One Night Only

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

One Night Only

September 20, 1997

NEC Arena

Birmingham, England

News & Notes: Welcome to the first UK-exclusive PPV from the WWF. The British Bulldog defends his European title against Shawn Michaels. Davey dedicated the match to his cancer-ridden sister. What could go wrong? Also, The Undertaker gets a rematch with Bret Hart for the WWF championship and much more! But first, let’s talk about what else is happening in the WWF.

Sgt. Slaughter addressed Steve Austin’s actions at Ground Zero. Sarge said there would be law and order in the WWF. It didn’t matter if the wrestlers, executives, or fans liked it. Then Slaughter declared Austin is still suspended. But he must relinquish the Intercontinental title at Badd Blood. Sarge started a tournament to crown a new champion. Austin himself would present the belt to the winner at the next PPV. This announcement drew Austin to the ring. Stone Cold promised to break every law and order Slaughter made. Sarge loved giving orders. But Austin said the only thing Slaughter ordered was a bunch of cheeseburgers! Austin followed that great line with a Stunner to the commissioner. Vince and the WWF officials ordered Austin to leave. He tried joining commentary instead, but his efforts were in vain. However, Austin didn’t vacate the building. He returned and attacked Owen Hart with a broom. The next week, Lawler interviewed Austin. The King kissed up to Stone Cold. He found Austin’s behavior hilarious. But Owen Hart interrupted the segment. Hart put a restraining order on Steve. (Both WCW and the WWF are doing restraining order storylines at the same time!) A lawyer delivered the papers to him and Austin read the fine print. Jerry wanted a look. So Lawler got too close to an annoyed Austin. Stone Cold gave him a Stunner for his trouble. But no restraining order would stop Austin. He interfered in Owen’s match again, and the cops chased Steve into the crowd.

I also have some side notes before I begin. First, this is the only UK-exclusive PPV I’m going to do as a regular review. I’m covering this one because it has significance to the greater story of 1997. The other exclusives are glorified house shows. I might do them as live tweets. The second note is a pointless observation. This is the last time the WWF uses the red, white, & blue ropes for a while. I believe the Smackdown after 9/11 is the next time we see them. That’s in 2001. I hated the change in ’97. But it grew on me.

Sky Box Office presents a World Wrestling Federation extravaganza! Then Jim Ross tells us about the history of The British Bulldog. We see childhood photos of Davey growing up in Manchester. He dreamed of making his country proud. And Bulldog did that at SummerSlam ’92. Davey’s legend then grew when he became the first European Champion in Germany. America may have branded him a rogue. But Davey is home to defend a country and a young boy’s dreams! (He should be careful. Shawn Michaels knows about boyhood dreams.)

An overly excited Vince McMahon welcomes everyone to the NEC Arena. Fireworks explode and the fans cheer. They don’t show the commentators. It seems Lawler is having headset issues. You can’t hear him for the first few minutes. We go straight to Hunter Hearst Helmsley’s entrance instead. Helmsley glares at the royal Beefeaters in the aisle. His stare doesn’t faze them. Also, I should point out the ring announcer. They use the WWF’s German commentator, Carsten Schaefer. He worked with WWE until recently.

After Hunter’s entrance, they go to Dude Love for a promo. He does a bad Austin Powers imitation. Dude tells Hunter he’s in for a bit of a row. But Dude wants to groove with Chyna later. Next, Dude brings up his missing teeth. He says they’re gone, but he doesn’t miss them. It’s jolly good fun! Vince does his trademark fake laugh at Dude’s accent. Meanwhile, Lawler promises to share his King’s English throughout the night. These are English slang words and insults. Jerry calls Dude Love a burk (fool). Lawler also says the competitors are legging it when they run. Then Jerry claims Hunter will win by going the full monty. (I don’t think that means what Lawler thinks it means.)

Hunter Hearst Helmsley (w/ Chyna) vs. Dude Love

Notes: Dude Love was involved in the Intercontinental title tournament. He had a first-round match with Brian Pillman. But it didn’t happen the first week. Dude brought Goldust with him to the ring. So Brian stayed home and taunted Goldust with his Triple X-Files videos. They rebooked the bout for the next RAW. Slaughter banned Goldust from the building. So a confident Pillman brought Marlena with him. He made her wear a skimpy dress. Goldust ignored Slaughter’s order and appeared out of the crowd. He attacked Brian and caused a DQ, which eliminated Dude from the tourney. Meanwhile, Hunter & Chyna helped Shawn Michaels attack Bulldog. But I’ll discuss that before the main event.

