WWF 1997.04.21 - Monday Night Raw

Location: Broome County Arena, Binghamton, New York

Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross

This event was broadcast live the day after the "In Your House" PPV.

The show opens with an interview between Vince McMahon and Steve Austin. Last night's fight wasn't enough for Steve. He wants to challenge Bret Hart to a street fight tonight.

Match 1. The Sultan vs Ahmed Johnson

The two fighters are surprisingly evenly matched. I say surprisingly, because the Sultan hasn't impressed me in the ring until now. The Nation of Domination enters the arena, which distracts Ahmed. While Ahmed is looking at the Nation of Domination, the Sultan attacks him. Ahmed fights him off. He pulls a piece of wood, a "two-by-four", from underneath the ring. He wants to chase the Nation of Domination, but the Sultan hits him again. Ahmed hits the Sultan with the two-by-four and is disqualified.

On 12th April Vader and the Undertaker appeared on a talk show in Kuwait. The host angered Vader by suggesting that wrestling is fake, so Vader attacked him. After the show Vader was arrested, and his trial will take place on 23rd April.

Ken Shamrock comes to the ring as guest commentator. He issues a challenge to Mike Tyson to see who's the world's most dangerous man.

Match 2. Bret Hart vs Steve Austin

While Steve Austin is in the ring waiting for Bret Hart, British Bulldog and Owen Hart attack him from behind. Bret enters the ring and they triple-team him. Shawn Michaels comes to the ring with a steel chair and chases Bulldog and Owen out of the arena. The match finally begins. After a slow start Steve Austin gets the upper hand. He hits Bret repeatedly with a steel chair. He applies a sharpshooter to Bret, but Bret refuses to quit.

For reasons unclear to me, the referee attempts to break the hold. Why? It's a legal wrestling hold in the middle of the ring, so it should continue until Bret quits or passes out. More officials come to the ring to stop Steve, but the sharpshooter remains for long minutes. Eventually they pull him off. The bell doesn't ring, but Steve Austin is evidently the winner. Bret Hart can't walk and has to be carried out on a stretcher.

Outside the arena Gorilla Monsoon accuses Steve Austin of breaking the rules. What rules?

Match 3. Tiger Ali Singh vs Salvatore Sincere

Tiger Ali Singh is a Canadian wrestler who was signed to the WWF on air in January. Since then he's appeared in house shows, but he didn't show enough charisma to be featured on Raw. This is his first match on television. He defeats Salvatore Sincere, a veteran wrestler who's fought under different names over the years. Tiger wins the match, but the crowd isn't very enthusiastic about him. He's a competent wrestler, but he still needs to work on his image.

Bret Hart is loaded into an ambulance to be taken to hospital. Steve Austin is waiting in the ambulance and beats him up while he's helpless. The wrestling officials drag Steve away so that the ambulance can leave.

Match 4. Jesse James vs Rockabilly

Jesse James sings his way to the ring. Rockabilly comes to the ring accompanied by his new manager, Honky Tonk Man. Didn't we have this match yesterday?

Note that the on-screen credits call the wrestler Jesse Jammes. That's probably a mistake, because the commentators pronounce his last name James.

Rockabilly wins the match with a pinfall. After the match Jesse attacks Rockabilly from behind. Honky Tonk Man hits Jesse over the head with his guitar.

Mankind speaks over the Titantron, wailing about Uncle Paul being disfigured after being burnt by the Undertaker yesterday.

Match 5. Undertaker vs Hunter Hearst Helmsley

The Undertaker faces Hunter Hearst Helmsley in a non-title match. Triple H is accompanied to the ring by Chyna. She doesn't interfere in the match, she just provides eye candy.

The match see-saws back and forth between the two wrestlers. After a while Mankind enters the arena carrying a blowtorch. The flame goes out, so Mankind hits the Undertaker over the head with the torch. The referee disqualifies Triple H and the Undertaker wins the match. This is an unfair decision by the referee. Triple H wasn't responsibility for the interference.

The Undertaker and Mankind fight one another outside the ring. Goldust and Marlena are sitting in the front row. Marlena tries to strangle Chyna with a belt while Goldust attacks Triple H.

I know my readers want to see more of Chyna, so here's another screenshot.

And another.

And another.

She's beautiful enough to deserve yet another photo.

The episode ends as it began. Steve Austin comes to the ring, and Vince McMahon interviews him. Steve claims to have injured Bret Hart so badly that he's ended his career. While he's talking, British Bulldog and Owen Hart attack him from behind. Shawn Michaels jumps into the ring with a steel chair to defend him, chasing Bulldog and Owen out of the arena. Steve is so dazed that he can hardly stand up.

Brian Pillman enters the ring and attacks Steve Austin. There was a feud between the two wrestlers last year, but Brian has been away from the WWF because of injuries. Shawn Michaels returns and chases Brian Pillman away witha steel chair. That's three times he's rescued Steve Austin in one evening.

The show ends. The WWF broadcasts are becoming more and more about Steve Austin. This will become more apparent in coming weeks.