Raw Deal - Raw recap for December 29, 1997

Before the next match, The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust is dressed as Baby New Year, carrying a rattle and drinking out of an oversized baby bottle. Goldust wishes everyone a happy new year on behalf of himself and Luna Vachon, and says he is putting his name in the "1988 Royal Rumble." He knows that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin will also be in the Royal Rumble match, and is saying that he is the toughest S.O.B. in the World Wrestling Federation. Goldust says he is the toughest S.O.B., not Austin, and that he will prove it tonight. After spanking Steve Austin's ass, he's got a present for him as well. He pulls out a pair of black panties from his diaper and tells Austin they can play dress-up, with him being Austin's Barbie girl and Austin being his big Ken. He tells Austin to drive himself the ring in his little pink Corvette so they can get it on. Austin gets in the ring and grabs the microphone, and Austin talks about how he was paralyzed earlier this year, before saying that he's still here and that the language, fingers and violence will continue into 1998. He tells Goldust he won't wrestle him tonight, and instead says he has a gift for him. As Austin insults Goldust and says he does what he wants, when he wants, something comes down from the roof. Once it's low enough, Austin pulls on a cord to drag it towards the ring and it eventually lands there. After a ring worker unhooks it from the roof, Austin pulls the black cover off of it to reveal it is a port-a-potty. He says 4 out of 5 construction workers agreed it stinks like hell as they passed by it outside, and asks the crowd to give him a "hell yeah" if they agree. Goldust tries to get in the ring and attack him from behind the port-a-potty, but Austin sees it coming and slams the port-a-potty door before he lays him out and tosses him in the port-a-potty. He then says that's exactly where you go when you mess with Steve Austin. Goldust gets out of the port-a-potty, but Austin gives him a Stone Cold Stunner, pushes him back in and then pushes the port-a-potty over. Austin then stands on top of it and says that's the first commode full of whup-ass he's ever opened, and it's not the last. Austin then grabs a bottle of baby powder at the apron and tosses it into the ring before leaving.

It is noted that a wooden crate is on the stage.

The Disciples of Apocalypse (Skull, 8-Ball, Chainz) beat Los Boricuas (Savio Vega, Miguel Perez, Jesus Castillo Jr.) in a Long Island Brawl despite interference from Jose Estrada after Savio Vega accidentally kicks Jesus Castillo Jr. in the head from the apron. During the match, it is announced that Crush has decided not to be in the WWF anymore after being attacked by Kane. (In reality, he left partially due to the Montreal Screwjob.)

"Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Chyna are in the ring, and Triple H is seen with his leg in a cast and two crutches in his hands. He is sorry to inform everyone that he will not be able to defend the WWF European Championship last night, as he dislocated his kneecap last night during a match. He tells Owen Hart he will have to wait for him to stomp his guts in. He tells The Undertaker that "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels isn't here tonight as he is at home with a 102-degree fever and "is shivering and sweating and has the sick thing going." He tells The Undertaker he will have to wait until Royal Rumble to rest in pieces. The Undertaker's music hits, but instead of The Undertaker, out comes a few druids wheeling out a casket. All of a sudden, Triple H says there's one thing left to do: break it down. "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels comes out of the casket, which is covered in DX-related graffiti. Shawn says that D-Generation X (Shawn, Triple H, Chyna) would like to bring in the new year with style, and if it were up to the WWF, they'd have him roll out in a casket with "two skanks," but since he takes only the finest women, one of whom is in Venice, California, he'd rather come out alone than with "two ugly bimbos." He then introduces the two new members of D-Generation X: Chyna's breasts. Shawn says Chyna is not only the toughest woman in the WWF, but "the breast damn woman in town." Triple H says that if Chyna had a nipple for every time someone said she was "the breast damn woman here," she'd be a millionaire and they'd have to change their name to "Double D-Generation X." Shawn tells Owen Hart he is lucky that Triple H is lucky, but in due time, he will be better and rid the World Wrestling Federation of "that tiny little nugget." At Royal Rumble, The Undertaker will fail to beat him after a third chance, which he has given him out of the goodness of his heart. Shawn talks to Chyna's breasts, saying she understands her and that he can talk to her, but Chyna tells him "eyes up here." Shawn then looks at the camera and says 1998 will be the year of D-Generation X, and absolutely nobody is going to crash their party. WWF Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter shows up, and Shawn and Triple H make fun of Slaughter's gut. Slaughter orders Shawn to defend the WWF Championship against Owen Hart tonight before wishing DX a happy new year.

The Disciples of Apocalypse (Skull, 8-Ball, Chainz), The Headbangers (Thrasher and Mosh), Scott Taylor and Flash Funk plot against Kane in the locker room.

"Thea World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock beats Kama Mustafa with the ankle lock after Faarooq distracts the referee only for D'Lo Brown to accidentally kick Kama Mustafa in the side of the head from the apron. After the match, "The Rock" Rocky Maivia, finally shows up and says he has received a lot of fan mail and phone calls asking how he feels about he elderly and Social Security, and says that as long as his pockets are lined with green, he doesn't give a damn about either of those things. He tells Shamrock that he thought he was lucky, but after tonight, he's lucky as hell. Next week, the luck streak will run out, as Shamrock will come face-to-face with Faarooq, who is amazed by this statement. He tells Shamrock that he has seven days before he gets his bad ass kicked. He tells D'Lo and Kama to know their role, and tells Faarooq to head to the back. Faarooq is still staring a hole through The Rock even after this.

In footage form earlier today, Vince McMahon says that the seats around him will be filled by WWF fans. As WWF looks back on the year 1997, the WWF thanks the fans for all the moments they've shared together while committing that 1998 will be the most action-packed year ever. Vince then says "As the old saying goes: you ain't seen nothin' yet."

Before the next match, Jerry "The King" Lawler is in the ring with "Too Sexy" Brian Christopher. Lawler can't believe that he and Christopher have to face Taka Michinoku and a mystery partner tonight, but at the same time, they don't care who it is. Lawler also says that Christopher's father is none other than Jim Ross, and that Christopher will be refereed to as "Good Ol' B.C." After Taka shows up, it is announced that his mystery partner is George "The Animal" Steele, who immediately chases Lawler and Christopher out of the ring before tearing up two turnbuckles.

Jerry "The King" Lawler and "Too Sexy" Brian Christopher beat Taka Michinoku and George "The Animal" Steele by disqualification when Steele uses a foreign object to counter one being used by Lawler. After the match, The Animal grabs a drink container from underneath the ring and throws it at referee Jimmy Korderas.

The wooden crate on the stage has started to move...

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

The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dog" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) show up in New York Rangers jersey and with hockey sticks in their hands. We then see a video package of their "greatest hits," where they gloat about injuring Dude Love and putting Mankind in a walk-in freezer. All of a sudden, Dude Love's music plays, then Dude Love appears on the TitanTron. He says they broken his ribs and his heart, and that they did not play by the rules. He announces he will step down and let another man do the fighting for him. Dude Love then transforms into Mankind, and says he has been looking forward to this moment. His body may have thawed out, but his heart remains frozen, which is bad news for The New Age Outlaws. He then realizes that they may not have committed a crime, but instead gave him a favor, because it's all starting to make sense. They're on Raw in Long Island, New York, and he's finally home. He transforms into Cactus Jack, and says he's going to kick their asses. He also tells Mrs. Foley that he's not alone and has help in the form of "Chainsaw Charlie." Cactus Jack then shows up with a barbed wire baseball bat, and The New Age Outlaws immediately go to town on him. It doesn't take long until Cactus Jack puts both men in the Mandible Claw, and the match starts.

Cactus Jack beats The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dog" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) by disqualification after the match continues to spiral out of control. After the match, Cactus Jack dares The New Age Outlaws to follow him, and the fight goes to the stage. After Cactus Jack sends Jesse James into the wooden crate, a chainsaw starts cutting through the crate. Inside is Chainsaw Charlie, who chases after The New Age Outlaws with a chainsaw. The New Age Outlaws have no choice but to run away.

