Ground Zero: In Your House

(All screen captures are the property of World Wrestling Entertainment)

Ground Zero: In Your House

September 7, 1997

Louisville Gardens

Louisville, Kentucky

News & Notes: Welcome to the first-ever three hour In Your House PPV! The WWF increased the length and price to boost profits. So you’re getting more action than usual. The Undertaker looks for revenge on Shawn Michaels. Bret Hart defends the WWF title against The Patriot. Four teams fight for the vacant tag team titles. And there are minis in action! But first, let’s talk about the other happenings in the WWF.

There’s a new sheriff in the WWF. Gorilla Monsoon appointed a commissioner to keep the peace. (Monsoon had health issues. So he couldn’t continue his on-air role.) The new commissioner is Sgt. Slaughter! He spent his first few weeks stopping gang fights, preventing interference, and keeping Steve Austin from hurting himself. Austin wanted to get revenge on Owen. They even hyped a match between them the night after SummerSlam. But the doctors said no way. Dude Love took Austin’s place in the bout. But Austin helped Dude win by hitting Owen with the Slammy Award. Then JR interviewed Austin in his hotel room. Stone Cold told Owen he has hell to pay. Austin also said he’d listen to the doctors, but he’ll do what he wants. Since Austin was defiant, Slaughter suspended him for his own good. The WWF then sent Steve a care package full of signed 8x10s. There were pictures of Vince and JR. So Austin used the photos as target practice for his bow and arrow.

Meanwhile, the Kane saga continues. Paul Bearer taunted The Undertaker from the titantron. He told Taker to go ahead and laugh at the fat man. It doesn’t matter because Kane is coming! Taker headed backstage to find Paul. But the lights turned red when he reached the ramp. Then Bearer interrupted Taker during a confrontation with Shawn Michaels. Paul yelled at Taker. He said Taker would burn in hell. Flames erupted on the stage when he said this.

Shawn Michaels was once one of the most respected Superstars. But his disastrous mistake at SummerSlam changed everything. He robbed a phenomenal champion. Fans called Shawn a traitor. So Michaels said you’re either with him or against him. Taker told Shawn he’d pay for his crimes. Rather than take responsibility, Shawn fanned the flames. He had a chance to change his destiny. But Shawn made his choice. He gave Taker multiple chair shots. Shawn claimed he’d take what’s coming to him. So Taker condemned him to hell. Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker will face each other for the first time! And you’re standing on Ground Zero!

Vince welcomes everyone to the show. He hypes the light heavyweight and minis action! Lawler says we may see the end of Brian Pillman or Goldust and Marlena’s marriage. Then JR speaks about the triple threat match between Faarooq, Savio, and Crush. Vince also introduces the first match. He thinks Goldust is facing Marlena. That would be a much different bout!

Then they recap the Goldust/Pillman feud. Brian Pillman claimed Goldust’s daughter Dakota is his lovechild. Goldust thought the feud was over. It’s no longer about sport. This threatens everything he lives for. Goldust must face the unthinkable. He might sacrifice the most cherished thing in his life. The match could separate a mother from her daughter for a month. But Goldust can rid the WWF of Brian Pillman forever. Can one imagine the horror that will develop if Pillman wins? This madman is out of control!

Indecent Proposal Match: Brian Pillman vs. Goldust (w/ Marlena)

Notes: Brian refused to wear the dress after SummerSlam. Bret Hart said Brian had too much class to do so. But Sgt. Slaughter had none of that. Since Brian was a pain, Slaughter altered the stipulation. Brian had to wear it until he won on RAW. This led to Goldust costing Pillman matches in various ways. Goldust then put a camera in Pillman’s dressing room. (Is this an early form of Gtv?) He used the footage of Brian struggling with the dress to humiliate him. Brian had enough. He challenged Goldust to one more fight. If Goldust wins, Brian will leave the WWF forever. But if Pillman wins, he gets Marlena’s services for thirty days! Goldust said no way until Brian dropped a bomb on him. Goldust’s daughter Dakota was Brian’s lovechild with Marlena! (This plays off the fact Brian and Terri dated years ago in WCW.) A furious Goldust stormed the ring. But Marlena accepted Brian’s challenge on Goldust’s behalf. Goldust didn’t understand why. Then Brian stirred the pot. He cut an innuendo-laden promo about what he’d do with Marlena for thirty days.

