Slobberknocker Central Monday Night Recap #179
April 19th, 1999

The Opening Word:

The big story coming out of last week was the WWF "firing" a number of 
their wrestlers. I'm assuming this thing started out as a story on Dave 
Meltzer's Observer hotline. Quickly it exploded on the Internet, and the 
number of those rumored to have been fired swelled. Late in the week the 
WWF was forced to put up an article on their own website clarifying things.

It turns out the only ones who have been fired were the Blue Meanie, John 
"Golga" Tenta and Duane "Gillberg" Gill. The only surprise of these three 
is the Meanie, who in reality is still on tour with the WWF and appeared at 
house shows all last week. No word on how long this will continue. What is 
more interesting is what this means for Goldust, as the Meanie's only role 
in the WWF was as Goldust's lackey. The decision to remove the Meanie from 
an on-camera role would seem to suggest changes in store for Goldust. In 
any event, it looks like the WWF will be maintaining some kind of 
relationship with the Meanie, and if they could come up with a good angle 
for him, I'm sure they wouldn't hesitate to re-sign him (assuming they had 
a contract with him in the first place). Perhaps some of those out there 
who are actively rallying to get the Meanie hired back (there's already one 
website dedicated to this) would be better off expending their energies in
suggesting some ways the WWF could use him, rather than just badmouthing 
the WWF for letting him go in the first place. The Blue Meanie's unique 
character was laid out on the table for all to see, and he only got a mixed 
reaction from the fans. What else should the WWF have done with him?

Much the same could be said for Gillberg. Duane Gill, a retired jobber who 
coached pee-wee football, was brought back by the WWF as a joke. They then 
created the "Gillberg" character as another joke. How long was the WWF 
supposed to keep the joke going? Just ask yourself this question: does it 
make sense to pay to fly Gill from his home, which I believe is in San 
Diego, out to the east coast every week, just so he can come out and do his 
little routine? How much is a plane ticket from San Diego to Pittsburgh, or 
Long Island, or Albany? Perhaps when the WWF tours the midwest, Texas, or 
west coast, it makes a bit more sense financially, but not all the time. 
He may not have been the most expendable person in the WWF, but given his 
role, he had to have been pretty high up the list. The only questions his 
release raises are in regards to the Light Heavyweight Title he held. Will 
the WWF be dropping it altogether, or will they attempt to revive the 
division? (The WWF has a similar question on their slate regarding the 
European Title, which Shane McMahon recently "retired".)

Perhaps of all the names listed, John "Golga" Tenta is the one almost no 
one has raised a fuss about. With the Oddities out of the picture, Golga's 
days were clearly numbered. The end started when the WWF and the Insane 
Clown Posse parted ways. The WWF then broke Luna away from the group so 
that she could engage in a feud with Women's Champ Sable. Problems 
backstage lead to her being effectively "suspended". The WWF then sent the 
Giant Silva and Kurrgan to Puerto Rico (last I heard) in part because with 
Paul Wight now in the company they didn't want a glut of "giants". Throw in 
George "the Animal" Steele returning to retirement and his role as 
"goodwill ambassador" (a capacity in which he's been used by the WWF for 
many years), and that left Golga as the sole remaining Odditity. Having 
been absent from television for some time, his dismissal was almost a 
foregone conclusion.

The rest of the wrestlers rumored to have been fired, ranging from Steve 
Williams to Steve Blackman to the Legion of Doom, it turns out that the 
rumors were all false. Taken literally, that is. The WWF claims that most 
of these individuals are undergoing "creative review". What that 
essentially means is they are off TV until the WWF can figure out what to 
do with them. Given that, none of this is really that big a surprise. Steve 
Blackman, possibly about to undergo a heel turn, wasn't involved in any 
angle beyond that. Steve Williams was only peripherally involved with the 
Hardcore division, and Jim Ross returning to announcing duties already 
meant changes would have to have been made with Williams. Of the many 
wrestlers rumored to have been fired, the reality is that they are all 
still under WWF contract, will be used by them when the WWF can come up 
with an adequate capacity for such, will most likely work house show dates 
for the WWF, probably be allowed to pursue work in Japan or the various 
indy feds, and, depending on how their WWF contracts are structured, still 
collect WWF paychecks. Some may not do anything else for the WWF at all. I 
suspect what really happened is the WWF held a meeting with all the 
wrestlers prior to the last set of tapings, informing them that these 
wrestlers in question were being pulled from use on TV. A few were let go, 
while others would be shelved until the WWF could come up with new angles 
and gimmicks for them.

