Thanks again, Panic. You make me a happy camper. <3
WWF Monday Night Raw/Warzone
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan
April 12, 1999
Before we get the Raw is War video and generic theme, it’s time for the standard recap of last week’s show! We get a quick video package of the problems between WWF World Champion ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, The Rock, Paul Wight, and Mankind, with the end result being the fatal four way match being booked for the WWF World Title at Backlash. The Brood are seen defeating X-Pac and Kane when Kane is lured out of the ring by Chyna and Triple H, and X-Pac later costing Helmsley his match against Mankind. Finally coming through, Kane then makes the save for Pac from a 2-on-1 beat down. ‘The Big Valbowski’ is shown winning the WWF Intercontinental Championship from Road Dogg Jesse James, but only after assistance from the WWF Tag Team Champions, Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett. ‘Bad Ass’ Billy Gunn comes out to make the save for his Outlaw partner. Also shown in the video are rose petals falling on Venis, continuing his secret admirer storyline. Finally, the war between the Ministry of Darkness and The Corporation is highlighted, as well as the splitting of The Corporation. A confrontation between Shane and Vince McMahon is shown, followed by Shane and his portion of The Corporation – The Rock, Triple H, and Chyna – standing on the entrance stage as the rest of the group – Big Bossman, Ken Shamrock, and Test – are assaulted by the Ministry. Test is seen picking up the pin over Farooq in the six-man main event, and his steel chair shot to The Undertaker, but the video ends with The Undertaker taking him out with a Tombstone Piledriver, and using Taker’s own blood to mark Test with his symbol, marking him as the next sacrifice.
The words “What Does Everybody Love!?” kick Raw is War off as Al Snow (and his compatriot, Head) comes out to the ring, holding Head above his well, head, bashing the two heads back and forth. As Snow raves in the ring, the crowd does the same with their blank Styrofoam heads. “I’m Hardcore” brings out the reigning WWF Hardcore Champ, Hardcore Holly, meaning the two former JOB Squad members are about to lock up, again. Snow starts the match early by hot shotting himself over the top rope to the outside, taking Holly down to the mats with a plancha. Immediately the match gets chaotic, as the two men end up fighting all throughout the crowd, making their way up a flight of steps to the exit into the side of the arena where the concessions are. It’s Snow on the offensive throughout the process, but he takes too much time playing with the crowd, grabbing a fan’s Styrofoam head and bobbing it back and forth. This allows Holly to pop Snow in the jaw with a stiff right hand, slam his face into the concrete wall, and toss him down the steps, sending him tumbling back towards the ring.
The action eventually spills back into the ringside, but not before Hardcore Holly slams Snow onto the concrete floor in the crowd with a vertical suplex. Holly pins Snow in the crowd, but only gets a near fall. Once the action spills back into the ringside area, more weapons and goodies are brought into play. Holly smashes a cookie sheet over Snow’s head at ringside to earn a near fall before throwing a trash can and its lid into the ring. Holly dents the trash can over Snow’s head, but again only can score a near fall. Wanting to finish the pesky lunatic off, Holly tries to put Snow onto the trash can with a Falcon Arrow, but as he lifts him upside down, Snow slips out, landing on his feet behind Bob Holly. Before Holly can react, Snow takes him down with a bulldog! Al Snow hits the canvas and rolls towards the ropes from the impact, and as he recovers from the beating Holly gave him, he finds himself face-to-face with his best friend and companion, Head. Knowing what to do, Snow slowly pulls himself up to his feet before grabbing Head. Snow winds up as Holly pulls himself up to his feet, and Holly gets Head! Holly stays on his feet somehow, albeit staggering heavily. Snow quickly drops Head to the canvas, and spikes his opponent onto the trash can lid with the Snow Plow! Cover: ONE! TWO! THREE! And just like that, we have ourselves a new Hardcore Champion! As referee Brian Hebner raises Snow’s arm into the air in victory after the match, Snow, grinning maniacally, shakes his head and picks Head back up off the canvas. Talking to Head, he declares his friend one-half Hardcore Champion, as he couldn’t have won the Title without Head. As Snow receives his newly won belt, he first raises it into the air before wrapping it around Head’s neck and raising Head up into the air, the Belt right under his chin.
Result: Al Snow def. Hardcore Holly to win the WWF Hardcore Championship
After a commercial break, we get a lengthy commentating segment between Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler, as the two men hype up tonight’s card – especially the big tag team match of Paul Wight and Stone Cold against The Rock and Mankind – as well as the rift between Vince and Shane McMahon.
Oedipus in Real Life
“No Chance” blares throughout the Joe Louis Arena, but the crowd is silent for a few moments – unsure of which McMahon is coming out – until the Chairman of the Board, Vince McMahon, walks out from the back. The crowd is split between jeers and cheers for the attitude-changing Vinnie Mac, but the jeers still outweigh the cheers for Vince, albeit only slightly. Vince power marches down to the ring, and it is clear he means business by the angry look on his face and the long stride in his strut. As Vince enters the ring, he gets the mic from Howard Finkel, who then leaves. With the ring to himself, Vince starts talking right away. “I’m not out here tonight to run my mouth, needlessly insult Detroit, Michigan, or any of you people. After what happened last week, at the end of Monday Night Raw, there is only one person I need to address in the here and now. You know who I need to speak with… my son, Shane. So Shane, come on out here; your father needs to have a word with you.” The crowd is buzzing, waiting for the arrival of the Boy Wonder, and “No Chance” hits right away for the second time, bringing out the son of the Chairman, Shane McMahon.
Shane slowly walks out to the ring, carrying a microphone of his own, a dirty grimace on his face as he stares at his father. Once Shane gets into the ring, his father berates him about standing on the entrance stage, watching The Corporation take a beating from the Ministry. [color=red]“Shane, I’ll just say this… what in THE HELL, WERE YOU THINKING!?”[/colro] As the crowd actually cheers as Vinnie Mac shouts at his son, Shane just smirks ever so slightly. “You want to know why I had my Corporation stand back and let your Corporation suffer? Well let me tell you this instead, Vince… you lost the plot. You’ve become obsessed with The Undertaker and his Ministry of Darkness, that you’ve forgotten all about what is important to The Corporation.” Shane reminds Vince of his yearlong feud with ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, the back and forth problems with Mankind, and the longstanding goal of making sure that the WWF World Championship is in The Corporation’s hands and on the waist of The Rock. “You’ve let The Undertaker get inside your head. I can’t believe it, but The Undertaker is manipulating you, Vince. He’s pulling your strings. You know what he has done? He’s broken down your thick wall of armor, and shown the entire world just who the real Vincent K. McMahon is… and do you know the real you, Dad? You’re an old, weak, fool!”
Vince looks like Shane just slapped him across the mouth with a comment like that, and even the crowd is surprised by the audacity of young Shane McMahon. Vince regains his composure, saying that Shane is off the mark. “You’re young, Shane. You misperceive and misconstrue what you see and hear. In fact, Shane, if you ask dear ole’ Dad… you’re nothing but a SPOILED BRAT!” The crowd cheers as Vince puts his son back in his place. Vince tells Shane that maybe he went wrong somewhere with him; perhaps he should have sent him off to military school where he would have been properly disciplined and taught respect. Vince takes it a step too far though when he challenges Shane’s ego, telling him he needs to be quiet and get the ego in check. Shane immediately glares daggers at his Dad, and retaliates, laughing at first. “That’s real funny, Vince, because the last time I checked… you don’t know a damn thing about me!” Vince, perplexed, demands to know what Shane means, and the Boy Wonder gladly obliges. “You stroll around here, Vince, talking to your old stooges, coddling and suffocating Stephanie.” At the simple mention of Stephanie’s name, Vince tenses up, straightening his back and looking serious than ever. Shane just smirks and nods his head. “That is exactly what I mean. You’re too wrapped up on what Stephanie is doing, where Stephanie is going, which superstars talk to Stephanie, what the boys in the back say about Stephanie… all you care about in this family, is little Stephanie McMahon.” Shane is fuming now, as years of repressed anger is coming out now. Shane clearly feels like Daddy didn’t love him; all of his love went to his little baby girl instead.
Not wanting his private family matters made public on live TV, Vince raises his hand at Shane, pleading with him to stop. “No, Shane, just no. This is not the place for that, and you know it. This ring, these people, all the television cameras, we’re not going to talk about any family matters you may have with me or Stephanie. Our family is private; we’re not waving that laundry out here.” Shane, however, just shakes his head in disagreement; he wants to talk about it, and he wants to do it out here. Trying to avoid the conversation, Vince changes topics. “Look Shane, this is not why I called you out here tonight. Last week, you abandoned your Corporation when we needed you; you left Bossman, Shamrock, and Test out to dry, to take a beating. Now I don’t know why you, Rock, Chyna, and Hunter did it, but to be honest, I don’t care at this point. I’m willing to forgive you all for walking out on us, okay? You’re forgiven. Now let’s forget about it, and move on. Shake my hand, let’s make up, and show The Undertaker and the rest of the World Wrestling Federation that we are a united Corporation, and that the McMahon’s are a united family.”
The crowd is buzzing as Vince extends his hand to his son, looking for a handshake from his son. Shane switches the microphone from his right hand to his left, but instead of taking Vince’s hand, he holds his right hand up at shoulder length. “So I’m just supposed to stand here, swallow my pride – be the bigger man, apologize, and shake your hand – aye Vince?” Vince doesn’t answer right away, instead swallowing back in his trademark gulp, not liking the tone in Shane’s voice. “All I am asking from you, Shane, is to unify this Corporation, and help me eliminate the threat that is The Undertaker.” As Vince again mentions The Undertaker, Shane grows agitated. “Alright, Vince… but before I shake your hand, I have just one question for you. If you were put in the position where you have to make a choice, who do you choose? Do you hunt down ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin – your greatest rival ever – and get The Corporation back its biggest prize, the WWF Title? Or, do you seek out and destroy The Undertaker and the Ministry of Darkness?” As Shane grins at his question, Vince again gulps, almost afraid to answer. Shane, however, as pompous as he is, takes it one step further. “Actually, wait, Vince; I’ll word it even better. Who do you choose, Vince? Do you choose your legacy, Shane McMahon, or your baby girl, Stephanie? If you had to choose one of us – if The Undertaker had us both held hostage, and you could only save one of us – who do you choose?”
The crowd is torn between letting out an Ooooh!” and jeers as Shane’s question. It’s clear Shane is just trying to goad his father; he’s crossing a line now. Vince cannot believe that Shane would even think to ask the question, and while he grows red in the face at first, he takes a deep breath, calming himself down so he doesn’t snap at his son. After regaining his composure, Vince finally answers the grinning Shane. “I find your hypothetical situation to be just that, Shane: hypothetical. Now Shane, you know I love both you and Stephanie equally, make no mistake about that. But a man of my stature, I don’t have time to deal with “what if’s” or hypothetical situations: I deal with reality. And Shane, the reality is that you are not in any immediate and imminent danger. Stephanie, she is. The Undertaker has stalked her this past month at times, he’s made it known that he will take her away from me – from us – and harm her. My children’s well being is my biggest concern. Stephanie’s well being is my biggest concern. Steve Austin, he will hold the WWF World Title and make my life hell night in and night out, but he won’t threaten my empire, Shane. The Undertaker, he wants to bring Armageddon to the World Wrestling Federation, break down everything around me, and burn this company down to the ground. If he kills the WWF, he hurts not just me and you, but Stephanie. And “sacrificing” the divas of the World Wrestling Federation, talking the way he has been about Stephanie… he means business Shane; he’ll hurt our Stephanie.”
As Vince sadly stares down his son, Shane extends his hand out to shake his father’s hand… only to pull back and slap him across the face! Shane just slapped his dad! As the crowd jeers Shane betraying his own father, Vince just stands there, his cheek red, his mouth agape in shock, and his heart broken. “You think I’m going to buy that bullsh**!? All this talk about loving both me and Stephanie equally? You’re senile if you think I’m going to really buy that load of crap! You made your choice, Vince, and I say Vince because that’s all you are to me. You are not my father – you’re not Dad anymore! You’re Vince McMahon, the Chairman of the company that I’ve been forced to run because of your own ignorance and incompetence. Well Vince, I’m sick of running the World Wrestling Federation and standing in your shadow, letting you take all the credit! From now on, Shane McMahon makes his own shadow for others to stand in… and I’m going to start that tonight, by wrestling YOU!” The crowd both boos and cheers, jeering Shane, but loving the idea of McMahon vs. McMahon here tonight.
Vince McMahon, however, clearly despises the idea of wrestling his own son on live TV… a business like himself would clearly want it on PPV for profit! He doesn’t say that, but c’mon, you know it to be true. Vince does indeed reject the challenge, reminding Shane that even though he has the powers to make matches, Vince is not a regular active competitor in the World Wrestling Federation; Vince has to accept a match before he can wrestle in one. Shane just shrugs his shoulders, and carries on. “If you want to cower away, Vincent, then you go ahead and do just that. But what you cannot do, is protect your Corporation from my wrath! You betrayed me, and now your Corporation has to pay. So tonight, I’m going to make a little match for us to watch. Like you always say… tonight – in this very ring – your Corporate henchman, the bodyguard the most loyal to you, the Big Bossman, is going to face off against my newest Corporate superstar, a man who is on to big things under my helm, Hunter Hearst Helmsley!” The crowd cheers the match, and as Vince snarls at his son’s swagger, Shane just glares at his father co-worker. “If you want a war with my Corporation, then bring it on, Vince. But let me just tell you this: if you think you can best your son, you have no chance… in hell! Now hit my music!” Shane arrogantly twirls the microphone out of his hand, letting it fall to the canvas at Vince’s feet before flicking his dress jacket forward and strutting out of the ring, heading to the back as Vince just stands in the ring, still baffled and heart broken by his son’s betrayal.
Goldust (w/The Blue Meanie) vs. The Godfather (w/D’Lo Brown & The Ho’s) – Intercontinental Number One Contendership
As Raw is War returns, it is to “Hello Ladies” playing and the new WWF Intercontinental Champion, Val Venis coming out from the back, dressed in street clothes and his newly won belt around his waist. As Venis grinds his hips on the stage, he is interrupted by a tap on the back of his shoulder… from a stagehand. Uh, what? The stagehand has a heart shaped box of chocolates for the Big Valbowski, and it has a note on top of it. We don’t get to see what the note says, but Val smirks at the note before walking down the ramp and joining Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler on commentary. As the two inquire about the chocolates and note, Venis does admit that it’s another message from his secret admirer, although he still has no clue who the person is. As the competitors of the match come out, Venis hypes the match as a #1 contender’s match to face him at Backlash, and further discusses his secret admirer.
