- The 24th IYH event.
- September 27th, 1998 from Hamilton, Ontario
- Attendance: 17,405
- Buyrate/Buys: 0.86 (315,256 buys)
- Opening video is about Austin/Vince.
Edge Vs. Owen Hart
Calgary Vs. Toronto. Wrist locks are traded then Edge lands on his feet from a monkey flip and dropkicks Owen. Edge on top until he jumps into a powerslam. Owen gets 2 off a belly-to-belly. Victory roll and counter gets both guys a 2 count. Owen is caught up top allowing Edge to hit an inverted electric chair. Edge avoids the Sharpshooter but is distracted by a guy at ringside, he who would be known as Christian, and Owen pins Edge at 9:15ish. *** - Enjoyable solid opener which was a boost for Edge as despite the loss he was given a fair amount of offence despite being a WWF 'Rookie'.
Too Much Vs. Al Snow/Too Cold Scorpio
''Head' chant, as you may know Too Much are better known as Too Cool. Fallaway Pump Handle Slam by Scott(y) as JR drops his first King/Brian hint. Al does his underhook headbutts. Al does a chair assisted poetry in motion to Too Much then TCS goes to but slips in doing so and barely makes contact. Brian takes out TCS with a suplex on the outside and TCS is now playing face-in-peril. Al hits Too Much and TCS with Head and the ref seems to forget who's legal. Al beats Scott with the Snow Plow at 9ish. **
Undertaker says he and Kane have come to an understanding.
Marc Mero (w/ Jacqueline) Vs. Droz
Mero bails ringside after Droz turns the tables. Quick but nothing of note really happening. Powerslam by Droz but Jacqueline puts Mero's foot on the ropes. Jacqueline gets her nose in again hitting Droz with a heel allowing Mero to hit Marvelocity for the 3 at 5:17ish. ** The quick pace was appreciated as I hate matches which have multiple chin locks to waste time.
Vader Vs. Bradshaw
Anything goes, Vaders last WWF PPV appearance. Bradshaw is mainly on top for the first part, he punches the ring post at one point allowing Vader to fight back. Match is mainly stiff punches and clotheslines. Vader Bomb gets a 2 count. Bradshaw wins with a neckbreaker. ** - Vader was a monster in Japan, WCW and at one time a headliner in the Federation so this should've been a stature enhancer for Bradshaw but it wasn't, Vader didn't seem to care about the match. The fact one of these guys went on to hold the WWE Title for nearly a year and it isn't Vader is amazing.
D-Lo Brown Vs. Gangrel
D-Lo lost the Euro gold on the RAW prior to X-Pac. Double underhook suplex followed by a couple of elbows gets Gangrel a 2 count. D-Lo busts out the head bobble. Running powerbomb gets D-Lo a 2 count, do people do that move anymore? Trash talk by Mr. Brown, recently caught Reservoir Dogs for the first time and I think it's cracked My Top 7, and Gangrel fights back. JR mentions Capital Carnage here's my review (http://july-dec-reviews.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/wwf-capital-carnage.html). Gangrel goes to hotshot D-Lo but he doesn't hit the ropes right. Lawler points out a fan in a Hulkamania shirt and says its proof how far behind the times Canada is, I respect that burn. Mark Henry interferes and D-Lo finishes it with Sky High, 8:05. *1/2
We see Undertaker and Kane attacking Ken Shamrock, The Rock and Mankind on RAW is WAR.
Steel (Blue) Cage - No. 1 Contendership - The Rock Vs. Ken Shamrock Vs. Mankind
All three cut promos pre-match, Mankind's being the best, he buries the People's Elbow. Rock gets a pop. Mankind tries to sneak out as Rock and Ken fight. The match does a two fight one sells deal. Double abdominal stretch. We almost get Rock 'n' Sock a year early but Rock turns on Mankind. Ken almost gets out the door but he is beaten down to cheers and again it ends when Rock turns on Mankind. Rock is beaten down by Mankind and Ken to boos. Crowd pop wild for a move I don't think i've seen since a Double Peoples Elbow, Hamilton loves Rocky. Rock Bottom on Mankind for 2, I was hoping for a double Rock bottom, Mankind breaks am Ankle Lock on Rock. Mankind heads to the top of the cage but misses his elbow drop as Rock moves. Mankind hits Ken with a chair then goes to climb out but Rock takes the smart route and simply pins Ken as Mankind climbs down, Rock wins. ***1/2 - Crowd loved Rock. Constant movement in an enjoyable match, two months later Rock would win the WWF Title though not with fan approval.
Val Venis Vs. Dustin Runnels
Dustin was doing a preacher gimmick, Val was a X-Rated movie star and one of his movies starred Dustins wife Terri. Spinebuster by Val but Dustin fires back with a facebuster and powerbomb. Val does his knees into a russian legsweep bit. Dustin eventually stops Vals onslaught hitting a DDT for 2. Both are up top and Val dumps Dustin to ringside. Val ends up getting the win via The Money Shot. ** - Match was just okay but unfortunately the crowd didn't rise to the occasion. The Goldust gimmick would be brought back soon after.
Jeff Jarrett/Southern Justice Vs. X-Pac/NAO
NAO are Tag Champions and X-Pac holds the European Title. Faces clear the ring. Road Dogg as he did in NAO tags plays face-in-peril. X-Pac in and he does well until he is slammed down by Mark Canterbury. Dennis Knight aka Mideon gets 2 on X-Pac as Mr. Pac is now face-in-peril. Jarrett applies a sleeper but X-Pacs arm doesn't fall on the third ref check. Billy Gunn in and he cleans house, X-Pac Broncos Jarrett who responds by hitting X-Pac with a guitar. Fame Asser to Knight ends it. ** - Had what I like in terms of tag psychology but wasn't particularly engaging. Adequate if forgettable filler.
WWF Title - Stone Cold (c) Vs. Undertaker Vs. Kane
Taker and Kane are not aloud to pin or submit the other, basically this is a handicap match thinly disguised as a three way. Austin attacks with a chair during Takers entrance. Kane is taken out early with a Stunner giving us Taker/Austin for a bit. Austin has used divide and conquer strategy so far. The Stooges, with Slaughter, come out and watch as the Brother's are in control. Nothing much beyond punches but things do finally get interesting when Kane stops UT pinning Austin after a chair shot then they do it the other way around. Austin and Kane attack Deadman, these two would have an alliance if you can call it that later in the year as well when they dumped Bearer down a manhole. Match ends when UT and Kane both Chokeslam Austin then do a double pin and the belt is vacant. Vince is driven away whilst taunting Austin with the belt. * - The match really dragged due to it being boring and to add insult to injury there's no clear winner, no clear winner the next month either (http://july-dec-reviews.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/iyh-25-judgment-day.html)as only at Survivor Series (http://july-dec-reviews.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/survivor-series-1998.html) did we get a WWF Champion.
19 / 45 - Most of the undercard was average but by 1998 standards that's pretty good. The two best matches were Owen/Edge and the Cage 3-Way though the main does end the show on a sour note. Fans were loving Rocky tonight. Thumbs in the Middle.
Monday 18 May 2015
Friday 15 May 2015
Survivor Series 1992
- November 25th, 1992 from Richmond Township, Ohio
Attendance:17,500
Buyrate: 1.4
Slick rambles on about something.
High Energy Vs. Headshrinkers (w/ Afa)
Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan on commentary. High Energy are Owen Hart and Koko B. Ware whilst Fatu and Samu are the others, Fatu is better known as Rikishi. Koko stomps Fatus bare feet but the tide turns when Afa gets a cheapshot in. Owen tries to get a 'Koko' chant going I respond by shouting pops, my non-Brit brethren may not get that reference as I am unsure if Coco Pops are a worldwide brand. Vulcan Death Grip to Koko. Face-In-Peril is tonight being played by Mr. Koko B. Ware as he is hit with a thrust kick and a headbutt. Owen gets the tag but also takes the loss from a Fatu top rope splash. - ** Had the tag psychology which I always approve of, fun little opener but nothing more.
Bossman cuts a promo, Nailz responds, if you haven't seen Nailz he resembles the brother from My Name Is Earl and I think his head may explode during his promo then Bossman responds to Nails promo.
Nightstick On A Pole Match - Bossman Vs. Nailz
I think Nailz is a criminal who Bossman put away. Nailz goes for the nightstick early but is stopped. Bossman is thrown off the top a la Flair when he goes for the stick. Chinlock applied but Bossman fights out then misses a splash. Bossman gets the stick to a pop and lamps Nailz but 10 seconds later he's okay and has the nightstick but Bossman ducks one of the shots and hits Bossman Slam for the 3 count. *1/2
Interview block time as Tatanka tells Alfred Hayes that he will take back what's his from Rick Martel. Okerlund is with Naitch and Razor as we are shown Perfects face turn on Heenan and Flair, Warrior was meant to team with Randy but left so Perfect had to do a quick turn. I liked the Flair, Razor promo.
'The Model' Rick Martel Vs. Tatanka
Name drop time I met Tatanka at Wales Comic Con 2014 also Foam Tomahawks for the win! Back body drop and two dropkicks sends Martel ringside. Tatanka is hot shotted and choked by Rick but soon suplexes out of a front facelock. Doink The Clown comes down the aisle making animal balloons. Neckbreaker gets Martel 2 then he applies another front facelock. He's Tatankaring up, hip toss countered to a backslide gets him 2. Brain chop, scoop slam, brain chop from the top then a samoan drop gets Tatanka the 3 count. *1/2 - At least it makes sense story wise in that the wronged face gets his revenge as Tatanka gets his eagle feather back.
