WWF Royal Rumble 1998 Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series on the internet that brings the house down more than D-Generation X! It’s WWF Royal Rumble 1998, the road to Wrestlemania is in full swing. Shawn Michaels reigns supreme as WWF Champion after surviving Ken Shamrock at the last PPV but now, HBK must face the man who he escaped at Bad Blood: The Undertaker and Kane seems to be on the side of his brother so how can Michaels survive The Brothers of Destruction? Also we have Ken Shamrock vs The Rock for the WWF Intercontinental Championship, Vader going after Goldust for what happened at Survivor Series 1997 and we have The Royal Rumble itself with the winner going onto Wrestlemania to challenge for the WWF Championship! What a night it could be!

 

The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust W/ Luna vs Vader

 

Goldust has a psychotic break following his divorce from Marlena, The Bizarre One dumped his wife and started acting more bizarre than ever before because Goldust wanted everyone’s attention once more. Vader wants to kill Goldust after his attacks with a coconut and walking out on Vader at Survivor Series.

 

Goldust jumps Vader as Vader enters the ring, right hands from The Bizarre One. Vader Hammer and a corner splash, Goldust powders to survive. Vader knocks Goldust into Luna, not expecting that bump this early into the match. Vader spanks Goldust and throws Goldust into the steel steps, back body-drop from Vader in the ring. Vader runs the ropes, Luna grabs the foot of Vader and this allows Goldust to land a clothesline. Sunset flip from Goldust, Vader tries a hip splash but Goldust dodges and lands a clothesline. Goldust lands a middle rope elbow to the groin of Vader. Goldust hurls Vader into the steel steps, Luna stabs Vader with her high heels. In the ring, Goldust lands ten punches in the corner. Goldust kisses Vader and Vader clubs the life out of Goldust.

 

 Eye-rake from Goldust, the scoop slam does not work for Goldust. Vader boots Goldust and lands a massive suplex, big splash from Vader for two. Short-arm clothesline, Vader wants The Vader Bomb. Goldust lands a low blow as Luna distracts the referee. Vader splashes Goldust after Goldust misses with the sunset flip. Vader Bomb attempt two, Luna tries choking Vader but Vader carries Luna on his back and lands a Vader Bomb for the win.

 

Mercifully it was brief, Goldust may be beloved now but during his initial run in the Federation, I doubt I have ever seen a good Goldust match. Sliding up and down the card would be a good way to describe both men but the odd time like Canadian Stampede, Vader delivers the goods and this was a good night for Vader.

 

Winner: Vader over Goldust via Vader Bomb!

 

Battalion/Tarantula/El Torito vs Max-Mini/Nova/Mosaic

 

Could they not have put Sunny with a top heel faction at any point? I mean she’s so good on the mic, was she that much of a wreck at the time? They did try again though with LOD a few months after this. Tarantula lands a clothesline on Nova, arm-drag from Nova. Headscissors and dropkick from Nova, Max-Mini and Battallion are in. Arm-drag from Mini, make it two. Make it three, Torito throws around Mosaic. Flapjack from Torito, flapjack countered for an arm-drag, make it two. Tarantula clotheslines Mosaic, tag to Battallion. Nova hip-tosses Torito, arm-drag and make it double. Tarantula boots Mini, clothesline from Tarantula. Tarantula misses a corner splash, Mini lands a top rope hurricanrana. Back body-drop, Tarantula eats an arm-drag.

 

Torito boots Mini in the back of the head, Mini eats another boot from Battallion. Torito lands a fist to the head, Mini lands a big gut punch. Torito counters with a massive fist, Mini brawls back into a leg drop. Mini uses Sunny to kick and attack the heels. Battallion beats on Mosaic, arm-drag from Mosaic who lands a middle rope tope con hilo. Torito lands a plancha, corkscrew tornillo from Mini. Tarantula lands a suicide dive and Nova lands an Asai Moonsault. Torito misses an elbow drop after wiping out Mini, Mini lands a top rope diving hurricanrana and a great arm-drag into a cover for the win!

 

Harmless if not overstaying its welcome, lots of arm-drags that are impressive take nothing away from the performers but much like the audience in attendance, I am rather immune to what was going on inside of that ring.

 

Winners: Team Mini over Team Tarantula via Roll-up!

 

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

 

The Rock is getting over ladies and gentlemen and he is your WWF Intercontinental Champion but The World’s Most Dangerous Man is running through everyone and is over like rover so what does the future hold for The Rock? Who knows but people want to see Shamrock snap him like a twig so you could not ask for more really.

 

Rocky sucks chant fill the arena, Rock stalls wanting no part of Shamrock. Shamrock throws a kick that sends a shiver up Rock’s spine who backs away at the speed of light. Lock-up, Rock misses the cheap shot. Rock goes low with a boot, right hands from the champion. Shamrock lands a massive kick to the chest, right hand sends Rock to the floor. Eye-rake and right hands from Rock, corner clothesline from Rock. Right hands in the corner, Shamrock explodes out with a clothesline. Make it two, Rock counters the hurricanrana and sends Shamrock into the top rope throat first. Stomps from Rock, Shamrock fights back but Rock cuts off Shamrock and lands massive rights and delivers a foot choke to Shamrock.

 

Shamrock fights but Rock goes to the eyes, Shamrock ducks a clothesline to land a flying crossbody for two. Fisherman suplex from Shamrock for two, Rock pops right back up and lands a clothesline. In the ring, Shamrock lands right hands before Rock nails his floatover DDT for a close two. Reverse chin-lock from Rock, Rock drills Shamrock again to land the chin-lock once more. Rock tries the DDT again but Shamrock lands a northern lights suplex throw with both men down in the middle of the ring. Right hands and powerslam from Shamrock, Shamrock is feeling it right now before Rock goes to the eyes. Hurricanrana from Sahmrock, Shamrock calls for the finish with The Nation running down to ring-side. Rock drills Shamrock with the brass knuckles while the referee was with D’Lo Brown. Smash to the face with the brass knuckles, 1….2… Shamrock kicks out! Belly to belly suplex from Shamrock for the win but Rock tells the referee that brass knuckles were used to secure the win. The referee reverses the decision after finding the brass knuckles, Shamrock snaps accordingly at this injustice.

 

A decent match between these two, the two would build up a tremendous amount of chemistry over the months with their numerous encounters but this first affair was a little rough around the edges. Was it right to put the championship on Shamrock at this time? Yeah Shamrock was white-hot but it’s understandable if they wanted to hold it off until Wrestlemania. Eye-pokes seem to be the weakness of Shamrock, it is all they go after when facing The World’s Most Dangerous Man. Different finish, works for me to extend the feud, looking forward to the Mania match that has to be on the horizon.

 

Winner: The Rock over Ken Shamrock via Reversed Decision!

 

(WWF Tag Team Championship Match) The New Age Outlaws © vs LOD

 

The champions try jumping the challengers, it does not go well as Animal powerbombs Road Dogg to the floor, Hawk tosses Billy to the floor and the champions take a walk. Road Dogg and Hawk kick us off officially, Hawk nails a shoulder block. Road Dogg wants a tag but nobody is there, corner clothesline from Hawk. Following with a big boot and a fist drop, Hawk tags in Animal. Double elbow and a neck-lock from Animal, hangman’s neck-breaker from Hawk. Hawk smacks Billy off the apron, eye poke from Road Dogg and tag to Billy. Billy runs into a hip-toss and a Lou Thesz press from Hawk, hair-pull throw from Hawk. Tag to Animal, belly to back suplex from Animal. Billy dodges an elbow drop, Animal delivers a massive powerslam to both champions.

 

Animal is tripped up by Road Dogg, Billy sends Animal to the floor and Road Dogg hurls Animal into the steel steps. Road Dogg lands massive kicks to the spine, the spine of Animal is supposedly injured from a powerbomb through the announce table on Raw. Hawk clubs Billy in the ring, Road Dogg comes in for the double team. Hawk lands a clothesline on both champions, Hawk sends Road Dogg to the buckle and misses a corner spear. Hawk is handcuffed to the ring-post, Animal begins fighting back against two men. Animal flips out of the back suplex and lands a clothesline, flying shoulder tackle from Animal. Billy eye-pokes Animal and climbs to the top rope, Billy dives for a powerslam and Animal reverses into a powerslam. 1…2.. Road Dogg cracks Animal with a chair across the back, match ends in DQ as the champions batter the back of Animal.

