Monday Night Raw
Date: March 25, 1996
Location: Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas
Attendance: 9,364
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler

It’s the last Raw before Wrestlemania and the big question is what kind of jokes can the WWF make about Ted Turner. That’s been the last big thing we’ve seen over the last few weeks at the end of the show so we must need to see it again here. Hopefully they have time to talk about Wrestlemania a bit here too. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Shawn Michaels vs. Leif Cassidy

Marty Jannetty is here with Cassidy so Michaels debuts his official manager: Jose Lothario. After some generic comments from Lothario about how Michaels is going to Wrestlemania and an enthusiastic handshake from Cassidy, Bret Hart comes out for commentary. Michaels takes over on the arm to start before a running crossbody gets two. Back up and Cassidy grabs a sitout spinebuster for two before grabbing a surfboard.

We take a break and come back with Cassidy grabbing a chinlock but getting reversed into an exchange of rollups. Cassidy superplexes him for two but Michaels is back with a top rope clothesline. Jannetty trips him down though, with Hart getting up for the save. The superkick finishes for Michaels at 11:18.

Rating: B-. Cassidy was a good choice to put in this spot as he could wrestle a nice technical match against just about anyone and you know Michaels can work well in that spot. The Jannetty connection at ringside was a nice choice and they even teased a bit of drama with Hart. The main event of Wrestlemania is carrying the show and that’s going to need to be the case given the rest of the card.

Post match Michaels thinks Hart tripped him but Lothario calms things down. Hart says he’s ready to give Michaels a beating like he’s never received at Wrestlemania.

Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs. Aldo Montoya

Montoya starts fast and slams Helmsley, who gets his knees up to block a splash. Back up and Helmsley hits a jumping knee into the curtsy. The knee drop gives Helmsley two and a clothesline gets three more near falls. Montoya fights back and hits a dropkick, followed by a high crossbody for two. The Pedigree gives Helmsley the fast pin at 4:43.

Rating: C. Not much here as Helmsley isn’t going to have trouble against someone like Montoya. At the end of the day, Helmsley is ready for a high profile match at Wrestlemania and Montoya is Montoya. That doesn’t leave much room here and the match was about what you would have expected.

We see Goldust in a Hollywood back lot, where he gets rather close to a Roddy Piper mannequin, which he then destroys.

Next week: Mankind.

Here are Undertaker and Paul Bearer for a chat. Bearer recaps the feud with Diesel, including Diesel attacking Bearer two weeks ago. This led to Diesel seeing himself in a casket in quite the creepy moment. Undertaker says Diesel caused this to happen and promises to make him rest in peace at Wrestlemania.

We get one more Shawn Michaels training video.

Video on Hart vs. Michaels, with Hart talking about his plans to capitalize on Michaels’ mistakes.

Owen Hart vs. Ahmed Johnson

Jim Cornette is here with Hart as Vince goes on some rant about how the WWF makes sure that you get your money’s worth around here. Johnson powers him down to start and then does it again as the British Bulldog comes out to watch. Hart tries to pick up the pace but charges into a bearhug. Bulldog offers a distraction though and Johnson gets knocked to the floor as we take a break. We come back with Bulldog loading up the Pearl River Plunge but Bulldog comes in for the DQ at 5:34. Not enough shown to rate but it was just a way to get to the post match brawl.

Post match the beatdown is on, with Vader, Jake Roberts and Yokozuna coming in for the big brawl.

We wrap it up with a big music video on Bret Hart, either inspired by or set to You Start The Fire by Billy Joel (not the biggest music fan so that’s likely wrong).

Overall Rating: C+. The opener was the best part here but what matters the most is that we’re finally to Wrestlemania. That’s a show that has been needing to happen already, as the Hart vs. Michaels match is taking up so much TV time. It makes sense as it’s such a big chunk of the card, but dang that makes for some rough TV. They did well enough here, but it’s hard to find a more one match Wrestlemania card.

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Monday Night Raw
Date: March 11, 1996
Location: Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas
Attendance: 9,364
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler

We’re less than three weeks away from Wrestlemania and this time around we’re in Shawn Michaels’ hometown. That sounds like it has quite a few makings for some Michaels excellence, though the rest of Wrestlemania could use some attention of its own. It’s not going so well thus far, but with a one hour match on the card, there is only room for so much else. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening preview.

Opening sequence.

Savio Vega vs. Steve Austin

Austin, with Ted DiBiase, is now officially STONE COLD. Has a nice ring to it no? I’m not sure on the white boots though. Austin shoulders him down to start and grabs a headlock but Vega is right back with a crossbody. Back up and Vega misses a kick to the head, allowing Austin to hit an ax bomber of all things.

Some choking on the ropes and a suplex give Austin two and he fires off shoulders in the corner. As the beating ensues, we see a former Olympian named Mark Henry sitting in the front row. We take a break and come back with Austin dropping a leg to the back of the head for two. Vega is right back with a hiptoss into the running spinwheel kick in the corner. They brawl out to the floor and it’s a double countout at 9:51.

Rating: B-. These guys always worked well together and it was good to see Austin getting the chance to be out there with someone so talented. Vega really was an underrated in-ring star and Austin has praised his work over the years. At the same time, it’s cool to see Austin starting to develop into the superstar he would become, as it’s quite the game changing effort.

Post match the brawl stays on, with Vega clearing the ring to set up their rematch at Wrestlemania.

We see a clip from during the break of Mark Henry muscling Lawler around.

Here are Goldust and Marlena, plus Roddy Piper, for a chat. Piper calls him a transvestite and mocks Goldust’s “movie” from last week. He accuses Goldust of just trying to get attention. Piper beat up Adrian Adonis with a baseball bat and declares himself a lesbian. Goldust’s attempts at playing the bagpipes doesn’t bother him but turning the Intercontinental Title into a joke bothers him. Not even Freddy Kruger comes into Piper’s nightmares but Goldust says he wants a piece of Piper and drops to his knees.

