A new generation.....a new attitude?

Beejus · October 31, 2017

Scott Steiner

Dogs of War

??? - Marty Jannetty?

Dude Love

Daniels

Crossface · October 31, 2017

Been MIA for a bit and my time on the boards has become sporadic at best...but so happy to see you still working on this. I'm going to throw some predictions out there...but they excuse any shortcomings as I haven't been as caught up as I once was...

That said, this might be my favorite diary in TEW'16 era. It's not a stretch for me to put it in the same echelon with TFC's TGA diary or Beejus's War of Thrones from the TEW '13 forums.

Preview for Monday Night Raw, Week 4, December 1996

Special Holiday Edition

WWF Intercontinental Championship: Christmas Cage Match

Rich Steiner © vs. Scott Steiner

Comments: I see Scotty winning the Rumble and getting crowned at Wrestlemania... so the IC strap doesn't make sense at the moment. Some hook or crook lets Richie Rich survive this one

Ho Ho Ho Handicap Match

Al Snow vs. The Dogs of War

Comments: I don't see Snow as the type of talent who can come out on top in a handicap match...but the Dude makes an appearance post match.

Chris Jericho's Mystery Holiday Gift Match

???? vs. Lance Storm

Who is ???? Hmmm... Really no idea. Going to guess Bret Hart simply because he's not on the card elsewhere

Comments:

Festive Falls Count Anywhere Match

Dude Love vs. Bill DeMott

Comments: Get the new gimmick over

Three Wise Men Triple Threat Match

Billy Kidman vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Jerry Lynn

Comments:

to4sty · October 31, 2017

http://i.imgur.com/GJwrLWt.jpg

Week 4, December 1996

Rupp Arena

ATT: 19,387

TV: 19.98

It's the most wonderful time of the year here in the WWF and we are welcomed to a special Holiday edition of Monday Night Raw by Jim Ross and Ravishing Rick Rude....both of whom are wearing rather fetching Santa hats....although Rude remarks that with Ross's expanding waistline, he would be a much better choice of Father Christmas than the Ravishing One.

As has been the trend as of late, the show actually opens with the owner of the World Wrestling Federation, Vincent Kennedy McMahon making his way down to the ring. He has a huge smile on his face, along with a rather gaudy Christmas Jacket. He wishes everyone a Happy Holidays, telling them that he hopes everyone's Christmas will be as filled with joy as his will "......it won't be obviously.....because I'm extremely wealthy and can afford to provide my family with the very best of everything......." unlike everyone in the crowd, who will probably be eating road kill for Christmas.

"......however, in the spirit of Christmas.....and because Vince McMahon is nothing but generous to a fault, I do have one or two gifts to hand out tonight......and the first, is for the man that decided to stick his nose last night where it didn't belong.....one Mr. Scott Steiner......Steiner, since you like to come out here running your mouth and you don't seem to think before you speak....I'm going to teach you about a little thing called consequences......"

McMahon said that Steiner came out here, saying that he was going to win the Intercontinental Championship....then the Royal Rumble.....then go on to Wrestlemania to be a double Champion....and yet here we are, one day removed from In Your House....and you're not even a single Champion.....

"......so here's what we are going to do.....since I'm such a giving individual, who wants nothing more than for his employees to be the best they can be....I'm going to give you a little incentive.....and because I am a man of my word, I'm going to ensure that YOU are as well. Tonight....in this very ring, it's going to be Scott Steiner.....going one on one with Rich Steiner.....for the WWF Intercontinental Championship.......and since our Champion seems so set on walking out of matches recently, walking out is going to be the only way to win tonight.....but there won't be any Count-Outs....because that match is going to take place inside a fifteen foot high steel cage......."

The crowd pop at that, and McMahon tells them that they are welcome.....before holding his hand up to continue.....stating that.....

".......however......since Mr. 'Pump' is so eager to go around making promises of success......should he NOT win tonight.....then he will NOT be taking part in the 1997 Royal Rumble match....because he "promised" to walk into that match as the Intercontinental Champion.......and if by some Christmas Miracle, he DOES win tonight......and he DOES win the Royal Rumble....then Mr. Steiner, I would suggest that you hold onto that Championship like your life depends on it......because IF you win the Title.....and IF you win the Rumble.....then you WILL be eligible to Challenge for the biggest prize in the sport....at the biggest event of the year...........however IF you LOSE that Intercontinental Championship between now and Wrestlemania.....then you will forfeit your chance to Main Event Wrestlemania immediately, because you will be OUT of the WWF Championship match........because those Scott Steiner, are the consequences of YOUR actions......"

McMahon then addresses two men who also need to learn about the consequences of their actions.....inviting Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Loose Cannon Brian Pillman to join him in the ring......

....and obviously since they have been barred from the arena for the last few weeks, they don't need asking twice.....and the duo are greeted by a thunderous ovation as they make their way down the aisle. The two men enter the ring and Austin immediately flips McMahon the double bird....with a look on his face that says he's been stuck on the sidelines for too long now and is ready for action.....but McMahon tells him to hold on there....because he has a couple of gifts for them too.....the first being, that obviously, since they are here.....he has lifted their arena ban....and they are once again allowed back into the building.....you're welcome......and the second gift......since it's Christmas.....is that tonight.....Stone Cold Steve Austin and Brian Pillman.......have the night off.....so go home.

Obviously that doesn't fly with Stone Cold, who has been waiting for a fight for weeks now....telling McMahon that ".....you come out here in your stupid little Christmas Jacket.....you look like a jackass by the way.....and you give out you little gifts like you're old Saint Nick.....well I don't see no long white beard....and I don't see no reindeers......what I DO see is a snivelling little b*stard that's about to get his ass whipped, because one way or another Stone Cold is stomping a mud hole in someone's ass tonight, and that's the bottom line......"

McMahon gives a big gulp, before quickly regaining his composure, telling Austin that no, in fact he will NOT be placing a single finger on him....because if either Austin or Pillman place a single hand on Vince McMahon.....they will be OUT of the Royal Rumble match....not that it will matter....because that brings him to his final gift....and that gift is for everyone in the back there.....

"........and that gift is this......the man....or men.....that eliminate these two pieces of garbage from the Royal Rumble......regardless of whether you win the Rumble match itself or not......will get a GUARANTEED WWF Title match in the very near future......it's that simple.....throw Austin out, win a Title Shot.....throw Pillman out, win a Title Shot.....that's 28 other men who now have all the incentive in the world to ensure that neither of you two win the Royal Rumble.....in fact, you could say that you have no chance in hell of winning.....and that's the bottom line, because Vince McMahon says so....."

Rating: A*

VS. VS.

Three Wise Men: Triple Threat Match

Our first match up this evening features the stars of the Light Heavyweight Division......as Billy Kidman, Christopher Daniels and Jerry Lynn square off in a triple threat match. With Rey Mysterio successfully vanquishing another foe at last nights In Your House, you would assume that a win here would go a long way towards helping to decide the Champions next Challenger....so all three men went at this one like houses of fire.

It lead to an exciting fast paced match that saw near fall after near fall for all three men....ultimately however it was Christopher Daniels that picked up the victory....because after watching Billy Kidman connect with a beautiful looking Shooting Star Press.....he quickly tossed the youngster to the outside and stealing the pinfall onJerry Lynn.

Winner: Christopher Daniels
Rating: C+

From one Flock member, we go to several more.....as we head to the back where Raven is sat on the floor of the locker room, surrounded by Bill DeMott, the Dogs of War....Al Snow.............and Dude Love. He looks first at Snow.....then at the Dude (who is doing some kind of obscenely bad dance) with a look of pure disgust on his face.....

"......life is full of trials and tribulations.....I have been beaten down.....I have felt pain.....I have suffered for myself and I have suffered for others.....but never more so than this.....you can pierce my body with a knife, and eventually the wound will heal....but stab me in the heart and the wound will last a lifetime....from you Al Snow I would expect no less......but you Mick.....you broke my heart.....you broke my trust.....and you broke my spirit........"

"......Owww, have mercy my feathered friend.....the Dude is outta the bag....or outta the box in this case.....and you'd better believe he's got your back Daddio....ready to kick some heavy duty booty for his main mandible, Raven......you said it yourself daddy, Mankind could never kick it with the Deadman.....but the Dude, the coolest cat in town.....sent the crypt keeper running for the graveyard baby........"

Before The Dude can go any further Raven is on his feet and unleashes a backhand slap that nearly knocks the bandana off the Dudes head. Raven tells him to shut up.....and that this will not stand.....he tells the Dude that he wanted one simple thing from him.....one thing, for all that Raven gives him.......and if Jack won't come out for Raven.....and he won't come out to save Al Snow......then Raven will just have to beat him out......he tells The Dude that he has a match up next with Bill DeMott.......a falls count anywhere match, right in Jacks wheelhouse......and as for Al Snow.......he must be punished for his indiscretions.....and tonight, his Dogs of War will do just that......

".......because I WILL have what I want......one way or another.......Quote the Raven.....Nevermore......"

Rating: A*

VS.

Festive Falls Count Anywhere Match

This match was actually......really, really good. Regardless of the Dude's comedy value, there is no doubting Mick Foley's ability when it comes to matches of a more Hardcore variety......and Bill DeMott, while not in the Dude's league, is equally adapt when it comes to brawling in the aisleway. Being that Foley is somewhat of a self-confessed Christmas fanatic, it must have broken his heart to be brawling around the staged Christmas gifts that are scattered around the arena.....but not as much as when Bill DeMott began to beat him with a fully decorated Christmas Tree.

The two men brawled up and down ringside, into the crowd and back again....but in the end, if this was supposed to be punishment for the Dude then it didn't really work....because he had a blast....but non more so than when he rammed an oversized Santa Hat, fully over the head of DeMott....blinding him long enough to connect with a double arm DDT on the stage to pick up a pinfall victory.....much to the delight of the fans.

Winner: Dude Love
Rating: B+

Up next we have Lance Storm making his way down to the ring. He talks about being a man of his word, because like all great Canadians, there is nothing he values more than honesty.....he says that he vowed to defeat Chris Jericho at In Your House and that's exactly what he did....he eliminated Chris Jericho from the Survivor Series.....he's beaten Chris Jericho at every opportunity.....and proved without a shadow of a doubt, exactly who the Marty Jannetty around here is.....

Storm isn't much of a talker however, which is why his promo time is kept short and sweet....and it's not long before Chris Jericho makes his way out to show Lance how it's done. He tells Storm that he's seen amoeba with more personality than him, but worry not folks, because Chris Jericho, the personification of personality is here to save the day. He tells Lance that maybe he's right.....that is twice now that he's got the better of Jericho.....and as a congratulations, he's going to play Secret Santa tonight......because he's got his old friend a gift.....a Christmas surprise.....a Christmas Surprise opponent.....

......it's Marty Jannetty.....(fresh out of his second stint in rehab)......and he doesn't look happy that Lance Storm has been using his name as a veiled insult.....looks like we are about to find out who the real Marty Jannetty is around here.

Rating: B+

VS.

Marty Jannetty is one week out of rehab......and he's already doing better than the last time he came out, because he was no showing work within a day then, meaning he got a second stint in the dry house on the WWF's Dollar.....that means in the course of 12 months, Marty has spent 11 of them in rehab.....hopefully this second stay straightened him out.....because he won't get a third....he'll just be out of here.

As for this match, there was a little bit of ring rust on Marty's side of things.....fortunately Lance is a good enough worker to mask that.....and it helped that Jericho remained at ringside to keep the crowd rowdy.....his presence worked in Jannetty's favour too....because Jericho was able to prevent any blatant cheating from Storm, the likes of which cost Jericho the match at In Your House....in the end though, Jericho being at ringside possibly motivated Lance even more....because as Marty attempted to connect with a Super Kick reminiscent of the Sweet Chin Music, (which Jim Ross tells us is dubbed "Into the Void"...an homage to the Black Sabbath song) Storm was able to catch Jannetty's foot and convert it into the single leg Boston crab....and just like that, Marty's comeback moment was ruined by Canada's own Lance Storm.

