WWF 1997.03.31 - Monday Night Raw

Location: Civic Center, Peoria, Illinois

Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross

This event took place on March 25th, the day after last week's live Raw broadcast. In the history of Raw, the broadcasts alternated between live and recorded broadcasts. In the commentary it's frequently stated that something happened "last week", even though it really took place yesterday.

Match 1. European Championship, British Bulldog vs Owen Hart

British Bulldog and Owen Hart are the tag team champions, but there's been a lot of tension between them over the last few weeks. They've each been jealous of the attention the other has been getting. Last week (or rather yesterday) Owen Hart challenged British Bulldog for the European Championship. It's a long, hard fight with open animosity between the two.

Bret Hart (Owen's older brother) interrupts the fight. He reminds them that they're brothers-in-law. (British Bulldog, Davey Boy Smith, is married to Owen's sister Diana).

Bret holds a passionate speech that makes Owen cry. He says that the American wrestling fans have turned them against one another, because America is a country with no family values. They hug one another and leave the ring as friends and family.

Jerry Lawler is also moved to tears. He's in an emotional state for the rest of the evening.

Vince McMahon is annoyed and tells Jerry to snap out of it. A lot of what Bret said was valid, but Vince objects to the message that Americans have no family values.

Match 2. El Mosco vs Super Nova

Sunny comes to the ring as guest commentator. First she sits with the American commentators, then she joins the Spanish commentators and reveals that she can speak fluent Spanish.

El Mosco and Super Nova are two guest wrestlers from Mexico's AAA. The match is fast-paced and athletic, but judging by the silence in the arena nobody cares for either of them.

After the match Sunny comforts Jerry Lawler, who's still feeling emotional after Bret Hart's speech.

Jim Ross interviews the Legion of Doom, who are due to challenge British Bulldog and Owen Hart for the tag team championship at the next Pay Per View. They insist that America has family values, and they'll become the new champions.

Match 3. Jesse James vs Jerry Fox

I believe this is the first time Jesse James has used this name in the ring. Until now he's been known as The Roadie.

Honky Tonk Man comes to the ring as guest commentator. Jesse James easily defeats the jobber Jerry Fox. After the match Honky Tonk Man enters the ring to congratulate Jesse James. He tells him that he'll go all the way to the top with his support. He gives Jesse James his guitar, a family heirloom. Jesse smashes it.

Match 4. Savio Vega & Crush vs Adam O'Brien & Rob Bell

Savio Vega and Crush defeat the two jobbers who make a valiant effort to fight back. Adam O'Brien is the ring name of Adam Pearce, who's been employed as an official in the WWE since 2020.

Paul Bearer was the Undertaker's manager from 1990 to 1996. At Summerslam 1996 he turned his back on the Undertaker and allied himself with Mankind. Now he regrets it and wants the Undertaker to take him back. He enters the ring and pleads with the Undertaker to forgive him. The Undertaker enters the ring and knocks Paul Bearer down. Paul flees the ring, followed by the Undertaker. The Undertaker wants to hit Paul with his urn, but Mankind comes from under the ring and blinds the Undertaker with a ball of fire. Sycho Sid runs into the arena and chases Mankind away.

Match 5. Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs Goldust

Goldust has the momentum for the first few minutes. He rushes into the ring and attacks Triple H viciously, wanting revenge for Marlena being injured at Wrestlemania. The tide turns in Triple H's favour, but Goldust is about to bodyslam Triple H when Chyna enters the ring and attacks him from behind. Goldust wins the match by disqualification.

After the match Triple H and Chyna attack Goldust. The ring officials (six referees plus Pat Patterson) attempt to separate them. Triple H attacks Pat Patterson, but Pat fights back. Chyna knocks him on the floor and kicks him repeatedly until Triple H persuades her to leave.

Steve Austin comes to the ring to be interviewed by Vince McMahon. Vince asks him what his thoughts are about Wrestlemania. Steve says that he never said "I quit", so he didn't lose. He wants to fight Bret Hart again.

Bret speaks over the Titantron. He says that he's finished with Steve Austin and will never fight him again.

Match 6. Intercontinental Championship, Rocky Maivia vs Bret Hart

Bret Hart challenges Rocky Maivia for the Intercontinental Championship. The two are evenly matched, even though Bret is an experienced fighter while Rocky is still a rookie. The match is fought fairly, until Bret decides to put Rocky in a sharpshooter around the ring post. Bret is disqualified and Rocky retains the title.

Steve Austin comes out and attacks Bret. Bret is defended by Owen Hart and British Bulldog. The Legion of Doom come out to chase them away.