WWF Wrestlemania XIV Review!

 

Hello and welcome to Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that looks more barren than the roster to choose from in WWE 2K22! It’s WWF Wrestlemania XIV, this is a big one because this means I have watched every WWF PPV from Wrestlemania 1 to Wrestlemani 14! A significant run for sure and because I have previously covered ECW, The Attitude Era and onwards to roughly the end of 2008 as well as WCW The Start of The NOW until The End, it means it is time for a new series on this blog. That new series? I am going back in time to cover WCW from the first Starrcade until the beginning of The New World Order. Excited to jump on that train but let’s stay focused, we are here to witness the beginning of a new era as Shawn Michaels defends his WWF Championship against The Texas Rattlesnake Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin’s popularity skyrocketed following his feud with Bret Hart, Austin would become even more popular following his injury at the hands of Owen Hart and it would culminate in this moment: a chance to become WWF Champion. We also have Undertaker battling his little brother Kane, Kane tried to destroy The Deadman and Undertaker was reluctant to battle his own flesh and blood but now, Taker sees no other choice and his brother must be destroyed! We also have Luna vs Sable, The Rock against Ken Shamrock and Triple H taking on Owen Hart so plenty of big matches on paper but will they deliver on this night? Let’s find out!

 

Number One’s Contender Tag Team Battle Royal Match

 

Tag teams of the WWF battle to become the number one contenders for the championships, let’s run down some of the competitors for this match. The Nation represented by Kama & Faarooq, The Headbangers, The New Midnight Express, Boricuas, Godwinns, D’Lo & Mark also represent The Nation but none of that matters because we have a mystery team and it’s LOD. LOD had been taken out by D-Generation X with Hawk’s iconic haircut being shaved off but LOD are here with a new attitude and a new look, we finally have something for Sunny to do too which would be great considering how good of a mouthpiece she can be but as a babyface manager?

 

Everyone piles into the ring, you have a lot of what I hated about 1996/1997 WWF in that ring like The Godwinns, Boricuas and D.O.A. Some odd ones too with Steve Blackman in there and Flash Funk. Lots of clubbing going on in the ring, Sniper & Recon from The Truth Commission are in this? What? Kurgan is eliminated? I couldn’t even see him in there, Sunny and Cornette are talking shit to one another which is interesting considering how well they know one another. Barry Windham continues his feud with Bradshaw by throwing out Chainz, the partner of Bradshaw.

 

You keeping up with this? Because it’s a mess and a million miles per hour, Heel Rock N Roll Express will never get old to me, who could have though that was a good idea? Lots of pairing off, Thrasher has been dumped out. Mark Henry is still in the ring despite D’Lo being dumped out minutes ago so you can see it’s one of those train-wrecks. We have four teams, LOD, The New Midnight Express, D.O.A and The Godwinns. Henry Godwinn clubs out 8-Ball, Phineas gets thrown out by Skull so both teams end up leaving. Phineas and Henry have slop buckets and The Legion of Doom have been cracked in the head with the buckets. The New Midnight Express feel victory coming, double elbow to Hawk. Hawk hangs on and fights off Bart and Bob, Animal clotheslines on The Express. Powerslam on Bart, boot on Bob. Double clothesline and The Legion of Doom are going to Unforgiven.

 

An average battle royal, lots of brawling and pairing off in corners, little drama until the double slop buckets to the heads, could have been a lot better but could have been worse. At least the fans love LOD so that’s a positive, right team won but you already know how this works out so it’s clear the WWF had no idea what to do with one of the hottest tag teams of all-time!

 

Winners: LOD over Everyone Else via Survival!

 

(WWF Light Heavyweight Championship Match) Taka Michinoku © vs Aguila

 

A tough spot for Taka to be in, hopefully Taka can get these people on their feet. Taka is no stranger to the Mexican style so Aguila and Taka should work fine together. Arm-drags and headscissors to kick us off, spinning heel kick from Aguila. Baseball slide from Aguila, moonsault from Aguila. Aguila taunts the crowd after a beautiful moonsault, Taka is on the apron. Taka lands on his feet and dropkicks Aguila, springboard splash from Taka. Aguila takes a breather, Irish whip and flying forearm. Kicks from Taka, Taka is on the apron and lands a beautiful dropkick. Snap-mare with a dropkick to the back of the head and one to the face for good measure, Aguila back-drops Taka to the floor. Taka stops the dive, Aguila lands a springboard arm-drag, make it two. Beautiful wrist-lock arm-drag, corkscrew plancha from Aguila.

 

Taka is on the apron, springboard tornillo misses but Aguila lands a moonsault for two. Open palm slap from Taka, Taka climbs high. Bit of a miss communication with Aguila stopping a crossbody with his knees before landing a springboard hurricanrana. Aguila is whipped to the buckle, knee to the face from Taka. Missile dropkick, Michinoku Driver is countered as Aguila slides out but eats a powerbomb. Taka misses a moonsault, La Magistral for two. Aguila tries a crossbody, dropkick counter from Taka and one Michinoku Driver later, the champion has retained.

 

A fun high-flying contest between two men who would have to do damn-near kill one another to elicit a reaction from the fans as there is just no respect there for the level of work and talent that the athletes possess. However, don’t feel bad for Taka as Taka had quite the career in Japan and still continues to wrestle to this very day. Regardless, there are some nice spots mixed in here but it’s not the crowd’s cup of tea.

 

Winner: Taka Michinoku over Aguila via Michinoku Driver!

 

(WWF European Championship Match) Triple H © W/ Chyna vs Owen Hart

 

The Black Hart wanted to wipe out D-Generation X for what they did to his brother Bret, Bulldog and Neidhart. These two have battled as HBK was on a collision course with Stone Cold Steve Austin, Owen had a lot of momentum but it seems to have fizzled a little bit come Wrestlemania time. The added stipulation to this match is Chyna is handcuffed to Commissioner Slaughter. Worth nothing that Slaughter vs Helmsley was arguably the worst match I have seen in quite some time, I don’t think Owen should have shaved his beard as the crazed look of The Black Hart worked way better for the gimmick.