Sable shows up, and it is announced that Sable is on split covers of the newest issue of Raw Magazine, available on newsstands tomorrow. She is proud of the new swimsuit issue available, and decides to give the fans a preview of what to expect. "Marvelous" Marc Mero shows up with a steel chair in his hands as Sable is about to disrobe, and asks her if she would do anything to humiliate him. Sable says "no," and Mero says people came here to see him wrestler, not to see her take her clothes off. Kevin Kelly tells Mero to take it easy, but Mero tells Sable that she'd be nothing without him and calls Kevin Kelly "a third-string announcer" before hitting him with a low blow. Mero then yells at Sable again, then Tom Brandi gets in the ring and strikes Mero from behihnd before helping Sable out of the ring. Mero then hits Tom Brandi from behind with the steel chair before hitting him with the TKO and stuffing the cover of the new Raw Magazine down his throat and a picture of Sable from the magazine in his trunks. Mero then says that if he sees any more posters, pictures or magazine covers of Sable, he'll do to the entire crowd what he did to Brandi. He then says that he is the star of this show.

The Disciples of Apocalypse (Skull, 8-Ball, Chainz), The Headbangers (Thrasher and Mosh), Scott Taylor and Flash Funk are seen heading into the ring...

The Disciples of Apocalypse (Skull, 8-Ball, Chainz), The Headbangers (Thrasher and Mosh), Scott Taylor and Flash Funk are in the ring. Chainz grabs the microphone and tells Kane that if he thinks The Undertaker has burned him, then they haven't been burned by The Disciples of Apocalypse and everyone else in the ring. Chainz then calls Kane out so they can put his fire out. Kane and Paul Bearer show up, then The Undertaker follows suit. Kane and The Undertaker stare down, then they suddenly join forces and fight off all seven men. They then stare down again, and The Undertaker leaves the ring. Paul Bearer is shocked, as is Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler. The Undertaker then speaks into the camera, saying he will not fight Kane and that he will burn in Hell before he does.

Michael Cole interviews The New Age Outlaws ("Road Dog" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn) backstage, who are more worried about Chainsaw Charlie than they are about their tag team title defense against The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) at Royal Rumble. The buzzing sound of a chainsaw is heard, and a chainsaw cuts through the door to the locker room. Cole and the Outlaws run for the hills while Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie look for the Outlaws.

Jim Cornette talks about the state of the wrestling industry in 1998. He says the state of wrestling stinks. He says the WCW and nWo stinks, that ECW is embarrassing and that the WWF stinks. He talks about The Artist Formerly Known As Goldust and Luna Vachon dressed up as a Christmas tree and a reindeer, respectively, as well as "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley "showing their buttcheeks on national TV and having a phony match for a championship." He says that nobody has respect for wrestling anymore and asks where wrestling - not "sports entertainment" - is. Just a couple of years ago, he left Tennessee and moved to Connecticut to work in the WWF full-time, which he compares to "trading a Hawaiian vacation for a bed in the cancer ward." He talks about how in Connecticut, there is snow seven months out of the year, there are real estate prices that would make Donald Trump's hair stand on end, and there is the rudest bunch of people he's ever seen where English is a second language and traffic jams occur at four o'clock in the morning. Over the last couple of years, however, he says he hasn't seen any wrestling. He admits there are plenty of great wrestlers in the WWF, but they don't have any time to wrestle due to everything else going on. He says the problem is that "a game show host from Minneapolis with phony hair, phony teeth and a phony tan" is running WCW while the WWF is run by Yankees up north in Connecticut who wouldn't know a wrestling match if it bit them as they sit around all day listening to fans on the Internet who wouldn't know a wrist lock from a wrist watch. He doesn't care what some Yankee from New York City wants to see; he wants to see wrestling matches with wrestlers. He wants to see real, old-fashioned wrestling and people with respect for the traditions of the wrestling industry and the sport of wrestling in general. He doesn't want to see sports entertainment and flying donkey all around. He thinks it's garbage, insulting and a shame to a fine sport. Down South, they know wrestling and grew up on it and respected it. He says it's about time that the promoters in today's industry realize that wrestling fans watching a wrestling program want to see wrestlers wrestle. The problem is that nobody has respect for tradition like he does, and says he has always been associated with real, good, old-fashioned wrestling and not a circus sideshow. If nobody else wants to bring wrestling over here, then maybe it's going to be up to him. He says it might as well be his New Year's resolution for 1998 to bring tradition and real wrestling back to the WWF.

Sunny shows up and shows off her cover for the newest issue of Raw magazine, as well as a fold-out poster of her in a swimsuit. It is then announced that former world heavyweight boxing championship "Iron" Mike Tyson has started negotiations to appear at WrestleMania 14 on March 29th in Boston, Massachusetts. Details of his WrestleMania appearance will be elaborated on when updates are available.

Owen Hart beats "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels by disqualification after "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley hits Owen Hart with one of his crutches and continues to do so. The referee is knocked down as the match ends. "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels retains the WWF Championship.

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.

Raw Deal - Raw recap for November 24, 1997

The show starts with Harvey Wippleman - aka "Handsome Harvey" - dressed up like "Ravishing" Rick Rude, coming out to his music and even carrying the steel Halliburton briefcase. He calls the crowd "fat, ugly out-of-shape North Carolina nobodies" and tells them to give him his complete and total silence before bringing out D-Generation X ("The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Chyna). Shawn says "Lord knows that was a tough spot to fill" - indicating that "Ravishing" Rick Rude is no longer int he group and no longer in the WWF - before he and Triple H boot Harvey out of the ring, then says that taking up airtime is apparently what he does. He hasn't had a lot of sleep since Survivor Series due to what happened between him and Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, and says he never thought it would end the way it did. He knows that he and Bret had their differences personally and professionally, but never in his wildest dreams did he think it would come down to telling Bret that he takes full and total responsibility for what happened that night. He says the world should know that Bret Hart is still under contract to the World Wrestling Federation until November 30th. Shawn says Bret deserved better, and so did Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation. As God as his witness, he and Bret have finally had contact with each other without anybody's knowledge - not the media's, the Internet's, the underground dirtsheet writers' or even Vince McMahon's. He and Bret have made an agreement. Tonight, they will settle this once and for all, and Shawn tells Bret this is up to him as this can end with either a handshake or a fight. He says he and Bret will meet face-to-face in the ring, and the controversy will be settled once and for all.

Before the next match, "Road Dogg" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn show up, making fun of The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk), wearing shoulder pads much like theirs, saying "Oooh, what a flush!" and saying they are going to wrestle "the last of the dinosaurs." The Legion of Doom do not take too kindly to this, and immediately take the fight to them on the entrance ramp, starting the tag team title match early.

"Road Dog" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn beat The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) to win the WWF Tag Team Championships! This happens after Animal accidentally shoulder tackles the referee, knocking him down. The Legion of Doom have the match won and are about to hit Gunn with the Doomsday Device when Road Dog hits Animal in the back with a chair. Another referee shows up and makes the three-count, allowing Road Dog and Billy Gunn to win the tag titles. During the match, it is announced that ECW has bought some time from WWF for this weekend and that their next pay-per-view, November To Remember, will take place live on pay-per-view on November 30th. After the match, the new champs head backstage and run straight into a Dodge Charger, speeding off in it and almost running into a white limousine as they speed away from the arena.

During the commercial break, referees, officials and even arena security try to calm down The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk), but an arena security guard gets hit with the Doomsday device.

We see a close-up of the white limousine. It is impossible to see who is inside, but it is assumed that Bret "The Hit Man" Hart is in the limo.