The Match: Dude Love controls the bout early. He uses headlocks, shoulder blocks, and devastating karate chops! Hunter begs off and does eye-pokes. But Dude continues with more karate chops and forearms. Then Dude surprises Helmsley with some arm work. We see arm breakers, armbars, and even a keylock. Hunter fights back again and tries a drop toe hold. Dude avoids it, hits his own, and starts working Hunter’s leg. This includes leg grapevines and a deathlock. Next, Dude catches Hunter in a tree of woe and karate chops Helmsley’s shin. He’s trying to set up Sweet Shin Music! But Hunter avoids it and lures Dude outside. This allows Chyna to nail a clothesline.

Chyna attacks again during ref distractions. Hunter capitalizes with a face crusher and an abdominal stretch. He uses the ropes for leverage until Chioda catches him. It causes an argument between Hunter and the ref. They shove each other and Mike Chioda yells at Hunter until he begs off. Then Dude and Helmsley trade momentum. Dude hits a facebuster. Hunter counters with a swinging neckbreaker. Dude then blocks a Pedigree and catapults Hunter into the corner. He follows that by ramming Helmsley into each turnbuckle three times. Dude even surprises Helmsley with a super arm drag! This allows Dude to nail Sweet Shin Music and a Double-Arm DDT. But Chyna places Hunter’s foot on the ropes. When Dude argues with the ref, Hunter grabs him for a Pedigree. It’s enough for the win.

Thoughts: This was a fun opener. I liked the story they told. Plus, it’s interesting to watch Dude Love matches. Mick changes his style for Dude. You don’t see Foley do mat wrestling often. Also, I get a kick out of Sweet Shin Music. (Yes, that pun was intended.) Dude even impressed me with that super arm drag. It was an enjoyable match.

Winner: Hunter Hearst Helmsley (12:51)

Next, they interview fans about the main event. The male fans almost all pick Bulldog. One guy says Davey and Frank Bruno are the only good things to come out of Britain. Everything else is rubbish. But many of the female fans and some kids pick Shawn Michaels. The other fans give them crap for it.

Then Sunny comes to the ring to announce the next match. JR says she could be a Spice Girl. It’s his only English material for the night. She introduces Leif Cassidy and Tiger Ali Singh. Tiger cuts a promo before the bout. He calls himself a proud Asian-Canadian, which gets boos from the fans. Tiger is on a mission. He wants all the children to be drug-free like him because he is the true messiah! Together, they will set the wrestling world on fire! (This was an odd promo. I get babyface vibes from this. So why call himself the true messiah? Is he supposed to be oblivious?) Next, Tiger Jeet Singh says some words in Urdu. But an impatient Leif Cassidy attacks Tiger Ali.

Tiger Ali Singh (w/ Tiger Jeet Singh) vs. Leif Cassidy

Notes: We saw Tiger and his father in the crowd at SummerSlam. He made a few TV appearances. Tiger even won the Kuwaiti Cup. But this is his first PPV match. He’s facing Leif Cassidy, who is splitting time between ECW and the WWF. As you saw in my Hardcore Heaven review, he’s already Al Snow in the other company. I’m sure the losses and this identity crisis won’t affect his mental state. It’s not like he’ll start hearing voices from a mannequin head or anything. Right?

The Match: They trade punches until Tiger gains control. Singh uses a choke toss, Irish whips, and an overhead belly-to-belly. But Cassidy slides through another whip and clotheslines Tiger. After hitting a heel kick, Leif works on Singh’s arm. Leif grabs multiple armbars and arm wringers. However, Tiger punches his way out and gets a roll-up for two. Then Cassidy places Singh on the top rope. But Tiger knocks him down and nails a flying bulldog for the win. (Vince calls it the Tiger Bomb. No, that’s a different move.)

