WWF In Your House XVIII: Badd Blood

Will Undertaker break Michaels into a million pieces? Who will win the vacant Intercontinental title? Can the Headbangers survive the stench from the Godwinns? Let’s find out!

**BREAKING NEWS** Earlier today, Brian Pillman was found deceased in his hotel room in Bloomington, MN. Ultimately, it was determined that he died from a heart attack due to arteriosclerotic disease. As a result, his matches against Dude Love and Goldust will be canceled. RIP “Loose Cannon” 1962-1997.

Prior to the first match, we revisit RAW is WAR from three weeks ago when Faarooq inadvertently injured Ken Shamrock with a spinebuster.

Hawk grabbed the microphone and challenged the NoD two on three.
When he hip-tossed Brown, Hawk dropkicked him.
He then clotheslined Brown who tagged in Maivia.
As Animal tagged in, the St. Louis faithful chanted “Rocky sucks.“
Animal then gave Maivia a flying shoulder block followed by a dropkick.
After Hawk tagged in, he mounted the second turnbuckle and lowered the boom on Maivia.
Kama tagged in, gave Hawk a cross corner whip, but came up empty on his follow-through.
Following a double clothesline that put both wrestlers down on the mat, Hawk hit an enziguri.
Animal tagged in and powerslammed Kama.
When Maivia came in, he delivered a DDT to Animal.
Kama then gave Animal a standing leg lariat and tossed him to the floor.
As Kama baited Hawk to distract referee Jack Doan, Brown and Maivia double-teamed Animal. SNEAKY!
Brown tagged in, gave Animal a cross corner whip, and followed with a corner clothesline.
Upon making a second attempt, Brown received a clothesline from Animal.
Brown then delivered a pair of standing leg drops for 2.
When Maivia tagged in, he put a knee into Animal’s midsection for another 2.
He then baited Hawk to distract Doan again and nailed Animal down I-55 SOUTH near Cape Girardeau.

As Kama tagged in, he hit a spinning thrust kick to Animal.
He then gave Animal a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through again.
After a false tag occurred, the NoD triple-teamed Animal while Brown hit a frog splash.
Kama then got 2.
When Kama tossed Animal outside the ring again, Maivia and Brown rammed Animal shoulder-first into the steps. How scandalous!
Maivia tagged in, but a mid-ring collision put both wrestlers down on the mat.
Hot tag Hawk.
As Hawk powerslammed Maivia, he delivered a hangman’s neckbreaker to Brown.
All five wrestlers were in the ring until the Road Warriors dispatched Brown and Kama.
After they gave Maivia a cross corner whip, the Road Warriors followed with consecutive corner clotheslines.
They then attempted the Doomsday Device, but Faarooq came to the ring and jumped on the apron.
When Brown clotheslined Animal over the top rope to the floor, Maivia hit a uranage on Hawk.
1-2-3.
The NoD won.

This match substituted for the Dude Love-Pillman match.
In addition, Nova was another identity for Mr. Lucky. Methinks if you advertised Mr. Lucky on PPV, you’d earn an XXX rating.

Mucho lucha libre to start until a four-way brawl erupted on the floor.
As Max reversed a cross corner whip, he backdropped Mosaic.
Nova then mounted the top turnbuckle and splashed Mosaic.
When Nova hooked a victory roll on Mosaic, he got 2.
Max then delivered a huracanrana for 2 on Tarantula.
After Mosaic and Tarantula gave Max a double boot, Nova tagged in.
Mosaic then came in and chop-blocked Nova. Nefarious!
As Tarantula slammed him, he mounted the top turnbuckle and splashed Nova.
He then gorilla-pressed Max and dropped him on the broadcast table.
When Nova hit a springboard dropkick, Tarantula clotheslined the bejeezus out of Max.
He then vaulted Max to the apron, but Max mounted the top turnbuckle.
After Max delivered a cross body block, he hooked a crucifix.
1-2-3.
Max and Nova won.

Summary:  Sometimes a bit sloppy and rushed. Some comedic spots would have been good. Due to the circumstances surrounding the show, this match was planned at the last minute and thus poorly-organized.

