SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
The following my WWF Monday Night Raw report from 20 years ago this week, originally published in the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter cover-dated Nov. 30, 1996, issue #417. VIP members now have access to the entire issue in PDF format and All-Text format which also including these topics:
-A cover story on Eric Bischoff’s declaration to his roster that you’re either “with us or against us”
-Part six of the Torch Talk with Shane Douglas where discusses whether he thinks ECW can grow and even if it should grow.
-In-depth coverage of WCW’s World War III PPV.
-Plus WWF Newswire, WCW Newswire, ETC. Newswire, Quotebook, reports on Raw, Nitro, ECW, and other TV shows, and more.
Go VIP for just $2 today as part of our ongoing Cyber Monday Sale. Take $8 off our usually $10 monthly subscription price (that’s 80% off!) or apply the $8 discount to a three month or one year subscription, too! DETAILS HERE.
KELLER’S WWF RAW REPORT
NOVEMBER 25, 1996
TAPED NOV. 18 IN NEW HAVEN, CONN.
AIRED ON USA NETWORK
The show opened immediately with a wide shot of Bret Hart’s ring entrance. Vince McMahon & Jerry Lawler & Jim Ross opened the program talking about this being the first appearance on Raw by Bret Hart in six months. They showed a split screen of Shawn Michaels and the Jose Lothario family in San Antonio, Tex….
(1) Bret Hart beat Owen Hart (w/Clarence Mason) via DQ. Ross said regarding the interview later in the show with Michaels, “I hope you guys won’t lob any softballs. Find out what Shawn Michaels thought of Sycho Sid getting so many cheers at the Garden.” When Bret went for the bulldog, Austin charged the ring and nailed him with a chair from behind. Austin set up Bret’s leg in the chair the same way he did with Brian Pillman. British Bulldog ran into the ring and said, “That’s enough.” Bulldog and Owen shoved each other. Owen called for Austin to follow through, but Bulldog stopped him. When Austin nailed Bulldog with the chair, Owen yelled at Austin telling him he went too far. The match was good, but not great…
The WWF ran down upcoming tour dates with fresh graphics that better communicate the day and date of shows…
(2) The Executioner (Terry Gordy, w/Mankind and Paul Bearer) beat Freddie Joe Floyd with the Oriental Spike. Backstage Dok Hendrix said Bulldog and Owen were still arguing in the back. Gordy looked pretty good during the squash. It’s still strange that they put him under a mask…
McMahon interviewed Jose Lothario and Shawn Michaels who were sitting on a couch in Jose’s home. Jose apologized for costing Michaels the WWF Title. Jose said his heart was damaged from the Survivor Series and he would need a balloon in his artery. McMahon asked if they’d ever see the passionate Shawn Michaels again. “A lot of people have been saying there was an old Shawn Michaels as opposed to who I am now. All of a sudden I’m over the hill and people are referring to the old Shawn Michaels. I don’t know what it was everybody liked or disliked. One thing I know is sometime over the last eight months I lost my edge and it’s my fault. It’s not his (Jose’s) fault, I will not let him take blame nor will I make an excuse at Survivor Series. I will be WWF Champion again.” When Lawler berated Lothario, Michaels stood up for him. He said he wants Sid in his hometown and he doesn’t care when he faces Bret again. McMahon asked Michaels if it threw him off that so many people were cheering Sid. Michaels said: “No, it didn’t throw me off because what I’ve always wanted is I want the fans of the WWF to enjoy themselves. I hope I can provide that enjoyment. But if I can’t, they can get it somewhere else. I’ve got another agenda right now and that is being WWF Champion. I want the people behind me, but I will not beg to anybody anytime. The people that are important to me are behind me. If you’re behind me, fine. If you’re not, fine.” McMahon said Michaels seemed awfully defensive. Michaels said he is going to go back to doing what he wants to when he wants to even if that includes kicking in teeth and gouging eyes. “No more Mr. Nice guy,” he said. Michaels seemed uncomfortable screaming from a sunken sitting position on a couch. The interview was clearly aimed at turning the fans who booed Michaels back in his favor…
(3) Rocky Maivia pinned Salvatore Sincere. Sunny came to ringside and did commentary. Soundbites aired with Lou Albano and Don Muraco endorsing Rocky. Lawler said Muraco was as believable as O.J. Simpson on the witness stand that day. Sunny gazed at Rocky and said she’d like to manage him…
A WWF 900 line plug said callers could find out “Where Mr. Perfect is?”…
Dok said Bulldog told Owen backstage he will get a piece of Austin…
(4) Marc Mero beat Billy Gunn via DQ when Hunter Hearst Helmsley interfered. Hunter was at ringside doing commentary. Billy kicked out of the Merosault at 6:00. McMahon brought up that Hunter brought Sable to the WWF at Wrestlemania last year and she broke up with him. Hunter said she still has one of his cars. Hunter approached Sable, then entered the ring and he and Billy doubled on Mero. Jake Roberts made the save…
NOW CHECK OUT YESTERDAY’S 20 YRS AGO FLASHBACK: 20 YRS AGO: WWE live event in London with Austin vs. Sid, JBL vs. Rock, Bret vs. Vader, Undertaker vs. Mankind
OR READ THIS ENTIRE NEWSLETTER FROM NOVEMBER 1996! Go VIP for just $2 today as part of our ongoing Cyber Monday Sale. Take $8 off our usually $10 monthly subscription price (that’s 80% off!) or apply the $8 discount to a three month or one year subscription, too! DETAILS HERE.
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