Hello and welcome to another edition
of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the
internet that has a better Twitter Game than T-Bar! It’s WWF In Your House 5:
Seasons Beatings! We have Bret Hart taking on British Bulldog for the WWF
Championship, Owen Hart battling Diesel and Sycho Sid and The 1-2-3 Kid against
Razor Ramon & Marty Jannetty! WWF Survivor Series 1995 was a huge step up
for the WWF, can the momentum train keep rolling here? Let’s find out!
Sycho Sid &
The 1-2-3 Kid W/ Ted Dibiase vs Razor Ramon & Marty Jannetty
While Jannetty has a legitimate issue
with Kid due to the Survivor Series, I can shake the opinion in my mind that
Jannetty is here as a sacrificial lamb. Goldust watches on, very interested in
Razor Ramon. I will leave it at that, Jannetty vs Kid to kick us off. Kid comes
out with big kicks, Irish whip but Jannetty slides through the legs and lands
an enzuigiri for two. Arm-wringer but Kid squirms out, Kid sends Jannetty to
the buckle. Jannetty shoves down Kid, shoulder block from Jannetty. Clothesline
from Jannetty for two, arm-wringer with a drop toehold. Kid scampers away, Kid
shoves Jannetty again. Massive atomic drop from Jannetty, tag to Razor. Kid tries
running away, Jannetty throws Kid back in the ring.
Slaps from Razor, atomic drop but Kid
tagged in Sid. Sid catches Razor with a clothesline, forearm shots to the back.
Sid chokes Razor on the middle rope, tag to Kid. Kid lands kicks to floor
Razor, chops in the corner. Razor is shaking it off though, Sid lands shots
from the apron. Massive gut shots from Sid, boot to the face from Sid. Razor
answers Sid with right hands, Sid reverses the Irish whip and both men are down
off the double clothesline. Jannetty and Kid come in, Jannetty sends Kid into
the mat head-first. Kid ducks clotheslines but eats a powerslam for two. Whip
to the corner, Jannetty lands a Diamond Dust for two as Kid places a foot on
the ropes. Camel clutch from Jannetty, Kid escapes but Jannetty slaps on a
front chancery. Kid backs Jannetty to the corner, Jannetty knees Kid and slaps
on a reverse chin-lock.
Sid clubs Jannetty with a clothesline
from the apron, spinning heel kick from Kid. Tag to Sid, Sid roughs up Jannetty
in the corner. Jannetty fires back with right hands before Sid ends that with a
powerslam for two. Scoop slam from Sid, Sid shoves Razor which allows Kid and
Sid to double team Jannetty. In comes Kid, scoop slam and Kid climbs high. Frog
Splash connects for two, tag to Kid who lands a massive big boot. Razor is with
the referee as Sid and Kid decimate Jannetty with a corner dropkick and
clothesline. Sid slaps on a reverse chin-lock, Jannetty tries fighting back but
Sid is too strong. Elbow knocks down Jannetty, in comes Kid. Snap-mare and leg
drop from Kid, tag to Sid.
Quick tags from Kid & Sid before
Kid whips Jannetty to the corner, Kid misses a splash and in comes Razor. Right
hands to Kid & Sid, Kid is whipped into Sid. Fallaway slam on Kid, Sid
back-drops Razor to avoid the finish. Sid misses a leg drop, Sid whips Razor to
the buckle. Boot from Razor, middle rope bulldog and this match is over!
Razor’s Edge is stopped as Sid grabs Kid to the floor, Razor and Jannetty win.
Fuck me what are they doing to Sid in
the WWF? From a potential main event feud with Shawn Michaels to jobbing to
everyone and everything? A bulldog from the middle rope? My initial thought was
wrong so, Jannetty was not just in this match to eat the pin, I am in shock.
Happy for Razor to get the win but what a waste of Sid, this company continues
to shoot itself in the foot when trying to build its way out of the hell that
was 1995. Jannetty’s face-in-peril segment was a little flat to me, I thought
Sid could have done more and taken more glee in destroying Jannetty but this
seemed very by the book for everyone involved, nothing special here.
Winners: Razor
Ramon & Marty Jannetty over The 1-2-3 Kid & Sycho Sid via Middle Rope
Bulldog!
Buddy Landel W/
Dean Douglas vs Ahmed Johnson
Ahmed was going to kill Douglas but
Douglas has Landel in his place, Landel chops Ahmed who backs down Landel.
