RAW #153

Date: 1 April 1996
Location: Orange Pavilion; San Bernadino, CA
Commentary: Vince McMahon & Jerry Lawler

He's hardcore! He's hardcore!

It's the annual tradition of RAW After Mania, and it's debuts galore! Vince and Jerry welcome us to this live show from California, after a video package about WMXII.

Mankind def. Bob Holly (3:22)
After months of vignettes, Mankind has arrived. And as Vince would say, he's deranged! He just savages poor Bob Holly from the beginning and works him over in the corner, before hitting a running knee to down his opponent. And to celebrate, he pulls out his own hair. Meanwhile, there's a bunch of dudes in the front row who clearly enjoy a bit of ECW and chant "he's hardcore" (which Vince ignores, obviously). Holly tries to mount a comeback with a dropkick and then goes for a dive to the outside, but Mankind catches him and takes him back inside to finish the job. He sets up Holly in the corner for the TREE OF WOE and throws an elbow at his head. That puts Holly on the mat, so Mankind goes for the throat (so to speak) and applies the Mandible Claw. Holly submits but Mankind takes a long time to release it and forces him to emit some white substance. Very effective squash here to put over the Mankind character, and they're coming out of the gate pretty strong with it. (*1/2)

Hey, guess who's at ringside. It's Sable! We then take another look at the fight that broke out last night between her real husband Marc Mero and her date last night Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Speaking of wild men...

Marc Mero def. Isaac Yankem DDS (4:26)
Hey, Mero's music ain't bad! And Sable looks impressed, which brings out HHH to try and talk some sense into her. Mero sends Yankem outside early with a dropkick and then does a 360 plancha to the outside in a fun spot. Yankem then rolls back in, so Mero attempts a springboard leg drop and it looks...very bad. Mero is still going wild and catches the huge Yankem in a headscissors, before decking him with a knee lift. Yankem finally gets a moment to breathe, as he wipes out Mero with a clothesline. Yankem then applies a REST HOLD as Helmsley continues to harass Sable. Mero breaks out of the hold eventually and gets a near fall off a crucifix. Yankem attacks the back of Mero, hoping to slow him down a bit, but Mero steals another pin that Yankem kicks out from. Mero then engineers a sunset flip, and that's enough to keep Yankem down for three. Not a bad little debut for Mero here, although there were some awkward moments in there. (*3/4)

Post-match, Helmsley isn't giving up and tries to ward Sable away, so she slaps the shit out of him! Mero comes to the rescue and carries Sable out of there while Hunter fumes. I guess that makes them an official partnership.

The Bodydonnas (w/Sunny) def. Aldo Montoya & Barry Horowitz (5:31)
The Bodydonnas are our new Tag Team Champions but this match is non-title. Sunny is looking extra sexualised this evening. A bit of shock and awe gets Aldo off to a flying start, before tagging on Barry Horowitz. He has some fun beating on Skip like it's the middle of 1995 and tags Aldo back in. In the end, some double teaming gets Skip and Zip control and they hit a double flapjack on Montoya to assert their dominance. The champs have some fun with Aldo on the outside, but Skip's attempt to suplex Aldo back into the ring leads to him getting suplexed out of it! Gnarly spot. Montoya then leaps to the floor from the turnbuckle as the crowd begin to realise "hey, these guys are doing some cool shit". Barry gets the hot tag now and RUNS WILD, before getting a small package on Skip. That should be enough for three but Zip and Sunny have the referee distracted. Barry tags Aldo back in, and he hits a flying body press for another near fall. Skip rallies now, levelling Aldo with a German Suplex before hitting a spinebuster. Aldo is all at sea now, and Zip tags in for a Whoopee Cushion to finish the match. Kind of a lame ending to this one but these guys were rolling and actually won the crowd over. (**1/4)

It's interview time now, as Vince welcomes the NEW WWF Champion Shawn Michaels to this very ring. Shawn does a slightly queasy promo here, thanking the fans and giving Bret a shout out. It's 1996 Shawn though so it all feels very disingenuous. Diesel is HBK's opponent at the next IYH show (even though he lost at WMXII), but first he'll have to go through Jerry Lawler on RAW next week. Someone tell me what the actual point of that match is; does anyone really believe King is winning the big one ever?! He ends on the line that will become the subtitle for the upcoming PPV: him and Diesel were good friends, but they're better enemies. You could just feel the heat of Shawn's reign draining out the building here, as they were making to the same mistakes they made with Diesel.

The Undertaker (w/Paul Bearer) def. Justin Bradshaw (w/Uncle Zebekiah) via DQ (4:54)
They keep going on about how battered and bruised Taker is after wrestling Diesel, as if that's meant to justify them giving the next title shot to a loser. It's okay, he beat up the Undertaker really bad before getting Tombstoned! Meanwhile, Bradshaw has been on a tear in the syndicated programming and remains undefeated. Given Undertaker's heavy night the day before, Bradshaw dominates the early exchanges with his roughhousing, Hansen-lite brand of lariats and shoulder blocks. After a break, Bradshaw continues to dominate the match and gets a near fall off a flying shoulderblock. However, Undertaker catches him on the second one and delivers a powerslam to wake up the crowd. Bradshaw goes back to the lariat and fells Taker with a big boot, but Taker rallies and hits his flying clothesline. A chokeslam and Tombstone follows, but MANKIND IS HERE to attack Taker and force a DQ. The match was a means to an end and very forgettable, especially compared to what comes after. (*)

Mankind just decimates an under-the-weather Taker here, sending him crashing into the steps before hitting his patented elbow drop from the apron. He then applies the Mandible Claw and puts Undertaker out as the crowd look on shocked. Awesome closing angle here, as they put over this new character BIG. And thus begins the feud that helps make Taker the long-term star he would become. And Foley doesn't do too badly out of it either (apart from losing a few teeth).

A pretty good follow-up to WrestleMania here with a bunch of new faces — that was quite refreshing to see. None of the action was blow-away good but it was all pretty solid and effective. Not much wastage here, an easy thumbs up.

NEXT WEEK: Shawn battles King and Vader gets it on with Yokozuna one-on-one!

RAW #154

Date: 8 April 1996
Location: Orange Pavilion; San Bernadino, CA (taped)
Commentary: Vince McMahon & Mr. Perfect

Yokozuna takes a lift!

The afterglow of WrestleMania has begun to wear off as we head into the rest of the spring. And seeing as Jerry is in action tonight, Vince is joined on commentary by Mr. Perfect instead.

Vader (w/Jim Cornette) def. Yokozuna (w/Mr. Fuji) via referee stoppage (3:45)
It's the battle of the behemoths and the last time we'll see Yoko for a while. As usual, these two open things up with a big brawl, as they proceed to just beat clumps out of each other. Yokozuna takes the early advantage, hitting his uranage before hitting a leg drop. That would be enough to stop a normal man, but not VADER. Yoko sets Vader up in the corner now and charges, but Big Van evades it and takes Yoko down. Now he sets up for a Vader Bomb with Yoko's leg draped on the rope, dropping his full weight. Yokozuna is in agony here and the referee calls a stop to it immediately, making Vader the winner. Barely a match, but it was fine while it lasted I guess. (1/2*)

Post-match, Vader repeats the trick two more times and, during the ad break, they wheel Yokozuna out of the building on a forklift (the ultimate indignity). This was an angle of course, as Yoko was sent off to fat camp to lose some weight.

It's interview time now, as Vince welcomes The Ultimate Warrior to the ring. Decent-sized pop here, as usual. Also as usual is the gibberish promo from Warrior himself about being in the wilderness and returning to answer the call of the spirit of the Warrior. It's all a load of nonsense, basically. Warrior is then interrupted by Goldust, who has seemingly recovered from the humiliation doled out to him by Piper. Goldust gets a bit freaky about Warrior, who promptly denies him and whatever "queerish" stuff he's into. Warrior then launches an attack, wiping out Goldust with a clothesline. So I guess that's our next IC Title programme. The Warrior music plays and he celebrates to close out the segment.

