Raw Deal - Raw recap for July 27, 1998

RAW

The Undertaker shows up to start tonight's show. Last night, he Tombstoned his brother Kane into Hell, and he and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin are the WWF Tag Team Champions. They may be champions, but they will never be partners unless Austin shows up right now and apologizes to him. After The Undertaker demands an apology from Austin, WWF owner Vince McMahon shows up with WWF Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter, Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco. Vince says he cannot believe his ears, and says the only reason The Undertaker demands an apology is because it proves that he and Kane were not conspiring. This does not fly with Vince McMahon, as what he did was the same thing Vince would have done and that he's not gullible enough to buy it, and neither is Austin. Vince says it took three Tombstone Piledrivers to take Kane down, and knows that both Kane and The Undertaker are near-impervious to pain, and goes on to say that if anybody deserves an apology, it is him, as The Undertaker put his hands on him last week. The Undertaker says he might do it again. Vince says he sustained a neck injury after what happened last week, and he does not appreciate it. Vince demands his apology, but not before he lets The Undertaker and Austin know that they will be defending the tag team titles against The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dog" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn). Vince then says he is not leaving until The Undertaker apologizes to him. Right after that, Austin shows up with a custom-made version of the WWF Championship, complete with the current WWF logo, a white snakeskin pattern on the rear side and a smoking skull in the center. Vince and company leave the ring, then Austin grabs the microphone and tells Vince to go up the ramp as he has nothing to say to him. Austin then says The Undertaker hit the nail on the head when he said they were champions but not partners, says he will defend the tag team titles with him, and says he has an apology for him in the form of a middle finger.

Before the next match, D'Lo Brown announces that he has gotten off the phone with the people over at Euro Disney, who say that they have two new rides for him: the Sky High and the Lo Down. He then tells Vader to "get [his] fat ass out here so [he] can choose which one [he wants]."

Vader beats D'Lo Brown by count-out after ripping off D'Lo's chest protector and hitting him with a splash. During the match, it is announced that D'Lo Brown's European title is not on the line due to his legal representation believing that it would not be a prudent move.

We see a skit entitled Droz's World. We see Droz with some snakes, shooting some guns in a swamp and also throwing up in a wastebasket. Next time on Droz's World, Droz tells a story about "The World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry.

Bart Gunn beats "Dr. Death" Steve Williams by knockout in the closing seconds of the third round to continue to the semi-finals of the Brawl For All Tournament with a devastating left after Williams tears his hamstring.

Owen Hart shows up before Bart Gunn. After the commercial break, we see footage of "Dr. Death" Steve Williams being helped to the back. Last night, he proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is truly the most dangerous man in the World Wrestling Federation and that he is not a nugget. Owen says he is the baddest in the WWF, and if anyone has the guts to want to challenge him, he dares them to come on down and get a piece of him. Owen Hart's music plays again, and out comes Jason Sensation dressed as Owen. Jason says if Owen thinks he can slap him around, then it's time for them to stand nose-to-nose, meaning they will be miles apart. He says Owen is nothing more than a little nugget, and that it's time that people start flushing him down the toilet before starting a "nugget' chant. Owen leaves the ring and heads up the ramp, but Dan "The Beast" Severn shows up in a suit and tie before Owen can get to Jason Sensation.

Dan "The Beast" Severn vs. Owen Hart ends when "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock comes out of the crowd and attacks Owen. Severn pulls Shamrock off of Owen and gets him in a choke hold, and "The Lethal Weapon" Steve Blackman shows up to keep both men apart along with referees and WWF Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter. As this point, Shamrock snaps and has to be held down in a corner of the ring.

This Sunday on USA at 7 PM Eastern/6 PM Central: Sunday Night Heat!

"The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock goes off on Michael Cole backstage.

Bradshaw guests on commentary for the next match, saying that nobody crosses him and that Terry Funk should have told him he was leaving sooner before last night's match. If Funk comes back in six months, he'll gladly beat him down in a match.

Faarooq and 2 Cold Scorpio vs. The Disciples of Apocalypse (Skull and 8-Ball) ends with Bradshaw fighting everybody until referees, officials and WWF Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter restore order. During the match, Bradshaw grabs Jerry "The King" Lawler by the collar and tells him to call the match.

"The Rock" Rocky Maivia says the entire world saw him lay the smack down on "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley for 30 minutes. If Triple H and X-Pac want to go 2-on-1 with The Rock, then they can scratch that itch, as he will make them famous.

WAR ZONE

"Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs. X-Pac vs. "The Rock" Rocky Maivia for the WWF Intercontinental Championship ends with The Rock getting himself counted out to retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship while Triple H and X-Pac slug it out.