There's nothing new about any of this.

This is the way things have been in the WWF for years. Wrestlers are 
constantly being hired and fired, and periodically they will take a look at 
what they have and cut away some of the dead weight. No matter how good 
business is for the WWF, it makes no sense to keep under contract a 
wrestler you can't use, who isn't over, whose gimmick hasn't caught on, who 
is injured, or whatever.

Unless I'm mistaken, WCW did the same thing just last year. That batch of 
firings saw the exit of Ray Traylor, who went back to the WWF as the Big 
Bossman. I believe the Renegade was also let go at about the same time, and 
we all know what happened to him.

These things happen all the time. I'm a little disappointed at how angry 
some people got over this, especially some of my colleagues over on the 
nWWWo website (I almost said "former"). What's really funny is how WCW is 
trying to spin the story, using it to deflect attention from their firing 
of Davey Boy Smith.

For those who hadn't heard, a little background: Davey Boy Smith injured 
his back in a match against Alex Wright, when he landed badly on the 
trapdoor which was hidden in the mat (used by the Ultimate Warrior in his 
failed WCW stint last year). Recently Smith was hospitalized for a severe 
spinal infection, with surgery looming on the horizon which threatens to 
end his career. As awful as that all sounds, WCW had every right to sever 
their contract with him (though the question of their liability in his 
injury is another matter--likely to be settled in a nasty lawsuit). What 
probably wasn't as right, certainly not from a PR standpoint, was their 
firing him while he was in the hospital, the letter of termination almost 
literally being delivered to him in his hospital bed. In other words, 
justified or not, their timing stank. Late in the week Mark Madden, in 
WCW's defense, tried to spin the issue by saying something to the effect 
of "you think that's bad, look at what the WWF just did!" There have been 
similarities pointed out in Smith's firing and WCW's firing of Steve 
Austin. They are similar, though not for the reason most fans think. In 
reality, in both situations, WCW was on the end of poor communication with 
both wrestlers. In Austin's case there was some question as to the severity 
of the injury he suffered in Japan. Unable to aquire certain documentation 
from him regarding the injury, they fired him. It was much the same with 
Davey Boy. Unable to get a direct answer from him, and only receiving vague 
communications from his lawyers, they finally decided to let him go. They 
may not have even known the severity of his illness when the decision was 
made. Personally I think they were justified in letting him go, they just 
happened to have picked the worst time to do it.

Much like the rumored WWF firings, the story of Davey Boy Smith's 
termination by WCW has been blown all out of proportion, and has become 
fodder for those already willing to cheaply attack them.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

WCW Monday Nitro:
Live/Taped: Live.
Length: Three Hours+.
Location: Gainesville, Florida.
HOUR ONE Hosted By: Tony Schiavone and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.

 - Goldberg pulls up in his rental car and announces that DDP is "next!"

 - Riki Rachtman, DJ Ran and the Nitro Girls are back. To spare us all the
   aggravation I'm just going to ignore them from here on out.

 - THE HORSEMEN (w/ Arn Anderson) vs. THE ARMSTRONGS
   Dean Malenko and Chris Benoit, for once accompanied by Anderson, are way
   over with the crowd. Malenko secures the win with the Texas Cloverleaf.

   During the match they show a strange looking guy with black hair in a
   mohawk, wearing shades and holding a walking stick. Schiavone recognizes
   him as Alex Wright. My brother asked me how he could recognize him when
   neither of us did. I said "because it says so on that piece of paper in
   front on him." We laughed. I guess you had to be there.

   "Rowdy" Roddy Piper is in the back, looking over the paperwork Ric Flair
   signed on Thunder last week--paperwork which he never even looked at.

 - Randy "Macho Man" Savage and Gorgeous George try to enter the building,
   but Security Chief Doug Dellinger won't admit them, because Savage has
   been suspended and barred from the building by President Flair. Piper
   then shows up and says it's okay.

   "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews WCW Champ Diamond Dallas Page. Page, who
   is booed by most of the crowd, refuses to give Goldberg at shot at his
   belt. Goldberg comes out, they growl and stare at each other, and
   announcer Tony Schiavone takes that to mean the match is on.

