Live from Houston, TX
Airdate: January 11, 1999
Attendance: 12,585 (sold out)
Hosted by Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler
Can Kane become WWF champion for a second time? Who will win the corporate Rumble? What’s Undertaker up to? Who’s the new guy? What’s Rock up to? What happens between DX and the Brood? Could this be a dark episode? Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Opening montage.
DX emerges, and Road Dog has a microphone. As he rattles off his spiel, he introduces the NEW WWF champion—Mankind–with NEW entrance music. The Houston faithful chants “Fo-ley,” and Billy Gunn offers a “Socko” in lieu of “Suck it.” With the befuddled McMahons and Rock backstage, Mankind praises his new entrance music, runs down his history, and thanks Jim Ross for hiring him. Aw.
He recognizes DX for “watching (his) back” as well as Stone Cold Steve Austin. When the Houston faithful hears his name, they LOSE THEIR DAMN MINDS. Nevertheless, he wants to be in the main event of WrestleMania and wrestle against Austin. In no uncertain terms, he wants to “tear the house down.”
Immediately, the Corporation emerges at the entrance, and Shane cuts a promo on Mankind. He also announces a “Corporate Royal Rumble” between DX and the Corporation. To spice it up, he declares that the winner of the match will become the #30 entrant at the PPV.
Rock takes the microphone, yet the Houston faithful believes he truly “sucks.” When he chastises Austin, Rock gets booed out of the building. He changes course to Mankind and belittles him. Angrily, he demands a rematch at the PPV, yet Mankind returns the belittling by saying that he’s “not championship material.” HA!
Rock offers a no-DQ stipulation, but Mankind still refuses. Next, Rock antes up no countout yet gets denied again. He extends “no Corporate members at ringside,” but Mankind tells him otherwise. Upon getting insulted, Mankind offers a shot WAY DOWNTOWN and accepts an “I Quit” stipulation for the WWF title. He inserts the previous stipulations as well and includes “no excessive blood stoppage.”
After Mr. McMahon takes the microphone, he decrees that Mankind will defend the WWF title TONIGHT against Kane. Mankind responds with “if you know what the Sock is cooking.”
In a pre-taped segment, the NAO discuss Debra. We revisit HeAT when Debra “seduced” Bossman causing him to lose his match against Jarrett and Owen.
Match 1: The New Age Outlaws (w/ Chyna) versus Jeff Jarrett & Owen Hart (w/ Debra McMichael)
Highlights:
Gunn reversed a cross corner whip and dealt Owen a gorilla press slam. When Jarrett intervened, he received the same treatment. Road Dog tagged in and fed Jarrett a back elbow. As he followed with a shaky-shaky knee drop, Road Dog unloaded a running guillotine. He blasted Jarrett with a shaky-shaky right hand and got 2.
After he didn’t fall for Jarrett’s float-over, Road Dog ruined Jarrett’s late-night plans with an inverted atomic drop. Jarrett rebounded with a single-arm DDT and tagged out. While the heels double-clotheslined him, they split Road Dog’s uprights. The Houston faithful decorated Owen with a “nug-get” chant, yet their nemesis thwarted a leap frog attempt and attempted a Sharpshooter.
Although Road Dog instantly escaped, Jarrett tagged in, and they dropkicked one another WAY DOWNTOWN. Hot tag Gunn. Dealing Owen a back elbow, Gunn clotheslined an incoming Jarrett over the top rope to the floor. Owen reversed an Irish whip, but Gunn flummoxed him with a Rocker Dropper.
To prevent any pin attempt, Debra jumped onto the apron and flashed Gunn. Woohoo! Gunn pretends to fall for her before advising her to “suck it.” HA! Upon tagging in, Road Dog along with Gunn bulldozed Owen with a double back elbow. Debra stepped up to Chyna, yet off-camera Owen somehow got Road Dog down for the pin. As a result, Owen and Jarrett won at 4:35.
Rating: **
Summary: That’s two upsets in a row for Owen and Jarrett as Debra may be their good luck charm. They become the #1 contenders to the tag titles.
Upon further review, a spinning heel kick knocks Road Dog OUT COLD.
