The 20th January 1997 edition of RAW is a follow-up to the 1997 Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View. For those who have no idea what went down during The Royal Rumble can check out my exclusive recap by clicking here.
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The toughest S.O.B on the roster, Stone Cold - Steve Austin won the 30-Man Royal Rumble match, and the Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels became the new WWF World Heavyweight Champion by defeating Psycho Sid in the main event, live from HBK’s own hometown- San Antonio, Texas.
Before we begin, do remember that things are about to get chaotic. Business is about to pick up, and things are going to shape-up accordingly.
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It is a brand new week and there are lots of things to talk about. So without wasting any further time, let’s begin—
MATCHES-
1) Owen Hart & The British Bulldog (w/ Clarence Mason) vs. Doug Furnas & Phil Lafon.
2) Farooq (w/ Nation of Domination) vs. Bart Gunn.
3) The Undertaker vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa...
As it is now, and even back then, the commentators are plugging as to how successful last night’s PPV was, which in this case it is the 1997 Royal Rumble.
The event made it to the front page of San Antonio Express-News, similar to how the WWE plug numerous social media reactions these days. You get it.
They recap the two biggest events from last night- HBK defeating Sid and Bret Hart having unfinished business with Steve Austin.
The show kicks off in Beaumont, Texas but the opening of the show is interrupted by none other than Bret “The Hitman” Hart. He comes out with no music, ditching his in-ring attire which makes it look like The Hitman means business.
He grabs the mike and goes on about how Vince McMahon had promised him a WWF Title Shot. The audience cheers for Bret Hart when he says that he clearly won the Royal Rumble match and deserves a shot for the WWF Title.
The way Bret Hart cuts this promo makes it feel almost surreal. The Hitman says that he’s been screwed by Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold, the entire World Wrestling Federation, and Mr. McMahon himself.
The look on Vince’s face perfectly sums up this situation. Remember, Mr. McMahon is not a full-fledged egomaniac yet, so he comes off as a leader who is caught between many tough decisions.
When it looks like Bret Hart is not going to be getting a title shot, the Hitman simply states— ‘I Quit’, and leaves through the crowd despite McMahon begging him not to do it.
But Bret will only have his way, and as he is leaving the arena the audience start chanting- “We Want Bret!”
Personally, I do not sympathize with the fans in this case. Sure, the story makes it seem as if the tough hero has shaken the company’s foundation to the core, but to me, Bret Hart keeps acting like a sore loser.
He does not want to fight for glory, he only wants things to go his way. The Hitman is tired of being screwed around with, but to me, I think he is tired of being the hero, and perhaps the only way to make himself heard is by ‘quitting’ the company itself.
Bret is the BABY who is demanding by putting up an act, and Vince McMahon is the PARENT who cannot shout, but only beg (just like in real life).
But hey, if the audience wants Bret, who am I to judge, eh?
This is where my favorite part happens. As we are being shown Bret heading towards the exit, the camera suddenly pans to the ring, where Steve Austin enters and grabs the mic as quick as possible.
Now, I do not know whether this was scripted or not, but the mic doesn’t work, so one of the ringside crew hands him a new one which prompts Austin to go— “You gonna give me a piece of equipment that works son, or I’m gonna have to whip yo’ ass!”
The crowd pops and so do I. They love this attitude despite Bret Hart’s ‘heroic’ stubbornness also appealing to them.
He suggests Bret go back to Canada and calls Gorilla Monsoon ‘some guy’. Apparently, Austin was scheduled to face Psycho Sid in the main event, but since Sid had suffered from a concussion, the redneck S.O.B has to face The Undertaker instead.
Austin is tired of being pushed around too, and the only thing he wants to do now is to fight. He calls out The Undertaker, however, we suddenly see Vince McMahon getting up from the broadcast table and leaving backstage for some unknown reason.
His co-commentators- JR and Jerry Lawler are left confused, just like the audience and viewers at home.
Bret Hart has left the WWF, and Vince McMahon has left the commentary table…
#1: OWEN HART & THE BRITISH BULLDOG (w/ CLARENCE MASON) vs. DOUG FURNAS & PHIL LAFON.
Just before this match starts, we are reminded that around 60,525 fans were present during the 1997 Royal Rumble PPV in the Alamodome. However, as I quickly surf back through my notes, I realize that the WWF revealed 60,477 fans to be in attendance just before the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match took place.
Just saying.
Anyways, Owen Hart & The British Bulldog are in their corner, teaming up against Furnas & Lafon. Owen had ‘accidently’ eliminated the Bulldog during the Royal Rumble match last night. But as we all know, the slow-motion footage revealed a different story entirely.