Goldust invites him to his back lot as he slowly crawls around Piper. He lifts up the kilt and asks for a sneak preview, which is too far for Piper. Goldust licks his (own) lips and slaps Piper, who slaps him back. The challenge is accepted, with Piper promising to make a man out of him. To call this not good would be an understatement, but there is only so much that they could do with Piper being brought in as a last second replacement for the suspended Razor Ramon.

Godwinns vs. Jerry Meade/Alex Porteau

Henry clothesline Meade down to start and it’s off to Phineas, who fights out of the corner. House is quickly cleaned and Henry gives Porteau the Slop Drop for the pin at 1:52.

Shawn Michaels was in his hometown of San Antonio earlier with Jose Lothario and we look at their training regimen.

Meanwhile, Bret Hart is training in Calgary, meaning a lot of cardio and working with Stu Hart. Bret agrees that Michaels is good, but he isn’t the best.

Video on the Ultimate Warrior.

Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs. Vin Grier

Helmsley, who is facing the Warrior at Wrestlemania, starts fast with a suplex. The quick beating doesn’t take long as Helmsley finishes with the Pedigree at 1:52.

Scheme Gene previews the Huckster vs. the Nacho Man, which involves the Huckster being old and the Nacho Man having a bald spot. At least this was a bit better than mocking Ted Turner to no end.

Yokozuna/Undertaker vs. Owen Hart/British Bulldog

During Undertaker’s entrance, Diesel doesn’t seem to be impressed. Undertaker and Yokozuna tease a brawl before the bell but wind up taking out the other two instead. Yokozuna drops the big leg on Bulldog and Undertaker takes Hart outside as Diesel comes in for a cheap shot on Paul Bearer. That’s enough for Undertaker to give chase and we take a break. We come back with Hart dropping an elbow for two on Yokozuna, who fights up anyway. Cue Vader to jump Yokozuna for the DQ at 5:20.

Rating: C. This wasn’t much of a match and was more about advancing/likely setting up stuff for Wrestlemania. That’s a good enough way to wrap up the show as Wrestlemania needs some more build outside of the main event. Undertaker vs. Diesel is the second biggest match on the card and Diesel going after Bearer is as good of a way to go as any.

Post match Ahmed Johnson and Jake Roberts run in for the save and brawl to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was about building towards Wrestlemania and that’s a good sign with just a few weeks to go before the pay per view. A bunch of the matches were advanced in the span of an hour, with the big angle at the end likely setting up a six man tag. Good, efficient show here and that’s what Wrestlemania needed.

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Monday Night Raw
Date: June 24, 1996
Location: Brown County Expo, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Attendance: 4,660
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler

We’re done with the King Of The Ring and that means King Austin, who gave what would wind up being one of the most important promos in wrestling history. Other than that, Shawn Michaels has vanquished the British Bulldog and needs someone else to come after him for the WWF Title. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Ahmed Johnson vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley

Johnson’s newly won Intercontinental Title isn’t on the line. Johnson works on the arm to start and shoulders Helmsley down. A headlock grinds Helmsley down and a clothesline drops him even harder. Helmsley avoids a charge though and Johnson is sent outside, where he gets sent into the steps. Johnson gets posted and then ax handled in the back as we go split screen to Goldust and Marlena. Goldust is mad about losing his title and he’s ready to bury Undertaker in his own casket. Helmsley’s chinlock goes on and we take a break.

We come back with Johnson fighting out of the corner but missing a charge into a different corner. Johnson pulls him out of the air for an atomic drop, setting up the gorilla press for two. Helmsley backdrops his way out of a Pearl River Plunge attempt and they both get a breather. Back up and Helmsley tries a backdrop, which is reversed into a Pearl River Plunge to retain the title at 13:04.

Rating: C. Johnson was someone who was at his best when he was able to go out there and showcase his incredible athleticism and that wasn’t really the case here. At the same time, it was all about Johnson getting over as a force as the new champion and this worked well enough, though having it be a non-title match doesn’t make a ton of sense.

Post match Johnson says he is proud to be the first African American Intercontinental Champion (geez that took awhile) and is ready to beat up Goldust again.

Bodydonnas vs. Brooklyn Brawler/Jerry Fox

The Bodydonnas debut Kloudy, their new manager, who is rather large and tattooed. Sunny, on commentary, is not pleased in the slightest. Zip hiptosses and slams the Brawler to start but Brawler is back up with a headlock. Skip comes in for a running neckbreaker to Fox, who gets taken into the wrong corner. Zip’s gutwrench powerbomb gets two and a top rope seated senton finishes at 3:53.

Rating: C. Good enough here, as the idea behind Kloudy is pretty clear right from the start. Unfortunately the other thing that is obvious is how one note that the whole thing is and I can’t imagine it going well. The team was only so good in the first place and having Kloudy going after Sunny (I’m sure you get the HILARIOUS play on words) is only going to get them so far.

Post match Kloudy chases Sunny off.

We look at the history of Shawn Michaels vs. Marty Jannetty.

Kloudy chases Lawler off too.

Vader/Owen Hart/Davey Boy Smith vs. Aldo Montoya/Savio Vega/Barry Horowitz

Jim Cornette and Diana Smith are here with the villains. Horowitz hiptosses Hart to start and it’s quickly off to Vega vs. Bulldog. Vega takes him over with an armdrag but Vader comes in to hammer away. A nice spinning kick to the face drops Vader and it’s off to Montoya for some dropkicks. Hart kicks him in the head though and Vader comes back in for a chokeslam. The Sharpshooter makes Montoya tap at 4:20.

Rating: C+. Pretty much a squash here, with Vega’s kick to the face being a highlight for the losing side. I do often wonder how these people feel in kayfabe when they find out they’re teaming with Horowitz. Montoya isn’t great in the first place and Vega is just ok, so they’re already in trouble and then they have Horowitz as a partner. That can’t be the most encouraging feeling.

Here is Brian Pillman on crutches for a chat. Pillman talks to Vince, saying he doesn’t need to get in the ring to make an impact.