Michael Cole interviews The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dog" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) in the locker room. They are concerned about the tag team titles, but the mission remains the same, as they will take the tag team titles back.

Brakkus beats Jesus Castillo.

We see Val Venis in a locker room shower with Yamaguchi-san's wife.

Before the next match, Val Venis says if you want to spend all day at Disneyland, that's okay, but if you want the ride of your lifehop aboard The Big Valbowski. Yamaguchi-san then shows up with Kaientai (Dick Togo, Men's Teioh, Sho Funaki), and is seen carrying a katana while Kaientai carries long salamis and a small wooden table with "Yamaguchi family" written in Japanese on the side of it is on the stage.

Val Venis beats "Too Sexy" Brian Christopher. After the match, Christopher and "Too Hot" Scott Taylor attacks Venis, but Taka Michinoku runs into the ring and teams up with Venis to take them out. Yamaguchi-san then gets Venis' attention, challenging Venis to a match next week against Kaientai (Dick Togo, Men's Teioh, Sho Funaki), and if they win, he will give him a big surprise. Funaki places a large cylinder of sausage on the table, and Yamaguchi-san cuts it in half with the sword before telling Venis he will "choppy choppy your pee-pee." (It is revealed years later that this is the first-ever promo written by Shane McMahon.)

Michael Cole interviews L.O.D. 2000 (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk). Tonight, they say it will be proven if "The World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry really is the world's strongest man, while telling "The Godftahter' Kama Mustafa to bring anyone they want.

Before the next match, "The Godfather" Kama Mustafa is surrounded by a bevy of laides. Also, Road Warrior Hawk trips on his way to the ring and forgets his trademark shoulder pads.

The Nation ("The Godfather" Kama Mustafa and "The World's Strongest Man" Marh Henry) beat L.O.D. 2000 (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk). During the match, it is noted by Jim Ross on commentary that Hawk is "not quite himself" after receiving devastating news of a very personal nature, and it shows when Hawk falls off the top rope during the Doomsday Device.

It is time for the announcement of last night's bikini contest winner, hosted by Jerry "The King" Lawler. Jacqueline shows up with "Marvelous" Marc Mero first, followed by Sable in another Sable Bomb shirt. It is announced before the trophy presentation that the encore of Fully Loaded: In Your House is tomorrow night on pay-per-view. There is a trophy for the winner, followed by a much smaller consolation for the runner-up. Lawler is suddenly handed a note from the desk of WWF owner Vince McMahon, which states that since body paint does not constitute a bikini, Sable is disqualified and Jacqueline is declared the winner. Mero and Jacqueline celebrate with the winner's trophy and leave the ring, and Sable is given the consolation prize as Lawler says that Sable must be disappointed. Sable says she doesn't need a trophy to prove she won this contest, and that the fans spoke for themselves. She is not surprised at all that this happened, and in fact, expected it, and wishes Vince was man enough to tell her to her face. WWF owner Vince McMahon immediately shows up and questions that statement, and says he's met with a lot of ingrate that he's made Superstars, and never thought Sable would be one of them. Vince then confirms that he was the "knight in shining armor" who hired her back. A fan throws something at Vince, which Vince says is all right because next time, they will hit her. He admits that he hired her back due to her massive popularity with the WWF fans, but says that people like her are a dime a dozen, and he could snap his fingers and have her replaced by "any number of bimbos and airheads." Vince tells Sable she owes him, and when people like her owe him, he generally collects. However, your knight in shining armor will allow her to continue to be gainfully employed by the WWF for a little while longer as long as she does not become "an ungrateful bitch." Vince turns around, and Sable flips him off before removing her shirt to show off a revealing bikini underneath.

When the next match begins, a beach ball falls into the ring. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin takes the ball and kicks it back into the stands.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Undertaker retain the WWF Tag Team Championships against The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dog" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn). After the match, Austin gets a few beers, drinks one and tosses one to The Undertaker. The Undertaker opens the drink, stares down, and drinks. Austin is then suddenly attacked by Kane and Manind, and The Undertaker fights off Mankind as the show ends.

After the cameras go off the air, Kane and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin continue to fight in the ring. Austin hits Kane with a Stone Cold Stunner and celebrates as The Undertaker watches from the entrance ramp before leaving.