Winner: Lance Storm
Rating: C

We come back from commercial break, and we have gone from one Canadian to another........two others actually........and a Brit........because despite Bret Harts insistence that he was going home, here he is....along with brother Owen and brother in-law Davey Boy Smith. The whole Hart Foundation get a great reception..... it none more so than the Hitman. Bret thanks the fans for the reception, before saying that he's not here to try and take up too much of everyone's time....but he's been sat at home.....honouring the stipulation to the Survivor Series match....because despite the fact that Vince McMahon screwed over him and his brother, Bret is a man of his word.....but then he turns on his television, and what does he see? Vince McMahon allowing Steve Austin and Brian Pillman to enter the 1997 Royal Rumble match.....so basically, if Vince isn't going to adhere to the stipulation, then neither is Bret.....and neither is Owen.....and they want into the Rumble too......

......that brings out the man himself.....Vince says that he may be feeling generous tonight.....which is why the British Bulldog WILL be in the Royal Rumble match....but he's not feeling generous enough to just put Bret and Owen in like that....but since it IS Christmas, how about this.....at the Royal Rumble....The Hart Brothers team up to face Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.......non-title obviously......and if you win that match....THEN you will be entered into the Royal Rumble match later in the evening.....of course, they will be pretty beat up if they do make it to the match....but that's the best he can do......Merry Christmas.

Rating: A*

VS.

Ho Ho Ho Handicap Match

It's time to continue Raven's punishment OF the Flock, WITH the Flock....it didn't work out so well earlier in the evening, with Dude Love defeating Bill DeMott.....Al Snow however, (being the perpetrator of Mankinds transformation into Dude Love) has definitely got the more severe end of the punishment....as he has to face both of the Dogs of War in a ho ho ho handicap match. When you take into account the fact that this was a handicap match, the trio.....well, mainly Al Snow to be fair.....were able to make the match entertaining enough (with Al making the hot tag to Head at one point) but vicious enough from Wrath and Crush, to ensure that the story of Al's suffering is told.

Eventually after holding his own for as long as physically possible against two animals like the Dogs of War.....Al Snow is put out of his misery with a big Double Chokeslam.....and then another for good measure.....and much to the displeasure of the crowd.....Al Snow is defeated.

Winner(s): The Dogs of War
Rating: B

With his vengeance delivered, Raven makes his way down the aisle to stand over his fallen follower. He picks up a microphone and drops to his knees beside Al Snow....

"......unfortunately....our sins will always be more easily remembered than the good we do....you may THINK, that by freeing that moron Dude Love, that you have saved Mick Foley from the monster that resides deep within himself.....but in reality, you've only delayed the inevitable......understand this.....I WILL have what I want.....I WILL have what I need.....I WILL.....have Cactus Jack.....and your good deed.....will not go unpunished.......

Raven motions to the Dogs of War, who drag Snow to his feet and hold him in place.....

"........for no matter what I do, people only remember my so called sins.....because they are too blind to see that EVERYTHING I do....is for the greater good.....you were lost....walking aimlessly in the dark....until I bought you MY light to follow.....I validated your existence in the WWF....I took you from the bottom....and raised you to heights you could previously only dream of.....you may not like the way that I did it....because like I said, our sins will always be more easily remembered than the good we do.......but whether you like it or not....everything I did I did for YOU.....well no more.....Al Snow I cast you out.....and examples need to be made....for your actions......"

With that Raven clutches Snow by the head.....and drives him skull first into the mats with the Evenflow DDT. Snow is down and in no condition to fight back....which gives Raven ample time to drop to the floor, pick up a steel chair and slide back into the ring, dropping the foreign object down in the centre of the mat. He drags Snow back to his feet...and again positions him for the DDT....this time poised over the steel chair.......

......which is when Dude Love comes running down the aisle....he comes to a halt at ringside, grabbing a microphone and pleading with Raven not to do it.....but that just infuriates Raven more.....he asks The Dude why....why after everything that Raven has given him....does he insist on trying to end Al Snows suffering? "....what about me?.....WHAT ABOUT RAVEN?......" He tells the Dude that he knows how to end this.....he knows what he has to do......but the Dude shakes his head, telling Raven that ".....that bird has flown daddio....now the Dude is in the driving seat....and this cool cat is hard to de-rail....." he says that even if he wanted to, he couldn't get rid of the Dude now......but Raven simply replies that he will.....soon......and then he drives Snow head first into the steel with the Evenflow.

Dude Love drops to the mat to check on Al, but Raven drags him by the hair to his feet.....telling him that there is little cause for his false concern, when it's YOU that has bought this suffering upon him. He then orders the Dude to the back, telling him that Al Snow has been excommunicated from the Flock....and his affairs are no longer of interest to Dude Love, Mankind"......or anybody else that's lurking inside that damaged head of yours...."

Rating: A*

Following that we head backstage....and apparently to the Locker Room of the KLiQ. It's surprisingly relaxed for once.....everyone is wearing a smile....Sunny has a very skimpy fur lined, red and white Mrs. Claus outfit on....and Shawn Michaels has a big sack at his side. He first of all thanks each KLiQ member for their "services" this year....stating that Shawn Michaels is nothing if not a humble World Champion. He reaches down into the sack and retrieves for elegantly wrapped boxes, which he hands out to each man. Nash looks down at the box, before asking ".....nothing for Sunny?...." Shawn just smiles at that, saying what Sunny wants, Sunny gets....all year round.....and all night long.....in fact, she had a beautiful pearl necklace....just this morning.

The four men unwrap their gifts to reveal expensive looking matching gold Rolex watches. The KLiQ seem impressed by this....but Shawn says that's not all.....he has another gift for his good buddy Kevin Nash....he says that this is not for what Nash has done....but for what he's going to do......and that is to ensure that the Hart Brothers are NOT in the Royal Rumble.....then Big Sexy will be entering the Royal Rumble match himself.....where he will make sure that a suitable winner comes out of the event. Nash smiles and takes the gift, telling Shawn that he can count on it.....Kevin Nash will personally guarantee.....that the right man.....will win. The two men stare each other down for a moment....before Nash finally unleashes a huge smile, opening up Shawn's second gift.....a signed and framed 8x10 picture of Shawn Michaels. Big Sexy looks blankly at the picture, before smiling and telling the Heartbreak Kid that he will cherish it.

That's not it though folks.....Shawn Michaels is the Champion that keeps giving.....because he points over to a door at the end of the room....telling the KLiQ that there are four more gifts, right in there....that desperately need unwrapping. With that the door swings open.....and four very scantily clad women are waiting inside. Michaels tells the boys to enjoy the festive treats.....in fact he knows for a fact that the blonde on the end is called Holly.....but in the mean time, the World Wrestling Federation Champion has a match that he wants to watch.....because Scott Steiner is up next.....and that match has a Royal Rumble ramifications.

With that the Heartbreak Kid leaves, with Sunny on his arm.....and Hall, Nash, Waltman and Credible get to their feet and walk into the opposite room and into the arms of the waiting ladies........which is when the door abruptly slams shut......and some god awful sounds are followed by a series of crashes, bangs and cries of pain.......

.....before it suddenly swings open, just as abruptly as it closed.....and out walks Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Loose Cannon Brian Pillman.....each sporting a mangled chair. Behind them you can see the four KLiQ members each laid out on the floor, clutching at various body parts. Austin simply shoves the camera man to one side and exits the room...Pillman on the other hand stops, giving the camera that wide eyed maniacal look, before proclaiming.....

"......sorry booker man.....Steve got bored.....you know how it is......"

Rating: A*

<img style="max-width:10%;
"src="https://i.imgur.com/NJr4NXD.jpg"> VS.

Christmas Cage Match

After that rather lengthy scene, the ring crew have finally got the big blue cage set up....because it's time for our main event of the evening. Self preservation has been the name of the game for Rich Steiner since becoming the Intercontinental Champion....and that self preservation has seen him walk out on a match against Psycho Sid.....the elimination Match at the Survivor Series.....a tag team match pitting himself and Shawn Michaels against Ahmed Johnson and Scott Steiner.....a Champion vs Champion match against Shawn Michaels.....and in his latest title defence, just last night against his opponent tonight, Big Poppa Pump.....but tonight for once....walking out of the match is actually the key to victory....because this is a Steel Cage match.....and there are only two ways to win....climb over the top or walk out the door.

It's all on the line for both men here.....a loss for Rich Steiner means the end of his Championship dream....while a loss for Scott Steiner means not only does he lose the chance to call himself the Intercontinental Champion....but he also loses out on the chance to call himself WWF Champion....because unless he walks into the Royal Rumble with that Intercontinental Championship around his waist.....then he doesn't walk into the Royal Rumble at all.

Despite the fact that these two make much better partners than they do opponents....(they just don't click at all).....it didn't stop them from pulling an amazing performance out of the bag last night.....and it doesn't stop them tonight either....because this was just as good, if not better than last nights bout. The main story of the match was Rich Steiner's desperate attempts to escape....while Scott made some half hearted attempts, but clearly would rather be spending his time bouncing his brothers head OFF the cage, than trying to escape from it.....

.......although the one serious attempt at exiting the ring via the cage door, is hampered by the arrival of Rich's Million Dollar Counterpart Jeff Jarrett.....who comes running down the aisle to slam the cage door into Big Poppa Pumps face as he was inches away from victory. It's not the only input he has in the match either.....foiling numerous attempts by the Big Bad Booty Daddy to escape.....

......so much so that Psycho Sid (who clearly has unfinished business with Jeff Jarrett, comes running down the aisle to chance old Double J away.

That just left the Steiner Brothers....who continued to abuse each other....until Rich finally decided that he was going to head to the top rope, looking for his patented Bulldog....or should that be predictable Bulldog? Because Scotty clearly knew it was coming....and swept his brothers legs out, crotching him on the turnbuckle.....before nailing him with a big top rope Frankensteiner. In a normal match this would be all over.....one, two, three.....but this ain't a normal match....and Scott still needs to escape.....so he climbs....and climbs......as DiBiase enters the ring looking to drag his client out of the cage.....and he succeeds......but about a second later than Scott Steiner landed on the floor.....this one is over.....and in our last show of the year we have a rarely seen title change on TV......and a brand new Intercontinental Champion.

Winner: ....and NEW WWF Intercontinental Champion.....Scott Steiner
Rating: A

The match is over and Scott Steiner is handed his first official singles title of his World Wrestling Federation career, which he returns to the ring with, climbing to the top of the cage to celebrate for his cheering fans......which is when his music is cut short.....and the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels makes his way out from the back with a microphone in hand. He congratulates Steiner for finally winning a title that's on his level.....but proclaims that if he thinks he achieved anything spectacular then he's going to be severely disappointed. Michaels walks down to ring side, but ensures that he keeps the cage between himself and Steiner, who is encouraging him to step into the ring......

".....no, no, no big boy.....I don't need to step inside that ring....I'm just here to give you some friendly advice.....you make the most of that shiny gold belt....hold on to it real tight....and you might be heading into the Royal Rumble, but that don't mean jack.....because even if you do win....and you make it to Wrestlemania......I'll just beat you again like I beat you before....hell, I've beaten everyone there is to beat.....I don't even HAVE an opponent for the Royal Rumble because I've knocked you all down one by one......Bret Hart, Jerry Lawler, Owen Hart, you and Steve Austin in the same night....Bret Hart again.....Chris Jericho....Psycho Sid.....Brian Pillman.....Ahmed Johnson.......one by one you all fall down to the Icon....the Main Event.....the Showstopper......there is nobody left to beat.....and that is why, at the Royal Rumble......I think I'm going to take the night off...........

....::::!!!!GONG!!!!::::....

.......suddenly the lights go out.........

....::::!!!!GONG!!!!::::....

........and when they come back on, the Undertaker is stood at the top of the entrance way......and here is a man (Jim Ross informs us) that Shawn Michaels has never beat.....in fact, he's never even faced him.......Michaels looks like a deer caught in the headlights as the Deadman stands motionless at the top of the aisle.....he can't go backwards, because Steiner is there....he can't go forwards because the Undertaker is there.....and he doesn't have any back up, because unbeknown to him, Steve Austin and Brian Pillman were there to take out the KLiQ....and as the final show of 1996 comes to a close, the Undertaker makes the universal "belt" motion to his waist.....indicating that maybe Shawn Michaels won't have the night off at the Royal Rumble after all........we'll see you next year folks......

