Raw Deal - Raw recap for June 7, 1999

RAW

WWF co-owner Vince McMahon shows up to start tonight's show. He says there seems to be a great deal of interesting in who "the higher power" is. He admits his personal interest has been tweaked ago, and he remembers three months ago when The Undertaker first made reference to it. Since then, this "higher power" has weaved its wicked web of evil, and if it is true that this "higher power" is more demonic than The Undertaker, he would like to meet it, although he believes he has already has. He says there are some rumors could be WWF Commissioner "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, a member of the McMahon family, Jake "The Snake" Roberts or even the bartender at the end of the block. Vince says whoever it is, he intends to go no holds barred with "the higher power" tonight. He believes "the higher power" is a member of the McMahon family. He knows WWF co-owner Shane McMahon can hear his voice, and challenges him to a no-holds-barred match tonight where his 50% controlling interest in the WWF is put on the line...but only if Shane puts his 50% controlling interest in the company on the line at all. Vince says that this match will not only be no holds barred, it will be winner take all. Shane shows up and accepts Vince's challenge; however, he is not "the higher power." Neverthless, he will have The Undertaker come out in a few moments and reveal "the higher power."

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin is seem talking to someone who is inside a white limousine as he makes his way into the building.

The Corporate Ministry shows up. The Undertaker says he has prophesied of a power even greater than he for months on end, and assembled an army to prepare for his eventual arrival. The Corporation and The Ministry laid the groundwork. He tells all the non-believers to prepare for the day of reckoning, for it is at hand. The Undertaker announces that "the higher power" has arrived, and presents "the higher power" for all to see. A figure in a burgundy robe shows up and walks down the aisle. The Undertaker stands among the rest of The Corporate Ministry, who all bow to "the higher power." "The higher power" takes the microphone, and WWF co-owner Shane McMahon's voice can be heard saying that he was not "the higher power," and that nobody wanted to believe him. All the while, the robed figure moves its head up and down as if it were speaking. Shane then shows up from backstage, and says that maybe we should, as "the higher power" is omniscient, cold and calculated, and a master at screwing with people's minds. "The higher power" is a master planner, methodical in his methods, and a master of human psychology. "The higher power" knows what makes all of us ticks, and exploits it all for the betterment of The Corporate Ministry and for personal amusement. Shane asks WWF co-owner Vince McMahon to come down to the ring to reveal "the higher power" to the world, as he needs a witness and he wants to see the look on his face. Vince is seen on the TitanTron, saying he is close enough where he stands right here and now. He says the games are over and asks "the higher power" show his face to the world now. "The higher power' reveals his face...and it is Vince himself. Vince says "It's me, Austin! It's me, Austin! It was me all along, Austin!" Jim Ross responds on commentary with "Aw, son of a bitch!" and "I can't believe he's..." Vince brags about how everyone bought what was going on hook, line and sinker, as well as how his immediate family bought it. He says everyone was made fools of, and says he didn't really want to have to do it, but "Stone Cold" Steve Austin made him fool everyone, as he had to teach him a lesson that he would never, ever forget. He says that Austin knows there is no price he will not pay, no depth that he will stoop to make Austin's life a total, complete living hell. He thanks Shane, The Undertaker, and the rest of The Corporate Ministry. All of a sudden, Linda and Stephanie McMahon - Vince's wife and daughter, respectively - show up. Stephanie wants to know why Vince and Shane could be so cruel to her. Vince says that they were not trying to hurt her and that it was just business, and that love had nothing to do with it and that they still love her. Linda takes the microphone, and says they might as well talk business. Vince tells Linda he loves her. Linda tells Vince she loves him, but to quote him, love has nothing to do with business. Vince tells Linda she does not want to go there, but Linda says she does, and corrects the lie that Vince and Shane each own 50% of this company, and says that she and Stephanie also own shares, meaning all four family members own equal controlling interests. She also says that Vince and Shane did not grow WWF on his own, and that she and a lot of others have equally worked as hard behind the scenes to make the World Wrestling Federation successful. She also reveals that she had called an emergency meeting with the board of directors, of which Vince says he was not notified. Linda says that is too bad, and reveals that there will be sweeping changes, starting with the dress code. She says it will look a little more casual, and that cut-off jeans may be the dress of the day at the office. A sprinkling of profanity at the office for when the situation calls for it will be just fine. Also, an ice-cold alcoholic beverage at the end of the work day will be encouraged. She then announces that she has stepped down as CEO of WWF before hand-picking her own successor, who will have full power and privileges as he sees fit. Linda and Stephanie then introduce the new CEO: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, who shows up with a tie around his neck along with what he usually wears along with a clipboard in his hand. Austin takes off the power tie, since he has the power finger which he proceeds to flip Vince off. He says that paperwork and clipboards are not his style, and that it takes some time to get the adjustments just right when thrown in a corporate setting, then tells Vince he will do everything in his power to make this new transition of power as soon as possible. He then drinks a beer, and says he is getting used to "this corporate crap" already. He says that the board has agreed earlier today that he will have a title shot at a later date and take back the WWF Championship. Also, for the immediate focus, his focus is on Vince and Shane, and at King of the Ring (of which he says that nobody knows how important that event is like he does), he will be in a handicap match against both Vince and Shane. Finally, he gets to kick both of their asses at the same time. Vince says he is on, and says he and Shane can take him any day of the week. He may have to have a few stipulations here and there, but it is on. Austin says he doesn't give a rat's ass what Vince thinks. He then puts Shane in a handicap match against X-Pac and Kane as a result of screwing them out of the tag team titles. He then says he is a good sport, and wishes Shane good luck. He then lets the rest of The Union (Big Show, Test, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock) get a free pass tonight, and lets them have a match against anyone they choose, while telling Mankind to get well soon. "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley will be in a Cast Match where one of Triple H's legs is put in a full cast before he faces The Rock. He says that if anybody has any problems, he will be in his dressing room, and if he's not busy drinking too much beer, he might open the door and talk to you.