Undertaker vs. Steve Austin

Paul Bearer is here with Undertaker and this is a big deal for the new King. Undertaker slugs away to start and of course that’s fine with Austin, who punches right back. Austin kicks him in the face but gets dropped as Lawler is going after Bearer, which can’t be a good idea. The fight heads outside, with Austin being sent into various steel objects.

They get back in and Austin is knocked to the floor again, only to get back inside for another shot to the face. Austin gets a whip into the corner but charges into a boot as we take a break. We come back with Undertaker hitting Old School but Austin gets smart by kicking at the leg. Austin wraps it around the post and the middle rope elbow gets two.

We go old school with a spinning toehold to keep Undertaker down as Goldust and Marlena come to ringside. Undertaker fights up but a chop block takes him right back down again as we take another break. We come back again with Undertaker missing a running clothesline but hitting a chokeslam. The Tombstone is loaded up but Goldust throws something in Undertaker’s eyes for the DQ at 15:34.

Rating: B-. This was a rare good match between the two of them, with Austin working on the leg, though much like the recent Undertaker vs. Bulldog match, it felt more like we were waiting around for the screwiness. That’s not the best feeling and while it’s nice to see Austin getting in the ring with a big name, having him beat a big name would have been better. Still though, I’ll take a nice match which gets some time.

Post match Austin beats on Undertaker, who reverses to knock Austin outside. Bearer loads up the urn but is hesitant to hand it to Undertaker. Lawler wants Bearer to explain why he cost Undertaker last night against Mankind (by hitting Undertaker with the urn), but Undertaker chases him off to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. With King Of The Ring out of the way, it’s time to reset things a bit with Austin and Johnson as some bigger names. That’s not a bad way to go, but seeing Undertaker vs. Goldust isn’t exactly inspiring. They’re still in the weak summer period, but at least they have something to build on after the pay per view. Just do something interesting and get Michaels a better challenger.

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Monday Night Raw
Date: June 17, 1996
Location: Cumberland County Memorial Auditorium, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Attendance: 5,000
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler

It’s the last show before King Of The Ring and that means we need to get the next round completely set. That is likely going to be the focal point this week, which should make for an interesting night. Other than that, Undertaker is going to want some revenge on Mankind after last week’s attack. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a look back at Savio Vega and Steve Austin at In Your House.

King Of The Ring Quarterfinals: Steve Austin vs. Savio Vega

Austin jumps him to start fast but Vega comes back to take things outside. That’s fine with Austin, who wraps the knee around the post. Back in and Austin works on the knee but Vega is back up to wrap Austin’s knee around the post as well. The leg gives out on a whip into the corner and Vega cranks away as you might expect.

A shinbreaker gives Vega two but his splash hits raised knees. They collide in the corner for a double knockdown and we take a break. We come back with Vega kicking the knee out again but Austin grabs a quick jawbreaker for the pin at 10:32. And that’s how the Stunner got started (on Raw at least).

Rating: B-. These guys worked well together and that was the case again here. What matters the most though is of course Austin getting rid of everything Ted DiBiase related, including the finisher. A heel is going to be limited by a submission finisher so giving him something new, like that jawbreaker, is a good idea.

We get a quick recap of Mankind vs. Undertaker.

Vince offers condolences to the family of Dick Murdoch.

King Of The Ring Quarterfinals: Marc Mero vs. Owen Hart

The winner gets Steve Austin, on commentary, in the next round. Sable is here with Mero, who backs him into the corner and goes after the cast to start. Mero gets smart by taking him down by the arm and then does it again. Back up and Mero misses a flip dive off the top and Hart grabs the chinlock.

Hart is back up with a spinwheel kick for two and chokes away as we take a break. We come back with Hart headbutting away and grabbing a snap suplex. Mero breaks out of a Boston crab so Hart settles for a fisherman’s suplex for two. Back up and Mero grabs a rollup out of the corner for the fast pin at 13:10.

Rating: B-. Just like the opener, there was little doubt that this was going to work, as they are too talented for it to go otherwise. Mero getting the push is still a good thing to see, as Hart is someone who can lose a match without losing much steam. Good match here, and that shouldn’t be a surprise at all.

Post match Hart drops him with a cast shot for the knockout.

With Mero still getting checked on outside, the British Bulldog and Diana Smith come out for a chat. Bulldog promises to win the WWF Title at King Of The Ring and accuses Shawn Michaels of being a coward. Cue Michaels for the big pull apart brawl.

Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs. Aldo Montoya

Hold on though as Jerry Lawler wants to show what he’s going to do to Ultimate Warrior. The beatdown is on, including a piledriver. Jake Roberts comes out for the save and there is no match.

We look at Brian Pillman signing his official contract and he’s very emotional about coming to the WWF.

Intercontinental Title: Jake Roberts vs. Goldust

Goldust, with Marlena, is defending. We hit the stall button to start, with Goldust bailing to the floor and teasing going to the back before bailing to the floor again. After a split screen clip of an interview with Roberts, talking about his addictions, they lock up but Goldust rolls outside. Back in and Roberts grabs a hiptoss, sending Goldust into the corner with the snake bag. That means we pause again, this time with Goldust getting in a posting. Goldust gets a little too personal for Roberts, who fights up and tries the DDT.

We go to a split screen interview with Mr. Perfect, who says he’ll announce the special referee for Michaels vs. Bulldog after the match. Goldust whips Roberts into the corner and sits on his chest as we take a break. We come back with Goldust working on the leg, including a leglock. That’s broken up and Roberts teases the DDT, but Marlena slips Goldust some gold flakes. Roberts is blinded, which is enough to give Goldust the pin at 14:06.

Rating: C. Not great here, with Roberts only being able to do so much. At the same time, it’s kind of weird to have someone who is making a run in the tournament lose here, though at least it was screwy. Goldust is doing ok enough as a villain, but it feels like he’s about to get smashed by Ahmed Johnson in short order.