Rating: A*

Final Rating: A

to4sty · October 31, 2017

So that was that.....and 1996 was in the bag.....and while our final Raw of the year was really supposed to be a lighthearted way to end the year, it was really well received....far better than I was expecting considering the only real marquee match was Steiner vs Steiner. Scotty was originally penned in to win the Intercontinental Championship at the Royal Rumble event....in what was always going to be a cage match due to the "story" or Rich Steiner constantly taking the deliberate count-out route in his matches....the cage was going to be there to prevent that....but then I figured that a cage match and a Royal Rumble match on the same show was a bit of an overkill....so I moved it to Raw.....plus it gave the fans a feel good moment to finish the year with a bang, because TV title changes are few and far between for us, and they have really been behind Scotty for the last six months or so....especially with his current character change.

Marty Jannetty is back from rehab again....I'm hoping his demons are behind him because he could prove to be a useful hand....he wasn't overly pleased about jobbing to Lance Storm on his first night in, but I've been burnt with Marty before....if he wants to start picking up some wins around here then he needs to prove that he can stay clean and sober first.

Anyway, while we are done for the year, WCW still have Starrcade to get through.....lets see what ridiculous ideas they come up with for this one......

Week 4, December 1996
Frank Erwin Centre
ATT: 13,232
TV: 18.29

-Jean Paul Levesque is out to open the show again with Mike Awesome by his side. Talks about being used to having better competition than this in other companies he has worked for....so far everything he has seen has been second rate....just like the wrestlers....as Mike Awesome is going to show right now- (Rating A)

-Mike Awesome easily defeated Dirty Dick Slater- (Rating C+)

-Giant is out....sick of hearing JPL run HIS company down....they have a match at Starrcade, but tonight Giant is just looking for a fight....and he gets one....from Mike Awesome...who holds the Giant off long enough for JPL to make good his escape- (Rating A)

-Dave Finlay defeats Scott Norton ahead of his US Title shot at Starrcade- (Rating C+)

-The US Champion DDP comes out and has a war of words with his challenger, before attempting to hit a cheap Diamond Cutter when Finlay wasn't expecting it....unfortunately Finlay WAS expecting it....and beats Page down for his troubles- (Rating B-)

-The Cruiserweights have arrived in WCW....and tonight the debuting Ultimo Dragon defeated (the also debuting) Super Crazy and Blitzkrieg in a Triple Threat match- (Rating C)

-Randy Savage and Eddie Guerrero will clash at Starrcade....tonight they have a war of words, with Guerrero promising to make a name off the Macho Mans legacy- (Rating A*)

-The Faces of Fear (Meng and The Barbarian) defeated the Pitbulls following interference from the Public Enemy- (Rating C+)

-Marcus "Buff" Bagwell and Samu defended the WCW Tag Team a Titles against Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko by blatantly cheating- (Rating B-)

-The Tag Champs look to add insult to injury with a beat down, until this week Harlem Heat make the save.....Buff runs his mouth, challenging BOTH teams to face them at Starrcade....Buff might be getting too cocky for his own good- (Rating B)

-Sting, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Lex Luger and Randy Savage are all cutting a promo backstage....say the Title is coming home at Starrcade one way or another- (Rating A*)

-Sting was able to defeat Vader in a decent match- (Rating B+)

-Vader cheapshots Sting and he and Bam Bam Bigelow deliver a beating....Hogan tries to save but gets taken out too....as Bigelow stands tall with the WCW title held raised- (Rating A*)

-(Final Rating B+)-

Week 4, December 1996
Greensboro Colosseum
ATT: 30,000
Buy Rate: 1.68

-Jean Paul Levesque opened the show, facing off against The Giant, who had been quick to defend WCW from the disparaging remarks of JPL since his arrival....unfortunately he wasn't able to shut the newcomers mouth, because after interference from Mike Awesome, Levesque was able to chalk up a huge victory over a huge opponent with his double undertook facebuster that has been dubbed "Titans Falling".....a cheap dig at Titan Towers with that name I think Mr. Levesque- (Rating B+)

-After his victory JPL professed that WCW was about to find out exactly how inferior it is- (Rating A)

-In a triple threat match for the WCW Tag Team Titles, Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko were able to defeat Harlem Heat and the Champions Marcus "Buff" Bagwell and Samu in a very good match- (Rating B+)

-Lord Steven Regal was able to put Alex Wright away to successfully defend his WCW Television Title- (Rating B-)

-After the match Regal is attacked by a mystery man who identifies himself as Englishman Doug Williams.....Williams informs Regal that he's lost that proverbial British stiff upper lip by vowing to these American Fans.....Williams is going to remind Regal of who he truly is- (Rating D-)

-Lex Luger and Ric Flair teamed up to defeat the unlikely combination of Arn Anderson and Kevin Sullivan- (Rating B+)

-WCW United States Champion, Diamond Dallas Page, successfully defended the Title against veteran Dave Finlay- (Rating B-)

-DDP continued his assault post match.....until the Renegade of all people made the save....Warrior then joined his protege in the ring to official challenge DDP on the Renegades behalf- (Rating A)

-The Pitbulls defeated the Public Enemy in a sloppy brawl that went all around the arena- (Rating C-)

-A promo video recapping the build up towards tonight's Randy Savage/Eddie Guerrero airs- (Rating B+)

-Macho Man Randy Savage defeated Eddie Guerrero in a hard fought back and forth battle that was without a doubt the match of the night- (Rating A)

-We have traditional pre match promos.....in one locker room we have Sting and Hogan....who are joined by Flair, Luger and Savage....declaring that tonight, that WCW Championship will be returned to its former glory....it's coming home.....Bam Bam Bigelow and Vader are in the opposing Locker Room....they say it's already home- (Rating A*)

-Hulk Hogan captured the WCW Heavyweight Championship....in the most controversial of fashions.....when Jean Paul Levesque.....Randy Savage.....and most surprising of all.....Ric Flair, all interfered to cost Sting the match- (Rating B+)

-Post match Hogan, Savage, Flair and JPL all beat the crap out of Sting, Vader and Bam Bam....before proclaiming that WCW has been a joke all year....inferior Champions....inferior Wrestlers....and top stars like Hogan, Flair and Savage have been over looked.........Ric Flair says that before he left this company in 1991, it was the greatest wrestling promotion on earth....or so he thought.....and it was only when he came back in 1993, that he took those rose tinted glasses off....and when Bam Bam Bigelow became the WCW Champion....that was the final straw.....they all know what it is like to work for a "real" wrestling company...and they all made more money "up north" in six months than they could ever make in a year here in WCW.....that's why Hogan, Flair, Savage and JPL.....or the "Titans of Wrestling" as they wish to be called.....are going to show WCW, just how second rate they really are- (Rating A*)

-(Final Rating B+)-

Preview for Monday Night Raw, Week 1, January 1997

WWF Intercontinental Championship
Scott Steiner © vs. Rich Steiner
Comments:

WWF Tag Team Championships
The KLiQ © vs. The Hardy Boys
Comments:

Rikishi vs. The Rock
Comments:

Marc Mero & Bart Gunn vs. Billy Gunn & Jesse James
Comments:

Chris Candido vs Lance Storm
Comments:

Steve Austin & Brian Pillman vs. Sean Waltman & Justin Credible

General diary comments on the year of 1996....critiques especially welcome, it's the only way I will improve lol
Comments:

So WCW finished the year with a bang.....doing the unthinkable and turning Hulk Hogan heel....they must be getting desperate to try a stunt like that....and the Titans of Wrestling? Really? At least they are public ally recognising that the WWF is the number one Wrestling company in the world I guess.....although what you have to gain by having your top guys proclaim that your company is inadequate to the competition I'm not sure.....where they are going to go from here is anyone's guess....although their TV ratings have got significantly higher in the last few weeks which is a bit of a cause for concern.....I'd better start upping my game before Vince looses his s*it.

Speaking of WCW, the contract for Steven Regal was up this week....unfortunately he chose to stay where he is with the promise of a decent push....I'm disappointed, there's a lot we could have done with the very talented Brit. (OOC: in reality his contract was up, but it felt wrong trying to negotiate for him while I was controlling both companies...and it's a shame because I would have gone all out for him otherwise.....on the plus side he has only signed a 12 month extension so you never know what 1998 will bring lol)

Meltzer put his review of the year out.....unsurprisingly Mitsuharu Misawa as been declared Wrestler of the year, while the Tag Team of the year went to Keiji Mutoh and Hiroshi Hase.....the match of the year was Toshiaki Kawada defeating Tamon Honda at the AJPW Anniversary Show.......you could argue that Dave mustn't watch much US Wrestling.....but then he went and decided that the World Wrestling Federation was the promotion of the year, so I'll let him off......he also awarded our July In Your House, featuring Shawn Michaels defending the WWF Championship against Steve Austin and Scott Steiner as the show of year....I won't argue with that one either......and just to round it up, our very own Jim Ross got the announcer of the year, while somehow Dusty Rhodes' incoherent ramblings earned him the colour commentator of the year award.

Top 100 wrestlers were announced....obviously Mitsuharu Misawa topped the list, with Toshiaki Kawada coming in at number 2......our very own Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart took 3 and 4 respectively, with Shinjiro Otani rounding out the top 5......Scott Steiner, Owen Hart and Steve Austin came in at 12, 13 and 14, while Kevin Nash picked up the number 17 spot......while the only WCW wrestler to break the top 20 was Randy Savage who came in at number 18.

Loved the pacing for the main event. As one could probably tell, I really love when people who may never win the World title get a shot at it and fight their heart out. I'm a sucker for it. Ahmed Johnson was the perfect person to play that role for me, so that was a good one. Little PPVs seem important too the way you book, despite grades. Playing the game is only half the part.

Thanks....ironically some of my "smaller" PPV's have outdone the majority of the big four....as highlighted by July's IYH picking up the event of the year lol. Playing the game is only half the part to be fair, I just use it as an excuse to write my stories lol

Just got done reading through this. It's a great read, to4sty, and really evokes the spirit of the time. And that picture of Vince you're using is just incredible.

A few general comments on the diary, having been catching up on it for the last week or two:

I love how you've used Jericho. In 1996 he was just moving from ECW-WCW, I believe, so it's no great stretch to see him move to the WWF instead. Early booking built him up, the rise of Goldust seemed to elevate him further by association and suddenly he was in a (minor) PPV main event. Bringing in Storm really worked well, but I'm surprised Storm has delivered such good ratings. The guy could use a manager, too, but there's no-one obvious on the roster and him suddenly debuting someone wouldn't make too much sense.

Speaking of Goldust... You wrote him brilliantly, and I'd love to see more of him. I know you've touched on the difficulty of finding space for everyone, but with Norris, Scott Steiner and Sid as your (for now) headline babyfaces, maybe a face turn for Goldust could give him the space he needs given how crowded the heel side of the main event is.

Finally... Canning HHH! Amazing scenes, and undoubtedly deserved. Did you make the move to bring him in to WCW, or was that already in progress when you took over?

Thank you, I appreciate the kind words....and it's always nice to hear from a new voice. I hope the dead photobucket links weren't too off putting. I am slowly working my way through updating them (I'm up to Wrestlemania) but god damn is it a boring task lol

Jericho has been a bit of a pet project of mine, that has seen him go from unknown to headlining a minor PPV in the year, so I'm really pleased with him....and believe me, those ratings are all him, his entertainment ratings are solid A's already, so it's actually Storm dragging the grades down....Storm could definitely use a mouthpiece, but yeah, there's not really a manager available for him right now.

I do "try" to keep somewhat within the timeframe with signing folks.....although I've had to make a few exceptions....Kane for example came super early, because I had no use for the dentist and likewise had no need for a fake Diesel.....I almost bought him in as a Character called Doomsday.....

......who would have looked like that.....but I knew I wanted Kane eventually so I vetoed it. Edge and Christian are the other exception...who were not originally going to be anywhere near 1996' I had them under a three year developmental deal, but when I bought out a new child company I didn't know how to transfer people over, so I recalled everyone and then reassigned them to the new company.....E&C had a little b*tch fit about being sent back to developmental, so here they are

Goldust is a prime example of an injury derailing a push....I had big plans for him back at the start of this, then he went out with an injury and apart from the Jericho programme has done little else since....and it's a shame because I enjoyed writing him....him Raven and ironically since I don't actually like the guy, Al Snow have been the most enjoyable people to write....I actually considered a face turn for Goldie not so long ago....but he may have to wait until after Mania to get back into the swing of things because I just don't have much for him between now and then.

Oh as for HHH, that was me signing him....he'd been unemployed since I showed him the door, but there's no way Bischoff would have left him out in the cold like that lol.

