WWF RAW is WAR November 9, 1998

Taped from Dallas, TX

Airdate: November 9, 1998 (taped 11/03)

Attendance: 13,684 (sold out)

Hosted by Jim Ross & Jerry “The King” Lawler

Can Rock defeat Henry to maintain his job within the WWF? What does Austin have to say about it? What does Kane have up his sleeve? What happened to X-Pac? What’s new with the Blue Blazer? With the PPV on Sunday, you know it’s…

Opening montage.

Prior to the first match, we revisit HeAT when Undertaker flattened X-Pac with a chokeslam.

Match 1 (non-title): WWF European champion X-Pac versus Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer)

Highlights:

X-Pac demolished him with a spin kick in the corner, but Undertaker pummeled him like he’s owed money.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and Kane’s music commenced.
Kane entered the ring and blasted X-Pac in the eye with a fireball.
When referee Jim Korderas requested immediate medical attention for X-Pac, Kane sauntered after Undertaker.
Before EMTs arrived, the New Age Outlaws checked on their DX mate.
No match.

Rating: NONE

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Backstage, X-Pac receives medical attention while Road Dogg tries to keep him calm.

Also backstage, Mr. McMahon informs Mankind that he’ll defend the Hardcore title against Shamrock, and “falls count anywhere.” He promises Mankind a “makeover.”

We revisit HeAT when Venis cut a promo announcing his vasectomy. TMI, dude.

Prior to the next match, Venis grabs the microphone and makes a Deion Sanders joke. Meanwhile, a couple of Dallas Cowboys are shown seated at ringside.

Match 2: Val Venis (w/ Terri) versus Steve Blackman

Highlights:

Before the bell, Venis ejected Terri from ringside. You bastard!
Venis gave Blackman a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
As Blackman dealt him a thrust kick, he dropkicked Venis.
He fed Venis a double underhook suplex followed by a snap suplex with a bridge for 2 soon thereafter.
When he gave Venis a cross corner whip, Blackman ate a back elbow on his follow-through.
Blackman floored Venis with a pair of kicks and got 2.
After he slammed Venis, Blackman landed an elbow drop.
Venis backdropped him to the apron and evaded a sunset flip attempt.
While he mounted the second turnbuckle, Venis launched a cross body block.
However, Blackman used momentum to land on top for 2.
Venis rebounded with a clothesline, a knee to the midsection, and a side-Russian leg sweep.
In the meantime, Terri returned, climbed into the ring, and nailed Venis right in the Big Valbowski.
Referee Jack Doan called for the bell, and Venis won by DQ at 3:19.

Rating: **

Summary: Fun while it lasted until it didn’t for Venis.

After the match, both Owen and the Blue Blazer attack Blackman.

Backstage, Mankind’s in the barber chair and talks about Mr. McMahon like a father figure.

Prior to the next match, Road Dog along with the Dallas faithful recite his spiel.

Match 3 (triple-threat): Road Dog (w/ Billy Gunn) versus D’Lo Brown (w/ Mark Henry) versus Mosh (w/ Thrasher)

Highlights:

Shane McMahon was the referee for this match.
Before Mosh made his entrance, Brown ambushed Road Dog.
Mosh entered, but Road Dog slammed him.
When Road Dog reversed an Irish whip, Brown bulldozed over Mosh.
Road Dog reversed another Irish whip, but Mosh hooked an O’Connor roll for 2.
As Road Dog took down Mosh, Brown landed a leg drop, brother.
He attempted a pin, but Road Dog took exception.
After Brown slammed Road Dog, he mounted the second turnbuckle and connected with a flying forearm.
Mosh prevented the pin, tried one himself, but got rebuffed.
While Brown dealt Mosh Snake Eyes, he gave Road Dog a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Lawler mocked WCW’s PPV overrun, yet Mosh unloaded a ten-punch count-along on Brown.
Rolling up Mosh, Road Dog got 2.
Mosh dumped Brown over the top rope to the floor, covered Road Dog, and got 2.
With Mosh on the floor, Brown suplexed Road Dog.
Mosh returned and landed a leg drop on Road Dog for 2.
Flattening Brown with a DDT, Mosh mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, but there wasn’t any water in the pool.
Brown mounted the opposite top turnbuckle, attempted a frog splash, but nobody was home.
Winning a three-way brawl, Road Dog scored with a double clothesline.
Brown unleashed a Lo Down on Road Dog, but Mosh mounted the top turnbuckle and unloaded a Stage Dive onto Brown.
1-2-3.
Mosh won at 5:39.

