wrestlingsuicide

WWF MONDAY NIGHT RAW PREVIEW

From www.wwf.com

RAW is bound to explode this Monday Night as Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Crush take on Dustin Rhodes and WWF Champion Jeff Jarrett in a tag-match! Jarrett saved Rhodes from a beatdown by DX last night on Heat!, and they will be looking for major payback tonight!

The Austin watch is on again as Vince McMahon is set to make a huge announcement on RAW! regarding his current bitter rivalry with the rattlesnake! Austin has been a thorn in Vince McMahon's side since his return at WrestleMania XIV, will Vince finally be rid of the Stone Cold Rattlesnake?

The WWF Tag Team Titles are on the line as the New Age Outlaws defend the belts against the Quebecers! The Quebecers have stated that they have been looked over countless times because of their nationality... will they prove the doubters wrong and snatch the titles away from the champs?

Also, this match just added after HEAT! went off the air: The Nation (Farooq, D'Lo Brown and Kama Mustafa) will be facing Ken Shamrock and Rocky Maivia in a 3-on-2 handicap match! Has Marc Mero finally succeeded in eliminating every major competitor to the Intercontinental Title?

Stay tuned and don't forget to watch WWF MONDAY NIGHT RAW for the results!

MIKE ROTUNDA IN THE DOGHOUSE, CHYNA GONE

www.wrestlingscoops.com

A couple of wrestling tidbits coming from backstage after the live WWF HEAT! event. Mike Rotunda, (better known as IRS) was recently signed by the WWF as a talent enhancer (aka jobber), apparently Rotunda didn't appreciate how stiff Glenn Jacobs (Kane) was working during their match on HEAT!, and got into a tussle with him backstage. Reports are in that Rotunda has been suspended on the spot, while Jacobs was given a slap in the hand for his troubles.

Aslo, if you've noticed that Joanie Lauer (Chyna) is no longer accompanying Hunter Hearst Helmsley to the ring, it's because her contract was up and WWF Management didn't like the price that she was asking for retention. Lauer has been subsequently released, and is apparently working independent women's wrestling circuits the past couple of weeks.

WWF HEAT - Apr. 12, 1998

Show Rating: 79

TV Rating: 5.47

• WWF Lightheavyweight Championship: Taka Michinoku def. Mr. Aguila, Brian Christopher (M:83 C:69 O:76)
  • Good evening everyone and welcome to WWF HEAT!
  • Out first match is a TRIPLE THREAT for the WWF Lightheavyweight Championship!
  • Christopher is out first, gets a nice chorus of boos.
  • Aguila is out next. Average pop.
  • The LHW champ, Taka walks out to a big pop. Yay.
  • Nice match. Cristopher was a brawler out there, while Taka and Aguila wowed the crowd with cruiser moves.
  • Good finish, with BC hitting a piledriver on Aguila, only to be hit with the Michinoku Driver by Taka.
  • Taka covers BC for the pinfall win, and the crowd cheers.
• Suicidal Kidd offers a challenge (Rating:80)
  • Suicidal Kidd shows up on the ramp, he's got a microphone.
  • "Congratulations, Taka... you just successfully defended the title once again. And once again, you win another wrestling match. But I have a proposition for you, Taka... I know that you've defeated me night in and night out inside that ring. I know that... and you know what? I can take it like a man. But my proposition, my proposition is going to take you farther than you have ever been taken before. Because as of right now, I am challenging you to a match for THAT, the WWF Lightheavyweight Title... no, no, no, it's no normal match. I think it's time you played in this Kidd's playground... so, if you're up to it, I've already given the necessary challenge to Mr. McMahon, that is... if you're not afraid of the Suicidal Kidd!"
  • Kidd just drops the mic, grins a bit and then leaves as Take just glares at him, and the crowd boos.
• The New Age Outlaws def. Furnas & La-Fon (M:89 C:60 O:74)
  • Furnas & La-Fon are already waiting inside the ring. They don't even get the dignity of a ring entrance.
  • "OH YOU DIDN'T KNOW? YOUR ASS BETTA' CALLLLL SOMEBODY!" The Outlaws are here, the WWF Tag Team Champions. The crowd pops for the heel duo. This is a big case of "cool heels", similar to the Outsiders.
  • Nice paced match, mixture of technical and brawl styles.
  • The Outlaws come out on top, however, with a Rocker Dropper from Billy Gunn on La-Fon.
• The Quebecers taunt the Outlaws (Rating:72)
  • The Titantron lights up. Backstage are The Quebecers, with their manager Ray Rougeau. Ray speaks up.
  • "Oy, Outlaws! Yeah, you. I think that it's about time we earned some respect around here in the WWF! I think it's about time that you finally pony up and recognize that The Quebecers are the legitimate number one contenders to the WWF Tag Team Titles! You might think you're all that... but when it comes down to it, you ARE nothing more BUT Outlaws! You've got something that doesn't rightfully belong to you, the WWF Tag Team Titles! In fact, why don't you get those belts ready, because we are challenging you, Outlaws, to a match for the WWF Tag Team Titles, tomorrow night on RAW! You think you can go toe to toe with Canadians, Oy? We think not! Pony up them belts, boys, we're bringing them home tomorrow night!"
  • Billy Gunn and Road Dogg look at each other. Road Dogg grabs a mic.
  • "You want to take on the WWF Tag Team Champions of the WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORLD? You've got it! Oh, Quebecers, me and Billy have two words for you... SUCK IT!" Gunn and Dogg do simultaneous crotch-chops at the Quebecers, and the fans... cheer? Well, there ya go.
• WWF Primetime Championship: Charlie Scaggs def. Associate Robert (M:84 C:63 O:73)
  • Associate Robert is out. Well, seems like Vince managed to give a title shot to one of his Associates.
  • Introduced as the WWF Primetime Champ, here is Charlie Scaggs! Scaggs walks out and he's changed his attire to his more familiar (well, to ECW fans) Too Cold Scorpio tights.
  • Scorpio and Holly have a test of strength to start. Robert kicks Scorpio in the gut to gain the advantage.
  • Robert grabs Scorpio and sends him to the ropes. That sets off several moves by Holly, including a bodyslam and a delayed vertical suplex.
  • Holly goes for a cover, but only gets two.
  • Scaggs comes back with an offense of his own. A flying cross-body, a sunset flip that gets two, and a nice spot where he hits Holly with a spinning DDT.
  • Here's Associate Bartholomew running down the aisle. He jumps on the apron.
  • Scaggs notices him and turns towards him. Robert rushes Scaggs, trying for a cheapshot clothesline!
  • NO! Scaggs ducks! Robert hits Bartholomew! Scaggs rolls Robert up, ONE, TWO, THREE! Scaggs wins! Scaggs retains the WWF Primetime Title!
  • Scaggs poses for the crowd as Robert and Bartholomew retreat.
• Kane def. IRS (M:73 C:65 O:69)
  • IRS makes his way to the ring. Yay.
  • PYRO! KANE! CHAOS! DESTRUCTION! And a pasty little fat man named Paul Bearer.
  • Sufficient to say, Kane demolished IRS. IRS was working pretty stiff, however, and weakly sold Kane's chokelsam.
  • Kane wins via pinfall. The crowd cheers. No Kurrgan sightings. Michael Cole thinks that Kurrgan is afraid.
• Rocky is HERE! (Rating:97)
  • Cut backstage, and we get a clip of Rocky Maivia walking! The crowd explodes. It seems that he's just arrived? Ooooooh.
  • Cole says that the IC Title Match is up NEXT!
• WWF Intercontinental Championship: "Magnificent" Marc Mero def. Farooq (M:78 C:61 O:69)
  • "WE ARE THE NATION!" And here is Farooq! He is flanked by D'Lo Brown and Kama Mustafa! Farooq is smiling, perhaps at the prospect of beating the living shit out of Mero and taking the IC Title.
  • Well, guess who they gave Mr. Perfect's old song to. Magnificent Marc Mero walks out with the IC Title wrapped around his waist.
  • The bell rings, and the match is underway.
  • Mero completely avoids Farooq, jumping out of the ring, only to jump back in when confronted by a Nation member.
  • He ducks from every tie-up Farooq initiates, drawing a chorus of boos from the crowd.
  • Farooq finally gets Mero, and slams him down hard!
  • Mero begs off, he's cowering in the turnbuckle! Farooq snorts at the pathetic excuse of a champ.
  • But Mero hits a well-times poke to the eye! Mero goes on the offensive, two clotheslines that fail to send Farooq to his feet. And a bulldog that finishes the job!
  • He covers but Farooq kicks out at two.
  • Mero tries to take advantage, but Farooq grabs him and tosses him outside, right in between D'Lo and Kama! Farooq then distracts the ref as the Nation beat the living crap out of Mero!
  • They roll him back in... Mero is beaten up... Farooq sets him up for the dominator!!!
  • "THE ROCK SAYS..." HERE'S THE ROCK!!! HE'S RUNNING DOWN THE RAMP! AND HE FLIES INTO D'LO AND KAMA! Farooq lets Mero go, and jumps outside to join the fray! The ref, is counting!
  • Rocky is being beaten up now... but here's Shamrock, who runs out! They're taking on the the Nation! The ref was counting... and he's counted Farooq out! Mero wins via count out!
  • Security runs in to separate the five men! Mero is in the ring, exhausted, but with the IC Title in one hand, and an evil grin on his face.
  • Mero taps his forehead, perhaps saying that he's outsmarted all legitimate contenders to his title? Mero just sits there watching the chaos outside, and lets the security detail do their jobs.
• Hunter Hearst Helmsley def. Dustin Rhodes (M:89 C:87 O:88)
  • "Highway To Hell" by ACDC starts playing, and Dustin Rhodes is out. The fans pop big for Rhodes.
  • "Are you ready?" And HHH is out, he's got Crush behind him. The fans boo as the leader of DX does a couple of crotch chops at the crowd.
  • Before the match starts, HHH does a crotch chop towards Rhodes!
  • Rhodes retaliates with a clothesline that sends HHH crashing to the mat!
  • Rhodes gets on top of HHH and starts reigning in punches!
  • Rhodes picks HHH up and slams him down to the mat. Elbow drop! Cover gets a two.
  • Rhodes tosses HHH to the ropes, he ducks for a backdrop, but HHH kicks him in the face!
  • HHH clotheslines a dazed Rhodes! He starts choking him on the mat!
  • The ref counts to four, before HHH releases the illegal hold.
  • HHH takes over, he hits a neckbreaker, a back-breaker and a powerslam, and then covers for two.
  • HHH throws Rhodes to the turnbuckle... HHH goes for a clothesline, but Rhodes lifts his boot to catch HHH in the face!
  • HHH is dazed and Rhodes climbs up to the 2nd rope. Bulldog!
  • Rhodes covers, and gets two!
  • Rhodes grabs HHH and pushes him into a corner. Rhodes climbs up... fists to the face! 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9... and 10!
  • Rhodes gets off him, HHH walks a couple of steps, and then flops down into the mat!
  • Rhodes is signalling for the Curtain Call! But wait, Crush gets on top of the apron!
  • Rhodes quickly runs at him and shoves him down into the floor!
  • Rhodes turns around, KICK! WHAM! PEDIGREE! One! Two! Three! HHH has stolen this one from Rhodes!
  • Crush jumps into the ring, and a 2-on-1 beatdown ensues!
  • But here's Jarrett! He runs in! He's got guitar! Jarrett swings for HHH, but HHH ducks! WHAM! The guitar slams into Crush's head! Crush falls down like a log!
  • HHH rolls out of the ring, while JJ helps HHH up.
• Jarrett and Rhodes challenge HHH and Crush to a tag match! (Rating:82)
  • JJ grabs a microphone while helping Rhodes up to his feet. Crush rolls out, and retreats with HHH.
  • "Helmsley, you might be a bad-ass when you go double-teaming people left and right, but how about we see if you can hold your own in a tag-match? Because tomorrow night, on RAW, you and Crush, against me, and Dustin Rhodes! We'll see how you like that, slapnuts!"
  • HHH is nodding, and then points at crush and himself... he then points at JJ and mouths "You're dead!" at Jarrett!
  • JJ and Rhodes vs. Crush and HHH tomorrow night on RAW!!!"

