WWF Survivor Series '97

Will Bret retain the WWF title or does Michaels (and others) have something else in store for him? Also, can Austin regain the IC title? Let’s find out!

Prior to the opening match, we revisit RAW is WAR from three weeks ago when Gunn WALLOPED Thrasher with the Headbangers’ own boombox. That’s some serious head-banging!

Match 1 (elimination): “Bad Ass” Billy Gunn & “Road Dog” Jesse Jammes & the Godwinns versus the Headbangers & the New Blackjacks

Wait a minute! Where’s Howard Finkel? Where’s Tony Chimel? Where’s Vince McMahon for that matter? The ring announcer for tonight who spoke in French was Albert DeFrusia. I smell shenanigans.

Windham slammed Phineas and tagged in Bradshaw.
When Bradshaw powerslammed Phineas, he got 2.
He then gave Phineas a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
As Henry tagged in, Bradshaw provided him with a side Russian leg sweep for 2.
He then attempted a suplex, but Henry blocked it and supplied one of his own for 2.
After he gave Bradshaw a cross corner whip, Henry clotheslined him for another 2.
Bradshaw then countered an Irish whip with a knee to the midsection.
When he applied an abdominal stretch, Bradshaw took Henry down and pinned him.
The Headbangers and New Blackjacks led 4-3.
As tags were exchanged on both sides, Windham suplexed Phineas, floated over, and got 2.
Upon delivering a gutwrench suplex, Windham got another 2.
He then hit a lariat but couldn’t get 3.
When he gave Phineas a cross corner whip, Windham ate a back elbow on his follow-through.
Phineas then clotheslined and pinned Windham.
While the match was tied at 3, Mosh replaced Windham.
Phineas then reversed an Irish whip but fell victim to an elbow drop.
As Mosh dropkicked him, Phineas tagged in Gunn.
While the Montreal faithful questioned Gunn’s bedroom habits, their nemesis gave Mosh a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
Mosh then clotheslined Gunn, gave him a cross corner whip, but Gunn caught and face-planted him.
After Gunn pinned Mosh, his team led 3-2.
Thrasher replaced Mosh while Phineas did the same for Gunn.
When Lawler questioned Ross about Vince’s whereabouts, Ross replied with “he’s here.” But why is he backstage and not hosting the PPV?

While a “good luck in WCW, Bret” sign was caught on camera, Thrasher rolled up Phineas for 2.

He then hip-tossed and face-planted Phineas before mounting the top turnbuckle.
As he delivered a guillotine leg drop, Thrasher pinned Phineas.
The sides were tied up at 2.
After Jammes replaced Phineas, Thrasher hip-tossed him.
Bradshaw tagged in and hit a short-arm clothesline.
When he followed with a gutwrench powerbomb, Bradshaw attacked Gunn in the corner.
Suddenly, Jammes rolled him up, hooked the tights, and pinned Bradshaw.
Jammes’ team led 2-1.
Before Bradshaw left, he hit a lariat on Jammes and chased Gunn from his corner.
Thrasher replaced Bradshaw, but Gunn put a knee into his back during an Irish whip. SNEAKY!
As Thrasher reversed an Irish whip, Jammes attempted a pumphandle slam to no avail.
Thrasher gave Jammes an Irish whip, and Jammes’ second attempt at a pumphandle slam put Thrasher atop him.
While Gunn tagged in unbeknownst to Thrasher and mounted the top turnbuckle, he delivered his own guillotine leg drop. If you look closely, he missed.
1-2-3.
SURVIVORS: Gunn and Jammes.

Summary: Sole purpose of this match was to elevate Jammes and Gunn over the current tag team crop. Hopefully soon, their team will get a name.

Match 2 (elimination): The Disciples of Apocalypse versus the Truth Commission

As Chainz provided him with a ten-punch count-along, the Interrogator escaped, charged, but came up empty.
Chainz then hit a pair of clotheslines but couldn’t take the Interrogator off his feet.
When the Interrogator delivered a sidewalk slam, he pinned Chainz.
The Truth Commission led 4-3.
After Recon tagged in, he gave Skull a cross corner whip followed by a clothesline.
He then slammed Skull and tagged in Jackyl.