Match 3 for the WWF tag team titles: The Headbangers (champions) versus the Godwinns (w/ Uncle Cletus)

Sunny was the guest ring announcer for this match.
When Mosh hip-tossed him, he dropkicked Phineas out of the ring.
Phineas then gave Mosh a cross corner whip, but Mosh hooked a flying headscissors returning Phineas to the floor.
As Thrasher hit something off-camera to Phineas, Mosh followed with a springboard clothesline.
Thrasher tagged in, and the Headbangers delivered a double flapjack to Phineas for 2. Pass the syrup!

After Henry tagged in, he missed a clothesline, so Thrasher rolled him up for 2.
He then dropkicked Henry who tagged in Phineas.
When Mosh tagged in, the Headbangers gave Phineas an aided leap frog body guillotine.
Mosh then slammed him, mounted the top turnbuckle where Thrasher front-suplexed him atop Phineas for 2.
As Thrasher tagged in, he mounted the second turnbuckle and hit a lariat.
Henry came in and clotheslined Thrasher.
After Henry tagged in, he hung Thrasher out to dry on the top rope.
Phineas then clotheslined Thrasher to the floor.
When Henry guillotined Thrasher with the top rope, Phineas tagged in and tossed Thrasher to the floor.
Phineas then baited Mosh to distract referee Tim White so that Henry and Cletus could stomp Thrasher. Devious!
As Cletus clotheslined Thrasher on the floor, Phineas brought Thrasher into the ring the hard way.
He then delivered a series of knee drops for 2.
After Thrasher hooked a sunset flip, he got 2.
Henry tagged in, slammed Thrasher, and gave him a wheelbarrow slam for 2.
When a mid-ring collision occurred, Phineas tagged in.
He then gave Thrasher a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
As Thrasher delivered a belly-to-back suplex, he made the hot tag.
Mosh then gave Phineas a cross corner whip followed by an avalanche.
After Mosh slammed Phineas, Thrasher powerbombed him atop Phineas for 2. Innovative!
Mosh then mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, but Phineas caught and powerbombed him. That did NOT look crisp.
1-2-3.
WE HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS!

Summary: The tag formula plus some unique tag team continuity by the Headbangers highlighted a match where the St. Louis faithful sought popcorn and possibly some easy-drinkin' Busch LIght.

After the match, the Godwinns and Cletus DESTROY the Headbangers while the St. Louis faithful clamors for the Road Warriors. When ring announcer Howard Finkel mentions that if the Godwinns don’t leave the ring, they’ll lose their newly-won titles, Henry flips his lid.

Video featuring Stone Cold Steve Austin airs. We then revisit RAW is WAR from last Monday when Vince provided Austin with three options.

Back in the locker room, Michael Cole interviews Owen who’s ready for Austin to crown him the new Intercontinental champion.

In the ring, Ross presides over a St. Louis legends segment. First, he introduces “Canada’s Greatest Athlete” Gene Kiniski. Second, he honors Jack Brisco. Third, Ross welcomes Dory Funk, Jr. Fourth, he brings out Harley Race. Fifth, Ross celebrates Terry Funk. Lastly, he heralds the introduction of promoter Sam Muchnick and Lou Thesz.

Match 4 for the WWF Intercontinental title (final): Owen Hart versus Faarooq

Stone Cold Steve Austin will present the winner with the title belt.
As he commandeered Vince’s headset, Austin referred to Owen as a “piece of trash.”

Owen then gave Faarooq a spinning heel kick while Austin wreaked havoc at ringside.
When Austin moved from the English to the Spanish to the French broadcast tables, Faarooq gave Owen a pair of cross corner whips followed by a backbreaker for 2.

He then attempted a slam, but Owen fell atop him for 2.
After Faarooq clotheslined him, he slammed Owen.
He then mounted the second turnbuckle but missed a leg drop.
As Owen attempted a Sharpshooter, Faarooq escaped.
He then reversed an Irish whip and powerslammed Owen for 2.
Suddenly, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart came to ringside while Faarooq delivered a spinebuster for another 2.
Neidhart then distracted referee Jack Doan, yet Faarooq missed a running guillotine.
With Faarooq prone against the second rope, Austin CREAMED him with the title belt.
1-2-3.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Summary: This match was all about Austin rather than the competitors. Considering how close both Owen and Austin were to Pillman, the right decision was to concentrate on the storyline instead of the match.

Immediately afterward, Austin tosses the title belt into the ring. I’m certain he wants to be the #1 contender to the title based upon his actions.

