WWF Monday Night RAW 02-09-98

Will Mero upend Owen and take the European title? With a second chance, can the Headbangers defeat their heroes? And what’s up with the Road Warriors? Let’s find out!

Prior to the opening match, Road Dog refers to the Road Warriors as “O.L.D.”

Match 1 for the WWF tag team titles: The New Age Outlaws (champions) versus the Road Warriors

All four wrestlers brawled at the onset, and Animal countered a leap frog by Road Dog with a spinebuster for 2.
When the Road Warriors double-clotheslined Road Dog, Hawk flattened him with an enziguri.
He then delivered a hangman’s neckbreaker and clotheslined Road Dog over the top rope to the floor.
As Gunn attacked him from behind, he sent Hawk shoulder-first into the steps.
Road Dog then baited Animal to distract referee Jim Korderas so that the NAO could double-team Hawk. SNEAKY!
After Gunn tagged in, the NAO provided Hawk with a double back elbow for 2.
He then placed a knee into Hawk’s midsection, gave him a cross corner whip, and hit a Gunn splash.
While Gunn gave Hawk another cross corner whip, an accidental meeting of the minds occurred.
Hot tag Animal.
When Animal finished cleaning house, the Road Warriors scored with a Doomsday Device.

Do we have new champions?
As Animal made the cover, Gunn knocked Hawk to the floor.

With Korderas occupied with Hawk, Gunn LAMBASTED Animal with a tag belt. How dastardly!
1-2-3.
The NAO retained at 4:58.

Summary: Solid tag match albeit short which allowed the Road Warriors to put over the champs without looking bad.

After the match, the Road Warriors have a spat that becomes a brawl in a New York minute. Officials try to separate them but with little success. Are we seeing the end of the Road Warriors? Animal leaves yet returns to fight with Hawk until officials finally turn down the heat.

Match 2 (non-title): NWA North American champion Jeff Jarrett (w/ Jim Cornette) versus Ken Shamrock

Shamrock unloaded upon Jarrett with a flying back elbow and gave him a cross corner whip.
As Jarrett floated over nothing but air, Shamrock hooked a German suplex with a bridge for 2.
Jarrett reversed an Irish whip and grabbed the bottom rope immediately while Shamrock attempted an ankle lock.
When Shamrock clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor, he attempted to suplex Jarrett back into the ring.
On the other hand, Cornette tripped Shamrock and held his ankle. Crafty!
Somehow, Jarrett only got 2, and Shamrock pulled Cornette up onto the apron.
Jarrett then delivered a belly-to-back suplex followed by a running guillotine.
After Jarrett dropkicked Shamrock, he got 2.
He then attempted a suplex, but Shamrock blocked it and suplexed Jarrett.
While Jarrett slammed him, he mounted the second turnbuckle, leaped, but ate boot.
A mid-ring collision occurred, and the Waco faithful erupted with a “Jarrett sucks” chant.
As Shamrock exploded with a dropkick, he scored with a huracanrana.
He then powerslammed Jarrett for 2.
When Cornette returned to the apron, Shamrock grabbed him.
Jarrett tried to attack from behind but sent Cornette flying into a Davidian compound. OK, maybe not THAT far.
After Shamrock rolled him up, he got another 2.
Referee Tim White got too close to the action, and Shamrock inadvertently nailed him.
With White out of commission, Cornette entered the ring and swung his tennis racquet.
Unfortunately for Cornette, he hammered Jarrett mistakenly instead of Shamrock.
Shamrock applied an ankle lock, and White called for the bell at 5:44.

Summary: With Shamrock in a high-profile matchup against the Rock at the PPV, Jarrett had no chance to win. Cornette must have booked this match, and the story being told was believable and didn’t hurt Shamrock’s momentum.

After the match, Michael Cole interviews Jarrett who mentions that he and Cornette “should go…separate ways.”

WRESTLEMANIA MILENNIUM MOMENT: Michaels ziplines to the ring at WrestleMania XII.

Back in the locker room, Lawler tries to interview Animal who is hotter than a firecracker. Suddenly, Hawk enters and continues to trade fists with Animal. Methinks neither wants Rocco in the divorce settlement.

Match 3 (six-man): Disciples of Apocalypse versus the Truth Commission & Kurrgan (w/ Jackyl)

Must I watch this?
Recon reversed an Irish whip and missed a spinning heel kick.
When Chainz powerslammed him, Skull tagged in and provided Recon with a knee lift.
8-Ball tagged in, and the DoA supplied Recon with a double back elbow.
As JR mentioned a 15-team battle royal at the upcoming PPV, Recon reversed a cross corner whip and scored with a leg lariat.
Chainz tagged in, delivered a big boot to Recon, and got 2.
After Skull tagged in, DoA bestowed another double back elbow to Recon.
Skull then gave Recon a cross corner whip followed by a corner clothesline.
While 8-Ball tagged in, DoA gave Recon an Irish whip.
However, Kurrgan stopped Recon in his tracks and tagged in.
DoA tried to knock Kurrgan off his feet but were unsuccessful.
That was until they double-slammed him.
Kurrgan then unleashed a big boot to 8-Ball and applied a Paralyzer.
1-2-3.
The Truth Commission and Kurrgan won in 3:57.