Thoughts: This was dull and sloppy. Leif controlled most of it. The ending was abrupt. It’s not an impressive win. That isn’t Al Snow’s fault. He did fine. Tiger Ali is uninteresting. He doesn’t work well as a babyface. They turn him heel next year. But it isn’t much better.

Winner: Tiger Ali Singh (4:06)

After the match, Lawler invites Sunny to give him a snog. She hugs him and kisses his cheek. Then Sunny sits on JR’s lap and puts on his hat. JR says he likes it. But he’s not too distracted to introduce a recap of The Headbangers’ tag title win. They show footage from Ground Zero.

Tag Team Title Match: The Headbangers (c) vs. Savio Vega & Miguel Perez

Notes: The Headbangers have issues with the Godwinns. They’ll face them at Badd Blood. The tag champs also had a match with Bret & Bulldog on RAW. It appeared The Hart Foundation won the belts. But Hebner realized he counted the three on the illegal man. Earl restarted the bout. It ended in DQ when Bulldog attacked Mosh with a flag. Now, The Headbangers must defend against half of Los Boricuas. (The other two are at a house show in America.) Savio & Miguel jump The Headbangers while they do their mosh dance.

The Match: The Headbangers clear the ring and remove their entrance gear. Then they take control with a double hip toss and a double elbow drop. Thrasher continues with headlock takeovers, head scissors, and hip tosses. But Los Boricuas take control after Savio nails a corner wheel kick. Savio & Miguel use dreaded nerve holds and multiple tags. They lure Mosh into the ring for ref distractions and switch places without tagging. Next, Miguel grazes Thrasher with a diving senton. But he makes up for it with a standing moonsault. However, Los Boricuas return to the nerve holds and chinlocks. Thrasher keeps rallying, but he can’t tag. It finally happens after Savio misses a corner splash. Thrasher nails a back suplex and both men tag. Mosh cleans house with dropkicks and clotheslines. Then Mosh lands a super Frankensteiner on Miguel. He follows with a powerslam. But Savio keeps breaking up the pins. This leads to a brawl on the floor. Meanwhile, Miguel gives Thrasher a scary powerbomb. But Mosh is the legal man. He surprises Miguel with a flying seated senton for the win.

Thoughts: This was decent, but it dragged. The heat spot on Thrasher went on for a long time. It had a good finish. But the match as a whole didn’t thrill me. However, it had good heat. The crowd was into The Headbangers. That helped keep this watchable.

Winners: The Headbangers (13:34)

Next, they show an interview JR did with Bulldog. Ross asks Davey how he feels defending his title in front of his countrymen. Davey says it’s special because his sister Tracey is in the crowd. She battled twice with bone cancer. It took everything out of her, but she pulled through it. He calls her the true champion and dedicates the match to her. Then JR asks who else will be in attendance. Bulldog says his family, his wife, and his trainer are there. Ross also asks how Davey prepared for this bout. Bulldog says he dropped two stone (28 pounds) to match Shawn’s speed. But Michaels can’t match his strength. HBK is one of the top Superstars, but Davey is ready. It’s the biggest night of his career. Once Bulldog assures JR he’s ready, Ross wishes him luck.

The Patriot vs. Flash Funk

Notes: The Patriot’s team with Vader continued on TV. They’re heading for a Flag Match against Bret & Bulldog at Badd Blood. Patriot also got a victory over Owen Hart on RAW. He won after Austin distracted Hart. On the other hand, Flash Funk has done little. He’s a filler opponent for The Patriot. The WWF wanted to get Patriot on this card. The English fans boo him and The Patriot seems surprised. I don’t know why. He’s facing Bulldog at the next PPV. Why would they cheer him? He continues playing the babyface, despite the reaction. The Patriot shakes hands with Flash before the bout.

The Match: They trade lock-ups, mat holds, pin attempts, and shoulder blocks. Flash answers with a dropkick and arm drags. But he misses a heel kick. The Patriot capitalizes with headbutts and chinlocks until he misses a corner splash. So Flash fires back with a flying crossbody, a heel kick, a clothesline, and his own chinlocks. However, The Patriot absorbs Funk’s shots and nails an atomic drop into a back suplex. After this, they trade submissions. Flash uses a modified surfboard and an armbar. Funk even nails a jumping spin kick. (Vince calls it a whirling dervish.) But Patriot answers with a powerslam and the Patriot Missile. Both get two counts. Next, Flash blocks an Uncle Slam and hits a corner splash. Funk continues with a twisting splash and a moonsault. But The Patriot raises his knees on the latter. This allows Patriot to do the Uncle Slam for the victory.

