Austin101's- WWF Raw Is War (January 4th, 1999-Week 1) Review:
"WHAT!!!!! KING! Stone Cold IS HERE! STONE COLD IS HERE!!" -
Micheal Cole
-This show got a
5.7 rating on Cable.
-
WWF Monday Night Raw (1999) took place on Monday Night, January The 4th, 1999. The Broadcasters for this show were Micheal Cole and The King.
-This Night was extremely significant in The Monday Night Wars as Eric Bischoff ordered Tony S to say on the air "In the WWF Mick Foley, the guy who used to work here known as Cactus Jack is going to win there title tonight....woah, that's gonna put a lot of butts in the seats." Just as he said that they lost hundreds of thousands of viewers who flipped the channel to the Mankind/Rock match for the WWF Title and saw Austin's interference. The WCW never seemed to pick up momentum after this night as many say this was THE OFFICIAL turning point in the Monday Night Wars.
-I consider this to be the loudest single pop in Wrestling history with Austin`s entrance and when Foley gets the three that is right up there as well.
-Now onto the show...............
Opening Segment:
We kick off this edition of Raw with an opening segment.
The Corporate Team (Vince, Shane, Rock etc) interupt a video package that was showing on the titan-tron reflecting on HBK's career. Vince says on the mic "Alright that's enough of that!" The fans give him good heel heat. He walks down into the ring with Team Corporate and says that the people bettr not be looking forward to HBK showing up here tonight because he will be a NO SHOW. Vince wants the fans to forgive him for firing Shawn Michaels. They go to a live shot and HBK shows up!! The fans are going insane and tells the Corporation to kick his ass when he comes down to the ring. HBK's music hits and he starts talking on the mic at the top of the ramp. He said he didn't come alone and he brought some friends with him.
"BREAK IT DOWN" hits and out comes D-X to a huge pop! HBK tells him he CAN't fire him unless he resigns! HBK shows some footage of Vince drawing numbers for The 1999 Royal Rumble match. HBK said that when Vince entered the Rumble he became an official superstar in the WWF. So this means that HBK can pick what number he comes out at.
He said Austin already drew #1 and Vince McMahon will be #2! The place roars and Vince McMahon's eyes go wide! HBK said that before the night is OVER he has a special surprise for Vince that will make him go
"STONE COLD CRAZY!" The place goes wild and HBK asks for "OUR MUSIC" to get hit and D-X's music plays as they leave!
GREAT ENTERTAINING OPENING SEGMENT!
.
Match 1: Ken Shamrock vs Steve Blackman
We get a mid-card match to open the Show as far as matches go.
Shamrock and Blackman brawl back and forth for a few minutes, Blackman goes for some kicks on Shamrock and connects with some of his kicks. Shamrock realizes Dan Savern had walked down the ramp and is seemingly getting a closer look at Shamrock and it distracts him. Micheal Cole points out that Billy Gunn wants a shot at Shamrock's IC Title. Shamrock threw the ref to the outside but Billy Gunn came in behind the ref's back and Billy Gunn attacked Shamrock. Savern and Gunn have distracted Shamrock, another ref gets to the ring and
Blackman pins Shamrock at 4:27 for the win!
Not bad, just your basic TV match on Raw.
* 1/2
Backstage Segment:
When they get back from the commercial break Billy Gunn and Shamrock are going all out brawling with each other backstage as Shamrock is obvioussly just pissed off Gunn cost him the match.
Officials break it up.
Segment 2:
Mankind's music hits and this was before he had his new car screeching music. He'd get it just a few weeks ater this episode but he did dress in a white shirt at least, as he went to white in 1998 after two years in brown in 1996 and 1997 in the WWF. Mankind says that was the first time in his life he's ever grabbed a mans testicles last weeks. It's also the first time he's ever SAID "SUCK IT" without PLEASE after it. Mankind then says he has a new hobbie and that is kicking the McMahon's family's asses! Mankind asks for a title shot against The Rock at The 1999 Royal Rumble since he deserves a shot.
Mick said he sees "Foley is God" signs, but he thinks they should read "Foley is Good!"(BIG POP) Mick went on to say that he deserved a title shot because he already beat him but got screwed. He then calls out McMahon to see what he thinks.....