Or not as another referee comes out to say what happened, meaning the decision is reversed. Roberts grabs the DDT to leave Goldust laying. That’s more like it.

Mr. Perfect reveals that the referee is….Mr. Perfect!

Overall Rating: B-. This was a show focused on the wrestling and that is a fine way to go. Sometimes you need a show like this and they made this one work well. What matters the most is that they’re getting things going for the pay per view, even with the fairly uninteresting WWF Title feud. Austin is feeling like he’s on to something though and that should go rather well in the short and long term, which is a nice feeling to have after a long stretch of nothing.

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Monday Night Raw
Date: June 10, 1996
Location: Cumberland County Memorial Auditorium, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Attendance: 5,000
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler

We’re less than two weeks away from King Of The Ring and the tournament has already started. That’s the kind of thing that can carry a show, but we also have Mankind still wanting to hurt the Undertaker. In addition, we have Shawn Michaels dealing with the British Bulldog. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

King Of The Ring First Round: Owen Hart vs. Yokozuna

Hart, with Jim Cornette, jumps him from behind to start fast but Yokozuna headbutts his way out of trouble. The big elbow misses Hart though and he’s back with a running crotch attack on the ropes. A running spinwheel kick drops Yokozuna for two but for some reason Hart tries a headbutt. Yokozuna drops him with a headbutt of his own and tries the Banzai Drop, only to fall off the ropes and give Hart the pin (with feet on the ropes) at 3:59.

Rating: C-. Yokozuna cannot do much right now and that’s becoming more and more obvious. He’s so big and it’s becoming obvious that his size is all he has at this point. Hart beat him in about four minutes, which isn’t a great sign for Yokozuna’s future. Nothing match, but they did about all they could.

Yesterday on the Action Zone, Jake Roberts talked about his drug issues.

In the back, Yokozuna can’t believe he lost again and talks about how he wants to get his hands on Jim Cornette. For now, he’s going to leave and figure out what he wants to do.

King Of The Ring First Round: Marc Mero vs. Skip

Jake Roberts is on commentary and Sable is here with Mero. They take their time to start with Mero backing him into the corner and giving him quite the stare. A hiptoss and armdrag have Skip on the floor but he moves before Mero can dive. Back in and Mero charges into a boot in the corner, followed by Skip’s middle rope fist to the face.

Mero catches him on top but gets knocked down, only to dropkick Skip out of the air. Skip catches him on top for a change but a super hurricanrana is blocked. Mero’s top rope sunset flip gets two and we take a break. We come back with Skip grabbing a gutwrench suplex and we hit the chinlock.

Mero fights up and hits the running knee but misses a charge and crashes out to the floor. They change places and Mero hits a flip dive to the floor, followed by a slingshot dive (the Bad Day as it was called in WCW) for two. A super hurricanrana gives Mero the pin at 14:27.

Rating: C+. Mero was starting to figure this stuff out, which mainly included showing off his athleticism. He was someone with a good enough look and who could move out there, even with Sable out there. She’s not a huge focal point yet, but that’s going to be the case, as it tends to be with women managing good guys.

Jerry Lawler is in the ring for a chat and Vince McMahon brings out the Ultimate Warrior, who is in a hat for no apparent reason. Lawler praises the artwork in Warrior’s comic book and presents him with a (rather nice) portrait of Warrior that Lawler did himself. Warrior says Lawler is a CON artist, and while he appreciates the art, there is only one king and that is Warrior himself.

Lawler hits him with the portrait and runs off, with Warrior giving chase (without even going down) I’m assuming the hat was covering up a pad of some kind. If that’s the case, it makes Lawler complaining about the hat on the infamous Warrior DVD all the worse. It’s a fine angle, but was anyone overly interested in Warrior vs. Lawler?

Undertaker vs. British Bulldog

Owen Hart, Diana Smith and Paul Bearer are here too. Before the bell, we get a split screen interview with Shawn Michaels at the WWF Studios, but Jim Cornette jumps on commentary to ask how it felt to lose to the Bulldog. Cornette has a surprise: there is going to be a guest referee at King Of The Ring and Cornette gets to pick him.

Michaels knows he’s in trouble and we get the opening bell. They take their time to get going until Undertaker throws him into the corner to hammer away. Bulldog bails outside for a breather but comes back in for Old School, with Cornette not understanding how that is possible. A nice legdrop gets two but Bulldog is back up with his delayed suplex. Undertaker fights back until a powerslam puts him down for two more.

We take a break and come back with Bulldog holding a chinlock, naturally complete with his foot on the rope. The comeback doesn’t take long but Bulldog knocks him down again to restart the chinlocking. Undertaker fights up again, this time with a belly to back suplex for the break. Back up and Undertaker slips out of the running powerslam as we take another break. We come back again with Undertaker hitting a chokeslam and they go outside, with Bulldog being sent into the steps. They head back inside…but Mankind pops out from underneath the ring to grab Undertaker for the DQ at 11:24.

Rating: C. Well there was no way we were getting a clean finish when these two have big matches coming up at King Of The Ring. It would be insane to go that way so this was more about waiting for Mankind to come out and do something. That’s a fine enoughw ay to go and the match wasn’t bad, but dang there was a good deal of chinlocking.

Mankind beats Undertaker down and hits a piledriver to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show was definitely a step up from the previous week, if nothing else due to having some better action. Undertaker and Mankind is a hot feud and overshadows the dull stuff that is Bulldog vs. Michaels. That’s about all you can ask for here and it was a good enough show on the way to the pay per view.

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Monday Night Raw
Date: April 17, 1995
Location: Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, New York
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler

We’re coming up on the first In Your Hour next month but there is still a lot of time to fill in before we get there. That includes this week, which will see Bob Holly/1-2-3 Kid getting a Tag Team Title shot after last week’s win in a six man tag. Hopefully they come up with something bigger to draw me in to the pay per view so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Over the weekend, Sid was added to the Million Dollar Corporation.

Opening sequence.

