–A video package
recaps last week’s show where Shane McMahon assumed temporary control and was summarily
destroyed by Mankind. Kane also went “corporate”
for the first time in his career by attacking D-Generation X to end the show.
recaps last week’s show where Shane McMahon assumed temporary control and was summarily
destroyed by Mankind. Kane also went “corporate”
for the first time in his career by attacking D-Generation X to end the show.
–Michael Cole and
Jerry “The King” Lawler are tonight’s commentary team and they are live from
Albany, New York. Cole is still calling
the show “the best action adventure series on television.”
Jerry “The King” Lawler are tonight’s commentary team and they are live from
Albany, New York. Cole is still calling
the show “the best action adventure series on television.”
–Vince McMahon
tells Shane McMahon that everyone that attacked him last week will pay. He pledges to humiliate and fire Commissioner
Shawn Michaels when he shows up at the arena.
The Corporation then invades the arena’s boiler room en masse looking
for Mankind. Mankind eventually launches
a sneak attack, but cannot fight off a boatload of guys on his own. Vince tells Mankind that he will get a
Hardcore title shot later in the evening as a belated Christmas gift, although
this will require some rebooking because Hardcore Champion The Road Dogg is
booked to face Val Venis in the opener.
The booking is doing a good job making Kane a sympathetic figure as the
stooges keep yelling at him.
tells Shane McMahon that everyone that attacked him last week will pay. He pledges to humiliate and fire Commissioner
Shawn Michaels when he shows up at the arena.
The Corporation then invades the arena’s boiler room en masse looking
for Mankind. Mankind eventually launches
a sneak attack, but cannot fight off a boatload of guys on his own. Vince tells Mankind that he will get a
Hardcore title shot later in the evening as a belated Christmas gift, although
this will require some rebooking because Hardcore Champion The Road Dogg is
booked to face Val Venis in the opener.
The booking is doing a good job making Kane a sympathetic figure as the
stooges keep yelling at him.
–Opening Contest
for the Hardcore Championship: The Road
Dogg (Champion) and Val Venis wrestle to a no contest at 1:50:
for the Hardcore Championship: The Road
Dogg (Champion) and Val Venis wrestle to a no contest at 1:50:
Based on the previous segment, it is no surprise that the
Corporation walks out to ringside less than two minutes into this bout. Test attacks Venis as referee Earl Hebner
calls for the bell, not quite understanding the rules of a Hardcore title bout,
and D-Generation X comes out to protect Road Dogg.
Corporation walks out to ringside less than two minutes into this bout. Test attacks Venis as referee Earl Hebner
calls for the bell, not quite understanding the rules of a Hardcore title bout,
and D-Generation X comes out to protect Road Dogg.
–Vince McMahon
informs the Road Dogg that he will defend his title against Mankind and says
that Commissioner Shawn Michaels will be fired for not helping Shane last
week. This is a nice crazy Vince promo
as he goes nuts about his desire to fire Michaels, which he says he would love
to do to every member of the audience.
informs the Road Dogg that he will defend his title against Mankind and says
that Commissioner Shawn Michaels will be fired for not helping Shane last
week. This is a nice crazy Vince promo
as he goes nuts about his desire to fire Michaels, which he says he would love
to do to every member of the audience.
–Al Snow is still
freaking out over last week’s bloodbath at the hands of the Brood, but it is
unclear whether he received another bloodbath or has not changed out of the
clothes he had on last week.
freaking out over last week’s bloodbath at the hands of the Brood, but it is
unclear whether he received another bloodbath or has not changed out of the
clothes he had on last week.
–Vince talks with
Kane as the stooges make fun of Kane behind his back. Vince assigns Kane the task of going after an
unspecified member of D-Generation X.
Kane as the stooges make fun of Kane behind his back. Vince assigns Kane the task of going after an
unspecified member of D-Generation X.
–Edge beats Al
Snow (w/Head) via disqualification when Snow hits Edge with Head at 2:49:
Snow (w/Head) via disqualification when Snow hits Edge with Head at 2:49:
Edge uses his original entrance theme and does not have
the Brood here, which does not fit within existing storylines, especially if
Snow is angry over last week’s bloodbath.