 

Owen comes down and pummels Helmsley, rights and lefts with a big back body-drop, ten punches in the corner. Hurricanrana for two, Helmsley is yet to have got started. Helmsley lands an elbow to the face, Helmsley kicks Owen to the floor. Chyna tries hitting Owen but Slaughter stops that action. Owen batters Helmsley, Sharpshooter attempt but Helmsley goes for the eyes. Owen kicks back at Helmsley, face-buster from Helmsley with a big clothesline for added measure. Chops in the corner, stomps too from Helmsley. High running knee from Helmsley for two, knee drop from Helmsley. Owen begins battling back, kicks too. Helmsley boots Owen, DDT from the champion for two. Helmsley wakes up and starts working the ankle which was in a cast two weeks before this match. Elbows and wrenching holds from the champion, the challenger is in serious trouble.

 

Owen starts fighting back, shoulder thrusts from Owen. Owen trips up Helmsley and meets the ring-post groin-first. Chyna is irate as Owen lands a missile dropkick for two. Spinning heel kick for two, enzuigiri from Owen who hurts his foot waffling Helmsley. Two for Owen, Helmsley counters the hurricanrana for a powerbomb, two for the champion. Helmsley does not connect with the superplex, diving crossbody from Owen for two. Pedigree is blocked, Sharpshooter is blocked too with Owen bouncing off the turnbuckle and headbutting Helmsley down there. Two for Owen, Chyna continues to threaten Slaughter, Pedigree is blocked again. Owen rolls through the sunset flip, Sharpshooter from The Black Hart. Chyna helps Helmsley reach the ropes, Owen begins pummelling the champion, the referee has to pull back Owen. Chyna throws powder in the eyes of Slaughter, Chyna low-blows Owen and Helmsley lands The Pedigree to steal the win.

 

Solid match between these two, a return to form for Helmsley who initially won me over upon entering the company back in 1995, Helmsley obviously grew leaps and bounds in his feud with Mankind but as Michael’s sidekick, I think Helmsley has stopped flourishing but a big change is coming ladies and gentlemen, as much as Helmsley is meant to be heel, the fans are cheering for Helmsley. I feel for Owen, The Black Hart gimmick had legs and a feud with the champion even if Owen lost, could have been something but it simply did not go that way.

 

Winner: Hunter Hearst Helmsley over Owen Hart via Pedigree!

 

Marc Mero & Sable vs Goldust & Luna

 

We have a promo package for this match of all matches, Sable continues to grow in popularity, Mero was a piece of shit to Sable but they are partners against Goldust & Luna so we shall see how this goes, I can only imagine what will be coming my way. Goldust and Mero to start, head-scissors and clothesline from Mero. Luna is tagged in, Mero says to the crowd “Do you want Sable?” Luna powders and we have a chase around the ring, Luna tags in Goldust. Goldust jumps Mero, back body-drop from Mero. Tag to Sable who kicks Goldust square in the head, Luna seems resistance to mix it up. Mero starts throwing his jabs and straights to the ribs, whip to the opposite buckle with Goldust landing a boot and a massive clothesline.

 

Snake eyes onto the top rope, Goldust chokes Mero using the middle rope. Both men collide with Mero landing a crossbody for two, Goldust drops down for an uppercut, both men bang heads and are down. Sable and Luna are in, Sable takes down Luna and lands forearms on the crazy one. Sable kicks Luna in the corner and head, snap-mare and a shot to Goldust. Clothesline to the floor, tag to Goldust. Goldust is sent into the steel steps, slingshot splash is stopped by knees. Mero low-blows Goldust, TKO is blocked into a DDT from The Bizarre One. 1…2. Mero kicks out barely. Goldust kicks Mero into the corner, Mero counters the curtain call and lands his knee-lift. Marvelocity? Turnaround moonsault for two, Goldust elbows Mero. Mero crotches Goldust, super hurricanrana for two. Luna kicks Mero, Mero thinks about hitting Luna but Goldust runs into Luna by mistake. Schoolboy by Mero for two, TKO connects on Goldust with Luna making the save. Sable is in but the referee is not paying attention, Luna dives onto Sable by mistake. Sablebomb for two,  Luna rakes the eyes.

 

Luna chokes Sable on the middle rope, knees to the back from Luna. The second time though, Sable manages to move out of the way but Sable cannot gain control. Luna lands shoulder thrusts, Sable counters the Irish whip and delivers a TKO for the win!

 

Herculean performance from Luna to make Sable look decent inside of that ring, I don’t think it could have worked out any better for all involved during this contest, this was quite the victory for the WWF as a whole. Mero would be gone by the end of next year after feuding with his wife while Sable would follow suite in early 1999 as did Goldust while Luna struggled away for respect during an era where it was more about how you looked than how you wrestled. Fair-play to all involved on this night, the fans got what they wanted.

 

Winners: Marc Mero & Sable over Goldust & Luna via TKO!

 

(WWF Intercontinental Championship Match) The Rock © W/ The Nation vs Ken Shamrock

 

No Faarooq in sight, building the tension between Rock and Faarooq for the leadership of The Nation. Ken Shamrock is red-hot as he has been since I would say Summerslam 1997 where we saw Shamrock truly snap for the first time. Shamrock has beaten Rock on numerous occasions but the slimy champion continues to hold onto the championship somehow. Shamrock runs down to the ring, right hands and a clothesline to the floor after a big kick from Shamrock. If Rock gets disqualified, he will lose the championship. Shamrock chases Rock up the ramp, Rock is bounced off the guardrail. Eye poke from Rock, Shamrock sends Rock into the ring steps. Shamrock lands two clotheslines in the ring, side-kick and right hands from Shamrock.

 

Rock pulls Shamrock to the floor and into the steel steps, scoop slam and People’s Elbow for two. Shamrock fights back with big rights, Shamrock sends Rock to the floor. Shamrock has a chair, Shamrock shoves down the referee so Rock uses the chair and waffles Shamrock in the face but Shamrock manages to kick out, Shamrock is irate after being cracked in the head. Elbow from Shamrock, calf, kick from Shamrock and a powerslam for two. Belly to belly suplex from Shamrock, Ankle Lock in the middle of the ring and Rock taps, Shamrock belly to belly suplexes all Nation members and continues torturing Rock which leads to the referee reversing the decision. Faarooq watches Rock scream in pain as the referee reverses the decision.

 

Not sure why they didn’t want to pull the trigger on Shamrock as champion, maybe The World’s Most Dangerous Man didn’t need it but boy was Shamrock fun to watch when he was allowed to murder people, another brief contest between Shamrock and Rock coming out victorious. I am happy to see the conclusion of the feud with Shamrock finally winning the championship but that never happened sadly, Shamrock would capture the gold after HHH vacated the championship but a lot had changed by that time and while Shamrock was always taken care of when in the WWF, I can’t help but think this was the time to give the championship to Shamrock while Rock went off to sort his problems with Faarooq.