 

Another case of LOD being protected when it comes to the finish of the match, LOD have been screwed at every opportunity when it comes to the championships, could they be setting up for something big at Wrestlemania? It was very possible but maybe politics/addictions caused those plans to go awry. LOD have been the most popular tag team in the WWF for the year that they have been there so their booking has always been a mystery for me but here we are once more with LOD looking like it’s time to put the championships on them only for those championships to be taken away, at some point it does get dull.

 

Winners: LOD over The New Age Outlaws via DQ!

 

The Royal Rumble Match

 

Thirty men fighting for the opportunity to be the number one contender for the WWF Championship at Wrestlemania, it’s all rather simple: Thirty men with two participants kicking off the rumble, there is a new entrant every ninety seconds and superstars can only be eliminated by being thrown over the top rope and both feet touching the floor. Who are the favourites for the rumble? Stone Cold Steve Austin, Vader, Ken Shamrock, Owen Hart and The Rock have to be big picks to win the rumble.

 

Entrants 1 to 5

 

Number one is Cactus Jack, Cactus Jack brings down trash cans to the ring so I guess we are getting a little hardcore to kick this rumble off, number two is Chainsaw Charlie! The two tag team partners are going to go at it, Terry Funk and Mick Foley are going to batter one another like they have done so many times in Japan & ECW. Cactus starts the match by battering Charlie with the chair, Charlie smashes Cactus back with the chair. Charlie backs off, Charlie wants the chair-shot and takes the best shot of Cactus. Charlie is allowed to crack Cactus, both men are trying to prove who is the toughest. Charlie almost dumps out Cactus, number three is Tom Brandi. Brandi is battered by the tag team of Cactus and Charlie and Brandi is immediately eliminated!

 

Tom Brandi has been Eliminated by Cactus Jack & Chainsaw Charlie!

 

Charlie tries a piledriver but Cactus blocks that action, Cactus suplexes Chainsaw onto two chairs. Number four is The Rock, Charlie and Cactus knock one another down before Rock comes in and starts hammering both men. Loud Rocky sucks chants, Rock forgets about Cactus and is drilled with the trash can. Cactus and Charlie take turns battering Rock who has a trash can on his head before Cactus cracks Rock with a chair. Charlie low-blows Cactus in the corner, number five is Headbanger Mosh who almost gets decked by a thrown chair from Charlie. Charlie misses a moonsault as the war rages on in the ring.

 

Entrants 6 to 10

 

Number six is Henry Godwinn, Godwinn goes after Mosh which is a nice bit of continuity. Charlie and Rock are brawling before Henry comes over, number seven is 8-Ball. The worst of 1997 is coming out here to annoy me, I just know it. Savio Vega has to be next for sure, Cactus Jack tries eliminating Chainsaw but Chainsaw ducks and Cactus goes sailing over the top rope.

 

Cactus Jack has been Eliminated by Chainsaw Charlie!

 

Rock almost dumps out Charlie but the veteran holds on, number eight is Blackjack Bradshaw. Lots of clubbing and brawling with all of these tag team members battering one another. The crowd seems to have dulled a little, Bradshaw continues battering 8-Ball. 8-Ball survives elimination as number nine comes down to the ring and it is Owen Hart who is attacked by Jeff Jarrett with Jim Cornette. Racket to the back of the neck, Owen Hart has been attacked brutally by Double J. Officials get Jarrett out of there, number ten is Steve Blackman. Blackman kicks and punches Chainsaw, Blackman almost dumps out Chainsaw.

 

Number 11 to 15

 

Number eleven is D’Lo Brown, D’Lo brawls with 8-Ball as Bradshaw batters Chainsaw Charlie. D’Lo and Rock brawl after some teamwork, the Nation is looking out for themselves on this night. Number twelve is Kurrgan, this should be a clearing of bodies or at least, I hope it is a clearing of bodies. Kurrgan dumps out Mosh confidently, Blackman is the next to try and face this giant.

 

Mosh has been Eliminated by Kurrgan!

 

Number thirteen is Marvelous Marc Mero who is overshadowed by Sable as always, Mero looks confident. Mero starts boxing Blackman, Sable chants all throughout the arena. Kurrgan shoves out Blackman with ease, Bradshaw starts teeing off on the monster.

 

Steve Blackman has been Eliminated by Kurrgan!

 

Number fourteen is Ken Shamrock, Kurrgan does not even move so Shamrock kicks and takes down Kurrgan. Everyone gangs up and dumps out Kurrgan, the monster has been thrown out but Shamrock took the monster down.

 

Kurrgan has been Eliminated by Everyone!

 

Shamrock and Mero are battling one another, Bradshaw boots D’Lo. Rock knocks down Chainsaw and delivers his elbow. Number fifteen is Headbanger Thrasher, Bradshaw clotheslines Thrasher. Shamrock chants are circling around the arena, Shamrock should be clearing the ring to be honest. Mero is standing in the middle of the ring before 8-Ball smacks Mero around.

 

Number 16 to 20

 

Sixteen is Mankind, Chainsaw has been eliminated by the alter ego of Mick Foley!

 

Chainsaw Charlie has been Eliminated by Mankind!

 

Shamrock has been pummelling Rock in the corner, Mero is talking to Sable instead of wrestling while number seventeen is The Artist formerly known as Goldust. Mankind and Goldust are brawling, Goldust dumps out Mankind in probably the most surprising elimination of the night.

 

Mankind has been Eliminated by Goldust!

 

Number eighteen is Jeff Jarrett who returned to the WWF at the end of 97, big right hands everywhere in the rumble before Owen Hart batters Jarrett. The Black Hart has sprinted to the ring and destroys Jarrett with right hands, spinning heel kick from Owen on Jarrett. Owen continues to tee off on Jarrett, Jarrett thinks he dumps out Owen but Owen skins the cat and hurls out Jarrett for a massive pop! Number nineteen is The Honky Tonk Man!

 

Jeff Jarrett has been eliminated by Owen Hart!

 

Ken Shamrock has been eliminated by The Rock!

 

Owen Hart has been eliminated by Hunter Hearst Helmsley!

 

In a massive flurry of events, The Rock low-blows Ken Shamrock and dumps out The World’s Most Dangerous Man while Triple H comes down to ringside on crutches with Chyna. Chyna distracts Owen and it leads to Triple H eliminating Owen with the crutch to the back of the head.

 

Number 20 to 25

 

Number twenty is Ahmed Johnson who does not look happy to be there at all, the reaction says it all from the fans with no reaction whatsoever. Number twenty-one is Mark Henry, smiling and ready to kick some ass. D’Lo and Rock have quite the back-up now, Ahmed is getting blasted by D’Lo Brown and Mark Henry. Everyone is pairing off not doing much, kind of crazy Honky Tonk is in there considering his 2001 appearance is so memorable while brief whereas here he is competing and staying in there with nobody caring. Number twenty-two does not come out, there is no music and nobody appearing on the ramp. The fans act confused, Ahmed Johnson is dumped out by The Nation. Phineas is dumped out by Mark Henry.

 

Ahmed Johnson has been eliminated by The Nation!

 

Phineas Godwinn has been eliminated by Mark Henry!

 

D’Lo Brown and Mark Henry are brawling, why? Ahmed and Phineas battle their way to the back, why? Very strange circumstances as number twenty-three is Kama Mustafa. Bradshaw is clubbing everyone in sight,  Kama is battering D’Lo with nobody reacting which means nobody cares haha. Number twenty-four is Stone Cold Steve Austin! Everyone wants to batter Austin, Austin comes through the crowd to jump everyone. Mero and 8-Ball are gone!

 

Marc Mero & 8-Ball have been eliminated by Stone Cold Steve Austin!

 

Austin’s red-hot running through everyone phase doesn’t come, I am bitterly disappointed as we see Henry Godwinn at number twenty-five. Henry goes for Austin, stomping and choking The Rattlesnake! Austin almost dumps out Henry,  Nation members are brawling with one another which is a shock to nobody considering they wasted that tease way back.