The Head is different for this bout as it is shaved and also has blood
on it. Snow squashes Edge here, hitting
him with a million headbutts and destroying him with Head until the Brood and
JOB Squad run out. For all intents and
purposes, Edge should be carted out of here on a stretcher, but he merely walks
out as if nothing happened and smiles at the JOB Squad. For his part, Snow escapes through the
audience for some reason.
the Brood here, which does not fit within existing storylines, especially if
Snow is angry over last week’s bloodbath.
The Head is different for this bout as it is shaved and also has blood
on it. Snow squashes Edge here, hitting
him with a million headbutts and destroying him with Head until the Brood and
JOB Squad run out. For all intents and
purposes, Edge should be carted out of here on a stretcher, but he merely walks
out as if nothing happened and smiles at the JOB Squad. For his part, Snow escapes through the
audience for some reason.
–Sable warms up
backstage for her Women’s title defense tonight.
backstage for her Women’s title defense tonight.
–Sable winning the
Women’s title from Jacqueline at Survivor Series is the Glover Slam of the Week.
Women’s title from Jacqueline at Survivor Series is the Glover Slam of the Week.
–Dennis Knight,
formerly of Southern Justice, is shown talking with X-Pac backstage.
formerly of Southern Justice, is shown talking with X-Pac backstage.
–The next match is
supposed to be Sable defending the WWF Women’s title. Before it gets started, the yet-to-be-named
Tori gets into the ring and presents Sable with a white rose before being
carted off by security. Sable is booked
to face Spider Lady, who attacks her from behind and whips her with a
belt. The Oddities, who now have George “the
Animal” Steele with them, rush the ring and Spider Lady unmasks to reveal Luna
Vachon. What you thought the Fabulous
Moolah was trying to “shoot” her way to another title? Luna screams that it is her time and she
needs to get more respect, while Cole is just outraged that Luna would do such
a thing to a loving, compassionate creature like Sable. When we return from the commercial break, the
Oddities tend to Sable’s injuries backstage.
supposed to be Sable defending the WWF Women’s title. Before it gets started, the yet-to-be-named
Tori gets into the ring and presents Sable with a white rose before being
carted off by security. Sable is booked
to face Spider Lady, who attacks her from behind and whips her with a
belt. The Oddities, who now have George “the
Animal” Steele with them, rush the ring and Spider Lady unmasks to reveal Luna
Vachon. What you thought the Fabulous
Moolah was trying to “shoot” her way to another title? Luna screams that it is her time and she
needs to get more respect, while Cole is just outraged that Luna would do such
a thing to a loving, compassionate creature like Sable. When we return from the commercial break, the
Oddities tend to Sable’s injuries backstage.
–European
Championship Match: X-Pac (Champion) wrestles
The Big Bossman to a double disqualification at 5:13:
Championship Match: X-Pac (Champion) wrestles
The Big Bossman to a double disqualification at 5:13:
The previous night on Sunday Night Heat, Kane defeated
X-Pac in a non-title match and this match is the continuation of his punishment
for doing the Bronco Buster to Shane McMahon on last week’s show. X-Pac is really over here, especially when he
makes his comeback, and Test tries to run interference, but in a nice piece of
continuity Val Venis makes the save. We
are still without a clean finish tonight, but the crowd still loved this. Rating: *¾
X-Pac in a non-title match and this match is the continuation of his punishment
for doing the Bronco Buster to Shane McMahon on last week’s show. X-Pac is really over here, especially when he
makes his comeback, and Test tries to run interference, but in a nice piece of
continuity Val Venis makes the save. We
are still without a clean finish tonight, but the crowd still loved this. Rating: *¾
–We get our first
training vignette for Vince in the Royal Rumble. These were some of the funniest vignettes of
the Attitude Era as Shane functioned as a merciless trainer and Vince
complained the whole way about doing sit ups with weights and drinking egg
yokes. Vince’s cries of “I HATE AUSTIN!”
were also great as he got into his workouts.
training vignette for Vince in the Royal Rumble. These were some of the funniest vignettes of
the Attitude Era as Shane functioned as a merciless trainer and Vince
complained the whole way about doing sit ups with weights and drinking egg
yokes. Vince’s cries of “I HATE AUSTIN!”
were also great as he got into his workouts.