Thoughts: This was another decent but dull match. Both men did fine. It had some good spots. But it found no momentum or excitement. There was no build or reason to care. The crowd at least made some noise. They booed The Patriot. But you could tell he was unsure how to react to it.

Winner: The Patriot (8:47)

The LOD cut a promo on The Godwinns before the next match. The Godwinns will go down right there in Birmingham. The LOD doesn’t forget. Animal remembers the slop, the Slop Drop, and the buckets. Payback will be you-know-what! Then Hawk gives us a poem. (Somewhere, The Giant smiles.) A little birdie in the sky laid a whitewash in his eye. But he’s a big boy. He doesn’t cry. Geez, he’s glad cows don’t fly! But that’s the only thing he’ll be glad about when he faces The Godwinns. Oh, what a rush! (Well, that was—something. What an odd promo.)

The Legion of Doom vs. The Godwinns

Notes: The LOD & Shamrock are in a feud with The Nation of Domination. They’re supposed to have a six-man tag at Badd Blood. But those plans are in jeopardy. You’ll find out why later in this PPV. Meanwhile, The Godwinns added a new manager. I’ll introduce him in my Badd Blood review. He didn’t make the trip to England. So there’s no need to talk about him here. Also, The Godwinns carry the Confederate flag to the ring for heat. I’m unsure why English fans would care. During the bout, JR explains the civil war for British viewers. Lawler jokes his family fought for the east. Plus, JR mentions The LOD riding motorcycles to the ring at SummerSlam ’92. But he doesn’t mention Rocco.

The Match: Henry and Animal trade shoves, strikes, and shoulder tackles. Animal gains control, so Henry regroups. Then Phineas and Hawk chop and punch each other. Phineas & Henry try to slow the match with chinlocks. But Hawk answers with a jawbreaker, clotheslines, and a double back elbow. However, The Godwinns take control when Phineas knees Animal in the back. They attack Animal on the floor and roll him inside. Phineas goes to the mat with armbars and hammerlocks. (JR wants to know where he learned that!) The double-teaming and arm work continues. But Phineas does a diving nothing into a boot. This allows Hawk to tag. He cleans house with clotheslines and a neckbreaker. But Henry fires back with a double clothesline and a Slop Drop on Hawk. Animal distracts him for a moment. So Henry only gets a two count. Then The Godwinns choke Hawk with their flag and control him with nerve holds. The choking continues until Hawk nails more clotheslines and tags Animal. He enters with dropkicks and a powerslam. The LOD then avoids double-teaming and Hawk sends Henry to the floor. This allows the LOD to hit a Doomsday Device on Phineas for the win.

Thoughts: This wasn’t bad. It didn’t set the world on fire. But I didn’t mind it. It was a little better than their SummerSlam bout. This one didn’t have the long heat spot. It was still pointless. But it was fine.

Winners: The Legion of Doom (10:42)

After the match, Carsten announces the winners as The Legion of Doo. (I guess he heard Hawk’s promo.) They show shots of the fans, so Vince calls them the true superstars. He says they turn the camera on the crowd whenever they can. So Lawler asks them to put the camera on him instead. But Jerry claims he’s having a bad hair day.

Meanwhile, JR enters the ring to interview Ken Shamrock. Vince says Ken suffered internal injuries in a match with Faarooq. It threw everything into a topsy-turvy situation. JR says it must be disappointing the officials won’t let Ken compete. He also shows Ken footage of his injury and asks how bad it is. Ken says he’d wrestle if it was up to him. But the doctors told him he has a punctured lung. He’s coughing up blood. Ken may be down tonight, but he’ll be back. Then Shamrock thanks the fans for their reaction. He’s a competitor and he’ll fight any chance he gets. This draws out Rockabilly. Billy Gunn can’t believe Ken isn’t wrestling because of a stomachache. (Does he know where the lungs are located?) Ken is big and bad, but he makes Billy sick. Gunn remembers what Ken did to him a couple of weeks ago. (Can Billy tell time? That was in April.) Billy attacks, but Ken gives him a drop toe hold. Then Shamrock puts Rockabilly in the anklelock and Billy taps out. The officials arrive and make Ken stop. He goes quietly, this time.

