Taped from Columbus, OH
Airdate: November 23, 1998 (taped 11/17)
Attendance: 12,678 (sold out)
Hosted by Jim Ross & Jerry “The King” Lawler
Who will challenge Rock for the WWF title? Who’s the new Commissioner? What happens with Austin? Who wins the Hardcore title triple-threat match? With it being so close to the holidays, don’t be that guy!
Opening montage.
Mr. McMahon, Shane, and the Stooges enter the ring. As Mr. McMahon claims ZERO responsibility for what happened to Austin last week, he describes the NEW Commissioner as independent except for Austin. He introduces the new Commissioner, and it’s…
The “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels!
Outfitted in a black cowboy hat and sport coat, HBK enters the ring. He declares “there’s a new sheriff in town.” When he states “things will never be the same again,” HBK announces the Rock will defend the WWF title against X-Pac. Hmmm…that smells like collusion to me frankly.
Backstage, Kevin Kelly interviews ICP with the Oddities. ICP asks the Oddities to take their match against the Headbangers.
Match 1: The Headbangers versus the Oddities (w/ Luna & ICP)
Highlights:
- Mosh mounted the second turnbuckle, leaped, but Kurrgan caught him.
- When Kurrgan slammed him, he landed an elbow drop for 2.
- Golga tagged in, gave Mosh a cross corner whip, and followed with an avalanche.
- As Golga slammed Mosh, Violent J jumped onto the apron.
- Golga bounced off the ropes sending Violent J reeling to the floor.
- After Thrasher snuck in to corral Golga, the Headbangers took him down with a school-boy.
- 1-2-3.
- The Headbangers won at 1:31.
Rating: DUD
Summary: More angle than match as dissension between ICP and Oddities continues.
After the match, ICP sprays mace in the Oddities’ faces and “joins forces” with the Headbangers to dismantle them. Mosh declares a “new Headbanger attitude” while Thrasher cuts off Luna’s weave. How dastardly!
Video airs featuring Kane.
Prior to the next match, we revisit the Blue Blazer in several instances.
POINT OF ORDER: Jiminy Crickets, Russo. Slow things down already. No need for things to play at 78-speed. For those unaware, that’s the fastest setting on a phonograph.
Match 2: The Blue Blazer versus Steve Blackman
Highlights:
- Before the bell, Blazer guillotined Blackman with the top rope.
- Blackman tied Blazer up in his costume and leveled him with a spin kick.
- As Blackman missed an elbow drop, Blazer blasted him with an enziguri.
- He trapped Blackman in a dragon sleeper, but Blackman escaped.
- When Blackman reversed a cross corner whip, he ate a back elbow on his follow-through.
- Blazer hooked a Sharpshooter, but Blackman grabbed the bottom rope.
- After Blackman dropkicked him, he missed a second attempt.
- He reversed an Irish whip and plowed Blazer with a flying shoulder block.
- While he unloaded a bicycle kick, Blackman pinned Blazer at 2:57.
Rating: *
Summary: Blackman is impressive in the ring but has the charisma of drywall. Will he unmask Blazer?
Following the match, Owen sprints to the ring in street clothes and deals Blackman a chop block to prevent any unmasking.
Footage from the house show in San Jose yesterday shows Austin’s collapse following a match.
RAW is WAR is sponsored by Burger King, Norelco, and Castrol Syntec.
We revisit last week when Henry traded dropping his sexual harassment lawsuit for a date with Chyna. As far as we know, the latter has yet to accept the terms.
Match 3: D’Lo Brown & Mark Henry versus the Brood (w/ Christian)
Highlights:
- Edge leapfrogged Brown and followed with a huracanrana.
- When he dropkicked Brown, Edge tagged out.
- The Brood dealt Brown a double back elbow, and Gangrel whipped Edge leading to a corner clothesline to Brown.
- As the Brood double-DDT’d Brown, they double hip-tossed an incoming Henry.
- Speaking of Henry, he tagged in and slammed Edge.
- He landed an elbow drop and got 2.
- After Brown tagged in, Edge reversed a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
- Brown unfurled his running powerbomb and tagged out.
