WWF Capital Carnage ’98

Live from London, England

Airdate: December 6, 1998

Attendance: 10,441 (sold out)

Hosted by Jim Ross & Jerry “The King” Lawler

Who will win the Fatal 4-Way? Against whom will Rock defend the WWF title? Will the NAO survive against Brown and Henry? Who’s Sable’s partner, and can they defeat Mero and Jacqueline? How will Blackman fare against Shamrock? Will this show be a banger or a load of rubbish?

Match 1: Al Snow (w/ Head) versus Gangrel

Highlights:

Snow almost botched a leap frog but survived enough to hip toss Gangrel.
When he unleashed a series of headbutts, Snow got reversed on an Irish whip yet delivered a wheelbarrow suplex for 2.
He gave Gangrel a cross corner whip but got vaulted over the top rope to the apron.
As he mounted the top turnbuckle, Snow scored with a cross body block for another 2.
Gangrel rebounded with a DDT and got 2.
After he unloaded a series of clotheslines, Gangrel got another 2.
He guillotined Snow with the top rope, followed with a side-Russian leg sweep, but couldn’t get 3.
While he guillotined Snow with the bottom rope, Gangrel gave Snow a cross corner whip.
Snow applied the brakes and clotheslined Gangrel.
Getting reversed on a cross corner whip, Snow floated over and connected with a Northern Lights suplex for 2.
Edge and Christian approached ringside as Snow gave Gangrel another cross corner whip.
Eating boot on his follow-through, Snow slammed Gangrel.
He mounted the second turnbuckle but came up empty on a moonsault attempt.
Hooking a double-arm suplex, Gangrel got 2.
Gangrel hoisted him atop the top turnbuckle, but Snow dropped him with a tornado DDT.
Due to distraction of referee Mike Chioda by Christian, Snow clobbered Gangrel with Head.
Edge responded by mounting the top turnbuckle and launching a missile dropkick to Snow.
1-2-3.
Gangrel won at 5:54.

Rating: ***

Summary: Solid opener as each wrestler had his working boot on, yet the Brood used chicanery to assist Gangrel to victory.

Backstage, Mankind cuts a promo on Austin, Kane, and Undertaker with an Anne Boleyn reference.

Prior to the next match, we revisit RAW from three weeks ago when Droz pushed Hawk off the Titantron.

Match 2: Road Warrior Animal & Droz versus the Headbangers

Highlights:

Droz leapfrogged Mosh three times and followed with a hip toss.
As he dropkicked Mosh, he dealt the same punishment to an incoming Thrasher.
The London faithful chanted “we want Hawk,” but he was nowhere to be seen.
When Thrasher tagged in, Droz reversed an Irish whip and powerslammed him.
Mosh tagged in, mounted the second turnbuckle, and uncorked a flying clothesline to Droz for 2.
After Thrasher tagged in, the Headbangers destroyed Droz with a double leaping guillotine.
Droz rebounded with a lariat, and tags were exchanged on both sides.
While Animal flattened Mosh with a flying shoulder block, he escaped a double-team and double-clotheslined the Headbangers.
He powerslammed Mosh, but Thrasher made the save.
Illegally switching with Animal, Droz got rolled up by Mosh.
1-2-3.
The Headbangers won at 3:20.

Rating: *

Summary: It would appear that Droz is the weaker link in the team.

After the match, a shoving match between Animal and Droz breaks out, and they must be separated by WWF officials.

POINT OF ORDER: With the exception of a couple of matches on Shotgun Saturday Night, Animal wouldn’t return to WWF TV for a few months.

We revisit RAW last week when Austin returned the favor to Undertaker by WHACKING him in the head with a shovel. Paul Bearer believed that Kane was headed to the asylum via ambulance, but, in fact, he and Austin watched from a monitor backstage. They took Bearer to the street and pushed him into a manhole.

Backstage, Michael Cole interviews Undertaker with Bearer. Undertaker tells Cole to pray for Austin before cutting a promo. Since he’s an evil monster now, he doesn’t give the London faithful a chance to chant “rest in peace” with him.

