Rewriting History

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

These are great, I'm enjoying these.

 

I noticed no McMahon this far?

[The Mandarin 0]

These are great, I'm enjoying these.

 

I noticed no McMahon this far?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Mike Tyson's appearance is the show after the Royal Rumble. You never know.

[Guest Arnold_OldSchool]

Big Van Vader defeated Taka Michinoku and 2 Cold Scorpio in a handicap match after Taka accidentally hit an enziguri on Scorpio, allowing Vader to squash them both. (1:44) After the match, Taka and Scorpio argued.

 

Taka vs. Scorpio for the new WWF Light Heavyweight Title

 

 

Pushing the Light Wts as well as the real WWF I see

[hitman2003 0]

The Light heavyweight's will get a better push then what the real WWF gave them over time.

[Guest JMA]

The Light heavyweight's will get a better push then what the real WWF gave them over time.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Indeed. We plan to make the most of the division.

[Guest jm29195]

Is To Cold Scorpio a lightweight, I mean he's a pretty heavy dude, or are you doing an X Division thing where it's not how big you are but whether or not you can work the style?

[Aero 0]

I've been loving the build in the Bret-HBK feud since Survivor Series, but are both guys still heels? I think HBK obviously is, but is Bret still anti-USA, or is he supposed to be cheered?

[Rendclaw 0]

I think the weight limit for Light Heavyweight was 235 lbs, and I think at that point in his career, 2 Cold was at or near that weight.

[hitman2003 0]

I've been loving the build in the Bret-HBK feud since Survivor Series, but are both guys still heels? I think HBK obviously is, but is Bret still anti-USA, or is he supposed to be cheered?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

At this point, all of the Hart Foundation members are tweeners. When they're feuding with DX, they're cheered by most of the fans. But when they're feuding with anyone else, they're booed.

 

 

I think that 2 Cold Scorpio was still small enough that he could still be considered a light heavyweight. Kinda like Matt Hardy was in 2003.

[hitman2003 0]

1998 Royal Rumble

San Jose, California

January 18, 1998

 

Free-For-All match: The Quebecers defeated The New Blackjacks (5:29) when Pierre pinned Bradshaw. After the match, Bradshaw & Barry Windham argued over their loss.

 

Pay-Per-View matches:

- Taka Michinoku pinned 2 Cold Scorpio (13:53) to win the WWF Light heavyweight title in the tournament finals. ***

 

- a highlight video aired. The video showcased how competitive the tag team division has been lately.

 

- WWF tag team Champions The New Age Outlaws defeated The Headbangers (8:47) when Billy Gunn pinned Thrasher. **

 

- WWF Intercontinental Champion The Rock pinned Ahmed Johnson (10:52) after a “Rock Bottom.” * ½

 

- A video package highlighting the entire Bret Hart-Shawn Michaels feud. Immediately after, Bret Hart is interviewed by Michael Cole. The Hitman says that this will not be his final match in the WWF, and that he will once again be crown the WWF Champion. In the interview he brings up the fact that the first ever ladder match in the WWF was between himself and Shawn Michaels. He states that he defeated Michaels in that match, and he would do it again tonight.

 

- Bret Hart defeated WWF Champion Shawn Michaels (27:42) in a “Ladder” match to regain the title. **** ½

 

- Just before the Royal Rumble match began, Michael Cole interviewed Mike Tyson. He was shown sitting with Vince & Shawn McMahon in one of the skyboxes.

 

- Steve Austin won a 30-man Royal Rumble match by last eliminating The Rock (62:49).

 

Order of entry:

#1 Brian Pillman

#2 The Patriot

#3 Cactus Jack

#4 Henry Godwinn

#5 WWF Intercontinental Champion The Rock

#6 Ahmed Johnson

#7 Doug Furnas

#8 Terry Funk

#9 Crush

#10 Marc Mero

#11 Owen Hart

#12 Mark Henry

#13 Skull

#14 Phil LaFon

#15 Jeff Jarrett

#16 The Undertaker (Undertaker eliminated several wrestlers immediately. Kane then came to ring and attacked his brother and caused his elimination.)

#17 Kama Mustafa

#18 Ken Shamrock

#19 Davey Boy Smith

#20 8-Ball

#21 Steve Austin

#22 Phinneas Godwinn

#23 D’Lo Brown

#24 Ron Simmons

#25 Big Van Vader

#26 Steve Blackman

#27 Goldust

#28 Chainz

#29 Jerry Lawler

#30 WWF Television Champion Triple H

[ryankeast 0]

Wohoo!! Bret V Austin at Wrestlemania.

 

Bit unsure though why it is being biled a DX-Rated without Shawn Michaels in the Main Event? Unless of course it is a three way. Or he could regain it before I suppose?