However, to summarize this controversy, JR points out that it looks as if ‘they have calmed their rough seas…’
The non-title match (Owen & Davey Boy Smith/British Bulldog are the WWF Tag Team Champions) begins, but good ol’ Jerry Lawler is more interested about what happened to Vince McMahon.
He says— “Where is McMahon? This is great”. Lawler even goes on to comment that he is happy this situation took place.
Fortunately, Lawler’s hateful ponderings did not distract me enough from this bout, because ladies and gentlemen- this match is GREAT!
Both of these teams’ chemistry as partners is too good. Furnas delivers a belly-to-belly suplex to Owen Hart, and the latter responds with a perfect spinning heel kick.
The match is fast-paced, and unlike the charisma-less six-man tag match on last night’s PPV, the audience is digging it this time around. Furnas & Lafon manage to double team The British Bulldog, but Owen Hart delivers a flying dropkick from the top-rope to Doug Furnas.
No team has a definite lead throughout this contest.
Hart performs an Enzuiguri, and the crowd pops real hard. As I pointed out during the 1997 Royal Rumble PPV, Enzuiguri seemed to be a huge deal back then.
But then again, our own much respected Jerry Lawler cannot be prevented from ranting about Mr. McMahon and Bret Hart. However, I have to applaud Jim Ross here.
JR manages to call the shots with great excitement, whilst also plugging the main-event and all other technical stuff very efficiently. He is the right man to take over the commentary table. Michael Cole manages to plug the technical stuff correctly, but the ‘excitement’ part seems quite manufactured coming from him.
You always need that one commentator for plugging the sponsors and all the other things that come along with it- but JR always does (did?) it best.
Nevertheless, a crossbody, spinning heel kick, the armbar, snap-suplex- you name it, this match has it all.
The match ends with Owen hitting Lafon on the head via a Slammy award. The referee does not see it, and the Bulldog hits the Bulldog Powerslam to win this contest.
This shows that no matter how good the Harts are in the ring, they always need that little ‘something’ to win the match.
A great match ending with a twist that fits the Harts’ character description very well.
RESULT: Owen Hart & The British Bulldog win the match.
#2: FAROOQ (w/ Nation of Domination) vs. BART GUNN.
Unlike the previous two weeks, this edition actually had a fantastic opening segment followed by a spectacular match for a weekly RAW.
So, that’s good, right?
Son, in the WWF you never know when a Monday Night RAW takes an instant dip into the trash.
Well, maybe I am exaggerating a bit but don’t get me wrong, this match certainly wasn’t one of the highlights of the show.
Gunn is about 6’4”, 6’5”- 270 pounds and chiseled like a bronze statue. If there was one interesting thing to point out (other than Bart Gunn’s features) it would be the ‘clashing of attitudes’ (as I like to call it) between these two.
We have Nation of Domination, a stable with just the right attitude to qualify for this company’s upcoming upsurge. On the other hand, there’s Bart Gunn, a character that certainly does not fit with the trashy attitude, and comes off as regressive that belongs to WWF’s Golden Era.
Not that there’s anything wrong about The Golden Era. It’s just that WWF in the 80’s simply does not work in 1997. Also, I can’t blame Bart Gunn too, he pulls off some quick moves during the beginning, but this pairing is doomed to fail (and bore).
Just before the ad-break, Lawler goes— “Wait a minute, is that McMahon back there?” JR plays along by saying that he’s not sure, but also encourages the viewers to stay tuned in order to find out!
I mean, that’s such an efficient commentary trick that they don’t use these days. We know McMahon’s not ‘back there’. It’s just silly and entertaining.
N.O.D members surrounding the ring are like a “pack of dogs waiting to pounce”, as JR puts it.
The southpaw (Bart Gunn) makes his comeback with standard elbows and clotheslines and finishes this sequence with a running bulldog. Gunn is slowly gaining momentum.
However, the ending follows a very common Professional Wrestling trope. The baby-faced, Bart Gunn decides to risk the opportunity by going after N.O.D’s stable members which gives the heel, Farooq an opportunity to recover in time.
As expected, Farooq turns the tables by executing ‘The Dominator’ (one of the best finishers at that point of time) which is enough to keep Bart Gunn down for a three count.
N.O.D celebrate their victory and head for the backstage area. What follows is a neat connection between two segments as Vince McMahon and Gorilla Monsoon come out to reveal a major announcement and pass by all members of the Nation on the ramp.
The representation of certain events so far feels so interconnected. Even though several superstars are embroiled in separate feuds, Vince McMahon starts to seem more like some sort of a nexus that binds this industry together.
