20 YRS AGO – KELLER’S WWE RAW REPORT (10/13/97): Steve Austin and Vince McMahon, LOD vs. Godwinns headlines, Rockabilly, Shawn Michaels vs. Flash Funk

By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor

Steve Austin talks WrestleMania 39 finish
Steve Austin (photo credit Wade Keller © PWTorch)

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...

NOTE: Read all of Wade Keller’s reports on Monday Night Raw starting with episode one when you become a VIP member. Our VIP website has an exclusive and unmatched library of coverage of pro wrestling spanning more than 30 years! VIP INFO


WWF RAW IS WAR
OCTOBER 13, 2017
TAPED OCT. 7 IN TOPEKA, KS.

[Q1]… The show opened with a preview of the tag title match with sit-down style soundbites with the LOD that humanized them for the first time since their return to the WWF… Vince McMahon interviewed Bret Hart (w/Owen Hart and Jim Neidhart) in mid-ring. Shawn Michaels, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Chyna, and Rick Rude interrupted on the TitanTron. When Hunter said he is bigger than Bret Hart in more ways than one, Michaels looked at Hunter’s crotch and said, “Watch out, you could take out an eye with that thing.” Hunter delivered his best promo to date. They mocked Bret for calling them “degenerates,” saying they were “Degeneration X.” The NOD then entered the ring as they cut to a commercial… (1) Kama (w/The NOD) fought Owen Hart (w/Bret, Neidhart) to a DCO at 4:44. While eating bananas Michaels and Hunter took over the announcing from Ross and McMahon. Lawler said together they were better than “three Marv Alberts.” Michaels told Lawler, “What made you think we were your friends. I used to work for you when you called the shots. Now I call the shots in the WWF and my first order is for you to shut your trap.” Michaels ordered Chyna to slap Lawler on the back of his head. Hunter mocked Kama for using a chinlock. When Bret walked toward Michaels, the NOD attacked him. Michaels lay on the floor and watched. The match was merely a backdrop, but the interplay of personalities and the performances by Michaels and Hunter were great…

[Q2]… A soundbite aired with a normal-talking Animal and Hawk regarding Paul Ellering’s influence on them… A Godwinns promo aired… (2) Super Nova & Max Mini beat Tarantula & Mosaic when Mini pinned Mosaic at 2:20…

[Q3]… Highlights aired from Shotgun Saturday Night of Rockabilly breaking up with Honky Tonk Man… (3) Shawn Michaels “pinned” Flash Funk when Hunter counted to three, Chyna rang the bell, and Rude announced Michaels as the winner. Michaels didn’t actually wrestle. He just covered Flash after Kane (w/Paul Bearer) beat him up. Michaels jumped up and down in celebration and acted like he was exhausted… Another LOD soundbite aired with Animal complimenting the fans of the WWF. Footage aired of them capturing the tag titles at SummerSlam on Aug. 26, 1991…

[Q4]… The Jackyl predicted victory for his Truth Commission team… (4) DOA Harris Twins beat Rekon & Sniper (of the Truth Commission) via DQ at 3:42. An eight-way brawl broke out after the match…


[Q5]… McMahon interviewed Steve Austin in mid-ring. Both signed the respective paperwork to make the Survivor Series match between Austin and Owen official. It doesn’t seem right having McMahon act so civil to Austin after Austin gave him the Stunner three weeks earlier. Austin and Faarooq, on the TitanTron, exchanged heated words. Rocky ran to the ring and Austin quickly gave him the Stunner, then left through the crowd… McMahon interviewed the LOD from the back. In a low key style they explained why they promised to quit the WWF if they couldn’t beat the Godwinns for the belts. Very good spot…

[Q6]… (5) Brian Christopher beat Tajiri at 5:19 with a handful of tights. Good action… Jim Cornette’s segment ripping Phil Mushnick then aired… (6) Goldust (w/Marlena) beat Savio Vega at 3:45 after Goldust used Marlena’s purse as a weapon. McMahon said Goldust and Marlena were “back together again,” but otherwise didn’t acknowledge the Pillman storyline…

[Q7]… As Patriot came out for his scheduled match against Hunter, Rude attacked him from behind. Michaels and Hunter claimed victory. Sarge got in the faces of Michaels, Hunter, and Chyna. Ross ripped on Sarge, calling him drunk with power. Ahmed then came out to face Michaels, but the NOD attacked him. The Kliq fled when Shamrock and the LOD made the save…

[Q8]… (7) The LOD beat The Godwinns at 11:02 to capture the WWF Tag Team Titles. Lawler speculated on what the LOD would do if they lost the match. He mockingly said maybe they would open a gym or paint kids’ faces at carnivals. As Animal was helped to the back at 9:00, McMahon began to write off the LOD as a team, reminiscing about their great careers. Animal, though, charged back to the ring. Cletus nailed Henry with the horseshoe and Hawk surprised Phinneous with a top rope clothesline for the title win. The Godwinns beat up Cletus afterward, bloodying his nose in the process… A good edition of Raw. Being taped didn’t hurt…


NOTE: Read all of Wade Keller’s reports on Monday Night Raw starting with episode one when you become a VIP member. Our VIP website has an exclusive and unmatched library of coverage of pro wrestling spanning more than 30 years! VIP INFO

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