WWF co-owners Linda and Stephanie McMahon congratulate "Stone Cold" Steve Austin on becoming the new CEO with a briefcase full of cans of beer.

The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw) retain the WWF Tag Team Championships against The Brood (Gangrel and Edge). During the match, The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt Hardy) and Michael Hayes show up and attack Christian after the match is over.

Two men dressed suspiciously like The Mean Street Posse (Rodney and Pete Gas) in Kane and Mankind masks are seen in the front row.

The Union (Big Show, Test, "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock) is interviewed in the ring by Michael Cole. Big Show sends a special thanks to "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, whom he calls "the toughest S.O.B. he's ever met" and "the toughest CEO he's ever worked for." He then says that he will take on The Undertaker tonight, and that if The Undertaker wants to play hardball, he will get his wish. He threatens to choke slam The Undertaker all the way through the ring. He also wants the WWF Championship on the line, as well. Shamrock gives a shout-out to Mick Foley, who is recovering from a knee injury back home. He says that The Union will take care of business, and speaking of business, Jeff Jarrett will have to wait for some abuse, as he has someone else that he wants to abuse. Since The Union has an open season ticket on whoever they want thanks to Austin, he has someone he really, really wants: WWF co-owner Vince McMahon. He wants to take him on a little stroll back in time, back when he rescued WWF co-owner Stephanie McMahon from the clutches of The Ministry when nobody else wanted to. He says that Vince embarrassed and humiliated him, and wants him in the Lion's Den match, saying that Vince used him and that tonight, he will abuse him. Test says that there is only one person he wants in the ring, and asks Stephanie McMahon to come to the ring. Stephanie shows up. All the while, WWF co-owners Vince and Shane McMahon are watching all this from the back, and they are not happy about anything that is going on, especially Stephanie coming to the ring. Test says it has been a rough couple of months, and says Vince and Shane may not like Stephanie dating a wrestler. He then asks her for a date. Stephanie says she would love to. Shane and Vince are absolutely mortified.

"Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley gets physical with the doctor who is putting his leg in a cast for his Cast Match later tonight.

WAR ZONE

Shane McMahon vs. X-Pac and Kane in a handicap match ends after the front row fans in the Kane and Mankind masks from earlier jump the guardrail, get in the ring and attack X-Pac, allowing Shane to run away . When they run to the rail and unmask, Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco show up and fight them before tossing them into the ring, where Kane and X-Pac are waiting to give them what for. Rodney gets a Bronco Buster, while Pete Gas gets a choke slam and a Tombstone Piledriver.