 - Piper gets David Flair to sign some papers which will result in someone
   receiving "observation" for 72 hours.

 - "Mean" Gene grabs DDP in the back for a few comments. This sets up a
   video package showing Page injuring "Hollywood" Hogan. Schiavone says
   Hogan has a torn ACL.

 - REY MYSTERIO, JR. vs. PSYCHOSIS vs. JUVENTUD GUERRERA vs. BLITZKRIEG
   What can I say about this one? Maybe one of WCW's best matches ever, but
   frankly ... I couldn't stay interested. Lasting at least twenty minutes,
   Psychosis wins this "Four Corners" match, pinning Blitzkrieg, to capture
   the Cruiserweight Title. Completely out-of-the-blue title change, having
   nothing to do with the recent storylines. (By the way, I'm not trashing
   the match, so anyone thinking of writing to me to complain can go to
   hell.)

 - "Mean" Gene interviews Ric Flair and Arn Anderson. Flair gets a few
   minutes to work up the crowd, having them totally eating out of the
   palm of his hand, before Roddy Piper's bagpipe music kicks in. Piper
   comes out and says Flair is crazy, and not fit to run WCW. The crowd is
   solidly behind Flair, and booing Piper heartily (his outdated pop
   culture references don't help much either). Long story short, Piper
   produces a document, signed by a judge, which states that Flair is no
   longer in charge of WCW. Flair rebuts by firing Piper. Piper counters by
   announcing that Flair will face Kevin Nash in a match later tonight.
   Flair, who by this time has stripped down to his socks and a pair of
   Florida Gators boxer shorts, challenges Piper to  a match at Slamboree.
   If Piper wins, he runs WCW.

   This was all pretty goofy, because if Piper had the power to do what he
   said, then nothing Flair said meant anything. And if he didn't, then
   this was all pretty pointless. It seemed like Piper was supposed to be
   the face, and Flair the corrupt heel getting his comeuppance, but the
   fan reaction was the exact opposite. The commentary was totally lacking
   in being able to explain things, and the wrestlers continue to play
   their characters contrary to what the storylines call for. Still, as far
   as WCW angles usually go, this isn't bad.

HOUR TWO Hosted By: Tony Schiavone and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.

 - Konnan is confronted by the NWO Black & White, who say Kevin Nash would
   like to see him. K-Dawg says no, so they punk him out.

 - BRIAN KNOBBS vs. HAK (w/ Chastity)
   Knobbs, of Nasty Boys fame, looks just the same as when we last saw him.
   Chastity wheels a cart full of plunder to ringside, and Hak and Knobbs
   engage in the typical WWF Hardcore Division style of match, where the
   two take turns hitting each other over the head with stuff. Both
   Chastity and Bam Bam Bigelow, who comes out with a cane, interfere.
   Knobbs gets the pin, delivering a better Nitro debut than either Hak or
   Bigelow was able to. This was good or bad depending on how much you like
   such matches. I was somewhere in the middle: it was okay.

 - Randy Savage introduces Madusa in the lockerroom. Madusa says she can
   beat any man in WCW. That's two returns to WCW tonight, which Internet
   rumors kept from being surprises, while the way WCW did them kept them
   from being exciting. It's like WCW's concept of change is to try and get
   as close to being the way they were in 1996/1997 as humanly possible.
   Maybe they should start running those "Blood Runs Cold" promos again.

 - A Kevin Nash/NWO Black & White encounter establishes that Nash had
   nothing to do with the Konnan ambush. Scott Steiner then says Nash's
   title shot should be his because of what Kimberly did to him last week
   (in his match against DDP). Stevie Ray talks tough, but Nash tells him
   he wouldn't want to mess with Big Sexy.

 - BUFF BAGWELL vs. DISCO INFERNO
   Another look at Alex Wright during this match, which Bagwell wins with a
   running Buff Blockbuster. Yet another Disco Inferno push seems to have
   petered out.

 - Scott Steiner comes out with a trio of Ho's. Steiner says he got tired
   of Buff Bagwell being his "cheerleader" and dumped him. He calls Buff a
   "Chippendale Dancer" and implies he's gay.

