WWF One Night Only 1997 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another wrestling review from Seanomaniac’s Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that has a more interesting saga than The Mcmahon Family! It’s WWF One Night Only, Davey Boy Smith against Shawn Michaels for the WWF European Championship! They have a wonderful video package hyping up Bulldog for the main event, the man can’t possibly lose right? We also have Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs Dude Love, Undertaker vs Bret Hart, Vader vs Owen Hart and more! Will this deliver? Possibly as we are in the UK so that means that match quality will not be top notch but it should be at least fun!

 

Dude Love vs Hunter Hearst Helmsley W/ Chyna

Seems a little odd for this feud to be continuing as Summerslam seemed to be the perfect end to it all but here we are months later with Dude still having problems with Helmsley. Elbow drop, slap and a back body drop from Dude, Helmsley is down as Dude dances. Eye poke from Helmsley, right hands from Helmsley before Dude fires back with a Mongolian chop. Dude struts around the ring and lands a massive clothesline, Helmsley rolls to the floor before Dude lands a massive forearm to the face. Helmsley misses a boot, Dude wrenches the arm and lands a leg drop to the arm for two. Knee drop to the arm, Dude continues to wrench the arm as Helmsley is in all sorts of trouble.

 

Forearms from Helmsley, Dude dodges the drop toehold and lands one of his own. Dude goes for a variation of The Indian Death-lock, Helmsley screams out in pain. Dude whips Helmsley to the buckle, Helmsley is in the tree of woe. Dude chops the leg of Helmsley, running elbow drop to the face of Helmsley. Dude calls for sweet chin music, Helmsley dodges and jumps to the floor. We have a chase around ringside, clothesline from Chyna that wipes out Dude. Hotshot from Helmsley, Helmsley hammers Dude down before Chyna lands a huge blow to the face. 2 for Helmsley, Dude begins battling back, Helmsley lands his face-buster for a close two. Abdominal stretch from Helmsley, Helmsley uses the ropes for leverage. The referee catches Helmsley, the referee pushes Helmsley who powders.

 

Dude takes advantage rallying with massive right hands, running face-buster from Dude for two. Helmsley sends Dude to the buckle, swinging neck-breaker from Helmsley. Pedigree is blocked as Dude catapults Helmsley into the buckle, Dude lands some massive rights with Helmsley being very rocked by this turn of events, Helmsley is sent into every buckle by Dude. Dude looks to charge, corner splash. Helmsley blocks the second clothesline, Dude is up there with Helmsley and arm-drags Helmsley down. Sweet shin music is on the menu, Double Arm DDT from Dude. 1….2… Chyna places Helmsley’s foot on the ropes and Dude is not happy. Helmsley boots Dude down and nails The Pedigree for the win.

 

Solid opening effort from these two, I thought Helmsley would have progressed and moved on from this feud to bigger and better things but these two are still brawling but I have no complaints from that because these two have great chemistry and kick a lot of ass when they are in the ring together. Fans are hot for seeing the WWF in action and it helps the match a lot but the two work hard and they are rewarded for their efforts. Great way to kick us off in the UK but I am not sure where things will go from here based on the rest of the card!

 

Winner: Hunter Hearst Helmsley over Dude Love via Pedigree!

 

Leif Cassidy vs Tiger Ali Singh

Quite the match for sure, Tiger Ali Singh taking on Leif Cassidy. Haven’t seen Leif Cassidy on PPV since the In Your House match against Flash Funk who also has seemed to disappear off WWF television. I don’t think either man is a babyface but I am guessing Singh is meant to be by default, Leif jumps Singh before Singh turns the tide. Big kicks from Singh, right hand staggers Leif. Hard Irish whips from Singh, belly to belly suplex from Singh. Boots to the head from Singh, Leif avoids the Irish whip and lands two big clotheslines. Spinning kick from Leif for two, Leif hammerlock throws Singh into the buckle. Leg drop into the arm and Fujiwara armbar from Leif. Singh begins fighting back, landing some sort of roll-through pin for two. Leif wants a superplex, Singh battles off and lands a diving bulldog which he calls The Tiger Bomb for the win.

 

Didn’t overstay its welcome but I think I have seen enough for me to never want to see Ali Singh again. Thankfully, the WWF agree with me because I think the next time you see Singh on PPV is when they return to the UK at the end of 98 for Capital Carnage and one USA PPV appearance in 99 for Singh before they decided this probably wasn’t a good idea. Anyways, things would get much better for Leif who would find the gimmick for himself in ECW but here are some dark days for poor Al Snow.

 

Winner: Tiger Ali Singh over Leif Cassidy via Tiger Bomb!

 

(WWF Tag Team Championship Match) The Headbangers © vs Los Boricuas

Savio and Miguel are challenging for the championships, they jump the champions to begin before Mosh & Thrasher smackdown Miguel & Savio with clotheslines. Miguel and Mosh kick us off officially, hip splash from Mosh with arm-drags for good measure. Mosh tags Thrasher who lands a diving clothesline, Savio comes for a double hip-toss and elbow drop by the champions. Miguel rakes the eyes, tag to Savio who eats another hip-toss and side headlock. Thrasher and Savio wrestle with some interesting results as Savio has to reach the ropes to survive, Miguel comes in but Thrasher continues to have control with a side headlock takedown. Miguel shoves off Thrasher who gets kicked in the back of the head by Savio. Miguel lands a big kick to the back of the head, tag to Savio.