[hitman2003 0]

The DX-Rated thing is basically Shawn talking. As of right now the main event will be Bret v. Austin for the WWF title. However, we're still 2 months away from the show, so anything can happen

[The Mandarin 0]

WWF Raw

Fresno, CA

January 19, 1998

 

Paul Bearer came out to the ring to start the show. He bragged about what Kane had done to the Undertaker the previous night, "single-handedly eliminating him" from the Royal Rumble. He said the Undertaker was a gullible fool and that Kane would now focus all of his attention on destroying his brother. Luckily for the Undertaker, Kane wasn't in the building later on in the evening-- the lights went out and the Undertaker made his entrance. He got in the ring and Paul Bearer began to scream at him. Bearer said that what Kane did was a little bit of retribution for Undertaker's stupid mistake of killing their parents and burning down their house. Undertaker grabbed Bearer by the throat when Bret Hart's music hit. Undertaker eventually turned his attention to the stage as Paul Bearer escaped and left the arena. Bret and the rest of the Hart Foundation came out to the stage. Bret showed off his WWF World Title before getting on the mic. Bret said that he was now WWF Champion for the fifth time and said nobody else could match that record. Bret gloated about how Shawn Michaels has several stitches in his head because of him. He went on to explain what he was doing out there. He said that last night, during the Royal Rumble match, Undertaker gave Bret's loving brother Owen a black eye. The camera zoomed in on the ugly welt on Owen's face. Bret said that Undertaker's now due a "receipt" and that would come tonight. Hart explained that he was challenging the Dead Man to a match, one-on-one because that just shows what kind of a champion he is- a real one. Bret offered to even make the match a no-DQ match so that this time, the chair that gets smashed over the Undertaker's skull would be legal. Undertaker got the mic and said Bret would "rest in peace". WWF Raw had a main event for the evening.

 

After the commercial break, JR said that Sgt. Slaughter just let him know that the Hart Foundation was barred from ringside for tonight's non-title main event.

 

WWF Lightheavyweight Champion Taka Michinoku pinned 2 Cold Scorpio in a title rematch from the Royal Rumble after he hit a Michinoku Driver. (5:03) After the match, 2 Cold Scorpio raised Taka's hand. JR put over the division.

 

The announcers went into detail about how Kane "screwed" The Undertaker at the Royal Rumble, getting on the ring apron and helping the Hart Foundation eliminate him from the Rumble match. Afterwards, Kane beat his brother into a bloody pulp. Kane wasn't here tonight, but Undertaker could get some sort of redemption in a no-DQ match with Bret Hart later this evening.

 

Sgt. Slaughter's Tag Team Rankings

CHAMPIONS- New Age Outlaws

1) Headbangers

2) Terry Funk/Cactus Jack

3) Doug Furnas/Phil LaFon

4) Quebecers

5) Godwinns

No change in the rankings since the previous week.

 

The Headbangers said they were cheated out of a title victory the previous night. They asked Sgt. Slaughter for a second match. He agreed because they were still the number one contenders, but this would be their last title opportunity for a while.

 

Goldust defeated Vader after a schoolboy to earn a WWF Television Title shot the next week. (4:12) The announcers said it was a huge upset. Vader got up and gave a lariat to Goldust before pushing Earl Hebner down to the mat. Vader stormed up the ramp.

 

Shawn Michaels and WWF Television Champion Triple H had a vignette aired. In it, Michaels and Triple H were very serious. Michaels said that he couldn't end Bret Hart's career by beating him at the Royal Rumble, so he'd have to find another way to do it.

 

Cactus Jack and Terry Funk defeated The New Blackjacks after Cactus hit a DDT on Bradshaw. (3:22)

 

After the commercial break, the Blackjacks were still in the ring. Windham and Bradshaw argued until Bradshaw turned around and tried to leave the ring, allowing Windham to attack him. Windham then gave Bradshaw a stiff clothesline. JR said that the New Blackjacks were "over".

 

Davey Boy Smith cut a backstage promo about what an awful person Steve Austin was. Coincidentally, Steve Austin also eliminated Davey Boy from the Royal Rumble the previous night.

 

A vignette was aired with Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton being surrounded by legions of adoring female fans while hyping the return of the "Rock and Roll Express".

 

WWF Intercontinental Champion The Rock came out to the ring with D'Lo Brown. Rocky said that he only lost the Rumble match because he had to wrestle two matches in one evening. Rock then said his Nation teammate D'Lo Brown would be facing a man that The Rock eliminated from the Rumble the previous evening, Ken Shamrock.

 

Ken Shamrock defeated D'Lo Brown when he tapped out to the Anklelock. (3:12) After the match, The Rock taunted Shamrock at ringside.