 - A "let's go Gators!" chant drowns out whatever Schiavone tries to say
   here. A video clip replays the confrontation between WCW referee Charles
   Robinson and Gorgeous George. Schiavone says George will be trained for
   this match by Madusa.

HOUR THREE Hosted By: Tony Schiavone and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.

 - KIDMAN vs. RAVEN (w/ Saturn)
   Practically a WWF match, with the action barely getting underway when
   Saturn, Mysterio, Malenko and Benoit all end up in the ring. The match
   is thrown out. The quick schmozz here makes this look an awful lot like
   the Jeff Jarrett & Owen Hart/New Age Outlaws/X-Pac & Kane feud. Things
   cool down, then Saturn attacks Mysterio, then the Horsemen run in again.
   Whut-evuh!

 - SCOTT NORTON vs. SCOTT STEINER
   Why does Steiner come out to the Wolfpac theme? Norton gets in some
   power move offense, but Steiner cruises to the easy win, getting the
   feet-on-the-ropes assisted pin following a belly-to-belly suplex. Is
   Norton being punished for something? Schiavone made a big deal about
   Norton, an NWO member, getting this U.S. Title shot. 

 - Kevin Nash gives a shout out to "Hollywood" Hogan, promising to break
   DDP's back. Nash says if Goldberg wins the belt tonight, they'll square
   off at Slamboree.

 - KEVIN NASH vs. RIC FLAIR (w/ Arn Anderson)
   Nash spends half of his time in the ring brushing his hair out of his
   face. Unable to do much more than punch, kneelift and headlock, Nash
   reminds me of Karl Malone in the ring. Flair does a lot of stalling to
   stretch this match out to an appreciable length. Referee Charles
   Robinson is slow in halting interference by Anderson. A Sidewalk Slam by
   Nash starts a comeback. The action moves to the floor. Nash, dropping
   from the apron to the floor, looks like he's going to pass out from the
   pain in his knees. All kidding aside, I'm starting to feel sorry for the
   guy. He shouldn't be in a wrestling ring in this condition. Nash tosses
   Flair back in, follows, knocks Arn off the apron, and delivers a
   Jackknife powerbomb. Robinson refuses to count, checking on Arn down on
   the floor instead. Gorgeous George runs out, clocks Robinson, strips off
   his shirt, puts it on, and makes the three count (Nash putting his foot
   on Flair's chest). Randy Savage looks on from the aisle.

   Flair is still out, and a stretcher is wheeled out for him. Guys in
   white lab coats, looking like mad scientists, drag Flair onto the
   stretcher. Arn yells at them to be careful, that Flair is hurt. Piper
   goads over the unconscious Flair, who is wheeled out, not to a waiting
   ambulance, but to a plain white van. The doors close and we see that it
   is from the Central Florida Mental Hospital, where Flair will be taken
   to undergo 72 hours of observation.

 - Dusty Rhodes joins the announce team.

 - GOLDBERG vs. DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE
   You can tell these guys have worked together a lot (it was DDP who
   trained Goldberg) in the moves they do down on the mat. Goldberg
   controls most of the match, with DDP getting in sporadic bursts of
   offense. The crowd is hot, and solidly behind Goldberg. DDP, frustrated,
   digs a foreign object out of his tights (heel!). The ref tries to get a
   look, and winds up getting sandwiched when Goldberg rushes in with the
   Spear. DDP rolls to the floor. Back on the apron, Goldberg Jackhammers
   him back into the ring. Cover, but no ref to count. DDP clobbers
   Goldberg with the foreign object, completing the heel turn. Down on the
   floor DDP sets Goldberg's leg on the steel steps and whacks it with a
   chair. After a few shots a referee tries to pull the chair away, but DDP
   pulls him off the apron, flinging him to the floor! DDP wraps Goldberg's
   legs around the post, preparing to give him the Figure Four. Comparisons
   to what he did to Hogan are made. Kevin Nash runs out to make the save.
   DDP nails Nash with the title belt, and walks off. The show ends, having
   run a minute or so longer than usual.

 - This Thursday: Nothing announced.

 - Next week: Nothing announced.

Comments:

My lack of enthusiasm aside, WCW put on a decent show this week. Hour One 
was particularly strong, featuring its best wrestling and most of its 
storyline development. Hour Two wasn't so hot, though, and Hour Three just 
played out all the stuff set up earlier, with most of it falling a bit 
flat (until the very end). The lesson? Three hours is too damn long (as if 
it needs to be said anymore).