Debra tells Michael Cole that she does not have to defend her WWF Women's Championship as she has 30 days to defend it. She then says that if Nicole Bass wants to compete tonight, they will do it her way. She challenges her to a bikini contest, and if Nicole wins, she gets a title shot. If Debra wins, then Nicole needs to bark up another tree and leave her puppies alone.

The Rock beats "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley in a Cast Match by disqualification after The Undertaker shows up and hits The Rock with a choke slam and a Tombstone Piledriver as The Rock readies a People's Elbow on a steel chair on top of Triple H after a chair shot to Triple H's back. Big Show runs in, and The Undertaker leaves the ring along with Triple H and Chyna. Referees check on The Rock afterwards.

It is time for the bikini contest between Debra and Nicole Bass. Jerry "The King" Lawler volunteers his services as a judge to the contest. Debra and Jeff Jarrett show up, followed by Nicole Bass and Val Venis. Nicole shows off her bikini first, followed by Debra. Debra wins the popularity contest by a close margin. Nicole takes her heels off, and Val Venis and Jeff Jarrett have a shoving match that turns into a brawl. Nicole grabs Jarrett's guitar, but Debra pulls Jarrett out of the way and Nicole accidentally nails Val Venis in the head with a guitar shot. Val Venis screams at Nicole, saying that she is nothing but a screw-up and that she cannot do anything right. Nicole tells Val Venis that he has a problem, and says "Screw you!" Nicole Bass walks out on Val Venis, kicking him to the curb.

GDTV, now known as GTV, sees bathroom footage of P.M.S. (Teri Runnels, Jacqueline, Ryan Shamrock). They are seen looking at an issue of WWF Magazine, and they all make fun of the various men in the WWF, saying that none of them measure up. Terri Runnels also implies that Dustin Runnels aka Goldust has a micropenis. (Seriously.)

The Godfather beats "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn after "Road Dogg" Jesse James shows up and hits Billy Gunn with a pump handle slam as the referee is pre-occupied with counting out The Godfather outside of the ring. During the match, it is announced that as per new WWF CEO "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, if any member of The Corporate Ministry interferes in either "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock vs. Vince McMahon in a Lion's Den Match or Big Show vs. The Undertaker for the WWE Championship, they will be fired on the spot. After the match, Road Dogg chases Billy Gunn to the back.

Michael Cole interviews Droz. As he says he is ready for Al Snow in the Hardcore Division, Droz pukes, as does Prince Albert. Michael Cole is shocked by the situation.

Al Snow beats Droz in a hardcore match that makes its way into a nearby bar inside of the arena.

Michael Cole interviews WWF co-owner Vince McMahon, who simply asks "Do you think...I'm afraid...of ["The World's Most Dangerous Man"] Ken Shamrock?"

Vince McMahon beats "The World's Most Dangerous Man" with the ankle lock. Before the match, Vince locks himself inside the cage by wrapping a chain around the cage door, and as Vince uses the chain to keep Shamrock out, he eventually pulls it all the way away from around the door and allows Shamrock in. When that happens, however, Jeff Jarrett nails Shamrock with a steel chair, and Vince McMahon applies Shamrock's trademark ankle lock to Shamrock himself.

WWF co-owners Vince and Shane McMahon are seen running into a limo, which speeds out of the arena.

Big Show vs. The Undertaker for the WWF Championship ends after Big Show choke slams The Undertaker completely through the ring. Jim Ross announces that Big Show has choke slammed The Undertaker "all the way to Hell." The Undertaker retains the WWF Championship. Bradshaw shows up only to be choke slammed, as does Faarooq. The Undertaker escapes, and Mideon arrives to get choke slammed as Paul Bearer catches up with 'Taker.

