WWF Monday Night RAW Review thread

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That Bret Hart is full of BS and that he couldn't beat him on his best day , so he is just full of crap. Then he disrespects Bret more claiming he came back on his big return claiming this company needed a hero. He ain't changing for no damn body ! Put him in the ring against anyone , and once that bell sounds he will kick ass. Then Austin shatters the face/heel dynamic and proclaims that he doesn't care , put him in the ring against a good guy and if they boo the hell outta him or a bad guy and they cheer , he won't care !

All he cares about is whipping someones ass once the bell rings and you don't have to like it ! The fans pop as Austin demands Bret Hart put on his panties and come face him. On the Titan Tron , Bret Hart mocks Austin as a wounded hyena and that he showed him who the King of the real jungle is out there at Wrestlemania. That he got busted open because he threw him into that guard rail ! That he has beaten him so many times , that he has proven it so many times. That he's moving on and Austin claims its not over ever with him. Not til he's dead.

Austin claims that one day when Bret Hart's dead , he can put on his tombstone , Cause of Death is because Steve Austin beat his pink and black ass and that is the bottom line , cause Stone Cold Says So ! Jim Ross promotes the Rocky Mavia/Bret Hart clash for the Intercontinental Championship. Bret attacked Maivia last week post match. Anyhow his music hits as no Bret Hart.

He's announced a 2nd time and still no entrance til finally we see him arrive. A very angry , bitter Bret comes to the ring as he doesn't even look at the fans. Then we see the sneak attack last week on Michaels. We get a clip of Maivia and Rocky Johnson clearing the ring at Wrestlemania. Bret looks at the IC title and hands it back playfully. In the corner he talks trash to Bret as he is close to slugging him , Bret takes that moment to duck out and plot strategy.

Tony Atlas watches at ringside as we see Hart take Rocky down with a solid arm take down to the mat. Once up the Rock delivers a flying cross body into a pin attempt. Psycho Sid vs Bret Hart will happen at the next PPV as Jim Ross announces. In ring , Bret locks on a side headlock to the young star. But in a quick move , Maivia reverses into an arm bar. Both then do reverses with arm bars.

Bret finally gets the heel advantage , starting to work over the back of the younger man's head. Lawler shockingly supports Bret Hart now. In a heel spot , he scratches Rocky's face along the ring rope. Then in a nice spot delivers an atomic drop and clothesline. The fans boo the Hitman as he continues. With a nice Russian leg sweep and knee drop. The fans continue to boo him.

After the commercial , Bret continues to work over Rocky. Playing as a heel to the crowd to the American fans. He delivers a nice back suplex in a spot as he continues to work over Maivia. In a spot off the ropes , Bret tries a back drop attempt as Rocky catches him in a roll up pin attempt. But the veteran Hart gets back on the attack and tries an elbow off the 2nd rope , missing !

Rocky is firing on all cylinders and delivers a nice fisherman's suplex in a spot seconds later. That gets a 2 count , then we see a belly to belly slam. Then we get his step over DDT spot on Bret Hart ! He climbs the top rope as he tries a flying cross body off the top turnbuckle , then we see Bret roll through and get a close 3 count.

Seconds later we see Bret lock on the new famed figure-4 around the ring post as the referee calls for a DQ. Bret keeps it locked on as from the back comes Stone Cold to attack Bret Hart . From the back comes Davey and Owen who help Bret start beating down Austin. In a fun spot Bret tries to pull his shirt over his head like a hockey fight. The Legion of Doom arrive and chase the heels off. The guard rail collapses and Austin doesn't keep chasing as he lets Bret escape. The show ends there.


The Bad - While not a terrible show , the hot main event angle , Undertaker/Bearer spot and the ending , this show seemed to drag along in spots. One of the dumbest problems was WWF's inability to showcase the AAA stars they had a deal with. Spending more time focused on what Sunny was doing at ringside and all. The segment became so terrible at one point I questioned when it would end.

Another problem was the on/off Honky angle that had began months earlier , didn't go anywhere and suddenly was back on again. This week we had the little used Jesse James get his biggest pop by acting like himself and trashing the guitar.


OVERALL : *** Outta 5. A solid opening match , but a weak show overall , the biggest stars didn't do anything til the 2nd hour really kicked in. The final segment was a decent one as the show hyped up the continuing feud with Bret Hart & Steve Austin. With them switching heel/face as we saw.

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WWF Monday Night RAW - April 7th , 1997



Your Hosts - Vince McMahon , Honkytonk Man & Jim Ross

Before airing on WWE Network , this episode of RAW is ranked TV-MA. With an adult themes warning as the Attitude Era is really starting to explode. We get slow vignette of how Undertaker was burned in the face by Mankind during last weeks show. The show finally opens with the Steve Austin walking through a war zone.

After scenes of the rowdy crowd shots , Vince welcomes us to RAW IS...WAAAAR. He runs down the show and we will get a Ken Shamrock exhibition tonight folks. To start things off out comes Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith. This will be a non-title tag team match as they carry the Canadan and UK flags. On the mic we see fans start a massive USA chant that ticks Owen off. Owen claims it would be a tragedy if he let those fans get their way , thank god for his brother Bret. They are a family and together because they love each other. He'd be fighting his brothers if it was up to them. Then he warns Shawn Michaels if he says one bad word about his brother , they will make him pay for it.

They warn the Godwinns about what is ahead. After the commercial we see Owen bounced around the ring by Henry Godwinn . He then eats a big body slam from him , then in a nice tag spot , Henry body slams his brother Phineas on Owen. Finally Owen turns the tide and makes the tag to Davey. He ends up taking a big Irish whip from him in a spot. On the split screen Shawn comes on and comically mocks how he doesn't always listen to authority ya know. It is live TV after all and he has plenty to say after all.

Phineas goes angry hillbilly and takes down both off the apron as Henry has to try and calm him while Bulldog and Owen watch. They soon start working over Bulldog again with good tags . In a nice spot Owen makes the blind tag , and with a nice sweeping heel kick catches Phineas off the ropes. Seconds later Phineas catches Owen and rolls him into a backslide pin attempt as Davey distracts the referee. Suddenly Owen nails an enziguri and goes for a close pin fall. But as we go to commercial the heels work over Phineas.

After the commercial an angry Henry charges over to save his brother and starts beating them down. Phineas gets a 2nd wind and off the ropes seconds later double clotheslines both Davey & Owen. This allows the hot tag to Henry who starts working both over quick. A nice front face power bomb to Davey . On the split screen we see the Road Warriors who discuss their future tag team title match ahead. The promo distracts from the finish as Henry nails the slop drop finisher , but the referee is distracted . This allows Owen to come off the top rope with a knee to the head. This allows them to roll over and let Davey score the pin.

As the 2 Hart Foundation members walk up the ramp post match , out comes the Legion of Doom. They remove their spikes and get ready for a fight. Owen & Davey back down as they soon run into the Godwinns who prepare to slop them. In a quick thinking move , they duck outta the way as the Godwinns end up tossing slop on Hawk & Animal. The LOD aren't happy at all and a brawl starts. The fans quickly chant for the LOD here. As WWF security try and pull the 2 teams apart , at the top of the ramp Owen Hart & Davey laugh.

Backstage we see them still laughing. Owen claims that the LOD will be more humiliated than ever at the next PPV. He can't blame the Godwinns because they are stupid dumb hillbillies. They are the WWF Tag team champions and they make them play it comically twice . Laughing so hard , then backstage we see Steve Austin pointing at them talking trash. Referees keep him away as Owen & Davey tell him to get outta there , this is their time.

Steve Austin's music hits as he comes out to a big pop. Fans are wearing the Austin 3:16 shirts around the ring. J.R claims he maybe the nastiest , meanest sob who ever competed in the WWF. Coming to the ring to face Austin is Billy Gunn. With him is Honkytonk Man. This must be the surprise he discussed earlier. Stone Cold doesn't seem to care about this and Jim Ross jokes , he doesn't seem to care about Honky either being at ringside.

Billy Gunn is his protege he has searched for as he claims and he has all the moves. Austin starts off quick and starts beating on Billy quick as he takes him to the mat with punches. Then to save himself Gunn ducks outside the ring. On the split screen we see Davey & Owen. They aren't happy that Austin tried to get in their business . They wanted a good laugh after a hard match and he did that. Owen claims if he wants to poke his nose in their business , they will teach him a lesson for that.

In ring Billy continues to be beaten pretty bad. An angry Stone Cold takes Billy's arm as he starts snapping it around the ring post. Honky claims Austin should take this up with Bret Hart and he claims he respects Austin for being a tough son of a gun. Finally Billy gets offense as he stomps on Austin in the corner. Ross plugs the USA Networks terrible show lineup for Sunday. Finally Austin fires back and stomps a mud hole in Billy in the corner n walks it dry.

In a spot he low blows Billy as referee Tim White warns him about this. Austin acts to understand and as White turns back to check on Gunn , Austin gives him the double bird salute as fans pop huge for that. The fans have clearly fallen for Austin now , and he goes to the top rope which is weird for Stone Cold. Billy catches him off it. Seconds later as Billy misses a clothesline from the corner turnbuckle as Austin ducks , he turns ...kick ...wham ...stunner finish ! Fans explode as he gets the win. Honky grabs the mic and wants to talk to Billy Gunn it seems.

Stone Cold leaves as Honkytonk Man tries to console him. That he's always been his 1st choice , even if Jesse James was a complete goof last week. There is no shame he lost to Stone Cold this week. He's at the top of his game. And with his help , he can take him to the top like that. He's young , strong and knows what he needs ahead. He can go get some great clothes , get a good hair cut and grow sideburns. Then he asks Gunn if he wants to hit the road n ride with him , he gets his answer with a slug to the face.

Backstage Dok Hendrix tries to sell an Undertaker Door banner for $29.95. Its been awhile since the company tries to sell something insane. Honky holds his poor jaw as he claims his hands are shaking and his knees are weak. Suddenly someone yells over a mic as someone walks out wearing a military style uniform at the top of the ramp. He yells for folks to get in formation.

This man claims he's the Commandant of the Truth Commission (a play on the South African stable deal). He's also an actor named Robin B. Smith by the way. The Truth Commission had actually been in the dying days of the USWA and competed there where the stable won the USWA Tag team titles and USWA World title. Anyhow the Commandant claims the next Raw is War will be taking place next week in South Africa. They have a mission ahead in America and it involves democracy in the WWF. He then discusses criminals in the justice society.

He brings up how this goes against the rules of mankind , survival of the fittest. Dominant of the weak. Only can when this happens will there be true democracy. The Commandant claims us silly liberals will learn. Even if they have to beat the Truth outta you. He claims there is one man that speaks the truth of everything and he is in South Africa right now. The fans will see the applause he receives there. He doesn't carry the red , white and blue of this silly liberal country. Its Bret Hart as we see that on the Titan Tron , Bret is taking part in a tour there called Winter Storm . He's in Cape Town , South Africa.

Bret claims he is glad to be in a country where folks still respect morals . Then he rips into Shawn Michaels and calls Stone Cold Steve Austin. That what makes American fans mad is he told the truth. They can't respect honor , truth and respect anymore. He claims that he's coming for Psycho Sid and will teach him a lesson. On his monitor we see Shawn watching backstage as Bret is in South Africa ready to wrestle. He even carries the flag there.

Shawn gives his reaction , that he rips Mr. Sensitive Values. Then comically brings up Bart Simpson and playfully chides Bret its a cartoon so calm down. After the commercial we see Shawn come to the ring on his miracle healed knee. He even dances around folks to symbolize that there is nothing wrong with the knee , posing as sparks go off after he gets in ring.

McMahon brings up how a couple weeks ago he got in Bret Hart's face where he said its America ; love it or leave it. But he's left it for now as he's in South Africa. Then we see a replay of the video where Bret wrapped Shawn's knee around the ring post and did the figure-4. Shawn wants to use his 1st Amendment rights and say whats going on with HBK. So he brings up how he opened his big mouth as usual , and its his usual. He flaps his jaws , someone jacked him and he will never change. Shawn claims that Bret came out and said , he needed to get things off his chest , so now he'll get it off his chest.