 

Winner: The Rock over Ken Shamrock via Referee’s Reversal Decision!

 

(WWF Tag Team Championship Dumpster Match) The New Age Outlaws © vs Cactus Jack & Chainsaw Charlie

 

The Outlaws shoved the challengers off the Raw stage in a dumpster where they suffered horrific injuries which leads us to this match between the two, the challengers start hot, peppering the champions with punches and knees before Billy hot-shots Chainsaw. Road Dogg fights away from Cactus, baking tray to the head from Road Dogg. Billy saves his partner with a baseball slide, Billy has a busted nose as Chainsaw meets the guardrail. Chainsaw is placed in the dumpster, Russian leg-sweep into the dumpster on Cactus. Chainsaw fights his way out of the dumpster, both challengers have their heads smashed with the lids of the dumpster. Cactus and Chainsaw are dumped in, Mandible Claw on both Outlaws, this match is not over. Chainsaw comes out with a baking tray and waffles Billy.

 

Chainsaw cracks Billy again, Cactus Jack elbow drop to the floor. DDT on a baking tray by Chainsaw, Cactus pulls out a ladder. Cactus begins climbing the ladder, Billy low-blows Chainsaw. Road Dogg smashes Chainsaw who tips over the ladder that has Cactus and Billy on it, they fall into the dumpster. Chainsaw is powerbombed into the dumpster, Cactus is by the stage. They battle to the backstage area, Cactus is attacked with some trays and throw into some giant soda cans. Cactus grabs a chair and smacks Road Dogg in the head and Billy eats a Double Arm DDT on a forklift. The Outlaws are dumped into the dumpster with Cactus closing the lids. The match is over!

 

Didn’t know it could be any dumpster? Silly you but yeah an interesting brawl for sure, could have been worse. Didn’t overstay its welcome, lots of weapons, lots of smoke and mirrors which added to my enjoyment of the match, some nasty bumps too. Not much else to say about this one, Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie gain their revenge for the dumpster attack, things could not have ended on a happier note.

 

Winners: Cactus Jack & Chainsaw Charlie over The New Age Outlaws via Closing The Dumpster!

 

Kane W/ Paul Bearer vs The Undertaker

 

Kane is alive! Words burned into my memory due to that memorable promo from Paul Bearer, Undertaker was manipulated by Paul Bearer due to this dark secret, Undertaker called Bearer’s bluff and those words were spoken. Taker doubted this could be true, his little brother could not have survived what happened to Taker’s parents. Undertaker continued his war with HBK, culminating in The Hell in A Cell match, Taker had battered HBK and before the final blow could be dealt, the arena went dark and Kane emerged for the first time, tombstoning his brother and allowing Shawn Michaels to win the match. Taker refused to do battle with his brother, he would not fight his own flesh and blood so things continued as before with Taker battling Shawn Michaels. Michaels would attack Taker but Kane would rescue his brother, it seemed that Kane and Taker would work together after all but Kane would turn on his brother at The Royal Rumble, locking his brother in a casket and setting it ablaze. Taker survived and decided enough was enough which leads us to this moment, two brothers, two monsters, two of the most dominating forces in the WWF doing battle.

 

They go nose to nose, staring one another down. Taker hammers Kane who hardly wobbles, boots and knees by Taker with Kane continuing to stand his ground. Elbow from Kane, Taker stomps away on Kane but Kane sends Taker to the corner. Taker elbows away Kane but Kane lands a short clothesline, more brawling from Taker. Kane misses a clothesline but sends Taker to the tree of woe, stomps from The Big Red Machine. Hard Irish whips from Kane, corner clothesline from Kane. Uppercuts and knees from Kane, Taker is draped across the top rope. Kane climbs high and comes down with his clothesline, more uppercuts and right hands and a corner choke from Kane. Taker eats an electric chair drop, Kane has the steel steps and drives them into the back of the head of Taker. Kane grabs the steps again and drives them into the ribs of The Deadman. Paul Bearer gets in a number of stomps on Taker, Kane has Taker on the apron. Suplex into the ring from Kane, Kane continues brawling. Taker comes back with a clothesline, Taker ducks two clotheslines but runs into a Chokeslam from Kane. 1…2.. Kane pulls up Taker by the hair, Kane wants to punish Undertaker. Kane applies a reverse chin-lock, Taker fights back with rights and lefts but Taker is floored by a clothesline, elbow drop from Kane. Taker manages to drop Kane to the floor, boot by Taker. Taker tries a suicide dive but Kane sidesteps and drops Taker through the announce table. Kane smacks Taker with the leftovers of the table.

 

Kane is on the top rope, diving clothesline from The Big Red Machine for two. Kane batters Taker but The Deadman is not staying down, more brawling with Taker winning the war. Taker catches Kane but Kane Slips out, Tombstone Piledriver but Undertaker manages to kick out! Seconds later, Taker is on his feet brawling with Kane. Rights and lefts from Taker, clothesline by The Phenom. Taker lands a massive Chokeslam! Tombstone Piledriver! 1…2.. Kane manages to kick out! Leg drop from Taker, Kane is up again. Second Tombstone Piledriver, 1….2… Kane kicks out again! Taker climbs high, diving clothesline from The Deadman but Kane is up again.  A 3^rd Tombstone Piledriver, 1…..2….3!

 

Quite the entertaining match for the beginning of a rivalry that would come to symbolize/dominate both of their careers. Kane is allowed to dominate and Taker is shown to be vulnerable, Taker has not been this vulnerable since the match with Diesel, two years before this match. Kane gets his heat back at the end too by Tombstoning Taker onto a steel chair, Taker was able to overcome his stronger brother through strategy and determination, Taker’s will to survive is on full display here and that sound when Kane survives that first tombstone is insane, you could feel the shock ripple through the arena. A war befitting of the feud, great story-telling that had been building since early 1997 culminating in a great match and a new star in Kane.

 

Winner: The Undertaker over Kane via Tombstone Piledriver!

 

(WWF Championship Match) Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Shawn Michaels © W/ D-Generation X

 

Stone Cold Steve Austin had won the Royal Rumble, we have been waiting months for this moment, people have wanted Austin and that championship for months and we are mere minutes away from that reality. Iron Mike Tyson is the special guest enforcer for this match, in his D-X gear because in the run-up to Wrestlemania, Mike Tyson had been unveiled as a member of D-Generation X. HBK had it all figured out, HBK had his posse and had Mike Tyson in his back pocket so what could go wrong? Said it before and said it again, Shawn Michaels was a God during 1997 and I am deeply saddened we did not get to enjoy HBK in 1998.