Next, they go to Bret backstage. He gets a mixed reaction from the crowd. So Vince points it out. McMahon asks about Bret’s attitude tonight. Bret says he believes in his heart he’s still the champion he was years ago. He takes nothing from The Undertaker. He has his fans. But Bret will fight fire with fire and prove he’s the best. Then Vince suggests Taker will be pell-mell on Bret after SummerSlam. Bret says he expects that. Taker’s the hardest fight he’ll ever have. But Bret feels he has the home-field advantage. Vince questions that. He doesn’t think the fans like him here. Bret says they only see American TV. It shapes their view. So Vince asks if it matters how the fans feel about him. Bret says it matters. This makes Lawler question Vince’s attitude toward Bret. Jerry doesn’t like the way he spoke to him.

Vader vs. Owen Hart

Notes: This was originally Owen vs. Shamrock. But Ken is injured. Since Vader is feuding with The Hart Foundation, he’s a logical replacement. JR says none of the English press wanted to speak with Vader after the Kuwait incident. He did this to add to Vader’s character. But Vince shoots it down. McMahon says what happened in Kuwait wasn’t all Vader’s fault. Way to undercut what Ross was doing, Vince! Meanwhile, Owen revels in the babyface reaction. It confuses Lawler. The fans booed Bret, but they’re cheering Owen. Then Owen waves the Canadian flag in Vince’s face. It annoys him, so Vince mocks Owen’s haircut.

The Match: Vader shoves Owen to the mat multiple times and gives him the gun show. Then Vader knocks Owen out of the ring with an avalanche attack. Owen answers with a sunset flip, a hurricanrana, and a springboard crossbody. He even tries for a Sharpshooter. But Vader shoves Owen away. Next, Vader counters a crucifix into a Samoan Drop. He also gives Owen a diving splash and whips Owen into a sternum bump. Owen tries in vain to answer with a slam. But Vader takes him to the mat with armbars and heel hooks. Owen attempts another slam! But Vader nails a second avalanche and returns to the mat holds. Then Owen flips out of a powerbomb and hits an enziguri. Owen capitalizes with the Sharpshooter, but Vader reaches the ropes. This leads to Owen finally slamming Vader! However, Vader fires back with a third avalanche and goes for the Vader Bomb. Owen raises his knees! Hart continues with a missile dropkick and a kip-up. He also lands a heel kick and returns to the top. But Vader catches him in a powerslam for the victory.

Thoughts: This was a fun match. I liked Owen’s storytelling. He bumped like a boss for Vader. And they worked the crowd well. The fans popped for Owen slamming Vader. You don’t see Owen play the babyface often. So it’s refreshing. I enjoyed this.

Winner: Vader (12:14)

Next, Vince recaps the finish of Bret/Taker from SummerSlam. McMahon says Bret gobbed on Shawn. (That’s a good use of English slang.) This leads to a promo from Taker. He says Bret has one night only to prove he deserves the WWF title. Shawn Michaels won’t be the special referee. It’s one-on-one. Bret must look into the eyes of the reaper. No one will lurk in the shadows and hit him with a chair. Taker says Bret convinced everyone he’s their savior. But he’s a demon. Bret isn’t one of his creatures. When he looks at the reaper, he’ll rest in peace!

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

Notes: As I mentioned earlier, Bret & Bulldog have a Flag Match at the next PPV against Patriot & Vader. And The Undertaker is preparing for the first Hell in a Cell with Shawn Michaels. But it’s nice to see these two get a rematch after SummerSlam. On a side note, they left this bout off of the US VHS release of One Night Only. It pissed off Bret. Why couldn’t they remove the Patriot/Funk, Tiger/Leif, and LOD/Godwinn matches instead? It would make me angry too.

