[Slobberknocker Central Monday Night Recap #86] (07/07/97) (NOTE: Some people have E-Mailed me and asked why the Recap looks so funny on my website? Invariably, those people are using Internet Explorer to view it. For those of you out there with Netscape-a far superior web browser-the "Monday Night Recap" looks just fine. With some versions of Internet Explorer, however, the text runs all together and is difficult to read. I've tried a couple of different HTML tags to correct this, but the only surefire remedy is to convert the entire document into HTML, which is something I really hate to do, and would delay the Recap even more each week. If you are having problems reading the Recap, I suggest you save it to your computer as a text file, or any other similar format. It will then be as I originally typed it and not how it looks on your screen). WCW Monday Nitro: Live/Taped: Live. Length: Two Hours+. Location: Memphis, Tennessee. HOUR ONE Hosted By: Tony Schiavone, Larry Zbyszko and Mike Tenay. - Man, is TNT in a hurry to get this show on the air! It's proceeded by "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues", and TNT has dropped the usual commercial break that plays between the end of the show and the running of it's credits (which is where they used to show the "Rough Cut" box office report"). Just as soon as the credits for "Kung Fu" end, Nitro starts. - They start off with a recap of the end of last week's show. Mean Gene Okerlund then brings out Curt Hennig for an interview. Hennig says he is a "free agent", and isn't aligned with the NWO, or any other group in WCW. Hennig says he will be at the Bash at the Beach, and will participate in some way, shape or form. Ric Flair then comes out and, in essence, asks Hennig to join the Four Horsemen. Hennig says he's made no decision about joining any group, but Flair scoffs at this and says Hennig is Horsemen material all the way. Hennig tells Okerlund that the fans will find out for sure what he's up to if they order the PPV this Sunday. - THE PUBLIC ENEMY vs. HARLEM HEAT (w/ Sister Sherri) The P.E. bring out a table and the cameraman makes a point of shooting the underside to the camera, as if to say "see ... we don't pre-cut these tables!" This sure seemed deliberate to me, the camera being in just the right spot and all. Schiavone hypes Dennis Rodman's appearance at the Bash, pretty much pointing out that this will be a good chance for Rodman detractors to see him get beat up. Interesting sales approach. Somewhere along the line WCW's tag team division became just as stale as the WWF's, even though WCW has more tag teams. This one just plods along, with none of the announcers going out of their way to call much of the in-ring action. The finish is pretty silly: Vincent of the NWO comes toward the ring, possibly to interfere as he has done in previous Harlem Heat matches. Sherri spots him and sends Booker T. to chase him off. This leaves Stevie Ray at the mercy of the P.E. Rocco Rock climbs to the top turnbuckle to land a blow. Sherri climbs up behind him and "pushes" him off. Rocco still manages to fly halfway across the ring and land the blow, trying to make it look as if it's Sherri's fault. Whatever. Anyway, Stevie Ray gets flattened and is covered for the pin. Sherri and Stevie Ray then argue. Mean Gene interviews the team, accidentally referring to Vincent as "Virgil". The Heat cut to the chase and fire Sherri. Sherri says she quits, so they can't fire her. Had I some beer, this would have prompted me to pop one open (her being fired, not her insistence on quitting). Funny that the table didn't get used. - Savage will appear this Friday on TBS's "Dinner and a Movie", co-hosting an airing of "Rocky III", which Savage says (in the commercial) "stars Hulk Hogan and some other people". - For the third week in a row they air a highlights package hyping the Sullivan/Benoit "Career Match" at the Bash. - KONAN vs. "DESPERADO" JOE GOMEZ The announcers are too busy speculating as to whether or not Konan is in the NWO to call this match. They then show Raven sitting in the audience, so they talk about him. Raven is still a moody, angst-ridden slacker. They show a clip of Konan "breaking" Rey Mysterio Jr.'s leg. Konan has no trouble putting Gomez away with his "Tequila Sunrise" submission finisher. The only thing that kept this from being an outright squash was the fact that Gomez kicked out of a couple of