WWF RAW is WAR - August 3, 1998:
I had a real blast reading this last month. I don’t know if it’s because I had such a loveletter connection to the period in an old project I wrote ten years ago when I was coming up to leaving school, or whether I’m thinking ahead for the Federation Years at what the landscape could look like in 1998 already.
Strong hook to entice viewers with Ken Shamrock immediately hot, looking out for Shawn Michaels and the rest of D-Generation X.
Of course, Stone Cold Steve Austin kicking off the show was the hottest possible start you could have had. Austin really got hot thanks to the SummerSlam 1998 build in real life, and his interactions with Owen Hart really helped get over the possibilities at SummerSlam. Funnily enough this show comes one year to the day of Austin’s career-threatening neck injury, at Owen’s hand. I’m glad you touched on Owen’s previous pursuit of the WWF Championship earlier in the year, for those of us that weren’t around to read up on those events. The Rock coming out made for a nice twist, and the caveat of an Over The Edge rematch tonight between Rock and Owen should guide us nicely in that direction. Unique to not hear from Vince McMahon in this segment.
Nice follow up for the Ken Shamrock stuff with McMahon and the Stooges, in what will surely be a show-long angle. It tied in pretty well with The Undertaker stuff.
It was a no-brainer that Val Venis would get the win over Brian Christopher. One key to this period is how we see Too Much get on as time goes by. Creative essentially repackaged these guys in 1999 to get them to their Too Cool prime, but I always thought there was the possibility of a fluid transition to that gimmick. That is, if that’s the direction we go with.
I continue to be amused by the Jackas-esque vignettes from Darren Drozdov as we get ready for his debut next week. I’m eager to see how you use Droz, considering what we know from reality. A lot of emphasis on his football background and workouts in the gym. I believe there’s more to be done with this character that isn’t necessarily Puke-related, but something leaning towards that direction.
I believe I touched on the curiosity in Dustin Runnels being re-aligned with Terri last week, shed of the Goldust and Marlena shackles. I wonder what the idea is for these two. Your dialogue for Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler is spot on in terms of believability in what they would say to segments like these. I wasn’t surprised by Dan Severn getting the win to continue his dominance. Of course, Dustin’s rehabilitation would spark up Luna Vachon. This is a very cool dynamic to have, and was a nice way to have Gangrel introduced. A lot of mixed tag team match possibilities going around the WWF these days.
We’re doing some similar things with The Jackyl. He was always a great mouthpiece that was adaptable to the tailored needs of their clients. It translates well to a guy like Dan Severn. I don’t know about William Regal making a name for himself with Severn per se, based off his WCW history, but it does bode well for what may follow. Regal is better suited as a heel, but maybe it works in his favour as he’s just getting started.
I’m glad to see we’re easing into the Mankind comedy stuff akin to later-1998, and utilising Al Snow to accomplish that thus far has been well done. I am wondering how far we can truly go with Al as a pushed guy, as he’s definitely not on the level of Mankind - but he makes a great fall guy.
William Regal getting another win over Hardcore Holly worked fine. Hardcore already being embedded in the character is a move for the better, but I suspect he is yet to receive the suitable push to what we know Holly to be capable of, a la his run in 1999 and 2000. At least he’s no New Midnight Express member.
Some early Acolyte Protection Agency stuff here with the three previous members of the Nation of Domination. It read like hearty character development for the likes of The Godfather and Mark Henry, in response to stern-ass Faarooq.
Great promo to show D-Generation X operating on their highest level. Questions continue to be raised about Shawn Michaels’ presence preventing Triple H from reaching the next step, but I would imagine we’ll eventually get there. I suspect a heel turn is in the cards long-term for HHH. I bet DX’s fallout from WrestleMania XIV played expertly with the contrast in personas afforded for HBK and Vince McMahon. It played well to set up a Street Fight with Ken Shamrock at SummerSlam. Continuing with the Commissioner Slaughter and Chyna handcuff spot, much like Unforgiven: In Your House, is a lovely touch to see included here.
I was surprised to see Lance Storm and Justin Bradshaw win the WWF Tag Team Championship, but it made sense with the Heritage’s issues with the New Age Outlaws, particularly. Big Boss Man was shockingly well-pushed from his arrival in the WWF. A lot of chaos with D-Generation X and the Stooges, as well. It’s a very peculiar situation, but unsurprising to expect out of WWF booking for 1998. Just a lot of moving pieces.
