by Logan Scisco
–A video package replays
the lead-in video for last night’s Breakdown pay-per-view.
the lead-in video for last night’s Breakdown pay-per-view.
–Jim Ross and Jerry
“The King” Lawler are in the booth and they are live from Detroit, Michigan.
“The King” Lawler are in the booth and they are live from Detroit, Michigan.
–Steve Austin’s
music hits, but Vince McMahon, the stooges, and police officers walk out. McMahon has the WWF title (the smoking skull
edition) over his shoulder. McMahon
makes clear that Austin will not get a rematch for the championship like last
time, but he decrees the evening “Stone Cold Steve Austin Night” and jokes how
police are throughout the facility to make him feel welcome. McMahon announces that a new WWF champion
will be crowned tonight, although he makes clear that the champion will get the
non-smoking skull title because that belt is going above his fireplace. The stooges put the smoking skull belt around
McMahon’s waist and McMahon is showered with boos as he mocks Austin by scaling
the corner turnbuckles. This was pretty
hilarious. 1 for 1
music hits, but Vince McMahon, the stooges, and police officers walk out. McMahon has the WWF title (the smoking skull
edition) over his shoulder. McMahon
makes clear that Austin will not get a rematch for the championship like last
time, but he decrees the evening “Stone Cold Steve Austin Night” and jokes how
police are throughout the facility to make him feel welcome. McMahon announces that a new WWF champion
will be crowned tonight, although he makes clear that the champion will get the
non-smoking skull title because that belt is going above his fireplace. The stooges put the smoking skull belt around
McMahon’s waist and McMahon is showered with boos as he mocks Austin by scaling
the corner turnbuckles. This was pretty
hilarious. 1 for 1
–Opening Contest
for the WWF Tag Team Championship: Southern
Justice (w/Jeff Jarrett) beat The New Age Outlaws (Champions) via
disqualification when the Road Dogg blasts Dennis Knight with Jarrett’s guitar
at 3:00:
for the WWF Tag Team Championship: Southern
Justice (w/Jeff Jarrett) beat The New Age Outlaws (Champions) via
disqualification when the Road Dogg blasts Dennis Knight with Jarrett’s guitar
at 3:00:
Ross spends this match putting over Billy Gunn and how he
is shouldering the workload for D-Generation X in light of injuries to Triple H
and X-Pac. Gunn literally does the hot
tag sequence by himself, but when he prepares to give Knight a piledriver, Road
Dogg hits Knight with a guitar for no reason and gets the team
disqualified. After the match, Gunn and
his partner argue and Gunn proceeds to blow off the entire DX crew when they
try to place peacemaker. All hail Gunn’s
upcoming singles push! Rating:
* (1 for 2)
is shouldering the workload for D-Generation X in light of injuries to Triple H
and X-Pac. Gunn literally does the hot
tag sequence by himself, but when he prepares to give Knight a piledriver, Road
Dogg hits Knight with a guitar for no reason and gets the team
disqualified. After the match, Gunn and
his partner argue and Gunn proceeds to blow off the entire DX crew when they
try to place peacemaker. All hail Gunn’s
upcoming singles push! Rating:
* (1 for 2)
–Michael Cole
reports that there is lots of arguing in the DX locker room.
reports that there is lots of arguing in the DX locker room.
–Submission
Match: Owen Hart defeats Dan Severn by
referee stoppage at 2:16:
Match: Owen Hart defeats Dan Severn by
referee stoppage at 2:16:
Severn has not appeared on television since SummerSlam
and is supposedly a face now as he shakes hands with members of the Detroit Red
Wings at ringside. Booking this for RAW
is strange because after SummerSlam, where Severn walked out on Owen, you would
think they could have run a small feud that culminated at either Breakdown or
Judgment Day. Owen escapes a dragon
sleeper and delivers an inverted piledriver, the same move that broke Steve
Austin’s neck at SummerSlam 1997, and that ends the match. Severn then does a stretcher job. On one hand, I can understand the logic of keeping
Severn strong if you are going to have him lose, but this was incredibly
tasteless.
and is supposedly a face now as he shakes hands with members of the Detroit Red
Wings at ringside. Booking this for RAW
is strange because after SummerSlam, where Severn walked out on Owen, you would
think they could have run a small feud that culminated at either Breakdown or
Judgment Day. Owen escapes a dragon
sleeper and delivers an inverted piledriver, the same move that broke Steve
Austin’s neck at SummerSlam 1997, and that ends the match. Severn then does a stretcher job. On one hand, I can understand the logic of keeping
Severn strong if you are going to have him lose, but this was incredibly
tasteless.