Raw Deal - Raw recap for April 19, 1999

RAW

The Rock shows up driving a hearse. He tells "Stone Cold" Steve Austin that he threw his custom-made WWF Championship belt, his career and Austin himself so far over the bridge that he is never coming back. After we see a funeral wreath, flowers and a casket near the hearse, The Rock says that he buried Austin's custom-made title and his career, and tonight, he will bury his "dead monkey ass." He says tonight will have an old-fashioned funeral for Austin with The Rock himself delivering the eulogy. We see the casket, the flowers, a picture of Austin, some dirt and even a burial plot as the crowd chants for Austin, whom The Rock says will be buried underneath his feet where he belongs. He says it will feel almost as good as when he threw him over the bridge and into the river last week. He says Austin could have drowned, but he could care less. This Sunday at Backlash, when he beats Austin and walks out as WWF Champion, Austin will find out why he is the best damn WWF Champion there ever was.

We see that a camera is positioned outside in case "Stone Cold" Steve Austin makes his way to the arena tonight.

WWF co-owner Vince McMahon is seen with Stephanie McMahon and Michael Cole live at the WWF TV studios in Stamford, Connecticut.

Before the next match, "Road Dogg" Jesse James tells Owen Hart that he may think he and Jeff Jarrett may think they are the #1 contenders for the WWF Tag Team Championships, but he and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn see things differently. If Owen can beat him tonight, then there is no doubt that he and Jeff Jarrett are the #1 contenders; however, if Road Dogg wins, then he and everyone around the world wants to "see [Debra's] puppies."

"Road Dogg" Jesse James beats Owen Hart. As Debra is about to expose her breasts, Jeff Jarrett shows up with a guitar and stops her.

The Undertaker is seen with Paul Bearer while talking to The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw). He tells them that they are his personal instruments of destruction, and that The Brood (Gangrel, Edge, Christian) must be destroyed. He tells them to show no mercy, as they have bigger things to do than to deal with them. He then tells The Acolytes not to fail him.

The Rock is seen rehearsing his lines for his "eulogy" for "Stone Cold" Steve Austin backstage.

The Brood (Gangrel and Edge) vs. The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw) ends after "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock shows up with a baseball bat and smashes Bradshaw with it. After the match, The Undertaker and Paul Bearer are seen backstage, and The Undertaker throws things around as he says that he has no time for failure.

WWF SmackDown, a new prime-time special, is coming soon...

In footage from during the break, The Acolytes (Faarooq and Bradshaw) pay penance for failing The Undertaker by way of a backstage beatdown.

The Godfather retains the WWF Intercontinental Championship against Hardcore Holly. During the match, The Godfather inadvertently knocks referee Jimmy Korderas down during a scoop slam, and Holly takes advantage by hitting The Godfather repeatedly with an aluminum baking tray, a broom and a steel chair. After The Godfather kicks the steel chair into Holly's face, Goldust shows up and attacks The Godfather outside of the ring while Al Snow shows up through the crowd and nails Holly with Head. Nevertheless, The Godfather is able to get the pinfall. After the match, The Godfather takes Goldust down while Holly runs through the crowd in search of Al Snow before The Godfather celebrates with his hos.

The Undertaker is seen talking to Mideon via walkie talkie, and tells Mideon not to fail him or he will pay penance at the hands of the Lord of Darkness.

The Rock is seen getting his shoes shined backstage.

"The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock beats The Big Boss Man in a No Holds Barred Match. After the match, the lights go out and The Undertaker can be heard before he appears on the TitanTron. He tells Shamrock that it is getting late, and asks if he knows where is sister is at because he does. He also says he expects more out of him than to leave his sister alone in a run-down hotel off a nearby highway. He says he knows what room Ryan Shamrock is at, and says he may just start knocking on the door of room 223.

The Mean Street Posse (Rodney and Pete Gas) guest on commentary for the next match.

WAR ZONE

Mankind beats "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley by disqualification after Chyna trips Mankind and drags him groin first into the ring post. After the match, Rodney, Pete Gas and The Corporation attack Mankind. Triple H is about to put Mankind in a Pedigree into a steel chair when "The Big Show" Paul Wight shows up and goes after The Corporation. Test is shoved his way, and he easily falls victim to a choke slam by Big Show. After The Corporation run to the back, Mankind tells Big Show says he appreciates the sentiment, but in six days, they still have a date with destiny in the boiler room, and he will see him then.

The Rock is seen on a cell phone at his car outside of the arena talking about his eulogy for "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and bragging about tossing Austin over the bridge last week.

Before the next match, "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn says that Jeff Jarrett cheated the crowd out of some "T&A," and says that we will see some after he wins.