Vince comes out on the mic in disbelief. He stands at the top of the ramp saying the Corprate team is right behind the curtain so don't get excited. Vince said that just the thought of Foley wanting a WWF Title Shot stains the company. Vince said "
how could you put your body on the line like you DO....FOR THEM!?" McMahon can't understand it. He also makes a match for tonight that Triple H will take on Mankind tonight with the winner entering The Royal Rumble Match! Vince says that there will be a special referee in Mankind/HHH's match and it will be someone that will call it right down the middle! HIS SON SHANE! Fans boo, and
Vince closes this segment by saying to Mick..."Have a NICE DAY!"
Entertaining segment and sets up some stuff for the night and the upcoming Rumble PPV. The booking was stronger back in these days for the shows, they also didn't go to commercials inbetween matches although most of there matches were short.
Match 2: Golddust vs Mark Henry
As both guys are in the ring ready to get underway Micheal Cole tells the audience again about the HHH/Mankind match for the rumble spot. Also tells them that Commish HBK had a SURPRISE for McMahon later tonight. Mark Henry has his legs worked on by Golddust and when he rakes the eyes of the golden one he still countered with a spine buster slam! After awhile Henry gets up and hits Golddust with a big splash! He then runs to the ropes and drops the big elbow onto Golddust. Henry then runs to the other rope and drops his leg! Before he can go for the pin Chyna brings a girl friend of hers to the top of the ramp. It distracts Henry and Goldust takes advantage by slamming Henry to the ground. He sets Henry up for the shattered dreams and it connects as the crowd reacts loudly! Ref calls for the bell at 3:43 as Golddust has been DQ'd or using that illegal move. (A move he usually did before or after matches)
Henry wins by DQ.
Chyna got on the mic after this match and told Henry she had a confession to make.
She says the other night with him was incredible. But she's afraid she's not enough women for him. He is way too much man for her. Chyna said he can have her friend Tammy since he's into tall girls. Chyna teases Henry with the idea of having them both and he faints.
Pretty funny I guess but the WWF was ALL about sex back then.
*
Match 3: The Godfather (W/Ho's) vs Test
Godfather says if you like what you're looking at say "PIMPIN AINT EASY!" He didn't due to the hole "Gofather be PIMIN' Ho's..NATION WIDE" deal just yet. Test comes out to music that sounds like a mixture of the TV SHOW Roseanne and Diesel's old entrance since Test was new to the company at the time.
A slugfest to start between the two big men and Godfather hits the first power move and goes for the cover but Test kicks out. He threw him to the corner and kicked on his gut. Test then who sweats it off threw Godfather to the ropes and hit him with the big boot. He threw him to the outside and against the ring post. The ref called for the bell at 2:02.
After the match Val Venis ran out and attacked Test. They brawled up the ramp.
My ratings are always more generous for Raw then for a given PPV or else this would have been a dud. I take the fact it's TV filler into consideration when I'm rating RAW matches.
1/2*
Match 4: Mankind vs Triple H (W/The Winner going to 1999 RR Match) -Shane McMahon Special Ref
Shane comes out first in a ref shirt. Mankind then comes outa and gets a great ovation. HHH gets one as well since he's still in DX at this point and a babyface. Hunter worked on Mick's arm quite a bit. He was a lot more technically sound before he was the game as a blue blood and even in the DX days like this. Soon this year he'll become the game and I'm looking forward to those episodes but right now in this match he was still a solid worker. Helmsley hits Mankind with a clothesline and is beating away on his head. Mankind gets up and knocks HHH off the ring apron the outside and Hunter's head hits the barricade. HHH gets back in the ring and pins Mick with a roll up and a fast count at 2:47! Shane does a quick count to screw over Mick! HHH advances.
HHH gets on the mic and says "A WIN IS A WIN and I'll take it any way I can get it!" Shane smiles but then HHH pedigrees Shane and says "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" the place pops!
Mankind then threatens to break Shane's shoulder. Vince storms down to the ring and Foley says he changed his mind. "I no longer wants a title shot at the Rumble. I want one tonight." Vince says "LET HIM GO DAMN IT!...ALRIGHT, NO DQ", Foley replies "WE HAVE A DEAL NO DQ."
So it's The Rock vs Mankind later tonight in a NO DQ match for Rock's title!
