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WWF In Your House XII: It’s Time

Live from West Palm Beach, FL

Airdate: December 15, 1996

Attendance: 5,708 (4,581 paid)

Hosted by Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, and Jerry “The King” Lawler

If the WWF sold a PPV that paled in comparison to WCW, would you buy it?

In case you’re interested, Rocky Maivia remained undefeated as he beat Salvatore Sincere in the Free For All.

Match 1: Flash Funk versus Leif Cassidy

Highlights:

Rating: ***

Summary: The obvious botches subtract ½* from the match, but, otherwise, it was a fun and exciting opener.

Promo airs for the Royal Rumble video available 3/11/97. The show hasn’t even happened yet, but they’re announcing the sell date for the video cassette?

Before the next match, Kevin Kelly interviews the tag champions and Mason. Austin’s involvement was a hot topic of discussion.

“Earlier today” on Superstars, with Austin in the ring, the tag champions got clobbered by Ramon and Diesel (aired 12/15, taped 11/19).

Match 2 for the WWF tag team titles: The “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith & Owen Hart (champions w/ Clarence Mason) versus Razor Ramon & Diesel

Highlights:

Rating: ***

Summary: Fortunately, we are nearing the swan song for Ramon and Diesel. The whole point behind their existence was Vince’s proof that ANYBODY can portray them not simply Hall and Nash. It was a horrible experiment that wasn’t necessary for the WWF to win their lawsuit against WCW. As far as the match goes, thanks to Owen and Smith, it had a hot finish containing Austin in the middle, so...

After the match, Austin returns to nail Smith from behind with a chop block.

Promo airs for WWF Heartbreak Express available 3/11/97 from Coliseum Home Video.

In the ring, McMahon interviews Ahmed Johnson. He then shills the Johnson versus Faarooq match at Royal Rumble. As Johnson “lives for (his) fans,” the Nation of Domination interrupts him. Faarooq then calls Johnson an “Uncle Tom” and vows to beat him at Royal Rumble “by any means necessary.” Notwithstanding, Johnson’s ready and gets the West Palm Beach faithful to chant “you’re going down” with him.

Promo airs for the Intercontinental title match—NEXT!

Match 3 for the WWF Intercontinental title: Hunter Hearst Helmsley (champion) versus “Wildman” Marc Mero (w/ Sable)

Highlights:

Rating: **1/2

Summary: Like their previous encounter, this would have been a good main event for RAW.

After the match, Mero rolls Helmsley back in, mounts the top turnbuckle, and hits the Wild Thing (shooting star press). When he takes the belt with him backstage, the West Palm Beach cheers him. When Helmsley makes his way down the aisle, Goldust attacks him again. WE HAVE A FACE TURN!

Back in the locker room, Dok Hendrix interviews Sid. Previously, on Superstars, Sid, Bret, and Shawn Michaels brawled outside the arena. When Bret had his back turned, Sid nailed him. Sid then yells at Shawn “not to stick his nose” where it doesn’t belong. Either he whispers or shouts his promo toward Bret. That is NOT the proper type of promo for the face of the promotion.

Promo airs for the Armageddon rules match—NEXT!

Match 4 (Armageddon rules): Undertaker versus Executioner (w/ Paul Bearer)

Highlights:

  1. No DQ.
  2. No countout.
  3. After a pinfall or submission, the defeated wrestler must beat a ten-count to his feet.
  4. “When one man cannot continue, the match is over.”

Rating: DUD

Summary: Utter tripe. This had NO business being on PPV and was a waste of time from beginning to end. This was also the last appearance of the Executioner. RIP Terry Gordy.

Back in the locker room, Hendrix interviews Bret. We get a repeat of the earlier brawl from Superstars, and Bret snaps when Shawn Michaels’ music interrupts him. He states that after he wins the title tonight, he “(looks) forward to (facing Michaels).”

Speak of the devil, Michaels then makes his way to the ring for guest commentary.

Match 5 for the WWF title: Sycho Sid (champion) versus Bret “Hitman” Hart

Highlights:

Rating: **

Summary: Sid’s repeating a spot and not working on Bret’s injured knee post-chop block are two of the many items that were unbecoming of the WWF champion in this match. While Bret’s work is solid, Michaels is correct regarding Sid’s need to be carried.

After the match, a bloody-nosed Bret rolls out of the ring and nails a staggering Michaels. Truly, the seeds of a rematch between Michaels and Bret have been planted.

Conclusion: While entertaining, this is an extremely SKIPPABLE show. If the WWF was smart, they’d plant their storylines on RAW and finish them off on PPV rather than the opposite. As the buyrate reflects, a lot of wrestling fans either chose to keep their PPV money or spend it on Starrcade.

See you for the Monday Night War week 65!

Buyrate: 0.35 (WOOF!)

Comments? Suggestions? Send them to me at rsg@rockstargary.com and follow me on Twitter (@rockstargary202).

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