–Goldust &
Steve Blackman defeats “Double J” Jeff Jarrett & Owen Hart (w/Debra) when
Blackman schoolboys Owen at 3:17:
Steve Blackman defeats “Double J” Jeff Jarrett & Owen Hart (w/Debra) when
Blackman schoolboys Owen at 3:17:
The announcers will just not let the “Shawn Michaels is
going to be fired!” story go, talking about it on an average of once per
minute. The WWF is no longer using Debra’s
full name, just calling her “Debra” because the WWE has never cared for its
female stars to have first and last names.
This may also be due to the fact that Debra divorced Steve McMichael in
October and the WWF finally got with the times.
Owen locks Blackman in the Sharpshooter when Dan Severn randomly walks
out in a neck brace and confronts him.
After about forty seconds of that, Blackman and Goldust win via the WWF trademarked
distraction rollup. What is funny is
that after the match, Severn just calmly walks up the ramp with the heels no more
than ten yards behind him. Way to sell
that angle! Rating: *
going to be fired!” story go, talking about it on an average of once per
minute. The WWF is no longer using Debra’s
full name, just calling her “Debra” because the WWE has never cared for its
female stars to have first and last names.
This may also be due to the fact that Debra divorced Steve McMichael in
October and the WWF finally got with the times.
Owen locks Blackman in the Sharpshooter when Dan Severn randomly walks
out in a neck brace and confronts him.
After about forty seconds of that, Blackman and Goldust win via the WWF trademarked
distraction rollup. What is funny is
that after the match, Severn just calmly walks up the ramp with the heels no more
than ten yards behind him. Way to sell
that angle! Rating: *
–Triple H and Chyna
are really focused as they make their way to the Gorilla position.
are really focused as they make their way to the Gorilla position.
–The Acolytes beat
up Dennis Knight in the parking lot, toss him into the trunk of their car, and
drive away.
up Dennis Knight in the parking lot, toss him into the trunk of their car, and
drive away.
–Intercontinental
Championship Match: Triple H (w/The New
Age Outlaws & Chyna) beats Ken Shamrock (Champion w/Test & The Big
Bossman) by disqualification when Shamrock refuses to release the anklelock at 6:26:
Championship Match: Triple H (w/The New
Age Outlaws & Chyna) beats Ken Shamrock (Champion w/Test & The Big
Bossman) by disqualification when Shamrock refuses to release the anklelock at 6:26:
Instead of booking Billy Gunn to face Shamrock, they
really should have slotted Triple H into that position since you already had
the built-in story of how Triple H never lost the Intercontinental title and
was trying to get back what was rightfully his.
This match is noticeable for me because Triple H pulls out the old N64
move of blasting Test with a baseball slide when Test gets too close to the
apron. The company is really hurting
Shamrock’s finish as all the top stars keep getting to the ropes to escape it,
but his decision not to break the hold here fits within the existing
story. A good match, although Triple H
could have sold the knee better during the closing sequence. Rating: **½
really should have slotted Triple H into that position since you already had
the built-in story of how Triple H never lost the Intercontinental title and
was trying to get back what was rightfully his.
This match is noticeable for me because Triple H pulls out the old N64
move of blasting Test with a baseball slide when Test gets too close to the
apron. The company is really hurting
Shamrock’s finish as all the top stars keep getting to the ropes to escape it,
but his decision not to break the hold here fits within the existing
story. A good match, although Triple H
could have sold the knee better during the closing sequence. Rating: **½
–After the bell,
the Corporation and D-Generation X brawl, with the Corporation winning after
Kane reluctantly gets into the ring.
the Corporation and D-Generation X brawl, with the Corporation winning after
Kane reluctantly gets into the ring.
–Billy Gunn
temporarily winning the Intercontinental title from Ken Shamrock is the
10-10-220 Rewind segment.
temporarily winning the Intercontinental title from Ken Shamrock is the
10-10-220 Rewind segment.