Once the two competitors, plus their entourages, arrive at ringside, there’s more of a ruckus. The Godfather, wanting to get an easy pass to Backlash, offers Goldust a night with his ho’s instead of wrestling the contender’s match, a proposal that D’Lo Brown and The Blue Meanie both are against. The Blue Meanie doesn’t want his “Mommy” running off with a bunch of hookers, and D’Lo Brown wants the ho’s to himself tonight, I would guess. Goldust heavily considers the offer, getting the crowd cheering and all worked up, only to turn down The Godfather’s offer… but supplies a counter proposition: let Goldust be one of The Godfather’s ho’s for the night! Goldust just made a pass at The Godfather! Disgusted by the proposal, The Godfather upper cuts Goldust right in the jaw!
With the match finally underway, it ends minutes later. Godfather manhandles Goldust throughout the ring with big right hands before an arm wrench and side hook kick to his jaw sends Goldust rolling under the bottom rope and out of the ring. As the Bizarre One strolls around the outside, he makes his way not to his “child”, D’Lo Brown, or the hookers, but Val Venis at the commentator’s table. Wanting to play mind games with the Intercontinental Champion, Goldust does his trademark, sucking in a deep breath while sliding his hands up his torso to his chest before snapping out the breath. In return, Venis stands to his feet, takes a swig out of a water bottle at the table, and spits it on Goldust! Goldust goes to swing away, but his right arm is captured by The Godfather! Godfather swings him around, and clocks him with a right hand! From there, the two men brawl right at the commentator’s table, and Godfather ends up whipping Goldust right into Val! The two men tumble to the ground, and referee Jimmy Korderas reaches a count of ten as the three men all prepare to go at it. This match is a draw!
As Goldust, The Godfather, and Val Venis prepare to go at it, Korderas jumps out of the ring to get in between the three as Howard Finkel announces the draw. D’Lo Brown also enters the foray, pulling his partner away from the ruckus. As Korderas and The Blue Meanie get Goldust away, Val Venis marches over the timekeeper’s table and grabs a mic, looking annoyed. Val states that he came out here tonight to scout his opponent for Backlash, but just ended up swallowing his own vomit because of Goldust, and seeing the two men both fail to win. However, since Val has no challenger – and he’s going to be a fighting champion – he’ll just pick his own opponent for Backlash… or should he say, opponents? Venis says that since both men want a shot at the Intercontinental Title, Venis says he’ll defend the Title against both men at Backlash! Both Goldust and The Godfather seem pleased, while Venis nods his head, fired up and confident that he can handle this self-imposed challenge. However, has the new Intercontinental Champion already bitten off more than he can chew?
Result: Goldust draws The Godfather via double count-out
We haven’t had Vince McMahon on the screen in, oh, two segments, so let’s go change that!
Which Corporation Do You Choose?
Vince McMahon is back in his Corporation’s locker room with daughter Stephanie, The Stooges, and his three wrestlers – Big Bossman, ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Man’ Ken Shamrock, and Test. To say the least, McMahon is fuming as he paces around the ring before snapping about his son, Shane, splitting The Corporation in half and turning his back on them. “We have the biggest threat ever knocking on our door in The Ministry, and Shane has abandoned us! I know that I can’t change the misperceived thoughts in Shane’s mind; he’s going to think whatever he wants. What I need to know, gentlemen, is are you still loyal to this Corporation?” Vince stares down in three superstars with an intimidating look, but Vince knows he need not intimidate his men into loyalty; they’re either loyal to him, or will defect to Shane’s group, no matter what. It is Ken Shamrock who answers first, standing up from a couch and getting right into Vince’s face. “Vince, it was you who brought me into this company two years ago, and it was you who gave me the chance to wrestle – and win – the King of the Ring. You made me a star, and it is you who I work for. If you wanted it, I’d go out right now, find Shane McMahon, and snap his ankle!” It is Vince who ends up intimated by the end of the encounter, but Vince thanks Shamrock for his loyalty and has him sit down.
The Big Bossman also tells McMahon that he works for one man and one man only, him. “I knew I was an underdog, but I stepped into Hell in a Cell against The Undertaker at Wrestlemania 15 to defend your honor and your family, Vince. If I had to, I would do it again too! Tonight, I’ll represent this Corporation against Hunter Helmsley… but Vince, I want something in return for my loyalty to you. Last night on Heat, The Brood gave me a blood bath. Next week, I want The Brood!” Of course McMahon agrees to the match, appeasing his loyal bodyguard.
The young Test takes a stand next, and makes it clear where his allegiances are. “If you want to know if I’m for you or Shane, Vince, then let me just say this: it’s been The Undertaker who’s messed with you these past two months, and it’s The Undertaker whose ass I want to kick at Backlash!” Test asks Vince to make the match, telling Vince that, “Undertaker marked me as his next victim last week, so no matter what, he’s going to come for me. And if he is, I’m walking into that fight, head high and ready. Let me end this war before it can truly begin.” Vince is skeptical of making the match, but Test continues to push for it, until McMahon caves in and reluctantly books the match. “Alright Test, The Undertaker is yours at Backlash, but you can make sure I want you both prepared and rested. Tonight, you’re taking on Gangrel, and on Sunday Night Heat, I want you and Ken Shamrock to take on Edge and Christian… inside a steel cage!” Both Test and Shamrock nod their heads in approval, although Vince ends the segment by making clear that next week, Test will have the night off, as he needs to be fresh for the biggest match of his career. The Corporation all look motivated and unified following their heart to heart, and as the group have their feel good moment, we cut to a commercial break.
When Monday Night Raw returns, the challenger, champion, and ogre are all either in the ring or at ringside as we prepare for this Wrestlemania rematch. The opening moments of the match is nothing more than Sable grinding for the men continuously, doing so until Tori shrieks and tackles her former idol to the canvas. The two women roll around the ring, pulling hair and slapping, have a good ole fashioned cat fight that only Jerry Lawler loves. Thankfully, as referee Jack Doan pulls the two women off of each other, the lights go out! There’s mass confusion in the Joe Louis Arena until a gong hits, and The Ministry of Darkness appear in the ring when the light come back on. During the process, Sable has somehow exited out of the ring. Both Sable and Nicole Bass try to run up the ramp and escape the Ministry’s clutches, but only Sable can escape as Mideon grabs a hold of Bass by the hair while the fat Viscera is too slow to catch the sprinting Sable. Tori, however, is stuck in the ring, and immediately falls victim to a Spear from Edge! Mideon rolls Nicole Bass into the ring, and before she can try to run away, Christian kicks her in the stomach, and plants her to the canvas with the Impaler! With both women flat on their backs, The Undertaker bends over the two, and using black ash (Taker must be Catholic), writes his symbol on their foreheads. Having marked the two diva’s as subjects to be tested to see if they’re fit to be his Queen of Darkness, The Undertaker exits the ring, Paul Bearer at his side. The Brood take Nicole Bass out of the ring and carry her to the back, while Bradshaw scoops Tori over his shoulder and does the same.
Result: Sable nc. Tori due to outside interference
After a serious moment like that, let’s, erm, cut to the back…
Montreal Should Be Taboo
We’re finally back at the interview area of the backstage section, as Kevin Kelly is standing by with the WWF Tag Team Champions, Canadian Country, Jeff Jarrett and Owen Hart, as well as their lovely and sexy valet, Debra. Kelly announces to the home audience and fans in Detroit what was already announced on WWF.com earlier this weekend, and that is that at Backlash, Canadian Country will defend the WWF Tag Team Titles against the reunited New Age Outlaws! This gets Jeff Jarrett going right away, who is pissed off to say the least. And while you don’t power bomb Billy Kidman in WCW, you don’t piss Jeff Jarrett off here in the WWF! “The New Age Outlaws have barely tagged up at all this year; they’ve been selfish wannabe’s wrestling for singles gold! However, since they couldn’t cut the mustard, they’ve decided to be a tag team again. But since they used to be Champs, and these idiots in the seats love them, all of a sudden, the Outlaws are worthy of challenging for our Belts!” As Jarrett scoffs, Owen Hart steps in, crying foul.
“I think you forgot to add one other thing, Jeff, and that’s that they’re also old running buddies with our Commissioner, Shawn Michaels!” Owen Hart tells a story of how the Heartbreak Kid is trying to get back in D-Generation X’s good books, especially now that Triple H is out of the group. “I think it’s pretty obvious that our Commissioner is trying to screw us out of our Tag Titles, Jeff, and if there’s one thing Shawn Michaels knows how to do… it’s screw a Hart!” I’m not sure if that line was scripted or not, but Owen looks pissed off, and Jarrett pats him on the shoulder, calming him down. After regaining his composure, Owen continues, telling Kevin Kelly that he’s not going to let the New Age Outlaws win the Tag Titles at Backlash, and Shawn Michaels and D-Generation X will not one-up him. I think someone needs to tell Owen that despite HBK being a face and the Commissioner of the WWF, he really hasn’t tried to make nice with DX since the start of the year. Jeff Jarrett ends the interview by telling us all that, “Owen Hart and I make up the best tag team in the history of the World Wrestling Federation, and at Backlash, we’re gonna beat some class into the New Age Outlaws!” Jarrett grabs Debra’s hand and leads her off-camera, with Owen right behind them, as the show cuts to a break.
Gangrel vs. Test
When Warzone returns, Gangrel is already in the ring – neither Edge nor Christian at ringside with him, surprisingly – while Test finishes making his entrance to the ring, meaning this match gets underway fairly quickly after the break. With this match an actual one-on-one affair, the motivated Test runs right through Gangrel, turning him inside out right away with a big clothesline. From there, it’s big right hands from the tall Canadian, and a falling gut wrench power bomb almost gets the victory. Gangrel does get some offense in a few moments later, but Test fires back, countering an Implant DDT by shoving Gangrel away, ducking a clothesline, and connecting with a full nelson slam! From there, a Big Boot follows to further incapacitate the vampire, and once Test ascends to the top turnbuckle, his Flying Elbow Drop finishes Gangrel off.
As “This is a Test” hits, Test raises his arms to celebrate, only for Edge and Christian to sprint down the aisle and dive into the ring under the bottom rope. Christian immediately charges Test, but takes a back body drop! Edge comes next, lowering his shoulder for the Spear, but Test side steps the impact maneuver. As Edge turns around to face the big man again, he eats a Big Boot! With Edge down, Test grabs Christian by the hair as he gets to his feet, knees him in the gut, and slams him down to the canvas with his Pumphandle Powerslam! The crowd explodes into cheers as Test stands tall over The Brood, the Corporate bodyguard getting one-up over The Ministry of Darkness thirteen days before his big pay per view match against The Undertaker.
Result: Test def. Gangrel
We’re going backstage, and let the hilarity ensue.
Rock n’ Sock
Backstage in his dressing room is The Rock, pulling on his elbow and knee pads as he prepares for his main event tag team match later on. The crowd bursts into loud cheers moments later though as Mankind strolls into The Rock’s room, unannounced, much to the chagrin of The Rock. “What in the hell do you want, jabroni? This is The Rock’s locker room!” Despite barging into Rocky’s room, Mankind just smirks through his mask. “I realize I’m not probably wanted here in your dressing room, Rock, but we’re partners in tonight’s tag team main event, so I figured we should have a little sit-down.” Judging by the glare The Rock gives Mankind, he’s in no mood to chat.
Sensing the hostility, Mankind continues on, trying to get to his point. “Tonight is a big match for both you and me, Rock. A win for us tonight puts us on a hot streak heading into Backlash, while a loss puts us on the back foot. We need to win tonight, Rock… THE PEOPLE DEMAND IT!” This greats a loud ovation from the Joe Louis Arena, but still, The Rock doesn’t care. “Now Rocky, if we’re gonna beat Paul Wight and Stone Cold, it’s gonna take something special. Rock, I know you’re the most electrifying man in sport’s entertainment, and Mankind is the most… well I’m the most of something, Rock, but I’ll figure that out later.” Mankind smirks at his playfulness, while The Rock is still irritated. “Rocky, I know you’re wondering what special thing it’ll take to win tonight, and I know the people are wondering, Rock… but fear no more! I have the answer!” As The Rock glares at Mankind, Foley lifts up his shirt and pulls out Mr. Socko! Uh-oh… “You’re Rocky Maivia, Rock. Me, I’m Mankind, but I don’t have anything witty or a rhyme to go for Mankind and Rock… but this little guy on my hand, he has all the answers! Mr. Socko… Sock. Do you smell it, Rock? Rock… Sock… Rock n’ Sock! The Rock n’ Sock Connection! The people smell it, Rock! I smell it! Do you smell it Rock? Do you smell the global success and ratings?”
Mankind, clearly thinking this idea is gold, raises his right hand – the hand that has Mr. Socko over it – into the air for a high-five, but The Rock just glares at Mankind. “Mankind, The Rock says this… if you EVER put that nasty, stinky, sweat sock near The Rock again, The Rock is going to take his size 13-boot, turn that son bitch sideways, and stick it straight up, your roody-poo, candy ass!” Mankind, frowning, slowly lowers his Mr. Socko covered hand. “The Rock n’ Sock Connection? The Rock says that idea is a piece of monkey crap! How about… The Brahma Bull Plan? The Rock walks down his aisle, steps into his ring, lays the smackdown on Paul Wight and Stone Cold, hits the Rock Bottom, The Corporate Elbow, and wins the match by himself! And as a footnote to this plan, if Mankind interferes in The Rock’s corporate ass kicking, he’s gonna kick his roody-poo, jabroni ass too!” The Rock and Mankind stare one another down, before The Rock looks around the room and puts his sunglasses on. “The Rock has preparations to do, so Mankind, get your ass out of The Rock’s locker room!” The Rock throws his chest and shoulders out at Mankind, acting like he’s going to lunge at him and attack. Mankind quickly backs off before walking away after another stare down from The Rock. With The Rock left in his locker room by himself, he removes his glasses, glaring at the space Mankind previously occupied, shaking his head from side to side.
Big Bossman vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley (w/Chyna & Shane McMahon)
“No Chance” plays as Warzone comes back, and it is to nothing but jeers as Shane McMahon, Chyna, and the rising star Triple H come out from the back. Helmsley continues to change his look, wearing black and silver tights and a WWF skull cap, shredding all the traces of DX. Instead of The Corporation’s theme hitting again, it is the rarely used “Hard Time” theme of the Big Bossman playing, and the County Cobb prison guard comes out in his swat gear and shades, twirling his nightstick with a purpose. He taps the nightstick against the stairs before pointing it at Shane and Helmsley, trying to intimidate the two, but neither man is.
As the match gets under way, it’s a strange sight to see the Big Bossman working the face role – and he’s actually getting cheers throughout the match too, garnering a big ovation when he shoves Helmsley down hard to the canvas. With a point to prove, Bossman holds nothing back as takes it to Helmsley, rocking the newly-turned superstar with big right hands before squashing him in the corner with a running avalanche. A standing sidewalk slam earns Bossman another near fall, but Helmsley shows resiliency by kicking out.