Backstage, Gillberg, and I can’t believe I’m typing this, emerges from the locker room. For those unaware, the WWF decided to mock WCW’s golden goose by converting lower card wrestler Duane Gill into a smaller version of Goldberg. Of course, they also mock WCW for the “Gold-berg” chant. It’s as funny as it sounds. This had Ed Ferrara’s name written all over it.
Gillberg takes the microphone and asks “Who’s first.” Hilarity ensues when Luna answers the challenge.
Match 2: Luna versus Gillberg
Highlights:
As the bell sounded, Gillberg attempted to spear her, WHIFFED, and HIT THE POLE. Luna brought Gillberg into the ring the hard way and hammered him WAY DOWNTOWN. When Gillberg blocked a suplex, he attempted one of his own. On the other hand, Luna landed atop Gillberg and unloaded a leg drop, brother. She mounted the top turnbuckle and launched a flying splash. 1-2-3. Luna won at 0:55.
Rating: ½*
Summary: While it made Luna look strong for her upcoming match against Sable, it was meant as pure comedy at both Duane Gill and Goldberg’s expenses.
After the match, a female fan crawls into the ring to attack Luna. Security immediately removes her. We’d soon find out this wasn’t a fan but was instead Tori.
We revisit last week when Commissioner Shawn Michaels got destroyed by the Corporation. Next, we revisit HeAT when Jose Lothario informed Mr. McMahon that he “suck(s).” Mr. McMahon nailed him, and the Stooges continued the dirty work. According to Cole, Michaels will undergo surgery tomorrow.
When we return, Dennis Knight is babbling at the broadcast table until the Acolytes escort him back to the locker room. According to Knight: “He’s here!” Last time someone said that, they lost a house.
WWF Royal Rumble ’99 will be LIVE on PPV on January 24. Order NOW!
Prior to the next match, Venis grabs the microphone and equates himself to a Houston Rocket. He exits the ring and wants to charm a woman plant in the front row. In street clothes, Shamrock sprints to the ring and ambushes Venis. He makes Venis HIT THE POLE before ramming him face-first into the steps. Upon exchanging words with the woman in question, Shamrock warns Venis not to mess with his “sister.” I believe that message has been received crystal clear.
Match 3 (non-title): WWF Intercontinental champion Ken Shamrock versus Val Venis
Highlights:
No match.
Rating: NONE
Following that exchange, Gunn jumps into the ring and grabs the microphone. He moons Shamrock’s sister, so Shamrock returns to the ring to beat him up. As WWF officials separate them, Venis gets his shots in on Shamrock. Bossman joins the fray and clocks Venis with his nightstick. When Shamrock grabs the microphone, he grants Gunn a title shot at the PPV and promises to end Gunn’s career.
RAW is WAR is sponsored by AOL, Castrol GTX, and Western Union.
Prior to the next match, we revisit HeAT when Goldust abducted Head.
REAL Match 3 for the WWF European title: X-Pac (champion) versus Al Snow (w/o Head)
Highlights:
X-Pac dropkicked Snow who evaded an incoming Bronco buster. When he unleashed a series of headbutts, Snow appeared lost without Head. He gave X-Pac a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through. As he dealt X-Pac a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, Snow missed a clothesline. X-Pac followed with a leg lariat and a plain, old-fashioned one too.
After Snow rebounded with a powerslam, he got 2. He slammed X-Pac, mounted the top turnbuckle, but WHIFFED on a moonsault attempt. While X-Pac fed him a spin kick, he stymied Snow with a Bronco buster. Goldust abruptly approached the ring, baited Snow with Head, and clobbered him with it. Planting Snow with an X-Factor, X-Pac pinned him to retain at 2:55.
Rating: *
Summary: More angle than match as the Goldust-Snow feud progresses.
Afterward, Snow saunters after Goldust but gets hammered with Head again.
Backstage, Mr. McMahon speaks with Kane and demands he “beat Mankind to a pulp.”
TV Rating: 5.0
WAR ZONE!