"Bad Ass" Billy Gunn beats Jeff Jarrett by disqualification. During the match, Owen Hart shows up and trips Gunn. "Road Dogg" Jesse James runs in and chases after Owen, but referee Earl Hebner stops Road Dogg. This allows Owen and Jarrett to double-team Gunn for a little while. Later on, Road Dogg nails Jarrett from the apron as Hebner is dealing with Debra, and Debra eventually gets on the apron with her breasts exposed. Gunn moons Debra before hitting Jarrett with the Fameasser, then Owen Hart gets in the ring and breaks up the pinfall, ending the match. As Owen and Jarrett take the boots to Road Dogg, Debra strips down to her bra and is about to take off her skirt when Jarrett covers her up with his guitar. Jarrett, Debra and Owen then leave.

The Rock refuses an interview with WWF.com.

"The Big Show" Paul Wight vs. Viscera ends with The Undertaker and Paul Bearer showing up. The Undertaker and Big Show stare down, then both men start fighting. The Undertaker tries to choke slam Big Show, but Big Show gets his hand around The Undertaker's throat. Viscera attacks Big Show, then Viscera and The Undertaker gang up on Big Show. Mankind rushes into the ring to return the favor for Big Show and fights Viscera off as The Undertaker escapes, and Big Show hits Viscera with a big boot.

Michael Cole interviews WWF co-owner Vince McMahon live at WWF's TV studios. Vince says he has always been proud of his son Shane McMahon even when he was a boy, and even though he was not always there for him and there are moments he wishes he would recapture, he has always been proud of him until last week, when Shane slapped him across the face. Stephanie McMahon, who is there with Vince, does not know what to think about her brother Shane anymore, and says she feels like she does not know him or anybody anymore. She says that her father Vince has been the one person who has always been by her side, and she hopes that everything going on can come to an end. Suddenly, a security guard says there is a problem in the parking lot. Vince asks him to stay with Stephanie while another one accompanies him to the parking lot. Vince finds Mideon and fights him himself, then gets in a car and tries to run him over, but Mideon tosses Vince out of the car and speeds off.

Before the next match, Val Venis says "The Big Valbowski" has done it. He has solved the Y2K problem, and says all you have to do is add a few extra megabytes of RAM from this hard drive, and he promises the ladies won't care what year it is. Suddenly, Sable shows up, and Val Venis helps her into the ring. Sable tells everyone to stop begging as there will be no grind tonight, but she does have a special announcement and Val Venis' match will have to wait. In two short weeks, she will be shooting her second edition of Playboy Magazine, and if you thought the first one was hot, just wait until you see this one. Suddenly, Ivory shows up with D'Lo Brown, and Ivory and Sable start a catfight. Venis tries to stop the fight, but D'Lo Brown starts fighting Venis. Nicole Bass shows up and pulls Ivory off of Sable before choke slamming Ivory. Sable puts the boots to Ivory before D'Lo Brown carries Ivory to the back.

The Rock shows up and reads his eulogy for "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, and asks if Austin's roody-poo candy ass will fit in the casket. He says that vision will have to wait until Backlash to become a reality, and since he knew that Austin would not join him here tonight, he has brought something else to bury: Austin's custom-made WWF Championship belt, which he is wearing underneath his suit jacket. He says that throwing it in the river was not good enough, and says he will bury it six feet under so it can rot like Austin's career. He says that Austin had better smell what he is cooking, because he will come snorting and spitting at Backlash, and he will spear his horns into Austin's candy ass. As he raises the custom-made belt up into the air, Austin shows up in an "Austin 3:16" monster truck. Austin finds The Rock's car, a new Lincoln Continental, then re-positions the car. He gets back into the monster truck and threatens to run it over, then backs it up and runs it over for real. He then drives the monster truck into the arena before getting out, swilling a beer on the hood, getting back in and running over the nearby hearse. Austin gets back out again and fights The Rock near the burial plot before clocking him into the grave with his custom-made WWF Championship. He then grabs a cooler full of beer, then pours out a cold one before drinking two more. He is then suddenly attacked from behind by WWF co-owner Shane McMahon with a shovel, then holds up the custom-made WWF Championship belt to end the show.