WWF HEAT! PREVIEW

From www.wwf.com

What is in store for the WWF fans this Sunday on the WWF's new primetime show, HEAT!? Three WWF Titles will be on the line on HEAT! The WWF Lightheavyweight Title will be on the line as Taka Michinoku defends his belt against Mr. Aguila and former champ, Brian Christopher in a triangle match! There's Charlie Scaggs' first WWF Prime Time Championship defense after winning the title upon its inception last week against Nation member D'Lo Brown. The WWF Intercontinental Title will also be on the line as the self-proclaimed "Magnificent" Marc Mero defends the title against the leader of the Nation Farooq. Farooq received the title shot after helping Mero eliminate the two top contenders to the title in Rocky Maivia and Ken Shamrock! Also on HEAT!, DX-leader Hunter Hearst Helmsley, fresh from mauling WWF Champion Jeff Jarrett last week, will be facing Dustin Rhodes in a one-on-one match! Will Crush be there to "aide" Helmsley against Rhodes? Check it all out this Sunday Night!

WCW SPENDS MONEY!

Article taken from www.wrestlingscoops.com

Alright, here's a low down on the rumors about World Championship Wrestling parting with Ric Flair. It is true that Flair has NOT renewed his contract with WCW, and is currently unsigned by the WWF. So far, nothing solid has been confirmed (other than that hack dirt sheet that always seems to be circulating around here). But apparently, Flair is not too keen about Eric Bischoff suing him over a measly amount last year. Our insiders report, however, that Flair is currently in re-negotiations with WCW, and might be coming back to the fed, if the right price and the right people are involved.

In other WCW news, they have signed former WWF Champion Yokozuna, former WWF IC Champion Rick Rude, and ECW main-event performer Tommy Dreamer to big contracts. WCW is pulling out all the stops to topple the WWF, since they have seen a steady decline in popularity over the past month.

That's about it for the news, I'll keep you updated on what else is going to happen in the next week or so.

WWF Shotgun Saturday Night - Apr. 11, 1998

Show Rating: 78

TV Rating: 0.03

• Cool Cat Joe Legend def. IRS(M:71 C:41 O:51)
  • Show opens with a match!
  • Look! It's IRS! He's back in a WWF ring! Yay.
  • Disco music. Shimmy. It's The Cool Cat, and he's strutting down to the ring.
  • Good brawl, crowd was a bit dead. Yeesh.
  • Cool Cat hit a Death Valley Driver for the win.
• Suicidal Kidd interview (Rating:88)
  • In-studio interview with the masked lucha-wrestler, the Suicidal Kidd!
  • Cole asks if Kidd is amazed by the fan reactions he has gotten from the crowd since he debuted. And about Taka Michinoku having a string of wins over him.
  • Kidd speaks, and sounds more Canadian than Mexican. Hah. "The crowd doesn't matter to me. What matters to me is getting the win. And I haven't been getting that lately, have I? There's one man to blame, and that's Taka Michinoku... the reigning WWF Light Heavyweight champion. Taka's been beating me over and over again... and I don't like to be on the other side of the win-loss column. But don't you worry, Michael Cole... this Kidd is going to be ready to play really soon, and it's going to be in my very own playground rules. You just wait!"
• Full Throttle def. Mr. Aguila & Scott Taylor (M:75 C:66 O:70)
  • Full Throttle!!! Sexton Hardcastle and Roderick Steele have brand new tights, with their names emblazoned on the crotch and ass area. How nice.
  • And here's Aguila and Taylor. They really make an odd couple.
  • Fast-paced match. Throttle is really adjusting well to the WWF style, specially after performing at Mania.
  • Aguila missed a senton bomb on Steele, and they hit the Sonic Boom on him for the win.
• Kane interview w/ Paul Bearer (Rating:85)
  • Taped interview from Bearer and Kane.
  • Bearer holds the urn while Kane stands in the back, menacing as ever.
  • "Oh yessss! James Cornette... you say that you are not afraid of my son... but you know, deep down in your heart that Kane is Kurrgan's only weakness! I see it! I see the fear in his eyes! I see it each time he sets his eyes on the force of destruction that is my Kane! The time draws near, Kurrgan! The time draws near... until your ultimate destruction! You will be sent to the depths of hell, oh yesssssssss... and Kane will take you straight to it! OOOH YESSSS!"
  • Right.
• Replay of Rocky Maivia draw Ken Shamrock (M:93 C:79 O:86)
  • Featured match is from RAW, Shamrock vs. Rocky, with Farooq and the Nation interfering.
  • Cole reminds us to watch HEAT! tomorrow night!

I just recently watched the WWE's RAW House Show here in Manila on Feb. 25. It was fucking insane. Triple H is GOD. He had the biggest pop of the night... forget that he's supposed to be a heel, and a hated wrestler by the IWC... the guy's entrance is cool as hell, and his in-ring showmanship is superb. The fucker's got me as a fan. He was insanely over here in the Philippines.

Oh, and the main event was Cena vs. Edge inside a STEEL FUCKING CAGE for the WWE Title. The match was about 100x better than any of the Edge/Cena matches that have been on TV or PPV. Cena hit a superplex off the top rope. Edge threw Cena down into the ring from the top of the cage. Cena bladed like a bitch. They worked the crowd so well, we actually thought Edge was going to win the title. Lita hit a wild hurricanrana off the top rope as Edge held Cena, but Cena ducked and Lita hit Edge. FU on Lita, FU on Edge, and Cena wins... giving him a huge pop. I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to say that I'm a Cena mark now. I hated him on TV, I hated him on PPV's, but LIVE, the bastard is a pop machine and a heat-magnet. He knows how to play the crowd, he knows how to hide his weaknesses in the ring by sticking to a solid set of brawl moves and signature moves. I just marked like a little bitch. Hahaha. Link to the pictures and videos are in the sig, if you have the time, check it out.

WWF Monday Night RAW - Apr. 6, 1998

Show Rating: 83

RAW TV Rating: 5.04

Nitro TV Rating: 5.68

• "Cool Cat" Joe Legend def. Brian Christopher(M:67 C:47 O:57)
  • Welcome to RAW! Opening match! Cool Cat walks out to his 70's music. He does a little shimmy before entering the ring.
  • BC is out next, getting mild reaction from the crowd.
  • It was pretty obvious that these two guys did not click, and the match suffered.
  • The crowd were sitting on their hands most of the time. Blech.
  • Cool Cat hit a Death Valley Driver to win the match.
• Jeff Jarrett introduces his partner(Rating:86)
  • A guitar riff plays... "COWBOY. COWBOY." Kid Rock's new song "Cowboy" blares from the arena speakers. "I'm just a cowboy, baby, with the top let back and the sunshine shining!", Jeff Jarrett is out with the WWF Title and the fans cheer!
  • Jarrett makes his way to the ring and is handed a microphone.
  • A small "We Want Flair" chant starts from the upper box seats.
  • Jarrett speaks. "Last night, I said that I would bring in a tag team partner for my match against Triple H and Crush TONIGHT!"
  • The "We want Flair" chant grows bigger
  • "No, no, no... I'm sorry to say that Ric Flair will not be my partner."
  • The crowd reigns in a chorus of boos.
  • "But I did bring in someone else to tag with me... my partner, STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN!" Jarrett points to the curtains.
  • GLASS SHATTERS! The crowd explodes! Austin is HERE! He marche down the aisle, and makes his way into the ring! JJ and Austin have a tense moment, before JJ shakes Austin's hand. Stone Cold takes the mic.
  • "I heard that Double J needed someone to help him take names and kick ass tonight. As I was sitting at home, fresh from being ejected out of the arena last week, I got a call from Double J asking me to be his partner. I sat there, and I thought for about a couple of seconds... and said Oh Hell Yeah! Tonight, we're going to kick DX's ass, we're going to drink some beers, and we're going to raise holy hell..."
• Vince McMahon is an ass(Rating:84)
  • "No Chance!" and Vince McMahon walks out. The fans boo as Vince has a shit-eating grin on his face.
  • Vince has a mic. "Well, well, well. What do we have here? Our WWF Champion, Jeff Jarrett... oh, and look... it's Stone Cold Steve Austin!"
  • Crowd boos as Austin and Jarrett just stare down McMahon.
  • "I'm glad you've had the perogative to invite Mr. Austin to your match tonight, Double J, but unfortunately, Stone Cold can't wrestle tonight, he can't wrestle in any other night for that matter! Steve Austin has not been under a wrestling contract with the WWF since his injury, therefore he is not a WWF Superstar, therefore he cannot wrestle in that very ring."
  • Crowd boos. "Asshole" chant.
  • Austin replies. "In case you don't understand Vince, all these fans are calling you an ASSHOLE!"
  • Vince just grins. "That's very creative of you people. And Mr. Austin, I do believe you know my friends." Security men walk out. "Get it through your head, Stone Cold: You're not wanted here. As for you, Double J, champ... I have a great idea for a tag team partner for you... you can partner up, with these fans... because tonight, it's going to be you, the WWF Champion, Jeff Jarrett... taking on Crush and Hunter Hearst Helmsley in a HANDICAP MATCH! Now, have a nice evening, gentlemen!"
  • The crowd boos, as Dozens of security men surround the ring and subdue Austin. They put the cuffs on Austin like last week. JJ just stares at Vince, as Austin is escorted to the back. Stone Cold flips off Vince and several officials while in cuffs.
• Taka Michinoku def. Suicidal Kidd(M:100 C:79 O:89)
  • Fast-paced match. The crowd was into it.
  • Kidd hit a series of cruiserweight moves on Taka.
  • Taka comes back with a flurry, with the crowd backing him.
  • Taka nails Kidd with a quick-roll up after reversing a sunset flip for the win.
• James E. Cornette has some choice words(Rating:82)
  • Cut backstage to an interview set. Cornette is with his client, Kurrgan.
  • "Paul Bearer, you may think that my client, the moster, the myth, the behemoth known as Kurrgan, is afraid of Kane, but he isn't! He's not afraid of anyone or anything! In this business there is one constant, and that constant is that SIZE does matter. Kane might have fireballs blowing out of his ass but my client is a fearless killing machine! Don't think for a second that Kurrgan is going to back down on you and your retarded son! He will crush Kane like a bug! You stay clear of my client's warpath, and we'll make sure not to make minced meat out of your little red choo choo train!"
  • Well, that got the point through, didn't it?
• The New Age Outlaws def. Scott Taylor & Mr. Aguila(M:75 C:73 O:74)
  • Taylor and Aguila are out first. Nice reaction from the crowd.
  • Heeere's the Outlaws, and they get a nice pop. They're cool heels. Meh.
  • Nice back and forth match.
  • Outlaws however are too cool to lose, apparently. Rocker dropper by Billy Gunn on Aguila to win.
• Rocky Maivia pre-match interview(Rating:100)
  • The Number One Contendership match to the IC Title is up next!
  • "THE ROCK SAYS!" And Rocky is out. THE FANS EXPLODE. Rocky poses on the ramp.
  • The Rock makes his way down to the ring. He poses on the ropes.
  • Rocky is handed a microphone.
  • "The Rock has a couple of things on his mind!" POP from the crowd.
  • "The Rock will be stepping into this ring with one bad-ass son-of-a-bitch(bleeped). Ken Shamrock, terminator boy, the robo-cop destroyer. He is without a doubt, one legitimate mofo. But The Rock says this, Ken Shamrock, you can bring your monkey ass into this ring... I'm going to beat you up from pillar to post, from turnbuckle to turnbuckle... and then... AND THEN... the Rock is going to make sure you hit... ROCK BOTTOM!" Crowd pops again.
  • "And after The Rock beats your monkey ass all over this ring. After The Rock pins you in the middle of this ring, one, two and three... The Rock is going to move on and take the Intercontinental Title from that little jabronie, Marc Mero... and return the Intercontinental Title where it rightfully belongs... wrapped around The Rock's waist!" Crowd pops again.
  • "What The Rock wants, The Rock gets... and what The Rock says, goes... IF YOU SMELALALALALOW... WHAT THE ROCK... IS COOKING!" Another huge pop.
• Rocky Maivia draw Ken Shamrock(M:93 C:87 O:90)
  • And here's Ken Shamrock, he gets a sizeable pop as well.
  • Staredown to start the match.
  • Shamrock goes on the offensive and takes over.
  • Shamrock hits a series of slams and suplexes that has the Rock reeling.
  • Shamrock misses a shoulder thrust into the turnbuckle, allowing Rock to recover.
  • Rocky comes back with lefts, and rights! And a sidewalk slam!
  • Rocky takes control and beats up on Shamrock some more.
  • Shamrock comes back, again! The crowd is hot.
  • Shamrock hits a series of moves! Overhead belly to belly!
  • Shamrock covers but only gets a two.
  • Shamrock goes on the attack again, but Rocky counters! Rocky hits a spinning DDT! He covers and only gets two!
  • Rocky gets up, and pulls Shamrock to his feet. Shamrock reverses, and the ankle lock is cinched in!!!
  • Rocky is grimacing in pain! Shamrock has it on... Rocky claws his way to the ropes!
  • And he makes it! Inches away! Shamrock has to release the hold!
  • Shamrock takes Rocky and throws him into the turnbuckle, Shamrock follows up with a running clothesline, but Rocky ducks!
  • Shamrock is dazed! Rocky hits the ROCK BOTTOM! Rocky covers... one... two...
  • WAIT A MINUTE! THAT'S FAROOQ! D-LO BROWN! KAMA MUSTAFA! THEY'RE PUTTING THE BOOTS ON ROCKY AND SHAMROCK! The ref has thrown this match out! It's a no-contest!
  • Farooq hits the dominator on Rocky! D'Lo hits Shamrock with a frog splash! Carnage! The Nation get a chorus of boos from the crowd! Rocky and Shamrock have been laid out
• Mero thanks Farooq(Rating:78)
  • Backstage, Farooq and the Nation meet with a smiling Marc Mero.
  • Farooq speaks. "I did what you wanted, fool. Now it's your turn to pony up."
  • Mero smiles. "Of course, of course, you're going to get your shot at this." Mero taps the IC Title "And you're going to get it, this week... Sunday Night... on HEAT!"
  • Farooq chuckles. "You're one crazy fool. You know that? I'm going to beat you up, and take that title. Farooq, Intercontinental Champion... that has a nice ring to it, right boys?" D'Lo and Kama voice their approval. Farooq continues. "You'd better shine that up real nice, Mero... I don't want a dirty title. Let's go."
  • As the Nation leave. Mero just smiles. "..not if I can help it, you dumb son-of-a-bitch(bleeped)", mutters Mero under his breath.
• Crush & Hunter Hearst Helmsley def. Jeff Jarrett(M:80 C:83 O:82)
  • "Are You Ready?" Hunter and Crush walk out amidst boos from the crowd. hunter has a wide grin on his face, as he crotch-chops the fans. Crush looks pissed off, as usual. They make their way into the ring.
  • Guitar riff! "COWBOY" and here's Double J! The fans cheer! He hoists the WWF Title in the air along with his guitar. HHH just smiles as the champ walks down the aisle.
  • JJ hands the title to the ref. And we are set to go. It's JJ and HHH first, with Crush waiting at the ropes!
  • Collar and elbow, and HHH just shoves JJ down on the mat! JJ gets back up and slaps the living hell out of HHH!
  • HHH takes over with punches and throws JJ across the ropes, to be met by a boot from Crush!
  • Crush is tagged in and he throws JJ around a bit.
  • Crush goes for a gorilla press slam, but JJ counters into an armdrag!
  • JJ starts focusing on Crush's leg! He kicks it repeatedly, and then applies a stretching maneuver.
  • JJ puts Crush in a headlock, but is easily powered over by Crush! Crush tags in HHH.
  • HHH puts the boots on JJ! He throws JJ into the ropes, and hits a flying knee!
  • HHH goes for a sleeper! JJ is fading! JJ is on one knee... and the ref checks... he lifts one arm... and another time.... and one last... NO! JJ is up!
  • JJ elbows out of the sleeper throws HHH across the ropes! Blind tag by HHH to Crush. JJ shoulder-tackles HHH, but he turns around and receives a huge boot to the face!
  • Crush covers... two count!
  • Crush picks up JJ and throws him to the turnbuckle! He goes for a shoulder to the gut, but JJ moves out of the way!
  • Crush staggers back... into a reverse side-russian legsweep! JJ COVERS!
  • ONE! TWO! THR-NO! HHH breaks things up.
  • HHH grabs JJ and puts him in the Pedigree! But JJ backdrops HHH over! JJ turns around and Crush hits a solid clothesline!
  • Crush covers... ONE! TWO! THRE-NO! JJ kicks out!
  • Crush is frustrated! The ref sends HHH back to the corner. Crush pulls JJ up, but JJ hits a low blow! The ref didn't see it!
  • Crush collapses to the mat! JJ locks in the Figure Four! Crush looks like he's about to pass out in pain!
  • But HHH delivers a boot to JJ's face to break the hold! He is taken back to his corner by the ref!
  • Crush and JJ get up slowly. They exchange punches! And JJ hits a kick to Crush's thigh! HHH yells at JJ, who turns around and clotheslines HHH out of the ring!
  • HHH and JJ fight it out at ringside! Crush goes out the other side and grabs JJ's guitar! He proceeds to where HHH and JJ are, but is stopped the ref! The ref is trying to grab the guitar from Crush!
  • HHH manages to whip out a steel chair from underneath the mat and he hits JJ with it smackdab on the head! JJ falls down like a log! HHH grabs JJ and throws him back inside the ring.
  • Crush lets go of the guitar, and the ref's attention. He rolls back in and covers.
  • ONE! TWO! THREE! Crush and Hunter have defeated Double J! The fans boo.
  • Hunter grabs the WWF Title and poses with it on a turnbuckle. He gets major heat!
  • HHH throws the title on the mat and leaves with Crush, a big smile on his face and JJ is still unconscious in the middle of the ring.
• Austin assaults Vince!(Rating:88)
  • We cut backstage, where Vince is talking with several staff members. They are surrounded by McMahon's Asscoiates, Barry, Robert and Bartholomew.
  • "LOOK OUT!" someone yells. IT'S AUSTIN! HE'S BROKEN THROUGH HIS CUFFS!? HE JUMPS OVER TWO MEN AND DIVES FOR VINCE! AUSTIN'S LAID OUT VINCE WITH A NICELY PLACED PUNCH TO THE JAW! SECURITY MEN ARE RUNNING BEHIND HIM.
  • The Associates are taken by surprise! Austin starts raining lefts and rights! ALL HELL HAS BROKEN LOOSE BACKSTAGE! MORE AND MORE SECURITY GUYS ARE RUNNING INTO THE FRAY TO SUBDUE AUSTIN!
  • JR says that we don't have any more time! SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!

