WWF Monday Night RAW 02-03-97

We revisit the end to the Rumble match as Austin cheats to win. I guess we won’t see the entire match since they just showed the finish.

Interestingly, it’s the second WWF show from SkyDome this week! Pass the veal sandwiches!

As Austin and Vader stood face-to-face, Bret stormed the ring and attacked Austin.
When officials tried to separate them, Vader nailed Bret.
Bret then gets escorted out but not before Austin could nail him.
When Austin took off his vest, Vader hit him from behind.
He then gave Austin a clothesline and pummeled him in the corner.
Upon giving Austin another clothesline, Vader slammed him.
He then mounted the second turnbuckle but considered the top turnbuckle.
After Vader pushed the anonymous referee out of the way, Austin nailed him down near Sault Ste. Marie.
Vader then reversed a cross-corner whip as Austin SQUISHED the referee in the corner.
After a commercial break, Vader slammed Austin for 2.
He then hit a splash for another 2.
When Vader tried to SQUISH him, Austin evaded him.
As Ross shilled IYH XIII: Final Four, Austin slammed Vader.
He then mounted the second turnbuckle, delivered a forearm smash, and got 2.
While Vince promised no bait-and-switch tactics (**cough**entire Rumble match**cough**), Austin’s trick knee flared up. OUCH!
Austin then wouldn’t relent with Vader in the ropes, so the referee tried to stop him.
That earned the referee a Stone Cold Stunner.
Afterward, Vader nailed Austin sending him between the ropes to the floor.
Next, he made Austin HIT THE POLE!
Austin came back and rammed Vader shoulder-first into the steps.
Vader came back and rammed Austin face-first into the same steps.
The bell rang as the referee disqualified Austin.

During a commercial break, a promotional ad for Thursday RAW Thursday aired. Scheduled is a WWF title match between champion Shawn Michaels and challenger Sycho Sid. Keep that in mind for next week’s reflection.

As the NoD makes their entrance, Ross interviews Vega as footage of his heel turn at Madison Square Garden is shown.

Dok Hendrix joined the broadcast table for this match.
When Vega gave Funk a cross-corner whip, he came up empty on his follow-through.
Funk then leaped to the second turnbuckle, hooked a sunset flip, and got 2.
Next, Vega delivered a sidewalk slam and followed with a hip toss.
Funk came back with a back drop and a clothesline.
After a leg lariat, Funk mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a splash for 2.
He then gave Vega a somersault leg drop, remounted the top turnbuckle, and hit a tope on D’Lo Brown on the floor.

Upon dispatching Brown on the floor, Funk mounted the top turnbuckle again but came up empty on a moonsault.
1-2-3.
Vega won.

Summary: While Funk brought the highlights, the freshly-heel-turned Vega got the duke.

After the match, Faarooq and Crush meet Vega in the aisle, and Faarooq and Vega share a hug. Aw.

During the commercial break, an ad for the WWF Superstar Line aired. The feature asks: Where have you gone: Yokozuna and Brian Pillman.

Prior to the next match, Vince interviews Smith and Owen. Highlights of Smith’s elimination are shown while Owen claims it as an accident. I smell dissension.

We then revisit RAW from 2 weeks ago when Owen WALLOPED LaFon with his Slammy. Afterward, we revisit last week’s show when the Slammy trick backfired on Smith but didn’t cost him the match.

Match 3 for the WWF tag team titles: The “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith & Owen Hart (w/ Clarence Mason) versus Doug Furnas & Philip LaFon

Smith gave LaFon a cross-corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
LaFon then leaped to the second turnbuckle, attempted a cross body block, but got caught.
Fortunately for LaFon, he escaped the running powerslam.
Unfortunately for LaFon, he ate a clothesline from Smith.
Owen tagged in as Ross mentioned that Furnas was suffering from the flu. Someone grab the Nyquil!

Nonetheless, Owen gave LaFon a cross-corner whip followed by a monkey flip. LaFon, however, landed on his feet.
Furnas tagged in, leap-frogged over Owen, and delivered a hip toss followed by a clothesline.
As Smith tagged in, Furnas gave him a hip toss.
Owen tagged in and gave Furnas a spinning heel kick.
While the champs tagged in and out, Hendrix shilled Thursday RAW Thursday on 2/13.
Furnas then hooked a sunset flip, but only got 2 because Smith distracted referee Earl Hebner.
Shortly after, Furnas countered a reverse chin lock with an electric chair.
While LaFon distracted Hebner, Furnas hooked an inside cradle on Smith for only 2.
Owen tagged in and gave Furnas a hangman’s neckbreaker while Smith posed for the SkyDome faithful.
Meanwhile, Furnas hooked a rollup on Owen for 2. Owen’s kick-out sent Furnas into Smith knocking him to the floor.
Upon giving Furnas a clothesline, Owen argued with Smith.
After a commercial break, Smith and Owen gave Furnas a double clothesline for 2.
Furnas came back with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex and made the hot tag.
As LaFon gave Owen a whip, Owen leaped to the second turnbuckle and hit a cross body block.
LaFon then used momentum to land on top for 2.
After a snap suplex, LaFon got another 2.
As Owen reversed an Irish whip, LaFon gave him an implant DDT for 3.
WE HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS!
Hold the phone! Owen’s leg was on the bottom rope, so Hebner restarted the match.