End of Part 1

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People question why Bret is suddenly a "bad guy" now. Well boys and girls , he won't lie to you all. People him and Bret Hart loath each other. Bret Hart hates his guts and to be honest , he hates his. Bret's always been a bad guy and he hasn't changed. That the WWF has changed and exploited his family for years. Because Bret put his mother , his father , his sister and children on it. Because Bret allows it folks. If Bret needed a buck , he'd do it ! Shawn then rips into how Bret is obsessed with him and brings up how 6 years ago he became Intercontinental Champion as he started his singles career , Bret Hart was WWF World Champion. He would give his support to Bret for years and tell everyone how he would be #2 to him.

Because that is what a man does when it comes to business. But when it came time for Bret Hart to repay the favor and be the #2 awhile , Bret did it kicking n screaming. Then Shawn brings up how Bret went home and to Hollywood to see if the company would fall flat on its face. Then Shawn goes into outright lie mode. I mean complete outright lie mode , proclaiming the WWF did its best business in 6 years ! He makes Vince back this insane claim up . This was a company that lost $6 million dollars in 1996 and Shawn believes this was the best business in 6 years ?

Fans pop for this because they don't realize this is a complete bogus lie. Then Bret sit in Calgary and discussed all his faults and folks , HBK has a lotta faults. How could the WWF fans support a man who dances , has really long hair , and has a pierced navel. How could fans like someone like this , because they did you idiot. Then Shawn goes into bizarre lie #2 , bringing up how Bret played the WWF into paying him a new contract using WCW as leverage. That he made the WWF pay him more to keep him. True story folks , Bret Hart turned down a bigger offer from Bischoff to resign with Vince McMahon because he trusted Vince and the WWF. (The famous 20 year contract)

Shawn plays it that Bret Hart was greedy , and Shawn himself would walk out and nearly want a release himself. One smart fan yells out , what about you ? Because they are tired of this horse crap. Shawn claims he is the hottest free agent in wrestling. Every time he takes time off , gets injured that phone rings and and he gets offers. But he don't need money because he's loyal to that man over there.

Bret Hart is obsessed with the WWF World title because he was born into this . That he's Bret Hart is obsessed with being Bret Hart 24/7 , he goes home and its that. Shawn can go home and not be obsessed with it all. Your obsession is your downfall. Then Shawn brings up how it used to irk him that fans would chant for Bret over him. But he no longer really cares if folks support him or not. If ya wanna yell for Bret , let it happen. If you wanna support Sid , do it. If its him , that is great. But this is America and you can support whoever you want !

He has seen super-heroes in this business fall way short. HBK is no role model for sure , but parents if you pluck your money down he will give you your money's worth. Then as he tells Bret coldly , your obsession with me and the WWF World title will be your destruction. Finally he ends the segment by wanting to dance with his clothes off as he starts to slowly strip tease as Owen & Bulldog come out.

Shawn in a smart move grabs a steel chair and holds em both off from entering the ring. He then sits down in the chair as the 1st hour ends. The referees get the Hart Foundation back from the ring.

The 2nd hour begins as they run down the show thus far with every event that happened in the 1st hour. Coming to the ring is Mosh & Thrasher , the Headbangers. They are facing Freddie Joe Floyd (Tracy Smothers folks) and Barry Horowitz . Thrasher starts out and isn't happy as he gets arm dragged taken down and then Barry locks on a nice head lock. They make a tag amd Mosh delivers a nice clothesline off the top turnbuckle as Barry is caught off the ropes. Both work over Horowitz.

The big Ken Shamrock exhibition is him facing someone no one has heard of named Vernon White. Research shows White has fought in MMA in Pride , Strikeforce , UFC and all over the planet and has a MMA record of 26 wins and 33 losses. He claims in the interview to be trained by Shamrock and he was. They taunt Floyd to get in and keep working over Barry in the corner.

Jim Ross advertises WWF Live shows , the WWE Network has blurred those out now. In a spot both Headbangers spread eagle Horowitz and make him do a split while on canvas. Finally against Mosh , Barry catches Mosh with chin buster off the ropes and makes the hot tag finally to Floyd. Once in Smothers (aka Floyd) does some nice side chops and a spinning heel kick to Thrasher. Mosh then eats a flying back elbow off the ropes. That gets a close 2 count.

Floyd tries a running bulldog off the ropes but is caught in a side walk slam. Finally the Headbangers deliver their finisher as Jim Ross claims the team is on a winning streak. They advertise the No Holds Barred exhibition for Shamrock as we go to commercial. After it we see White in ring as McMahon promotes his fighting all over the world. Finally Shamrock comes down in his wrestling gear.

Ken looks in great shape as McMahon claims this isn't a real wrestling match , its an exhibition type fight. The referee does a Lets Get It on deal as we see both go through the motions of a worked shoot fight . Shamrock isn't even doing a good job of acting like he's in a real MMA fight and keeps his arms down . Finally he goes to the mat as Ken tries a leg hold as they roll around , finally after some more attempts at a leg lock they roll into the ropes and once he stands , White kicks a FG into Ken's mid-section !

Now Shamrock looks pissed as he takes White down quick and starts punching away as Vernon White can't defend himself. We see that White's nose is busted and there is blood on the canvas as the referee stopped it thankfully. The crowd has no clue WTF they just saw as Jim Ross goes to interview Shamrock at ringside discussing his style. Which if anyone watched this is an attempt at trying to do a leg lock and him just punching a dudes face off.

Shamrock claims White may have gotten carried away by kicking him and he too lost his temper there as it was supposed to be a submissions deal. Finally out comes Vader as Shamrock doesn't seem impressed at all. Even challenging Vader to come on as WWF security get between them. Shamrock pushes the security to the side and tells Vader to bring it. Vader taunts as we go to commercial.

Vader is in the ring facing a jobber called Frank Stiletto. Who in his 25 year career mostly works the North East Independents. Anyhow Vader attacks Stiletto quick and take him down. Then he does a release back suplex , nearly launching the poor guy close to outta the ring. Vader works him over as on the split screen we see Mankind with Paul Bearer. They bring it up setting Undertaker on fire earlier. Mankind claims he realizes he made a mistake and wants to make amends to the Undertaker. Tonight he will show him ....HAVE A NICE DAY !

Vader delivers his Vadersault and then delivers the epic Vader Bomb as he gets the win. Paul Bearer celebrates with his man as Jim Ross promotes his hotline at $1.49 per minute. Kids get your parents permission before calling. Backstage we see Gorilla Monsoon and Sid isn't there for the main event. So to appease fans and have a main event the only one left in the building for that spot is Steve Austin.

This brings a none too happy Austin who claims he can't help it Sid got a yellow streak going down his back and all. That ain't his damn problem. Monsoon tells him if Sid shows up , he won't have to compete tonight. Stone Cold claims he'll just wrap his knee brace around his (Monsoon) fat head then. You ain't gonna bully me around and make me do anything ! Hold on , right there ; I'll save your little show on one condition. I get Bret Hart on April 20th and I done told him he'll never be done with me. So give me Bret Hart so I can whip his ass or you can go ahead and KISS MY ASS right now !


End of part #2

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Monsoon looks at his watch and claims they still have time. But if Psycho Sid don't show , yeah he gets Bret Hart in a rematch then. Little known fact , Sid at this time was fighting a neck injury and had been taken off TV to try and recover. They had to change the booking of things as we see here.

Mankind's music hits as we see him come down with Paul Bearer. Some fans show off their HAVE A NICE DAY t-shirts as we watch the demented Mankind crawl around in ring. Jim Ross is gonna interview Mankind it appears. They bring up the title match coming up at the PPV . J.R questions why he'd burn the Dead Man. Was it anger , was it jealousy , was it revenge ? Finally we see Mankind answer that they had great epic matches , but Undertaker never really got to know him at all.

Then he brings up how he rode an airplane with the stench of burning flesh for 14 hours. He does ...because it MAKES HIM SICK ! Then we see him discuss his wife , and she asking what is burnt , ITS HIM. Then we see Mankind bring up that folks may not believe someone like him would be happily married , TURN OFF YOUR DAMN TV SET !! WATCH ANOTHER WRESTLING SHOW !! He's dealing with reality right now. Where kids throw rocks at his house and chant DIE MANKIND , DIE !! When his 3 year old daughter looks at him and says , save me daddy , save me ; I CAN'T !! I'M ON THE ROAD 300 DAYS A YEAR !! WRESTLING FOR VILE SCUM WHO SPIT ON ME WHO WEAR UNDERTAKER T-SHIRTS !

I'm WORKING MAIN EVENTS AND GETTING HALF THAT PRETTY BOYS MAKE OPENING MATCH !! Then we see him cool down as Mankind brings up Lee Harvey Oswald killing JFK . MOM THERE GOES THE PRESIDENT'S BRAINS !! That we no longer can throw Christians to the Lions. If folks think what he did was bad to the Undertaker last week , then he has words of advice....DON'T ORDER THE PPV WOMEN N CHILDREN ! Because he won't be held responsible for what he does. This could be his last match , he's already booked him a place in the ER that night ! Then Mankind pulls out a mask and claims they will be twins ...and suddenly the Undertaker's music comes on chiming.

The Undertaker's voice comes on and claims he's seen fire , damnation , eternal suffering. What does Bearer and Mankind know of this ? Come the PPV he will set Mankind on fire and sentence them both to eternal damnation. That he will show them the darkness that comes and that Paul Bearer may have learned some of what he knows. But he didn't teach him everything. You both will...REST....IN....PEACE.

After commercial Austin's music hits as he hits down the apron quick. He ends up brawling with Mankind on the steel ramp and soon suplexes him on that steel ramp with a loud thud. This means he has the PPV match as Jim Ross claims as he questions where Sid is ? Anyhow he smashes Mankind's face into the ring steps and then the ring post. On the split screen Bulldog isn't happy as he's tired of the WWF screwing Bret over. That his brother-in-law is off in South Africa and can't even know this happening. Owen brings up the conspiracy that the company has against his brother. They end this with McMahon asking , let me guess , you think I'm screwing him right ?

Austin gets tossed into the ring railing but catches Mankind charging and drops him face 1st over the railing in a spot. Stone Cold watches the tide turn as finally they get back into the ring. Off the ropes Austin catches him and does a low version of the Thez press. The fans chant loudly behind Stone Cold. Watching in attendance is Bulldog & Owen as he gestures for em to come on down if they want it. This allows Mankind to catch him from behind as we go to commercial.

After the commercial , Austin and Mankind fight for leverage on a suplex as finally Mankind drops him throat 1st across the top rope. He stays on Austin and later pulls up the mat over the concrete floor. Back outside with Austin on the floor laying , he does a running elbow off the apron to the floor on him. But seconds later Austin tries to rally back and after Mankind tries to pile drive him on the steel ramp ; Stone Cold throws him off the ramp back 1st into the guard rail !

The Hart Foundation come through the crowd as we see Mankind on the top turnbuckle. From the back comes the Legion of Doom to cut them off as backup for Austin. In ring both Mankind and Austin trade punches. Then we see Austin do a stomp a mud hole and walk it dry spot. Suddenly from the back comes Vader who comes to help as Stone Cold moves and he big splashes Mankind by mistake.

This sets off Mankind as he starts wailing Vader for this. Both men start brawling as Bearer is yelling to stop this and finally gets between both men to stop this. There is an uneasy alliance as Vader hugs Mankind to show he's with him. The show ends at that.


The Bad : This episode of RAW had really no good matches at all. I mean almost every match was pretty bad. Vince was still struggling to see why Nitro was working so well as they would give solid matches with no jobbers used. Instead the WWF would throw a number of guys out there in jobber matches and not many cared to see Vader squash unknown jobber for the one millionth time.

The funniest part of the show was the actual insane lies Shawn Michael spewed in his shoot promo against Bret Hart. That was insanely crazy as Michaels accused Hart of being greedy (never mind Bret turned down a bigger WCW offer) and how he had made the company have a huge successful year (they lost $6 million dollars in 1996 , Vince's ass was against the friggen wall folks). At this point I really wonder what Shawn will claim next in his promos as the truth against Bret Hart ?

Ken Shamrock debuts in ring and this is what we got ? Beyond him beating a guy to a bloody pulp , this had everyone watching live confused as hell.