Come on man, EVERYONE was a Smark by 1998. People were shocked by 1996 and 1997.... but in 1998, Flair's release would have been the talk of the town. Seriously. It was the Monday Night Wars.

Loved the new "Prime-Time" Heat. I especially liked the way you still allowed the "up-and-comers" to be used, and didn't saturate it with the established stars. It seemed to add a new dimension, and give the newer guys greater credibility.

I also loved the new Prime-Time title. I think it's a great idea. The only issue I had was that if McMahon hates Scaggs (along with Runnels and Austin), why would he place him in a title match. It could have been cooler had someone else been involved at the start, and then Scaggs attack them, forcing them to demand a match with the title on the line.

The only other issue I had was the number of Flair referances. The crowd chant is believable, and HHH's response to it was great, but after that it became obvious you have signed him up, and I think it ruins the surprise element.

Otherwise, you are still going strong, and I can't wait for RAW.

WWF HEAT - Apr. 5, 1998

Show Rating: 77

TV Rating: 5.48

• Vince McMahon unveils the NEW WWF Prime Time Title (Rating:86)
  • WWF HEAT! For the very first time, LIVE! We join our hosts Michael Cole and Kevin Kelly, as the show opens with Vince McMahon in the middle of the ring, holding an object wrapped in black cloth.
  • McMahon takes the mic. "Ladies and gentlemen, good evening, and welcome to the very first edition of our new PRIME TIME show, WWF HEAT!". That gets some cheap pop from the crowd. "In case anyone asks, no, Stone Cold will not be here tonight, he won't be here on ANY other night as a matter of fact!" Big boos.
  • "As you may all know, I have a special announcement tonight, and I am making this announcement right here right now, because I want to get things rolling! It's always been a huge fact that the fans, you WWF fans want title matches... you want WWF gold defended on Live TV without any qualms or repercussions. Well, tonight, you get your wish. Because tonight, I am announcing the creation of a NEW WWF Title..." McMahon unveils the object, it's shiny gold belt, with the word "PRIME TIME" written on it "...the WWF Prime Time Championship!" Mixed reaction from the crowd.
  • "And this title will be defended on each and every single edition of WWF HEAT by whomever its holder is! It is without a doubt that any wrestler who is able to defend this title, week-in and week-out is definitely suited for PRIME TIME! And our main event tonight will be for this very title... it will be The Nation of Domination's D'Lo Brown, taking on Charlie Scaggs! May the best man win! Have a great evening!"
• Full Throttle def. Associate Bartholomew & Robert (M:84 C:58 O:71)
  • The Associates try their best to take on the young guns, overpowering them from the get-go.
  • Sexton Hardcastle and Roderick Steele manage to use their speed to their advantage.
  • They hit the Sonic Boom on Robert to grab the victory.
• The Quebecers interview (Rating:67)
  • Backstage, we cut to The Quebecers, with Ray Rougeau. Interview? You know it!
  • Ray begins. "I've got something to say, and it concerns me, the Quebecers and every Canadian wrestler in the WWF." Slight pause. "If I remember correctly, the Quebecers defeated the Legion of Doom at WrestleMania. And if I remember correctly, the Legion of Doom were next in line to the WWF Tag Team Titles. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but that makes the Quebecers the Number 1 contenders to the WWF Tag Team Titles, no?" Ray smirks. "It's because we're Canadians, that why we're being discriminated against! But no more! We're going to take what's rightfully ours! I'm going to petition this straight to Mr. McMahon! We want our Title shots! We want them NOW!" Jacques and Carl Oulette just grimace in the background and Ray leads them off.
• Kurrgan def. Scott Taylor (M:79 C:67 O:73)
  • KURRGAN DESTROYS Taylor. Descriptive enough?
  • Cornette jumps in to celebrate his client's win... and the ramp explodes with PYROS
  • It's Kane! It's Kane!
  • Kane is walking down the ramp, and Kurrgan looks positively rattled. Cornette quickly tries to pull his client out of the ring!
  • Kurrgan and Cornette run away through the crowd! Kane lights the ring up with pyro!
• DX is in the house! (Rating:81)
  • "Are You Ready?" HHH and Crush walk out and receives a hefty amount of boos from the crowd. HHH and Crush, walk their way to the ring.
  • Chants of "We want Flair! We want Flair!" ring through the arena.
  • HHH grabs a microphone. "You can chant all you want, morons, but he ain't coming to the WWF anytime soon!" And that gets a huge chorus of boos from the crowd.
  • "I want to address one man tonight, and that man is Jeff Jarrett. Double J, last week, you got your ass handed to you by the newest, biggest and baddest member of the DX army... the One Man Massacre Machine, CRUSH! You found out first hand, that you can't kill DX, Jarrett. You can't kill what you can't stop! The DX army is only growing... and we are growing by the second! We're going to overrun the WWF, we're going to overrun you and people who think like you, Jarrett. THIS is the future of the WWF, this is the NEW ERA, the DX ERA... we are going to run you out of town, Jarrett, just like DX ran Bret Hart out of town!"
  • BIG heat from the crowd.
  • "You holding that WWF Title is only a temporary problem, Jarrett. After everything is set and done, that belt goes back to where it belongs, back to DX!"
• Jarrett issues a challenge, and is accepted! (Rating:85)
  • "TRADITION", and Jarrett is out! The fans pop big! Yay!
  • JJ has a microphone.
  • "Hunter... last week, you blindsided me. Last week, you took my by surprise. That's not going to happen again! You and your little bitch(bleeped) right there better listen up, because have I got a challenge for you! Tomorrow night, on RAW, you... and Crush... to take on me, and a partner of my choosing!"
  • Hunter smiles. "You're on, Jarrett, you're on! And if you're thinking about bringing in some old semi-retired lame duck like Ric Flair, you can dream on... because it's not happening! My buddies down south just drove Flair out of Flair Country, and if ever decided to show up here, he's going to figure out that the way things are run down here ain't too far from they do down south. DX OWNS the WWF, we OWN this business! Ric Flair won't be making any 'special appearances', that's because he's old, he's a has-been... he's useless!"
  • JJ replies. "Oh, don't worry about Ric Flair showing up, slapnuts. I've got myself a nice surprise for you tomorrow night! I'll see you and your bitch(bleeped) on RAW!"
  • Fans cheer after hearing the announcement. Yay. More "We Want Flair" chants!
• Ken Shamrock def. Albert (M:74 C:58 O:66)
  • Shamrock squashes this fat, hairy, bald dude called Albert. Ola.
  • After the match, Shamrock grabs a microphone.
  • "MERO, I WANT YOU OUT HERE, AND I WANT MY INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE BACK!"
  • The crowd cheers as Shamrock is going nuts inside the ring.
• Rocky Maivia thinks otherwise (Rating:94)
  • "The Rock Says..." and Rocky Maivia is out! The fans cheer!
  • "Hold on there, terminator-boy! You're asking for a title shot against Mero? UH-UH! The Rock says that I get that title shot first! The Rock remembers when you beat the holy hell out of The Rock at In Your House, and The Rock wants nothing more but to get back and give you a little serving of whoop-ass! As far as the Intercontinental Title is concerned, The Rock called it first, and what The Rock wants, The Rock gets.."
  • Shamrock interrupts him. "Listen, Rocky, I have a mandatory title re-match! If you want it so bad, as bad as I want it... then why don't we settle it tomorrow night on RAW! Winner gets the title shot!"
  • Rocky grins. "The Rock likes your plan, The Rock likes it a lot! You've got a match! But The Rock says that you don't EVER... AND THE ROCK MEANS EVER interrupt The Rock when he's talking, or I'll slap you like a day old baby! The Rock says that it's going to be you, and me... tomorrow night! I'll see you in the ring, JABRONIE!"
  • Staredown. Set. Match. Point. The crowd cheers!
• Marc Mero wants The Nation's services (Rating:83)
  • Backstage cut to Mero as he approaches Farooq, who's with Kama Mustafa and D'Lo Brown. Farooq's giving advice to D'Lo.
  • "You take this sucker out, you hear me D'Lo? It's about time we had gold back in The Nation. You win this title, and we're going to go straight back to the top!"
  • Mero taps Farooq's shoulder. "What the hell do you want, FOOL?"
  • "Listen, Farooq... we might have some mutual interests... so, if you're willing to listen to what I have to say... since you're interested in championship gold," Mero taps the IC Title "I just might give you a shot at this little baby right here."
  • Farooq looks interested, and they walk away from the camera to have a private discussion.
• WWF Prime Time Championship: Charlie Scaggs def. D'Lo Brown (M:81 C:67 O:74)
  • First out is Charlie Scaggs! He walks out to some nifty hip-gop type of music. Well, there you go. Nice pop for Scaggs.
  • "We Are The Nation" and out is D'Lo Brown. He gets average heat.
  • Collar and elbow to start.
  • Scaggs does a lucha moveset on D'Lo, who ends up flat on his back after a trip.
  • Scaggs goes on the assault, using various suplexes and rest-holds.
  • D'Lo gets in an eyepoke, and that turns the tide!
  • D'Lo traps Scaggs in a corner, lefts and rights!
  • He throws Scaggs into the ropes... clothesline out of bounds!
  • They fight outside, and then it goes back in the ring.
  • The two men exchange punches!
  • Scaggs throws D'Lo to the ropes... he tries a Lou Thesz press! But is countered into a spinebuster!
  • D'Lo climbs up top! He takes his time, and even taunts the crowd.
  • Frog Splash! NO! Scaggs rolled out of the way!
  • Scaggs on top now, 450 SPLASH!!! He hit it! ONE TWO THREE! New Prime Time Champion!
  • Nice pop for Scaggs, who celebrates by hoisting the title up in the air!
  • Cole thanks us for watching the first ever LIVE WWF HEAT! and reminds us to watch RAW tomorrow night!