 

WWF Tag Team Champions The New Age Outlaws defeated The Headbangers to retain the titles when Gunn hit a slingshot suplex on Thrasher. (4:11) After the match, Terry Funk and Mick Foley came out on the stage and said that they were now the #1 Contenders for the Tag Titles; they said they'd fight them in two weeks in Indianapolis. The Outlaws feigned being scared.

 

JR said that Triple H would defend his WWF Television Title the next week against Goldust, and The Rock and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin would do battle.

 

When Raw came back, Vince McMahon was in the ring with several members of WWF staff. Vince proudly said that he was here tonight to announce WWF's WrestleMania main event. It would be WWF World Champion Bret Hart vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, with special guest referee, "The Baddest Man on the Planet", Mike Tyson! Mike Tyson then came out with his entourage. He shook hands with Vince and said that he would call the main event of WrestleMania right down the middle. The glass shattered, and Steve Austin came to the ring. Vince took the mic and said "not now, please". Austin told Vince not to worry, because he was just greeting Mike Tyson. Steve Austin introduced himself as "'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, the real baddest son-of-a-bitch on the planet". Austin said that Tyson would have to get a new gimmick before WrestleMania. Austin said that he won the Royal Rumble and his "prize" will be seeing "Mike Tyson's ugly face" call him the new World Wrestling Federation champion. Austin said that wasn't a very good prize at all. Austin then stated that if the fans thought "Tyson bites" they could give him a "Hell Yeah". Austin then told Vince McMahon to get this "jackass" out of his ring. Vince McMahon got very angry and said that this is an important night for the WWF and that Steve Austin was ruining it. McMahon told Austin to "get the hell out out of here". Austin was about to say something when Tyson took the mic and told Stone Cold to have more respect for his boss and for Mike Tyson. Austin then said he had something else for Mike Tyson and flipped him off. Tyson then pushed Austin. Austin pounced on him and  they traded blows on the mat before it was broken up by officials. McMahon began screaming that Austin "ruined it". McMahon followed Tyson around apoligizing as Austin was led from the arena.

 

Backstage, Mike Tyson and his entourage were furious. Vince McMahon tried to apologize, saying that Austin was "ignorant" and "wanted all the spotlight". Vince told Mike Tyson that he'd make sure this wouldn't happen again as Tyson got into a limo and left.

 

WWF World Champion Bret Hart wrestled the The Undertaker to a no-contest in a non-title No-DQ match after Kane showed up, chokeslammed Undertaker and rolled him into a coffin that Undertaker had tried to use during the match. (12:24) After the match, Kane dragged the casket to the back while Bret celebrated.

[Guest Frank_Nabbit]

So is the WWF winning the Monday Night Wars in your World, or is RAW still #2?

[The Mandarin 0]

WWF Raw

Davis, CA

January 26, 1998

 

JR said that the previous week was one of the wildest nights in WWF history but they had some disastrous footage of the end result of the Bret/Undertaker match from the previous week. JR said that the footage they had of what Kane did to the Undertaker last week after locking him in a casket was disturbing, violent, psychotic and possibly the most disgusting act in WWF history. JR said it would not be mentioned again until 10 PM, when they could show it. From this point, disclaimers ran throughout the show that parents should take precaution in letting their children watch tonight's program.

 

JR hyped Steve Blackman getting an upset victory over Ron Simmons on the previous week's "Shotgun Saturday Night", but said the Nation went too far with the group beatdown afterwards. However, Blackman would get his revenge now by teaming with Ken Shamrock vs. D'Lo Brown and Kama Mustafa. Also, Bret Hart vs. Vader in the main event of the evening.

 

D'Lo Brown and Kama Mustafa beat Ken Shamrock and Steve Blackman after The Rock interfered. (4:42) After the match, The Rock backed up the aisle until he bumped into Ahmed Johnson. Johnson pulverized the Rock on the ramp until Ron Simmons and Mark Henry interfered. Simmons and the Rock then suplexed Johnson on the ramp. JR said The Rock would get what was coming to him when he faced Steve Austin later in the evening. The announcers then put over the media coverage that the Austin/Tyson incident got last week.

 

Backstage, D-X was shown entering the building.

 

Cactus Jack beat WWF Tag Team Champion Road Dogg after a DDT. (4:53) After the match, Billy Gunn tried to attack Cactus but was scared off by Terry Funk. Jack and Funk celebrated after the match. JR said that the next week, the WWF might have new Tag Team Champions.

 

Another Rock and Roll Express vignette was aired.