Jean Pierre Lafitte vs. Duke Droese

Lafitte hammers away to start and kicks Droese into the corner but Droese is back up with a hiptoss. Droese knocks him to the floor and then drops a knee back inside. Lafitte drops him again though and hits a legdrop for two. With Droese tied up in the ropes, Lafitte gives him a running crossbody for a painful looking crash. Droese gets out and misses a charge into the corner before his sunset flip is blocked.

We take a break and come back with commentary talking about a poll about cheating on your taxes. A double clothesline gives us a double knockdown before Lafitte dives into a raised boot. Droese makes the comeback, including a powerslam, only to miss a top rope splash. Lafitte’s Cannonball finishes at 11:10.

Rating: C+. This worked well enough as a hoss fight, but I’ve always liked both of them. Lafitte was a good example of someone who knows how to wrestle his style rather well and that was the case here. Droese was someone with some size who could move well, but there was only so far you could go as a wrestling garbage man.

Bob Backlund is on the beach and promises to make a big impact. Get your dictionary!

We look back at Sid joining the Million Dollar Corporation. The idea is that DiBiase got Sid to attack Shawn Michaels so Bam Bam Bigelow could get the next title shot. I’ve heard worse continuity ideas.

Doink The Clown vs. Raymond Roy

Dink is here with Doink. The chase doesn’t go well for Roy to start as Doink catches him with a suplex. Doink starts working on the arm and drops an elbow for two. More arm cranking has Roy in trouble, followed by the Whoopee Cushion. Dink adds one of his own for the pin at 3:22.

Rating: C. This version of Doink is nowhere near as entertaining as the original villain, but there is something to be said about someone who is there for a pretty clearly defined purpose. Good guy Doink is a simple character who exists to make the kids laugh. That’s not a bad thing at all and it worked well enough, at least until it is done way too often.

We get the first In Your House report, with the WWF Title match between Sid and Diesel being made official. And you can win a house!

Tag Team Titles: 1-2-3 Kid/Bob Holly vs. Owen Hart/Yokozuna

Hart and Yokozuna, with Jim Cornette, are defending. Kid takes Hart down by the arm and holds on despite some flailing. Holly comes in to stay on the arm but it’s off to Yokozuna. Holly actually manages to take him down by the hair but Yokozuna sends him outside. A ram into the steps has Holly down and Hart grabs a suplex.

The double arm crank goes on but Holly fights out. The backslide is blocked though and we take an early break. We come back with Yokozuna using the laziest nerve “hold” I’ve ever seen. It looks like he’s taking Holly’s pulse. Thankfully it’s back to Hart for an enziguri but Holly rolls him up for two.

A double clothesline puts Holly down for two and we’re back to the nerve hold. Hart’s chinlock doesn’t last long as Holly gets up for a collision. The Kid comes in to fire off the kicks, including knocking Hart out to the floor. A dive off the top is pulled out of the air though and Yokozuna crushes Kid with a belly to belly suplex to retain at 15:51.

Rating: C. This was a match that made sense and was put together well enough, with Yokozuna eventually crushing the Kid because there was no other way it could have gone. At the same time, that nerve hold takes away some points as Yokozuna couldn’t have looked less interested. Hart and Yokozuna weren’t about to lose to these two, but at least the match was treated fairly seriously.

Undertaker doesn’t want you to drink and drive.

Henry Godwinn vs. Rich Myers

Godwinn starts fast with a wheelbarrow faceplant as commentary takes a phone call from….a cartoon pig named Cornfed. The pig (a detective from the series Duckman) thinks he could beat Lawler but is a big scared of Godwinn. The Slop Drop finishes at 1:50.

Commentary hypes up next week’s show to wrap it up.

Overall Rating: C. And this is what happens when you don’t have a ton of star power on one of these shows. While it wasn’t bad, it wasn’t a show that felt interesting or important in the slightest. I do like the idea of keeping a lot of the matches shorter though, as they only have about forty five minutes a week. Let them get some people out there and see if something sticks, as they can certainly use the help.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Monday Night Raw
Date: April 10, 1995
Location: Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, New York
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler

We’re still dealing with the fallout from Wrestlemania, which last week saw Shawn Michaels dumping Sid, earning himself a beating in the process. That isn’t going to go well for Michaels, whenever he’s back to deal with Sid. Other than that, we’re about a month away from the first In Your House and the show needs to be put together. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We preview tonight’s show.

Owen Hart and Yokozuna are ready for tonight’s six man tag. Hakushi stands there.

Opening sequence.

Commentary hypes up the show.

Adam Bomb vs. Tatanka

Ted DiBiase is here with Tatanka, who hammers Bomb up against the ropes to start. A single right hand knocks Tatanka outside, followed by a running clothesline for two back inside. We take a break and come back with Tatanka knocking him into the corner, followed by a DDT for two. Bomb fights out of a chinlock and slugs away, with the clotheslines sending Tatanka outside. They fight to the floor and that’s enough for a double countout at 7:43.

Rating: C. Not much that can be done with so little time shown and that kind of an ending. As usual, the heel version of Tatanka was just lame as he was the exact same thing he was before the turn, albeit with a lot less energy. I’ve always liked Bomb, but he wasn’t getting to do much in this situation.

Headshrinkers vs. Tony DeVito/Mike Bell

This is Fatu and Sionne (Barbarian) as Samu has left. DeVito rams their heads together to start and it goes as well as you would expect. A clothesline actually takes Fatu down but Sionne gets in a cheap shot from the apron. Bell gets knocked into the wrong corner and the Superfly Splash finishes for Fatu at 2:54.

Jean-Pierre Lafitte talks about having his treasure stolen and seems to want revenge.

Bob Holly won a race.

We look back at last week, with Shawn Michaels seemingly blaming Sid for the loss to Diesel at Wrestlemania. Sid laid Michaels out, and we see the beatdown, which took place during a break for some reason. Vince just walking away as Sid beats Michaels down is rather funny for some reason. Diesel made the save after some powerbombs.