 

Entrants 26 to 30

 

Savio Vega is number twenty-six but all Boricuas come for Austin, Austin dumps them all out except Savio. Mark Henry goes after Austin, Thrasher gives Austin an assist. Bradshaw is still roughing up everyone in sight, nothing interesting is going on as per usual though. Number twenty-seven is here it’s Faarooq. The ring has 5 Nation members in there, will Faarooq bring everyone together, Faarooq goes after Rock and all members of The Nation. Rock and Austin are not eliminated, they go through the middle ropes. They brawl on the outside with Austin being smashed into the steel steps. Number twenty-eight is Dude Love, Foley just cannot stop making appearances in this rumble. Dude dances his way to the ring and bumps out Bradshaw!

 

Bradshaw has been eliminated by Dude Love!

 

Rock nails D’Lo with The People’s Elbow which leads to Austin punching the face of The Rock, Austin chokes Rock with the ropes. Leg across the back from Austin, Austin continues to choke Rock before an eye poke stops that attack. Savio attacks Austin and number twenty-nine is Chainz, this is such a lacklustre roster I swear. Number thirty is Vader! Could we have a clear-out? I sure hope so because I am not loving this match too much! Vader starts clobbering people, Honky Tonk is dumped out by The Man They Call Vader!

 

Honky Tonk Man has been Eliminated by Vader!

 

Austin back-drops two men over, Kama Mustafa and Thrasher.

 

Kama Mustafa & Thrasher have been eliminated by Steve Austin!

 

Savio Vega has been Eliminated by Steve Austin!

 

Vader has been eliminated by Goldust!

 

Henry Godwinn has been eliminated by Dude Love!

 

Goldust has been Eliminated by Chainz!

 

Chainz has been eliminated by Steve Austin!

 

Mark Henry has been eliminated by The Rock!

 

Faarooq, Rock, Austin and Dude Love remain. Everyone is thrown out in such quick succession, we barely have time to process or react because it just goes by in a flash. Dude Love applies the mandible to Austin but Austin nails the low blow and Faarooq dumps out Dude Love before Faarooq goes after Austin but Rock dumps out Faarooq. Austin almost tosses out Rock before Rock holds on, Rock runs into a Stunner and Austin tosses out The Intercontinental Champion for the win!

 

Definitely one of the weakest rumbles I have seen, I hold 95 and 96 up there as very weak rumbles but 1998 be damned, the roster is not in a good way with the amount of reactionless individuals making it into this rumble. The format of big moments being spaced out or dream confrontations seems to be a non-factor at this time. You couldn’t pick out 3 memorable moments in there to be honest, I think Shamrock should have had a bigger role as well as The Black Hart considering that reaction for Owen when Jarrett was dumped out of that rumble. Rocky was the right choice to be the marathon man, not many wrestlers in there could even generate a reaction from the fans so right final two but as I said, a weak rumble that seemed to just drag on for most of the time before abruptly ending. It was setup for Austin or Vader to clear house with all those lower-card talent in there at the end but nope, it simply never came together as I had envisioned or believed it should have went. However, maybe I am spoiled by the more choreographed rumbles but definitely not the crowning moment you would want for The Rattlesnake, I’d argue 1997 was much more fun!

 

Winner: Stone Cold Steve Austin over Everyone Else!

 

(WWF Championship Casket Match) Shawn Michaels © vs The Undertaker

 

All beginning at Summerslam, these two have been on a collision path with Undertaker looking to destroy the arrogant Shawn Michaels! The two brawled at Ground Zero which setup the legendary Hell in a Cell match with the perfect ending to debut Kane. In a beautiful twist to this saga, D-Generation X wanted to make use of Kane but it appears that The Brothers of Destruction have been reunited. How could Shawn Michaels possibly survive Kane and Undertaker? A casket match, the speciality of The Deadman. It seems all the odds are stacked against the champion but HBK always has a trick or two up his sleeve so let’s see how this plays out.

 

Michaels uses his quickness before being caught, Michaels dodges again though and jabs at The Deadman. Taker shoves off HBK who comes back for more each time before getting caught again, Michaels goes to the knees and tees off again. Taker snatches Michaels out of thin-air but Michaels escapes once more, Taker back-drops Michaels onto the casket. A spot which would live on in infamy for how it would change wrestling in the WWF in the months to come. Taker military presses HBK and boots Michaels into the casket but Michaels scrambles out of the casket. Michaels avoids Taker again and again before eating a massive right hand, scoop slam from the challenger. Taker misses an elbow but sits-up, Michaels wants to work the arm but Taker is too big for that. Old School connects with Michaels looking like a beaten man already, Taker pummels HBK in the corner.

 

Michaels does his corner bump to the floor, hot-shot from HBK. HBK climbs high, diving crossbody is countered for a powerslam. Michaels is placed in the casket but Taker cannot close the lid, Michaels throws powder in the eyes of The Deadman. HBK goes to work with stinging jabs, Michaels rakes the eyes to avoid a chokeslam and lands a diving moonsault to wipe out Taker. Clothesline to the floor and Taker drags out Michaels who was skinning the cat. Taker is sent into the steel steps though by HBK, HBK piledrivers Taker on the steel steps. Hunter gets in a few crutch shots while Michaels recovers, Taker is battered with the crutch. Michaels grabs the chair, Taker is waffled in the spine. Michaels attempts to put Taker in the casket, Taker comes up though and smashes HBK back into the ring with Helmsley getting knocked down too.

 

Undertaker ducks his head off an Irish whip, big mistake as Michaels lands a neck-breaker! Sleeper from Michaels, brilliant strategy from the champion. Taker fights out but Michaels lands his flying forearm, Michaels is looking for his elbow drop. It lands right in the hot of Taker, Michaels calls for his finish. Sweet Chin Music almost decapitates The Deadman, Taker is rolled towards the casket. HBK tells Taker to suck it before Taker grabs Michaels by his balls, Taker is alive and kicking. Back body-drop for Michaels, whip to the buckle with Michaels bump and a clothesline. Big boot from Taker, Taker misses his flying clothesline. Michaels decides to nail an elbow drop into the casket, both men are in the casket so what happens now? Michaels is dragged into the casket with Taker, Taker pummels Michaels down. Chokeslam straight to Hell! Taker Tombstones Michaels into the casket, Chyna wipes out the referee while here comes The New Age Outlaws and The Boricuas to attack The Deadman. Fans scream for Kane, Kane’s music hits!

 

Ask and you shall receive boys and girls! From monster heel to gigantic babyface, panic is across the face of all involved as Kane steps into the ring. The Outlaws and Boricuas are decimated by The Big Red Machine, Taker is pulling himself to his feet. Kane decks his brother, battering The Phenom. Chokeslam into the casket and Michaels closes the casket, the champion retains before Kane brings the casket to the stage locking it on all sides and they light it on fire!

 

Michaels and Taker have fantastic chemistry, that’s no surprise as they always have had it and whether it was the brawl at Ground Zero, the iconic Hell in a Cell or even this match here gimmick of the casket and all, we get some awesome moments of wrestling between the two. Michaels was on top of his game and while I have not seen the Wrestlemania XIV match in quite some time, I think it is important to say that this might have been the last great match of Michael’s first run in the WWF and it’s such a shame his career was cut short by that bump on the casket because nobody was more on the ball/better than HBK in 1997 (Maybe Bret Hart but he’s not in the WWF anymore either). So, the match is entertaining as Michaels is so arrogant and you are just praying that Taker gets his hands on him and demolishes him which Taker does and then we have the heels putting the boots to Taker with Kane making the save, all good fun here and then, it all slows down with Kane’s attack on Taker, very poor in execution as Kane’s pyro fails him and I think this could have been a lot tighter and produced/co-ordinated more. Example: Taker and Kane synchronised Chokeslams before the pyro and Kane attacking his brother, something small like that which could have fed into the deceit or portrayed the angle better. Regardless, chickenshit Michaels survives again, building heat for his eventual demise and we get the lock of Taker vs Kane at Mania if Taker survives being murder which I have a sneaking suspicion that The Deadman will!

 

Winner: Shawn Michaels over Undertaker via Closing The Casket!

