Raw Deal - Raw recap for November 23, 1998

RAW

WWF owners Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon come to the ring with Pat Patterson, Gerald Brisco and WWF Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter. Vince says he has nothing to do with The Undertaker attacking "Stone Cold" Steve Austin with a shovel last week, saying he does not lie and that when he guarantees something, the fans can take it to the back. In a moment, Vince will name a new WWF Commissioner, as what he and his family do is done for the fans. He admits they disagree sometimes, but everything they do, they do it for the fans. Vince tells the fans that Sgt. Slaughter has decided to graciously step aside to allow the World Wrestling Federation to advance, so it can have an independent, free-thinker at the helm who does not answer to him. This Commissioner will have full rights and privileges to treat every WWF Superstar with equality and dignity, with the only exception to the rule being "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, as Austin is his, and he will make all decisions as it pertains to him. He then introduces the new WWF Commissioner: "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels. Shawn shows up in a street clothes and a cowboy hat, and says "It looks like there's a new sheriff in town!" Shawn thanks Vince for the opportunity, and is thrilled to be back in the ring in one form or another. As a token of his appreciation and as the new Commissioner of the World Wrestling Federation, he can be the one guaranteeing things around her and that things will never, ever be the same again. In an effort to add a little bit more "sizzle to tonight's steak," he then asks to book his first match, right here, right now. Tonight, the WWF Championship is one the line as The Rock will defend the title against X-Pac. He then asks for the DX music to be played, and Vince and companies realize they may have made a mistake.

Kevin Kelly interviews The Oddities (Violent J, Shaggy 2 Dope, Luna Vachon, Golga, Kurrgan, Giant Silva), who have a rematch against The Headbangers (Thrasher and Mosh) tonight. Violent J tells The Oddities he is ready, but Shaggy 2 Dope is not ready, and they are not ready as a team, telling The Oddities they are right and that they are not ready physically or mentally. He asks The Oddities to have his back in the match tonight. Luna says The Oddities can handle it, but they feel disappointed.

The Headbangers (Thrasher and Mosh) beat The Oddities (Kurrgan and Golga). Before the match, it is announced that the newest issue of Raw Magazine is available tomorrow. During the match, Violent J gets on the apron, and Golga inadvertently knocks him off. This distracts Golga, and Mosh chokes Golga out with a shirt before Thrasher gets the schoolboy pin. After the match, Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope stomp on Golga along with Thrasher and Mosh, and Shaggy 2 Dope sprays spray paint into Giant Silva's eyes. The four of them attack everyone else in the ring save for the referee, cutting Luna Vachon's hair after spray painting her in the eyes and tieing Giant Silva up in the ropes. Mosh says this is the new Headbanger attitude and that there is not right way or wrong way, only The Headbanger way, and that it's their turn to kick a little bit of ass.

"The Lethal Weapon" Steve Blackman beats The Blue Blazer. During the match, it is made evident from a close-up of The Blue Blazer that Owen Hart is not behind the mask. After the match, Blackman tries to unmask The Blue Blazer, but Owen Hart rushes in from behind and hits Blackman in his injured leg with a chop block before leaving with The Blue Blazer.

We see footage from yesterday in San Jose, California, where "Stone Cold" Steve Austin collapses after a match, having suffered nausea and dizziness, among other symptoms, from being hit in the head with a shovel by The Undertaker last week on Raw.

WWF owner Vince McMahon and WWF Commissioner "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels are seen having a word backstage.

The Brood (Gangrel and Edge) beat The Nation (D'Lo Brown and "The World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry). During the match, Chyna shows up, distracting Mark Henry and allowing Gangrel to win with a schoolboy pin. After the match, Chyna simply says "All right, Mark...I'll do it." Mark is excited, as the dinner date is on.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin is seen talking to the doctors at the hospital, who give him some medication to allow him to get some sleep. He is also told to take a couple of weeks off. He tells Jim Ross that he feels like he's been hit in the head with a shovel, and that The Undertaker and Paul Bearer will have hell to pay when he comes back. His blood pressure goes up upon the mere thought of getting revenge.

WWF Commissioner "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels is seen talking with D-Generation X ("Road Dogg" Jesse James, "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn, X-Pac) backstage.

Goldust vs. "Marvelous Marc Mero" ends in a no-contest. Before the match, it is announced that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin will face The Undertaker in a Buried Alive Match at next month's pay-per-view, Rock Bottom, and if Austin wins, he qualifies for the Royal Rumble Match in January. During the match, Terri Runnels shows up, and Jacqueline shows up soon after. Terri gets up on the apron to distract the referee as Goldust readies Mero for Shattered Dreams, then Jacqueline hits Goldust with a low blow before Terri kicks Mero in the crotch.

Back at the hospital, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin signs an autograph, then has his blood pressure checked before he gets some sleep. A hearse is then seen pulling up in front of the hospital.