–Please buy Stridex
so they can get rid of all these Triple H posters!
so they can get rid of all these Triple H posters!
–Al Snow (w/Head) beats
Vader (w/Commissioner Slaughter) after hitting him with Head at 2:36:
Vader (w/Commissioner Slaughter) after hitting him with Head at 2:36:
Commissioner Slaughter accompanies Vader to the ring
since he hates Al Snow. Seeing Vader as
a jobber for hire in a match like this is sad.
Vader actually dominates the match, but Slaughter accidentally distracts
the official too long and Snow hits Vader with Head to win. Vader actually kicks out at two, but a three
count was registered anyway. On the
bright side, Snow is really over with the Head gimmick.
since he hates Al Snow. Seeing Vader as
a jobber for hire in a match like this is sad.
Vader actually dominates the match, but Slaughter accidentally distracts
the official too long and Snow hits Vader with Head to win. Vader actually kicks out at two, but a three
count was registered anyway. On the
bright side, Snow is really over with the Head gimmick.
–Billy Gunn has
left the building!
left the building!
–The 10-10-321
Rewind Segment is Gangrel telling Edge on Sunday Night Heat that “he will come
home.”
Rewind Segment is Gangrel telling Edge on Sunday Night Heat that “he will come
home.”
–Six Man, Four
Corner Elimination Match for a European Title Shot: D-Lo Brown
beats “Double J” Jeff Jarrett, Edge, “Double J” Jeff Jarrett, Gangrel, “Marvelous”
Marc Mero, and Darren Drozdov at 5:10:
Corner Elimination Match for a European Title Shot: D-Lo Brown
beats “Double J” Jeff Jarrett, Edge, “Double J” Jeff Jarrett, Gangrel, “Marvelous”
Marc Mero, and Darren Drozdov at 5:10:
Order of
Elimination: Edge pins Gangrel with a La
Magistral cradle at 1:05; Jeff Jarrett and Droz are counted out at 3:26; Edge
pins Mero after D-Lo hits Mero with a Lo Down at 4:36; D-Lo pins Edge with a
Sky High at 5:10
Elimination: Edge pins Gangrel with a La
Magistral cradle at 1:05; Jeff Jarrett and Droz are counted out at 3:26; Edge
pins Mero after D-Lo hits Mero with a Lo Down at 4:36; D-Lo pins Edge with a
Sky High at 5:10
Ah, the days when you did not have to beat the champion
on television to earn a title match.
D-Lo is super over here. The
match gets off to a ridiculous start when Edge pins Gangrel in just over a
minute, thereby making their feud a little more pointless and confusing. Since this is 1998, the match goes by way too
quickly with people hitting their signature spots and being eliminated much too
soon. Not as soon as that awful diva’s
Survivor Series-style match last year, but it’s way too quick for my
tastes. Edge seems to have D-Lo on the ropes,
but Gangrel and Christian walk out, distract Edge, and help D-Lo get another
crack at the European championship. Rating:
*½ (1 for 3)
on television to earn a title match.
D-Lo is super over here. The
match gets off to a ridiculous start when Edge pins Gangrel in just over a
minute, thereby making their feud a little more pointless and confusing. Since this is 1998, the match goes by way too
quickly with people hitting their signature spots and being eliminated much too
soon. Not as soon as that awful diva’s
Survivor Series-style match last year, but it’s way too quick for my
tastes. Edge seems to have D-Lo on the ropes,
but Gangrel and Christian walk out, distract Edge, and help D-Lo get another
crack at the European championship. Rating:
*½ (1 for 3)
–In one of the more
memorable segments in RAW history, McMahon comes back out to conduct a ceremony
for awarding the WWF title to Kane or the Undertaker. Steve Austin rushes past security in a Zamboni
and makes a classic dive into the ring to attack McMahon. Austin is eventually arrested by police and
McMahon is forced to temporarily cancel the ceremony. This segment is still amazing sixteen years
later. 2 for 4
memorable segments in RAW history, McMahon comes back out to conduct a ceremony
for awarding the WWF title to Kane or the Undertaker. Steve Austin rushes past security in a Zamboni
and makes a classic dive into the ring to attack McMahon. Austin is eventually arrested by police and
McMahon is forced to temporarily cancel the ceremony. This segment is still amazing sixteen years
later. 2 for 4
–Call 815-734-1161
to get your “Down Where? Down Here!” DX
shirt for $25 (plus $6 shipping & handling)!
to get your “Down Where? Down Here!” DX
shirt for $25 (plus $6 shipping & handling)!