The Match: Goldust jumps Pillman when he arrives. They brawl in and out of the ring and trade chops. Then Goldust flusters Brian with thirteen punches in the corner. Brian answers with choking, biting, and strikes. Pillman also bails to the floor and chases Marlena. But Goldust hotshots Brian on the steps and takes him back inside. Next, they fight outside again, and Goldust suplexes Pillman on the ramp. He then attacks Pillman’s balls. Goldust crotches Brian on both the ropes and the post. But Brian blocks a bulldog and wears Goldust down with strikes and a rear chinlock. Goldust turns it into an electric chair drop. He then cuts off Pillman’s comeback by crotching him on the top rope. Then Goldust launches Brian onto the guardrail. He also holds Pillman so Marlena can slap him. Pillman blocks a superplex. But he’s not as lucky with the Curtain Call. However, Pillman clips the ref with his fist. Brian tries to attack Goldust while he checks on the ref. So Marlena distracts Brian. She tries hitting him with her purse, but Pillman blocks it. Brian then takes the purse and clocks Goldust for the win.

Thoughts: This was much better than their SummerSlam bout. They botched nothing. It was basic, but that’s understandable with Pillman’s ankle. It had enough bells and whistles to keep it entertaining. Plus, this had great heat. I enjoyed the match, but I don’t care for what comes next.

Winner: Brian Pillman (11:06)

Marlena checks on Goldust, but Pillman grabs her. He drags her backstage while Lawler cackles about it. Marlena fights, and Goldust chases them. Meanwhile, Lawler grabs the purse. He finds a brick inside of it. Then they cut to footage of Pillman stuffing Marlena in his rental car. She bangs on the window as Brian drives away. Goldust runs after them, but he’s too late. Lawler continues laughing, which disgusts Vince and JR. Jerry says they planned to use the brick on Pillman. Vince thinks he deserves it. Next, they cut back to Goldust freaking out in his locker room. He trashes the place and shoves the cameraman out the door.

I should discuss the rest of the storyline. When I next talk about Pillman, there will be more important topics. Brian spends the next few weeks taunting Goldust. He airs videos on RAW called Pillman’s Triple-X Files. These are clips of Brian in his hotel room. Brian implies he had sex with Marlena. It was supposed to lead to Marlena turning on Goldust. But that doesn’t happen for obvious reasons. I’ll explain those in my Badd Blood review.

The commentators continue arguing about Pillman. Meanwhile, Scott Putski and Brian Christopher arrive for their match. JR mentions Christopher is Lawler’s son. So Jerry threatens to stuff the brick in JR’s mouth. Then the fans chant Jerry’s kid. Lawler claims they’re talking about the Jerry Lewis marathon.

Brian Christopher vs. Scott Putski

Notes: These two faced each other in June. Brian won with Jerry Lawler’s help. The father and son duo then attacked Scott Putski. So Ivan Putski teamed with his son to face Lawler & Christopher. The Putskis won when Ivan gave Jerry the Polish Hammer. Lawler & Christopher would get revenge on Shotgun. They attacked Scott and gave him a spike piledriver. Brian then landed a chair-assisted Alabama Jam. But all that happened months ago. Since then, Christopher lost some matches on RAW. Taka Michinoku surprised him with a roll-up. Brian also lost a second match when his dad distracted him with some advice. Now, Christopher looks to take out his frustrations on his old foe.

The Match: Scott takes control with clotheslines, hip tosses, and dropkicks. Brian argues with fans and regroups. But Putski catches him with more arm drags. Then Christopher answers with a clothesline and strikes in the corner. He also tries a flying axehandle. But Putski punches Brian. Scott then follows with a hurricanrana. However, Brian fires back with a Skull Crushing Finale. Putski rallies again with clotheslines. But Brian reverses a slam into a German Suplex. Then Christopher throws Scott to the floor and nails a slingshot crossbody. Brian tries to continue until he notices something is wrong. Putski isn’t getting up. The ref recognizes Putski is injured and calls for the bell. (Lawler offers to check on Scott. He asks Vince for the brick.)