Prior to the next match, Venis grabs the microphone and compares himself to the Tower of London. Afterward, we revisit RAW when Terri announced her pregnancy; however, Venis broke up with her. She tried to reconnect with Goldust who rebuffed her instantly. Later, she and Jacqueline gained revenge on Goldust by taking him on a trip WAY DOWNTOWN. She also ruined Marc Mero’s Monday night.

Match 3: Val Venis versus Goldust

Highlights:

Venis ambushed Goldust before the bell, gave him a cross corner whip, but came up empty on his follow-through.
When Goldust clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor, he joined, reversed an Irish whip, and sent Venis into the steps.
He dropped Venis face-first into the steps and hip-tossed him upon returning to the ring.
As he slammed Venis, Goldust slapped the BEJEEZUS out of him.
He reversed a cross corner whip and followed with a clothesline.
After he dealt Venis a slingshot belly-to-back suplex, Goldust gave him a cross corner whip.
Venis blocked a monkey flip and clotheslined Goldust for 2.
While he placed a pair of knees into the midsection, Venis hooked a side-Russian leg sweep.
Goldust rebounded with a bulldog and got 2.
Reversing an Irish whip, Venis fed Goldust a SPINEBUSTER for 2.
He mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a cross body block.
On the other hand, Goldust rolled through for 2.
Venis walked into a forearm smash but caught Goldust with a seaman’s suplex for 2.
Planting Venis with an atomic drop, Goldust caused a mid-ring collision.
Goldust, instead of falling between the ropes, fell right on the big Valbowski.
To a tremendous pop, Goldust set up Shattered Dreams, but Venis placed referee Earl Hebner in front of him.
Venis rolled up Goldust and got 3.
As a result, Venis won at 7:34.

Rating: **

Summary: While I appreciate the clean finish, the Shattered Dreams to the big Valbowski would have blown the roof off London Arena.

Following the match, Goldust drops Venis like a bad habit and sets up Shattered Dreams again. Polling the London faithful, Goldust earns an “aye” and thus creates Venis’ nightmares. Cracked nuts, anyone?

This past Thursday, Mr. McMahon spoke at Oxford University. The video follows.

From the entrance, Mr. McMahon, Shane, and the Stooges emerge. Pat Patterson announces that HHH will wrestle Jeff Jarrett instead of facing the Rock. Instead, the WWF champion will defend against X-Pac. Gerry Brisco takes the microphone while the London faithful calls him an “asshole.” As Brisco namedrops Vinnie Jones, Shane takes the microphone while Mr. McMahon enjoys teatime.

Shane teases the London faithful about Vinnie Jones’ sexuality while Mr. McMahon calls teatime “pious crap.” After the London faithful showers him with an “asshole” chant, Mr. McMahon insults them with great disdain. He mocks Great Britain for ultimately keeping the Falkland Islands and also not being American. Finally, he runs down Great Britain as a “cesspool.” What, in God’s name, was the purpose of that?

Prior to the next match, Singh grabs the microphone and dedicates this match to his forefathers in India. He points out the “tyranny of the British Empire” and allegedly speaks in Hindi to gauge a negative reaction.

Match 4: Edge versus Tiger Ali-Singh

Highlights:

Singh tried to attack him before the bell, but Edge leapfrogged him.
As Singh gave Edge a cross corner whip, he came up empty on his follow-through.
Edge reversed an Irish whip and backdropped Singh.
When he dropkicked Singh twice, Edge followed him to the floor.
Back in the ring, Edge gave Singh a cross corner whip, slid under him, tripped him, and broke Singh’s wishbone.
Edge delivered an inverted atomic drop and followed with a pair of clotheslines.
After he mounted the top turnbuckle, Edge launched a missile dropkick for 2.
He mounted the opposite top turnbuckle, leaped, but got caught in a powerslam.
While Singh placed his feet on the ropes, he pinned Edge at 2:51.

Rating: *

Summary: No heat whatsoever for Singh, but Edge’s high-flying looks solid.

Afterward, Singh pummels him until Edge backdrops him again. He clotheslines Singh over the top rope to the floor to regain some heat before hightailing amongst the London faithful.

In the ring, Cole interviews Vinnie Jones who, at this point in time, was a notable football player in England albeit aggressive and dirty. Jones wants to “knock out” the McMahons and will be at ringside for the main event.