WWF HEAT TO AIR LIVE THIS SUNDAY NIGHT!!

Check out the new and improved WWF HEAT live on Sunday Nights! The WWF and the USA Network have worked out a deal to move HEAT into the prime-time slot, and to be aired as a live broadcast. This certainly changes the way things will shape out in tv-land, as the WWF now feature two shows airing live, the other one being its flagship program WWF Monday Night RAW!. Expect WWF Chairman Vince McMahon to make a special announcement on this Sunday's premiere edition of prime-time WWF HEAT!

WWF Shotgun Saturday Night - Apr. 4, 1998

Show Rating: 77

TV Rating: 0.04

• Kane interview (Rating: 78)
  • The show begins with Kane and Paul Bearer in-studio with Michael Cole.
  • Bearer plugs his man. "Kurrrrgan! At WrestleMania, you dared to go where no man has ever dared to go! You attacked MY KANE! Ohhh yesss! And at WrestleMania, you sealed your own doom! For you see... Kane does not forgive... Kane does not forget... Kane only knows DESTRUCTION AND CHAOS! OOOH YESSS! Your days are numbered, Kurrgan... your days are NUMBERED!!! And when the time comes... when the time comes and Kane drags you deep into the pits of hell itself, you will know... you will realize... you will see... OH YESS... you will see, that you can never defeat Kane!!! You will, most certainly, REST IN PEAAACE!!! OH YESSSSS!!!"
• "The Cool Cat" Joe Legend def. Mr. Aguila (M:58 C:45 O:72)
  • Aguila is out, and gets nice reaction from the fans.
  • Suddenly, the lights go dim, and disco music fills the air. Why? Well, because of this guy.
  • Someone walks out wearing a white polyester suit, his long hair all slicked back by grease, and a giant gold medallion is hanging around his neck.
  • The announcer bills him as "The Cool Cat" Joe Legend. Nice.
  • He struts his way down the aisle, and the crowd doesn't know what to expect from this man.
  • He puts in an average showing against Aguila, hitting several power moves and technical holds, they really didn't mesh together with Aguila's moveset.
  • Legend hits a nice looking Diamond Cutter on Aguila to grab the win. He does a little shimmy before leaving the ring.
  • There you go. Another debut.
• Rocky Maivia interview (Rating:98)
  • Rocky Maivia is in the studio with Michael Cole. He goes on a rant about Marc Mero.
  • "Magnificent Marc Mero. The Rock thinks that he's got his head way up above the clouds. No, seriously, The Rock actually thinks that he's delirious to actually think that he can dictate what The Rock can and cannot do. The Rock does what he wants, where he wants, when he wants. If The Rock wanted to take a big crap in the middle of Times Square during the lighting of the Christmas Tree, no matter how retarded that may sound, The Rock would be able to do it there, and then! If The Rock wanted to take his shirt off like this..." Rocky takes his shirt off. "...and proceed to cover Michael Cole's face in it, The Rock would be able to do it, like so..." He then places the shirt to cover Cole's face. Cole says that Rocky's shirt smells like it was newly cleaned. "Of course The Rock's shirts are clean! What do you think I am? Some smelly monkey like Mark Henry? The bottom line is THIS... Marc Mero, you think just because you won that title in a fluke match with Captain Insane-O Terminator-boy, you deserve to keep it? UH-UH. The Rock wants his title back, and what The Rock wants, The Rock gets, if you smell what The Rock is cookin'!"
  • Rocky stands up, and takes the shirt out of Cole's face, and then leaves the studio.
• Replay of JJ being beaten down by Crush and HHH (Rating:81)
  • Cole segways into a replay of last week's beatdown of JJ by HHH and newest DX member, Crush.
• The Quebecers def. Furnas & LaFon (M:88 C:61 O:74)
  • Nice tag match. The Quebecers are apparently next in line for the Tag Titles!
  • The Quebecers win via some quick interference from Ray Rougeau.
  • OY! CANADIANS! Anyway, Cole reminds us to tune in to Heat tomorrow night, and RAW on Monday!

TROUBLE IN THE SOUTH! WCW AND RIC FLAIR PART WAYS?

April 3, 1998 - AP, Atlanta - The wrestling world just felt a major temor. Ric Flair and WCW have parted ways, at least contractually. After spending nearly one and a half decades with World Championship Wrestling, Ric Flair has apparently not renewed his contract with the Atlanta-based organization. There have been rumors of apparent bad blood between WCW President of Wrestling Operations, Eric Bischoff and Ric Flair, stemming in the abortion of the planned return of Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen in what could have been an epic storyline for WCW. It is rumored that after learning of the plan to discard the stoyline alltogether, Ric Flair basically told Bischoff that either they bring back the Horsemen, or he was going to walk.

Fans may remember the Horsemen being disbanded in 1997, following the storyline that the nWo had completely taken over WCW. Flair has been resting for the past couple of months, taking time away from the ring, with his contract coming up. There were already many blind items regarding Flair's obvious unhappiness with the goings-on in WCW, and his displeasure was only fanned by the apparent backing of Terry Bollea and Kevin Nash in Bischoff's decision to scrap the Horsemen storyline. Instead, Bischoff is rumored to be going the way of an nWo - Canadian Alliance angle, continuing the feud of the black and white boys against Bret Hart and company.

Flair has apparently been displeased with the way his character has been protrayed during the past year, and how WCW seems to have gone to the dogs ever since the booking committee shook things up. Flair's contract effectively ended on Mar. 31, and there is no confirmation if he has renewed it with WCW or not.

The biggest thing here is that Flair never signed a no-compete clause during his last renegotiation with WCW, which means Flair can choose to show up on any other promotion effective today! WWF officials have declined to officially comment if they have approached Ric Flair in any way shape or form. One unnamed source within Titan Sports, however, has said that "Ric Flair in a WWF ring? The ratings are going to go through the roof!"

March, 1998 Recap

Extreme Championship Wrestling

March was a solid month for ECW. After receiving a rumored $1,000,000 of funds from unnamed sources, Paul Heyman seems to have been able to right the ship a bit financially. As for ratings, they're getting more popular by the day. There are constant rumors of WWF sharing talent with ECW, although there has been nothing to indicate it to be true. ECW ran a successful large event last month, raking in dollars and putting their name on the map. If this goes on, we can expect ECW to break into the market as a legitimate global federation within the year.

World Championship Wrestling

The slow ebb has been finally stopped. WCW made waves during the final week of March, as they apparently have been able to sign Marc Calloway to an enourmous contract. Calloway is best known as the WWF's Undertaker. tehre are already plans that Calloway will debut as an alternate character to the one he played in the WWF, rumor has it that he will debut as the "Reaper", in a similar gimmick as the Undertaker. In other WCW news, the signing of Calloway was reportedly a knee-jerk reaction to several disgruntled employees leaving WCW. Details are sketchy, but apparently a high-profile name has left, but WCW is keeping it HIGHLY under wraps. The internet is abuzz about the move, considering several WCW wrestlers have their contracts up during the month of March. Consider these names: Ric Flair, Raven, Vader, Lex Luger and Kevin Nash. All of whom are reportedly working with expiring WCW contracts. We can only speculate IF any of them would choose to jump ship anytime soon.

Smokey Mountain Wrestling Rebirth

A small promotion, SMWR, has opened up. They have several high-flyers and brawlers signed. Notably: Gangrel, formerly from MCW, the WWF's development federation.

Golden Canvas Grappling

GCG, after opening its doors last month, has been steady. Nothing of note to talk about, as they are after all, nothing more but a backyard fed.

World Wrestling Federation

The WWF ended March with a bang, following a successful WrestleMania, Vince McMahon is apparently happy with the way things have been going since Michaels was sidelined with his drug rehab. Jeff Jarrett was handed the WWF Title at WrestleMania, but expect him to continue to feud with Hunter Heart Helmsley, both of them are emerging to be bigger stars than expected when the year started. Steve Austin made his in-ring return, and although he'll never be a full-time wrestler again, Austin is apparently going to be more prominent in WWF storylines. Rocky Maivia was the talk of the town, WrestleMania was his "breakout" moment... they finally managed to put him over as a solid face, a far cry from his pathetic run as "The Blue Chipper". The current plans are to push him with a feud against Marc Mero, but if things go faster, he'd be holding the WWF Title in a month or two.

Mark Henry has apparently admitted to substance abuse and is currently in rehab. The Brooklyn Brawler has been out for the past month with an eye injury, he will be expected to be out in the next month as well.