Thoughts: That was an unfortunate finish to an otherwise decent match. It looked like it was heading for something good. It’s too short and incomplete to judge. This is the end for Putski. He dislocated his knee and tore his quad. The WWF releases him after his rehab. On the other hand, Christopher sticks around for a while.

Winner: Brian Christopher (by ref stoppage) (4:45)

Brian laughs about the injury while Lawler joins him in the ring. They celebrate and Lawler grabs a mic. Jerry tells them to take Putski to the hospital. He says, “You know what that is, Scott. It’s the big building with patients.” Lawler also calls the injury nasty while Christopher cackles. Brian asks the camera who’s next. (Is he Goldberg?) Meanwhile, Vince sounds concerned.

Next, they recap what Vince calls faction action. We see clips of the gang wars’ various brawls. Faarooq says he’s sick of being told how to do his interviews. He does what he wants when he wants. He vows to take out Crush and Savio tonight. When Faarooq asks the Nation how they’ll do it, they say, “By any means necessary!” Rocky Maivia even gives the camera an early version of the People’s Eyebrow. Then they show more clips of the gang fights. Words from Los Boricuas follow this. Savio says they give their blood, sweat, and tears. Vega carries an axehandle as he speaks. Crush talks next. He says this isn’t a triple threat match. It’s a triple promise to ride his bike straight up all their asses.

On a side note, Lawler provides updates on the Pillman/Marlena situation. He claims they reached their motel. But Jerry can’t decide which one. He still finds it hilarious.

Triple Threat Match: Savio Vega vs. Crush vs. Faarooq

Notes: The Nation made some changes. First, they kicked Ahmed out of the group. (He’s injured again.) Faarooq claimed Johnson challenged his authority. He also called Ahmed a white guy trapped in a black man’s body. But the Nation soon replaced him. A returning Rocky Maivia helped Faarooq win a match against Chainz. He then stood and did the Nation salute with Faarooq. The next week, Rocky explained his actions. He called out the fans for booing him and telling him to die. This wasn’t about race, but it was about respect. The fans had none for him, so he no longer cared for the fans. Meanwhile, The Boricuas made life hell for both the Nation and the DOA. They attacked Nation members. Then the Boricuas stole the DOA’s bikes while they brawled with The Nation in a parking garage. Sgt. Slaughter tried in vain to maintain order between the gangs. But it isn’t working. However, it appears he barred all faction members from ringside. All three men arrive alone.

The Match: Everyone brawls until Crush hits a double clothesline. Then Faarooq uses a belt. But Crush gets it and returns fire. Faarooq answers with a low-blow and a spinebuster. Crush counters with a powerslam and a double noggin knocker. But everyone keeps breaking up the pin attempts. Then they trade more strikes and a three-way slugfest starts. The next strategy is to send one man outside and wear down the remaining guy. Crush tries this and grabs a chinlock. (JR calls out the lack of logic in this.) Faarooq breaks it up, but Crush lifts him into an electric chair drop. Then Savio gives Faarooq a swinging neckbreaker. But Faarooq bumps the wrong direction!

Crush and Faarooq then decide to work together. (Vince thinks Faarooq is joining the DOA.) They hit a double suplex on Savio. Both men cover, but the ref won’t count this illegal pin. Then both men keep throwing Vega out of the ring. He’s being a pest and won’t stop breaking up their pin attempts. Faarooq and Crush exchange backbreakers and powerslams. But Savio is there to ruin the pin. So Crush works with Vega instead. They give Faarooq a spike piledriver. But Crush sends Savio outside again. Crush then nails the Heart Punch on Faarooq. However, Savio surprises Crush with a heel kick for the win.

Thoughts: This was dull and repetitive. They botched a few spots and repeated the ones they did well. Triple Threat Matches work better with exciting competitors. These three are more limited. They lost the crowd by the end. You heard them groan each time someone broke up a pin. It’s a wonder the WWF continued doing Triple Threat Matches after this.