 

Thrasher eats a massive spin-kick in the corner from Savio, boots from Miguel who applies a shoulder claw. The challengers club Thrasher behind the referee’s back, Thrasher escapes the shoulder claw and lands a crossbody for two before Savio lands a lethal kick to the head for two. Snap-mare and tag to Miguel who lands a scoop slam and a tornillo with a moonsault for two. Mosh saves Thrasher who continues to get stomped by the challengers, front chancery from Savio. Referee misses the tag and Miguel continues beating down Thrasher with another shoulder claw. More quick tags, scoop slam but Thrasher dodges the splash by using his knees. Savio smashes Mosh in the face, once more we have a build-up for the eventual hot-tag as the heels get more heat on Thrasher.

 

Miguel and Thrasher are in, sunset flip from Thrasher for two as Savio makes the save. Savio is now legal, massive chops in the corner. Savio misses a corner splash and Thrasher lands a huge belly to back suplex. In comes Mosh, big rights for both challengers. Dropkicks and Savio is clotheslined to the floor, super hurricanrana from Mosh for two as Savio makes the save. Thrasher is with Savio, Mosh powerslams Miguel for two but Savio is there once more. Miguel and Thrasher are brawling as Mosh back-drops Savio on the floor, Miguel powerbombs Thrasher but Mosh lands The Mosh Pit for the win.

 

Big reaction from The Headbangers, you love to see it as they definitely were getting a lot of love in the states compared to LOD etc. Good match to put over the champions, the wrestlers made those fans rampant for that hot-tag and it paid off and I am a very harsh critic of Vega so to see this was quite the enjoyable match is quite the compliment!

 

Winners: The Headbangers over Los Boricuas via Mosh Pit!

 

Flash Funk vs The Patriot

Speak of The Devil, I brought the man up earlier and here he is back on PPV. Flash Funk aka 2 Cold Scorpio is one of the most talented wrestlers of the 90s but when it came to the mainstream wrestling companies in America, Scorpio rarely was given a position on the card that was close to his talent in the ring. Patriot came in as a babyface and I believe by default, Patriot is the heel here due to his love of America.

 

Patriot out-wrestles Funk to begin but Funk shows off his speed too. Both men shake hands before going back at it, side headlock from Funk. Patriot uses his strength to change the hold, side headlock from Patriot. Shoulder block from Patriot with boos ringing out in the arena. Funk slides out of the suplex but Patriot trips Funk. Funk dodges the elbow and lands a dropkick, Patriot answers with a clothesline. Funk dodges a corner clothesline, skinning the cat onto the top rope and landing a massive crossbody for two. Clothesline from Funk for two, reverse chin-lock from Funk. Patriot fights out and regains control, more rest-holds in the middle of the ring. Funk fights out, booting away Patriot who lands a massive powerslam for two.

 

Victory roll from Funk for two, Patriot drills Funk with a clothesline. Patriot Missile connects for two, Funk lands shots in the corner. Corner splash from Funk, scoop slam. Funk calls for his finish, twisting splash for two. Funk wants to go for another high risk manoeuvre, Patriot blocks the moonsault with his knees and lands The Uncle Slam for the win.

 

Awkward is the word that comes to mind watching this match, Patriot seems to be off a bit inside of the ring, the chemistry not being there for this match while Bret Hart most certainly led the dance during their match at In Your House. Definitely at the point of the show where things usually drag, hoping for things to pick up soon enough!

 

Winner: The Patriot over Flash Funk via Uncle Slam!

 

Legion of Doom vs The Godwinns

Keeping LOD busy are The Godwinns who continue to be a thorn in their sides, this should be stiff at the very least considering what happened to Henry Godwinn at the hands of LOD. Animal and Henry to kick us off, it seems to be even between the two. Animal is backed into the corner, Henry goes low with massive clubbing blows. Animal eats an elbow from Henry, Irish whip by Henry but Animal ducks the clothesline and lands a massive shoulder block. Tag to Phineas, tag to Hawk. Hawk kicks and chops Phineas, Phineas is battered by Hawk. Corner clothesline, Irish whip to the opposite buckle. Hawk runs into the ring-post with his shoulder as Phineas dodges, reverse chin-lock from Phineas.

 

Henry and Hawk are in but Hawk battles back, jaw-breaker from Hawk. Tag to Animal who lands a back elbow and applies a reverse chin-lock. Animal is sent to the ropes where Phineas lands a kick behind the referee’s back, Henry clotheslines Animal to the floor. Tag to Phineas as The Godwinns double team Animal. Single arm DDT into a hammerlock from Phineas, tag to Henry. Phineas slams Animal to the mat, Phineas misses a middle rope attack as Animal blocks with his boot. Tag to Hawk who clotheslines everything, scoop slams galore. Neck-breaker to Phineas for two, Henry chucks Animal to the floor. Hawk eats a double clothesline, Slop Drop on Hawk. Henry kicks Animal down, 1…2… Hawk manages to power out! Phineas chokes Hawk with the flag behind the referee’s back, Henry watches on before tagging out.

 

Hawk eats a massive knee to the ribs, tag to Henry who lands a big elbow. Hawk manages to tag in Animal who runs wild, powerslam on Henry. Henry and Phineas are clotheslined down, Hawk clotheslines Henry to the floor. Doomsday Device and this match is over!

 

Another solid tag team match, nothing spectacular but I expected as it’s just a UK show. LOD continue to pick up momentum, surely it has to be a matter of time before this duo are Tag Team Champions once more! While Phineas may have been one of the most infuriating wrestlers to watch during the early years of his gimmick, the mean heel incarnation of The Godwinns has been solid inside of the ring but I will never forget how I had to suffer through Phineas and Sunny’s “love” story.

 

Winners: LOD over The Godwinns via Doomsday Device!

