Week 4, February 1997
Lawrence Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Attendance: 14,187
Announcers: Jim Ross, Jerry “The King” Lawler & Vince McMahon
Preshow
Match 1 - Latin Lover vs Leif Cassidy
Latin Lover goes one on one with Leif Cassidy in some pre-show action. Leif Cassidy picks up the win after hitting Latin Lover with a big slam. Not the best match, but for those who were not in the bathroom or getting food, it was good enough to keep people watching.
Winner: Leif Cassidy
Rating: 4/10
Match 2 - Tito Santana vs Cibernetico
Another match designed to simply keep people entertaining until the mainshow starts. Tito Santana goes against the up and comer Cibernetico. Tito veteran leadership was key to keeping this match together. Santana wins with a Figure Four Leglock.
Winner: Tito Santana
Rating: 4/10
Main Card
We started the show with Sycho Sid leading his new faction, The Asylum out to the ring. Sid starts off by introducing the audience and talking about each member. First, Vader. Sid talks about how he is so dangerous, so deranged that the WWF actually had to suspend him last year. Next, Mankind, a man who only gets stronger with pain. Finally, Sid talks about Paul Bearer. “The Bearer of Bad News...the man who brought this ragtag of misfits together.
After Sid introduces the group, Sid talks about why they banded together. Essentially, Sid says that The Asylum doesn’t fit the “mold” of what the WWF wants. They want their idols, they want their “sexy boys”, they want another “red and yellow hero”. Sid goes on to say that “Those days are DEAD. It is time for the lunatics, the crazies, the psychos, the real monsters of this world to take over.” Sid chuckles to himself as he looks straight into the camera.
“Undertaker, I know you are watching so I want you to listen closely. You screwed me out of the WWF Championship last night and you know...I should be mad. But the reality is, it doesn’t matter, because once you are eliminated. Once you are out of the picture. The Asylum will take any championship they want. They will headline any PPV they want. These people, whether they like it or not, will be cheering for us. The day of the Hero is over...and the day of the crazy has just begun!”
Paul Bearer then holds up a microphone and begins to speak. “Undertaker...we have known each other a long time. You know my in and outs. You know when I'm telling the truth or telling a lie.”
Bearer looks straight into the camera.
“Look into my eyes Undertaker and hear me when I say...please, for your safety… stay out of their way”.
Amazing segment. Sid did an incredible job on the microphone. Bearer, Mankind and Vader also all did very well. As I said with last night's PPV, I have a feeling that The Asylum is about to change everything.
Rating: 9/10
Before The Asylum can leave the ring, we hear the bell of The Undertaker. The lights go down, as The Undertaker heads out from behind the curtain. Undertaker tells The Asylum that even if they all band together, they will never be able to take him out because he is immortal and will always come back. Undertaker then tells Sid that if he wants to try to take him out though, he is more than welcome to give it a try...at WrestleMania.
Sid looks over and starts to laugh. “You're on Undertaker...on one condition...No Rules. I want a Street Fight.”
Undertaker looks over as he raises his microphone to his mouth. “Your On”.
And it is now official, Undertaker vs Sycho Sid in a Street Fight at WrestleMania.
Rating: 8/10
Opening Match: Ahmed Johnson and Goldust w/Marlena vs Owen Hart and British Bulldog
Pretty good match between four of the WWF’s brightest stars. Pretty chaotic and brutal match between these two teams. Wrestlers were being thrown into the barricade, stairs and the announcers table. Also there were multiple times when all four men were fighting at the same time. British Bulldog was the star of this match. Hart did great, but the nature of this type of chaotic match did not pair up perfectly with his style. During the match Faarooq came out to watch the match at the top of the ramp. At the finish, Ahmed nailed British Bulldog with the Pearl River Plunge as he stared at Faarooq. As Ahmed pinned the Bulldog he continued his stare. Johnson and Goldust pick up the victory.
Winner: Ahmed Johnson and Goldust
Rating: 8/10
After the match Ahmed Johnon gets on the microphone and demands that Faarooq give him a rematch since he cheated last night to win. Faarooq tells Ahmed that “This nation doesn’t give in to demands. I won and that’s the way it is. No rematch”.
Rating: 7/10
We get word from Jim Ross that something is happening outside in the parking lot. The camera cuts to the parking lot area where Jake “The Snake” Roberts is yelling at two arena security guards. Jake demands that he is to be let in. The security guard tells him that only WWF talent and staff are allowed past this point. Jake continues to argue as Harley Race is seen walking over.