Prior to the next match, we revisit HeAT from two weeks ago when Jacqueline inadvertently cost Mero a match. Subsequently, he fired Jacqueline. On the following RAW, Mero put his career on the line against Duane Gill; however, the Blue Meanie cost Mero the match. Next, we revisit Survivor Series ’98 when Jacqueline lost the WWF Women’s title to Sable.

Match 5 (mixed tag): Marc Mero & Jacqueline versus Christian & Sable

Highlights:

Before the bell, Jacqueline entered the ring and shoved Mero down.
Christian leapfrogged Mero and followed with a hip toss.
When Christian dropkicked Mero, Jacqueline tagged in.
Sable tagged in and received a massive pop while Jacqueline scampered across the ring to the floor to evade her.
As Mero stepped in, he mocked Sable by pulling up his trunks.
Christian snuck up from behind him and pulled them completely down. Fortunately, Mero wasn’t going commando.
After Mero gave Christian a cross corner whip, he came up empty on his follow-through.
Sable tagged in and dealt Mero a thrust kick.
While Jacqueline refused to tag in, the men continued the match.
Christian reversed a cross corner whip but got vaulted to the apron.
Yanking Mero to the mat, Christian mounted the top turnbuckle and scored with a cross body block for 2.
Sable chased after Jacqueline, caught her briefly, but referee Tim White intervened.
Meanwhile, Mero gave Christian a cross corner whip and followed with a Samoan drop.
Mero mounted the top turnbuckle, but Christian bumped the top rope crotching Mero.
Delivering an inverted atomic drop, Christian connected with a spinning heel kick.
Mero reversed an Irish whip, but Christian upended him with a inverted DDT.
Tagging in, Sable split Mero’s uprights and Sable-bombed him to a HUGE pop.
Jacqueline tagged in, but Sable brought her into the ring the hard way.
Decimating Jacqueline with a TKO, Sable pinned her at 4:50.

Rating: *

Summary: Comedy match with Sable’s star shining brightly.

After the match, Jacqueline attacks White who stands up with her on his shoulders. White struggles, so Sable rips off Jacqueline’s loose t-shirt. My copy blurs Jacqueline’s, um, assets, but the uncut video is yours to enjoy. Don’t ever say RSG didn’t do you any favors.

POINT OF ORDER: This match would, in fact, be Mero’s final match in the WWF. He’d work in the XWF and TNA before hanging up his boots in 2006.

Match 6 for the WWF Intercontinental title: Ken Shamrock (champion w/ Big Bossman) versus Steve Blackman

Highlights:

Immediately, Shamrock slammed him, but Blackman delivered a spin kick for 2.
He reversed a cross corner whip and dropkicked Shamrock.
As he gave Shamrock a cross corner whip, Blackman clotheslined him for 2.
Shamrock reversed an Irish whip and powerslammed Blackman.
When he dealt Blackman a knee drop, Shamrock snap-suplexed him for 2.
He scored with a back elbow while the London faithful informed him that he indeed “sucks.”
After he clotheslined Blackman, Shamrock unloaded a knee lift.
Blackman hooked an inside cradle but only got 2.
While Shamrock responded with a spinning heel kick, he followed with another knee lift.
Blackman rebounded with a cross corner whip and guillotined Shamrock with the top rope.
Unleashing a SPINEBUSTER, Blackman hooked a somersault rollup for 2.
Blackman missed a spin kick, so Shamrock trapped him in a fisherman’s suplex for 2.
Steamrolling Shamrock with a running shoulder block, Blackman hit a baseball slide to take out Bossman.
With the London faithful loving that, Blackman planted Shamrock with a backbreaker.
Bossman used his nightstick to WHACK Blackman’s ankle coming off the ropes. SNEAKY!
Applying an ankle lock, Shamrock made Blackman submit.
Shamrock retained at 6:50.

Rating: *

Summary: There was no physical charisma to speak of in this match. The biggest pop came when Blackman nailed Bossman.

Following the match, Bossman hammers Blackman just because he’s an evil son-of-a-bitch, and his mama said so.