 

Vader vs Owen Hart

Originally scheduled to be Owen vs Shamrock, we now have Owen Hart vs Vader. Owen is very popular here in the UK but Vader against fun bumping smaller wrestlers is a good formula. Vader shoves off Owen to begin the match and Vader plays up with the crowd to begin, Vader shoves down Owen. Side headlock from Owen, shoulder block and Vader Hammer from Vader. Owen spills to the floor, Owen tries a sunset flip with Vader missing his hip splash. Owen tries a hurricanrana and lands it perfectly, right hands from Owen. Vader sends Owen to the buckle, Owen counters with a middle rope diving crossbody for two. Vader shoves off Owen’s sharpshooter, Owen wants a suplex. Vader tries a suplex but Owen slides out, schoolboy for two. Owen has to turn Vader for the sharpshooter but Vader makes it to the ropes immediately.

 

Owen tries a crucifix but Vader counters with a Samoan drop and a big elbow drop, Vader Splash from the middle rope for two. Sternum bump from Owen, Owen blocks right hands and tries a scoop slam but Vader shuts that right down. Short-arm clothesline from Vader, Fujiwara armbar from Vader. Owen escapes and fights out but Vader knees Owen and lands a corner splash. More Fujiwara armbar, Vader Hammer from Vader and massive rights to the face. Boot from Vader and Vader wants a Powerbomb, Owen slides out and lands the enzuigiri. Sharpshooter from Owen, Vader makes it to the ropes. Scoop slam from Owen for two, Owen whips Vader to the corner but Vader answers with a Vader Hammer. Vader Bomb is on the menu, will this be over? Owen blocks with massive knees to the ribs, missile dropkick from Owen and a kip-up. Spinning Heel Kick from Owen for two! Owen is cooking now, Owen wants to fly once more. Vader counters with diving crossbody into a powerslam for the win!

 

Surprising finish for sure considering it was meant to be Owen vs Shamrock, Owen losing clean considering his reaction and the fact that Owen is the Intercontinental Champion and how Vader usually was treated by the WWF booking team, this truly was a surprise for me. However, the match itself is a lot of fun and that’s no surprise, they knew what they were walking into with the crowd favouring the smaller Owen so Owen sells and sells building up to that eventual scoop slam and sharpshooter, I thought the spinning heel kick would do it but Vader counters and walks out the victor building up more momentum. Good stuff, the match of the night so far and it shows that there was a lot left in Owen Hart as a babyface in the WWF when the time comes!

 

Winner: Vader over Owen Hart via Powerslam!

 

(WWF Championship Match) The Undertaker vs Bret Hart ©

Summerslam rematch with no HBK around to ruin things for The Deadman, not the biggest fan of when these two have locked up inside of the ring. Rumble 96 was a rough match and the Summerslam match did not hit the spot for me but with a rampant UK crowd, could they pull it off?

 

Can’t imagine this one having any sort of definitive finish, Bret tees off with right hands before Taker throws Bret to the corner and lays in the punches. Bret is pulling himself with the ropes, headbutt from the challenger. Hard Irish whip and Taker tosses Bret to the buckle. Knees in the corner, Taker is with the referee as Bret exposes the top turnbuckle. Taker uppercuts The Hitman, Irish whip to the opposite buckle. Bret headbutts Taker over and over, right hands in the ribs. Taker clotheslines Bret down, crowd is split for sure. Bret clotheslines Taker, right hand after right hands from Bret. Taker is clotheslined to the floor but lands on his feet, Bret kicks Taker square in the face. Bret tries a plancha but Taker grabs Bret and rams the champion into the ring-post. They are brawling on the ramp, they battle back to the ring.

 

Taker is in firm control with big rights, Taker ducks his head off an Irish whip and Bret lands a massive DDT. Taker sits up though, leg drop from The Hitman. Multiple elbow drops from The Hitman, Bret rakes Taker’s face off the top rope and stomps on the throat of The Phenom. Taker sends Bret into the exposed buckle, Taker steps on the chest of the champion. Surfboard stretch by Taker which transitions into a pinning combination for two, Bret stomps away the leg of Taker but Taker uppercuts Bret down. Back-breaker from The Deadman who stretches the champion over his knee, Bret escapes and goes back to the knee. Whip to the buckle, Taker answers with an elbow. Taker whips Bret to the buckle, Taker misses a knee to the face and Bret goes to work. Bret hammers the leg, dropping his weight on the leg and stomping/stretching the leg as much as possible.

 

Bret drags Taker to the ring-post, Bret sends Taker’s leg into the post before applying the ring-post Figure Four! Bret continues dishing out the punishment to Taker’s leg, the challenger is in deep trouble. Figure four from The Hitman, Taker reverses the hold and the pressure, hobbling towards The Hitman. Headbutt and rights from the challenger, Irish whip but the boot misses for The Deadman. Bret kicks out the leg of Taker and drives his knee into the leg over and over, side Russian leg-sweep for two. Suplex for two, Bret’s Rope elbow drop does not connect as Taker uses his boot to block. Double knockdown as both men hit a clothesline! Taker leg-drops the groin of Bret for two, Bret counters the second attempt into a Sharpshooter. Taker uses his leg strength to kick off Bret, fans cannot believe it as Bret drives his head into the nether regions of the challenger.

 

Bret looks for the sharpshooter but Taker grabs the champion by the throat, Bret kicks out the leg of Taker but Taker pummels Bret with rights and lefts! Irish whip and boot by Taker, Taker lands a leg drop for two. Bret rolls out, grabbing the ring-bell, Taker is in pursuit and boots down The Hitman. The referee pulls away the ring-bell, chop-block from The Hitman. Bret takes out the leg of The Deadman again before Taker shoves Bret to the floor, the cameraman is wiped out by Bret. Taker hurls Bret into the steel steps, Bret is sent hard into the ring-post. Taker wants old school but Bret yanks Taker from the top rope to the canvas, Taker wants tombstone but Bret slides out with an O’Connor roll for a close two. Bret wants the tombstone, Taker kicks his legs out but Bret holds onto the ropes to survive.

