WWF 1997.03.24 - Monday Night Raw

Location: Metro Center, Rockford, Illinois

Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross

It's the day after Wrestlemania. Welcome to Raw Is War!

Match 1. Tag Team Championship, British Bulldog & Own Hart vs The Headbangers

Bulldog and Owen defend their title. At the beginning the two teams are equally matched. Bulldog and Owen begin to get the advantage, so the Headbangers have to cheat to stop themselves being pinned. After Bulldog and Owen accidentally bump into one another they start to argue. They both stand in the ring arguing while the referee Earl Habner tries to make one of them leave the ring. Bulldog throws Earl Hebner on his back in a rage, so they're disqualified, but they retain their title.

After the match is over, Owen and Bulldog fight one another. They have to be separated by the officials. Owen says he's the best fighter in the team, and he wants to prove it by challenging British Bulldog for the European Championship title.

Match 2. Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs Bart Gunn

Triple H is accompanied to the ring by Chyna. It's a fair fight, until Triple H knocks Bart Gunn out of the ring. Chyna picks him up and bodyslams him. Then she throws him against the ring post. Trimple H pulls him back into the ring and pins him.

Chyna isn't just a pretty face.

She has a lot of strength to lift a 270 lb (122 Kg) man.

Match 3. Six man tag team match, Discovery, Super Nova & Venum vs Abismo Negro, El Mosco & Histeria

These are six guest wrestlers from AAA in Mexico. It's spectacular action with a lot of high flying manoeuvres, but the audience seemed bored. They don't go to WWF events to see strangers. Who won? It was the Discovers team, but nobody really cared.

There's a pre-recorded interview with Rocky Maivia and his father, Rocky Johnson. Rocky Sr. says he bought his own ticket to Wrestlemania to see his son fight. He couldn't resist intervening when his son was being attacked three-on-one. He promises not to get involved in his fights in future.

Match 4. Flash Funk vs The Brooklyn Brawler

The Honky Tonk Man comes out as guest commentator. Initially the Brooklyn Brawler has the advantage, but Flash Funk wins. Honky Tonk Man doesn't have much to say about the match. All he does is complain that Flash Funk has no idea about music. Let me be honest: I don't like the music of either one of them.

Vince McMahon interviews Ken Shamrock, asking him why he declared Bret Hart the winner in yesterday's match against Steve Austin, even though Austin didn't quit. Ken says that Steve Austin was unconscious and unable to defend himself, so it was his responsibility as referee to make a decision that protected Austin's life and his career. He added that he respects Austin as one of the toughest men he's ever seen.

Bret Hart comes to the ring to complain about the way he's been treated in the WWF. Time and again he should have won a match, but someone interfered. Sometimes it's Steve Austin. Last week on Raw the Undertaker slammed Bret's head against the steel cage to stop him winning the WWF Championship title from Sycho Sid. He says he has fans all over the world, from Germany to Canada, but the WWF fans in America don't know a good wrestler when they see one. Even after he beat Steve Austin yesterday, the fans cheered for Austin and not for him. The American fans can all kiss his ass.

Vince McMahon listens with a stony face.

Shawn Michaels comes to the ring to answer Bret. He says that he too has been booed, but it doesn't matter. Every wrestling fan who buys a ticket has the right to cheer or boo whoever he wants. Bret should just accept the audience reaction whatever it is.

When Shawn turns his back to leave the ring, Bret attacks him and puts him in a figure four leg lock round the ring post. The officials have to pull Bret off.

Sycho Sid comes to the ring , and Bret leaves the arena.

Match 5. Rocky Maivia vs Leif Cassidy

Intercontinental champion Rocky Maivia faces Leif Cassidy in a non-title match. Bret Hart comes to ringside as an uninvited guest commentator. Bret denies that he's snapped; he says that he's seen the light. I wish I could read lips. A lot of what he said was censored.

Rocky wins the match without much difficulty. After the match Bret attacks Rocky while he's celebrating. Where's Rocky Johnson when we need him? He probably didn't have enough money to buy tickets two days in a row.

Match 6. Ahmed Johnson vs Savio Vega

Faarooq was scheduled to fight Ahmed Johnson today, but he was injured in yesterday's Chicago Street Fight, so he's been replaced by Savio Vega.

The other members of the Nation Of Domination remain at the entrance to the arena. Ahmed Johnson has a clear advantage in the fight. Ahmed is about to pin Savio Vega, so the Nation Of Domination comes to the ring and pulls him out. Savio Vega is disqualified. Ahmed makes a challenge. He says he'll fight any one of the Nation Of Domination, and if he beats him the whole Nation Of Domination has to leave the WWF. They refuse the challenge and walk out.

Vince McMahon interviews the Undertaker. He congratulates him on winning the WWF Championship, and then tells him that Mankind is the number one contender. The Undertaker says that Mankind is the most dangerous wrestler in the WWF, so he'll have to remain sharp to beat him.

Paul Bearer interrupts the interview, begging the Undertaker not to beat him up. Mankind wails over the Titantron, interrupting Paul Bearer. Raw goes off air abruptly.