A number of matches are shaping up for Slamboree:

 * DDP vs. Nash. World Title Match.
 * Flair vs. Piper. Winner runs WCW.
 * Gorgeous George vs. Charles Robinson. Savage reinstated if George wins.
 * Bagwell vs. Steiner.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

WWF RAW is WAR:
Live/Taped: Taped 4/13.
Length: Two Hours+.
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan.
WWF RAW Hosted By: Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler.

 - A video package highlights most everything that's happened to "Stone
   Cold" Steve Austin in the last month, culminating in his being thrown
   off a bridge by the Rock last week.

 - The Rock drives a hearse into the arena. Making his way to the ring, the
   Rock tells the crowd that Austin's career is now dead, and that tonight
   he'll be giving it a funeral. Next to the Titan-Tron there is a dirt
   burial mound, and a casket, with a wreath of flowers and Austin's
   picture.

   A cameraman has been stationed outside to await Austin's arrival.

 - Vince and Stephanie McMahon will be interviewed later in the show, live
   from the WWF Studios.

 - ROAD DOGG vs. OWEN HART (w/ Debra McMichael)
   The Dogg makes Owen an offer: if Owen wins this match, he and Jeff
   Jarrett will be the number one contenders to the Tag Team Titles. If the
   Dogg wins, he gets to see Debra's "puppies". Lawler spends the bulk of
   the match rooting for the Dogg and making puppy jokes. Jim Ross
   questions whether these stipulations could be binding just based on the
   Dogg's say so. A decent enough match, which the Road Dogg wins with a
   pump handle slam and a clean pin. Debra starts to remove her jacket,
   but Jeff Jarrett comes out and hustles her away. I think it's great that
   these guys (dubbed "Canadian Country") are drawing heat because they
   refuse to let Debra strip!

   The Undertaker (with Paul Bearer at his side) gives the Acolytes a
   peptalk in regards to their upcoming match against the Brood.

 - The Rock is backstage rehearsing Austin's eulogy.

 - THE BROOD (w/ Christian) vs. THE ACOLYTES
   Another decent match, with a somewhat muddles finish. The Acolytes use
   power moves, while the Brood displays finesse. Gangrel is eventually
   knocked to the floor, and Edge laid out with a powerbomb, when Ken
   Shamrock runs in with a baseball bat. He knocks out Bradshaw, then
   terrorizes the bell keeper at ringside. The bell rings, with no real
   winner being declared.

   Backstage the Undertaker is throwing a fit because Shamrock has again
   interfered with his plans.

 - During the break the Acolytes tried to explain to the Undertaker what
   went down. Viscera attacks Faarooq from behind, while the Undertaker
   beats on Bradshaw.

 - THE GODFATHER (w/ 4 Ho's) vs. HARDCORE HOLLY
   Lawler's going absolutely nuts over one of the Ho's and her skirt, which
   is too short. As the match progresses the ref has to stop Holly from
   using a foreign object found under the ring, as this isn't a Hardcore
   Match, but is for the Godfather's Intercontinental Title. At some point
   the ref goes down and Holly is able to use the cookie sheet from under
   the ring. He also slams the Godfather into the steps, and breaks a broom
   over his back. He brings a chair into the ring and charges, but the
   Godfather blocks it with a kick, causing Holly to hit himself in the
   head with it. The Godfather covers for the pin, and gets a very slow two
   count, but is pulled out of the ring by Goldust. Al Snow, meanwhile,
   comes in from the other direction and nails Holly with the Head. Somehow
   the ref misses all this, the two original competitors are laid in a heap,
   and the Godfather gets the pin. The Ho's come in to celebrate.

   The Undertaker is on the phone with Midian, telling him not to screw up
   whatever it is he's off doing.

   Vince and Steph are still waiting to give their interview.

 - The Rock is in the back getting his shoes shined.

 - KEN SHAMROCK vs. THE BIG BOSSMAN
   "No Holds Barred" match, which Shamrock controls a good part of. He gets
   the pin following a huracanrana and a belly-to-belly suplex. The
   Undertaker then appears on the Titan-Tron and tells Shamrock that he
   knows his sister Ryan is at a motel a few miles outside of Lansing on
   Interstate 96. He even knows what room she's in. Shamrock takes off to
   make sure his sister is still safe there.