 

Bret is caught in the ropes, Bret cannot break free as Taker goes to work, the official calls for the bell as Taker will not let The Hitman go free, Chokeslam from The Deadman. It takes multiple officials and his brother Owen to save him, Taker grabs Gerry Briscoe and Chokeslams him all the way to hell.

 

Despite the finish, I love this match. The crowd makes this the best Taker vs Bret match, the best that they ever had in my eyes. The crowd is split and react big to everything, Bret’s strategy is perfect. Weathering the storm, looking up for that one opening to take down The Deadman. Bret believes it will be the exposed buckle but in a cruel twist of fate that I love, Taker sends Bret into the buckle. Bret’s selling is perfection inside of that ring on this night, you can feel and see the air leave Bret’s body when he meets the buckle, you can see Bret’s desperation as Taker pummels him around the ring. Simply brilliant stuff from The Hitman, the fans are so invested in the match they never stop making noise the entire time, the match is pure chaos. Interesting finish too, it worked for sure and these guys worked their asses off, HBK is not one to be topped though so if I thought this match was good, I wonder what’s coming next!

 

Winner: Bret Hart over The Undertaker via DQ!

 

(WWF European Championship Match) British Bulldog © vs Shawn Michaels

Bulldog dedicating this match to his sister Tracy who battled back from cancer twice, Bulldog is over like rover in the UK with Michaels walking up the ramp and not caring about the hero. Bulldog shoves Michaels down, Michaels says Bulldog grabbed his hair but Bulldog shoves HBK down again and again. Michaels backs up onto the turnbuckle but Bulldog drags him down. Bearhug from Bulldog, two chop-blocks and Michaels is clotheslined onto the floor. Michaels is walking away, Michaels wants a time-out. Michaels eye-pokes Bulldog, right hands by HBK. Bulldog sends HBK into both buckles and suplexes Michaels into the ring. Bulldog military presses Michaels down, abdominal stretch from Bulldog. Michaels is sent tumbling over the top rope by Bulldog, Bulldog pulls HBK back into the ring, arm-drags from Bulldog. Bulldog keeps wrenching on the arm of HBK, HBK fires back with forearms. HBK tries shoulder blocks but an eye-poke works for sure, Michaels tried a hurricanrana but Bulldog countered it for a beautiful powerbomb for two.

 

Bulldog has a hammerlock to wear down Michaels, Michaels escapes and tries a crucifix but Bulldog lands a big Samoan drop. Bulldog wants a Romero special, Bulldog gets distracted and gets decked with a right hand to the face. Irish whip by Michaels, Bulldog catches Michaels for his delayed vertical suplex for a close two. The fans are not happy, the insurance policy is here though it’s Rick Rude. O’Connor roll from Bulldog but Rude shoves Bulldog so Michaels almost steals this match, Rude grabs Bulldog which allows Michaels to shove Bulldog to the floor. Rude shoves Bulldog into the ring-post, Michaels lands a diving axe handle to the floor. Rude shoves Bulldog into the ring apron, Michaels steps on the head of Bulldog in the ring.

 

Sleeper from Michaels, belly to back suplex from Bulldog to release the hold. Two for Bulldog, Michaels maintains control with a kick to the head. Hard Irish whip to the corner from Michaels, hip-toss into a short-arm scissors from Michaels. Bulldog powers out of the hold, both men end up banging heads in the middle of the ring. More boos as we see Chyna & Hunter Hearst Helmsley are on their way to the ring, Bulldog begins smacking around HBK. Massive back body drop, Michaels flip out of the corner. Clothesline and catapult for two, Bulldog misses a corner spear and strikes the ring-post hard with his shoulder. Michaels climbs high after a scoop slam, diving elbow drop from HBK. Make it double, HBK calls for Sweet Chin Music. Michaels misses, Bulldog tries the running powerslam but Rick Rude has Bulldog’s foot.

 

Bulldog clotheslines Michaels to the floor, the referee is with Rick Rude. Helmsley gets a clothesline from Bulldog, Bulldog wants the powerslam but slips off the floor, Sweet Chin Music on the floor and a Pedigree on the floor for good measure. Bulldog’s leg has been crippled as Michaels looks to apply the figure four leg-lock. Michaels rips off the protective knee-brace and throws it to Dianna, Figure Four leg-lock from Michaels. Chyna and Helmsley hold Michaels’ hands for extra leverage, this is awful! Bulldog is crawling but Rude cheap-shots Bulldog down, more leverage with Chyna and Michaels. Bulldog is in crippling pain, where are The Hart Foundation? Bulldog passes out to the pain, this match is over! Huge boos in the arena and shit is flying into the ring!

 

It’s one of the boldest moves you will ever see in professional wrestling but that’s a fancy way of saying it is HBK at his worst because this is Hogan levels of politicking brother! Having Bulldog lose in the UK was unfathomable, it was setup for Michaels to lose, the man dedicated the match to his sister who had battled cancer! Politics aside, Michaels is at his dickhead best here being the most infuriating cheating prick I have ever seen. Stalling, eye-pokes and directing attacks towards Dianna, HBK is on fire as he has been since becoming a heel and its on full display here. Bulldog is hit and miss for me, on the right night in small bursts I can manage Bulldog unless he is in the ring with Bret or Shawn because when he’s in there with one of those two, the matches are awesome. This is no different, no twenty minute rest-holds, no wasted motion. It’s either Bulldog dominating with cool looking power manoeuvres or Bulldog selling because of Michaels’ cheating ways. It’s interesting why Owen and Bret wouldn’t get involved when Rude and the rest of the soon to be DX were there, I guess it would have been more triumphant if Bulldog had overcame them all but things didn’t go that way but this was an exciting main event with an outcome that is almost surreal to see but what a way to cement the top heel faction in the company at the time!