Kama vs. Scott Taylor

Before the match, Kama holds up a gold chain, which is the melted down urn (that can’t be a good idea). Kama rolls him up for a fast two but Taylor manages a quick armdrag. Back up and Kama sends him into the corner and chokes on the rope, followed by a Vader Bomb for the pin at 2:43.

We look at Alundra Blayze winning the Women’s Title last week but then being attacked by an unnamed woman. As a result, Blayze needed surgery to repair a broken nose.

The 1-2-3 Kid, Bob Holly and Bret Hart are ready for the six man tag.

You can win a house!

Yokozuna/Owen Hart/Hakushi vs. 1-2-3 Kid/Bob Holly/Bret Hart

Bret and Yokozuna start things off with Bret slugging away and handing it off to Holly. Some arm cranking doesn’t do much and it’s off to Hakushi as we take a break. We come back with Owen coming in to kick Kid down for two before Yokozuna comes in for a nerve hold. Hakushi chops away and we take another break.

We come back with Owen waving the Japanese flag and Kid fighting back against Hakushi, which is enough for the tag off to Bret. Yokozuna gets knocked down for the middle rope elbow and it’s back to Owen. Some stops have Bret in trouble but he dropkicks Owen into a rollup to give Holly the pin at 15:32.

Rating: B-. They’re trying to make Holly into a big deal and while I can appreciate the effort, there is only so much you’re going to be able to get out of someone whose deal is he drives race cars. At the same time though, it isn’t like they have many other options so this is about as good as it can be. The Harts and Hakushi were both good enough here, but the match was hardly great.

We see the introduction of Lawrence Taylor’s All Pro team at Wrestlemania as a way to entire you to buy the replay.

Overall Rating: C. A bunch of squashes and a decent main event make this a rather 1995 Raw. The show wasn’t interesting around this time and taking Shawn Michaels out of the picture wasn’t making things better. The main event felt like they were trying to do something bigger, but it only got them so far.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Monday Night Raw
Date: April 3, 1995
Location: Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, New York
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jim Cornette

It’s the night after Wrestlemania XI and the big story is that Diesel retained the WWF Title over Shawn Michaels. Other than that…well there’s a reason you don’t hear about Wrestlemania XI all that much. Ted DiBiase won’t be happy that Bam Bam Bigelow lost to Lawrence Taylor in the main event though so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with some stills from last night’s bigger matches.

Opening sequence.

Jim Cornette is VERY happy to be managing the Tag Team Champions.

Bob Holly vs. Hakushi

The 1-2-3 Kid and Shinja are here too. Holly starts with the dropkicks and a hiptoss, which has Hakushi down again. Back up and Hakushi knocks him into the corner and avoids a high crossbody. Cue Owen Hart and Yokozuna to watch as we take a break. We come back with Hakushi working on the arm as the Kid and Hart get in a fight on the floor. Holly fights out and hits a top rope clothesline into another dropkick for two more. Yokozuna trips Holly down though and Hakushi nails a backsplash for the pin at 6:49.

Rating: C+. Not much to see here, but Hakushi was always worth at least a bit of a look. He was a different kind of star than someone you would see in the company around this time and he’s getting a chance to showcase himself. At the same time, even though he’s a champion, there is something strange about seeing Yokozuna go from being the World Champion last year to cheating to beat Bob Holly.

Jim Ross gives us one more Wrestlemania Report, which is little more than a recap of the main event. After the match, Bigelow said that he’s going to make the New Generation a better generation. We also look at Bret Hart beating Bob Backlund and Undertaker beating King Kong Bundy.

Here is Diesel for an in-ring chat. Diesel knows Shawn Michaels deserves a rematch and thinks Sid might have cost Michaels the match at Wrestlemania. The reality is that he and Michaels have been friends and Michaels can have a rematch anytime. Also, Michaels needs to know that Sid is NOT his friend. When it comes to the rematch, leave home without it.

Allied Powers vs. Well Dunn

Well pounds on Bulldog to start but the Powers hit press slams and clotheslines to clear the ring. Luger headlocks Well but Well Dunn is back with a Beverly Bomb to slow Luger down. Back up and Luger gets in another clothesline, allowing the tag off to Bulldog. Everything breaks down and a Hart Attack (forearm version) finishes Dunn at 3:43.

Rating: D. And you wonder why Luger was gone in just a few months. He could not seem to care any less if he was trying here and while that’s not exactly stunning given the competition, dang it’s rough to watch. At least the Powers’ finisher was good, though that’s about all there was to be seen here.

The Wrestlemania celebrities had fun.

Women’s Title: Bull Nakano vs. Alundra Blayze

Nakano is defending and starts fast with a dropkick into a hair toss from one corner to another. Something like an ankle lock keeps Blayze in trouble but she fights up and hits a spinwheel kick. The middle rope dropkick gives Blayze two but Nakano sits down on a sunset flip attempt for two of her own. Nakano grabs something similar to Paige’s Scorpion Crosslock before a piledriver gets another near fall.

Blayze knocks her outside for a big dive but Nakano gets in another knockdown back inside. The guillotine legdrop gives Nakano two but the bridging German suplex gives Blayze the same. Nakano shoves her outside but misses a dive, only to send Blayze into the steps. The moonsault misses though and Blayze grabs another German suplex for the pin and the title at 6:45.

Rating: C+. As has been the case far too often before, there is only so much that you can get out of a match without much time. They were going for something a bit more epic here and that didn’t work with less than seven minutes. These two worked well together and have had some far better matches, but this felt like something of an aftermath.

Post match Blayze celebrates but a mystery woman attacks her.

Men On A Mission vs. Ben Jordan/Tony Roy

This is the evil Men On A Mission and they waste no time in clearing the ring to start. And they waste no time in clearing the ring. Mo stomps away in the corner and Mabel hits a belly to belly to finish Roy at 1:47.

You could win a house at In Your House!