*
Match 5: D-Lo Brown vs Edge
I love D-Lo as a worker and Edge was pretty new, he had only been in the company for a half a year at this point. This was a basic single's match here. Edge countered some of D-Lo's moves and sent him over the top rope. Afterwards Edge ran to the rope and flew over the ropes on top of D-LO! Edge sent D-Lo to the barricade. Carried him back in the ring and D-Lo out of desperation started to pound away on Edge. D-Lo chops Edge in the corner. He then hits a spine buster on Edge goes to the top rope and poses for a bit. I love his vest btw! D-Lo goes for the cover and only a two. He then hits powerbomb, still a 2. Then D-Lo with a power slam and then goes for a flying elbow off the top no one home, Edge got up and gives D-Lop a dropkick. Edge goes to the top and flies off with a cross body with a lateral press! Only a two. PMS walks down the ramp and it distracts Edge even though they came out to distract D-Lo. D-Lo hit a powerbomb on Edge and all of the sudden accidentally knocked Terri off the ring apron. Terri lies there screaming and Cole wants paramedics. It was ruled a no contest because Terri got taken out on a stretcher but this was GREAT wrestling for just over 6 minutes, it's to bad there wasn't a winner.
** 1/4
Match 6: Kane vs The Stooges (Brisco and Patterson) In a Handicap Match
Kane is the newest member of the Corporation and Shane comes out with him in the ref shirt. He announces that it'll be Kane vs The Stooges as punishment for The Stooges not protecting Shane last week. Vince comes out on the top of the ramp and tells KANE "MAKE THEM PAY!" Kane choke slams Brisco and Patterson drops an elbow on his leg. All of the sudden he grabs Shane by the throat but lets him go when Vince tells him to. Vince says Kane is the winner of the match and this only lasts a couple of minutes, thank god.
DUD
Match 7 : Hardcore Title Match- Road Dogg (c) vs Al Snow
This falls count anywhere match is for the hardcore title and it starts on top of the ramp. Road Dogg beat Bossman two weeks beofore this match on a December 1998 episode of Monday Night Raw. The two brawl around the ring area and a table breaks. Many stiff blows and near falls. The two make there way near the entrance way and another table breaks as Snow goes through one. Dogg right hands to Snow and the two go behind the technical area into the backstage dressing rooms. Road Dogg gets his head slammed against a wall! Snow is covered in his own blood on his shirt and King says "This is the WWF, it's all action! We don't just walk and talk like someone we know! Hmmm, I wonder who he was referring to? Anyways the match continues and it makes it way outside the arena. This now feels like a PPV match as its snowing outside and the Dogg puts Snow into a bin outsie and rides the bin outside against the wall! Must be brutal, the crowd is lively now! Snow gets out of the bin and slams Road Dogg into the fence! Road Dogg hits Snow with a low blow and the ref doesen't see it. Road Dogg then outside in the snow applies a pile driver to Al Snow onto wooden brick box! He wins with that move obvioussly and retains the hardcore title with a pinfall victory at 8:04.
GREAT MATCH, especially for a RAW.
** 1/2
Backstage Segment:
Commish HBK says goodbye to DX as he was about to go get his special surprise for Vince McMahon. Before he could leave the Bossman and the Corporate team leave HBK all bloody as they attack him!
Compelling Television Angles like these made me feel legit HEAT for the heels. I miss these days when it was like that!
Main Event- Match 8 : The Rock (c) vs Mankind in a NO DQ Match for the WWF Championship
Most of you probably know of this match or remember it off the top of your head.
It was a brawl to the start from inside the ring to the outside. D-X and Corprate members are standing on the outside surrounding the two in this show down for the title. Mankind and The Rock have had many brutal wars around this time including this match so they definately had chemistry around this time! They both powered there way through an announce table in the process! Every time mankind came close to pinning The Rock in the ring the King would scream "NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" in his high pitched voice as he obvioussly didn't want Mankind as the new champion.
Right around this point would be the time where at least a 100, 000 fans switched from Nitro just before there big main event to watch Foley win the title.
But what's better then saying it?
Why not showing you it? After all it is a popular segment I'm sure many of you have seen. Click the link to see HBK's surprise for Vinnie Mac at the end of this match. Foley goes for Mr. Socko on The Rock.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omNE1OYFxyc
In the end Foley pins Rock after Austin's interference at 9:06 to become THE NEW WWF CHAMPION! Micheal Cole screams Foley has done it and DX celebrate with him on his shoulders while Austin flips his hat at Vince and fingers him. The McMahon's are outraged. So is the corporate team but it's not as visible. As Foley has the belt Vince cries at the top of the stage saying...."noooo...not...him!" Hillarious!
SUCH AN AMAZING MOMENT!