–The ceremony
resumes after the commercial break, but this time there are no police or
stooges, just McMahon, Kane, and the Undertaker. McMahon is furious that Kane and the Undertaker
have allowed Austin to attack him for the third time in less than a week. As a result, he books Kane and the Undertaker
to face each other at Judgment Day for the title with Austin as the guest
referee. The look of “oh really?” that
the Undertaker gives McMahon in this segment is hilarious. For tonight, McMahon books Kane and the
Undertaker to face Ken Shamrock, Mankind, and the Rock in a handicap
match. The crowd pops big for the mere
mention of the Rock’s name. McMahon goes
a step too far in saying that Kane and the Undertaker have physical and mental
handicaps and when he is caught flipping the bird to the Brothers of
Destruction they beat him down and break his ankle with the ring steps (Kane
lays out the stooges for fun). This was
a great way to book McMahon’s commupance after he grew too drunk on his own
power and paid the price. Sometimes when
you play with fire you end up getting burned.
3 for 5
resumes after the commercial break, but this time there are no police or
stooges, just McMahon, Kane, and the Undertaker. McMahon is furious that Kane and the Undertaker
have allowed Austin to attack him for the third time in less than a week. As a result, he books Kane and the Undertaker
to face each other at Judgment Day for the title with Austin as the guest
referee. The look of “oh really?” that
the Undertaker gives McMahon in this segment is hilarious. For tonight, McMahon books Kane and the
Undertaker to face Ken Shamrock, Mankind, and the Rock in a handicap
match. The crowd pops big for the mere
mention of the Rock’s name. McMahon goes
a step too far in saying that Kane and the Undertaker have physical and mental
handicaps and when he is caught flipping the bird to the Brothers of
Destruction they beat him down and break his ankle with the ring steps (Kane
lays out the stooges for fun). This was
a great way to book McMahon’s commupance after he grew too drunk on his own
power and paid the price. Sometimes when
you play with fire you end up getting burned.
3 for 5
–Singles Match with
Chyna as Special Guest Referee: Faarooq
defeats Mark Henry after Chyna hits Henry with a low blow at 1:14:
Chyna as Special Guest Referee: Faarooq
defeats Mark Henry after Chyna hits Henry with a low blow at 1:14:
Part of the reason this match exists is that Mark Henry
beat up Triple H on Sunday Night Heat and prevented a match between the
two. That was not very smart of Henry
since he would have had a great chance of becoming Intercontinental
champion. Chyna predictably costs Henry
the match, but she is served legal papers at the end of the match. She does not appear happy, but we have no
idea why.
beat up Triple H on Sunday Night Heat and prevented a match between the
two. That was not very smart of Henry
since he would have had a great chance of becoming Intercontinental
champion. Chyna predictably costs Henry
the match, but she is served legal papers at the end of the match. She does not appear happy, but we have no
idea why.
–Cole interviews
Ken Shamrock, who turns heel by saying he hates Detroit. He promises payback for his partners and
opponents in the main event.
Ken Shamrock, who turns heel by saying he hates Detroit. He promises payback for his partners and
opponents in the main event.
–A new vignette for
Steven Regal, a “real man’s man,” is shown operating industrial equipment. Who really thought this gimmick belonged in
1998?
Steven Regal, a “real man’s man,” is shown operating industrial equipment. Who really thought this gimmick belonged in
1998?
–The Insane Clown
Posse, who hail from Detroit, do the Oddities theme music live.
Posse, who hail from Detroit, do the Oddities theme music live.
–Kurrgan &
Golga (w/Giant Silva, Luna Vachon & The Insane Clown Posse) beat The
Headbangers when Kurrgan pins Thrasher after a splash at 1:59:
Golga (w/Giant Silva, Luna Vachon & The Insane Clown Posse) beat The
Headbangers when Kurrgan pins Thrasher after a splash at 1:59:
On the previous episode of RAW, the Headbangers turned
heel on the Oddities, so this is the immediate blowoff of that angle. This just sort of happens for a while until
the ICP trip Thrasher as he runs the ropes and that leads to an Oddities
victory. At least it was short.
heel on the Oddities, so this is the immediate blowoff of that angle. This just sort of happens for a while until
the ICP trip Thrasher as he runs the ropes and that leads to an Oddities
victory. At least it was short.