The Match: They trade punches until Taker chokes Bret in the corner. When Taker argues with the ref, Bret removes a turnbuckle pad. Then Taker blocks a Sharpshooter attempt and Bret sends Taker to the floor. Hart also shoves him into the announce table. This leads to a brawl down the aisle. Taker slams Bret on the ramp before the ref makes them return to the ring. Next, Bret nails a DDT. But Taker whips Bret into a sternum bump on the exposed buckle. Taker then focuses his attacks on Bret’s chest. He uses Heart Punches and even a bow & arrow stretch! However, Taker bangs his knee in the corner on a missed charge. So Bret pounces on it. He attacks Taker’s knee for a while. Bret places him in leg grapevines and then a ringpost Figure Four. The ref makes him break it. So Bret uses a regular Figure Four in the ring. But Taker reverses it.

Then Bret switches his focus to Taker’s lower back. He gives Taker headbutts, a Russian Leg Sweep, a suplex, and a backbreaker. After a boot to Bret’s face and a double down on a clothesline, Taker attacks Bret’s crotch. He nails leg drops onto it. But Bret catches one and turns it into a Sharpshooter! Taker powers out. A frustrated Bret grabs the ring bell, but Taker nails a big boot. Then the ref stops Taker from using the bell. This doesn’t stop them from fighting on the floor. They whip each other into the steps and the post. When they head back inside, Bret pulls Taker off the ropes on an Old School attempt. Hart also avoids a Tombstone and tries one of his own! However, Taker dumps Bret into the ropes. Bret is caught in a hangman spot. Taker won’t stop attacking while the ref helps Bret. So the ref calls for a DQ.

Thoughts: This was a solid match. I liked the psychology and storytelling. I’m even fine with the finish. It’s a unique way to avoid either man jobbing. You don’t see Bret do a hangman spot often. Both men came out of this looking strong. That’s how it should be with their ongoing feuds. This did exactly what it needed to do. I’d call this the best of the Bret/Taker matches. And it’s hidden on a UK-exclusive PPV.

Winner: Bret Hart (by DQ) (28:35)

A frustrated Taker chokeslams the referee. Then Gerald Brisco and Owen Hart arrive to free Bret from the ropes. Owen succeeds. But Taker grabs Brisco and gives him a chokeslam. Dave Hebner and Owen check on Bret and help him to the back. They avoid Taker’s wrath, but Taker chases them down the aisle. However, Carsten announces the winner. Taker glares at him and sends Schaefer fleeing into the crowd.

Then we cut to Taker’s Badd Blood opponent, Shawn Michaels. He says you’ve seen the WWF champion and the tag champions. And now you get the main event. Shawn Michaels is the headliner. He claims he’ll become the first grand slam winner in WWF history. Shawn vows to win the European title. Vince interrupts and asks if Shawn can top this. Michaels says his middle name is top this and points at his crotch. You can send out anyone you want. But you haven’t seen the showstopper until Shawn enters the ring. HBK is on his way! The camera then follows Michaels through the curtain.

Vince calls Shawn a showman par excellence while Michaels hugs female fans. A kid shoves his Bulldog action figure in HBK’s face. So Shawn takes it and drops it down his tights. Vince says, “The Bulldog goes down!” The kid grabs at Shawn to get his toy back. (You don’t want it now, kid.) Then Bulldog enters the arena with Tracey at his side. She looks nervous and jumps at Davey’s pyro. I felt bad for her. Bulldog escorts her to ringside, and Tracey sits with Diana and Davey’s family. While this happens, Shawn yells at McMahon. We can’t hear what he says.

European Title Match: Shawn Michaels vs. The British Bulldog (c)

Notes: The WWF booked a Triple Threat between Bulldog, Hunter, and The Patriot on RAW. But Shawn & Hunter attacked Davey during his entrance. They slammed Bulldog’s bad knee onto the ramp and hit it with a chair. Since Bulldog was out, Savio Vega took his place in the encounter. (It won’t be the last time Savio is a disappointing replacement.) JR interviewed Shawn the following week. He asked Michaels why he attacked Davey. Shawn said he wanted to be the first man to hold the four different WWF belts. He already won the WWF, Intercontinental, and Tag Team titles. Now, he wanted Bulldog’s European championship.

