by Logan Scisco
–Footage of the
Legion of Doom losing that tag team titles on last week’s show to Jesse James
and Billy Gunn is shown. How will the
LOD react to this defeat?
Legion of Doom losing that tag team titles on last week’s show to Jesse James
and Billy Gunn is shown. How will the
LOD react to this defeat?
–Jim Ross and Jim
Cornette are doing commentary and they are in Norfolk, Virginia.
Cornette are doing commentary and they are in Norfolk, Virginia.
–WWF Tag Team
Champions Jesse James & Billy Gunn come out and James tells us that the
Legion of Doom are not in the building.
Gunn says that they are going to wrestle the Headbangers in a non-title
match tonight, but before they can finish their comments the Legion of Doom
charge into the ring in street clothes and no face paint and run off the
champions.
Champions Jesse James & Billy Gunn come out and James tells us that the
Legion of Doom are not in the building.
Gunn says that they are going to wrestle the Headbangers in a non-title
match tonight, but before they can finish their comments the Legion of Doom
charge into the ring in street clothes and no face paint and run off the
champions.
–Flash Funk using
the Tumbleweed to beat Taka Michinoku on Shotgun Saturday Night is the Lazer
Tag Slam of the Week.
the Tumbleweed to beat Taka Michinoku on Shotgun Saturday Night is the Lazer
Tag Slam of the Week.
–Sunny comes out to
be the guest ring announcer for the next match.
be the guest ring announcer for the next match.
–Opening Light
Heavyweight Championship Tournament Semi-Final Contest: Taka Michinoku beats Aguila with the
Michinoku Driver at 4:19:
Heavyweight Championship Tournament Semi-Final Contest: Taka Michinoku beats Aguila with the
Michinoku Driver at 4:19:
This match mixes in a little bit of mat wrestling with
the high spots. Aguila nearly advances
after wrapping up Michinoku in a La Magistral cradle after Michinoku misses a
moonsault, but Michinoku rallies from that point and wins. Can Michinoku win with anything other than a
Michinoku Driver? Rating: **
the high spots. Aguila nearly advances
after wrapping up Michinoku in a La Magistral cradle after Michinoku misses a
moonsault, but Michinoku rallies from that point and wins. Can Michinoku win with anything other than a
Michinoku Driver? Rating: **
–Jerry Lawler
interviews Goldust and Luna Vachon. Luna
does the talking, as Goldust crawls around in dominatrix gear and is attached
on a chain. Luna announces that Goldust
should be known as “The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust” and warns Vader that
pain is coming. She and Goldust make out
on the canvas to end a very creepy segment.
interviews Goldust and Luna Vachon. Luna
does the talking, as Goldust crawls around in dominatrix gear and is attached
on a chain. Luna announces that Goldust
should be known as “The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust” and warns Vader that
pain is coming. She and Goldust make out
on the canvas to end a very creepy segment.
–In a semi-match of
the Karate Fighters Holiday Tournament, Jerry Lawler defeats Tito Santana,
dressed in his El Matador gear. Lawler
will face Sunny in the finals.
the Karate Fighters Holiday Tournament, Jerry Lawler defeats Tito Santana,
dressed in his El Matador gear. Lawler
will face Sunny in the finals.
–Four Corner
Elimination Match: D-Lo Brown (w/The
Nation of Domination) wrestles Miguel Perez (w/Los Boricuas), Chainz
(w/The Disciples of Apocalypse) & Recon (w/The Truth Commission) to a no contest
at 3:45:
Elimination Match: D-Lo Brown (w/The
Nation of Domination) wrestles Miguel Perez (w/Los Boricuas), Chainz
(w/The Disciples of Apocalypse) & Recon (w/The Truth Commission) to a no contest
at 3:45:
Other Eliminations: Chainz pins Recon after a Death Valley driver
at 2:05; Miguel pins D-Lo after blocking a monkey flip at 3:13
at 2:05; Miguel pins D-Lo after blocking a monkey flip at 3:13
As I pointed out in last week’s review, Crush is no
longer in the company, so he won’t be with the Disciples of Apocalypse
anymore. This is clearly a bit of Vince
Russo booking since he is putting the spotlight on some of the younger stars of
some of these groups like Recon and D-Lo.
Of course, with all of the different factions at ringside it is only a
matter of time before everyone starts fighting each other and that’s exactly
what happens when the match gets down to Chainz and Perez. So much for this match amounting to anything
for anybody. Rating: ½*
longer in the company, so he won’t be with the Disciples of Apocalypse
anymore. This is clearly a bit of Vince
Russo booking since he is putting the spotlight on some of the younger stars of
some of these groups like Recon and D-Lo.