Match 4 for the WWF title: Mankind (champion) versus Kane
Highlights:
Before Mankind could enter the ring, Kane met and pummeled him at ringside. He rammed Mankind face-first into the steps and dislodged the top step. As Mankind forced him to drop it, he repeatedly rammed Kane face-first into the top step. He fed Kane a drop toe hold sending Kane again into the top step. When Mankind whacked him in the back with it, Kane rebounded by guillotining him with the top rope.
He gave Mankind a cross corner whip but ate a back elbow during his follow-through. After he pounded on Kane in the corner, Mankind charged but got caught. Kane flattened him with a spinebuster and followed with a big boot. While Mankind retaliated with a piledriver, he got 2. He dealt Kane a baseball slide sending him to the floor.
Joining Kane, Mankind attempted another piledriver; however, Kane countered by ramming him back-first into the steps. Back in the ring, Kane got 2. He mounted the top turnbuckle and launched a flying clothesline for another 2. Countering a chokeslam with a trip WAY DOWNTOWN, Mankind dumped Kane with a double-arm DDT.
He unfurled Mr. Socko and locked it on Kane. With Kane in the ropes, Mankind jumped onto his back. Kane maneuvered him into a tombstone and decimated Mankind. Since Kane was unable to capitalize immediately, Rock jumped into the ring to thwart any possibility of a title change. Referee Earl Hebner called for the bell, and Kane won by DQ at 6:05.
Rating: **
Summary: Although Kane had his chances, the Houston faithful didn’t believe Mankind would only receive a one-week title reign especially since the WWF title match had already been scheduled for the PPV earlier in the show.
After the match, Rock grabs a steel chair and SMEARS both Kane and Mankind with it. To a HUGE roar, Stone Cold Steve Austin storms ringside. Rock holds the chair and fixes his eyes on Austin. Meanwhile, Mankind sneaks up from behind Rock and swipes the chair from him. Rock instantly leaves the ring as Austin enters. Stupidly, Mankind offers Austin the chair and eats a Stone Cold Stunner to a big pop. Kane suffers the same fate as the hometown hero marches up the ramp after Rock. Great segment!
TV Rating: 5.93
Back in the locker room, Rock is adamant to make Mankind “scream I quit.”
Prior to the next match, HHH grunts to the Houston faithful before performing his spiel.
Match 5: HHH (w/ Chyna) versus Edge
Highlights:
HHH dealt Edge a back elbow and unloaded a ten-punch count-along. When Edge countered with Snake Eyes, he blasted HHH with a spinning heel kick. He clotheslined HHH, reversed an Irish whip, and decimated him with a flapjack for 2. As HHH rebounded with a high knee, Edge reversed another Irish whip only to fall victim to a face crusher.
HHH got 2, gave Edge a cross corner whip, but ate boot on his follow-through. After Edge countered a Pedigree with a catapult, HHH HIT THE POLE. HHH countered a swinging neckbreaker into a Pedigree. 1-2-3. HHH won at 2:56.
Rating: *
Summary: HHH already burying young talent?
Following the match, the Brood infiltrates the ring and annihilates HHH. The lights flicker then dim. While DX is allegedly at ringside according to Cole, I CAN’T SEE SHIT! The lights finally re-illuminate, and Road Dog has been doused in blood.
The Undertaker’s symbol stands at the entrance, and Dennis Knight lies motionless atop a platform. As druids occupy the stage, Undertaker emerges with Paul Bearer in tow. He offers us a Raven-like soliloquy calling his cause the Ministry of Darkness. In the meantime, I grab some extra z’s.
Speaking in “tongues,” Undertaker cuts his wrist and drips blood upon Knight and into a challis. The Houston faithful can’t take their boredom any longer and chant “bullshit” at this. Regardless, Undertaker bestows the name Mideon upon Knight who must drink his blood. He also cuts his symbol into Mideon’s chest to initiate him. Ick! When a lightning bolt strikes, the symbol ignites. The segment ends with mass confusion.
POINT OF ORDER: What a colossal waste of time. While Flair and Hennig renew their bad blood from years past on the other channel, the WWF is airing this nonsense?