The tides turn as Helmsley slips out of Bossman’s clutches when the veteran looks for his Bossman Slam, landing on his feet right in front of Bossman before slamming Bossman’s face off of his knee with Trips’ trademark face buster. Helmsley slows the pace of the match down as he wears down Vince McMahon’s right hand man, much to the enjoyment of Shane McMahon. The Boy Wonder slaps his hands off the canvas, shouts encouragement, and roars his approval as Helmsley starts to gain control of the match, picking up near falls after a high leaping knee lift to the face, and then again with a flowing DDT. Helmsley makes the pivotal error of locking Bossman in a sleeper hold midway through the match, meaning the counter attack is on its way. Referee Tim White goes through the spot of checking Bossman for a knock out, and after his arm falling twice, Bossman pulls it together, keeping his arm up, and starting to work back to his feet. Shocking.
Pulling himself up to his feet, Bossman shifts his body, forcing Helmsley to transition from a sleeper into a side head lock, allowing Bossman to shove Helmsley off him and into the ropes. Helmsley comes back with a clothesline, but Bossman ducks, and Triple H hits the ropes again. When he comes back this time, he runs right into the Bossman Slam! Cover: ONE! TWO! Shane pulls Tim White out of the ring! The crowd lays into Shane with boos, and Shane just throws his arms into the air and pleads innocence, a cocky smirk on his face, as White verbally lays into him. White scolds McMahon for the interference, but Shane just brushes it off before making some derogatory comment about White, causing the official to throw Shane out of ringside! McMahon is furious as White orders him up the ramp, and while Shane preaches White can’t can him from being at ringside, White actually can, and does! As White deals with the nonsense Shane is causing, Chyna sneaks into the ring, and low blows the unsuspecting Bossman! Bossman staggers down to his hands and knees, and Chyna helps her man up afterwards. The two get ready to pull Bossman up to his feet, but as Triple H starts to do so, he’s tapped on his shoulder. WTF? Helmsley, confused as can be, slowly turns around, right into a spinning heel kick! It’s X-Pac!
Helmsley goes down to cheers from the crowd, but Chyna gets revenge, slugging X-Pac with a big right forearm strike. Pac staggers backwards, stunned by Chyna’s strength. The two stare each other down, and before Chyna can strike again, a grinning X-Pac decks her with a spinning heel kick too! Pac exits the ring as White heads back down the ramp and re-enters the ring, just in time to witness Big Bossman putting Helmsley down for the count with a second Bossman Slam! Cover, and Bossman gets the victory! The crowd cheers the Bossman’s victory, and seeing X-Pac at ringside, itching to strike back at Helmsley, the Bossman leaves the ring and heads to the back to celebrate with his Corporation. As he does so, he earns himself another big pop, this time because he grabs his nightstick, and tosses it to X-Pac! Shane and his Corporation turned on Vince, and now Bossman is aiding a longtime rival – a D-Generation X member – in attacking Shane’s Corporation! These are the Days of Lives. X-Pac dives back into the ring, twirling the nightstick in his hands, waiting to smack Helmsley with it. Wanting a money shot out of it, X-Pac waits until Helmsley is back up on his feet to whack him in the face. It turns out to be a bad decision by Pac, as when X-Pac runs and swings, Triple H ducks!
As Pac turns around, Triple H takes him down with a clothesline, sending the nightstick out of his clutches. Helmsley immediately starts laying the boots to X-Pac, keeping him on the canvas while Chyna picks up the nightstick. Helmsley grabs a hold of X-Pac’s arms as he pulls him up to his feet, keeping him restrained, allowing Chyna to slam the nightstick into X-Pac’s mid-section! Pac starts to fall, but Helmsley keeps a hold of him, keeping him on his feet. Chyna twirls the nightstick and prepares to deliver the final blow, but the lights dim, the eerie organ music plays, the fire erupts from the stage, and here comes Kane! Kane marches down the ramp, climbs over the top rope and into the ring, and Helmsley and Chyna immediately hightail it out and up the ramp, wanting nothing to do with Kane, despite having the nightstick. Kane, showing some compassion for an emotionally and socially repressed freak, tries to check on X-Pac, who backs away from Kane, pulling himself up to his feet as he clutches his abdomen in pain. X-Pac glares at Kane and shouts at him, wanting to know why it took him so long to come out here. There’s a lack of consistency with Kane and X-Pac, and it’s clearly making the road to Backlash a bumpy one for them.
Result: Big Bossman def. Hunter Hearst Helmsley
As the commentators continue to discuss the inconsistency between Kane and X-Pac, it’s time to cut to the back.
First a Plan, Now Strategy
WWF World Champion, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin is walking backstage, already dressed in his black trunks, 3:16 vest, and clanky knee braces. As he turns a corner, he almost walks right into the chest of ‘The Big Show’ Paul Wight, who stands with his arms crossed, also dressed in his Andre-esque attire. Austin, seeing his opponent for Backlash – and partner for tonight – repositions his Title Belt on his right shoulder. Wight gets right to the point, saying that he doesn’t like Austin, but they’re partners tonight for a big match, so they need to discuss strategy. Austin, however, apparently knows their strategy already. “You wanna talk strategy, huh? Well hell, son, Stone Cold’s already got our strategy figured out; it’s real simple. Stone Cold kicks ass and take names, while Paul Wight stays outta the way, ‘less he wants ta’ take a Stone Cold Stunner too!” Wight smirks at Austin’s strategy, sharing a small laugh. “Heh, that’s a good one, Austin, not bad, but you see, I got my own strategy I thought we’d go with. I use my size to crush The Rock and Mankind, and if you get in my way, I put you through the ring with a Chokeslam!” Wight takes a step further as he says this, nudging Stone Cold backwards a step. Austin just simply smirks in return, telling Wight that, “well I guess we’ll just have ta’ see which strategy works out there then.” Austin walks off afterwards, making sure to shove himself against Wight’s right arm as he does so. It doesn’t budge Wight at all, but Austin’s message is clear. Wight looks over his shoulder to watch Austin walk away, a small smirk on his face the whole time.
Abduction To Parts Unknown
Instead of cutting to our final commercial break, Warzone cuts to what looks like the parking lot, but the night above is so dark, we can only see The Ministry of Darkness and a giant hearse. The Undertaker, his hood down, stands next to the back of the hearse, its trunk door open. There’s no coffins in there, but a few moments later, Tori and Nicole Bass, both women still marked with the Taker symbol and seemingly unconscious, are thrown into the back of the hearse! Mideon closes the hearse door, and Paul Bearer enters the driver’s seat; he’s driving away with the women! As the hearse speeds off – to where, we may never know – The Undertaker stands in front of his Ministry, addressing them. “Just like with the mortal, Luna, they are not fit to be my Queen of Darkness. They’re not worthy for immortality, they will not be saved like you all will be, my minions. They shall be sacrificed for the higher power, the Armageddon of the World Wrestling Federation. With each sacrifice, the Armageddon becomes more imminent, and our power grows. Need not know where they go, my Ministry; it’s of a concern not for you. Focus on the next victim, the next lamb you take to the slaughters, Test. He is one of Vince’s bodyguards, a drone he clutches to for meaningless support. At Backlash, the match is set. I will defeat him, my Ministry, and then, we take him. Vince McMahon will lose his asset, he will be sacrificed for the Armageddon… and Vince McMahon will be one step closer to his demise. At Backlash, it is Test, but my Ministry – you know the plan – there is still more sacrifices to be made. She is beckoning to me, my Queen of Darkness. All others will be marked and sacrificed, until only She remains…” The Undertaker rolls his eyes into the back of his head as his hood is placed back over his head, and Warzone cuts to its final commercial break, The Ministry leaving us on a demonic note.
Mankind & The Rock (w/Shane McMahon) vs. Paul Wight & Steve Austin
As Warzone returns one last time, it is to “Do You Smell It?” playing, causing the crowd to erupt into boos and chants of “Rocky Sucks” as The Rock and his new Corporate leader, the Boy Wonder, strut down to the ring. As The Rock plays to the crowd, getting under their skin even more, “Wreck” brings out Mankind, who already has Mr. Socko on his hand, although he puts it back in his trousers before the match begins. Wight is out next, followed by Detroit, Michigan, erupting to its feet as the glass shatters and “I Won’t Do What You Tell Me” hits, bringing out ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin. The arrival of Austin kick starts the match, as he dives into the ring and immediately starts slugging right hands with The Rock, leading Wight and Mankind to duel as well. It’s a hot start to a hot main event tonight.
The four men entertain the wild and loud Detroit crowd with all out brawling in the opening minutes, seeing Stone Cold stump a mud hole in The Rock’s ass – and walk it dry, of course – while Paul Wight tosses Mankind around like a rag doll, eventually picking him up in a military press and dwarf tossing him over the top rope to the outside. Mankind shows a lot of fight though, taking Wight’s ass kicking that continues on the outside in stride before digging deep to slam Wight’s face off the steel ring post! Mankind’s advantage is short lived though, as Wight ends up catching Mankind and choke-tossing him to the protective mats. The two men continue their duel outside the ring, while Austin and The Rock square off in the center of the ring. Austin goes for an early Stunner attempt, only for Rocky to spin Austin around and catch him with a Rock Bottom in return! It looks like The Rock is going to get an early – and incredibly surprising – victory, but Paul Wight climbs back into the ring to break up the count before three, via a big stomp onto Rock’s back. Wight takes over fighting with The Rock, while Earl Hebner gets Austin and Mankind into their respective corners, ensuring that the match acquires order.
Wight shows the WWF fans his potential by thrashing The Rock, using his size to simply manhandle the former WWF World Champion. Big right hands knock Rock down, and it looks like the Big Show is going to crush The Rock’s heart when he slams him into the corner and slams his right hand down over his chest with an overhead palm strike. The Rock kicks out of the pins Wight makes, although sometimes with help from Mankind, and surprises many by showing resiliency. The Rock eventually turns the tides, fighting out of a giant Chokeslam attempt, and avoiding Wight with quick feet, turning, ducking, and dodging the lunging big man before catching him with a low kick to the abdomen and jumping off his feet to spike Wight to the canvas with a snap DDT! That allows Rock to make the hot tag to Mankind, while Wight is tagged out by Stone Cold, bringing in two fresh men.
Both faces charge into the ring, going head-on. Mankind turns Austin inside out with a clothesline before working Stone Cold into the corner with a fury of right hands. Austin fights out of the corner, avoids a vertical suplex by Mankind, and takes Mankind down with a Lou Thesz Press after taking a whip into the ropes. Austin uses his plethora of right hands to subdue Mankind before hitting the ropes and hitting a diving bionic elbow to Mankind’s masked face. Austin gets on a roll, running through Mankind, but before he can finish the Deranged One off with a Stone Cold Stunner, Paul Wight tags himself back in! Wight slams his shoulder into Austin, sending the stunned Champion staggering into the ropes. The Big Show clasps his hand around Mankind’s throat, lifts him up for the Chokeslam, and takes a foot to the groin! Austin low blows Paul Wight! Austin flips off Wight as he clutches his jewels, and: KICK! WHAM! STUNNER! Paul Wight goes down with a Stone Cold Stunner!
Austin drops to the canvas, getting into Wight’s face as he talks a shit ton of trash to the knocked out big man. As Austin gets back up to his feet though, he walks right into a Rock Bottom! The Rock plants Austin to the canvas, and dear me, The Rock n’ Sock tag team stand tall! The crowd cheers as Mankind digs into his pants, pulling out Mr. Socko! Mr. Socko in his left fist, Mankind slowly pulls Wight up to his feet, placing the groggy seven footer against the ropes as Mankind once again raises Mr. Socko into the air. However, instead of placing Mr. Socko on his hand, he turns to The Rock, aiming the sock at him. Mankind wants The Rock to give Paul Wight Mr. Socko! Mankind gets the crowd cheering like crazy for The Rock to put on the stinky, sweaty sock, but a revolted Rock just glares at Mankind in disgust, only to grin out of nowhere! The Rock takes Mr. Socko from Mankind! Shane McMahon is disgusted on the outside as Rock puts Mr. Socko on his right hand… and Rocky kicks Mankind in the groin! As Mankind doubles over, The Rock slams Mr. Socko into his mouth! Mandible Claw to Mankind!
The Rock makes Mankind eat his own sock, suffocating Foley in the ring to heavy jeers from the crowd. Rock keeps Mr. Socko kept in Mankind’s mouth until Paul Wight recovers, walking back into the ring. Seeing the seven foot giant, The Rock releases the Mandible Claw, shoving Mankind into the path of Wight… and ‘The Great’ Wight slams Mankind to the canvas with a Chokeslam! The Rock exits the ring as Wight slams Mankind, and makes the pin: ONE! TWO! THREE!
Result: Paul Wight & Steve Austin def. Mankind & The Rock
The crowd jeers as Wight and Austin pick up the victory, thanks to a huge assist from The Rock. Speaking of, The Rock doesn’t leave the ringside, instead using his hands to signal commands to Shane McMahon, who nods his head in return before setting off. Back in the ring, Stone Cold pulls himself back up to his feet, only to see Paul Wight standing, arms raises in triumph. Wight turns around into Austin’s path, and flinches slightly, expecting Austin to attack. Austin snarls at Wight instead, aggravated with the big man, who smirks back at Austin in return before telling him that he guesses his method – and not Austin’s – was best for victory. Irritated, Austin gets into Wight’s face chest, the two men talking trash back and forth. Just as the two men are about to square off in a brawl, The Rock slowly rolls back into the ring underneath the bottom rope, a steel chair in hand. The Rock slowly walks up to the two, and cracks Paul Wight across the back of the head with a steel chair! Wight staggers from the huge, echoing chair shot, and as he does so, Austin steps up to try and take out The Rock. Stone Cold swings for a lariat, but The Rock ducks! Austin turns back around, and steel chair shot to Austin! Down goes Stone Cold! With the WWF Champion laid out, The Rock walks over the fallen Mankind to get back in front of Wight, and slams the dented chair over his skull, dropping him to his knees! With Wight still not fully down, The Rock runs off the ropes – chair still in hand – before sprinting back at Wight and slamming the chair across Wight’s face! What a wicked steel chair shot! Wight slowly falls face first to the canvas, the big man dead to the world after that shot. Shane McMahon enters the ring now as well, the three wrestlers all laid out in the ring. Shane O Mac hands The Rock the WWF World Title Belt, who smugly raises the belt into the air with his right arm, head raised in the air in that cocky manner of his, standing tall as Warzone heads off the air.