pin attempts. The only commentary on the match came from Schiavone, who pointed out a failed pin attempt, a lariat, and mentioned the name of the finisher. Tenay and Zbyszko didn't even comment on the match during the minute it lasted, hyping other portions of the card and the upcoming PPV instead. Konan tried to break Gomez's leg after the match, but was stopped by the ref. One of my biggest problems with WCW right now is the poor quality of their match commentary. It's hard for me to think these matches mean anything if even the announcers aren't paying any attention. Why should I care if they don't? - HECTOR GARZA/JUVENTUD GUERRERA vs. VILLANO IV/VILLANO V A pretty good match: one devoid of the sloppy blown moves that had been creeping into the cruiserweight matches on Nitro as of late. One great spot in particular had Guerrera springboard off the back of a crouching Garza and hit one Villano in the corner with a leg lariat, going over the top and to the floor in the process. They then try it again, but Guerrera gets caught and powerbombed by the Villano. After a plancha to the floor by Guerrera and a great looking moonsault by Garza, Garza then hits his corkscrew plancha from the top turnbuckle to the floor. (He took so long setting it up, playing to the crowd, that the Villanos looked stupid for standing there so long waiting for the move. Garza overshoots the one Villano that does manage to catch part of him, so Garza looked like he nearly killed himself). Guerrera finishes off the other Villano with the 450 degree forward somersault off the top. For once this looked like an actual tag team match instead of just four guys hitting their own separate spots. - Scott Hall, Randy Savage and Elizabeth come out and over to the announcer's desk. Schiavone and Tenay take off, but Zbyszko refuses to leave. Savage reclines atop the desk as he and Hall run down Diamond Dallas Page. Savage says he and Hall are taking Page and his mystery partner "very, very, very lightly". Hall gets too close to Zbyszko and the two nearly come to blows (Savage having to "hold Hall back"). - They show an "up close and personal" interview with Lex Luger and the Giant, chronicling the circumstances that led to the two teaming up. - VICIOUS & DELICIOUS vs. EDDY GUERRERO/CHAVO GUERRERO JR. Eddy tells Chavo on the way to the ring that he's doing what he's been doing to "toughen up" his young nephew. They cut away to a shot in the parking lot of a limo pulling away. They say that the limo had pulled up, but that it left once the cameraman arrived outside. Going into-and coming out of-the commercial break, they show an annoying promo for the Rodman match at the Bash. Jimi Hendrix music accompanied by grainy footage of Rodman and Hogan. I don't think I'd be giving anything away to you readers by mentioning that this was Rodman's only appearance on the show. This promo, or actually several similar ones, are shown throughout the show. It's really annoying, since I doubt any of them would sell the PPV to a prospective buyer. Either someone will get it, or they won't. Repeatedly showing footage of Rodman walking into the arena from several weeks ago in Chicago isn't going to be that final impetus for someone yet undecided as to whether or not they are going to get it. I'm assuming this is Rodman's fault, not WCW's, since he doesn't seem inclined to appear on the show. Back to the match. Chavo takes a lot of punishment early in the match. Eddy refuses to tag in, but eventually does. He goes through a nice, but brief, sequence with Bagwell. Norton then tags in and things go downhill. Chavo is slow to come in and spell Eddy, paying him back for earlier. Chavo then takes quite a beating as Eddy walks out of the match. (He does come back out briefly, but only to shake his head at how badly Chavo is doing). Bagwell puts Chavo away with the Blockbuster and a pin. Schiavone mentions during the match that Kevin Nash and Syxx aren't in the building tonight. HOUR TWO Hosted By: Tony Schiavone, Mike Tenay and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. - Larry Zbyszko refuses to leave the desk, leaving Bobby without a seat and headset (they do scrounge him up one from under the desk). Zbyszko wants to watch the next match. - RANDY "MACHO MAN" SAVAGE (w/ Elizabeth) vs. LA PARKA Lots of stalling to start this off, but Savage seems to have little trouble with La Parka. Hall keeps taunting Zbyszko over at