Top 5 Faces:

1. Rocky Maivia

2. Steve Austin

3. Kane

4. Jeff Jarrett

5. Dustin Rhodes

Top 5 Heels:

1. Shawn Michaels

2. Vince McMahon

3. Hunter Hearst Helmsley

4. Marc Mero

5. Suicidal Kidd

WWF Monday Night RAW - Mar. 30, 1998

Show Rating: 81

RAW TV Rating: 5.05

Nitro TV Rating: 5.70

• Jeff Jarrett victory celebration, complete with a challenge! (Rating:82)
  • It's MONDAY NIGHT RAAAAAW! Fresh off the heels of WrestleMania XIV!
  • JR tells us that last night, Jeff Jarrett made his way to the top of the mountain and won the WWF Championship!
  • "TRADITION", and heeeere's Double J! The fans cheer as the champ appears on top of the ramp with the WWF Title draped across his shoulder.
  • JJ raises the title up as he walks down the aisle.
  • He steps into the ring and climbs the two turnbuckles and raises the title again.
  • JJ grabs a mic and waits for the crowd to die down its chants of "DOUBLE J!"
  • "You know, it's been a long time since someone finally decided to kick DX in the balls(bleeped) and say enough is enough. Shawn Michaels and Hunter Hearst Helmsley have been running rampant in the WWF for the past year, and it's about time that someone gave them a piece of their own medicine."
  • "Last night, I stepped into the ring with Kane and Hunter Hearst Helmsley, and I won the WWF Championship. I'm telling you right now, this is the beginning of a new dawn for the WWF. This title belongs to you, the people."
  • "This doesn't belong to Vince McMahon... this doesn't belong to DX... this title belongs to the fans. I'm going to defend this title with all my heart, with all my blood, with all my sweat... because you know what? I am going to be YOUR Champion. I'm going to be the PEOPLE'S CHAMPION."
  • "My name is Jeff Jarrett, and if you want this title, if you want to take this title, you're just going to have to go through me, and pry this title away from my dead body."
  • Big pop for JJ.
  • BUUUUT... here's... Crush!? And he's got a Microphone.
  • "Jarrett, Mr. hero, Mr. People's Champ. You think this people give a shit(bleeped) about what you do or not do for them? These people only care about their own damn selves. Because when they're through with you, they won't even remember you for whatever you've done, or whoever you were."
  • Jarrett responds. "You want a piece of me? You want a piece of me, punk? You know I'm not going to back down on anyone, let alone you."
  • Crush chuckles. "That's what I like about you Jarrett, all balls, no brains. Yeah, I want a piece of you... inside that ring, tonight!"
  • Jarrett quickly retorts. "You want a match? You've got a match, Crush! IT'S ON!"
  • Crowd pops for the MATCH! Yeah. JR says that it's later TONIGHT!
• Charlie Scaggs def. Suicidal Kidd (M:87 C:77 O:82)
  • Scaggs vs. Kidd! It's LIGHTHEAVYWEIGHT FUN!
  • Kidd takes over with his CHEATING ways.
  • Kidd hits a nasty moonsault that gets him the two.
  • But Scaggs comes back with his own offensive.
  • Scaggs hits the 450 splash to grab the win.
• Vince McMahon goes off on his Associates! (Rating:91)
  • Cut backstage to Vince McMahon's office, where he is berating his three associates.
  • "Two jobbers and a man with a broken neck, and you COULDN'T BEAT THEM!? I hired you for one reason, and that's to ENFORCE MY will on the WWF Lockerroom, and you get your collective asses handed to you last night!?"
  • Several whispers of "I'm sorry Mr. McMahon..."
  • "I don't NEED apologies! You're going to learn that FAILURE has its own consequence! Oh yeah! You're going to feel the consequence tonight! Becuase Barry, tonight, you're going to go 1-on-1 with KANE! Yeah! you like that!? As for you, Robert, you and Bartholomew are going to step in the ring with the LEGION OF DOOM! And that match si NEXT! Now get the hell OUT OF MY OFFICE!"
  • Crowd cheers as they anticipate an ASS-WHOOPING tonight.
• Legion of Doom def. Associates Robert and Bartholomew (M:72 C:65 O:68)
  • LEGION OF DOOM!!! LEGION OF DOOM!!! They look pissed. That loss last night was not a great thing to sleep on.
  • From the first bell, LOD just completely DESTROYS Robert and Bartholomew.
  • I mean, seriously, brutality like this was not meant to be dished out to any man.
  • Anyway... DOOMSDAY DEVICE on Robert! That gives LOD the win.
• Farooq and Ahmed collide backstage! (Rating:74)
  • Cut backstage, and we see AHMED and FAROOQ exchanging pleasantries backstage. NOT.
  • I guess both men didn't like to be in the losing end of things last night.
  • A brawl is averted by several backstage security.
• Kane def. Associate Barry (M:60 C:73 O:69)
  • Aaaand Barry gets his ass handed to him by Kane, fresh off being unable to leave WM with the WWF Title.
  • A chokeslam and a tombstone later, it's over.
  • Here's Kurrgan, with Jim Cornette, and he rushes into the ring! He attacks Kane! And Kane fights back!
  • Kane CLOTHESLINES Kurrgan out of the ring, before doing his PYRO! The fans cheer as Kurrgan and Cornette make their way to the back!
• Rocky interrupts Mero's celebration (Rating:92)
  • Marc Mero is out to celebrate his IC Title win last night.
  • Mero asks for a microphone.
  • "Last night was the beginning, it was the beginning of a NEW era in the WWF. Last night you saw me pin Ken Shamrock in the middle of the ring, one, two, three."
  • Boos from the crowd. "That was simply MAGNIFICENT. I, I am simply MAGNIFICENT. Because from now on, you can call me MAGNIFICENT Marc Mero, Intercontinental Champion!"
  • More boos. He's getting SOLID heat. "Quite frankly, I got tired of being on the losing end, and finally decided to do things, MY way. And there is noone, NOONE in the back right now who can measure up to me..."
  • "THE ROCK SAYS..." And the crowd explodes! Huge pop for Rocky as he walks out with a microphone of his own!
  • "Did The Rock hear you correctly? Mero, the only thing magnificent about you is that your penis(bleeped) is magnificently small!" HUGE POP.
  • Mero looks pissed and starts to berate the crowd. "Shut the hell up! You all shut the hell up!" He turns to Rocky. "What're you doing here, interrupting MY celebration!? This is MY night! MY night damnit!"
  • Rocky smirks. "Let me tell you something, last night, I took Farooq straight to hell and back again inside the steel cage... and I came out on top! And this is YOUR night!? UH-UH! This is THE ROCK'S night! And I'm here to tell you that The Rock wants what is rightfully his! Mero, that Intercontinental Title rightfully belongs to The Rock!"
  • Mero grips the IC Title tightly. "No, no, no, no... what you don't understand, Rocky, is that you're going to have to go back to the back of the line... behind everyone else, because you're NOT going to get a title shot against me! See, there's a pecking order around here, and you, Rocky, are going to have to wait your turn! I'm the man on top, and I say that you don't get a shot at this!" Mero raises the title high.
  • Rocky just smiles. "The Rock thinks you're a funny man, Marc Mero. But when The Rock does get his title shot..." EYEBROW "...and believe me, The Rock will get his title shot... he's going to shine that Intercontinental Title real nice... and shove straight up your ass!" Rocky drops the mic as the fans CHEER!
  • Mero is furious in the ring! He can't believe Rocky Maivia just one-upped him at his own Title Celebration!
• Dustin Rhodes def. Savio Vega (M:83 C:73 O:78)
  • Rhodes vs. Vega! Smell the ratings.
  • They actually give the crowd a nice match.
  • Vega gains advantage, but is slow to use it for his own good.
  • Rhodes comes back! Lefts, rights! Slam!
  • Rhodes hits the Curtain-Call for the win!
• Steve Austin is ARRESTED! (Rating:87)
  • Backstage, we see Steve Austin sharing a beer with Charlie Scaggs, and welcoming back Dustin Rhodes from his win.
  • But heeer's Vince, and he's got two dozen security personell with him.
  • Vince spoils the party. "Well, well, well. What do we have here? Two re-instated WWF Superstars... Dustin Rhodes and Charlie Scaggs sharing a brewskie with their good old pal Stone Cold Steve Austin!"
  • Vince grabs a beer. "You don't mind, do you? No, of course you don't! If I remember correctly, Steve, I said that Rhodes and Scaggs would be reinstated as full-fledged WWF Superstars... but you, you? I never remember saying anything about you."
  • Vince sips a bit. "Stone Cold, you've got the balls to put the STUNNER on me? Vincent Kennedy McMahon?" Austin goes to reply, but is cut off by Vince. "OH HELL NO! You can't do what you did last night and walk away with it! Because as of right now, Austin, you're SUSPENDED! Now, take this piece of shit (bleeped) out of my arena!"
  • Security surround Austin, Rhodes and Scaggs. They manage to hold back Rhodes and Scaggs, and then put Austin in cuffs. Austin screams aloud as he's being dragged off by security. "McMahon, you sonofabitch! I'm going to get you! You can't put a crazy SOB like me out! I'm going to take you DOWN, Vince!"
  • Vince just grins wide as the camera pans from him to Austin flipping off the guards through his cuffs.
• Jeff Jarrett def. Crush (M:74 C:79 O:77)
  • Out first is Crush, who gets solid heel heat from this crowd.
  • "TRADITION", and your WWF CHAMPION... JEFF JARRETT!!!
  • JJ walks out, with his guitar! Yeah. The crowd pops big for him.
  • This is a NON-TITLE match.
  • Collar and elbow to begin, which Crush just powers through. He tossess JJ around a bit.
  • JJ with a poke to the eyes. Nice. JJ concentrating on Crushes' left leg.
  • Crush catches a JJ splash and hits a fall-away slam. That gets two.
  • Crush throws JJ to the turnbuckle and follows with a vicious clothesline.
  • Crush grabs JJ and beats him up a bit more.
  • He lifts JJ up with a body-press... but JJ counters into a DDT! Crush is reeling!
  • Reverse Side-Russian Legsweep! JJ connects! JJ stands up...
  • ...and is greeted in the head with a GUITAR SHOT!?
  • It's Hunter Hearst Helmsley, where the hell did he come from!? The ref just DQ'ed Crush!
  • TWO ON ONE AGAINST JJ!
• HHH gets revenge? (Rating:90)
  • Crush holds JJ up, as HHH grabs the WWF Title.
  • HHH grabs a mic as well. "How does it feel champ? How does it feel? Jarrett, your days are numbered. I told you, I told everyone, the WWF Title belongs to DX!"
  • HHH uses the Title and rams JJ in the head! JJ is down! Crush smiles.
  • HHH stands on top of a fallen Jarrett. "Jarrett, you don't know what you're up against... you're up against an ARMY, Jeff... an ARMY. And no single man can stand up against an entire army. Your time as champ is ticking, Jarrett... and soon enough, this title is going back where it belongs... around DX's waist."
  • HHH addresses the people. "Is this the best? Is this YOUR people's champion? You're going to find out that the PEOPLE aren't good enough to take on the DX Army... you're ALL going to find out!" He turns to Jarrett as he tosses the title to the mat. "For now, Jarrett, you can SUCK IT!" CROTCH CHOP!
  • JR assumes that Crush has joined DX!? Is this the making of a new DX army? JR calls HHH a no good SonOfaBitch (bleeped) and says that there will be hell to pay, as the show closes!

My only concern, is that you're pioneering the NEW ERA and the attitude era with a champion that stands for Tradition and old school values. :S

WRESTLEMANIA XIV: DX-RAIDED - Mar. 29, 1998

Show Rating: 76

PPV Buy Rate: 0.90

Dark Match / Heat Main Event

• Mr. Aguila def. Suicidal Kidd (M:82 C:73 O:77)
  • Nice LHW match here.
  • Aguila is back on the win column by beating the Suicidal Kidd.

Pay Per View

• Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to WRESTLEMANIA XIV! The granddaddy of 'em all!
• Fireworks! Glitz! Glamour!
• Your hosts tonight are Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler!
• We are LIVE from the Fleet Center in Boston!
• The Fink walks out, and introduces the band to perform the American National Anthem.
• Fink takes the microphone, ladies and gentlemen...
• ...AREOSMITH!!! The crowd goes NUTS! They perform a bitching rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, to the delight of the crowd!
• WRESTLEMANIA IS NOW UNDERWAY!!!

