by Logan Scisco
–Steve Austin unsuccessful in getting into Vince McMahon’s office in the locker
room area.
room area.
–Jim Ross and Jerry
“The King” Lawler are doing commentary and they are taped from Des Moines,
Iowa.
“The King” Lawler are doing commentary and they are taped from Des Moines,
Iowa.
–A hearse backs up
into the arena to the “Highway to Hell” song, but Steve Austin comes out the
driver’s side door, pulls out a casket, and then opens the casket to grab a
beer. Austin walks to the ring and calls
Vince McMahon out. After some delay,
McMahon arrives with his stooges. Austin
pledges to beat the Undertaker in the ring tonight and stuff him in the hearse
he brought to the arena. He warns
McMahon to get out of his way because otherwise, he is going to end up in the
hearse himself. A simple segment that
gave some motivation for Austin’s actions later in the show. 1 for
1
into the arena to the “Highway to Hell” song, but Steve Austin comes out the
driver’s side door, pulls out a casket, and then opens the casket to grab a
beer. Austin walks to the ring and calls
Vince McMahon out. After some delay,
McMahon arrives with his stooges. Austin
pledges to beat the Undertaker in the ring tonight and stuff him in the hearse
he brought to the arena. He warns
McMahon to get out of his way because otherwise, he is going to end up in the
hearse himself. A simple segment that
gave some motivation for Austin’s actions later in the show. 1 for
1
–Get a big poster
of Triple H when you buy Stridex pads!
of Triple H when you buy Stridex pads!
–Opening Triple
Threat Contest: Dan Severn defeats Ken
Shamrock and Owen Hart when he makes Shamrock submit to a dragon sleeper at 4:43:
Threat Contest: Dan Severn defeats Ken
Shamrock and Owen Hart when he makes Shamrock submit to a dragon sleeper at 4:43:
This was the first time that Shamrock and Severn opposed
each other in a WWF ring, but they do not mix it up, as Severn just watches
Shamrock fight Owen during the match.
After three and a half minutes, Severn finally gets involved by breaking
up a Shamrock pin attempt and then putting him in a dragon sleeper to break up
the ankle lock. It’s about time someone
used that strategy in a triple threat match.
Rating: **½ (2 for 2)
each other in a WWF ring, but they do not mix it up, as Severn just watches
Shamrock fight Owen during the match.
After three and a half minutes, Severn finally gets involved by breaking
up a Shamrock pin attempt and then putting him in a dragon sleeper to break up
the ankle lock. It’s about time someone
used that strategy in a triple threat match.
Rating: **½ (2 for 2)
–After
the bell, Severn refuses to release the hold until Steve Blackman comes out and
Severn proceeds to put Blackman in a dragon sleeper. As Severn leaves the ring, he gives Owen a
high five, thereby turning heel. When
Shamrock comes to, he gets in Commissioner Slaughter’s face about what just
took place.
the bell, Severn refuses to release the hold until Steve Blackman comes out and
Severn proceeds to put Blackman in a dragon sleeper. As Severn leaves the ring, he gives Owen a
high five, thereby turning heel. When
Shamrock comes to, he gets in Commissioner Slaughter’s face about what just
took place.
–Brawl for All Semi-Finals: Bart Gunn defeats The Godfather (w/Hos) via
knockout at 20 seconds of the third round:
knockout at 20 seconds of the third round:
“Bill Clinton” calls into the show and makes some Monica
Lewinsky jokes. The Godfather refuses to
let Bart Gunn choose the ho option since Bart attacked him on last week’s
show. The Godfather lands a few hard
jabs, but Bart lands some hard shots at the end of the second round and
proceeds to knock him out with a right hand in the third. Bart gloats to Ross about his victory after
the bout. 3 for 3
Lewinsky jokes. The Godfather refuses to
let Bart Gunn choose the ho option since Bart attacked him on last week’s
show. The Godfather lands a few hard
jabs, but Bart lands some hard shots at the end of the second round and
proceeds to knock him out with a right hand in the third. Bart gloats to Ross about his victory after
the bout. 3 for 3
–Ken Shamrock and
Steve Blackman are shown tossing things around the locker room as they search
for Owen Hart and Dan Severn.
Steve Blackman are shown tossing things around the locker room as they search
for Owen Hart and Dan Severn.
–Michael Cole says
that Owen Hart’s special trainer for the Lion’s Den match at SummerSlam will be
Dan Severn.
that Owen Hart’s special trainer for the Lion’s Den match at SummerSlam will be
Dan Severn.
