Tonight's episode is one hour due to the NBA Playoffs. Tony Schiavone, "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan are on commentary for the show.
Tonight's show begins with Ric Flair winning his 13th World Heavyweight Championship against Vader, as Ric Flair returns to the ring in a few days.
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper and "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair show up to start tonight's show, but instead of walking to the ring, they walk to the commentary table. They say that the New World Order are angry with them for "not filling the potholes." Piper says he doesn't want to wait until Slamboree to take them on. Instead, he wants the nWo to bring it tonight or not at all. Flair says they're ready to go as he dares the nWo to stay up all night and dance a little longer.
We see pre-recorded comments from Jeff Jarrett, who proclaims that Dean Malenko's 1,000 holds means 1,001 counters to him and that he will earn Malenko's respect like he did with The Four Horsemen ("The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson, "The Crippler" Chris Benoit, Steve "Mongo" McMichael) as he beats him for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship.
Dean Malenko retains the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship against Prince Iaukea with the Texas Cloverleaf.
Syxx retains the WCW Cruiserweight Championship against Juventud Guerrera with the Buzzkiller.
Lee Marshall calls from Lakeland, Florida - the site of next week's Nitro - for the 1-800-COLLECT Road Report.
The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) and Syxx show up, and they walk to the commentary table this time. Hall says they were sitting in the back when they heard "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper wanted a piece of them. He tells them "whatever" as he says nobody cares what they have to say, as everyone in Norfolk, Virginia is here for the New World Order. Nash says that in Charlotte, North Carolina, they have no problem giving them the beating of their lives, and it will be for 75% of the gate (ticket and merchandise sales) as "it don't come cheap." He also says that they miss "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan. When the commentators return, it is mentioned that Nash wanted 75% of the gate so that they could get out of the match, thinking that WCW would not meet that kind of demand.
"Lord" Steven Regal beats "The Crippler" Chris Benoit by disqualification when The Taskmaster, Jimmy Hart and Jacqueline show up and The Taskmaster attacks Benoit from behind. This escalates into a brawl between Benoit and The Taskmaster, and after Benoit kicks The Taskmaster in the groin, Jacqueline jumps on Benoit only to be pulled off by Woman. Meng gets a death grip on Benoit, and even "Lord" Steven Regal can't beat Meng off of Benoit. Meng finally drops the hold after Woman and The Taskmaster stare a hole through him. Woman then tends to Benoit.
"Macho Man" Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth tell Diamond Dallas Page that Savage and Page are on the road to disaster, and that Page is in his world. He then says that Kimberly will find out that DDP won't be able to handle him, and that Kimberly is dreaming about him and not Page because she has class "with a capital K." He tells Page that he will realize he should have never knocked on his door, and that he and Kimberly can't handle him.
Lex Luger and The Giant beat The Amazing French Canadians (Jacques Rougeau and Carl Ouellet) with a choke slam to Rougeau and a Torture Rack to Ouellet.
Steve "Mongo" McMichael beats The Barbarian with a steel Halliburton briefcase shot to The Barbarian's head as Debra McMichael distracts the referee.
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper and "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair show up again, and this time they're ready to fight, saying it is time to fix what is not yet broken. They call out The New World Order. Flair says he doesn't know if he can beat Kevin Nash or Scott Hall, but he can beat Syxx as he's gotten the World Heavyweight Championship "more times than Syxx has had pieces of ass." The New World Order music plays, but when it turns off, papers fall from the top of the arena, with "Tradition bites! nWo 4 life" printed on them. Suddenly, Hall, Nash and Syxx show up, and Syxx rushes to wards the ring only to run right into Flair. Hall and Nash try to get the jump on Flair, but they both get punched in the groin and Flair puts Syxx in the Figure Four Leg Lock. Hall and Nash eventually recover and all three men gang up on him. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper takes off his belt and swings it at all three members of The New World Order to end the show.
Monday, April 28, 1997
Raw Deal - Raw recap for April 28, 1997
Brian Pillman shows up to start tonight's show. He says there are a lot of pre-conceived notions about who he is, saying that people think he's crazy, but he is here to tell him there is a sensitive side to him, and that he's very deeply religious. Pillman has played the carnage of last week over and over in his mind and had sleepless nights, wondering if what he did was right. Thankfully, a glorious awakening overcame him, and he was overwhelmed with the spirit of truth. Since that day, he has been compelled to pray for all of everyone's misgivings. He then asks the crowd to bow their heads, close their eyes and join him in prayer. Pillman then prays for Bret "The Hit Man" Hart to have a speedy recovery, for all the people who rejoiced in the savage brutality of last week's show so that they may be forgiven, and for all those who exalted in the devious actions of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin so that they may be forgiven as well. He also prays for the millions across America who savor the bloodthirsty violence that pervades American society. Pillman breaks down, and asks everyone to continue to bond with him in prayer as he prays for the utter destruction and annihilation of Austin, and that he be stricken down in the arena tonight so that he may never again practice "his evil craft." Pillman then prays to everyone to open their hearts and minds and let Bret Hart, "the savior of the WWF," into their hearts and souls. Austin is on the TitanTron now, and tells Pillman he should pray that he doesn't beat the hell out of him, as not even Bret will be able to save Pillman's ass. Pillman says he is not afraid of him, and says "an eye for an eye" and "turn the other cheek" before facing his rear end towards the TitanTron in an attempt to taunt him. Austin shows up, and as soon as he gets in the ring, so does Owen Hart and The British Bulldog. Austin immediately gets out of the ring and leaves through the crowd. Pillman tells Owen and The Bulldog that he needs a moment of silence as he is still in prayer. He says that the family that prays together, stays together, and blesses the day and the opportunity for the three of them to show their thanks. Bulldog prays for Bret's recovery, and Owen prays for everyone to pray for Bret and help him heal, and for "Stone Cold" Steve Austin to come to the other side and realize his mistakes. As he prays for Austin, Austin takes an ax, pulls the blade off, and runs for the ring with the ax handle in his hands. Pillman, Owen and Bulldog flee through the crowd. Austin then gets back in the ring, grabs the microphone, stands on the second rope and says that he doesn't know where they're going, but their asses are his.
Brian Pillman prays that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin doesn't hurt his knee anymore so that he, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog can welcome him with their best wishes backstage.
Flash Funk beats Rockabilly after he whips him into The Honky Tonk Man, who is standing on the apron during the match. During the match, we see that an ambulance, and that Bret "The Hit Man" Hart is inside. Flash Funk confronts Honky after the match only to have a guitar smashed into his head by Rockabilly, who then stomps on Flash Funk a few times along with The Honky Tonk Man. We then see Bret on the TitanTron, who is being pushed on a wheelchair backstage. Hart says he has something to say, and he wants to say it. They are accompanied by security guards as well as WWF President Gorilla Monsoon.
Vince McMahon announces that due to the consequences of last week's Street Fight, Bret "The Hit Man" Hart underwent knee surgery this past Friday. He then announces that Hart has something on his mind and wants to share it with the world as we see footage of last week's surgery. Bret is then introduced, and Bret is brought out on the wheelchair by Owen Hart and The British Bulldog. Hart sits on the entrance ramp, and pulls out a microphone. Hart says he knows where Brian Pillman is coming from and that it is great that he is praying for him, but no matter how much he prays, every once in a while a slimy, rotten hyena breaks through and makes a kill on a real lion. Thankfully, he was not killed, only wounded, but all the prayer in the world won't help against "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, whom he calls "the scum of America." He realized last week while wrestling Austin that it wasn't just one hyena, it's a whole pack, as hyenas don't hunt by themselves. The "pack" in question is the American wrestling fans, whom he calls a disgrace around the world while the rest of the world appreciates heroes and people who stand up for the truth, both of which Hart considers himself to be. Hart says he did both things, and all he got for it is Austin trying to rip his leg off and end his career. He doesn't care what the Americans think of him, but he says he never deserved that treatment. Hart says that all you have to do is watch TV to see how blood-thirsty American wrestling fans are, and calls said fans "a sick, depraved society." He knew it would come down to this sooner or later, and that he had to lower himself to those standards and to the fans, just so he could prove he is still the best there was, the best there is and the best there ever will be. He knows the fans are getting sick of it, and that now they know what the rest of the world thinks of them. Bret says he is back, though he may be out of commission for a while. He says the ambulance that brought him here tonight should stay real close, as the likes of Austin and "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels can get a ride to the hospital. He says that this time, The Hart Foundation (Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Owen Hart, The British Bulldog) will be dishing out pain. He tells Austin his days are numbered as he tells the American wrestling fans that they make him sick.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin is seen backstage with the ax handle still in his hands, looking for the first aid station.
In pre-recorded comments before the next match, Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon can't figure out why they can't be accepted by the fans. They say that the people can't handle their style, and that unlike The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Hawk and Road Warrior Animal), they are actual wrestlers, and if they had the same kind of support as The Legion, they would be tag team champions by now.
Despite the Doomsday Device being foiled, The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Hawk and Road Warrior Animal) beat Doug Furnas and Phillip LaFon. After the match, Jim Ross interviews Furnas and LaFon, saying that everyone else has a home-field advantage every night, and that they want a rematch.
We see the Sunny Undercover segment of last week's Shotgun Saturday Night, where The Headbangers (Thrasher and Mosh) join Sunny in bed to get under the covers with her.
Ahmed Johnson is in the locker room. He apologizes for his actions from last week, and tells Faarooq that if he wants a gang fight, he's got one.
Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog have a meeting backstage, while Brian Pillman continues to pray in the locker room with both of Owen Hart's Slammy Awards in his hands.
Before the next match, Owen Hart shows up with Bret "The Hit Man" Hart and The British Bulldog. As Bulldog and Bret stand at the entrance ramp, Owen dedicates the match to Bret, whom he calls "the dearest thing to all of us" as he prepares to take the WWF Intercontinental Championship from Rocky Maivia.
Owen Hart beats Rocky Maivia with an unorthodox pinfall to become the WWF Intercontinental Champion! With this victory, the WWF Championship is the only title not in the possession of The Hart Foundation (Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Owen, The British Bulldog), who celebrate on the entrance ramp.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin is still backstage...and he has an ax handle and a wheelchair...
The intro to the show replays to signify the start of the second hour.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin returns yet again, this time to be interviewed in the ring by Vince McMahon. Austin comes out through the crowd with the ax handle and the wheelchair, which he sits in. He asks the crowd if they want to see a wheelchair match, and says all Bret "The Hit Man" Hart has to do is wheel himself out here so he can fight him wheel to wheel, then says he's a lying S.O.B. and that he'll get out of the wheelchair, stomp a mudhole in his ass and walk it dry. He knows the last thing The Hart Foundation (Bret, Owen Hart, The British Bulldog) and Brian Pilmman want to see is him as WWF Champion. On May 11th, The Undertaker will indeed see the coldest day in Hell, as come Hell or high water and an entire family of Harts, he will whip 'Taker's ass and become the next WWF Champion. Bret then shows up on the TitanTron with , and tells Austin he will ride to the hospital in the ambulance he came in on, busted to pieces. Austin says that if anyone's going into the ambulance, it's The Hart Foundation.
Vader is back. We see the footage from Good Morning Kuwait where Vader puts his hands on an interviewer that landed him under house arrest in Kuwait before his eventual return. We then get a look at Ken Shamrock, who says he loves being a challenger and putting himself in challenging situations. He calls the WWF the biggest challenge he'll ever have yet.
Vader, no longer accompanied by Paul Bearer and Mankind, beats "Double J" Jesse James. After the match, Jim Ross interviews Vader, and asks him if he has any remorse for his actions in Kuwait. Vader says he went to Kuwait to do a job, and he did it very well. As far as remorse or regrets are concerned, he apologizes for nothing and to no one. When Jim Ross asks him if he thinks he over-reacted, Vader tells him he can finish that interview in Kuwait with Jim Ross. He takes Ross' hat off and asks if he's a big tough guy from Oklahoma as he says he didn't come here to be insulted by anybody. Ross says he's just doing his job, but Vader backs him into a corner and removes his glasses before putting his hands on him. Ken Shamrock shows up and puts Vader in a belly-to-belly suplex. Vader backs away as officials rush to the ring, and Shamrock tells Vader that when they get in the ring, it'll be hard time, not Vader time.
Goldust asks Marlena not to accompany him to the ring tonight as he applies his make-up, telling her that where he is going tonight is no place for a lady.
Goldust beats Hunter Hearst Helmsley by count-out. During the match, it is announced that headlines about Sycho Sid and Sunny are on Option 6 of the WWF Superstar Line. Also, Marlena shows up at ringside despite being asked not to by Goldust. This somehow works to Goldust's advantage when Chyna confronts Marlena, and when Goldust gets between the two women, Marlena throws powder into Chyna's face, blinding her. When Helmsley checks on Chyna, Chyna grabs Helmsley by the neck with both hands and picks him up as Goldust gets back in the ring, and Goldust beats the count. As Helmsley and Chyna leave, The Undertaker's gong plays. The Undertaker appears on the TitanTron, and says that no man deserves to have the flesh burned from the flame, but also says that the one who covets the flame ends up being burnt. 'Taker says Austin has a bit of momentum built up, but if Austin walks in distracted, he may leave in far worse shape than a wheelchair will take him.
Brian Pillman prays for The British Bulldog to have the courage to maim, cripple and torture The Undertaker and make him feel the wrath of The Hart Foundation (Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Owen Hart, The British Bulldog) and the pain of every nail that goes into his coffin.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin paces backstage...
The British Bulldog dedicates the next match to Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, who introduced him to his wife Diana Hart Smith (who is also Bret's sister). He says he will win the WWF Championship for him, even though this is a non-title match.
The Undertaker beats The British Bulldog by disqualification after Owen Hart attacks 'Taker before he can perform the Tombstone Piledriver on Bulldog. Owen and The Bulldog attack 'Taker, but "Stone Cold" Steve Austin shows up through the crowd to go after Owen and The Bulldog, who are sent out through the crowd by Austin and 'Taker. Austin and 'Taker go back into the ring, but Austin takes the WWF Championship with him, raises it up after standing on the second rope, then walks up to Undertaker, throws the belt down and hits him with the Stone Cold Stunner. Austin then stands over 'Taker and talks trash to his face as he leans down, which earns him a choke slam as 'Taker gets back up. Austin then sees Bret "The Hit Man" Hart on the entrance ramp by himself, and Austin tells 'Taker he'll beat his ass later as he'll beat Bret's ass now. Bret stands up on crutches, but is unable to escape. Austin moves Bret's wheelchair out of the way, but he is attacked by a big man out of nowhere. That big man is Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, Bret's brother-in-law who hasn't been seen in the WWF since 1994. Bret hits Austin with one of his crutches, sending Austin falling over the edge of the entrance ramp and onto the floor. Bret and The Anvil high-five each other, then head to the back. Officials check on Austin, who then bring out medical help. As Austin is carried out on a stretcher, the last thing we see is a smiling Brian Pillman.
Brian Pillman prays that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin doesn't hurt his knee anymore so that he, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog can welcome him with their best wishes backstage.
Flash Funk beats Rockabilly after he whips him into The Honky Tonk Man, who is standing on the apron during the match. During the match, we see that an ambulance, and that Bret "The Hit Man" Hart is inside. Flash Funk confronts Honky after the match only to have a guitar smashed into his head by Rockabilly, who then stomps on Flash Funk a few times along with The Honky Tonk Man. We then see Bret on the TitanTron, who is being pushed on a wheelchair backstage. Hart says he has something to say, and he wants to say it. They are accompanied by security guards as well as WWF President Gorilla Monsoon.
Vince McMahon announces that due to the consequences of last week's Street Fight, Bret "The Hit Man" Hart underwent knee surgery this past Friday. He then announces that Hart has something on his mind and wants to share it with the world as we see footage of last week's surgery. Bret is then introduced, and Bret is brought out on the wheelchair by Owen Hart and The British Bulldog. Hart sits on the entrance ramp, and pulls out a microphone. Hart says he knows where Brian Pillman is coming from and that it is great that he is praying for him, but no matter how much he prays, every once in a while a slimy, rotten hyena breaks through and makes a kill on a real lion. Thankfully, he was not killed, only wounded, but all the prayer in the world won't help against "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, whom he calls "the scum of America." He realized last week while wrestling Austin that it wasn't just one hyena, it's a whole pack, as hyenas don't hunt by themselves. The "pack" in question is the American wrestling fans, whom he calls a disgrace around the world while the rest of the world appreciates heroes and people who stand up for the truth, both of which Hart considers himself to be. Hart says he did both things, and all he got for it is Austin trying to rip his leg off and end his career. He doesn't care what the Americans think of him, but he says he never deserved that treatment. Hart says that all you have to do is watch TV to see how blood-thirsty American wrestling fans are, and calls said fans "a sick, depraved society." He knew it would come down to this sooner or later, and that he had to lower himself to those standards and to the fans, just so he could prove he is still the best there was, the best there is and the best there ever will be. He knows the fans are getting sick of it, and that now they know what the rest of the world thinks of them. Bret says he is back, though he may be out of commission for a while. He says the ambulance that brought him here tonight should stay real close, as the likes of Austin and "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels can get a ride to the hospital. He says that this time, The Hart Foundation (Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Owen Hart, The British Bulldog) will be dishing out pain. He tells Austin his days are numbered as he tells the American wrestling fans that they make him sick.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin is seen backstage with the ax handle still in his hands, looking for the first aid station.
In pre-recorded comments before the next match, Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon can't figure out why they can't be accepted by the fans. They say that the people can't handle their style, and that unlike The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Hawk and Road Warrior Animal), they are actual wrestlers, and if they had the same kind of support as The Legion, they would be tag team champions by now.
Despite the Doomsday Device being foiled, The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Hawk and Road Warrior Animal) beat Doug Furnas and Phillip LaFon. After the match, Jim Ross interviews Furnas and LaFon, saying that everyone else has a home-field advantage every night, and that they want a rematch.
We see the Sunny Undercover segment of last week's Shotgun Saturday Night, where The Headbangers (Thrasher and Mosh) join Sunny in bed to get under the covers with her.
Ahmed Johnson is in the locker room. He apologizes for his actions from last week, and tells Faarooq that if he wants a gang fight, he's got one.
Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog have a meeting backstage, while Brian Pillman continues to pray in the locker room with both of Owen Hart's Slammy Awards in his hands.
Before the next match, Owen Hart shows up with Bret "The Hit Man" Hart and The British Bulldog. As Bulldog and Bret stand at the entrance ramp, Owen dedicates the match to Bret, whom he calls "the dearest thing to all of us" as he prepares to take the WWF Intercontinental Championship from Rocky Maivia.
Owen Hart beats Rocky Maivia with an unorthodox pinfall to become the WWF Intercontinental Champion! With this victory, the WWF Championship is the only title not in the possession of The Hart Foundation (Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Owen, The British Bulldog), who celebrate on the entrance ramp.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin is still backstage...and he has an ax handle and a wheelchair...
The intro to the show replays to signify the start of the second hour.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin returns yet again, this time to be interviewed in the ring by Vince McMahon. Austin comes out through the crowd with the ax handle and the wheelchair, which he sits in. He asks the crowd if they want to see a wheelchair match, and says all Bret "The Hit Man" Hart has to do is wheel himself out here so he can fight him wheel to wheel, then says he's a lying S.O.B. and that he'll get out of the wheelchair, stomp a mudhole in his ass and walk it dry. He knows the last thing The Hart Foundation (Bret, Owen Hart, The British Bulldog) and Brian Pilmman want to see is him as WWF Champion. On May 11th, The Undertaker will indeed see the coldest day in Hell, as come Hell or high water and an entire family of Harts, he will whip 'Taker's ass and become the next WWF Champion. Bret then shows up on the TitanTron with , and tells Austin he will ride to the hospital in the ambulance he came in on, busted to pieces. Austin says that if anyone's going into the ambulance, it's The Hart Foundation.