OVERALL : **1/2 Outta 5. Beyond the strong work of Steve Austin & Mankind , this entire show would have been a disaster. Austin was clicking hot now and Mankind cut one hell of a great promo. Discussing a rarely seen part of his personal life. You could see the effects Russo was starting to have on the product as a year ago Mankind would have never revealed any details of his life. Now , we learned he was married and he had children.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

WWF Monday Night RAW - April 14th , 1997




Your Hosts - Vince McMahon , Jim Cornette , Jim Ross & Honkytonk Man

This episode begins with the WWF Network saying presented in best form possible beyond technical difficulties then. Anyhow the episode begins with the RAW Attitude era opening of Austin walking through explosions. A great "less is more" approach to themes that worked for this new era. Vince welcomes us to the show as fire works go off as this RAW is seemingly broadcast from 2 different locations. One in Africa with J.R & Honky. The one in America with Cornette & McMahon.

The Legion of Doom kick off the show as Vince claims were gonna go to the Africa location as well as Kuwait. Cornette brings up Austin will be here tonight to discuss the PPV ahead . We get replays of what led to the match of the LOD vs Godwinns tonight where the Road Warriors were slopped by accident. The Godwinns take time to walk all around the ring as suddenly the audio dies out awhile.

It kicks back in as Phineas does a back elbow to Hawk off the ropes as Hawk quickly gets back on his feet. Then he delivers a pile driver to Hawk as its NO SOLD as well. Cornette sells the power of Hawk's neck. He tags in Animal as Henry comes in. The two big guys go at it and finally Animal catches him with a massive shoulder block tackle off the ropes. The fans begin a loud LOD chant. Henry sucks in Animal on a fake test of strength as the Godwinns play heel now. Phineas delivers a nice chin buster to Animal as he makes the tag backwards in the corner.

Hawk punches Phineas as it sets him off. Then we see him body smash him in the corner turnbuckle. But Hawk snaps back and reverses a suplex attempt . Cornette puts over the last time LOD lost a match on TV it had to be in B & W. Henry is tagged in and after a back n forth exchange , Hawk tries to tackle Henry in the corner , and goes flying through the ropes and wraps his shoulder around ring post. Letting the heel Godwinns take control.

After commercial we see during the break the Godwinns concentrated on working on Hawk's hurt shoulder. Then in a weird spot , Phineas charges the corner turnbuckle as Hawk is backing up. They collide head to head. This allows the hot tag to Animal . Then all 4 men start going at it , as Hawk & Phineas are outside fighting. The referee isn't watching as Owen & Davey come down. Then he nails Animal from behind with a tag team title , which allows Henry to make the pin ! Even Cornette is stunned that the Road Warriors lost this.

Now to South Africa , where Honky claims that there will be hell to pay for Jesse James this Sunday when Rockabilly teaches him a lesson. Jesse James is working against Hunter Hearst Hemsley and the audio again is having issues due to split location. Chyna is there as usual by the way.

There is no announcing as its just 2 guys wrestling and you hear fans in the background. Both men go through more reversals and after some arm drag take downs etc , both are back to their feet again. More mat based wrestling as they try arm bars and locks. Finally Jim Ross audio kicks in. Hunter attempts a suplex but its blocked and there weirdly is no reversal on it...just a block and they separate in the middle of the ring.

Finally fans see a punch throw as James catches Hunter and throws him outta the corner to a huge pop. He then does some arm drag take downs and back into...an arm bar. In the ropes Hunter catches James and repays him and starts to take advantage til he's caught with an arm drag and drop kick. Finally he gets the heel advantage as James tries a back drop and eats a face to the knee.

The audio is comically out again as all we hear is people and no announce team. After a commercial , Hunter is still ahead and delivers a swinging neck breaker. He can't get the pin yet and delivers a nice text book suplex. Then drops a Flair like knee to the head on a laying Jesse James. Helmsley locks in a chin lock and James starts to rally back from fan support. This is cut off as Hunter delivers a high knee ...again !

Back to a rest hold yet again and Hunter uses the ropes for leverage. James rallies and starts doing his version of Hulk Hogan , as he shakes and twists awhile. But his come back is short lived as he eats a boot to the face in the corner. Then in a decent spot , Helmsley tries a double ax handle off the top rope soon after and eats a clothesline. James is back as he starts to work him over and does his trade mark shimmy , shake punch. Jim Ross mocks Honky that James pulled his collar up to show him.

Honky isn't happy and leaves the announce booth. He trips James and then hits him , which allows Helmsley to deliver the pedigree for the win. Not a terrible match , but we kinda knew Honkytonk Man would get involved. We get a replay of the pedigree. Post match James dares Honky to shake , rattle and roll his butt into the ring now. No need to wait on this mystery man til Sunday. But Honky claims he wants some as he teases getting in the ring.

On the apron Honky teases undoing his jumpsuit for a few seconds as he decides against it. James holds a sign "Chicken" to mock him as we finally go back to America. Before that we get a clip of Bret discussing America and whats right and wrong. This RAW is part of the 1997 African Storm Tour. But were back in Africa again as we see Rocky Maivia coming out as IC Champion.

This is the best response Rocky has gotten and the audio is working again as Jim Ross describes the whole Nation of Domination war with Ahmed Johnson. This is a non-title match and its Savio Vega vs Rocky Maivia. Rocky and Savio starts off testing each other as Jim Ross brings up that Rocky may well be the greatest IC Champion in history. Both men go through reversals and more as Ahmed watches the match . 2x4 in hand as he claims he plans to bring it down to ring as he threatens Honky to cross him. That fans know he walks it like he talks it. Cornette comes across and asks if Ahmed has any form of hooked on phonics that he can take in Africa after he's off.

In ring Rocky nails Savio with a back elbow as he's on fire. Jim Ross wonders if the new young sensation knows how dangerous a spot he's in against the NOD. But he keeps working Savio over. Finally as Rocky charges the corner turnbuckle , Savio nails a martial arts side kick to get the advantage. This allows Vega to start doing chokes and being a general heel. He locks in a nerve grip to the neck of Maivia.

Minutes pass as Savio locks in another rest hold nerve grip on Rocky. Then from the back out walks Faarooq who is in an arm sling. The kids rally behind Rocky as he tries to stand but Vega kicks him back down and locks in that nerve grip again. Faarooq is directing traffic outside the ring , yelling orders to Vega. Finally in a spot Savio tries an arrogant pin , standing over Rocky but the young man kicks out.

More time passes as Savio uses kicks and punches to take him down. As Rocky gets to his feet after a couple punches and a trip to the mat , Vega is back with nerve hold again. The referee begins to make a count as finally the audio kicks back in as Jim Ross comes on. Finally Rocky is rallying back and in a nice spot , Savio gets to the top rope and does a back flying cross body. Then seconds later Rocky delivers a catapult into the corner but is cut off by Vega.

In a spot seconds later Vega charges the other corner as Rocky moves. Vega's head goes flying into the turnbuckle near sideways weirdly. Anyhow after a nice high impact backdrop , Rocky is outta gas. Both men are wore out and after a slow cover , Vega kicks out. Maivia is on fire and delivers his finisher of a fisherman's suplex (perfect plex) . But Vega kicks out and then tries a pin after a nice belly to belly !

After a nice cross body , Rocky signals the shoulder breaker finisher. But Vega reverses it and uses tights to get a cheap win. Post match the NOD all gang attack Rocky. Suddenly out comes Ahmed with 2x4 and he clears the ring ! Hour #2 is set to begin.


Finally were back in America as we learn its spring of course. But in Africa its fall. Then we see last week where Austin told Gorilla Monsoon he wants Bret Hart again at In Your House. Cause he told Bret he'd never be rid of him. Anyhow this week out comes Austin who isn't happy it seems as fans pop. He shares a few seconds of a stare down with McMahon as the interview begins.

Its about damn time he got what he wanted from this federation. That Gorilla and Vince have been holding him down too long. McMahon counters real talent can't be denied. And he agrees , that people know he's one good sob. Austin claims Bret comes out complaining how he's been screwed by WWF repeatedly. Well , Bret you ain't been screwed by Stone Cold Steve Austin ! He will beat the living hell outta Bret Hart and ain't no one gonna stop him !

Austin claims all Bret has done is try to copy him. He tried to walk like him , talk like him. But once its done , you can bet your bottom dollar he will whip his ass ! McMahon finishes the promo as it seems due to time Austin had to go quick. As we go back to Africa. This time its Goldust vs Sultan. Dustin is going for a Peter Criss type look tonight weirdly.

end of part #1

[SUPERECWFAN1]

He's also alone for this match without Marlena. Of course the WWF to keep viewers enticed , keep showing Marlena , Sable and Sunny in bikini spots . Which is pretty solid as a hook folks. The match begins as Dusty is working over Sultan in corner and shakes his crotch at him to mock this. Sultan nearly goes to leave as he's not pleased about this as Sheik pleads with him to stay. To not do this in this country. The speech seems to work and after a reversal seconds later , he sends Dustin into the steel ring steps.

Sultan delivers a pretty big pile driver and to get a man Dustin's size up is impressive. Again there is no audio from announce team due to technical issues. Then suddenly outta nowhere comes Hunter and Chyna who attack Goldust. Both stat double teaming him and then we see Sultan & Hunter deliver a spiked pile driver. Sultan locks on camel clutch. Then we see them bash him with the flag. Finally 1 WWF security guy gets in ring to stop it.

In Kuwait we see Bret Hart holding the flag of the nation. He brings up how he's proud to be a champion for the rest of the world. That he stands for the truth and more , unlike the American fans. That they cheer for people like Stone Cold Steve Austin. That people in Kuwait , Germany and more used to look up to me. Bret mocks Shawn for his terrible lies he told. Who can look up to Austin who is scum of the Earth. Stone Cold found out once before he wasn't good enough and he's gonna face him once more.

Finally back in the USA , we get the Headbangers , who will be facing Vader & Mankind. A real life dysfunctional couple in those 2 who seem to be ready to fight each other at a moments notice. Another hot chick is shown to convince viewers to keep watching. After commercial Vader starts off with one of Headbangers. He beats him down in the corner and lets off to look at Mankind. Both Mosh & Thrasher double team and deliver a double suplex to the big Vader.

In a cool spot Vader takes a side headlock and turns it into a belly to belly slam. Then the Headbanger rallies back and soon the Headbangers try to play heel. But Mankind doesn't take that so kindly as he takes both outside the ring to brawl. The 4 men are on the ramp as Vader has to restore order comically and bring them back to the ring. Mankind works over Mosh in ring finally as we learn which one is which for the Headbangers.

Mick delivers a nice double under arm DDT and makes the tag to Vader. Who is dismantling Mosh awhile. The two men work over him in the corner. Then we see Mick do his running knee in the corner to the face. Then the clothesline over the top rope with them. Finally Thrasher can't handle it anymore and tries to get involved. Mosh climbs onto the apron as Mankind goes to grab him and suddenly ...Mosh spits something in his face ! No clue what it is as Mick is flailing around and can't see. Vader clears the ring and goes to check on him as Mankind locks on mandible claw ....and takes down Vader by mistake. Bearer finally gets him off Vader.

In Africa again we see the lights flicker as we hear Undertaker's voice. He asks the Creatures of the Night if they are prepared...for the end ...this Sunday night of Mankind. This Sunday night the man who covets the flame will be estiguished. Mankind you can never rest in peace...but you can burn in hell. Honky questions where he is as the lights go out. Which makes you question , who knew Undertaker had better technical department than the WWF ?

We get a clip of the 1997 Slammy's with the women in tight bikinis and Todd Pettengill acts like he never saw a woman before with his expressions. Marlena is stunning as is Sunny. Then we see Sable nearly smoke the entire deal as she shows off how she exploded on scene. In Africa we get the Truth Commission. The Commandant details the Truth Commission's goals for the WWF. He is of course an actor named Robin B Smith and starred in many South Africa films from 1980's to 2000's.

Ahmed Johnson comes out as he will face Krush who gets no props from fans when he tries to appeal to them. They start shoving each other and then Krush tries shoulder blocking him as Ahmed doesn't move. Then Ahmed tries the same deal and no move. Then comically in a spot both men hit the ropes and Ahmed ducks a clothesline. They bounce off the ropes and both eat shoulder blocks , hitting the mat .

In a spot to show you how athletic Ahmed was then , he does a nice front cartwheel type flip over Krush . Then delivers a scissors kick knocking Krush outside. Seconds later Krush regains himself and knocks Ahmed outside where the NOD do cheap shots from Di-Lo .Krush delivers a big suplex to get Ahmed back in ring as he tries a pin attempt. Savio Vega comes out to stalk Ahmed.