–Gangrel beats
“Too Sexy” Brian Christopher (w/Scott Taylor) with an Implant DDT at 1:03:
“Too Sexy” Brian Christopher (w/Scott Taylor) with an Implant DDT at 1:03:
This was Gangrel’s RAW debut. It’s a shame that the character never went
anywhere because it had one of the best entrances in wrestling history. Edge takes an interest in Gangrel’s entrance,
raising his sunglasses to get a better view from the crowd. Gangrel makes short work of Christopher in
what is a somewhat sloppy squash.
anywhere because it had one of the best entrances in wrestling history. Edge takes an interest in Gangrel’s entrance,
raising his sunglasses to get a better view from the crowd. Gangrel makes short work of Christopher in
what is a somewhat sloppy squash.
–Ken Shamrock tells
Cole that he is going to break every bone in Owen Hart’s body at
SummerSlam. Cole runs away as Shamrock
and Steve Blackman continue to break things.
Blackman breaks things in the most unemotional way possible, which
cracks me up.
Cole that he is going to break every bone in Owen Hart’s body at
SummerSlam. Cole runs away as Shamrock
and Steve Blackman continue to break things.
Blackman breaks things in the most unemotional way possible, which
cracks me up.
–D-Generation X and
the Nation of Domination, who are scheduled to face off in a street fight later
tonight, are shown brawling backstage as WWF officials desperately try to break
things up.
the Nation of Domination, who are scheduled to face off in a street fight later
tonight, are shown brawling backstage as WWF officials desperately try to break
things up.
–The Disciples of
Apocalypse (w/Paul Ellering) beat Scorpio & Faarooq when Skull pins Scorpio
with a small package after an illegal switch at 4:31:
Apocalypse (w/Paul Ellering) beat Scorpio & Faarooq when Skull pins Scorpio
with a small package after an illegal switch at 4:31:
“President Clinton” calls back in and gloats about the
state of the economy. Scorpio and
Faarooq were undefeated up to this point, but the greatness that is DOA must be
continued at all costs and they lose here.
In fairness, the loss happens in cheap fashion, as the DX-Nation brawl descends
on the ringside area and distracts the referee, who misses Scorpio pinning
8-Ball after a 450. Scorpio made this
match better than one might expect, but the wrong team went over. Rating: **¼ (3 for 4)
state of the economy. Scorpio and
Faarooq were undefeated up to this point, but the greatness that is DOA must be
continued at all costs and they lose here.
In fairness, the loss happens in cheap fashion, as the DX-Nation brawl descends
on the ringside area and distracts the referee, who misses Scorpio pinning
8-Ball after a 450. Scorpio made this
match better than one might expect, but the wrong team went over. Rating: **¼ (3 for 4)
–Call 815-734-1161
to get your Steve Austin Bad to the Bone t-shirt for $25 (plus $6 shipping
& handling)!
to get your Steve Austin Bad to the Bone t-shirt for $25 (plus $6 shipping
& handling)!
–Street
Fight: The Nation of Domination wrestle
D-Generation X to a no contest at 6:24:
Fight: The Nation of Domination wrestle
D-Generation X to a no contest at 6:24:
For this match, the combatants are allowed to bring
whatever weapons they like to the ring, but no one is ingenious enough to
bring the kitchen sink. This is actually
four-on-three, since the Godfather getting knocked out earlier in the show
precluded him from participating.
There’s tons of head trauma in this from the weapons shots, and it is
somewhat unsettling to hear Jim Ross casually remark on the possibility of
concussions. Near the end of the bout,
Jeff Jarrett and Southern Justice attack X-Pac and Jarrett cuts off some of
X-Pac’s hair. Jarrett and Southern
Justice allow the Nation to isolate Triple H, who beat him down with a ladder,
thereby planting the seeds for the type of match that will take place between
the Rock and Triple H at SummerSlam. In
a puzzling development, the Nation choose to just walk out after this beatdown
instead of pinning Triple H, so that gives us a no contest. Then again, the carnage lets us know who the
real winners were. This was a fun brawl
that advanced two storylines for SummerSlam
Rating: *** (4 for 5)
whatever weapons they like to the ring, but no one is ingenious enough to
bring the kitchen sink. This is actually
four-on-three, since the Godfather getting knocked out earlier in the show
precluded him from participating.