Backstage, Cole interviews Rock who’s eating an apple. Rock refers to X-Pac as a “bony jabroni” and cuts a promo on him. Afterward, he mocks Hulk Hogan’s, Austin’s, Flair’s, and Bret’s taglinesbefore hitting his own. Classic promo!

Match 7: HHH (w/ Chyna) versus Jeff Jarrett (w/ Debra)

Highlights:

This match marked HHH’s return to the ring after three months following a knee operation.
When HHH reversed an Irish whip, he unloaded a SPINEBUSTER upon Jarrett for 2.
Jarrett retaliated with a back elbow that sent HHH reeling to the floor.
As he guillotined HHH with the top rope, Jarrett mounted the top turnbuckle and launched a cross body block.
HHH used momentum to land on top and got 2.
After Jarrett responded with a single-arm DDT, he distracted referee Tim White.
That enabled Debra to give HHH the business. Not like that, you pervs!
Nevertheless, HHH reversed an Irish whip but fell victim to a swinging neckbreaker for 2.
Debra gave more business to HHH until Chyna stomped her way in Debra’s general direction.
While Jarrett applied a sleeper, HHH escaped only to fall prey to a second sleeper.
HHH countered with a belly-to-back suplex, reversed an Irish whip, and devastated Jarrett with a high knee.
Stymying Jarrett with an inverted atomic drop, HHH delivered a ten-punch count-along.
He gave Jarrett a cross corner whip and attempted a Pedigree.
Blocking it, Jarrett catapulted him, but HHH halted the momentum before getting stunned.
HHH planted Jarrett with a face crusher and clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor.
With Debra on the apron to distract HHH, Chyna chased her back down to the floor.
Chyna distracted White, so Debra climbed into the ring to distract HHH.
In the meantime, Jarrett grabbed a steel chair and attempted to return HHH to physical rehab.
Chyna caught the chair mid-swing enabling HHH to dump Jarrett with a Pedigree.
1-2-3.
HHH won at 6:57.

Rating: **

Summary: Best match of the last hour, but that’s not saying much.

Backstage, Cole interviews Austin who refutes any association with Kane. Austin appears to be rather well-caffeinated.

Earlier this weekend, D’Lo Brown tours London, argues with a driver, mispronounces the Thames River, and renames Big Ben to become Big D. The one and only D’Lo Brown, ladies and gentlemen.

Prior to the next match, Road Dog rattles off his spiel with assistance from the London faithful. Next, we watch the “date” between Henry and Chyna that ends with an act of chivalry.

Match 8 for the WWF tag team titles: The New Age Outlaws (champions) versus D’Lo Brown & Mark Henry

Highlights:

Brown planted a knee into Road Dog’s midsection but succumbed to Road Dog’s juke, jive, and jubilance.
As Road Dog unloaded a shaky-shaky knee drop, Brown took a powder.
Gunn tagged in, but Brown blasted him with a leg lariat.
When Gunn reversed a cross corner whip, he gave the 270lb. Brown a gorilla press slam. Impressive!
He clotheslined Brown who must be lacking in aspirin by taking another powder.
After Henry tagged in, he locked Gunn in a bear hug.
Gunn rang his bell to escape and unloaded a flying forearm.
While the NAO unreeled a double dropkick, they double-hip-tossed an incoming Brown.
Henry slammed Road Dog and tagged out.
Slamming Road Dog, Brown landed a leg drop.
The London faithful informed Brown that he indeed “sucks,” so their nemesis clotheslined Road Dog.
He reversed an Irish whip and dealt Road Dog a Sky High.
Tagging in, Henry SQUISHED Road Dog with a leg drop.
Henry made sandwiches out of Road Dog with a splash, but Gunn saved his bacon.
Pulling Road Dog to his corner, Gunn tagged in and clotheslined Henry.
He administered a ten-punch count-along to Brown and attempted a cross body block.
Catching Gunn, Henry powerslammed him straight into the English Channel.
Brown laid down an elbow drop, but Gunn responded with a Rocker Dropper.
Snagging Brown with an inside cradle, Gunn got 2.
He piledrove and pinned Brown.
As a result, the NAO won at 10:10.

Rating: ***

Summary: Decent tag match between two solid teams who work well together.