 

Austin misses as HBK nails a big jab to the eye, Michaels continues to talk-trash as Michaels is too quick for The Rattlesnake. HBK’s body language is fantastic to start off, Austin nails a Polish hammer and starts whooping Michaels, Michaels is kicked around the ring with his ass hanging out, Austin back-drops Michaels onto Helmsley, Helmsley jumps Austin with the referee seemingly powerless? The referee does not want to throw out the WWF Championship match, Helmsley and Chyna have been ejected as Michaels starts pummelling Austin. Austin jumps Helmsley who was walking away, HBK nails a massive clothesline. HBK drills Austin with a drum cymbal, Austin meets the dumpster from earlier. Michaels is on the top rope, Austin stops the axe handle. Michaels does his corner bump, it does not go well and Austin lands an inverted atomic drop for two.

 

Austin works the arm, eye-rake from Michaels. Stun-gun from Austin for two, Michaels dodges the stunner but Austin clotheslines HBK off the apron and onto the announce table. Michaels meets the steel steps, Austin lands a massive elbow across the throat. Austin slaps on the reverse chin-lock, this is a curious one. Jaw-breaker from Michaels, Austin sends Michaels into the ring-post using his legs. Michaels meets the guardrail but HBK back-drops Austin into the crowd. Michaels can take control now, left jabs from Michaels. Snap-mare and mounted punches from Michaels.

 

Stomp the groin, Michaels flips off the crowd which leads to Austin taking down Michaels, Michaels is hurled to the floor by the challenger. Michaels trips up Austin and wraps that knee around the ring-post. Again and again, Austin meets the ring-post. Michaels continues stomping away at the knee of Austin, Austin clutches his leg in pain. Austin avoids a figure four and kicks HBK into the ring-post, schoolboy for two. Michaels goes back to the knees, baseball slide from Michaels. Austin is distracted by Tyson, chop block from Michaels. Figure four from HBK, HBK uses the ropes for leverage. Austin reverses the hold, reversing the pressure but Michaels reaches the ropes quickly. Right hands by Austin, catapult into the buckle and a roll-up for two. Sleeper from HBK, Austin is beginning to fade.

 

Austin backs into the corner with Michaels, crushing the referee in the process. Austin stun-guns Michaels again, right hands from Austin. HBK bounces off every buckle, stomps from Austin. Back body-drop, Austin gets hit with a flying forearm. Michaels delivers a massive elbow drop to the heart of Austin, Michaels calls for the end. Austin ducks Sweet Chin Music, Michaels blocks and shoves off Austin but Austin catches the foot and drills HBK with The Stone Cold Stunner with Mike Tyson sliding in and counting the pin. Irate by the betrayal, Michaels confronts Tyson which does not end well as Tyson decks HBK.

 

As good as it could have been, it was clear as day that something was off with HBK as this match began, Michaels is grimacing throughout the entire match and while his body language is terrific, this is not the Shawn Michaels we know and love who can deliver a show-stealing performance with ease. HBK and Austin do their best to deliver an unforgettable performance but I think the match is best summed up by Tyson’s three count: Too fast that doesn’t let you enjoy the moment, close but not what we needed. However, we have what we always wanted, the Austin Era can begin and there are a lot of challengers awaiting The Rattlesnake and what a journey it would be!

 

Winner: Stone Cold Steve Austin over Shawn Michaels via Stone Cold Stunner!

 

That was WWF Wrestlemania XIV, a Wrestlemania that continues the trend started in 1997 which followed into 1998 which was the cards were getting better and the bigger matches were doing what they needed to do. What I hated most about WWF in this era is on full-display in the first match, tag teams like Godwinns, Truth Commission, and number of acts that weren’t interesting inside of that ring. The Light Heavyweight Championship match is fun but the fans don’t care, the division was never going to rival what WCW had which was a shame for the talent busting their asses in the ring. HHH vs Owen delivers like HHH had been since I first saw him in the company, more fleshed out and more confident, HHH had grown so much in his feud with Mankind and it seems that this was a return to form since not having much to do in the past months as HBK’s sidekick. Rock vs Shamrock was odd to me, the reversed decision was never going to go down well considering we had a screwy finish at The Rumble so why not pay off the angle here? Baffling from the WWF like repackaging LOD and continuing to do nothing with them! Undertaker vs Kane delivers, the angle is fantastic and the match is two big monsters attacking one another and I was invested in it, Taker can be hit and miss, I have expressed that many times but on this night, it was a good night for The Deadman and in the main event, they did their best with what they could do, I don’t think I have ever watched a match where I knew just how much pain a performer was in, I have seen injuries and people try to work through pain only to stop but never like this, Michaels takes that first bump and his body fails him like his bones were suddenly made of glass, it must have been horrific but Michaels did what he had to do, he crowned the new king and his name was Stone Cold Steve Austin.

 

So this wraps up looking at the WWF through 1985 to 1998, what a journey it has been, I have tasted the highs of the Golden Era, watched story-telling and matches unfold that had me screaming up and down, we moved into The New Generation Era that had lows which I would call the lowest of lows but when things were good, they were really good and finally, the transition to The Attitude Era which also had its fair share of bad matches and acts but some amazing highs, I think wrestling will always be a mix of highs and lows and while I wanted to tear my hair out on some of these reviews, I am glad that I stuck with it and finished what I want to accomplish. Now into new territory, I know the big angles and the big feuds and have a fair idea of how things go but I have never seen the majority of it but that changes with our next reviews as I deep dive into WCW from 1983 to 1996, 13 years of PPVs where legends come and go and the company grows. From Crockett to Jim Herd to Bill Watts to everyone in between to finally Eric Bischoff. Could it be great? Could it be bad? Probably both but let’s see where it takes us right? Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WWF In Your House 19: D-Generation X Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another wrestling review from Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that won’t suspend talent for tasteless comments on air! It’s WWF In Your House 19: D-Generation X! The main event is Shawn Michaels defending his championship against Ken Shamrock, what a match that will be ladies and gentlemen while Stone Cold Steve Austin defends his WWF Intercontinental Championship against Rocky Maivia! We have the return of Jeff Jarrett and the crowning of the first-ever WWF Light Heavyweight Champion! Solid In Your House card that you do not want to miss to be honest, looking forward to quite a few matches on this card. Let’s get it on!