There’s tons of head trauma in this from the weapons shots, and it is
somewhat unsettling to hear Jim Ross casually remark on the possibility of
concussions. Near the end of the bout,
Jeff Jarrett and Southern Justice attack X-Pac and Jarrett cuts off some of
X-Pac’s hair. Jarrett and Southern
Justice allow the Nation to isolate Triple H, who beat him down with a ladder,
thereby planting the seeds for the type of match that will take place between
the Rock and Triple H at SummerSlam. In
a puzzling development, the Nation choose to just walk out after this beatdown
instead of pinning Triple H, so that gives us a no contest. Then again, the carnage lets us know who the
real winners were. This was a fun brawl
that advanced two storylines for SummerSlam
Rating: *** (4 for 5)
–Tiger Ali Singh
gives $500 to a fan for licking between his servant Babu’s toes. You see, Babu has been working out all day
and is nasty. The less said about this
segment the better. 4 for 6
gives $500 to a fan for licking between his servant Babu’s toes. You see, Babu has been working out all day
and is nasty. The less said about this
segment the better. 4 for 6
–Sable interfering
in the Luna Vachon-Jacqueline match on last week’s show is the Stridex Triple
Action segment.
in the Luna Vachon-Jacqueline match on last week’s show is the Stridex Triple
Action segment.
–Arm Wrestling
Match: Sable beats Jacqueline by
disqualification:
Match: Sable beats Jacqueline by
disqualification:
This stemmed from a challenge that Jacqueline issued on
Sunday Night Heat. There are few gimmick
matches in wrestling that I hate more than arm wrestling contests. This is no exception as Jacqueline pulls her
hand away when Sable is going to win and turns the table over on her. Jacqueline then breaks the bikini contest
trophy over Sable’s back before the Oddities make the save. So, we’ve had disqualifications in a bikini
contest AND an arm wrestling match between these two! 4 for
7
Sunday Night Heat. There are few gimmick
matches in wrestling that I hate more than arm wrestling contests. This is no exception as Jacqueline pulls her
hand away when Sable is going to win and turns the table over on her. Jacqueline then breaks the bikini contest
trophy over Sable’s back before the Oddities make the save. So, we’ve had disqualifications in a bikini
contest AND an arm wrestling match between these two! 4 for
7
–Cole interviews
Val Venis, who is facing Kaientai in a gauntlet match tonight. Venis says he is conditioned to “run all
night long.”
Val Venis, who is facing Kaientai in a gauntlet match tonight. Venis says he is conditioned to “run all
night long.”
–Darren Drozdov
shows us his tattoos on the latest installment of “Droz’s World.” I’m not sure what the purpose of these
segments happens to be since they aren’t giving Droz a sustained push at the
moment.
shows us his tattoos on the latest installment of “Droz’s World.” I’m not sure what the purpose of these
segments happens to be since they aren’t giving Droz a sustained push at the
moment.
–Brawl for All
Semi-Finals: Bradshaw defeats Darren
Drozdov via decision:
Semi-Finals: Bradshaw defeats Darren
Drozdov via decision:
Droz’s “tale of the tape” emphasizes his ability to puke
on command. I wonder if that would be
against the rules of the Brawl for All.
This is a good slugfest and Bradshaw blocks several of Droz’s takedown
attempts. Bradshaw lands more punches
and advances to the finals next week against Bart Gunn. 5 for
8
on command. I wonder if that would be
against the rules of the Brawl for All.
This is a good slugfest and Bradshaw blocks several of Droz’s takedown
attempts. Bradshaw lands more punches
and advances to the finals next week against Bart Gunn. 5 for
8
–The announcers
tell us that Al Snow is back in the WWF.
No reason is given as to why that King of the Ring stipulation was not
upheld, but there you have it. Al Snow
talks with Head at a bar and mocks how he is returning to the WWF to be part of
the “JOB Squad.”
tell us that Al Snow is back in the WWF.
No reason is given as to why that King of the Ring stipulation was not
upheld, but there you have it. Al Snow
talks with Head at a bar and mocks how he is returning to the WWF to be part of
the “JOB Squad.”
–Dustin Runnels
reminds us that our bodies are a temple.
reminds us that our bodies are a temple.
–Sable comes out
and demands Jacqueline to come out and fight.
Jacqueline and Marc Mero appear on the Titantron and Jacqueline responds
by challenging Sable to a mixed tag match at SummerSlam. Before Sable can issue a response, the
Oddities burst into Mero and Jacqueline’s locker room and attack them. Won’t heels ever learn that allowing your
opponent to choose a mystery partner never turns out well?
and demands Jacqueline to come out and fight.