 

Sgt. Slaughter's Tag Team Rankings

CHAMPIONS- New Age Outlaws

1) Terry Funk/Cactus Jack

2) Doug Furnas/Phil LaFon

3) Quebecers

4) Kama Mustafa/D'Lo Brown

5) Godwinns

 

Steve Austin pinned WWF Intercontinental Champion The Rock in a non-title match after the "Stone Cold" Stunner. (8:19) Davey Boy Smith came out and did commentary during the match. He said Austin showed no respect to Vince McMahon or Mike Tyson the previous week, and that was an "embarassment". He said Bret will outsmart and outwrestle Steve Austin at WrestleMania. After the match, Austin wandered over to the commentary booth where he and Davey Boy had words. Davey Boy walked off through the crowd instead of confronting Austin. Smith had a grin on his face as he left.

 

JR said Barry Windham would meet ex-tag team partner Bradshaw on that weekend's edition of Shotgun Saturday Night.

 

10:05 Eastern Time came and footage was shown of Kane's assault on The Undertaker. After locking The Undertaker in a casket, Kane dragged the coffin to the backstage area and proceeded to smash into it with a sledgehammer while The Undertaker still remained inside, screaming. After two swings of the hammer, security came and it took several people to tackle him to the ground, who then arrested him. The Undertaker was hopitalized with non-serious injuries to his abdomen and legs, but had already checked out. JR said even more disturbing was the fact that Undertaker would not respond to officers who wanted to get him to press charges. For this heinous, irresponsible and potentially life threatening act, Kane was suspended from the WWF until Undertaker was able to return to action.

 

Paul Bearer walked to the ring. He said that he would be speaking on behalf of Kane tonight. He gushed with joy over how Kane had brutally assaulted Undertaker. He said that Kane had been waiting to do this to his brother ever since he started the horrible fire that nearly claimed his life. The time was finally right last week, as the whole world watched. There was more of that to come, Bearer said, as when Undertaker was able to return, Kane would put him out of wrestling-- for good.

 

The Quebecers won a four corners tag team match over the Headbangers, Doug Furnas and Phil LaFon and The Godwinns after Pierre pinned Henry O. Godwinn. (5:12) All the tag teams kept brawling after the match until it was split up.

 

Backstage, Triple H asked Sgt. Slaughter why he had to defend his Television Title that evening. Hunter said he wasn't going to do it, and that was it. Slaughter told him to give him the belt. Triple H wouldn't do it. Slaughter tried to grab the belt from him and Triple H held on to it. During the struggle, Triple H made it look like he was about to spit in Slaughter's face. Slaughter then slapped Helmsley very hard. Triple H stopped, laughed it off and took his title away. Triple H said that Slaughter was "a very stupid man". Slaughter told him to get out of his sight.

 

WWF Television Champion Triple H (with Shawn Michaels and Chyna) pinned Goldust after a Pedigree. (4:38) The announcers said Triple H was "embarassed" at the hands of Sgt. Slaughter. Goldust was selling the effects of Vader's lariat during the match. Goldust was visibly frustrated after the loss.

 

Shawn Michaels and Triple H found their "friends", the New Age Outlaws backstage. Michaels asked them if they'd "like to earn some money".

 

Aguila defeated 2 Cold Scorpio after a corkscrew moonsault. (6:18) Lightheavyweight Champion Taka Michinoku watched the match at ringside and applauded both men.

 

Bret Hart cut a promo on Vader. He said that he would embarass "fatty Vader" tonight. He then said if D-X wanted to stick their nose in the Hart Foundation's business again, then the Hart Foundation would "ruin" them.

 

JR said backstage, Sgt. Slaughter was holding a conference with members of the tag team division.

 

WWF World Champion Bret Hart pinned Big Van Vader when Owen made a distraction allowing Bret to get him in a rollup with his feet on the ropes. (5:13) After the match, Vader attacked the referee. At this point, D-Generation X and the Outlaws came out from the crowd with chairs and fists wrapped in chains. They hit the ring and attacked Bret and Owen. Davey Boy Smith and Brian Pillman made the save, with Pillman attacking Chyna instead of joining the fracas in the ring. Cops ran out of the crowd to pull Pillman off the defenseless Chyna. Triple H was livid and went after Pillman until he was held back. At this point, the tag team division ran out with Sgt. Slaughter to stop the Vader/Harts/Michaels & the Outlaws melee that was taking place in the ring. At the end of it, Brian Pillman had been arrested, Chyna was down on the outside and the referee was unconcious and bloody. The Outlaws escaped earlier on in the fight while Michaels, Hunter, Vader, Bret, Owen and Davey Boy all had to be subdued. JR said that it was the wildest night in the history of Raw before the show went off the air.

[Guest *KNK*]

Something I was wondering and I should look back, What happened to Neidhart?

[Guest JMA]

So is the WWF winning the Monday Night Wars in your World, or is RAW still #2?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Interesting question. Let's say that Nitro is still winning...for now.