Winner: Savio Vega (11:37)

Next, they air a commercial for a VHS called Cause Stone Cold Said So. You can witness all the stone cold fury they won’t show you on TV if you call now! See Steve Austin uncensored! Then JR points out the US boxing team in the crowd. The WWF didn’t give them good seats. They’re in the nosebleed section.

Max Mini vs. El Torito

Notes: There’s no build for this match. Vince hired minis to add variety. They wrestled on Shotgun, but this is their first PPV appearance. So I’ll introduce the men in this bout. Max Mini began his career in AAA as Baby Rabbit. Then AAA gave him the name, Mascarita Sagrada Junior. This angered Mascara Sagrada and Mascarita Sagrada. He didn’t get permission to use the name. They felt he was exploiting the gimmick. So he changed his name to Max Mini. His opponent is El Torito. No, it’s not Los Matadores’ El Torito. This is a different wrestler. He wrestled on WWF TV as Mini Vader. He also wrestled in Mexico as Centellita and Espectrito. Torito is one of the bigger minis. He’s almost too tall to qualify for the division.

The Match: They trade takedowns and Max gets the advantage. He sends Torito outside with headscissors and nails a somersault plancha. But Torito attacks Max when they enter the ring. Then Torito misses a senton and they exchange arm wringers. This leads to keister biting by Torito! He keeps doing it, so Max bites the ref’s keister to show him what’s happening. An angry ref chases Max out of the ring. Max runs and leaps onto Jerry Lawler’s lap. He then puts on Jerry’s crown twice. So the fans chant Jerry’s kid at him.

Back in the ring, Torito slams Max and nails a senton. Max reverses a knucklelock into a hurricanrana. But Torito answers with a powerbomb. Then they trade pin attempts and arm drag reversals. Torito regroups, so Max lands an Asai Moonsault onto him. Next, Max evades Torito’s attacks and gets more pin attempts. He uses a dragonrana and a victory roll. Torito rolls through the latter. But Max surprises him with a sunset flip for the victory.

Thoughts: This was fun and entertaining. There was a section where it dragged a little. Torito was winded. But it didn’t ruin the bout. I still enjoyed this. The part with Lawler made me chuckle. Plus, the fans reacted well to it. Minis matches are good for variety. I’m a fan of providing something for everyone. If they insist on three-hour In Your House shows, this is a good way to fill the time.

Winner: Max Mini (9:21)

Then they recap the Steve Austin situation. We see replays of the Tombstone from SummerSlam. (They showed slow-motion clips of it multiple times on RAW.) Next, Sgt. Slaughter claims Austin has more guts than brains. He won’t listen to doctors. So Slaughter suspended Austin until he finishes rehab on his neck. Austin must vacate his half of the tag team titles.

Slaughter is in the ring with Jim Ross. He says he owes it to the fans to do his job, and that’s an order! Then they welcome Dude Love. The Dudester knows he can’t defend the belts alone. So he vacates the title with a heavy heart and a pained pancreas. Stone Cold joins them next. He flips off JR and gets in Slaughter’s face. Ross speaks, so Austin tells him to blow it out his ass. Austin also tells Vince to knock the stupid look off his face before he stomps him. Stone Cold turns his attention to Slaughter. He tells him to stop showing footage of his injury. Then Austin tosses the tag belt on the mat. He tells Slaughter to drop and give him twenty! Sarge slowly collects the belt while Austin stares at him. Slaughter then leaves and Ross tries to interview Austin. He tells Austin everyone wants him back at 100%. They wish him well. But Austin doesn’t care. Steve starts answering Ross’s comments and then gives JR the Stunner in mid-sentence. It appalls Vince and Dude Love can’t believe his eyes. But the fans love it. Slaughter returns and tells Austin to leave. So Dude Love holds Austin back from doing anything more. Stone Cold finally leaves after flipping off Sarge.

The officials help Jim Ross to the back before they go to a Dok Hendrix interview with Owen & Bulldog. Dok says Owen must be scared of Austin. Owen thinks it’s all a load of crap. JR is Owen’s friend! They broke bread together. Owen says the WWF should fine, suspend, and arrest Austin. Then Owen says he and Bulldog will win the tag titles because they’re the best. Next, Bulldog says JR didn’t deserve that, even though he’s from Oklahoma. Davey also promises to be behind Owen when he gets his rematch with Austin. Meanwhile, they go back to Vince. He calls Austin a jackass. They’re protecting Austin from himself, but he won’t listen!