Sorry, Chester, but it’s an awesome tune.
As Jackyl mounted the top turnbuckle, he hit a flying knee drop.
Skull no-sold it and delivered his own sidewalk slam.
1-2-3.
The match was tied at 3.
When Skull reversed a cross corner whip, he ate boot from Sniper.
Speaking of Sniper, he hit a flying back elbow for 2.
Jackyl then joined the broadcast table while Sniper delivered a cross body block for another 2.
After Recon tagged in, he mounted the top turnbuckle, leaped, but ate a shot to the midsection.
Crush tagged in and supplied Sniper with a back elbow.
As he slammed Sniper, Crush followed with a pair of standing leg drops.
He then hit a belly-to-belly suplex for 2.
When 8-Ball tagged in, he backdropped Recon.
Speaking of Recon, he responded with a spinning heel kick.
Next, a mid-ring collision sent 8-Ball down to the floor, and Skull snuck in to replace him. Genius!
He then clotheslined and pinned Recon.
While the DoA led 3-2, Skull supplied Sniper with a swinging neckbreaker for 2.
8-Ball tagged in, and he and Skull provided Sniper with a double spinebuster.
After that earned 8-Ball a false pin thanks to the Interrogator’s distraction of referee Mike Chioda, Sniper whipped him into the Interrogator and bulldogged him.
1-2-3.
The match was tied at 2.
As Skull gave Sniper a cross corner whip, he followed with a corner clothesline.
Crush tagged in and snap-suplexed Sniper for 2.
When Skull tagged in, he unleashed a DDT upon Sniper.
Meanwhile, the Interrogator tagged in and hit a sidewalk slam to Skull.
1-2-3.
The Truth Commission led 2-1.
After Sniper tagged in, Crush reversed an Irish whip and delivered a tilt-a-whirl slam.
1-2-3.
The match was tied at 1.
Immediately, the Interrogator hit another sidewalk slam.
1-2-3.
SURVIVOR: The Interrogator.

Summary: While the purpose of the match was to showcase the Interrogator, he needed to learn more than one move.

Prior to the show, members of the Montreal faithful were split on who will win the main event.

We then revisit last week’s episode of RAW is WAR when Blackman made his WWF debut.

Backstage, Michael Cole interviews Team USA with Goldust who has F-U painted on his face. Hmmm..I wonder in whose direction that’s pointed.

Match 3 (US versus Canada): Philip LaFon, Doug Furnas, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, & the “British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith versus Vader, Goldust, Marc Mero, & Steve Blackman (w/ Sable)

According to Ross, Goldust’s face paint stood for “forever unchained.”

Smith hip-tossed and dropkicked Mero much to the delight of the Montreal faithful.
When Vader tagged in, he mounted the second turnbuckle and lowered the boom on Smith.
He then delivered a short-arm clothesline followed by a running body block.
As Vader mounted the adjacent second turnbuckle, he leaped, but Smith caught and slammed him.
Smith then hit a delayed vertical suplex, and the Montreal faithful ERUPTED.
After LaFon tagged in, Vader reversed a cross corner whip and delivered an avalanche.
Mero tagged in and provided LaFon with a knee lift.
When LaFon reversed an Irish whip, he hit a spinning heel kick.
He then clotheslined Mero for 2.
As Mero landed a rabbit punch, Blackman tagged in and scored with a crescent kick.
While a portion of the Montreal faithful chanted “US sucks,” Blackman guillotined LaFon with the top rope.
He then delivered a spinning elbow drop much like “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel for 2.