Right hands by Landel which has no effect, Ahmed picks up Landel and delivers a
spinebuster. Pearl River Plunge and this match is over! After the match,
Jarrett cracks Ahmed with his gold record and a steel chair, the first proper
feud for Mr. Ahmed Johnson!
Winner: Ahmed Johnson
over Buddy Landel via Pearl River Plunge!
(Hog-Pen Match)
Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs Henry O. Godwinn
Helmsley has been feuding with Godwinn
for a few months now, their lifestyles being the perfect reason for a feud.
Helmsley has avoided being slopped a number of times but there will be no
avoiding it this time as the loser of this match must go into the Hog-Pen.
Hillbilly Jim is the referee, back-drop by Godwinn. Headbutt and hard right
hand, Godwinn ties up Helmsley in the ropes. Helmsley has slop rubbed in his
face, Helmsley breaks free and clotheslines the head of Godwinn. Neck-breaker
after a lot of right hands and stomps from Helmsley, knee drop from Helmsley
for two. Irish whip and high knee from Helmsley, Helmsley eats an elbow from
Godwinn who rams Helmsley into the steel steps.
Godwinn begins carrying Helmsley
towards the pen, Helmsley slips out and lands a right hand. Godwinn is rammed
into the guardrail, Godwinn blocks the second time and throws Helmsley into the
guardrail. Godwinn wants the Irish whip before Helmsley reverses, sending
Godwinn into the gate. Helmsley wants The Pedigree, Godwinn wants the back-drop
but Helmsley hangs on and delivers an elbow drop onto the chest of Godwinn.
Back in the ring, Godwinn whips Helmsley to the buckle but Helmsley blocks with
a boot to the face. Helmsley tries a monkey flip but Godwinn stops and slams
Helmsley face-first into the canvas. Helmsley flips when hitting the buckle,
taking his bump to the floor.
They battle towards the pen, Slop-Drop
on the floor is countered as Helmsley grabs onto the guardrail to survive the
drop. Godwinn’s back takes a beating with this bump, Godwinn whips Helmsley
into the gate. Slop Drop and Helmsley is out-cold but Godwinn is in a lot of
pain too. Godwinn tries a clothesline but Helmsley ducks and back-drops Godwinn
into the hog-pen. Helmsley shoves Hillbilly Jim which leads to Godwinn military
pressing Helmsley into the Hog-Pen.
Helmsley’s momentum continues but like
a true heel, Helmsley gets covered in more pig shit than the actual loser.
Helmsley throws a tantrum and it’s hilarious to see Helmsley be so good at
comedy wrestling. Anyways, this match was decent, I thought it would have
dragged more but things get down to business quite quickly.
Winner: Hunter
Hearst Helmsley over Henry O. Godwinn via Into The Hog-Pen!
Owen Hart vs
Diesel
So Diesel took out Bret and is acting
like an absolute tool but Diesel will always stand up for his friend Shawn
Michaels and since Owen Hart is claiming he was the one to take out Shawn
Michaels, Diesel has signed on to batter Owen Hart.
Diesel starts off with knees and a
toss for Owen, hard Irish whip and a sidewalk slam. Whip to the buckle, Owen
leaps over Diesel. Right hands from Owen before Diesel shoves off Owen.
Clothesline to the floor, Diesel throws Owen back into the ring. Diesel pulls
Owen up by the hair, Owen ducks the big boot and lands his spinning heel kick.
Missile dropkick from Owen, Owen begins softening up the legs. In the corner,
Owen kicks the leg of Diesel. Enzuigiri from Owen for two, Owen goes after the
leg. Spinning toe hold from Owen but Diesel kicks off Owen into the ring-post.
Snake eyes from Diesel, leg across the back from Big Daddy Cool. Irish whip and
big boot, Diesel says this is over. Jacknife Powerbomb and a foot on the chest
for two, Diesel is not done yet. Diesel pie-faces the referee and Jacknifes
Owen. DQ!
While it is quite confusing that
Diesel is being cheered despite being a massive dickhead, there is some great
story-telling here with Diesel pie-facing the referee and costing himself the
match, showing his aggressive side and continuing down that darkpath. Big Daddy
Cool is not the man that he once was, what will be next for Diesel?
Winner: Owen Hart
over Diesel via DQ!