Vader is back. We see the footage from Good Morning Kuwait where Vader puts his hands on an interviewer that landed him under house arrest in Kuwait before his eventual return. We then get a look at Ken Shamrock, who says he loves being a challenger and putting himself in challenging situations. He calls the WWF the biggest challenge he'll ever have yet.
Vader, no longer accompanied by Paul Bearer and Mankind, beats "Double J" Jesse James. After the match, Jim Ross interviews Vader, and asks him if he has any remorse for his actions in Kuwait. Vader says he went to Kuwait to do a job, and he did it very well. As far as remorse or regrets are concerned, he apologizes for nothing and to no one. When Jim Ross asks him if he thinks he over-reacted, Vader tells him he can finish that interview in Kuwait with Jim Ross. He takes Ross' hat off and asks if he's a big tough guy from Oklahoma as he says he didn't come here to be insulted by anybody. Ross says he's just doing his job, but Vader backs him into a corner and removes his glasses before putting his hands on him. Ken Shamrock shows up and puts Vader in a belly-to-belly suplex. Vader backs away as officials rush to the ring, and Shamrock tells Vader that when they get in the ring, it'll be hard time, not Vader time.
Goldust asks Marlena not to accompany him to the ring tonight as he applies his make-up, telling her that where he is going tonight is no place for a lady.
Goldust beats Hunter Hearst Helmsley by count-out. During the match, it is announced that headlines about Sycho Sid and Sunny are on Option 6 of the WWF Superstar Line. Also, Marlena shows up at ringside despite being asked not to by Goldust. This somehow works to Goldust's advantage when Chyna confronts Marlena, and when Goldust gets between the two women, Marlena throws powder into Chyna's face, blinding her. When Helmsley checks on Chyna, Chyna grabs Helmsley by the neck with both hands and picks him up as Goldust gets back in the ring, and Goldust beats the count. As Helmsley and Chyna leave, The Undertaker's gong plays. The Undertaker appears on the TitanTron, and says that no man deserves to have the flesh burned from the flame, but also says that the one who covets the flame ends up being burnt. 'Taker says Austin has a bit of momentum built up, but if Austin walks in distracted, he may leave in far worse shape than a wheelchair will take him.
Brian Pillman prays for The British Bulldog to have the courage to maim, cripple and torture The Undertaker and make him feel the wrath of The Hart Foundation (Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Owen Hart, The British Bulldog) and the pain of every nail that goes into his coffin.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin paces backstage...
The British Bulldog dedicates the next match to Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, who introduced him to his wife Diana Hart Smith (who is also Bret's sister). He says he will win the WWF Championship for him, even though this is a non-title match.
The Undertaker beats The British Bulldog by disqualification after Owen Hart attacks 'Taker before he can perform the Tombstone Piledriver on Bulldog. Owen and The Bulldog attack 'Taker, but "Stone Cold" Steve Austin shows up through the crowd to go after Owen and The Bulldog, who are sent out through the crowd by Austin and 'Taker. Austin and 'Taker go back into the ring, but Austin takes the WWF Championship with him, raises it up after standing on the second rope, then walks up to Undertaker, throws the belt down and hits him with the Stone Cold Stunner. Austin then stands over 'Taker and talks trash to his face as he leans down, which earns him a choke slam as 'Taker gets back up. Austin then sees Bret "The Hit Man" Hart on the entrance ramp by himself, and Austin tells 'Taker he'll beat his ass later as he'll beat Bret's ass now. Bret stands up on crutches, but is unable to escape. Austin moves Bret's wheelchair out of the way, but he is attacked by a big man out of nowhere. That big man is Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, Bret's brother-in-law who hasn't been seen in the WWF since 1994. Bret hits Austin with one of his crutches, sending Austin falling over the edge of the entrance ramp and onto the floor. Bret and The Anvil high-five each other, then head to the back. Officials check on Austin, who then bring out medical help. As Austin is carried out on a stretcher, the last thing we see is a smiling Brian Pillman.
Saturday, April 26, 1997
Vince's Got A Shotgun - Shotgun Saturday Night recap for April 26, 1997
The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) beat The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn). When Animal and Hawk hit Henry with the Doomsday Device, Henry accidentally lands on his head. (It is later revealed that he suffered a cracked C7 vertebra.) After the match, Henry is very upset about the loss, while Hillbilly Jim and Phineas are in better spirits.
Goldust beats Mike Bell. Before the match, it is announced that Henry O. Godwinn has been hospitalized, complaining of neck pains. It is also mentioned that Henry O. Godwinn may also have a head injury. During the match, we see pre-recorded comments from Hunter Hearst Helmsley, who says that this Monday night on Raw, Goldust has set the stage for his destruction and it will be face-to-face and head-on. Helmsley says Goldust and the audience that night will never forget the name of Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
Before the next match, Kevin Kelly tries to interview Mankind, but Mankind scares him away with a lighter as he takes the microphone away from him. Kevin Kelly wisely makes his way backstage, and Mankind says some very bad things are going to happen very soon. He wants to make sure the people are aware of why they will happen. All of his life, only one man has ever believed in him and trusted him, and The Undertaker tried to take him away. Mankind says he loved "Uncle Paul," and he knows he is taught to forgive and forget, but every time he thinks of Paul Bearer's face melting in his hands, he finds it hard to forget. He tells The Undertaker to remember that somewhere, sometime, he will learn about loss. But first, Sycho Sid has a lesson to learn. He asks some kids in the front row if they go to school, and if school teaches them about history. He then says if you take Lewis and Clark and sent them on another expedition, and threw in Ferdinand Magellan and Christopher Columbus, they still wouldn't be able to locate Sycho Sid's courage because he has none. He was supposed to wrestle Sid weeks ago, but he had an injury. He says he did not feel good when The Undertaker put him through a table, as he was dying inside but did not miss a match. If he bailed out every time he had an injury, he wouldn't be in many matches. He then gets on his knees and begs Sycho Sid to find a spine before calling him a gutless worm, as he has a big surprise for him on May 11th. Next week, for "all the low-life losers," he's got the biggest surprise of all. He tells the fans to think about that and try to have a nice day.
Vader is back in the United States of America after being jailed in Kuwait for 11 days, thanks to the efforts of U.S. officials. In a press conference Friday morning in New York City, Vader says he apologizes to no one and for nothing. He was stripped of his liberty and freedom, inundated by death threats and had 24-hour security. He says it all comes down to simple extortion, as the integrity of the man who interviewed him was worth $25,000 in two hours, and was worth $400,000+ the next morning. He says they wanted ratings, and they got the highest ratings they have had in the last couple of years.
The Nation of Domination (Crush, D'Lo Brown, Savio Vega) beat Freddie Joe Floyd, Steve Corino and "The Portuguese Man-O-War" Aldo Montoya. Faarooq whips Steve Corino with his leather strap after the match.
Flash Funk beats Nick Barbury. Before the match, it is announced that Henry O. Godwinn suffered a cracked vertebra and that his neck is broken, and that he will be out for some time.
Goldust beats Mike Bell. Before the match, it is announced that Henry O. Godwinn has been hospitalized, complaining of neck pains. It is also mentioned that Henry O. Godwinn may also have a head injury. During the match, we see pre-recorded comments from Hunter Hearst Helmsley, who says that this Monday night on Raw, Goldust has set the stage for his destruction and it will be face-to-face and head-on. Helmsley says Goldust and the audience that night will never forget the name of Hunter Hearst Helmsley.
Before the next match, Kevin Kelly tries to interview Mankind, but Mankind scares him away with a lighter as he takes the microphone away from him. Kevin Kelly wisely makes his way backstage, and Mankind says some very bad things are going to happen very soon. He wants to make sure the people are aware of why they will happen. All of his life, only one man has ever believed in him and trusted him, and The Undertaker tried to take him away. Mankind says he loved "Uncle Paul," and he knows he is taught to forgive and forget, but every time he thinks of Paul Bearer's face melting in his hands, he finds it hard to forget. He tells The Undertaker to remember that somewhere, sometime, he will learn about loss. But first, Sycho Sid has a lesson to learn. He asks some kids in the front row if they go to school, and if school teaches them about history. He then says if you take Lewis and Clark and sent them on another expedition, and threw in Ferdinand Magellan and Christopher Columbus, they still wouldn't be able to locate Sycho Sid's courage because he has none. He was supposed to wrestle Sid weeks ago, but he had an injury. He says he did not feel good when The Undertaker put him through a table, as he was dying inside but did not miss a match. If he bailed out every time he had an injury, he wouldn't be in many matches. He then gets on his knees and begs Sycho Sid to find a spine before calling him a gutless worm, as he has a big surprise for him on May 11th. Next week, for "all the low-life losers," he's got the biggest surprise of all. He tells the fans to think about that and try to have a nice day.
Vader is back in the United States of America after being jailed in Kuwait for 11 days, thanks to the efforts of U.S. officials. In a press conference Friday morning in New York City, Vader says he apologizes to no one and for nothing. He was stripped of his liberty and freedom, inundated by death threats and had 24-hour security. He says it all comes down to simple extortion, as the integrity of the man who interviewed him was worth $25,000 in two hours, and was worth $400,000+ the next morning. He says they wanted ratings, and they got the highest ratings they have had in the last couple of years.
The Nation of Domination (Crush, D'Lo Brown, Savio Vega) beat Freddie Joe Floyd, Steve Corino and "The Portuguese Man-O-War" Aldo Montoya. Faarooq whips Steve Corino with his leather strap after the match.
Flash Funk beats Nick Barbury. Before the match, it is announced that Henry O. Godwinn suffered a cracked vertebra and that his neck is broken, and that he will be out for some time.
Monday, April 21, 1997
Nitro-Glycerin - Monday Nitro recap for April 21, 1997
We see footage of James J. Dillon showing up at the arena earlier in the day to start tonight's show.
Dean Malenko retains the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship against Yuji Nagata with the Texas Cloverleaf. During the match, Reggie White of the Green Bay Packers is seen in the front row.
Glacer quickly beats Ciclope after the crowd chants "Glacier sucks!" After the match, the masked man from Uncensored shows up (who used to be Adam Bomb in the World Wrestling Federation) and gets in the ring, but it is a set up, as Glacier is attacked from behind by Mortis. James Vandenburg shows up as the masked man, now unmasked, has his way with Glacier as Mortis and Vandenberg take Glacier's mask. Both Mortis and the mystery man then gouge Glacier's eyes, even going so far as sticking one of the spikes in Glacier's helmet into one of them.
It is announced that James J. Dillon has been named Chairman of the WCW Executive Committee by Turner Sports.
ick Patrick shows up in blue jeans and a sea-green polo shirt with purple trim, still petitioning to get his referee job back in WCW. Nick Patrick apologizes to any WCW employees who were hurt by his actions, but there are a few people that he will not apologize to, now or ever. When he first joined the New World Order, he thought it would be the perfect opportunity for "the little guy" to speak out when they could not, but now it seems to him that the people he wanted to speak out against are the same people the nWo are catering to, like "Macho Man" Randy Savage, whom he knew all about when Savage first came to WCW, saying that Savage has proved him correct recently. He says that the nWo caters to men like Eric Bischoff who are mad with power and letting everyone know he's the boss while forcing people to his will, like Randy Anderson, whom Patrick admits he never wanted to fight. He also refers back to when he fined Savage the biggest fine in WCW, saying that the fine was revoked and that he was told to keep his mouth shut. Patrick then proclaims that if you want someone to stand up for WCW, simply take a look at what he has done: he stayed when people walked out, he still worked when Savage injured his neck, and he took choke slams and Jackknife Power Bombs from The Giant and Kevin Nash, respectively. Patrick says he's still here, and he is a man who stands for what he believes in, and will do so if WCW gives him that opportunity again. "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko argues with Patrick, unwilling to trust him.
The Ultimate Dragon retains the WCW World Television Championship against Bobby Eaton with the Dragon Sleeper. Referee Mickie Jay takes a picture of both The Ultimate Dragon and Sonny Onoo at Onoo's behest.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "Lord" Steven Regal, who gets a shot at the Television title at Slamboree. He berates America for "not being able to beat the Japanese," and plans to take back what is rightfully "ours," as he considers himself the only person keeping WCW together at the moment. He then calls the American fans "xenophobic little toads." He tells The Ultimate Dragon he will bend him in too.
Next Monday, Nitro will be live for one hour from 7 PM to 8 PM Eastern due to the NBA Playoffs.
Meng (accompanied by a more conservatively-dressed Jimmy Hart) beats Chris Jericho by submission with a nerve hold. "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Jimmy Hart after the match, and Hart says that he and The Taskmaster will sent a message to "The Crippler" Chris Benoit. The Taskmaster shows upw ith Jacqueline, saying that Meng, despite making a few mistakes in wrestling in the ring, is the baddest apple in the business. He dares anyone to step up, saying that when ten men went into a dojo with Meng, two came out. As for Benoit's message to him concerning kharma, he had the same kind of kharma at his age, and it was all bad. He says he let his son and Woman go. He then tells Meng that he has to feel the power. Meng is about to do something when Jacqueline tells Meng not to do it. Meng tells Jacqueline - in English - that if it wasn't for her and The Taskmaster, he could take the both of them down. Meng and Hart leave first, followed by The Taskmaster and Jacqueline.
We see a video package of "The Crippler" Chris Benoit.
This Saturday on WCW Saturday Night: Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock)! The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner)! Lex Luger! Mortis and James Vandenberg!
Before the next match, Hugh Morrus and Konnan of the Dungeon of Doom fight The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) before they can make their way to the ring. Security have to get The Steiners out of the area. Long-time friends and family welcome Scott at the entrance ramp.
Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock) vs. The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) ends with Hugh Morrus and Konnan of the Dungeon of Doom. Both teams in the match end up teaming together against Konnan and Morrus as they take the brawl to the back.
Pyrotechnics signal the start of the second hour.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews James J. Dillon. Dillon says that today has been a very busy day, and that all aspects of the company will be re-evaluated. Regarding Nick Patrick's petition for reinstatement into WCW, it is being taken under advisement. He then says that his lawyers have looked into the contract of Eric Bischoff, and that there is both good news and bad news. The good news is that Eric Bischoff has absolutely no authority with World Championship Wrestling. The bad news is that Eric Bischoff has an iron-clad contract and that there is no buy-out clause, and unless he breaches his contract, it is valid. As Dillon announces that Bischoff will retain his title as Executive Vice President and continue to get a paycheck, Bischoff shows up. Dillon says that he has looked further into the New World Order, and that some of the contracts Bischoff finalized before his suspension are all valid, and that the nWo, by and large, is here to stay, with two exceptions. Big Bubba and Michael Wallstreet, unlike Buff Bagwell and Scott Norton, did not have "windows of opportunity" to join the nWo and simply jumped ship, and are therefore under contract to WCW and must return there. Eric Bischoff takes the microphone and simply tells Dillon "Bite me." Bischoff says Dillon wanted to fire him, but he couldn't. Dillon tells Bischoff that if he has something to say, say it. Bischoff tells Dillon he can't stop him from doing whatever he wants with the nWo, and that he made WCW the #1 wrestling company on the planet. When he asks if Dillon has a problem with him making the nWo bigger than WCW, Dillon says yes, and Bischoff tells him "Bite me" again. Bischoff then asks Dillon if he thinks that he can fill his shoes, Dillon says he is the first person to admit that he is the most powerful and influential person for the last two years and has accomplished a lot, considering that the standard of excellence was set up in Stamford, Connecticut (a reference to WWF). However, Bischoff has forgotten that his effort was that of a team, and that he betrayed the trust of the team. Bischoff says "Bite me" yet again. Dillon says that Bischoff has tried to single-handedly destroy the legacy of WCW as he leaves, and if Bischoff thinks he can fill his shoes, he's wrong, because what is in Bischoff's shoes stinks, and no Odor Eaters in the world can take that smell away. Dillon then states that he has two shoes of his own, that he is man enough to determine what steps they take and that he will take accountability for those steps, unlike Bischoff.
Jeff Jarrett beats Scotty Riggs with the Figure Four Leg Lock. During the match, Reggie White of the Green Bay Packers is seen in the crowd again, and when Steve "Mongo" McMichael walks down the entrance ramp with the steel Halliburton briefcase, Reggie jumps the barricade and snatches it from him, forcing Mongo to retreat.
James J. Dillon shows up during Syxx vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. after Kevin Nash hits Rey with a big boot to the back of the head followed by a Jackknife Power Bomb. He brings out medical help for Rey and sends security officers to keep Syxx from attacking Rey, who has to be taken out of the arena on a stretcher. Dillon tells Nash and Syxx that their behavior will no longer be tolerated, but Nash and Syxx don't care.
We see a video package of Lex Luger.
Lee Marshall calls form Norfolk, Virginia - the site of next week's Nitro - for the 1-800-COLLECT Road Report.
In another announcement paid for by the New World Order, we see "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan on the set of McCinsey's Island starting Hogan, Robert Vaughn and Grace Jones. Hulk announces that Grace Jones is a supporter of the New World Order. He says the WCW is full of cowards, saying Sting is hiding, Lex Luger doesn't want a part of him, and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper doesn't want a part of him either. He says that the movie is nWo-produced and directed. Robert Vaughn is seen wearing an nWo T-shirt, as well as the crew.
The New World Order show up. Syxx says that "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper were around last week, talking about how the new generation guys don't have any respect. Syxx says he knows a bit about the history of this sport, and asks what kind of respect it is for Flair to rip off Buddy Roger's gimmick, nickname and finisher from him. He says he has no respect for Piper either, and that he isn't afraid of either of them. Kevin Nash tells Piper that he doesn't think too much about Piper and Flair's "laying down the asphalt and cutting down trees," and that when he came into the business, there was nothing but potholes in the road, saying Flair and Piper strip-mined the business and left nothing for the young guys. He says that WCW was nothing but a bunch of guys pushing their sons, and if you didn't have a dad in the business, you couldn't even get an opportunity. He says Scott Hall was here for a year, proved himself, and got a pay cut, so he left for New York and Nash followed suit. There, he and Hall found punishment trying to dig the business out of the funk the older guys left it in. Where he comes from - the south side of Detroit - you have to beat respect out of him. He says it's the new generation's turn to shine, and while the older guys in WCW live it up, the nWo says they have no problem flying commercial and going to the arena three in a rented Ford Taurus while trying to patch the potholes that the older guys left behind.
Diamond Dallas Page quickly beats Psychosis with a Diamond Cutter from the top rope. "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth are sighted in the crowd after the match, and Savage asks Page if he can feel the madness all around him, and that if he can't, ask Kimberly, because she felt it. Page tells Savage he isn't going to bait him again, and that if he wants a piece of him, then he and Elizabeth should hobble into the ring right now. Savage wants to go, but he is surrounded by security.
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper shows up with "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair and Carolina Panthers player Kevin Greene. Flair says there's nothing to talk about, and dares the New World Order to get into the ring and "pave the highway." The New World Order shows up, but then bring out...Scott Hall, who hasn't been seen in weeks. Despite being outnumbered, Flair, Piper and Greene somehow fight The New World Order, holding the members who don't get into the ring off until the closing seconds of the show.
Dean Malenko retains the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship against Yuji Nagata with the Texas Cloverleaf. During the match, Reggie White of the Green Bay Packers is seen in the front row.
Glacer quickly beats Ciclope after the crowd chants "Glacier sucks!" After the match, the masked man from Uncensored shows up (who used to be Adam Bomb in the World Wrestling Federation) and gets in the ring, but it is a set up, as Glacier is attacked from behind by Mortis. James Vandenburg shows up as the masked man, now unmasked, has his way with Glacier as Mortis and Vandenberg take Glacier's mask. Both Mortis and the mystery man then gouge Glacier's eyes, even going so far as sticking one of the spikes in Glacier's helmet into one of them.