–Cole interviews
the Rock, who gloats about his victory at Breakdown. The Rock’s promos are quickly becoming the
best thing about these shows.
the Rock, who gloats about his victory at Breakdown. The Rock’s promos are quickly becoming the
best thing about these shows.
–A backstage
segment makes it seem that Terri Runnels and Val Venis are having
relations. Is Venis the pioneer of the “Meat”
gimmick?
segment makes it seem that Terri Runnels and Val Venis are having
relations. Is Venis the pioneer of the “Meat”
gimmick?
–European
Championship Match: Val Venis (w/Terri
Runnels) beats X-Pac (Champion) via disqualification when Chyna interferes at
3:12:
Championship Match: Val Venis (w/Terri
Runnels) beats X-Pac (Champion) via disqualification when Chyna interferes at
3:12:
X-Pac is wrestling with one eye due to Jeff Jarrett’s
guitar shot last night at Breakdown.
When Terri nearly costs X-Pac the match, Chyna wanders out to a big pop
and pushes her. When Venis tries to show
off for Chyna, she beats him up with X-Pac’s help. The pop Chyna received her was just
amazing. Rating: ** (4 for 6)
guitar shot last night at Breakdown.
When Terri nearly costs X-Pac the match, Chyna wanders out to a big pop
and pushes her. When Venis tries to show
off for Chyna, she beats him up with X-Pac’s help. The pop Chyna received her was just
amazing. Rating: ** (4 for 6)
–After the match,
Venis and Terri kiss in the ring, but Goldust’s theme begins to play. Dustin Runnels announces that he warned Venis
that “he was coming back.” This angle
just got a million times better.
Venis and Terri kiss in the ring, but Goldust’s theme begins to play. Dustin Runnels announces that he warned Venis
that “he was coming back.” This angle
just got a million times better.
–Cole interviews
Mankind, who reiterates his disdain for the People’s Elbow.
Mankind, who reiterates his disdain for the People’s Elbow.
–Handicap
Match: The Rock, Ken Shamrock &
Mankind beat The Undertaker & Kane when the Rock pins the Undertaker with a
Rock Bottom at 12:52:
Match: The Rock, Ken Shamrock &
Mankind beat The Undertaker & Kane when the Rock pins the Undertaker with a
Rock Bottom at 12:52:
Shamrock, Mankind, and the Rock beat each other up before
their opponents come out, which fits their rivalry and is hilarious at the same
time. Unfortunately, the Undertaker and
Kane’s plodding offense hinder the audience’s ability to stay engaged in the
match. That is definitely not a good
sign for the pay-per-view. Eventually,
the Rock, Mankind, and Shamrock start functioning like a unit and it eventually
leads to the Rock pinning the Undertaker clean in a HUGE upset. The finish was pretty funny as Earl Hebner
panicked and literally screamed at everyone “THIRTY-FIVE SECONDS! LET’S GO!!!” and proceeded to run around the
ring like the end of the world is coming.
Of course, he did the slow three count at the end for no reason too, so
that negates the whole concern about time.
The end was fun, but the middle dragged.
Rating: ** ½ (5 for 7)
their opponents come out, which fits their rivalry and is hilarious at the same
time. Unfortunately, the Undertaker and
Kane’s plodding offense hinder the audience’s ability to stay engaged in the
match. That is definitely not a good
sign for the pay-per-view. Eventually,
the Rock, Mankind, and Shamrock start functioning like a unit and it eventually
leads to the Rock pinning the Undertaker clean in a HUGE upset. The finish was pretty funny as Earl Hebner
panicked and literally screamed at everyone “THIRTY-FIVE SECONDS! LET’S GO!!!” and proceeded to run around the
ring like the end of the world is coming.
Of course, he did the slow three count at the end for no reason too, so
that negates the whole concern about time.
The end was fun, but the middle dragged.
Rating: ** ½ (5 for 7)
The Final Report Card: This was a really entertaining edition of
RAW. I would have preferred the six man
elimination match get more time, but the main event held its own and the
Austin-McMahon segments stole yet another show.
The Judgment Day main event is not very interesting based on existing
storylines, as it is clear that the crowd wants Austin or the Rock is the top
spot, but we will get back to that eventually.
RAW. I would have preferred the six man
elimination match get more time, but the main event held its own and the
Austin-McMahon segments stole yet another show.
The Judgment Day main event is not very interesting based on existing
storylines, as it is clear that the crowd wants Austin or the Rock is the top
spot, but we will get back to that eventually.
Monday Night War Rating: 4.0 (vs. 4.6 for Nitro)
Show Evaluation: Thumbs Up