I continue to not really get the craze around Tiger Ali Singh as the WWF European Champion, but the match with Al Snow was very in-line with what we could expect from a midcard angle in 1998. I did like the interplay between the two before the match, for what it’s worth.
I liked the dynamic with Vince McMahon and Co, but it is strange to see Kane at Vince’s side already, without any sign of Paul Bearer. On the topic, I feel like The Heritage could have done with a follow-up interview after their title win.
I don’t know cards, but I suspect the post-Nation members’ segments are pretty funny.
I got a kick out of the Kai En Tai segment, with Jerry Lawler naturally on top-form. Crazy this was the product for the time, but it’s in-line with what we came to expect of it, nonetheless. Sweet double-turn for TAKA Michinoku, with Tajiri as the target. It’s not a match I see earmarked for the SummerSlam card, but it’s a good and effective angle designed for the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship.
Jeff Jarrett running over Duane Gill was no surprise. I wonder if Gillberg is in the cards in the coming months. Of course, our focus was on the post-match, and it was well done for what it’s worth with Taz as Jarrett’s rival.
Pretty crazy main event for Owen Hart and The Rock, though the commotion involving D-Generation X and Vince McMahon’s gang somewhat overshadowed things. I loved the post-match, just for all of the drama and the countless things going on in one segment. It’s easy to get caught up in all of the chaos unfolding, but I really did like the first signs of The Brothers of Destruction forming a tandem opposing a common enemy. The drama was top notch for this, but I do have to point out the lack of focus on Stone Cold Steve Austin and Owen Hart heading towards SummerSlam out of this show.
WWF Shotgun Saturday Night - August 8, 1998:
I really like the abbreviated format for the C-show, and like that it continues to pack a punch in forms of stars appearing on the card. It’s a shame that Supply and Demand fell to Vader and the Disciples of the Apocalypse. Really Justin Bradshaw would fit the DOA just as well as the Heritage, but that’s just my creative wheels spinning here. Three big bald men in Vader, Skull and 8-Ball can work just as well.
Tiger Ali Singh’s segment was fine for what it was, continuing to get over his somewhat questionable push as WWF European Champion. I’m sure that’s the idea. Mingling Singh with Mankind is a peculiar one, though.
Mabel with another win over Savio Vega worked in continuing to get him over. Never forget King of the Ring 1995…
Tennesee Lee’s comments worked in reminding us of Southern Justice’s beef with the Legion of Doom. This works for those secondary programs that don’t necessarily need featuring on every single show.
Taz having words for Jeff Jarrett coming off of the angle from RAW was needed.
It’s very much realistic for SummerSlam to only have two matches signed thus far, as if I recall they waited until the last possible minute to book most of the show’s matches in real life. Still, I imagine there’ll be an influx of matches made official this upcoming week.
Hardcore Holly doing double-duty for the San Diego fans is a curious decision. I’m just glad that Holly at least managed to get a win over Tom Brandi.
The Legion of Doom getting the win against Los Boricuas made for a compelling enough main event, with the focus on Southern Justice’s post-match. As I recall, LOD and The Godwinns had some fun tag team brawls in 1997, so this looks to be going in the right direction.
WWF Sunday Night HeAT - August 9, 1998:
In HeAT’s formative weeks it’s a great idea to devolve from the status quo of a show we know very well. I’m curious how you devolve from the typical format we know of RAW is WAR to be, in favour of establishing some undercard acts whilst simultaneously maintaining star power. It’s a unique blend and one that can be challenging to pull off with the one-hour length. But it’s totally doable. I always did see HeAT from its’ inception to be a place for RAW storylines and Shotgun Saturday Night angles to merge and form a perfect storm of content.
Jeff Jarrett’s promo shed more light on his problems with Taz, though I think that Sunny could have probably done some of the talking here. She was absolutely capable on the mic for it, anyway.
Effective match to get Jeff Jarrett another credible win ahead of a match with Taz at SummerSlam, I suspect. It also helps establish the submission gimmick, which I believe was still in its’ early years of having tapping out be the universal method of submission defeat in the WWF. I know WCW really emphasised tapping out as the end of matches in early 1997, anyway. Val Venis was protected well with the use of the guitar.