Jim Ross tries to tell us something before commercial and after due to technical issues ...he can't . No announce team again. Ahmed starts to rally and delivers a big ax kick. Then after a body slam stares at Faarooq at ringside. In another comical botch spot , seconds later Ahmed runs and tries to drop a big elbow and half lands on Krush , yet acts like he missed the entire deal. Krush takes control with a side suplex and later a sleeper.

As Ahmed starts to get to his feet , the NOD distract the referee as Faarooq tosses in a strap for Krush to use on Ahmed. Back down he brings him , locking on a sleeper again. Ahmed tries to rally and bounces off the ropes , eating a knee to the mid-section for his trouble. Then in a spot where Krush signals the heart punch , Ahmed catches his arm and delivers a spinning heel kick. Then he catches him off the ropes with a side roll up pin ! Winning the match and rolling outta the ring quick.

Krush wants to blame Di-Lo for this but he pleads innocent as Faarooq stops him. Then on the mic Faarooq mocks him that no matter whatever country he's in the NOD will get rid of him. Then in a challenge ...Faarooq claims if Ahmed beats Savio Vega , Krush and him....he will disband the Nation of Domination. That he promises as Ahmed looks on interested it. McMahon & Cornette hype the In Your House PPV coming up as the show ends.


The Bad : This show should have been called the Technical Issues Episode of RAW is War. By doing a show in 2 different countries McMahon was attempting a huge new concept but it fell flat. With issues where audio was suddenly dropped from entrances to announce teams. If you were watching at home you had to wonder what the hell exactly you were watching at times then.

Also there was no flow at all to the show as suddenly you'd get a match and be taken back to Africa or suddenly go to where Bret Hart cuts a promo in Kuwait. With no real flow of a show happening , we had a lackluster main event of Ahmed Johnson vs Krush which I'm sure not many was demanding really.


OVERALL : ** Outta 5. Beyond the wrestling and solid match of Helmsley/James , there really wasn't much to write home about. This episode had more comical technical issues and was busy showing us Diva's in spots. When your Slammy Award's spot with women are more interesting than what your doing from Africa and America , that is a problem. This episode will be more known for showing us Sable in such a revealing bikini , it kinda was the highlight of the show.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

WWF Monday Night RAW : April 21st , 1997



Your Hosts - Jim Ross , Jerry Lawler & Vince McMahon

We see clips from In Your House where Undertaker set off a fire ball in Paul Bearer's face ! With McMahon's classic over selling announcing "The flames of hell have burned Bearer's face. After the Austin intro theme were life for RAW...IS....WAR.

And out comes Stone Cold to kick the show as Jim Ross is announcing. In ring is Vince McMahon who will interview Austin. Tonight he'll face Bret Hart in a street fight. On May 11th , Stone Cold will also be facing the WWF World Champion and get his title shot. He tells Vince to shut his mouth. He ain't talking about his title shot yet , he is talking about Bret Hart. He whipped his ass last night and used his lil bitty sharp shooter. And if it wasn't for Owen and Davey he would have finished it.

All he wants the WWF to do is to bring Bret Hart out . So he can beat his ass in a street fight and he said its not over til he says it is. He demands Bret come on out now. A timer is on the tron as he requests 30 seconds as it counts down finally. An angry Austin paces around and claims he knew damn well he wouldn't , so he's coming back. Suddenly on comes Bret Hart who accepts his challenge since he's American scum. Bret calls him a no good piece of crap and that last night he nearly tore his knee up around the ring post and fans loved it ...THEY LOVED THE VIOLENCE . So he plans to deliver.

He doesn't know how Austin got a world title shot. But he's gonna send him straight to hell tonight when he's done. Steve Austin claims if he's going .,..Bret's going on with him as well. Tonight we see that Shamrock will open challenge Mike Tyson to a fight and that Vader currently is in trouble overseas where he flipped a table over and assaulted a host in Kuwait. Also in main event Undertaker will face HHH .

The cameras are looking for Steve Austin as he's backstage looking for Bret. We see him looking as McMahon joins the booth finally. Bret paces in the locker room waiting on his street fight. In ring is the Sultan and his manager Iron Sheik. The Sultan will be facing Ahmed Johnson who accepted the challenge of the Nation to run a gauntlet and face all 3 members on May 11th.

Johnson and Sultan start off fast and then in a spot that showed just how athletic he was at this stage he delivers a big scissor kick to Sultan off the ropes. Then later a big ax kick. Sultan later in a spot catches Ahmed off the turnbuckle with a big side kick. Fans begin a USA chant as Sultan takes the heel advantage. Sultan seconds later catches Johnson with a high knee to mid section which sets up a big pile driver on him.

The pyro as McMahon explains the cloudy view of the match and arena where they set it off. Then in a test of his power , Ahmed stops and delivers a front face suplex to Sultan ! Big set up spine buster as Ahmed makes the sign the PRP is coming. Suddenly the NOD music hits as they stand at top of the ramp. Johnson goes outside the ring and dares em to come on. This allows Sultan to grab and throw him into the ring post.

The NOD believe he's weak and start to come down , but Ahmed is ready and grabs the 2x4. They quickly back up the ramp. Sultan isn't as lucky and eats the 2x4 from Johnson and as a message to Nation and Faarooq he starts savagely bashing Sultan with 2x4. WWF Security try and stop this as as Faarooq looks a bit worried at this message. Backstage Austin paces as he looks for Bret.

Austin has a chair and starts trying to kick the door to the locker room and smashing it with a chair as he demands Bret come out. Bret inside tells em to have some friggen respect for once in his life. Then tells him he'll give him more than what he wants to meet him in the ring. Then we see Shamrock sitting at commentary as its learned Ken will debut in the company on May 11th and face Vader. But right now Vader is detained in Kuwait over the whole "wrestling is fake".

Vader on the show grabs the Kuwait host as Undertaker is more calm and watches. He grabs him by his tie and says if its so fake why don't he come down after he beats Undertaker's ass ...so he can go 1st. The Kuwait host is obviously frazzled. This Wednesday they will find out what will happen to him and how he fares in court there. Lawler comically draws a picture of Vader getting sentenced to shovel camel manure. Then shows a silly action figure of Vader behind a jail cell.

Shamrock claims there is one thing he doesn't like and its bullies. And that his whole life he's battled bullies. That Vader thinks he's a bully so on May 11th he's gonna put an end to that bully. Lawler brings up the rumor with Mike Tyson. Shamrock claims he's been waiting for 8 years over a question to be answered over Mike Tyson. So he wants to prove he's better if Mike Tyson accepts his challenge. Tyson thinks he's a bully so in front of the world he makes the challenge. Lawler goads him and claims he'd be on the mat laying down if he faced Iron Mike.

Austin's music hits as its time for this street fight ! We see images where last night at PPV , Bret attacked Austin's knee. Ripping off his knee brace and trying to tear his knee up. Finally after so many seconds of waiting , Bret's music hits. He comes out ready for this as he slowly removes his jacket as Austin gestures for him. Finally from behind we see Bulldog & Owen jump Austin ! They all 3 start a beat down on Stone Cold as Lawler laughs over it.

Its 3 on 1 as this happens. Suddenly from the fans comes Shawn Michaels with a steel chair. He nails Owen with a head shot and gets Bulldog next. But he chases them off as its one on one now. Austin vs Bret as this street fight really begins and Bret in control. The Hitman is in rage as he's on top pounding away as fans boo him. He pile drives him and takes the time to get a chair. The referee tries to stop him but gets threatened to step aside.

Bret is limping a bit due to a knee issue as we can tell in this. Then tries a high risk move and stomp on chair and misses. Austin in control starts smashing Hart's knee and working it over with a chair. He stalks Bret with the chair mocking him in trash talk. Then to mock him some more locks in the sharpshooter. Both men flip each other off. The referees all come in to get Austin off him as Austin refuses to turn loose. Wanting to hurt Bret with this as fans cheer him on !

Jim Ross even is getting worried and says Austin's won this war so far and he needs to turn loose. They finally get Austin to turn loose as Bret is hurt sever with that knee. Owen & Bulldog after the commercial is out there demanding a stretcher. J.R believes Bret's knee is obviously damaged. They show repeats of how Austin systematically took out Hart's knee. They finally take Bret on the stretcher.

Backstage we see Gorilla Monsoon going off on Austin. Claiming he's broken every rule and regulation possible. Stone Cold yells that is damn right and I'm gonna break some more ! Monsoon yells for him to get the hell out of there. Steve threatens he'll take him out next . Finally he leaves as Bret refuses the stretcher and gets helped to the back by his family. End of Hour #1.

The 2nd hour begins as Vince discusses what has happened with Austin and Hart. In ring now is Salvatore Sincere and the new debuting Tiger Ali Singh who would after this disappear awhile as the WWF then didn't know what to do with him. Sincere starts off quick and gets him in the corner working him over. Backstage the camera has a split screen showing us Bret on a stretcher now . Singh has taken over and beats down Sincere.

He delivers a flying body splash in the corner and then an impressive overhead belly to belly slam. Off the ropes he delivers a face to the canvas type bulldog. Singh and Sincere trade punches and he suddenly hooks Singh in a belly to belly type bridge slam into a pin attempt. As Owen argues with paramedics over Bret. In ring Sincere stays in control and tries another pin attempt. Sincere delivers a weird type of clothesline as he seems to debate what to do as a move.

Singh's father is the legend Tiger Jeet Singh . While they discuss getting Bret in an ambulance , Singh tries a backslide pin attempt. Later he catches Sincere off the ropes with a spinning leg kick for the pin. Backstage they take Bret to the ambulance and his knee is wrapped and he has ice on his wrist. Both Owen & Bret say watch how he's done. Then outta nowhere in the ambulance is the big iconic moment for Austin . Ole Stone Cold is in the ambulance as he beats on Bret some more..."I told told you I was taking you straight to hell !"


end of part #1

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Owen & Davey beat Austin down so they can get Bret to the hospital. The two decide to stalk Austin and take him out. We get a replay of what happened earlier where Austin was in the ambulance and taking Bret to hell. And how they managed to finally get Bret drove to hospital. After all that we finally go to see Jesse James sing his way to the ring with that one song he seemingly knows.

McMahon claims that James can wrestle as good as he can sing. Lawler chimes in quick to tell us , then that isn't good. Out comes Honkytonk Man with his new protege , Billy Gunn. Who became Rockabilly. Billy Gunn catches James and starts shimming and shaking after beating him down in corner. Billy Gunn tries a high knee as James uses his momentum off the ropes to throw him into the air. He quickly takes him down with an arm drag take down into arm bar.

Jim Ross plugs the 1-900 line and how he'll keep up to date on Bret Hart situation and Psycho Sid. Rockabilly catches James with a side slam off the ropes and tries a pin attempt. In control he flashes the hippie peace signs and does his hair , then goes back to punching James down. He decides to choke Jesse on the canvas , then a boot the face with some shimming. Billy catches James later with an elbow and does yet another pin attempt.

Later Rockabilly drops James throat 1st over the top rope as he celebrates outside with Honky. Now into a long rest hold as fans are totally not into this. Rockabilly is moving so slow with this match that Vince claims that they will be putting a 2nd camera in place in the other side of building to find Austin. Then in a weird spot Rockabilly in the corner seems to rub his ass in James face to taunt him like Rikishi weirdly.

James fires back as the pace suddenly quickens , smashing both in the corner. Jesse then does his Elvis impression and charges the corner , and gets elevated up and eats the turnbuckle for that ! Rockabilly does his shimmy and then its a swinging neck breaker finisher ...which gets the win. As Billy celebrates with Honky. James doesn't like this and he jumps Gunn post match. Honky uses this time to use his gimmick guitar to lay him out with some boots thrown in.

Backstage Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin argue back n forth. HBK claims he didn't do that for him and that he took out the Hart Foundation because he doesn't like them. Austin claims he didn't want his damn help. Both start shoving as poor Gorilla Monsoon tries to keep it from exploding as he keeps telling them to calm down. Monsoon warns Austin he's this close to losing his license while Shawn gets mad , both finally storm off in different directions as Monsoon goes to keep an eye on Stone Cold.

McMahon brings up what that whole argument with Shawn and Steve was about. Jim Ross explains that Steve Austin doesn't want anyone's help and doesn't trust anyone. On the Titan Tron we see Mankind discuss Bearer's scorched face. Not one whimper was made from poor Uncle Paul. Not when they scrapped his face for the procedure. He's disfigured now due to Undertaker. Soon Uncle Paul.....suddenly Undertaker's music hits. Which makes Mankind stop and look around.