Backstage, Vader has attacked Yoko once again and *Vince voice* this man is an animal!

Hunter Hearst Helmsley def. Duke Droese (4:38)
So it seems these two are still feuding?! Duke goes wild early and looks unstoppable, but his overexuberance is punished as Hunter avoids a charge and sends him outside. HHH capitalises now, launching Dumpster into the stairs. We then get a Marc Mero split screen, as he promises a surprise next week. Hunter sets up for a Pedigree now, but Duke rallies and hits an atomic drop, followed by a spinebuster. And it's time to take out the trash! Duke sets up for the Trash Compactor, but Hunter escapes and delivers the Pedigree to win the match. Honestly, a decent little match, but nothing special. (*1/2)

Finally, Yoko is being carted off in an ambulance, not to be seen for at least a few months. Farewell, sweet sumo.

It's time for an arm wrestling segment! Can't remember the last time I saw one of these. Bulldog is accompanied to the ring by Owen Hart and is set to take on Ahmed Johnson, so we can find out who is the strongest. Owen is pretty hilarious here, constantly interrupting to point out how Ahmed is cheating until the ref chucks him out. Then Ahmed beats Davey fair and square, so Bulldog pearl harbors him and then hurls him into a table a bunch of times (not that it breaks, exactly). This was obviously intended to get him some heat but I actual fact, the smarks in the front row just begin chanting "he's hardcore" to express their delight at weapons being used. Fair.

WWF Championship: Shawn Michaels (c) def. Jerry Lawler (8:12 shown)
Before the match begins, Diesel arrives and takes up a post on the commentary desk. Hey, he's wearing a HBK shirt! Michaels and Lawler trade fists to begin, which the former gets the better of before posing with some fans. Back inside, Lawler has some kind of weapon and cheap shots Shawn to take over, choking the champ on the mat. After a break, Lawler remains on top and hits a piledriver for two. He did kick out of one of those at WMXII. Lawler is frustrated and goes high now, presumably for a fist drop. Shawn catches him with the boot though and then heads up top himself for the elbow drop. Shawn could finish it there, but he jaw jacks with Diesel a bit before catching Lawler with some Sweet Chin Music to go over. Not that bad, for a Lawler match. (*1/2)

Post-match, the fight is on between Shawn and Diesel, and Perfect tosses Big Daddy the belt to really clean HBK out. After kicking his former friend's butt, Diesel gather his watch and sunglasses, and leaves. Cool.

Another decent episode here, maybe a notch below last week based on the slightly forgettable action. But the angles have been strong post-Mania. Slight thumbs up.

NEXT WEEK: Savio gets a shot at Goldust's Intercontinental Championship!

RAW #155

Date: 15 April 1996
Location: Orange Pavilion; San Bernadino, CA (taped)
Commentary: Vince McMahon & Mr. Perfect

Bret loses his smile in Germany!

After his in-ring escapade last week, Jerry once again joins Vince on the commentary desk, as we continue the taping ahead of In Your House: Good Friends, Better Enemies. Hey, these things have subtitles now!

Marc Mero (w/Sable) def. Leif Cassidy (w/Marty Jannetty) (6:35 shown)
Sable is officially the valet of Marc Mero here, and is already courting attention with a sleek leather jumpsuit. But Jerry has to pretend she looks ugly because he's a heel. Mero and Cassidy exchange quickfire offense and arm drags to kick us off, but Mero gets the better of it and sends Cassidy outside to regroup. Back inside, Cassidy tries to rally but gets socked again. This time, Mero follows his opponent outside and hits a Noggin Knocker on the two Rockers! Jannetty recovers though and wipes Mero out with a clothesline behind the referee's back. That gives Cassidy the chance to capitalise, and we head into a break with him suplexing Mero. When we return, Marty is getting in more cheap shots on the outside, as Cassidy smiles like the Cheshire Cat in the ring. Cassidy then locks in a full nelson hold, until Mero slips out and decks him with a head scissors. Cassidy heads out to the floor once again, but Mero meets him there with a somersault plancha (the same one he used against Yankem). A flying sunset flip follows and make that 2-0 for Mero on RAW. Actually a decent little match with a lot of energy, while Vince calling Sable the classiest woman in the WWF got a chuckle from me when I think about where her character ends up. (**1/4)

Diesel phones in from Germany now, and apparently, the shot with the belt last week was just an effort to teach HBK a lesson. Well, that clears that one up then!

Stone Cold Steve Austin (w/Ted DiBiase) def. Bart Gunn (7:57)
Kind of sad seeing Bart all by himself. He should put on a mask and call himself El Barto. Anyway, Austin gets caught in a headlock early on, but has the power to work out of it and drive Bart Gunn out to the floor. Bart returns inside now, but Austin slows things down with a REST HOLD as we go to the commercials. That hold is *still* in after the break, but Bart breaks away and fires up, wiping Austin out with a flying body press after a bulldog for a near fall. Unfortunately for Bart, his momentum stops dead as DiBiase trips him and gets him all distracted, with allows Austin to fly into him in the ropes. Bart rallies, and steals a few more two counts off quick pins, before applying his own SLEEPER. However, Austin drops to the mat for an awfully Stunner-looking manoeuvre and applies the Million Dollar Dream to put Bart out for good. Kind of dull and awkward, seeing as Bart hadn't wrestled too many singles matches for the company (aside from the matches with Owen on RAW, I can't remember any). (*1/4)

Interview time! This week, Vince welcomes THE MAN THEY CALL VADER and his manager Jim Cornette to the ring. Out of nowhere, Vader will be facing a returning (and then swiftly leaving) Razor Ramon at the PPV. The only interaction I can even remember between them was Razor helping shoo Vader from the ring after nearly killing Monsoon, so I guess that's the beef? Cornette then delivers a hell of a promo, subtly alluding to the fact that Razor's "career" would soon be going down the drain. Not quite, Jim.

Intercontinental Championship: Savio Vega def. Goldust (c) (w/Marlena) (9:27 shown)
Around about this time, Goldust got hurt in Germany at a house show. Let's face it though, the Warrior match was shifting tickets and they had to find some way not to cancel the match with all the TV already taped. Which will explain why we get what do at IYH: GF, BE. Anyway, Goldust feels Savio up on the lock up and plays up the campness of his character. Savio thinks he's an alpha though and runs off the bizarre one temporarily. Back inside, Goldust gets levelled with a side slam from Savio, which leads to our first near fall of the match and the ad break. As we come back, Goldust delivers the atomic drop on Savio and then applies a REST HOLD, as this weary crowd begins to boo. Unsettled by this, Goldust grabs a mic and threatens the crowd with kisses if they don't settle down. Savio uses that distraction to rally and tries for a superplex off the top, but Goldie cuts him off. After another break, Savio grabs a roll-up for two, but the ref goes down in the process. It's time for some shenanigans then, as Marlena tosses Goldust the belt. Savio beats him to the punch though and kicks the belt out of his hands, before whomping Goldust with it himself. That gets the pin and seemingly the title, but another referee spotted the infringement and awards the match to Goldust via DQ! Amidst all the confusion, Gorilla Monsoon arrives and promptly vacates the belt, subject to a rematch next week. A fine-enough match but nothing I'll ever remember, and the booking gymnastics here make little sense. Just feels like a way to kill television time rather than use it purposefully, which has been a problem with RAW for ages and won't be fixed for at least another few months (around the time nWo makes Nitro must-see TV every week). (*1/2)

We finish on a pretty interesting interview with Bret, which (like the finish at Mania) really feels like it's pushing us down the path of a heel turn. He bemoans the finish of the Ironman match, (rightly) pointing out how it was unfair to make him break the Sharpshooter, only to restart the contest anyway. Crucially, Bret also dispels any rumours that he too is leaving for WCW, but suggests the sun may be setting on his own career. I'm pretty sure this is the last we hear from Bret for a while, as he'd go on a long hiatus after the Germany tour, only to return for the legendary Austin programme that kickstarted his career renaissance.