Some advancement in the mixed tag team situation involving Marc Mero and Ivory. Mero really was a shell of who he used to be prior to the leg injury. Sadly, this isn’t really an angle I hold much stock into.
All eyes are on Droz’s introductory presentation tomorrow night…
The Big Boss Man beating Faarooq made most sense, with Boss Man having such a strong spot on RAW, this past week. I do hope we settle into a nice groove for Faarooq now the Nation is finished, at least in name. He wasn’t immobile yet but was definitely years past his peak, but did still play an effective character.
Mankind’s promo on Tiger Ali Singh was well written, but I don’t hold too much interest in what he can get done with the WWF European Champion, per se.
Marc Mero defeating D’Lo Brown is a shame to see, as I feel Brown was capable of a lot. Really, 1998 was when he truly started coming into his own. I believe he’s capable of greater things than taking Ls. I maybe wouldn’t have had Val Venis reappear here after taking a guitar shot and tapping out to Jeff Jarrett earlier in the hour, but for visual purposes it worked fine. Sable standing all alone defiantly would have made an effective alternative.
The interesting thing about the Kai En Tai and Tajiri stuff is how it’s presented with a bunch of Japanese-speaking guys. Clearly, this is Mr. Yamaguchi-san’s primary purpose.
I can’t say I really bought this as a main event, and it’s definitely a step down from last week’s series premiere. Mankind obviously is leaps and bounds out of Tiger Ali Singh’s league, and obviously the WWF European Championship should not be Mankind’s aim. That said, two non-title matches in one week is somethin’. Ali Singh taking the loss helps Mankind’s cause, and really again this fit as a makeshift storyline for television, akin to the times.
The Rock’s promo closing the show was the best possible thing to do for this HeAT. It set things in motion for RAW is WAR tomorrow, which is rightfully the A-show of the WWF, in a time where the Monday Night War rages on against WCW Nitro, firing on all cylinders.
Television continued to be tremendous this week, as SummerSlam grows closer. Much still to be announced, and a lot more to touch on in terms of character allegiances. I’m really enjoying this.
I had a real blast reading this last month. I don’t know if it’s because I had such a loveletter connection to the period in an old project I wrote ten years ago when I was coming up to leaving school, or whether I’m thinking ahead for the Federation Years at what the landscape could look like in 1998 already.
Strong hook to entice viewers with Ken Shamrock immediately hot, looking out for Shawn Michaels and the rest of D-Generation X.
Of course, Stone Cold Steve Austin kicking off the show was the hottest possible start you could have had. Austin really got hot thanks to the SummerSlam 1998 build in real life, and his interactions with Owen Hart really helped get over the possibilities at SummerSlam. Funnily enough this show comes one year to the day of Austin’s career-threatening neck injury, at Owen’s hand. I’m glad you touched on Owen’s previous pursuit of the WWF Championship earlier in the year, for those of us that weren’t around to read up on those events. The Rock coming out made for a nice twist, and the caveat of an Over The Edge rematch tonight between Rock and Owen should guide us nicely in that direction. Unique to not hear from Vince McMahon in this segment.
Nice follow up for the Ken Shamrock stuff with McMahon and the Stooges, in what will surely be a show-long angle. It tied in pretty well with The Undertaker stuff.
It was a no-brainer that Val Venis would get the win over Brian Christopher. One key to this period is how we see Too Much get on as time goes by. Creative essentially repackaged these guys in 1999 to get them to their Too Cool prime, but I always thought there was the possibility of a fluid transition to that gimmick. That is, if that’s the direction we go with.
I continue to be amused by the Jackas-esque vignettes from Darren Drozdov as we get ready for his debut next week. I’m eager to see how you use Droz, considering what we know from reality. A lot of emphasis on his football background and workouts in the gym. I believe there’s more to be done with this character that isn’t necessarily Puke-related, but something leaning towards that direction.
I believe I touched on the curiosity in Dustin Runnels being re-aligned with Terri last week, shed of the Goldust and Marlena shackles. I wonder what the idea is for these two. Your dialogue for Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler is spot on in terms of believability in what they would say to segments like these. I wasn’t surprised by Dan Severn getting the win to continue his dominance. Of course, Dustin’s rehabilitation would spark up Luna Vachon. This is a very cool dynamic to have, and was a nice way to have Gangrel introduced. A lot of mixed tag team match possibilities going around the WWF these days.