–Kevin Kelly
interviews Gunn, but before Gunn can say much of note, Shamrock crashes the
segment. None of this goes anywhere.
interviews Gunn, but before Gunn can say much of note, Shamrock crashes the
segment. None of this goes anywhere.
–Mark Henry and
D-Lo Brown walk out and Henry apologizes to Chyna for fooling around with PMS
last week. PMS come out, with Henry hilariously
hiding behind D-Lo, who calls PMS “ring rats.”
Chyna then makes an entrance and sticks up for Henry, telling PMS to “stay
away from her man.” Jacqueline makes the
mistake of not heeding Chyna’s advice and gets shoved to the canvas as Henry
jumps for joy. This was great too because
Terri immediately fled from Chyna, possibly remembering getting choked out and
being flung around like a ragdoll in the winter of 1997. If you follow all of the shows through 1998,
this segment works really well. I marked
out for it.
D-Lo Brown walk out and Henry apologizes to Chyna for fooling around with PMS
last week. PMS come out, with Henry hilariously
hiding behind D-Lo, who calls PMS “ring rats.”
Chyna then makes an entrance and sticks up for Henry, telling PMS to “stay
away from her man.” Jacqueline makes the
mistake of not heeding Chyna’s advice and gets shoved to the canvas as Henry
jumps for joy. This was great too because
Terri immediately fled from Chyna, possibly remembering getting choked out and
being flung around like a ragdoll in the winter of 1997. If you follow all of the shows through 1998,
this segment works really well. I marked
out for it.
–The Corporation
has another meeting backstage and when we get back they are going through the
locker room looking for someone.
has another meeting backstage and when we get back they are going through the
locker room looking for someone.
–We get a video package
that recaps 1998. The problem with the
video is that they do not put things in chronological order so we just bounce
around to different segments and matches.
that recaps 1998. The problem with the
video is that they do not put things in chronological order so we just bounce
around to different segments and matches.
–The Corporation attacks
the Godfather backstage, who was booked to face Billy Gunn in the next match.
the Godfather backstage, who was booked to face Billy Gunn in the next match.
–Kane (w/Shane
McMahon, Pat Patterson & Gerald Brisco) defeats Billy Gunn by disqualification
when X-Pac interferes at 3:54:
McMahon, Pat Patterson & Gerald Brisco) defeats Billy Gunn by disqualification
when X-Pac interferes at 3:54:
With the Godfather on the shelf, Kane is inserted into
his place by Shane McMahon. Ken Shamrock
attacks Gunn from behind minutes into the match and applies the ankle
lock. Kane chokeslams Billy and appears
headed for a win, but the stooges have him repeat the chokeslam two more
times. Before Kane can hit the move a
third time, D-Generation X runs in to make the save. Rating: *
his place by Shane McMahon. Ken Shamrock
attacks Gunn from behind minutes into the match and applies the ankle
lock. Kane chokeslams Billy and appears
headed for a win, but the stooges have him repeat the chokeslam two more
times. Before Kane can hit the move a
third time, D-Generation X runs in to make the save. Rating: *
–WWF Champion The
Rock walks out to do guest commentary for the main event.
Rock walks out to do guest commentary for the main event.
–Commissioner Shawn
Michaels is shown arriving to the arena, which is humorous because the show is
nearly over.
Michaels is shown arriving to the arena, which is humorous because the show is
nearly over.
–Hardcore
Championship Match: The Road Dogg
(Champion) pins Mankind after the Rock this Mankind with a Rock Bottom at 9:08
shown:
Championship Match: The Road Dogg
(Champion) pins Mankind after the Rock this Mankind with a Rock Bottom at 9:08
shown:
The match starts during the commercial break so we join
it in progress. The Rock’s commentary
brings this match up a notch as he puts himself over, but also puts over the
talent of both competitors. There are
weapons used here, but at least they are used creatively with Mankind leg
dropping a chair onto Road Dogg’s face and Road Dogg using the chair for a side
Russian leg sweep. One spot that makes
no sense here is that Road Dogg breaks up a pin by getting his feet on the
ropes as you would figure rope breaks should not apply in a match where the
rules are suspended. Mankind appears headed
for a win after he elbow drops the Road Dogg through a table in the crowd, but
the Rock leaves the booth and interferes to put the Road Dogg over. Fans are so crazy over the Rock that four or
five security guards have to push back the sea of humanity that surrounds the
bout to get the Rock back to the locker room.