It is announced that James J. Dillon has been named Chairman of the WCW Executive Committee by Turner Sports.
ick Patrick shows up in blue jeans and a sea-green polo shirt with purple trim, still petitioning to get his referee job back in WCW. Nick Patrick apologizes to any WCW employees who were hurt by his actions, but there are a few people that he will not apologize to, now or ever. When he first joined the New World Order, he thought it would be the perfect opportunity for "the little guy" to speak out when they could not, but now it seems to him that the people he wanted to speak out against are the same people the nWo are catering to, like "Macho Man" Randy Savage, whom he knew all about when Savage first came to WCW, saying that Savage has proved him correct recently. He says that the nWo caters to men like Eric Bischoff who are mad with power and letting everyone know he's the boss while forcing people to his will, like Randy Anderson, whom Patrick admits he never wanted to fight. He also refers back to when he fined Savage the biggest fine in WCW, saying that the fine was revoked and that he was told to keep his mouth shut. Patrick then proclaims that if you want someone to stand up for WCW, simply take a look at what he has done: he stayed when people walked out, he still worked when Savage injured his neck, and he took choke slams and Jackknife Power Bombs from The Giant and Kevin Nash, respectively. Patrick says he's still here, and he is a man who stands for what he believes in, and will do so if WCW gives him that opportunity again. "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko argues with Patrick, unwilling to trust him.
The Ultimate Dragon retains the WCW World Television Championship against Bobby Eaton with the Dragon Sleeper. Referee Mickie Jay takes a picture of both The Ultimate Dragon and Sonny Onoo at Onoo's behest.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "Lord" Steven Regal, who gets a shot at the Television title at Slamboree. He berates America for "not being able to beat the Japanese," and plans to take back what is rightfully "ours," as he considers himself the only person keeping WCW together at the moment. He then calls the American fans "xenophobic little toads." He tells The Ultimate Dragon he will bend him in too.
Next Monday, Nitro will be live for one hour from 7 PM to 8 PM Eastern due to the NBA Playoffs.
Meng (accompanied by a more conservatively-dressed Jimmy Hart) beats Chris Jericho by submission with a nerve hold. "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Jimmy Hart after the match, and Hart says that he and The Taskmaster will sent a message to "The Crippler" Chris Benoit. The Taskmaster shows upw ith Jacqueline, saying that Meng, despite making a few mistakes in wrestling in the ring, is the baddest apple in the business. He dares anyone to step up, saying that when ten men went into a dojo with Meng, two came out. As for Benoit's message to him concerning kharma, he had the same kind of kharma at his age, and it was all bad. He says he let his son and Woman go. He then tells Meng that he has to feel the power. Meng is about to do something when Jacqueline tells Meng not to do it. Meng tells Jacqueline - in English - that if it wasn't for her and The Taskmaster, he could take the both of them down. Meng and Hart leave first, followed by The Taskmaster and Jacqueline.
We see a video package of "The Crippler" Chris Benoit.
This Saturday on WCW Saturday Night: Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock)! The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner)! Lex Luger! Mortis and James Vandenberg!
Before the next match, Hugh Morrus and Konnan of the Dungeon of Doom fight The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) before they can make their way to the ring. Security have to get The Steiners out of the area. Long-time friends and family welcome Scott at the entrance ramp.
Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock) vs. The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner) ends with Hugh Morrus and Konnan of the Dungeon of Doom. Both teams in the match end up teaming together against Konnan and Morrus as they take the brawl to the back.
Pyrotechnics signal the start of the second hour.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews James J. Dillon. Dillon says that today has been a very busy day, and that all aspects of the company will be re-evaluated. Regarding Nick Patrick's petition for reinstatement into WCW, it is being taken under advisement. He then says that his lawyers have looked into the contract of Eric Bischoff, and that there is both good news and bad news. The good news is that Eric Bischoff has absolutely no authority with World Championship Wrestling. The bad news is that Eric Bischoff has an iron-clad contract and that there is no buy-out clause, and unless he breaches his contract, it is valid. As Dillon announces that Bischoff will retain his title as Executive Vice President and continue to get a paycheck, Bischoff shows up. Dillon says that he has looked further into the New World Order, and that some of the contracts Bischoff finalized before his suspension are all valid, and that the nWo, by and large, is here to stay, with two exceptions. Big Bubba and Michael Wallstreet, unlike Buff Bagwell and Scott Norton, did not have "windows of opportunity" to join the nWo and simply jumped ship, and are therefore under contract to WCW and must return there. Eric Bischoff takes the microphone and simply tells Dillon "Bite me." Bischoff says Dillon wanted to fire him, but he couldn't. Dillon tells Bischoff that if he has something to say, say it. Bischoff tells Dillon he can't stop him from doing whatever he wants with the nWo, and that he made WCW the #1 wrestling company on the planet. When he asks if Dillon has a problem with him making the nWo bigger than WCW, Dillon says yes, and Bischoff tells him "Bite me" again. Bischoff then asks Dillon if he thinks that he can fill his shoes, Dillon says he is the first person to admit that he is the most powerful and influential person for the last two years and has accomplished a lot, considering that the standard of excellence was set up in Stamford, Connecticut (a reference to WWF). However, Bischoff has forgotten that his effort was that of a team, and that he betrayed the trust of the team. Bischoff says "Bite me" yet again. Dillon says that Bischoff has tried to single-handedly destroy the legacy of WCW as he leaves, and if Bischoff thinks he can fill his shoes, he's wrong, because what is in Bischoff's shoes stinks, and no Odor Eaters in the world can take that smell away. Dillon then states that he has two shoes of his own, that he is man enough to determine what steps they take and that he will take accountability for those steps, unlike Bischoff.
Jeff Jarrett beats Scotty Riggs with the Figure Four Leg Lock. During the match, Reggie White of the Green Bay Packers is seen in the crowd again, and when Steve "Mongo" McMichael walks down the entrance ramp with the steel Halliburton briefcase, Reggie jumps the barricade and snatches it from him, forcing Mongo to retreat.
James J. Dillon shows up during Syxx vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. after Kevin Nash hits Rey with a big boot to the back of the head followed by a Jackknife Power Bomb. He brings out medical help for Rey and sends security officers to keep Syxx from attacking Rey, who has to be taken out of the arena on a stretcher. Dillon tells Nash and Syxx that their behavior will no longer be tolerated, but Nash and Syxx don't care.
We see a video package of Lex Luger.
Lee Marshall calls form Norfolk, Virginia - the site of next week's Nitro - for the 1-800-COLLECT Road Report.
In another announcement paid for by the New World Order, we see "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan on the set of McCinsey's Island starting Hogan, Robert Vaughn and Grace Jones. Hulk announces that Grace Jones is a supporter of the New World Order. He says the WCW is full of cowards, saying Sting is hiding, Lex Luger doesn't want a part of him, and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper doesn't want a part of him either. He says that the movie is nWo-produced and directed. Robert Vaughn is seen wearing an nWo T-shirt, as well as the crew.
The New World Order show up. Syxx says that "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper were around last week, talking about how the new generation guys don't have any respect. Syxx says he knows a bit about the history of this sport, and asks what kind of respect it is for Flair to rip off Buddy Roger's gimmick, nickname and finisher from him. He says he has no respect for Piper either, and that he isn't afraid of either of them. Kevin Nash tells Piper that he doesn't think too much about Piper and Flair's "laying down the asphalt and cutting down trees," and that when he came into the business, there was nothing but potholes in the road, saying Flair and Piper strip-mined the business and left nothing for the young guys. He says that WCW was nothing but a bunch of guys pushing their sons, and if you didn't have a dad in the business, you couldn't even get an opportunity. He says Scott Hall was here for a year, proved himself, and got a pay cut, so he left for New York and Nash followed suit. There, he and Hall found punishment trying to dig the business out of the funk the older guys left it in. Where he comes from - the south side of Detroit - you have to beat respect out of him. He says it's the new generation's turn to shine, and while the older guys in WCW live it up, the nWo says they have no problem flying commercial and going to the arena three in a rented Ford Taurus while trying to patch the potholes that the older guys left behind.
Diamond Dallas Page quickly beats Psychosis with a Diamond Cutter from the top rope. "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth are sighted in the crowd after the match, and Savage asks Page if he can feel the madness all around him, and that if he can't, ask Kimberly, because she felt it. Page tells Savage he isn't going to bait him again, and that if he wants a piece of him, then he and Elizabeth should hobble into the ring right now. Savage wants to go, but he is surrounded by security.
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper shows up with "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair and Carolina Panthers player Kevin Greene. Flair says there's nothing to talk about, and dares the New World Order to get into the ring and "pave the highway." The New World Order shows up, but then bring out...Scott Hall, who hasn't been seen in weeks. Despite being outnumbered, Flair, Piper and Greene somehow fight The New World Order, holding the members who don't get into the ring off until the closing seconds of the show.
Raw Deal - Raw recap for April 21, 1997
Vince McMahon interviews "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in the ring. Austin says the whole world saw him whip Bret "The Hit Man" Hart's ass with the Sharpshooter in the middle of the ring, and the only reason he's not finished with Bret is because Owen Hart and The British Bulldog saved Bret. Austin then calls Bret out, not to wrestle, but to have a street fight. He gives Bret one minute to get into the ring. Midway through the countdown, a countdown can be seen on the TitanTron, which then runs out. Austin says he knew Bret didn't have the guts to show up, and now he's coming to get him. Bret shows up with Bulldog and Owen on the TitanTron, saying he accepts the challenge. He goes on to say his family is too good for the American public, saying they're hyenas like Austin who have no moral, ethics or family values. Hart says he almost ripped Austin's leg off its hinges last night, and says it gets him how the American fans can justify Austin and "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, and says American wrestling fans are going down the toilet. He also can't figure out how Austin got a WWF Championship shot against The Undertaker, but at the end of the night, he's sending Austin to Hell. Austin tells Bret that if he's going to Hell, he's taking him down with him. Austin then heads to the back.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin is seen backstage looking for Bret "The Hit Man" Hart.
The Sultan beats Ahmed Johnson by disqualification when The Nation of Domination show up, causing Ahmed to pull a 2x4 out from underneath the ring. The Nation retreats, and The Sultan ends up being the one struck with the 2x4.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin paces back and forth, waiting for Bret "The Hit Man" Hart.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin kicks the door to the dressing room for The Hart Foundation (Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog) and strikes it with a steel chair. Bret has officials with him to hold Austin off, saying that he will give Austin what he wants.
Ken Shamrock guests on commentary for the next match, and it is announced that he will face Vader in a no-holds-barred match at In Your House. We also learn that Tiger Ali Singh has won a 16-man single-elimination tournament recently in a WWF live event in Kuwait to win the second Kuwaiti Cup. We then find out that Vader is still held under house arrest in Kuwait after nine days after assaulting a reporter on the April 12, 1997 episode of Good Morning, Kuwait for calling wrestling "fake." The Undertaker is also present during the interview. Jerry "The King" Lawler then shows the viewers at home some art he drew himself of Vader cleaning up camel manure in the desert and a Vader action figure still in the packaging with a cage behind it. Ken Shamrock then says he doesn't like a bully, as he has had problems with bullies all his life and says that Vader is a bully. Shamrock plans to be judge, jury and executioner for Vader at In Your House. Shamrock says he's been waiting for the question "What if you fought Mike Tyson? Who would win?" and says that he can't answer that question until Tyson gets in the ring with him, and issues an open challenge to Mike Tyson before calling him another bully and saying he will prove he is the world's most dangerous man.
During the commercial break, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin gets verbally aggressive with Vince McMahon.
Owen Hart and The British Bulldog attack "Stone Cold" Steve Austin from behind when the street fight between Bret "The Hit Man" Hart and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. All of a sudden, "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels jumps out of the crowd and goes after Owen Hart and The British Bulldog with a steel chair, chasing them into the crowd and to the back. Nevertheless, the damage has been done, and Hart hits Austin with a piledriver before placing his right leg in a steel chair. He attempts to stomp the steel chair from the top rope, but Austin rolls out of the way and hits Bret in the leg with the chair before driving it into Bret's knee. Austin then puts Bret in the Sharpshooter, and officials have to get Austin to break the hold.
After the break, officials, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog check on Bret "The Hit Man" Hart. A screaming Bulldog demands medical attention for Bret, which Bret soon gets. Backstage, Gorilla Monsoon confronts "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, telling Austin that he is out of control and demanding he leave the building. Bret "The Hit Man" Hart is placed on a stretcher, but Owen and The Bulldog end up assisting Bret to the back.
The intro to the show is replayed to signify the start of the second hour.
Tiger Ali Singh beats Salvatore Sincere. During the match, Bret "The Hit Man" Hart is shown being placed into an ambulance...only to reveal "Stone Cold" Steve Austin is in the driver's seat ready to pounce on Bret. Austin gets a few shots in, and Owen and Bulldog fight him off until he escapes before they can get Bret to the hospital proper.
After the commercial, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog look for "Stone Cold" Steve Austin backstage.
Rockabilly beats "Double J" Jesse James. James strikes back after the match, but The Honky Tonk Man smacks James in the back of the head with his guitar.
"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michael confronts "Stone Cold" Steve Austin he's not here to help him and instead hurt Owen Hart and The British Bulldog. WWF President Gorilla Monsoon has to calm both men.
Mankind is seen on the TitanTron, sitting in the boiler room. He hays "his flesh is hanging by his handsome face, held there by his very own hands." He says he could smell the scent of burning skin, and when he pulled his hands away, his face melted, but he did not cry out in pain. The "he" that Mankind makes reference to is Paul Bearer, and Mankind says that Bearer is disfigured like him thanks to The Undertaker. He wishes for Paul Bearer to get well soon.
The Undertaker beats Hunter Hearst Helmsley by disqualification after interference from Mankind. During the match, Goldust (without his facepaint) and Marlena are seen watching the match from the front row. Jim Ross says "There's Dustin and Terri...I mean, Marlena," which is a reference to their real first names. Also, Mankind shows up wielding a blow torch. The Undertaker confronts Mankind, but Mankind hits him repeatedly with the acetylene bottle. He then tries to ignite the blow torch and burn The Undertaker's face, but cannot get it started in time and the two of them brawl into the crowd. Marlena then chokes Chyna out with her belt from behind while Goldust beats up Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Officials have to break up both brawls.
Vince McMahon interviews "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in the ring again. Austin said he would send Bret "The Hit Man" Hart to Canada, and that he can't understand why people are people are happy for him because he did it himself. He talks about all the Austin signs as well as Vince McMahon giving him compliments, saying Vince wants to jump on the "Stone Cold" bandwagon quicker than anyone else. Austin tells Vince he will knock him out in front of the world. As far as he is concerned, Bret is through in the WWF and the world itself, and that Owen Hart and The British Bulldog will have hell to pay. As for The Undertaker, he will have the coldest day in Hell that he will ever imagine, and he can show up with his Tombstones and his "creatures of the night," but he will be handing the WWF Championship over to him. Austin calls himself the ruler of the world, and if Vince or anybody thinks he's going to be a good role model as champion, they've got another thing coming. Before Austin can finish speaking, he is attacked by Owen Hart and The British Bulldog. "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels shows up and chases Owen and Bulldog out with a steel chair, then Vince returns to the commentary table as Austin lays in the middle of the ring. As Austin gets back up, he is attacked by a returning Brian Pillman in revenge for injuring his ankle months ago. He leaves the ring and comes back in with a steel chair, and smacks him in the back with it. When officials try to get Pillman out of the ring, he chases them out. He is about to break Austin's ankle the same way that Austin broke is, but Shawn Michaels returns and chases Pillman out of the ring before removing the chair from around Austin's foot to end the show.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin is seen backstage looking for Bret "The Hit Man" Hart.
The Sultan beats Ahmed Johnson by disqualification when The Nation of Domination show up, causing Ahmed to pull a 2x4 out from underneath the ring. The Nation retreats, and The Sultan ends up being the one struck with the 2x4.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin paces back and forth, waiting for Bret "The Hit Man" Hart.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin kicks the door to the dressing room for The Hart Foundation (Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog) and strikes it with a steel chair. Bret has officials with him to hold Austin off, saying that he will give Austin what he wants.
Ken Shamrock guests on commentary for the next match, and it is announced that he will face Vader in a no-holds-barred match at In Your House. We also learn that Tiger Ali Singh has won a 16-man single-elimination tournament recently in a WWF live event in Kuwait to win the second Kuwaiti Cup. We then find out that Vader is still held under house arrest in Kuwait after nine days after assaulting a reporter on the April 12, 1997 episode of Good Morning, Kuwait for calling wrestling "fake." The Undertaker is also present during the interview. Jerry "The King" Lawler then shows the viewers at home some art he drew himself of Vader cleaning up camel manure in the desert and a Vader action figure still in the packaging with a cage behind it. Ken Shamrock then says he doesn't like a bully, as he has had problems with bullies all his life and says that Vader is a bully. Shamrock plans to be judge, jury and executioner for Vader at In Your House. Shamrock says he's been waiting for the question "What if you fought Mike Tyson? Who would win?" and says that he can't answer that question until Tyson gets in the ring with him, and issues an open challenge to Mike Tyson before calling him another bully and saying he will prove he is the world's most dangerous man.
During the commercial break, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin gets verbally aggressive with Vince McMahon.
Owen Hart and The British Bulldog attack "Stone Cold" Steve Austin from behind when the street fight between Bret "The Hit Man" Hart and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. All of a sudden, "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels jumps out of the crowd and goes after Owen Hart and The British Bulldog with a steel chair, chasing them into the crowd and to the back. Nevertheless, the damage has been done, and Hart hits Austin with a piledriver before placing his right leg in a steel chair. He attempts to stomp the steel chair from the top rope, but Austin rolls out of the way and hits Bret in the leg with the chair before driving it into Bret's knee. Austin then puts Bret in the Sharpshooter, and officials have to get Austin to break the hold.
After the break, officials, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog check on Bret "The Hit Man" Hart. A screaming Bulldog demands medical attention for Bret, which Bret soon gets. Backstage, Gorilla Monsoon confronts "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, telling Austin that he is out of control and demanding he leave the building. Bret "The Hit Man" Hart is placed on a stretcher, but Owen and The Bulldog end up assisting Bret to the back.
The intro to the show is replayed to signify the start of the second hour.
Tiger Ali Singh beats Salvatore Sincere. During the match, Bret "The Hit Man" Hart is shown being placed into an ambulance...only to reveal "Stone Cold" Steve Austin is in the driver's seat ready to pounce on Bret. Austin gets a few shots in, and Owen and Bulldog fight him off until he escapes before they can get Bret to the hospital proper.
After the commercial, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog look for "Stone Cold" Steve Austin backstage.
Rockabilly beats "Double J" Jesse James. James strikes back after the match, but The Honky Tonk Man smacks James in the back of the head with his guitar.
"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michael confronts "Stone Cold" Steve Austin he's not here to help him and instead hurt Owen Hart and The British Bulldog. WWF President Gorilla Monsoon has to calm both men.
Mankind is seen on the TitanTron, sitting in the boiler room. He hays "his flesh is hanging by his handsome face, held there by his very own hands." He says he could smell the scent of burning skin, and when he pulled his hands away, his face melted, but he did not cry out in pain. The "he" that Mankind makes reference to is Paul Bearer, and Mankind says that Bearer is disfigured like him thanks to The Undertaker. He wishes for Paul Bearer to get well soon.
The Undertaker beats Hunter Hearst Helmsley by disqualification after interference from Mankind. During the match, Goldust (without his facepaint) and Marlena are seen watching the match from the front row. Jim Ross says "There's Dustin and Terri...I mean, Marlena," which is a reference to their real first names. Also, Mankind shows up wielding a blow torch. The Undertaker confronts Mankind, but Mankind hits him repeatedly with the acetylene bottle. He then tries to ignite the blow torch and burn The Undertaker's face, but cannot get it started in time and the two of them brawl into the crowd. Marlena then chokes Chyna out with her belt from behind while Goldust beats up Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Officials have to break up both brawls.