 

(WWF Light Heavyweight Championship Match) Taka Michinoku vs Brian Christopher

The winner of this match will be the first-ever WWF Light Heavyweight Champion, we have fan favourite Taka Michinoku who displayed great skill and agility in his previous PPV appearance at Canadian Stampede and hated heel Brian Christopher. Scoop slam to start us out from Christopher, lock-up and arm-wrench from Christopher. Taka flips out of an arm-hold before Christopher hip-tosses Taka, Christopher tries a German suplex but Taka lands on his feet and nails a spinning heel kick. Two dropkicks and a clothesline to the floor, springboard crossbody from Taka. Taka wants a suplex into the ring, Christopher suplexes Taka onto the top rope. Clothesline and Taka lands hard on the floor, Christopher climbs high but misses the axe handle to the floor. Christopher dodges the diving crossbody from Taka, slap from Christopher.

 

Christopher rubs his blood in the face of Taka, whip to the opposite buckle. Corner splash misses, big slap from Taka and a tornado DDT for two. Hurricanrana from Taka, springboard moonsault from Taka to the floor. Jerry Lawler checks on his son, fans chant Jerry’s Kid as Lawler helps Christopher. Snap-mare and two dropkicks from Taka, Christopher ducks twice and lands his full-nelson face-buster. Choke from Christopher, sit-out powerbomb for two. Taka counters the pin-fall for a close two, elbow to the head from Christopher. Christopher is on the middle rope, missile dropkick to the back of the head. Rocker Dropper from Christopher, back-breaker for two. Slaps from Christopher, Christopher takes a karate style pose. Eye-rake from Christopher, pump kicks from Christopher.

 

Irish whip and a clothesline from Christopher, Christopher covers for a close two. Fist drop to the head, make it two. Taka flips out of the belly to back suplex but Christopher counters and delivers a sickening German suplex. Leg drop from Christopher for two, powerslam and Christopher climbs high for his Diving Leg Drop but Taka dodges and drills Christopher with a beautiful Michinoku Driver for the win.

 

So many people would be unfamiliar with Brian Christopher’s Too Sexy run in the USWA but as shown here when Christopher was allowed to showcase his personality and work, Christopher could go inside of that ring. Taka has bursts of offense and the crowd reacts big to everything that Taka does inside of that ring, the precision of his dives and the beautiful Michinoku Driver dare I say more? Perhaps it would have been wiser to put the championship on Brian Christopher and have Taka win the championship at Mania? Perhaps wishful thinking on my part, an enjoyable match for sure definitely worthy of being an opening match.

 

Winner: Taka Michinoku over Brian Christopher via Michinoku Driver!

 

Los Boricuas vs DOA

Starting to think someone hates me because why in the name of God do I have to watch these brawl again? I am contemplating skipping this “match” but I cannot unfortunately, the Boricuas do not even have matching outfits anymore. Chainz and Miguel to kick us off, lock-up with Chainz being pushed back to the corner. Miguel tees-off before eating a boot and a hip-toss, big clothesline too. 8-Ball and Jesus square off, elbow and boot by Jesus. 8-Ball drives Jesus’ face into the mat, tag to Jose. 8-Ball powerslams Jose and Skull lands a knee drop for two, tag to 8-Ball. Double clothesline on Jose, right hands by 8-Ball. Spinning sidewalk slam by 8-Ball, two for 8-Ball. Tag to Skull who has his eyes raked, Jose eats a neck-breaker but Miguel boots Skull from the apron. DOA are with the referees, 8-Ball is battered by The Boricuas. Miguel lands a massive scoop slam before landing a diving top rope axe handle and Miguel goes down clutching his ankle, rolling out of the ring and there could be an injury on this show which sucks. Jose and Jesus cut off 8-Ball, chops from Jesus do not work as 8-Ball comes back with right hands before missing a corner splash. Jesus tags in Jose who applies a rest-hold to buy time.

 

 Irish whip and flying elbow by Jose, tag to Jesus who helps his partner with a hard fist to the face. Jesus misses a corner spear, Miguel has to be legit injured. Jose comes in with Chainz wiping out everyone, Death Valley Driver from Chainz but Miguel pops up and lands a senton leg drop and we have our winners!

 

Well that might be the best fake of all-time because I bought it and could totally see Vince Mcmahon not sending anyone out to help Puerto Rican talent. All jokes aside, the match was not terrible where in the past, a combination of these men has caused me great pain and annoyance because this feud seems like it will never end and none of the workers involved are over but I guess we are going to continue seeing these groups feud.

 

Winners: Los Boricuas over DOA via Senton Leg Drop!

 

(Tough Man Match) Marvelous Marc Mero vs Butterbean

Going back and discovering 1997 allows me to learn things I never knew like Butterbean made a WWF PPV appearance before Wrestlemania XV and he’s going to compete against Mero in a worked contest. Butterbean is a thumb in the form of a human. Mero obviously has a new attitude since returning and has become devoid of all personality since shedding The Wild Man gimmick. Mero jabs Butterbean over and over, Butterbean closes the gaps before Mero is in the ropes. Was this the template for Brawl for All? What is with the obsession with boxing, Butterbean wallops Mero who was in the ropes. Mero complains, Mero survives round one and thumps Butterbean in the back of the head.

 

Pull away and we get going for round two, Mero chokes Butterbean with glove tapes to gain control, Butterbean is on the defensive. Butterbean fights back, Mero is cornered before Mero grabs a hold of Butterbean. Eye rake with gloves by Mero, rights and lefts from Mero. Fans are not happy, this is not a surprise. Am I really going to say that DOA vs Boricuas was not the worst thing on this PPV? I think I am because this is a joke. Mero dropkicks Butterbean at the end of round two, next will be a chair-shot to the head. Butterbean asks Mero to knock him out, Mero can’t knock him down. After a lot of slugging, Butterbean waffles Mero but Mero survives because the round ended. Round four, Butterbean drills Mero but Mero nails a low blow and attacks Butterbean with a stool. Butterbean wins by DQ! Awful, you couldn’t even give us Butterbean knocking out Mero? What a waste!

 

Winner: Butterbean over Marc Mero via DQ!