Goldust shows up, pushed out on a wheelchair by a nurse, giving the middle finger to everyone to the left of him with his right hand as his left remains in a cast - this one now being pink. Michael Cole interviews Goldust, who says that he is an invalid and that "it" - "it" being a broken hand - spread from his hand to his whole body and he became a paraplegic. He says he woke up and couldn't even move, and that it makes him a quadriplegic. He doesn't know if he will ever be 100% again, then asks Goldust to cross his legs for him, as he can't move them, then asks him to move his blanket, which he does. He then asks the nurse to rub alcohol across his shoulders, and says the alocholo is the only thing that soothes his souls. He thanks everyone for the support and the prayers, then Vader shows up ready to fight. Vader tells Goldust that the last time he saw him, he hit him with a ball peen hammer, and that there's nothing wrong with him or his hand. He tells Goldust to get out of the chair or he will make a permanent part of it. Vader punches Goldust, but the nurse squirts the alcohol into his eyes before taking off the scrubs and mask to reveal her true identity - Luna Vachon, who hasn't been seen in the WWF since 1995. Goldust gets out of the chair to attack Vader, revealing he had faked his injuries all along. Luna announces she is back as we see that Vader is still blinded.

We see a short video package of WWF Commissioner Sgt. Slaugher, covering his career and the recent events that have led up to the match between him and "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley at In Your House: D-Generation X. Michael Cole then interviews Slaughter on the stage. Slaughter says that it is not Helmsley and "The Heartbreak Kid' Shawn Michaels' attack on him that caused the match, but it was the personal attacks that did. He says that he will get back in the ring and fight, and Triple H will be fighting Sgt. Slaughter, not "Commissioner Slaughter," as the sports coat comes off, the fatigues come back on, the boots will be laced back up, the Slaughter Cannon will be locked and loaded, and the Cobra Clutch will be ready. He tells Triple H since he is the Commissioner of the World Wrestling Federation, not only will he be facing him on December 7th, he will make it "Slaughter Rules" and declares the match a Boot Camp Match. He asks Triple H to ask himself if he has ever smelled napalm in the morning, dug a foxhole, been pinned down in an ambush on Christmas Eve, or felt the cold steel of a bayonet inside in his guts, seen his fellow soldier blown up by a minefield, played Russian Roulette, awarded the Purple Heart, watched anyone die, or killed anybody with his bare hands. He tells Triple H December 7th will be a day of infamy for him, and that he might be dismissed...permanently.

"Too Sexy" Brian Christopher beats Flash Flanagan to continue to the semi-finals of the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship tournament. Jerry "The King" Lawler punches Flanagan out of the ring after the match.

The door of the white limousine is opened...

A new intro is played to signal the start of War Zone.

D-Generation X ("The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Chyna) show up. Triple H tells WWF Commissioner Sgt. Slaugher he can do whatever he wants, but the same shtick he came out with earlier is what he grew up with, and it scares him now as much as it did back then - not at all. He pledges to finish Slaughter off once and for all at In Your House: D-Generation X. He also says that he has heard that Sgt. Slaughter is supposedly some sort of Fort Bragg legend, then says that while all the G.I. Janes are pretending to be soldiers, their old ladies will be back here standing at attention for the sergeant with the purple helmet, keeping in tradition with last week's penis jokes. Shawn then says it's time to put it all aside and get the facts as the controversy comes to an end, and introduces Bret "The Hit Man" Hart to the ring. Bret's music hits, then a little person dressed like Bret "The Hit Man" Hart and wearing a Bret Hart mask shows up and gets in the ring. D-Generation X has a laugh at what's going on. Triple H then makes fun of Shawn and Bret's match at Survivor Series, and as the little person in the mask taps to the Sharpshooter, he says that Shawn is the man, the icon, the showstopper, the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be. He then calls D-Generation X the most powerful force in wrestling today. Triple H places a plastic decal on the butt of the little person that says "WCW" before playfully kicking him in the butt and saying "There you go! Right where you belong!" Suddenly, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, stating that he is The Hart Foundation. After hiding behind sunglasses for 15 years, he can see things clearly and calls D-Generation X degenerates. He states that he is married to a Hart, and threatens to kick their butts. Shawn says there's nothing standing between them but air and opportunity, and offers Jim the opportunity that Bret Hart never gave him. Ten years ago, when Shawn walked into the WWF, Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart were The Hart Foundation and the greatest tag team going then. He says Neidhart had the knowledge, the experience, the charisma and personality that Bret never had, and that he hasn't gotten much in the way of thanks from Bret or his family. With Bret at home, The British Bulldog having minor knee surgery, and Owen Hart being at home mentally distraught from what happened to Bret, Neidhart is standing alone and is here only because he has a family to feed and looking for opportunity. Shawn gives Neidhart an opportunity to join DX, and gives him until the end of the show to decide whether or not he should join.

It is announced that "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels will take on Vader in a non-title match later tonight as per WWF Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter.

We see footage of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin going out to eat with Survivor Series Super Supper Sweepstakes Jacqueline Brooks and some of her friends.

It is announced that a four-round Toughman fight between "Butterbean" Eric Esch and Marc Mero will take place at In Your House: D-Generation X.

"The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock beats Savio Vega with the ankle lock. During the match, Miguel Perez shows up as Savio Vega has the referee distracted and gets some cheap shots on Shamrock. He tries to stop Shamrock from locking in the ankle lock, but Shamrock sees him coming and knocks him out of the ring as soon as he gets in it. Perez confronts Shamrock after the match, but a referee holds both men back.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin shows up in a black Austin 3:16 pick-up truck...

Michael Cole interviews The Nation of Domination (Faarooq, D'Lo Brown, Kama Mustafa, Rocky Maivia) in the ring. "The Rock" takes the microphone, saying a jabroni shouldn't be asking him questions when he has all the answers. He says that he is the real Intercontinental Championship and "the best damn Intercontinental champ there ever was." At In Your House: D-Generation X, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin wants a knock-down, drag-out fight, which he has no problem, but he is fighting on his own terms and calling all the shots on that. The words "Rocky Sucks" show up on the TitanTron as red strobe lights spin around on the stage, saying that Austin wants to call him a jackass when it's obvious who the real jackass is. The arena lights dim in and out, and Rocky Maivia tells the rest of the Nation to "fix that incompetence." Suddenly, Austin shows up on the TitanTron, in the control room pressing buttons and twisting knobs. He tells Rocky that when he looks down at his beeper at the airport and it reads "316," he will know that his ass belongs to him. He tells the producer to wear a Stone Cold hat, then we see Austin behind Maivia. The TitanTron reverts to what's going bac on, and Rocky's beeper goes off. It is implied that Rocky sees the numbers "316" on it and Austin then attacks Rocky from behind. Austin runs out of the ring, grabs a steel chair, then charges at The Nation as soon as they get in the ring. The Nation retreats to the back, and Austin tells Rocky to take the belt and enjoy his Thanksgiving, then gives him "a little bird to enjoy right now" and flips him off.

Before the next match, Jeff Jarrett says he was born ready, but he has been re-reading his contract and mentions certain stipulations in his contract aren't being met, as he is not in a plush locker room and his meals are far from catered. He will not perform unless Vince McMahon performs. He also complains about his choice of opponent, saying nobody wants to see him wrestle Crush (who he calls "Chainz"). Jarrett tells Vince that if he wants to see him in the ring, he had better re-read the contract and live up to his end of the bargain. Crush beats Jeff Jarrett by forfeit, then Kane and Paul Bearer show up. Crush easily falls victim to the choke slam and the Tombstone Piledriver, and the rest of The Disciples of Apocalypse (Skull, 8-Ball, Chainz) show up. Referees and officials try to hold them back, and Kane choke slams Gerald Brisco.

Before the next match, "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels introduces Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart as the newest member of D-Generation X (Shawn, "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Chyna).

"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels beats Vader after Chyna distracts the referee to allow "Triple H" Hunter Helmsley to toss hot coffee into Vader's non-bandaged eye and hold him down from the apron to allow Shawn to hit Sweet Chin Music for the win. After the match, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart celebrates with Shawn and Triple H, then Chyna hits Neidhart with a low blow before Shawn and Triple H attack and double-cross him. After a Sweet Chin Music to Neidhart, Triple H punches out the referee, then the attack on Neidhart continues. Shawn says he is the man, the icon and the showstopper and that DX rules the wrestling world. Shawn and Triple H continue to attack Neidhart, then the show ends.

Raw Deal - Raw recap for October 20, 1997

The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) show up to stand at "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock and Ahmed Johnson's corner before the next match.