Raw Deal - Raw recap for July 6, 1998

RAW

The Undertaker shows up to start tonight's show. He calls out "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, demanding a shot at the WWF Championship right now. Michael Cole is seen on the TitanTron, looking for Austin backstage to see if he will answer the challenge. Michael Cole finds him, but Austin is in no mood to talk as he makes his way to the ring. Austin gets in the ring, but WWF owner Vince McMahon angrily interrupts, and says the inmates are attempting to run the asylum. Vince says nobody named him the #1 contender, and asks Austin who the hell he thinks he is, defending the WWF Championship whenever he wants against whomever he wants. Vince tells Austin he defends the title when he says so, and against an opponent of his choosing. However, since both men are so hell-bent to get it on, he is inclined to allow that to happen at Fully Loaded, and he doesn't care if they tear each other apart. However, he takes it one step further, and says they will be a tag team instead of opponents when they face Kane and Mankind at the event. Also, since The Undertaker is so hell-bent on being #1 contender for the WWF Championship, Vince will name a #1 contender for the title, and everyone will hang on his every word. Vince then salutes Austin with the middle finger, lest anyone misunderstand how he feels about Austin being WWF Champion. This enrages Austin, who heads right up the ramp to go after Vince.

Savio Vega beats Brakkus by points to continue to the next round of the Brawl For All Tournament.

"The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock beats "Double J" Jeff Jarrett by disqualification after Mabel, who has not been seen in the WWF since 1995, jumps the guardrail, gets in the ring and attacks Shamrock. Edge is seen in the crowd during the match. After the match, it is feared that Ken Shamrock has suffered rib injuries at the hands of Mabel, but even then, Shamrock is able to get up under his own power.

Michael Cole interviews "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock, who tells Cole he doesn't need his sympathy and challenges Mabel to a match tonight if he is any kind of a man.

Cader vs. Bradshaw comes to an end after Kane and Mankind attack both men. Before the match, it is announced that The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dog" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) will be defending the WWF Tag Team Championships against Kane and Mankind next week on Raw.

Paul Ellering is seen riding a motorcycle along with Skull and 8-Ball as they make their way to the ring before the next match, then guests on commentary to say that is time to write the final chapter of L.O.D. 2000 (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk), as they are prisoners of their own memories.

The Disciples of Apocalypse (Skull and 8-Ball) beat The Headbangers (Thrasher and Mosh).

D'Lo Brown, now wearing the chest protector to protect his torn pectoral muscles during the match - yet is also perceived to be giving D'Lo an edge during matches by being used as a weapon - beats Terry Funk after "The Godfather" Kama Mustafa punches Terry Funk in the back with a fist with his gold necklace wrapped around it in response for being knocked off the apron by Funk. After the match, The Undertaker shows up and fights off both D'Lo Brown and Kama Mustafa before choke slamming both men. Terry Funk grabs onto The Undertaker to pull himself up, but The Undertaker choke slams him, too.

WAR ZONE

WWF owner Vince McMahon shows up. Before he names a #1 contender for the WWF Championship, he asks for a few individuals to come to the ring: Mankind, Kane, and The Undertaker. All three of them head to the ring. Vince says that Mankind risked life and limb at King of the Ring, and that he feels his pain and his hurt before publicly thanking him for all he's done for the World Wrestling Federation. He then addresses Kane, saying he is one of the stupidest men he has ever seen in his life for his actions last week, which causes Kane to nearly attack him, but Vince tells him that a lot of people are forgiven for a lot of things around here, and admires the fact that Kane risked setting himself on fire if he lost at King of the Ring. Vince then addresses The Undertaker, whom he calls "an evil, diabolical excuse for a human being" for almost taking Mankind's life and setting Kane on fire in an Inferno Match at Unforgiven, but questions if The Undertaker knows he is better than "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and wants to be champion again more than than life itself. He then announces that the three of them will compete in a Triple Threat Match to see who the next #1 contender for the WWF Championship is.

Road Warrior Hawk and Darren Drozdov fight to a draw in the Brawl For All Tournament, with neither man advancing. During the match, Road Warrior Hawk loses his mouthpiece in the first round and Brawl For All referee Danny Hodge has to put it back in. It happens again in the third round, but Droz spits his mouthguard out and they go the rest of the round without their mouthguards.

"Marvelous" Marc Mero and Jacqueline show up, and Jacqueline speaks for the first time in the WWF. Jacqueline says she's been quiet long enough, and says she takes full responsibility for Mero losing last week. She knows Mero is the greatest boxer in the world, and blames their two-month anniversary where "they went 12 rounds" until "his tank was empty." Jacqueline goes on to say that Mero was deprived for a very long time before she met him, and says "Sable wasn't able" to fulfill his needs. Jacqueline says that Sable looks good, but that there's no motor under the hood, and couldn't shift into gear when Mero was ready to steer. Sable shows up, and tells Jacqueline she's got the story all wrong, and that she's always got the pedal to the metal but "Mark's tire was flat," and that Viagra wasn't around to keep his tank full. Jacqueline tells Sable the difference between them is that she's "100% woman" and knows what a man wants because she's got the goods, and that her body is prime real estate. Sable retorts by saying that the real question is "How many times have you rented it out?" Jacqueline calls Sable a skank, and tells her to prove it by challenging her to a bikini contest. Sable tells Jacqueline "Don't just blow it, show it" and that her bikini will be fully loaded and ready to drop the bomb on her.