 

(WWF Tag Team Championship Match) The New Age Outlaws © vs The Legion of Doom

Sickening is all I have to say, I waited months for LOD to win those championships, nobody in that division is more over than these two individuals and you are telling me that they held those championships less than a month? Crazy but it is nice to see two individuals who were directionless and looked likely for release to find one another and make something very special and succeed. The Outlaws talk massive amounts of shit on the microphone before we get this match underway! Animal brings in Road Dogg, what are these early New Age Outlaws attires? Animal beats up Road Dogg with the tag team championship, clothesline from Animal. Tag to Hawk, right hands from Hawk. Dropkick from Hawk, Road Dogg powders before attacking Hawk who was re-entering the ring. Hawk shakes off the attacks of Road Dogg, neck-breaker from Hawk.

 

The Outlaws try leaving, Hawk dives off the apron onto both champions. Billy Gunn is clotheslined hard while Road Dogg eats a massive boot, noggin-knocker from Hawk. Road Dogg is bounced off the announce table as Animal is tagged in, massive boot and Irish whip from Animal. Leapfrogs and drop-downs before Animal powerbombs Road Dogg, Billy Gunn has to save Road Dogg. Hawk chops Road Dogg on the floor, the champions request a time-out. LOD give chase and we have a brawl in the aisleway, not sure who is legal at this stage but we got some serious brawling going on, Road Dogg smashes a cooler over the head of Hawk while Billy Gunn lands a killer low-blow. Billy tags in and lands a right to the ribs, Billy chokes Hawk. Boot from the apron by Road Dogg, measured right hand from Billy. Billy applies a reverse chin-lock, Animal starts LOD chants in the arena.

 

Hawk powers up, elbows from Hawk but Billy cuts off Hawk with a kick to the ribs. Knee drop from Billy for two, both men collide in the middle of the ring with thunderous clotheslines. Billy has the tights of Hawk, preventing the tag. Billy sends Hawk to the buckle and Hawk bounces off Billy with both men down. Tag to Animal, clotheslines all around, powerslam on Road Dogg. Flying shoulder block on Billy, same move for Road Dogg. Corner clotheslines on Road Dogg, Henry Godwinn cracks Animal with a bucket but Hawk takes out everyone with the bucket which leads to a DQ. The champions retain their championships by pure fluke!

 

As if I needed to see anymore of The Godwinns feuding with LOD, have we not crossed this bridge before? Still a lot of gas in the tanks of LOD, The Outlaws are finding their feet but they are heat magnets with the fans looking forward to watching them get battered. Certainly can live to fight another day but I did enjoy this match.

 

Winners: The New Age Outlaws over LOD via DQ!

 

(Boot Camp Match) Sgt. Slaughter vs Triple H

We start with a special video package putting over how badass Sgt. Slaughter was in his day, important because we are going to see Slaughter take on none other than Triple H. One of the members of D-Generation X who has continuously disrespected Sgt. Slaughter, the transformation of Triple H from Connecticut Blue-Blood to man constantly talking about his dick and telling people to suck it is quite the transformation. Can the old man still go? Can Slaughter hang with the athlete in his prime? Nine times out of ten this would not work in real-life but this is professional wrestling where anything is possible and Slaughter starts battering Helmsley immediately with massive rights and his stick.

 

Riding crop to be exact, Helmsley is whipped like a government mule with said crop. Low boot from Slaughter, gut-buster from Slaughter. Slaughter stomps on Triple H, Slaughter stomps on the fingers of Helmsley. Low elbow from Sarge, Helmsley is dumped to the floor. Slaughter drops Helmsley on the guard rail, Chyna looks on from ringside. Helmsley meets the steel steps hard, kick to the ribs from Slaughter. Sarge has his belt and Helmsley is beaten with the belt, belt to the throat takes down Helmsley. Sarge Chokes Helmsley with the belt, all Sarge so far with little happening on Helmsley’s part to change that. Whip to the buckle and a clothesline for two, Helmsley kicks away Sarge to stop the clutch.

 

Helmsley sends Sarge to the buckle and over the top rope, we are fighting in the crowd now with Helmsley landing a massive right hand to the face. Choke from Helmsley, the timekeeper is wiped out by Helmsley. Sarge low blows Helmsley to stop the ring-bell, Helmsley is undeterred and lands the bell to the back. Now, Helmsley whips Slaughter and chokes him too. The belt is around the neck of Slaughter and Helmsley tosses Sarge around the ring. Chyna’s necklace is now around Helmsley’s right hand, Sarge is tattooed in the head with the chain.

 

Middle rope knee drop from Helmsley for two, Helmsley measures for the biggest right hand of the match. Sarge blocks and starts throwing bombs, Helmsley is in trouble but Sarge may not have enough in the tank to finish this match. Helmsley elevates Sarge to the floor, big bump for Slaughter. Helmsley is on the top rope, Sarge blocks the dive with a boot. Suplex from Sarge, Chyna is looking concerned. Sarge is going to the top rope, Helmsley yanks Sarge off the top rope. Sleeper from Helmsley, Sarge survives and clamps on The Cobra Clutch. Chyna is in, she rakes the eyes of Sarge. There is no DQ, so what authority does the referee have over Chyna? None as Chyna drills the referee with a forearm, she takes a chair from ringside.

 

Chyna is in with the chair, Sarge is slow to his feet but Sarge blinds Chyna with powder. Chyna is down, Helmsley uses a boot to nail Sarge in the head. Sarge ducks the second attempt, Cobra Clutch from Sarge. Chyna is back in the ring,  Helmsley almost passes out but Chyna boots Sarge as hard as possible in the gonads. Helmsley recovers to Pedigree Sarge on a chair for the win.

 

Fair play to Sarge for taking those bumps at his age, that’s probably the one positive I can give this match. Heatless and dull at times, the fans don’t really seem to care about either performers which is disappointing considering looking at the trajectory of Helmsley, Helmsley’s momentum has been stalled in my eyes. That feud with Mankind was fantastic for Helmsley but things like this do no favours for Helmsley, the fans clearly were not into it and it was just a chore to get through to be honest.

 

Winner: Hunter Hearst Helmsley over Sgt. Slaughter via Pedigree!

 

The Undertaker vs Jeff Jarett

This kind of came from nowhere, Jeff Jarrett’s return to the WWF which resulted in a worked shoot where Jarrett destroyed his own chances of working soon to be top guy Stone Cold Steve Austin has somehow led to a match between Jarrett and The Undertaker because Jarrett believes himself to be a top guy. There’s no way Taker loses this so why would you debut a new star in this fashion on PPV? Also Jarrett did have some ridiculous looks before chopping off his golden locks but what in God’s name is that singlet that Jarrett is wearing?