The Nation of Domination (Rocky Maivia and Kama Mustafa) beat Ahmed Johnson and "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock after Faarooq hits Shamrock with "Ravishing" Rick Rude's steel Halliburton briefcase. During the match, D-Generation X ("The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Chyna, "Ravishing" Rick Rude) are seen on the stage, with Triple H and Shawn sitting on lawn chairs while holding up signs with phrases such as "I'd rather be in Chyna?," "Who booked this crap?," "Uncle Tom 3:16," "Spank Me Vince," "Black is Beautiful," "Hey Vince Nice Shoulder Pads!," and "Buckwheat Rules." Rick Rude walks down the ramp and is seen talking to Faarooq. After the match, Ahmed goes after The Nation of Domination, and when The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) head back to the back, they are attacked with trash cans from behind by The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn). (It should be noted that as if in response to what Eric Bischoff said about not bringing the Assault On Devil's Island signs to WWF events at last week's Nitro, two official Assault On Devil's Island movie premiere signs are seen in the audience during this match.)

Michael Cole says The Nation of Domination (Faarooq, D'Lo Brown, Kama Mustafa, Rocky Maivia) isn't talking to anybody, and their locker room has been vandalized with graffiti by The Hart Foundation (Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Owen Hart, The British Bulldog, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart). The Nation shows up, and Faarooq immediately questions Vince McMahon's character, then Faarooq gets in the ring and says there is nothing but racism in the WWF thanks to the Foundation telling them and that "black people are the original natives of this country" before calling Bret Hart out. When Faarooq is left waiting for several seconds, it just makes his angrier. Bret's music finally hits, and the members of the Foundation show up one by one, and Faarooq and Bret have a match, which was scheduled for later tonight. D-Generation X ("The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Chyna, "Ravishing" Rick Rude) shows up again, and Shawn tries to stir the pot by calling Bret a racist and saying that the WWF needs a champion sees no color, creed or religion. When Bret sees Shawn, Bret leaves the ring, and this starts a ringside brawl between The Foundation and The Nation.

The WWF Tag Team Series 1 action figures from Jakks Pacific are now available.

Bret "The Hit Man" Hart beats Faarooq after "Stone Cold" Steve Austin pops out from the crowd during another ringside brawl between The Nation of Domination (Faarooq, D'Lo Brown, Kama Mustafa, Rocky Maivia) and The Hart Foundation (Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Owen Hart, The British Bulldog, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart) and hits Faarooq with a Stone Cold Stunner behind the referee's back before fleeing through the crowd. The Nation yells at Vince McMahon again on their way out.

You can read about Kane on the newest issue of WWF Magazine, on newsstands now!

Jeff Jarrett, fresh out of World Championship Wrestling, shows up out of nowhere. Last week, on Monday Nitro, he was declared everything but dead. Since he refused to accept Eric Bischoff's offer and re-sign with WCW, he did everything in his power to bury him and hid behind his computer and announced to the world that he pulled the offer off the table. He tells Eric that the only thing he pulled from him was opportunity, and since he wasn't one of "his boys," he put a lid on his potential and would only go as far as he wanted to, as there was no ladder of success for him to climb. Jarrett says he was one of the youngest, most talented wrestlers Bischoff had, but Bischoff let him drown in mediocrity because his stroke wasn't strong enough, as he was stuck with Steve "Mongo" McMichael and his now ex-wife Debra McMichael. He tells Vince McMahon not to snicker and smile and cherish this momment, because he left WWF two years ago for the same reason. He says Bischoff did this out of ignorance and inexperience, and asks what Vince's excuse was. As somebody throws a Scream mask at the commentary table (which Vince plays around with for a few seconds), he brings up the gold tooth, the country music star, and the vision of what Vince wanted "Double J" Jeff Jarrett to be. He tells Vince that his vision sucked, and Vince is like "Yeah, it may have," as he was booked with a clown, a drug addict and a black man who can't even speak English (references to Doink, Razor Ramon/Scott Hall and Ahmed Johnson, respectively). He says Vince tried to bury him and kill him off, but didn't get the job done, and since he didn't put his dad Jerry Jarrett out of business, he figured he would kill him off. Not only did he survive, but he walked out on Vince, and he finds it ironic they got back together to make a deal in which he gets paid more the second time around, as he knows Vince needs him to put people in seats and ratings on the board. Vince says he told him to come out here to shoot, and that is what he is doing, and he tells Vince to take With My Baby Tonight and shove it up his butt. From here on out, it's going to be his way, and if Vince tries to stop him, he'll pack his bags and walk out the door again. He then asks Vince if he can afford it, and says he couldn't, or he wouldn't have paid him all that money five days ago. He then focuses on the state of affairs in WWF. He says Bret "The Hit Man" Hart is only the best there was and nothing else, as he lives off name recognition and past accomplishments and that it all comes to an end tonight. He says "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels can only wrestle once a week and is proud of that, and asks how often Shawn can go when he acts juvenile and "gives hand signals to [his] boys in Atlanta." He says Shawn was the WWF Champion and the main attraction, but is broken down and reduced to hiding behind an infantile attitude. He says "Stone Cold" Steve Austin has lowered himself to shaving his head and showing up ten to fifteen times a week and saying "ass" to get a reaction, and that Austin will always be "The Ringmaster," and that his blasphemous merchandise and "Austin 3:16" offends him as he is ripping off the Bible to put money in his pockets. When he hooks up with Austin, it will be Austin's judgement day. He tells Vince he wanted - and got - the real Jeff Jarrett, and hopes the investment will be worth all his headaches.

We see some news clippings concerning the WWF coming to town in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in The Daily Oklahoman.

Marc Mero beats "Too Sexy" Brian Christopher, the latter being accompanied by Jerry "The King" Lawler before the match. During the match, Jerry "The King" Lawler ties to get Sable to wear an Austin 3:16 baseball cap when giving Vince McMahon an idea on how to get the baseball cap to sell, while also saying that WWF should be selling crowns much like his. When Marc Mero sees the cap on her head, he gets out of the ring and rips it off, all the while having a very irritated look on his head. Jerry "The King" Lawler gets up on the apron later, distracting Mero and the referee, but Mero is able to hit Christopher with a low blow after being raked in the eyes before hitting Christopher with the TKO for the win. Mero is seen being impatient with Sable on their way out.

The intro to the show is replayed to signify the start of War Zone.

Before the next match, Owen Hart says he put "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels on a stretcher the last time they locked up, and with both the Intercontinental and European titles on the line, Owen proposes setting their guys aside, saying that Shawn would face him without anyone outside of the ring if he had any guts. "Ravishing" Rick Rude shows up with "Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Chyna, and Rude tells all the "sleazy, slimy, Oklahoma idiots" to button their lips, open their eyes and pay attention before introducing Shawn. Shawn shows up and asks the rest of D-Generation X (Triple H, Chyna, Rude) to stay back.

The Champion vs. Champion Match between Owen Hart and "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels ends in disaster when "Stone Cold" Steve Austin comes out of the crowd again and hits the referee with a Stunner. Bret "The Hit Man" Hart rushes in and goes after Shawn, who is promply saved by the rest of D-Generation X ("Triple H" Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Chyna, "Ravishing" Rick Rude). The British Bulldog and Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart aren't too far behind, and neither are WWF officials.

Jim Cornette has a "too hot for TV" rebuttal for fans concerning things said about him on the Internet on Option 4 of the WWF Superstar Line.

The Undertaker says that for 20 years, he has walked the face of the earth under a dark cloud, carrying the grief of a family lost. In one moment's time, the brother he had lost forever, or so it seemed, is standing before him, and as he looked into his eyes, he didn't see the love of a long-lost brother; instead, he saw the hatred of a man whose man has been poisoned. He says Paul Bearer can rest assured he is living in Hell, for when he looked into his eyes, he saw the demon. However Paul has poisoned his mind and told Kane about him, it doesn't matter, as he will never fight his own flesh and blood. He will never fight Kane.