- While Henry delivered a tilt-a-whirl slam, Gangrel distracted referee Tim White.
- Brown tagged in, but Edge connected with a cross body block for 2.
- Tagging in, Henry powerslammed Edge.
- Brown tagged in, mounted the top turnbuckle, but missed a somersault senton.
- Hot tag Gangrel.
- Clotheslining Henry, Gangrel backdropped an incoming Brown.
- With all four wrestlers in the ring, the Brood rammed Henry and Brown together.
- Brown sought refuge on the floor, but Edge joined him via plancha.
- Flapjacking Gangrel, Henry got distracted when Chyna appeared at the entrance.
- Gangrel rolled up and pinned the distracted Henry at 7:06.
Rating: **
Summary: Crappy finish to an otherwise solid tag match.
Afterward, Chyna informs Henry that she’ll go on a date with Henry who’s ecstatic.
From “San Jose Medical Center,” Austin speaks to a group of healthcare workers. The doctor mentions Austin sustained a serious concussion. As the doctor advises him to take the provided medication and get some rest, Austin follows his advice apart from “take two weeks off.” JR asks him about his condition, and an agitated Austin’s ready for payback.
JVC KABOOM OF THE WEEK: Undertaker CLOBBERED Austin with a shovel.
TV Rating: 4.80
Prior to the next match, we revisit Sunday Night HeAT when Jacqueline inadvertently cost Mero the match against Bossman. Mero subsequently fired her.
Match 4: Goldust (w/o Terri) versus Marc Mero (w/o Jacqueline)
Highlights:
- Mero gave Goldust a cross corner whip but ate a clothesline.
- As he dealt Mero an inverted atomic drop, Goldust guillotined him with the top rope.
- He gave Mero a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
- When Terri jiggled to ringside, Mero planted Goldust with a knee lift.
- Goldust reversed an Irish whip, but Mero scored with a cross body block for 2.
- To say Terri’s outfit was revealing would be a gross understatement.
- Regardless, Goldust slammed Mero, yet Jacqueline also approached ringside.
- Mero rolled up a distracted Goldust but only got 2.
- After Goldust hooked a backslide, he got 2.
- Mero clotheslined Goldust and got 2.
- While Goldust nailed him, he dumped Mero with a bulldog for 2.
- Goldust pounded a ten-punch count-along into Mero’s skull and set him up for Shattered Dreams.
- Due to Terri’s distraction of referee Jim Korderas, Jacqueline snuck into the ring and blasted Goldust WAY DOWNTOWN.
- Terri also climbed into the ring, kicked Goldust, and punished Mero with her own Shattered Dreams.
- Following a high-five between Terri and Jacqueline, Korderas called for the bell.
- No result was announced, but I’d call it a double-disqualification at 3:59.
Rating: **
Summary: Decent match until the sports-entertainment finish.
We return to the “medical center” where Austin signs an autograph for a nurse. As JR asks about the Buried Alive match at the PPV, an enraged Austin promises Undertaker won’t make it to Vancouver.
WAR ZONE!
Prior to the next match, we revisit last week when Bossman and Shamrock destroyed Mankind.
Sorry, Chester.
Match 5 for the WWF Hardcore title (triple threat): Mankind (champion) versus Ken Shamrock versus Big Bossman
Highlights:
- Bossman and Shamrock double-teamed and dealt Mankind a double back elbow.
- When Bossman got 2, the Columbus faithful informed Shamrock that he indeed “sucks.”
- Shamrock gave Mankind a cross corner whip, yet Bossman missed him.
- As Mankind exploded with a pair of clotheslines, he disposed of Shamrock outside the ring.
- He joined and rammed Shamrock into a trailing Bossman.
- After he rammed Bossman face-first into the ramp, Mankind suplexed Shamrock there too.
- Bossman returned him to the ring and further double-teaming ensued.
- While Mr. McMahon and Shane emerged to get a closer look, Shamrock bounced Mankind’s head off the barricade.
- Both Bossman and Shamrock took turns walloping Mankind with the nightstick, but Mankind retrieved a broom from under the ring. He knew it was sweeps month.
