Raw Deal - Raw recap for December 22, 1997

D-Generation ("The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Chyna) show up, with Shawn and Triple H in white bathrobes. Shawn wants to know if all the fans of the WWF have been good little boys and girls, because if they are, DX has a present especially for them. Until then, they have some business to take care of. Triple H focuses on The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) and how they brought their domination to a screeching halt. As for the newly-christened team of The New Age Outlaws - "Road Dog" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn - who want to take credit for L.O.D.'s downfall, in Triple H's words - they are just vultures trying to pick the bones off their kill, and if they know what's best for them, they'll stay out of DX's business. He then focuses on Owen Hart, he has Owen in his sights and he will be his worst nightmare and send him packing. He tells Owen that if he needs a pacifier to suck on - since he's the baby of the family - then he can come see him because he's got one just for him before doing a crotch chop. Shawn then takes the microphone and focuses on The Undertaker, whom he says couldn't beat him the first or second time and will not beat him the third time. At the Hell In A Cell Match, he beat him like a red-headed stepchild, and tells 'Taker he can ask any woman in the world, and they'll tell him he doesn't rest in peace, but instead stays up all night long. He then gives the WWF their special Christmas present: disrobing to holiday-themed boxers before stripping down to holiday-themed thongs which are covered up on-screen. Shawn then tells the WWF Superstars that if they want, they can come out to the ring and kiss them under the mistletoe as Chyna holds up mistletoe with both hands behind Shawn and Triple H's backsides. WWF Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter shows up, and Shawn and Triple H put their robes back on. Slaughter says it's close to the Christmas season and he's in the giving mood, so he gives them a gift. He first tells Shawn he hasn't defended the WWF European Championship in over 60 days, and either gives him the choice of defending it against an opponent of his choosing or being stripped of the title. Shawn tells Slaughter that he's not afraid to be stripped of anything, and that he doesn't give away belts for anybody, saying he will defending the European title against anyone, anywhere, any time. Slaughter then announces that Shawn's opponent is Triple H, much to the chagrin of both Shawn and Triple H. DX have a team huddle, then Triple H says that he knows Slaughter is trying to ruin D-Generation X by having him beat Shawn. Shawn takes the microphone and says he was with him until he made it to the part about beating him, and tells him he doesn't wear a championship on each shoulder by being a loser. He tells Triple H to ask around in the locker room and he'll find out that he doesn't lay down for anybody.

Before the next match, Michael Cole interviews The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn). Henry O. says that The Headbangers did not outsmart him an Phineas. He also says that he and Phineas haven't forgotten about The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dog" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn), saying that they owe them a tag team title shot.

Thrasher beats Henry O. Godwinn after Phineas I. Godwinn stomps Thrasher. Henry O. hits Mosh with the Slop Drop, then he and Phineas pull out leather straps and whip Thrasher and Mosh with them until referees and officials get in the ring to try to restore order.

Mankind is in the bowels of the arena. He says that when you break Dude Love's ribs, his ribs hurt too. He doesn't want to drink eggnog around the fire. Instead, he wants to make the yuletide gay and give rather than receive. He says he will give The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dog" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) a beating in what he calls "the fight before Christmas."

We see footage from last week's Raw after the show went of the air. Santa Claus is in the ring, expecting Sable, but Sable doesn't show up and Santa finds out Sable isn't coming. Santa goes a boy from the audience instead, and Santa isn't impressed. Santa asks the boy what he wants for Christmas, but the boy tells him he's not the real Santa Claus. Santa asks the boy who gave him the right to say that and sends him back to the audience, then "Stone Cold" Steve Austin shows up. Santa wishes Austin a merry Christmas, then Austin tells him to shut up. The boy, who is still at ringside, is mentioned by Austin, and tells Santa not to kick the boy out of the ring. When confronted about his authenticity, Santa insists he's the real deal. Austin then asks Santa what he asked for when he was six years old and had been "a good little S.O.B. all year." Santa says it was a Barbie doll and tiddlywinks. Austin says it wasn't a Barbie doll, and says he can tell him what he can do with all those tiddlywinks. Austin says Santa is fat enough and has the rosy cheeks, then tells him to stand up. Austin asks the boy if that's the real Santa. The boy says no. Austin tells the crowd to give him a "Hell No" if he's not the real Santa, and he gets one. Austin then gives him a Christmas present straight from his own heart: a Stone Cold Stunner. He then hits Santa with an elbow drop off the second rope before tossing him out of the ring.

We hear "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley arguing behind the door of their locker room before Shawn leaves and Chyna tries to reason with him.

Paul Bearer shows up during the next match. Kama Mustafa crotches The Undertaker on the rope as the referee is preoccupied with Bearer before the break.