We’re doing some similar things with The Jackyl. He was always a great mouthpiece that was adaptable to the tailored needs of their clients. It translates well to a guy like Dan Severn. I don’t know about William Regal making a name for himself with Severn per se, based off his WCW history, but it does bode well for what may follow. Regal is better suited as a heel, but maybe it works in his favour as he’s just getting started.
I’m glad to see we’re easing into the Mankind comedy stuff akin to later-1998, and utilising Al Snow to accomplish that thus far has been well done. I am wondering how far we can truly go with Al as a pushed guy, as he’s definitely not on the level of Mankind - but he makes a great fall guy.
William Regal getting another win over Hardcore Holly worked fine. Hardcore already being embedded in the character is a move for the better, but I suspect he is yet to receive the suitable push to what we know Holly to be capable of, a la his run in 1999 and 2000. At least he’s no New Midnight Express member.
Some early Acolyte Protection Agency stuff here with the three previous members of the Nation of Domination. It read like hearty character development for the likes of The Godfather and Mark Henry, in response to stern-ass Faarooq.
Great promo to show D-Generation X operating on their highest level. Questions continue to be raised about Shawn Michaels’ presence preventing Triple H from reaching the next step, but I would imagine we’ll eventually get there. I suspect a heel turn is in the cards long-term for HHH. I bet DX’s fallout from WrestleMania XIV played expertly with the contrast in personas afforded for HBK and Vince McMahon. It played well to set up a Street Fight with Ken Shamrock at SummerSlam. Continuing with the Commissioner Slaughter and Chyna handcuff spot, much like Unforgiven: In Your House, is a lovely touch to see included here.
I was surprised to see Lance Storm and Justin Bradshaw win the WWF Tag Team Championship, but it made sense with the Heritage’s issues with the New Age Outlaws, particularly. Big Boss Man was shockingly well-pushed from his arrival in the WWF. A lot of chaos with D-Generation X and the Stooges, as well. It’s a very peculiar situation, but unsurprising to expect out of WWF booking for 1998. Just a lot of moving pieces.
I continue to not really get the craze around Tiger Ali Singh as the WWF European Champion, but the match with Al Snow was very in-line with what we could expect from a midcard angle in 1998. I did like the interplay between the two before the match, for what it’s worth.
I liked the dynamic with Vince McMahon and Co, but it is strange to see Kane at Vince’s side already, without any sign of Paul Bearer. On the topic, I feel like The Heritage could have done with a follow-up interview after their title win.
I don’t know cards, but I suspect the post-Nation members’ segments are pretty funny.
I got a kick out of the Kai En Tai segment, with Jerry Lawler naturally on top-form. Crazy this was the product for the time, but it’s in-line with what we came to expect of it, nonetheless. Sweet double-turn for TAKA Michinoku, with Tajiri as the target. It’s not a match I see earmarked for the SummerSlam card, but it’s a good and effective angle designed for the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship.
Jeff Jarrett running over Duane Gill was no surprise. I wonder if Gillberg is in the cards in the coming months. Of course, our focus was on the post-match, and it was well done for what it’s worth with Taz as Jarrett’s rival.
Pretty crazy main event for Owen Hart and The Rock, though the commotion involving D-Generation X and Vince McMahon’s gang somewhat overshadowed things. I loved the post-match, just for all of the drama and the countless things going on in one segment. It’s easy to get caught up in all of the chaos unfolding, but I really did like the first signs of The Brothers of Destruction forming a tandem opposing a common enemy. The drama was top notch for this, but I do have to point out the lack of focus on Stone Cold Steve Austin and Owen Hart heading towards SummerSlam out of this show.
WWF Shotgun Saturday Night - August 8, 1998:
I really like the abbreviated format for the C-show, and like that it continues to pack a punch in forms of stars appearing on the card. It’s a shame that Supply and Demand fell to Vader and the Disciples of the Apocalypse. Really Justin Bradshaw would fit the DOA just as well as the Heritage, but that’s just my creative wheels spinning here. Three big bald men in Vader, Skull and 8-Ball can work just as well.