Of course, with all of the different factions at ringside it is only a
matter of time before everyone starts fighting each other and that’s exactly
what happens when the match gets down to Chainz and Perez. So much for this match amounting to anything
for anybody. Rating: ½*
–D-Generation X
comes out and WWF & European Champion Shawn Michaels is in a wheelchair. They run down Jim Neidhart some more and
Triple H tells Sergeant Slaughter that he’s going to put him away for good at
In Your House. Michaels says that he is
in a wheelchair because Chyna has been putting him through some intensive leg
exercises so that he can increase his pain tolerance and be prepared to face
Ken Shamrock at In Your House. Michaels
tells Triple H to test his pain tolerance and in a slightly funny bit, Michaels
boot twists a full 360 degrees and he feigns that he is in pain.
comes out and WWF & European Champion Shawn Michaels is in a wheelchair. They run down Jim Neidhart some more and
Triple H tells Sergeant Slaughter that he’s going to put him away for good at
In Your House. Michaels says that he is
in a wheelchair because Chyna has been putting him through some intensive leg
exercises so that he can increase his pain tolerance and be prepared to face
Ken Shamrock at In Your House. Michaels
tells Triple H to test his pain tolerance and in a slightly funny bit, Michaels
boot twists a full 360 degrees and he feigns that he is in pain.
–Call
1-900-747-4WWF to find out which WWF superstar has threatened to quit the
company!
1-900-747-4WWF to find out which WWF superstar has threatened to quit the
company!
–Footage of the
Montreal screwjob is shown to fans who didn’t buy the pay-per-view.
Montreal screwjob is shown to fans who didn’t buy the pay-per-view.
–A video package
breaks down the Steve Austin-Rock feud over the Intercontinental title.
breaks down the Steve Austin-Rock feud over the Intercontinental title.
–In the second
hour, Jerry Lawler replaces Jim Cornette on commentary.
hour, Jerry Lawler replaces Jim Cornette on commentary.
–The Rock (w/The
Nation of Domination) beats Vader via count out at 5:07:
Nation of Domination) beats Vader via count out at 5:07:
In funny fan moment, a nerdy white kid is shown giving
the Nation salute as the Rock makes his entrance. At the beginning of the match, Steve Austin
drives into the arena in his Austin 3:16 truck and decides to watch the match
from the hood with some beers. As with
most of these segments, it’s tough to focus on the match since the camera keeps
panning back to Austin, but what we do see is pretty good. Goldust comes out and beats on Vader behind
the referee’s back and that incenses Vader, who chases after him and loses the
match. Rating: **
the Nation salute as the Rock makes his entrance. At the beginning of the match, Steve Austin
drives into the arena in his Austin 3:16 truck and decides to watch the match
from the hood with some beers. As with
most of these segments, it’s tough to focus on the match since the camera keeps
panning back to Austin, but what we do see is pretty good. Goldust comes out and beats on Vader behind
the referee’s back and that incenses Vader, who chases after him and loses the
match. Rating: **
–A Ken Shamrock
video package is shown.
video package is shown.
–Our next booked
match is the second light heavyweight championship tournament semi-final
between Scott Taylor and Brian Christopher, but after Taylor’s entrance Kane
comes out and decimates him. Paul Bearer
repeats the fact that Kane will keep destroying people until the Undertaker
agrees to fight him. Since Taylor is in
condition to compete, Christopher advances to the finals of the
tournament. Surprise!
match is the second light heavyweight championship tournament semi-final
between Scott Taylor and Brian Christopher, but after Taylor’s entrance Kane
comes out and decimates him. Paul Bearer
repeats the fact that Kane will keep destroying people until the Undertaker
agrees to fight him. Since Taylor is in
condition to compete, Christopher advances to the finals of the
tournament. Surprise!
–Jeff Jarrett comes
out and refuses to fight Ahmed Johnson tonight because Ahmed is not on his
level. Commissioner Slaughter comes out
and books Jarrett to face the Undertaker at In Your House. Jarrett isn’t too happy about that.
out and refuses to fight Ahmed Johnson tonight because Ahmed is not on his
level. Commissioner Slaughter comes out
and books Jarrett to face the Undertaker at In Your House. Jarrett isn’t too happy about that.
–A video package
hypes the Sergeant Slaughter-Triple H match at In Your House.
hypes the Sergeant Slaughter-Triple H match at In Your House.
–Non-Title
Match: “The Road Dogg” Jesse James &
“Bad Ass” Billy Gunn (WWF Tag Team Champions) beat The Headbangers by
disqualification when the Legion of Doom interfere at 2:45:
Match: “The Road Dogg” Jesse James &
“Bad Ass” Billy Gunn (WWF Tag Team Champions) beat The Headbangers by
disqualification when the Legion of Doom interfere at 2:45:
Just an abbreviated tag tea match here and when the
Headbangers begin the hot tag comeback, the LOD make their predictable run-in and
cost them the match. James and Gunn run
to the locker room and peel out of the arena in a car, while the Headbangers
and LOD argue in the ring.