- Nailing Shamrock in the midsection with it, Mankind cracked it over Shamrock’s back.
- He clotheslined Bossman with it and whacked Shamrock with it again.
- Dribbling Shamrock’s head off the barricade, Mankind got hammered by Bossman with an oscillating fan.
- Shamrock added a Coke to Mankind’s smile, and Bossman grabbed a chair.
- Back in the ring, Bossman mistakenly smashed Shamrock with the chair as Mankind ducked.
- Mankind planted Bossman with a double-arm DDT on the chair and headbutted Shamrock out of the ring.
- Joining Shamrock, Mankind rammed him shoulder-first into the steps.
- He adorned Mr. Socko and fed him to Shamrock.
- Unfortunately for Mankind, Bossman attacked him from behind with the nightstick.
- Mankind rebounded with Mr. Socko to Bossman, but Shamrock chop-blocked him.
- Coming to Mankind’s aid, the JOB Squad distracted referee Mike Chioda.
- Shamrock dealt Mankind a belly-to-belly suplex on the chair, but Al Snow jumped into the ring to annihilate Shamrock with Head.
- 1-2-3.
- Mankind retained at 8:27.
Rating: ***
Summary: Entertaining crap as Mankind with some help beat the odds.
After the match, Mankind chases after the McMahons, but Shamrock catches him from behind.
Back at the “medical center,” Undertaker’s hearse is parked outside, but he’s inside choking the life out of Austin. He restrains Austin while Paul Bearer administers ether to subdue him. He drags Austin from the hospital room stating it’s his “last ride.”
TV Rating: 5.36
Following a commercial break, a hearse backs up, Undertaker and Paul Bearer exit, and Austin’s lifeless body is removed from it. Undertaker places Austin on a mound of dirt and continues digging a grave. As Bearer berates him, Austin wakes up and attacks him. Undertaker restrains him again while Bearer reapplies ether. Instead of burying him alive, Undertaker wants to embalm him ALIVE.
Match 6 for the WWF Light Heavyweight title: Christian (champion w/ the Brood) versus Duane Gill
Highlights:
- This match was missing from my recording.
- Nevertheless, Gill upset Christian at 2:28.
- WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!
Rating: Who knows?
Summary: I’m sure this will be shown on Sunday Night HeAT.
Prior to the next match, Godfather grabs the microphone and offers Ali-Singh a choice of fight or fuck. With one of the ho’s of course. Steven Regal emerges and calls out Godfather for “screwing” him over last week. After he and Ali-Singh double-team Godfather, Val Venis evens the odds. They brawl until WWF officials arrive to diffuse the situation.
Match 7: Godfather (w/ ho’s) versus Tiger Ali-Singh (w/ Babu)
Highlights:
- No match.
Rating: NONE
Prior to the next match, Road Dog recites his catchphrase with help from Gunn.
Match 8 (non-title) WWF tag team champions New Age Outlaws versus Job Squad (w/ Al Snow & Duane Gill)
Highlights:
- Road Dog stymied Holly with some shake’n’bake followed by a shaky-shaky knee drop for 2.
- As Holly dealt him a pumphandle slam, he got 2.
- Tags were exchanged on both sides, and Scorpio dropkicked Gunn.
- When Scorpio tried again, Gunn swatted him away like a fly.
- Holly intervened, but Gunn gorilla-press-slammed him.
- After Road Dog tagged in, Scorpio unloaded a spin kick to him.
- Holly tagged in and ruined Road Dog’s late-night plans with an inverted atomic drop.
- While he clotheslined Road Dog, Holly got 2.
- Road Dog rebounded with a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
- Tagging in, Scorpio mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, but ate boot.
- Hot tag Gunn.
- Planting Holly with a back elbow, Gunn slammed Scorpio.
- Gunn mounted the top turnbuckle, but Holly shook the ropes crotching him.
- Scoring with a tornado DDT, Gunn only got 1 thanks to a save by Holly.
- All four wrestlers were in the ring, and Mankind approached ringside with his leaf blower powered on.
- With referee Tim White distracted, Mankind obliterated Gunn with the leaf blower.
- 1-2-3.
- Scorpio and Holly won at 5:24.