Jacqueline and Marc Mero appear on the Titantron and Jacqueline responds
by challenging Sable to a mixed tag match at SummerSlam. Before Sable can issue a response, the
Oddities burst into Mero and Jacqueline’s locker room and attack them. Won’t heels ever learn that allowing your
opponent to choose a mystery partner never turns out well?
–Cole reminds us of
Steve Austin’s promise earlier in the show.
Steve Austin’s promise earlier in the show.
–Gauntlet
Match: Kaientai (w/Yamaguchi-San) beats
Val Venis when Taka Michinoku pins Venis after a Michinoku Driver at 7:55:
Match: Kaientai (w/Yamaguchi-San) beats
Val Venis when Taka Michinoku pins Venis after a Michinoku Driver at 7:55:
Order of
Elimination: Venis pins Men’s Teioh with
a fisherman’s suplex at 1:12; Venis pins Funaki with a powerslam at 1:26; Venis
pins Dick Togo with the Money Shot at 4:20
Elimination: Venis pins Men’s Teioh with
a fisherman’s suplex at 1:12; Venis pins Funaki with a powerslam at 1:26; Venis
pins Dick Togo with the Money Shot at 4:20
The stipulation for this match is that if Venis wins that
he gets five minutes with Yamaguchi-San.
“President Clinton” calls in for the last time to make more jokes about
Ms. Lewinsky. This has some good work
rate, especially the Togo and Michinoku portions, but the crowd does not care
because they have been conditioned to see Kaientai as a joke. Venis runs through three of Kaintenai’s
members, but Michinoku beats him clean. Rating:
*** (6 for 9)
he gets five minutes with Yamaguchi-San.
“President Clinton” calls in for the last time to make more jokes about
Ms. Lewinsky. This has some good work
rate, especially the Togo and Michinoku portions, but the crowd does not care
because they have been conditioned to see Kaientai as a joke. Venis runs through three of Kaintenai’s
members, but Michinoku beats him clean. Rating:
*** (6 for 9)
-After the bout,
Kaientai pound away on Venis and then Mrs. Yamaguchi-San comes out to slap
him. However, Venis grabs a squirt gun
shaped like a penis and squirts it all over his adversaries, causing them to flee. I could have done without all of that.
Kaientai pound away on Venis and then Mrs. Yamaguchi-San comes out to slap
him. However, Venis grabs a squirt gun
shaped like a penis and squirts it all over his adversaries, causing them to flee. I could have done without all of that.
–The Undertaker and
Steve Austin come out for their confrontation, but when the Undertaker throws
his hair back we find out that it is actually Kane. Kane and Austin brawl back to the hearse,
where Austin tosses Kane into the back.
However, when Austin goes to drive away, he cannot get in and the
Undertaker is shown in the driver’s seat.
The Undertaker drives away as “Highway to Hell” is played over the
loudspeakers. This was a great ending
for the show and I always mark out a little when I see that the Undertaker is
in the front seat. 7 for 10
Steve Austin come out for their confrontation, but when the Undertaker throws
his hair back we find out that it is actually Kane. Kane and Austin brawl back to the hearse,
where Austin tosses Kane into the back.
However, when Austin goes to drive away, he cannot get in and the
Undertaker is shown in the driver’s seat.
The Undertaker drives away as “Highway to Hell” is played over the
loudspeakers. This was a great ending
for the show and I always mark out a little when I see that the Undertaker is
in the front seat. 7 for 10
The Final Report Card: The rating of the show seemed to be hurt by
the lack of Austin segments, but I was okay with not having the main event
angle dominate the show. We have had our
fair share of the Undertaker, Kane, Mankind, and Austin in recent months so it
was good to get a break from all of it.
Despite the rating, this show had two good
Brawl for All matches and gave the audience an entertaining street fight and
gauntlet match. You cannot ask for much
more than that during this era.
the lack of Austin segments, but I was okay with not having the main event
angle dominate the show. We have had our
fair share of the Undertaker, Kane, Mankind, and Austin in recent months so it
was good to get a break from all of it.
Despite the rating, this show had two good
Brawl for All matches and gave the audience an entertaining street fight and
gauntlet match. You cannot ask for much
more than that during this era.
Monday Night War Rating: 4.2 (vs. 4.9 for Nitro)
Show Evaluation: Thumbs Up