Rating: ***

Summary: Appetizer for the tag team triple threat at the PPV, and I’m surprised that there was a clean finish.

Following the match, Gunn and Henry jump into the ring. Gunn dispatches Mosh instantly and dropkicks Henry. Brown gets his turn but gets gorilla press dropped.

Backstage, Michael Cole interviews Debra McMichael, but Jarrett disrupts the interview by taking the microphone. He runs down Al Snow while Debra has something in store for Goldust.

Still in the barber chair, Mankind gets a pedicure while reminiscing about Mr. Socko. That beautician must be making bank to touch Mick Foley’s feet.

Prior to the next match, Terri, now wearing a golden dress, accompanies Goldust at ringside portraying Marlena. Goldust questions her intentions and calls her a “bad girl.” After Goldust tells her to hit the bricks, Terri rips up her cigar and retreats backstage.

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Match 4: Jeff Jarrett (w/ Debra McMichael) versus Goldust

Highlights:

Jarrett ambushed Goldust before the bell, mounted the top turnbuckle, and launched a cross body block.
As Goldust used momentum to land on top, he got 2.
He dealt Jarrett a butt butt a la “Iceman” King Parsons but got reversed on a cross corner whip.
When Jarrett followed through, he ate boot.
Goldust ended Jarrett’s Monday late night shenanigans with an inverted atomic drop and clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor.
After Jarrett yanked him to the floor, Goldust guillotined him with the steps.
Debra distracted Goldust enough for Jarrett to retake control.
While Goldust countered a back drop attempt with a slap, he bulldogged Jarrett for 2.
He fed Jarrett a ten-punch count-along and prepared him for Shattered Dreams.
Instead, Debra waltzed into the ring, yet Goldust applied a lip lock on her.
Jarrett SPLATTERED his guitar on Goldust’s head, and referee Earl Hebner called for the bell.
As a result, Goldust won by DQ at 3:27.

Rating: **

Summary: Solid match until the guitar solo finish.

Arriving several minutes late to work, Rock is shown backstage. Sheesh, Rock, if you don’t want to be fired, show up to work on time, will ya?

Clips of the NEW Governor of Minnesota—Jesse Ventura—are shown.

Backstage, Cole interviews Rock whose sideburns could make Elvis shake, rattle, and roll. Nevertheless, he tells Mr. McMahon where to put his authority and is determined to beat Henry tonight.

Afterward, Goldust and Jarrett brawl nearby, and Goldust beats him up. That is until the Blue Blazer reappears to save Jarrett’s bacon. When Jarrett gets the upper hand, WWF officials break up the melee.

WAR ZONE!

Prior to the next match, we see snippets of Mankind versus Shamrock in previous encounters. Regardless, Mr. McMahon and his entourage emerge to get a bird’s eye view.

Match 5 for the WWF Hardcore title: Mankind (champion) versus WWF Intercontinental champion Ken Shamrock

Highlights:

Along with his customary mask, Mankind wore a tuxedo to the ring.
Shamrock attacked Mankind before the bell and connected with a back elbow.
When Mankind ate a spinning heel kick, he removed his designer loafer and pounded Shamrock with it.
He tied Shamrock to the Tree of Woe and clobbered him.
As the match segued to the floor, Shamrock countered a suplex with an inside cradle for 2.
He grabbed Mankind’s shoe and pelted him with it.
After he seized the belt, Shamrock CREAMED Mankind with it.
He rammed Mankind face-first into the broadcast table and charged at him.
While Mankind backdropped him, Shamrock landed in JR’s lap.
Mankind tossed a chair into the ring, they returned inside of it, and Mankind attempted a piledriver.
Countering with a back drop onto the chair, Shamrock clotheslined Mankind over the top rope to the floor.
Shamrock joined him, but Mankind reversed an Irish whip sending Shamrock into the steps for 2.
Escaping being choked with a camera cable, Mankind applied a Mandible claw. Where’s Socko?
Shamrock escaped with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex into the steps. OUCH!
Whipping Mankind against the apron, Shamrock fed him a belly-to-belly suplex on the floor.
Shamrock tried to hook the ankle, but Mankind’s trick knee acted up.
Whacking Shamrock in the back with a chair, Mankind decimated him with a double-arm DDT onto it for 2.
They meandered up the ramp, and Shamrock flattened Mankind with a belly-to-back suplex on the steel stage.
Do we have a new champion?
1-2-NO!
Shamrock charged while wielding a chair, but Mankind backdropped him on the steel stage.
Regaining the chair, Shamrock BLASTED Mankind in the head with it. Sick!
Bossman, on Mankind’s behalf, struck Shamrock with his nightstick.
Of course, Shamrock was OUT COLD.
1-2-3.
Mankind retained at 8:14.