D’Lo Brown and PMS head to the ring. While he offers Terri an apology for what happened last week, he refuses to do something particular for her. She pleads her case, so Brown relents. Mark Henry approaches the ring wearing street clothes. After they exchange words, Henry walks away. Jacqueline shoves Brown into him, so Henry shoves back.
As the bell rings, Terri delivers a trip WAY DOWNTOWN to Henry. Suddenly, both Chyna and her mysterious female friend Sammy approach the ring. Chyna shoves Jacqueline halfway to Dallas and checks on Henry. With Henry suffering, Chyna and Sammy escort him backstage.
Back in the locker room, Chyna and Sammy console Henry. Chyna leaves to retrieve a drink for Henry leaving him alone with Sammy. Hmmm…I wonder what could happen.
Vignette airs featuring Mr. McMahon training in the snow. More Rocky-style training ensues.
Match 6 (corporate Royal Rumble): DX versus the Corporation
Highlights:
Winner will receive the #30 slot in the Royal Rumble match at the PPV. As Shane joined the English broadcast table, Shamrock and Gunn started the match. Gunn jumped onto the apron, but Shamrock kicked him in the ribs. When Shamrock launched a plancha, he rammed Gunn face-first into the steps. He made Gunn HIT THE POLE and sent Gunn reeling into another set of steps.
After he bounced Gunn head-first off the Spanish broadcast table, Shamrock joined Gunn in the ring despite having been eliminated due to his plancha. Bossman entered at #3, and Shamrock ultimately accepted his fate. While Gunn unloaded a flying forearm, Test joined at #4 despite NAO entrance music. He gave Gunn a cross corner whip directly into a clothesline from Bossman.
Demolishing Gunn with a big boot, Test was incapable of eliminating him. X-Pac entered at #5, yet Test and Gunn traded hip tosses until Test eliminated Gunn. Powerbombing X-Pac, Test removed his t-shirt. Road Dog entered at #6 and thankfully didn’t remove his t-shirt. Nonetheless, Test clotheslined Road Dog as Kane entered at #7. Bossman attempted to piledrive him, but X-Pac countered with a back drop.
Unceremoniously, Kane clotheslined Road Dog over the top rope to the floor eliminating him. HHH, sans t-shirt, entered at #8, yet DX remained at a 3-2 disadvantage. Upon eating a clothesline from HHH, Test teamed up with Kane. On the other hand, heel miscommunication reared its ugly head as Test inadvertently clotheslined him. Kane took immediate exception and ushered Test over the top rope to eliminate him.
With the sides even, HHH and X-Pac double-clotheslined Kane eliminating him. Bossman instantly eliminated X-Pac to go one-on-one with HHH. Dealing Bossman a back elbow, HHH failed to eliminate him. An air horn sounded, and Mr. McMahon with the Stooges alongside him emerged. Entering the ring, he eliminated both HHH and Bossman. Who’s the winner?
To celebrate, Mr. McMahon ripped his shirt off just like Hulk Hogan. The air horn sounded again, and Chyna sauntered toward the ring. Impeding Chyna from getting involved, the Stooges met her in the aisle. Chyna decimated them, and Austin returned to the ring to another GIGANTIC pop. With Mr. McMahon distracted by Austin, Chyna snuck into the ring and eliminated him. Chyna won at 10:49.
Rating: **
Summary: Obviously, this was extremely storyline-based, yet Chyna became the first female entrant in the Royal Rumble match.
TV Rating: 5.06
Conclusion: With exceptions being the Undertaker and Gilberg segments, this was a very entertaining episode. The main event of the PPV was finalized while the feud between the two main factions was heavily promoted with further drama. Being in Houston, Austin could do no wrong, and his involvement made perfect sense.
Could it finally overcome Nitro in the ratings?
Final TV Rating: 5.5
Who won? Absolutely! RAW defeated Nitro 5.5 to 5.0 as the wrestling fans are more interested in what Mankind/Rock/Austin are doing versus another nWo mess. Coming off their PPV, WCW had better line Nitro up solid to keep competing with what RAW is cooking.
Stay tuned for WCW Thunder 01-14-98!
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