wrestling / Video Reviews
Raw History: Episode 209 and Reliving Nitro: Episode 87
Loading...In Your House: A Cold Day in Hell Results
Hunter Hearst Helmsley def. Flash Funk in 10:05 [**]
Mankind def. Rocky Maivia in 8:46 [**¾]
The Nation of Domination def. Ahmed Johnson in 13:43 [½*]
No Holds Barred: Ken Shamrock def. Vader in 13:21 [***¾]
WWF Championship: The Undertaker [c] def. Steve Austin in 20:04 [***½]
Raw History
Episode #209
May 12th, 1997 | Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, Delaware
WWF Champion: The Undertaker (2) since 3/23/97
WWF Intercontinental Champion: Owen Hart (1) since 4/28/97
WWF European Champion: British Bulldog (1) since 3/3/97
WWF Tag Team Champions: Owen Hart and the British Bulldog (1) since 9/22/96
Vince McMahon provided voiceover work on a still image recap of the PPV last night. In the booth, we had the legendary duo of Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler.
The Hart Foundation arrived and remained atop the ramp, Bret still in his wheelchair. He put over his stable as the best guys in the WWF and called the fans the bad guys. He called the fans hypocrites for whining about Austin getting screwed last night, when nobody batted an eye when it happened to him over and over in the past year. Bret’s not wrong. He focused on the Undertaker, saying it was a matter of time before they added the WWF Title to their collection. He ended the promo by teasing a shocking announcement, but decided against it because the fans wouldn’t shut up.
King of the Ring Quarterfinals: Ahmed Johnson vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley w/ Chyna
I believe this was the smallest KOTR in history, with just eight participants. Ahmed got off to a hot start, while commentary discussed his troubled past. When he missed a charge in the corner, Hunter responded with stomps and took control. Ahmed fired up and called for the Pearl River Plunge. Before he could hit it, Chyna nailed him in the kidneys with a steel chair for the DQ at 3:52. I know HHH was a coward, but a blatant DQ in a match that means something like this is dumb. [½*]
HHH and Chyna headed for the hills, but Ahmed followed and put a beating on Hunter. Officials broke things up.
Steve Austin came out for an interview with Vince McMahon. Austin carried a crutch to the ring with him. Vince put over Austin/Undertaker as a hell of a fight. Austin said Taker dropped him on his head and won, but sooner or later, he’ll be WWF Champion. He said the fastest way to kill a snake is to chop the head off and Bret is the head of the snake that is the Hart Foundation. However, Austin doesn’t want it to be slow, so he’s starting with the snake’s ass, which is Brian Pillman. Austin ended the promo by saying he carried Pillman back in the “bush leagues” and will cripple him again. Great, classic Austin stuff. Intensity personified.
HIGHLIGHTS ~ Ivan Putski clips aired because his son debuts tonight.
Leif Cassidy vs. Scott Putski
Putski looks like the Renegade due to the tassels and long hair. He busted out a rana to show he uses more athleticism than his father. Cassidy cut him off and took over for a short while. Each failed pin attempt bugged him. Putski hit a belly to belly suplex, before winning his debut with a German in 4:06. Decent debut as Putski showed some solid offense. He was just so bland and generic. [¾*]
Cassidy jumped Putski after the match. However, it quickly got turned around when Putski clotheslined him over the top and sent him packing. Cassidy complained about his struggles to JR.
The Legion of Doom vs. PG-13 w/ The Nation of Domination
Faarooq and Crush were the expected NOD representatives. They decided against facing the LOD and sent PG-13 instead. LOD squashed these dudes like bugs. They treated them like complete fodder. LOD hit the Doomsday Device, while the NOD ignored their rappers. LOD won in 2:00 and that’s the end of PG-13 in WWF. [NR]
Mankind got promo time on the stage and was still focused on the Undertaker. He introduced Paul Bearer, with his face completely wrapped in bandages. Paul gave Undertaker one final chance to make amends and said if he didn’t, he’d reveal a dark secret about him. All that we get a hint of so far is that it deals with Undertaker’s dead parents. Ah, the official start of the lengthy and well done Kane angle.
WAR ZONE!
Vince McMahon brought out Faarooq to interview him about being the number one contender for the WWF Championship. Faarooq instantly went into questioning Vince for there never being a black WWF Champion. He called former black champions like Ahmed Johnson and Bobo Brazil “token” champions. His focus remained on race, which was perfectly in character for him, but felt odd in a feud with the Undertaker.