Kane shows up with Paul Bearer before Dude Love can face The British Bulldog. Dude Love fights Kane, and manages to send him over the ring only for Kane to send him out of the ring. Dude Love then looks for a weapon underneath the ring, and finds a steel chair. He hits Kane in the head with the steel chair, but it has no effect and Kane choke slams Dude Love onto the entrance ramp not once, but twice.

Before the next match, Jesse James and Rockabilly re-introduce themselves as the "Road Dog" Jesse James and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn respectively. They say their journey starts with The Headbangers (Thrasher and Mosh) and ends with the tag team titles.

Road Dog and "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn beat The Headbangers (Thrasher and Mosh) after Billy Gunn busts Thrasher's head open with the stereo The Headbangers brought to the ring.

Last Thursday at Stamford, Connecticut, Taka Michinoku was seen with Vince McMahon and a signed long-term contract, revealing that Michinoku is officially signed to the WWF.

Sunny is guest ring announcer for the next match.

Taka Michinoku beats Yoshihiro Tajiri (misnamed "Tijari" on the broadcast) in a Light Heavyweight Division match. During the match, it is announced that the Light Heavyweight Tournament will start on November 3rd.

Jim Cornette says that Phil Mushnick's message board on TV Guide's website has been flooded with comments from outraged pro wrestling fans, and he reads excerpts from a few posts that criticize Mushnick's opinion on professional wrestling. It is announced Mushnick has written that he has "badly overrated the intellect and social graces of most pro wrestling fans as they believe what they want to believe, think what they want to think and have no regard for the truth. Not all but most pro wrestling fans provide what the pro wrestling industry covets: knuckleheads." Cornette finishes by saying that people with similar opinions not only founded the United States of America, but also put a man on the moon. He tells the pro wrestling fans that if they are tired of others giving them the sideways glance, looking down their nose at them, treating them like the guy who runs the Ferris wheel at the county fair just because you like wrestling or anything else, they should stand up and say they are mad as hell and that they won't take it anymore, and to voice their opinion as their opinion makes a difference. Cornette then goes on to say that Phil Mushnick isn't the only target, but he is a fine place to start.

To voice your opinion to Phil Mushnick, simply send your letter to: "Mad As Hell", c/o TV Guide, attn: Phil Mushnick, P.O. Box 500, Radnor, PA 19088.

The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn) reveal that they were wearing black slacks and Oklahoma Sooners shirts with "Texas Longhorns" painted on them in orange earlier when they attacked The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) earlier in the show. As expected, Uncle Cletus is also no longer with them. They corner and intimidate referee Mike Chioda before the next match, which never starts due to The Disciples of Apocalypse (Crush, Skull, 8-Ball, Chainz) beating up The Godwinns. The Truth Commission (The Jackyl, Recon, Sniper, The Interrogator) rush in and attack the D.O.A.. Referees, officials and WWF Commissioner Sgt. Slaugher all have to restore order.

Mankind, sitting in the boiler room, says if you think you've seen madness, you don't know the meaning of the word, as he is the master of madness, mayhem, malice and creulty. If The Undertaker has qualms about fighting Kane, then rest assured, Mankind has no such principles, as if it were even own his own grandma who dropped Dude Love on is head, the "old bag" would go down. He makes it clear to Kane that he'll fight him anywhere, anytime, anyhow, and Kane will be all his.

Raw Deal - Raw recap for August 18, 1997

Vince McMahon interviews "Ravishing" Rick Rude. He tells all the "fat, out-of-shape Atlantic City sweathogs" to zip their lips, open their eyes and pay attention to what a real man has to say. He fancies himself an "insurance salesman," whether it be short-term, long-term, life, disability or accidental. "You supply the buck, and I'll supply the bang," he says. When asked who is paying the premium, he says that doesn't matter and says he was paid to get the job done, then says one can never have enough insurance and that Vince could be in need of some more himself. After a play on the Allstate motto - "Like a good neighbor, Rick Rude's always there" - he says that if you're smart, "you'll own a piece of the Rude" and to "Get Rude. It pays." (The two quotes are a play on mottoes from Prudential and Metlife, two more insurance companies.) He tells Vince that to get the premium, you've got to pay the premium, and once it's paid in full, someone's in for a Rude Awakening.

Owen Hart and The British Bulldog tell The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) that tonight will be a preview of In Your House: Ground Zero, and that when they meet in the Fatal Four-Way that night, it will indeed be fatal.

Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter is seen having a heated discussion with "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels backstage.

Owen Hart and The British Bulldog beat The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) when The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn) attack The Legion of Doom behind the referee's back. All three teams continue to fight each other while referees and officials try to restore order.

Mankind says his mind has not forgiven and his body has not forgotten. Now, he has to team with The Undertaker, and he will either be the best tag team partner 'Taker has ever had, or the final nail in his coffin, and they will find out together.

"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels says Vince McMahon and the WWF is still giving him the shaft over SummerSlam, and he is being painted into a corner. He doesn't want to be with The Undertaker until Ground Zero, and doesn't want to tag with Hunter Hearst Helmsley. He accuses Vince McMahon of throwing him to the lions, and says that when he is painted into a corner, someone will get what's coming to them.

Sunny is the guest ring announcer for the next match.

Flash Funk beats "Too Sexy" Brian Christopher in a Light Heavyweight Division match after Jerry "The King" Lawler distracts Christopher by telling him to put Flash Funk in a piledriver, allowing Flash Funk to bounce off the ropes and cause Christopher to land on the top rope by his crotch. Christopher and Lawler argue after the match.

The Undertaker says that patience is a virtue, but when it comes to "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, his has run out. Shawn won't make it to Ground Zero, as he will settle the score tonight. As for Mankind, he never forgives or forgets, and if he gets out of line, he'll take him out just like he will Shawn.

Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter is seen talking to Chyna and Hunter Hearst Helmsley backstage, as it is rumored that Chyna and Helmsley are trying to get out of the tag team main event as well.

"The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock beats The Sultan with the ankle lock after hitting a Belly-to-Belly Suplex on The Iron Sheik and also taking an Iranian flag to the back.

The Nation of Domination (Faarooq, D'Lo Brown, Kama Mustafa, Rocky Maivia) show up, and request an impromptu interviews with Jim Ross in the ring as the crowd chants "Rocky sucks!" Faarooq tells the fans that Ahmed Johnson is a white man dying to get out of a black man's body who wants to be pretty like "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, and that he couldn't be white even if he was sandblasted twenty times. He also warns everyone to stand on their own two feet, as anything worth getting is worth fighting for and if you're weak like Ahmed, you don't have a place in The Nation. Faarooq goes on to say that he made Savio Vega and Crush, and if they want a street fight with him, they're in for a surprise as he is the streets, and he will grant them their wish and destroy them at Ground Zero. Faarooq then introduces Rocky Maivia, and says the fans soured on him. Rocky then mentions the "Die Rocky Die" chants, saying that this is about respect. He became the youngest Intercontinental Champion in WWF history, and all he got was "Rocky sucks" chants. He says he is a lot of things, but "sucks" isn't one of them. He calls The Disciples of Apocalypse "a racist faction," then says he and The Nation lives, breathes and dies respect, and that they will earn it by any means necessary. As The Nation raises their fists, we see Crush on the TitanTron, who calls them "A nation of constipation," and says the D.O.A. is here to kick ass and take names. He dares them to meet them in the parking lot and meet them face-to-face and fist-to-fist with no WWF Commissioner around if they've got the guts. The Nation run out of the ring and head to the back.

We see footage of Goldust and Marlena earlier today with daughter Dakota at the beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Hunter Hearst Helmsley says he's not afraid of The Undertaker or Mankind, and says that when "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels" does the crime, he has to do the time. He then says if Vince McMahon wants a war with him, he's got one.

The Nation of Domination (Faarooq, D'Lo Brown, Kama Mustafa, Rocky Maivia) and The Disciples of Apocalypse (Crush, Skull, 8-Ball, Chainz) brawl in the parking lot only for Los Boricuas (Savio Vega, Miguel Perez, Jesus Castillo, Jose Castrada Jr.) to steal the D.O.A.'s motorcyles. The D.O.A. immediately give chase after this.