The Undertaker plants "The Rock" Rocky Maivia with a Tombstone Piledriver when Paul Bearer comes back with Kane. The Nation of Domination (Faarooq, D'Lo Brown, Kama Mustafa, The Rock) get out of the ring, then Paul Bearer tells the world to feast their eyes on The Undertaker before calling him a shell of a man that he once was. Last week, he gave him one last chance to step up and face his brother, but he tucked tail and ran. Bearer says that he is ashamed to ever have anything to do with him, and cannot believe that he proudly stood by his side and called him his friend. He says 'Taker is nothing anymore, and says it is said that his poor parents with the maggots and the worms. The Undertaker puts his hands on Bearer, then Kane puts his hands on The Undertaker. The Undertaker is about to attack Kane but relents, and Kane gets the upper hand. Bearer dares The Undertaker to attack his brother as Kane continues to stomp The Undertaker in the corner. Bearer calls Kane's attack on The Undertaker proof that The Undertaker, then declares 1998 will be the year of Kane.

The intro to War Zone plays to signal the start of the second hour.

Before the next match can take place, Owen Hart attacks "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley from behind, and is stopped by WWF Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter. Shawn and Triple H accuse Slaughter of being in on Owens' attack on Helmsley.

The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dog" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) are wearing miner's helmets as they go into the bowels to the building to find Mankind. They find someone and assault him from behind, but when they turn the lights on, the find out it's not him.

Before the next match, "Marvelous" Marc Mero says that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, and he thanks the Marc Mero fans who braved the weather so the greatest boxer-wrestler in the world. He has something special for each and every one of his fans: a look at "his property" Sable, who is in a reindeer suit. He says that things are going to be his way before ordering Sable to disrobe him, which she does. The light on the reindeer nose glows, then Marc Mero makes fun of it before telling her to get out. After the match begins, Sable takes off the reindeer mask and stays at ringside.

"Marvelous" Marc Mero beats Scott Taylor, then hits him with a low blow after the match. Tom Brandi shows up before Mero can hit Taylor with another TKO and fights off Mero. Mero tries to retreat, but Brandi hits in the back of the head with a baseball slide, causing Mero to hurt his knee. Sable then takes off the reindeer outfit to reveal a Santa-style dress, leggings and black high heels underneath. She then grabs the microphone and wishes the WWF fans a very merry Christmas before blowing a kiss.

"Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley says that if "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels wants a fight, he'll get one. Chyna tells Triple H he has nothing to prove by beating Shawn, but Triple H says he has everything to prove, especially since Shawn keeps calling himself the showstopper. Triple H says he has his lucky shirt on, and tells Shawn he has a lesson to be taught, and he's going to teach it to him.

The Jackyl grabs a microphone and puts Kurrgan on a pedestal during the next match, and addresses being called a cult leader by saying that he simply has a message to start a revolution.

Kurrgan the Interrogator beats 8-Ball, then 8-Ball attacks Kurrgan and The Jackyl. Recon and Sniper attack 8-Ball along with Kurrgan, then Skull shows up with a 2x4 and clears the ring.

The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dog" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) are still looking for Mankind deep in the building.

"The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock beats D'Lo Brown with the ankle lock, then keeps Faarooq and Kama Mustafa at bay. "The Rock" Rocky Maivia shows up with a microphone, saying Shamrock is lucky as The Nation (Faarooq, D'Lo, Kama, The Rock) can tear him up with a snap of his fingers. He then says his fans want to know how he feels about the Gulf crisis, then says it isn't really important. He then acknowledges that Shamrock is called "The World's Most Dangerous Man" before saying the UFC is full of has-beens and never-was. He then has a gift for Shamrock: a one-on-one match at Royal Rumble for the WWF Intercontinental Championship. He then asks Shamrock if he has the guts before he and The Nation leave. Once again, Faarooq reluctantly looks at The Rock like he's lost his mind before heading to the back with him.

"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels says it's ugly between him and "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley, and calls Triple H the ugliest thing about DX as he says he will take care of him once and for all. Chyna tells Shawn he has nothing to prove, and Shawn agrees, saying he is the European and WWF Championship. Shawn says he has his lucky shirt on, but he still has to smack him around.

The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dog" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) are attacked by Mankind, but The New Age Outlaws get the upper hand and lock him in a walk-in freezer.

Luna Vachon and The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust show up. Goldust is dressed up like a Christmas tree, and Luna says that Goldust wishes to express himself in verse. Goldust reads 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. Suddenly, Santa Claus shows up and tosses candy into the crowd. Luna Vachon takes offense to this, as does Goldust. Goldust then continues to read, then Santa smacks Goldust in the back of the head with his sack. Santa then unmasks and reveals himself to be Vader. Goldust and Luna retreat.

"Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley "beats" "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels in a joke of a match to win the WWF European Championship! Shawn pretends to cry while Chyna console him and Triple H celebrates his title win. As WWF Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter watches from the stage, Shawn grabs a microphone and pretends to cry, and Chyna consoles him. Triple H and Shawn hug, then Triple H says that other than his kid being born - even though he doesn't have one that he knows of - winning the European Championship is the greatest moment of his life. Triple H, Shawn and Chyna celebrate. Shawn tells Slaughter they didn't need his help, but they made an ass out of him anyway. Triple H points at Slaughter and laughs. We hear Sgt. Slaughter tell Triple H from afar that he will defending the title against Owen Hart next week.