the desk. Savage is on the verge of putting La Parka away when Hall heads over to the desk to confront Larry. Savage comes off the top with an elbowdrop ... and is met by La Parka's boots! La Parka picks up Savage and drops him with the Diamond Cutter, removes his mask, then covers for the shocking upset pin! Diamond Dallas Page with the win! The crowd goes nuts, as do the announcers. Hall struts back to the ring, assuming Savage has gotten the pin. Only then does he spot Page making his escape through the crowd. Zbyszko excuses himself, which seems to suggest that he was "in on" Page's scheme, and had stayed out to distract Hall away from the ring. This was a great misdirection ploy on the part of WCW. The crowd had no clue it was Page under the mask, and the home audience was kept distracted by the Hall/Zbyszko situation. WCW did nothing to give the scenario away, other than the mystery limo being a possible hint that Page had arrived. Page even did La Parka's strut (though he did it badly- something you'd never have noticed the first time around). WCW did this so well in fact, that I almost missed it. I had no interest in seeing Savage wrestle La Parka, and had only just flipped back from RAW to see if Hall and Zbyszko would go at it. This was truly a classic Nitro moment. - GLACIER/ERNEST MILLER vs. PSYCHOSIS/SILVER KING (w/ Sonny Onoo) They cut to the back and show Eddy and Chavo Guerrero going at it, brawling in a hallway. A strange mix of high spots and attempted submission maneuvers. It doesn't last long though, as Mortis and Wrath run in, causing a DQ. As they fight with Glacier and Miller, Psychosis and Silver King each do a high risk move. Psychosis comes off the top with a corkscrew moonsault to the floor, hitting Wrath and Miller, while Silver king nails Glacier and Mortis with a plancha. - Lee Marshall with this week's bad "weasel" joke. - Mean Gene interviews Ric Flair in the aisle. Someone has already wheeled out a covered statue for Flair, who comes out with another young lady on his arm. Flair says that "Rowdy" Roddy Piper is here, then uncovers a store display mannequin (in a kilt) as Piper's music plays. The young lady asks why Piper is called "Hot Rod", to which Flair lifts the mannequin's kilt and takes a look. Flair, as he's ranting, reaches back and shakes the kilt. The crowd starts to cheer as Piper enters from behind Flair, but the camera doesn't pick it up (at first) and Flair doesn't see him. Flair reaches back for the kilt again and grabs Piper's kilt. Flair and Piper come to blows, brawling to the ring. Once there, Piper rips Flair's clothing off. Flair is reduced to a pair of gold boxer shorts. Piper takes Flair's belt and whips him. Piper slaps on a sleeper, but is attacked by Chris Benoit and Steve McMichael of the Horsemen. Benoit lays into Piper, but Roddy doesn't sell any of the shots. He instead beats off Benoit and McMichael with some weak looking shots of his own. Flair joins in and all three Horsemen beat on him. As they begin to cut away to commercial, you can see Jeff Jarrett run into the ring (but they still go to break). Once back, the ring is empty, and they don't bother to show any replay. Whatever Jarrett did isn't mentioned, and Schiavone only offhand remarks that it was Jarrett that ran in later on. - Tenay tries to interview Raven again, but Raven still won't talk. Suddenly Stevie Richards enters and grabs the mic away from Tenay, saying he will conduct the interview. Richards has even less success, drawing a slap from Raven who gets up and leaves. Richards throws the mic to Tenay and say "I told you we didn't want an interview!" This was really sad. There was virtually NO crowd reaction, only a boo when Richards, trying to work the crowd, called them "morons". There was just the slightest cheer when Raven slapped Richards. Tenay referred to them as former tag team partners, but except for one far away yell of "ECW" I'm sure most of the crowd had absolutely no idea who either man was. I know it's nice when wrestlers are brought in under their old identities, but sometimes a new gimmick or makeover is necessary. Two weeks, and two strikes thus far against Raven's arrival meaning anything. Richards called himself "Dancing Stevie, the King of Swing", which means he's gone back to playing the buffoonish lackey his character was over a year ago. - THE STEINER BROTHERS vs. CHRIS BENOIT/STEVE MCMICHAEL (w/ Debra) This, like