Kind of a middling show this week but not bad. All three matches were perfectly adequate and focused on new, up and coming faces in the organisation. It was pretty skippable overall though. Thumbs in the middle, leaning down.

NEXT WEEK: Savio gets a shot at Goldust's the now-vacant Intercontinental Championship!

RAW #156

Date: 22 April 1996
Location: Orange Pavilion; San Bernadino, CA (taped)
Commentary: Vince McMahon & Jerry Lawler

Goldust Savio II: Electric Boogaloo

One last stop before IYH: Good Friends, Better Enemies, and oh boy does this feel like the end of a long taping. Vince and Jerry walk us through it.

Intercontinental Championship: Goldust (w/Marlena) def. Savio Vega (10:17 shown)
After the debacle of last week's finish, the IC Title is now vacant! Savio goes right for Goldust to begin and gets an early near fall off a powerslam. The fight goes outside now, before Goldust gets some leverage back in the ring after hitting a corner splash. Savio's fire won't die though, so Goldust goes low to get some control. After a break, Goldust targets the leg and you can literally feel the crowd getting bored. A REST HOLD follows just to labour the point even further. At least us TV viewers get a break from the action; unfortunately, it's for a barely intelligible inset promo by Ultimate Warrior. Just as Savio is on the comeback trail, we go to the ads again. Following the second break, Savio steals a two count with a small package. Goldust responds with an attempt at the Curtain Call, but Savio escapes it and leverages Goldust into a pin attempt for two. Unfortunately for Savio, his nemesis Austin has arrived, and he takes advantage of Marlena's distraction to smash Savio in the face with the Million Dollar Championship. Goldust gets the pin and regains the Intercontinental Championship. I suppose that makes it a whole new reign, right? Similar to last week's match, but somehow even more tedious. (*)

Vader (w/Jim Cornette) def. Fatu (1:55 shown)
We get a break right after the entrances, so we join this one in progress as Vader puts a beating on poor Fatu. I wonder if he feels like he's making a difference anymore, seeing as he barely gets any TV time. Fatu is a big boy though and manages to rally, knocking Vader down off a shoulder block. Fatu then heads high for the splash and connects, but Vader feels no pain and just refuses to sell it. Vader hits a clothesline now and then debuts the Vadersault(!) in WWF to end the match. Very short squash, but a delicious one. (1/2*)

We now cut to some clips from the Germany tour, which show Bulldog attacking Jake Roberts, until Jake fires up and hits a DDT. He then gets the snake out and drapes it over Bulldog, which obviously frightens the life out of him. They'll face each other this weekend, sorta.

The Godwinns (w/Hillbilly Jim) def. Yoshihiro Tajiri & Tim Patterson (4:00)
Well if that ain't the weirdest jobber team you ever did see. And yes, that is THE Tajiri. The future star of the cruiserweight division in WWE hits a lovely standing moonsault early on, but the success is short lived, as he tags in Patterson, who gets destroyed by Henry and worn down with a bear hug. Sunny tries to get involved at one point, but Hillbilly Jim chases her off, much to the fans' chagrin. The beatdown continues for an unnecessary amount of time until Henry hits the Slop Drop for the victory. They'll face the Bodydonnas this weekend at the PPV.

Mankind def. Aldo Montoya (2:26 shown)
Mankind started this taping, and by god he'll finish it as well. This one is cut in half by a break, but Aldo gets a dropkick in early and shows some fire. It's short-lived though, as Mankind beats on him and the corner and connects with a running knee to seize control of the match. After the break, Aldo makes a comeback, only to go high and whiff, as Mankind catches him on the way down. Mankind hits a sweet Piledriver and then applies the Mandible Claw, which quickly ends things. Usual white substance aftermath here as Aldo catches his breath. Not a bad squash here, as Mick just worked in such a unique way that he immediately stood out. (*)

We close out the show with a rundown of the Shawn-Diesel feud and that's all!

This one really felt like all the dregs of the taping stitched together. I cannot wait for this show to tape more regularly. Thumbs down.

NEXT WEEK: Ultimate Warrior makes his RAW debut!

In Your House: Good Friends, Better Enemies

Date: 28 April 1996
Location: Omaha Civic Auditorium; Omaha, NE
Commentary: Vince McMahon & Jerry Lawler

Say goodbye...to the bad guys!



We're live on PPV in Omaha and we've got nearly 10,000 people in the house, which ain't half bad for an In Your House event. On the pre-show Marc Mero defeated 1-2-3 Kid by DQ after being attacked by Helmsley. Didn't watch it, but I suspect it was pretty fun. Vince and Jerry are on hand to call the action.

Owen Hart & The British Bulldog (w/Jim Cornette & Clarence Mason) def. Jake Roberts & Ahmed Johnson (13:47)
So apparently, Clarence Mason has filed some kind of injunction to prevent Jake from bringing his snake to ringside. This is also supposed to be a one-on-one match between Jake and Bulldog, but as we'll discover, that gets changed. Jake brings his snake to the ring despite Mason's threats and tears up the legal document, before throwing the snake on Cornette. He sells it like he's been shot and goes all pasty white, so Mason gets him out of there. Roberts has also headed to the back, but he returns with Ahmed Johnson and for *reasons* we get a tag team match instead. In reality, I believe Bulldog was actually nursing a small injury that could have scuppered the world title plans for the months ahead if it were aggravated. The heels show a bit of indecision early, with neither of them wanting to get in the ring with Ahmed. Fair enough. As we spot Diana Hart Smith in the crowd, Owen gets rag-dolled by Ahmed before Jake is tagged in. He attempts an early DDT but Owen escapes not once, but twice, and rakes the eyes. He tags Bulldog in now, but the elbow drop attempt misses and Jake brings Ahmed back into the match. Davey Boy says "f*** that" and tags Owen back in. The test of strength follows, which Ahmed wins (obviously). The big man then nails Owen with a clothesline and pounds on him with his boot in the corner. Davey nails Ahmed from behind to give Owen a chance to make a tag and then hits a slam, but Ahmed just no-sells it and continues to the physically dominate the heel team. Owen gives it another go, but Ahmed demolishes him too and brings in Jake. He really just seems like a hindrance to Ahmed though, as Owen catches him with the knee and levels him with a missile dropkick. It's time for the heel heat segment, as Owen and Bulldog take it in turns to distract the ref and beat on Jake, putting him in REST HOLDS and even attempting the Sharpshooter. Eventually, Jake finds himself in a sleeper and has to drop to the mat for a JAWBREAKER to escape. He gets the hot tag to Ahmed, who hits a spinebuster on Davey before tagging Jake back in to hit the DDT. Owen reverses it with a backdrop, though. No fear, as Ahmed dumps Bulldog to the floor and then works with Jake to hit a double-clothesline on Owen. Bulldog is back on the apron now, so Jake goes to suplex him while Owen pulls Ahmed out of the ring. With the ref distracted by the latter, Bulldog grabs Cornette's tennis racket (still at ringside) and whacks Jake with it, before applying a knee bar to make old man Jake tap the f*** out. Just an okay and very unremarkable opener with a limited face team and a beat-up Bulldog on the opposite side. The crowd were into it though and made it a watchable encounter. And now, everyone in this feud can move on. Well, sorta. (**)

Intercontinental Championship: The Ultimate Warrior def. Goldust (c) (w/Marlena) via count out (7:43)
Ah, this match is pretty infamous. Goldust blew his MCL on tour in Germany, but rather than cancelling the match or just having Warrior beat up someone else, we got this. Goldust arrives with a heavily bandaged knee, along with a "bodyguard" played by TAFKA Mantaur (although I didn't realise it until his hat feel off). They should have brought Mike Shaw back as Bastion Booger for this. Warrior gets the usual big pop. Clearly Goldust is in no condition to fight, as he stalls even more than usual until Warrior gets frustrated and sends him (and his entourage) running up the aisle. Unfortunately, they left all their stuff here, so Warrior starts smoking Marlena's cigars and sits in the director's chair while the crowd wonder what the f*** is going on. Goldust is (for some reason) really bothered by this and returns to ringside, first grabbing a mic so he can threaten the crowd with kisses. Warrior seems to relent now and even robes Goldust, but it's all a ruse and Warrior burns Goldust's hand with the cigar, before clotheslining him out of his chair. This time Goldust cuts and runs for good, so the referee counts him out and awards the match to Warrior. Where do you even start with this?! The bell rang to start the match and to end it, so we have to at least treat it like a contest, so I can safely call this one of the worst "matches" I've ever seen. It only went on for 7 minutes but it felt like an eternity. (DUD)

Post-match, the bodyguard hasn't had the good sense to escape with Goldust, so Warrior chases him and then beats him up around the ring. Warrior slams him and then celebrates not winning the title. Only one more Warrior match on PPV to sit through!