We then revisit RAW is WAR from last Monday when the Hart Foundation quadruple-teamed Vader and Patriot.

Estrada gave Skull a cross corner whip but ate a back elbow on his follow-through.
When Skull clotheslined him, he tagged in 8-Ball.
Skull and 8-Ball then delivered a double boot to Estrada.
As Perez tagged in, 8-Ball gave him a cross corner whip followed by a corner clothesline.
He then powerslammed Perez for 2.
After tags were exchanged on both sides, Vega gave Crush a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
Crush then hit a belly-to-belly suplex on Vega for 2.
When Chainz tagged in, he gave Vega a big boot.
Castillo tagged in, but Chainz delivered a gorilla press slam.
As Estrada put a knee into Chainz’s back, he guillotined Chainz with the top rope. In fact, Chainz fell over the top rope to the floor and tasted the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Wet Nap at the Stacked Burger Bar.
Castillo then baited the DoA to distract referee Mike Chioda so that Los Boricuas could triple-team Chainz on the floor. How dastardly!
After Castillo delivered a high knee to Chainz, Estrada tagged in.
He then gave Chainz a cross corner whip, and Los Boricuas hit three consecutive corner clotheslines.
Next, Vega hit a spinning heel kick for 2.
Estrada then hooked a rear chin lock and put his feet on the second rope. Clever!
When Vega illegally switched with Estrada, Chainz gave him a cross body block for 2.
Vega rebounded with another spinning heel kick and slammed Chainz.
As Castillo tagged in, he mounted the top turnbuckle and delivered a missile dropkick for 2. Woohoo!
Perez tagged in and put a knee into Chainz’s midsection.
After Vega tagged in, he gave Chainz another cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
Hot tag Crush.
All eight wrestlers were in the ring while Crush delivered a big boot to Castillo.
With Chioda distracted, Crush confronted him.
That allowed Castillo to DDT Crush for 2.
When Crush reversed an Irish whip, he hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker to Castillo.
1-2-3.
DoA won.

Summary: Definitely not a crisp technical matchup but nothing worthwhile either.

Backstage, Cole interviews Bret and Smith. While Bret spouts nationalism, Smith screwed up his promo.

After Bret and Smith make their entrance, Hendrix interviews Vader and Patriot. Vader refers to Bret’s “best there is” catchphrase as “bullshit.” Methinks he might be in hot water after that one.

Match 6 (flag): WWF champion Bret “Hitman” Hart & the “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith versus Vader & Patriot

In addition to capturing the flag, a team can win by either pinfall or submission.
According to Ross, while Vader suffered the effects of a match against Shamrock in Japan, Patriot was under the weather. Couple that with Smith’s questionable knee, and Bret’s work was cut out for him.
The match began on the floor with a brawl while Patriot rammed Smith’s injured knee into the steps.
As Vader rammed Bret face-first into the Spanish broadcast table, the St. Louis faithful chanted “U-S-A.”
Bret then rammed Vader face-first into the steps and jabbed a flag pole into him. OUCH!
When Vader and Patriot hammered their opponents with flag poles, the bell finally rang.
Patriot then attempted to capture his flag, but Smith halted his efforts.
After he suplexed Smith, Patriot made another attempt at the flag.
This time, Bret stopped him with a shot near SOUTH Carolina.
Patriot then blocked a hip toss from Smith and delivered one of his own.
As he hip-tossed Smith, Patriot tagged in Vader.
Speaking of Vader, he gave Smith a running body block.
He then clotheslined Smith who tagged in Bret.
When Vader delivered a short-arm clothesline, he gave Bret a cross corner whip.
Unfortunately for Vader, he came up empty on his follow-through.
Bret then hit a side-Russian leg sweep to Vader and attempted to capture his flag.
After Vader stopped him with a Golota special, Bret attempted a sunset flip.