My Awards:
2008 - Best PPV - Starrcade
2008, 2007, & 2006 - Best Promo Writer
2007 & 2006 - Best Promo(s)
2007 - Most Creative
2007 - Best Feedbacker
2006 & 2007 BTB World Cup - Top Overall Scorer
2007 BTB World Cup - Booker of the Tournament
Only Person to Ever Score Perfect Score in a Tournament
BTB Hall of Famer
So my last post in WCW was over a month ago. I'm just posting in here to get to Backlash, which is where I stopped at EWB. I wrote all of the Backlash matches, sans the main event, and lost motivation to write the match. That was about two-plus months ago. I'm working on a new project with a partner from EWB, but it's going slow as we create a backlog, so I have time to kill. Want to finish Backlash, and then I'll probably stop there . Who knows, not me, that's for sure.
Sunday Night Heat
April 18, 1999
Once again we’re welcomed to the broadcast by Michael Cole, continuing to work double duties for the WWF, and Jim Cornette. As the usual introductions come and go, we’re treated to a solid opener between Goldust and one of his Backlash opponents new – and old – running buddy, D’Lo Brown. The two go back and forth throughout the whole match, sticking mainly to straight up wrestling, although there is one comedy spot when Goldust – who has D’Lo trapped in the corner for a Shattered Dreams – approaches Brown, rubs his hands up his chest before letting out his deep breath in D’Lo’s face, angering him. Seeing Brown aggravated, Goldust then rubs his hands up D’Lo’s chest! Brown looks revolted by it, and Goldust then, again, breaths in Brown’s face. Brown eventually escapes the corner, and attacks Goldust with a renewed vigor. The Blue Meanie tries to get involved in the match as Brown continues to take control, getting up onto the apron. However, his attempt to help goes awry when Brown whips Goldust into the ropes, causing “Mommy” to collide with Meanie! Meanie falls to the mats, while Goldust staggers back into the ring, clutching his head, allowing Brown to put him away with the Sky High! After the match, The Godfather comes out with his ho’s to celebrate, but Ivory intervenes, saying D’Lo doesn’t need those women to celebrate. As The Godfather looks perplexed, Goldust scolds his “son” for costing him the match.
The show cuts backstage to just outside the dining area, where Bart Gunn is filling himself a cup of coffee from the machine. Before the man can even taste one sip of coffee, The Acolytes come out of nowhere and blindside him! Bradshaw clubs Bart over the back of the head with his Clothesline From Hell, and Farooq immediately puts the boots to the Brawl For All winner (and now reject) as he hits the concrete. As Farooq kicks Gunn in the head repeatedly, Bradshaw grabs a nearby steel chair, and uses it to smash Gunn over the back of the head! With the former Tag Champ down and out, The Acolytes grab him by his hands and ankles, and carry him away, to probably be never seen again.
The New Age Outlaws restore the good mood by coming out next, getting the audience jacked up with their usual pre-match entrance, once again claiming themselves to be the, “soon to be, Tag Team Champions of the WOOOOOOORLD!”. Their opponents for the night are Kaientai, ensuring an easy warm up victory heading into Backlash in one week. While Taka and Sho Funaki put up a fight – and Michinoku even wows the crowd with an acrobatic tilt-a-whirl head scissors to Billy Gunn – the Japanese team are no match for the experienced tag specialists. Taka Michinoku ends up eating the Shake, Rattle, & Roll, Road Dogg’s final right hand knocking Taka over the top rope to the outside. Left by himself, Funaki falls victim to a Spike Piledriver from the Outlaws, although he lucks out; the two men both stay on the canvas, instead of an Outlaw heading up to the second turnbuckle to add to the impact. With Funaki down and out, Road Dogg makes the pin. Brian Hebner makes the count while Billy Gunn crotch chops with each slap of the hand (that sounds strangely dirty), and the Outlaws are winners. The Outlaws celebrate post-match, but have to know their challenge at Backlash will be much tougher.
Continuing the mystery secret admirer angle, we get an “Earlier Today” segment showing Val Venis arriving to the arena, heading to his locker room, and noticing a note attached to his door. Venis reads the note, and it essentially congratulates Venis on his recent success, claiming that, “only a big, strong man such as yourself could win the Intercontinental Title.” Wow, this is so cheesy and craptastic. The note ends off saying that Val’s admirer will be watching closely at Backlash, and Venis will know soon just who his admirer is. As we cut back to the show, Venis is walking around backstage, and finds Terri Runnels. Val confronts Terri, saying that he knows the two have “history” together, and that he thinks Terri wants to revive their “chemistry”. Val’s into role playing, and starts to say he’ll let Terri dress up like a teacher, and he’ll bend her over a desk, but Terri cuts him off before Val can say just what he’ll bend Terri over. Terri claims that she is an independent woman, and her and Jacqueline don’t need a man for satisfaction. “So you’re a lesbian then?” Terri shrieks, yelling that she is not gay, which only gets Val laughing. Terri, however, turns the tides around, saying that since Val brought it up, maybe he is gay. Perhaps his promiscuous ways are only a cover for his own secret. Venis, obviously, looks shocked. “You think I like guys!? Whoa, whoa, whoa, let’s get something straight, little lady. The Big Valbowski pleases one gender, and one gender only, and that is… heh, heh, heh, the ladies.” Terri smirks, replying that she was never satisfied when her and Val “did the deed”. His ego challenged, Val lunges in, hungrily kissing Terri. As the two make out, Val lifts her off the ground; Terri straddles her legs around Val’s waist, and Val carries her off-screen. The boots are knockin’. However, from just behind the corner of an adjacent corridor, is Ryan Shamrock, peeking over the corner, spying on Val as he carries Terri away. Perhaps she’s the admirer after all?
While the porno music plays backstage, Michael Cole introduces to everyone this week’s Raw Recap. The big focus in the beginning of the recap is the Father vs. Son battle between Vince and Shane McMahon, and Shane slapping his father. The son has turned against the father, and the father becomes even more of a fan favorite in the process. Also shown is clips and the ending of Al Snow’s victory over Hardcore Holly to become the new Hardcore Champion, the Big Bossman’s defeat over Triple H thanks to X-Pac, and the anger X-Pac shows towards Kane for arriving late to save him from a beat down from Triple H and Chyna. The Ministry abducting Tori and Nicole Bass is featured, Val Venis’ announcement that he’ll defend the IC Title against both Goldust and The Godfather at Backlash, and of course, the chaos of the main event. The match is broken down into a few clips, and Paul Wight pinning Mankind with a Chokeslam, but only after Wight received a Stone Cold Stunner from his own partner, and The Rock used Mr. Socko to subdue Mankind. The video ends just like Raw is War did, with The Rock and Shane McMahon standing tall after The Rock took out both Steve Austin and Wight with a steel chair.
It’s time for action once again, and Heat is loading it up tonight: Hardcore Champion vs. Intercontinental Champion! Al Snow is probably not happy to be wrestling in a normal rules match, while Val Venis has to be pleased it’s not a hardcore match, and his IC Title isn’t up for grabs. Head gets placed underneath a bottom turnbuckle, surrounded by the strapped Hardcore Title. Head is ½ Hardcore Champion, after all, according to Al Snow. Snow seems a bit lost in this one, wanting to get Head (and use it as a weapon, of course) or some other weapon. This allows Venis to work over Snow throughout most of the match, almost picking up the victory his blue thunder driver. Snow kicks out, and actually turns the tides, hitting a series of head butts after locking Val’s arms, and then flipping Venis over for a suplex. Snow has no chance to capitalize though because Hardcore Holly appears from the crowd. Holly grabs Head, sneaks up behind Snow, and slams the doll face over the back of Snow’s head! Snow drops to the canvas, and referee Teddy Long immediately calls for the bell. It’s a DQ finish tonight. As Holly puts the boots to Snow after the match, Venis gets up to his feet, not happy to see the match ruined by Holly. He goes to attack Hardcore, only for The Blue Meanie to hilariously run down the ramp, fat flapping everywhere. Meanie rolls into the ring, and looks to attack Venis, trying to impress “Mommy”. It fails miserably, as Venis sidesteps the charging Meanie, boots him in the gut, and takes him out of commission with a fisherman’s suplex! As Venis gets back up, Holly has left the ring, so Val checks on his opponent, helping Snow up to his feet. So throughout that match, did anyone else think Venis finished up with Terri pretty quick? 18 seconds and done, aye, Val?
It’s time for one more backstage segment, and it’s featuring a walking Kane! As Kane menacingly walks the corridors, X-Pac approaches him, immediately saying the two need to talk. Problem: Kane doesn’t talk. “Look man, I know you have problems trusting everyone. That freak Bearer tormented you throughout your childhood; you never got to experience a real childhood, make friends, anything! I get it, man! But dude, Kane, now’s your chance to make up for it! Chyna befriended you – you cared for her!” Kane, who wasn’t looking at Pac at all throughout this, immediately turns on his heel to glare at X-Pac, furious that Chyna’s betrayal is being brought up. X-Pac isn’t phased. “Glare at me all you want, big man, but I’m not afraid of you! You cared for her, and she broke your heart. Hey, she broke mine too! She was my friend, and she stabbed me in the back too! But you want a friend? You want someone who you can trust, who has your back? Then stop looking up to the sky, don’t look side to side or over your back… look down! I’m a small guy, but I got heart, Kane, and I trust you! So bro, let’s start communicating here and get ready to kick ass next week at Backlash!” X-Pac encouragingly slaps Kane on the arm, looking motivated and happy that he got through to Kane. X-Pac soon realizes he didn’t get through to Kane one bit, as the big man turns and walks away. Kane didn’t comprehend a word X-Pac said, according to Michael Cole, as he doesn’t fully understand emotions and feelings like X-Pac or any regular human being does. Kane is such a tortured soul.
The Corporate/Ministry war continues as the steel cage lowers from the ceiling, descending to surround the ring. The Corporate team of Ken Shamrock & Test head out first, followed by the Ministry and Brood team of Edge & Christian. Seeing as the four men are confined inside the steel cage, it’s tornado style tonight; all four men compete at once, and there is no such thing as a legal man – anyone can score the pin. Despite their chemistry as a tag team, the young Ministry minions cannot keep up with the 1998 King of the Ring and the Corporate bodyguard. Shamrock slams Christian into the steel cage multiple times, showing no preference for what body part tastes steel – the face, back of the head, chest, and back all are slammed into the cage throughout the match. Edge tries to use his speed to neutralize Test’s size advantage, but Test is a total package wrestler. The Canucker keeps up with Edge, and eventually catches Edge as he leaps out him, allowing the big man to dwarf toss Edge into the steel cage with a fall away slam! The Ministry team does score some offense of their own, of course, including near falls from an Edge implant DDT to Shamrock, and a hurricanrana from Christian to Test. At one point towards the end of the match, Christian scales halfway up the cage before carefully turning so only one foot is in a cage link, and leaping off back into the ring, taking Shamrock out with a plancha! The youngsters fly high and live dangerously, but it still just isn’t enough. Ken Shamrock ends up taking Edge out of commission with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex into the steel cage, allowing Test to finish Christian off with his Pumphandle Powerslam. At Shamrock’s command, Test takes it one step further, climbing up to the top turnbuckle and hitting the Flying Elbow Drop! Cover, and victory for The Corporation duo. As the steel cage raises back to the rafters of the arena, Test and Shamrock celebrate their victory, the Canucker picking up another momentum-boosting win heading into the biggest match of his career, next week, at Backlash. Cole and Cornette hype tomorrow night’s Raw is War as we end the show.
Quick Results:
D’Lo Brown def. Goldust
New Age Outlaws def. Kaientai
Al Snow def. Val Venis via disqualification
Ken Shamrock & Test def. Edge & Christian
Quote:
Wrestling News Around the WWF
Matches Added to Backlash
Heading into last week’s, WWF.com had already announced the WWF World Title match (Steve Austin defending against Mankind, Paul Wight, and The Rock), Tag Team Championship match (Jeff Jarrett & Owen Hart defending against the New Age Outlaws), and a grudge match featuring Kane and X-Pac against Chyna and Triple H. This past Monday on Raw is War, it was announced that The Undertaker would wrestle Test, and Val Venis would defend the WWF Intercontinental Championship against Goldust and The Godfather. Just announced, however, is another match for Backlash: a Hardcore Title match! Hardcore Holly will invoke his rematch clause and challenge Al Snow for the Hardcore Title. Plus, expect one last match to be added on tomorrow night’s Raw is War broadcast. Another Ministry vs. Corporation match is in the books; Ken Shamrock & Big Bossman will wrestle against either two members of the Brood (most likely Edge and Christian) or The Acolytes.
A Second Purpose for The Ministry of Darkness
While The Ministry of Darkness is locked in the beginning of a long feud with Vince McMahon and his Corporation, a new purpose has also sprung up for The Ministry: an easy and storyline developing way for the WWF to write off superstars. Just since Wrestlemania, The Ministry has abducted and “sacrificed” the following superstars: Luna Vachon, the Public Enemy, the Headbangers, Tori, Nicole Bass, and now Bart Gunn. Luna Vachon is on her way out of the WWF as her contract is expiring soon, and the Headbangers needed to be written off as Thrasher will be sidelined with a knee injury. Glen Ruth, who portrays Thrasher, should be out for all of summer and the early autumn months as he recovers from knee surgery. Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock both are about to have their contracts terminated, in a move that should surprise nobody. Public Enemy have had heat on them ever since coming into the company, and stiffed by their opponents, especially The Acolytes. Look for Flyboy and Grunge in a Philadelphia bingo hall next month. Tori, after failing to get over in her program with Sable, is heading back down to Ohio Valley Wrestling to improve her mic work and ring skills, while Nicole Bass will probably be fired too. Despite WWF officials being impressed with her size, Bass has had heat with the company for her laziness and recklessness in the ring, as well as a poor a backstage attitude. Bart Gunn, however, asked to be taken off of television, a move officials supported. After suffering the embarrassing loss to Butterbean in the Brawl For All shoot fight at Wrestlemania 15, Gunn lost all potential with his character. Gunn will be repackaged eventually, and brought back to television.
New Pilot Set To Air
The WWF will have a one-time show on the UPN Network on Thursday, April 29, in what is essentially a trial to see how ratings would be for the WWF on UPN. The deal has been in place for some time now, and while the show has not been directly advertised during any shows, there have been commercials throughout the Raw and Heat broadcasts. If the pilot is successful, look to see the show, which is being called SmackDown!, to get picked up by the UPN Network in the fall.
Monday Night Raw Card
On tomorrow night’s Raw is War/Warzone, Big Bossman will get his grudge match against Gangrel, D-Generation X will team up against their Backlash opponents, Triple H and Canadian Country, and in a mini-preview of the WWF Intercontinental Title match, D’Lo Brown and The Godfather will team up against Goldust and the IC Champion, Val Venis. Plus, Vince McMahon has booked ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Man’ Ken Shamrock to wrestle The Undertaker, just six days before The Ministry of Darkness leader takes on fellow Corporate star, Test. And in the main event, Mankind will take on his longtime rival, The Rock!