Here are Shawn Michaels and Sid for a chat. Michaels’ back is killing him but he knows that there is nothing more important than the WWF Title. Therefore he would love to accept Diesel’s offer of a rematch and he can live his life just fine without a bodyguard. He certainly doesn’t need a bodyguard who causes a referee to twist his ankle and cost him the WWF Title. Sid isn’t happy and goes off on Michaels as we take a break. We come back with Sid having laid Michaels out (off camera of course) and Diesel running in for the save. And that’s how Shawn Michaels turned good.

Overall Rating: C+. It wasn’t quite what you would expect from a Raw After Wrestlemania, but the Shawn deal in the end was a good way to go and felt important. Other than that you had the title change, but the wrestling itself was hardly inspiring. That’s 1995 in a nutshell, as a few people are carrying the show and the other people just kind of exist.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Monday Night Raw
Date: December 2, 1996
Location: New Haven Coliseum, New Haven, Connecticut
Attendance: 4,968
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler

We’re just done with Survivor Series and on the way to It’s Time, which means we could be in for a lot of Vader. That’s in theory only though, as Vader isn’t actually scheduled for the show, but the focus will be on Sid instead. He’s going to need some competition though and we might find out some more about that this week. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Flash Funk vs. The Goon

The Funkettes are here with Funk. Goon jumps him from behind to start fast and hammers away. Funk kicks him to the head and gets two off a sunset flip out of the corner. We go split screen to look at Sid vs. Bret Hart in London last week as Funk takes him down with an armbar. Goon is sent outside for a middle rope clothesline, followed by a top rope moonsault. We take a break and come back with Funk working on the armbar again. That’s broken up and Goon drops a middle rope elbow. Funk suplexes him out of the corner though and a moonsault legdrop finishes Goon at 9:04.

Rating: C-. Other than the cool finisher, there was no reason for this to go so long. At the end of the day, occasionally you need to see someone just get a squash win and that was the case here. Funk isn’t a big star, but he’s a bigger deal than the Goon and it shouldn’t have taken nine minutes to get to the proper result.

Last week in London, Steve Austin wasn’t happy. This was very Stone Cold and that’s only going to get better.

Diesel vs. Phineas Godwinn

The bell rings and we IMMEDIATELY cut to a split (and then full) screen look at Jerry Lawler breaking Tiny Tim’s ukulele back in July 1993. We actually go back to the match with Diesel hitting an elbow in the corner and a side slam. The running crotch attack to the back connects as Jim Ross hypes up Diesel and Razor Ramon getting a Tag Team Title shot at It’s Time. Phineas sends him into the corner and a belly to back suplex but here is Ramon for a distraction. The Jackknife finishes for Diesel at 3:43.

Rating: D+. As has been the case before, it’s not a good sign when the match is ignored for the sake of talking about something that has nothing to do with the match. In this case it was over three years old and had no major connection to anything here. If they don’t care about Diesel (and Razor Ramon), why keep having him on TV?

Shawn Michaels joins us to say he was defensive last week but not defensive enough. He’s fine with Sid hitting him with a camera at Survivor Series, but he’s not ok with Sid attacking Jose Lothario. Michaels goes into a rant about giving the fans what they want and promises to win the WWF Title back at the Royal Rumble. We also hear something about dragging skeletons out of the closet and having his navel pierced. If Michaels was on something here, I wouldn’t be the slightest bit surprised.

Justin Bradshaw vs. Jesse Jammes

Bradshaw has Uncle Zebekiah (Dutch Mantel) with him and Jammes is the former Roadie, who has since been revealed as the real singing voice behind Jeff Jarrett’s music career. Believe it or not, this wasn’t the big break he was looking for. Jammes crossbodies him to start and Bradshaw is already bailing out to the floor. Back in and Bradshaw shrugs ff some right hands before kicking Jammes in the face.

Jammes gets knocked into the ropes but comes back with a suplex. A swinging neckbreaker cuts that off in a hurry and Bradshaw yells at the referee for being slow. The sleeper is countered with a belly to back suplex (clearly something he learned from Jarrett) and Jammes starts the comeback. Some right hands and a dancing clothesline set up a knee lift but Jammes goes outside to yell at Zebekiah. Back in and Zebekiah trips him down, setting up Bradshaw’s lariat for the pin at 5:55.

Rating: C. Match of the night thus far, partially because it didn’t feel like it went on far too long. Bradshaw is basically what he would be for years to come, at least in the ring, while Jammes still isn’t showing much in the way of in-ring action. It’s a fine enough match, but it’s not like either of these two are known for what they do in the ring.

Jerry Lawler takes Sid’s place in the Karate Fighters tournament and beats Todd Pettingill.

Last week, the British Bulldog cut off Steve Austin from Pillmanizing Bret Hart’s leg. This led to a brawl in England last year, with Hart saving Bulldog. Then Sid beat up Hart, who can’t catch a break.

Owen Hart and Bulldog are ready to beat up Austin.

Bret Hart will see Austin down the road and wants to win the WWF Title again.

Sid is ready to beat up Bret at It’s Time.

Merc Mero/Jake Roberts vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley/Billy Gunn

Roberts chases Gunn into the ropes to start before hitting a running knee to the floor. We get a split screen interview with Jesse Jammes, who is ready to face Bradshaw again next week. Mero comes in to chase Helmsley out to the floor so Mero settles for a running knee to Gunn instead.

It’s back to Roberts to work on the arm before Mero chases Helmsley to the floor again. Gunn gets his arm cranked on even more as that’s the extent of the heroes’ offense. A backdrop gives Mero two and Roberts comes back in for the short arm clothesline. Gunn finally gets over to Helmsley, who gets to stomp on Roberts in the corner.

We take a break and come back with Helmsley grabbing a front facelock. Gunn gets to do the same but Roberts fights out for a double down. Mero comes in to clean house as Gunn and Helmsley get in an argument. Mero’s Samoan drop into the Wild Thing finishes Helmsley at 15:28.