 

Winner: Shawn Michaels over British Bulldog via TKO!

 

That was WWF’s One Night Only 1997, arguably WWF’s best UK PPV. While many have fond memories of Summerslam 1992 and we got to see the likes of The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Undertaker, Kane and your Attitude Era favourites at the likes of Capital Carnage, Rebellion and Insurrextion respectively, I would be happy to argue that from a match quality standpoint and getting your money’s worth, you won’t find another match except for Bret vs Bulldog (Summerslam 92) that could compare to that Bret Hart vs Undertaker WWF Championship match and HBK vs British Bulldog. We know they take it easier when it comes to the UK PPVs but not here, Bret Hart and Undertaker have a great match with an insanely hot crowd to boot while Bulldog as the hero of England vs the arrogant HBK is great stuff too. These two matches alone make this PPV worth watching at least once if you want to get an idea of what the WWF was like in 1997 as it headed ever closer to The Attitude Era. Dude Love vs Helmsley is a good opening match that sets the mood for the night while Owen Hart plays a great babyface underdog against Vader in a very fun match. The card drags in the middle as expected with Tiger Ali Singh of all people making an appearance on PPV but those last two matches more than make up for the rest of the card. The WWF was not messing around when it came to the UK here, I wish this trend would have continued with Rebellion and Insurrextion but that was sadly not the case. Definitely would recommend the last two matches for their quality and also to see what its like when politics rears its ugly head in professional wrestling! Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WWF In Your House 17: Ground Zero Review!

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that is tanking harder than WWE ratings right now! It’s time for WWF In Your House: Ground Zero! Main-evented by The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels, the man who was screwed out of the WWF Championship against the man who screwed him. HBK has become a fully-fledged heel after battering The Undertaker with a steel chair. We also have The Patriot challenging Bret The Hitman Hart for the WWF Championship and a bunch of other matches featuring mighty minis, light heavyweight action and new tag team champions. With Stone Cold Steve Austin on the injury shelf following the piledriver from Owen Hart, can the WWF continue its momentum? Let’s find out!

 

(Indecent Proposal Match) Brian Pillman vs Goldust W/ Marlena

Pillman has gone too far now in his obsession with Marlena, Pillman has claimed that Goldust’s daughter Dakota is the lovechild in an affair! Very serious subject matter right here, Pillman is going to leave the WWF if he loses but if Pillman wins, Marlena must leave Goldust for Pillman for 30 days. Quite the risky angle if I may say so from the WWF but knowing what comes in just a few months, we are not even scraping the surface of how bizarre things are going to become.

 

Pillman struts down to the ring, Goldust jumps Pillman as he should, this is a personal one for sure. Pillman tees off with chops and a shot to the back of the head, Goldust reverses an Irish whip into an inverted atomic drop and a massive lariat from Goldust. Goldust rams Pillman into the buckle, ten punches in the corner. Sorry make it more like 20! Pillman drops to the mat, Pillman is begging for mercy. Goldust lands a massive shot to the face of Pillman, Pillman cuts off Goldust and chokes him with his t-shirt. Chops by Pillman and a big elbow, Pillman eyes up Marlena and chases her around the ring. Goldust intervenes and flapjacks Pillman onto the steel steps, both men are chopping one another back and forth. Pillman lands a forearm, Goldust counters the running bulldog by crotching Pillman on the top rope. Pillman powders before Goldust cuts him off on the ramp.

 

Pillman is suplexed on the ramp hard, Pillman is yanked into the ring-post groin-first. Goldust starts working the knee with elbows and knee drops, Pillman reverses the running bulldog with Goldust crashing to the mat hard. Back body drop from Pillman, Pillman chokes Goldust before landing a hard Irish whip to the buckle. Goldust manages to fight back with Pillman being sent to the corner, elbow from Pillman floors Goldust. Pillman climbs high, Goldust crotches Pillman. Goldust military presses Pillman onto the guardrail before asking Marlena to slap Pillman in the face. Goldust wants the superplex but Pillman counters slamming Goldust face-first. Goldust swats away the dropkick, Curtain Call but Pillman smacks the referee on the way down. Goldust is with the referee, Pillman grabs Marlena and takes away her purse and it was a loaded purse! Pillman knocks out Goldust for the win.

 

What a hot crowd, unbelievable hot for a match that I was sure would be average at best. However, these fans carry these two to a very entertaining affair, reacting big to anything they do inside of the ring. They react big to Marlena getting involved, they react big to the brawling and Pillman bumping like a fiend for Goldust and they pop for the finish. Good brawling, didn’t overstay its welcome and satisfying twist in the tale of these two battling out, good stuff!

 

Winner: Brian Pillman over Goldust via Loaded Purse!

 

Scott Putski vs Brian Christopher

Good bit of heat to this one with Brian Christopher trying to cripple Putski on Raw before this match with a vicious Leg Drop from the top rope with a chair laid across the face of Putski. Too Sexy has quite the bit of potential coming off his run in the USWA, seek it out if you have not seen what Christopher could do when given the time.

 

Christopher is sent to the ropes, big clothesline from Putski. Big hip-toss, dropkick sends Christopher to the floor. Hip-tosses from Putski before Christopher lands a massive clothesline. To the buckle, scoop slam and Christopher goes high. Putski counters with a right hand, hurricanrana for two. Christopher dodges a clothesline and nails his facebuster, Putski fires back with a series of clotheslines. German suplex counter from Christopher, Christopher dumps Putski to the floor and Christopher lands a massive plancha with Putski’s leg buckling. Things get bad as Putski cannot move, Christopher has this match won by TKO. Putski cannot continue and this match is over!