Scott Steiner
Dogs of War
??? - Marty Jannetty?
Dude Love
Daniels

I swear to god there is a mole here in the WWF....and he's leaking all my mystery opponents to Beejus....I think there's only been like one you've got wrong recently lol

Been MIA for a bit and my time on the boards has become sporadic at best...but so happy to see you still working on this. I'm going to throw some predictions out there...but they excuse any shortcomings as I haven't been as caught up as I once was...

That said, this might be my favorite diary in TEW'16 era. It's not a stretch for me to put it in the same echelon with TFC's TGA diary or Beejus's War of Thrones from the TEW '13 forums.

Well shucks, you know how to make a guy blush don't ya.....the cheque is in the mail lol....seriously though thank you that means a lot and it's good to see you back writing again. Beejus' War of the Thrones was probably my favourite diary in any version of the games.....(I even blatantly ripped off the Kings of Wrestling for my own WCW.....c'mon, the Titans of Wrestling lol).....so any comparison to that makes me smile

Uncrewed · October 31, 2017

WWF Intercontinental Championship

Scott Steiner © vs. Rich Steiner

Comments:

WWF Tag Team Championships

The KLiQ © vs. The Hardy Boys

Comments:

Rikishi vs. The Rock

Comments:

Marc Mero & Bart Gunn vs. Billy Gunn & Jesse James

Comments: I'm picking those two outlaws!

Chris Candido vs Lance Storm

Comments:

Steve Austin & Brian Pillman vs. Sean Waltman & Justin Credible

ElectricX · November 1, 2017

WWF Intercontinental Championship

Scott Steiner © vs. Rich Steiner

Comments:

WWF Tag Team Championships

The KLiQ © vs. The Hardy Boys

Comments:

Rikishi vs. The Rock

Comments:

Marc Mero & Bart Gunn vs. Billy Gunn & Jesse James

Comments:

Chris Candido vs Lance Storm

Comments:

Steve Austin & Brian Pillman vs. Sean Waltman & Justin Credible

Kijar · November 1, 2017

Scotty

KLiQ, I just don't see back-to-back TV title changes

Rocky

NAO

Storm

Austin/Pillman

bonnie · November 1, 2017

WWF Intercontinental Championship

Scott Steiner ©

Comments:

WWF Tag Team Championships

The KLiQ ©

Comments:

The rock

Comments:

Marc Mero & Bart Gunn

Lance Storm

Comments:

Steve Austin & Brian Pillman

MisterRomanini · November 1, 2017

WWF Intercontinental Championship

Scott Steiner © vs. Rich Steiner

Comments:

WWF Tag Team Championships

The KLiQ © vs. The Hardy Boys

Comments:

Rikishi vs. The Rock

Comments:

Marc Mero & Bart Gunn vs. Billy Gunn & Jesse James

Comments:

Chris Candido vs Lance Storm

Comments:

Steve Austin & Brian Pillman vs. Sean Waltman & Justin Credible

General diary comments on the year of 1996....critiques especially welcome, it's the only way I will improve lol

Comments:

crackerjack · November 2, 2017

WWF Intercontinental Championship

Scott Steiner © vs. Rich Steiner

Comments: DQ

WWF Tag Team Championships

The KLiQ © vs. The Hardy Boys

Comments:

Rikishi vs. The Rock

Comments:

Marc Mero & Bart Gunn vs. Billy Gunn & Jesse James

Comments:

Chris Candido vs Lance Storm

Comments:

Steve Austin & Brian Pillman vs. Sean Waltman & Justin Credible

No critiques here - keep up the good work.

Nobby_McDonald · November 2, 2017

WWF Intercontinental Championship

Scott Steiner © vs. Rich Steiner

Comments:

WWF Tag Team Championships

The KLiQ © vs. The Hardy Boys

Comments:

Rikishi vs. The Rock

Comments:

Marc Mero & Bart Gunn vs. Billy Gunn & Jesse James

Comments:

Chris Candido vs Lance Storm

Comments:

Steve Austin & Brian Pillman vs. Sean Waltman & Justin Credible

I really like the Austin Pillman pairing.