Sean Mooney is with Perfect and Savage.
Ric Flair/Razor Ramon Vs. Randy Savage/Mr. Perfect
Perfects first PPV match since SummerSlam 1991. Henning's on top of the heels, Flair does Flair Flip where Randy then punches him. Savage is now being isolated as heels are wearing him down, we get the good old double team abdominal stretch and the good old classic heel no tag clap bit as Heenan claims if you're close enough you don't need to tag. Savage is bleeding. Heels have used about 100 heel tricks so far. Savage throws Naitch when he heads up top, will Naitch ever learn? Perfect tags in and ringside Flair hits Savage with a chair and Savage takes a slightly daft if funny bump from that, a lesser version of Halls Stunner bump from Mania 18. Perfect avoids the Razors Edge and gets 2 from Perfect-Plex. Ramon and Flair attack Perfect as ref calls for the bell and The Perfect Team gets the win via DQ. *** - Enjoyable and a good match however it falls into the same category as HBK/Perfect from SummerSlam '93 in that it doesn't reach my admittedly lofty expectations, though this is miles better than the SummerSlam '93 match.
Gene catches up with an angry Flair and Ramon.
Yokozuna Vs. Virgil
WWF equivalent of Goro Vs. Art Lean, Yoko would've been a great 80s fodder for Hulkamania. Just an orange match here, at one point Virgil goes to roll up Yoko who sits on him, that looked like it hurt. Bonzai Drop gets the 3 count. UNR as it's a SQUASH.
Sean Mooney is with Savage and Perfect.
Beverly Brothers/Money Inc. (w/ Jimmy Hart) Vs. Nasty Boys/Natural Disasters
At the '91 Survivor Series the faces here were heel, Nastys teamed w/ Beverleys and Natural Disasters teamed w/ IRS, by the by in case you didn't know IRS is the dad of Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas. First and only Survivor Series style match tonight and the all Tag format was phased out. Money Inc, are Tag Champions. IRS says the crowd don't pay their taxes this being Ohio they probably don't - Clough 579 - Ohio 0. Blake Beverly struts then Typhoon does it. The Disasters squash the Beverlys. Vince doesn't seem to know the name of Pump Handle Slam. Saggs plays face-in-peril and Blake Beverly gets 2 from a neckbreaker. Earthquake makes the tag and everyone starts fighting. Turns out we have the rule where when someone loses a fall their partner is gone too as Earthquake Splashes Blake for 3 (2-4) and Beau has to leave as well. I think IRS has only applied chinlock variations tonight. Typhoon, and thus Earthquake, is eliminated when Ted DiBiase trips Typhoon and IRS pins him (2-2) then as IRS celebrates Jerry Sags rolls him up for the 3 count as Nasty Boys are your survivors (0-2). *1/2 - Rather boring for my liking.
Alfred Hayes checks on Virgil who says he'll worn Bret about Yokozuna, foreshadowing WrestleMania are we? that last sentence in my head was spoken in Boyle's insinuating voice.
Casket Match - Undertaker (w/ Bearer) Vs. Kamala (w/ Wippleman and Kim Chee)
We see Undertaker making a special casket for Kamala, the story is Kamala is afraid of caskets. UT no sells then does his rope walk, which for 1992 I believe should be known as new school or even pre-school. Kamala gets shots in which sends UT ringside. Back in Kamala hits three scoop slams but UT sits up after the first two then fails to on the last one and is splashed three times. Bearer is tripped on the apron and drops the urn but Kamala doesn't want it allowing Taker to hit him with it and pin him? After the 3 count Kamala is rolled into the casket then nails it shut, this is literally the final nail in the coffin of their feud. * The match was deadly .... deadly boring that is, uh recycling my own material, maybe I should retire.
Shawn Michaels is with Sean Mooney and says that he beat Bulldog who had already beaten Bret at SummerSlam, says he'll beat Bret tonight.
Backstage Wippleman is shouting at Kim Chee then the casket is opened and Kamala is shaking.
WWF Title - Bret Hart (c) Vs. Shawn Michaels
We have Sherri's version of HBK's theme, HBK is IC Champion. Gene catches up with Bret pre-match. The champion is working the arm, Michaels applies a hammerlock but Bret uses momentum to send him ringside. Bret works the arm again after he gets 2 off a sunset flip, the psychology of Bret's matches, at least in WWF, were very good but he could be quite boring at times. Shawn registers a 2 count after Bret does his chest corner bump bit. There's been quite a few rest holds so far, Bret breaks out of a chinlock but runs into a dropkick. HBK applies another chinlock as I question weather I've put in WM 12 by mistake. Bret hits bulldog but misses an elbow/forearm and Shawn applies a front face lock. Side russian leg sweep and an elbow both get 2 counts as all we need for the Hitman checklist now is a backbreaker and Sharpshooter. Superplex gets the champion another 2 count. Ref is sandwiched in the corner. Sweet Chin Music, not yet what it would become, connects. HBK is tied in the ropes ala Andre but moves when Bret charges at him. Shawn jumps off the top but Bret blocks it and applies the Sharpshooter for the win. ***1/2 - The rest holds did annoy me as there was quite a few, did get better as it went on which I suppose all matches should do instead of getting a big pop early and a silent finish. Better than the 'Mania 12 match.
14 / 35 - The main event is good but the rest is pretty bad or boring or in the tag case disappointing. If the main was a *****er then yes have a ganders but can't recommend this PPV on one ***1/2 match. Thumbs down.
Attendance:17,500
Buyrate: 1.4
Slick rambles on about something.
High Energy Vs. Headshrinkers (w/ Afa)
Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan on commentary. High Energy are Owen Hart and Koko B. Ware whilst Fatu and Samu are the others, Fatu is better known as Rikishi. Koko stomps Fatus bare feet but the tide turns when Afa gets a cheapshot in. Owen tries to get a 'Koko' chant going I respond by shouting pops, my non-Brit brethren may not get that reference as I am unsure if Coco Pops are a worldwide brand. Vulcan Death Grip to Koko. Face-In-Peril is tonight being played by Mr. Koko B. Ware as he is hit with a thrust kick and a headbutt. Owen gets the tag but also takes the loss from a Fatu top rope splash. - ** Had the tag psychology which I always approve of, fun little opener but nothing more.
Bossman cuts a promo, Nailz responds, if you haven't seen Nailz he resembles the brother from My Name Is Earl and I think his head may explode during his promo then Bossman responds to Nails promo.
Nightstick On A Pole Match - Bossman Vs. Nailz
I think Nailz is a criminal who Bossman put away. Nailz goes for the nightstick early but is stopped. Bossman is thrown off the top a la Flair when he goes for the stick. Chinlock applied but Bossman fights out then misses a splash. Bossman gets the stick to a pop and lamps Nailz but 10 seconds later he's okay and has the nightstick but Bossman ducks one of the shots and hits Bossman Slam for the 3 count. *1/2
Interview block time as Tatanka tells Alfred Hayes that he will take back what's his from Rick Martel. Okerlund is with Naitch and Razor as we are shown Perfects face turn on Heenan and Flair, Warrior was meant to team with Randy but left so Perfect had to do a quick turn. I liked the Flair, Razor promo.
'The Model' Rick Martel Vs. Tatanka
Name drop time I met Tatanka at Wales Comic Con 2014 also Foam Tomahawks for the win! Back body drop and two dropkicks sends Martel ringside. Tatanka is hot shotted and choked by Rick but soon suplexes out of a front facelock. Doink The Clown comes down the aisle making animal balloons. Neckbreaker gets Martel 2 then he applies another front facelock. He's Tatankaring up, hip toss countered to a backslide gets him 2. Brain chop, scoop slam, brain chop from the top then a samoan drop gets Tatanka the 3 count. *1/2 - At least it makes sense story wise in that the wronged face gets his revenge as Tatanka gets his eagle feather back.
Sean Mooney is with Perfect and Savage.
Ric Flair/Razor Ramon Vs. Randy Savage/Mr. Perfect
Perfects first PPV match since SummerSlam 1991. Henning's on top of the heels, Flair does Flair Flip where Randy then punches him. Savage is now being isolated as heels are wearing him down, we get the good old double team abdominal stretch and the good old classic heel no tag clap bit as Heenan claims if you're close enough you don't need to tag. Savage is bleeding. Heels have used about 100 heel tricks so far. Savage throws Naitch when he heads up top, will Naitch ever learn? Perfect tags in and ringside Flair hits Savage with a chair and Savage takes a slightly daft if funny bump from that, a lesser version of Halls Stunner bump from Mania 18. Perfect avoids the Razors Edge and gets 2 from Perfect-Plex. Ramon and Flair attack Perfect as ref calls for the bell and The Perfect Team gets the win via DQ. *** - Enjoyable and a good match however it falls into the same category as HBK/Perfect from SummerSlam '93 in that it doesn't reach my admittedly lofty expectations, though this is miles better than the SummerSlam '93 match.
Gene catches up with an angry Flair and Ramon.
Yokozuna Vs. Virgil
WWF equivalent of Goro Vs. Art Lean, Yoko would've been a great 80s fodder for Hulkamania. Just an orange match here, at one point Virgil goes to roll up Yoko who sits on him, that looked like it hurt. Bonzai Drop gets the 3 count. UNR as it's a SQUASH.
