What the World Was Watching: WWF Monday Night RAW – 04.29.96

Footage of the British Bulldog marching to the ring at the end of last night’s In Your House and being kept away by WWF officials starts the broadcast.

Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler call tonight’s action, starting a new taping cycle in Sioux City, Iowa. According to thehistoryofwwe.com, 4,000 fans attended the taping with 3,200 fans paying for their tickets.

Opening Contest: Mankind (3-0) beats Bart Gunn (0-2) via submission to the Mandible Claw at 8:34 shown:

McMahon notes that the reason fans have not seen much of the Undertaker over the past month is due to Mankind’s attack the night after WrestleMania. Bart’s offense consists of working the shoulder after Mankind goes shoulder-first into the ring post on a blind charge. The crowd quietly watches Mankind fire back with elbows, not excited to see much of his offense. During one of their exchange of blows, Mankind gets busted open on the side of his right eye. He also appears to ram his own head too hard into the guardrail to get attention. Bart makes a comeback out of nowhere, landing a missile dropkick for two. A flying elbow drop gets a close two moments later. Bart then mounts Mankind and throws down more punches but Mankind counters by jamming his fingers down Bart’s throat, releasing the hold when his piano music plays. This match would have been better if it was cut in half. The only good thing about it was the finish. Rating: *

Jim Ross interviews Bart backstage, who says that he has never felt anything like the Mandible Claw and that he could not move. Before Bart can elaborate, Mankind attacks him again and re-applies the Mandible Claw before WWF officials pull him off.

Savio Vega comes to ringside to do guest commentary for the next bout.

Steve Austin (w/Ted DiBiase) (9-1-1) defeats Scott Taylor via submission to the Million Dollar Dream at 2:39:

Savio immediately issues a challenge to Austin for a Caribbean strap match at In Your House 8. This is Austin’s second time against Taylor this year, beating him on the January 20 edition of Superstars. Austin uses a giant swing on Taylor, which is funny to see him do, and after stretching the young enhancement talent more he puts him to sleep with the Million Dollar Dream.

When the match concludes, Savio grabs the house microphone and makes Austin aware of his challenge for a strap match. DiBiase is dismissive and Austin is too so Savio gets in the ring and whips Austin from behind, causing Austin to fall out of the ring.

McMahon moderates an in-ring confrontation between WWF Champion Shawn Michaels and Jose Lothario against the British Bulldog, Jim Cornette, and Diana Hart Smith. Michaels recounts how he has had to wrestle two different styles of matches on the last two pay-per-view and has proven his doubters wrong. Cornette notes that Diana received a notice during the opening match of last night’s In Your House to see him in the locker room. When she followed the instructions, Michaels was waiting for her and propositioned her. Cornette gets worked up, accusing Michaels of being a sexual deviant, a pervert, and a fornicator. When McMahon asks Diana if he she has any words, she woodenly responds with “Shawn, I know that you want me,” killing a lot of the mojo of the segment, to which Michaels tells her that she should not flatter herself. Diana slaps Michaels after that, causing Michaels to opine “Now we know who wears the pants in the Smith family.” That triggers a brawl with the Bulldog and they fight until officials break it up.

Winner Gets a Shot at the WWF Tag Team Championship: The New Rockers (0-1) wrestle the Godwinns (w/Hillbilly Jim) (8-2) to a double count out at 7:36 shown:

Sunny does a split screen promo where she says she needs to take a closer look at the match to evaluate who should face the Bodydonnas next. Before Sunny comes out at the five-minute mark there is barely any action. After a commercial break Henry is placed in peril but the crowd does not care, opting to chant for Sunny. Henry blocks a Marty Jannetty fist drop with his boot and that allows Phineas to get the hot tag. Phineas and Leif Cassidy tumble over the top rope when Phineas catches a Cassidy crossbody. Neither man makes it back into the ring so the match ends in a double count out, making the whole thing a waste of time. Rating: ½*

Sunny is happy the match ends in a double count out because no one wins a title shot. The New Rockers flee when the Godwinns grab a slop bucket. Lawler argues Sunny caused the double count out but she did nothing of the sort.

Ross interviews Mankind in the arena’s boiler room area, asking about his finishing hold. Mankind discusses exploring pressure points in the human body as a child. When asked about the Undertaker, Mankind calls him a “gutless ghoul” who is too afraid to confront him. This was a great interview by Mankind to continue advancing his character.

The Ultimate Warrior (2-0) pins Isaac Yankem (3-4) after a splash at 1:46 shown:

The Warrior has a silly entrance, running around the ring, going backstage, and then running back into the ring as fireworks go off. As the Warrior shakes the ropes, Lawler gives Yankem a pep talk. It does no good as the Warrior squashes his dentist. It would be Yankem’s last televised match as the character outlived its purpose after the Bret Hart feud in the fall of 1995. Glenn Jacobs would stay on the payroll, though, as the WWF thought of what to do with him next.

After the match, Lawler tries to call Yankem back but Yankem walks off, thereby writing him out. Lawler mocks the Warrior’s taunt and acts like he wants to get in the ring but is held back by the headset cord.

McMahon announces that WWF President Gorilla Monsoon has ordered a rematch between the Godwinns and the New Rockers on Superstars.

Tune in next week to see Marc Mero face the 1-2-3 Kid! Also, the Undertaker squares off against Owen Hart with Intercontinental Champion Goldust doing guest commentary!

The Last Word: This was not a good show, especially as a follow up to last night’s pay-per-view. The Shawn Michaels-British Bulldog segment built some good heat with the crowd but Diana Hart Smith could not sell it. Also, even if the premise is that Diana is making up the accusations to put her husband in a better position to win the WWF Championship it does not put the babyface in a good position as most would believe accusations and think the Bulldog and Diana were the wronged parties. Despite the poor in-ring work, the Ultimate Warrior’s first match on free television in four years was a draw for this RAW, which once again beat Monday Nitro in the ratings. However, an asterisk can be applied to some of these recent wins of as Nitro was airing earlier due to the NBA playoffs.

Monday Night War Rating: 2.9 vs. 2.1 for Nitro (Main Event: WCW Champion Ric Flair vs. The Giant)

Up Next: WWF Superstars for May 4!

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