to4sty · November 5, 2017

<div style="text-align:center;"> http://i.imgur.com/GJwrLWt.jpg<div style="text-align:center;"> Week 1, January 1996 Arrowhead Pond ATT: 17,354 TV: 21.05</div> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div> <img alt="bN15JFv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bN15JFv.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <img alt="7M1mABh.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7M1mABh.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="tsQXS32.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tsQXS32.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="IYJgUWD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IYJgUWD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="pzXetTl.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/pzXetTl.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="MC3cI3I.jpg" data-src="https://i.Imgur.com/MC3cI3I.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> It's a new year here in the WWF....but the more things change, the more things stay the same.....because we are starting 1997 off with the group that arguably dominated 1996.....despite their obvious differences......The KLiQ. Shawn Michaels is out with the WWF Championship draped over the shoulder of the beautiful Sunny....who is in turn draped all over the WWF Champion. Hall and Nash have the Tag Team straps around their waists.....while Waltman and Credible bring up the rear.....and while the group should be on top of the world, they look far from happy. In fact both Hall and Nash are visibly limping from the vicious steel chair assault at the hands of Steve Austin and Brian Pillman last week. Michaels takes a microphone.....and says he wants to address a few things......the first, being Steve Austin and Brian Pillman....he says that these two wormed their way into the Royal Rumble match on the back of cheap shots and cheap tactics.....and attacking people from behind....a trend that they continued last week, when they ruined Shawn Michaels Christmas gift to his boys.....but he says that's alright....because tonight, his boys are going to ruin THEIR New Years.....it didn't have to be this way....they had what they wanted.....they were in the Rumble match...... "......sure the fact that you're going in at number one and number two means you were never gonna win it......after all, there's only one man who's gone in there at number one and lasted the distance, and believe me, neither one of you are Shawn Michaels......" ....but now, after last weeks actions, they won't even make it to the Rumble....because they've gotta face Sean Waltman and Justin Credible in Tag team action....and you can be damn sure that Hall and Nash here will be looking for some payback too.....because the fact of the matter is that you shouldn't even be in the Rumble....and neither should Bret and Owen Hart......but that's ok.....because Shawn's good buddy Big Sexy, he's going put the Harts out of the Rumble before they even enter.....Hall and Nash are going to do what the KLiQ do best.....embarrass the Hart family once again, before rocking up into the Rumble match and tossing Austin and Pillman out of the match, and out of the title picture once and for all......along with that other wannabe pretender to the throne....Scott Steiner..... "......Steiner, you're a big boy I'll give you that.....but just because you managed to beat your little inbred brother to win the number TWO title in the WWF, doesn't mean squat.....and the fact that you're now in the Rumble match, doesn't mean squat.....because first of all, you've got to actually keep hold of that Title between now and the PPV....and second of all....even if you do....either Big Sexy or the Bad Guy....Waltman or Credible.....someone is tossing your inflated ass over the top rope and back down to your level....competing for the SECOND tier title.....the starter belt.....the "go to" belt for former tag team stars.....and I should know.....because I've been there, done that........except the difference between you and me......and as much as I personally dislike the guy.....Bret Hart......is the Intercontinental Championship was just a stepping stone for us......a quick stop on our way to the top......but for you, it's as good as it's gonna get......" ......Which brings Shawn onto his final point.....and the latest in a long line of men who think they have what it takes to hang with the Heartbreak Kid.....except this man.....is a Deadman...... ".......and if you weren't....you will be by the time I'm done with you.....you want a shot at the Title Deadman, I got no problem showing the Boogyman who the REAL Big Bad wolf of the WWF is.....because I'm not one of your usual sideshow freak opponents.....I'm not some burnt up lumbering mute, some hair pulling fruit loop ......and I'm certainly not some second rate Jim Jones wannabe.....I am the World Wrestling Federation Champion.....I'm the Icon, the Main Event....the Showstopper......I am the Reason for the Ratings and I've beaten EVERYONE that's been put in front of me......and I'll continue to beat everyone that's put in front of me....Man and Deadman alike......" ......he tells the Undertaker to save his light shows and his parlour tricks, and concentrate on making a new head stone for his career......that reads "here lies the Undertaker.....he thought he could hang with the Heartbreak Kid....but everyone knows that there's NOBODY in the WWF.....that's hung like Shawn Michaels. Rating: A* </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div> <img alt="TUjzQ4d.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/TUjzQ4d.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <img alt="7M1mABh.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7M1mABh.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="tsQXS32.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tsQXS32.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="eX846RT.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/eX846RT.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="YMPG1tH.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/YMPG1tH.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> It's time for the first Title defence of 1997.....and it's the KLiQ's WWF Tag Team Championships that are on the line, against two men who picked up arguably the biggest win of their young careers at last months In Your House, when they defeated the legendary Legion of Doom....and if flying high on the momentum of that victory wasn't enough to give The Hardy's the edge over the dominant KLiQ duo, the fact that both Hall and Nash are pretty banged up, thanks to the chair wielding assault of Steve Austin and Brian Pillman. Jim Ross says that if ever there was a better night than tonight for the Hardy's to take home the gold, then he doesn't know when....because the ball is certainly in Matt and Jeffs favour tonight. The Hardys spent a good portion of last year counting the lights as jobbers to the stars.....they certainly had more success in the second half of the year, as highlighted by this Championship opportunity tonight....and they go all out in their effort to win the gold.....and they put on a hell of a showing too, proving that their victory over Hawk and Animal was no fluke.....and with Kevin Nash out brawling on the floor with Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy is perched up high on the top rope, preparing to fly with a Swanton Bomb onto the prone Scott Hall flat on his back on the mat......... <img alt="2fXhEmS.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2fXhEmS.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="bfRp3Dn.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bfRp3Dn.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .......when the same two mystery men who made their presence felt at In Your House appear at ringside, having made their way over the safety barrier from the crowd. They don't physically interject themselves into the match, but their mere presence is enough to distract Jeff long enough for Scott Hall to regain his faculties, climb to his feet and hook hold of Jeff Hardy for the Razors Edge.......and three seconds later, this one is all over. Winner(s): and Still WWF Tag Team Champions.....The KLiQ Rating: B- </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div> <img alt="eX846RT.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/eX846RT.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="YMPG1tH.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/YMPG1tH.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="2fXhEmS.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2fXhEmS.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="bfRp3Dn.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bfRp3Dn.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Hall and Nash grab their titles and happily return to the back to rest their battered bodies, leaving the two men to quickly slide into the ring, where they begin putting the boots to young Jeff. Matt is in there quickly to try and stop the assault, but it's two against one and he stands no chance. Soon the two newcomers have both Hardy Boys down and out.....and they both pick up a steel chair and a microphone a piece. They don't tell us anything groundbreaking......although we do find out their names.....Edge and Christian.....and they are here to show the Hardy's....and the world.....that not all young teams need to be walked though their careers, hiding under the coat tails of has-beens......Matt and Jeff might have needed the Legion of Doom to make an impression for them here in the WWF, but Edge and Christian are perfectly capable of making an impression all by themselves. These two are both certainly better talkers than the Brothers Hardy....and they get their point across perfectly....only to toss their microphones to one side and stand over the heads of a still down Matt and Jeff.....raising their steel chairs high, looking for the final blow....... <img alt="Y4PwSFN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Y4PwSFN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="JPWbAH1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JPWbAH1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .........when Hawk and Animal come charging down to ringside.....obviously not happy about being branded as has-beens.....and they hit the ring looking for a fight.....unfortunately they aren't going to get one.....because Edge and Christian have bailed and are already disappearing into the sea of fans at ringside. Animal checks on Matt and Jeff, while Hawk screams loudly into a nearby camera that anytime those two goldilocks looking punks want to see just how much of a has-been the Legion of Doom are, they're more than welcome to try their luck. Rating: B- </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div> <img alt="pLtZNWI.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/pLtZNWI.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="46EV5Y1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/46EV5Y1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> It's time for singles action now, and it's Lance Storm facing off against Chris Candido. Both of these two men had a very good run towards the end of 1996. Candido may have been unsuccessful in his bid to become the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion, but he did rid the World Wrestling Federation of Hunter Hearst Helmsley (who is currently slumming it down in the minor leagues) as well as holding his own against the KLiQ and finally shedding the Body Donna stigma.....Skip may be no more, but Chris Candido is certainly here to stay. Lance Storm on the other hand has transformed himself from independent journeyman, to legitimate athlete....and aside from breaking his ass, he has been virtually unstoppable since his arrival. Both men will be looking to continue their good run into 1997, unfortunately only one man can come out on top tonight.....and after proving that he is no Marty Jannetty, with his victory over (funnily enough) Marty Jannetty last week, Storm keeps up the winning ways here tonight.....forcing Candido to submit to the Canadian Maple Leaf. Winner: Lance Storm Rating: B- </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div> <img alt="PVk3FwK.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/PVk3FwK.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="oJqc7jC.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/oJqc7jC.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Following that we head to the back, where Dude Love is doing a snazzy little disco two step jive, showing everyone why he truly is the coolest cat in the room......unfortunately the party of one comes to a screeching halt when Raven walks into the room, with a look on his face that suggests he was either sucking on a lemon before he entered....or he just really dislikes Dude Love.....either way he tells the Mayor of Mandible Town to quit acting like an idiot....and meet him in the ring, as we go to commercial. Rating: N/A </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> <img alt="oJqc7jC.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/oJqc7jC.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="PVk3FwK.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/PVk3FwK.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> And we're back........and we are back live in the arena, where Raven is waiting for the Dude Love chants to die down with a sour look on his face, before finally turning to the Dude and beginning to speak...... ".........destiny is a funny thing......often we meet it head on, walking the very road we took to avoid it in the first place.....we can't hide from destiny, we can only delay the inevitable.....you tried hiding behind a mask, but it didn't work......you can try and hide behind this ridiculous tie-dyed facade.....but it won't work......you can't escape your destiny anymore than you can escape death itself......you have suppressed your true self for so long now that it must be eating you up from the inside out......to hold back the violence.....the carnage.....the destruction.....the pure unadulterated thirst for chaos.....it's enough to make anyone snap......." Raven doesn't look like he's anywhere near done talking, but the Dude holds a hand up to finally cut the tirade off....... ".......Raven baby, let the Dude cut you off right there daddio.......you need to stop happenin' the chatterin' and focus your audio....there's no holding anything back for the Dude....other than the need to jive daddy......everything you THINK the Dude was repressing, are simply the things that kept me regressing.....now this cool cat is letting it all hang out and I'm seeing so clearly I've got X-Ray eyes.....because it's not pain that makes the world rotate.....and it's not violence that keeps the third rock from the sun spinning on it's axis.....it's love daddio.....love makes the world go round.....and all YOU need, to turn that frown upside down.....is a big hug from the Dude......" With that the Dude drops his microphone, and wraps his big, hairy, scar filled arms around the Despot of the Downtrodden. Raven stands completely rigid for a heartbeat....before shoving the Dude away and slapping the taste out of his mouth. He tells the Dude that he is a patient man.....but the only one that sees things clearly around here....is Raven.....he says that he knows the true Mick Foley.....not his given name.....not his chosen names.....he knows his true name......because while he can wear the mask of Mankind.....and hide behind the naivety of Dude Love.....he can only suppress his true self for so long......and his true self.....is Cactus Jack...... ......and with that the video screen flickers to life with a montage of some of Cactus Jack's depravities dished out on the Japanese Deathmatch scene...... <img style="max-width:50%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/tfp8PQ3.gif" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/tfp8PQ3.gif"></a> <img style="max-width:50%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/jjIR1UX.gif" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/jjIR1UX.gif"></a> <img style="max-width:50%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/dKXBfxd.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/dKXBfxd.jpg"></a> ......starting off with Cactus carrying a barbed wire crucifix to the ring, and ending with a shot of the bloodied and battered Cactus Jack, proudly holding aloft the trophy that officially declares him the King of the Deathmatch. Raven has deliberately had the video edited so that the final image stays up on the screen....he points to it, telling the Dude to look.....look at the happiness on the face of that beautiful monster.....look at the destruction he left in his wake......look at yourself.....look at your true face.....look......and tell me how you can deny.....what is plain for the world to see......you're not Mick Foley.....you're not Mankind......you're certainly not Dude Love......you are Cactus Jack.....the King of the Deathmatch.....the monster under the bed.....the whispered warning to miscreants everywhere...... "......you are Cactus Jack......and I WILL set you free......Quote the Raven.....Nevermore......" With that Raven abruptly turns, leaves, and heads to the back......leaving the Dude to stand and stare at the carnage his alter ego caused......what happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas.....but can what happens in a Japanese Deathmatch, really stay locked away in Mick Foleys psyche? Apparently Raven doesn't think so. Rating: A* </div><div style="text-align:center;"></div><div></div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div> <img style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/5ARJfr6.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/5ARJfr6.jpg"></a><img alt="wdkMubP.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wdkMubP.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="5LpfMSP.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/5LpfMSP.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="dYDRIuH.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dYDRIuH.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="x7S7R0g.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/x7S7R0g.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/KnKSFDq.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/KnKSFDq.jpg"></a> It's tag team action up next, as the combination of Marc Mero and Bart Gunn find themselves facing off against Billy Gunn and Mr. Perfects newest client, Jesse James. Mero and Bart Gunn have both been embroiled in one feud or another involving Billy Gunn for quite some time now.....but James is a new addition to the ongoing battles.....however having missed out on making his mark at Survivor Series due to injury, this talented talker is looking to make an impact one way or another. As far as this match goes, it was pretty good. Nothing groundbreaking, but certainly entertaining enough. The combination of Mero and Bart certainly got their fair share of offence in....but Gunn and James look to have possible Tag Team Gold aspirations in the future, and manage to pick up a victory over the two singles stars after Billy put Bart away with the Famouser. Winner(s): Billy Gunn and Jesse James Rating: B- </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div> <img alt="cxFuo6U.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cxFuo6U.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Ysgc13U.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Ysgc13U.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="w3aaloG.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/w3aaloG.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Following that match up, the screeching guitar of Bret Hart plays throughout the arena, signalling the arrival of The Hart Foundation. All three members make their way down to the ring.....and while we do know that we will see the British Bulldog participating in the Royal Rumble match, Bret and Owens future is very much in the air.....because in order for them to earn their entry, they will first have to defeat the KLiQ, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.....and as the Harts know all too well, that's no easy feat in itself. Bret and Owen seem pretty up beat in their chances however, stating that they will fight until their dying breath.....they will compete twice in one night.....and one of the three of them, WILL be headlining Wrestlemania.....and there's nothing that the KLiQ can do to stop that. <img style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/j24FAoX.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/j24FAoX.jpg"></a><img alt="tVfGex3.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tVfGex3.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="LIoPOQU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LIoPOQU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Y9FHBdx.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Y9FHBdx.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/o3LlZPp.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/o3LlZPp.jpg"></a> That brings out Vince McMahon.....who is rather unusually flanked by The Big Red Machine, Kane......and The Bizarre One, Goldust. Vince tells them that while they may think that there is nothing the KLiQ can do to stop them......there is something Vince McMahon can do to stop them and that is, make their lives extremely difficult...... "......you see, you may only have to defeat Kevin Nash and Scott Hall to earn your place in the Royal Rumble match.....what condition you are in when you GET there is anybody's guess.....because you see, next week.....YOU Owen Hart, shall be going one on one.......with Kane......and not to leave your brother out.....because Bret Hart will be facing off against......well, you guessed it.......Goldust.....and as an added incentive, should either of these two fine gentlemen inflict enough punishment on you that they are able to gain a victory.......then they will be able to choose their OWN entry number, to the Royal Rumble match......" McMahon informs us that he has already discussed the matter with Jim Cornette.....and should his Big Red Monster defeat Owen Hart........then Kane will be entering the Royal Rumble............at number thirty.....before turning to the Bizarre one, and asking what prize would it take to ensure victory for him next week?..... "......'I've got a golden chance to make my way.....and with a golden ticket, it's a golden day'.......Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory; 1971......and I want mmmmmm, the golden ticket......." Vince looks rather uneasy being stood quite so close to Goldust.....but the mention of the golden ticket appears to confuse him slightly..... "......well I'm not entirely sure what golden ticket you......... ".......the golden number.......I'm ready for my close-up Mr. McMahon.....I'm ready for the whole world to see me.....shhhhhine......" "......well, unfortunately the number 30 spot has already been claimed by Kane.....but should he fail to defeat Owen Ha........" Goldust places a finger on the lips of McMahon to stop him speaking, causing Vince to go about as wide eyed as possible...... "........no, no, no, no........just like everyone else in the World Wrestling Federation, you misunderstood me.....the golden number isn't number 30.......the golden number.....is 27.......three men have won from that position.....and i will make a fabulous fourth.....the tail end of the match.....the rear of the rumble.....and believe me, I love nothing more......mmmm....than coming in from behind......" McMahon slowly steps away from Goldust following that remark, edging closer and closer to Kane (probably the only time someone has willingly moved closer to the Big Red Machine).....before agreeing to Goldust's prize......and so the matches are set.....next week Bret Hart will be facing Goldust.....while Owen Hart has the unenviable task of going one on one.....with Kane. Rating: A* </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div> <img alt="5xwXg1I.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/5xwXg1I.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="GTVuL5X.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GTVuL5X.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> It's time to get back to the action now.....and the Sons of Samoa are looking to gain a little bit of payback on the Nation of Domination, for costing them the WWF Tag Team Championships at In Your House.....tonight it's the Big Kishi going up against the black sheep of the family.....The Rock. The Rock has really been singled out as one to watch here in the World Wrestling Federation.....a young man with definite Championship pedigree in his future and tonight he shows why, running rings around the big Samoan.....at least until Rikishi catches him with a huge Samoan drop that slows the pace down and puts it back in his favour. As always however, the Nation are quick to use their superior numbers to their advantage.....and in the end, there is little Rikishi can do other than count the lights......as he's put down and out with the Rock Bottom from the Samoan Turncoat. Winner: The Rock Rating: B </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div> <img alt="FOurmAt.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/FOurmAt.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="GTVuL5X.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GTVuL5X.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="rHR4YiB.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rHR4YiB.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="PST0d7r.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/PST0d7r.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="yiIP524.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yiIP524.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> The Nation enter the ring following their victory, with the Rock picking up a microphone to tell..... ".......that big piece of monkey crap, to get out of the Rocks ring, before the Rock lays another beating on him like the jabroni that he is......now the way the Rock sees it, is that by the Rock's reckoning, at the Royal Rumble, the Nation of Domination should be just about in line to finally get a shot at those WWF Tag Team Championships.......but it didn't go down like that.....and the Rock has to wonder why......" The Rock hands the microphone over to Faarooq.....who tells everyone that he knows exactly why.....because regardless of whether the Harts are eligible to Challenge for a title shot or not.....they still get the prime spot on the Pay Per View.....and they STILL get to face the Champions.....even if it is non-title...... "......and who do the Nation got at the Rumble? I'll tell you who.....nobody.....that's who.....hell, we don't even know, if we're in the Royal Rumble match......but that's ok right, because we found a way to get the pretty white boys on the show......TWICE, if they beat the KLiQ.....well I for one have had just about as much of it as I'm going to take......" Faarooq says that it's time that the Nation started making a statement around here.....and if they aren't going to be given the shots they deserve by choice.....then they're just going to have to start taking them by force. Rating: A </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div> <img alt="LjBLTcA.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LjBLTcA.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="SC2jCnQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/SC2jCnQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="IYJgUWD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IYJgUWD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="pzXetTl.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/pzXetTl.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Austin and Pillman have been on a bit of a sabbatical as of late......and while they haven't seen much in ring action, they have certainly kept theirselves busy.....but while Pillman has been happy enough just to wreak mayhem, Stone Cold has been itching for a fight for weeks now.....and unfortunately for Waltman and Credible, they get the full force of his pent up aggressions. The KLiQ are looking for payback after the vicious chair shots at the hands of these two men.....they don't get it tonight however.......what Credible does get is a Stone Cold Stunner right in the middle of the ring.....and covered for the three count. Winner: Steve Austin and Brian Pillman Rating: B+ </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div> <img alt="LjBLTcA.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LjBLTcA.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="SC2jCnQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/SC2jCnQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <img alt="7M1mABh.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7M1mABh.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="tsQXS32.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tsQXS32.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="IYJgUWD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IYJgUWD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="pzXetTl.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/pzXetTl.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Austin may have hit Credible with a Stunner.....but he's not finished yet....because Waltman dives into the ring after Stone Cold.....only to receive a Stunner as well. That brings Hall and Nash out from the back.....and the two men are brandishing baseball bats......Austin could give a rats ass though.....and as Pillman hops to the floor to collect two steel chairs, Stone Cold sits on the middle rope, opening it up and inviting Hall and Nash into the ring......the Tag Champs are still worse for wear from the last time they were in the same room with Austin, Pillman and two steel chairs however.....and think better of it.....instead they drag Waltman and Credible down to the outside and head to the back, telling Steve Austin and Brian Pillman that they're going to regret this......not today though......because Stone Cold has a six pack of beer, and he's downing every one, much to the delight of the crowd as we go to commercial. Rating: B+ </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div> <img alt="NJr4NXD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NJr4NXD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="yNkcmqb.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yNkcmqb.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="hzDZTVJ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/hzDZTVJ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="k6DGuKj.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/k6DGuKj.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="2Kz9qfQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2Kz9qfQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> The cackling laugh of Ted DiBiase signals the arrival of the Million Dollar Corporation, as DiBiase leads Rich Steiner down the aisle....they aren't alone though.....because Jeff Jarrett and Southern Justice are there with them. The five men enter the ring, where DiBiase takes a microphone, telling Scott Steiner that he has something in his possession that belongs to the Million Dollar Corporation...... "........now an intelligent man would walk down that aisle and save himself a lot of pain by simply handing that Intercontinental Championship back to its rightful owner......but since Rich Steiner is now a member of my Corporation.....and you're not......then obviously you aren't an intelligent man.....so you can consider this a hostile takeover......." Rich takes the microphone, telling his brother to get his ass down to this ring, and bring Rich's belt with him.....so big brother can give him the ass kicking of a lifetime....... <img alt="j2Tooev.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/j2Tooev.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Obviously Scott Steiner has never been one to back down from a fight.....but it's four against one here....and Southern Justice are already making their way up the aisle to meet him head on....... <img alt="tTABVbX.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tTABVbX.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .......when Psycho Sid makes his way out from the back. Southern Justice slow their pace a little, but it's too late for them, as Sid and Steiner dismantle them in the aisle way. Big Poppa Pump charges at the ring and begins brawling with his brother......while Sid drags Jarrett to the floor and bounces his head off the safety rail all the way up the aisle and to the back......looks like the playing field just levelled for tonight's main event. Rating: B+ </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div> <img alt="j0BxFi5.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/j0BxFi5.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <img alt="j2Tooev.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/j2Tooev.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> VS. <img alt="hzDZTVJ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/hzDZTVJ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img style="max-width:10%; "src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/NJr4NXD.jpg" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/NJr4NXD.jpg"></a> And speaking of the main event of the evening, here it is.....and what should be the final in a trifecta of back to back matches between the Steiner Brothers.....the roles are reversed tonight however.....as it's Scott that has the gold around his waist, while Rich is challenging.....and there are no short cuts tonight.....if Rich Steiner wants to become a two time Intercontinental Champion, then he's going to have to do it the old fashioned way.....beat Scott Steiner by either pinfall or submission...... ......that's easier said than done though.....because Steiner knows that holding onto his title is a one way ticket to the Royal Rumble....and if he is to be believed, nothing is going to come between himself, Shawn Michaels.....and finally 'officially' winning the WWF Championship that eluded him back in June of last year.....especially not his backstabbing brother Rich, who is put away for the second straight week in a row.....because right in the middle of the ring, Rich Steiner submits for what may be the first time ever.....to the Steiner Recliner.....and Big Poppa Pumps Royal Rumble dream is still alive. Winner: and Still WWF Intercontinental Champion.....Scott Steiner Rating: A </div></blockquote> <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"></div> <img alt="j2Tooev.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/j2Tooev.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="bN15JFv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bN15JFv.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="LIoPOQU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LIoPOQU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> <img alt="7M1mABh.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7M1mABh.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="tsQXS32.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tsQXS32.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="IYJgUWD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IYJgUWD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="pzXetTl.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/pzXetTl.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Scott Steiner is up on the second rope, holding his title up high and flexing his massive peaks for all the freaks in the crowd.....when his music is cut short.....because Vincent Kennedy McMahon makes his way out from the back, flanked by Shawn Michaels and the KLiQ. Vince congratulates Steiner on a successful Title defence, but assures him it won't be that simple.....he says that yes, for as long as he holds that Championship he is eligible to enter the Royal Rumble match.....but he certainly WON'T be winning said match......because AT the Royal Rumble.....Scott Steiner WILL be putting the Intercontinental Championship on the line......against either Chris Jericho.....The British Bulldog.....Kama......or Mr. Perfect....all of whom will be in action next week in the start of a two week tournament to crown a number one contender...... ".......which means, should you be able to successfully retain your Championship at the Royal Rumble.....you will be too beat up to have a hope in hells chance of winning the Royal Rumble match....." Michaels takes the microphone and tells Steiner that he warned him about having ideas above his status.....he tells Steiner that he's Intercontinental Level.....nothing more.....although maybe less...... "......and Vin Man, you were right, he will be far too beat up to win the Rumble.....but speaking of beat up.....boys.....get him....." Michaels orders the troops to head down the aisle.....presumably to beat up Scott Steiner.....the KLiQ are still pretty beat up themselves however, both from their matches tonight, and from the assault at the hands of Austin and Pillman last week. Hall, Nash, Waltman and Credible, wearily make their way down the aisle and surround the ring........... ....::::!!!!GONG!!!!::::.... .......suddenly the lights go out......... ....::::!!!!GONG!!!!::::.... <img alt="rnLgWN8.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rnLgWN8.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .....and when they come back on, The Undertaker is stood on the entrance ramp behind Vince McMahon and Shawn Michaels. The KLiQ freeze and stare up the aisle at their mighty leader.....who is oblivious to the Deadmans presence.....at least until he takes a step back, bumping into the unseen seven foot frame of the Undertaker.....and in something reminiscent of a B-Movie Horror Film, Shawn gulps.....and then slowly turns around until he is face to face with the Phenom himself. The wide-eyed WWF Champion quickly tries to back away, but the Deadman is surprisingly quick, and his hand snaps out and grasps the Heartbreak Kid by the throat. Michaels flails around like a madman trying to escape, while Vince screams at the Undertaker not to do it...... .......but he does it....... ........he lifts Shawn Michaels high up in the air......and chokeslams him down onto the entrance way with a sickening thud, before unhooking the WWF Title from around the Heartbreak Kids waist, and holding it high in the air, signifying his intentions as the show comes to a close. Rating: A* Final Rating: A </div></blockquote> </div></blockquote></div>