   Four matches, all of which were fairly solid. This is maybe the best
   hour the WWF has put on wrestling-wise in several weeks.

WWF WAR ZONE Hosted By: Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler.

 - Rodney and Pete Gas of the Mean Streets Posse join the announce team
   for color commentary>

 - MANKIND vs. TRIPLE H (w/ Chyna)
   Continuing the trend on the night, another okay match, with a bit of a
   letdown at the end. Mankind is in control until Chyna bodyslams him on
   the floor. It's back-and-forth from there, until Chyna trips Mankind and
   pulls him groin-first into the post. The ref calls for the bell. Pete,
   Rodney, the Bossman and Test all come in to assist Triple H and Chyna in
   beating Mankind. Paul Wight comes out for the save, giving Test, who was
   "served up" by the other Corporation members, a huge chokeslam. Mankind
   gets on the mic and thanks Wight, but says he'll still kick his ass this
   Sunday at the PPV.

   The Rock is out in the parking lot talking to someone on his cellular
   phone. He's next to his new car, which we learn from the phone
   conversation is brand new, has less than 200 miles on it, and cost just
   under $40,000. Oh yeah, that sucker's getting trashed. The only question
   is how?

 - WWF Smackdown, next Thursday on the UPN Network. Check your local
   listings.

 - "BADD ASS" BILLY GUNN vs. JEFF JARRETT (w/ Debra McMichael)
   Gunn says Jarrett did the fans wrong, and if he wins tonight, Debra has
   to show us some "T&A". Lawler will settle just for the "T".

   Talk about being on a streak, this match makes it six in a row. Not
   great, but definitely watchable, the match sees both Owen Hart and the
   Road Dogg come out to back up their respective partners. As the ref is
   trying to clear off the Dogg, Owen is able to help Jarrett work over
   Gunn. Moving along, Debra hops up on the apron and distracts Gunn by
   taking off her jacket, exposing her bra laden puppies. Gunn responds by
   mooning her. He then nails Jarrett with the Fame-Asser. He's just shy of
   getting the three count when Owen runs in, saving his partner with the
   DQ. Debra, meanwhile, has decided to take it all off. Jarrett has to
   retrieve his guitar and use it to shield Debra's wares from Billy Gunn's
   view. Debra's such a tramp ... I do love her so.

 - Vince and Steph, ninety minutes into the show and not a peep from them.
   The Rock is also just wandering around, waiting for the right time to
   begin Austin's funeral.

 - "THE BIG SHOW" PAUL WIGHT vs. VISCERA
   Well, we knew it had to end eventually. It's just not humanly possible
   to have a good match with Viscera in it. They do keep it fairly short,
   though. After running into each other for a couple of minutes, Wight has
   the upper hand and signals for the chokeslam. Then the lights go out and
   the Undertaker hits the ring. The two get nose-to-nose, Wight making the
   Undertaker look puny by comparison! They come to blows, and with Viscera
   joining in, Wight is overwhelmed. Mankind runs out for the save. The
   Undertaker makes his escapes as Viscera, held by Mankind, is leveled by
   a big superkick from Wight.

 - A video package sets up the Michael Cole interview with Vince McMahon.
   Vince says he missed out on some of Shane's childhood by being so
   focused on building the WWF. He says he was always proud of him, until
   last Monday. Stephanie says she doesn't know what to think about Shane
   using her to draw Vince out to the ring last week. She's thankful that
   her father is there to protect her.

   The interview is interrupted by an assistant telling McMahon that
   there's some trouble in the parking lot. Vince explodes, ordering
   security to surround Stephanie. He then takes off, demanding to be shown
   where the "son-of-a-bitch!" is. Exiting the building he comes across
   Midian. Vince starts beating the living crap out of him! Slamming him
   against a wall (following a nasty kick to the privates), Vince hops in
   Midian's car and jams it into reverse, intent on smashing into Midian!
   Midian gets out of the way, throws Vince down when he climbs out of the
   car, and screeches off into the night. Vince is almost foaming at the
   mouth, insanely angry that one of the Undertaker's Ministry tried to get
   into the studio to scare Stephanie.