Sean Mooney is with Savage and Perfect.
Beverly Brothers/Money Inc. (w/ Jimmy Hart) Vs. Nasty Boys/Natural Disasters
At the '91 Survivor Series the faces here were heel, Nastys teamed w/ Beverleys and Natural Disasters teamed w/ IRS, by the by in case you didn't know IRS is the dad of Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas. First and only Survivor Series style match tonight and the all Tag format was phased out. Money Inc, are Tag Champions. IRS says the crowd don't pay their taxes this being Ohio they probably don't - Clough 579 - Ohio 0. Blake Beverly struts then Typhoon does it. The Disasters squash the Beverlys. Vince doesn't seem to know the name of Pump Handle Slam. Saggs plays face-in-peril and Blake Beverly gets 2 from a neckbreaker. Earthquake makes the tag and everyone starts fighting. Turns out we have the rule where when someone loses a fall their partner is gone too as Earthquake Splashes Blake for 3 (2-4) and Beau has to leave as well. I think IRS has only applied chinlock variations tonight. Typhoon, and thus Earthquake, is eliminated when Ted DiBiase trips Typhoon and IRS pins him (2-2) then as IRS celebrates Jerry Sags rolls him up for the 3 count as Nasty Boys are your survivors (0-2). *1/2 - Rather boring for my liking.
Alfred Hayes checks on Virgil who says he'll worn Bret about Yokozuna, foreshadowing WrestleMania are we? that last sentence in my head was spoken in Boyle's insinuating voice.
Casket Match - Undertaker (w/ Bearer) Vs. Kamala (w/ Wippleman and Kim Chee)
We see Undertaker making a special casket for Kamala, the story is Kamala is afraid of caskets. UT no sells then does his rope walk, which for 1992 I believe should be known as new school or even pre-school. Kamala gets shots in which sends UT ringside. Back in Kamala hits three scoop slams but UT sits up after the first two then fails to on the last one and is splashed three times. Bearer is tripped on the apron and drops the urn but Kamala doesn't want it allowing Taker to hit him with it and pin him? After the 3 count Kamala is rolled into the casket then nails it shut, this is literally the final nail in the coffin of their feud. * The match was deadly .... deadly boring that is, uh recycling my own material, maybe I should retire.
Shawn Michaels is with Sean Mooney and says that he beat Bulldog who had already beaten Bret at SummerSlam, says he'll beat Bret tonight.
Backstage Wippleman is shouting at Kim Chee then the casket is opened and Kamala is shaking.
WWF Title - Bret Hart (c) Vs. Shawn Michaels
We have Sherri's version of HBK's theme, HBK is IC Champion. Gene catches up with Bret pre-match. The champion is working the arm, Michaels applies a hammerlock but Bret uses momentum to send him ringside. Bret works the arm again after he gets 2 off a sunset flip, the psychology of Bret's matches, at least in WWF, were very good but he could be quite boring at times. Shawn registers a 2 count after Bret does his chest corner bump bit. There's been quite a few rest holds so far, Bret breaks out of a chinlock but runs into a dropkick. HBK applies another chinlock as I question weather I've put in WM 12 by mistake. Bret hits bulldog but misses an elbow/forearm and Shawn applies a front face lock. Side russian leg sweep and an elbow both get 2 counts as all we need for the Hitman checklist now is a backbreaker and Sharpshooter. Superplex gets the champion another 2 count. Ref is sandwiched in the corner. Sweet Chin Music, not yet what it would become, connects. HBK is tied in the ropes ala Andre but moves when Bret charges at him. Shawn jumps off the top but Bret blocks it and applies the Sharpshooter for the win. ***1/2 - The rest holds did annoy me as there was quite a few, did get better as it went on which I suppose all matches should do instead of getting a big pop early and a silent finish. Better than the 'Mania 12 match.
14 / 35 - The main event is good but the rest is pretty bad or boring or in the tag case disappointing. If the main was a *****er then yes have a ganders but can't recommend this PPV on one ***1/2 match. Thumbs down.
Tuesday 12 May 2015
Survivor Series 1998
- St. Louis, Missouri. November 15th 1998.
- Attendance: 21,779
- Buys: 478,000. (Found online as always could be debateable)
Video is about people hoping to be Champion. Heading into this PPV Rock was building momentum as face but Vince had a problem with the people therefore he had a problem with the Peoples Champion. The thing going in is that Mankind is being handpicked and therefore given an easy ride in the Deadly Games tourney, also Taker/Kane go straight to the 1/4 finals.
1st Round - Mankind Vs. Duane Gill
Some thought HBK would be Mankind's opponent here. Mankind is Hardcore Champion and wrestling in a tux to prove he's title material, I love things like that. Duane's pyro scares him. Double Arm DDT and Mankind wins with an amateur style pin. UNR as under 3 minutes.
Jacqueline attacked Sable on HeAt and Sable tells Kevin Kelly that she'll win tonight, you know I always thought WWE missed a trick by not saying Kevin was Kelly Kelly's dad.
1st Round - Jeff Jarrett Vs. Al Snow
Winner faces Mankind. Springboard leg drop by Snow but soon Jeff's on top. Snow does Flair Flip then hits a clothesline but soon misses a top rope leg drop. Jarrett gets 2 off a dropkick. DDT gets Snow 2 after he counters a spinebuster. Al hits Jeff with Head for the 3 count. *1/2 - Not much time to do much but nothing was bad about it necessarily.
1st Round - Stone Cold Vs. Bossman
JR asks if Bossman is here to win or injure Austin. Austin was fired at Judgment Day but Shane McMahon gave him a new 5 year deal, funnily enough 2003 would host his last match. Match starts ringside, Thesz Press and elbow gets a 2 count. A low blow gives Bossman some offence. Nightstick assault on Austin gets the DQ. *1/2 - Didn't do much, at one point we had a chinlock, which in review world is unforgivable in a match this short.
1st Round - X-Pac Vs. Steven Regal
Steven's Mans Man theme is legendary. X-Pac is European Champion. Regal attacked X-Pac on RAW as he doesn't feel an American should be European Champion. Back suplex gets Pac an early 2 as do a few leg drops. Regal rolls through a roll up and catapults X-Pac across the ring. Gutwrench gets Regal a 2 count then X-Pac gets out of a headscissors on the mat and applies a cloverleaf variation, Minneapolis Cloverleaf maybe? Double underhook off the top gets Regal a 2 count. Real poor ending as they get counted out fighting ringside and Slaughter gets an overtime period however X-Pac walks out and Regal chases him. This gives Austin a bye. ** - Docked for stupid ending, this was best match so far but as this is 1998 and they actually *gasp* wrestled, wrestling in 1998?! The crowd didn't like it. St. Louis was an NWA hot bed at one time, how times change.
1st Round - Ken Shamrock Vs. Goldust
Ken is IC Champion. JR notes that Ken has had tournament success - IC, KOTR and UFC. Ken has the advantage to start and ducks a clothesline but Goldust connects on another. Ken has been on top 95% of the time so far. ken avoids a powerbomb but is bulldogged not long after. Shattered Dreams is signalled but Jimmy Korderas blocks it. Ken leaps off the top for a hurricanrana which he hits but spikes himself, i'd be surprised if he's not hurt from that. Ankle Lock gets the win for Ken. **
1st Round - The Rock Vs. Bossman
HHH was meant to have his big return here. Stooges come out to HHH's music doing crotch chops. Pop for Rock. Bossman replaces HHH and is pinned straight away by a Small Package. UNR
1/4 Final - Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer) Vs. Kane
Quarter Finals are now underway. Their match at Judgment Day the month prior got *1/2 from me, hopefully this does better. JR points out Kane debuted in this arena. They trade corner punches. Taker does his clothesline to outside but lands on his feet bit. Kane misses an elbow as Deadman sits up. Taker repeats his JD strategy of working the knee. Kane gets the first 2 on the board with a top rope clothesline. Undertaker gets the win via Tombstone. *1/2 - Same score as their Judgment Day match and yet again they can't top the 'Mania 14 match.
1/4 Final Match - Mankind Vs. Al Snow
These two would be Tag Team Champions if I remember rightly. Mankind is still in his tux, winner faces Stone Cold. Snow starts the match better and sends Mankind through the ropes with a dropkick. A chair is put into play and neither is DQd, Snow hit Mankind with it and you'd think Vince would demand a DQ to help Mankind. Enziguri by Snow. Backstage it's revealed Vince put Socko on Head, which Mankind discovers after he suplexes Snow. he punches Head. Sitout powerbomb gets Al a 2 count. Double Arm DDT and Mandible Claw gets Mankind the win. ** - Match was meh but I enjoyed the story of Socko being hidden so Mankind would find it and beat Snow.
1/4 Final - Ken Shamrock Vs. The Rock
These two feuded for a lot of 1998. Winner gets the Deadman. Shamrock dodges a corner charge and gets some kicks in. Rock explodes out of the corner with a clothesline. Ken is on top of the match which had spilled ringside and is now in. Bossman in the house!!!!!!, well the arena. Ken applies the Ankle Lock but Rock gets a rope break. Floatover DDT and People's Elbow gets a 2 count. Bossman tosses his nightstick to Ken but Rock catches it and KOs Ken for the 3 count, man Bossman's been more help than hinderance to Rocky tonight. *** - Feeling generous after the rest of the card and to be fair this is the best match so far.