Video airs featuring Rock.

Prior to the next match, we revisit RAW from two weeks ago when Commissioner Shawn Michaels screwed X-Pac over against Rock.

Match 9 for the WWF title: Rock (champion) versus WWF European champion X-Pac

Highlights:

Why is Rock facing X-Pac, and X-Pac not defending his title against Steven Regal? Because Regal required rehabilitation for his unfortunate addiction to Renewtrient and Valium. Considering Regal’s neck issues, rehab was the best place for him.
A criss-cross ensued, and X-Pac leapfrogged Rock.
When he clotheslined Rock, X-Pac evaded a leapfrog, flashed a DX chop, and flattened Rock with a series of leg lariats.
Rock grabbed the microphone and walked away from the match.
As HHH and Chyna stopped Rock in his tracks, X-Pac returned him to the ring.
With Rock down in the corner, X-Pac WHIFFED on a Bronco buster due to Rock’s agility.
Rock clotheslined X-Pac and got 2.
After he unloaded a swinging neckbreaker, Rock got another 2.
He bounced X-Pac face-first off the broadcast table, drank JR’s beverage, but X-Pac knocked the taste out of his mouth. I’m surprised Rock didn’t grab a handful of Skittles.
While the London faithful informed the WWF champion that he indeed “sucks,” their nemesis fed X-Pac a knee to the midsection.
He baited HHH onto the apron and took X-Pac on a double-decker bus ride WAY DOWNTOWN for 2.
Spilling X-Pac with a side-Russian leg sweep, Rock got another 2.
He wiped out X-Pac with a back elbow, slammed him, unfurled a Corporate Elbow, but couldn’t get 3.
Blocking an X-Factor, Rock attempted a Rock Bottom; however, Chyna nailed Rock right in the London Eye if you catch my drift.
X-Pac rolled up Rock but only got 2.
Annihilating the Rock with a spinning heel kick, X-Pac got another 2.
He mounted the top turnbuckle and launched a cross body block.
Using momentum, Rock landed on top with his leg on the bottom rope but somehow only got 2.
X-Pac unleashed a series of kicks in the corner, but a do-si-do culminated with getting referee Earl Hebner SQUISHED in the corner.
Powerslamming X-Pac, Rock hammered HHH at ringside.
He sought the WWF title belt but WHIFFED trying to turn X-Pac’s lights out.
Instead, HHH took the European title belt and SMACKED Rock with it.
X-Pac slowly made the cover but only got 2.
Having eaten a Bronco buster, Rock escaped the ring and shoved Chyna. You bastard!
HHH clobbered Rock from behind, but Hebner caught him red-handed.
As a result, Rock won by DQ at 12:33.

Rating: ***½

Summary: With help from ringside, one of two things were going to happen. One being X-Pac finds a way to win thanks to HHH while the other being HHH mistakenly costs X-Pac the title opportunity. In this case, it was the latter in a fine but not spectacular match.

Afterward, X-Pac and HHH stomp the Hurricane out of Rock until WWF officials separate them. A fallen Rock takes the microphone and crows about retaining his title. Infuriated, X-Pac destroys Rock from behind, and DX continues to smush Rock deep into the foundation of the London Arena. Shamrock arrives to rescue the Corporate champion, but HHH extinguishes his flame quickly.

Ring announcer Tony Chimel announces that Shane will be the guest ring announcer to a chorus of boos. As Shane enters the ring, he declares that Pat Patterson will be the guest timekeeper. He also mentions that Gerry Brisco will be the special guest referee. Thank God for closed-captioning; otherwise, I’d miss the London faithful calling Brisco a “wanker.” HA!

Nonetheless, the next announcement by Shane reveals Mr. McMahon as the special guest commentator. Ultimately, the final announcement would be that Bossman would serve as the special guest ring enforcer at ringside. Got all that?