Non-Title Match: WWF Champion The Undertaker vs. Savio Vega w/ The Nation of Domination
These two met in February and it wasn’t good (½*). This was joined in progress, with Undertaker in control. Savio went after the leg, which worked on two levels. For one, it chopped the big man down and two, Austin worked that same leg at the PPV. Savio got two on a spinning heel kick, but that was all for his big run. Taker nailed a Chokeslam, but the NOD started getting on the apron. He sent some packing and hit a Tombstone, before they jumped him for the DQ in 3:58. Short, but fine idea behind what they did. [*]
Undertaker sat up from the beating, but got put back down. Faarooq whipped him with a leather strap.
Jeff Hardy vs. Rob Van Dam w/ Jerry Lawler
Lawler got on the mic before the match and ran down ECW. RVD was with him because RVD agreed with his feelings on ECW and was ready for the big time. Lawler called him “Mr. Monday Night” as part of a pretty great angle. RVD and Jeff would go on to tear the house down at the Invasion PPV in a few years. Unfortunately, this wasn’t meant to be anything like that. It was a total showcase for RVD, who busted out the Five Star Frog Splash and a split-legged moonsault for the win in 2:28. One of the more fun squashes in recent memory. [NR]
DUSTIN AND TERRI PART TWO ~ The interview from last week was continued. He spoke about wanting to have fun with the Goldust character going forward. His relationship with his daughter Dakota was brought up and how she mimicked him, which reminded him of what he’d do with Dusty. In the end, he just hopes his dad is proud of him. Not as interesting as the first part, but still a good look into the character.
Before the next match, even more attention is paid to the Undertaker. He was interviewed on the Titantron to tell Paul Bearer that some secrets should stay buried. Turning to Faarooq, he basically said he’ll call upon a demon to help beat the NOD. Meh.
Non-Title Elimination Match: WWF Tag Team Champions British Bulldog and Owen Hart vs. Doug Furnas and Phil Lafon vs. The Headbangers vs. The New Blackjacks
Why are the champions in this? Wouldn’t it work better as a top contender’s match? Lafon was eliminated quickly, eating a Windham lariat in 1:42. Owen and Bulldog stayed at ringside, avoiding action. During a break, Thrasher pinned Bradshaw to send the Blackjacks packing. Owen finally got involved and took the sternum bump into an exposed turnbuckle. He nearly ate a pin but had his foot on the rope. Bulldog came in with a stalling vertical suplex, but Thrasher got in a knee and they worked a short heat on Bulldog. Owen got the mild tag, only to have the Sharpshooter broken up. Bulldog planted Thrasher with the running powerslam to win in 7:17, even though neither man was legal. This was weird. The final stretch was solid, but it was an oddly booked match. [*¾]
Bret Hart and the rest of the Hart Foundation came out to reveal Bret’s secret. However, Bret sent them all back to do this on his own. With them gone, he addressed Steve Austin and told him to stay in the back for this, or he’d send the Foundation after him. Bret called Shawn Michaels to the ring, who obliged. Shawn removed his jacket, allowing Bret to get in a great jab about Shawn being “hot and cold” just like the rest of his career. Bret went into an anti-American rant, saying the American people would destroy themselves because they’re run by scum. Bret said Shawn screwed him at WrestleMania XII and didn’t have the guts to face him like a man at WrestleMania 13. He called Shawn a degenerate and the show went off the air with Bret in the middle of his rant.
AFTER RAW ~ The WWE Network has the post-show stuff. It picked up with Bret standing up and mouthing off to Shawn, only to eat Sweet Chin Music. The Hart Foundation ran down to make the save. Shawn scurried, got a crutch and tried fighting them off. Steve Austin arrived to get his hands on the Hart Foundation, whacking Bulldog with a crutch. Officials got in between the action to keep things calm.
Reliving Nitro
Episode #87
May 12th, 1997 | Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Maryland
WCW World Heavyweight Champion: Hulk Hogan (2) 8/10/96
WCW United States Champion: Dean Malenko (1) since 3/16/97
WCW World Tag Team Champions: The Outsiders (1) since 10/27/96
WCW Television Champion: Ultimo Dragon (1) since 4/7/97
WCW Cruiserweight Champion: Syxx (1) since 2/23/97
WCW Women’s Championship: Akira Hokuto (1) since 12/29/96
The first voice heard this week was overpaid Michael Buffer, giving us the “ARE YOUUUUU READDYYYYY?” spiel. Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan and Larry Zbyszko were on commentary.