Undertaker after he turns on the lights is wearing a bandage on his head selling the burn. The WWF shows replays of him burning Bearer's face and well , what doesn't help is that the fire ball in one replay doesn't even touch Bearer's face comically. Now comes Hunter Hearst Helmsley with Chyna. Undertaker gets tired of waiting on Hunter and catches him on apron. Chyna wisely backs up from the Dead Man , as back in ring Undertaker takes it to Helmsley.

They debate how the 6 year history of Bearer and Undertaker led to that. Undertaker catches Hunter off the turnbuckle and does his trade mark holding them in the air by throat choke spot. Finally Helmsley catches the Dead Man off the ropes with a knee drop to the face . Then starts trying to get him off his feet and eats a big boot seconds later as he charges him in the corner. This match now is Non-title as Jim Ross tells us.

Undertaker climbs the top turnbuckle and walks the top rope with his classic shoulder smash spot. Undertaker tries a crucifix pin in a weird spot and Hunter gets rolled outside. But that isn't an escape for him as he eats the steel ring steps from the Dead Man. Back in ring seconds later Hunter gets a heel advantage with punches and kicks. Finally getting the Dead Man down as he focuses punches on the bandaged head.

He then later takes Undertaker's head and scraps it across the rope. Then does a big knee drop on that head and attempts a pin. Undertaker fires back on Hunter , and tosses him into the side turnbuckle , where he flips into the air and back down...eating a fist to the face in that spot. After a rest hold awhile from Undertaker , Helmsley catches him and throws him outside. Then throws him into the steel ring steps outside.

Back in ring , Helmsley uses a sleeper hold with leverage. Then the camera pans over and watching in the front is ...Dustin Rhodes and Marlena . The fans start a RIP chant to rally behind Undertaker. He eats a back elbow from the corner for this as Hunter stays on him. But suddenly after Helmsley smashes his head in turnbuckle....the Dead Man wakes up...much to Hunter's horror. He punches him clear over the top rope.

Outside the ring we see Mankind coming down the ramp with a blow torch. Vince yells someone has to stop this. Suddenly Mankind nails Undertaker with the metal bottle of the torch. Then beats him down and is ready to try and set Undertaker on fire. As he tries to light the blow torch , screaming for it to engage. Suddenly Undertaker sits up and grabs him. They start brawling outta the ring , all the way into the fans.

Meanwhile as Chyna walks by the front row , Marlena uses the belt to try and choke down Chyna ! This allows Dustin to jump across the guard rail and put a beat down on Hunter ! This brawl begins as WWF security arrive quick to try and break it up. Chyna of course by this point stops selling for Marlena and has removed the belt. After commercial we hear Austin's music as he arrives.

He doesn't seem to care that Bulldog and Owen are looking for him. In ring McMahon interviews him about the eventful 24 hours he's had from fighting Bret in ring , injuring him and getting a future WWF World title shot. Austin claims he told the world he would send Bret back to Canada and that is exactly what he did. Then he targets the fans and claims they didn't help him do a damn thing ! Then brings up all the growing Austin 3:16 signs and more , plus the fact Vince wants to jump on the Stone Cold bandwagon as well. Which he makes him slowly admit.

Austin claims he's finished Bret in the WWF and the world period. But he has 1 down , then 2 to go. They will have hell to pay facing him. Vince interjects that he may have some hell to pay facing Undertaker May 11th. Stone Cold claims Undertaker will have a cold day in hell for him. That he best shine the damn gold belt up cause he's gonna hand it over to him. Then he looks at Vince and tells him , how he doesn't plan to ever be some role model and he best accept that as we see McMahon's face.

Then with no warning , Owen & Davey catch Austin and start a beat down on him. McMahon tries to stop this as Owen throws him into the corner , much to Vince's disgust. Suddenly out comes Shawn Michaels with a chair. Austin is left laying in a heap while HBK drives the Hart Foundation off. Vince pleads for help for Steve Austin. All while Vince watches this as fans chant Austin rules.

Austin slowly gets to his feet and things seem calm. Til suddenly outta the crowd comes BRIAN PILLMAN ! Like a wild maniac he attacks Austin as Vince claims he's an absolute maniac. Brian grabs a chair and uses it on Stone Cold. Then he slaps him across the face repeatedly. Brian is gonna destroy Austin's ankle and sets it up for it , til Shawn makes the save yet again. A laughing Pillman smiles as he slides back into the crowd !


THE BAD - This episode had the full debut of Rockabilly and really it was DOA on arrival. Billy Gunn was repackaged as a last resort deal as the company had ran this long angle for months with really no idea who to make Honky's protege. The booking itself shows this as Gunn punched Honky and its later he suddenly does it ? As Gunn claims backstage they had nothing for him and someone told him this would work. But he knew it would fail as him and Honky had no chemistry . (which showed)

The WWE didn't have much match wise beyond Tiger Ali Singh and the Undertaker/Helmsley non-title match. So that could be a bit of a blow as well here for this RAW.


OVERALL : ***1/2 Outta 5. This episode clearly was carried by the growing popular Austin. As the character caught on they decided to use him through the entire show in spots , from brawls with Bret Hart to brawls later with Owen , Davey and Pillman. But the WWF roster wasn't fully big at the time and they had to push Austin hard. Even with a lack of matches , the entire night had a wild anything can happen energy from wild brawls with everyone to suddenly ...Pillman's return !

[SUPERECWFAN1]

WWF Monday Night RAW - April 28th , 1997



Your Hosts - Vince McMahon , Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler

We see replays of scenes with Austin last week where Austin challenged Bret Hart to a street fight and beating his ass back to Canada. Bret answered by sending him straight to hell. We actually have a clock in the corner that details when the Hart Foundation tried to take out Stone Cold at 8:32. Then Shawn makes the save of course. Bret then tries to Pillmanize , Austin's leg but reverses it on Bret and takes his leg out !

At 8:46pm we see Austin do his famous taking over the ambulance spot and try to hurt Bret some more. At 9:52pm he's jumped by Owen Hart & British Bulldog til out of the crowd comes HBK again. Then we see the return of the Loose Cannon himself , Brian Pillman ! RAW opens with fireworks and more as its a rapid crowd in Omaha , Nebraska !

Out comes with a weird ticking clock entrance is Brian Pillman rocking a fun type of graphic shirt. Pillman tells folks please , he knows there is a lot of ill-conceived notions on what Brian Pillman is. That he's crazy , but please deep inside Brian Pillman is very , very ...religious. After last week and playing the carnage of RAW over and over , he couldn't sleep. Nightmares and sleepless nights ...a glorious awakening overcame him ! A glorious truth has taken him and he will pray , pray for all the misgivings. He then asks the crowd to join him in prayer.

Then he wants them all in every row to bow their heads and join him. He closes his eyes and holds his hand up in a prayer to god. Then he prays for Bret Hart to have a speedy recovery. That he prays for those folks who took in the savage brutality of last weeks show be forgiven for enjoying it. That he prays for the folks who enjoy the devious actions of Stone Cold Steve Austin. They need forgiveness too. Then crying Pillman falls to his knees with his hand up and prays for those across America who enjoy this all to be forgiven !

Please folks continue to bond with him in prayer. Then he claims he wants to pray for the complete destruction and alienation of Steve Austin ! That he be stricken down and struck down tonight ! That Bret Hart be accepted into his heart of souls of many. Then we see Austin come on Titan Tron as Austin interrupts. That he better hope he doesn't come out right now because later he plans to beat his ass ! That Bret Hart won't be able to save him then.

Pillman answers by calling Austin the devil and comically tells him that he was told to ...turn the other cheek and bends over showing Austin his ass. Brian waits on him as finally the music hits as Brian waits. Steve slowly walks down as he talks trash. Austin realizes it was a trap as Owen and Davey tried to ambush him there. Back through the fans he talks trash and flips them off.

Pillman calls Davey and Owen , "Brother" and claims they are in midst of a prayer. That they need to finish this prayer and the Hart Foundation all get down on one knee and continue the prayer for Bret Hart. Both send kind words on what they want to do for Bret to heal. Plus as decent human beings pray for Steve Austin. Who backstage breaks an ax handle and has a wooden bar ready for war. The guys continue this mock prayer.

The music hits again for Austin who has the ax handle charging the ring. The prayer session ends finally as the heels take off. He doesn't know where the hell their going but they all best give their souls to the lord because their asses are his ! After commercial Brian is backstage doing a prayer for Bret to arrive safely for his family.

In ring and a drastic 180 from that is ...Flash Funk ? Anyhow this drastic 180 continues as out comes Rockabilly (aka Billy Gunn) . Rockabilly has dyed his hair black and has a studded jacket now. Funk and Rockabilly starts off and eats some quick drop kicks and take downs from Funk. But suddenly catches him with a kick. His heel advantage ends and Funk does a nice flying cross body off the top turnbuckle into a quick 2 count. Funk does a nice jump to the 2nd rope , and flying clothesline to the floor on Gunn in another spot seconds later.

Honky distracts Funk and on the apron eats a lariat from Rockabilly. A nice suplex back in and Gunn does a weird strut type deal , then putting boots to Flash. In a cool spot Gunn delivers the fameasser type leg drop to the head move. Funk rebounds later as Gunn tries to climb the top rope but takes so long that Funk almost cuts him off. But Rockabilly grabs him and delivers a nice DDT off the top turnbuckle move.

He has the win but shakes and shimmy's around like a moron on crack. Then comically gestures for Honky to get involved. So up on apron he attempts to whip Funk in and is reversed. Flash does a victory roll up pin which stuns both heels. Post match Funk eats the gimmick guitar spot from Gunn. Both men celebrate this as Billy picks up the fragment of the guitar to play comically. They finally make them both leave.

On the tron is Bret Hart and we finally see him rolled in as his entire family is around him. Security is with him as is Gorilla Monsoon as we will find out whats on his mind. After commercial in ring is Vince McMahon who brings up that due to street fight , Bret underwent knee surgery. They show some surgery clip that Bret had done. Now joining them is 4 time WWF World Champion....Bret Hart !

The Hitman gets wheeled out as he's in his chair and none too happy. At the top of the ramp Bret has a mic and he starts off putting over Brian's prayer he did earlier. That no matter how much he prayers it doesn't save a hyena like Steve Austin. He only wounded a lion in him and no prayer will save that scum of America. That there is a whole pack of hyena's and he symbolizes the entire crowd. Then rips the American wrestling fan and that they are mocked across the world. That he stood up and told the truth about heroes and what did he get for it ? That Austin tried to end his career and that American wrestling fans showed how they are a sick depraved society !

That he had to lower his standards and prove himself again. That he's the best there is , best there was and best there ever will be. Aren't they sick of him bragging that , well now they know how the rest of world feels about them. He tells them he'll be back soon so go ahead chant USA. His mom is American. That ambulance best stay close because scum like Austin and perhaps Shawn Michaels will be using it. He then tells them how they make him sick and demands to be wheeled back.

We get a clip of Shotgun Saturday Night where Phineas Godwinn (aka Dennis Knight) suffered a cracked C7 vertebra where the Road Warriors botched a Doomsday device finisher. This would be the start of health issues for Knight. Backstage we see Steve Austin hunting the Hart Foundation as he demands where the 1st aid room is. We get a weird commercial where a family has a grandfather who believes wrestling is real and dresses as Vader. Called WWF Reality check ...which seemed to be a short lived new slogan they attempted.

In ring is the LOD. Fresh off the botch that took out Phineas Godwinn. Out comes Doug Furnas and Phillip LaFon who were playing now frustrated heels who couldn't get accepted by WWF fans. The 2 men were booked to lose months ago and now with Godwinns out needed to be used it seems. The promo has LaFon struggling to understand why , they take pictures and do everything that is asked. That they have wrestled across the world and been great. Furnas claims that they could paint their faces like LOD and be clowns perhaps. That with that support they'd be WWF tag team champions already.

LaFon does some slipping by Animal and does a spinning heel kick. McMahon brings up that their style is more European perhaps. Animal finally catches Phil with a big time shoulder block. Hawk comes in against Furnas , who test strength. Then Hawk takes advantage and delivers a nice neck breaker. Playing a heel Phil delivers a kick to back as Furnas works over Hawk and does a but drop on Hawk's neck. Fans start cheering LOD on huge !

