Taped from Madison, WI
Airdate: October 26, 1998 (taped 10/20)
Attendance: 10,220
Hosted by Jim Ross & Jerry “The King” Lawler
Who wins the “I Quit” match? What’s the latest on Mr. McMahon? Does someone drop a figurative bombshell on him? How is Austin involved? How “wild” will Motley Crue be?
Opening montage.
As Mr. McMahon along with the stooges and four attorneys emerges in front of the bandstand, he berates the Madison faithful for their enjoyment of Austin’s actions last week. As he whines and complains, Mr. McMahon mentions the “legal document” that Austin placed in his pocket. He “will fight (Austin) in court…” On the Titantron, Austin interrupts from backstage and makes a diaper joke.
Prior to the first match, we revisit last week when Chyna was arrested for “failure to appear.” According to JR, she “has taken a leave of absence to deal with these legal matters.” I smell plastic surgery.
TV Rating: 3.31
Backstage, Mr. McMahon and his attorneys stroll the halls as he requests they find a way to “break (the) document.”
Match 1 for the WWF European title: X-Pac (champion) versus Steve Blackman
Highlights:
- X-Pac hip-tossed Blackman and followed with a leg lariat.
- When X-Pac leapfrogged him,Blackman fed him a thrust kick.
- Blackman dropkicked X-Pac in the corner and gave him a HARD cross corner whip.
- As he dealt X-Pac a sidewalk slam, Blackman unleashed a corkscrew elbow drop.
- He gave X-Pac another cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
- After X-Pac delivered a spinning heel kick, Blackman bulldozed him with a shoulder block.
- Blackman clotheslined X-Pac over the top rope to the floor and distracted referee Tim White
- Suddenly, Steve Regal attacked X-Pac until the NAO and WWF officials thwarted him.
- X-Pac won by DQ at 2:51.
Rating: *
Summary: More angle than match as the British newcomer sets his sights on the European title.
Prior to the next match, we revisit the Headbangers’ victory over Animal and Droz as dissention is teased between Hawk and Droz.
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Match 2: The Rock versus Droz (w/ the Road Warriors)
Highlights:
- As the Madison faithful chanted “Rock-y,” their hero gave Droz a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
- Droz fed Rock a spinning back elbow, reversed an Irish whip, and dealt him a flying shoulder block.=
- When he gave Rock a cross corner whip, Droz fell victim to a DDT.
- Droz rebounded with a sunset flip and got 2.
- After Rock clotheslined Droz, Animal jumped onto the apron to distract referee Jim Korderas.
- That enabled Rock to nail Droz WAY DOWNTOWN.
- While Droz reversed another Irish whip, he powerslammed Rock for 2.
- He delivered a lariat, mounted the second turnbuckle, leaped, but there wasn’t any water int the pool.
- Dropping Droz with a Rock Bottom, Rock scored with a People’s Elbow.
- 1-2-3.
- Rock won at 4:41.
Rating: **
Summary: Showcase match for Rock.
After the match, Droz and Animal exit the ring leaving Hawk behind.
Backstage, Michael Cole stands outside Austin’s dressing room to interview him. Austin answers, seeks advice from someone inside, but dummies up for the time being.
Earlier today, DX hung out with Motley Crue during sound check.
TV Rating: 4.5
Two of Mr. McMahon’s attorneys leave the conference room, and one says that Mr. McMahon “doesn’t get it.”
DX makes its entrance, and the NAO recites its catchphrase but alters it to introduce Motley Crue. They perform “Wild Side.” Afterward, JR shills their new greatest hits album on sale tomorrow while mentioning their bodyguard Test. Who?
POINT OF ORDER: It’s late 1998, and the WWF is performing 80s rock band Motley Crue to a mostly collegiate audience. There’s a reason they did this on a taped episode, and it ain’t good.
TV Rating: 4.1
Backstage, Mr. McMahon argues with the other two attorneys about breaking a “contract.”
Match 3: Kane versus Gangrel (w /Christian)
Highlights:
- Kane ambushed Gangrel before the bell and fed him a big boot.When Christian low-bridged him to the floor, Kane sauntered after him.
- Gangrel leaped from the apron and dealt Kane a single axe handle.
- As Kane reversed an Irish whip, he delivered a short-arm clothesline on the floor.
- Back in the ring, he gave Gangrel a standing choke followed by a spinebuster.
- He gave Gangrel a cross corner whip and broke him in two with a sidewalk slam.
- After he mounted the top turnbuckle, Kane dismissed any interference by Christian but got caught.
- Gangrel joined but Kane shoved him down to the mat.
- While Kane launched a flying clothesline, he chokeslammed Gangrel.
- 1-2-3.
- Kane won at 3:02.
Rating: **
Summary: Showcase match for Kane.
Following the match, Christian mounts the top turnbuckle, leaps, but bounces right off Kane like a superball. Gangrel and Christian try to double-team him, but Kane fends them off. Abruptly, Edge appears in the ring and chop-blocks Kane. A triple team ensues until Kane sits up. That scares the not-yet-named Brood and sends them fleeing.
Backstage, Cole finishes talking with Shane McMahon and mentions an upcoming matter within the McMahon family.