After the match, Sniper shoves Jackyl, so Jackyl slaps him. Sniper threatens to part Jackyl hair in a different style, but Kurrgan intervenes with a Paralyzer. Recon asks Jackyl to stop Kurrgan and gets slapped. While leaving the ring, Kurrgan drags Sniper backstage maintaining the Paralyzer.

Allegedly, comedian Carrot Top shills Chairman of the Board while putting over the Headbangers. This was removed from the WWE Network version. I don’t bleme them as I have never heard of this film.

From San Antonio, DeGeneration-X is ready to jump-start the ratings. Speaking of ratings, HHH declares that the PPV will be X-rated.

Match 4 (non-title): WWF Light Heavyweight champion Taka Michinoku versus Barry Windham (w/ Jim Cornette &^ the Rock’n’Roll Express)

Sunny, wearing a red patent-leather dress, was the special guest ring announcer for this match.

As Cornette joined the broadcast table for this match, Windham delivered a gutwrench suplex with ease.
Michinoku rebounded with an Asai moonsault for 1.
When Windham gave him a cross corner whip, Michinoku climbed the turnbuckles and launched a moonsault for 2.
Windham responded with a dropkick and a back elbow.
After he slammed Michinoku with one arm, Windham hoisted him atop the top turnbuckle.
He then joined Michinoku and hooked a superplex.
While he hit a lariat, Windham got 2, and the lights went out.
Wait a minute! This isn’t Georgia!

Abruptly, Kane and Paul Bearer headed to the ring, and the match ended.

With Michinoku lying prone in the ring, Kane picked him up and chokeslammed him. He then tombstoned Michinoku. Interestingly, Bearer namedrops Austin while officials scrape Michinoku off the mat. Bearer challenges Austin on behalf of Kane for next week.

Cole interviews the NAO before they leave the arena. As Road Dog speaks, he not only has a camcorder but also wears a DeGeneration-X t-shirt. What’s that about? The NAO gets into their rental car, but Chainsaw Charlie attacks with his chainsaw. Cactus Jack shatters the windshield with a baseball bat, and the NAO hightails it hitting a dumpster during their getaway.

Prior to the next match, Goldust impersonates his father in grandiose fashion while mentioning both Ric Flair and Terry Funk.

Donning the polka dots, Dustydust cut a promo on Bradshaw mid-match.
Bradshaw gave Dustydust a cross corner whip and followed with a corner clothesline.
When he backdropped Dustydust, Bradshaw landed an elbow drop for 2.
Dustydust then tried to execute the Flip, Flop, and Fly but failed.
As Bradshaw scored with a lariat, he pinned Dustydust at 3:37.

After the match, Cole interviews Dustydust who wants to “hang these tights up.”

Backstage, Kelly cannot secure an interview with Hawk. Hey, Kelly, offer him…oh, never mind.

Prior to the next match, we revisit last week’s episode when the Rock bestowed gifts upon the NoD at Faarooq’s expense.

Match 6 (non-title): WWF Intercontinental champion The Rock (w/ the Nation of Domination) versus Steve Blackman

During his entrance, Blackman performed a neon nunchucks demonstration.
Blackman reversed an Irish whip and clotheslined Rock.
As D’Lo Brown tripped Blackman coming off the ropes, Rock unloaded a clothesline of his own.
He then slammed Blackman and delivered the not-yet-named People’s Elbow.
When Rock distracted referee Jack Doan, Kama performed his dirty work upon Blackman. Nefarious!
The Waco faithful chanted “Rocky sucks,” and Brown piled onto Blackman with the NoD’s advantage.
After Rock gave Blackman a cross corner whip, he followed with a corner clothesline.
He then gave Blackman another cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
While Blackman scored with a bicycle kick, Rock reversed an Irish whip and powerslammed him.
Faarooq then got up on the apron to distract Doan, and Blackman reversed an Irish whip sending Rock directly into Faarooq.
Suffice it to say, but Faarooq unceremoniously spilled down to the floor.

Blackman then rolled up the distracted Rock for 2.
As Blackman reversed another Irish whip, he succumbed to a DDT.
Faarooq again distracted Doan preventing Rock from pinning Blackman.
When Brown notified him of his possessing Blackman’s nunchucks, he mistakenly tossed them over Rock’s head.
Blackman caught them and DESTROYED Rock with them.
1-2-3.
Blackman won in 4:16.

