Raw Deal - Raw recap for April 8, 1996

Mr. Perfect replaces Jerry "The King" Lawler on commentary this week.

Yokozuna vs. Vader ends when Vader breaks Yokozuna's leg from the second rope. Vader then hits Yokozuna with multiple Vader Bombs, then Vader and Jim Cornette celebrate as Vader is handed the win by decision. Officials and medical personnel check on Yokozuna, and Yokozuna has to be taken out on a stretcher.

After the break, we see footage of Yokozuna with a splint on his left leg as he is carried to the back on a forklift. (It was the only way anybody could move Yokozuna, who was over 660 pounds at the time.)

Vince McMahon interviews The Ultimate Warrior in the ring. In the 3 1/2 years that he has been gone, the voices would not die. He says that the fans spoke to him in that time, and they all said one thing: "We wanted Warrior, and we want it bad, and we want to live one more time in the power of the Warrior." When Vince asks how The Warrior will fare against the New Generation, he says the powers of the Warriors will rise and meet, and that anyone who challenges them will fall. As Warrior speaks, Goldust and Marlena arrive, and Goldust tells Warrior to "come out and play" and that he can come in his house, but nobody will be there. Goldust then wants to have his way with The Warrior, but The Warrior is not in the mood for it. Warrior tells Goldust that his mind games won't work and that he doesn't "give a shit" about what Goldust is into. It doesn't take much after that for Warrior to hit Goldust with a standing clothesline, but not before giving Goldust an idea for a full-length feature: "Kicking your ass from beginning to end."

Yokozuna is about to be placed on the ambulance when Vader shows up and attacks Yokozuna's injured leg with a steel chair.

Hunter Hearst Helmsley beats Duke "The Dumpster" Droese. During the match, we hear a pre-recorded message from Marc Mero that Hunter Hearst Helmsley took him by surprise, but the real surprise begins next week.

Diana Hart Smith is seen in the front row as The British Bulldog shows up with Owen Hart.

Yokozuna is finally placed into the ambulance as it rains outside.

Ahmed Johnson and The British Bulldog show up for their arm wrestling match. Owen Hart tells Ahmed to turn back now as The British Bulldog is the strongest man there is. Owen then accuses Ahmed of trying to cheat, saying he has a bunch of oil on him that could give him extra leverage, which leads Ahmed to wipe his hands on the back of the referee's shirt. The referee tells Owen Hart to knock it off or else he's going to the back. Owen then accuses Ahmed of getting more leverage, and Ahmed picks up the steel chair in preparation to smack Owen with it. The ref tells him he's going to the back if he hears any more out of him. Owen then says that Bulldog isn't ready yet, and that leads the ref to tell Owen to go back to the back, and it takes another referee to get Owen to go over there. The arm wrestling match then commences, after a back-and-forth battle, Ahmed wins. The Bulldog then proves himself a sore loser by hitting Ahmed with a steel chair before putting the table in the corner, hitting the ref, hitting Ahmed with the steel chairs in the ring and whipping Ahmed into the table when Ahmed tries to fight back. After two attempts to send Ahmed through the table, Bulldog picks up the table and throws it into Ahmed before hitting the table with multiple double-foot stomps while the table is on top of Ahmed. Officials have to keep The British Bulldog from attacking Ahmed further. After Bulldog leaves, officials help Ahmed to the back.

Savio Vega faces off against Goldust for the WWF Intercontinental Championship next week on Raw!

Diesel guests on commentary for the next match.

"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels beats Jerry "The King" Lawler. Diesel and Shawn stare down from opposite ends of the ropes after Shawn calls him out, and the two of them brawl as soon as Diesel gets into the ring. Mr. Perfect steals the WWF Championship, and when Shawn notices, Diesel takes advantage of the situation and gets the upper hand. Mr. Perfecthands the WWF Championship to Diesel, who hits Shawn with it. Diesel places the title on top of a downed Shawn Michaels and celebrates, then gives Mr. Perfect a high-five before leaving.