Backstage, British Bulldog is MAD! He's banging on the door of HBK's dressing room while some of the geeks try and pull him away. Something must be afoot, and we later find out that Shawn has made some overtures to her.

Vader (w/Jim Cornette) def. Razor Ramon (14:50)
It's the end of the line, for the Razor character at least. Usual start from Vader here, as he fires away on Razor with fists that look a little too stiff. Razor rallies though and goes for the Razor's Edge early. Vader is nowhere near beat up enough though and backdrops Ramon out of the ring. That doesn't slow Razor down, as he rolls back in and fires away on Vader, clotheslining him to the floor. Cornette catches Razor's eye now, but when Vader tries to take advantage, Razor is waiting for him. No matter, as Vader sticks him in the corner now and smashes him with an avalanche. Vader misses the elbow drop though and Razor hits a back suplex to take control again. Vader quickly recovers and hits the VADER BOMB! And Razor kicks out! Wow, that was unexpected. Vader keeps up the heat now and hits a back suplex, but a second one is reversed and Razor connects with a suplex instead for a near fall. Vader is on the back foot now and goes high out of desperation, but Razor catches him off the ropes for a powerslam! That gets two, as does a flying bulldog as Razor gathers steam. Vader responds by hurling the full weight of his body onto Razor as he is leaning against the ropes. Vader goes up for another VADER BOMB now, but Razor gets up and tries to hoist Vader up for a Razor's Edge. The body gives out though and both men are down! Vader goes high once again, but this time for the VADERSAULT. Razor meets him there again and takes him down with the Electric Chair drop! Razor tries one more time for the Razor's Edge, but Vader backdrops him and hits a sit-down splash to put Razor away for good. Despite the lingering bad blood over being suspended for WrestleMania and getting jobbed out in his last match, Razor seemed strangely motivated here. Good match overall and more back and forth than you would expect (Razor is the first person in WWF to kick out of the Vader Bomb by my recollection). (***)

Post-match, Vader and Jim celebrate at ringside, until Dok Hendrix emerges from backstage and kindly informs them that Yokozuna will be back for the next PPV and will face Vader! Jim can't believe it.

World Tag Team Championships: The Bodydonnas (c) (w/Sunny) def. The Godwinns (w/Hillbilly Jim) (7:18)
The Bodydonnas beat The Godwinns last month to win the Tag Team Championship Tournament, in one of the darker moments for the company's tag division. Okay, that might be a bit much, but neither of these teams are getting in the Hall of Fame any time soon. Skip and Zip try to double-team Henry Godwinn from the start, but he's too much of a beast for them and manages to isolate Zip with the slop bucket looming. Zip manages to get across and tag in Skip, but he takes a massive suplex from Henry right away as the Godwinns assert their physical dominance. After trying to trick the referee with a twin switch (ala The Killer Bees), Skip and Zip get some measure of control back by pulling the top rope down to send Phineas to the floor on a charge. Skip rolls P.I.G. back in, but Zip can only get a two count. They then execute a sweet slingshot suplex on Phineas, which gets another near fall. A quick REST HOLD follows, which Phineas breaks out of, only to take a hurricanrana from Skip for two. Sunny decides to be helpful now, and retrieves a fetching picture of herself. Meanwhile, Henry gets the hot tag and RUNS WILD, destroying both Skip and Zip while Sunny entices Phineas with her photo. Hillbilly Jim inserts himself and threatens Sunny with a slopping, which causes the referee to miss the Slop Drop on Skip. Zip executes the twin switch perfectly this time and rolls up an unsuspecting Henry to steal a three count. Completely forgettable bout here, as they couldn't be putting less effort into the tag team division if they tried. Not awful from a workrate perspective, but these teams were not exactly well suited to each other. (*1/4)

Time for a retrospective on the Shawn-Diesel feud; the cool music video promos are not quite upon us yet, which is a shame, as you could probably make a pretty good one for these two.

WWF Championship: Shawn Michaels (c) (w/Jose Lothario) def. Diesel in a No Holds Barred Match (17:54)
It's time to say goodbye to Big Daddy Cool, although Nash does technically revive the gimmick for one night only years later. Mad Dog Vachon (or Luna's dad) is sitting at ringside, which will become relevant soon enough. Quick start here, as these two HATE each other and are keen to prove it. After ejecting Diesel during his entrance, Shawn hits him with the baseball slide and then moonsaults onto Diesel on the outside! In a fun tease to a later spot, Shawn now removes someone's shoe and clobbers Diesel with it off the top rope for the first near fall. Shawn then tries to whip Diesel into the corner, but he's too powerful for that and sends Shawn over the rope for the Flair Flip, before launching him into the railing. Ouch! Diesel takes over now, slamming Shawn and then choking Earl Hebner himself with wrist tape! He then removes Hebner's belt and lays it in on Shawn's back. Something, something, government mule. In perhaps the most ruthless moment of the match, Diesel wraps the belt round Shawn's neck and chokes him, before hanging Shawn up with it over the top rope. Sick visual! Hebner is back up and tries to free Shawn from his predicament, so Diesel grabs a chair and starts wailing on HBK with it. After getting a few stiff shots in with it (no head shots, thankfully), he misses one and slams the chair against the ropes, which of course leads to it bouncing back in his own face. Ha ha! Shawn grabs the chair now, but as he builds up to strike his opponent with it, Diesel decks him with a savage low blow. Diesel gets two off a huge backdrop now, before working Michaels' neck and sending him to the outside. He then delivers a Jackknife through the announce desk, which takes out commentary and knocks Vince over in an amusing bit of slapstick. With Shawn dead to the world outside, Diesel grabs the WWF Championship and parades with it in the ring. Thinking on his feet, a battered Shawn locates a fire extinguisher under the ring and sprays Diesel with it to get some momentum. The flying forearm follows, and Shawn now gets the chair again. This time he wipes Diesel out with it. However, Diesel rallies and hits the big boot off a charge by HBK. He sets up for a Jackknife, but Shawn escapes and levels Diesel, before going high for the flying elbow drop. Shawn attempts Sweet Chin Music, but Diesel catches the foot and wipes him out with a clothesline. He then drops Shawn throat-first on the rail before finding Vachon and yanking him over the barricade. There, he removes his prosthetic leg and heads back inside to beat on Shawn with it. In a call back to earlier in the match, Shawn cuts that off with the low blow and then grabs the artificial limb. An unconventional Sweet Chin Music follows and that's enough for a pin. This was just tremendous and set a standard for the many hardcore-style main events that would follow this one over the years. There are some that probably beat it, but not many. I love how they didn't go super long or slow with it; this is just 18 or so minutes of pure chaos and excitement. You could put this match on whenever, and I'm watching it. The best WWF match since Shawn vs. Razor at WMX. (****3/4)

Post-match, Shawn celebrates a huge title defence as we go off the air.

Overall

A strange show in some ways, such is the mixture of highs and lows. Goldust vs. Warrior is horrible, obviously, but the two biggest matches (Vader/Razor, Shawn/Diesel) both deliver, with the main event standing out as one of the best matches of the past few years. At only 1 hour and 40 minutes in length, I think the time spent watching this one was mostly worthwhile. 6/10.