Vince McMahon interviews "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in the ring again. Austin said he would send Bret "The Hit Man" Hart to Canada, and that he can't understand why people are people are happy for him because he did it himself. He talks about all the Austin signs as well as Vince McMahon giving him compliments, saying Vince wants to jump on the "Stone Cold" bandwagon quicker than anyone else. Austin tells Vince he will knock him out in front of the world. As far as he is concerned, Bret is through in the WWF and the world itself, and that Owen Hart and The British Bulldog will have hell to pay. As for The Undertaker, he will have the coldest day in Hell that he will ever imagine, and he can show up with his Tombstones and his "creatures of the night," but he will be handing the WWF Championship over to him. Austin calls himself the ruler of the world, and if Vince or anybody thinks he's going to be a good role model as champion, they've got another thing coming. Before Austin can finish speaking, he is attacked by Owen Hart and The British Bulldog. "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels shows up and chases Owen and Bulldog out with a steel chair, then Vince returns to the commentary table as Austin lays in the middle of the ring. As Austin gets back up, he is attacked by a returning Brian Pillman in revenge for injuring his ankle months ago. He leaves the ring and comes back in with a steel chair, and smacks him in the back with it. When officials try to get Pillman out of the ring, he chases them out. He is about to break Austin's ankle the same way that Austin broke is, but Shawn Michaels returns and chases Pillman out of the ring before removing the chair from around Austin's foot to end the show.
Sunday, April 20, 1997
In Your House 14: Revenge of the 'Taker - The Results
The Sultan beats Flash Funk on the Free For All . Before the match, it is announced that Vader is under house arrest in Kuwait after getting in trouble with the authorities there.
Dok Hendrix interviews Owen Hart and The British Bulldog, who show up to Bret "The Hit Man" Hart's music. Owen says that Bret is family now, and they are now united. They have come to an agreement to come out to his music, as the family is stronger than ever. Bret shows up, and Bulldog says that they are all joined at the hip and are now "a new foundation" that will destroy the WWF. Bret once again derides "Stone Cold" Steve Austin for getting the American fans' favor, saying that America does not respect family value but that they will respect the sense of family in "The Hart Foundation." Suddenly, The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) shows up, and Owen and The Bulldog tell them that they're keeping the tag team titles when the night is over. Nevertheless, The Legion are ready to kick butt as they proclaim that it is their destiny to become tag team champions. Hawk tells the new Hart Foundation to get an epidural pain block before the match. Bret tells them they're dealing with the best tag team in the WWF, then Animal says that Bret Hart's crying will end tonight. As the Legion leaves, Bret says that the Hart Foundation will rule the WWF until the American wrestling fan learns the difference between right and wrong.
The Honky Tonk Man shows up during the Free For All to announce that he will sing tonight after his new protege shows up and breaks "Double J" Jesse James' neck.
The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) beat Owen Hart and The British Bulldog to become the WWF Tag Team Champions...almost. It is informed that The Legion fo Doom did not pin the legal man, therefore the pinfall does not count and that the match must continue. Owen Hart and The British Bulldog refuse to go back into the ring until it is announced that if they don't they will lose the match in addition to the WWF Tag Team Championships. When the match restarts, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog retain the WWF Tag Team Championships against The Legion of Doom, with The Legion winning by disqualification, when Bret "The Hit Man" Hart attacks Road Warrior Hawk as he pins Owen. During the match, we find out that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin has just now made it to the arena. After the match, Dok Hendrix interviews Owen and The Bulldog, and Owen says there was no luck involved in their match and that they beat The Legion like they beat everyone else. Owen and The Bulldog do not believe Dok Hendrix at first when he tells them that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin is in the building, but say they will beat him up like they do everyone else.
Sunny and Brian Pillman plug the WWF Superstar Line.
Kevin Kelly intervies Rocky Maivia backstage. Rocky says the past is the past, and tonight is where it counts. He says that Lady Luck is on his side and that he has done more in six months than in his entire lifetime, and Savio Vega is in for a fight.
Faarooq guests on commentary for the next match.
Savio Vega beats Rocky Maivia by count-out after Crush hits Rocky with the Heart Punch. Rocky Maivia retains the WWF Intercontinental Championship. Savio Vega confronts Crush for costing him the Intercontinental Championship, and Faarooq has to settle things for The Nation of Domination. Faarooq orders JC Ice and Wolfie D to bring Rocky back into the ring, and The Nation beats them up until Ahmed makes the save for The Rock once again. Ahmed then tells Faarooq that he accepts his challenge to beat him, Crush and Savio Vega all in one night, and he'll fight them all simultaneously if he has to.
Ken Shamrock chats with fans on America On-Line.
Dok Hendrix interviews "Wildman" Marc Mero and Sable. Sable says it was an honor to be voted Miss Slammy, and says that this year will be their year. Mero says his knee is doing just fine and that he will be back this summer. We learn that Marc Mero has had some interesting Golden Glove victories in the arena where the pay-per-view is at...just as soon as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin gets into the men's room nearby only to get attacked by Owen Hart and The British Bulldog, the latter of whom runs out of the bathroom with a metal pipe.
Before the next match, The Honky Tonk Man shows up and introduces his protege: Billy Gunn, now re-christened as Rockabilly. Jim Ross interviews Honky, saying that two weeks ago, Billy Gunn punched him but is now his protege. Honky says that he was impressed with Billy hitting him in the jaw with that right hand of his, and knew that he had to pursue him and make him an offer he couldn't refuse.
"Double J" Jesse James beats Rockabilly with an inside cradle. After the match, The Honky Tonk Man tries to hit James in the head with his guitar, but James notices and runs out of the ring, causing Honky to miss.
Dok Hendrix advertises the Undertaker door banner, only $29.95 plus shipping and handling. It is now available for Canadian viewes, too.
Kevin Kelly interviews "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, with WWF President Gorilla Monsoon standing nearby. Austin says there's no way he's not fighting Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, and has already refused medical attention. Austin goes on to say that Bret can bring his entire family, saying that even Bret's entire family can't beat his ass. Monsoon has bought Austin some time to recuperate from his recent attack, as he has earned his match for tonight. He announces that Mankind vs. The Undertaker will now go on next. Lance Wright then interviews The Hart Foundation (Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Owen Hart, The British Bulldog), and Owen Hart and The Bulldog say that Austin attacked them first while they celebrated their victory. Owen says that when Bret gets his hands on Austin, it will all be over for a third time. Bret then simply says "Who's cryin' now?"
Dok Hendrix interviews Mankind and Paul Bearer. Bearer says he can smell the burnt flesh of The Undertaker, as Mankind will be WWF Champion. Mankind says this will be the greatest night of his life, and that The Undertaker's screams will be music to his ear.
After a match that sees The Undertaker return with bandages around his right eye, Undertaker drop kicking Mankind and forcing Mankind to drop the steps on his head, two referees being knocked out of action, The Undertaker ripping Mankind's mask off and The Undertaker sending Mankind head-first into a wooden table, The Undertaker retains the WWF Championship against Mankind with a Tombstone Piledriver. Paul Bearer tries to run away after the match, but The Undertaker catches up withim. Mankind tries to throw another fireball into The Udnertaker's face, but 'Taker knocks the lighter and accelerant out of his hands and returns the favor, this time to Paul Bearer instead of Mankind. Paul Bearer covers his face with his jacket, and Mankind has to help Bearer to the back along with medical staff.
In Your House returns to pay-per-view on Sunday, May 11th!
Dok Hendrix interviews Bret "The Hit Man" Hart. Hart doesn't know who's more forgiving: him, or American wrestling fans. In the end, Hart says he won't forgive them before proclaiming that he will make an example out of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and end his career before destroying every other WWF Superstar to prove he's the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be.
Owen Hart and The British Bulldog are barred from ringside by WWE officials as well as WWF President Gorilla Monsoon.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin beats Bret "The Hit Man" Hart by disqualification after he and Owen Hart show up to distract Austin, and Bulldog manages to hit Austin in the back with a steel chair as Austin has Hart in the Sharpshooter after hitting Hart in the forehead with his knee brace. During the match, we see footage of Paul Bearer being taken out of the arena on a stretcher. After the match, Hart grabs the ring bell and is about to hit Austin with it when Austin counters with a steel chair to the knee before another application of the Sharpshooter. Officials have to pull Austin off of Hart, who is then helped to the back by Owen and Bulldog.
Dok Hendrix interviews Owen Hart and The British Bulldog, who show up to Bret "The Hit Man" Hart's music. Owen says that Bret is family now, and they are now united. They have come to an agreement to come out to his music, as the family is stronger than ever. Bret shows up, and Bulldog says that they are all joined at the hip and are now "a new foundation" that will destroy the WWF. Bret once again derides "Stone Cold" Steve Austin for getting the American fans' favor, saying that America does not respect family value but that they will respect the sense of family in "The Hart Foundation." Suddenly, The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) shows up, and Owen and The Bulldog tell them that they're keeping the tag team titles when the night is over. Nevertheless, The Legion are ready to kick butt as they proclaim that it is their destiny to become tag team champions. Hawk tells the new Hart Foundation to get an epidural pain block before the match. Bret tells them they're dealing with the best tag team in the WWF, then Animal says that Bret Hart's crying will end tonight. As the Legion leaves, Bret says that the Hart Foundation will rule the WWF until the American wrestling fan learns the difference between right and wrong.
The Honky Tonk Man shows up during the Free For All to announce that he will sing tonight after his new protege shows up and breaks "Double J" Jesse James' neck.
The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) beat Owen Hart and The British Bulldog to become the WWF Tag Team Champions...almost. It is informed that The Legion fo Doom did not pin the legal man, therefore the pinfall does not count and that the match must continue. Owen Hart and The British Bulldog refuse to go back into the ring until it is announced that if they don't they will lose the match in addition to the WWF Tag Team Championships. When the match restarts, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog retain the WWF Tag Team Championships against The Legion of Doom, with The Legion winning by disqualification, when Bret "The Hit Man" Hart attacks Road Warrior Hawk as he pins Owen. During the match, we find out that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin has just now made it to the arena. After the match, Dok Hendrix interviews Owen and The Bulldog, and Owen says there was no luck involved in their match and that they beat The Legion like they beat everyone else. Owen and The Bulldog do not believe Dok Hendrix at first when he tells them that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin is in the building, but say they will beat him up like they do everyone else.
Sunny and Brian Pillman plug the WWF Superstar Line.
Kevin Kelly intervies Rocky Maivia backstage. Rocky says the past is the past, and tonight is where it counts. He says that Lady Luck is on his side and that he has done more in six months than in his entire lifetime, and Savio Vega is in for a fight.
Faarooq guests on commentary for the next match.
Savio Vega beats Rocky Maivia by count-out after Crush hits Rocky with the Heart Punch. Rocky Maivia retains the WWF Intercontinental Championship. Savio Vega confronts Crush for costing him the Intercontinental Championship, and Faarooq has to settle things for The Nation of Domination. Faarooq orders JC Ice and Wolfie D to bring Rocky back into the ring, and The Nation beats them up until Ahmed makes the save for The Rock once again. Ahmed then tells Faarooq that he accepts his challenge to beat him, Crush and Savio Vega all in one night, and he'll fight them all simultaneously if he has to.
Ken Shamrock chats with fans on America On-Line.
Dok Hendrix interviews "Wildman" Marc Mero and Sable. Sable says it was an honor to be voted Miss Slammy, and says that this year will be their year. Mero says his knee is doing just fine and that he will be back this summer. We learn that Marc Mero has had some interesting Golden Glove victories in the arena where the pay-per-view is at...just as soon as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin gets into the men's room nearby only to get attacked by Owen Hart and The British Bulldog, the latter of whom runs out of the bathroom with a metal pipe.
Before the next match, The Honky Tonk Man shows up and introduces his protege: Billy Gunn, now re-christened as Rockabilly. Jim Ross interviews Honky, saying that two weeks ago, Billy Gunn punched him but is now his protege. Honky says that he was impressed with Billy hitting him in the jaw with that right hand of his, and knew that he had to pursue him and make him an offer he couldn't refuse.
"Double J" Jesse James beats Rockabilly with an inside cradle. After the match, The Honky Tonk Man tries to hit James in the head with his guitar, but James notices and runs out of the ring, causing Honky to miss.
Dok Hendrix advertises the Undertaker door banner, only $29.95 plus shipping and handling. It is now available for Canadian viewes, too.
Kevin Kelly interviews "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, with WWF President Gorilla Monsoon standing nearby. Austin says there's no way he's not fighting Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, and has already refused medical attention. Austin goes on to say that Bret can bring his entire family, saying that even Bret's entire family can't beat his ass. Monsoon has bought Austin some time to recuperate from his recent attack, as he has earned his match for tonight. He announces that Mankind vs. The Undertaker will now go on next. Lance Wright then interviews The Hart Foundation (Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Owen Hart, The British Bulldog), and Owen Hart and The Bulldog say that Austin attacked them first while they celebrated their victory. Owen says that when Bret gets his hands on Austin, it will all be over for a third time. Bret then simply says "Who's cryin' now?"
Dok Hendrix interviews Mankind and Paul Bearer. Bearer says he can smell the burnt flesh of The Undertaker, as Mankind will be WWF Champion. Mankind says this will be the greatest night of his life, and that The Undertaker's screams will be music to his ear.
After a match that sees The Undertaker return with bandages around his right eye, Undertaker drop kicking Mankind and forcing Mankind to drop the steps on his head, two referees being knocked out of action, The Undertaker ripping Mankind's mask off and The Undertaker sending Mankind head-first into a wooden table, The Undertaker retains the WWF Championship against Mankind with a Tombstone Piledriver. Paul Bearer tries to run away after the match, but The Undertaker catches up withim. Mankind tries to throw another fireball into The Udnertaker's face, but 'Taker knocks the lighter and accelerant out of his hands and returns the favor, this time to Paul Bearer instead of Mankind. Paul Bearer covers his face with his jacket, and Mankind has to help Bearer to the back along with medical staff.
In Your House returns to pay-per-view on Sunday, May 11th!
Dok Hendrix interviews Bret "The Hit Man" Hart. Hart doesn't know who's more forgiving: him, or American wrestling fans. In the end, Hart says he won't forgive them before proclaiming that he will make an example out of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and end his career before destroying every other WWF Superstar to prove he's the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be.
Owen Hart and The British Bulldog are barred from ringside by WWE officials as well as WWF President Gorilla Monsoon.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin beats Bret "The Hit Man" Hart by disqualification after he and Owen Hart show up to distract Austin, and Bulldog manages to hit Austin in the back with a steel chair as Austin has Hart in the Sharpshooter after hitting Hart in the forehead with his knee brace. During the match, we see footage of Paul Bearer being taken out of the arena on a stretcher. After the match, Hart grabs the ring bell and is about to hit Austin with it when Austin counters with a steel chair to the knee before another application of the Sharpshooter. Officials have to pull Austin off of Hart, who is then helped to the back by Owen and Bulldog.
Saturday, April 19, 1997
Vince's Got A Shotgun - Shotgun Saturday Night recap for April 19, 1997
The New Blackjacks (Blackjack Windham and Blackjack Bradshaw) beat Doug Furnas and Phillip LaFon after Windham and Bradshaw switch places and Bradshaw rolls LaFon up with an inside cradle for the win.
Flash Funk beats Salvatore Sincere.
Flash Funk beats Salvatore Sincere.
Monday, April 14, 1997
Nitro-Glycerin - Monday Nitro recap for April 14, 1997
The New World Order show up at the commentary table and take it over once again. Kevin Nash says that one thing that is clear to him tonight is that Philadephia, Pennsylvania is definitely nWo country. He then tells Lex Luger, who is in the back, that he has to go through him to get his shot at "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan. The nWo then leaves.
"The Crippler" Chris Benoit beats The Barbarian, then The Dungeon of Doom attacks Benoit after the match. Jeff Jarrett and Steve "Mongo" McMichael rush in to make the save. "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Benoit after the match as Jarrett and McMichael leave. Benoit tells The Taskmaster that he's listened to his interviews lately and notices he goes on about retribution and karma as he tries to justify himself. He admits he hasn't always done the right thing, and says The Taskmaster is like the plague. If Benoit does not destroy The Taskmaster, The Taskmaster will destroy him. He tells The Taskmaster that the sun will soon set on his career.
Dean Malenko beats Hector Guerrero with the Texas Cloverleaf. Eddie Guerrero, now with his left hand in a cast, confronts Malenko as he is on his way out. Eddie tells Malenko that if he hurts his brother, he will bring out a side of him that he will not like. Malenko says he knows what Eddie is about, and so do the rest of the fans. Eddie then checks on brother Hector.
Reggie White of the Green Bay Packers is seen in the front row. It is announced that Reggie White has signed to wrestle for WCW in a match against Steve "Mongo" McMichael, and that McMichael has not signed his name on the contract for this match yet.
Rey Mysterio Jr. beats Juventud Guerrera.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Luna Vachon. She says she is the woman who lacks the restraints that hold an ordinary chameleon together, and she is the woman that is the number one contender for the WCW Women's Championship. She tells Madusa she will take the belt from around her waist and calls her "a pumped-up beauty queen."
The Ultimate Dragon beats Lane Carlson.
This Saturday on WCW Saturday Night: Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock)! The Ultimate Dragon! The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner)! Glacier! Lex Luger and The Giant!
Syxx retains the WCW Cruiserweight Championship against Prince Iaukea by submission with a move Syxx calls "The Buzzkiller."
"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, Kevin Greene and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Piper says that every time he is at Nitro, "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan happens to be staying at home, and instead of seeing a big bald guy, he sees the rest of the New World Order surrounding him. He says that are no brains between all of the collective members, and dares the New World Order to come on down to the ring at Slamboree so they can take them on. He says that he and Flair laid the foundation back in the 1980s, and if it weren't for them, Hulk Hogan and the nWo wouldn't look so cool right now. Greene tells Hogan's advice, and it worked, then he stabbed everyone in the back and became part of The New World Order. He says that Piper and Flair made wrestling, and that he knows about a little something called respect. Flair talks about how he looked Verne Gagne in the eye in 1973 and thanked him for helping him get in the greatest sport in the world, how ten years later he wrestled Dick the Bruiser and made it to the big time, and how he took on "Macho Man" Randy Savae in 1993. He says he will go all night long for years to come.
Pyrotechnics signal the start of the second hour.
Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock) beat High Voltage (Rage and Kaos) in a Philadelphia Street Fight after Rage is put through two tables.
The Giant quickly beats Big Al.
Diamond Dallas Page beats Konnan. After the match, "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth can be seen in the stands, and Savage tells Page that if he has a problem with him, he has a problem with Page. He tells Kimberly to quit fantasizing about him and calling him. Page immediately makes his way into the crowd and goes after Savage and Elizabeth.
Lee Marshall calls from Saginaw, Michigan - the site of next week's Nitro - for the 1-800-COLLECT Road Report.
The Four Horsemen (Jeff Jarrett and Steve "Mongo" McMichael) beat Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) by disqualification after Sister Sherri keeps Debra at bay and causes the use of the steel Halliburton briefcase to backfire. Sister Sherri tries to whack Debra in the head with the briefcase, but misses. Before the match, it is announced that next week will have an announcement of what has been going on behind the scenes in World Championship Wrestling since Eric Bischoff was suspended from his duties as Executive Vice President. It is also announced that Nick Patrick has petitioned to be re-signed as a referee to World Championship Wrestling, implying that Nick Patrick is defecting from the New World Order. "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Jarrett and Mongo after the match, and it is announced that Steve "Mongo" McMichael will face Reggie White in a wrestling ring at Slambree, calling it an honor that White wants him in the squared circle while accusing White of selling out when he won a Super Bowl last year for the Green Bay Packers. White gets in the ring and stares down Mongo, and Mongo spits in his face as security tries to separate the men. Reggie White wastes no time tackling Mongo before behind held back by security, while Jarrett has to keep Mongo from going at White.
Lex Luger beats Kevin Nash by disqualification after The New World attack Luger. Diamond Dallas Page shows up and fights the nWo, but the numbers game quickly catches up with him. The Giant shows up , and Nash dares him to come into the ring with a lead pipe into his hand that was brought to the ring by Vincent. The Giant does not enter the ring, but the real Sting does, and he shows up with three black baseball bats. He tosses one to Luger, one to Page and one to The Giant. Sting gets into the ring with his own baseball bat, then the others rush in, sending the New World Order running and Sting nails Nash with the bat.