WAR ZONE!
Austin emerges to an immense pop and cuts a promo on Mr. McMahon. When he announces that he has “a brand-new contract with (the WWF),” he states that it contains “at least one title shot.” Mr. McMahon arrives to confront him and sanction him in an “I Quit” match against Shamrock.
While Austin praises the Madison faithful for calling him an “asshole,” Mr. McMahon talks about sacrifice. Shane heads to the ring to join Austin and informs his father that he was the one who rehired Austin. As he chastises his father about his ego, Shane tells him the “lying stops now.” He used to seek pride from his father, but he’s proud to be a man now. Quite the emotional moment as Shane becomes a prominent character in the WWF.
TV Rating: 5.5
Following a commercial break, Shane’s walking out of the arena, but Austin stops and tosses him a Steveweiser as a token of thanks.
We revisit last week when Godfather ruined one of Singh’s moments to discredit Americans.
Match 4: Godfather (w/o ho’s) versus Tiger Ali-Singh (w /Babu)
Highlights:
- Although this was far removed from his WWF debut, this match marked Singh’s first match on RAW.
- Godfather clotheslined Singh who sought refuge on the floor.
- As he abused Babu, Singh met a few fists from Godfather.
- He reversed an Irish whip and sent Godfather reeling into the railing.
- When he guillotined Godfather with the railing, Singh returned to the ring only to get yanked to the apron.
- Godfather rammed Singh knee-first then face-second into the apron.
- After Singh dropkicked him, Godfather fed him a clothesline.
- He gave Singh a cross corner whip and followed what would later be deemed as the Ho Train.
- While Singh reversed a cross corner whip, he bulldogged Godfather for 1.
- He dealt Godfather a discus punch, charged, but got backdropped over the top rope to the floor.
- Joining Singh, Godfather rammed him into the railing before Singh sought Babu as a shield.
- Singh shoved Babu, so Godfather tossed him aside like a sack of garbage.
- Back in the ring, a brawl ensued, yet the Madison faithful cared so much that they performed the wave.
- Referee Tim White had seen enough and threw the match out at 4:26.
Rating: DUD
Summary: Absolutely zero physical charisma from either wrestler tuned the crowd and me out completely.
Afterward, WWF officials arrive to break up the melee, yet Godfather clotheslines Singh over the top rope to finish it.
TV Rating: 5.1
Backstage, Cole interviews Mr. McMahon who’s too emotional to answer any questions.
RAW is sponsored by Castrol GTX, Mr. Tees, and Stone Cold Metal CD available at Walmart.
Match 5: Kaientai (w/ Mr. Yamaguchi) versus the Oddities/Insane Clown Posse
Highlights:
- Teioh attempted a side-Russian leg sweep on Golga but came up empty.
- When Funaki jumped on his back, Golga sandwiched him in the corner.
- He sandwiched Funaki between Teioh and the corner before giving Teioh a cross corner whip. Are we sure it wasn’t Miracle Whip?
- As Teioh flipped to the apron, he mounted the top turnbuckle and attempted a cross body block.
- Golga caught him, but Funaki and Michinoku schooboyed him.
- After Kaientai dropped four consecutive elbows, Kurrgan tagged in.
- Michinoku and Togo double-dropkicked him to ZERO effect.
- While he clotheslined Michinoku, Kurrgan fed Togo a big boot.
- Funaki got caught in a bear hug, and Kurrgan switched it to a Bossman slam.
- Tagging in, Violent J slammed Funaki and landed an elbow drop.
- Funaki got tossed to the floor, so Shaggy 2 Dope assaulted him.
- Planting Funaki with a sidewalk slam, Violent J tagged out.
- Shaggy 2 Dope dealt Funaki a DDT, mounted the top turnbuckle, and scored with a guillotine leg drop.
- Following a double shot WAY DOWNTOWN to Funaki by ICP, Violent J manhandled referee Mike Chioda.
- Kaientai, therefore, won by DQ at 3:49.
Rating: *
Summary: Comedy match that proved that not everyone can be a successful pro wrestler.
Outside the arena, the stooges assist and reassure Mr. McMahon as he leaves in his limousine.
TV Rating: 4.1
Backstage, Cole interviews Shamrock who cuts a promo on Austin.
JR shills RAW Magazine “for mature fans.”
Match 6: Goldust versus “Marvelous” Marc Mero (w/ Jacqueline)
Highlights:
- Goldust fed Mero a lariat and followed with a butt butt. Who is he? “Iceman” King Parsons?
- As the Madison faithful chanted “Sa-ble,” Goldust dealt Mero a ten-punch count-along.
- He delivered a slingshot belly-to-back suplex, came off the ropes, but Jacqueline interfered. SNEAKY!
- When referee Jim Korderas turned his attention to her, Mero knocked Goldust WAY DOWNTOWN.
- Mero planted him with a DDT, connected with a knee lift, and got 2.
- After Mero distracted Korderas, Jacqueline gave Goldust the business. How dastardly!
- Goldust rebounded with an uppercut and inverted atomic drop.
- While he unleashed another lariat, Goldust gave Mero a cross corner whip followed by a bulldog.