RAW #157

Date: 29 April 1996
Location: Civic Auditorium; Sioux City, IA
Commentary: Vince McMahon & Jerry Lawler

HBK: "Please, do not FLATTER yourself"

So, Diesel and Razor are gone (well, from TV), Bret is on a hiatus and the roster is looking thinner than ever. But anywho, we're live! Vince and Jerry call the action.

Mankind def. Bart Gunn (6:43 shown)
The Mankind super-push continues here, although Bart Gunn gets some joy early on after evading a corner charge. It also seems like Mick got some colour there. They fight outside the ring, as this thing resembles more of a punch-up you'd see on the street than a wrestling match. Back in the ring, Bart grabs hold of the arm and keeps Mankind at bay. After the break, the brawl continues between these two, with neither man giving an inch. Bart changes tact and heads high for a missile dropkick, which gets a near fall. He then goes up again for an elbow drop, but Mankind kicks out once more. Just as Bart goes in for the kill, Mankind locks in the Mandible Claw and Bart is out. A bit of a dull squash here, as Bart got way too much in on Mankind and it was mostly punching from bell-to-bell. (3/4*)

Backstage, Jim Ross tries to catch a word with Bart, but Mankind comes back and attacks him, applying the Mandible Claw once again until some geeks pull him away.

Stone Cold Steve Austin (w/Ted DiBiase) def. Scott Taylor (2:30)
Savio Vega joins us on commentary for this one, and he has a leather strap with him. Why you ask? Well, he wants to face Austin in a Caribbean Strap Match at the next IYH event. Meanwhile, Austin beats up on Taylor (who we haven't seen much of lately due to the general decrease in jobber matches) and does the Cesaro swing on him. While Jerry riles up Savio by being racist about Puerto Ricans, Austin connects with a middle-rope elbow for a near fall. The Million Dollar Dream follows and that's a wrap. Basic squash here.

Now for the famous segment from this show. Bulldog joins Vince in the ring with Cornette and his wife Diana Hart Smith, before Shawn Michaels arrive to have some accusations levelled at him. Jim just goes off on HBK here, suggesting that Shawn tried to sleep with her at the PPV, and calling him a "fornicator". Diana then delivers the "I know you want me" line, to which Shawn replies "please, do not flatter yourself". And the crowd loves that. Diana slaps Shawn, which leads the champ to question Bulldog's manhood. And what d'you know, a massive fight breaks out between them. Also, in case it wasn't obvious, Bulldog gets the next shot at HBK at IYH: Beware of Dog. Pretty good angle here, I can dig it.

The New Rockers vs. The Godwinns was fought to a double count out (9:51)
The winner of this match gets the next shot at the Tag Team Championships. I could be wrong, but I think there was about three healthy tag teams at this time, and these are two of them. Marty and Leif frustrate the hog farmers to begin, before Jannetty drops Phineas to the mat with a couple of arm drags. The Godwinns pick up some steam and send the New Rockers running to the outside, as things slow right down again. After a break, Sunny is here, so things are looking up. The Rockers get on top of Henry for the heat segment, until Marty misses a fist drop and allows Henry to make the tag. The Godwinns run wild and the fight moves outside, where Sunny distracts both teams to cause a double count out! So, no challengers for her men then? This was a pretty poor match, had negative heat from the crowd and the finish stunk. No dimes. (1/2*)

Jim Ross has caught up with Mankind, who is hiding out in the basement of the arena. Gee, I wonder if that's anywhere near the boiler room. Mankind wants to demonstrate his deadly hold on J.R, but he declines.

The Ultimate Warrior def. Isaac Yankem DDS (3:44)
Okay, the Warrior wrestling on RAW is a bit of a trip. He gets the usual big pop, while Vince talks about the Warrior University, or something to that effect. After some clotheslines in the corner from Warrior, Yankem is ejected from the ring and we go to break. I suspect this one won't last long. As we come back, Warrior decks Yankem with some more clotheslines and then hits the Warrior Splash to pin him. Well, that was fast. This draws the ire of Jerry Lawler, so there's your setup for Warrior's next (and final) feud in WWF. Nothing match cut in half by the break. (1/4*)

A pretty bad show to be honest, only slightly salvaged by the HBK/Bulldog/Diana segment. Bear in mind this was a live episode too, although it beat Nitro handily due to the latter being pre-empted. Anyway, thumbs down.

NEXT WEEK: Owen Hart goes one-on-one with...THA UNDERTAKER!

RAW #158

Date: 6 May 1996
Location: Civic Auditorium; Sioux City, IA (taped)
Commentary: Vince McMahon & Jerry Lawler

The wives of wrestlers vs. HBK

We're taped from Iowa again as we march on to the next IYH PPV. Vince and Jerry are on commentary as usual. RIP Ray Stevens.

Marc Mero (w/Sable) def. The 1-2-3 Kid (w/Ted DiBiase) (9:33 shown)
I'd say there's a good chance this is the last we'll see of Waltman until he returns in 1998. Ted will also be gone soon so I guess The Corporation is going bankrupt. I won't miss it. Anyway, Hunter Hearst Helmsley joins the announce team for this one and sounds very posh, but it's pretty obvious he has enough charisma to go places in this business. We'll see about that. Mero gets the better of a punch-up to start and grounds Kid before nailing him with a dropkick to send him flying over the ropes. He then dives outside for the certified HOT START. Mero then slingshots back into the ring but meets the knees, allowing Kid to take over with a dropkick in the corner. Kid goes for a sleeper, which gives the announcers a chance to focus on other things, like Sable's listless expression. Mero fires back and escapes the hold, but Kid downs him again with a spin kick for a near fall, before going back to the sleeper. Heel Kid truly blows. After a break, Mero rallies hits his somersault dive onto Kid on the outside, which looks like a pain in the ass to take. Kid gets the upper hand again quickly enough, as Hunter uses DiBiase's distraction to crotch Mero on the top. Kid sets up for a superplex, but Mero is way ahead of him and holds onto the rope, falling on top of him for the three count. Helmsley looks cross. Pretty decent opener here, even with all the sleeper stuff in the middle that didn't hold my interest. Kid's first run is over, but he'll be back for a bigger push later in the decade. (**3/4)

Speaking of the end of an era, DiBiase and Austin have agreed to Savio's challenge of a Strap Match, but if they win, Savio must become Ted's chauffeur! They would of course equalise that gimmick by stipulating Ted must leave the company if Savio wins.

It's now time for the accusations against HBK to continue, as the silhouette of a woman makes the claim that Shawn had an affair with her behind one of the boys' backs. Wait, that isn't Sunny is it? Apparently Shawn was the best she ever had, which must have been an editorial note from Michaels himself. This caused her husband to lose a match against Shawn, which it sounds was the bigger issue, rather than his wife cheating on him. Pretty hilarious bit of wrestlecrap this. We also get a recap of the slap heard round the world from last week.

The British Bulldog (w/Jim Cornette & Diana Hart Smith) def. Fatu (8:12 shown)
Early error from Bulldog, as he does what every other dumbass heel and jobber does and tries to attack Fatu in the head. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes! Fatu has a dance as Bulldog heads out for a rethink. Back inside, Bulldog overpowers Fatu in the test of strength and crotches him on the rope. Even Samoans feel pain down there! Bulldog gets on top now and even does some HBK poses for good measure. At this point, Fatu's family (Samu and Rosey) emerge from the back and are dressed like they're in Bugsy Malone. Don't worry about this angle because it just gets forgotten about when Fatu himself disappears. Fatu rallies now and locks in a sleeper, but Bulldog breaks out of it with a low blow and then clotheslines the shit out of Fatu to send him flipping. The powerslam ends it and Fatu has to answer for his failure to his family; no, wait, his family is the WWF! Yeah, that's lame. Not too bad a squash, actually, although it could have got to the point a bit faster (*1/2)

The Bodydonnas (w/Sunny) def. Tekno Team 2000 (6:51 shown)
If this doesn't exemplify the sheer dearth of teams in the company, I'm not sure anything will. Bill Watts' kid is one half of this team, but don't ask me which. They are comically huge compared to The Bodydonnas, in any case. TT2000 actually get on top early here and do a nice double-team launch spot on Zip in the corner. After the break, The Bodydonnas get some momentum with a flapjack while The New Rockers watch on backstage. Vince can't stand those dorks! TT2000 rally and clearly have a power advantage, but Skip gets the headscissors (on Troy, or maybe Travis) and Zip hits the Doink finish to seal the win. Well, it feels a lot like armageddon in the tag division. And I'm a getting tired of this crap. (1/2*)

Next week, Vader is going to take out the trash! Or Duke Droese, I suppose.