"Double J" Jesse James beats Brian Pillman by disqualification after Goldust and Marlena shows up and Goldust drops an elbow on Jesse James. After the match, Michael Cole shows up and Goldust tells him he wanted to see him one more week in a dress. Brian Pillman grabs a microphone, and decides to call Goldust's bluff by asking him if he wants to see him gone for good. He then challenges him to a match, and if Goldust wins, he will leave the World Wrestling Federation forever. However, if Pillman wins, then Marlena is his personal assistant for 30 days, 24 hours a day. Goldust thinks Pillman is an idiot, but Pillman says Goldust isn't talking tough anymore now that he's thrown in the second stipulation. Goldust rejects the challenge, but then Pillman says that a piece of him is always around Marlena reveals that Goldust and Marlena's daughter Dakota isn't Goldust's daughter and is actually his love child. Goldust goes after Pillman, and Marlena accepts the challenge on Goldust's behalf much to the disappointment of Goldust, who tells Marlena that wrestling Pillman isn't worth it.

Vader says The Patriot's colors are red, white and blue, but they will change to black and blue because it's Vader Time.

The intro to the show replays to signal the start of War Zone.

Bret "The Hit Man" Hart shows up with the Canadian flag as soon as the next match begins, and watches the match from the stage.

The Patriot beats Vader, then Bret "The Hit Man" Hart makes his way down to the ring. As The Patriot is focused on Bret, Vader knocks him off the apron and send shim back into the ring. As referees try to restore order, Bret wraps the Canadian flag over The Patriot, stopping Vader from hitting The Patriot with the Vader Bomb and angerying him to the point that Vader breaks the Canadian flag's pole over his knee. Owen Hart and The British Bulldog rush in and attack Vader, then The Patriot gets back up, fights Owen and Bulldog, and is kept away from Bret as Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter forces a smiling Bret to the back.

We see an interview from earlier today between Jim Ross and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Austin makes fun of the fruit basket that the WWF gave him after he broke his neck. Austin says he's Intercontinental Champion now, and says he couldn't move his arms or legs for almost a minute and was afraid he wouldn't move again, but he's over it. He says Owen Hart has hell to pay when he comes back, and he's really pissed off. He says the doctors have told him he should do something else, but he's not listening to them and he's going to continue wrestling regardless of what they say. He says he's rode around in his four-wheeler while drinking a few beers while thinking about it, and while he plans to take a few days or a few weeks off, he intends to put the black trunks on and get back in the ring as it has taken him eight years to get to the WWF and a piledriver won't stop him from coming to Ground Zero and whipping somebody's ass as he is on a whole new level.

The Undertaker and Mankind beat "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and Hunter Hearst Helmsley after Shawn hits 'Taker with a steel chair. During the match, Shawn calls "Ravishing" Rick Rude out to the ring, and he almost attacks 'Taker with a steel chair when 'Taker truns around and stop him. After the match, Shawn busts 'Taker open with a steel chair shot to the head as 'Taker confronts Rick Rude, but he gets back up despite being busted open. Shawn does it again, but 'Taker gets right back up again, and Shawn and Helmsley run.

Raw Deal - Raw recap for August 11, 1997

"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels shows up to start tonight's show. It is announced that Shawn will take on Mankind tonight, and Shawn gets everyone up to speed on what's been happening. Shawn says he had a job to do at SummerSlam, and he did it. If WWF doesn't want to step up and take responsibility for what happened and wants to throw it in his lap instead, he's not worried as he's had plenty in his lap before. He says either you're with him or against him. As for Mankind, he had to find out while he was sitting at home watching Superstars because Vince McMahon didn't tell him over the phone. The crowd chants "Shawn is gay," and Shawn responds by asking "Why don't you ask your sister and your mama how gay Shawn is?" He then tells Mankind he'll see him in a few, then invites The Undertaker to watch him smack Mankind around, and if he can beat Mankind, he can beat him. He then says WWF officials have put him on his private hit list, and have the new Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter calling the shot. He tells Slaughter that if he can stick his chin in his business, he's got another thing coming as nobody steals the spotlight and he wants it all. The crowd then chants that Shawn is gay again. Slaughter shows up and tells Shawn that he's listened to what he has to say, and says he's right about him not wanting his chin in his business, but he's going to put it there anyway. He says he's been in the spotlight so many times Shawn couldn't count them all, then tells Shawn that if he thinks he's here to play games, he's wrong. Anything he says, does or decides is for the betterment of the World Wrestling Federation, not Shawn Michaels. As far as Shawn's match with Mankind is concerned, it's time for Shawn to put up or shut up. Shawn tells him that his life is in danger in the WWF, and that he's got a big insurance policy.

We hear from fans who they think will win between "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and Mankind.

Road Warrior Hawk gets ready for his Country Whippin' Match against Henry O. Godwinn backstage.

Owen Hart and The British Bulldog guest on commentary for the next match.

Before the next match, Henry O. Godwinn explains the Country Whippin' Match: two men have a leather strap and both men whip each other until one man can take no more. Henry O. says that this is the way matters are settled back home and that he will whip the hide off of Road Warrior Hawk's back.

On the newest issue of WWF Magazine, there is an article about what is going on behind the scenes between The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn) and their former manager Hillbilly Jim.

Road Warrior Hawk beats Henry O. Godwinn in a Country Whippin' Match after Phineas I. Godwinn and Road Warrior Animal get involved and Animal sends both Godwinns out of the ring with the Godwinns' slop bucket. During the match, Owen Hart and The British Bulldog argue over which of them will challenge The Patriot to a match.

Inside specially marked packages of Stridex are three limited edition WWF trading cards! There are six in all: "The Heartbreak Kid' Shawn Michaels, Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Sycho Sid, Ahmed Johnson, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Undertaker.

Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter tells Brian Pillman to wear a dress once again.

Goldust and Marlena guest on commentary for the next match.

Scott Putski beats Tony Williams in a Light Heavyweight Division match. During the match, we see security footage of Brian Pillman's locker room, courtesy of a "golden handicam" placed there courtesy of Goldust and Marlena, where we see Pillman angrily change into the dress only to fail miserably and throw things around in the locker room. After the match, Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter tells Goldust and Marlena to leave, which they do.

The Undertaker tells "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels he will watch his match against Mankind, then tells him that no insurance policy will be necessary at Ground Zero except burial insurance.

Goldust talks about his life and his relationship with his father Dusty Rhodes in the newest issue of Raw Magazine, on newsstands tomorrow.

Flash Funk beats Brian Pillman with an inside cradle when Goldust and Marlena show up and distract Pillman with the "golden handicam" footage of Pillman changing into the dress. During the match, it is announced that Extreme Championship Wrestling's Hardcore Heaven event will air on pay-per-view Sunday night. Also, Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter announces that both Owen Hart and The British Bulldog will both take on The Patriot and a partner of The Patriot's choosing later tonight on War Zone, and that The Patriot's partner will not be announced until the match starts.

We see footage of fans chanting for Dude Love from earlier today.

Vince McMahon interviews Dude Love. We see two of Dude Love's groupies in the front row. Dude Love feels that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin will be coming back soon. As for the Fatal Four-Way for the tag titles, he hopes that their opponents - The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk), The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn) and the team of Owen Hart and The British Bulldog - have more than one life, if you know what he means. As for who might win between Mankind and "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, he knows both men and if he had to take a guess, he would say Mankind would rock and roll all over Shawn with the Mandible Claw. Shawn appears on the TitanTron, wishing someone would knock Dude Love out so hard he wakes up in the 21st century, and tells him he's not The Heartbreak Kid or himself, for that matter. He says Mankind will see his new insurance policy live and in living color, and he's sticking his foot down Mankind's throat with some Sweet Chin Music. Dude Love quotes John Lennon "I am we, and you are we, and we are all together," and that Mankind will tear Shawn up. Dude Love then parties in the ring with the two groupies.

We hear some more fan predictions on the match between "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and Mankind.

The Patriot talks to his mystery partner backstage, saying that it's time to take care of business tonight.