WAR ZONE

Mankind retains the WWF Hardcore Championship against The Big Boss Man and "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock. WWF owners Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon show up and watch from the stage during the match. Near the end, The J.O.B. Squad (Al Snow, 2 Cold Scorpio, Bob Holly) show up, and Al Snow hits Shamrock with Head as Shamrock has Mankind in the ankle lock to allow Mankind to retain.

The Undertaker and Paul Bearer are seen assaulting "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in the hospital in San Jose, California and putting him under with a handkerchief covered in ether. The Undertaker tells Austin "This is where you get off" and "This is your last ride."

The Undertaker and Paul Bearer place "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in their hearse and drive off.

Dwayne Gill beats Christian to become the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion! During the match, The J.O.B. Squad (Al Snow, 2 Cold Scorpio, Bob Holly) attack Edge and Gangrel, and 2 Cold Scorpio hits Christian with a splash before placing Gill on top of him. Michael Cole - who calls this "the greatest upset in WWF history" - interviews Gill, who says that aside from the birth of the son, this is the greatest moment of his life. He is then helped to the back by The J.O.B. Squad.

The Undertaker and Paul Bearer take a sedated "Stone Cold" Steve Austin to a mound of dirt in the middle of nowhere. Nearby is an open grave, which Bearer asks The Undertaker to make a little bit deeper. Bearer tells Austin he has crossed the line, and Austin comes to and grabs Bearer. The Undertaker puts Austin in a headlock while Bearer puts Austin back under with a handkerchief doused in ether. The Undertaker then says burying Austin alive is too good for him, and tells Bearer he will embalm him alive and that Austin will know what pain is.

The Undertaker and Paul Bearer are seen driving away with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

Before the next match, The Godfather gives Tiger Ali Singh the choice between fighting him - to which he says he will kick Singh's ass - or any of his three hoes for the entire night. Suddenly, Steven Regal shows up and tells Singh he got screwed royally last week, because he trusted The Godfather and that Singh "can afford better slappers than this." Regal and Singh then double-team The Godfather, and Val Venis gets in the ring to beat up Singh. Referees and officials have to restore order. After the match, The Godfather gives the hos to Val Venis.

WWF Commissioner "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and The Rock are sen having a disagreement backstage, and WWF owners Shane McMahon and Vince McMahon have to keep The Rock away from Shawn.

WWF Commissioner "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels is seen talking to referee Earl Hebner in the locker room.

The J.O.B. Squad (Bob Holly and 2 Cold Scorpio) beat The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dogg" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn). During the match, it is revealed that Dwayne Gill has joined The J.O.B. Squad. Near the end, Mankind shows up with a leafblower and hits Billy Gunn in the head with it. After the match, The Big Boss Man and "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock show up and attack everyone in the ring. Pat Patterson, Gerald Brisco and Sgt. Slaughter show up and try to recruit The New Age Outlaws.

The Undertaker and Paul Bearer take "Stone Cold" Steve Austin to a funeral home.

In the funeral home, The Undertaker takes "Stone Cold" Steve Austin into the embalming room and places him on the slab. As Paul Bearer gets prepared for the enbalming, The Undertaker tells Austin that he cannot tempt the fate and tempt "the Ministry," and that this it did not have to be this way and that this is his fault. He tells Austin this is what he gets when he crosses the line into a realm of darkness from which there is no escape, and that this is the final road for him. Bearer then cuts Austin's shirt in half.

In the funeral home, The Undertaker tells "Stone Cold" Steve Austin that he hopes he can hear him, for what he will experience is going to be the worst imaginable pain and horror that he could ever endure, as when one understands death, they become ageless, deathless and immortal. The Undertaker then chants some foreign words, then points a dagger at the throat of Austin. Suddenly, Kane shows up and attacks The Undertaker. Bearer tries to finish the job with some scissors, but Austin comes to, resists and escapes. The camera then suddenly cuts off, and the transmission ends.

WWF Commissioner "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels shows up before the next match and ejects The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dogg" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn), "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock and The Big Boss Man from ringside, sending them back to the back and ensuring that the next match is strictly one-on-one. He then watches the match from ringside.

The Rock retains the WWF Championship against X-Pac. During the match, WWF owners Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon show up and watch the match from the stage. Near the end, The Rock introduces a steel chair into the match. WWF Commissioner "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels heads into the ring, takes it away from him, and then hits X-Pac in the head with the chair before The Rock hits The Corporate Elbow to retain. After the match, The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dogg" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) rush into the ring. The Rock escapes, but The Big Boss Man and "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock rush in and attack The Outlaws and X-Pac. Vince, Shane, The Rock and Shawn are seen mockingly giving The Outlaws and X-Pac the D-Generation X crotch chop from the ramp to end the show.