My Awards:
2008 - Best PPV - Starrcade
2008, 2007, & 2006 - Best Promo Writer
2007 & 2006 - Best Promo(s)
2007 - Most Creative
2007 - Best Feedbacker
2006 & 2007 BTB World Cup - Top Overall Scorer
2007 BTB World Cup - Booker of the Tournament
Only Person to Ever Score Perfect Score in a Tournament
BTB Hall of Famer
I'm pretty sure I read a post in here awhile ago which said that you don't expect full reviews for Heat. This is good because I don;t plan on giving you a full review for it, and if I'm imagining things, shit happens I guess.
Anyway, Heat didn't really do that much to interest me, I'll admit to laughing at the Venis/Terri segment, and finding the main event to be a pretty good read, as it's continuing a great storyline, but besides that, the content was not very important.
Shamrock and Bossman against The Acolytes would actually be pretty nice. Just let both teams brawl it out.
I have no problem with The Ministry being used to write people off, as they haven't really written anybody off that I'd like to hang around anyway.
Smackdown! Would be good if you could get this far, but I simply don't think you're good enough, hence why you're going to switch to something else. You're simply making excuses for your lack of creativity and lack of booking skills in general. Ermm, is my reverse psychology working?
The Raw card is look very good to, especially with Makind/Rock and Taker/Shamrock. Please, put Shamrock > Taker, I'd love you forever.
That is all for now... I'll be back for the next show.
Been meaning to do a review on one of your shows for a while, and now i am.
Right lets get started with Raw. Nice little recap of last weeks show, gets you back up to date and tells the reader exactly what is going on. Isnt Al Snows little entrance starter "What does everybody want?" Little Hardcore title match takes me back to the Attitude Era straight away. Good win for Snow, i like him but i think i would find it hard to push him further up the card than hes already been. Push for Snow? please.
Vince Vs Shane is good, i like the two opposing Corporation factions going at it. Great segment between these two, Bossman against Triple H would be a good match at this point in the WWF.
Goldust against Godfather for a title shot, horrible line up for potential title match up, but thats the quality of the attitude era. These two were probably more over than most of the current WWE roster. Triple threat at Backlash looks good, hopefully Venis retains and continues his storyline with his admirer meanwhile still holding the belt.
More Corporation stuff backstage. Solid group for Vince then, dont see any of them turning but i would like to see a swerve, Bossman being the one i would like most.
Sable with a win is good and the two women getting taken is alright, i like how the Ministry just take people but it would be better if they were taking people and making them into Ministry players rather than them just leaving the WWF.
Jarrett and Owen Hart as a tag team is pure gold and them against the Outlaws looks like a great match on paper so hopefully you can book it well enough.
Gangrel and Test is good and Test got the deserved win that i believe is the start of a big push if hes facing the Undertaker at the PPV.
Rock and Foley is good comedy and i enjoy them being together but Rock being a heel with Shane and then teasing the face turn is alright i suppose.
Big Bossman over Triple H is a strange one, but i suppose you need to make both of them look strong and Triple H will get the mega push soon enough.
Undertaker picking up a diva to become his queen of darkness is a good plan and i like the fact that hes abducting different divas on the way to finding the "one".
Paul Wight and Austin over Mankind and the Rock is a interesting one, i like Wight looking strong, gets him over. But the Rock absolutely destroying everyone is a bit odd in my opinion. Austin and Mankind looked quite weak in the match up.
Heat had some good results but i think the last two matches would have been good enough for Raw. Champion Vs Champion certainly would have been good for a Raw episode. Overall some good results and i look forward to what you do with coming up Raws and Backlash.
I like the news and i had a feeling that the Ministry would be used for getting members of unwanted talent out of the company.
Overall i enjoyed reading through the shows and the news and hope you can keep writing the Attitude Era stuff and good luck with Backlash.
this is basically a remake of 1999 with exact same promo's, tweak here, tweak there, fancy way of writing = utter fail. sorry szumi, ur trio ownership was decent, but this is absolutely terrible. im not known here so dont play the face card, if u do choose to respond.
queen of darkness idea: an idea that could have been done right, however the way it was done was terrible. picking up multiple divas to find "the one". yeah right.
rock/sock AGAIN..........i dont wanna read that, i want something new, as a reader i felt i was reading a book and i knew everything about the next page.
bossman over triple h????????wtf/...........:/ let me guess, BIG PUSH for triple h coming up, or maybe even big boss man? u like booking odd decisions.
gangrel vs test, decent bit of booking ive seen all show.
i know u want realism, but why goldust for the title, i know the attitude era was renound for good story, shit wrestling. but your storys suck and so do the matches................wtf mate, get a grip.
Neo, I appreciate your attemtped criticism, really, I do. However, it is impossible to take anything you say seriously when you come across yourself as being inable to comprehend continuity, writing, or the simple structures of grammar and sentences. If you actually read the show, you would realize the "Rock n' Sock" angle was tongue in cheek at real life. The two didn't actually become friends; they teamed up because they were booked to, nothing more. Clearly, they're still enemies. The Ministry angle, *gasp* is continuity. You build off of real life at first, and then you *gasp* put your own spin on it. If you want to try and give critisicm, it a) needs to be constructive, and not just a weak-covered attack, and b) have validity.
With that said, moving on. Here's the next show. If people want to comment on it, that's fine. There's this show, and then Backlash, which is finished. While there is a Raw and Smackdown right after Backlash, I don't know if I'll ever write them. I may stop here, and write the first two shows of the next WCW chapter, and call it quits on working on other projects while I start writing a new split project. Dunno. We'll see how it goes.
WWF Monday Night Raw/Warzone
Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Michigan
April 19, 2009
Instead of the usual recap video of what happened last week, we get a montage highlighting the feud for the WWF World Title, and The Undertaker’s duel with Vince McMahon’s Corporation. Clips of Mankind and Steve Austin fighting at Survivor Series 98 is shown, and then some violent clips of the I Quit match between Rock and Mankind at the Royal Rumble. Paul Wight makes his appearance known in the video by coming out of the ring and throwing Steve Austin through the steel cage at Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre, causing a side of the cage to fall apart and Austin to hit the ringside floor, putting him in the Wrestlemania main event. Paul Wight is shown Chokeslamming Mankind off a ladder, allowing The Rock to reclaim the WWF World Title from Mankind. Clips of Austin taking out Wight with a Stunner is shown, and then defeating The Rock to win the World Title at Wrestlemania 15. Mankind goes through two steel chairs, courtesy of a Paul Wight Chokeslam, and Mankind makes The Rock eat Mr. Socko. The last clip is of another Stone Cold Stunner to The Rock before holding up the WWF World Title Belt, and then a black and white still shot of all four men. Time to focus on Vince McMahon and The Undertaker next. Steve Austin buries The Undertaker alive at In Your House: Rock Bottom, only for The Acolytes, Farooq and Bradshaw, to abduct Dennis Knight, and The Undertaker, sporting his new satanic and demonic look, rechristening him as Mideon in a dark ritual. The abduction of Mabel at the Royal Rumble – and his switch to Viscera – and The Brood joining the group is highlighted, and then, the meaty part: Vince McMahon is presented with a burning stuffed teddy bear, a bear that belonged to Stephanie McMahon as a child. Clips from the March 15 episode of Raw is War is shown as well, when The Undertaker stalked the McMahon house in Greenwich, Connecticut, and left a wooden design of his symbol burning in McMahon’s yard! The Undertaker defeats Big Bossman in the Hell in a Cell match at Wrestlemania 15, and with help from The Brood, hangs Big Bossman after the match. The video package ends with The Undertaker reducing Vince McMahon to a broken man on his knees, crying as he crawls to the burning teddy bear.
Get This Man Dr. Phil!
We then go “live” in the parking lot of the arena, where Kane is storming through the aisles of cars, seemingly walking away from the arena before the show can really even begin. As he does, the hollering unit of D-Generation X come sprinting out from the arena after the Big Red Machine. “Yo, bro! Where you goin’!?” Kane doesn’t look over his shoulder, but just keeps walking. X-Pac and the New Age Outlaws both try to get Kane to stop, have the big man come back to the arena, and be in their corner tonight. “We’re teaming up in six days, man! We need to be on the same page; just randomly leaving isn’t gonna help!” DX catch up to Kane, the Outlaws jumping in front of Kane, hands up to try and stop him, while X-Pac slaps Kane on the arm. Kane finally stops, as Pac again tries to get Kane to open up. “I don’t know what in the hell I gotta do or say to get you to trust me, but big man, you and me, we’re in this together! Sunday, it’s us against Hunter and Chyna; time to get payback on the two people we hate the most!” Kane looks at the Outlaws, then at X-Pac, and starts walking again, the Outlaws back tracking to stay in front of him. Road Dogg tries to get through to Kane next. “You need some friends to help you out, big man! You want to take out Hunter and Chyna, well look no further than D-Generation X!”
Billy Gunn’s turn to try: “Hunter and Chyna betrayed all of us. We all want revenge, and Kane, you ain’t gonna get it by yourself. Doesn’t matter how big or bad you are, you need D-Generation X!” Kane continues to walk on; they’re now past the parking lot at this point as the big man starts walking up the hill and to the streets of Michigan. X-Pac tries one last time. “Bro, they hurt me just as bad as they hurt you. There’s no shame in admitting that they hurt you. So stop this brooding bad guy act, big man, and come out here tonight, help DX kick some ass, and show the world just who Kane is!” X-Pac gives Kane another encouraging slap on the arm, as he pumps his arms and nods his head, thinking he got through to Kane. However, he clearly didn’t, as the Big Red Machine walks right through the New Age Outlaws and heads the rest of the way up the concrete hill and onto the streets of Grand Rapids, aimlessly wandering the streets probably. As the three men of D-X look at one another, Road Dogg finally realizes something important. “Sh** guys, we open the show tonight!” And to end the segment on a comedic note, the three men sprint back down the hill, through the parking lot, and back inside, having to hurry back to the ring.
Canadian Country & Triple H (w/Chyna & Debra) vs. D-Generation X
Thankfully for DX, the heel side come down to the ring first – to separate entrances, too – allowing the easily fatigued stoners in-shape superstars to come out to the ring on time as Chris Warren Band’s “Break It Down” hits, getting Michigan fired up and rowdy as D-Generation X comes out to the ring. Despite showing signs of fatigue from their full sprint out to the ring, DX come out ready to play, meaning this match starts with a pier-six brawl in the ring that ends with the New Age Outlaws simultaneously sending Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett over the top rope to the outside with clotheslines. As X-Pac uses his “educated feet” on Helmsley, it allows the Outlaws to grab Helmsley and send him over the top rope to the outside as well! As the three heels pull themselves up to their feet next to one another, X-Pac hits the opposite ropes before leaping through the second and third ropes with a suicide dive, taking the heels back down to the mats!
X-Pac, wanting Triple H to take the beating in this match, rolls him into the ring, where the New Age Outlaws promptly double team him with stomps; these men haven’t had a chance yet to attack their former leader and friend, so they hold nothing back with their kicks. Referee Tim White doesn’t let the beat down go on too long, so the Outlaws at least finish the double team in style, whipping Helmsley into the ropes, lifting him up into the air, and dropping him throat first across the top rope with a double hot shot! As Helmsley staggers back into the center of the ring, gasping for air, Billy Gunn turns him inside out with a big lariat!
As everyone gets onto their corners, ‘Bad Ass’ Billy Gunn continues to work over Helmsley, and almost steals the victory with his Jackhammer suplex that can’t top Goldberg’s. The advantage goes down hill though when X-Pac gets into the ring. Despite working over Helmsley initially, Waltman cannot control his emotions, especially when Chyna trips him up as he runs off the ropes. X-Pac turns around and shouts at Chyna, who gets up onto the apron herself. Chyna knows what she’s doing, distracting X-Pac long enough for Triple H to sneak up behind X-Pac. Helmsley does so, hits Pac in the back of the neck with a double sledge, and looks set to plant X-Pac with a diving reverse DDT, only to drop the back of Pac’s neck onto his knee! It’s a sick variation of the reverse DDT, and it’s going to do some damage to X-Pac’s poor neck.
Helmsley and the Tag Champs start to work over the fallen X-Pac, with Owen Hart damn near knocking Waltman senseless with his enziguri kick, while Jeff Jarrett finishes Waltman off with a superplex from the second turnbuckle. Road Dogg breaks up the pin though, keeping the match alive. The worst spot ever in pro wrestling eventually occurs when Jeff Jarrett locks X-Pac in the sleeper hold. You know the routine. X-Pac eventually takes Jarrett down with a diving wheel kick after ducking a clothesline and hitting the ropes, and makes the hot tag to Billy Gunn. Jeff Jarrett doesn’t get the chance to make the tag, as soon as X-Pac tags in Gunn, Road Dogg, Owen Hart, and Triple H all join in on the fun!
The match breaks down into a wild brawl, and in the process, Timmy White takes a bump from an errant Road Dogg strike, knocking him down and allowing Chyna to enter the ring to help out the heel team. It’s the New Age Outlaws against Canadian Country, Chyna, and Triple H, and while the Outlaws fend the four off initially, they start to succumb to the numbers game. The Outlaws need a hero, and the crowd is hoping for Kane, but they’re still happy with X-Pac. The former 1-2-3 Kid comes charging back into the ring, recuperated, and knocks Owen Hart down with a clothesline. Jeff Jarrett goes down next, thanks to a spinning heel kick that sends him staggering into the corner, his head against the bottom turnbuckle. With the odds back in DX’s favor, the New Age Outlaws attack Helmsley; Road Dogg hits Triple H with the Shake, Rattle, and Roll, but instead of hitting a big right hand to cap it off, he knees HHH in the gut, doubling him over… and Mr. Ass hits the Fame-Asser! While the Outlaws deal with Helmsley, X-Pac ducks a right forearm strike from Chyna, and to the wild cheers of the crowd, knocks her down with a spinning heel kick! X-Pac keeps the crowd hot, hitting the Bronco Buster on Jarrett! Owen Hart tries to help out his partner out, but Road Dogg takes him down with a DDT. As Tim White gets back to his feet, X-Pac finishes Jarrett off with the X-Factor! Despite being the illegal man, White makes the count – cause since when do the rules apply in the Attitude Era – and D-Generation X is victorious!
It’s crotch chop-palooza after the match, the crowd cheering D-Generation X’s victory. The three men salute Grand Rapids with another round of crotch chops, only for X-Pac to take a running lariat to the back of his neck! X-Pac goes down because of Triple H, and as the New Age Outlaws turn around, they take simultaneous shots to the face with the Tag Belts! Debra, quick on her feet, slid the straps into the ring to Owen, who tossed one to Jarrett, and the Outlaws go down. Canadian Country lay the boots to the Outlaws, while Helmsley and Chyna kick at X-Pac’s neck, softening him up heading into Backlash. The crowd clearly is hoping for Kane to come out for the save, but he never shows, allowing the heels to beat down DX until they self-call off the attack, and stand tall heading into the commercial break.