Then we get comments from the participants in the tag title match. First, The Headbangers talk about partying with Marilyn Manson at the Mtv Music Awards. But it’s nothing compared to the party they’ll have after winning. The world will be their mosh pit!

The Godwinns speak next. Henry says Stone Cold isn’t as dumb as he thought he was. He bowed out of this match. Then Phineas tells the LOD they should have done the same. Henry says The Legion of Doom will regret ever crossing the Mason-Dixon Line.

The Legion of Doom also gets interview time with Michael Cole. It’s been six years since the LOD last held the belts. Animal says that’s right. You achieve nothing until you’re the WWF tag team champions. Animal also says he’s tired of the Godwinns and their buckets. If they bring the buckets into the ring, Animal will stick it where the sun don’t shine. Hawk takes the threat a step further. He says he’ll take the Godwinns’ butts, stick them in the buckets, and turn it into a lifetime latrine! (Um, what?) Ooh, what a rush! (Cole looks horrified by this promo.)

Meanwhile, Lawler has another update on Pillman. He says Brian closed the curtains at the motel and the room began shaking. Vince wants Lawler to stop.

4-Way Elimination Match for the vacant Tag Team Titles: The Headbangers vs. The Godwinns vs. Legion of Doom vs. Owen Hart & The British Bulldog

Notes: The WWF advertised Austin & Dude Love as part of this match. It was a week before the PPV when Slaughter announced Austin must vacate his half of the tag belts. The Headbangers are their replacements. They didn’t factor into the build. In fact, The Headbangers lost to the Truth Commission on one of the Friday Night’s Main Event shows. Their inclusion must have been a last-minute decision. Meanwhile, the other teams scuffled with each other multiple times. Hawk faced Henry Godwinn in a Country Whippin’ Match. Then The Godwinns cost the LOD a match by hitting them with buckets. Owen also hit Hawk with Davey’s European title after another bout. Then Owen threatened to break Dude Love’s neck. So the LOD stopped him.

The Match: The Headbangers and The Godwinns tussle first. The Bangers try to make the Godwinns fight each other. But it doesn’t work. Then Phineas and Mosh have a spitting contest. The Godwinns then try their hand against the LOD. But Henry tags Mosh when it doesn’t go his way. (Owen does a chicken dance on the apron when this happens.) The LOD takes control with press slams and flying clotheslines. Then Hawk wants to tag Bulldog, but Davey says no. So Hawk tags him with a slap to the face. Bulldog & Owen do quick tags, flying axehandles, and an enziguri. But it comes down to the LOD and The Godwinns again. The Godwinns use ref distractions and double-teaming. When the LOD attempt a Doomsday Device, The Godwinns grab their buckets. But the LOD gets them and goes crazy. They attack the Godwinns until the ref disqualifies Animal & Hawk. (Elimination: LOD)

The Headbangers retake control. They hit a double-team suplex off the top and a somersault plancha by Thrasher. But Henry low-bridges Thrasher and the Godwinns double-team him. They nail double backdrops until Thrasher surprises Henry with a sunset flip for three! (Elimination: The Godwinns) Owen enters the ring and hits a gut-wrench suplex and a leg drop. Then Owen & Bulldog attack Thrasher in their corner. They also use a stalling suplex and a missile dropkick by Owen. The double-teaming continues until Mosh makes a hot tag. He cleans house with clotheslines, punches, and dropkicks. But Owen trips Mosh. Bulldog then holds Mosh for Owen’s wheel kick. Owen hits Bulldog by mistake! Next, Thrasher climbs the turnbuckles and waits for Bulldog to remember his cue. Davey trips him, so the ref checks on Thrasher. This allows Stone Cold to return and give Owen a Stunner! Mosh covers for the win. (Final Elimination: Owen & Bulldog)

Thoughts: This was long and dull. The finish was nice, but that’s because of Austin. I’m unsure why the last-minute replacement team won. Why not put the belts on the LOD? They were more over in this bout. The Headbangers only appeared twice on RAW and lost both times. It feels like they’re trying to siphon some of Austin’s heat onto The Headbangers. I doubt that will last.