In ring LaFon starts working the arm over and delivers a nice snap suplex. Then in a spot both men deliver clotheslines off the ropes to each other. Both make a hot tag as Animal starts working over both men and delivers a drop kick ! Then in a weird type of , has to be a botch some how ...LaFon and Furnas is working over Animal in the corner as Hawk charges. Suddenly Animal stands to close and both men get sandwiched in clotheslines as Jim Ross plays it as both LOD members doing double , double clotheslines. LaFon is set up for the Doomsday device and Furnas drop kicks Hawk to block it.

Then to comically bury the team further , Furnas eats a normal clothesline off the top rope from Animal and gets pinned. As the LOD celebrate this as we see both Furnas and LaFon frustrated in ring. Jim Ross gets in ring to talk to them. They seem to hint at the unfair advantage that the LOD has. LaFon wants a rematch and rematch soon !

On ShotGun Saturday night , Sunny Undercover is shown as the Headbangers crash her segment. Where they wanna eat in her bed much to her anger. Ahmed is seen frustrated over how Vince is questioning how he could apologize for his savage attack on Sultan. Ahmed snaps and brings up how he handled 3 guys last week and how he's a former gang member. BELIEVE THAT. That this is what Faarooq wanted a gang fight !

end of part #1

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Backstage we see the Hitman discussing strategy with his family as they all huddle together. Brian meanwhile is still praying and holds Owen's 2 Slammy's as part of this. The Hart Foundation come out with Owen as he is ready to face Rocky Maivia for the intercontinental Championship. Before the match Owen tells us all he's dedicating this match to his loving brother Bret. And he's gonna win tonight for him.

Rocky comes out to no reaction and is quickly jumped by Owen. Soon the 2 men trade punches , and after an irish whip in corner hits a lariat . Then a nice pin point drop kick on Hart. He soon catches Owen later off the ropes with a power slam. Davey nearly leaves Bret alone but comes back to stay with him. People bring up a 2nd year jinx possibly effecting Maivia but that remains to be seen. Seconds later he catches Rocky with helping him get tossed through the ropes to the floor. Then a baseball slide kick follows.

Back in ring later , Owen delivers a nice missile drop kick to Rocky.Maivia tries to rally and Owen delivers a nice drop toe hold . Then into a leg grapevine as J.R brings up he's setting up for sharpshooter. He locks on an Indian death lock hold as Rocky finally breaks it. Owen tries a figure-4 and nearly gets rolled up into a pin. But the veteran Owen works the leg some more. Fans begin an Owen sucks chant as Bret watches on. His brother working the leg over.

In ring Owen tries the sharpshooter but Rocky pulls him by the hair over. Rocky tries to counter but his knee gives out and Owen delivers a snap suplex. Off the ropes in a great spot Rocky counters Owen into a slide over DDT ! He makes a late cover for a 2 count. Rocky is back now working as he has momentum and does a Rock bottom . Then he later charges the corner as he eats a big super kick from Owen.

This makes Owen get cocky and climb the top turnbuckle for a moonsault attempt. Maivia delivers a huge back suplex and gets a 2 count. Then in a shocker , Owen counters Maivia into a reverse roll up and captures the IC title ! Rocky is stunned as he slaps the canvas stunned. The Hart Foundation now have the WWF World tag team , European and IC championship. Owen gives the belt to Bret as they celebrate on the ramp. Owen yells we have all the gold , were rich !

Backstage Austin is in a wheelchair to mock Bret and has the ax handle it seems. The 2nd hour has begun right after this scene. In ring for no real reason , McMahon will be speaking to Steve Austin again. We see Stone Cold coming through the fans it appears. He has the wheelchair and ax handle with him. Steve then sits in the wheelchair as he asks fans who wants to see a wheelchair match ? Fans pop as Stone Cold challenges Bret to a match where they'd stay in wheelchair , wheel to wheel. Then Austin admits he's a lying SOB and would get outta the chair and stomp a mudhole in em , walk it dry !

That the last thing those stinking Hart's and Brian Pillman want is him to become WWF World Champion . On May 11th in Cold Day in Hell , the Undertaker will see the coldest day in hell. That no matter 5 to 10 different Hart's , he's gonna become the World Champion cause that's the bottom line cause Stone Cold says so. Suddenly Bret comes on the Tron and taunts Austin that the Ambulance is being kept back there for him cause before the night's over he's riding in pieces ....cause he says so ! Austin taunts if people are going in ambulance its all their asses as he takes off to back.

We see Vader shadow boxing air , as he is outta prison finally. He was held in a Kuwait prison for his grabbing a reporter and threatening him on the Good Morning , Kuwait show. Vince claims that Vader didn't represent America and the WWF so well. They bring up the Ken Shamrock challenge he made for Vader and Mike Tyson. Then we see him in a produced WWF vignette , where he loves a challenge and this is one for him. They brag up the brief glimpses we have seen of Ken Shamrock and how he "fears no one".

Then we see Ken work out and before RAW doing things in ring. Plus we see him with his then wife and kids. We will get another vignette next time that will examine Shamrock and others. Suddenly we hear Jesse James welcome us to the show again as he sings his only damn song he knows. He tries to get Omaha into it and even they are tired of this song. Unfortunately for James , he drew Vader.

Jim Ross mocks Vader for being stupid , he embarrassed himself , family and WWF. Wow....and the match starts off as Vader gets James in the corner beating him down. In shock James irish whips him into the corner and splashes him. Jesse of course shakes and shimmies like he did some coke and eats a big shoulder block off the ropes from Vader. Then he delivers a Vader splash and gets a near 3 count. But pulls up James to inflict more damage and be a bully as Jim Ross calls him out. After another Vader splash , he finally pins him.

An angry Jim Ross gets in ring to interview Vader and asks if he has any remorse or is embarrassed at what he put his family and the WWF through for Kuwait. Vader tells him he apologizes for nothing. That he apologizes to no one. So J.R brings up how asking a stupid questioning if wrestling is fake , because he doesn't like the question either , has he ever reacted this way before ? Vader seems to snap and throws off Ross hat and how he's not to be laughed at by him (McMahon , Lawler) or him (Ross) or the idiots watching. Jim Ross tells him he's just asking a question. Vader beings to bully him in the corner and holds him by the throat.


end of part #2

[SUPERECWFAN1]

From the back comes Ken Shamrock who grabs Vader and with little effort....belly to belly slams him ! Which stuns Vader at the ease he did that , as he goes up the ramp. Shamrock claims once they get in ring at the PPV , its not gonna be Vader time ...its gonna be Hard time !

Goldust paints his face as Marlena claims she is coming out as much as he doesn't want that. After Helmsley comes down , as Goldust has his opening he suddenly runs down and attacks him. He starts off with quick with a flying clothesline off the ropes and beats down Hunter in the corner. Helmsley nearly does a Flair flip in the corner but can't get over the top rope like Ric and falls backwards. Then we see Dustin climb up on turnbuckle and do some punches to his face and an angry kiss.

Hunter finally is able to turn the tide with an atomic drop as Goldust climbed up for more punches in the turnbuckle. Helmsley off the ropes delivers a nice knee to the face off the ropes and once outside the ring Chyna puts the boots to him. This brings out Marlena with a weird type bag in her hand. Next week Vince promotes that Goldust will come outta the closet next week.

In ring the 2 trade punches and Dustin takes advantage off the ropes with his drop to a knee punch spot. He then catches Hunter with a bulldog off the ropes. Then in a nice comical bit of comeuppance , Marlena taunts Chyna as Dustin makes no effort to stop her. She turns back to Marlena and in the bag is powder . She is blinded ! Then grabs Hunter and holds him in the air by the throat thinking its him. Goldust wins the match by count out as Hunter has to try and clear her eyes.

As they make their exit , the bell dongs as its the Undertaker ! On the tron is the Dead Man. McMahon wonders if there is any remorse but as he claims , no man deserves to have their flesh burned from their face. But an ole saying is , he who covets the flame ...gets burned. Then he warns Austin that if he gets distracted May 11th , son he may come in worse to come in shape.

Backstage Pillman says a prayer that Bulldog teach that sick freak a lesson , that he put him down tonight with nails and more. The WWF decides to show us another of its short lived WWF Reality check promos and this one of a little kid , who dresses up as Steve Austin and tells his parents he ain't cleaning that darn room ...cause he said so ! The kid would now be in his 30's.

Then we go to the real Stone Cold who paces like a caged animal in the hallway. Out comes the Hart Foundation to watch this non-title match of Bulldog vs Undertaker. Bulldog is also the current European champion as well. Davey gets on the mic to also dedicate this match to Bret. Then as he goes on will win the WWF World title for Bret , uhh what ? McMahon then says this non-title , champion vs champion match. WHAT THE HELL ? Vince even made it confusing.

The only belt not in Hart Foundation control is by the Undertaker. Now they are playing it as champion vs champion according to Jim Ross . After his long entrance the Dead Man stares at Bulldog as he is not afraid of the Hart Foundation. He goes right at him , then does the holding him up by the neck spot. Owen nearly takes off but Bret motions for him to come back.

We get a nice Austin/Undertaker promo for Cold Day in Hell . Back as Bulldog now has the advantage and delivers a huge vertical suplex where he holds him up a long while. Undertaker ducks a clothesline and delivers a choke slam. Suddenly out comes Owen who jumps the Dead Man. This leaves Bret at the top of ramp alone. Austin see's his chance to attack as its 2 on 2. Austin takes out Owen and Undertaker gets rid of Bulldog. Austin takes possession of the WWF World title and makes a sign its gonna be his. Which makes the Dead Man unhappy.

Austin throws the belt down , talks trash and stone cold stuns Undertaker ! He climbs the turnbuckle as he stands over him and flips him off , then is grabbed and choke slammed straight down . The Dead Man stares as Austin stares at Bret who stands and wants him on crutches. But outta nowhere comes Jim Neidhart who attacks Austin. Then as Stone Cold stands , Bret holds the crutch ready and cracks it across Austin , knocking him to the floor. As Bret claimed he would send Stone Cold in that same ambulance earlier. EMT's load a knocked out Austin on a stretcher.

Backstage Brian Pillman smiles like crazy at the camera. End of show.


The BAD : The WWF was starting to drift into the wild out of control Attitude era more and more which fans wanted. There was still times where Vince was trying to hold the pedal back from it which is why we got a Flash Funk/Rockabilly match as well as a LOD/LaFon & Furnas tag team match. It killed the pace of the night which was built around the Hart Foundation/Stone Cold war.


OVERALL : **** outta 5. The company seemed to realize Rocky Maivia wasn't working and took the IC title off him. With really one good match (Owen/Rocky) tonight's show was carried basically by the insane chaos that was this huge program we saw. Austin's energy was carrying it as well as Bret's angry promo's. The only real issue is as I said , Vince would start pushing things and suddenly pull the lever back and we'd get Flash Funk. But you knew eventually he was gonna go all the way soon.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

WWF Monday Night RAW - May 5th , 1997



Your Hosts - Vince McMahon , Jerry Lawler & Jim Ross

We get replays of last week where Brian Pillman did his prayer routine the entire show. Its at exact times folks at 8:05pm , Pillman started this. Austin's response to that was pretty on spot. You better pray Pillman someone saves your ass ! Later he cuts one great promo where he proclaims that he doesn't know who they are but they better pray to good lord because your asses are mine !

Last week we also see where Owen Hart won the IC title which stunned Rocky. Then at 9:57pm at the end of the night Jim Neidhart joined the Hart Foundation and its there Bret knocked Austin off the ramp way to the floor. Bret promised he'd send Stone Cold to the hospital in an ambulance. Then we get the RAW is War intro.

After the insane fireworks go off we are in Green Bay , Wis. The Hart Foundation music hits as the entire heel group come out with Bret being wheeled out. Bret is wearing an Edmonton Eskimo's shirt. Owen carries his Slammy's and all the gold. They help Bret into the ring for this promo as fans start a USA chant. 1st of all , he thanks all the fans around the world in South Africa , Germany , UK , Far and Middle East and really up in Canada. As far the American fans , the famous words of their hero Shawn Michaels ...tough titties says the kitty.

He then thanks Brian Pillman for the heart felt words for last week. Then he thanks Owen for dedicating his match to him and his win as new IC champion. He thanks Bulldog for his match and dedication against Undertaker. Then he thanks his best friend and long term friend who came out last week on that stage and Stone Cold was only seconds away from throwing him over the side. But Bret is angry and claims the American fans would have loved that , cause they are a sick violent society . They can dish it out but not take it. Then he claims he doesn't think Stone Cold will be here tonight , that sick scum of America.