Result: D-Generation X def. Canadian Country & Triple H
When Raw is War returns, it’s with two members of our favorite family…
Hoping For the Worst
Backstage at the most common hang out spot – where the coffee is – stands Shane McMahon, who, you guessed it, is getting coffee. Seriously, is the WWF made up of police officers and alcoholics anonymous members? As Shane stirs the creamer into his Styrofoam cup, his little sister, Stephanie McMahon, walks up to him. Shane immediately sets his cup down on the table, and asks little Stephanie what she wants. “You really hurt Dad last week, Shane. You’re tearing this family apart when we should all be working together. I know you don’t want to help Dad handle The Undertaker, but please, Shane, help him. He needs your help. That man, he stalked me, somehow broke into our house to steal my old stuffed bear, said those nasty, disgusting things about me! About our family! Help us keep this family – keep me – safe.” Stephanie looks at Shane pleadingly, who just takes a sip of his coffee, not even looking his sister in the eye. As Shane continues to not even speak with his sister, Stephanie tries again. “Remember when we were kids, Shane, and you always had this fear that some bad man was going to break into the house at night? This guy was evil, and he was going to kidnap us, take us away from Mom and Dad. We would never see our family again… Shane, that faceless heathen, it’s The Undertaker. He wants to tear this family apart, bring Dad’s company down in flames. He wants to destroy us all, Shane!”
Shane, a heartless look on his face, takes another sip of his coffee before putting it down on the table again. He finally looks at his sister and addresses her. “You’re just like him, you know that?” Stephanie looks at Shane, confused, but the Boy Wonder elaborates. “You’re a know-it-all, prissy, bitch! You stand here and talk down to me, just like Vince would talk down to me. I’m not a child anymore! I cannot be manipulated! So don’t you stand here, give me your little sob story about what The Undertaker wants to do to Vince. If you ask me, Vince is gonna get what he deserves!” Stephanie can’t believe what her older brother is saying, and is reduced to tears by Shane’s scathing remarks. The heir to the McMahon throne just laughs. “Are you gonna cry, ‘ickle Steffie? Well don’t worry, ‘cause I’m gonna do you one better. I WANT The Undertaker to go after you, Stephanie! I hope he makes good on what he said last month, I hope he makes good on what he continues to say. I hope The Undertaker makes your life – and makes Vince’s life, especially – a living hell!” This really gets Stephanie crying, as she starts weeping. As Shane coldly smirks at his sister, he turns and leaves, walking away as Stephanie slowly slides down the concrete wall until she’s sitting, hands over her face as she sobs. More importantly, Shane forgot his coffee!
Big Bossman (w/Ken Shamrock) vs. Gangrel (w/Christian & Edge)
Big Bossman goes back to his Corporate roots by entering to “No Chance” while The Brood make the coolest freaking entrance in the World Wrestling Federation from their ring o’ fire as “Blood” plays. The Big Bossman immediately lays into Gangrel as the match starts, happy to get a match with the man who blood bathed him eight days ago on Sunday Night Heat. Gangrel takes the beating like a bitch, pretty much, and Bossman almost scores the victory when he whips Gangrel into the ropes and slams him down to the canvas with a spine buster. No rotation on the buster, sadly. Bossman makes the cover, but Christian pulls Bossman out of the ring! The crowd boos the interference by Christian, but Bossman appeases his fans – I still find it odd to say that – by popping Christian in the mouth with a right hook! Edge looks to get involved too, but here comes Ken Shamrock to the rescue, flipping Edge off his feet with a lariat! As Bossman re-enters the ring, he gets rolled up by Gangrel though! Brian Hebner almost makes a three count, but Bossman just barely kicks out before the count of three.
Gangrel uses the quick roll-up to help him become the aggressor, taking it to the Bossman now. The vampire scores a near fall with a reverse DDT – that move is popular tonight – but Big Bossman is a man on a mission tonight. He fights off Gangrel, escapes out of an Implant DDT attempt, reverses a whip into the corner, and follows up with a running avalanche! From there, Gangrel falls victim to a sidewalk slam, prompting Edge and Christian to climb onto the apron, trying to help out their goth friend. Ken Shamrock says hell no to that though, grabbing an ankle of both men, yanking them off the apron, and causing each man’s face to smash off the apron! With E&C taken care of, Big Bossman finishes Gangrel off with the Bossman Slam to pick up the victory. Shamrock enters the ring after the match, and Bossman gets right in his face, psyching him up until Shamrock throws his arms out to his sides and yells, “snapping” into his zone. Shamrock walks to Gangrel’s feet, and grabs an ankle, getting ready to put him in his Ankle Lock, only to take a boot to the back of his head from Farooq! Big Bossman looks over to see what’s going on, and turns around right into a Clothesline From Hell! The Acolytes are in the ring, and Bradshaw disposes of Big Bossman! Farooq quickly pulls Shamrock up to his feet, hits a few stiff rights, and feeds him to his partner. Bradshaw scoops Shamrock up, and Farooq helps slam him down to the canvas with a Powerbomb! The Acolytes take out a constant thorn in The Ministry’s side in the Big Bossman, and soften their leader’s opponent tonight up as well. The Brood and the Acolytes all head to the back together, The Ministry of Darkness standing tall despite picking up the loss tonight.
Result: Big Bossman def. Gangrel
Before Raw cuts to a commercial break, we go backstage for a quick segment.
Don’t Scold Head
Walking around backstage is Al Snow, the WWF Hardcore Title strapped around his left hand and wrist while he cradles Head in his right arm. As Snow walks, he talks to Head, claiming that the two of them make the greatest Hardcore Champions ever, and that Snow wouldn’t be Champion without Head. As Snow passes the card table holding all of the coffee containers, Snow stops. “Do you want any coffee, Head?” Apparently Head replied yes, as Snow starts pouring coffee into the cup. As Snow starts to add creamer into it, he gets his head slammed into the concrete wall! Hardcore Holly takes down Snow! As Head falls to the floor next to Snow, Holly boots Snow’s skull several times, knocking him senseless before picking him up to his feet, and locking in a side head lock. Holly drags Snow over to a table a few feet away from the coffee table, and flips Snow over his hip, sending Snow crashing into the table! With Al Snow down and out, Holly walks back over towards the coffee, and spots Head on the floor, the Hardcore Title right next to “him”. Smirking, Hardcore Holly acts like he’s going to walk away, only to turn back around and kick Head! Hey, plastic mannequins have feelings too! To take this assault one step further, Holly takes the coffee Snow poured, and dumps it on Head! If Head was remotely real, it’d be scolded and burned from that! Laughing, Holly walks away from the mess, while Snow slowly comes to. The Champ sees Head covered in the coffee, and screams, shouting that he needs a medic for Head.
This Show, It’s Called SmackDown!?
As Raw is War returns, we’re in the locker room of The Corporation. Stephanie McMahon has just returned to the room, her eyes stained with tears, cheeks puffy, and face red. Vince immediately puts an arm around his daughter, hugging her. The Stooges take her away from Vince then, sitting her onto a couch. Vince turns to look at the Big Bossman and Ken Shamrock, both men holding their head and neck’s due to their attack from The Acolytes earlier. Fuming, Vince turns around back to Stephanie and snaps. “Damn it, this has gone on long enough! Stephanie, sweetie, your brother crossed one line too many tonight, and I promise you, Shane’s going to get his.” The Chairman looks around the room again, thinking of what he should do. “I got it. Coming up in ten days time, April 29, we’re having a 2 hour special show, SmackDown!, at 8PM, on the UPN Network. This is going to be a big show, Stephanie, and I promise you that Shane McMahon will meet his maker at SmackDown, and his maker… is ME!” Vince has a demented glare in his eyes, his face contorted with hatred for his son, Shane. After several seconds, and worried looks from Stephanie and The Stooges, Vince comes back to reality. Once again eyeing up his two injured Corporate stars, Vince turns to them. “And as for you two gentlemen, I know you want revenge on The Acolytes for what they did earlier. Ken, you watch yourself tonight when you face off The Undertaker. I want you to cripple him, but don’t let his Ministry score a sucker blow. But tonight is tonight… I want to focus on Backlash. This Sunday, Bossman and Shamrock, you two get The Acolytes!” Shamrock nods his head, while Bossman pumps his fist, happy to have the match. Vince sits down on the couch next to Stephanie, consoling her and trying to calm his daughter down as the show cuts back to the ring.
D’Lo Brown & The Godfather (w/Ivory & the ho’s) vs. Goldust & Val Venis (w/The Blue Meanie)
It’s clear from the start that Venis isn’t happy to be teaming up with Goldust, still angry over Goldust’s taunt from last week when he exhaled his creepy breath on him. Goldust, for his part, seems thrilled, but he’s a creep like that. Seeing as D’Lo and The Godfather have chemistry as a tag team, they start off hot, working over Val Venis, who refuses to let Goldust start the match. Val cannot keep up with two men, and falls victim to a dropkick from D’Lo Brown before The Godfather takes over with a hook kick after an arm wrench. Luckily for Venis, Goldust interjects himself into the match, making a blind tag when Val hits the rope from a D’Lo Brown whip. Brown’s oblivious to the tag, allowing Goldust to sneak right up on Brown, club him in the back of the head, and connect with an atomic drop.
Goldust grounds D’Lo down, working him over in a methodic style, but like Venis, won’t let his partner into the match. So while Goldust scores near falls with a bulldog and rotating snap power slam, he tires himself out in the process. Goldust whips D’Lo into the corner, charges, and leaps off his feet with a butt thump, trying to slam his ass and back into Brown’s torso, but Brown is able to get out of the way as Goldust takes too long to strike. As Goldust staggers out of the corner, Brown is able to flip Goldust over to the canvas with a modified hip toss, flipping Goldust over his shoulder in the air instead of over his hip and side. What power! Brown is able to make the hot tag to The Godfather, while Goldust, exhausted, reluctantly tags in Val Venis.
Both faces are ready to fight as they enter the ring, but it’s The Godfather, using his size, to gain the upper hand, turning Venis inside out with a clothesline before connecting with a back body drop. The Godfather decks Venis with his inverted shoulder breaker, solidifying his advantage. However, the pimp prematurely attempts the Ho Train, and he hits the corner turnbuckles sternum first. Before The Godfather runs however, D’Lo makes the blind tag. As The Godfather staggers out of the corner, Venis gets behind him and connects with the blue thunder driver! Venis pulls himself up to his feet, and turns around, right into Goldust! Say what? His tag team partner is right in Venis’ face, and Goldie rubs his hands up his torso before just barely skimming Val’s sternum with his right index finger and snapping out his deep breath in Val’s face. Not knowing what to do by Goldust’s bizarre and freakish actions, Venis looks at Goldust, disgusted, only for D’Lo Brown to school boy Val out of nowhere! One, two, and three!
The crowd is stunned as D’Lo Brown pins the Intercontinental Champion six days before Backlash, and Val Venis is absolutely furious! On the outside of the ring, the ho’s try to get into the ring to celebrate with the big winner, but Ivory gets on the ring steps, stopping them from doing so as she snaps at the (loose) women. The Godfather and D’Lo Brown roll out of the ring to celebrate, The Godfather wanting to simply celebrate his friend’s win tonight, and focus on Backlash later. In the ring, Val Venis immediately gets in Goldust’s face after the match, shouting at him for his creepy display. Goldust, however, just grins, loving the reaction from Val. Goldust doesn’t, however, enjoy the sucker punch Venis gives him! The IC Champion drops Goldust with a hard right hand, and proceeds to kick the fallen freak until The Blue Meanie rolls into the ring to save his “Mommy”. The furious Venis has no problems dodging a Meanie clothesline, kicking him in the gut, and slamming him to the canvas with a fisherman’s suplex! With both Meanie and Goldust down, Val Venis storms out of the ring, receiving his title from a stagehand, still furious. The Godfather’s team gets the victory, Venis walks out dishing an ass kicking, but it is Goldust who has gotten into the mind of the Champion heading into Backlash.
Result: D’Lo Brown & The Godfather def. Goldust & Val Venis
The Anniversaries of Visionaries
Before Warzone cuts to a break, we go to a dark, secluded area for a pre-taped segment with The Ministry of Darkness. As per usual, the group circles around a burn barrel, the fire inside it the only source of light. It creates an eerie silhouette around the face of their apocalyptic leader, The Undertaker, who has hood down so we can see his face in all of its evilness. “My Ministry, the time is near. In just six days, the first of Vince McMahon’s Corporate follies shall fall. Test has been marked, the Armageddon has chosen him… I have chosen him. He, a loyal, foolish, servant of Vince McMahon, will perish; you will not see him in Vince’s empire again. With his vanquishing, our power grows stronger, my Ministry. Test’s sacrifice pushes us closer to the Armageddon… it’s on its way, I can feel it.” The Undertaker looks down in the burn barrel, almost as if there are figures inside of it, telling him visions of this impending Armageddon. “How fitting is it, minions, that we stand here tonight, on the anniversaries of such great visionaries? Six years ago today, a man of the Armageddon, David Koresh, was murdered by the United States Government. The Waco, Texas, siege of the Branch Davidians. Four years ago, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, blew up the federal building in Oklahoma City. To the regular human beings, these men were terrorists, maniacal fiends, but my Ministry, we know better than those mere mortals. They saw what I saw, an Armageddon.” Taker’s words get various nods from his servants, although all of them keep their head down as they nod, not daring to look their leader in the eyes.
“These men, despite their visions, failed. My Ministry, where their failures ended, my success begins. In their visions, they saw an Armageddon through the Light. To them, they had justification for their mission. My Ministry, we only have one higher power, a faceless power… the Armageddon. No one instructs us, we have no enemies causing this reign of terror. There is just us, The Ministry, the Darkness within us, and our universe, silently waiting to be destroyed.” The Undertaker momentarily rolls his eyes into the back of his head, feeling a heightened sense of evil. “The World Wrestling Federation is my universe, our own personal playground for anarchy, destruction, and mayhem. I will tear this universe down, until only you, my minions, are at my side as I sit on the throne of inscrutable power… as the Lord of Darkness.” As The Undertaker pauses, he slowly puts his hood back over his head. His dark, demonic state slowly fades, making room for the sharp voice of a man with a plan. “The path to destruction is in front of us, Ministry. It is known Test will fall in six days time, at Backlash, but there is still more to follow… Raw, a SmackDown special. Oh yes, the show that is Vince McMahon’s chance to gloat to the world of his power, a would-be monumental night for him. My Ministry, we will overtake this SmackDown show, show Vince McMahon how easy it can be to take over his own empire. I See it now. The rise of The Ministry of Darkness, and a night Vince McMahon will know, as his own personal hell.” The Deadman raises his arms to his Ministry, and they all raise their heads to look at him simultaneously. With a quick swirl of his arms, the fire in the barrel dies, the scene now total darkness. Nothing or no one can be seen. “Come, my Ministry. The Armageddon has called. The next step shall be made.” As soon as Taker finishes the sentence, Warzone cuts to a break, the mood much darker.