Match 10 (fatal 4-way): Stone Cold Steve Austin versus Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer) versus Mankind versus Kane

Highlights:

Despite all the Corporate members involved at ringside, Vinnie Jones arrived as another ringside enforcer and went nose-to-nose with Bossman.
Jones shoved Bossman hard enough to send him reeling to the floor.
As Brisco pulled out the red card, Jones was ejected from ringside much to the dismay of the London faithful.
Kane and Mankind battled well before Undertaker and Austin made their entrances.
When Kane gave Mankind a cross corner whip, he ate a back elbow on his follow-through.
He followed with a corner clothesline while Undertaker sauntered toward ringside.
After he entered the ring, Undertaker chokeslammed Mankind.
Undertaker disposed of Mankind, reversed an Irish whip, and pitched Kane over the top rope to the floor.
While Austin made his entrance to a great pop, he and Undertaker fought in the aisle.
Kane mounted the top turnbuckle and delivered a flying clothesline to Mankind.
Eating the steps, Undertaker headbutted Kane and unloaded a back elbow to Mankind.
Austin dribbled Mankind’s head off the broadcast table and the barricade. That even gave me a headache.
Catching Austin with a flying clothesline, Undertaker planted him with a leg drop for 2.
Austin rebounded with a Thesz press and blasted Undertaker with an elbow smash.
Giving Austin a cross corner whip, Kane ate a clothesline.
Undertaker caromed Mankind face-first into Patterson’s table while Austin got 2.
With camera cable, a triple choke occurred at ringside. Neat visual!
Mankind pounded Undertaker with a microphone before Austin introduced Kane to Patterson’s table.
Trying to ram Kane into the ring post, Austin HIT THE POLE himself.
Bearer, seizing an opportunity, pulverized Mankind with his loafer. How dastardly!
Mounting the top turnbuckle, Undertaker attempted to walk the top rope, but Kane crotched him instead.
Kane gave Mankind anoher cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
Being pinballed between Austin and Mankind, Kane ate a double clothesline.
Mankind reversed an Irish whip and blocked a Stunner.
Employing a Mandible claw, Mankind got tripped by Undertaker.
Speaking of Undertaker, he broke Mankind’s wishbone with the ring post. Poor Collette.
Kane leveled Austin with a short-arm clothesline, yet Mankind revived with Mr. Socko.
Cocky, Mankind fell prey to the Brothers of Destruction.
Undertaker slid a chair into the ring, mounted the top turnbuckle, but Mankind disrupted a potential spike piledriver.
Grabbing his own chair, Mankind WALLOPED Kane with it.
Undertaker, with his chair, knocked Mankind straight into 2001.
Making the save with a chair, Austin covered Undertaker, but Brisco slowly counted to 1.
Undertaker reversed an irish whip and floored Austin with a big boot.
Clotheslining Undertaker over the top rope, Kane attempted a chokeslam.
Austin countered with a Stone Cold Stunner, but Brisco sought the match time from Patterson in lieu of making the count. You scoundrel!
Upset with Brisco’s obvious biased officiating, Austin leveled him.
Undertaker chokeslammed Austin and Kane consecutively.
With Brisco OUT COLD on the floor, Earl Hebner substituted for him.
Mankind made the save, yet Austin covered Kane for 2.
Reversing an Irish whip, Kane tried to tombstone Austin.
Conversely, Austin escaped and buried Kane with another Stunner.
1-2-3.
Austin won at 16:12.

Rating: ****

Summary: Immensely entertaining main event with all four wrestlers getting their shots in. The comeuppance of the biased referee led directly to Austin’s victory.

After the match, Brisco re-enters the ring and demolishes Hebner. Austin rescues Hebner by decimating Brisco with a Stunner. As Bossman checks on Brisco, Jones returns to the ring and assists Austin in obliterating Bossman with a Stunner. To everyone’s surprise, Hebner boots Bossman out of the ring. Austin celebrates with Jones and Hebner to end the show. Anyone fancy a pint?

Conclusion: As much as I want to give props to the WWF title match, this card was truly a one-match show. The main event delivered in spades whereas the midcard had its moments here and there. If you’ve never seen the show, it’s worth a look. On the contrary, you might not remember anything from this show except for Jacqueline’s big reveal.

Buyrate: NONE

NEWS FROM THIS PPV: According to Meltzer, Jim Ross suffered another flare of Bells Palsy during the telecast but somehow persevered. It will be a while before good ol’ JR will return to the broadcast table.

Stay tuned for WWF HeAT 12-06-98!

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