LaFon then hooked an inside cradle for only 2 thanks to a save by Smith.
After a leg lariat, LaFon got another 2.
As Smith set up for a back drop over the top, LaFon reversed an Irish whip sending Owen flying.
Smith then gave LaFon a running powerslam as Owen struggled to get up.
Furnas and LaFon won by countout.
The champs retained.

Summary: Crappy finish to a solid match. The dissension between Owen and Smith continues.

After the match, when Owen notices that when Smith is watching, he limps, but otherwise, he runs as if nothing is wrong. What a goldbricker!

Again, we revisit the Rumble match when Johnson used a 2x4 to cause Faarooq’s elimination.

Next, Vince interviews Johnson as highlights from last week are shown. According to Johnson, he no longer takes Prozac. When he’s off his meds, “you don’t know what might happen.” He’s ready to get his comeuppance against Vega and the rest of the NoD.

As Crush makes his entrance, Johnson’s ready to “let the party begin.” Suddenly, Undertaker grabs him by the throat, but Johnson rebuffs him.

After a clothesline, Goldust clotheslined Crush over the top rope to the floor.
While Ross shilled an upcoming house show in East Rutherford, NJ, Hendrix chimed in about Summerslam on 8/3 at the venue. Something monumental happened there if I recall.
Suddenly, Helmsley came to the ring to distract Goldust.
Outside the ring, Crush guillotined Goldust using the steel railing.
Back in the ring, Crush delivered a leg drop for 2.
He then gave Goldust a belly-to-belly suplex for another 2.
Next, he mounted the second turnbuckle but missed a fist drop.
Goldust then countered a piledriver with a back drop.
After Crush missed a clothesline, Goldust delivered a DDT.
He then gave Crush a lariat followed by a bulldog for 2.
As he attempted the Curtain Call, Vega came into the ring and delivered a spinning heel kick to Goldust unbeknownst to referee Jack Doan.
Crush then gave Goldust the heart punch.
1-2-3.
Crush won.

The Army Slam of the Week is Michaels’ hitting a flying forearm followed by the big elbow against Sycho Sid at Royal Rumble. Interestingly, Sid’s powerbomb on the floor finishes the segment. Could we see Sid regaining the title at Thursday RAW Thursday?

In the ring, Vince interviews WWF Champion Shawn Michaels who promises to be the “worst guy…ever seen.” Just wait until Thursday RAW Thursday! While Bret looks on from behind the curtain, Michaels cuts a promo on him. Abruptly, Bret comes to the ring to a raucous ovation and calls Michaels a “degenerate,” a “jackass”, and a “punk.” When Michaels rebuts, Austin hits the ring to attack Bret. A brawl breaks out outside the ring as Sid enters the ring.

After a commercial break, Sid and Austin are gone as Michaels lays the WWF title belt between Bret and himself. When Michaels tries to retrieve it, Bret steps on it. When Bret tries to return the belt to Michaels, he drops it on the mat and leaves. The tension between Bret and Shawn begins to simmer.

Prior to the next match, we revisit Superstars when Hughes interfered on Helmsley’s behalf against Johnson (aired 1/26, taped 1/21).

We then revisit Superstars from the following week when Sable kicked Undertaker in the midsection during his match against Mero (aired 2/2, taped 1/21).

Match 5 for the WWF Intercontinental title: Hunter Hearst Helmsley (w/o Curtis Hughes) versus “Wildman” Marc Mero (w/o Sable)

Neither Hughes nor Sable was allowed at ringside. According to Meltzer, Sable was recovering from surgery while Hughes dealt with blood pressure issues at home.
As the match began, Vince dissed Robin Hood in favor of La Femme Nikita.

