart. Bret obliges and the
Patriot attacks him and “builds momentum” (Ross’s words, not mine). It does not take long for the Hart Foundation
to hit the ring, though, and they pummel the Patriot and choke him with the
Canadian flag before WWF officials intervene.
–Mankind promises
to really hurt Shawn Michaels tonight.
to really hurt Shawn Michaels tonight.
–Brakus tells us
that he is ready for the World Wrestling Federation.
that he is ready for the World Wrestling Federation.
–“The Heartbreak
Kid” Shawn Michaels defeats Mankind with Sweet Chin Music at 8:41 shown:
Kid” Shawn Michaels defeats Mankind with Sweet Chin Music at 8:41 shown:
For any WWE 13 fans, this is the beginning of the
Attitude Era mode of that game. Mankind
brings a garbage can to the ring, but Michaels nails him with it, puts it on
him, and then delivers a flying double axe handle to it. This crazy battle then spills to the floor, where Mankind hot shots
Michaels onto the guardrail and a young black kid gives Michaels a hug, which
he reciprocates. That’s a true fan right
there. Michaels backdrops Mankind onto
the announce table and follows up with an elbow drop off the apron, but the
table fails to break. Michaels goes for
Sweet Chin Music, but Mankind counters with the Mandible Claw, so Michaels
counters THAT by falling to the floor and smashing the back of Mankind’s head
into the ring post several times. He
then gives Mankind a side suplex onto the announce table and it STILL won’t
break. Neither guy is probably happy
about that because those table bumps have not been cushioned at all. Before the commercial break, Hunter Hearst
Helmsley and Chyna wander out and when we return from break, Michaels has taken
Mankind’s mask off and is pounding him with it.
When Mankind begins seizing the advantage, Rick Rude, the man in the
suit Michaels was talking to backstage, wanders out and Chyna distracts the
referee as Helmsley trips Mankind when he runs the ropes and Rude bashes Mankind
with a chair. All of that interference
makes the match academic. It is
impossible to top the classic that these two had at In Your House: Mind Games from 1996, but they put on an
amazing match here that completely saved the show. The physicality displayed was amazing and
both guys came out looking good. It
would not be a stretch to say that this is one of the best RAW matches, if not
the best, of 1997. Rating: ***¾
Attitude Era mode of that game. Mankind
brings a garbage can to the ring, but Michaels nails him with it, puts it on
him, and then delivers a flying double axe handle to it. This crazy battle then spills to the floor, where Mankind hot shots
Michaels onto the guardrail and a young black kid gives Michaels a hug, which
he reciprocates. That’s a true fan right
there. Michaels backdrops Mankind onto
the announce table and follows up with an elbow drop off the apron, but the
table fails to break. Michaels goes for
Sweet Chin Music, but Mankind counters with the Mandible Claw, so Michaels
counters THAT by falling to the floor and smashing the back of Mankind’s head
into the ring post several times. He
then gives Mankind a side suplex onto the announce table and it STILL won’t
break. Neither guy is probably happy
about that because those table bumps have not been cushioned at all. Before the commercial break, Hunter Hearst
Helmsley and Chyna wander out and when we return from break, Michaels has taken
Mankind’s mask off and is pounding him with it.
When Mankind begins seizing the advantage, Rick Rude, the man in the
suit Michaels was talking to backstage, wanders out and Chyna distracts the
referee as Helmsley trips Mankind when he runs the ropes and Rude bashes Mankind
with a chair. All of that interference
makes the match academic. It is
impossible to top the classic that these two had at In Your House: Mind Games from 1996, but they put on an
amazing match here that completely saved the show. The physicality displayed was amazing and
both guys came out looking good. It
would not be a stretch to say that this is one of the best RAW matches, if not
the best, of 1997. Rating: ***¾
–After the match,
the Undertaker comes out, but Paul Bearer appears on the Titantron and warns
the Undertaker that Kane is coming and that he is going to burn in hell. Fire appears near the entrance way and the
show goes off the air.
the Undertaker comes out, but Paul Bearer appears on the Titantron and warns
the Undertaker that Kane is coming and that he is going to burn in hell. Fire appears near the entrance way and the
show goes off the air.
Final Report Card: Hour one was a snoozer, but everyone turned
the switch into the “on” position for hour two and the main event makes the
show an easy “thumbs up.”
Mankind-Michaels is definitely worth checking out as it is something of
a lost RAW classic and because of that match we have the origins of D-Generation
X.
the switch into the “on” position for hour two and the main event makes the
show an easy “thumbs up.”
Mankind-Michaels is definitely worth checking out as it is something of
a lost RAW classic and because of that match we have the origins of D-Generation
X.
Monday Night War Rating: 2.9 (vs. 3.8 for Nitro)
Show Evaluation: Thumbs Up