Live from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Airdate: December 13, 1998
Attendance: 17,677 (16,891 paid, sold out)
Hosted by Kevin Kelly & Shane McMahon
What does Michaels have in store for NAO? What happens between Rock and Mankind? Can Gill retain the Light Heavyweight title? What’s the latest with DX? With Taylor on the shelf, will Christopher succeed in singles action? Turn up the A/C, ‘cuz the WWF has turned up the heat before it hits rock bottom.
Opening montage.
Mr. McMahon emerges amidst a HUGE chorus of boos and once again promises that Austin will NEVER be WWF champion again. Although Austin could qualify for the Royal Rumble by winning tonight, McMahon believes that Undertaker will “bury him alive tonight.” He mentions the Rock and has dedicated the PPV to the WWF champion. Aw.
To finalize his dedication, two tall banners bearing the Rock surround the entrance. He chastises the Vancouver faithful over speaking both French and English. When they shower him with an “ass-hole” chant, Mr. McMahon questions their national pride and invites albeit insultingly them to migrate to America. Next, he introduces his son—Shane McMahon—who will accompany Kelly at the broadcast table.
Backstage, Debra along with Jarrett promises to tease and please. Oh my!
Match 1 for the WWF Light Heavyweight title: Duane Gill (champion w/ the JOB Squad) versus Matt Hardy (beta w/ Jeff Hardy)
Highlights:
Matt dealt Gill a swinging neckbreaker and followed with a crucifix sit-out powerbomb. That’s truly innovative! When Matt connected with a springboard moonsault, the Blue Meanie snuck into the ring. How? Nevertheless, he planted Matt with a DDT while referee Jack Doan was detained by the recovering Gill. 1-2-3. Gill retained at 1:03.
Rating: *
Summary: Both a chance for Matt to showcase a couple of moves, and for Meanie to screw him out of the title.
BOP-IT GAMECENTER: Kaientai enjoys playing this rather unique game for kids. I guess someone has to.
Earlier today, Michael Cole interviews the Rock, but Mankind photobombs him from behind. HA! While Rock emphatically states “piss on Mankind,” his PPV opponent beats him up. He rams a table into Rock and clobbers him with a projector. Now we know it’s 1998, right kids? Next, Mankind impales Rock with an aromadendrin. That had to be planted.
Later, the WWF trainer evaluates Rock with Mr. McMahon standing by. The trainer determines that Rock’s ribs are injured, so Rock declares the title match off for tonight.
Elsewhere backstage, Mankind intercepts Rock’s message but has other ideas. He approaches the ring much to Shane’s dismay, grabs a microphone, and holds the contract for the WWF title match. Within the fine print, it states that should Rock not be able to compete, the title becomes “mine, mine, mine” according to Mankind. Backstage, a perturbed Rock won’t remain still despite the trainer’s warnings.
Still backstage, Rock gets his ribs taped while the Stooges calm him.
Prior to the next match, we revisit last week when Droz injured Taylor’s knee. As Taylor accompanies Christopher to the ring, he walks on crutches.
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Match 2: “Too Sexy” Brian Christopher (w/ Scott Taylor) versus Kevin Quinn
Highlights:
For those unaware, Quinn debuted in 1992 but was recently spotted in both NWA and CMLL. Taylor joined the broadcast table for this match. As Christopher hip-tossed him, he leapfrogged Quinn. Speaking of Quinn, he evaded a monkey flip and stymied Christopher with a thrust kick. When he dealt Christopher an overhead belly-to-belly suplex, Quinn charged but sailed over the top rope to the floor. Christopher unleashed a sunset flip powerbomb to the floor, and I’m surprised Quinn was able to continue.