 

Jarrett lands a right hand with Taker shaking it off, Jarrett lands a second right hand. Jarrett continues to tee off before Taker turns the tide and pummels Double J, headbutt from The Phenom. Clothesline and arm work from The Deadman, Jarrett is in deep trouble. Old School across the shoulder blades of Jarrett, corner choke from The Deadman. Whip to the buckle, Jarrett elbows away Taker but his axe handle does not work. Taker’s leg gets kicked twice before Jarrett dodges a boot and chop-blocks the leg of Taker. Jarrett goes after the leg with great precision, massive kicks to the thigh from Jarrett. Jarrett misses as Taker dodges, staggering rights from The Deadman. Back-breaker from Taker, leg drop for two.

 

Taker throws Jarrett to the buckle but the lights go out, here comes Kane. Kane is not going to leave his brother alone before they do battle, Paul Bearer is by the side of Kane. Taker watches on from the ring, will Taker do battle with his brother? Jarrett is in the corner, recovering before Jarrett directs Kane to attack Taker. However, Kane Chokeslams Jarrett to give Double J the victory over Taker, Kane and Taker meet eye to eye. Kane just slapped Taker, will Taker fight his own flesh and blood? Just like that, Kane leaves with his job accomplished. Jarrett attacks Taker after the bell, Figure Four is blocked as Taker grabs the throat of Jarrett and delivers a sickening Chokeslam.

 

More of an angle than a match which again makes me wonder why would they use Jarrett in this spot? Not the biggest fan of Jarrett by any means but I think if you are going to re-debut someone, don’t have them as a background character to the actual angle you are trying to sell, I would say Jarrett deserved better but Jarrett gets announced as the winner at the end of the day.

 

Winner: Jeff Jarrett over The Undertaker via DQ!

 

(WWF Intercontinental Championship Match) The Rock vs Stone Cold Steve Austin ©

The Rock holds the Intercontinental Champion as Stone Cold drives a pickup truck to ringside, this would be quite the match in a year’s time but for now, Rock has to try and hang with the very popular Austin, Austin stomps The Rock before The Nation start laying waste to Austin. Faarooq, D’Lo Brown and Kama Mustafa continue to batter The Rattlesnake, the referee has not rang the bell. D’Lo Brown is back-dropped onto the truck, Stone Cold Stunner on top of the truck. Rock starts hammering Austin with big right hands, Austin tees off with a massive Lou Thesz press, they trade pin-fall attempts before Rocky sends Austin to the floor. Faarooq and Kama batter Austin on the floor, D’Lo is down on top of the truck.

 

Austin ducks a chair-shot, Kama waffles Faarooq and Austin whips Faarooq hard into the truck. Rock stomps all over Austin, Austin eats an elbow to the face. Rock lands a massive shots to the nuts of Austin, Austin begins fighting back with big right hands before Rock lands a scoop slam. People’s Elbow, two for Rock. Reverse chin-lock from the challenger, Austin escapes and hits a shoulder block before Rock lands a knee to the ribs. Rock goes for the elbow once more, Austin dodges. Right hand from The Rattlesnake, stomps in the corner from Austin. Rock reverses the Irish whip, Austin ducks the clothesline and smashes Kama. Austin Stunners the referee by accident but Rock has the brass knuckles but Austin blocks the brass knuckles and lands The Stunner!

 

Another quick match and it is a good thing for someone recovering from a broken neck in retrospect, I was critical in the last PPV (Survivor Series) about Austin not giving us that quality match with Owen Hart but the more you look into it, the more of a risk it was to even have Stone Cold Steve Austin competing so soon after his neck injury. However, despite the brief time that this match took place for, it was clear to see that the crowd love Austin and they want as much of The Rattlesnake as possible and Austin continues to build momentum towards that WWF Championship!

 

Winner: Stone Cold Steve Austin over The Rock via Stone Cold Stunner!

 

 

(WWF Championship Match) Ken Shamrock vs Shawn Michaels © W/ Chyna

The World’s Most Dangerous Man vs The Heartbreak Kid for the richest prize in the game. Shamrock has had a phenomenal few months since returning from his injuries, injuries would be his downfall in the WWF but at this time, Shamrock was a great choice as a challenger for the WWF Championship. And if you ever want someone in the ring to guide someone who is inexperienced, it would be Shawn Michaels in the year 1997 as The Heartbreak Kid is damn near untouchable during this year.

 

The bell rings with Shamrock stalking HBK, Michaels is hesitant to do anything with Shamrock. Eye rake and right hands rom HBK, Michaels ducks and ducks to start out with Shamrock landing a massive kick to the chest. HBK flops to the floor, HBK talks with Chyna & Helmsley before slowly re-entering the ring. Shamrock is rearing to go, Michaels is stalling. Michaels is covering up in the corner, Michaels takes the arm and hammers down on the arm but Shamrock grabs the throat and starts throwing rights and lefts. Massive biel from Shamrock, back body drop. Michaels bumps to the floor off an Irish whip, Helmsley tries to calm down the champion. Chyna distracts Shamrock but Shamrock sees HBK coming, HBK spits on Shamrock. HBK tees-off with right hands, Shamrock shoves down HBK.

 

HBK comes back for more, elbow and right hand from Shamrock. Eye-rake from HBK, snap suplex is blocked by Shamrock. Shamrock delivers a brutal suplex and a clothesline to the floor. Shamrock is irate, Shamrock smashes HBK into HHH. Eye-rake from HBK, right hands from Michaels. Sunset flip is blocked from Shamrock, two-handed throat toss from Shamrock. Irish whip to the buckle, kicks to the ribs from Shamrock. Michaels uses the referee to block the belly to belly, Shamrock is clotheslined to the floor as Michaels skins the cat. Helmsley lands massive rights to Shamrock, Michaels lands a diving crossbody to the floor. Shamrock recovers to take down HBK and HHH but Chyna shoves Shamrock into the ring-post. Helmsley stomps on Shamrock, Chyna slams Shamrock on the floor.

