Raw Deal - Raw recap for January 8, 1996

Before the first match, "Double J" Jeff Jarrett tells Ahmed Johnson he's got another "smash hit" for him.

"Double J" Jeff Jarrett beats Hakushi with the Figure Four Leg Lock.

Jim Ross takes Dok Hendrix's place on the Royal Rumble Slam Jam this week. Doug Gilbert from USWA has entered the Royal Rumble match, as have Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Jerry "The King" Lawler, Fatu and Isaac Yankem, D.D.S. We also hear from Vader for the first time. Also, Henry O. Godwinn, Marty Jannetty, Kama, Skip and All Japan Pro Wrestling's own Takao Omori are also confirmed for the Royal Rumble match. We then hear from "Scheme Gene," a parody of "Mean" Gene Okerlund, who makes a thinly veiled reference to the WCW Hotline.

Ahmed Johnson destroys Jeff Brettler. After the match, "Double J" Jeff Jarrett almost nails Ahmed in the back of the head with his guitar, but Ahmed sees him coming and dodges. Jeff Jarrett quickly flees, and Ahmed then takes what's left of the guitar and destroys it on the ring post.

The Undertaker faces Isaac Yankem D.D.S next week on Raw! Also, Marty Jannetty takes on Owen Hart!

Brother Love is in the ring for The Brother Love Show with tonight's guest "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. DiBiase says that he has searched high and low for someone who can exemplify what a Million Dollar Champion is throughout 1995, but he finally found him. He then introduces his new prospect: The Ringmaster, who is then crowned as the new holder of the now-reactivated Million Dollar Championship. The Ringmaster gives "everyone in TV Land" a chance to be somebody to touch their hand to his on their TV screens and feel what it's like to be Million Dollar Champion. He says he will prove everything that he says that he is, then also announces that he is officially in the Royal Rumble match, and that he will toss everyone over the ring for a shot at the WWF Championship, even though "it doesn't mean anything compared to the Million Dollar Championship." He also plans to do it all at WrestleMania, and then he'll have every single he's ever wanted in the WWF.

Goldust beats "The Portuguese Man-O-War" Aldo Montoya.

We see "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels' press conference from earlier today, where Shawn announces that his doctors don't want him competing, but he is nevertheless throwing his name into the Royal Rumble match and that come WrestleMania, he will be taking the WWF Championship and carrying the WWF on its shoulders to the new millennium. "Scheme Gene" then makes another WCW Hotline reference.

Diesel wishes "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels the best of luck in the Royal Rumble match, even though he wants his belt back, too. Razor Ramon says it may be too soon for Shawn to return, but he also says that Shawn Michaels just might win it. Owen Hart says Shawn isn't ready, and he plans to be the first man to get his hands on him.

We see an encore of Bret "The Hit Man" Hart vs. The British Bulldog for the WWF Championship at In Your House.

Paul Bearer and The Undertaker say it's time to take the WWF Championship. 'Taker says Bret "The Hit Man" was a glorious championship, but it's now out of his hands. The creatures of the night have spoken, and he intends to deliver.

Kathy Schreck from Chicago, Illinois is the winner of the Royal Rumble sweepstakes.

Next week: The Ringmaster in action!

We head back to Billionaire Ted's "Wrestling War Room," where "Where The Big Boys Play" takes on a whole new meaning. Also, for a WWF drug program adivosry, sign on to America On-Line tonight!