• Kurrgan def. Ahmed Johnson (M:58 C:61 O:60)
  • Our first match of the evening... scheduled for one fall, with a 10-minute time limit.
  • Kurrgan walks out to mild fan reaction. James Cornette is beside him, brandishing a nice yellow suit and a tennis racket.
  • Ahmed Johnson is out next. AHHHHMEEED JOHNSOOOON! Says the Fink.
  • Staredown to start the match. The fans are just getting warmed up.
  • Ahmed shoves Kurrgan, and Kurrgan shoves BACK!
  • BRAWL! Fists are exchanged between both big men, but the size advantage of Kurrgan of Ahmed is certainly showing.
  • Several rest holds and power moves later, we see Ahmed climbing back out of a hole and starting to gain momentum.
  • Ahmed goes for the Pearl River Plunge! But he can't lift Kurrgan! Jim Cornette jumps on the apron.
  • Cornette distracts Ahmed, and Kurrgan catches him with a GIANT BOOT to the face! Kurrgan covers for the pin, and gets it! The crowd boos.
  • Kurrgan and Cornette celebrate in the ring as the crowd gives them heat. Ahmed gets up, he CLOTHESLINES Kurrgan out of the ring!
  • James Cornette is like a trapped rat! Ahmed grabs him, PEARL RIVER PLUNGE! The crowd cheers!
• We get several WrestleMania moments in history involving tag teams. The Legion of Doom, Demolition, Hart Foundation... etc.
• Michael Cole is backstage and he interviews the Quebecers, while Kevin Kelly interview LOD after them.

• The Quebecers def. Legion of Doom (M:76 C:76 O:75)
  • The Quebecers are out, with their manager Ray Rougeau. Crowd gives them a piece of their minds.
  • OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH WHAAAAAAAAAT A RRRRRRRRRRRRRRUSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!!! The Legion of Doom arrive, and the fans explode!
  • Here we go... it's like a battle of early 90's tag teams!
  • The Legion of Doom take control from the start, using various power moves to offset the Quebecers.
  • But the Quebecers use their dastardly HEEL TACTICS to come back!
  • Hawk's been ISOLATED! Oh no.
  • Carl Oulette and Jacques Rougeau are double-teaming Hawk! He can't make the tag!
  • Double clothesline by Hawk and Oulette! THE RACE IS ON!
  • Hot tag by Hawk to Animal! ANIMAL CLEARS THE RING!
  • Hawk and Animal try to go for the DOOMSDAY DEVICE!
  • Ray Rougeau is distracting the ref! Jacques shoves Hawk off of the top rope! CHOP BLOCK BY JACQUES ON ANIMAL
  • Carl Oulette hits a CANNONBALL off the top rope! COVER! ONE, TWO THREE! THE QUEBECERS WIN!
  • The Quebecers high-tail it out of the ring, obviously content at grabbing the victory agaisnt the Legion of Doom! Hawk and Animal are in the ring, and are beside themselves in frustration!
• Backstage, Cole interviews the Quebecers. Ray Rougeau says that the Quebecers are on their way to the top the WWF Tag Team scene with this win!
• We cut to an interview by Kevin Kelly on Brian Christopher. BC promises to defend his title from the fearful jap TONIGHT.

• WWF Lightheavyweight Title: Taka Michinoku def. Brian Christopher© (M:85 C:70 O:77)
  • The next match is scheduled for ONE FALL. It is for the WWF LIGHTHEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP!
  • Taka's music starts playing, and the fans cheer. He's got an all-business look on his face right now.
  • And here's Brian Christopher! The Champ walks down the aisle and steps into the ring.
  • Before the match starts, BC berates Taka, yapping his mouth. Taka silences him with a swift punch to the face!
  • And we are off! Nice match, Taka is certainly carrying Christopher tonight.
  • Michinoku hits a wicked moonsault, but that only nets him 2.
  • BC tries his best to counter Taka's offense, but is overwhelmed.
  • Nice spot with taka doing a flying cross-body from the ring to the outside on BC.
  • Several two-counts later and BC is not going to get himself pinned!
  • But Taka finally hits the MICHINOKU DRIVER! ONE, TWO, THREE! TAKA MICHINOKU REGAINS THE WWF LIGHTHEAVYWEIGHT TITLE!
  • Taka celebrates as BC slinks away.
• Backstage interview by Michael Cole on Taka, who speaks in Japanese. Cole smiles, not knowing a single word Taka said.
• The New Age Outlaws are backstage, and they are prepping for their tag-match against Full Throttle! It's game time, baby!

• WWF Tag Team Titles: New Age Outlaws© def. Full Throttle (M:88 C:68 O:78)
  • Full Throttle is out, nice reaction for a rookie tag team.
  • LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS.... CHILDREN OF ALL AGES! Road Dogg is out, and he and Gunn do their schtick, the fans seem to be warming up to the tag champs.
  • Decent enough brawl.
  • Steele and Hardcastle manage to isolate Road Dogg.
  • The fans seem to be rooting for the Outlaws!?
  • Heeeere's the hot tag to Billy Gunn. BRAWL BRAWL.
  • The rooks are proving that they can put on a solid performance in the big show.
  • They set Gunn up for the SONIC BOOM, but Dogg manages to disrupt the move and a 2-on-2 melee ensues.
  • Dogg and Hardcastle fight outside, while Gunn and Steele duke it out inside the ring.
  • Gunn wins it for the Outlaws with a rocker dropper on Steele. The New Age Outlaws RETAIN!
• Backstage with Kevin Kelly, interviewing Hunter Hearst Helmsley. HHH promises to leave Boston with the WWF Title.
• Dustin Rhodes,Charlie Scaggs and Steve Austin are backstage, and he's being interviewed by Michael Cole. They're ready. They're set to KICK ASS.

• Dustin Rhodes, Charlie Scaggs, Steve Austin def. The Associates: Barry, Robert and Bartholomew (M:69 C:70 O:69)
  • Vince McMahon walks out with his Associates. They get nice heat from the crowd. McMahon powerwalks and sits in the commentary booth.
  • Charlie Scaggs is out, and then Dustin Rhodes, and then... THE GLASS SHATTERS! STONE COLD! STONE COLD! STONE COLD!
  • The faces run into the ring, and it is PIER 6 BRAWL!
  • The ref regains some semblance of order as Rhodes and Barry fight it out.
  • Everyone gets their fair share of action. Austin gets a huge pop from the crowd every time he does something.
  • This degenerates into an all-out BRAWL! Jeez.
  • RHODES HITS THE CURTAIN CALL ON BARRY! SCAGGS HITS A PLANCHA ON ROBERT! AUSTIN WITH A STUNNER ON BARTHOLOMEW!
  • Three men! They all cover their guys... and the ref counts! ONE TWO THREE!!! AUSTIN, RHODES AND SCAGGS WIN! Vince McMahon can't believe it!
  • Rhodes and Scaggs are full-time WWF Superstars once again!
  • McMahon is TAUNTING Austin at ringside! Austin sees him and drags him into the ring!
  • Vince suddenly goes down on his knees and pleads with Rhodes, Scaggs and Austin! Austin flips him off! STUNNER ON VINCE! And they TOSS him out of the ring! The fans cheer them on!
• Backstage, we see Vince McMahon being attended to by EMT's. McMahon has a somber look on his face... he's not responding to any of the EMT's questions.
• We then switch to Marc Mero being interviewed by Kevin Kelly. Mero says that tonight, he's going to show why he's the Magnificent One. He's not just marvelous, he's absolutely magnificent. Nice.

• WWF Intercontinental Title: Marc Mero def. Ken Shamrock (M:81 C:80 O:80)
  • Mero walks out to brand new music, and a snazzy looking robe. Hooha. He get HEEL HEAT. Wow. nice.
  • And here's KEN SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMROCK! OH YEAH. He's got that Terminator look on his face. You know this is going to be good.
  • Shamrock doesn't waste any time, as he assaults Mero before the latter is even able to disrobe.
  • Mero fights back with... AN EYE POKE!
  • That opens up a flurry of offense from Mero, who looks like he's finally motivated!
  • Shamrock retaliates! German suplex! Fireman's carry! And into a ankle-lock! NO! Mero is quick on his feet.
  • The fight spills outside! Mero throws Shamrock to the steel steps, and that slows him down.
  • Mero target's Shamrock's weak back, hurt after that vicious spot on the steel steps.
  • The fight goes back inside the ring!
  • Shamrock's HURTING.
  • But Shamrock manages to come back! The fans are rootin for him!
  • Belly-to-belly! ANKLE LOCK! Mero is in the middle of the ring!
  • But Mero crawls to the ropes and BARELY makes it! The ref calls for Shamrock to let go of Mero!
  • Shamrock releases the hold and raises his arms! Shamrock thinks he's won!? The ref is telling him no!
  • Mero sneaks up from behind, and rolls him up in a cradle! Mero's holding the ropes! The ref counts! ONE TWO THREE! Marc Mero is the NEW Intercontinental Champion!
  • Mero rolls out of the ring and grabs the title from the timekeeper. He holds it up high on the way back, to the disdain of the crowd!
  • Shamrock SNAPS! AND HE PLACES THE REFEREE IN THE ANKLE LOCK! The crowd cheers! Security runs to the ring, and pries Shamrock off of the ref!
  • Shamrock is escorted to the back by security!
• Look, it's Jennifer Flowers! She's interviewing Rocky.
• Rocky says that he's going to take Farooq out tonight, the steel cage is going to be what sets the men apart from the boys.
• Farooq apparently won't stand a chance... if you smell what the Rock is cooking. (first time he drops the line on anyone).
• Cut to Michael Cole standing by with Farooq and the Nation. Farooq promises PAIN tonight, with OR without the Nation behind him.

• Cage Match: Rocky Maivia def. Farooq (M:72 C:90 O:84)
  • The camera pans as the Cage is slowly lowered, just high enough for the entrants to step in.
  • WE ARE THE NATION, OF DOMINATION! Farooq is out. Big boos from the crowd. Yeah yeah yeah.
  • THE ROCK SAYS... and here's ROCKY MAIVIA. The arena literally explodes. This is the hottest it has been all night!
  • Maivia and Farooq are in the ring. Fink explains the rules... first man to leave the cage and put both feet on the floor, WINS.
  • The cage is LOWERED down. New nice looking steel mesh cage.
  • AND WE ARE OFF TO A BRAWL! The fans are just CHEERING THIS ON.
  • Lefts and rights are exchanged by Farooq and Rocky!
  • Farooq throws Rocky into the cage! And catches him on the rebound... Spine Buster!
  • Farooq taunts Rocky a bit. Seems like he doesn't want to end this match quickly.
  • Farooq throws Rocky into the turnbuckle. And follows up with a vicious clothesline!
  • Farooq takes over for a full three minutes! Slams. Punches. Kicks to the head!
  • HEEEERE'S ROCKY on the comeback! LEFT! LEFT! RIGHT! RIGHT! CLOTHESLINE ON FAROOQ!
  • Rocky grabs Farooq and hits a mean-looking DDT!
  • Rocky throws Farooq into the CAGE! Ouch!
  • Rocky then whips Farooq across the ropes... but Farooq takes Rocky out with a BOOT TO THE FACE!
  • Farooq spears Rocky into the CAGE! Rocky. IS. BLEEDING. !!!!
  • Farooq punks Rocky around like a rag doll, and now he's signalling for the DOMINATOR!
  • But Rocky POWERS OUT OF IT! BACKDROP!
  • Rocky goes for a slam! another one! ELBOW DROP on Farooq!
  • This is NOT a cage match... this is a WAR.
  • Rocky takes Farooq and throws him to the cage, FACE-FIRST!
  • BOTH MEN ARE BLEEDING! CRIMSON MASKS EVERYWHERE!
  • Weakened lefts, weakened rights from both men!
  • DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE AND BOTH MEN ARE DOWN!
  • They are slow to get up... Farooq is up first, however! He goes for another Dominator!
  • Rocky, in complete desperation, is hoisted up, but he flips around and hits a spinning DDT!
  • Rocky CRAWLS! He CRAWLS TO THE DOOR OF THE CAGE.
  • Farooq is crawling behind him!
  • Rocky has half of his body out... but Farooq grabs his legs!
  • BUT FAROOQ LOSES ALL STRENGTH! ROCKY IS OUT! ROCKY IT OUT! MAIVIA WINS! MAIVIA WINS! The crowd explodes in cheer! Rocky raises his hand up, all bloodied and battered!
• WWF Title Match Time! We see Jarrett prepping up backstage. IT'S TIME! IT'S TIME!
• HHH walks backstage with Chyna.