He doesn't think he has the jam to show up. He's nothing but a lying sticking hyena. Now he's nothing but a broken bag of bones. Bret then asks you across America hate him , well he hates them. The American fans are jealous cause they have all the gold now. They have Intercontinental Championship gold , Slammy's , European and World Tag team championship gold. Hell even Anvil has golden teeth ! Bret asks what is that saying Brian as Pillman laughs , do unto others and take them out BWA HA HA !

Bret then claims with taking out one American hero in Steve Austin , they aren't done and want to take out another one in ...Shawn Michaels. The boy toy , they all know he's back there hiding shivering. Its about time he unleashes his violence on the boy toy. Its about time they take him out backstage because they are tired of him with his fake bad leg and his getting involved with chairs.

Backstage we see Shawn not so pleased in the locker room. Bulldog and company promise to find Shawn and take him out. Coming to the ring is Ahmed Johnson in street pants as he throws down his 2x4. Johnson isn't wearing his ring gear for this. The one coming out to face Ahmed is ....Rockabilly who has a stupid song. I can't describe how stupid this theme is like Billy and Honky are singing a stupid duet.

They show clips of last week and guitar. Anyhow Rockabilly goes to shimmy and shake but Ahmed isn't into this type of music so he nails Billy with a clothesline. Then into the corner he beats down Billy. To get a heel advantage Ahmed is dropped throat 1st across the ropes as Billy gets time to breath. Faarooq is backstage interviewed. In his shoulder brace Faarooq proclaims its gonna be a cold day in hell before Johnson runs the gauntlet through the Nation at the PPV. Also tonight he recruited 3 of the toughest men possible for Krush tonight.

Gunn stays in control and chokes Ahmed on the bottom rope during this. Later in a spot Rockabilly locks in a sleeper hold. J.R puts across the partnership of Honkytonk Man & Billy Gunn pairing that once the kinks are worked out they should do well. Gunn then unleashes the sleeper and does a shimmy , shake and more. Then as Honky distracts the referee , he grabs the guitar as Ahmed stops him. In his angry rage , Ahmed cracks the guitar over his head , laying him out. The referee DQ's Johnson for this. McMahon brings up how Billy introduced the guitar but really he used it. Anyhow that guitar explodes with the wicked shot to Billy.

Backstage we see Hart Foundation go into a locker room where jobbers and Bob Holly is at. They demand to know where Shawn is. During commercial they continue the hunt in another locker room. He's hiding somewhere one claims. We go to another vignette narrated by Todd Pettengill about Ken Shamrock. How he was motivated by anger in football , UFC and wrestling now. He was a teen runaway and in his early 20's he found someone to channel that rage. His foster father is shown in this as he details he gave him blueprint , Ken built the house.

We see Shamrock with his 4 kids and then wife Tina. Him watching his kids play softball. That when he had his children , he became important and that he can't lose that. He doesn't do events because of wanting importance , he does it for them. That when he steps into an arena or event , his focus becomes one...In the Zone. Shamrock's challenge to Mike Tyson is shown and he claims he'd do it again. He hates bullies and that is what Tyson is and what Vader is.

Speaking of Vader he is next as he comes out. McMahon makes a point to detail how Vader embarrassed the WWF , his family and everyone again. The match against Shamrock at PPV can only be won by submission or knock out. Shamrock comes out next for really commentary to hype this match up. Goldust will be facing Vader in this match as Marlena brings him out.

Someone stole the WWF World title from Undertaker's locker room it appears. The match begins as both men test each other as Vader poses in front of Ken. But Ken claims he doesn't let any man get in his zone. Vader in the corner spits in Goldust's face, big mistake as Dustin charges and spears him to the ground with punches. Then in the corner , he hits and kisses Vader to psyche him out.

Vader later takes control of the match and sits down as Goldust tries a sunset roll up. Then he comes outside and gets in Shamrock's face as Ken tells him he best get back in ring , that he'd take him down right now if he wants and beat the stuffing outta him. The commercial we get is the Austin/Undertaker one for In Your House : Cold Day in Hell.

Back after commercial , Vader continues to beat down Goldust in the corner. Then as McMahon points out , every time he gets the advantage he'll look over at Ken. in ring he delivers a big splash and pulls Dustin up at a 2 count. Ken is for a challenge he claims and knows it won't be easy. But he doesn't like bullies like Vader and will take him down. In a planned spot that really is kinda lacking , Vader irish whips Dustin into the ropes charging. He then does a big splash as Dustin catches and holds him into a body slam.

Goldust begins his rally with punches and a classic Rhodes elbow. But the rally is cut off as Vader delivers a body slam. He then does a Vader bomb onto Goldust and gets ...the fair win. Submission or knock out ...someone will win. Vader eyes Shamrock as he taunts him to come on. Ken debates this as Vader makes the mistake of spitting at him , which makes him charge into the ring and with a spear , takes Vader to the ground ! They start to brawl on the floor as out comes Mankind to help. Dustin gets up and drives off Mankind with a bulldog . The heels go up the ramp as Shamrock is still pissed.

Jim Ross claims we will see a no holds interview with Dustin Runnels and his wife "Terri". Before there was Goldust there was "Dustin Rhodes" there was Dustin , son of American Dream Dusty Rhodes. We see Dustin without makeup as he recounts that he was everything he wanted to be. That people would mob Dusty in places and he'd be like ...I'm his son. I'm his boy. But over time he wanted that same deal and people still would come up and ask how his dad was 1st. Jim Ross shows clips of them in WWF together and how Dustin was unable to escape that huge shadow his famous dad had.

Everywhere he's went , its like he had these huge shadow and boots to fill. To gain his own identity and path he walked away from the Rhodes name and took the risk by becoming Goldust. That he feels he never got respect for his own , so he decided that this would be his ticket but even then it didn't work. Scott Hall refused to work with him and Dustin brings up the gays and minorities who have faced issues like this. So he's happy to be outta the closet , he's Goldust when that suit comes on. Its the greatest feeling in the world and he is living the American dream as he has his wife and daughter as we see in a clip.

He is questioned if Goldust has gained his dad's respect . But he's not spoken to his father when this aired in 2+ years. He hopes he has his dad's respect and loves him. Jim Ross claims that next week he'll have part 2 of this interview and discuss his family n more. That he has a heart felt message for his father. Backstage we see the Hart Foundation waiting to pounce on someone from a rest room believing its Shawn Michaels. Anyhow they spring into attack and stop for a second as they realize ....no not Shawn. But decide to keep beating the guy down comically.


end of part #1

[SUPERECWFAN1]

In ring is the Nation of Domination ...ANY MEANS NECESSARY ! Faarooq gets on the mic and claims he went and got 3 of the toughest men for this challenge. We see 2 of them on Titan Tron. The 1st one is jumped quick and Krush begins working over this guy. He picks him up in guerrilla press slam into a mid-section drop across the knee for a pin. Then the next guy is in with some weird suspenders type deal. This guy plays to the crowd and tries some offense. He even tries a cross body and Krush botches catching him and falls with him sideways.

He then belly to belly slams him , dropping 3 leg drops . Pulling the poor guy up and delivers a heart punch for that win. Faarooq wants to make this harder please so send down the 3rd victim. This guy is in jogging type pants and wearing a weird mask. He comes in and catches Krush off balance and delivers ...a Pearl River plunge for the win ! Up the ramp its revealed to be Ahmed Johnson who celebrates how he took down Krush that quick.

Outside the arena the Hart Foundation looks in trucks and under them for HBK. Ending the 1st hour of the show. The same wild explosions and more kicks off this 2nd hour before Vince introduces Shawn Michaels for an interview. Shawn slaps the fans hands as he comes down to the ring.

After some dancing around and Vince helping remove his sports coat and then helping put it back on we have the interview. Vince shows a segment where Steve Austin showed his gratitude for helping with a punch to the face. Shawn claims he has no clue where Stone Cold is , that if he thinks that he can take on a whole pack of Hart Foundation so be it. But he doesn't like them either so he'll be there.

Today seems to be the "in" thing to do where you cut down the fans and detail how you don't want them. That seems to be the trend that is going on. Shawn doesn't follow trends , he starts em. So now he plans to start a trend where he'll come out and start sucking up to the fans each week. Then he mocks the search the Hart Foundation is doing , if they wanted him they know where he is. That the Foundation runs in a pack , but the Clique runs in a herd. Because there no more powerful faction than the Clique. So McMahon questions when HBK is gonna wrestle again.

Shawn claims he will be returning at the 1997 King of the Ring since he's moving around so great. Vince brings up the Bret/Shawn anger the 2 men have as a relationship now. Shawn mocks Bret for how he cuts down the American public but he sure doesn't mind making those American dollars. Then HBK makes a joke about how America has Homer Simpson as a role model , that is America. So love it or leave it. That he may have a gang but if he plans to go through every one of them to get to Bret , Hitman ...he will tear you to pieces !

As Shawn celebrates with fans as Bret and company appear on Tron. He claims he can make fun of him sure but don't diss the Simpsons. Bret claims he talks a tough game and will come back at King of Ring. Hart questions the knee how he seems to be moving great the last 2 weeks since he found his smile. So he makes a challenge for Shawn to face Jim Neidhart as Shawn laughs at the challenge. Does he got the jam to do it as Anvil comes down for this in street clothes.

Shawn meets Anvil as he gets in as soon the entire Hart Foundation come down. They hold Shawn as they work him over til suddenly the Road Warriors hit the ring. Animal and Hawk help even the odds and drive off the Hart Foundation. Backstage after a commercial , Shawn grabs a chair swearing , looking for Bret Hart. Coming down to the ring is Phil LaFon and Doug Furnas. They demanded a rematch against LOD. Furnas in a promo claims things were unfair from the start since they had fan support. LaFon claims tonight people will see they are the better team.

Furnas/LaFon was the Can-Am Express and a solid tag team that competed across the world so they had a track record. Sadly in Doug Furnas case he retired in 2000 and would spend his life taking in foster children til his death in 2012 of heart problems. LaFon is now a trainer at Monster Pro Wrestling in Canada. Hawk starts off and no sell LaFon and even a kick to the stomach , in the corner Hawk throws him outta the corner and then makes him eat a big boot to the face n back clothesline.

Furnas and Animal are in now as Doug sneaks a quick punch to the face in. Animal bounces a bit off a clothesline and a drop kick takes him off his feet. Off the ropes seconds later Animal delivers a flying shoulder block. Backstage in the locker room area security holds Shawn from getting at Hart Foundation. While Brian Pillman jumps around taunting HBK comically. After commercial Animal's momentum from a head lock gets him thrown out of the ring , where LaFon delivers a snap suplex on the floor.

Animal kicks out at a 2 count. LaFon delivers a nice spinning heel kick to Animal off the ropes. Both men then while referee is distracted deliver a suplex to Animal. The fans get behind LOD as Phil locks a front head lock on. But Animal picks him up and delivers an atomic drop. Furnas delivers a pin point drop kick after he gets tagged in and then both heels try another double suplex , but the strength of Animal suplexes both men.

Hawk is in later after a hot tag as he clears the ring. Outside comes Bulldog who distracts Animal while around the corner Owen delivers a throat drop across the top rope on Hawk. LaFon makes the pin on Hawk after this as they win ! LaFon and Furnas celebrate the win up the ramp. Both men aren't happy while backstage Neidhart and Pillman try and beat up Shawn as referees and security try and keep things apart.

Suddenly through a door comes Austin who drives off both from Shawn. Pillman and Neidhart quickly get Bret wheeled out of there as everyone falls forward , allowing the heels to escape. Someone stole the WWF World title as we see the Undertaker arrive not to happy. In ring is Vince McMahon for this interview.

Undertaker makes a statement he is the WWF World Champion. He is the defender of the belt. The belt that belongs to the Creatures of the Night. The belt someone has decided to steal. Understand this soon to be dearly departed , you may have the belt ...but your no champion. Your playing a deadly game , a game you can not win. As his date grows near for a fight with Stone Cold , you crossed a path you don't want. Before the night is over he will make them pay. Then we see Austin get a warning , the flame that fires his fury is going to go out because it will be a cold day in hell before you become World champion.