[hitman2003 0]

The way that we've done things, WCW is still winning the Monday Night War at this point. However, their lead isn't nearly as big as it really was back then.

 

Over the previous year, their lead has gotten smaller and smaller.

[The Mandarin 0]

WWF Raw

Indianapolis, IN

February 2, 1998

 

JR was in the ring when the show opened. JR said, D-Generation X (Triple H, Shawn Michaels) and members of the Hart Foundation (Owen, Bret) had been barred from the building for a week while Vader was issued a warning, fined 10,000 and suspended for two weeks without pay. Tonight, WWF would have a "zero-tolerance" policy and all superstars had been given warnings. JR hyped NAO vs. Funk and Foley for the Tag Titles as the main event.

 

Sgt. Slaughter's Tag Team Rankings

CHAMPIONS- New Age Outlaws

1) Terry Funk/Cactus Jack

2) Quebecers

3) Doug Furnas/Phil LaFon

4) Kama Mustafa/D'Lo Brown

5) Headbangers

 

The Headbangers defeated Kama Mustafa and D'Lo Brown after Thrasher pinned Brown. (4:39) On commentary, JR said due to recent controversy over the tag team rankings, the WWF's top 10 tag teams would be involved in a battle royal at No Way Out. The winners would then be locked to get Tag Team Title shots at WrestleMania XIV.

 

In another update from the previous week's Raw episode, Chyna was out several weeks with a concussion while ref Earl Hebner was taking the week off to recover from bruises suffered during Vader's assault. Also, tonight Brian Pillman would be making his final appearance for the World Wrestling Federation. Pillman brutally assaulted Chyna from behind, something that the board of directors deemed unacceptable. Pillman's erratic behaviour in previous months indicated that something has gone terribly wrong in the young athelete's mind and he was only a liability to the WWF talent and staff. JR also said there would be another update on D-X and the Hart Foundation later in the evening.

 

Barry Windham and Bradshaw brawled to a double-DQ on Saturday Night Shotgun. They would do battle again, this time on pay-per-view at No Way Out.

 

A Barry Windham vignette was shown, in which he blamed Bradshaw for the downfall of the Blackjacks and said that he was better off without him. He vowed to beat him at No Way Out and said he'd go on to bigger and better things.

 

In his final WWF match, "Loose Cannon" Brian Pillman pinned 2 Cold Scorpio after a neckbreaker. (6:13) After the match, Pillman asked for a mic and wasn't given one. He then ripped off a turnbuckle and left.

 

Michael Cole interviewed Goldust backstage. Goldust cut a promo on Vader, calling him a "bully" and blaming him for his bad neck. Goldust said revenge would be sweet, and challenged him to a match at No Way Out when he would be allowed back into the WWF.

 

Triple H found Sgt. Slaughter and mocked him. Hunter said that he had heard about Slaughter being punished for his "assault" on him last week. Hunter asked him how "Big Vince" took it. Slaughter told him to shut up and get out of the building. Slaughter said he'd have an important announcement concerning Hunter that he'd have to watch from his hotel. Triple H said Slaughter's dictatorship would soon end. Sarge said he was going to call security if Hunter didn't soon leave. Hunter left, but not before taunting Slaughter more.

 

JR said he couldn't believe Triple H flew himself to Indiana just to say that to Sgt. Slaughter. He said that he has some sort of a grudge against the high-ranking WWF official.

 

WWF Intercontinental Champion The Rock defeated Steve Blackman in a non-title match after the Rock Bottom. (5:21) After the match, NOD attempted a beatdown but Ahmed Johnson and Ken Shamrock made the save. The Rock got on the mic and declared that "World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry would fight Ken Shamrock the next week.

 

JR said there were no updates from either Kane or The Undertaker. Last time they heard, Undertaker was still recuperating, while Kane was still suspended.

 

Cactus Jack and Terry Funk cut a backstage promo. Cactus said that they had worked their way up the tag team ranks to take the only thing the Outlaws have going for them- the Tag Team Titles. Jack said they'd extract revenge later in the evening when they took their pride, their blood and their belts.

 

Doug Furnas, Phil LaFon and Jeff Jarrett (with Jim Cornette) defeated Crush, Skull and 8-Ball when Cornette's racket attack didn't work but Jarrett's guitar attack on Skull did. (4:52)

 

Too Much cut a short promo about beating Taka Michinoku.

 

WWF Lightheavyweight Champion Taka Michinoku defeated Brian Christopher by disqualification when Scott Taylor interfered. (2:13) Too Much did a beatdown but Aguila made the save for the champ. Jerry Lawler complained.