Winners: The Headbangers (New Champions) (17:15)

The Headbangers climb into the crowd to celebrate while Owen storms to the back. He wants to find Austin. Vince says, “They can stank—thank Stone Cold Steve Austin!” Then Vince says they’re going to show a commercial for the next PPV. But we get the Cause Stone Cold Said So commercial instead. After the commercial, The Headbangers’ celebration continues at the concession stand. They buy burritos and hot dogs for fans. Lawler is at a loss for words. He wants Slaughter to do something about it.

Lawler isn’t the only one. A red-assed JR is backstage with Slaughter. JR says you can’t trust Stone Cold. Yeah, Austin is popular. But he can kiss Ross’ 3:16 ass! JR then says to tell Vince he’ll quit if this happens again. He didn’t come here to get beat up. Slaughter promises to do something about it. They bleeped Ross multiple times because he cursed up a storm.

Next, they recap the Bret Hart/Patriot feud and The Patriot Del Wilkes’s history. We learn about his college football background. They interview his former teammate, George Rogers. George says Del has what it takes to be a great rassler! Then they show comments from Jimmy Suzuki about The Patriot’s Japanese work. It surprised Del how well they accepted him. But Pettengill says The Patriot’s patriotism ironically and paradoxically fueled his hatred and respect for Bret Hart. (Todd must have recorded this before leaving. Also, that’s too many adverbs. Dial it back!) Then The Patriot said he would not let Bret trash the United States. Somebody needed to make a stand. He realized that put a target on his back. But he’s prepared. He beat Bret once. It can happen again!

This leads to Sunny interviewing The Patriot. Sunny brings up The Patriot’s victory over Bret. He believes he can do it again. But he wants to know where Bret has his family stashed. If they stick their noses in the match, he’ll flatten them! He did it once. With the title on the line, he has to do it again!

Then Michael Cole gets Bret’s rebuttal. Cole says Bret is going into enemy territory without a friend. Bret counters that by asking Cole what the title belt says. It says world wrestling federation, not the American Federation! (No, if it was the AWF, we’d have rounds in these matches.) It’s fine if he doesn’t have American wrestling fans anymore. They don’t know what a hero is. The way he looks at things, he’s in a match with someone everyone loves. But what he does in the match, he does to the fans. They turned their backs on him. So he’ll give The Patriot one shot for every one of them. Bret also tells everyone not to bet on the belt changing hands. (He stumbles over this line.)

WWF Title Match: Bret Hart (c) vs. The Patriot

Notes: The Patriot earned this shot with his surprise win over Bret before SummerSlam. He then called out Bret for his attitude toward America. Bret was already pissed off because the WWF didn’t stick to their word and ban Shawn Michaels. So he told The Patriot he meant nothing to him. But that didn’t stop Bret, Davey, & Owen from confronting The Patriot later in the show. However, Slaughter sent Davey & Owen to the back when Bret wasn’t looking. By the time Bret noticed, The Patriot attacked him. Then Davey & Owen faced Patriot & Shamrock in a match. Bret brought a chair, but it backfired and Patriot’s team won. So Bret attacked Patriot backstage with another chair. An angry Patriot called out Bret, but he got jumped by the Hart Foundation. Next, The Patriot defeated Vader. Bret attacked after the bout and draped the Canadian flag over The Patriot. But Vader took exception to this and broke the flag pole. Vader then faced Bret in a bout and The Patriot saved Vader from a Hart Foundation attack. So Vader returned the favor the next week. Vader shoved Bret into an Uncle Slam (Full Nelson Slam) by The Patriot.

The Match: Bret jumps The Patriot and they trade punches. Bret uses strikes, a rope rake, and even a tree of woe. But The Patriot answers with headbutts and clotheslines until Bret regroups. Then The Patriot works Bret’s arm for a while. Bret counters by attacking the leg. Hart uses a spinning toe hold and then a ring post Figure Four. When the ref makes him break it, Bret yells at Vince. He then returns to the leg attack while Bulldog arrives. (The fans chant for Austin.) Next, Bret starts his routine until Patriot blocks and reverses a back suplex. The Patriot has control until Bulldog trips him. Then they trade pin attempts. Bulldog climbs on the apron, so The Patriot shoulder blocks Bret into him! The Patriot follows with the Uncle Slam. But Bulldog pulls Bret out of the pin.