 

That was WWF’s Royal Rumble 1998, not the big kick-off to 1998 you would hope for. Usually I would be angered by a rumble not finishing the show, I think the drama and suspense and excitement that comes with a rumble is unrivalled when executed well but it was the right decision not to end the show with this rumble. However, let’s start at the beginning with Vader delivering one of his better performances in the WWF taking out the turncoat and very bizarre Goldust, went in thinking this would be a horrid affair and was pleasantly surprised. The mini-match was horrible, I thought it was a little fun the first time but as it has continued, I have grown progressively bored and angered by these matches, this match possibly being the last straw for me as it was utter garbage. LOD chasing the tag team titles is a story as old as time itself at this stage in the WWF, you never pulled the trigger at the right time and you make me watch DQs, count-outs and screwjobs galore and you know what? After the tenth time, it doesn’t even leave an implant on my mind it just rolls together like all the other times whether it be Godwinns, Bulldog and Owen or The New Age Outlaws, I just don’t think I can make myself care anymore, congratulations WWF I don’t care about LOD. Rocky vs Shamrock was decent, both men are over and the feud can continue so not the worst piece of business in history. The rumble is weak filled with wrestlers who just aren’t that interesting, imagine having Chainz in there as one of the last few wrestlers? Chainz! It was dull, no monster clearing house, no monster babyface tearing through everyone. Austin was not a house of fire who took out everyone, Shamrock, Owen and Vader were all dumped out before we had fun and even simple things like having The Nation gang up on everyone was screwed up as they battered one another within seconds of entering the ring. Imagine how much better had it been The Nation operating to take everyone out, Shamrock gaining revenge on Rocky for earlier, Austin actually dumping out lower-card talent in quick succession, Stunner after Stunner. It all seems so easy to book yet they messed it all up. Thankfully, Austin was so over that we can just forget that giant blur of nothing and enjoy Austin’s journey to the top. Meanwhile, the main event is Michaels vs Taker tearing it up and a dramatic ending that makes you want to watch RAW that next night. A weak card overall, not befitting of a Rumble but two important things do happen on this show and you can’t skip this one if you want to see Austin’s big win or the beginning of the end of Michaels’s career. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WWF In Your House 18: Bad Blood Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another Seanomaniac Wrestling review, the only wrestling review series on the internet that knows how many times Big Show has turned heel! It’s time for WWF Bad Blood 1997, so close to the end of 1997 and yet so far, the main event of the night is the first ever Hell in A Cell match between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels. HBK cost The Undertaker the WWF Championship at Summerslam, the two brawled at Ground Zero which leads us to this historic match with the shadow of Paul Bearer looming over The Deadman. We also have Owen Hart defending his Intercontinental Championship against Faarooq and Bret Hart & The British Bulldog taking on Vader & The Patriot along with a mini match and more Gang Warfare (God Help me!) So let’s crack on with WWF In Your House: Bad Blood 1997!

 

The Nation of Domination vs The Legion of Doom

LOD are not challenging for the tag team championships which is understandable due to the newly crowned babyface champions in The Headbangers but for how much longer can we ignore that LOD are the most popular tag team in the division? LOD are huge over and they will be taking on it looks like The Rock and Kama Mustafa but D’Lo is also here so it’s more than a bit confusing but we shall see where we go from here. Oh it’s a handicap match because Shamrock was injured at the hands of Faarooq.

 

I am good with that I suppose, D’Lo to start with Hawk. Side headlock from D’Lo, shoulder block does not move Hawk who lands a hip-toss and a dropkick which sends D’Lo to the floor. D’Lo runs before Hawk boots and clotheslines D’Lo, tag to The Rock. Big Rocky sucks chants, Hawk tags in Animal. Rock tee’s off on Animal once we restart, Irish whip with Animal ducking and landing a shoulder block and a dropkick. Rocky powders and talks strategy with the other Nation members, Rocky regroups and slowly re-enters the ring. Animal ducks the clothesline and wrenches the arm before tagging Hawk. Middle rope first to the face, chop from Hawk. Side headlock from Hawk, Rocky pushes Hawk to The Nation’s corner but nothing comes of it. Kama comes in, big hoss time.

 

Kama goes to work with big rights to Hawk, Hawk dodges the corner splash. Clothesline from Hawk, both men knock one another down before Hawk pops up with an enzuigiri. Snap-mare into a reverse chinlock, Animal plants Kama with a powerslam but Rocky drills Animal with a DDT. Shuffle side-kick from Kama, Kama tosses Animal to the floor and Rocky and D’Lo batter Animal. Kama tags in D’Lo, Animal almost escapes before being cut off as D’Lo lands multiple leg drops. To the buckle, tag to Rocky. Rocky stomps away at Animal, Rocky threatens the referee before choking Animal over and over. Measured right hand and Hawk is with the referee as Rocky punches Animal right in the lower area. Two for Rocky, Kama comes in to punish Animal. Kama misses a corner splash as Animal dodges, Animal crawls and crawls.

 

Rocky distracts the referee so the referee misses the tag, D’Lo drops Animal with the Lo Down for a close two. Animal is dumped to the floor again as The Nation send Animal into the steel steps. Tag to Rocky, Rocky whips Animal but Animal ducks and both men nail one another with a clothesline. Hawk is legal now, right hands to Rocky. Powerslam, D’Lo elbows Rocky by mistake. Neck-breaker on D’Lo, clothesline to Kama. Corner clotheslines to Rocky, they call for Doomsday. Faarooq distracts Animal, Kama kicks Hawk in the back of the head, Rocky nails The Rock Bottom for the win.

 

Solid opening match, would have loved to have seen Shamrock in there who is just so explosive and so much fun during this time, Shamrock will have his moment though as there are some really good matches coming with Rocky and Shamrock. Crowd is hot for those last 2 minutes, I still believe like Mcmahon says, they are the premier tag team in the WWF and the championships are soon going to be around the waist of LOD. Good stuff to kick us off!

 

Winners: Nation of Domination over LOD via Rock Bottom!

 

Mosaic & Tarantula vs Max-Mini & Mini-Nova

Mini-matches are here to stay, Tarantula boots down Max with Nova kicking Mosaic in the face. Tarantula swats down Nova, we have a lot of fast action going on here as Tarantula misses a splash. Tarantula and Mosaic are accidently hitting one another as Nova is too fast for them before Mosaic drags Nova to the floor. Double beatdown before we reset, Max misses a dropkick as Mosaic elbows Max. Mosaic misses a corner splash, arm-drag from Max. Back body drop from Max, Nova nails a splash. Max nails a hurricanrana before Mosaic makes the save, double boot from the heels. Big boot from Tarantula, Nova comes in against the big man before Mosaic chop-blocks Nova. Suplex by Tarantula, top rope splash for two.

 

Clothesline from Mosaic, Nova is down on the floor for another headsets. Tarantula and Mosaic boot down Max, Tarantula presses Max onto the announce table. Nova and Mosaic are back in the ring, shoulder block by Mosaic. Tarantula nails a clothesline on Max, Max is elevated to the apron before nailing a crossbody into a crucifix pin for the win.

 

Awkward, clunky and the crowd didn’t care but there is a possibility that this match was thrown together after the unfortunate passing of Brian Pillman, it’s certainly possible and I will have to check that for sure but this was just bad.

 

Winners: Nova & Max-Mini over Tarantula & Mosaic via Crucifix Pin!

 

(WWF Tag Team Championship Match) The Godwinns vs The Headbangers ©

Sunny should be managing a top heel or the voice of a heel faction, she was fantastic in SMW and such a shame that she was her own worse enemy. However, we are here to talk about the tag team division in WWF, The Headbangers are your WWF tag team champions thanks to Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Godwinns have been part of some of the worst matches I have had to stomach during The New Generation. The champions clear the rings of the challengers, Uncle Cletus is here at ringside for The Godwinns, his first pay per view appearance. Mosh and Phineas are disgusting one another before locking up, Phineas clubs Mosh. Whip to the buckle, headscissors from Mosh which leaves Phineas on the floor. Apron hurricanrana from Thrasher, springboard clothesline from Mosh. Mosh clubs Phineas over and over, two in the ring. Tag to Thrasher, double flapjack onto Phineas. Phineas survives and tags Henry, Henry shoulder blocks Thrasher. Big kick from Henry, Thrasher has a schoolboy for two.