the earlier Heat/P.E. match, seemed like so much filler. No one in the ring really put in much effort, except for a few moments when Benoit and Rick Steiner were going at it. They cut away to the back to show Randy Savage beating up referee Nick Patrick, presumably in retaliation for his making the three count in the "La Parka" match. Patrick does a ridiculously bad job of screaming about his "broken arm" as Savage continues to look for Page. The match is finally put out of it's misery when the action spills to the floor. Jeff Jarrett runs out again to attack McMichael. Meanwhile, Jimmy Hart has come out as well, and is being held on the apron by Benoit. They then show Kevin Sullivan at ringside, pulling one of those wooden chairs away from someone (who turns out to be Jacquelyn, but the camera picked it up way to late to figure out just what exactly is going on right off the bat). Sullivan nails Benoit with the chair, which shatters-just as it's supposed to. Sullivan teases going after Benoit with a broken wooden slat from the chair back, but is chased off by Rick Steiner. Benoit is pinned by Rick Steiner. Sullivan bowls Jacquelyn over as he backs away from the ring. He and her then scuffle, push and pull, as they leave. The camera keeps cutting away, but the announcers do their best to point out that things don't look good for Kevin and Jacquelyn. - "Hollywood" Hogan and Eric Bischoff come out to close out the show with an interview. The ring instantly fills with thrown trash. Lex Luger and the Giant come out. Vincent runs in and is chokeslammed by the Giant. Bagwell suffers the same fate. Luger, just after getting drenched by an expertly tossed, completely full beverage, hoists Bischoff up into the Torture Rack. Hogan slips out of the ring, then pulls Bischoff out after Luger drops him. Hogan carries out the limp body of Bischoff as the show ends. - Matches for next week: None announced. Comments: I wonder how many people were kicked out by security? This was maybe the worst display of fans throwing garbage, with the possible exception of the night people were actually throwing plastic bottles. WCW really needs to address this problem. I don't know if they make an announcement in the arena, but they completely avoid mentioning bringing it up on TV. It's now become accepted audience participation. Overall, I thought it was a good, memorable Nitro. The lack of much quality wrestling was a disappointment, and the ceaseless hyping of the PPV became overbearing, but there was a lot that was good. There was also, with the exception of the Page and Flair segments, some poor camera work and control truck editing. Often times significant things were completely missed, or cut to too late or away from too soon. They also cut to commercial often when something would be happening, which may have been deliberate to hold viewers there throughout the break. The thing with Page really caught me off guard, even though we've seen things done like this numerous times over the years. The key to it's success was WCW's not giving away a single clue that anything was up, and the distraction of Hall and Zbyszko. I'm sure some will say The Flair/Piper brawl was a classic too, but I wasn't as moved by it. This is another thing we've seen before, and it only works if the attacker is allowed to totally humiliate the person being stripped. Having Flair get immediate revenge lessens the impact. I was also seriously pissed when Piper didn't sell Benoit's blows. This wasn't like when Piper takes a shot and goes into a rage, as if "Hulking up". Piper instead just nonchalantly stood there and refused to react to any of the shots. This seemed a great disrespect to Benoit, since he was kind enough to act like he was being killed when Piper hit back in return. Cutting away just as Jarrett was running in also lessened the overall impact of the incident. Instead of "Piper humiliates Flair!", it'll now be remembered as "Flair and Piper get in a fight ... other miscellaneous people run in". Hennig's interview was exactly the right way to further his debut. It keeps things up in the air, but at least we know that from his own words, not announcer speculation. It tells the fans that he's here, he's here to stay, and there's a reason to stay tuned. Raven's introduction, on the other hand, has been botched. WCW is either unwilling or unable to say he's from ECW. Since they can't refer to him as "Scotty