Live from Austin, TX
Airdate: November 1, 1998
Attendance: 10,001
Hosted by Michael Cole & Jim Cornette
What’s tonight’s major announcement? Who’s ready to face a real man’s man? Can Blackman defeat Brown? What’s up with the Headbangers? Is there news on Severn? Got a cold beverage, ‘cuz the temperature is rising!
Opening montage.
Prior to the opening match, we revisit the PPV when Droz stole the pin after the Road Warriors demolished DoA much to Hawk’s chagrin. Next, we revisit the subsequent RAW when Droz got pinned due to Hawk’s distraction. On Shotgun Saturday Night, Hawk called for the Doomsday Device, but Droz won via sit-out powerbomb instead.
Match 1: Animal & Droz (w/ Hawk) versus the Hardy Boyz
Highlights:
- Droz fed him a flying back elbow, but Matt backdropped him over the top rope to the floor.
- When Animal powerslammed him, he powerbombed Jeff.
- Outside the ring, Droz and Animal exchanged shoves.
- Inside the ring, Animal double-suplexed the Hardy Boyz. Amazing!
- Animal got distracted by the in-fighting, so the Hardy Boyz double-dropkicked him.
- As they double-suplexed Animal, the Hardy Boyz launched a guillotine leg drop/splash combo onto him. Neat!
- 1-2-3.
- The Hardy Boyz won at 1:28.
- UPSET CITY!
Rating: *
Summary: More angle than match as the disintegration of the Road Warriors continues. It was truly cool to see the Hardy Boyz win at this stage of their careers.
After the match, Animal breaks Hawk and Droz up again before being fed up and leaving on his own. Hawk subsequently grabs the microphone and challenges Droz to a match on RAW.
Vignette featuring Steven Regal, a real man’s man, airs.
Prior to the next match, Regal grabs the microphone and issues an open challenge. Since the show’s in Texas, Bradshaw answers.
Match 2: Steven Regal versus Bradshaw
Highlights:
- This match marked Regal’s in-ring debut for the WWF.
- As Bradshaw entered the ring, he knocked Regal’s hard hat off.
- He fed Regal a big boot, gave him a pair of cross corner whips, and followed each with a corner clothesline.
- When he dealt Regal a belly-to-back suplex, Bradshaw landed an elbow drop for 2.
- He slammed Regal but missed a second big boot.
- After Regal delivered a cradle suplex, he pinned Bradshaw at 1:39.
Rating: ½*
Summary: Regal overcame Bradshaw’s high-impact offense and beat him with a smart technical maneuver. On the other hand, that entrance music is HORRIFIC!
Following the match, Jackyl approaches the ring and talks with Bradshaw. Hopefully, he’s not selling Amway.
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Prior to the next match, we revisit RAW when Edge joined Christian and Gangrel in attacking Kane.
Match 3: The Brood versus the Oddities (w/ Luna)
Highlights:
- Kurrgan reversed an Irish whip and fed Edge a sidewalk slam.
- When Silva tagged in, he destroyed the Brood one-by-one.
- Cole screamed that Kane was sitting up in the rafters.
- POINT OF ORDER: OK, Sting’s on the shelf in WCW, so the WWF puts one of its wrestlers in the rafters. Yes, I’m aware WCW pulls the same shit. Pure pettiness between the promotions, folks.
- As Golga tagged in, he gave Gangrel a cross corner whip, flashed him for no discernable reason, and followed with an avalanche.
- He landed a leg drop for 2, brother.
- After he slammed Gangrel, Golga mounted the second turnbuckle and launched a flying elbow drop for another 2.
- Golga slammed Gangrel, but Edge kidnapped Golga’s Cartman doll to distract him.
- While Luna jumped onto Edge’s back, Christian and Gangrel dealt Golga a double DDT.
- 1-2-3.
- The Brood won at 2:04.
Rating: *
Summary: Shenanigans by the young lions led to the defeat of the giants. That sounds like Game of Thrones, no?
Backstage, Kevin Kelly interviews Blackman who reveals the Blue Blazer as Owen and cuts a promo on him. He continues by running down Brown.
Sunday Night HeAT is sponsored by Snickers, WWF: The Music Volume 2, and Lego Mindstorms.