"The Crippler" Chris Benoit beats The Barbarian, then The Dungeon of Doom attacks Benoit after the match. Jeff Jarrett and Steve "Mongo" McMichael rush in to make the save. "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Benoit after the match as Jarrett and McMichael leave. Benoit tells The Taskmaster that he's listened to his interviews lately and notices he goes on about retribution and karma as he tries to justify himself. He admits he hasn't always done the right thing, and says The Taskmaster is like the plague. If Benoit does not destroy The Taskmaster, The Taskmaster will destroy him. He tells The Taskmaster that the sun will soon set on his career.
Dean Malenko beats Hector Guerrero with the Texas Cloverleaf. Eddie Guerrero, now with his left hand in a cast, confronts Malenko as he is on his way out. Eddie tells Malenko that if he hurts his brother, he will bring out a side of him that he will not like. Malenko says he knows what Eddie is about, and so do the rest of the fans. Eddie then checks on brother Hector.
Reggie White of the Green Bay Packers is seen in the front row. It is announced that Reggie White has signed to wrestle for WCW in a match against Steve "Mongo" McMichael, and that McMichael has not signed his name on the contract for this match yet.
Rey Mysterio Jr. beats Juventud Guerrera.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Luna Vachon. She says she is the woman who lacks the restraints that hold an ordinary chameleon together, and she is the woman that is the number one contender for the WCW Women's Championship. She tells Madusa she will take the belt from around her waist and calls her "a pumped-up beauty queen."
The Ultimate Dragon beats Lane Carlson.
This Saturday on WCW Saturday Night: Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock)! The Ultimate Dragon! The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner)! Glacier! Lex Luger and The Giant!
Syxx retains the WCW Cruiserweight Championship against Prince Iaukea by submission with a move Syxx calls "The Buzzkiller."
"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, Kevin Greene and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Piper says that every time he is at Nitro, "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan happens to be staying at home, and instead of seeing a big bald guy, he sees the rest of the New World Order surrounding him. He says that are no brains between all of the collective members, and dares the New World Order to come on down to the ring at Slamboree so they can take them on. He says that he and Flair laid the foundation back in the 1980s, and if it weren't for them, Hulk Hogan and the nWo wouldn't look so cool right now. Greene tells Hogan's advice, and it worked, then he stabbed everyone in the back and became part of The New World Order. He says that Piper and Flair made wrestling, and that he knows about a little something called respect. Flair talks about how he looked Verne Gagne in the eye in 1973 and thanked him for helping him get in the greatest sport in the world, how ten years later he wrestled Dick the Bruiser and made it to the big time, and how he took on "Macho Man" Randy Savae in 1993. He says he will go all night long for years to come.
Pyrotechnics signal the start of the second hour.
Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock) beat High Voltage (Rage and Kaos) in a Philadelphia Street Fight after Rage is put through two tables.
The Giant quickly beats Big Al.
Diamond Dallas Page beats Konnan. After the match, "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth can be seen in the stands, and Savage tells Page that if he has a problem with him, he has a problem with Page. He tells Kimberly to quit fantasizing about him and calling him. Page immediately makes his way into the crowd and goes after Savage and Elizabeth.
Lee Marshall calls from Saginaw, Michigan - the site of next week's Nitro - for the 1-800-COLLECT Road Report.
The Four Horsemen (Jeff Jarrett and Steve "Mongo" McMichael) beat Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) by disqualification after Sister Sherri keeps Debra at bay and causes the use of the steel Halliburton briefcase to backfire. Sister Sherri tries to whack Debra in the head with the briefcase, but misses. Before the match, it is announced that next week will have an announcement of what has been going on behind the scenes in World Championship Wrestling since Eric Bischoff was suspended from his duties as Executive Vice President. It is also announced that Nick Patrick has petitioned to be re-signed as a referee to World Championship Wrestling, implying that Nick Patrick is defecting from the New World Order. "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Jarrett and Mongo after the match, and it is announced that Steve "Mongo" McMichael will face Reggie White in a wrestling ring at Slambree, calling it an honor that White wants him in the squared circle while accusing White of selling out when he won a Super Bowl last year for the Green Bay Packers. White gets in the ring and stares down Mongo, and Mongo spits in his face as security tries to separate the men. Reggie White wastes no time tackling Mongo before behind held back by security, while Jarrett has to keep Mongo from going at White.
Lex Luger beats Kevin Nash by disqualification after The New World attack Luger. Diamond Dallas Page shows up and fights the nWo, but the numbers game quickly catches up with him. The Giant shows up , and Nash dares him to come into the ring with a lead pipe into his hand that was brought to the ring by Vincent. The Giant does not enter the ring, but the real Sting does, and he shows up with three black baseball bats. He tosses one to Luger, one to Page and one to The Giant. Sting gets into the ring with his own baseball bat, then the others rush in, sending the New World Order running and Sting nails Nash with the bat.
Raw Deal - Raw recap for April 14, 1997
Tonight's episode is aired from both the United States and South Africa, the latter as part of the 1997 WWF African Storm Tour. Vince McMahon and Jim Cornette do commentary in the States, while The Honky Tonk Man and Jim Ross commentate the matches in South Africa. (During the South African portions of the show, production difficulties cause commentary to go mostly silent, causing matches there to have no commentary about 90% of the time. When the matches are re-aired on the WWE Network, the episode is shown in its most original presentation possible with commentary only appearing when it is absolutely clear.)
The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn) beat The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) in the States after Owen Hart distracts the referee so that The British Bulldog can hit Hawk in the back with his tag team championship belt from the apron.
Down in South Africa, Hunter Hearst Helmsley beats "Double J" Jesse James after Chyna distracts the referee and The Honky Tonk Man gets off commentary to grab James by the leg, distracting James and allowing Helmsley to hit the Pedigree for the win. After the match, James says that Honky Tonk Man may have gotten a leg up on him, but he's heard about his mystery man and instead of waiting until In Your House to get his hands on Honky, he wants him in the ring right now. Honky gets up on the apron and teases getting into the ring with him, but backs out. James gets one of the "Chicken" signs from the crowd and uses it to taunt Honky.
We see footage from earlier today where the WWF Superstars are welcomed to South Africa. We then see Rocky Maivia in the back go through Gorilla position to his match for tonight.
Savio Vega beats Rocky Maivia after squirming out of the shoulder breaker and rolling Rocky up, grabbing the tights. During the match, Ahmed Johnson knows what in store for him and for his opponent tonight. He also tells The Honky Tonk Man that if he utters one more word to him, he'll break his 2x4 on his face. Amhed then says that the fans know that he is real. We also see Bret Hart and the WWE covered in The New York Daily News. After this, Faarooq shows up with a cast around his left arm. After the match, The Nation of Domination attack Rocky and whip him with a leather belt, and Ahmed Johnson makes the save by rushing into the ring, 2x4 in hand.
The intro to Raw replays, signifying the start of the second hour.
Back in the States, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin shows up, and is interviewed in the ring by Vince McMahon. Austin says it's about damn time he got what he wanted from the WWF, as Vince and Gorilla Monsoon have held him down for as long as they could but cannot anymore. Vince says talent can't be held down as it always rises to the top, and Austin says that love him or hate him, he's the baddest S.O.B. in the ring when the bell rings. Austin says he had Gorilla where he wanted him and had the leverage, and now he has the match that he wanted. He then mocks Bret "The Hit Man" Hart's complains, saying he hasn't been screwed yet until Stone Cold himself screws him, which he says will happen. Austin says he will get his revenge on Hart and beat the living hell out of him, and that nobody will stop him. Austin says Hart has copied every single thing he's done, but when Hart is laying in a bloody heap in the middle of the ring, that will be the end result of it all as he will whip his ass.
Over in South Africa, Goldust beats The Sultan by disqualification when Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Chyna run in and attack Goldust. The Sultan joins in, making this a 3-on-1 assault, , and hits Goldust with a double-team spike piledriver along with Helmsley before putting Goldust in the Camel Clutch while Helmsley punches Goldust in the face a few times. The Sultan then whacks Goldust in the back with the Iranian flag, then The Sultan and The Iron Shiek celebrate what they have done.
We see interspersed footage of Bret "The Hit Man' Hart in Kuwait. Hart says the Kuwaiti flag stands for honor and pride, and South Africa was honored to do the same. He is proud to be a hero around the world, fighting for what's right and what's wrong, which Hart says the American wrestling fans do not understand as they are lost in turmoil. He stands up for truth and justice, and for right and wrong, and that he stands for the truth. He says the people in America don't understand what's right and wrong anymore, and they do not stand to when they need to. In Kuwait, South Africa and Germany, they understand. He calls "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels a "little faggot" who spreads malicious lies about him, and wonders who could look up to "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, whom he calls "a dirty, stinkin' hyena," "the scum of the earth," "a bully," "a tyrant," and "a liar." He says that Austin will find out that he's not good enough and as tough as he is, and he will face him one more time and stomp a mudhole in him for fans around the world, as he is not in the same league as him. He tells Austin to get better or get beaten.
In the U.S., Mankind and Vader beat The Headbangers (Thrasher and Mosh) by disqualification after Mosh spits something into Mankind's eyes, blinding him. Mankind puts Vader in the Mandible Claw after bumping into him, not knowing that he has bumped into Vader until Paul Bearer pulls him off. Vader goes down as quickly as anyone else when put in the Claw.
Back in South Africa, the lights flicker on and off. The Undertaker's voice booms through the arena and asks the people there if they are prepared, for the end is at hand. This Sunday night, The Undertaker says that Mankind, the man who covets the flame, will come face-to-face with the fire which is the rage of The Undertaker. When all is said and done, and Mankind is laid beaten at his face, he will unleash the souls of all the demons to torment him for all the ends of time. He then says that Mankind will never rest in peace, but he can burn in Hell.
In this month's issue of Raw Magazine, there are topless photos of Sable. We seen see footage from the 1997 Slammy Awards, where Marlena, Sunny and Sable are seen in amazingly sexy swimsuits. (This starts ).
In South Africa, the commandant from The Truth Commission is in the ring, and announces that his commandos will enter the WWF's grand circle and prove their superiority not only to America but to the rest of the world. He says that they will show "sissy, liberal America" the errors of their ways and that they will prove might is right.
Ahmed Johnson beats Crush. After the match, Faarooq tells Ahmed it doesn't matter where he is, as The Nation of Domination will get rid of him. He then issues a challenge: if Ahmed can beat Savio Vega and Crush, then he can beat him. If Ahmed can beat all three of them, he will break up The Nation of Domination.
The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn) beat The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) in the States after Owen Hart distracts the referee so that The British Bulldog can hit Hawk in the back with his tag team championship belt from the apron.
Down in South Africa, Hunter Hearst Helmsley beats "Double J" Jesse James after Chyna distracts the referee and The Honky Tonk Man gets off commentary to grab James by the leg, distracting James and allowing Helmsley to hit the Pedigree for the win. After the match, James says that Honky Tonk Man may have gotten a leg up on him, but he's heard about his mystery man and instead of waiting until In Your House to get his hands on Honky, he wants him in the ring right now. Honky gets up on the apron and teases getting into the ring with him, but backs out. James gets one of the "Chicken" signs from the crowd and uses it to taunt Honky.
We see footage from earlier today where the WWF Superstars are welcomed to South Africa. We then see Rocky Maivia in the back go through Gorilla position to his match for tonight.
Savio Vega beats Rocky Maivia after squirming out of the shoulder breaker and rolling Rocky up, grabbing the tights. During the match, Ahmed Johnson knows what in store for him and for his opponent tonight. He also tells The Honky Tonk Man that if he utters one more word to him, he'll break his 2x4 on his face. Amhed then says that the fans know that he is real. We also see Bret Hart and the WWE covered in The New York Daily News. After this, Faarooq shows up with a cast around his left arm. After the match, The Nation of Domination attack Rocky and whip him with a leather belt, and Ahmed Johnson makes the save by rushing into the ring, 2x4 in hand.
The intro to Raw replays, signifying the start of the second hour.
Back in the States, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin shows up, and is interviewed in the ring by Vince McMahon. Austin says it's about damn time he got what he wanted from the WWF, as Vince and Gorilla Monsoon have held him down for as long as they could but cannot anymore. Vince says talent can't be held down as it always rises to the top, and Austin says that love him or hate him, he's the baddest S.O.B. in the ring when the bell rings. Austin says he had Gorilla where he wanted him and had the leverage, and now he has the match that he wanted. He then mocks Bret "The Hit Man" Hart's complains, saying he hasn't been screwed yet until Stone Cold himself screws him, which he says will happen. Austin says he will get his revenge on Hart and beat the living hell out of him, and that nobody will stop him. Austin says Hart has copied every single thing he's done, but when Hart is laying in a bloody heap in the middle of the ring, that will be the end result of it all as he will whip his ass.
Over in South Africa, Goldust beats The Sultan by disqualification when Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Chyna run in and attack Goldust. The Sultan joins in, making this a 3-on-1 assault, , and hits Goldust with a double-team spike piledriver along with Helmsley before putting Goldust in the Camel Clutch while Helmsley punches Goldust in the face a few times. The Sultan then whacks Goldust in the back with the Iranian flag, then The Sultan and The Iron Shiek celebrate what they have done.
We see interspersed footage of Bret "The Hit Man' Hart in Kuwait. Hart says the Kuwaiti flag stands for honor and pride, and South Africa was honored to do the same. He is proud to be a hero around the world, fighting for what's right and what's wrong, which Hart says the American wrestling fans do not understand as they are lost in turmoil. He stands up for truth and justice, and for right and wrong, and that he stands for the truth. He says the people in America don't understand what's right and wrong anymore, and they do not stand to when they need to. In Kuwait, South Africa and Germany, they understand. He calls "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels a "little faggot" who spreads malicious lies about him, and wonders who could look up to "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, whom he calls "a dirty, stinkin' hyena," "the scum of the earth," "a bully," "a tyrant," and "a liar." He says that Austin will find out that he's not good enough and as tough as he is, and he will face him one more time and stomp a mudhole in him for fans around the world, as he is not in the same league as him. He tells Austin to get better or get beaten.
In the U.S., Mankind and Vader beat The Headbangers (Thrasher and Mosh) by disqualification after Mosh spits something into Mankind's eyes, blinding him. Mankind puts Vader in the Mandible Claw after bumping into him, not knowing that he has bumped into Vader until Paul Bearer pulls him off. Vader goes down as quickly as anyone else when put in the Claw.
Back in South Africa, the lights flicker on and off. The Undertaker's voice booms through the arena and asks the people there if they are prepared, for the end is at hand. This Sunday night, The Undertaker says that Mankind, the man who covets the flame, will come face-to-face with the fire which is the rage of The Undertaker. When all is said and done, and Mankind is laid beaten at his face, he will unleash the souls of all the demons to torment him for all the ends of time. He then says that Mankind will never rest in peace, but he can burn in Hell.
In this month's issue of Raw Magazine, there are topless photos of Sable. We seen see footage from the 1997 Slammy Awards, where Marlena, Sunny and Sable are seen in amazingly sexy swimsuits. (This starts ).
In South Africa, the commandant from The Truth Commission is in the ring, and announces that his commandos will enter the WWF's grand circle and prove their superiority not only to America but to the rest of the world. He says that they will show "sissy, liberal America" the errors of their ways and that they will prove might is right.
Ahmed Johnson beats Crush. After the match, Faarooq tells Ahmed it doesn't matter where he is, as The Nation of Domination will get rid of him. He then issues a challenge: if Ahmed can beat Savio Vega and Crush, then he can beat him. If Ahmed can beat all three of them, he will break up The Nation of Domination.
Sunday, April 13, 1997
ECW Barely Legal - The Results
Joey Styles announces the beginning of the first pay-per-view in the history of Extreme Championship Wrestling as well as the three-way dance between Terry Funk, Sandman and Big Stevie Cool with the winner facing Raven for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, as well as Sabu vs. Taz. All of a sudden, The Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray Dudley, D-Von Dudley, Sign Guy Dudley) and Joel Gertner show up to ridicule the crowd until The Eliminators (Perry Saturn and John Kronus) show up.
The Eliminators (Perry Saturn and John Kronus) beat The Dudley Boys (Buh Buh Ray and D-Von Dudley) in a rather one-sided match to win the ECW World Tag Team Championships for a third time. Joel Gertner berates the new champs and eats a Total Elimination as a result.
Chris Candido was supposed to take on Lance Storm tonight, but due to a partially torn bicep, he can't compete for a while. Nevertheless, he speaks to the crowd. Even though he was a WWF tag team champion this time last year, he's come back home to ECW and says he should be the main event. He says he'll be ringside tonight somehow. When Lance Storm shows up, he shakes hands with Candido.
Rob Van Dam beats Lance Storm. After the match, RVD grabs the mike and says he doesn't care about respect, saying he sold out to himself. He says he's not second-rate, and expresses his distaste for having to substitute for someone else just to get on the pay-per-view. He then says he's worth more money here, but he's also worth more money elsewhere.
The Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada, and Masato Yakushiji beat bWo Japan (Taka Michinoku, Terry Boy (aka Men's Teioh), and Dick Togo). Yakushiji substituted for an injured Gran Naniwa.
"Big Stevie Cool" Stevie Richards plans to go on and win the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.
Before his match with Pitbull #2, "The Franchise" Shane Douglas brags about how he broke Gary Wolfe aka Pitbull #1's neck, and also talks about the masked man who has made it his mission to ruin Douglas' life.
"The Franchise" Shane Douglas retains the ECW World Television Championship against Pitbull #2 with help from Chris Candido and Francine, forcing the masked man who has been hounding Douglas to unmask. We hear a voice similar to Rick Rude's telling Douglas to give up Francine or get the ass whipping of a lifetime. The masked man shows up in a "Ravishing" Rick Rude robe, and when he is attacked, he is revealed to be "Bulldozer" Brian Lee of Triple Threat (Douglas, Lee, Candido)! One of the riot squad officers that accompanied Douglas to the ring takes off his helmet and reveals himself to be "Ravishing" Rick Rude, who gives Shane Douglas what for along with Brian Lee!
Raven pledges to walk out of Barely Legal as ECW World Heavyweight Champion.
Tazz hates Sabu as much as Sabu hates him...and he knows this match will be an all-out war. Tazz plans to choke Sabu out just like he did the rest.
Tazz beats Sabu with the Tazzmission. After the match, Tazz admits he has respect for Sabu for giving him the fight of life, and says he's more than willing to do a rematch. Sabu and Tazz shake hands, and Sabu raises Tazz's hand. Suddenly, Rob Van Dam nails Tazz from behind and argues with Sabu over it, but Tazz gets back up and tries to attack RVD only to be double-teamed by Sabu and RVD. The final nail in the coffin happens when Tazz's manager Bill Alfonso gets in the ring with RVD and Sabu and takes off his Team Tazz shirt...only to reveal a Sabu shirt underneath. Sabu turns on Taz to manage RVD and Sabu, saying Tazz cost him a lot of money tonight. RVD says his whole family can now get some respect, says Alfonso knows his schedule and that RVD himself would love to work Mondays.
Tommy Dreamer (with Beulah McGillicutty) guests as special guest commentator for the next match.
Terry Funk beats The Sandman and "Big Stevie Cool" Stevie Richards to face Raven for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. Raven shows up and stands over Terry Funk right after the match ends.
A decimated Terry Funk miraculously beats Raven to win the ECW World Heavyweight Championship! During the match, Big Dick Dudley makes his return and attacks Tommy Dreamer only to be sent falling through a few tables, and Reggie Bennett joins Raven's Nest, who eventually gets laid out by an angry Tommy Dreamer as he goes after Raven. Dreamer hits a DDT on Raven, allowing for Terry Funk to get the win.