After LaFon rebounded with a DDT, he only got 2.
He then hooked a crucifix for another 2.
When Blackman backdropped LaFon to the floor and joined him, Team Canada jumped him while Smith distracted referee Jim Korderas. How dastardly!
With several wrestlers brawling on the floor, Korderas counted Blackman out.
Neidhart then gave Mero a cross corner whip but came up empty on his follow-through.
As Mero rolled him up, he got 2.
Neidhart then mounted the second turnbuckle, leaped, but there wasn’t any water in the pool.
After Vader tagged in, Neidhart whipped him into the corner but ate a running body block.
Vader then splashed and pinned Neidhart to even the match at 3.
When LaFon came in, he hit a second spinning heel kick that sent Vader over the top rope to the floor.
LaFon then joined and rammed Vader into the steps.
As Vader delivered a belly-to-belly suplex to LaFon, he mounted the second turnbuckle and hit a flying splash.
1-2-3.
Team USA led 3-2.
After Furnas came in, he dropkicked Vader.
Mero tagged in, nailed Furnas, mounted the top turnbuckle, and delivered a Merosault for 2.
When Furnas responded with a spinebuster, he tagged in Smith.
Speaking of Smith, he supplied Mero with a top-turnbuckle count-along.
Mero then attempted a sunset flip, but Smith countered with a running powerslam attempt.
As Mero escaped, he hit a back elbow to Smith.
Furnas tagged in, reversed a cross corner whip, but Mero rolled him up for 2.
After Furnas reversed the roll-up, he pinned Mero.
The sides were tied at two apiece.
While Furnas provided a lariat to Vader, Ross mentioned Goldust’s broken left hand.
Smith tagged in, but Vader suplexed him.
When Furnas tagged in, Vader supplied him with a belly-to-back suplex.
Vader then tried to tag out, but Goldust walked away.
As Furnas nailed Vader down near Hemmingford, Smith tagged in.
He then gave Vader a cross corner whip but ate boot on his follow-through.
After Vader clotheslined him, he again tried to tag out, but Goldust jumped off the apron.
Furnas tagged in and supplied Vader with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex for 2. Wow!
When he hit a huracanrana, Furnas got another 2.
Vader then got in Goldust’s face and slapped him.
As he tossed Goldust into the ring, Goldust hightailed it backstage.
Team Canada then led 2-1.
After Vader delivered an avalanche to Furnas, he supplied Smith with another running body block.
He then slammed Furnas, mounted the second turnbuckle, and hit a Vader bomb.
While the match was tied at 1, Smith SMACKED Vader with the bell.
1-2-3.
SURVIVOR: Davey Boy Smith.

Summary: Good combination of Vader’s workrate and storyline advancement with Goldust’s new character.

Ross then speaks to Jacqueline Cook of Columbia, SC who won the Survivor Series Super Supper Sweepstakes. Although she chooses to have dinner with Stone Cold Steve Austin, I hope she likes beer and hot dogs.

From the boiler room, Mankind compares Kane to a brick wall and threatens Paul Bearer.

Unfortunately, this match was cast under Kane’s dark red light making it difficult to view.
Mankind met Kane in the aisle and made him taste the steel railing. Normally, I’d compare its taste with a local restaurant specialty; however, Kane no-sold it.

As Kane rammed him into the steps, he followed Mankind into the ring and illuminated the turnbuckles.
Mankind rebounded with a Cactus clothesline, but Kane landed on his feet and clotheslined Mankind on the floor.
When Kane launched the steps into Mankind’s face, he supplied Mankind with a big boot in the ring.
He then gave Mankind a cross corner whip followed by his own version of a spinebuster.
After Kane booted him out of the ring, he joined and sent Mankind into the steps again.
Mankind rebounded with a boot to the face and guillotined Kane with the steps. OUCH!
As he collected a steel chair, Mankind CREAMED Kane with it.
Back in the ring, Mankind delivered a piledriver and put a Mandible claw on Bearer.
Kane then sat up and shoved Mankind from the apron directly through the Spanish broadcast table. Incredible!

While Spanish broadcaster Tito Santana was reportedly injured, Mankind kicked a field goal on Kane and followed with a DDT on the concrete floor.
He then hit a Cactus elbow and mounted the top turnbuckle.
Without hesitation, Kane leaped to the apron and tossed Mankind all the way down to the floor.
When Mankind returned to the ring, Kane tombstoned him.
1-2-3.
Kane won.

Summary: Although the brick wall won, Mankind did a fabulous job of trying to tear it down while making it seem almost invincible.