Ken Shamrock vs. The Undertaker (w/Paul Bearer)
“Dangerous” marks the return of Warzone as the 1998 King of the Ring, ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Man’ Ken Shamrock, clad in his blue trunks, knee pads, and boots, plus the padded fighting gloves. Shamrock’s looking intense as ever, and is clearly itching to snap as The Undertaker must his entrance to the ring, Paul Bearer at his side, and only Bearer, as “Ministry” plays. As soon as Taker enters the ring, Shamrock attacks, lunging at the Deadman and pummeling him with a series of right hands to his abdomen and chin. The Undertaker is surprisingly on the defensive from the get-go, being backed into the corner and covering up as Shamrock wails at him.
The crowd is all cheers as Shamrock holds nothing back, repeatedly facing five counts from Teddy Long to get out of the corner. The King of the Ring winner obliges, only to go right back into the corner and assault Undertaker some more. The Phenom is finally able to get out of the corner, only for Kenny to leap off his feet and knock The Undertaker into the ropes with a leaping calf kick. Shamrock hits Taker with his lethal MMA strikes some more before tying Taker’s arms in between the second and third ropes, and going to town on the unguarded Taker with a barrage of rights and lefts. Long unties Taker from the ropes, but Shamrock’s intensity and assault ends up with Taker heading to the outside for a breather. A demonic, strong, messianic leader the Deadman may be, but Shamrock is still a lot to handle.
Slowing the tempo of the match down does wonders for The Undertaker, and when he gets into the ring, Shamrock has lost his momentum, and falls victim to Taker’s blows. The Deadman rocks Shamrock with some big right hands of his own, before hitting the ropes and going air born, taking Shamrock down with his trademark leaping clothesline. Shamrock is on the defensive end from here, as The Undertaker slowly grinds Shamrock down, using his size to constantly batter McMahon’s Corporate loose cannon. The crowd expects a comeback to come eventually, but is silenced by a Chokeslam from The Undertaker… only for Shamrock to get a shoulder up! The kick out sends the Michigan crowd roaring back to life, and revitalizes Shamrock, who slowly fights his way back into the match, finally ending Taker’s streak of offense when the Lord of Darkness walks from the top turnbuckle and along the top rope, an arm wrench applied on Shamrock. The World’s Most Dangerous Man fights through the pain, and runs at Taker, running into the ropes and causing Taker to crotch himself on the third rope. As Taker grunts in pain, Shamrock, holding his right shoulder in excruciating pain (running at Taker put more torque on the hold), uses the bottom rope as a ladder, and clocks the Deadman with an enziguri!
Shamrock gets the crowd going, and after hitting a barrage of strikes, sends Taker staggering with a roundhouse kick before scoring a near fall with a bridging fisherman’s suplex. Instead of getting upset with the kick out, Shamrock explodes to his feet, arms extended and throat roaring. Snap! Shamrock lowers his torso, getting into shoot position as Taker gets up to his feet. Shamrock lunges in to take Taker down with a Fujiwara arm bar, but Taker knows it’s coming, and catches Shamrock right in the mouth with an elbow! Shamrock staggers, his hands over his face, and Taker quickly scoops him up off his feet… and Tombstone Piledriver! The Undertaker folds Shamrock’s arms on his chest, and scores the 1-2-3, continuing his path to Armageddon.
As soon as the bell rings, The Ministry of Darkness start walking down the ramp, but instead of entering the ring right away, they circle it. The seven Ministry members wait for instructions from The Undertaker, who nods his head to The Acolytes after a few moments. The two men start to climb up onto the apron, but cheers from the crowd signals the arrival of Test, who sprints down the ramp with a lead pipe in hand! The Undertaker smirks at his Backlash opponent’s arrival, and calls off The Acolytes. The Ministry, without being ordered to, break their circle, leaving the side of the ring open for Test to enter. The Canucker skids to a halt when he sees this; he was expecting to have to fight his way through. Knowing he’s getting the Deadman one-on-one, Test looks at the pipe, and then tosses it to the ground before sprinting the rest of the way and diving into the ring. The two immediately start throwing big, wild rights at each other, going back and forth, punch for punch, the crowd eating it up. In a big surprise, Test sends The Undertaker staggering after a particular hard right, and keeps going at Taker, knocking him into the ropes. Test whips The Undertaker into the opposite set of ropes, steps towards the center of the ring, and Big Boot… but Taker ducks! Test turns around, and Taker scores with a Chokeslam! Test goes down, and The Undertaker stands tall! The Deadman looks into the jeering crowd before looking back down at the fallen Shamrock and Test. Knowing he has the chance to annihilate both men right now, Undertaker bends over Test, but simply slides his thumb over his throat, sending a clear signal to Vince McMahon and The Corporation heading into Backlash.
Result: The Undertaker def. Ken Shamrock
Just a commercial away from our main event, but time for one last we cut to a backstage segment.
When Venis Met Sally
Wrapped in just a towel as he comes out of the shower is Val Venis, having just finished the standard post-match rinse-off. As Val sits down on the bench next to his locker room door, there’s yet one more note attached to the locker. Val smirks upon seeing it, takes it off the door, and reads it. He looks at the note, confused this time. It’s not words of adoration, but a quote from a movie, When Harry Met Sally. Reading it aloud to himself, it says, “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” Underneath it is another line, this one original. “The rest of our lives starts in ten days, when I reveal myself to you – and all of the WWF – on SmackDown! See you then. With love, Your Secret Admirer.” Venis licks his lips as he folds the note back up, wanting to finally find out who is trying so hard to get Val in bed. Almost as if there’s a light bulb going off in his head, Venis walks out of the locker room, and looks around the hallway, hoping to see his secret admirer. There’s no one but a few stagehands in the hallway, although moments later, Sable turns out of an adjacent hallway, and walks past Val, hesitantly looking at him before looking away. Venis grins as he holds up the note for her to see, and in that husky voice of his, says, “Hello, Sable…” The WWF Woman’s Champion doesn’t look at Val, however, turning her face the other way and quickly walking past Venis and turning the next corner, looking like an embarrassed teen. Val laughs at the ordeal, and nods his head enthusiastically. He thinks he’s found his admirer, and having a bombshell like Sable after him is quite the awesome thing.
Mankind vs. The Rock (w/Shane McMahon)
When Warzone returns one last time, it is to “Wreck” playing, getting the crowd cheering like crazy for the lovable Mankind. The Rock and Shane McMahon come out to their usual entrance routine, again coming out to “Do You Smell It?” instead of “No Chance”. And of course, Michigan rips into Rocky Maivia, jeering him like no other. Before the match can get underway, however, “I Won’t Do What You Tell Me” brings out our WWF World Champion, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, who marches down the ramp, around the ring, and joins Cole and Lawler at the announcer’s table for commentary. The two men stall to start the match, Mankind toying with The Rock by pulling out Mr. Socko and again trying to convince Rock he should have one of his own. The whole ordeal, despite laughter and cheers from the crowd, ends with Rocky sucker punching Mankind and going to town on Foley.
While The Rock works over Mankind throughout the match, he never puts his full attention on Mankind, constantly looking over his shoulder at Austin, taking time to jaw with him from the safe confines of the ring. It’s a poor decision by Rocky, as Mankind is able to slowly fight his way back into the match, putting up resistance time and time again, only for Rock to put him back down to the canvas until the next comeback attempt. After Austin stands up on his feet and he and Rock go back and forth from over ten feet away, Mankind is able to get back up to his feet and pose a real challenge to The Rock. Mankind scores a few rights before taking a whip into the ropes, only to duck a Rock clothesline, land a boot to the stomach, and score with a swinging neck breaker, taking both men down!
Once Mankind gets on the offensive, the match spills outside as Foley clotheslines Rock over the top rope. The Corporate Champion doesn’t crash to the floor, however, instead landing on the apron. Mankind joins Rock on the apron, landing right hands to Rocky before grabbing him by the shoulder and waist and throwing him off the apron, sending Rocky crashing into the security barricade, right on his throat! After Rocky staggers and drops onto his back, Mankind takes it up a notch by running off the apron and leaping into the air, connecting with an elbow drop. Mankind keeps taking it to his longtime foe, but Rocky turns the tides out of nowhere, reversing a whip that sends Mankind crashing thighs and chest first into the steps, the impact causing Mankind to fall over the steps and land on the mats by the announcer’s table. Right next to the booth, you know Rock’s going to taunt Austin, and he does just that, jawing with Austin before flipping the Champ the bird, raising the Corporate eyebrow, and smirking at Austin.
The match spills back into the ring, and Mankind tries to put up a fight, but just ends up plastering Jim Korderas with a clothesline, giving way for anarchy. When Korderas goes down, Mankind hesitates momentarily, checking on Korderas. When Mankind turns around to try and continue his fight with Rock, he takes a hard right hook and a flowing DDT. The Rock stalks Mankind as he slowly pulls himself to his feet, getting into his stance to strike as he would if he’s about to hit his finisher, The Rock Bottom. When Foley gets to his feet, Rocky indeed strikes, but it’s with a kick to the gut, and a Stone Cold Stunner instead! This gets the crowd – and Austin – pissed off thoroughly, while Rocky laughs at his own cockiness.
The Rock makes a crucial error after using Austin’s trademark finisher by not paying attention to Stone Cold, however. The Rock, instead, removes his elbow pad, tosses it into the crowd, and hits the ropes for The Corporate Elbow. When he reaches the ropes nearest the announcer’s table, Austin’s right there to greet him, grabbing his feet and tripping him up, causing Rock to face plant off the canvas. Stone Cold enters the ring, pulls Rock up to his feet, and knocks his rival silly with a plethora of big right hands. Austin knocks Rock all the way back into the ropes, only to whip him into the ropes. As Rocky comes back at him, he receives a big boot to the gut. Kick! Wham! Stunner! The Rock goes down, and the crowd cheers like crazy as Austin drops next to Rock’s head, talking trash to the motionless Brahma Bull. Austin exits the ring as Korderas starts to stir, taking his place back at the commentator’s booth. And as it usually happens, Mankind pulls Rock up to his feet as Korderas comes too, plants him with the Double Arm DDT, and scores the victory, the Grand Rapids crowd counting out the pin along with Korderas.
Result: Mankind def. The Rock
As the bell rings and the crowd cheers, Mankind pulls himself up to his feet, his right arm thrown into the air in victory. As Mankind turns on his heel in the ring, celebrating to different sides of the crowd, he turns right into a clothesline from Stone Cold! The crowd isn’t too thrilled with Austin attacking another beloved face, but the WWF Champion appeases the fan base soon enough. Austin waits for Rock to pull himself back up to his feet, and the moment the Great One turns around to face Austin, Stone Cold knocks the groggy Brahma Bull right off his feet with a clothesline! Austin hops up to his feet, momentum pumping through him. Stone Cold high steps backwards, middle fingers raised in the air, only to backtrack right into a road block! Austin turns around, wondering what in the hell he walked into, and it’s Paul Wight! The seven foot giant stares Austin down, his arms folded across his chest. Austin looks like a deer in the headlights as Wight stares him down, the Champ surprised by his appearance. Stone Cold takes several steps backwards, and looks over his shoulder, spotting Mankind and The Rock both getting back up to their feet, Austin’s three challengers surrounding him in triangular shape. No one dare makes a move to strike, the three challengers sending Austin a clear message: this Sunday, it’s 1-on-3 for that WWF World Title. Austin ever so slowly walks in a circle, eyeing up each of his challengers as they all stare down Austin to end the show.
Quick Results:
D-Generation X def. Canadian Country & Triple H
Big Bossman def. Gangrel
D'Lo Brown & The Godfather def. Goldust & Val Venis
The Undertaker def. Ken Shamrock
Mankind def. The Rock
Final Card for Backlash:
Steve Austin (c) vs. Mankind vs. Paul Wight vs. The Rock - WWF World Title
Val Venis (c) vs. Goldust vs. The Godfather - WWF Intercontinental Title
Canadian Country (c) vs. New Age Outlaws - WWF Tag Team Titles
Al Snow (c) vs. Hardcore Holly - WWF Hardcore Title
Test vs. The Undertaker
Chyna & Triple H vs. Kane & X-Pac
Big Bossman & Ken Shamrock vs. The Acolytes
My Awards:
2008 - Best PPV - Starrcade
2008, 2007, & 2006 - Best Promo Writer
2007 & 2006 - Best Promo(s)
2007 - Most Creative
2007 - Best Feedbacker
2006 & 2007 BTB World Cup - Top Overall Scorer
2007 BTB World Cup - Booker of the Tournament
Only Person to Ever Score Perfect Score in a Tournament
BTB Hall of Famer
The opening video, just recapping everything that has been happening with the two main storylines was pretty good. Nothing special, but keeps everybody up to date nicely.
I like the situation with X Pac and Kane, with Pac trying to get through with him, and unlike in real life, he’s struggling a little. This segment was pretty fun, with each member of DX saying their own little bit, but still not getting through to Kane. It was a pretty interesting way to start the show, but I’ve still got a feeling they’ll be alright for Backlash.
A pretty good opening contest, featuring two pretty good feuds heading into Backlash, and what not. This was the typical attitude era contest, and it was good to see the faces getting the win, and the heels attacking them after the match. Once again, nothing overly great, but really, nothing to complain about.
Another thing I’ve really liked is the character development of Shane McMahon. He’s such a prick right about now, and it’s pretty fun to read actually. Stephanie’s bit was pretty good in this meeting, trying to get in touch with Shane’s emotions, using an emotional story and what not, and Shane’s reaction was just gold. This reaction, in my opinion, helps put Shane over, as possibly the most hated heel in the company besides The Undertaker. Really good stuff, here.
Keeping with the attitude era feel, we’ve got Gangrel against Bossman which isn’t exactly a match that transcends the industry; however it does its job. Continues the Ministry/Corporation feud and I must say that’s a good thing. I liked the interference from Edge and Christian being stopped by THE MAN, Ken Shamrock, as it just shows the togetherness of the Corporation. Good win for Bossman, and a nice attack by The Acolytes to add some hype to Backlash and stuff.
at the Al Snow and Hardcore Holly segment. I found it quite funny, typical attitude era stuff again, and it adds some hype to their match at Backlash. Effective enough build for a Hardcore Title match, imo.
Vince McMahon is going to fight with Shane on Smackdown perhaps? That’s what I gathered here, and it really wouldn’t surprise me, but unless there is some kind of epic twist, I will not be happy with the match at all, so keep that in mind. Then again, considering it’s the pilot of Smackdown, I’d expect big shit to go down. Acolytes/Bossman & Shamrock for Backlash sounds good enough, but Shamrock must pick up the victory. Another good match continuing this Ministry feud for the PPV, overall, this one was a pretty good segment to.