 

JR said that the evening was going smoothly thus far. He also said that Mike Tyson was still confirmed for WrestleMania XIV, but now Austin had two enemies in the ring at the PPV.

 

Steve Austin's music hit and he called for Davey Boy Smith to come out. Austin said that he understood that Davey Boy was talking trash about him on commentary the previous week. He asked Smith to come out so he could tell him something to his face. Davey Boy came into the ring. He bluntly told Austin that he was a disgrace to the WWF and that he hated his guts. Smith challenged Austin to a match at No Way Out, which was accepted. It got even more heated before Austin took off his vest and took a swing at him, but Davey Boy ducked and bailed. Smith laughed at Austin as he backed up the ramp.

 

Sgt. Slaughter briefly came out to the ring to discuss the No Way Out card. He said that as a result of their long and bloody feud, Bret and Owen Hart would team up to face Shawn Michaels and Hunter Hearst Helmsley at No Way Out of Texas in a "Texas Tornado" Match. Slaughter said it might be the final chapter of the Bret vs. Shawn rivalry. The contract signing would take place the next week in Evansville.

 

JR went over what was already confirmed for No Way Out. D-X vs. Bret/Owen, Austin vs. Bulldog, Goldust vs. Vader, Bradshaw vs. Windham, 10 Team Battle Royal plus more still to be announced.

 

WWF World Tag Team Champions The New Age Outlaws wrestled Cactus Jack and Terry Funk to a double-countout. Outlaws retained the title. (14:38) Jack and Funk were led out of the ring then couldn't make it back in in time to They were very distraught with their loss, but after a brief pause, continued with their attack on the Tag Champions. They fought on top of the ramp and brought a dumpster out from behind the curtain. Their plans for the dumpster were foiled as the Outlaws got them inside the dumpster and pushed it off the side of the stage to the floor. The Outlaws walked away without looking back. The dumpster was over on its side and Vince McMahon, Slaughter and other staff and wrestlers rushed to the scene. Raw went off the air with the health of the challengers still in question.

[Guest *KNK*]

I'm really curious to see how WMXIV sets up.

 

Saddened to see Pillman be taken off but I suppose it was for best since there wasn't much left to do with him.

 

Excellent work

[Guest jm29195]

Saddened to see Pillman be taken off but I suppose it was for best since there wasn't much left to do with him.

 

 

 

Is this really the end for Pillman though, I can't see the 'Loose Cannon' just walking away like that personally....

[Guest *KNK*]

Saddened to see Pillman be taken off but I suppose it was for best since there wasn't much left to do with him.

 

 

 

Is this really the end for Pillman though, I can't see the 'Loose Cannon' just walking away like that personally....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I could see Pillman attacking Chyna again setting up a "non-scantioned" match against Triple H @ Mania.

 

However, Im thinking they were just wanting to phase Pillman out since it would be kind of hard to pretend what would have happened had he lived...going 6 months beyond is one thing but to just have him lingering about prolly would be a little difficult to do.

 

Besides in real life, Pillman was nearing the end. At least as a wrestler anyways.

[ryankeast 0]

Again another great RAW pulled off without a lot of the big stars.

 

1998 is shaping up to be an interesting year.

[Guest JMA]

Again another great RAW pulled off without a lot of the big stars.

 

1998 is shaping up to be an interesting year.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's only going to get better.

[The Mandarin 0]

Sorry for not posting a new show yesterday. I will, however, have a new Raw for later tonight.

[hitman2003 0]

WWF Raw

Evansville, IN

February 9, 1998

 

The show began with JR announcing that Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Owen Hart and Bret Hart were all back and two of them would be in action that evening. Also, an update on Cactus Jack and Terry Funk after the incident the previous week. Tonight's Raw was rated TV-MA because during the D-X/Hart Foundation contract signing, some "intense" things would be said when both teams had a chance to speak.

 

Sgt. Slaughter's Tag Team Rankings

CHAMPIONS- New Age Outlaws

1) Terry Funk/Cactus Jack

2) Quebecers

3) Doug Furnas/Phil LaFon

4) Headbangers

5) Kama Mustafa/D'Lo Brown

 

Ken Shamrock cut a promo for himself, Steve Blackman and Ahmed Johnson saying they'd rid the WWF of the Nation of Domination.

 

Ken Shamrock (with Steve Blackman and Ahmed Johnson) defeated Mark Henry by tap-out to the Ankle Lock. (4:29) After the match, The Rock ran in and he delivered a Rock Bottom to Shamrock while the NOD held Blackman and Ahmed at bay. The Rock gloated after the match and slapped the downed Shamrock across the face with the strap of his Intercontinental Title Belt.

 

JR announced that Sgt. Slaughter had given word for the New Age Outlaws to be in the building this evening. He then said they would find out who their opponents for the pay-per-view were later in the night.