- Jacqueline jumped onto the apron and slapped Goldust.
- Excitedly, Goldust kissed Jacqueline sending her reeling to the floor.
- He destroyed Mero with Shattered Dreams but got disqualified.
- As a result, Mero won at 2:56.
Rating: **
Summary: Decent back-and-forth affair until Goldust uncorked his illegal finisher.
After the match, Sable challenges Jacqueline for the Women’s title at the PPV.
TV Rating: 4.2
JVC KABOOM OF THE WEEK: Jarrett demolished his guitar over Snow’s head last week.
Backstage, Cole interviews Mankind and Snow who argue over whose prop is worse.
Prior to the next match, the NAO recites their spiel along with the Madison faithful. Also, JR announces that both Kane and Mankind are entrants in the tournament for the WWF title at the PPV.
Match 7 for the WWF tag team titles: The New Age Outlaws versus Mankind & Al Snow (w/ Head)
Highlights:
- Snow fed Gunn a series of head butts, got reversed on a cross corner whip, applied the brakes, but ate a gorilla press slam.
- When tags were exchanged on both sides, Road Dog dealt Mankind a shaky-shaky knee drop.
- Mankind reversed an Irish whip, yet Gunn distracted referee Mike Chioda.
- As Mankind threatened a Mandible claw, Snow clotheslined Road Dog from the apron. Crafty!
- Mankind demolished Road Dog with a double-arm DDT and reached for Socko.
- After Gunn inserted himself into the match, Mankind illegally switched with Snow.
- Gunn interjected again, clotheslined Mankind over the top rope to the floor, and spilled down there with him.
- While Chioda was involved with Mankind’s ramming of Gunn face-first into the steps, Snow hit a Snow Plow on Road Dog.
- Snow retrieved Head, and Mankind sought Socko.
- Since they briefly bickered about which prop to use, Road Dog rolled up Snow.
- 1-2-3.
- NAO retained at 5:28.
Rating: *
Summary: Honestly, this was a waste of time as the challengers were merely there for comedic purposes.
Following the match, D’Lo Brown and Mark Henry storm the ring to decimate NAO. That’s the most exciting part of that segment.
According to JR, Shamrock is also an entrant in the WWF title tournament. Meanwhile, Mr. McMahon’s stooges take their seats at ringside.
Match 8 (non-title/I Quit): WWF Intercontinental champion Ken Shamrock versus Stone Cold Steve Austin
Highlights:
- Should Austin utter “I Quit,” he will no longer be employed with the WWF.
- Shamrock ambushed him before the bell, but Austin responded with a pair of knees to the midsection.
- As he fed Shamrock a back elbow, Austin backdropped Shamrock over the top rope to the floor.
- The Madison faithful chanted “Aus-tin,” and their hero joined and rammed Shamrock face-first into the broadcast table.
- When Shamrock returned the favor, he made Austin HIT THE POLE.
- The match segued into the front row, and Shamrock countered a piledriver on the concrete floor with a back drop.
- After Shamrock reversed an Irish whip, he sent Austin knee-first into the steps.
- He rammed Austin face-second into the steps, returned Austin to the ring, and gave him a HARD cross corner whip.
- While he gave Austin another cross corner whip, Shamrock clotheslined him.
- Shamrock applied a modified camel clutch, but Austin wouldn’t submit.
- Landing a leg drop, Shamrock fell victim to a Thesz press.
- Shamrock reversed an Irish whip, and Gerald Brisco intentionally tripped Austin. Heinous!
- Since there’s no DQ in this match, Patterson obliterated referee Tim White.
- Austin attacked the Stooges, yet Mankind jumped into the ring and subdued Shamrock with Mr. Socko.
- Grabbing a chair, Austin annihilated Shamrock with an unprotected chair shot to the head. Vicious!
- Austin, using Shamrock’s arm, made him submit; thus, Austin won at 6:15.
Rating: **
Summary: Exciting main event as Austin remains on top of his game.
Afterward, Patterson chases after Austin but receives a Stone Cold Stunner for his troubles. Brisco takes his shot but eats one too. Stupidly, Commissioner Slaughter gets his chance but suffers the same fate.
TV Rating: 4.63
Conclusion: It didn’t take long for Austin to return, and he cemented himself as a ratings grabber. The main event is worthwhile despite the storyline finish. On another note, Shane’s true introduction to the WWF as a character is tremendous. His speech against Mr. McMahon didn’t seem forced or overacted. He’s either a natural or had some deep-seeded feelings toward his father.
The rest of the show including Motley Crue is meaningless.
Could it finally overcome Nitro in the ratings?
Final TV Rating: 4.48
Who won? Nope, during the first head-to-head quarter, Nitro trounced RAW by FOUR ratings points. However, with Austin in the main event, RAW overtook Nitro by four-tenths of a point. Obviously, the Goldberg-DDP match cemented Nitro’s victory.
Can WCW make it two in a row? I guess we’ll find out next week.
Stay tuned for WCW Thunder 10-29-98!
Comments? Suggestions? Send them to me at rsg@rockstargary.com and follow me on Twitter (@rockstargary202).