Rating: ***

Summary: Incredible selling and bumping by Mankind made this worthwhile.

After the match, Mr. McMahon and his entourage praise Mankind for his victory.

Following the PPV on Sunday, tune into the Home Shopping Network for NEW WWF merchandise!

Backstage, the Rock was ATTACKED, and EMTs are treating him as if he’d been shot.

Austin approaches the ring to a monster hometown pop, grabs the microphone, and cuts a promo on Mr. McMahon. Abruptly, Bossman offers his verbal yet rather violent rebuttal. Austin has none of it and threatens him with his own nightstick. Afterward, Austin celebrates with a Steveweiser to the delight of the Dallas faithful.

Backstage, Cole advises that an ambulance will take Rock to the hospital.

Cole interviews Mr. McMahon who states that if Rock doesn’t defeat Henry TONIGHT, he’ll be “unemployed.”

WWF Survivor Series ’98 will be LIVE on PPV this Sunday. Order NOW!

Prior to the next match, Singh grabs the microphone and runs down Snow. For those curious, Socko was wrapped around Head. A-ha! Singh’s so offended by his competition that he offers the match to Babu. When Babu exits stage right, Singh leaves himself vulnerable to a shot to the back of the head by um, Head.

Match 6: Al Snow (w/ Head) versus Tiger Ali-Singh (w/ Babu)

Highlights:

Seriously?
As the bell rang, Debra McMichael approached the ring.
Snow dealt Babu a knee to the midsection followed by a wheelbarrow suplex.
When Snow slammed him, he got distracted by Singh.
Babu attacked Snow from behind, got reversed on a cross corner whip, and took a SOFT sternum-first bump into the corner.
After Snow attempted to bounce off the ropes, Singh fed him a low bridge.
Singh and Snow brawled at ringside, and Debra swiped Head.
Finally, the sports entertainment portion kicked in.
Snow chased Singh who entered and exited the ring quickly.
Next, he demolished Babu with a Snow Plow.
In lieu of the pin, Snow noticed Debra’s handling of Head.
That enabled Singh to re-enter the ring and drill Snow face-first into the mat.
1-2-3.
Singh won at 2:23.

Rating: DUD

Summary: Waste of time that could have been a backstage segment.

Video airs featuring Sable working out in preparation for her challenge for the Women’s title against Jacqueline. At least wipe your chin.

Backstage, Cole interviews Mr. McMahon who taunts the fallen Rock about his impending future unemployment.

We revisit two weeks ago when Edge helped Gangrel against Kane. Following that, we revisit last week when Kane took everyone on a trip to Chokeslam City.

Match 7: Edge (w/ the Brood) versus Kane

Highlights:

During his entrance, Kane brought an acetylene torch and a gas can.
Kane flattened him with a big boot, but Edge clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor.
When Kane landed on his feet, he dragged Edge to the floor with him.
He rammed Edge into the barricade before guillotining him on it.
Back in the ring, Kane gave Edge a cross corner whip followed by a slam.
Kane missed an elbow drop allowing Edge to attempt a huracanrana.
On the other hand, Kane countered with a powerbomb.
He hoisted Edge atop the top turnbuckle, but the Brood distracted him from an alleged superplex attempt.
As Edge mounted the top turnbuckle, he connected with a missile dropkick.
Kane barely left his feet, so Edge fed him a DDT.
After Kane sat up, he nailed Edge sending him over the top rope to the apron.
He draped Edge over the top rope, leaped to the top turnbuckle, and destroyed him with an axe handle.
While Christian jumped onto the apron, Kane hammered him.
He military-pressed Edge over his head and tossed him in Gangrel’s general direction.
Leaving the ring, Kane beat up Christian, used the steps as a springboard, and clotheslined Edge.
The Brood double-teamed Kane on the floor, and Edge dealt Kane a baseball slide.
Scoring with a tope con hilo, Edge, along with the Brood, triple-teamed Kane.
Referee Jim Korderas called for the bell, and Kane won by DQ at 4:26.