 

HBK works the spine with clubbing blows before a middle rope diving elbow drop. Foot to the face, dropkick from Michaels for two. Helmsley lands more rights to the face of Shamrock, HBK is sent to the buckle by Shamrock though. There is life in Shamrock, rights and lefts. Shamrock rolls through a middle rope crossbody for two, eye-rake from Michaels and a straight right takes down Shamrock. Snap-mare into a reverse chin-lock, Shamrock escapes and rolls into a cradle for two before Michaels lands the clothesline to maintain control. Sleeper from Michaels, Shamrock fades before popping up and sending Michaels into the turnbuckle. Shamrock rams Michaels again and again to free himself, elbows from Shamrock.

 

Irish whip and corner clothesline from Shamrock, make it two. Irish whip and back body-drop, flying elbow from Shamrock. Powerslam for two, hurricanrana from Shamrock and mounted rights and lefts from the challenger. Crucifix from Michaels but Shamrock counters with a pin-fall for two. Michaels wants the hurricanrana but Shamrock nails the sit-out powerbomb for two. Michaels has the referee, Helmsley batters Shamrock on the floor. Scoop slam from the champion, diving elbow drop to the heart of Shamrock. Sweet Chin Music time says HBK, Shamrock staggers to his feet. Belly to belly suplex, Ankle Lock and Helmsley & Chyna make the save. Owen Hart comes down to attack Michaels, the last remaining member of The Hart Foundation in the WWF is here. Owen batters the shite out of Michaels, Owen Hart escapes through the crowd.

 

In terms of a main event, Shamrock did not do half-bad. Michaels protected Shamrock well and Shamrock got some nice shots in there for sure. His inexperience shows through his selling and body language at the time which looks as if he is always thinking about how not to mess up what is coming next. In good news for Shamrock, he will be working with a man who arguably he had his best matches with next which is The Rock and that shall be a lot of fun to see those two build one another as the year progresses. The finish is disappointing considering everyone and their mother knows Helmsley and Chyna will cheat to help HBK win, Slaughter could have sent people out to get involved and finally, a main event of a PPV ending in a DQ does nobody any favours. We do have a vengeful Owen Hart gunning for Shawn Michaels due to what happened to Bret Hart which could make things interesting but this main event feels like an afterthought when all was said and done.

 

Winner: Ken Shamrock over Shawn Michaels via DQ!

 

That was WWF’s In Your House: D-Generation X which might be the worse PPV name of all-time and another disappointing entry from the WWF in the year of 1997. A poorly executed boxing match which hints at a possible rematch is not what I wanted to see when it came to Mero vs Butterbean, I wanted to see Butterbean kill Mero! The action never kicks into third gear on this one, you could easily call this an episode of Raw that you had to pay for because there’s nothing redeeming about this card. Taker vs Jarrett is an angle disguised as a match, Jarrett is the sacrificial lamb to the slaughter while we continue Kane vs Taker which I am excited for, don’t get me wrong but for a PPV the way that match was put together was just disappointing. Austin vs Rock really didn’t hit the spot either, I get that they are being careful with Austin and Austin is very over but that’s a big money match people paid to see and it’s not even close to a PPV quality match while the main event feels right at home for Raw. Not even Michael’s magnificent 1997 could turn me on that match, the instant DQ the second Shamrock snaps on the ankle lock sums up the night. Nothing special from the WWF here to end the year, In Your House PPVs are not must see events once more after the magical Hell in A Cell match.

 

As I have finished up 1997, I thought I would summarize my thoughts on the year. Dare I say underrated? It very well could be, I do believe Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels had the best runs of their careers during this year, both had been staples of The New Generation Era and were the bright spots on cards filled with Mabel, Giant Gonzalez, Godwinns and Bodydonnas etc. However, they are fantastic characters on top of being fantastic wrestlers during 1997, Bret Hart’s slow snap from babyface to heel who feels wrong done by the company was tremendous to watch unfold. Bret’s descent into madness is just so much fun, the promos, the matches and of course, the double-turn at Mania were all so much fun to watch and Bret was a joy as always inside of that ring. As for Michaels, HBK achieved a level of heat that I didn’t think were possible for the boytoy by winning The European Championship in the UK against Bulldog, disrespecting Canada at every chance and running from every fight that came his way. Michaels put performances on that rivalled any of his babyface work from the prior year with the Hell in A Cell being the pick of the bunch but Cold Day in Hell, One Night Only and Survivor Series 97 all standout for HBK who sold and flew around that ring for the likes of Taker, Bulldog and Bret Hart. We also saw the rise of Stone Cold Steve Austin, being made in The Wrestlemania match with Bret not the KOTR tournament like WWE would want you to believe, Austin came into his own as the rebellious figure who spat in the face of authority and tradition, something resonated with the fans and Austin never looked back, Austin also managed to overcome a career-ending injury and become more popular while being in the sidelines, how many wrestlers can you say that about?

 

We also saw Undertaker be allowed to work with wrestlers who could go inside of the ring, reviving his rivalry with Mankind to deliver a solid WWF Championship match and Taker’s pursuit of HBK along with the angle involving Paul Bearer gave Taker his best year in the WWF to this point in my eyes. Speaking of Mankind and Hunter Hearst Helmsley, these two men made one another during this feud which kicked off at King of The Ring. We were able to have a fantastic Cage match as well as the unforgettable anywhere falls match on Raw that saw Cactus Jack make his way to the WWF. Ken Shamrock would prove to be quite the addition to the WWF roster along with the likes of Owen Hart, British Bulldog and The Rock all showing their worth to the roster by stepping up and delivering the matches that the company needed those wrestlers to have. Was it all good? No of course not, no year is perfect. The gang warfare angle has robbed The Nation of their bite and led to terrible matches between Boricuas and DOA, LOD could have been booked much stronger throughout the year, the likes of Headbangers, Godwinns, Blackjacks, Flash Funk, Leif Cassidy, Billy Gunn, Road Dogg and many more were either lost in the shuffle, dead in the water or had no real place/gimmick going for them and the loss of Brian Pillman was quite the blow for the WWF.

 

However, I would still argue that this year had a lot of positives, Canadian Stampede being one of the best pay per views that the WWF had ever done to this point. The booking of The Hart Foundation as heels in America and babyfaces in Canada was an interesting dynamic for sure and so many wrestlers became larger than life personalities than you could not miss. Whether it was Austin, Michaels, Bret or Taker, I would say the WWF was building something special in 1997 and it is truly disappointing that we never had a trilogy for Bret vs Shawn and the fact that both men would be gone from the WWF in 3 months time! This has been my review of 1997 and D-Generation X, thanks for taking the time to read and remember: there’s always another night!

 

 

 

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!