 - Val Venis hits the ring. After his usual schtick, Sable comes to the
   ring. She announces that in two weeks she'll be doing another photo
   shoot for Playboy. Ivory and D-Lo Brown then hit the ring. Catfight
   between the two women, as D-Lo and Val go at it. Nicole Bass then comes
   out and pulls Ivory off Sable, chokeslamming her to the mat. D-Lo helps
   Ivory away from the ring. Sable and Val give each other looks,
   suggesting the two may be hooking up in the near future.

 - The Rock comes out and begins Austin eulogy, peppering it with his usual
   euphemisms. With the crowd suitably worked up, the Rock opens his
   jacket, revealing the Smoking Skull Title belt. Looks like they fished
   it out of the drink. (Didn't Austin have two of them made? Hard to
   believe they'd just throw one of them away, though.)

   Outside in the parking lot, Austin pulls up in a "3:16" monster truck.
   Climbing out, he asks a parking attendant if the new Lincoln parked
   there is the Rock's. Learning that it is, and that the keys are still in
   it, Austin hops in and backs the car out and lines it up in front of the
   monster truck. After a crowd-teasing near miss, Austin drives up and
   over the car on the second pass, crushing the roof in! Another pass does
   further damage. Austin then drives into the arena, smashing over the
   curtain barrier underneath the Titan-Tron (which has fortunately been
   raised in preparation for his entry). Austin climbs out, pops himself
   open a beer, then climbs back in and crushes the front end of the
   hearse, which the Rock had driven into the arena at the start of the
   show. Austin drops down and he and the Rock go at it. Austin slams the
   Rock into anything and everything: guard rails, the hearse, the front
   tire of the monster truck, etc. Austin grabs his Smoking Skull belt and
   tows the Rock up the dirt mound, tossing him into the empty grave hole.
   Austin pops open a pair of beers and chugs them down as the show--

   Shane McMahon breaks a shovel across Austin's back! He steps over
   Austin's limp body, retrieves the belt, and holds it high, much to the
   disdain of the crowd, as the show fades out.

 - Next week: Nothing announced.

Comments:

Lest you think the live crowd went away unhappy, after the cameras went off 
Austin recovered, gave both Shane and the Rock a few Stone Cold Stunners, 
and chugged a few more beers.

Hot finish to what was a pretty good show, some odd match scheduling during 
the last half hour not withstanding. This being a taped show they probably 
should have shown the bit with Sable and Val before the last match. As it 
was it seemed like there was no main event. Throw in the finale, and the 
McMahon piece, and the last half hour only had like two or three minutes of 
wrestling action. I myself might not even have given it a thought if Val 
hadn't come out for a match which didn't take place (his opponent wasn't 
even named).

I wonder if Paul Wight, seeing the monster truck, had any flashbacks to the 
roof of Cobo Hall. (Kudos to anyone who gets that obscure reference.)

Their matches may not be great, but if and when Paul Wight and the 
Undertaker have a feud, that's going to be a big money draw for the WWF. 
The crowd was really jacked to see those two go at it, if only for a few 
moments.

Here's what's on tap for Backlash:

 * Steve Austin vs. the Rock. Shane McMahon guest referee.
 * Paul Wight vs. Mankind. Boiler Room Brawl.
 * Ken Shamrock vs. the Undertaker.
 * Goldust vs. the Godfather. Intercontinental Title Match.
 * Bob Holly vs. Al Snow. Hardcore Title Match.
 * X-Pac vs. Triple H.
 * Owen Hart & Jeff Jarrett vs. the New Age Outlaws.

I'd also expect to see something involving Sable. Maybe Sable vs. Ivory, or 
a mixed tag match between Sable, Val Venis, Ivory and D-Lo Brown.

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The Bottom Line:

Were it up to me I'd be skipping this Sunday's PPV--mostly for monetary 
reasons. The show could go either way: be really good, or totally suck. 
It's my birthday on Saturday, however, and I think my brother is intent on 
buying the PPV for me as a present. I think I'd rather have something a bit 
more tangible. Cash would be nice.

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"Slobberknocker Central" and "Monday Night Recap" are copyright 1999 by 
John Petrie, and all opinions expressed therein are his own, and not those 
of "Internet Access, Inc". Check the "Slobberknocker Central" main page for 
info on how to receive the "Recap" free via E-Mail every week.

Volume One, Number 179 of the "Monday Night Recap", April 19th, 1999.