This tag match was basically used to put over the Intercontinental Title match for Backlash, and despite Val Venis being the only man involved that I like, I must say, I like the direction you’ve given Goldust as of late. Doing anything to get inside his opponents heads, actually has him look a little dangerous, if you maker him come out on the night and be dead set on action, ala 1996 against Bam Bam Bigelow, I think you could have found yourself a good IC Champion in Goldust. Shit, I’m rambling, but anyway it was a nice match to put over the IC Title feud. Would’ve talked more but The Godfather hasn’t interested me as the other two guys have. D Lo pinned the IC Champion to, which I hope means good for his future.
The Undertaker was epic. Plain and simple, screw all the other stuff going on in this thread, this is why I read. I loved the mention of David Koresh and the government, it makes ‘Taker seem all that more powerful, almost as if he is more than just in the WWF, and it’s just great. Good work.
The Undertaker and Shamrock was a pretty good match up, it was good to see both men getting a fair bit of offense in as well, although I didn’t like the ending. The way Shamrock snapped and then just got finished off so quickly made him seem a little weak, and I don’t like that at all, partly because he owns, and partly because he’s tough.
SWERVE! No fucking way is Sable the secret admirer! Pretty entertaining segment though.
A pretty good main event to, although I think by this stage, everybody is sick of seeing Rock against Mankind, but whatever. Clearly you didn’t want to go with a ‘Mania rematch, and Wight/Austin is the money feud, imo. Anyway, good enough result, with Mankind picking up the win thanks to Austin, and the stare down afterwards was pretty fun to.
Overall, the show was nothing exceptional, but barely anything was wrong with it either, I’d say it was very solid. Not only that, but it provided adequate hype for Backlash, so I’m really looking forward to the show, and I really hope you keep this going. If not, you’re at least going to have to spoil me The Ministry storyline on msn, so yeah. Anyway, here are my predics…
Final Card for Backlash:
7Steve Austin (c) vs. Mankind vs. Paul Wight vs. The Rock - WWF World Title Simply can not see Austin losing yet.
2Val Venis (c) vs. Goldust vs. The Godfather - WWF Intercontinental Title I think it would be interesting.
1Canadian Country (c) vs. New Age Outlaws- WWF Tag Team Titles I'd love for the feud continue with The Outlaws as champs.
4Al Snow (c) vs. Hardcore Holly - WWF Hardcore Title I'd rather Head be a champion, then Spark Plugg.
5Test vs. The Undertaker Easily.
6Chyna & Triple H vs. Kane & X-Pac If Kane rocks up, they'll win, but I got a feeling he won't.
3Big Bossman & Ken Shamrock vs. The Acolytes Bossman alright, and Shamrock OWNS. Ministry is going to win when 'Taker beats Test, so we'll even it up a little.
Who will take the fall in the WWF World Title match? Mankind.
How many matches will end with interference? Two.
Which wrestler will not be involved in the ending fall in the Intercontinental Title? The Godfather
Who will score the fall in The Corporation v. Acolytes tag match? Ken Shamrock.
In terms of star quality – which match will have the highest rating? Main event.
In terms of star quality – which match will have the lowest rating? IC Title Match.
It took ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin six months to reclaim the World Wrestling Federation World Title after being defeated by both Kane and The Undertaker at the Breakdown pay per view in September. Ever since Austin first won the Title at Wrestlemania 14, he had Vince McMahon constantly trying to end Austin’s title reign, and the two brothers did just that for him. After losing the strap, it was a half-a-year crusade to re-reach the summit, a dramatic encounter that included being fired by Vince McMahon, screwed by Shane McMahon in a WWF World Title Tournament semi-final match against Mankind, had his life on the line in a Buried Alive match, forced to enter the Royal Rumble in January at #1, face his longtime rival, Mr. McMahon, in a steel cage match, and fend off Paul Wight and McMahon’s Corporation before winning the WWF World Title for a third time at Wrestlemania 15. If you think Austin’s life is going to get easier now that he’s Champion once more, think again.
Instead, Austin has challengers coming from all angles, most notably his three opponents for Backlash. The Rock won the WWF World Title initially at Survivor Series, and despite a bloody feud with Mankind, walked into Wrestlemania last month as Champion. Losing the belt at Wrestlemania hasn’t deterred The Rock from the main event scene: it’s made him hungrier. The Great One has split from Vince McMahon’s Corporation since Wrestlemania, siding with Shane McMahon’s upstart faction, and is looking to once again be the face of the WWF. He has competition in the names of Mankind and Paul Wight. Mankind knows what it’s like to pour his blood, sweat, and tears into a match: the deranged superstar finally won his first WWF Title on January 4 when defeating The Rock, and has proceeded to war with Rock in match-of-the-year quality encounters such as their I Quit match at the Royal Rumble, an Empty Arena match during Halftime Heat, a Last Man Standing match at Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre, and then a ladder match! If it wasn’t for The Corporation’s shady dealings, it could have very well been Mankind heading into Wrestlemania as the Champion. Mankind instead had to settle for a match with Paul Wight, but the man known as Mick Foley, the “nice guy”, will get another shot at World Title glory at Backlash. The new face to the picture, is Paul Wight. The 7’2”, 500 pound monster was brought into the WWF by Vince McMahon to join his Corporation, but Wight has broken free on his own within just one month. Wight knows his size and talent gives him tremendous upside, and the big man is looking to tap into his potential right away by winning the WWF World Title just two months after debuting in the company. While not much is known of just what Wight can do when challenged in the ring, he will certainly have a challenge at Backlash. Stone Cold has three men coming after his gold this Sunday night… is it too much for even Steve Austin to handle?
The WWF Intercontinental Title is like a hot potato: no one man can hold onto it for a lengthy period of time. At Backlash, Val Venis will try to cool the Belt down and retain his newly won Championship, but the feisty adult film star may have bitten off more than he can chew. Venis challenged both Goldust, a two time IC Champion, and The Godfather, to this match after Goldust and The Godfather fought to a no contest in a number one contender’s match. With Goldust acting bizarre, even by his standards, and his “son” The Blue Meanie at ringside, reign #3 just might be around the corner. The Godfather, however, has been on a roll recently, and joining up with his former Nation of Domination buddy, D’Lo Brown, and Ivory, gives him numbers on the outside as well if needed. For Val Venis, the question is whether or not his entire attention will be on the match, or his secret admirer. For the past month, The Big Valbowski has received messages from an unknown diva, and we will find out just who the secret admirer of Val Venis is this Thursday night, on the pilot episode of WWF SmackDown! Just days away from the big revelation, will Venis lose focus on the Intercontinental Title, allowing yet another new Champion to win the gold, or will Venis end this curse on the Intercontinental Title and hold onto the belt?
Jeff Jarrett and Owen Hart came together as a tag team through some unusual means towards the end of 1998, with a thanks to the Blue Blazer bringing the two together. Despite the oddball pairing, the two found instant success upon teaming up, capturing the WWF Tag Titles on an episode of Raw is War on January 25, defeating the Big Bossman and Ken Shamrock. Since winning the gold, the team have defeated everyone thrown their way, including pay per view victories over D’Lo Brown & Mark Henry at Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre and Brown & Test at Wrestlemania. Their tactics haven’t always been clean – the busty Debra is known to use her good looks to aide her two men, and Jeff Jarrett doesn’t use that guitar for singing anymore – their success is undeniable. At Backlash, however, they face a team with accolades they’re yet to deal with. The New Age Outlaws, Road Dogg Jesse James and ‘Bad Ass’ Billy Gunn, are three time Tag Team Champions, and the team that has dominated the tag scene over the past year and a half. Providing a plethora of heart and attitude to D-Generation X, no team has chemistry like the Outlaws. While the two degenerates have focused on singles glory during the start of 1999 – Road Dogg won himself the Intercontinental and Hardcore Titles while Billy Gunn became a Hardcore Champion, respectively – the Outlaws are back together once again, and looking for reign #4 as Tag Champions. It’s a competition of four highly skilled individuals, and two successful teams this Sunday night at Backlash!
In just a few short months, Al Snow and Bob ‘Hardcore’ Holly have turned from friends and teammates to bitter foes. The two men help founded the JOB Squad back in 1998, but their group was short-lived and unsuccessful. Bob Holly, preventing Al Snow from wrestling himself in a match on Raw is War, sparked friction between the two, and former friends became those foes at Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre, when the new Hardcore Holly defeated Snow to win the WWF Hardcore Title, in a match where both men fought in the freezing Mississippi River! While Holly would lose the belt to Billy Gunn a short time later, Hardcore won back his Hardcore strap at Wrestlemania, only to again drop the belt, this time after just a two week reign, to Al Snow on an edition of Raw is War. Snow, however, credits his best friend, Head, the mannequin doll face, for helping him reclaim the gold, as Snow used Head as a weapon to aide him in victory. Holly, furious over again dropping the Belt so quickly, will once again try to defeat his bitter rival on pay per view. In the past two pay per views, Hardcore Holly has walked away Hardcore Champion, despite being the challenger on both encounters. Will Holly make it 3-0 at Backlash?
Test vs. ‘The Lord of Darkness’ The Undertaker
After being buried alive by Steve Austin at the December pay per view, Rock Bottom, The Undertaker resurfaced as a new Deadman. Fueled by visions of an impending Apocalypse, The Undertaker formed The Ministry of Darkness, and his group is hell bent on bringing the Armageddon to Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation. The Undertaker has played mind games with McMahon, especially through the Chairman’s baby daughter, the 22 year old Stephanie McMahon. The Undertaker’s Ministry has stalked the McMahon mansion in Greenwich, Connecticut, burned his symbol in their yard, and have even broke into the McMahon house! The Undertaker stole pictures of Stephanie McMahon, and on an edition of Warzone, presented Vince McMahon with Stephanie’s stuffed teddy bear she had as a child before setting it on fire! The Undertaker has slowly started to break Vince McMahon down, and it’s split his Corporation in half: Shane McMahon has started a renegade Corporation with The Rock, Triple H, and Chyna, focusing on glory instead of the war between Vince and Taker.
While The Corporation feuds with The Ministry of Darkness, The Ministry still has its goals. The cultic group has sacrificed numerous diva’s, as part of The Undertaker’s quest to find his true Queen of Darkness, as well as various superstars, slowly eradicating Vince McMahon’s roster of stars. During this process, The Phenom has marked his next victim to be abducted and sacrificed to his Higher Power, the Armageddon of the World Wrestling Federation, Vince McMahon’s Corporate bodyguard, Test. The new superstar hasn’t backed down from the challenge though, imploring Vince to book this match for Backlash. Test has his wish, and now, will face the match of his life against the apocalyptic Undertaker. Will Test score the upset of his life, or will he become just another victim of The Undertaker’s Armageddon sacrifices?
‘Ninth Wonder of the World’ Chyna & Triple H vs. ‘The Big Red Machine’ Kane & X-Pac
When Shawn Michaels was forced to retire after Wrestlemania 14 due to a back injury, Hunter Hearst Helmsley took over the helm of D-Generation X, and quickly brought in “family”, former Kliq member Sean Waltman, better known as X-Pac. The two men, Chyna, and the New Age Outlaws helped revolutionize the World Wrestling Federation, and the group reached new heights of success and acknowledgement under Helmsley’s leadership. However, the honeymoon came to a crashing halt at Wrestlemania 15 when Helmsley turned on X-Pac, joining The Corporation. Earlier in the night, Chyna had turned on Kane, seemingly reuniting with DX after joining The Corporation a month before, but it was all just a ploy. Kane, who had let himself fall for Chyna, and X-Pac both left Wrestlemania with broken hearts. X-Pac has been quick to seek revenge on Triple H and Chyna, and has looked to Kane, instead of DX pals the New Age Outlaws, for help. The emotionally-scarred Big Red Machine, however, has been uneasy to trust X-Pac, and inconsistent in helping out Pac. Kane has walked away numerous times from X-Pac when the Kid has tried to approach Kane, and has been AWOL after walking out on D-Generation X this past week on Raw. Will Kane show up to team with X-Pac at Backlash, or will Waltman be forced to wrestle a handicap match against the two people that stabbed him in the back?
Big Bossman & ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Man’ Ken Shamrock vs. The Acolytes
While Test represents The Corporation in the main match against The Undertaker, that just wouldn’t be enough for Vince McMahon for this Backlash pay per view. McMahon’s two longest serving Corporation members, the Big Bossman and Ken Shamrock, both wanted matches against The Ministry at Backlash, perhaps even more than their leader did. The Chairman happily gave the two men The Acolytes on pay per view, the two initial members of The Ministry of Darkness. Farooq and Bradshaw personify henchmen, and they’ll be looking to batter and bruise McMahon’s own henchmen. Expect this match to be one nasty “slobberknocker,” as the returning Jim Ross would call it. The war between The Ministry and The Corporation rages on at Backlash, and these four men will be out for blood!
Show Questions:
Who will take the fall in the WWF World Title match?
How many matches will end with interference?
Which wrestler will not be involved in the ending fall in the Intercontinental Title?
Who will score the fall in The Corporation v. Acolytes tag match?
In terms of star quality – which match will have the highest rating?
In terms of star quality – which match will have the lowest rating?
Predict the match winners, the match order - 1-7, with 1 being the opener and 7 the main event, and the show questions, if you so wish. The winner of the contest gets to make a match for an ensuing Raw is War. Hop to it
My Awards:
2008 - Best PPV - Starrcade
2008, 2007, & 2006 - Best Promo Writer
2007 & 2006 - Best Promo(s)
2007 - Most Creative
2007 - Best Feedbacker
2006 & 2007 BTB World Cup - Top Overall Scorer
2007 BTB World Cup - Booker of the Tournament
Only Person to Ever Score Perfect Score in a Tournament
BTB Hall of Famer
1. Big Bossman & ‘The World’s Most Dangerous Man’ Ken Shamrock def. The Acolytes
Show Questions:
Who will take the fall in the WWF World Title match? Mankind.
How many matches will end with interference? Two.
Which wrestler will not be involved in the ending fall in the Intercontinental Title? The Godfather.
Who will score the fall in The Corporation v. Acolytes tag match? Ken Shamrock.
In terms of star quality – which match will have the highest rating? Outlaws vs. Canadian Country.
In terms of star quality – which match will have the lowest rating? Shamrock/Bossman vs. The Acolytes.
WWF 1999 - Millenial Armageddon
Re: WWF 1999 - Millenial Armageddon
. Who knows, not me, that's for sure.
at the Al Snow and Hardcore Holly segment. I found it quite funny, typical attitude era stuff again, and it adds some hype to their match at Backlash. Effective enough build for a Hardcore Title match, imo.