The Undertaker (w/Paul Bearer) def. Owen Hart (w/Jim Cornette) (6:51 shown)
Goldust and Marlena are out at ringside for commentary, and Vince reveals that Goldie will be taking it Undertaker in a Casket Match at IYH: Beware of Dog. Goldust's not on board and craps himself during Taker's entrance. Owen tries to outpace Undertaker early here, but Taker gets a chokehold. That forces Owen to go for the knee and get some leverage. Following the break, Owen carries on punishing the knee while Goldust bullies Paul Bearer and sends him to the back. Owen then goes high and connects with the missile dropkick, before turning to the Sharpshooter. Just as Owen goes to put in on though, Taker grabs him by the neck and then levels him with a big boot. Owen rolls outside to try and gather himself, but doesn't need Goldust touching him and rushes back inside, where Taker gives him a Tombstone for three. Damn, Owen felt like a straight-up jobber here. Not a very good match, even though these two could have given us something wildly better under different circumstances. (*)

Post-match, Goldust mouths off at Undertaker before backing into a bright gold casket, which is for him, presumably. That sends him and Marlena running as we close the show.

Opener aside, this was a nothing episode as RAW enters another malaise. In fairness, a lot of the star power has been sucked out of the company with Diesel, Razor and Bret all disappearing in short order, and Austin et al are not established as stars yet. Thumbs down.

NEXT WEEK: HBK tackles Hunter Hearst Helmsley!

RAW #159

Date: 13 May 1996
Location: Civic Auditorium; Sioux City, IA (taped)
Commentary: Vince McMahon & Jerry Lawler

D-Generation X explodes!

We're taped from Sioux City again. Vince and Jerry call the action.

Ahmed Johnson def. Zip (w/Skip & Sunny) (2:28)
That's right, one half of your Tag Team Champions is being used as cannon fodder. I suppose they won't have the belts for too long. Sunny actually tries to cosy up to Ahmed before the match and rub baby oil on him, to which Ahmed responds "my momma always told me to take the trash out, not in". Sick burn. Anyway, Ahmed enters and puts himself to work and batters Zip around the ring. Sunny then gets in the ref's face for the distraction, so Zip and Skip do a twin switch. Skip (who the ref hasn't spotted isn't Zip yet) then takes over and puts Ahmed in a REST HOLD. Ahmed gets the electric chair to break free of that hold and Skip looks to switch out for Zip. The referee stops it this time though and Johnson finishes Skip with the PEARL RIVER PLUNGE. So, technically, this match never ended. Just a burial of both tag team champs here, which feels counter-productive and may explain the mass jobber hire that takes place around this time. (1/2*)

We now get a plug for the Warrior University, which is definitely a real thing and not a ponzi scheme. I don't think this ever got going in the end, since Warrior leaves again soon and WWF was obviously not going to promote it beyond that point.

Vader (w/Jim Cornette) def. Duke Droese (5:51 shown)
Cornette joins the announce team on the call for this one. Honestly, I'm surprised Dumpster still has his job at this point. Usual flurry of strikes to begin from Vader, but as usual the big man sells *way* too much for inferior opponents and Droese clotheslines him out to the floor. Back from a break, Vader has taken over the match after whipping Duke into the steps and back in the ring he hits him with a splash. Droese makes a last-gasp comeback and a dropkick-clothesline combo fells Vader. Droese then goes for a flying splash, but that whiffs. Vader crushes him a VADER BOMB for three. Vader should have eaten Dumpster up in about a minute, but not a terrible squash or anything. (*)

It's interview time in the ring, as Vince welcomes The Undertaker and Paul Bearer to this very ring. They've also brought the golden casket with them, since we're pushing that match for the PPV. Vince asks Taker how he plans to deal with someone as "bizarre" as Goldust, to which Undertaker basically says: "have you not noticed that I'm an undead zombie or something". Goldust and Marlena interrupt Taker now, asking him if he's ever heard of rigor mortis. Apparently it's the stiffening of the musc-and Taker starts to unload on Goldust before he tries it on anymore. Goldust has back-up though in the form of Mankind, who once again destroys Taker before knocking him out with the Mandible Claw. That allows Goldust to gyrate on top of him, until Taker comes to his senses and sends Goldust running. This Goldust programme is so blatantly a detour to keep Taker busy and segue into the Mankind feud proper.

Justin Bradshaw (w/Uncle Zebekiah) def. Aldo Montoya (3:46)
It's a night of rotating commentators, as Zebekiah joins Vince and Jerry. Not much to this one, besides the fat ass of Bradshaw hurling Aldo all over the ring while Jerry and Zebekiah (aka Dutch Mantel) pretend they don't know each other. Aldo gets a brief hope spot as he evades a charge from Bradshaw, but it doesn't last long and Bradshaw wipes him out with the Clothesline from Hell to seal the win. Just another squash on an episode full of them. (1/2*)

News from Kuwait now, where Ahmed has won some tournament and Shawn has been waterboarded in the Gulf by Bulldog.

Shawn Michaels (w/Jose Lothario) def. Hunter Hearst Helmsley (13:07 shown)
The first encounter of many (and of course, these two were already friends). Hunter gets the better of the early running, but after the first break, things flip around as Shawn clotheslines HHH outside and flirts with his latest escort (sorry, valet). Hunter sees red now, but Shawn stays on top and puts him in a headlock back in the ring. Hunter gets his feet up on the ropes, so Shawn drops him on his face when the referee tells him to break the hold. Nice spot. Helmsley begins a fight back now as Mr. Perfect arrives and scouts him from the aisle. Hunter batters HBK around the ring and uses the guardrail as a weapon. After another break, Hunter connects with the knee and puts Shawn in a REST HOLD. Shawn escapes that, so Hunter attempts a back suplex, only for Shawn to reverse it and fall on top for the near fall. Hunter responds with some elbows and then levels HBK with a swinging neckbreaker for two. A third break follows, and when we return, Shawn breaks out of another REST HOLD to get some momentum, getting a near fall off a forearm-flying elbow combo. Hunter rallies and goes for a powerbomb, but Shawn gets the headscissors, only for Hunter to roll through and get another near fall himself! That was pretty slick. Hunter sets up for the Pedigree, but Shawn reverses with a back drop and then nails HHH with Sweet Chin Music to go 1-0 in a what will become a *long* series of matches. Perfect is outta here; I guess he wasn't too impressed. Really good match here, especially down the stretch, and despite all the breaks. A bit rest hold-y in places, but Shawn's selling makes those sequences better than usual. Best TV match of the year so far? (***1/2)

Bulldog is backstage and Jim Ross informs him Shawn will be on commentary for his match next week. He isn't happy!

The main event just about saves this one, but you can skip everything besides Shawn vs. HHH. Thumbs in the middle.

NEXT WEEK: Bulldog tackles Jake Roberts, and two former WCW stars face off!

RAW #160

Date: 20 May 1996
Location: Civic Auditorium; Sioux City, IA (taped)
Commentary: Vince McMahon & Jerry Lawler

The lesser spotted main event that runs out of TV time

So a little event called "The Curtain Call" took place last weekend at MSG, as Diesel and Razor Ramon officially bowed out from the WWF. Meanwhile, The Godwinns picked up the World Tag Team Championships.

Vince and Jerry are on the call one more time from Sioux City as we finish the build to IYH: Beware of Dog.