“Do you know who this is? This is Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Let him in.”
The security guards quickly walk to the side after the order from Harley Race. Harley waves Jake Roberts as the two enter the backstage area.
Rating: 7/10
We cut back to the ring as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s music hits. Austin marches down to the ring with a microphone in hand.
“As most of you saw...last night I whooped the snot out of “The World's Most Dangerous Man’ Ken Shamrock. Now I have to give Mr. Shamrock a little bit of credit. He knew he was going to get his ass whooped and he still showed up, so I certainly appreciate that about the man. But I am not here to talk about Ken Shamrock. I am here to talk about WrestleMania. Now, I plan on having two matches at WrestleMania. First I will beat Bret Hart, and after that I am going to march into the Main Event and open a can of whoop ass on Shawn Michaels to become the WWF World Heavyweight Champion. Now, I don’t need any practice but President Race came to me earlier today and offered me a little warm up match...and although it isn’t needed… ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin doesn’t pass up on an opportunity to whoop someone’s ass. So hit my mystery man’s music and let's get this started.
Austin throws down the microphone as he gets ready in the ring. After about 15 seconds of waiting Bret “The Hitman” Hart’s music hits as the crowd goes wild. The announcer begins to speak.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, weighing in at 289lbs, please welcome back to the World Wrestling Federation, One Half of The Hart Foundation...Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart!”
Jim Neidhart then reveals himself to the crowd as the mystery opponent for Steve Austin. Austin can then be seen smiling as Neidhart runs down the ramp into the ring. As Neidhart slides in the ring Austin jumps on him immediately as the bell rings and the match begins.
Rating: 8/10
Match 2: Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart vs “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
No big surprise on who won this match. Austin ends up destroying the big man and ends up looking dominant. Not the return match Neidhart was hoping for I am sure. Austin wins it with the Stunner.
Winner: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Rating: 6/10
We head to the backstage area where Billy Gunn is standing with Dox Hendrix. Dox tells Billy that tonight he will have what most likely is the biggest match of his career so far as he goes one on one with Shawn Michaels. Gunn responds to Hendrix, telling him that he isn’t worried and tonight he will show the world why HBK isn’t man enough to hold that belt.
Decent segment from Billy Gunn and some good mic work from Hendrix. I highly doubt Gunn will get a victory over Michaels tonight, but this upcoming match could help WWF officials decide if he is ready to be elevated to the next level.
Rating: 7/10
We cut to see Bret Hart sitting on the bench in his locker room getting ready for his upcoming match when Jim Neidhart stormed into the room. Neidhart gives out a loud “Bret!” as Bret stands up and looks at Neidhart. Neidhart leans in and gives Bret a big, over the top, hug. After, Bret looks at Jim with a look of confusion on his face. Bret asks Jim what he is doing here and Jim tells Bret that Harley Race signed him to a brand new contract a couple days ago. Bret smiles at his old tag team partner and tells him that is great news. Bret asks Neidhart why he didn’t tell him and Jim simply says he wanted to make it a surprise. Bret sits back down and starts to lace his shoes. Neidhart says that he came back to help Bret and he will have his back no matter what. Neidhart puts a huge smile on his face as he looks around the locker room. Bret sneaks a look at Neidhart, does a deep breath, and goes back to his shoes.
Rating: 7/10
Match 3: Billy Gunn vs “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels
Even with Billy Gunn’s pre match interview, nobody truly expected Billy Gunn to win this. Gunn did get a decent amount of offense in the match, but outside of that he looked pretty poor out there. Gunn and Michaels timing was all over the place, and when Shawn Michaels can’t even make you look good, you know you struggled. Michaels wins at around the 8 minute mark with the Sweet Chin Music.
Winner: Shawn Michaels
Rating: 7/10
After the match, Jim Ross enters the ring and asks Michaels how he is going to prepare for his WrestleMania match, especially since he will not know who he is going to go against. Shawn says that he will simply have to prepare for both men and promises the fans that he will be ready. He tells Ross that, no matter who it is, it will be a tough match, “But I am excited for it no matter who it is”.
Rating: 8/10
Match 4: Furnas and LaFon w/Sunny vs The Asylum (Mankind and Vader) w/ Paul Bearer
Decent match between these two teams. Furnas and LaFon have been looking real good recently, but this match between two of the top guys in the WWF proved that they are not ready yet to be in main event matches. They have the talent but their characters are simply not there, which is ironic since their whole gimmick is simply, they don’t need a gimmick. Mankind and Vader looked fantastic out there as a team though too. If I didn’t know I would have guessed they have been a tag team for years. Curious to see if the WWF keeps them tagging together regularly or if they will still focus on singles careers. Mankind ends up winning it for his team after hitting LaFon with the Mandible Claw.
