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WWF In Your House IX: International Incident

Live from Vancouver, BC

Airdate: July 21, 1996

Attendance: 14,804 (11,955 paid)

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

In case you missed the Free for All, the WWF swerved us with Bradshaw versus Vega instead of Lothario versus Cornette which was promoted on RAW. I doubt the match rating would have been much different. Regardless, Bradshaw won this battle.

In lieu of a match, Lothario nails Cornette during an interview segment in the ring hosted by Jim Ross. Afterward, Vader enters the ring to scare the bejeezus out of Lothario. Suddenly, Michaels slides in to even the odds.

Prior to the first match, Vince interviews the Bodydonnas (sans Kloudy). If you read between Zip’s botched lines, it would appear that Kloudy has been burnt off.

Match 1 (non-title): WWF tag team champions the Smoking Gunns (w/ Sunny) versus the Bodydonnas

Highlights:

Rating: ***

Summary: Good finish to a mediocre match. I bet Sunny’s glad her gold wasn’t on the line.

Back in the locker room, Mr. Perfect interviews Camp Cornette while Vader tosses his cookies furniture. According to Cornette, if his team doesn’t win, then EVERYBODY gets a refund from him for buying the PPV. Woohoo! Show me the money!

Match 2: Mankind versus Jake “The Snake” Roberts Henry Godwinn (w/ Hillbilly Jim)

Highlights:

Rating: *

Summary: Showcase of sick bumps by Foley kept this from hitting DUD.

Pillman is with the Bodydonnas on the WWF Superstar Line and comes AWFULLY close to crossing the line but doesn’t. Your mileage may vary.

Before the next match, we get a glimpse of the reverse roll-up that included an inadvertent kick to the face by Mero splitting Austin’s lip last month.

Match 3: Marc Mero (w/ Sable) versus Stone Cold Steve Austin

Highlights:

Rating: ***

Summary: Not as good as last month’s match, but Austin’s stock is rising as the crowd reaction for him has grown considerably.

As Sable enters the ring to check on her husband, an “nWo” sign was shown prominently. Now that’s great selling by WCW if they can get their newest big thing on WWF PPV. As Mero leaves the ring, Bob Backlund “campaigns” in the stands. Hopefully, he finds some Washingtonians as the British Columbians cannot help his cause one iota.

Promo for tomorrow night’s episode of RAW. Can the Smoking Gunns retain against the WWF champion and Intercontinental champion? Tune into my next reflection to find out!

Prior to the next match, we revisit IYH VIII when Mankind emerged from the casket to attack the Undertaker.

Match 4: Goldust (w/ Marlena) versus the Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer)

Highlights:

Rating: *1/2

Summary: ZERO chemistry between these two. Please don’t let them ever wrestle one another again.

After the match, Mankind drags Undertaker under the ring. As Mankind rises to the mat, smoke emits through the hole in the ring. Has Mankind finished off Undertaker for good? Apparently, not as he comes through the ring on the other side then chases Mankind down the aisle. This feud is FAR from over.

During a promo spoofing the Olympics, Summerslam is coming August 18 only on PPV.

As we return to the broadcast table, a fan behind them puts a Burger King crown atop Lawler’s head. HA! With a grin on his face, a security guard has to restrain the fans in that section from interfering with them.

Abruptly, in the bowels of the arena, Mankind and Undertaker continue to pummel one another.

We then revisit the events that led up to the main event including the Warrior’s suspension.

Backstage, Dok Hendrix interviews Michaels, Johnson, and Sid. After Michaels babbled and Johnson garbled, Sid deciphered. Yikes!

As Michaels makes his entrance, the overwhelming amount of fans against the steel railing causes it to collapse as Lawler cackles.

Match 5 (six-man): Vader, Owen, & the “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith (w/ Jim Cornette) versus WWF champion the “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels, WWF Intercontinental champion Ahmed Johnson, & Ultimate Warrior Sycho Sid (w/ Jose Lothario)

Highlights:

Rating: ****

Summary: Hot main event that cemented Vader as the number one contender after pinning the WWF champion. Therefore, Cornette’s promise could not be fulfilled as his team did not lose.

After the match, Sid gives Smith and Owen each a powerbomb. Before Vader could receive one, Smith and Owen pull him to safety. Out of nowhere, Michaels hits a tope onto Vader in the aisle. The tope alone adds an additional ½* to the match.

IN YOUR HOUSE EXTRA: Hendrix interviews WWF President Gorilla Monsoon and asks him about any particular matches signed for Summerslam. Monsoon informs us that Mankind and Undertaker will face one another in a boiler room. All of a sudden, Cornette (with Vader) interrupts the proceedings and requests a title match against Michaels for Vader. Will Monsoon make it happen? Tune into my next reflection to find out!

Conclusion: First, take a look at the buyrate. Ok, say it with me, SKIP THIS SHOW. It was completely inconsequential despite being a lucrative house in Vancouver. I hope the WWF sells something better at Summerslam or Eric Bischoff’s dream of the WWF’s demise may come to fruition.

Buyrate: 0.37 (Worst PPV rating in WWF history to this point)

Stay tuned for week 46 of the Monday Night War!

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

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