to4sty · November 5, 2017

<div style="text-align:center;">Preview for Monday Night Raw, Week 2, January 1997

If Goldust wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #27

Bret Hart vs. Goldust

Comments:

If Kane wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #30

Owen Hart vs. Kane

Comments:

WWF Light Heavyweight Championship

Rey Mysterio © vs. Psychosis

Comments:

-Bob Holly & Barry Horowitz vs. Edge & Christian-

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

Chris Jericho vs. Kama

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

British Bulldog vs. Mr. Perfect

Comments:</div>

Kijar · November 5, 2017

If Goldust wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #27

Bret Hart vs. Goldust

Comments:

If Kane wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #30

Owen Hart vs. Kane

Comments:

WWF Light Heavyweight Championship

Rey Mysterio © vs. Psychosis

Comments:

-Bob Holly & Barry Horowitz vs. Edge & Christian-

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

Chris Jericho vs. Kama

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

British Bulldog vs. Mr. Perfect

Comments:

MisterRomanini · November 5, 2017

If Goldust wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #27

Bret Hart vs. Goldust

Comments:

If Kane wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #30

Owen Hart vs. Kane

Comments:

WWF Light Heavyweight Championship

Rey Mysterio © vs. Psychosis

Comments:

-Bob Holly & Barry Horowitz vs. Edge & Christian-

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

Chris Jericho vs. Kama

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

British Bulldog vs. Mr. Perfect

Comments:

Beejus · November 5, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43289" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Well shucks, you know how to make a guy blush don't ya.....the cheque is in the mail lol....seriously though thank you that means a lot and it's good to see you back writing again. Beejus' War of the Thrones was probably my favourite diary in any version of the games.....(I even blatantly ripped off the Kings of Wrestling for my own WCW.....c'mon, the Titans of Wrestling lol).....so any comparison to that makes me smile</div></blockquote> <img alt=":o" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/redface.png.900245280682ef18c5d82399a93c5827.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> :o <img alt=":o" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/redface.png.900245280682ef18c5d82399a93c5827.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> You guys are way too kind. I missed out on predicting this show, but the past two weeks have been really great stuff. I'm pretty much figuring on either Austin or Nash taking the Rumble, but I'm still gonna pull for Steiner until the day happens. Goldust Kane Rey Mysterio E&C Chris Jericho Mr. Perfect

Nobby_McDonald · November 6, 2017

If Goldust wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #27

Bret Hart vs. Goldust

Comments:

If Kane wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #30

Owen Hart vs. Kane

Comments:

WWF Light Heavyweight Championship

Rey Mysterio © vs. Psychosis

Comments:

-Bob Holly & Barry Horowitz vs. Edge & Christian-

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

Chris Jericho vs. Kama

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

British Bulldog vs. Mr. Perfect

crackerjack · November 6, 2017

If Goldust wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #27

Bret Hart vs. Goldust

Comments:

If Kane wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #30

Owen Hart vs. Kane

Comments:

WWF Light Heavyweight Championship

Rey Mysterio © vs. Psychosis

Comments:

-Bob Holly & Barry Horowitz vs. Edge & Christian-

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

Chris Jericho vs. Kama

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

British Bulldog vs. Mr. Perfect

Comments:

Uncrewed · November 7, 2017

If Goldust wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #27

Bret Hart vs. Goldust

Comments:

If Kane wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #30

Owen Hart vs. Kane

Comments:

WWF Light Heavyweight Championship

Comments:

-Bob Holly & Barry Horowitz vs. Edge & Christian-

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

Chris Jericho vs. Kama

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

British Bulldog vs. Mr. Perfect

Comments:

Crossface · November 7, 2017

If Goldust wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #27

Bret Hart vs. Goldust

Comments:I'm starting to give up on Bret ever being a force again in this diary

If Kane wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #30

Owen Hart vs. Kane

Comments: Kane being a monster at the end of the Rumble for whoever wins this thing to overcome and beat HBK at Mania makes sense

WWF Light Heavyweight Championship

Comments: I love Psychosis but can't imagine he has the pop to take Mysterio down right now

-Bob Holly & Barry Horowitz vs. Edge & Christian-

Comments: No one selects the Hebrew Hammer

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

Chris Jericho vs. Kama

Comments: I could see the Big Bad Booty Daddy dropping the title to Jericho before taking the Rumble later in the night...at least that's my dream scenario

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

British Bulldog vs. Mr. Perfect

Comments:

ElectricX · November 7, 2017

Preview for Monday Night Raw, Week 2, January 1997

If Goldust wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #27

Bret Hart vs. Goldust

Comments:

If Kane wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #30

Owen Hart vs. Kane

Comments:

WWF Light Heavyweight Championship

Comments:

-Bob Holly & Barry Horowitz vs. Edge & Christian-

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

Chris Jericho vs. Kama

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

British Bulldog vs.

Comments:

Destiny · November 7, 2017

If Goldust wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #27

Bret Hart vs. Goldust

Comments:

If Kane wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #30

Owen Hart vs. Kane

Comments:

WWF Light Heavyweight Championship

Comments:

-Bob Holly & Barry Horowitz vs. Edge & Christian-

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

Chris Jericho vs. Kama

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

British Bulldog vs. Mr. Perfect

Comments:

bonnie · November 7, 2017

If Goldust wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #27

Bret Hart

Comments:

If Kane wins he enters the Royal Rumble at #30

Kane

Comments:

WWF Light Heavyweight Championship

Comments:

Edge & Christian-

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

Chris Jericho

Comments:

Winner goes on next week to compete for an Intercontinental Championship Match at the Royal Rumble

Mr. Perfect

Comments:

to4sty · November 8, 2017

http://i.imgur.com/GJwrLWt.jpg

Week 2, January 1996

River Centre

ATT: 15,957

TV: 23.67

....::::!!!!GONG!!!!::::....