The Eliminators (Perry Saturn and John Kronus) beat The Dudley Boys (Buh Buh Ray and D-Von Dudley) in a rather one-sided match to win the ECW World Tag Team Championships for a third time. Joel Gertner berates the new champs and eats a Total Elimination as a result.
Chris Candido was supposed to take on Lance Storm tonight, but due to a partially torn bicep, he can't compete for a while. Nevertheless, he speaks to the crowd. Even though he was a WWF tag team champion this time last year, he's come back home to ECW and says he should be the main event. He says he'll be ringside tonight somehow. When Lance Storm shows up, he shakes hands with Candido.
Rob Van Dam beats Lance Storm. After the match, RVD grabs the mike and says he doesn't care about respect, saying he sold out to himself. He says he's not second-rate, and expresses his distaste for having to substitute for someone else just to get on the pay-per-view. He then says he's worth more money here, but he's also worth more money elsewhere.
The Great Sasuke, Gran Hamada, and Masato Yakushiji beat bWo Japan (Taka Michinoku, Terry Boy (aka Men's Teioh), and Dick Togo). Yakushiji substituted for an injured Gran Naniwa.
"Big Stevie Cool" Stevie Richards plans to go on and win the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.
Before his match with Pitbull #2, "The Franchise" Shane Douglas brags about how he broke Gary Wolfe aka Pitbull #1's neck, and also talks about the masked man who has made it his mission to ruin Douglas' life.
"The Franchise" Shane Douglas retains the ECW World Television Championship against Pitbull #2 with help from Chris Candido and Francine, forcing the masked man who has been hounding Douglas to unmask. We hear a voice similar to Rick Rude's telling Douglas to give up Francine or get the ass whipping of a lifetime. The masked man shows up in a "Ravishing" Rick Rude robe, and when he is attacked, he is revealed to be "Bulldozer" Brian Lee of Triple Threat (Douglas, Lee, Candido)! One of the riot squad officers that accompanied Douglas to the ring takes off his helmet and reveals himself to be "Ravishing" Rick Rude, who gives Shane Douglas what for along with Brian Lee!
Raven pledges to walk out of Barely Legal as ECW World Heavyweight Champion.
Tazz hates Sabu as much as Sabu hates him...and he knows this match will be an all-out war. Tazz plans to choke Sabu out just like he did the rest.
Tazz beats Sabu with the Tazzmission. After the match, Tazz admits he has respect for Sabu for giving him the fight of life, and says he's more than willing to do a rematch. Sabu and Tazz shake hands, and Sabu raises Tazz's hand. Suddenly, Rob Van Dam nails Tazz from behind and argues with Sabu over it, but Tazz gets back up and tries to attack RVD only to be double-teamed by Sabu and RVD. The final nail in the coffin happens when Tazz's manager Bill Alfonso gets in the ring with RVD and Sabu and takes off his Team Tazz shirt...only to reveal a Sabu shirt underneath. Sabu turns on Taz to manage RVD and Sabu, saying Tazz cost him a lot of money tonight. RVD says his whole family can now get some respect, says Alfonso knows his schedule and that RVD himself would love to work Mondays.
Tommy Dreamer (with Beulah McGillicutty) guests as special guest commentator for the next match.
Terry Funk beats The Sandman and "Big Stevie Cool" Stevie Richards to face Raven for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. Raven shows up and stands over Terry Funk right after the match ends.
A decimated Terry Funk miraculously beats Raven to win the ECW World Heavyweight Championship! During the match, Big Dick Dudley makes his return and attacks Tommy Dreamer only to be sent falling through a few tables, and Reggie Bennett joins Raven's Nest, who eventually gets laid out by an angry Tommy Dreamer as he goes after Raven. Dreamer hits a DDT on Raven, allowing for Terry Funk to get the win.
Saturday, April 12, 1997
Vince's Got A Shotgun - Shotgun Saturday Night recap for April 12, 1997
Owen Hart and The British Bulldog beat Barry Horowitz and Bob "Spark Plug" Holly.
A picture of a bloodied Vader on the cover and hot photos of Sable can be seen in the newest issue of Raw Magazine, available on newsstands this Tuesday.
Kevin Kelly interviews The Honky Tonk Man in the ring. Honky says that when someone like "Double J" Jesse Jackson takes his prized Gibson guitar and breaks it, it hurts him real bad. He says that the things have been happening in the WWF are hurting him real bad, but he has a boxcar load of shiny new guitars and he can promise everyone that on April 20th at In Your House, he will have his man there, and he can promise everyone that the hits are just going to keep on coming. He says that all you have to do is line them up, and he and his protege will knock them down, as he has "the rockin' pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu" and his man will shake, rattle and roll.
Bart Gunn vs. Leif Cassidy ends in a no-contest when Mankind runs into the ring and applies the Mandible Claw to Bart Gunn. Just before this, Brian Pillman leaves the commentary to agitate Bart Gunn and Leif Cassidy but is unsuccessful.
Billy Gunn beats Freddie Joe Floyd with a spinning DDT off the top rope.
It's time for Sunny Undercover. Sunny says the hottest thing going in the WWF is the reconciliation of The British Bulldog, Owen Hart and Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, and that these three men want nothing more than to monopolize the championship gold of the WWF. They already have the European and tag team gold, but Bret plans on taking his frustrations out on Rocky Maivia and win the Intercontinental Championship for the third time. She also says that "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock is fair game for all the WWF Superstars after his actions at WrestleMania 13, but that it may be a "Beast" and not a Superstar that may beat Shamrock at his own game. Sunny then recaps Mankind burning The Undertaker with a fireball, and asks if The Undertaker could be horribly disfigured after his face was not seen during a recent interview. She also wants to know what is going on with Jim Cornetete, who is keeping a low profile after splitting with Owen Hart and The British Bulldog and trying to manage another tag team. She says that if Jim Cornette can't take Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon to the top of the tag team division, then she will be back and ringside and taking them to the tag team titles herself.
A picture of a bloodied Vader on the cover and hot photos of Sable can be seen in the newest issue of Raw Magazine, available on newsstands this Tuesday.
Kevin Kelly interviews The Honky Tonk Man in the ring. Honky says that when someone like "Double J" Jesse Jackson takes his prized Gibson guitar and breaks it, it hurts him real bad. He says that the things have been happening in the WWF are hurting him real bad, but he has a boxcar load of shiny new guitars and he can promise everyone that on April 20th at In Your House, he will have his man there, and he can promise everyone that the hits are just going to keep on coming. He says that all you have to do is line them up, and he and his protege will knock them down, as he has "the rockin' pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu" and his man will shake, rattle and roll.
Bart Gunn vs. Leif Cassidy ends in a no-contest when Mankind runs into the ring and applies the Mandible Claw to Bart Gunn. Just before this, Brian Pillman leaves the commentary to agitate Bart Gunn and Leif Cassidy but is unsuccessful.
Billy Gunn beats Freddie Joe Floyd with a spinning DDT off the top rope.
It's time for Sunny Undercover. Sunny says the hottest thing going in the WWF is the reconciliation of The British Bulldog, Owen Hart and Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, and that these three men want nothing more than to monopolize the championship gold of the WWF. They already have the European and tag team gold, but Bret plans on taking his frustrations out on Rocky Maivia and win the Intercontinental Championship for the third time. She also says that "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock is fair game for all the WWF Superstars after his actions at WrestleMania 13, but that it may be a "Beast" and not a Superstar that may beat Shamrock at his own game. Sunny then recaps Mankind burning The Undertaker with a fireball, and asks if The Undertaker could be horribly disfigured after his face was not seen during a recent interview. She also wants to know what is going on with Jim Cornetete, who is keeping a low profile after splitting with Owen Hart and The British Bulldog and trying to manage another tag team. She says that if Jim Cornette can't take Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon to the top of the tag team division, then she will be back and ringside and taking them to the tag team titles herself.
Monday, April 7, 1997
Nitro-Glycerin - Monday Nitro recap for April 7, 1997
The show begins with the aftermath of Diamond Dallas Page vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage at Spring Stampede.
The Dungeon of Doom (Konnan and Hugh Morrus) beat "Das Wunderkind" Alex Wright and Psychosis. During the match, we see footage from earlier today where Diamond Dallas Page says that it is not over between himself and "Macho Man" Randy Savage as he enters the building.
Rey Mysterio Jr. beats "Lord" Steven Regal by disqualification when Regal refuses to break the Regal Stretch after Rey grabs the bottom rope. The New World Order - at least its main contingent - shows up to the arena, during the match, and "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan says that they will take care of the family business, draw the line and bring the family back together. After the match, Prince Iaukea tries to make the save, but Regal puts Iaukea in the Regal Stretch. Two more referees have to get into the ring to break the hold. There is then news that another limousine is arriving at the arena, which contains the rest of The New World Order. "Macho Man" Randy Savage is now on crutches after what happened at Spring Stampede.
"The Crippler" Chris Benoit beats Ice Train. During the match, The New World Order gets together, and "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan wants to know where everyone stands. "Macho Man" Randy Savage says that Eric Bischoff has gotten soft since his suspension, but Bischoff says he's gotten smart and not soft. Kevin Nash, who is standing in the back, is noticed walking away during their conversation.
We see footage from the world premiere for Double Team, where "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan and Dennis Rodman are spotted. We learn that Rodman is in the nWo because he wants to have fun, make a lot of money and doesn't want to be fined anymore. Hogan tells Rodman that nobody is in his league. Double Team is premiering in theaters July 13th.
The Taskmaster beats Hector Guerrero. Once again, Jacqueline pounds on The Taskmaster's opponent outside of the ring.
The New World Order shows up. Ted DiBiase says it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that there is turmoil within the family, and that they will all end it tonight as it is all for one and one for all and they will either walk out together or go their separate ways. "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan says it's time to take care of family business, or else the "nWo World Heavyweight Championship". Hogan first focuses on Kevin Nash, who has problems being in Chicago around the time of Spring Stampede, and tells Nash that if he has a problem, it needs to be aired right now. Nash says he has no problem with Dennis Rodman and welcomes him to the nWo, but he sat in the hotel room with Syxx and apologizes if he was a little grouchy last week. Hogan says that he'll make sure Nash goes on an nWo Easter hunt next year. Hogan says Nash having no problem with Rodman solves half the equation, then asks why Scott Hall was nowhere to be found, and wants to know where Hall is. Nash says that Hall is "nWo 4 Lyfe," as he has known him for seven years. Hogan then says that if the rules haven't changed, the family is still a family, yet Nash is burning a hole through him. Hogan tells Nash that either he and Hall are in it "4 Lyfe," or Nash and Hogan need to get it on right now. Hogan gets ready for a fight, and Nash tells Hogan he doesn't have to love him to respect him, as where he comes from in Detroit, Michigan, you're only as big a man as your word. Nash tells Hogan he gave him his word then, and he's giving it now, as "nWo 4 Lyfe" means just that. Everyone makes up except for "Macho Man" Randy Savage, who is still angry with Eric Bischoff. Hogan then proclaims that Sting is on the boderline of getting stung as the crowd chants for him, then tells Savage that if he and Nash can see things the same way - while telling Nash he does not want to get it on with him - then Savage can bury the hatchet with Bischoff. Savage says he is willing to go with the flow, but just like how Bischoff is on probation with Ted Turner, he is on probation with him and Savage is on probation with Bischoff. Bischoff says that's good enough for him, and all is well with The New World Order...for now.
Pyrotechnics signal the start of the second hour.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. He says that last week, he and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper bonded, and The New World Order knows because the word is out that they're ready to play ball one more time. Flair then introduces Piper to the ring, who says that it is time to strike, and Flair says that Kevin Greene wants to join in on the fun. Piper then says that he saw the confusion within The New World Order, and says they smell like six dead otters in the drainpipe and can't wrestle. He then says that if Ric Flair says Kevin Greene is okay with him, that's gold in his book. Suddenly, Kevin Greene shows up out of the blue, and makes it known that he's got Piper and Flair's back. Te three of them then dance around in the ring together before leaving.
Dean Malenko retains the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship after a swift kick to the head. Jericho has to be tended to by medical staff after the match.
This Saturday on WCW Saturday Night: Jeff Jarrett! Chris Jericho! "The Crippler" Chris Benoit! The Taskmaster and Jacqueline! Lex Luger and The Giant!
High Voltage (Rage and Kaos) beat Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock) after Johnny Grunge sends himself through a table after Kaos rolls of it. "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Public Enemy after the match. Grunge says it's all good, and Rocco Rock gives credit where credit is due, and challenges High Voltage to a Philadelphia Street Fighter next week after telling them they may have started something they can't finish.
Backstage, Prince Iaukea is tended to by medical staff, getting his rips taped up.
Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) beat The Four Horsemen (Jeff Jarrett and a very late Steve "Mongo" McMichael) after Mongo shows up late, gets a few hits in, then tags Jarrett in order for Jarrett to fall victim to a Harlem Side Kick. "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Jarrett, Mongo and Debra McMichael, and Jarrett says that he is tired of Mongo making him out to be an idiot, and says "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair would not approve of his behavior tonight. Jarrett asks where Mongo was, but Mongo never answers his question and says he will get his due and everyone in the locker room should be afraid of him.
Lee Marshall calls from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - the site of next week's Nitro - for the 1-800-COLLECT Road Report.
The Ultimate Dragon takes advantage of Prince Iaukea's injured ribs to beat Prince Iaukea and become WCW World Television Champion!
Scott Steiner is attacked by Konnan and Hugh Morrus of The Dungeon of Doom before the next match. The Giant shows up to help, and when Hugh Morrus hits The Giant in the back with a steel chair, it has no effect. Konnan and Hugh Morrus are forced to retreat, and the match is thrown out.
Diamond Dallas Page shows up, battered and bruised and with his right arm in a sling from his match at Spring Stampede. Page says that last night, he faced one of the biggest superstars in professional wrestling, and if anyone ever said that he would be in the main event two years ago, they would be nuts. Page considers himself an anomaly that wasn't supposed to happen, and it happened to "Macho Man" Randy Savage. He tells Savage that if he found him grabbing Kimberly by the hair and slapping her upside the head, he would have killed him. He takes his sling off, and tells Savage that if he has any guts, he would get in the ring and face him again right now. Savage shows up on crutches and without Miss Elizabeth, but "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan shows up and tells him "this one is on me." The rest of The New World Order shows up, and tells Savage that he's taken care of the New World Order, and now Hulk will take care of Savage by facing Page himself. As Hogan rips his shirt, Sting shows up in the rafters on a cable, and rappels down to the aisle. Sting stands between the ring and The New World Order, and he tosses the baseball bat to the ring, where Page catches it. He then pulls another bat out and points it at Hogan before joining Page in the ring.
The Dungeon of Doom (Konnan and Hugh Morrus) beat "Das Wunderkind" Alex Wright and Psychosis. During the match, we see footage from earlier today where Diamond Dallas Page says that it is not over between himself and "Macho Man" Randy Savage as he enters the building.
Rey Mysterio Jr. beats "Lord" Steven Regal by disqualification when Regal refuses to break the Regal Stretch after Rey grabs the bottom rope. The New World Order - at least its main contingent - shows up to the arena, during the match, and "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan says that they will take care of the family business, draw the line and bring the family back together. After the match, Prince Iaukea tries to make the save, but Regal puts Iaukea in the Regal Stretch. Two more referees have to get into the ring to break the hold. There is then news that another limousine is arriving at the arena, which contains the rest of The New World Order. "Macho Man" Randy Savage is now on crutches after what happened at Spring Stampede.
"The Crippler" Chris Benoit beats Ice Train. During the match, The New World Order gets together, and "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan wants to know where everyone stands. "Macho Man" Randy Savage says that Eric Bischoff has gotten soft since his suspension, but Bischoff says he's gotten smart and not soft. Kevin Nash, who is standing in the back, is noticed walking away during their conversation.
We see footage from the world premiere for Double Team, where "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan and Dennis Rodman are spotted. We learn that Rodman is in the nWo because he wants to have fun, make a lot of money and doesn't want to be fined anymore. Hogan tells Rodman that nobody is in his league. Double Team is premiering in theaters July 13th.
The Taskmaster beats Hector Guerrero. Once again, Jacqueline pounds on The Taskmaster's opponent outside of the ring.
The New World Order shows up. Ted DiBiase says it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that there is turmoil within the family, and that they will all end it tonight as it is all for one and one for all and they will either walk out together or go their separate ways. "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan says it's time to take care of family business, or else the "nWo World Heavyweight Championship". Hogan first focuses on Kevin Nash, who has problems being in Chicago around the time of Spring Stampede, and tells Nash that if he has a problem, it needs to be aired right now. Nash says he has no problem with Dennis Rodman and welcomes him to the nWo, but he sat in the hotel room with Syxx and apologizes if he was a little grouchy last week. Hogan says that he'll make sure Nash goes on an nWo Easter hunt next year. Hogan says Nash having no problem with Rodman solves half the equation, then asks why Scott Hall was nowhere to be found, and wants to know where Hall is. Nash says that Hall is "nWo 4 Lyfe," as he has known him for seven years. Hogan then says that if the rules haven't changed, the family is still a family, yet Nash is burning a hole through him. Hogan tells Nash that either he and Hall are in it "4 Lyfe," or Nash and Hogan need to get it on right now. Hogan gets ready for a fight, and Nash tells Hogan he doesn't have to love him to respect him, as where he comes from in Detroit, Michigan, you're only as big a man as your word. Nash tells Hogan he gave him his word then, and he's giving it now, as "nWo 4 Lyfe" means just that. Everyone makes up except for "Macho Man" Randy Savage, who is still angry with Eric Bischoff. Hogan then proclaims that Sting is on the boderline of getting stung as the crowd chants for him, then tells Savage that if he and Nash can see things the same way - while telling Nash he does not want to get it on with him - then Savage can bury the hatchet with Bischoff. Savage says he is willing to go with the flow, but just like how Bischoff is on probation with Ted Turner, he is on probation with him and Savage is on probation with Bischoff. Bischoff says that's good enough for him, and all is well with The New World Order...for now.
Pyrotechnics signal the start of the second hour.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. He says that last week, he and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper bonded, and The New World Order knows because the word is out that they're ready to play ball one more time. Flair then introduces Piper to the ring, who says that it is time to strike, and Flair says that Kevin Greene wants to join in on the fun. Piper then says that he saw the confusion within The New World Order, and says they smell like six dead otters in the drainpipe and can't wrestle. He then says that if Ric Flair says Kevin Greene is okay with him, that's gold in his book. Suddenly, Kevin Greene shows up out of the blue, and makes it known that he's got Piper and Flair's back. Te three of them then dance around in the ring together before leaving.
Dean Malenko retains the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship after a swift kick to the head. Jericho has to be tended to by medical staff after the match.
This Saturday on WCW Saturday Night: Jeff Jarrett! Chris Jericho! "The Crippler" Chris Benoit! The Taskmaster and Jacqueline! Lex Luger and The Giant!
High Voltage (Rage and Kaos) beat Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock) after Johnny Grunge sends himself through a table after Kaos rolls of it. "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Public Enemy after the match. Grunge says it's all good, and Rocco Rock gives credit where credit is due, and challenges High Voltage to a Philadelphia Street Fighter next week after telling them they may have started something they can't finish.
Backstage, Prince Iaukea is tended to by medical staff, getting his rips taped up.
Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) beat The Four Horsemen (Jeff Jarrett and a very late Steve "Mongo" McMichael) after Mongo shows up late, gets a few hits in, then tags Jarrett in order for Jarrett to fall victim to a Harlem Side Kick. "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Jarrett, Mongo and Debra McMichael, and Jarrett says that he is tired of Mongo making him out to be an idiot, and says "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair would not approve of his behavior tonight. Jarrett asks where Mongo was, but Mongo never answers his question and says he will get his due and everyone in the locker room should be afraid of him.
Lee Marshall calls from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - the site of next week's Nitro - for the 1-800-COLLECT Road Report.
The Ultimate Dragon takes advantage of Prince Iaukea's injured ribs to beat Prince Iaukea and become WCW World Television Champion!