(Casket Match)
King Mabel W/ Sir Mo vs The Undertaker W/ Paul Bearer
The Undertaker dominated at Survivor
Series, it leads us to this moment as Mabel was the one to break the face of
The Deadman. The match kicks off with headbutts from Mabel, Taker pummels Mabel
with rights and lefts. Corner choke from The Deadman, whip to the buckle and
corner splash from The Deadman. Mabel reverses an Irish whip to the buckle and
lands a sidewalk slam but Taker sits up, clothesline and Taker sits-up again.
Scoop slam from Mabel, middle rope splash misses as Taker sits up. Boot from
Taker and a throat thrust, clothesline rocks Mabel. Make it two, Sir Mo grabs
the foot of Taker. Taker eats a belly to belly suplex, leg drop and splash from
Mabel. Mabel hands Taker to Mo, Mo wants to put Taker in the casket.
Taker is dumped inside but the two
twats do not close the lid, Mabel dances towards the coffin and Taker stops the
lid from closing. Mabel does not notice, Mabel is terrified of the charging
Deadman. Boots and thrusts, clotheslines from Taker. Flying clothesline from
Taker, Chokeslam from Taker. Taker boots Mabel into the casket, Mo attacks
Taker to save Mabel. Mo’s attacks have no effect, Taker grabs Mo and Chokeslams
Mo. Mo and Mabel are in the casket and Taker takes the remnants of the urns and
buries Mabel & Mo.
Mercifully short which is a wise
choice and Mabel would be gone from the WWF soon enough so I can’t really
complain about a lack of offense for someone who was not long for the WWF.
Undertaker is one of my favourite characters in the WWF and Thank God for that
because Undertaker will hopefully soon have some interesting opponent to work
with because after suffering through Bundy, Kama, IRS and Mabel, I would like a
good match now.
Winner: The
Undertaker over King Mabel!
(WWF Championship
Match) The British Bulldog W/ Diana Smith & Jim Cornette vs Bret Hart
Bret Hart and British Bulldog are
brothers in law, Bret’s sister is married to The British Bulldog and Bulldog
turned his back on Bret when The Bulldog aligned with Camp Cornette. Bulldog
has scored some big wins over the likes of Bam Bam Bigelow and even Razor Ramon
on his way to challenging for the championship. An interesting affair due to
the family issues but also the victory that The British Bulldog holds over
Bret, their epic encounter from Summerslam 1992.
They lock-up, Bulldog shoves away
Bret. Lock-up again with Bulldog showing his power, side headlock takedown from
Bret. Drop toehold into an arm-bar, Bulldog flips out of the arm-bar but uses
the hair for leverage. Bret backs Bulldog to the corner, clean break from The
Hitman. Arm-drag into the arm-bar from Bret, Bulldog escapes but Bret continues
his advantage with a crossbody and arm-bar before Bulldog changes everything
with a massive knee. Bulldog slams Bret to the mat with his hair, Bulldog
places Bret in the tree of woe. Stomps from Bulldog who clamps up a reverse
chin-lock to keep The Hitman at bay. We get shots from Diana mixed in with the
match, Bret fights his way out attempting a crucifix but Bulldog counters with
a Samoan Drop.
Two from Bulldog, reverse chin-lock
from Bulldog. Cornette cracks Bret with the racket when the referee was not
looking, more reverse chin-locks from Bulldog. Bret backs Bulldog to the
buckle, shoulder thrusts before Bulldog sends Bret into the buckle
sternum-first. Irish whip and back body-drop from Bulldog for two, reverse
chin-lock again. Bulldog continues to hold onto the headlock, Bret eats a
shoulder block but Bret monkey flips Bulldog. Inverted atomic drop and right
hand from Bret, headbutt to the groin. Running bulldog from Bret for two,
Bulldog reverses an Irish whip and lowers the head. Bret piledrivers Bulldog
for a close two, Irish whip and gut punch.
Russian leg-sweep with Bret’s Rope
Elbow Drop, Bulldog blocks the suplex by crotching Bret on the top rope. Bret
spills to the floor, Bulldog clotheslines the champion into the steel steps.
Bulldog rams Bret spine-first into the ring-post, headbutt and hard Irish whip
from Bulldog. Bret is bleeding, piledriver from Bulldog for a close two.
Delayed vertical suplex from Bulldog, two for Bulldog. Military press slam from
Bulldog for two, scoop slam from Bulldog. Bulldog climbs high, diving headbutt
to the spine of Bret for a close two. Bulldog applies a bow & arrow but
Bret flips out, looking for the sharpshooter. Bulldog scrambles to the ropes,
Bulldog was limping but Bulldog runs the ropes and shoulder blocks The Hitman.