Backstage, Cole interviews Commissioner Slaughter and Vince. While Slaughter mentions extra security backstage, Vince protects kayfabe by answering the “who’s going to win” question with “I don’t know.”

As the NoD makes its entrance, Dok Hendrix interviews Shamrock, the Road Warriors, and Johnson.

Match 5 (elimination): The Nation of Domination versus WWF tag team champions the Road Warriors, Ken Shamrock, & Ahmed Johnson

Brown delivered a piledriver to Hawk who no-sold it.

When Hawk responded with a hangman’s neckbreaker, Maivia tagged in.
Thanks to NoD interference off-camera, Hawk was stunned, so Maivia hit a Rock Bottom.
1-2-3.
The NoD led 4-3.
As Johnson reversed an Irish whip, he provided Maivia with a back elbow.
Faarooq tagged in and supplied Johnson with a backbreaker.
While he distracted referee Tim White, the NoD gave Johnson the business in its corner.
Johnson then escaped a Dominator and hit a Pearl River Plunge.
1-2-3.
The teams were tied at 3 apiece.
After Brown delivered a spinning heel kick, he mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a frog splash.
Johnson then responded with a front suplex to Brown who tagged in Maivia.
When Johnson provided Maivia with a spinebuster, Faarooq tripped him coming off the ropes.
While Faarooq held Johnson’s legs unbeknownst to White, Maivia pinned Johnson.
NoD led 3-2.
As Johnson and Faarooq brawled in the aisle, the Montreal faithful serenaded Maivia with a “Rocky sucks” chant.
Animal then gave Maivia a cross corner whip followed by a corner clothesline.
After Shamrock tagged in, he dropkicked Maivia.
Mustafa tagged in, gave Shamrock a cross corner whip, but came up empty on his follow-through.
When Animal tagged in, a double clothesline put both wrestlers down on the mat.
Animal then hit a belly-to-back suplex for 2.
As he gave Mustafa a cross corner whip, Animal ate a knee to the midsection during his follow-through.
Animal then delivered a flying shoulder block that caused some microphone feedback.

After he slammed Mustafa, Animal dropkicked him into a distracted Maivia.
While Maivia flew from the apron down to the floor, Animal rolled up Mustafa.
1-2-3.
The match was tied at 2.
When Shamrock tagged in, he dropkicked Brown.
He then gave Brown a cross corner whip followed by a clothesline.
As Animal distracted White, Brown slammed Shamrock, and Maivia nailed Shamrock further south than the birds fly in the springtime.
Brown then hit a standing leg drop for 2.
After he put a knee into Shamrock’s midsection, Brown delivered a backbreaker.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle, attempted a springboard moonsault, but came up severely empty.
Hot tag Animal.
While Animal powerslammed Brown, Jammes and Gunn came to the ring.

Maivia then clotheslined Animal over the top rope to the floor.
When Animal shoved referee Jack Doan down, Jammes tossed powder in his eyes.
Animal was thus counted out leaving Shamrock 1-on-2.
As Brown clotheslined Shamrock, Maivia tagged in.
Although the NoD attempted a double clothesline, Shamrock evaded it and hit one of his own.
He then clotheslined Maivia over the top rope, delivered a belly-to-belly suplex to Brown, and applied an ankle lock.
After Brown tapped out, the match was tied at one.
While the referees tended to the injured Brown, Maivia brought a steel chair into the ring and WALLOPED Shamrock with it.
Surprisingly, Maivia only got 2.
When Shamrock reversed an Irish whip, Maivia hit a float-over DDT for another 2.
Maivia then slammed Shamrock and PERFORMED THE PEOPLE’S ELBOW.

Since it only got 2, Maivia attempted another float-over DDT, yet Shamrock countered with a Northern Lights suplex.
He then delivered a huracanrana and applied an ankle lock.
To no one’s surprise, Maivia tapped out.
SURVIVOR: Shamrock.

Summary: Obviously, the focus on the match was to build Shamrock, but it also showed that Maivia was ready to move beyond the preliminary matches.

Promo airs for D-Generation X which will be LIVE on PPV on 12/7. Its theme music would migrate to the faction soon afterward.