Paul Bearer says the only Rock Deadman likes is the granite he writes his victims names on.
Womens Title - Sable Vs. Jacqueline (c) W/ Marc Mero)
Shane McMahon is ref as Vince wanted to punish and demean him for rehiring Austin. Two notable things Sable Sable Bombs Mero and then Jacqueline suffers the same fate as Sable regains the Title. *1/2 - Didn't care for this at all but Mero's tash ruled, also let me go on record and say that for me Mero is under rated.
Semi-Final - Mankind Vs. Stone Cold
Austin removes Mankind's suit jacket, giving us the look that Mankind would use for the rest of his career until Cactus' rebirth in 2000. Vince McMahon is wheeled out. Austin starts the better then Mankind goes ringside to avoid the Stunner and gets assuring words from the Stooges. Austin hits a triple noggin knocker. Austin stomps a mudhole. Mankind gets a chair but it's booted back in his face. Double Arm DDT on said chair gets a 2 count. Stunner but Vince gets out of his wheelchair to KO Chioda. Mankind's dress pants are down and there's his brown tights. Mandible Claw is countered with a Stunner but Shane McMahon stops his count at 2 thus screwing Stone Cold and showing that he was with Vince all along. Gerald Brisco hits Austin with a chair for 3. Read in Foleys book that Bossman was meant to deliver the chair shot originally. ***`/1 2 - Well this surpassed Rock/Ken as MOTN so far, amazing what a lively crowd can do. One more piece of the Corporate puzzle was completed as well with Shane screwing Austin.
Semi-Final - The Rock Vs. Undertaker
I've seen a handful of Rock/Taker matches and they've not been very good as they don't seem to gel well. Rock starts quick but after a clothesline Taker is on top, this lasts for a bit bar the odd Rock move. Rock gets tied in ropes ala Andre then back drops Taker ringside where they fight through the crowd, one of the things I don't miss from Attitude Era. When they re-enter the ring Taker again takes control but misses a corner splash. Samoan drop, here's Bossman who Rock trash talks after he DDTs Taker. People's Elbow is stopped by Bossman and Taker shows his appreciation by dropping Bossman. Kane comes out and Chokeslams Rock thus making Taker lose via DQ. *1/2 - Not very good, these two just didn't click together in the ring.
WWF Tag Titles - NAO (c) Vs. D-Lo/Mark Henry Vs. Headbangers
Three people in at any one time. D-Lo heel kicks Gunn but Mosh tries to steal the pin. Outlaws do a simultaneous 10 corner punch on the former Nation members. Dogg plays face-in-peril then goes ringside where Billy Gunn shows what a great partner he is by rolling Road Dogg back in the ring where he gets beaten on again. Mosh gets 2 on D-Lo by rolling through a powerbomb. Billy gets the tag and cleans house until he is Sky Highed. Gunn mercifully ends it by piledrivering Mosh. *1/2 - Pretty bad I must say. This PPV is almost on par with some of WCWs though the fact there was a ***er does hoist it above that level.
WWF Title - The Rock Vs. Mankind
King says you'll get all of this PPV, a thinly veiled, if at all veiled, shot at WCW there. Fighting in the aisle and around ringside. Mankind applies a chinlock for a while as Vince and Shane come ringside. Fighting ringside again as Foley is kind of suplexed over the barricade then back dropped back over. Back in then ringside again due to Cactus Clothesline, Mankind tries to use ring steps but Rock blocks with a chair then Foley gets cracked over the bonce which gets Rock 2 when he rolls him back in the ring. Cactus Elbow connects as again they're ringside. Back in a chinlock is applied. Mankind leaps from the middle rope and crashes through announce table, which is more than can be said for his effort at 'Mania 16. Peoples Elbow gets a 2 count. Socko's here after a Double Arm DDT but a Rock Bottom eventually breaks it. Rock stares at McMahons then raises his eyebrow, Sharpshooter is applied as McMahon calls for the bell, St. Louis Screwjob. Rock becomes the Corporate Champion, which on a personal note is one of my fave personas. Vince states a hatred for Stone Cold bought them together, because everything of course has to revolve around Austin at the top of the card. Mankind says he didn't quit so Rock beats him down here comes Austin to clean house. ** - 95% was fought around ringside and I didn't like it as much as other Mankind/Rock encounters but at least we have Corporate Rock. The next PPV Rock Bottom featured Mankind/Rock again and had a worse ending than this one - http://july-dec-reviews.blogspot.com/2014/03/iyh-26-rock-bottom.html.
23.5 / 60 - Not very good at all even with a couple of ***s. Ken/Rock was okay and Austin/Mankind was boosted by the crowd but by god the rest were pretty bad in general.All the pieces throughout the show make sense in the end as Bossman wasn't screwing up at all, and Kane would join Corporation now did he screw Taker to help Rock? Or was that due to him not liking Taker anyway? Thumbs down for Survivor Series 1998.
- Attendance: 21,779
- Buys: 478,000. (Found online as always could be debateable)
Video is about people hoping to be Champion. Heading into this PPV Rock was building momentum as face but Vince had a problem with the people therefore he had a problem with the Peoples Champion. The thing going in is that Mankind is being handpicked and therefore given an easy ride in the Deadly Games tourney, also Taker/Kane go straight to the 1/4 finals.
1st Round - Mankind Vs. Duane Gill
Some thought HBK would be Mankind's opponent here. Mankind is Hardcore Champion and wrestling in a tux to prove he's title material, I love things like that. Duane's pyro scares him. Double Arm DDT and Mankind wins with an amateur style pin. UNR as under 3 minutes.
Jacqueline attacked Sable on HeAt and Sable tells Kevin Kelly that she'll win tonight, you know I always thought WWE missed a trick by not saying Kevin was Kelly Kelly's dad.
1st Round - Jeff Jarrett Vs. Al Snow
Winner faces Mankind. Springboard leg drop by Snow but soon Jeff's on top. Snow does Flair Flip then hits a clothesline but soon misses a top rope leg drop. Jarrett gets 2 off a dropkick. DDT gets Snow 2 after he counters a spinebuster. Al hits Jeff with Head for the 3 count. *1/2 - Not much time to do much but nothing was bad about it necessarily.
1st Round - Stone Cold Vs. Bossman
JR asks if Bossman is here to win or injure Austin. Austin was fired at Judgment Day but Shane McMahon gave him a new 5 year deal, funnily enough 2003 would host his last match. Match starts ringside, Thesz Press and elbow gets a 2 count. A low blow gives Bossman some offence. Nightstick assault on Austin gets the DQ. *1/2 - Didn't do much, at one point we had a chinlock, which in review world is unforgivable in a match this short.
1st Round - X-Pac Vs. Steven Regal
Steven's Mans Man theme is legendary. X-Pac is European Champion. Regal attacked X-Pac on RAW as he doesn't feel an American should be European Champion. Back suplex gets Pac an early 2 as do a few leg drops. Regal rolls through a roll up and catapults X-Pac across the ring. Gutwrench gets Regal a 2 count then X-Pac gets out of a headscissors on the mat and applies a cloverleaf variation, Minneapolis Cloverleaf maybe? Double underhook off the top gets Regal a 2 count. Real poor ending as they get counted out fighting ringside and Slaughter gets an overtime period however X-Pac walks out and Regal chases him. This gives Austin a bye. ** - Docked for stupid ending, this was best match so far but as this is 1998 and they actually *gasp* wrestled, wrestling in 1998?! The crowd didn't like it. St. Louis was an NWA hot bed at one time, how times change.
1st Round - Ken Shamrock Vs. Goldust
Ken is IC Champion. JR notes that Ken has had tournament success - IC, KOTR and UFC. Ken has the advantage to start and ducks a clothesline but Goldust connects on another. Ken has been on top 95% of the time so far. ken avoids a powerbomb but is bulldogged not long after. Shattered Dreams is signalled but Jimmy Korderas blocks it. Ken leaps off the top for a hurricanrana which he hits but spikes himself, i'd be surprised if he's not hurt from that. Ankle Lock gets the win for Ken. **
1st Round - The Rock Vs. Bossman
HHH was meant to have his big return here. Stooges come out to HHH's music doing crotch chops. Pop for Rock. Bossman replaces HHH and is pinned straight away by a Small Package. UNR
1/4 Final - Undertaker (w/ Paul Bearer) Vs. Kane
Quarter Finals are now underway. Their match at Judgment Day the month prior got *1/2 from me, hopefully this does better. JR points out Kane debuted in this arena. They trade corner punches. Taker does his clothesline to outside but lands on his feet bit. Kane misses an elbow as Deadman sits up. Taker repeats his JD strategy of working the knee. Kane gets the first 2 on the board with a top rope clothesline. Undertaker gets the win via Tombstone. *1/2 - Same score as their Judgment Day match and yet again they can't top the 'Mania 14 match.
1/4 Final Match - Mankind Vs. Al Snow
These two would be Tag Team Champions if I remember rightly. Mankind is still in his tux, winner faces Stone Cold. Snow starts the match better and sends Mankind through the ropes with a dropkick. A chair is put into play and neither is DQd, Snow hit Mankind with it and you'd think Vince would demand a DQ to help Mankind. Enziguri by Snow. Backstage it's revealed Vince put Socko on Head, which Mankind discovers after he suplexes Snow. he punches Head. Sitout powerbomb gets Al a 2 count. Double Arm DDT and Mandible Claw gets Mankind the win. ** - Match was meh but I enjoyed the story of Socko being hidden so Mankind would find it and beat Snow.