Bulldog clubs Bret on the apron, apron
suplex is countered for a German suplex, two for Bret. Irish whip reversed by
Bret, Bulldog ducks and we have a double clothesline. Bulldog charges Bret who
back-drops Bulldog to the floor, Bret planchas onto Bulldog and pummels the
challenger. Bret tries a springboard splash but Bulldog catches Bret and lands
his Running Powerslam on the floor. Bulldog rips up the protective padding,
suplex is blocked though and Bret puts Bulldog on the guardrail. Massive
clothesline from Bret, back-breaker from The Hitman. Irish whip from Bret,
Bulldog flips into the corner.
Bret picks up Bulldog, Bret wants that
superplex. Bret connects, Bret covers for a close two. Bret is furious,
O’Connor roll from Bulldog but Bret rolls through for two. Gut punch from Bret,
massive forearms in the corner. Bulldog sends Bret to the buckle, Bret blocks
with the knees. La Magistral and Bret retains his WWF Championship.
This was an excellent match, the first
time I viewed it, it didn’t click for me. Something was wrong so I decided to
take another look and I am so glad I did, this match has an awful lot going for
it. You have the hatred between Bulldog and Bret, Bret’s sister being involved
at ringside. It’s personal and the bumps reflect the hatred between the two,
Bret being busted open is a great addition to the match. I believe it’s the
spinebuster into the ring-post, if not it looks great. You also have Bret being
crotched on the top rope by Bulldog and The Running Powerslam on the floor,
Bret drops Bulldog on the guardrail and flips Bulldog into the buckle. A lot of
aggression and intensity which adds so much to this match, Bulldog’s cheating
ways work well in this match. You can contrast it so easily with their 92
Summerslam classic and see how Bulldog pulls hair and grabs tights in this one.
Bret sells his ass off for this, the blood is just so perfect because Bret
looks and sells like it’s a miracle that The Hitman is still conscious and then
the finish. A hold that is inescapable for Bulldog, just like in 1992 when
Bulldog caught Bret, Bret returns the favour and retains the championship.
Winner: Bret Hart
over The British Bulldog via La Magistral!
That was WWF’s In Your House 5: Season
Beatings, a very good showing from the WWF for hopefully a sign of things to
come. So this is the end of my viewing of the WWF in 1995, at times it has been
as bad as described by so many people in the industry. Some gimmicks are
ludicrous, some matches have been very boring while finishes in the main event
scene have been quite the mixed bag. I do think the biggest hinderance to the
year was the lack of pushing certain talent with the company. I think Owen Hart
has been wasted in his tag team with Yokozuna, I think Diesel is a much better
fit as a heel or babyface badass with an edge as shown here, Razor Ramon, Jeff
Jarrett and Sycho Sid could have all had major feuds going in the year but only
Razor has something coming out of the year and that is his feud with The 1-2-3
Kid. So, I think proper care was lacking when it came to the talent as a whole,
too much time invested in Mabel for sure. Anyways, let’s talk about this card
now that I have finished ranting about 1995.
The show opens with a tag team match
to further the feud between The Kid and Razor Ramon. Shocked by the finish, I
thought for certain Jannetty was added to the match only to eat the pin-fall.
However, it’s Sid and how this man will become WWF Champion during the year
that follows I have no idea because Sid has slid further down that card with
each and every match. I think Sid vs Razor could be its own feud so to see
Razor pick up the win here was surprising and I am not sure it was a welcome one.
Ahmed Johnson vs Jeff Jarrett can be a fun feud, Johnson looks like a tonne of
fun and his explosiveness could make him a real star in the WWF. Hunter Hearst
Helmsley continues to be one of my favourite gimmick-driven wrestlers in the
WWF with top-notch facials and just the most smug look on his face all the damn
time. The hog-pen was fun for sure, Diesel vs Owen was what it needed to be
with Diesel getting a very intense character overhaul that made Big Daddy Cool
look like a beast. Shame it was at Owen’s expense considering how awesome Owen
Hart is inside of the ring. Undertaker destroys Mabel as it should be, nothing
more needs to be said. Finally, the main event is a classic for sure. Was not
expecting it but it delivers so well with Bret and Bulldog putting on an
intense and heated contest which feeds off the blood that drips from Bret’s
head and climaxes with The Hitman avenging his Summerslam 1992 loss in
satisfying fashion. Easily digestible WWF Show here, might be the best of 1995
considering how hit and miss the year was, let’s see 1996. Thanks for reading
and remember: there’s always another night!