Flamingo" (since that would hurt more than help) WCW is left with a wrestler the fans don't know and don't know what to think about. Had he debuted by running in and attacking someone, then the fans would have immediately been able to boo (or cheer) him. As it is, unless he makes his intentions clear within the next week or so, they'll almost have to pull a Sting and keep showing him week after week after week. Maybe, given enough time, the mystique will get to the fans and curiosity about him will build. The introduction of Stevie Richards only complicates matters somewhat. WCW has thrown out months worth of character development in his case. Richards had just been set up as a rival of Raven's, the two having split months ago. Richards was just on the verge of being built as ECW's top star. Now, he's portrayed as something he hasn't been for ages: Raven's partner and lackey. It's possible that WCW couldn't figure out what to do with Raven, and brought in Richards to serve as his first opponent. I wouldn't bet on anything yet, as they may be sent off on separate feuds and angles. In any case, Richards is probably a better fit in WCW than Raven is, though his introduction has irrevocably tied him to Raven, which may make it harder for him to fit into the regular flow of WCW. If they do fight, then it's pretty much the Glacier/Mortis situation all over again. (Bob Ryder, by the way, deserves a boatload of credit for being right on this one). A good Nitro this week. It did as good a job as could be hoped to build hype for the upcoming PPV. Too bad Rodman didn't show up. Sting didn't show either, which is probably a sign that he won't be at the PPV as Page's partner. Speaking of which, anyone else out there think Larry Zbyszko might be the surprise partner? That seems to be the hot new rumor floating around. If so, then it'd be about time, as they've been teasing a confrontation between Hall and Zbyszko for the better part of a year now. I thought the ending could have been a bit better, this being the weakest finish to on a Nitro in a long time. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quick WWF In Your House XVI: "Canadian Stampede" Results (07/06/97): - Free For All Countdown Show: * The Godwinns defeated the New Blackjacks via pinfall. - WWF In Your House XVI: "Canadian Stampede": * Mankind and Hunter Hearst Helmsley battled to a double countout. They brawled through the crowd after the match. Chyna interfered regularly during the match, and helped out Helmsley in the fight afterward. * The Great Sasuke defeated Taka Michinoku with a Tiger Suplex. Mankind and Helmsley reappeared in the crowd, still fighting, just before this match started. Helmsley was bleeding from the forehead. After Sasuke's victory, they cut to the outside of the arena, where Helmsley and Mankind were still brawling. * The Undertaker pinned Vader following two chokeslams and a Tombstone Piledriver. * The Hart Foundation defeated "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Ken Shamrock, Goldust and the Legion of Doom. Owen Hart and Austin were both injured during the match and taken out by referees, but both returned before the match was over. Austin scuffled with two of the Hart brothers in the audience during the match, and grabbed Stu Hart out of his seat. During the confusion of the massive brawl, Owen Hart rolled up Steve Austin from behind for the pin. Three other Hart brothers (including Bruce Hart) were involved in the massive brawl which closed out the match. Austin and his team left the ring, but then Austin returned with a chair. Austin was attacked by the entire Hart family, then led out in handcuffs by security. The PPV ended with the entire Hart family-including Stu, Helen, Diana, and all the Hart children and grandchildren-in the ring. WWF RAW is WAR: Live/Taped: Live. Length: Two Hours+. Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. HOUR ONE Hosted By: Vince McMahon, Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler. - RAW treats us to shots from Calgary newspapers covering the PPV, some of the Canadian fan comments aired on the PPV, and some shots from the 10 man tag match itself. - Vince McMahon interviews Bret Hart. McMahon announces that Bret will get the World Title shot against the Undertaker at SummerSlam. Hart says a few words of thanks to the Canadian fans. After running down why Canada is better than America, he renews his pledge to win the belt, or never again wrestle on American soil. He then brings out his brother Owen and the British Bulldog. Bret says Owen will beat Steve Austin at SummerSlam, while the Bulldog will do the same to Ken Shamrock. Since most everything about the WWF is American, Bret has the Canadian anthem played. The crowd stands and observes the playing of the anthem as the Canadian flag waves on the jumbo screen ... until Steve Austin attacks. Armed with a steel chair, Austin outrages the Canadian crowd by pasting all three Hart family members from behind. After the break they show comments Hart made during the commercial. McMahon offers an apology on behalf of the WWF for Austin's actions. - THE GREAT SASUKE vs. TAKA MICHINOKU Brian Christopher sits in for color commentary. They play pretaped comments from Sasuke, spoken in Japanese. Lawler says Sasuke threatened Christopher, claiming to be an expert in "Someflung Dung". This match, pretty good as it was, was a near exact copy of their match the previous night at the PPV. In both matches the crowd started off fairly quiet, but were really into it by the finish. Sasuke looked great, but Michinoku looked even better. This match was shorter because they cut out the sequence of mat wrestling they had done the previous night to start the match. Moving right into the high spots, Sasuke does a plancha to the floor. Michinoku responds with a drop-kick off the top. He then tried a spectacular springboard moonsault off the top rope (starting from a standing position in the ring, jumping and swirling onto the rope), but his foot slipped and he came off with less force than expected and no arc. He still made solid contact, though, then set Sasuke up for a regular Asai moonsault. Michinoku then does a scoop up into a split- legged piledriver, which I'm sure has some fancy name and deserves such. He then tries a moonsault off the top, but Sasuke moves. Sent to the floor, Sasuke nails him with the ever rare Flying Space Tiger Drop. Sasuke finishes him off with a crucifix powerbomb, after failing to get the pin with a Tiger Suplex. (The two same moves were reversed the previous night, with the suplex earning the pin). Christopher was annoyingly brilliant in his insulting of Sasuke. A future feud between the two is the obvious implication. - They show a highlights package explaining the formation of the DOA and Savio Vega's gang. - SAVIO VEGA (w/ "Los Bariquas") vs. CRUSH (w/ the DOA) I have no idea how it's spelled, but the above is spelled as it sounds. Nothing here but a stomp-fest for a few minutes until the expected brawl breaks out between the two gangs. One of Savio's men is injured when the Harris twins drop him across the seat of one of the motorcycles. During the match, Jim Ross mentions that Savio used to wrestle as TNT in the Caribbean. (He leaves out that stint where he was Kwang the Ninja). - As they go to break, they run a promo for "Summer Flashbacks", an hour special featuring highlights from previous SummerSlams. This will air after RAW is WAR next week. They actually mention, and show clips, of: Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Ric Flair, the Ultimate Warrior, Bret Hart, the Undertaker, Rick Rude, Steve Austin, Diesel, Shawn Michaels, Mr. Perfect, Razor Ramon and Roddy Piper. Since it isn't listed on this month's TV schedule, we'll have to wait and see if RAW is still two hours, or will only be one to accommodate the special. (I'm assuming RAW will still be two hours, since "La Femme Nikita" is moving to Sunday nights anyway). This may be a test to see how wrestling will do in the ratings for the later time slot. - Paul Bearer does an interview, but says nothing new and gets to call the Undertaker a "murderer" a few more times. - NATION OF DOMINATION vs. OWEN HART/THE BRITISH BULLDOG They get comments from Steve Austin in the lockerroom. He says he's tired of telling Vince that he doesn't care who his partner is next week, and he'd just as soon have Gorilla Monsoon choose for him. He then lays into Mankind, calling him an earless, hairy freak. Austin tells McMahon to shut up, which prompts McMahon to call him "out of line!" and cut him off. I don't know why, but this segment struck me as hilarious, with Vince finally getting in the last word. Owen and the Bulldog are totally dominant in this one, controlling D-Lo and Faarooq at will. I wouldn't call this a great match, but all four men kept it moving at a fast and furious pace. The crowd response was tremendous, with Owen being nearly every bit as popular as Bret. The only slow spot was a resthold stretch with D-Lo and the Bulldog, which gave Davey Boy a much needed breather. Owen tags in and cleans house on both D-Lo and Faarooq, but tumbles to the floor when Kama (at ringside) pulls down the top rope. Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart comes in from nowhere, followed by Pillman, and they, along with Owen and Davey Boy, brawl with the NOD on the floor. The ref makes his count and Owen slips in under the rope just before the ten count, winning the match. Mankind runs out at the end of the match for no apparent reason, but does nothing. As they go to break they get more comments from a calmed down Austin. Stone Cold faces Hunter Hearst Helmsley tonight, and Austin rips into him, saying while Helmsley sits down to a lobster dinner, Austin will open up a can of whoop-ass. Austin gets the last word this time, telling McMahon to "shut up!" HOUR TWO Hosted By: Vince McMahon, Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler. - "STONE COLD" STEVE AUSTIN vs. HUNTER HEARST HELMSLEY (w/ Chyna) They show still from the Helmsley/Mankind match, which was a lot better than I ever expected it would be. The match starts off very technical, with both wrestlers making a show of out-thinking the other. Austin mocks Helmsley by imitating his bow (after avoiding a blow by holding onto the ropes when whipped into them). Austin is working over Helmsley's arm when Hunter cheats first by going to the eyes. He beats on Austin over in the corner. Austin turns it around and starts to pound on Helmsley. Helmsley is whipped into the opposite corner and flies completely out of the ring (a la Shawn Michaels). Austin follows and drops him across the steel guard rail. The action continues in the ring as they cut to a commercial. The back-and-forth action continues, with Helmsley seemingly in control. Austin stops that with a reverse Atomic Drop. Helmsley comes back, though. Each man would hit a big move, but then miss the follow-up. Helmsley, back in control again, whips Austin into the ropes, but Austin hits a Lou Thesz Press. Chyna places a steel chair on the ring apron, then trips Austin after he slams HHH and goes into the ropes. Austin gets up and is met by a Helmsley clothesline. Helmsley grabs the chair on the apron. Suddenly Mankind runs in, but is spotted by Helmsley and nailed with the chair. Helmsley is then caught by Austin as he turns around, and is put down with the Stone Cold Stunner. Austin covers for the pin. Hunter and Chyna bid a hasty exit. Austin grabs a mic and yells at Mankind, telling him to get up, that one chairshot can't put him down. Austin tells him that he doesn't like him, but he'll "damn well go to war" with him, and extends his hand, offering Mankind the spot as his partner next week. Mankind shakes his head, and signals that he wants a hug instead. Austin gives a big, dopey smile and hugs Mankind. Mankind gives the crowd a "Bang! Bang!", then is kicked in the gut by Austin, followed by the Stunner. Austin crawls over him and says he'd never be the partner of a freak like him. As Stone Cold leaves, Mankind gets on the mic and says all he wanted was some respect. Now Austin has made an enemy of him, and Mankind next week will have to "do something I never thought I'd do again!" He says the WWF, Austin, and "Mankind" will never be the same again. - Sunny comes to the ring to introduce the competitors of the next match. First, though, they play the second SummerSlam million dollar contest hint. The contest is pretty much a no-brainer, as the hints spell out a message or question, which you then write on a 3X5 card and mail to the WWF. Presumably all correct entries will be put in a barrel and the winner drawn at the PPV. - BRIAN CHRISTOPHER vs. ERIC SHELLEY Shelly is Canadian, and the match is billed as "USWA vs. Canada". Brian had said during the Sasuke match that those high flying moves wouldn't work against him. He proves it in this one, avoiding everything the talented local wrestler can throw at him. This was an okay match, as Shelley gave a good accounting of himself. Christopher looked really good this time out, as Shelley is a better wrestler than Scott Putski. Brian wins by pin following a legdrop off the top rope. During the match, Lawler challenges Ivan Putski to show up with