Before the next match, Val Venis tells the crowd they are looking at the only man who has scored more times in Beaver Stadium than Joe Paterno.

Val Venis beats Dustin Runnels by disqualification after he is attacked from behind by Kaientai (DIck Togo, Men's Teioh, Sho Funaki). During the match, Edge is seen in the crowd again. After the match, Yamaguchi-san shows up with is wife, then Kaientai pick Val Venis up after attacking him and Yamaguchi-san tells Venis he is only have the man he is before slapping and mocking him.

The Nation of Domination shows up, but it is really D-Generation X ("Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Chyna, X-Pac, "Road Dog" Jesse James, "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) with impersonator Jason Sensation. Triple H is "The Crock" (a parody of "The Rock" Rocky Maivia, with "IC" in black tape stuck to the European Championship), Jason Sensation is Owen Hart, X-Pac is "Mizark Henry" (a parody of "The World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry complete with blackface and a fat suit), "Road Dog" Jesse James is "B-Lo" (a parody of D'Lo Brown with an umpire's vest with white tape in the center with the words "B-Lo" written on it in black), and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn is The Gunnfather (a parody of "The Godfather" Kama Mustafa). Chyna shows up as Chyna. Triple H makes a bathroom joke, then Road Dogg makes fun of D-Lo's top rope mannerisms before laying down face up in the center of the ring so that Triple H can make fun of The People's Elbow. Triple H then stops before elbow (with Road Dogg getting up) and says it when it comes to "The Crock" and the ladies, when he hits rock bottom, he has no choice but "to lay the smack down on himself." Road Dogg repeats the masturbation reference, then gets on the top rope and makes fun of D'Lo again. Jason Sensation says enough is enough and it's time for a chance, but nobody listens to him or cares what he thinks. He then asks what he is doing wearing his ridiculous outfit, as he looks like "a damn road sign" before asking if he is a school crossing. He then goes on to say he tried being a tough guy, but he just couldn't grow his damn beard in. He also says he is not a nugget, and that he is a black Hart, a winner and a soul survivor. He then says that if anyone smells what The Rock is cooking, it's him, and tells the crowd "Look how big my damn nose is!" he then asks if he is an aardvark. Road Dogg repeats the last question, then X-Pac gets on the microphone and says what The Rock is cooking "smells like shit" but he'll eat some anyway. Triple H says "Mizark" is "The World's Strongest Man," but asks how his pecs go all the way to his back. Road Dogg tries to repeat the last statement, but is told to shut up. He mocks D'Lo again anyway. DX then tells The Nation to suck it.

"The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock beats Mabel after catching Mabel on the way down from the top rope, putting him in a Fujiwara arm bar and then floating over to the ankle lock. Shamrock snaps and refuses to let go of the hold after the match is over, and when WWF Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter and referees try to calm him down, Shamrock lets go only to punch Mabel in the face a few times before scaring everyone off again. WWF owner Vince McMahon and Paul Bearer show up as everyone is on the way, and Vince congratulates Shamrock on the way to the commentary table to be special guest commentary for the next match.

No sooner does WWF owner Vince McMahon sit at the table does "Stone Cold" Steve Austin show up. Vince accuses Austin of stealing the spotlight from The Undertaker, Kane and Mankind, then Austin flips him off and also guests on commentary, wanting to know first-hand who the #1 contender to the WWF Championship. The Undertaker, however, fails to show up, and Vince leaves the table, sensing something is wrong. Vince McMahon tells ring announcer Tony Chimel to announce that The Undertaker is not here due to being "chickenshit," and that Vince has determined that the match to determine a #1 contender for the WWF Championship will be a one-on-one match between Kane and Mankind. Not only that, but it is a no-holds-barred and falls count anywhere in the building. Mankind sits near the stairs, saying he has given enough and will not give any more, as he will not fight his friend Kane. Vince rings the bell and tells Kane to fight Mankind. Kane gets out of the ring, grabs a steel chair, then smacks it into Mankind's head, driving it into the steel steps. Kane then rolls Mankind into the ring, drags him to the center of the ring, and pins Mankind with the Tombstone Piledriver cover. Kane then unmasks...and it's The Undertaker. The show immediately ends.