Scott Steiner is attacked by Konnan and Hugh Morrus of The Dungeon of Doom before the next match. The Giant shows up to help, and when Hugh Morrus hits The Giant in the back with a steel chair, it has no effect. Konnan and Hugh Morrus are forced to retreat, and the match is thrown out.
Diamond Dallas Page shows up, battered and bruised and with his right arm in a sling from his match at Spring Stampede. Page says that last night, he faced one of the biggest superstars in professional wrestling, and if anyone ever said that he would be in the main event two years ago, they would be nuts. Page considers himself an anomaly that wasn't supposed to happen, and it happened to "Macho Man" Randy Savage. He tells Savage that if he found him grabbing Kimberly by the hair and slapping her upside the head, he would have killed him. He takes his sling off, and tells Savage that if he has any guts, he would get in the ring and face him again right now. Savage shows up on crutches and without Miss Elizabeth, but "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan shows up and tells him "this one is on me." The rest of The New World Order shows up, and tells Savage that he's taken care of the New World Order, and now Hulk will take care of Savage by facing Page himself. As Hogan rips his shirt, Sting shows up in the rafters on a cable, and rappels down to the aisle. Sting stands between the ring and The New World Order, and he tosses the baseball bat to the ring, where Page catches it. He then pulls another bat out and points it at Hogan before joining Page in the ring.
Raw Deal - Raw recap for April 7, 1997
The Honky Tonk Man guests on commentary for the next match, saying he has a surprise for later tonight.
Before the next match, Owen Hart says that it would be a horrible tragedy that the fans want them to split up, but thanks his brother Bret "The Hit Man" Hart for filling the family with love and stopping the feud. He also says that "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels is showing up later tonight to get some things off his chest, and tells him not to say one bad word about Bret. He also tells The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn) that they will destroy them.
Owen Hart and The British Bulldog beat The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn). During the match, "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels says he is going to upset a lot more people besides Owen Hart and The British Bulldog tonight. Also, The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) say that Owen Hart and The British Bulldog make a huge mistake out of disrespecting the United States, and that they will become the new tag team champions. After the match, Owen and The Bulldog run into The Legion of Doom, and are surrounded by them and The Godwinns. They duck a toss of the slop from the slop bucket by Henry O. Godwinn, which hits The Legion by mistake. Both The Godwinns and The Legions of Doom fight each other, while Owen and The Bulldog watch from afar and laugh.
Owen Hart and The British Bulldog tell The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) that they will humiliate them even worse than they did tonight at In Your House on April 20th. As they keep replaying the footage, calling The Legion of Doom and The Godwinns "hillbillies," "Stone Cold" Steve Austin shows up wanting to kick Owen and The Bulldog's asses, being held back by officials as he does.
Before the next match, The Honky Tonk Man shows up with the remnants of the guitar "Double J" Jesse James broke last week as he accompanies Billy Gunn to the ring. The Honky Tonk Man then guests on commentary, saying that he likes Billy Gunn and has liked him for a long time.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin beats Billy Gunn. During the match, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog take offense to Austin butting in on their interview time, and says that if he wants to poke his nose in their business, they aren't too hard to find as they might do the same to him. Owen also tells Austin to leave his brother Bret "The Hit Man" Hart out of this, as this is between him and The Bulldog. After the match, The Honky Tonk Man tells Billy Gunn that he has been watching him for a long time, and just because he offered a piece of merchandise to "that complete good" "Double J" Jesse James, Billy Gunn has always been his first choice, and that there is nothing wrong with losing a match to someone like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. He says that Austin is at the top of his game, and that he can take Billy Gunn to the top of his game, too. Honky offers his services to Billy Gunn, but says that he doesn't have tog et on his knees and beg right away, as there is plenty of time for him to thank The Honky Tonk Man. Billy Gunn responds by punching Honky in the face.
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A man in foreign military uniform suddenly shows up, calling for everyone to come to attention. He is the commandant of The Truth Commission from South Africa, and he is very proud to tell the fans that next week will come from his fatherland, South Africa in the city of Johannesburg. He and his commandos have a mission in America: to study the long-term effects of democracy upon the civilian population of America. He has already noted that criminal rule the legal system, and those incapable of handling the social responsibility of democracy have been handed unlimited rights. Thus, those against all the laws of nature - survival of the fittest, domination of the weak by the strong - a little domination earns a lot of respect, and only when you have law and order can you have real democracy and true freedom. He and his commandos from The Truth Commission will teach "the sissy, liberal Americans" the true meaning of democracy, even if they have to beat the truth into them. He then says one man who can indeed speak the truth is at this very moment in his fatherland of South Africa and he is proud to carry with his own hands a taped interview of the truth that he speaks. He says the fans will notice the tumultuous applause that this man received along with great respect in South Africa, and that they will note that this man does not carry the red, white and blue flag of "your sissy, liberal America." He then goes on to say that man is Bret "The Hit Man" Hart. We then see Bret on the TitanTron in footage from a recent South African show, who says that he is happy to be in South Africa, where people "still respect what's right and what's wrong." He says that he sees things very clearly now, yet Austin still runs his mouth and America keeps cheering him on. He says the American fans are mad because he told the truth and that they can't fathom truth, honor and justice anymore. He also says Sycho Sid has a million dollar body and a ten cent brain, and that there is a whole new set of rules to follow when he gets in the ring with him. As this footage plays and we see Bret carry the South African flag, "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels watches the footage from the back.
"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels shows up, and is interviewed in-ring by Vince McMahon. Shawn tells Vince and the entire world that he opened up his mouth and got beat up, and tthat would regularly be a big deal. Yet when he does it, it's just another day at the office. He does not reveal when he is coming back to the ring, but he does say that every time Bret "The Hit Man" Hart gets in the ring, he wants to get something off his chest. Shawn says it's now his turn, and says that he and Bret hate each other both in and out of te ring, and that Bret hates his guts. He then goes on to say he hates his. As Owen Hart and The British Bulldog watch from the back, Shawn says that Bret has always been a bad guy, as Bret says that there are no family values in America and that the WWF exploited his family, yet Bret is the one who brings his family out on television and therefore allows them to do so. The only reason that Bret allows this to happen is so he can make money, saying he would sell his mother out for a dollar. He also says that Bret has an obsession with him and the WWF Championship, ever since Shawn beat him fair and square for the title at WrestleMania 12. Six years ago, when Bret became a singles star, he ran support for him and ran second fiddle him because that is what a man does when it comes to business. When it came time for Bret to return the favor, he did it kicking ansd scraming every second of the way before taking time off to get some rest. Shawn says Bret did this to see if WWF would fall on its face without him, and without Bret, the WWF has done some of its best business that it has done in years. Shawn says that Bret passed judgment about him from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, wanting to pick at his numerous faults which Shawn says he will never lie to the fans about and which Shawn says are what the fans like about him, despite the fact that said faults exist. He also brings up Bret mentioning his loyalty to the fans, calling it "a load of horseshit," saying that he came back for the money after using a rival organization (World Championship Wrestling, in hindsight) against the WWF for his financial gain. Shawn says people are throwing more money at him than anyone can imagine, but he's not in it for the money, and that he has brand loyalty with the WWF. He then goes on to say that Bret is obsessed with the WWF Championship because he was born into it, and that when Bret goes home, he's still Bret "The Hit Man" Hart 24 hours a day, while when he goes home, he is just plain Shawn. He says that Bret is "The Hit Man" 24 hours a day, cannot separate the ring from his personal life, brings his friends and family into it, and is more obsessed with the limelight than he can ever imagine. Shawn says he was once bothered by the fans cheering for Bret, but he is now okay with it. He then says he is simply saying to not, under any circumstances, let a wrestler tell them what to do, as in America, you can do whatever the hell you want. He says that a lot of superstars have positioned themselves as a hero or a role model only to fall short, and says that he isn't one. He tells parents anywhere not to let their kids be like him, but if they are going to plop their money down for their kids to enjoy the WWF, they should rest assured that one guy knows how much you're spending, and however they cheer, he works his ass off whether people like it or not. Shawn then tells Bret his obsession with him and the WWF Championship will ultimately be his destruction. He then does a little dance in the ring for Bret. Owen Hart and The British Bulldog, having watched all this, have had enough and make their way to the ring. Shawn heads out of the ring and grabs a chair to use as a weapon, keeping Owen and Bulldog at bay despite not being cleared to compete. Officials have to keep Owen and Bulldog away from Shawn, who does a handstand on the chair as they are forced to retreat.
The intro replays to signify the start of the second hour.
The Honky Tonk Man guests on commentary for the rest of the night.
The Headbangers (Thrasher and Mosh) beat Freddie Joe Floyd and Barry Horowitz. During the match, we hear pre-recorded comments from Vernon White, who is Ken Shamrock's opponent in the latter's open exhibition, who says that he will hold nothing back against Shamrock. After the match, it is announced that Sycho Sid, who is set to face Mankind tonight, has not made it yet due to a flight problem.
Ken Shamrock beats Vernon White in a no-holds-barred open exhibition after a flurry of punches to Vernon White's face, which causes Vernon White to tap out. Jim Ross interviews Shamrock after the match, Sharock says this was supposed to start as an exhibition fight and that he lost his temper a bit, but that's the way it goes. Suddenly, Vader shows up with Paul Bearer and confronts Shamrock. Officials keep both men from going at each other outside of the ring.
Vader beats Frank Stileto. During the match, Mankind says he realizes that he did a real bad thing to The Undertaker and wants to make amends with a presentation later tonight. He hopes The Undertaker likes it, as he picked it out just for him. After the match, it is announced that details of a brawl in South Africa can be heard about on Option 6 of Thethe WWF Superstar Line.
WWF President Gorilla Monsoon announces that Sycho Sid is not in the building, with the reason being unconfirmed. If Sycho Sid does not make it to the arena, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin will replace him. Austin shows up and says he isn't saving his show and that Sid has a yellow streak down his back. He says that he will wrap a brace around Gorilla Monsoon's head if he gets put in the match, as he won't be bullied into being told what to do. Austin then notes that Sid has a match tonight as well as with Bret "The Hit Man" Hart at In Your House on April 20th, and says he meant it when he said that Bret "The Hit Man" would be done with him. He tells Gorilla that if he gives him the match with Bret at In Your House, he'll save the show. Either Gorilla gives him Bret's ass, or Gorilla will kiss his ass. Gorilla tells Austin that if Sid doesn't show up, he'll get the match with Bret.
Jim Ross interviews Mankind in the ring, asking why he burned The Undertaker's face last week. Mankind says it all seemed like such a shame, as they engaged in some of the most brutal contests wrestling has ever known, but he couldn't help feeling that The Undertaker never really knew him at all. He knows 'Taker and his fancy cars and posh hotel rooms, but nobody knows him or what it feels like to sit on an airplane with the stench of his own charred flesh in his nostrils for fourteen hours, and it makes him sick. He says nobody knows what it feels like to walk inside your home and their wife doesn't even know that they're burning. He needd to introduce the fans to his life, and for the fans who find it hard to belive that someone like him could receive holy matrimony, he tells them to switch to another TV show as he is dealing with a reality where his children wake up to the sound of gunfire, white trash bombards his house with rocks while chanting "Die, Mankind, Die" and his three-year-old daughter asks him to keep her safe only to tell her he can't because he's on the road 300 days a year and working on his 17th concussion, being spit on by vile scum in Undertaker T-shirts and wrestling main events for half the money that punked-up pretty boys make in the opening match. Mankind says he has no excuses, only reasons. At In Your House, it will be like "Oswald shooting Kennedy," and that the match will be the closest thing to public hangings and throwing Christians to the lions. He says that if anyone thought the fireball was bad, he implores any women and families who love their children not to order the pay-per-view as he will not be held morally responsible yet will not stop until everyone smells 'Taker's flash and 'Taker becomes a random pile of body parts. Mankind says this might as well be his last match, but he has his reservation in the emergency room and making one for The Undertaker, because once they're done, The Undertaker will need a Mankind match as he will look as disfigured as him. Suddenly, The Undertaker makes his presence known, and 'Taker appears on the TitanTron. He says fire, brimstone and eternal damnation are something he knows all too well, and that Mankind will also know soon as he feels the heat. When Mankind screams in anguish to no avail, he will know he has sentenced him to eternal damnation, and as the flesh burns from his bones, he will think it is all over when it is just the beginning as he will never be through with him. He says Mankind will spend eternity paying for his crimes, and he will soon open the vault of souls and unleash the most deadly of demons. He tells Paul Bearer that he thinks he only knows the darkness and taught Bearer everything he knows about the darkness, but not everything he knows. When all is done, Bearer too will understand that even Hell hath no fury like The Undertaker's.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin shows up to face Mankind.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Mankind fight to a no-contest. During the match, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog say they are screwed over and over again, and this time Bret "The Hit Man" Hart has been backstabbed by being placed in a match with Austin because Sycho Sid could not make it tonight. Owen Hart says that Bret would be disgusted and that this is all a conspiracy, as Bret has already beaten Austin twice. He then calls Sycho Sid a spineless coward as Bret could beat him too. Shortly after this, Owen and The Bulldog are seen watching the match from the stands, and Austin spots them, daring them to get into the ring. They eventually do just that, but The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) appear and chase Owen and Bulldog around the outside of the ring. Vader tries to take advantage of the situation by charging into the ring by hitting Austin with a clothesline, but Vader hits Mankind by mistake and the two of them fight each other until Paul Brearer breaks them up. Meanwhile, Austin chases Owen Hart and The British Bulldog out of the ring and into the back. Vader and Mankind make up to end the show.
Before the next match, Owen Hart says that it would be a horrible tragedy that the fans want them to split up, but thanks his brother Bret "The Hit Man" Hart for filling the family with love and stopping the feud. He also says that "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels is showing up later tonight to get some things off his chest, and tells him not to say one bad word about Bret. He also tells The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn) that they will destroy them.
Owen Hart and The British Bulldog beat The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn). During the match, "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels says he is going to upset a lot more people besides Owen Hart and The British Bulldog tonight. Also, The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) say that Owen Hart and The British Bulldog make a huge mistake out of disrespecting the United States, and that they will become the new tag team champions. After the match, Owen and The Bulldog run into The Legion of Doom, and are surrounded by them and The Godwinns. They duck a toss of the slop from the slop bucket by Henry O. Godwinn, which hits The Legion by mistake. Both The Godwinns and The Legions of Doom fight each other, while Owen and The Bulldog watch from afar and laugh.
Owen Hart and The British Bulldog tell The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) that they will humiliate them even worse than they did tonight at In Your House on April 20th. As they keep replaying the footage, calling The Legion of Doom and The Godwinns "hillbillies," "Stone Cold" Steve Austin shows up wanting to kick Owen and The Bulldog's asses, being held back by officials as he does.
Before the next match, The Honky Tonk Man shows up with the remnants of the guitar "Double J" Jesse James broke last week as he accompanies Billy Gunn to the ring. The Honky Tonk Man then guests on commentary, saying that he likes Billy Gunn and has liked him for a long time.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin beats Billy Gunn. During the match, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog take offense to Austin butting in on their interview time, and says that if he wants to poke his nose in their business, they aren't too hard to find as they might do the same to him. Owen also tells Austin to leave his brother Bret "The Hit Man" Hart out of this, as this is between him and The Bulldog. After the match, The Honky Tonk Man tells Billy Gunn that he has been watching him for a long time, and just because he offered a piece of merchandise to "that complete good" "Double J" Jesse James, Billy Gunn has always been his first choice, and that there is nothing wrong with losing a match to someone like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. He says that Austin is at the top of his game, and that he can take Billy Gunn to the top of his game, too. Honky offers his services to Billy Gunn, but says that he doesn't have tog et on his knees and beg right away, as there is plenty of time for him to thank The Honky Tonk Man. Billy Gunn responds by punching Honky in the face.
Dok Hendrix advertises the Undertaker Door Banner, only $29.95 plus shipping and handling.
A man in foreign military uniform suddenly shows up, calling for everyone to come to attention. He is the commandant of The Truth Commission from South Africa, and he is very proud to tell the fans that next week will come from his fatherland, South Africa in the city of Johannesburg. He and his commandos have a mission in America: to study the long-term effects of democracy upon the civilian population of America. He has already noted that criminal rule the legal system, and those incapable of handling the social responsibility of democracy have been handed unlimited rights. Thus, those against all the laws of nature - survival of the fittest, domination of the weak by the strong - a little domination earns a lot of respect, and only when you have law and order can you have real democracy and true freedom. He and his commandos from The Truth Commission will teach "the sissy, liberal Americans" the true meaning of democracy, even if they have to beat the truth into them. He then says one man who can indeed speak the truth is at this very moment in his fatherland of South Africa and he is proud to carry with his own hands a taped interview of the truth that he speaks. He says the fans will notice the tumultuous applause that this man received along with great respect in South Africa, and that they will note that this man does not carry the red, white and blue flag of "your sissy, liberal America." He then goes on to say that man is Bret "The Hit Man" Hart. We then see Bret on the TitanTron in footage from a recent South African show, who says that he is happy to be in South Africa, where people "still respect what's right and what's wrong." He says that he sees things very clearly now, yet Austin still runs his mouth and America keeps cheering him on. He says the American fans are mad because he told the truth and that they can't fathom truth, honor and justice anymore. He also says Sycho Sid has a million dollar body and a ten cent brain, and that there is a whole new set of rules to follow when he gets in the ring with him. As this footage plays and we see Bret carry the South African flag, "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels watches the footage from the back.
"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels shows up, and is interviewed in-ring by Vince McMahon. Shawn tells Vince and the entire world that he opened up his mouth and got beat up, and tthat would regularly be a big deal. Yet when he does it, it's just another day at the office. He does not reveal when he is coming back to the ring, but he does say that every time Bret "The Hit Man" Hart gets in the ring, he wants to get something off his chest. Shawn says it's now his turn, and says that he and Bret hate each other both in and out of te ring, and that Bret hates his guts. He then goes on to say he hates his. As Owen Hart and The British Bulldog watch from the back, Shawn says that Bret has always been a bad guy, as Bret says that there are no family values in America and that the WWF exploited his family, yet Bret is the one who brings his family out on television and therefore allows them to do so. The only reason that Bret allows this to happen is so he can make money, saying he would sell his mother out for a dollar. He also says that Bret has an obsession with him and the WWF Championship, ever since Shawn beat him fair and square for the title at WrestleMania 12. Six years ago, when Bret became a singles star, he ran support for him and ran second fiddle him because that is what a man does when it comes to business. When it came time for Bret to return the favor, he did it kicking ansd scraming every second of the way before taking time off to get some rest. Shawn says Bret did this to see if WWF would fall on its face without him, and without Bret, the WWF has done some of its best business that it has done in years. Shawn says that Bret passed judgment about him from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, wanting to pick at his numerous faults which Shawn says he will never lie to the fans about and which Shawn says are what the fans like about him, despite the fact that said faults exist. He also brings up Bret mentioning his loyalty to the fans, calling it "a load of horseshit," saying that he came back for the money after using a rival organization (World Championship Wrestling, in hindsight) against the WWF for his financial gain. Shawn says people are throwing more money at him than anyone can imagine, but he's not in it for the money, and that he has brand loyalty with the WWF. He then goes on to say that Bret is obsessed with the WWF Championship because he was born into it, and that when Bret goes home, he's still Bret "The Hit Man" Hart 24 hours a day, while when he goes home, he is just plain Shawn. He says that Bret is "The Hit Man" 24 hours a day, cannot separate the ring from his personal life, brings his friends and family into it, and is more obsessed with the limelight than he can ever imagine. Shawn says he was once bothered by the fans cheering for Bret, but he is now okay with it. He then says he is simply saying to not, under any circumstances, let a wrestler tell them what to do, as in America, you can do whatever the hell you want. He says that a lot of superstars have positioned themselves as a hero or a role model only to fall short, and says that he isn't one. He tells parents anywhere not to let their kids be like him, but if they are going to plop their money down for their kids to enjoy the WWF, they should rest assured that one guy knows how much you're spending, and however they cheer, he works his ass off whether people like it or not. Shawn then tells Bret his obsession with him and the WWF Championship will ultimately be his destruction. He then does a little dance in the ring for Bret. Owen Hart and The British Bulldog, having watched all this, have had enough and make their way to the ring. Shawn heads out of the ring and grabs a chair to use as a weapon, keeping Owen and Bulldog at bay despite not being cleared to compete. Officials have to keep Owen and Bulldog away from Shawn, who does a handstand on the chair as they are forced to retreat.