This leads to Vader coming to the rescue. He scuffles with Davey and everyone gets involved. The Patriot holds Bulldog for Vader to attack. Bret stops it, but Vader sends Bret into the steps. The ref allows the match to continue, but he sends Bulldog and Vader to the back. This pisses off Bret. The Patriot capitalizes with a Patriot Missile (Flying Shoulder Tackle). He also hits an atomic drop into a back suplex. Both get a two count. They fight back and forth until the ref catches an errant elbow. Then The Patriot hits another Uncle Slam. But Bret gets a foot on the ropes. After a double down, they trade more pin attempts. Next, The Patriot sends Bret into a sternum bump and puts Bret in The Sharpshooter! However, Bret reverses into one of his own and The Patriot submits.

Thoughts: Most of this was dull. It picked up toward the end. But it wasn’t enough to make me like it. The action was fine. They messed up nothing. But it wasn’t interesting. Plus, it’s odd the ref let the match continue after the interference. This is sadly the tale of Bret’s title run until Survivor Series. He’s stuck in mediocre feuds.

Winner: Bret Hart (19:20)

Bret stomps The Patriot after the match. Hart follows with a piledriver and more punches. Vince says there’s no call for this. Then Bret snaps the American flag pole and chokes The Patriot with the flag. (Is that allowed?) The officials try to stop him, but Bret keeps choking The Patriot. Bret then punches Pat Patterson. He keeps attacking The Patriot until they make Hart leave. Vince says The Patriot was close to winning. Lawler compares it to Vietnam. So Vince suggests they should test Lawler’s soda.

Michael Cole stops Bret for a word backstage. Cole says the war with America may start all over again. Bret asks what he means. Hart calls America and all the American wrestlers losers. Then Bulldog says Canada and the UK are the only winners. Bret claims they respect great wrestlers in the UK.

Next, they recap the Shawn Michaels/Undertaker feud. The Undertaker persevered through physical and mental punishment. Despite all the torture, he controlled his rage. Taker said he stood up for what he believed in. He lived behind the death mask to hide his torment. But Shawn Michaels challenged Taker’s patience and reshaped his desire. HBK says he’s irritating because it causes controversy. Michaels sabotaged Taker’s title defense. Then he added injury to insult with hard chair shots to Taker’s head. The Undertaker has clearly had enough. He signed Shawn Michaels’ death warrant. Shawn will pay the ultimate price.

Vince interviews Shawn for his response to the video. Shawn says Vince would like to see him get his rear end kicked. But Shawn says he’s too jacked for that! He hasn’t slept in thirteen years! Then Shawn claims he doesn’t rest in peace for anybody! The mystique of the Undertaker will come to an end. Why? Because Shawn can for god’s sake!

Shawn enters the arena and takes his time. Some fans throw trash. So Shawn does a crotch chop. Then he enters the ring, but his pyro is late. Shawn makes a jack-off gesture in response to it. Vince calls it a bad omen. Next, we get thunder sound effects before Taker’s entrance. Shawn jumps when Taker raises the lights with a bang.

Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker

Notes: Everyone blamed Shawn for what happened at SummerSlam. But he wasn’t apologizing or backing down from it. Shawn doesn’t lay down for anyone, not even The Undertaker. Shawn told the fans who blamed him to go to hell. And since everyone was out to get him, Shawn got himself an insurance policy. Shawn faced Mankind in a bout. During the match, Triple H attacked Mankind. But then Rick Rude appeared in Michaels corner and helped him. Vince confronted Rude about his involvement. He evaded the question. Rude called himself an insurance salesman. Anyone can get his protection for the right price. These events led to Slaughter making Shawn & Hunter team against Taker & Mankind. Shawn & Hunter seemed reluctant. But that didn’t stop them from working together to bend a chair over Taker’s head! Shawn busted him open and escaped with Hunter. Then Michaels carried the bent chair as a trophy. He said it proved SummerSlam was an accident. The fans saw what happened when it was on purpose. Taker commended Shawn for his ability to swing a chair and run his mouth. But he signed Shawn’s death warrant with the blood he spilled. Next, Hunter faced Taker in a bout. Shawn & Hunter attacked again with the same chair. But Taker wouldn’t stay down.