Match 4: D’Lo Brown (w/ Mark Henry) versus Steve Blackman
Highlights:
- Blackman hit the ring, but Brown connected with a spinning heel kick.
- As Brown missed a senton splash, Blackman dropkicked him.
- Blackman missed a second dropkick but nailed a thrust kick.
- When Brown unleashed a Sky High (running powerbomb), the Headbangers strolled to ringside.
- Mosh shoved Henry, yet Brown slammed Blackman in the ring.
- After Brown mounted the top turnbuckle, Mosh distracted referee Tim White.
- Thrasher pushed Brown off the top turnbuckle down to the mat. How dastardly!
- While Blackman hooked a cradle, he pinned Brown at 1:23.
Rating: DUD
Summary: More angle than match as Brown/Henry square off against the Headbangers on RAW for a PPV title shot.
Afterward, the Headbangers brawl with Brown and Henry at ringside until WWF officials separate them.
Via satellite, Dan “The Beast” Severn sits in his living room wearing a neck brace. He can’t hear Cole, so the interview will happen later.
Prior to the next match, Venis makes a “big unit” joke.
Match 5: Jeff Jarrett (w/ Debra McMichael) versus Val Venis (w/o Terri Runnels)
Highlights:
- Jarrett blasted Venis and followed with a back elbow.
- When Venis reversed an Irish whip, Cole announced two more participants in the WWF title tournament—X-Pac and Goldust.
- Venis fed Jarrett a spinebuster and fell into Debra’s trap.
- As Debra jumped onto the apron, Terri sprinted to the ring.
- Jarrett planted Venis with a DDT for 2 while Terri and Debra exchanged words.
- After Venis reversed a second Irish whip, he powerslammed Jarrett for another 2.
- He placed a knee into Jarrett’s midsection but got backdropped over the top rope to the floor on a second attempt.
- While Debra checked on Venis, Terri got in her grill.
- Jarrett returned him to the ring, but Venis suplexed Jarrett back in.
- Distracted by the women, Venis fell victim to a Stroke.
- 1-2-3.
- Jarrett won at 2:26.
Rating: **
Summary: Quick match that packed a lot in including both soap opera and wrestling.
After the match, Terri enters the ring and apologizes to Venis about losing the match. Despite Venis’ objections, Terri announces that “we’re pregnant.” Venis grabs the microphone from her and strongly corrects her. Angrily, he informs Terri that it’s her problem and leaves. You bastard!
Via satellite, Severn details that he suffered from spinal shock compression. He continues to have a “tingling sensation” in both arms and legs. Next, he states he’ll “confront Owen” and will be on RAW tomorrow night.
We revisit RAW from last week when Shane signed Austin to a new contract and berated his father. It was quite the introduction for Shane.
In the ring, Kelly interviews Shane who has no idea what Mr. McMahon will do tomorrow night on RAW. The Austin faithful chant “Aus-tin,” and Shane tells his father it’s “too little too late.”
Prior to the main event, Cole mentions that HHH will be participating in the WWF title tournament. HA! No, he won’t. Nevertheless, Undertaker makes his entrance, but Godfather offers him a choice—spend the night with a ho or get his ass kicked. Undertaker chooses the latter. I figured the Dead Man to be a ladies’ man.
Match 6: The Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer) versus Godfather (w/ ho’s)
Highlights:
- Undertaker beat up Godfather in the corner and LEVELED referee Mike Chioda.
- As WWF officials arrived, Undertaker demolished them too.
- Undertaker slammed Godfather, but Kane reappeared in the rafters to end the show.
Rating: NONE
Conclusion: Lack of a main event aside, I can tell Vince Russo booked this entire episode. Extremely short matches with lots of either ringside or backstage drama. None of the wrestling is fantastic, but Terri’s announcement makes me believe Venis is turning heel.
In other matches, it was good to see Regal win in his WWF debut as well as a surprise Hardy Boyz win. The rest acted as an appetizer for RAW.
TV Rating: 4.2
Stay tuned for WCW Monday Nitro 11-02-98!
Comments? Suggestions? Send them to me at rsg@rockstargary.com and follow me on Twitter (@rockstargary202).