The intro to the show replays to signal the start of War Zone.

Before the next match, Owen Hart dedicates the next match to Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, who is watching from backstage.

The Patriot's partner is revealed to be "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock.

The Patriot and "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock beat Owen Hart and The British Bulldog. During the match, Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, who is initially seen watching the match from backstage, shows up to watch the match from the stage. When Bret tries to walk down the entrance ramp, Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter shows up and stops Bret, distracting Shamrock and the referee and allowing Owen Hart to place a steel chair in the ring. This, however, backfires when Shamrock catches Owen sneaking up on him and The Patrio slams The British Bulldog into the steel chair.

On the WWF Superstar Line, option 3 has news on why Ahmed Johnson was booted from The Nation of Domination as well as the future of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

We see footage of Bret "The Hit Man" Hart saying that he is proud to be Canadian right now and that Americans are going to have a harder time accepting that the WWF Champion is not American. We then see footage from Toronto Peason International Airport from last Tuesday where the Canadian fans show their support for Bret as 15,000 fans showed up to see Bret come back from SummerSlam. Bret says that he will carry the WWF Championship with honor for his fans all over the rest of the world.

"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels is caught backstage talking to someone in a suit who might be his "insurance policy."

The Patriot is here to prove his success in the WWF is no fluke, and says Bret "The Hit Man" Hart is not untouchable. He is suddenly attacked with a steel chair by Bret, and referees have to get Bret away from The Patriot.

Faarooq beats Chainz after referee Jack Doan is accidentally knocked down. Suddenly, Rocky Maivia shows up, checks on the referee and suddenly attacks Chainz. Before the match, it is announced that the rest of The Nation of Domination and The Disciples of Apocalypse have all been banned from ringside for the match. During the match, it is announced that Ahmed Johnson has re-injured his knee. After the match, Rocky Maivia reveals that he has joined The Nation of Domination when he raises his fist along with Faarooq.

Rocky Maivia is seen with The Nation of Domination (Faarooq, D'Lo Brown, Kama Mustafa) backstage, and the cameraman is kicked out of The Nation of Domination's locker room. Suddenly, The Disciples of Apocalypse (Crush, Skull, 8-Ball, Chainz) try to break into the room.

Sable shows up to be the guest ring announcer for the next match, but that match doesn't happen as The Patriot shows up, grabs the microphone and says he can take any man, one-on-one, face to face, and won't back down from anybody. He tells Bret "The Hit Man" Hart that if he wants to prove he's the man and champ he says he is, then they don't have to wait until September, and that they can do it right now. Bret shows up, Canadian flag in hand, and both Bret and The Patriot brawl. The rest of The Hart Foundation (Owen Hart, The British Bulldog, Brian Pillman) show up and gang up on The Patriot, and referees get into the ring before Bret can lock the Sharpshooter onto The Patriot. As The Foundation covers The Patriot with the Canadian flag, Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter shows up to try to restore order.

Mankind tells "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels that he hopes the insurance policy he talks about is life insurance, because when he thinks about him he gets a lump in his throat from emotion. He then says Shawn will have a lump in his throat, too, but instead of emotion, it will be his liver.

We see another vignette for Brakus.

Mankind shows up before the next match with a trash can and tosses it into the ring. It ends up being used as a weapon quickly by "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, which referee Earl Hebner somehow allows. Mankind - now with the garbage bag over his head and shoulders like a poncho - gets the Mandible Claw on Shawn, but Shawn hits him with a low blow.

"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels. During the match, Hunter Hearst Helmsley - now in a white T-shirt and black pants - and Chyna are seen walking down the entrance ramp. We later see the man in the suit from earlier, who is now walking down the ramp: "Ravishing" Rick Rude, straight out of Extreme Championship Wrestling. As Chyna distracts the referee, Rick Rude hits Mankind in the head with a steel chair and Shawn hits the Sweet Chin Music for the win. After the match, The Undertaker makes his presence known as Chyna, Rick Rude and Hunter Hearst Helmsley all get on the apron. Paul Bearer is seen on the TitanTron, telling him that his brother Kane is coming and that he will burn in Hell. The last thing we see before the show ends is fire.

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.

Raw Deal - Raw recap for May 26, 1997

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin shows up to start tonight's show, as does "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels. When Jim Ross asks them if they can co-exist long enough tonight to win the tag team titles, it becomes apparent that they don't like each other, but at the same time they will kick some ass. Suddenly, The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) show up for their match and desire a tag team title shot if they win. Both Austin and Shawn agree, then The Hart Foundation (Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Owen Hart, The British Bulldog, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, Brian Pillman) show up, and Bret Hart is finally standing upright without the aid of crutches.

The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) beat The Hart Foundation (Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart and "The Loose Cannon" Brian Pillman, who finally has his first match on Raw) by disqualification after Owen Hart and The British Bulldog interfere. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels show up together to clean house, but when Shawn goes after the Foundation, Austin confronts Shawn and the two of them fight one another yet again, and officials have to break up the brawl.

In Episode 3 of Sunny's Search and Soak Mission, The Honky Tonk Man gets soaked with the Super Soaker CPS 2000.

Paul Bearer is backstage, and we can finally see half of his face. It is noted that his hair is red and his facial hair is notably absent. He says that he has all the bases covered ashis attorney has a key to the safe deposit box that holds his secret, and only his attorney can open that box. He says that whatever happens, the secret will be revealed one way or another before the end of the night. He says that he is a different Paul Bearer, and either the secret comes out or The Undertaker joins him.

Faarooq guests on commentary for the next match.

D'Lo Brown - who appears for the first time on Raw in wrestling gear instead of behind a suit as a member of The Nation of Domination - beats Bob "Spark Plug" Holly.

The Undertaker knows he has to make a decision that could affect the rest of his life in an hour's time, and is not even worried about Faarooq.

Jerry "The King" Lawler says Goldust has an identity crisis, and says Dusty Rhodes doesn't love him anymore because he married the biggest gold-digger in Georgia before wearing a woman's wig and "kissing men like a flamin' fag." He tells Goldust to bring Marlena and Dakota with him, as tears will be running down their faces when he's done with them. He also says that Dakota should have been named "Target," as "everyone had a shot at it" last week.

The official King of the Ring inflatable chair is available for $59.99 plus $11 shipping and handling.

Jerry "The King" Lawler beats Goldust to continue to the second round of the King of the Ring Tournament after putting his feet on the ropes for leverage. After the amtch, Goldust continues to fight Lawler on the ramp, and Lawler rolls down to the ring after a slap from Goldust. Marlena steps on Lawler's gut as she and Goldust leave.

Owen Hart, The British Bulldog and Brian Pillman attack "Stone Cold" Steve Austin backstage.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin and "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels argue backstage after Shawn confronts Austin for not watching his back.

Rocky Maivia beats Flash Funk. During the match, The Headbangers (Thrasher and Mosh) guest on commentary with King of the Ring inflatable chairs, popcorn, cotton candy and their own music, but it isn't long before they interfere in the match. Amazingly, no disqualification takes place, and The Headbangers' interference gives Rocky the win. Flash Funk tells Rocky what happened, and both men show respect after the match.

We see more of the interview with Mankind. We learn that he played lacrosse in high school, where he played as a goalie...without protective gear. One May morning, he got hit in the testicles during a game, and even though it was supposed to be three weeks before he could return to school, he went back the next day even though the swelling had not gone down. He remembers this as the only time girls looked at his genital region, which he considers his greatest day in his high school days.

Bret "The Hit Man" Hart appears on the TitanTron with the rest of The Hart Foundation (Owen Hart, The British Bulldog, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, Brian Pillman). He says that at King of the Ring, it will be an untamed world, like a lion ripping into an antelope. He tells "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels he's got what he wanted, but promises that all he needs is ten minute to beat Shawn's face to a pulp, as Shawn will find out how real he is. Pillman tells "Stone Cold" Steve Austin he knows everything about him, and that he hates his guts. He plans to pull his head out of his ass at King of the Hart so he can clearly see that he is the king of Austin's pathetic world. Owen Hart and The British Bulldog plan to expose Austin and Shawn as the losers that they are, especially when they can't get along.