1/4 Final - Ken Shamrock Vs. The Rock
These two feuded for a lot of 1998. Winner gets the Deadman. Shamrock dodges a corner charge and gets some kicks in. Rock explodes out of the corner with a clothesline. Ken is on top of the match which had spilled ringside and is now in. Bossman in the house!!!!!!, well the arena. Ken applies the Ankle Lock but Rock gets a rope break. Floatover DDT and People's Elbow gets a 2 count. Bossman tosses his nightstick to Ken but Rock catches it and KOs Ken for the 3 count, man Bossman's been more help than hinderance to Rocky tonight. *** - Feeling generous after the rest of the card and to be fair this is the best match so far.
Paul Bearer says the only Rock Deadman likes is the granite he writes his victims names on.
Womens Title - Sable Vs. Jacqueline (c) W/ Marc Mero)
Shane McMahon is ref as Vince wanted to punish and demean him for rehiring Austin. Two notable things Sable Sable Bombs Mero and then Jacqueline suffers the same fate as Sable regains the Title. *1/2 - Didn't care for this at all but Mero's tash ruled, also let me go on record and say that for me Mero is under rated.
Semi-Final - Mankind Vs. Stone Cold
Austin removes Mankind's suit jacket, giving us the look that Mankind would use for the rest of his career until Cactus' rebirth in 2000. Vince McMahon is wheeled out. Austin starts the better then Mankind goes ringside to avoid the Stunner and gets assuring words from the Stooges. Austin hits a triple noggin knocker. Austin stomps a mudhole. Mankind gets a chair but it's booted back in his face. Double Arm DDT on said chair gets a 2 count. Stunner but Vince gets out of his wheelchair to KO Chioda. Mankind's dress pants are down and there's his brown tights. Mandible Claw is countered with a Stunner but Shane McMahon stops his count at 2 thus screwing Stone Cold and showing that he was with Vince all along. Gerald Brisco hits Austin with a chair for 3. Read in Foleys book that Bossman was meant to deliver the chair shot originally. ***`/1 2 - Well this surpassed Rock/Ken as MOTN so far, amazing what a lively crowd can do. One more piece of the Corporate puzzle was completed as well with Shane screwing Austin.
Semi-Final - The Rock Vs. Undertaker
I've seen a handful of Rock/Taker matches and they've not been very good as they don't seem to gel well. Rock starts quick but after a clothesline Taker is on top, this lasts for a bit bar the odd Rock move. Rock gets tied in ropes ala Andre then back drops Taker ringside where they fight through the crowd, one of the things I don't miss from Attitude Era. When they re-enter the ring Taker again takes control but misses a corner splash. Samoan drop, here's Bossman who Rock trash talks after he DDTs Taker. People's Elbow is stopped by Bossman and Taker shows his appreciation by dropping Bossman. Kane comes out and Chokeslams Rock thus making Taker lose via DQ. *1/2 - Not very good, these two just didn't click together in the ring.
WWF Tag Titles - NAO (c) Vs. D-Lo/Mark Henry Vs. Headbangers
Three people in at any one time. D-Lo heel kicks Gunn but Mosh tries to steal the pin. Outlaws do a simultaneous 10 corner punch on the former Nation members. Dogg plays face-in-peril then goes ringside where Billy Gunn shows what a great partner he is by rolling Road Dogg back in the ring where he gets beaten on again. Mosh gets 2 on D-Lo by rolling through a powerbomb. Billy gets the tag and cleans house until he is Sky Highed. Gunn mercifully ends it by piledrivering Mosh. *1/2 - Pretty bad I must say. This PPV is almost on par with some of WCWs though the fact there was a ***er does hoist it above that level.
WWF Title - The Rock Vs. Mankind
King says you'll get all of this PPV, a thinly veiled, if at all veiled, shot at WCW there. Fighting in the aisle and around ringside. Mankind applies a chinlock for a while as Vince and Shane come ringside. Fighting ringside again as Foley is kind of suplexed over the barricade then back dropped back over. Back in then ringside again due to Cactus Clothesline, Mankind tries to use ring steps but Rock blocks with a chair then Foley gets cracked over the bonce which gets Rock 2 when he rolls him back in the ring. Cactus Elbow connects as again they're ringside. Back in a chinlock is applied. Mankind leaps from the middle rope and crashes through announce table, which is more than can be said for his effort at 'Mania 16. Peoples Elbow gets a 2 count. Socko's here after a Double Arm DDT but a Rock Bottom eventually breaks it. Rock stares at McMahons then raises his eyebrow, Sharpshooter is applied as McMahon calls for the bell, St. Louis Screwjob. Rock becomes the Corporate Champion, which on a personal note is one of my fave personas. Vince states a hatred for Stone Cold bought them together, because everything of course has to revolve around Austin at the top of the card. Mankind says he didn't quit so Rock beats him down here comes Austin to clean house. ** - 95% was fought around ringside and I didn't like it as much as other Mankind/Rock encounters but at least we have Corporate Rock. The next PPV Rock Bottom featured Mankind/Rock again and had a worse ending than this one - http://july-dec-reviews.blogspot.com/2014/03/iyh-26-rock-bottom.html.
23.5 / 60 - Not very good at all even with a couple of ***s. Ken/Rock was okay and Austin/Mankind was boosted by the crowd but by god the rest were pretty bad in general.All the pieces throughout the show make sense in the end as Bossman wasn't screwing up at all, and Kane would join Corporation now did he screw Taker to help Rock? Or was that due to him not liking Taker anyway? Thumbs down for Survivor Series 1998.
Friday 8 May 2015
Survivor Series 1991
- November 27th, Detroit Michigan
- Attendance: 17,500
- Never seen this show which makes me exited to watch it, bought this and SS 92 in the Tagged Classics set.
We are shown the famous snake bite angle with Savage and Jake from Superstars. Then we see Jack Tunney booking the Savage/Jake match for 'This Tuesday In Texas', in fact T.T.I.T is mentioned throughout the show giving this Survivor Series almost a TV show feel as they push the next PPV.
Ted DiBiase/Mountie/Warlord/Flair (w/ Sherri) Vs. Bret Hart/Virgil/Roddy Piper/Bulldog
Gorilla and Bobby Heenan handle announcing for the night. Heenan on Bulldog 'Million dollar body, 10 cents mind with Whoopi Goldberg hair'. Piper, who the fans are real hot for, kisses Sherri when she interferes and now Ted is taking a pasting from the faces. Bret misses a corner charge then trades near falls with Bret. Big heat for Naitch when he tags in but soon finds himself in trouble, Flair Flop. Bulldog has the heels down but then Flair attacks him after he slams Mountie and Bulldog is pinned (4-3). Piper applies Figure Four after Naitch misses a knee drop, Ted breaks it up as now Piper has been isolated. Virgil is in and attacked at ringside but Bret puts him back in so he doesn't get counted out. Warlord is eliminated via Bret Hart (3-3) after he comes off the top hitting him for the 3 count. We get a real lame ending, lame enough that I'm using the lame word that is lame, as they all start fighting and get DQd bar Flair who was outside the ring. 5 DQs in one go sheesh talk about a power trip. ***1/2 - The ending gives this match a ceiling it simply can not break and although I really enjoyed what we got and the crowd were hot I can't go over ***1/2 with that ending.
Bobby Heenan rings Mr. Perfect from the announce booth as we cut to Mean Gene who brings out Randy Savage to a pop and to try and pop the This Tuesday In Texas PPV, he says all he could hear was Liz crying and that's worse than anything Jake could do.
Col. Mustafa/Berzerker/Skinner/Hercules Vs. Duggan/Slaughter/Kerry Von Erich/Santana
Tidbit time - I recently met Jim Duggan. Mustafa is Iron Shiek. 'USA' chant. Tito Santana hits a flying forearm sending Skinner ringside. Mustafa is clotheslined and pinned (3-4). 'USA' chant. Santana tags in despite the fact he's halfway down the apron and not in his corner. Fist drop kind of move eliminates Hercules (2-4) Tito is being isolated. Slaughter blind tags in and rolls up Skinner for 3 (1-4). Will the faces get the clean sweep? Of course as Duggan clothesline Berzerker for the clean sweep (0-4). *1/2 - Not very good but there was almost an innocent and enjoyable for kids feel to it which I guess fits the early 90s WWF, as a match based on my enjoyment though it didn't really do it for me as a kid though i'd of probably loved the characters.
Mean Gene talks to Jake who has the least threatening wooly jumper on i've ever seen, imagine Brock coming out these days in that! He says it's him not the snake people should be afraid of.
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We see Flair and Taker attacking Hogan during the Funeral Parlour.