 

Backstage, the Quebecers argued with Sgt. Slaughter that they should get the tag team title shot. Slaughter said he had another team in mind, but the Quebecers could still challenge for the titles at WrestleMania XIV, that is, if they would stop complaining and get ready for the battle royal. The Quebecers sucked up to Slaughter afterwards and thanked him for the opportunity.

 

D'Lo Brown, Doug Furnas, Jacques Rougeau and Ricky Morton (with their tag team partners) defeated Thrasher, 8-Ball, Crush and Henry Godwinn (accompanied by their tag team partners) when Ricky Morton pinned Crush. (12:58) After the match, the Godwinns argued with the DOA which incited a 16-man argument that Sgt. Slaughter had to rush out and stop. Too Much did commentary during this match since they'll be the ninth team in the Battle Royal. The announcers didn't know who the tenth team would be. Too Much hyped their match (against Aguila and Taka Michinoku) for later in the evening.

 

Backstage, the Rock and Roll Express asked Sgt. Slaughter who the "Mystery Team" would be. He wouldn't say.

 

Backstage, Triple H and Shawn Michaels were discussing their behavior during the contract signing later that evening. At that moment, Triple H saw Steve Austin go by a short distance away. He blurted out Austin's name, which got his attention. Triple H then sent a "crotch chop" in his direction and Austin started muttering and heading in their direction. D-X ran into their locker room snickering. Austin went after them, only to run into Davey Boy Smith. Smith rudely asked Austin if he would kindly not attack him in his match later in the evening. Austin said he wouldn't and walked off. Smith seemed confused.

 

WWF Television Champion Triple H defeated Davey Boy Smith by disqualification in a non-title match after Steve Austin interfered and gave Triple H the "Stone Cold Stunner". (8:30) Smith blindsided Austin and then dove out of the ring before Austin could retaliate. JR said their match would be Stone Cold's kind of brawl at the pay-per-view.

 

Owen Hart (with Bret Hart) defeated Bradshaw by submission putting him in the Sharpshooter. (6:29) Before the match, a masked assailant, who turned out to be Barry Windham, attacked Bradshaw with a chair. Afterwards, Owen and Bret waited around for the contract signing in the next segment.

 

After the commercial break, a table was set up in the ring and the Hart Foundation was waiting there with Sgt. Slaughter. D-Generation X (without Chyna) headed to the ring and Sgt. Slaughter was going to get all four men to sign the contract. Sgt. Slaughter asked D-Generation X if they had anything to say. Shawn Michaels then cut a profane and rude promo while standing right over Bret Hart. Bret didn't look at him once during his five-minute speech. Michaels said Bret was not the charismatic champion the WWF needed said nasty things about Bret Hart's wife, brothers and parents. After he was done, Slaughter offered the mic to Bret. Bret was about to say something until Owen snatched the mic away from him. Owen then cut one of the foulest promos ever on WWF TV. It went on for about thirty seconds (fifteen of which were censored) until Slaughter took the microphone away from him. Owen, Michaels, Bret and Triple H then had a stare down until Sgt. Slaughter made them sign the papers. Shawn Michaels kicked a chair in the direction of Owen. D-X then stormed out of the ring and to the back quickly after signing.

 

It was announced that Undertaker had been medically cleared to return to action, but had not shown up in Evansville. However, Kane would be allowed to make his return at No Way Out.

 

Aguila and Taka Michinoku defeated Too Much when Taka pinned Scott Taylor. (5:18) Aguila argued with Taka about a blind tag that occurred earlier in the match, but Taka walked off. They'll fight at the pay-per-view.

 

Backstage, The Outlaws argued with Sgt. Slaughter that they pushed Cactus Jack and Terry Funk off the stage in a dumpster in order to defend themselves. Slaughter said they'd find out who the new #1 Contenders would be once they were in the ring.

 

JR went into shill mode about No Way Out. 10-Team Battle Royal for the #1 Contendership. Taka vs. Aguila for the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship. Barry Windham vs. Bradshaw. , just announced-- WWF Intercontinental Champion The Rock, Ron Simmons and Kama Mustafa vs. Ahmed Johnson, Steve Blackman and Ken Shamrock, Big Van Vader vs. Goldust, Austin vs. Davey Boy, D-Generation X vs. Hart Foundation. Plus, WWF Tag Team Titles, New Age Outlaws versus opponents yet to be named.