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

"The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock guests on commentary for the next match.

Ahmed Johnson beats Vader. Before the next match, it is announced that Ahmed Johnson's semi-final slot in the King of the Ring tournament is on the line in this match.

It is announced that news on why Brian Pillman isn't a full-fledged member of The Hard Foundation (Bret "The Hit Man" Hart, Owen Hart, The British Bulldog, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, Pillman) as well as whether or not there is dissent - and new members on the way - in The Nation of Domination on The Ross Report on Option 3 of the WWF Superstar Line.

Paul Bearer is backstage. He says that he has had a secret on his conscience for so long, and in a few words, he will bring him to his knees like no giant, warrior or immortal could do.

Hunter Hearst Helmsley beats Rockabilly after Chyna stops The Honky Tonk Man from using his guitar as a weapon and scoop slams him outside of the ring.

The Undertaker says that sometimes in live, we have to make decisions we don't want to, but have to. He tells Paul Bearer to do what he has to do, and in turn, he will do what he himself has to do.

Sable shows off the King of the Ring inflatable chair.

We see part two of the interview with Mankind. He talks about how he hitch-hiked to the match between "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka and Don "The Rock" Muraco in a steel cage in October 17, 1983 in Madison Square Garden, and realized what he wanted to do with his life when Snuka dove off the top of the cage. This led to him creating an alter-ego in high school, and made a movie of himself when he was 18 as a form of escape. He says he met "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels, who asked him if he always envisioned himself in this way. During this time, he was not Mick Foley, nor was he Mankind. Instead, he was "Dude Love." We see portions of this homemade movie, including one where he dove off the roof of his friend's house's roof. The video ended up in the hands of Dominic DeNucci, who took him under his week and trained him to wrestle every weekend for two years, with Mankind traveling 800 miles round-trip and eating and sleeping in the back of his 1979 Ford Fairmont during these training sessions as he tried to realize his dreams. This led to him becoming "Cactus Jack," which was supposed to last for only three months but ended up staying for eleven years.

It is announced before the next match that The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) will officially face Shawn Michaels and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin for the WWF Tag Team Championships next week should Shawn and Austin win.

In what is "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels' first match in four months, "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin beat Owen Hart and The British Bulldog to become the WWF Tag Team Champions! During the match, The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk) are seen watching the match from the back. After the match, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart and Brian Pillman rush into the ring and attack Shawn while Austin makes a beeline for Bret "The Hit Man" Hart. Austin is able to make it to the back before Bret's comrades can attack him, too.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin and "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels still can't get along even after winning the WWF Tag Team Championships, and start arguing when Austin says he won the titles by himself.

Paul Bearer shows up, and is interviewed by Vince McMahon. He tells The Undertaker that his time is up, and says Brother Love didn't bring him to the WWF off the streets. He has known The Undertaker for many, many years. He then reveals that he was the mortician and funeral director when The Undertaker's parents' caskets were lowered. He then reveals that there were three graves prepared that day. As he is about to elaborate, The Undertaker immediately makes his way to the ring and tells Bearer he hates him with all that he is. He loathes and despises him for what he is about to do tonight, and although the hounds of Hell may bay at the secret Bearer's attorney will reveal, Bearer won't be able to, and he only hopes the ones that love him and have loved him in the past will be able to forgive him. He then grabs Bearer by the throat, and Bearer begs for merc. The Undertaker lets him go, then rejoins Paul Bearer.

Raw Deal - Raw recap for November 11, 1996

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin says all Vince McMahon does is apologize...something he won't do as he turns the heat higher and higher. He knows Bret "The Hit Man" Hart is in the building, after he's through with Bob "Spark Plug" Holly, he'll put Bret in the Sharpshooter as they don't have to wait six days until their match at Madison Square Garden.

Owen Hart and The British Bulldog retain the WWF Tag Team Championships against "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels after Shawn accidentally hits Sid with Sweet Chin Music. Shawn is knocked out cold next to Sid by Owen and Bulldog after the match.

On the Ross Report on Option 6 of the WWF Superstar Line: Who is the mystery partner at Survivor Series?

Kevin Kelly announces that "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels and Sycho Sid fought each other in the back. Both men are in separate locker rooms, but Kevin Kelly is staying backstage to get interviews from both men.

Confirmed for Survivor Series is a Traditional 4-on-4 Survivor Series match: the team of Faarooq, Vader, "Diesel," "Razor Ramon) vs. the team of Savio Vega, Yokozuna, the debuting Flash Funk and a mystery partner, who is rumored to be a big-time superstar. There is also another 4-on-4 match in that vein: The team of The Godwinns (Henry O. and Phineas I. Godwinn), Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon vs the team of Owen Hart, The British Bulldog and The New Rockers (Marty Jannetty and Leif Cassidy).

Kevin Kelly says that Sycho Sid is very intense, but he told him he has a lot of things to say.

Mankind beats Freddie Joe Floyd with the Mandible Claw. The Undertaker's theme plays as the cage with the upside-down effigy of Paul Bearer descends from the ceiling. The Undertaker decrees that a new era of darkness begins Sunday, and all that there to expect is the unexpected. He tells Paul Bearer this is only the beginning of his torture and torment, and that he, Mankind and The Executioner will never rest in peace.

Killer Kowalski and The Valiant Brothers ("Handsome" Jimmy and "Luscious" Johnny Valiant) are official inductees into the 1996 WWE Hall of Fame Class.

We get our first look at the soon-to-debut Rocky Maivia, the WWF's first-ever third-generation Superstar. We also see him induct his father Rocky Johnson into the Cauliflower Alley Club. The Rock says he wants to make his own name in the WWF by getting by on his wrestling style and ability, not his family name. Five years from now, we wants to tell himself he gave 110% effort at everything he did and became the best at it.

Kevin Kelly says that Sycho Sid is out of his locker room...and he's not happy...

The WWF Big Bang Boom tour heads to New York City, New York; New Haven, Connecticut; Springfield, Massachusetts; White Plains, New York; Hull, Quebec, Canada and Montreal, Quebec, Canada!

Kevin Kelly interviews Sycho Sid backstage. Sid doesn't care if "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels made a mistake in the tag team title match tonight. He says there will be no mistake at Survivor Series, as that will be the end of the reign of Shawn Michaels. He says Shawn will step off the mountain while he will step above, and no man will cast a stone to knock him down for he is the master and the ruler of the world.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin tells Vince McMahon that all he does is run his mouth. He tells Bob "Spark Plug" Holly he's going to get a wrestling lesson, and it won't last long. He tells Bret "The Hit Man" Hart that he'd better be watching and that he'd better be prepared for Survivior Series, because it is the most important match of his life. He tells Hart that pleasing so many people will get him in trouble. He tells Bret he'd better keep watching, as he'll eventually find him and that they won't have to wait until Survivior Series.

Sable beats Dok Hendrix in the Karate Fights Holiday Tournament to go on to to the next round.

Kevin Kelly interviews "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels. He says he and Sycho Sid have always had conflicting personalities, and this is truer than ever. Everyone wants to knock him down off his perch, but he's kicked them in their teeth so far. He says tonight was a mistake, but he still knocked him out colder than a block of ice. He asks Sid what he's going to do at Survivor Series when he hits Sweet Chin Music for real from anywhere. He doesn't care if anybody likes him or not now. He wants Sid's respect, and if he has to beat it out of him, he'll do it.

Jim Ross guests on commentary for the next match.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin beats Bob "Spark Plug" Holly. During the match, Bret "The Hit Man" Hart is observed watching the match from backstage. It is also announced that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin will take on Vader next week. Also, Bret Hart will be live and in person at C&M Variety in Brooklyn, New York from 6 to 9 PM this Thursday night. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin then approaches Bret Hart's locker room only to say that he's not going to beat Hart up for free, before saying that someone is stealing his lines and that this is indeed the match of the decade (a shot at WCW for calling "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan vs. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper" the match of the decade). He tells Hart it wil be the end of his legend in one week.