The Gravest Challenge - WWF Championship - Hulk Hogan (c) Vs. Undertaker (W/ Bearer)
Pop for Hulk. Shoulder block by Deadman so Hulk bails ringside. If you've seen any Deadman match pre 1996 then you can probably guess how this is going. Hulk gets some shots in after Deadman misses an elbow, then he clotheslines him over the top but UT lands on his feet and is soon choking Hogan with a cord. Hulk fights back after UT had him in a chokehold for what felt like an eternity but UT hits his flying forearm. Tombstone is no sold, here's Naitch but Hulk hits him. Big Boot by Hulk but Bearer stops the leg drop. Flair places a chair in the ring and UT Tombstones Hulk on it for the 3 count and a 6 day title reign but the most interesting part is that UT got a pop for winning. *1/2 - Match was real basic as Hogan's schtick was getting old and Undertaker's matches were deadly .... deadly boring that is pre-Mick Foley. Their match was basically null and void at T.T.I.T as Hogan used ashes which led to the 92 Rumble where Flair won the vacant Championship.
Piper and Flair cut generally unintelligible promos then the six guys involved in the main event do as well.
Beverly Brothers/Nasty Boys Vs. Bushwhackers/Rockers
Bobby on Rockers 'Laverne and Shirley'. Bushwhackers dominate the Beverleys and then the Nasties, it's BushwhackerMania! Marty joins in the Bushwhacker walk as heels regroup ringside. Knobbs eliminates Bushwhacker Luke with a top rope clothesline (4-3), everyone seems to of been eliminated with a top rope move tonight. Shawn gets a 2 off a crossbody on Saggs, T.T.I.T is pushed again it's almost as if Survivor Series was an irritation, a PPV they simply had to do to get to T.T.I.T. Marty plays face-in-peril then Super kicks a Beverly for 2. Butch is eliminated via a Spike Flapjack kind of move (4-2). Michaels is being worn down but eliminates a Beau of the Beverly Brothers via a a backslide (3-2). Sweet Chin Music, before it became the big move, to Knobbs at ringside. Marty plays face-in-peril again, Marty goes to slam Saggs but knocks him into Michaels who is then rolled up by Knobbs for the 3 count (3-1) and starts the dissention between the two as Michaels isn't happy with Jannetty. Marty is pinning Saggs but Knobbs turns it and Saggs pins Jannetty for the 3 count (3-0). ** - It was okay at best. We got the seeds for The Rockers split but the heat segments didn't always work in the match.
Typhoon/Earthquake/IRS Vs. Legion Of Doom/Big Bossman
Forgot how great if slightly cheesy Bossman's theme was. Legion Of Doom get a pop as did Bossman, LOD are Tag Champions. Bobby on Detroit 'One thing I love most about Detroit, it has an airport and I get out of here in the morning'. Earthquake catches Animal and hits a backbreaker but misses a splash. Typhoon is pummelled in the corner. T.T.I.T is pushed again. IRS eliminates Bossman with a briefcase shot (3-2). Earthquake gets 2 off Animal from a belly-to-belly. Heel miscommunication as IRS hits Typhoon with the briefcase and Hawk pins him (2-2) then Earthquake leaves as he's annoyed with IRS. (1-2), there's a bit gone wrong as IRS and Hawk simply belly bounce each other. Hawk gets 3 from a top rope clothesline. *1/2 - Not a good end to a PPV fittingly that isn't very good as a whole. I get having an LOD win to send fans home happy but title match should've gone last as for the match itself it as stated wasn't very good, Hawk in particular seemed to be having an off night.
Gene interviews Undertaker to end the show, I must say I laughed as Undertaker calls him Mr. Okerlund, nice to see this Deadman was raised with manners.
10 / 25 - Great opener bar the ending but the bottom falls out of this PPV from there, I actually though I was going to get my first single digiter here but it manages to avoid that milestone. The problem with reviewing PPVs is that I look at things from a workrate stand point predominantly which kind of takes away from matches which aren't very good but are enjoya based on characters involved. Thumbs down.
- Attendance: 17,500
- Never seen this show which makes me exited to watch it, bought this and SS 92 in the Tagged Classics set.
We are shown the famous snake bite angle with Savage and Jake from Superstars. Then we see Jack Tunney booking the Savage/Jake match for 'This Tuesday In Texas', in fact T.T.I.T is mentioned throughout the show giving this Survivor Series almost a TV show feel as they push the next PPV.
Ted DiBiase/Mountie/Warlord/Flair (w/ Sherri) Vs. Bret Hart/Virgil/Roddy Piper/Bulldog
Gorilla and Bobby Heenan handle announcing for the night. Heenan on Bulldog 'Million dollar body, 10 cents mind with Whoopi Goldberg hair'. Piper, who the fans are real hot for, kisses Sherri when she interferes and now Ted is taking a pasting from the faces. Bret misses a corner charge then trades near falls with Bret. Big heat for Naitch when he tags in but soon finds himself in trouble, Flair Flop. Bulldog has the heels down but then Flair attacks him after he slams Mountie and Bulldog is pinned (4-3). Piper applies Figure Four after Naitch misses a knee drop, Ted breaks it up as now Piper has been isolated. Virgil is in and attacked at ringside but Bret puts him back in so he doesn't get counted out. Warlord is eliminated via Bret Hart (3-3) after he comes off the top hitting him for the 3 count. We get a real lame ending, lame enough that I'm using the lame word that is lame, as they all start fighting and get DQd bar Flair who was outside the ring. 5 DQs in one go sheesh talk about a power trip. ***1/2 - The ending gives this match a ceiling it simply can not break and although I really enjoyed what we got and the crowd were hot I can't go over ***1/2 with that ending.
Bobby Heenan rings Mr. Perfect from the announce booth as we cut to Mean Gene who brings out Randy Savage to a pop and to try and pop the This Tuesday In Texas PPV, he says all he could hear was Liz crying and that's worse than anything Jake could do.
Col. Mustafa/Berzerker/Skinner/Hercules Vs. Duggan/Slaughter/Kerry Von Erich/Santana
Tidbit time - I recently met Jim Duggan. Mustafa is Iron Shiek. 'USA' chant. Tito Santana hits a flying forearm sending Skinner ringside. Mustafa is clotheslined and pinned (3-4). 'USA' chant. Santana tags in despite the fact he's halfway down the apron and not in his corner. Fist drop kind of move eliminates Hercules (2-4) Tito is being isolated. Slaughter blind tags in and rolls up Skinner for 3 (1-4). Will the faces get the clean sweep? Of course as Duggan clothesline Berzerker for the clean sweep (0-4). *1/2 - Not very good but there was almost an innocent and enjoyable for kids feel to it which I guess fits the early 90s WWF, as a match based on my enjoyment though it didn't really do it for me as a kid though i'd of probably loved the characters.
Mean Gene talks to Jake who has the least threatening wooly jumper on i've ever seen, imagine Brock coming out these days in that! He says it's him not the snake people should be afraid of.
.
We see Flair and Taker attacking Hogan during the Funeral Parlour.
The Gravest Challenge - WWF Championship - Hulk Hogan (c) Vs. Undertaker (W/ Bearer)
Pop for Hulk. Shoulder block by Deadman so Hulk bails ringside. If you've seen any Deadman match pre 1996 then you can probably guess how this is going. Hulk gets some shots in after Deadman misses an elbow, then he clotheslines him over the top but UT lands on his feet and is soon choking Hogan with a cord. Hulk fights back after UT had him in a chokehold for what felt like an eternity but UT hits his flying forearm. Tombstone is no sold, here's Naitch but Hulk hits him. Big Boot by Hulk but Bearer stops the leg drop. Flair places a chair in the ring and UT Tombstones Hulk on it for the 3 count and a 6 day title reign but the most interesting part is that UT got a pop for winning. *1/2 - Match was real basic as Hogan's schtick was getting old and Undertaker's matches were deadly .... deadly boring that is pre-Mick Foley. Their match was basically null and void at T.T.I.T as Hogan used ashes which led to the 92 Rumble where Flair won the vacant Championship.
Piper and Flair cut generally unintelligible promos then the six guys involved in the main event do as well.
Beverly Brothers/Nasty Boys Vs. Bushwhackers/Rockers
Bobby on Rockers 'Laverne and Shirley'. Bushwhackers dominate the Beverleys and then the Nasties, it's BushwhackerMania! Marty joins in the Bushwhacker walk as heels regroup ringside. Knobbs eliminates Bushwhacker Luke with a top rope clothesline (4-3), everyone seems to of been eliminated with a top rope move tonight. Shawn gets a 2 off a crossbody on Saggs, T.T.I.T is pushed again it's almost as if Survivor Series was an irritation, a PPV they simply had to do to get to T.T.I.T. Marty plays face-in-peril then Super kicks a Beverly for 2. Butch is eliminated via a Spike Flapjack kind of move (4-2). Michaels is being worn down but eliminates a Beau of the Beverly Brothers via a a backslide (3-2). Sweet Chin Music, before it became the big move, to Knobbs at ringside. Marty plays face-in-peril again, Marty goes to slam Saggs but knocks him into Michaels who is then rolled up by Knobbs for the 3 count (3-1) and starts the dissention between the two as Michaels isn't happy with Jannetty. Marty is pinning Saggs but Knobbs turns it and Saggs pins Jannetty for the 3 count (3-0). ** - It was okay at best. We got the seeds for The Rockers split but the heat segments didn't always work in the match.