- UPSET CITY!
Rating: ***
Summary: Fun little tag match with an unexpected ending thanks to Mankind.
Following the match, Bossman and Shamrock storm the ring and hammer Mankind from behind. A pier-six brawl erupts, and Shamrock nails Mankind with the leaf blower still powered on. While Bossman destroys Snow with his nightstick, Shamrock clocks Holly with the leaf blower.
After the destruction settles, Sergeant Slaughter, Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco approach the ring. They escort the NAO backstage possibly to discuss Corporation membership.
Meanwhile, a hearse pulls up to a funeral home.
Following a commercial break, Undertaker brings an unconscious Austin into the funeral home and places him atop a table. While Undertaker runs him down, Bearer prepares for embalmment.
Next, Undertaker chants and holds up a miniature sword. Suddenly, Kane enters the room to fight with him. Where did he come from? Bearer attempts to begin the procedure, but Austin awakens enough to stop him. As Austin escapes, the satellite feed peters out.
POINT OF ORDER: This was a disgusting angle that turned some viewers away.
Prior to the main event, Commissioner Michaels approaches ringside. He banishes both the NAO as well as Bossman and Shamrock from ringside.
Match 9 for the WWF title: The Rock (champion w/ the Big Bossman & Ken Shamrock) versus WWF European champion X-Pac (w/ the New Age Outlaws)
Highlights:
- Michaels sat beside the broadcast table for this match but didn’t offer any commentary.
- When he leapfrogged Rock, X-Pac connected with a lariat.
- The Columbus faithful informed Rock that he indeed “sucks,” but their nemesis delivered a swinging neckbreaker.
- As he clotheslined X-Pac over the top rope to the floor, Rock joined and crotched him with the ring post. OUCH! Besides their normal afterwork activities, Road Dog and X-Pac may have been sitting with ice packs after tonight.
- Nonetheless, Rock clotheslined X-Pac and got 2.
- Rock dealt X-Pac a back elbow, and the McMahons emerged at the entrance.
- After Michaels exchanged pleasantries with them, X-Pac floored Rock with a standing leg lariat.
- JR mistakenly called X-Pac “Sean,” but Rock reversed an Irish whip.
- While X-Pac laid Rock out with a spinning heel kick, X-Pac got 2.
- X-Pac unloaded a Bronco buster, but Rock rebounded with a Samoan drop for 2.
- Planting Rock with an X-Factor, X-Pac only got 2.
- Rock powerslammed X-Pac for 2.
- Next, Rock stole his chair, but Michaels stepped into the ring to regain it.
- Michaels unexpectedly dismantled X-Pac with a chair shot to the head.
- SWERVE!
- Following a Corporate Elbow, Rock pinned X-Pac at 8:34.
Rating: **
Summary: Something smelled rotten in Denmark, and the HBK swerve sealed X-Pac’s fate.
Afterward, Michaels shares high-fives with the McMahons while the NAO brawls with Bossman and Shamrock. The rest of the Corporation celebrates with crotch chops to end the episode.
TV Rating: 4.60
Conclusion: I’ll give credit where it’s due–the swerve by Michaels was completely out of left field. On the other hand, the Austin skits were completely distasteful, and that’s coming from someone who enjoys horror films. In any case, Mankind survived with the Hardcore title while Goldust and Mero are licking their wounds courtesy of their former valets.
Chyna’s acceptance of Henry’s offer will lead to some hijinks down the road, so I’m looking forward to it. Lastly, the Owen-Blazer switcheroo is cute for the time being.
Could it finally overcome Nitro in the ratings?
Overall TV Rating: 4.86
Who won? Yes, RAW beat Nitro by 0.36 points. Despite the Austin-Undertaker nonsense sending parents reeling to make their kids watch Goldberg dismantle Giant, the WWF formula for ratings success continues to work in their favor. WCW unquestionably will need to bring more to the table beyond Bret-DDP to overtake the WWF during the holiday season.
Stay tuned for WWF Sunday Night HeAT 11-29-98!
Comments? Suggestions? Send them to me at rsg@rockstargary.com and follow me on Twitter (@rockstargary202).