 

Thrasher lands a dropkick, Henry powders who is irate. Phineas and Thrasher lock-up, Thrasher wrenches the arm. Tag to Mosh, leap-frog splash from the champions. Scoop slam, assisted suplex from the middle rope as Mosh comes down on Phineas for a close two. Arm-bar from Mosh, Thrasher comes back in and lands a manoeuvre before Henry says FUCK IT and clotheslines the life out of Thrasher. Time for a little heat segment, Henry crotches Thrasher on the top rope before Phineas lands a massive clothesline. Phineas throws Thrasher to the floor where Cletus and Henry lands a kick to the ribs and a clothesline. In the ring we have repeated knee-drops from Phineas, sunset-flip from Thrasher but the referee was with Henry, the referee missed the close two. Wheelbarrow slam from Henry for a close two, Mosh makes the save.

 

 Both men bang heads, Thrasher almost makes the tag before Phineas cuts off Thrasher. Phineas misses a corner clothesline though, belly to back suplex from Thrasher. Thrasher tags Mosh, Mosh throws big rights and a hip splash in the corner, Cletus is knocked down with Henry. Scoop slam, powerbomb onto Phineas. Henry makes the save, Thrasher and Henry brawl briefly. Mosh Pit is countered for a powerbomb, Cletus holds onto Thrasher and we have new tag team champions!

 

Shocking result to be honest, poor Headbangers just won the championships and now they have lost them, they get laid out by the new champions too. Looks like plan get the championships on LOD is finally coming to fruition but at the expense of The Headbangers. Match was nothing special, never been impressed with either Godwinns and Headbangers seem just a little too strange and a little too new for the WWF fans to fully embrace just yet. I thought it would have been nice to establish The Headbangers but I guess they were just transitional champions.

 

Winners: The Godwinns over The Headbangers via Powerbomb!

 

(WWF Intercontinental Championship Match) Owen Hart vs Faarooq

Stone Cold Steve Austin has to vacate his WWF Intercontinental Championship that was won at Summerslam 1997. Austin had broken his neck and was unable to compete, forfeiting the WWF Tag Team Championship and now, the WWF Intercontinental Championship. So who will be the new champion? Will it be The King of Harts Owen Hart or The Leader of The Nation Faarooq?

 

Two heels facing off is never a good thing in my book unless someone is in the process of turning and they have the match laid out to tell that story, considering both men’s current booking, I don’t think there will be anyone coming out of this as a babyface despite Owen’s popularity in Europe.

 

Austin is here, scheduled to present the winner of the match his championship. The crowd is only going to be interested in Austin of course, this is not going to be good for the two wrestlers in the ring. Sgt. Slaughter sits neck to Austin to police The Rattlesnake, Owen tells Austin that he broke his neck which provokes a reaction from Austin. Faarooq shoves back Hart twice, Hart shoulder blocks Owen down. Faarooq looks uninterested as Owen pops himself back-up, side headlock from The Rocket. Faarooq shoves off Owen, Faarooq is like “Come on now, what is this?”.  Owen goes after the leg of Faarooq, kicks and Owen drops his weight on the leg using stretches as well, double knees on the leg. Austin continues to distract everyone including the fans and the wrestlers in the ring, Owen continues to kick and stretch Faarooq’s leg.

 

Faarooq fights back, whipping Owen back and forth around the ring before a massive backbreaker. Owen survives before being hit with a clothesline, slam from Faarooq. Faarooq is on the middle rope, Owen dodges the middle rope leg drop. Owen goes after the leg, Faarooq kicks off the sharpshooter. Powerslam from Faarooq for two, Jim Neidhart is here as Faarooq nails a spinebuster. Neidhart is on the apron, Austin nails Faarooq with the Intercontinental Championship which allows Owen Hart to become champion. Austin wants revenge on the man who broke his neck, it’s as simple as that!

 

Could have been a good match but all the focus was on Austin and his antics, everything in that ring was secondary to what was going on with Austin. However, the end goal is great for sure because you can understand Austin’s motivations for allowing Owen Hart to capture the championship.

 

Winner: Owen Hart over Faarooq via Championship to The Head!

 

Los Boricuas vs DOA

So this card was already boring me, things are not going to get better in the slightest with this match. Eight-man tag team action featuring two parts of the worst triple threat I ever saw, I really don’t want to watch this match.

 

Skull and Jose brawl, Skull elbows and clotheslines Jose. Chainz boots Jose before Miguel comes in, corner clothesline from Chainz. Powerslam from Chainz for two, tag to Crush. Headbutt before Miguel rakes the eyes, tag to Savio. Choke from Savio, boot from Crush. Belly to belly suplex from Crush, 8-Ball boots Savio. Eye rake from Savio, Jesus eats a military press slam. Jose and Miguel kick Chainz in the spine, we have a brawl on the floor. Chainz receives corner clotheslines and a corner spinning kick from Savio for a close two. Referee is distracted as we have more boots, reverse chinlock from Savio on Chainz. Scoop slam and Jesus comes in, missile dropkick from Jesus for two. More double-team attacks, reverse chin-lock from Miguel. Chainz fights out and eats a knee from Miguel, Savio comes in and tries rocking Chainz but misses the corner splash. Crush comes in and the match breaks down, boot on Jesus. DDT by Jesus, close two for Jesus. Irish whip with a clothesline from Chainz, tilt-a-whirl back-breaker for the win.

 

Dreadful, a lukewarm hot-tag and a heatless affair, all these guys need to be let go because there is nothing going on here at all, I am sick of this faction warfare garbage.

 

Winners: DOA over Los Boricuas via Tilt-A-Whirl Back-breaker!

 

The Patriot & Vader vs The Hart Foundation (Bret Hart & The British Bulldog)

This one starts hot on the floor, we have brawling ladies and gents. Bulldog meets the steel steps, the flags hang high from two opposite buckles in the ring. Vader batters Bret with the Canadian flag, Bret answers back with the flag as we have more brawling on the floor. Patriot chokes Bulldog with the American flag as Vader pummels The Hitman up and down the ramp. We restart with Bret and Bulldog complaining at great length, stalling like magnificent heels. Patriot and Bulldog are in, shoulder block by Patriot. Snap-mare into a knee into the spine, snap suplex from Patriot. Patriot goes for the flag but Bret distracts Patriot with a massive low blow, Bulldog whips Patriot but Patriot lands a hip-toss and a back body drop.

 

Vader comes in, massive right to the chest. Irish whip, Vader Hammer from the big man. Vader spits on Bret, another clothesline from Vader. Bret tees off with Vader, bad idea as Vader pummels Bret. The Hitman is getting rocked, short-arm clothesline. Vader misses a corner splash, Bulldog lands a clothesline from the apron.  Russian leg-sweep from Bret, Bret climbs for the flag before Vader ends that attempt. Sunset flip from Bret ends in Vader splashing Bret, Bulldog makes the save. Vader tags in Patriot, Bret tags in Bulldog. Dropkick from Patriot for two, corner punches from Patriot. Bulldog meets the buckle hard, scoop slam from Patriot who eyes up The American Flag. Bret stops Patriot again, Bret chokes Patriot behind the referee’s back.

 

Vader crotches Bulldog who was attempting to grab The Canadian Flag, headbutt from Patriot. Patriot misses a corner spear, Bret has the apron figure-four on Patriot. Vader hammers Bulldog from behind but the damage is done, can the big man Vader climb the top rope if Patriot cannot? Elbow from Bret, Patriot nearly lands the sharpshooter on Bret before Bulldog makes the save. Every man is in the corner piled up, Patriot is close to grabbing The American flag before Bulldog tosses Patriot down. Bret lands a headbutt to Vader’s groin, Bret flips off Vader. Back-breaker and knee-drop combination from The Hart Foundation for two. Patriot crawls towards Vader, Vader is in the match. Vader Hammer on Bulldog with Bulldog grabbing the ropes to survive, belly to back suplex from Vader.

 

Vader goes for the flag, Patriot knocks away Bulldog. Bret hammers Vader down, Bulldog goes to work with big stomps on Vader. Snap-mare into a reverse chin-lock, VINTAGE BULLDOG SON! Bulldog tags out to Bret, belly to back suplex from The Hitman. Bret wants the Sharpshooter, Vader grabs the ropes quickly. Patriot pummels Bret but no release of the hold until Vader struggles out, elbow to the groin from Vader. Bulldog saves Bret from the sharpshooter, Patriot attacks Bret with a massive shoulder block. Bulldog is bumped to the floor, figure four from The Patriot. Bulldog is tagged in, Bulldog takes out Vader on the apron before focusing on Patriot. Stalling vertical suplex delivered beautifully, cover for two. Patriot delivers a powerslam and looks to grab the flag, Bulldog stops Patriot who is stomped into the apron.

