Raw Deal - Raw recap for December 30, 1996

Bret "The Hit Man" Hart says he doesn't need any excuse to tell "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels what he thinks of him and everything he does. Shawn says that Bret can make all the excuses he wants, because tonight, everyone wil find out what "the role model" has to say when he comes face-to-face with "the World Wrestling Federation's favorite degenerate."

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin attacks "The Real Double J" Jesse James before the first match of the night begins and before James' tag team partner Savio Vega can make his entrance. Vega rushes in and attacks Austin before the beginning of the match. During the match, Bret "The Hit Man" Hart shows up in street clothes after Faarooq sends Jesse James over the ropes and Austin takes Jesse James out from behind with a chop block, and chases "Stone Cold" Steve Austin back into the ring. Bret "The Hit Man" Hart then asks the referee to let him take James' place. He replaces Jesse James during the break.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Faarooq vs. Bret Hart and Savio Vega ends with the rest of the Nation of Domination attacking Bret and Vega as Bret has Faarooq in the Sharpshooter. Ahmed Johnson rushes into the ring with a 2x4 and clears the ring out, making the save for Bret and Vega. Officials keep The Nation and Austin out of the ring, and Ahmed tells Faarooq they don't have to wait until Royal Rumble to fight, and at Royal Rumble, one of them won't make it.

George and Adam are still in the San Antonio Alamodome...

Hunter Hearst Helmsley says that Flash Funk is a great wrestler, but doesn't deserve to be in the same ring with him and facing him for the Intercontinental Championship. When he gets done with Goldust, he plans to show Marlena what a real man is like.

Goldust and Marlena show up in the stands and watch the next match from the cheaper seats in the crowd. Hunter Hearst Helmsley, still backstage, is not happy about this turn of events.

During the next match, Jerry "The King" Lawler calls out Goldust, saying that Hunter Hearst Helmsley is a real man and that Goldust is there just to distract him, and that if he doesn't leave, he'll make him leave. Goldust gets out of his seat and almost walks towards the ring, and Lawler tells the referee that if he doesn't make Goldust leave, he'll get into the crowd and punch Goldust's lights out. As the referee keeps Lawler out of the crowd, Hunter Hearst Helmsley hits Flash Funk with the Intercontinental title behind the referee's back. Hunter Hearst Helmsley retains the WWF Intercontinental CHampionship against Flash Funk. Goldust then slowly goes after Lawler and chases him to the back, and Helmsley is about to attack Goldust from behind when Flash Funk attacks Helmsley and sends him back into the ring, getting the last word with a 450 splash as retaliation for costing him the Intercontinental Championship.

"The Hearbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels leaves everyone guessing as to what will happen when he and Bret "The Hit Man" Hart go face to face, and that nobody gets in his face.

The WWF Holiday Hell tour is heading to San Diego, California; Stockton, California; Los Angeles, California; Fresno, California; San Jose, California; Anaheim, California; Las Vegas, Nevada and El Paso, Texas!

Jim Ross interviews "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and Bret "The Hit Man" Hart in the ring. Bret says he finds Shawn's attitude disrespectful, saying that he learned nothing from Jose Lothario - especially respect and integrity - and that it lead to Shawn costing him the WWF Championship. He says that Shawn's promise to hold the WWF Championship with the same air and dignity he did was empty, and that he didn't come close. Bret says his son used to wear his merchandise, and calls him "bottom-of-the-barrel" for posing in Playgirl, implying that only gay men buy the magazine. He calls Shawn unworthy of holding the WWF Championship, and says that he is far from a man's man. He tells Shawn he has no class and that he is a disgrace, and says he welcomes the opportunity to step into the ring with him and kick his ass because he can. Shawn counters by saying he's seen Bret on the road and that he is far from a role model. Suddenly, Sycho Sid shows up and gets in the ring. He says he has played the game with both Bret and Shawn and both have lost, yet they're talking about his title. He then says he wants real competition. Suddenly, a gong is heard and the lights flash, and The Undertaker arrives. The Undertaker is then suddenly attacked from behind by Vader, and The Undertaker quickly knocks him down before staring face-to-face with Sycho Sid in the aisle. Vader gets back up and attacks The Undertaker from behind again, and The Undertaker slowly chases him to the bac as officials keep both men separated. In the ring, Shawn pushes the middle rope into Bret's crotch as he leaves the ring, then hits Sycho Sid with a dive over the top rope before the two men brawl in the aisle.

The Honky Tonk Man and Hunter Hearst Helmsley both guest on commentary for the next match.

Jerry "The King" Lawler beats Goldust by count-out after Hunter Hearst Helmsley leaves commentary and tries to walk off with Marlena over his shoulder. Helmsley is stopped by "Wildman" Marc Mero, and Goldust tosses Marlena into Mero before sending Goldust into both Mero and Marlena. Goldust and Helmsley fight near the backstage entrance, and Helmsley also attacks Mero again.