his son next week in San Antonio, and says he and Christopher will wrestle them if they do show. Lawler then gets in the ring and helps his son beat up on the Canadian jobber. They show a few classic clips of Ivan Putski, saying he is indeed scheduled to appear next week on RAW. They then run down the tour schedule for the next week, with Ross saying "Shawn Michaels will be back in his home town next week". - Steve Austin comes out again. They showed the clip of Austin being handcuffed and escorted away from the ring at the PPV. Austin gives a double bird (in the replay) which is video distorted for this broadcast. Austin says he does and says what he wants to, and cain't no one tell him any different! Vince asks who his partner will be, and Austin says he won't pick anyone: Gorilla Monsoon can pick the partner as far as Austin is concerned. Then in regards to Owen Hart pinning him the previous night, Austin says he wants a stipulation added to his IC Title match at SummerSlam: Austin says if he doesn't win, "He can pull down his trunks ... pull down his little panties ... and I'll kiss him right on the ass!" - BRET "HITMAN" HART vs. GOLDUST The first several minutes are all Bret Hart, with Goldust getting in very little offense. Suddenly the DOA ride to ringside on their Harleys. Moments later the Hart Foundation members come to the ring. A massive brawl looks only seconds away as they cut to a commercial. Goldust has made something of a comeback, and the crowd is really pumped in anticipation of a massive brawl. Ken Shamrock and the Legion of Doom come down the ramp, which increases the overall tension. Moments later Steve Austin appears at the top of the ramp. You can sense things about to explode. Then out of nowhere Bret avoids a Sunset Flip and kneels on Goldust for a clean pin. Hart wins, the other Hart Foundation members enter the ring, and the show ends. Boo. - Matches for next week: Owen/Bulldog vs. Austin/??? Comments: A real anti-climactic ending to an otherwise excellent show. It's pretty clear that all the extra bodies were there to keep the fans from changing over to Nitro (which was putting on it's own anti-climactic ending). The WWF really did a lot to put the Harts over in Canada, and it paid off in a pair of really hot crowds. Speaking of which, I saw an "RSPW Sucks" sign during one of the matches. There were also numerous website signs, with at least three for SCOOPS that I could spot. This raises a question: when is somebody going to hold up a "Slobberknocker Central" sign? Huh? Anyone? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Bottom Line: Combined, this was the best Monday night in weeks, if not months. Next week is already promising to be better, as the WWF has built to a huge show. The main focus of this week's show was the match for the tag belts next week, and the promised return of Shawn Michaels, plus the Mankind situation, make for a show that shouldn't be missed. Nitro should be big as well, since it will recap the Bash at the Beach, and we should know what's up with Hennig, Raven, and possibly even Sting. I still have no intention of getting the PPV, as it's curiosity value far outweighs any promise of solid, quality action. As you may have guessed, I did order the "Canadian Stampede" PPV, and I'm glad I did. My brother brought in two of his friends and with cash in hand, they browbeat me into getting it. Expecting very little, I was blown away for three quarters of the PPV. The only downer was Undertaker vs. Vader, and that wasn't bad, just average. I was blown away by how well they pulled off the main event, and the finale made me wish I was Canadian (for about five seconds). Actually, the worst part of the PPV was the "Free For All", and that was, well ... free. The preview aside, this was the best executed WWF PPV, from beginning to end, this year. I'd have never thought only four matches could carry a show. I've already pretty much decided to get SummerSlam, and will probably get the next ECW PPV if Primestar carries it. The only WCW PPV I'm keeping my eye open for is whichever one Hogan is eventually forced to face Sting. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- This Week's Winner: RAW. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Slobberknocker Central" and "Monday Night Recap" are copyright 1997 by John Petrie, and all opinions expressed therein are his own, and not those of Internet Access, Inc.