We are just thirteen days away from the Royal Rumble....and tonight, we are starting the show with a bang......well.....a gong......as the man who will challenge Shawn Michaels for the World Wrestling Federation Title at that very event, The Undertaker, makes his way down the aisle with his manager Paul Bearer by his side. The Deadman climbs into the ring after his usual theatrics, and says that last week....both he and Shawn Michaels both got a little taste of what their futures hold at the Royal Rumble......for Shawn Michaels, that future is one of pain and suffering.....and despair......but for the Undertaker....he will once again be standing tall at the top of the World Wrestling Federation.....with the WWF Title firmly in his cold, dead hand......and if Shawn Michaels has a problem with what the Undertaker is saying, he's more than welcome to come out here and try and shut his mouth.......

.....that does indeed bring the Champion out.....although he doesn't look at anything close to 100% judging by the neck brace that he is sporting....presumably a result of the Chokeslam on the entrance ramp last week.....he also appears to be missing a few things....namely Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Sean Waltman....because while Sunny and Justin Credible are by his side, the rest of the KLiQ are nowhere to be seen. The trio come to a halt at the top of the aisle....apparently that is close enough for now.....and Michaels tells the Deadman that while he would live to do nothing more than to walk down to that ring and kick the Undertakers teeth down his throat, he's a little bit banged up right now.....

"......courtesy of YOUR cowardly sneak attack last week.....because believe me, if the Heartbreak Kid was going to take YOU out.....he'd do it right to your face, because Shawn Michaels is more of a man than your dead ass will ever be......"

Undertaker says that's cute....considering the fact that it's been sneak attacks, ambushes.....and having your little KLiQ do the dirty work for you, that has been the only reason you've been able to hold on to that title for the last the ten months....and when that looked like it wasn't going to work anymore, you had to get the boss to tip the scales in your favour......well The Undertaker doesn't need anyONE or anyTHING to tip the scales in his favour.....Taker says there's a reason that Michaels has been ducking him his entire title reign.......because all it takes is one Tombstone......and the Title is gone.....it's just that simple.....and at the Royal Rumble The Deadman is going to take Shawn Michaels pampered little ass.....and personally send it straight to hell......

.....Shawn goes to say something, but the Deadman cuts him off....stating that the Heartbreak Kid appears to be a few men down tonight.....and promises that if Michaels some kind of diversion.....and Hall, Nash or Waltman try to jump him....it'll be the last thing either of them will ever do.....because the Undertaker will personally bury them. The Champion appears legitimately p*ssed by that comment....stating that first of all, The Heartbreak Kid doesn't NEED anyone to fight his battles for him.....and second of all, he doesn't need to worry about Nash, Hall or Waltman....because (and this appears to be what is ticking the Champ off) they aren't even here at the arena yet......

".......but like I said, The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels became the World Wrestling Federation Champion off the back of his own god given talent.....and because I'm such a downright nice guy, I took Kevin Nash and Scott Hall along for the ride with me too......I should have probably taken them along for the ride with me when I left the hotel this morning too....they might have actually made it to the show on time.....but I digress......I did it on my own and I will keep doing it on my own.....in fact, why don't I come down to that ring right now and show you....."

The Undertaker is more than happy to start their Royal Rumble battle a few weeks early and so welcomes the sight of Shawn Michaels storming down towards the ring.....he gets about halfway down the aisle however before he stops and clutches at his neck, before raising his microphone to tell Justin Credible to......

".......get down to that ring and show this idiot how I'm going to kick his ass on my own....."

....Credible doesn't look to happy about it, but he's the only KLiQ member present, and duty calls. He (rather uncertainly) makes his way down to the ring, before sliding under the bottom rope and charging at the Deadman.......running right into the waiting hand of the Phenom, who Chokeslams Mr. Credible out of his boots.....before inviting the Heartbreak Kid to join him in the ring.....Michaels is having none of it however. He drags Credible to the outside by his foot, and the remainder of the KLiQ make their way to the back (with Shawn Michaels vowing that "this ain't over Deadman.....by the end of tonight, you'll be exactly that.....a dead man"

Rating: A*

VS. <img style="max-width:10%;
"src="https://i.imgur.com/dYDRIuH.jpg"><img style="max-width:10%;
"src="https://i.imgur.com/x7S7R0g.jpg">

We have two former two time Intercontinental Champions in action next....both looking for the opportunity to become three time Champions at the Royal Rumble, because victory tonight, followed by victory again next week, will ensure that the winner of this little mini-tournament will go on to compete against Scott Steiner for the prestigious Intercontinental Championship. The British Bulldog will be keen to regain the Title that he only lost back in October....but when you consider that Mr. Perfect's last Championship reign was over five years ago, then you would have to assume that he is extremely hungry for that gold.

Perfects desire to win is made all the more obvious by the fact that his two clients, Billy Gunn and Jesse James have accompanied him to ringside. Unfortunately for the Bulldog, both Bret and Owen Hart are in action tonight, and appear to have remained in the back to prepare for their respective matches....which means there is nobody on the outside to counteract any potential interference......and that's exactly how this one finishes.....because as Bulldog hoists Perfect up onto his shoulder, ready to deliver the Running Powerslam.....James and Gunn reach under the bottom rope, grabbing a foot of the Bulldog each, meaning he can't go anywhere. Perfect slips out of his grip and lands on the mat in front of him, then connects with a huge Perfect-Plex on the Big Brit that sees him advance to next weeks number one contenders match.

Winner: Mr. Perfect
Rating: B

Following that miscarriage of justice we head to the back where Shawn Michaels, Sunny, and a rather groggy looking Justin Credible are walking along a corridor. Michaels is cursing the world out, with the missing Hall, Nash and Waltman receiving the brunt of his anger for failing to show up to the show on time. Credible says that the three have had car trouble but they are on the way but that doesn't appease Shawn, who says that the big money contracts that he had McMahon draw up for them should mean the only car trouble they should have, is choosing whether to get the red one, the black one....or both.....it's unacceptable......as was Credible's display earlier against the Undertaker. Suddenly the trio come to a halt.......

......at the sight of Marty Jannetty leaning against the wall of the corridor with a huge smirk on his face. Michaels asks him what's so god damn funny....but Marty just shakes his head....telling his former partner that he sees he's still the same jack off now that he was five years ago. Michaels brushes the comment off however, he simply unhooked the WWF Title from around his waist and shoves it in Jannettys face, telling him that quite a lot has changed in five years actually......

"......for me anyway......you, you're still the same old loser you always were....that's why I had to ditch the dead weight.....I was never going to get to the top of the world with the Marty Jannetty albatross around my neck.....and now I'm THE man.......and you're just THE man I stepped on to get there......."

Marty takes it all in his stride however, telling Shawn that his time will come.....he says the Royal Rumble is coming up.....and if he can win that.....well, he's beaten Shawn Michaels before....beaten him for the Intercontinental Title too.....who knows, maybe the next time he beats Shawn, it'll be for the WWF Championship. Shawn actually laughs out loud at that, telling Jannetty that.....

"......you won that match by fluke and you know it.....because you barely held the title for a couple of weeks before I took it right back....see that's the difference between a Marty Jannetty and a Shawn Michaels.....the Heartbreak Kid is a THREE time Intercontinental Champion.....a TWO time Tag Team Champion.....TWO Royal Rumble wins....back to back I may add.....and I've been the World Wrestling Federation for ten months now.....TEN MONTHS........"

......Shawn says Jannetty barely held the Intercontinental Championship for two weeks.....and as for the Tag Team Titles......Sean Waltman carried Marty to the gold, and even then they could only hold on to them for seven days......

".....the entire sum of your Championship reigns combined totalled up to less than a month.....I've held farts in for longer than you've held Championships here in the WWF....and you think I'm gonna sweat you? You wouldn't even be able to beat Justin Credible here, let alone Shawn "The Reason for the Ratings" Michaels....so you go ahead and win the Rumble, hell I'll even get Kevin Nash to help you out....because god knows, you'll need it......"

Jannetty tells Shawn to keep laughing.....because it will make Marty's victory that much sweeter......and as for Justin Credible there.....if Michaels is that confident that he can beat him, Marty Jannetty will see him in the ring next week.

Rating: B+

VS.

It's the in ring debut tonight of two men that made an impact with their arrival at In Your House, when they attacked the victorious Hardy Boys. Last week we learned that the duo went by the names Edge and Christian, and tonight they are in action against Bob Holly and Barry Horowitz. This match was more of a showcase for the debuting youngsters than anything else, who have one eye on the Royal Rumble.....where they will be facing some formidable opponents in their first Pay Per View contest....the Legion of Doom.

Tonight however their opponents are far less formidable....and they are soon put away easily when Edge defeats Horowitz with an Impaler DDT.

Winner(s): Edge & Christian
Rating: C

We head to the back following that match, where Dok Hendrix is standing by with the entire Nation of Domination, ahead of Kama's match up next with Chris Jericho. Dok says that a victory tonight will move Kama one step closer to a shot at Scott Steiner and the Intercontinental Championship.

Faarooq says that it's a travesty that Kama has to qualify for anything....he says that with the Nation of Domination's track record, they should be automatically in line for every Championship there is here in the WWF.....but Scorpio hasn't had a shot at the Light Heavyweight Championship in months......Kama has to "earn" an Intercontinental Championship match.....and as for the WWF Title.....forget about it......

The Rock snatches the microphone from Hendrix....

".....but out of all that Dok, what do you think is the biggest travesty of all?......"

"....well I would....."

".......IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU THINK......"

....the Rock says that the biggest travesty of all, is that even with five of the greatest wrestlers in the world today stood here, the Nation still don't have a shot at the WWF Tag Team Championships.....in fact, NO ONE has a shot at the Tag Titles.....because as usual, the Harts have to be featured on the first Pay Per View of the year....at the expense of the Nation of Domination.

Faarooq says that well tonight, it's time for the Nation to make a statement....starting with Kama defeating Chris Jericho right now.

Rating: B

VS.

The stack is decked pretty high against Chris Jericho here tonight......because not only are the Nation of Domination out at ringside in support of their Nation Brother.....but Lance Storm has also made his way down to the commentary table, where he proceeds to spend the duration of the match running Jericho down.

Jericho holds his own surprisingly well considering the obstacles that he's having to overcome....although the official does make it slightly easier for him....because when he catches Nelson attempting to interfere in the match, the remaining Nation of Domination members are evicted from ringside....much to the disgust of Faarooq....meaning that this match finally becomes a fair fight.....and a fair fight which Jericho wins....because despite Kama's size advantage, he's just not able to put the young Canadian away.....and it's Chris Jericho who goes on next week to face Mr. Perfect.....with a shot at Scott Steiner's Intercontinental Championship on the line.

Winner: Chris Jericho
Rating: B

Jericho doesn't get to celebrate his victory for long, because Storm throws down his headset in frustration and picks up a microphone instead. He tells Chris that it's a complete miscarriage of justice that he even has the opportunity to challenge for a prize as prestigious as the Intercontinental Championship. Storm says that he has been humiliating and embarrassing.....not to mention defeating Chris Jericho for months now.....if anyone should have been included in these qualifiers then it should have been the Pride of Canada....the Awe of Alberta.....Lance Storm.

Jericho takes a microphone of his own, telling Storm that maybe he wasn't included because instead of being the Awe of Alberta, he should be called the Snoozfest of Saskatoon.....the Monotony of Montreal....Captain Quiet of Quebec.....maybe if you had a bit more of a personality like say.....I don't know.....the Ayatollah of RocknRolla, Chris Jericho....then maybe.....just MAYBE, you'll get a bit more screen time around here baby.

Storm says that's exactly the problem with the world today.....nobody takes anything seriously anymore. Well Lance Storm takes this business very seriously.....Lance Storm takes his career very seriously......and Lance Storm takes the Intercontinental Championship very seriously.....which is why a jester like Chris Jericho, should be kept as far away from the Intercontinental Championship as possible....but Jericho is nonplussed....telling Storm to feel free and try to take it from him.....because he WILL be the next Champion.

Rating: B+

From there we head to the back, where Dok Hendrix is standing by with the current Intercontinental Champion, Scott Steiner. Dok tells him that things are really heating up in the race for the Intercontinental Championship.....could Scott Steiner be at risk of losing both the Title AND his spot in the Royal Rumble?