Video airs featuring Austin shooting an arrow through a picture of Owen. During the video, we revisit the piledriver that caused a stinger to Austin.

Match 6 for the WWF Intercontinental title: Owen Hart (champion w/ Team Canada) versus Stone Cold Steve Austin

During Austin’s entrance, only half of the glass shattered. Oops.
While the Montreal faithful chanted “O-wen,” Neidhart tried to ambush Austin but ate a Stunner instead.
Owen then attempted a piledriver while the Montreal faithful chanted “break his neck.”

As Austin countered the piledriver with a back drop, Owen retaliated by ramming Austin’s left knee into the ring post twice.
He tried a third time, yet Austin made Owen HIT THE POLE.
When Team Canada returned backstage, Owen followed them down the aisle.
Austin then nailed Owen from behind and made him taste the steel railing. It must have tasted like the Knuckle sandwich at McLean’s.
Upon their return to the ring and out the other side, Owen’s trick knee acted up.

He then rammed Austin face-first into the broken Spanish broadcast table.
Despite Owen intentionally trying to get disqualified going as far as to ring the bell, referee Mike Chioda kept the match intact.
Austin then stomped a mud hole into Owen much to the chagrin of the Montreal faithful.
As he flipped off Owen, Austin kicked him in the midsection and hit a Stone Cold Stunner.
1-2-3.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Summary: Why was the match so short? Well, along with Austin’s bad neck preventing him from competing at a high level, Owen still had post-concussion symptoms stemming from his match with Johnson.

Before Austin can celebrate, Team Canada returns only to receive its own set of Stunners.

Match 7 for the WWF title: Bret “Hitman” Hart (champion) versus WWF European champion the “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels

From the locker room, D-Generation X accompanies Michaels through the backstage area and the Gorilla position. On the other hand, Michaels walked to the ring alone.
He then grabbed a Canadian flag from a member of the Montreal faithful, wiped his privates with it, blew his nose, and dry-humped it. In my book that’s the purest definition for how to piss off Canadians forever.
While Bret made his own entrance through the backstage area, Smith, Neidhart, and Bret’s son Blade joined him. Like Michaels, Bret also walked to the ring by himself.
Ross then exclaimed that “(wrestling fans) will never see (this match) again.” Hmmm...
Before the bell rang, they brawled in the ring until Bret clotheslined Michaels over the top rope to the floor.
He then made Michaels HIT THE POLE and rammed him face-first into the steps.
When Bret pitched him over the steel railing, he made Michaels taste it. It must have tasted like the Sloppy burger at Peel’s.
Officials, Commissioner Slaughter, and Vince then came to ringside while Michaels rammed Bret into the French broadcast table.
As Ross acknowledged that “everybody knows the backstage news,” Michaels rammed Bret face-first into the steps.
Ross then mentioned “speculation” that if Bret lost this match, then it would be his last in the WWF.

After Michaels tossed Bret over the steel railing, he made Bret taste it. Waiter, could you give the Canadian the Québécois please?
Michaels then attempted a piledriver in the front row; however, Bret countered with a back drop over the steel railing.
When Bret PUNTED Michaels way downtown, he countered another piledriver with a back drop on the concrete floor.
He then suplexed Michaels on the concrete floor, and Michaels responded by nailing Pat Patterson.
As Michaels rammed him and referee Tim White together, Bret provided Michaels with another taste of the steel railing. Oh, waiter, one more thing, could you give the degenerate a Montreal poutine please?
Bret then grabbed a fire extinguisher and SMASHED Michaels’ back with it.
After Vince pleaded with them to return to the ring, Bret OBLITERATED referee Jack Doan.

