WWF 1997.06.09 - Monday Night Raw

Location: Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, Conneticut

Commentators: Vince McMahon, Jim Ross

This event was broadcast live on the day after the King of the Ring PPV.

Match 1. Ahmed Johnson & Legion of Doom vs Faarooq, Crush & Savio Vega

The broadcast starts immediately with Ahmed Johnson and the Legion of Doom entering the arena. When the Nation of Domination enters there's tension. Crush refuses to salute with the others. Maybe he's finally noticing that he's not black enough to be respected. From the beginning, the Legion of Doom has the advantage. Faarooq seems tired after yesterday's match. When he's tagged, he doesn't want to enter the ring. He hardly defends himself when the three opponents attack him. He's finally pinned by Ahmed Johnson, and the Nation of Domination has to help him out of the arena.

Hunter Hearst Helmsley comes to the ring to be interviewed by Vince McMahon, accompanied by Chyna. Vince asks Him why he was so brutal to Mankind last night. Triple H answers it was Vince's fault. He says he should have become King of the Ring a year ago, but Vince didn't give him a chance. He says that the ring is now his own yard, and he'll let anyone challenge him.

Mankind replies over the Titantron that he'd like a rematch. Triple H asks Chyna if he deserves a rematch. Chyna says that Mankind can come to the ring and kiss her ass. This is the first time she's spoken on a WWF broadcast. It's good to see that she's a fine lady. Mankind comes out, and Triple H beats him on the head with his crown. Triple H and Chyna walk away, and Mankind takes the crown. They don't bother to retrieve it..

Sunny presents the new Raw Is War T-shirt. It looks good on her, but $24.99 plus postage is a stiff price.

Match 2. European Championship, British Bulldog vs Goldust

Goldust challenges British Bulldog for the European Championship, the first time that the title has been defended on television. Marlena has her own chair at ringside, but she doesn't use it. She spends the whole match pacing outside the ring.

Goldust pins British Bulldog, and the referee Tim White counts three, but he changes the decision after seeing that British Bulldog's foot was on the ropes. In the following fight both men fall out of the ring and continue fighting, so there's a double count out.

After the match British Bulldog continues to attack Goldust. Marlena slaps British Bulldog's face twice, but he doesn't retaliate. He's a gentleman. He tries to hit Goldust with a chair, but Marlena stands between them. Ken Shamrock comes out and attacks British Bulldog. The two want to fight, but Tim White separates them and sends them back to the locker room.

After a commotion in the locker room, Faarooq comes to the ring to speak to Jim Ross. He tells him that the Nation of Domination was formed to watch his back, and they've failed in their duty. He fires Savio Vega and Crush, he fires the unnamed wrestlers who accompany him, and he even fires Clarence Mason. The only person who can remain is D-Lo Brown, and he says he'll form a new Nation of Domination.

Faarooq says the first victims of the new Nation of Domination will be the Undertaker and Ahmed Johnson.

Match 3. Headbangers vs Doug Furnas & Philip Lafon

Doug Furnas and Philip Lafon are introduced as the most exciting tag team in the history of the WWF. Wow! How much did they bribe Tony Chimel to say that? They're doubtlessly a talented tag team, but the audience doesn't find them exciting. They're old school wrestlers who rely on skill and not on gimmicks. That's not what the fans want.

Furnas and Lafon are clearly the better team. The Headbangers can only defend themselves with cheating. After Furnas and Lafon collide in the ring, Doug Furnas is pinned, but the Headbangers didn't deserve the victory.

So Jerry Lawler is in the arena after all! He has a sore throat, which is probably why he isn't a commentator tonight, but he presents Rob Van Dam as the only good thing ever to come out of ECW.

Steve Austin comes to the ring to be interviewed by Vince McMahon. He answers Bret Hart's challenge to fight in the ten man tag team match against the Hart Foundation at the next PPV. He says he'll even fight them if he has no partners.

Match 4. Rob Van Dam vs Flash Funk

Paul Heyman and Tommy Dreamer are sitting in the front row. Why shouldn't they? They bought a ticket like everyone else. What they shouldn't do is climb over the railing. They attempt to get involved when Jerry Lawler accompanies Rob Van Dam to the ring, and the ring officials have to restrain them.

Rob Van Dam and Flash Funk are evenly matched. Rob barely manages a victory. After the match Paul Heyman attacks Jerry Lawler, and there's a brawl outside the ring, also involving Rob Van Dam and Tommy Dreamer.

Match 5. Sycho Sid vs Owen Hart

This is a non-title match. Ken Shamrock comes out as guest commentator. Owen Hart is accompanied by Jim Neidhart, who repeatedly attacks Sid behind the referee's back. Ken complains that this isn't fair. When he sees an opportunity, Ken slams Jim outside the ring. Without the interference, Sid easily pins Owen. Ken and Sid shake hands.

Sable comes out and presents an alternative version of the Raw Is War T-shirt. Marc Mero obviously isn't pleased that she's dancing so provocatively. He grabs her and pulls her out of the arena.

Match 6. Rockabilly vs Bart Gunn

Honky Tonk Man has arranged this match for Rockabilly to fight against his brother Bart Gunn. No, they're not really brothers, but they were introduced into the WWF as brothers for the sake of telling a story. Rockabilly wins the match after a short, hard fought match.

Match 7. Steve Austin vs Brian Pillman

The match doesn't take place. On the way to the ring Steve Austin is ambushed by the Hart Foundation. Only Bret himself is absent.

Mankind enters the ring, and an impromptu match against Brian Pillman begins. Earl Hebner acts as referee, giving the match official status. It's a good call. The match starts evenly, but Mankind slowly gains the advantage. There's an amusing segment where they headbutt one another alternately. The two idiots are hurting themselves more than their opponent. The Hart Foundation runs into the ring to attack Mankind, so Brian Pillman is disqualified.

Steve Austin comes to the ring and attacks the Hart Foundation. Helping Mankind is secondary. Ken Shamrock also comes to the ring and chases the Hart Foundation away. Ken approaches Steve as a friend, but Steve stuns him. The episode comes to an end.