 

Tag to Bret, Bret lands a massive stomp to the spine. Suplex from Bret with an elbow to the jaw. Leg drop from The Hitman, Bret climbs for the flag. Vader bearhugs Bret down, Bulldog clotheslines Patriot down. Patriot tags in Vader, Vader smacks around Bulldog before calling for The Vader Bomb. No it’s the moonsault, Vader lands on his feet are you kidding me? Vader decides to club the shit out of Bulldog and Vader climbs for the flag. Bret grabs the leg of Vader but Vader starts headbutting The Hitman. Vader clotheslines Bulldog to the floor, Bret low blows Patriot on the floor before cracking Vader with the ring-bell. Bulldog rams Vader into the ring-post, tag to The Hitman. Scoop slam by Bret, elbow to the face. Bret continues to dish out the punishment with a DDT on Vader. Vader double clotheslines down The Hart Foundation and a hot-tag to Patriot. Big kicks all around, elbows too!

 

Uncle Slam and Bret is down, Bulldog saves with a big leg drop. Vader Bomb on The Hitman, Bulldog is in though to attack Patriot. Bulldog goes after Vader on the floor, Patriot tries an O’Connor roll but The Hitman rolls through and grabs the tights to win the match. Patriot attacks Bret after the match and Vader does the same with Bulldog.

 

This seemed to go on quite a while and while I may be a fan of many of the wrestlers in that ring, the structure of this match was awful. Continued thwarted attempts at capturing the flag only for the flag to have nothing to do with the finish, there could have been some interesting ideas here. Definitely with Bret going after Patriot’s leg so Vader would have to attempt to grab the flag but it never came into play so it was more like wasted motion inside of the ring which is always a strange thing to say when it comes to The Hitman. Finish came out of nothing, I wish it came a good few minutes earlier as this PPV has been quite the disappointment.

 

Winners: The Hart Foundation over Patriot & Vader via Roll-Up!

 

(Hell In A Cell Match) Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker

Shawn Michaels pissed off the wrong man, the seeds were planted for this match at Summerslam 97 as Shawn Michaels cost The Undertaker his WWF Championship. Shawn Michaels continued to cause chaos as HBK bloodied The Undertaker with a brutal steel chairshot, they brawled at Ground Zero but the referees could not contain these two so the only way to resolve this issue was to place these two men inside Hell in A Cell. A demonic structure that is 15 feet high, no escape for The Heartbreak Kid. Michaels had no idea what was coming his way when it came to Ground Zero but this is truly the end of Shawn Michaels. It’s time to pay for your sins HBK, it’s time for Hell in A Cell. I have loved the build-up to this with HBK continuing to poke the bear and get braver and braver, almost oblivious to what awaits him. Also happy to see Taker with someone who can work considering what I have to sit through for the majority of his run to this point.

 

Undertaker scares Michaels before the bell even rings, referee Earl Hebnar padlocks the cage with Michaels growing more concerned with each passing second. Michaels is running from The Deadman, Taker stalks HBK. Michaels eats a boot to the face, Michaels’ face bounces off the turnbuckle. Taker does it once more, HBK avoids the chokeslam with kicks to the stomp. Right hands from Michaels, ten punches in the corner. Jabs from HBK, Taker sends HBK to the buckle and nails a big clothesline. Old School from The Deadman, Taker chokes the life out of HBK. Scoop slam and leg drop from Taker for two, back body drop from Taker. Taker sends Michaels to the floor, Taker chokes Michaels before Michaels eye rakes Taker. Taker yanks Michaels off the cage, Taker whips HBK into the cell wall and lands a clothesline.

 

Taker wants a powerbomb but HBK uses the cage for leverage to punch Taker before Taker powerbombs Michaels into the cell wall. Taker punishes Michaels with shots to the ribs, Michaels is sent into the ring-post and the cell wall over and over. Michaels is being battered, Michaels sends Taker into the cell wall but it doesn’t even phase The Deadman. Clothesline from Taker, Michaels meets the cell wall but dodges Taker’s attacks. Right hands from HBK, Taker hot-shots HBK. Michaels pops up and shoulder blocks Taker into the cell wall, suicide dive from Michaels. Michaels delivers an elbow drop using the cell wall, apron clothesline from Michaels. Steel steps from Michaels, they are dropped repeatedly on The Deadman. Piledriver on the steel steps from HBK who curses the cameraman to get out of his face.

 

Michaels grabs a chair, HBK wants to take things up a notch. Chair-shot to the spine of The Deadman, another shot to the spine from The Heartbreak Kid. Michaels crawls into a cover for two, Michaels is irate. Taker begins fighting back with big rights, Michaels nails a big boot though and lands rights of his own. Taker is locked up in the ropes, nowhere to go for The Deadman. Taker boots away an incoming Michaels, Taker back-drops Michaels into the cameraman. Michaels nails the cameraman, HBK sends Taker to the floor. Michaels lands his flying forearm on Taker, diving elbow drop from HBK. Slaughter is here to help the downed cameraman, Michaels is watching the scenes unfold, the cage door is open. Sweet Chin Music from HBK but Taker sits up, Michaels decides it’s time to run.

 

Michaels tries a dropkick on the floor but Taker catapults Michaels into the cage. Taker lawn-darts Michaels into the cage, Taker does it again. HBK low-blows Taker, Michaels decides to climb to the top of the cell. Michaels tries a piledriver but Taker back drops for a counter, Michaels’ face is raked across the cage. Scoop slam on the cage, Taker hits a massive right hand. Michaels is dangling from the side of the hell, Taker stomps on the fingers of Michaels who lands through the announce table at ringside! They brawl back to the ring, Michaels is busted open badly now, bleeding everywhere. Taker lands a massive clothesline, top rope Chokeslam from The Deadman. Taker has a chair, payback is a bitch! Taker waffles HBK with a sickening chair-shot! Taker calls for the end, the lights in the arena go out and a strange theme begins to play in the arena.

 

Who is that? It’s Paul Bearer with a monster, it has to be Kane! The Undertaker’s brother lives, Kane is alive and Kane rips off the steel cage door. Kane stands eye to eye with The Deadman, shock covers the face of The Deadman. Undertaker cannot believe what stands before him, Kane commands the pyro and the fire just like Undertaker. Tombstone from Kane, Undertaker has been Tombstoned by his own flesh and blood, Kane leaves with his job done with Paul Bearer having a massive smile on his face. A bloodied Michaels crawls over toward the fallen Taker, an arm drapes across The Phenom. 1….2….3! Michaels will be challenging The Hitman for the WWF Championship at Survivor Series!

 

Wrestling perfection, I love this match! Michaels is beaten like he should be throughout the match, Michaels pays for everything he has done to Taker. It’s brutal at times, Undertaker takes his time gleefully destroying Michaels. The symbolic chair-shot is perfect revenge for what HBK did, HBK sells magnificently as per usual and the gusher, the blade-job for the match is perfect. Michaels looked as if it was a war and what an awesome debut for Kane, perfect setup for the feud between Taker and Kane. The finish protects Taker, establishes that Kane is the real deal and we know these two will do battle! The first match of its kind and it still stands the test of time all these years later, the brutality, the psychology and the angle all still hold up all these years later, perfect professional wrestling in my eyes.

 

Winner: Shawn Michaels over The Undertaker via Kane’s Tombstone!

 

That was WWF’s In Your House 18: Bad Blood, the very epitome of a one match show! This was a tough one to sit through, it had a lot of components of what I hate about the WWF at the time. Firstly, the mini matches seem so awkward without much flow and go far too long, they should be used as a piss-break match but the second match of the card really? They get a few laughs here and there and this match was a trainwreck compared to what I saw the first time, I don’t want to see it nor do I need to see anymore of this thanks very much. Second thing: God awful gang warfare garbage, not one of The Boricuas or members of DOA warrant a match on this card, they have no chemistry and the matches drag because nobody cares, I really want this to end but I know I have at least one more PPV to go with this kind of garbage, it simply wasn’t working at all. Heel vs Heel with Owen Hart vs Faarooq is no fun especially when the crowd and cameras are all on Austin, I can’t tell you one thing that happened in that ring because everything was about Austin, why have the match?