Typhoon/Earthquake/IRS Vs. Legion Of Doom/Big Bossman
Forgot how great if slightly cheesy Bossman's theme was. Legion Of Doom get a pop as did Bossman, LOD are Tag Champions. Bobby on Detroit 'One thing I love most about Detroit, it has an airport and I get out of here in the morning'. Earthquake catches Animal and hits a backbreaker but misses a splash. Typhoon is pummelled in the corner. T.T.I.T is pushed again. IRS eliminates Bossman with a briefcase shot (3-2). Earthquake gets 2 off Animal from a belly-to-belly. Heel miscommunication as IRS hits Typhoon with the briefcase and Hawk pins him (2-2) then Earthquake leaves as he's annoyed with IRS. (1-2), there's a bit gone wrong as IRS and Hawk simply belly bounce each other. Hawk gets 3 from a top rope clothesline. *1/2 - Not a good end to a PPV fittingly that isn't very good as a whole. I get having an LOD win to send fans home happy but title match should've gone last as for the match itself it as stated wasn't very good, Hawk in particular seemed to be having an off night.
Gene interviews Undertaker to end the show, I must say I laughed as Undertaker calls him Mr. Okerlund, nice to see this Deadman was raised with manners.
10 / 25 - Great opener bar the ending but the bottom falls out of this PPV from there, I actually though I was going to get my first single digiter here but it manages to avoid that milestone. The problem with reviewing PPVs is that I look at things from a workrate stand point predominantly which kind of takes away from matches which aren't very good but are enjoya based on characters involved. Thumbs down.
IYH 25: Judgment Day
- Rosemont, Illinois. October 18th 1998
- Attendance: 18,151
- Buyrate: 0.80 (Found online could be wrong)
This review is off YouTube as it is one of the 1998 PPVs I don't have on DVD. At Breakdown Vince finally got the WWF Title off Austin as Taker and Kane both pinned him at the same time thus we have a vacant title but tonight Undertaker faces Kane for it with Austin as special ref, if he doesn't count a fall he will be fired. Also it's not a typo as yes the first Judgment Day was an October PPV.
Al Snow (w/ Head) vs. Marc Mero (w/ Jacqueline)
These two also wrestled at IYH 13:Final Four, if I remember right that got **1/2. Fans dig Al or at least Head. Jeff Jarrett comes out and wants a piece of Al but then he leaves rendering that moot. Mero starts better then recoils when he's near head, Al gets 2 off a clothesline. Mero hits some boxing punches as Deadman looks on in the back making notes. Snow does some dodging then hits a DDT and a moonsault. Jacqueline distracts Al so Mero low blows him and gets 2 off a DDT. Al fires some moves off - underhook headbutts, enziguri and a sit out powerbomb but misses a moonsault. Meros hit his own offence since Snow missed the moonsault, speaking of missing he misses Marvelocity (Shooting Star Press) then Snow avoids TKO and hits Snow Plow for 3. **1/2 - Solid but unspectacular, I've always thought Snow was underrated as a wrestler.
We see Austin arriving on HeAT but The Stooges make him change in the refs locker room.
DOA/ Paul Ellering Vs. LOD 2000 (Animal/Hawk/Droz)
Boring power match, Road Warriors never changed from 80s version really so didn't fit into the 90s WWF. It ends when one of DOA, there identical twins, is hit with Doomsday Device and Droz sneaks in for the pin annoying Hawk. *1/2
Light Heavyweight Title - Christian Vs. TAKA (c)
Love Broods music. Trying to think of a Light Heavyweight Title Match on PPV between this and Backlash 2000 but I don't think there was one, actually I don't think this title was around much in '99. Quick start, TAKA lands on his feet from a german and heel kicks Christian, springboard crossbody to outside follows. Christian gets Superkicked but is all 'no biggie' and hits a reverse DDT. Chrstian fires off three suplexes, the 3 Goths? Nice springboard Asai moonsault by TAKA. Shoutout for Seinfeld's 'Puffy Shirt'. TAKA shouts 'Thats It' and he's right as Christian rolls through a Michinoku Driver for 3 and the Title. *** - Good little match, unlike the majority of WWF matches at this time so it stands out. Gillberg was next LH Champion I think.
Val Venis (w/ Terri) Vs. Goldust
Cant stand Terri. Dustin Runnels was almost like a prototype RTC, which funnily enough Val was a member, as he became preachy and dropped the Goldust gimmick, he wrestled the previous month as Dustin Runnels. Due to his 2013 return i'm fairly sure Goldust has the record for WWE returns. Goldust interrupts Vals 'Hello Ladies' schtick. Quick start with Val on top until he is dropped face first on the ring steps. Back in a hard irish whip then a clothesline gets Goldust a 2 count. Goldust misses a corner charge and falls ringside where Val resumes control, he is using shoulder based offence and I dig it. Val ends a mini Goldust fight back then targets the shoulder again. Russian legsweep by Val and i'm in shock as he didn't set it up with knees to the mid-section. Val gets caught up top and superplexed for 2. Terri's on the ropes after Goldust hits a bulldog so Goldie kicks Val square in the nuts for 3, i'd be down for 300 from that. *** - Good match, i'm enjoying this PPV as unlike early 98 cards we're getting a good midcard here.
Ken Shamrock, HHH brawl on HeAT in which HHH reinjured his knee.
European Title - -Pac (w/ Chyna) Vs. D'Lo Brown (c)
D'Lo is billed from Milan, Italy. and is still rocking the chest protector. JR plugs Capital Carnage so I shall plug my review - https://july-dec-reviews.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/wwf-capital-carnage.html. D'Lo gains the upper hand after an even start. X-Pac's Bronco Buster is blocked with a good old boot to the nuts. Chinlock is applied and given X-Pac's neck history it's a rare time where chinlock is acceptable. Heel kick gets D'Lo a 2 count as does a running powerbomb. X-Pac almost comes through the camera when he misses a corner charge. Brown goes for a submission win with a texas cloverleaf. 'D'Lo sucks chant' Ref Bump! as D'Lo knocks Chioda out of the ring, here's .... Mark Henry. X-Pac kicks out of a belt shot to a pop. D'Lo comes off the top right into a X-Factor for the 3 count as X-Pac wins the gold. ***1/2 - A good fun match here between these two who had some good matches in '98. I am a fan of both.
Headbangers have words for Outlaws as Mosh says the're doing the J-O-B on the PPV.
WWF Tag Titles - NAO (c) Vs. Headbangers
Headbangers attack as Road Dogg does his spiel. Road Dogg was hit by a boombox so JR plugs JVC. Headbangers isolate Road Dogg. A suplex on Thrasher stops the onslaught. Gunn tags in and cleans house. Billy is low bridged by Thrasher then bounced off the steps. Get a re-run now as Gunn is isolated ala Dogg from earlier, this match is getting more time than I agree with, Road Dogg hits Mosh with a boom box for the blatant DQ, which is my tactic when losing on WWE 13. *1/2 - Good strategy, I appreciate tag psychology, but boring execution. Went too long for my liking.
Michael Cole says Bearer has been in the locker rooms of both Kane and Undertaker but here's Mankind who cuts a promo as Mankind and Socko, to add to the insanity Cole holds the mic to Socko, who started the interview doing Shamrocks sayings in a high-pitched voice. SummerSlam, Breakdown and now this Mick was on a roll for PPV promos in 98.
IC Title - Ken Shamrock (c) Vs. Mankind
Ken won the IC Title in a tourney after HHH was injured. Couple of Pat Patterson jokes from JR and King. Shamrock works the ankle early but now Mankind is fighting back. Ken of the late 90s would fit in well today with his MMA offence. Frankensteiner by Ken but soon he's in the Mandible Claw. Ken gets in punches from the mount. Chioda stops Mankind using a chair so Ken boots it in Foleys face then cracks him with it, no DQ then I guess. Ken does the HBK strategy and attacks the hand, why more didn't do that Vs. Foley is beyond me. Double Arm DDT but Mankind can't capitalize and then he rips his hair out. Mankind channels Cactus with the Cactus clothesline and Elbow but at ringside he is powerslammed and hits his leg on the steps. Finish is inventive and funny to me as Ken applies the Ankle Lock but rather than tap Mankind KOs himself with a Mandible Claw. ken's unhappy his Ankle Lock didn't get the win so he attacks the ref. *** - Finish was enjoyable to me and the match itself was okay.
Michael Cole tries to get a word with Vince but Bossman puts the kibosh on that.
The Rock Vs. Mark Henry
Henry reads a poem for Chyna pre-match, Pop for Rocky. Rock's on top from the get go including a suplex for 2. Henry takes control and gets 2 off an elbow drop. Leg drop gets another 2 as the match has really slowed. Rock fights back and a DDT gets a 2 count. People's Elbow brings D'Lo Brown out but he gets dropped. Henry splashes Rock for the 3 count, D'Lo was holding his feet. ** - Not much to it but i'm feeling generous.
WWF Title - S/ref is Stone Cold - Undertaker Vs. Kane
If Austin doesn't give us a new Champion he's fired. Takers theme is awesome. Deadman and Kane shake hands. Austin comes out last as he's the one that matters. Austin refuses to count when Deadman goes for a pin then fast counts when Kane does, speaking of Kane he is beaten around ringside until Taker misses a chairshot. I like their gimmicks but god these two bore me in matches together bar maybe Mani 14s. Taker was working the leg with kicks but Kane seemingly forgets or just plain ignores it now. Some boring chants as Taker resumes the leg work, I do like psychology but god it can be boring at times. They beat up Stone Cold. Chokeslam to Undertaker but here's Paul Bearer who hits Kane with the chair but he no sells so Undertaker hits Kane with it but Austin wont count the pin and instead Stunners Taker then hits him with the chair and counts both guys shoulders down and declares himself the winner. Post match Austin goes looking for Vince who appears above the entrance way and tells Austin he's fired. Think the next night had the 'Vince just pissed his pants' stuff. *1/2 Sheesh that sucked, fell to pre-96 Taker levels, and the PPV ends with no champion so people who ordered this 17 years ago wasted there money basically.