The Match: Shawn hides behind the ref, so Taker knocks the ref out. Then Michaels tries to leave. But Slaughter makes him stop. So Taker throws the unconscious ref onto Shawn! Taker then takes Shawn to the set. Michaels tries escaping through the door, but it doesn’t open. Taker press slams Michaels on the ramp and throws him into the flower bed. Then Taker returns Shawn to the ring. He whips him into the rail, over the announce table, and around the ring. Earl Hebner finally arrives to start the bout. Shawn wants a DQ, but he doesn’t get it.

Shawn attacks Taker’s knee, but it’s not enough. Taker keeps shoving Shawn away and knocks him into the rail again. He whips Shawn around the ring and crotches him on the ropes. But Shawn returns that favor when Taker attempts Old School. Then Shawn uses baseball slides and cross bodies. But Taker catches Shawn and rams him into the post. Shawn tries to leave again, but Taker grabs him by the tights and exposes his butt. Next, Shawn grabs a chair. Hebner stops them from using it, but he gets hurt in the chaos. This allows Rick Rude to arrive. He passes Shawn some brass knuckles. Michaels uses them, but Hebner is still out. So Shawn stomps him while Hunter & Chyna come to the ring.

Shawn, Hunter, & Chyna triple-team Taker. They whip him into the steps and choke him with cables. This angers one fan, so Hunter does the crotch chop at him. Also, it appears Shawn is helping Hebner to his feet. But Shawn rams him into the corner again. Then Taker and Shawn block each other’s finishers. This leads to Taker grabbing the brass knuckles from Shawn’s tights. He clocks Shawn and puts the knux in his own tights. Then Taker hits Hunter as well. But Taker only gets a two count. Hebner is still dazed. Taker chokeslams Earl in frustration. He then gives Shawn a jumping clothesline. Tim White then arrives. But he’s had enough and throws out the match.

Thoughts: This was entertaining chaos. It was a little overdone, but I didn’t mind it. The benefit of hindsight helps. I know where this is going. If I watched this in ’97, my opinion would have been different. I’m okay with the non-finish. I know they move on to a bigger and better match. This did a good job showing both men’s frustration. It also gives Shawn some credibility in a match with Taker.

Winner: No Contest (16:20)

Taker grabs Hunter from the apron and throws him onto Shawn. But Shawn surprises Taker with Sweet Chin Music. It causes Taker to get tied in the ropes. Chyna brings a chair while Hunter decks the ref. But Taker kicks the chair into Shawn’s face. Hunter stops Taker from giving Shawn the Tombstone. Then Shawn attacks the officials that enter the ring. Meanwhile, Taker gives Hunter a Tombstone. Shawn sees it and lets it happen. (I don’t think he was supposed to see it.) More wrestlers and officials arrive to quell the chaos. So Shawn, Hunter, & Chyna try to escape. Taker spots this and dives over the ropes to get at them! He lands on a pile of Superstars! But Shawn, Hunter, & Chyna get away. Taker enters the ring and throws the chair down in frustration. Lawler marvels at Taker’s dive over the ropes. Then Taker poses while Vince says goodnight.

The Good:

• The main event was entertaining chaos.

• The opener was decent, despite the storyline.

• I liked the Austin stuff.

The Bad:

• The dull triple threat match.

• The long tag title match.

• Putski’s injury.

Performer of the Night:

I’m calling it a tie between Taker and Shawn. They both put on an entertaining fight. Plus, Taker’s dive over the ropes was impressive. I believe it’s the first time he did it on TV.

Final Thoughts:

The quality of this show was all over the place. There was some decent action. But the middle of the show was a slog to get through. They’re still figuring out how to fill three hours on these In Your House events. It will take a while to master. Some stuff is worth watching. But the event as a whole isn’t great.

Thank you for reading. My next review is WCW’s Fall Brawl ’97. Look for it next Sunday!