To counter, Vader SQUISHED Bret for 2.
Tags were exchanged on both sides while Patriot landed a SWEET dropkick to Smith for 2.
As he slammed Smith, Patriot attempted to capture his flag.
Bret thwarted Patriot’s efforts, and the heels double-teamed him while Vader distracted referee Mike Chioda.
When Smith attempted to capture his flag, Vader put a stop to it by crotching him on the top turnbuckle.
Patriot then gave Smith a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
After Bret attempted to hook a ring post figure four leg lock, Vader stopped him.
Chioda then placed Vader back into the babyface corner, so Bret applied the hold.
As Vader stopped him again, Bret tagged in and slammed Patriot.
He then delivered an elbow smash and baited Vader into the ring.
When Chioda admonished Vader, Bret hooked a Sharpshooter on Patriot.
Remarkably, Patriot reversed the hold but ate a clothesline from Smith.
With the other three wrestlers tied up in the corner, Patriot attempted to capture his flag.
On the other hand, Smith tossed him down to the mat.
Smith tagged in, and the heels hit Demolition Decapitation to Patriot for 2.
After Vader tagged in, he gave Smith another running body block for 2.
He then countered a side head lock with a belly-to-back suplex and followed with a splash for another 2.
As Vader attempted to capture his flag, Bret spoiled his chance.
Bret tagged in and gave Vader a belly-to-back suplex.
When Bret attempted a Sharpshooter, Patriot made the save.
Side note: This match must be sponsored by Sominex because the St. Louis faithful is SOUND asleep.

Vader then attempted a Sharpshooter, but Smith made the save.
After Patriot tagged in, he delivered a flying shoulder block to Bret.
Patriot then hooked a figure-four leg lock, but Bret tagged in Smith.
As he suplexed Patriot, Smith got 2.
Patriot then reversed an Irish whip and powerslammed Smith for 2.
When Patriot attempted to capture his flag, Smith altered his trajectory.
Bret tagged in, and the St. Louis faithful awakened long enough to chant “U-S-A” again.
After Bret suplexed him, he hit another elbow smash.
He then delivered a leg drop and attempted to capture his flag.
As Vader yanked Bret away from it, Smith clotheslined Patriot.
Tags were exchanged on both sides again while Vader slammed Smith.
When he mounted the top turnbuckle, Vader missed a moonsault and almost landed on his feet.
He then attempted to capture his flag, but Bret curbs Vader’s enthusiasm.
After Vader clotheslined Smith over the top rope to the floor, the brawl headed to the floor.
Bret’s trick knee then acted up much to Patriot’s chagrin.
As Bret CLOBBERED Vader with the ring bell, Smith made Vader HIT THE POLE.
Bret tagged in and slammed Vader.
When he mounted the second turnbuckle, Bret hit a flying forearm smash.
He then delivered a leg drop followed by a DDT for 2.
Meanwhile, Ross mentioned that “there’s no guarantee that Bret will be WWF champion by Survivor Series.” Hmmm….
Smith tagged in, but Vader double-clotheslined the heels.
After Patriot tagged in, he gave Bret a big boot.
He then hit Uncle Slam but only got 2 thanks to a last-second save by Smith.
As an idiotic fan jumped into the ring, a mid-ring collision occurred.
Vader then delivered a Vader bomb to Bret, but Smith joined him on the floor.
When Smith rammed Vader face-first into the steps, Patriot attempted a roll-up.
Bret grabbed the tights to reverse the hold and pinned Patriot.
As a result, Bret and Smith won.

Summary: While I realize the timing of the show had to be altered at the last minute due to unfortunate circumstances, this match lasted too long to maintain a healthy crowd response. In effect, the result was anticlimactic.

Backstage, Hendrix interviews Michaels along with Helmsley, Chyna, and Rude. Michaels claims to be the showstopper, the headliner, the icon, and the main event. I hope he gets a good deal on business cards.

Match 7 (Hell in a Cell/non-title): WWF European champion the “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels versus Undertaker