21.5 / 45 - I actually enjoyed the undercard quite a bit it's just the main and NAO/Headbangers that really anchor this one down in terms of the score. Doesn't reach the lofty heights of Canadian Stampede but this is certainly one of the better IYH PPVs. THumbs up.
- Attendance: 18,151
- Buyrate: 0.80 (Found online could be wrong)
This review is off YouTube as it is one of the 1998 PPVs I don't have on DVD. At Breakdown Vince finally got the WWF Title off Austin as Taker and Kane both pinned him at the same time thus we have a vacant title but tonight Undertaker faces Kane for it with Austin as special ref, if he doesn't count a fall he will be fired. Also it's not a typo as yes the first Judgment Day was an October PPV.
Al Snow (w/ Head) vs. Marc Mero (w/ Jacqueline)
These two also wrestled at IYH 13:Final Four, if I remember right that got **1/2. Fans dig Al or at least Head. Jeff Jarrett comes out and wants a piece of Al but then he leaves rendering that moot. Mero starts better then recoils when he's near head, Al gets 2 off a clothesline. Mero hits some boxing punches as Deadman looks on in the back making notes. Snow does some dodging then hits a DDT and a moonsault. Jacqueline distracts Al so Mero low blows him and gets 2 off a DDT. Al fires some moves off - underhook headbutts, enziguri and a sit out powerbomb but misses a moonsault. Meros hit his own offence since Snow missed the moonsault, speaking of missing he misses Marvelocity (Shooting Star Press) then Snow avoids TKO and hits Snow Plow for 3. **1/2 - Solid but unspectacular, I've always thought Snow was underrated as a wrestler.
We see Austin arriving on HeAT but The Stooges make him change in the refs locker room.
DOA/ Paul Ellering Vs. LOD 2000 (Animal/Hawk/Droz)
Boring power match, Road Warriors never changed from 80s version really so didn't fit into the 90s WWF. It ends when one of DOA, there identical twins, is hit with Doomsday Device and Droz sneaks in for the pin annoying Hawk. *1/2
Light Heavyweight Title - Christian Vs. TAKA (c)
Love Broods music. Trying to think of a Light Heavyweight Title Match on PPV between this and Backlash 2000 but I don't think there was one, actually I don't think this title was around much in '99. Quick start, TAKA lands on his feet from a german and heel kicks Christian, springboard crossbody to outside follows. Christian gets Superkicked but is all 'no biggie' and hits a reverse DDT. Chrstian fires off three suplexes, the 3 Goths? Nice springboard Asai moonsault by TAKA. Shoutout for Seinfeld's 'Puffy Shirt'. TAKA shouts 'Thats It' and he's right as Christian rolls through a Michinoku Driver for 3 and the Title. *** - Good little match, unlike the majority of WWF matches at this time so it stands out. Gillberg was next LH Champion I think.
Val Venis (w/ Terri) Vs. Goldust
Cant stand Terri. Dustin Runnels was almost like a prototype RTC, which funnily enough Val was a member, as he became preachy and dropped the Goldust gimmick, he wrestled the previous month as Dustin Runnels. Due to his 2013 return i'm fairly sure Goldust has the record for WWE returns. Goldust interrupts Vals 'Hello Ladies' schtick. Quick start with Val on top until he is dropped face first on the ring steps. Back in a hard irish whip then a clothesline gets Goldust a 2 count. Goldust misses a corner charge and falls ringside where Val resumes control, he is using shoulder based offence and I dig it. Val ends a mini Goldust fight back then targets the shoulder again. Russian legsweep by Val and i'm in shock as he didn't set it up with knees to the mid-section. Val gets caught up top and superplexed for 2. Terri's on the ropes after Goldust hits a bulldog so Goldie kicks Val square in the nuts for 3, i'd be down for 300 from that. *** - Good match, i'm enjoying this PPV as unlike early 98 cards we're getting a good midcard here.
Ken Shamrock, HHH brawl on HeAT in which HHH reinjured his knee.
European Title - -Pac (w/ Chyna) Vs. D'Lo Brown (c)
D'Lo is billed from Milan, Italy. and is still rocking the chest protector. JR plugs Capital Carnage so I shall plug my review - https://july-dec-reviews.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/wwf-capital-carnage.html. D'Lo gains the upper hand after an even start. X-Pac's Bronco Buster is blocked with a good old boot to the nuts. Chinlock is applied and given X-Pac's neck history it's a rare time where chinlock is acceptable. Heel kick gets D'Lo a 2 count as does a running powerbomb. X-Pac almost comes through the camera when he misses a corner charge. Brown goes for a submission win with a texas cloverleaf. 'D'Lo sucks chant' Ref Bump! as D'Lo knocks Chioda out of the ring, here's .... Mark Henry. X-Pac kicks out of a belt shot to a pop. D'Lo comes off the top right into a X-Factor for the 3 count as X-Pac wins the gold. ***1/2 - A good fun match here between these two who had some good matches in '98. I am a fan of both.
Headbangers have words for Outlaws as Mosh says the're doing the J-O-B on the PPV.
WWF Tag Titles - NAO (c) Vs. Headbangers
Headbangers attack as Road Dogg does his spiel. Road Dogg was hit by a boombox so JR plugs JVC. Headbangers isolate Road Dogg. A suplex on Thrasher stops the onslaught. Gunn tags in and cleans house. Billy is low bridged by Thrasher then bounced off the steps. Get a re-run now as Gunn is isolated ala Dogg from earlier, this match is getting more time than I agree with, Road Dogg hits Mosh with a boom box for the blatant DQ, which is my tactic when losing on WWE 13. *1/2 - Good strategy, I appreciate tag psychology, but boring execution. Went too long for my liking.
Michael Cole says Bearer has been in the locker rooms of both Kane and Undertaker but here's Mankind who cuts a promo as Mankind and Socko, to add to the insanity Cole holds the mic to Socko, who started the interview doing Shamrocks sayings in a high-pitched voice. SummerSlam, Breakdown and now this Mick was on a roll for PPV promos in 98.
IC Title - Ken Shamrock (c) Vs. Mankind
Ken won the IC Title in a tourney after HHH was injured. Couple of Pat Patterson jokes from JR and King. Shamrock works the ankle early but now Mankind is fighting back. Ken of the late 90s would fit in well today with his MMA offence. Frankensteiner by Ken but soon he's in the Mandible Claw. Ken gets in punches from the mount. Chioda stops Mankind using a chair so Ken boots it in Foleys face then cracks him with it, no DQ then I guess. Ken does the HBK strategy and attacks the hand, why more didn't do that Vs. Foley is beyond me. Double Arm DDT but Mankind can't capitalize and then he rips his hair out. Mankind channels Cactus with the Cactus clothesline and Elbow but at ringside he is powerslammed and hits his leg on the steps. Finish is inventive and funny to me as Ken applies the Ankle Lock but rather than tap Mankind KOs himself with a Mandible Claw. ken's unhappy his Ankle Lock didn't get the win so he attacks the ref. *** - Finish was enjoyable to me and the match itself was okay.
Michael Cole tries to get a word with Vince but Bossman puts the kibosh on that.
The Rock Vs. Mark Henry
Henry reads a poem for Chyna pre-match, Pop for Rocky. Rock's on top from the get go including a suplex for 2. Henry takes control and gets 2 off an elbow drop. Leg drop gets another 2 as the match has really slowed. Rock fights back and a DDT gets a 2 count. People's Elbow brings D'Lo Brown out but he gets dropped. Henry splashes Rock for the 3 count, D'Lo was holding his feet. ** - Not much to it but i'm feeling generous.
WWF Title - S/ref is Stone Cold - Undertaker Vs. Kane
If Austin doesn't give us a new Champion he's fired. Takers theme is awesome. Deadman and Kane shake hands. Austin comes out last as he's the one that matters. Austin refuses to count when Deadman goes for a pin then fast counts when Kane does, speaking of Kane he is beaten around ringside until Taker misses a chairshot. I like their gimmicks but god these two bore me in matches together bar maybe Mani 14s. Taker was working the leg with kicks but Kane seemingly forgets or just plain ignores it now. Some boring chants as Taker resumes the leg work, I do like psychology but god it can be boring at times. They beat up Stone Cold. Chokeslam to Undertaker but here's Paul Bearer who hits Kane with the chair but he no sells so Undertaker hits Kane with it but Austin wont count the pin and instead Stunners Taker then hits him with the chair and counts both guys shoulders down and declares himself the winner. Post match Austin goes looking for Vince who appears above the entrance way and tells Austin he's fired. Think the next night had the 'Vince just pissed his pants' stuff. *1/2 Sheesh that sucked, fell to pre-96 Taker levels, and the PPV ends with no champion so people who ordered this 17 years ago wasted there money basically.
21.5 / 45 - I actually enjoyed the undercard quite a bit it's just the main and NAO/Headbangers that really anchor this one down in terms of the score. Doesn't reach the lofty heights of Canadian Stampede but this is certainly one of the better IYH PPVs. THumbs up.
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