The audience doesn’t know it yet, but there is a lot more to Mr. McMahon than what meets the eye.
RESULT: Farooq wins the match.
Gorilla Monsoon & Mr. McMahon arrive at a conclusion.
WWF President Gorilla Monsoon reveals that the referee’s decision regarding the 30-Man Royal Rumble match is FINAL. This means that WWF’s record books will indeed show that Stone Cold Steve Austin was the ultimate victor of the 1997 Royal Rumble match.
The crowd boos. I once again realize that even the audience is stuck in a weird position. They cheer for Steve Austin when the redneck S.O.B wants them too. But they boo him as a result of his actions. They love his attitude, but the WWF audience is not used to cheering a character as complicated and as interesting as Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Anyways, McMahon subtly asks Monsoon about the REAL decision. Monsoon replies that he has put together a ‘unique’ match.
Due to the controversial nature pertaining to the Rumble match’s finish- there will be a Four Man No DQ elimination match that will take place at the next PPV.
Gorilla Monsoon announces the participants.
The Undertaker (audience cheer thoroughly. ‘Taker is ‘Taker. He is and will always remain a constant in this industry). Vader (audience boos). Bret “The Hitman” Hart, but only if he accepts Monsoon’s invitation (audience cheers). And last but not the least- Stone Cold Steve Austin (audience boos. See what I was talking about earlier? It holds true).
McMahon & Monsoon exit the ring, but Steve Austin comes out from backstage. He is not satisfied with the decision, it seems to me.
“You sit there callin’ yourself the Gorilla but you yee-haw outta’ here like a Jackass!” – Steve Austin to Gorilla Monsoon.
Throughout my recaps, I have arrived at the ultimate conclusion that Steve Austin’s lines are too good to be scripted. Improv, anybody?
Steve Austin is about to layeth’ the Smackdown on Gorilla Monsoon’s corporate a*s. But Mr. McMahon stops him from doing so.
No, this is not where Mr. McMahon turns into the world’s worst boss, no, McMahon provides us with a small glimpse of the Attitude that is about to arrive in the future.
Suddenly, Bret “The Baby” Hart comes back from the same mass of audience that he had initially left through during the start of this show.
“I accept”- The Hitman says, in response to Gorilla Monsoon’s invitation.
Hey, the Fatal-4-Way No DQ elimination match can wait till February. But nobody said anything about Bret getting his hands on Steve Austin NOW.
These two rivals immediately brawl near the ramp. Hart gets the better of the Rattlesnake and smacks his head onto the steel steps.
This prompts the referees to come out and ‘separate’ these two from each other. And that is when…GONG!
Remember the ‘Taker-Austin match that was supposed to happen in the main event?
Well, that’s happening NOW!
#3: THE UNDERTAKER vs. STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN.
…The Undertaker starts brawling with The Hitman mid-way through the entrance ramp. Steve Austin approaches the two, only to be manhandled by The Deadman as a result.
The crowd can’t get enough of Undertaker throwing Steve Austin around like a rag-doll.
It does not matter who you’re feuding with, because once you’re in the ring with ‘Taker, Nothing Else Matters.
Undertaker delivers his signature old-school, and Austin sells it like a KING.
Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise, Austin knows how to run his mouth, but once he is with another competitor in the ring- Austin makes his opponent look like a million bucks.
Stone Cold turns the momentum around by using a swinging neck-breaker. Then, Steve Austin does what his character is always supposed to do, that is, stomping a mud-hole on his opponent when the opportunity presents itself.
When a character is so convenient, you do not need one fancy move after the other to build up your match.
Austin delivers an elbow to the sternum of a running ‘Taker and finishes it off with a diving ax-handle after that.
But ladies and gentlemen, our much-respected commentator- Jerry Lawler, is back at it again.
Good ol’ Jerry is annoyed that Austin is NOT working on ‘Taker’s ribs. He comments about his annoyance from time-to-time. But when Austin ignores Lawler’s advice, (Stone Cold probably didn’t even hear him, to be honest) the latter decides to abandon his job and make his way to ringside in order to get Austin’s attention by yelling at him to WORK ON ‘TAKER’S FRICKIN’ RIBS!
Why is everybody leaving the commentary table today? First Vince, now Lawler. East or West, JR is (was?) the best.
The match proceeds with The Undertaker playing his part, and Steve Austin is selling every move magnificently in order to elicit a proper crowd reaction.
What follows is the start of an exciting (and complicated for the writer writing this) sequence of events—
Austin approaches Undertaker towards the corner. Remember, Austin is approaching Taker’s back i.e. the Deadman is facing away from him.