• WWF Title: Jeff Jarrett def. Kane, Hunter Hearst Helmsley (M:76 C:84 O:81)
  • LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE NEXT MATCH IS FOR THE VACANT WWF CHAMPIONSHIP!
  • Fink anounces that the first man to earn a pinfall or a submission will be the winner.
  • First out is Jeff Jarrett, and he gets a healthy pop from the crowd. TRADITION. He's got a guitar with him! He raises it to the crowd as they cheer.
  • "Are YOU READY!?" HHH walks out with Chyna, and crotch chops the audience. Nice. He gets solid heat.
  • Organ Music. FIRE. KANE!!! Kane walks out with Paul Bearer!
  • Three men, one title... LET'S GET THIS SHIT GOING!
  • JJ and HHH seem to be on the same page as they assault Kane from the first bell!
  • But Kane powers back! He tosses JJ out of the ring, and pounds on HHH!
  • Kane delivers some hard throat-thrusts on HHH! He whips HHH across the ring into a turnbuckle!
  • Kane runs at him, but is tripped by JJ at the apron!
  • JJ climbs back in and starts pounding Kane!
  • HHH is just standing there, content at waiting...
  • ...and Kane powers out of JJ's attack!
  • HHH decides to have some of the action and clips the back of Kane's leg!
  • DOUBLE-TEAM ON KANE!
  • They manage to pull several double-team maneuvers on Kane. JJ goes for the figure four!?
  • But HHH rolls him up from behind! TWO COUNT!
  • HHH takes over as he tosses JJ to the ropes and hits solid flying knee.
  • HHH covers again! BUT IS BROKEN UP BY KANE!
  • Kane has got HHH and he throws him OUT! JJ is down and hurt. Kane follows after HHH!
  • HHH runs away, and Kane follows! Chyna shoves Bearer into Kane's path, halting the big man in his tracks!
  • HHH then hits a massive clothesline on Kane! The monster is still up! HHH kicks Kane's shin and hits a DDT!
  • HHH climbs back in, and concentrates on JJ!
  • But JJ surprises him with a roll-up! TWO!
  • JJ now on the offensive! Punches! He's painted HHH into a corner. Whips him across into another corner!
  • JJ runs at HHH and hits a clothesline!
  • Cover! TWO! HHH barely gets his shoulder up!
  • Kane climbs back into the ring! He grabs JJ and tosses him out! Jeez!
  • Kane grabs HHH and picks him up... CHOKESLAM!!! HHH IS DOWN! KANE SIGNALS FOR THE TOMBSTONE!
  • Kane has HHH! TOMBSTONE! TOMBSTONE! It's over! It's over!
  • Kane covers... ONE... TWO... THR-NO!!!! SOMEONE'S PULLED KANE OFF OF HHH!!! IT'S KURRGAN!!! IT'S KURRGAN!!! The ref can't do anything! PINFALL OR SUBMISSION!!!
  • Kurrgan and Kane BRAWL TO THE BACK!!!! Bearer follows suit!
  • JJ climbs in... he covers... ONE...TWO...THRE- NO!!! HHH HAS A SHOULDER UP!!!
  • JJ picks HHH up, but HHH kicks JJ in the gut!!! PEDIGREE!!!
  • HHH covers... ONE...TWO...THRE-JARRETT HAS A SHOULDER UP!!!! JARRETT KICKED OUT!
  • HHH is frustrated!!! He yells at Chyna!!! Chyna grabs the guitar!!! Chyna tosses the guitar to HHH!!! The ref is admonishing them, but he CAN'T DO ANYTHING!
  • JJ stands up on one knee... wobbly legs... HHH SWINGS!!! JJ DUCKS!!! WHAM!!! CHYNA IS DOWN!!! HHH HIT CHYNA WITH THE GUITAR!!!
  • HHH turns around... right into a REVERSE SIDE-RUSSIAN LEGSWEEP FROM JARRETT!!!!
  • JJ COVERS... ONE... TWO... THREE!!! JARRET WINS!!! JARRET IS THE NEW WWF CHAMPION!!! THE CROWD EXPLODES!!! THEY CHEER THEIR NEW CHAMP!!!
  • JJ slowly gets up, and with a teary face, is handed the WWF Title!!!
  • JJ holds the title up for the crowd!!! They cheer him on!!! Jarrett does a crotch chop on the fallen HHH!!! That gets a solid pop!!!
  • JR proclaims that a new era is dawning in the WWF!!! JEFF JARRETT IS THE NEW WWF CHAMPION!!!
  • The show ends with JJ on two knees in the middle of the ring with the WWF TItle!!!

WWF Monday Night RAW - Mar. 23, 1998

Show Rating: 74

RAW TV Rating: 5.01

Nitro TV Rating: 5.64

COMING SOON: WRESTLEMANIA XIV! MARCH 29, 1998!

• Vince McMahon makes a tag match for tonight! (Rating:90)
  • WELCOME TO RAW! WrestleMania is exactly SIX DAYS AWAY!
  • Vince McMahon walks out, and he gives a speech.
  • Apparently Steve Austin surprised everyone by coming back last week.
  • Austin won't be making any surprise appearances tonight, because he's BANNED the RattleSnake from entering the arena!
  • Vince says that tonight, there's going to be a TAG MATCH involving Dustin Rhodes and Charlie Scaggs... they will be taking on Barry and Bartholomew.
  • Vince promises that at WrestleMania, there's only going to be one way to be followed around here in the WWF.
  • And that way, is Vincent Kennedy McMahon's way!
  • He GUARANTEES a win for the Associates at WrestleMania, and by god... a guarantee from Vince McMahon doesn't come cheap!
• Taka Michinoku & Mr. Aguila def. Brian Christopher & Suicidal Kidd (M:79 C:71 O:75)
  • LHW tag action.
  • Nice match overall.
  • Taka hit the Michinoku driver on Kidd after Christopher basically quit on the match.
  • Taka motions for the LHW Title, while BC puts on a pissed off face.
  • Hooah.
• Kurrgan interview w/ Jim Cornette (Rating:79)
  • Backstage, we see Kurrgan w/ Cornette.
  • Kurrgan's ready! Kurrgan's going to annihilate Ahmed! Says Cornette!
  • Ahmed shows up!
  • Ahmed says for Cornette and Kurrgan to BETTER be damn ready.
  • Ahmed says that the PAIN TRAIN is coming, and it's passing right through Kurrgan at WrestleMania!
• Kane def. Bradshaw (M:52 C:63 O:59)
  • KANE! BRADSHAW! FEEL THE STIFFNESS!
  • Kane destroys Bradshaw in trademark Kane fashion.
  • CHOKESLAM. TOMBSTONE. OVER.
• Associate Robert ATTACKS Charlie Scaggs! (Rating:54)
  • We cut to backstage, and Charlie Scaggs is being attended to by medics! Scaggs is down! We see Associate Robert smiling behind the scenes.
  • What happens to the tag match!? OH NO!
• Full Throttle def. Kama Mustafa & Mark Henry (M:57 C:59 O:58)
  • Henry and Mustafa show up. WE ARE THE NATION!
  • Full Throttle have their hands full against this power-duo.
  • Decent brawl. Henry was working too stiff and almost took Roderick Steele's head off.
  • Henry is thrown out of the ring, and Throttle powers back against Kama.
  • Full Throttle win via a Sonic Boom on Kama.
• Associate Barry and Associate Bartholomew def. Dustin Rhodes (M:70 C:68 O:69)
  • Vince McMahon walks out with a big smile. Seems like Scaggs is out, so Rhodes will have to go at it ALONE!
  • Huge Austin chants! But no Steve.
  • Rhodes is beaten, but he still fights back.
  • Barry hits a Powerbomb for the win.
• Austin is HERE! (Rating:90)
  • Vince walks into the ring.
  • Apparently, he's orderd all of the arena's security to stop Austin from entering the Arena.
  • WAIT! AUSTIN'S RUNNING DOWN THE AISLE! HE'S GOT 3 SECURITY GUYS AFTER HIM!
  • AND AUSTIN CLEARS THE RING, BEFORE MCMAHON CAN DO MORE DAMAGE ON DUSTIN!
  • McMahon screams for the security to detain and expell Austin!
  • More security run down the ramp. Austin delivers one stunner after another!
  • Security finally manages to take control of Stone Cold, and cuffs him!
  • Fans are booing! McMahon SLAPS Austin for good measure! Oh my!
  • McMahon says that Austin will LOSE at WrestleMania, because HE'S VINCENT KENNEDY MCMAHON!
• Rocky Maivia def. D'Lo Brown (M:85 C:74 O:79)
  • Back from commercial break.
  • ROCKY AND D'LO! SMELL THE HEAT!
  • Nice match. Farooq is ringside.
  • Farooq tries to distract Rocky, but Rocky isn't biting.
  • Farooq finally interferes, causing the DQ win for Maivia!
  • Farooq and D'Lo put the boots on Rocky! Rocky is down!
  • DOMINATOR ON MAIVIA! Farooq stands on top of Rocky, and says that his ass is GRASS at WM!
• Kane interview w/ Paul Bearer (Rating:79)
  • Cut backstage, to Kane w/ Bearer.
  • Bearer says that what happened earlier tonight was nothing compared to what was going to happen at 'Mania.
  • Bearer explains that Kane leaves a trail of destruction behind him... and at WrestleMania, Kane was going to win the WWF Title and reign supreme.
• Jeff Jarrett & Ken Shamrock draw Hunter Hearst Helmsley & Marc Mero (M:84 C:83 O:83)
  • Nice match. The faces got solid pops and the heels got solid heat.
  • Various combinations in this one, as Jarrett and Shamrock manage to comeback from being dominated by HHH and Mero.
  • Shamrock and Mero spills their fight out into the crowd!
  • JJ and HHH left in the ring, and the FANS ARE EATING IT UP! JESUS!
  • BOOOOM! THE RINGPOSTS LIGHTUP AND KANE IS HEADED FOR THE RING! JJ AND HHH SEEM TO HAVE DECIDED TO TEAM UP FOR NOW!
  • KANE DESTROYS HHH AND JEFF JARRETT! CHOKESLAM ON HHH! CHOKESLAM ON JJ!
  • Kane stands in the middle of the ring, with his opponents at WM laid out... and does his pyro!
  • JR is reminding us to watch WrestleMania! KANE! THE MONSTER! KANE! WILL HE BE THE NEXT WWF CHAMPION!?!?

NO SHOTGUN THIS WEEK!

AP - The WWF have decided to scrap Shotgun for this week, instead airing a "Best-Of-WrestleMania" special on the eve of their annual PPV Spectacular: WrestleMania. Production for the show will return next week, following WrestleMania XIV.

WrestleMania XIV will be coming live from the Fleet Center in Boston this Sunday, Mar. 29, 1998. Contact your local PPV Provider for details.

WWF Sunday Night Heat - Mar. 22, 1998

Show Rating: 71

TV Rating: 5.42

• Hunter Hearst Helmsley interview (Rating:77)
  • HHH opens the show with a taped interview! Hoorah. He's got Chyna with him.
  • HHH says that it doesn't matter what he has to do, he's going to beat Jarrett and Kane to win the title back for DX.
  • HHH says that he's not going down, and he's going to walk out of WM with the title.
  • HHH says that when everything is set and done, DX will still be on top of the entire Wrestling World.
• Brian Christopher def. Scott Taylor (M:82 C:72 O:77)
  • LIGHTHEAVYWEIGHT MATCH!
  • The LHW Champ is on fire.
  • He takes Scott Taylor to school.
  • Booyah, legdrop from the top rope wins this one for BC!
• Marc Mero interview (Rating:70)
  • Marc Mero taped interview.
  • Mero talks about being held back. Held back by everyone. Held back by Sable, held back by the fans, held back by Ken Shamrock.
  • He's never going to be held back again. Mero says that he's going to take the IC Title from Shamrock and spearhead his way into the WWF Title.
  • Mero says that when his time comes... it's going to be Magnificent... Magnificent like Marc Mero.
• Legion of Doom def. The Godwinns (M:57 C:61 O:59)
  • SQUASH.
• The Quebecers interview (Rating:65)
  • OY! It's the canadians!
  • Ray Rougeau says that at WrestleMania, the Quebecers will cement themselve back into the WWF Headlines.
  • Jacques and Carl Oulette detail how they're going to beat down the Legion of Doom.
  • After WM, they say, the Legion of Doom will find out that they're no match for Canadians, OY!
• Farooq def. Chainz (M:88 C:61 O:74)
  • Nice match. Brawl!
  • Farooq wins with the dominator. Ouchies.
• Stone Cold phone interview (Rating:92)
  • Austin phones in and talks to Cole and Kelly.
  • Cole remarks that his appearance last week came as a shock to everyone, including himself.
  • Cole asks Austin if he's coming back tomorrow night on RAW, and Austin guarantees that he'll be raising hell.
  • Austin is asked about his injury, Steve says that he's good to go. Ready to take names and kick ass at WrestleMania.
  • Austin tells everyone that the toughest SOB in the WWF is back, and he's here to stay!
• Kane def. Tom Brandi (M:57 C:66 O:63)
  • Tom Brandi must. be. hurting. All hail the job brigade!
  • SQUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH. Chokeslam. Tombstone. OVER.
  • Cole reminds us to watch RAW! WrestleMania is ONE WEEK AWAY!