Macho Man, sans crutches, and Elizabeth came to the ring and took the mic from Buffer. Savage said he was healed and challenged DDP to meet him in the ring later tonight.
WCW Television Championship: Ultimo Dragon [c] w/ Sonny Oono vs. Juventud Guerrera
Lord Steven Regal got insert promo time on Ultimo Dragon. He said he doesn’t do flips or hurricanranas, but he can outwrestle anyone. He’s going back to his scoundrel roots to take his title back at Slamboree. The expected quick paced start to this one, with even action until a series of kicks from the champion. Juvi picked up several near falls, making fans buy into a possible title change. Dragon nailed a superplex, before Oono got in some cheap shots. Back inside, Dragon nailed the super rana and retained with the dragon sleeper in 5:14. Fun start to the show. Good action, a quick pace and they made fans believe Juvi might pull it off. [**½]
Mean “BAH GAWD” Gene brought out Roddy Piper, Ric Flair and Kevin Greene for an interview. Greene said he’s never lost in Charlotte, while Ric and Piper shouted a bunch. The Wolfpac interrupted via satellite. Syxx made jokes about Ric’s wife leaving his hotel room, Hall said they don’t respect Team Piper and Nash declared their match at the PPV will be no DQ. They kept the segment short and sweet, which worked.
WCW United States Championship: Dean Malenko [c] vs. Steve McMichael w/ Debra and Jeff Jarrett
With Jarrett scheduled for a shot at Slamboree, I’d be pissed about this if I were him. Mongo shouted a bunch of nonsense towards Reggie White during his entrance. He swatted Dean away a few times early, only to end up grounded. He was too big to keep down, continually causing problems for the champion. Jarrett helped Mongo bring Malenko down but then we got a ref bump. Mongo got the visual pin and out came Reggie White. JJ hit him with a cheap shot, but White reversed a whip and clotheslined Mongo. He followed with a splash and then shoved Jarrett off the apron. Malenko used a bridge to steal it at 3:14. Not much of a match as the focus was on the angle. The fans ate up White’s appearance. [*]
Reggie White was interviewed by Mean Gene. He said he’s doing this for the people of Wisconsin. Mongo can talk trash to him all he wants, but leave the people of Wisconsin out of it. He promised to give Green Bay another win over Chicago on Sunday. He looked nervous, but this was fine.
Scotty Riggs vs. Wrath w/ James Vandenberg and Mortis
Poor Riggs STILL uses the American Males theme. Get over it. Also, they waste some of the pyro budget on him. It’s the in-ring debut of Wrath, complete with a Vandenberg promo to introduce him. He wore Glacier’s stolen helmet to the ring. Wrath dominated and won via Death Penalty in 0:58. [NR]
Glacier’s music hit, but instead of coming for his helmet, he just stared them down heading into commercial.
Alex Wright and Ice Train w/ Teddy Long vs. Hugh Morris and Konnan w/ Jimmy Hart
Why weren’t Wright and Train a consistent team? That would’ve been amazing. Ray Lewis and other Baltimore Ravens were shown in the front row. Wright bailed early, leaving Train to get jumped. When he did get involved, there was a lot of showboating. He slapped Morris and tagged out so Train could feel the wrath of Morris. Wright declined a tag, saying his knee hurt. He argued with Teddy and left, allowing to win via Tequila Sunrise on Train at 3:19. Just here to build the Wright heel turn. [NR]
LAST WEEK ~ The nWo’s attack on DDP and the Giant was shown.
Backstage, a cameraman runs to find some chaotic stuff going on. When he finally got there, the Wolfpac was revealed to be in the building and coming out of Roddy Piper’s locker room. Piper was holding his hip in a lot of pain, clearly having been jumped.
Eric Bischoff came out for the closing segment. He brought out Sting, but of course, it was just the nWo Sting. Bischoff gave him a faux interview where he put him down as not being on Hulk Hogan’s level. Eventually, the real Sting arrived. He beat up the imposter and delivered a Scorpion Death Drop. Bischoff exited the ring and left through the crowd to close the show. Strange closing segment. It was cool to see Sting, but that’s about it.
Raw Rating: 2.8
Nitro Rating: 3.2
Nitro: The shows were even this week. Nitro had the better in-ring stuff thanks to a solid TV Title match. They also advanced multiple angles including the Sting one (though it wasn’t much), the six man tag the PPV, Mongo/White, Wright as a heel and Regal/Dragon. The Savage segment early was odd, since it didn’t play into the rest of the show. The hour format continues to make Nitros easier to watch.
5.5