We get those WWF reality ads again. One was about a young kindergarten kid who dances on the bus and dresses like Shawn Michaels. This one is famous Nick who dresses like Austin. After this Dok Hendrix has Sunny sell Austin 3:16 shirts as she teases she's not wearing anything under the shirt. That is a way to sell some shirts folks.


end of part #2

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Last week we see clips of Austin who kicked himself off the stretcher and refused medical help. We hear Bulldog's music hit as he's not coming out it seems. Bulldog finally comes out after some planning it seems. Davey carries the European and tag team titles. Austin comes out as he is ready , soon he's after Bulldog , attacking him outside the ring. In the corner both men trade punches and Davey tries a irish whip into the corner. Austin bounces off with a clothesline.

Austin suplexes Bulldog as he continues to work him over , talking trash to him. In a nice bit of technical wrestling he works Bulldog over in a stretch type pin attempt. Back up Davey tries to rally and after a commercial delivers a back body drop to Austin off the ropes. He then starts working him over as the heel in this. Fans begin a loud Austin chant once Bulldog locks in a chin rest hold.

Stone Cold seconds later tries a rally and eats a knee to mid-section off the ropes. Davey then delivers a perfect big suplex as he held Austin in the air awhile. They discuss Bulldog's prior team with Dynamite Kid and Lawler claims he dumped that chump like yesterday's business. A fact McMahon soon stops him. Austin catches him seconds later with a Thesz press and attempts a sharpshooter but Davey kicks him off and takes back the momentum of the match !

Austin later delivers a nice back suplex to break a side headlock. After the Undertaker/Austin promo for the PPV we return to see Bulldog back in control. He catches Austin in his big power slam finisher but is reversed out as Austin catches him with a kick and then delivers punches weirdly . Anyhow seconds later as they trade punches and off the ropes Austin again catches him with a KICK...WHAM ...STUNNER this time. The match is over. Owen and Neidhart catch Stone Cold , use the titles to smash Austin in the back.

The belt Owen is using to beat Austin with is the WWF World title belt so it seems Owen stole the belt. LOD make the save as Owen , Neidhart and Bulldog face the Road Warriors and Austin. Suddenly out come LaFon and Furnas as they target the Road Warriors and Austin , then in a confusing move ...Owen jumps LaFon as they start going at it ! Which puzzles Jim Ross who doesn't understand any of that.

Shawn Michaels makes the save as well as now everyone is fighting as the music dongs as its Undertaker. Who promised there would be hell to pay folks. In ring is Undertaker who targets Owen for vengeance . Michaels has the title and uses it on Owen and Neidhart. Finally this ends the Hart Foundation and no clue about LaFon/Furnas . In ring left is Austin and Undertaker. They both tease a confrontation as Undertaker catches Stone Cold when he comes back. He eats a choke slam off the ropes and they go around the ring fighting as security try and break this up !

Undertaker takes the chair and is gonna use it. Seconds later Undertaker sends Austin into steel ring steps and knocks a security guard to the ground. Austin battles back as he faces Undertaker into a ring step ! Then we see them get Austin what seems to be away as Undertaker dives back in at him ! Its gonna be a war on Sunday folks. End of Show.


The Bad : Lack of really good matches hurt this RAW for the most part again. The 1st hour basically had terrible matches where you saw Vader/Goldust and Rockabilly/Ahmed Johnson. The only saving grace was the fact they had Bret Hart and the heel stable come out and try to keep that 1st hour moving. But man alive it was a slog to watch really.

The biggest confusing situation had to be the Furnas/LaFon deal where they were coming out as heels and suddenly the heels on the roster attacked them comically. It was one of those weird things that boggled the mind. Perhaps the idea was the Hart Foundation was already 5 guys deep and didn't need the 2 men and the decision was made right on RAW after that angle. Who knows , but it was puzzling and a good catch by Jim Ross who was even struggling for an answer why Owen suddenly attacked LaFon who seemingly came to help him.


OVERALL : *** Outta 5. The WWF could sell the sizzle and the steak as Jim Ross would say , they sold Undertaker/Austin perfect with that end brawl. Stories would come out that Vince McMahon had twice changed his mind in 1997 about putting the WWF World title on Austin and this likely was his 2nd time he'd change his mind. Things had to be right for Steve and his time was coming. Not a terrible RAW , but things didn't start popping for this show til the final hour and with a decent match as we saw n brawl.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

WWF Monday Night RAW - May 12th , 1997




Your Hosts - Jerry Lawler & Jim Ross

Vince runs down the Cold Day in Hell PPV with pictures. He shows off Ken Shamrock's WWF debut at the PPV where he beat Vader with submission. Pretty much putting the final nail in Vader's WWF career as a threat. Then we saw Faarooq beat Ahmed Johnson which made Johnson look silly as he couldn't win the gauntlet match and the Nation sticks around. Steve Austin nearly became WWF World Champion but the Hart Foundation bought front row seats , getting involved as Brian Pillman rang the bell costing Austin the match. Post match the Hart Foundation beat up Undertaker. Also after driving them off ; Austin came back and stunned Undertaker for good measure.

The WWF has a new intro where it details that they are in 80 countries around the world , and the worldwide leader in Sports Entertainment. After the wild intro and fireworks we are welcomed to Newark , De. The episode kicks off quick with the Hart Foundation coming out. Bret is still in the wheelchair as he's at the top of the ramp right now. He's surrounded himself with the best the WWF has to offer. He would take these men into the mouth of hell to fight the devil , he would trust these men to pump his blood with their hearts. They are the Hart Foundation !

Bret laughs about last night. He thinks its pretty pathetic these folks out there are trying to paint him as the bad guy. If you wanna know who the bad guy is , take a good look at themselves. You look to cheer on scum. Stone Cold Steve Austin , a babbling ass. Warm over Texas cliches with barnyard animals. He's nothing but a rotten stinkin hyena . You all look at him like a real hero. He would jump people from behind and more , yet the very moment he gets done the same way you people scream about justice. What kinda hero would pick on a guy in a wheelchair ? The great American hero all right , just makes him sick ! Fans start a loud Austin chant.

Steve Austin is a loser , he ain't very happy he lost the WWF World Championship. Your great American hero can't even win it one time. The Undertaker is another great American hero as WWF World Champion , he shouldn't get attached to it. Because soon it will be right up there with them with all the glittering gold the Hart Foundation has. There is no guilt or innocence anymore in the WWF. There is something he wants to say , just one thing. There is one thing he hasn't talked to about the Hart Foundation. Its gonna be a shock to you idiots out here , a shock to everyone across the world . But its gonna shock his family as its a big surprise.

The fans start a GO HOME chant as Bret tells em to shut up and before he will reveal it , tells em to take him back. Its a big surprise as its gonna be on WWF RAW. Undertaker will face Savio Vega while the LOD will face the NOD tonight.

Coming out for the 1st round of the 1997 King of the Ring is Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Its an 8 man tournament for this and Jerry Lawler is also involved. Lawler promotes himself as the King of Kings of course. Hunter will be facing Ahmed Johnson who just came off his big loss to Faarooq. Johnson slowly walks out in a bad mood it seems. Hunter wisely ducks out as Ahmed gets close . This starts the stalking game as Ahmed hunts him around the ring and back in.

Hunter tries taking a heel advantage with kicks and punches in the corner. But all it does is piss Ahmed off who starts beating him in the corner down. He delivers a COME HERE clothesline that he literally yells the spot out. Then a big guerrilla press slam seconds later. He does a big scissors kick in a spot. Then he delivers a big kick to the face. Finally Helmsley wisely in a spot after thrown in the corner , moves as Ahmed slams his shoulder in the corner. This allows Hunter to start working Ahmed over in the corner later.

Then Ahmed literally starts barely selling as Hunter has to throw him down comically to the canvas so he can deliver a knee drop. Jim Ross plays up the make believe origin of Hunter having a silver spoon in his mouth while Ahmed was a gang member growing up. Then in a spot Ahmed catches Hunter off the ropes and delivers the big spine buster. Chyna takes this moment to grab a steel chair for really no reason and climbs in. She smacks Ahmed with it and he bends over a little as Helmsley grabs her and says lets get the hell outta dodge !

They run up the ramp as Ahmed goes into a rage. Hunter is too slow and caught on the top of the ramp as the beat down starts as he is getting smacked hard . Chyna locks on a head lock to break it up and comically Ahmed has to sell it worse than the chair shot he took. Literally Ahmed sells that as a bigger deal. Johnson wins this 1st round match by DQ. Backstage we see an angry Austin seething with rage.

After a King of Ring promo , Austin's music hits as he carries a crutch to the ring. In ring is Vince McMahon who looks a bit scared for a second with this. Vince says 1st of all he wants to say it was one hell of a match. The last thing Austin wants is Vince to come out and kiss up to him ! Cause he'll knock his head off his skinny neck . Last thing he remembers is he had the match won and then he didn't. But sooner or later Stone Cold Steve Austin will be the WWF World Champion and that's all he's gotta say bout that !

McMahon brings up the souvenir (crutch) he has. Austin claims he does and if Bret Hart wants to come take it from him , all he's gotta do is wheel his ass down to try and take it from him ! Bret you come out and try to be a hero , you tried to be what the people wanted him to be. Bret your a liar , your a judas priest ..you are a complete piece of human trash. You have the Hart Foundation come out like a bunch of snakes , the fastest way to kill a snake is to get a shovel and kill the damn thing. Bret Hart is the head snake , everyone knows he could snap his fingers and take Bret out like that !

But unlike last time he ain't gonna take Bret out so quick , he's gonna have some fun beating that snakes ass. Because everyone knows the ass of the snake is Brian Pillman ! Pillman , he crippled your sorry carcass before and I carried your ass in the bush leagues. The moment you get across from Steve Austin your gonna know your ass is MINE ....cause Stone Cold Says So !

We get told about Scott Putski and then a promo of Ivan Putski aka the Polish Hammer. The guy was so big and built. He literally was the polish hammer . Leif Cassidy is up next and will be facing Scott Putski in this match. Scott is built and has a unique look. Lawler brings up that Scott can't live off his father and has to do it himself. Scott had been working since 1988 and had wrestled in NWA/WCW , Mexico , GFW and even had a run before in WWF during dark matches. This would be his 1st prime time shot in the WWF.

Putski and Cassidy try some reversals and Putski delivers a Japanese arm drag in a spot ! J.R hypes his past as a college football player and more. They go through more reversals and Cassidy goes down to an arm bar take down by Putski. Ross claims he's in his early 20's but is actually 31 at the time. Scott does a nice belly to belly suplex , then a nice huricanrana ! Cassidy then later in a spot does a double leg pickup into a power bomb ! Jim Ross shows an impressive replay of it.

Al Snow (aka Cassidy) continues working of Putski and delivers a suplex that he rolls into a knee drop ! Scott does a sunset flip and tries a pin attempt. Putski delivers another belly to belly in a spot to turn the tide. Then in a spot Putski delivers a back suplex , as he folds up poor Al on his neck nearly. This is the finisher as the fans were quiet for this. Post match Leif reacts and suddenly charges and dives over the top rope on Putski to the floor. Then throws him back in , but as he tries a move off top rope he gets met. Putski quickly clotheslines him over the top rope to the floor. Al yells he won that as he grabs Jim Ross , J.R tells him...he won. Go to the back and take a shower ok.

The Legion of Doom come out after the commercial as the fans pop. Jim Ross claims many call the LOD the uncrowned WWF World tag team champions and that could change soon at the next PPV. Out comes PG-13 who rap the NOD to the ring. The NOD debate facing this group as Krush doesn't seem in a hurry to do it. But suddenly the PG-13 are told they are doing it. Lawler even questions why JC Ice and Wolfie D are being put in this.

The 2 small guys charge into the ring to show they are brave as the LOD laugh at them taking small shots. Then Animal power bombs Wolfie D in a big spot. Both men then back body drop him high into the air . Suddenly Wolfie D is thrown to JC Ice as he's forced to tag in. Ice climbs in and starts doing his version of karate. Hawk is so unimpressed he delivers an epic clothesline and knocks Ice outta his shoes nearly !

Ice then tries a pile driver and can't get Hawk up. So he motions for Wolfie D to do it as they spike pile drive Hawk. The guys celebrate in each corner like they won the match ; Hawk stands up as they have no clue. The LOD talk and charge both guys and Ice eats the Doomsday device and does a flip in the air from it. Then Wolfie D is done the same way , as he lands on Ice. Both are stacked like wood to send a message to NOD. The Nation leaves both PG-13 members behind.


end of part #1