WWF Shotgun Saturday Night - Mar. 21, 1998

Show Rating: 75

TV Rating: 0.04

• Rocky Maivia interview (Rating: 95)
  • In-studio interview by Michael Cole on Rocky Maivia.
  • Rocky says that it doesn't matter when, it doesn't matter where, steel cage or not, he's going to lay some smack down at WrestleMania.
  • Rocky says that he thinks Farooq is one crazy lunatic. The Nation's nothing more but a sham.
  • Rocky says that at WM, the Nation won't be there to save Farooq's monkey ass, and he's going to take him straight to school.
  • If you smell what he's cookin', do you?
• The Quebecers def. The Bushwhackers (M:27 C:59 O:49)
  • Quebecers win!!! SQUASH!!! SQUASH!!!
• Full Throttle interview (Rating:72)
  • Full Throttle, taped interview.
  • Sexton Hardcastle says that it's WrestleMania! The biggest show of 'em all, and Full Throttle's ready to step in and win the tag titles.
  • Roderick Steele says that at WrestleMania, they're going pedal to the medal, straight to the top of the mountain.
  • RS flexes as SH talks about being two of the fastest rising stars in the WWF, and by grabbing the gold gainst the New Age Outlaws, Full Throttle will make it into the record books among the quickest to win the Tag Titles upon debuting for the WWF.
• New Age Outlaws def. The Godwinns (M:75 C:65 O:70)
  • SQUASH!!! Doh.
• WrestleMania Main Hype Video (Rating:83)
  • Hype video for WM14!
  • Match card shown!
  • Hype for Austin's return!
  • Hype for the Main Event!
  • Cole says it's one week away! Order at your local PPV provider!

I just started reading. Who is Charlie Scaggs, and why is he teaming with Austin? Batholomew is Bart Gunn, Robert is Bob Holly and Barry is Barry Windham? I think I got that right. Who is Full Throttle, and umm... other than that, I think I am set. Good card.

WRESTLEMANIA XIV: DX-RAIDED

March 29, 1998 - Fleet Center, Boston, Mass.

• Main Event for the VACANT WWF Championship:

  KANE vs. HUNTER HEARST HELMSLEY vs. JEFF JARRETT

• Cage Match (The Nation and DOA are banned from ringside):

  FAROOQ vs. ROCKY MAIVIA

• Six-man Special Stipulation Tag Match:

  DUSTIN RHODES, CHARLIE SCAGGS & STEVE AUSTIN vs. THE McMAHON ASSOCIATES: BARTHOLOMEW, ROBERT AND BARRY

• WWF Intercontinental Championship:

  KEN SHAMROCK © vs. MARC MERO

• WWF Tag Team Championship:

  THE NEW AGE OUTLAWS © vs. FULL THROTTLE

• WWF Lightheavyweight Championship:

  BRIAN CHRISTOPHER © vs. TAKA MICHINOKU

• AHMED JOHNSON vs. KURRGAN

• LEGION OF DOOM vs. THE QUEBECERS (W/ RAY ROUGEAU)

WWF Monday Night RAW - Mar. 16, 1998

Show Rating: 81

RAW TV Rating: 5.06

Nitro TV Rating: 5.62

COMING SOON: WRESTLEMANIA XIV! MARCH 29, 1998!

• Taka Michinoku def. Scott Taylor (M:100 C:73 O:86)
  • Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to RAAAAW! Tonight, all three WM headliners in action! And... ROCKY MAIVIA VS. FAROOQ!
  • What better way to start things off, other than with a red-hot lightheavyweight match!
  • Michinoku and Taylor proceed to TEAR THE HOUSE DOWN.
  • The crowd was into this one, and they put on a solid, solid match.
  • Michinoku hit a couple of high-spots, and Taylor responded with a few of his own.
  • Taylor went for a cross-body splash from the top rope that Michinoku countered with a drop-kick!
  • Taka then hit the Michinoku driver, and covered for the pin.
  • Whew. That was fun.
• Kurrgan is apparently, WORKING OUT. (Rating:86)
  • We cut to a taped segement with Jim Cornette and Kurrgan!
  • Apparently, Cornette's training Kurrgan in a rock quarry.
  • We see Kurrgan lifting rocks and throwing them aside.
  • Cornette says that Kurrgan's going to annihilate Ahmed Johnson!
  • He says that come WrestleMania, Ahmed is going to regret ever coming back to the WWF!
  • Kurrgan gives us a mighty roar and throws more rocks, while Cornette cackles in glee.
• Jeff Jarrett def. Associate Barry (M:68 C:76 O:63)
  • Associate Barry is out alone, the other Associates are with Vinnie-mac.
  • JJ is out and the crowd pops huge. Hoorah.
  • Nice brawl going on. But these two really didn't click much throughout the match. Barry Windham was too much of an "old-school" brawler.
  • JJ manages to hit a reverse-side-russian legsweep and then locked in the Figure Four to make Windham quit. Yay.
  • JJ poses for the crowd a bit.
• The Canadians plot! (Rating:68)
  • We cut backstage, where we see the Quebecers along with Ray Rougeau, PLOTTING!
  • They head off to the parking lot... whoops. Are those LOD's bikes?
  • Oh great. They start whacking the bikes with their candian batons. They've got... spray paint!? Nice. Painting the bikes a bright pink.
  • Aaaaaaaaaaand here's LOD!
  • BRAWL! BRAWL! BRAWL!
  • Staff and security run in to separate the two teams. BY GOD, they're all HOSSES!
• Kane def. Crush (M:81 C:77 O:79)
  • KANE! CRUSH! FEEL THE BRAWLNESS!
  • Crush gets big heel heat. Nice.
  • Kane gets a decent enough pop. He's been on a down swing since his 1 on 1 with Michaels was scrapped
  • Test of strength to start the match, which Crush loses.
  • Crush opts to go through the cheat and win route.
  • Kane is UNSTOPPABLE.
  • Crush finaly snaps and picks up a chair. He smashes Kane with it and gets called for the DQ.
  • BUT KANE IS UNFAZED! HE SITS UP! This rattles Crush, and he leaves the ring, staring at the chair with the man-sized dent on it.
  • Kane liggts the ringposts on FIRE! Yeah. Gotta love that. Paul Bearer is beaming, Kane is on the fast track to the WWF Title.
• Mero Challenges Shamrock for the IC Title! (Rating:78)
  • Marc Mero is out. He gets big heel heat from the crowd.
  • Mero talks about making his debut at WrestleMania 12. He says that ever since he's stepped into the WWF, he's always been a good guy.
  • Mero says that he thinks the people are crap. He says that they never supported him, they always overlooked him.
  • Mero then says the same thing applies to Ken Shamrock. He had Shamrock's back from the very start.
  • Mero says that when the Nation took him out, Shamrock was nowhere to be found.
  • He says that during the Battle Royale, Shamrock was the reason why he was eliminated.
  • And last week, with a chance to win the tag-titles, Shamrock was too selfish to tag him in.
  • Mero was through with being a nice guy. He was better than Shamrock, in every way. He was simply, MARVELOUS.
  • Mero calls out Shamrock!
  • Shamrock is out!
  • Shamrock just stares into Mero with cold, calculating eyes.
  • Mero says that if Shamrock is a man, he's going to give him a title shot for the IC Championship at WrestleMania.
  • Shamrock just stares.
  • Mero berates Shamrock, and then slaps him in the face!!!
  • THAT causes a BRAWL! Shamrock beats Mero up and tosses him out.
  • Shamrock grabs the mic, while addressing a retreating Mero. "YOU WANT A SHOT? YOU GOT IT! AND AT WRESTLEMANIA, I'M GOING TO BREAK YOU, MERO!"
  • OOOOOH. Nice.
• Farooq draw Rocky Maivia (M:77 C:86 O:83)
  • Farooq is out, he is with the entire Nation. Kama, D'Lo and Mark Henry.
  • Rocky is out, riding a nice Harley! He's got DOA behind him! Chainz, 8-Ball and Skull!
  • Face-off to start. The crowd EATS IT UP. Booyah.
  • Rocky flips off Farooq! AND IT'S A BRAWL, FOLKS!
  • Good match, swinging both ways. Both teams outside are hesitant to interfere.
  • Rocky flips off the Nation, before hitting a sweet elbow drop on Farooq!
  • Farooq powers his way back.
  • Rocky takes advantage. He climbs up top. BUT IS SHOVED DOWN BY D'LO!
  • THAT SETS OFF AN 8-MAN BRAWL! JESUS H. CHEEEERIST!
  • It takes almost a dozen security guys to separate both teams! The crowd goes nuts! Wow.
• Vince McMahon announces a CAGE MATCH! (Rating:90)
  • Back from a commercial break, and we are in the ring, as Vince McMahon has walked out with his Associates!
  • He's got Farooq and Rocky Maivia standing in front of him, being separated by security personell.
  • Vince says that if they wanted to fight, he had no problem, and gave them that fight tonight.
  • Vince then says that they ruined what was a money match for tonight, by bringing in their respective groups.
  • He was a fair man, says Vince, and that he's going to give them another opportunity to bash each other's brains in.
  • He says that that won't be a problem ANYMORE... because at WrestleMania XIV, Farooq and Rocky will get to settle their differences inside a STEEL CAGE! The crowd EXPLODES. Yeesh.
  • Vince tells them to clear the ring, because he has BUSINESS to attend to.
• Hunter Hearst Helmsley def. Charlie Scaggs (M:75 C:77 O:76)
  • Vinnie Mac remains at ringside and sits with JR and King. He has Associate Barry, Robert and Bartholomew with him.
  • Match. HHH is out, flanked by Chyna. They get heat.
  • Charlie Scaggs is out, Dustin Rhodes is with him.
  • The match is pretty quick. Scaggs puts in several high-flying moves.
  • HHH grounds and pounds quickly.
  • Rhodes is cautious of Chyna and the Associates. Ready to protect his buddy.
  • Scaggs has HHH in a bind, and almost won it... barely missing with the 450 splash.
  • HHH is quick to capitalize and hits a Pedigree! He covers for the pin! And he gets the match!
  • Vince barks out orders to Barry, who jumps into the ring! Bart and Robert fight with Rhodes!
  • Vince screams at HHH to "get the hell out of the ring!" HHH and Chyna decide that this ain't their battle, and walk out.
  • Vince reveals a pair of cuffs and slaps it on Scaggs, whos now cuffed to the ropes!
• Rhodes gets beaten down! (Rating:77)
  • McMahon grabs a mic.
  • Barry, Robert and Bartholomew beat-down Rhodes while Scaggs is cuffed to the ropes!
  • McMahon wants everyone to watch as he shows what going against Vince McMahon means.
  • He has the Associates prop Rhodes up. Vince McMahon slaps Rhodes!
  • McMahon says that you never cross the boss, and this was going to be an example to every single wrestler in the locker room!
  • Robert hits a powerbomb on Rhodes! Barry kicks Scaggs in the head!
  • McMahon says that there is noone, NOONE that can stop him! The crowd gives him boos.
• The Suprise Partner arrives! (Rating:88)
  • GLASS SHATTERS! THE CROWD EXPLODES1
  • McMahon and The Associates all turn to the entrance, knowing that familiar music.
  • BUT STEVE AUSTIN SHOWS UP FROM BEHIND THE ANNOUNCE TABLE!
  • AND ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE!
  • STUNNER ON BARRY! STUNNER ON ROBERT! LEFTS AND RIGHTS ON BARTHLOLOMEW... STUNNER ON HIM TOO!
  • McMahon is cornered like a rat!!! Austin grins and the crowd cheers him on!
  • Austin grabs McMahon, and hits a STUNNER!
  • He clears the ring of all the filth, and helps Rhodes back up! They release Scaggs from the cuffs.
  • McMahon and his Associates recuperate outside the ring, retreating. McMahon's eyes are wide with shock as Austin flips everyone off!
  • JR Screams... "AUSTIN IS BACK! HE'S BACK! STONE COLD! STONE COLD!" As the show ends.

wasnt Mr Aguila known as Essa Rios back then?