 

The flag match that ended without the flags being involved = why bother then? Honestly, why book the stipulation and not involve it? The match had a terrible flow, was repetitive with repeated low-blows to stop flag-grabbing attempts and ultimately, was a whole load of nothing. Best part was Vader’s a bunch of bullshit promo line. The main event kicks all sorts of ass it delivers ten-fold in terms of story-telling and violence, Michaels gets destroyed and survives by the skin of the teeth, the hatred for HBK is real from the fans, they love Taker picking him apart. The blood adds so much to it with Michaels already being the king of selling as far as I am concerned. Kane’s debut is fantastic, protects The Deadman and sets up that feud. It is a horrific show to watch knowing Pillman had just passed and maybe the action inside of that ring reflects the awful mood/atmosphere in the locker room but this show is only worth watching for The Hell in A Cell, nothing else to look forward to on this card. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!

WWF In Your House 15: A Cold Day In Hell Review!

 

Hello and welcome to another edition of Seanomaniac Wrestling Reviews, the only wrestling review series that always gives credit when reposting content! It’s WWF in Your House: A Cold Day In Hell! Stone Cold Steve Austin challenges for the WWF Championship against The Phenom, what a match that will be while we also see Ken Shamrock vs Vader, Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs Flash Funk and Rocky Maivia vs Mankind. A debuting Ken Shamrock and Stone Cold’s first main event in the WWF on PPV are too interesting things to watch for sure, let’s see how they do. Not expecting much based on the card but I could be wrong you never know!

 

Flash Funk vs Hunter Hearst Helmsley W/ Chyna

Here comes Flash Funk back on WWF PPV for the first time in a few months, Scorpio is a tremendous athlete that would be mishandled by the American companies like WCW & WWF while getting a good run in ECW and later in Pro Wrestling Noah. Meanwhile, Hunter Hearst Helmsley is turning things around with Chyna by his side. Helmsley is hiding behind Chyna and mocking Scorpio, I love it. Commentary puts over Chyna’s power and presence at ringside, no Funkettes at ringside for Flash. Flash grabs a side headlock, shoulder block and a big hip-toss with a dropkick. Ring sounds like trash, Flash works the arm of The Blue Blood. Helmsley drops some elbows as Funk dodges and whips Helmsley using his feet. Dropkick to the floor, springboard clothesline from Flash.

 

Chyna takes out Flash with a clothesline as Hunter is with the referee, Flash fights back with massive rights, Flash lowers his head off an Irish whip and eats a face-buster and a running high knee. Big chops in the corner, right hands and stomps from Helmsley. Chyna decks Flash with a right hand for a close two, suplex and a knee drop from Helmsley. Reverse chin-lock but Flash escapes with a kick to the head, Helmsley regains control with a knee. Another running knee from Helmsley, Funk is getting clubbed across the apron and Helmsley knees Funk who lands hard on the ramp. Helmsley throws Funk back into the ring, Chyna stares on menacingly. Helmsley tries a double axe handle with Flash blocking with a boot, Flash is firing up oh they are coming alive for Flash with Helmsley being swept off his feet.

 

Chops from Flash, back body drop and a big clothesline from Flash. Flash starts calling for a springboard, sling-shot leg drop with Chyna staring at Flash. Diving crossbody from Flash, Helmsley is begging off for mercy. Rights and lefts from Flash, Helmsley eats a spinning heel kick from Flash. Flash goes high, Helmsley crotches Flash on the top rope. Massive belly to back suplex from Helmsley, Pedigree in the middle of the ring and we have a winner!

 

Wow that was anti-climatic for sure, it looked like a devastating belly to back suplex for sure but I didn’t think the finish was coming at that point. Flash never has been given much in the WWF so an opening match on an In Your House PPV is as good as its going to get for 2 Cold Scorpio. Chyna adds a new dynamic to Helmsley’s matches but hopefully with the Mankind feud coming up soon, Hunter can become a more complete performer who can capture my attention throughout his matches. Glad to see Helsmley back on track but we still need more from Hunter!

 

Winner: Hunter Hearst Helmsley over Flash Funk via Pedigree!

 

Mankind vs Rocky Maivia

The deranged and demented Mankind takes on the high-flying rookie Rocky Maivia with the crowd continuing to voice their disapproval of the rising superstar. Wonder what will happen to this struggling babyface eh? Mankind rocks back and forth as Rocky wants to start this match, the referee holds back Rocky as Mankind continues to stall before Rocky turns his back. Rocky lures Mankind in, back body drop and dropkick by The Rock. Clothesline to the floor, Mankind drags out Rocky and begins smashing Rocky. Back rake from Mankind, Rocky is slammed into the ring apron, Mankind boots Rocky. Rocky reverses and Irish whip and lands a powerslam before missing an elbow drop. Mankind gets caught in a hammerlock from Rocky, Rocky drives knees into the back and arm of Mankind.

 

Big rights from Mankind, Rocky sweeps the legs of Mankind. Mankind tosses Rocky to the floor, apron diving senton from Mankind. Mankind tees off on Rocky with big rights, running corner knee from Mankind. Mankind continues to dish out the punishment with big right hands, Rocky dodges a corner splash but both men go down off a clothesline.

 

Rocky lands a Rock Bottom on the ramp for a reaction from fans as this match continues to spill out over the arena. Rocky throws Mankind in the ring for a close two, Mankind cannot stand when whipped across the ring as Rocky continues to land right hands and scores big with the belly to belly suplex for a close two. Mankind tries a kick before nailing a discuss clothesline on Rocky. Small package from Rocky for two, clothesline to the back of the head by Rocky. Rocky lands his shoulder-breaker and calls for the end of the match, Rocky lands the crossbody or so we think as Mankind rolls through with The Mandible Claw and Rocky passes out to the devastating hold.

 

Again an almost lifeless match based on the fans’ reaction who seem to be sick of Rocky Maivia but still not reacting huge to Mankind either, they work hard inside of the ring but when Rocky does not have the support of the fans and Mankind’s last resort is destroying his body, we get a brutal looking Rock Bottom on the ramp but you are not missing anything with this match either.

 

Winner: Mankind over Rocky Maivia via Manidble Claw!

 

Ahmed Johnson vs The Nation of Domination

This feud continues with Ahmed looking to bury his feud with The Nation of Domination, Ahmed Johnson accepted this challenge at last month’s PPV with Ahmed agreeing to take on the three main members of The Nation of Domination. Now the crowd actually come alive for Ahmed Johnson, this might be a lot of fun if Ahmed is allowed to just throw people around left, right and centre. So, it shall be Crush vs Ahmed first as Gorilla Monsoon has ordered the rest of The Nation to leave.

 

Right hands by Ahmed, Crush is down. Scissors Kick from Ahmed, scoop slam from Ahmed. Crush dodges an elbow from Ahmed, superkick from Crush. Clothesline from Crush for two, nerve-hold from Crush. Ahmed lands a sit-out suplex for a close two, Crush manages to turn the tide with a big sleeper. Ahmed fights out but eats a big knee to the ribs, The Nation continue to watch from the ramp as Ahmed almost rolls up Crush with a schoolboy for two. Crush lands a massive piledriver before deciding it’s Heart Punch time. Ahmed counters for a spinning heel kick to the face, Crush has been defeated.

 

Savio is up next who is limping to the ring, Ahmed decks Savio with right hands, back body drop from Ahmed. Two for Ahmed, clotheslines from Ahmed. Savio sends Ahmed to the buckle and lands his spinning heel kick in the corner, Savio continues to club Ahmed with big right hands to the ribs. Savio continues to stomp Ahmed and talking trash, big right from Savio and kicks from The Nation member. Corner choke from Savio, snap-mare into a nerve-hold. Ahmed fights back landing a big hip-toss, Ahmed goes to the middle rope. Savio dodges the splash, Savio slaps the head of Ahmed. Ahmed starts slugging it out though, big right hands with Savio missing a corner splash. Belly to back suplex for two, massive powerslam for two. Ahmed calls for the end, Savio rolls out of the ring.