 

The New Age Outlaws came to the ring where JR was waiting for them. Road Dogg did a long introduction of themselves, the Tag Team Champions. The Outlaws cut a promo on Terry Funk and Cactus Jack. They called them old, washed up and out of shape and said they deserved to have that "unfortunate accident" end their careers. Road Dogg said that the Outlaws were the future of the WWF and that "old people" were just a cancer to the business. They then demanded to know from JR who their opponents were for the Tag Titles at No Way Out. They started naming a bunch of teams, all of which JR said no to. JR asked them to let him name the team, but they kept yelling names like "Headshrinkers" and "Men on a Mission" in his face. They eventually got ticked off and grabbed JR and were going to rough him up until Terry Funk and Cactus Jack showed up in bandages to make the save. They beat them up until the Outlaws bailed. Afterwards, Cactus got on the mic and said that Cactus Jack and Terry Funk would be fighting them at the pay-per-view. And it would be a Dumpster Match! The Outlaws looked very frightened as the show ended.

[JoeDirt 0]

Just got back to reading this yesterday, enjoyable stuff. The Taz/Austin SS97 match got me thinking how crazy a match between the two at the time would have been. Actually, just how fun the promos between the two would have been.

 

Anyways, nice build to NWO, which is obviously just a setup for WM14, but a decent lineup nonetheless. Austin going over DBS to set up the Bret match, the tornado tag match, the dumpster match...I thought you'd have Too Much beat Aguila/Taka on the last show to set up the LHW match, but it's nice to see things not always go by the book. The 8-man tag probably went way too long for the time, but it's no big deal. I like the build of Owen into a force to be reckoned with. Who does Kane get to destroy at NWO?

 

Oh, and if Pillman really is gone...why have him win his last match?

[hitman2003 0]

In Your House: No Way Out of Texas

Houston, Texas

February 15, 1998

 

- The Road Warriors won a 10-Team Battle Royal to earn a WWF tag team title shot at WrestleMania. ** ½ The Road Warriors were the unannounced “surprise” tag team. Order of elimination: Brian Christopher & Scott Taylor, Crush & Chainz, The Headbangers, The Quebecers, The Godwinns, The Disciples of Apocalypse (Skull & 8-Ball), The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, D’Lo Brown & Kama Mustafa and Doug Furnas & Phil LaFon.

 

- WWF Light heavyweight Champion Taka Michinoku pinned Aguila (8:22) after a “Michinoku Driver.” ***

 

- DX is interviewed in the back about their match later tonight. Shawn Michaels talked about how his feud with Bret Hart had been going on for years, and that tonight it would come to an end once and for all.

 

- Bradshaw pinned Barry Windham (6:29) by disqualification when Kane came out and attacked both men. ¾ * Paul Bearer then got on the mic and called out the Undertaker. Taker didn’t come out so Kane, in frustration, picked up Bradshaw from the mat and delivered another tombstone piledriver.

 

- Big Van Vader defeated Goldust (7:29) after a “Vader Bomb.” * ¾ After the match, Vader got on the mic and challenged anyone in the WWF to a match. He stated that he was an unstoppable monster and that he was going to destroy everyone in his path to reclaiming the WWF Championship.

 

- Ken Shamrock, Ahmed Johnson & Steve Blackman defeated Ron Simmons, WWF Intercontinental Champion The Rock & Mark Henry (8:47) when Shamrock pinned The Rock. ** ¼

 

- Michael Cole interviewed the New Age Outlaws before their match. They talked about how they almost ended the careers of Terry Funk & Cactus Jack two weeks ago on Raw. They said that they may have survived what happened to them on that night, but they wouldn’t survive tonight.

 

- WWF tag team Champions The New Outlaws defeated Cactus Jack & Terry Funk (15:21) in a “Dumpster” match. *** It appeared as though cactus & Funk were about to win the match, however, Vader came out and attacked Cactus. He delivered a powerbomb to Cactus from the rope into the dumpster and then tossed Funk over the top rope and into the dumpster.

 

- Steve Austin pinned Davey Boy Smith (10:21) after a “Stone Cold Stunner.” **

 

- Shawn Michaels & WWF Television Champion Hunter Hearst Helmsley defeated WWF Champion Bret Hart & Owen Hart (25:39) in a “Texas Tornado match” when Michaels pinned Owen after a “Superkick.” **** After Michaels got the pinfall victory, all 4 men continued to brawl in the ring. Then out comes Steve Austin. Austin got in the ring and delivered a stunner to Triple H, Owen & the Shawn Michaels. He and Bret Hart then had a brief staredown before delivering the stunner to him as well.

[ryankeast 0]

Kama Mustafa fought two matches at No Way Out?? Did you mean Mark Henry was in the six man?

 

Vader - Cactus Jack Feud - Bring It The Hell On.

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

Vader - Cactus Jack Feud - Bring It The Hell On.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Definitely. This is where, in real life, kayfabe started to break. I can't believe they never brought up any of the past Vader/Foley feud.