Raw Deal - Raw recap for January 27, 1997

Before the first match, it is announced that Savio Vega turned on Ahmed Johnson on Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden in a tag team match against The Nation of Domination.

Crush beats Ahmed Johnson after Faarooq attacks Ahmed as the ref is distracted by Crush and Clarence Mason.

"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, no longer accompanied by Jose Lothario, in interviewed in the ring by Vince McMahon. He says that the WWF Championship is no longer a dream and is instead a reality. He knows that he and Sycho Sid have a very strange relationship, but Sid gave him a shot and on Thursday Raw Thursday on February 13th, he returns the favor but plans to retain the title. He says that The Undertaker, Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Vader are four of the best in the WWF, and that he has heard about the attitudes of the WWF Superstars as of late. He knows Hart isn't happy with him, that Austin isn't happy with anybody, that The Undertaker is a monster one shouldn't wake up and that Vader is a wrecking machine. He says that the WWF Championship brings out the best and worse in everybody, but being bad is what is going to help him keep the championship. Vince then brings out Bret Hart, who tells Shawn to do whatever he has to do to walk out with the WWF Championship at WrestleMania, as after the Final Four match, he'll be coming straight back for the title and he'll be wanting him at 100%. Vince asks Bret if he is overlooking Sycho Sid, but he's more focused on Shawn and has no doubt that he will be stepping in the ring with him if he keeps the WWF Championship. Vince then brings out The Undertaker, and tells Bret that he may have his respect after last year's Royal Rumble, but he's tired of Hart being screwed out of the WWF Championship. He then tells Hart to take a look at his history, as he nearly had it at last year's Royal Rumble. He's sat back and let everyone have their own way, but it's time for the WWF Championship to come back to the dark side, as it is time to stop being the hunted and start being the hunter. He tells Shawn that his title and his body will belong to him at WrestleMania. Vince then brings out "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, who brings out Jim Ross with a microphone. He says he may be the toughest S.O.B., but he recognizes an ambush when he sees it, and calls everyone except for Vince crybabies. He says he's waiting until the Final Four match, and says he will get his on February 16th. He then decides to beat them up right now, but changes his mind when 'Taker is about to climb out of the ring. Austin retreats to the back, and has a few choice words with Vader and Uaul Bearer, who were seen behind him moments ago, on the way there.

The British Bulldog beats Doug Furnas by reversing a sunset flip pinfall attempt despite accidentally running into Owen Hart's Slammy as he holds it in the ring from the apron. During the match, is is announced that Ahmed Johnson is looking for The Nation of Domination, but is thus far unsuccessful. The British Bulldog confronts Owen Hart after the match/ Bulldog calms down, and he and Owen shake hands.

We see footage of Savio Vega turning on Faarooq during their tag team match against The Nation of Domination (Faarooq and Crush) from Saturday afternoon's show at Madison Square Garden. Later that night, on Shotgun Saturday Night, Savio Vega apologized for losing his cool. but during his match with The Rock, Savio Vega raised his fist, then he, Crush and Faarooq attacked Rocky Maivia. Vega is now a member of The Nation of Domination.

We see footage from earlier today at a WWF press conference from the Toronto Sky Dome. Tiger Jeet Singh was there to announces the signing of his son, Tiger Ali Singh, to the WWF.

Next Monday on Raw: Royal Rumble Raw, which contains the 1997 Royal Rumble match in its entirety as well as action from the Toronto Skydome in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The Godwinns beats Vader and Mankind by count-out after Mankind hits Vader in the head with a steel chair when Henry O. Godwinn gets out of the way of the chair shot.

Ahmed Johnson finally finds The Nation of Domination outside of the arena, but they quickly get away.