 

Unfortunate that it never got going but there is tremendous upside to having Christopher in the WWF, a natural heel who should have gotten a bigger push in the WWF before Too Cool kicked off with Rikishi.

 

Winner: Brian Christopher over Scott Putski via TKO!

 

Faarooq vs Crush vs Savio Vega

Gang Warfare as the three leaders of the groups involved prepare for war, Savio Vega is still as bland as ever while I don’t think I could ever get behind DOA. The Nation are looking up though with The Rock now in their ranks and Faarooq continuing to be one of my favourites inside of the ring. All 3 men were once together in The Nation before egos and in-fighting destroyed all of it. Crush comes in like a house of fire before the two heels batter Crush. Irish whip with Crush ducking and landing a massive clothesline, Crush stomps on Vega. Faarooq dodges the corner clothesline, Faarooq starts whipping both opponents before Crush whips Faarooq. Vega attacks Crush, Vega hip-tosses Faarooq before Crush hip-tosses Vega.

 

Faarooq spinebusters the life out of Vega for a close two, Crush chokes Vega in the corner before Faarooq eats a powerslam from Crush. All men are battering each other before Crush knocks the heads of the two together, Faarooq blocks Vega’s running clothesline attempt. Crush smacks Faarooq from behind, I don’t think they have really figured out the triple threat formula at this stage. It’s frantic but not exactly exciting, Vega snap-mares Faarooq for two. Faarooq knees Vega hard, Crush is standing in the background waiting for his cue. Crush locks in a sleeper before Faarooq lands a diving headbutt for two. Vega makes the save, Faarooq talks too much trash as Crush electric chair-drops Faarooq while Vega covers for a close two. Vega dropkicks Crush, Crush answers back with a clothesline.

 

Vega lands a massive neck-breaker on Faarooq for two as Crush makes the save. JR quips this can go all night, I sincerely hope not! Crush lands a back-breaker on Vega for two, Faarooq and Crush are having words about what to do with Vega. Double suplex, both men take the cover so I guess they are going to pummel one another. Vega is dumped to the floor, back-breaker by Faarooq for two. Vega is back in already, Crush tosses Vega to the floor again. Back-breaker from Crush with Vega making the save again, Faarooq dumps Vega to the floor. Powerslam with Vega making the save again, Vega and Crush piledrive Faarooq. Crush clotheslines Vega to the floor, Heart Punch by Crush  on Faarooq but Savio nails his Spinning Heel Kick on Crush for the win.

 

Hardly any selling, nobody sells a thing throughout the match. Boring, plodding and clumsy looking, probably one of the biggest wastes of time that I had to sit through in recent memory.

 

Winner: Savio Vega via Spinning Heel Kick!

 

El Torito vs Max Mini

Mexican mini matches so let’s see how these matches play out on PPV, not sure what to make of this. Torito takes time to strip before he charges Mini, hundreds of flips before Torito slaps down Mini. Tilt-a-whirl headscissors, make it two. Tope con hilo from Mini and they have already done better than the triple threat, Torito boots Mini hard. Torito does not like this crowd, scoop slam by Torito. Mini dodges the senton splash, big wrist-lock from Mini. Torito reverses the hold, biting the Mini. Another superkick, boot into the ropes. Boot to the head, whip to the buckle but Mini dodges, wrist-lock from Mini. Torito bites again before kicking the referee, Mini bites the referee. Mini sits in the lap of Lawler, stealing his crown.

 

Jerry’s Kid chants ring throughout the arena, Mini rolls into the ring and eats a massive boot. Scoop slam and senton, Torito taunts some more. Mini lands a massive hurricanrana for two, powerbomb from Torito for two. Sunset flip by Mini for two, pinning combination for two. Massive right from Torito, lariat from Torito. Clothesline by Mini, the second one knocks Torito. Massive arm-drags, Asai Moonsault from Mini. Torito is in control in the ring but misses a corner splash, Mini goes high. Diving hurricanrana, Torito kicks away Mini. Irish whip, sunset flip and Mini wins the match.

 

Well that started great and then proceeded to go on and on and on which was a great shame because if they used it as like a quick break, it would have been fine but making me sit through all of this following that triple threat made me mad more than anything else!

 

Winner: Max Mini over El Torito via Sunset Flip!

 

Austin Segment

Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter has a problem, The Texas Rattlesnake was piledriven by Owen Hart, injuring his neck. Austin’s injury could not have come at a worse time for the WWF yet they turned it into a positive as Austin continues to get more over. Slaughter has ordered that Austin must vacate his WWF Tag Team Championship at Ground Zero so we have Dude Love handing over the championship before Austin is called to the ring with the crowd going bananas for The Texas Rattlesnake! Austin talks an awful amount of trash inside the ring which pops the crowd huge in a matter of seconds. Slaughter takes the championships and leaves while Austin is irate inside of the ring. JR tries to interview Austin, Austin drops JR with a Stunner!

 

(WWF Tag Team Championship Match) The Hart Foundation vs The Headbangers vs The Godwinns vs The Legion of Doom

How are LOD not the tag team champions already? They are super-over, everyone loves LOD and Owen & Bulldog are the perfect foils for them. You’ve teased me but still haven’t pleased me WWF, why you be like this? Thrasher and Henry to start, Henry throws down Thrasher. Side headlock from Thrasher, both men try to move the other but we have a stalemate. Clubbing blows from Henry, Thrasher shoves off Henry who shoulder blocks Thrasher. Thrasher ducks a clothesline and goes for a schoolboy. Mosh and Phineas now are in, we have the two stalling for some time, Phineas comes in with a kick before Mosh lands some hip-tosses before an arm-bar. Animal comes in and drops Phineas with an elbow, Phineas brings Animal to the corner and tags in Henry who lands clubbing blows.