Like WarGames in WCW, the cage had a roof on it. Conversely, the Cell was much taller than the WarGames cage. That becomes important later.
Before the wrestlers entered, Commissioner Slaughter and referee Earl Hebner checked under the ring to ensure fairness.
Undertaker sauntered after Michaels and delivered a big boot.
While Vince stated that “everything’s my fault these days,” Michaels escaped a chokeslam attempt.
Undertaker then reversed a cross corner whip which caused a Michaels flip.
When he clotheslined Michaels, Undertaker got 2.
He then gave Michaels a ropewalk shoulder smash and slammed him.
As he hit a leg drop, Undertaker got another 2.
He then backdropped Michaels whose feet touched the roof of the cage. Wow!
Next, he vaulted Michaels over the top rope to the floor.
He then joined Michaels on the floor, whipped him into the cage, and clotheslined Michaels twice.
After he rammed Michaels face-first into the apron, Undertaker powerbombed him into the cage.
He then rammed Michaels back-first into the ring post then the cage twice.
When Undertaker tried to ram him face-first into the cage, Michaels escaped and shoved him into it.
Undertaker then rammed him face-first into the steps and delivered an elbow smash.
As he rammed Michaels back-first into the cage, Undertaker came up empty on his follow-through.
He then guillotined Michaels with the top rope; however, as Undertaker returned to the apron, Michaels vaulted him into the cage.
After Michaels hit a tope suicida, he used the cage for leverage on an elbow drop. Woohoo!
He then climbed onto the apron and gave Undertaker a flying clothesline.
When he dislodged the top step, Michaels repeatedly rammed it into Undertaker’s back. OUCH!
He then attempted to piledrive Undertaker on the remaining steps and succeeded on the second try.
While the St. Louis faithful chanted “rest in peace,” Michaels mounted the top turnbuckle and delivered a double axe handle.
He then procured a chair from under the ring and WALLOPED Undertaker’s back with it.
As he hit Undertaker with the chair again, Michaels got 2.
He then tied Undertaker up in the ropes and pummeled him.
Upon charging Undertaker, Michaels ate boot.
Undertaker then backdropped Michaels over the top rope onto a cameraman.
Frustrated, Michaels nailed the apologetic cameraman and stomped him mercilessly.
According to Vince, WWF photographer Bob Buchanan requested medical assistance for the fallen cameraman.
Regardless, Michaels gave Undertaker a flying forearm and mounted the top turnbuckle.
While Slaughter returned to ringside to check on the cameraman, Michaels delivered the big elbow.
Ross then insulted every WWF fan imaginable by neglecting Randy Savage’s big elbow purposefully.

When referee Earl Hebner unlocked the cage to remove the fallen cameraman, Michaels hit Sweet Chin Music.
Surprisingly, Undertaker sat up and chased Michaels out of the cage.
Michaels then dropkicked Undertaker into the cage, made a second attempt, but Undertaker caught him.
As Undertaker catapulted him into the cage, Michaels was BUSTED OPEN.
Undertaker then rammed Michaels face-first into the cage twice.
After Michaels retaliated with a FIELD GOAL, he climbed the cage.
Undertaker then climbed after him, and both wrestlers were on top of the cage.
When Michaels tried to piledrive him, Undertaker countered with a back drop in a neat visual.

Undertaker then raked Michaels’ face against the cage and military-press-slammed him.
As Undertaker nailed him, Michaels almost fell off. Yikes!
Michaels barely held on while Undertaker grabbed him.

After Undertaker stepped on both hands, Michaels CRASHED AND BURNED through the Spanish broadcast table.

Undertaker then climbed down to the floor and tossed Michaels atop the French broadcast table.
When Michaels walked toward him on the table, Undertaker slammed him on the floor.
They then returned inside the cage, and Michaels was a bloody mess.
As Undertaker hoisted him atop the top turnbuckle, he hit a super chokeslam. Wow!
He then obtained a chair from under the ring and CROWNED Michaels with it.
Suddenly, the lights went out, and eerie music played.
Paul Bearer then brought Kane to the ring.
After Kane ripped the door off the cage, he rammed referee Earl Hebner into the cage.
He and Undertaker then stood face-to-face under a red light.

When Kane waved his arms, fire shot up from the turnbuckles.
He then tombstoned Undertaker while Michaels laid prone in another portion of the ring.
As Kane returned backstage, Michaels crawled over to put an arm over Undertaker.
1-2-3.
Michaels won.

Summary: Best cage match in WWF history to this point. The story told within the match flowed beautifully as Undertaker tried to exact revenge against Michaels. On the other hand, Kane finally debuted and ruined Undertaker’s opportunity. Michaels will challenge for the WWF title at Survivor Series ‘97.

After the match, Helmsley and Chyna assist Michaels with assistance from Rude. Undertaker remained OUT COLD in the ring.

Conclusion:  Needless to say, but this is a ONE MATCH SHOW, and that match DELIVERED. Definitely check out the main event and ignore the rest of the show.