Rating: **

Summary: Decent high-flying by not-so-small wrestlers, but a crappy finish to protect Edge ruins this encounter.

Following the match, Kane gives the Brood a return trip to Chokeslam City. He piles them together, retrieves the gas can and torch, chokeslams Korderas when he interferes, dumps him atop the Brood, pours “gasoline” onto them, and attempts to light the acetylene torch. Before he can light it, WWF officials arrive to halt the attempted arson and murder. He leaves through the crowd, grabs a planted fan, and chokeslams him toward ringside. Kane’s rather unhinged as you can see.

From ringside, Mr. McMahon demands Rock appear RIGHT NOW. No one appears instantly, so McMahon calls out the Dallas Cowboys in attendance. When he runs them down, McMahon continues to call out Rock. Unexpectedly, referee Shane McMahon emerges, yet McMahon besmirches him.

Shane cuts a promo on McMahon but gets rebuffed. As he threatens Shane, McMahon yells at him to leave. Shane refuses, so McMahon summons Bossman to “get him.” After Bossman tosses Shane into the ring, Austin arrives to save Shane’s bacon.

Promo airs for WWF Survivor Series ’98 LIVE on PPV this Sunday. Order NOW!

The first time Rock’s entrance music plays, he doesn’t show. The second time it plays, he emerges looking the worse for wear. Mr. McMahon and his entourage remain at ringside.

Match 8: Rock versus Mark Henry (w/ D’Lo Brown)

Highlights:

Rock immediately jumped into the ring and brawled with Henry.
As the Dallas faithful chanted “Rock-y,” their hero gave Henry a cross corner whip followed by a clothesline.
The match segued to the floor, and Rock bounced Henry face-first off the steps.
When Henry reversed an Irish whip, he sent Rock back-first into the barricade.
Rock exploded with another clothesline, but Henry took him on a trip WAY DOWNTOWN.
Back in the ring, Henry distracted referee Mike Chioda so that Brown could annihilate Rock. SNEAKY!
Rock blocked a vertical suplex and dealt Henry one of his own.
After he gave Henry a cross corner whip, Rock came up empty on his follow-through.
Henry clotheslined him and followed with an elbow drop for 2.
While Henry trapped him in a bear hug, Rock ultimately escaped.
He reversed another Irish whip and powerslammed Henry for 2.
Hitting a series of clotheslines, Rock hooked a side-Russian leg sweep for another 2.
Brown distracted Chioda enabling Rock to return the favor to Henry WAY DOWNTOWN.
Reversing a cross corner whip, Henry powerslammed Rock for 2.
Brown distracted Chioda again, and Bossman tried to handcuff Rock to the corner.
Instead, the opposite happened, and Bossman was trapped.
Rock planted Henry with a DDT but only got 2 when the Stooges yanked Chioda out of the ring.
Ejecting an incoming Brown, Rock got reversed on an Irish whip.
He unloaded a Rock Bottom to Henry and dropped the People’s Elbow to a HUGE ovation.
Instantaneously, Shane slid into the ring.
1-2-3.
Rock won at 7:23.

Rating: **

Summary: More storyline than match as Rock continues his employment with the WWF and maintains his entry in the WWF title tournament on Sunday.

Afterward, Rock spots Mr. McMahon at ringside and tosses him into the ring. The Stooges provide backup, but Rock steamrolls through them. When Rock hesitates, McMahon slaps him. A bug-eyed Rock obliterates him with a Rock Bottom followed by a People’s Elbow to end the show.

Conclusion: Without question, Rock is the #2 babyface in the promotion behind Austin. His character has been placed at a high level, and I foresee him going far in the tournament. Austin has his hands full with Bossman, so who knows? Kane is on a tear, so how will he fare against his brother?

All things considered, the PPV is looking top -notch, and I can’t wait to revisit it.

Could RAW finally overcome Nitro in the ratings?

TV Rating: 5.03

Who won? Yep, RAW defeated Nitro by almost a full ratings point. The WWF is selling its product better and is more entertaining. Nitro lacks cohesion and is straight-up copying RAW. It’s a drastic practice that screams “I’m #2.” If the PPV offers a lackluster result, WCW might have a chance next week.

Stay tuned for WCW Thunder 11-12-98!

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