Before they returned to the ring, Bret offered Michaels one more bite of steel. Check, please!
Finally, referee Earl Hebner called for the bell to begin the match.
Much to the Montreal faithful’s delight, Bret choked Michaels with a Québécois flag.
Bret then delivered an inverted atomic drop, but Michaels rebounded with a flying forearm.
When Michaels hit a fist drop, he tossed Bret to the floor.
He then joined and hooked a front suplex onto the steps. OUCH!
As Michaels broke the flag pole bearing the Canadian flag, he nailed Bret with it.
He then mounted the top turnbuckle and hit a double axe handle.
After Bret countered a front face lock with a flapjack, Michaels raked the eyes to escape some leg psychology.
He then slammed Bret, mounted the top turnbuckle, and delivered a cross body block.
Conversely, Bret used momentum to land on top for 2.
He then rammed Michaels’ left knee into the ring post and hooked a ring post figure four leg lock.
When he pulled Michaels to the center of the ring, Bret applied a figure four leg lock.
Will Michaels submit?
Nope, he reversed it, and Bret quickly grabbed the bottom rope to escape.
As the Montreal faithful chanted “Bret,” their hero gave Michaels a cross corner whip that resulted in a Michaels flip.
He then hit a side-Russian leg sweep for 2.
After he suplexed Michaels, Bret got another 2.
He then delivered a backbreaker and mounted the top turnbuckle.
While Bret attempted an axe handle, Michaels pulled referee Earl Hebner in front of him.
Michaels then struggled yet hooked a Sharpshooter as Hebner unfathomably rose to his feet.
With Bret locked in his own hold, Hebner shockingly called for the bell.
As the bell rang, Bret countered the hold but quickly realized he’d been screwed.

WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

WHAT LED TO THIS SITUATION: According to different sources, on 10/21, Vince asked Bret to drop the title to Michaels at this PPV. Bret mentioned to Vince that Michaels had disrespected him the night before regarding putting each other over for the title. The tension caused Bret to think twice about putting over Michaels going forward including the PPV.

In addition, Vince cried poor and asked Bret to go to WCW. In reality, Vince had spoken to an investment firm about turning the WWF public, and they suggested getting unnecessary long-term assets off the books (e.g. Bret’s contract).

On one hand, WCW allegedly was going to announce on Nitro that Bret Hart had signed a contract. On the other hand, Vince, thanks to the Madusa incident in December of ‘95, needed to get the title off Bret before that happened.

WHAT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED: With a house show in Detroit on 11/8, the WWF flies Michaels in to beat Bret for the title due to inadvertent interference by the Hart Foundation. Additionally, have the Undertaker involved but not physically involved. Lest we forget, bring the WWF cameras to capture the whole thing.

For the PPV, the WWF still promotes a Michaels versus Bret match. To maintain the “anything can happen” mantra, the footage from Detroit airs at the beginning of the show with a NEW stipulation for the PPV main event. In this case, Bret distances himself from the Hart Foundation and loses a loser-leaves-town match by way of interference from a not-so-inadvertent chair shot by Undertaker. Prior to the pin fall, Undertaker looks directly into the camera and proclaims: “That’s payback, BITCH!”

After D-Generation X celebrates while leaving, Bret regains consciousness. To close the show, Bret offers his gratitude to his Canadian fans, promises his wrestling days aren’t over, and will continue being their hero if they want him to be.

I realize that’s two consecutive jobs (albeit neither is clean) to Michaels, but Bret MUST do what was right for business. Despite Michaels’ disrespect and Vince’s shadiness about company finances, Bret needs to be the better man. Ultimately, allowing him to bow out in Canada would maintain his heat there while giving the WWF a proper send-off.

Meanwhile back at the PPV, Hebner immediately hightails it backstage as Michaels’ music plays. Bret gets to his feet, takes one look at Vince, and SPITS IN HIS FACE. While HHH leads a purportedly angry new WWF champion backstage, the show abruptly leaves the air.

After the show, Bret not only tosses down the already-destroyed monitors from the Mankind explosion but also pantomimes “W-C-W" in the air to inform his Canadian brethren where to find him going forward. Backstage, he legitimately punches Vince in the face, yet Vince entirely expects it since he knows that he had screwed Bret over.

Conclusion: I would love to say that this show had nothing meaningful to it, yet I cannot. The ending of the main event became known as the “Montreal Screwjob.” While I won’t spoil future results, the effects of the screwjob in the wrestling world equate to the after-effects of a volatile earthquake. Expect the big nWo announcement on Nitro, but I’ll also have fallout from the screwjob within my RAW is WAR reflection.