After Christopher mounted the top turnbuckle, he uncorked a missile dropkick. Despite a WWF PPV airing after this episode, Kelly contractually read off tonight’s offerings on USA. Quinn blocked a vertical suplex and hung Christopher out to dry on the top rope. While Quinn gave Christopher a cross corner whip, he followed with a well-executed handspring splash. Quinn mounted the second turnbuckle and attempted a tornado DDT; however, Christopher blocked it. Escaping a powerbomb, Quinn botched a sunset flip yet rolled up Christopher. 1-2-3. Quinn won at 2:24. UPSET CITY!
Rating: **
Summary: I’m betting we see more of Quinn in the coming weeks.
After the match, Christopher yells “this is bull crap” yet shares a hug with Taylor.
WWF REWIND: Gunn flattens Shamrock with a steel chair to the face to swerve the Corporation. I’m still shaking my head over a heel turn to begin an episode followed by a babyface turn to finish it.
Match 3: HHH (w/ DX) versus Droz (w/ Animal)
Highlights:
Droz scored with a flying back elbow and followed with a vertical suplex for 2. When Droz clotheslined him, HHH rebounded with a cross corner whip. On the other hand, HHH ate boot on his follow-through. He countered a back drop attempt with a face crusher and planted Droz with a Pedigree. 1-2-3. HHH won at 1:38.
Rating: *
Summary: Rather quick showcase match for HHH.
Following the match, Animal is visibly disappointed in Droz.
Shawn Michaels emerges with Bossman and Shamrock and announces that DX “will be barred from ringside” during tonight’s tag title match. Should they interfere, the titles will be stripped. Afterward, Michaels compliments NAO on their swerve and rewards them with a “warmup match” on HeAT.
Backstage, Mr. McMahon refutes the theory that Rock will forfeit the WWF title and mentions he and Mankind will reach an agreement on the match.
We revisit RAW when Goldust “flashed” Debra costing Jarrett his match against Brown. Following that, Debra returned the favor to Goldust, but it backfired as Goldust defeated an enchanted Owen.
In the ring, Cole interviews Jeff Jarrett and Debra. Jarrett’s cocky enough to believe that Goldust will become “buck ass nekkid.” In the meantime, Debra declares that “this present (her) will remain wrapped.”
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Video airs featuring the feud between Austin and Undertaker.
Cole describes the gravesite intended for the PPV main event.
Match 4 (non-title): WWF tag team champions New Age Outlaws versus the Acolytes
Highlights:
Before Road Dog could unleash his crowd-pleasing spiel, the Acolytes stormed the ring. A four-way brawl erupted, and Faarooq pitched Gunn over the top rope to the floor. As the Acolytes decimated Road Dog with a double-team clothesline, Gunn distracted referee Earl Hebner. They dealt Road Dog a double shoulder block, and Bradshaw baited Gunn into the ring.
With Hebner still distracted, Faarooq gave Road Dog a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through. Road Dog mounted the second turnbuckle and unfurled a flying clothesline. When Gunn tagged in, the Acolytes double-teamed him. All four wrestlers were in the ring, and Bradshaw gave Gunn a cross corner whip followed by a corner clothesline. Suddenly, Bossman and Shamrock infiltrated the ring and annihilated NAO. Hebner called for the bell, and NAO won by DQ at 2:01.
Rating: DUD
Summary: Just an ambush tactic by the Corporation to get a headstart on the title match during the PPV.
Afterward, NAO escapes, so Bossman and Shamrock battle the Acolytes. WTF? Undertaker’s music hits, and the arena goes DARK.
To close the show, Undertaker narrates a promo against Austin while a pair of lightning bolts strike the tombstone at the gravesite. Eerie!
Conclusion: Are you ready for the PPV? You’d better be after this show. The two main events were highlighted in triplicate while NAO almost got demolished before their upcoming title match. To tie two things together, HHH got a squash match while Droz and Animal argued their differences. In other matches, Quinn got a surprise victory over Christopher while Gill survived thanks to the Blue Meanie.
Order the dadgum PPV already, or you’re bound to find yourself in an early grave.
TV Rating: 3.8
Stay tuned for WWF Rock Bottom!
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