Winner: The Asylum
Rating: 7/10
We cut to a view of Harley Race’s office where Race and Roberts are sitting down laughing. Harley looks over to Jake and says “Well...it’s great to have you back aboard.” Roberts thanks him for the new contract as the two men shake hands.
Rating: 7/10
Howard Finkel is backstage with Goldust and Marlena. Finkel begins to speak.
“So Goldust, I...I...I want to know. I know you will be watching the main event match which will have Ricky Steamboat going against Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Will you be watching? It will be for the Intercontinental Title”.
Goldust looks over and responds.
“Howard Finkel...I will be watching that match very closely. If Ricky wins it will be an honor to take the title from him at WrestleMania. If Hunter wins...well it will stay a singles match and I will just have to beat him...and beating him will not be an honor, it will be...pure rage.” Goldust and Marlena then walk out of the camera frame.
Honestly, I expected so much more between these two. Finkel was very awkward. Saying I multiple times, and stating twice that Goldust will be watching. Goldust on the other hand, looked like he had no idea what he was going to say. Not sure if Finkel messed something up or if Goldust was just lost. Either way, the segment could have been way better.
Rating: 6/10
Match 5: Bret “The Hitman” Hart w/Jim Neidhart vs Ken Shamrock
For a match that was clearly designed to advance some storylines, this match ended up being really good. Shamrock and Bret just gel together when it comes to the match. Hopefully when Shamrock is a bigger name these two will get a chance to Main Event a PPV together because I know they will be able to tear down the house. We finished the match after Jake “The Snake” Roberts came out to distract Ken Shamrock. Bret and the Referee end up getting distracted by Roberts as well. When all three men are facing Roberts, Jim Neidhart sneaks in and nails Shamrock in the back of the head with some metal objects. Once Hart and the referee turn around they see Shamrock laying there. Both men look confused as Bret gets on the 2nd rope and hits the laying Shamrock with an elbow. Bret pins Shamrock for the three count.
Winner: Bret “The Hitman” Hart
Rating: 8/10
After the match we see Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat who is staring into the camera. The Dragon says that one of his goals when coming back to the WWF was to become Intercontinental Champion once again. Ricky thanks Gorilla Monsoon for putting a guarantee title shot in his contract and fully plans to wake out Intercontinental Champion.
Rating: 7/10
After Steamboat, we go back to Bret Hart’s locker room as Neidhart is celebrating Brets win. Ken Shamrock then comes in and asks Bret “What the hell that was all about”? Neidhart starts to laugh obnoxiously as Shamrock starts to get fired up. Bret looks over to Neidhart with a look of “Cut it out”, as Neidhart stops laughing. Bret looks over at Ken and shrugs his shoulders a little bit. “I’m sorry kid but that’s just the way it is... Welcome to the WWF.”
Shamrock shakes his head in anger as he storms off. Neidhart starts to laugh again. Not the greatest segment, but let’s be honest, none of these men are really known for their charisma. Bret Hart did get a big pop from the crowd though when he said “Welcome to the WWF”.
Rating: 7/10
Main Event: Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs Hunter Hearst Helmsley w/Mabel
Intercontinental Title Match
Decent match to end RAW, although for the Main Event I would have expected a lot better. Steamboat looked great out there, although I am not sure Hunter is quite ready to be at the main event level. Hunter still has a lot of growing to do before he can be Main Eventing shows week after week. Hunter though did end up winning the match, cleanly too, which should help with his image.
Winner and STILL WWF Intercontinental Champion: Hunter Hearst Helmsley
Rating: 8/10
After the match Hunter hits Ricky Steamboat with a pedigree as he stands tall over his beaten body holding the Intercontinental Championship. Mabel comes in the ring as he raises Hunter’s arm in victory. Hunter can be overheard yelling something along the lines of being the best, as we fade to black and the show comes to an end.
Rating: 7/10
Overall Show Rating: 7/10
After one of the best PPV’s in recent memory, and only a few weeks away of what is the biggest show of the year, RAW ended up being very… okay. The undercard was very good, but unfortunately the Main Event was a let down, compared to what a Main Event could be. WWF went big with Hunter tonight, and it simply did not pay off.
