WWF 1997.02.13 - Thursday Night Raw

Location: Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, Massachusetts

Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross

This week Raw takes place on Thursday, and the show is called Thursday Raw Thursday. In Germany they'd call a name like that doppelt gemoppelt. The rescheduling probably has nothing to do with the WWF. My guess is that a more important programme was scheduled for Monday.

Match 1. Intercontinental title, Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs Rocky Maivia

It's the first title match for 24-year-old Rocky Maivia. His first television appearance was less than three months ago, Monday Night Raw on 25th November 1996, so he's rising fast in the WWF.

Halfway through the match, Honky Tonk Man joins the table as a guest commentator.

This was the longest match of the evening, lasting more than 15 minutes. After a technical fight, in which Triple H (surprisingly) didn't cheat, Rocky Maivia won and became the new Intercontinental champion. It's interesting to see how fickle the crowd is. At the beginning of the match they were chanting "Rocky sucks", but after his victory they cheered him.

Match 2. Tag team, The Headbangers vs Bob Holly/Aldo Montoya

Sunny comes to the ring to announce the next match. Just look at the boys in the front row. They're all staring at her legs. Is it too late for me to join her fan club?

Jerry Lawler utters the quote of the day: "I don't know what the seven wonders of the world are, but Sunny has two of them".

Sunny has problems with her dress riding up. If you can call that a problem.

If you're wondering why I'm posting so many photos of Sunny instead of the wrestlers, here's the alternative. Mosh and Thrasher aren't a very pleasant sight. At least they're good wrestlers. After a bout marred by cheating on both sides, Mosh pinned Aldo Montoya to win the match.

And Sunny announces the winners. It must be cold in the arena.

Now follows an emotional segment. Shawn Michaels comes to the ring, greeted by Vince McMahon and Gorilla Monsoon. In an untelevised match since last week's Raw Shawn has injured his knee. His doctor has told him that he may never wrestle again. He's decided to forfeit his belt, because he's unable to defend the WWF championship.

Shawn hopes he'll be able to come back to the ring, but he said that it's essential that he should be able to perform as he did before. He believes in giving 100%, so if he can only give 99% he won't wrestle.

Shawn is crying as he speaks. The fans in the audience are crying.

When we see Vince McMahon on television he's always acting. He's vicious. He's tough. Here's a rare moment when we see Vince's real sentimental side.

Shawn walks around the ring to say goodbye. He hugs Gorilla Monsoon, Howard Finkel, Jim Ross and maybe others that we don't see. Jerry Lawler is the only one who remains positive. He says that he believes Shawn will be back, whether it's a month, a year or longer.

Match 3. Undertaker vs Savio Vega

After a hard match the Undertaker pins Savio Vega. The match itself is fought fairly, but as soon as it's over the whole Nation Of Domination attacks the Undertaker. That's six on one. Ahmed Johnson comes to the ring to save him.

Doc Hendrix interviews Gorilla Monsoon, asking him what will happen now that the WWF Heavyweight title is vacant. Gorilla says that there will be a Final Four match at the next PPV on Sunday, between Bret Hart, Steve Austin, the Undertaker and Vader. The winner will be crowned WWF champion. Whoever wins must face Sycho Sid the following day on Raw.

Match 4. Steve Austin vs Sycho Sid

This is a hard match which seems to be going in Steve Austin's favour. After about three minutes Bret Hart runs into the ring and attacks Austin. This means that Steve Austin wins the match by disqualification. When Steve Austin leaves, Sid attacks Bret Hart, and five officials are needed to separate them.

Don't you just love the WWF's free-for-all brawls?

Match 5: Tag team championship, British Bulldog/Owen Hart vs. Faarooq/Crush

The same as last week, Owen Hart falls out of the ring and says he's twisted his knee, so he's counted out. Faarooq and Crush win the match, but the Bulldog and Owen Hart retain the title. Once more, British Bulldog doesn't believe that Owen has really injured himself. My personal opinion is that it's sick to fake a knee injury on the same day that Shawn Michaels has announced a genuine knee injury.

Match 6. Bret Hart vs Vader

There's a lot of trash talking before this match starts. Bret says he regrets not being able to challenge Shawn Michaels for the WWF title, but he can win against the other three participants in the Final Four match. Vader says that he'll win easily, because he's beaten all three of the others in individual matches over the last four weeks. Today's match between Bret Hart and Vader is delayed, because the Undertaker comes into the arena and says his three opponents will all Rest In Peace.

After Bret Hart and Vader have fought for two minutes, Steve Austin comes to the ring and attacks Bret. Shouldn't that mean that Vader is disqualified? The referees aren't consistent when it comes to outside interference. It takes six officials to pull Steve Austin off Bret. The match continues, and eventually Bret pins Vader.

That was the warm up. The real fight is on Sunday, three days from now.