The intro replays to signify the start of the second hour.
The Honky Tonk Man guests on commentary for the rest of the night.
The Headbangers (Thrasher and Mosh) beat Freddie Joe Floyd and Barry Horowitz. During the match, we hear pre-recorded comments from Vernon White, who is Ken Shamrock's opponent in the latter's open exhibition, who says that he will hold nothing back against Shamrock. After the match, it is announced that Sycho Sid, who is set to face Mankind tonight, has not made it yet due to a flight problem.
Ken Shamrock beats Vernon White in a no-holds-barred open exhibition after a flurry of punches to Vernon White's face, which causes Vernon White to tap out. Jim Ross interviews Shamrock after the match, Sharock says this was supposed to start as an exhibition fight and that he lost his temper a bit, but that's the way it goes. Suddenly, Vader shows up with Paul Bearer and confronts Shamrock. Officials keep both men from going at each other outside of the ring.
Vader beats Frank Stileto. During the match, Mankind says he realizes that he did a real bad thing to The Undertaker and wants to make amends with a presentation later tonight. He hopes The Undertaker likes it, as he picked it out just for him. After the match, it is announced that details of a brawl in South Africa can be heard about on Option 6 of Thethe WWF Superstar Line.
WWF President Gorilla Monsoon announces that Sycho Sid is not in the building, with the reason being unconfirmed. If Sycho Sid does not make it to the arena, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin will replace him. Austin shows up and says he isn't saving his show and that Sid has a yellow streak down his back. He says that he will wrap a brace around Gorilla Monsoon's head if he gets put in the match, as he won't be bullied into being told what to do. Austin then notes that Sid has a match tonight as well as with Bret "The Hit Man" Hart at In Your House on April 20th, and says he meant it when he said that Bret "The Hit Man" would be done with him. He tells Gorilla that if he gives him the match with Bret at In Your House, he'll save the show. Either Gorilla gives him Bret's ass, or Gorilla will kiss his ass. Gorilla tells Austin that if Sid doesn't show up, he'll get the match with Bret.
Jim Ross interviews Mankind in the ring, asking why he burned The Undertaker's face last week. Mankind says it all seemed like such a shame, as they engaged in some of the most brutal contests wrestling has ever known, but he couldn't help feeling that The Undertaker never really knew him at all. He knows 'Taker and his fancy cars and posh hotel rooms, but nobody knows him or what it feels like to sit on an airplane with the stench of his own charred flesh in his nostrils for fourteen hours, and it makes him sick. He says nobody knows what it feels like to walk inside your home and their wife doesn't even know that they're burning. He needd to introduce the fans to his life, and for the fans who find it hard to belive that someone like him could receive holy matrimony, he tells them to switch to another TV show as he is dealing with a reality where his children wake up to the sound of gunfire, white trash bombards his house with rocks while chanting "Die, Mankind, Die" and his three-year-old daughter asks him to keep her safe only to tell her he can't because he's on the road 300 days a year and working on his 17th concussion, being spit on by vile scum in Undertaker T-shirts and wrestling main events for half the money that punked-up pretty boys make in the opening match. Mankind says he has no excuses, only reasons. At In Your House, it will be like "Oswald shooting Kennedy," and that the match will be the closest thing to public hangings and throwing Christians to the lions. He says that if anyone thought the fireball was bad, he implores any women and families who love their children not to order the pay-per-view as he will not be held morally responsible yet will not stop until everyone smells 'Taker's flash and 'Taker becomes a random pile of body parts. Mankind says this might as well be his last match, but he has his reservation in the emergency room and making one for The Undertaker, because once they're done, The Undertaker will need a Mankind match as he will look as disfigured as him. Suddenly, The Undertaker makes his presence known, and 'Taker appears on the TitanTron. He says fire, brimstone and eternal damnation are something he knows all too well, and that Mankind will also know soon as he feels the heat. When Mankind screams in anguish to no avail, he will know he has sentenced him to eternal damnation, and as the flesh burns from his bones, he will think it is all over when it is just the beginning as he will never be through with him. He says Mankind will spend eternity paying for his crimes, and he will soon open the vault of souls and unleash the most deadly of demons. He tells Paul Bearer that he thinks he only knows the darkness and taught Bearer everything he knows about the darkness, but not everything he knows. When all is done, Bearer too will understand that even Hell hath no fury like The Undertaker's.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin shows up to face Mankind.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Mankind fight to a no-contest. During the match, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog say they are screwed over and over again, and this time Bret "The Hit Man" Hart has been backstabbed by being placed in a match with Austin because Sycho Sid could not make it tonight. Owen Hart says that Bret would be disgusted and that this is all a conspiracy, as Bret has already beaten Austin twice. He then calls Sycho Sid a spineless coward as Bret could beat him too. Shortly after this, Owen and The Bulldog are seen watching the match from the stands, and Austin spots them, daring them to get into the ring. They eventually do just that, but The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) appear and chase Owen and Bulldog around the outside of the ring. Vader tries to take advantage of the situation by charging into the ring by hitting Austin with a clothesline, but Vader hits Mankind by mistake and the two of them fight each other until Paul Brearer breaks them up. Meanwhile, Austin chases Owen Hart and The British Bulldog out of the ring and into the back. Vader and Mankind make up to end the show.
Sunday, April 6, 1997
Spring Stampede 1997 - The Results
It is announced that Scott Hall is not here and has been missing in action for the last three weeks, and that according to the WCW Championship Committe, Kevin Nash cannot subsite Scott Hall for someone else and must defend the WCW World Tag Team Championships himself against The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner).
Mike Tenay guests on commentary for the next match.
Rey Mysterio Jr. beats The Ultimate Dragon (who is not accompanied to the ring by Sonny Onoo). During the match, it is announced that later tonight, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair will make a statement that will shock the world. Also, Lee Marshall tries to get an interview with Kevin Nash, who intends to make some demands to WCW public, but is unable to when Syxx slams the door on him.
Lee Marshall tries to interview Kevin Nash, but is met by Syxx again. This time around, as Kevin Nash answers the door, Scott Steiner tries to confront Nash but is held back. As Nash demands nWo referee Nick Patrick be the referee for the tag team title match, he spits in Steiner's face, making him angrier. WCW officials and police officers have to not only mace Steiner, but also cuff his hands behind his back.
Akira Hokuto retains the WCW Women's Championship against Madusa after Luna Vachon shows up and kicks Madusa in the back of the knee as the referee is distracted by Sonny Onoo, who has just been kicked off the apron by Madusa.
Prince Iaukea retains the WCW World Television Championship against "Lord" Steven Regal. During the match, it is announced that Scott Steiner has been arrested and incarcerated for hitting a police officer. As a result, Rick Steiner will take on Kevin Nash in a match for the tag team titles one-on-one. It is also announced that clips from the new movie Double Team, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and The New World Order's newest member Dennis Rodamn, will be aired tomorrow night on Nitro. Regal attacks Iaukea after the match and applies the Regal Stretch while hitting Iaukea in the back of the head with the championship belt.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund plus the WCW Hotline, as there is the emergence of a new clique and somebody new to the WCW fold who can't be mentioned on television, as well as a story about a car crash involving WCW superstars that everyone walked away from. Okerlund then interviews "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. Flair says that the Horsemen that are functioning - Steve "Mongo" McMichael, Jeff Jarrett and "The Crippler" Chris Benoit - will walk the aisle and do it Horsemen style, and that he himself has the doctor's orders and is coming back to action on May 1st. He puts the functioning Horsemen on a pedestal, and says that "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson is about to have his surgery as he promises that Anderson will come back to the ring. He says he has respect for "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, then he announces that Kevin Greene has been released from the Carolina Panthers to wrestle in WCW, and says that he has invited him to wrestle with The Horsemen on May 18th. Flair then tells "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan that The Four Horsemen will work The New World Order all night long if Hogan's allies come to play. He also wants to take Eric Bischoff on one-on-one on May 18th, as well.
Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock) beat The Four Horsemen (Jeff Jarrett and Steve "Mongo" McMichael) after Rocco Rock smacks Jarrett in the back with the steel Halliburton briefcase as he puts Johnny Grunge in the Figure Four Leg Lock while the referee is distracted by Mongo.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund plugs the WCW Hotline again, this interviews Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) and Sister Sherri. Sherri says they have everything planned and their strategy to a minute point, and that they have prepared for everything in tonight's Four Corners Match. Booker T says that they are the only clique you need to know about in WCW, and that they take what they want. When they are done with Lex Luger and The Giant, they want all the gold, and Booker T then says "Hulk Hogan, we comin' for you, nigga!" (According to Booker T, this was a impromptu slip from Booker T, and that Hogan was not offended by the statement. The promo will live in infamy in the Internet wrestling community in the coming years, where it will reach meme status.) Stevie Ray says nobody is talking about their special moves, and tells Lex Luger and The Giant to get ready as they are in the way of the gold. Sherri says there will be a great big party in Harlem after tonight. Booker T says they won't be overlooked, and that they will be taking all the gold in WCW.
Dean Malenko beats "The Crippler" Chris Benoit wrestle to a no contest, and retains the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship. During the match, Jacqueline shows up and attacks Woman, and Jimmy Hart rushes in to steal the United States title. He is about to take it to the back when he is confronted by Eddie Guerrero, who shows up with his arm in a sling. As the ref is distracted, "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson shows up and attacks Malenko from behind, then The Taskmaster shows up and smacks Benoit in the back with a kendo stick. Jacuqline, The Taskmaster and Jimmy Hart forcefully escort Eddie Guerrero to the back, making sure that the United States title stays on a reluctant Eddie's shoulder. Malenko makes sure Benoit is alright, and both of them agree when Malenko says "He was not supposed to be here."
Kevin Nash beats Rick Steiner to retain the WCW World Tag Team Championships for him and Scott Hall after Ted DiBiase and Syxx are allowed by referee Nick Patrick to remove a top turnbuckle cover. Before the match, commentary sends well-wishes to production crew member Moses Williams, who is currently in the hospital for kidney stones. During the match, more dissension within the nWo is made known, as Ted DiBiase walks out when Nash refuses to stop repeatedly throwing Rick Steiner into the exposed turnbuckle bolt multiple times and Nick Patrick has to be forced by Nash to make the final count, as Nick Patrick calls the match closer to the middle than he has in the recent past.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Lex Luger and The Giant. The Giant knows that "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan is pitting brother against brother and friend against friend, but he also knows that Hogan did not expect them to team up together. He says that whoever wins this match deserve the World title shot against Hogan, as this match requires all for men involved to give their all. Luger says that after what The New World Order has done in the past year, WCW is here to claim what is theirs. He hopes for prestige to come back to the WCW name, and that the World title will come back where it belongs. He and The Giant know what to expect from Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), and they are ready.
Lex Luger beats The Giant, Booker T and Stevie Ray in a Four Corners Match after The Giant gives the win away to Luger.
Slamboree comes to pay-per-view May 18th!
Before the next match, "Macho Man" Randy Savage tells Miss Elizabeth that Diamond Dallas Page is going down, and after that, there will be a party with "14 to 22 women" and Slim Jims for everybody.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Diamond Dallas Page. Page says that there comes a time when a man must stand up for what really matters, or else he's just passing through. He says that "Macho Man" Randy Savage stepped into his real world and found out what matters to him, and by doing that, he stepped over the line. Tonight, Savage is his. Kimerbly shows up as DDP is talking, and says that Page will get Savage for what he did to her. Normally, she wants Page to keep a positive attitude about everything, but rage is a powerful emotion and in this case, she's going to let it ride as it will even the odds tonight.
Before the next match begins, "Macho Man" Randy Savage tells Diamond Dallas Page that this will be his last day on Earth.
Diamond Dallas Page beats "Macho Man" Randy Savage in a no-disqualification match which sees Savage put his hands on ring announcer David Penzer multiple times and Kimberly getting involved by taking the ring bell away from Savage as he tries to hit Page with it from the top rope. During the match, Savage beats up and knocks out referee Mark Curtis, who is replaced by Nick Patrick as Kevin Nash watches. Nick Patrick then makes the count at regular speed and gives Page the match, and Nash grabs Nick Patrick by the neck. The rest of The New World Order shows up, and Nash knees Nick Patrick before hitting him with the Jackknife Power Bomb. Page is able to escape the ring, but Savage grabs Kimberly, and Bischoff has to calm Savage down and stop Savage slapping her. Bischoff then talks Savage down, but Savage shoves Bischoff. Both Savage and Bischoff have to be separated by the entire New World Order.
Mike Tenay guests on commentary for the next match.
Rey Mysterio Jr. beats The Ultimate Dragon (who is not accompanied to the ring by Sonny Onoo). During the match, it is announced that later tonight, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair will make a statement that will shock the world. Also, Lee Marshall tries to get an interview with Kevin Nash, who intends to make some demands to WCW public, but is unable to when Syxx slams the door on him.
Lee Marshall tries to interview Kevin Nash, but is met by Syxx again. This time around, as Kevin Nash answers the door, Scott Steiner tries to confront Nash but is held back. As Nash demands nWo referee Nick Patrick be the referee for the tag team title match, he spits in Steiner's face, making him angrier. WCW officials and police officers have to not only mace Steiner, but also cuff his hands behind his back.
Akira Hokuto retains the WCW Women's Championship against Madusa after Luna Vachon shows up and kicks Madusa in the back of the knee as the referee is distracted by Sonny Onoo, who has just been kicked off the apron by Madusa.
Prince Iaukea retains the WCW World Television Championship against "Lord" Steven Regal. During the match, it is announced that Scott Steiner has been arrested and incarcerated for hitting a police officer. As a result, Rick Steiner will take on Kevin Nash in a match for the tag team titles one-on-one. It is also announced that clips from the new movie Double Team, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and The New World Order's newest member Dennis Rodamn, will be aired tomorrow night on Nitro. Regal attacks Iaukea after the match and applies the Regal Stretch while hitting Iaukea in the back of the head with the championship belt.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund plus the WCW Hotline, as there is the emergence of a new clique and somebody new to the WCW fold who can't be mentioned on television, as well as a story about a car crash involving WCW superstars that everyone walked away from. Okerlund then interviews "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. Flair says that the Horsemen that are functioning - Steve "Mongo" McMichael, Jeff Jarrett and "The Crippler" Chris Benoit - will walk the aisle and do it Horsemen style, and that he himself has the doctor's orders and is coming back to action on May 1st. He puts the functioning Horsemen on a pedestal, and says that "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson is about to have his surgery as he promises that Anderson will come back to the ring. He says he has respect for "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, then he announces that Kevin Greene has been released from the Carolina Panthers to wrestle in WCW, and says that he has invited him to wrestle with The Horsemen on May 18th. Flair then tells "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan that The Four Horsemen will work The New World Order all night long if Hogan's allies come to play. He also wants to take Eric Bischoff on one-on-one on May 18th, as well.
Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and "Flyboy" Rocco Rock) beat The Four Horsemen (Jeff Jarrett and Steve "Mongo" McMichael) after Rocco Rock smacks Jarrett in the back with the steel Halliburton briefcase as he puts Johnny Grunge in the Figure Four Leg Lock while the referee is distracted by Mongo.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund plugs the WCW Hotline again, this interviews Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) and Sister Sherri. Sherri says they have everything planned and their strategy to a minute point, and that they have prepared for everything in tonight's Four Corners Match. Booker T says that they are the only clique you need to know about in WCW, and that they take what they want. When they are done with Lex Luger and The Giant, they want all the gold, and Booker T then says "Hulk Hogan, we comin' for you, nigga!" (According to Booker T, this was a impromptu slip from Booker T, and that Hogan was not offended by the statement. The promo will live in infamy in the Internet wrestling community in the coming years, where it will reach meme status.) Stevie Ray says nobody is talking about their special moves, and tells Lex Luger and The Giant to get ready as they are in the way of the gold. Sherri says there will be a great big party in Harlem after tonight. Booker T says they won't be overlooked, and that they will be taking all the gold in WCW.
Dean Malenko beats "The Crippler" Chris Benoit wrestle to a no contest, and retains the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship. During the match, Jacqueline shows up and attacks Woman, and Jimmy Hart rushes in to steal the United States title. He is about to take it to the back when he is confronted by Eddie Guerrero, who shows up with his arm in a sling. As the ref is distracted, "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson shows up and attacks Malenko from behind, then The Taskmaster shows up and smacks Benoit in the back with a kendo stick. Jacuqline, The Taskmaster and Jimmy Hart forcefully escort Eddie Guerrero to the back, making sure that the United States title stays on a reluctant Eddie's shoulder. Malenko makes sure Benoit is alright, and both of them agree when Malenko says "He was not supposed to be here."
Kevin Nash beats Rick Steiner to retain the WCW World Tag Team Championships for him and Scott Hall after Ted DiBiase and Syxx are allowed by referee Nick Patrick to remove a top turnbuckle cover. Before the match, commentary sends well-wishes to production crew member Moses Williams, who is currently in the hospital for kidney stones. During the match, more dissension within the nWo is made known, as Ted DiBiase walks out when Nash refuses to stop repeatedly throwing Rick Steiner into the exposed turnbuckle bolt multiple times and Nick Patrick has to be forced by Nash to make the final count, as Nick Patrick calls the match closer to the middle than he has in the recent past.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Lex Luger and The Giant. The Giant knows that "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan is pitting brother against brother and friend against friend, but he also knows that Hogan did not expect them to team up together. He says that whoever wins this match deserve the World title shot against Hogan, as this match requires all for men involved to give their all. Luger says that after what The New World Order has done in the past year, WCW is here to claim what is theirs. He hopes for prestige to come back to the WCW name, and that the World title will come back where it belongs. He and The Giant know what to expect from Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray), and they are ready.
Lex Luger beats The Giant, Booker T and Stevie Ray in a Four Corners Match after The Giant gives the win away to Luger.
Slamboree comes to pay-per-view May 18th!
Before the next match, "Macho Man" Randy Savage tells Miss Elizabeth that Diamond Dallas Page is going down, and after that, there will be a party with "14 to 22 women" and Slim Jims for everybody.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Diamond Dallas Page. Page says that there comes a time when a man must stand up for what really matters, or else he's just passing through. He says that "Macho Man" Randy Savage stepped into his real world and found out what matters to him, and by doing that, he stepped over the line. Tonight, Savage is his. Kimerbly shows up as DDP is talking, and says that Page will get Savage for what he did to her. Normally, she wants Page to keep a positive attitude about everything, but rage is a powerful emotion and in this case, she's going to let it ride as it will even the odds tonight.
Before the next match begins, "Macho Man" Randy Savage tells Diamond Dallas Page that this will be his last day on Earth.
Diamond Dallas Page beats "Macho Man" Randy Savage in a no-disqualification match which sees Savage put his hands on ring announcer David Penzer multiple times and Kimberly getting involved by taking the ring bell away from Savage as he tries to hit Page with it from the top rope. During the match, Savage beats up and knocks out referee Mark Curtis, who is replaced by Nick Patrick as Kevin Nash watches. Nick Patrick then makes the count at regular speed and gives Page the match, and Nash grabs Nick Patrick by the neck. The rest of The New World Order shows up, and Nash knees Nick Patrick before hitting him with the Jackknife Power Bomb. Page is able to escape the ring, but Savage grabs Kimberly, and Bischoff has to calm Savage down and stop Savage slapping her. Bischoff then talks Savage down, but Savage shoves Bischoff. Both Savage and Bischoff have to be separated by the entire New World Order.
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