WWF 1997.05.26 - Monday Night Raw

Location: Roberts Municipal Stadium, Evansville, Indiana

Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jim Ross

This event was broadcast live. Jerry Lawler is in the house tonight, but he's not a commentator. He's saving all his strength for his participation in the King of the Ring tournament.

Steve Austin comes to the ring. Before he can begin to talk, Shawn Michaels also comes. Jim Ross interviews them, asking if they can co-exist long enough to become the tag team champions. Steve says he'll co-exist with anyone as long as he can beat up the Hart Foundation.

The Legion of Doom come to the ring and say they should be the tag team champions. Sean Michaels promises them that when (not if) they've defeated British Bulldog and Owen Hart they'll get a title shot.

Match 1. Legion of Doom vs Brian Pillman & Jim Neidhart.

It's only a short match between the Legion of Doom and the Hart Foundation team of Jim Neidhart and Brian Pillman. British Bulldog and Owen Hart invade the ring, so Jim and Brian are disqualified.

Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels run into the ring to attack the Hart Foundation. Shawn attempt to kick Jim Neidhart, but he misses and kicks Steve Austin, Steve and Shawn roll on the floor brawling while the officials try to separate them.

Sunny is still on the prowl with her Super Soaker CPS 2000.

Honky Tonk Man should wipe that stupid grin off his face.

Sunny is ready for him.

She got him.

She got him again.

"What's the matter, Honky Tonk? Your pants are wet. Did you have an accident?"

"My best suit is soaked!"

"Now you know, Honky Tonk. Wetter is better".

Personally, I'd like to see Sunny get soaked, but I'm not brave enough to challenge her to a fair fight.

Match 2. D-Lo Brown vs Bob Holly

We've seen D-Lo Brown every week since the Nation of Domination was formed. He's been walking anonymously behind Faarooq, wearing an immaculate suit. Today is his first chance to step into the ring as a wrestler. He's facing Bob Holly, who's announced as Bob Sportscar Holly.

Faarooq joins Vince McMahon and Jim Ross at the commentators table, but he's not interested in talking about the match. All he wants to do is complain about how unjustly black people are treated in America and the WWF.

Bob Holly fights valiantly. It's good to see him in the ring again, but D-Lo wins the match.

Match 3. Jerry Lawler vs Goldust

This is a first round match for the King of the Ring tournament. The Indiana crowd is solidly behind Jerry Lawler. Before the match begins he has a few words to say to Goldust:

"It seems our sissy friend is having a little identity crisis. First he was Dustin Runnels, then he was Goldust, and now he wants to be the King of the Ring. We all saw you out here with tears running down your face, wondering why your old man, Oldust, don't love you any more. Well, I know Dusty Rhodes, and he told me why. It's because you married the biggest gold digger in Georgia, then you put on a woman's wig, and you went around the ring kissing men like a flaming pansy. Well let me tell you something. They're all gonna have tears running down their face tonight. Bring that gold digger to the ring and bring that little brat Dakota with her. because I'm gonna tell you this. They're all gonna have tears running down their face when I'm through with you. You named that brat Dakota, you should have named her Target, because I heard everyone in Atlanta had a shot at her".

Jerry pins Goldust with his legs on the ropes, unseen by the referee.

Marlena looks on in horror as Jerry beats her husband.

After the match Goldust hits Jerry on the ramp and leaves him lying on the floor. Marlena shows her disdain by walking over him. 

Match 4. Rocky Maivia vs Flash Funk

Flash Funk comes to the ring sans Funkettes. That's a shame. I never liked his music, but I liked his dancers. It's a very fair fight between two wrestlers who obviously respect one another. There's interference from the Headbangers, who attack both wrestlers when they fall out of the ring. Rocky pins Flash Funk, and Flash congratulates him on his victory. That's something we don't often see in the WWF.

Match 5. Ahmed Johnson vs Vader

Ken Shamrock comes out as guest commentator, Jerry Lawler's seat has been kept free for him this week. Last week Vader was unable to compete in the King of the Ring tournament because of injuries. This week he's been given a second chance. Ahmed Johnson won his first match in the tournament two weeks ago. If Vader defeats him today, he can take his place.

I expected a rough brawl between the two man mountains, but the match was surprisingly well fought. The two raised their fists like boxers. Eventually, Ahmed pinned Vader. Vader has had a second chance, and he lost.

Match 6. Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs Rockabilly

Chyna accompanies Triple H to the ring. Vince McMahon informs us that she was trained by Killer Kowalski. So she's a wrestler? The plot thickens. Honky Tonk Man accompanies Rockabilly to the ring. He's had time to change his clothes since being soaked by Sunny. Just as well. During the match Chyna slams Honky Tonk man outside the ring. The two wrestlers are evenly matched, but Triple H pins Rockabilly to win the match

Match 7. Tag team championship, Shawn Michaels & Steve Austin vs British Bulldog & Owen Hart

The match is announced by Howard Finkel. There's something about him. He has such a friendly face.

Shawn Michaels said he'd return to wrestling at the King of the Ring PPV on 8th June. It's good to see that he's changed his mind and returned earlier. If there were any doubts about whether he could co-exist with Steve Austin, the doubts have been allayed tonight. They're a well oiled team, as if they've been tag team partners for years. British Bulldog and Owen Hart are tough opponents. It's an exciting match, where both teams narrowly avoid being disqualified. In fact, this is the best match I've seen on Monday Night Raw so far.

Steve Austin pins the British Bulldog. Immediately after the match Brian Pillman and Jim Neidhart come into the ring to attack Shawn Michaels. Steve considers helping Shawn, but then he sees Bret Hart standing alone at the top of the ramp, so he chooses to attack him instead. The Hart Foundation leave Shawn on his back in the ring and rush up the ramp to protect Bret, but it's too late. The damage has been done.

After the match Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels start arguing in the locker room. Steve says that he won the tag team title by himself, but Shawn tells him that it was a team effort. But I think they're getting to like one another. In the past they were always hitting one another. Now they're just shouting at one another. It's a step in the right direction.

Vince McMahon interviews Paul Bearer in the ring. Paul says that he's ready to reveal the secret about the Undertaker's past. He says that on the day when the Undertaker's father and mother were buried there were three graves. He wants to continue, but he's interrupted by the arrival of the Undertaker.

The Undertaker asks the fans to forgive him for what he has to do. He begins to choke Paul Bearer. Then his face changes. He releases Paul and kneels before him.