Summary: As dissension rises within the NoD, a simple and predictable story plays out in the ring.

After the match, Brown blames Faarooq for screwing up the finish. Faarooq climbs into the ring, dismisses Rock, and summons the NoD minus Rock to exit with him.

Backstage, Kelly interviews a crazed and obsessed Luna who wants to disfigure Sable.

We then revisit the previous PPV when Kane not only defeated Vader but also knocked him out of action with a wrench.

Prior to the next match, Commissioner Slaughter approaches the ring with referee Earl Hebner. He advises referee Tommy Young that he will not officiate this match. Really? A referee storyline on this show too?

Match 7 for the NWA tag team titles: the Rock’n’Roll Express (champions w/ Jim Cornette) versus the Headbangers

Cornette joined the broadcast table for this match.
When Mosh reversed a cross corner whip, Morton responded with a swinging neckbreaker.
Gibson tagged in, and heel miscommunication ensued.
As Morton tagged in, the lack of communication continued while Gibson inadvertently nailed him.
The Rock’n’Roll Express had their own spat, and JR announced that Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie will challenge the NAO for the WWF tag team titles at the PPV.
After the Headbangers dispatched the champions, they clobbered Cornette on the apron.
Cornette then tripped Mosh coming off the ropes, and Gibson delivered a knee drop.
While he slammed Mosh, Gibson followed with another knee drop.
Morton tagged in, suplexed Mosh, and got 2.
When Gibson tagged in, the Rock’n’Roll Express missed a double dropkick.
Hot tag Thrasher.
As Thrasher hit a sidewalk slam, he got 2.
Mosh tossed Gibson over the top rope to the floor, but Hebner refused to disqualify the Headbangers.

After Cornette SMASHED his tennis racquet into his back, Thrasher conveniently landed atop Morton.
1-2-3.
WE HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS!

Summary: While the formula worked in telling a story, the Waco faithful used their 2-drink minimum cards to show their complete lack of interest.

Allegedly, Pete Rose, who will appear at the PPV, compares his lifetime batting average to Austin’s 3:16. This was also removed from the WWE Network version. C’mon, guys, Pete’s been banned from baseball longer than most of you have been alive. Cut him a bigger check already!

Prior to the next match, we revisit last week’s episode when Sable and Luna brawled.

Match 8 for the WWF European title: Owen Hart (champion) versus “Marvelous” Marc Mero (w/ Sable)

Before the match began, Mero sentenced Sable back to the locker room.

Owen countered a monkey flip with a knee to Mero’s forehead.
As Mero reversed a cross corner whip, Owen floated over and hip-tossed him.
He then dropkicked Mero who rebounded with a clothesline.
When Mero landed a sit-out powerbomb, he got 2.
Sable returned to a raucous ovation causing a distracted Mero to get rolled up for 2.
After Owen escaped a belly-to-back suplex, he hooked a somersault cradle for another 2.
Owen then secured an inside cradle but failed to get 3.
While Owen reversed an Irish whip, he scored with a spinning heel kick.
He then delivered an inverted atomic drop and followed with a clothesline.
As he mounted the top turnbuckle, Owen launched a missile dropkick. Yowza!
He then leveled Mero with an enziguri for 2.
When Owen gave Mero a cross corner whip, he came up empty on his follow-through.
Mero then pie-faced referee Jim Korderas and walloped Owen down I-35 SOUTH.
After Owen countered a TKO with a DDT, he trapped Mero in a Sharpshooter.
Korderas called for the bell and awarded the match by disqualification to Owen at 4:10.

Summary: Owen looked sensational while Mero played his character to a tee but lost due to his own aggression.

After the match, Sable joins Mero in the ring, but Luna tries to get to her. Goldust tries to restrain Luna while Mero does the same to Sable. As she shoved Mero down, Sable got restrained by Goldust. Mero takes exception and pounds Goldust into diced brisket. Officials continue to keep Sable and Luna at bay.

While Goldust and Luna exit the ring, Sable grabs the microphone and instructs Luna: “…get your ass back here, you little bitch.” I smell an upcoming mixed tag match at the PPV.

Conclusion: If table-setting was an art, the WWF would be on display at a first-class gallery. This obviously taped show was well-constructed but lacked the sizzle RAW needs to overtake Nitro.

Who won? Nope, once again, RAW was trounced by Nitro by over a whole ratings point. This taped crap needs a serious breather, and some real eye-popping moments need to happen or RAW is going bye-bye. Nitro’s star power alone is carrying them over RAW each and every week and I don’t see that changing in March.