Stone Cold Steve Austin (w/Ted DiBiase) def. Marc Mero (w/Sable) via DQ (9:40 shown)
Sable has a whip now? Kinky! This is a battle of former WCW stars Bischoff pissed off into joining into WWF, and Marc Mero seizes an advantage early with an armbar. Austin frees himself from that, but Mero lights him up and sets up for a plancha, only for Austin to move out of the way and slow things down. Back in the ring, Austin drops Mero onto the ropes and splashes him there for a near fall. After a break, Austin gets another two count off a forearm and then applies a REST HOLD. Mero breaks out of that and puts Austin in a sleeper to take charge, but Austin drops to the floor for a Stunner-like manoeuvre and goes back to the chin lock. Mero rallies again and decks Austin with a headscissors, while a double-axe off the top earns him a near fall. Just as Mero thinks he has the upper hand though, DiBiase grabs his boot and distracts Mero long enough for Austin to sneak attack him. Austin prepares himself for an aerial attack but Savio Vega is here with the strap to give Austin a whipping and that draws a DQ. Mero looks pretty pissed about that, which is a nice touch. Just an okay match, as these seemed to be going through the motions a bit. (**)

More promos now for the WWF's activity in Kuwait, along with a plug for the new Ultimate Warrior comic book. Vince claims this may well "revolutionise" the comic industry, which is a brazen overstatement if ever I've heard one.

Savio Vega def. 1-2-3 Kid (w/Ted DiBiase) (8:09 shown)
Okay, I was wrong a few reviews ago; *this* is Sean Waltman's last televised match as 1-2-3 Kid. DiBiase takes a seat at the commentary table for this one, as Kid tries to take hold of Savio's arm, only to receive a stiff spin kick to the face as both men go flying outside. Back in the ring, Savio grabs a REST HOLD as 1-2-3 Kid BLEEDS (from the lip). DiBiase has a chauffeur hat at ringside and taunts Savio with it, which gives Kid an opening to hit his own spinning heel kick. A dropkick into the corner follows, as does a splash, but Kid can only get two. Back from a break, Kid connects with a leg drop for another near fall. Savio then decks Kid with a uranage. Kid makes one final rally and goes for a flying splash, but Savio evades it and gets a pinning combination to seal the win. Not too bad, but Kid was on the out and it didn't really get to the next level. (**1/4)

Post-match, Steve Austin returns and the three heels beat Savio down and tie him up with the strap before putting the chauffeur hat on him, in case you needed any indication of who is winning at the PPV.

Highlights from the MSG show now, which definitely doesn't include the Curtain Call. We do see the Godwinns (and Phineas, to be precise) overcoming Sunny lust to win the World Tag Team Championships. They'll face The Smoking Gunns on this weekend's Free For All show.

Interview time now, but not in the ring. Jim Ross speaks to Paul Bearer in the entrance way, as Ross ponders where The Undertaker might be. Obviously, he's lying in the casket Paul has brought with him. Just as Taker starts to talk from inside the casket though, Mankind appears and starts battering it with some kind of pipe (not before tying it shut). Goldust and Marlena then arrive and keep Paul Bearer back, while Mankind goes ham. Fun little segment here.

The British Bulldog fought Jake Roberts to a time out (11:25 shown)
The heel camp arrives for this one first, as Cornette reveals that his attorney Clarence Mason has taken out a restraining order on Diana's behalf against Shawn Michaels. This should prevent Shawn from being on commentary tonight, but Gorilla Monsoon has a better idea and just ejects Diana from ringside. As she leaves, Shawn enters, and it's game on. Much of this match doesn't really mean anything, as it's just a backdrop for Shawn to dispel any illicit rumours about himself and argue with Jerry Lawler about their validity. In the ring, this is mostly just Bulldog wringing the knee of Old Man Jake. We find out on commentary that Shawn has posed for Playgirl magazine, something Vince seems less than keen on (even if he has to modulate his disapproval a bit). While Jake continues to get beaten on in the ring, Diana returns and swills Michaels, who takes out his frustration on Jim Cornette. Davey sees the commotion and decides to get involved at ringside, so the main event has no result as we go off the air. I think we can assume it was a no contest. I mean, this was barely a match and went on *way* too long. (DUD)

The first few matches weren't too bad, and Mankind destroying Taker in the casket was some mindless entertainment, but that main event and the usual week-four-of-the-taping malaise soured me on this one. Thumbs down.

NEXT WEEK: King of the Ring Qualifying begins!

In Your House: Beware of Dog

Date: 26 / 28 March 1996
Location: Florence Civic Center; Florence, SC / North Charleston Coliseum; North Charleston, SC
Commentary: Vince McMahon & Jerry Lawler / Jim Ross & Mr. Perfect

Storm of the century...



Aside from Over the Edge 1999 for obvious reasons (RIP Owen), this is probably the most disastrous WWF/E PPV ever from a non-wrestling, operational perspective.

For those unaware, this show ends up taking place over two nights, due to a storm that literally turned the lights out in Florence. To make it up to the paying viewers, another show was run a few nights later. Although there is an episode of RAW sandwiched in between these shows, which I'll review next, I'm going to review IYH: Beware of Dog all as one show (for ease).

We kick off in Florence, where Vince and Jerry are calling the action. The Smoking Gunns have won the World Tag Team Championships back by the way, and taken Sunny (now doing her gold digger gimmick) with them on the Free For All.

Marc Mero (w/Sable) def. Hunter Hearst Helmsley (16:24)
This one's been building for a while. Mero chases after Hunter to begin, but the blue blood drops the knee as Mero follows him back into the ring and takes charge. Mero battles back soon enough and sends HHH to the floor, before launching himself over the rope for a plancha. He throws Hunter back in and slingshots himself inside for a leg drop, which gets a near fall. Mero then goes for another strike, but Hunter blocks it. Mero comes back quickly though and reverses an Irish whip, before hitting The Kiss That Don't Miss for a two count. Mero then gets a bit over-zealous and flies into Hunter in the corner, only for HHH to move out of the way and send Wildman hurtling into the steel post. Hunter targets the shoulder for the rest of the match, but first throws him against the post again. An armbreaker DDT follows, as does a high knee, but it's only enough for two. More punishment on the shoulder follows, as HHH is really starting to feel like a "cerebral assassin". Mero gets a near fall amidst the suffering, working Hunter into a pinning combination for two, but Hunter kicks out and decks him with a clothesline, before going back to the arm. Hunter uses the rope now to do more damage and launches a double-axe assault on the bad shoulder from the turnbuckle. Hunter then delivers a hammerlock slam to Mero, but gets too comfortable, allowing Mero to recover and crotch him on the top turnbuckle. Mero then levels him with a hurricanrana but can't quite get the pin. Wildman then connects with a headscissors-knee lift combo, before flinging himself over Hunter for a sunset flip near fall. Hunter gets knocked outside with a drop kick now, but Mero misses with the plancha this time and seems to jar his knee. Hunter throws Mero back in and sets up for the Pedrigree, but can't resist taunting Sable, as he wants her to watch him beating up her man. Mero of course counters the Pedigree into a backdrop and then catapults him into the top of the ring post, which is enough for three. I guess this is the beginning of Hunter's Curtain Call punishment era. Mileage will vary for this one based on your enjoyment of limb work and more technical, scientific wrestling, but it was just okay for me. I'm not sure these two ever had the greatest chemistry, honestly. (**1/2)

Backstage, we discover that Jim Cornette has secured a one-night manager's license for Owen Hart to accompany British Bulldog to the ring.

This is about the time the power goes out in Florence, and it doesn't return until the main event, so we'll shoot straight to that.

