Raw Deal - Raw recap for August 12, 1996

It is announced that due to life-threatening complications from a ruptured kidney, Ahmed Johnson underwent emergency surgery this past week. The procedure, known as fusion, stimped internal bleeding in Ahmed's damaged kidney. The injury was originally sustained by a series of blows to Ahmed's kidney area by Faarooq Asaad and further aggravated by Ahmed's insistence in competing in last week's battle royal and another beating by Faarooq. He is now at home recovering, but if his situation does not improve, his kidney may have to be removed. Vince McMahon and the WWE wish Ahmed a complete and rapid recovery.

Faarooq Asaad beats Skip.

After the match, Vince McMahon interviews Jake "The Snake" Roberts via telephone, who tells Jerry "The King" Lawler has brought him to his limit and that the power that has saved him will crush Lawler.

Clarence Mason guests on commentary for the next match.

Crush, back from a long hiatus due to drugs and weapons charges (which he was never convicted of) and sporting a new biker-like look, beats Savio Vega by submission. (In real-life, Crush was arrested and subsequently jailed back home for purchasing steroids and possessing an illegal hand gun after Royal Rumble 1995.)

Sunny advertises the Bikini Beach Blast-off for the SummerSlam Free For All.

Kevin Kelly interviews Ahmed Johnson. Ahmed says he can ignore the physical pain, but the mental pain hurts worse than anything else right now. He got medical attention when his insides were doing flips and the side of his stomach felt ice cold. According to the doctors, his kidney burst after being kicked by Faarooq, and the battle royal only made it worse. As for the chance of losing the kidney, it may happen if it doesn't stop building. He doesn't know if he'll ever perform again if the kidney has to be removed.

Bob Backlund guests on commentary for the next match as he is out campaigning for United States President.

The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn) beat T.L. Hopper and Who. During the match, WWF President Gorilla Monsoon announces that the WWF Intercontinental Championship is vacant due to Ahmed Johnson's present condition. There will be a single-elimination tournament starting next week to decide a new Intercontinental Champion.

Mr. Perfect talks with Bret "The Hit Man" Hart on the Wrestle Vessel. Bret says that if he doesn't come back, he hopes the people are happy with what he's accomplished. The only thing that makes him want to come back to the WWF is the fans. For now, he wants to take some more time to think about everything and when he comes back, he wants to speak his mind and announce his decision, and if he comes back, he's going to have a shovel.

We see footage from last Friday's show at Madison Square Garden.

Despite an interference attempt from Vader, "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels beat Owen Hart. After the match, Vader grabs a steel chair and heads to the ring, but Shawn removes the cast from Owen Hart's arm. Jim Cornette shows up and tosses his tennis racket to Owen, but Shawn takes it and whacks Owen in the head with it before running into a standing clothesline from Vader. Vader continues to attack Shawn as officials try to break the brawl up and eventually hits Shawn with multiple Vader Bombs.