"......LOSE WHAT?.....BIG POPPA PUMP IS LOSING NOTHING....I TOLD THE WORLD DOK, THAT SCOTT STEINER WAS GONNA WIN THE INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE....AND I DID.....I SAID I WAS GOING TO KEEP THE TITLE, WIN THE RUMBLE....AND THEN SHOVE SHAWN MICHAELS HEAD SO FAR UP HIS OWN ASS, THAT THE LUMP HE FEELS IN HIS THROAT WILL BE HIS OWN NOSE.......AIN'T NO ONE TAKING THIS TITLE FROM ME AND AT WRESTLEMANIA, THERE IS GOING TO BE GOLD HANGING OVER BOTH MY PEAKS......THAT AIN'T A PREDICTION....ITS A PREMONITION......AND SCOTT STEINER DOESN'T SUFFER FROM PREMATURE PREMONITIONS.......IN FACT, SCOTT STEINER DOESN'T SUFFER FROM PREMATURE ANYTHING........................."

"Ok well......."

"........I MEAN I LAST A LONG TIME IN BED DOK.........

"Yes I guessed that was......."

"........WHEN I HAVE SEX......."

"....................."

"......AND BECAUSE I CAN GO ALL NIGHT.....IM GONNA GO ALL NIGHT AT THE ROYAL RUMBLE.....FIRST BY BREAKING WHOEVER IS STUPID ENOUGH TO CHALLENGE ME FOR THIS BELT......AND THEN IN THE ROYAL RUMBLE MATCH, BIG POPPA PUMP IS GONNA DO WHAT BIG POPPA PUMP DOES BEST.......GO ALL THE WAY AND FINISH WITH A BANG......"

I think Dok has heard enough, because with that he sends us back down to ringside, just in time for our Light Heavyweight Championship match.

Rating: A

VS.

Little Rey Mysterio has really made his mark on this Light Heavyweight division....defending the Championship against anyone and everyone, he hasn't backed down from a challenge yet and he's not about to start now. Tonight his opponent is a man he knows very well.....and that mans name is Psychosis. This match is exactly what you would expect from these two luchador's....it's fast paced....athletic....and with plenty of high flying action. Psychosis is deceptively tall for a Light Heavyweight, but he uses that to his advantage......that advantage isn't enough tonight however.....because Mysterio still manages to put him away following a hurricanranna from the top rope.

Winner: ....and Still WWF Light Heavyweight Champion.....Rey Mysterio
Rating: B

Mysterio lifts his Championship high in the air in victory....but his celebration is cut short by the arrival of Raven and Dude Love on the entrance way. Mysterio looks confused as to Ravens intent here, but it's soon made clear when he begins to talk....

"......like an ostrich with its head in the sand, both men and beast alike would rather hide from the truth than embrace the reality.....but as much as people try to avoid it, the harsh reality is always better than the false hope.....the false hope that one day your life will be that little bit better.....you'll get the job.....you'll get the girl.....you'll show everyone......except you won't......

.....Rey Mysterio, you have lead these people a merry dance along a false path....they look at you....the little engine that could.....the little man that didn't let his size hold him back.....the false idol that gave hope to millions....because if YOU can do it.....then maybe THEY can do it......except the only problem with false idols.....is they are only a whisper away......from Fallen Angels......"

.......which is when Christopher Daniels blindsides Mysterio from behind....and begins beating him into the mat....punctuating his assault with the Angels Wings that leaves the Light Heavyweight Champion prone on the mat.......which is when Raven orders the Dude to go down to that ring.....and finish him off.

The Dude isn't happy about that however....telling Raven that the little guy has suffered enough....but Raven is determined to bring out the monster inside Mick Foley....and tells him to do as he is told. Reluctantly the Dude heads down to the ring, and drags Mysterio to his feet, before hooking him into position for the Double Underhook DDT....but he hesitates before delivering the killing blow.....

.........which gives Al Snow the opportunity to come running out from the back. He charges past Raven and begins hammering blows on Christopher Daniels, eventually driving him from the ring, before turning his attention to The Dude. He tells Love that he clearly doesn't want to do this....he should just let Rey go and stop listening to Raven's poison. Speaking of Raven, he hasn't moved from the entrance way....he's simply watching the drama unfold.

The Dude is clearly conflicted by his decision....but in the end he releases Mysterio, patting him on the back and handing him his Championship, while Raven looks on with a look of disgust, before he simply turns and walks to the back....leaving the Dude doing a little jive in the ring.

Rating: A

VS. <img style="max-width:10%;
"src="https://i.imgur.com/j24FAoX.jpg">

If Kane wins, he enters the Royal Rumble match at #30

This is a huge match for Owen Hart.....not because the stipulation involved really has any merit on HIS future.....but because, since his debut, the only person to put a dent on the Big Red Monsters record, is his brother the Undertaker.....and even that was arguably a feat that he would struggle to repeat.....which means a victory here would be a huge accomplishment for Hart....and you would assume a massive confidence boost ahead of his vital Tag Team match against the KLiQ at the Royal Rumble.....likewise, defeat could be catastrophic....because Kane is more than capable of ending careers at worse......and causing injury at the very least.

Unfortunately the Undertaker is still the only man to put a blemish on the mark of Kane's record when this one is all said and done......because despite a Herculean effort on behalf of Owen, the youngest Hart was unable to finish the Big Red Monster off....and a Tombstone Piledriver ensured that we now know the name of the man who will enter the Royal Rumble at number 30.....and that man's name.....is Kane.

Winner: Kane
Rating: B

With Rick Rude informing us on commentary that we could be looking at the next Royal Rumble winner right there in Kane, we go back to the locker room, where Shawn Michaels is pacing back and forth while Sunny attempts to calm him down. He's still awaiting the arrival of Hall, Nash and Waltman....and to say he is irritated would be an understatement.

His frustration is only lessened when Justin Credible enters the room and informs him that Waltman has just called in from a rest stop to say they are almost there.....that seems to placate the Heartbreak Kid, who informs Credible to get ready.....because as soon as they arrive they are calling out the Undertaker.....because the Deadman needs to learn what happens when you mess with the KLiQ

Rating: B+

VS. <img style="max-width:10%;
"src="https://i.imgur.com/o3LlZPp.jpg">

If Goldust wins then he enters the Royal Rumble at #27

It's time for the main event of the evening, and Bret Hart will be looking to have more success than his brother did earlier in the evening.....although the brothers opponents are night and day.....because while Goldust is certainly......unique......he's no monster in the same way that Kane is.....and it's for exactly that reason that Bret should be the favourite here.

These two men have worked together in a number of dark matches recently, with excellent matches that have put most of the televised to shame.....and while this outing was very, very good, it's not quite up to the standards that their dark matches have been.......but then that might have had something to do with the finish......because Bret went over clean in their previous matches......

......where as tonight, The Nation of Domination made their presence felt.....because with the Hitman fully in control.....and with Goldust locked in the Sharpshooter......Faarooq, Nelson, Kama and Scorpio do a fine job of distracting the attention of the official......just long enough for The Rock to hit the ring behind Bret.....nail him with a clubbing kick to the back of the head.....then deliver a big Rock Bottom.

The Rock rolls Goldust on top of the Hitman and slides out of the ring......and three seconds later, Goldust is your number 27th entrant into the Royal Rumble.

Winner: Goldust
Rating: B+

Faarooq grabs a microphone from ringside.....telling the Hitman that his life of privilege is about to become a world of pain.....because it looks as though the Nation are going to have to start taking the things they want.....by any means necessary.

He raises his fist in salute to his brothers....who pounce on the Hitman as one, beating the snot out of him. The Nation of Domination have had an ax to grind against the Hart Foundation for some time now, believing that the Canadian dynasty gets the preferential treatment around here......Jim Ross says that if they really want to punish the group that's gets treated better than anyone else around here, then they SHOULD be targeting the KLiQ, not the Hart Foundation......

.....but none the less it's Bret Hart that has to pay the price tonight.....and by the time Owen Hart and the British Bulldog run out to make the save, the damage is already done and the Nation have left the ring.....leaving Bret a beaten mess as we go to commercial.

Rating: B+

We come back after a word from our sponsors to find the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels back in the ring......along with Justin Credible and Sunny. Michaels appears to be in a much more chipper mood, saying that nothing makes him happier than seeing The Hitman get a good beating.......apart from when it's Shawn Michaels doing it.......he says speaking of beatings....there's a Deadman been walking around here, breaking THE number one cardinal rule in the WWF......and that is that you don't place your hand on the Champ.....without answering to the KLiQ.......

......with that, the video screen flickers to life and we are treated to a shot of the parking lot.....where a vehicle, who's passengers appear to be Hall, Nash and Waltman pulls into the building.

Michaels becomes even arrogant now......and begins baiting the Undertaker to try his little peekaboo light games now.....because Shawn has got something special lined up.....

......the car comes to a stop and the doors swing open to reveal that it is indeed the rest of the KLiQ finally have arrived. Hall and Nash swing their long legs out of the vehicle........

......which is when Steve Austin and Brian Pillman come running into shot.....the KLiQ spot them, but it's too late to do anything about it, because Stone Cold and the Loose Cannon slam the car doors closed on the legs of both Hall and Nash......then repeatedly slam the metal doors hard into the Tag Champions knees, as Waltman fumbles to get out of the back of the car.

Hall and Nash are dragged out of the car and tossed to the floor, where Pillman continues to stomp at the injured appendages of the duo.....while Austin pulls Waltman to the outside of the car, beating him mercilessly against the glass window....

......Michaels looks on in horror from the ring as Austin opens up the trunk and tosses Waltman inside.....before heading round to the drivers seat (being sure to give Hall and Nash one more stomp a piece for good measure) and then he and Pillman jump into the vehicle.....and hightail it out of the arena, with Waltman still locked in the back.

Hall and Nash are down.....they've suffered abuse at the hands of Pillman and Austin for weeks now, and they are definitely feeling the effects.....Nash in particular is clutching his knee in agony. Shawn Michaels on the other hand looks terrified.....and he quickly tells Sunny and Credible that they need to get out of here.......now.........

....::::!!!!GONG!!!!::::....

.......suddenly the lights go out.........

....::::!!!!GONG!!!!::::....

.......and when the lights come back on, The Undertaker is standing directly in front of the WWF Champion......

.......Michaels looks about ready to p*ss his pants.....and it only gets worse......because the Undertaker reaches out and grasps both he and Credibly by the throat, delivering an impressive looking double chokeslam. He tosses Credible to the outside, then looks down at the Champion......and slowly runs his thumb across his throat, signalling the end for the Heartbreak Kid.....

.....The Deadman drags Michaels to his feet, positions him for the Tombstone Piledriver.....then drives his head hard into the mat.....before again holding the WWF Championship high in the air, as we creep ever so closer towards the Royal Rumble.

Rating: A*

Final Rating: A

to4sty · November 8, 2017

We hit a new record high in the ratings this week.....a ridiculously high 23.67 to WCW's 18.04....(which to be fair to them, is a dramatic improvement on the low 14's they were getting not so long back)....meaning we finished our second show of the year a solid five points ahead of the competition.

We gave those new viewers a decent show too.....helped by the performances of both Hart brothers, Bret and Owen. Bret is just a class act all around, never complaining about putting someone over.....always putting in a solid performance......but Owen was the real star tonight.....(OOC: in a note I've never got before).....deliberately going out of his way to make sure that Kane came out of their match looking as good as he possibly could......he made the Big Red Monster look like a real star.

Speaking of the Hart Foundation, Davey Boy inked a new three year deal with us this week.....I'm happy about that.....Bulldog isn't the star he once was, but he's still a solid enough top guy to keep around on the roster.

In other contract news, both Billy Gunn and Jim Ross only have a month each left in their deals.....they have both been offered extensions, so far we are the only ones in the race for Jim Ross......WCW are stuffing around Billy Gunn however and seem keen to bring him in.....I don't really want to lose Gunn, but WCW throw money around like it's nothing and have already offered him more than I am comfortable with offering.....I'll have to see if there are some other perks I can tempt him with.....

Preview for Monday Night Raw, Week 3, January 1997

The Undertaker vs. Kevin Nash
Comments:

Steve Austin & Brian Pillman vs. The KLiQ (Hall & Waltman)
Comments:

Bret Hart vs. The Rock
Comments:

Rey Mysterio & Al Snow vs. Christopher Daniels & Dude Love
Comments:

Marty Jannetty vs Justin Credible
Comments:

#1 Contenders Match for the Intercontinental Championship
Chris Jericho vs. Mr. Perfect
Comments:

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