 

Animal and Henry collide, both big son of a guns going at it. Front chancery from Henry, Animal throws Henry off before Hawk decks Henry with a right hand. Animal powerslams Mosh, tag to Hawk who lands a diving clothesline. Gorilla press slam from Hawk, Hawk slaps Bulldog who does not want to tag into the match. Phineas and Bulldog to square off, they lock-up with both men struggling to gain control, Bulldog tags in Owen who lands an axe handle. Phineas whips Owen hard to the buckle, clubbing blows from Henry who lands a massive military press slam for two. Animal is tagged in and misses a clothesline, spilling to the floor. Phineas stomps away at Animal, jaw-breaker from Phineas.

 

Hawk tries rising the crowd, LOD chants ring throughout the arena. Henry clubs Animal behind the referee’s back, Hawk comes in wrecking people as the match falls into chaos. The Godwinns try slopping Hawk but Animal grabs the bucket and batters The Godwinns. LOD have been disqualified from the tag team championship match. What a shame!

 

Mosh comes in and stomps Phineas, hip splash from Mosh. Thrasher is on the top rope and suplexes Mosh onto Phineas for a close two. Thrasher is now the legal man and dives to the floor on Phineas. Phineas whips Thrasher who falls to the floor as Henry pulled down the rope, Henry lands a cheap shot before Phineas tags in Henry. Scoop slam by Henry and a big elbow drop as Mosh makes the save. Tag to Phineas, double back body drop. Tag to Henry, Thrasher dodges the back body drop and sunset flips Phineas while Mosh wipes out Henry, we are down to two teams as Thrasher pins Phineas.

 

Owen comes right in, gut-wrench suplex and right hands from Owen. Stomp to the ribs and Thrasher is whipped to the heels’ corner. Owen and Bulldog batter Thrasher as the referee argues with Mosh. Bulldog is now legal and lands a big elbow to the face. Stalling suplex from Bulldog for one, Owen lands a missile dropkick for two. Irish whip with Thrasher landing a crossbody for two, Owen regains control. Mosh comes in but Owen wipes out Bulldog with a spinning heel kick, Owen is smacked by Mosh. Bulldog trips up Thrasher, Bulldog was late to his spot. Austin is in the ring and a massive Stunner to Owen Hart, Mosh covers Owen and we have our new Tag Team Champions!

 

Largely uninteresting match for me, crowd was hot for LOD and yet again, they do not give it to us which is a shock for sure because I am not sure what they are holding off for at this stage but the finish is over huge. Was not expecting The Rattlesnake to make an appearance but by God, the WWF are just killing it with Stone Cold Steve Austin at the moment! Austin stuns Owen keeping the fire lit on his feud with Owen and The Hart Foundation and we have new babyface tag team champions that opens up new possibilities! The finish picked me back up but these last three matches have been a tough slog!

 

Winners: The Headbangers via Stone Cold Stunner!

 

(WWF Championship Match) Bret Hart © vs The Patriot

Heel Bret Hart is what I need right now, The Hitman  hates America and I am all in on Bret who is as dastardly as they come, The Patriot has defeated Bret Hart in their previous encounter but can lightning strike twice? The Patriot Del Wilkes competed mostly in AJPW during the 90s teaming with The Eagle and other various gaijin like Johnny Ace, Stan Hansen etc and forming the stable G.E.T. with Johnny Ace & Kenta Kobashi. Solid and reliable in the ring, Patriot should do just fine!

 

Bret kisses the belt and jumps the challenger, Bret is such a hero. Bret rakes Patriot’s face on the top rope, belly to back suplex from The Hitman. Headbutt to the groin from the champion, Patriot is in the tree of woe. Stomps and foot choke from The Hitman, Patriot battles back with a big Irish whip and a clothesline. Dropkick by The Patriot, Bret is clotheslined to the floor. Bret takes a breather but Patriot maintains control with three massive arm-drags before clamping on an arm-bar. Leg-drop in the arm, hammerlock and Bret is sent into the buckle. Bret comes back with stomps to the leg, Bret works the legs with numerous stomps. Bret drops his weight down on the leg of Patriot, Patriot screams out in pain as Bret continues working the leg. Leg-trip and elbows to the knee, Bret hammers the leg of Patriot.

 

The Patriot tries fighting back as Bret has a spinning toe-hold applied, figure-four using the ring-post by the champion. Bret headbutts Patriot in the spine as The British Bulldog is here at ringside to support The Hitman. Large Austin chants from the fans, back-breaker from The Hitman. Patriot blocks the suplex and lands a snap suplex of his own, sunset flip from Patriot for two. DDT from Patriot for two, Bret blocks a corner clothesline with a knee but Patriot stops the axe handle. Clothesline by Patriot but Bulldog trips up Patriot. O’Connor roll from Bret for two, Patriot sends Bret into Bulldog and lands a schoolboy for two. Uncle Slam! Bulldog pulls out Bret, Patriot is irate but here comes Vader and they batter Bulldog. Vader sends Bret into the steel steps, Bret is furious and wants the DQ.

 

Patriot pummels Bret, massive headbutt. Big boot from Patriot, scoop slam from Patriot and it looks like it’s time for the missile. Patriot Missile for two and a half! Atomic drop into a belly to back suplex for a close two, stun-gun from The Hitman. Running bulldog from Bret, Bret’s Rope Elbow Drop for two. Bret pummels Patriot in the corner but Patriot fires back, the referee is waffled by accident. Uncle Slam from Patriot! 1….2… Bret Hart has his foot on the ropes! Both men collide in the middle of the ring, small package almost captures it for Patriot. Bret tastes the buckle hard, Patriot has The Sharpshooter locked in, Bret has nowhere to go but Bret counters the hold, you should never try another man’s hold on him. Bret clamps on the hold, Patriot cannot reach the ropes and gives up!