The Road Dogg was arguably the best Hardcore champion in WWF history,
putting on lots of entertaining title defenses before the garbage came to
overwhelm the actual wrestling. In a
nice touch, Road Dogg sees the way that he won the match and hates the fact
that he needed interference to retain the title. Rating: ***¼
it in progress. The Rock’s commentary
brings this match up a notch as he puts himself over, but also puts over the
talent of both competitors. There are
weapons used here, but at least they are used creatively with Mankind leg
dropping a chair onto Road Dogg’s face and Road Dogg using the chair for a side
Russian leg sweep. One spot that makes
no sense here is that Road Dogg breaks up a pin by getting his feet on the
ropes as you would figure rope breaks should not apply in a match where the
rules are suspended. Mankind appears headed
for a win after he elbow drops the Road Dogg through a table in the crowd, but
the Rock leaves the booth and interferes to put the Road Dogg over. Fans are so crazy over the Rock that four or
five security guards have to push back the sea of humanity that surrounds the
bout to get the Rock back to the locker room.
The Road Dogg was arguably the best Hardcore champion in WWF history,
putting on lots of entertaining title defenses before the garbage came to
overwhelm the actual wrestling. In a
nice touch, Road Dogg sees the way that he won the match and hates the fact
that he needed interference to retain the title. Rating: ***¼
–Vince McMahon
comes to the ring and calls out Shawn Michaels.
Vince recounts how he was the reason for Michaels success and shows
footage from March where Michaels said that he did not need Vince as much as
Vince needed him. Vince then proceeds to
fire Michaels and parts by saying that he does not laying down for anyone. This, predictably, ends with Michaels
delivering Sweet Chin Music and simulating a lewd act on Vince before the
Corporation runs out.
comes to the ring and calls out Shawn Michaels.
Vince recounts how he was the reason for Michaels success and shows
footage from March where Michaels said that he did not need Vince as much as
Vince needed him. Vince then proceeds to
fire Michaels and parts by saying that he does not laying down for anyone. This, predictably, ends with Michaels
delivering Sweet Chin Music and simulating a lewd act on Vince before the
Corporation runs out.
The Final Report Card: Quite the entertaining RAW to close out 1998. The main event was one of the better hardcore
matches in the company’s history and the closing segment and the Chyna-Mark
Henry-PMS segment stole the show. It is
a testament to how good the roster was built during this time that Steve Austin’s
absence is hardly missed. However, if you
look at the ratings, WCW has been gradually narrowing the Monday Night War gap
with RAW since Austin disappeared after Rock Bottom.
matches in the company’s history and the closing segment and the Chyna-Mark
Henry-PMS segment stole the show. It is
a testament to how good the roster was built during this time that Steve Austin’s
absence is hardly missed. However, if you
look at the ratings, WCW has been gradually narrowing the Monday Night War gap
with RAW since Austin disappeared after Rock Bottom.
With the 1998 RAW reviews in the books,
where would the Blog like to head next?
Should we go into 1999 with RAW or should we go back to look at 1993-1995,
Superstars from 1994-1997, Prime Time Wrestling from 1991-1992, the Action Zone
from 1994-1995, Shotgun Saturday Night from 1997-1998, Sunday Night Heat of
1998, or recap the old Coliseum Video “Best of” videos of the 1980s? Whichever option gets the most support is
where I will head for next week and as always, thanks for reading and
interacting with these reviews.
where would the Blog like to head next?
Should we go into 1999 with RAW or should we go back to look at 1993-1995,
Superstars from 1994-1997, Prime Time Wrestling from 1991-1992, the Action Zone
from 1994-1995, Shotgun Saturday Night from 1997-1998, Sunday Night Heat of
1998, or recap the old Coliseum Video “Best of” videos of the 1980s? Whichever option gets the most support is
where I will head for next week and as always, thanks for reading and
interacting with these reviews.
Monday Night War Rating: 4.9 (vs. 4.6 for Nitro)
Show Evaluation: Thumbs Up