Tiger Ali Singh’s segment was fine for what it was, continuing to get over his somewhat questionable push as WWF European Champion. I’m sure that’s the idea. Mingling Singh with Mankind is a peculiar one, though.
Mabel with another win over Savio Vega worked in continuing to get him over. Never forget King of the Ring 1995…
Tennesee Lee’s comments worked in reminding us of Southern Justice’s beef with the Legion of Doom. This works for those secondary programs that don’t necessarily need featuring on every single show.
Taz having words for Jeff Jarrett coming off of the angle from RAW was needed.
It’s very much realistic for SummerSlam to only have two matches signed thus far, as if I recall they waited until the last possible minute to book most of the show’s matches in real life. Still, I imagine there’ll be an influx of matches made official this upcoming week.
Hardcore Holly doing double-duty for the San Diego fans is a curious decision. I’m just glad that Holly at least managed to get a win over Tom Brandi.
The Legion of Doom getting the win against Los Boricuas made for a compelling enough main event, with the focus on Southern Justice’s post-match. As I recall, LOD and The Godwinns had some fun tag team brawls in 1997, so this looks to be going in the right direction.
WWF Sunday Night HeAT - August 9, 1998:
In HeAT’s formative weeks it’s a great idea to devolve from the status quo of a show we know very well. I’m curious how you devolve from the typical format we know of RAW is WAR to be, in favour of establishing some undercard acts whilst simultaneously maintaining star power. It’s a unique blend and one that can be challenging to pull off with the one-hour length. But it’s totally doable. I always did see HeAT from its’ inception to be a place for RAW storylines and Shotgun Saturday Night angles to merge and form a perfect storm of content.
Jeff Jarrett’s promo shed more light on his problems with Taz, though I think that Sunny could have probably done some of the talking here. She was absolutely capable on the mic for it, anyway.
Effective match to get Jeff Jarrett another credible win ahead of a match with Taz at SummerSlam, I suspect. It also helps establish the submission gimmick, which I believe was still in its’ early years of having tapping out be the universal method of submission defeat in the WWF. I know WCW really emphasised tapping out as the end of matches in early 1997, anyway. Val Venis was protected well with the use of the guitar.
Some advancement in the mixed tag team situation involving Marc Mero and Ivory. Mero really was a shell of who he used to be prior to the leg injury. Sadly, this isn’t really an angle I hold much stock into.
All eyes are on Droz’s introductory presentation tomorrow night…
The Big Boss Man beating Faarooq made most sense, with Boss Man having such a strong spot on RAW, this past week. I do hope we settle into a nice groove for Faarooq now the Nation is finished, at least in name. He wasn’t immobile yet but was definitely years past his peak, but did still play an effective character.
Mankind’s promo on Tiger Ali Singh was well written, but I don’t hold too much interest in what he can get done with the WWF European Champion, per se.
Marc Mero defeating D’Lo Brown is a shame to see, as I feel Brown was capable of a lot. Really, 1998 was when he truly started coming into his own. I believe he’s capable of greater things than taking Ls. I maybe wouldn’t have had Val Venis reappear here after taking a guitar shot and tapping out to Jeff Jarrett earlier in the hour, but for visual purposes it worked fine. Sable standing all alone defiantly would have made an effective alternative.
The interesting thing about the Kai En Tai and Tajiri stuff is how it’s presented with a bunch of Japanese-speaking guys. Clearly, this is Mr. Yamaguchi-san’s primary purpose.
I can’t say I really bought this as a main event, and it’s definitely a step down from last week’s series premiere. Mankind obviously is leaps and bounds out of Tiger Ali Singh’s league, and obviously the WWF European Championship should not be Mankind’s aim. That said, two non-title matches in one week is somethin’. Ali Singh taking the loss helps Mankind’s cause, and really again this fit as a makeshift storyline for television, akin to the times.
The Rock’s promo closing the show was the best possible thing to do for this HeAT. It set things in motion for RAW is WAR tomorrow, which is rightfully the A-show of the WWF, in a time where the Monday Night War rages on against WCW Nitro, firing on all cylinders.
Television continued to be tremendous this week, as SummerSlam grows closer. Much still to be announced, and a lot more to touch on in terms of character allegiances. I’m really enjoying this.