After a pair of arm drags, Mero delivered a dropkick.
Mero then reversed a cross-corner whip and gave Helmsley a back drop.
Next, he clotheslined Helmsley over the top rope to the floor, joined him, and made him HIT THE POLE!
Back in the ring, Mero attempted a slingshot splash but ate knees.
Helmsley then gave Mero a delayed vertical suplex followed by a formal bow.
Afterward, he delivered a knee drop for 2.
Mero then escaped a belly-to-back suplex attempt and hooked a rollup for 2.
After a commercial break, Mero gave Helmsley a face plant and followed with a flying headscissors.
Upon giving Helmsley a lariat, Mero delivered a knee lift.
He then gave Helmsley a cross-corner whip that sent Helmsley over the top turnbuckle to the floor.
With Helmsley on the floor, Mero hit a somersault plancha.
He then rammed Helmsley face-first into the steps and returned him to the ring.
After a slingshot leg drop, Mero got 2.
Mero then gave Helmsley the ten-punch count-along as well as a cross-corner whip, but ate boot on his follow-through.
While Helmsley mounted the top turnbuckle, Mero caught and joined him.
He then delivered a superhuracanrana.
Do we have a new champion?
1-2-NO!
Helmsley came back with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and removed the turnbuckle pad.
As Mero hit the Samoan drop, he mounted the top turnbuckle and hit the Merosault for 2.
When Helmsley gave Mero a cross-corner whip into the exposed bolt, Mero applied the brakes and gave Helmsley a back elbow.
While referee Earl Hebner reattached the turnbuckle pad, Helmsley WALLOPED Mero with a foreign object that had been stored in his boot.
Mero was OUT COLD.
1-2-3.
Helmsley retained.

Summary: Send Mero to the bottom of the pecking order as he lost another opportunity to regain the gold.

We then revisit the Rumble match as Bret put Austin in the Sharpshooter, and Lawler made an extremely brief appearance.

We then revisit last week’s show when Mankind parted Vader’s skull with a steel chair.

After a Western Union ad, the Western Union Rewind is the attack by Faarooq on Ahmed last week. Repeating the spot is a faux pas in wrestling. Oops.

Before the main event begins, we get the brief yet aggressive discussion between Johnson and Undertaker again.

Match 6 (no holds barred): Undertaker & Ahmed Johnson versus Mankind & Faarooq (w/ Paul Bearer & the Nation of Domination)

While Undertaker rammed Mankind face-first into the steps, Johnson gave Faarooq a spinebuster.
Undertaker then made Mankind taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Canadian clubhouse at the Blake House.
Meanwhile, Faarooq mounted the top turnbuckle but got caught and slammed down to the mat by Johnson.
As Johnson missed a clothesline, Faarooq applied a sleeper.
Outside the ring, Undertaker gave Mankind a second helping of the steel railing. Waiter, could you give the one-eared funny guy a steak stout pie as well?
Before Johnson could pass out, Undertaker returned to the ring and nailed Faarooq.
As Undertaker gave Faarooq a cross-corner whip, Johnson rammed Mankind face-first into the steps.
After Undertaker ate boot on his follow-through, Faarooq mowed him down with a clothesline.

Not like THAT!
Nevertheless, Undertaker came back with a clothesline as Johnson rammed Mankind back-first into the ring post.
While Undertaker gave Faarooq the ropewalk shoulder smash, Crush and Vega hit the ring.
During a commercial break, the WWF tour schedule was featured:

Friday (2/7) in Pittsburgh, PA
Saturday (2/8) in Bethlehem, PA
Sunday (2/9) in East Rutherford, NJ
Thursday (2/13) in Lowell MA for Thursday RAW Thursday
Friday (2/14) in Cincinnati, OH

Afterward, Undertaker attempted the ropewalk shoulder smash, but Mankind countered with the Mandible claw.
Johnson broke the hold and gave Mankind the Pearl River Plunge.
Before Johnson could pin Mankind, Faarooq made the save.
He then delivered the Dominator to Johnson, but Undertaker made the save.
As Undertaker and Mankind brawled in the corner, Mankind’s trick knee flared up.

Bearer then gave Mankind a steel chair, but Undertaker kicked it in Mankind’s face.
While Johnson fought with members of the NoD outside the ring, Undertaker gave Mankind a chokeslam.
When Johnson grabbed his 2x4, the NoD scampered back to the locker room.
Johnson then returned to the ring and WHACKED Faarooq with the 2x4.
As Johnson and Faarooq brawled in the aisle, Mankind gave Undertaker a swinging neckbreaker in the ring.
Bearer then gave Mankind some powder, but Undertaker knocked it into Mankind’s face.

Suddenly, Vader hit the ring and splashed Undertaker.
As Mankind held Undertaker, Vader tried to HAMMER him with the steel chair but nailed Mankind instead. Turnabout is fair play, I guess.
He then hit Undertaker in the back with the chair, but Undertaker NO-SOLD it.
Undertaker then nailed Vader sending him over the top rope to the floor.
Finally, he gave Mankind a tombstone on the steel chair.
1-2-3.
Undertaker and Johnson won.

Conclusion: Well, despite being matches from a house show, it was much better than Nitro by far because the two title matches delivered. Could it finally overcome Nitro in the ratings?

Who won? Nope, but it was very close (3.0 to 2.6). The last time the WWF came this close was back on 8/5. While I look forward to Thursday RAW Thursday, Nitro has something up its sleeve prior to that.