Rating: C+. It was long and the parts with Roberts were rough, but I’ll take just about anything after this mess of a show. Mero is starting to figure things out in the ring at this point and it’s making for some fun watches. He’s already in the Intercontinental Title picture and that result is only going to get him closer.

Post match Roberts gives Helmsley the snake treatment to end the show.

Overall Rating: D+. There’s a reason Monday Nitro was smashing through Raw at this point and…well ok it was the NWO, but this show wasn’t helping itself at all. Other than a just ok main event, there was nothing worth watching here and it was not an easy show to sit through. Maybe it gets better with some bigger names involved, but what we got here was not good and there was no way around it.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Monday Night Raw
Date: July 31, 1995
Location: Louisville Gardens, Louisville, Kentucky
Attendance: 4,181
Commentators: Jerry Lawler, Vince McMahon

We’re still on the way to Summerslam and unfortunately it seems that means King Mabel is coming after Diesel and the WWF Title. There is nothing good that can possibly come from that but it’s what we’re getting due to reasons of it’s 1995. Shawn Michaels continues to feel like the biggest star in the company, but Bret Hart got to remind us of how good he was last week. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening video looks at Razor Ramon and Savio Vega getting ready to challenge for the Tag Team Titles.

King Mabel vs. John Barberry

Sir Mo is here too and I feel for the people who have to carry Mabel and the throne to the ring. Mabel runs him over to start as you would expect and the beating is on to start. They actually go outside with Barberry getting crushes again. Back in and Barberry avoids a legdrop and hits a dropkick but gets splashed in the corner. The belly to belly suplex finishes for Mabel at 3:13.

Rating: D+. Hey did you know that Mabel is really big? I’m not sure if they made that clear enough, because it’s all that Mabel had at this point. Literally, what else is there that is supposed to get my attention about him? This was another dull squash as we continue the horrible march towards Summerslam.

Post match Mabel wants to be the WWF Champion.

Fatu is still trying to make a difference.

We look back at Jerry Lawler and Shawn Michaels arguing last week.

Lawler and Michaels have a face to face meeting in the back, with Lawler saying fans want to see Sid beat Michaels up at Summerslam. Michaels thinks that sounds like a challenge and some poking ensues, seemingly setting up a match.

Goldust is still coming.

Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Bob Cook

Bigelow knocks Cook to the floor to start and sends him flying for a bonus. Cook actually gets in a shot, only to be suplexed down for his efforts. The chinlock goes on as we hear something about America Online. Bigelow slams him down and drops the top rope headbutt for the pin at 3:20.

Rating: C. Nothing much to see here, though it really is amazing to see how Bigelow had this kind of a career resurgence in 1995. He headlined Wrestlemania and King Of The Ring but then just fell away shortly thereafter. Nothing to see here as usual, save for the always good looking headbutt.

We go to the Report Card, where Dean Douglas agrees that Bam Bam Bigelow is indeed a beast, who looks like a walrus. He gets an F based on looks alone.

Jim Cornette talks about cars to suggest that Owen Hart and Yokozuna will retain the Tag Team Titles.

Skip vs. Major Yates

Sunny is here with Skip and insults the crowd before the match. Skip takes him into the corner to start and fires off some forearms. Yates comes back with a wristlock but gets hit in the face for his efforts. A sunset flip gives Yates two so Skip gives him a running clothesline. Skip hits a top rope superplex for the pin (and some pushups) at 2:20.

We go to the Summerslam Insider, focusing on Mabel vs. Diesel, with the latter saying he gets respect. He’ll earn respect from Mabel at Summerslam. Other than that, Jerry Lawler and Isaac Yankem look at a patient’s teeth (or a camera) and find what they see as disgusting as Bret Hart. Finally, Shawn Michaels is ready for Sid. Uh, yeah.

Next week, Diesel vs. Sir Mo. Sweet goodness somebody get my medicine.

Merchandise shill.

Tag Team Titles: Owen Hart/Yokozuna vs. Savio Vega/Razor Ramon

Hart and Yokozuna, with Jim Cornette and Mr. Fuji, are defending. Vega and Hart start things off with Vega taking him into the corner to chop away. They trade wrist cranks and chops before it’s off to Ramon for an arm twist of his own. Hart gets knocked to the floor and holds his jaw as we take a break.

We come back with Hart getting beaten up some more but getting knocked over to the corner for the tag to Yokozuna. Ramon gets shoved down off to Vega, who manages to knock Yokozuna outside. Vega is smart enough to avoid being taken into the corner before it’s off to Hart for a spinwheel kick. Yokozuna drops the big leg and Vega is in trouble in a hurry. The nerve hold goes on and we take a break.

We come back with Vega making the tag and Ramon comes in with a middle rope bulldog. Everything breaks down and a double clothesline drops Yokozuna. The Razor’s Edge hits Hart for the pin and the titles at 15:49. And never mind as Hart wasn’t legal so the match has to restart. The match restarts but Cornette is ejected for arguing too much.

Ramon hammers at Yokozuna and throws Hart onto him for a bonus. Vega comes in for a rollup on Hart and we take a third break. We come back again with Yokozuna missing a big elbow and Ramon crotching Hart on top. Hart reverses the belly to back superplex into a crossbody for two and they’re both down. Ramon gets back up…and we’re out of time at 21:49 with the match still going. Well that’s certainly an ending. More on this next week I’d assume.

Rating: C+. Well it certainly wasn’t short. I’m not sure I’d call it good, but just seeing a match get this much time was nice to see. Ramon and Vega were a fine enough team and maybe even a better fit than Ramon and the 1-2-3 Kid, at least in the ring. Other than that, you had your usual sluggish Yokozuna match, but thankfully the other three were doing most of the work.

Overall Rating: C. The main event was the big focal point here, but the problem is that we’re closing in on Summerslam, meaning King Mabel is going to be around that much more. For the life of me I do not get what Vince McMahon saw in him other than he’s a big guy, but that’s what we’re getting at the moment. Just move on from it already and find anyone else, because it almost can’t be worse.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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