 

Started slow for sure, Patriot on the offensive was not what I needed to get me hooked on his WWF run. However, once we started cooking, things picked up a lot and Patriot was given a lot when it came to the match. Patriot almost pinned Bret off the Uncle Slam, Bret only surviving thanks to Davey Boy and the ropes. The leg work was quickly forgotten though, Patriot sold originally but it never continued throughout the match which is a major knock on the match as a whole. Finish is a little off with Patriot not tapping or passing out, I am guessing verbal submission is still the norm but the post-match beatdown is some good stuff with Bret assaulting officials, attacking Patriot with a devastating piledriver and breaking The American Flag. Heel Bret kicks ass!

 

Winner: Bret Hart over The Patriot via Sharpshooter!

 

Shawn Michaels W/ Chyna & Rick Rude vs The Undertaker

Nobody crosses Undertaker and gets away with it, HBK has cost The Undertaker the WWF Championship at Summerslam and Shawn Michaels signed his own death warrant by walloping Undertaker with a chair across the face, opening up The Deadman. First time Taker had been bloodied in the WWF, Michaels is as cocky as ever here, HBK in 1997 might be as close to perfect because the guy is tremendous in the ring and has the most punchable face.

 

Taker calmly walks to the ring, staring down HBK. HBK hides behind the referee, running around the ring before shoving the official at Taker. Taker decks the referee instantly, this is certainly a change of pace. HBK is completely thrown and Michaels decides it’s time to leave. Sgt. Slaughter tells HBK to go back to the ring, Taker picks up the referee and throws the referee onto Michaels. Taker punches Michaels up and down the ramp, military press slam on the ramp by Taker. Taker batters Michaels all around the ring, choking HBK with the camera cable and sending Michaels into the guardrail and announce tables. Michaels is being bounced around like a ping-pong ball, Michaels begs for mercy.

 

Clothesline from Taker, elbow drop connects from Taker. Make it two, cover with no official. Michaels flip from the corner to the floor, Slaughter makes Earl Hebnar the official. Michaels begs for mercy, Taker stalks the official and Michaels goes for the leg. Massive chop-block and right hands from HBK, Irish whip to the corner. Corner punches from Michaels, Taker shoves off HBK. Rinse and repeat, Taker wants the chokeslam but Michaels goes low with the kicks. Michaels is on the top rope, Taker blocks the axe handle with a right hand. Taker kicks Michaels who is in serious trouble, crotched on the top rope. Taker shakes the ropes, Michaels is in a bad way and Taker clotheslines Michaels down.

 

Taker tries old-school but HBK blocks and crotches The Deadman, HBK tries a plancha but Taker catches HBK and rams him into the ring-post. Taker ducks his head off an Irish whip, Michaels lands a neck-breaker. HBK scrambles for a chair, Taker boots down HBK and grabs the chair. The referee grabs the chair, Michaels dropkicks Taker into the referee. Flying forearm from HBK, diving elbow drop from Michaels. Another elbow drop, Taker survives the elbow drop but Rick Rude is here at ringside. Brass knuckles and Michaels has the knuckles, Taker is popped in the face. A new referee comes down, Helmsley and Chyna are here. Taker kicks out after the brass knuckles spot, Chyna & Helmsley rough up Taker. Taker is back up though, battling with HBK landing a big clothesline but Taker lands on his feet.

 

Helmsley and Chyna rattle Taker who shakes it off, Helmsley is saved by HBK with a diving axe handle to the floor. HBK chokes the life out of Taker while Helmsley lands some shots too. Tombstone and Sweet Chin Music are blocked, HBK is tossed to the corner as Taker lands right after right. Brass knuckles into the head of HBK, Helmsley is decked too. Michaels survives and kicks out at two! Taker has the referee and Chokeslams the referee. We finally have the referees saying that’s enough of this horseshit as Taker Chokeslams Helmsley into HBK. Helmsley is tossed to the floor, Michaels lands Sweet Chin Music and they try to take out Taker once more, Taker Tombstones Helmsley. Wrestlers break up the brawl and we go off the air after a massive dive from Taker.

 

Ok I liked the brawl aspect, Michaels had pissed off Taker and had to pay so we go in and Taker is furious, knocks out the referee and makes his intentions known: I am here to beat the piss out of HBK. HBK sells and sells for The Deadman, getting his ass beat all around the ring and ringside area, this is entertaining for sure but we never get a second gear because the match never leaves this brawling state, we have interference and more referee bumps and it’s logical in the sense that with the referees being unable to control the match, the superstars of the WWF would be needed to separate the two but the match just never gets going for me and it bothers me because HBK is on fire and Taker is at his best launching HBK around the ring but it definitely feels like filler!

 

No Contest!

 

That was WWF In Your House: Ground Zero and I think I could have skipped this one, this PPV was really rough at times with Steve Austin being the highlight of this show by a country mile. Austin’s career is soaring even in injury while the same cannot be said for many of the talents on this show. Following the unfortunate injury to Scott Putski, this card nosedives hard. The Tag Team Championship match, the mini-match and the triple threat Gang Leaders match were all tough to sit through and Bret Hart vs Patriot was hit and miss while the main event resembled more of an extended angle to build towards Hell in a Cell. Did I feel like I would have gotten my money’s worth on this night? Hell no, you can skip anything not involving Austin on this one! Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!