WWF Championship: Shawn Michaels (c) (w/Jose Lothario) fought The British Bulldog (w/Owen Hart & Diana Hart Smith) to a draw (17:22)
Interesting note on the entrances here, as Shawn makes his way past Mr. Perfect backstage to set up some tension there. Once we're about ready to get started, Clarence Mason interrupts and issues Shawn with a subpoena, ordering him to court to answer for a made-up crime. Shawn rips it up straight away, of course, as Bulldog attacks. Shawn nearly catches him with a super kick early, but Bulldog telegraphs it and escapes to the floor. Shawn meets him there, flying out of the ring with a pescado, before cinching in a REST HOLD back inside. That soon breaks down, and Shawn goes for a leap frog, only for Davey to catch him, but HBK reverses it into a pin and gets two. An enziguri follows for another near fall, after which HBK applies a short arm scissors. Bulldog is a big strong boy though and lifts Shawn up in the submission for a slam. Bulldog applies a REST HOLD of his own now, and when Shawn escapes that, Davey levels him with a backbreaker. Shawn tries for a crucifix to steal a pin, but Bulldog blocks that off and gets a near fall after a running leg drop. Another REST HOLD follows, which Shawn once again wriggles out of, only to fall outside the ring off a rope-run. Davey heads outside and smashes Shawn's face into the railing. Bulldog heads back inside, but gets caught by Shawn, who snaps Bulldog's neck on the ropes from the apron. Shawn flies back into the ring now and starts to move through the gears, hitting the flying forearm and then KIPPING UP to head to the top and launch a double-axe at Davey. In the process, Earl Hebner gets bounced to the outside and the f*** finish is signalled. Shawn connects with the flying elbow drop and then tunes up the band, but with Hebner out, Owen inserts himself and gets superkicked for his trouble. This gives Bulldog an opening to wipe out Shawn from behind and set up for the running powerslam. Shawn counters that though and hits a bridging German Suplex for three...but whose shoulders were on the mat?! The new referee who replaced Hebner declares Davey the winner, but Hebner rejects that and raises Shawn's hand. Monsoon arrives now and declares the match a draw, so Shawn retains the title, for now. The kind of finish that tells fans these IYH PPVs don't mean all that much, as it was clearly setting up for a rematch at the bigger King of the Ring show. Action was fine, but below par for a Michaels match. (**3/4)

At this stage, the Netflix version of the show cuts to North Charleston for part two, as Jim Ross and Mr. Perfect take over commentary. And the difference in quality is remarkable.

Savio Vega def. Stone Cold Steve Austin (w/Ted DiBiase) in a Caribbean Strap Match (21:24)
After Savio won the "in the dark" version of this match in Florence, DiBiase raised the stakes for the rematch by putting his WWF career on the line. Austin gets the first licks in with the strap and takes the advantage, but Savio battles back and backdrops him. Austin decides to escape outside and collect himself, but the strap keeps him close. Vega takes the fight outside now and chops Austin, before continuing the whipping back in the ring. A spin kick follows and Savio manages to tag two corners, but Austin manages to crotch him with the strap to interrupt. Austin then whips Savio all over the place and takes him outside for a hot shot on the railing, as this one starts to get real physical. Austin then hangs Savio over the rope with the strap and suplexes him back inside. Austin gets to two turnbuckles but Savio interrupts and then engages in some whipping. Austin manages to alleviate that by backdropping Savio out of the ring, but the strap just pulls him along as well and leads to a nasty landing. Vega capitalises with a suplex outside, before Austin gets caught coming off the steps. Back in the ring, Savio makes it to three corners until Austin trips him up. Savio gets right back on Austin, countering a suplex attempt before taking him up top for a superplex. Savio hits three corners once again, but Austin cuts him off before touching a fourth and wipes him out. The Bossman straddle into the ropes follows, as does more whipping as Austin takes back over. That allows Austin to touch two corners, but he gets complacent and allows Savio thumb him in the eye. Austin then decides to get equally dirty and hits a low blow, before dropping Savio to the floor and choking him out once more. Austin then heads out to the apron, but Savio pulls on the strap and Austin goes flying into the rail! Savio doubles up, yanking Austin into the ring post. Vega takes Austin back inside and starts touching corners again, getting three in before Austin drops him. Stone Cold then delivers a piledriver and prepares to touch all four corners, but DiBiase demands another spike and Savio counters, although Austin quickly works him into a Million Dollar Dream which should, in theory, knock him out. However, Savio finds it in him to drag Austin around the ring whilst in the hold and actually makes it to two turnbuckles. Savio then makes it to three but has to use it to leverage his way out of the hold. With Savio nearly out, Austin drops him on top of the turnbuckle and drags his lifeless body around the ring to touch each corner, although Savio has the wherewithal to match him and we find ourselves in a three-three tie situation. Austin and Savio then get into a bit of a struggle, which leads to Austin hurling Savio into the final corner, losing him the match. Afterwards, DiBiase and Austin get into it, so Austin just leaves him to take his medicine, as Savio leads the crowd in a chorus of "na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye". DiBiase would join WCW as Trillionaire Ted a few months later. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better strap match than this, at least the realm of WWF. They gave these guys 20 minutes to have a hard-hitting, stiff-as-hell match and it paid off. Austin's first GREAT WWF match. (****)

Vader (w/Jim Cornette) def. Yokozuna (8:54)
No Mr. Fuji?! Yoko is doomed. We get a sumo face-off to begin, but Vader keeps ducking out. Eventually, Yoko does collide with Vader and Cornette's man hit the deck. Vader battles back, firing away with a bunch of stiff strikes, but Yokozuna puts him on the mat and elbow drops his knee. As Vader tries to get some breathing room, Yoko continues going after the knee, so much so that Vader can't slam the big man. A funny moment on commentary here, as Ross claims Ahmed Johnson is the only man to slam Yokozuna. Not sure how true that is. Anyway, Yoko takes charge again following a uranage and avalanches Vader in the corner, before dropping him with a Samoan Drop. Yokozuna sets up for a BONZAI SPLAT but Cornette interjects and gets tossed into the ring. Just as Yoko is about to squash him with the BONZAI, Vader pulls his manager out of the way and pulls Yoko off the top. After doing more damage to the bad leg he injured before, he hits the Vader Bomb and that's enough for three. Pretty sure Yoko gets shipped right back to fat camp after this, but he pops up again for his last little run later in the year. This was an acceptable little brawl with an obvious outcome, but I don't think it made Vader look like the killer he should have been. (*1/2)

Intercontinental Championship: Goldust (c) (w/Marlena) def. The Undertaker (w/Paul Bearer) in a Casket Match (12:36)
Spooky hijinks to begin, as Taker enters the ring behind Goldust to get us off to the races. Goldust takes a beating early before making haste when he gets near the casket. Taker soon catches up with him outside the ring and hurls him into the casket. Back inside, Taker delivers a slam and then decimates Goldie with a leg drop, followed by OLD SCHOOL. Goldust does get some reprieve, catching Taker on a charge and slamming him, but the Deadman obviously sits right up. The bizarre one then delivers a Tombstone of his own but again, we get a sit up. Goldust turns to a clothesline next and attempts to put Taker in the casket, but Deadman fights back and boots the life out of Goldust. The IC champ is still able to engineer a backdrop out of the ring though and uses this as a chance to beat on Taker around the ring, even choking him with some cables at ringside. Back in the ring, Taker rallies until Goldust applies a sleeper and seemingly knocks him out. Goldust actually rolls Taker into the box, but he gets an arm up as Goldust goes to close the lid and stays alive. Undertaker builds up some steam now and decks Goldust with the flying lariat, but Goldust takes the fight outside once again and kicks a chair at Taker's head. In the ring, Goldust hits a slam and then flies off the top for a clothesline. He goes for a pin, because he's an idiot. That allows Taker back into it, as he devastates Goldust with a Tombstone and goes to put him in the box. As he opens it up, Mankind is in there (maybe the first time they pulled this spot in a casket match) and he locks in the Mandible Claw to put Taker out. He puts Taker in the casket and that's all she wrote. I mean, it's better than most casket matches, I guess. The ending was pretty fun albeit screwy. (**)

Post-match, the heels scarper while Bearer goes to look inside the casket, only to find out that Taker is no longer in there! And that's the show.

Overall

Objectively one of the weirdest PPV viewing experiences you'll get with the WWF/E, given how slick the production usually is. Austin/Savio is great and worth checking out, but the rest is fairly skippable stuff, while the flow of the show is obviously very clunky (albeit unavoidable). I'd call it down the middle, seeing as there wasn't anything *bad* here. 5/10.