 

Ahmed is in pursuit, Savio is running away before nailing a massive superkick. Savio pushes down the time-keeper and grabs a steel chair and Ahmed is nailed in the throat and head with a steel-chair. Savio has been disqualified but the damage has been done as Savio waffles Ahmed with the chair over and over in the ribs. Faarooq comes into the ring and paint-brushes Ahmed over and over, small package by Ahmed for two. Right hand by Faarooq, spinebuster from Ahmed who calls for the end. Pearl River Plunge from Ahmed, Faarooq manages to kick out of the Plunge, Ahmed gets chop-blocked by Faarooq and Faarooq delivers The Dominator for the win.

 

Well I get what they were going for, Ahmed was exhausted and gave everything and Faarooq was too fresh to be put down by The Pearl River Plunge but for Faarooq to pop right back up and chop-block Ahmed and then nail his finish for the win, does that not show that Ahmed’s Pearl River Plunge is useless? How could Faarooq pop up just like that? How could the agent not see that this did no favours for Ahmed Johnson or anybody involved in the match? I just can’t believe they let that happen to poor Ahmed, I guess this feud is going to continue? How can I believe in Ahmed after being utterly squashed like that by Faarooq and his finish being brushed off like a slap to the head?

 

Winner: Faarooq over Ahmed Johnson via Dominator!

 

(No Holds Barred Match) Vader vs Ken Shamrock

Big reaction for the World’s Most Dangerous Man, this match can only end by submission or knockout. We have Ken Shamrock who worked in Pancrase and The UFC, building his legacy while Vader is no stranger to this style of match wrestling in the UWFI against the likes of Nobuhiko Takada and Gary Albright. Shamrock lands massive leg kicks to Vader, Vader shoves off Shamrock. They square off again, Vader takes the back with Shamrock blocking looking for the kimura. More leg kicks before Vader ties up Shamrock in the corner, Shamrock is too quick for Vader though and escapes the corner.

 

Shamrock takes the back, Vader is in the ropes. More leg kicks and Shamrock takes the back, Vader is suplexed but rolls to the floor. Vader comes back to the ring, landing a few shots before a massive German from Shamrock. Elbows from Shamrock, forearms rock Vader who rolls out a second time. Vader grabs Shamrock and headbutts Shamrock, rights and lefts from Vader. Rolling heel hook from Shamrock but Vader scrambles to the ropes as quick as lightning. Leg kicks and forearm shots from Shamrock, front chancery from Shamrock but Vader shoves Shamrock back. Short-arm clothesline, Fujiwara arm-bar from Vader. Shamrock counters looking for a cross arm-breaker and transitions to a triangle hold. Vader struggles before throwing off Shamrock, Vader suplexes Shamrock to the floor. Vader steps out to the floor and hurls Shamrock into the steel steps, Shamrock tries fighting back before Vader ends that flurry. Vader clubs Shamrock in the corner, hard Irish whip from Vader who looks for an ankle-lock. Rear-naked choke from Vader but Shamrock rolls through, Vader clubs Shamrock over and over again in the corner.

 

Vader Splash in the corner, scoop slam from Vader. Vader wants a moonsault, Shamrock rolls out of the way, big kicks and forearms from Shamrock. Knees and a powerslam, heel-hook from Shamrock but Vader grabs the ropes. Kicks to the thigh, single leg Boston-crab from Shamrock and Vader survives thanks to the ropes once more. Forearms and knees from Shamrock, Vader answers with a massive forearm of his own, Vader stands over Shamrock but Shamrock rolls into The Ankle Lock and Vader taps!

 

A positive debut for Shamrock, many people know of Shamrock working stiff in this one and Vader clobbering Shamrock in retaliation but this is a lot of fun, solid performance from Shamrock, it looks as Shamrock will be a positive addition to the roster who the fans can get behind if he continues to develop hi skills inside of the ring. Vader’s inconsistent push continues in the WWF, cannot wait to enjoy Vader’s run in WCW which will be viewed very soon on the site because I need to see Vader just destroy bitches again.

 

Winner: Ken Shamrock over Vader via Ankle-Lock!

 

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

The anti-hero Stone Cold Steve Austin continues his rise to the top of the WWF, Austin defeated Bret Hart via DQ at the last PPV when The British Bulldog smashed Austin with a steel chair in the back of the head. The Undertaker has continued his reign of dominance since defeating Sid by defeating old foe Mankind. The shadow of The Hart Foundation looms large over this match as The Hart Foundation have purchased seats at ringside for this special occasion. Can The Rattlesnake focus on The Phenom with his nemesis Bret Hart at ringside?

 

Austin and Undertaker are staring one another down when we see The Hart Foundation come down to ringside, Bret Hart is in a wheelchair due to the attacks of Austin who damaged the knee of The Hitman. Austin goes after Taker, right hands to the back and stomps in the corner. Taker is being bounced around the ring before Taker decides it’s time to start pummelling Austin. Austin grabs Owen Hart and starts hammering The Rocket while Taker throws Austin into the steel steps. Taker nails Owen Hart and Davey Boy for sitting at ringside, Austin attacks Taker upon re-entering the ring but Taker lands his flying clothesline on Austin. Taker lands shoulder thrusts and Old School for two, Austin eye-pokes Taker and grabs a side-headlock takedown.

 

They sit in the headlock before Austin lands big right hands, shoulder block does not knock Taker so Austin goes back to the side headlock takedown. Taker tries a belly to back suplex but Austin flips out and chop-blocks Taker and goes after the leg with stomps before Taker counters and pummels Austin with rights and lefts. Austin pulls down Taker and wraps the knee around the ring-post, Taker pulls Austin into the ring-post but Austin recovers first and drops all his weight on that leg. Knee to the face from Austin, Austin continues working the leg with Taker struggling to free himself from Austin’s control. Taker kicks off Austin and decides when re-entering the ring, Taker is going to cripple Austin’s knee.

 

Austin fights his way out but Taker takes down Austin again, single leg Boston crab from Taker. Austin escapes, ducks a big boot and hammers the leg of Taker. Taker goes after Old School again, Austin trips up Taker. Taker blocks the suplex sending Austin to the mat, Austin dodges an elbow drop for two. Sleeper from Taker, jaw-breaker from Austin to counter. Taker fires back with right hands, low blow from The Rattlesnake. Taker answers with a low blow of his own, Chokeslam from The Phenom. Austin rolls to the ropes, resourceful from Austin. Austin hot-shots Taker, Stone Cold Stunner from Austin. Brian Pillman rings the bell distracting Austin and the referee, Taker whips Austin and both men trade counters to The Tombstone before Undertaker plants Austin for the win. The Hart Foundation destroy Taker, Bret Hart is all alone as Austin attacks Bret and battles off The Foundation with The Deadman. Austin nails Taker with a Stunner before walking off into the sunset.

 

The first big match between Austin and Undertaker, it leaves me with the same feeling I have for all their encounters: something is just missing. No matter when these two mixed it up, it was never a top match with Austin admitting so when looking back on their matches. The knee-work from both never really goes anywhere and while Austin may not be your typical babyface, the crowd is split only truly happy when Austin & Taker batter The Hart Foundation. The whole match you are left wondering how The Hart Foundation are going to interfere and to their credit I thought having Pillman ring the bell throwing everything into chaos was a good way to go about it, the finish was also nice with the drama of the Tombstone. Fittingly, Austin’s loss is pretty much an afterthought as Austin clears out The Hart Foundation with Taker and stuns The Deadman.

 

Winner: The Undertaker over Stone Cold Steve Austin via Tombstone!

 

That was WWF’s In Your House: Cold Day In Hell, a largely disappointing PPV from the WWF. With the rise of Austin and the likes of Helmsley and Mankind continuing to grow their characters, the roster is looking in better shape but the action is still dragging for me in the year of 1997. I think interesting things are happening but the matches are not hitting the spot, I think some of the matches on this card could have been right at home on RAW or Shotgun Saturday Night. I don’t think Helmsley and Funk was very good, same with Rocky vs Mankind. There was no tag team matches on the card, no use of Owen or Davey Boy and Taker vs Austin just never does it for me. The product is getting better, they are in a better position than they were in 95 or 96 but it’s just not hitting that sweet spot, it’s not delivering or firing on all cylinders. I’ve covered at least half of 97’s PPVs at this point and I am curious to see how things will change with HBK’s return and the mid-card acts like Shamrock, Rock, Mankind and HHH finding their groove plus the debut of Kane but right now, I need more from the WWF. Thanks for reading and remember: there’s always another night!