Headbangers begin the hot tag comeback, the LOD make their predictable run-in and
cost them the match. James and Gunn run
to the locker room and peel out of the arena in a car, while the Headbangers
and LOD argue in the ring.
–A video package
recaps D-Generation X’s beat down on Jim Neidhart last week.
recaps D-Generation X’s beat down on Jim Neidhart last week.
–Jim Cornette
interviews Marc Mero and Sable and Cornette tells Mero that “people” are saying
that Sable is the true star of their team.
Mero tells Sable that she is nothing without him and he does an exhibition by punching hand mitts that have Butterbean’s face in them. One of them flies off during the exhibition,
so Mero gets mad at Sable, says she abandoned him during his knee injury, and
she’s worthless. Best segment of the
show and it really made you want Butterbean to beat Mero within an inch of his
life at In Your House.
interviews Marc Mero and Sable and Cornette tells Mero that “people” are saying
that Sable is the true star of their team.
Mero tells Sable that she is nothing without him and he does an exhibition by punching hand mitts that have Butterbean’s face in them. One of them flies off during the exhibition,
so Mero gets mad at Sable, says she abandoned him during his knee injury, and
she’s worthless. Best segment of the
show and it really made you want Butterbean to beat Mero within an inch of his
life at In Your House.
–Call 815-734-1161
to get your commemorative box set of all of the WrestleMania’s on VHS. It’ll cost you $79.99 (plus $11 shipping
& handling). That’s not a bad deal.
to get your commemorative box set of all of the WrestleMania’s on VHS. It’ll cost you $79.99 (plus $11 shipping
& handling). That’s not a bad deal.
–The Montreal
Screwjob is shown again and Lawler insists that Bret Hart submitted and the
referee made a legitimate judgment call in ending the match. This makes the implicit argument that Bret is
a sore loser.
Screwjob is shown again and Lawler insists that Bret Hart submitted and the
referee made a legitimate judgment call in ending the match. This makes the implicit argument that Bret is
a sore loser.
–Triple H
(w/D-Generation X) pins Jim “the Anvil” Neidhart after hitting him in the back
with a steel chair at 2:31:
(w/D-Generation X) pins Jim “the Anvil” Neidhart after hitting him in the back
with a steel chair at 2:31:
Ross keeps referring to Neidhart as “the Rhino” during
the match because evidently Neidhart’s nickname in the locker room is “the
White Rhino.” Neidhart dominates
Helmsley throughout the match with power moves, but Shawn Michaels distracts
him on the apron and Helmsley uses a chair that Chyna tosses to him to win the
match.
the match because evidently Neidhart’s nickname in the locker room is “the
White Rhino.” Neidhart dominates
Helmsley throughout the match with power moves, but Shawn Michaels distracts
him on the apron and Helmsley uses a chair that Chyna tosses to him to win the
match.
–After the match,
Neidhart gets Pedigreed on a chair and Michaels spray paints “WCW” on his
back. They handcuff him to the top rope
and Sergeant Slaughter and Ken Shamrock run out and as Neidhart
holds Chyna back, Shamrock puts Michaels in the ankle lock and Slaughter puts
Triple H in the Cobra Clutch as we go off the air. A nice closing segment that finally gave DX
some comeuppance for their actions during the last month and redeems at least
some of the show.
Neidhart gets Pedigreed on a chair and Michaels spray paints “WCW” on his
back. They handcuff him to the top rope
and Sergeant Slaughter and Ken Shamrock run out and as Neidhart
holds Chyna back, Shamrock puts Michaels in the ankle lock and Slaughter puts
Triple H in the Cobra Clutch as we go off the air. A nice closing segment that finally gave DX
some comeuppance for their actions during the last month and redeems at least
some of the show.
The Final Report Card: I wouldn’t say that this was a great “go
home” show, since Shamrock didn’t get any comments heading into his first (and
only) main event WWF title match and I don’t think adding Undertaker-Jeff
Jarrett is going to increase the buys of the pay-per-view. Still, despite some of the bad segments, like
the Four Corner Match, there were some pretty good segments like the Mero-Sable
interaction, Rock-Vader, and Taka-Aguila to at least balance it out. What is surprising is that this show scored a
3.0 rating despite running a Triple H-Neidhart main event, which shows how
invested fans were becoming in the WWF product.
home” show, since Shamrock didn’t get any comments heading into his first (and
only) main event WWF title match and I don’t think adding Undertaker-Jeff
Jarrett is going to increase the buys of the pay-per-view. Still, despite some of the bad segments, like
the Four Corner Match, there were some pretty good segments like the Mero-Sable
interaction, Rock-Vader, and Taka-Aguila to at least balance it out. What is surprising is that this show scored a
3.0 rating despite running a Triple H-Neidhart main event, which shows how
invested fans were becoming in the WWF product.
Monday Night War Rating: 3.0 (vs. 3.8 for Nitro)
Show Evaluation: Neutral