But Undertaker is aware at all times, so he lifts his leg right between Austin’s thighs when the Texas Rattlesnake is close enough.
But hey, even Stone Cold Steve Austin is aware at all times. Because when the Deadman seizes this opportunity and pursues him from the back, Austin is clever enough to grab ‘Taker’s neck and deliver a Stone Cold Stunner out of nowhere.
Both men are down!
Now the second act of this sequence begins. Without any warning or disclaimer, the camera pans towards the backstage area- where Vader and Bret Hart are brawling with each other, and the others are trying to hold them back.
It happens suddenly and randomly, and that is what’s so great about it.
The commentators inform us that Steve Austin has been dominating the Undertaker throughout the entire ad-break.
So right now, two situations are happening simultaneously. Taker-Austin, and Bret-Vader respectively.
Austin delivers his signature elbow from the second rope. He goes for the pin but only manages to get a two-count. The Undertaker, impeccable for his timing, rises up in his classic Deadman fashion immediately following the pin-attempt, which yields a terrific crowd response.
Aren’t I loving this so far? But with every great moment, there always comes a short-detour. I don’t make the rules, but all this excitement heightens my sixth sense (pretentious), which prompts me to point out some interesting (and sometimes irrelevant) facts—
JR reminds us that La Femme Nikita is coming up on the USA Network next, right after Monday Night RAW, amidst all the chaos in the ring (just like Michael Cole does. See? There always has to be one guy doing that job).
And here is the catch- The 13th January 1997 edition (last week) of WCW Nitro advertised Hollywood Hulk Hogan vs. The Giant (Big Show) as the main event of the night. It all sounds good, except for the fact that this match kicked off with only a few minutes left into the show.
A first-time watcher would be confused as a result of this decision. Why? Well, the Hogan-Giant matchup exceeds the episode’s time-limit, purposefully. This is because the first episode of The New Adventures of Robin Hood is airing right after WCW Monday Nitro, and in order to make sure that viewers actually tune in to watch this ‘brand new show’- WCW decided that the Hogan-Giant matchup will continue during the ad-breaks of The New Adventures of Robin Hood!
This means that wrestling fans would have to sit through this steaming pile of garbage in order to watch Hulk Hogan and The Giant pound each other. Also, I’m not talking about just one ad-break, the match goes on to span across MULTIPLE ad-breaks!
This cheap marketing trick by WCW garners the attention of the WWF crew. So, coming back to the 20th January edition of RAW, JR reminds us that La Femme Nikita is coming up on the USA Network next, during the ‘Taker-Austin matchup, mocking WCW by saying— “No Wimpy Robin Hood? It’s La Femme Nikita. She’s got ‘big arms’. She’s up next!”
So what do you think ladies and gentlemen? La Femme Nikita, or The New Adventures of Robin Hood?
There’s your Easter Egg of the day. Even advertising is competitive between these two promotions (WCW/WWF) at this point, and I love it.
Anyways, back from the short-detour. Like I said, Bret-Vader and Austin-Taker are two situations happening simultaneously right now. But remember, for those who watched the 1997 Royal Rumble- Vader and The Undertaker have some unfinished business too.
So, as the Austin-‘Taker match is proceeding in the ring, Vader comes out of the backstage area with Paul Bearer, aiming for The Deadman.
The Undertaker notices it too. So he lets go of Austin and delivers a chokeslam to Vader instead.
But hey, remember that Bret Hart and Steve Austin have an ongoing rivalry too. So The Hitman comes out of the backstage area after Vader goes down.
Bret drags Austin towards one corner, and both of them brawl amongst each other. Vader and ‘Taker do the same in the opposite corner.
The hard cam view is perfect, as the shot represents two ongoing feuds that will eventually culminate in the near future.
It also reminds us that The Undertaker, Vader, Bret Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin are ‘the final four’ contenders for Shawn Michaels’ WWF World Heavyweight Championship.
The show closes out with an image of these four superstars left without a proper conclusion as of now. But it works, because the audience (including me) want more.
There is a specific way to represent ambiguous endings. The 20th January 1997 edition of RAW succeeds at that. But Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar tugging a championship belt away from each other is an example of how these endings fail at certain times.
RESULT: The Undertaker wins via disqualification.
Join me next week, where I recap the January 27th, 1997 edition of Monday Night RAW.
Where does this story eventually lead our favorite superstars into the future? How does the landscape of Professional Wrestling change forever? Are the Monday Night Wars as good as people say they were?
GRADE: A
Thanks for reading this recap and stay tuned for more.
