Raw Deal - Raw recap for June 2, 1997

The Undertaker shows up to start tonight's show. Vince McMahon asks The Undertaker to give an explanation for his actions last week. He says it's simple, but at the same time it's very complicated. He says it's about blackmail, and that he did what he did not to protect himself, but to protect the ones he loves. He admits that it would have been great to break Paul Bearer's neck, but in reality, that would not have solved anything and helped the circumstances that surround him now. When he passes on, he won't be going to Hell as he is living in it right now. Last week, innocent people from his past were on the verge of being unnecessarily hurt, and for that he must reluctantly take the path with Paul Bearer as his manager. He knows that nobody will understand why and that he will face the persecution and ridicule from the creatures of the night, the ones he cares about most. He then tells Bearer that when his world comes to an end and he's sitting in Hell, he'll make a deal with the Devil where Bearer burns in Hell for eternity. Bearer shows up, the face wrap gone and with only two bandages on the side of his face. Bearer says The Undertaker talks too much, and that maybe he should do some talking, too. He calls 'Taker his personal instrument of destruction, and does not want him talking behind his back. He commands him to do what he wants, when he wants it, whether he likes it or not, and they will eventually run down the roster of the WWF, one by one, until Bearer is the ruler of the world. That "ruler of the world" statement attracts Sycho Sid, who hasn't been seen since March due to a lower lumbar injury. Sid tells Bearer he rules nothing, and that he ruled the World Wrestling Federation until he lost the WWF Championship at WrestleMania 13. He saw no reason to procure a rematch with The Undertaker because 'Taker wore the championship with pride, but then he lost respect for him when he reluctantly allied himself with Bearer. He now wants that rematch, and he wants it tonight so he can powerbomb him straight to Hell. 'Taker says he dropped Sid on his head once, and he'll do it again. Suddenly, The Nation of Domination shows up, and Faarooq tells Sid and 'Taker can argue over who rules the world all they want, because next week, he will rule the World Wrestling Federation. He also tells 'Taker that anyone who sells out to black men the way he did doesn't deserve to be champion, and 'Taker goes after The Nation as soon as they leave.

Ahmed Johnson says Faarooq has plans to be the WWF Champion, but he doesn't care about those plans as he is going to take him out tonight.

Faarooq beats Ahmed Johnson after The Undertaker shows up and fights off the rest of The Nation of Domination (Savio Vega, Crush, D'Lo Brown) alongside Ahmed, only for Faarooq to overpower Ahmed. After the match, The Nation try to surround 'Taker, but it doesn't work, and 'Taker chases Faarooq out of the ring. Ahmed confronts 'Taker only to get choke slammed.

Vince McMahon interviews The Hart Foundation (Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Owen Hart, The British Bulldog, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, Brian Pillman) in the ring. On the TitanTron are "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, who are in separate areas backstage. Bret, who is on crutches again, says that Austin has took it upon himself repeatedly to jump him, and that tells Shawn that he won't get his dream match as his doctors have told him it is a huge risk to come back, and that he can owe it all to Austin and that both men will have to wait to get their hands on them. Shawn says Hart is making excuses, but says he has Austin to thank for that. He tells Austin he still faults him for costing him his chance of ridding the United States of Bret Hart. Austin doesn't care, saying he tried to take him out for good, and says he isn't done with Bret Hart. Austin says he got the job done, but Shawn tells him he didn't finish the job at all, and dares Shawn to come on over so he can kick his ass. Shawn does just that, argues with Austin, then leaves. Brian Pillman says the Foundation is enjoying the tiff between Shawn and Austin so much, that he is willing to let Shawn take his place at King of the Ring so they can settle their differences, provided he gets a shot at him in short order. Austin tells him he'll kick Shawn's ass at King of the Ring, then kick Pillman's ass the next right on Raw.

Owen Hart retains the WWF Intercontinental Championship against Bob "Spark Plug" Holly with the Sharpshooter.

"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels accepts the match against "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at King of the Ring, but he is not doing this as a favor for Brian Pillman and tells Pillman he can have what's left of Austin the night after.

In Episode 4 of "Sunny's Search and Soak Mission," The Headbangers are armed with Super Soaker XXP 175s...but Sunny has a Triple Shot XP 85, much to the disappointment of Jim Cornette and The Honky Tonk Man.

Goldust beats Hunter Hearst Helmsley when Marlena grabs Chyna's leg as Chyna tries to choke Goldust from the apron, only for Helmsley to hit Chyna with a high knee by mistake when Goldust is able to move out of the way. Chyna tosses the referee out of the ring after the match.

It is mentioned that three WWF Superstars have just finished filming a music video, while a WWF Superstar nearly has career ended. Details are on the WWF Superstar Line.

Backstage, The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) says that "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's inability to get along will be their downfall.

The intro the show is replayed to signify the start of the second hour.

The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) beat "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin by count-out when Shawn confronts The Hart Foundation (Owen Hart, THe British Bulldog, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, Brian Pillman) outside of the ring and Austin tries to drag Shawn back to the ring by his hair only for Austin and Shawn to fight each other again. "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin retain the WWF Tag Team Championships.

We see part three of the interview with Mankind. He talks about his years as Cactus Jack, who "wanted it just a little bit more" and was willing to go the extra length in order to achieve his dreams and make it with his won style in an era of bodybuilder physiques. As his legend grew, so did his tolerance for pain, and he ended up leaving the United States for Japan to take part in death matches. He had heard of these matches, but didn't care, and when he entered a match with the ropes replaced entirely with barbed wire, he knew he was at home. He wrestled on beds of nails, thousands of thumbtacks, and even C4 explosives, and no matter how much he was mutilated physically, he healed him spiritually as for the first time, he was respected and even loved as people chanted his name, unlike in the WWF where he is spit on. He has his dignity, but he doesn't know if he even has it anymore. We learn that the scar on his left arm are from one of these matches. He says that when he looks in a mirror, he sees a life fulfilled and a road map of where he's been. He also tells a story of a time when he was on an airplane and he scared a woman so much that she moved back to coach, and he thinks of that moment every so often, where he was a death match hero and he had the power to make people sick.

Jerry "the King" Lawler guests on commentary for the next match.

Mankind beats Savio Vega to continue tot he second round of the King of the Ring tournament when Mankind grabs Jerry "The King" Lawler for calling him a freak. As the ref is distracted by Lawler, Crush tries to punch Mankind from the apron but ends up punching Vega instead. Crush confronts Savio Vega, and both men start fighting. Faarooq shows up, but waves his hand downward as if to say "forget it" and turns around while officials break up the brawl between Crush and Vega.

It is announced that Sycho Sid will team up with The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) to take on The Hart Foundation (Owen Hart, The British Bulldog, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart) at King of the Ring.

The Undertaker retains the WWF Championship against Sycho Sid. The Nation of Domination (Faarooq, Crush, Savio Vega, D'Lo Brown) attacks The Undertaker after the match. Sid gets his hands on Crush and D'Lo Brown and choke slams both of them, but Faarooq hits Sid in the knee with a chop block and The Nation beats him and The Undertaker up as officials try to break the brawl up.