The Match: Bulldog powers Shawn around the ring. Michaels bumps like a pinball for backdrops, clotheslines, and press slams. Shawn regroups and complains of hair-pulling. But Bulldog sends Shawn over the ropes and slingshots him back inside. Then Bulldog reverses a hurricanrana into a powerbomb. He also counters a crucifix with a Samoan Drop. Davey continues with a surfboard stretch. But Hebner counts his shoulders on the mat. It leads to an argument. Next, Bulldog lands a stalling suplex while Rick Rude arrives. Rick distracts Davey, reverses his roll-up, and shoves Bulldog into the post. Shawn capitalizes with a flying axehandle and more Rude interference. Then Michaels uses a sleeper hold. But Bulldog recovers and hits a back suplex.

Shawn then tries to slow the pace with some mat holds, but Bulldog powers out of it. This leads to a double down and Hunter & Chyna join Rude at ringside. (The fans chant for Bret.) After Bulldog misses a corner charge, Shawn lands flying elbows. But Davey counters with a running powerslam attempt. So Rude trips him. The fight spills to the floor and Davey fends off interference. But Bulldog slips off the platform when he tries another running powerslam. He twists his knee. This allows Shawn to nail Sweet Chin Music. And Hunter gives Bulldog a Pedigree on the floor. Then they roll him into the ring. Shawn removes Davey’s knee brace and throws it at Diana. Next, Shawn puts Bulldog in a Figure Four. Bulldog’s mouth is bleeding. But Davey won’t quit. The ref is focused on Davey, so Hunter & Chyna grab Shawn’s arms for leverage. Bulldog almost reverses the hold until Rude punches him. But Bulldog still won’t quit. However, Davey passes out, and the ref calls for the bell.

Thoughts: The match itself was great. It had good storytelling and drama. I’d call this the best Bulldog/Shawn match. But it’s impossible to disconnect from the backstory. It’s hard to like this bout once you know what happened. Bulldog dedicated the night to his sister because Vince told him he was winning. Davey didn’t discover until the start of the show they changed the plans. By they, I mean Shawn. He convinced McMahon to switch the outcome. Shawn felt it would put great heat on him and his new group. Plus, Michaels wanted to be the first-ever grand slam champion. It also doesn’t help Shawn pushed for no Hart Foundation intervention. This made Bret & Owen look foolish. Vince justified the change by saying they’d build to a rematch at the next UK PPV. That doesn’t happen for obvious reasons. This is a sour way to end One Night Only.

Winner: Shawn Michaels (New Champion) (22:53)

The fans throw trash as Carsten announces the winner. He can’t even finish because Shawn takes the mic. Michaels tells the crowd to look at the new grand slam winner. Then he taunts the Harts and Diana. Shawn calls her his sweetheart. Hunter continues the mocking while Shawn puts Davey in the Figure Four again. Helmsley tells him to scream for his country. Diana enters the ring, so Chyna grabs her. Then Bret & Owen finally arrive to chase Shawn & Co. away. Shawn, Hunter, & Chyna celebrate in the aisle. Hunter holds up three fingers and says they’re the real triple threat. (That’s a shot at Shane Douglas in ECW.) Next, Hunter carries Shawn on his shoulder while Shawn poses with the belt. The crowd pelts him with garbage. When the camera cuts back to the ring, you can see Diana complaining about the outcome. Vince calls Shawn dastardly as he says goodnight.

The Good:

• Dude/Hunter was good.

• Vader/Owen was fun.

• Bret/Taker was solid.

• Shawn/Bulldog was great outside of the backstory.

The Bad:

• Shawn’s politicking.

• The depressing ending.

• There were some dull and pointless matches.

Performer of the Night:

I’m giving it to Owen Hart. I enjoyed his match with Vader. And it looked like he had the time of his life playing a babyface again.

Final Thoughts:

This isn’t a bad show. In fact, most of the action was good. Nothing was terrible. However, it leaves a sour taste in your mouth. It’s hard to separate the presentation from the backstage nonsense. A dark cloud looms over this event. I wanted to cover this show because it sets up what’s coming in November. The next two months for the WWF aren’t happy ones.

Thank you for reading. My next review is WWF Badd Blood: In Your House.