***
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Final Rating for WWF Raw Is War (January 4th, 1999 Week 1) = 7/10
When rating Monday Night Raw's, I'm taking a different approach then with a PPV. With a PPV I take into account MATCH QUALITY on the show. With Raw it doesen`t matte so much because I`m comparing it to other Raw shows and it`s FREE TV so the match quality isn`t always great. So if a Raw were to get 7 out lets say 10. That wouldn`t be the same as lets say a PPV getting 7 out of 10. This show scored a 7 out of 10, because it was entertaining enough for a Raw compared to other shows around this time period. This broadcast put emphasis into actual MATCHES rather then SEGMENTS or promo's and you can't say that about many Raw's in this era. The ending is obvioussly so memorable and so historic (put on the Monday Night War's) that, that alone makes me want to rate this edition of Raw HIGH. However there were a couple of good promo's, a good D-Lo-Edge match, a surprising Hardcore title match, some funny commentary, a decent mankind/hhh match with a swerve and of course at the end the awesome rock/foley match with Austin's run in and Foley's first WWF Title win. At least a 7/10 when all things are considered and it makes me look forward on reviewing next weeks edition!
Feedback appreciated as always if you want to discuss.....
Up Next From Austin101: "-WWF Raw is War 1999 (January Week 2-January 11th)"
--------"Next Reviews In Order":--------
Complete Listing:
-WWF Raw is War 1999 (January Week 2-January 11th)
-WWE No Way Out 2007
-WWF Raw is War 1999 (January Week 3-January 18th)
-WWE Vengeance: Night Of Champions (2007)
-WWE WrestleMania 24 (Arrives June 11th)
-WWF Raw is War 1999 (January Week 4-January 25th)
-Individual Set (Bret Hart)
-WWF Raw is War 1999 (February)
-Individual Set (The Undertaker:Tombstone)
-WWF Raw is War 1999 (March)
-WWE Backlash 2007
-WWE Backlash 2008
-WWF Raw is War 1999 (April)
-Individal Set (Brian Pillman)
-WWF Raw is War 1999 (May)
-Individual Set (Ric Flair: Ultimate Collection)
-WWF Raw is War 1999 (June)
-Individual Set (Eddie Guerrero)
-WWF Raw is War 1999 (July)
-Individual Set (Chris Benoit)
-WWF Raw is War 1999 (August)
-Individual Set (Mick Foley: Hits and Misses)
-WWF Raw is War 1999 (September)
-Individual Set (HBK Heartbreak and Triumph)
-WWF Raw is War 1999 (October)
-Individual Set (Jake the Snake Roberts)
-WWF Raw is War 1999 (November)
-Individual Set (Hulk Hogan)
-WWF Raw is War 1999 (December)
-Individual Set (Rey Mysterio)
-WWF Raw is War 2001 (January)
-Individual Set (The Rock's New One)
-WWF Raw is War 2001 (February)
-Individual Set (The Four Horsemen)
-WWF Raw is War 2001 (March)
-Individual Set (McMahon)
-WWF Raw is War 2001 (April)
-Individual Set (John Cena: Word Life)
-WWF Raw is War 2001 (May)
-Individual Set (Ultimate Warrior)
-WWF Raw is War 2001 (June)
-Individual Set (Ric Flair's new Defenitive Collection)
-WWF Raw is War 2001 (July)
-Individual Set (Mr. Perfect)
-WWF Raw is War 2001 (August)
-Individual Set (Rise and Fall of ECW)
-WWF Raw is War 2001 (September)
-Individual Set (Bloodsport: ECW's most violent matches)
-WWF Monday Night Raw 2001 (October)
-Individual Set (RVD: One of a Kind)
-WWF Monday Night Raw 2001 (November)
-Individual Set (Taker: This is my Yard)
-WWF Monday Night Raw 2001 (December)
-Individual Set (Rowdy Roddy Piper)
-Ladder Match Review (Match talk and ratings)
-WCCW DVD Review (Doc and Matches)
-AWA DVD Review (Doc and Matches)
-Cage Matches Review (Match talk and ratings)
-IC Title Match Review (Match talk and ratings)
-Raw 15th Anniversary Review (Matches and Segment Reviews)
-Greatest Stars of the 80's (Match talk and ratings)
-Monday Night War DVD (Match talk and ratings with Doc review)
-Best of Starrcade Review (Match talk and ratings)
-Summerslam Anthology (all 20 reviews to Summerslam's)
(stay tuned...)
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